Assessment of physiological indices and energetics under different system of rice intensification in north western Himalayas

Field experiment was conducted at the research farm of CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Rice and Wheat Research Centre, Malan during kharif 2013 with the objective to select the best seedling age and spacing of rice under system of rice intensification in terms of energetic and employment generation for mid hill con-dition of Himachal Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in 3 times replicated split plot design, assigning of three seedling ages (10, 17 and 24 days) and two spacings (20 cm x 20 cm and 20 cm x 15 cm) in main plots and four seedling vigours corresponding to four seeding rates (25, 30, 35 and 40 g/m2) in sub plots. The leaf area per plant was significantly greater in 10 days seedling age and decreased with increase in age (P=0.05). Seedling rate did not affect leaf area index in all stages except 40 DAS when 35 g/m2 seeding rate had maximum LAI. Seedling age did not significantly influence crop growth rate at any interval but it did relative growth rate and net assimilation rate between 40-70 and 70-100 DAS (P=0.05). 24 days old seedling resulted in significantly higher relative growth rate and net assimilation rate between 40-70 DAS followed by 17 days old seedlings. Maximum value of energy input (13.23) was recorded in 24 days seedling. The energy use efficiency (Energy output: input) varied from 10.6 to 11.1 under different treatments. Wider spacing supporting less plant population consumed 10 man days less than closer spac-ing of 20 cm x 15 cm

Weather parameters vulnerability on tea production in north western Himalaya, India

The study assessed the sensitivity of weather parameters with respect to total green leaf and two leaves and bud (T & B) productivity of tea crop {Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze}. The maximum temperature ranging from 20.0 to 29.0 oC during March, May, August and September showed positive relationship with values ranging from 0.26 to 3.38 and 0.22 to 3.22 for green leaf and T & B yield, respectively. Similarly, minimum temperature ranging from 9.1 to 20.0 oC during March and July to October found positive 0.001 to 2.93 and 0.28 to 2.91 for green leaf and T & B productivity, respectively. The mean monthly rainfall amounting 52.7 to 664.7 mm during March, May, July to October and 52.7 to 488.4 mm during June, July, September and October also showed positive sensitivity with values ranging from 0.03 to 0.33 and 0.007 to 0.35 for green leaf and T & B yield, respectively. The relative humidity ranging between 41.2 to 77.3% during April to May for green leaf yield (0.32 to 1.71) and during April to May and October for two leaf and bud yield (0.00 to 1.70) showed positive relationship. So, maximum and minimum temperature between 20.0 to 29.0 oC and 9.1 to 20.0 oC, respectively with rainfall of 52.7 to 488.4 mm and relative humidity 41.2 to 77.3% are the most beneficial weather parameters for tea cultivation at Palampur conditions

Evaluation of seeding rates of rice nursery on seedling vigour and its effect on crop productivity under system of rice intensification

Four seeding rates (25, 30, 35 and 40 g/m2) of rice in nursery were tested for seedling vigour recorded at 10, 17 and 24 DAS at Malan during 2013 and 2014. The seedling vigour so obtained in nursery was subsequently evaluated in field during kharif 2013. Thus twenty four treatments comprised of combinations of three seedling ages (10, 17 and 24 days) and two spacings (20 × 20 cm and 20 × 15 cm) in main plots and four seedling vigour from four seeding rates (25, 30, 35 and 40 g/m2) in sub plots were evaluated in split plot design. Seedling shoot length under all seeding rates (25-35 g/m2) was significantly higher compared to check (40 g/m2) during 2013. In the next year, shoot and root length (30-35 g/m2), tiller per seedling and leaves per seedling (25-30 g/m2) of 24 days nursery was significantly higher over check (40 g/m2). Plant height, tillers, leaves and dry matter accumulation were significantly higher when younger seedlings aged 10 and 17 days were used. The crop raised using 10 days old seedlings matured 3-5 days earlier than 24 days old seedlings. Wider spacing resulted in more plant height, tillers, leaves and dry matter accumulation. Seedlings from 25, 30 and 35 g seed/m2 resulted in significantly taller plants than 40 g/m2. The seeding rate, seedling age and plant spacing did not significantly influence rice productivity thereby permitting flexibility to the rice farmers in the adoption of these factors

Forecasting phenology of mustard crop in North-western Himalayas

Field experiments were conducted during rabiseason of 2007-08 and 2008-09 to study the phenology, thermal indices and its subsequent effect on dry matter accumulation of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) varieties viz., RCC-4, Kranti and Varuna grown under varying environmental conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The early sown (10th October) crop varieties took maximum average growing degree days for flower initiation (492±1), 50% flower-ing (682±1), pod initiation (742±1), 90% pod formation (811±4) and maturity (1394±8) which decreased with subse-quent delay in sowing time and recorded lowest under late sown (9th November) crop. The accumulated helio-thermal units and photo-thermal units decreased from 9824 to 7467 oC day hour and 19074 to 15579 oC day hour, respectively. High heat-use efficiency was obtained under late sown condition on 30th October. The heat-use efficiency (HUE) was high at 90% pod formation stage as compared to other stages in all the varieties and sowing dates (except 9th November sowing). The early sown (10th October) crop had maximum calendar days and cumula-tive pan evaporation (158 days and 448.2 mm) followed by normal (20th and 30th October) (153 days and 434 mm) and late (9th November) (138 days and 403.1 mm) sown crop indicating higher water requirement under early sow-ing. The predictive regression models explained 83-85% variation in dry matter yield in three varieties of mustard. The agro climatic indices are important determinants for temperature, radiations and photoperiods behaviors of crop. The accurate predictions of crop phenology are useful inputs for crop simulation modeling and crop management, and used for climate change assessment and simulated adaptations in present scenarios

Impact of elevated carbon dioxide and temperature on wheat production under sub temperate climate in north western Himalayas, India

Wheat is the second most important cereal crop and plays a key role in food and nutritional security. The study examines the impact of elevated carbon dioxide and temperature under limited irrigations on wheat crop using crop growth simulation models under sub temperate climate. The Info Crop model was validated using the historical data generated by the research trials of All India Coordinated Research Improvement Project at Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. The model was run for 20 years from 1991 to 2010 for Palampur weather station. The results revealed 3.6 to 4.0 percent and 1.7 to 7.5 percent increase in simulated crop yield with 420 and 470 ppm CO2 respectively. The elevated maximum and minimum temperature by 1 and 20C with 370 ppm carbon dioxide reduced the anthesis period by 5-7 and 9-11 days respectively over the sowing window of November 15th to December 30th. Similarly, days to maturity also reduced by 4-5 and 7-8 days with 1 and 20C rise in temperature respectively. The simulated crop yield showed increase by 17.9 to 63.0 and 33.2 to 133.4 percent with 1 and 20C rise in temperature at 370 ppm CO2 under limited irrigations. The simulated grain yield at 420 ppm CO2 showed an increase of 23 to 69.7 percent with 10C and 39.5 to 123.5 percent with 20C whereas at 470 ppm CO2 level the increase was 27.9 to 76.1 at 10C and 46.4 to 133.0 percent with 20C rise in maximum and minimum temperatures respectively. Hence, simulated results of elevated temperature and CO2 levels proved to be beneficial in rabi wheat with adaptations strategy of limited irrigations under sub temperate climate of North Western Himalaya

Agro-metrological investigation of bumper apple productivity in Himachal Pradesh, India

The study aimed to investigate the productivity and weather relationship for the apple growing areas of Himachal Pradesh viz., Kalpa, Bhuntar and Shimla in district Kinnaur, Kullu and Shimla, respectively. The results revealed that pre bloom period (November to February) in the year 2009-10 remained cooler. The minimum temperature of 0.4 to 0.9, 1.0 to 1.1°C and 1.9 to 2.2°C and maximum temperature of 6.7, 1.0 to 1.1 and 1.7°C were lower in Shimla, Bhuntar and Kalpa region, respectively compared to 1995-2009.. The maximum temperature for the chill accumulation months of November, December, January and February during 2009-10 showed 13 to 19 per cent lower compared to 1995-2009. The average pre bloom rainfall during 2010 was 39 to 57 per cent higher than 1995-2009 indicating sustainable bloom period. The 3 to 4°C temperature rise during March 2010 (19 to 24°C) as compared to 1995-2009 (16 to 21.4°C) coupled with 52 per cent higher precipitation benefited the crop in profuse flowering and hence good fruit set. The average maximum temperature during the post bloom period (May-June) in 2009-10 was 1°C higher compared to the previous years coupled with 23 per cent higher rainfall resulting in an highest productivity. The highest productivity (8.57 MT/ha) during 2010 which was 58 per cent higher than the previous years can be ascribed due to the favorable low temperature in pre bloom period and increase in the temperature inthe month of March along with adequate rainfall in the bloom and post bloom period

Heat unit requirement and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties under different growing environment in mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

A eld experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2015-16 and 2016-17 to study the accumulated growing degree days (GDD), helio-thermal unit (HTU), photo-thermal unit (PTU), heat use efciencies (HUE) at different phenological stages and performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties grown under different sowing dates. Results of present study revealed that the crop sown on 20th October required maximum calendar days, growing degree days, photo-thermal unit and helio-thermal unit for tillering, owering, earing and maturity which was signicantly reduced with subsequent delay in sowing time. The grain yield recorded in 20th November (4065 kgha-1) was statistically at par with 5th November yield (3863 kgha-1). The signicant reduction in grain yield on varieties was recorded when sowing was delayed beyond 20th November. Among the varieties 'VL-907' produced highest grain yield (3771 kgha-1) which was statistically on par with 'VL-829' (3726 kgha-1). The early and timely sown wheat  variety like VL-829 and VL-907 took highest calendar days, GDD, HTU and PTU for earing and maturity. The variety 'VL-907' recorded the highest grain yield (4196 and 4168 kgha-1) at 5th and 20th November sowing as compared to all other sowing dates