Dipti Bisarya

Chenopodium album L. is a globally important plant species recognized for its ethnobotanical value, ecological adaptability, and agricultural significance. Its young shoots are widely consumed as a nutrient-rich leafy vegetable, while the species also functions as one of the most persistent annual weeds in temperate and subtropical agroecosystems. A notable adaptive characteristic of C. album is the occurrence of ecologically differentiated seasonal cytotypic populations that differ in growth behaviour and phenology. Despite its widespread distribution, a standardized phenological framework for this species has remained unavailable. In the present study, the extended BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and CHemische Industrie) scale was applied to document the complete phenological development of winter (hexaploid) and summer (tetraploid) populations of C. album under natural field conditions. Phenological development was classified into nine principal growth stages (BBCH 0–9), from germination to senescence, and developmental progression was evaluated using days after sowing (DAS), accumulated growing degree days (∑GDD), and plant height. Comparative statistical analyses revealed significant differences ( P < 0.05) between the two seasonal populations for most corresponding BBCH growth stages and plant height, demonstrating pronounced seasonal phenological plasticity. The summer population exhibited more rapid vegetative development, whereas reproductive development and senescence occurred earlier in the winter population. The resulting BBCH framework provides standardized developmental reference points for C. album and demonstrates the potential application of standardized phenological staging for ecological interpretation and stage-specific weed and crop protection management, while establishing a basis for future phenological, ecological, and comparative studies.

Background: The research on potash management in North East India aims to enhance agronomic performance of black rice in organic habitats through SRI-based potassium management, promoting sustainable agriculture, food security and biodiversity. It underscores the crop’s cultural, nutritional and economic importance while offering farmers sustainable production strategies. Methods: To assess the effects of potash management strategies on organic black rice under system of rice intensification (SRI), a field experiment was carried out at Research Farm of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, during the kharif seasons of 2019 and 2020. The experiment included twelve distinct treatments with three replications, each arranged in a randomized block design. Result: The morpho- physiolo, phenological and insect pest resistance were notably influenced by different organic potash management practices under system of rice intensification. From the result it was found that the highest leaf area duration, no of tillers, AGR for dry matter (g day-1 plant-1), CGR) for dry matter (g m-2 day-1), Phenological attributes, with application of RDK through banana pseudo stem vermicompost with combination of mustard oil cake + 20 kg ha-1) T8. In case of AGR for plant height (cm plant-1 day-1) was more in T6 (RDK through azolla incorporation + mustard oil cake + 20 kg ha-1). Early flowering and maturity were recorded in treatment T8 with application of RDK through banana pseudo stem vermicompost along with 20 kg ha-1 mustard oil cake. The incidence of insect pest was also observed low under treatment T8 i.e., application of RDK through banana pseudo stem vermicompost + with mustard oil cake + 20 kg ha-1) and highest pest incidence was found under T1 (Control).

Background: Nutrient management and cropping sequence are two important factors which affect productivity and profitability of crop. Profitability is one the important part of the successful crop production. Soybean fixes atmospheric nitrogen in soil and partially fulfills the nitrogen requirement of succeeding crops. There is a need for a suitable substitute crop or cropping systems after soybean to improve the soil fertility and productivity to maximize the profitability. The plains of Maharashtra are well suited for onion and potato cultivation. There is scope for increasing the area, production and productivity of onion and potato crop. Majority of farmers in Maharashtra following soybean-wheat and soybean-chickpea crop sequence while in present investigation soybean is grown in sequence with vegetable crop such as onion and potato which could help to increase profitability through higher net return and B: C ratio. Methods: The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Six combinations of two crop sequences (soybean-onion and soybean-potato) and three levels of nutrient management viz., 50% RDF+FYM 5 t ha-1+ biofertilizer (N1), 75 % RDF+ FYM 5 t ha-1+ biofertilizer (N2) and 100 % RDF+ FYM 5 t ha-1+ biofertilizer (N3) were the main plot treatments in kharif season replicated three times in randomized block design. During rabi season each main plot treatment of nutrient management level was split into three sub plot treatments with three levels of recommended dose of fertilizer viz., 75% RDF (F1), 100% RDF (F2) and 125% RDF (F3) to rabi season crops resulting in eighteen treatment combinations replicated three times in split plot design. The data pertaining to growth characteristics, yield characteristics, economics of soybean (kharif) and onion or potato (rabi) was collected at regular interval in 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 at Agronomy Farm, Dr. PDKV, Akola which was analyzed statistically in SPD (split plot design). Result: Soybean-onion crop sequence registered higher profitability in terms of GMR, NMR and B: C in comparison with soybean - potato crop sequence. Soybean crop supplied with 100% RDN+ 5 t FYM ha-1 + Biofertilizer (Rhizobium japonicum+ PSB+ Tricoderma viridi) recorded highest GMR, NMR and B:C ratio over lower levels of treatments in all year experimentation. Rabi crops treated with 125% RDF recorded GMR, NMR and B:C ratio over lower levels of treatments in all years of experimentation.

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol found in various plants and fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, currants, strawberries, peanuts, and most especially in grapes. It is also present in red wine, although its content varies greatly depending on its origin. It is a phytoalexin produced by plants in response to stress, aggression from pathogens such as bacteria or fungi, or physical damage such as injury. In addition to its involvement in plant defence responses, resveratrol has been the subject of research interest due to its potential health benefits, including antioxidant properties and potential positive effects on the cardiovascular system, among others. Initial interest in its research stemmed from the so-called 'French paradox', in certain regions of France, where despite high intakes of saturated fats there was a relatively low incidence of coronary heart disease. Science wondered the factor that might be protecting the French from inflammation, vascular damage and playing a role in their longer lifespan. Thus, in the 1990s, it was hypothesized that a component of wine could be the key element. Epidemiological studies began to suggest that moderate consumption of wine, especially red wine, was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. In vitro laboratory research supported this idea, demonstrating that resveratrol could inhibit processes involved in the development of atherosclerosis or the formation of arterial plaques, such as platelet aggregation in blood vessels and oxidative damage to LDL cholesterol. A plausible mechanism for heart protection thus emerged. Since then, an increasing number of in vitro and in vivo studies have been carried out to unravel the mechanism by which resveratrol can slow down the aging process.

Purpose The individual benefits of Salicylic acid (SA) and Silicon (Si) on plant growth have been studied independently but there is limited research exploring the interactive effects of SA and Si on plant growth. Therefore, the objective of this current study is to evaluate the combined impact of SA and Si on the growth, chlorophyll content, and yield of maize. Method The effect of foliar application of Si and SA was estimated in maize in the year 2021–2022. Treatments were of two levels of varieties i.e., V₁:PMH13 and V₂:TA5084 and four levels of foliar application of Si and SA along with RDF i.e., T₁:RDF (Control), T₂:RDF + Salicylic acid (150ppm), T₃:RDF + Silicon (40ppm) and T₄:RDF + Salicylic acid (150ppm) + Silicon (40ppm) replicated thrice laying out in a randomized block design with a factorial arrangement (FRBD). Results T₄recorded higher chlorophyll content (15.64 mg g_− 1 FW) and growth in seedling tray experiment. It also had the highest plant height, leaf area index (LAI), total dry matter (TDM), and SPAD values in field trial. This resulted in a significant increase in grain yield (39.97%) compared to T₁. Additionally, T₃ and T₄, which received silicon foliar application, had the least insect infestation during early crop stages compared to T₁. Conclusion The results showed that application of Si would have increased synthesis of structural components in plant cells and enhanced resistance to environmental stresses and SA induced System Acquired Resistance (SAR) and promoted nutrient uptake. The results were further verified by principal component analysis (PCA).

Aims: The study was aimed to observe “Effect of foliar application of Zinc on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum)”. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD). Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted at the research fields of School of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar (Punjab) during rabi season in the year 2021-2022. Methodology: The experiment was conducted with eight treatments and three replicationswere T₁- Absolute Control, T₂- RDF (Chemical Control) 120:60:40 NPK, T₃- RDF 120:60:40 NPK + Zinc (Spray @ 15 DAYS 0.5% ), T₄- 75% RDF + Zinc (Spray @ 15 DAYS 0.5% ), T₅- RDF 120:60:40 NPK + Zinc (Spray @ 15 DAYS 0.5% + 30 DAYS 0.5% ), T₆- 75% RDF + Zinc (Spray @ 15 DAYS 0.5% + 30 DAYS 0.5% ), T₇- RDF 120:60:40 NPK + Zinc ( Spray @ 15 DAYS 0.5% + 30 DAYS 0.5% + 60 DAYS 0.5%), T₈- 75% RDF + Zinc (Spray @ 15 DAYS 0.5% + 30 DAYS 0.5% + 60 DAYS 0.5%). Results: The results showed that the foliar application of Zinc at different stages, along with recommended dose of fertilizer had a positive effect on plant height, number of leaves per plant, Chlorophyll by SPAD value and grain yield of crop. It was reported that at harvest, the highest values of growth parameters like plant height (cm) were recorded in T₇ (97.07cm), number of leaves per plant was in T₇ (11.03), Chlorophyll by SPAD value was in T₅ (37.37) and grain yield was in T₇ (61.70 q/ha) which were significantly higher over control treatments where we did not applied Zinc. Conclusion: It can be concluded that along with RDF, foliar application of Zinc has positive effects on growth and development of plant as well as helps in increasing the yield of the crop as compared to the no foliar application Zinc. Along with this, it has also been found that foliar application of Zinc should be done in splits ie. at15 days intervals at crucial stages of crop which helps in maximum absorption of nutrients that ultimately affects the yield of the crop . Since the Zinc fertilizers like Zinc sulfate is a cheap and easily available fertilizer, it could find wider acceptability among farmers.