Popularization of improved maize (Zea mays L.) production technology through frontline demonstrations in semi arid zone IVA of Rajasthan

Front line demonstrations (FLD,s) on maize (Zea mays L.) were laid down at 661 farmers’ fields to demonstrate production potential and economic benefits of improved production technologies comprising high yielding varieties namely PM-3, PM-5, PEHM-2, Bio- 9681 and Mahyco 3765 in Rajsamand district of Semi Arid Zone IVa of Rajasthan state during kharif seasons from 2006 to 2012 in rainfed farming situation. The improved production technologies recorded an additional yield ranging from 2.50 to 15.78 qha-1 with a mean of 7.94 qha-1. The per cent increase yield under improved production technologies ranged from 33.17 to 68.16 (PM-3), 14.09 to 59.82 (PM-5), 46.61 to 66.97 (PEHM-2), 55.83 to 92.82 (Bio 9681) and 80.12 (Mahyco 3765) in respective years. The average extension gap, technology gap and technology index were 9.10 qha-1, 5.94 qha-1 and 20.08 per cent, respectively in different varieties of maize. The improved production technologies gave higher benefit cost ratio ranging from 1.28 to 3.00 with a mean of 2.45 compared to local checks (1.10) being grown by farmers under locality. The productivity of maize per unit area could be increased by adopting feasible scientific and sustainable management practices with a suitable variety. Considering the above facts, frontline demonstrations were carried out in a systematic and scientific manner on farmer’s field to show the worth of a new variety and convincing farming community about potentialities of improved production management technologies of maize for further adoption by the farming community

Evaluation of Productivity of Pearl Millet and Clusterbean and Growth Parameters of Neem Strains under Agro-Forestry System under Semi-Arid and Rainfed Condition

Neem (Azadirachta indica) tree is a native to Indian sub-continent and found throughout the India with maximum number of trees which are distributed over 70-75% geographical area of this country. It is distributed throughout south and southeast Asia, Australia, Africa and many other countries in central and south America including Carribean, Puer to Rica and Virgin Islands (Ram Mohan and Nair, 1993). The tree has been considered so invaluable and miraculous that it became a major inseparable component of the Indian ecosystem. Neem has been held in high esteem because of it provde medicinal and insecticidal properties. As a single tree it has maximum uses like medicines, bio-pesticides, mosquito repellents, fertilizers, diabetic foods, soaps, lubricants, gums, agriculture implements, tooth paste, tooth sticks, contraceptives etc. which is receiving worldwide recognition for its variety of bio-active principles. For a farmer the tree provided seeds, leaf and bark which could be converted into fertilizer and pest control material and medicine for livestock. Neem enjoys a wide range of climatic and edaphic factors. It is successfully grown in arid, semi-arid, wet tropical and sub-tropical climates. It is tolerant to high temperature up to 49oC but susceptible to excessive frost and water logged conditions (Hegde, 1993). Its performance is well on poor, shallow, stony or sandy soils and can be established easily without irrigation in hot and dry regions with low annual rainfall of 500 mm or less. It can be planted at farm/field boundaries, road sides, canal banks, river banks and wherever any space is vacant. Neem is the most ideal tree known to be successful under various agroforestry systems. Many Indian companies are currently engaged in processing neem seeds for extracting Azadirachtin. A large number of liquid and powdered formulations are being marketed in India. Although, this tree has tremendous potential, but till now it is to be exploited for full genetic potential in terms of growth and Azadirachtin content. By increasing Azadirachtin content more than 0.50 % in seed kernel much better price would be fetched (Gupta et. al. 2010). Realizing the economic potential of neem products in world market and good adaptability in wider climatic conditions and land situations in India, Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi collected a good amount of neem germplasm from nine states and evaluated critically for all the important characters and published in the form of “Neem catalogue” (Gupta et. al. 2011)

Weed management in ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.)

A field experiment was conducted to find out a suitable and economical method of weed management in ajwain. The experiment was laid in randomized block design with three replications. Based on the two year study, it was found that besides weed free treatment, significantly higher plant height, number of primary, secondary branches, number of leaves, number of nodes and dry matter accumulation plant-1 at (60 DAS, 90 DAS and at harvest) were recorded with the pre-emergence application of oxadiargyl @75 g ha-1 + one hand weeding at 45 days after sowing (DAS) and pendimethalin @1 kg ha-1 + one hand weeding at 45 DAS. Yield attributes like number of umbels plant-1, number of umbellate pant-1, number of seeds umbel-1, umber of seed umbellate-1 and test weight as well as seed and straw yields of ajwain were also higher with the above two treatments. After weed free treatment, the lowest dry weight of weed at harvest, weed index and highest weed control efficiency were obtained with pre-emergence (PE) application of oxadiargyl @75 g ha-1 + one hand weeding at 45 DAS. The highest gross returns and net returns per hectare were obtained in weed free treatment. This was followed by pre-emergence application of oxadiargyl @75 g ha-1 + one hand weeding at 45 DAS, which recorded the highest B: C ratio (2.62). &nbsp

Economic feasibility of weed management practices in nigella (Nigella sativa L.)

A field experiment was conducted to find out the suitable and economical method of weed control in nigella. Based on two year study, it was found that besides weed free treatment, significantly higher plant height, number of primary and secondary branches, number of leaves, number of nodes and dry matter accumulation plant-1 (at 60 days after sowing (DAS), 90 DAS and at harvest) were recorded with the pre-emergence application of oxadiargyl @ 75 g ha-1 + one hand weeding at 45 DAS and pendimethalin @ 1 kg ha-1 + one hand weeding at 45 DAS. Similarly, yield attributes like number of siliqua plant-1, number of seeds siliqua-1, siliqua size and test weight as well as seed and straw yields of nigella were also higher with these two treatments. Besides weed free treatment, lower dry weight of weed at harvest, weed index with highest weed control efficiency was obtained under pre- emergence (PE) application of oxadiargyl @ 75 g ha-1 + one hand weeding at 45 DAS. The Highest gross returns and net returns were obtained in weed free treatment followed by effective control of weed with pre -emergence application of oxadiargyl @ 75 g ha-1 + one hand weeding at 45 DAS but highest B: C ratio (2.62) was recorded with preemergence application of oxadiargyl @ 75 g ha-1 + one hand weeding at 45 DAS. &nbsp

Response of bio-regulators to yield and quality of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czernj. and Cosson) under different irrigation environments

A field study was conducted during rabi seasons of 2008 and 2009 to evaluated of productivity of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) by foliar spray of bio-regulators under different irrigation environments. Amongst treatments, the application of sufficient irrigation water (four irrigations) recorded the highest number siliqua per plant, higher number of seeds per siliqua, 1000 seed weight and yields as compared to all other irrigation treatments. Results show that an increased in seed yield of 92.40 and 39.37 % under sufficient irrigation and limitedwater condition in 2008 and 93.34% and 40.31% in 2009, respectively over deficient irrigation conditions, foliar sprays of 100 ppm thioglycollic acid at initiation of branching were recorded highest yield attributes and yields. Similarly, 500 ppm of thiourea at initiation of branching and flowering stages also gave second best highest yield attributes and yields as compared to all other bio-regulators spray stages. However, bio-regulators sprays were not recorded any significant effect on oil and protein content. The results were concluded that economic feasibility to improve productivity of Indian mustard with four irrigations levels and sprays of 100 ppm thioglycollic acid and 500 ppm of thiourea at initiation of branching and flowering stages under hyper arid environment

Yield and Economic Viability of Coriander under Frontline Demonstration in Bundi District of Rajasthan

A study was conducted in Bundi district of Rajasthan to analyze yield and economics of coriander under frontline demonstration. Results of the study revealed that yields in coriander were substantially higher over the Local Check (Control), fetching the participating farmers a higher price for their produce. A majority of the respondent farmers expressed high (44.32%) to very high (37.50%) level of satisfaction with extension services and performance of the technology under the demonstration

Comparative study of titanium elastic nailing versus hip spica in treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children

Background: There is no consensus on treatment of closed femoral-shaft fractures in children. We compared hip spica cast with titanium elastic nailing (TEN) in the treatment of femoral-shaft fractures in children.Methods: Study was conducted at SMS Medical College, Jaipur (Rajasthan). Out of 90 Patients of diaphyseal fracture femur, 45were treated conservatively by spica cast and 45 were treated with TEN. Follow up done regularly up to twelve months of injury with taking into account, various parameters.Results: All diaphyseal fractures of femur healed, whether treated conservatively by spica cast or treated operatively with TEN. The time of union and weight bearing was less in operative group as comparative to spica cast group. Ten patients (22.22%) in spica group compared to three patients (6.66%) in operative group had malunion and two patients (4.4%) in spica group compared none in operative group had delayed union.Conclusions: Results of TEN turned out to be far superior to traction and spica cast treatment in paediatric femoral fractures. Rate of complications was far low with operative than conservative Treatment

Indigenous approaches of pest management in vegetables with special reference to coriander in southern Rajasthan, India

The present survey based study was conducted to record the indigenous pest management practices which were prepared by the use of various ethnobotanical plant parts, animal bi-products etc., for vegetable pest control by the farmers of tribal community in four tribal districts of southern Rajasthan. Data revealed that nowadays, indigenous knowledge of insect-pests management is being alive in age old people of few communities, amongst tribes of southern Rajasthan is one of the community in which some farmers are still practicing indigenous tactics for controlling pests on vegetables. 28 indigenous practices constituted by locally available wild plants constituents, animal byproducts, natural resource and few spiritual mean were applied with age old knowledge of farmers recorded effective management of various insect-pests infesting vegetables including coriander. The highest Fic value was recorded for aphids followed by thrips and jassids. The used value was recorded in the range of 0.09 to 0.69 for all locations. The highest UV secured for indigenous practices of Neem leaf extract; cow butter milk + cow dung ash + chilli seed powder; Neem seed kernel extract and ker plant + neem leaf + negadi leaf extract. These practices were easy in preparation, cost effective, eco-friendly and widely acceptable by the community in region need to be documented for future reference