009262   Yadav K;Yadav D;Yadav R B (Agronomy Dep, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Univ of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Email: ydeviari@gmail.com) : Nutrient content and uptake of basmati rice as influenced by organic and inorganic sources of nutrients. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 374-7.

Performance of organic sources i.e. vermi-compost (VC), poultry manure (PM), farm yard manure (FYM) in combination with chemical fertilizers and sole chemical fertilizers with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) i.e. 120:60:60 NPK kg ha-1 and 125% RDF were evaluated in terms of nutrient content and nutrient uptake of basmati rice at crop research centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, India, during kharif - 2013 using randomized block design (RBD). Results revealed that highest nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in grain and straw and their uptake in basmati rice were recorded with application of 125% RDF through inorganic source of nutrient over other treatments. The highest grain (4.56 t ha-1) and straw yield (6.49 t ha-1) was also recorded with 125% RDF through inorganic source of nutrient but it was statistically similar to the treatment containing 50% RDF through inorganic sources + 50% through PM.

1 illus, 2 tables, 6 ref

009261   Yadav D;Singh Y V;Yadav K (Agronomy Dep, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Email: ydeviari@gmail.com) : Role of microbial inoculants on performance of rock phosphate in aerobic rice (Oryza sativa). Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 378-82.

Performance of rock phosphate (RP) inoculated with phosphorus solubilising bacteria (PSB) and arbuscular mycorrizal fungi (AMF) was evaluated in terms of water productivity, biological health and available nutritional status of soil under aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) at ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, during Kharif-2013. Results revealed that application of RP inoculated with PSB and AMF enhanced irrigation water productivity by 16.1%, dehydrogenase activity (DHA) by 54.9%, alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) by 18.9% and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) by 64.3% over sole RP with same rate of application. Available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) status of soil were also improved by applying 30 kg P through RP inoculated with PSB and AMF over 30 kg P through sole RP.

1 illus, 2 tables, 13 ref

009260   Vimlesh Kumar;Mishra D P;Yadav G C;Dwivedi D K (Vegetable Science Dep, N.D.U. A&T. Kumarganj, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh) : Genetic diversity assessment for morphological, yield and biochemical traits in genotypes of pumpkin. J Pharmac Phytochem 2017, 6(3), 14-18.

The investigations were conducted with the using of twenty one genotypes (15 F1 hybrids and 6 parents) of pumpkin. The germplasms were evaluated for twenty one morphological, yield and biochemical traits viz., days to first male flower anthesis, days to first female flower anthesis, node number to first male flower, node number to first female flower, days to first fruit harvest, number of primary branches per plant,7. Equatorial circumference of fruit, polar circumference of fruit, Flesh thickness, internodal length (cm), vine length (m), average fruit weight (kg), number of fruits per plant, Fruit yield per plant (kg), dry matter content, total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, ascorbic acid content and β-carotene. The evaluations were conducted consecutively three seasons during 2015-16. The study revealed that mean squares due to genotypes were significant for all the traits during all three seasons (E1, E2, E3). However, the analysis of variance on the basis of pooled revealed that mean squares due genotypes, environments, overall sum found significant for all the traits except overall sum for traits viz., flesh thickness, dry matter content and total sugars content. The investigations further revealed that high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for vine length, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, reducing sugars and β-carotene. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance were observed for number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, reducing sugars, ascorbic acid and β-carotene indicated that the improvement of these traits through selection.

2 tables, 20 ref

009259   Vekariya V K;Faldu G O;Patel C K;Solanki B G (Main Cotton Research Station, Navsari Agriculture Univ, Surat-395 007, Email: vvekaria@nau.in) : Analysis of cotton genotypes for quality appraisal of seeds. J Cell Tissue Res 2016, 16(3), 5889-92.

India is the second highest cotton producer after china in the world. Cotton has economic value as fiber and seed oil. Day by day consumption of Cotton seed oil is increasing in India and it was 13 lakh MT in 2014. In view of this, the present study was conducted to assess the biochemical parameters viz. seed oil content, Gossypol content and total protein from cotton seed of 38 genotypes at Main Cotton Research Station, NAU, Surat in 2014-15. The result revealed that significant variations amongst the genotypes were observed for seed oil content, gossypol content and total protein content. Significantly higher oil content was observed in GTHV 13/37 (17.7%) followed by F-2493 (17.6%), SCS-1207 (17.5%), PBH-13 (17.5%). Gossypol content ranges from 3.52 to 4.62 mg/g in different entries. Lowest gossypol content was observed in GSHV-179 (3.52 mg/g) followed by ARBH-1402 (3.63 mg/g) and CPD-1402 (3.79 mg/g). Highest protein content was observed in Suraj (29.3%) which was followed by CSH-3232 (28.6%) and RS-2767 (28.1%). Thus, GTHV-13/37, GSHV-179 and Suraj may further exploited for oil content, gossypol content and total protein content respectively.

1 illus, 1 table, 24 ref

009258   Usha;Srivastava P;Upadhyay R G;Yadav M K (College of Agriculture, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural Univ, Jhansi-284 003, Email: ushmauryaento@yahoo.com) : Impact of abiotic factors on the foraging activity of the major insect pollinators on mango in Tarai region of Uttarakhand. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 767-73.

Environment plays an important role in pollinator's activity. Flight activity in A. mellifera was significantly influenced by temperature, relative humidity and sunshine. Maximum temperature exerted a significant positive correlation with the foraging activity of A. dorsata, A. mellifera and A. c. indica which indicate that maximum temperature fell within the optimal range (21.0 to 33.5°C) for their activity. However, minimum temperature exerted significant positive correlation with the activity of only A. dorsata and A. c. indica. It reveals that the A. dorsata and A. c. indica are able to forage with optimal range of maximum and minimum Temperature. It was also observed that maximum temperature exerted significant negative correlation with the foraging activity of syrphids and non apis bees, means their activity is decreased with increasing temperature. Although, rainfall exerted significant negative correlation with all foragers showed their activity is decreased during rainy day.

3 illus, 4 tables, 10 ref

009257   Tripathi S C;Subhash Chander;Meena R P (NO, Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal-132 001, Email: subhtripathi@gmail.com) : Intensification is the key for sustainability of rice-wheat system productivity and profitability in India. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 75-80.

Field experiment was conducted with inclusion of green gram and cowpea after wheat and vegetable pea in between rice and wheat under three different tillage (zero tillage, bed planting and conventional tillage) conditions. Tillage options were imposed for latter two crops only after Kharif season. All the intensification treatments recorded higher equivalent wheat yield as compared to rice-wheat system. Maximum equivalent wheat yield (152.13 q/ha), production efficiency (46.81 kg/ha/day), land use efficiency (89.04%), total return (Rs 1, 82,551/-ha), net return (Rs 49, 351/-ha) and B: C ratio (1.37) was recorded in rice-wheat -green gram cropping sequence under bed planting system. Approximately 81.66% higher net return was obtained with the adoption of green gram after wheat as compared to rice-wheat system done. In contrast, these parameters were the lowest in rice-wheat system except production efficiency. This suggested that all the intensifications options are profitable as compared to rice-wheat system. Among the selection of three pulses, maximum profit was with green gram followed by cowpea and vegetable pea. Growing summer green gram could also avoid in pumping of water with additional benefits like increasing pulse production and saving of about 25% nitrogen requirement to succeeding rice crop.

2 tables, 13 ref

009256   Tomar S P S (NO, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior-474 402, Email: sattyam_68@yahoo.co.in) : Assessment of sucking and fruit borer insect pestst management technology with raised beds plantation (resource conservation modules) in chilli (Chilli annuum L.). Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 797-803.

Trials were carried out during two consecutive years, 2011-12 to 2012-13, on sucking and fruit borer insect pests' management technology modules with flat and raised beds planting methods of Chilli was assessed under farmers' field conditions to assess their effects of six IPM modules on insect pests. Keeping in view of an effective extension approach for dissemination of plant protection technologies for sustainable production of chilli, among IPM modules evaluated, MT-3 comprising safer molecule of insecticide was the most effective module against sucking and fruit borer insect pests. The mean per cent infestation of insect pest complex in chilli was least (6.9) in T3 which was on par with T4 (9.95). Higher infestation per cent of insect pest complex was shown in T1 (13.9), T2 (17.5) & T5 (19.65), respectively and highest infestation 24.7 was observed in T6 (farmers practice). Higher chilli yield (58.6 q/ha) was observed in treatment MT -3 (Chilli Planting on ridge-bed, Neemcake @ 250 kg/ha + vermicompost @ 625 kg/ha at transplanting (TP) and need based application of Spinosad 45% SC@ 200 g.a.i./ha, sprays of Nimbecidine @ 5 ml/l and Emamectin benzoate 5% WDG @ 125 g/ha) followed by treatment TM-4 (Chilli planting on flat plain field, with Neemcake @ 250 kg/ha + vermicompost @ 625 kg/ha at transplanting (TP) and need based application of Spinosad 45% SC @ 200 g.a.i./ha, sprays of Nimbecidine @ 5 ml/l and Emamectin benzoate 5% WDG @ 125 g/lia) and TM-1 (Chilli Planting in furrows, Marigold trap crop (one row of marigold for every 18 rows of chilli), vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha + Neem cake @ 250 kg/ha, need based application of Diafenthiuron @ lg/l and profenofosr 2 ml/l.). Further, highest B: C ratio (3.2) was recorded by MT-3 followed by TM-4 and TM-1. It was found the significantly lower, i.e., 6.9% mean insect pests infestation was noticed in chilli with assessed and demonstrated plant protection technologies modules in comparison to farmers practice 24.7%. The significantly higher fruit yield @ 58.6 q/lia, net return Rs 96077 /ha with cost benefit ratio 3.12 were also recorded over farmers practice, i.e., 32.5 q/ha, Rs 35645/ha and 1.84, respectively. Over the past decade, therehas been increasing interest in the development, evaluation and adoption of raised bed planting technology for a wide range of crops in central India. Raised beds offer possibilities of diversifying to water-logged sensitive crops such as chilli, soybean and maize during the monsoon season. Farmers were happy with transplanting of chilli on Raised beds and the modules T3 gave highest yield.

3 tables, 27 ref

009255   Tabook S M;Al-Ismaili A M (Soils Dep, Water and Agricultural Engineering, College of Agricultural and Marine, Oman, Email: abdrahim@squ.edu.om) : Evaluation of greenhouse cropping systems in Oman. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 715-20.

This study presents a preliminary trial to evaluate the performance of greenhouse cropping systems in Oman using five performance indicators', land-use efficiency (LUE), water-use efficiency (WUE), irrigated-water-use efficiency (WUE), gross-water-use efficiency (GWUE) and energy-use efficiency (EUE). Three cucumber greenhouses were chosen us case studies. The first greenhouse was in Suwaiq city (SGH), the second greenhouse was in Thummit city (TGH) and the third greenhouse was representing greenhouse systems in Al-Batinah governorates (BGH). Necessary data to perform the calculations of performance indicators were collected from the three greenhouses. We found that Thumrait greenhouse (TGH) had the highest LUE (181405 kg/ha) compared with Al-Batinah greenhouses (BGH) and Suwaiq greenhouse (SGH) (156695 and 142450 kg/ha, respectively). Similarly, WUE was the highest in TGH (49.2 kg/m^{3) and lowest in SGH (38.6 kg/m3) because the latter had the highest water consumption for irrigation. Correspondingly, TGH had the highest IWUE (673.4 kg/m3) in comparison to BGH (381.9 kg/m^>3) and SGH (323 kg/m3). On the other hand, BGH had the lowest GWUE (159.9 kg/m3) because it had the maximum water consumption for cooling. SGH had the highest EUE (0.34) followed by TGH (0.21) and BGH (0.15). From above, it is misleading to use a single performance indicator to describe the overall performance greenhouse cropping systems because one greenhouse could be strong in one indicator and weak in others. However, because energy-use efficiency (EUE) includes all input and output variables that are incorporated with other indicators, it is highly recommended to use it as a holistic performance indicator of greenhouse systems.}

1 illus, 3 tables, 23 ref

009254   Sunil Kumar B;Sathiyanarayanan G; Gokulakrishnanand J;Prakash M (Genetics and Plant Breeding Dep, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai Univ, Annamalainagar-608 002, Email: sunil62@gmail.com) : Study on physiological growth parameters in semi drought tolerant genotypes of mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek). Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 653-62.

Fourty four elite drought tolerant genotypes collected from various parts of the country were evaluated for growth traits namely Mean productivity (MP), Rate productivity (RP), Drought susceptibility index (DSI), Drought tolerance index (DTI), Tolerance to drought stress (TDS), Relative water content (RWC), Leaf Area (LA), Leaf area Duration (LAD), Crop Growth rate (CGR), Relative growth rate (RGR), Net assimilation rate (NAR) and Harvest index (HI). Significant differences were observed among the accessions and percentage reduction in growth parameters were deciphered for each of the above growth parameters among the accessions.

7 illus, 1 table, 39 ref

009253   Sunil Kumar B;Gokulakrishnan J; Sathiyanarayanan G;Prakash M (Genetics and Plant Breeding Dep, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai Univ, Annamalainagar-608 002, Email: sunil62@gmail.com) : Impact of osmotic stress on seed gerination and seedling growth in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek). Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 645-52.

Screening of drought was undertaken investigate the effect of water stress on thirtytwo different accessions of mungbean (Vignaradiata L. Wilczek) and its physiological responses to drought tolerance at seedling stage. Water stress was simulated by non-ionic water soluble polymer polyethylene glycol of molecular weight 6000. After fourteen days, data were recorded for easily measurable seedling traits as shoot length,root length, fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight, fresh root weight and dry root weight under control as well as water stress conditions. Significant differences were observed among the accessions, treatments and their interactions for evaluated plant traits suggesting a great amount of variability for drought tolerance in mungbean. Differential sensitivity of seedling traits was noted due to water stress created by PEG. However, shoot related traits were the most sensitive against the water stress.

9 illus, 34 ref

009252   Sulochana S;Vidhya R;Vijayasekaran D;Mohanraj K (Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS), Anna Univ, Chennai, Email: ssulochana45@gmail.com) : Denoising and dimensionality reduction of hyperspectral images using framelet transform with different shrinkage functions. Indian J Geomar Sci 2016, 45(8), 978-86.

Present study is focussed on providing alternatives beyond discrete wavelet transform that not only reduce the dimensionality of the data and also simultaneously denoised the data cube by combining framelet transform (FRT) with different shrinkage functions and dimensionality reduction methods. Universal shrink (US), Visu shrink (VS), Minimax shrink (MS), Sure shrink (SS), Bayes shrink (BS) and Normal shrink (NS) will be applied to threshold the detail coefficients of framelet transform. Discrete wavelet transform (DWT), wavelet packet transform (WPT) and curvelet transform (CUT) also used for evaluating the performance of the proposed method. Peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) is calculated for each method and the results are compared. A higher value of the PSNR indicates the good quality of the denoised data cube. Then dimensionality reduction methods such as principal component analysis (PCA), Singular value decomposition (SVD) and Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) are applied on the denoised data cube. The efficiency of the simultaneous denoising and dimensionality reduction of hyperspectral data cube is calculated in terms of entropy with and without denoising. Edge detection also performed, directional properties of framelet transform can able to capture edges and contours which are the main features in images. The framelet transform, Bayes shrink with soft thresholding produce sound results in terms of denoising and edge detection over DWT, WPT and curvelet transform based methods.

4 illus, 4 tables, 30 ref

009251   Srivastava R;Vyas S;Bhardwaj C;Tapan Kumar; TaraSatyavathi C;Bhatia S;Patil B S;Parida S (Genetics Div, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi-110 012, Email: chbharadwaj@yahoo.co.in) : Correlation analysis for quantitative traits in a mapping population of chickpea (Cicerarietinum L.) developed for seed traits. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 685-7.

The present studies were conducted to the estimation of correlation for quantitative traits in a mapping population developed for seed traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The studies indicated a high positive and significant correlation in the Recombinant Inbred lines for the traits number of seeds per pod and 100-seed weight with yield. The biparental mapping population would not only serve as a source for mapping the genes but also provide breeders with valuable breeding material for carrying out selection and improving the targeted traits.

1 table, 15 ref

009250   Srivastava R;Bhardwaj C;Vyas S;Dantu P K; Tapan Kumar;Satyavathi C Tara;Patil B S (Genetics Div, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi-110 012, Email: chbharadwaj@yahoo.co.in) : Mobilization of seed proteins in germinating seeds of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 689-92.

The present study relating to the mobilization of stored protein in germinating chickpea seeds throws light on the understanding of changes in seed metabolism during germination. In chickpea the initial drop in the protein control dearly indicates the denovo production of metabolizing enzymes that break down protein which is required to be mobilized for the growth and development of embryo. Presence of proteins in radical and plumule indicate synthesis of new proteins.

2 tables, 10 ref

009249   Srinivasulu K;Rao S B S N;Pramila Rani B; Reddy K B;Babu D V (Integrated weed management Unit, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur-522 034) : Weed management strategies for direct seeded drill sown rice. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 215-20.

A field experiment was carried out during Kharif 2013-14 and 2014-15 in black soils of Agricultural Research Station, Jangamaheswarapuram, Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh with an objective to find out the most effective weed management strategy for controlling late emerging weeds in direct drill sown rice. The experiment consists of 10 treatments involving various weed management practices in a randomized block design with three replications. Among the weed management practices Pendimethalin@ 1.0kg a.i. /ha fb cono weeder at 20,40 and 60 DAS results in highest weed control efficiency due to reduced weed density and weed dry matter accumulation and is comparable with that of the treatment received Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg/ha fb Bispyribac sodium at 40 and 60 DAS as well as the Bispyribac sodium at 20,40 and 60 DAS during both years of study. Similarly, the highest grain yield was observed with the treatment received Pendimethalinr 1.0 kg a.i. /ha fb conoweeder at 20, 40 and 60 DAS which were significantly higher than that observed with all other treatments studied, except the hand weeding at 20, 40 and 60 DAS. The pooled mean data of 2013-14 and 2014-15 reveals that the grain yield (6165 kg/ha), net returns (Rs 55,762/-) and benefit cost ratio (2.52) were observed with the treatment Pendimethalin @1.0 kg/ha fb conoweeder at 20, 40 and 60 DAS were markedly higher than all other treatments studied. However, the treatments received Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha fb either Cyhalofop butyl 100g+2,4-D @ 0.8 kg or Bispyribac sodium @ 25 g a.i. /ha. at 20, 40 and 60 DAS gave comparable grain yield, net returns and benefit cost ratio with hand weeding at 20, 40 and 60 DAS.

3 tables, 2 ref

009248   Srinivasulu K;Rao S B S N;Pramila Rani B;Rao K K;Reddy K B;Babu D V (Integrated weed management Unit, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur-522 034) : Weed management in zero till maize (Zea mays L.) grown under rice fallows. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 211-14.

A field experiment was carried out during Rabi 2014-15 in rice fallows under irrigated condition in black soils of agricultural research station Jangamahesivarapuram, Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh with an objective to find out the suitable strategy to alleviate weeds in rice fallow maize grown under zero tillage. The experiment consists of 12 treatments involving various weed management practices in a randomized block design with three replications. Weed density at 60 DAS were markedly reduced by paraquat spray immediately after dibbling maize seeds fb Topramezone @ 25 g/ha + Atrazine @ 0.625 kg/ha at 20 DAS and Hand weeding at 20, 40 and 60 DAS. Similarly highest weed control efficiency was also observed with hand weeding at 20,40 and 60 DAS. The treatment received Paraquat spray immediately after dibbling maize seeds fb Topramezone @ 25 g a.i./ha + Atrazine @ 0.625 kg a.i./ha as post at 20 DAS resulted in higher grain yield (5048 kg/ha), net returns (Rs 29098/-) and benefit cost ratio (1.75). The low cost of chemical treatment 'Paraquat spray immediately after dibbling maize seeds fb Topramezone. @ 25 g a.i./ha + Atrazine @ 0.625 kg a.i./ha as POE at 20 DAS' made it as the best economic alternative to the hand weeding which is laborious and expensive.

2 tables, 4 ref

009247   Solanki R U;Kathiria K B (Genetics & Plant Breeding Dep, Anand Agricultural Univ, Anand-388 110, Email: rajpalsinhsolanki@indica.com) : Effect of media compositions on the callus regeneration efficiency of indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties IR 28 and IR 66. J Cell Tissue Res 2016, 16(3), 5893-7.

The present investigation was carried out to observe the effect of varying media compositions of N₆ and MS media on callus induction frequency of indica varieties IR 28 and IR 66. It was found that N₆ media had decisive effect on callus initiation and further callus regeneration induced from the inoculated anthers. Media composition containing 2 mgl^{-1 2,4-D along with 1 mgl-1 NAA and 0.5 mgl-1 KN was found to be influential and enhancing the callus initiation response and further growth of regenerated callus which was comparatively higher in case of IR 28 (1.50%) than in IR 66 (1.18%). MS medium fortified with similar sets of growth regulator concentrations could not proliferate callus from the cultured anthers of both the varieties IR 28 and IR 66.}

4 illus, 3 tables, 11 ref

009246   Sinha B K;Iqbal M;Reena (NO, Sher-e-Kashmir Univ of Agriculural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, F, Main campus chatha, Distt: Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir-180 009, Email: sinhabkumar12@gmail.com) : Drought stress affecting physico- biochemical characters and yield attributes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 363-8.

Experiment was carried out to study the induced water stresses at different crop developmental stages for physio-biochemical characters and yield attributes in two wheat cultivars at experimental area of Division of Bio chemistry and Physiology, SKUAST- J, in 2013. The experiment was laid-out with 02 wheat varieties i.e. PBW-343 and RSP-81 with 04 water stress levels. T1 (without withholding of water), T2 (10 days with-holding of water [WOW]), T3 (15 days WOW) and T4 (20 days WOW) were applied. Increased water stress significantly reduced the relative leaf water content (RLWC), partitioning coefficient (PC) to spike, harvest index (HI), chlorophyll content, spike length, number of grains/spike, weight of grains/spike and aphid incidence per spike in both wheat varieties. About 55.8 and 54.6% reduction in RLWC was noticed at 20 days WOW in variety PBW- 343 and RSP-81, respectively as compared to control. PC to spike was reduced by 25.30 and 23.69% at highest drought condition in variety PBW-343 and RSP-81 respectively in comparison to control. Likewise, HI also reduced by 16.7 and 14% in variety PBW-343 and RSP-81, respectively. Chlorophyll content decreased from 44.7 in control to 34.7 in 20 days WOW with variety PBW-343 and 37.8 in control to 27.9 in 20 days WOW with RSP-81. Soluble sugar content increased significantly at maximum WOW in both varieties while PBW-343 accumulates 37.9% of soluble sugar content in comparison to control. Accumulation of proline was increased from 02 mg g-1 in control to 37.7 mg g-1 at 20 days WOW in variety PBW-343. Spike length, grains per spike and weight of grains per plant significantly decreased at maximum WOW in both varieties whereas the reduction was high in variety PBW-343 than in RSP-81. Aphid population decreased with increasing the water stress from 10 days WOW to 15 and 20 days WOW. Besides reduction in these parameters, RSP-81 showed some resistance to water stress as compared to PBW-343.

3 tables, 23 ref

009245   Sinha A K;Agarwal D K;Jeevan Kumar S P;Tiwari T N;Chaturvedi A K (Genetics and Plant Breeding Unit, ICAR-IISS, Mau-275 103, Email: aksinha.dsr@gmail.com) : Novel technique for precluding hybrid necrosis in bread wheat. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 761-5.

Hybrid necrosis in wheat occurs due to complementary gene action which is expressed only when the responsible genes are brought together in combination. Many adopted varieties of wheat are carriers of these genes, which restricts the parental choice for transfer of desirable traits as the necrotic plants die without producing seeds. In order to overcome the barrier of hybrid necrosis, a study was undertaken to assess the effect of different chemicals for precluding necrosis in bread wheat. To fulfil the purpose, two groups of parents Ne₂^{s carriers (S308 and Sonali) and Ne₁s carrier (C306) were chosen and made crosses between Ne₂s and Ne₁2 carrier parents respectively. Their F₂s showed strong necrotic expression and died at 3 to 4 leaf stage. During rabi 2009-10, efforts were made to study the effect of praline during gametic fusion or zygotic developmental stage. Two concentrations of proline solution viz; 3 ppm and 5 ppm wereprepared and one spray was taken up on thepollinated ears of Ne₂s and Ne₁s carriers viz; S 308 x C 306 and Sonali x C306 respectively. Spraying of these two concentrations of proline was done three times during the day period on these two cross combinations S308 x C 306 and Sonali x C306. When these two hybrids were put for germination in subsequent rabi season 2020-11, 50 normal and 16 necrotic plants were obtained. This study indicates the preclusive role of proline preventing hybrid necrosis in wheat.}

1 illus, 4 tables, 13 ref

009244   Singh S;Kingra P K;Dhaliwal L K (NO, Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana-141 004, Email: pkkingra@pau.edu) : Management of weather variability and therminal heat stress in wheat by altering sowing time. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 353-62.

Wheat can be grown in a wide range of climatic conditions but many biotic and abiotic factors limit its yield. The present investigation was carried out to manage weather variability and terminal heat stress in wheat by altering sowing time. A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm, School of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during rabi 2013-14 with wheat variety PBW 621 sown on three i.e. D1 (29th October), D2 (12th November) and D3 (28th November). In the earlier sown crop, the maximum and minimum temperature was higher during initial and lower during later crop growth stages and the reverse pattern was observed with delay in sowing. As relative humidity is inversely proportional to temperature, thus relative humidity increased during initial crop growth stages and decreased at later stages of crop growth with delay in sowing. The crop received a total of 157.2, 143.6 and 171.6 mm rainfall under D1, D2 and D3, respectively. Periodic number of tillers, plant height and dry matter were significantly higher under earlier sown crop and decreased with delay in sowing. Yield attributing characters i.e. number of effective tillers, ear length, number of spikelets per ear, grain weight per ear and 1000 grain weight were higher under D1 followed by D2 and D3. The highest grain yield was produced in D1 (46.2 q ha-1) which was statistically at par with D2 (45.3 q ha-1) and was significantly higher than D3 (38.9 q ha-1). The study highlights the role of earlier sowing of wheat in managing the weather variability impact and thermal heat stress under Punjab conditions.

3 illus, 4 tables, 26 ref

009243   Singh M K;Sindhu S S;Sanjay Kumar (Floriculture and Landscaping Div, Indian Agricultural Research Institute Pusa, New Delhi) : Evaluation of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hooker F.) under polyhouse conditions in mid hills of western Himalayas. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 837-9.

Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex Hooker F.), family Astemceae, is one of the important cut flower grown for domestic as well as for export market. It is used in floral arrangement, beds, border, pots etc. The experiment was conducted at Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur during 2009-12 to evaluate the performance of 5 cultivars of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex Hooker F.) under poly house conditions. Significant differences were recorded in maximum characters studied. The results revealed that cv. Jaffana produced maximum length of leaf (32.24 cm), width of leaf (15.89 cm), longest flower stalk (56.98 cm) and maximum diameter of flower stalk (0.656 cm). Maximum number of suckers per plant (8.75), number of flowers per plant per year (33.42) and thickness of ray floret (0.35 cm) were recorded in Ice Queen (V₄). Longest ray floret (4.01 cm) in V₅, maximum diameter of flower (10.54 cm) in Lion (V₃) and longest vase life (9.77 days) in Fenna (V₅) were observed.

1 table, 14 ref

009242   Singh J;et al. (NO, Indian Institute of wheat and barley Research, Karnal) : Widening the genetic base of Indian barley through the use of exotics. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 85-94.

The genetic base of improved varieties is becoming increasingly narrow due to the commonness of one or more parents in their ancestry. Thus, improved varieties may become vulnerable to the diseases, insect-pests and other stresses due to genetic similarity. Therefore, it has become imperative to broaden the genetic base of barley varieties. This genetic vulnerability, thus, can be avoided by using diverse and unrelated parents in barley breeding programme. Keeping this in view, an effort was made to study the role of exotic germplasm in the development of barley varieties vis-a-vis widening the genetic base of Indian barley. In India, much of the improvement of this crop has been obtained through the utilization of genetic resources available as land races of indigenous or exotic origin. Exotic germplasm of barley received from ICARDA continues to be an important base material for the development of barley varieties either as direct release as a variety or their utilization in the development of new barley varieties for improved yield and its components through hybridization programme. Through direct introductions varieties namely, LSB 2, HBL 113, Dolma, VLB 118, BHS 400 and BHS 380 varieties have been released and are cultivated in Northern Hill zone. These varieties have played a vital role not only in mhancing the productivity but have also strengthened the barley breeding research in India. To generate the wide genetic diversity, crosses were made between indigenous and exotic lines (Ix E) and among the exotic lines (E X E). Thus, several barley varieties namely, BHS 169, DL 88, BH393, NDB 1173 and VLB 56 have been developed by adopting hybridization followed by selection in the segregating generations for targeted traits.

4 tables, 36 ref

009241   Singh H L;Sharma A;Teshu Kumar (Agriculture Economics and Management Dep, SVP Univ of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut-350 110, Email: hlsingh123@gmail.com) : Economic analysis of vegetable production in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 727-31.

Vegetable production plays a pivotal role in agriculture by providing food, nutritional and economic security to the people of with higher returns per unit area to the producers. India holds the second position by contributing 15.70 and 14.50 per cent to global vegetable area and production. The present study was attempt on "Economic Analysis of Major Rabi Vegetable Crops in Meerut District of Uttar Pradesh" the specific objective of the study was to know the socio economic profile of the vegetable growers, to estimate the costs and returns and constraints related to production and marketing. The socio economic condition of medium farmers was better than to other category fanners because of resource rich condition on family structure, monthly expenditure, size of land holding and education level. The overall average per hectare cost of Brinjal crop was Rs. 119686.64 and among different categories it was Rs. 117125.98, 120640.73 and 121109.07 on marginal, small and medium size of farms respectively, indicating there by its direct relationship with the size of farms, The net returns per hectare amounted to be Rs. 147517.93, Rs. 150197.52 and Rs. 164000.02 per hectare respectively. In case of cabbage production overall average per hectare cost was Rs.80762.04 and Rs. 79904.51, 81850.14 and 80067.26 on marginal, small, and medium size of farms respectively. The net returns estimated to Rs. 126932.74, Rs.129349.86, and 134895.49, and average per hectare. Overall cost of tomato cultivation was find to be Rs.85453.36 and Rs. 79759.80, 88391.89 and 87482.38 on the respective size of holding and net returns per hectare amounted to be Rs. 246018, 252008 and 266390 rupees on marginal, small, and medium farms, respectively. Most of the vegetable growers were faced problems of Lack of storage facility, high price of plant protection chemical and high incidence of diseases/insect in HYVs with 90.00, 88.00 and 79.00 percent respectively.

4 tables, 6 ref

009240   Singh B;Singh S P;Yadav B L;Manohar S V S; Yadav T V (NO, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner-303 329, Email: hppersoya.p@gmail.com) : Influence of different organic manures and fertility levels on growth and quality aspects of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] under semi-arid conditions. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 402-5.

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season at Jobner, Rajasthan to study the influence of different organic manures and fertility levels on growth and quality attributes of okra viz. [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] with 16 treatment combinations of organic manures (control, FYM @ 15 t/ha, vermicompost @ 5 t/ha, poultry manure @ 5 t/ha and 4 fertility levels viz. (control, 50% RDF, 75% RDF and 100% RDF. Results revealed that application of poultry manure @ 5 t/ha, significantly showed higher plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf area, chlorophyll content in leaves and also increased levels of NPK and protein content in fruits as compared to control, FYM @ 15 t/ha and remained at par with vermicompost @ 5 t/ha, while the application of 75% RDF was significantly at par with 100% RDF and showed enhanced growth and quality over rest of the levels. However, crude fibre content remained materially unchanged under different organic manures and fertility levels.

1 table, 8 ref

009239   Shukla S K;Srivastava T K;Solomon S;Awasthi S K;Gaur A (NO, , , Email: Sudhir.Shukla@icar.gov.in) : Growth, yield and quality of sugarcane as influenced by NP-1 product under autumn and spring planting conditions in subtropical India. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 165-71.

A field experiment was conducted during 2012-14 at IISR farm, Lucknow with 12 treatments combinations of recommended fertilizer and NP1 product to study the effect of NP-1 product on growth, yield and quality of sugarcane. Time were twelve treatment combinations replicated thrice in randomized block design. Sugarcane early maturing variety CoPk 05191 was planted in the experiment during autumn (October planted) and spring (February planted) seasons. The highest mean cation exchange capacity (CEC) of root and soil (41.5 meq/100 g roots and 12.45 meq/100g soil, respectively) were determined with the application of 100% N through NP1+ 100% PK through commercial sources. Application of 300% N through NP1+ 100% PK through commercial sources of NP1 produced the highest number of millabe canes (142.07 thousand/ha), number of internod.es/cane (25.33), cane length (246.33 cm), diameter (2.63 cm) and weight (1050 g) in autumn crop. Spring crop also behaved in similar fashion with marginally lower growth attributes. The reduction in N doses with conventional as well as NP1 fertiliser affected sugarcane growth and yield attributes adversely. Sugarcane juice quality parameters did not influence significantly in both the crops. The highest agronomic efficiency (AE) during both the seasons was observed with application of 25% N through NP-1 and 100% PK through commercial fertilizers (2522.7kg cane/kg N applied in autumn crop and 1877.3 kg cane /kg N applied in spring crop, respectively). Although, the highest cane (116.5 tonnes/ha and 94.5 tonnes/ha in autumn and spring season crop, respectively) and sugar yields (12.37 t/ha and 11.23 t/ha in autumn and spring season, respectively) were obtained with application of 100% N through NP-1+ 100% PK through commercial fertilizers. Application of 75% N through NP-1 and 100% PK through commercial fertilizers (T₆) was found at par with 100% N through NP-1+100% PK through commercial fertilizers (T₅). Thus 25% saving in N fertilizer could be achieved through use of NP-1 source of N.

3 tables, 11 ref

009238   Shukla S (NO, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity Univ, Noida, Email: sshukla3@anity.edu) : Embryo rescue technology: an approach for varietal development and in vitro germplasm conservation. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 841-7.

Embryo culture technique has been used as invaluable tool in plant breeding and in the field of in vitro culture. There are certain reasons for embryo abortion such as inability of pollen to germinate, degeneration of endosperm failure of pollen tube to grow, seed dormancy, post zygotic failure etc. Due to stagnancy in the yield of Vigna and paucity of the genetic variability in the primary gene pools there is a need to increase the production of quality plants and to widen gene pool of Vigna species. The gene pools can be increased by raising interspecific hybrids through embryo rescue technique. However, interspecific hybridization between Vigna species generally fail due to different barrier to crossability and abnormalities in the pollen tube development Embryo rescue technology is the approach which can be applied to save such hybrid embryos. Progress in genetic improvement in Vigna species through conventional breeding methods is time consuming and labour intensive to meet with low survivability of the interspecific hybrid. Keeping in view the importance of embryo rescue technology the present study has been formulated. The study depicts that though the technique is tough but is a proven technique to raise hybrid variety that can be successfully utilized to increase the production and to widen the constricted gene pool.

1 illus, 25 ref

009237   Shetia M;Sarma S;Tamuly S;Goswami J;Mili D C; Das P K (College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Assam Agricultural Univ, Guwahati-781 022, Email: mchetia10@gmail.com) : Physiological and biochemical effects in cross-bred (Holstein friesian x jersey) cattle under the agro-climatic condition of Assam. J Cell Tissue Res 2016, 16(3), 5851-5.

The present experiment was conducted in order to establish a base line physiological values and biochemical concentrations in cross-bred (HF X J) cattle in different seasons (winter and summer) under the agro-climatic condition of Assam. The mean rectal temperature (oF), respiration and pulse rate (per minute) were higher during summer compared to winter seasons. Also, all the physiological parameters were higher in the evening hours than those of the morning hours. The serum total protein concentration, serum glucose along with the serum electrolytes such as Na^{+, K+, Cl- were found to be decreased in the summer season and were significantly higher (P <60> 0.01) in winter as compared to summer season. The increase in the physiological parameters and the decrease in the biochemical concentrations might be due to the adaptation and acclimation of the animals to the changing environmental condition.}

2 tables, 42 ref

009236   Sharma A;Sharma S (Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110 016, Email: questabhi@gmail.com) : Production of secondary nemaicidal metabolites from Purpureocillium lilacinum using Karanja deoiled cake. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 733-7.

Karanja (Pongamia pinnata) deoiled cake was evaluated as an alternative substrate for the production of major nematicidal metabolite, leucinostatins, from Purpureocillium lilacinum 6029. Comparison between the chromatograms confirmed the enhanced production of leucinostatins in Karanja deoiled cake medium over commercially available Czapeck's Dox medium. Nematicidal activity assays showed that the fungal filtrate from Karanja deoiled cake medium was toxic (LT₅₀ -146 h) killing 100% Meloidogyne incognita larvae in 12 h. Our findings will help designing potent bionematicidal formulation comprising of biocontrol agent (P. lilacinum) and biodiesel by-product (Karanja deoiled cake) together in an environment-compatible approach.

3 illus, 14 ref

009235   Shah T K;Nazir I;Arya P;Pandey T (Aquaculture Dep, College of fisheries, G.B.P.U.A.T., Pantnagar, Uttarkhand) : Integrated multi trophic aquaculture (IMTA): An innovation technology for fish farming in India. Int J Fauna biol Stud 2017, 4(1), 12-4.

The Integrated multi trophic aquaculture involving fed species with organic extractive species and Inorganic extractive species that utilize wastes from aquaculture for their growth. The IMTA concept is very easy and flexible. IMTA systems can be land-based or open-water systems such as marine or freshwater systems, and may comprise several species combinations (Neori et al., 2004). Some IMTA systems have included such combinations as shellfish/shrimp, fish/seaweed/shellfish, fish/shrimp and seaweed/shrimp (Troell et al., 2003). The combination of fish/seaweed/shellfish is very important for IMTA because this combination is cover all trophic level of water bodies. To the aims of IMTA is "To ecologically engineer system for environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and societal sustainability".

6 illus, 9 ref

009234   Savita R S;Satishkumar U;Ayyangowdar M S; Nemichandrappa M;Veeresh H (Soil and Water Engineering Dep, Agricultural Sciences Univ, Raichur-584 104, Email: savitaseetimani@gmail.com) : Estimation of probable groundwater recharge under semi-arid agro climatic conditions of Raichur region. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 539-44.

Explosion in population, has led to increase in demand of various natural resources i.e. water, especially for agricultural purposes. Over exploitation of water affects the ecology of the region and affects the sustainability. Thus, a judicious use of water in semi-arid and rural areas is must. Even though India has good average annual precipitation, but its poor distribution in space and time has lead to the scarcity of groundwater. Thus an attempt has been made to study the probable groundwater recharge for agricultural utilization in the Patapur micro-watershed, which is located in semi-arid region of Raichur district. For the investigation rainfall, runoff and peak discharge of the micro-watershed were estimated and it was found to be about 211 mm, 85, 6, 95.00 (cum) and 793.07 (cum/min) respectively. Total crop evapotranspiration (ETc in mm) values at different stages of crop development were also estimated, it was found about 2, 6, 06.77 mm. Available moisture holding capacity of clay loam was 35.28 cm and sandy clay loam was 19 cm. Estimated recharge quantity in area of clay loam soils was found to be about 90.43 mm or 265601.94 m^{3 in area of sandy clay loam soils it was found to be about 100.41mm or 248695.5 m3. The total estimated recharge quantity in the micro-watershed was about 514297.4 m3 or 94.99 mm. From the investigation it was concluded that the groundwater availability was good and even though it was suggested to construct the groundwater recharge structures (check dams, nala bunding, form ponds etc.) for storage of this precious resource.}

1 illus, 6 tables, 3 ref

009233   Sanjeev Kumar;Patel N B;Saravaiya S N;Vashi J M (Vegetable Science Dep, ASPEE College of Horticulture & Forestry, Navsari Agricultural Univ, Navsari-396 450, Email: drsksony@nau.in) : Performance of grafted brinjal cv. Surati ravaiya onto Solanum torvum Swartz rootstock under excess moisture conditions of south Gujarat, India. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 753-60.

Surati Ravaiya (SR) cultivars of brinjal have attained a pride place in south Gujarat cuisine because of their delicacy and taste but unstable and low production of these cultivars particularly during rainy season is a matter of great concern to the growers as well as lovers ofbrinjal in the region. High annual rainfall of more than 2000 mm mostly concentrated during monsoon in the region generally limits the production of SR brinjal by affecting plant stand and other important horticultural traits. Thus, a maiden attempt was accomplished during Kharif, 2014 and 2015 following cleft grafting of two cultivars of Surati Ravaiya (Pink and Purple) onto the rootstock of Solanum toruum having strong root system and tolerance to excess moisture stress. Interestingly, higher and significant plant survival of more than 80 per cent was achieved in both the cultivars ofbrinjal during individual as well in pooled analysis. Although, the traits like days to first flowering, picking, fruit length, diameter and average fruit weight remained unaffected by grafting in both the years of experimentation as well as in pooled analysis but other horticultural traits showed significant variations between grafts and non-grafts of Surati Ravaiya. Grafting regulated heterostyly polymorphism significantly in both types ofbrinjal positively exhibiting 38.04 and 43.78 percentage of long styled flowers in grafted plants of SR pink and purple, respectively with higher fruit set of 69.89 and 72.37 per cent compared to their respective non-grafts. Fruit set (%), number of fruits perplant and total number of pickings per season were observed as significant contributors to the enhanced production of grafted plants. SR pink andpurple also registered low fruit infestation of 23.21 and 17.55 per cent with shoot and fruit borer compared to 34.27 and 30.60 per cent infestation in their respective counterparts. Consequently, grafted SR pink and purple outyielded their non-grafts analogues significantly with production level of 25.96 and 45.44 tonnes per ha visa-vis 18.56 and 32.54 tonnes per ha in pooled analysis, thereby suggesting a great improvement in survival and performance under excess moisture regime as a result of grafting onto S. torvum rootstock.

6 tables, 41 ref

009232   Samarpitha A;Vasudev N;Suhasini K (Agricultural Economics Dep, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural Univ (PJTSAU), Hyderabad) : Comparative economics of tropical rice cultivation across farm sizes: a study of Nalgonda district of Telangana state. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 239-44.

The present study was carried out in Nalgonda district of Telangana State which has a typical tropical climate to investigate the cost of cultivation and profitability of rice particularly across different farm sizes during 2013-14. Multistage stratified random sampling technique was adopted for selection of the sample where rice cultivators were stratified into five groups based on the size of operational holding. The cost of cultivation for all the farms was found to be Rs. 78159.65 ha^{-1 with lowest on marginal farms (Rs. 72692.82 ha-1) and higluest on large farms (Rs.85214.48 ha-1) implying that cost of cultivation increased with increase in farm size. Human labour constituted the major component (35.44%) of the total cost of cultivation. The cost incurred on hired labour was found to increase with farm size whereas the cost incurred on family labour decreased with increase in farm size. The amount spent on fertilizers and plant protection chemicals was highest on large farms and least on marginal farms. Marginal farms in the study area were found to be more profitable in rice cultivation than large farms.}

4 illus, 3 tables, 15 ref

009231   Salmasi S Z;Bonab S M;Ghassemi-Golezani K (Plant Eco-Physiology Dep, Faculty of Agriculture, Tabriz Univ, Iran, Email: zehtabsalmasi@gmail.com) : Changes in essential oil composition of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) grains in response to water limitation and nitrogen fertilizer. J essential Oil Bearing Pl 2016, 19(2), 374-8.

In order to investigate the effects of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on essential oil composition of dill, this research was performed in 2010 at the Agricultural Research Farm of the University of Tabriz, Iran. The experiment was carried out as split plot on the basis of randomized complete block design with three replications. Irrigation treatments (irrigation after 70, 100 and 130 mm evaporation from class A pan) and nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80, 120 kgN/ha) were allocated to main and sub-plots, respectively. The essential oil from grains of dill was isolated by hydro distillation and analyzed by gas-chromatography (GC-MS). The main components of dill essential oil were found to be carvone (4.9 - 60.1%), l-limonene (6.4 - 21.8%), dillapiole (1.0-11.9%), dihydrocarvone, apiole, l-phellandrene, hexacosane, octacosane, eicosane and anethole. The amount of cis-dihydrocarvone, trans- limonene oxide, limonene and dill ether were increased by water limitation. Nitrogen application increased carvone and dihydrocarvone in dill grains.

1 table, 25 ref

009230   Salmani A;Seifi E;Alizadeh M;Ziaiifar A M; Fereydooni H (NO, Gorgan Univ of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran, Email: esmaeilseifi@yahoo.com) : Growth pattern and oil accumulation in fruit tissues of olive cultivar Kroneiki. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2016, 18(1), 153-6.

The olive fruit consists of two main tissues: flesh or mesocarp and stone. The stone itself contain the woody endocarp and seed. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of fruit growing stages on morphological characteristics and oil accumulation in different fruit tissues of olive cultivar Koroneiki. The fruits were harvested in six ripening stages from 6 July to 14 December and the quantitative traits and the percentage of oil were recorded. The results showed that there were some significant differences among the growing steps in most of the traits including fruit, flesh, seed and embryo weight, the percentages of oil and also in the dimensions of most tissues. The fruit and flesh weight have increased in the first five growing steps, but they reached a stable weight on 2 November. The increase of seed and embryo weight was faster and became stable after 17 September. According to the results, the percentages of oil in dry and fresh matter showed an increase from 27 July till the last growing step. The fruit length was increased initially and then became stable until 14 December. The fruits were more elongated at the first steps than the last ones. The results of this study showed that in the first growing steps, the endocarp, and its inner tissues had been reached their final sizes, while the fruits continued to grow probably as a result of mesocarp development.

2 tables, 16 ref

009229   Sajeevan M K;Madhusoodana Kurup B M (School of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin Univ of Science and Technology, Kochi, Kerala, Email: sajeevanfsi@gmail.com) : Fecundity and spawning frequency of cobia, Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766) from the north west coast of India. Indian J Geomar Sci 2016, 45(8), 933-36.

An attempt has been made to provide some vital aspects on spawning frequency and fecundity of Cobia based on the samples collected from fishery exploratory surveys and from the landing centers at Mumbai. Frequency of spawning was determined based on the modes of ova diameters in the mature ovaries. The Ova Diameter study indicated that Cobia follows a protracted spawning season with the individual spawning more than once in a season. Absolute fecundity estimated ranged from 1,231,630 to 1,800,350 numbers. Fecundity index obtained was from 2,123 to 2,372 eggs per gram ovary weight. The results obtained in the present study were compared with similar studies round the world and discussed.

1 illus, 1 table, 19 ref

009228   Renu;Sahu P K;Sahu U;Bhoyar M S;Sinfh R K; Munish Kumar (ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms, , Kushmaur, Mau Nath Bhanjan-275 103) : Microbial dynamics in rhizosphere at different growth stages of rice (Oryza sativa L.) based on plant growth promoting functions. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 434-44.

In the present study 101 bacterial isolates were obtained from rhizosphere of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) cv PR-118 and PRH-10 cultivated in a field at ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau Nath Bhanjan, Uttar Pradesh, India at different stages of growth {seedling stage [37 days old after transplantation (RI stage)], booting stage [80 days old after transplantation (RII stage)], Maturating stage [100 days old after transplantation (RIII stage)]. The bacterial isolates were tested for various nutrient mobilizing properties as well as plant growth promotion activities including siderphore production, ammonia production and P solublization in in-vitro conditions. Seventy nine bacterial isolates were found to be siderophore producers, 78 were ammonia producers and 39 were Psolublizers with varying potentials in different activities. It was observed that siderophore producers declined in number as the plant ages but simultaneously the efficiency of siderophore production among them increased with the age of plant. The number of ammonia producers increased from seedling stage to booting stage and declined at maturity stage and the same trend at different growth stages of plant was observed in the ammonia production capability of the isolates. Similar trend was observed for the number of P solublizers and their P solublization capability which in both the cases was found to be maximum at booting stage. The present study reveals that the rhizospheric microbial population and functions changes with the physiological requirement of plants during its developmental growth stages as well as nutritional status of soil.

2 illus, 4 tables, 25 ref

009227   Ray M;Garnayak L M (Agronomy Dep, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Email: monikarayouat@gmail.com) : Response of rainfed upland rice to different drought management practices. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 23-30.

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of date of sowing, variety and drought management practices in upland rice conditions. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design for rice with three replications at the Central Research Station, OUAT, Bhubaneswar during June 2012 to January 2013. Four combinations of two dates of sowing (18 June and 4 July) and two early maturing (80-95 days) rice varieties (ZHU-XI-26 and Vandana) were allotted to the main-plots and five drought management practices(Broadcasting of non treated seeds, Line sowing 4% KCl treated seeds or non treated seeds, Line sowing 4% KCl treated seeds or non treated seeds with 1/4 of N and K out of recommended dose was top dressed after dry spell) in rice to the sub plots. Grain yield of rice was reduced by 20.8% delayed sowing by 16 days from 18 June to 4 July. The rice varieties experienced two dry spells of 8 days duration each coinciding with sowing to panicle initiation alone or along with sowing to flowering stages. Grain yield of rice was reduced by 20.8 per cent and straw yield by 12 per cent due to delayed sowing by 16 days from 18 June to 4 July. Rice crop variety ZHU-XI-26 produced 32 per cent higher grain yield and 16 percent more straw yield and removed higlier amount of primary nutrients than CD. Vandana.

8 tables, 14 ref

009226   Ravi Kumar K;Sree M R B;Ghosh S K;Suresh C P; Chakravarty S (Pomology and Post Harvest Technology Dep, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundbari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal-736 165, Email: ravikuna2050@gmail.com) : Economics and quality of banana (Musa spp., AAA) var. grand naine as influenced by cucker retention in terai zone of West Bengal. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 55-8.

An experiment was conducted to study the sucker retention time on worked out of economics and estimation of quality at Instructional farm, U.B.K. V., Pundibari, West Bengal during the year 2012-2014. The yield (66.81 tha^{-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.23) were highest at no sucker retain till harvest treatment. The quality parameters like TSS (22.7 °Brix), total sugar (17.2%), reducing sugars (12.3%), pulp weight (93.4 g), peel weight (57.9 g) and sugar acid ratio (167.2) were also highest at no sucker retained treatment whereas the pulp to peel ratio was highest (2,4) at one sucker retained at shooting. In the view of raising ratoon crop, a farmer unable to remove all the suckers till harvest should however try to retain one or two suckers either at shooting or after 5th month of planting still is able to realize profit with a cost benefit ratio of 1.92-1.94 or 1.76 with acceptable quality of fruit.}

2 tables, 14 ref

009225   Ravi Kumar K;Ghosh S K;Sree M R Bhanu;Suresh C P;Chakravarty S (Pomology and Post Harvest Technology Dep, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal-736 165, Email: ravikuna2050@gmail.com) : Effect of sucker retention on growth and yield of banana (Musa spp., AAA) var. grand naine: plant crop. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 49-54.

An experiment was carried out to study the sucker retention time and number on growth, yield and its attributes at Instructional farm, U.B.K.V., Pundibari, West Bengal during the year 2012-2014. The highest pseudostem height (225.30 cm), girth (75.00 cm), number of leaves (23.45), leaf area (1.02 m2) and lowest phyllocron (16.02 days), days taken to shooting (374.65) and maturity (106.29) were recorded at no sucker till harvest followed by retaining one sucker at shooting whereas theyield attributes like bunch length (86.64 cm), bunch diameter (35.10 cm), bunch weight (26.73 kg), number of fingers per bunch (161.37), finger length (17.08 cm), finger diameter (3.82 cm), finger weight (332.48 g), were also highest with no sucker till harvest followed by one sucker at shooting. Mother plants not retained with any suckers till Iwrvest yielded highest (66.81 tha^{-1) with superior growth, yield attributes and it remained statistically at par when 1-2 suckers were retained at 5th month after planting and at shooting though yield reductions of 13.14-20.76% were recorded. Therefore it can be suggested that retention of one or two suckers at shooting is better to obtain higher yields in plant crop and to produce optimum sized bunches for ratoon crop.}

2 tables, 30 ref

009224   Ramesh Babu N;Dhananjaya K B (PG Dep of Economics, Sahyadri Arts and Commerce College, Shivamogga-577 201) : Overview of national project on organic farming in India. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 255-60.

National Project on Organic Farming, a Central Sector Scheme was initiated in India in the midst of 10th Five Year Plan with an outlay of Rs. 57.04 crore with effect from 1/010/2004 and still continued in 12th Plan with the aim of promoting Organic Farming in the country through technical capacity building, promotion and production of biological inputs along with awareness creation and publicity through print and electronic media. The project headquarter, National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF) is located at Ghaziabad with six regional centers. Since its inception though annual expenditure has decreased by 5 percent per annum, total certified organic area has increased by 51.10 and 30.88 percent per annum in India and Karnataka state. Like that publicity activities have recorded an increase of 1.83 percent per annum as against to 30.45 percent per annum increase in farmer's training program. On the other hand, the production of Bio-fertilizer increased by 19.70 percent per annum since 2002-03 where highest growth was recorded in North zone at 43.67 percent per annum followed by East zone with 23.62 percent per annum as against to lowest growth of 13.22 percent per annum in West zone.

3 illus, 6 tables, 8 ref

009223   Rajender Kumar;Brar A S;Gill B S;Singh D (Water Technology Centre, IARI, New Delhi-110 012) : Herb and oil yield of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuous) as influenced by crop geometry and nitrogen levels under Punjab conditions. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 429-33.

The experiments on crop geometry and nitrogen requirements of lemongrass were conducted at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2007- 08 to 2009-10 on loamy sand soil low in organic carbon and available nitrogen but medium in available phosphorus and potassium. In experiment I, five treatments of different combinations of row and plant spacing 60 x 60 cm2, 60 x 45 cm2, 60 x 30 cm2, 45 x 45 cm2 and 45 x 30 cm2) were tested in RBD with four replications. In Experiment II, four levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha) were tested in RBD with three replications. The pooled data revealed that the highest herb and oil yield was produced in 60 x 30 cm spacing which was statistically at par with 45 x 30 cm, 45 x 45 cm, 60 x 30 cm, 60 x 45 cm spacing and significantly higher than 60 x 60 cm. The application of 100 kg N/ha produced the maximum herb and oil yield which was significantly better than 50 kg N/ha and control (without nitrogen) and it was statistically similar to 150 kg N/ha. Different spacing and nitrogen levels did not show significant effects on the oil content in the herb.

2 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

009222   Rajaram S;Nirmal Kumar S;Sivaprasad V (NO, Scientist-'D' with Research Extension Centre, Srivilliputtur-626 125, Email: drsrajaramcsb@gmail.com) : Weather based computation and managemenr of irrigation water for mulberry crop in gangetic alluvial soil under West Bengal conditions. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 69-74.

Water is the most important input for better growth and productivity in mulberry crop without which other inputs ensured in the soil are not made available to plants. India with 28708 MT raw silk production stands second position next to China in the world and West Bengal with 2499 MT raw silk production occupies third position in the country. Cultivation of mulberry plant is mainly for its leaves the sole food for the silkworm, Bombyx mori L.for commercial production of raw silk. Mulberry is cultivated in about 2.20 lakh ha. area in India, of the total mulberry area above 80% is under irrigation conditions reflects the importance of irrigation for mulberry crop. As irrigation method adopted in mulberry crop by fanners of West Bengal is traditional open type i.e., flood irrigation system and the quantum of irrigation water applied is about 2" per irrigation of 10-12 days intervals without assessment of actual requirement for the crop results in poor Water Use Efficiency (WUE) and huge water loss due to conveyance, seepage and evaporation etc.,. In addition to the above excess water applied in mulberry crop reduces Fertilizer Use Efficiency (FUE) ultimately results in productivity loss. In order to appreciate the maximum efficiency of water utilized and save water in agriculture, modern efficient micro-irrigation systems like drip, sprinkler and precision method of irrigation etc., introduced are becoming popular and successfully used now a days have been followed in mulberry cultivation also. However most of the sericulture farmers in West Bengal are marginal groups with mulberry area in < 0.50 acre and with public common channel irrigation facilities as source of irrigation or under rain-fed cultivation are not feasible for adoption of micro-irrigation systems. Keeping in view of the above a study was conducted for consecutive two years to exploit maximum water use efficiency; save water and achieve quality linked productivity increase in mulberry crop. The field level experiment was drawn on Split Split Plot design in established high yielding mulberry variety (S1635) garden with two different spacing (S) i.e., 2' x 2' and Paired Row System (PRS) (5' + 3') x 2' with five levels of irrigation water (I) scheduled at 50% SMD and applied in furrow method. Irrigation water equal to 2" per irrigation as control; irrigation water equal to 100% of ETc weather based computation in Cropwat 8 software following FAO's modified Penman Monteith formula on crop coefficient approach applied in all furrows; irrigation water equal to 80% 60% and 50% ETc applied in alternate furrows in 2' x 2' spacing and all furrows in paired rows of narrow spacing and thus a total of 10 treatments in 3 replications were maintained. The experiment was conducted for 4 crops in 4 different seasons per year for consecutive two years and the average results of the experiment revealed that the actual requirement of irrigation water for the crop was 30.52% less with 5.26 and 53.50% increased leaf productivity and WUE respectively as against the amount of irrigation water applied and leaf production and WUE obtained in farmers' practice. Irrigation level equal to 80%', ETc in alternate farrows incase of 2' x T spacing and in all paired rows of narrow spacing in PRS with 44.42% less water and 70.44% improved WUE and with only -5.26% in leaf productivity without affecting the quality against farmers' practice may be considered as optimum irrigation water required for mulberry crop raised in Gangetic alluvial soil under West Bengal conditions. Though lower levels of irrigation treatments showed high WUE, sustainable leaf productivity was not maintained under open irrigation system in mulberry crop. In any levels of irrigation treatments leaf productivity in 2' x 2' spacing mulberry showed about 10.79% increased productivity. Studies on growth, productivity, quality parameters and WUE etc. of mulberry crop are discussed.

2 illus, 1 table, 29 ref

009221   Rajanna G A;Dhindwal A S;Nanwal R K (Agronomy Div, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi-110 012, Email: rajanna.ga6@gmail.com ) : Irrigation scheduling and crop establishment techniques in cluster bean-wheat sequence under semi-arid conditions of India. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 335-46.

Conserving natural resource and maximizing factor productivity have been a great task to accomplish sustainability of the production system in semi-arid regions. Legume-cereal based cropping system plays a predominant role under changing climatic scenarios by conserving natural resources sustainably. Off which, area under cluster bean and wheat crops is increasing over the years in the parts of Haryana and Rajasthan. Farmers in these regions usually following conventional method of cultivation, which leads to destroying the soil structure, high moisture loss and enhances soil erosion, disrupt the cycle of beneficial microorganisms and reduced factor productivity. In such situations, conservation tillage along with scheduled irrigation could leads to better establishment of crops by conserving resources by increasing the factor productivity in the long run. Adoption of bed planting technique could save 15-25% water in the cluster bean-wheat system through improvement in water use efficiency by 15-22% and pulse yield by 18-35% and wheat yield by 10-20%.

1 table, 62 ref

009220   Rahi S;Choudhary A K (CSK HPKV, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sundernagar, Distt. Mandi-175 019, Email: shakuntlarahi@rediffmail.com) : Integrated crop management practices for off-season cabbage in high-hill wet-temperate region of north-western Himalayas. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 406-9.

Off-season vegetable cultivation is a boon to resource poor hill farmers of north-western Himalayas. Cabbage has emerged as an important off-season vegetable in Himachal Pradesh in general and in wet-temperate region of Mandi district in particular. With the emergence of urban middle class market having specific kitchen needs and health consciousness, there is a growing demand for offseason cabbage in changing food preference domain. However, cabbage yields are very low due to non-adoption of high yielding cultivars and integrated crop management practices particularly under rainfed situations, thus, still threatened livelihood security of small and marginal hill farmers. To scale-up farmers' with improved technology, FLDs' on integrated crop management in off-season cabbage were conducted by KVK, Mandi in Himachal Pradesh with the objectives of technology refinement and dissemination. Thus, this paper deals with technology transfer efforts of KVK, Mandi (HP) on integrated management technology in off-season cabbage and its potential in enhancing farmers productivity and farm profitability over farmers' practices in wet-temperate region of Himachal Pradesh.

3 tables, 11 ref

009219   Pimentel;Chapaval I;Gabardo;Juarez;Poitevin; Gracia C;Stuart;Da Costa A K;De Azevedo;Joaolucio (Basic Pathology Dep, Federal Univ of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, 7 Brazil, Email: ida@ufpr.br) : Incidence of endophytic fungi and occurrence of Beauveria and Paecilomyces in maize (Zea mays L.) under field and greenhouse conditions. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2016, 18(1), 47-53.

Endophytic fungi were isolated from tropical host maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars in Brazil, of leaves and stems from plants in field and in greenhouse. Plants were collected at twenty and forty days after seed germination. Nine groups of fungi were isolated: Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., Acremonium sp., Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Mycelia sterilia, Beauveria sp., Paecilomyces sp. and dematiaceous fungi. Among these, two important entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria sp. and Paecilomyces sp., were isolated from both field and greenhouse plants. Qualitatives and quantitatives differences were detected regarding the mycobiota from field hosts when compared to greenhouse ones.

3 illus, 52 ref

009218   Paul G (NO, Durban Univ of Technology, South Africa, MondliMtengu, South Africa, Email: paulg@dut.ac.za) : Critical evaluation of challenges that contribute to the exculsion of small scale timber growers in South Africa. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 739-45.

The agriculture and forestry sectors are crucial to the socio-economic development of South Africa. The entire agricultural value-chain contributes approximately 12% to the Gross Domestic Product as well as represents 7% of the formal employment of South Africa. The contribution of this study is the critical evaluation of the challengesthat contribute to the exclusion of Small Scale Timber Growers from the Forestry Stewardship Council certification in South Africa. The study adopts a qualitative paradigm whereby a purposive sample of 12 knowledgeable respondents were interviewed. The findings indicate that the challenges are mainly linked to uncoordinated support and lack of knowledge. In addition, the challenges can be attributed to the need for the establishment of a statutory body to represent the interest of small scale timber growers in South Africa.

1 table, 27 ref

009217   Patro H K;Ray M (Regional Research and technology transfer station(OUAT), , Keonjhar, Odisha) : Seed dormancy in groundnut. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 31-7.

Most Spanish and Valencia bunch varieties lack seed dormancy, whereas the semi-spreading and spreading varieties (Virginia types) have long dormancy periods. The non-dormant character of the Spanish and Valencia bunch varieties is a serious agricultural defect because considerable loss of yield results from in situ sprouting of nuts in the field if there is rain at the time of maturity. Sprouting of nuts also occurs in the stack in the threshing floor. It has been reported (Ramanathan, 1987) that 20-25% yield loss occurs due to in situ germination in bunch varieties. The in situ sprouting results not only in yield loss but also affects seed quality and storability. The yield losses due to viviparous germination can be avoidable if we have bunch varieties possessing a short period of dormancy (3-4 weeks). Introduction of seed dormancy by application of certain chemicals to the standing crop was found to be expensive and not so effective. Thus, the only practical solution to the problem is incorporation of seed dormancy into the Spanish and Valencia bunch varieties through genetic manipulation. Some Spanish bunch varieties have been found to possess seed dormancy of short periods, while most semi-spreading and spreading varieties (Virginia type) have dormancy of varying duration. Knowledge of the inheritance of seed dormancy and its association with other plant and pod/kernel characters will be useful for incorporating seed dormancy into Spanish and Valencia bunch varieties.

^iia43 ref

009216   Panigrahi P (NO, ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar-751 023, Email: pravkalyan@rediffmail.com) : Enhancing productivity of citrus through rainwater conservation and micro-irrigation in Central India. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 747-51.

Scarcity of irrigation water is one of the major causes of low productivity and decline of citrus orchards in central India. Rainwater harvesting, recharging it to groundwater and it's efficient utilization in citrus orchards is need of the hour for sustainable dtriculture in water scarce region. Keeping this in view, the study was conducted to explore the feasibility of rainwater harvesting and it's use through drip irrigation in citrus. Various in-situ rainwater conservation treatments viz., continuous trenching, continuous bunding, staggered trenching between the rows across the slope (4.2%) undcontrol (without any soil and water conservation treatment) were evaluated in Nagpur mandarin orchards at Nagpur during 2003-2009. The continuous trenching produced the best response conserving 38% runoff and 32.28% soil besides 15.7% higher fruit yield with better fruit quality. Moreover, rainfall runoff from 3.2 hectare of land with continuous trenches was harvested in a tank of size 35mx35mx3m and recycled at the best level of irrigation (60% of pan evaporation) through drip with black plastic mulch of 100 micron thickness in 1ha of Nagpur mandarin. The harvested water also recharged the groundwater in the nearby wells and water from wells was used for irrigation purpose after drying of water in harvesting tanks during May and June. Over all, the fruit yield was enhanced up to 110% with better quality fruits under rainwater conservation practices and groundwater use over rain-fed trees. The study suggested for the combine adoption of rainwater harvesting strategies and drip irrigation for sustainable production of citrus orchards in central India.

4 tables, 11 ref

009215   Neeraj Kumar;Bhardwaj C;Satyavathi C T;Pal M; Tapan Kumar;Singhal T;Jain P K;Patil B S;Soren K R (NO, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, Email: drchbharadwaj@gmail.com) : Yield correlation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes based on physiological and morphological traits for salt tolerance. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 693-9.

Thirty genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were evaluated to estimate correlation of physiological and morphological traits with yield under salt stress conditions. Correlation of different characters on plant seed yieldunder salt stress conditions was studied with relative water content, membrane stability index, sodium pottasium ratio, days to maturity, days to flowering, pods per plant, seeds per pod, WO seed weight and plant height. Under saline stress condition teed yield per plant exhibited highly significant positive correlation with days to maturity (0.562), pods per plant (0.690), RWC (0.906) and MSI (0.864), and negative correlation of seed yield with days to flowering (-0.495) and Na: K ratio (-0.894) was observed, which shows that the plants having high yield under salt stress have lower amount of Na:K ratio, traits like 100 seed weight showed (0.864) relative less significant correlation value and other traits do not show significant correlation with plant seed yield. The lower the ratio, higher was yield per plant indicating that the plants that were able to exclude the sodium and prevent it from going to stem showed better tolerance to salinity. Also the other physiological parameters kike RWC and MSI showed positive correlation with seed per plant under salt stress condition. The traits like higher mean seed yield per plant under saline stress, higher pods per plant, higher RWC, higher MSI and a low stem Na:K ratio are associated with tolerance to salinity in chickpea

1 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

009214   Neeraj Kumar;Bhardwaj C;Pal M;Tara Satyavathi C;Tapan Kumar;Singhal T;Jain P K (Genetics Div, ICAR-IARI, Pusa, New Delhi-110 012, Email: chbharadwaj@yahoo.co.in) : Screening of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes for seedling salinity tolerance. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 667-77.

180 genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were evaluated for salinity tolerance genetic variability among the selected chickpea genotypes for various seedling biomass related parameters under salt stress and normal conditions reflected presence of significant variation for all the investigated characters. Under salt stress condition there was sufficient decrease in the mean of most the characters understudy. In biomass related study shows that salinity reduces the Root weight by (73.18%) followed by Dry shoot weight and Dry root weight both reduced by (60%), Shoot weight reduced by (56.66%), Shoot length (44.65%)and Root length showed reduction up to (37.38%) under salt stress condition. This showslrrespective of genotypes the normal grown seedlings had higher values for all the parameters under study while those grown under salt stress had reduced values for all the traits. Genotypesshowing minimum reduction in seedling characters in salt stress conditions mainly were ICCV 00104, ICCV 06101, CSG8962 and JG62.The mean performance for different characters in normal and saline environments revealed that wide range of estimates for characters under study. Seedling salinity tolerance is the basic requirement for genotypes to establish in saline conditions and seedling salinity screening can serve as potential criteria for selecting genotypes for salinity tolerance.

3 illus, 3 tables, 11 ref

009213   Nandapure S P;Wankhade S G;Wanjari S S; Deshmukh P W;Sonune B A;Konde N M (Directorate of Extension Education, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Maharashtra, Email: sachin.nandapur@gmail.com ) : Uptake of macro nutrients by java citronella as influenced by nutrient management under inceptisols. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 585-93.

Field study was conducted during kharif 2009-10 and 2010-11 at Nagarjun Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Garden, Dr. P.D.K.V., Akola (M.S.). The experimental soil was calcareous in nature and moderately alkaline in reaction. The fertility status of the soil was moderate in organic carbon, low in available nitrogen and available phosphorus and very high in available potassium while the soil micronutrient contents (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) were above the critical level. Experiment comprised of thirteen treatments replicated thrice in randomized block design, involving control (no fertilizer/manure), 5 t FYMha^{-1, 101FYM ha-1, 80:20:40 kg NPK ha-1, 100:30:60 kg NPK ha-1 140:40:80 kg NPK ha-1, 5 t FYM + 80:20:40 kg NPK ha-1, 5 t FYM + 100:30:60 kg NPK ha-1, 5 t FYM + 140:40:80 kg NPK ha-1, 10 t FYM + 80:20:40 kg NPK ha-1, 10 t FYM + 100:30:60 kg NPK ha-1, 10 t FYM + 140:40:80 kg NPK ha-1 and WO kg N through FYM (based on FYM analysis). Results indicated that, the highest N, P, K and S uptake was noticed with combined application of FYM + NPK (10 t FYM + 140:40:80 kg NPK ha-1). Hence, it can be concluded that the conjunctive use of FYM along with chemical fertilizer (10 t FYM + 140:40:80 kg NPK ha-1) was found beneficial way of nutrient management for improving uptake of macro nutrients (N, P,K and S) by Javacitronella.}

3 tables, 25 ref