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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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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    GENETIC DIVERGENCE AND CAUSE EFFECT RELATIONSHIP STUDIES IN TOMATO “(Solanum lycopersicum L.)’’ FOR YIELD AND YIELD ATTRIBUTING TRAITS UNDER LOW TEMPERATURE
    (DRPCAU, PUSA, 2021) SHAHNAWAZ, AHMED; Yadav, L. M.
    The current research was conducted at the “Vegetable Research farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar”, during the rabi season (2020-21) having Twenty-five tomato genotypes, including a control, Kashi Vishesh to evaluate the twenty-five genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in a Randomized Block Design with three replications for yield and yield attributing traits. Studies were carried out on “variability, character association, path analysis, and genetic divergence” for characters like “Plant height (cm), number of primary branches/plants, number of days to first flower initiation, number of flowers/clusters, number of fruits/clusters, number of clusters/plants, number of days to first picking, polar diameter of fruit (cm), equatorial diameter of fruit (cm), average fruit weight (g), TSS content of the fruit (obrix), acidity of the fruit (%), number of fruits/plant and fruit yield/plant (kg)”. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for every trait. Estimations of genetic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were high for the characters like: “fruit yield per plant (kg), average fruit weight (g), equatorial diameter of fruit (cm), number of primary branches/plants, plant height (cm), polar diameter of fruit (cm), number of fruits/plant and acidity of the fruit (%)”. A high heritability value was detected, as well as a high genetic advance as percent of the mean for all the fourteen characters. These characters indicated that the presence of additive gene effects that may be exploited through phenotypic selection to improve yield. Based on correlation and path analysis, “Plant height, Average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant” exhibited positive and significant correlation with yield per plant having their positive direct effect suggesting that during selection these traits may be considered as prime traits to improve the yield of tomato. The twenty-five genotypes were divided into nine clusters using Tocher’s method, however, the genotype distribution within each cluster varied in number. Cluster I had the highest number of genotypes (eleven) followed by (four) genotypes in cluster III, (three) in cluster VI, (two) in cluster V and cluster II, IV, VII, VIII, and IX had only (one) genotype each. Cluster I and Cluster V had the highest and lowest intra-cluster distances, respectively. The inter-cluster distance was lowest between clusters II and V and highest between clusters VIII and IX, indicating these genotypes might be used in an inter-varietal hybridization program to achieve superior recombinants. Average fruit weight (24.00 %) contributed the most to divergence, followed by acidity of the fruit (16.33 %), TSS content of the fruit (15.67 %), and number of primary branches per plant (15.00 %). They have collectively contributed 71 %. So, based on this study, genotypes EC 320574 (Cluster V) and PDT-3-1 (Cluster VIII) were selected as superior lines based on high inter-cluster distance alongside mean performance for most of the yield attributing traits suggesting that these genotypes may be used in crossing programme to obtain heterotic recombinants as well as transgressive segregants.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on Population Development on Pulse Grains and Eco-friendly Management of Pulse Beetle on Pigeon pea in Storage
    (Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) NAKAMBAM, SONALI; Singh, P. P.
    In order to study the population development of pulse beetle on different pulse grains and eco-friendly management of pulse beetle on pigeon pea in storage, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted in the Entomology laboratory of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar during the two consecutive years viz., 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. Findings related to different aspects of the present investigation viz., ovipositional preference, adult emergence, mean developmental period, index of susceptibility, per cent and weight loss caused by C. chinensis on different pulse grains, efficacy of various oils, botanicals and insecticides and performance of different storage structures in pigeon pea storage have been outlined below: For assessment of population development of pulse beetle and quantitative losses caused by pulse beetle on different pulse grains, the trials were conducted on six different hosts (lentil, field pea, green gram, bengal gram, pigeon pea and black gram) replicated four times under Completely Randomised Block Design. The preference for egg laying by C. chinensis on different pulse hosts revealed that eggs laid per 50 grains ranged from 62.37 to 110.37 eggs/50 seeds and maximum oviposition was recorded on pigeon pea (110.37 eggs/50 seeds) while lowest was observed on lentil (62.37 eggs/50 seeds). Likewise, average egg count/seed was computed which resulted minimum and maximum number of eggs laid on lentil and pigeon pea with values 1.25 and 2.21 eggs per seed, respectively. Subsequently, emergence of adult beetles as well as per cent survival of adults emerged from different host grains recorded highest in pigeon pea with 99.88 numbers and 90.40 per cent while lentil recorded lowest in both the parameters recording 41.13 and 65.34 per cent, respectively. The development period of pulse beetle (C. chinensis) on six different hosts revealed that shortest mean developmental period of beetles from egg to adult was found in pigeon pea (25.64 days) while beetle development in lentil took longest period (34.76 days). The result on index of susceptibility showed pigeon pea and lentil as the most and least susceptible to C. chinensis with susceptibility index of 7.79 and 4.56, respectively. On the basis of categorization given by Dobie (1974) pigeon pea falls in moderately resistant category while lentil comes under resistant category. Assessment of grain damage as well as weight loss was carried out at different days interval. Per cent grain damage at 30 days after insect release (DAIR) revealed maximum grain damage in pigeon pea (16.84%) followed by green gram (14.97%), bengal gram (13.49%), black gram (11.77%), field pea (9.51%) and lentil (7.06%). At 60 days after insect release, pigeon pea recorded highest per cent grain damage with 37.62 per cent which was followed by green gram (32.07%), bengal gram (30.78%), black gram (22.71%), field pea (14.51%) and lentil (12.11%). Likewise at 90 and 120 days after insect release, pigeon pea recorded maximum with (60.41, 81.89%), green gram (54.56, 77.16%), bengal gram (50.63, 69.28%), black gram (31.24, 51.95%) and no significant difference was observed between field pea (16.87%) and lentil (15.45%) at 90 DAIR but at 120 DAIR, significant difference was recorded between field pea (31.45%) and lentil (23.83%). Per cent weight directly correlated with the per cent grain damage in the present findings and there was significant variation among all the host grains. Starting from the initial month (30 DAIR) till 120 DAIR, pigeon pea recorded maximum weight loss followed by green gram, bengal gram, black gram, field pea and lentil. The order of per cent weight loss in all the four months study period is as follows: Pigeon pea (10.94, 17.00, 33.86, 62.63%), green gram (9.33, 15.55, 29.24,56.53%), bengal gram (7.89,13.44, 28.37%), black gram (6.88, 12.50, 20.04, 50.25%), field pea (4.76, 11.21, 14.72, 31.42%) and lentil (3.74, 8.07, 11.80, 17.88%). Pigeon pea being widely cultivated pulse crop, the efficacy of various grain protectants including oils, botanicals and safer insecticides were assessed with regard to of reduced per cent egg laying, emergence of adult, per cent grain damage and weight loss for a duration of four months at monthly interval (30 to 120 DAIR). The series of experiments consisted of ten treatments including untreated control with three replications under Completely Randomised Block Design (CRBD). Among all the treatments lowest number of eggs were laid on seeds treated with cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seeds (11.17 eggs/50 seeds) followed by spinosad (45 SC) @ 4 ppm/kg seeds (20.50 eggs/50 seeds). Among botanicals, lowest oviposition was recorded in mustard oil @ 5ml/ kg seeds (24.67 eggs/50 seeds) and all the treatments proved to be significantly effective in reducing the egg laying of Callosobruchus chinensis and superior over untreated control (98.67 eggs/50 seeds). Based on oviposition data, oviposition inhibition was computed which yielded maximum inhibition in seeds treated with cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seeds (88.67%) and minimum inhibition was recorded in seeds treated with YBSP @ 5g/kg seeds (39.91%). The data recorded on adult emergence and inhibition of adult emergence revealed that minimum adult emergence (12.93%) and maximum inhibition of adult emergence (84.54%) were recorded on seeds treated with cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05ml/kg seeds while maximum adult emergence and minimum inhibition of adult emergence were recorded on seeds treated with YBSP @ 5g/kg seeds (67.43 and 18.93%). Efficacy of oils, botanicals and insecticides against C. chinensis infesting pigeon pea indicated that 30 DAIR, seeds treated with cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed recorded the least grain damage (by count) with maximum protection of 0.87 per cent while maximum damage was recorded in YBSP @ 5g/kg seed (8.70%). Cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed proved to be the most efficient treatment in reducing grain damage till 120 DAIR with 1.19, 2.14 and 3.10% while maximum damage was recorded in YBSP @ 5g/kg seed (17.71, 27.35 and 28.45%) at 60, 90 and 120 days, respectively. Grain damage (by weight) nearly inferred same pattern with the previous grain damage (by count). Cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed proved to be the best treatment with significantly less per cent grain damage from 30 DAIR till 120 DAIR. At 30 DAIR, cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed recorded 0.53 per cent damage which was on par with spinosad (45 SC) @4 ppm/kg seed (0.84%). Among botanically derived grain protectants mustard oil @ 5ml/kg was the most efficient one in reducing per cent grain damage with 1.28 per cent which was on par with turmeric leaf oil @ 5ml/kg (1.47%). Intermediate protection of grains was provided by seed treatment with garlic extract @ 5% (1.96%), neem oil @ 5ml/kg (2.48%), NSKE @ 5ml/kg (3.85%) and maximum grain damage with least protection was observed in seeds treated with YBSP @ 5g/kg seed (5.94%) followed by YBSE @ 5ml/kg (4.99%). Even after 120 DAIR, cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed was the most efficient treatment with 1.99 per cent and seed treatment with YBSP @ 5g/kg seed recorded maximum grain damage (12.57%). The per cent weight loss also increased consequently with increased in storage period and corresponded with per cent grain damage. At 30 DAIR, cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed provided maximum protection (0.54%) against C. chinensis. Among botanicals, mustard oil @ 5ml/kg (1.22%) also provided maximum protection and maximum weight loss was observed in YBSP @ 5g/kg seed (5.86%). All the treatments were found to be superior over untreated control (10.43%). From 60 to 120 DAIR, cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed recorded lowest with values (0.65, 1.38, 1.81%) while maximum was observed in YBSP @ 5g/kg seed (14.20, 23.35%, 24.25%). All the treatments were superior over untreated control (10.43, 16.03%, 32.27 and 55.51 %) at 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAIR. YBSP @ 5g/kg seed was found to be on par with YBSE @ 5ml/kg seed and neem oil @ 5ml/kg seed with NSKE @ 5ml/kg seed at 120 days after insect release. The effect of oils, botanicals and insecticides on germination and seed vigour of pigeon pea seeds were tested at the end of storage period (120 DAIR) and germination percentage varied from 22.67 to 77.00 per cent with minimum in untreated control and maximum in cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed. No significant difference was observed between neem oil @ 5 g/kg seed (63.17) and garlic extract @ 5% (62.33%) which was followed by NSKE @ 5 ml/kg seed (59.09%). The lower per cent germination was recorded in YBSP @ 5 ml/kg seed (54.50%) which was on par with YBSE @ 5 ml/kg seed (54.84%) and all treatments were significantly superior over untreated control (22.67%). The data on seed vigour index revealed that maximum was recorded in seeds treated with cypermethrin (10 EC) @ 0.05 ml/kg seed (1600.22) which was statistically on par with spinosad (45 SC) @ 4ppm/kg seed (1584.18) followed by mustard oil @ 5 ml/kg seed (1442.96) and lowest seed vigour index was observed in YBSE @ 5 ml/kg seed (1103.76) followed by YBSP @ 5 g/kg seed (1138.89) as against untreated control (381.96). For evaluation of the performance of various storage structures against C. chinensis, seven treatments including jute bag as check was taken which was replicated thrice under Completely Randomised Block Design. The data on per cent grain damage, weight loss, germination percentage and seed vigour index were recorded at two months interval i.e., 2 and 4 months after storage (MAS). At 2 MAS, seeds stored in Polythene lined jute bag (PLJB) provided maximum protection with lowest grain damage (7.64%) and least protection of grain with maximum damage was recorded in jute bag (19.84%) while at 4 MAS, PLJB provided maximum protection with least damage of grains of 9.98 per cent. The next best treatment was recorded in plastic jar (12.16%) followed by earthen pot (14.30%), HDPE bag (16.63%), PP bag (18.46%). Among all the different treatments, least protection of grains was recorded in seeds stored in jute bag (30.91%). Data recorded on per cent weight loss at 2 MAS revealed maximum protection was recorded in pigeon pea seeds were stored in PLJB (3.65%) and maximum weight loss was recorded in jute bag (11.61%) followed by cloth bag (10.20%) and at 4 MAS, lowest weight loss was recorded in pigeon pea grains stored in PLJB (5.05%) and maximum weight loss was recorded in cloth bag (15.29%) and all the storage structures performed better than jute bag (19.05%) taken as check. The data on germination and seed vigour index of pigeon pea seeds revealed that at 2 MAS, earthen pot performed best with maximum percent germination (91.33%) and was found to be on par with plastic jar (91.17%) and lowest was recorded in jute bag (77.33%) while at 4 MAS, germination percentage ranged from 65.17 to 90.33 per cent with minimum and maximum being recorded in jute bag and PLJB, respectively. At 2 MAS, maximum seed vigour index was recorded in pigeon pea seeds stored in earthen pot (1894.20), followed in decreasing order by PLJB (1877.06), plastic jar (1865.19), HDPE bag (1775.38), PP bag (1743.10), cloth bag (1659.46) and jute bag (1570.78) of which plastic jar, PLJB and earthen pot were on par and PP bag and HDPE bag were statistically similar while at 4 MAS, PLJB and plastic jar were on par and the most effective treatment in maintaining the seed vigour of pigeon pea seeds with values 1919.95 and 1850.77, respectively and all the storage structures were found to be significantly superior over check (1331.82) i.e., jute bag.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Screening of Rapeseed-mustard Genotypes and Eco-friendly Management of Mustard Aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.).
    (Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) KARTHIK, SOMALA; Mukherjee, U.
    The current investigations were conducted on “Screening of Rapeseed-mustard genotypes and eco-friendly management against mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.)” during 2019-2020 & 2020-21. The surveys conducted during the year 2020 across India, revealed that Lipaphis erysimi pseudobrassicae was present in all the 16 locations surveyed belonging to 13 states and one Union Territory at over altitude ranging from 40.42 m (Dariapur) to 980.80 m (Barapani). The selective RAPD primers viz., OPA-02, OPA-04, F2 and SSR primers viz., ApH04M, Ap-01 and ApH08M were considered as informative for genetic diversity analysis based on polymorphic band percentage (>70), higher PIC, EMR, MI and RP. DNA barcoding of 16 locations with universal primer (LCO1490- Forward and RHCO2- Reverse) employed were amplified at 657 bp of mtCOI gene in Lipaphis erysimi pseudobrassicae. The phylogenetic tree showed the clustering of all 16 locations with L. e. pseudobrassicae reference sequence. Among 16 locations, Jorhat of North-Eastern India was found to be highly diverged with higher branch distance (0.13) in the phylogenetic tree and higher dissimilarity of 30.0 and 31.0 % in RAPD and SSR dendrograms respectively. The association of bacterial endosymbionts with L. e. pseudobrassicae showed that Buchnera sp, a primary endosymbiont was found in all the 16 locations. Whereas in secondary endosymbionts, Wolbachia sp, Rickettsia sp, and Hamiltonella sp dominated the most with 81.25 % and Cardinium sp liberated with 31.25 %. Among all 16 locations, Jodhpur and Ranchi had a 100 % incidence of endosymbionts and lower incidence was found in Ludhiana, Raipur, Dharwad, Alipur Bihta, Delhi, Jorhat (42.85 %). The inspections on population of alate mustard aphids and natural enemies i.e., adult coccinellids, syrphids and parasitoids in relation to weather parameters revealed their peak on 8th SMW (157.1, 6.48, 5.63, 14.62/ 4 traps) respectively and shown strong positive correlation with maximum temperature (0.445, 0.608*, 0.595*, 0.618*) and sunshine hrs (0.602*, 0.654*, 0.633*. 0.662*) respectively. Different Rapeseed-mustard genotypes were screened against mustard aphid resulting in identification of six promising genotypes among which, genotype RTM 314 had shown low AII (1.3), ADI (1.0) and ARI (1.15). The biochemical analysis also revealed the highest glucosinolates (109.87 µmole/g) and phenols (6.51 mg/g) content in RTM 314. Further, GC-MS analysis indicated the existence of biologically active compounds like 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-nitro-1,3-Propanediol; 5-(Methylsulfinyl)pentanenitrile and 1-Isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)butane only in RTM 314 which could be the reason for resistance against mustard aphid. Among different intercrop combinations, mustard + wheat (3:1) followed by mustard + barley (3:1) have recorded lowest aphid population (41.46, 42.79/ top 10 cm inflorescence of 10 plants) respectively and highest population of coccinellids (8.29, 7.76/ 10 plants), syrphids (6.57, 6.35/ 10 plants), parasitoids (14.01, 13.34/ 10 plants) and spiders (4.39, 4.21/ 10 plants) with superior yield (1213, 1201 kg/ha) respectively. The efficacy of various botanicals was also evaluated against mustard aphid and its natural enemies. Among the botanicals tested on mustard aphid, the % reduction of mustard aphid population over untreated control following the first and the second spray was the highest in Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE) @ 5% (70.69, 87.97 %) followed by Yam Bean Seed Extract (YBSE) @ 5% (66.58, 86.06 %) and Bhang Leaf Extract (BLE) @ 5% (64.25, 84.56 %) respectively besides with higher population of natural enemies. However, based on B: C ratio, BLE @ 5% with 6.86:1 was found to be better followed by NSKE @ 5% (3.61:1) and YBSE @ 5% (3.31:1).
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    GENETIC POLYMORPHISM ANALYSIS OF GENES INVOLVED IN LYSINE AND TRYPTOPHAN METABOLIC PATHWAYS AND HETEROTIC GROUPS OF QUALITY PROTEIN MAIZE INBRED LINES
    (Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) SNEHAL,SIKHA; SHARMA, V.K.
    A study was performed in order to establish a relationship between the genetic diversity of quality protein maize inbred lines and performance of hybrids thus obtained from these inbred lines, field experiment was conducted. The experimental hybrids were obtained from the 15-quality protein inbred lines when crossed with 3 tester inbred lines, which was observed in randomized block design having three replications. Parental lines and experimental hybrids were randomized separately in continuous plots at TCA, Dholi. Statistical analysis was performed based on 11 morphological characters was studied, including 50% tasseling in days, 50% silking in days, 75% brown husk in days, height of plant, cob girth, length of cob, ear height, kernels in a row, kernels in a cob, grain yield per plant and test weight during the Kharif and Rabi seasons. The tests were carried out in the Molecular Biology Laboratory of Dr. RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar, to assess the type and extent of divergence between eighteen QPM inbred lines based on the analysis of 20 SSR and 26 lysine and tryptophan metabolic pathways candidate gene-based marker targeted microsatellite sites-based polymorphism. The ANOVA was done independently for both the season and across two environments. 18 QPM inbred parental lines and 45 single crosses, were subjected to statistical analysis for determination of significant differences among 11 quantitative features used in the experiment. ANOVA values revealed significant variations and degree of reliability in the performance of inbred lines and crosses in Kharif and Rabi seasons, as well as utilizing pooled data. The 63 entries in this study were analyzed for 11 quantitative characters, and ANOVA thus obtained revealed significant variations among them. To study the relevance of variation in the sources, the mean sum of squares for parents, hybrids, and parents vs. hybrids. For all of the characters studied, including 50% tasseling in days, 50% silking in days, 75% brown husk in days, height of plant, cob girth, length of cob, ear height, kernels in a row, kernels in a cob, grain yield per plant and test weight during the Kharif and Rabi seasons, categorization of variance showed substantial differences among the inbred parental lines. As deduced from the results obtained the mean sum of squares due to parents, hybrids, and parent vs. hybrids was significant for all traits during both Kharif and Rabi seasons, as well as across seasons. For selecting economically important morphological traits, it involves taking into account the level of heterosis expression in grain yield, as well as hybrid performance per se, when evaluating the potential of hybrids. A careful examination of the related information for hybrid means performance and degree of heterosis expressed for grain yield per plant reveals that these 17 hybrids, namely: QPML-07×QPML-16, QPML-03×QPML-16, QPML-02×QPML-14, QPML-04×QPML-14, QPML-11×QPML-14, QPML-13×QPML-14, QPML-11×QPML-15, QPML-09×QPML-15, QPML-02×QPML-15, QPML-04×QPML-14, QPML-03×QPML-15, QPML-18×QPML-15, QPML-08×QPML-16, QPML-06×QPML-14, QPML-13×QPML-15, QPML-17×QPML-14, QPML-18×QPML-14, was observed to have higher mean performance as well as significantly positive heterosis for grain yield and appeared to be the most promising hybrids under consideration. All the 18 parental QPM inbred lines were further classified into different clusters based on the dissimilarity units as observed in the dendrogram. The 18 QPM inbred lines were arranged into 3 clusters, out of these 3 clusters, 2 clusters, i.e. Cluster A and Cluster B were containing multiple genotype, however cluster C was containing only 2 genotypes. According to the dendrogram, QPML-13 and QPML-14 were showing maximum similarity when the 11 morphological characters were taken into consideration. However, QPML-11 and QPMLI-16 were showing minimum similarity when the 11 morphological characters were taken into consideration, and thus, was considered as the most divergent. Thus, from the analysis of genetic diversity performed in the current study, it was observed that 18 QPM inbred lines revealed abundant genetic diversity amongst each other. An analysis of the genetic similarity, hybrid index value, and hybrid mean value of heterotic groups generated using microsatellite markers revealed that QPML-11, QPML-13, QPML-17, and QPML-18 all belonged to heterotic Group-1. In all cases, QPML-09 belonged to heterotic Group-2. In every case, QPML-01 belonged to heterotic Group-2. The overall coincidences were significantly high when inbred lines were classified on the basis of SSR markers in different heterotic groups according to hybrid index value and hybrid mean value. As a result, the values lead to the conclusion that microsatellite markers could be used for effective and efficient method for classification of inbred lines into diverse heterotic groups for minimizing the size of single crosses that is required for production and evaluation. Hence, enhancing the of hybrid maize breeding program. The genomic DNA of maize was amplified utilizing following 26 candidate gene-based SSR primers. Different number of alleles were obtained for each marker and it ranged from 3 in ZmOPQ-2 to 13 in ZmAKH-1. A sum total of 193 alleles were obtained with 26 SSR marker, with an average value of 7.4 alleles per locus for the 18 inbred lines. Utilizing 26 SSR markers 78 unique alleles and 117 shared alleles were obtained. No unique allele was obtained for ZmHSDH-3. Only 1 unique allele was obtained for ZmOPQ-1, ZmOPQ-2, ZmAS-1, ZmAS-3, ZmOM-2, ZmOM-4, ZmAKH-4 and ZmOM-8. Maximum number of unique alleles were obtained for ZmAKH-1 (10) and ZmCS-1 (7). This showed varying degree of polymorphism amongst the 18 QPM inbred lines utilized under the present study. Unique allele percentage is used for expressing the value Polymorphism Per cent (PP), thus maximum PP value was obtained for ZmAKH-1 (76.90%) and the minimum value was obtained for ZmHSDH-3 (0%), followed by ZmOPQ-01 and ZmAS-1 (14.20%). The mean value of PP thus obtained for all the 26 markers was 36.00%. Equally greater degree of PP was obtained for the following primers: ZmCS-1 (63.60%), ZmHSDH-5 (62.50%), ZmOM-3 (55.50%), ZmHSDH-1 (54.50%), ZmOPQ-4 (50.0%), ZmASK-1 (50.0%) and ZmHSDH-2 (50.0%). Maximum PIC value was obtained for ZmAKH-1 (0.902) and the minimum value was obtained for ZmOPQ-2 (0.500). The mean value of PIC thus obtained for all the 26 markers was 0.8. Thus, from the data obtained following are the primers pair having higher value of both PP and PIC as well as number of alleles: ZmOPQ-3, ZmOPQ-4, ZmASK-3, ZmCS-1, ZmAS-2, ZmOM-3, ZmAKH-1, ZmAKH-2, ZmHSDH-1, ZmHSDH-4, ZmHSDH-5 and ZmOM-6. The genomic DNA of maize was amplified utilizing following 20 SSR primers. Different number of alleles were obtained for each marker and it ranged from 3 in Bnlg-1666 and UMC-1809 to 14 in UMC-1413. A sum total of 160 alleles were obtained with 20 SSR marker, with an average value of 8 alleles per locus for the 18 inbred lines. Utilizing 20 SSR markers 72 unique alleles and 88 shared alleles were obtained. No unique allele was obtained for Bnlg-1666 and Phi-002. Only 1 unique allele was obtained for Phi-064, Phi-046, Phi-011 and UMC-1370. Maximum number of unique alleles were obtained for UMC-1413 (11) and UMC-1159 (5). This showed varying degree of polymorphism amongst the 18 QPM inbred lines utilized under the present study. Unique allele percentage is used for expressing the value Polymorphism Per cent (PP), thus maximum PP value was obtained for UMC-1413 (78.60%) and the minimum value was obtained for Phi-002, Bnlg-1666 and UMC-1809 (0%), followed by Phi-050 (16.60%), Phi-064 (20.0%) and Phi-046 (20.0%). The mean value of PP thus obtained for all the 20 markers was 32.42%. Equally greater degree of PP was obtained for the following primers: UMC-1159 (62.50%), UMC-1465 (50.0%), UMC-1587 (50.0%), UMC-1425 (40.0%), UMC-1117 (40.0%), UMC-1133 (40.0%), Phi-014 (40.0%) and UMC-1638 (40.0%). Maximum PIC value was obtained for UMC-1413 (0.908) and the minimum value was obtained for UMC-1809 (0.602). The mean value of PIC thus obtained for all the 20 markers was 0.77. Thus, from the data obtained following are the primers pair having higher value of both PP and PIC as well as number of alleles: UMC-1465, UMC-1117, UMC-1587, Bnlg-105, UMC-1413, Phi-014, UMC-1638, UMC-1370, Phi-050 and Phi-062, appeared to be more informative when the number of alleles generated by different primer combinations was compared to the level of polymorphism identified in the current study. Genetic profile of the 18 inbred lines utilizing 26 candidate gene-based primers showed the inbred lines along the two main axes showed the accommodation of all the inbred lines into 3 well distinguished major genotypic groups. Thus, cluster analyses and principal coordinate analysis showed the existence of wide variation at genetic level that was present among the 18 QPM inbred lines. Thus, with the utilization of 26 candidate gene-based primer, significantly high degree of polymorphism was obtained among the 18 QPM inbred lines at genetic level. Cluster analysis was performed for the evaluation of variability at genetic level amongst 18 QPM inbred lines utilizing 20 SSR primer pairs showed the accommodation of all the inbred lines into 3 well distinguished major genotypic groups. Thus, with the utilization of 20 SSR primer, significantly high degree of polymorphism was obtained among the 18 QPM inbred lines at genetic level. Thus, analysis showed the existence of wide variation at genetic level that was present among the 18 QPM inbred lines. Similarity coefficient was estimated based on the comparison of presence and absence of bands amplified utilizing 46 pairs of primers (genic and generic). All the 18 parental QPM inbred lines were further classified into different clusters based on the similarity units as observed in the dendrogram. Thus, with the utilization of 46 combined (genic and generic) primer pairs, significantly high degree of polymorphism was obtained among the 18 QPM inbred lines at genetic level. Cluster analysis was performed for the evaluation of variability at genetic level amongst 8 QPM inbred lines and 4 non-QPM inbred utilizing candidate gene-based primer pairs. Similarity coefficient was estimated based on the comparison of presence and absence of bands amplified utilizing 26 pairs of primers. The 8 QPM inbred lines and 4 non-QPM were further classified into 2 different clusters. Likewise, when cluster analysis was done utilizing the 4 designed primers, it was also able to differentiate the 8 QPM inbred lines and 4 non-QPM taken as experimental material. The 8 QPM inbred lines and 4 non-QPM were further classified into 2 different clusters based on the similarity units. Thus, cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis showed the existence of wide variation at genetic level that was present among the 8 QPM inbred lines and 4 non QPM inbred lines. Cluster A comprised of the following 8 inbred lines: QPML-01, QPML-02, QPML-03, QPML-04, QPML-05, QPML-06, QPML-07 and QPML-08. Cluster B comprised of the following 4 non-QPM inbred lines: NQPML-01, NQPML-02, NQPML-03 and NQPML-04. The distribution pattern in 2-Dimension for inbred lines genetic profiles was in correspondence with the interrelationship exhibited by hierarchical classification on the basis of similarity coefficients (Fig. 4.). Genetic profile of the 8 QPM inbred lines and 4 non QPM inbred lines utilizing 26 candidate gene-based primers as well as the 4 designed primer pairs showed the inbred lines along the two main axes showed the accommodation of all the inbred lines into 2 well distinguished major genotypic groups. The genetic structure illustrated by 46 combined SSR primers (26 candidate gene specific and 20 SSR primers loci showed that the genetic structure of 18 QPM inbred lines are composed of three major ancestral components. The results can infer that the computational analysis of the genetic structure of the QPM inbred lines unambiguously reflected that the genotypes subjected high tryptophan and lysine content are having related molecular characterization are the admixture of three ancestral components present in different combinations in different genotypes.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Microsatellite Marker Assisted Determination of Genetic Polymorphism and Heterotic Groups Among Baby Corn Inbred Lines
    (Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) KIRTI, SIMRAN; SHARMA, V. K.
    A study was conducted for characterization of baby corn inbred lines using agronomic characters and microsatellite markers to determine the molecular level genetic polymorphism and divergence among these baby corn inbred lines for construction of heterotic groups based on comparative analysis of amplification pattern of targeted microsatellite sites. The basic experimental material comprised twelve inbred lines and three inbred testers of baby corn, which were crossed to generate thirty-six single cross hybrids. The inbred lines and hybrids were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications during two seasons (rabi and kharif seasons). The degree of divergence and separation among inbred lines of baby corn was quantified and inbred lines were then divided into various heterotic groups based on the examination of focused microsatellite sites. Analysis of parental lines and heterosis in experimental hybrids was done statistically using nine quantitative agro-morphological characters based on the measurements and assessments of plant height, ear height, days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, cob yield per plant, green fodder yield, baby corn length, baby corn girth and cob weight. Stastical analysis of nine quantitative characters using numerical taxonomic approach was employed and the inbred lines were classified into three clusters. Young seedlings were grown in almuninum container to extract genomic DNA for microsatellite primers based amplification of targeted genomic regions. Amplified products were produced using a set of 38 microsatellite sites specific primer pairs that covered every chromosome in the genome. Microsatellite-based allelic diversity was used for further classification and creation of various heterotic groups of the inbred lines. Statistically significant differences were revealed amongst inbred lines and crosses for nine quantitative morphological charactersrecorded during both the seasons. Among inbred lines, BCL-08 outperformed over all other inbred lines in respect of cob yeild per plant, followed by tester BCL-12, which was statistically equivalent to inbred lines BCL-05, BCL-07, BCL-10 and BCL-04 over the environments. Among 36 crosses, 14 crosses were found to have significantly greater mean performance as well as significantly positive heterosis. The cross BCL-10×BCL-12 was observed as high yielding cross followed by BCL-04 × BCL-03, BCL-09 × BCL-03, BCL-05 × BCL-03, BCL-07 × BCL-15, BCL-06 × BCL-15and BCL-14 × BCL-15 for cob yield per plant. By the use of 38 primer pairs, 279 allelic variant were investigated as amplified products. The value of the number of alleles varied from 4 for the primer phi011 to 11 in case of Nc130 having range between 75bp to 580 bp.The sum of total value of shared alleles was 166, which varied from 3 to 8 alleles per primer pairs. Similarly, the sum total of unique allels was 113, which ranged from 1 to 7 alleles per primer among the 15 inbred lines. Taking into the consideration the number of alleles and polymorphic status, the primers UMC1425, Phi024, UMC1407, UMC1159, Phi046, UMC1587, UMC1241, UMC1858, UMC1638 and UMC1370 seemed to be more informative on the basis of polymorphism level. On the basis of molecular level classification, BCL-15 and BCL-01 seemed to be highly diverse genotypes. Contrarily, BCL-03 and BCL-04 appeared most closely related to each other in same group. The inbred lines BCL-12 and BCL-13 were closely associated to each other. Both molecular and morphological attributes dependent cluster based data manifested that among the three testers, namely, BCL-03, BCL-12 and BCL-15 two testers excluding BCL-03 were included in same cluster. However, the cluster analysis used to group inbred lines using data from quantative characters and microsatellite markers did not show a perfect match. Results of genetic structure analysis based on repeat sequence length variation in primer specific genomic regions revealed that the genetic compositions with refrence to the targeted genomic regions of the inbreds are basically the admixtures of various combinations of three ancestral components. Analysis of the heterotic groups compositions using the hybrid index value and the hybrid mean value revealed that BCL-04, BCL-06, BCL-07, BCL-09, BC-L10, BCL-11 and BCL-14 were found in same group i.e in Group 1, BCL-01 and BCL-05 were found in Group 2 and BCL-02, BCL-08 , BCL-13 were found in Group 3.A comparative analysis of amplification pattern of targeted microsatellite sites was found effective in discriminating the inbred lines of various heterotic groups and therefore the employed panel of primer was found moderately efficient in discrimination of inbreds into heterotic groups.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on Leaf blight of Oilseed Brassica incited by Alternaria spp.
    (Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) Kumar, Sanjeet; Choudhary, C. S.
    Rapeseed-Mustard globally known as “Oilseed brassica” holds the status of the third most important oilseed crop with the production of about 72 MT from about 35 m ha area. In terms of area and production, India stands third place, and fifth place in terms of productivity. Currently in India, oilseed brassica is dominated by Indian mustard (B. juncea) covering 90% acreage. Alternaria leaf blight caused by A. brassicae (Berk.) Sacc., is the most destructive disease of Indian mustard without any confirmed source of transferable resistance, causing yield loss of 47% and reported from all parts of the world. This disease affects and damage foliage, stem, branches and pods of the brassica crop resulting into severe deterioration of both seed yield and oil content. Considering its seriousness, the present investigations were accomplished to understand the current status of disease severity and related variability in the pathogen in Bihar as well as efficacy of cultural, chemical, botanical, biological and SAR methods to minimize the yield loss. Alternaria blight disease of oilseed brassica prevailed in all parts of Bihar with varying severity from 35.30% at Bhagalpur in zone IIIA to 61.85 percent at Dholi, Muzaffarpur in zone I. The disease symptoms first appear on inter-rib tissues of lower leaves as small round, minute brown to blackish spots usually surrounded with zone of yellow halo that form lesions of varying sizes with inside concentric rings, lesions coalesce to cause blighting and defoliation of leaves. The symptom as elongated lesions with both ends in pointed shape with ash coloured center, appear on stem and branches and as sunken, dark-brown spots and lesions on pods. The symptom became noticeable in the first week of December month at lower leaves of the crop of 45-50 days age, which increased to maximum 54.2% on leaf and 48.2% on pods till crop maturity stage. Weather condition during reproductive phase of crop favoured the rapid progress of disease. On the basis of morphological characters of the pathogen isolated from all the surveyed areas, it was identified as Alternaria brassicae. Among 15 collected isolates of the pathogen from surveyed sites, a large extent of variability had been found. Variability in the conidial length from 100 to 330μm, thickness from 14 to 48 μm and beak length from 48 to 178 μm, number of transverse septa from 8 to 18, number of longitudinal septa from 0 to 8, mycelial growth from 44.82 mm on A & H Agar media to 68.76 mm on Richards Agar, colony colour on PDA from olivaceous black to whitish black, growth pattern adherent circular or fluffy circular, mycelial dry weight of 121.30 mg in AHA to 185.30 mg in RA, spore density of isolates in x 103 number per ml from 2.47 in Czapek's Dox Agar to 7.56 in Mustard leaf decoction were recorded. Among 15 isolates, 4 were found highly virulent, 7 as moderately virulent and other 4 as virulent. Dendrogram of molecular variability using ISSR primers also categorized isolates into four groups with variable polymorphism and dissimilarity. In bioassay studies of eight fungicides Propiconazole 25EC and Trifloxystrobin 25% + Tebuconazole 50% WG were proved to be 100 % inhibitory to A. brassicae in in vitro at all three tested concentration of 250, 500 and 1000 μg/ml; of six botanical extracts used at 5, 10, 15 and 20 % concentrations; Tobacco, Neem and Garlic extract at 20 % proved to be 81.9%, 72.2% and 51.4% inhibitory respectively; of four SAR activators used at concentration of 50,100,150 and 200 μg/ml; Azoxystrobin, INA, BABA and SA at 200 μg/ml proved to be 43.83, 27.78, 22.22, 14.81% inhibitory respectively. In antagonism study, all the four antagonists T. viride, T. harzianum, P. flourescens and B. subtilis inhibited the growth of test pathogen by 79.52, 73.49, 61.44 and 42.17 % respectively in dual culture. Microscopic observation on hyphal interactions between T. viride and A. brassicae showed lysis, protoplasmic disintegration and coiling around the mycelia of A. brassicae at many locations. Under field condition, timely sown crop on 15th October at spacing of 30 X 10 cm2 gave maximum yield of 1865.5 kg ha-1 found at par to 1831.5 kg ha-1 with spacing of 30 x 20 cm2. Successive delay in sowing from 15th October to 15th November resulted into rapid enhanced of the severity of Alternaria blight on leaf (from 19.53 to 55.39%), on pod (from 10.45 to 48.79%) and thereby gradual reduction of test weight of seed (from 5.51g to 4.56 g) and seed yield (from 1810.50 to 996.10 kg/ha) of mustard crop. Widening of spacing from 30 x 10 cm2 to 60 x 20 cm2 resulted into slight reduction of the disease severity on leaf and on pod, slight enhancement of test weight but decreased the seed yield from 1488.50 kg to 1390.90 kg/ha. Successive 10 days delay in sowing from 15th October to 15th November increased the days to attain 50 % flowering from 58 days to 66 days but shortened the days to attain physiological maturity from 148 to 136 days, thereby reducing the reproductive phase from 90 to 70 days which coupled with increased disease severity resulted into drastic reduction of yield by 44.11% (from 1866 to 1043 kg/ha), net return by 46.62 % (from Rs. 87,620 to Rs. 38,010 per ha) and Benefit: Cost ratio from 3.04 to 2.09. In bio control trial T. viridae and T. harzianum, proved at par in reducing the disease intensity by 44.76 and 39.52 %, enhancing the seed yield by 22.99 and 19.7 % and gave the ICBR of 1: 3.04 and 1: 2.61 respectively. Among botanical extracts Garlic gave maximum disease reduction of 36.61%, seed yield of 1484 kg ha-1 with increase of 18.34 % followed by yield of 1456 kg ha-1 with increase of 16.11% in Tobacco extract, but the highest ICBR of 1:5.34 obtained with Tobacco due to its low cost. In fungicidal trial Propiconazole 25EC @ 0.1% proved to be most economical and effective with ICBR of 1: 5.64, disease reduction by 72.49 %, yield of 1700.50 kg ha-1 and yield enhancement by 36.75 % followed by Trifloxystrobin 25% + Tebuconazole 50% WG @0.1% with ICBR of 1: 3.35, disease reduction by 75.73%, yield of 1731.50 kg ha-1 and yield enhancement by 39.24 %. In SAR trial Isonicotinic Acid (INA) caused maximum disease reduction by 53.12%, yield of 1637.5 kg ha-1 with its enhancement by 31.16 % and ICBR of 1:6.58 which was found at par with Salicylic acid (SA) in terms of yield (1603.00 kg ha-1) with its increase by 28.39% and ICBR of 1:5.99.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of boron and molybdenum under different tillage and irrigation practices on growth and yield of chickpea in Sesbania- chickpea - sesame cropping system under riverine (Diara) area
    (Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) PAZHANISAMY, S.; Singh, Devendra
    The present investigation was conducted at the Bairiya dhab research farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India, for two successive winter (rabi) seasons of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 to study the effect of boron and molybdenum under different tillage and irrigation practices on growth and yield of chickpea in Sesbania- chickpea - sesame cropping system under riverine (Diara) area. The experiment was laid out in split- split plot design and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of two different tillage practices, viz. conventional tillage and conservation tillage, allocated in the main plot with two irrigation methods, viz. conventional irrigation and sprinkler irrigation, allocated in the subplot and six methods of micronutrient application, viz. boron basal (1 kg/ha), boron foliar (0.25%), molybdenum seed treatment (1g/kg of seed), molybdenum foliar (333g/ha), boron basal (1 kg/ha) + molybdenum seed treatment (1g/ kg of seed) and boron basal (1 kg/ha) + molybdenum foliar (333g/ha) allocated in sub-sub plot. The basal dose of boron was applied at the sowing, the seed treatment of molybdenum was done three days before sowing, and foliar spray was given at 50 DAS. The chickpea variety of Sabour Chana-1 was taken as a test variety for the experiment. Applied N (urea), P (SSP) K (MOP) as basal dressing in every treatment equally. The crop was sown in rows at 30 cm spacing with seed rate 80 kg/ha. The irrigation was given before flowering as per the treatments of the study, and weed management has done with help of herbicides and wheel hoes. The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam in texture with alkaline pH, normal EC, medium in organic carbon (0.69%), low in available nitrogen, medium in phosphorus, low in potassium, high in Fe, Mn, and Cu, low in Zn and boron and medium in molybdenum. The data on various growth attributes, physiological indices, yield attributes, nutrient availability in the soil, nutrient uptake of the crop, economics, direct weather parameters and indirect weather parameters were collected and analysed with the recommended tool. Conventional tillage practice significantly enhanced plant height, the no. of branches, dry matter production (DMP), root nodules, root length, root dry weight plant population, CGR, RGR, NAR and chlorophyll content (SPAD value) and yield attributes, viz., days to flowering, the number of seeds plant-1, seeds pod-1 and seed index (100-seed weight) than the conservation tillage practices. The result indicated that conventional tillage produced a greatly higher grain yield (1531.9 and 1688.8), stover yield (2475.8 and 2575.3) and harvest index (38.1 and 38.4) than the conservation tillage during both consecutive years. Likewise, crop uptake of NPK, gross return (87,058 and 93,874), net return (50,229 and 52,562), and B: C ratio (1.36 and 1.27) was also pointedly more in conventional tillage practices than the conservation tillage practices. Higher infiltration rates and lower bulk densities and higher boron and copper were recorded in conventional tillage. In contrast, soil moisture content, water holding capacity, porosity, SOC (soil organic carbon), available N, P, K and Zn were greatly higher in the conservation tillage in the cropping season of 2019-20 and 2020-21. Method of sprinkler irrigation recorded the maximum plant height, no. of branches, dry matter production (DMP), root nodules, root length, root dry weight, plant population stand, CGR, RGR, NAR and chlorophyll content (SPAD value) days to flowering, no. of seeds plant-1, seeds pod-1 and seed index (100- seed weight), grain yield (1487.3 and 1652.0), stover yield (2439.6 and 2556.3) and harvest index (37.7 and 38.0), crop uptake of NPK (stover and grain), total gross return (84,704 and 91,933), net return (49,319 and 53,201), B: C ratio (1.39 and 1.37) which was significantly surpassed over conventional irrigation. Regarding the soil properties, sprinkler irrigation recorded a higher infiltration rate, lower soil moisture content, higher EC, and higher available nitrogen in the cropping season of 2019-20 and 2020-21. With respect to micronutrient application methods, boron basal + molybdenum seed treatment recorded significantly higher plant height, no. of branches, dry matter production (DMP), root nodules, root length, root dry weight plant population, CGR, RGR, NAR and chlorophyll content (SPAD value) days to flowering, days to maturity, number of seeds plant-1, seeds pod-1 and seed index (100- seed weight), grain yield (1652.2 and 1826.0), stover yield (2499.9 and 2617.1) and harvest index (39.7 and 40.2), NPK uptake by crop, gross return (93,045 and 1,01,114), net return (57,137 and 61,717), B: C ratio (1.59 and 1.57) and it was at par with boron basal + molybdenum foliar. Micronutrient application methods showed no variation in soil physical, chemical and biological properties except boron and rhizobium colonies during two experimental years. The interaction between tillage practices, irrigation methods and methods of micronutrient application turned out to be significant in grain yield. Combined practices of sprinkler irrigation with boron basal + molybdenum seed treatment application under conventional tillage produced the highest grain yield (1901.7 and 2114.4) significantly among the interaction of micronutrient application method, irrigation methods and tillage practices, which was followed by a combination of boron basal + molybdenum foliar in sprinkler irrigation under conventional tillage practice (1778.5 and 1979.5). However, the application of boron as a foliar method in conventional irrigation under conservation tillage practice produced the lowest grain yield (1148.8 and 1235.1) significantly among the other combination of treatment in the first year.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    NUTRIENT DYNAMICS IN DIFFERENT DENSITY PLANTATIONS OF SEMAL (Bombax ceiba L.) WITH SESAMUM-LENTIL CROPPING SYSTEM
    (Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2021) DEVI, RODDA CHANDANA; Das, Dipty Kumar
    The present investigation was carried out at agro forestry research area of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur) in calciorthent of the north-west alluvial plain of north Bihar. Yield performance of sesamum-lentil cropping system during Kharif and Rabi season of 2020-21, changes in physicochemical properties of soil, litterfall, nutrient return, litter decomposition, and nutrient release pattern were studied under different densities of 6-year-old Bombax ceiba plantations. The experiment was in randomized block design comprising five treatments (5 × 2 m, 5 × 3 m, 5 × 4 m, 5 × 5 m, and treeless control) replicated 4 times. The soil texture of the research area is sandy loam with a pH of 8.5, low level of organic carbon (0.36%), available N (169 kg ha-1), P2O5 (24.2 kg ha-1) and K2O (132.3 kg ha-1) with the higher percentage of free calcium carbonate (36%). The carbon storage and carbon sequestration potential of the plantations have been also estimated. In Kharif season sesamum (Sesamum orientale var. Krishna) and in Rabi season lentil (Lens culinaris var. HUL 57) were grown as intercrops applied with the recommended doses of fertilizers. The crop yield, tree growth, biomass yield, and carbon sequestration potential were tested by one-way analysis, whereas soil physicochemical properties and soil carbon stock was tested by two-way analysis of variance, where agroforestry systems were considered as the first factor and soil depth as the second factor. The yield parameters were measured after the harvest of each crop and soil properties were measured before sowing and after harvesting of each crop. The yield of intercrops decreased under the agroforestry systems. Yield decrement was 14.0 to 46.2% and 9.81 to 34.5% in grain and straw of sesamum, whereas 17.8 to 37.7% and 13.5 to 23.7% in grain and straw of lentil, respectively. The nutrient content in grain and straw of sesamum and lentil was found higher in the agroforestry system and uptake was found higher in sole cropping. The relative light intensity was recorded higher in the Kharif season and among the treatments, sole crops received maximum light intensity. There was a noticeable improvement in soil properties (pH, EC, and BD), nutrient status (N, P2O5, and K2O), soil organic carbon (SOC), SOC stock, and active carbon. Availability of plant nutrients was higher in the upper (0 - 15 cm) soil layer than the lower soil layer (15 - 30 cm). The yield of the crops, nutrient uptake by grain and straw, and average light intensity were found lower in higher density (5 × 2 and 5 × 3 m), whereas nutrient content in grain and straw, soil properties improvement found maximum in higher density. There was a 24.79 to 41.81% increase in SOC stock after harvest of lentil crop up to 0-30 cm soil depth. In the winter and rainy seasons, there were 54.38 to 59.81% and 41.44 to 49.73% litterfall occurred, respectively. The nutrients returned by litterfall was in the sequence of Ca > N > K > Mg > P and the higher litterfall and nutrient return occurred in lower spacings. For the total decomposition of leaf litter, it took 11 and 12 months in higher and lower density, respectively and it took 71 to 86 days for half decay of litter. The widest spacings (5 × 4 and 5 × 5 m) had height and diameter at breast height on average 19 % and 26 % higher. The volume of the tree was significantly superior under the plantations in higher spacings. The total biomass (26.5 Mg ha-1) was maximum in the higher density (5 × 2 m) plantations, followed by 5 × 4 m (25.8 Mg ha-1). Total carbon storage varied from 10.0 to 12.6 Mg ha-1 in 5 × 3 and 5 × 2 m spacing respectively. The maximum carbon sequestration rate was 1.53 Mg C ha-1 year-1 in both 5 × 2 and 5 × 4 m spacing.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Efficient utilization of organic waste for quality vermicompost production and its impact on soil health and crop productivity
    (Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) Kumar, Rajesh; Jha, Shankar
    The catastrophic growth in population has led to massive urbanization, industrialization, with noticeable advancement in agriculture; increased the economic growth on one hand but gave the ways for generating more municipal and other solid wastes on other, affected soil-water-plant ecosystem ultimately the whole environment and the population. There is a need for effective waste management, as unscientific disposal of organic waste has not only negative impact on the environment and public health but also a cause of untapped nutrient loss adhered with these wastes. The untapped nutrients of the waste may be utilized for further crop and soil improvement vide adopting suitable techniques of vermicomposting. Among various methods of composting, one of the best options for treating domestic household waste is vermicomposting. Scientific utilization of organic solid wastes can provide nutrients for plant growth as well as improve soil health, for utilizing these wastes, vermicomposting can be an eco-friendly and economically viable technology. However, ordinary vermicompost is low in nutrients (macro and micronutrients) and by introducing some low-grade minerals, such as Rock-phosphate as well as utilizing organic waste (crop residues and household waste); its quality may be enhanced. Maize is grown in Bihar in all the three seasons (Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid). However, Rabi is the most widely grown followed by Kharif while Zaid season is the least grown and land remains fallow for most of the time. Hence, growing maize as Zaid crops not only increase crop productivity but also enhance fallow land utilization. Keeping in view the above facts, an experiment was conducted at vermicompost production unit, RPCAU, Pusa during the year 2021 and 2022 with an objective to efficiently utilize organic waste by vermicomposting and further use of the prepared vermicompost for improving soil health and crop productivity. Under this experimental study in the first approach, a vermicomposting experiment was carried out with enriched (RP) and without enriched household wastes, organicresidue waste and cow dung at 65:35 proportions, followed by a quality, maturity and stability analysis of the vermicompost. On the basis of nutrients contents (macro and micro nutrient), physical parameters (water holding capacity and bulk density) and recovery per cent, the vermicompost prepared from enriched (RP) and without enriched household wastes, organic-residue waste and cow dung proportions (65:35) on weight basis was considered the best one. In the second approach, a field experiment was conducted with maize as Zaid crop in calcareous soil in Randomized Block Design with fourteen treatments replicated thrice to evaluate the effect of prepared vermicompost integrated with chemical fertilizers (75% N through chemical fertilizer + 25% N through prepared vermicompost) including a sole treatment with only recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF-120:60:40) on soil health parameters i.e. soil physical, chemical, biological properties and enzymatic activities, productivity, nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency. During field experiment, enriched organic residue vermicompost with combination of chemical fertilizers led to significant build-up of organic carbon (OC), available N, P, K and micronutrient Zn, Cu, Fe & Mn as well as improved water holding capacity (36.89%) and bulk density (1.38 Mgm-3) of soil followed by enriched household vermicompost. With application of enriched (RP and Zn) household and organic residue vermicompost in combination with chemical fertilizers, the soil microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration, dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities increased by 24.78%, 75.86%, 81.57% and 61.50% over control in post-harvest soil, respectively. Application of enriched household vermicompost along with chemical fertilizers gave highest grain, stover, and stone yields which were statistically at par with application of enriched organic residue vermicompost along with chemical fertilizers and their magnitudes were 69.60 and 69.20 q ha-1 for grain, 81.32 and 79.92 q ha-1 for stover, 14.31 and 13.64 q ha-1 for stone, respectively in both the years i.e. 2021 and 2022. In the same fashion N, P, K and Zn uptake in grain, stover and stone of maize was significantly higher in the enriched household and organic residue vermicompost over control. However, the application of household and organic residue vermicompost and 75% N through chemical fertilizers yielded more as full dose of inorganic fertilizer (RDF) alone. Thus, combined application of enriched and without enriched vermicompost and inorganic fertilizer recorded greater nutrient use efficiency than control and RDF. Thus, 25% of chemical fertilizer could be saved with the combination of vermicompost and 75% RDF without reducing yields of grain, stover, and stones. It can be concluded from the present study that application of RP enriched vermicompost along with 75% NPK had pronounced impact on improving soil fertility as well as enzymatic activities and increased crop productivity under maize crop.