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Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi

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2013 - 201910
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Subject: Agronomy × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2013 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    WEED MANAGEMENT IN BLACKGRAM BY IMAZETHAPYR AND ITS EFFECT ON SUCCEEDING MUSTARD
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2019) Hassan, Deeba; Thakur, R.
    Blackgram is one of the important pulse crops grown in India as it contributes 24 percent of total kharif pulse production. In India, it is grown in about 3.62 million ha with an average productivity of 537 kg/ha against world average productivity 744 kg/ha. In Jharkhand, it is grown in about 0.19 million ha with an average productivity of 625 kg/ha. The yield loss due to weeds in blackgram is 27 to 90%. Chemical methods of weed control are better option as manual weeding is not only tedious but also costly and many times laborers are not available at peak time of requirement. Blackgram being a short duration crop leaves ample option for taking many suitable succeeding winter crops. Judicious use of new herbicides with its proper dose, method and time of application has to be taken care of with view that not only weeds in blackgram are controlled effectively but also should not leave residual toxic effect on succeeding crops. Hence keeping this in view an experiment was conducted at Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand during rainy and winter seasons of 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. The experimental soil was sandy-loam in texture with low organic carbon (3.4 g/kg), moderately acidic (pH 5.6) in nature, low available nitrogen (189.00 kg/ha), medium phosphorus (21 kg/ha) and medium potassium (155 kg/ha) content. The experiment was laid out in a RBD with 16 treatments i.e. Imazthapyr 50g/haPRE (T1), Imazthapyr 70g/haPRE (T2), Imazthapyr 80g/haPRE (T3), Imazthapyr 50g/ha POE (T4), Imazthapyr 70g/haPOE (T5), Imazethapyr 80g/haPOE (T6), Imazethapyr.+Imazemox (RM)50g/haPRE(T7), Imazethapyr.+Imazemox(RM) 70g/haPRE (T8), Imazethapyr.+Imazemox(RM) 80g/haPRE (T9), Imazethapyr.+Imazemox(RM) 50g/haPOE (T10), Imazethapyr.+Imazemox(RM) 70g/haPOE (T11), Imazethapyr.+Imazemox(RM) 80g/haPOE (T12), Pendimethalin1000g/ha PRE (T13), Imazethapyr + Pendimethalin (RM)1000g/ha PRE (T14), Hoeing twice (T15) each performed at 20 and 40 DAS and weedycheck (T16) replicated thrice. Blackgram var. T9 and mustard var. Shivani was sown at 30 cm using 30 and 8 kg seed/ha, with RDF 20:40:20 and 80:40:20 kg/ha, respectively. Imazethapyr.+Imazemox (RM)80g/ha POE (T12) was found most effective in reducing weed density and weed dry weight followed by Imazethapyr.+Imazemox (RM)70g/haPOE (T11) and Imazthapyr 80g/ha PRE (T3) in order of their weed control efficiency 97.26, 95.78 and 93.55 percent respectively at 60 days after sowing. Imazethapyr.+Imazemox(RM) 80g/ha POE (T12) recorded 64.97 percent higher crop dry weight, 80.25 percent LAI, 98.28 percent number of pod/plant, 70.91 percent higher seed yield higher as compared to weedy plot i.e. 104.05g/m2, 0.21,10,523 kg/ha respectively. Application of Imazethapyr.+Imazemox(RM) 80g/ha POE (T12) also recorded higher net return (`31664) and B:C ratio (1.5) compared to rest of weed treatments. Residues of herbicides were below detectable limit (< 0.02mg/kg) in plant and soil at harvest. In succeeding crop, no phyto-toxic effect was observed in blackgram and succeeding mustard crop. It can be concluded from above findings that Imazethapyr.+Imazemox(RM) 80g/ha POE can be applied in blackgram for increased yield, net return and benefit : cost ratio without causing phyto-toxic effect on blackgram as well as on succeeding mustard crop.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    WEED MANAGEMENT IN CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE OF MAIZE-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand-6, 2018) Kumari, Sima; Upasani, R.R.
    Maize and wheat are grown generally by tilling the field thoroughly till proper tilth is attained. Tillage practices contribute greatly to the labour cost resulting to lower economic returns. In addition to it, intensive tillage system results to a decrease in soil organic matter content and soil biodiversity. A resource conservation technology has proved to produce more at low cost, to improve soil health and promotes timely planting of winter crops. Weed management is an important aspect in maize and wheat crop as weeds cause yield loss to the extent of 28-100% in maize and 20-40% in wheat. Hence, keeping this in view an experiment was conducted at Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand during 2015-16 and 2016-17 with objectives to study the effect of tillage sequences and weed control methods on weed dynamics, productivity and economics, soil health of maize, wheat and system as whole. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with five tillage sequences in vertical plots , viz. conventionalconventional( CT – CT), conventional – zero (CT – ZT ), zero – zero (ZT –ZT), zero – zero with crop residue (ZT – ZT+R) and zero tillage along with crop residues in both the seasons (ZT+R – ZT+R) while three weed control methods in horizontal plots viz, recommended herbicides in maize (atrazine @ 1 kg/ha pre-emergence) and wheat (isoproturon @ 0.75 kg/ha +2,4-D @ 0.5 kg/ha post emergence), IWM in maize (pendimethalin @1 kg/ha + intercrop black gram) and in wheat (isoproturon @ 0.75 kg/ha +2,4-D @ 0.5 kg/ha post emergence + mechanical weeding at 40 DAS) and weedy check Experimental soil was sandy-loam in texture having pH 5.5, organic carbon 4.2 g/kg soil, available N 240 kg/ha, available P 19.00 kg/ha and available K 187 kg/ha. Result revealed that during kharif maize grown under CT – CT tillage similar to ZT+R – ZT+R was most effective in reducing weed dry weight in maize at 30 and 60 DAS compared to maximum observed under ZT –ZT, thereby recorded maximum weed control efficiency, increased growth parameters and yield attributes thereby resulted in higher grain yield (38.08 q/ha), net return (30,816 `/ha) and B:C ratio(1.43) compared to minimum under ZT-ZT tillage sequence. In rabi season CT – CT similar to ZT+R – ZT+R sequence recorded reduced total weed dry weight consequently it recorded maximum wheat plant growth parameters, yield attributes resulting maximum grain (34.61 q/ha) and straw(46.29 q/ha) yield , net return (30252 `/ha) and B:C ratio(1.22) and minimum was observed under ZT-ZT tillage sequence. Application of IWM in maize (pendimethalin @1 kg/ha + intercrop black gram) similar to recommended herbicide (atrazine @ 1 kg/ha pre-emergence) was found to be most effective in reducing weed dry weight there by recorded maximum weed control efficiency. Also, it recorded maximum growth parameters, yield attributes resulting higher grain yield (40.35 q/ha), net return (28,687 `/ha) and B:C ratio(1.07). IWM (isoproturon @ 0.75 @ kg/ha +2,4-D @ 0.5 kg/ha post emergence + mechanical weeding at 40 DAS) similar to recommended herbicide (isoproturon @ 0.75 kg/ha +2,4-D @ 0.5 kg/ha post emergence) was found to be most effective in reducing weed dry weight in wheat at 30 and 60 DAS compared to maximum observed under weedy plot. Maximum weed control efficiency, increased growth parameters, yield attributes higher grain (35.71 q/ha) and straw (47.19 q/ha) yield, net return (30981 `/ha) and B:C ratio(1.20) were recorded in IWM. In maize-wheat cropping system CT – CT along with integrated weed management recorded maximum maize equivalent yield (103.81 q/ha) and net return (89445 `/ha) followed by zero tillage with residue and integrated weed management i.e. 96.44 q/ha and 63637 `/ha respectively.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    PLANT GEOMETRY AND PHOSPHORUS MANAGEMENT IN LEGUME BASED INTERCROPPING UNDER UPLAND ECOSYSTEM
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand-6, 2018) Choudhary, Deban Kumar; Karmakar, S.
    Poor fertility and productivity of rainfed upland soil and vagaries of monsoon in Jharkhand compel to adopt diversified cropping system with low inputs requiring crops. The acreage under pigeon pea, maize and black gram is increasing constantly by replacing the area of rice under upland condition. It is well understood that phosphorus plays a major role in realizing optimum productivity of crops, especially legumes. In the acid lateritic soil, P-fixation is a major problem. Moreover, the costs of phosphatic fertilizers are increasing day by day. Alternatively, use of Nano-P in crop production has been newly recognized as an innovative phosphate supply system. Therefore, it is imperative to explore the possibility of cost-effective P-management practices for maximizing crop yield as well as to find out a suitable intercropping system with a short duration legume like black gram grown as a component crop. Keeping this in view, an experiment was conducted at BAU, Ranchi, during kharif seasons of two consecutive years, 2016 and 2017. The soil was sandy-loam in texture with low organic carbon (4.2 g kg-1), moderately acidic (5.4) in nature, low in available nitrogen (171.7 kg ha-1),medium in phosphorus (23.21 kg ha-1) and potassium (157.8 kg ha-1) as well as high in sulphur (12.9 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. The treatments consisted of seven crop geometry viz. C1-sole black gram, C2-sole pigeon pea, C3-sole maize, C4-pigeon pea + black gram (1:1), C5-maize + black gram (1:1), C6-pigeon pea + black gram (1:2) and C7–maize + black gram (1:2) in main plots and four phosphorus management practices viz. P1- Control, P2-40 ppm Nano-P, P3- 50% recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP) +40 ppm Nano- P and P4-100% RDP in subplots. Pigeon pea var. UPAS-120, black gram var. Uttara and maize var. Suwan composite-1 were grown with 20:40:20:20, 20:40:20:20 and 120:60:40 kg/ ha N, P2O5, K2O and S, respectively. Results revealed that intercropping of maize or pigeon pea with black gram crop improved the growth parameters, yield attributes and yield of pigeon pea, maize and black gram during both the years. Pigeon pea and black gram both under pigeon pea + black gram (1:1) and maize under maize + black gram (1:1) intercropping system recorded improved growth, yield and yield attributes compared to cultivation as sole crop. Pigeon pea + black gram (1:1) recorded maximum BEY (1763 kg ha-1), LER (1.64), net return (₹ 61209 ha-1), B:C ratio (1.63) and protein yield (405.4 kg ha-1) in the system improving the different characters of pigeon pea (main crop) like maximum plant height (199.6cm), dry matter (878 g m-2), LAI (1.62), no. of pod plant-1 (85.3), seeds pod- 1 (3.6), 1000-grain weight (93.72), grain yield (1162 kg ha-1), harvest index (18.00 %) and protein content (22.88 %) in addition to no. of pod plant-1 (28.6), seeds pod-1 (6.8), 1000-grain weight (40.47), harvest index (23.46 %) and protein content (23.65 %) as well as proportionate dry matter and grain yield (on the basis of population) in black gram grown as intercrop. However, maximum carbohydrate yield (2655 kg ha-1) was recorded under maize + black gram (1:1). Lower weed density and weed dry weight at 20 DAS and 40 DAS were registered under all the intercropping system compared to sole pigeon pea or maize. Reduction of weed dry weight in pigeon pea based intercropping system ranged from 10.11 to 10.73 % while 6.94 to 8.71% in maize based intercropping system compared to their respective sole stand. With regards to phosphorus management practices, application of 50% RDP + 40 ppm Nano-P recorded higher value of growth parameters, yield attributes and yield of pigeon pea, maize and black gram along with the status of available P in soil throughout the crop growth period compared to the application of Nano-P alone or no P and remained at par with 100% RDP. Spraying of Nano-P @ 40 ppm only was not sufficient to meet out the phosphorus requirement of the crops. Interaction between intercropping system and phosphorus management was significant and it was found that maximum BEY (1763 kg ha-1), protein yield (405.4 kg ha-1), total P uptake (2.7 g m-2), net return (61209 ` ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.63) were recorded under the application of 50% RDP+40 ppm Nano-P in pigeon pea +black gram (1:1) system along with an added advantage of improvement in most of the soil parameters like pH, organic carbon, available-N and K. It may be concluded that for a viable intercropping system under rainfed upland condition in achieving higher system productivity, profitability and sustainability, farmer may prefer pigeon pea + black gram with (1:1) row ratio with 50% recommended dose of phosphorus (20 kg/ha for each crop) + Nano phosphorus 40 ppm in addition to their recommended N, K and S at 20 kg/ha in both the crops.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    WEED MANAGEMENT IN BLACK GRAM AND RESIDUAL EFFECT OF HERBICIDES ON SUCCEEDING MUSTARD CROP
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand-6, 2018) Chandra Pankaj, Sooraj; Upasani, R. R.
    Black gram is one of the important pulse crops grown in India as it contributes 24 per cent of total kharif pulses production. A high level of weed infestation poses a major problem in kharif black gram. Weeds being a serious negative factor in crop production are responsible for marked loss (27-90%) in black gram yield. Therefore, weed control plays an important role in black gram production to achieve a desired level of yield. Judicious use of herbicides with its proper dose, method and time of application has to be taken care of with view that not only weeds in black gram are controlled effectively but also should not leave residual toxic effect on succeeding crops. Keeping these points in view, an experiment entitled “Weed management in black gram and residual effect of herbicides on succeeding mustard crop” was conducted at Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand during rainy & winter seasons of 2015-16 and 2016-17. The experimental soil was sandy-loam in texture with low organic carbon (0.33 %), moderately acidic (pH 5.5) in nature, low available nitrogen (185.30 kg/ha), medium phosphorus (21.32 kg/ha), medium potassium (161.28 kg/ha) and high sulphur (11.50 kg/ha) content. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 12 treatments i.e. haloxyfop 81 g/ha, haloxyfop 108 g/ha, haloxyfop 135 g/ha, haloxyfop 270 g/ha, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 61.9 g/ha, quizalofop-ethyl 43.8 g/ha, imazethapyr 100 g/ha each applied at 20 DAS, pendimethalin 1000 g/ha, oxyfluorfen 100 g/ha both applied at 3 DAS, two mechanical, two hand weeding each performed at 25 and 45 DAS and weedy check, replicated thrice. Black gram var. Birsa Urd-1 was sown at 30 cm using 30 kg seed/ha fertilized with recommended level of nutrients N:P2O5:K2O:S i.e. 25:50:25:25 kg /ha. Mustard var. Pusa-Bold was sown at 30 cm using 5 kg seed/ha fertilized with recommended level of nutrients N:P2O5:K2O:S i.e. 80:40:20:20 kg/ha. Results revealed that two hand weeding at 25 & 45 DAS was found most effective in reducing weed density and weed dry weight followed by two mechanical weeding at 25 & 45 DAS i.e. 81.69 and 68.77 per cent, respectively as compare to weedy check. Two hand weeding at 25 & 45 DAS recorded higher crop dry weight, LAI, number of pods/plant, seed yield and harvest index to the extent of 44.07, 22.70, 28.90, 104.09 and 38.87 per cent, respectively as compare to weedy check i.e. 212.17 g/m2, 3.37, 10.72 pods/plant, 621 kg/ha and 19.15 per cent, respectively. However, application of haloxyfop 108 g/ha at 20 DAS recorded ` 10,513 and ` 13,878/ha higher net return compared to conventional practice of weed control i.e. two hand weeding at 25 & 45 DAS (` 26,789/ha) and two mechanical weeding at 25 & 45 DAS (` 23,421/ha), respectively and also recorded maximum B: C ratio (1.56). Haloxyfop 135 g/ha, haloxyfop 270 g/ha, imazethapyr 100 g/ha each applied at 20 DAS, pendimethalin 1000 g/ha and oxyfluorfen 100 g/ha each applied at 3 DAS had phytotoxic effect on black gram crop. Residues of herbicides were below detectable limit (˂ 0.02 mg/kg) in plant parts of black gram as well as in soil at maturity stage. Two hand weeding at 25 & 45 DAS recorded maximum nutrient N, P & K uptake by grain (46.62, 6.40 & 19.23 kg/ha) & straw (32.68, 1.88 & 28.97 kg/ha) of black gram crop and minimum removal by weeds (29.42, 7.27 & 27.43 kg/ha, respectively). In succeeding crop, no phyto-toxic effect was observed by any herbicides. The weed density their dry weight, yield and economics in succeeding mustard crop remain unaffected by weed control methods performed in black gram. Two hand weeding at 25 and 45 DAS recorded maximum black gram equivalent yield however, application of haloxyfop 108 g/ha at 20 DAS recorded maximum net return and benefit: cost ratio of black gram–mustard cropping system. It can be summarized that either two hand weeding at 25 & 45 DAS or two mechanical weeding at 25 & 45 DAS was most effective in reducing weed density, weed dry weight & recorded maximum crop growth and yield of black gram. Among herbicides, haloxyfop 108 g/ha at 20 DAS recorded maximum crop growth, yield, net return and benefit: cost ratio of black gram. Weed control method performed in black gram did not influence weed, yield and economics in succeeding mustard crop. Based on the results of present investigation, it can be concluded that application of haloxyfop 108 g/ha at 20 DAS can be recommended as an economical weed control methods in black gram for obtaining higher productivity without causing phyto-toxic effect on black gram as well as on succeeding mustard crop.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECT OF LONG TERM FERTILIZATION ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF MAIZE-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand-6, 2017) Majhi, Shushama; Thakur, R.
    Maize-wheat is the third most important cropping system in India (1.8 m ha) and second most important in Jharkhand. Both the crops are fertilizer responsive and exhibit full yield potential when supplied with adequate quantities of nutrients at proper time. But poor economic resources of the Jharkhand farmers compel to go for imbalance fertilizer use leading to deterioration of soil fertility and crop productivity. Considering this fact, a long term experiment was started since 1983 at Birsa Agricultural University Farm, Ranchi, on maize-wheat cropping system with different fertilizer level to find out growth, productivity, economics, nutrient utilization and soil fertility. The present investigation was part of this long term experiment started after 29th crop cycle during 2013-14 and continued for two consecutive years. Experiment was laid out in partially confounded design with 18 treatments and one control replicated four times. Treatments comprising of three levels of nitrogen: 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha-1, three levels of phosphorus: 0, 40 and 80 kg P2O5 ha-1 and two levels of potassium: 0 and 40 kg K2O ha-1. Variety used for maize and wheat was Suwan and K 9107 respectively. At the beginning (1983), experimental soil was sandy-loam in texture having pH (6.4), available N (260 kg ha-1), available P (19.5 kg ha-1) and available K (195 kg ha-1). However, before start of present investigation it varies depending on the fertilizer level. Maximum reduction in pH (4.65) was observed in plot receiving only nitrogen (N120P0K0 kg ha-1). Result revealed that maize fertilized with N120P80K40 kg ha-1 produced maximum grain (42.09 q ha-1) and stover (56.23 q ha-1) yield, net return (` 26,785 ha-1) and B:C ratio (0.89) due mainly to maximum dry matter production (1143 g m-2), plant population (54,372 ha-1), number of cob per plant (1.65), number of grains per cob (438) and 100 grain weight (25.25 g). Similarly, wheat raised with N120P80K40 kg ha-1 produced maximum grain (45.22 q ha-1) and straw (61.91q ha-1) yield, net return (` 40,611 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.29) owing to high dry matter production (1316.46 g m-2), effective tillers (367 m-2), number of grains per spike (41) and 1000-grain weight (45.38 g). Maize-wheat cropping system, fertilized with N120P80K40 kg ha-1 to both the crops in sequence also produced maximum maize equivalent yield (94.14 q ha-1), net return (` 67,396 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.09) along with sustaining the soil fertility with soil pH (5.02), available N (328.61 kg ha-1), P (76.81 kg ha-1) and K (87.98 kg ha-1) without much deteriorating the soil health. However, continuous application of only nitrogenous fertilizer (N120P0K0 kg ha-1) for long term, not only deteriorate the soil health (pH 4.52, available N 262.66, P 12.18, and K 106.08 kg ha-1) but also drastically reduced the crop productivity. On the basis of above findings it may be concluded that balance fertilization with N120P80K40 kg ha-1 in long-term maize-wheat cropping system maintained maximum individual crop yield (42.09 q ha-1 maize), (45.22 q ha-1 wheat) as well as system yield (94.14 q ha-1 MEY) and gave profitable economy return of ` 26,785; 40,611 and 67,396 ha-1 and B:C ratio of 0.89, 1.29 and 1.09 for maize, wheat and maize-wheat cropping system respectively.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECT OF SEEDING TIME AND IRRIGATION ON GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY OF WHEAT CULTIVARS
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2013) Shabnam, Swati; Singh, M. K.
    Wheat crop requires cool weather during vegetative phase and warm weather during reproductive phase. A mean daily temperature of 20 OC has been observed optimum for seeding, around 15 OC for satisfactory tillering and 25 OC for physiological maturity. Hence, mean air temperature between 20 OC and 25 OC at any location decides growing period and productivity of wheat crop. In context of changing climate an investigation on “Effect of seeding time and irrigation on growth, development and productivity of wheat cultivars” consisting two set of experiments viz (i) Effect of seeding time and irrigation on growth, development and productivity of wheat and (ii) Effect of seeding time on the growth, development and productivity of wheat cultivars was conducted during winter season of 2010-11 and 2011-12 at Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi. Soil was sandy loam (sand 65.28%, silt 18% and clay 16.72%), low in available N (217.8 kg/ha), medium in P (12.43 kg/ha) and K (153.04 kg/ha) having available soil moisture of 12.65 cm/m of soil depth with pH 5.57. First experiment laid out in split plot design consisted of 3 irrigation treatments in the main plot (3 irrigations at CRI+boot+milk, 5 irrigations at CRI+MT+LJ+flowering+milk and at IW/CPE=0.9) and 5 sowing dates in the sub plot (30 Oct, 15 Nov, 30 Nov, 15 Dec and 30 Dec) whereas second experiment, also in split plot consisted of 4 varieties in main plot (K 9107, K 0307, HUW 234 and NW 2036) and 5 sowing dates in the sub plots (30 Oct, 15 Nov, 30 Nov, 15 Dec and 30 Dec). Wheat receiving 5 irrigations at crown root initiation, maximum tillering, late jointing, flowering and milk maintained better growth and development throughout the crop life and hence produced significantly higher mean grain yield of 3.76 t/ha due to higher yield attributing characters (spikes/m2-328, grains/spike-45 and 1000 grain weight-39.91 g) and straw yield of 5.91 t/ha with higher water use (459.03 mm) and water use efficiency (8.2 kg/ha-mm), extracting more water from surface soil than the crop receiving 3 irrigations. It also gave significantly higher net return (Rs 37070/ha), benefit: cost ratio (1.5), net energy output (87223 MJ/ha), energy use efficiency (6.56) and lower specific energy (5395 MJ/t) than the crop receiving 3 irrigations and irrigation given on the basis of IW/CPE ratio. Among sowing dates, 15 November sown crop produced significantly higher grain yield of 4.47 and 4.71 t/ha and straw yield of 6.71 and 6.06 t/ha in first and second experiment, respectively than rest of the sowing dates. Net return, benefit: cost ratio, net energy output and energy use efficiency were also higher in 15 November sown crop while specific energy was lowest (3501 and 3396 MJ/t in first and second experiment, respectively), which is the desired index of crop production. Protein content in grain, on the other hand, was highest in 30 December sowing (13.94 and 13.29 per cent in first and second experiment, respectively). In general varieties did not differ in terms of yield, energetics and economics, but their performance varied when sown on different dates. Best results were obtained when sowing was done on 15 November and all the parameters declined when sowing was deviated from 15 November. Maximum reduction in grain and straw yield, net energy output, energy use efficiency, net returns and benefit cost ratio was recorded in varieties K9107 and K0307 while lowest reduction was recorded in NW2036 and HUW234. Reduction in grain yield was in the order of 49, 47, 27 and 25 per cent in K9107, K0307, HUW234 and NW2036, respectively when sowing was delayed from 15 November to 30 December while corresponding reduction in net return was Rs 33,201, Rs 33,466, Rs 16,056 and Rs 15,693. On the other hand, specific energy increased by 3051, 2808, 1258 and 1124 MJ/t in K9107, K0307, HUW234 and NW2036, respectively.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on sustainability of maize-wheat cropping system.
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2013) Manjhi, R.P.; Yadava, M.S.
    Maize (Zea mays) - wheat (Triticum aestivum) is third most important cropping system in India and is practiced on 1.8 million ha. It is also prevalent cropping system adopted in uplands of Jharkhand. Most of the farmers use only urea (N fertilizer) for crop cultivation and this fertilizer use pattern results in multiple nutrient deficiencies as well as promotes soil bankruptcy. Therefore, it is needed to maintain long term soil health and crop productivity in intensive cropping system through integrated use of nutrient sources. A permanent manurial trial with different practices (inorganic & integrated nutrient management) under maize-wheat cropping system is in progress since 1983 at Birsa Agricultural University Farm, Kanke, Ranchi. On the plots of the ongoing trial, the present investigation was carried out during two consecutive years of 2009-10 and 2010-11. Experiment was laid out in RBD with 12 treatments replicated three times. RDF for each of the component crop was @ 100:50:25 kg ha-1. Variety taken for maize (kharif) and wheat (rabi) was HQPM-1 and K9107, respectively. Treatment details in maizewheat cropping system were T1 : N0P0K0 - N0P0K0; T2 : 50% RDF -50% RDF; T3 : 50 % RDF -100% RDF; T4 : 75% RDF -75% RDF; T5 : 100% RDF -100% RDF; T6 : 50%N through FYM+ 50% RDF -100% RDF; T7 :25%N through FYM+ 75% RDF -75% RDF; T8 : 50%N through cut paddy straw+ 50% RDF -100% RDF; T9 : 25%N through cut paddy straw+ 75% RDF -75% RDF; T10 : 50%N through green Karanj leaves + 50% RDF -100% RDF; T11 : 25%N through green Karanj leaves + 75% RDF -75% RDF and T12 : 50kg – 50kg urea /ha. Results revealed that INM practice i.e. 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDFin kharif + 100% RDF in rabi produced highest mean grain yield (43.73 and 47.06 q/ha of maize and wheat, respectively) followed by use in each season 100% RDF (38.38 & 40.46 q/ha of maize and wheat, respectively) which was at par with application @ 25%N through FYM along with 75% RDF in kharif + only 75% RDF in rabi. Yield attributing characters in maize namely, no. of grains/row (32.9 ), no. of grains/cob (428) and 1000 grain weight (335.70 g) and in wheat namely, effective tillers /m2 (351), no of grains/ear head (45), and 1000 grain weight (42.27 g) were highest in the same. In system also, it produced significantly highest wheat equivalent yield (82.04 q/ha), net return (Rs 51196/-) and B:C ratio (0.93) than use of inorganic fertilizer in each season @100% RDF (71.16q/ha, Rs 38846/-) & B:C ratio ( 0.73).It also recorded highest nutrient uptake(kg/ha) as 209 N,30 P &196 K. Analysis of soil for physical, chemical and biological properties of soil revealed that it improved bulk density (1.26), pH (6.7) and organic carbon (0.55) as compared to initial value 1.39 g/cc, 6.5 and 0.41%, respectively. It also, recorded highest population of bacteria (20.6 x106 /g soil) and Actinomycetes (14.4 x106 /g soil), enzyme activity & microbial respiration (20.87 mg CO2 /100g soil per day). Sustainability of maize- wheat cropping system was analyzed after 28th years (1983-2010) in continuous use of inorganic fertilizer and INM practices. INM practice @ 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif + 100% RDF in rabi produced the highest Sustainable Yield Index (0.46) of the system (with 0.28 for maize & 0.57 for wheat). Further, data revealed that highest (maize & wheat) yield was recorded by use of chemical fertilizer @100% RDF (each season) in initial 4 years. Thereafter for 12 years, INM practice @ 25%N through FYM+ 75% RDF in kharif & 75% RDF in rabi yielded the highest. But for the last 16 years (1995-2010), INM practice @ 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif + 100% RDF in rabi continued to produce the highest (maize & wheat) yield. Conclusion: On the basis of above results, it is recommended that application of 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif + 100%RDF in rabi season for maize-wheat cropping system in Jharkhand is a viable INM practice for obtaining higher grain yield- WEY-82.04 q/ha (43.73 of maize & 47.06 of wheat), net return (`51196 /ha), B:C ratio (0.93), sustainable yield index ( 0.46 ) along with improvement of soil physical properties (i.e. reduced bulk density, increased pH & organic carbon), higher microbial population and enzyme activity in soil.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    TILLAGE AND WEED MANAGEMENT IN RICE – WHEAT SYSTEM
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2013) Surin, Sushma Saroj; Singh, M. K.
    A field experiment on the topic “Tillage and Weed Management in Rice-Wheat System” was conducted during 2009-11 to study the effect of zero and conventional tillage as well as weed control practices on productivity, energetic and economics of rice-wheat system at the university farm, Ranchi on sandy loam soil. The soil was acidic in reaction (pH 5.43), low in, available nitrogen (242.23kg/ha), potassium (123kg/ha) and medium in organic carbon (0.52) available phosphorus (14.85kg/ha). Treatment consisted tillage practices viz. (i) Zero till rice and zero till wheat (ii) Zero till rice and conventional till wheat (iii) Conventional till rice and zero till wheat (iv) Conventional till rice and conventional till wheat in main plot and weed control practices viz. (i) weedy check (ii) recommended herbicides Butachlor @ 1.5 kg/ha PE +2,4-D @ 0.5 kg/ha post emergence for rice and Isoproturon @ 0.75kg/ha + 2,4-D @ 0.5 kg/ha post emergence for wheat (iii) Two hand weeding (20 and 40 DAS for rice and 25 and 50 DAS for wheat) in sub plot laid out in split plot design and replicated 4 times. Results revealed that the dominant weed flora associated with direct seeded rice were Cyperus rotundus, C.difformis, C.iria and Fimbristylis miliacea in sedges, Commalina benghalensis, C.diffusa, Ageretum conyzoides, Polygola chenensis and Phyllanthus niruri in broad leaf weeds and Echinochloa colonum, Sorghum halepense, Setaria glauca, Digitaria sanguinails in grassy weeds. Among the weed flora 59.20% was broad leaf weeds, 17.72% sedges and 23.08% grassy weeds. Similarly dominant weed flora associated with wheat were Coronopus didymus, Vicia hirsuta, Vicia sativa, Anagalis arvensis, Medicago denticulate and Chenopodium album in broad leaf weeds while Cynodon dactylon, Avena fatua and Phalaris minor in grassy weeds. Among weed flora, 94.3% was broad leaf weeds and 5.7% grassy weeds. Weed density was maximum in conventionally tilled ricewheat system and minimum in zero tilled rice-wheat system. However reverse was true in weed dry matter. Direct seeded rice-wheat sequence with conventional tillage produced higher rice equivalent yield 74.40 q/ha (for 31.2 q/ha rice and 36.0 q/ha wheat), net return (Rs. 58206/ha), net energy output (62144 MJ/ha grain and 142012 MJ/ha biomass) having maximum energy-use efficiency (7.16 grain and 14.83 biomass) and minimum specific energy (9656 MJ/t) than the system with other tillage practices. Among weed control, rice-wheat either with butachlor @ 1.5 kg/ha pre-emergence + 2,4-D 0.5 kg/ha post emergence in rice and isoproturon @ 0.75kg/ha + 2,4-D @ 0.5 kg/ha post emergence in wheat or, with two hand weeding in both crops produced higher rice equivalent yield (74.3 q/ha and 78.1 q/ha), net return (Rs. 62258/ha and Rs. 60498/ha) net grain energy output (63198 MJ/ha and 67802 MJ/ha), grain energy-use efficiency (7.53 and 7.94) with lower specific energy (8978 MJ/t and 8624 MJ/t) than system with weedy check.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFICACY OF SEAWEED SAP ON PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF RICE
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2015) Singh, Sudhir Kumar; Thakur, R.
    Rice is a major cereal food crop to feed the ever increasing population of the country. Excessive application of inorganic fertilizer degrade the soil health and environment. Under this situation, application of seaweed sap may play a great role to substitute the commercial fertilizer. Keeping these facts in view, an experiment on “Efficacy of seaweed sap on productivity and quality of rice” was conducted at Birsa Agriculture University, Ranchi (23º17‟ N latitude, 85º19‟ E longitude and 625 m above msl altitude) during rainy season of 2012 and 2013 on sandy loam soil with pH 5.7 having medium in organic carbon (0.45%), available phosphorus (13.96 kg/ha), potassium (169.41 kg/ha) and low in available nitrogen (255.88 kg/ha). Treatment consisted of 2-fertilizer levels viz., 100 and 50 % recommended fertilizer in main plot, 2-sap source viz., Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracilaria edulis in sub plot and 6-sap concentration viz., 0 (water), 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 15% in sub-sub plot laid out in split plot design and replicated thrice. Results showed that Rice fertilized with 100% recommended fertilizer (120, 26.2 and 33.2 kg N, P and K/ha) produces taller plant (97.5 cm), higher leaf area index (3.85), dry matter (982.1 g/m2), crop growth rate (5.74 g/m2/day), relative growth rate (2.79 g/g/day), productive tillers (252/m2), grains/panicle (65.0), panicle length (21.2 cm) resulting in higher grain (3116 kg/ha) and straw (4234 kg/ha) yield, protein content (8.1%), protein yield (254.2 kg/ha), nitrogen uptake (80.9 kg/ha), phosphorus uptake (18.5 kg/ha), potassium uptake (65.7 kg/ha), sulphur uptake (11.0 kg/ha), net return (` 22473/ha), benefit: cost ratio (0.89) with maintaining maximum organic carbon (0.45%), available nitrogen (249.7 kg/ha), phosphorus (14.4 kg/ha) and potassium (160 kg/ha) content of the soil as compared to 50% recommended fertilizer. Crop sprayed with Kappaphycus alvarezii produces taller plant (96.4 cm), higher leaf area index (3.78), dry matter (978.5 g/m2), crop growth rate (5.66 g/m2/day), net assimilation rate (3.50 g/m2/day), grains/panicle (66.0), panicle length (20.8 cm) resulting in higher grain (3031 kg/ha) and straw (4151 kg/ha) yield, protein yield (238.7 kg/ha) and carbohydrate content (68.2%) than Gracilaria edulis. Spraying of 10% sap concentration produces significantly taller plant (99.4 cm), higher leaf area index (3.85), dry matter (1016.9 g/m2), crop growth rate (6.05 g/m2/day), relative growth rate (2.83 g/g/day), productive tillers (269.0/m2), 1000-grain weight (24.0 g), panicle length (21.9 cm) resulting in higher grain (3525 kg/ha) and straw (4633 kg/ha) yield, protein yield (277.8 kg/ha) and carbohydrate content (68.5%) as compared to lower concentration. Crop sprayed with Kappaphycus alvarezii led to higher nitrogen uptake (77.2 kg/ha), phosphorus uptake (17.0 kg/ha), sulphur uptake (10.4 kg/ha) with maintaining maximum organic carbon (0.43%), available nitrogen (244.2 kg/ha), phosphorus (14.1 kg/ha) and potassium (154.2 kg/ha) of the soil than Gracilaria edulis. Application of 10% sap concentration of Kappaphycus alvarezii or Gracilaria edulis gave highest nitrogen (85.1 kg/ha), phosphorus (19.3 kg/ha), potassium (72.0 kg/ha) and sulphur uptake (12.1 kg/ha) as compared to lower concentration. Application of Kappaphycus alvarezii gave higher net return (` 22791/ha), benefit: cost ratio (0.96) than Gracilaria edulis. Among different concentration level of seaweed sap, spraying of 10% sap concentration of Kappaphycus alvarezii or Gracilaria edulis produces significantly higher net return (` 28590/ha), benefit: cost ratio (1.17) as compared to lower concentration. Rice receiving 100% recommended fertilizer and sprayed with 10% Kappaphycus alvarezii is productive and remunerative it gives higher crop growth rate (7.33 g/m2/day), productive tillers (288.0), grain yield (4216 kg/ha), straw yield (5376 kg/ha), net return (` 37094/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.42) than rest of the combinations of fertilizer, sap and its concentration. Further, crop with 50% recommended fertilizer and sprayed 2.5% concentration of either Kappaphycus alvarezii or Gracilaria edulis is as high productive and remunerative as that of 100% recommended fertilizer alone. Hence, application of 2.5% either Kappaphycus alvarezii or Gracilaria edulis can curtail the 50% fertilizer requirement of the crop.