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P- ISSN: 0976-1675
E- ISSN: 2249-4538

© CARAS (Centre for Advanced Research in Agricultural Sciences)
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Volume- 15 - November-December 2024

Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol : 15 - Issue : 6 ; 1219–1226
Ajaz A. Shah*1
1 Department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Abstract
The Kashmir Valley's temperate climate presents unique challenges and opportunities for Rabi crop cultivation. This study investigates how local farmers are adapting to the region's extended cold spells and unpredictable weather by adopting cold-resistant crop varieties and optimized cultivation practices. Key Rabi crops, including wheat, mustard, oats, peas, and saffron, are analyzed for their resilience to frost and their contributions to food security and economic stability in the valley. Improved mustard and oat varieties exhibit high resistance to freezing temperatures, while saffron and peas demonstrate significant economic and nutritional importance. These adaptive strategies underscore the Valley's agricultural resilience, ensuring sustainable yields under harsh conditions. Agriculture in the Kashmir Valley encounters severe winter challenges, including prolonged frost, sub-zero temperatures, and heavy snowfall, all of which disrupt crop and livestock productivity. These harsh conditions delay germination, stifle plant growth, and restrict nutrient uptake, while extended snow cover limits sunlight exposure, essential for early crop development. Cold temperatures also strain livestock management, raising feed demands and increasing health issues. To combat these adverse effects, local agricultural initiatives promote cold-resistant and frost-tolerant crop varieties such as Sabzar and SFO-1 oats, and mustard varieties like SS-II and COS 101. These improved varieties are bred for resilience, faster growth cycles, and higher yields, enabling more reliable agricultural returns even in extreme winter conditions. By adopting these cold-adaptive varieties, farmers can enhance productivity, economic stability, and the sustainability of agricultural practices within the Valley’s challenging environment.

Ajaz A. Shah*1 Click here to download file

Research Review | Published online : 04-Nov-2024

Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol : 15 - Issue : 6 ; 1227–1232
Kandasamy1, R. E. Arivazhagan2 and E. Archana Devi*3
1-3 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar - 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted at Vegetable Yard, Department of Horticulture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram during the year 2024 with objects to influence the plant growth regulators on growth and yield of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) var. priyanka. The experiment was carried out in randomized block design with three replications and ten treatments viz., three concentration each of NAA (50, 100 and 200 ppm), ethrel (125, 250 and 500 ppm), CCC (100, 200 and 400ppm) with control. Observations recorded on different growth and yield characters showed significant differences among different treatments. With regard to growth characters, application of NAA @ 200 ppm significantly increased the vine length, while CCC @ 400 ppm produced maximum number of branches vine-¹. The result of this experiment revealed that the plants sprayed with CCC @ 100 ppm showed the earliest days to first male flowering, whereas ethrel @ 250 ppm showed the earliest days to first female flowering. In case of node number of first male flower, CCC @ 100 ppm recorded least node number of first male flower, while ethrel @ 250 ppm showed least node number of first female flower. Maximum number of male flowers vine-¹ was observed in the control followed by application of NAA @ 50 ppm, whereas ethrel @ 250 ppm produced maximum number of female flowers vine-¹ as well as the lowest sex ratio. Fruit length was found to be maximum in plants sprayed with NAA @ 200 ppm. In case of fruit girth, the biggest fruit was observed in CCC @ 400ppm. Application of Ethrel @ 250 ppm was found to record maximum average fruit weight, number of fruits vine-¹ and yield vine-¹. The highest net return and benefit cost ratio as exhibited in ethrel @ 250 ppm. Among the different treatments, ethrel @ 250 ppm was found to be superior to other treatments in increasing yield potential of Bitter gourd.

Kandasamy1, R. E. Arivazhagan2 and E. Archana Devi*3 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 05-Nov-2024

Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol : 15 - Issue : 6 ; 1233–1236
Abhishek B. S.*1 and Rohith L. Shankar2
1-2 Silkworm Breeding Laboratory, Department of Sericulture, Yuvaraja’s, College, University of Mysore, Mysuru - 570 005, Karnataka, India
Abstract
A comparative assessment of key economic traits was conducted between six parental bivoltine breeds of the silkworm Bombyx mori L., namely APS12, J2, CSR53, A3, H281 and RB18 and their hybrids, prepared by crossing them in various combinations and named as YCM1, YCM2, YCM3, YCM4, YCM5, YCM6, YCM8, YCM9, YCM11, YCM13, YCM14, YCM15, YCM16 and YCM17. The hybrids were reared in three replications following standard procedures, revealed a significant positive correlation among the hybrids for various traits. The superiority of the hybrids over their parental breeds was demonstrated, with hybrid YCM8 showing higher values for fecundity, effective rate of rearing (ERR), larval weight, cocoon weight, shell weight, pupal weight, pupation rate, filament length, denier and raw silk percentage. Additionally, hybrid YCM4 exhibited a higher hatching percentage than the other hybrids and parental races. Notably, all hybrids studied exhibited varying expressions of economic traits compared to the parental breeds, excelling in five or more traits considered for the present study.

Abhishek B. S.*1 and Rohith L. Shankar2 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 06-Nov-2024

Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol : 15 - Issue : 6 ; 1237–1239
A. Senthil1 and K. P. Vanetha*2
1 Subject Matter Specialist (Agricultural Extension), ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Karaikal - 609 601, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, India 2 Agricultural College and Research Institute, Kurukkathi - 611 105, Keezhvelur, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
Pulses are one of the major crops in Karaikal District. Rice fallow pulses (black gram and green gram) are cultivated both in the Rabi and summer seasons. Cluster FLD is a unique project implemented using the cluster approach method. Under this Cluster FLD, the newly released black and green gram varieties were demonstrated, along with a full package of practices adopted in the selected farmers’ fields to demonstrate the potentiality of the technologies. During 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23, the CFLD blackgram and greengram was adopted in all major villages of Karaikal district. An interview schedule was well constructed with the help of experts to measure the adoption level of improved pulses production technologies before and after implementation of the cluster FLD programme. after implementation of the cluster FLD program, above 90 percent of the participants adopted the improved high-yielding pulse varieties like VBN 8, CO-8, and WGG-42 and followed seed treatment techniques to avoid the infestation of soil-borne pathogens.

A. Senthil1 and K. P. Vanetha*2 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 07-Nov-2024

Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol : 15 - Issue : 6 ; 1240–1245
Nikki B. W.*1 and Betsy Bai S2
1-2 Department of Chemistry, S. T. Hindu College Nagercoil - 629 002, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
Common salt plays a major role in the global economy particularly in domestic utility (J.C. Hocquet et al., 1987, L.G.M. Bass Becking, 1931) Salt is crucial for physiological activities of humans, which emphasize the importance in having the knowledge of solar salt-pans. During the salt production, equal quantity of unwanted and unavoidable toxic material, i.e., bittern is being discharged. As the bittern is enriched with magnesium, sulphate, calcium, potassium etc. and also traces metals other than the usual ions like sodium and chloride, it can either be used as such as fertilizer or can be transformed into various useful solid fertilizers. As predominantly having magnesium, bittern was tried as a fertilizer as such and in the form of solid fertilizer to magnesium demanding crop like green chillies.

Nikki B. W.*1 and Betsy Bai S2 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 08-Nov-2024

Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol : 15 - Issue : 6 ; 1246–1250
Merlin Abraham*1, Sunil A. Nair2, Mini Raj N3, P. Anitha4, Vikram H. C.5 and Sajitha Vijayan M6
1-4 Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur - 680 656, Kerala, India 5 Pepper Research Station, Panniyur, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur - 680 656, Kerala, India 6 Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur - 680 656, Kerala, India
Abstract
An investigation was conducted to identify Alleppey Finger Turmeric (AFT) a traded local turmeric genotype cultivated in central districts of Kerala. These genotypes have a consistent demand in the Northern American and European continents due to their natural orange-yellow colour and curcumin content. However, in view of the meagre production of the AFT in the niche areas and its growing demand for export has necessitated identification and purification of existing germplasm. With this background, an investigation was done by evaluating twenty-eight genotypes for evaluation of growth and yield parameters. Wide variation was reported in morphometric and rhizome characters. The highest rhizome yield was obtained in AFT 45 (35.72 tonnes/ha), followed by AFT 21 (32.08 tonnes/ha), AFT 31 (32.04 tonnes/ha) and AFT 12 (31.12 tonnes/ha). Screening of the AFT genotypes revealed seventeen genotypes with zero incidence. High genetic advance and variability were observed in yield and yield contributing characters. The morphometric characters viz., plant height and number of tillers were directly and significantly correlated with rhizome yield. Based on the growth and yield characters, AFT 12, AFT 21, AFT 31 and AFT 45 were found to be promising and can be utilized for future breeding programmes.

Merlin Abraham*1, Sunil A. Nair2, Mini Raj N3, P. Anitha4, Vikram H. C.5 and Sajitha Vijayan M6 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 11-Nov-2024

Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol : 15 - Issue : 6 ; 1251–1256
Sufaid C. T*1, Sunil A. Nair2, Mini Raj N3, P Anitha4, Sangeetha K. S.5 and Sajitha Vijayan M.6
1-5 Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur - 680 656, Kerala, India 6 Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur - 680 656, Kerala, India
Abstract
Cochin ginger, one of the finest traded ginger genotypes is popular in the middle east, Europe and United states of America due to its high Zingiberene (28 to 31 %), fibre, volatile oil content, greenish yellow core colour and flavour components. Due to replacement of this local ginger with other high yielding varieties, the cultivation of Cochin ginger over the years have almost vanished except in some areas. The present investigation was thus carried out to screen the local ginger types for identification of cochin ginger and their rejuvenation in the niche areas of Central Kerala. Twenty-five cochin ginger genotypes were evaluated in Thrissur Kerala during 2023-24. Morphological data recorded for the cochin ginger genotypes showed significant variation for the quantitative traits. Among the genotypes CG 47 (30.92 tonnes/ha) showed the highest rhizome yield followed by CG 46 (25.32 tonnes/ha), CG 27 (25.28 tonnes/ha) and CG 53 (24.36 tonnes/ha). These high yielding genotypes recorded zero incidence of rhizome rot disease and were found to be promising ones. Genotypic correlation coefficients showed a significant positive relationship between fresh rhizome yield and yield components viz., rhizome weight, vegetative traits such as plant height, number of tillers and leaf length. Based on selection index, ranking was done and genotypes CG 47, CG 44, CG 53 and CG 22 were found superior. These four genotypes were identified as ideal cochin ginger genotypes and may be further evaluated as multi-location trials for validation.

Sufaid C. T*1, Sunil A. Nair2, Mini Raj N3, P Anitha4, Sangeetha K. S.5 and Sajitha Vijayan M.6 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 12-Nov-2024

Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol : 15 - Issue : 6 ; 1257–1260
Khusboo Agarwal1, Dimplly Borah2 and Sandeepa Agarwalla*3
1 Department of Botany, Jorhat Kendriya Mahavidyalaya, Jorhat - 785 010, Assam, India 2 Department of Botany, Devi Charan Barua Girls' College, Jorhat - 785 001, Assam, India 3 Department of Botany, Gargaon College, Simaluguri, Sivasagar - 785 686, Assam, India
Abstract
Carbon, as the most abundant element in all living organisms, plays a crucial role in the formation of essential biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. Green plants act as primary reservoirs of carbon on Earth, contributing significantly to the carbon cycle by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the process of carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration undeniably plays a pivotal role in mitigating climate change. In a recent study conducted on the college campus of Jorhat Kendriya Mahavidyalaya, the carbon storage of various plant species was estimated using a meticulous, non-destructive approach. The findings revealed that factors such as tree age, size, canopy cover density and tree species significantly influence carbon storage capacity. Understanding these relationships can aid in optimizing urban carbon sequestration efforts by strategically selecting tree species and enhancing green spaces within urban environments. Among the 11 plant species studied, Terminalia arjuna demonstrated the highest carbon storage accounting for a remarkable 22.06 metric tons of carbon (tC), while Cassia fistula displayed the lowest estimated carbon storage at 0.097 tC. The research aims to assess the contribution of these plants to carbon sequestration by strategically selecting tree species and enhancing green spaces within urban environments.

Khusboo Agarwal1, Dimplly Borah2 and Sandeepa Agarwalla*3 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 14-Nov-2024

Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol : 15 - Issue : 6 ; 1261–1265
Anite Titus*1, Sangeetha K. S2, P. Anitha3, P. V. Sindhu4 and K. Pradheep5
1-3 Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal, and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur - 680 656, Kerala, India 4 AICRP on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and Betelvine, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur - 680 656, Kerala, India 5 ICAR-NBPGR, Regional Station, Thrissur - 680 656, Kerala, India
Abstract
Eclipta prostrata L., classified within the Asteraceae family, is a well-acknowledged medicinal plant with ethnomedical significance, used in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha formulations. Traditionally used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine due to its hair growth potential and other significant pharmacological properties. Different solvent extracts, viz., aqueous, ethanol, and methanol of Eclipta prostrata, were screened for the existence or non-existence of diverse phytochemical compounds in order to identify the right solvent for further studies. Ethanol, followed by methanol, was found to be the best solvent. Also, the total alkaloid, phenol, and saponin contents of Eclipta prostrata leaves were determined to be 2.11 per cent, 41.35 mg g-1, and 2.41 per cent, respectively. The phytochemical profiling of methanolic extracts of the dried whole plant by GC-MS analysis revealed a diverse spectrum of phytochemicals, prominently featuring n-Hexadecanoic Linolenic acid, 10E,12Z-Octadecadienoic acid, and Phytol.

Anite Titus*1, Sangeetha K. S2, P. Anitha3, P. V. Sindhu4 and K. Pradheep5 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 18-Nov-2024

Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol : 15 - Issue : 6 ; 1266–1274
Sangita Basrani*1, Moni Thomas2 and Sadhana Kesharwani3
1, 3 Department of Zoology, Government M. H. College of Science and Home Science, Jabalpur - 482 004, Madhya Pradesh, India 2 Institute of Agri-Business Management, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur- 482 004, Madhya Pradesh, India
Abstract
Broodlac is the key component of lac production. Thus, production and management of broodlac before and after its inoculation on host trees are very crucial. Predators and parasitoids on the broodlac have to be managed through cultural, biological and chemical approaches to avoid lac crop failures. Timely inoculation of brood, its shifting and removal from host trees are essential operations for successful lac production. This review focuses on broodlac management.

Sangita Basrani*1, Moni Thomas2 and Sadhana Kesharwani3 Click here to download file

Research Review | Published online : 20-Nov-2024

Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol : 15 - Issue : 6 ; 1275–1278
Deepa M1, N. Senthil Kumar*2 and N. Yuvaraj Praveen3
1, 3 ICFRE- Institute of Forest Biodiversity, Dulapally Hyderabad - 500 014, Telangana, India 4 ICFRE- IFGTB, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
Botanicals act not only as insecticides but also function as antifeedants, oviposition deterrents and ovicides. The biopesticidal property of plant extracts against test insect Achaea janata at different concentrations was done. The insect culture was maintained in a growth chamber in the laboratory at a temperature of 27 ± 2° C, 12: 12 L:D and with 70 ± 5 % RH during the experiment and the data pertaining to overall efficacy of different plant products showed that Tree PAL was significantly more effective than others, followed by Spherathus indicus and Crawl clean which was also proved to be prominent. Efficacy of plant extracts and some developed products used in bringing down the population of test insect was studied in the nursery.

Deepa M1, N. Senthil Kumar*2 and N. Yuvaraj Praveen3 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 22-Nov-2024

Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol : 15 - Issue : 6 ; 1279–1287
Nikhil Sharma1 and Sandeep Kumar Singh*2
1-2 Department of Agriculture, Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib - 140 406, Punjab, India
Abstract
The present research was conducted in the academic year 2022-23 at Experimental Farm, Kharora, Department of Agriculture, Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. The experimented design was RBD with 8 treatments i.e. T1 (Absolute control), T2 (100% RDF), T3 (100% RDF + FYM @ 40 t/ha), T4 (100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 10 t/ha), T5 (75% RDF + FYM @ 40 t/ha + Azotobacter @ 5.0 kg ha-1), T6 (75% RDF + Vermicompost @ 10 t/ha + PSB @ 5.0 kg ha-1), T7 (50% RDF + FYM @ 40 t/ha + Azotobacter @ 5.0 kg ha-1), T8 (50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 10 t/ha + PSB @ 5.0 kg ha-1). The maximum plant height (42.78 cm), plant spread (63.05 cm), leaf length (39.22 cm) and leaf breadth at harvest (33.03 cm) was recorded in treatment T4. In yield parameters maximum head weight (1.48 kg) and head yield (66.33 t/ha) was found in treatment T6. In terms of economics, best benefit to cost ratio (3.48) was observed in treatment T2. These results suggested that optimum production of red cabbage can be obtained with treatment T6 in terms of yield and treatment T4 in term of growth parameters.

Nikhil Sharma1 and Sandeep Kumar Singh*2 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 25-Nov-2024