Journal of Crop and Weed

5-9

Authors: A. GHOSH, V. J. SINGH, G. SRIHIMA, 1P. SAHOO AND S. K. CHAKRABORTI

An investigation was carried out to study the effects of application of gypsum and lime (lime sludge) to seed crop of groundnut variety TAG-24 on seed yield parameters. The study consisted of 12 treatment combination T as control, T NPK+ Gypsum @ 50 1 2 kg ha-1 (100% basal), T NPK+ Gypsum @100 kg ha-1 (100% basal), T NPK + Gypsum @150 kg ha-1 (100% basal), T NPK+ 3 4 5 Gypsum @ 50 kg ha-1 (50 % basal + 50 % top dressing), T NPK + Gypsum @ 100 kg ha-1 (50 % basal + 50 % top dressing), T 6 7 NPK + Gypsum @ 150kg ha-1 (50 % basal + 50 % top dressing), T NPK + Gypsum @ 50 kg ha-1 (75% basal + 25 top dressing), T 8 9 NPK + Gypsum @ 100 kg ha-1 (75% basal + 25 % top dressing), T NPK + Gypsum @ 150 kg ha-1 (75% basal + 25 % top 10 dressing), T NPK + Lime @ 100% LR (basal) and T NPK + Lime @ 20% LR (basal) + Gypsum 50 kg ha-1 (100% top dressing). 11 12 The crop was evaluated in term of Plant height, Number of branches, Days of first flowering, Harvesting maturity, number of pegs/plant, Number of effective pegs, Number of matured pods, Number of immature pods, pod weight, Shelling percentage, Number of seed/ pod, Weight of 100 seed (g), Pod yield/ plant (g), Pod yield/ha and Number of seed/kg. Result of the investigation revealed that the plant height, number of pods per plants, 100-pod weight, pod yield per plant, shelling percentage and 100-seed weight were significantly increased in T and T respectively.

14-18

Authors: A. K. MAITI AND S. KUNDU

Water chestnut (Trapa natans) is one of the most important and popular minor aquatic fruit crops grown in India. It is mainly grown in the tropical and sub-tropical regions as submersed plant community. It is also grown in the soft nutrient freshwater wetlands, lakes, ponds and streams. In India, it is most commonly used as edible nuts. The kernel of water chestnut contains a large amount of protein (up to 20%), starch (52%), tannins (9.4%), fat (up to 1%), sugar (3%), minerals, etc. It is most popular and aquatic fruit crop and can easily be grown in neglected and marshy areas, where the other fruit plants cannot be grown successfully. But because of faulty marketing system, the production and technological improvement has not gain momentum. Its marketing system is not organized. Nadia and 24-Parganas (North) are two districts where water chestnut is cultivated in a large scale and the study is restricted to 24-Parganas (North) district of West Bengal and data relates to the agricultural year 2011-12. The study is mainly focused on to identify the marketing channels involved in the marketing of water chestnut and to analyse the price spread of water chestnut and marketing efficiency. Farmer – Secondary Wholesaler – Retailer – Consumer is found to be more dominant as 38% of the produce of the sample area are enrooted through this channel. In Barrackpur-1block, channel-I is found to be most efficient channel (marketing efficiency-1.92) and in Rajarhat-1 block, channel-III is most efficient channel (marketing efficiency-2.01). Efficiency of marketing channels varies from block to block. Profits reaped by the traders determine the efficiency of the marketing channel.

28-33

Authors: A. SINGH, P. K. JAIN, H. L. SHARMA AND Y. SINGH

An experiment was conducted to assess the different date of planting viz; September 15 (D1), September 30 (D2) and October 15 (D3) and different sources of organic and inorganic fertilizers. The result revealed that the growth parameters and yield attributing traits were significantly influenced by different planting dates and sources of nutrients. Planting on September 15 (D1) recorded the highest plant height (254.95 cm),number of leaves per plant (33.47), fruits per plant (80.39), fruit length (6.75 cm), fruit girth (5.53 cm), mean fruit weight (124.26 g), yield per plant (10.39 kg),yield per plot (42.44 kg) and TSS (5.55 ºB) content over later date of planting. The plants treated with 50% RDF +10 t ha FYM + 5 t ha poultry manure + biofertilizer showed maximum number of leaves per plant (36.88), fruits per plant (74.69), fruit length (6.85 cm), mean fruit weight (134.33 g), yield per plant (10.77 kg), yield per plot (38.90 kg) and ascorbic acid content (40.02 mg/100g) over treatment having 100% RDF alone. Among interaction the plants planted on 15th September along with 50% RDF +10 t haFYM + 5 t haPoultry manure + biofertilizer resulted better yield and quality traits

38-43

Authors: A. SARKAR

A study was undertaken with eight maize hybrids in three different environments, characterized by having different moisture regime with different irrigation scheduling, in the experimental farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya located under terai region of West Bengal to assess the extent of genetic variability of the different hybrids and to analyse the stability performance for yield and other yield related traits. There existed substantial variation in the mean performance of all the genotypes over environments for most of the characters and for yield r under moisture regime-1 was the rich environment and the two other were poor . But for plant height, number of tassel branches, ears per plant and width of ear the g x e (linear) and pooled deviation were both significant indicating differential performance of genotypes under diverse moisture regimes environments and with varying reaction norms and they were positively and significantly correlated with the yield. Hence selection may be made for related traits under poor environments (stress) and then for yield under rich environments and under optimum conditions with emphasis on the related traits. The hybrids Deccan and 900-M-Gold had the negative phenotypic stability with high deviation from linearity while the hybrid KMH-3712 showed negative deviations from linearity with a low but positive phenotypic stability for grain yield. Ganga Safed and Pinnacle could be recommended for the rich environments as better yielding ones but none of the hybrids were found to be stable over all the environments. That moisture regime during crop growth is an important factor is thus found to be an important factor in this region for the studied genotypes as found in similar such studies.

51-61

Authors: S. MUKHARJEE, 1D. C. PRADHAN, 2S. HALDAR, 3S. K. M. RAHAMAN AND 4SOWMYASHREE B. V.

An investigation was carried out to study the Impact of micro-finance on SHG members in Burdwan district in West Bengal during 2011-12. A sample of 60 SHGs members were chosen from two villages viz. Gopal Nagar (village-1) nearer to block head quarter and the Rosui Khondo (village-2) farthest from the block head through SRSWOR method. The microfinance through SHGs helped the members in capital formation activities in livestock and poultry raring, agriculture, irrigation structure, educating their children’s, etc. The on farm employment generating has been escalated while, women participation in income generation activities are greatest impact. On an average, the SHGs members’ households earned Rs. 39327 and Rs. 26683 respectively in village-1 and village-2. The t statistics of average total income showed that members in village-1 could generate significantly higher income than village-2 as they could access the district head quarter very frequently. The Kendall’s W test showed that members from both the villages unanimously accepted that the benefits from micro-credit (SHG model) and were highly satisfied.

67-70

Authors: S. PAL AND 1D. MAZUMDAR

Groundnut is one of the major sources of edible oil in India. Around one-fourth of country’s total edible oil is produced from groundnut. This paper deals with a critical study of groundnut production of India with a non-linear approach. Different nonlinear growth models viz. Monomolecular, Logistic and Gompertz models have been employed for modeling of India’s total groundnut production during the period 1950-51 to 2011-12. The parameters of these models were estimated using Gauss- Newton algorithm. It was observed that Monomolecular and Logistic models performed better followed by Gompertz for this dataset based on various goodness of fit criteria viz. Coefficient of determination (R2), Mean absolute error (MAE), Root mean square Error (RMSE) and Mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Finally, India’s total groundnut production for 2014-15 to 2019-20 has been forecasted by using the Monomolecular and Logistic models.

80-85

Authors: N. K. TUDU, K. K. GOSWAMI AND 1N. GHOSH

The present work was done in two blocks viz., Haringhata and Hanshkhali blocks of Nadia district of West Bengal during January, 2011 to December, 2013 where “Front Line Demonstration on Black Bengal goats” of Nadia KVK, BCKV is being initiated for study on Black Bengal goat farming: an important component for integrated farming system. The goat farming is much popular amongst the ST (48.5%), followed by SC (29.5%) and General Caste (18.5%), whereas only 4.5% of goat farmers belong to OBC. 8.5% farm women keeping buck was able to earn on an average Rs. 3960.00 per year through servicing the does @ Rs. 20.00 per service. Total distribution of types of birth of Black Bengal goats were 35.82% singlet, 47.59% twins and 16.57% triplets in 1st year, 30.63% singlet, 58.38 twins and 10.98% triplets in 2nd year and 40.41% singlet, 54.58% twins and 5% triplets in 3rd year. The body weight was statistically significant (pd” 0.05) between the male and female at birth, 3 month, 6 month, 9 month and 12 months age of Black Bengal goats. Male goats were significantly (pd” 0.05) heavier than their female counterparts at all the age groups of Black Bengal goats studied viz., at birth and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age and also in all types of birth viz., singlet, twins and triplets.

90-94

Authors: N. HARI SATYANARAYANA, 1S. MUKHERJEE, 2S. ROY, BHANU PRIYA, K. K. SARKAR AND 1P. BANDHOPADHYAY

Sixty genotypes of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were evaluated for fibre yield and its contributing characters during Kharif, 2013 for eleven characters and genotypes were grouped into seven clusters. Grouping of genotypes into different clusters was not related to their geographic origin. The genotypes from different geographic locations were grouped into one cluster while genotypes of the same geographic origin showed genetic diversity. Cluster I was the largest containing 34 genotypes followed by Cluster II (fifteen), Cluster III (four), Cluster IV, V and VI with two genotypes each and mono-genotype Cluster VII. The highest inter cluster distance was observed between Cluster VI and VII followed by Cluster VI and IV and Cluster VI and I. Fibre yield per plant (42.54%) followed by dry stick weight per plant (22.48%) and petiole length (9.21%) have contributed maximum percent of contribution towards divergence. Cluster VII which consists of a single genotype has high cluster mean values for most of the characters while Cluster VI has lowest cluster mean values for most of the characters. Based on per se performance of genetic diversity and cluster means, genotypes belonging to Cluster I, IV, VI and VII may be chosen for crossing programme for roselle crop improvement.

106-112

Authors: A. M. PUSTE, 1B. RAY PRAMANIK, K. JANA, S. ROY AND 2T. SUNANDA DEVI

Field study was undertaken at the University Research Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal, India (23.5ºN, 89ºE and 9.75 m above MSL) during two consecutive summer seasons (pre-kharif) to study the effect of irrigation on the basis of soil moisture tension (SMT) and sulphur fertilization on growth, yield, consumptive use (CU) and water use efficiency (WUE) of sesame var. Rama and also to optimize the sulphur application to sesame under New Alluvial zone of West Bengal. The experiment was planned in a split-plot design keeping four levels of irrigation on the basis of SMT [I - without 0 irrigation or control, I - irrigated at 0.35 atm (atmospheric tension), I - irrigated at 0.55 atm and I - irrigated at 0.75 atm) as 1 2 3 main plot and four levels of sulphur (S - without sulphur or control, S - 20, S - 40 and S - 80 kg S ha–1] as sub plot treatments, 0 1 2 3 respectively. The experimental results revealed that vegetative growth and yield attributing characteristics of sesame were significantly influenced with irrigation at different SMT and sulphur fertilization. Among different levels of SMT, higher vegetative growth (plant height, number of branches per plant and dry matter production) were observed with irrigation at 0.35 atm. tension but maximum yield components (no. of capsules plant-1, no. of seeds capsule-1 and 1000 seed weight), seed yield, oil content and oil yield were exhibited with irrigation applied at 0.55 atm. tension. Higher values of growth characters, yield components and ultimately seed and oil yields of sesame were obtained with 40 kg S ha-1. Maximum oil content was recorded with 60 kg S ha-1, though it did not differ significantly with the former one. CU was maximum (282.50 mm) when irrigation was done maintaining at 0.35 atm. tension and it was decreased with increase in SMT level. WUE was the highest (4.16 kg ha-1 mm-1 of water use) when irrigation was given at 0.55 atm. tension. For seed yield, the response of per kg of sulphur application was found to be quadratic in nature and maximum response (7.06 kg seeds per kg of S application) at the sulphur level of 20 kg ha-1 and decreased with the increase in S level but the optimum level was found at 29.89 kg ha-1. From the study it may be concluded that irrigation at 0.55 atm. tension along with 40 kg level of S ha-1 gave the higher economic return than that of other treatments because of the favourable effect of these treatments on the growth and yield attributes and other parameters of sesame in the new alluvial zone of West Bengal.

118-123

Authors: G. SATYANARAYANA REDDY AND P. BANDYOPADHYAY

Field experiment was conducted using split-plot design during boro season of 2012-13 and 2013-14, to study the influence of different irrigation scheduling and weed management practices on growth, yield and water use efficiency of lowland transplanted rice. The experimental results revealed that among the irrigation regimes, continuous submergence of 5±2 (I1) gave the significantly higher growth and yield attributing characters resulted in maximum grain yield 6471 kg ha-1 with low water use efficiency 5.0 kg ha-1 mm-1 (pooled of 2 yrs). Continuous saturation treatment (I5) gives just 7.82% less grain yield with high water use efficiency 13.7 kg ha-1 mm-1 (pooled of 2 yrs) than the I1 treatment. Whereas among the weed management practices, weed-free check followed by W3-Pretilachlor 50% EC on 1 DAT + hand weeding on 40 DAT, W5-Hand weeding twice on 20 and 40 DAT and W4-Bispyribac sodium 10% SC on 20 DAT + hand weeding on 40 DAT gave significantly higher growth, yield attributing characters and yield with high water use efficiency.

127-133

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

Arecanut is one of the important cash crop in India by virtue of its own merits. Any enterprise which has got potentiality for employment of human resources and which can contribute in Indian economy through substantial foreign exchanges is of much importance. Keeping in mind the resource limitation scenario vis-à-vis judicious utilization of resource, in this study, an attempt has been made to identify not only the best cropping system but also the best farming system for arecanut growers in Thirthahalli, Karnataka, India. Analysis of primary information’s from 48 arecanut growers reveals that by a large arecanut based cropping system could be grouped into sole arecanut, arecanut – banana, arecanut - coco and arecanut – spices groups. Among this arecanut – spices cropping system has better monetary advantage over the others. Moreover, among the arecanut – spices combination, arecanut – pepper by far is the best one. Discriminant analysis identifies the importance of different parameters like area, labour cost, fertilizer cost etc. are the major contributing parameters in differentiating the farmers among the groups. The probability of correct classification which as high as 0.85. Among the arecanut based farming system, inclusion of poultry enterprise has raised benefit cost ratio from 2.20 (sole arecanut) to 2.72. From the study it also appears that arecanut – pepper - poultry may be good options in augmenting farm income of the arecanut growers.

139-141

Authors: A. K. PAL, K. DEBBARMA AND D. JANA

To study the methods of bulb production of tuberose cv. Prajwal, an experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Research Farm, Mondouri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya during the year 2009 – 2011 with five bulb size of tuberose - Whole bulb, ½ bulb, 1/4th bulb, 1/6th bulb and 1/8th bulb. Each bulb size (treatment) was replicated four times in Randomized Block Design. Planting was done in April 2009, at a spacing of 30 cm X 30 cm. Highest number of bulbs per clump (large, medium and small) per plot was recorded in whole bulb (4.22, 9 and 30.33 nos.) followed by ½ bulb (3.44, 6.77 and 15.33 nos.) and maximum weight of bulbs per clump (large, medium, small) was produced by whole bulb (192.44, 95.33, 55.55) followed by ½ bulb (185.22, 92.50, 34.99). The maximum (Size) diameter of bulbs per clump(large, medium and small) was produced by whole bulb (4.32cm, 1.86 cm, 0.92 cm) followed by ½ bulb (4.27 cm, 1.64 cm, 0.92 cm). Dry matter percentage of bulb was highest in whole bulb (35.72%) followed by ½ bulb (35.51%). The interpretation of the analyzed data reveals that whole bulb and ½ bulb performed comparatively better than other bulb sizes in respect to good quality bulb production. Therefore along with the whole bulbs farmers can use the ½ bulb size with a portion of the disc plate intact for propagation and bulb production of Prajwal under the Gangetic plains of West Bengal.

146-148

Authors: K. C. GUPTA AND R. SAXENA

Field experiments was conducted for three consecutive kharif seasons of 2011, 2012 and 2013 at Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur to study the effect of resource management in cowpea for yield maximization under rainfed conditions. Results of three years pooled data revealed that foliar application of urea either @ 1% or @ 2% and mulching @ 3 t ha-1 at 25-30 DAS of crop significantly increased yield attributes (pods plant-1, seeds pod-1 and seed index) and seed yield of cowpea. Foliar application of 2% urea recorded maximum values of yield attributes, seed yield, net returns ( ha-1) and B:C ratio. The significant increase in pods plant-1, seeds pod-1 and seed index due to foliar application of 2% urea were 7.64 and 16.34, 4.38 and 9.30 and 5.23 and 6.23 per cent respectively over normal planting and control. Further, the maximum value of pooled grain yield (9.26 q ha-1), net returns ( 21892 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.77) were recorded under foliar application of 2 % urea while the least were observed under control (5.47 q ha-1, 9299 ha-1 and 0.85).

161-166

Authors: R. K. SINGH, S. K. VERMA*, S. K. PRASAD AND 1S. B. SINGH

An experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2008-09 and 2009-10 at the Research Farm of Department of Agronomy, BHU, Varanasi. The experimental field was infested with Rumex dentatus, Chenopodium album, Melilotus spp and Lathyrus aphaca among broad leaf weed during both years of study. Post emergence application of metsulfuron-methyl 20% WG@ 4 g ha-1 + 0.2% surfactant significantly reduced broad leaf weed population and total weed dry weight with highest wheat yield over other herbicidal treatments during both years. There was no phytotoxicity symptoms on crops. Weed control efficiency and harvest index was higher under metsulfuron-methyl 20% WG, 5 g ha-1 + 0.2% surfactant during both the years. The evaluation of weed dry weight and weed control efficiency of the different treatments and the regression of yield on it revealed that reduction in grain yield could be 8.05 kg ha-1 for weed dry weight and 1% increase in the weed control efficiency increased the grain yield by 13.27 kg ha-1, respectively.

171-174

Authors: SUDHAVANI V., VIJI C. P., LAVANYA A. AND SYAMSUNDAR REDDY P.

Isothiocyanate is a crucifer specific volatile which plays an important role in plant defence as attractants and deterrents. Field Experiment was conducted at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari (Dist.) during the period from October, 2010 to January, 2011 to study the effect of sowing dates (1st October, 15th October, 1st November and 15th November) and spacings (45 x 10 cm, 45 x 20 cm and 45 x 30 cm) on the level of isothiocyanate content, its influence on the pest population and root yield of radish cv. Pusa Chetki. The study revealed that population of Lipaphis erysimi appeared in 3rd or 4th week after sowing (WAS) and increased with crop maturity. Highest aphid population was recorded in 8 WAS (16.2 aphids leaf-1) in closely planted late sown crop. Isothiocyanate concentration increased with delay in sowing and decreased with increase in spacing. Highest isothiocyanate concentration was recorded in closely spaced late sown crop (20.00 mg–100g). Highest yield was recorded in D S (closely spaced crop and 1st October sowing) (13.88 t ha-1) which had high isothiocyanate content (12.50 mg 1 1 g-100) and harboured more aphids. Even though aphid population is more in closer spacing, root yield of radish was high since more number of plants was recorded per unit area.

179-182

Authors: S. BARLA, R. R. UPASANI AND A. N. PURAN

A field experiment was conducted at Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi during kharif season of 2012 and 2013 to study the efficacy of different weed control methods on weed dynamics and productivity of turmeric. The treatments comprised of integrated application of herbicides along with hoeing and straw mulch including weed free and weedy control. The results of pooled data revealed that application of metribuzin 0.7 kg ha-1 fb. by two hoeing being similar to weed free recorded reduced grassy and sedges weed at 30 DAP whereas, application of pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 fb. two hoeing and application of pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 fb. straw mulch 10 t ha-1 fb. one hand weeding were similar with weed free at 60 DAP. Application of pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 fb. two hoeing similar to weed free recorded reduced total weed density and weed dry matter accumulation at 30 and 60 DAS. Application of metribuzin 0.7 kg ha-1 fb. by two hoeing recorded maximum yield (24.66 t ha-1) consequently higher gross return (616519 RS. ha-1) similar to metribuzin 0.7 kg ha-1 fb. straw mulch 10 t ha-1 fb. one HW, pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 fb. two hoeing, pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 fb. straw mulch 10 t ha-1 fb. one HW, atrazine 0.75 kg ha-1 fb. straw mulch 10 t ha-1 fb. one HW. Application of metribuzin 0.7 kg ha-1 fb. by two hoeing recorded 44.89 % and 134.86% higher yield than weed free and weedy check, respectively. Significantly maximum net return (504319 RS. ha-1) and B:C ratio (4.45) was recorded with application of Metribuzin 0.7 kg ha-1 fb. by two hoeing.

186-192

Authors: J. TALUKDAR, A. K. SAIKIA AND 1P. BORAH

Bhut Jolokia (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) a chilli pepper formerly recognized as the worlds’s hottest chilli by Guinness book of World Records (Bosland and Baral, 2007). It is extensively grown in North Eastern region of India, predominantly in the states of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. Field surveys were carried out in Bhut Jolokia growing district of Assam (Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat). Among the diseases 10 per cent showed fungal infection, 3 per cent showed bacterial infection and 60 per cent showed viral infection. Five fungal diseases on Bhut Jolokia, Anthacnose / Fruit rot caused by Colletotrichum capsici, Die- back caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporoides, Stem rot and wilt caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Collar Rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani, leaf spot caused by Corynespora cassicola were identified. Bacterial wilt disease caused by R. solanacearum was observed on Bhut Jolokia at later stages of crop growth. The average virus disease incidence after 15-20 days after transplanting in the farmers field ranged from 8 to 78%. Four different viruses were identified based on symptomatology, transmission, host range and serological assays. These diseases were identified as Mosaic caused by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Potato virus Y (PVY), Leaf and Stem necrosis disease caused by Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) and leaf curl disease caused by Chilli leaf curl virus (ChLCV). CMV, PVY and TSWV were easily transmitted by grafting and by sap inoculation to Bhut Jolokia . However, ChLCV is transmitted by grafting. Sap inoculation failed to produce any symptom. The presence of PVY, CMV and TSWV were confirmed using DAS-ELISA. The highest incidence of PVY (87.50 per cent) followed by CMV (75.00 per cent) and TSWV (62.50 per cent) were recorded in Golaghat district. Lowest infection was recorded at Sivasagar district for all the four viruses. However ChLCV incidence was low in the surveyed field.

198-200

Authors: Y. Y. JAMI, A. SARKAR AND C. S. MAITI

Evaluation of strawberry cultivars in the foothills of Nagaland was carried out at Horticultural Experimental Farm, SASRD, Nagaland University. Ten strawberry cultivars viz. Ofra, Fairfox, Elista, Blackmore, Doglas, Sasta, Shimla Delicious, Belrubi, Chandler and Sweet Charlie were planted early October during 2009-10 to study the performance of growth, flowering, fruiting, yield and quality attributes of fruits under shade net (50%) house. The variety Sweet Charlie showed the maximum number of flowers (35.07) and fruit set (33.73) per plant which was followed by Chandler with 34.80 and 32.93 respectively. The maximum fruit weight (7.77g) and yield (262.00g per plant) were recorded with the variety Sweet Charlie followed by Ofra with 6.97g and 207.37g and Chandler with 6.14g and 202.18g per plant respectively. The highest TSS (13.700B) content of fruit was obtained in Sweet Charlie followed by Ofra (13.620B) and Belrubi (13.000B). And the highest total sugar (7.37%), ascorbic acid (97.03mg/100g juice) and the lowest acidity (0.86%) was found in cv. Ofra under standard cultivation practices.

205-209

Authors: K. C. BHUTIA, S. BHANDARI, R. CHATTERJEE, S. O. BHUTIA AND N. GURUNG

Black cumin (Nigella sativa) is an annual flowering plant, native to Iran and other parts of South West Asia, belonging to the family Ranunculaceae. It is a promising aromatic and medicinal herb found in dry temperate regions and has recently domesticated from its wild habitat. Micronutrients may play an important role, as cofactor, in activation of several enzymes such as those involved in photosynthesis. This would reflect increasing the accumulation of carbohydrates in cells. The present investigation has been carried out at HRS. Mondouri, BCKV, during 2013-2014, to find out the effect of integrated micronutrient spray on yield of black cumin. Four micronutrients namely iron, copper, zinc and boron were included in this investigation. Iron in the form of ferrous sulphate (FeSO , 7H O) @ 0.5%; copper in the form of copper sulphate (CuSO ,7H O) @ 0.2%; zinc in the 4 2 4 2 form of zinc sulphate (ZnSO , 7H O) @ 0.5%; and boron in the form of borax (Na B O ) @ 0.2%. Combination of four 4 2 2 4 7 micronutrients also included. They applied as foliar spray either once or twice. There were altogether 11 treatments including control (water spray). First and second spraying were done at 45 and 60 days after sowing. All experimental plots received a uniform dose of FYM @ 20 tonnes ha-1, 40 kg N, 40 kg P O and 45 kg K Oin the form of urea, single super phosphate and muriate 2 5 2 of potash. FYM and full dose of dose of fertilizer were applied as basal. The observations were recorded on five randomly selected plants from each plot on different growth and yield parameters. The observations regarding the plant height was recorded at 75 and 105 days after sowing (DAS). The number of primary and secondary branches was recorded at 75 DAS. Yield per hectare was calculated on plot yield basis after deducting 20% area utilized for channel, ridges etc. Data recorded on different parameters of black cumin were analyzed statistically to express the result. Among different treatments the double spray of borax 0.2% recorded maximum plant height (90.73 cm) at 105 days after sowing, maximum number of secondary branches (27.61) at 75 DAS and 1000 seed weight (3.02 g) as compared to 76.72 cm, 20.86 and 2.36 g under control. Double spray of ferrous sulphate produced maximum number of primary branches (7.20) against 6.45 number of branch under control. The plants under double spray of zinc sulphate 0.5% caused higher nodal length (7.53 cm) as compared to (5.53 cm) nodal length under control. The single spray of zinc sulphate 0.5% recorded maximum plot yield (171.09 g) and projected yield (760.44 kg ha-1) as compared to plot yield (141.93 g and 630.81 kg). The next best treatment in respect of projected yield was double spray of ferrous sulphate 0.5% and double spray of borax 0.2%.From yield maximization point of view the most effective treatment was zinc sulphate @ 0.5% as single spray followed by ferrous sulphate @ 0.5% as compared to double spray and borax @ 0.2% as single spray under alluvial plains of West Bengal for black cumin production.

217-219

Authors: L. TRIPATHY, S.K DASH, D.K DASH. AND S. MURMU

An experiment was conducted during 2011-12 and 2012-13 at All India Coordinated Research Project on Floriculture at Chiplima, Sambalpur, Odisha. Ten treatments with four pre-emergence chemicals in different concentrations were administered to spray chrysanthemum cultivar “Flirt” in three replications per treatment The data collected was pooled over for two years .The result depicted that the treatments varied significantly with respect to weed count per square meter, fresh weight of weeds and dry weight of weeds. Pendimethalin 1.00 kg a.i.ha-1was found to be most effective in controlling weed growth as compared to other treatments and Pendimethalin – 0.75 kg a.i.ha-1was at par with Pendimethalin 1.00 kg a.i.ha-1.The growth parameters like plant height, plant spread, number of sprays per plant, weight of flowers per plant, number of flowers per plant did not vary significantly with the treatments which suggest that the chemicals have no effect on the plants and can be used for controlling weeds in spray chrysanthemum.

224-227

Authors: K. CHARAN TEJA, B. DUARY AND M. K. BHOWMIK

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif (wet) season of 2013 at farmer's field of village Benuria, Sriniketan, Birbhum, West Bengal with rice variety 'Swarna' (MTU 7029) to study the effect of bensulfuron-methyl + pretilachlor and other herbicides on weed growth and productivity of wet season transplanted rice. The experiment comprising of twelve treatments was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. From the experimental findings it revealed that rice was infested with the three categories of weeds viz. grassy, broadleaved and sedges. Cynodon dactylon, among the grasses; Fimbristylis miliacea, among the sedges and Ludwigia parviflora, among the broadleaved weeds were predominant throughout the cropping period. The experimental field was dominated by broadleaved weeds. Among the herbicides application of bensulfuron-methyl 0.6%+ pretilachlor 6% at 60+600 g ha-1 at 3 DAT registered the lower number as well as dry weight of grassy, broadleaved, sedge and total weeds at 45 DAT but it was at par with bensulfuron-methyl 0.6%+ pretilachlor 6% at 90 + 900 and 120 +1200 g ha-1 at 3 DAT. Metsulfuron methyl + chlorimuron-ethyl (Almix) + azimsulfuron at 4+35 g ha-1 at 15 DAT was also quite effective in controlling broad spectrum weeds. Lower values of weed density, total weed dry weight and weed index, higher values yield attributes and yield of rice, weed control efficiency, net return as well as return per rupee invested were registered with application of bensulfuron-methyl 0.6%+ pretilachlor 6% at 60 + 600 g ha-1 at 3 DAT and metsulfuron methyl + chlorimuron- ethyl (Almix) + azimsulfuron at 4+35 g ha-1 at 15 DAT. The loss of grain yield of rice due to weed infestation was to the tune of 40%. Application of bensulfuron-methyl 0.6%+ pretilachlor 6% at 60+600 g ha-1 at 3 DAT or metsulfuron methyl + chlorimuron- ethyl (Almix) + azimsulfuron at 4 + 35 g ha-1 at 15 DAT appeared to be the most promising for managing weeds, obtaining higher yield and net return of transplanted kharif (wet) rice in the lateritic belt of West Bengal.