Performance of rainy season greengram as influenced by land configuration and phosphorus application

A field experiment was carried out for 2 crop years (July‐October) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effect of land configuration and phosphorus levels on the growth and yield of rainy season greengram under limited irrigation facility. The crop sown on 2 meter wide broad bed and furrow (BBF) showed higher growth attributes, nodulation, yield attributes and yield compared to flat bed (FB) sowing. Application of 30 and 60 kg P₂O₅ha_‐1 showed significant increase in growth attributes, nodulation, yield attributes and yield as compared to no phosphorus application. The moisture status in the soil determined the optimum dose of phosphorus needed for greengram. The combination of BBF sowing and application of 60 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1 recorded the highest grain yield among all the combinations of land configuration and phosphorus levels.     

Effect of Seed Size on Germination and Seedling Growth in Greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) and Blackgram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) Cultivars

The effect of seed size on germination and seedling growth was assessed using cultivars of greengram and blackgram. Significant positive correlation was noticed between seed size and germination, seedling height, root length, primary leaf size and seedling weight. The possible advantages of choosing cultivars with heavier seeds for attaining better crop stand especially under rainfed situation are discussed.     

Alternate Selection Indices for Leaf Photosynthetic Rate in Greengram (Vigna radiata [L.] Wilczek) Cultivars

Significant differences were observed for leaf net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, nitrate reductase activity, stomatal frequency and specific leaf mass among ten greengram cultivars. Leaf net photosynthetic rate had significant positive correlation with soluble protein, nitrate reductase activity, stomatal frequency and specific leaf mass. Leaf net photosynthetic rate had no relationship with leaf chlorophyll content in greengram.     

Functional Growth Model for Pod Development in Greengram and Blackgram

Identification of readily measured traits that are associated with higher productivity of field crops is important to breeders. The objective of this study was to find out whether pod filling rate or duration of pod filling greatly decide final pod weight in greengram and blackgram. The effective pod filling duration is only 16 days in both the crops. Pod filling rate is more important than duration of pod development. Richards function is found to more closely fit the data on pod development from anthesis to maturity in both the species.     

Variability in the antinutritional constituents in greengram Vigna radiata

Five greengram varieties, viz. Mg 161, M₃, Co₂, Pusa 8793 and Pusa baisakhi, were analyzed for phytic acid, tannic acid and trypsin activity. Significant varietal variation in tannin (310 to 400 mg percent), phytic acid (201.33 to 265.33 mg percent) and trypsin inhibitor activity (55.74 to 97.70 TIU/mg) were observed.     

Estimation of Leaf Area in Greengram by Non-destructive Linear Measurements

The leaf area by non-destructive linear measurements have been made in eight cultivars of greengram. The regression equation was Y = 1.58 + 1.79 (X), r = 0.9988** while X = L × W. L and W are the maximum length and width of the terminal leaflet of a trifoliate leaf respectively. Y = leaf area of a trifoliate leaf. This study indicated that this equation can be used for a measuring of the leaf area in situ irrespective of the position of the leaves and variety in greengram.

Zusammenfassung

Abschätzung der Blattfläche von Mung-Bohne mit Hilfe einer nichtdestruktiven linearen Messung
Die Untersuchungen zu einer nichtdestruktiven linearen Messung wurden bei acht Sorten der Mung-Bohne durchgeführt. Die Regressionsgleichung war Y = 1,58 + 1,79 (X), r = 0,9988**, während ×= L × W war. L und W sind die Maximumlängen und Breiten des terminalen Blattes eines dreifach gefiederten Blattes. Y = Blattfläche eines dreifach gefiederten Blattes. Die Untersuchung zeigt, daß die Gleichung für die Messung der Blattfläche in situ bei Mungo-Bohnen verwendet werden kann, unabhängig von der Position des Blattes und der Sorte.     

Influence of composite inoculations of phosphate solubilizing organisms and an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on yield,grain protein and phosphorus and nitrogen uptake by greengram

Abstract

The agronomic efficiency of nitrogen (N) fixing and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms and an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus on vigour, photosynthetic pigments, seed yield, grain protein and nutrient uptake of greengram plants, were assessed in soils, deficient in phosphorous (P). The tripartite inoculation of Glomus fasciculatum + Bradyrhizobium sp. (vigna) + Bacillus subtilis, significantly increased dry matter, chlorophyll content and nutrient uptake of greengram plants. Generally, the number of nodules formed per plant was more at flowering stage, which decreased at podfill stage of plant growth. Seed yield increased significantly by 27% due to inoculation with Bradyrhizobium sp. (vigna) + B. subtilis + G. fasciculatum, relative to the control. Grain protein ranged from 17% (P. variabile) to 28% (Bradyrhizobium sp. (vigna) + B. subtilis + G. fasciculatum) in inoculated greengram. A negative effect occurred on some of the measured parameters when P. variabile was used alone or in combination treatments. The N and P contents in measured plant parts (e.g., roots, shoots, straw and grain) differed considerably among treatments. The populations of PSM, percentage of root infection and density of the AM fungal spore improved in some of the treatments.     

Shelf life of weaning foods developed from locally available food stuffs

Four weaning foods were formulated using locally available cereals and pulses such as wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), green gram (Vigna radiata) and jaggery. Cereal, pulse and jaggery were used in the proportion of 70:30:25. Roasting and malting were two processing techniques used. The developed weaning foods were evaluated for their nutritional characteristics and shelf life. All the formulations had a nutrient composition within the range prescribed by the Indian Standard Institute (ISI) for processed weaning foods. Peroxide value and fat acidity of weaning foods increased with increase in storage period. Malting of weaning foods resulted in higher increase of peroxide value and fat acidity as compared to roasted ones during the period of storage. All the blends were found to be acceptable up to 60 days of storage. The results, indicated that weaning foods developed from locally available less inexpensive foods may be used as good supplements for infants.     

Effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae and zinc application on dry matter and zinc uptake of greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Summary In a greenhouse study we examined the effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) inoculation, using Glomus macrocarpum and of Zn application on dry matter production and Zn uptake by greengram in two mollisols. The VAM inoculation significantly increased the dry weight of different plant parts and the Zn uptake in both soils. Inoculated plants showed a greater response to the application of Zn at 2.5 and 5.0 mg kg^-1 soil in a Zn deficient clay loam soil. The inoculated plants also absorbed — more water than the uninoculated plants. Mass flow and diffusion were the principal processes by which Zn reached the plant roots; mass flow was particularly important in the absence of VAM in a sandy soil fertilized with higher Zn doses (5 and 10 mg kg^-1 soil). The greater supply of Zn to inoculated roots was attributed to an apparent diffusion process rather than to mass flow of Zn.     

Characteristics of two major lectins from mungbean (Vigna radiata) seeds

Two major lectins, MBL-I and MBL-II, were purified fromVigna radiata L. seeds using ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography techniques. MBL-I was found to be a tetramer with native M.W. of 132 kDa and subunit M.W. of 33 kDa having α-galactosidase activity. MBL-II consisted of two monomeric lectins with M.W. of 94 kDa and 89 kDa which were associated mainly with β-galactosidase activity. Both MBL-I and MBL-II are D-galactose-specific lectins.