027221   KALARIYA K, SINGH A, NAKAR R, ZALA P, CHAKRABORTY K, PATEL C (ICAR Directorate of Groundnut Research, Gujarat- 362 001, Email: kuldeep_ka@yahoo.co.in) : Physiological plasticity of Arachis hypogaea cultivars under drought conditions of semiarid region of India. J Food Legume 2018, 31(2), 106-13.

Physiological plasticity of sixty peanut cultivars, belonging to four botanical groups, were evaluated and compared during Kharif season under well-watered (with protective irrigation; P) and natural drought (under rainfed; RF) conditions. Based on physiological and yield attributes to identify the promising genotypes. The days required for 50 % flowering varied from 24.5-34.0 days and 26.0-37.7 days with an average of 28 and 30 days in P and RF crops, respectively. The natural drought (RF) condition delayed crop maturity (112-132 days) as against 113-119 maturity days in P. Interestingly, 30 cultivars matured within 113 days at 2130 ºC degree days under both the condition indicating their adaptability and plasticity to drought. The mean pod yield of peanut cultivars were 1260 kg ha^-1 under P and 1130kg ha^-1 under RF conditions, however cultivars ICGS 5, JGN23, AK 265, GG 5, GG 11, GG 16, Girnar 1, AK 159, SBXI showed > 1300 kg ha^-1 pod yield under both the conditions.The cultivars with early flowering and maturity high SCMR, low SLA, high yield and HI showed the escape mechanism and were considered as most promising for rainfed. There is greater likelihood of drought situation. Our study showed, Spanish bunch (VUL) group was more suitable compared to Virginia bunch (HYP), Virginia runner (HIR) and Valencia (FST) peanut group for desirable traits in rainfed condition.The cultivars JGN 23, SB XI, and Girnar 1 showed most of the desirable characters with high physiological plasticity and hence, can be of immense use for rainfed conditions.

6 tables, 33 ref

027220   DEEPAK V, HIREMATH, SINGH P S, SINGH S K (Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Email: pss_ento@yahoo.co.in) : Screening of chickpea genotypes against gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner. J Food Legume 2018, 31(2), 101-5.

The present investigation was carried out during Rabi 2016-17 at Agriculture Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi underfield conditions. Twenty chickpea genotypes along with susceptible and resistant check, Annageri-1 and C-235 was screened against pod borer Helicoverpa armigera. Weekly observations on larval population of H. armigera (per metre row length) in each genotype were recorded and the firstincidence of H. armigera was observed in 3^rd standard week in all genotypes. The peak larval population of H. armigera was observed during 10^th standard week. The mean larval population of H. armigera on different genotypes was ranged from 1.54 larvae/mr^-1 to 6.54 larvae/ mr^-1. The genotypes BG-372 (1.54 larvae/mr^-1) and KWR 108 (2.79 larvae/mr^-1) recorded lowest larval population density which was at par with resistant check C-235. BG 256 recorded significantly highest number of larvae population which was at par with BG 1053 (6.53 larvae/mr^-1), Annigeri-1 (6.33 larvae/mr^-1), PUSA 128 (5.94 larvae/mr^-1), PHULE G0027 (5.59 larvae/mr^-1), GNG 469 (5.58 larvae/mr^-1), GLK 26155 (4.97 larvae/mr^-1) and AVRODHI (4.85 larvae/mr^-1), respectively. On the basis of percent pod damage, the genotype KPG 59 recorded significantly lowest percent pod damage (6.87 %) which was at par with GNG 1958 (11.93 %), RSG 888 (11.98 %) and GNG 1581 (12.02 %), respectively. The genotype HK4 had recorded significantly highest per cent pod damage (26.66 %) which was at par with PUSA 128 (24.44 %), HC5 (20.55 %) and KWR 108 (20.48 %) per cent pod damage, respectively. The genotypes RSG 888 (16.37 q/ha), CSG 8962 (14.73 q/ha), VISHWAS (14.55 q/ha) and GNG 2144 (13.64q/ha) produced highest grain yield.

2 tables, 17 ref

027219   SINGH N A, SOROKHAIBAM S, YUMNAM S, PRAHARAJ C (Central Agricultural Univ, Manipur - 795 004, Email: anandosingh@ gmail.com) : Effect of tillage and crop establishment practices on rainfed chickpea productivity, energy balance and greenhouse gas emission under rice fallow of North East India. J Food Legume 2018, 31(2), 93-7.

A field experiment was conducted over a 3-year period (2011 to 2013) on a clay soil after lowland kharif rice at Imphal, Manipur to study the response of post-rice (Oryza sativa L.) till age practices on crop establishment, productivity, energy use and CO₂ emission on rainfed chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Seven different combinations of till age and crop establishment practices were tested in a randomized block design with three replications. Conventional till age followed by line sowing with straw mulch (CT+L+M) was superior over all other treatments. It had 21 %, 25.4 % and 54.7-55.4 % higher grain yield over those in conventional till age followed by line sowing without straw mulch (CT+L), reduced till age followed by line sowing with straw mulch (RT+L+M) and direct seeding in un-tilled field using zero till drill (DSZT) or plough (DSM), respectively. CT+L+M had 25 and 55 % higher gross margin over those in RT+L+M and DSZT respectively. RT+L+M had 40 % higher gross margin than that in DSZT. Labour productivity of CT+L+M was however, at par with DSZT and broadcasting seed followed by reduced till age (BS+RT). Reduced tillage followed by line sowing (RT+L) saved 13.5 % energy input, enhanced 10.3 % energy use efficiency and 9 % energy productivity ascompared to CT+L. Regardless of crop establishment and mulching practices, DSZT and RT resulted in 50 % lower CO₂ emissions compared with CT. Although implementation of CT tended to be more promising and attractive for higher chickpea yield, the adoption of RT is strongly desirable to improve energy performance and reduce GHG emissions in chickpea production system on rainfed rice fallow land in north east India.

3 illus, 5 tables, 14 ref

027218   TIWARI T, UPADHYAY N, PRASAD S R (ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Email: tntdsr@gmail.com) : Enhancement of seed quality through seed priming in pegion pea. J Food Legume 2018, 31(2), 88-92.

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect seed in two varieties of pigeon pea at ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau. The one year old seeds of pigeon pea (Baharand Malviya 13) were primed with growth regulators (100 ppm GA₃), in-organic salt (0.2 % KNO₃) and tap water for 12 hours. The priming of pigeon pea seed with different agent significantly enhanced the seed germination, speed of germination, seedling growth, vigour and activity of germination related enzymes over unprimed control. Among the treatments, priming with GA₃ resulted in maximum increase in germination (13.56 %), speed of germination (61.87 %), root length (13.93 %), shoot length (13.20 %),seedling dry weight (17.31 %), vigour index I (26.30 %) and vigour index II (32.20 %) over unprimed control. The activity of germination enzymes like α-amylase and protease was influenced maximum by GA₃ followed by KNO₃ salt. Among the treatments, priming with GA₃ (100 ppm) for 12 hrs was found superior to get the better germination, speed of germination, seedling growth/stand establishment and activity of germination enzymes. It is an easy and cost effective technology for increasing the income of resource poor farmers.

9 illus, 26 ref

027217   YADAV R (N.D. Univ of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad - 224 229, Email: rdsnduat@ gmail. com) : Standardization of seed treatments for improving germination, crop establishment and seed yield of lentil rice-selang. J Food Legume 2018, 31(2), 84-7.

Healthy and uniform seed of lentil cv. IPL 316 were subjected to nine seed priming treatments viz., Trichodermaharzianum @ 1.5 %, (Vitavexpower @ 0.25 %,) L Gibberellicacid @ 50 ppm, Gibberellic acid @ 50 ppm + Trichodermaharzianum @ 15 g/kg seed, Sodium Molybdate @ 500 ppm, Sodium Molybdate @ 500 ppm + Trichoderma harzianum@ 15 g/kg seed, leaf extract of Lantana camara @ 10 %, Seed hydration for 8 h, Bavistin @ 3 g/kg seed. Primed seeds along with control were incubated in BOD at 21+1 ^oC under laboratory condition and rest were broadcasted properly instanding crop of rice cv. BPT 5204 ten days before its harvest in order to study their suitability /possibility for improving the seed germination, crop establishment, nodulation and seed yield of lentil under utera/ paira system of cultivationor relay cropping of rice. The primed seeds exhibited faster rate of germination, more uniform emergence, higher nodulation, greater tolerance to environmental stresses, increased yield components and thus finally enhanced the seed yield. The highest root and shoot length, and vigour index were recorded at seed primed with GA3 @ 50 ppm + seed coated with Trichoderma harzianum @ 15 g/kg seed whereas the maximum root nodulation was observed at seed primed with Sodium Molybdate @ 500 ppm + seed coated with Trichoderma harzianum @ 15 g/kg seed. Similarly, the highest and or at par seed yield was observed at above treatments. These seed priming treatments if exploited inlentil and or other suitable pulses under Utera condition /relay cropping with rice could play a prime role for boosting up soil fertility, crop establishment, productivity and sustainability even through horizontal approach.

2 tables, 23 ref

027216   GHOSH A, KHAN S A (Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Nadia - 741 252, Email: ghoshargha4@ gmail.com) : Assessment on the impact of climatic factors on pod filling of grass pea. J Food Legume 2018, 31(2), 79-83.

Study was conducted to investigate the impact of climatic factors on pod filling of grass pea. Pod filling percentage (PFP) increased upto 96.7 % in crop sown on 30^th November, beyond which it decreased gradually with further delay in sowing. Maximum and minimum temperatures, morning and afternoon soil temperatures, recorded at 5, 15 and 30 cm soil depths, morning and afternoon vapour pressure deficitsat pre-flowering phase exhibited negative association, and contrarily, when prevailing during reproductive and pod development phases, these parameters demonstrated positive correlation with PFP. Temperature range, occurring during reproductive phase, which increased with delay insowing dates, had exhibited significant positive correlation with PFP. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that APTU prevailing at maturity phase alone accounted for 67.4 % of the total variation in PFP and together with temperature range it explained 91.3 % variation. APTU, temperature range, afternoon vapour pressure deficit, and afternoon soil temperature seem to be the critical agroclimatic variables influencing the pod filling percentage significantly.

3 illus, 6 tables, 12 ref

027215   VISHNU B, JAYALAKSHMI V, RANI M S (Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, Email: veera.jayalakshmi@gmail.com) : Genetic variability studies on mechanical harvesting traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). J Food Legume 2018, 31(2), 75-8.

An experiment was conducted with 30 chickpea genotypes having erect to semi erect growth habit under rainfed and irrigated conditions. The statistical design adopted was Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh during rabi 2016-17. The objective of the investigation was to study genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and traits related to mechanical harvesting. The study revealed that the genotypes ‘NBeG 780’, ‘NBeG 857’, ‘NBeG 47’, ‘NBeG 863’ and ‘BG 3061’ were identified to be high yielders and also suitable for mechanical harvesting under both environments. The marginal differences between the phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variations indicated lesser environmental influence on the expression of these characters. Seed yield and height of the first pod under both the tested environments and plant height under irrigated condition exhibited high heritability and high expected genetic gain under selection.

4 tables, 9 ref

027214   GAUR A K, SINGH I, SINGH S, SHARMA S (Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana - 141 004, Email: gauramit823@gmail.com) : Genetic analysis of M4 mutant lines of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh) developed through gamma irradiation. J Food Legume 2018, 31(2), 71-4.

Two doses of gamma rays i.e. 300 Gy and 400 Gy were used to induce mutations in pigeonpea cultivar AL 201. A set of 20 M3 derived M4 mutant lines were evaluated for various yield and component traits. The analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters indicating the presence of high degree of variability. The line AL 2138 (122 days and 191 cm) was identified as the shortest (191 cm tall) and earliest maturing line (122 days) with higher yield (1416 kg/ha) than the parent variety AL 201 (1375 kg/ha). It also recorded higher 100-seed weight (8.4 g) than parent (7.4 g). Moderate estimate of GCV was recorded for number of fruiting branches (12.47 %) and seed yield per plot (10.95 %). Heritability was highest for days to maturity (93.83 %) followed by days to flowering (90.89 %) and pods per plant (77.63 %). Highest genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for number of fruiting branches (19.74) followed by pods per plant (15.50), seed yield per plot (13.40) and days to flowering (13.04). Seed yield recorded positive and significant correlation with fruiting branches, pods per plant, 100-seed weight, plant height, days to flowering and days to maturity but negative correlation with seed protein content.

5 tables, 21 ref

027213   SHARMA A K, BUCKSETH T, SINGH R K (ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Himachal Pradesh - 171 001, Email: tanujagbpuat@gmail.com) : Effect of seasons on subsequent production behavior of small size potato mini-tubers. Agric Res 2018, 7(2), 245-9.

For the effective utilization of healthy and precious planting material, one-time multiplication of extremely small mini-tubers of potato under protected conditions is an alternative option to improve the size of progeny tubers for making them suitable for field multiplication. With this objective, the extremely small potato mini-tubers, viz.< 1, 1–2 and 2–3 g, produced during Kharif and autumn seasons were evaluated for their production behavior and health status under polyhouse (aphid proof) conditions of northwestern India (2700 m above mean sea level) during 2012 and 2013. The study revealed that mini-tubers produced during both the seasons had almost similar production potential and can be multiplied simultaneously without any special treatment. The number of tubers/m² was more with mini-tubers grown in Kharif season than the autumn ones, but the yield was similar with the mini-tubers from both the seasons. However, plant vigor, number of tubers and yield were significantly affected by the grade of mini-tubers. The ELISA test of 5 % plants raised from the mini-tubers from both the seasons revealed 100 % healthy stocks in all the grades of mini-tubers.

3 tables, 13 ref

027212   NAGAR A, SUREJA A K, KAR A, BHARDWAJ R, KRISHNAN S G, MUNSHI A D (Vegetable Science Div, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110 012, Email: aksureja@gmail.com) : Profiling of mineral nutrients and variability study in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) genotypes. Agric Res 2018, 7(2), 225-31.

The present investigation was carried out to estimate the extent genetic variability and character association for fruit yield and nine mineral nutrients (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc and selenium) in 76 genotypes of pumpkin during spring–summer season of the year 2014. The experimental results revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits under study. Based on mean performance, the genotypes DPU6, DPU-26 and DPU-51-3 were found most promising for different mineral nutrients and fruit yield per plant. Further, high heritability estimates coupled with high genetic gain were observed for all the traits under study, which indicated that these traits are under additive gene effects and are more reliable for effective selection. The correlation coefficients (phenotypic and genotypic) among different minerals along with fruit yield per plant depict that fruit yield per plant has significantly positive association with calcium (0.187 and 0.216) and magnesium (0.149 and 0.155) content. Path coefficient analysis at genotypic level revealed that iron has maximum positive direct effect (0.374) on marketable fruit yield per plant, followed by calcium (0.198) and copper (0.037). Besides, maximum positive indirect effect of manganese (0.331) and copper (0.265) via iron was observed on the fruit yield per plant.

4 tables, 21 ref

027211   KUMAR S, DWIVEDI S K, RAO K K, MISHRA J S, SINGH A K, BHAKTA N, PRAKASH V, SINGH S K, KUMAR V, BHATT B P (Crop Research Div, ICAR - Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar, Email: santosh9239@gmail.com) : Optimizing dosage and mode of potassium application for rice in drought-prone rainfed ecology of middle Indo-Gangetic plains. Agric Res 2018, 7(2), 215-24.

A field experiment was undertaken during wet seasons of 2014 and 2015 to evaluate the response of soil-applied potassium (K), and its additional foliar application in rice (Sahbhagi Dhan) under drought-prone rainfed lowland ecology of eastern India. Three K₂O doses (20, 30, 40 kg ha^-1) were soil applied alone, and also supplemented with two levels of foliar sprays (0.50 and 1.0 % K, separately) at panicle initiation stage. The results indicated that growth and yield of rice were adversely affected in the absence of extraneous application of potassium in drought-prone environment. Under drought, K management practices significantly influenced grain yield and B:C ratio, recording its maximum (3.92 t ha^-1 and 1.43) with 20 kg K₂O ha^-1 basal application $+$ one foliar spray @ 1.0 % K at PI stage which was at par with 40 kg K₂O ha^-1 basal application compared to control (3.25 t ha^-1 and 1.22). Moreover, foliar application of potassium significantly improved the gas exchange process (Pn rate), water status in terms of RWC and chlorophyll content and TSS. Extraneous application of K, across different doses, application schedules and methods maintained higher K content in straw as well as in grain as compared to control. Our finding strongly suggests that split application of K is highly beneficial for improving nutritional quality without significantly declining yield under drought-prone ecology of rice where K is limiting factor.

1 illus, 6 tables, 49 ref

027210   CHAUDHARY R S, SOMASUNDARAM J, MANDAL K G, HATI K M (ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Madhya Pradesh- 462 038, Email: somajayaraman@gmail.com) : Enhancing water and phosphorus use efficiency through moisture conservation practices and optimum phosphorus application in rainfed maize-chickpea system in vertisols of central India. Agric Res 2018, 7(2), 176-86.

Conserving soil moisture in the rainfed region is a challenging task as it plays a significant role in crop productivity and livelihood security of rainfed farmers. The soil moisture conservation practices (MCPs) coupled with the addition of root augmenting nutrition are crucial for sustaining crop yields and maintaining soil phosphorus (P) in a rainfed Vertisol of Central India. Thus, a study was conducted to evaluate the long-term effect of MCPs and P application in maize–chickpea in a Vertisol. A five-year study showed that the MCPs integrated with P nutrition significantly helped in growing chickpea (Cicer arietinum) without irrigation or with limited irrigation. Under the normal rainfall conditions such as normal onset time, distribution and cessation time during the experimentation, the MCPs proved useful in obtaining chickpea yields in the range of 776 to 933 kg ha^-1. The best MCP was the practice of late intercultural operations $+$ Gliricidia cover in the inter-row spaces of standing maize (@ 5 t ha^-1 fresh weight basis) $+$ maize stover application (after sowing up to germination), which recorded higher chickpea grain yield (932 kg ha^-1) on account of higher moisture content in the soil and reduced stress in the plants. Another comparable treatment was Gliricidia cover $+$ one pre-sowing irrigation of 6 cm for chickpea, which recorded 933 kg ha^-1 of chickpea yield. Both the treatments recorded significantly higher yields than the under control (637 kg ha^-1). We also found that the application of Gliricidia cover on the soil surface coupled with either pre-sowing irrigation and/or late intercultural operations had beneficial effect on soil physical conditions increasing soil moisture which in turn affected the crop growth. Under normal monsoon years, the best treatments (MCP4 and MCP5) recorded around 46 % higher chickpea yield as compared to the control. It is concluded that these soil MCPs are very useful in rainfed areas for sustaining crop yield.

6 illus, 5 tables, 34 ref

027209   BAHMANI O, EGHBALIAN S (Water Engineering Dep, Bu-Ali Sina Univ, Hamedan, Iran, Email: Omid.bahmani@basu.ac.ir) : Simulating the response of sugarcane production to water deficit irrigation using the aquacrop model. Agric Res 2018, 7(2), 158-66.

A water shortage has always been the main limiting factor of agricultural development in arid and semiarid areas. In this research, the yield response to water stress for sugarcane in Khuzestan, Iran, was studied using an AquaCrop model under deficit irrigation scenarios (2004–2010). Treatments were contained 100 % (I₁), 125 % (I₂), 85 % (I₃) and 70 % (I₄) of full irrigation. The results indicated that the simulating sugarcane yield was acceptable with normalized root-mean square error (NRMSE) = 1.89 and root-mean-square error (RMSE) = 1.7. The statistical analysis of yield showed that there was no significant difference between I₁, I₂ and I₃ treatments. Simulating the water productivity (WP) was acceptable (NRMSE = 1.44 and RMSE = 0.06). All the treatments were significantly different than the treatment I₁ in simulated WP. Agreement index for yield and WP (0.91 and 0.99) showed compatibility of these predicted values with the actual value. The results showed that the AquaCrop model is an appropriate tool to simulate sugarcane yield and water productivity under deficit irrigation conditions in Iran. According to the results, the I₃ scenario can be recommended.

3 illus, 11 tables, 35 ref

027208   LITORIYA N S, MODI A R, TALATI J G (Biochemistry Dep, Anand Agricultural Univ, Anand- 388 110, Email: niteshlitoriya@gmail.com) : Nutritional evaluation of durum wheat with respect to organic and chemical fertilizers. Agric Res 2018, 7(2), 152-7.

Organic food is considered as safe as and healthier than their conventionally grown counterpart, but superiority over nutrient content is still undecided between these. Wheat, one of the main staple foods and a significant source of nutrients, is essential for human health. It is an input-intensive crop and requires a sizeable amount of organic and chemical fertilizers. Determination of the effect of organic and chemical sources on the nutritional quality of durum wheat (cv. GW1) was the main objective of this study. The comparison of nutritional quality of organically and chemically amended wheat was made on many biochemical parameters (moisture, carbohydrate, oil, protein, ash, fiber, water-soluble vitamins), anti-nutrients (heavy metals and phytic acid) and mineral composition (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu). The results revealed that durum wheat supplemented with chemical fertilizer recorded significantly higher amount of anti-nutritional factors, but lower in protein, zinc and water-soluble vitamin content. The present investigation reflected that durum wheat grown under organic fertilizers were at par with chemically supplemented wheat for nutritional quality, but were safer due to the significantly lower content of anti-nutritional factors. Therefore, consumption of organically grown durum wheat is able to supply nutrients and simultaneously reduces the risk of exposure to many harmful chemicals.

5 tables, 20 ref

027207   JISHA K C, PUTHUR J T (Botany Dep, Calicut Univ, Kerala - 673 635, Email: jtputhur@yahoo.com) : Seed hydropriming enhances osmotic stress tolerance potential in Vigna radiata. Agric Res 2018, 7(2), 145-51.

Green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) is a widely cultivated pulse crop in India, and it holds a key importance in food supplement due to its protein-rich edible seeds. This crop usually experiences abiotic stresses like drought and salinity during the cultivation period. The investigation was carried out to study the effect of hydropriming on osmotic stress tolerance potential of three Vigna radiata varieties, with varied abiotic stress tolerance potential. Hydropriming enhances the photosynthetic activities of the seedlings. Moreover, hydropriming resulted in reduction of proline content in Pusa Ratna and Pusa 9531 seedlings, whereas the salt-tolerant variety Pusa Vishal showed increase in proline content, especially under stressed conditions. Osmotic stress caused increase in MDA content in all the varieties studied, and this increase was significantly minimized by the influence of hydropriming. Hydropriming also enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the seedlings. From the results of this study, it is concluded that hydropriming of seeds improved the drought and salinity stress tolerance potential of all the three green gram varieties and it was significantly evident in the abiotic stress-sensitive variety Pusa Ratna as compared to Pusa 9531 (drought tolerant) and Pusa Vishal (NaCl tolerant).

4 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

027206   PATHY T L, RAO A M, RAMESH S (Genetics and Plant Breeding Dep, UAS Bangalore, Bangalore - 560 065, Email: pathy4u76@gmail.com) : Assessing breeding potential of three-way cross and double-cross hybrids in chilli (Capsicum annuum). Agric Res 2018, 7(2), 129-34.

Assessing breeding potential of multi-parent crosses is essential in order to isolate inbreds with broad genetic base. Five parental lines of chilli were used to produce ten single-cross hybrids in diallel design. These ten single crosses were in turn used to produce 15 double-cross hybrids and 30 three-way cross hybrids. The breeding potential of these threeway cross and double-cross hybrids was assessed for fruit yield per plant in terms of quantitative traits means, variances and their ability to produce transgressive segregants. Rank sums were also calculated based on individual means and variance. The hybrids which showed better values for all these parameters were compared and inferred that (Byadagikaddi × Gouribidanur) × (CCA 9907-9611 × Tiwari) and (CCA 9907-9611 × Tiwari) × PBC 483 have highest breeding potential and hence can be utilized for further improvement.

4 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

027205   TASISA J, MOHAMMED W, HUSSIEN S, KUMAR V (Haramaya Univ, Ethiopia, Email: djiregnat@yahoo.com) : Genetic control of inheritance of fruit quality attributes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Agric Res 2018, 7(2), 120-8.

The experiment comprised of seven tomato inbred lines (two processing and five fresh market) and 21 F₁ hybrids produced by crossing of them in a 7 × 7 half diallel fashion excluding the reciprocals. The study was conducted at the Haramaya University, Ethiopia during July 2015 to June 2016 to analyze the genetics of inheritance of some physical and chemical quality traits. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used to conduct the experiment. Among the studied characters, only shape index and titratable acidity fulfilled the additive–dominance hypothesis. Therefore, non-allelic gene interaction could be involved in the inheritance of the characters which did not fit the model. The parental line Roma VF contained mostly recessive genes with increasing effects for shape index, and the parental lines Marglobe and Eshete contained mostly recessive genes with the increasing effects for titratable acidity. Therefore, employing these lines in hybridization for shape index and titratable acidity improvement could be ineffective, since the rapid increased frequency of recessive alleles which is the cause of loss of vigor could be resulted in advancing generation.

4 illus, 4 tables, 25 ref

027204   DEVI J, SOOD S (ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi - 221 305, Email: jyoti17iivr@gmail.com) : Genetic study of horticultural traits in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum var. grossum) through generation mean analysis. Agric Res 2018, 7(2), 112-9.

The present investigation was carried out at CSK HPKV, Palampur (Himachal Pradesh, India), to study gene action for important horticultural traits in bell pepper and to develop desirable breeding material from the segregating generations. In this study six generations (P₁, P₂, F₁, F₂, B₁ and B₂) of four crosses, viz, EC-464107 $\times$ Kandaghat Selection (C1), EC-464115 $\times$ Kandaghat Selection (C2), EC-464107 × EC-464115 (C3) and EC-464107 $\times$ Sweet Happy-I (C4), were evaluated. The results of the scaling tests revealed that additive-dominance model was inadequate in all the crosses for all the traits studied. For total fruits per plant, the magnitude of dominance [h] gene effects and additive × additive [i] gene interactions were positive and higher coupled with duplicate epistasis in the crosses C1, C2 and C4. This suggested the exploitation of heterosis breeding as well as the selection of desirable segregants through the pedigree method in these crosses. For total fruit yield per plant, all the four cross combinations revealed positive and relatively higher magnitude of dominance [h] gene effects along with complementary gene action in the cross C3 and duplicate type of epistasis (but low magnitude) in the cross C4. This suggested the usefulness of exploiting hybrid vigor in these crosses. Studies on the extent of heterosis suggested that the F₁ hybrid EC-464107 × SH-I (C4) was the most consistent for earliness, while the cross EC-464107 × KS (C1) was more reliable for high fruit yield and can further be evaluated for yield and quality traits as well as resistance to bacterial wilt.

4 tables, 47 ref

027203   ADSUL A T, CHIMOTE V P, DESHMUKH M P (Genetics and Plant Breeding Dep, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri - 413 722, Email: amitadsul444@gmail.com) : Inheritance of seed longevity and its association with other seed-related traits in soybean (Glycine max). Agric Res 2018, 7(2), 105-11.

Soybean seeds are highly susceptible to field weathering and mechanical damage during storage, thereby adversely affecting their longevity. To study the inheritance of seed longevity crossing was undertaken between two welladopted genotypes (DS-228 and MAUS-71) having low seed longevity and two genotypes (Birsa Soya-1 and Kalitur) having high seed longevity and their total of 1138 F₂ segregants were subjected to accelerated ageing test. F₂ population data for seed longevity trait fitted in 3:1 Mendelian ratio indicated that it was governed by a single major gene in all the four crosses was further confirmed by test cross which fits the ratio 1:1. The segregants obtained from this study could be utilized for the development of high seed longevity soybean breeding program. The results of various six generations (P₁, P₂, F₁, F₂, B₁ and B₂) of four crosses exhibited varietal differences in seed vigour as clearly evident by standard germination after 8 days of accelerated ageing (ranged from 53.16 to 83.09 %). Seed longevity had a positive association with germination percentage, seed density, proportion of the seed coat and lignin content in all four crosses, while seed coat permeability had negative association. The black-seeded parents were found to inherit good storability trait to their yellow-seeded progenies.

2 tables, 34 ref

027188   KUMAR A, CHAUHAN R S (Aquaculture Dep, G. B. Pant Univ of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar- 263 145, Email: rikhichauhan@rediffmail.com) : Evaluation of breeding performance of Labeo rohita using gonadoprim as an inducing agent. J Env Bio-Sci 2018, 32(1), 137-42.

The use of inducing agents for successful breeding of fish is a common practice and has been evaluated at several occasions. The commercially available inducing hormones in readymade form are becoming very popular and found to be efficient in successful breeding of fishes. During the course of present study, a new inducing agent, Gonadoprim, was used to study the breeding performance of the Labeo rohita in comparison to Gonopro-FH and pituitary gland extract (PGE). The experiment was conducted to evaluate fecundity, latency period, egg fertilization percentage and hatching percentage in Labeo rohita. The spawning success using Gonadoprim, Gonopro-FH and PGE was 100 %, 100 % and 90 %, respectively. The corresponding latency period was 10 hrs, 11 hrs and 11.30 hrs. Fertilization using Gonadoprim, Gonopro-FH and PGE was 99.2 %, 99.1 % and 90.5 % and corresponding hatching was 91.5 %, 88.8 % and 86.0 %, respectively. The evaluation of responsiveness of three inducing agents Gonadoprim, Gonopro-FH and PGE on fecundity, fertilization rate and hatching revealed that Gonadoprim works better in spawning success (100 %), relative fecundity (127623 eggs/kg body weight), fertilization (99.2 %) and hatching (91.5 %) than Gonopro-FH and PGE induced bred Labeo rohita. The results of the present study would be useful for appropriate management of induced breeding in Labeo rohita and other carps.

6 tables, 24 ref

027187   GOWANE G R, AKRAM N, MISRA S S, PRAKASH V, KUMAR A (Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (ICAR), Malpura- 304 501, Email: gopalgowane@gmail.com) : Genetic diversity of Cahi DRB, DQB genes of caprine MHC class II in Sirohi goat. J Genet 2018, 97(2), 483-92.

The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of the Sirohi goat for DRB and DQB1 loci, and to study their association with antibody response induced by the Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) vaccine. A total of 360 Sirohi kids were studied using single stranded confirmation polymorphism (SSCP) followed by polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) for DRB and DQB1 diversities. The competitive enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (C-ELISA) was used to evaluate immune response post-PPR vaccination. Study revealed rich diversity of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region in goat. A total of 18 DRB and 15 DQB1 alleles were obtained which were new. Alleles DRB*0104 and DQB1*0101 were the most common. The approach of SSCP combined with PCR-SBT reflects cost-effective and most powerful approach to decipher the genetic diversity in complex MHC region. Study revealed variation in DRB and DQB1 genes in Sirohi flock along with high Wu–Kabat index. A total of 16 of the 89 amino acid residue sites in DRB and 19 of 86 residue sites in DQB1 had more than three amino acid substitutions. Positive evolutionary selection was evident in Sirohi for MHC region. Nonsignificant association of DRB and DQB1 genotypes with PPR virus (PPRV) vaccine response revealed complexity of the phenotype and importance of other factors for vaccine response. Rich diversity of DRB and DQB1 genes reflects the fitness of the population and importance of this locus for future selection programmes.

3 illus, 2 tables, 44 ref

027186   MEI B, WANG Z (Agriculture Dep, Hetao Coll, Bayannur 015000, People’s Republic of China, Email: meibujun@163.com) : A multiple regression method for genomewide association studies using only linkage information. J Genet 2018, 97(2), 477-82.

Genomewide association studies (GWASs) typically require a base of linkage disequilibrium (LD) to capture quantitative trait locus (QTL) signals. In this study, we tested whether identifying QTLs in the framework of GWAS can be based only on linkage information. Our study sought to validate a method to replace LD with linkage in association studies, and we investigated the statistical power of different heritabilities and the number of QTLs using simulation data. We found that it is entirely feasible to exploit the multiple regression method for GWASs using only linkage information. Similar to the typical genomewide association tests using LD information, our new approach performed validly when the multiple regression based on linkage method was employed. However, the performance improved slightly when the linkage was used alone, which was much closer to the traditional GWAS model using single marker regression. Meanwhile, the statistical power of the new method decreased with increasing number of QTLs, and its power was sensitive to heritability. In summary, these results suggest that this method can identify QTLs, although the power is relatively weak. The cause of this phenomenon remains unknown.

6 illus, 20 ref

027202   KAUR M, KAUR A (Horticulture (Agriculture) Dep, Guru Nanak Dev Univ, Amritsar-143 001) : Quality improvement of winter guava cv. L-49 through various mulches. Asian J Sci Technol 2018, 9(05), 8246-50.

A field study was conducted in the guava orchard of Department of Horticulture, Khalsa College, Amritsar during 2017-2018 to study the effect of various mulches on yield and quality of guava cv. L-49. The plants of guava were mulched with paddy straw (10 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm), sugarcane trash (10 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm), black, green, silver, white polythene mulch, grass and control. The investigation was laid out in RBD with twelve treatment combinations replicated thrice. Results of the study showed that paddy straw (15 cm) increased the physical parameters of fruits with the maximum fruit weight (160.20 g), fruit length (10.10 cm), fruit breadth (6.53 cm) and fruit volume (195.00 g/cc) while the black polythene mulch improved the biochemical characters reporting maximum TSS (8.87 °Brix), total sugars (5.76 %), reducing sugars (3.92 %), ascorbic acid content (190.88 mg/100g) and minimum acidity (0.21 %) respectively. Hence, application of black polyethylene mulch improved the quality of guava fruits.

3 tables, 28 ref

027201   KAUR A, KAUR K, KAUR A (Horticulture (Agriculture) Dep, Guru Nanak Dev Univ, Amritsar-143 001) : Role of IBA and PHB on success of cuttings of fig cv. Brown Turkey. Asian J Sci Technol 2018, 9(05), 8237-41.

In order to study the role of IBA and PHB on success of cuttings of fig cv. Brown Turkey an investigation was conducted at the nursery of Department of Horticulture, Khalsa College, Amritsar during 2016-2017. Ten treatments were used comprising of IBA (500, 750, 1000 ppm), PHB (500 ppm) by slow dip, IBA (2000, 3000, 4000 ppm) and PHB (750, 1000 ppm) by quick dip method along with control. The results of investigation indicated that IBA (3000 ppm) with quick dip proved to be the best in terms of minimum days to first sprouting (13.66), maximum sprouting percentage (77.77 %), survival percentage (73.33 %), rooting percentage (71.10 %), number of roots per cutting (36.99), root length (28.12 cm), fresh weight of roots (1.86 g), dry weight of roots (0.70 g), number of shoots per cutting (5.33), average shoot diameter (0.57 cm), shoot length (16.2 cm), fresh weight of shoots (52.39 g), dry weight of shoots (20.35 g), number of leaves (17.08) and total leaf area (299.61 cm²).

2 tables, 33 ref

027200   GHAFARY O, FOSTER R E, WELLER S C, MCNAMARA K T (Agronomy Dep, Herat Univ, Afghanistan) : Effect of weed management systems on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) yield in Herat province, Afghanistan. Asian J Sci Technol 2018, 9(05), 8216-8.

Various weed management techniques were compared for efficacy and effect on tomato yield in 2014 field studies in Herat, Afghanistan. All weed management treatments resulted in lower dry weights of weeds compared to the untreated weedy control. Weed weights in plots treated with metribuzin were significantly higher than those in other management treatments but lower than in weedy plots. All management treatments, except metribuzin, resulted in higher yields than in unweeded. Hand weeded tomatoes had the highest yield which was significantly greater than yield from tomatoes in the metribuzin, organic mulch and unweeded treatments but similar to black plastic mulch and glyphosate. Major weeds were Amaranthus retroflexus, Solanum nigrum, Portulaca oleracae, Chenopodium album, Cyperus esculentus, grasses and Convolvulus arvensis. The best control of these weeds was with glyphosate and the mulches (organic and black plastic), however, only glyphosate controlled C. esculentus and metribuzin was weak on S. nigrum and grasses.

2 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

027199   MOHAMMED A S H, IBRAHIM A A, EL-BIALEE N M (Agric Engineering Res Dep, Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, Giza, Egypt) : Maximizing water productivity for irradiated cowpea. Asian J Sci Technol 2018, 9(05), 8079-84.

Using water regime and biophysical applications on expansion agricultural area are very obligatory to achieve self sufficiency of crops. Pretreated cowpea seeds by four γ- doses (G) 0, 15, 25 and 35 Krad., were grown till maturity to determined their response under three water deficit percentage (W) 100, 85,70 %. (G) in conjunction with (W) results, were evaluated in terms of seed and yield indexes "SI", "YI", biological and economical yields "BY" and "EY", harvest index "HI", water use efficiency “WUE”, irrigation water productivity “IWP” and seed crude protein "CP", using split plot design. Results affirmed that all parameters had direct relations with studied treatments. Whereas, (W) has constrictive and significantly effects on all parameters except, EY and CP. So, irrigation regimes might not be increased more than 15 %. In contrast, γ- irradiation – till 15 krad- has stimulatory and significantly (P $\le$0.05) effects on SI, YI, EY, HI, WUE, and IWP. On the other hand, exposed seeds by γ- ray with more than 15 krad., had a grave effect on shoots on this cultivar. Moreover, interaction between W×G had insignificant effect on parameters except YI. Eventually, W has been a positive exponential correlation with all parameters at all treatments except SI.

3 illus, 2 tables, 61 ref

027198   NO O, JO P, CAO M, KHAN Z R (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Kenya) : Implication of livestock rearing on advancing household food security and nutrition; A study of push-pull technology and livestock production. Asian J Sci Technol 2018, 9(05), 8066-74.

Livestock rearing link to food security and nutrition is an important aspect to farmers and research institutions. Push-pull technology, an innovation at International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), has been distinguished as an advocate to livestock growth and production. This Push-pull novelty follows a chain to income boost and household food purchase power. This study sought to establish the perfect link of Push-pull livestock production to an enhanced household food security and nutrition in a case-control study design, where non Push-pull was a control group. The study found that 31 % of farmers interviewed were male and 69 % were female, a reliability to the study. On number of livestock reared, cattle were 91 in PPT and 88 in NPPT, goats were 59 in PPT and 23 in NPPT, chicken were 526 in PPT and 610 in NPPT, sheep were 54 in PPT and 30 in NPPT and pigs were 26 in PPT and 24 in NPPT (where the n value was 50 households for both PPT and NPPT). Number of egg production was 71/day in PPT and 101/day in NPPT as milk production was 88.5 litres/day in PPT and 40.8 litres/day in NPPT. Income gains from livestock were Kshs. 225,000 in PPT and Kshs. 157,000 in NPPT in cattle which translated to Kshs. 49,000 in PPT and Kshs. 8,000 in NPPT for food purchases respectively. Cattle income had contributed majorly to food purchase. Out of 71 eggs laid in PPT, 54 eggs were consumed and out of 101 eggs laid in NPPT, 81 eggs were consumed within the households. Foods were bought in variety and classified on a household dietary diversity framework and presented on nutrient significance. Finally, the multiple linear regression had reflected several significance values at p ≤ 0.05 on livestock variables: PPT - 0.000, NPPT - 0.001 for cattle; PPT - 0.036, NPPT - 0.098 for chicken; PPT - 0.000, NPPT - 0.000 for sheep; PPT - 0.000, NPPT - 0.280 for pigs; PPT - 0.000 for eggs; and [PPT, NPPT] - 0.000 for milk. The study concluded that Push-pull in livestock production is efficient and has full aptitude to advance household food security and nutrition. It however recommends a study where equal number of livestock is used in both PPT and NPPT.

3 illus, 6 tables, 41 ref

027197   TORABIAN S, FARHANGI-ABRIZ S, ZAHEDI M (Agronomy Dep, Isfahan Univ of Technology, Isfahan, Iran, Email: s.torabian@ag.iut.ac.ir) : Efficacy of FeSO₄ nano formulations on osmolytes and antioxidative enzymes of sunflower under salt stress. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 305–15.

This study investigated iron (II) sulfate (FeSO₄) effects in two forms on some antioxidant enzyme activity, osmoregulators and sunflower growth under salt stress. Treatments included five cultivars (Alstar, Olsion, Yourflor, Hysun36 and Hysun33), two salinity levels (control and 100 mM NaCl), and three foliar applications (nonesprayed, FeSO₄ normal and nano-particles at a rate of 2 g L^-1 ). As a results, salt stress increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POX), pyrroline-5- carboxylate synthase (P5CS) and invertase activities; and also proline, soluble carbohydrates, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation; however, reduced shoot dry weight and seed yield. Foliar spray of FeSO₄ in two forms enhanced CAT, PPO, POX, invertase activity, soluble carbohydrates and decreased MDA content and ROS generation compared to non-sprayed plants under saline condition. In general, FeSO₄ in nano was more effective than normal form in improving the growth of sunflower. As an average, the spray of FeSO₄ increased proline content of Alestar cultivar under 100 mM salinity, which related with P5CS activity but reduced leaf proline content of Olsion and Hysun33 under non-saline condition. In addition, shoot dry weight and seed yield of sunflower were increased by FeSO₄. Leaf Fe concentration of cultivars was strongly intensified by FeSO₄ foliar spray under two conditions compared to non-sprayed treatment. Overall, the usage of FeSO₄ alleviated the negative impact of salt stress, although the positive effects of nano-particles were more than the normal form.

5 illus, 2 tables, 58 ref

027196   RAI K K, RAI N, RAI S P (Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh- 221 305, Email: nrai1964@gmail.com) : Investigating the impact of high temperature on growth and yield of Lablab purpureus L. inbred lines using integrated phenotypical, physiological, biochemical and molecular approaches. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 209–26.

A continuous increase in global mean temperature has become a major challenge for present and future agricultural productivity at worldwide. Therefore, present study was conducted to assess the impact of high temperature (HT) stress on seven Lablab purpureus L. inbred lines along with two parents viz, Arka Vijay and Kashi Khushal as check, to evaluate any genotypic variations exist among inbred lines for HT stress tolerance. The results show that HT induced higher levels of foliar injury in all inbred lines that significantly increased membrane damage, declined photosynthetic pigment contents and redox metabolites which ultimately led to the reduction in their growth and yield. However, among all the inbred lines used, three inbred lines viz, VRBSEM-1, VRBSEM-3 and VRBSEM-15 showed comparatively enhanced enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants with increased secondary metabolites content as well as improved growth and yield related traits, thereby confirming that these inbred lines were efficiently utilizing reactive oxygen species as signalling molecule which regulated their growth and developmental process under HT stress. DNA fingerprinting analysis through ISSR and RAPD markers also established the genetic relationships among the inbred lines that coincides with above physiological and biochemical characterization, and grouped VRBSEM-1 & VRBSEM-3 and VRBSEM-9 & VRBSEM-15 inbred lines into one group and VRBSEM-8, VRBSEM-10, VRBSEM-14 into another group. The experimental findings clearly depict that all the cultivars of L. purpureus L. showed differential response to HT stress. Inbred lines with enhanced biochemical and physiological traits can be crossed to high yielding agronomical elite materials which can help plant breeders in selecting resistant cultivars for the area experiencing high temperature during the cropping season.

3 illus, 6 tables, 71 ref

027195   POUDINEH Z, FAKHERI B A, SIROSMEHR A R, SHOJAEI S (Islamic Azad Univ, Zahedan, Iran, Email: s_shojaei@ut.ac.ir) : Effect of drought stress on the morphology and antioxidant enzymes activity of Foeniculum vulgare cultivars in Sistan. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 283–92.

Plants respond to a variety of abiotic and biotic signals influencing their growth and development. Although the responses are different between plants, in case the growth of medicinal plant, yield production and responses to environmental stresses is right dependent on genotype. Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) is annual, biennial or perennial plant, belongs to Apiaceae family. In this study, effect of water stress was investigated among 10 different fennel genotypes in completely random blocks design during years 2012–2014. The plant height, biologic yield, thousand grain weight, ash percentage and activities of CAT, APX and GPX enzymes and proline content were evaluated and compared between genotypes. It was evident that Shiraz genotype occupied the highest level position in majority of traits such as CAT activity, thousand grain weights, biologic yield and proline content. The correlation analysis revealed that proline level had the highest correlation with the thousand grain weight. Based on the components analysis in the first year, four components have values greater than 1 and the first component alone explained 40 % of the total variation. The CAT activity had the highest coefficient in the first component. In the second year, three components had values greater than 1 which the first component was explained 35 % of variation and thousand grain weight showed the highest coefficient. Cluster analysis divided the parameters studied in the three groups in both years. Biplot results showed that the Shiraz genotype was in the best position with respect to the first component and possess the highest yield production rate compared to other genotypes.

9 illus, 11 tables, 21 ref

027194   MASHILO J, ODINDO A, SHIMALIS H, MUSENGE P A, TESFAY S Z, MAGWAZA L S (KwaZulu-Natal Univ, Pietermaritzburg- 3209, South Africa, Email: jacobmashilo@yahoo.com) : Photosynthetic efficiency of bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.] under drought stress. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 293–304.

Neglected and underutilized crops such as bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.] are associated with considerable drought tolerance. The objective of this study was to determine variation in the level of drought tolerance among bottle gourd landraces based on photosynthetic efficiency and to identify unique genotypes for breeding. Photosynthetic efficiency of 12 selected bottle gourd landraces were evaluated under controlled environment under drought-stressed (DS) and non-stressed (NS) conditions. A significant genotype × water regime interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for minimum fluorescence (Fm′), maximum quantum efficiency of PS II photochemistry (F_v′/F_m′), the effective quantum efficiency of PS II photochemistry (ΦPSII), photochemical quenching (qP), non-photochemical quenching (qN), linear electron transport rate (LETR), non-cyclic electron transport rate (NCETR), proportion of open PS II reaction centers (1 − qP), photo-inhibition of PS II reaction centers Y (NO), the fraction of photon energy trapped by “open” PS II reaction centers and utilized in PS II photochemistry (P), the portion of the absorbed photon energy that was thermally dissipated (D), rate of photochemistry (RPC) and rate of heat dissipation (RHD) suggesting variation in genotypic response under NS and DS conditions. Principal component analysis under NS and DS conditions identified two principal components (PC’s) which accounted for a total variance of 90 and 96 %, respectively. Under DS condition, minimum fluorescence (F₀′), F_m′, F_v′/F_m′, qN, NCETR, D, and RHD correlated with PC1 which accounted for 56 % of total variation. ΦPSII, qP, LETR, P, RPC and 1 − qP correlated with PC₂ which accounted for 40 % of total variation. The PC biplot identified landraces BG-27, BG-58 and BG-78 as the most drought tolerant characterized by high values for LETR, qP, P, ΦPSII and RPC under drought stress condition. These landraces could be a useful genetic resource in the development of bottle gourd genotypes with enhanced drought tolerance.

3 illus, 3 tables, 38 ref

027193   MANIMEKALAI R, NARAYANAN J, GOKUL M, SELVI A, GOMATHI R, KUMAR R A (Crop Improvement Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Tamil Nadu- 641 007, Email: r.manimekalai@icar.gov.in) : Biochemical and physiological response to oxidative stress in cultivated sugarcane and wild genera. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 261–70.

Sugarcane related genera and species exhibit tolerance to a number of abiotic stresses. In the present study, oxidative stress response was compared between Saccharum sp and their related genera using physiological and biochemical parameters. A pot culture experiment was conducted using five clones of Erianthus arundinaceus and two commercial varieties of Saccharum hybrids. The oxidative stress was induced by external application of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at different concentrations (control, 300, 500, 1000 ppm) on 65 days—old plants for three consecutive days in a glass house. Adaptive response in sugarcane/wild genera was estimated in terms of chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll stability index, proline, soluble protein, and reactive oxygen species scavenging enzyme activities like super oxide dismutase and peroxidase. Analysis of variance was performed and significance of each group was verified with three-way analysis of variance (chlorophyll fluorescence, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation, protein and proline content) and two way analysis of variance (chlorophyll stability index,) followed by Tukey HSD (P <0.05). Significant interaction between clones, H₂O₂ treatment and time interval was observed. Two clones of Erianthus sp (IJ76-389 and IK76-91) exhibited relatively higher tolerance for oxidative stress at 500 and 1000 ppm of H₂O₂ with 48 h of treatment. In Erianthus sp, the percentage increase in enzyme activity was significant; the clone IS76- 139 showed maximum peroxidase (60.9 % increase) and super oxide dismutase activity (189.3 % increase). Cell membrane damage due to lipid peroxidation has increased with increase in concentration of H₂O₂. Drought tolerant sugarcane variety Co 99004 showed 50.5 % reduction in lipid peroxidation when compared to the variety Co 86032. Based on physiological and biochemical response, the effective concentration to induce the oxidative stress was found to be 500 ppm at 48 h after treatment.

4 illus, 2 tables, 42 ref

027192   KOHILA S, GOMATHI R (ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu- 641 007, Email: gomathi_sbi@yahoo.co.in) : Adaptive physiological and biochemical response of sugarcane genotypes to high-temperature stress. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 245–60.

Impact of elevated temperature on physiological and biochemical changes were evaluated in 5 commercial sugarcane genotypes and 2 wild species clones at two different growth phases. The study revealed that heat stress decreased chlorophyll content, chlorophyll stability index (CSI), SPAD value, maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m ratio), leaf gas exchange parameters, relative water content (RWC), and activities of nitrate reductase (NR), sucrose-metabolizing enzymes (SPS, SS, AI, NI) in all the genotypes and species clones. In contrast, elevated temperature induced an increase in proline, total phenolics content (TP), antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and POX), lipid peroxidation (LP), membrane injury index (MII) and soluble sugar content in all clones. Principal component analysis based on physiological heat tolerance indexes could clearly distinguish sugarcane genotypes into three heat tolerance clusters. Noteworthy in comparison to the heat-sensitive varieties, sugarcane genotype that possessed higher degrees of heat tolerance Co 99004 displayed higher chlorophyll content, CSI, antioxidant enzyme activities, NR activity, RWC, total phenols, sucrose-metabolizing enzymes, soluble sugar content and leaf gas exchange and lower level of lipid peroxidation and membrane injury index.

2 illus, 7 tables, 62 ref

027191   JUMRANI K, BHATIA V S (Plant Physiology Dep, Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore, Email: kanchan.jumrani@gmail.com) : Combined effect of high temperature and water-deficit stress imposed at vegetative and reproductive stages on seed quality in soybean. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 227–44.

Water deficit and high temperature are important environmental factors restricting plant growth, while the two stresses often occur simultaneously in nature, little is known about how their combination affects plants.Therefore, the main objective of the current study was to provide an overview of the influences of these two stresses independently and in combination on seed quality in soybean. Two soybean genotypes JS 97-52 and EC 538828 were grown at day/night temperatures of 30/22, 34/24,38/26 and 42/28 °C under green-house conditions. At each temperature, pots were divided into three sets, one set was unstressed while second and third set were subjected towater stress at vegetative and reproductive stage, respectively.The highest average seed yield (10.9 g/pl) was observed at 30/22 °C, which was significantly reduced by 19, 42 and 64 % at 34/24, 38/24 and 42/28 °C, respectively. Similarly, compared to unstressed plants (11.3 g/pl) there was 28 and 74 % reduction in yield in plants stressed at vegetative and reproductive stage, respectively. Seed quality as determined by germination percentage, seedling vigor index, electrical conductivity, tetrazolium vigor test, oil and protein content were significantly affected by high temperature and water-deficit stress. Thus, both high temperature and water-deficit stress affected the yield and quality of seeds but the effect was more severe when water-deficit stress was imposed at higher temperatures. Also, when water stress was imposed at reproductive stageseed deterioration was more severe as compared to when it was imposed at vegetative stage.

11 illus, 2 tables, 66 ref

027190   GOYAL M, KAUR N (Plant Breeding and Genetics Dep, Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana, Punjab, Email: meenakshigoyal@pau.edu) : Low temperature induced oxidative stress tolerance in oats (Avena sativa L.) genotypes. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 316–24.

Chilling tolerance adaptation in plant cell can be correlated with efficiency of antioxidant defence system, antioxidants and osmoprotectants. In this study, such responses were comparatively studied in four high yielding oats genotypes (OL-9, OL-10, OL-125, Kent) under control (25 °C) and chilling stress (5 °C) conditions. Cold temperature upregulated the activites of catalase, guaiacol peroxide, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase in root and shoot of all four genotypes. The SOD enzyme activity was decreased in both organs by 32 % with chilling stress. Chilling stress increased redox potential of plant cell significantly by increasing the level of ascorbate and glutathione in order to cope up the reactive oxygen species The concentration of proline, total phenol, total sugar, H₂O₂, soluble protein and free amino acids was increased with imposition of cold stress in both roots and shoots though a decline in MDA content was observed. The observed biochemical diversity revealed that catalase, APX, glutathione and sugars appeared to have greater role in conferring chilling tolerance in oats genotypes as indicated by their greater variations with cold stress. 

3 tables, 34 ref

027189   DEVI K, GOMATHI R, KUMAR R A, MANIMEKALAI R, ATHIPPAN S (Crop Improvement Div, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Tamil Nadu - 641 007, Email: selviathiappan@yahoo.co.in) : Field tolerance and recovery potential of sugarcane varieties subjected to drought. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 271–82.

The present study was conducted to examine the effects of drought stress and recovery at formative phase of sugarcane varieties. Component traits of photosynthesis viz., chlorophyll fluorescence Fv/Fm, SPAD value and chlorophyll stability index were significantly reduced under drought stress. Accumulation of proline, enhanced lipid peroxidation, increased superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity were observed in all varieties subjected to drought. After 30 days of rehydration, tolerant varieties recovered back to their normal physiological status in chlorophyll fluorescence Fv/Fm and nitrate reductase activity and membrane stability. There was a significant increase in cell membrane leakage during drought stress, however the tolerant varieties retained their cell wall integrity and recovered well after the stress. Among seven varieties, Co 06022 showed highest recovery as compared to other cultivars. Overall reduction in yield attributes and juice quality was observed under drought condition. The rates of reduction for most of the physio-biochemical traits such as chlorophyll fluorescence Fv/Fm, proline accumulation and antioxidant activities were higher in Co 8021, Co 775 and Co 97010. Also the recovery after drought stress was poor. However, drought tolerant varieties Co 06022, Co 99004, Co 06015 and Co 0315 were found better than others in maintaining their photosynthetic machinery, cell wall integrity and increased antioxidant activities that resulted in better recovery and relatively high yield and better juice quality.

2 illus, 6 tables, 63 ref

025982   STRATTON C A, HODGDON E A, ZUCKERMAN S G, SHELTON A M, CHEN Y H (Plant and Soil Sciences Dep, Vermont Univ, Burlington, Email: yolanda.chen@uvm.edu) : A single swede midge (diptera: Cecidomyiidae) larva can render cauliflower unmarketable. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(3), 1-6.

Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii Kieffer (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is an invasive pest causing significant damage on Brassica crops in the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada. Heading brassicas, like cauliflower, appear to be particularly susceptible. Swede midge is difficult to control because larvae feed concealed inside meristematic tissues of the plant. In order to develop damage and marketability thresholds necessary for integrated pest management, it is important to determine how many larvae render plants unmarketable and whether the timing of infestation affects the severity of damage. We manipulated larval density (0, 1, 3, 5, 10, or 20) per plant and the timing of infestation (30, 55, and 80 d after seeding) on cauliflower in the lab and field to answer the following questions: 1) What is the swede midge damage threshold? 2) How many swede midge larvae can render cauliflower crowns unmarketable? and 3) Does the age of cauliflower at infestation influence the severity of damage and marketability? We found that even a single larva can cause mild twisting and scarring in the crown rendering cauliflower unmarketable 52 % of the time, with more larvae causing more severe damage and additional losses, regardless of cauliflower age at infestation.

2 illus, 1 tables, 32 ref

025960   NEELAM, SINGH B ,SATPAL (Agronomy Dep, CCS Haryana Agricultural Univ, Haryana-125 004, Email: berkesia.neelam@gmail.com) : Response of barley genotypes to different nitrogen levels under irrigated timely sown conditions. Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 63-5.

A two factor field experiment was conducted during rabi 2014-15 at CCS HAU, Hisar, Haryana to study the response of new malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes to different nitrogen levels under irrigated and timely sown conditions. The highest grain yield was recorded at 120 kg N/ha (46.8q/ ha), which was significantly higher than 60 kg N/ha (42.3 q/ha). The highest number of effective tillers/ m² (446) was recorded at 120 kg N/ha, which was significantly higher than 60 kg N/ha (422) but statistically at par with 90 kg N/ha (443). Among N levels, maximum straw yield (74.7 q/ha) was recorded with 120 kg N/ha followed by 90 kg N/ha. Among genotypes, PL-874 produced highest grain yield (48.8 q/ha), which was significantly higher than other genotypes except BH-976 (47.3 q/ha). The maximum number of effective tillers/m² (476) was observed in DWRB-92, whereas maximum grains/earhead were recorded in BH-902, which was significantly higher than other genotypes. Among genotypes, maximum harvest index was recorded in RD-2849 (39.3) followed by DWRB-101.

2 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

025959   ARYA R K (Genetics and Plant Breeding Dep, CCS Haryana Agriculural Univ, Hisar, Email: rakarayogi@gmail.com) : Evaluation of faba bean genotypes for seed yield under Haryana conditions. Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 60-2.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an important herbaceous often cross pollinated crop plant, it belongs to family Fabaceae. It is cultivated for food, feed and fodder purposes. The field experiment was conducted in RBD by using 22 newly developed genotypes of Faba bean including checks during rabi 2017-18 at Research Farm of MAP Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. In the present study, wide genetic variability was observed for plant height (cm), days to maturity, number of branches/plant, pod length (cm), seeds/pod, clusters/plant and seed yield (kg/ ha)., except number of seeds/pod. Out of 22 genotypes, the genotype HB-14-20 recorded the highest seed yield (36.52q/ha) followed by HB-14-6 (35.42q/ha), HB-14-4 (34.73q/ha), HB-14-32 (35.83 q/ha) and HFB-1(c) 34.44 q/ha) against Vikrant (33.02q/ha). These genotypes have good potential for commercial cultivation, but to be tested over time and space before recommendation for commercial cultivation.

1 illus, 1 table, 5 ref

025958   KUMAR Y, KUMAR N, BISHNOI O P,DEVI S (Genetics & Plant Breeding Dep, CCS Haryana Agricultural Univ, Hisar-125 004, Email: yogenderkgulia@gmail.com) : Estimation of genetic parameters and character association in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under irrigated condition. Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 56-9.

The present investigation was carried out at Barley Research Area of the Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during rabi 2016-17 to study the genetic parameters and character association for 10 quantitative traits in 87 barley genotypes. Significant genotypic differences were observed for all the traits studied indicating considerable amount of variation among material evaluated for each trait. Most of the traits under investigation exhibited wide range except for days to heading and maturity. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were highest in number of grains per spike followed by grain yield, harvest index, number of tillers per meter row and 1000 grain weight. Estimates of heritability ranged from 61.2 per cent for harvest index to 95.5 per cent for number of grains per spike, while grain yield showed 79 per cent heritability. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for number of grains per spike, number of tillers per meter row, grain yield, 1000-grain weight and biological yield, indicates the importance of these traits in selection and crop improvement. The genotypic correlation estimates showed significant positive association of grain yield with harvest index, biological yield and number of grains per spike while the characters viz., days to heading and maturity, plant height and ear length exhibited significant negative correlation with grain yield. Harvest index and biological yield exerted the highest positive and significant direct effect on grain yield. Therefore, these characters could be considered as main components for selection in a breeding program for higher grain yield.

3 tables, 15 ref

025957   THAMPI A C,THOMAS U C (Agronomy Dep, Agriculture Coll, Thiruvananthapuram-695 522, Email: akhiohm@gmail.com) : Effect of magnesium levels and growing conditions on nutrient uptake of hybrid napier. Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 52-5.

A factorial experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during May 2016 to April 2017 to study the effect of different levels of magnesium and growing conditions on nutrient uptake of hybrid napier. The treatments included two factors viz. growing conditions- open (S₁) and coconut garden (S₂) and magnesium levels - 0 (M₁), 40 (M₂), 60 (M₃), 80 (M₄), 100 (M₅) and 120 (M₆) kg MgSO₄/ha. A significant increase in nutrient uptake was found when hybrid napier was grown in open field than in coconut garden. In open condition, the highest N and P uptake was recorded with the application of 80 kg MgSO₄/ha. However in coconut garden, application of 100 kg MgSO₄/ha recorded the highest N and P uptake. The K uptake was higher with control treatment (0 kg MgSO₄/ha) in both growing conditions. The magnesium level of 100 kg MgSO₄/ha recorded the highest Mg uptake in both growing conditions.

2 illus, 11 ref

025956   JEMILA C, SHANMUGASUNDARAM R (Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry Dep, Tamil Nadu Agricultural Univ, Coimbatore, Email: pearlqueen237@gmail.com) : A preface screening of zinc use efficient pearl millet varieties in calcareous soil. Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 46-51.

A pot experiment was conducted during the year 2015-16 to evaluate the zinc utilization potential of five pearl millet varieties by exogenously applied micro nutrients (Zn) in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore. Soil application with two levels of zinc (0 and 10 mg/kg) in a Completely Randomized Design was replicated thrice under factorial arrangement (FCRD). Screening of different genotypes in a potentially zinc deficient soil (calcareous soil) gives a picture to identify the nutrient use efficient genotype of pearl millet and further use it to impose biofortification approach through fertilization strategies. Agronomic biofortification increase the concentration of trace mineral elements which efficaciously solve the health related problems in developing areas of the world. Results showed that soil application of Zn at 10 mg / g has significant effect on zinc nutrient concentration in pearl millet crop (pre flowering stage). Application of micronutrients also increased and improved growth parameter. Among the varieties studied CO (Cu) 9, ICTP 8203 and ICMV 221 were found to be responsive but not efficient and varieties collected from local farmers at Madurai and Coimbatore Districts were found to be efficient and non responsive as screened in the preface study through fertilization strategy.

2 illus, 4 tables, 23 ref

025955   MURTHY A K, GUDURU D, CHAKRAVARTHY K, PRASAD Y G (Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Andhra Pradesh, Email: atturikrishna@rediffmail.com) : Study on effect of hydroponic maize fodder supplementation on milk yield in milch buffaloes. Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 43-5.

Hydroponic fodder production plays significant role in augmenting fodder shortage of small holder dairy production system in scarce rainfall areas. The present experiment was conducted in the adopted villages of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Yagantipalle, Kurnool dist., A.P. to assess the effect of hydroponic maize fodder (HMF) on production performance in the milch buffaloes. A low cost hydroponic fodder production devise (Krishi Fodder Master) was fabricated and utilized in the experiment. Twenty graded murrah buffaloes of 2^nd and 3^rd lactation were equally divided into two groups (T₁ & T₂). First group fed with 5kg sorghum straw per day along with recommended quantity of concentrates and the second group fed with 5 kg sorghum straw and 12 kg HMF per day. Data on HMF production, milk yield/ day, % fat in milk and 3.5 % FCM/day was collected for 60 days trial period. 7.2 kg HMF was obtained from one kilogram of maize seed within 7 days without using any nutrients in the irrigated water. The DM, CP, CF, EE, TA and NFE contents in HMF were 14.3 15.8, 12.62, 3.74, 3.27 and 64.57 respectively. The data revealed that 6.5 % increased mean milk yield/day was recorded in T₂ (6.88 ± 0.47) as compared to T₁ (6.46 ± 0.49). The mean % fat and SNF in T₁ and T₂ were recorded as 6.78 ± 0.19, 8.86 ± 0.16 and 7.08 ± 0.23, 9.14 ± 0.12 respectively. The gross income per day was 13.05 % more in T₂ (Rs.250.47 ± 17.31) than T₁ (Rs.221.55 ± 15.49). The data revealed that saving of Rs.15.61/buffalo/day on concentrate feeding and increased net returns of Rs. 44.58/buffalo/day were recorded on supplementing HMF. These results were found significant at 5 % (P <0.5). Feeding of HMF to buffaloes produced under Krishi Fodder Master was found to be economical for medium producing animals in low rain fall areas.

1 illus, 3 tables, 6 ref

025954   KUMAR Y, NIWAS R, BISHNOI O P, KUMAR N (Genetics & Plant Breeding Dep, CCS Haryana Agricultural Univ, Hisar-125 004, Email: yogenderkgulia@gmail.com) : Principal component and factor analysis in six rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes. Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 38-42.

Efforts were made to study the pattern of diversity in 40 genotypes of six rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using the principal component method of factor analysis. First five principal components had eigen values more than one and have explained altogether 81.37 % of the total variation in 10 metric traits which were mainly associated with plant height, 1000-grain weight and biological yield; days to heading and maturity; harvest index and grain yield; spike length and number of grains per spike; and number of tillers per meter row. The remaining principal components made very little contribution towards total variation and thus could not be considered of much practical value to barley improvement. The genotypes BH 946, BH 15-02, BH 16-40, BH 16-44, BH 10-11, BH 15-06 and BH 15-07 were found to have high yield potential. The results of the present study provide evidence of diversity in barley and thus prove the adequacy of the principal component method in biological investigations.

4 illus, 4 tables, 14 ref

025953   PATEL P R, CHOUHAN R M, JAIN S K (Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural Univ, Deesa-385 535, Email: shaileshkumarjain1976@gmail.com) : Heterosis for fodder yield and quality traits in forage sorghum. Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 32-7.

A field experiment was couducted during summer-kharif, 2013 at Sorghum Research Station, Deesa to study the heterosis for fodder yield and quality traits in forage sorghum. Analysis of variance in individual environment as well as on pooled basis revealed highly significant differences among genotypes, parents and hybrids for all the traits. The heterosis was evident for green fodder yield per plant and other important yield contributing traits from the significance of mean squares due to parents vs. hybrids in individual as well as pooled over environments for almost all the traits. Significance of mean squares due to genotypes x environments, parents x environments and hybrids x environments for most of the traits indicated that genotypes, parents and hybrids performed differently in different environments. The analysis also revealed highly significant differences for mean squares due to parents vs. hybrids x environments for all the traits except brix per cent, HCN content and crude protein content. The magnitude of heterosis was high for green fodder yield per plant, dry fodder yield per plant, brix per cent and leaf : stem ratio, medium for plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width, shoot fly dead heart per centage and HCN content and low for days to flowering and crude protein content. The best five hybrids on the basis of standard heterosis were 27A x SRF 317 (39.79 %), 14A x SRF 332 (38.76 %), 104A x SPV 2113 (35.77 %), 9A x SPV 2113 (34.81 %) and 14A x SRF 335 (29.26 %) for green fodder yield per plant. These hybrids also exhibited high heterosis for one or two of its contributing traits, thereby these top hybrids can be exploited commercially for fodder yield after testing in wide range of environments.

2 tables, 10 ref

025952   JAT H, KAUSHIK M K (Agronomy Dep, Maharana Pratap Univ of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur-313 001, Email: harikeshlittle@gmail.com) : Quality and economic of fodder oat (Avena sativa L.) as influenced by irrigation and nitrogen under southern Rajasthan. Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 28-31.

An investigation was carried out during rabi 2013-14 at Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur with the object to evaluate the quality and economic of oat (Avena sativa L.) var. Kent with irrigation and nitrogen levels. The experiment comprised combinations of four irrigations and three nitrogen levels. Thus, 12 treatments were evaluated in split-plot design with three replications. In the main plots, there were irrigations and nitrogen levels were kept under sub-plots. The results indicated that the application of five irrigations and 110 kg N/ha produced significantly higher nitrogen 314.49 and 309.94 kg/ha, crude protein 1965.59 and 1937.13 kg/ha, crude fibre 5271.72 and 5061.22 kg/ha, ether extract 308.28 and 303.25 kg/ha, mineral matter 1290.18 and 1277.18 kg/ha, nitrogen free extract 8759.00 and 8877.58 kg/ha and total digestible nutrient 12688.15 and 12595.72 kg/ha. In irrigation treatments higher gross return Rs. 83222/ha and net returns Rs. 69032.12/ha as well as B:C 3.28 were recorded with five irrigations. Gross return, net returns and B : C of oat increased with increasing level of nitrogen and highest values were recorded with 110 kg N/ha were Rs. 78477/ha, Rs. 60651.91/ha and 3.01, respectively.

1 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

025951   KUMAR S, PATEL A G, SHAKHELA R R, JOSHI R V (S. D. Agricultural Univ, Banashkantha -385 506, Email: skumarsdau@gmail.com) : Comparative efficacy of different rabi forage crops under north Gujarat agro-climatic region. Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 25-7.

The field experiments were conducted at Agroforestry Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat four years during 2012-13 to 2015-16. Significant differences were observed in green and dry fodder yield due to among the crops and their combination. Lucerne + chicory combination produced significantly higher green (95.8 t/ha) and dry fodder (14.8 t/ha) yield as compared to other treatments, but significantly tallest plant (154.6 cm) was observed in rabi maize. Lucerne + chicory gain higher net return (159425 Rs/ha) and B: C (6.0) ratio as compared to other crops.

1 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

025950   SATPAL, TOKAS J, PANCHT R, NEELAM (Genetics and Plant Breeding Dep, CCS Haryana Agricultural Univ, Hisar-125 004, Email: satpal.fpj@gmail.com) : Effect of crop geometries on yield component, quality and economics of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) varieties in summer season. Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 19-24.

A field experiment was conducted at Dryland Research Area, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana), India during summer 2016. Cluster bean varieties RGC 1055, HG 2-20, RGC 1066 and NBPGR 120 were grown in three crop geometries (22.5 cm × 10 cm, 30.0 cm × 10 cm and 45.0 cm × 10 cm) with factorial randomized block design (RBD) in three replicates to find out the suitable variety and crop geometry for summer season. The inter-row spacing’s were 22.5, 30.0 and 45.0 cm but the intra-row spacing was kept 10 cm. Among different varieties, highest seed and straw yield (573.2 and 1920.1 q/ha, respectively) were recorded in the single stem variety RGC 1066 which were on a par with branched variety HG 2-20. Maximum harvest index (0.23) was noticed in HG 2-20 and the same value was also with RGC 1066. Maximum B : C ratio (1.27) was fetched in the single stemmed variety RGC 1066 followed by branched variety HG 2-20. Significantly highest gum content (32.38 %) was estimated in HG 2-20. Among different crop geometries, highest seed and biological yield (473.9, 2318.9 kg/ha, respectively) were recorded at 45.0 cm × 10 cm which was on a par with 30.0 cm × 10 cm but significantly superior over 22.5 cm × 10 cm. Highest gum content (32.38 %) was estimated with 45.0 cm × 10 cm, which was on a par with 30.0 cm × 10 cm. Maximum B : C ratio (1.09) was fetched with the crop geometry 45.0×10 cm. Significant interaction was observed between variety and crop geometry for seed, straw, biological yield, crude protein and gum content.

1 illus, 9 tables, 13 ref

025949   PATIL L M, KAUTHALE V K, BHALANI T G, MODI D J (BAIF Krishi Vigyan Kendra Bharuch, Gujarat, Email: lalitpatil59@gmail.com) : Productivity and economics of different forage production systems in south Gujarat conditions of India. Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 14-8.

A Field experiment was carried out at BAIF’s KVK Chaswad in Bharuch district during 2014 to 2016 with an objective to study the various forage cropping systems for green fodder production and find out the best remunerative year round fodder production system suitable to the South Gujarat conditions. The experiment was conducted with five cropping systems replicated four times in randomized block design. The cropping systems comprised of the combination of annual and perennial cereals and legumes crops. The three years pooled data revealed that the combination of Hybrid Napier variety BAIF Napier Hybrid-10 with Desmanthus (Hedge Lucerne) in 1:5 proportion has given significantly higher green fodder yield of 1701.41 q/ha, gross monetary returns of Rs. 294,872/ha, net monetary returns of Rs. 228,977/ha and benefit: cost ratio of 4.47. The soil fertility status was also maintained over a period of three years due to this cropping system.

2 illus, 4 tables, 8 ref

025948   MONIKA, SHEORAN R S, SINGH K, SATPAL (Agronomy Dep, CCS Haryana Agricultural Univ, Hisar-125 004, Email: sheoranrs@gmail.com) : Effect of cutting management and phosphorus levels on growth, forage and seed yield of multicut oat (Avena sativa L.). Forage Res 2018, 44(1), 8-13.

The field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2016-17 at the Forage Research Farm of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar with the objective to study the effect of cutting management and phosphorus fertilization on forage and seed productionof multicut oat. Treatment combinations comprised of eight cutting management treatments i.e. C1 (Seed to Seed), C2 (Fodder at 50 % flowering), C3 (Fodder 60 DAS- Seed), C4 (Fodder 70 DAS- Seed), C5 (Fodder at 80 DAS- Seed), C6 (Fodder 60 DAS- Fodder at 50 % flowering), C7 (Fodder at 70 DAS- Fodder at 50 % flowering), C8 (Fodder 80 DAS- Fodder at 50 % flowering) and four levels of phosphorus i.e. 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P₂O₅/ha. The experiment was laid out in split plot design and replicated thrice. The soil of the experimental field low in available nitrogen (161 kg N/ha), medium in available phosphorus (12 kg/ha) and available potassium(252 kg/ha, slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 7.8). The results indicated that the highest green fodder and dry matter yield was obtained when only one cut of fodder was taken at 50 % flowering stage and it was statistically at par for green fodder yield with treatment where first cut for fodder was taken at 80 DAS and second cut at 50 % flowering stage. Harvesting of fodder at 80 DAS gave significantly higher forage yield and seed yield than the harvesting at 60 or 70 DAS. Contrary to this, the straw yield and biological yield were significantly higher in the treatment when the crop was raised purely for seed purpose. Under dual system, delay in first cut i.e. from 60 to 80 DAS resulted in a significant increase in fodder and seed yield over the earlier cuttings. Every incremental dose of applied phosphorus upto 40 kg P₂O₅/ha resulted in a significant improvement in forage, seed and straw yield over the lower doses.

1 illus, 4 tables, 12 ref