RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENT AND
LIFE SCIENCES
Volume-7, Number-1, February-2014
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1. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci.,7(1) 1-10 (2014) Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus: An overview Niti Chawla*, Manisha
Phour, Sunita Suneja, Seema Sangwaan and Sneh Goyal Department of Microbiology,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, India *e-mail:
nitichawlahans@gmail.com (Received: November 07,
2013; Revised received: January 12, 2014;Accepted: January 15,2014) |
Abstract: Amplification
in agricultural practices to maximize the crop productivity had led to
excessive exploitation of the technologies like application of agro-chemicals
(fertilizers and pesticides) in agricultural fields. But these are not in
favor of the sustainability of soil health and also posing threats to the
soil fertility. During the last couple of decades, an economically feasible
and ecologically sound alternative strategy to minimize this problem has been
developed. In this strategy soil microorganisms have been exploited in
agriculture for improving the soil health and enhancing productivity.
Among various microbial species used, Gluconacetobacter
diazotrophicus is very important. It has a
long-standing history of bacterial-plant interrelationship as a symbiotic endophyte capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Its
association with sugarcane represents a model system for monocot-diazotrophic associations. Therefore it is necessary to
collect information related to their establishment, colonization process,
biological nitrogen fixation, growth promotion, etc. In this review, the
association of G. diazotrophicus with
sugarcane and other crop plants and with various hosts is discussed. Then the
plant-growth- promoting traits identified in this bacterium, including N2
fixation, phytohormone synthesis, P and Zn solubilization and biocontrol,
are analysed Key words: Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, N2 fixation, phytohormone synthesis, P and Zn solubilization,
biocontrol |
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2. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 7(1) 11 -14 (2014) Effect of tillage practices,
weed control and nitrogen levels on yield and growth attributes and nitrogen
content in rainfed maize (Zea
mays L.) Awadhesh Kumar1*, V.B. Jaiswal2
and V.K. Kanaujia3 1Deptt. of Soil Conservation and Water Management, 2S
M S (Agronomy) and 3Programme
Coordinator, Directorate of Extension
(K.V.K.), C. S. Azad University ofAgriculture and
Technology, Kanpur-208002 (U.P.) *e-mail:
awadheshy427@gmial.com (Received: October 05, 2013; Revised received:
January 16, 2014;Accepted: January 17,2014) |
Abstract: This
experiment was conducted during Kharif 2003 and
2004 at the Soil Conservation and Water Management farm of C.S. Azad
University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur to find out the impact of
tillage practices, weed control methods and nitrogen levels on yield, growth
and N concentration in rainfed maize (Zea mays L.).
Grain and stover yield, growth characteristics like
shoot growth, functional leaves, leaf area index and plant dry weight and
concentration and total uptake of N in maize was the highest in deep ploughed
with MB plough (T4) followed by two ploughing
with cultivator (T2) and two ploughing
with desi plough (T1) but the
lowest was under one ploughing with disc harrow (T3).
Pre-emergence application of Atrazine resulted significantly higher growth and yield of maize
and N uptake by crop. Application of N up to 120 kg ha-1 has significantly
increased higher growth and yield of maize and also resulted
higher uptake of N over lower levels of the N application. Key words: Growth
attribute, Maize, Nitrogen uptake, Pre-emergence, Tillage, Yield |
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3. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 7(1) 15-18 (2014) Effect of water management
practices on Mat-sedges (Cyperus tegetum Roxb.) through
rainwater harvesting and soil physico-chemical
properties Kalyan Jana1* and A. M. Puste2 1Rice Research Station (Govt. of West Bengal), Bankura, West Bengal – 722 101, India 2Department of Agronomy, Bidhan
Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya,
Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal - 741 252, India *e-mail:
kjanarrs@gmail.com (Received: November 01, 2013; Revised received:
January 18, 2014;Accepted: January 19,2014) |
Abstract: From
the literature, preliminary survey and contact with the farmers at Sabong and Pingla block of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal,
India, where mat-sedges is being widely cultivated mostly as mono-crop with
poor management practices by the poor and marginal farmers, resulted poor
returns. From their practice, it proven that this crop is raised as per their
traditional practice without much care, needs further improvised agro-techniques.
So, with the view on this fact, a field experiment was conducted to study the
‘Effect of water management practices on mat-sedges (Cyperus
tegetum Roxb.)
through rainwater harvesting and soil physico-chemical
properties’ during 2006 - 07 to 2007 - 08 at farmer’s field at Bural under Sabong block area
of Paschim Medinipur,
West Bengal, India on clay loam soil. Excess rainwater during rainy season
was conserved in excavated harvesting pond in adjacent of experimental area
for subsequent use as life-saving irrigation by the crop. From the experiment
it reveals that during kharif season, there
was no significant difference observed in respect to plant height, number of
tillers m-2 and dry matter accumulation of mat-sedges in pooled
data. However, during winter and summer season, W6 treatment (W3
+ paddy straw mulching during winter and summer season, respectively)
exhibited highest plant height (88.54 and 111.25 cm), maximum no. of tillers
m-2 (216.8 and 269.6) and higher value of dry matter accumulation
(277.4 and 387.5 g m-2), respectively (pooled data). Soil carbon
and nitrogen status of the soil after harvest of mulch treated plots were
increases. Mat-sedges crop during kharif
season resulted in taller plants and more no. of tillers m-2 as
compared to regeneration crop during winter and summer season, respectively. Key words: Mat-sedges,
Water management practices, Rainwater harvesting, Life-saving irrigation,
soil carbon status and seasonal effect |
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4. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci.,7(1) 19 -22 (2014) Physiological and
morphological responses of cotton (Gossypium herbaceum L.) under different water regimes Sanjay Kumar* and Munna Singh Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow,
India-226007 *e-mail:
sk.botanylkouniv@gmail.com (Received: October 15, 2013; Revised received:
January 02, 2014;Accepted: January 06,2014) |
Abstract: The cotton (Gossypium
herbaceum L.) was analyzed for changes in
physiological and morphological parameters under the influence of water
stress. The deleterious effect of water stress i.e., drought in cotton plants
was mainly targeted towards physiological and morphological characteristics.
The gas-exchange parameters of net photosynthesis (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), electron
transport rates (ETR), sub-stomatal CO2
concentration (Ci) and the maximum
quantum efficiency of PS II (Fv/Fm) showed a
decreasing trend as the drought intensity increased. But considerable
increase in osmotic potential (Y) was
reported. The growth parameter viz., shoot length, root length, leaf area
expansion and leaf number showed significant decrease on increase in drought
intensity. But the comparative analysis revealed that G. herbaceum is torerance towards
drought. Key words: Net
photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, electron
transport rates, osmotic potential, sub-stomatal
CO2 concentration, Fv/Fm, Gossypium herbaceum |
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5. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 7(1) 23 -25 (2014) Effect of different mole
drain spacings on the growth characters and yield
of soybean in Raisen district of MP S.S. Dhakad*1, K.V. Ramana Rao2, Vijay Agrawal3 and S.K. Verma4 1Subject Matter Specialist (Agril Engg), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (RVSKVV) Shajapur, (MP)-465001 2Senior Scientist (IDED),
Central Institute ofAgricultural Engineering
(ICAR), Bhopal 3Scientist (Horticulture ), College of Agricultural (JNKVV) Jabalpur, 4PA
(Agril.Ext.) KVK (JNKVV) Hoshangabad *e-mail:
sudhirdhakad@rediffmail.com (Received: December 05, 2013; Revised received:
January 05, 2014;Accepted: January 28,2014) |
Abstract: On farm trials were conducted on
farmer’s fields at Raisen district of Madhya
Pradesh during 2008 to 2009 to assess mole drain spacing for soybean crop in
temporary waterlogged vertisols. The four types of
mole drain spacing viz. 2,4,6 & 8 m with 0.5 m
depth from ground surface were assessed under trial. The average length of
each lateral was 50 m and a 75 hp tractor was operated at a speed of 0.80 kmph during the mole drain formation. Soybean crop during
kharif was selected in the study to optimize the
drain spacing. Plant height, number of branches per plant, root length, number
of root nodules per plant and yield of soybean crop were recorded for
consecutive two seasons. On the basis of the results obtained from the
experiment, it can be concluded that mole drains at a spacing of 2 meter was
found optimal for better soybean productivity. Key words:Drainage, Mole drains, Drain spacing,
Soybean, Vertisols |
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6. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 7(1) 27 -30 (2014) Effect of salt stress on
germination and early seedling growth stage of roselle
(Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) landraces Rathnam. K1*, N. Sivaraj2
And Adhi Shankar3 1Department of Environmental Science and
Technology, Acharya N.G. Ranga
Agricultural University, Hyderabad 500 030 2Economic Botany, National Plant Beauro of Plant Genetic Resource, Hyderabad 500 030 3Department of Horticulture, Dr. Y.S.R.
Horticultural University, Hyderabad 500 030 *e-mail:
shankar1104@gmail.com (Received: Novembr 09,
2013; Revised received: January 11, 2014;Accepted: January 16,2014) |
Abstract:The response of
three Roselle landraces (RKS-1, RKS-2 and RKS-3) against eight salts
(Distilled water as control, NaCl, Na2SO4,
Na2CO3, NaCl+Na2SO4,
NaCl+Na2CO3, Na2SO4+Na2CO3,
NaCl+Na2SO4+Na2CO3)
with three salinity levels (0. 15, 0.30, and 0.45%) were studied at germination
and early seedling stages. An experiment with factorial arrangement was
conducted by using a completely randomized design with 2 replications.
Germination percentage, the length of shoot and root, length of seedling,
rate of germination, and vigor index measured 12 days after germination.
Results of data analysis showed that, there were significant differences
between landraces and salinity stress levels for all investigated traits
except mixed factor. Result of means comparison showed that in all of
landraces there was a decrease in germination percentage due to salinity
stress increment and maximum germination percentage was delayed. Results of
this experiment showed that, under conditions of the highest saline stress
that is 0.45% all landraces had not any germination after 12 days. The
maximum fall in germination percentage was detected in RKS-2. According to
the results of this research, Landraces RKS-3 is the most resistant and RKS-2
is the most sensitive varieties at germination stage and early seedling
growth. Key words:Germination, Salinity Stress, Seedling, Roselle |
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7. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 7(1) 31 -36 (2014) Atmospheric carbon capturing potential of block plantations Shailendra Bhalawe1, D.B.Jadeja1, M.B.Tandel1,
P. Gayakvad1 and D.Nayak2*
1Department of Silviculture
and Agroforestry, 2Department of Natural
Resource Management ASPEE College of
Horticulture and Forestry Navsari Agricultural
University, Navsari – 396450, Gujarat *e-mail:
nutan.nayak@gmail.com (Received: Novembr 21, 2013; Revised received: January 24,
2014;Accepted: January 25,2014) |
Abstract: Mixed-block
plantation can be a good silvicultural alternative
to large-scale sole block plantations for climate change mitigation, which is
facilitated by the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. To evaluate
the impacts of tree species compositions on the carbon storage capacity of
plantation ecosystems, we measured the above and belowground biomass, as well
as the carbon content, in three 20-year old sole block plantations of Dalbergia sissoo,
Tectona grandis
and mixed block plantation D. sissoo / T.
grandis stands. We developed an allometric equation to estimate atmospheric carbon capturing
capacity of trees. The carbon capturing levels of understory, litter, and
soil components were also estimated. Results shown that biomass is positively
correlated with carbon storage. The ecosystem carbon storage of the mixed
block plantation D.sissoo / T.grandis stands (326.85 Mg ha-1) was
higher than those of the block plantation of D.sissoo
(314.43 Mg ha-1) and T. grandis
(293.29 Mg ha-1). The majority of carbon storage was found in the
soil pool (84.71%, 63.53%, and 75.79% in the block plantation of D. sissoo, T. grandis
and mixed block plantation of D.sissoo /T.grandis stands, respectively). Almost 40% of
soil carbon at a depth of 0–60 cm was stored in the upper 20 cm of the soil
pool. Except for the vegetation layer, each layer of the block plantation T.grandis and mixed block plantation D. sissoo / T. grandis
stands consisted of a higher amount of carbon than did the layers of the
block plantation D.sissoo. These findings
suggest that mixed block plantation or valuable indigenous block plantation of
D. sissoo more substantially improve carbon
storage in litter, soil, and ecosystems than sole blockplantationof
T. grandis. The results also imply that
developing valuable indigenous tree species is a good silvicultural
option for enhancing carbon sequestration and valuable timber cultivation. Key words: Block
plantation, Carbon capturing, Carbon dioxide, Shrubs, Herbs. |
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8. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 7(1) 37-46 (2014) Heavy metal pollution in surface water bodies of India: A review Neetu Malik 1* and A.K. Biswas 2 1 Environmental Planning and Coordination
Organization, Bhopal 2 Indian Institute of Soil
Science, (ICAR), Bhopal (M.P.) *e-mail:
neetu_malik06@yahoo.com (Received: July 26, 2013;
Revised received: January 02, 2014;Accepted: January 07,2014) |
Abstract: Water is essential for living
beings, and constitutes one of the vital assets for a country. Monitoring and
assessment of water quality has become an environmental concern due to
enormous anthropogenic activities. Availability of drinking water may be one
of the most important crises of the 21st
century. Globally, only 0.3-0.5% of the total water is available as fresh
water and the maximum water bodies of that are becoming polluted, thus
decreasing the availability and potability of the
water bodies. India is rich in water resources having 4000 km3
annual precipitation of water. In last few decades, due to the rapid increase
in the population, large scale industrialization and newer methods of farming
the surface water quality of India has deteriorated. The pollution of aquatic
ecosystem by heavy metals is of a great concern due to their toxicity and
accumulative behaviour. The heavy metals can change
the trophic status of an aquatic ecosystem and make
them unsuitable for various purposes. They also pose a serious threat to
human health. This article reviews the heavy metals contamination in the
water of Indian rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other ecosystems. It also
discusses the possible sources of pollution in these areas. Key words: Water,
India, Heavy Metals, Pollution, Aquatic ecosystem |
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9. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci.,7(1) 47-48 (2014) Diurnal variation for anthesis and
dehiscence in Plantago ovata Chandresh Kumar Singh*, Ashutosh
Verma and R.R.Singh Plant genetics unit,Department of Botany, University of Lucknow,Lucknow *e-mail:
chandreshkumar26@yahoo.co.in (Received: July 12, 2013;
Revised received: December 28, 2013;Accepted: January 02,2014) |
Abstract: P.
ovata is well known for its medicinal
properties and important cash crop of north Gujarat and India holds monopoly
in husk export .In the present study diurnal variation in relation to
temperature and relative humidity at experiment field in lucknow
university,new campus sitapur road. Study was done for a week in march
2011-2012. P. ovatais
from fam. Plantaginacea large genus of herbs or sub
shrubs distributed mostly in the temperate region and few in tropics. Anthesis was mainly confined to forenoon on the other
hand frequency of anther dehiscence is maximum in
afternoon. Key words: Diurnal variation , Isabgol, Temperature and Relative humidity |
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10 |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 7(1) 49-52 (2014) Integrated nutrient
management induces flowering duration and flower quality of gladiolus Amar Singh1, A. K. Singh1* and L. P. Yadava2 1Department of Floriculture and Landscaping,
N.D.U.A.T., Kumarganj, Faizabad
(U.P.) 2 Department of Horticulture, C. B. Gupta, Agriculture P.G.
College, Bakshi Ka Talab,
Lucknow (U.P.) *e-mail:
aruks59@gmail.com (Received: October 28, 2013;
Revised received: January 22, 2014;Accepted: January 24,2014) |
Abstract: Integrated
Nutrient management (INM) is a tool for quality flower production in
commercial cultivation of cut flowers. An experiment was laid out in
randomized block design with a total of 10 treatments and replicated three
times. Gladiolus corms were inoculated with Azospirillum
and VAM alone and in combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash including
application of 10 tonnes FYM ha-1 in
each treatment. The effect of INM was investigated on days taken for
initiation of spike and opening of first floret, number and size of spike and
spike floret and flowering duration during both years i.e. 2011-12 and
2012-13.Earliest spike initiations, first opening of floret, highest length
and diameter of spike and highest number of spike per plant were observed
with T8 (Azospirillum + 75% N +
200 kg P2O5 + 200 kg K2O) during 2011-12 and
2012-13, respectively. The treatment combination T8 showed highest
number of floret per spike (17.26 and 16.53 in 2011-12 and 2012-13,
respectively). The duration of flowering was found to be enhanced maximum
with the treatment T8 (Azospirillum+
75% N + 200 kg P2O5 + 200 kg K2O) being
15.16 days in 2011-12 and 15.30 days in 2012-13, respectively. Key words: Gladiolus,
Azospirillum, VAM, Nitrogen,
Phosphorus, Potash, soil reaction |
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11 |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 7(1) 53-56 (2014) Identification of restorers and maintainers for
different ‘WA’ CMS lines in rice (Oryza
sativa L.) P. K.
Bhati, S. K. Singh*, Amita Sharma and S. Y. Dhurai Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of
Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005 (India) *e-mail:
shravanranchi@yahoo.co.in (Received: September 18,
2013; Revised received: December 24, 2013;Accepted: December 26,2013) |
Abstract: The
present observations revealed that F1 hybrids produced by crossing
40 different rice genotypes with 2 CMS lines (IR79156A and Pusa 6A) behaved differently with regard to pollen
fertility. Out of the 80 F1 hybrids, 12 were completely sterile
and 22 completely fertile. The remaining 46 hybrids expressed varying degrees
of fertility, within the range of partial restorers (21) and partial
maintainers (25). Genotypes; IET 21519, IET 22218, IET 22228, IET 22202, IET
21542, Sarju- 52, BPT 5204 and MTU-7029 produced
higher fertile hybrids and are hence considered as common effective restorers
for both the CMS lines. Genotypes IET 20524, RPBIO-226 and HUR-8-1 were found
to be effective restorer for only IR79156A whereas; NDR-359, IDR763 and
Type-3 were found to be effective restorer for CMS line Pusa
6A. These restorer genotypes may be tested for heterosis
for development of new rice hybrids. HUR-105 and Pant Dhan-4 produced sterile
hybrids when crossed with IR79156A. Pant Dhan-12 and Vandana
produced sterile hybrids when crossed with Pusa 6A.
Four genotypes (IET 22237, NDR-97, Nagina-22 and Karahani)
produced sterile hybrids when crossed with both the CMS lines, IR79156A and Pusa 6A. These genotypes may be used for development of
new male sterile lines. Key words: CMS
lines, fertility restorers, hybrid rice, maintainer, wild abortive |
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12 |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 7(1) 57-58 (2014) Seed-borne inoculum of Drechslera spp. in barley (Hordium vulgare)
and it’s control Rekha Yadav Department of Plant
Pathology, N.D. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj-Faizabad,
(U.P.) 224 229 e-mail: govind0139@gmail.com (Received: September 02,
2013; Revised received: December 08, 2013;Accepted: December 10, 2013) |
Abstract: Twelve
fungal spp. belonging to nine genera namely Alternaria
alternata. Alternaria triticina, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus
niger, Bipolaris
sorokiniana, Curvularia
lunata, Drechslera graminea, Drechslera
spicifera, Fusarium
moniliforme, Mucor
sp., Penicilliumnotatum and Rhizopus nigricans were
isolated from barley seeds by blotter and agar plate methods. Among the
isolates Drechslera spicefera
and Drechslera graminea
were found pathogenic. Experiment was conducted to test the effectiveness
of different seed dressers (Fungicides, Botanicals and Bio-agents) against
seeds inoculated with Drechslera spp.
on germination and vigour index. Among
fungicides vitavax was best followed by Bavistin and thiram (each @
2g/kg seed). Trichoderma harzianum @ (4g/kg seed) and neem
oil (1:10 dilution) were better amongst bioagents
and plant products, respectively in respect of germination and vigour index against both Drechslera
spp. Key words: Barley,
seed-born mycoflora, Drechslera
spp., pre and post-emergence mortality, fungicides. |
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13 |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 7(1) 59-64 (2014) Biochemical adaptation of plants (monocot and dicot) under low light levels Ram Kumar*, Pankaj Kumar Kannaujiya and Yogesh Kumar
Sharma Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow- 226007,
India *e-mail:
ramkumar320031@gmail.com (Received: October 11, 2013;
Revised received: December 29, 2013;Accepted: December 30, 2013) |
Abstract: This
study was carried out in wire house conditions, in order to assess the effect
of low light levels on plant growth, pigment concentration, antioxidant
component in black gram (Vigna mungo L.) and maize (Zea
mays L.). Growth of black gram plants was more
negatively affected than maize under low irradiance levels. In black gram,
fresh weight (FW) decreases by 43% at 185µmol m-2 s-1,
while it increases by 3% in maize plants. Pigments synthesis was greater in
black gram when exposed to low irradiance levels. On other hand, in maize
synthesis of these pigments significantly decreases with decrease in
irradiance levels. It was also found that increased malondialdehyde
content and electrolyte leakage percentage were due to rudimentary
development of membrane under low light levels. As the irradiance levels
decreased from 343 to 43 µmol m-2 s-1 synthesis of
non-protein thiol was found to be decreased
steadily. Key words: Vigna mungo, Zea mays, Irradiance, Superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde content |
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14 |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 7(1) 65-67 (2014) Effect offoliar application (nitrogen
and phosphorus) on different agronomic and economic character in lentil (Lens
culinaris M.) Amit Kumar Singh1, Vinod
Singh2* and M.P. Chauhan2 1 ICAR, Research Complex for Eastern Region, Sabjpura, Patna-801105 2 Department of Genetics and
Plant Breeding, N.D. University of Agriculture & Technology Kumarganj Faizabad-224229(U.P.) *e-mail: singhv.1959@gmail.com (Received: September 15,
2013; Revised received: January 09, 2014;Accepted: January 16,2014) |
Abstract: A
field experiment was conducted during rabi
(Winter) season of 2006-07 N.D. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) to
study the performance of lentil variety Narendra Masoor -1 to foliar nutrition of nitrogen &
phosphorous. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 4
replications & 10 treatments consisted of various concentration of urea
and DAP, which where applied to lentil crop as foliar application at various
growth stages of crop. A uniform dose of N P K & S @ 20:40:20:20 Kg ha-1
was applied through basal application to entire experimental crop. All the
treatments showed their superiority in respect to seed and straw yield over
control treatment. The highest seed yield was observed when two spray of 2%
urea each at branching and pod formation stage was applied to lentil corp. Key words: Lentil,
Foliar nutrition, Basal application |