Influence of Sett Treatments on Biochemical, Weed, Physiological Parameters and Nutrient Uptake of Bajra Napier Hybrid Grass [CO (BN)5]

A field experiment was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, to study the influence of sett treatment on biochemical parameters, weed parameters, physiological parameters and nutrient uptake of bajra Napier hybrid grass. The results of the experiment indicated that on biochemical parameters, sett treatment with water (12 hours soaking fb 24 hours incubation) (S1) recorded higher reducing sugars (28.89 mg/g), total sugar (34.83 mg/g) and starch content (45.83 mg/g). Whereas the lower non reducing sugar content (5.94 mg/g) and total phenolics content (1.65 mg/g) were also observed with sett treatment with water (12 hours soaking fb 24 hours incubation) (S1). Similarly, on weed parameters, significantly lower weed density (9.90 No./m2) and weed dry weight (12.92 g/m2) was recorded with sett treatment with water (12 hours soaking fb 24 hours incubation) (S1). On physiological parameters, significantly higher leaf area index (28.98), relative water content (87.85 %) was registered with water (12 hours soaking fb24 hours incubation) (S1). Among sett treatments, water (12 hours soaking fb24 hours incubation) (S1) had registered higher nitrogen (192.8 kg ha-1), phosphorus (33.0 kg ha-1) and potassium (112.9 kg ha-1) uptake.

Development and Evaluation of Whey-based Herbal Beverages as Health Drink

The present study aimed to developwhey-based herbal beverages and to evalautetheir physical, chemical, and sensory properties. The pH, titrable acidity (% lactic acid) and total soluble solids (⁰Brix) of whey used for the development of whey based herbal drinks were found to be 5.21, 0.23 and 6.4 respectively. The proximate composition of whey such as lactose (g/100g), protein (g/100g) and fat (g/100g) were 4.28, 0.28 and 0.13, respectively. The whey (65%), sugar (11%), H1 - brahmi extract (3%), H2 - mint extract (2%) and H3 - jaljeera powder (0.15%) were standardized for the formulation of whey-based herbal drinks. Among the three variations, whey-based jaljeera drink (H3) scored the highest sensory acceptability. The pH, titrable acidity (% citric acid), total soluble solids (⁰Brix), lactose (g/100g), protein (g/100g), fat (g/100g), total reducing sugar (g/100g), total sugar (g/100g), calcium (mg/100g), ascorbic acid (mg/100g) and total phenol (mgGAE/100g) of whey-jaljeera drink (H3) were 5.24, 0.21, 12.0, 2.78, 0.46, 0.30, 3.43, 14.43, 55.27, 0.12 and 14.26, respectively. The sensory attributes retention was high in glass (P2) compared to PET (P1). The sensory attributes were gradually decreased during the storage of room temperature (R1) than refrigerated temperature (R2). The cost of the formulated whey brahmi drink, whey mint drink, and whey jaljeera drinks were Rs.18.33/250ml, Rs.20.20/250ml and Rs.14.75/250ml, respectively. The study concluded that nutritionally rich whey-based herbal drinks can be recommended to all group of people.

A Study on the Relationship of Profile Characteristics with Group Performance of Tribal Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs)

The present study aimed to analyze the relationship of profile characteristics with group performance of tribal FIGs. The survey was purposively conducted in Erode district as it contains more number of tribal Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs). A total of five Tribal FIGs were randomly selected from 16 Tribal FIGs belonging to Dhimbam Dhaniya Farmer Producer Company Limited (DDFPCL) and the total sample size was 100. A well-structured interview schedule was prepared and employed to collect the data from the respondents. The findings showed that majority of the respondents were young aged with high school education, female marginal farmers receiving low level of annual income with medium level of farming experience. They had also received medium level of support from institution. The findings of the study also revealed that majority of the members of tribal FIGs had 76.00, 75.00, 73.00, 67.00 and 55.00 percentages of self-confidence, economic motivation, group leadership, group communication and information seeking behaviour respectively.To improve the performance of tribal FIGs, measures should be taken to increase the level of group communication, group leadership and group cohesiveness. This can be increased through organizing regular meetings for members, proper selection of leaders and making the members to understand the importance of group action

Awareness and Extent of Adoption of In-Situ Water Conservation (ISWC) Practices among Dryland Farmers

The study was conducted among dry land farmers of Pudukkottai district in Tamil Nadu. Using random sampling method 80 respondents were selected and data was collected through pre-tested interview schedule. Adoption index was used to quantify the selected In-Situ Water Conservation (ISWC) practices. The study examined the level of awareness and extent of adoption of In-Situ Water Conservation (ISWC) practices among dry land farmers. The results showed that among the eight selected practices, respondents had cent percent awareness about summer plough, land leveling and ridges and furrows. Majority of respondents had medium level (76.20%) of adoption of ISWC practices respectively. The study reveals that most of the respondents followed more than two ISWC practices on their farms to conserve the rainwater.

Effect of Graded Levels of Magnesium on Dry Matter Production and Yield of Maize Cultivated in Soils of Maize Growing Tracts in Pudukkottai District of Tamil Nadu

In order to assess the effect of graded levels of applied magnesium (Mg) (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 kg ha-1) on the soil available major nutrients, field experiments were conducted in 14 farmer’s holdings at Pudukkottai district with hybrid maize (NK 6240) as a test crop. Dry matter production (DMP) of the whole plant (above ground) at harvest stage of maize was significantly influenced by the application of 100% NPK + 10 kg Mg ha-1 and recorded the highest mean as 25620 kg ha-1 at harvest stage. A noticeable increase in grain and stover yield of maize crop was manifested by applying 100% NPK + 10 kg Mg ha-1 which recorded the highest mean yield as 11.6 t ha-1 and 14.0 t ha-1, respectively. It reported a 14.31 and 22.25 per cent increase in grain and stover yields, respectively, over control.

Performance Analysis of Bitter Gourd (MomordicacharantiaL.) under Different Training Systems

The present study aimed to identify suitable training system for bitter gourd cultivation,The experiment was conducted at College Orchard, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Among the different training systems evaluated, pandal system recorded the highest vine length (481.81 cm), followed by the bamboo training system (476.76cm). The treatment using fish net training system showed the highest internodal length (6.34 cm). Pandal training system exhibited the highest number of branches (10.04). Earliness in terms of days for the appearance of male and female flowers was observed in pandal training system (41.33 and 53.16 days respectively). Days to 50% flowering was also found earlier in the pandal system (64.23 days). The narrow sex ratio (5.86) was observed in the bamboo pole support system tied with gunny thread. The pandal system recorded the highest number of fruits per vine (78.66) and gunny thread training system recorded the lowest number of fruits (34.83). The highest fruit length of 21.35 Madras Agric.J., 2021; doi: 10.29321/MAJ.10.000291(online first) cm and fruit diameter of 3.57 cm wererecorded inthe pandal training system. The maximum fruit weight was recorded in the pandal system (74.12 g fruit-1) and the minimum fruit weight was observed (52.74g fruit-1) in the fish net system. Pandal training system exhibited the highest yield plant-1 (5.79 kg plant-1), yield plot-1 (132.65 kg) and yield hectare-1 (119.16 q ha-1) while the lowest values were recorded under gunny thread system of cultivation. Among the different training systems pandal/conventional training system is more economical with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.51 followed by bamboo system, fish net system and bamboo poles support system tied with gunny thread

Effects of Foliar Spray on Morpho-Physiological Parameters under High Temperature Stress in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

High temperature is a critical barrier in most cotton growing areas, limiting cotton growth and development. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of foliar spray on KC 3 cotton variety grown under ambient (32.66°C) and high temperature (37.21°C) stress in open-top chamber (OTC) with a temperature of 5°C from the ambient temperature for 10d from flowering to boll development stage. Foliar spray of kaolin @ 3% and calcium carbonate @ 5% were sprayed separately to the set of pots both in ambient and elevated temperature on 70th day of flowering. Observations on morphological and physiological parameters were recorded on viz., plant height (cm plant-1), leaf area (cm2 plant-1), relative water content (%), canopy temperature (°C), SPAD, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm ratio). Kaolin @ 3% foliar spray significantly increased the plant height, leaf area, relative water content, chlorophyll content and reduced the canopy temperature both in high temperature and ambient temperature conditions. Among these treatments, T2 - kaolin 3% (Ambient) followed by T5 - Kaolin 3% (elevated temperature of 5 °C) recorded higher values as compared to calcium carbonate treatment both in ambient temperature and high temperature condition.

Strategic Approaches for Outdoor Cultivation of Paddy Straw Mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) as Intercrop Under different Cropping Systems

The present study aimed to selectpotential strainof Volvariella volvacea suitable for outdoor cultivation in different cropping systems like Banana, Maize, Coconut, Coconut+Banana where such suitable microclimate prevails. Among the different strains of V.volvaceatested, the strain Vv-19-06 obtained from Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan,performed considerably superior with higher bioefficiency of 17.44 and sturdy sporophores at egg stage and storage life of 1.1 days under refrigerated condition.Moreover, the morphogenesis of button stage to matured mushrooms were extended up to 1.8 days and the opened mushroom were retained on the bed for another 1.6 days, which is an added advantage.Cultivation of paddy straw mushroom as intercrop in Banana, Maize, Banana+coconut and Coconut cropping systems proved successful with spawn running completion ranging from 8 to 10.3 days, pinhead formation ranging from 9.3 to 11.6 days and harvestable button/egg stage appeared ranging from 11 to 12.6 days. The bioefficiency was comparatively better in all the cropping systems, which ranged from 19.4 to 20.6 %, with a total cropping cycle of 20.5 to 22 days.The indoor cropping system, which requires additional cost for infrastructure, also recorded bioefficiecy of 21.3 in a cropping cycle of 17 days. In all the cropping systems tested, the B:C ratio worked out to be 1:2.3 to 1:2.5 as in indoor cropping system proving that paddy straw mushroomcould be promoted for the outdoor systemin Maize, Banana, Banana +coconut , Coconut cropping systems as intercrop as it fetches additional income to rice-growing farmers.

Development of Soil Test Based Fertilizer Prescription Equations for Chrysanthemum on Alfisol

Field experiments were conducted during 2017 – 2018 to develop fertiliser prescriptions equations (FPEs) through IPNS for the desired yield targets of Chrysanthemum on Udic Haplustalf . The fertilisers prescription equations (FPEs) were developed under NPK alone and under IPNS for the desired yield target of Chrysanthemum by using the basic parameters. The variation observed in the achievement of targets was within the range of ± 10 per cent (90 – 110%) proving the validity of FPEs. Hence, the Inductive cum Targeted yield approach applied to develop fertiliser equations provides a strong basis for maintenance of soil fertility with high productivity and efficient nutrient management in “Precision Farming” for sustainable and enduring Agriculture.