Journal of Crop and Weed

13-18

Authors: KUMARI NAMRATA, P.W. BASARKAR1, M. SRINIVASA2

A field experiment was conducted with eight treatments exposed to Homa atmosphere replicated during kharif season to study the biochemical efficacy of Homa Organic Farming in soybean crop (JS 335) by creating Homa atmosphere. The conventional control (CC) and control without Homa (CWH) were maintained 1 km away. A common basal treatment of cow dung (CD) and cow urine (CW) was given to seeds of Homa treatment. Agnihotra Homa (AH) at sunrise and sunset and Om Tryambakam Homa (OTH) performed for 3-4 h daily yielded smoke and ash were used for seed treatment and for furrow application and Biosol was used for soil and foliar application. Treatment T (Seed treatment with OTH ash, fresh CD and CW + furrow application of OTH 3 ash) was significantly superior over control in case of nodule count and nodule dry weight. The macro and micro nutrients increased in Treatment T (Seed treatment with AH ash, fresh CW and CW + furrow application of AH ash), T , T (Seed treatment 2 3 4 with AH ash + fresh CW and CW + soil application of Biosol) and T (Seed treatment with OTH ash, fresh CW and CW + soil 5 application of Biosol) was recorded. Soil Zn content and dehydrogenase activity increased over control with treatment T and T . 2 4 Total protein and oil content increased on HT and activities of â-amylase and invertase in soy seeds on soil application of Biosol were superior. Homa smoke, ashes and Biosol thus show promise to the farming community to produce crops with good returns.

25-36

Authors: MIRZA MUSAYEV

A detailed investigation about the biodiversity and breeding of grapes was undertaken at Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a rich source of plant genetic resources due to diverse soil and climatic condition. Vine growing is one of the most ancient and widely adopted culture to support the economic life of the people. Different information indicated that the history of cultured vine growing in Azerbaijan has at least 7 millenium. Scientist and tresearchers indicated that centre of origin of grape in Azerbaijan and Southern Caucasus. Wild grape [V. Vinifera L. Subsq. sylvestris (C.C. Gmel) Hegi] spreads on the teritory of Azerbaijan from 12m below sea level to 200m above sea level. There are two kinds of wild grape: Typica negr (with hair)and Aberrans negr (hairless). At present more than 600 lacal and introduced grape varieties are spread in Azerbaijan, of which more than 100 varieties are threatened. White, red, black and pink coloured table, technical and universal grape varieties are cultivated. Wide variation in duration for maturity ( 120 to more than 171 days) was observed among the types. Plartid DNA sequence variation study revealed presence of three polymorphic sites in DNA: on in tra H – psp A intergenic region and two in rpl 16 intron area. The varieties were divided into four different haplotypes: AAA, ATT, GTA and ATA. Some resistant varieties against mildew, oidinm and grey rot diseases identified. Salt and drought tolerant varieties also reported. Most of the local threatened varieties are conserved for utilizing them in future improvement programme.

42-47

Authors: M. GHOSH, P. K. PATRA AND 1C. BHATTACHARYYA

A field experiment was conducted to explore the potentiality of growing rice varieties under limited supply of irrigation water. Seven varieties of rice under 5 water management practices were evaluated in the farmers’ field at Jhargram. Water management practices exerted significant influence on height, grain and straw yield and the highest grain yield (3.38 t ha-1) was recorded under continuously flooded water regime (CF). Limited supply of irrigation water at different stages of growth decreased grain yield ranging from 27.5 to 43.5% compared to that in CF.Rice genotypes exhibited differential response to water management practices. Though UPLRi -7 produced the highest grain yield (4.39 t ha-1) under CF, under limited water supply IR -36 was still the best variety producing the highest average grain yield (3.31 t ha-1).The present research work pointed out that without ensuring adequate supply of irrigation water rice cultivation during boro season may not be profitable in the Red and Laterite zone of West Bengal.

53-55

Authors: D. MANNA, T. K. MAITY AND A. GHOSAL1

A study was conducted at Horticultural Research Station, Mondouri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal during rabi season (November- April) of 2010 and 2011. The main aim of the experiment was to enhance the production of onion through assessing the effect of different levels of boron and zinc. The experiment consisting of 4 levels of boron (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 %) and 4 levels of zinc (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 %) were applied as foliar spraying. Application of 0.5% boron significantly increased the growth (plant height, 63.93cm and number of leaf per plant, 7.25), yield (30.74 t ha-1) and quality (Total soluble solids, 13.45ºB and pyruvic acid 5.94 μmol.g-1) of onion. Among various levels of zinc 0.5% exhibited the best growth (plant height, 67.25cm and number of leaf per plant, 7.75), yield (33.34 t ha-1) and quality (Total soluble solids, 14.57 0B and pyruvic acid, 5.86 μmolg-1) attributes of onion.

61-63

Authors: S. N. GHOSH, 1B. BERA AND 1S. ROY

An investigation was made to find out the effect of interval of watering on control of fruit drop and to improve the yield in ber cv. Banarasi Karka cultivar of ber grown in laterite soil. There were six treatments which included as application of basin watering @ 60 litres/plant, applied at 15, 20, 25, 30 days (at two different dates )interval and no watering (control). Tree basin was mulched with grasses in all the treatments including control. The result of two years of investigation revealed that basin watering @ 60 liters /plant at 20 days interval started from 20th October and continued upto 5th January resulted in highest fruit retention (42%) which consequently resulted in highest fruit yield of 14.6 kg/plant as against 6.2 kg–1/plant in control. Maximum in fruit weight, pulp percentage and ascorbic acid content in fruit were also significantly noted from plants, watered at 20 days interval.

69-72

Authors: B. DE, B. DAS1 B. DAS2 AND A. C. SINHA

A field experiment was conducted in the experimental farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal during 2007, 2008 and 2009 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on yield, uptake and economics of Rapeseed (Brassica campestris var. yellow sarson). Based on pooled data treatment T (50% RDF + FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 + VC 11 @1.25 t ha-1 + NC @ 1.25 t ha-1 + PM @ 1.25 t ha-1) recorded highest grain yield of 13.48 q ha-1 which was statistically at par with T (T + Neemcake @ 2.5 t ha-1) and T (T + Vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1) (13.40 q ha-1). However, T (100 % RDF+ Borax @ 10.0 Kg 9 1 8 1 1 ha-1) fetched highest B: C ratio.

77-81

Authors: B. PRAMANICK, K. BRAHMACHARI1 AND A. GHOSH1

A field experiment was conducted during pre-kharif season of 2012 and 2013 with the focal objectives of studying the efficacy of seaweed saps derived from two marine algae viz. Kappaphycus and Gracilaria on growth and yield improvement of sesame , nutrient uptake by the crop and monetary advantage. The foliar spray was performed thrice at different concentrations (0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0% v/v) of seaweed extracts. Such application of seaweed extracts significantly enhanced the growth and yield parameters. The highest seed yield was evidenced with the combined applications of 15% Kappaphykus sap and 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and this treatment was closely followed by the application of 15% Gracilaria sap along with 75% RDF. The maximum net monetary return (`28650) and benefit: cost ratio (1.99) were documented with this treatment. Nutrient uptake (N, P and K) was also increased with seaweed extract applications.

93-97

Authors: S. ISLAM, R. CHATTERJEE AND S. DATTA

The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Treatments consisted of five cauliflower varieties allotted in main plot viz, Girija (V ), White Excel (V ), Remi (V ), Pushpa (V ) and White Marvel (V ) whereas bio-inoculants treatment 1 2 3 4 5 (with or without bio-inoculants) as seedling root dipping was taken as sub plot. The pooled results indicated that seedling root dipping in bio-inoculants had significant role on the performance of cauliflower varieties. Curd initiation and curd maturity were advanced in presence of bio-inoculants. The curd weight and total yield per hectare were found superior in presence of bioinoculants. Variety White Marvel in presence of bio-inoculants emergence best with respect to days to curd initiation (42.75 days) and days to curd maturity (51.84 days), whereas White Excel variety produced significantly highest curd weight (1274.67 g) and yield (29.58 t/ha) in presence of bio-inoculants. However the presence of bio-inoculants showed non-significant differences for the quality attribute like vitamin-A and ascorbic acid content of curd.

101-106

Authors: S. DE AND S M. RAHAMAN

The economics of cabbage production and price spread in marketing of cabbage was under taken during the year 2010-11, while primary data was collected from three villages namely Ola, Nikunjipur and Pingrui of Onda block in Bankura district of West Bengal. Three major marketing channels were identified in direct sale of cabbage that are of very short period. The price spread was estimated to be Rs. 2.69 / kg of cabbage in channel III followed by Rs.1.66 in channel II and only Rs. 1.18 per kg of cabbage in channel I, which indicates a very normal situation with greater marketing efficiency.

111-114

Authors: B. MITRA, S. MOOKHERJEE AND S. BISWAS

Rice is a main crop in the terai region of West Bengal, India where it grows extensively under rainfed condition during monsoon months. The participatory approaches revealed the real problem associated with rice cultivation and it has been found that the farmers of this geographic regions are in urgent need of a short duration high yielding rice variety in lieu of the traditional long duration variety MTU-7029 to catch the rabi season in time. Considering the factual need of the farming community, the front line demonstration has been planned by the KVK and FLDs were conducted in an area of 56.53 hectares involving 306 farmers in eleven adopted villages of the KVK across five different blocks of Coochbehar district. It was revealed that the yield of newly introduced rice variety Gotra Bidhan-1(G-B-1) increased successively over the years in demonstration plots and with little increase in cost of cultivation under demonstration a higher return was achieved. The technology gap, ranging between 14.0-7.0 q ha-1 with an average of 10.83 q ha-1, reflected the farmers’ cooperation in carrying out the demonstrations with encouraging results. The extension gap increased slightly during the successive years (8.50 to 9.00 during 2010-11 and 9.00 to 11.50 during 2011-12). The successive decreased value of technology index reflected the feasibility of the variety in farmers’ field.

121-125

Authors: J.K. HORE, N. CHATTOPADHYAY, M.K. SAMANTA1, D. MURMU AND S. GHANTI

The experiment was conducted at teaching farm, Mondouri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, W.B. during 2009 and 2010, to assess the efficacy of different chemicals on growth and yield of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) cv. Suguna. Five chemicals namely GA (50, 100 and 200 ppm), Ethrel (25, 50 and 100 ppm), KH PO (0.25, 0.50 and 1.0%), KNO (0.25, 0.50 and 1.0%) and 3 2 4 3 Thiourea (0.25, 0.50 and 1.0%) were included in this investigation. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three replications. Rhizomes (30-35 g) were soaked in different chemicals for two hours and water soaked rhizomes for same duration was treated as control. The plot size was 3 x 1 m and treated rhizomes were planted at 25 x 25 cm spacing. The FYM @ 20 tonnes per ha along with NPK @ 150:60:150 kg/ha-1 was applied uniformly to all the treatments. Crop was mulched immediately after planting with paddy straw @ 10 t ha-1. Maximum plant height (184.16 cm), leaf number (22.78) and tiller number (3.28) were noticed in plants raised from thiourea 0.5%, KNO 0.25% and thiourea 0.25% at 180 days after planting. Rhizomes treated with KH PO 0.5% 3 2 4 produced significantly higher maximum clump weight (346.28 g), yield per plot (14.97 kg/ 3 sq. m) and projected yield (34.37 t ha-1) as compared to control 258.34g, 10.62 kg/3m2 and 26.55 t ha-1 respectively. The other promising treatments with respect to yield were GA 200 ppm (14.35 kg/ 3 sq. m) and KNO 0.25% (13.75 kg/ 3 sq. m).

130-133

Authors: M. M. ADHIKARY, K. PRADHAN1 AND R. SAHARIA

The concept of ‘entrepreneurship development’ is becoming global phenomenon today not only because of industrial growth and business ventures but also a solution of unemployment and for the socio-economic prosperity of the community. In case of handicraft, craft form is a significant sector in India, not only because of their intrinsic cultural and aesthetic value but also because of their promising potential for economic development. An entrepreneurship development process is a judicious blend of management and risk orientation process for profit maximization. The present study was conducted at Pub Nalbari block of Nalbari district and Balipara block of Sonitpur district under the state Assam with respondents selected randomly. For the growth of any enterprise efficient management plays a key role. This management includes planning, production and market management. The study revealed that majority of the handicraft entrepreneurs efficiently managing their enterprise for profit maximization and experience, increased income, education and use of skill hired labour played a crucial role in entrepreneurship management, quality product and minimizes the risk and ultimately improves the performance of the enterprise.

139-142

Authors: V. VISALAKSHMI, P. RAMA MOHANA RAO AND 1N. HARI SATYANARAYANA

Field experiments were conducted during rabi 2008-09 and 2009-10 at Agricultural Research Station, Ragolu, Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh to assess the comparative incidence of insect pests in two different systems of rice cultivation i.e., System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and in conventional transplanting method. Incidence of yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker)) was recorded at tillering stage and at reproductive stage whereas, incidence of gallmidge (Orseolia oryzae (Wood Mason)) was recorded only at tillering stage. Stem borer incidence was low in SRI method (6.1% dead hearts and 7.2% white ears) compared to conventional method of cultivation (15.6% DH and 11.9% WE). The same trend continued in case of gall midge too with 4.1% silver shoots in SRI method against 7.1% in conventional method. In the conventional transplanting method gallmidge incidence was low in MTU1010 (6.4%) where as stem borer incidence at vegetative (15.1%) and reproductive stage (11.1) was low in hybrid. Yield increase to the tune of 1.3% and 11.88% were recorded in SRI over conventional transplanting method during rabi 2008 and 2009 respectively in hybrid Arize 6444 and MTU1010 variety. Yield increase in case of SRI method was more in MTU1010 during rabi 2008 (11.73%) where as it was more in hybrid during rabi 2009 (17.3%). Highest cost benefit ratio was observed in SRI method with hybrid Arize 6444 during 2008 (1:1.70) and 2009 (1:1.72).

147-151

Authors: R. PODDAR, S. BERA1, R. K. GHOSH AND D. PAL

A field trail was conducted during the pre-kharif season of 2011 and 2012 Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal to evaluate the weed management practices through ammonium salt of Glyphosate 71% SG and its influence on soil micro-flora in cotton. The application of Glyphosate 71% SG on inter row in cotton @ 3.5 l ha-1 recorded better weed control efficiency in comparison to its lower dose though the result showed at par results with hand weeding (at earlier stages), applications of Glyphosate 41% SL @ 3 l ha-1 and Paraquat dichloride 24%SL @ 2.5 l ha-1 increased the yield of cotton under irrigated condition. Initially after application herbicides with different doses reduced the microflora population significantly but after the degradation it increased microflora (bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi) population considerably.

163-166

Authors: R. PANSE, 1A. GUPTA, 2P. K. JAIN, 3D. S. SASODE AND 3S. SHARMA

Field experiments were carried out at Vegetable Research Farm, JNKVV, Jabalpur during three consecutive years 2009-12 to find out the efficacy of different herbicides in onion crop. The dominant weed flora recorded over Chenopodium album, Melilotusalbus, Eragrostis cillansis, Parthenium hysterophorus, Anagallis arvensisL., Cyperus rotundus and Sperogula arvensis. Among the various treatments, the application of Oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC before planting + Quizalofop ethyl 5 % EC at 30 days after transplanting recorded highest weed control efficiency and higher marketable bulb yield with cost benefit ratio.

172-174

Authors: I. DAS, A. K. PRADHAN AND A. P. SINGH1

Indiscriminate use of synthetic chemicals and the problems arising from them forced all concerned to think about the alternative means. Organic manures such as farmyard manure, compost, vermicompost, biofertilisers etc. can be used at least as supplement, if not as substitute. Among the components of organic farming cited above, biofertilizers (Rhizobium for legumes, Azotobacter for non legume crops, Azolla for low land paddy) are very important as they are ready to use live formulates of beneficial microorganisms which on application to seed, root or soil mobilize the availability of nutrients by their biological activity in particular and help build up the micro flora and in turn the soil health in general. Root colonizing bacteria (rhizobacteria), which exert beneficial effects on plant development, have been defined as “Plant Growth Plant Rhizobacteria” (PGPR). Mungbean, being a leguminous crop fixes 31-85 kg N ha-1. Rhizobium which supplies about 20-40 kg N ha-1, can be considered as a complementary or supplementary source of plant nutrient. Roy and Hore ( 2012) demonstrated highes soil fertility build up with organic manure microbial inoculants combination compared to inorganic nutrient. Inoculation of Rhizobium to mungbean enhances nodulation, nitrogen fixation and grain yield. Yield increase from 10 to 37 per cent following inoculation has been reported in mungbean (Mortan et al., 1982).

179-181

Authors: A. B. MANDAL, H. M. THAPA, D. PAL1 AND A. MANNA2

In West Bengal wheat growing climate is widely different than other states where the duration is about 140 – 150 days. In West Bengal winter persist not more than 100 – 110 days generally. Thus, an ideal climate required for optimum wheat crop is meager in the state. More over wheat is grown generally after the harvest of aman rice resulting delay in sowing (late sown condition). Besides wheat crop is affected to sudden rise in temperature resulting initiation of reproductive phase. During grain developmental phase the temperature exceeds 35ºC. this reduces grain size and grain filling which ultimately results substantial loss in wheat yield. No studies have been made on incomplete grain filling (sterility) as well as effect of boron application on grain filling under new alluvial soil zone. Therefore, the present studies have been made on the above object in addition to nitrogen concentration of whole plant.

186-188

Authors: S. DATTA, 1R. DAS, D. SINGH, 1U. THAPA AND 1A. R. MANDAL

Besides its significance to human food security, potato is also a crop with fascinating genetic traits and cultural history (Swaminathan, 1999). The presentday cultivated potatoes (tetraploid; 2n=4x=48) in most part of the world represent S. tuberosum subsp. tuberosum and S. tuberosum subsp. andigena, although their numerous diploid (2n=2x=24) relatives are still under cultivation in and around its primary and secondary centre of origin in South America. Genetic variability has been considered to be the basis of plant breeding (Simmonds, 1962). So, genetic variability in any crop is the essential prerequisite for initiation of breeding work. Potato being the vegetative propagated crop, clonal selection is the important breeding method and for executing the effective selection programmes association between different characters is a pre-requisite. Complex polygenic traits e.g. tuber yield in potatoes can be improved through indirect selection for close component traits (Killick, 1977). Therefore, study of correlation coefficient among various desirable characters is one of the most important aspects for any breeding programme to elucidate the degree of favourable or unfavourable association between different useful characters. Given this back drop, the present investigation was undertaken to assess correlation among different agronomical and economically important traits of thirty five potato genotypes.

4-9

Authors: R. K. GHOSH, S. SENTHARAGAI AND D. SHAMURAILATPAM

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) shows promise for substantially raising rice productivity by using farmers’ improve thinking and practice with resources what farmers already have, besides offering increase soil & plant health, saving resources & lowering GHG emission. The on station field experiments (weed, nutrient & water management) were conducted at the Viswavidyalaya farm, Mohanpur during summer 2012 - 2014 in transplanted puddled paddy cv. IET 4786 following SRI methodology. In nutrient management the experiment was conducted with RBD replicated four times and with five treatments viz. N -100% NPK through inorganic fertilizers; N 25% organic N + 75% inorganic N + 100% PK through inorganic fertilizers; N - 1 2- 3 50% organic N + 50% inorganic N + 100% PK through inorganic fertilizers; N -75% organic N + 25% inorganic N + 100% PK 4 through inorganic fertilizers and N - 100 % N through organic + 100% PK through inorganic fertilizers. The field experiment on 5 water management was conducted with four treatments (2-3 cm water submergence in active tillering, panicle initiation and flowering only and rest period irrigation at hair crack stage (2-3 cm WS at AT, PI and F + HC), irrigation at hair crack stage (HC), 2-3 cm water submergence (2-3 cm WS) and Farmers’ practice with 3-5 cm water submergence (FP) following RBD replicated six times. There were six treatments on weed management [Weedy check (WC); two mechanical weeding at 15 and 40 DAT (2 MW); three mechanical weeding at 15,25 and 40 DAT (3 MW); hand weeding at 25 DAT + 2 ME (HW + MW); chemical Pretilachlor 50 EC @ 500 g ha-1 at 1 DAT + 2 MW (CC+ MW) and aqueous extracts of Pathenium, Calotropis and Tectona leaves @ 5 ml litre of water-1 + surfactant Tween 20 at 1 DAT + 2 MW (BC + MW)] and the experiment was laid out in RBD replicated four times. The results revealed that 75 % N as organic + 100% PK through inorganic fertilizers showed better paddy productivity in addition to more soil population of soil biota and nutrient availability. The most interesting result was that keeping PK as constant in 100 % N through organic sources, the insect and pathogenic pest’s infestation was reduced to the tune of 31.13 % fb 75 % N as organic (22.2 %), 50 % N as organic (15.5 %) and 25 % N as organic (4.46%) as compared to 100 % N through inorganic treatment. In water management experiment the results revealed that the total water used in this experiment was 6.88, 4.72, 8.06 and 10.23 million lit ha-1 against treatments 2-3 cm WS at AT, PI and F + HC, HC, 2-3 cm WS and FP, respectively. The corresponding figures for water saving in respect to FP were 32.78, 53.90 and 21.23 %. The grain yield data also revealed that 3750.00, 3347.22, 3027.78, and 3138.89 kg ha-1 were obtained against the treatments 2-3 cm WS at AT, PI and F +HC, HC, 2-3 cm WS and FP, respectively. Therefore, the water required for kg yield of rice were 1833.84, 1409.20, 2661.60 and 3259.40 litre, respectively. With a common 20.80 % O in all plots at 25 DAT in FP the average GHG CO , CO, N O and Methane emissions were 2 2 2 to the tune of 398 ppm, 0.97%, 17 and 40 kg ha-1 , respectively and the corresponding figures at 55 DAT were 399 ppm, 0.99%, 21 and 46 kg ha-1 but in SRI treatment 2-3 cm WS at AT, PI and F + HC these data were 394 ppm, 0.92%, and 16 and 25 kg ha-1 at 25 DAT while at 55 DAT the corresponding figures are 395ppm, 0.95%, 25 and 32 kg ha-1. In weed management experiment the BC + MW could be the best alternative of both HW + MW and CC + MW treatments by increasing the NPV (considering biological yield) 3.14 and 3.77 %, respectively and over the WC by 54.1 %. The experimental results were also verified at on farm locations of nine districts of West Bengal (Nadia, Howrah, Hooghly, Burdwan, Birbhum, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, and North and South 24 parganas) during summer 2013 and 2014. An average of 8.0 - 15.5% more paddy grain yield was also observed over the traditional transplanted rice (TTR) . In Conclusion more organic nutrient application with BC + MW at 15 and 40 DAT weed management and 2-3 cm WS at AT, PI and F + HC water management were the best for increasing paddy productivity in SRI system at this Gangetic plains of India.

14-18

Authors: J. K. HORE, S. GHANTI AND M. CHANCHAN

The experiment was carried out at Horticultural Research Station, Mondouri, BCKV during the rabi (winter) season of two consecutive years i.e. 2009-10 and 2010-11. In both the years, big to medium size cloves cv. Katki were planted during middle of October, in 2.0 m x 1.5 m plots, at 20 x 15 cm spacing accommodating 100 plants per plot. The experiment with four levels of sulphur (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1) and five levels of nitrogen (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1) was laid out in split plot design with 3 replications assigning sulphur levels in main plot and nitrogen levels in sub-plots.The maximum plant height (76.16 cm), leaf number (11.96), equatorial diameter (3.92 cm), and number of cloves per bulb (34.27) were observed with S N . But the plants 60 250 grown under S N interaction recorded widest leaf (1.52 cm), maximum polar diameter (3.67 cm), weight of bulb (33.68 g), yield 60 200 per plot (3.00 kg per 3m2), projected yield (7.50 t ha-1), maximum net return (Rs. 1,48,038/-) and B : C ratio (1.92). The minimum plant height (50.72 cm), leaf number (7.32), weight of bulb (19.15 g), projected yield (4.23 t/ha), net return (Rs. 52,736/-) and B:C ratio (0.71) were observed under S N treatment. From yield maximization and B:C ratio point of view 60 kg S ha-1 and 200 kg N 0 50 ha-1 was found best when applied with 125 kg P O and 150 kg K O ha-1.

24-30

Authors: M. M. RAHMAN AND M. M. MASOOD

The sustainability of rice productivity in Bangladesh is likely to face major threat due to water shortage during boro (winter season). The conventional transplanted boro rice requires huge amount of irrigation water due to wastage of various means. It is an imperative task that water saving production technology is needed to replace the conventional system for sustaining boro rice production in the country ensuring food security. Keeping with this in view, a field experiment was conducted during two consecutive boro seasons of 2009-10 and 2010-11 on two rice varieties viz. V - BRRI dhan28 and V - BRRI dhan29 in farmers 1 2 field under three different systems viz. T - puddle transplanted conventional irrigated, T - puddle transplanted alternate wetting 1 2 and drying irrigated and T - dry direct seeded systems at four locations of Bangladesh viz. Sundarban in Sadar of Dinajpur, 3 Norkona in Modhupur of Tangail, Narandia in Purbadhala of Netrokona and Bijoynagar in Godagari of Rajshahi, respectively. At each location, the experiment used a split-plot design with four disperse location allocating systems in the main plot and variety as sub-plot.The result revealed that the rice yield and economic return for both the varieties were highest in dry direct seeded system. The number of irrigation required for puddle transplanted conventional system were 14-19, while those for dry direct seeded field and puddle transplanted alternate wetting and drying fields were 6-9 and 11-15, respectively. The puddle transplanted alternate wetting and drying field and dry direct seeded fields used about 24% and 58% less irrigation water than the puddle transplanted conventional irrigated field. The study concluded that dry direct seeding could be practiced for boro rice cultivation to get higher yield using 58% less irrigation water.

38-42

Authors: J. S. BINDHU, S. K. RAJ AND L. GIRIJADEVI

Onattukara sandy loam tract an important agro ecological zone spread over the Karunagapally taluk of Kollam and Karthikapally and Mavelikara taluks of Alappuzha districts of Kerala. The soils are highly permeable, acidic in reaction and are extremely deficient in all the major plant nutrients. Sesamum is mainly grown in Kerala as a sole crop in the summer rice fallows of Onattukara tract. The crop grows in this tract utilizing the residual moisture available in rice fields. The establishment of the crop is often poor resulting in low productivity. Hence an experiment was laid out to find out the suitability of raising pulses as an inter crop in Sesamum and to find out the nutrient status and residual effect of the intercropping. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design with 9 treatments viz Sesamum sole (T ), black gram sole (T ), green gram sole (T ), Sesamum + 1 2 3 Blackgram (1:1) (T ), Sesamum + black gram (2:1) ( T ), Sesamum + black gram (3:1) (T ), Sesamum + green gram (1:1) (T ), 4 5 6 7 Sesamum + green gram (2:1) (T ), Sesamum + green gram (3:1) (T ) with 4 replication. Sesamum being a soil exhausting crop, the 8 9 inclusion of leguminous crops like black gram and green gram may benefit the companion crop through current nitrogen transfer and to the rice crop through the residual effect. The soil test data after the experiment indicated a significant positive build up of nitrogen and phosphorus in all plots except in plots of sole crop of Sesamum. Among intercropping system, Sesamum + Blackgram in 1:1 ratio gave highest monetary returns and biological efficiencies. The results indicated that legume association with Sesamum could increase the total productivity in addition to the enrichment of soil fertility. Thus, in summer rice fallows instead of growing sole crop of Sesamum, intercropping of Sesamum with black gram in 1:1 proportion can be recommended as an economically viable, biologically suitable and sustainable intercropping system.

50-56

Authors: C. K. CHANDRAKAR, G.K. SHRIVASTAVA, S. K. DWIVEDI AND NIVEDITA

An experiment was conducted during winter season 2010-11 and 2011-12. The soil of experimental site was clay loam in texture, neutral in soil reaction. The climate of the region is sub humid with an average annual rainfall of 1200-1400 mm. Results revealed that minimum total weed density and total weed dry weight was found under drip irrigation (100% of Open pan evaporation) at all stages during both the years and on mean basis, yield attributes and total tuber yield of potato crop was significantly maximum under drip irrigation (125% of Open pan evaporation) as compared to furrow irrigation. The herbicide Metribuzin (500 g a.i. ha- 1PE) proved better among other weed management practices recorded minimum total weed density and total weed dry weight was found at all stages and the maximum yield attributes and total tuber yield of potato crop. Application of 75% N inorganic fertilizer + 25 % N organic (Poultry manure) + PSB + Azotobactor was found non significant to weed control while produced significantly highest yield attributes and total tuber yield.

63-70

Authors: P. K. CHAKRABORTY, M. DUTTA AND L. DAS

Nine IMD stations (Alipore, Krishnagar, Sagar Island, Midnapore, Berhampore, Bankura, Contai, Shantiniketan, Haldia), distributed randomly in alluvial, red-laterite and coastal regions of West Bengal, were selected for studying the temperature change. First five stations have database of 105 years, sixth, seventh and eighth stations have database of 45years and the ninth station has the database of 15 years during the period of 1901-2005. Six GCMs simulations wore used for the purpose of model validation and future temperature change for the year 2050. First five stations showed drastic rise of temperature ranging from 1.24-3.67º C in 105 years in the post-monsoon season whereas the stations in the red laterite zone recorded a nominal change of temperature ranging from 0.26-0.980C during 1961-1990. The winter seasons showed the similar warming trend (0.75-2.810C in 105years) alike post monsoon in the first five stations. Abrupt warming (~0.05-3.03ºC) was recorded in last 15 years in the remaining four stations. All GCM models showed a rise of post-monsoon temperature by 0.8-1.8 ºC indicating slightly under estimate the observed warming whereas the winter warming is well simulated by GCMs as 1.4-2.4ºC. Irrespective of these two seasons, future temperature may rise by 1.4-1.80C with reference to 1961-90 at end of 2050. This temperature may rise have an important effect on growth and productivity of crops sown during October-March.

77-81

Authors: V. S. KUCHI, R. GUPTA, R. GUPTA AND S. TAMANG

Firm ripe guava fruits of Lucknow-49 harvested from college farm were used for the study. Jelly bar of 2 cm x 7 cm pieces were made and packed in LDPE and laminated aluminium foil pouches. Storage study was conducted in ambient and refrigerated conditions for two months. Among different treatment combinations, the recipe with 50 % sugar, 0.3% citric acid and 0.5 % pectin added to pulp extract recorded highest organoleptic score. Physico-chemical characteristics like total sugars and TSS increased while acidity, pectin content, ascorbic acid, and organoleptic scores decreased in the jelly bar stored in ambient condition while the changes are negligible for the jelly bar in refrigerated storage. Jelly bar packed in laminated aluminium foil and stored in refrigerated condition has better quality till consumption.

89-93

Authors: B. ROY

Seed is the most important input to harvest a good crop. The potential yield of crop depends on the quality of the seed used for cultivation of crop. Use of quality seeds alone can enhance the crop productivity by 15-25%. One of the main reasons for low productivity of crops is unavailability of reliable quality seeds in the local markets. To enhance productivity, seed should be of high quality, which will express full potential yield of the genotype under favourable cultivation environments. Therefore, there is urgent need to establish quality seed sources at least for major crops of northern part of West Bengal. Considering the importance of quality seeds of crops, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya started Farmers’ Participatory Seed Production Programme since 2006. Initially, leading farmers were selected for seed production in two villages, namely Kharikabari (Unishbisha, Mathabhanga-2) and Petlanepra (Chotosalbari, Sitalkuchi) of Cooch Behar district. First two years (2006 and 2007), the farmers were trained on seed production technologies of major field crops of northern part of West Bengal. The farmers of Sitalkutchi and Unishbisha who involved in seed production under the guidance of UBKV were brought under one umbrella forming a Self Help Group - Suphala Beej Swanirbhar Gosthi in June 2008, and registered under District Rural Development Cell, Cooch Behar in 2008. The SBSG is producing Certified and Foundation seeds of different varieties of rice, potato, pulses and mustard. The seed is being registered and certified by the West Bengal Seed Certification Agency on satisfaction of the quality of the produced seeds. The SHG sell the seeds in the brand name of Shyamali. The quantity of Certified Seeds production in the 2010-11 of rice and potato were 53 t and 75 t, respectively and subsequently the quantum of rice seed production increased to 186.0 t in Kharif-2011. Local farmers of Sitalkuchi and Mathabhanga blocks of Cooch Behar district get certified seeds of major field crops, particularly rice at reasonable price through this Farmers Participatory Seed Production programme of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya.

104-107

Authors: BHANUPRIYA, B. DAS, N.H. SATYANARAYANA, S. MUKHERJEE AND K. K. SARKAR

The present investigation was planned to assess genetic diversity for yield, yield contributing traits and quality traits in forty nine germplasm of bread wheat along with 4 checks and two triticale variety collected from DWR, Karnal were evaluated in randomized block design with two replication in Nadia district of West Bengal during rabi season in two consecutive years 2010- 2011 and 2011-2012. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that five components (PC1 to PC5) accounted for about 75 % of the total variation among traits in bread wheat cultivars. Out of total principal components retained PC1, PC2 and PC3 with values of 25.9%, 17.1% and 13.3% respectively contributed more to the total variation. The first principal component had high positive loading for 9 characters out of 16 viz. weight of grains spike-1, number of grains spike-1, number of spikelets spike-1, spike length, plant height, days to heading, days to flowering, grain protein content and yield plant-1 which contributed more to the diversity. The result of present study could be exploited in planning and execution of future breeding programme in wheat.

111-117

Authors: M. K. KUNDU, S. MAJI, S. BASU, R. NATH AND ¹P. K. CHAKRABORTY

A study was conducted for two consecutive year (2012-2013 and 2013-2014) to assess the performances of sixteen pre-released and two standard varieties of bold seeded lentil for their growth and productivity potential. Germination of seed required 4 to 7 days. The duration of germination to branch initiation phase was 11 to 13 days; flower initiation required 32 to 57 days, in first year and 29 to 36 days in the second year. Significant differences were observed in plant height, nodule number, dry matter accumulation, yield and yield attributes of the crop. The dry matter accumulation was better in the second year. The seed yield was maximum in PL-129 in both the year. The second year yield was lower than the first year, as it was exposed to higher temperature during the reproductive phase of the crop. The maximum productivity of lentil would be archived when the maximum and minimum temperature during 100% flowering ranged from 24.6 to 28.6 and 10.1 to 10.9ÚC respectively.

122-127

Authors: S. K. ACHARYA, M. GUPTA AND A. BISWAS

A study was carried out to assess the correlates of employment and income generation through bamboo enterprise in Tripura. Here, 96 respondents were selected randomly from the Hezamara block of Tripura; total numbers of predictor variables were 19. The study revealed that the predictor variables namely family size, land under agricultural crop, land under bamboo, annual income before bamboo, energy consumption, cost incurred in bamboo cultivation had recorded significant association with employment and wage generation from bamboo enterprise. The variables like age, family size, land under agricultural crop, cropping intensity, land under bamboo, material possessed, energy consumption, cost incurred in bamboo cultivation, had been retained in the step down regression to imply that these variables were extremely important to these causal variables to interpret the reason and spectrum of variance of the consequent variable in its behavior and performance. It has been found that the variable family size has exerted the highest direct effect and routed highest indirect effect, the variable land under bamboo has been exerted the highest indirect effect, to characterize the man-days and wages generation from bamboo enterprise. From the cross loading of the canonical covariates, it can be inferred that, while the entire Y set of variable are in interactive relationship, the three left side variables i.e. man-days generated from bamboo enterprise and wages generated from bamboo enterprise have respondent and dovetailed some of the X set of variable.

135-140

Authors: K. PRADHAN AND P. TALUKDAR

In the realm of appropriate entrepreneurship development and management, the present study has undertaken to analyse the Entrepreneurship Development and Management Index (EDMI) and the relation of the same with the socio- psychological, sociopersonal and communication related determinants associated with the enterprise. The present study was conducted in three villages under Cooch Behar-II block in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal. Purposive as well as multistage sampling and random sampling procedures were followed for the selection of the respondents. The Entrepreneurship Development and Management Index (EDMI) is considered as the consequent variable for the study and the sixteen other variables were considered as antecedent variables for the study. The data were collected with the help of structured interview schedule through personal interview method. The collected data were processed into statistical analyses like coefficient of correlation, multiple regression and factor analysis. The variables annual income, land holding, material possession, house type, adoption leadership, management orientation, risk orientation, social participation, cosmopolitenes and mass media exposure are positively and significantly associated with the Entrepreneurship Development and Management Index of the entrepreneurs. The variables annual income, management orientation and risk orientation are contributing positively and significantly in case of characterising the Entrepreneurship Development and Management Index (EDMI) of the entrepreneurs. The R2 value being 0.554, it is to infer that the sixteen predictor variables put together have explained 55.40% variation embedded with the predicted variable EDMI. The five factors namely economic and social competency, family and farm interaction, educational exposure, capacity orientation and personal trait are identified which reflect the conglomeration of predictor variables in explaining the variations embedded with the Entrepreneurship Development and Management Index (EDMI).

147-154

Authors: VISHWAJITH K.P, B S DHEKALE, P K SAHU, P MISHRA AND MD NOMAN

Pulses are known as poor man’s meat as these are comparatively cheaper sources of protein in balancing human diet. In a populous developing country like India, production of pulses play pivotal role in nutritional security of the country. Production of pulses depends on many production factors like rainfall, fertilizer etc. and also on area under crops and its productivity. Analysis of production behaviour, modelling and forecasting of production taking all these factors in to consideration play vital role in human nutritional security. In this paper attempt has been made to analyse and forecast the production scenario of pulses in major pulses growing states of India. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) methodology has been used to model and forecast the behaviour of pulses production with and without inclusion of the above factors of production. In most of the cases, inclusion of the factors of production in the model outperformed the simple ARIMA modelling. To take care of conditional variances, use of Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic (GARCH) models are found in literature; the method has also been used in this study. From the forecasted value it is clear that among the Indian states, Madhya Pradesh has to play a major role in augmenting pulses production in India with its estimated share of 3661 thousand tons out of all India production of 14360 thousand tons in 2015. Comparative analysis reveals that uniform superiority of neither the ARIMA model nor the GARCH could be established in modeling and forecasting the production behavior of pulses in India.

166-169

Authors: D. ROY AND A. K. BANDYOPADHYAY

Scented or aromatic rice is nature’s gift to the Indian sub-continent and human kind at large. Compare to other classes of rice, aromatic rice is highly demanded and get better premium price in global market due to its pleasant aroma, superfine long slender grains with delicate curvature, remarkable linear elongation and excellent flaky soft texture on cooking. The concerned two agricultural university of West Bengal (Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya and Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya) have introduced the high yielding varieties of aromatic rice to the farming community with modern package of practices for betterment and popularization of aromatic rice through different Central and State sponsored projects. Accordingly farmers are showing very kin interest about the cultivation of aromatic rice and most of the farmers have already adopted the different varieties of aromatic rice. Keeping in view the vast potential and importance of aromatic rice cultivation to the state’s revenue in the broader sense and the impact of practice on improving the social life of the farmer, the study was under taken. The main objective of the study was to estimate the factors contributing towards the adoption of aromatic rice production technology. Two blocks from Nadia district of West Bengal were purposively selected for this study. The work was conducted with the dependent variable adoption behaviour and 22 independent variables categorised in three different factors viz socio-economic factors, sociopsychological factors and extension communication factors. For the study 150 respondents were selected purposively for interview in the year 2013. Data were collected through well structured interview schedule and analyzed by co-efficient of correlation and multiple regression analysis. Family type, family size, education, area under aromatic rice cultivation, land, farm power, material possession, annual income, attitude towards aromatic rice cultivation, knowledge level, market orientation, risk orientation, economic motivation, innovation proneness, personal cosmopolite were positively significant with the adoption behaviour of aromatic rice growers. From Regression analysis, the R2 value indicates that all the casual variables put together could explain 72.10% variation in the consequent variable. Natural hazards are found to be the greatest problem perceived by the respondents.

179-182

Authors: D. ROY, S. KUNDU, B. GHOSH, P. DUTTA AND R. PAL

Pummelo (Citrus maxima Merill.) is one of the major monoembryonic species of citrus. It is easily grown in inferior, marginal and backyard orchard. Pummelo is considered as an excellent tree for waste land development in arid and semi-arid region. The fruit is a fat, sodium and cholesterol free and this makes a very good source for dieters. It is also a good source of vitamin C and calories. The nutritional value of 100 g edible portion consists of 25 – 58 calories, 84.82 – 94.1 g moisture, 0.5 – 0.74 g protein, 0.2 – 1.56 g fat, 6.3 – 12.4 g carbohydrates, 0.3 – 0.82 g fiber, 0.5 – 0.86 g ash, 21 – 30 mg calcium, 20 – 27 mg phosphorus, 0.3 – 0.5 kg iron, 20 IU vitamin A, 0.04 – 0.07 mg thiamine, 0.02 mg riboflavin, 0.3 mg niacin and 30 – 43 mg ascorbic acid (Morton, 1987). In spite of tremendous potentiality for commercial exploitation, pummelo plants are yet to be given due importance in India. The cultivation and improvement of pummelo did not receive any attention so far. It is mostly grown in homestead gardens in many parts of India. No standard variety of pummelo is found except Nagpur Chakotra (Rajput and Haribabu, 2004). However, the diverse eco-geographical distribution in India and the occurrence of spontaneous mutation and natural hybridization have given rise to a wide range of variability in pummelo. West Bengal is also endowed with extremely diverse populations of pummelo in her diverse agro- ecological zones and altitudes.

190-195

Authors: B. KAR, S. KARMAKAR, 1G. SAHA AND R. BHATTACHARYA

The increasing demand of the growing population requires enhancement in the production of rice. This has a direct bearing on the global environment since the rice cultivation is one of the major contributors to the nitrous oxide (N O) emissions. As the rice 2 cultivation is intensified with the current practices and technologies, the nitrous oxide fluxes from paddy fields will substantially rise. Improved high yielding rice varieties together with efficient cultivation techniques will certainly contribute to the curtailment of the nitrous oxide emission. The effect of organic-fertilization on rice yield and their relationships with nitrous oxide fluxes as influenced by various weather factors was investigated taking various treatment as two dates of transplanting, two different aged seedlings for a most promising variety of Oryza sativa L. (Satabdi) under irrigated and rainfed condition. Trace gas fluxes from the soil were measured fortnightly throughout the entire growth period using a closed chamber method. Experimental results showed that N O emission rate was highest for rainfed rice fields than irrigated ones especially after 30 and 60 days of 2 transplanting. Canopy temperature and ambient temperature significantly affect the N O emission rate. In case of irrigated 2 system a positive correlation exists in between ambient temperature and N O emission after 30 and 60 DAT (R2= 0.98 and 0.31 2 respectively) but for rainfed condition the correlation was 0.45 and 0.33 only after 30 and 75 days after transplanting respectively. Another significant correlation was found in between canopy temperature and N O emission from both water 2 treatments as R2 = 0.35 and 0.38 for irrigated fields (30 and 60DAT respectively) and as R2 = 0.38 and 0.57 for rainfed fields (30 and 60 DAT respectively). These two climatic factors also affect the productivity of rice. Same trend of association was observed between N O emission potentiality and yield of rice where R2= 0.46 ( rainfed) and 0.17 ( irrigated) during 30DAT. So it is 2 concluded that during organic rice cultivation atmospheric parameters plays pivotal role in N O emission from rice field followed 2 by productivity of rice.

205-218

Authors: S. SHARMA AND R. THOKCHOM

India has a very rich plant biodiversity, many of which are medicinally useful. The rich resource is disappearing at an alarming rate as a result of over-exploitation. Therefore, the management of traditional medicinal plant resources has become a matter of urgency. An ever increasing demand of uniform medicinal plants based medicines warrants their mass propagation through plant tissue culture strategy. Tissue culture technology is potent and has opened extensive areas of research for biodiversity conservation. Plant in vitro regeneration is a biotechnological tool that offers a tremendous potential solution for the propagation of endangered and superior genotypes of medicinal plants which could be released to their natural habitat or cultivated on a large scale for the pharmaceutical product of interest. Tissue culture protocols have been developed for a wide range of medicinal plants, which includes endangered, rare and threatened plant species. Some of these endangered medicinal plants are Saussaurea lappa, Picorrhiza kurroa, Ginkgo biloba, Swertia chirata, Gymnema sylvestre, Tinospora cordifolia, Salaca oblonga, Holostemma, Celastrus paniculata, Oroxylum indicum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Tylophora indica, Bacopa monnieri, Rauwolfia serpentina. The conventional means of propagation takes a long time for multiplication and also clonal non uniform. Conventionally, there are two methods of conservation: in situ and ex situ conservation, both are complementary to each other. In situ methods allow conservation to occur with ongoing natural evolutionary processes ex situ conservation via in vitro propagation also acts as a viable alternative for increase and conservation of populations of existing bioresources in the wild and to meet the commercial requirements. A review highlighting various in vitro protocols developed for selected rare and threatened plant species of India has been done to highlight the significance of ex situ conservation in cases where regeneration through conventional methods is difficult to undertake and species are left with low population in the wild. Thus in vitro cell and tissue culture methodology is envisaged as a mean for germplasm conservation to ensure the survival of endangered plant species, rapid mass propagation for large scale re-vegetation and for genetic manipulation studies.

219-222

Authors: K. REANG, A. BISWAS, S. K. ACHARYA AND B. R. MARAK

Rubber farming has been the main stay of continuous income generation of poor tribal jhumias’of hilly state in Tripura over the several years since it was introduced. Owing to suitability of climatic condition, the state has emerges as one of the largest rubber producer in the country along with changes in the adoption of cultivation technology. The present study was undertaken in three villages of Manu block, Dhalai district, Tripura to ascertain some associates variables of the rubber growers’ adoption behavior. The results indicate that the socio-economic variables like age, education, homestead land, own land and area under rubber cultivation had become the predominant factors in adopting the recommended technology packages among the respondents.

240-247

Authors: A L RANAWAKE, U G S AMARASINGHE AND S G J N SENANAYAKE

Twenty five Sri Lankan modern rice cultivars were screened for submergence tolerance at seedling and vegetative stages. An experiment was carried out at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Mapalana, Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka during May to September, 2011 according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replicates and each replicate contained 20 plants to evaluate submergence tolerance of the rice cultivars were evaluated in two growth stages; seedling stage and vegetative stage. At seedling stage, germinated seedlings were grown for 2 weeks at normal growth conditions and 5-day, 9- day and 14-day complete submergence stresses were given in separate experiments. Plants were allowed two-week-recovery period after each submergence stress. Plant height was recorded just before and after submergence stress, just after submergence stress and just after recovery period. Plant survival percentage was recorded after the recovery period. The experiment was repeated using 6 week old plants for vegetative stage. Among tested rice cultivars 100%, 32% and 24% of rice cultivars survived at 5-day, 9-day and 14-day submergence periods respectively at the seedling stage while 64%, 28% and 16% of rice cultivars survived at 5-day, 9-day and 14-day submergence periods respectively at vegetative stage. According to the Duncan’s multiple range test at 14-day complete submergence, Bg 379/2 was the best tolerant cultivar among the tested cultivars at both seedling stage (20% survival rate) and vegetative stage (17.5% survival rate). All the survived rice cultivars were elongated (100%) under 14-day submergence stress at both seedling and vegetative stages compared to that of control plants. Some survived rice cultivars reduced the plant height at 5-day and 9-day complete submergence stresses at both seedling and vegetative stages compared to that of control plants but none of the cultivars reduced the plant height at 14-day complete submergence stress compared to that of control plants was able to survive. There was a correlation between height gain during submergence stress and survival percentage of rice cultivars which depends on both growth stage and submerged period. The correlation between elongation ability of rice cultivars under control condition and under stress condition was also depends on the growth stage and the submergence period

252-267

Authors: D. K. BASTIA, S. TRIPATHY AND S. PRADHAN

At the present time, soil carbon sequestration is of paramount importance to address the imminent threat of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is looming large on the very survival and existence of the biome. The quantum of all carbon everywhere in the globe is same and fixed. It exists to the tune of 800 Pg in the atmosphere, 1700 Pg in terrestrial and 38000 Pg in aquatic ecosystem. Even though, the terrestrial carbon stock is quite meagre in comparision to aquatic carbon stock, yet it warrants attention because it is readily amenable to anthropogenic manipulations and potentially respond to modifications and management. The potential for carbon sequestration in crop-based agriculture globally is 20-30 Pg carbon, whereas, that of India is 0.039-0.049 Pg carbon y-1 or about 47% of current annual fossil fuel emission. The quantity of soil organic carbon (SOC) that will be stored in an ecosystem depends on quantity and quality of organic matter returned to the soil matrix, ability of soil to retain organic carbon and abiotic influences of both temperature and precipitation. Hence, organic agriculture holds added promise to sequester and enhance the SOC pool.

272-276

Authors: A. DUTTA

Rapeseed mustard is one of the important crops under oilseed scenario in India. Likewise in West Bengal it is also one of the major oilseed crop which contributing 53% of total oilseed production of the state. One of the major constraints is low productivity of this crop due to non adoption of recommended package of practices and situation-specific improved varieties by most of the growers. The ex-post-facto analysis of secondary data pertaining to front line demonstrations (FLDs) in rapeseed-mustard conducted under ‘Integrated scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize (ISOPOM)’ revealed 22.7% yield advantage by adoption of improved varieties may be possible. The other components viz. adoption of right method and time of sowing, seed treatment, application of sulphur and boron, integrated fertilizer and irrigation management, integrated pest and disease management showed 38.5,32.1,26.1, 23.4, 38.8 and 18.6% respectively yield advantage were exhibited over farmers’ practice. Popularization of these proven technologies to the rapeseed- mustard growers will help them to get higher economic returns with sustainable production system of the state.

281-286

Authors: R. KUMAWAT, S. MAJI, GOVIND AND D. C. MEENA

Papaya is one of the most important fruit crops belongs to family Caricaceae grown in tropical to subtropical areas all over the world. It is normally propagated by seeds which show wide variability in germination and seedling growth. The present experiment was carried out to find out the role of media and bio-regulators on seed germination and seedling growth of papaya. The bio-regulator GA , borax and thiourea were applied along with media mixture i.e. soil, compost, cocopeat and river sand. The 3 experiment comprised with three media [M - Soil + compost + cocopeat (1:1:1), M – Soil + compost + river sand (1:1:1) and M 1 2 3 – soil + cocopeat + riversand (1:1:1)], three bio-regulators and chemicals [C - GA - 150ppm, C - Borax - 0.5% and C - Thiourea 1 3 2 3 – 2000 ppm) and their combinations with 16 treatments. The experimental treatments were laid down in factorial CRD with three replications. The seeds were sown in poly bags filled with respective media and treated with respective bio-regulators. The results showed that the application of treatment M C [Soil + compost + cocopeat (1:1:1) + GA - 150ppm] was found superior for early 1 1 3 as well as higher germination percentage, better shoot growth, better growth of tap root, secondary root production and chlorophyll content in seedlings of papaya cv. Coorge Honey Dew under drier tracts of sub tropical area of Lucknow.

292-294

Authors: A. CHAKRAVORTY, 1A. GHOSH AND P. D. GHOSH

In West Bengal, it is most promising to tender early maturing high yielding varieties of rice since they can fulfil their life cycle successfully within short period of persisting cool temperature. The objective of this present investigation was to identify these high yielding early maturing genotypes of rice having quality characters and higher performance in grain yield. A study was conducted during kharif season 2010-12 at Zonal Adaptive Research Station, Krishnagar, Nadia, West Bengal to evaluate some promising traditional rice germplasms and to identify the suitable cultivars for early days (D) to maturity with high grain yield. Cultivars Machkata, Laldhula and Kalamkathi (white) showed high grain yield. Cultivars showing early maturity (112-120 days) were Netaisal (116D), Dhuri (116.5D), Kalamkathi (white) (117.5D), Jhuli (119D), Baidjhulur (120D) and Dhuladhan (120.5D). The superior variety which showed early maturity was Kalamkathi (white). Maximum cultivars had sweet fragrance except Laldhula and Malliksal which were with strong fragrance. Cultivars which showed extra long slender grain (> 7.5mm grain length and >3.0 grain length/breadth ratio) were Machkata, Laldhula, Kalamkathi (white), Badshabhog, Behalsal, Mallicksal, Netaisal, Kalma, Lalhusri and Annada.

303-307

Authors: T. B. BAGCHI, 1T. ADAK AND 2 K. CHATTOPADHYAY

Considering the nutritional importance of rice bran (RB), a study was undertaken to observe the effect of various treatments on stability of RB and to identify the method which would safely preserve the bran for at least six months. The RB samples from the organically grown aromatic rice cultivar Ketakijoha were processed immediately after milling for stabilization. The rice bran samples were subjected to eight treatments including hot air oven heating, micro wave heating and ethanol to study their effect on RB stability. Different parameters including rancidity of rice bran oil and its' nutritive values were determined on zero, 30 days and 180 days of storage at room temperature (32°C) after applying these treatments. Near Infra Red spectrometer was used to determine crude fiber and ash content. Micro wave heating (900W) for 2.5 min was found to be best among the treatments as it provided higher stability in respect of antioxidant activity, ã-oryzanol, crude oil and total protein content. The rancidity indicators like free fatty acids accumulation, peroxide value, moisture content and pH value changed only marginally during the storage period. The ash and crude fiber content of rice bran remained nearly constant in the treated samples whereas the control sample became completely rancid, discoloured with formation of clumps and emitted unpleasant odour which increased during the study period.

316-319

Authors: F. K. BAURI, A. DE, 1D. K. MISRA, 2B. BANDYOPADHYAY, S. DEBNATH , S. K. SARKAR AND P. AVANI

An experiment was conducted with eight treatments to study the effect of micronutrient and growth regulators for yield and quality in banana cv. Martaman (Musa AAB, Silk) during 2011-2012. The treatments were, T – Borax (0.1%), T - KH PO (0.5%), T - 1 2 2 4 3 KNO (0.5%), T - K SO (0.5%), T - GA (30 ppm), T – 2,4-D (30 ppm), T – Dehanding and T – Control (water spray). 3 4 2 4 5 3 6 7 8 Micronutrient and growth regulator have got significant influence over yield and fruit quality. Maximum increase in bunch weight (17.72kg), yield (44.30t/ha), number of hands (8.88), number of finger per bunch (133.66) and finger length (13.45cm) was recorded by KH PO (0.5%) application. With regard to physicochemical characters of fingers, Borax (0.1%) showed maximum 2 4 influence for total soluble solids (26.72 oBrix), total sugar (14.57 %) and sugar: acid ratio (45.53). The maximum vitamin C content (8.60 mg/100g pulp), shelf life (6.40 days) and benefit: cost (1.48) was recorded by the treatment of 2, 4-D (30 ppm).The same treatment was also found to be next most influencing treatment in increasing bunch weight, yield, hands number and finger length after KH PO (0.5%) . It may be concluded that the application of 2,4-D @ 30 ppm was effective in modifying the finger 2 4 characters thereby improving the yield, fruit quality and B: C ratio of banana cv. Martaman.

325-330

Authors: M. GHOSH, B. C. PATRA AND D. MAZUMDAR1

Daily rainfall data of 12 years (1981-1992) recorded at Regional Research Sub-station, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Raghunathpur (23036’N, 86042’E, 169 m), Purulia, West Bengal, India were analysed for determining annual, seasonal, monthly and weekly rainfall averages of the region, which were compared with corresponding values of the current period of 5 years (2003-2007). Mean annual rainfall was 1156.0 mm, of which July recorded highest rainfall (313.3 mm) and January lowest rainfall (1.8 mm). Mean rainfall for pre-kharif, kharif and rabi season were 106.6 mm (9.22%), 1010.7 mm (87.43%) and 38.7 mm (3.35%), respectively. The changes in rainfall pattern between two periods of 1981-1992 and 2003-2007 were very little during pre kharif (-1.7%) and kharif (+1.0%) seasons, but moderate during rabi season (-22.7%). Mean week of onset and withdrawal of south-west monsoon were 24th (11-17 June) standard meteorological week (SMW) and 40th SMW (1-7 October) and average length of rainy season was 18 weeks (126 days) with a variation between 15 and 24 weeks. Mid season drought was likely to occur during 33rd-34th SMW and terminal droughts during 37-40th SMWs at <10 and 10-25% probability levels, respectively. Rice was the main crop in the region during kharif season along with maize and arhar in some areas, while short duration pulses, oilseeds and wheat could be grown with residual soil moisture and live-saving irrigations during rabi season.

334-339

Authors: V. KUMAR, P. K. SINGH, A. S. DUDHANE, D. K. DE AND P. SATYA

In the present investigation eight genotypes of C. olitorious L. (OMU-09, OMU-42, OMU-43 OEX-16, OIM-45, JRO-204, JRO- 524, JRO-8432), and one genotype of C. capsularis L. (Fanduk) were included to evaluate their morphological and anatomical characteristics. Mean performance of six different morphological and nine different anatomical characters at 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAS of the crop revealed plant height, basal diameter and inter-node length increased sharply between 30 and 60 days age and slowly between the latter two growth stages; mid-diameter and top diameter reduced between 30 and 60 days and increased between the latter two growth stages; number of nodes increased steadily all along. Fibre anatomical characters revealed that total bark diameter and difference between fibre wedge tip and outer bark layer increase sharply between 30 and 60 days; average length and width of fibre cell wedge, number of fibre cell block at base and at middle increased linearly all along up to 120 days age of the crop. Number of fibre cell in each block increased sharply between 30 and 60 days and slowly between the latter two stages. All the plant morphological and fibre anatomical characters exhibited high variation at different growth stages. The anatomical characters may be considered as an easy and effective method for screening genotypes without destructive sampling within a short period.

345-349

Authors: P. C. BHOWMIK

The invasive species is of global importance. It is recognized as one of the leading threats to biodiversity and imposes tremendous costs on agriculture, fisheries, wetlands, forestry, natural areas, and other human enterprises, including human health. The nature and distribution of invasive species has no geographical boundaries. The invasive plants (native, non-native, or alien) tend to have many similar biological attributes/traits relating to high reproduction and stress tolerance. These traits include germination of seeds without complicated requirements, rapid seedling growth, vegetative and sexual reproduction at early stage, aggressive spread by runners or rhizomes, diverse dispersal mechanisms, and the ability to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions. Invasive species have been identified as the second biggest threat to biological diversity after habitat destruction. Will invasive weeds make ecological adaptation with climate change? What impacts do these plants may have in agriculture, health and the environment?

355-358

Authors: A. KUNDU, S. MUKHERJEE, 1B. GHOSH, A. GOON, 2S. ROY, 1K. CHAKRABARTI AND A. BHATTACHARYYA

A field study was conducted to observe the persistence behavior of tetraconazole on watermelon, at University Research Farm, Mondouri, Nadia, West Bengal season the season of 2013. The commercial formulation oftetraconazole (DOMARK 3.8 % EW w/w) was applied at the rate of 40 ga.i.ha-1 (recommended dose i.e. T ) and 80 g a.i. ha-1 (double the recommended dose i.e. T ) 1 2 along with untreated control. The average recovery of tetraconazole was100.3% in plant and 97 % in fruit matrix.The calculated half-life (t ) value of tetrazonazole ranged 1.36 – 1.55 days. No residue of the fungicide was found in the watermelon fruit 1/2 samples at harvest. This study revealed that watermelon fruit may safely be recommended for human consumption.

365-374

Authors: C. T. ABRAHAM AND N. JOSE

Weedy rice are complex of Oryza morphotypes widely distributed in the commercial rice fields in more than 50 countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, especially in areas where farmers have switched to direct seeding due to labour shortage and high cost. Wild and weedy forms of different species coming under the genus Oryza are also known as wild rice, red rice, padi angin, windy rice, air rice, varinellu, wild rice etc. Southeast Asia has been identified as the centre of origin of rice and many wild and weedy relatives are present in different rice growing areas of this region. Indian weedy rice is identified as Oryza sativa f. spontanea which belongs to the indica group. They are major threat to irrigated rice production systems in Southeast Asian countries because of their great adaptability to emerge at low temperature and from deep soil or water depths. Weedy rice is problematic, especially in Asian rice bowls. The spread of wild rice takes place in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Wild and weedy forms are problematic in Eastern India (Eastern U. P., Bihar, Orissa, Manipur, and West Bengal) and Southern India (Kerala). In North Western states like Punjab and Haryana, weedy rice is rarely seen. Heavy infestation of weedy rice in rice fields during the recent years is forcing farmers to abandon the crop due to huge reduction in crop yield (around 40-70 per cent) depending on the severity of infestation (5-15 or even more mature weedy plants per square meter). Genetic and morphological similarity of weedy rice to the cultivated species makes it difficult to control and chemical methods alone are unlikely to be effective.Origin and spread of weedy riceCultivated rice is included in the genus Oryza of the grass family (Poaceae). This genus includes two cultivated species (Asian rice - Oryza s ativa, and African rice - O. glaberrima) and more than 20 wild species with ten different genome types, i.e., AA, BB, CC, BBCC, CCDD, EE, FF, GG, JJHH, and JJKK. The wild relatives of rice with different genome types usually have significant reproductive isolation, making them unlikely to hybridize under natural conditions. The AA genome weedy and wild relatives are highly compatible sexually with cultivated rice. Their interspecific F hybrids could form complete chromosome pairing in meiosis and have relatively high pollen 1 and seed fertility to produce viable offspring. It is widely hypothesized that weedy rice has a variety of origin.Weedy plants are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. The spread is generally favoured by the planting of commercial rice seeds that contain grains of the weed. The spread of weedy rice is likely to be accomplished by several means, including water, cattle, farm machinery, and as contaminants of new varieties. Disk cultivation also helped to move the seeds downward to the 3 - 15 cm soil layer resulting in serious infestations and difficulties in control.

392-396

Authors: A. BHATTACHARYYA, 1B. GHOSH, S. P. DAS AND 1A. BHATTACHARYYA

To find out the persistence feature of Clomazone (50 EC), recently introduced in India was applied in paddy field, 3-5 days after transplantation of paddy. The study was conducted at BCKV farm, Mohanpur, Nadia during August to November, 2012. Clomazone 50 % EC was applied on paddy @ 1000 ml/ha and 2000 ml/ha along with untreated control. Cropped soil and plant samples were extracted separately with ethyl acetate: acetone (8:2 v/v) and subsequently the extract were cleaned up by using PSA, C & GCB. Then the extract was filtered and analysed in GC-MS/MS. The recovery percentage was ranged between 86-95% 18 with LOQ 20 ngg-1 for all matrices. Following first order kinetics, the half-life of clomazone was found in ranges 0.91-1.13 days for cropped soil and 2.04 days for paddy plant respectively. From this study it was proved beyond doubt that Clomazone may not create any residual toxicity problem.

407-413

Authors: B. GHOSH, 1A. BHATTACHARYYA, 2S. MUKHERJEE, S. DAS AND 1A BHATTACHARYYA

To find out the persistence behavior of a mixed herbicide formulation Pyroxsulam 4.5% oil dispersion (OD) and Sulfosulfuron 75% water dispersible granules (WDG), a supervised field study was conducted in B.C.K.V. experimental farm, Mohanpur, West Bengal during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. The mixed herbicide formulation was applied @ 18 g and 36 g a.i. ha-1 along with untreated control and was analyzed by LC-MS/MS in MRM mode. The method includes extraction with acetonitrile for Pyroxsulam and ethyl acetate for Sulfosulfuron separately followed by clean up using dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE) with PSA ,GCB (only for plant) and activated MgSO4. The ethyl acetate extract was evaporated under a nitrogen evaporator and reconstituted with acetonitrile. The average recovery percentage of Pyroxsulam and Sulfosulfuron was 87.67% and 85.07% for wheat plant, 88.87% and 87.40% for wheat straw, 85.67% and 90.80% for wheat grain and 86.27% and 86.00% for field soil respectively. Following 1st order kinetics, the half-life of Pyroxsulam and Sulfosulfuron was found in the range of 1.51-1.67 days and 1.68-2.95 on wheat plant and 1.95-2.84 days and 2.89-3.58 on field soil irrespective of dose and season. No residue of Pyroxsulam and Sulfosulfuron was detected in harvest samples of wheat straw, grain and field soil.

419-429

Authors: G. GADDEYYA AND P. K. RATNA KUMAR

A systematic field study was conducted in crop fields such as food crops, pulses, vegetable crops, oil crops and commercial crops at Visakhapatnam District. A total of 120 weed species belonging to 40 families were carefully studied and recorded. The weed species were grouped as sedges, grasses and broad laved weeds. The weed species belonging to the family Asteraceae (12 species) and Fabaceae (12 species) were more dominant fallowed by Euphorbiaceae (11 species), Amaranthaceae (10 species) and Poaceae (7 species), respectively. The species of Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus difformis, Cyperus iria, Cyperus diffuses, Echinochloa colona and Echinochloa crusgalli were recorded as more common and dominant weeds in all cereals crops and broad leaved weeds belonging to Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Amaranthaceae were recorded in vegetable and other field crops.

433-436

Authors: B. PRAMANICK, P. S. BERA, C. K. KUNDU, P. BANDOPADHYAY AND K. BRAHMACHARI

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of different herbicides used in transplanted rice on weed management in ricelathyrus cropping system at Central Research Farm (New Alluvial Zone), Gayeshpur, Nadia, West Bengal (23°N latitude, 89° E longitude). The experimental results revealed that Imazosulfuron 10% SC @ 100 g a.i. ha-1 applied at 5 days after transplanting (DAT) effectively controlled most of the rice weeds, exhibiting no phytotoxicity symptoms to the rice crop and increased both grain and straw yields vis-à-vis benefit : cost ratio. This treatment shows no statistical divergence with hand weeding twice. Similar trend of observations were documented in the succeeding crop of the sequence lathyrus. So, the findings of the experiment provide us with a great opportunity of using new herbicides with very low doses to cope up with the labour crisis and minimize the cost of cultivation, therefore, maximizing benefit cost ratio.

441-444

Authors: S. GHOSH, 1S. MUKHARJEE, 2A. BHATTACHARYYA, A. BHATTACHARYYA AND S. ROY

A liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) method for analysis of residual azoxystrobin in chilli was developed in present work. Azoxystrobin is generally a systemic fungicide applied in chilli to control anthracnose and powdery mildew diseases. The method was based on extraction with 1:1 ethyl acetate: 10% aq. NaCl solution, clean-up by PSA, GCB and florisil, evaporated in N evaporator, followed by volume make up with Acetonitrile and analysed by LC/MS-MS in multiple reaction 2 monitoring (MRM) mode. Recoveries from fortified samples were found in the range from 90% to 92%. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method was 0.01 ppm. The half life value of azoxystrobin in chilli was determined as 0.73 to 0.80 days.

451-456

Authors: M. KARALE AND H. L. SHARMA

In the present investigation, trends in population dynamics of major insect pests under rice-potato-okra cropping system have been studied through probability models. Among the major insect pests climbing cutworms were observed on rice, whiteflies and jassids on potato and whiteflies, aphids and jassids on okra. The data have been taken from an experiment which was conducted by the staff of department of Agronomy during kharif, Rabi and summer season 2006-07 at the Krishi Nagar farm, Adhartal JNKVV, Jabalpur, following randomized complete block design (RCBD) with varying number of treatments under each crop. The variety pusa basmati was taken for rice, kufri jawahar for potato and ladies finger for summer okra. The occurrences of the insects were grouped in the form of frequency distribution according to the number of plants. The Poisson distribution is found to be adequate for describing the pattern of climbing cutworms on rice, whiteflies and jassids on potato and aphids on okra. In addition to these, Polya-Aeppli distribution is well fitted for the number of whiteflies and jassids on okra. These distributions may be used for forecasting of the losses in these crops due to major insect pests considered here.

461-465

Authors: H. PATRO, 1M. A. ALIM, 2S. S. NANDA AND 3A. K. BEHURA

A field experiment was conducted to study the integrated weed management in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) for consecutive three kharif seasons in 2010, 2011 and 2012 at Breeder Seed Production Farm of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar with 7 weed management treatments in four replications. Weed free check (two hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS and manually uprooting of weeds at 60 DAS) was found more effective to control weeds in groundnut and recorded lowest weed density, weed dry matter , weed index and highest weed control efficiency. It was also recorded significantly highest growth and yield attributes in groundnut over all the other treatments viz. number of pods plant-1, shelling per cent and pod yield. Pre- emergence application of pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1 kg. a.i. ha-1 + one HW at 45 DAS alone or in combination with post emergence application of quizalofopethyl 5 EC @ 50 g. a.i ha-1 at 20 DAS was found next superior treatment after weed free check in respect of all weed and crop parameters. Though weed-free check recorded significantly highest gross returns and net returns, which was 39,535/ha and 16,962/ha, respectively.Highest B:C ratio (1.84) was recorded in treatment having pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1 kg. a.i ha-1 + one HW at 45 DAS in combination with post emergence application of quizalofopethyl 5 EC @ 50 g. a.i ha-1 at 20 DAS which was found most economically feasible weed management practice for groundnut.

472-479

Authors: S. MUKHERJEE, 1S. MUKHERJEE, 1A. KUNDU, 2G. K. DAS AND 1A. BHATTACHARYYA

A simple, fast and inexpensive analytical method was developed and validated for screening of Fluroxypyr-Meptyl, a selective post-emergent systemic broadleaf herbicide in onion (plant leaf, bulb) and soil using GC-MS/MS. The method comprised of extraction with ethyl acetate using matrix solid phase dispersion method followed by column chromatographic and dispersive solid phase extraction cleanup and quantified in GC-MS/MS. The method was validated in concentration ranging from 0.02-0.1 μg g-1. The recovery of Fluroxypyr-Meptyl in onion (all substrates) and soil was ranging from 88-98% at different levels of analytes with RSD (HorRat< 0.51) of 8-15%. The global uncertainty was calculated at 0.02 μg g-1. In order to evaluate in safety use in India and degradation kinetics, a field study was conducted following the validated method.

484-487

Authors: N. GURUNG, 1G. S. K. SWAMY, S. K. SARKAR, S. O. BHUTIA AND K. C. BHUTIA

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), a native of tropical America (Brazil), belonging to the family Passifloraceae is a high value and export oriented crop. It is grown mostly in tropical and sub-tropical part of the world. South America is currently the largest producer of passion fruit worldwide (Sema and Maiti, 2009). In India it is cultivated in few pockets in the Nilgiris, Wynad, Kodaikanal, Coorg and Malabar in the South and North East states like Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

492-494

Authors: R. K. JAT, A. G. PATEL, A. SHVIRAN, A. L. BIJARNIA AND VANIKA BHUNWAL

Livestock population is the largest in the India, comprising 182.50 million cattle may be cow, 61.30 million buffaloes, 76.65 million goats, 41.30 million sheeps, 10.0 million pigs and 3.04 million other animals. The integrated efforts even could not improve the declining trend in per capita availability of milk from 263 g during 2011 because most of our animals are either low producer or under malnutrition and about 55.05 and 41.95 percent of the total cows and buffaloes respectively, remain dry and infertile. In India, about 6.91 million hectares of land which contributes about 4.4 per cent of the total cultivated area are under fodder crops cultivation. Out of which only 1.02 million hectares of land is irrigated. In Gujarat state, total animal population is about 18.44 million and their optimum fodder requirement is 42.2 million tonnes, whereas only 20.0 million tonnes of fodder is made available in normal year. Thus, fodder and concentrate production is not enough to feed the animals and there is a wide gap between the actual requirements and availability of feeds and fodders for the present population of livestock. Among the different rabi fodder crops, oat is one of the most important rabi fodder crop. Oat requires the cool and moist weather for germination, tillering, booting and heading stage. More over, oat make their best growth on loam soil in the state of Punjab, Haryana, U.P., Maharashtra, Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal and Gujarat. Oat grain makes a good balanced concentrate in the rations for poultry, cattle, sheep and other animals. Looking to the chemical composition on dry matter basis oat at milk stage contain 6.44 crude protein, 28.72 fiber, 53.20 nitrogen free-extract. Beside this, it contains 2.31 ether extract, 9.33 total ash, 0.47 calcium, 0.22 phosphorus, 0.22 magnesium, 0.52 sodium and 2.84 per cent potassium. (Sen and Ray, 1971).

497-499

Authors: K. JANA

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important cereals crop and grown across the world. ‘Rice is life’: It is an important and prominent slogan since the International year of rice in 2004. Most of the peoples of the world depend on rice for their secured livelihood and a way of life. It is the staple food for more than 65 per cent of the people and provides employment and livelihood to 70 per cent of the Indians. There is a need to enhance the productivity of the rice to meet the growing demand under conditions of declining quantity and quality of land (Raju, 2013). Nitrogen is a key nutrient in promoting the plant growth and determining the yield level of rice. Recovery of applied nitrogen in rice is very low owing to various losses. Optimization of applied nitrogen at critical growth stages, coinciding with the period of efficient utilization is essential to meet the nitrogen requirement of crop throughout the growing season (Pandey et al., 2002). Nitrogen management is an important aspect for obtaining good yield of rice. Optimum dose and schedule of fertilizer application is necessary to achieve higher yields, minimize lodging and damage from insect pests (DRR, 2013). Nutrition is the critical input in yield realization of rice under rainfed shallow lowland situation as availability of required nutrients is low-medium in red and lateritic areas of West Bengal.

504-507

Authors: P. ADHIKARY AND R. K. GHOSH

An important part of crop weed ecology is the weed seed bank as it is the most important source of annual weeds in cropping systems are establishing each year from seeds and therefore represents a significant point in the weed life cycle for control. Because of such germination-delaying factors as the dormancy-non dormancy continuum, seeds of annual species can persist in soil for years, resulting in a reservoir of viable seeds of various ages from which future generations develop (Albrechta and Auerswald, 2009). Understanding the dynamics of weed seed banks is an essential first step in improving weed management plans. By understanding how long seeds remain viable in the seed bank and how those seeds are related to the aboveground weed community, a producer could tailor weed management programs to increase efficiency and efficacy. A package of practice of crop cultivation is to manage weeds toward lowering their total numbers and the numbers of seeds deposited in the soil seed bank (Lamour and Lambertus, 2007). Management practices also alter distribution of weed seeds vertically within the soil profile (Buhler, 1995), which can affect loss of seeds from the seed bank by influencing seed germination, decay, and herbivory. Weed management practices such as hand weeding, mechanical weeding (wheel hoeing), herbicides use and inter row cultivation influencing weed seed density and distribution in the crop field.