Field Application of Trichogramma chilonis (Ishii) for the Management of Sugarcane Borers

Abstract.-These studies were conducted at farmer's fields in Mardan district during the cropping season [2008][2009] to investigate the efficacy and potentiality of inundative and inoculative release methods of Trichogramma chilonis (Ishii) for the management of sugarcane borers. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design. There were three treatments and four replications in each treatment. The data revealed that both inundative and inoculative release methods of T. chilonis were more effective as compared with the control throughout the entire growing season. Inundative release method of T. chilonis was found the most effective technique against Chilo infuscatellus (Snellen) infestation in both sugarcane plant and ratoon crops with minimum mean percent infestation of 3.50 and 6.50 respectively. This was followed by Inoculative release method, where 6.75 and 10.00 mean percent infestation was recorded in sugarcane plant and ratoon crops respectively. Maximum infestation was recorded in control plots with mean percent infestation of 7.87 and 12.75 in sugarcane plant and ratoon crops respectively. The data further revealed that inundative release method of T. chilonis in both sugarcane plant and ratoon crops also effectively controlled Acigona steniellus (Hamp) with minimum borer's infestation by recording 3.25 and 3.37 mean percent infestations in both sugarcane plant and ratoon crops respectively. It was followed by the plots where T. chilonis were released as inoculative release method, where 4.87 and 6.25 mean percent infestation was recorded in sugarcane plant and ratoon crop respectively. Control plots showed maximum A. steniellus infestation in plant crop (7.27%) and ratoon crop (7.65%). The data further showed that no Scirpophaga nivella Fabric infestation was recorded in both sugarcane plant and ratoon crops. Maximum yield of sugarcane was recorded in both plant and ratoon crops of sugarcane in plots treated with inundative release method (101.5t/ha in plant crop and 69.25 t/ha in ratoon crop) followed by inoculative release method (95.84t/ha in plant crop and 63.14t/ha in ratoon crop). The lowest yield of sugarcane was recorded in control (91.14 t/ha and 58.33 t/ha)

International Journal of Farming and Allied Sciences INTEGRATED USE OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS IN WHEAT AND THEIR RESIDUAL EFFECT ON SUBSEQUENT MUNG BEAN

ABSTRACT: Application of organic materials along with inorganic fertilizer helps in proper nutrition of crop and maintenance of soil fertility. integrated effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of wheat and investigate their residual effect on subsequent mung bean was evaluated at Livestock Research and Development Station Surezai, Peshawar for two crops seasons 2010-11 and 2011-12. Experimental treatments were three organic fertilizers levels of poultry manure (2, 4 and 6 ton ha -1 ) and three farm yard manure (2, 4 and 6 ton ha -1 ) and two inorganic nitrogen levels (60 and 90 kg ha -1 ) along with control were applied to wheat crop. Mung bean was cultivated on the same plots after harvest of wheat without application of fertilizers to investigate the residual effect of these fertilizers on growth and yield of mung bean. Poultry manure, farm yard manure and nitrogen significantly affected spikes m -2 grain yield and harvest index of wheat. Higher spikes m -2 , grain yield was observed with application of 6 tons poultry manure, 6 tons farm yard manure ha -1 , and 90 kg N ha -1 while higher harvest index was recorded in control. Residual effect of the entire organic and inorganic combination also significantly affected crop growth rate, pods plant -1 and biological yield of mung bean. In case of mung bean more crop growth rate, podss plant -1 and biological yield (kg ha -1 ) was also observed with the residual effect of 6 tons poultry manure, 6 tons farm yard manure ha -1 , and 90 kg N ha -1. Higher yield was observed with integrated application of organic and inorganic fertilizers in the ratio 6 ton poultry manure, 6 ton farm yard manure ha -1 and 90 kg N ha -1 . Mung beans rely on the residual fertilizers applied to wheat. It is concluded that a ratio of 6 ton poultry manure, 6 ton farm yard manure ha -1 and 90 kg N ha -1 is recommended for higher yield in wheat

Phosphorus and Zinc Interaction Influence Leaf Area Index in Fine vs. Coarse Rice (Oryza sativa L) Genotypes in Northwest Pakistan

Leaf area index (LAI) is a measure of leafiness per unit ground area and denotes the extent of photosynthetic machinery is an important growth and yield-determining factor because it is a major determinant of light interception and transpiration. Phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) and rate are the most important factors affecting leaf area index (LAI) of rice(Oryza sativa L.). A field experiment was conducted to assess the impact of phosphorus (0, 40, 80, 120 kg P ha-1) and zinc levels (0, 5, 10, 15 kg Zn ha-1) on LAI of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes [fine (Basmati-385) and coarse (Fakhr-e-Malakand & Pukhraj)]. The experiment was conducted on farmer field at Batkhela, Malakadnd in Northwest Pakistan during summer 2011 and 2012. When combined over the two years, the data revealed that the highest LAI at three different growth stages (tillering, heading and physiological maturity) was obtained with application of the highest P level (120 kg ha-1) being at par with 80 kg P ha-1, while the lowest LAI was recorded when P was not applied. Similarly, the highest LAI was obtained with application of the two higher Zn levels (10 and 15 kg Zn ha-1), while the lowest LAI was recorded when Zn was not applied. In case of rice genotypes, the highest LAI was obtained from Pukhraj than other two genotypes at all growth stages. The other two rice genotypes (Fakher-e-Malakand and Basmati-385) produced statistically similar LAI at different growth stages. The higher LAI of Pukhraj was attributed to its long and wider leaves that resulted in higher mean single leaf area, leaf area per tiller, per hill and per square meter. The LAI was highest at heading stages than at early (tillering) and later (physiological maturity) growth stages. The increase in LAI was attributed to the increase in tillers number and leaf area hill-1. The increase in LAI showed positive impact on crop growth rate, dry matter accumulationand yield. Application of 120 kg P + 10 kg Zn ha-1 to rice genotype Pukhraj was more beneficial in terms of higher LAI and productivity in the study area

DENSITY AND PLANTING DATE INFLUENCE PHENOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT ASSIMILATE PARTITIONING AND DRY MATTER PRODUCTION OF FABA BEAN

Abstract Phenological development determines the period of vegetative and reproductive growth, assimilate partitioning and dry matter production. Planting time and density are the major factors affecting phenological development, assimilate partitioning and yield of faba bean. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of planting date and plant density on phenological development, assimilate partitioning and yield of faba bean. Faba bean was planted on eight dates from Septembe