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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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2018 - 202028
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End date: 2020 × Start date: 2018 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Molecular characterization of rice genotypes using salt stress responsive candidate gene based markers
    (DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Agarwal, Ruchi; Sharma, V.K.
    A study was undertaken for characterization of salt tolerance related response of 18 rice genotypes using morpho-agronomic characters and salt stress responsive 12 candidate gene based newly designed markers. Evaluation of genotypic response to salt stress at seed germination and early seedling stage was performed at 4 dSm-1 and 8 dSm-1 EC levels along with control by adopting a completely randomized design with two replications. Pot experiment was carried out at 8 dSm-1 and 12 dSm-1 EC levels given at vegetative and reproductive stages, respectively, along with control in completely randomized design with two replications. Field evaluation was conducted in randomized block design with two replications under normal and salt affected field conditions. The genotypes were further characterized at molecular level using 12 candidate gene based newly designed 23 genic primers and 21 genic microsatellite primers. Differential genotypic response to salt stress was noticed at germination stage and early seedling stage. Based on response exhibited at early seedling stage, the genotypes CSR-13, CSR- 23, CSR-27, CSR-30, CSR-36, CST7-1 and CSR-2K-262 were characterized with considerably higher level of tolerance to salt stress in comparison to the genotypes NDRK-11-1, NDRK-11-3, NDRK-11-4, NDRK-11-5, NDRK-11-6, NDRK-11-7, CSR-2K- 219 and CSR-2K-242, which were found to be moderately tolerant. The remaining three genotypes, namely, IR-36, IR-64 and Swarna, were found to be susceptible to salt stress. Principal component analysis based spatial distribution pattern of the genotypes in two dimensional projections distinctly separated the genotypes into two broad groups. The first group was further divided into two sub groups consisting of six salt tolerant genotypes and nine closely located moderately tolerant genotypes, whereas the second multi-genotypic group consisted of three salt susceptible genotypes. The basic pattern of differentiation and interrelationships among the genotypes was found to be similar in dendrogram. A comparison of the relative mean values of the genotypes evaluated for 14 morpho-physiological attributes, such as, panicle length, panicles per plant, spikelets per panicle, filled grains per panicle and unfilled grains per panicle, 100-seed weight, biological yield, grain yield per plant, root length, root volume, root dry weight, relative water content, SPAD value and K/Na ratio in pot experiment was made with mean index (MI) value. Based on the results, the genotypes CSR-13, CSR-23, CSR-27, CSR-30, CSR-36 and CST7-1 were found to be salt tolerant, whereas NDRK-11-1, NDRK-11-3, NDRK-11-4, NDRK-11- 5, NDRK-11-6, NDRK-11-7, CSR-2K-219, CSR-2K-242 and CSR-2K-262 were rated as moderately tolerant and genotypes IR-36, IR-64 and Swarna were found susceptible. Spatial distribution pattern of the genotypes in two dimensional ordinations based on principal component analysis broadly divided the genotypes into two groups, efficiently separating tolerant and moderately tolerant genotypes from susceptible genotypes. The pattern of genotypic discrimination was similar corroborated by dendrogram. Tolerance indices, such as, TOL, MP, GMP, SSI and STI based principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis also discriminated the susceptible genotypes from moderately tolerant and tolerant genotypes. Relative mean performance of genotypes evaluated under normal and salt affected field conditions for 11 morpho-agronomic characters also reflected that the genotypes CSR- 13, CSR-23, CSR-27, CSR-30, CSR-36, CST7-1 and CSR-2K-262 exhibited tolerant response, whereas NDRK-11-1, NDRK-11-3, NDRK-11-4, NDRK-11-5, NDRK-11-6, NDRK-11-7, CSR-2K-219 and CSR-2K-242 were found moderately tolerant and the genotypes IR-36, IR-64 and Swarna were rated as susceptible. Principal component analysis based spatial distribution pattern separated the genotypes into two broad groups, separating the three susceptible genotypes from moderately tolerant and tolerant genotypes. A similar classification pattern was revealed by average taxonomic distance based dendrogram. Recognizable molecular level genetic polymorphism amongst the 18 genotypes was revealed by amplification of genomic template using 12 candidate gene specific 23 newly designed primer pairs. All primer pairs generated 135 allelic variants with an average of 5.86 alleles per primer. The PIC values exhibited significant variation with the values ranging from 0.308 in primer pair DREB1F-1 to 0.905 in primer pairs SHMT1-1. Considering the level of polymorphism detected, the candidate gene based primer pairs OsHKT2;3-1, OsHKT2; 3-2, SNAC1-1, SNAC1-2, CDMK-1, CDMK-2, DUF6-2 SHMT1- 1, SHMT1-2 and SHMT2-1 appeared to be highly polymorphic and more informative primers for the purpose of discrimination of rice genotypes in relation to salinity tolerance. Principal coordinate analysis and hierarchical classification unambiguously discriminated the tolerant and susceptible genotypes, reflecting the usefulness of these newly designed markers. Using major ion transporter, transcription factor and oxidative metabolic pathway related candidate gene specific newly designed 21 microsatellite primer pairs, ample molecular level genetic polymorphism was detected amongst 18 genotypes. All primer pairs generated 131 allelic variants with 6.23 alleles per primer. The number of unique and shared alleles varied from 0 to 5 and 1-6, respectively. The PIC values ranged from 0.706 to 0.955. Taking into consideration the measures of polymorphism, the primers OsHKT1;5-B, OsHKT1;5-D, OsHKT2; 3-A, OsHKT2; 4–A, DREB1F-C, CDMK-B, DUF6-B, SHMT1- B, and SHMT2-A were found as relatively more polymorphic. Spatial distribution pattern of genotypes based on principal coordinate analysis of the genetic profiles generated by these newly designed primers as well as hierarchical classification unambiguously differentiated the tolerant and susceptible genotypes, validating the usefulness of salt responsive candidate genes based these newly designed microsatellite primer pairs.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Land use management for sustainable agricultural development in Uttar Pradesh
    (DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Kushwaha, Srishti; Sinha, D.K.
    The present study entitled land use management for sustainable agricultural development in Uttar Pradesh aims at knowing the land use pattern, cropping pattern, irrigation pattern, extent of land degradation and causes of land degradation and to suggest suitable policy measures to improve the existing land use and agricultural sustainability in various agro-climatic zones of Uttar Pradesh. The study was based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected randomly from 300 respondents from 12 purposively selected villages of 6 blocks of 3 districts from 3 zones of Uttar Pradesh on the basis of higher area under non-agricultural uses land by conducting interview of individual respondents who were classified into marginal, small, medium and large on the basis of their land holdings. The secondary data was collected from various published and unpublished sources for the period 2000-01 to 2015-16. For detailed analysis, the whole study period was divided into two sub-periods and overall period that is, period-I (2000-01 to 2007-08), period-II (2008-09 to 2015-16) and overall period (2000-01 to 2015-16). Net area sown had been declined in Uttar Pradesh as well as in some of the agro-climatic zones of the state, showing negative and significant growth rate -0.04% (state), -0.13% (zone-I), -0.23% (zone-II), -0.05% (zone-V), -0.02% (zone-VII) and -0.47% (zone-IX) per annum, respectively during the overall period (2000-01 to 2015-16). The reason for decline in net area sown might be due to increase in non-agricultural uses of land and current fallow land. However, net area sown had increased in zone-III, zone-IV, zone-VI and zone-VIII, depicting positive compound growth rate 0.08%, 0.02%, 0.08% and 0.02% per annum, respectively during the overall period. This may probably be due to decline in culturable waste land, fallow land other than current fallow and current fallow land. While, the growth rate of area under non-agricultural uses land had increased, depicting positive and significant in the state (0.63%) as well as in all the agro-climatic zones of the state that is, zone-I (0.40%), zone-II (0.66%), zone-III (0.63%), zone-IV (0.79%), zone-V (0.61%), zone-VI (0.59%), zone-VII (0.39%), zone-VIII (0.78%) and zone-IX (0.87%), respectively, during the overall study period. There was a sharp increase in the concentration of non-agricultural uses of land in the state as well as in all the agro-climatic zones of the state during the study period TE-2003 to TE-2015. Concentration of net area sown had increased in zone-III, zone-IV and zone-VI of the state. Area under both rice and wheat crops had increased in the state and in agro-climatic zones that is, zone-I, zone-II, zone-V, zone-VII and zone-VIII during the period TE-2004 to TE-2016. These were the staple food crops of the state. Area under coarse cereals had also declined in the state as well as in all the agro-climatic zones of the state that is zone-I, zone-II, zone-IV, zone-V, zone-VI, zone-VII, zone-VIII and zone-IX except zone-III during the study period. Area under pulses had declined in the state and in all the agro-climatic zones of the state, probably due to susceptibility of these crops against various pest and diseases and also due to lower productivity. Sugarcane and potato were grown as the main cash crops in the state. Area under sugarcane had increased in the state and also in zone-I, zone-II, zone-III, zone-V, zone-VI and zone-VII of the state during the reported period TE-2004 to TE-2016. This may probably be due to the availability of many sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh. Area under potato had increased in the state and also in zone-IV, zone-V, zone-VI, and zone-IX during the study period. Rapeseed and mustard were cultivated as the major oilseed crop in the state. Area under rapeseed and mustard had also enhanced during the same period in the state and in some of the agro-climatic zones that is, zone-II, zone-III, zone-V, zone-VI, zone-VIII and zone-IX except zone-IV and zone-VII. It was observed that compound growth rate of area under rice was found to be positive but insignificant (0.14%) during overall study period (2001-16) for the state. However, compound annual growth rate for rice was found to be positive and significant in zone-II (1.55%), zone-IV (1.61%) and zone-VIII (0.23%) during the overall study period. Compound annual growth rate for wheat crop was found positive and significant in the state (0.27%) as well as zone-IV (0.10%), zone-V (0.21%), zone-VI (1.05%), zone-VII (0.24%) and zone-VIII (0.38%) during the overall study period. Compound growth rate for area under sugarcane was estimated positive and significant for the stateas well as in all the zones under study except zone-IV, zone-VIII and zone-IX during the overall period. Compound annual growth rate of area under potato was also observed to be positive for the state and in zone-IV, zone-V, zone-VI, zone-VIII and zone-IX during the overall study period. Compound growth rate of area under rapeseed and mustard were also found to be positive and significant during the overall study period for the state as well as in almost all the agro-climatic zones of the state. Among foodgrain crops, higher instability in area was observed in gram and arhar crops for the state and all the agro-climatic zones of the state during the overall study period (2001-16). In case of non-foodgrain crops, higher instability was recorded in area under potato crop in zone-I (13.00%), zone-VI (12.80%), zone-III (9.79%) and zone-IV (8.92%) during the overall study period. Higher instability in area under sugarcane crop was recorded in zone-VI (24.85%), zone-IX (9.51%) and zone-V (7.53%) during the overall study period. Area under canal irrigation system had indicated declining trend, depicting negative and significant growth rate, while, area under tube-well irrigation system increased, showing positive and significant growth rate for the state as well as all the agro-climatic zones of the state during the study period TE-2004 to TE-2016. Total wasteland with respect to total geographical area had declined in the state and also in all the agro-climatic zones of the state during the study period 2000-01 to 2015-16. On the other hand, all other categories of wasteland likegullied/ravine soils, waterlogged/marshy land, saline/alkaline soils, degraded pasture/grazing land, degraded land under plantation crop, desertic sand/coastal sand, barren/rocky land had also got declined in the state as well as in all the agro-climatic zones of the state during the study period. Further, mining/industrial land had also increased for the state as whole and in all the agro-climatic zones of the state during the study period. Majority of the sample farmers were observed to be marginal in all the three selected districts i.e. Kushinagar (75%), Lucknow (81%) and Shahjahanpur (40%) of North eastern plain zone, Central plain zone and Mid western plain zone, respectively, during the study period. From the analysis of land use pattern at household level, the average wasteland was observed to be 2.88% in Kushinagar, 9.43% in Lucknow and 1.66% in Shahjahanpur district, respectively out of respective average cultivated area. Logit analysis was used to find out the causes of land degradation. The variables such as education and migration in Kushinagar district of north eastern plain zone, fertilizer use, mono-cropping, non-farm income and total land in Lucknow district of central plain zone and fertilizer use, family labour, leased out land and total land in Shahjahanpur district of mid western plain zone were found to be significant for the causes of the land degradation. The study suggests that the net sown area may be enhanced by taking initiatives in the direction of improving and putting the following land under utilization such as culturable wasteland, current fallow land, fallow land other than current fallow and other degraded land with suitable soil amelioration programmes and machinery practices, well developed irrigation facilities, drainage facilities, etc. The government should further take necessary steps to enhance the area and production of pulses in the state through evolution of promising pulse varieties along with subsidized inputs. Suitable water management should be practiced to avoid water logging and salinity problems. Fertilizer application should be used based on the requirement of different nutrients as suggested by the soils test. More emphasis should be given for the use of organic fertilizers. Suitable cropping pattern like Western plain zone- rice-potato-wheat, Central plain zone- maize-potato-wheat, Vindhyan zone- rice-potato-greengram, etc should be practiced so as to avoid the ill-effects of monocropping. Employment opportunities through expansion of allied activities of agriculture and cottage industries should be explored and created to lessen the migration of labour. The combined efforts of above activities would discourage the pace of land degradation.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Stability analysis and molecular profiling of drought tolerant rice (Oryza sativa L.)
    (DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Kumari, Shyama; Mishra, S.B.
    Thirty four genotypes of rice were evaluated for various morpho-physiological characters and to investigate the microsatellite markers based polymorphism for their profiling and differentiation using polymorphic and informative markers in order to estimate the extent of genetic diversity among these rice genotypes. Experimental materials were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications during Kharif 2017-18 & 2018-19. Molecular characterization was done by targeted amplification of the genomic DNA using a panel of fifteen microsatellite primer pairs. Statistical methods and parameters used for deriving inference were analysis of variance, range, mean values, relative mean performance, variability parameters, correlation and path coefficients. An analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters evaluated during present study. Considerable extent of variability existed for all the attributes recorded among the genotypes. Analyses of variance revealed that 34 genotypes of rice (Oryza sativa L.) varied significantly for 21 mopho-physiological traits showing sufficient variability among themselves for all environments. Wider range was recorded for number of grains per panicle followed by straw yield per plant, grain yield per plant, fresh root weight, while minimum range was observed for the traits root volume, canopy temperature, panicle number per plant and leaf drying indicates the presence of variability among the genotypes. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for most of the characters in different proportion indicated influence of environment for expressions of traits. High heritability (broad sense) coupled with high genetic advance (as percent of mean) for FRW, DRW, LR and LD indicated the preponderance of additive effects of gene. GYP-1 and SYP-1 had shown moderate heritability coupled with moderate to high genetic advance indicated that presence of additive and non-additive gene action while rest of the traits has shown low heritability coupled with low genetic advance indicated the expression of the traits are being influenced by the environments. Number of grains per panicle, straw yield per plant and harvest index exhibited positive and significant correlation with grain yield comprising their positive and high direct effect on grain yield suggesting that these traits may be considered as a prime trait during the course of selection for the improvement of yield under drought stress condition; while leaf rolling and leaf drying exhibited negative and significant correlation with grain yield comprising their negative high direct effect suggesting that the genotype/genotypes having high score may not be encouraged for selection under drought stress condition. Based on multivariate analysis, maximum inter cluster distances were observed between cluster III and cluster IX. The genotypes viz., IR 91648-B-89-B-81-B, IR 95781-15-1-1-4 and IR 95122:13-B-7-4-7-3 were present in cluster III as well as the genotype present in cluster IX (GSR IR1-DQ139-R1-L2) so these genotypes may be intermated to develop heterotic recombinants for enhancing the number of tillers per plant, panicle number per plant, number of grains per panicle, 1000 grain weight, grain yield per plant and straw yield per plant, root length, root volume, fresh root weight, dry root weight as well as to reduce the score of leaf rolling and leaf drying to develop the drought tolerant genotypes while to reduce the canopy temperature and to enhance the chlorophyll content as well as spikelet fertility genotype IR 96279-33-3-1-2 may be used in crossing programme. Pooled analysis of variance for different studied characters between the genotypes exhibited significant variation for most of the characters indicated the presence of genotypic variation in the studied rice genotypes. Significant environmental variation was observed for all the characters indicated environmental conditions were fluctuating in nature. The linear components of G x E interaction was found highly significant for most of morpho-physiological characters indicating that these characters were unstable and fluctuated in their expression with change in environment. Total eight stable genotypes out of 34 genotypes noticed for yield stability in poor/rich environments. In poor environment 4 genotypes viz. IR 83140-B-11-B, IR 95795-53-1-1-2, IR 95793-5-2-2-3 and IR 93849-22-3-1-1 had shown stability suggesting that these genotypes may be utilized for cultivation under drought stress condition with poor management whereas in rich environments IR 95785-31-2-1-2, GSR IR1-DQ62-D6-D1, IR 95785-15-2-1-2 and IR 93856-10-2-3-2 were found stable for grain yield indicating that these genotypes may show promise under drought stress condition with good management. One genotype IR 89889-34-2-1-1 exhibited average stability for panicle number per plant suggesting that this genotype may be used to have the optimum number of panicles per unit area for poor/rich environment under drought stress condition. It revealed from dendrogram that germplasm Rajendra Nilam falling with varieties Sahbhagi Dhan and Rajendra Bhagwati together there is possibility of existing many traits to be similar whereas, the genotypes Abhishek, IR95817-14-1 and GSRIRI-DQ12 falling extremely apart from whole of the cluster shows the possibility of discovering new traits in them which could be further assisted in breeding programme.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on management of aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.) on mustard
    (DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Mishra, Matangi; Mukherjee, U
    In order to develop strategies for management of mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.), an investigation entitled Studies on Management of Aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.) on Mustard was carried out at the Research farm, Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Muzaffarpur, Bihar (India). A series of experiments were conducted during two consecutive rabi seasons during 2017-18 and 2018-19. Results pertaining to different aspects of present study viz., population dynamics of mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.) under different environmental factors, exploring the possibility of management of aphid on mustard through manipulations in dates of sowing, screening of mustard genotypes for resistance against mustard aphid, relative field efficacy of some synthetic insecticides against mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.) are mentioned below: The incidence of aphid started from fourth standard week for both the years. Maximum number of mustard aphids attack on top 10 cm inflorescence of mustard was observed during the tenth standard week in both the years (222.4 in 2017-18 and 198.8 in 2018-19). However, the insect vanished in the thirteenth standard week for both the years. During first year (2017-18), maximum as well as minimum temperature, RH were correlated positively with mustard aphid but in 2018-19, maximum temperature, rainfall and no. of rainy days showed a negative impact on the insect outbreak; minimum temperature, RH (0700 hr and 1400 hr) were correlated positively. The R2 for mustard aphid in 2017-18 and 2018-19 were reported to be 78.4 % and 52.4 % respectively. Two natural enemies namely- Coccinella septempunctata and Syrphid fly were witnessed during both the experimental years. The predator incidence was from sixth standard week and their peak was observed in the tenth standard week (Coccinella septempunctata, 5.40 and Syrphid fly, 4.20) during the first year. However, in 2018-19, the population of natural enemies were at their peak in ninth standard week (Coccinella septempunctata 3.6 and Syrphid fly 2.4). Meanwhile, they disappeared in thirteenth standard week for both the years. In 2017-18, RH (1400 hr) was negatively correlated while RH (0700 hr), temperature (maximum and minimum) was correlated positively. In 2018-19, maximum and minimum temperature, rainfall, number of rainy days had a negative correlation but RH (0700 hr and 1400 hr) was found positively ii correlated. The R2 for Syrphid fly and Coccinella septempunctata in 2017-18 was 81.5 and 74.9 respectively while for 2018-19 the R2 was 76.6 % for Syrphid fly and 74.1 % for Coccinella septempunctata. By manipulating the dates of sowing, it was observed that the crops sown on last date possessed maximum mean number of aphid infestation for both the years (23.15 in 2017-18 and 44.64 in 2018-19). The yield was reported maximum on the crops sown on first date i.e. October 10th 1277.50 kg/ha in 2017-18 and 1245.00 kg/ha in 2018-19 along with the test weight of 250 seeds. It was observed that the crops sown earlier were reported with minimum mean number of aphids for both the years. While screening forty advanced genotype, not a single genotype/variety was found highly resistant in two years of experimentation. The mean number of aphids per 10 cm inflorescence ranged from 91.5 to 311.1 during 2017-18 while in second experimental year i.e. 2018-19, the mean number ranged in between 93.5 to 327.0. DRMR-1165-40 was reported to have minimum infestation both the years (i.e., 2017- 18 and 2018-19). Maximum genotypes in both years of investigation were found to be susceptible, followed by moderate and highly susceptible categories. The bio efficacy of newer pesticides against mustard aphid was tested during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19. The trend of mustard aphid population (mean number) obtained was: T1 (78.00 to 70.00), in T2 (84.00 to 77.40), T3 had a reduction from 86.80 to 79.80, T4 (89.00 to 82.2), in T5 92.00 to 84.80, T6 and T7 were reduced from 91.30 to 85.50 and 95.00 to 87.20 respectively. Meanwhile, in T8 the number of insects observed were maximum (134.00 to 137.96) during 2017-18. Meanwhile, during 2018-19, the mean number of aphid followed the trend as: Thiamethoxam (86.00 to 77.25) followed by Indoxacarb (88.00 to 81.78) followed by Novaluron (90.00 to 84.42).Spinosad (93.00 to 86.40) remained in the middle followed by Dimethoate (92.00 to 86.97), YSBE (95.00 to 90.13) and Neem Oil (95.00 to 90.87). In the untreated control, the mean number of aphid population range was as: 123.00 to 127.19. The yield in T1 (1230 kg/ha) during 2017-18 and (1171 kg/ha) in 2018-19 was found to be maximum along with the test weight (250 seed in gram) 1.080g in 2017-18 and 1.040 g in 2018-19. All the treatments showed reduction in mean number of mustard aphids except for the untreated control i.e. treatment, T8.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on resistance factors of maize plant against maize spotted stem borer, Chilo Partellus (Swinhoe)
    (DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Yadav, Manish Kumar; Rai, Arbind Kumar
    An experiment has been conducted during the year 2018 and 2019, in the cropping season of Kharif with twenty-five maize genotypes viz., Shaktiman-1, Shaktiman-2, Shaktiman-3, Shaktiman-4, Shaktiman-5, Devaki, Laxmi, Suwan, RHM-1, RHM-2, RHM-3, Deep Jwala, P-3535, P-3533, P-3550, P-3555, Dekalb-9188, Dekalb-9170, New Cross 76×11, New Cross 72×70, New Cross 73×11, New Cross 73×74, New Cross 52×65, New Cross 53×52 and New Cross 50×58 to assess their physical, biochemicals and molecular characteristic and find correlation between infestation levels and different traits under these observations. The physical characters included stem height, stem thickness, number of nodes, inter-node length, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, number of trichomes, trichome lengths and leaf angle between stem and leaf. Biochemical analyses included analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, protein and chlorophyll including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll while molecular analysis deled with real time analysis of closeness of different genotypes among each other in the term of morphological and biochemical traits. The crop sown in the Kharif in RBD design with 4 replications and for the infestation, artificial infestation has been done at the rate of 5 neonate larvae per plant on ten randomly selected plants in each replication. The data for physical characteristics was recorded at two different stages namely after 40 days of sowing and just before the tasseling stage, for biochemicals, the data was recorded of 40 days old plant while for SSR analysis, the genotypes were sown in pots separately. For the rating of infestation, leaf injury score method was adopted and infestation symptoms were rated in the scale of 1 to 9. The measurement of physical traits like stem height, leaf length and width, internode lengths were measured with the help of measuring scale while trichome density was counted with help of magnifying ocular. The data of stem thickness was recorded with help of slide caliper while the data of trichome length was recorded with help of binocular. The data of biochemicals like Nitrogen and protein have been recorded with kjel-dal and Winkelman’s formulae. Potassium was recorded with help of flame photometer while chlorophyll and phosphorus were recorded with the help of spectrophotometer. The molecular data was done with extraction of DNA and SSR analysis to obtain molecular level of diversity in the term of closeness of different genotypes. The infestation data was recorded after 20 days of artificial infestation and data leaf injury score was recorded. Total infestation per cent data was recorded on the bases of different larval injury and its immature stages presence and also other indices like excreta, pupal cases, exit holes, tunneling length were recorded after tasseling stage by splitting the stem of all maize genotypes. Recorded traits, i.e., morphological traits like height of plant, stem thickness, number of nodes, inter-node length, number of leaves, leaves length and width, trichome density and length of trichomes and biochemicals like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, protein and chlorophyll (chlorophylls a, b and total chlorophyll) influenced by several interdependent environmental fluctuations leading to an difference in tracking of these traits. But these characteristics were found to be closely associated in related genotypes. 39 There are several traits that have been identified as contributing in resistance against Chilo partellus in maize plants and a correlation between these traits and infestation have been developed to understand the quantitative relationship in different levels of pest infestation in different genotypes. In case of plant height, it was negatively significantly affecting. As per the results, it was recorded that genotypes having maximum height, were found to be less infested with the Chilo partellus. Stem diameter showed a positive but non-significant effect on infestation of maize spotted stem borer. It was observed that thicker stem supports more feeding of Chilo partellus but there is no such observation to establish a significant correlation between stem thickness and infestation. Number of nodes and inter-node length showed a negative and positive correlation respectively but non-significant association between infestation and number of nodes. Number of leaves, leaf length and leaf width are basically characterization of leaf and important in infestation due to they used as egg laying and initial feeding substrate and ultimately providing support to move towards to whorl and for further feeding. These characteristics were found to be non-significant positively correlated with infestation. It was observed that broad leaf genotypes were more susceptible in compare to narrow leaf genotypes. In case of maize, non-glandular type of trichomes are found and distributed on both leaf surfaces and stem while on lower surface very less numbers of trichomes are found in a few genotypes. They can inhibit infestation in many ways including the inhibition of egg laying and movement of neonate towards the leaf whorl. There are significant negative association between trichome density and infestation, while in case of trichome length, a positive significant association has been found. Leaf angle was measured between the stem and leaf and it was observed that plants with minimum leaf angles, found to be having greater infestation. A negative and significant correlation has been observed between leaf angle and infestation of Chilo partellus. Nitrogen and protein were recorded to be positively correlated with the infestation of maize spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus up to a significant level as it was observed that genotypes having maximum amount of nitrogen and protein showed more infestation. Nitrogen is a basic and major nutrient, required for vegetative growth and it make plants more valuable for insects more development. Many earlier workers have reported same association between nitrogen, protein and infestation. Phosphorus found in minor amount and showed a positive correlation with infestation but not up to the significant level. Potassium is very important in case of inducing resistance in plants. It was observed that genotypes having greater amount of potassium, showed less infestation of maize spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus. The association between infestation and potassium was recorded as negative and significant. Many earlier workers have reported same association between potassium and infestation. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll reported to be having positive correlation with infestation and chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll were found positive significant while total chlorophyll content showed non-significant association with infestation.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Population dynamics and management of insect pests of rice and their natural enemies in different rice cultivation systems in Bihar
    (DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Ramesh, Kumbhar Chaitanya; Singh, S. P
    Investigations were carried out to record the population dyanamics and Management of Insect Pests of Rice and their Natural Enemies in different Rice Cultivation Systems in rice CV Rajendra Bhagwati in Pusa, Bihar. Field experiments were conducted at the Research Farm, RPCAU, Pusa and in the Laboratory, Department of Entomology, RPCAU, Pusa during Kharif, 2016 and 2017. Results pertaining to different aspects of the study viz. to study the dynamics of pest species composition of rice stem borers, to ascertain the population dynamics and management of stem borers, leaf folder and Gundhi bug, to study the population dynamics of different natural enemies, to assess the efficacy of different insecticides against different insect pests and its effect on different natural enemies have been abstracted below: All the four species of stem borer of rice viz. yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker), pink stem borer, Sesamia inferens (Walker), white stem borer, Scirpophaga innotata (Walker) and dark headed striped borer, Chilo polychrysus (Meyrick) were prevalent during the crop season. However, yellow stem borer was found to be dominant over other species of stem borer and showed consistency with higher population in the entire four cultivation system viz. transplanting (92.70 to 93.50%), drum seeded (91.22 to 92.10%), direct seeded (94.00 to 95.17%) and SRI (89.10 to 90.00%) (System of Rice Intensification) during Kharif, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Highest population of leaf folder and gundhi bug were found in direct seeded followed by transplanting, drum seeded and SRI cultivation system with 8.73 & 17.39, 8.48 & 15.20, 6.51 & 14.63 and 6.12 & 13.61/ five sweeping net, respectively. (Plooed mean Kharif 2016 & 2017). Among all cultivation systems highest spider population were found in SRI with 13.40 followed by transplanting with 12.21 numbers of Spiders/ sq m. Lowest spider population was found in Direct seeded with 9.45 followed by Drum seeded with 10.82 numbers of Spiders/sq m. Almost similarly highest population of ladybird beetle, ground beetle and mirid bug were recorded in SRI with 16.01, 4.04 and 4.10 followed by Drum seeded with 14.26, 3.63 and 3.84; Transplanting with 13.34, 3.23 and 3.63 and direct seeded with 12.37, 3.12, 3.39 numbers of /sq m, respectively. Highest numbers of population of dragonfly and damselfly were recorded in SRI with 9.10 and 4.49 followed by Transplanting with 8.53 and 4.41 Drum seeded with 8.17 and 3.86 and 7.65 and 3.69 numbers/five sweeping nets, respectively. Seasonal incidence of Yellow stem borer (1.00 to 16.28 %, 1.71 to 17.02 %, 2.11 to 17.86 % and 2.71 to 14.85 %), Pink stem borer (1.33 to 5.91%, 1.05 to 6.52%, 1.54 to 6.70% and 0.80 to 5.43%), White stem borer (1.11 to 5.31%, 1.00 to 5.46%, 1.45 to 6.39% and 1.44 to 5.44 %) and Dard headed stem borer (0.53 to 5.42%, 0.29 to 5.74 %, 1.05 to 5.96% and 0.69 to 5.12%) were observed in transplanting, drum seeded, direct seeded and SRI cultivation system, respectively, during 4th week of July (30th SMW) to 1st week October (40th SMW). The prevailing measured weather parameters; maximum and minimum temperatures range of 31.80 0C to 33.80 and 25.9 to 26.50C, maximum and minimum relative humidities 86.00 to 90.50 per cent 68.00 to 74.50 per cent and weekly rainfall 0.0 to 152.2 mm were found during infestation period. Seasonal incidences of Rice stem borers (YSB, PSB, WSB, and DHSB) in different rice cultivation system was found in the ranges of 0.56 to 20.60 percent, 1.10 to 16.66 percent and 1.35 to 21.76 percent in transplanting, drum seeded, and direct seeded cultivation system, respectively, during 4th week of September (39th SMW) to 2nd week November (46th SMW). However, in SRI cultivation system white earhead symptom was found in the range of 0.07 to 16.78 per cent during 3rd week of September (38th SMW) to 1st week November (45th SMW). The prevailing measured weather parameters; maximum and minimum temperatures range of 31.80 0C to 33.80 and 25.9 to 26.50C, maximum and minimum relative humidities 86.00 to 90.50 per cent 68.00 to 74.50 per cent and weekly rainfall 0.0 to 152.2 mm were found during infestation period. Rice leaf folder incidence in different rice cultivation system was found in the ranges of 1.86 to 18.65 percent, 1.10 to 18.07 percent, 1.14 to 20.95 percent and 0.18 to 16.56 percent in transplanting, drum seeded, direct seeded and SRI cultivation system, respectively during 4th week of July (30th SMW) to 4th week October (44th SMW). The prevailing measured weather parameters; maximum and minimum temperatures range of 31.80 0C to 33.80 and 25.9 to 26.50C, maximum, and minimum relative humidities 86.00 to 90.50 per cent and 68.00 to 74.50 per cent and weekly rainfall 0.0 to 152.2 mm were found during infestation period. Seasonal incidence of rice gundhi bug in different rice cultivation were found in the ranges of 0.14 to 3.56; 0.07 to 4.05;0.15 to 4.97 and 0.30 to 3.18 in transplanting, drum seeded, direct seeded and SRI cultivation system, respectively, during 1st week of August (31st SMW) to 4th week October (43th SMW). The prevailing measured weather parameters: maximum and minimum temperatures range of 31.80 0C to 33.80 and 25.9 to 26.50C, maximum, and minimum relative humidities 86.00 to 90.50 per cent 68.00 to 74.50 per cent and weekly rainfall 0.0 to 152.2 mm were found during infestation period. All the treatments were found significantly superior over untreated control in respect to per cent mean Deadheart (DH) and White earhead (WEH). Among the all treatments Imidacloprid 17.8SL (4.20%, 1.37%, 1.33% and 1.62% DH) and Thiamethoxam 25WG (4.94%, 1.69%, 1.51% and DH) were found most effective in reducing percent deadheart caused by Yellow stem borer, Pink stem borer, White stem borer and Dark headed stem borer, respectively over the standard check Monocrotophos 36SL (6.73%, 1.95%, 1.68%, and 2.18% DH). However, among the all treatments Imidacloprid 17.8SL (8.58% WEH) and Thiamethoxam 25WG (9.33%WEH) were found most effective in reducing percent white earhead over the standard check Monocrotophos 36SL (12.86% WEH). All the treatments were found significantly superior over untreated control in respect to per cent mean damaged leaf (DL) infestation caused by rice leaf folder. Among the all treatments, Acephate 75SP (6.80% DL) followed by Imidacloprid 17.8SL (7.59% DL), Thiamethoxam 25WG (8.32% DL) were found most effective in reducing percent damaged leaf over the standard check Monocrotophos 36SL (11.18% DL). All the treatments were found significantly superior over untreated control in respect to number of gundi bug. Among the all treatments Imidacloprid 17.8SL (0.64/hill) and Thiamethoxam 25WG (0.87/hill) were found most effective in reducing Gundhi bug population over the standard check Monocrotophos 36SL (1.08/hill). Mean yield production was varied widely from 39.22 to 49.35q/ha with maximum and minimum being in treatment of insecticide component and untreated control, respectively. Highest yield with 49.35 q/ha and 47.78 q/ha were recorded from Imidacloprid 17.8SL and Thiamethoxam 25WG treated plots. Among all treatments Buprofezin 25SC Dinotefuron 20SG Monocrotophos 36SL Thiamethoxam 25WG Imidacloprid 17.8SL and Acephate 75SP were recorded maximum survived spider, ladybird beetle, dragonfly, damselfly, ground beetle and mirid bug population over standard check Monocrotophos 36SL.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on insect pest complex of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) and their management
    (DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Kumar, Ram; Singh, P. P.
    In order to study the population dynamics and management of okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella Fabricius, whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, jassid, Amrasca bigutulla bigutulla Ishida, and red spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval, a series of field experiments were conducted during two consecutive years i.e. Kharif, 2018 and 2019 at the Research Farm, Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Muzaffarapur (Bihar). Results related to different aspects of the present study viz. population dynamics, screening of different okra varieties, intercropping effect of different crops and foliar application of insecticides applied against pests of okra have been abstracted below: The shoot damage was first noticed during 29th standard week (3.84 %) whereas, its peak activity was observed during 31st standard week (10.09 %) when the prevailing abiotic factors viz. maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity at 7 hrs and 14 hrs and rainfall were 34.00 ºC, 26.25 ºC, 97.75 per cent, 83.25 per cent and 5.57 mm, respectively and remained active up to the 34th standard week (2.85 %). After fruit appearance, the larva moved to the fruit and caused damage. Initiation of fruit damage was noticed during 31st standard week (4.91 %) and continued till 41st standard week (6.44 %) i.e. end of the crop seasons with the highest fruit damage (29.30 %) during 34th standard week when the prevailing weather parameters viz. maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity at 7 hrs and 14 hrs and rainfall were 35.75 ºC, 27.35 ºC, 97.60 per cent, 69.20 per cent and nil, respectively. However, the larva appearance on okra fruit was first noticed during 31st standard week (1.13 larva/ 25 fruit) with its peak during 34th standard week (7.13 larva/ 25 fruit). Its activity was traced up to last harvest of the fruit (1.11 larva/ 25 fruit). The activity of whitefly, jassid and mite on okra plant commenced during 27th standard week, while their peak activity and appearance period on crop varied remarkably. The peak activity of whitefly was recorded during 31st standard week (7.59 whitefly/ 3 leaves) when the mean corresponding weather parameters viz; maximum, minimum temperature, relative humidity at 07 and 14 hrs and rainfall prevailed around 34.0 oC, 26.3 oC, 97.8 per cent, 83.3 per cent and 5.6mm, respectively, but it persisted up to 35th standard week (6.60 – 2.69 whitefly/3 leaves). Contrary to this, the peak activity of jassid (14.38 jassid/ 3 leaves) and mite (13.97 mite/2 cm2) was observed during 34th and 36th standard week, respectively. The incidence of jassid and mite were observed throughout the crop season while, its population was relatively more in reproductive stage of the crop. The appearance of natural enemies (coccinellid and spider) emerged with pests incidence i.e. 27th standard week (0.38 coccinelids and 0.44 spiders/ 5 plant, respectively) and persisted till the end of crop season. However, their highest population was noted during 35th standard week (4.56 coccinelids and 3.94 spiders/ 5 plant, respectively). A relationship between pests population and weather parameters were established to assess the impact of abiotic factors on pests population. The maximum temperature, minimum temperature and relative humidity at 7 hrs inferred positive but non-significant effect on shoot damage, fruit damage and larval population. However, relative humidity at 14 hrs exerted negative and significant effect on per cent fruit damage and larval population. Further, the effect of rainfall on per cent shoot damage, per cent fruit damage and larval population was found negative and non-significant. All the prevailing weather parameters viz. maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity at 7 hrs, and 14 hrs and rainfall collectively shared 61.60, 48.56 and 50.82 per cent contribution towards shoot damage, fruit damage and larval population fluctuation, respectively. In case of whitefly, the maximum temperature and minimum temperature were reported to respond positively with significant effect while relative humidity at 7 hrs and 14 hrs were found to effect positively but had non-significant correlation with whitefly population. Further, rainfall exerted negative and non-significant effect on whitefly population. The effect of minimum temperature and relative humidity at 7 hrs were found to respond positively but had non-significant effect on jassid and mite population while, the influence of maximum temperature on jassid was positive and highly significant but it was positive and non-significant on mite population. The effect of relative humidity at 14 hrs and rainfall inferred negative and non-significant impact on jassid and mite population. The cumulative effect of all the weather parameters collectively contributed 64.67, 53.78 and 16.25 per cent towards whitefly, jassid and mite population, respectively as indicated by R2 value (R2 = 0.6467, 0.5378 and 0.1625, respectively). Maximum temperature had positive and highly significant effect on coccinellid and spider population. But, the effect of minimum temperature and relative humidity at 7 hrs were found positive but non-significant on coccinellid and spider population. Further, the relative humidity at 14 hrs and rainfall had negative and non-significant relationship with coccinelid and spider population. The effect of all the weather parameters together governed 49.90 and 48.23 per cent to the coccinelids and spider population build up, respectively. Among the fifteen okra varieties evaluated for their susceptibility to okra shoot and fruit borer, it may be inferred that Kashi Satdhari (2.60%) was the most superior variety as it recorded lowest per cent shoot damage followed by D-1-87-5 (3.62%) and Pusa A-4 (4.24%). On the contrary, Pusa Sawani (16.23%) recorded highest level of shoot infestation followed by SB-2 (13.74%) as against Kashi Pragati (check) 10.08 per cent. Further, okra variety Kashi Satdhari (7.87%) recorded lowest fruit infestation and was considered as least susceptible variety which was at par with NO-136 (8.77%), D-1-87-5 (9.12%) and Kashi Leela (9.38%). Amongst all the okra varieties evaluated for their susceptibility to fruit infestation, Pusa Sawani and VRO-03 recorded relatively higher fruit infestation i.e. 35.17 and 33.41 per cent, respectively and registered as the most inferior varieties against (26.12%) Kashi Pragati (check). Out of fifteen okra varieties, the maximum whitefly population was recorded in Pusa Sawani (4.50 whitefly/ 3 leaves) which was statistically at par with VRO-03 (4.18 whitefly/ 3 leaves) as against check Kashi Pragati (3.69 whitefly/ 3 leaves). However, the lowest whitefly population was recorded in Kashi Satdhari (1.50 whitefly/ 3 leaves) which was at par with Kashi Leela (1.58), Kashi Lalima (1.63) and SB-8 (1.64) per three leaves. Amongst fifteen varieties screened, NO-136 registered minimum infestation (2.99 jassid/ 3 leaves) thus inferred as the best variety while Pusa Sawani recorded maximum jassid population (11.56 jassid/ 3 leaves) as against 9.20 jassid per three leaves in Kashi Pragati (check). Against mite infestation in okra variety, Masina-1 was found the most susceptible variety as it harboured the highest infestation (11.78 mite/ 2 cm2) which was at par with D-1-87-5 (10.42) and Ankur-41 (9.93) as against Kashi Pragati (check) 9.82 mite per two square centimetre. Whereas, the lowest mite population was observed on Kashi Satdhari (3.78 mite/ 2 cm2) followed by Kashi Lalima (2.58) and Pusa-A-4 (5.94 mite/ 2 cm2) regarded as the least susceptible host among all the tested varieties. The maximum number of primary branches (2.55/ plant), fruit angle (51.30º), number of lateral veins (70.88/ leaf) and leaf moisture (86.21%) were found in Ankur-41. On the contrary, the minimum number of primary branches, fruit angle, number of lateral veins and leaf moisture were recorded in Azad Bhindi-1 (0.20/ plant), VRO-03 (13.39º), SB-8 (36.26/ leaf) and Kashi Sathari (80.55%), respectively. Among all the fifteen okra varieties, SB-2 bears the maximum fruit yield (131.42 g) and fruit width (1.95 cm) whereas, the same was found minimum in NO-136 (79.76 g) and Ankur-41 (1.27 cm). The lowest trichome density on leaf lamina (5.57/ cm), midrib (5.67/ cm) and side vein (9.17/ cm) were recorded in SB-2 whereas, on fruit (292.44/ cm2) the minimum trichome density was recorded in okra variety Pusa Sawani. Moreover, the okra variety NO-136 recorded maximum trichomes per unit area on leaf lamina (29.77/ cm), midrib (27.82/ cm) and side vein (23.22/ cm) but, the maximum trichomes per unit area on fruit was recorded in SB-2 (480.52/ cm). The trichome length varied significantly among the tested varieties with minimum in SB-2 (3.02 μm) at leaf lamina and Kashi Pragati at fruit (3.98 μm), respectively. While on midrib (3.83 μm) and side vein (4.19 μm), it was the shortest in Pusa Sawani. In addition, NO-136 obtained the longest trichome at leaf lamina (7.01 μm), midrib (7.61 μm), side vein (8.21 μm) and fruit (7.27 μm). The availability of secondary metabolites varied among different varieties. The phenol and flavonoid content per gram of leaf was found maximum in Kashi Satdhari (0.339 mg and 0.177 mg, respectively) while, it was the lowest in SB-2 (0.157 mg/g) and Pusa Sawani (0.035 mg/g). Apart from this, the maximum tannin was available in No-136 (0.950 mg/ g) whereas, it was minimum in Pusa Sawani (0.098 mg/g). Amongst fifteen varieties, the potassium content was minimum in Pusa-A-4 (0.398%) while, its highest concentration was observed in Kashi Lalima (0.880%). Moreover, the maximum and minimum phosphorus content was recorded in Kashi Satdhari (0.545%) and Masina-1 (0.204%). The correlation studies between phytomorphometric attributes and fruit infestation ascribed by okra shoot and fruit borer clearly indicated that the fruit angle, fruit yield and plant height had positive but non-significant association with fruit infestation, while the primary branches showed positive and significant effect. The fruit infestation was found negatively associated with fruit width, fruit length, seed per fruit, trichome density on fruit and leaf moisture content. Moreover, trichome length on fruit had highly significant effect on fruit infestation. The correlation of whitefly population with trichome density, trichome length, primary branches and fruit yield were negative and non significant. Further, it was found that plant height, moisture content and number of lateral veins per leaf had positive and non-significant correlation with whitefly population. The trichome effect on jassid population was also found negative and non significant except trichome density on fruit and trichome length on leaf lamina. Unlike, the plant height, primary branches per plant, moisture content and number of lateral veins per leaf showed positive and non significant on jassid population. The mite incidence had negative and non-significant correlation with trichome except trichome density on leaf lamina which showed significant and negative effect on mite incidence and trichome length on side vein. However, the plant height, moisture content and number of lateral veins per leaf showed positive and non significant effect on mite population. Additionally, the primary branches per plant showed positive and significant association with mite population. The correlation of all the biochemical and nutritional factors viz. phenol, flavonoid, tannin, potassium and phosphorus showed negative impact on growth and development of shoot and fruit borer, whitefly, jassid and mite and thus reduce the population. Among the different crop combinations the lowest shoot damage (5.00%) was recorded in okra + cowpea (1:1) intercropping followed by okra + cowpea (2:1) and okra + sorghum (1:1) while the highest shoot damage (6.65%) was registered in okra + maize (2:1) intercropping system as against okra mono-croppping (7.69%). Similarly, the minimum fruit damage (12.25%) was recorded in okra + cowpea (1:1) crop combination which was statistically similar with okra + cowpea (2:1), okra + sorghum (1:1) and okra + sorghum (2:1) while the maximum fruit damage (16.41%) was registered in okra + maize (2:1) intercropping as against okra as a sole crop (18.42%). The influence of intercrops in reducing whitefly population was found maximum (3.08 whitefly/ 3 leaves) in okra + cowpea (1:1) intercropping system thus, referred as the most suitable crop combination among all and found statistically at par with okra + cowpea (2:1) and okra + sorghum (1:1) as against okra mono-cropping (4.95 whitefly/ 3 leaves). However, among all the crop combinations the maximum whitefly infestation (4.95 whitefly/ 3 leaves) was registered in okra + maize (2:1). Similarly, okra + cowpea (1:1) crop combinations also recorded minimum jassid infestation (6.10 jassid/ 3 leaves) and considered as the most efficient crop combination which was statistically at par with okra + cowpea (2:1) and okra + sorghum (1:1) as against okra monocropping (9.86 jassid/ 3 leaves). Moreover, the crop combination which was least effective in managing jassid infestation was okra + maize (2:1). With reference to mite infestation, okra + cowpea (1:1) crop combination proved as the most promising (6.92 mite/ 2 cm2) and was statistically aligned with okra + cowpea (2:1) and okra + sorghum (1:1) as against okra monocropping (9.87 mite/ 2 cm2). Moreover, okra + maize (2:1) crop combination was found least effective (8.76 mite/ 2 cm2) in managing mite infestation. From the natural enemies conservation point of view too, okra + cowpea (1:1) crop combination was proved to be the most efficient and recorded the highest coccinellid (6.02 coccinellids/ plant) and spider (4.88 spiders/ plant) population which behaved statistically at par with okra + cowpea (2:1) as against okra monocropping (4.02 coccinellids/ plant and 3.37 spiders/ plant). Furthermore, okra + maize (2:1) crop combination proved less beneficial for narural enemies conservation. Intercropping of cowpea with okra (2:1) found most superior crop combination as it recorded the maximum yield (89.0 q/ha) over sole crop (109.35 q/ha), while the minimum yield (64.5 q/ha) was obtained in maize intercropped with okra (1:1). It was critical to mention that the okra + cowpea (1:1) recorded the maximum LER (1.31) followed by okra + cowpea 1.20 at 2:1 and okra + sorghum 1.19 at 1:1 crop ratio thus rated as more efficient intercropping system over sole okra crop. On the contrary, okra intercropped with maize (2:1) was found less efficient (0.99) than the okra sole. The maximum okra equivalent yield (111.4 q/ha) was recorded in okra + cowpea intercropping (1:1) while it was minimum (100.9 q/ha) in okra + maize (2:1). Out of nine insecticides applied, three round application of profenofos 50 EC @ 500g a.i./ha at fortnightly interval was found to afford maximum protection to the okra crop against shoot and fruit borer infestation (2.55% shoot damage and 5.69% fruit damage) followed by spinosad 45 SC @ 50g a.i./ha and thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 25g a.i./ha as against untreated control (8.42% shoot damage and 18.62% fruit damage). However, among botanicals used, YBSE 5% was found better in reducing the shoot and fruit borer infestation. Further, after three spraying at fifteen days interval population of whitefly (0.50/ 3 leaves) and jassid (0.63/ 3 leaves) were found minimum in thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 25g a.i./ha treated plot which was statistically at par with acetamiprid 20 SP and profenofos 50 EC as against untreated control (5.74 whitefly/ 3 leaves and 14.12 jassid/ 3 leaves). Among the botanicals, the most promising plant product was YBSE 5% followed by NSKE 5% and Neem oil 3%. Three foliar spray of profenofos 50 EC @ 500g a.i./ha (4.74 mite/ 2 cm2) at fortnightly interval recorded better results in controlling mite incidence but their effect was not much pronounced as against untreated control (11.48 mite/ 2 cm2). However, the efficacy of neem oil 3% against mite infestation was the lowest (9.60 mite/ 2 cm2) among evaluated insecticides. The botanicals used were not much effective in controlling mite population. Three round applications of profenofos 50 EC (@ 500 g a.i./ha) recorded highest fruit yield (152.9 q/ha), while the neem oil 3% yielded the lowest (131.1 q/ha) as against untreated control (112.1 q/ha). Among the plant products, YBSE 5% yielded higher okra fruit (136.2 q/ha) as compared to other botanicals but its effect was less pronounced than chemical insecticides. The benefit-cost ratio of different treatments used as foliar application differed remarkably. It was highest (12.78:1) in case of profenofos 50 EC which was closely followed by acetamiprid 20 SP (11.57:1) and thiamethoxam 25 WG (10.11:1).
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of organic and inorganic amendments on salt-tolerant rice genotypes in sodic soil of Bihar
    (DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Mali, Suraj; Tiwari, Sanjay
    A field experiment was carried out during Kharif 2018 and 2019 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Sub Regional Station, Pusa (Samastipur), Bihar. Experiment was laidout in split plot design with four treatments i.e. T1 - Control, T2 - Gypsum @ 100 % G.R., T3 - Gypsum @ 50% G.R. + Biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 and T4 - Biocompost @ 5.0 t ha-1 in main plots and ten rice genotypes G1 - Suwasini, G2 - Rajendra Bhagwati, G3 - Boro-3, G4 - Rajendra Neelam, G5 - CSR-30, G6 - CSR-36, G7 - CR-3884-244-8-5-6-1-1, G8 - CR-2851-SB-1-2-B-1, G9 - CSR-27 and G10 - Pusa-44 in sub plots and replicated thrice. In this experiment an attempt was made to assess the effect of amendments on soil health parameters i.e. soil physical, chemical and biological properties, rice productivity and nutrient uptake, phenotypic variability, plant water status and photosynthetic pigment‟s content in various rice genotypes. The experimental site has hot and humid summers and too cold winters and soil belong to order Entisol, silt loam in texture at surface containing 10.45% sand, 72.06% silt and 17.49% clay the soil was alkaline pH 9.69 in reaction, electrical conductivity (EC) 2.12 dS m-1 and organic carbon (OC) 2.6 g kg-1. Application of N: P2O5: K2O @ 120: 60: 40 kg ha-1 of urea, diammonium phosphate and murate of potash. Application of fifty percent doses of nitrogen (N), full doses of phosphorous (P2O5) and potassium (K2O) were applied as basal dose and rest fifty per cent of nitrogen was applied in two split dose at 30 days interval and application of inorganic and organic amendment separately in treatment T2 (Gypsum @100% G.R. in 2.5 kg plots-1) and T4 (Biocompost @ 5.0 t ha-1 in 5 kg plots-1) and both inorganic and organic combined application in treatment T3 (Gypsum @50% G.R. in 1.25 kg plots-1 + Biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 in 2.5 kg plots-1). The same treatment is applied on the same plots. The treatment was applied during 2018-19. The organic soil amendments viz., biocompost were provided by Magadh Sugar & Energy Limited Unit - Hasanpur Sugar Mills, Samastipur (Bihar). The results of present investigation were obtained that the wet aggregates stability had significantly improved by CSR-30 followed by CSR-36 as compared to Pusa-44 (check variety). All the amendments significantly improved wet aggregate stability as compared to control. Gypsum application @ 100% G.R. had the highest improvement followed by combination of gypsum @ 50% G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 and Pusa-44, CSR-36, CSR-27, CR-2851-SB-1-2-B-1 and Rajendra Bhagwati significantly reduction of bulk density compared to Suwasini. All the soil amendments significantly reduction bulk density as compared to control. Gypsum application @ 100% G.R. had highest effect followed by combination of gypsum and biocompost. CSR-30, CSR-36, CR-3884-244-8-5-6-1-1 and CSR-27 significantly decreased soil reaction (pH) and electrical conductivity (EC) as compared to the Pusa-44. All the soil amendments significantly decreased soil reaction (pH) and electrical conductivity (EC) than the control plot. Gypsum application @ 100% G.R. had highest effect followed by combination of gypsum and biocompost and biocompost @ 5.0 t ha-1 applications had significantly higher organic carbon (OC), available N, P, K, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and B followed by combination of gypsum @ 50 % G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 applications. Gypsum @ 100 % GR applications had significantly higher available sulphur followed by combination of gypsum @ 50 % G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 applications. Rajendra Neelam, CSR-36 and CR-3884-244-8-5-6-1-1 genotypes had significantly decreased sodium, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) as compared to CSR-27. All the soil amendments significantly decreased sodium, sodium adsorption ratio and exchangeable sodium percentage as compared to the control plot. Gypsum @ 100% G.R. application highest effect followed by combination of gypsum @ 50% G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 and exchangeable Ca2+ + Mg2+ had significantly higher in the genotypes CSR-36 followed by Rajendra Neelam, CSR-30 and CR-3884-244-8-5-6-1-1 and gypsum @ 100% G.R. application had significantly higher followed by combination of gypsum @ 50% G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 application. Most of the salt tolerant genotypes had the significantly improvement in soil biological properties Active carbon, Soil respiration and Autoclave-Citrate Extractable soil protein as compared to check Pusa-44. All the soil amendments significantly improved soil biological properties as compared to control. However biocompost had highest value followed by the combination of gypsum @ 50% G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 applications. Potassium concentration at pre flowering stage had significantly higher in the genotypes CSR-30 followed by CSR-27, CSR-36 and CR-3884-244-8-5-6-1-1 and combination of gypsum @ 50% G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 application had significantly higher followed by biocompost @ 5.0 t ha-1 application and CSR-36, CSR-27, CSR-30 and CR-3884-244-8-5-6-1-1 genotypes had significantly decreased sodium concentration and sodium/potassium ratio as compared to Suwasini and Pusa-44. All the soil amendments significantly decreased sodium concentration and sodium/potassium ratio as compared to control. Gypsum application @ 100% G.R. highest effect followed by combination of gypsum @ 50% G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1. Nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, Zn and Cu uptake in grain had significantly higher in the genotypes CSR-27 followed by CSR-36 and CR-3884-244-8-5-6-1-1 and combination of gypsum @ 50% G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 application had significantly higher followed by gypsum @ 100% G.R. application and Fe, Mn and Boron uptake in grain and Nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, Zn, Cu, Fe Mn and Boron uptake in straw had significantly higher in the genotypes CSR-36 followed by CSR-27 and CR-3884-244-8-5-6-1-1 and combination of gypsum @ 50% G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 application had significantly higher than the control treatment. All the genotypes had significantly higher mortality count and stress score at vegetative and reproductive stage than the salt tolerant genotypes CSR-36, CSR-30, CR-3884-244-8-5-6-1-1 and CSR-27 and all the soil amendment had significantly higher values as compared to combination of gypsum @ 50% G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 application. Number of tillers per plant, number of tillers m-2 and number of productive tillers plant-1 and number of filled grains had significantly higher in the genotypes CSR-36 followed by CSR-30, CSR-27 and CR-3884-244-8-5-6-1-1 and combination of gypsum @ 50% G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 application had significantly higher followed by gypsum @ 100% G.R. application and panicle length, spikelet fertility, weight of 1000 grain, grain yield, straw yield and biological yield had significantly higher in the genotypes CSR-36 followed by CSR-27 and CR-3884-244-8-5-6-1-1 and combination of gypsum @ 50% G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 application had significantly higher followed by gypsum @ 100% G.R. application. Relative water content and photosynthetic pigment content (chlorophyll „a‟ „b‟, total chlorophyll and carotenoid) at pre-flowering stage and grain filling stage had significantly higher in genotypes CSR-27 followed by CSR-36 and CR-3884-244-8-5-6-1-1 and combination of gypsum @ 50% G.R. and biocompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 application had significantly higher followed by gypsum application @ 100% G.R.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Soil health and carbon stock assessment under different agroforestry systems in calcareous soil
    (DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Sarkar, Sudip; Das, Dipty Kumar
    A field-cum-laboratory investigation for soil health and carbon stock assessment under four treatments: Kadamb (Anthocephalus cadamba Miq.), Simarauba (Simarouba glauca DC) and Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) plantations and control (without trees) and five replications with soil sampling from two depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm) in calcareous soil was undertaken during in the year 2018-19 at Research area of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), Bihar. Earlier Kadamb plantation was being intercropped with three varieties of Turmeric (Rajendra sonia, Rajendra sonali and NDH-92), and the rest two plantations with four tuber crops [Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus campanulatus, var. Gajendra), Turmeric (Curcuma domestica, var. Rajendra Sonia), Ginger (Zingiber officinale, var.Nadia) and Arbi (Colocasia esculenta, var. Sahasramukhi)] along with the recommended doses of the fertilizers. The objectives were to study soil biological, physical and chemical properties as well as to study carbon stock in trees and soil biomass. Soil properties were tested for significant differences by two way analysis of variance, where agroforestry system considered as first factor and soil depth as second factor. Soil biological properties were assessed four times in the month of June (summer), September (autumn), December (winter) and March (spring), while physical as well as chemical soil properties were analyzed only once in the month of June. There were noticeable improvements of various biological, physical and chemical indicators of soil confirmed in agroforestry systems (AFS) over control plot. Seasonal variations of soil biological parameters were recorded; and in the month of June showed highest biological activities, whereas lowest was recorded during December. Variations of soil biological, physical and chemical properties were also found with soil depths. Availability of plant nutrients was higher in upper layer of soil over lower soil layer. Agroforestry development leads rise of soil organic carbon and storage of soil carbon. Soil carbon stock in the 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths, in Simarouba AFS was 13.6 and 3.7 per cent higher over Kadamb AFS which in turn had 2.3 and 3.8 per cent higher carbon stock over Litchi AFS, at the respective depths." Averaged over the various agroforestry systems, 86.7% of total tree biomass contributed to the above ground biomass and remaining 13.3 % provided for the below ground biomass. Simarouba trees had 20.5 % higher long-lived carbon storage over Kadamb trees which was 10.9 % higher long-lived carbon storage over litchi trees. CO2 emission mitigation by trees varied from 14.92 q tree-1 by Simarouba trees to 11.16 q tree-1 by litchi trees. Overall Simarouba plantation showed better soil biological, physical and chemical properties followed by Kadamb and Litchi. Simarouba plantation was also found to have significantly higher soil carbon stock than all other treatments irrespective of the soil depths. Thus, this study provided good ideas about potentiality of agroforestry development for sustainable soil use and mitigates atmospheric carbon dioxide.