Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

End date: 2014 × Start date: 2014 ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 34
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of SCS Curve Number Models
    (Rajendra Agriculrural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Azad, Amarnath; Sahu, R. K.
    The importance of modelling of event-based rainfall-runoff process is well known among the hydrologists. One of the popular method to estimate the volume of direct surface runoff for a given rainfall event is the Soil Conservation Service Curve number (SCS-CN) method. However, the past research endeavors suggested a need for further improvement, overhauling or replacement of the method. Therefore, many modifications of the method were presented in the recent past. Very recently, an improved version of SCS-CN model called as SME model was reported incorporating hydrological more sound procedure for accounting antecedent moisture in the MS model which is an important modified version of the SCS-CN model. The present study evaluates the performances of the SME model, the MS model and the original SCS-CN model for the rainfall-runoff datasets of the selected four watersheds of Jharkhand (India). The model parameters were estimated by using the non-linear Marquardt algorithm of constrained least squares. The sensitivity analysis of the SCS-CN models for assessment of sensitivity of various parameters of the models was conducted by using method of perturbation. All the three models are evaluated on the basis of standard error (SE), root mean square error (RMSE), and normalized root mean square error (NRMSE). The lower is the SE or RMSE or NRMSE, the better is the model performance, and vice-versa. The results of the application of the models to the selected watersheds indicated that for MS model and SME model, the optimum value of λ in all the four watersheds is zero. The optimum values of S for MS model for Adda-1, Chitankhari, Indra and Karimati watersheds are found to be 266.78, 256.61, 194.47 and 233.72 mm respectively while the optimum values of S0 for SME model are found to be 194.39, 329.60, 214.51 and 259.90 mm respectively. The original SCS-CN model is found to be very much sensitive to model parameter CN and hence utmost care is needed to determine the CN. The MS model is more sensitive to the parameter CN (or S) than the parameter λ. The SME model is most sensitive to the parameter CN (corresponding to S0) followed by β while it is least sensitive to the parameter λ. Further, the MS and the SME models are less sensitive to CN as compared to original SCS-CN model. The MS model and the SME model perform equally well and much better than the original SCS-CN model (with λ=0.2 or 0.3). Moreover, the MS model and the SME model show consistent performance compared to the original SCS-CN model. As the SME model has theoretically many advantages over the MS model and the duo perform equally well, the SME model is suggested for the practical applications.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
  • Thumbnail Image
    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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative study of drip and surface irrigation methods on potato (Solanum tuberosum) crop.
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Hussain, Mairaj; Gupta, S. P.
    An investigation was carried out to evaluate the comparative study of drip and surface irrigation methods on potato (solenum tuberosum) crop. The field experiment was conducted for potato crop var. Kufari Ashoka during Rabi season of 2012-13 at the research form of water management plot of south pangabri upland adjoining to Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa Farm. The experiment was designed as per Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The irrigation treatments consist of drip irrigation at operating pressure of 0.4 kg/cm2 (I1), 0.6 kg/cm2 (I2), 0.8 kg/cm2 (I3), 1.0 kg/cm2 (I4), 1.2 kg/cm2 (I5) and furrow irrigation (I6). The water applied during the season was maximum (180 mm) in I6, while the minimum water used in I1. The maximum water use efficiency (329.12 kg/ha-mm) was recorded in treatment I5. Whereas, the minimum value (118.76 kg/ha-mm) was observed under I6 treatment. The percent saving of water over furrow irrigation was maximum (47.29%) in treatment I5. The maximum emission uniformity (90.8%) was found in treatment I5 with coefficient of manufacturing variation (0.09). while minimum (80.88%) emission uniformity was found in treatment I1 with coefficient of manufacturing variation 0.12. All the growth parameters like plant height, no. Of leaves, and leaf area index were significantly influenced by irrigation treatments. The treatment I5 (1.2 kg/cm2) was found significantly superior to I1, I2, I3 and I6 But statistically at par with I4. Yield of tuber was found maximum (312.22 q/ha) in treatment I5. Yield attributes like no of tuber per plant, size of tuber per plant, fresh tuber weight per plant were significantly influenced by treatment and the maximum value was obtained in treatment I5. Gross return and net return were significantly higher in treatment I5 and also benefit: cost ratio was maximum (2.88) in treatment I5. On the basis of analysis of the data, it can be concluded that the potato crop irrigated with drip irrigation with 1.2 kg/cm2 operating pressure system given highest value of net return. So it would be more beneficial in comparison to surface irrigation method.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development of Process Technology for Preparation of Maize- Finger millet-Bengal gram Extrudates
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Raman, Akanksha; Sharma, P. D.
    Extrusion cooking process is a high temperature and short time process in which moist, soft food material is fed to the extruder for desired temperature, pressure, and residence time. Finger millet being a “nutria-cereal” was used to develop Ready-To-Eat (RTE) snack food through extrusion cooking. Composite mixes were prepared using Maize flour, finger millet flour and Bengal gram flour in varying proportions. Extrusion cooking was carried out using a Twin Screw Extruder. Extrusion cooking experiments were conducted employing CCRD for four independent variables with five level each (feed proportion – 60:10:30, 60:12.5:27.5, 60:15:25, 60:17.5:22.5, 60:20:20; feed rate – 9, 10, 11, 19, 13 kg/h; screw speed- 250, 275, 300, 325. 350 rpm; Barrel temperature 100, 110, 120, 130, 140oC ). A total 30 combinations of these independent variables were formed to see the effect on different dependent variable like Expansion ratio. Bulk density (kg/h), Water activity (Aw), Water absorption index, Total colour index, Hardness (N) and Overall acceptability. During experiments the best combination was generated on the basis of optimization by response surface methodology (Liang et al., 2012). Second order multiple regression equations were developed for all the dependent variables which were optimized using response surface methodology. The best product was prepared at optimum solution such as feed proportion- 60:20:20 (60% maize, 20% finger millet, 20% Bengal gram), Feed rate - 9 kg/h, Screw speed - 250 rpm and Barrel temperature - 120o C , produced the most acceptable extrudates.. The prepared optimized extrudates also have well balanced acceptable range of the nutrition (total carbohydrate-72.62%, Protein- 11.90%, fat- 8.28%, fibre- 3.12% and ash- 1.23% ).The optimized extrudates can be stored for three months in ziploc polyethene ( 0.02µm gauge size ) without any deterioration in the organoleptic characteristics.
  • Thumbnail Image
    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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    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.