Background: To investigate the combined effects of organics and inorganics on the yield, quality, nutrient uptake and economics of sunflower + greengram intercropping system, field investigations were conducted from July - October 2023 and January - April 2024 at the Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002.
Methods: The experiments were laid out in split plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments include M1 - Sole sunflower, M2 - sunflower + greengram and subplot treatments include S1 - RDF alone (60:90:60 kg of NPK ha-1), S2: RDF + Poultry manure compost @ 6t ha-1, S3: RDF + Poultry manure compost @ 6t ha-1 + Sulphur @ 45 kg ha-1 through gypsum, S4: RDF + Poultry manure compost @ 6t ha-1 + Sulphur @ 45kg ha-1 + AM Fungi @12 kg ha-1.
Results: The experiment’s findings showed that the yield, quality, nutrient uptake and economics of sole sunflower were significantly influenced by RDF + Poultry manure compost @ 6t ha-1 + sulphur @ 45 kg ha-1 + AM fungi @ 12 kg ha-1 (M1S4). In terms of economics, sunflower + greengram intercropping system along with the application of RDF + Poultry manure compost @ 6t ha-1 + Sulphur @ 45 kg ha-1 + AM Fungi @ 12 kg ha-1 (M2S4) recorded the highest BCR of 2.74.
Conclusion: Based on the results, it could be concluded that sunflower + greengram intercropping with the application of RDF (60:90:60 kg of NPK ha-1) + Poultry manure compost @ 6t ha-1 + Sulphur @ 45 kg ha-1 through Gypsum + AM Fungi @ 12 kg ha-1 (M2S4) was agronomically sound and economically feasible practice to maximize the productivity and profitability of sunflower growing farmers in Tamil Nadu.
Background: The low production of the mango variety Banganapalli in India can be attributed to a number of factors. Mango varieties have a number of problems, including poor and inconsistent blooming, as well as poor or nonexistent fruit set. A significant contributor to low levels of production is the presence of Banganapalli. In order to alleviate these production issues, there is a significant requirement to make use of compounds that support the growth of flowers and improve fruit set. With this background, the present experiment was conducted to examine the suitable combination of chemicals for the flowering, yield and quality of mango.
Methods: The chosen trees were treated with sprays at two distinct phases using the following methods: Urea 1 per cent + NAA 20 ppm (T1), Urea 1 per cent + Salicylic acid 200 ppm (T2), Urea 2 per cent + NAA 20 ppm (T3), Urea 2 per cent + Salicylic acid 200 ppm (T4), KNO3 1 per cent + NAA 20 ppm (T5), KNO3 1 per cent + Salicylic acid 200 ppm (T6), KNO3 2 per cent + NAA 20 ppm (T7), KNO3 2 per cent + Salicylic acid 200 ppm (T8), Water Spray (T9) and Control (T10).
Results: The plants treated with KNO3 at a concentration of two per cent and NAA at 20 ppm exhibited the highest levels of total number of flowers per panicle (791.82), hermaphrodite flowers (239.406), percentage of fruit set (0.48), number of fruits per tree (129.22), yield (50.04) and quality parameters viz., total soluble solids (16.77°Brix), titratable acidity (0.30 per cent), ascorbic acid (20.56 mg), total sugar (19.58 per cent), reducing sugar (5.60 per cent) and non-reducing sugar (14.26 per cent) compared to other treatment combinations.
Conclusion: In a nutshell, applications of KNO3 at a concentration of two per cent and NAA at a concentration of 20 ppm had a positive effect on the flowering, yield and quality aspects of mango cv. Banganapalli.
Background: A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of nano-macro and micronutrient formulations on growth, flowering, physiological attributes and yield of guava (Psidium guajava L.) var. Arka Kiran.
Method: The experiment utilized a Randomized Block Design featuring ten treatments, which included different quantities of zinc oxide (ZnO), boron trioxide (B₂O₃), calcium oxide (CaO), and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles foliar spray have been given to the guava (Psidium guajava L.) var. Arka Kiran.
Results: Demonstrated that ZnO nanoparticles at 1000 ppm (T4) significantly enhanced on different stages of plant height (2.26 and 2.43 m), canopy spread (1.98 m NS 1.76 m EW and 2.27 m NS 1.92 m EW) during fruit development and harvesting stage, (23.89) days taken for flower initiation, (12.68) days taken from flowering to fruit set, (122.36) days taken from fruit set to maturity, (205.24) flowers per tree and chlorophyll on different stages (31.88, 43.43, 59.53 and 53.36) fruit set per cent (72.10) fruit retention per cent (48.98) number of fruits per tree (72.50) and estimated yield per tree (12.82) compared to other treatments and control.
Conclusion: The findings confirm the potential of nano-nutrient formulations, particularly ZnO nanoparticles in improving guava morphological characteristics, flowering characteristics and physiological health. These results provide a foundation for optimized nutrient management strategies in guava cultivation, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing productivity.
This systematic research evaluates the major obstacles faced by the West African poultry sector, including disease outbreaks, poor market access, insufficient infrastructure, restricted financial resources, and a shortage of skilled labor. The industry faces high mortality rates, trade restrictions, and economic losses due to disease outbreaks. Improved surveillance, biosecurity measures, and vaccination programs are crucial. The research highlights the need for improved infrastructure, quality standards enforcement, market information systems, and supportive policies to enhance competitiveness and sustainability. The poultry industry in West Africa faces challenges in market access, hindering its development and competitiveness. The socio-economic role of poultry production is emphasized, including its contribution to food security and income generation. Challenges faced include disease outbreaks, lack of access to credit and technical knowledge, high production costs, poor infrastructure, and competition from imported poultry products. Possible solutions include improved veterinary services, extension programs, cooperative societies, government support in the form of loans, and capacity training for farmers.
