International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 203-209, May, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Studies on ecology, habitats diversification and seed germination behavior of Valeriana jatamansi Jones: A critical endangered plant

Dhiman Mukherjee^1* and Soumendra Chakraborty²

 ¹Assistant Professor (Agronomy) & Incharge of AICPR on Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, Kalimpong Unit, India.

²Assistant Professor (Genetics and Plant Breeding) Regional Research Station (Hill zone), Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidayalaya, Kalimpong-73430, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]

 Accepted 28 February, 2014

 Abstract

Valeriana jatamansi is high value threatened medicinal plant of Himalayan region. In present study, ecology, phenology and seed germination of this species domesticated at different altitudes, viz., 1290 m, 1550 m, 1800 m and 2000 m in district Darjeeling, West Bengal, India, were observed. Our study revealed that Valeriana jatamansi was a glabrous and more or less pubescent herb, nearly 15 – 45 cm tall herb. The surrounding major associated tree species are Bedulo (Ficus spp), Dhale Katus (Castonopsis indica), Dudhilo (Ficus nemoralis), Khanyu (Ficus cordata), and Laligurans (Rhododendron arboreum). Optimum survival of V. jatamansi across 1290 to 2000 m indicated their adaptability at a wider range of altitudinal zones. However, low seed germination percentage of jatamansi above 1800 m restricted their cultivation possibilities up to low altitudinal zones only. Further, flowering and fruiting periods in most of the species varied greatly amongst the domestication sites. On altitude wise, UBKV, Kalimpong was registered more percentage of germination throughout the experiment and was followed by Algirah, Lava Sherpa Gaon and Lava. Work at UBKV, Kalimpong revealed that highest seed germination was registered with the seed soaked with cow urine and showed parity with the pre chilled seed treatment, and significantly better than other treatments. Seed soaked with cow urine enhance 50.3 % more germination percentage over the normal seed sown. These preliminary results provide baseline information for selection of suitable cultivation sites, developing agro techniques and conservation and management strategy of V. jatamansi.

Key words: Altitude, ecology, habitat diversification, medicinal plants, low temperature.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 196-202, May, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of planting date and fertilizer dose on plant growth attributes and nutrient uptake of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

A.S. Sandhu¹, S.P. Sharma^1*, R.D. Bhutani² and S.C. Khurana²

 ¹Department of Vegetable Science, PAU, Ludhiana-141004, India

²Department of Vegetable Science, CCS HAU, Hisar-125004, India

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 7 January, 2014

Abstract 

Potato is a high input intensive and a shallow rooted crop which requires an efficient cropping management to ensure adequate nutrient uptake to attain optimum crop growth. The experiment was conducted with four planting dates (22^ndOctober, 1^st, 11^thand 21^stNovember) and four fertilizer rates viz. 75, 100, 125and 150% of recommended fertilizer dose (RFD; 150:50:100 kg ha^-1 of NPK) in the region for optimum productivity in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data was recorded on plant height, leaf, and stem weight, and leaf area index and NPK uptake. Planting date had significant effect on all vegetative characteristics and recorded the highest values at 1^st November planting date and lowest in 21^st November planting date. Maximum uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by leaves, stems and tubers was also observed at 1^st November planting date. Plant height, leaf area index, leaf and stem weight increased with increase in fertilizer dose. Thus, the results of this study suggested that optimum planting time (1^st November) is very critical for maximum nutrient uptake of the applied fertilizer dose to the potato crop under semi-arid conditions.

Key words: Nitrogen, nutrient uptake, phosphorous, planting date, potato, potassium.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 190-195, May, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Stability of cassava promising  varieties for high tuber and ethanol yield using Ammi model

Sholihin Iletri

Indonesian Legumes and Tuber Crops Research Institute, Malang, Jl. Raya Kendalpayak P.O. box 66, Malang.

E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0341-801468: fax number 0341-801496

accepted 3, February 2014

Abstract 

An experiment to evaluate the stability of cassava promising varieties for high tuber and ethanol yield  using Ammi Model was done during 2007/2008 and 2009 seasons in Lumajang  and Banyuwangi (East Java), Lampung Selatan (Lampung), Lampung Timur (Lampung) and Lampung Tengah (Lampung).  The experiments were laid down in a RCB Design with three replications. The plot size was a 5 m x 5 m. Plants were spaced 100 cm x 80 cm and fertilizer rates 93 kg N+ 36 kg P₂O₅ + 60kg K₂O/ha were used.  The clones tested  were CMM 99008-3, OMM 9908-4, OMM 9904-70, CMM 99023-12, OMM 9904-111, CMM 99023-4 and MLG 10311 as promising clones with Adira 4 and UJ5 (released varieties)  as checks. Fresh tuber yield (t/ha) of nine months old plants were collected. Based on stability analysis of AMMI model, the study showed that, CMM 99008-3, OMM 9908-4, OMM 9904-70, CMM 99023-4, UJ5,  MLG 10311  and Adira 4 were stable clones while CMM 99023-12, OMM 9904-111, were not. The mean of the fresh tuber yield of OMM 9908-4 over locations and years was the highest (42,223 t/ha), 15 % higher than UJ5 /Kasetsart 50), equal to Rp 4.460.800,-/ha or around US $ 496. The yield potential of ethanol of OMM 9908-4 was 14472 liter/ha.

Key words: Cassava, fresh tuber yield, stability, promising clone, high yield, ethanol. 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 176-189, April, 2014. © International Scholars Journals
 
Full Length research Paper

Study of genetic divergence of Indigenous Aromatic Rice (Oryza Sativa L.): Potentials and consequences of on-farm management in traditional farming

Kailash Chandra Samal¹, Gyana Ranjan Rout¹*, Satya Ranjan Das²

 ¹ Dept. of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture,

² Rice Research Station, Dept. of Plant Breeding and Genetics,

Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology,

Bhubaneswar -751003 Odisha, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:- [email protected]

Accepted January 7, 2014

Abstract 

The genus Oryza has 21 species of which Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima are the only cultivated species derived respectively from their perennial wild progenitors Oryza rufipogan and Oryza longistaminata. The diversification of O. sativa does not confined to these three sub-species only but develops into many more varietal groups through selection under diverse agroclimatic conditions, cultural practices and quality preferences. The present study implies that the divergences of 78 genotypes of aromatic rice including International check varieties, traditional Basumati and evolved Basumati on the basis of morphological, biochemical and genetical variations. The plant height among the genotypes ranged from 85.91cm to 159.67 cm whereas the panicles/plant ranged from 6.06 to 16.22 with the mean value of 9.56. The grain length is highest in all evolved Basmati genotypes followed by indigenous aromatic rice. The lowest grain length was found in ‘Jala’, ‘Magura’, ‘Ratnasundari’ and highest in ‘Kusumabhog’ and ‘Gatia’. The lowest grain breadth was recorded in eight genotypes. The alkali spreading value (ASV) varied from 2.0 (IR-64) to 6.17 (Jalaka) indicating very wide variability. The present investigation also highlighted the inter and intra-population diversity among 78 rice genotypes with a view to assess the potentials and consequences of on-farm management of rice landraces in traditional farming.

Key words: Aromatic rice, physicochemical characters, cooking qualities, genetic divergence, germplasm conservation.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 171-175, April, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Morphological characteristics of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Kwara State, Nigeria

*A.M. Ajao, ¹Y. U. Oladimeji, ²A.B. Idowu, *S.K. Babatunde and *A. Obembe

*College of Pure and Applied Science, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnolgy, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.

¹Department of Agricultural Economics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Nigeria. 

²Department of Bioscience, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel. +2348035058904

Accepted 13 February, 2014

Abstract

Honey bee structures play significant role in its foraging and pollination activity making it the most economically valuable insect. The study was conducted at Beekeeping, Training and Research Centre (BTRC), Amberi, Ajasse-ipo, Irepodun Local Government (LGA) Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Three hundred (300) worker honeybee samples were randomly collected from thirty (30) colonies at study location. In addition, four hundred (400) worker honeybees were randomly selected from eight LGAs of Kwara State, Nigeria. The worker honey bee samples were preserved in 70% ethanol and were dissected to separate body parts. Ten morphologic characters were measured: Head Length (HDL), Proboscis Length (PBL), Thorax Length (TOL), Antenna Length (ATL), Abdomen Length (ABL), Forewing Length (FWL), Hind Wing Length (HWL), Fore-Leg Length (FLL), Mid-Leg Length (MLL) and Hind-Leg Length (HLL). The results for the 10 external morphologic characteristics measured showed the hind-leg length to be 12.07mm, fore-wing length (9.542mm) and the head length (4.53mm). The result of values obtained for the wet season was HLL 12.07mm, FWL 9.542mm and MLL 8.338mm, while for the dry season HLL 12.06mm, FWL 9.530mm and MLL 8.30mm. It is imperative from the result of this study that beekeepers should monitor and be conversant with growth, development and adaptive indexes so as to check the normal development taking place within the bee’s population.

Key words: Morphologic characters, adaptive indexes, bee growth, development, Apis mellifera L.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 166-170, April, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Yield and yield attributes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as influenced by agrispon and fertonic at varying level of fertility

 *Rakesh Kumar and S.K. Agarwal

Department Of Agronomy CCS HAU, Hisar- 125004, India.

*Correspondingauthor. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 28 October, 2013

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons for two years at Agronomy Research farm, CCS HAU, Hissar to evaluate the effect of agrispon and fertonic on yield attributes and yield of wheat. Effective tillers, earhead length, spikelets earhead^-1, grains earhead^-1, grain and straw yield of wheat enhanced significantly with 120+60 Kg ha^-1 N and P (100% of recommended dose). Fertilizer level failed to influence harvest index and test weight. Two spray of agrispon significantly @ 1 l ha^-1two application each at sowing and at 30 DAS enhanced effective tillers, spike length, spikelets spike^-1, grains spike^-1, grain, straw and biological yield over its one spray and control. Fertilizer use efficiency also increased with agrispon spray by 100% compared to the control (16.6 kg grain per kg nutrient). Fertonic remain at par with control in all parameters.

Key words: Agrispon, fertonic, fertilizer levels, heat, yield and yield attributes.