Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. is one of the promising multipurpose tree species of South Asia. Most of the plantations of D. sissoo from seeds are facing severe threats due to the die-back disease, which ultimately causes de...Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. is one of the promising multipurpose tree species of South Asia. Most of the plantations of D. sissoo from seeds are facing severe threats due to the die-back disease, which ultimately causes death of this potential tree-species within a few months. Vegetative propagation could avoid the die-back disease. Thirty mother trees of different age-groups of D. sissoo were selected for evaluating the rooting behaviour of branch cuttings from D. sissoo as influenced by auxins （IAA or IBA at 100, 200, 500 mg·L^-1）, ages of mother trees （10, 4 and 2 years old） and different environment conditions, i.e., different mediums （soil and sand） or light conditions （in shade and open condition）. The results show that application of IAA and IBA induced more numbers of cuttings （collected from 10-year-old mother trees） to root compared to control. Branch cuttings of D. sissoo collected from 10-year-old mother trees and planted in soil bed in open conditions had 100.0% of cuttings to root in IAA （100 mg·L^-1） and IBA （200 mg·L^-1） treatments. Both rooting medium （Soil and sand） influenced significantly （p〈0.05） on rooting response of branch cuttings. Soil medium was found to achieve maximum no. of branch cuttings to root, compared to sand medium.展开更多
To evaluate the response to lime on cultivars of ricebean(Vigna umbellata), a field experiment was conducted during the two consecutive rabi seasons of 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 in the Nagaland foothills, India. The e...To evaluate the response to lime on cultivars of ricebean(Vigna umbellata), a field experiment was conducted during the two consecutive rabi seasons of 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 in the Nagaland foothills, India. The experiment used a split-plot design with four levels of lime(control, 0.2, 0.4and 0.6 t ha-1) in main plots and four ricebean cultivars(RBS-16, RBS-53, PRR-2, and RCRB-4) in sub-plots with three replicates. The results revealed that increasing levels of lime(in the furrow)from 0 to 0.6 t ha-1significantly increased growth, yield attributes and yield. The quality parameters of ricebean were also influenced significantly by the application of lime. Maximum gross return(INR 39,098 ha-1), net return(INR 27,281 ha-1), benefit:cost(B:C) ratio(2.29),production efficiency, and economic efficiency were also realized with the application of lime at 0.6 t ha-1. Among the ricebean cultivars, RBS-53 produced significantly higher growth, yield attributes, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield, and harvest index. Similarly, yield and protein content were higher in RBS-53. Maximum gross return, net return, B:C ratio, production efficiency, and economic efficiency were observed for RBS-53.展开更多
Micronutrient refers to the relative quantity of a nutrient that is required for plant growth. It takes part in metabolic activities, enzymatic process/catalysts etc. Thus these all directly and indirectly help in pla...Micronutrient refers to the relative quantity of a nutrient that is required for plant growth. It takes part in metabolic activities, enzymatic process/catalysts etc. Thus these all directly and indirectly help in plant growth and development. There are 8 essential plant nutrient elements defined as micronutrients like boron (B), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), chlorine (Cl) and silicon (Si). They constitute in total less than 1% of the dry weight of most plants. Organic sources like farm yard manure, compost, vermicompost etc. may contain less quantity of these nutrients but presence of these help the plant in their growth and development. They also called trace elements or minor elements. They are required only in small amounts (5 to 200 ppm, or less than 0.02% dry weight). The visual symptoms may be caused by more than one nutrient. Deficiency of one nutrient may be related to an excess quantity of another. Nutrient deficiency symptoms are observed only after the crop has already suffered an irretrievable loss. When soil supplies more quantity of nutrient than the plant’s requirement, plant shows toxicity symptom.展开更多
The agrochemical applicationwith conventional sprayers results inwastage of applied chemicals,which not only increases the economic losses but also pollutes the environment.In order to overcome these drawbacks,an imag...The agrochemical applicationwith conventional sprayers results inwastage of applied chemicals,which not only increases the economic losses but also pollutes the environment.In order to overcome these drawbacks,an image processing based real-time variable-rate chemical spraying systemwas developed for the precise application of agrochemicals in diseased paddy crop based on crop disease severity information.The developed system comprised ofweb cameras for image acquisition,laptop for image processing,microcontroller for controlling the system functioning,and solenoid valve assisted spraying nozzles.The chromatic aberration(CA)based image segmentation method was used to detect the diseased region of paddy plants.The system further calculated the disease severity level of paddy plants,based onwhich the solenoid valves remained on for a specific timeduration so that the required amount of agrochemical could be sprayed on the diseased paddy plants.Field performance of developed sprayer prototype was evaluated in the variable-rate application(VRA)and constant-rate application(CRA)modes.The field testing results showed a minimum 33.88%reduction in applied chemical while operating in the VRA mode as compared with the CRA mode.Hence,the developed systemappears promising and could be used extensively to reduce the cost of pest management as well as to control environmental pollution due to such agrochemicals.展开更多
The sustainability of prevailing maize-fallow system in rainfed ecosystems of the Eastern Himalayan region(EHR)of India is often questioned due to poor economic return and negative impact on soil health.Hence,the six ...The sustainability of prevailing maize-fallow system in rainfed ecosystems of the Eastern Himalayan region(EHR)of India is often questioned due to poor economic return and negative impact on soil health.Hence,the six cropping systems,maize-fallow(M-F),maize t cowpea-rapeseed(M t C-Rs),maize t cowpea-buckwheat(M t C-Bw),maize t cowpea-barley(M t CeB),maize t cowpea-garden pea(M t C-GP)and maize t cowpeaerajmash(M t C-R)in the main plot and three soil moisture conservation measures,no-mulch(NM),maize stover mulch(MSM)and maize stover t weed biomass mulch(MSM t WBM)in sub-plot were evaluated for four consecutive years(2014-18)at a Research Farm in fixed plot fashion.Results indicated that cowpea co-culture with maize and inclusion of winter crop increased maize yield by 6.2e23.5%over M-F.Among the systems,the M t C-GP recorded the highest crop productivity.The residual effect of MSM t WBM increased maize grain yield by 19.1%over NM.Cultivation of maize t cowpea-winter crops significantly improved the available N(3.2e12.9%),P(3.6 e12.7%),K(1.9e26.3%),organic carbon(9.2e16.8%),microbial biomass carbon-MBC(15.2e43.9%)and dehydrogenases-DHA(17.2e42.3%)in soil at 0e15 cm depth as compared to M-F.The M t C-GP also recorded maximum net return(US$2460 ha1),benefit:cost(B:C)ratio(2.86)and energy use efficiency(7.9%).The MSM t WBM recorded higher net return(US$1680 ha1)and B:C ratio(2.46)over NM.Hence,cowpea t maize-garden pea(M t C-GP)along with the application of MSM t WBM is a sustainable production practice to intensify the organically managed maize-fallow system in rainfed regions of the EHR of India and other similar ecosystems.展开更多
A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years at North Eastern Indian Himalayan region to assess the effect of soil moisture conservation measures on soil and water productivity of different rainfed maize...A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years at North Eastern Indian Himalayan region to assess the effect of soil moisture conservation measures on soil and water productivity of different rainfed maize(Zea mays L.)-based cropping sequences.Results revealed that double mulching with in-situ maize stover mulch(MSM)+fresh biomass of white hoary pea(WHP-Tephrosia candida)and MSM+fresh biomass of ragweed(RW-Ambrosia artemisiifolia)improved soil moisture content(SMC)and leaf relative water content of crops during dry season.The soil organic carbon(SOC)content and stocks under MSM+WHP and MSM+RW mulches were significantly higher than that under no mulch at 0-15 cm depth.The soil microbial biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity were maximum under MSM+WHP/RW.The highest system productivity was obtained from maize-French bean(Pole type-PT)sequence under MSM+RW followed by MSM+WHP.The water productivity was the highest under MSM+WHP.While SOC content was the highest under maize-French bean(PT),the maximum plant available nitrogen and phosphorus were obtained under maize-black gram sequence.Thus,double mulching technology involving MSM and RW(available in plenty)is a viable option for improving soil,crop and water productivity under rainfed hill ecosystems of eastern Indian Himalayas.展开更多
Poor soil properties especially low soil organic carbon(SOC)and nutrient and water retention capacities are major concern for sustainable agriculture in Himalayas.Field experiments were conducted to assess the effects...Poor soil properties especially low soil organic carbon(SOC)and nutrient and water retention capacities are major concern for sustainable agriculture in Himalayas.Field experiments were conducted to assess the effects of six combinations of tillage[conventional tillage(CT)and no-till(NT)]and land configurations[flat bed planting(FB),ridge and furrow planting(RF),and raised bed planting(RB)]on productivity and carbon(C)-sequestration potential of maize[(Zea mays L.)for green-cob in summer]-maize(for grains in rainy season)-field pea[(Pisum sativum L.in winter]cropping system under humid mildtropical climate of Tripura,India.The maize under NT-FB in 2012 and NT-RF in 2013 produced significantly higher green cob yield than that under CT-RF.However,in rainy season,CT produced higher maize grain yield than NT systems.Field pea seed yield was significantly the highest under NT-RB.After two cropping cycles,NT systems had higher available N,P,K and 18.6e31.4%higher soil moisture content after rainy season maize than CT system.The highest SOC-stock(0e30 cm)was observed under NT-FB,whereas,SOC-sequestration rate was maximum under NT-RB(0.85 Mg ha1 year1).Therefore,NT based systems can enhance the productivity and improve SOC-sequestration in cultivated soils of eastern Himalayas.Hence,study recommended adoption of NT-RB/NT-FB to raise maize-maize-field pea system for improving productivity,improving C-sequestration and soil properties in the eastern Himalayas and similar eco-regions elsewhere.展开更多
基金supported by Indian Council ofForestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, 248 006, Uttarakhand, India
文摘Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. is one of the promising multipurpose tree species of South Asia. Most of the plantations of D. sissoo from seeds are facing severe threats due to the die-back disease, which ultimately causes death of this potential tree-species within a few months. Vegetative propagation could avoid the die-back disease. Thirty mother trees of different age-groups of D. sissoo were selected for evaluating the rooting behaviour of branch cuttings from D. sissoo as influenced by auxins （IAA or IBA at 100, 200, 500 mg·L^-1）, ages of mother trees （10, 4 and 2 years old） and different environment conditions, i.e., different mediums （soil and sand） or light conditions （in shade and open condition）. The results show that application of IAA and IBA induced more numbers of cuttings （collected from 10-year-old mother trees） to root compared to control. Branch cuttings of D. sissoo collected from 10-year-old mother trees and planted in soil bed in open conditions had 100.0% of cuttings to root in IAA （100 mg·L^-1） and IBA （200 mg·L^-1） treatments. Both rooting medium （Soil and sand） influenced significantly （p〈0.05） on rooting response of branch cuttings. Soil medium was found to achieve maximum no. of branch cuttings to root, compared to sand medium.
文摘To evaluate the response to lime on cultivars of ricebean(Vigna umbellata), a field experiment was conducted during the two consecutive rabi seasons of 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 in the Nagaland foothills, India. The experiment used a split-plot design with four levels of lime(control, 0.2, 0.4and 0.6 t ha-1) in main plots and four ricebean cultivars(RBS-16, RBS-53, PRR-2, and RCRB-4) in sub-plots with three replicates. The results revealed that increasing levels of lime(in the furrow)from 0 to 0.6 t ha-1significantly increased growth, yield attributes and yield. The quality parameters of ricebean were also influenced significantly by the application of lime. Maximum gross return(INR 39,098 ha-1), net return(INR 27,281 ha-1), benefit:cost(B:C) ratio(2.29),production efficiency, and economic efficiency were also realized with the application of lime at 0.6 t ha-1. Among the ricebean cultivars, RBS-53 produced significantly higher growth, yield attributes, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield, and harvest index. Similarly, yield and protein content were higher in RBS-53. Maximum gross return, net return, B:C ratio, production efficiency, and economic efficiency were observed for RBS-53.
文摘Micronutrient refers to the relative quantity of a nutrient that is required for plant growth. It takes part in metabolic activities, enzymatic process/catalysts etc. Thus these all directly and indirectly help in plant growth and development. There are 8 essential plant nutrient elements defined as micronutrients like boron (B), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), chlorine (Cl) and silicon (Si). They constitute in total less than 1% of the dry weight of most plants. Organic sources like farm yard manure, compost, vermicompost etc. may contain less quantity of these nutrients but presence of these help the plant in their growth and development. They also called trace elements or minor elements. They are required only in small amounts (5 to 200 ppm, or less than 0.02% dry weight). The visual symptoms may be caused by more than one nutrient. Deficiency of one nutrient may be related to an excess quantity of another. Nutrient deficiency symptoms are observed only after the crop has already suffered an irretrievable loss. When soil supplies more quantity of nutrient than the plant’s requirement, plant shows toxicity symptom.
文摘The agrochemical applicationwith conventional sprayers results inwastage of applied chemicals,which not only increases the economic losses but also pollutes the environment.In order to overcome these drawbacks,an image processing based real-time variable-rate chemical spraying systemwas developed for the precise application of agrochemicals in diseased paddy crop based on crop disease severity information.The developed system comprised ofweb cameras for image acquisition,laptop for image processing,microcontroller for controlling the system functioning,and solenoid valve assisted spraying nozzles.The chromatic aberration(CA)based image segmentation method was used to detect the diseased region of paddy plants.The system further calculated the disease severity level of paddy plants,based onwhich the solenoid valves remained on for a specific timeduration so that the required amount of agrochemical could be sprayed on the diseased paddy plants.Field performance of developed sprayer prototype was evaluated in the variable-rate application(VRA)and constant-rate application(CRA)modes.The field testing results showed a minimum 33.88%reduction in applied chemical while operating in the VRA mode as compared with the CRA mode.Hence,the developed systemappears promising and could be used extensively to reduce the cost of pest management as well as to control environmental pollution due to such agrochemicals.
文摘The sustainability of prevailing maize-fallow system in rainfed ecosystems of the Eastern Himalayan region(EHR)of India is often questioned due to poor economic return and negative impact on soil health.Hence,the six cropping systems,maize-fallow(M-F),maize t cowpea-rapeseed(M t C-Rs),maize t cowpea-buckwheat(M t C-Bw),maize t cowpea-barley(M t CeB),maize t cowpea-garden pea(M t C-GP)and maize t cowpeaerajmash(M t C-R)in the main plot and three soil moisture conservation measures,no-mulch(NM),maize stover mulch(MSM)and maize stover t weed biomass mulch(MSM t WBM)in sub-plot were evaluated for four consecutive years(2014-18)at a Research Farm in fixed plot fashion.Results indicated that cowpea co-culture with maize and inclusion of winter crop increased maize yield by 6.2e23.5%over M-F.Among the systems,the M t C-GP recorded the highest crop productivity.The residual effect of MSM t WBM increased maize grain yield by 19.1%over NM.Cultivation of maize t cowpea-winter crops significantly improved the available N(3.2e12.9%),P(3.6 e12.7%),K(1.9e26.3%),organic carbon(9.2e16.8%),microbial biomass carbon-MBC(15.2e43.9%)and dehydrogenases-DHA(17.2e42.3%)in soil at 0e15 cm depth as compared to M-F.The M t C-GP also recorded maximum net return(US$2460 ha1),benefit:cost(B:C)ratio(2.86)and energy use efficiency(7.9%).The MSM t WBM recorded higher net return(US$1680 ha1)and B:C ratio(2.46)over NM.Hence,cowpea t maize-garden pea(M t C-GP)along with the application of MSM t WBM is a sustainable production practice to intensify the organically managed maize-fallow system in rainfed regions of the EHR of India and other similar ecosystems.
文摘A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years at North Eastern Indian Himalayan region to assess the effect of soil moisture conservation measures on soil and water productivity of different rainfed maize(Zea mays L.)-based cropping sequences.Results revealed that double mulching with in-situ maize stover mulch(MSM)+fresh biomass of white hoary pea(WHP-Tephrosia candida)and MSM+fresh biomass of ragweed(RW-Ambrosia artemisiifolia)improved soil moisture content(SMC)and leaf relative water content of crops during dry season.The soil organic carbon(SOC)content and stocks under MSM+WHP and MSM+RW mulches were significantly higher than that under no mulch at 0-15 cm depth.The soil microbial biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity were maximum under MSM+WHP/RW.The highest system productivity was obtained from maize-French bean(Pole type-PT)sequence under MSM+RW followed by MSM+WHP.The water productivity was the highest under MSM+WHP.While SOC content was the highest under maize-French bean(PT),the maximum plant available nitrogen and phosphorus were obtained under maize-black gram sequence.Thus,double mulching technology involving MSM and RW(available in plenty)is a viable option for improving soil,crop and water productivity under rainfed hill ecosystems of eastern Indian Himalayas.
文摘Poor soil properties especially low soil organic carbon(SOC)and nutrient and water retention capacities are major concern for sustainable agriculture in Himalayas.Field experiments were conducted to assess the effects of six combinations of tillage[conventional tillage(CT)and no-till(NT)]and land configurations[flat bed planting(FB),ridge and furrow planting(RF),and raised bed planting(RB)]on productivity and carbon(C)-sequestration potential of maize[(Zea mays L.)for green-cob in summer]-maize(for grains in rainy season)-field pea[(Pisum sativum L.in winter]cropping system under humid mildtropical climate of Tripura,India.The maize under NT-FB in 2012 and NT-RF in 2013 produced significantly higher green cob yield than that under CT-RF.However,in rainy season,CT produced higher maize grain yield than NT systems.Field pea seed yield was significantly the highest under NT-RB.After two cropping cycles,NT systems had higher available N,P,K and 18.6e31.4%higher soil moisture content after rainy season maize than CT system.The highest SOC-stock(0e30 cm)was observed under NT-FB,whereas,SOC-sequestration rate was maximum under NT-RB(0.85 Mg ha1 year1).Therefore,NT based systems can enhance the productivity and improve SOC-sequestration in cultivated soils of eastern Himalayas.Hence,study recommended adoption of NT-RB/NT-FB to raise maize-maize-field pea system for improving productivity,improving C-sequestration and soil properties in the eastern Himalayas and similar eco-regions elsewhere.
