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Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur

The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) was established on 12th June 1964 at Hyderabad. The University was formally inaugurated on 20th March 1965 by Late Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India. Another significant milestone was the inauguration of the building programme of the university by Late Smt. Indira Gandhi,the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India on 23rd June 1966. The University was renamed as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University on 7th November 1996 in honour and memory of an outstanding parliamentarian Acharya Nayukulu Gogineni Ranga, who rendered remarkable selfless service for the cause of farmers and is regarded as an outstanding educationist, kisan leader and freedom fighter. HISTORICAL MILESTONE Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) was established under the name of Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) on the 12th of June 1964 through the APAU Act 1963. Later, it was renamed as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University on the 7th of November, 1996 in honour and memory of the noted Parliamentarian and Kisan Leader, Acharya N. G. Ranga. At the verge of completion of Golden Jubilee Year of the ANGRAU, it has given birth to a new State Agricultural University namely Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University with the bifurcation of the state of Andhra Pradesh as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014. The ANGRAU at LAM, Guntur is serving the students and the farmers of 13 districts of new State of Andhra Pradesh with renewed interest and dedication. Genesis of ANGRAU in service of the farmers 1926: The Royal Commission emphasized the need for a strong research base for agricultural development in the country... 1949: The Radhakrishnan Commission (1949) on University Education led to the establishment of Rural Universities for the overall development of agriculture and rural life in the country... 1955: First Joint Indo-American Team studied the status and future needs of agricultural education in the country... 1960: Second Joint Indo-American Team (1960) headed by Dr. M. S. Randhawa, the then Vice-President of Indian Council of Agricultural Research recommended specifically the establishment of Farm Universities and spelt out the basic objectives of these Universities as Institutional Autonomy, inclusion of Agriculture, Veterinary / Animal Husbandry and Home Science, Integration of Teaching, Research and Extension... 1963: The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) Act enacted... June 12th 1964: Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) was established at Hyderabad with Shri. O. Pulla Reddi, I.C.S. (Retired) was the first founder Vice-Chancellor of the University... June 1964: Re-affilitation of Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Hyderabad (estt. in 1961, affiliated to Osmania University), Agricultural College, Bapatla (estt. in 1945, affiliated to Andhra University), Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, Tirupati and Andhra Veterinary College, Tirupati (estt. in 1961, affiliated to Sri Venkateswara University)... 20th March 1965: Formal inauguration of APAU by Late Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India... 1964-66: The report of the Second National Education Commission headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, Chairman of the University Grants Commission stressed the need for establishing at least one Agricultural University in each Indian State... 23, June 1966: Inauguration of the Administrative building of the university by Late Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India... July, 1966: Transfer of 41 Agricultural Research Stations, functioning under the Department of Agriculture... May, 1967: Transfer of Four Research Stations of the Animal Husbandry Department... 7th November 1996: Renaming of University as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University in honour and memory of an outstanding parliamentarian Acharya Nayukulu Gogineni Ranga... 15th July 2005: Establishment of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) bifurcating ANGRAU by Act 18 of 2005... 26th June 2007: Establishment of Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University (APHU) bifurcating ANGRAU by the Act 30 of 2007... 2nd June 2014 As per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014, ANGRAU is now... serving the students and the farmers of 13 districts of new State of Andhra Pradesh with renewed interest and dedication...

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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF MAIZE IN KURNOOL DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2015) JAHNAVI KEERTHI PRIYA, P; Dr. K.N. RAVI KUMAR
    The present study entitled “Economic analysis of production and marketing of maize in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh” was undertaken mainly to study growth rates of area, production and productivity, costs and returns, resource use efficiency, marketing aspects and constraints in production and marketing of maize. Three stage sampling was adopted for the selection of district, mandals, villages and the sample farmers. A sample of 120 farmers was randomly selected from the selected two mandals and four villages. The farmers were stratified into Marginal (<1 ha), Small (1-2 ha) and Other (>2 ha) categories on the basis of their size of operational holding. The primary data for the year 2013-14 were collected through a pre-tested schedule by survey method. Conventional as well as functional analysis was used to analyze the data and arrived at valid conclusions. Compound growth rates of area and productivity of maize showed significant increase at All-India level, in Andhra Pradesh and in Kurnool district that were influential in boosting the production of maize during the overall reference period. The total cost of cultivation of maize per hectare was Rs. 54,610.82, Rs. 51654.7, Rs. 47,159.63 and Rs. 50,214.55 on marginal, small, other and pooled farms respectively. The per hectare cost of cultivation and cost of production (Rs/Qtls) are inversely related with the farm size. The gross returns were Rs. 62,260.75, Rs. 63,018.24, Rs. 65810.35 and Rs. 63,353.11 on marginal, small, other and pooled farms respectively indicated direct relationship with the farm size. The DEA analysis pertaining to the resource use efficiency in maize cultivation revealed that, 12.5 per cent of the farms are operating at CRS indicating efficient utilization of resources. Majority of farmers (62.50%) are operating at IRS and 25 per cent of the farmers are operating at DRS indicating that, more resources should be provided to the farms operating at IRS and the same should be decreased towards the farms operating at DRS. Price spread in transacting maize was studied with reference to two marketing channels: Channel-I (Producer → Commission agent → Wholesaler → Poultry feed unit → Retailer → Consumer (sale of poultry feed)), Channel-II (Producer → MARKFED → Co-operative dairy → Consumer (sale of animal feed)). Of the two channels identified in transacting maize, Channel-II was found more efficient than Channel-I, as indicated by the computed marketing efficiency indices. Majority of the farmers prioritized power cut as the major constraint for production of maize with a mean score of 73.47 followed by high cost of input and input services (67.72) and shortage of labour during production (62.63). Regarding marketing, they prioritized frequent price fluctuations as the major problem with a mean score of 71.84 followed by unorganized marketing (67.85) and lack of transportation facilities (64.38). In view of the production constraints, regulating quality power supply to the farmers, purchase of inputs on co-operative basis, encouraging farm mechanization, effective implementation of crop insurance scheme etc., deserve immediate attention to improve production scenario. The prospects of marketing of maize can be enhanced through improving transportation facilities, marketing news and information network and strengthening scientific storage facilities.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON HOST PLANT RESISTANCE IN GROUNDNUT GENOTYPES AGAINST GELECHIIDAE INSECT PESTS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO LEAF BUD BORER, Anarsia ephippias (Meyrick)
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2015) PEERU SAHEB, Y; Dr. K.V.HARI PRASAD
    The present investigations on “Studies on host plant resistance in groundnut genotypes against gelechiidae insect pests with special reference to leaf bud borer, Anarsia ephippias (Meyrick)” was carried out at dryland farm, S. V. Agricultural College, Tirupati. Seasonal incidence of gelechiidae insect pests (groundnut leaf miner and leaf bud borer), was studied on three popular genotypes of groundnut viz., K-6, Narayani and Dharani. Correlation study was done by taking into consideration the means of weather parameters of 2 weeks preceding the SMW and correlated with weekly observations of incidence of gelechiidae insect pest complex. The results indicated that leaf bud borer incidence on popular genotypes of groundnut (Dharani+K6+ Narayani) was negatively correlated with Max T, Min T, SS hours and rainfall, positively correlated with RH-I, RH-II, Mean RH and W. V. Kmph. The correlation studies with groundnut leaf miner indicated that GLM infestation was negatively correlated with Max T, Min T, W. V. Kmph, rainfall and positively correlated with RH-I, RH-II, Mean RH and SS hours. From the results of screening experiment the genotypes ASK-2013-1, K-1563 and TCGS-894 were ranked as highly resistant, TCGS-1156 and K-1628 were ranked as moderately resistant and Narayani and K-6 were ranked as susceptible towards their reaction leaf bud borer. Genotypes TCGS-894 and TCGS-1097 were ranked as highly resistant, ASK-2013-1 was ranked as moderately resistant and Narayani, K-1563, K-4 and Dharani were ranked as susceptible towards their reaction to groundnut leaf miner. Results from the studies on biology of leaf bud borer indicated that except for the incubation period, no significant differences were observed in the biological characters of leaf bud borer, also the results of investigation on the ovipositional and larval preference infer that no significant differences were observed among the test genotypes in terms of number of eggs laid and larval orientation. Correlation with physical characters of groundnut genotypes tested for their reaction to leaf bud borer revealed that the trichomes and leaf thickness had shown significant negative correlation with fifth instar duration and chlorophyll content was significantly positively correlated with total life span. Correlation with biochemical constituents revealed that proteins had significant negative correlation with incubation period and fifth instar duration; phenols showed a significant positive correlation with fifth instar duration; reducing sugars showed positive correlation with incubation period, fifth instar duration, and a negative significant correlation with post-oviposition period. Results from the studies on the biology of groundnut leaf miner showed significant difference with the biological parameters fourth instar duration, fifth instar duration, total larval duration and total life span; results of investigation of the ovipositional and larval preference shows a significant difference among the genotypes in terms of number of eggs laid and larval orientation. Correlation with physical characters of groundnut genotypes tested for their reaction to leaf miner revealed that the trichomes had shown negative correlation with incubation period, third instar duration, fourth instar duration, total larval duration and total life span; thickness had shown negative correlation with incubation period, fourth instar duration, total larval duration and total life span; chlorophyll had not shown any significant correlation with any characters. Correlation with biochemical constituents of groundnut genotypes tested for their reaction to leaf miner revealed that the proteins had shown significant negative correlation with incubation period, fourth instar duration, fifth instar duration, and total larval duration and total life span; phenols showed significant positive correlation with third instar duration, fourth instar duration, fifth instar duration, total larval duration and total life span; reducing sugars showed significant positive correlation with incubation period and total life span.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    GENETIC DIVERSITY FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PRODUCTIVITY TRAITS IN DROUGHT TOLERANT GROUNDNUT GENOTYPES
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2015) VENKATESH, K; Dr. T.SRINIVAS
    The present investigation entitled “Genetic diversity for physiological and productivity traits in drought tolerant groundnut genotypes” was carried out with 50 genotypes to study their diversity, in addition to variability, heritability, genetic advance, character associations and path effects for productivity and physiological traits with a view to identify potential and genetically diverse genotypes along with suitable selection criteria for higher kernel yield in drought tolerant groundnut. The experiment was conducted during kharif’ 2014 in a randomized block design with three replications at the College Farm, Agricultural College, Mahanandi, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh and data was recorded on yield, yield components and physiological traits. The results revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all characters studied, indicating the existence of sufficient variation among the genotypes studied. The per se performance revealed higher number of pods per plant, filled pods per plant and kernels per plant in addition to lower days to maturity, plant height and SLA for spanish bunch genotypes, while virgina genotypes had recorded higher sound mature kernel per cent, 100 kernel weight, shelling per cent, SCMR, pod, haulm and kernel yields per plant. Among the spanish bunch genotypes, those with ICRISAT origin had recorded higher average for pods per plant, filled pods per plant, kernels per plant, SCMR and haulm yield per plant, while the genotype with Tirupathi origin had recorded higher sound mature kernel per cent and 100 kernel weight, in addition to lower days to maturity, plant height and SLA. However, genotypes with Kadiri origin had recorded higher average for pod yield per plant, shelling per cent and kernel yield per plant. In general, K1725 had recorded maximum and significantly higher pod, haulm and kernel yields per plant, compared to other genotypes studied in the present investigation, indicating its potential as an important parent in hybridization programmes aimed at improvement of these traits. Further, it was also observed to be on par with the best genotype for shelling per cent and SCMR. Quantitative assessment of genetic divergence resulted in grouping of the genotypes into nine clusters. Among these, cluster I consisted of maximum genotypes (26), while cluster III had nine genotypes; cluster IV had seven genotypes; cluster VIII had three genotypes. The clusters II, V, VI, VII and IX were monogenotypic and consisted of single genotype. The mode of distribution of xiv genotypes from different geographical regions into various clusters was at random indicating that geographic diversity and genetic diversity are not related. Classification of the genotypes in each cluster based on habit group also revealed the distribution of genotypes to be at random indicating that habit group and genetic diversity were also not related. An analysis of the inter and intra-cluster distances revealed maximum inter-cluster distance between clusters VI and VIII followed by I and VIII indicating that genotypes from these clusters were highly divergent meriting their consideration in selection of parents for hybridization. Further, intra-cluster distance was observed to be maximum for cluster VIII, while it was zero for the monogenotypic clusters, II, V, VI, VII and IX as they included only single genotype. A perusal of the results on cluster means revealed high pods per plant, filled pods per plant, kernels per plant, pod yield per plant, kernel yield per plant and haulm yield per plant for cluster, IX. However, 100 kernel weight was more for cluster VIII. In contrast, high SMK and early maturity was noticed for cluster VII; low plant height and high shelling per cent was observed for cluster V; and high SCMR in addition to low and desirable SLA was recorded for cluster VI, indicating the importance of selection of genotypes from the corresponding clusters in hybridization programmes for effecting improvement of the respective traits. Further, 100 kernel weight was observed to contribute maximum, followed by haulm yield per plant towards the total divergence. An analysis of the results on variability, heritability and genetic advance revealed high GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance as per cent mean for 100 kernel weight, pod yield per plant, haulm yield per plant and kernel yield per plant indicating scope for improvement of these traits through selection. A perusal of the results on character associations revealed positive and significant association of kernel yield with days to maturity, pods per plant, 100 kernel weight, pod yield per plant, shelling per cent, SCMR and haulm yield per plant was observed in the present investigation, indicating an increase in kernel yield with an increase in these characters. Further, significant and negative associations were noticed for kernel yield per plant with plant height. A perusal of the results on inter-character associations revealed significant and positive association of days to maturity with plant height, pods per plant; pods per plant with filled pods per plant, kernels per plant, sound mature kernels per cent, pod yield per plant and haulm yield per plant; filled pods per plant with kernels per plant, sound mature kernels per cent and pod yield per plant; kernels per plant with pod yield per plant; 100 kernel weight with pod yield per plant and SCMR, in the present investigation, indicating a scope for simultaneous improvement of these traits through selection. In contrast, significant and negative association of plant height with SCMR; kernels per plant with 100 kernel weight; sound mature kernels per cent with specific leaf area; pod yield per plant with shelling per cent and SCMR; and shelling(%) with SCMR were observed in the present study, indicating the need for balanced selection while effecting simultaneous improvement for these traits. A perusal of the results on path coefficients revealed high residual effect for both phenotypic and genotypic path coefficients, respectively, indicating that other attributes besides the characters studied are contributing for kernel yield. The results also revealed days to maturity, pods per plant, 100 kernel weight, pod yield per plant, shelling per cent and haulm yield as important selection criteria for kernel yield improvement in drought tolerant groundnut. K 1725, K 1719, K 1717, K1718 and K 1848 have been identified in the present investigation as potential genotypes for kernel yield per plant and majority of other characters studied. Hybridization of K 1725, K 1719, K 1717 and K 1718 genotypes belonging to Cluster III with K 1848 of Cluster I is expected to result in transgressive segregants with high yield and desirable yield component characters. Studies on variability, heritability, character associations and path coefficients also revealed 100 kernel weight, pod and haulm yields per plant to be effective selection criteria for kernel yield improvement in drought tolerant groundnut.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL BEHAVIOUR ON FARMING PERFORMANCE OF COTTON GROWERS IN KURNOOL DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2015) FAYAZ, S; Dr. P.V. SATYA GOPAL
    The present study was conducted with broad objective of studying the impact of entrepreneurial behaviour on farming performance of cotton growers in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh and to study the influence of their personal characteristics on entrepreneurial behaviour and farming performance. The problems faced by the cotton growers and their suggestions to overcome the problems for better entrepreneurship and farming performance were also elicited. Ex-post- facto research design was followed in the present investigation. Adoni, Kosigi, Mantralayam were selected purposively based on the highest area under cotton crop in Kurnool district. Four villages were selected from each mandal thus constituting a total of twelve villages. A total of 120 cotton farmers, 10 from each village were selected randomly. Ten independent variables and the entrepreneurial behaviour, farming performance as the dependant variable were identified for the study. Data were collected from the respondents through pre-tested structured interview schedule individually. Majority of the Cotton growers belonged to middle aged, educated up to primary school, having small land holdings and possessed medium level of farming experience, annual income, social participation, training xii undergone, scientific orientation, marketing facilities and approach banks for micro finance. Majority of Cotton growers had medium level of entrepreneurial behaviour and farming performance. Correlation analysis revealed that there was positive and significant relationship between entrepreneurial behaviour and farming performance of cotton growers. Correlation analysis revealed that age and farming experience had non-significant relationship whereas education, farm size, annual income, social participation, training undergone, scientific orientation, sources of micro finance and marketing facilities had positive and significant relationship with the entrepreneurial behaviour and farming performance of Cotton growers. Regression analysis revealed that out of the 10 selected independent variables age, education, farm size and market facilities are positively and significantly contributed to the most of the variation in entrepreneurial behaviour of Cotton growers. Regression analysis revealed that out of the 10 selected independent variables training undergone, sources of microfinance, scientific orientation and market facilities are positively and significantly contributed to the most of the variation in farming performance of Cotton growers. The results of the ANOVA test clearly indicated that the calculated ‘P’ value was less than the ‘P’ table value among the mean groups of entrepreneurial behaviour and hence it was inferred that there was a significant impact of entrepreneurial behaviour on framing behaviour of cotton growers. Further the results of Duncan Multiple Range test reveals that the respondents under low, medium and high Entrepreneurial behaviour category were not overlapping and each category differ significantly. Non availability of labour, high cost of labour, lack of machinery for cotton cultivation operations, lack low market price, poor quality seeds, low yields, lack of adequate trainings on improved cotton practices, more incidence of pests and diseases, adverse weather conditions, poor extensionfarmer linkages were the major problems expressed by the cotton growers. Requirement of machinery for different cotton cultivation operations, adequate market price, NREGS works should be converged to cotton operations where labour requirement is more, provision of good quality seed, strengthening of training, research facilities to update knowledge and skills, organization of exposure visits to well grown areas to make the farmers understand and adopt new technologies, more number of visits by extension personnel to farmers fields, avoid fluctuation of market price, credit with low interest rate, assured and continued power supply.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND DETECTION OF PHYTOPLASMA INFECTING PULSES
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2015) VIJAY KUMAR NAIK, D; SAILAJA RANI, J
    The present study was carried out for molecular characterization phytoplasmas infecting pulses and studies on their detection and host range. Phytoplasma infected samples of blackgram, greengram, pigeonpea, chickpea, cowpea and fieldbean were collected from Chittoor and Kurnool districts. DNA from plant sample was isolated following CTAB method. The isolated DNA was successfully amplified by nested PCR with phytoplasma specific primers P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2. The resulting amplicons of six isolates were cloned, sequenced and data was assembled. The amplicon was determined as 1250bp. Sequence analysis revealed that blackgram phyllody phytoplasma shared highest identity of 98% with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australasiae’ (Ca. P. australasiae) 16S rDNA II-D followed by sesame phyllody 16S rDNA II-D (98%) whereas greengram phyllody and cowpea phytoplasma shared maximum identity of 99.9% with sesame phyllody 16S rDNA II-D, ‘Ca. P. australasiae’ 16S rDNA II-D and papaya mosaic phytoplasma (Y10096). Chickpea phytoplasma showed highest sequence identity (99.4%) with sesame phyllody 16S rDNA II-D, ‘Ca. P. australasiae’ 16S rDNA II-D and papaya mosaic phytoplasma (Y10096). Fieldbean bud proliferation phytoplasma had shown highest identity of 99.5% with sesame phyllody 16S rDNA II-D, ‘Ca. P. australasiae’ 16S rDNA II-D and papaya mosaic phytoplasma (Y10096) and pigeonpea little leaf phytoplasma shared maximum identity of 100% with sesame phyllody 16S rDNA II-D, ‘Ca. P. australasiae’ 16S rDNA II-D and papaya mosaic phytoplasma (Y10096). The important finding of the work was identification of the 16S rDNA-II phytoplasma with fieldbean, cowpea and pigeonpea for the first time from India. The present results with partial 16S rDNA gene sequence alignment and construction of phylogenetic tree using 16S rDNA gene sequences had clearly established that the phytoplasma infecting blackgram, greengram, redgram, cowpea, chickpea and fieldbean belongs to ‘Candidatus phytoplasma aurantifolia’ (16S rDNA-II) in Andhra Pradesh. Totally 32 other crop plants and weed hosts were collected for host range studies of phytoplasma. The DNA was isolated from 32 weeds and other crops showing phytoplasma disease symptoms and subjected to PCR amplification with phytoplasma specific primers R16F2n/R16R2. The result shows that R16F2n/R16R2 primer amplified 1250bp product in 19 weeds and other crop species. They are Cleome gynendra, Solanum duclamara, Portulaca oleracea, Pergularia daemia, Aerva lanata, Celosia argentea, Parthenium hysterophorus, Tephrosia purpurea, Solanum melongena, Solanum lycopersicum, Sesamum indicum, Cleome viscosa, Croton bonplandianum, Saccharum officinarum, Citrullus lanatus, Capsicum annuum, Borreria hispida, Cassia auriculata and Arachis hypogaea. The notable contribution in the present study was identification of six new hosts for phytoplasma for the first time in the Andhra Pradesh. They are Cleome gynendra, Solanum duclamara, Portulaca oleracea, Aerva lanata, Celosia argentea and Pergularia daemia in Andhra Pradesh. The above results indicate that phytoplasma have wide host range. Greengram variety LGG-460 was used to detect the phytoplasma by PCR at different stages of crop growth. Phytoplasma infected three greengram plants were collected for DNA isolation at 30, 45, 60 and 75 DAS from the same plants and performed PCR with R16F2n/R16R2 primers. Samples collected at 30 and 45 DAS gave good amplification of expected product size in PCR with R16F2n/R16R2 primers, but weak bands were observed in samples collected from 60 and 75 DAS, thus indicating that the optimum age for the detection of phytoplasma in greengram is 3045 DAS. The present result shows that the PCR techniques described here allows rapid, sensitive and accurate detection of phytoplasma in plants that are showing typical phytoplasma disease symptoms.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    POTASSIUM RELEASE CHARACTERSTICS AND RESPONSE TO POTASSIUM APPLICATION IN RICE (Oryza sativa L.) GROWING SOILS OF KURNOOL DISTRICT
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2015) SWAMANNA, J; KAVITHA, P
    The present investigation entitled “Potassium release characteristics and response to potassium application in rice (Oryza sativa L.) growing soils of Kurnool district” was conducted with 30 soil samples (black and red) to study the different forms of potassium, release pattern of potassium with incubation studies. A pot culture experiment was also conducted to study the response of rice crop to different levels of potassium and uptake. Non exchangeable potassium release pattern was studied using 1N HNO3 and data presented cumulative K, step K and constant K. The soils under study are moderately coarse to fine in texture, neutral to slightly alkaline with a mean pH value of 7.99 and EC ranging from 0.14 to 1.52 dS m-1. The Cation Exchange Capacity of the soils was ranged as 11.21 to 26.91 C mol (p+) kg-1. The organic carbon content of the soils was in the range of 0.26 to 0.94%. The soils were low to medium in available N with the range of 186 to 327 kg ha-1, except one village all villages are high in available P which were in the range of 38 to 115 kg P2O5 ha-1 and medium to high in available K with the range of 185 to 1158 kg K2O ha-1 and the exchangeable cations were in the order of Ca+2 > Mg+2 > Na+ > K+. xiv Among the five extractants, the mean extracting efficiency of potassium was found to be in the order of 1 N HNO3 > Mehilich-3 > 1 N NH4OAc > 0.01M CaCl2 > Distilled water. The mean values of water soluble K, available K, exchangeable K, non-exchangeable K and fixed K were 20.42, 189.60, 169.18, 329.63 and 519.23 mg kg-1 soil. Positive correlation was observed among the forms of potassium. Non-exchangeable K had significant positive relationship with other K fractions indicating that equilibrium exists between different forms of potassium in the soil. In incubation study, the NH4OAc extractable K of most of soils at K applied (80 kg K2O ha-1) were increased from 0 DAI to 35 DAI, which indicates that solubilisation of added K and increase in the intensity factor. Later there was a gradual decrease from 60 DAI to 110 DAI indicating the conversion of available K in to non-exchangeable form. Whereas in case of control soils (0 kg K2O ha-1) K was released even though fertilizer K was not applied up to 110 days of incubation. It is supporting fact that the K will be released from the non-exchangeable sites when external K application was not there. In the study of potassium release parameters, the black soils released higher amounts of mean cumulative K (864.11 mg kg-1) and step K (773.32 mg kg-1) than red soils. Whereas mean constant K release was high in red soils than black soils. Lower amounts of cumulative K was observed in all soils except in Midthuru soil under present investigation. Lower cumulative K and continuous cropping would leads to depletion of soil K reserves and result in K deficiency. In pot culture studies a fertilizer K level of 80 kg K2O ha-1 was required for better yield of rice; significant difference was observed with soil K status, K levels and their interaction on different plant parameters. The response to the applied K in terms of yield and uptake was observed in Midthuru soils having high initial available K status indicating that even though soils are higher available K may not match with crop uptake, this need its external application particularly for high K requirement of crops. Among the 5 extractants tried, 1N HNO3 showed highly significant and positive correlation with grain yield (r = 0.744**) and uptake of K (shoot (r = 0.445*), grain (r = 0.780*) and whole plant (0.588**)) rice crop followed by Mehilich-3 and 1 N NH4OAc (pH 7.0) in rice growing soils of Kurnool district. The maximum positive correlation of plant parameters was found with fixed K and non-exchangeable K. The correlation coefficient with xv water soluble K and plant parameters was estimated to be lowest. Thus, it could be concluded that non exchangeable K and fixed K should be taken into consideration while giving fertilizer recommendation.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON STABILITY FOR YIELD AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS ACROSS RICE GROWING ENVIRON
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2015) SIVAKRISHNA, NESE; SRINIVAS, T
    The present investigation was carried out with 21 rice genotypes at the College Farm of Agricultural College, Mahanandi of Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University during kharif 2014 to identify stable genotypes across kharif seasons, in addition to assessment of variability, genetic parameters, character association and path coefficients for yield, yield components and physiological characters. The experimental material was sown in randomized block design with three replications during the three seasons of study, namely early kharif, normal kharif and late kharif. Observations were recorded on five randomly selected plants for yield, yield components and physiological characters. The data was subjected to standard statistical procedures for drawing of valid conclusions and interpretations. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for early kharif, normal kharif and late kharif revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all characters studied in all the three seasons, indicating the existence of sufficient variation among the genotypes studied. Pooled analysis revealed significant mean squares due to genotypes and seasons for grain yield and the yield component traits studied in the present investigation, indicating the existence of significant variation among the genotypes studied in addition to considerable seasonal variance. Highly significant genotype x season interaction was also observed for the various traits, indicating a variable response of the genotype to the different seasons studied. Further, a perusal of the results on seasonal indices for grain yield and yield component traits also revealed variable response of the seasons to the different traits studied. Normal kharif was observed to be congenial for productive tillers per plant, filled grains per panicle, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR), dry matter production at harvest, CGR, RGR and grain yield per plant, while early kharif was noticed to be conducive for panicle length. In contrast, late kharif was observed to be suitable for days to maturity, plant height and 1000 seed weight. A perusal of the results on stability ANOVA revealed the significance of seasons+ (genotypes x seasons) interaction for all traits studied. Further partitioning of the season + (genotype x season) component into season (linear) revealed the significance of season (linear) component for all the traits, except, CGR, indicating the significance of differences between seasons and their influence on the genotypes for expression of these traits. Genotype x season (linear) was also observed to be significant for all the characters studied indicating that the genotypes were diverse for their regression response to change with the season. The mean squares for pooled deviation (non-linear) were also significant for all characters indicating that both linear and non-linear components contributed to the genotype x season interaction observed for various traits in the present investigation. An analysis of the results on the stability parameters, namely, mean (X), regression coefficient (bi) and deviation from regression coefficient (S2di) revealed greater number of genotypes with wider adaptability across seasons for various traits studied, compared to genotypes adapted to specific season (poor / favourable). Eight genotypes (MTU 11371-44-1-1, MTU 11320-30-1-1, KNM 604, WGL 678, BPT 2615, JGL 21078, RNR 11442 and RNR 11718) were noticed to possess high grain yield per plant in addition to non-significant regression coefficient (bi=1) and deviation from regression (S2di=0). Among these, RNR 11718, MTU PS 8-7-1-1 and MTU 11371-4-1-1 were identified as potential genotypes suitable for cultivation across the paddy growing kharif seasons prevalent in the zone. The genotype, BPT 2671, however, had recorded high grain yield per plant, in addition to bi>1 and S2di=0, indicating its suitability for favourable season alone, namely, normal kharif under the scarce rainfall zone conditions of Andhra Pradesh. The studies on genetic parameters of variability revealed high range combined with moderate GCV and PCV, in addition to high heritability and high genetic advance as per cent mean in the present study for filled grains per panicle, indicating the preponderance of additive gene action and therefore scope for improvement of the trait through selection. A perusal of the results on character associations and path co-efficients revealed phenotypic and genotypic correlations and path co-efficients of similar direction and significance. The genotypic correlations and path co-efficients were also in general higher than phenotypic correlation and path co-efficient values for almost all the characters, indicating the masking effect of environment on these traits. The results also revealed high residual effect for both phenotypic and genotypic path co-efficients, respectively, indicating that variables studied in the present investigation explained only about 77 (phenotypic) and 71 (genotypic) per cent of the variability in grain yield and therefore, other attributes, besides the characters studied are contributing for grain yield per plant. A detailed analysis of the direct and indirect effects revealed high positive direct effect of 1000 seed weight followed by filled grains per panicle on grain yield per plant. These traits had also recorded highly significant and strong positive association with grain yield per plant. High direct effects of these traits therefore appear to be the main factor for their strong association with grain yield. Hence, these traits should be considered as important selection criteria in all rice improvement programmes and direct selection for these traits is recommended for yield improvement. RNR 11718, MTU PS 8-7-1-1 and MTU 11371-44-1-1 are identified as stable and widely adaptable genotypes for cultivation across seasons, in addition to BPT 2671 for cultivation during normal kharif season only, under the scarce rainfall zone conditions of Andhra Pradesh. Further, filled grains per panicle and 1000 seed weight are identified as potential selection criteria for effective improvement of grain yield in rice.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    DYNAMICS OF SOIL CHARACTERISTICS AS INFLUENCED BY ORGANIC AND INORGANIC SOURCES OF NUTRIENTS IN RICE FALLOW MAIZE CROPPING SYSTEM
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2015) MOHANA RAO, PULI; Dr. P.R.K. PRASAD
    In order to arrive at a profitable and eco-friendly nutrient management, it is necessary to consider cropping sequence as a whole rather than an individual crop, as the need for different nutrients by a crop would vary depending upon the preceding crop and its nutrient management. With this background, a field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2011-2012 and 2012-2013) on fine texture soils of Agricultural college farm, Bapatla. The experiment was laidout in a randomized block design for rice in kharif season with four treatments and replicated five times. The treatments consisted of M1 (RDF - Control), M2 (10t FYM ha-1 + RDF), M3 (1.5t vermicompost ha-1 + RDF), M4 (Green manuring + RDF). During the immediate rabi, the experiment was laid out in a split-plot design without disturbing the soil for succeeding maize with the four treatments given to kharif rice as main plot treatments and each of these divided into five sub-plots to receive five levels of fertilizer NPK application viz., N1 - 75%NPK, N2 - 100% NPK, N3 - 125% NPK, N4 - 150% NPK and N5 - 175% NPK for succeeding maize. The experiment on rice - maize sequence as detailed above was repeated on a separate site but in the same block during kharif 2012 and rabi 2013, respectively. Popular cultivars of rice and maize, BPT – 5204 and 30 V 92, respectively, were used for the study. Data collected on growth parameters viz., plant height, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes, grain yield, straw yield and nutrient content of rice were significantly higher with the application of 100%NPK in combination with FYM @10t ha-1. However, it was on par with that of green manuringtogether with 100% NPK during both the years of the study. Data collected on succeeding maize on growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, and nutrient content and uptake were significantly influenced by the nutrient management imposed to preceding rice crop, irrespective of NPK levels given to succeeding maize in the sequence. Plant height, dry matter accumulation, cob length, number of kernels cob-1 and kernel weight cob-1, test weight, kernel yield, stover yield, nutrient content and uptake of maize recorded in all those plots, which received organics along with 100% NPK to preceding rice were more than those received fertilizer NPK alone. Irrespective of nutrient management in kharif rice, increased N PK application to maize (75% to 175%) increased the kernel yield significantly in both the years (6825kg ha-1 to 8949kg ha-1 and 6544kg ha-1 to 8367kg ha-1, respectively). The maximum kernel yield (9116kg ha-1) of maize during 2012 was recorded with the application of 175% NPK and the residual effect of green manuring along with 100% NPK imposed to preceding rice crop whereas it was recorded with the application of 175% NPK and the residual effect of FYM @ 10t ha-1 along with 100% NPK imposed to preceding rice crop during 2013. The data regarding influence of organics applied to preceding rice crop and NPK levels applied to maize on nutrient content and uptake at different growth stages during both the years of the study was increased significantly with increase in level of NPK application to maize up to 125% NPK (N3) whereas, the treatments N3, N4 and N5 were on par with each other regardless the organics applied to preceding rice crop during both the years of the study. Application of organics in combination with inorganic fertilizers to preceding rice crop, irrespective of NPK levels, resulted in significant increase in nutrient content and uptake of succeeding maize in rabi than the treatment that had not received organics during both the years of study. In general, the available nutrient status and soil fertility status after harvest of each cropping sequence was higher by following organics along with 100% NPK imposed to preceding rice crop than that of 100% NPK alone.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF POWER OPERATED CLEANER CUM PEARLER FOR FINGER MILLET
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2015) Er. V. VENKATA TEJASWINI; Dr. D. BHASKARA RAO
    Finger Millet (Eleusine coracona), popularly known as Ragi, has high yield potential of greater than 10 t/ha under optimum irrigated conditions. Usually millet seeds have four layers namely hull, bran, germ and endosperm. Among these, endosperm is only the edible part of millet. Bran and germ are rich in oil and hence affect the storage quality of millets. So dehulling / pearling of finger millet is necessary to remove the hull, bran and germ to increase the shelf life of the pearled grain and flour. In traditional dehulling, the grain is mixed with water, allowed to stand for 5 minutes and pounded with a wooden pestle for 10-15 minutes. Then grains are subjected to drying and then winnowing operation to remove the bran and other fine material. The pounding and winnowing processes are repeated several times till the good quality millet is obtained. The most rustic equipment for cleaning is the winnower fan, air blowers etc., This operation is time consuming, laborious and uneconomical to the farmers. Therefore, there is a need to develop a suitable small scale cleaner cum pearling unit for finger millet so that the pearling losses can be reduced and it can be useful for farmers with small land holdings. The effect of moisture content of 10, 13 and 16 % (w.b) on physical properties has been evaluated for finger millet of saptagiri variety. The average values of physical properties observed were length : 1.63 to 1.7 mm, width : 1.58 to1.65 mm, thickness : 1.43 to 1.54, geometric mean diameter : 1.54 to1.622mm, sphericity : 0.942 to 0.955, surface area : 7.4 to 8.2 mm2, volume : 1.74 to 2.26 mm3,thousand grain weight : 2.56 to 3.51g, porosity : 40.1 to 45.2, angle of repose : 25.5˚ to 30.5˚, static coefficient of friction for galvanized iron : 0.39 to 0.423, mild steel : 0.43 to 0.456, stainless steel 0.35 to 0.356 and terminal velocity : 2.56 to 3.4 m/s were increased as moisture content increased from 10 to 16 % w.b. Bulk density and true density were decreased from 740.6 to 671.4 kg/m3 and 1289 to 1232 kg/m3 respectively with the increase in moisture content from 10 to 16% w.b. Name of the Author : V. VENKATA TEJASWINI Title of the thesis : “DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF POWER OPERATED CLEANER CUM PEARLER FOR FINGER MILLET” Degree to which it is submitted : Master of Technology Faculty : Agricultural Engineering Major field of study : PROCESSING AND FOOD ENGINEERING Major Advisor : Dr. D.BHASKARA RAO University : Acharya N.G Ranga Agricultural University Year of Submission : 2016 The developed cleaner cum pearler for finger millet machine consisted of cleaning unit, hopper, and outer cylinder, inner cylinder with 12 cotton felts (10 x 10 x 1 cm) with one end of them bolted on its surface, main frame, aspirator (0.5hp) and electric motor (2.5hp). The cleaning unit consisted of stainless steel plate with circular perforations of 2 mm diameter which works on the principle of vibration through which the cleaned grains goes into pearling unit which consists of inner and outer cylinders. The clearance between cylinders was 2 cm and 1 cm at cotton felts for maximum compression and shearing of grains so that the grains get pearled. Pearled grain enter into closed outlet at the middle of which a pipe from the aspirator was fixed so that the husk and other lighter particles were collected by suction and cleaned, pearled grains were collected at the other end of the outlet. The cleaning efficiency of the machine was 88.2%. The performance of the machine was tested for its pearling efficiency, percentage of broken grain at speeds 1400, 900,500, 300 rpm; moisture contents 10, 13, 16 % (w.b) and at feed rates 90, 120, 150 kg/h for two passes. The optimum value of pearling efficiency was 80.1 % , 4.3 % of broken grain at 10% w.b moisture content, 900 rpm at 150 kg/h feed rate (II pass). The pearling efficiency decreased with increase in moisture content and increased with the increase of cylinder speed and feed rate. The percentage of broken grain decreased with the increase in moisture content and feed rate and increased with increase in cylinder speed. The highest percentage of broken grain was found to be 9.5 % at 10 % w.b moisture content, 1400 rpm at 90kg/h (II pass). The operating cost of the machine per kg was Rs 0.326/-. Key words: Finger millet, physical properties, small scale cleaner cum pearler, moisture content, Screen effectiveness, pearling efficiency, percentage of broken grain.