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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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2013 - 2017135
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Study of group dynamics among the women SHG members involved in dairy sector
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, 2017) Vandana; Singh, Meera
    In India, Micro Finance Institute model started through in the 1990s. SHGs, which are instrumental in empowering rural poor, are adopting dairy farming is one of the important activities and significantly contributing in empowering the group members socially and economically. SHG is conceptualized as a voluntary gathering of homogenous people, who share the same type of needs or the same type of problems, which are not being addressed by others. The concept of Self Help Groups serves to underline the principle “for the people, by the people, and of the people”. The Self Help Groups is the brainchild of Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, which was founded by Prof. Mohammed Yunas of Chittagong University in the year 1975. The Self Help Groups scheme was introduced in Tamilnadu in 1989. This study seeks to explore the effectiveness of group dynamics among the SHG members and evaluate the information-seeking behavior amongst them. The group provides a base for self-employment and empowerment through group dynamics. In India, these mutual help based groups are known as Self Help Groups. Keeping in view of the all above facts.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Agricultural Development An Analytical Study At Samastipur District of (Bihar)
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Kumari, Richa; Kumari, Arunima
    he present study entitled “Role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Agricultural Development-An Analytical Study at Samastipur District of Bihar”, has been taken up with the following specific objectives - to study prevalent knowledge about ICT of farmers, to study accessibility (status) of ICT among farmers in Samastipur district, to study information gained from the ICT to develop the agriculture, to study constraints faced by the farmers in using ICT, to ascertain the relationship between selected socio economic variable with their knowledge gained through ICT in the field of agriculture. There are 20 blocks in Samastipur district out of which two blocks viz. Pusa and Kalyanpur were selected purposively. Out of these two blocks two villages from each block were selected randomly for study.40 farmers from Pusa block and 40 farmers from Kalyanpur block were selected as sample for data collection. Out of these 40 farmers, 20 progressive and 20 non- progressive farmers selected that included small, medium and large farmers on the basis of land holding. In this study it is concluded that role of ICTs in agriculture development was influenced by respondents, age, caste, education, size of family, family type, social participation, family annual income, sources of information and size of land holding, high and medium level of knowledge about agricultural activities among farmers through ICT tools, in the case of progressive farmers, the variables caste, education, social participation significantly correlated with accessibility of ICTs, in the case of non-progressive farmers, the variables were found as significant such as education and sources of information/media exposure, in the case of progressive farmers, the variables education and sources of information/media exposure turned out to be significant contributors towards information gained from ICT to develop the agriculture, in the case of non-progressive farmers, only two independent variables education, and social participation, was found as significantly correlated with information gained from ICT to develop the agriculture, in the case of progressive farmers, that ‘t’ value of co-relation coefficient of independent variables under study could not emerge as significant predictors, in the case of non-progressive farmers, out of the nine independent variables fitted in co-relation coefficient analysis, no any variables contributed significantly correlated with knowledge level of farmers about pre harvest agricultural activities, in the case of progressive farmers, variables could not emerge as significant correlated with knowledge level of farmers about post-harvest agricultural activities, in the case of non-progressive farmers, one independent variables size of land holding were found as significantly correlated with knowledge level of farmers about post-harvest agricultural activities, major constraints faced by respondents in using ICT tools was mobility constraints and low level of education, lack of pertinent knowledge about new innovation, lack of knowledge about using modern communicational techniques i.e. computer, high cost of agricultural tools. None, of the respondents having accessed internet, computer, software and you tube as ICT tools for agricultural information.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Study on Empowerment of women through their involvement in Mithila Painting
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Kumari, Savita; Kumari, Shipra
    The handicrafts of Bihar are appreciated all over the world because of their great aesthetic value and their adherence to tradition. Mithila painting is more than an art. Through this creative ability, a group of women express their desires, dreams, expectations, hopes and aspirations to the people. Mithila painting, is also known as Madhubani painting. Madhubani painting is an emblematic expression of day-to-day experiences and beliefs. As such, symbolism, simplicity and beauty hold them together in a single school of traditional art. Traditional artisan skills exist in clusters and are unique to Bihar. Mithila painting is one such art form. Madhubani painting has been encouraged by All India Handicrafts Board and this traditional skill, as it has been rigorously promoted by the Government, has a unique work and trade organization, though co-operatives are yet to establish ground amongst the artisans. While earnings from these activities are low ranging from Rs 30–35 with a likely median of Rs 50–60 per day, many of these could be helped to become more viable occupations. This research focuses on impact of Mithila paintings on the status of women artisans and also on the economy of Bihar. Objectives 1) To know the Socio-Economic & Personal profile of the Mithila painting artists. 2) To assess the empowerment of women involved in Mithila painting. 3) Ascertain relationship between socio economic and personal profile with empowerment of women. 4) To identify the perceived constraints involved in Mithila painting. Research Methodology The study was conducted in Madhubani district of Bihar. Where two blocks were selected purposively (i.e.; Rahika & Rajnagar) from where 60 respondents were selected from five village where Mithila painting was being run effectively. Findings Section 1: Socio-economic & personal profile of the respondents Nearly 50 per cent of the respondents belonged to young age group, 65 per cent were from UR category. Nearly 40 per cent were engaged in farming, business and painting while house wife constituted only 35 per cent. Thirty per cent were found to have studied beyond high school. In general, participation in social institution appeared to be very low five per cent of them were office bearers of an organization, 25 per cent were members of an organization, 30 per cent were not members of any organization and 40 per cent were members of more than one organization. Nearly 80 per cent of them had joint family and 20 per cent had to nuclear family. Among the surveyed women, 50 per cent had income ranging from Rs. 50,001 to Rs. 75000 i.e. were in the medium income group. Medium entrepreneurial orientation were found among 55 per cent of the respondents. Majority (68.33 %) of the respondents had high risk followed by medium (25 %) and low (6.67 %) risk orientation. Local leaders at the tola/panchayat level, neighbour and relatives were the ‘most often’ and ‘sometimes’ used source of information by majority of respondents. Majority of them were using these source of information ‘often’ and ‘most often’ such as scientist and handicrafts fair while other sources of information such as officials, family members, friends, magazine, news paper, radio and television were used ‘most often’ and ‘sometimes’. About 3-15 per cent of respondents were found to have never consulted any of these cosmopolite interpersonal sources of information. Section: 2 Empowerment of women involved in Mithila painting. Majority of the respondents (66.94 %) had psychological empowerment, 60.3 per cent social empowerment, 59.78 per cent cultural empowerment, 60.3 per cent economic empowerment and 56 per cent of the respondents were politically empowered after starting Mithila painting in Rahika and Rajnagar block. Section: 3 Relationship between socio-economic and personal profile with empowerment of women. The result of psychological, social and economic empowerment revealed that out of ten variables which were subjected to analysis, only three variables education, entrepreneurial orientation and family annual income were found to be highly significant contributors towards empowerment of women artists. However, education and entrepreneurial orientation were found to be non-significant contributors towards cultural and political empowerment of women artists. Section : 4 Constraints faced by women artists involved in Mithila painting. 61.33 per cent of the respondents experienced personal constraints, 63.99 per cent faced socio-psychological constraints while 66.99 per cent had economic constraints after starting Mithila painting .
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    A study of Empowerment of Women through Mithila Milk Union
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Patel, Ruchika; Kumari, Punam
    Empowerment is most frequently used term in development dialogue today. It is also the most nebulous and widely interpreted concepts, which has simultaneously become a tool for analysis and also an umbrella concept to justify development interventions. Empowering women is one of the most crucial concerns of the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations. Empowerment in the context of women’s development is a way of defining, challenging and overcoming barriers in a woman’s life through which she increases her ability to shape her life and environment. Livestock sector in India has experienced remarkable growth during the last two decades in terms of production, value of output from livestock and trade. Livestock contributes nearly 25% to the gross value of agricultural output at the national level and is a potential enterprise. At the household level, its contribution is much more in the case of small who comprise a sizeable proportion of rural households and control bulk of the livestock resources. Through the proportion of workers engaged in livestock production declined, livestock production is more women oriented as women contribute more than 70% of the labour requirement. Keeping in view of the above facts the present investigation entitled ‘Empowerment of Women through Mithila Milk Union’ was undertaken with the following objectives; I. Socio-personal characteristics of women respondents II. Women affiliation to the milk union and their empowerment III. Relationship between socio-personal characteristics of women respondents The study was conducted in purposively selected in Pusa Block of Samastipur district of Bihar state. A sample of five dairy cooperative societies was selected by following proportionate random sampling technique. A sample of hundred members was also selected with proportionate random sampling method. Thus the study was carried out on five women dairy cooperative society and hundred members of women dairy cooperative societies. The data collected with the help of interview schedule were analysed and interpreted using appropriate statistical technique which included percentages, frequency and mean value. The major findings of the present study are summarized that- A majority of respondents (58 %) belongs to young age group, (21 %) were in middle age group. Whereas, (21 %) old age group, on the basis of educational level women had been classified into seven groups, majority of respondents, 23% respondents fell into the educational category of ‘can read and write’, the overall data indicated that family education of respondents fell into the categories majority of respondents having passed ‘high school’ 24.5 %, most of the respondents fell into other backward class that is 48.5 % followed by respondents following into general caste category, the data related to social participation revealed that only 2 % women respondent from experimental group were the member of organizations, on the basis of family type viz; nuclear and joint. more than 50 % of respondents that is 53.5 % belonged to nuclear family as vice-versa. The overall data related to family size shows that 53.5 % for medium size followed by small and large, the data related to means of communication and transport shows that cycle was being use as means of transportation by the family in about 79.5% followed by motor cycle in 17% cases, livestock population related data reveals that number of livestock population (cow) was found low (46.5%) were as in medium was 16.5%. In buffalo, majority of population fell into low group 30.5 % and in medium group population was found only 3%, data of duration of membership 79 % of respondents were the members of dairy cooperative for more than 4 years. In Agricultural decisions, farm related decisions data shows that a majority of respondents 71 % respondents to farm related themselves under control group where as it was 92 % is experimental group, a majority of respondents in labour allocation related decisions, there was not significant difference between in labour allocation decisions being taken by both of groups, livestock related decisions, the data reveals that t-value being 4.129 experimental group women were participating highly in livestock related decisions the significance being at 1 % level. In household decisions data related to home management decisions inferred that the difference between the control group and experimental group women is indicating at 5 % level of significance the t-value being 2.12, in child related decisions data shows that there was no significant difference in making child related decisions by making both of groups, in economic decisions, data reveals that capital transaction decisions by both groups which was found non-significant, experimental group women was participated highly decisions to purchasing farm materials the t-value being 6.8, purchasing necessary household there is no significant difference between the groups in decision-making related to purchasing household necessary items. Disposal of farm produce, data shows that the experimental group women were different at 5 % level of significance pertaining to decision related to disposal of farm produce, in paired sample test for control and experimental group data cleared depicts that the experimental group women were participated significantly in livestock related and purchasing farm materials decisions the difference being a significant at 1 % level followed by significance of difference in decision making in cases of disposal of farm produce and household decision and home management decisions. Decision-making pertain with both of groups was found non-significant in case of purchasing necessary household items taking capital transaction decisions., child related decisions and labour allocation decisions .
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Study of chemically induced variation in Agro-morphological characters of wheat under heat stress
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Bharati, Suraj Prakash; Kant, Ravi
    The present study was under taken with five plant growth regulating hormonesviz., Glycine betaine (600PPM) (T2), Salicylic acid (800PPM) (T3), Salicylic acid (400 PPM) (T4), Ascorbic acid (10 PPM)(T5), Tocopherol (150 PPM) (T6) and control (T1) on two varieties HD-2733 (normal sown condition) and HD-2985 (late sown condition) with objective to access induced variation and differential influence created on fifteen agro-morphological traits including yield and seed quality attributes. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among entries in respect of all the agro-morphological traits under study in both conditions i.e. normal and late sown except for number of tiller per plant in late sown condition. Studies of mean performance under normal sown condition revealed that a wide range of variation was induced due to effect of treatment under normal sown condition and underdelayed sown conditionfor all agro-morphological traits under study. Significant positive correlation of grain yield per plant was obtained with number of tillers per plant, 1000 grain weight, harvest index, and seed germination per cent under normal sown condition whereas for plant height, 1000 grain weight and harvest index under delayed condition. Study of cause and effect analysis under normal sown condition also revealed that grain yield per plant is positive correlation associated with number of tiller per plant, pollen fertility per cent, spikelet fertility per cent, number of grain per ear whereas under delayed sown condition it was also positive correlation associated with days to flowering, pollen fertility per cent, flag leaf area, number of grain per ear, 1000 grain weight, harvest index and vigour index. The regression of seed yield on fifteen agro-morphological traits viz., days to maturity, pollen fertility per cent, spikelet fertility per cent, number of tiller per plant, ear length, 1000 grain weight, harvest index, seed germination per cent and viability per cent recorded maximum values of R2 (0.9393) under normal sown condition, while under delayed sown condition, the traits like, days to flowering, days to maturity, number of grain per ear,1000 grain weight, harvest index and viability per cent recorded maximum values of R2 (0.9035). Hence, selection based on these characters would be more effective for yield improvement. Treatment T2 i.e., Glycine betaine (600 PPM), showed significant effect on highest grain yield per plant via, different agro-morphological character mentioned above for normal and delayed sown condition. Yield enhancement due to effect of Treatment T2 Glycine betaine (600 PPM) was recorded 41.30% higher under normal sown condition whereas 44.92% higher under late sown condition in comparison to control. On seed quality traits also showed significant positive effect of Treatment T2 Glycine betaine (600 PPM) was observed for seed germination per cent and viability per cent and no effect on vigour index of seed under both normal and delayed sown condition.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Study on Saving and Investment Behaviour of High school and College Teachers in Samastipur District of Bihar
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Kumari, Asmita; Bala, Shivani
    The study was undertaken in Samastipur district of Bihar selected purposively, as this type of study on teachers were not undertaken in this area. A sample of 80 teachers (high school and college) were selected randomly, to study the socio-economic profile of the teachers, saving and investment behaviour, saving and investment avenues, factors affecting saving and investment behaviour and constraints faced by the respondents. The independent variables included personal, demographic and socio-economic factors, whereas saving and investment behaviour and preference regarding saving and investment institutions were taken as dependent variables. Data were collected with the help of a structured interview schedule. Appropriate statistical tests applied were percentages, frequencies regression coefficient, paired t-test and weighted mean score. Background profile of the respondents showed that majority of high school respondents were of middle age group (67.5%) followed by college respondents (47.5%) were age group i.e. between above 51 years, high school (teachers) were post-graduate (60%) followed by college (teachers) Ph.D (60%) and high school teachers, having joint families whereas college teachers, nuclear families with medium family size, getting family income of high school respondents Rs. up to Rs.1,00000 per month whereas college respondents were Rs.1,00001-3,00000 per month followed by personal income of high school respondents up to 50,000 per month whereas college respondents were Rs.50,001-1,00000 per month belonged to general caste. Most of the high school and college respondents were used broker as the main sources of information followed by often and sometimes. Majority of teachers were saving their money in banks. Regarding percentage of saving, the high school teachers were fall in 10% of category followed by college teachers, percentage was highest that is 11-20% categories and majority of the teachers were saved as a part of their money every month. Regarding mode of expenditure, most of the teachers were always used as cash. As per the regular flow of expenditure were education and household expenditure of teachers whereas regarding spending pattern of the respondents was highest on regular monthly expenses. As per record keeping habit of the respondents of income and expenditure were kept their sometimes and mostly of the respondents were not in this habit i.e. never. Most of the teachers (high school and college) were used bank as most preferred avenues due to causes related safety and also they invest in government sector due to moderate risk. Regarding difference between male and female teachers, saving mode, female teachers saved in banks of their big part of saving in bank whereas male teachers they kept their income generally in hand as compared to female teachers. As per the finding shows that purpose of saving of high school respondents was children education and college teachers was saving for their emergencies. As per the objective of investment was their children’s education, the percentage of investment was 10-20% and period of investment was annually by all the respondents, short term goal of investment was returns and long term goal of investment was children’s future. Respondents were preferred to save in commercial banks followed by highly preferred to save in recurring deposits and highly influenced by income as saving followed by influenced investment decision i.e. safety. Saving behaviour of high school teachers was found to be highly significant and positively related with the variables personal income. In case of saving behaviour of college teachers was found to be positive and highly significant with variables viz., education, family income (at 1% probability level) and other variables viz., age, family type, mode of expenditure and avenues available ( at 5% probability level). The variables viz. age was found to be highly significant (at 1% probability level) and positively co-related and family income was also found to be positive and significant (at 5% probability level) with investment behaviour of high school teachers. Independent variables viz. personal income was found to be highly significant (at 1% probability level) and positively co-related and family type was also found to be significant (at 5% probability level) with investment behaviour of college teachers. The variable viz. mode of expenditure was found to be significant (at 5% probability level) with preference of saving and investment institutions. Independent variable viz. education was found to be significant with the preference of saving and investment institutions. Paired-t-test (saving and investment behaviour) were applied to examine the significance of differences between High school and College teachers and it was found that the t-value (4.350**) and (9.793**) which were significant at 1% of probability level. Heavy time demand was the major social and personal constraints, faced by a majority of high school and college respondents followed by higher expenditure on children education. Constraints of children marriage, maintenance of the family members and house was seen under economic constraints, faced by majority of the respondents. Related to children constraints, maintaining proper disciplined followed by taking children for outing were faced. Many of the respondents faced feeling of anxiety and emotional stress for safety and their children future. They also faced constraints in insufficient money for health care and poor health of self of both the respondents.
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    ThesisItemOpen 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Foraging behavior of Xylocopa fenestrata Fab. and its role in pollination of ridge gourd, Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) gautam, Prem Prakash; Kumar, Neeraj
    The present studies on “Foraging behavior of Xylocopa fenestrata Fab. and its role in pollination of ridge gourd, Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.” was carried out during the year 2016-17 at University Apiary, DRPCAU, Pusa. Objectives of this investigation were to study the relative abundance of insect pollinators, foraging behaviour of Xylocopa fenestrata, and its effect on pollination of ridge gourd. The results indicated that the total eight insect species visited ridge gourd flowers, viz. five hymenopterans, two dipterans and one from odonata. Among these Apis mellifera L., A. dorsata F., A. florea F., Xylocopa fenestrata F. and Polistes sp. were found to be most frequent pollinators. The relative abundance (no. of insect/m2/10 minutes) revealed that Apis mellifera (20.0) was most dominant species followed by Apis dorsata (16.7), Xylocopa fenestrata (15.9), Apis florea (11.3), Eristalinus sp. (6.3), Polistes sp. (5.1), Paragomphus sp. (2.9) and Musca domestica (2.0). Irrespective of species, the mean population was maximum (13.3/m2/10 minutes) at 0700-h of the day. The coefficient of correlation between mean population of pollinators species and temperature was found positive and significant while negative correlation was found with relative humidity indicating that temperature plays an important role on activity of insect pollinators. The result on foraging behaviour of X. fenestrata revealed that they started visiting ridge gourd flowers in early morning and ceased their activity later in the evening. It remained active throughout the flowering period. The foraging rate of X. fenestrata was minimum in the morning (3.9 flower/min.) and evening (3.2 flower/min.) hours and maximum during the mid day hours (7.3 flower/min.) and its foraging speed was maximum in morning (17.6 sec.) and evening (23.5sec.) whereas, minimum in mid day hours (11.1 sec.) and there was inverse relation between foraging rate and foraging speed. The heaviest pollen load was carried by the Xylocopa in the evening hour while lightest pollen load was carried in the noon hour which indicated that more pollen was collected by Xylocopa during morning and evening hours from ridge gourd flowers. The yields of fruit and seed of ridge gourd increased significantly by pollination of Xylocopa. The fruit set was highest in open pollination (78.70%) followed by Xylocopa pollination, viz. XP3 (72.20%), XP2 (63.60%) and XP1 (52.70%), whereas lowest in pollination exclusion (50.00%). The number of fruits per plant was maximum in OP (18.50) followed by XP3 (16.20), XP2 (14.00), XP1 (11.50) and was lowest in PE (10.00) treatments. Similarly, fruit weight was maximum in OP (85.60 g) followed by XP3 (80.50 g), XP2 (4.30 g), XP1 (70.10 g) and was lowest in PE (51.80 g). The fruit yield was maximum in OP (82.30 q/ha), followed by XP3, XP2 and XP1 (81.00, 75.50 and 73.60 q/ha, respectively) and the lowest in PE (60.20 q/ha). The result reflected that there was 36.80% increased in fruit yield in OP while, it was 34.50% in XP3, 25.30% in XP2 and 22.20% in XP1 treatment over pollination exclusion. The highest number of seed per fruit was found maximum in OP (27.00) followed by XP3 (25.50), XP2 (24.00), XP1 (22.20) and was lowest in PE (19.50) treatment. The weight of 100-seed was maximum in OP (15.20 g) followed by XP3 (13.10 g), XP2 (12.50 g), XP1 (11.00 g) and was lowest in PE (9.00 g). The percentage increment in seed yield was recorded highest in the OP (70.00%) followed by XP3 (50.00%), XP2 (30.00%) and XP1 (10.00%) over PE treatment. The insect pollinators play significant role in pollinating ridge gourd flowers and enhancing yield of crop. Therefore, Xylocopa fenestrata can be utilized for pollinating ridge gourd for increasing qualitative and quantitative parameters of the crop and therefore, higher monetary return.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Spatial distribution of different pools of potassium in North Bihar Soils
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Prabha, Sneh; Prasad, S. S.
    The present investigation entitled “Spatial distribution of different pools of potassium in North Bihar soils” was carried out at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi an unique campus of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar in year 2016-2017. Soils of North Bihar extending between 88°17'17.04" E to 83°54'18.02" E longitude and 27°17'4.44" N to 25°29'58.17" N latitude having a vast area of 52,925 sq km. Potassium (K) is the third major nutrient after N and P, required by plants for buildup of biomass. It exists in soil in different forms and these forms are in quasi equilibrium with each other. K is essential in modern agriculture, horticulture and vegetable crops as it makes plants tolerant to drought and frost and resistant to a number of diseases and pest attack besides its impact on yield and quality. Now a day, K is recognized as an important limiting factor in crop production. In the absence of adequate K fertilization, significant depletion of soil K reserve takes place, effect of which is substantial yield loss and higher economic risk of farmers. In the year 2020, the deficit of K in Indian agriculture is projected to be around 10 million tonnes/annum while the estimates for N and P balances are positive (Srinivasarao et al., 2001). Such a deficit will create serious nutrient imbalances with major implications on factor productivity and environment. It is worthwhile to note that even the most progressive and productive states like Punjab and Haryana, have most skewed N:P2O5:K2O ratio. The focus has been on N followed by P and very little use of K resulting in a huge imbalance. Geographical Information Systems offer the flexibility to visualize the spatial information in an easier way. With the availability of open source geographic information system software and high end computing facilities at low cost, use of GIS for scientific and utilities management has increased substantially. The GIS consists of organizing the information of an attribute in systematic continuous grids popularly known as raster maps or in continuous polygon (vector maps). The soils developed by sediments deposit of Gandak, Budhi Gandak and Bagmati rivers are calcareous in nature, whereas the soils developed by sediments deposit of Kosi, Adhwara group and Kamala Balan rivers are non-calcareous in nature. The study had primary objectives to assess different fractions of K in soils, to correlate available K with different K fractions and soil characteristics and to prepare GIS-aided maps for spatial distribution pattern of different forms of K and their combination. One hundred twenty one samples were collected on grid basis with coordinates through GPS and thematic soil maps were prepared using TNTmips (2010) GIS software. Wide variation in water soluble K (3.5 ppm to 67 ppm), exchangeable K (12 ppm to 274 ppm), available K (17 ppm to 330 ppm), non-exchangeable K (65 ppm to 2101 ppm), nitric acid soluble K (126 ppm to 2431 ppm) and total K (469 ppm to 22471.20 ppm) were recorded in soils of North Bihar and are present in following order viz. total K > nitric acid soluble K > non-exchangeable K > available K > exchangeable K > water soluble K. Significant correlation and regression were found among various soil properties and pools of K. Correlation coefficient with organic carbon and pools of K (Available K, Nitric acid soluble K and Non-exchangeable K) are significantly and positively correlated (r = 0.186*, r = 0.201* and r = 0.182*, respectively ) in North Bihar. Non-exchangeable K is significantly and negatively correlated with soil pH (r = - 0.225*). Nitric acid soluble K was significantly and negatively correlated with pH (r = - 0.237**) and cation exchange capacity (r = - 0.253**); non-exchangeable Potassium was significantly and negatively correlated with cation exchange capacity (r = - 0.271**). Spatial distribution of pools of potassium generated on the basis of interpolation of point data provides spatial information for potassium management in North Bihar. Soil map generated by combination of exchangeable and non-exchangeable K of soil into nine classes among which, Class I , Class II, Class IV and Class VII cumulatively cover 45.23 % area comprising in Motihari, Bettiah, Jaynagar, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Kisanganj, Purnia and Araria districts of North Bihar, where K application must be done to realize full yield potential of different cropping systems.