Journal of Crop and Weed

1-12

Authors: S. K. SANYAL

Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring element in the earth’s crust and is found throughout the environment. Increased As concentration in groundwater is generally associated with geogenic sources (Nordstrom, 2002; Smedly and Kinniburgh, 2002; Chakraborti et al. 2010; Sanyal, 2013) and has positive interaction with soil minerals (Kima et al. 2012). Of late, groundwater contamination in the Bengal delta basin of the Indian sub-tropics and Bangladesh, bound by the rivers Ganga and Padma, is of great concern to the world since the latter affects the soil-plant-animal/ human systems.

19-24

Authors: A. M. PUSTE, T. K. MANDAL, S. K. GUNRI, T. S. DEVI1 AND B. R. PRAMANIK2

A field experiment was conducted at the university research farm during two consecutive summer seasons on the growth, yield and intercropping advantages of green gram (Vigna radiata Wilczek.) - sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under different moisture regimes in new alluvial zone of West Bengal. Experiment was laid out in split-plot design, viz. three levels of irrigation [I - no 0 irrigation, I - one irrigation at 30 DAS (days after sowing) and I - two irrigations at 30 and 50 DAS] as main plot and seven 1 2 cropping systems, comprised of sole and intercropping of inoculated (with Rhizobium) and uninoculated green gram with sesame sown in lines at 25 cm apart maintained at 2:2 and 3:3 row ratio [C - C ], considered as sub-plot treatments. Result reveals that 1 7 growth, yield attributes and yield of both the crops were influenced significantly by the levels of irrigation in most cases, and maximum seed yield of both green gram (0.836 t ha–1) and sesame (0.536 t ha–1) was exhibited with two irrigations applied at 30 and 50 DAS. Among the sole and intercropping systems, highest seed yield of sesame (0.673 t ha-1) and green gram (1.094 t ha–1) was obtained when these were sown as sole with Rhizobium inoculation of green gram. Moreover, highest and lowest grain yield was obtained from the combination of 3:3 row ratio of inoculated green gram (0.708 t ha–1) + sesame (0.478 t ha–1) and 2:2 uninoculated green gram (0.567 t ha–1) + sesame (0.411 t ha–1), respectively. Among the different intercropping systems, green gram with Rhizobium inoculation + sesame maintained in row arrangement of 3:3 ratio exhibited greater advantages of competitive functions of intercropping like aggresivity, ± 0.12; relative crowding coefficient, 5.22; land equivalent ratio, 1.36 and monetary advantages, INR 9,982 ha–1, respectively than those of other cropping systems.

37-41

Authors: A. SINGH, 2S. KUMAR, 1Y. V. SINGH AND A. BHATIA

A field experiment was conducted with rice-wheat cropping system at IARI, New Delhi for two Kharif (rainy) and Rabi (winter) seasons during 2006-08. The main plots comprised two tillage treatments viz. puddled and non-puddled in rice and conventional tillage and no-tillage in wheat. The sub-plots included seven fertilizer treatments including recommended doses of urea (120 kg N ha-1), urea + FYM, urea + green manure (GM), urea + municipal solid waste (MSW) compost. Results showed that the growth and yield of rice and wheat were higher under puddled/ conventional tillage condition compared to non-puddled/ no-tillage conditions. Application of organic matter with recommended dose of mineral fertilizer gave the higher plant growth, yield attributes, grain and straw yield compared to other treatments.

48-52

Authors: N. MISHRA, P. MAHAPATRA, S. MOHANTY1 AND M. PRADHAN1

An experiment was conducted successively during rabi season of 2011-12 and 2012-13 to assess the effects of lime, vermicompost, two levels of inorganic fertilizers and bio-fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of Snow pea (Pisum sativum L. var. macrocarpon) in the College of Agriculture, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar. The yield components and yield of snow pea were recorded highest in 100% NPK (RDF) + biofertilizer+ vermicompost+ lime (T ) followed 6 by 75% NPK + biofertilizer+vermicompost+lime (T ) and the least was in control. There was 8.88% yield increase in T over T . 9 6 9 Application of lime along with 100% NPK gave better result than without lime. The least growth and yield was noticed in control. Although yield characters showed marked superiority in plants applied with 100% RDF integrated with vermicompost and biofertilizers in presence of lime but reducing 25% RDF and integrating with vermicompost and biofertilizers in presence of lime enhanced the quality parameters like T.S.S. (10.48º Brix) and total sugar content of pod (4.36%). A net profit of Rs.72712.50 per hectare from the snow pea over an investment of Rs.83107.50 with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.87: 1 was obtained with 100% RDF along with biofertilizers and vermicompost in presence of lime.

56-60

Authors: A. S. SIDHU, R. KOONER AND A. VERMA

The field experiments were conducted at farmer’s fields at nine different locations in district Ludhiana and Rupnagar of central Punjab during kharif 2012. Puddled Transplanted Rice (PTR) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) production systems were compared in respect of weed infestation, grain yield and economics. The results revealed that plant height, panicle length, number of grains per panicle, number of empty grains per panicle and test weight of two systems was not significantly affected. Average Plant population/m2 was significantly more in DSR (24.0) than PTR (19.2). Number of effective tillers which are the major determinants of grain yield were significantly higher in puddled transplanted rice (272.9/m2) than direct seeded rice (263.3/ m2). Significantly higher grain yield (55.56 q/ha) was observed with Puddled Transplanted Rice (PTR) than Direct Seeded Rice (53.72 q/ha) when averaged over 9 locations. The population of weeds at 30 days after sowing was significantly more in DSR (24.3/m2) than PTR (13.8/m2). The average net returns under PTR (47.71 X 103 Rs/ha) were higher than DSR (47.08 X 103 Rs/ha) but benefit cost ratio was significantly more in DSR plots.

64-68

Authors: P. KUMARI, G. K. MATHANKER, B. SHARMA1 AND B. R. MAURYA

The organic sources FYM, sludge, poultry manure, fresh cow dung and leaves & twigs of Lantana camera have potential as soil amendments and can augment microbial population and enzyme activities. Sludge has the maximum capacity to increase population of fungi (21cfu×104 /g soil) and actinomycetes (30cfu×105/ g soil) both at 45 DAI followed by FYM. FYM exibits their potential to raise bacterial population (47 cfu×106 /g soil) at 45 DAI. Sludge follows FYM in regards to bacterial population. FYM elaborates maximum dehydrogenase activity (24ìg TPF g-1 soil day -1) at 45 DAI followed by fresh cow dung. Sludge induces maximum urease activities (364 ìg urea hydrolyzed g-1 soil h-1) at 45 DAI. So far as phosphatase activity is concerned, it shows maximum under poultry manure (49mmol p-nitrophenol g-1 soil h-1) at 30 DAI followed closely by fresh cow dung (48mmol p- nitrophenol g-1 soil h-1 also at 30 DAI).

73-76

Authors: B. P. SUDRIK, M. K. GHODKE, V. S. PATIL, S. K. CHAVAN1 AND N. B. KESALE

One hundred and ten accession of sunflower germplasm were characterized on the basis of qualitative trait and were evaluated for yield and yield components to study the variability for different quantitative traits. Highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were recorded for seed yield plant-1 (56.5% and 57.0%) and 100-seed weight (25.6% and 27.7%) respectively. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance over mean were recorded for seed yield plant-1 (98.1% and 115.3%) and number of leaves plant-1 (93.9%, 38.2%) followed by leaf lamina length, leaf lamina width, plant height, 100-seed weight, petiole length, and head diameter. Qualitative traits also showed wide variation among the accessions.

82-92

Authors: S. KUMAR, A. K. SINGH, 1R. DAS, 2S. DATTA AND 2K. ARYA

An experiment was carried out with twelve parental lines of okra viz. Larm -1, IC -282280, IC – 282337, IC -128891, IC -111527, EC – 329380, IC – 282279, VRO -5, IC – 329422, IC – 18537, Hisar Unnat and IC – 43132 along with 66 F hybrids based on half- 1 diallel cross excluding reciprocals to the study of combining ability of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] with respect to seventeen characters, at Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agriculture Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. This place is situated in South East part of Varanasi city at 25º15' North latitude and 83º03' East longitudes at an elevation of 129.23 m above the mean sea level. The area is characterized by humid subtropical climate with extreme hot weather in summer and cold in winter. The average annual rainfall is about 1110 mm. The major portion of precipitation (about 85 to 90%) is received during July to September. All parental lines and F combinations were grown in Randomized Block Design 1 (RBD) with three replications during rainy season, 2012. The mean square due to gca and sca were significant for all seventeen characters under study indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive genetic components for the characters under study. None of parents were good general combiner for all characters whereas, Hisar Unnat, IC- 128891 and VRO-5 showed significant gca for yield, earliness and different pod characters respectively, which signifies their suitability to be used for further breeding and crop improvement programme. Among the crosses, Larm -1 x IC -111527, IC - 282280 × IC -111527 and IC -282280 x EC – 329380 were most promising combinations for earliness and other desirable characters including yield per plant. The results indicated the importance of heterosis breeding for effective utilization of non-additive genetic variance in okra.

98-100

Authors: A. K. SAHOO, A. M. SONKAMBLE AND S. R. PATIL

An experimental study was performed to determine the effect of different pre-treatments on quality of banana powder. Basrai banana powder was prepared from mature unripe fruits collected from local market of Akola, Maharashtra. Different pretreatments like hot water treatment, potassium metabisulphite (0.5% and 1%) and combination of hot water and potassium metabisulphite treatment were imparted to banana slices before preparing powder. Physico chemical observations like moisture, pH, TSS, titrable acidity, ascorbic acid, reducing sugar, total sugar and non-reducing sugar of the powder were recorded and the data obtained was analyzed using FCRD design. The pre-treatment 1% potassium metabisulphite for 5 min showed best result in respect of different quality parameter.

107-110

Authors: DUSHYANT, S. MAJI, S. KUMAR, A. K. MAURYA AND K. R. MEENA

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) a perennial herb belonging to family Asteraceae is important for its leaves which are used as non caloric sweetner and also in many therapeutic applications including diabetes. The present investigation was carried out during 2012-13 to study the effect of organic nutrition on growth and yield of stevia cv. Meethi. Vermicompost (V.C) -250g, bone meal (B.M.)- 120g and neem cake (N.C.)- 100g were applied as sole and in combination. The experiment comprised ten treatments [T :Control; T : V.C. (100%); T :N.C. (100%); T :B.M. (100%); T :V.C.+N.C. 75:25); T :V.C.+N.C.(50:50); 0 1 2 3 4 5 T :N.C.+B.M.(75:25); T :V.C.+B.M.(50:50); T :V.C.+B.M (75:25); T :N.C.+B.M.(50:50)] each replicated thrice and followed 6 7 8 9 the randomized block design. The study revealed that organic manures were much more effective for Stevia when they were applied in combination rather than sole application. Under the study, combined application of vermicompost and bone meal at 75:25 ratio showed the maximum height of plant (49.99cm), highest number of suckers per plant (3.52), maximum number of leaves (89.87 plant-1) as well as maximum fresh (26.55g) and dry (7.52g) weight of leaves among the all treatments.

115-120

Authors: A. L. RANAWAKE AND U.G.S. AMARASINGHE

One hundred Sri Lankan traditional rice cultivars were evaluated in two consecutive seasons of 2011/2012 ‘Maha’ and 2012 ‘Yala’ seasons for yield and yield components. Analysis of data through ANOVA and mean separation using SAS statistical software reveals that in ‘Maha’ season, 73 cultivars recorded higher plant height, eight cultivars showed more, number of tillers plant-1, 43 cultivars had more number of fertile tillersplant-1 fertility percentage was more in twenty nine cultivars and yield per plant-1 was high for thirty five cultivars.Number of productive tillers per plant and fertility percentage remained unchanged for 36 and 60 cultivars respectively in two seasons. Forty four cultivars showed higher yield per plant-1 in Yala season than at Maha season while thirty two cultivars remained more or less same in their regards. According to DMRT groupings, all the parameters of cultivar Hondarawala, Karayal I, Dewaredderi, Kotathavalu II, Kokuvellai, Karayal III, Karabewa, Muthumanikam, Induru Karayal, Dik wee 328, Maha Murunga Badulla, Kaharamana and Jamis wee I changed significantly at two seasons. Among them cultivar Hondarawala, Kotathavalu II, Kokuvellai, Karayal III, Karabewa, Muthumanikam, Dik wee 328 and Jamis wee I increased all the parameters in ‘Maha’ season compared to those of in ‘Yala’ season. Interestingly, the days to maturity of these cultivars were around four months. The best rice cultivars can be selected based on the performances of them in ‘Yala’ and ‘Maha’ seasons.

126-129

Authors: U. S. WALIA, S. S. WALIA, A. S. SIDHU AND S. NAYYAR

Field experiments were conducted during kharif season of 2007 and 2008 at Research Farm of the Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and University Seed Farm (USF), Ladhowal to find out suitable varieties and most favorable sowing time for direct seeded rice under Punjab conditions. Experimental results revealed that grain yield of PR 115 variety was equivalent to PR 116 at PAU research Farm and to PAU 201 variety of rice at USF, Ladhowal. Maximum grain yield (60.53 q/ha) was obtained with recommended practice of puddling and transplanting 28 days old seedlings which was statistically at par with direct sowing of rice on the day of nursery sowing (55.01 q/ha) and direct sowing 7 days after nursery sowing (47.40 q/ha) at Research Farm, PAU, Ludhiana. At USF, Ladhowal highest grain yield was recorded with recommended puddled transplanting treatment (54.58 q/ha), which remained statistically at par with direct sowing of rice on the day of nursery sowing (53.45 q/ha) but was significantly superior to the yields obtained with other treatments.

134-138

Authors: K. BANERJEE, B. RAY PRAMANIK1 AND A. M. PUSTE2

A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive spring seasons of 2011 and 2012 at the Sugarcane Research Station, Bethuadahari (Nadia) to asses the various herbicidal weed control measures to enhance sugarcane yield, quality and weed control efficiency in West Bengal. The pooled data of both the years revealed that among the different weed control treatments, application of herbicide metribuzine @ 1.25 kg ai ha–1 (PE) + Almix 20 g ha-1 at 75 DAP exhibited the maximum control of weeds and effectively lowered the weed density, weed dry matter accumulation as well as obtained higher weed control efficiency. The highest brix (20.33%), sucrose (17.16%), CCS (11.59%), CCS (9.49 t ha–1) and cane yield (82.39 t ha–1) were recorded with this treatment also. However, this result was statistically at par with the treatment receiving hoeing and weeding at 30, 60 and 90 DAP (days after planting). The highest net return of INR 1,05,390.00 ha–1 and B : C ratio of 2.63 were recoded under the application of metribuzine @ 1.25 kg ai ha–1 (PE) + Almix @ 20 g ha–1 at 75 DAP, which was closely followed by those of three hoeing and weeding (net return of INR 99,519.00 ha–1 and B : C ratio of 2.49).

143-146

Authors: U. S NAYAK, 1K. BARAL, A. KHUNTIA AND L. K RATH

Activity of brinjal shoot and fruit borer (BSFB), Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee was studied from the pheromone trap catches during summer 2010 and 2011 in Keonjhar district of Odisha. The pest was first appeared during 3rd standard meteorological week (SMW) in both the years of investigation and then registered an upward trend with two distinct peaks during the month of March-April and May. The correlation studies between abiotic factors and pheromone trapped male population of BSFB revealed a significant positive correlation with temperature (maximum, minimum and average) and negative correlation with relative humidity (both morning and afternoon). Rainfall did not influence the trap catch significantly. The extent of variation in trapped adult population male population due to the multiple interactions of abiotic factors was 82.4 % during 2010 and 56.3 % during 2011; among the abiotic factors, temperatures and relative humidity had key role in adult population fluctuation.

152-156

Authors: P. KUMAR1 AND M. K. SINGH

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of two agri-horti systems and weed management practices on density and biomass of different weeds in mungbean in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Custard apple agri-horti system recorded higher density and biomass grasses, sedges and broad leaved weeds. Weed management treatments significantly affected growth and biomass of grasses, sedges and broad leaved weeds. One hand weeding (20 DAS) recorded significantly lowest grasses, sedges and broad leaved weeds followed by imazethapyr at 125 g.ha1 and pendimethalin at 1000 g.ha1, however significantly maximum grasses, sedges and broad leaved weeds were recorded under weedy check.

167-171

Authors: K. K. PANIGRAHI, K. K. SARKAR1 AND A. KONAR2

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) belongs to the Solanaceae family of flowering plants. It originated and was first domesticated in the Andes Mountains of South America (Birhman and Kaul ,1989). In the present scenario of demographic shifts and climate change, quantum increase of production for resourcepoor populations is an urgent priority. Farmers, especially those in developing countries like India needs to produce profitable and healthy crops and at the same time reduce their dependence on costly harmful pesticides. In West Bengal potato is one of the leading crop. So it is important to obtain best quality potato genotypes under West Bengal condition to increase yield per unit area. The present investigation was conducted for evaluation of potato genotypes showing excellence with respect to some visually observable morphological characters and biometrical characters concerned with yield. There were some easily observable morphological variations present within the genotypes with respect to stem pigmentation and tuber character for identification of desirable genotypes with markers characters, which may provide useful guidance in effective selection in the course of breeding works.

172-174

Authors: D. THAWAIT, S. KAR AND A. K. PATEL

Rice is life to a majority of people in Asia. The cultivation of rice represents both a way of life and a means to livelihood. India is second largest producer after china and has an area of over 42.2 million hectares and production of 104.32 million tonnes with productivity of 2372 kg ha-1. (Anon. 2012). It is accounts for about 42 per cent of total food grain production and 55 per cent of cereal production in the country. The major portion of rice area is devoted to the coarse and medium slender rice varieties. However, very less area (³ 20% of the total rice area) has been given to the fine and scented rice. Rice quality is the major factor from consumer as well as marketing point of view. Aromatic rice which has stronger aroma and good quality than ordinary rice has more demand in different countries of the world (Bajpai and Singh, 2010). In India, supply of fine and fine scented rice is very less; therefore its market is comparatively high. Most of the fine and fine scented traditional varieties are tall, low productive, low input responsive, long duration and susceptible towards the insect, pest and diseases. Due to this, farmers are unable to make their cultivation a profitable enterprise in this region. It is therefore important to achieve high yield with good quality from scented rice varieties through proper agronomic manipulation. The main objective of this experiment is to improve the yield of scented rice by manipulation of planting spacing and number of seedlings per hill.

182-185

Authors: J. LENKA AND P. C. LENKA

Banana (Musa spp.) is one of the important fruit crop of the tropics. The fruits are rich source of carbohydrate and energy. It is grown over 130 countries across the world in an area of 10.1mha and producing 121.85 mt of banana. India is the largest producer of banana contributing 27% of world production (FAO, 2009). In India total area under banana cultivation is 0.796 mha with production of 28.4 mt & productivity is 35.7 mt ha-1. In Orissa total area under banana cultivation is 27486ha with production is around 0.429 mt and productivity is 19.88 mt/ha-1 (Anon, 2012). The consumption pattern of banana is increasing day by day due to its nutritional value and high economic return. Higher productivity in banana is possible through quality planting material, proper nutritional management and other cultural practices.

189-192

Authors: R. K. MATHUKIA, R. P. CHOUDHARY, A. SHIVRAN AND N. BHOSALE

Specialty corns (viz., sweet corn, pop corn, baby corn, high-oil corn etc.) assume tremendous market potential not only in India but also in the international market. These specialty corns with their high market value are perfectly suitable to peri-urban agriculture. Thus they promise higher income to maize growers. Out of the various specialty corns, sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata Sturt) has a big market potential. It is a hybridized variety of maize specifically bred to increase the sugar content( Anand et al., 2013).