MUKUL KUMAR, SEVA NAYAK DHEERAVATHU, USHA T. N., SRAVANTHI G, KETHAVATH MADHUDEEPIKA, THULASI BAI VADITHE, AVINASH S, JYOTHI, SAIDA NAIK VADITHE, D. VENKATESHWARLU AND M. ANIL NAYAK
Department of Plant Physiology & Biochemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar, India
ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad-500030 (Telangana), India
Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Iruvakki, Sagara (Tq), Shivamogga-577412 (Karnataka), India
Department of Microbiology, Visakha Government Degree College for Women (A), Visakhapatnam-530020 (Andhra Pradesh), India
ANGRAU–Agricultural Research Station, Jangameswarapuram, Palnadu-522415 (Andhra Pradesh), India
CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore (Karnataka), India
ICAR–Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), Jhansi-284003 (U. P.), India
*(e-mail: sevanayak2005@gmail.com)
(Received: 10 November 2025; Accepted: 25 December 2025)

SUMMARY

Waterlogging, characterized by prolonged soil saturation and oxygen (O₂) depletion in the root zone, severely constrains the growth, persistence, and productivity of forage legumes and grasses. Inhibition of aerobic respiration limits energy availability, root growth, and nutrient uptake, ultimately depressing shoot photosynthesis and biomass accumulation. Forage species exhibit diverse adaptive mechanisms-morphological, anatomical, physiological, and biochemical-that confer differential tolerance to waterlogging stress. Key tolerance traits include root aerenchyma formation, adventitious root development, barriers to radial oxygen loss, and the maintenance of nodulation and biological nitrogen (N₂) fixation under hypoxic conditions. While cereals such as rice possess well-characterized genetic pathways for flooding tolerance, mechanistic and genomic understanding in forage crops remains limited. This review synthesizes current knowledge on physiological responses and tolerance mechanisms in forage species and highlights research gaps and breeding priorities aimed at developing resilient forage systems under increasing waterlogging risk associated with climate change.

Key words: Adventitious roots. aerenchyma; forage grasses; forage legumes;waterlogging tolerance

289-296

PRAKHAR SINGLA, PAWAN KUMAR, SONU LANGAYA, R. N. SHEOKAND, VERSHA ROHILLA, NEERU BALDA AND YOGENDRA KUMAR
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India
Department of Agriculture Science, Starex University, Gurugram, India
*(e-mail: pawankumargpb1502@gmail.com)
(Received: 11 November 2025; Accepted: 19 December 2025)

SUMMARY

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the association between straw yield and its component traits, and to assess genetic divergence through cluster analysis under early sowing conditions in bread wheat. Substantial variability was observed for straw yield, with mean values ranging from 17.15 g/plant (HD 2888) to 31.10 g/plant (WH 1021). Straw yield exhibited a strong and positive correlation with biological yield (r = 0.97, p < 0.01), indicating its major contribution to total biomass accumulation. A significant positive association was also observed between straw yield and grain yield (r = 0.68, p < 0.01), whereas significant negative correlations were recorded with harvest index (r = –0.56, p < 0.01) and plant height (r = –0.33, p < 0.01). Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into distinct clusters, with Cluster IV recording the highest mean straw yield (29.47 g/plant) and grain yield (15.38 g/plant). The lowest and highest intra-cluster distances were observed in Cluster IV (11.58) and Cluster I (40.60), respectively. High inter-cluster distances reflected substantial genetic divergence, suggesting promising opportunities for heterosis breeding. Crosses between genotypes belonging to Cluster I and Cluster V (61.06), Cluster I and Cluster III (48.96), and Cluster III and Cluster V (48.95) are therefore expected to generate superior recombinants with wider variability.

Key words: wheat, straw yield, correlation, genetic distance, cluster

297-302

BHOOMIKA, RAVISH PANCHTA, SATYAWAN ARYA AND SACHIN
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: sachinverma1105@gmail.com)
(Received: 10 December 2025; Accepted: 29 December 2025)

SUMMARY

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is an important cereal cum forage crop of the temperate, sub-temperate and tropical climates of the world. It is a cool season crop cultivated in the Rabi season. The present investigation was conducted to quantify genetic variability, heritability (broad sense), genetic advance, and to elucidate phenotypic performance of the traits governing green fodder yield in oats. Fifty oat genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications during rabi 2022-23 at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Sixteen morphological and biochemical traits were recorded. Highly significant differences among genotypes were observed for all characters, indicating the presence of substantial genetic variability. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were recorded for number of tillers per plant, 100-grain weight and crude protein content. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance (as percentage of mean) was observed for plant height, no. of tillers per plant, leaf: stem, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, panicle length, 100 seed weight and crude protein content, suggesting predominance of additive gene action. Direct selection for such traits is rewarding in green fodder and seed yield improvement in oat.

Key words: Genetic variability and heritability, green forage, seed yield per plant, oat and protein content

303-309

D. K. SHUKLA, RASHMI RANA, KRANTI KUMAR AND MOHAMMAD HASANAIN
Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263 145 (Uttarakhand), India
IARI regional Station, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar), India
*(e-mail: dkshuklaagro@gmail.com)
(Received: 5 December 2025; Accepted: 25 December 2025)

SUMMARY

The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of foliar application of nano urea and nano zinc on growth and yield of single cut forage sorghum. The experiment was laid out during kharif season, June, 2022 at Instructional Dairy Farm, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. The field was designed in a randomized block design having eleven treatments which were replicated thrice. The available treatments consist of different combinations of RDF and nano fertilizers containing nano urea and nano zinc. The implementation of treatment, T₅ has significantly effect on plant height, leaf: stem ratio, SPAD value, mean CGR, mean RGR over other treatment combinations. Green and dry fodder yield were noted highest under T₅ (75.3 t/ha) and (16.6 t/ha) over other treatments. T₅ incurred the highest cost of cultivation (Rs. 37,821/ha), whereas T₁ had the lowest (Rs. 34,495/ha). Despite its higher cost, T₅-60 kg N/ha as basal + NU & NZn spray at 30 and 60 DAS, yielded the highest net return (Rs. 112,779/ha), while T₁– T₁: 60 kg N/ha as basal + top dressing of 30 kg N/ha at 30 DAS (RDF) recorded the highest benefit-cost (B:C) ratio of 3.2 among all treatments. Foliar application of nano urea and nano zinc at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS), in combination with a basal application of 60 kg N/ha, significantly enhances the yield and net returns of single-cut forage sorghum.

Key words: Economic, fodder yields, foliar spray, forage sorghum and nano fertilization

310-314

A. K. DHAKA, BHAGAT SINGH, KAMAL, R. D. JAT AND AMIT KUMAR
RDS Seed Farm, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Krishi Vigyan Kendra-Kaithal, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: kamalkhroad@gmail.com)
(Received: 12 December 2025; Accepted: 29 December 2025)

SUMMARY

Prevailing changed climatic conditions compelled us to go for climate smart low input requiring crops which have short life, high tolerance to water and temperatures stress. So, millets which are also known as ‘Nutri Cereals’ may be best choice to ensure national food and nutritional security. To see the scope of millets in semi-arid conditions of Hisar district of Haryana eight millets (foxtail millet, little millet, browntop millet, proso millet, kodo millet, barnyard millet, finger millet and pearl millet) were evaluated for their economic, yield and energy performance by conducting a field experiment at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India during Kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023 in randomized block with three replications. On the basis of two years field study, it was concluded that all millets were feasible in Hisar district of Haryana but except pearl millet and foxtail millet, other millets were found uneconomical having negative returns and B:C less than one. Among all millets, Pearl millet recorded significantly higher grain yield (2427 kg/ha) and net energy returns (1,21,172 MJ/ha), while foxtail millet recorded higher net returns (Rs. 4353/ha) and B:C (1.09). So, farmers in semi arid regions of Haryana may go for pearl millet or foxtail millet to earn higher economic and energy returns.

Key words: Economics, energy, millets, yield, returns

315-322

KANNOJ, SATPAL, POOJA GUPTA SONI, K. K. BHARDWAJ, SATYAWAN ARYA, NEERAJ KHAROR AND RAVISH PANCHTA
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding (Forage Section),
Department of Soil Science CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: kannojathwal@hau.ac.in)
(Received: 9 December 2025; Accepted: 28 December 2025)

SUMMARY

Balanced nutrients application has become increasingly important for enhancing productivity and quality of cluster bean under intensive cultivation systems of semi-arid regions. A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2025 at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, to evaluate the response of summer cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) to graded levels of polyhalite in comparison with conventional sources of sulphur and potassium under recommended fertilizer dose (RDF). The study was laid out in a randomized block design with ten treatments comprising recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) alone and in combination with graded levels of polyhalite, sulphur supplied through gypsum and bentonite, and potassium through muriate of potash. The results revealed that supplementation of RDF with polyhalite significantly improved plant height, yield components, seed yield, straw yield, guar gum content, and protein content over RDF alone. Application of RDF + 250 kg/ha polyhalite recorded the highest seed yield (822 kg/ha), straw yield (3491 kg/ha), gum content (39.0%), and protein content (30.75%), though these values remained statistically comparable with lower polyhalite levels and potassium-based treatments. Economic analysis indicated that despite higher biological yields under higher polyhalite doses, the maximum net returns (Rs 17,186/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (1.50) were obtained with RDF + 40 kg/ha K₂O. Overall, balanced fertilization involving secondary nutrients enhanced productivity, quality, and profitability of summer cluster bean, with potassium supplementation emerging as the most cost-effective option under the prevailing conditions.

Key words: Cluster bean, polyhalite, gypsum, bentonite, potassium

323-328

RITU YADAV, POOJA GUPTA SONI, SATPAL, NEERAJ KHAROR AND KANNOJ
Department of Agronomy, Forage section, Department of Genetic & Plant Breeding CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: yritu360@gmail.com)
(Received: 14 December 2025; Accepted: 29 December 2025)

SUMMARY

The cultivable area under fodder production in India is consistent over the years and is facing deficiency in fodder requirement. Soil salinity is also major challenge to get sufficient production. So, with some management practices saline soils can be taken under cultivation and gap between the fodder requirement and availability can be reduced. With this objective the experiment was conducted at Forage Research Farm, CCSHAU, Hisar during the kharif season of 2024. It consists of 14 treatments formed by combination of two fodder sorghum varieties (HJ 260 and HJ 541) and seven thiourea doses involving: control, foliar spray of TU @ 400, 500 and 600 ppm at 30-40 DAS and @ 400, 500 and 600 ppm at 30-40 DAS and 50-60 DAS. The experiment resulted that among varieties, HJ 541 recorded the significantly highest green and dry fodder yield (30.25 and 7.37 t/ha) as compared to HC 260 (26.25 and 5.85 t/ha, respectively). Across the thiourea treatments, significantly highest green and dry fodder yield were recorded under foliar spray of TU @ 600 ppm at 30 and 50 DAS over the other treatments. Significant interaction was observed between cultivar and thiourea dosage for different characters including green fodder yield. Both cultivars viz. HC 260 and HJ 541, recorded significantly higher green fodder yield (28.75 and 32.26 t/ha, respectively) for foliar application of TU @ 600 ppm at 30 DAS and 50 DAS. Additionally, cultivar HJ 541 exhibited a statistically at par yield performance with foliar spray of TU @ 500 ppm at 30 and 50 DAS. So, it can be concluded that sorghum cultivars HJ 541 with foliar application of TU @ 500 ppm at 30 and 50 DAS can be recommended for higher green and dry fodder yield to meet the fodder requirement during kharif season under saline soil condition.

Key words: Sorghum, salinity, thiourea, foliar spray, green fodder and BC ratio

332-340

B. L. KUMHAR, K. K. AGRAWAL, A. K. JHA, J. PATIDAR, V. KUMAR, S. KUMAR AND SATPAL
Dr. B. R. Choudhary Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, Agriculture University, Jodhpur
College of Agriculture, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur
Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar
*(e-mail: prajapatiagro09@gmail.com)
(Received: 9 December 2025; Accepted: 29 December 2025)

SUMMARY

Good soil health is utmost essential to management strategies for tackling the issues of soil health deterioration and over exploitation of underground water resources, particularly in intensive cropping systems. Therefore, a long term four years study was conducted to evaluate soil health under different eight grass based cropping systems (GBCS) i.e. pearl millet napier (PN) hybrid sole crop (T₁), guinea grass sole crop (T₂), PN hybrid in paired rows + rice bean (kharif) – egyption clover (rabi) (T₃), PN hybrid in paired rows + Desmanthus (T₄), PN hybrid in paired rows + Sesbania grandiflora (T₅), guinea grass in paired rows + rice bean (kharif) – egyption clover (rabi) (T₆), guinea grass in paired rows + Desmanthus (T₇) and guinea grass in paired rows + Sesbania grandiflora (T₈). Soil samples were collected from 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm at initial of experiment July 2016 and end of experiment June 2020. Results showed, that reduction in bulk density (BD), electrical conductivity, soil pH. The lowest BD 1.31 at 0-15, 1.42 at 15-30 and 1.46 at 30-40 cm soil depth was recorded with the application of PN hybrid in paired rows + Desmanthus, PN hybrid in paired rows + rice bean (kharif) – egyption clover (rabi) and PN hybrid in paired rows + Sesbania grandiflora respectively. Electrical conductivity and soil pH was not affected by GBCS and it’s found non-significant. The enrichment of soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, total bacterial count, fungi, azoctobactor, actinomycetes and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria was mostly confined to upper surface soil layer (0-15 cm). The SOC content found non-significant but SOC stock in PN hybrid in paired rows + ricebean – Egyptian clover was recorded 15-20% higher than sole cropping system at 0-15 cm soil depth. Available nitrogen increased by 15 %, Phosphorus 09% and potash 10% in 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm soil depth, respectively in PN hybrid in paired rows + ricebean – Egyptian clover over pearlmillet napier hybrid sole. Similarly soil micro flora like that total bacterial count, fungi, Azoctobactor, Actinomycetes and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria.

Key words: Grass based cropping systems, soil health and soil quality parameters

341-349

DIGVIJAY SINGH, PUMMY KUMARI AND P. K. PANDEY
National Dairy Development Board, Anand-38800 (Gujarat), India
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding. G. B. P. U. A. & T., Pantnagar-263145, (Uttarakhand), India
*(e-mail: dsingh@nddb.coop)
(Received: 12 November 2025; Accepted: 10 December 2025)

SUMMARY

Sorghum is an important fodder crop in India that produces high biomass yield in diverse agro-climatic conditions. A study was conducted during Kharif 2021 for comparative analysis of nineteen sorghum cultivars belonging to single-cut fodder, multi-cut fodder and sweet sorghum type for silage making potential. Significant differences were observed amongst sorghum cultivars for dry matter (%) in fodder before and after ensiling, °brix content, pH, silage yield, dry matter yield, plant height, number of leaves/plant, length of leaves, width of leaves, L:S and fresh biomass weight/plant. On the basis of group mean values, many parameters viz. plant height, fresh biomass weight/plant and dry matter accumulation/plant were observed to be higher in single-cut type fodder cultivars as compared to sweet sorghum and multi-cut fodder type cultivars. Non-significant differences were observed amongst sorghum cultivars for leaf area index, dry matter accumulation/ plant (g) and plant population (lakh/ha), however, the differences ranged between 0.59-1.23, 62.00- 170.00 and 0.23-0.37, respectively. All the sorghum cultivars showed potential to produce good quality of silage as pH in silage and °brix content in stem juices were observed to be in highly desirable range viz. 3.50-4.23 and 9.40-16.47%, respectively. Silage and dry matter yields were recorded to be significantly higher in cultivars HJ 541 (40.23 t/ha) and CSV 44F (13.97 t/ha), respectively. Single-cut sorghum cultivars, HJ 541 and CSV 44F out yielded check cultivar CSV 21F by 34.48% and 30.83% for silage yield and; 27.36% and 34.43% for dry matter yield, respectively. Significantly lowest silage yield (21.68 t/ha) and dry matter yield (6.82 t/ha) were recorded in cultivar CSV 40F. During this study, green fodder of nineteen cultivars belonging to single-cut fodder, multi-cut fodder and sweet sorghum types harvested at ninety days stage was found suitable for silage making, however, few cultivars like HJ 541, CSV 44F, CSV 35F and Madhura 2 were found to be most suitable cultivars for obtaining high silage yields (>35 t/ha) during kharif season under Central Gujarat conditions.

Key words: Fodder sorghum, sweet sorghum, single-cut, multi-cut, silage, pH, °brix and dry matter yield

350-358

MAKHAN LAL*, S. K. TEHLAN, DAVINDER SINGH AND V. P. S. PANGHAL
Department of Vegetable Science
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : makhanmajoka72@gmail.com)
(Received: 12 November 2025; Accepted: 29 December 2025)

SUMMARY

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an annual plant in the family Fabaceae with leaves consisting of three small obovate to oblong leaflets. It is cultivated worldwide as a semi-arid crop. Its leaves and seeds are common ingredients in dishes from the Indian subcontinent, and have been used as a culinary ingredient since ancient times. Its use as a food ingredient in small quantities is safe. The present experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana) during 2023-2024 and 2024-25, respectively. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications There were total nine modern growth regulators as a treatments viz. Salicylic acid @ 50 ppm, Salicylic acid @ 100 ppm, Jasmonic acid @ 50 ppm, Jasmonic acid @ 100 ppm, Benzyl adenine @ 10 ppm, Benzyl adenine @ 20 ppm, Brassinosteroid @ 0.50 ppm, Brassinosteroid @ 1.00 ppm and water spray were used for the present study. These all nine modern growth regulators were applied 45 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) as a foliar spray of fenugreek crop. Maximum number of branches per plant (6.0), pods per plant (65.7), number of seeds per pod (19.1) and seed yield (2432 kg/ha) was recorded with foliar spray of salicylic acid @ 100 ppm while applied 45 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) followed by with the application of jasmonic acid @ 50 ppm in fenugreek seed crop.

Key words: Modern growth regulators, fenugreek, pods and seed yield

359-364

ROHTAS KUMAR, VIKAS KUMAR, H. K. YADAV AND SANJIB KUMAR BEHERA
Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
AICRP on Micronutrients, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal-462 038 (M. P.), India
*(e-mail: rkmsoil@gmail.com)
(Received: 5 December 2025; Accepted: 23 December 2025)

SUMMARY

Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) deficiency prevalence severely limit the mustard productivity, causing stunted growth, chlorosis, reduced yields and poor grain quality due to low availability of these micronutrients. This study aimed to identify high Zn and Fe acquisition efficient mustard genotypes under both (Zn and Fe) deficient condition separately. In order to distinguish tolerance 20 mustard genotypes, assess yield response, nutrient uptake and efficiency indices to identify superiority of nutrient-efficient genotype for breeding purposes and high-yielding varieties suitability under Fe and Zn deficient soils., two field experiments were conducted separately one on Fe deficient soil (pH 7.9, DTPA-Fe 4.34 mg/kg) and another on Zn deficient soil (pH 8.3, DTPA-Zn 0.30 mg/kg. In Fe deficient soil, iron sulphate @ 50 kg/ha was applies applied in half portion of the field and another is kept as untreated controls. Likewise, in Zn deficient soil, zinc sulphate heptahydrate @ 25 kg/ha was also applied in similar manner. Results of these studies, revealed that genotype RH 1529 was found the most Fe-tolerant genotype with 1.8% yield response, iron efficiency index (IEI) 98.22 and iron efficiency (IE) 94.11. the genotype RH 1499-7 exhibited peak Fe uptake (428.75 g/ha treated). For Zn stress, RH 119 showed highest tolerance with yield 2.4% response, zinc efficiency index (ZEI) 97.51 and zinc efficiency (ZE) 73.74. In Zn treated soil, genotype RH 725 achieved highest yield (25.4 q/ha with yield response of 3.4%). All genotypes classified as tolerant to semi-tolerant (yield responses <25%), with no susceptible was observed. These results imply that prioritizing genotypes like RH 1529, RH 1430 (Fe-efficient) and RH 119, RH 725 (Zn-efficient) in breeding programs, combined with targeted agronomic biofortification, can enhance mustard stability in deficient environments may narrow productivity gaps, boost farmer incomes and improve nutritional security in micronutrient- poor regions.

Key words: Genotypes, response, uptake, harvest index, content, zinc and iron

365-370

S. J. VAGHELA, R. A. GAMI, K. G. KUGASHIYA, J. K. PATEL AND R. N. PATEL
Centre for Millets Research, SDAU, Deesa-385 535 (Gujarat), India
Potato Research Station, SDAU, Deesa-385 535 (Gujarat), India
*(e-mail : sjagron@sdau.edu.in)
(Received: 2 November 2025; Accepted: 25 December 2025)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2018, 2019 and 2020 to study the effect of split application of nitrogen to dual purpose kharif sorghum at Centre for Millets, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Deesa. The experiment was carried out in randomized block design with three replication comprising thirteen treatments viz., T₁ [50 % basal + 50 % split and one split (30 DAS), T₂ [50 % basal +50 % split and two split (20 and 40 DAS)], T₃ [50 % basal + 50 % split and three split (20, 40 and 60 DAS)], T₄ [50 % basal + 50 % split and four split (20, 40, 60 and 80 DAS)], T₅ [25 % basal + 75 % split and one split (30 DAS), T₆ [25 % basal + 75 % split and two split (20 and 40 DAS)], T₇ [25 % basal + 75 % split and three split (20, 40 and 60 DAS)], T₈ [25 % basal + 75 % split and four split (20, 40, 60 and 80 DAS)], T₉ [No basal + 100 % split and one split (30 DAS), T₁₀ [No basal +100 % split and two split (20 and 40 DAS)], T₁₁ [No basal + 100 % split and three split (20, 40 and 60 DAS)], T₁₂ [No basal + 100 % split and four split (20, 40, 60 and 80 DAS)] and T₁₃ (100 % RDN) in which 75 % recommended dose of nitrogen was applied in treatment T₁ to T₁₂ while in treatment T₁₃ full dose of nitrogen was applied as a basal. Sorghum under rain-fed environment of North Gujarat with 25 % N (15 kg) as basal and remaining 75 % N (45 kg) in three equal splits at 20, 40 and 60 DAS in addition to recommended dose of phosphorus (40 kg/ha) as basal for obtaining significantly higher number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, ear head length, grain yield, dry fodder yield and net return with saving of 25 % N.

Key words: Dual purpose sorghum, split application of nitrogen, yield, yield attributes, net returns

371-375

SRAVANTHI G., DHEERAVATHU S. N., LATHA P., AVINASH S., JACOB J., VIJAYA KUMAR G. AND C. ARUNA REDDY
Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad- 500030, (Telangana), India
Department of Crop Physiology, SVAC, Tirupati, (Andhra Pradesh), India
Department of Crop Physiology, Agricultural College, Bapatla (ANGRAU) (Andhra Pradesh), India
*(e-mail: sevanayak2005@gmail.com)
(Received: 6 November 2025; Accepted: 17 December 2025)

SUMMARY

Global climate change, characterized by rising temperatures and fluctuating rainfall, poses a major threat to sorghum productivity. The present study evaluated the physiological responses of two sorghum lines (AKR150 and C43) under field conditions during the 2024 and 2025 summer seasons at ICAR–IIMR, Hyderabad. Weather data indicated higher temperatures, reduced relative humidity, and increased sunshine hours in 2025, creating intensified heat stress conditions. Physiological traits-chlorophyll content (SCMR), canopy temperature depression (CTD) and membrane stability index (MSI) were significantly affected by the climatic variation. Both genotypes exhibited declines in chlorophyll content and MSI under 2025 heat stress; however, AKR150 maintained higher chlorophyll stability and greater CTD, indicating efficient canopy cooling and superior thermotolerance. Conversely, C43 showed higher MSI but experienced sharper chlorophyll loss, reflecting moderate tolerance. This study highlights the effects of climatic variability on sorghum physiology and identifies AKR150 as a promising genotype for breeding programs targeting the development of heat-resilient cultivars suited to future climate conditions.

Key words: Canopy temperature depression, climate change, Sorghum, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading

376-382

RAJENDRA CHAUHAN, DIGVIJAY SINGH AND ASHOK K VERMA
Aanchal Cattle Feed Factory, Rudrapur-244 923
NDDB, Noida-201301
Senior TCM, Kemin- India- 600058
*(e-mail: chauhan77r@gmail.com)
(Received: 9 November 2025; Accepted: 10 December 2025)

SUMMARY

To evaluate the proper combination of empty pea pods (EPP) based mixed fodder along with the available crop residues (bagasse and wheat straw) for silage making, a trial was conducted during Rabi season, 2025 at a cattle feed plant (CFP), Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, India. In total 7 treatment combinations were made to find out best combinations to get good to satisfactory silage quality. It was found that good quality silage can be made by using empty pea pods (EPP) in combination with wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse and dry jaggery in the ratio of (70:29:1) in form of silage bales during winter season. After completion of 45 days of ensiling period, amongst different silage treatments T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 & T6 treatments, silage pH was recorded 3.97, 3.96, 4.0, 4.5, 4.39 and 4.25; moisture content (%) was recorded 65.9, 68.5, 71.2, 68.13, 75.68 and 76.55; crude protein was recorded 7.68, 10.39, 11.02, 7.17, 9.23 and 10.08; ether extract was recorded 1.1, 1.08, 1.0,1.1, 1.0 and 1.0; crude fibre was recorded 48.23, 44.17, 43.87 59.85, 61.0 and 51.23; acid insoluble ash was recorded 3.11, 3.0, 2.92,2.04, 1.52 and 1.15, respectively. Based on total marks scored in different silage treatments as per the data recording for proximate parameters and texture, colour and aroma, overall silage quality was judged good in case of T1, satisfactory in case of T2, T3, T5 and T6 and average in case of T4 and T7 treatment combinations.

Key words: Silage, pea pods, pH, crop residues, bagasse, wheat straw and proximate parameters

383-388

ASHLESHA ATRI, RAMANDEEP KAUR AND POONAM
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics,
Department of Plant Pathology Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004 (Punjab), India
*(e-mail: ashlesha-atri@pau.edu)
(Received: 12 December 2025; Accepted: 26 December 2025)

SUMMARY

Leaf blight, caused by Drechslera avenae, is one of the most important foliar diseases of oat in North western India. Study aimed to assess the extracts of various botanicals under in vitro and in vivo conditions against leaf blight pathogen affecting oat crop. The study was conducted for two years during the winter of 2021-22 and 2022-23. A total of eleven leaf extracts were evaluated under in vitro conditions, and among them Cymbopogon citratus and Aegle marmelos were found most effective botanicals against Drechslera avenae, exhibiting more than 92% mycelial growth inhibition at 10% concentration followed by Murraya koenigii (91%) and Melia azedarach (88%). Under field conditions, seven botanical extracts were tested and the minimum disease severity (12.90%) was recorded in the treatment A. marmelos as compared to control (43.84%) followed by M. azedarach (18.78%) with 70.57% reduction in disease, and resulted in the maximum green fodder yield of 567.5 q ha^-1, representing 41.62 per cent increase in yield over the control (400.7 q ha-1). Thus, these botanicals can be used as one of the management strategies against leaf blight.

Key words: Oat, Dreschlera avenae, plant extracts and antifungal activity

389-394