<div>Background: One of the major constraints of soybean production in Indonesia is pod shattering which occurs after soybean pod maturity. This study aimed to identify the pod shattering resistance of different pod positions in the plant stem.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Sixteen genotypes were evaluated in the field research during the dry season 2019. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replicates. Ten sample plants were randomly taken after R8 phase. Plant was divided into three parts, i.e. upper part, middle part and lower part. The shattering evaluation was done using the oven-dry method in the laboratory. The observation on the number of shattered pods was measured for each part of plant stem.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Pod shattering was different among the pod positions as well as among genotypes. One genotype was categorized as resistant, eight genotypes were moderate, six genotypes were susceptible and one genotype was highly susceptible. The highest percentage of the shattered pods was in the lower part of the plant stem, followed by the middle and upper part, respectively. The resistant genotypes showed the shattered pods mostly in the lower part of the stem, the moderate genotypes showed the shattered pods mostly in the lower and middle part of the stem and the susceptible genotypes shattered in all part of the stem.</div>

<div>Pod Positions on the Plant Associated with Pod Shattering Resistance in Soybean Genotypes</div>

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of in vitro maturation (IVM) duration on maturation rate and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-derived embryonic development in goat embryos. Donor goats were superovulated following oestrus synchronisation prior to laparoscopic oocyte pick-up. The quality of oocytes was scored based on cumulus cell layers, which were graded A, B and C. The oocytes were cultured in IVM medium with two different IVM durations (18-21 h and 22-25 h) for the ICSI procedure. A total of 327 matured oocytes were used, of which 157 and 170 oocytes were used for 18-21 h and 22-25 h IVM duration, respectively. The embryo cleavage rate of Grade A from the 18-21 h IVM group was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher than that of grades B and C. However, in the 22-25 h IVM duration group, the cleavage rates for all grades of oocytes were not significantly (P&gt;0.05) different. Regardless of oocyte grades, no significant differences in maturation rates and cleavage rates for all stages of embryonic development between the two groups of IVM durations were observed. The results suggest that both IVM durations have the same potential in ICSI-derived embryonic development.

The effects of in vitro maturation duration on maturation rate and intracytoplasmic sperm injection-derived embryonic development in goats

<div>Background: Pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and pod fly, Melanagromyza obtusa (Malloch) are important pod boring insects infesting the pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (Linn.) Millsp. throughout the world. A number of synthetic insecticides are known to be effective against these borers but most of them have been phased out as a result of high toxicity to the pollinators and other biotic agencies, therefore, a new molecule, chlorantraniliprole has been tested for bioefficacy against these insect pests. 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted during Kharif, 2017 in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 7 treatments and 3 replications. Observations were made to record pod borer, H. armigera and pod fly, M. obtusa maggot present before treatment imposition and 3, 7 and 14 days after each spray from five randomly selected and tagged plants/ plot. From the data recorded per cent reduction in population over control was calculated. The per cent pod damage was calculated by counting damaged pods out of healthy pods. The numbers of coccinellids and spiders were recorded on 5 randomly selected plants before treatment and 7 and 14 days after spray (DAS) in each treatment. 
 
Result: The chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC was found most effective @ 200 ml/ha which was found at par with chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 150 ml/ha and chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (Market sample) @ 150 ml/ha for suppression pod borer, H. armigera and pod fly, M. obtusa. The yield was maximum and at par in the chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 200 ml/ha (18.25 q ha-1), chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 150 ml/ha (17.82 q ha-1) and chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (Market sample) @ 150 ml/ha (17.42 q ha-1). Predatory population of coccinellids and spiders after imposing the treatments declined to some extent at seven days after treatment, however, increased after 14 days. Based on the results, the use of chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 150 ml/ha was most effective to control pod borer and pod fly in pigeonpea crop.</div>

<div>Bioefficacy of Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC Against Pod Borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and Pod Fly, Melanagromyza obtusa (Malloch) in Pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (Linn.) Millsp.</div>

<div>Background: Gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and spotted pod borer, Maruca testulalis (Geyer) are important pod boring insects infesting the greengram, [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] throughout the India. A number of synthetic insecticides are known to be effective against these borers but most of them have been phased out as a result of high toxicity to the pollinators and other biotic fauna, therefore, a group of new chemical insecticides with biopesticides have been tested for bioefficacy against these insect pests. 
 
Method: A field experiment was conducted at S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner, Rajasthan during kharif, 2018 in randomized block design (RBD) with 9 treatments and 3 replications. The observations were recorded of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and spotted pod borer, Maruca testulalis (Geyer) borers one day before and 1, 3, 7 and 15 days after application of insecticides and biopesticides in each the spray from ten randomly selected and tagged plants/ plot. From the data recorded per cent reduction in population over control was calculated. The per cent pod damage was calculated by counting damaged pods out of healthy pods of greengram. 
 
Result: The spinosad 45 SC (0.01%) proved to be most effective, indoxacarb 14.5 SC (0.01%)&nbsp; followed by fipronil 5 SC (0.01%), whereas, treatments of neem leaf extract (10.00%), Beauveria bassiana 1.15 WP 1X108 spore/ l proved to be least effective. The maximum seed yield of 9.13 q ha&ndash;1 was obtained in the plots treated with spinosad 45 SC (0.01%) followed by indoxacarb 14.5 SC (0.01%) (8.89 q ha-1), fipronil 5 SC (0.01%) (8.60 q ha-1).</div>

​Bio-efficacy of Chemical Insecticides and Biopesticides against Gram Pod Borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and Spotted Pod Borer, Maruca testulalis (Geyer) on Greengram, [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

<div>Background: Groundnut is a crop with puzzling nature of maturity. The ability to determine the correct data of harvest in groundnut is strongly affecting factor of the economic return from the crop. Among the different methodologies suggested for calculating the maturity index in groundnut, those which could be used at field level and with ease includes: shell out method, seed hull ratio maturity index, hull scrape method and maturity profile board (MPB) method. The present study was taken up to evaluate the efficiency of these methods in determining the maturity duration. 
 
Methods: The maturity indices were calculated in the varieties CO 7, ICGV 07222, VRI 6, VRI 8, GPBD 4, VRI 3, Chico, Gangapuri, ICGV 91114 and ICGV 93468 cultivated during 2018-19, at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.&nbsp; 
 
Result: In shell out and hull scrape method maturity indices ranging from 70-80% and in Seed hull ratio maturity index the range 2.9-3.6 revealed the highest number of matured pods with maximum weight. The correlation study results showed highest efficacy of hull scrape method in predicting the correct date of harvest in groundnut. The method establishes that the colour of mesocarp exactly reveals maturity status of groundnut pods. Thus, maturity index in groundnut is more reliable when calculated by hull scrape method. In case when the maturity index is below 70% the pods could be arranged on a maturity profile board (MPB) to determine the days until digging.</div>

Assessment of Maturity over Seasons using Various Indices in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

<div>Background: In view of developing early maturing groundnut that fit in high intensity multiple cropping system the present study was taken up to introgress early maturing traits in the well-established high yielding varieties. 
 
Methods: VRI 8, CO 7, ICGV 07222 and VRI 6 were takenas the variety to be improved and as a source for early maturity and male parent in the study viz., VRI 3, Chico, ICGV 91114 and ICGV 93468 were used. A crossing program was designed using these parent materials and selected crosses were forwarded to the next F2 generation and their backcross populations were also generated. The data recorded were subjected to Generation mean analysis and association analysis. 
 
Result: With consideration of early maturity and high pod yield the genotypes F2 of CO 7 &times; Chico and ICGV 07222 &times; Chico and B2 of ICGV 07222 &times; Chico recorded high mean values for the traits. The presence of duplicate epistasis was observed for, days to accumulation of 25 flowers (DTF) and days to maturity. This indicates that, inter-mating the selected segregating generations could result in the accumulation of favourable genes. The trait pod yield per plant exhibited positively significant correlation with days to accumulation of 25 flowers, days to maturity in all the crosses and the trait days to accumulation of 25 flowers is positively correlated to days to maturity. Thus, the trait-days to accumulation of 25 flowers is the major selection factor for early maturity in groundnut.</div>

Development of Early Maturing Varieties in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

<div>Background: Seed maturation is genetically controlled process involves a series of morphological and physiological changes extending from fertilization to independence from the mother plant. Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum Lam.) is an under exploited legume and it is an inexpensive source of protein, rich in minerals and vitamins. However, information on harvesting time of horse gram seeds are still limited. Therefore, this study was carried out in horse gram to determine the physiological maturity in obtaining good quality of seeds for better planting value. 
 
Methods: The laboratory experiment was carried out at Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, India to determine the appropriate time of harvesting horse gram var. Paiyur 2 seeds. The crop was raised as bulk in the field during rabi season of 2019 and the pods were harvested in interval of seven days from 7 days after anthesis (DAA) to 56 DAA and subjected for determinations of pod and seed characteristics. 
 
Result: The result revealed that, pod length and pod fresh weight of seeds showed a steady increase upto 35 DAA showed maximum pod length (4.76 cm) and fresh weight of pods (6.903 g/10 pods). The seeds attained maximum germination (94%), dry weight (0.859 g/25 seeds) and vigour parameters viz., root length (17.7 cm), shoot length (8.8 cm), dry matter production (0.161 g/10 seedlings), vigour index I (2491) and vigour index II (15) on 49 DAA.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Pattern of Seed Development and Maturation in Horse Gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum Lam.)</div>

<div>Background: Seed maturation is genetically controlled process involves a sequence of morphological and physiological changes extending from fertilization to total independence from the mother plant. Yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L) verdcourt) is an important leguminous vegetable crop which meets greater demand of the vegetable especially in South India and some parts of North India. However, information on optimum harvest time of yard long bean seeds are still limited. Hence, this study was carried out to determine the physiological maturity of yard long bean to obtain good quality of seeds for better planting value.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The laboratory experiment was carried out at Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India to determine the appropriate time of harvesting yard long bean cv. Arka Mangala seeds. The crop was raised as bulk in the field during kharif season of 2019 and the pods were harvested at three days interval from 3 days after anthesis (DAA) to 30 DAA and subjected for determinations of pod and seed characteristics. 
 
Result: The results revealed that pod length, pod fresh weight and pod dry weight increased rapidly during 3 DAA to 12 DAA and showed maximum pod length (67.7 cm), pod fresh weight (28.56 g/pod) at 12 DAA. The seeds attained physiological maturity at about 24 DAA with 22 per cent moisture content concurred with maximum dry weight (18.80 g/100 seeds), protein content (18.6%) and maximum physiological parameters viz., speed of germination (7.1), germination per cent (94%), root length (23.5 cm), shoot length (20.5 cm), dry matter production (0.949 g/10 seedlings), vigour index I (4136) and vigour index II (89).</div>

<div>Assessing the Pattern of Seed Development and Maturation in Yard Long Bean [Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcourt]</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Bengal gram or chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important pulse crop grown in North India. The gram pod borer, Helicovera armigera (Hubner) is the major biotic constraint in the production of gram and causes heavy crop losses (20-60%) throughout the India. The damage caused by pod borer starts from early stages and continues up to the vegetative growth, flowering, poding and till maturity of the crop. The larvae of pod borer feeds on the leaves, stem, pods and the seeds of gram, yield losses mainly occurred due to the pod damage. A single larva can destroy 30-40 pods before attaining the maturity. Cultural practices like use of different intercrop combinations might be successful in avoiding or reducing the pod borer infestation. The current study was aimed to find out the best possible intercrop combination for the management of pod borer in chickpea.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at research farm, College of Agriculture, SKRAU, Bikaner during Rabi, 2014-15 and 2015-16 to study the impact of different intercrop combinations in the management of gram pod borer, in chickpea.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The intercrops, viz., wheat, barley, mustard, linseed and safflower with chickpea significantly reduced the population of H. armigera over the sole crop of chickpea. The minimum larval population and pod damage was observed in chickpea+safflower intercrop combination, whereas, the maximum was observed in chickpea+linseed. The highest equivalent yield (11.93 q ha-1) was computed in chickpea+barley, whereas, minimum (10.17 q ha-1) being in chickpea+linseed intercrop combination.</div>

Impact of Intercrop Combinations in the Management of Gram Pod Borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in Chickpea

<div>Background: Pigeonpea is an important pulse-cum-grain legume crop of India. Major constraint in its production is the insects damage. Pod fly, Melanagromyza obtusa is of regular occurrence in South and Central India causing yield loss to the tune of 60 to 80 per cent particularly in late maturing pigeonpea crop. Due to its feeding habit as an internal borer, cultural, biological and mechanical methods are ineffective in reducing the damage due to pod fly and insecticides play a paramount role in managing their population under field conditions. Hence, present study have been aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different new pesticide chemistries against pod fly in pigeon pea ecosystem. 
 
Method: Two field experiments were conducted during Kharif 2019 and 2020 in RCBD using pigeonpea cv. GRG 811 with 14 treatments replicated twice. Two sprays were imposed at 15 days interval initiating from pod initiation stage. At maturity, number of damaged pods were recorded and expressed as percentage. Grain yield was recorded and benefit cost ratio was also worked out.&nbsp; 
 
Results: Among the screened insecticides, fipronil 4+thiamethoxam 4 SC @ 40+40 g a.i./ha followed by thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 50 g a.i./ha and fipronil 40+imidacloprid 40 WG @ 160+160 g a.i./ha provided better control of pod fly in terms of reduction in pod damage (69.54, 62.13 and 62.57%) and seed damage (72.51, 71.35 and 70.39%) respectively over untreated check. The average grain yield of 1577 kg/ha was highest in fipronil 4+thiamethoxam 4 SC @ 40+40 g a.i./ha followed by fipronil 40+imidacloprid 40 WG @ 160+160 g a.i./ha (1555.5 kg/ha) and thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 50 g a.i./ha (1536.5 kg/ha). Whereas, B: C was higher in fipronil 4+thiamethoxam 4 SC @ 40+40 g a.i./ha (2.84) and thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 50 g a.i./ha (2.83). Therefore these insecticides can be used for effective management of pod fly.</div>