Effect of sowing methods and weeding regimes on the yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University to observe the effect of sowing methods and weeding regimes on the yield of sesame. The experiment comprised of two factors. Two methods of sowing i.e., broadcasting and line sowing (S2), and six weeding regimes- control (T0), weed free (T1), one hand weeding at 15 DAS (T2), two hand weedings at 15 and 30 DAS (T3), three hand weedings at 15, 30 and 45 DAS (T4) and application of Panida (Pendimethalin) herbicide (T5) at 3 DAS. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Almost all the yield characters of sesame were affected significantly due to sowing methods, weeding regime and their interaction. Result showed that the l ine sowing showed better performance regarding plant height (100.40 cm), number of branches (4.983) plant–1, number of capsules plant–1 (47.82), number of seeds capsule–1 (69.66), 1000–seed weight (2.96 g), seed yield (956.90 kg ha–1), stover yield (2167.0 kg ha–1), biological yield (3123.00 kg ha–1) and harvest index (31.45%) than that of broadcasting method. Also weed free treatment had the highest plant height (101.90 cm), highest number of branches (5.00) plant-1, highest capsule (47.08) plant–1, heaviest 1000–seed weight (3.28 g), highest number of seeds capsule–1 (76.22), highest seed yield (974.30 kg ha–1), stover yield (2947.0 kg ha–1) and biological yield (3922.0 kg ha–1) as compared to other treatments while unweeded plot had least significant effect among the whole yield and yield attributes of sesame. In case of interactions, both weed free treatment and herbicidal effect with line sowing methods produced the highest plant height, number of branches and capsules plant–1, seeds capsule–1, seed yield, stover yield and biological yield (109.80 cm, 5.967, 56.57, 81.53, 1054.0 kg ha–1, 3139.0 kg ha–1 and 4193.0 kg ha–1, respectively) as compared to other interaction combinations. The results of the study reveal that the weed free treatment along with line sowing would be the proper technique for higher production of sesame. But line sowing along with application of Panida herbicide would be the best combination for obtaining higher yield of sesame since it is not feasible for the farmers to keep their field weed free throughout all the growing periods. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.8(3): 291-299, December 2021

Influence of irrigation and hydrogel application on yield and economics of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under Eastern UP condition

An experiment was conducted at CRF (Crop Research Farm), Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj, (U.P.) during Zaid crop season 2020. The soil of site was sandy loam in texture with neutral PH. The experiment was carried out in split plot design having nine treatment consisted of main plot Irrigation viz., I1 (2 Irrigation during Emergence and Early Tillering), I2 (3 Irrigation during Emergence, Early Tillering and Boot stage) and I3 (4 Irrigation during Emergence, Early Tillering, Boot stage and Grain filling) and sub plot, Hydrogel viz., H0 (0 kg/ha), H1 (2 kg/ha) and H2 (4 kg/ha) which are replicated thrice and effect was observed on Manipuri variety of Bajra. The result indicated that increase in irrigation interval and hydrogel significantly improved yield attributes and yield. At, harvesting, 4 irrigation recorded maximum of Grain yield (1.88 t/ha), Stover yield (4.31 t/ha) and Harvest index (30.24 %) hydrogel also resulted significantly higher Grain yield (1.98 t/ha), Stover yield (4.44 t/ha) and Harvest index (30.79 %) Maximum Gross return (69222.96/ha), Net return (45066.76/ha) and Benefit to Cost ratio (2.87) were recorded by application of 4 kg/ha hydrogel with 4 irrigation.

Effect of Sowing Dates, Tillage and Establishment Methods on Growth and Yield of Mustard

This experiment was conducted at College Farm, Agricultural College, Polasa, Jagtial in Rabi, 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in strip-plot design with T1-Zero tillage with direct sowing, T2-Zero tillage with transplanting, T3-Conventional tillage with direct sowing and T4-Conventional tillage with transplanting in 4 horizontal strips and D1-15 November, D2-25 November and D3-5 December sowing dates in 3 vertical strips. Nursery was prepared 15 days earlier to sowing date for transplanting. Direct sowing and transplanting was carried out on same date. Among tillage practices with establishment methods, significantly the highest performance of growth parameters was obtained with T4 and lowest response under T1. Significantly higher values of growth parameters were recorded under early sowing date (15 November) followed by 25 November and lowest was registered on 5 December. The number of siliqua plant-1, seeds siliqua-1 was significantly higher under T4 which resulted in higher seed yield (754.38 kg ha-1), stover yield (1815.40 kg ha-1) and was comparable with T3. Higher number of siliqua per plant-1 and number of seeds per siliqua-1 resulting in higher seed yield (944.55 kg ha-1) and stover yield (1943.12 kg ha-1) were recordeed on 15 November followed by 25 November and lowest was registered on 5 December.

Agrometeorological Indices, Crop Phenology and Yield of Pigeon pea as Influenced by Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) based Intercropping System

A field investigation was conducted at experimental farm, Department of Agricultural Meteorology, located at college of Agriculture, V.N.M.K.V, Parbhani during kharif season of 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three replication, under this study there were nine treatments viz. T1 (Pigeon pea + Sorghum), T2 (Pigeon pea + Maize), T3 (Pigeon pea + Soybean), T4 (Pigeon pea + Sesamum), T5 (Pigeon pea), T6 (Sorghum), T7 (Maize), T8 (Soybean), T9 (Sesamum). In pigeon pea the highest total agrometeorological indices (GDD, HTU and PTU) accumulated by intercropped treatment T1 as compared to sole, by sorghum, maize and sesamum was highest in intercropped treatment i.e. (T1), (T2) and (T4) than in sole whereas, the accumulated agrometeorological indices by soybean was highest in sole treatment i.e. (T8) than intercropped (T3). Significantly higher Pigeon pea equivalent yield was attained with treatment T3 followed by T4, lowest recorded in T1 intercropping system. The highest stalk / stover yield was attained by T2 as compared to sole whereas, lowest was recorded in T8. Treatment T3 performed better than other and this treatment was better in terms of growth and yield attributing characters.

Performance of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) varieties under Azadirachta indica L. shade and open condition in hot-arid region of Rajasthan

The mustard production and productivity of the hot arid region of Rajasthan is dominated by both genetic makeup and environmental conditions. An experiment was conducted with four mustard varieties (RGN-73, RGN-229, RH-30 and Pusa bold) in two growing environments (open environment and neem shade). Pusa bold gave significantly higher plant height than other varieties. Among varieties, RGN-73 had significantly higher number of branches per plant, dry matter accumulation per plant, siliquae per plant, seed yield, stover yield, biological yield, harvest index and heat use efficiency than other varieties. However, significantly higher test weight was in Pusa bold variety. Under open environment condition, significantly higher growth, yield attributes, yield, harvest index and heat use efficiency were found as compared to neem shade environment. The results revealed that variety RGN-229 took more days for completion of life cycle as compared to other varieties, hence RGN-229 variety required significantly more degree days than other varieties. The pheno-thermal index was significantly higher in open condition.

​Effect of Levels and Sources of Sulphur on Growth and Yield Attributes of Sesamum (Sesamum indicum L.) under Rainfed Condition of Nagaland

Background: Sulphur is an important component of plant amino acids, proteins, vitamins as well as enzyme structures which influence the productivity, quality of oil seed and its total oil content. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the role of sulphur and its proper fertilization for better growth, yield and quality of sesamum crop. Methods: The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications and ten treatments viz; T1 (control), T2 (10 kg gypsum ha-1), T3 (20 kg gypsum ha-1), T4 (30 kg gypsum ha-1), T5 (40 kg gypsum ha-1), T6 (control), T7 (10 kg elemental sulphur ha-1), T8 (20 kg elemental sulphur ha-1), T9 (30 kg elemental sulphur ha-1) and T10 (40 kg elemental sulphur ha-1). Result: From all the treatments, T10 (40 kg elemental sulphur ha-1) recorded the highest plant height (cm), plant dry weight (g plant-1), crop growth rate (g m-2 day-1), number of capsule plant-1, length of capsule (cm), number of seed capsule-1, stover yield (kg ha-1), seed yield (kg ha-1) and harvest index (%).

Screening of Pearl Millet Genotypes for High Temperature and Drought Tolerance Based on Morpho-Physiological Characters

Aims: Screening of pearl millet genotypes lines for high temperature and drought tolerance. Study Design: Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet, Mandor during summer 2017-18. Methodology: Fifteen genotypes (J-2290, J-2340, J-2479, J-2500, J-2503, J-2507, J-2517, J-2534, JMSB-9904, JMSB-101, JMSB-20064, JMSB-20102, JMSB-20071, JMSB-20082 and JMSB-20091) of pearl millet received from Main Pearl millet Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Jamnagar were evaluated during summer season of 2017-18 at research Farm of ACIRP on pearl millet, Mandor, Agricultural University, Jodhpur under terminal moisture stress and irrigated conditions in two sets of randomized block design with three replications. Grain yield, stover yield, Relative Water Content (RWC), harvest index, threshing percentage and chlorophyll content were recorded. Results: The suitability of the genotypes was judged in terms of grain yield, stover yield, RWC, harvest index, threshing percentage and chlorophyll content. The results showed that due to the terminal stress, the mean performance of all yield attributing characters including grain yield and chlorophyll, RWC and seed setting was reduced. The inbreds J-2479, J-2503 and J-2507 were high yielders due to high seed setting percentage under terminal stress conditions. Conclusion: The lines viz., J-2479, J-2503 and J-2507 can be used for further breeding programme to develop varieties suitable under high temperature and low moisture conditions.

Nutrient Expert: An ICT Tool of Agricultural Institution for Economic Development of Maize Growing Farmers in Jharkhand

Background: Nutrient expert is a computer based software for site specific nutrient management which advocates location specific requisite quantities of nutrients application in crops to achieve targeted yield by narrowing down the difference between actual yield and potential yield. The current study aimed to study efficiency of nutrient expert over other fertilizer recommendations on maize varieties. Methods: An experiment was conducted to test six maize varieties against state fertilizer recommendation, nutrient expert based fertilizer recommendation and farmers’ fertilizer practice during Kharif season of 2017. The nutrient expert software was used to calculate dose of nutrient expert for targeted yield of 8 t/ha. Result: The result indicated significant improvement by nutrient expert based fertilizer recommendation for grain yield, stover yield, net return and nutrient uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in grain and stover of maize. Among maize varieties, CMH-08-350 recorded significantly higher grain yield, stover yield, net return and nutrient uptake of maize than PMH-3, CMH-08-287, PMH-1 and HQPM-1.

Comparative Efficacy of Leguminous Intercrops and Weed Management Practices on Nutrient Uptake, Productivity and Profitability of Maize based Intercropping System

Background: Presently, labour force is diminishing and becoming costlier. In agriculture management of weeds in cropped field has become a real challenge to the farmers, since weeds are affecting the crop yields due to competition for growth resources. Intercropping of leguminous crops and application of pre-emergence herbicides offers an ample scope for weed control. Methods: The present study was conducted at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru during 2016 and 2017 on red sandy loam soil and the experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial concept and replicated thrice. There were 15 treatment combinations involving three intercrops and five weed management treatments. Result: The results revealed that intercropping of maize with cowpea has recorded significantly higher grain yield (5842 kg/ha), stover yield (7035 kg/ha) and total nutrients uptake (99.53, 27.37, 96.95 kg/ha NPK, respectively). Among the chemical weed management practices, pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 30% EC @ 1.50 kg a.i./ha has recorded significantly higher grain (6589 kg/ha), stover yield (8033 kg/ha), maize equivalent yield (8860 kg/ha), total nutrients uptake (112.81, 31.05, 109.88 kg/ha NPK, respectively) and B:C ratio (3.35) compared to other weed management practices.

Effect of Potassium and Zinc Nutrition on Growth and Yield of Short Duration Maize (Zea mays L.) under Dryland Vertisols

Background: The black soils (vertisols) are often considered to be high in potassium content however; under intensive cultivation of high nutrient demanding crop like maize; the soil available potassium might not be sufficient to fulfil the demand. Moreover; the interaction between potassium and micronutrients like zinc has to evaluated for higher crop yield under dryland condition. Methods: The experiment was laid out in factorial RBD design with two factors, i.e., potassium (K) and zinc (Zn), with three levels of each (K1- 30 kg K2O ha-1, K2- 60 kg K2O ha-1, K3- 90 kg K2O ha-1; Zn1- 20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1, Zn2- 30 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 and Zn3- 40 kg ZnSO4 ha-1). Result: Statistical interpretation of experimental data revealed that application of potassium at 60 kg K2O ha-1 and 30 kg of ZnSO4 ha-1 resulted improved plant height, number of functional leaves plants-1, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, grain yield, stover yield and shelling percentage in maize. Interestingly positive interaction has also been recorded between potassium and zinc nutrition.