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An experiment was conducted to find out the efficacy of putrescine and benzyladenine on photosynthesis and productivity in wheat. Seeds of wheat genotype HD 2329 (widely adapted under irrigated condition) were grown in ceramic pots under standard package and practices. Putrescine (0.1 mM) and benzyladenine (0.05 mM) were sprayed on the aerial portion of these plants at the time of anthesis. After spray, half of the plants were subjected to water stress by withholding irrigation. The non stressed plants were irrigated to keep the soil humidity at field capacity. Results showed that drought stress severly reduced the photosynthetic attributes, water status and chlorophyll content which were significantly improved by foliar application of putrescine/benzyladenine. The levels of free proline, amino acids and soluble sugars were higher under water stress conditions which were enhanced further by putrescine/benzyladenine. Memrane injury was also reduced by both the chemicals. Yield and yield attributes reduced under water stress conditions, but putrescine and benzyladenine treated plants exhibited significantly higher values over control. Most of these parameters were found significantly correlated with grain yield. It is suggested that both benyzladenine and putrescine were able to impart drought tolerance in wheat but the response of putrescine was more promising owing to better management of various physio-biochemical processes, particularly under water stress conditions.

Abstract:The present investigation focused on the effects of plant and seed diffusates of Parthenium hysterophorus L. on seed germination of Raphanus sativus L. Level of glucose in germinating seeds as an indirect measure of amylase activity was estimated. About 91.66% viable seed of Raphanus sativus were treated in different concentrations of rhizospheric soil diffusates (PD) and germinating seed diffusates (SD) of Parthenium hysterophorus. Both diffusates were found effective to retard and minimize the germination of Raphanus seeds. The maximum inhibition for both cases was found at 100 % concentrations of the diffusates. The correlation analysis revealed the correlation factor -0.784 between PD concentrations and Raphanus seed germination and that of -0.889 between SD concentrations and Raphanus seed germination with 5% level of significance. This indicated that the increase in concentrations played negative role in germination process of Raphanus seeds. The results were interpreted in terms of the possible roles of "Parthenin", a sesquiterpene-lactone which is known to be present in Parthenium hysterophorus.

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2015-17 to study the efficacy of growth retardants on physiology and yield of pearl millet at Durgapura (Jaipur). Growth retardants, viz. cycocel and mepiquat chloride were sprayed @ 250, 500 and 750 ppm at tillering (40 DAS) and flowering (60 DAS) stages. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 4 replications. Results showed that plant height decreased, whereas chlorophyll content and relative water content increased significantly with the foliar application of mepiquat chloride @ 500 ppm over rest of the treatments. A significantly higher specific leaf weight was noted under cycocel @ 750 ppm over control. Foliar application of mepiquat chloride @ 500 ppm produced significantly higher grain yield over control. However, it was statistically at par with cycocel @ 500 ppm and mepiquat chloride @ 750 ppm. On the other hand, significantly higher fodder yield was registered with the foliar spray of cycocel @ 250 ppm over cycocel @ 500 ppm, cycocel @ 750 ppm, mepiquat chloride @ 250 ppm and 750 ppm that was at par with the control and mepiquat chloride @ 500 ppm. Maximum net returns and benefit cost ratio were accrued under mepiquat chloride @ 500 ppm. Thus, foliar application of mepiquat chloride @ 500 ppm at 40 and 60 DAS could be recommended for obtaining higher grain yield and net returns from pearl millet under rainfed condition of Rajasthan.

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