PUMMY KUMARI, D. S. PHOGAT, SATPAL, N. KHAROR AND SURENDER KUMAR PAHUJA
Forage Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
(e-mail: pummy.hau@gmail.com)
(Received : 2 June 2023; Accepted : 28 June 2023)

SUMMARY

Unfavourable weather conditions like extreme of temperature heat or cold, drought, salinity etc. hinder the growth and development of the plants. These abiotic stresses cause huge productivity losses and are of main concern for the agricultural scientists to meet the challenges of global food security and nutritional requirements. Since the time of the green revolution, the scientists have
been working on engineering plant mechanisms to overcome the abiotic stresses in cereals, pulses and oil seed crops to increase productivity but now it is high time to think about improvement of fodder crops. If we want to improve animal health and in turn human nutrition and health, we must use advanced genomic tools for forage crop improvement. Forage sorghum is a leading forage crop in India and improving forage sorghum for stress tolerance, forage yield and quality has great implications for farmers with small land holding. In this review paper, main focus is on forage sorghum biodiversity, its importance as forage crop, effect of climate on its morphological and quality attributes and use of advance techniques like genomics, transcript-omics, proteomics, metabolomics, and phenomics for development of better cultivars of forage sorghum. There is ample scope for improvement of forage yield and quality of sorghum.

Key words: Forage sorghum, quality, climate resilience, molecular

1-12

GULAB PANDOVE*, VIDHI ARORA AND AVTAR SINGH
Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Bathinda-151001 (Punjab), India
Department of Microbiology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004 (Punjab), India
*(e-mail : gpandove@pau.edu)
(Received : 23 April 2023; Accepted : 20 June 2023)

SUMMARY

There has been undue pressure on the agricultural sector to meet thefodder demand of the burgeoning global livestock population along with the augmentation in the abiotic stresses like
pH,salinity, temperature etc. In addition, the natural resources are limited due to which has become a major concern for the developing nations to enhance forage yield per unit area. There has been a continuous use of chemical fertilizersto combat aforesaid moot issues. However, the deleterious effects of chemical fertilizers on the environmentand stagnation in the further improvement in yield per hectare urged to look for new promising, renewable, economical and eco-friendly technology.The rhizospheremicroorganisms play a paramount role in maintaining soil fertility and in biogeochemical cycles. The advantageous free-living rhizospheric bacteria are known as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). These are increasingly available in markets as microbial inoculants and these are the potential alternative for mainteneance of soil health and enhancement of yield. Various formulations of microbial inoculants are available in the market. Therefore, in the present review, an overview of microbial inoculants has been discussed to sensitize agriculturists about the benefits of microbial inoculants.

Key words: Abiotic stress, formulation, microbial inoculants, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, rhizospheric bacteria

13-20

R. S. DHILLON*, R. S. BENIWAL, SATPAL, M. JATTAN AND SUSHIL KUMARI
Department of Forestry, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding (Forage Section)
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : rsdhillon67@gmail.com)
(Received : 01 May 2023; Accepted : 27 May 2023)

SUMMARY

The sustainable supply of adequate and nutritious feed and fodder is essential for the development of livestock sector. The area under fodder production is continually reducing indicating high pressure for cash crops production. The estimated fodder scarcity in India by 2050 reveals a net deficit of 35.6 % green fodder and 10.9 % dry crop residue, which calls for development and adoption
of land use based interventions. Though, quality fodder availability in India is low due to low or non availability of suitable varietal wealth, more emphasis on food grain and cash crops. The area under fodder production is continually reducing indicating high pressure for cash crops production. There is a dire need felt to explore new feed resources. Fodder tree leaves may supplement the existing feed resources for small as well as large ruminant and can help to bridge the wider gap between demand and supply of nutrients. Tree leaves may become a rich source of supplementary protein, vitamins and minerals and their use in ruminant to enhance microbial growth and digestion. Thus, fodder trees pave the way for forage security besides their role in climate change mitigation and societal well being. The objective of this review is to explore the potentials of using fodder trees and shrub as a feed resource for livestock feeding and nutritional security especially in drylands.

Key words: Fodder tree, livestock, nutritional value, sustainable, drylands

21-28

PUMMY KUMARI*, VINOD KUMAR MALIK, VINOD KUMAR, SATPAL AND S. K. PAHUJA
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Department of Plant Pathology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Department of Biochemistry, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: pummy.hau@gmail.com)
(Received : 2 March 2021; Accepted : 25 June 2023)

SUMMARY

Livestock sector plays a pivotal role in the economic growth of any agriculture based country. This sector is the major source of energy for mankind. Among livestock, milch cattle play a distinctive role to provide energy food to human beings. In developing countries livestock sector is major source of employment for rural youth also. However, due to rapid change in agricultural
practices and increasing population pressure, there is drastic change in animal husbandry practices. Majority of available agriculture land is under food and cash crop cultivation. In rural areas, animal fodder demand is still fulfilled by naturally grown grasses and shrubs which are of low nutritional quality having low crude protein, IVDMD and available energy. Thus, they depend mainly on seasonal forage varieties which results in fluctuations of green fodder supply and milk yield round the year. Since last three decades, area under fodder crops is stagnant and it needs to be addressed timely. Creation of awareness among farmers regarding availability of nutritionally rich quality folder option especially in semi-arid tropics and development of good number of fodder accessions will certainly help to solve this issue to a great extent.

Key words: Livestock, green fodder, forage breeding and nutrition

29-38

MOUSSAOUALI BAKIR*, KADI SI AMMAR, SLIMANI ALI AND HAMDI AÏSSA BAELHADJ
Université de Ouargla, Faculté des sciences de la nature et de la vie, Laboratoire de biogéochimie des milieux désertiques, Ouargla 30 000, Algérie
Department of Agronomic Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Agronomic Sciences, Analytical
Biochemistry and Biotechnologies Laboratory (LABAB), Mouloud Mammeri University UN1501, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria
Laboratoire Santé Animale Productions Agricoles Environnement et Sécurité Alimentaire Département
Agronomie Université Chadli Bendjedid El-Tarf, Algerie
*(e-mail : moussaouali86.47@gmail.com and moussaouali.bakir@univ-ghardaia.dz)
(Received : 7 November 2022; Accepted : 15 June 2023)

SUMMARY

The present research was carried out to determine forage production and characterization of agronomic traits of three leguminous species of Hedysarum genus. They are cultivated for the first time in agro-ecological conditions of Saharan region in the oases of Ghardaïa (M’Zab region, Algeria). Hedysarum coronarium L., H. carnosum and H. flexuosum L. are chosen because they considered well adapted to marginal areas. Seeds of species were collected from different regions of Algeria. The trial was conducted in sandy soil with alkaline pH = 8.27 in autumn of 2020. Results indicate that Sulla coronaria showed the best results (p<5%) compared to the other species: S. carnosa and S. flexuosa for all traits, except leaf/stem ratio and SLA (S. carnosa takes the first place with 1.44 vs. 1.40 and 1.25, and 13.09 m2
/kg vs. 8.9 and 13.07 m²/kg, respectively). The results of the correlation matrix indicated that the plant height is positively correlated with the leaf number (p<0.000). The variance analysis revealed a significant variation between the species regarding the seven studied traits, except the leaf to stem ratio and dry biomass. The findings of this study encourage farmers to include this valuable culture in their production system.

Key words: Algeria – behavior – Forage production – Hedysarum genus – M’Zab oases – sandy soil

39-47

DEEPAK KAUSHIK, GAJRAJ SINGH DAHIYA*, RAVI KUMAR AND RAJESH KUMAR ARYA
MAP Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: gsdahiya69@gmail.com)
(Received : 21 April 2023; Accepted : 19 may 2023)

SUMMARY

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the level of genetic variation in the faba bean population for yield and its component traits at Research Farm Area, MAP section,
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCSHAU, Hisar in the Rabi season of 2019-20. Sixty faba bean genotypes along with two checks i.e., HFB-1 and Vikrant were evaluated in augmented randomized block design. Analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among checks, between check & genotypes and among genotypes for all the studied traits. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for hundred seed weight (21.93%, 23.02%), seed yield per plant (47.53%, 48.25%), biological yield per plant (50.11%, 52.01%) and harvest index (31.92%, 32.25%) suggesting the presence of considerable variation in the faba bean genotypes. High or medium heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for the number of pods per plant (32.42%, 20.91%), hundred seed weight (79.93%, 28.46%), seed yield per plant (49.17%, 33.45%) and harvest index (38.51%, 22.45%), indicating these traits could be easily improved through direct selection. The genotypes like EC-10908, EC-361494, HB-89, NDFB-13 was found to performing better in this investigation.

Key words: Faba bean, analysis of variance, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation,
broad sense heritability, genetic advance

48-53

MAYURI SAHU, NEHA BELSARIYA*, ANJALI KAK AND SUJIT
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, COA, IGKV, Raipur-492 012 (Chhattisgarh), India
Division of Germplasm Conservation, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
*(e-mail: nehabelsariya@gmail.com)
(Received : 21 February 2023; Accepted : 28 June 2023)

SUMMARY

The present study on variability and character association in fodder oat was carried out at Research cum Instructional Farm, IGKV, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, Raipur during
Rabi, 2019-20. An experiment was conducted with 294 germplasm accession belonging to ten different Avena species with six check varieties of oat (Avena sp. L.) in augmented design. Nineteen quantitative traits were studied for the assessment of genetic variability. Sufficient variation was exhibited by most of the traits studied. The highest values for GCV and PCV was green fodder yield, number of tillers per plant and number of leaves per plant. High heritability and coupled with high genetic advance were found in number of leaves per plant and green fodder yield per plant. Most of the traits studied had skewness value ranged from (-0.5 to 0.5) are normally distributed except for days to 50% flowering, number of tillers per plant, number of leaves of per plant, leaf dry weight per plant, leaf: stem ratio and days to maturity. Negative kurtosis (Platykurtic) viz., leaf length, culm diameter, number of leaves per plant, seed yield per plant, dry matter weight and 1000 seed weight.

Key words: Oat, genetic variability, correlation coefficients and heritability

54-63

RUKOO CHAWLA*, MINAKSHI JATTAN, SANDEEP KUMAR, D. S. PHOGAT, NISHA KUMARI, PRACHI MAHLA, SAVITA MEENA AND BABITA RANI
Ph. D. Research Scholar, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
MPUAT, Udaipur (Rajasthan), India
*(e-mail: rukoochawla21@gmail.com)
(Received : 17 June 2023; Accepted : 29 June 2023)

SUMMARY

A comprehensive evaluation of 62 oat accessions was conducted during Rabi 2019-2020 at Farm Research Area of Forage section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana
Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana) to measure and analyze yield-contributing traits. The findings unveiled substantial variability among the oat accessions pertaining to all the scrutinized traits. High heritability along with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for all traits except days to 50% flowering and days to maturity. Genotypes namely; OS 403, HFO 1108, GP 781, HFO 1101, HFO 915 and HFO 1104 showed higher seed yield per plant while HFO 1108, HFO 818, HFO 707, HFO 915, HFO 1104 and HFO 529 were found promising for green fodder yield per plant. The discernment of accessions exhibiting coveted trait amalgamations and elevated yield propensity is paramount for oat breeding initiatives. Through the meticulous delineation of variability in these yield attributes, breeders can discerningly concentrate on and assimilate particular traits in their breeding programs. This methodology expedites the progression of refined oat cultivars endowed with augmented yield efficacy and agronomic characteristics.

Key words: Oat, genetic variability, heritability, fodder, seed yield

64-68

H. S. TALAVIYA, R. A. GAMI*, R. N. PATEL AND K. G. KUGASHIYA
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CPCA, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat), India
Centre for Millets Research, S.D. Agricultural University, Deesa-385 535 (Gujarat), India
Potato Research Station, S.D. Agricultural University, Deesa-385 535 (Gujarat), India
*(e-mail: ramangami@gamil.com)
(Received : 10 June 2023; Accepted : 22 June 2023)

SUMMARY

The present investigation was undertaken to reveal mean performance and percent heterosis level in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The 15 (F₁) hybrids were produced using a half-diallel fashion. Analysis of the per se performances of the parents and their hybrid
offspring for various traits demonstrated that Malwan and IS 3338 among the parents and CSV 46F × IS 3338, IS 3265 × Malwan and CSV 46F × IS 3284 among the hybrids showed improved mean performance for the green fodder yield per plant, the dry fodder yield per plant and some of the traits that are associated with yield. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences due to genotypes for all the investigated traits, which explained why appropriate amounts of heterosis were represented in crosses for many of the traits that contribute to forage yield. Studies on heterosis demonstrated that the following factors were crucial forage yield components: total plant height (cm), number of leaf per plant, stem diameter (mm), leaf length of blade (cm), leaf width of blade (cm), leaf: stem ratio, green fodder yield per plant (g), and dry fodder yield per plant (g). Numerous hybrids were observed to have significant heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for various component traits. The F₁ hybrids, CSV 46F × IS 3338 (74.08 & 208.13 %), CSV 46F × IS 3284 (152.40 & 152.41 %) and IS 3314 × IS 3284 (145.58 & 25.20 %) manifested significant and positive heterosis over better parent and the standard check CSV 46F for green fodder yield per plant. While CSV 46F × IS 3284, IS 3314 × IS 3284 and CSV 46F × IS 3338 registered highly significant and positive heterotic effects in terms of heterobeltiosis (i.e., 144.10, 104.36 and 83.06 %) and standard heterosis over check CSV 46F (i.e., 144.11, 20.98 and 179.54 %) for dry fodder yield per plant, respectively.

Key words: Mean performance, forage yield, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis

69-75

MEENA SEWHAG*, D. S. AHLAWAT, NARESH SANGWAN, NEERAJ PAWAR AND MEENAKSHI SANGWAN*
CCS HAU Regional Research Station, Rohtak-124 001 (Haryana), India
*Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Rohtak-124 001 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: meenasewhag@gmail.com)
(Received : 11 January 2023; Accepted : 20 June 2023)

SUMMARY

Understanding about the combinations of agronomic options can be used to improve the fodder and grain yield of dual purpose wheat varieties is limited. An experiment involving three
management strategies was conducted during Rabi season of 2020-2021 at Research farm of CCSHAU Regional Research Station, Rohtak, to evaluate changes in fodder and grain yield of dual purpose wheat varieties. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, neutral in reaction, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and high in available potassium. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with two varieties viz. V₁ : VL289 and V₂ : C306 and six seed rate x cut treatment at 55 DAS viz. S₁ : 100 kg/ha. without cut, S₂ :100 kg/ha with cut, S₃ :112.5 kg/ha without cut, S₄ :112.5 kg/ha with cut, S₅ :125 kg/ha without cut and S₆ : 125 kg/ha with cut in main plot and three fertility levels viz. F₁ : 100% RDF (60 kg N/ha+30 kg P₂O₅/ha), F₂ : 20% higher than RDF and F₃ : 50% higher than RDF in subplot replicated thrice. Results revealed that among both the dual purpose wheat varieties, VL 829 recorded taller plants with 33.51 % higher grain yield than C 306. Among various seed rate × cut treatments, highest green fodder yield was recorded in seed rate of 125 kg/ha with cut while highest grain yield was recorded in 125 kg/ha without cut treatment which was at par with 100 kg/ha and 112.5 kg/ha without cut treatments. Fodder yield increased significantly with increase in fertilizer dose from 100 % RDF to 150 % RDF. Application of 150 % RDF being at par with 120 % RDF recorded significantly higher grain yield with better yield attributes of wheat. The B: C ratio calculated was higher in wheat variety C 306 and application of 150% RDF. Among various seed rate × cut at 55 DAS, highest B: C was recorded with 125 kg/ha without cut treatment.

Key words: Dual purpose wheat, fodder yield, grain yield and BC ratio

76-80

ROOPA K. MUTTAPPANAVAR* AND B. G. SHEKARA
Department of Agronomy, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru-560065 (Karnataka), India
AICRP on Forage Crops, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, V. C. Farm, Mandya-571405 (Karnataka), India
*(e-mail: roopakm6813@gmail.com)
(Received : 20 June 2023; Accepted : 30 June 2023)

SUMMARY

The experiment was conducted during July-2020 to June-2022 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Vishweshwaraiah Canal Farm, Mandya, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka to study the quality content of fodder under different perennial fodder cropping systems under irrigated condition. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design consisted of twelve treatments and replicated thrice. The two years pooled data revealed that, among different grass-legume mixtures, paired row system of B×N hybrid + Desmanthus (2:5) recorded significantly higher dry matter intake (2.41%), digestible dry matter (63.71%), total digestible nutrients (59.60%), relative feed value (119.2%), cell content (50.24%) and lower hemicelluloses content (17.42%) which was on par with paired row system of Guinea grass + Desmanthus (2:3) as compared to other grass-legume mixtures. These results are further evidenced by strong negative correlation between acid detergent fibre (ADF) and DDM (r²=-0.99) of fodder (Fig. 1), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and DMI (r²=-0.98) (Fig. 2), TDN and ADF (r²=-0.99) (Fig. 3), RFV and NDF (r²=-0.97), NDF and cell content of fodder (r²=-0.99) (Fig. 5) and strong positive correlation between RFV and DDM (r²=0.99) and DMI (r²=0.98) (Fig. 4). Thus, B×N hybrid paired row + Desmanthus (2:5) followed by Guinea grass paired row + Desmanthus (2:3) were identified as best perennial fodder intercropping systems for meeting the demand of quality green fodder.

Key words: Desmanthus, perennial grass fodders, intercropping systems, quality contents

81-85

SATPAL*, SURESH KUMAR, SATYAJEET, NARESH KUMAR, N. KHAROR, Y. JINDAL, B. L. SHARMA AND NEELAM KUMARI MANDAL
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding (Forage Section), RRS Bawal, Rewari (Haryana),
Directorate of Research, 4Department of Agricultural Meteorology
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Associate Professor (Botany), Government (PG) College, Panchkula (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : neerajkharor@hau.ac.in)
(Received : 8 June 2023; Accepted : 29 June 2023)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana), India to test the impact of three graded levels of nitrogen (80, 120 and 160 kg/ha) on yield, quality and economics of seven fodder maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes (four test entries viz. DFH-2, HQPM-28, PFM-13, AFH-7 and three checks viz. African Tall, J-1006 and COHM-8) during kharif (rainy) season
of 2022 using factorial RBD design in three replicates. Results revealed that check entry ‘DFH-2’ with highest green and dry fodder yields i.e. 603.34 and 160.56 t/ha excelled over all the other test entries and checks. Even significantly highest per day productivity of green fodder and dry matter yields (9.28 and 2.48 q/ha/day) were also recorded in DFH-2. Among genotypes, maximum crude protein content (10.85 %) was estimated with COHM-8 which was on a par with DFH-2 and African Tall. However, maximum crude protein yield (17.21 q/ha) was recorded in DFH-2 which was significantly superior over rest of the genotypes. Among N levels, significant improvement was seen in leaf to stem ratio values from 80 kg N to 120 kg N but no significant increase was observed from 120 to 160 kg N/ha. It was concluded that fodder maize genotype DFH-2 was exclusively promising and application of 120 kg N/ha was recommended nitrogen dose to ensure the higher fodder yield, quality and to fetch better remunerations.

Key words: Fodder maize, genotypes, nitrogen levels, fodder yield, crude protein and BC ratio

86-90

VINOD KUMAR*, K. SRIDHAR AND R. NAYAZ
Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute
Southern Regional Research Station, Dharwad-580005 (Karnataka), India
*(e-mail : vinoddhone@gmail.com)
(Received : 18 January 2023; Accepted : 15 June 2023)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted at the Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Southern Regional Research Station, Dharwad to find out the effect of planting material and nutrition on seed yield and quality in guinea grass. The design employed was RBD in factorial concept with
three replications. The experiment consisted of two planting materials viz., seeds and root slips and five nutrient levels viz., N₁ : RDF (60:30:20 kg of NPK/ha), N₂ : 25 % more than RDF, N₃ : 50 % more than RDF, N₄ : RDF + spraying of DAP 2 % at flowering stage, N₅ : RDF + spraying of NAA 50 ppm at flowering stage. Among the planting material used, non-significant difference was observed for all growth and yield parameters, but root slips performed better over the seeds. Irrespective of planting material, nutrition levels recorded significantly. N₃ recorded more tiller number (14.77 at maturity), panicle length (32.8 cm), green fodder yield (13.21 q/ha), seed yield (95.24 kg/ha), seed germination (23.49 %) and seedling vigour index (216) compared to other nutrition levels.

Key words: Guinea grass, source, planting material, yield, quality, germination, seedling length

91-98

KULWINDER SINGH AND KARAN VERMA*
University College of Agriculture, Guru Kashi University Talwandi Sabo
Bathinda-151 302 (Punjab), India
*(e-mail : karanverma@gku.ac.in)
(Received : 13 June 2023; Accepted : 27 June 2023)

SUMMARY

A field experiment entitled “Fodder maize production under different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in Punjab” was carried out at the research farm of Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda) during kharif season 2021. The experiment comprising total 16 treatments combinations viz., four levels of nitrogen control, (Control, nitrogen @ 60, 80 and 100 kg/ha) allotted in main plots and four level of phosphorus (Control, P₂O₅ @ 30, 40 and 50 kg/ha) in sub plot treatments. Experiment was carried out in split plot design with three replications. Results revealed that growth, yield and economics of maize influenced significantly due to application of nitrogen and phosphorus levels. Results showed that application nitrogen @ 100 kg/ha at par with nitrogen @ 80 kg/ha recorded significantly higher plant height, dry weight, leaf area index, number of leaves/plant, number of internodes/plant, inter-node length and leaf: stem ration as compared to control and nitrogen @ 60 kg/ha. Further results indicated that application of P₂O₅ @ 50 kg/ha at par with P₂O₅ @ 40 kg/ha
recorded significantly higher plant height, dry weight, leaf area index, number of leaves/plant, number
of internodes/plant, inter-node length and leaf: stem at 40 and 60 DAS, as compared to control and P₂O₅ @ 30 kg/ha, respectively

Key words: Maize, nitrogen, phosphorus, growth and yield attributes and yield

99-102

P. BHASKER*, P. K. GUPTA, S. S. BORADE, C. TIWARI AND B. K. DUBEY
Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University,
Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation, Regional Research Station,
Nashik-422 003 (Maharashtra), India
National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation, Regional Research Station,
Karnal-132 001 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : bhaskarhau@gmail.com)
(Received : 10 June 2023; Accepted : 28 June 2023)

SUMMARY

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is adversely affected and competes by a number of weed species during all growth stages of crop and affects the yield. To minimize the weed infestation the present experiment was conducted to evaluate the integrated weed control methods in cowpea
on narrow and broad leave weed under All India Coordinated Research Project – Vegetable Crops (AICRP-VC) during Kharif, 2015 and 2016. The experiment was comprised of nine different treatments in which two herbicides pendimethalin and glyphosate, two types of mulching paddy straw as organic mulch and synthetic black polythene mulch and manual weeding methods were compared with weedy check. The results revealed that the highest plant growth and yield were recorded in weed free check followed by mulching with black polythene, the treatment mulching with black polythene efficiently controlled both broad as well as narrow leaved weeds. Due to the weed infestation the crop yield 54% was reduced in weedy check treatment. Among the herbicide treatments application of stale seed bed by glyphosate @ 1 kg ai/ha and one hand weeding at 40 DAS performed better and moderately controlled all types of weeds over weedy check. The results further revealed
that cent percent weed control efficiency was recorded in weed free check and mulching with black polythene and recorded a significant positive correlation with yield, while, the benefit: cost ratio is lower i.e. 1:1.50 and 1: 1.51, respectively. However, the herbicide treatments pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg ai/ha recorded highest benefit: cost ratio (1:1.84) followed by stale seed bed by glyphosate @ 1 kg ai/ha and one hand weeding at 40 DAS (1:1.80). Different weed management strategies consolidated enhanced the growth, yield and productivity of cowpea with higher net benefits to the growers. Therefore, based on the two years results concluded that the chemical weed management approaches alone or in combination with manual weeding is most propitious technique although the mulching with black polythene economically expensive, whereas recorded highest yield and reduces the all types of weed species as compare with all the weed management methods.

Key words: Cowpea, herbicide, integrated weed management, organic mulch, plastic mulch

103-109