Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a key regulator of reproduction in mammals. In this study, partial FSHB-3 of HFxG 5040 crossbred bull has been characterized and analysed for the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Analysis revealed that HFxG5040 FSHB-3 has 98.4% homology at nucleotide level and 96.4% homology at amino acid level with cattle FSHB-3 sequences (M83753 & NM_174060). Three SNPs were detected in the FSHB-3 sequence of HFxG5040 (4377G>T, 4453A>G, 4489A>C) compared to cattle M83753 sequence. Amongst the three, the novel SNP 4453A>G led to amino acid change Ser103Gly. Future study with larger number of bulls having Ser103Gly mutation is necessary to confirm role of this substitution on fertility of bulls.

Osmotic dehydration is a novel technique for the production of shelf stable, nutritious and tasty products. Mango is a fruit which is highly relished in both raw and processed form. Various studies have indicated that pretreatment of fruits prior to osmotic dehydration improved the quality of the product. Hence an attempt was made to study the effect of various pretreatments in the quality characteristics of osmo dried fruits. Two varieties of mango namely Bangalora and Pairi were selected for the study. The fruits were washed, peeled, destoned and cut to slices. The slices were given four pretreatments viz., soaking the fruit slices in a solution of citric acid, citric acid + KMS, ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid + KMS for 30 min. After pretreatment the fruit slices were soaked in the osmotic agent (sugar syrup) for 18 h followed by dehydration, cooling and packing. The dried fruit slices were packed in metallised polypropylene packs and subjected to shelf life studies for a period of 180 days. Analysis of the physiochemical qualities, microbial and sensory qualities of the fruit slices during storage, indicated that the osmo dried fruit samples pretreated with ascorbic acid +KMS and citric acid + KMS had retained highly acceptable qualities.

The present study was conducted to study the economics of okra in Middle Gujarat. Results indicated that at overall level, cost of cultivation of okra per hectare was Rs 110259. The per hectare highest cost was found Rs 121107 in case of large farms followed by Rs 117243 on medium farms, Rs 108142 on small farms and Rs 105906on marginal farms. On an average, share of Cost A was 63.51 percent and share of Cost B was 82.51 percent to total cost. Out of total cost of cultivation of okra, maximum share was of cost of seed (15.40 percent) followed by human labour (14.96 percent), manure (11.22 percent), plant protection chemicals (10.29 percent), fertilizer (9.54 percent), tractor charges (5.33 percent), irrigation cost (1.25 percent), depreciation (1.24 percent) and miscellaneous cost (0.25 percent). The highest not payable in cash but accounted expenditure was the rental value of owned land (16.31 percent) followed by managerial costs (9.09 percent), interest on fixed capital (2.69 percent) and interest on working capital (2.44 percent). These items of expenditure accounted for 63.51 percent of total cost. The average yield of okra per hectare was 155.61 quintals on sample farms which realized Rs 222677.91, Rs 152784, Rs 131835 and Rs 133501 as gross income, farm business income, family labour income and farm investment income, respectively. The net profit per hectare over Cost C2 was Rs 112552. It varied from Rs 105086 on marginal farms to Rs 129484 on large farms. The overall input-output ratio on Cost C2 was 1:2.02. Looking to the cost, return and input-output ratio, it is concluded that okra cultivation was profitable vegetable crop in middle Gujarat condition.

Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal crop followed by rice, wheat, maize and barley in the world. Globally, sorghum is cultivated on 41 million hectares to produce 64.20 million tonnes with productivity covering around 16.0 qha-1 per hectare. Different sowing windows affects crop growth and yield considerably. Therefore, optimum sowing windows for better crop yield is essential. Crop yield depends on the duration of crop growth also, as it determines the grain filling duration of crops. This study discusses about how different sowing windows impacts the duration of crop growth. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years at the Department of Agricultural Meteorology Farm, College of Agriculture, Pune during rabi 2016 and 2017. The experiment was laid out in split -plot design with three replications with sixteen treatment combinations were formed considering different varieties and sowing windows. Main plot treatments were varieties which comprised of, Maldandi (M-35-1) Phule Vasudha, Phule Maulee and Phule Chitra. Sub plot treatments were sowing dates, which comprised of 35th MW (27 Aug-02 Sep), 37th MW (10 Sep-16 Sep), 39th MW (24 Sep- 30 Sep), 41st MW (08 Oct-14 Oct). Results showed that the days to panicle initiation (35 and 34) was observed significantly higher in 35th MW of sowing and it was at par with 37th MW of sowing (34 and 34), followed by 39th MW (S1) of (33 and 33), 41st MW (S4) (28 and 27) during both the seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively. The days to 50 percent flowering (60 and 59) and was observed significantly lower in 41st MW (S4) sowing window, followed by 39th MW (S1) sowing window (71 and 70), 37th MW of sowing (73 and 72) and 35th MW of sowing window (75 and 73) during both the seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively.

The district wise daily rainfall and average yield of groundnut data were used over a period of 48 years i.e. from 1970 to 2017. Aggregate rainfall approach and different statistical models viz., Linear, Quadratic, Cubic, Quartic, Exponential, Wilmink, Parabolic Exponential, Wood’s Gamma, Inverse Quadratic, Mixed Log, Heat Capacity and Monomolecular were tried to fit the statistical models on rainfall and groundnut production in Junagadh district of Gujarat state. The appropriate statistical model was selected on the basis of adjusted R2, significant regression co-efficient, co-efficient of determination (R2) and RMSE. The maximum adjusted R2 of 57 percent was observed in case of Parabolic Exponential model with the comparatively lower values of root mean square (303.0) in comparison to that of other fitted models. In general, it was observed that Parabolic Exponential model could be recommended as pre harvest forecast models, as its better predictability as compared to other fitted models. This suggests that inclusion of certain other daily weather parameters like air temperature, relative humidity, sunshine and wind speed in the models, may improve to the high predictability of the groundnut yield.

The present study was carried out to estimate the genetic parameters on sixteen morpho-physiological traits with thirty-one mungbean genotypes. The results revealed that based on the per se performance, the genotypes LGG 450 and MGG 350 showed superior performance for yield as well as drought tolerance traits suggesting that these genotypes could be exploited in the breeding programme to develop drought tolerant lines coupled with high yield. High to moderate GCV estimates and high heritability with high genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for number of pods per plant, 100 seed weight, relative injury, chlorophyll stability index, specific leaf area and chlorophyll content indicating that the variation in the above characters most likely due to additive gene effects, hence simple directional selection may be effective to improve these characters.

The present experiment was carried out during the Kharif 2017 at experimental farm College of Horticulture, SDAU, Jagudan (Gujarat). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with thirteen treatments viz., RDF- 100:50:50 kg NPK/ha + FYM 20t/ha (T1), 75 % T1 + Pressmud 1.25 t/ha (T2), 50 % T1 + Pressmud 2.5 t/ha (T3), 75 % T1 + Vermicompost 2.5 t/ha (T4), 50 % T1 + Vermicompost 5.0 t/ha (T5), T2 + Azospirillum 2.5 l/ha + PSB 2.5 l/ha (T6), T3 + Azospirillum 2.5 l/ha + PSB 2.5 l/ha (T7), T4 + Azospirillum 2.5 l/ha + PSB 2.5 l/ha (T8), T5 + Azospirillum 2.5 l/ha + PSB 2.5 l/ha (T9), T6 + ZnSO4 20 kg/ha (T10), T7 + ZnSO4 20 kg/ha (T11), T8 + ZnSO4 20 kg/ha (T12), T9 + ZnSO4 20 kg/ha (T13).The results revealed that the significantly maximum stem thickness at 45 DAS (11.04 mm) and at 90 DAS (19.09 mm), highest plant height at 45 DAS (32.61 cm) and at 90 DAS (116.50 cm), maximum number of leaves per plant at 45 DAS (8.89) and at 90 DAS (17.30), maximum leaf area per plant at 60 DAS (1819.12 cm2), maximum days taken to last picking (107.91), number of pod per plant (13.13), pod yield per plant (217.54 g), pod yield per plot (6.97 kg) and pod yield per hectare (120.86 q) were recorded with treatment T13. Significantly maximum was recorded with treatment T13).

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.), a member of the family, Zingiberaceae is the main cash crop cultivated in the sub-Himalayan state of Sikkim and Darjeeling District of West Bengal. It is a shade loving plant (sciophyte), has its natural habitat in the humid subtropical semi-evergreen forests of mountainous sub-Himalayan region. It grows well in the altitudes of 600-2000 m MSL receiving annual rainfall of 2000-3500 mm apportioned over 200 days. Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Regional Station, Spices Board Tadong released two high yielding varieties in the year 2004 for cultivation in Sikkim and Darjeeling. These two varieties viz. ICRI Sikkim 1 and ICRI Sikkim 2 are selection from the cultivar Sawney. Propagation of large cardamom is mainly done through seeds and suckers in field level. However, tissue culture techniques are also used for propagation now a day. The suckers collected from high yielding disease-free, elite plantations having one mature tiller with one or two immature tillers or vegetative buds is used as planting units. In this paper we report the crop cultivars and varieties with emphasis on nursery propagation of large cardamom.

GST is a revolutionary tax reform introduced in India on 1st July 2017. It promises to infuse fresh vigour into Indian economy by unifying the whole nation into a single market. It eliminates the cascading effect of multiple taxes. It has been a year since its implementation hence it is important to know how people perceive the new tax reform. This research is an exploratory study done in Varanasi by convenient sampling of 100 respondents from Kashi Vidyapeeth Block. To know the perception of people regarding GST, Likert scale and one sample t test is used as the statistical techniques.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is one of the main staple foods for the world's poorest and most food insecure people across the semi-arid tropics and it is an important food crop in India. Optimum time of sowing is one of the important technologies that gives an opportunity for better utilization of natural resources by the crop. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years at the Department of Agricultural Meteorology Farm, College of Agriculture, Pune during rabi 2016 and 2017. The experiment was laid out in split -plot design with three replications with sixteen treatment combinations were formed considering different varieties and sowing windows. Main plot treatments were varieties which comprised of, Maldandi (M-35-1) Phule Vasudha, Phule Maulee and Phule Chitra. Sub plot treatments were sowing dates, which comprised of 35th MW (27 Aug-02 Sep), 37th MW (10 Sep-16 Sep), 39th MW (24 Sep- 30 Sep), 41st MW (08 Oct-14 Oct). Results showed that the higher GDD was observed under 35th MW sowing window in variety Phule Vasudha (1783.8 and 1871.6) during 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively. Higher photo thermal units (PTU) observed under 35th MW sowing window in Phule Vasudha (21406.2 and 22454.9) during 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively. Higher HTU (12322 and 122893) was observed under 35th MW sowing window (S3) in variety Phule Vasudha (V2) during 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively. Variety Phule Maulee accumulated the lower HTU values (9196.4 and 7564.3) during 2016-17 and 22017-18, respectively. 35th MW sowing window has shown the higher accumulation of all the three thermal indices during both the years. Phule Vasudha has shown the highest accumulation of heat units in all the sowing windows during both the years.

The study of 197 clinically suspected native crossbred cows of Kashmir Valley were examined to identify the blood protozoan infections among them. Out of 197 samples screened, 23 cases were found positive for one or other blood protozoa with occurrence of 11.67%, out of which 19 cases (9.64%) accounted for babesiosis, 3 cases (1.52%) for theileriosis and 1 case (05.1%) for anaplasmosis. Animals suffered more during warmer seasons, recording highest incidence of 16.676% for summer followed by 8.69%, 7.50% and 4.67% in Autum, Spring and Winter season respectively. Among 23 positive animals 19 (82.60%) were above 5 years of age and remaining 4 (17.40%) aged between 2 to 4 years. Treatment with Buparvaqunone for theileriosis, Diamazene aceturate for babesiosis and Oxytetracycline for Anaplasmosis with supportive therapy was found to be highly effective. Present observations constitute the first report on the presence of vector borne blood protozoan diseases in native crossbred cows of Kashmir valley.

India is the second largest producer of fruits. Total production of fruits is 81285 thousand million tones and area 6982 thousand ha in India. Fruits production in Madhya Pradesh comprises6.7 percent in total fruits production and 2.8 percent in total area of India. Post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables are very high(20-40%). About 10-15 per cent fresh fruits and vegetables shrivel and decay, because lowering their market value and consumer acceptability. Minimizing these losses can increase their supply without bringing additional and under cultivation. Improper handling and storage cause physical damage due to tissue breakdown. Present study conducted to examine the post-harvest losses of fruits in Jabalpur regulated market in Madhya Pradesh. The maximum post-harvest losses were found in mango (1542.3q/yr) as compare to papaya (1470.5q/yr) and banana (1422q/yr). Amongst the different fruits and the different operation, the maximum losses found to be in banana during storage (43.4%) while in papaya (39.75%) and mango (38.3%). Maximum post-harvest losses observed during transportation. Post-harvest losses occur because of poor transportation facilities, lack of knowhow poor management and improper market facilities or due to careless handling of the produce by farmers, market intermediaries and consumers.

Investigations were conducted to assess the viability and vigour potential of male parental line (UMI 1230) in maize hybrid COH (M) 6 seeds obtained from the Agricultural Research Station, Bhavanisagar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The initial seed qualities of male parental line (UMI 1230) in maize hybrid COH (M) 6 were analysed and after, the seeds were subjected to different seed treatments viz.,Halopolymer @ 4 ml kg-1, Halogenation mixture @ 3 g kg-1, Carbendazim @2 g kg-1. Untreated seeds served as Control. The seeds were packed in cloth bag and 700 gauge thick polythene containers and stored in ambient condition. Seed samples were tested for its physiological parameters viz., germination %, seedling length, vigor index and electrical conductivity at bimonthly intervals. The results revealed that male parental line (UMI 1230) in maize hybrid COH (M) 6 seeds treated with halogenation mixture @ 3 g kg-1 maintained the germination and vigour potential of seeds up to 10 months of storage than halopolymer @ 4 ml kg-1. Moisture proof container of 700 gauge thick polythene bag performed better storer than cloth bag which reflected by the changes in electrical conductivity.

The pluriparous buffalo in third parity was presented with the history of a completed gestation period, initiated parturition process with the rupture of water bag around 12 h ago. Per-vaginal examination with well lubricated gloved hand revealed dystocia due to fetal maldisposition with dorso-pubic position and deviation of head. The animal was laid in the recumbent position, and with the application of obstetrical mutations and three-point traction, a live male fetus was delivered. The case depicts the birth of live fetus after prolonged period of water bag rupture

Aonla is an important minor arid fruit crop which is indigenous to Indian sub-continent. It is a fruit endowed with ample of nutritional and medicinal properties. Though the fruit in raw form is not accepted in table purpose due to its high astringency but the value of its processed product has been increasing worldwide in a sky rocketing manner. The cultivation of aonla crop is gaining importance because the nutritional as well as therapeutic value is realized and supported by the general public. The main intent of this review is to accentuate the nutritional and medicinal properties of aonla fruit and further make a motion for the setting up of aonla processing plants which will stimulate our innovative farmers to come up with more area under aonla cultivation.

The present study was undertaken in tribal villages of Community Development block Kalsi, district Dehradun of Uttarakhand state. Objective of this paper is to evaluate hybrid rice technology to ensure to the long-term food security and better livelihood of tribal farming community in the targeted areas. Through this study we could able to ascertain the impact of hybrid rice production technology in enhancing and stabilizing income of tribal rice growing farmers. Farm income distribution pattern among tribal farmers was considered as a major parameter to assess the impact of technology on household income. Farm-level data of 89 randomly selected households was used to analyze the input demand and income of rice growing households during 2013-14. The average yield of hybrid was 45 % higher than the HYVs viz: Pantdhan 4, 10, 11, 12 etc. being grown on the farms in surveyed area. Based on analysis, it is found that compared with conventional modern varieties Pantdhan 4, 10, 11 and 12, the promising hybrid (Arize 6444) uses about 3% less input. Analysis revealed that, given the same level of inputs, the grain yield and net return of hybrid is potentially higher by 45% and 58%, respectively, than the series of Pantdhan growing varieties in targeted area. Out of total annual income, farm income which was Rs.1,00,437/- /households in the base year 2011-12 increased up to Rs.1,12,288/- in 2013-14 due to increased production. Variability of farm-level income between these two periods also narrow down with increase in average income of households. Policies for hybrid rice research, extension approach for large-scale adoption and their impact on households’ rice economy and food security are discussed in this study.

The field experiments were conducted at Department of Oilseeds, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during kharif seasons for three consecutive years from 2013 to 2015. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with eight treatments. The crop was irrigated as per the requirement and recommended dose of fertilizers were applied for better growth and development. Pre emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg ai/ha followed by one hand weeding at 30 DAS is the best IWM practice for getting effective and economical weed control in irrigated sunflower. Combinations of pre emergence herbicide pendimethalin and post emergence herbicides viz., quizalofop ethyl, propaquizofop and fenoxyprop ethyl was not effective against broad leaved weeds infested field in sunflower, though they were not were phytotoxic to sunflower.

The present investigation was designed to study the extent of utilization of ICT tools among the staff and students. The present study was conducted in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu state. A sample size of 120 staff and students was selected for this study by using proportionate random sampling method. The findings of this study revealed that the extent of utilization of ICT tools was observed to be medium by the staff and students. They utilize the Internet/ web services, web-based search engines and social media in frequent intervals and their duration of usage was 4-7 days/ week at the maximum of 3-5 hours and the time of surfing distributed throughout the day. The purpose of utilization of ICT tools by the staff and students mostly for gaining knowledge and their preference of utilization is mainly need based, easy to operate nature and also for its effectiveness and attractiveness.

Oilseed productivity in the country is being constrained by shrinking soil fertility, inadequate and imbalanced fertilization and climatic constraints. PGRs mitigate abiotic and biotic stress and a number of laboratory/pot culture studies confirm to a strong synergistic interaction between auxins and brassinosteroids/BR but field studies in this line are meager. Therefore, N and S dynamics mainly soil depletions, crop uptake and unaccounted losses were studied through balance sheet method under different nutrient treatments and plant growth regulators/PGRs to achieve sustained higher productivity of Indian mustard during winters of 2012 and 2013 in Udaipur region. Eight nutrient treatments i.e. 75 and 100% recommended dose of fertilizers/RDF and their combinations with 5 t farm yard manure ha-1/FYM, bio-fertilizers (Azotobacter + PSB) and FYM+ bio-fertilizers in main plots and four PGRs (water spray, BR 0.5 ppm, Indole acetic acid/IAA 50 ppm and BR 0.5 + IAA 50 ppm) in sub plots were evaluated in a split plot design replicated thrice. Results show that 100% RDF + FYM+ bio-fertilizers outperformed other nutrient treatments in pooled seed and stover yield (3231 and 13604 kg ha-1), crop N and S uptake(157.23 and 79.43 kg ha-1, respectively) and available soil N and S at crop harvest (272.53 and 25.44 kg ha-1, respectively). Among PGRs, BR + IAA registered significantly higher pooled seed and stover yield (2922 and 12379 kg ha-1) and crop N and S uptake (142.11 and 69.52 kg ha-1, respectively).

An experiment was conducted in Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2017-18 to study the suitable seed dry dressing treatments to alleviate the deleterious effects during storage and improve the physiological and biochemical performance of seeds in blackgram CO 6. The seeds were subjected to different seed treatments with botanicals Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed powder @ 3g/kg, Castor (Ricinus communis) oil @ 5ml/kg, Neem (Azadirachata indica) oil @ 5ml/kg; Sea weed Sargassum myricocystum @ 3g/kg, Gracilaria edulis @ 3g/kg and Nano particles of ZnO@1250mg/kg of seeds and untreated seeds served as control. Seed samples were drawn at monthly intervals and tested its physical, physiological and biochemical properties. The result revealed that blackgram CO 6 seeds treated with Nano particles of ZnO@1250mg/kg, recorded maximum seed germination (88%) than control (79%) and maintained the antioxidant enzyme activity of seeds up to 12 months of storage followed by Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed powder @ 3 g/kg. Super grain bag performed as better storer than cloth bag and it was evident that anti oxidative enzymes and better cell membrane integrity of stored seeds increased after seed treatments. Since, these treatments contain higher antioxidant activity and rich in minerals such as titanium, molybdenum and iron, apart from other trace elements.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a novel paradigm shift in information technology (IT) sector. The sensor data visualization for agriculture has a great opportunity for mobile technology. Cloud computing offers several applications in the field of agriculture with limited infrastructure and costs. The IoT food supply chains can become self-adaptive systems in which smart objects operate, decide, and learn autonomously. This review paper discusses IoT application in agriculture in developed and developing countries and suggests a conceptual framework for IoT application in State Agricultural Universities of India. By 2020, the world will be having around five billion mobile subscribers and most of these will reside in China and India. Hence, there is a scope for IoT application in Indian agriculture. Any initiative that could move a part of the agriculture and food enterprise into the IoT platform/cloud at a cost-effective price would help the Indian agriculture and food sector.

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), known as the “King of spices” and “black gold” is prone to attack by burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis and fungal wilt pathogen, Phytophthora capsici causing wilt complex and considerable yield loss. The field experiment was carried out in the farmer’s field, with a view to evaluate bioagents (Trichoderma harzianum, Purpureomyces lilacinum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis), organic amendment (Neem cake) and chemicals (Carbofuran and Bordeaux mixture) separately and in combination for the management of Radopholus similis and Phytophthora capsici. The final population of R. similis in soil was lowest in T4: Bordeaux mixture (1 %) + P. lilacinum (50 g) (302.66/200 cc soil), followed by T6: Carbofuran 3G (15 g) (335.33 nematodes/200 cc soil), T13: Bordeaux mixture (1%)+ Carbofuran- 3G (15 g) (349.33 nematodes/200 cc soil) and T11: P. lilacinum (50 g) (371.33 nematodes/200 cc sol) as compared to untreated control (922.00 nematodes/200 cc soil) respectively. The final root population of R. similis was minimum in T4: Bordeaux mixture (1 %) + P. lilacinum (50 g) (150.66/5 g roots) followed by T13: Carbofuran 3G (15 g) (178.00 /5 g roots nematodes) as compared to untreated control (478.00/5 g roots) respectively. The lowest foliar yellowing, defoliation and lesion indices were observed in the treatment T4: Bordeaux mixture (1 %) + P. lilacinum (50 g) (1.33, 1.00 and 1.00) followed by T2: Bordeaux mixture (1 %) + T. harzianum (50 g) (1.66, 1.33 and 1.00) and these two treatments were on par with each other. Vines treated with Bordeaux mixture (1 %) spray + T. harzianum (50 g) recorded maximum dry berry weight of 2.27 g / vine and it was on par with vines treated with Bordeaux mixture (1 %) + P. lilacinum (50 g) with 2.05 g/vine. However, untreated control vines recorded lowest dry berry weight (0.63 g) and it was on par with Carbofuran 3G (15 g) (1.04g).

Blackgram is mainly grown in India after the gram, redgram and it produce 1.5 to 1.9 million tonnes and having area 3.5 million hectares. Blackgram having average productivity about 500kg/ hectares. Blackgram is the main crop in Karnataka having area 1.26 Lakh hectares with the production of 0.64 lakh tonnes and having productivity 507 kg per hectares. The research study conducted mainly in 2 districts viz, Bidar and Kalaburagi districts of North Eastern Karnataka during the year 2014-15. This study aims to quantify the gap between average yield obtained at the farmers field and yield at package of practice of blackgram also reasons for low yield and constraints encountered by blackgram growers in adoption of recommended cultivation practices. The results of the study revealed that, there were 21.40 percent yield gap observed between yield of package of practice and farmers field. The constraints faced by the respondents in adoption of recommended cultivation practices, in order of priority, majority (85.83 %) of the respondents indicated shortage of labours and high cost of inputs (64.17 %). Whereas, 55.83 percent of the respondents expressed financial constraints and 52.50 percent of the respondents expressed non-availability of FYM.

Two sets of field trials were experimented during Kharif, 2014 at the research farm of College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal to investigate the susceptibility of promising rice varieties and new molecules on the incidence of rice whorl maggot (Hydrellia philippina) in rice-crop-ecosystem of Manipur valley. The results on the resistant reaction of fifteen rice varieties to H. philippina revealed that though none of screened varieties showed immune or high degree of resistance to the pest, all the varieties significantly reacted against the test insect pests. However, lowest incidence of H. philippina was noticed in the var. CAU-R1 of minimum leaf infestation 9.85 per cent followed by in varieties RC-MANI-PHOU-11 (10.07%) which were at par with each other. Among the various new molecular insecticides field evaluated against the pest, Fipronil 5 SC @ 100 ml a.i. ha-1 was found effective. The pooled mean data on extent of leaf damage of two sprays showed that Fipronil 5 SC @ 100 ml a.i. ha-1 proved as the most effective compound with minimum leaf damage of 4.78 per cent as against 11.60 percent in untreated control.

Water quality and soil compaction are the two important parameters that influences the normal infiltration rate for the applied water or rainfall. The infiltration rate of water into soil varies widely and can be greatly influenced by the quality of the irrigation water and degree of compaction. This experiment was carried out to know the impact of these two factors on sandy loam and clay soil. To obtain the representative values, a total of 96 locations were identified covering all the plots to measure the infiltration characteristics of the soils in no tillage condition and later in primary tillage condition. In each plot two sample readings were taken with different irrigation quality water such as fresh water, 2 EC, 4 EC, 6 EC etc. The infiltration rate is found to be varying from 0.21 to 0.31 cm/hr in combine harvested field and varying from 0.78 to 3.80 cm/hr in No combine harvested field after the application of tillage. This shows the variation of infiltration rate is more in sandy loam soil when compared with clay soil.