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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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ThesisItem Open Access Impact of Different Tillage Practices on Soil Moisture Variation and Physical properties of Soil In North Bihar(Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2013) Kumari, Sweta; Jain, S. K.A field experiment entitled "Impact of different Tillage Practices on soil Moisture Variation and Physical Properties of Soil in North Bihar" was conducted at the research farm of Rajendra Agricultural University, Bihar, Pusa (Samastipur) during rabi season of 2011-12 in randomized block design with eight treatment combinations replicated thrice to evaluate the effect of various conservation tillage treatments on the soil physical properties and yield of wheat crop. The selected treatments were - puddled transplanted rice + conventional tillage wheat, puddled transplanted rice + zero tillage wheat, rice and wheat on permanent beds with crop residue, zero tillage rice + conventional tillage wheat, zero tillage rice + zero tillage wheat without crop residue, zero tillage rice + zero tillage wheat with crop residue, unpuddled transplanted rice + zero tillage wheat and zero tillage rice with brown manuring + zero tillage wheat. The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam, calcareous with pH value 8.4 and poor in fertility. The effect of tillage treatments on the productivity of wheat crop and soil properties (soil moisture content, bulk density and infiltration characteristics) during wheat growth in rice – wheat cropping system were investigated. The results indicated that the treatment of rice and wheat on permanent beds with crop residue significantly influenced the soil moisture content throughout the root zone of the crop, bulk density of the soil, infiltration rate and ultimately the yield of the crop. The highest grain yield (60.46 q/ha) was recorded under this treatment.ThesisItem Open Access Fertigation Effect on Carnation(Dianthus caryophylus L.) under Polyhouse(Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2013) Kumar, Sunil; Suresh, R.In present study “Fertigation Effect on Carnation(Dianthus caryophylus L.) under Polyhouse, an attempt has been made to explore the feasibility of carnation cultivation under greenhouse condition. The experiment was laid under Split Plot Design (SPD) with twelve (12) treatments, i.e., 3 main treatments on variety, namely; V1: Loris; V2: Pingu & V3: Gioele, and 4 sub- treatments on fertigation, i. e, F1: 80 % fertigation of RDF of NPK; F2: 100% fertigation of NPK; F3: 120% fertigation of NPK and F4: 100% application of RDF, manually, i.e., control and three replications. The average daily month wise water requirement per plant of Carnation was computed to the tune of 0.15 cm October, 2012; 0.17cm November; 0.12cm December; 0.12cm January; 0.20 February; .41cm March; 0.56cm April and 0.47cm May, 2013. The total water requirement during crop period was found to be 66.56cm. Among different varietal treatments, the treatment V2 (Pingu) recorded maximum number of branches (9.80); minimum days for bud initiation (89.83 days)& flowering(164.83 days) ; maximum flower diameter (7.83cm) and stalk length (60.22cm) & girth (4.43mm) as well as maximum number of flowers per m2 area 281. As for effect of fertigation treatment is concerned, the treatment F3 (120% fertigation of RDF of NPK) is found very effective, might be due to application of higher doses, resulting maximum plant heights 28.88, 28.83, 45.31, 62.20, 80.33, 85.21 and 87.18cm, respectively at 30,60,90,120,150,180 and 210 DATs. Also, the number of branches (11.59); minimum time for bud formation (87.89 days), minimum days to flowering (165.11 days), maximum stalk length (57.83cm) and girth (4.91mm) as well as maximum number of flower per m2 area (352.22). The b/c ratio was also found highest in fertigation treatment F3, i.e. 2.60, 2.56 and 2.59 for all the varieties ,i.e., V1, V2 and V3, respectively, whereas lowest 0.81, 0.96 and 0.85 was recorded in control treatment (F4) for Loris, Pingu and Gioele, respectively.ThesisItem Open Access Fungal flora in soils of some Krishi Vigyan kemdras of zone - I of Bihar with special reference to population of Trichoderma species.(Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2013) Priya, Shweta; Upadhyay, J. P.The present study was carried out to know the distribution of fungal flora with special reference to population of Trichoderma species in 5 Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of Zone I of Bihar viz., Jale (Darbhanga), Saraiya (Muzaffarpur), Hariharpur (Vaishali), Birauli (Samastiur) and Madhopur (West Champaran). The fungal flora were isolated from the soil samples collected from cultivated field, orchard and vegetable plots of local farmers. The soil of cultivated plots of wheat (Triticum aestivum) field at KVK Jale had sandy loam while orchard’s soil had loamy sand texture. Soil pH of all samples was neutral to alkaline. Organic carbon ranged from 0.26 to 0.92 per cent. Higher fungal population (6 X 103 cfu/g soil) was recorded in soil of wheat field followed by orchard and brinjal (Solanum melongena) plot. Saprophytic fungus Aspergillus and Penicillium were observed in most of the soil samples. Trichoderma species were present in all the samples except in soils of lowland field of wheat. The soil texture of cultivated plots of wheat at KVK, Saraiya was silt clay loam whereas soil from brinjal’s plot of local farmer had silt loam texture. Soil pH was neutral to alkaline with higher organic carbon content (0.81 to 1.40 %). Maximum fungal population was recorded in soils of wheat plot 7 (14.6 X 103 cfu/g soil). Aspergillus was dominant in most of the soil samples. Lower population of Trichoderma was recorded in all the samples. Soil samples from KVK, Vaishali belonged to orchards of guava (Psidium guajava) and mango (Mangifera indica), mustard (Brassica compestris) field and cauliflower (Brassica olerecea) plot of local farmer. These soil samples showed wide range of pH (6.6 to 8.2) and organic carbon (0.24 to 0.71 %). Maximum fungal flora was isolated in soil of guava orchard and mustard field while it was minimum in cauliflower plot of local farmer (8.0 X 103 cfu/g soil). Penicillium species commonly observed in isolation. Maximum population of Trichoderma (5.3 X 103 cfu/g soil) was observed in soil of mustard field. Soil samples from the plot intercropped with turmeric(Curcuma longa), arvi (Colacasia esculenta), ginger (Zingiber officinale), sole crop of dhaincha (Sesbania bispinosa), litchi (Litchi chinensis) orchard and elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus campanulatus) plot had sandy loam to silt loam texture. The pH of all soil samples was near neutral to alkaline (7.9 to 8.1). Maximum fungal population was recorded in soil of litchi orchard (12.33 X 103 cfu/g soil). Trichoderma was recorded frequently in most of the soil samples. The species of Trichoderma viz., Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride were isolated from the soil samples of KVK, Birauli. Soil samples from plots of sugarcane (Saccharum officiniarum) K2 and B2 at KVK Madhopur had sandy loam texture, while soils of mango orchard and brinjal plot of farmer had clay loam texture. Soil pH of the samples was neutral to slightly alkaline and organic carbon content was very low (0.21 to 0.49 %). Maximum fungal population (13.0 X 103 cfu/g soil) was recorded in cultivated plots of sugarcane. Saprophytic fungus Penicillium dominated in most of the soil samples. Trichoderma harzianum was evaluated for its antagonistic potential against Rhizoctonia solani f. sp. sasakii causing banded leaf and sheath blight disease of maize. In dual culture, Trichoderma completely overgrew the colony of R. solani in 144 hours and completely inhibited the formation sclerotia. The mechanism of antagonism was hyphal coiling and penetration of the hyphae of Trichoderma in the hyphae of host fungus.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Colletotrichum leaf spot disease of turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.)(Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2013) Kumar, Abhishek; Mishra, A. K.Turmeric (curcuma longa L.) is an important spices crop and emerged as a high valued cash crop for intercropping in agro-forestry plantations. Among various diseases attacking turmeric, Colletotrichum leaf spot caused by Colletotrichum capsici is the most divesting disease. The present investigation was undertaken on epidemiology and management of this disease. Effect of environmental factors on development and progress of Colletotrichum leaf spot disease is important in order to device an appropriate and effective disease management strategy. Simple correlation, simple linear regression and multiple linear regression analysis were performed on epidemiological observations to establish relationship in between disease incidence and weather parameters. Progress of Colletotrichum leaf spot disease of turmeric is differing with different genotypes and interaction of different weather factors prevailing during crop season. The minimum intensity of disease i.e., initiation of incidence (PDI) was recorded as 4.00 during second week of September with 33.20oC max. temp., 25.97oC min. temp., 87% morning RH, 71.81% evening RH, 06.00 km/h wind velocity, 4.63 hr/day BSSH and 0.97 mm rainfall. Whereas maximum PDI was recorded as 66.00 with 14.30oC max. temp., 8.24oC min. temp., 93% morning RH, 78% evening RH, 3.2 km/hr wind velocity and without bright sun shine hours and rainfall. The periodic increase in disease intensity was maximum during beginning of 3rd week of October (127DAP). At this stage of maximum periodic increase in disease development was found favoured by max. temp. (32.14oC) min. temp.(21.4oC), morn.RH (89%), eve.RH (70%), BSSH (7.9h/day) and wind velocity (2.7km/hr.). A highly significant negative correlation was found between PDI and min. temp. (r = -0.975), wind velocity (r = -0.809), max. temp. (r = -0.758) and rainfall (r = -0.499) while it was found positive in case of morn. RH (r = -0.517). Simple linear regression analysis revealed that a negative regression co-efficient for all the weather parameters considered with PDI except morning RH. Highest regression co-efficient (b) of 0.951 followed by 0.654 in case of min. temp.and wind velocity respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed variation in co-efficient of determination (R2) from 0.574 to 0.990 indicating the range of variation in disease development minimum being 57 per cent when only max. temp. was taken into consideration and gradually attained maximum limit of 99 per cent based on the combine contribution of all weather parameters considered under study. Under germplasm screening, altogether 15 germplasm were evaluated against Colletotrichumcapsici under natural conditions. The varietal screening indicated the maximum PDI (65.00) in Morangia (Susceptible check) and minimum PDI (17.50) in RH-403. Five genotypes viz., RH-7, RH-50, RH-403, RH-411 and RH-412 was found moderately resistant against the diseases. Minimum PDI (13.33) with highest rhizome yield (35.13t/ha) fallowed by PDI (16.67) and rhizome yield (34.42t/ha) was recorded in four numbers of spray with Zineb @0.3% followed by Tricyclazole @0.1% at fortnightly interval. Best incremental cost benefit ratio (1:10.64) was recorded under the treatment where the crop was sprayed with Hexaconazole @0.1% followed by ICBR of 1:9.38 with fungicidal spray of Tricyclazole @0.1%.ThesisItem Open Access Study on adoption of gram production technology in Diara land of Bihar.(Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2013) Kumar, Neeraj; Singh, Ashok K.ThesisItem Open Access Bio-efficacy of some newer acaricides and population dynamics of red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch on brinjal, Solanum melongena L.(Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2013) Monica, Vamguri Latha; Kumar, AnilIn order to study the bioefficacy of newer acaricides and population dynamics of red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch on brinjal, experiments were conducted in the laboratory as well as in field conditions from the month of March to August 2012. The bioefficacy of newer acaricides against T.urticae was determined in the laboratory at Department of Entomology, S.R.I, R.A.U, where as the field experiment was laid out at the Research Farm of Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), Bihar, India. The results pertaining to the present studies have been abstracted below. The absolute population of two spotted mite, T.urticae commenced from the third week of March 2012 and continued its activity till the month of August. Initial population was low and gradually reached peak (6.91 mites per 1 cm2 leaf area) in the first week of June when the weather parameters viz.; maximum and minimum temperature (0C), relative humidity (%) at 07 and 14 hours and recorded 38.3, 27.1, 76 and 47 respectively. There was no rainfall (mm) during this period of observation. These weather parameters were found to be congenial for the population build up of red spider mite. The mite population gradually declined from the month of July and became untraceable in the month of August. The relationship between the population of T. urticae and the weather parameters showed significant positive correlation (r= 0.814) with maximum temperature and significant negative correlation (r= -0.425) with relative humidity at 07 hrs while, non-significant with minimum temperature, relative humidity at 14 hrs and rainfall. All these weather parameters combinedly produced 73.50 percent impact on mite population (R2 = 0.735). Eight newer acaricides including standard check (dicofol) that were tested against T. urticae on brinjal crop in laboratory conditions revealed that the treatments, T8 (dicofol @ 4 ml/ltr), T2 (fenopyroximate @ 0.8 ml/ltr), T3 (spiromesifan@ 0.7 ml/ltr ), T6 (propargite @ 4.0 ml/ltr ) and T1 (diafenthurion @ 0.75 gm/ltr) were highly effective by causing 98% mortality and possessed excellent acaricidal properties. It is quite evident from the data that the per cent mortality increased with increase in exposure period under laboratory condition. Under field conditions also, the bioefficacy of acaricides showed same pattern as that in laboratory conditions. The standard check i.e., dicofol recorded cent per cent mortality in the laboratory and 80 percent mortality in the field conditions respectively.ThesisItem Open Access Bio-efficacy of Some Newer Insecticides against Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer, Leucinodes orbonalis (Guen) and their residues in/on brinjal fruits.(Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2013) Gupta, Surya Prakash; Singh, S. P.Bio-efficacy of six newer insecticides – emamectin benzoate (15 g a.i. ha-1), imidacloprid (20 g a.i. ha-1), indoxacarb (50 g a.i. ha-1) lambda – cyhalothrin (15 g a.i. ha-1) and spinosad (50 g a.i. ha-1) along with quinalphos (250 g a.i. ha-1) was evaluated against shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guen.) in brinjal (Solanum melongena Linn) at Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar during Rabi 2012-13. Spinosad treatment was significantly superior to others and at par with emamectin benzoate in reducing the shoot and fruit borer damage. Spinosad at 50 g a.i. ha-1 recorded the maximum fruit yield (280.42 q ha-1). It was followed by emamectin benzoate at15 g a.i. ha-1 (267.74 q ha-1) and indoxacarb at 50 g a.i. ha-1 (262.58 q ha-1). Lambda - cyhalothrin 15 g a.i. ha-1 treatment recorded maximum cost - benefit ratio of 1: 4.23 closely followed by imidacloprid 20 g and quinalphos 250 g a.i. ha-1 with ICBR of 1: 3.71 and 1: 3.43, respectively. Residues of imidacloprid at 20 g a.i. ha-1 and lambda – cyhalothrin at 15 g a.i. ha-1 were estimated quantitatively by HPLC/GLC in/on brinjal fruits. Initial deposits of insecticides were higher in imidacloprid than lambda – cyhalothrin. Initial deposits of 0.652 mg kg-1 of imidacloprid dissipated to 93.17 per cent on 10th day. In lambda – cyhalothrin the initial deposits were 0.138 mg kg-1 which dissipated to 92.75 per cent on 10th day. The degradation of imidacloprid was relatively higher as compared to lambda – cyhalothrin. Both imidacloprid and lambda – cyhalothrin had half – life values of 1.92 and 2.65 days, respectively on brinjal fruits. The safe waiting period for imidacloprid was found 4.70 days. In lambda - cyhalothrin, no waiting period is required after its application as the initial deposits were less than its MRL (0.3 mg kg-1). Simple washing of treated brinjal fruits with tap water removed insecticide residue in significant amount. The per cent removal of insecticide residues were to the extent of 25.23 – 36.20 per cent in imidacloprid and in lambda – cyhalothrin, the reduction in residue was 28.57 – 42.75 per cent.ThesisItem Open Access Physiology of Germinating Aerobic Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes under Moisture Stress(Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2013) Kumar, Ghanshyam; Singh, A. K.Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is most important staple food crop in Asia. Rice is the life of more than half of the world population. Globally, rice is grown over an area of 164.80 million hectare with an annual production of 721 million tones having productivity of 4.4 tonnes/hecatres. Over 90% of world’s rice is produced and consumed in Asia, where it provides 35-60% of total calories intake (FAO, 2011-12). In India, rice is cultivated on an area of 45.20 million hectare with an annual production of 102 million tonnes having productivity of 2.26 tonnes/hectares. In Bihar, rice is cultivated an area of 3.33 million hectares with 6.75 million tonnes having average productivity of 2.02 tonnes/hectares (Anonymous, 2012). Aerobic rice is one of the best approaches which can address the problem of drought and limited water. As we know, rice requires approximately 3000-5000 liters of water to grow one kilogram of rice traditionally and the availability of water for agriculture is declining. There is need to save water for rice cultivation in future to overcome the problem of water scarcity. Keeping this in mind present study is undertaken to identify some parameters to screen tolerant genotypes and also to study tolerance mechanism against moisture stress. For this study, different concentration of moisture stress, viz., -5.0, -8.0 and -10.0 (atm.) were prepared using polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). Seeds of twenty five aerobic rice genotypes were disinfected with 0.1% HgCl2 solution for two minutes and then thoroughly washed with distilled water. Twenty five seeds of each genotype were put in each sterilized Petri dish lined with blotting paper. Seeds were treated with three levels of moisture stress, viz,. -5.0, -8.0 and -10.0 (atm.). In control, seeds were treated distilled water. Germination counts were recorded after twenty-four hours and experiment was terminated on 8th day. Based on the germination percentage, vigour index and mobilization efficiency against maximum stress level, tolerant/susceptible aerobic rice genotypes were screened. During the screening of genotype IR 79913- B-176-B-4 and IR 55423- 01 were identified as tolerant, whereas IR 81429- B-31 and IR 80312- 6-B-3-2-B were found susceptible genotypes at -10.0 (atm.). The physiological parameters like germination percentage, germination relative index, vigour index, mobilization efficiency, seedling length, root length, shoot length and shoot/root ratio declined with increasing moisture stress. Tolerant genotypes were significantly superior to susceptible genotypes with regard to all physiological parameters. Among the biochemical parameters reducing, non-reducing and total sugars showed a decreasing trend in all the genotypes. Tolerant genotypes had minimum reduction percentage in comparison with susceptible genotypes. At -10.0 (atm.) stress level, starch content was higher in susceptible genotypes in comparison with tolerant genotypes. Total soluble proteins content showed decreasing trend in tolerant genotypes, whereas increasing in susceptible ones. The proline content showed an increasing trend with increasing moisture stress. However, the percentage increase in proline content was relatively more in tolerant genotypes than susceptible. With regard to total phenols content it increased in tolerant and decreased in susceptible genotypes. The amylase activity showed a decreasing trend with increase in moisture stress. Though, amylase activity was found higher in tolerant genotypes. The protease activity and peroxidase activity increased in tolerant genotypes and decreased in susceptible genotypes. As regard co-relation co-efficient of with germination percentage, these parameters starch and protein were found negatively co-related and the rest of the parameters are positively co-related. Amylase was found non-significant and total sugar was significant, whereas proline, phenol, protease and peroxidase were highly significant. Some of these parameters might be useful for screening/ devolving aerobic rice genotypes against moisture stress.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of agronomical and chemical weed management practices on growth, yield and quality of summer mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)(Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2013) Raj, Shashi Kant; Singh, DevendraThe present field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil at the crop research centre, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar to study the “Effect of agronomical and chemical weed management practices on growth, yield and quality of summer mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)”. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments was agronomical weed management viz., weedy check (W0), mulching with rice straw (W1), hand weeding (W2), hand hoeing (W3), cross sowing (W4) and additive inter cropping with sesamum (W5). However, the sub plot treatments was chemical weed control viz., weedycheck (H0), pendimthalin @ 1000 ml/ha (H1), oxyfluorfen @ 100 ml/ha (H2) &quizalofop ethyl @ 40 ml/ha (H3). The test variety used was HUM-16 and crop was sown at a spacing 30 cm × 10 cm. The gross and net plot size were 5m × 3 m and 3.8 m × 2.0 m, respectively. Spraying of Pendimethalin @ 1000 ml/ha and oxyfluorfen @ 100 ml/ha were pre-emergence while, quizalofop ethyl @ 40 ml/ha used as post-emergence (25 DAS). Growth parameters got marginally better reflection under cross sowing (W4) viz., plant height & plant population count. While weed population and weed dry weight were significantly lower in cross sowing and application of Oxyfluorfen @ 100 ml/ha (H2). However, weed control efficiency (%) was also higher in cross sowing (W4) under agronomical weed management treatment and similarly also higher under oxyfluorfen @ 100 ml/ha (H2) among chemical weed management treatments. Number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant was higher under hand weeding (W3) treatments than weedy check (W0). While the number of seeds/pod and 1000 grain weight was recorded similar with all agronomical weed management treatments. Marginal higher number of pods/plant and number of seeds/plant were found with oxyfluorfen @ 100 ml/ha (H2). Grain yield and straw were gave better expression under Cross Sowing (W4) followed by hand weeding (W2). While application of oxyfluorfen @ 100 ml/ha (H2) gave highest yield which was significantly superior over rest of the treatment followed by application of pendimethalin @ 1000 ml/ha (W1). Grain: straw ratio, as well as harvest index (%) was influenced by neither agronomical method nor herbicidal method of weed control. Mulching with rice straw (W1) enhanced the population of bacteria and fungi, while application of herbicides reduced the bacterial and fungal population then weedy check (H0). Cross sowing (W4) gave higher gross return ( 59532/ha) and net return ( 40902/ha) which is significantly superior over all other treatments the next best treatment was hand weeding (W1). Among the chemical weed management application of oxyfluorfen @ 100 ml/ha (H2) gave higher gross return ( 55659/ha) and net return ( 35887/ha) and was followed by application ofpendimethalin @ 1000 ml/ha (H1), recording 49412/ha. and net 32143/ha gross and net return respectively.