Optimizing Rabi Chilli Production: Examining the Impact of Fertigation and Drip Irrigation Levels in the Context of Mulching Practices on Yield and Quality

The field investigation was carried out to evaluate the influence of fertigation levels, mulch and drip irrigation levels on yield and yield quality at WTC fields, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Telangana during 2020-21 and 2021-22. The study was consisted of 12 treatment combinations viz. 75%, 100% (300-60-120 kg ha-1 N-P2O5-K2O & 125% RDF, drip irrigation levels (0.8 Epan & 1.0 Epan) imposed under factorial combination of mulch (M1) and no mulch (M0) conditions. An investigation was undertaken during rabi season. Among the fertigation levels, 100% RDF (31.15 t ha-1, 195.04 mg 100 g-1, 10.33% & 0.94%, respectively) recorded the higher fresh fruit yield, ascorbic acid content, oleoresin content and capsaicin content in pooled data. With regards to mulch, the M1 has recorded the maximum values for fresh fruit yield (37.56 t ha-1), ascorbic acid content (224.43), oleoresin content (11.11%) and capsaicin content (0.74%) in pooled data.

Isolation and Characterization of Bacterial Endophytes from Maize Genotypes Varying in Resistance against Macrophomina phaseolina

The present work aims to isolate and characterize the bacterial endophytes associated with different maize genotypes varying in resistance to disease reaction against Macrophomina phaseolina. A total of 50 endophytic bacteria were isolated from root and stem of healthy maize plants at 30 DAS, 60 DAS by using two different media like TSA, NA medium and maximum number of endophytic bacterial population were recovered from root followed by stem in all the genotypes and TSA medium was found to be the most suitable medium for deciphering maximum endophytic bacterial diversity. The isolated bacterial endophytes were characterized on the basis of morphological parameters viz., size, shape, colour, margin and texture, elevation, gram staining reaction and it was observed that Gram positive bacteria (68.0 %) formed the dominant group. The colony characterization revealed that circular forms (38.0 %) were dominated. Among the colony features the colonies with entire margins (66.0 %) and convex elevation (44.0 %) were found to be dominating.

Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on the Productivity of kharif Redgram (Cajanus cajan L.)

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2021-22 at Agricultural Research Station, Tandur, Vikarabad, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) under deep black soils to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on the growth and yield of kharif redgram (Cajanus cajan L.). The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design with 9 treatments in 3 replications. Treatments comprised of T1: Control, T2: 50% RDF (10:25:0 NPK kg ha-1) + 50% FYM (2.5 t ha-1), T3: 75% RDF (15:37.5:0 NPK kg ha-1) + 25% FYM (1.25 t ha-1), T4: 100% RDF (20:50:0 NPK kg ha-1), T5: 50% RDF + FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Rhizobium (Seed treatment) + PSB (Seed treatment), T6: 75% RDF + FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Rhizobium (Seed treatment) + PSB (Seed treatment), T7: 100% RDF + FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Rhizobium (Seed treatment) + PSB (Seed treatment), T8: 100% RDF + Rhizobium (Seed treatment) + PSB (Seed treatment) and T9: FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Rhizobium (Seed treatment) + PSB (Seed treatment). Among the treatments, application of 100% RDF, FYM @ 5 t ha-1, Rhizobium and PSB recorded significantly higher seed yield (1898 kg ha-1) and stalk yield (6275 kg ha-1).

Shelf life of bioagents and longevity of biologically coated pigeonpea seed

Biological seed coating is a new technique of seed treatment through which biological agents are coated over the seed surface for effective control of seed and soil-borne pathogens. In this study, pigeonpea seed was biologically coated with Pseudomonas fluorescens, Rhizobium spp. and Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) using biofriendly polymer and sugar syrup as adjuvants. The shelf life of bioagents and seed quality parameters was studied during six months of storage period. The colony units of Pseudomonas increased with biofriendly polymer either as individual or in consortia with biofertilizers. Six months after treatment, more colony units of Pseudomonas fluorescens were recorded on the surface of biologically coated seed of pigeonpea with biofriendly polymer as an adjuvant compared to sugar syrup. Seeds coated with Pseudomonas and PSB using biofriendly polymer recorded high seed germination and seedling vigour compared to sugar syrup. The observations reveal that there is a possibility of coating seed with biological agents using biofriendly polymer immediately after processing or before packaging without affecting the shelf life of bioagents and seed quality. Thus, the biologically coated pigeonpea seed in advance of cropping season can go a long way in minimizing risk associated with on farm seed treatment.

Neuropharmcological potential of methanolic extract and a triterpene isolated from Madhuca longifolia L leaves in mice.

The methanolic extract of M. longifolia (MLME) and a compound a triterpene, derivative of madhucic acid (dMA) isolated from the leaves of M. longifolia, were investigated for their possible neuropharmacological activities in mice using phenobarbitone induced sleeping time, spontaneous motor activity, marble burying test and Eddy’s hot plate method. LD50 for MLME and dMA were 100 and 10 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. Both MLME and dMA (10 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg oral route respectively) exhibited significant increase in phenobarbitone induced sleeping time, greater reduction in spontaneous motor activity and marble burying activity, confirming their sedative nature. Both MLME and dMA also exhibited considerable antinociceptive activity in experimental animals. The results suggest that both MLME and dMA have CNS depressant activity in mice.