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Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa

In the imperial Gazetteer of India 1878, Pusa was recorded as a government estate of about 1350 acres in Darbhanba. It was acquired by East India Company for running a stud farm to supply better breed of horses mainly for the army. Frequent incidence of glanders disease (swelling of glands), mostly affecting the valuable imported bloodstock made the civil veterinary department to shift the entire stock out of Pusa. A British tobacco concern Beg Sutherland & co. got the estate on lease but it also left in 1897 abandoning the government estate of Pusa. Lord Mayo, The Viceroy and Governor General, had been repeatedly trying to get through his proposal for setting up a directorate general of Agriculture that would take care of the soil and its productivity, formulate newer techniques of cultivation, improve the quality of seeds and livestock and also arrange for imparting agricultural education. The government of India had invited a British expert. Dr. J. A. Voelcker who had submitted as report on the development of Indian agriculture. As a follow-up action, three experts in different fields were appointed for the first time during 1885 to 1895 namely, agricultural chemist (Dr. J. W. Leafer), cryptogamic botanist (Dr. R. A. Butler) and entomologist (Dr. H. Maxwell Lefroy) with headquarters at Dehradun (U.P.) in the forest Research Institute complex. Surprisingly, until now Pusa, which was destined to become the centre of agricultural revolution in the country, was lying as before an abandoned government estate. In 1898. Lord Curzon took over as the viceroy. A widely traveled person and an administrator, he salvaged out the earlier proposal and got London’s approval for the appointment of the inspector General of Agriculture to which the first incumbent Mr. J. Mollison (Dy. Director of Agriculture, Bombay) joined in 1901 with headquarters at Nagpur The then government of Bengal had mooted in 1902 a proposal to the centre for setting up a model cattle farm for improving the dilapidated condition of the livestock at Pusa estate where plenty of land, water and feed would be available, and with Mr. Mollison’s support this was accepted in principle. Around Pusa, there were many British planters and also an indigo research centre Dalsing Sarai (near Pusa). Mr. Mollison’s visits to this mini British kingdom and his strong recommendations. In favour of Pusa as the most ideal place for the Bengal government project obviously caught the attention for the viceroy.

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2017 - 20183
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Author: Kumari, Shweta × End date: 2020 × Start date: 2015 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Morphological and bio chemical characterization of Winged bean Rhizobium and its impact as seed Inoculant either singly or Combinedly with PGPR towards Yield Attributing Characters and Yield of Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)”
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, 2018) Kumari, Shweta; Yadav, R.C.
    A laboratory investigation for morphological and bio-chemical characterization and physiological properties of winged bean Rhizobium with a purified culture; and a field experiment consisting of four seed-inoculation treatments [No inoculation, Rhizobium, PGPR(Bacillus) and Rhizobium+PGPR(Bacillus)] and three nitrogen levels [0, 20 and 40 kg ha-1] in RBD (factorial) with three replications for evaluation of two winged bean germplasm IC-17002 and DLN-9, during crop season in the year 2014-15 and with better-performing IC-17002 in 2015-16 to find out impact of the Rhizobium as seed inoculant alone or in combinedly with PGPR on yield attributes and yield of winged bean were conducted at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi Farm of RPCAU, Pusa (Bihar). The pure-culture of winged bean Rhizobium isolate was Gram-negative rod-shaped with a dimension of 0.59 μm x 1.81μm. The Rhizobium tested vis-à-vis (pea, gram, lentil and moong-rhizobia) showed a wide diversity in tolerance for its growth at different pH values, though neutral pH being the optimum. The winged bean-Rhizobium isolate produced 64.6 μg mL-1 of IAA at 72h of incubation with antibiotic-resistance and carbon-utilization test, the Rhizobium isolate was found to be resistant to vancomycin (30μg) and utilized a wider group of carbon sources than other rhizobia. The Fatty-Acid-Methyl-Ester (FAME) profiling confirmed that it belonged to Rhizobium-miscellany group. Seed inoculation and nitrogen levels greatly influenced nodule-parameters, nitrogenase activity and yield attributes, value of which were the highest with the combined inoculation of Rhizobium+PGPR (Bacillus), followed by seed inoculation of Rhizobium alone, and differed significantly among themselves at both 60 and 120 days after sowing (DAS). Nitrogen application @ 20 kg ha-1 recorded significantly higher nodule parameters over the control. The inoculation x nitrogen interaction effect was found to be significant with respect to nodule parameters. The combined inoculation of Rhizobium+PGPR (Bacillus) at 20 kg N ha-1 appeared significantly superior to other treatment combinations. S, Fe and Mo in the nodule recorded higher at 60 DAS than at 120 DAS. Rhizobium inoculation alone caused higher S and Mo content in nodule, whereas combined application of Rhizobium and PGPR recorded the highest Fe content at both growth stages. Nitrogen application @ 20 kg ha-1 increased Fe content significantly over no-nitrogen application at 120 DAS. The highest nitrogen content in pod was noted by combined inoculation of Rhizobium and PGPR treatment, followed by Rhizobium alone. Nitrogen @ 20 kg ha-1 was found to be superior to the higher level of N application. The combined inoculation of Rhizobium and PGPR at 20 kg N ha-1 proved better than the other treatments. The treatments recorded greater N and P content of winged bean plant at 60, 120 DAS and at harvest. In seed, Rhizobium and PGPR inoculation in combination recorded more N content than other treatments and was found to be at par with Rhizobium inoculation alone. Nitrogen application @ 20 kg ha-1 recorded higher N, P and K in seed of winged bean in first year only. Protein content in green edible pod, seed and tuber was significantly increased by combined inoculation of Rhizobium and PGPR over the control and was at par with the treatment of Rhizobium inoculation alone, whereas basal nitrogen @ 20 kg ha-1 favoured more protein content than higher level of nitrogen. After harvest of winged bean, the highest available soilnitrogen build-up was recorded with the treatment of Rhizobium inoculation alone. Seed-oil content (33.76 %) recorded the highest in the treatment with seed inoculation of PGPR at zero nitrogen application. The study proved the multiple-utilitarian potential of winged bean including its role in soil fertility improvement which was best with seedinoculation of Rhizobium-miscellany and PGPR either alone or in combination with basal dose of 20 kg N ha-1.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Uses of Weather Forecasting Advisory Services as Disseminated by Dr.R.P.C.A.U among the farmers of Muzaffarpur District
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, 2018) Kumari, Shweta; Prakash, Satya
    Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. Compared to various other sectors of economy, agriculture is unique, whose output is largely dependent on weather conditions. The degree of success of agriculture production and its economics is determined to a significant extent by how well weather conditions corresponding to the optimal requirements of the crop are best exploited to raise the crops. Also, how effectively adverse weather conditions, which cause moisture, thermal, wind, radiation and biotic stress impeding growth and development of crop are managed to minimize their adversity. Further to this, it also depends on management aspects of preventing the crops from severe weather conditions. Agriculture in India and entire world in mostly dependent on the persisting weather conditions. The alteration is global warming has dramatically effected agriculture and its productivity. The increase in temperature has significantly led to change in the agricultural zones and shift in the growing seasons. On the other hand the change in the rainfall pattern is the serious threat to agriculture, which turn affects the country’s economy and food security. The delayed or inadequate monsoons also cause influence on the sale of agriculture inputs such as fertilizers, agrochemicals, tractors etc. So advance weather forecasting is essential for mass awakening. It is evident from experiences that yearly information of weather and appropriate advisory minimizes the production loss of farmers. Therefore, In view of the effectiveness of advisory services study has been proposed with the following specific objectives: 1. To assess the socio- economic and personal characteristics of users. 2. To explore the level of knowledge and attitude of users towards the weather forecasting information. 3. To study the extent of adoption of weather forecasting information as disseminated by R.P.C.A.U. 4. To identify the different constraints as perceived by the users related with adoption of weather forecasting information. 5. To ascertain the relationship between selected socio- economic and personal characteristics of users with the adoption level of weather forecasting information. The study was conducted in Marwan and Saraiya block of Muzaffarpur district of Bihar. One village was selected from each block i.e. Bhagwatpur and Ballysaraiya. 30 farmers were selected from each village so total numbers of farmers were 60 for study purpose. Twelve independent variables of the study were: Age, Caste, Occupation, Education, Family type, Family size, Annual family income, Social participation, Sources of information utilized, Attitude, Farming experience, Land of size holding. The dependent variables were: Knowledge level and Extent of adoption. All the variables were measured strictly under the set rule and procedure, with scale and schedule developed for the study. An interview schedule was prepared and face to face interview was carried out with farmers. Appropriate statistical tests were used for data analysis. This study concluded that maximum per cent of farmers were belonged to middle age group, OBC caste, farming occupation, high school education level, joint family type, medium size family, less than Rs.50, 000 annual family income. Likewise farmers had not member of any organization in social participation, often used TV and AAS bulletin as source of information, above 10 years of farming experience, marginal land holding group. It is also concluded that farmer had medium level of knowledge about weather forecasting information, medium favourable attitude towards weather forecasting information, medium level of adoption of weather forecasting information. It can be observed that “Farmers could not understand SMS on mobile due to lack of knowledge of its application” and “The farmers cannot get time to view weather forecast advisory services due to delay in media” has got first and second rank respectively while “Farmers are not able to know the economic benefits of weather forecasts” has got last rank in constraints perceived by the farmers. It is also observed that attitude and size of land holding had a positive significant association with the level of adoption of farmers towards weather forecasting information.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Enhancing Wheat Productivity through SWI:A Impact Study of Samastipur District
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Kumari, Shweta; Prakash, Satya
    System of Wheat Intensification (SWI) is a synergistic management technique involving a few components of wheat farming such as planting, irrigation, weeding, nutrient management and seed treatment. The management practices under SWI provide better conditions for growth of wheat crop particularly in the root zone than those plants grown under traditional or conventional wheat farming. Seed treatment or seed priming generally improves germination and helps in early emergence of seedlings. Maintaining controlled plant density is the crucial part in wheat cultivation. Most of the SWI recommendations are of maintaining wider spacing with less number of seeds per hill. OBJECTIVES OF INVESTIGATION: 1. To explore the socio-economic and demographical profile of adopters and non-adopters of SWI. 2. To assess the level of knowledge about SWI of adopters and non adopters. 3. To ascertain the perception and attitude of selected respondent about SWI. 4. To find out reasons of non-adoption partial adoption and adoption of packages and practices related with SWI. Thahara, Morsand, Indrawara and Sarangpur villages were selected from Pusa and Morwa block respectively of Samastipur district. The total numbers of respondents were 60 out of 30 were adopters and 30 were non-adopters. Collection of data through interview method. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Statistical tools frequency and percentage were used for analysis of the data. The analysis revealed that among the adopters, nearly 50 per cent of them belong to young age group, while among non-adopters 40 per cent belongs to old age group. It is also revealed that nearly 40 percent of adopters were from BC category, whereas 36.67 per cent of non-adopters were from BC category. 63.34 per cent of adopters were farming as occupation but among non-adopters 73.33 per cent were farming as occupation. Majority of the adopters, 65 per cent were found to have studied beyond high school and graduation, while 50 per cent non-adopters were educated beyond high school and graduation. Among adopters, nearly 70 per cent were small and marginal farmers, and among non-adopters 70 per cent were marginal and medium farmers. In case of adopters, nearly 60 per cent had income ranging from 1.5 to 2 lakh rupees i.e. medium to high whereas 80 per cent non-adopters had very low to low income. Among the adopters, 30 per cent were not a member of any organization and 50 per cent were member of one organization whereas 60 per cent respondents of non-adopters were not a member of any organization and 33 per cent were member of one organization. Both among adopters and non-adopters nearly 80 per cent respondents were utilized pumping set for irrigation purpose. Localite interpersonal information source were ‘often’ or ‘sometimes’ utilized by majority of respondents from both samples. But among adopters contact with scientist was most among all under ‘most often’ category. With respect to knowledge of various components of SWI technology found that 50-80 per cent respondents of adopters had medium to high level knowledge, but in case of non-adopters 40 per cent respondents had medium to high level knowledge. Among adopters 42.67 per cent had strongly agree and 3.56 per cent had strongly disagree perception, but in case of non-adopters 35.33 per cent of respondents had strongly agree and 8.67 per cent had strongly disagree perception. Among the adopters, 50 per cent had favourable attitude. But among non-adopters 40 per cent had unfavourable attitude. With respect to adoption of SWI technology majority of adopters were found to be ‘medium adopting’ i. e. 50 per cent whereas in case of non-adopters 60 per cent of respondents had low level of adoption.