<div style="text-align: justify;">The study was conducted in red and lateritic soils of West Bengal during pre-kharif season of 2016 on sandy loam soil of Agricultural Farm, Palli Siksha Bhavana, (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bangal. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications using four levels of sulphur (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg ha-1) and single and dual inoculation of bio fertilizers to study the nutrient uptake by sesame and soil fertility status along with microbial population before and after harvest of crop. The results showed highest value of different nutrients uptake viz., Nitrogen, Phoshorus, Potasium and Sulphur with higher dose of fertilizer along with Azotobacter and PSB. The number of nitrogen fixing bacteria i.e. Azotobector and Phosphorus Solubilizng Bacteria (PSB) in soil increased due to inoculation of seed with biofertilizer. The seed inoculation exerted significant effect on number of nitrogen fixing bacteria and PSB in soil. The study suggested that the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer in sesame cultivation in red and laritic soils will exerts significant yield through important implications in nutrient uptake by sesame for its improved nutrition and improved productivity of soil.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effect of Sulphur and Biofertilizer in Nutrient Uptake by Sesame and Microbial Population in Red and Lateritic Soil of West Bengal</div>

Background: Popularities of mushrooms is because of attractive texture and delicious taste, among the cultivated mushrooms milky mushroom has ability to grow in higher temperature and is also considered to be alternative of non-veg foods for vegetarians. In India some part of the country holds good promise towards the cultivation of milky mushroom, for fast growth of mycelium or easy cultivation. This experiment is mainly focused on evaluation of yield and yield contributing characteristic of milky mushroom (Calocybe indica). 
 
Methods: The spawn production process was carried out at the Experiential Learning Unit, Mushroom Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Agriculture, Palli Sikha Bhavana, Visva Bharati in the year 2018-2019. Pure culture of milky mushroom procured from Tropical Mushroom Research Centre, OUAT, Bhubaneswar and was maintained on PDA medium. Different food grains for preparation of spawn viz., wheat grain, paddy grain, bajra grain and sorghum grain were used. 
 
Result: In the present work, we have observed that the four easily available food grains can efficiently be used as substrate for preparation of spawn. This study enables us to take decision about selection of food grains for quality spawn production.

Evaluation of Different Substrates for Spawn Preparation of Calocybe indica and its Impact on Yield and Biological Efficiency

Background: Maize, being highly productive and versatile cereal crop, is influenced by various biotic and abiotic stresses. Among biotic stresses, weed infestation is one of the serious concerns in maize cultivation. Weeds can affect maize by competing for light, water and nutrients resulting in yield loss of up to 70% in severe cases.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during kharif season for two consecutive years of 2019 and 2020 in agriculture farm of Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India.&nbsp; The experiment was laid out in randomized block design and replicated thrice. The experiment comprised of seven weed management treatments viz. T1 (tembotrione 9% + atrazine 45% WG @ 1000 g/ha), T2 (tembotrione 9% + atrazine 45% WG @ 1250 g/ha), T3 (tembotrione 9% + atrazine 45% WG @ 1500 g/ha), T4 (Tembotrione 34.4% SC @ 286 ml/ha), T5 (Atrazine 50% WP), T6 (Hand weeding), T7 (Weedy check).&nbsp; 
 
Result: Experimental results revealed that among different herbicide mixtures, tembotrione + atrazine 1500 g/ha was found to be effective in suppressing the weeds growth and found no residual effect on soil chemical and biological properties during both the years of the experiment.

Effect of Ready Mix Application of Herbicide on Weed Dynamics and Productivity of Maize in Lateritic Belt of West Bengal

<div style="text-align: justify;">Front Line Demonstrations (FLD) on lentil using improved varieties WBL-58 and WBL-77 were conducted during winter seasons of the year 2013-14 and 2015-16 respectively in the adopted villages of Rathindra KVK, PSB, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, Birbhum to show the higher production potentiality. The demonstrations were carried out in 32 farmers&rsquo; fields of 5 ha area and 79 farmers&rsquo; fields of 20 ha area during the year 2013-14 and 2015-16 respectively in irrigated medium land situation. The lateritic soils were sandy loam in texture having low in pH (6.0-6.4), O.C (0.39-0.47 %) and available P2O5 (16-19 kg /ha) and medium in N and K content. Lentil seeds @ 30 kg /ha was sown in the month of November after harvesting of short duration paddy. The technology of improved variety viz. WBL-58 and WBL-77 increased the average productivity by 26.5 % and 40.88 % and increased the net return by Rs. 7,900.00 with an improved B:C ratio of 2.71 instead of 2.27 &nbsp;and Rs. 15,240.00 with an improved B:C ratio of 3.74 instead of 2.95 than those of local check variety Asha during the both the years respectively. Beside that soil health and soil nitrogen was also improved &nbsp;along with better nodulation in the demonstration plots. Thus the technology of improved variety of lentil may be accepted economically for better utilization of the residual soil moisture after short duration rainy paddy.&nbsp;</div>

Front line demonstration on lentil using improved varieties for increasing productivity under lateritic soil of West Bengal

Background: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the most important pulse crop widely cultivated for its nutritional and economic value. However, weed infestation poses a significant challenge to chickpea production, leading to reduced growth and productivity. Effective weed management strategies are therefore essential to mitigate the losses due to weeds and improve crop productivity. Selective herbicides with low or no phytotoxicity to the crop offer a promising solution for controlling weeds in order to boost up crop productivity. Currently available post emergence herbicides such as imazethapyr, can cause phytotoxic effects on chickpea. Therefore, it is essential to identify new post-emergence herbicides that can effectively control weeds without harming plant health. This study investigates the impact of topramezone, a selective post-emergence herbicide, on weeds as well as growth and productivity of chickpea. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Farm of Palli Siksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan during rabi season of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications. The treatments were - T1 - topramezone 15 g ha-1 as POE, T2 - topramezone 17.5 g ha-1 as POE, T3 - topramezone 20 g ha-1 as POE, T4 - topramezone 22.5 g ha-1 as POE, T5 - topramezone 25 g ha-1 as POE, T6 - imazethapyr 60 g ha-1 as POE, T7 - pendimethalin 750 g ha-1 as PE, T8 - weed free and T9 - unweeded control. The study assessed the density and dry weight of weeds, weed control efficiency, growth and yield parameters as well as yield of chickpea under various application doses of topramezone in comparison with imazethapyr and pendimethalin. 
 
Result: Among all the herbicides, post-emergence application of topramezone 25 g ha-1 at 25 days after sowing resulted the lowest density and dry weight of weeds, the highest growth (plant height, LAI) and yield parameters (number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1), seed yield and harvest index. Therefore, post-emergence application of topramezone 25 g ha-1 at 25 days after sowing proved to be an effective herbicide for weed control in chickpea in the lateritic belt of West Bengal.

&nbsp;

Growth and Productivity Improvement of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) through Weed Management by Topramezone

Background: To find out the best combination of sowing method and level of mulching for growing rainfed lentil. 
 
Methods: The present study was carried out under Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India from 2018-19 to 2019-20 with four main plots as Spacing (S1-20 cm row spacing; S2-25 cm row spacing; S3-30 cm row spacing and S4- Broadcasting (seed rate @ 40 kg ha-1)) and four sub-plot as mulching (M0- Without mulching; M1-3 t ha-1 straw mulching; M2-4 t ha-1 straw mulching and M3-5 t ha-1 straw mulching) and replicrated trice and experimental designed followed was split plot design (SPD). 
 
Result: Broadcasting method is advantageous and found to be superior from the line sowing methods for lentil crop. The treatment combination of broadcasting @ 40 kg ha-1 and 4 t ha-1 straw mulching (M2) showed highest seed yield (975 kg ha-1) while the lowest seed yield (584 kg ha-1) was recorded in control plot (M0) with 25 cm row spacing. The crop sown by broadcasting (S4) achieved the highest gross return (₹ 59,460 ha-1), net return (₹ 39,161 ha-1) and returns per rupee invested (2.93). In contrast, 20 cm row spacing incurred the highest cost of cultivation (₹ 21,022 ha-1). Mulching with straw at 5 t ha-1 incurred the highest cost of cultivation (₹ 21,579 ha-1), while mulching at 4 t ha-1 resulted in the highest gross return (₹ 55,542 ha-1) and net return (₹ 32,076 ha-1). From the research work it was found that the highest seed yield of 975 kg ha-1 recorded in the treatment combination of broadcasting (S4) and 4 t ha-1 straw mulching (M2) while the lowest seed yield of 584 kg ha-1 recorded in control plot (M0) with 25 cm row spacing (S2).

Interaction between Different Sowing Methods and Levels of Mulching on Rainfed Lentil

<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>Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium &nbsp;oxysporum f. sp. ciceris is one of the serious disease causes tremendous loss to crop throughout the world and has assumed serious proportions in the recent years. Wilt affected chickpea plant roots samples were collected from forty eight different regions of Maharashtra. The collected samples were characterized by designed ITS primers. The Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (Foc) showed about 302 bp amplicon when subjected to PCR with these primers. Further the amplified product was digested with five restriction enzymes viz. AluI, EcoRI, HaeIII, MboI and MspI and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern were analysed. A dendrogram derived from ITS-RFLP analysis of the rDNA region divided the Foc isolates into four clusters. The maximum genetic distance 0.75 exhibited by five Foc isolates viz. Foc-30, Foc-36, Foc-24, Foc-25 and Foc-48 belonging to Shahartakli, Shelur, Nashik, Satara, Kolhapur regions respectively and found to be more diverse among the other Foc isolates. Whereas isolate no. Foc-20, Foc-21 and Foc-8 from Ambajogai, Karjat and Rahata shown minimum genetic distance (0.13). This showed the genetic variability among the Foc isolates collected from different regions of Maharashtra. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div>Molecular Characterization of Fusarium oxysporum Causing Chickpea Wilt by Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Marker</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a nontoxic biological molecule produced naturally in a pineal gland of animals and different tissues of plants. Melatonin acts as an antioxidant during postharvest storage and augments the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Our review highlighted the role of pre and post harvest application of melatonin in extending post harvest shelf life and alleviating chilling injury in fruits and vegetables in cold storage. Review also included available information regarding biosynthesis of melatonin in plants and mode of action of melatonin in maintaining post harvest quality.</div>

Application of Melatonin in Maintaining Post Harvest Quality of Fruits and Vegetables: A Review

<div>Background: Capsicum (Sweet pepper or Bell pepper), Capsicum annuum L. also popularly called as Simla mirch in India is one of the leading vegetables grown in open conditions as well as under protected conditions. It is attacked by various insect and mite pests from seedling to fruiting stage. The damage caused by Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) during flowering and fruit formation is the most concern and farmers everywhere feel the need to protect such high value crops from any type of damage caused by insect pests.</div>

<div> 
Methods: The trial was conducted under poly house condition during kharif 2019 at horticulture garden, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with eight treatments replicated thrice in a 7.5 m &times; 1 m plot size with a spacing of 45 cm &times; 40 cm. The capsicum hybrid WS 234 was raised as per the recommended package of practices except plant protection measures.&nbsp; The observations on pest incidence were recorded one day before treatment imposition as pre-treatment count. Post treatment counts were recorded at one, three, five and seven days after each chemigation/spray.</div>

<div> 
Result: The present study indicated that treatment of cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD @ 90 g a.i. ha-1 applied through drip chemigation was effective by recording minimum larval population with lowest fruit damage over all the other treatments. The next best treatment was cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD @ 60 g a.i. ha-1 applied as foliar spray. The order of moderate effective treatments were drip applications of cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD @ 60 g a.i. ha-1 &gt; cyantraniliprole + thiamethoxam 19.8+19.8 w/w @ 64 g a.i. ha-1 &gt; cyantraniliprole + thiamethoxam 19.8+19.8 w/w @ 32 g a.i. ha-1 &gt; imidacloprid 70 WG @ 50 g a.i. ha-1 &gt; imidacloprid 70 WG @ 25 g a.i. ha-1.</div>