Yield and Seed Quality of Summer Green Gram as Influenced by Weed Management under Zero Tillage

Background: Weeds are primary factors that adversely affect growth, yield and seed quality of summer green gram, which can be minimized with adoption of proper weed management practices. This field experiment was conducted to find out the effective weed management practice in summer green gram (Vigna radiata) under zero tillage condition. Methods: In this field-laboratory investigation conducted during summer season 2019 on different herbicides were applied to manage weeds in summer green gram. Eight treatments were applied based on various application windows. In the field and laboratory, the collected samples were determined for growth parameters, nutrient uptakes, seed yield and seed quality of summer green gram. Result: The result revealed that weed free treatment recorded higher growth parameters like, plant height, number of branch/plant, number of leaves/plant and root biomass which was statically at par with Shaked (Propaquizafop + Imezathyper) as post-emergence (POE) at 20 DAS and Pendimethalin as pre-emergence (PE) followed by one hand weeding 20 DAS. Same trends were also observed in seed yield, nutrient content and uptake by seeds. Seed quality parameters like germination per cent (98.00), shoot (25.63 cm) root (14.20 cm) and seedling length (39.83 cm), seedling dry weight (0.16 g), vigour index I (3903.33) and vigour index II (14.96) was higher under weed free followed by Shaked (Propaquizafop + Imezathyper) and Pendimethalin as (PE followed by one hand weeding 20 DAS over weed check.

Effect of Pre-sowing Treatments on Vegetative Growth and Production of Graftable Rootstocks in Mango

The present investigations “Studies on the effect of pre-sowing treatment and time of wedge grafting on production of saleable grafts in mango” were carried out in the nursery block of Fruit Science Department. The study was conducted using wild mangoes seeds. The seeds were divided in two equal halves, one half of seeds were sown with intact seed coat (K1) while, in other half the mango kernels were extracted (K2), both type of seeds were then soaked in 6 different chemicals of varying concentrations viz. C1- KNO3 @ 0.5%, C2- KNO3 @ 1%, C3- KNO3 @ 1.5%, C4- BA @ 50 ppm, C5- BA @ 100 ppm, C6- GA3 @ 100 ppm, C7- GA3 @ 200 ppm, C8- beejaaumrit @ 2%, C9- beejaaumrit @ 3%, C10- panchgavya @ 2%, C11- panchgavya @ 3% for 12 hours and C12- Control. The germination and vegetative parameters were observed. The results of study revealed that the e×tracted kernels pre-soaked with GA3 @ 100 ppm produced earliest germination, 50 % germination, high rate of germination, germination percentage, number of leaves, maximum leaf area, highest seedling vigour index, while, on pre-soaking extracted kernel with KNO3 @ 0.5% produced maximum seedling diameter. The Seedling raised from extracted kernels pre-soaked in KNO3 @ 0.5% (C1K2) attained graftable diameter within 210 days of sowing. The present investigation was conducted during 2019-2020 at the nursery block of College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri Hamirpur (H.P) to study the effect of pre-sowing treatments on germination, growth and production of graft-able seedlings.

EFFECT OF ELECTROSTATIC FIELD ON SOYBEAN SEED GERMINATION PARAMETARS

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of electrostatic fields on seed vigor, mean rate of germination and coefficient of velocity of germination of five soybean genotypes. Testing was conducted at the Novi Sad Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops on the seeds of five soybean varieties: Sava, NS 2024, NS 1347, NS 3127, and NS Blackstar. The seeds were exposed to different values of direct current (DC) of the following voltage: 0 V (control), 3 V, 6 V and 9 V, to which the seeds were exposed for 0 min (control), 1 min and 3 min. After exposing the seeds to the electric field, the vigour index (VI), mean rate of germination (MGR) and coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG). The results show that the effect of the electrostatic field on seed vigour, mean rate of germination and coefficient of velocity of germination depends on the genotype, voltage and exposure time. The application of DC can be a suitable method for improving vigour index (VI), mean rate of germination (MGR) and coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG). In addition, the results indicate that it is necessary to adjust the DC treatment (voltage and duration of exposure of seeds) to a particular genotype, since inadequate treatments may deteriorate the quality of seeds. Keywords: electrostatic field, vigor index, MGR, CVG, soybean

Standardization of optimum sieve size for maximizing seed quality in Amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor L.)

Vegetables have a critical function in human health and nutritional security. Vegetables are considered an essential building block of any diet. Out of the leafy vegetables, Amaranthus is the most popular and salable vegetable consumed by people all over India. Seed processing experiment was undertaken in Amaranthus tricolor (CO 2) by using the sieves placed inside the mechanical seed shaker (Gyratory sieve shaker) to improve the quality of Amaranthus seeds. The seeds of Amaranthus were size graded with seed shaker attached with various sieve size of BSS 18 X18 (R), BSS 20 X 20 (R), BSS 22 X 22 (R) and BSP 22 X 22 (P). During processing, the machine could be adjusted for 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes with an oscillating speed of 1440 rpm. The separated seeds were evaluated for seed quality characteristics such as seed germination percentage, shoot length, root length, dry matter production, 1000 seed weight and seed recovery percentage. The results revealed that the sieve size of BSS 22 X 22 (R=retained) mesh sieve had the better quality seeds with a maximum recovery of 67.41 g and when it is operated for a period of 5 minutes. The germination percentage was improved from 77 % to 95 % with 1000 seed weight of 73.21 mg, and the observed recovery was 56 per cent with the vigour index of 1145. Hence, BSS 22 X 22 retained mesh sieve with a duration of 5 minutes could be recommended as an optimum sieve size for grading Amaranthus seeds for improving the seed quality.

Impact of Organic Seed Priming Amendments and Botanicals on Seed Quality Parameters of French Bean (Phaseolous vulgaris L.)

The current experiment was conducted to evaluate the Performance of Organic amendments and botanical treatments on seed quality parameters of French bean under stimulated environmental conditions. An experiment was conducted in 2021 at postgraduate seed testing laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj. The French bean Cultivar Arka Bold seeds were used for priming. Organic treatments are designated as Panchagavya 2%, 4%,6%,8%, Agniasthra 2%,4%,6%,8% and Botanicals treatments are Tulasi leaf extract 5%, Aloevera leaf extract 5%, Vinca rosea leaf extract 5% and also did hydroprming treatment using distilled water respectively. Seeds were soaked in organic, botanicals and in distilled water for duration of 6 hours followed by shade drying. The results were obtained and it was found that all the treatments showed significant effect on quality parameters. The highest was found in panchgavya of all doses followed by tulasi leaf extract found to be best in Germination percentage, Speed of Germination, Root length, Shoot length, Seedling length, Seed vigour index-I, Seed vigour Index-II compared to control or untreated seeds which indicates the effect of organics and botanicals on physiological processes of the seeds. This study revealed that priming with organic amendments and botanicals can be effective in enhancing the seed quality parameters of french bean and they are low cost, effective and nature friendly and toxic free.

Effect of Soaking Maize Seeds with Selenium and Chitosan on Improving Germination, Vigour and Viability of Seed and Seedling

An experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Seed Technology-College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad – Iraq, to studying the stimulation of maize seeds by soaking with selenium and chitosan to improve the vigour and viability of seeds. By using factorial experiment according to the Complete Random Design (CRD) with three replications. The seeds of two synthetic cultivars of maize (Baghdad 3 and Buhoth 5018) were soaked in selenium solutions at two concentrations (2 and 5 mg L-1), and chitosan (100 and 500 mg L-1) for 10 hours, as well as the two control treatments, which were dried seeds (without soaking) and the seeds soaked in distilled water. Results are shown that low concentration of 2 mg L-1 give highest mean were recorded in the percentage of germination in the first and final counts, the mean time germination, length of root and the plumule, the seedling vigour index, germination speed, and dry weight of the seedling. Seeds soaking with the solutions containing chitosan at both concentrations did not give significant results compared to the selenium treatments, both cultivars differed significantly in some germination characteristics and the vigour and viability of the seed: (length of root and the plumule, dry weight of the seedling). The results also showed a significant effect of the interaction between seed soaking treatments and cultivar on all studied traits. We conclude from this study that treatments of stimulating seeds by soaking them with distilled water and solutions of selenium and chitosan positively affected germination and its characteristics, so we recommend using low concentrations of selenium and chitosan to improve seed germination, vigour, and viability of the seedling.

Date palm compost versus peat and perlite: a comparative study on germination and plant development of muskmelon and tomato

This research was carried out in the experimental site of the Arid and Oasian cultures Laboratory of the Institute of Arid Regions, Medenine, Tunisia. It aims at studying the effects of compost on seed germination patterns, seedling growth, and plant development of muskmelon and tomato under greenhouse conditions. Three growth media were used: compost of date palm wastes and two reference media (peat and perlite). The results showed that compost presented a promising threshold of both maturity and stability, which is related to its neutral pH, C : N ratio, greater humic acid vs fulvic acid, and low values of chlorophyll-type compounds. Seeds of muskmelon and tomato germinated at varying liquid compost extract concentrations and muskmelon reached higher germination index values even at the pure extract solution (100%). Moreover, seeds of both species germinated relatively faster in peat than in compost and an overall delay in germination was observed, with a more pronounced reduction on tomato germination percentage. Produced seedlings have attained a similar vigour index among media (p <0.05). Compost of date palm was more suitable for muskmelon stem elongation and leaf-enlarging capacity than perlite. However, the gustative quality of fruits was not significantly affected by the medium-types. Thus, it is concluded the promoising effect of compost of date palm as potting medium and substrate in soilless culture under greenhouse conditions unless a pertinent choice of cultures.

Genetic Variability Studies Based on Morpho-Physiological Traits Related to Temperature; Seedling Growth; Development and Phenology of Soybean [(Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

The present experiment was conducted with an aim to understand genetic variability and heritability among 30 soybean genotypes of different geographical locations during Kharif 2019 at TCA, Dholi, Bihar in Randomized Complete Block Design accommodating 30 genotypes randomly in three replicates. These genotypes evaluated for twenty-seven traits: five phenological, nine agro-morphological, eight physiological traits (from field trial) and five physiological traits from laboratory experiment recorded and subjected to statistical and biometrical analyses. Considerable variability was observed for these traits which revealed usefulness of existing genetic variability for all 27 attributes amongst which vigour index II, seedling dry weight, specific leaf weight and 100- seed weight was trust worthy (GCV in close correspondence with PCV; high h2bs & high GAM reflecting additive gene action) for selection criteria.

Screening of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss) Genotypes with Respect to Seedling Growth Physiology under Salinity and High-Temperature Stress

The experiment was carried out to screen mustard genotypes under individual and combined salinity and high-temperature stress at seedling stage. Seeds after being sown in soil-filled trays were subjected to two levels of salinity stress i.e. 4.0 dSm-1 and 6.0 dSm-1, and high-temperature (40℃), and their performances were also compared with control (1.2 dSm-1). Contrasting sets of genotypes were selected on the basis of seedling growth parameters such as germination percentage, seedling length, dry weight of seedlings, vigour index-I and vigour index-II, recorded in 15-day-old seedlings. With consideration to the genotypic variations observed under all the treatments, genotypes CS2009-347 and CS-52 were identified as tolerant, and genotypes CS2009-256 and CS2009-145 were identified as susceptible under salinity and high-temperature stress conditions. The results also revealed that the impact of salinity and high-temperature in combination on mustard at seedling stage was more detrimental than that of their effects under individual conditions. These findings of genotypic variations in terms of tolerance in seedling stage of Indian mustard might be helpful in selection of genotypes with improved tolerance to salinity and high-temperature.

Evaluation of Blackgram [(Vigna mungo (L)] Genotypes for Saline Tolerance at Seedling Stage Using Sea Water

Blackgram is one of the most highly prized pulse crops, cultivated in almost all parts of India.Soil salinity is one ofthe major factors responsible for losses in agriculturalproduction in most of the arid and semi-arid regions in theworld leading to loss in yield. The experiment was maintained for 10 days and all the observations from the seedlings namely germination percentage, shoot length, root length, dry matter production, vigour index I and vigour index II were recorded from each replicate and mean was worked out.On the basis of physiological parameters, the blackgram genotypes were discriminated into tolerant, moderate and sensitive to salinity.Germination per cent decreased by 85.5%, root length reduced by 75.68%, shoot length reduced by 61.73% while seedling length decreased by 22.30% in T4 treatment as compared to the T1 (control) treatment among all the blackgram genotypes. Seedling dry weight reduced by 40.04 folds in T4 treatment as compared to the T1 (control) treatment. Looking to the vigour index, seedling vigour index-I (length basis) and seedling vigour index-II (Dry weight basis) decreased by 0.03 and 1.18 folds, respectively. Out of 20 genotypes, four genotypes viz., IC-204869, TPU-94-2, IC-21485, and IC-214844 were found to be tolerant to salinity. thirteengenotypes were found to be moderately tolerant and three genotype viz.,SKNU-03-03, SKNU-0703, and SKNU-06-03 are sensitive to salinity.