Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Impact of different levels of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of preseasonal sugarcane ratoon in Inceptisols
A field experiment was conducted at soil test crop response (STCR) correlation project farm of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri Maharashtra.The result showed that individual application of nitrogen (N), phosphorus(P),potassium(K) or organic nutrient sources (Farm yard manure) recorded less value of preseasonal sugarcane ratoon but the integration of both the sources showed significantly improved all the growth, yield and quality parameters of preseasonal sugarcane ratoon. The maximum number of internodes were ranged between 21-30 with mean of 25.42, number of leaves 6-10 with mean of 7.21, length of internodes 12.50-16.80 cm with mean of 14.41 cm, girth of internodes 11.30-13.10 cm with mean of 12.15 cm and height of millable cane 335-385 with mean of 351.75 cm, respectively were found higher with application of residual effect of 30 t ha-1 farm yard manure (FYM). However, the quality traits viz., brix ranged from 18.70 to 22.80 with mean of 19.87, pol per cent ranged from 15.81 to 18.41 per cent with mean of 17.53 per cent and commercial cane sugar (CCS) per cent from 9.39 to 12.09 per cent with mean of 10.76 per cent. The CCS yield was ranged between 9.58-16.30 MT ha-1 with mean value of 14.13 MT ha-1were enhanced considerably with residual 15 and 30 t FYM ha-1 blocks over without FYM. The application of organic and inorganic fertilizers will not only enhance the growth, yield and quality of preseasonal sugarcane ratoon but also conserve agro-ecosystem for sustainable crop production
Biochemical composition of promising leaves genotypes of buckwheat grown in Himachal Pradesh
Buckwheat originated from China and being cultivated all over the world, and has become a prominent pseudocereal. Among the pseudocereals (amaranthus, buckwheat and quinoa), buckwheat plant is economically important primarily due to their carbohydrate and protein rich grains, short growth span; besides foliage being used as a green vegetable and commercial source of the glycoside rutin used in medicine. In the present study, an attempt was made to evaluate the biochemical constituents of nutritional and nutraceutical significance of fourteen promising leaves genotypes of common buckwheat grown in Sangla region by following standard procedures. Wide variations in moisture content, crude protein, fat, ash, crude fiber, carbohydrates, ascorbic acid, oxalate and in vitro protein digestibility were observed to range from 87.4 to 92.2 %, 22.4 to 30.4 %, 1.8 to 3.7 %, 10.6 to 15.4 %, 12.0 to 13.9 %, 34.8 to 42.4 %, 25.0 to 29.2 mg/100g, 1375 to 1390 mg/100g and 53.4 to 65.1 % in that order. The content of minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese and copper varied from 1767.5 to 2035.0 mg/100g, 808 to 910 mg/100g, 394 to 409 mg/100g, 232.0 to 248.2 mg/100g, 3.1 to 6.1 mg/100g, 20.4 to 29.8 mg/100g and 0.2 to 1.4 mg/100g respectively. Based on cumulative grading done in respect of nutritionally desirable quality i.e., protein, ash, crude fiber, carbohydrates, ascorbic acid, in vitro protein digestibility, calcium, phosphorus, iron and oxalate content, the genotype IC-323731 followed by Kullugangetri and VL-27 emerged out to be overall superior versatile cultivars for cultivation under dry temperate climate
Mineralogy of soils of major geomorphic units of north-eastern Haryana, India
The study was carried to determine the mineralogy of soils of different geomorphic units for providing the more detailed information needed to improve agricultural production in north-eastern part of Haryana. The soils of the study area were slightly acidic to strongly alkaline in reaction (6-9.4). The cation exchange capacity and electrical conductivity varied from 3.10-26.80 cmol (+) kg-1 and 0.16-1.20 dSm-1, respectively. In general, the soils were siliceous in nature with SiO2 ranging from 68.60 to 87.90 percent. The soil samples from surface and subsurface diagnostic horizons were studied through X-ray diffraction. In fine sand, quartz was the dominant mineral followed by feldspars, muscovite, hornblende, tourmaline, zircon, biotite, iron ores and sphene. In silt fraction, quartz was the dominant mineral followed by mica, feldspars, chlorite, kaolinite, interstratified and traces of smectite and vermiculite. Semi-quantitative estimation of clay fraction indicated that illite was the single dominant mineral in the clay fraction of these pedons, however, its quantity was less in alluvial plains (28-30 %) compared to Shiwalik hills (36-49 %). Next to illite, a high amount of smectite (14-20 %) and vermiculite (11-17 %) were observed in clays of alluvial plains of Ghaggar (recent and old) whereas in Shiwalik hills (top and valley) these minerals were detected in small amount (6-11 %). Fairly good amount of kaolinite (10-17 %) and small amount of chlorite (4-11 %) were uniformly distributed in soil clays irrespective of geomorphic units showing their detrital origin. Medium intensity broad peaks in higher range diffractograms (14-24 AËš) indicated the presence of regular and irregular interstratified minerals in old alluvial plains of Ghaggar
Bioefficacy and dissipation of ?-cyfluthrin against white fly Bemisia tabaci Genn.) in okra (Abelomoschus esculentus L.)
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different insecticides viz., bifenthrin, flubendiamide, fipronil, quinalphos, pronofos and ?-cyfluthrin against white fly (Bemisia tabaci) of okra (Abelomoschus esculentus) by spraying twice. Among the insecticides evaluated, ? cyfluthrin at 18.75 g a.iha-1 was found to be the effective by registering 57.00 and 54.21 per cent reduction of whitefly (B. abaci) during first and second sprays, respectively. Further ?-cyfluthrin at 18.75 g a. i ha-1 was subjected to dissipation studies by collecting okra (A. esculentus) fruit samples at interval of zero, one, three, five, seven, 10 and 15 days after last spray. Results of the dissipation studies showed that the initial deposits of ?-cyfluthrin (18.75 g a.iha-1) in okra (A. esculentus) fruit sample was registered to be 0.11 mg kg-1 and dissipated to below detectable level (BDL) within five days after spray
Response of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to fertigation by irrigation scheduling in drip irrigation system
Drip irrigation technique has proved its superiority over other methods of irrigation due to direct application of water and nutrient in the vicinity of root zone. A field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of irrigation and fertigation scheduling through drip irrigation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) during Rabi season of 2015-16 at Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur. There were three irrigation levels and five fertilization levels in split-plot design with three replications. Nutrient content in plant and fruit was found higher under the application of drip irrigation at 100 % PE (I1) and at 100 % RDF through fertigation (F1). Maximum nutrient uptake by tomato i.e. nitrogen (166.83 kg ha-1), phosphorus (41.59 kg ha-1) and potassium (183.08 kg ha-1) was recorded with treatment combination of drip irrigation at 75 % PE (I2) + 75 % RDF through fertigation + 2 foliar spray of 1 % urea phosphate (F3). Similarly, significantly maximum yield and growth attributes i.e. fruit yield (201.25 q ha-1), plant height (67.43 cm) and number of branches (12.33) were registered with treatment combination of drip irrigation at 75 % PE and 75 % RDF through fertigation + 2 foliar spray of 1 % urea phosphate. Drip fertigation method has proved to be very significant in improving nutrient uptake which finally resulting in enhancement of growth and yield of tomato crop
Foraging behavior of major insect pollinators on pumpkin, Cucurbita moschata (Duch.ex Lam)
Foraging activity period of different honey bee species on C. moschata (C-1076) flowers at different day hours during August-September (2013) revealed that A. dorsata, A. mellifera, A. cerana and A. florea initiated their activity early in the morning at 0530, 0615, 0625 and 0630 h, respectively and stopped their activity at 1030, 1020, 1025 and 1030 h of the day, respectively while on C. moschata (C-1106, A. dorsata, A. mellifera, A. cerana and A. florea initiated their activity early in the morning at 0535, 0615, 0620 and 0625 h, respectively and ceased their activity at 1045, 1025, 1015 and 1040 h of the day, respectively. The mean foraging speed (time spent per flower) in seconds on flowers of pumpkin (C-1106) was maximum of A. florea (181.72), followed by A. mellifera (7.15), A. cerana (6.05) and A. dorsata spent least time (5.83) and in pumpkin (C-1076), foraging speed was maximum in case of A. florea (178.71), followed by A. mellifera (7.63), A. cerana (6.24) and A. dorsata spent least time (6.06). The mean foraging rate (flowers visited per minute) on flowers of pumpkin (C-1106) was maximum in case of A. dorsata (5.13), followed by A. cerana (4.30), A. mellifera (4.16) and A. florea visited least flower (0.32) and in pumpkin (C-1076), foraging rate was maximum in case of A. dorsata (4.96), followed by A. cerana (4.19), A. mellifera (4.02) and A. florea visited least flower (0.33). Present study advises the farmers that they should not apply the pesticide when the activityof honey bee is on the peak period because pesticides application at the time of bee activity in the field crop causes mortality of bees
Effect of nano based seed treatment insecticides on seed quality in Pigeonpea
A laboratory experiment was conducted to know the effect seed treatment with nano insecticides on seed quality of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) cv. TS3R. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of macro and nano insecticides on seed germination and vigour of Pigeonpea. Different recommended seed treatment insecticides viz, malathion, fenvalerate, emamectine benzoate, thiodicarb, sweet flag and neem seed kernel powder insecticides were synthesized to nano form using high energy planetary ball mill. The Pigeonpea seed were treated with different nano insecticides i.e., 10-90 per cent reduction in actual dosage. Among the different treatments studied, seed treated with nano malathion 50 per cent lesser than normal dosage, fenvalerate 60 per cent lesser, thiodicarb 10 per cent lesser, emamectine benzoate 30 per cent lesser, sweetflag 70 per cent lesser, neem seed kernel powder 40 per cent lesser than actual recommended dosage gave significantly higher seed germination (98.0, 98.67, 98.67, 97.0, 99.0 and 98.67 percent) ,less number of abnormal seedlings (1.0, 0.33, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0 and 0.33 per cent) , shoot length (10.13, 9.00, 11.47, 9.50, 10.90 and 10.87 cm), root length (12.56, 12.93, 12.83, 12.60 11.50 and 13.00 cm), seedling dry weight (85.73, 87.40, 88.47, 87.70, 88.60 and 88.27 g) and seedling vigour index (2223, 2164, 2397, 2143, 2217 and 2354) as compared to untreated seeds and macro insecticides. Therefore, it is very clear that nano based insecticides has a significant (0.1 %) impact on the seed quality improvement
Study the effect of scouring time on Grewia asiatica (Phalsa) fibres properties
This research work was carried out to investigate the influence of treatment time period on physical properties of water retted Grewia asiatica (Phalsa) fibres. The extracted fibres were subjected to chemical scouring with sodium hydroxide (20g/l) and ammonium oxalate (5g/l) at 100º C for 30 mins. and 60 mins. and their effect on tensile strength, elongation and fibres fineness was studied. It was found that as the time period for scouring increased from 30 mins. to 60 mins. elongation and fineness improved, whereas in case of tenacity for 30 mins. treatment, tenacity improved but 60 mins. scouring decreased the tenacity of the fibres
Egg parameters of the Red Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) in agricultural ecosystem of Punjab
The Red Wattled Lapwing is an important bird of the agro-ecosystem of the Punjab state, feeding on insects, seeds and nectar. The present study was carried out to gather information on the egg parameters (morphometry and its components), which is lacking for this species. The eggs were observed in the nest construct-ed in the agricultural fields of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, Punjab. Egg length, width and weight were measured using vernier caliper and portable weighing balance, respectively, in laboratory. The egg parameters like egg volume, specific gravity and shape index were also calculated. Weight of egg components (yolk, albumen and shell) were also measured using weighing balance. Results revealed that average values of egg breadth, length and shape index were: 30.05±0.331 (mm), 41.29±0.573 (mm) and 72.83±0.930, respectively. Whereas whole egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight, albumen percentage, yolk percentage, shell percentage, egg volume and specific gravity were 17.49±0.634(gm),7.17±0.374 (gm), 9.05±0.233 (gm), 1.26±0.070 (gm), 40.84±0.941 (%), 51.92±0.830 (%), 7.22±0.280 (%), 17.07±0.531(cm3) and 1.02±0.009 (gm/cm3), respectively. This study pro-vides important information that can help the avian taxonomists in species classification, as bird’s egg diverges widely in shape, volume, weight and percentage of albumen, yolk and shell. Therefore, we can use the egg parameters as additional information in bird systematic
Efficacy of botanical formulations and fungicides against Botryosphaeria dothidea, causing white rot in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.)
The present study was conducted to determine inhibitory effect of plant extracts, their botanical formula-tions (BF1 and BF2) and safer fungicides against Botryosphaeria dothidea cause white rot of apple (Malus × domes-tica) during storage. Poisoned food technique was performed to evaluate the efficacy of different plant extracts, their botanical formulations and safer fungicides. Out of twelve botanicals evaluated under in vitro conditions against the white rot pathogen, leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum was found most effective among all the treatments with 54.07 per cent average inhibition in mycelial growth. Out of twelve plants evaluated for their efficacy, six effective plants Karu (Roylea elegans), Artemisia (Artemisia roxburghiana), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bana (Vitex negundo), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and Darek (Melia azedarach) were selected for making two botanical formulations (BF1 and BF2). While, BF1 was water based formulation and BF2 was cow urine based formulation. Among these botanical formulations, BF2 inhibited mycelial growth of white rot pathogen by 72.70 per cent and BF1 66.37 per cent at 100 % concentration. Whereas, among the tested fungicides, Score at 100 ppm concentration was found to be most effective with 75.01 % average inhibition in mycelial growth of the white rot pathogen