<div>The experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram with an objective to study the effect of nutripriming with ZnSO4 and borax on the early growth and seedling vigour and Zn and B content in grain cowpea. Nutripriming treatments had significant effect on germination parameters. Nutripriming with ZnSO4 either at 0.025 or 0.05 per cent recorded higher values for the germination parameters. These treatments recorded 19.68 and 18.51 per centage higher germination than control. Germination index was 1.4 times higher in seeds primed with ZnSO4 @ 0.025 and 0.05 per cent and also recorded higher values for mean daily germination and speed of germination. The highest co-efficient rate of germination and germination rate index was recorded by seed priming with ZnSO4 at 0.05 per cent and it was closely followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.025 per cent for 4 h. &nbsp;Nutripriming with ZnSO4 either @ 0.025 or 0.05 per cent recorded the lowest mean germination time and time to reach 50 per cent germination and also recorded higher Zn and B content. Vigour index also followed the same trend. Hence it can be concluded that nutripriming with ZnSO4 either at 0.025 or 0.05 per cent can be recommended for early seedling growth, seedling vigour and higher Zn and B content in grain cowpea.</div>

<div>Nutripriming with zinc sulphate and borax for early growth and seedling vigour in grain cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]</div>

<div>Background: Pigeonpea productivity is low as it is grown in low fertility soils under inadequate fertilizer applications that has led to emergence of several nutrient deficiencies. The lower yield of pigeonpea is not only due to its cultivation in sub marginal lands, but also due to poor management, flower dropping and subsoil compaction that leads to restricted water infiltration, there by bringing many chemical and biological changes which affect the plant growth. It is important to adopt appropriate tillage practices in combination with proper nutrient management practices that avoid degradation of soil structure, reduce flower drop, maintain crop yield as well as ecosystem stability. 
 
Methods: A two year field experiment was conducted during two consecutive kharif seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21 at S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati Andhra Pradesh to study the effect of different tillage, nutrient management practices and foliar application of KNO3 and borax on yield attributes and yield of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.)] in a split-split plot design, consisting of three tillage practices in main plots, three nutrient levels in sub plots and three foliar sprays in sub-sub plots on sandy loam soil which was low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and available potassium. 
 
Result: Our investigations concluded that among combinations higher number of pod bearing branches plant-1, number of pods branch-1, total number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, hundred seed weight and seed yield of pegonpea was recorded with vertical tillage with subsoiler upto 60 cm deep at 1 m interval coupled with application of 125% RDF and with foliar application of KNO3 1% twice with 15 days interval at 50 per cent flowering stage.</div>

Effect of Different Tillage, Nutrient Management Practices and Foliar Application of KNO3 and Borax on Yield Attributes and Yield of Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.)]

<div>The experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram with an objective to assess the effect of seed invigouration with ZnSO4 and borax alone and along with Trichoderma viride on physiological parameters and nodulation of grain cowpea. Seed invigouration treatments had significant effect on physiological parameters as well as nodulation parameters in grain cowpea. Leaf area index and total chlorophyll content were found to be higher in seeds primed in ZnSO4 0.025 and 0.05 per cent for 4h at both 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). From 30 to 60 DAS, crop growth rate (CGR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were the highest in seeds pelleted with borax 50 mg kg-1 seed and from 60 DAS to harvest, seeds primed in ZnSO4 0.05 per cent for 4h registered the highest CGR and RGR. Total number of nodules and effective nodules per plant were found to be higher in seeds pelleted with borax 50 and 100 mg kg-1 seed. However, the nodule fresh and dry weight were the highest in seeds primed in ZnSO4 0.05 per cent for 4h. Hence it can be concluded that compared to seed pelleting with borax, seed priming with ZnSO4 was found better for nodulation as well as better expression of physiological parameters in grain cowpea.</div>

<div>Effect of Seed Invigouration Treatments on Physiological Parameters and Nodulation of Grain Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]</div>

<div>Background: Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] is the most widely cultivated pulse crop of Kerala. Deficiencies of micronutrients viz., Zn and B are a common problem in cowpea. Foliar nutrition is very effective to correct the micronutrient deficiencies in pulses but it is too laborious. Seed pelleting and priming are two simple cost-effective methods to overcome the micronutrient deficiencies. The present study aimed to study the effect of seed invigouration with zinc sulphate and borax and to evaluate its effect along with Trichoderma viride on nutrient uptake and soil nutrient status of grain cowpea. 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The experiment was conducted in RBD with 8 seed invigouration treatments and a control during Rabi 2018. 
 
Result: Seed invigouration treatments had significant effect on nutrient uptake and nutrient availability. Seeds primed in ZnSO4 0.05 per cent for 4h recorded the highest NPK uptake by crop, the highest soil organic carbon content, available N and Zn status. Zinc uptake by crop and available soil K status were recorded the highest in seed primed in ZnSO4 0.05 per cent for 4h + Trichoderma viride seed treatment 10 g kg-1 seed. Boron uptake by crop and available soil B and P status were recorded the highest in seeds pelleted with borax 100 mg kg-1 seed. Hence it can be concluded that seed primed in ZnSO4 with 0.05 per cent for 4 h improved the Zn availability and uptake and seed pelleting with borax 100 mg kg-1 improved the B availability and uptake of grain cowpea.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Influence of Seed Invigouration Treatments on Nutrient Uptake and Soil Nutrient Status of Grain Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]</div>

<div>Background: Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) is an important short duration crop and is grown throughout the country. Seed treatment can improve seedling establishment and better crop stand; it also improves plants ability to tolerate stress at early growth stages and foliar application has the advantage of quick and efficient utilization of nutrients, elimination of nutrient losses through leaching and fixation in soil and also helps in regulating the uptake of nutrients by plants thus improving productivity. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2018 at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram to assess the effect of different levels of seed treatments and nutrient schedule on the growth and yield of blackgram. The growth attributes, yield attributes and yield viz., number of pods per plant, seeds per pod, length of pod, 100 seed weight, grain yield, haulm yield and harvest index were favorably influenced by the treatments. 
 
Result: Seed treatment with borax @ 1 g kg-1 seed and sodium molybdate @ 1 g kg-1 seed were&nbsp;observed superior in increasing plant height (135.84 cm), number of trifoliate leaves per plant (7.61), pods per plant (24.16), length of pod (5.23 cm), 100 seed weight (6.74 g), grain yield (1005 kg ha-1) and harvest index (0.38). Significantly higher nodule number (41.83), effective nodule number (33.83) and weight of nodules (58.83 mg) plant-1 at flowering were documented with sodium molybdate @ 1 g kg-1 seed. In case of seeds per pod significantly higher number of pods per plant (7.33) was observed with borax @ 2 g kg-1 seed and maximum haulm yield (1854 kg ha-1) reported with sodium molybdate @ 1 g kg-1 seed. The basal application of &frac12; N + full P + &frac12; K followed by &frac12; N and &frac12; K as foliar spray of 13:0:45 at 15, 30, 45 and 60 DAS produced significantly more 100 seed weight (6.52 g), grain yield (872 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (1750 kg ha-1). Interaction effect of boron and molybdenum also showed significant influence with respect to yield attributes and yield.</div>

Effect of Seed Treatment and Nutrient Schedule on the Productivity of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)

<div>Background: Papaya (Carica papaya L.) belonging to Caricaceae family has long been recognized as a wonder fruit of the tropics and grown predominantly for its delicious taste and extraction of its digestive constituent papain. As vegetative growth and flowering is simultaneous in this crop, supply of requisite amount of nutrients is necessary during the active growth period, which is possible through fertigation. Knowledge on correct dose of fertilizers to be provided through fertigation is very crucial. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the period 2018-2020 at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram to investigate the response of fertigation and foliar spray on yield and fruit quality of papaya variety Surya. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with combination of four fertigation doses of 75%, 100%, 125% and 150% RDF of N and K and three foliar sprays (1% 19:19:19, 0.5% ZnSO4+0.3% borax and water spray) which where compared with soil application of recommended dose of NPK (control 1) and soil application of NPK plant-1 year-1 based on soil test data as organic manures as combination of FYM, poultry manure and vermicompost in the ratio of 2:1:1 (control 2). 
 
Result: The findings of the study revealed that application of 100% RD of N and K through fertigation at weekly interval from one MAP to 20 MAP and foliar sprays of 0.5% ZnSO4 and 0.3% borax at 4th, 8th, 12th and 16th MAP (T5) along with basal application of 850 g rock phosphate and 15 kg FYM improved the yield and fruit quality parameters and can be recommended for commercial papaya cultivation.</div>

Response of Fertigation and Foliar Sprays on Yield and Fruit Quality of Papaya Variety Surya

<div>Background: Avena sativa L. (common oat) is the most important among the cultivated oat belongs to the Poaceae family and is known as Jai or Javi in Indian subcontinent. It is important winter forage in many parts of the world and is grown as multipurpose crop for grain, pasture, forage or as a rotation crop. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of Zinc Sulphate and Borax on growth, yield components, yield and economics of oats seed production in red and lateritic soil of West Bengal during rabi seasons of 2015-16 and 2016-17 at agricultural farm, Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design having two factors each with four levels (Zinc Sulphate with 0, 15, 20 and 25 kg/ha as well as Borax with 0, 5, 10 and 15 kg/ha). 
 
Result: Pooled data over two years of experiments showed that soil application with Zinc Sulphate and Borax at various levels significantly influenced growth attributes (dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and crop growth rate), yield components (no. of panicles/m2, no. of filled grains/panicle and test weight), yield (seed yield, straw yield and biological yield) and economics of oats seed production. With increasing levels of ZnSO4 application, highest number of panicles/m2 (196.27), seed yield (3.00 t/ha), straw yield (6.94 t/ha) and biological yield (9.85 t/ha) were obtained at 25 kg/ha though these were at par with 20 kg ZnSO4 /ha. Higher number of filled grains/panicle (76.47), test weight (29.93 g), seed yield (2.95 t/ha), straw yield (6.70 t/ha) and biological yield (9.63 t/ha) were found with application of borax @ 10 kg/ha. The highest gross return, net return and return per rupee investment was achieved with application of ZnSO4 @ 20 kg/ha (₹ 1,17,257/ha, ₹ 68,997/ha and 2.65, respectively) which was significantly higher than both of 25 kg ZnSO4/ha (₹ 1,15,051/ha, ₹ 64,489/ha, and 2.52, respectively) and&nbsp; 15 kg ZnSO4/ha &nbsp;(₹ 1,05,198/ha, ₹ 59,240/ha and 2.44, respectively). Similarly, highest gross return, net return and return per rupee investment was obtained with application of borax @ 10 kg/ha (₹ 1,15,537/ha, ₹ 69,070/ha and 2.67, respectively). &nbsp;A significant interaction between Zinc Sulphate and borax was found towards seed yield, biological yield, gross return, net return and return per rupee investment in oats seed production.&nbsp; Use of ZnSO4 at 20 kg/ha and borax at 10 kg/ha conjunctively achieved highest seed yield (3.28 t/ha), biological yield (10.81 t/ha), gross return (₹ 1, 27, 530/ha), net return (₹78,760/ha) and return per rupee investment (₹3.78) in oats seed production.</div>

Assessing the Impact of Zinc and Boron Supplementation on Oats Grown under Red and Lateritic Soil of West Bengal

<div>Background: The new generation special fertilizers have been introduced exclusively for foliar feeding and fertilization. The increased supply of nutrients and good response by plants resulted in enhanced translocation of nutrients to reproductive structures.Therefore, it is planned to study the effect of different nutrients as a foliar spray for growth, yield and seed quality parameters of hybrid pigeon pea. 
 
Methods: The experiment on effect of foliar spray of nutrients, growth regulators on seed yield, quality in hybrid pegionpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] was conducted at Seed Farm, College of Agriculture, Vijayapura, Karnataka during kharif 2019-2020. The treatment consisting of&nbsp; foliar spray of control (T1), 1% Pulse magic (T2), 1% 19:19:19 (T3), 0.2% Borax (T4), 50 ppm NAA (T5), 1% Pulse magic+1%19:19:19 (T6), 1% Pulse magic+0.2% Borax (T7), 1% Pulse magic+50 ppm NAA (T8), 1% Pulse magic+1% 19:19:19+0.2% Borax (T9), 1% Pulse magic+ 1% 19:19:19+50 ppm NAA (T10), 1% Pulse magic+1% 19:19:19+50 ppm NAA+0.2% Borax (T11). Foliar spray was taken at flower initiation and peak flowering stage. 
 
Result: The results revealed&nbsp; that, foliar application of Pulse magic @1% +19:19:19@1%+ NAA@50 ppm + Borax@0.2% recorded&nbsp; higher number of branches (10.60), number of pods per plant (239.33), number of seeds per plant (5.75), test weight (12.18g), hybrid seed yield per plant (48.17g), hybrid seed yield per plot (1188.83g), hybrid seed yield&nbsp; per ha (1499kg /ha) and seed quality parameters&nbsp;viz: seed germination (93%), shoot length (15.08 cm), root length (18.67 cm), seedling vigour index(2649), lower electric conductivity (0.59 dSm-1) and protein percentage (22.18 %) respectively.</div>

​Effect of Foliar Spray of Nutrients, Growth Regulators on Seed Yield and Quality in Hybrid Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp]

<div>Background: The research aims to enhance fruit quality and production of the Dashehari mango variety through micronutrient treatments in Rajasthan, India. Micronutrients play a crucial role in plant growth and development and their deficiency can lead to suboptimal yields and reduced fruit quality. This study seeks to investigate the effects of micronutrient application on mango trees, particularly focusing on the Dashehari variety, to improve both the quantity and quality of mango production. By understanding the impact of micronutrient treatments, the research aims to provide valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices that can optimize mango cultivation and contribute to increased agricultural productivity. 
 
Methods: The research administered borax, ferrous sulphate and zinc sulphate to soil and trees in 10 treatments. The soil of an 18-year-old mango variety named Dashehari was treated in the first week of October with foliar sprays throughout the flower bud initiation, full bloom and pea stage initiation stages. A three-replication randomized block design was employed for the investigation.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results show that the treatment known as &ldquo;T9&rdquo;-Application of borax to the soil in the amount of 125 grams, followed by the application of borax to the foliar in the amount of 0.2 per cent-produced the highest quality and quantity of mango fruit. Additionally, treatments of soil application of ZnSO4 per tree 125 g, followed by foliar application of ZnSO4 0.4% and soil application of FeSO4 per tree 125 g, followed by foliar application of FeSO4 0.4%, also showed promising results.</div>

&nbsp;

Maximizing Fruit Quality and Production of Mango cv Dashehari: The Impact of Micronutrient Treatments

<div>Field experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram with an objective to assess the effect of seed invigouration with zinc sulphate and borax on grain cowpea and to evaluate its effect along with Trichoderma viride on field emergence, growth, yield attributes and yield of the crop. Field emergence percentage was significantly influenced by seed invigouration and an enhancement in the germination percentage of 20.54 to 27.79 was observed compared to control. Seed priming with ZnSO4 @ 0.05 % for 4h recorded higher values of the growth attributes viz., green leaves per plant, branches per plant and dry matter production per plant. Yield attributes viz., pods per plant, pod weight per plant, pod length, pod girth and seed yield ha-1 were recorded the highest in seeds primed in ZnSO4 @ 0.05% for 4 h. Net returns and B: C ratio were also found to be the highest in the treatment, seed priming with ZnSO4@ 0.05 % for 4 h. Hence it can be concluded that, seed priming with ZnSO4 0.05% for 4 h can be recommended for better plant establishment, higher seed yield and net returns in grain cowpea.</div>

Nutripriming with zinc sulphate and borax for early growth and seedling vigour in grain cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

Effect of Different Tillage, Nutrient Management Practices and Foliar Application of KNO₃ and Borax on Yield Attributes and Yield of Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.)]

Effect of Seed Invigouration Treatments on Physiological Parameters and Nodulation of Grain Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

Influence of Seed Invigouration Treatments on Nutrient Uptake and Soil Nutrient Status of Grain Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

Effect of Seed Treatment and Nutrient Schedule on the Productivity of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)

Response of Fertigation and Foliar Sprays on Yield and Fruit Quality of Papaya Variety Surya

Assessing the Impact of Zinc and Boron Supplementation on Oats Grown under Red and Lateritic Soil of West Bengal

Effect of Foliar Spray of Nutrients, Growth Regulators on Seed Yield and Quality in Hybrid Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp]

Maximizing Fruit Quality and Production of Mango cv Dashehari: The Impact of Micronutrient Treatments

Effect of Seed Invigouration on Yield Enhancement in Grain Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]