SEVA NAYAK DHEERAVATHU* AND THULSI BAI VADITHE
Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad-500 030 (Telangana), India
*(email: sevanayak@millets.res.in)
(Received : 2 June 2024; Accepted : 22 June 2024)

SUMMARY

As global population continues to increase, crop yield must increase proportionally to meet the demand for food and nutritional security. Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is increasing rapidly and is expected to surpass 550 ppm soon. Mean annual temperature has significantly increased by 0.4°C over the last one hundred years. Global warming is expected to affect plant growth and soil ecosystems. Sorghum is a major staple food of millions of people in arid and semiarid regions of the world. It has the cheapest source of nutrition and energy. The area under grain sorghum cultivation has drastically declined from 18.5 m ha to 4.48 m ha from 1970 to 2020. Kharif sorghum cultivation is decreasing rapidly due to poor grain quality than rabi sorghum. Sorghum is considered to be climate resilient. Late rabi sorghum cultivation in rice-fallows is an ideal strategy for food, fodder, nutritional security, and livestock sustainability under changing climate scenario.

Key words: Climate change, rice-fallows, late rabi sorghum

1-4

SUNIL PRASAD
Ecology and Biodiversity Services (EBS), Ring Road, Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India
*(e-mail: sunbhatt12@gmail.com)
(Received 1 June 2024; Accepted : 23 June 2024)

SUMMARY

Livestock rearing has served as the foundation of the Himalayan economy for generations, acting as the main source of energy for agricultural activities and animal protein for the local population. The current situation presents a challenge in terms of adequate fodder supply, with limited options for alternative resources due to land scarcity in the region. The focus on maximizing forage production aims to address periods of scarcity caused by extreme weather conditions, particularly during winter (December to January) and summer (May to June). Given the rising demand for fodder in the Western Himalaya, exploring various alternatives becomes crucial to meet the needs of livestock and close the gap between supply and demand. Enhancing these alternatives not only alleviates the burden on women but also contributes to soil enrichment, slope stability, and potentially curbing migration. However, the availability of alternative fodder remains a challenge in the region due to small land holdings and inadequate Crop Residue Fodder (CRF) supply. While traditional grasses are still relied upon, the increasing demand necessitates a shift towards alternative fodder resources to sustain livestock. Our analysis highlights the importance of exploring different fodder options to address the demand-supply gap in animal feeding systems.

Key words: Crop Residue Fodder, fodder supply, fodder demand and tree leaves fodder.

5-8

DILBAGH, K. D. SEHRAWAT, S. K. PAHUJA, RAVISH PANCHTA AND SAGAR ARORA
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : dilbagh34437@gmail.com)
(Received: 10 May 2024; Accepted: 22 June 2024)

SUMMARY

To estimate the extent of genetic diversity of 56 Pearl millet genotypes for eight morphological characters, an experiment was carried out at the research farm of Forage Section, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CCS HAU, Hisar in kharif 2020-21. In Principal component analysis (PCA) the eigenvalues were used to determine how many factors to retain. In the present study, the first four principal components (PCs) had eigen values greater than one, and they cumulatively explained 71.3% of the total variation present in the original dataset. The first principal component (PC 1) explained 20.30% of the total variability, while the PC 2, PC 3, and PC 4 explained 19.2%, 17.3%, and 14.5% of the total variability, respectively. O 54, O 34, O 25, O 15, and O 40 were found as the top- ranking genotypes upon PCA analysis with high positive PC1 scores. These genotypes, showed highest overall mean values for the traits positively related to grain yield and its attributing traits. These findings can be useful in formulating breeding strategies for future hybridization programs for yield improvement and are appropriate for classification of diversity among pearl millet germplasm.

Key words: Eigen value, Pearl millet, Principal Component and Variation

9-14

NEHA BELSARIYA, MAYURI SAHU, SUJIT AND ANJALI KAK
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, COA, IGKV, Raipur-492012 (Chhattisgarh) India
Division of Germplasm Conservation, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
*(e-mail: nehabelsariya@gmail.com)
(Received: 10 May 2024; Accepted: 15 June 2024)

SUMMARY

An experiment comprising 32 different genotypes of oat was conducted during rabi 2021 in four different environments. In each environment each genotype was sown in a two-row plot of 2.5m length in randomised block design with two replications. Observations of five randomly plants of each genotype in each replication were recorded on ten different characters viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height(cm), leaf length (cm), leaf width (cm), number of tillers per plant, green fodder yield (gm), leaf dry weight per plant (gm), stem dry weight per plant (gm), leaf stem ratio, dry matter weight (gm), days to maturity and plant population. Analysis of variance revealed that significant differences existed among genotypes for all the characters in all four environments. High estimates of broad sense heritability along with high estimates of genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for green forage yield, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, leaf stem ratio in all the three environments.

Key words: Oat, Variability, Heritability, Genetic advance

15-19

MONICA TUNDWAL, RAVISH PANCHTA, SATYAWAN ARYA, NEERAJ KHAROR, VINOD KUMAR, MEENAKSHI AND SONU LANGAYA
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding,
Department of Biochemistry,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Department of Biochemistry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu, India *(e-mail : rpanchta@gmail.com)
(Received : 12 June 2024; Accepted : 29 June 2024)

SUMMARY

The present investigation was conducted at Dry Land Research Area, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during kharif, 2022. Data were recorded on 17 quantitative traits for genetic variability and association studies among morpho-biochemical traits using 50 cluster bean genotypes. High PCV, GCV, heritability along with high genetic advance as percent of mean were observed in no. of pods per plant, no. of clusters on main stem, no. of clusters on side branches, no. of clusters per plant and no. of branches per plant. Seed yield per plant was positively and significantly associated with no. of pods per plant, no. of clusters on side branches, no. of clusters per plant, no. of pods per cluster on main stem, no. of pods per cluster on side branches, 100 seed weight and gum content. Path analysis revealed that the no. of pods per plant, 100-seed weight, no. of branches per plant, no. of pods per cluster on main stem, days to maturity, days to 50% flowering and gum content would be selected as important ones towards seed yield as they showed high positive direct effect on seed yield.

Key words: Cluster bean, variability, correlation and path coefficient

20-27

JASPREET KAUR AND GULAB PANDOVE
Department of Microbiology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004 (Punjab), India
School of Organic Farming, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004 (Punjab), India
*(e-mail: gpandove@pau.edu)
(Received: 18 April 2024; Accepted: 12 June 2024)

SUMMARY

Salinity is one of the most severe abiotic stresses that limit global crop productivity by affecting the growth of plants. However, the need of the hour is to expand the agricultural areas to saline regions for food security amidst growing human populations. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) offer a promising solution to enhance plant growth in saline environments. The present study evaluates the plant growth-promoting characteristics of potential plant growth- promoting bacteria (PGPB) i.e. Burkholderia seminalis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Enterobacter sp. (JJG_Zn) under varying levels of simulated salinity stress (0 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM, and 150 mM). All the three PGPBs exhibited plant growth-promoting traits i.e Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, gibberellic acid production, Phosphate solubilization, ammonia production, siderophore production, and ACC deaminase activity even at the highest concentration i.e. at 150 mM of saline stress. Furthermore, the beneficial effect of bacterial inoculants of aforesaid bacterial cultures on saline stress tolerance in forage sorghum through bio priming was also evaluated under in vitro conditions. The dual inoculation of B. seminalis + S. maltophilia (T5) was found to improve the germination parameters viz., germination percentage, germination speed, mean germination, and physiological traits such as shoot length, root length, fresh and dry shoot and root weight, and seed vigor index I and II over the uninoculated controls across different salt concentrations. Thus, the study suggests that bio-priming of forage sorghum seeds with potential liquid bacterial inoculants may mitigate the detrimental effects of saline soil and promote seedling growth and development. Therefore, these promising bacterial cultures can be further exploited under the salinity-affected regions across agro-climatic zones. Also, a thorough biosafety analysis of these cultures should be conducted, considering the ‘one health’ concept.

Key words: Burkholderia seminalis, Enterbacter sp. (JJG_Zn), liquid bacterial inoculants, PGPR, salinity, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

28-38

AMARJEET NIBHORIA*, MEHAK NAGORA, JITENDER KUMAR, SATYAJEET, MUKESH KUMAR AND ASHOK KUMAR DEHINWAL
CCSHAU Regional Research Station, Bawal-123501 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: amarnibhoria@gmail.com)
(Received: 02 April 2024; Accepted: 04 June 2024)

SUMMARY

Present study was conducted at CCSHAU Regional Research Station, Bawal-123501, India, during Kharif season of 2016 to 2018. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with twelve treatments replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of recommended dose of fertilizers {RP (20 kg N, 40 Kg P₂O₅ and 20 kg K₂O)} alone and RDF in combination with seed soaking in thiourea (500 ppm) for 30 minutes alone and with foliar spray of NPK (20:20:20). The liquid fertilizers NPK and KNO₃ at 1% each (separately) were sprayed once and twice at flowering and pod formation stage. The results revealed that two sprays of thiourea, KNO3 (13:0:45) and NPK at flowering and pod formation stage produced significantly higher seed yield (18, 17 and 22%, respectively) of cluster bean in comparison to control (RP) and were statistically at par with each other. The treatment with seed soaking in thiourea (500 ppm) for 30 minutes + two sprays of NPK at flowering and pod formation stage was found best in terms of productivity (seed yield) as well as profitability (net returns) i.e. 24 and 75% higher than control, respectively.

Key words: clusterbean, agro-chemicals, thiourea, KNO₃, NPK

39-42

B. S. VIDYASHREE, V. S. KUBSAD, B. G. SHIVAKUMAR AND G. K. ANIL KUMAR
Senior Research Fellow, AICRP on Weed Management,
University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore-560 065 (Karnataka), India
Professor, Department of Agronomy,
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580 005 (Karnataka), India
Principal Scientist, ICAR- Indian Grassland and fodder Research Institute, Southern Regional Research Station, Dharwad-580 005 (Karnataka), India
Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580 005 (Karnataka), India
*(e-mail: bsvidyaagri5@gmail.com)
(Received: 02 June 2024; Accepted: 28 June 2024)

SUMMARY

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of berseem under different row proportions in intercropping system under irrigated conditions during rabi 2020-21 and 2021-22. The field experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with two factors replicated thrice. The first factor was intercrops viz., oats and barley and second factor row proportions viz., 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1, 2:2 and 2:3. The total treatment combinations were fifteen along with sole berseem, sole oats and sole barley. The results revealed that among the different intercrops, berseem recorded significantly higher yield advantage along with oats as compared to barley. Berseem + oats (1:3) intercropping systems recorded significantly higher system green forage productivity (35.10 t/ ha ), system dry forage productivity (9.52 t/ha), light interception ratio, relative yield total (0.55). This was on par with berseem + oats (1:2) (8.27 t/ha) and berseem + oats (2:3) (7.19 t/ha).

Key words: Barley, berseem, intercropping systems, oats and row proportions

43-49

MANEESHA, MAGAN SINGH, SUPRIYA, PRAVEEN B. R., CHETHAN BABU R. T., SANJEEV KUMAR AND GUNASHEKHAR H.
ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132001 (Haryana), India
Tea Research Association, North Bengal Regional R & D Centre, Nagrakata, Jalpaiguri-735225 (West Bengal), India
ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Southern Research Station, Bengaluru-560030 (Karnataka), India
*(e-mail: magansinghndri@gmail.com)
(Received : 8 June 2024; Accepted : 25 June 2024)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2020 at Research Farm, Agronomy Section, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design containing seven treatments which were T₁: Absolute control, T₂: 100% RDF, T₃: 100% RDF + Zn (basal), T₄: 100% RDF + Fe (basal), T₅: 100% RDF + 0.5% foliar spray of Zn, T₆: 100% RDF + 0.5% foliar spray of Fe, T₇: 75% RDF + 0.5% foliar spray of Zn + 0.5% foliar spray of Fe and these were replicated thrice. Results of the experiment showed that significantly higher value of growth parameters viz. plant height, no. of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, no. of regenerated stems etc. at all three cuts were recorded in treatment T₃ which was statistically at par with treatment T₄. Higher total green fodder as well as dry fodder yield (69.82 and 9.59 t/ha, respectively) was also recorded in treatment T₃ among different treatments in all three cuts while minimum total green as well as dry fodder yield found in treatment T₁ (49.59 and 6.16 t/ha respectively). In nutshell, application of 100% RDF along with Zn as basal could produce better fodder in terms of growth and yield.

Key words: Fodder, legume, livestock, nodule, RDF

50-56

U. VISWANATHA, T. THIRUMALESH, M. M. VENKATESHA*, V. NAGABHUSHANA, K. C. VEERANNA AND A. M. KOTRESH
Department of Livestock Farm Complex, Veterinary College, Shivamogga, (Karnataka), India
*(e-mail: venka5033@gmail.com)
(Received : 14 May 2024; Accepted : 26 June 2024)

SUMMARY

The study was conducted to determine nutritional evaluation of maize top silage and maize top hay and maize grains. The maize plant growth which can be classified as vegetative growth and reproductive growth, the reproductive growth is divided into different stages; silk stage (R-1), blister stage (R-2), dough stage (R-3), dent stage (R-4) and physiological maturity stage (R-6). From this experiment it was concluded that, Among R-1 to R-3 stages of maize plant growth, CP was significantly higher at R-3 stage in maize tops whereas in cobs, CP was significantly higher in R-2 and R-3 stages. Fiber fractions increased in the maize tops as the maturity increased and vice-versa in grains. The dry matter yield from the maize tops was higher in R-4 stage onwards. The proximate principles and fiber fractions of MTS and MTH were comparable on dry matter basis. Nutritionally, MTS and MTH were more beneficial to support milk production when compared to any other cereal straw/stovers. Therefore, the benefit of highly nutritious part of the maize plant like tops can be harvested at physiological stage of maturity (R6-96th day of plant growth) without allowing for higher lignification till the harvest of the cob. So that it can fill gap of 8% to the existing green fodder deficit in India.

Key words: Maize top hay, Maize top silage, Green fodder yield, Dry fodder yield

57-61

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, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: rakarayogi@gmail.com)
(Received: 07 March 2024; Accepted: 25 March 2024)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was planned to evaluate the performance of herbicides for weed control in cowpea cultivars during Kharif season 2018-19 to 2020-21 at the Research Farm of Vegetable Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India. Three years data (2018-19 to 2020-21) on weed management in cowpea cv P-263 revealed that the pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 6 ml/L+ One hand weeding 25 DAS (T4) resulted maximum green pod yield of 80.5 q/ha with maximum B:C ratio of 2.2 excluding fruit yield of 84.6 q/ha under weed free check (T2). However, these both treatments (T2 and T4) were statistically at par in terms of pod yield/ ha. Although, the weed free check (2-3 hand weeding) (T2) recorded highest pod yield but the net return of this treatment is less (B:C ratio 1.3) due to higher cost of cultivation.

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

62-65

ARCHANA KUMAWAT, ALOK RAJ WASNIKAR AND GAYATRI KUMAWAT
Department of Plant Pathology, Jawaharlal Nehru krishi vishwa vidhalya, College of Agriculture
Jabalpur-482 004 (Madhya Pradesh), India
Livestock Feed Resource Management and Technology Centre,
Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner-334 001 (Rajasthan), India
*(e-mail: archukumawat8@gmail.com)
(Received : 5 June 2024; Accepted : 24 June 2024)

SUMMARY

This study explores the efficacy of various crop straw substrates for the cultivation of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus membranaceus). Substrates tested includes i.e. wheat straw, rice straw, soybean straw, chickpea straw, maize straw, wood chips, sawdust and a combination with wheat straw. The first flush of mushrooms from each substrate was collected and air-dried until a constant weight was reached. Standard methods were employed to analyse key nutritional parameters such as moisture content, ash content and protein. Among the substrates examined, wheat straw 100% exhibited the highest moisture content (91.70%) surpassing all other substrates. Oyster mushroom cultivated on Rice straw 75% + 25% Wheat straw exhibited the highest protein content (22.45%). Notably, the combination substrate of Maize straw 25% + 75% Wheat straw displayed the highest ash content (9.18%). Remarkably, the combination substrate yielded the lowest overall nutritional content compared to the other substrates. The aim is to determine how these substrates influence mushroom quality. As per our knowledge this is the first and novel research to emphasise the importance of crop straw substrate selection in optimizing mushroom cultivation. Wheat and rice straws were found to be particularly effective, suggesting that the choice of substrate is crucial for optimizing mushroom cultivation. The study underscores the potential for utilizing different crop straws and wood-based materials in sustainable mushroom production.

Key words: Oyster mushroom, P. membranaceus, wheat straw, rice straw, soybean straw, chickpea straw, maize straw, wood chips, sawdust

66-69

SACHIN KUMAR, NAVEEN KUMAR, SATPAL, PANKAJ KUMAR, NEERAJ KHAROR AND PANKAJ DAHIYA
Department of Agronomy, Department of G&PB (Forage Section)
Department of Soil Science, Department of Agricultural Meteorology
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: sk2011998@hau.ac.in)
(Received: 10 May 2024; Accepted: 18 June 2024)

SUMMARY

The field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2022 at Forage Research Farm of Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar to study the effect of nano urea on sorghum for sustainable fodder production. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design keeping eleven treatments consisting of nitrogen fertilizers combinations of conventional and nano urea with three replications. There was significant difference among treatments in respect of growth, green and dry fodder yield of single cut forage sorghum. The maximum plant height (248.4 cm), number of leaves (14), leaf: stem (0.29), dry matter accumulation (153.62 g), leaf area index (7.55), green fodder yield (541.9 q/ha) and dry fodder yield (144.1 q/ha) were recorded with the application of 100% RDN by urea fertilizer (75 kg) as followed by 100% RDN: 50% as basal by urea fertilizer + 50% through nano-urea in two sprays at 30 and 45 DAS.

Key words: Sorghum, single-cut, fertilizer, fodder yield, nano-urea

70-76

M. M. VENKATESHA, B. U. UMESHA, T. THIRUMALESH, M. BHARAT BHUSHAN, G. M. SATHEESHA, MANJUNATH MADHUKAR MOPAGAR AND H. A. SUSHMA
Department of LFC, Veterinary College, Shivamogga-577 201 (Karnataka), India
Department of Agronomy, KSNUAHS, Shivamogga-577 201 (Karnataka), India
*(e-mail : venka5033@gmail.com)
(Received : 8 June 2024; Accepted : 28 June 2024)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted during kharif of 2020, 2021 and 2022 at Veterinary College, Shivamogga to study the integrated nutrient management in hybrid napier cultivar CO-4. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments comprisesT1: recommended package of practices, T₂: 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through FYM, T₃: 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through poultry manure, T₄: 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through horse manure, T₅: 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through vermicompost, T₆: 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through swine manure, T₇: 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through sheep and goat manure, T₈: recommended package of practices + Azotobacter were replicatedthrice. The pooled data of experimental results revealed that integrated application of 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through vermicompost recorded significantly superior growth parameters of the CO-4 hybrid napier viz., plant height, number of tillers and number of leaves/tillers and green fodder yield (254.27 t/ha/year) as compared to other treatments.

Key words: Fodder yield, forage crops, green fodder, Napier grass, organic manures

77-81

RAJ KUMAR, DALIP KUMAR, BAJRANG LAL SHARMA, TARUN VERMA, PAVITRA KUMARI, VIVEK KUMAR SAINI, SUMIT MEHLA1 AND POOJA YADAV
Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Department of Plant Pathology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India Department of Zoology, Government College, Hisar-125001 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: dshroff@hau.ac.in)
(Received : 10 June 2024: Accepted : 28 June 2024)

SUMMARY

An investigation was carried out during Kharif, 2021 at CCS HAU, Hisar to know the reaction of sorghum shoot fly in 40 sorghum genotypes, replicated three times in randomized block design. Deadheart caused by shoot fly varied from 6.23 to 23.94 per cent with mean 15.80 per cent at 21 days after crop emergence and from 11.42 to 43.48 per cent having mean 27.43 per cent at 28 days after crop emergence in 40 sorghum genotypes. Sorghum genotypes categorized in three classes’ i.e, 1, 2 and 3 on the basis of deadheart formation at 21 DAE, eight (8) genotypes given a score of 1 having deadheart per cent less than 10. At 28 days after crop emergence, all the genotypes lie within a range of 2–5 scale. 14 sorghum genotypes (SH 1936, CSV 33 MF, SH 2026, 467 x SSG, SH 2018, SH 1603, GP 2008, GP 2043, GP 2031, GP 2099, GP 2029, HBM 3, IS 2312 and IS 2205) were assigned a scale rating of 2.0 indicating that the deadheart percentage ranged from 11 to 20 per cent exhibited resistance against shoot fly in the field. Seven (7) genotypes namely; GP 2101, GP 2055, SH 1934, SH 1955, SH 1919, DJ 6514 and Swarna received a 5 scale rating implying a deadheart percentage between 41 and 50 indicating higher affinity of sorghum shoot fly.

Key words: Resistance, screening, shoot fly, sorghum genotypes

82-86