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R. Stephen Rajasingh ¹, A. Christopher Lourduraj ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore T. N., IN

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University during 2011- 2012 and 2012-2013 on a maize-cowpea cropping system. Split Plot Design with three replications was adopted in maize and the main plot treatments comprised of three organic sources viz., FYM @ 12.5 t ha- 1 , biochar @ 5 t ha-1, vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1.The sub plot treatment comprised of seven fertilizer levels with foliar spray treatments, viz., S1-100% recommended dosage of fertilizer (RDF) i.e. 150:75:75 kg NPK ha-1,S2 -100% RDF + foliar spray of pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) 106 dilution, S3 -75% RDF + foliar spray of PPFM 106 dilution, S4 - 100% RDF +1% foliar spray of poly feed (NPK:19:19:19), S5 - 75% RDF +1% foliar spray of poly feed, S6 - 100% RDF +2% foliar spray of poly feed and S7 - 75% RDF +2% foliar spray of poly feed. Split-Split Plot Design was adopted for the succeeding cowpea crop and two fertilizer levels were tried in cowpea viz., F1- 100 per cent RDF (25:50:25 kg NPK ha-1) and F2 - No fertilizer in the sub-sub plot. The results showed application of either FYM or vermicompost to maize had significant residual effect on the succeeding cowpea crop and significantly influenced growth parameters and yield of succeeding cowpea in both the years of study. Among the residual effect of different fertilizer levels along with foliar spray in maize, irrespective of foliar spray tried, application of 100 per cent RDF to maize significantly increased the growth and yield of succeeding cowpea compared to 75 per cent RDF to maize. Between the two fertilizer levels tried in cowpea the growth parameters, grain and haulm yield of cowpea were significantly higher due to application of recommended dose of fertilizer compared to no fertilizer application. Thus, application of FYM 12.5 t ha-1 or vermicompost 5 t ha-1 with RDF to maize (150:75:75 kg NPK ha-1) and application of RDF (25:50:25 kg NPK ha-1) to succeeding cowpea crop can be recommended for enhancing the growth parameters, grain and haulm yield in the succeeding cowpea crop.

Keywords

Cowpea, FYM ,growth Parameters, Grain Yield,maize, NPK Levels, Polyfeed,vermicompost

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N. K. PrabhaKaran ¹, A. Christopher Lourduraj ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore - 641 003, IN

Abstract

Though soybean ss a leguminous crop, it responds to fertilizer N besides P and K requirement. In general N application increases the P uptake Phosphorus fertilization to soybean favourably enhances the uptake of N, Pand K. Application of N, P and K together significantly increases the growth atttibutes and of yield of soybean. Split application of nutrients is reported to be beneficial especially when the soils are coarse textured or alkaline and calcareous in nature. Foliar application of fertilizers offers considerable scope not only for better utilization of nutrients but also for economy in fertilizer application. Higher sustained soybean Yields can be obtained with judicious and balanced N, P and K fertilization combined with organic amendments.

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N. K. Prabhakaran ¹, A. Christopher Lourduraj ¹

Affiliations
1 Associate Professors (Agronomy), Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641003, IN

Abstract

Climatic parameters play an important role in governing water need of soybean and the assessment of water need based on day-to-day weather parameters, seems to be more rational than any other method. Various IW/CPE ratios were attributed for higher yield of soybean, ranging from 0.70 to 1.20. Higher plant height, leaf area index and dry matter production in soybean recorded under adequate moisture is attributed to better vegetative growth caused by more absorption and utilization of nutrients. Increase in yield attributes and yield of soybean results due to supply of adequate moisture. In general, irrigation water use efficiency decreased with an increase in IW/CPE ratios.

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G. Sudhakar ¹, A. Christopher Lourduraj ¹, A. Rangasamy ¹, P. Subbian ¹, A. Velayutham ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641003, IN

Abstract

Earthworms can live in decaying organic wastes and can degrade it into fine particulate materials, which are rich in nutrients. Vermicomposting is the application of earthworm in producing vermifertilizer, which helps in the maintenance of better environment and results in sustainable agriculture. Earthworm make the soil porous and help in better aeration and water infiltration. Vermicompost can be prepared from different organic materials like sugarcane trash, coir pith, pressmud, weeds, cattle dung, bio digested slurry etc. Increased availability of nutrients in vermicompost compared to non-ingested soil resulted in significantly better growth and yield of rice has been reported by several workers.

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H. C. Bayan ¹, A. Christopher Lourduraj ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, IN

Abstract

In general, the response of lowland rice to phosphorus application is usually lower than that of other dryland crops including upland rice, primarily because of increased solubility of native P in flooded soils. In the rice-wheat cropping system there is little residual effect of P applied to rice on succeeding wheat crop, whereas rice benefits considerably from the application of P to the preceding wheat crop. Judicious combination of soluble source of P combined with Mussoorie rock phosphate can give better performance, as against the conventional source of P alone in several cropping systems. Application method can offset the effects of P-fixation by soils and increase P-efficiency. Fertiliser placement helps overcome fixation in irrigated upland crops. However for rice, surface application or broadcast and mixing it by puddling was best as it resulted in greater P availability. Split application of phosphorus may be useful in cases where initial supply of the nutrient is sufficient to meet the early requirements of the crops. Addition of organic manures and biofertilisers (Phosphobacteria) along with inorganic P application increased the yield levels considerably, besides maintaining the soil health.

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S. Panneerselvam ¹, A. Christopher Lourduraj ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, IN

Abstract

Dominant weeds of soybean in different locations of India have been compiled. Trianthema portulacastrum, Flaveria australasica, Amaranthus viridis, Cynodon dactylon, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Echinochloa colonum and Cyperus rotundus were the major weed species found in soybean at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Soybean yield was adversely affected by the weeds due to their competition for nutrients and moisture during early growth stages. Most of the reports indicate that critical period of crop-weed competition to be upto 45 days after sowing for soybean. Soybean yield reduction ranged from 10 to 86 per cent depending upon weed infestation.

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B. Rajendra Kumar ¹, A. Christopher Lourduraj ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, IN

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was conducted during 2002 to screen cultivars suited to direct anaerobic seeding i.e. germinated seeds sown beneath the surface of flooded soil. Rice cultivars ASD19, C043 and ADT38 were superior in seedling establishment, and recorded higher root length, shoot length, dry matter production and vigour index, followed by ADT39 and C045.

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K. Ramamoorthy ¹, A. Christopher Lourduraj ¹, S. Kumaran ¹, T. M. Thiyagarajan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641003, IN

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during kharif and rabi 2000 to study the influence of short duration grain legumes (cowpea and greengram) on the productivity of succeeding finger millet under rainfed conditions. Results revealed that maximum dry matter production and vegetable yield was obtained in cowpea (CO 2), as compared to greengram (Pusa bold). In succeeding finger millet crop, higher grain and straw yield were obtained when the haulms of previous cowpea were incorporated after harvest for vegetable purpose. Transplanting of finger millet with phosphorus application recorded higher grain yields as compared to other treatments.

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A. Christopher Lourduraj ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, IN

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in chillies (Variety CO 2) to study the effect of different mulches and irrigation regimes on chillies yield and economics. Results revealed that mulching chillies with black linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film of 25 micron thickness significantly influenced plant height and all the yield attributes, except the length of fruit. The fresh fruit yield and net returns were also favourably influenced by plastic mulching compared to unmulched control. Irrigation at IW/ CPE ratio of 0.80 is the optimum irrigation regime as it resulted in significantly higher fresh fruit yield of chillies.

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S. Panneerselvam ¹, A. Christopher Lourduraj ¹, N. Balasubramanian ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, IN

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted from June 1994 to April 1996, covering two kharif and two summer seasons to evaluate the combined effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers with different weed management practices on the soil available phosphorus status and P uptake of soybean. Application of bio-digested slurry @ 5.0 t ha^-1 + 30:120:40 kg NPK ha^-1 recorded the highest P uptake by soybean In all the seasons. During the early stage (20 DAS), the P uptake by soybean was higher with the application of alachlor 1.0 kg ha^-1 followed by pendimethalin 0.75 kg ha^-1. At later stage (40, 60 DAS and at harvest), hand weeding twice considerably increased the P uptake of soybean. Soil available P was higher In plots where bio-digested slurry @ 5.0 t ha^-1 + 30:120:40 kg NPK ha^-1 was applied. Hand weeding twice favourably increased the availability of P in soil, followed by alachlor + hand weeding.

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S. Panneerselvam ¹, A. Christopher Lourduraj ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, IN

Abstract

Field experiment conducted from 1994 to 1996 on different weed management practices in soybean revealed that at. Early stages, weed control efficiency (WCE) was higher with alachlor 1.0 kg ha^-1 followed by pendimethalin 0.75 kg ha^-1. At later stages, hand. Weeding twice registered the highest WCE due to effective control of weeds in all the seasons.

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