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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 Optimising nutrient management strategy and assessing the contribution of different nutrients to yield of hybrid rice in calcareous soil(Rajendra Agriculrural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2015) Kumar, Nitish; Chaudhary, S. K.A field experiment on “Optimising nutrient management strategy and assessing the contribution of different nutrients to yield of hybrid rice in calcareous soil” was carried out during kharif - 2014 at Research Farm, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar (India) to evaluate the effect of different nutrients on yield and economics of hybrid rice (“Arize 6444”) and inbred rice (“Rajshree”). The soil was calcareous (pH 8.28) in nature with low organic carbon (0.33%), available nitrogen (212 kg N ha-1), potassium (103.48 kg K2O ha-1) and zinc (0.72 mg Zn kg-1); medium phosphorus (38.93 kg P2O5 ha-1) and high sulphur (52.80 mg S kg-1) status. The factors under study comprised of 10 treatments viz.T1-ample dose of N+ P+ K+ S+ Zn, T2-P+K+S+Zn (-N), T3-N+K+S+Zn (-P), T4-N+P+S+Zn (-K), T5-N+P+K+Zn (-S), T6-N+P+K+S (-Zn), T7-Inbred variety under unfertilized check, T8- Inbred variety under ample fertilizer (N+ P+ K+ S+ Zn), T9-Control (hybrid rice without any fertilizer), T10- nutrient dose based on Nutrient Expert in inbred rice. The experiment was conducted in RBD with three replications. The nutrient dose for hybrid rice (at yield target of 7 t ha-1) was 175 kg N ha-1, 70 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 80 kg K2O ha-1 and for inbred rice (at yield target of 5 t ha-1), 125 kg N ha-1, 50 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 60 kg K2O ha-1. In treatment T10 nutrient dose was applied according to Nutrient Expert (N-P2O5-K2O:109-28-54 kg ha-1). The common dose of S (30 kg ha-1) and Zn (3 kg ha-1) was applied in all the treatments. Treatment T1 for hybrid rice was superior over all the other treatments in grain yield, harvest index, nutrient uptake, net return and benefit: cost ratio. Among different treatments with inbred rice, treatment T8 was at par with T10 and significantly superior over T7 for grain and straw yield. Most detrimental effect of omission of nutrient was observed in treatment T2 having 48.6 and 37.6 % less grain and straw yield respectively over T1. Maximum nutrient uptake by rice was recorded under treatment T1, while omission of nutrients decreased the nutrient uptake and maximum decrease was recorded for N and it was followed by K, P, S and Zn. Build-up in available nutrient was recorded maximum under treatment T1, while there was a decrease in availability of nutrients in accordance to the omitted nutrient. Maximum net return (₹ 48,837 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (1.22) was in treatment T1 and it was at par with treatments T5 and T6 having omission of sulphur and zinc respectively.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of Poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr.) Clones on Fertility Improvement in Upland Calcareous Soil after Eleven-Year- Rotation(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2016) Kumar, Atul; Das, D. K.Poplar trees are becoming extremely important as fast growing species due to the increasing need for wood and decreasing productivity of the lands. The present investigation was conducted in eleven-year-old poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr.) plantations established at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Birouli, Samastipur (Bihar) to find the effect of six promising clones (PP-5, Udai, L-52, L-49, G-48 and L-188) as one of the most important effective factors on soil properties and also to estimate the timber volume of different poplar clones. Clones were planted with 5×4 m spacing in frame of randomized block design with four replications. The soil samples were taken from 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depth of soils under plantations of different poplar clones and from open (without trees). The results showed that the upper 0-15 cm soil in L-52 poplar clone plot had highest value (6.30 g kg-1 soil) and it was 125% more over control (open). Besides, L-49 had almost similar soil organic carbon status. Hence, the soils under these two plantations have more potentiality for sequestering organic carbon. Irrespective of the soil depths, maximum reduction in pH (0.47 unit) was noticed under the canopy of L-52 followed by L-49 (0.37 unit) and the less change was noticed under L-188 (0.16 unit). Electrical conductivities (EC) under all the poplar plantations were significantly lower as compared to open. Improvement of available macronutrients such as N, P2O5 and K2O, was recorded under all the plantations. Maximum build up was under L-52 followed by L-49 clones. Significant decrease in available S was recorded under Uday, G-48 and L-188, whereas L-52, L-49 and PP-5 poplar clones showed significant increase in available S at both the depths of the soil over open condition. Maximum improvement of available micronutrients Fe, Cu, Mn and B was recorded under L-52 followed by L-49 clones. However, available Zn declined under all the plantations at both the depth of the soil except under the clone L-52 in the surface soil when compared to open. Timber volume (m3ha-1) of the different eleven-year-old poplar clones followed the order: L-52 (271.1) > L-49 (210.0) > PP-5 (184.8) > Uday (176.6) > G-48 (139.0) > L-188 (132.9). Thus, soil fertility as reflected by soil pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, soil organic carbon, available macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Mn, B and S) can be improved by integration of L-52, L-49 and PP-5 clones of poplar (Populus deltoides) in silvicultural systems under upland calcareous soil condition, besides meeting the demand of wood for plywood and fuel.ThesisItem Unknown Effect of zinc fertilization on zinc transformations in upland rice under rice-wheat cropping system in calcareous soil(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2016) Keshari, Pankaj Kumar; Laik, RanjanThere is a need to understand the requirement of dose and frequency of Zn application in Zn deficiency prone upland calcareous soil under rice-wheat cropping system. Understanding the fate of Zn applications in different ways is also required for predicting its availability to crops. Therefore, after completion of three years, in an ongoing experiment having different combinations of three modes of Zn application (in the first year, alternate year and every year) and in four doses (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 kg ha-1) and one Zn control, the present investigation was undertaken to study during rice cultivation, 1) rice yield, growth attributes and zinc uptake, 2) changes in soil available zinc status, and 3) changes in different forms of zinc. During the fourth year, Zn was applied to rice only in the mode of every year application in 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 kg ha-1 doses. The highest number of tillers m-2, number of productive tillers m-2 and number of filled grain panicle-1 were found in 7.5 kg Zn ha-1 at alternate year applied plot. These were similar to 5.0 and 10.0 kg Zn ha-1 at alternate year and 7.5 kg Zn ha-1 at every year applied plot. Root weight was highest in 7.5 kg Zn ha-1 every year applied plot which was similar to 5.0 kg Zn ha-1 applied in the same mode. The highest grain yield was found in 5.0 kg Zn ha-1 applied every year. However highest grain yield was statistically at par with 7.5 kg Zn ha-1 and 10.0 kg Zn ha-1 in initial year, 5.0 to 10.0 kg Zn ha-1 in alternate year and 2.5 to 10 in every year applications. Zn concentration in grain was highest in 10.0 kg Zn ha-1 every year applied plot (26.90 mg kg-1). However it was similar to 5.0 kg Zn ha-1 to 10.0 kg Zn ha-1 at alternate year and 2.5 kg Zn ha-1 to 7.5 kg Zn ha-1 at every year applications. Highest Agronomic Efficiency was found in 7.5 kg Zn ha-1 (101.33 kg grain/kg Zn) followed by 10 kg Zn ha-1 (71.33 kg grain/kg Zn) at initial year and 2.5 kg Zn ha-1 (64.0 kg grain/kg Zn) in alternate year Zn applications. Apparent Zn recovery efficiency varied from 1.07% in10 kg Zn ha-1 applied at every year to 3.72% in 2.5 kg Zn ha-1 applied at alternate year. The order of apparent Zn recovery efficiency was in the order of, 2.5 kg Zn, alternate year (3.72%) > 2.5 kg Zn, initial year (3.70%) > 7.5 kg Zn, every year (3.61%) > 2.5 kg Zn, every year (3.58%). DTPA-Zn concentration in post-harvest soil decreased by upto 29.67% in initial year, 35.65 % in alternate year applications while it increased upto 9.25% in 10 kg Zn ha-1 every year applications as compared to the soil of before rice establishment. Among the different Zn fractions in soil after rice harvest, the order of concentrations were: Weakly bound to organic matter-Zn (3.72 mg kg-1) > Carbonate Zn (2.03 mg kg-1) > MnO-Zn (0.56 mg kg-1) > strongly bound to organic matter-Zn (0.55 mg kg-1) > Exchangeable-Zn (0.53 mg kg-1). In the post-harvest soil, increase in total extractable Zn by changing the mode of application from initial to alternate year and from alternate to every year were 28 and 36 per cent respectively. Alternate year Zn application had 38.8 and 42.0% increase in mineral bound Zn by carbonate and manganese oxide and 18.1 and 22.6% increase in weakly and strongly organic bound Zn as compared to the initial year values. The corresponding increase in exchangeable Zn was 56%. Similarly every year application had 35.5 and 38.1% increase in mineral bound Zn by carbonate and manganese oxide and 34.8 and 45.0% increase in weakly and strongly organic bound Zn as compared to alternate year application and the corresponding increase in exchangeable Zn was 34.2%. Thus it may be concluded that, 7.5 kg ha-1 Zn dose applied initially is considered as optimum in increasing rice growth parameters, grain yield, grain Zn concentration, Zn uptake, Agronomic efficiency and Apparent Zn recovery efficiency of rice in upland calcareous soil.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of Vermicompost and Fertilizer levels on Soil Fertility, Yield and Quality of Sugarcane in Calcareous Soil of Bihar(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2016) Mishra, Vipul Kumar; Thakur, S. K.The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the impact of vermicompost and fertilizer levels on sugarcane production, uptake of nutrients, quality of the cane juice and soil properties in calcareous soil. The vermicompost @ 0, 2.5, 5.0 & 7.5 t/ha and fertilizers @ 0, 50, 75 & 100% RDF were applied in sub and main plot in split plot design. Based on the results of foregoing experiment, it can be concluded that application of vermicompost @ 5.0 t ha-1 alongwith 100% RDF was found effective for enhancing the cane and sugar yield. The cane juice quality viz. brix, sucrose and purity coefficient was not affected due to application of vermicompost and fertilizers levels. Addition of different levels of vermicompost and fertilizers enhanced the soil organic carbon content of the post harvest soil which improved the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. The higher net ret returns and B:C ratio were obtained with the application of vermicompost @ 5.0 t/ha alongwith 100% RDF. Thus, application of vermicompost @ 5.0 t/ha alongwith 100% RDF was beneficial for improving the soil fertility, cane & sugar yield and getting higher returns in calcareous soil of Bihar.ThesisItem Open Access Management of Collar rot of chickpea by native isolates of Trichoderma.(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2016) Ahsan, Md. Shahzaman; Upadhyay, J. P.The soil samples collected from KVK, Birauli and Dr. RPCAU (RAU), Pusa were analysed for texture, pH and organic carbon content. The texture of soil samples collected from RAU, Pusa and KVK Birauli was sandy loam except the mango orchard of KVK, Birauli which was silt loam. The pH of soils of litchi orchards was slightly acidic while it was neutral in soils of mango orchard. The fungal population in soils of mango and litchi orchrds was studied on Peptone dextrose rose bengal agar medium using dilution plate technique. The population of total fungi in different soil samples of mango and litchi orchrd of Pusa and Birauli ranged from 9.00 X103 cfu/g of soil to 9.60 X103 cfu/g of soil. The population of total fungi in different soil samples did not differ significantly. In soil samples of KVK, Birauli, population of Trichodrma (ranged from 2.50-2.60 cfu/g soil) while in the the soil samples of RAU, Pusa it ranged from 3.3- 3.6 cfu/g soil. The result indicated that population of Trichodrma is available in all soil samples with varying population. Five isolates of Trichoderma were observed in isolation of total fungi from soils of mango and litchi orchards of RAU, Pusa and KVK, Birauli. The isolates were purified on PDA and identified as Tricoderma harzianum based on cultural and morphological characters like colony character, mycelium, conidiophores, phialides and phialspores. The characteristic symptoms of collar rot of chickpea caused by Sclerotium rolfsii observed are - sudden drooping and chlorosis of leaves and petioles, external rotting of collar region of stem and root (at seedling stage) and white fluffy growth of Sclerotium rolfsii at the collar region upon which mustard grain like brown sclerotia were formed. Five isolates of T. harzianum such as Th1, Th2, Th3, Th4 and Th5 were compared for their capability of antagonism towards S.rolfsii in dual culture. T. harzianum isolate 4 proved best in dual culture and parasitized the colony of S. rolfsii earliest. T.hazianum 4 also showed maximum inhibition in formation of sclerotia of S. rolfsii (73.30%) in dual culture. Viability studies on mycelium and sclerotia of S. rolfsii in dual culture with T. harzianum in antagonized plate revealed lysis of both mycelium and sclerotia. Five Fungicides- Propiconazole, Hexaconazole, Bavistin, Topsin M and Vitavax at 100, 250 and 500 ppm concentrations were evaluated for their efficacy against S. rolfsii in vitro. Propiconazole, Hexaconazole and Vitavax completely inhibited the growth of S. rolfsii in vitro while Bavistin and Topsin M showed 79.52 and 71.78% growth inhibition respectively at 500 ppm. Investigation on host resistance against collar rot of chickpea viz., DKG 964, BG 372, BG 3051, PUSA 256, BAUG 15, C 235, GAG 1107, JG 315, JG 62 and BG 3043 revealed that out of 10 cultivars tested in pot soil artificially infested with S.rolfsii, none showed resistant reaction against the disease. Seed treatment with fungicides significantly reduced the sedling mortality of chickpea when compared with control. Seed treatment with Vitavax @ 2 g/kg of seed proved that best and showed 73.32% disease control followed by Propiconazole @ 2 g/kg. Soil application of maize grain based culture of T. harzianum at 5, 10, 15 and 20 g per pot showed significant reduction in seedling mortality. Maximum control of collar rot (53.33%) was recorded in treatment where T. harzianum was applied @ 20 g per pot. The integration of soil application of maize grain based culture of T. harzianum (10 g per pot) with Vitavax seed treatment @ 2 g/kg seed proved best combination and gave maximum disease control over check (79.95%). Integration of seed treatment with T. harzianum and Vitavax showed 59.90% disease control which was higher than Vitavax 0.2% seed treatment alone but did not differ significantly with each other.ThesisItem Open Access Physiology of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes during germination against salinity stress(Rajendra Agriculrural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2015) Kumari, Pravina; kavitaThe present investigation was carried out to identify physiological parameters for screening tolerant and susceptible wheat genotypes against salinity stress and to study the physiology of salinity stress tolerance for improvement of wheat genotypes against salinity stress. The salt solution was prepared by using NaCl: CaCl2:Na2SO4 in the ratio of 7:2:1 (w/v) and electrical conductivity of different salinity levels were maintained by using direct reading conductivity meter. Wheat seeds were sterilized by soaking in 0.1% HgCl2 for two minutes followed by thorough washing with de-ionized water and germinating in Petri dishes lined with blotting paper. Screening of 20 genotypes was done on the basis of germination percent. Out of these, four wheat genotypes belonging to tolerant (Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-5, Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-20) and susceptible (Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-7, Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-13) groups were selected for present investigation to study the impact of salt stress on 8-day old seedling of wheat genotypes. The evaluation was based on assay of some physiological and biochemical parameters under laboratory conditions. Effect of salt stress on seed germination and seedling growth of four wheat genotypes (Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-5, Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-20, Yangmat 6- Sonalika RIL-7, Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-13) were evaluated. It was evident that the salt solution reduced seed germination and seedling growth of wheat. On the value of percent reduction in seed germination, germination relative index (GRI), mobilization efficiency (ME) and vigour index (VI), the inhibitory effect of different salt stress was found maximum in susceptible genotypes (Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-7 and Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-13) followed by tolerant genotypes (Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-5 and Yangmat 6- Sonalika RIL-20). On an average, the germination percentage, GRI, VI of the tolerant genotypes was significantly higher than that of susceptible genotypes. Salt stress on wheat seedlings exhibited inhibitory effect on reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, total sugar, protein content and activity of enzyme amylase while it had stimulatory effect on parameters such as content of starch, total free amino acids, proline, and activity of protease and peroxidase enzymes.ThesisItem Open Access Holistic Management of Sheath Blight of Rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2016) Sharma, Kuldeep; Rai, R. C.Studies on the sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) of rice have been carried out to understand the symptomatology and evaluate different rhizospheric mycoflora, botanicals and fungicides against the pathogen to explore the possibility of using these for the management of sheath blight. Attempts have also been made to manage the disease by using bio agents, botanicals and fungicides. An attempt has also been made to find out the sources of resistance against sheath blight pathogen. Rhizoctonia solani was mainly responsible for causing sheath blight of rice. Initially, lesions developed on leaf sheath, leaf blades and emerging panicles. Lesions appeared in the form of circular, oblong or ellipsoid, greenish grey water soaked spot about 1cm long that occur near water level. Lesions enlarged and became oblong and irregular in outline. The center of the spots became grey white with brown margin. Sclerotia developed in lesions. Heavily infected plants produced poorly filled grains Propiconazole @ 0.2 and 0.3 % produced more than 80 % inhibition of radial growth of Rhizoctonia solani. Bio agents (Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride) and Neem oil @ 10 %, produced respectively, about 75 and 80 % inhibition of mycelial growth of Rhizoctonia solani. In the field disease can be effectively managed by two spray of propiconazole 25 EC @ 1ml/L at 15 days interval. In the field, bio agents and Neem oil were not very effective. One hundred seventy five resistance breeding lines have been identified.ThesisItem Unknown Studies on genetic diversity among genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2016) Rajshree; Singh, S. K.A study was conducted at Research Farm of Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar during rabi 2015-16 to evaluate the 33 genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for yield attributing traits. Investigation was carried out on variability, character association, path analysis and genetic divergence for yield attributing traits viz., plant height, number of tillers per plant, flag leaf area, days to fifty per cent flowering, chlorophyll content, canopy temperature, relative water content, spike length, number of grains per spike, days to maturity, 1000 Grain weight, grain yield per plot, harvest Index. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant variation among the genotypes for all the characters studied under present investigation. The variability study indicated high to moderate phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation accompanied by high heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean for traits like plant height, number of tillers per plant, flag leaf area, chlorophyll content, canopy temperature, spike length, grains per spike, grain yield per plot, and harvest index indicating their importance in selection for yield improvement. This study indicates preponderance of additive gene effect, which will help to make selection in early segregating generation. The genetic advance as per cent mean suggesting still there is scope for further improvement of genotypes for these characters. Correlation studies indicated that grain yield per plot exhibited significant positive association with harvest index, chlorophyll content, and relative water content. This indicated that harvest index, chlorophyll content, and relative water content may be an important traits for predicting grain yield. Path analysis revealed that highest positive direct effect was exhibited by chlorophyll content at both phenotypic and genotypic level. Thus, this traits may be used as selection criteria. The 33 genotypes of bread wheat were grouped into six clusters using Tocher method. The genotypes in cluster III and cluster VI, due to maximum inter cluster distance between them, exhibited high degree of genetic diversity and thus may be utilized under inter varietal hybridization programme (transgressive breeding) for getting high yielding recombinants. Similar inter varietal crosses may be attempted between genotypes in cluster V and VI and cluster II and IV. Cluster I was suitable for spike length, flag leaf area, grains per spike, thousand grain weight, and grain yield per plot, Therefore, selection of parents from this cluster for these traits would be effective. Days to fifty per cent flowering and harvest index contributed maximum towards genetic divergence.ThesisItem Open Access Testing Effectiveness of selected Active Learning Method (Small Group Discussion) in Educating Teen-age Girls(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2016) Kumari, Madhu; Kumari, PunamActive learning is structured learning activity that significantly increases the level of student’s engagement in the learning process. The investigator studied the effect of an active learning method( Small Group Discussion) in educating teen-age girls. Under this study knowledge test items on ‘importance of protein for human body’ was prepared by the investigator for the purpose . Lecture and lecture followed by small group discussion were the treatments selected for the study. The knowledge test was fed to the respondents divided into control and experimental groups. Pre-test was given to both the groups before delivering of lecture and after lecture, the experimental group was given a small group discussion. The mean difference score of experimental group was 4.00 ,while it was only 1.24 in control group after the treatment . The difference in pre-test, post –test score was found to be significant with a calculated ‘t’ value of 2.18 and 5.00 for control and experimental group respectively . . It was thus concluded that the lecture along with small group discussion was more effective for educating teen-age girls than lecture alone.