An experiment conducted to study the co-inoculation effects of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and Herbaspirillum seropedicae on growth and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays L.var. Saccharata) indicated profound effect of interaction between bioinoculants and different doses of nitrogen on plant growth and grain yield of sweet corn. Integrated seed treatment with G. diazotrophicus and H. seropedicae along with application of 100%, 75% and 50% of the recommended dose of nitrogen, recorded the highest plant height and dry matter production of sweet corn. Furthermore, these treatments recorded the highest number of grains per cob, number of grains per row of cob, length and girth of cob, filled to unfilled grain ratio, grain weight per plant, cob weight per plant, 100-seed weight and grain yield of sweet corn. From results of the present investigation we infer that the combined seed bacterization with G. diazotrophicus and H. seropedicae along with application of 50% of the recommended dose of nitrogen is most economical for getting higher grain yield of sweet corn.

An experiment was conducted to study the influence of different levels of nutrients and growth regulators on nut yield of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) variety VRI -2 at State Horticultural Farm, Neyveli, and Tamil Nadu. The study was revealed that soil application of 75 percent of the recommended dose of fertilizer + 100 kg of FYM + Cow pea as an intercrop + 1.0 kg Humic acid as soil application + 3 percent Panchakavya as foliar spray had increased the productivity viz., maximum total number of flowers panicle-1 (910.25), number of hermaphrodite flowers panicle-1 (71.68) as compared to control. respondents.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of mulberry (Morus alba) leaf meal with or without multienzyme on growth performance. The 288 broiler chicks were equally assigned to six groups, having four replications with 12 birds per replication. Broilers were reared in deep litter system with similar managemental practices for all the groups except feeding treatment. The dietary treatments containing T0 (negative control), T1 (5% MLM), T2 (10% MLM), T3 (positive control), T4 (5% MLM with multienzyme) and T5 (10% MLM with multienzyme). It was observed that broilers fed diet with inclusion of 5% and 10% level of mulberry leaf meal with and without multienzyme (T1,T2, T4 and T5) had showed significantly(p<0.05) higher body weight compared to control (T0). Body weight gain was significantly (p<0.05) higher during 2nd and 3rd week in broilers fed diets with 5% and 10% MLM with and without multienzyme (T1, T2, T4 and T5) compared to T0 and T3.Cumulative feed intake among different treatments during 1st, 3rd, 4th and 6th week did not differ significantly. However, during 2nd week and 5th week, cumulative feed intake differed significantly among the treatments groups. During 6th week, T3 (positive control) showed significantly (P<0.05) better FCR than T0 (negative control). T1 (5% MLM) and T2 (10% MLM) had significantly (P<0.05) better FCR than T0 among the groups which were not supplemented with multienzyme. T5 (10% MLM with multienzyme) had significantly (P<0.05) better FCR than T3 and T4 among multienzyme supplemented groups. T5 (10% MLM with multienzyme) showed significantly (P<0.05) better FCR than T2 (5% MLM), however no significant difference was observed in T1 and T4. Overall, improved feed conversion ratio was observed in broilers fed diets with inclusion of 5% or 10% MLM supplemented with and without multienzyme compared to broilers fed negative control diets. In conclusion, mulberry leaf meal up to 10% inclusion level can be added successfully in the diet of broilers without any adverse effect on the performance of broilers.

The present study was conducted in Palakkad district of Kerala state to assess the perception of farmers towards the development programmes implemented by the state. Expost facto research design was employed with the sample size of 210 beneficiaries. The overall mean score of perception was 3.44. Maximum score (4.19) was obtained for the statement ‘financial support from development programmes attract the farmers more'. About 37.61 percent of beneficiaries belonged to medium level of perception. About 36.67 percent farmers of the rice-coconut-vegetable combination and rice-vegetable combination had high perception. About 33.33 percent farmers of rice farming, 40.00 percent of coconut-vegetable combination, 50.00 percent of rice-coconut combination, 53.33 percent of vegetable farming had medium perception and 33.33 percent of coconut farming had low perception towards development programmes. Total perception score was highest for rice-coconut-vegetable combination (70.62) and lowest for coconut farming (51.34).

The study was carried out to find out the extent of variability among the khirni genotypes. All the characters varied significantly. The fruit ripening time varied from second week of March to fourth week of May. Number of fruits per fascicle ranged from 1.67 to 10.33.Fruit weight varied from 3.33g to 14.85g. Fruit length found in between 2.23cm (MGK31) to 3.25cm (MGK16). Fruit diameter varied from 0.86cm to 2.11 cm. Pulp: seed ratio fall in between 1.57cm to 10.64. Fruit yield per side of tree varied from 4.40kg to 10.90kg. TSS varied from 19.00 °Brix to 31°Brix. Vitamin C ranged from 15.20 mg/100g to 25.70 mg/100g and carotene content varied from 3.57 mg/100g to 6.47 mg/100g. Seed weight and germination percentage ranged 0.74g to 2.57g and 56% to 88.33% respectively. The Phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than Genotypic of variation for all the characters studied indicates effect of environment in expression of characters. High heritability combined with high genetic advance was recorded for pulp: seed ratio, fruit weight, number of fruits per fascicle indicating these characters can be improved by selection.

The Seed one of the critical input has also become an expensive input due to involvement of several multinational companies in its production and distribution system. This in return have devastated the farming community who are completely dependent on private companies on timely supply of vegetable seeds for successful farming. Realising the high investment in procurement of vegetable seeds, the concept of vegetable seed village can be popularised among the farming community with special focus on landless women farmers, who can be successfully involved in the local seed network for strengthening the supply of ample quantity of quality vegetable seeds at grass root level. Such a seed village concept in mass production of vegetable seeds at their homestead areas can proof effective in ensuring livelihood security to these vulnerable groups. This can further be strengthened with suitable policy frameworks and rural infrastructure for enabling the women groups to emerge as successful entrepreneurs in fields of vegetable seed production.

The present findings of Helicoverpa male moths trapped in pheromone trap indicated that the activity of moths was found to be more or less during 36th to 52nd MW i.e., September to December. Maximum population of Helicoverpa was trapped during the second week of December (50th MW). All the weather parameters were negatively correlated with Helicoverpa male moth catches. However, the significantly high degree of negative correlation with the population of moths and minimum temperature and evening relative humidity was observed during the period of study.

A model is called to be a hierarchical polynomial regression model if all the lower order terms are present along with the highest order term(s). These models plays very significant role for the purpose of reparameterizations, Simplification in writing computer programs for polynomial model development and restricting our focus on few well-formulated models instead of all possible regression models. By the methods of stepwise regressions, backward elimination and forward selection, hierarchical polynomial regression models have been constructed.

The study was conducted in Birni Block of Giridih District, Jharkhand during the year 2016-17. The purpose of the study is to find out profitability in terms of cost and return from brinjal cultivation in birni block of Giridih district, Jharkhand. The key objectives were to analyze the cost and return structure of brinjal cultivation and to identify the major constraints faced by the farmers in brinjal cultivation. Five villages were purposively selected on the basis of prior information and a primary survey was done. From each village 12 farmers were selected based on their land area under brinjal cultivation. For further detail studies and thus making a sample size of 60. It was revealed from the study that the overall average cost of cultivation of brinjal per acre in Birni was found to be Rs. 41688.37 out of which total variable cost was Rs. 30564.41. Highest percentage expenditure was on manures and fertilizers followed by labor costs. The per acre output was 100.51 quintal The major problems in cultivation of brinjal were lack of water for irrigation, non-availability of credit, lack of scientific knowledge among farmers, high cost of seeds, pest and diseases, awareness on optimum use of fertilizers, high cost of labour etc.

An effect of different levels of L-valine on carcass characteristics, serum biochemicals and immunity of broilers was studied. Total 300 day-old chicks of “Cobb-430Y” strain were assigned to groups A to E of 60 chicks in each with three replicates of 20 chicks in each group. Broilers from control A fed basal diet without L-valine. Broilers from group B, C, D and E fed basal diet with 0.01, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.12 % L- valine. Ratio of other AA to lysine in feed was kept constant except valine. Calculated digestible Val/Lys ratio in BPS was 77, 78, 80, 83 and 87 %, BS was 81, 82, 85, 88 and 92 %; and BF was 84, 85, 88, 92 and 96 %, for groups A, B, C, D and E, respectively. It was concluded that the 0.04 % L-valine (80, 85 and 88 Val/Lys in BPS, BS and BF diets, respectively) recorded significantly highest (p<0.05) BY (27.06 %). However, different levels of L-vailne did not affect EVSY, GB and R-to-C yield; and immune organs weight. Dietary L-valine generated better antibody response against NDV as compared to control. L-valine @ 0.01, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.12 % did not affect serum Ab, Gb and A/G ratio. However, L-valine at 0.12 % in broiler diet significantly increased (p<0.05) serum TP. Better immune response was generated by the supplementation of L-valine @ 0.12 % in the broiler diet.

The study was carried out the evaluating the efficacy of new molecules against rice stem borer Scirpophoga incerulas Walker management under on farm trails (OFT) were conducted during kharif 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16. In this trials twice application of Chlorantraniliprole 0.4 percent GR at 30 days and Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 percent SC at 60 days after transplanting (DAT). The results on pooled analyses revealed that least dead heart 3.60 and white ear head 1.09 percent with highest yield 38.90 q ha-1and percent increasing over control 47.85 as well as additional return 18841 Rs ha-1 respectively as compared to highest dead heart 8.34 and white ear head 12.14 percent with lowest yield 26.31 q ha-1 in farmers practices. It was observed that the maximum benefit cost ratio (B:C) 1:2.82 and 1:2.50 in treated plots. Chlorantraniliprole treated plots have maximum number of predator/parasitoids (41) than other insecticide treated plots (23) and farmers practices (08). To achieve the objective with effective control measures for insect and pest of rice and enhancing its yield economically, a study was undertaken to evaluate new molecule i.e. sprayable and granular insecticides including farmers practices on the rice variety Swarna. Hence, the option of new molecules for the control of rice stem borer not only justify safely to environment but also offers effective control of borer population in rice ecosystem due to its distinct chemical class and unique mode of action.

Water is the most valuable asset for irrigated agriculture. Water plays an important role in achieving maximum production of agriculture produce to feed the growing population. Judicious use of water in agriculture is gaining more and more importance and an accurate measurement of irrigation water permits an intelligent use of this valuable natural resource in an effective manner. In general, empirical equations are often applied to estimate mean velocity and discharge in irrigation canals. However, few real time measurement of velocity by various approaches is also possible and would be more appropriate in estimating velocity of water. In this study, various field methods were compared in finding out velocity of water. After getting accurate velocity, the discharge of any canal can be worked out by Area-Velocity approach to find discharge rates. In the present study, three different types of current meters (Universal, propeller and cup type) and different floating materials (apple, tomato, citrus, chilli, wooden piece and ball) were used for measurement of velocity in open canal. The percentage deviation of velocity either towards higher side or lower side in comparison to propeller type current meter was found out, since propeller type current meters are quite popular for open channel flow measurement. The results indicated that, in comparison to velocity obtained by propeller type current meter, the variation of 8.7 percent (higher side) was obtained by universal current meter and variation of 8.9 percent (lower side) by cup type current meter. Among the different types of floating materials, apple, tomato citrus, ball, chilli and wooden piece exhibited 2.4, 3.1, 3.9, 5.4, 6.1 and 8.6 percent (lower side) deviation of velocity respectively in comparison to propeller type current meter. The velocity variation in terms of percentage by various approaches was observed to be within 10 percent, which can be reliable for practical use under the situations where sophisticated instruments are not available for accurate measurement of velocity in canals.

Water is an important natural resource for agricultural production. In Tamil Nadu about 95 percent of the surface water resources have already been utilised and the groundwater is being over-utilised. This paper examined the changing sources of irrigation in the state. Rainfall being one of the major sources of replenishment, the paper also studied the impact of rainfall in area irrigated by major sources and also in recharging groundwater table. The share of tanks and canals as source of irrigation in the state has been declined to 15 percent and 23.53 percent during 2010s. The net irrigated area by tanks and canals have denigrated to a negative overall growth rate of -1.419 and -0.436. The share of wells has been increased to 62 percent in 2010s. The net irrigated area by wells alone have achieved commendable growth rate of 1.512. The relative projected share of various sources of irrigation during 2025 and 2050 is quite the same as that of relative share in 2015. Markov Chain analysis has found that only 10.70 percent of area irrigated by tanks will change to well irrigation during the time period considered. Among the major sources of irrigation, Well irrigation is highly influenced by rainfall. The measure of standard deviation for actual rainfall affirms its erratic nature which not only deviates in quantity but also in distribution through the year. High variation in downpour was found in winter showers. Rainfall, highly influences groundwater table as the percentage of blocks under safe category has followed the same pattern as rainfall received. The water storage capacity has to be developed in order to recharge the groundwater thru rainfall. Prior to planning for sustainable crop production, the stock on available data of water resources have to be assessed and accessed to enable a prudent effort.

Conservation Agriculture aims at effective utilization of natural resources, reduction of production cost by saving labour, fertilizer, irrigation water, time, machinery use etc., minimization of environmental pollution by reducing the use of fossil fuel and avoiding the burning of crop residues. Basic three principles of conservation agriculture are minimum soil disturbance, permanent or semi-permanent organic covers and crop rotations. In rice-wheat sequences of Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), adoption of direct wet seeding of rice followed by zero tillage sowing of wheat is an effective tool for reducing wastage of natural resources, avoiding terminal heat stress and thereby maintains the sustainable yield of the system. Various resource conserving techniques like SRI, laser land levelling, FIRB (Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed system) etc have been proved useful in the climate change scenario. Tools like LCC (Leaf Colour Chart), Chlorophyll meter etc. can be adopted for precision nitrogen management in the crops. However, small farm holdings, deplorable financial and other socio political conditions are the main hindrances for adopting effective conservation agriculture in the developing countries like India.

Draught animals, particularly bullocks and buffaloes, hold an important place in our agricultural farming and will continue to do so for many more year’s to come especially in Chhattisgarh. A pair of local buffaloes (930 kg/pair) of non descript breed was studied for estimating its draught ability by using CIAE animal loading car. It was observed that the local buffaloes could pull a draft load of 10 percent (93.3 kg draft) without excessive fatigue on a dirt road. The average power output per pair during four hours of operation in the summer season was maximum at 12 percent draft load. The forward speed reduced with increase is operating time and draft load. The fatigue score was well below 20 points in the summer season up to for 8 – 10 percent loading condition limiting to three hours operation. On the basis of size of buffaloes, draft capacity and observation on ploughing implements, it is suggested that the implements such as: Mould Board plough, Tendua Iron plough, Indira seed drill, Planker, Harrow patela, Puddler can be operated using buffaloes as the power source.

Farmers innovations play a vital role in recent years which can supplement formal research, since these innovations are cost effective, eco-friendly and easy to adopt. Hence, documentation of farmers innovations will becomes need of the hour. The study has been conducted during the year 2016-17 in seven districts of southern Karnataka. Among these districts, 50 farmers innovations were documented. Accordingly more number of innovations were found in animal husbandry category (34 %) followed by plant protection (24 %), post-harvest (20.00 %), crop production (12.00 %) and farm machinery categories (10 %) and also more number of innovations were found in the less than two years category (30.00 %), followed by more than ten years category (24.00 %), five to eight years category (20.00 %), two to five years category (16.00 %) and least number of innovations found in the eight to ten years of category (10.00 %).

Livestock health management is an area of knowledge in which farmers have excelled, since the days of Nakul and Sahadeva, two of the five Pandavas who were supposed to be the first healers of the health problems of horse, elephants and cattle respectively in ancient India. India has a very rich heritage of traditional health control and treatment systems such as Ayurvedic, Unani and Homeopathic that have been used for animals since generations. Nowadays, many indigenous technical knowledge systems are at risk of becoming extinct because of rapidly changing natural environments and fast pacing social, economic, political and cultural changes on a global scale. The basic objective of this study is directed to know the rationality behind identified ITKs in Livestock management. The study was conducted among 360 respondents covering 9 selected agriculturally prominent districts of Tamil Nadu. The awareness index of the ITK Practices works out to 72 percent on the whole and adoption comes to 56 percent in cattle, 22 percent in sheep and goat and 36 percent in poultry.

An experiment on effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and pod yield in cowpea was conducted with 12 treatment combination. The experiment was conducted in Kharif 2012-13 in Randomized Block Design at the Horticulture Research Farm, RAK College of Agriculture, RVSKVV Sehore. Among these treatments highest plant height, no of branches, no of nodules ,pod per cluster, number of pods per plant, pod length, pod girth, pod weight, number of seeds per pods, pod yield per hectare was noted in treatment combination T9 ( Vermicompost 5 t/ha + 60:80:75 kg NPK/ha through chemical fertilizer ) . Whereas, the treatment combination T1 (FYM 20 t/ha + No chemical fertilizer) was exhibited the lowest pod yield /ha. Under the treatment combination T9 was obtain highest pod yield 151.59 q/ha with maximum net return of Rs. 105571 /ha and cost benefit ratio 1:3.29. However the lowest 50.36 q/ha pod yield along with net return of Rs. 15067/ha and cost benefit ratio 1:1.43 was observed in T1 (FYM 20 t/ha + No chemical fertilizer).

Experiment was conducted to studies on Influence of Urea and plant growth regulators on fruit retention, fruit drop and fruit yield of acid lime var. Kagzi. Foliar application of urea (1,2,3 percent), NAA (10,20,30 ppm), GA3 (25,50,100 ppm) and 2,4-D (10,15,20 ppm) sprayed at full bloom and pea stage of fruit, significantly increased fruit retention percentage at various stages of fruit growth and development over control. Among various treatments, minimum fruit drop was noted with 20 ppm NAA followed by Urea 2 percent in all three waves of fruit drop. The maximum (62.59) fruit retention percentage was noted with the application of NAA 20 ppm at the time of harvest followed by Urea 2 percent (52.10).

The aim of this research was to explore the production of starch from mango (Mangifera indica) seed kernel (dried and fresh) that can be used mainly in the industrial field economically. Mango fruits of Totapuri variety were subjected to a pulper in order to obtain the pulp, peel and seeds separately. The component analysis indicated that the pulp and peel recovery, seed kernel, stony endocarp, were 62.6%, 15.5%, 9.5%, 5.3%, respectively with 7.1% loss of pulp. Mango seeds were dried in a hot-air cabinet dryer at 600C for 4 hours and the separated kernels were subjected to extraction of starch through wet grinding method. The starch yield, starch purity, residual fat and ash content of starch were calculated and compared with that prepared from fresh seed kernels. The results showed that starch was extracted from mango seed kernels, both dried and fresh, with yield of 64.41±5.51 and 47.37±2.56% of starch, respectively. The residual mango kernel powder obtained was 25.47±2.12 and 50.88±2.21%, respectively. Further, the results indicated that the starch extracted from dried and fresh kernels had purity of 66.44±2.54 and 69.19±1.44%, residual fat content of 1.09±0.08 and 0.199±0.03% and residual ash content of 0.28±0.04 and 0.22±0.03% respectively.

Eshing Ekai Thabi, commonly known as water mimosa, is a pantropical nitrogen-fixing perennial legume usually considered as an aquatic weed in some countries, however, the plant is used as a vegetable by the Meiteis, the valley inhabitants of the state of Manipur, and is considered as a local delicacy. The present study was undertaken to document the traditional mode of eating and the nutritional and medicinal benefit of consumption of water mimosa by the Meiteis of Manipur. It was observed that in addition to various use of the plant as a local delicacy, it is used for treatment of against intestinal infections, dysentery, earache and also as vermifuge. The nutrient rich potential of the plant plays an important role against malnutrition in the weaker section of the society.

The experiment was carried out in the Instructional cum Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Biswanath College of Agriculture (AAU) Biswanath Chariali, Sonitpur district of Assam during 2014-15 in order to study the effect of plant growth regulators on growth and fruit yield of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) cv. JC -1. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications accommodating ten treatments in each replication. The details of treatment comprised of GA3 (25, 50 and 100 ppm), IAA (25, 50 and 100 ppm), NAA (25, 50 and 100 ppm) and control (distilled water). During the period of investigation the growth regulators showed significant response on morphological, Physiological and yield attributing characters of brinjal. The result revealed that morphological characters with respect to plant height (93.70 cm), number of leaves per plant (53.10) and number of branches per plant (6.90) were significantly improved by GA3 treatment at 100 ppm (T3). The maximum leaf area index (2.82) was recorded under GA3 at100 ppm (T3) while GA3 at 50 ppm (T2) recorded the highest (802.40 g) total dry weight per plant at harvest. However, the highest leaf chlorophyll content index (44.50) was recorded under treatment with NAA at 50 ppm (T8). The treatment with GA3 at 50 ppm (T2) exhibited significantly higher total number of flower per plant (38.49), number of fruit per plant (18.56) and fruit yield (1.58 kg/plant and 377 q/ha). It may be concluded from the experiments that GA3 proved to be the best in improving the morphological, physiological and yield attributing parameters in brinjal.

This study was undertaken to assess the impact of the MGNREGA on change in the income, expenditure and asset of the scheme in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya state. District was selected for the study with the objective of analysing the impact of MGNREGA on the participant households. For evaluating the specific objectives designed for the study, required primary data were collected from the participants for the year 2017. It was found that there was 20.79 percent increase in income, after getting wage employment from MGNREGA. Agriculture was found to be the major source of income of beneficiary group. Due to volatility either in production, prices or both, their monthly income from agriculture was not stable. To stabilise the monthly sources of the income of the beneficiary groups, special attention is required through MGNREGA like scheme. Which not only ensure their 100 days’ work but also helps in stabilising the income. It showed that how MGNREGS helps to stabilise monthly income level of beneficiary household. But this stabilisation mainly depends on how many days and when they are setting the MGNREGS activities. Generally during the lean season of agricultural activities MGNREGA will help to make them stabilise food security or livelihood. Significant increase in expenditure of almost all the food and non-food items was observed. This may be due to increase in income after participation in MGNREGS. The purchasing power of the beneficiaries for assets like farm implement, television, mobile phone, bike, livestock had also increased after MGNREGA.

A study entitled ‘Calibrate and validate AquaCrop model for bitter gourd production’ was undertaken with objective to improve water productivity i.e. ‘more crop per drop’. The model provided excellent simulation of canopy and yield. The harvest index was observed as 85% for Bitter gourd. The formulated alternative delivery schedules were optimized based on water use efficiency. Simulations were carried out with calibrated model for the period 17th November 2014 to 9th March 2015. Schedule S4 (mulch + Irrigation schedule at 85% ETc) saved 16.18% water with only -30.18% reduction in the yield of bitter gourd. Therefore it should be used for bitter gourd production.

The A field experiment was conducted for 2 consecutive years during 2013–14and 2014–15, at KVK, Kamrup, Assam, India to assessed 6 rice-based cropping systems under irrigated medium land acid soil situation of Kamrup district of Assam. From the mean of 2 years data, it was observed that the highest land use efficiency of 78.63 % was observed in rice - tomato cropping sequences followed by rice-lentil sequence with 78.08 %.The rice-tomato cropping sequences provided the most employment generation (350 man days ha-1) followed by rice - cabbage sequence (290 man days ha-1). The highest rice equivalent yield (290.04 q ha-1) was recorded in tomato grown during rabi after sali paddy followed by cabbage with 176.54 q ha-1. Winter rice–tomato sequence showed 537.09%and 254.72% increase in REY, respectively, over the predominant cropping systems of Assam (winter rice–fallow with REY54.02 q ha-1) and second (winter rice– rapeseed with REY 75.70 q ha-1). The system productivity efficiency was significant with the highest value in winter rice–tomato (119.94 kg ha-1 day-1), followed by winter rice–cabbage sequences (89.31 kg ha-1 day-1). The economic efficiency was significant with the highest value in winter rice–tomato (998.20 ha-1 day-1), followed by winter rice–cabbage sequences (668.37 ha-1 day-1). Nutrient-use productivity of the systems varied from 38.44 to 96.96 kg ha-1 kg-1 of nutrient applied and significantly highest nutrient use productivity was recorded in winter rice–tomato sequence. The highest gross return (395.86 x103 ha-1) and net return (286.48 x103 ha-1) were recorded in case of winter rice–tomato sequence. The highest benefit:cost ratio (3.84) was recorded in winter rice-pumpkin sequence. The highest relative economic efficiency (847.04%) over predominant cropping system winter rice-fallow was recorded in winter rice-tomato followed by 515.31% in winter rice-pumpkin cropping sequence.

A field trial was conducted to study the influence of mixed weed compost along with green manure, cover crop, biofertilizer and inorganic fertilizer on soil carbon sequestration and growth of teak (Tectona grandis) seedlings during 2007-2010 at Elanad, Thrissur Forest Division Kerala. The experiment comprised of nine treatments comprising of weed compost, cover crops, biofertilizers, green manures, chemical fertilizers and their combinations along with control. The results indicated that application of inorganic fertilizer was significantly superior over other treatments in increasing the height of teak plants, followed by compost alone and compost + biofertilizer. Significant enrichment of soil carbon stock both at 0-10 cm and 10- 20 cm layers was in the treatment compost alone followed by green manure.

A field experiment was conducted as doctoral research for two consecutive years (2011-2012 and 2012-2013) on fine texture soils of Agricultural college farm, Bapatla as a doctoral research to find out the effect of different sources of nutrients on NPK content in rice at various growth periods. The experiment was laidout in a randomized block design in kharif season with four treatments and replicated five times. The treatments consisted of M1 (RDF - Control), M2 (10t FYM ha-1 + RDF), M3 (1.5t vermicompost ha-1 + RDF), M4 (Green manuring + RDF). The NPK content in rice at various growth periods was significantly increased with the application of 100%NPK in combination with FYM @10t ha-1. However, it was on par with that of green manuring together with 100% NPK during both the years of the study.

To enhance the production and productivity of soybean 153 Cluster Front Line Demonstration (CFLDs) were organised during 2016-17 & 2017-18 in Indore district at eight adopted village by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kasturbagram, Indore . Improved variety (JS-9560) seed treatment, soil test based fertilizer application, raised bed sowing method, seed rate and Integrated plant protection measure were major intervention of CFLD . Average soybean yield under cluster front line demonstration was recorded 15.94 q/ha against farmers practice (Local Var 1025) 12.8 q/ha. 24.4 percentage increases in soybean yield were recorded over farmers practice. The extension gap and technology gap were computed 3.14 q/ha and 4.06 q/ha respectively. Maximum net return (Rs. 27517 and Rs. 22824) were recorded under demonstration during both the year 2016-17 & 2017-18, respectively. Average Cost benefit ratio were observed higher than local check during both the year (2016 -17 & 2017 – 18) of CFLD programme. 2.0 under CFLD plots while it was 1.65 under farmers practice.

The proposed culture, WN-585 is early maturing and have been developed through selection from local germplasm collected from the Dangs district. WN-585 was tested under various categories of trials at Waghai, Varanasi and Dahod centers in 12 different state MLT trials and under IVT trial (during 2017-18) at 12 AICRP small millets locations across seven states at national level. The early maturing culture WN-585 (3065 kg/ha) performed well with 21.3 % and 13.7 % grain yield superiority over national check ‘VL-149’ and ‘VL-352’, respectively in Gujarat. At national level, it showed 20.2 % grain yield improvement over national check ‘VL-352’. The proposed culture was found to have good nutritional properties particularly high calcium, iron, phosphorous and also good amount of protein, fibre and minerals. With respect to pest and diseases, it was found superior to checks and moderately resistant for the same. Considering the increasing demand of early maturating as well as for late cultivations i.e., after rice plantation the culture WN-585 (GN-8) with early maturing, high yield potential culture, desirable grain quality and moderately resistant to foot rot and blast disease. It is proposed to release this culture for early maturing Nagli growing dry lands, hill and tribal areas of South and Middle Gujarat.

The spatial and temporal variability of rainfall, its uneven and inadequate distribution determines the success or failure of crops especially in drought prone areas. The knowledge of distribution of seasonal rainfall during monsoon month is essential for crop planning and management of rainfed farming. Daily rainfall data for the period 1998 to 2017 were analyzed for different talukas of Yavatmal district. The average monsoon seasonal rainfall varied from 556.75 mm to 890.64 mm while average seasonal rainfall during low, medium and high rainfall years varied in the range of 409.2 to 616.7 mm, 549.9 to 938.4 mm and 702.2 to 1200.1 mm respectively in different taluka stations in Yavatmal district. The monsoon duration during low, medium and high rainfall years at different taluka places in Yavatmal district was found in the range of 62 to 102 days, 71 to 110 days and 92 to 117 days respectively while mean monsoon duration during the season varied in the range of 80 to 105 days. Spatial variation maps for seasonal rainfall (mm) and monsoon duration were developed using ArcGIS (version 10.1) which can be used for crop planning of the region.

The average productivity of the Maharashtra state is low as compared to other rice growing states in India. With this view research was conducted in Kolhapur district of western Maharashtra. Majority of the paddy growers belonged to the middle age group (50.77 percent). More than 50% of the paddy growers had completed secondary and higher secondary education and belonged to joint family (56.92 percent) with medium sized families (41.67 percent). All the farmers were adopted soil, ploughing, puddling, time of sowing/ transplanting. Majority (30.76) of farmers suffers from higher labour wages, unavailability of required variety seeds at input dealers and feels that production cost is more and two –fifth (41.54 percent) of farmers suggested that improved variety seeds from university should be made easily available.

A field experiment was conducted in a phosphorus rich soil in the southern district of Kerala to assess the effect of varying levels of P, K and Zn on the nodulation and nutrient uptake in grain cowpea during January to March 2018. The treatments included two levels of P, three levels of Zn and two levels of K laid out in factorial RBD with three replications. The results revealed significantly superior nodule weights for the highest doses of P, K and Zn for main and interaction effects. Nutrient uptake varied and the highest P, K and foliar Zn recorded significantly higher uptake values of P, K and Zn while N uptake was maximum for foliar Zn and no P application. Zn x K recorded a positive interaction for nutrient uptake while P x Zn showed negative interaction in K uptake. Nutrient (N, P, Zn) uptake were higher in grain cowpea grown in high phosphorus soils through foliar application of Zn as ZnSO4 @ 0.025% (at branching and flowering) along with 10 kg K2O ha-1.

The paper examines the inter-sectoral linkages among the four sub-sectors of agriculture, in Jammu & Kashmir economy using cost-benefit and input-out analysis. The paper observed that the inter-sectoral linkages have been undergoing through the different sub-sectors in a positive sense. The ‘agriculture sub-sectors’ linkage has undergone through multi-directional changes in both production and demand side. There has been a significant interdependence among different sub-sectors of agriculture. The results of the study reveal that rice has benefited the study area by higher productivity and cost reduction in production. Further the study reveals that higher marketable surplus and involvement of more human labour have been found specific features of the seed technology to address livelihood and nutritional security issues of the valley in general and district Anantnag in particular. The study further revealed that returns could be increased if the cost accounting of the field crop can be done in an efficient way.

Sugarcane mosaic caused by Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (ScMV) is a serious problem in India’s sugarcane production. ScMV was first reported in India from Pusa during 1921 in sugarcane variety D-99 and now it has been reported in every sugarcane growing areas across India due to its perpetuation through vegetative cuttings and regarded it as a potential threat to sugarcane industry. Our present study was focused on characterization of ScMV and use of PGPR strains to manage the disease. A survey was undertaken in sugarcane grown areas of Andhra Pradesh, India and were found the sugarcane aphid (Melanophis sacchari) and corn leaf aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis) as potential vectors for ScMV. Vector transmission was confirmed using DAC-ELISA. Further, the ScMV was detected in diseased leaves through DAC-ELISA and RT-PCR during our survey. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was also used to detect ScMV from diseased leaf samples. The results showed that all the leaf samples collected were shown positive reaction to the presence of ScMV in RT-PCR with a band at around 0.98 kbp. Further, asymptomatic leaves were also have shown positive reaction with RT-PCR for the presence of ScMV. Whereas, SEM studies showed the presence of poty-virus filamentous particles related to ScMV.

A field experiment was conducted during March-June (Kharif), 2015 at Annamalai University Experimental farm, Department of agronomy, Tamilnadu, India to study the effect of management of weeds in pearl millet based intercropping system. The experiments were laid out in split-plot design replicated thrice with three main treatments viz., Sole pearl millet (M1), Pearlmillet + Cluster beans (M2) and Pearl millet + Moth beans (M3) and four sub treatments viz., Unweeded control (S1), Twice hand weeding (S2), Pendimethalin 0.75kg ha-1 (S3) and Alachlor 0.1 kg ha-1(S4). Among the cropping system Pearlmillet + Cluster beans influenced the growth and yield components of Pearl millet such plant height, LAI, drymatter production and recorded the lowest value of growth and yield components were recorded under sole Pearlmillet. Among the weed management practices, twice handweeding recorded the higher growth and yield components and the least weed population, weed biomass, highest weed control efficiency, weed smothering efficiency by weeds over the unweeded control. The growth, yield components and yield of both the intercrops such as plant height, LAI, DMP were high in twice hand weeding followed by Pendimethalin 0.75kg ha-1 over unweeded control.

Camptothecin (CPT), an indole alkaloid compound. Topotecan and irinotecan, are CPT derivatives approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were effectively used for treating various cancer. We have proved that biotechnological potential of O. mungos for mass multiplication from in vitro grown plants an efficient protocol for the regeneration of endangered O. mungos plants using nodal explants were developed. Initially explants obtained from seed germination of O. mungos. Sterilized seeds of O. mungos were transferred aseptically into MS medium and seed were germinated after 21 days. The nodal explants were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with different concentrations of plant growth regulator N6-benzyladenine (BA) and Thidiazuron (TDZ). The results revealed that the maximum number of shoots (23.06) from nodal explants obtained in MS medium fortified with 2mg/l BA within eight weeks. The maximum shoot elongation (3.76cm) obtained in MS medium fortified with 1.0mg/l Gibberellic acid (GA3) within four weeks. The regenerated shoots rooted well in the MS medium contain 1mg/l Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatized with 100% survival rate in a growth chamber at 25°C, 60 % relative humidity, with 16-hrs photoperiod. The present findings indicate that O. mungos respond favourably for in vitro propagation and these in vitro regenerated flowering plants of O. mungos will be used for over expression of key genes involved in regulating terpenoid indole alkaloid (CPT) biosynthesis.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of different arsenic concentrations on some physiological parameters of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Arsenic was applied as arsenate and arsenite at concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/L. Results revealed that germination percentage, net photosynthesis, chlorophyll content and catalase activity decreased significantly with increase in the concentrations of arsenic. The inhibitory effect of arsenite was more pronounced in reducing pigment content, germination percentage net photosynthesis and catalase activity than arsenate contaminated plants. The increase in lipid peroxidation, peroxidase activity with decline in catalase activity in rice is a typical reaction of plants to oxidative stress.

A field experiment was conducted at the Main Maize Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Godhra in a view to find integrated effect of vermicompost, FYM, Biofertilizers and levels of chemical fertilizers on the growth, yield and quality of sweet corn (Zea mays L.,saccharata) cv. Madhuri. The results revealed that treatment T8 (Application of vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 + 100% RDF (120:40:00 NPK kgha-1) + biofertilizers seed inoculation (ABA-1+ PSB-16)) had significantly enhanced plant growth attributes. In case of plant height and dry matter at 30,60 and at harvest after day of sowing as well as crop growth rate at 30-60 and 60 to at harvest, treatment (T8) significantly found superior over rest of the treatment followed by treatment T10. Regards to yield attributes, treatment T8 obtained maximum dehusked cob's length and girth, number of cobs and average weight of cobs as well as produced the highest green cobs and fodder yield and thereby obtained higher harvest index in treatment T8 followed by T1,T2,T10 and T3. With respects to quality parameters, the total sugar content and TSS were significantly higher under treatment T8 followed by T10 and T2 while, ascorbic acid content was registered significantly highest under T13 than rest of the treatments. Moisture content was found non-significant in all the treatments. Therefore, treatment vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 along with 100% RDF and seed inoculation with biofertilizers (Azotobacter-1 + PSB1-16) (T8) or an application of vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 along with 75% RDF and seed inoculation with biofertilizers (Azotobacter-1 + PSB1-16) (T10) should be better for crop growth, higher green cob yield and better quality for rabi crop.