VINAY KUMAR*, KRISHAN KUMAR, VIPAN KUMAR, ASHOK KUMAR DEHINWAL, R. K. ARYA, BALWAN SINGH MANDAL AND R. K. BEHL
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India 1Regional Research Station, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Bawal, Rewari (Haryana), India Director Extension Education, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
MMDU, Mullana, Ambala (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: vinaykumar@gmail.com)
(Received: 25 January 2024: Accepted: 22 March 2024)

SUMMARY

Pearl millet is C₄ plant grown in arid and semi-arid tropics. It is drought, low soil fertility, high salinity, low pH, or high temperature. It has gluten-free protein which has therapeutic effect for those vulnerable to gluten allergy and celiac disease. It has a high fiber content, which slows down digestion and releases the glucose into the blood at a slower rate and also boosts immunity therefore, named as “nutri-cereal”. Malnutrition is a serious health issue in India, and India to be free from this. A large amount of variability found in the pear millet accessions and commercial hybrids has been utilized in the bio-fortification breeding. The positive association between Ca and Mg, will lead to the improvement of other related nutrients content as an associated trait. G×E interactions play an important role in the expression of grain yield and its attributing traits because these are complex traits and governed by many genes. Therefore, a comprehensive knowledge on correlation of yield and biochemical trait with morphological traits helps in indirect selection of these traits via highly heritable traits will be beneficial. The estimate the extent of genetic variability for yield and attributing traits, their correlation which will be helpful in finding the association among yield and nutritional traits in pearl millet genotypes. Recent, important and relevant literature pertaining to these aspects has been reviewed in this article.

Key words: Pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum, rainfed, nutri-cereal, variability, inheritance

374-382

RAM NIWAS*, VINAY KUMAR, O. P. SHEORAN AND SHEETAL CHAUDHARY
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: rniwas@hau.ac.in)
(Received : 3 March 2024; Accepted : 25 March 2024)

SUMMARY

This research paper investigates the complex relationships influencing pearl millet yield using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The study employed data from pearl millet genotypes, encompassing various yield components and attributing traits. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was utilized to identify latent variables representing dimensions related to yield determination. A recursive SEM with latent variables was constructed, incorporating measurement models for exogenous and endogenous variables and a structural model depicting causal relationships. Maximum likelihood estimation was used to estimate model parameters, and goodness-of-fit criteria were applied for model evaluation. The study revealed fertility’s pivotal role in determining pearl millet yield, with tillering capacity and panicle weight identified as crucial factors. Physiological and morphological traits also influenced yield but to a lesser extent, indicating a complex interplay of factors. The final SEM model provided valuable insights into these dynamics, highlighting the intricate relationships and pathways involved in yield determination.

Key words: Pearl millet, yield determination, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), latent Variables, exogenous variables, endogenous variables, fertility, tillering capacity, panicle weight

383-389

PAWAN KUMAR, J. M. SUTALIYA, VANDANA, VIPAN KUMAR AND R. K. ARYA*
MAP Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: rakarayogi@gmail.com)
(Received : 20 February 2024; Accepted : 24 March 2024)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the response of five genotypes of faba bean to different management levels during Rabi 2022-23 at Research Farm of MAP Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS HAU, Hisar at four different levels of fertility-irrigation, viz., control, 0% RDF + one irrigation, 75% RDF + two irrigations, 100% RDF (40N; 20P; 20K) + three irrigations. The five genotypes and four fertigation levels were evaluated with three replications in Split Plot design having plot size 2.1 × 5.0 m2. The results exhibited that seed grain yield was significantly subjected by faba bean genotypes as well as fertility-irrigation levels. Among the genotypes, HB-15-38 produced highest seed yield of 38.2 q/ha followed by RFB-32, HB 14-31, & RFB-34, respectively. The seed yield was significantly increased with the improvement in the management levels. The seed yield was increased to the tune of 15, 28 and 39 percent with 50% RDF + one irrigation, 75% RDF + two irrigation and RDF + three irrigation, respectively than the control (29.6 q/ha). Interaction effect of treatment combinations was non-significant on seed yield. However, a combination of V3F3(HB 15-38 with RDF + three irrigation) resulted the highest seed yield.

Key words: New genotypes, faba bean, fertilizer, irrigation, management, seed yield

390-393

ASHOK, YOGENDER KUMAR* AND SACHIN
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: yogenderkgulia@gmail.com)
(Received : 5 March 2024: Accepted : 26 March 2024)

SUMMARY

The current study aimed at identification and incorporation of key traits in developing high yielding barley varieties through assessment of various morpho-physiological characters and their relative direct and indirect contribution towards grain yield. The experiment was carried out with 44 barley germplasm lines at the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2021-22 under timely sown and heat stress conditions. The association study under both the environments revealed significant positive correlation of grain yield with biological yield per plant, days to maturity, harvest index, number of grains per spike, spike length, number of effective tillers per plant and 1000-grain weight at genotypic level. Similarly, under both environments, all the studied physiological traits viz., canopy temperature depression at anthesis and 15 days after anthesis, normalized difference vegetation index at anthesis and at 15 day after anthesis; and SPAD chlorophyll content at anthesis and at 15 days after anthesis also possessed positive significant relationship with grain yield per plant. The perusal of path coefficient analysis revealed that biological yield per plant, harvest index, spike length, 1000-grain weight, days to heading, peduncle length and number of grains per spike along with all the physiological traits under study had positive direct effect on grain yield per plant under timely as well as heat stress conditions. Consequently, it is suggested that these parameters can be considered as key component traits while setting the selection criterion for barley improvement for timely sown and heat stress conditions.

Key words: Barley, correlation coefficient, heat stress, path analysis

394-403

AXAY BHUKER*, V. S. MOR, PUNEETH RAJ M. S., SATPAL AND SATYAWANARYA
Department of Seed Science & Technology
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding (Forage Section) CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: bhuker.axay@gmail.com)
(Received : 12 March 2024; Accepted : 28 March 2024)

SUMMARY

Present study was carried out on two seed lots (Fresh and one year old) of two oat varieties i.e. OS 6 and HFO 611 in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, CCS HAU Hisar during 2022-23. The seed was hormo-primed with different concentrations of GA3 (200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 ppm). The results revealed that hormo-priming resulted in enhancement in seed quality parameters in both the lots of both varieties as the concentration increased from 200 ppm to 600 ppm and thereafter it starts decreasing. Maximum enhancement in germination was observed in seeds hormo- primed with GA3 @ 600 ppm. The more enhancement in germination was observed in the hormo- primed seeds of old seed lot as compared to fresh seed lots in both the varieties. In variety OS 6, 1.4% enhancement in germination was recorded in hormo-primed seeds over control in fresh seed lot while enhancement was 16.96 % in hormo-primed seeds with GA 3@ 600 ppm over control in old seed lot. In variety HFO 611, enhancement in seed germination of hormo-primed seeds over control was 1.7 % in fresh seed lot and 16.26 % in old seed lot with same concentration. It is concluded from the study that hormo-priming with GA3 @ 600 ppm is very effective in enhancing the seed quality parameters of oat, hence this hormo-priming practice should be used to enhance the germination/ vigour of marginal/old seeds lots.

Key words: Priming, hormo-priming, Avena sativa, seed quality

404-408

R. M. PANKHANIYA*, B. B. TANDEL, S. K. PARMAR AND V. P. USADADIYA
Department of Agronomy
N.M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat), India
*(e-mail : rameshpankhnia@gmail.com)
(Received : 2 March 2024: Accepted : 29 March 2024)

SUMMARY

The experiment was conducted on fodder cowpea seed production during the summer seasons of 2020 to 2022 at Department of Agronomy, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat). The treatment consists of three levels of organics (Control, FYM 2.0 t/ha and Bio compost 2.0 t/ha) and three levels of fertilizer viz., 50 % RDF, 75 % RDF and 100 % RDF (RDF 20-40-00, N-P₂O₅-K₂O kg/ha) with the use of bio fertilizer Rhizobium + PSB as seed treatment @10 ml/ kg seed as a common application in Randomized Block Design with factorial concept. The result of three-year experimentation revealed that application of Bio compost 2.0 t/ha gave significantly superior plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed yield and fodder yield except number of pods per plant and fodder yield which were remained at par with application of FYM 2.0 t/ha. In case of fertilizer levels application of 100 % RDF resulted significantly higher plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pods, seed yield and fodder yield however, which were at par with treatment F₂ (75% RDF) except number of pods per plant. The interaction between organic and fertilizer levels was found significant in pooled data. The treatment combination O₂F₂ (Bio compost 2.0 t/ha and 75 % RDF) recorded significantly higher plant height, number of pods par plant, number of seeds per pod, seed and fodder yields. Gross return, net return and B:C ratio were found highest under treatment combination O₂F₂. Based on the results of three years’ experimentation on seed production of fodder cowpea, it can be concluded that application of Bio compost 2.0 t/ha along with 75 % RDF produced higher seed and fodder yield with maximum net return.

Key words: Bio compost, FYM, fodder cowpea, Rhizobium and PSB

409-412

SURESH KUMAR, V. S. HOODA, SATPAL, JAGDISH PARSHAD, ANIL DUHAN, SUSHIL KUMAR, NEELAM1 AND RAM NIWAS
Department of Agronomy,
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding,
Department of Microbiology,
Department of Chemistry,
Department of Mathematics & Statistics CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: sureshsilla@hau.ac.in)
(Received : 11 February 2024; Accepted : 23 March 2024)

SUMMARY

Cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) is grown under both rainfed and irrigated conditions in Haryana and weeds pose serious threat to its production under both the conditions. Owing to increasing labour cost, there is need for chemical weed management, but, there is no chemical recommendation for weed management in cluster bean in Haryana. So, a field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2018 and 2019 at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India in a semi-arid climate. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design having three replications, with three irrigation levels viz., no post-sown irrigation, one irrigation and two irrigations in main plots, while five weed management practices viz., pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha as PRE, imazethapyr 70 g/ha as PRE, imazethapyr 70 g/ha at 21 DAS, imazethapyr + imazamox (RM) 70 g/ha at 21 DAS and farmers’ practice (2 hand weedings at 3 and 5 WAS) in sub-plots. The cluster bean crop was infested with Cyperus rotundus, Convolvulus arvensis, Digera arvensis and Echinochloa colona. The dry weight of weeds at 60 DAS and at harvest increased with the increasing irrigation levels. Among the weed management practices, two hand weedings at 3 and 5 WAS, produced minimum weed dry weight at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and harvest, while, imazethapyr + imazamox (RM) 70 g/ha at 21 DAS was found most effective in controlling the weeds among the chemical methods. During both the years, maximum seed yield of cluster bean was produced by irrigating the crop with two irrigations (1036 and 726 kg/ha), which was statistically at par with one irrigation (1009 and 682 kg/ha, during 2018 and 2019, respectively). Two hand weedings at 3 and 5 WAS, was found superior to chemical weed control treatments in producing seed yield (1121 and 754 kg/ha during 2018 and 2019, respectively). However, imazethapyr + imazamox (RM) 70 g/ha at 21 DAS produced highest seed yield (968 and 674 kg/ha, during 2018 and 2019, respectively), which was statistically similar to imazethapyr 70 g/ha PRE (932 and 654 kg/ha, during 2018 and 2019, respectively) and both of them were superior to imazethapyr 70 g/ha at 21 DAS and pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha as PRE. The bacterial and PSB count at harvest of cluster bean crop increased with increase in irrigation levels and bacterial population was lower with soil application of herbicides (either pendimethalin or imazethapyr) as compared to foliar application of herbicides and 2 HW treatments, however, PSB population was not affected by weed management practices. Maximum herbicide residue at harvest of the cluster bean crop was found in imazethapyr 70 g/ha at 21 DAS and followed by imazethapyr 70 g/ha PRE and imazethapyr + imazamox (RM) 70 g/ha at 20 DAS. Reduction in the germination, growth and yield of mustard was observed due to residual effect of the chemicals applied in cluster bean during both years of study, maximum being with imazethapyr 70 g/ha at 21 DAS followed by imazethapyr 70 g/ha PRE and imazethapyr + imazamox (RM) 70 g/ha at 21 DAS.

Key words: Cluster bean, mustard, irrigation, weed management, herbicide residue

413-423

SULTAN SINGH*, AXAY BHUKER, PUNEETH RAJ M. S. AND RAJESH KUMAR ARYA
Department of Seed Science and Technology,
Medicinal, Aromatic and Potential Crops Section, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: sultan.hau@gmail.com)
(Received: 4 January 2024: Accepted: 14 March 2024)

SUMMARY

The study was conducted to optimize the germination test and assess seed quality parameters in Kasani during 2022 in the laboratories of the Department of Seed Science and Technology, aimed. The results revealed maximum germination was recorded in Top of Paper (66.67%) method at 25°C and lowest germination (38.67%) was recorded at 30oC in sand substrate. Maximum hard seeds (17.33%) were recorded in between paper at 30°C and lowest hard seeds (7.33%) at 20°C in top of the paper. The other seed quality parameters viz., seedling length, seedling dry weight, vigour Indices and radicle emergence were also observed maximum at 20°C. The radicle emergence was started on 1st day in all temperatures except at 15°C temperature. From 2nd day radicle emergence was observed in all temperatures and till the final day the maximum radicle emergence (74.67%) was observed at 20°C. Thus, the study concludes that for conducting the germination test in Kasani crop, the optimum temperature is 20°C, and both the top of the paper (TP) and between paper methods are suitable.

Key words: Germination, hard seeds, Cichorium intybus, radicle emergence test, seed quality, temperatures

424-429

KULDEEP KUMAR*, VIKRAM GHIYAL, MAKHAN MAJOKA, VIKASH KUMAR, DAVINDER SINGH AND R. K. ARYA
Department of Vegetable Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail:drkuldeep82@gmail.com)
(Received: 10 March 2024; Accepted: 27 March 2024)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was planned to evaluate the performance of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata L.Walp] released cultivars under different dates of sowing during 2020-23 at the Research Farm of Vegetable Science, CCS HAU, Hisar. In the present study, three verities viz., V1-P-263, V2-Kashi Kanchan and V3-Pusa Sukomal were sown at five different dates at 15 days interval i.e. D1-15 June, D2-1 July, D3- 15 July, D4-1 August and D5-14 August in Factorial RBD with three replications having plot size of 2.7 m x 2.0 m with spacing 45 cm x 20 cm. During 2020-21, the treatment combination D3V2 performed the maximum the production i.e. 99.30 q/ha followed by D3V1 (94.60 q/ha), D3V3 (93.80 q/ha), and D2V2 (93.80 q/ha). Likewise, during 2021-22, the treatment combination D3V2 performed the maximum the production i.e. 95.60 q/ha followed by D2V2 (93.10), D3V1 (91.70), and D3V1 (90.40). Opposite to earlier years results, during 2022-23, the treatment combination D2V2 performed the maximum the production i.e. 99.20 q/ha followed by D2V1 (95.30), D3V2 (94.50) and D2V2 (93.80). Therefore, sowing of cowpea variety, Kashi Kanchan may be recommended from 30th June to 15th July for commercial cultivation under Haryana conditions.

Key words: Cowpea, variety, sowing time, climate change, growth, yield

430-433

K. M. PATEL*, L. J. DESAI, P. K. PATEL AND V. K. PATEL
Centre for Research on Integrated Farming Systems
Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar-385 506 (Gujarat), India
*(e-mail : drkmpatelagronomist@sdau.edu.in)
(Received : 8 March 2024; Accepted : 28 March 2024)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted at Centre for Research on Integrated Farming Systems, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during 2018-19 to 2021-22 with effect of nitrogen management in fodder oat – pearl millet cropping system under organic farming. The experiments were laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept and replicated quadruple in loamy sand soil. Twelve treatment combination comprising of three levels of nitrogen (50%, 75% and 100% RDN) and four levels of source of nitrogen (50% through FYM + 25% through vermi-compost + 25% through castor cake, 75% through FYM + 25% through vermi-compost, 75% through FYM + 25% through castor cake and 100 % through inorganic fertilizer). In the case of oat, application of 100% RDN led to significantly higher plant height, tiller count, crude protein yield and total green as well as dry fodder yield. Regarding different nitrogen sources, the use of 100% inorganic fertilizer resulted in significantly higher total green and dry fodder yields. The interaction effect of nitrogen levels and sources was non-significant for most parameters, except for crude protein yield and total dry fodder yield. In the case of pearl millet, increasing nitrogen levels similarly led to improved growth, yield, and quality attributes, with 100% RDN yielding the best results. Differences in nitrogen sources primarily impacted plant height, tiller count, and total green fodder yield.

Key words: Castor cake, crude protein, vermicompost, FYM, soil test value, green oat equivalent yield of system

434-437

RAGURAM C., S. MALA*, M. VIMAL AND E. RATHINAGURU
Department of Agronomy, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Karaikal, 609603, U. T. of Puducherry, India
General Manager- Environmental Science, Tagros Chemicals India Pvt. Ltd., Chennai
*(e-mail: malapjn2020@gmail.com)
(Received : 14 March 2024; Accepted : 30 March 2024)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted on sandy clay loam soil from March to July 2022 to study the weed control efficiency of Sulfentrazone and its effect on yield parameters and yield of fodder maize at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute (PAJANCOA & RI), Karaikal. The experiment included sixteen treatments comprising sulfentrazone applied with six doses (180, 210, 240, 270, 300, and 360 g/ha) on the day of sowing and 3rd DAS. It also included the application of atrazine (250 g/ha), hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS (farmer’s practice), weed- free throughout the crop growth, and unweeded control (without weed management). The experiment was statistically tested using a Randomized Block Design with three replications. From the present study, it was concluded that the effective and economical control of weeds with higher seed yield of fodder maize was obtained by the application of Sulfentrazone 39.6% (w/w) SC @ 180 g a.i./ha on the day of sowing or 3rd DAS.

Key words: Sulfentrazone, fodder maize, weed control efficiency, yield attributes, yield

438-442

SATPAL, B. GANGAIAH, MANINDER KAUR, N. KHAROR, S. DEVI, NEELAM AND RAM NIWAS
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding (Forage Section),
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad-500 030 (Telangana), India
Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics (Forage Section), PAU, Ludhiana-141 004 (Punjab), India
Department of Botany & Plant Physiology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Department of Mathematics & Statistics, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : satpal_fpj@hau.ac.in)
(Received : 12 January 2024; Accepted : 14 March 2024)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted at Forage Section Research Farm, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, during kharif season of 2019 and 2020 on single-cut forage sorghum to quantify the impact of plant bio-regulators on forage productivity and quality of sorghum grown as rainfed crop. Eight treatments including foliar application of plant bio-regulators included 2% urea, 2% NPK (18-18-18), 2% potassium nitrate (KNO₃), 1 ppm silicic acid, 2 ppm silicic acid and 100 ppm salicylic acid at panicle initiation and flag leaf emergence stage were compared with no spray as well as water spray in randomized block design in three replicates. The application of PBRs increased green fodder yield by 13.75-19.73 per cent over control. On pooled mean basis, the highest green and dry fodder yield of 52.31 and 13.74 t/ha, respectively was recorded with application of 2% NPK (18-18- 18). Among treatments, the crude protein content in dry fodder was not affected significantly, however, maximum crude protein yield was estimated with the application of 2% water soluble fertilizer NPK (18-18-18) which was on a par with urea @ 2%, KNO₃@ 2%, silicic acid 2 ppm and 100 ppm salicylic acid. Beside this, there was a substantial reduction in the HCN content due to foliar application of 2% KNO₃. On pooled mean basis, foliar application of PBRs /nutrients improved the BC ratio which ranged from 1.62 to 1.70 with KNO₃, 2% NPK (18-18-18), 2% urea, 1 and 2 ppm silicic acid and 100 ppm salicylic acid spray. The BC ratio with the foliar application of 2% KNO₃, 2% NPK (18-18-18), 2% urea, 2 ppm silicic acid and 100 ppm salicylic acid was 7.28, 9.27, 12.58, 11.26 and 11.92 per cent higher over control (no foliar spray, only recommended dose of fertilizer @ 75 kg N+30 kg P₂O₅+ 30 kg K2O/ha), respectively on pooled mean basis. Foliar application of KNO₃ presents a viable option for improving sorghum fodder productivity and its quality under rainfed/ moisture stress situation.

Key words: Green fodder yield, HCN, KNO₃, plant bio-regulators, salicylic acid, silicic acid, sorghum, urea spray

443-448

B. SATHISH KUMAR NAIK* AND USHA C. THOMAS
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), India
*(e-mail : bukkesathish12@gmail.com)
(Received : 12 March 2024; Accepted : 30 March 2024)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala from November 2022 to August 2023 to study the influence of row spacing and nitrogen levels on growth and yield attributes of multicut fodder sorghum. The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design with (3 x 3) + 1 treatment, replicated thrice. The treatment combinations included three levels of row spacing (R) (r₁– 20 cm, r₂– 30 cm, r₃– 40 cm) and three levels of nitrogen application (N) (n₁– 315 kg/ha, n₂-245 kg/ha, n₃-175 kg/ha), compared against the control treatment (30 cm row spacing, nitrogen application-315 kg/ha in seven equal splits, and MgSO₄-80 kg/ha). Nitrogen was applied in seven equal splits- as basal, 20, and 40 days after sowing and after each cut. The variety used for the study was COFS-31, released from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The results revealed that control treatment with row spacing (30 cm) and nitrogen dose of 315 kg/ha/y (seven equal splits) along with MgSO₄– 80 kg/ha/y proved its superiority by registering higher growth and yield attributes such as plant height, stem girth, leaf stem ratio, green and dry fodder yield. This was at par with row spacing (30 cm) and nitrogen dose of 315 kg/ha/y.

Key words: Multicut fodder sorghum, row spacing, nitrogen application, and magnesium application

449-452

KHATERA QANE*, P. S. SANGWAN, ROHTAS KUMAR, NASIR AHMAD QAZIZADAH AND RAJNI YADAV
Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
Herat University, Afghanistan
*(e-mail: khatereh.qane7@gmail.com)
(Received : 15 March 2024; Accepted : 30 March 2024)

SUMMARY

Wheat stands as a cornerstone of global food security. To increase its productivity as well as quality, nutrient management is one of the most important factors. To evaluate the potential contribution of micronutrients to enhancing wheat yield, an experiment was conducted to investigate the interactive effect of zinc and copper on yield and quality indicators (protein, sedimentation value) of wheat under manganese-deficient and sufficient soils in potted plants during the rabi season 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in CRD with three replications and treatments comprised of Zn and Cu levels each @ 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mg kg^-1 applied through ZnSO₄ & CuSO₄. The results revealed a significant increase in both grain and straw yield, as well as the quality of wheat over their respective control with the application of Zn and Cu. The highest wheat grain yield (6.24 g per pot) was achieved in soils with sufficient Mn when treated with Zn at 10.0 mg kg^-1 and Cu at 10.0 mg kg^-1. It was further observed that the significant increase in protein content was noticed only up to Cu_7.5 when compared with Cu_2.5 and a further increase in Cu level from Cu_7.5 to Cu_10.0 did not affect the protein content significantly in Mn-sufficient soil. The treatments with the best economic aspect were found 5.0 mg kg^-1 of zinc sulfate x 7.5 mg kg^-1 of copper sulfate, in terms of using less zinc and copper fertilizers and having a favorable impact on the attributes. In conclusion, the application of micronutrients like Zn and Cu should be considered an integral part of a holistic nutritional approach to support optimal wheat growth and its quality. This approach enables farmers to achieve the highest potential yield and quality in their wheat crops.

Key words: Micronutrients, wheat yield, protein, sedimentation value, Mn deficient and sufficient soil

453-460

K. S. AHLAWAT*, ANITA KUMARI, DALIP KUMAR BISHNOI, KAUTILYA CHAUDHARY, CHHAVI SIROHI, SATPAL, VIRENDER DALAL AND PAWAN KUMAR POONIA
Department of Forestry,
Department of Botany & Plant Physiology,
Department of Agricultural Economics, 4Department of Soil Science, 5Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding (Forage Section),
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: ahlawat19799@gmail.com)
(Received : 2 March 2024; Accepted : 29 March 2024)

SUMMARY

The present study was carried out to evaluate the performance of sorghum and barley intercropped with 3-year-old kadam based agroforestry system at a spacing of 7m × 3m. The growth observations of kadam tree like dbh (12.46 cm) and basal diameter (18.24 cm) were recorded during the study. The growth, physiological parameters, yield attributes and yield of sorghum and barley were also recorded. The plant height of sorghum and barley showed significant variation under kadam based agroforestry system (AFS) and open (sole crop). Significant variation was observed in the physiological parameters (chlorophyll, photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance) of sorghum and barley crops with kadam plantation as well as sole crop (devoid of trees). The plant height, leaf area, fresh leaf and stem weight, and green fodder yield in sorghum showed highly significant variation in kadam as well as sole sorghum. The fodder yield of sorghum varied from 32.24 (with kadam) to 40.90 (control) t/ha. The per cent yield reduction in kadam plantation was 21.16 %, respectively over control. Significant variations were also observed in spike length, number of grains per spike, grain and straw yield of barley under kadam based AFS as well as sole barley (devoid of trees). The grain yield of barley varied from 2.21 (kadam) to 3.91 (control) t/ha. The per cent yield reduction in kadam plantation was 43.43 %, respectively over control.

Key words: Agroforestry, kadam, sorghum, fodder yield, barley, grain yield

461-466