No abstract

: The field experiment was conducted during rainy season of 2015 to study the influence of pinching and foliar spray of nutrients on seed yield and quality of Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) at Pearl Millet Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Jamnagar, Gujarat. Pinching of apical buds was done at 60 DAS and foliar spray was done two times i.e. first at initiation of flowering and second at end of flowering period. The results revealed that the plant pinched at 60 DAS recorded the highest values for number of pods per plant (86.00), dry pods yield per plant (19.50 g), dry pods yield (8.70q/ha), seed yield per plant (10.17g) and seed yield (4.81 q/ha) compared to without pinching. The foliar sprays of DAP 2% + micro nutrients (MN) mixture (ZnSO 4 0.5% + boric acid 0.3%) + NAA 40 ppm produced higher number of pods per plant (91.63), dry pods yield per plant (20.99g), dry pods yield (9.43q/ha), seed yield per plant (11.04g) and seed yield (5.09q/ha). The highest seed yield (5.22q/ha) was recorded with pinching and foliar sprays of DAP 2% + MN mixture (ZnSO 4 0.5% + boric acid 0.3%) + NAA 40 ppm besides with higher yield attributing parameters. These were closely followed by pinching x spray of MN mixture (ZnSO 4 0.5% + boric acid 0.3%). The seed quality in terms of germination, seedling length, dry seedling weight and seed vigour index I and II were higher with pinching at 60 DAS followed by sprays of NAA @ 40 ppm at initiation of flowering and at end of flowering period.

No abstract

No abstract

:Population dynamics of Helicoverpa armigera in pearl millet was studied during Kharif 2015 at Instructional Farm, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh. The study revealed that the pest incidence commenced from seventh week after sowing in variety GHB-558 and was found active from August to September in the crop. The pest population increased in the last week of August and reaching to a peak level of 1.56 larvae per ear head. Then it was decreased (0.82 larvae/ear head) during the first week of September and remained active steady upto second week of September. Among the different parameters, maximum temperature and mean bright sunshine hours showed positive correlation whereas minimum temperature, morning relative humidity showed negative correlation with population of this pest but did not reached at significant level. However, the correlation between the pest population and evening relative humidity was significant and negative. Rainfall exhibited a non-significant and negative correlation with the pest population.