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.

Evaluating radiation interception pattern and RUE of green gram grown in Lower Gangetic Plains and assessing future yield based on RUE

An experiment was conducted in the Lower Gangetic Plains of West Bengal during 2017 and 2018 with three popular green gram varieties of the region (viz. Samrat, PM05 and Meha). Along with studying the variation of PAR components, a radiation use efficiency (RUE) based equation irrespective of varieties was developed and used to estimate the green gram yield for 2040-2090 period under RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. Field experimental results showed that almost 33.33 to 52.12% higher yield was recorded in 2017 in comparison to 2018. As observed through pooled experimental data of two years, PM05 produced 3 to 4% higher pod and 4 to 15% more biomass than Samrat and Meha with the highest radiation use efficiency (1.786 g MJ-1). Results also depicted that enhanced thermal condition would cause 9 to 15 days of advancement in maturity. Biomass and yield would also decrease gradually from 2040 to 2090 with an average rate of 7.60-11.70% and 10.19-14.17% respectively. The supporting literature confirms that future yield prediction under projected climate based on “radiation to biomass” conversion efficiency can be used successfully as a method to evaluate climate change impact on crop performance.

Influence of weather and nutrients (FYM, N and P) on RGR, LAD, NAR and CGR to determine the productivity of maize, wheat and green gram in a cropping system

In a field experiment, conducted during 2018-19 and 2019-20 at the Research Farm, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, factorial combinations of two levels of FYM (0, 10 Mg ha−1) applied to maize; four levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120, 180 kg N ha-1) and three levels of phosphorus (0, 30, 60 kg P2O5 ha−1) applied to both maize and wheat and subsequent residual effects on green gram were compared. The RGR was at peak in maize at 29oC and in wheat at 12-13 oC. Integral of LAD and incidental solar radiation has significantly improved CGR. The LAD and CGR also shown significant relationship with grain/ seed yield in all three crops. Slightly higher NAR in combination with LAD and SRD can significantly contribute to overall performance of crops. Results indicated that variation in yield across years due to weather fluctuations, irrespective of treatments, was about 16.7 per cent in maize (kharif), 7.93 per cent in wheat (rabi) and 16.8 per cent in green gram (summer).

​Allelopathic Chemical Screening of Aqueous Extracts of Coir Pith on Seedling Growth of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.) and Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)

Background: Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) and Green gram (Vigna radiata L.) were mostly used as chemical residue indicators for testing the persistence of pesticides, fungicides and herbicides, etc. in the soil. Presently, the coir pith was used as a medium of nursery for many seeds and seedling production. This study evaluated the inhibition effects and screening of allelopathic chemicals from aqueous extracts of coir pith and composting coir pith on the back gram and green gram by response index method and GCMS/MS analysis. Methods: The coir pith and composted coir pith soaked the ratio of 1:10 for 24 hrs, filtered through Whatman No.1 filter paper. The inhibition effect tested for germination and seedling growth of black gram and green gram was sown in poly pots. The carbon: nitrogen ratio and the total organic carbon were analyzed by dry combustion method, Kjeldahl method and GCMS/MS analysis. Result: The phytotoxic substances are present in coir pith, which can be exterminated by composting the coir pith for better growth and development of seedlings. The negative response index (RI), high C: N ratio and chemical compounds like tocopherol, fucoxanthin, tetramethyl heptadeca, dichloroacetamide, tetrazole, hydroxyethyl palmitate, neocurdione and uridine derivations present in raw coir may have the phytotoxic effect and produced yellowing symptoms in young plants compared to composted coir pith. This is exterminated by composting the coir pith for better growth and development of seedlings as well as used for various agricultural and horticultural nurseries.

Impact of Cluster Front Line Demonstrations on Green Gram (MH-421) in Sirsa District of Haryana State

Pulses are one of the important food crops globally due to higher protein content. In India,they are also responsible for yielding large financial gains by amounting for a large part ofthe exports. Cluster frontline demonstrations on moong bean crop covering 110 ha areaunder variety MH-421 were conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra at 110 locations in Sirsadistrict of Haryana state during four consecutive years viz. 2016 to 2019. The technologicalgaps were identified in existing crop production technology through farmers meetings andgroup discussions. The findings showed significant increase in the average yield ofdemonstrated plot (23.1%) over the farmer’s plot of moong bean crop. Average yield ofdemonstration plots was recorded higher by 26.90 per cent, 20.50 per cent, 20.00 per centand 25.00 per cent in years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The extension gapwas 2.02 q/ha, 1.50 q/ha, 1.50 q/ha and 2.00 q/ha while technology gap was 2.48 q/ha,3.20 q/ha, 3.00 q/ha and 2.00 q/ha in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively. Duringthese four years yield increase in demonstrations plots expressed as additional incomeover check plots accounted for Rs. 11300/ha, Rs. 900/ha, Rs. 6200/ha and Rs.14400/haduring various years.

Effect of organic fortified zinc on growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata (L). Wilczek) in typic chromustert

Zinc is a crucial micronutrient for crop growth and enzymatic regulations. The present study was formulated to reveal the effect of organic fortified Zn composite on growth and yield parameters of green gram in Typic chromustert at Vellakulam village, Kalligudi block, Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. A total of eight treatments with three replications were designed to grow in Randomized Block Design (RBD). The treatments consisted of recommend dose fertilizers (25:50:25 Kg ha-1 N: P2O5: K2O) + various sources organics applied such as vermicompost (1:5), poultry manure (1:5), biochar (1:5), FYM (1:10) incubated with ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University micronutrient mixture enriched with FYM (1:10) for 30 days. Among the treatments, application of RDF (25:50:25 Kg ha-1 N: P2O5: K2O) + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 incubated with 125 kg Vermicompost (1:5) recorded maximum plant height (64 cm), leaf area index (LAI) (3.11), dry matter production (16.33 g plant-1), pods plant-1 (28.46), grains pod-1 (13.5), test weight (3.48 g), seed yield (950 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (1520 kg ha-1) followed by biochar and TNAU MNM shown on par results with each other. The lowest yield parameters were spotted in absolute control. A considerable increase in yield (25 %) was detected when the crop was supplemented with organically fortified Zinc than the commercial ZnSO4. The study concluded that the application of biofortified Zn will deliver higher growth and yield in green gram.