<div>Background: Lentil is a vital nutritional source of protein in several parts of the world including India. The crop is susceptible to wilt which is a devastating soil-borne disease induced by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis. Insight of the potential threat Fusarium wilt can pose to lentils, a present study done on pathogenicity, host range and influence of temperature, humidity and pH levels on the growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. lentis. 
 
Methods: Ten isolates FOL-01 to FOL-10 of F. oxysporum f. sp. lentis (Fol) were isolated from wilted lentil plants that collected from different major lentil growing parts of Rajasthan. During 2017-18 a pathogenicity test was tested in pot house condition by seed and soil inoculation techniques for all isolates and epidomological factors evaluated in vitro conditions. 
 
Result: Results indicated that the Fol isolates represent a single race but differ in their aggressiveness on the susceptible cultivar L9-12. Pathogenicity test revealed clearly that&nbsp;Fol was associated with wilt symptoms and were pathogenic to lentil plants. A maximum percent disease incidence of 70.00 was showed by isolate FOL-02 in soil inoculation technique. In the morphological and cultural characterization, all the ten isolates showed various character in conidial frequency, colony color and growth pattern. Twenty plant species were tested to know the host range of Fol, out of these lentil, chickpea and pea show positive reaction with the pathogen. The influence of temperature, relative humidity and pH on the growth and sporulation of Fol was studied under in vitro conditions. Maximum mycelial growth and sporulation of the Fol were observed at 30&deg;C, 6.0 pH and 60% relative humidity.</div>

<div>Pathogenicity, Host Range and Influence of Temperature, Humidity and pH Levels on the Growth of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lentis</div>

<div>Background: Symbiotic associations between legumes and Rhizobia are ancient and fundamental. However, the plant growth-promoting endophytes other than Rhizobia are not yet fully explored for pulses productivity. The present study was aimed to isolate efficient endophytic bacteria from pulses, assess their diversity, screen their plant growth-promoting activities and to test their potential as bio inoculants for pulses. 
 
Methods: We have isolated several endophytic bacteria from pulse crops more specifically from blackgram (Vigna mungo) and greengram (Vigna radiata). After careful screening, 15 promising endophytic isolates were selected for this study. The identification of endophytic bacterial isolates was performed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolates were tested for their potential for the plant growth-promoting traits such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid production, siderophore secretion and antifungal activity. Pot culture experiments were conducted with the screened potential endophytic cultures. 
 
Result: The 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that species of Enterobacter, Bacillus, Pantoea, Pseudomonas, Acromobacter, Ocrobacterium were found as endophytes in blackgram and greengram. The in vitro screening identified Bacillus pumilus (BG-E6), Pseudomonas fluorescens (BG-E5) and Bacillus licheniformis (BG-E3) from blackgram and Pseudomonas chlororaphis (GG-E2) and Bacillus thuringiensis (GG-E7) from greengram as potential plant growth-promoting endophytes. These strains showed antagonism against plant pathogenic fungi. Upon inoculation of these endophytic PGPR strains, the blackgram and greengram growth and yield got increased. Among the strains, BG-E6 recorded 14.7% increased yield in blackgram and GG-E2 accounted for a 19.5% yield increase in greengram compared to respective uninoculated control. The experimental results showed that there was a host specificity found among the endophytic bacterial cultures with pulses. The cross inoculation of endophytic strains did not perform well to enhance the growth and yield of their alternate hosts.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Assessing the Plant Growth-promoting Traits and Host Specificity of Endophytic Bacteria of Pulse Crops</div>

Background: The objective of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of Eri silk cocoons that were reared on various combinations of host plants. The primary host plant castor and secondary host plants such as kesseru, tapioca, gulancha and papaya were utilized in various combinations for different instars. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The present analysis was conducted in lab at Department of Entomology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha &lsquo;O&rsquo; Anusandhan, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India during spring season of the year 2022-23. SEM/EDX was used to investigate the cocoons metal elements. Each sample was examined separately to evaluate metal content. Conductive carbon tape attached specimens to stubs. The metal elemental analysis of the scaffold was performed by EDX attached to the scanning electron microscope. 
&nbsp; 
Result: For silk cocoon inner surfaces, the metal elements were ordered as follows: C&gt;O&gt;Mo&gt;K&gt;Cl&gt;Ca&gt;Si&gt;Na&gt;Mg&gt;Al. Some Eri cocoons were produced on different host plants and had somewhat different exteriors, but all had evenly distributed components. C and O were abundant on all silk cocoons&rsquo; inner and outer surfaces. Cocoons produced on many host plants have higher chemical metal element levels on their exterior and interior surfaces than those raised on a single host plant. The study suggests that chemical factors have a role in silk cocooning, encouraging the creation of &beta;-sheet structure. 
&nbsp;

Exploring the Metal Composition of Eri Silkworm Cocoons Reared on Diverse Host Plant Combinations

<div>Background: The legume pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (H&uuml;bner), is one of the most damaging crop pests, including pigeonpea. Host plant resistance is a component of pest management and therefore, we standardize a nylon bag No-Choice Bioassay technique to screen for resistance to H. armigera under field conditions. 
 
Methods: Pigeonpea plants were infested with 24 h old 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 larvae per plant inside the nylon bag. Observations were recorded on pod damage, larval survival, larval weight, pupation, adult emergence, and fecundity after 10 days. 
 
Result: Pigeonpea varieties AL-201, H03-41 and PAU-881 exhibited lower pod damage (15.89 to 19.77%) and larval weight (12.02 to 13.82 mg). The expression of resistance to H. armigera was associated with trichome density, pod wall thickness and higher amount of phenolic compounds and condensed tannins. Lower trichome density and thin pod walls and higher amounts of sugars rendered the varieties Paras, Manak and Pussa-992 more susceptible to H. armigera. Nylon bag assay can be used to screen and select pigeonpea cultivars for resistance to H. armigera.</div>

​Screening of Pigeonpea Varieties through Nylon Bag No-choice Bioassay for Host Plant Resistance to Helicoverpa armigera

<div>Background: The study of the moisture balance can be used to suppose the plants water requirement and the plants water use efficiency. The moisture balance influenced by climate factor, therefore climate change can affect the moisture balance especially in rainfed. Therefore, an effort is needed to manage soil moisture in rainfed as a climate change mitigation measure: soil and water conservation. This study aimed to determine the influence of soil and water conservation on the moisture balance in the coffee root zone.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: This study was conducted at people&rsquo;s coffee plantation of Argotirto village, Sumbermanjing Wetan District, Malang Regency, located between 8.2411-8.1443 S and 112.4031-112.4634 E. Observation were made on February to November 2020, divided into observations in the wet season, dry seasons and flowering period. The observation plots consisted of terraced plot (P0), terraced + straight silt pit (P1), terraced + L-shaped silt pit (P2) and terrace + biopore (P3). The observation variables were: soil physical characteristics and moisture balance components there were precipitation, percolation, runoff, evapotranspiration and soil moisture storage.&nbsp; 
 
Result: At P1, the runoff depth was 80.89% lower and the percolation was 44.22% higher than P0. The total soil moisture storage at P1 was 20.06% higher than P0 in the dry season, indicating that P1 could increase the period of surplus moisture in the dry season.</div>

Influence of Various Soil and Water Conservation Methods on the Moisture Balance at Coffee Plant Root Zone

<div>Background: Pomegranate is being cultivated in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world for its delicious fruits. It can be propagated from seeds as well as from softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. The application of auxins encourages rooting in stem cutting owing to their ability to active cambium regeneration, cell division and cell multiplication. To meet the demand of pomegranate in the current situation and owing to its importance, the present study was undertaken. 
 
Methods: For regeneration of stem cuttings of pomegranate cv. Bhagwa as influenced by PGR&lsquo;s and planting time a study was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, Khalsa College, Amritsar during 2019-2020. The trial was undertaken with ten treatments comprising of IBA, PHB and NAA (500, 750 and 1000 ppm) each by quick dip method along with control planted in the first week of August and January.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results of the study revealed that IBA 1000 ppm (T3) proved to be the best in terms of minimum days to first sprouting (11.06), maximum sprouting (91.10%), rooting (83.31%), number of roots per cutting (60.03), root length (11.55 cm), fresh weight of roots (1.08 g) and dry weight of roots (0.55 g). Among planting time the cuttings planted on first week of January&nbsp; proved to be effective in terms of sprouting (87.83%), survival (84.70%), rooting (78.81%) and number of roots (52.06) respectively.</div>

​Regeneration of Stem Cuttings of Pomegranate cv. Bhagwa as Influenced by PGR&rsquo;s and Planting Time

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Intensive cultivation with suitable crop geometry for optimum utilization of resources is one of the possible ways for increasing productivity of pigeonpea. Plant growth regulators have the capacity to stimulate and inhibit physiological processes, which directly or indirectly might affect crop yield and quality. This investigation was planned to study the influence of crop geometry and foliar application of plant growth regulators on production potential of pigeonpea. 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted at experimental farm of Agronomy Department, V.N.M.K.V., Parbhani, during kharif season of 2018 and 2019. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four main plot treatments and five sub plot treatments. The main plot treatments comprised of four crop geometries while thesub plot treatments were five treatments on foliar application of plant growth regulatorsalongwith control.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Various crop geometries shown remarkable effect on growth and developement of pigeonpea. The crop geometry of 60-120 cm &times; 20 cm and 90 cm &times; 20 cm recorded maximum plant height of pigeonpea as compared to other wider crop geometries. While in case of all the other growth attributes viz. number of functional leaves plant-1, leaf area, number of branches plant-1&nbsp;and dry matter accumulation plant-1 crop geometry of 120 cm &times; 20 cm and 75-150 cm &times; 20 cm were found superior as compared to other treatments and were at par with each other. The yield per hectare was increased at closer crop geometry 60-120 cm &times; 20 cm as the lower per plant yield was compensated by higher plant population. The crop geometry 60-120 cm &times; 20 cm produced significantly higher seed yield (1661, 1982 and 1821 kg ha-1 during 2018, 2019 and pooled mean respectively) over crop geometry of 120 cm &times; 20 cm and crop geometry 75-150 cm &times; 20 cm, but it was found at par with crop geometry 90 cm &times; 20 cm. Among the foliar application of plant growth regulators, growth characters viz., plant height, number of functional leaves, leaf area, number of branches and dry matter accumulation plant-1 as well as chlorophyll content were enhanced with the foliar application of Brassinosteroids @ 0.1 ppm and application of NAA @ 40 ppm during both the years of study. Foliar application of Brassinosteroids @ 0.1 ppm also recorded early flower initiation and significantly highest seed yield (1742, 2018 and 1880 kg ha-1 during 2018, 2019 and in pooled data, respectively), while it was at par with foliar application of NAA @ 40 ppm.&nbsp;</div>

&nbsp;​Morphophenological Characters and Productivity of Pigeon Pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] as Influenced by Crop Geometry and Plant Growth Regulators

Background: India&rsquo;s agriculture scenario currently faces several interconnected issues that affect long-term sustainability, agricultural productivity and resource efficiency. Many of these problems can be solved practically by focusing on planting strategies (e.g., bed planting vs. flat sowing) in conjunction with nitrogen level management. An experiment was performed at the agricultural research farm of Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India to investigate the influence of planting pattern and nitrogen requirement on growth and yield of wheat during the rabi season of 2023-2024.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The investigation was laid out in a split-split plot design with three replications with the objective to study the role of methods of planting patterns and nitrogen levels on growth and yield of wheat. The main treatments comprised of three planting patterns, viz. M1-Flat sowing (22.5 row to row planting), M2- Bed sowing with two rows per bed of 67.5 cm each (37.5cm bed top + 30 cm furrow), M3- Bed sowing with three rows per bed of 90 cm (60 cm flat top + 30 cm furrow), sub-plot treatments comprised of three nitrogen levels viz. N1- 0 kg N/ha, N2 -50 % of RDN and N3 -100% of recommended dose of fertilizers i.e. 125:60:40 kg/ha and sub-sub plot treatments included foliar application of nitrogen viz. F1- 2% foliar nitrogen application at crown root initiation stage, F2- 2% foliar nitrogen application at tillering stage, F3- 2% foliar nitrogen application at boot stage.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results of the investigation revealed that among the main plot treatments, bed sowing with three rows per bed of 90 cm (60 cm flat top + 30 cm furrow) recorded higher grain yield (5.09 t/ha) than other treatments whereas as Bed sowing with two rows per bed of 67.5 cm each (37.5 cm bed top + 30 cm furrow) yielded equivalent results from a statistical standpoint (5 t/ha). Among sub-plots, the application of N3 -100% of Recommended dose of nitrogen has obtained significantly higher grain yield (6.4 t/ha) when compared to other treatments. Among sub-sub plots 2% foliar nitrogen application at boot stage showed higher grain yield (5.2 t/ha) when compared to other treatments whereas 2% foliar nitrogen application at tillering stage where statistically on par (5.1 t/ha) with 2% foliar nitrogen application at boot stage.

Influence of Planting Pattern and Nitrogen Requirement on Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

<div>Background: Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] is one of the primary grain legume crops grown in India for its high quality vegetable protein, animal feed and fodder. It is affected by various fungal and viral diseases. Among these, leaf blight caused by Alternaria alternata is one of the most destructive diseases and recently the disease of minor importance becomes major one in Tamil Nadu. Use of resistant cultivar is the most effective, economically viable and eco-friendly tool for combating the plant diseases. The micronutrients play a key role in many physiological and biochemical functions of the plants which influences plant pathogenic interaction. The micronutrients viz., Zn.Mn,Cu and Fe found to have greater impact on reducing the plant disease severity. Developing integrated disease management strategy involving disease resistant variety, micronutrient and fungicide application would be the best sustainable method for controlling the pigeonpea leaf blight. 
 
Methods: Twenty four pigeonpea genotypes along with two local varieties viz., CO5 and CO6 were evaluated in the field for their resistance against Alternaria alternata leaf blight disease, consecutively for three years from 2015-16 to 2017-18 using the disease resistance scale ranging from 0 to 9. Field experiments were also conducted for three consecutive Kharif season from 2015 to 2018 to evaluate the efficacy of the foliar application of different micronutrients and combination fungicide viz., carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% on the incidence of leaf blight disease.&nbsp; 
 
Result: A total of 24 pigeonpea genotypes were screened for their resistance against leaf blight under field condition. Among these, four genotypes viz., BDN2, IPA 8F, IPA 15F and MA6 were found resistance and nine genotypes were moderately resistant and remaining 11 genotypes showed susceptible reaction to leaf blight. The results of the field experiment on micronutrient and fungicide application revealed that foliar spraying of MnSO 4 @0.2% on 30 days after sowing and carbendazim 12%+ mancozeb 63%@ 1g / lit on 45 days after sowing recorded the lowest leaf blight incidence of 8.1 PDI (Per cent Disease Index) with the highest disease reduction of 76.9% as against 35 PDI in the untreated control plot. The above treatments also recorded the highest grain yield of 905 kg/ ha as against 703 kg/ in the untreated control.</div>

<div>Management of Alternaria Leaf Blight in Pigeonpea through Host Plant Resistance and Micronutrient Application</div>

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2012 to assess the effects of sowing time (1, 10, 20, and 30 July) and planting geometry (30 cm &times; 10 cm and 22.5 cm &times; 10 cm) on the growth, phenology and thermal indices of mungbean varieties (PAU 911 and ML 818). The crop sown on 1 July recorded higher plant height and dry matter accumulation (DMA) and required higher thermal indices viz. accumulated growing degree days (AGDD), accumulated photothermal units (APTU) and accumulated heliothermal units (AHTU) to complete various phenological stages as compared to all other sowing times. Mungbean variety PAU 911 took lesser days to complete various phenological stages and required lesser AGDD, AHTU and APTU as compared to ML 818. Plants in planting geometry of 30 cm &times; 10 cm recorded significantly higher DMA and attained significantly higher AGDD, AHTU and APTU as compared to in 22.5 cm &times; 10 cm geometry.

Pathogenicity, Host Range and Influence of Temperature, Humidity and pH Levels on the Growth of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lentis

Assessing the Plant Growth-promoting Traits and Host Specificity of Endophytic Bacteria of Pulse Crops

Exploring the Metal Composition of Eri Silkworm Cocoons Reared on Diverse Host Plant Combinations

Screening of Pigeonpea Varieties through Nylon Bag No-choice Bioassay for Host Plant Resistance to Helicoverpa armigera

Influence of Various Soil and Water Conservation Methods on the Moisture Balance at Coffee Plant Root Zone

Regeneration of Stem Cuttings of Pomegranate cv. Bhagwa as Influenced by PGR’s and Planting Time

Morphophenological Characters and Productivity of Pigeon Pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] as Influenced by Crop Geometry and Plant Growth Regulators

Influence of Planting Pattern and Nitrogen Requirement on Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Management of Alternaria Leaf Blight in Pigeonpea through Host Plant Resistance and Micronutrient Application

Growth, phenology and thermal indices of mungbean as influenced by sowing time, varieties and planting geometry