bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of NPK fertilization on growth, yield and economics of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) varieties and hybrids
Authors: K ASHOK KUMAR  , S NEELIMA  , P MUNIRATHNAM  , A S R SARMA
Published: October 2023

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh during 2007 and 2009 to study the comparative assessment of hybrids over varieties grown under rainfed condition with different levels of fertilizers. The resultsrevealed that application of 100 and 150% RDF produced large sized heads (12.8 and 12.9 cm, respectively) coupled with higher seed weight (5.2 g/100 seeds) lead to higher seed yields (921 and 863 kg/ha, respectively). The magnitude of seed yield increase with 100 and 150% RDF was 31.1 and 39.9%, respectively over control. Among the genotypes evaluated,significantly higherseed yield (906 kg/ha) was obtained with NDSH-1 followed bySunbred (866 kg/ha). Application of 150% RDF produced higher netreturns(`10,301/ha) whereas the B:C ratio recorded with 150% RDF was equal to that of 100% RDF.
Weed management in irrigated castor (Ricinus communis L.) through herbicides
Authors: ISHWAR SINGH  , M S RATHORE  , M L MEHRIYA  , R S CHAWRA  , M S CHANDAWAT
Published: October 2023

A field experiment was conducted to find out most suitable and cost effective weed management practice for irrigated castor grown on the light textured soils of Western Rajasthan. Ten treatment combinations comprising of four herbicides with or without inter culture along with weedy, weed free check and farmers practice were compared in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Three season's pooled results revealed that pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg/ha + inter culture 40 days aftersowing (DAS) produced maximum seed yield of 3652 kg/ha with weed control efficiency of 96.4% besides maximum net return of ` 74,464/ha and B:C ratio of 3.78. The weed competition index was also observed to be lowest in thistreatment (0.4%). However, pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg/ha (pre-emergence) + inter culture 40 DAS, fluchloralin @ 1.0 kg/ha (pre-plant incorporation) + inter culture 40 DAS and weed free plots remained at par with each other. Application of either quizalofop-ethyl or fenoxaprop-p-ethyl @ 50 g/ha at 25 DAS also brought down the weed stand and weed drymatter significantly compared to weedy check though the extent of control was not equivalent to weed free plots. This treatment (preemergence application of pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg/ha + inter culture 40 DAS) validated at five sitesin farmer'sfields recorded higher seed yield and net return compared to farmer's practice of weed control.
Impact of mobile phone based agro-advisories on knowledge of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) farmers’
Authors: G D S KUMAR  , M PADMAIAH  , K ALIVELU  , P MADHURI
Published: October 2023

The productivity of rabi sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is low in Andhra Pradesh (892 kg/ha). In order to achieve higher productivity of sunflower, farmers need to access a wide range of information related to production technologies, post-harvest processes, remunerative markets, credit and weather. The increasing penetration of mobile phone networks and handsetsin India presents an opportunity to make useful information more widely available and plays a significant role in technology transfer. Thisstudy was conducted with sunflower farmers of Mahaboobnagar district, Andhra Pradesh, India with the objectives of assessing the farmers preferred extension delivery methods, their needs and perceptions of use of mobile phones and the gain in knowledge on sunflower production technologies due to mobile phones. The knowledge scores showed significant differences between pre- and postdissemination of messages over mobile phones, which indicated that substantial improvement in knowledge, is possible with the use of mobile phones as source of knowledge access.
Effect of calcium and boron on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seed yield in Alfisols
Authors: I Y L N MURTHY  , S N SUDHAKARA BABU  , CH V HARIPRIYA  , M BHASKARA REDDY
Published: October 2023

A field experiment was conducted in red sandy loam (Alfisol)soil, deficient in calcium (Ca) and boron (B) with sunflower hybrid DRSH-1 as test crop to study the influence of Ca and B application on sunflower drymatter yield, seed yield,Ca and Bnutrient uptake and interaction. Sunflower drymatter yield varied from 1742.7 to 2522.9 kg/ha. Higher seed yield (882.5 kg/ha) was recorded in Ca30B3 however, it was at par with Ca30B2 treatment. The Ca x B interaction significantly influenced Ca and B uptake by the sunflower plant. Ca x B interaction effects were also found significant in soil available Ca and B. Application of calcium at 30 kg/ha and boron at 2 kg/ha resulted in high sunflower seed yield in Ca and B deficient red sandy loam soils.
Identification of groundnut germplasm resistant to tikka disease in Gujarat
Authors: A VIJAYA BHASKAR  , A M PARAKHIA  , A F AKBARI  , S V PATEL
Published: October 2023

Early and late leaf spots, caused by Cercospora arachidicola and Phaeoisariopsis personata, respectively are serious diseases of groundnut in Saurashtra region of Gujarat State. A total of 164 germplasms were screened along with susceptible check (GG-2) against both the diseases under natural epiphytotic conditions in kharif season to select resistant sources. The germplasms were scored using 1-9 scale at 90 days after sowing. The results indicate that no germplasm wasimmune or highly resistant to both the leafspots. Thirty six entriesshowed resistant reaction to the diseases.
Combining ability for kernel yield and its component traits in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: A MOTHILAL  , M JAYARAMACHANDRAN
Published: October 2023

Combing ability was estimated among eight parents for yield and its contributing traits in groundnut. Both per se performance and gca effects were considered for judging the genotype as best parent. The Virginia bunch genotype GG 21 and Spanish bunch genotypes TMV Gn 13 and VRI Gn 6 recorded significant gca effect for kernel yield, pod yield, number of mature pods and number of primaries. Hence, these genotypes were categorized as good combiners. The cross GG 21 x VRI Gn 6 registered significant sca effect for kernel yield, pod yield, number of mature pods and plant height; while VG 104 x VRI 3 recorded significant sca effect for kernel yield, pod yield, number of mature pods, number of secondaries and number of primaries. The former cross involves parents with good combiners. Hence, pedigree breeding method could be adopted to isolate desirable recombinants. However, the later cross involved parents with poor combiners. Hence, biparental mating followed by selection isrecommended for the identification of desirable recombinants.
Stability analysis in safflower (Carthamus tinctorious L.)
Authors: INDU SWARUP  , JAGDISH SINGH
Published: October 2023

The experiments were carried out at College of Agriculture, Indore in rabi season for consecutive three years viz., 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 with 28 genotypes of safflower. The observations were recorded on days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, branches/plant, capitula/plant, seeds/capitulum, hull content, 100-seed weight, seed yield/plant and harvest index. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all the characters during all the three years. Non-significance of chi-square value suggested that the error variances were homogenous for all the traits under study. Pooled analysis indicated that the genotypes andenvironments differed among themselves and the genotypes showed differential performance over varying environments i.e., years/locations. The stability analysis as per the Eberhart and Russell model suggested the existence variability in the experimental materials and all the three environments differed significantly among themselves. Genotype x Environment (linear) was significant for days to maturity, number of capitula/plant and harvest index suggesting that the predictable portion of G x E interaction was more pronounced for the expression of these characters. The pooled deviation was significant for number of branches/plant, plant height, number of seeds/capitulum, hull content, 100-seed weight, days to maturity, number of capitula/plant, seed yield/plant and harvest index indicating the predominance of unpredictable portion of G x E interaction for the expression of these characters. Stable performance was exhibited by genotypes JSI-124 and JSI-135 for seed yield/plant and JSI 134 for earliness in maturity.
Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and economics of niger [Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.]
Authors: B B DALEI  , S PANDA  , S KHEROAR  , M R DESHMUKH
Published: October 2023

Field experiment was conducted on niger cv. Utkal Niger 150 (ONS-150) at Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station (OUAT), Semiliguda, Koraput, Odisha during kharif season for three years (2008-10) under rainfed condition to find out the effect of bio-fertilizers and green manuring integrated with chemical fertilizers on growth and yield of niger. Results revealed that application of 75% recommended dose of fertilizer integrated with Azotobacter and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) recorded the highest seed yield of 405 kg/ha with net monetary return of ` 4083/ha and B:C ratio of 1.50 followed by recommended dose of fertilizer alone 386 kg/ha with net monetary return of ` 3650/ha and B:C ratio of 1.45. Application of 50% recommended dose of fertilizer + Azotobacter + PSB recorded seed yield of 370 kg/ha with net monetary return of ` 3313/ha and B:C ratio of 1.42.
Assessment of avoidable yield losses due to insect pests in castor (Ricinus communis L.)
Authors: P DURAIMURUGAN  , M LAKSHMINARAYANA
Published: October 2023

Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the avoidable yield losses caused by insect pests on three castor cultivars (DCH-519, DCH-177 and 48-1) during kharif and rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14. Semilooper, tobacco caterpillar, hairy caterpillar, capsule borer and leafhopper were recorded as major pests. However, the pest succession varied with the season. The results revealed that significantly lower infestation of insect pests was observed in protected plots over unprotected plots. Higher mean seed yield of 1996 kg/ha and 1596 kg/ha was recorded from protected plots, while seed yield of 1421 kg/ha and 750 kg/ha was recorded from unprotected plots during kharif 2012-13 and 2013-14, respectively. During rabi season, higher mean seed yield of 1050 kg/ha and 927 kg/ha was recorded in protected plots, while unprotected plots recorded seed yield of 542 kg/ha and 375 kg/ha during 2012-13 and 2013-14, respectively. The mean avoidable yield losses due to insect pests on castor cultivars ranged from 17.2 to 63.3 per cent during kharif season, while the loss was higher (22.5 to 89.4%) during rabi season. Among the cultivars, DCH-519 revealed minimum avoidable yield losses due to insect pests in both kharif and rabi seasons.
Evaluation of a mobile phone based agro-advisory programme on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Authors: G D S KUMAR  , M PADMAIAH  , K ALIVELU
Published: October 2023

The increasing penetration of mobile phone networks and handsets in India presents an opportunity to make useful information on agriculture more widely available to farmers. The present study was conducted with 240 farmers growing sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in two districts in Andhra Pradesh State, India during 2011-12. The taluks and villages were selected based on highest area under sunflower and the presence of farmers with IKSL (IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Limited) sim cards. The farmers were selected by random sampling method. The study used ex-post facto and pre- and post- experimental research designs. An improvised Bennett's hierarchy, a logic model was used for evaluation. The results indicated significant differences in knowledge and adoption scores of pre- and post-dissemination groups indicating the impact of the system. Mobile phones based advisories can create awareness and make knowledge accessible to farmers and to some extent mobilize communities to adopt best practices. To further improve knowledge, adoption of improved practices and impart required skills to farmers training sessions and demonstrations need to be organized after the broadcast of advisories.
Genetic architecture of yield contributing traits in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)
Authors: NALINI TEWARI  , ACHILA SINGH
Published: October 2023

Fifty two accessions of linseed were evaluated during rabi 2009-10 and 2010-11 to know the genetic variability, direct and indirect contribution of some metric traits on seed yield under Randomized Block Design. The results revealed that high heritability along with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for number of capsules/plant, seed yield/plant and number of secondary branches/plant while high heritability coupled with low genetic advance was noticed for days to maturity and days to 50 per cent flowering. Seed yield was significant and positively correlated with number of capsules/plant, 1000-seed weight and number of secondary branches/plant. Path coefficient analysis indicated that number of capsules/plant and 1000-seed weight showed positive direct effect on seed yield/plant. These traits having positive direct effect on seed yield can be considered as a suitable selection criteria for evolving high yielding linseed genotypes.
Powdery mildew disease in sunflower : A review
Authors: S CHANDER RAO  , M SUJATHA  , K KARUNA  , K S VARAPRASAD
Published: October 2023

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops in the world. It is introduced in India during seventies and has occupied an important position in the oilseed economy ofthe country. The area under sunflower has reached to a maximum of 2.5 million ha during 1994 which declined drastically within the last two decades to 6.9 lakh ha (2014-15). Among the production constraints, vulnerability of the released cultivars to diseases at both vegetative and flowering stages played a major role compelling farmers to switch over to alternate crops. Of the various diseases, alternaria leaf blight, downy mildew and sunflower necrosis diseases attack the crop during vegetative stage while powdery mildew infects the crop from flowering to post flowering and seed formation stages. Powdery mildew is the economically important disease of the tropical regions but has not been witnessed on sunflower in India till the recent past. In India, powdery mildew was reported in high intensity (80%) during the year 2006-07 on rabi crop in some areas around Bengaluru and Raichur which increased over the years. Currently, the disease is observed on the crop in all growing situations viz., kharif, rabi and spring recording 30-75 per cent disease severity and causing yield losses to the tune of 20-50 per cent necessitating research for development of management strategies. Intensive researchwork on sunflower powderymildewis being carried out at Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad and University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru and disease management practices are being worked out at various AICRP sunflower centres. This review presents the information on the distribution, economic importance, symptomatology, epidemiology, disease cycle, sources of resistance and management strategies for powdery mildew disease on sunflower.
Scaling up of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) productivity through improved component technology in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh
Authors: K ASHOK KUMAR  , S NEELIMA  , P MADHUSUDHAN  , K VENKATARAMANAMMA  , P MUNIRATHNAM  , Y PADMALATHA
Published: October 2023

Frontline demonstrations (FLDs)were conducted in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh to know the yield gaps between improved technology (IT) and farmers practice (FP) in sunflower crop. In the FLDs, the hybrid NDSH1 performed better in terms of seed yield both under rainfed (604 kg/ha) and irrigated conditions (1968 kg/ha) as compared to cultivation of local private hybrids in FP (500 and 1845 kg/ha, respectively). Spraying of Boron (B) at ray floret opening stage also resulted in improved seed yields over its non application across the years of demonstration. In addition, in all the years of study, by adopting proper spacing and thinning practice, marked improvement in seed yield and additional net returns were observed in farmer's fields. The study recommends that as the sunflower yields are less in farmers field in the study area, they can be improved by adopting improved component technologies viz., hybrid (NDSH1), spraying of micro-nutrient Boron at ray floret opening stage and adopting proper spacing and thinning.
Effect of zinc sources and levels on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrid in Alfisol
Authors: SAMEENA KHATHOON  , T ANJAIAH  , I Y L N MURTHY  , T PRABHAKAR REDDY  , CH ARUNA KUMARI
Published: October 2023

A field experiment was conducted at Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research during the rainy season of 2014 with sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrid DRSH-1 as a test crop on Alfisol. Three different zinc sources (ZnSO4 .7H2O, ZnSO4 .H2O and Zn-EDTA) and levels (10, 15 and 20 kg/ha) with recommended dose of N, P2O5 and K2O @ 90, 60 and 30 kg/ha were applied to soil to study the plant parameters i.e., plant height, stem girth, head diameter at 90 days after sowing. Seed yield was recorded at harvest. Plant height, stem girth and head diameter increased up to 20 kg Zn/ha application. Highest plant height (170.3 cm) and greater head diameter (17.6 cm) and highest stem girth (8.1 cm) and seed yield (1680 kg/ha) were achieved with the application of 20 kg ZnSO4 .H2O/ha.
Productivity enhancement in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) as influenced by different improved production technologies
Authors: VIJAY KUMAR  , VIVEK SHARMA  , S C SHARMA  , SATVINDER SINGH  , RAKESH KUMAR SHARMA
Published: October 2023

Sesame is one of the important oilseed crops in India. The major constraint of its low productivity isnon-adoption ofimproved technologies by the farmers. Frontline demonstrationsto highlight the impact of different improved technologies like method of sowing, nutrient management, weed management and adoption of whole package of practices of improved technologiesfor the crop were conducted at 45 farmers' fields during kharif 2011, 2012 and 2013 under rainfed conditions. The improved technologies improved the yield attributing traits as well as seed yield of the crop. The improved technology recorded a mean yield of 470 kg/ha which was 30% higher than that obtained with farmer's practice yield of 363 kg/ha. Higher mean net returns of `25,063/ha with a benefit: cost ratio of 2.85 was obtained with improved technologies in comparison to farmer's practice (mean net returns of `17,802/ha and benefit: cost ratio of 2.57).
Performance of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) varieties to varying seed rates under utera system of cultivation in North West Himalayas
Authors: PANKAJ CHOPRA  , D BADIYALA
Published: October 2023

A field experiment was conducted to study the influence of varieties ('Bhagsu', 'Surbhi' and 'Baner') and seed rates (40, 50 and 60 kg/ha) on linseed production under utera condition at experimental farm of Oilseed Section, CSK HPKV, Palampur. Variety, 'Bhagsu' being at par with 'Baner' hasrecorded significantly higher yield attributes and seed yield of linseed (565 and 566 kg/ha, respectively). Sowing using seed rate of 60 kg/ha was proved to be significantly best for recording significantly highest plant stand, growth, yield attributes and yield of linseed (643 kg/ha). Interaction of varieties and seed rate wassignificant on seed yield and plant population. 'Bhagsu' and 'Baner' when sown with seed rate of 60 kg/ha found to be best for recording significantly higher seed yield of linseed (94.0 and 92.3%, respectively over the most inferior combination).
Combining ability for seed yield and its components in castor (Ricinus communis L.)
Authors: R H KAVANI  , J H VACHHANI  , R B MADARIYA  , S R JADEJA  , K L DOBARIYA
Published: October 2023

Thirty two castor hybrids generated in a line x tester (4 lines x 8 testers) mating design were studied along with parents to estimate combining ability for ten characters in castor. The components of GCA and SCA from analysis of combining ability revealed that non-additive gene action was preponderance in the genetic control of all the characters studied except oil content, which controlled by additive gene action, while 100-seed weight indicated negative estimate. Among female parents, JP-96 was good general combiner for plant height, number of effective spikes per plant, 100-seed weight and oil content, while SKP-84 and SKP-106 were found good general combiners for number of nodes up to main spike, number of capsules on primary raceme and number of effective spikes per plant. For earliness, JP-96 and SKP-84 were found to be good general combiners. Among male parents, PCS-124 and SKI-271 were identified as good general combiners for plant height, number of nodes up to main spike, number of capsules on primary raceme and oil content. None of the parents was found as good general combiner for seed yield. Among the hybrids, JP-105 x SKI-271, JP-96 x SKI-294, JP-105 x SKI-291 and JP-96 x PCS-124 had high sca effects for seed yield per plot and other yield traits, were also accompanied with high per se performance; hence per se performance of the hybrids would be a good indicator for predicting sca effects. These hybrids could be exploited through heterosis breeding as these are expected to give desirable transgressive segregants in the succeeding segregating generation.
Combining ability studies in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Authors: N VAIRAM  , R P GNANAMALAR
Published: October 2023

Combining ability studies were made in sunflower using line x tester analysis with three CMS lines and ten testers. Ten important yield traits viz., days to 50% flowering, number of leaves/plant, plant height, stem girth, head diameter, number ofseeds/head, autogamy per cent, 100-seed weight, seed yield/plant and oil content were studied. Non-additive gene action was predominant for all the traits. Based on general combining ability of parents, the line 234 A was found to be good general combiner for days to 50% flowering, stem girth, head diameter, number of seeds/head, 100-seed weight, seed yield/plant and oil content. Three testers viz., RHA 83R6, RHA 17 and DRSF 110 R exhibited higher gca effects for most of the yield traits and these parents can be considered as good general combiners. The hybrid NDCMS 1A x RHA 6D-5-3-6 possessed superior sca effects for six traits viz., days to 50% flowering, head diameter, number of seeds/head, autogamy per cent, 100-seed weight and seed yield/plant. Three hybrids viz., 234 A x DRSF 111 R, NDCMS 1A x RHA 83R6 and 234 A x RHA 859-2 can be considered as good specific combiners for exploitation of yield and its components. Hybrid 234 A x RHA RR 2 was the best for stem girth, head diameter, 100-seed weight and seed yield/plant. These above mentioned hybrids can be considered as good specific combiners.
Integrated disease management of phyllody of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
Authors: DATA RAM KUMHAR  , A K MEENA
Published: October 2023

Sesame phyllody is an important disease caused by a pleomorphic phytoplasma which is transmitted by a leafhopper, Orosius albinctus. The affected plants become stunted and floral parts are modified in to leafy structures bearing no fruits and seeds causing yield loss up to 59.6 per cent. In this view, a field experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Sub-Station, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan for the effective management of sesame phyllody through the application of antibiotics, botanicals and insecticides. The experiment was carried out to study the efficacyofseed treatment with imidacloprid and foliar spray ofinsecticides + combination ofstreptocycline + copper oxychloride. The treatment comprising seed treatment with imidacloprid 70WS @ 5g/kg seed followed by two sprays of thiomethoxam25WG @ 0.25 g/l at 40 and 50 DAS and one spray ofstreptocycline 150 ppm+ copper oxychloride 50WP @ 2g/l at 60 DAS gave minimum disease incidence of 2.5%, highest seed yield of 918 kg/ha as well as maximum cost benefit ratio of 1: 3.32 followed by seed treatment with imidacloprid 70WS @ 5g/kg seed + two sprays of thiacloprid 21.7SC @1ml/l + one spray of streptocycline 150 ppm + copper oxychloride 50WP @ 2g/l which was significantly superior over standard check with a per cent disease incidence of 11.7% and seed yield of 547 kg/ha.
Classification of soybean pest data using decision tree algorithm
Authors: V JINUBALA  , R LAWRANCE
Published: October 2023

Classification of large volume of data especially in agriculture is a challenging task. Decision tree method is generally used for the classification, because it is the simple hierarchical structure for the user understanding and decision making. In the present study, the various classification techniques have been applied with Spodoptera spp. solitary larvae data set ofsoybean, for classifying into four classes based on Economic Threshold Level (ETL), using R statistical language. Out of six classification methods tested, it was found that C4.5 (decision tree) was effective with accuracy of 78 per cent followed by Naïve Bayes and kNN algorithms both with 72 per cent accuracy.
Nutrient composition of selected cultivars of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) leaves during different crop growth stages
Authors: E SUNEEL KUMAR  , APARNA KUNA  , P PADMAVATHI  , CH V DURGA RANI  , SUPTA SARKAR
Published: October 2023

The changes in nutrient composition offour cultivars ofsafflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) leaves (Annigeri-1, Manjira, TSF-1 and NARI-6) were estimated at three different crop growth stages viz., 30th (rosette stage), 50th (elongation stage) and 70th day (flower initiation stage). The results indicate that the moisture content in leaves was higher during the earlier stages (30th day) as compared to 50th and 70th days in all the four cultivars. The carbohydrate content was higher during 30th day as compared to 50th and 70th days in Annigeri-1, TSF-1 and NARI-6 varieties. Protein content varied between 2.51 to 4.04g/100g during various stages of maturity, while fat content was found to increase from 30th day (2.46g/100g) to 70th day (9.51g/100g) in all four cultivars. The crude fiber content ranged from 8.77 to 9.58g/100g, while ash content of safflower leaves ranged between 13.68 to 17.36 per cent during various stages of maturity in the four cultivars. Energy values of safflower ranged between 58.82 to 111.44 kcal/100g. Results indicated that safflower leaves were found to be rich sources of both iron (3.42 to 5.33mg/100g) and calcium(240 to 333.33mg/100g) during various stages of maturity in all the four cultivars. The results show that consumption of safflower leaves would contribute to very good content of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, iron and calcium during all the stages of maturity though the content varies during various crop growth stages.
Molecular characterization of insecticide resistance in larval population of Spodoptera litura (Fab.)
Authors: E CHANDRAYUDU  , T MURALI KRISHNA  , K VEMANA
Published: October 2023

Acetylcholinesterase gene activity in populations of Spodoptera litura (Fab.) collected from groundnut fields of different regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana was compared using a- and b-napthyl acetate as substrate for enzyme reaction. Among insecticide pre exposed S. litura population analyzed, nine out of ten populations showed elevated activities of acetylcholinesterase gene. A specific amplification product at 600 bp region indicating the presence of acetylcholinesterase gene in resistant strains of S. litura, whereas in susceptible base line strain of S. litura it was not found due to non amplification ofspecific gene at the same loci (600 bp) a phenomenon due to low copy number of gene. RAPD-PCR analysis of resistant and susceptible S. litura population revealed the existence of polymorphism. Specific amplification for acetylcholinesterase gene using custom made primers produced amplified product in resistant S. litura populations.
Effect of salicylic acid and potassium dihydrogen phosphate on heat stress induced changes in mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. and Coss.]
Authors: C KHILADKAR GANESH  , H S BHADAURIA  , R M CHAUHAN  , K SURESH  , T V REDDY  , K SATISH
Published: October 2023

The present investigation was carried out during rabi season of 2010-11 at Main Castor and Mustard Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Gujarat to study the chemical based management of heat stress in mustard. The foliar spray of chemicals was applied at 60 DAS and 75 DAS. Results revealed that foliar application of 75 ppm salicylic acid with first date of sowing 20th October, 2010 when compared with the control were found superior for plant height (183 cm), number of primary branches per plant (4.38), number of secondary branches per plant (10.25), number of siliqua per plant (403), length of siliqua (5.98 cm), number ofseed per plant siliqua (12.63), biological yield (70), harvest index (19.58%), seed yield (13.71g) and oil content (39.65%).
Effect of drip irrigation, fertigation and plant geometry on yield and water use efficiency in summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: P M VAGHASIA  , K L DOBARIYA  , R N DAKI
Published: October 2023

A field experiment was conducted during summer seasons of 2014, 2015 and 2016 at Main Oilseeds Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat. The study was designed to investigate the effect of planting geometry and nutrient management under drip and check basin method of irrigation on productivity of summer groundnut. Split-plot design with three replications was adopted to carry out the experiment. The treatments consisted of two methods of irrigation viz., drip irrigation at 0.8 PEF and check basin method at 1.0 IW/CPE as main plot treatments, three planting geometries viz., plant population @ 3.33 lakh/ha (spacing 30 cmx 10 cm), plant population @ 4.00 lakh/ha (spacing 25 cm x10 cm) and plant population @ 5.00 lakh/ha (spacing 20 cm x10 cm) as sub plot treatments and three fertility levels viz., 75% RDF (18.75:37.50 NP kg/ha), 100% RDF (25.0:50.0 NP kg/ha) and 125% RDF (31.25:62.50 NP kg/ha) as sub sub plot treatments. The results revealed that drip irrigation @ 0.8 PEF on alternate day (lateral spacing 60 cm, dripperspacing 45 cm, dripper discharge 2 LPH, operating time 1 hour and 5 minutes with pressure 1.2 kg/cm2) and watersoluble fertilizer @ 75% of RDF (18.75-37.50 kg NP/ha) in five equal splits through fertigation at an interval of 8 days starting from 20 DAS and plant population @ 5.00 lakh/ha (spacing 20 cm x 10 cm) recorded significantly the higher pod yield, haulm yield and net returns, beside 23.45 per cent water and 25 per cent fertilizer saving as compared to conventional practices.
Integrated management of Alternaria blight of safflower under field conditions
Authors: S S WAGH  , A P SURYAWANSHI  , S V PAWAR
Published: October 2023

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), is one of the oilseeds crop grown throughout the world. The crop suffers from many diseases, among that leafspot/blight caused byAlternaria carthami (Chowdhury) has become one of the major constraints in the production and productivity of safflower all over India. The disease has been reported to cause 25 to 60 per cent yield losses in safflower. Management of safflower Alternaria blight with chemicals alone needs to be discouraged due to their ill-effects. Management trials were conducted with integration of the effective fungicides, bioagents and botanicals under natural epiphytotic condition during rabi, 2013 and 2014. The disease intensity was low (14.34%) with highest reduction (74.36%) with the combination of seed treatment with T. viride @ 10 g/kg + garlic clove extract ST @ 10 ml/kg followed by foliar spray hexaconazole FS @ 0.1 %. Seed treatment with hexaconazole ST @ 1 ml/kg followed by foliar spraying of same fungicide 0.1% also showed low disease intensity of 15.46 per cent and disease control of 72.37 per cent. Seed treatment of T. viride @ 1 ml/kg + garlic clove extract @ 10 ml/kg followed by spraying of mancozeb 0.25% reduced the disease by 69.16 per cent. Significant increase in seed yield up to 54.56 per cent and highest ICBR (3.22) was recorded in treatment of T. viride ST @ 10 g/kg + garlic clove extract ST @ 10 ml/kg + hexaconazole FS @ 0.1 %.
Investigation on Line x Tester analysis in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
Authors: S G PARAMESHWARAPPA
Published: October 2023

Line x Tester analysis in sesame using four lines and three testers was carried out to study the heterosis and combing ability for yield and yield components viz., days to maturity, plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of capsules on the main axis, number of capsules per plant, length of capsule, number of seeds per capsule, 1000-seed weight and seed yield per plant. The variances due to crosses, lines, testers and line x tester were significant for all the characters except plant height and number of seeds per capsule for lines, number of seeds per capsule for testers and seed yield per plant for F1s. The significant variances due to lines, testers and line x tester showed the involvement of both additive and non-additive gene actions in controlling the traits. General and specific combining ability (gca and sca) variances showed major contribution of additive gene action for all the nine characters studied except number of seeds per capsule. Lines DS-10 and PKVNT-11 were good general combiners for most of the characters including seed yield per plant. Highest magnitude of standard heterosis was recorded in the cross DS-10 x DS-5. Other promising crosses for high yield were DS-10 x RT-351, SVPR-1 x RT-351, PKVNT-11 x DS-5 and AKT-101 x GT-3 on the basis ofsca effect. Heterosis and per se performance may be used to select superior heterotic crosses for exploitation of hybrid vigour in sesame.
Peptide polymorphism under recommended dose of nitrogen fertilization in Brassica juncea
Authors: IBANDALIN MAWLONG  , REEMA RANI  , M S SUJITH KUMAR  , BASANT KUMAR KANDPAL  , OM PRAKASH PREMI
Published: October 2023

Electrophoretically detectable seed storage proteins such as cruciferin, procruciferin and napin in mustard seeds possess the potential for taxonomic and evolutionary characterization of germplasm. This study was intended to see the genetic diversity among 24 genotypes of Indian mustard and the effect of N80 application on the protein profile. SDS-PAGE based profiles of seed proteins showed major differences in banding patterns among these genotypes. A total of eight peptide bands were assayed for their specificity in detecting genetic variability among Brassica genotypes under N0 and N80 conditions. Under N0 condition, a total of 166 bands (86.5%) were scored ranging from 10 kDa to 71 kDa in all genotypes, of which 118 showed polymorphic loci with 71.08 per cent polymorphism and similarity coefficient ranging from 0.375 to 1.0. Genotypes were clustered using UPGMA based clustering method into two major clusters. Cluster-I comprises of two cultivars, while cluster-II included the remaining twenty two cultivars. Under N80 condition, a range of 170 bands (88.5%) were found among 24 genotypes, of which 74 bands showed 38.5 per cent polymorphismwith similarity coefficient ranging from0.5 to 1.0. HB-9916 showed maximum variation (62.5%) in banding pattern of peptides with 3 per cent rise in polymorphism over N0 condition.
Inheritance of morphological characters and sex expression in castor (Ricinus communis L.)
Authors: M RAMESH  , C LAVANYA  , M SUJATHA  , M H V BHAVE  , J ARUNA KUMARI
Published: October 2023

The segregation of morphological characters and sex expression of the traits was studied to understand the pattern of inheritance involving pistillate lines from different backgrounds like S type, NES and new sources like using F1 and F2 populations. Inheritance of stem colour in four crosses of pistillate x monoecious lines indicated that stem colour was controlled by single gene while red stem colour was dominant over green stem colour in F1. However, in other cross it showed digenic epistatic ratio. Study on bloom colour indicates that it is controlled by monogene and presence of bloom was dominant over absence of bloom respectively. While the present study indicated that two genes control the leaf shape in three crosses where as in presence of either of a dominant gene masks the phenotype as flat or semi-cup while both recessive genes result in cup shaped leaf. Sex expression character indicating the dominance of monoecious over pistillate character in some crosses while in other crosses the dominance of pistillate character over the monoecious character. Based on sex expression study it concluded that the proportion of monoecious and pistillate flowers is greatly influenced by both genetic and non-genetic factors.
Efficacy of newer insecticides against Spodoptera litura in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Authors: S S LAKSHMAN  , M K GODKE  , H BASAPPA
Published: October 2023

Field experiment was conducted during rabi-summer season of 2014-15 and 2015-16 to evaluate the efficacy of certain newer chemical insecticides (flubendiamide 480SC, spinosad 48SC, thiodicarb 75WP, thiodicarb 80DF, novaluron 10EC) with conventional insecticides (dichlorvos 76EC and chlorpyriphos 20EC) against tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura in sunflower. Results revealed that the maximum percentage of larval reduction and defoliation was in flubendiamide 480SC @ 150ml/ha followed by spinosad 48SC @ 150ml/ha. Highest seed yield were recorded in flubendiamide (1950 and 1825 kg/ha) followed by spinosad (1875 and 1740 kg/ha) and thiodicarb 75WP (1785 and 1700 kg/ha) as against 1500 and 1400 kg/ha in untreated control during 2014-15 and 2015-16, respectively. The maximum cost-benefit ratio of 1:2.1 and 1:2.05 was obtained with flubendiamide during 2014-15 and 2015-16, respectively.
Analysis of seed chain and its implication in rapeseed-mustard (Brassica spp.) production in India
Authors: J S CHAUHAN  , P R CHOUDHURY  , S PAL  , K H SINGH
Published: October 2023

India is ranked third after Canada and China sharing about 11.0% of the global rapeseed-mustard production (72.41 mt) and 24.7% and 29.4% in terms of area and production, respectively, of oilseeds in India during 2018-19. Of the projected demand of 82-101 m t of oilseeds by 2030, contribution of rapeseed-mustard is projected at 16.4-20.5 m t, considering its share of 20%-25% in production. Near doubling the production of rapeseed-mustardfrom its current production of 9.26 m t within 10 years is a daunting challenge necessitating multi-pronged strategy. First and foremost approach would be to bridge the exploitable yield reservoir (EP II) of 57.2% in rapeseed-mustard. Seed is the technological carrier and facilitates the realization of potential of variety and crop management technologies. The present paper reviews global scenario ofrapeseed-mustard production and Indian scenario ofseed sector, seed systems, seed production chain, seed status and its implication in production ofrapeseed-mustard. India has a very robust seed systemcomprising both public sector institutions and private seed companies; this systemacts as a driver of growth in agriculture. Of the three seed systems prevalent in India, viz., formal, informal and integrated, formal system wherein guiding principles are to maintain varietal identity, purity and to produce seed of optimal physical, physiological and phyto-sanitary qualityis predominant. Seed chain ofrapeseed-mustard during 2019-20 was maintained with 55 varieties comprising 35 of Indian mustard, 11 of toria, 5 of yellow sarson and 2 each of gobhi sarson and taramira. Varietal mismatches in the breeder seed production was only 5.6% during 2019-20. Breeder seed production was higher by two to three folds than the indents during the last 11 years (2009-10 to 2019-20). During the last 10 years there has been a surge in seed requirement from 2.20 lakh q to 2.64 lakh q. Seed availability during this period was always higher by 2.3%-27.8% than the requirement, except during 2016-17 when a marginal deficit (0.8%) was observed. The seed replacement rate (SRR) is above the threshold level (33%for self- and 50% for cross-pollinated crops) and varietal replacement rate (VRR) is also high as contribution of old and obsolete varieties (released up to 1993) has substantially reduced from 49.4% (2014-15) to 1.7% (2019-20) forIndian mustard; 81.1% (2014-15) to 25.1% (2019-20) for toria and 64.0% (2014-15) to 18.9% (2019-20) for yellow sarson. Increased availability of seed, adequate SRR with high VRR are some of the contributing factors for enhanced yield from 1143 kg/ha to 1511 kg/ha during 2008-09 to 2018-19 in rapeseed-mustard. This paper also highlights some of the issues and strategies for quality breeder seed production.
Genetic studies of oil content in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)
Authors: MANJUNATH HUGAR  , MANJULA MARALAPPANAVAR  , LAKSHMI GANGAVATI
Published: October 2023

Safflower is an ancient oilseed crop and has been acknowledged as a healthy vegetable oil. Though India is the largest producer, the area under safflower has been declining mainly due to low productivity and less profitability. Safflower genotypes with higher oil content would help to make the crop commercially viable and regain its area owing to its high oil quality compared to its competitive counter parts. The genetic improvement of safflower for higher oil content is an urgent need and involves an understanding of genetics of the trait. A-1, a popular highly resilient variety in India since 1969 with good yield has low oil content of 28% and needs to be improved for oil content. Baccum-92, a Mexican line with high oil of 37% was used in a cross with A-1 to develop 6 generations to study the inheritance of oil content and to simultaneously identify the segregants with high yield and oil content. The six generation mean analysis revealed that additive, dominance components and epistatic interactions of additive × additive and dominance × dominance with duplicate gene interaction determined the inheritance of oil content. One (43.52%) and 3 (ranging from 39.06 to 39.98%) segregants having 5% superiority over the better parent Bacum-92 were observed in F2 and BC1P1, respectively. 5 segregants with higher yield than A-1 coupled with high oil content of more than 31% were identified across the populations which can be stabilized and used in safflower improvement.
Heterosis response and combining ability (variance and effect) analysis for seed yield and its components in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) under timely sown condition
Authors: JAGDISH PRASAD CHAURASIYA  , MAHAK SINGH  , NAGESHWAR
Published: October 2023

Diallel analysis excluding reciprocal crosses comprising of seven parents and their 21 specific hybrids was carried out to identifyhigh heterotic combinations and their relationship in terms of general and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA) in Indian mustard. Highest economic heterosis for yield was observed in crosses namely; NRCHB-101 x Pusa M-21, Urvashi x Pusa Bold, NRCDR-2 x Urvashi, Maya x Pusa Bold, and Maya x NRCDR-2. The economic parents Urvashi, Pusa Bold, NRCHB-101, Pusa M-21, NRCDR-2, Maya and RGN-73 were the best parents for majority of the characters with Urvashi and Pusa Bold being the best economic parents for seed yield/plant and its contributing characters as their GCA and per se performances were high. Analysis of variance for GCA and SCA signified differences for majority of the characters. Ratio of GCA and SCA variances was below unity for majority of the characters except Days to 50% flowering and Days to maturity, which suggested superior role of non-additive genetic variance in the inheritance of these traits. The crosses namely Maya x NRCDR-2, Maya x Pusa Bold, NRCDR-2 x Urvashi, NRCHB-101 x Pusa M-21 and Urvashi x Pusa Bold showed high per se performance as well as SCA effects for seed yield and its contributing characters. The above best parents and best crosses could be used in hybridization and heterosis breeding respectively.
Unravelling the G × E interactions using AMMI biplot for phenology and agro-morphological traits in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)
Authors: MITHLESH KUMAR  , MANUBHAI PATEL  , RAVINDRA SINGH CHAUHAN  , CHANDRESH TANK  , SATYANARAYAN SOLANKI
Published: October 2023

In the present study, additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) biplot analysis was used to identify stable genotypes for days to flowering, maturity, plant height and number of branches per plant to dissect GEI in linseed. Trials were conducted in randomized complete block design with two replications over three consecutive years(2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19). ANOVA analysis revealed genotype and G×E interaction effects contributed significant sumofsquare for days to flower (97.31% and 0.56%); days to maturity (89.27% and 8.90%); plant height (98.29% and 0.70%) and number of branches per plant (86.40% and 2.41%respectively). The dissection of GE interaction for all the traits was mostly explained by the first and second principal component axis (IPCA1 and IPCA2). The SSI statistic fully sync with the results of the AMMI1 biplot analysis for all the traits of top ranked genotypes across the environments. Results of genotypes stability in AMMI1 and AMMI2 biplot analyses were shown differential response with some exceptions that indicates the different sets of genes were responsible for the cumulative expression of traits under study. In the present study environments imposed variable effects with few exceptions towards the genotype stability in both AMMI1 and AMMI2 analysis models for all the traits studied. Hence, the desirable genotypes identified in linseed for phenology and agro-morphological traits could be utilized in hybridization program and varietal recommendation under semi-arid conditions.
Investigation of genetic variability in castor (Ricinus communis L.) accessions through principal component analysis
Authors: YAMANURA  , R MOHAN KUMAR  , C LAVANYA  , PRASHANTH A SANGANNAVAR  , B BORAIAH
Published: October 2023

In this study 100 castor germplasmaccessions along with 4 checks(DCS-9, DCS-107, DCH-177 and DCH-519) were examined for genetic variability and agro-morphological traits at All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Castor, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, GKVK, Bengaluru during kharif 2019. The analysis of variance revealed that, castor accessions differed significantly for all the targeted traits except number of effective spikes per plant, which indicates considerable variability exists among the germplasm accession studied. The outcome of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that,four principal components (PCs) having eigen values more than one with 79.36% of the total variation among the 104 genotypes. Further, the PC 1 accounts 38.94% variation followed by PC 2 with17.88%, PC 3 with 13.98% and PC 4 with 8.55% variation. The germplasm studied were grouped into eleven main clusters. Cluster-I consist of 29 genotypes which was found to be a largest cluster, whereas, cluster VIII, IX, X and XI consists of single genotype in each cluster and they had solitary entries viz., HCG-21, HCG-116, BCG-23 and HCG-80 respectively. Based on values of inter cluster distance, it was found that the highest divergence occurred between cluster X and XI (18772790.00). The cluster X involved BCG-23 which is high yielding (223.40g/plant), bold seeded (40.99g/100 seed weight) and better than checks and cluster XI had HCG-80, these could be utilized in heterosis breeding to get superior recombinants.