A field experiment was carried out during summer seasons of 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 at the Main Oilseeds Research Satiation, Junagadh Agriculture University, Junagadh to determine the optimum nutrient requirement for confectionery on medium clay soil under irrigated condition. The experiment consisted of nine treatments viz., two nitrogen levels, two potassium levels, two levels of sulphur and control. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with four replications. N @ 50 kg/ha, K @ 50 kg/ha and S @ 40 kg/ha (T8) with &nbsp;recommended dose of &nbsp;phosphorus (50 kg/ha) recorded the higher pod yield of 2770 kg/ha and haulm yield of 4557 kg/ha with net realization ( &nbsp; 85112/ha) and B:C ratio (3.34) &nbsp;which was closely followed by N @ 50 kg/ha, K @ 25 kg/ha and S @ 40 kg/ha (T6).&nbsp;

Nutrient requirement for confectionery groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)&nbsp;under irrigated condition

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2011-12 at Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh to study the production potential and economics of groundnut based intercropping systems under rainfed conditions. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with thirteen treatments comprising of six intercrops viz., pearl millet, black gram, soybean, cotton, castor and pigeon pea with groundnut in the replacement series of 2:1 row proportion and their sole crops replicated thrice. The productivity in terms of groundnut pod equivalent yield was significantly higher with groundnut + pigeon pea followed by groundnut + castor and groundnut + cotton than sole groundnut and other intercropping systems. The biological efficiency in terms of LER, LEC, ATER and CPR were also significantly recorded maximum values and indicated a modest aggressivity and CR and gave a good value for the product of RCC with groundnut + pigeon pea followed by groundnut + castor and groundnut + cotton. &nbsp;The economics of the systems also indicates that groundnut + pigeon pea was most profitable system in terms of gross return, net return, MAI, B: C ratio and MER followed by groundnut + castor and groundnut + cotton.&nbsp;

Enhancing productivity of groundnut based intercropping systems under rainfed conditions of Gujarat

<div>A field experiment was carried out during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2012, 2013 and 2014 at the Main Oilseeds Research Satiation, Junagadh Agriculture University, Junagadh to ascertain the optimum nutrient requirement for groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) - Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) intercropping system to obtain higher productivity and profitability per unit area per unit time by efficient utilization of natural resources on medium clay soil under irrigated conditions. Groundnut was raised as main crop and Bt cotton was planted as intercrop with 3:1 ratio. The experiment was conducted with fourteen treatments involving sole groundnut and sole cotton with different combinations of fertilizer doses and were tested in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. All the above fertilizer treatments were imposed based on the area. The results revealed that &nbsp;100% RDF to groundnut (main crop) + 150% RDF to cotton (intercrop) in 3:1 row ratio proportion increased growth, yield attributes and yields of groundnut and Bt cotton as well groundnut equivalent yield. So, 100% recommended dose of NP fertilizer (12.5:25.0 kg NP/ha) to groundnut + 150% recommended dose of N fertilizer(240 kgN/ha) &nbsp;to Bt cotton with 3:1 row ratio proportion was optimum to realize maximum yield under groundnut- Bt cotton intercropping system in irrigated conditions.</div>

<div>Nutrient Management in Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) - Bt Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Intercropping System</div>

The present investigation was carried out in laboratory of the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh from August, 2013 to June, 2015, wherein two kg of freshly harvested quality seed of mungbean cv. GM 4 having high germination percentage and low moisture content (below 8%) was taken for each repetition and given the treatments. The experiment was carried out using completely randomized design (CRD). After proper mixing or smearing, seeds were packed in 500 gauge polythene bags and kept in laboratory under ambient condition. Observations were recorded at bimonthly interval on germination (%), root length (cm), shoot length (cm), seedling dry weight (g), seed vigour index I, seed vigour index II and seed moisture content (%). The results indicated that all the treatments exhibited significant difference for all the traits studied except shoot length after two years of storage. The Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards in mungbean for germination percentage is 75 per cent. &nbsp;Looking to the germination percentage and Seed vigourindex I and II, among all the treatments, T1 (Neem Seed kernel powder @ 5 g/kg seed), T2 (Neem seed kernel powder @ 10 g/kg seed), T3 (Neem Cake @ 5g/kg Seed) and T4 (Neem Cake @ 10g/kg Seed) recorded the higher values for these traits and can be recommended as a seed treatment before storage for maintaining the seed germination and seedling vigour for more than two years.

Performance of neem products on the storability of mungbean&nbsp;[Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] seeds

<div style="text-align: justify;">Gentic studies for &nbsp;fruit yield per plant and its attributing traits in brinjal was conducted by following line x tester mating design comprising of seven lines and four testers at Instructional Farm, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat. The analysis of combining ability revealed the predominant role of both additive and non-additive gene effects in the inheritance of fruit yield and its component traits. The genotypes NSR-1, JBG-10-208 and Pant Rituraj displayed high gca effect for fruit yield per plant and some desirable traits like days to 50 % flowering, days to first picking, fruit girth, fruit weight, numbers of primary branches per plant, plant spread and total soluble solids. The estimates of sca effect of the crosses indicated that five hybrids manifested significant and positive sca effect for fruit yield per plant. The crosses JBG-10-208 x GJB-2, ABR-2-23 x GBL-1 and AB-09-1 x GOB-1 were emerged as best specific combinations. The cross JBG-10-208 x GJB-2 was also found good specific combiner for plant height, fruit weight, fruit girth and number of primary branches per plant and also showed maximum per se performance. These hybrids may be exploited for obtaining transgressive segregants toward developing hybrid varieties in brinjal.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Combining ability and gene action for fruit yield and its attributes in brinjal (Solanum Melongena L.)</div>

<div>Background: Johnson grass (Sorghum helepensis) is not a cultivated fodder crop but it is a wild variety seen on farm bunds after rainfall in which Sorghum vulgare (Gundrijowar) fodder crops were cultivated in kharif season in Saurashtra region of Gujarat state. At different stages of growth, Johnson grass contains cyanogenic glycosides of varying level which liberate hydrocyanic acid in rumen when it consumed by ruminant animals due to rumen microflora (Toxic level of HCN is 20 mg/ 100 gm dry matter). The current study aimed to estimate varying levels of HCN in Johnson grass to keep dairy farmers informed of safe level of HCN for harvesting. 
 
Methods: An investigation was carried out at Cattle Breeding Farm, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat for three consecutive years 2013-2015 in kharif season. Non-cultivated (Sorghum helepensis) fodder samples were collected for quantitative HCN concentration from farm bunds nearby eight sown plots of Gundrijowar (Sorghum vulgare) from 15 DAS and sampling were continued at fortnightly intervals till the plots exhibit 25% flowering stage. 
 
Result: Result of obtained data in present study revealed that concentration of HCN in Johnson grass in kharif season decreased significantly (p&lt;0.05) on attaining 25% flowering stage during the year 2013, 2014 and 2015. It was concluded that Green Johnson grass can be fed to ruminant animals safely at 25% flowering stage.</div>

​Assessment of Hydrocyanic Acid (HCN) Content during Different Stages of Growth in Johnson Grass (Sorghum helepensis)

Background: Gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Hardwick has developed high level of resistance against so many insecticides due to some operational and biotic factors. The resistance can be managed by many ways among which adding of plant materials in insecticidal solution, which is having a synergistic effect, is one of the better ways to overcome this problem.

Methods: In aim to break the resistance of insecticides towards this pest, an experiment was carried out to know the synergistic effect of different plant oils along with different insecticides against pod borer infesting chickpea at Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat) during two consecutive years i.e., 2017-18 &amp; 2018-19. The experiment was laid in randomize block design having nine treatments (two oils and three insecticides) along with control.

Result: The results revealed that the minimum (10.98 %) pod damage was observed in the treatment of chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC 0.006 % + neem oil 0.5% which was found at par with flubendiamide 48 SC 0.015% + neem oil 0.5% (12.04 %). As far as the yield and economic is concern, highest (2634 kg/ha) yield and net realization (57,008 Rs /ha) was recorded in the treatment of chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC 0.006 % + neem oil 0.5% followed by flubendiamide 48 SC 0.015% + neem oil 0.5% (2432 kg/ha &amp; 45,934 Rs /ha ). The highest (1:10.33) ICBR was obtained in the treatment of chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC 0.006 % + neem oil 0.5% followed by chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC 0.006 % (1:9.36) and flubendiamide 48 SC 0.015% + neem oil 0.5% (1:7.13).

Synergism of Plant Oils with Different Insecticides against Pod Borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Hardwick Infesting Chickpea

<div>Background: Recognizing the adverse impact of excessive use of chemicals on soil health, human health and environment, Government is promoting production of organic crops, fruits and vegetables etc. through various schemes. Demand for organic food items is also on the rise during the last few years. Number of cow-based bio-enhancers and botanicals have been developed by innovative organic growers/ associations and NGOs. But very meagre scientific information is available regarding such formulations. Hence, to incorporate these products in organic farming module, the present experiment was conducted. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted in summer season of 2017 to 2019 at Junagadh, Gujarat, India with cow-based bio-enhancers (Panchagavya, Bijamrut, Jivamrut, Amrutpani, Sanjivak and cow urine) and botanicals (Seaweed extract and Banana pseudo stem sap) in randomized block design with three replications. The cow-based formulations were prepared on farm as per the procedure given by National Centre for Organic Farming, Ghaziabad and botanicals viz., banana pseudo stem extract and seaweed extract (Kappaphycus alvarezii) were obtained from Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari and Junagadh Agricultural University, Okha. 
 
Result: The results revealed that application of FYM @ 5 t/ha significantly enhanced growth and yield attributes viz., plant height, number of branches/plant, number and dry weight of nodules/plant, number of mature pods/plant, pod weight/plant and shelling percentage and ultimately produced significantly higher pod (1823 kg/ha) and haulm (3270 kg/ha) yields, followed by Panchagavya as foliar spray @ 3% at 30, 45 and 60 DAS (1582 and 2846 kg/ha) and seaweed extract as foliar spray @ 3.5% at 30, 45 and 60 DAS (1423 and 2570 kg/ha). Application of FYM, Panchagavya and seaweed extract also increased uptake of NPK by pod and haulm over the control, while different treatments failed to affect the post-harvest soil fertility except available P which is higher under FYM, Jivamrut, Amrutpani and Sanjivak over the control. Overall, application of FYM and Panchagavya accrued higher net return of ₹ 55285 and ₹ 46229/ha with B:C of 2.21 and 2.12, respectively.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Organic Cultivation of Summer Groundnut using Cow-based Bio-enhancers and Botanicals</div>

<div>Background: Oilseeds are very sensitive to the adverse environmental conditions. The oil inside the seeds will get oxidized easily and deteriorate the seed health during storage. Diverse environmental conditions such as temperature, pests and diseases, seed oil and moisture content, mechanical damages, storage time and relative humidity of store may affect the viability of seeds. Therefore, the present study aimed to study the effect of pre-storage seed treatments on the storage potential in soybean seed. 
 
Methods: The study was carried out during rabi 2020-21 and onwards at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh. The seeds of two soybean varieties (V1: GJS 3 and V2: JS 335) treated with different pre storage dry dressing seed treatments (S1: Control (untreated seed), S2: Boric acid powder @ 5 g/kg seed, S3: Neem kernel powder @ 5 g/kg seed, S4: Wood ash @ 5 g/kg seed and S5: Calcium hypochlorite @ 5 g/kg seed) were stored after packing in three containers (C1: Aluminium foil bag, C2: Non-wooven cloth bag and C3: Air tight plastic containers). The seeds were&nbsp; evaluated for seed quality parameters viz., seed moisture content (%), germination percentage (%), seedling length (cm), seedling dry weight (mg), seedling vigour index &ndash; I and seedling vigour index - II &nbsp;up to eight month of storage at interval of two month after storage following Completely Randomized Design (Factorial) repeated three times. 
 
Results: Germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour index I and seedling vigour index II were decreased with increased in storage period, while seed moisture content was increased with increased in storage period, thus was concluded that the quality of seed degraded in storage condition. In the storage condition, seeds of JS 335 treated with wood ash @ 5 g/kg seed and packed in air tight plastic container recorded the maximum germination percentage and was statistically at par with seeds of JS 335 treated with wood ash @ 5 g/kg seed and packed in aluminium foil bag. Seeds of JS 335 treated with wood ash @ 5 g/kg seed and packed in aluminium foil bag recorded the maximum seedling length, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour index I and seedling vigour index II.</div>

Effect of Pre-storage Seed Treatments on the Storage Potential in Soybean Seed [Glycine max (L.) Merill]

<div>Background: Pulses are wonderful gift of the nature to agriculture. They provide nutrition to human beings and animals as food and feed respectively. Among the pulses, chickpea is an important rabi season crop with high acceptability and wider use in nutritional food basket. A field experiment was carried out on medium black calcareous soil at Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat during rabi season 2017-18 under saurastra condition to evaluate agronomic biofortification of zinc in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties through seed, soil and foliar application. 
 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The treatment combinations comprised two varieties viz., GG 1 (V1) and GJG 3 (V2) and six zinc fortification treatments viz., control, seed treatment ZnSO4 @ 3 g kg-1 seed, 0.5% ZnSO4 foliar spray, seed treatment ZnSO4 @ 3g kg-1 seed + 0.5% ZnSO4 foliar spray, soil application ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 and soil application ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 + 0.5% ZnSO4 foliar spray. The chickpea was grown with standard package of practices. 
 
Result: The results revealed that a significant improvement in 100-seed weight, seed yield, stover yield and biological yield were observed with chickpea variety GJG 3 over GG 1. Significantly higher numbers of pods per plant (45.83) was recorded with variety GG 1. Significantly, chickpea variety GJG 3 was found superior in zinc content and uptake in seed and stover. Under agronomic strategy, zinc fortification through soil application ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 + 0.5% ZnSO4 foliar spray at flowering and pod filling stages significantly improved yield attribute and yield viz., pods per plant (55.17), seed yield (2288 kg ha-1) and stover yield (3553 kg&nbsp; ha-1) and quality parameters viz., protein content in seed (22.89%) and protein yield (523 kg ha-1), zinc content and uptake in seed and stover (45.98 and 37.51 ppm and 104.87 and 133.35 g ha-1, respectively) over all other zinc biofortification treatments.</div>

Nutrient requirement for confectionery groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under irrigated condition

Enhancing productivity of groundnut based intercropping systems under rainfed conditions of Gujarat

Nutrient Management in Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) - Bt Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Intercropping System

Performance of neem products on the storability of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] seeds

Combining ability and gene action for fruit yield and its attributes in brinjal (Solanum Melongena L.)

Assessment of Hydrocyanic Acid (HCN) Content during Different Stages of Growth in Johnson Grass (Sorghum helepensis)

Synergism of Plant Oils with Different Insecticides against Pod Borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Hardwick Infesting Chickpea

Organic Cultivation of Summer Groundnut using Cow-based Bio-enhancers and Botanicals

Effect of Pre-storage Seed Treatments on the Storage Potential in Soybean Seed [Glycine max (L.) Merill]

Agronomic Biofortification of Zinc in Chickpea Varieties in Calcareous Soil