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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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201427
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End date: 2014 × Start date: 2014 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Screening of maize varieties to zinc stress in calcareouus soil.
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Rupali; Kumar, Vipin
    A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2012-13 in highly calcareous sandy loam soil, deficient in available Zn (0.56 mg kg-1) at Research Farm, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa to study the screening of maize varieties to zinc stress in calcareous soil. The experiment was laid out in split plot design assigning Zn levels ( 0, 5 and 10 Kg Zn ha-1 ) in main and twelve maize varieties ( Shaktiman 1, Shaktiman 2, Shaktiman 3, Shaktiman 5, Laxmi, Swan, Devki, Hemant , NK 6607, Raja 909, Rasitopless and Rasi 3022) in sub plot and replicated thrice. The varieties responded differently to Zn application with respect to grain and straw as well as concentration and their uptake of zinc nutrition. The average grain yield at 5.0 and 10.0 kg Zn ha-1 were statistically at par in composite varieties, but in case of hybrid and quality protein maize 10 kg Zn ha-1 has optimum. Hence, 10.0 kg Zn ha-1 was rated as optimum level for most of the varieties, only for the composite varieties may be rated 5.0 kg Zn ha-1 level for maize production. On the basis of percent response (figure in Parenthesis) to grain yield the relative susceptibility of maize varieties to Zn stress were as follow. Shaktiman 5 > (32.9) Rasi 3022 > (27.5) Raja 909> (26.5) Rasitopless > (26.3) NK 6607 > (24.5) Shaktimn 1 > (19.9) Shaktiman 3> (17.7) Shaktiman 2> (16.9) Devki > (16.5) Laxmi > (12.3) Swan > (10.8) Hemant (10.0) The varieties giving highest magnitude of response were rated to be most inefficient and those giving least response were classified as most efficient. On the basis of Zinc efficiency index and Zinc efficiency, out of twelve maize varieties screened under zinc stress and sufficient condition the Laxmi, Swan, Devki and Hemant were found to be efficient and Raja 909, Shaktiman 5, NK 6607, Rasi 3022 and Rasitopless varieties were found to be inefficient.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of Bio-methanated Distillery effluent on soil fertility, yield and quality of sugarcane in Calciorthent
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Kumar, Raju; Alam, M.
    Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is one of the most important cash crops grown in all tropical and subtropical countries of the world and most efficient living collector of solar energy in the form of fibre and fermentable sugars. It provides employment not only to agricultural but also to industrial labourers in the sugar factories. Productivity of sugarcane in Bihar is 56.8 tonnes per hectare. Sugar factories generate many by-products viz. bagasse, molasses, press mud and waste materials. Molasses is used in distillery industry as a raw material for the production of alcohol and distilleries discharge waste water called as spent wash. Its direct use in agricultural fields is generally not considered safe because of its high biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) i.e. 40,000-50,000 mg l-1 and 90,000 -100,000 mg l-1, respectively. The spent wash contains 30-35% C; 2.31% N; 0.82% P and 9.25% K. There was a remarkable reduction in BOD, COD and salinity after bio-methanization process using methane gas and utilizing methogenic bacteria. The manurial value of the effluents can profitably be used as supplement to fertilizer and organic matter. Keeping this in view present investigation was carried at the experiment was conducted at pusa farm on calcarious sandy loam soil having pH 8.15, low in organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphrous and medium in potassium in Randomiged Block Design, replicated four times to evaluate the effect of bio-methanated distillery effluent (BMDE) on soil fertility, yield and quality of sugarcane in Calciorthent. The experiment involved seven treatments integrating BMDE and levels of NPK (T1: 100% NPK, T2: 150 m3 ha-1, T3: T2 +100% NPK, T4: T2 +75% NPK, T5: T2 +50% NPK, T6: T2 +25% NPK, T7: Control). The cane yield of sugarcane was significantly increased by 53.4% over control with the application of BMDE @ 150 m3 ha-1 along with 100% RDF. However, Juice quality viz. Brix, Sucrose, Purity and CCS was not influenced with BMDE and nutrient application but BMDE @ 150 m3 ha-1 along with 100% RDF had greatly enhanced the NPK uptake by 52.22%, 67.46% and 58.23%, respectively over control. Application of BMDE @ 150 m3 ha-1 along with 100% NPK greatly reduced the bulk density and increased the porosity and infiltration rate. Maximum availability of NPK was recorded with the application of recommended dose of NPK and BMDE @ 150 m3 ha-1. Whereas, higher availability of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu was obtained with the application of BMDE @ 150 m3 ha-1. Because BMDE is a rich source of micro nutrients and their interactions with chemical fertilizer decrease the availability of micronutrients. Similarly, soil microbial population as well as enzymatic activities were also increased under treatment T3 (150 m3ha-1 BMDE+ 100% NPK). Initial application of BMDE @ 150 m3 ha-1 along with 100% RDF was statically at par with 75% NPK dose along with 150 m3 ha-1 BMDE performed best in improving cane yield, juice quality and soil health of sugarcane. Thus initial applications BMDE @ 150 m3 ha-1 could save 25% NPK.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Physiology of maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes under moisture stress condition
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Singh, Pankaj Kumar; Kavita
    The present investigation was planned and carried out during the period 2012-2013 during Rabi season at T.C.A, Dholi, Research farm, R.A.U., Pusa in Randomize block design with three replication. Altogether twelve genotypes of maize namely Shaktiman-3, Rajendra Hybrid Maize-1 ,Rajendra Hybrid Maize-2 Rajendra Hybrid Maize-3 Shaktiman-1, Lakshmi, Devki, Shaktiman-4 ,DHM-117, MHQPM- 09- 8, Rajendra hybrid Maize Deep Jwala, Shaktiman-2 were sown in stress and control conditions. Based on the anthesis silking interval and yield against moisture stress, tolerant/susceptible maize genotypes were screened. Devki and shaktiman-4 were identified as tolerant, whereas Lakshmi and Shaktiman-1 were found susceptible genotypes .The physiological parameters like root length, root volume, leaf area index (LAI), plant height, and yield parameters like no. of cobs/plot, No. of lines/cob, 1000-grain weight and yield (q/ha) decreased in moisture stress expect root length at both tasseling and silking stage. Tolerant genotypes were significantly superior to susceptible genotypes with regard to all physiological, biochemical, enzymatic and yield parameters at both stage. Among the biochemical parameters, sugar and proline content increased in moisture stress in all the genotypes at both stages. Correlation co-efficient values (r) between yield (q/ha) and all parameters in moisture stress were determined. All parameters studies in control condition were found negatively correlated but positively correlated in stress condition at both tasseling and silking stage. Among the positively correlated parameters, protein (0.913*), protease activity (0.923*) and peroxidase activity (0.900*) were found significant at silking stage. Also protease activity (0.938*) and peroxidase activity (0.940*) were significant at tasseling stage. Whereas proline correlation value (0.990**) at tasseling and (0.977**) at silking stage were highly significant. Some of these parameters might prove useful for screening tolerant genotypes for improving maize genotypes against moisture stress.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Physio-biochemical Response of Salt Stress in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes during Germination
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Kumari, Suman; Mandal, M. P.
    The present investigation was carried out to screen different genotypes of rice (Oryza sativa L.) during seedling growth stage and to identify some useful physiological parameters for selection of the tolerant and susceptible rice genotypes against salt stress. The salt solution was prepared by using NaCl:CaCl2:Na2SO4 in the ratio of 7:2:1(w/v) and its electrical conductivity of different salinity levels were maintained on direct reading conductivity meter. Paddy seeds were sterilized by soaking in 0.1% HgCl2for four minutes thoroughly washed with de-ionized water and germinated in petri-dishes with blotting paper at 25±2°C. Screening of 22 genotypes was done on the basis of Germination per cent, Germination Relative Iindex (GRI), Vigour index (VI) & Mobilization efficiency (ME). Out of these four rice genotypes belonging to two groups viz. tolerant and susceptible were subjected to different salt stress condition 0.0, 8.0, 12.0 dSm-1 .The impact of salt stress on 10-day-old seedling of rice genotypes was evaluated on the basis of certain physiological and biochemical parameters under laboratory condition. Salt stress of paddy was examined on seed germination and seedling growth of four (kishori, Rajshree, Marcha & Jeeravati) rice genotypes, the salt solution reduced seed germination and seedling growth of rice seeds. On the value of per cent reduction in seed germination, GRI, ME and VI the inhibitory effect of different salt stress was maximum in susceptible genotypes ( Marcha and Jeeravati ) followed by tolerant genotypes ( Kishori and Rajshree). On an average, the germination percentage, germination relative index, vigour index of tolerant genotypes was 86.22, 595.39, 918.09 and 43.41 significantly higher than that of susceptible genotypes 77.22, 512.33, 745.98 and 46.27, respectively. Salt stress of paddy showed inhibitory effect on reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, total sugar, peroxidase, soluble protein content, catalase activity, potassium and phosphorus content and stimulatory effect on starch content, total free amino acids, protease activity, proline content, sodium content and sodium potassium ratio of rice seedlings.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on native fungi in Relation to crop health of Tulasi.
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Kumari, Ritu; Jha, P. K.
    Rhizosphere of Tulsi plant comprised of diverse range of fungal population as compared to phylloplane which harbored less diverse fungal spectrum. The fungal species isolated from rhizosphere were Trichoderma harzianum ,Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp. and Fusarium sp. The fungal species isolated from phylloplane were Alternaria sp., Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp. and Fusarium sp. All the rhizosphere fungi were found to be non- pathogenic whereas among phylloplane fungi Alternaria sp. showed pathogenic effect under pot condition and also through detached leaf technique. Some of the fungal species such as Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp. and Fusarium sp. were common in both rhizosphere and phylloplane. Among rhizosphere fungi Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. were found to exhibit growth promoting effect and favoured healthy and vigrous growth of plant. Likewise the phylloplane isolates, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. showed marked effect and favoured plant growth. All the benificial fungal isolates showed antagonistic effect against pathogenic isolate Alternaria in dual culture. Among these Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma harzianum were found to exhibit stronger antagonistic effect. All these benificial fungi were found to supress the pathogenic effect of Alternaria under pot condition. Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. showed greater inhibition of pathogenic effect and favoured healthy and vigrous growth of plant. Antagonistic effect of Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp. and Trichoderma harzianum under lab and pot condition and their growth promoting behaviour may be exploited for evolving disease management strategy against leaf spot of Tulsi caused by Alternaria sp.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Eco-freindly management of leaf spot of Piper longum caused by Botryodiplodia theobromae.
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Kumari, Amrita; Jha, P. K.
    The leaf spot of Piper longum L. caused by Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat. was found to appear as few tiny spots on lower leaves, which increased in number and size gradually and also, affected upper leaves, finally various spot merged covering the entire leaf and ultimately leaf turned yellow and dried. There was fast development of disease from May to September and maximum disease severity was recorded in the month of September (31.1per cent) Among various fungicides tested against Botryodiplodia theobromae the most effective was Carbendazim at various concentration 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%; among other fungicides Propiconazole, Blitox -50 and SAAF were also effective. Among various botanicals extract, Brahmi extract was most effective in suppression of growth of target pathogen, the next most effective extract was mundookprani, which also markedly supressed the growth of pathogen. All the native and commercial isolates of Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum were found highly effective in supression of growth of pathogen. However native isolates of Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum showed significantly stronger antagonistic effect against the pathogen as compared to commercial isolates of the both antagonists (Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum). Among all the isolates, Trichoderma viride native showed the strongest antagonistic effect. The most effective chemical and botanical and the strongest native antagonists -Trichoderma viride may be utilised for evolving integrated disease management strategy against leaf spots of Piper longum caused by Botryodiplodia theobromae.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Management of Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus of Urdbeanthrough Chemical and Host Plant Resistance.
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Iqubal, Md. Jawaid; Sahni, Sangeeta
    Urdbean (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) is an important pulse crop grown worldwide. MYMV is an important disease of urdbean in India, because it causes huge losses in production of urdbean. The urdbean crop can be protected by seed treatment with imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 5 ml/kg seed along with two foliar spray with imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.03%, first spray given at just after appearance of disease and second spray after 20 day of first spray, which recorded 24.73 % disease reduction over control and brought out significant increase in the growth and yield parameters assessed resulted in maximum seed yield (2.68 g per plant). This treatment found to be cost effective and profitable among all other treatments tested and recorded highest net returns ( 14927.00/ha) with ICBR of 1:11.40. To combat this disease, eighty two genotypes were screened during summer 2013 and kharif 2013 against MYMV of urdbean. only one entry, NDU 12-1 was found to be disease free, nine genotypes (IPU 10-23, KUG 586, Mash - 338, NDU 12-300, PU 09-35, UH 07-06, Uttara, VBG 10-008, & VBN 6) found to be highly resistance and four genotypes (Kopergaon, RUG-44, VBG 09-005 and NDU 11-201) showed resistance consistently in both the seasons. However, out of 82 genotypes, only four genotypes i.e. VBN (BG) 7, IPU 2-43, KUG 586, & KUG 503 were found to be superior for seed yield as well as resistant to MYMV. Variation among 24 urdbean genotypes, showing disease free, highly resistant, resistant, moderately resistance and susceptible reaction in field screening was assessed by RAPD marker associated with MYMV resistance. All the 12 primers studied showed polymorphism. The range of polymorphism varied from 22.22 to 88.88%. A close genetic similarity was found in all the genotypes analyzed as shown by high values of similarity coefficient ranged from 0.72 to 0.96. Two major clusters were observed in the dendrogram constructed based on RAPD data. All the MYMV resistant genotypes based on our field analysis were grouped together in cluster I whereas, the susceptible genotypes were clustered together in the cluster II. Further, cluster I was divided into 2 sub clusters namely IA and IB. Cluster IA consisted of 10 genotypes viz.,VBN(BG)7, Naveen (Local resistance check) ), LRB332, KUG503, PU09-35, IPU10-23, UH08-05 and Uttara (Highly resistance genotype), NDU12-300 and NDU11-202 which were found to be free or highly resistance in one of season or both during screening. Cluster IB consisted of remaining 11 genotypes, in which two (IGKU02-1 and KU1106) were found to be moderately resistant in one season and rest 9 genotypes found to be resistant or highly resistant in one of the season. Cluster II includes TAU-1, TAU-4 and LBG623 (Local susceptible check) which were highly susceptible. The results indicated that there is close genetic similarity between the genotypes of urdbean based on the study.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Integrated disease management of bacterial leaf blight of rice (Xanthomonas Oryzae pv. Oryzae)
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Bala, Archana; Rai, Bimla
    Bacterial leaf blight of rice incited by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is a dominant disease of rice of widespread occurrence and inflicting heavy damage to the crop in Bihar in Kharif season. The studies mainly adhered to pathogenicity, effect of RRb, botanicals and new chemicals against percentage inhibition over control, also evolution of RRb, botanical and new fungicides for effect of seed treatment for seed germination, Screening of rice varieties/entries for disease resistance against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. The pathogenicity of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae was proved on rice variety (Pusa Basmati) by injection infiltration method and subsequently Koch’s postulates were established. Kresek occurs in early stage. In later stage blighting starts from the tip of leaves to the base, straw turned yellow. Yellow bacterial ooze appears on the surface which dries up into bead like incrustations. Morphological studies of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae showed that The pathogen are gram negative, short rod, with rounded ends, single or in pairs, measuring 1.1 to 2.0 X 0.5 to 0.8 µm in size, motile with single polar flagellum, capsulate and non-spore forming. RRb’s which occurred frequently in soil samples of Pusa farm under RAU, Pusa, Samastipur ,was selected for antagonism study against Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae causing bacterial leaf blight of rice. In dual culture, RRb-c, RRb-d and RRb-e completely overgrew (100 %) the pathogen colony in 144 hours and completely inhibited the formation Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. The aqueous leaf extract of botanicals were effective i.e Allium sativum (87.33%), Azadirachta indica ((71.23%) and Zingiber officinale (60.83%) were found to be antagonistic towards Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae @ 15% conc. after 48 hours. Three chemicals found effective in reducing severity of BLB were Blitox-50+Streptocycline (70.25%), Ergon 44.3 SC (66.4%) and Nativo 75WG (49.91%) @50 ppm conc. by poisons food technique respectively. In respect of botanicals, all botanicals were effective against BLB. The maximum inhibition was found with botanical by Allium sativum (87.33%). However, Azadirachta indica (71.23%) and Zingiber officinale (60.83%) @15% conc. after 48 hours were also found to be other effective treatments. Seed treatment with RRb (Rice rhizobacteria), RRb-e (93%) & RRb-d (89%) isolates was effective in increasing seed germination and also enhance root and shoot length @ 15% concentration. Seed treatment with Zingiber officinale, Azadirachta indica and Allium sativum @ 15% conc. resulted in 88%, 85% and 72% germination respectively. In respect to new chemicals, for better germination was recorded seed treatment with Blitox-50 +Streptocycline (88%), Nativo 75WG (80%) and Ergon 44.3 SC (72%) @ 50 ppm concentration. In varietal screening out of 758 varieties/entries, only 125 entries were highly resistant under natural condition against the BLB in both trial i.e. NSN1 and NSN2.Rest of varieties/entries showed moderately resistant or either moderately susceptible or susceptible or highly susceptible reaction against the bacterial blight disease.