<div>Background: The Alternaria blight of pigeonpea is considered as an important foliar disease and poses threat to the pigeonpea cultivation due to change in the climatic condition, cultivation practices and variation in pathogenic character. Though the disease is noticed in an alarming proportion after the post rainy season and causing economic yield, little is known about the severity of disease and its impact on crop production. The current study is aimed to study the disease severity and variability of the pathogen and which would helps us to understand the biology of the pathogen to develop suitable management strategies. 
 
Methods: In the field and laboratory investigations during 2015 and 2017, different localities of Northern Karnataka were surveyed. Twenty sampling localities were selected based on geographical situation. In the laboratory, collected diseased samples were isolated and determined morphologically and culturally based on taxonomic and molecular characters. 
 
Result: Our investigations revealed the varied disease severity in surveyed districts, Vijayapura district recorded the maximum disease severity with a range of 38.67 to 49.33 and this might be due to variation in pathogenic character, rainfall pattern and climatic conditions and also disease severity varied with varieties indicating the source of resistance. The present study contributed for identification of geographical distribution of the disease and its severity in different varieties and places of Northern Karnataka and their genetic and morphological variations.</div>

Investigation on the Severity of Alternaria Blight of Pigeonpea and its Characterisation in Northern Karnataka

<div>Background: Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia (Jaq.) Marechal) is characterized as one of the most drought hardy, short duration, annual legume crop. It is mainly grown in Northern districts of Karnataka. Moth bean crop suffers from many diseases viz., yellow mosaic, bacterial blight, root rot, anthracnose and powdery mildew. Moth bean is targeted by YMV which causes severe damage to grain and fodder yields. Since not much work has been carried out on characterization of moth bean yellow mosaic virus in Northern Karnataka, an attempt was made to partially characterize coat protein gene of Moth Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (MBYMV).&nbsp; 
 
 
Methods: The total genomic DNA was extracted from leaf tissues of healthy moth bean plants and yellow mosaic virus infected plants utilizing by modified CTAB method. Specific primers for yellow mosaic viruses were tried to amplify coat protein region of MBYMV. 
 
 
Result: Moth bean leaf samples showing yellow mosaic symptoms gave positive results with MYMV specific primer pairs (MYMV-CP-F/MYMV-CP-R) and yielded amplicons of ~1000 bp. The 1000 bp PCR products were directly sequenced and assembled. Phylogenetic tree based on full length coat protein gene sequence of MBYMV with other geminiviruses sequences downloaded from NCBI Genbank formed three major clusters of MYMV, HgYMV and MYMIV. The present MBYMV isolate formed unique cluster with MYMV group.</div>

Molecular Detection and Partial Characterization of Coat Protein Gene of Moth Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (MBYMV) from Northern Karnataka

<div>Background: Rise in temperature and expected changes in erratic rainfall patterns projected under future climates are going to affect the performance and productivity of most crops, especially under rainfed condition. But, extent of adverse effect would vary from location to location and crop to crop. Greengram is an important Kharif season crop of Northern Transition Zone (NTZ) of Karnataka mainly grown under rainfed conditions.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Calibrated and validated DSSAT-CROPGRO model was used to study response of greengram to climate change in NTZ of Karnataka. A combination of three temperature (control, +1&deg;C and +2&deg;C) and three rainfall (control, -10% and -20%) scenarios resulting nine combinations were used to simulate phenology, yield and total biomass using weather data for the period of 32 years (1985-2016).&nbsp; 
 
Result: Model based seasonal analysis showed that the greengram is more sensitive to change in rainfall than temperature. Rise in temperature by 1-2&deg;C, reduced days to physiological maturity by 2 to 3 days and yield by 1.7 to 3.5%. On the contrary, reduction in 20% rainfall alone reduced grain yield and total biomass by 9.5% and 10.48%, respectively. Combined effect of reduced rainfall (-20%) and elevated temperature (2&deg;C) resulted in 16.36 and 21.16% reduction in grain yield and total biomass, respectively. This indicates that, rainfall plays greater role on kharif greengram yield in NTZ.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Response of Greengram to Climate Change in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka: DSSAT Model Based Assessment</div>

<div>Background: A soil suitability evaluation of Kanamadi South sub-watershed in the Northern Dry Zone of India was carried out during April 2019 to define the soil fitness for the production of pigeonpea, chickpea, greengram and cowpea the four major pulses that are widely grown in the area. 
 
Methods: A detailed soil survey of Kanamadi South sub-watershed was carried out using IRS P6 LISS-IV image and Vijayapura district toposheet. The soils of Kanamadi south sub watershed were grouped into 19 mapping units based on studied 50 profiles. The studied physical and chemical properties were evaluated using the FAO (1976) framework for land evaluation was followed in the evaluation of soil-site suitability for major crops grown in Kanamadi South sub-watershed. This classification recognized two orders of land suitability, order &lsquo;S&rsquo; (suitable) and order &lsquo;N&rsquo; (not suitable) which are further subdivided into land suitability classes. 
 
Result: The studied 19 mapping units were moderately (S2) to marginally suitable (S3) for pigeonpea and greengram having marginal to severe limitations of rainfall and soil physico-chemical properties and none to slight limitation of land form characteristics. The mapping units were moderately suitable (S2) to marginally suitable (S3) for chickpea and cowpea having moderate to severe limitation of temperature, rainfall, depth and pH and none to slight limitation of land form characteristics. The suitability of the study area for all the pulses were said to be moderately suitable (S2) for growing pulse crop for improving productivity and improving biological nitrogen fixation.</div>

​Soil Suitability for Growing Pulses in Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka

Background:&nbsp; Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] is the most important major oilseed crop among the edible oil seed crops. It has emerged as a potential protein as well as oilseed crop worldwide. The average productivity of soybean is low due to less importance and mostly grown under rain-fed condition without using bio-fertilizers (novel bio-formulations). Hence the current study was carried out to enhance the productivity and profitability of soybean under rainfed condition. 
 
Methods: The present investigation was carried out at AICRP on Soybean, Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad with medium deep black soil under rainfed condition. The experiment was executed in a Randomized Block Design with three replications and seven treatments. The influence of bioformulations on growth, yield parameters, yield, economics, quality and nutrient status of soybean (DSb 21) was carried out during kharif 2021-22 and 2022-23. 
 
Result: The pooled data of two years concluded that, application of 100% RDF alone (T2) was recorded significantly higher dry matter production (79.2 g plant-1), pods per plant (64.0), seed index (14.41 g), seed yield&nbsp; (2,797 kg ha-1) and straw yield (4,340 kg ha-1) and similarly higher uptake of nitrogen (103.74 kg ha-1), phosphorus (17.54 kg ha-1) and potassium (91.40 kg ha-1)&nbsp; in soybean crop followed by next best treatment with application of 75 per cent RDF + Rhizobium + MDSR14 + 12c (76.6 g plant-1, 61.6, 14.19 g, 2,631, 4,170, 100.12, 16.73 and 86.64 kg ha-1 respectively) (T7) as compared to other treatments. Further, higher net returns (Rs.1,13,015 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (4.73) was also obtained in T7. Therefore, the application of 75 per cent RDF + Rhizobium + MDSR14 + 12c can be recommended for eco-friendly, economically viable, environmentally sound and sustainability in nature, besides improving the physico chemical properties of soil and in turn higher productivity and profitability under medium deep black soil in Northern Transition zone of Karnataka (India).

Influence of Bioformulations on Productivity, Profitability and Quality in Soybean under Rainfed Condition of Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka

<div>Background: During rabi / summer irrigation water is a scarce resource, but crop needs more water due to non-rainy season and warmer climate. Hence, a field experiment was conducted during rabi / summer season of 2016-17 to study the effect of irrigation water regimes on water use efficiency (WUE) of groundnut genotypes in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: This field study comprised of four main plots as water regimes viz. I1: (control) seven irrigations at 15 days interval from sowing to 105 DAS, I2: Stress at pegging stage; withdrawal of one irrigation between 45 - 60 DAS, I3: Stress at pegging and pod filling stage; withdrawal of two irrigations between 45-75 DAS, I4: Stress at pegging, pod filling and kernel development stage; withdrawal of four irrigations from 45-105 DAS and four genotypes as sub plots viz. G1: Dh-86, G2: Dh-101, G3: K-9 and G4: G2-52. Treatments were replicated thrice and laid out in split plot design.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Among the water regime, I2 recorded significantly higher WUE (6.2 kg ha-1 mm-1) followed by I1 (control; 5.5 kg ha-1 mm-1). Water regime I2 also recorded significantly higher pod yield and haulm yield (2,857 kg ha-1 4,648 kg ha-1, respectively) along with other yield attributes, but was found at par with control (I1). This study showed that WUE as well as yield of rabi / summer groundnut can be enhanced if crop was exposed only to mild stress by skipping an irrigation at pegging stage out of total seven irrigations. Among the genotypes, Dh-86 with 2,375 kg ha-1 of pod yield performed significantly better over others like Dh-101 (2,215 kg ha-1), K-9 (2,048 kg ha-1) and G2-52 (1,880kg ha-1) suggesting differential response to moisture stress, thus choice of moisture stress tolerant genotypes is equally important to enhance WUE. Interaction between irrigation regime and genotypes showed that Dh-86 (G1) with I2 irrigation regime recorded significantly higher WUE (6.9 kg ha-1 mm-1), pod yield (3,168 kg ha-1) and net return (Rs. 95,655 ha-1) and was found at par with full irrigation regime (I1).&nbsp;</div>

<div>Effect of Moisture Regimes on Water use Efficiency of Rabi / Summer Groundnut Genotypes in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka</div>

<div>The field experiment was conducted at Kittur Rani Channamma College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, during 2016-17 and 2017-18 to investigate the effect of different levels of nitrogen (0 and 25 kg/ha), phosphorus (0, 50 and 75 kg/ha) and potassium (0, 25 and 50 kg/ha) on growth, flowering, yield and economics of dolichos bean. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design comprising of eighteen treatments replicated thrice. Among indivisual NPK levels, the higher level of nitrogen (25 kg N/ha), phosphorus (75 kg P2O5/ha) and potassium (50 kg K2O/ha) recorded significantly maximum growth (plant height, number of primary and secondary branches, leaf area and dry matter content per plant at harvest), early flowering (except N2 level) and pod yield (162.32, 184.14 and 164.75 q/ha) as compared to lower levels in 2016-17 and 2017-18 growing seasons and pooled data. Similarly, amongst all NPK interaction levels, higher fertilizer dose of 25-75-50 kg N-P2O5-K2O/ha recorded significantly maximum growth parameters however, it was at par with 25-75-25 kg N-P2O5-K2O/ha except dry matter content per plant during both the experimental years. Pooled data followed similar trend. On pooled basis, recommended fertilizer dose (25-50-25 kg N-P2O5-K2O/ha) showed early days to 50 percent flowering whereas pod yield (198.44 q/ha) was recorded maximum at higher fertilizer dose (25-75-50 kg N-P2O5-K2O/ha). Similarly, in case of economics, higher fertilizer dose of 25-75-50 kg N-P2O5-K2O/ha recorded highest benefit: cost ratio (5.27) during both the experimental years as well as in pooled data but it was at par with 25-75-25 kg N-P2O5-K2O/ha. Hence, for profitable cultivation of vegetable type dolichos bean in northern transition zone of Karnataka, NPK fertilizer must be applied at the rate of 25-75-25 kg N-P2O5-K2O/ha.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Effect of Nutrient Levels on Growth, Yield and Economics of Dolichos Bean (Dolichos lablab L.) in Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka, India</div>

Background: Soil test crop response (STCR) approach assists in determining the appropriate amount of fertilizer to use for particular season and location based on the initial soil fertility status and crop response in terms of nutrient uptake and yield. A field experiment was conducted during 2020-21 at Dharwad, by adopting the Inductive Cum Targeted Yield Model to develop soil test-based fertilizer prescriptions under STCR and STCR-IPNS approach to achieve desired target yields of maize in vertisols of Northern Karnataka, India.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In the experiment&rsquo;s first phase, an exhaust crop fodder maize was grown in three different fertility strips. After the harvest of fodder maize, the soil fertility levels varied significantly among the strips, indicating the creation of fertility gradients. In the second phase of the experiment, a test crop (hybrid maize) was grown and the response of maize to four levels of N, P and K and three levels of FYM under different fertility gradients was studied. The basic parameters viz, nutrient requirement (NR), contribution of nutrients from soil (Cs), fertilizers (Cf) and FYM (Cfym) were computed using the data from test crop experiment. The basic parameters viz, nutrient requirement (NR), contribution of nutrients from soil (Cs), fertilizers (Cf) and FYM (Cfym) were computed using the data from test crop experiment.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Using the basic parameters, fertilizer prescription equations for desired yield targets of maize under NPK fertilizers alone and under STCR-IPNS (with FYM) were derived based on initial soil test values. Results of the validation experiment in kharif 2021 revealed that the grain yield was significantly higher under STCR-IPNS equation with a target yield of 100 q ha-1 as compared to other treatments. STCR-IPNS equation with the application of FYM to achieve 100 q ha-1 target yield resulted in savings of 11, 10 and 15 percent of N, P2O5 and K2O as compared to STCR-NPK alone equation.

Development of Soil Test Crop Response (Stcr) and Stcr-Integrated Plant Nutrition Supply (Ipns) Models to Achieve Targeted Yields of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Vertisols of Northern Karnataka

<div>Background: Groundnut crop grown during Rabi / summer experiences moisture stress, thus irrigation is must. However, water for irrigation gets scarce during summer month hence it becomes important to choose stress tolerant varieties and optimize irrigation schedule without compromising the yield. 
 
Methods: A field experiment with four rabi / summer groundnut genotypes (G1: Dh-86, G2: Dh-101, G3: K-9 and G4: G2-52) exposed to four irrigation regimes (I1: 7 irrigations at 15 days interval from sowing to 105 DAS as control, I2: withdrawal of one irrigation between 45 - 60 DAS i.e., pegging stage, I3: withdrawal of two irrigations between 45-75 DAS i.e., at pegging and pod filling stage, I4: withdrawal of four irrigations from 45-105 DAS i.e., at pegging, pod filling and kernel development stage) was carried out from December to April of 2016-17 on black cotton soils at AICRP on Groundnut UAS, Dharwad. 
 
Result: Among the genotypes tested, Dh-86 recorded significantly higher pod yield (2,376 kg ha-1) followed by Dh-101 (2,215 kg ha-1) and K-9 (2,048 kg ha-1), whereas G2-52 gave the lowest yield (1,880kg ha-1) and all of them performed well at I1 and I2 irrigation regimes. Among different water regimes, I1 (i.e., control) recorded significantly taller plants, higher LAI, more branches and higher dry matter at harvest as compared to other irrigation regimes, hence it also recorded significantly higher pod yield and haulm yield (2,870 and 4,691 kg ha-1, respectively), but was found at par with I2, i.e., crop stressed only at pegging stage (2,858 and 4,648 kg ha-1, respectively). This suggests that, at the most, one irrigation can be skipped at pegging stage without compromising on yield.</div>

<div>Effect of Water Regimes on the Growth of and Yield of Rabi / Summer Groundnut Genotypes in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">The field experiments were conducted in the Dept. of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Vijayapur during &nbsp;kharif 2013 and 2014. The treatments consisted of three planting geometry (22,222, 27,798 and 37,037 plants per ha) and transplanting of different aged seedlings (A1- 21 day old seedlings, A2- 28 day old seedlings, A3- 35 day old seedlings and &nbsp;A4- Direct seed dibbling). Seedlings of BSMR-736( V1) and TS-3R (V2 ) were raised by using a polythene bag of 6 X 4 cm size in nursery. The results of the investigations indicated that &nbsp;the &nbsp;transplanting of 35 days old seedling with planting geometry of 27,798 &nbsp;plants per ha in BSMR -736 (2501 kg /ha) which was on par with transplanting of &nbsp;28 days old seedlings and lowest value was seen in &nbsp; seed dibbling at planting geometry &nbsp;of &nbsp;37,037 in TS-3R(1862 kg /ha). The 34 per cent increased seed yield mainly attributed to seedlings transplanted in planting geometry of 27,798 &nbsp;plants per ha.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Response of red gram cultivars to transplanting and planting geometry under rainfed conditions of Northern dry zone of Karnataka</div>