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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 Variations in Zinc availability and its fractions after Kharif Maize in Calcareous Soil(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Devulapally, Sai Ram; Tiwari, SanjayAn experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2019-20 with maize crop at the experimental farm area allotted for Soil Science trials, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), Bihar. The trial was designed in Randomized Block Design with having the thirteen treatments. Each treatment was replicated thrice with four zinc doses i.e. 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 kg ha-1, respectively which was supplemented by zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) during Kharif season . In first set of four treatments, Zn was applied only for the first year while in the second and third set of experiment, it was given at alternate years and every year, respectively along with a control. Collection of soil samples were done at pre sowing stage and after harvest of maize crop. Inferences of the findings clearly indicated that with the increasing doses and frequencies of zinc application, the increase in DTPA extractable zinc in all the three depths were observed. Most of the applied zinc was contributed in upper layer (0-15 cm) of soil than lower layers of soil (15-30 cm). Initial year of using Zinc at varying rates had similar concentrations of Zinc fractions. In every year, Zn application mode, the increasing rates of Zn have significantly higher Zn fraction concentration 5 kg Zn application at alternate years had significantly lower available Zn concentration as compared to Zn application @2.5 kg ha-1 at each year. Most of Zn fractions were accumulated in surface (0-15cm) soil and its concentration declined with increasing depths in all the modes of Zn application. Among all Zn fractions present in soil exist in dynamic equilibrium with each other and grain yield was strongly correlated with all these fractions. Sbo-Zn fraction emerged as most dominant fractions which contributed significantly to maize grain yield and accounted for 94.7% variation in maize yield.An experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2019-20 with maize crop at the experimental farm area allotted for Soil Science trials, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), Bihar. The trial was designed in Randomized Block Design with having the thirteen treatments. Each treatment was replicated thrice with four zinc doses i.e. 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 kg ha-1, respectively which was supplemented by zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) during Kharif season . In first set of four treatments, Zn was applied only for the first year while in the second and third set of experiment, it was given at alternate years and every year, respectively along with a control. Collection of soil samples were done at pre sowing stage and after harvest of maize crop. Inferences of the findings clearly indicated that with the increasing doses and frequencies of zinc application, the increase in DTPA extractable zinc in all the three depths were observed. Most of the applied zinc was contributed in upper layer (0-15 cm) of soil than lower layers of soil (15-30 cm). Initial year of using Zinc at varying rates had similar concentrations of Zinc fractions. In every year, Zn application mode, the increasing rates of Zn have significantly higher Zn fraction concentration 5 kg Zn application at alternate years had significantly lower available Zn concentration as compared to Zn application @2.5 kg ha-1 at each year. Most of Zn fractions were accumulated in surface (0-15cm) soil and its concentration declined with increasing depths in all the modes of Zn application. Among all Zn fractions present in soil exist in dynamic equilibrium with each other and grain yield was strongly correlated with all these fractions. Sbo-Zn fraction emerged as most dominant fractions which contributed significantly to maize grain yield and accounted for 94.7% variation in maize yield.ThesisItem Open Access Micropropagation and simple sequence length polymorphism analysis in Eggplant(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Yadav, Kanchan; Anjani, KumariA study was conducted for micropropagation of the selected eggplant genotypes and to evaluate microsatellite based genetic variation among promising eggplant genotypes. The molecular data generated was used to elucidate the pattern and extent of differentiation and divergence at molecular level among these promising eggplant genotypes. The micropropagation was carried out using leaf as explant. MS media was chosen as the basal medium and five media with different combinations of hormones was used for culture. The leaves of the three selected genotypes were collected from Vegetable Farm, RPCAU, Bihar and cultured on all the selected media. Responses to tissue culture with regard to the frequencies of established aseptic cultures and their subsequent responses for swelling, callogenesis, caulogenesis and rhizogenesis were observed at regular intervals. The data was collected and subjected to statistical analysis and variance analysis. The best medium for swelling, callogenesis and caulogenesis response of cultured leaf explants was found to be M2 (MS + 2mg/l 2,4D + 0.01mg/l BAP). Among all genotypes, highest response of swelling and callogenesis was shown by genotype Laalgulab. GBL3 was found to have the best caulogenesis response than the other two genotypes. The molecular characterization of twelve genotypes was done using seven SSR markers. The microsatellite marker based amplification of 12 genotypes detected 56 alleles, out of which 23 alleles were found to be unique. Among all the primer pairs, primer pair EM114 was found to have the highest polymorphism per cent and PIC value. The highest value of discrimination coefficient was observed for the primer pair EM114. Estimates of similarity coefficients indicated the existence of considerable similarity among the genotypes. However, most of the genotypes had very low value of similarity coefficients, exhibiting the presence of high diversity among the twelve genotypes. The highest Dice similarity coefficient was observed for the genotypes Gol Banarasi and BB85. The cluster analysis differentiated the genotypes into different clusters. The similarity coefficient based dendrogram, grouped the genotypes into three clusters; cluster 1 included Gol Banarasi, BB85, Neelam Long, Laalgulab, PB6, Rajendra 2; cluster 2 included Bangal Bhatta, PS, GBL4, PB71, SMB 115 and cluster 3 included Arka Keshav. The molecular study showed the presence of diversity among the twelve genotypes of eggplant used in the present study.ThesisItem Open Access Seasonal incidence and management of scale insect, Melanaspis glomerata (Green), (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in sugarcane(2020) Kumar, SureshField experiment were carried out at Pusa farm, Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa during 2019-20 to study on the seasoned incidence and management of scale insect Melanaspis glomerata (Green) in sugarcane variety CoP-112. The incidence of scale insect during cropping season of 2019-20 was noticed in the field during the 1st fortnight of August, 2019. The insect population reached a peak in the month of November and from December to January to the crop. The relationship between population of insect and weather parameters showed significant correlation with high maximum and minimum temperature and rainfall but showed statistically negative relation with the weather parameters. Per cent infestation, intensity and infestation index were gradually increased reaching a peak in the month of November which was highly significant than that of other months of the study. The data on damaged intensity of scale insect clearly indicated highly significant difference on qualitative and quantitative parameters under investigation except high sucrose which was found statistically significant. Perusal of the data reveals that the percentage of reduction in damage intensity levels were gradually increased when number of damaged internodes were increased except 8-damaged internodes which is even lower than those of 6 and 7 damaged internodes. This might to lesser number of effective populations of scale insect feeding on internode at this damage intensity and/or physiological change like better recoverability of damaged tissues at this growth stages. The other damage intensity levels maintained the same trend. The mean incidence percentage of scale insect was significantly lower in all the insecticides than control. Among the treatment T-4 (Setts treated with Thiomethoxan + spraying of this insecticide at pest appearance) gave superior results as noticed in incidence percentage single cane weight and yield scale of evaluation. However, remaining treatments were significantly superior over control. An effect of different integrated approaches reveals that the highest Brix, Pol percentage as well as CCS (tha-1) were recorded in plots with Treatment 4. The other treatments were also highly significant than the control. It is clearly indicated from the data of different insecticides, Thiomethoxane was proved effective for managing the scale insect. The increment as well as added benefit over control (Rs./ha) varied with respect to average yield obtained in various treatments under the present investigation which were showed considerable difference within the various insecticides. Among the treatments T4, T5 and T1 achieved higher returns of Rs./ha being 181532.00, 152112.00 and 150222.00 respectively as compared to the rest of treatments. The minimum (129212.00Rs./ha) net profit achieved with Treatment-3. The increment benefit cost ratio (IBCR) was also showed wide variation within the treatments. Among the treatments T4, gave high ratio followed by T5 and T1 being the ratio of 1:3.78, 1:3.36 and 1:3.32. The minimum (1:2.40) ratio was obtained with Treatment-3.ThesisItem Open Access Biology of Meloidogyne graminicola on rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under Bihar condition and its integrated management(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Goud, Gajja Bharath; Keshari, NishiPaddy is the main crop in Bihar during kharif season. Farmers in Bihar are growing different varieties under rainfed condition. The crop is infested by many pests, diseases and nematodes. Amongst the plant parasitic nematodes, the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola was found one of the main limiting factor of its production. In the areas where the rice is growing as a monoculture during kharif season, the infestation percentage is very high. The present investigation is carried out during Kharif 2019 to survey the rice root knot nematode infestation in different districts of Bihar in rice nurseries. The root and soil samples of the crops were brought from the rice field from the different villages of Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Vaishali districts. It was found that the frequency of occurrence of M. graminicola ranged between 80-90 % in these three districts. Maximum nematode population, number of females, eggs and juveniles was in Samastipur district and minimum infestation is in Darbhanga district. vii With the increase in inoculum density level level from 10J2/pot to 10000J2/pot, plant growth parameters decreased significantly and nematode multiplication parameters increased significantly. The maximum galls per roots system, eggs and juveniles per eggs mass, nematode population/200cc soil, root knot index and number of females per gall were increased significantly with increase in inoculum level and maximum was at 10000 J2 /pot. Among rice varieties screened against M. graminicola significantly highest root knots per plant, number of females per root knot, eggs and juvenile per egg mass and root knot index were recorded highest on PB1121 (check) and lowest root knot index was observed on Rajendra saraswati. Among millets, finger millet (RAU-1), Barnyrard millet (Dholi-1) and finger millet (RAU-3), (RAU-8) and foxtail millet (RAU-8) did not reveal any gall on there roots. Except onion no other vegetable revealed any sign of host parasite interaction on the host neither root knots nor females inside the root. Meloidogyne graminicola completed its life cycle from J2 to J2 is 33 days, during the study temperature was recorded at 8° C to 22°C. The fungal biocontrol agent, Trichoderma viride @ 5g, 6g, 7g, 8g, 9g and 10g/pot with carbofuran @ 2kg a.i./ha as treated check and another untreated check in 1 kg soil were taken and the effect was reported on the plant growth parameters and nematode multiplication parameters, keeping two sets as pre and post application of T. viride, one week before and after germination respectively. Although carbofuran treated plants have shown significantly highly effective treatment but among the different doses of T. viride in both pre and post treatment, the highest dose i.e, 10g/pot has given the maximum growth parameters and minimum nematode multiplication parameters in both pre and post treatments. When we compared the results in both pre and post treatments, it was found that in all the characters, the increase was more in pre treatment than post treatments.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of heat stress on wheat tillering and its molecular characterization(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Vivek, Kommu; Kumar, RajeevTillering is one of the most important agronomic traits in cereal crops like wheat. It determines the number of spike and panicles per plant, thus affects the biomass and grain yield. It is very sensitive to temperature and often gets affected by the heat stress resulting in low yield in the crop. In the current study, 40 doubled haploid (DH) lines were sown under normal and late sown conditions to assess the effect of temperature on tillering and grain yield. Under normal sown conditions, the average tiller number was 154.6 tiller per meter with grain yield of 170.7g. During the period, the average temperature between the sowing to the jointing stage was 24.6℃. While, during the tillering (21DAS to 45DAS), the average temperature was recorded as 20.3℃. The DH lines JR 7, JR 56, JR 75, JR 80, JR 117, JR 118, JR 142, JR 143, JR 159, PBW343 fell in the category of high tillering under normal sown unstressed growing condition. Under the late sown condition, the average tiller number was 136.05 tiller per meter, with the average grain yield of 96.36 g. The average temperature between the sowing to the jointing stage of the late sown was 22.8℃. While during the tillering (21DAS to 45DAS), the average temperature was recorded as 21.9℃. The DH lines JR 2, JR 56, JR 104, JR 118, JR 119, JR 142, JR 143, JR 148, JR 168, KSG 1186 exhibited high tillering during the late sown (stressed) condition. Analysis of variance indicated a significant difference among the doubled haploid lines for the character under consideration for two different dates of sowing. The available sequence information of “tin” and monoculm genes, related to tillering in the plant, was used, and three gene-specific microsatellite primer pairs were designed with the help of appropriate bioinformatics tools. The primer pairs were used to characterize 40 DH lines under study. Reproducible amplification was achieved. Polymorphic information content of these 3 microsatellite primers ranged from 0.8 to 0.9, with an average value of 0.89. A total of 36 alleles were detected in the studied lines, out of which 7 were unique, and 29 were shared alleles. The genes specific designed microsatellite primers revealed ample genetic divergence at the molecular level amongst the wheat genotypes. Pair-wise Similarity Coefficient ranged from 0 to 1. Cluster analysis grouped the DH lines understudy into nine different clusters at phenone level 10 (coefficient 0.1).ThesisItem Open Access Effect of Zinc Nanoparticles on physiology of Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under moisture stress condition(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Kumar, Satendra; Kumar, ShalieshThe present study entitled ‗‗Effect of zinc oxide Nanoparticles on the physiology of Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under moisture stress conditions‘‘. The experiment was performed in laboratory condition. Screening of 20 mungbean genotypes was done in order to identify the contrast set of moisture stress tolerant and susceptible genotype via evaluation of germination percentage and seedling traits (7-days old seedling). The experiment was performed in laboratory condition in Petri plate, under 1st objective to identify the optimum concentration of ZnO Nanoparticles in both moisture stress tolerant and susceptible genotypes based on germination percentage and seedling traits (7-days old seedlings) under normal as well as moisture stress condition. And further in IInd objective the effect of seed priming and foliar application with optimum concentration of ZnO Nanoparticles on morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters in 10 days old seedling were studied in both identified moisture stress tolerant (SPM-19-42) and susceptible genotype (SPM-19-53) under normal and moisture stress condition. The screening experiment is conducted with twenty Mungbean genotypes to classify the contrasting collection of Mungbean genotypes based on changes in physiological traits and germination related parameters. In screening experiment moisture stress was induced chemically with the help of PEG 6000 at different concentration (10 % and 20%). The selection carried out based on germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour-I, and seedling vigour-II. Now both mungbean genotypes have been treated with different concentrations of zinc oxide Nanoparticles. The first objective was to define the optimum concentration of zinc oxide Nanoparticles based on germination percentage, germination capacity, root length, shoot length, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour-I, and seedling vigour-II. In the second objective, the response of pre-seed soaking treatment to an optimum concentration of ZnO Nanoparticles on mungbean seedling mechanism was studied in both control and moisture stress conditions. This was accomplished by observation of physiological parameters such as relative water content, membrane stability index and photosynthetic pigment (chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, and Carotenoid content), SPAD value, chlorophyll stability index and lipid peroxidation. Morphological parameters such as plant height, leaf area, specific leaf area, specific leaf weight, dry matter portioning, and biochemical parameters such as peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and Proline were taken under consideration. Overall moisture stress has adverse effects on seed germination, RWC, pigment content and also on dry matter partitioning in mungbean. Among the concentrations the pre-seed soaking with 50 ppm of ZnO Nanoparticles was effective in improvement of seedling growth and physiology of mungbean under normal as well as moisture stress conditions. The performance under seed priming along with foliar application with optimum concentration of ZnO Nanoparticles (50 ppm) was most effective among treatments in improving physiological and biochemical traits and overall plant growth of mungbean seedlings of both tolerant and susceptible genotypes under normal as well as water stress condition. Seed priming and foliar application with a concentration of 50 ppm of ZnO Nanoparticles can therefore be an effective alternative approach to reducing the adverse affect of moisture stress on mungbean seedling. However, more research is required under field conditions, to use ZnO NPs to reduce adverse affect of moisture stress in mungbean crop.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on ecological intensification in rice (Oryza sativa L.)(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Singh, Balpreet; Kumar, AmrendraA field experiment entitled “Studies on ecological intensification in rice (Oryza sativa L.)” was conducted on sandy loam soil at experimental farm of TCA, Dholi (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa) (Samastipur), Bihar during kharif season, 2019. The soil of the experiment field was calcareous in nature containing 32.3% free CaCO3, sandy loam in texture and alkaline in reaction with a pH of 8.21. It was moderately fertile being low in organic carbon (0.41%) and available nitrogen (184 kg N/ha) and also low in available phosphorus (10.23 kg P/ha) and potassium (103.21 kg K/ha). The experiment was conducted in randomised block design (factorial) which was replicated thrice taking the variety Rajendra Bhagavati as a test crop. The factors under study comprised of different ecological intensification practices and farmers practices: T1-Farmers practices, T2- Ecological intensification (E.I.), T3- E.I. minus tillage practices, T4-E.I. minus nutrient management, T5-E.I. minus planting density, T6-E.I. minus water management, T7-E.I. minus weed management and T8 E.I. minus insect and disease management. Standard package and practices of crop management were followed. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were applied as basal whereas urea was applied as per treatment in three split doses as basal (50%), active tilleing (25%) and panicle initiation (25%). The experimental findings revealed that ecological intensification had a profound influence on growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, nutrient uptake and economics of rice. Significantly higher values of growth parameters (tillers m-2 and dry matter production) were observed in rice. As a result, treatment T2 produced tallest plants at all the growth stages. However, T8 treatment found at par with the T2 treatment in all the growth stages. Most of the yield attributes (panicle length and grains panicle-1), yield (grain and straw), NPK uptake (grain and straw) were higher with T2 treatments. It was also found to be the most profitable treatment in regards to gross returns, net returns and B: C ratio. Thus, it can be inferred that the ecological intensification practices is beneficial for realizing maximum economic benefits, higher productivity, reduced fertilizer use and improved soil fertility.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of foliar feeding of micronutrients and plant growth regulators on yield and quality of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda under agroecological-condition of north Bihar(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Suman, Achyut; Singh, Anil KumarThe present investigations on “Effect of foliar feeding of micronutrients and plant growth regulators on yield and quality of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda under agroecological-condition of north Bihar” were carried out during the year 2018-19 in the Guava Block of Model Farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India. The different treatments included micronutrients and plant growth regulators at different concentrations and a control. The spray was done in the month of July and readings for various flowering and fruiting attributes were taken. It was observed that Treatment T2 (60 ppm GA3) took minimum days to first flowering among all treatments and exhibited significantly highest number of flowers per shoot over rest of the treatments. The fruit set (%) values under various treatments ranged between 65.00 - 92.33 whereas in case of fruit retention the maximum value was 55.00 % and minimum value was 38.33%. Fruit physical parameters were found to be the best with T9 (0.4% Borax). Fruit chemical parameters were found to be the best with treatment 0.4% Borax (T9). The maximum fruit yield was recorded with T2 (60 ppm GA3). The organoleptic score was highest in T2 (60 ppm GA3). The highest B:C ratio was obtained in treatment T2 (60 ppm GA3) as compared to other treatment. It can be concluded that foliar spray of 60 ppm GA3 and 0.4 % Borax at higher concentration tended to exhibit better flowering, yield and quality of guava fruits.ThesisItem Open Access Study of microbes in button mushroom compost production(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Kumar, Chandra Mohan; Meena, Khem RajMushrooms are rich source of nutrients and have exceptional medicinal properties. The most important commercially grown genus of edible mushroom is Agaricus bisporus (button mushroom) and A. bisporus (Lange) Imbach, which accounts 86% of the overall mushroom yield in India. The cultivation of mushroom requires nutritionally rich substrate i.e., compost but microbiology and biochemistry of composting is not understood properly yet. The microbial consortium can be help as a booster for bio-composting agricultural residues and fasten the rate of composting for mushroom production. Therefore, in the recent studies, the compost degrading bacteria were isolated from the button mushroom compost (degraded compost and spent mushroom substrate) which was collected from AICRP on mushroom of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa on different media viz. Nutrient Agar media, T3 Media, Kings‘s B agar media, Trypticase soya agar media and Kenknight agar media. A total of 40 isolates were obtained based on different colony characteristics and which were screened for cellulose and hemicellulose degradation activities. Out of the 40 isolates, 18 isolates showed cellulose degradation ability with the zone of clearance was in the range of 12.6 mm to 35.3 mm and isolate C-7 showed highest zone of clearance (35.3 mm). Among the cellulose degrader, 10 isolates were positive for hemicellulose degradation with the zone of clearance in the range of 12.4 mm to 33.5 mm and isolate M-18 showed highest zone of clearance (33.5 mm). Those isolates which showed both cellulose and hemicellulose degradation abilities were further characterized morphologically and biochemically by gram staining, endospore staining and IMViC test. It was observed that out of 10 cellulose and hemicellulose degrading isolates, 4 isolates viz. M-3, M-18, C-4 and C-6 were gram negative and 6 isolates viz. M-1, M-10, M-11, M-19, C-10 and C-12 were gram positive and among gram positive isolates, only two isolates viz. C-12 and M-1 showed endospore formation. Those isolates which showed positive result for cellulose and hemicellulose degradation were further assayed for IMViC test. It was observed out of 10 isolates, isolates M1, M6, M13 and C11were positive for Indole test whereas in Methyl red test, all the 10 isolates showed positive result. For Voges-Proskauers (VP) test, it was found that except 2 isolates viz. M6 and C19,all the isolates showed positive result whereas all the 10 isolates were negative for citrate utilization test. These ten isolates were also tested for antagonistic behavior for consortia formation and found that none of the isolates showed any antagonistic ability against each other. Therefore, these isolates were used for the preparation of microbial consortia by growing them in enrichment culture media which were further inoculated in developed formulations. Different formulations were prepared using different combinations of substrates i.e., lime (3%), urea (2%), glucose (10g) and distilled water at different concentration and then inoculated with microbial consortium and 3g sterilized wheat straw and stored at 280 C. These formulations were further characterized for pH, microbial growth (optical density) and cell count at different time interval i.e., 0 day, 14days, 28 days, 42 days and 56 days. A total of 18 formulations were developed with three replicates. It was reported that pH varied according to the substrates added to the formulations. The addition of lime increased the pH when compared to the other formulations. In almost all the formulations, the pH values initially (14 days) decreased then increased and became almost static at the end of incubation i.e., after 56 days. It was found that in all the formulations, where glucose was added, there was lowest pH recorded as compared to the other formulations. Formulation F18 showed highest pH (11.78) followed by F17 (11.32) when consortia was inoculated and least (2.65) in case of formulation F1. When the optical density (at 660 nm) of formulations were recorded at various time intervals, it was observed that, in all the formulations there was increase in optical density gradually and the optical density of the formulations did not show a specific pattern and varied independently. At 0 day, the optical density was highest i.e., 2.57 in formulation F18 followed by formulation F7 (2.26) and lowest was recorded in formulation F3 (0.68). Whereas at 56 days of incubation, formulation F16 showed the highest optical density (2.97) and the lowest was observed in formulation F3 (0.80). The cell count of formulations varied according to the change in the pH i.e., the cell count was higher at neutral pH as compared to the acidic and alkaline pH of the formulations. As compared to the initial cell population (6.3 X 106) added to each formulation, the cell population in most of the formulation declined initially up to 14 days and then increased and became static at 56 days of incubation. Formulation F5 showed the highest cell count (6.0 X 106) followed by formulation F7 and F8 (5.8 X 106) formulation F1 showed the lowest cell count (5.1 X 106) after 56 days of incubation. Therefore the developed microbial consortium based formulations can be used to hasten the rate of composting for button mushroom production.
