35

ISSN: 0974 - 0376

KEYWORDS

Proceedings of International Conference on

Anthropogenic Impact on Environment & Conservation Strategy

(ICAIECS - 2012)

November 02 - 04, 2012, Ranchi,

organized by

Department of Zoology, Ranchi University, Ranchi

&

Departments of Zoology and Botany,

St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi

in association with

National Environmentalists Association, Indiawww.neaindia.org

NSave Nature to Survive

: Special issue, Vol. 1:

www.theecoscan.inAN INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

S. K. Mandal and S. P. Roy

Pulse crops

Environmental factors

Phenology

Synchronization

Agro – ecosystem

35 - 40: 2012

IMPACT OF ENVIROMENTAL FACTOR(S) ON CERTAIN PULSE

CROPS OF NORTH-EASTERN BIHAR (INDIA) WITH REFERENCE

TO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

36

S. K. MANDAL AND S. P. ROY*

University Department of Zoology, T. M. Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur - 812 007E-mail: drsp_roy@yahoo.com

*Corresponding author

NSave Nature to Survive QUARTERLY

The present communication embodies the data

of two years (2008-10) on the environmental

factors in relation to life cycle of pulse crops

cultivated in the region of north-eastern part

of Bihar (India) which is highly productive,

species richest and biogeographically

diversified biotope of the Indian subcontinent.

The pulse crops selected for present study were

pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. and Cicer

arietinum (Linn.) and their timing and length

of life cycle in relation to climatic factors were

studied. The phenological clock of these pulse

crops was constructed. It was observed that

Cajanus cajan and Cicer arietinum differ

considerably in duration of their biological

events. The biological events were seedling,

vegetative, flowering, fruiting and maturing

stages. Out of these the flowering stage was

recorded for < 8 weeks in Cajanus cajan and

< 5 weeks in Cicer arietinum. The flowering

stage of these crops was observed extremely

vulnerable to climatic factors viz. temperature,

humidity, rainfall and photoperiod. The

rainfall and photoperiod were found governing

force for the synchronization of the biological

events of these crops. Out of these two pulse

crops, Cajanus cajan was recognized as

buffering crop modifying the structure,

function and dynamics of the agro – ecosystem.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

The biological events of plants are controlled by environmental cue which do playa governing force on their life strategies. There is strong correlation between theenvironmental factors and the life form of plants. In plants the major biologicalevents are seedling, vegetative, flowering, fruiting, growth, leaf fall, maturing and allthese stages are governed by the environmental factors. The mass floweringphenomena is usually followed by an extreme level of fruit production known asmast fruiting and up to 80% of all canopy of plants may burst into flower. Therefore,any biological event of plant is hot spot for the consumers and is very vulnerablebiologically.

Temporal and spatial variation in the life form of plants represent the importantparameters in ecology (Stenseth and Mysterud, 2002). The available literature onlife form of plants revealed synchrony between these variables. More studies of theeffects of environmental factors on the life cycle of plants are needed (Stenseth andMysterud, 2002), especially, because climate change may differentially affect thephenology of species at different trophic levels (Inouye et al., 2000; Visser, 1998;Visser and Holleman, 2001; Visser and Both, 2005).

There is paucity of information on the life cycle of plants in relation to environmentalfactors. No information is available on the succession of biological events in relationto climatic factors. However, considerable work has been carried out on thecultivation, harvesting, biochemistry, productivity and ecology of pulse crops viz.Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. and Cicer arietinum Linn. in India and also abroad(Duke, 1981; Morton, 1976; Duke, 1983; Chauhan et al., 1987; Chauhan, 1990).Extensive works have also been made on the biology, life cycle, ecology andmanagement of pulse crops in Indian subcontinent and abroad (Gujar and Yadav,1978; Arora, 1977; Zalucki et al., 1986; Singh and Jackai, 1985; Khan et al., 2009;Sarwar et al., 2009; Shubharani and Singh, 2004; Shaheen and Khaliq, 2005;Srilaxmi and Paul, 2010). These pertinent literatures indicate that practically nothingis known on the life form of pulse crops in ex. situ condition. Considering all thesefacts in the mind, the present study on the life form of pulse crops of Gram/Arharhas been undertaken. The objective of the present study was to know the mechanismof ex. situ life form of Gram/Arhar in relation to the micro-climate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Field study

Field studies were conducted for a period of two years from January 2008 toDecember 2010 on pulse crops (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. and Cicer arietinum

Linn.) grown in and around Bhagalpur as well as departmental cropland. The lifeform of each pulse crop under study was observed ranging from seedling stage inthe month of July for Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. and November for Cicer arietinum

Linn. to maturity stages in February – March for both crops. The crop was observedweekly from germination (seedling stage) till the harvest.

37

IMPACT OF ENVIRRONMENTAL FACTOR ON PULSE CROPS

Data on Environmental cue: Data on weather parameters,viz. maximum and minimum temperature (ºC), morning andevening relative humidity (%), rainfall (mm) and length of day(photoperiod) were collected during the study period. Thecorrelation coefficients between these parameters have beencalculated to determine their incidence on the density ofconsumers.

Construction of Phenological cycle: The phenological cyclewas constructed after cumulative data on biological events ofhost plants, Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. as well as Cicer arietinum

L. in relation to weather parameters.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The phenology of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) andchick pea (Cicer arietinum) has been depicted in Tables 1and 2 respectively. The phenological cycle of these pulsecrops with major biological events of the crop has beenrepresented in a phenological clock and shown in Fig. 1. Theperiod of biological events of pigeon pea and chickpea havebeen represented in Fig. 2 . Study on phenology relates thetiming and length of the life cycle of consumer – resourcecomplexes that mutually evolve so that most individuals wereable to fit their development into available time while few diebecause of failure to achieve this fitness. Such strategy inmaintaining the life cycle of consumer – resource complexeswas synchronous. However, on certain occasions individualscannot detect precisely when the “available time” begins andends, the corollary of this strategy was that most individualalso suffer reduced fecundity by failing to utilize the full timeto exploit the available resources. Other problem might bethe timing and length of the life cycle variations of the consumer– resource complexes leading to death of the individuals andfailure to achieve fitness for development into the availabletime. The life cycle evaluation of such type was consideredasynchronous. Those species that do survive are able to utilizeall or almost all the available time and resources benefit andreceive full support from the resource leading to their highfecundity and abundance. Those species that survive, utilize

full spectrum and support from the resource with the resultthey increase in enormous rate. Timing and length of the lifecycle of consumer – resource complexes are governed bysome extrinsic factors of the environment.

The phenological cycle of Cajanus cajan L. Millsp. wasdistinctly divided into seedling, vegetative, flowering, fruitingand reproductive dynamics and each and every biologicalevents of the plant were colonized by insect complexes. Mandalet al. (2009) have reported on the insect pest complexes onvarious biological events of Cajanus cajan Linn of Indo-Gangetic basin of North-Bihar and observed that rainfall,monsoon flooding and water logging had negative impact on

S.No. Biological events of plant Seasonal duration of each stage

Monsoon Post monsoon Winter Spring Summer

July-Sept. Oct.-Nov. Dec.-Jan. Feb.-Mar. Apr.-June

1 Seedling Stage 6-7-09 (5 Days)

2 Vegetative and budding Stage 11-7-09 (127 Days)

3 Flowering Stage 15-11-09 (61 Days)

4 Fruiting Stage 15-1-10 (69 Days)

5 Maturting Stage 22-3-10 (33 Day)

6 Harvesting Stage 24-4-10 (37 Day)

Table 1: Phenology of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.)

S.N. Biological events of plant Seasonal duration of each stage

Monsoon Post monsoon Winter Spring Summer

July-Sept. Oct.-Nov. Dec.-Jan. Feb.-Mar. Apr.-June

1 Seedling Stage 20-11-09(6 Days)

2 Vegetative and budding Stage 26-11-09 (45 Days)

3 Flowering Stage 10-01-10 (15 Days)

4 Fruiting Stage 25-01-10 (50 Days)

5 Maturting Stage 15-03-10 (26 Days)

6 Harvesting Stage 10-04-10 (18 Days)

Table 2: Phenology of chick pea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Figure 1: Phenological cycle in relation to environmental factors of

Cajanus cajan and Cicer arietinum

Se=Seedling, Ve=Vegetative, Fl= Flowering, Fr = Fruiting,

Ma=Maturating, Ha = Harvesting; P= Photoperiod, RH =

Relativehumidity, ºC = Temperature, H = Hours

38

S. K. MANDAL AND S. P. ROY

Table 3: Weather conditions controlling the biological events of

pulse crops

Month Temperature Relative hu- Rainfall W. Photo-

midity (%) Speed period

2008-09 Maxi (ºC) Mini (ºC) 7am 2pm (mm) km/h hours

July 08 32 25.8 91 77 177.4 7.1 13:30

Aug. 08 32.2 26.2 91 76 230.3 7.6 13:25

Sept. 08 32.6 25 91 74 131.2 5.5 12:00

Oct. 08 31.8 21.5 93 65 26.8 2.4 11:10

Nov. 08 28.8 14.6 94 54 0 1.7 10:50

Dec. 08 23.1 12.7 98 70 0 2.2 10:55

Jan. 09 22.7 9.3 99 61 2.7 2.6 11:20

Feb. 09 27.5 9.9 88 38 5.4 5.1 11:30

Mar. 09 32 15.4 75 33 2.8 4.5 11:55

Apr. 09 37.1 20.5 65 32 0 6.8 12:05

May 09 34.8 23.5 83 55 197.2 8.5 12;25

June 09 36.9 26.1 79 53 63.9 6.5 12:45

2009-10 837.7

July 09 33 26.1 91 72 281.1 7 13:20

Aug. 09 32.5 25.7 93 76 361.2 6.2 13:18

Sept. 09 33.4 25.4 90 72 126 4.8 12:10

Oct. 09 31.3 20 91 63 154.1 3.4 11:30

Nov. 09 27.8 15 93 56 2.7 2.9 10:55

Dec. 09 24.1 9.1 96 50 0 2.4 11:05

Jan. 10 18.7 6.8 97.6 64.8 0 5.7 11:25

Feb. 10 26.1 10.4 90 44.2 5.2 3.9 11:40

Mar. 10 33.5 16.4 76.9 35.4 6.2 4.5 11:58

Apr. 10 38.5 21.9 72.9 37.7 8.1 6.9 12:15

May 10 36.8 24.2 77.6 47.6 60.2 8.4 12;35

June 10 35.5 25.9 82.4 62.8 94.2 7.4 12:55

1099.0

the sustainability of this crop in the region leading to deficiencyin nitrogen fixation. In the present field as well as laboratoryobservation on the phenology of pigeon pea indicated thatthe seedling stage started in monsoon season (July-September)and the full vegetative stage of this plant observed in July of theperiod of this study. The post monsoon season was the periodof the growth of plant strand and attainment of vigor of thegrowth in October-November. The budding stage of this plantwas started from mid December and thereafter flowering stagein December-January. January was the month in whichflowering stage of this crop was fully established with theinitiation of pod formation stage. February-March was recordedas the periods of fruiting and maturing stages whereas April-May was recorded the periods of harvesting stage. Thesebiological events of Cajanus cajan required more than 9months and it remained in the field for much longer durationproviding a resource for the exploitation of a number of insectcomplexes (Table 1).

The data on two years of the phenological synchronization ofCicer arietinum L. has been investigated and observed thatseedling and vegetative stages started in October-Novemberand with full vigor of vegetative stand in December. Thebudding, flowering and fruiting stages were observed inJanuary and completed up to mid February. The winter seasonhas been recorded as favorable period. Since, the reproductiveperformances of this legume crop have been in the months ofJanuary-February and the late February has been recorded asmaturing stage of this crop. The harvesting stage of this crophas been recorded in April of the period of present study. Thetotal duration of this legume crop in the field was five months(Table 2, Plate 1). Mandal and Roy (2012) studied the Rhizobia

Figure 2: Biological events of Cicer arietinum: a. Pod formation

stage b. Pod maturing stage; Cajanus cajan: c. Flowering stage d. Pod

formation stage e. Pod matureing stage

Figure 3: Pest species on Cajanus cajan: a. Adult and caterpillar of

Exelastis atmosa b. Adult and caterpillar of Maruca testualis c. Adult

and caterpillar of Helicoverpa armigera; Cicer arietinum: d. Adult

and caterpillar of Helicoverpa armigera

on the root nodules of this pulse crops which help in fixationof nitrogen in the soil and observed maximum standing cropof Rhizobia with branches of secondary and tertiary root

39

IMPACT OF ENVIRRONMENTAL FACTOR ON PULSE CROPS

systems. They concluded that on per meter square basis chickpea (Cicer arietinum) has greater role in agronomic resourcemanagement of the region. Due to branching in root systemsof Cicer arietinum it plays a greater role in optimum agronomicmanagement.

On comparative evaluation of pest complexes of Cajanus cajan

and Cicer arietinum, the former legume crop has appreciablyhigh consumer population in terms of abundance and standingcrop/m2 than the later. Cicer arietinum harbors less diversityof consumers. The dominant and abundant pest wasHelicoverpa armigera and the pest infestation was recordedin the pods. It was interesting to find out that Cajanus cajan

harbored consumer complexes in almost all seasons viz.monsoon, post monsoon, winter, spring and summer of theperiod of present study. Of all the seasons, post monsoon andwinter seasons was the most favorable period for thecolonization of consumers.

Flowering duration of individuals of the pigeon pea andchickpea varied considerably, being < 8 weeks for Cajanus

cajan and < 5 weeks for Cicer arietinum. All the species hadsimilar flowering pattern. They were in bloom with appreciablesynchrony and appeared one flowering peak (Fig. 4). Thetemporal pattern of bud formation, flowering and fruiting

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

SsVBs Fs Fr

.sM

sH

s

Cajanus cajan Cicer arietinum

Figure 4: Histogram showing comparative study of the period of

biological events of Cajanus cajan and Cicer artietinum in days (Table

1.0 and 2.0)Ss= Seedling stage; VBs = Vegetative and budding stage; Fs=

Flowering stage; Fr.s = Fruiting stage; Ms= Maturating stage; Hs = Harvestingstage

among species had been studied. An increase of the podformation rate occurred for Cicer arietinum at the end of theflowering, thus, having a more regular rate of fruit formation(Fig. 2a, b). On the other hand, fruit maturation was takingplace while plants were still in bloom in Cajanus cajan (Fig. 2cto 2e). Each species produced different numbers of buds,flowers, fruits and their flowers to buds ratio was also different.In the present study the detailed investigation of the floweringand fruiting phenology of Cajanus cajan and Cicer arietinum

have been conducted and observed that these legume cropsvary greatly in terms of timing, duration and intensity offlowering and fruiting (Fig. 4). One of the most interestingfeature of these crops was the mass flowering phenomenawhich is usually followed by an extremely abundant level offruit production known as mast fruiting. In specially intensemast year, almost every Cajanus cajan and Cicer arietinum

upto 80% of all canopy trees bursted into flower and buds.In terms of member and abundance the pest complexesquantitatively and qualitatively were more on Cajanus cajan

than Cicer arietinum. The duration of Cajanus cajan startingfrom seedling stage to maturing stage was 3-4 months morethan the Cicer arietinum. Cajanus cajan harboured morespecies of insect pests with dominant major species recordedwere Maruca testualis (Fig. 2b) and Exelastis atmosa (Fig. 3a).These major pest species were found injurious to flowers andpods. The 3rd and 5th instars larvae were observed as mostdestructive stages of the life cycle of pests.

The phenological strategy and the breeding system adoptedby these leguminous species studies gave them the ability toreproduce with flexibility in the winter. Of all biological eventsof these species the flowering and fruiting stages have longerduration providing long term substrate for these pests tocomplete their life cycle. Young larvae of Helicoverpa armigera

(Fig. 3d) found feeding leaflets, buds, flowers and pods ofCicer arietinum. Chickpea is a winter season legume crop,sown immediately before the onset of winter. Its vegetativegrowth occurred during or just set in of winter when insectpopulations were generally low due to unfavorable climaticconditions. The reproductive period of this crop was duringwinter season when temperature and photoperiod were atlower level with no rainfall. In such conditions Helicoverpa

armigera was most active. Mullick and Singh (2001) havereported on the effects of leguminous host plants on fecundityand longevity of Helicoverpa armigera.

Srilaxmi and Paul (2010) studied the diversity of insect pest ofpigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) and their succession inrelation to crop phenology in Gulbarga, Karnataka andconcluded that each and every biological event of the cropwas infested with some specific taxa of the insect pests. Theyalso came on our conclusion that flowering, pod formationand pod maturity stages were most prone to insect pests attack.Khokhar and Singh (1983) have also observed the pestsuccession on various growth stages of the crop.

Thus, impact of environmental factors play a major role in thelife cycle strategies of these pulse crops. The environmentalfactors controlling the life cycle were temperature, humidity,rainfall and light. Out of all these physical factors, rainfall andmonsoon flooding has great impact on the life cycle strategiesof these plants in their ambient environment (Table 3 and Fig.

Day

s

Biological events

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

8-Ju

l

Sept

. 08

Nov

. 08

Jan.

09

Mar

. 09

9-M

ay9-

Jul

Sept

. 09

Nov

. 09

Jan.

10

Mar

. 10

10-M

ay

Temperature Maxi (oC) Temperature Mini (oC)

Relativehumidity (%) 7am Relativehumidity (%) 2pm

Rainfall (mm)

Figure 5: Graph showing temperature (ºC), relative humidity (%)

and rainfall (mm) during months of July, 2008 to June, 2010

Months

Inte

nsi

ty o

f en

vir

on

men

tal fa

cto

rs

40

5). In the present study, annual precipitation in 2008-09 wasrecorded as 837.6 mm and in 2009-10 as1100.0 mm indicatingformer year suitable for the cultivation of pigeon pea. Pigeonpea is remarkably drought resistant, tolerating dry area with <65 mm annual rainfall and producing seed profusely underdry zone conditions with low incidence of pest damage.Rainfall during the time of flowering causes defective fertilizationand permits attacks of pod borers.

The impact of climatic factors on the success and yield ofpigeon pea and chick pea revealed that the former crop washighly sensitive to water logging, which could result inconsiderable loss in crop vigor and plant stand. The risk ofcrop failure or yield reduction is due to short term water loggingwhich is particularly acute in the region of north Bihar asmonsoon flooding which is a perpetual feature in rainy season.This legume crop is successfully propagated under limitedrainfall situations due to its deep root systems. Our observationwas in conformity with the report of Chauhan et al. (1987)who studied the factors affecting growth of short-durationpigeon pea and its potential for multiple harvests. Thus, in theregion of north-Bihar Cajanus cajan is not cultivated due toimpact of heavy rainfall and high water discharge. On thecontrary Cicer arietinum is a winter crop which is under thecontrol of short photoperiod and low temperature. Suchclimatic factors also favor the growth and development of thelife cycle stages of pod borer Helicoverpa armigera. Thus, thispulse crop was attacked and destroyed by this pest enormously.

It may be concluded that these pulse crops were under theinfluence of extrinsic factors of which temperature, rainfalland photoperiod were recorded as dominant environmentalcue.

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