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ThesisItem Open Access STUDY OF AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES IN BHANDRA BLOCK OF LOHARDAGA DISTRICT WITH RESPECT TO SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECT(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2016) Singh, Bijay Kumar; Oraon, P.R.In the present study an attempt has been made to investigate the “Study of agroforestry practices in Bhandra Block of Lohardaga District with respect to socio-economic aspect”. A survey was conducted in four Panchayats of Bhandra Block of Lohardaga district from July 2014 to June 2015. These Panchayats are Bhandra, Bhita, Jamgain and Baragain. The objectives are to survey and identify the existing agroforestry practice, to study growth performance of different components in existing agroforestry practices and to assess the socio-economic impacts on the farmers. Study area surveyed with the help of questionnaire using stratified random sampling technique for the determination of socio-personal-economic characteristics of the respondents i.e. population, age, caste, size of family, type of house, educational status, farming system, monthly income, size of land, source of fodder, mode of cattle feeding, cropping pattern, agroforestry practices, height and diameter of trees economics and agroforestry system etc. The maximum number of respondents belongs to under age class 30-40 and repentant two castes namely Scheduled tribe and Backward caste which were dominant caste in all the Panchayats. The maximum 51.25% of respondents belong to medium size family and minimum 13.75% in large size family. The descending order of house type was kutcha>mixed>pucca. The educational status of respondents was maximum 33.75% of intermediate followed by 26.25% in high school and minimum was 10% in illiterate. The respondents are engaged in horticulture, agroforestry, cultivation in fallow land, and in other purposes. The percentage of monthly income of respondents was maximum 32.50% under range of Rs.3001-5000 followed by 30.00% in rang Rs.1001-3000 25% in Rs. 5001 to 7000 and minimum 12.50% in Rs.7001-9000. The tree species like Artocarpus heterophyllus Azadirachta indica, Dalbergia sissoo, Gmelina arborea, Leucaena leucocephala, Melia azadarech, Syzygium cumini , Tectona grandis, etc were found in agrisilvicultural system. In agrihorticultural system like Artocarpus heterophyllus, Litchi chinensis, Mangifera indica and Syzygium cumini and in silvipastoral system tree species are Dalbergia sissoo and Mangifera indica.whereas, in homegarden system tree species like Tectona grandis, Dalbergia sissoo, Gmelina arborea, Azadirachta indica and fruit species Artocarpus heterophyllus, Litchi chinensis, Mangifera indica, Syzygium cumini were observed. The major agricultural crops Paddy, Maize, Ginger, Chilly and Kacchu in kharif season whereas, Wheat, Mustard, Pea, Tomato, Onion and Potato in rabi season grown under agroforestry system. In agrisilvicultural system the Gmelina arborea had attained maximum height (8.18 m) followed by Azadirachta indica (7.41 m) and minimum height in Tectona grandis (6.16 m). In case of diameter the maximum diameter was observed in Leucaena leucocephala (16.20 cm) followed by Artocarpus heterophyllus (15.39 cm) and minimum in Tectona grandis (9.70 cm). Among the species the maximum volume was found in Leucaena leucocephala (0.14 m3) followed by Azadirachta indica (0.13 m3) and minimum in Tectona grandis (0.05 m3). In agrihorticultural system Artocarpus heterophyllus had attained maximum height (7.08 m) followed by Syzygium cumini (6.92 m) and minimum height in Litchi chinensis (4.28 m) and the maximum diameter was observed in Syzygium cumini (15.61 cm) followed by Artocarpus heterophyllus (12.13 cm) and minimum in Mangifera indica (10.30 cm). Among the species the maximum volume was found in Syzygium cumini (0.13 m3) followed by Artocarpus heterophyllus (0.10 m3) and minimum in Litchi chinensis (0.04 m3). In silvipastoral system Dalbergia sissoo had attained maximum height (6.34 m) and minimum height was found in Mangifera indica (4.33m). In case of diameter the maximum diameter was found in Dalbergia sissoo (10.51 cm) and minimum in Mangifera indica (9.96 cm). Among the species, the maximum volume was found in Dalbergia sissoo (0.06 m3) and minimum in Mangifera indica (0.03 m3). In homegarden system Gmelina arborea had attained maximum height (8.87 m) followed by Artocarpus heterophyllus (7.17 m) and minimum height in Litchi chinensis (4.21 m) and the maximum diameter was observed in Syzygium cumini (15.15 cm) followed by Artocarpus heterophyllus (14.43 cm) and minimum in Tectona grandis (9.73 cm). Among the species, the maximum volume was found in Gmelina arborea (0.16 m3) followed by Syzygium cumini (0.12 m3) and minimum in Litchi chinensi .The maximum yield of agricultural crop was Paddy 24.17 (qha-1), Wheat 19.9(qha-1), in agrisilvicultural system and tuber crop Potato 14.85(qha-1) under homegarden system. The maximum net return from tree produce ha-1year-1 was with the tree species Gmelina arborea (Rs. 28,875.00), Mangifera indica (Rs.23,050.00) and Tectona grandis (Rs.27,520.00) in agrisilvicultural, agrihorticultural and homegarden system, respectively. The benefit cost ratio has been calculated and found higher for Tectona grandis (3.01) based in agrisilvicultural system, Artocarpus heterophyllus based (2.02) in agrihorticultural system, Dalbergia sissoo based (2.44) in silvipastoral system and in homegarden system, the maximum B:C ratio was found in Tectona grandis based agroforestry i.e. (3.07).ThesisItem Open Access GPS ENABLED STUDY ON MICRO & SECONDARY NUTRIENT STATUS IN INTENSIVE CROPPED AREAS OF DUMKA DISTRICT(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2016) Kumar, Jai Prakash; Agarwal, B.K.Dumka is one of the oldest districts of Jharkhand state under Santhal Parganas. This homeland of tribals is full of stunning landscapes, majestic mountains, verdant valleys and serpentine rivers. The district of Dumka enjoys the status of sub-capital of Jharkhand since 2000. It is located at the Central and Northeastern plateau zone of Jharkhand. It is bounded by Godda and Banka district in the north, Pakur in the east, West Bengal in the south and Jamtara and Deoghar in the west. To study the impact of micro and secondary nutrients in soil, water, plant and human continuum, 251 soil, 22 water and 50 plant samples were collected in and around Dumka district at Latitude (2403.0'-24035.9' N) and Longitude (8701.0'-87°31.9' E ) and Altitude 74–211 (Meter). About 25.5% of total soil samples were found strongly acidic having pH <5.0, 33.5% in the range of 5.0-5.5 and remaining 41% were having pH 5.5- 6.0. Overall 58.97% soil showed <5.5 pH. Organic carbon status was medium (5.0 – 7.5 g kg-1) in 35% soil samples. Cationic micronutrients Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn were found above their critical limits 4.5, 2.0, 0.2 and 0.5 mg kg-1 respectively. Zn deficiency started to emerge especially in low land paddy soils of the district. Boron and Sulphur availability in soil found to be lesser than their critical limits <0.5 mg kg-1 and <10mg kg- 1 respectively in 64.54% of soil samples. 63.35, 19.92 and 16.73 per cmol(p+) kg-1 came in the Ca rating <2.0, 2.0-3.0 and >3.0 cmol(p+) kg-1 respectively, where as Mg availability was >0.2 cmol(p+) kg-1 in 83.67 per cent soil samples. Among all the sources of water, canal water has pH 7.38, river- pH 7.70 and dam water- pH 7.15. Electrical conductivity (EC) were varied from 0.340 (Bore well) to 1.090 (Well) dS m-1 while variation in mean value of EC in water samples of different sources did not show much variation among each others. Similar to pH, EC value found to be higher in canal, river and dam water than that of other sources of irrigation in the district. Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and B content in water samples were found in the range of 0.051-0.105, 0.012-0.023, 0.013-4.850, 0.051-0.340 and 0.006-0.550 mg L-1 with their mean values 0.03, 0.051, 1.05, 0.08, and 0.15 mg L-1 respectively. Mean value of Pb, Ni, and Co content in water were found 0.36, 0.33 and 0.09 mg L-1 respectively with the narrow variation of its content in different water resources of the district. Highest mean S content 0.74 mg L-1 was found in well water followed by canal (0.57 mg L-1) and dam (0.33 mg L-1). Lower S content 0.17 mg L-1 was observed in river water. On the other hand Ca content in different sources of water ranged from 1.930 to 14.925 mg L-1. Pond water has maximum Ca content (10.55 mg L-1) followed by river (7.52 mg L-1) and well (7.00 mg L-1). Variation of Mg content in water samples was comparatively in narrow range 1.188 to 3.500 mg L-1 as compared to Ca content in water. Among the different sources of irrigation water in Dumka district, well water showed higher Mg (2.55 mgL-1) content, while 1.65 mg L-1 Mg content was found in river water. Trace metal content in irrigation water and its comparative study with the recommended concentration for its suitability of irrigation purpose (Siddiqui, 1995), it can be observed that except Ni and Co concentration (found slightly in higher range) all the tested trace metals in water were found below the permissible limit. On the basis of analyzed data trace metal content in edible part of vegetables that grown in farmers’ field, if farmers use 200g fresh vegetables per day in their diet, even then it does not fullfil the recommended nutrition. A wide gap in recommended and available amount of supplements Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe was found in plant samples.ThesisItem Open Access SOIL AND RAINFALL CHARACTERIZATION OF GARHWA DISTRICT FOR CROP PLANNING(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2016) Gupta, Chandan Kumar; Kumar, RameshSoil and rainfall have been characterized with a view to identify the crop growing environment and planning of crops for normal, early and late drought conditions under the present study "Soil and rainfall Characterization of Garhwa district for Crop Planning" at block level. The area is predominantly under rainfed and facing vagaries of rainfall like untimely onset of monsoon, scanty, uneven distribution and spatial variability in rain over the years and frequent intermittent droughts during crop growth period resulting low productivity in the district. Soil samples collected from 8 blocks were analysed for important physical (texture, bulk density, field capacity, permanent wilting point etc.), physico-chemical (pH, Org. C) and chemical parameters (avail. N, P and K) were analysed for characterising the soils. Daily rainfall data for 13 to 18 years of 8 blocks (Bhandaria, Bhawnathpur, Dhurki, Garhwa, Majhiyaon, Meral, Nagar-untari and Ranka) collected from the DSO and DAO office of Garhwa district were analysed. Rainfall data of the blocks were analysed for weekly, monthly, seasonal and annual distribution. Meteorological and Agricultural drought, initial and conditional probabilities, and incomplete gamma probability of rainfall were also analysed using Weather Cock v1.0 software developed by coordinating unit of AICRP on Agrometeorology CRIDA, Hyderabad. Soils of Garhwa district were sandy loam to Sandy clay loam texture having 9.0 to 12.3 % available water. Soils were acidic to alkaline in reaction (pH : 5.0 - 7.9). Fertility status in terms of organic matter was low to medium (0.35 - 0.58 %) range. Available N was in medium (328.6 - 516.8 kg ha-1) while available P and K were in medium to high (15.0 - 42.5 & 12.9 - 398.0 kg ha-1) range respectively. A decreasing trend in annual rainfall was observed in all most all the blocks except in Bhawnathpur where it was increasing by 20.2 mm per year. Among these sharp decrease in rainfall was noticed in Bhandaria (-42.3 mm/yr) and almost consistent rain was observed in Ranka and Meral. Monsoonal rain almost followed the trend of annual rain. Among the seasons, monsoon received maximum rain (86-92 %) and only 8-14 percent rain was received in remaining three seasons (Post monsoon, Winter & Summer). Severity of meteorological drought analyzed for all 8 blocks indicated that Bhandaria, Bhawnathpur, Manjhiyaon, Nagar-untari and Ranka did not faced any severe drought while, Dhurki, Meral and Garhwa faced 1-2 years severe drought during current 13 years. Mild drought was rather more in Meral, Bhawnathpur, Dhurki, Garhwa and Nagar-untari faced 1-2, Bhandaria 3, Ranka 4 and Manjhiyaon faced maximum 6 years mild droughts. Agricultural drought were found to be more (15-38% years) under later period (36-42 SMW) than early period (22-28 SMW). Gamma distribution of rainfall at five levels of probabilities (90, 75, 50, 25 & 10 %) analysed at annual basis indicated assured rain on weekly basis at 50% probability as more close to normal rain in all blocks of Garhwa district. Initial probability for 10, 25 and 50 mm rain was observed 17, 13 and 3 SMW respectively in most of the blocks during the monsoon season. Conditional probability (>0.5) on wet/wet basis (P w/w) for 10, 25 and 50 mm rain was better in all the blocks than that of initial probability. Except Garhwa all blocks exhibited wide range (25-38 SMW) for 25 mm rain probability. Probability of 50 mm rain was very good in Meral (28-36 SMW) followed by Dhurki (29-35 SMW), Ranka (29-34 SMW), Bhandaria (28- 33 SMW), Bhawnathpur (29-33 SMW), Nagar-Untari (26-29 SMW). It exhibited very less in Majhiyaon (31-33 SMW) and Garhwa (32-33 SMW). Crop growing environment in terms of soil characteristics and weather variables were analyzed separately for all 8 blocks. Planning of crops with suitable varieties were identified for normal, early and late drought conditions based on rainfall characteristics, temperature, humidity and soil parameters for kharif and early season rabi crops. Crops identified were maize, pigeon pea, urd bean, sorghum, soybean, Bajra and g/nut both as sole or intercrops on upland under early drought condition. Both direct seeded and transplanted short duration improved and hybrid rice on medium and lowlands. Crops suitable for uplands were kulthi, niger, baby corn maize, fodder maize, cow pea and mustard under late drought condition and baby corn, early potato on medium and lowlands.ThesisItem Open Access WEED MANAGEMENT IN MAIZE (Zea mays L.)(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2016) DEWANGAN, PRADEEP KUMAR; Yadava, M. S.Maize (Zea mays L.) is the 3rd most important staple food of world population after wheat and rice. A high level of weed infestation poses a major problem in kharif maize. Weeds being a serious negative factor in crop production are responsible for marked loss (28-68.9%) in maize yield. Therefore, weed control plays an important role in maize production to achieve a desired level of yield. Keeping these points in view, an experiment entitled “Weed management in maize (Zea mays L.)” was conducted at BAU experimental Farm, (Kanke), Ranchi, Jharkhand during kharif season 2015 on sandy clay loam soil with low organic carbon (4.25 g/kg), moderately acidic (pH 5.7) in nature, low available nitrogen (263.07 kg/ha), medium potassium (176.96 kg/ha) and high phosphorus (28.42 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in a RBD with 13 treatments: atrazine 0.5 + pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha PE (T6), two hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS (T12), two mechanical weeding at 20 and 40 DAS (T11), atrazine 1.0 kg/ha PE (T2), pretilachlor 0.5 + metribuzin 0.175 kg/ha PE (T5), metribuzin 0.35 kg/ha at 15 DAS (T8), pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha PE (T3), atrazine 1.0 kg/ha at 15 DAS (T9), metribuzin 0.35 kg/ha PE (T4), pretilachlor 1.0 kg/ha PE (T1), pretilachlor 1.0 kg/ha at 15 DAS (T7), green manuring by Sesbania @ 80 kg/ha fb 2, 4-D 0.625 kg/ha at 30 DAS (T10) and weedy Check (T13), replicated thrice. Maize var. Suwan was sown (on 30- 06-2015) with spacing of 70 x 20 cm, seed rate 20 kg/ha and RDF 120:60:40 kg/ha. Results revealed that application of atrazine 0.5 + pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha PE significantly reduced weed density at 30 and 60 DAS up to 96.07% (11.67/m2) and 76.39% (124.33/m2), respectively as compare to weed density in rest of the treatments except hand weeding as well as mechanical weeding at 20 and 40 DAS. It also recorded significant reduction in total weed dry matter (9.27 and 15.09 g/m2) and maximum WCE (96.33% and 94.50%) at 30 and 60 DAS, respectively over rest of the treatments. Crop growth parameters namely plant height & dry matter production of maize crop were maximum at 60, 90 DAS and maturity with the application of atrazine 0.5 + pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha PE where leaf area index was also recorded significantly maximum at 60 (LAI 2.77) and 90 DAS (LAI 3.95). Same weed control method (atrazine 0.5 + pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha PE) showed higher crop growth rate, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate at all growth stages. Reduction in yield was 43.61 % in weedy check plot (2843 kg/ha) compare to best weed control method T6 - atrazine 0.5 + pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha PE (5059 kg/ha). Yield attributes namely no. of cobs/ha (70540/ha) and no. of row/cob (13.73), gross return (70591 `/ha), net return (44623 `/ha) and B:C ratio (1.72) were observed maximum due to application of same treatment (atrazine 0.5 + pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha PE). Population of soil microbial biomass (fungi, bacteria and Actinomycetes) was at par in all the weed control methods (chemical, mechanical and hand weeding). The cost of treatment (atrazine 0.5 + pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha PE) is much lower (1768 `/ha) against mechanical weedings (3749 `/ha) and hand weedings (9372 `/ha). It can be summarized that weed density and weed dry matter were significantly reduced by application of atrazine 0.5 + pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha PE where maximum weed control efficiency was upto 97%. This weed control method recorded significantly higher vegetative growth parameters at all stages and also maximum yield & yield attributes in kharif maize (var. Suwan). Population of soil microbial biomass (fungi, bacteria and Actinomycetes) were not significantly affected by different weed management practices. Based on the results of present investigation, it can be concluded that application of atrazine 0.5 + pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha PE can be recommended as an economical weed management practice in kharif maize for obtaining higher productivity.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION AND IMPACT OF AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS ON SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITION OF KANKE BLOCK OF RANCHI DISTRICT(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2016) KUMARI, ANITA; Malik, M.S.The present experiment was conducted on the “Evaluation and impact of agroforestry systems on socio – economic condition of Kanke Block of Ranchi District” with the objectives 1. To study the growth performance and yield of tree species in existing agroforestry practices. 2. To determine the soil fertility status at the agroforestry sites. 3. To assess the socio economic impacts of existing agroforestry practices on farmers. The study was carried out four villages of Kanke Block these villages are Manha (Panchayat – Malsring), Marwa (Panchayat – Upperkonki), Patratu (Panchayat – Urguttu) and Pithoria village (Panchayat – Pithoria). The data were recorded for various parameter like Population profile, Caste profile, Family structure, Literacy status, Livestock and Poultry status, House hold status, Land holding status, land use pattern, dependency on forest (Fuelwood and Fodder consumption pattern, annual income from agroforestry). The soil properties such as pH, Organic carbon percent, Available N, P, K were estimated in the laboratory. Data on height, diameter and volume of slow, medium and fast growing trees of selected villages of Kanke Block were recorded. Economics from tree and crop and yield of agricultural and horticultural crop under agroforestry system were calculated. Population of male was found maximum in selected villages (35.45%) and minimum in child (31.69%). In general the trends of different caste profile were in the order of OBC (50%) followed by S.T (40%), SC (10%) and general (0%). In household status, Nuclear family was 56.25% and Joint family was 43.75%. Literacy status was found in order as Primary to high school (31.32%) > Primary level (29%) > Matriculation to intermediate (21.11%) > Illiterate (17.63%). Land holding status of household were as follows medium (60.0%) > small (30.0%) > large (6.25%) > landless (3.75%). Agriculture (60.65%) and agrisilviculture (13.93%) were the important land use pattern followed by household in Kanke Block. Agriculture and Animal husbandry had been adopted by most of the working people in Kanke Block with their percentage 73.75 and 8.75. Fuel wood at domestic level had been consumed maximum by large farmers (41.9 q yrˉ1), followed by medium farmers (32.6 q yrˉ1) and least by small farmers (20.5 q yrˉ1). Consumption of fodder at domestic level was done maximum by large farmers (17.6 q yrˉ1), followed by medium farmers (16.8 q yrˉ1) and least by small farmers (16.1 q yrˉ1). Considerable improvement had taken place in soil, which was evident from the increased levels of Organic carbon, available N, P, K and pH value in agrisilvicultural system systems. The level of pH, Organic Carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium were found better under agroforestry system than sole crop, sole tree and barren land. Height, diameter and volume of Fast growing tree was found maximum in Leucaena leucocephala and minimum in Moringa oleifera. In medium growing trees, height, diameter and volume of trees was found maximum in Mangifera indica minimum in Pongamia pinnata. In slow growing trees height, diameter and volume of tree was found maximum in Ficus bengalensis and minimum in Tamarindus indica . In agrisilviculture system the yield of Oryza sativa and Zea mays were 23.75 q ha-1 and 20.1 q ha-1. Whereas yield of Zingiber officinale, Capsium annum and Colocasia schott were 3.72, 8.96, 3.8 q ha-1 respectively in agrihorticulture system. The yield of Triticum aestivum, Brassica nigra, Pisum sativum and Solanum tuberosum were 19.76, 5.56, 9.28, 15.45 q ha-1 respectively under agrisilviculture system. The yield of Lycopersicon esculentum was 13.52 and 12.4 q ha-1 respectively in agrisilviculture and agrihorticulture system. The yield of Allium cepa and Solanum melongena was 9.88 and 4.85 q ha-1 respectively in agrihorticulture system. The maximum income in a year was found with the tree species Tectona grandis (Rs. 28,130.00) followed by Gmelina arborea (Rs. 24,370.00) and the minimum income was found in Azadirchta indica (Rs. 13,635.00).ThesisItem Open Access FLORISTIC COMPOSITION AND DIVERSITY OF HOMEGARDENS IN ANGARA BLOCK, RANCHI, JHARKHAND(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2016) Sinku, Shailesh Kumar; Oraon, P.R.The present study was conducted on the “Floristic Composition and Diversity of Homegardens in Angara Block, Ranchi, Jharkhand” in the homegardens of 120 randomly selected sample household in four selected villages of Angara Block. The randomly selected villages are Singari, Gutidih, Janum and Rangamati Villages of Sursu, Tati, Angara and Nawagarh Panchayat respectively. Structure and diversity of homegardens were analyzed. A total of 101 plant species (21 trees, 10 shrubs, 13 saplings, 11 seedlings, 46 herbs) belonging to 43 families were recorded. In Angara Block, the most dominant family in tree layer were as Verbenaceae, Rhamnaceae, Anacardiaceae, Leguminosae and Moraceae. In sapling layer, Rhamnaceae, Verbenaceae and Anacardiaceae family were dominant. In seedling layer, most dominant family were Rhamnaceae, Verbenaceae, Moraceae and Myrtaceae. In shrubs layer, most dominanat family were Caricaceae, Moringaceae, Musaceae, Verbenaceae and Fabaceae. However, in herbs layer Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Solanaceae, Fabaceae, Araceae, cucurbitaceae and Malvaceae were most dominant family. Density of trees, saplings, seedlings, shrubs and herbs varies from 840 - 1390, 170 - 270, 100 - 140, 590 - 2110 and 42690 - 102320 ha-1 respectively. Of all woody species, Gamhar and Teak showed the highest Importance Value Index. Among fruit species Ber, Mango and Kathal showed the highest Importance Value Index. The highest IVI index indicated that these species are as dominated species. According to diversity indices of different villages of Angara Block, the Shannon index of tree, sapling, seedling, shrub and herb layers varies from 1.77 - 3.46, 1.91 - 2.77, 1.90 - 2.52, 0.72 - 2.27 and 3.01 - 4.22 respectively. Similarly, Simpson’s index of tree layer lies between 0.12 to 0.46, sapling layer 0.17 to 0.39, seedling layer 0.18 to 0.29, shrubs layer 0.25 to 0.54 and herb layer 0.08 to 0.21. Species Richness of the tree, sapling, seedling, shrub, herb layers are having between 1.38 - 2.22, 0.74 - 1.36, 0.65 - 1.04, 0.63 - 1.06, 1.77 - 3.00 respectively. Equitability ranges from 0.74-1.24 of tree layer, 1.07 -1.33 of sapling layer, 1.25 - 1.41 of seedling layer, 0.45 - 1.27 of shrub layer, 1.02 - 1.21 of herb layer. Beta diversity of tree layer varies from 1.31 - 1.91, sapling layer varies from 1.62-4.60, seedling layer varies from 1.83 - 2.75, shrub layer varies from 1.67 - 2.00 and in herbs layer varies from 1.39 - 2.42. Among the villages, the basal cover of trees, saplings, seedlings, shrubs and herbs varies from 25.40 to 39.26, 0.62 to 1.76, 0.05 to 0.62, 5.21 to 12.30, 37.52 to 64.98 (m2ha-1) respectively. A homegarden is designed to fulfill a wide array of functions and provide a range of benefits. These benefits are economic, ecological and cultural in nature. Homegardens contribute to floral diversity of landscape with owned plant biodiversity. The multistoried composition, high species diversity and domestication of wild plants in the system may help to conserve biodiversity of the area; they need to be considered for in situ conservation and development programme in future. Homegardens ensure crop diversification provide diversified products through low in amount but nutritious in nature.ThesisItem Open Access SITE SPECIFIC NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN HYBRID MAIZE.(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2016) Raj, Akansha; Singh, C.S.Maize is considered as the third most important food crop among the cereals and contributes to nearly 9% of the national food basket. Since the inception of Green Revolution there has been a race for increasing food grain (mainly cereals) production using chemical fertilizers in India. However, cereal production in the country increased only five fold, while fertilizer consumption increased 322 times from 1950–51 to 2007–08 periods, implying very low fertilizer use efficiency. Therefore, the goal of Indian agriculture has to be increase food-grain production with the minimum and efficient use of chemical fertilizers. In this context, Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) approach is one such option which focuses on balanced and crop need-based nutrient application. Almost all the maize hybrids respond positively to nutrient management practices. However, there existed a wide scale variability among maize hybrids in response to nutrient management practices. Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) ensures balanced precision nutrition application based on the nutrient supplying capacity of the soil and nutrient requirement of a particular crop to produce a unit quantity of yield or set yield target. Hence, there is a need to evaluate maize hybrids under site specific nutrient management to find out the suitable dose of fertilizer needed by the particular hybrid. Keeping this in view, an experiment entitled “Site specific nutrient management in hybrid maize” was carried out in University Research farm during kharif season of 2014 in sandy loam soil of pH (6.13), low organic carbon (0.42%), available nitrogen (242.7 kg/ha), available phosphorus (18.72 kg/ha) and available potassium (164.8 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in split plot design in 3 replications with 6 hybrids of maize (PMH-1, PMH-3, CMH 08-350, CMH 08-287, CMH 08-292 and HQPM- 1) in main plot and 3 nutrient management practices (recommended dose of fertilizer, site specific nutrient management, and farmer fertilizer practice) in subplot. Result revealed that site specific nutrient management produced higher dry matter (2358.28 g/m2), number of cobs/ha (61481), cob length (19.93 cm), cob girth (15.02 cm), number of grain/cob (545.80) and 1000 grain weight (346.68 g) resulting in higher cob (91.54 q/ha) grain (77.45 kg/ha), stover (125.56 q/ha) yield, energy output by grain (113860 MJ/ha), net energy return by grain (98761 MJ), net return (67218 /ha ) and benefit:cost ratio (2.33) of maize . The site specific nutrient management also removes higher nitrogen (177.25 kg/ha), phosphorus (31.74 kg/ha) and potassium (164.21 kg/ha) than recommended dose of fertilizer and farmer fertilizer practice. Among the hybrids, maize cultivar CMH 08-350 was found superior over the other hybrids as it produced higher grain (71.40 q/ha), stover (117.34 q/ha) yield, energy output by grain (104958 MJ), net energy return by grain (92060 MJ), energy use efficiency (8.01), energy productivity (544.93 g/MJ), net return (62067 /ha), benefit:cost ratio (2.29) nitrogen uptake (159.33 kg/ha), phosphorus uptake (28.76 kg/ha) and potassium uptake (146.86 kg/ha). Conclusions: Site specific nutrient management (170:67:86 kg NPK/ha) is found to be the most suitable nutrient management technique for obtaining higher grain and stover yield with higher net return and B:C ratio of maize at Kanke, Ranchi region of Jharkhand. CMH 08-350 was the most suitable maize hybrid for maize cultivation in Jharkhand region.ThesisItem Open Access FOLIAR APPLICATION OF NUTRIENTS ON PRODUCTIVITY OF SOYBEAN(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2016) Kumari, Pratima; Alam, ParwaizSoybean is worldwide growing important oilseed crop. It is the cheapest source of plant protein for poor people but availability of protein for ever increasing population remained too less. To meet out this increasing demand farmer use more and more chemical fertilizer through soil application to increase productivity. Abundant use of chemical fertilizer degrade the soil physico-chemical properties resulted in nonavailability of nutrients to the plants. In order to avoid or minimize the severity of such condition, foliar application of nutrients is imperative. Keeping these points in view, an experiment entitled “Foliar application of nutrients on productivity of soybean” was conducted at BAU experimental farm (Kanke), Ranchi, Jharkhand during Kharif season 2015 on sandy loam soil with low organic carbon (4.10 g/kg) and available nitrogen (192.5 kg/ha), moderately acidic (pH 5.1) in nature, medium potassium (128 kg/ha), phosphorus (13.65 kg/ha), boron (0.58 mg/kg), molybdenum (0.25 mg/kg) and zinc (0.60 mg/kg). The experiment was laid out in a RBD with 9 treatments: T1- RDF + water spray, T2- RDF + urea 2% spray, T3- RDF + DAP 2% spray, T4- RDF + MOP 0.5% spray, T5- RDF + 19:19:19 (N:P2O5:K2O) 2% spray, T6- RDF + molybdenum 0.5% spray, T7- RDF + boron 0.5% spray, T8- RDF + zinc chelated 0.5% spray and T9- RDF only and replicated thrice. Results revealed that the productivity of soybean was influenced by foliar application of nutrients. Among application of nutrients, RDF along with molybdenum 0.5% spray produced higher dry matter (795.52 g/m2), nodule count (15/plant) at 60 DAS, branches per plant (2.33), pods/plant (31) resulted in higher grain (1524 kg/ha) and straw (2062 kg/ha) yield, which was significantly higher than all other treatment but it was at par with RDF + zinc chealted 0.5% spray and RDF + 19:19:19 (N:P2O5:K2O) 2% spray. Total N (112.80 kg/ha), P (10.55 kg/ha), K (39.72 kg/ha), B (85.92 g/ha), Mo (7.29 g/ha) and Zn (76.17 g/ha) uptake were also found highest with foliar application of molybdenum 0.5% along with RDF. However, foliar application of zinc chelated 0.5% spray along with RDF gave highest net return (22630 `/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.19). Based on the result of present investigation, it may be concluded that foliar application of zinc chelated 0.5% spray along with RDF proved to be more productive and economically viable for soybean cultivation.ThesisItem Open Access STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF INSECT PESTS OF CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum L.) IN FIELD AND STORAGE CONDITIONS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO POD BORER AND PULSE BEETLES(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2016) Prasanthi, S. J.; Chakravarty, M. K.Chickpea is the most important pulse crop grown in India. It is attacked by different insect pests both in field and storage conditions of which gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) and pulse beetles (Callosobruchus chinensis) are considered to be major pests, respectively. Considering the importance of chickpea crop and damage caused by those pests, field and laboratory trials were carried out during 2015- 16 to develop effective management against pod borer and pulse beetles, respectively. For field studies, nine insecticides viz., Chlorantraniliprole 18.5SC (0.4ml/ L of water), Indoxacarb 15.8 SC (0.5 ml/ L of water), Fipronil 5% SC (2.0ml/ L of water), Flubendiamide 480 SC (0.15ml/ L of water), Bifenthrin 10 EC (1.0ml/ L of water), HaNPV 0.43%AS (1.0ml/ L of water), Azadirachtin 10,000 ppm (1.0ml/ L of water), Novaluron 10EC(1.0ml/ L of water), Spinosad 2.5SC (0.3ml/ L of water) and 32 entries were tested under field conditions against the damage caused by pod borer in chickpea at Birsa Agricultural University during rabi, 2015-16. A laboratory experiment was also conducted to investigate the efficacy of eight plant derived oils namely, neem, sesame, clove, castor, mahua, coconut, mustard, and karanj at 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 per cent concentrations as grain protectants against pulse beetles infesting gram. The study revealed that in field, incidence of pod borer reached its peak during February – March in November sown crop. In the varietal screening trial, the entries GL 10006 under AVT-1 (Desi) and JG 74315- 2 under IVT (Desi) groups had experienced the least pod damage (0.9 – 4.8 and 1.5 – 4.8 %, respectively). As the overall scenario of H. armigera indicated less population pressure in varietal screening trial, it is difficult give remark on the performance of entries tested; further studies in this respect are required to make any authentic conclusion. Two sprayings with Indoxacarb 15.8SC @ 0.5ml/ L of water or Flubendiamide 480SC @ 0.15ml/ L of water starting from pod initiation stage and repeated after 15 days checked pod borer damage effectively and also produced significantly higher grain yield. Flubendiamide 0.15ml/ L of water and Azadirachtin 1ml/ L of water were found safer to the parasitoid, Campoletis chloridae. Highest benefit- cost ratio was obtained in the treatment Indoxacarb followed by Spinosad. In storage condition, all the plant oils tested effectively checked the infestation by pulse beetles. The oil treatments had shown significantly higher adult mortality and ovipositional deterrence, decreased adult emergence, delayed developmental period, reduction in seed damage and weight loss of gram seed. Higher concentration of oils i.e. 1.00 per cent was effective over 0.25 and 0.50 per cent levels. However, treating the chickpea seed with mahua or mustard oil gave maximum protection against pulse beetle infestation for about six months. Highest benefit- cost ratio was obtained when seeds were treated with mustard oil followed by karanj oil.