Nitrogen management to improve the nutrient uptake, yield and quality parameters of scented rice under aerobic culture.

In the present study, the research results concluded that yield attributes of scented rice under aerobic culture responded up to 150 kg/ha nitrogen with four equal splits of nitrogen at ¼ basal + ¼ at active tillering + ¼ at panicle initiation and ¼ at heading. Grain and straw yields obtained higher values with highest level of nitrogen i.e. 175 kg/ha comparable with 150 kg/ha. Grain quality parameters milling percent, head rice recovery, kernel length, breadth, amylose content and protein content of rice registered significantly highest values with 150 kg N ha-1. Spilt application of nitrogen at ¼ basal + ¼ at active tillering + ¼ at panicle initiation and ¼ at heading was the most suitable stages for split application of nitrogen, which record significantly higher values of all quality parameters except amylose and protein content of grain. Nutrient uptake of N, P2O5 and K2O was influenced only by quantity of nitrogen applied and recorded higher with 175 kg/ha but not influenced by time of application of nitrogen except N uptake.

Investigations on fungicidal sensitivity of trichoderma spp and sclerotium rolfsii (collar rot pathogen) in crossandra.

Crossandra is an important flower plant of our country earning a lot of revenue and trade. Of different diseases affecting crossandra cultivation, collar rot induced by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. is an important soil borne disease causing devastating losses. In the present study, the sensitivity of the collar rot pathogen was investigated. Also the compatibility of fungal biocontrol agent, Trichoderma spp. with these fungicides was worked out to for further devising Integrated Management strategies for collar rot disease. Four fungicides, viz., captan 50% WP, propiconazole 25% EC, thiophanate-methyl 70% WP and thiram 75% SD were evaluated at five different concentrations against collar rot pathogen, S. rolfsii. Further, the compatibility of these fungicides and the antagonist Trichoderma isolate-1 (T1). Results indicated that the fungicides, propiconazole, thiram and captan have significantly reduced the mycelial growth of test pathogen over control. Maximum inhibition was with propiconazole (100%), followed by thiram (81%) and captan (78%). Results on compatibility of Trichoderma spp. with these fungicides revealed that the bioagent was highly compatible with thiram (32% growth inhibition), followed by captan (47.5%). However, the Trichoderma isolate is not compatible with thiophanate methyl (88% growth inhibition) and propiconazole (100% growth inhibition). The Trichoderma isolate-1 (T1) and the fungicide, thiram were selected for further studies to devise integrated management strategies against collar rot disease.