The area of present investigation was Ferozepur Jhirka block located in the Nuh district of Haryana, India which is surrounded by the oldest mountain range- The Aravali Hills. This area is having a considerable biodiversity of underutilesed plants which are not harness fully due to which a wide gap is formed between health and optimal use of natural source of nutrients. In this investigation we were studied and surveyed the Underutilized fruit plants like Kachari, Lasora, Jaal, Kair, Jhari Ber etc which are lesser-known plant species. The present study revealed that the total 24 plants species belongs to 21 genera and 15 families which are commonly consumed by the local people of the area for flavor and taste with a very low knowledge about their nutritional and health benefits. These fruits such as Sahjan, Karonda, Jaal, Lasora etc are the rich source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers which have the nutritional potential to prevent and cure the malnutrition problem and become a solution to the poverty and unemployment.

Dissemination of labour saving and cost reduction technology in rice cultivation was the need of the hour in view of labour shortage and increasing cost of cultivation. In view of increased labour demand, cost and climatic resiliency, paddy cultivation with drum seeder technology as a method of increasing yield and reduce cost of cultivation was found successful in many countries and major rice growing tracts in India as well. Technology has been promoted in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh since one decade the horizontal expansion of the technology was not up to the expectations. Hence present study was taken up with the main objective of identifying and analyzing the adoption of recommended package of practices by the farmers who are practicing drum seeder technology and to recognize the constraints in adoption of the recommended package under drum seeder technology. The study was conducted in 2015 with a sample of Sixty (60) drum seeder practicing farmers across the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.

Front line demonstrations are the best powerful tool of extension to motivate the farmer for adoption of an innovation. 450 FLDs on Soybean were organized for three years in kharif season of 2014-15 to 2016-17 in 19 adopted villages by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Banswara in Rajasthan. The improved technologies consist, use of high yielding short duration variety JS 95-60, proper seed rate, seed inoculation with rhizobium and PSB culture, integrated nutrient management and integrated pest management. Average higher yield (10.66q/ha) was obtained in the demonstration plot over local check (7.00 q/ha) and an additional yield of 52.62 percent was obtained in demonstration plot. In spite of increase in yield of soybean, technology gap, extension gap and technology index existed. The improved technology gave higher gross return, net return with higher benefit cost ratio (2.12) as farmer’s practice (1.52). An average additional investment of Rs. 2200 per ha coupled with scientific monitoring of front line demonstration and non monitoring factors were resulted in additional return of Rs. 11457 per ha.

Day old 120 broiler birds were equally divided in 4 groups and treated with 5 gm Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder (T1) and 2 gm Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) whole plant powder (T2), 5 gm Ashwagandha root powder and 2 gm Kalmegh whole plant powder (T3) per kg feed and control (T0) supplied only plain feed. Growth parameters as mean live body weight, gain in body weight, feed consumption and feed efficiency were estimated weekly during 1st - 6th weeks and skin thickness, Serum Glutamic Pyurvate Transminase (SGPT)) and Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetate Transminase (SGOT) levels were measured during 3rd - 6th weeks to judge immune response in broilers to Ashwagandha and Kalmegh. Results revealed as, T1 and T3 significantly (P<0.05) increased live body weight, gain in body weight and feed efficiency with slight increase in feed consumption, while T2 group significantly (P<0.05) increased live body weight, feed efficiency with slightly increased gain in body weight and feed consumption as compared with T0. T1, T2 and T3 significantly (P<0.05) increased broiler birds skin thickness and significantly (P<0.01) reduced SGPT and SGOT levels as compared to T0. In conclusion, the herbs Ashwagandha and Kalmegh promotes growth in broiler birds along with enhance immunity and liver functions.

In developing countries, one third of total population was peasant and women. Women get only one tenth of the total income of the world and were owner of less than 1 percent assets. The physical strain of female farmers seems to be too high because of heavy work tasks done by them in agriculture. The study was conducted in Kurukshetra district of Haryana state with the objective of analyzing drudgery in paddy cultivation. Result showed that the women devoted 9.5 man days and man devoted 9.6 man days in cultivation of one acre of paddy still the results appear to lend support that most drudgery ridden tasks are assigned to women. The data revealed that in case of women respondent age, caste and size of family found to be significantly but negatively correlated with drudgery in paddy cultivation this might be due to the fact that respondents of younger age group, belonging to lower caste, having large family were working as agricultural labours on others farms used to undertake higher drudgery load in paddy cultivation operations.

The present study was undertaken to find out the response of mungbean varieties with foliar spray of nutrients and growth regulators on yield and seed quality. Treatment consisted of three varieties viz; Pant Mung 2 (small seeded), Pant Mung 4 (medium seeded) and Pant Mung 5 (bold seeded) and six foliar sprays (urea 2%, NPK 2%, DAP 2%, salicylic acid 100 ppm and indole butyric acid 100 ppm and control). Foliar spray of nutrients and growth regulators was done twice 40 and 55 days after sowing. Results revealed that bold seeded variety Pant Mung 5 recorded the highest seed yield and yield attributes, whereas the highest biological yield was noticed in small seeded variety Pant Mung 2, which resulted in lowest harvest index. Seed quality parameters was also highest in bold seeded variety Pant Mung 5.In case of foliar spray of nutrients and growth regulators, 2% DAP produced significantly higher yield which was at par with 2% urea and 100 ppm salicylic acid. Thousand seed weight was also significantly highest in foliar spray of 2% DAP followed by 2% urea. Protein content in seeds increased significantly in foliar spray with 2% urea whereas, other seed quality parameters such as germination percentage and vigour index were significantly highest in foliar spray of 100 ppm salicylic acid. The data showed significant effect of interaction of varieties and foliar spray of nutrients and growth regulator on grain weight per plant and protease enzyme activity.

The new world of electronic banking is changing day by day the younger generation is more willing to take risks than the older segments. The study was conducted in Hisar district of Haryana with the objective to identify the online banking practices among different age group and examine the challenges of internet banking. The study revealed that on average the old segments does not use internet banking because most of them does not have internet and also find the technology more difficult to use.

Seeds of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) deteriorate at a rate sufficiently rapid to make them a poor planting material soon after the attainment of physiological maturity but can be minimisal by seed enhancement methods. The blue-green micro algae Spirulina platensis contains more beneficial nutrients including macro and micro nutrients, vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants. The aim is to exploit Splirulina plantensis for seed priming to prevent seed deterioration and to improve germination and vigour of blackgram seeds. Medium vigour black gram seeds were subjected to hydropriming for 3 hours (T2); priming with Splirulina plantensis extract at 1.5% for 3 hours (T3) while unprimed seeds served as control (T1). Then, the seeds were artificial aged under 40± 1°C and 95± 5 % for five days. The results revealed that the seed priming with Spirulina platensis extract at 1.5% for 3 hours had significantly improved all the physiological and biochemical seed quality parameters than the hydropriming and control. Thus, Spirulina platensis extract can be used for organic seed treatments and seed quality enhancement in blackgram.

The Vegetables’ production varies over the period and the arrival of Vegetables in Market led to change in Prices of the Vegetables in Market. The movement in Market can affect consumption and income of growers. Study of stability in Arrival and Prices of Vegetables is need of the hour. For the present study the monthly data on Arrival and Prices on Major Vegetables i.e., Tomatoes, Potatoes, Onion and Red Chili is collected from the records of the Nagpurs’ Kalamna Market from 1997 to 2017. The Compound Growth Rates, Instability Indices and Impact of Arrival on Prices are estimated to study Market Movement of Vegetables. From the results of the analysis of the Market Movement in Arrival and Prices of Major Vegetables in Kalamna Market, it found that the growth in Arrival was negative in first period and was positive in tomatoes and Red Chili in second period. Growth in prices is positive and significant in whole period. Instability Indices of the Prices of the Vegetables were more unstable as compared to Arrivals during the selected period. The increase in Arrival of Vegetables in market led to decline in Prices.

The study was conducted to find the shelf life of panchagavya using groundnut oil cake and sesame oil instead of ghee as it is costly. Samples were collected one month after adding the ingredients and six months after the addition of ingredients. Extract was prepared and were analysed in GCMS for various biochemical properties. Derivatives of phenols, alcohols, esters and fatty acids were present in all the formulations of Panchagavya. The presence of vitamin E and gamma tocopherol in panchagavya produced with groundnut oil cake was responsible for the hindering of the rancidity of the organic product. But, fatty acids present in panchagavya prepared with sesame oil was responsible for rancidity thereby decreasing the shelf life of panchagavya.

Rajasthan being a desert state by its geography, having multiple challenges for agriculture, in the state about 0.67 Mn ha area is with irrigation facilities, out of that around 0.10 Mn ha area was brought under micro irrigation technologies since inception of CSS scheme in 1992 (2016). Still more than 0.56 Mn Ha area is untapped and requires around next 50 years to brought under micro irrigation as per pace observed over two decades. Sustainable development in any system is required, where focus is on to judicious use of resources to light the present need without impairing the environment. In agriculture, water is one of key component which is directly play inordinate role in meeting present food and feed requirement for mankind and animals respectively. In agriculture around 83% water alone is used out of other sectorial needs for drinking, industry, recreational etc. Judicious uses of these resources attract attention largely. In agriculture resource management particularly, water is key area where we can reduce the demand largely against 83% of it. As modern micro irrigation technologies claims 20 to 50 % more efficiency over traditional irrigation methods. This will open the way to utilize these scare resources efficiently to meet the present demand and simultaneously conserve them for future generation. In Rajasthan because of its geography and other demographic factors, these modern irrigation technologies can play vital role in changing the economic trait of the state. These technologies are being used in the state more or less from last four decades but real uses of these technologies still to harvest. Necessary support to adopt these irrigation technologies is still having its relevancy beside various subsidy/incentives schemes from Central and State Governments. These technologies require strong technical knowhow to opt, adopt and run to harvest best of these and this will be only possible to push this technology harder to the field having awareness program and various monitoring methodology of it. Workshops and seminar and or other way of transferring the technology to educate the trainers are essential component to bring the insights of these technologies. By educating in turn to target grass root field functionaries and creating success stories would lure the farmers to adopt these micro irrigation technologies in proper way. Industry and Government both have their manpower to train and push these technologies in greater way. These technologies are very promising in water saving up to 70% beside increase in yield ranges from 20 to 100% as observed in the field for different area and crops of the state.

India has outpaced global milk production. Karnataka ranks 9th with 4604 thousand number of in milk bovine population and it ranks 11th in the list of top milk producing states in India, with the milk production of 6562 thousand tonnes and 10402 thousand tonnes annually, respectively. Hence, the study on growth in bovine population and milk production was purposively selected in Karnataka state. Compound annual growth rates and instability index were computed for better interpretation of the results. It was found that the annual compound growth in bovine population in the state was 2.53 percent per year during (1995-96 to 2012-13). But this growth rate was insignificant and more stable over the study period. Milk production in Karnataka state grew at relatively low rate 5.48 percent per annum during (2006-07 to 2015-16), but this growth was more stable. Hence, there is a need and also scope to improve milk production in the Karnataka state by increasing the bovine population in the state.

Women play a vital role for families, sustaining communities and managing natural resources. The DAY-NRLM being implemented in many states of the country as a poverty alleviation programme designed to empower women for self-development so that the poor create and manage their own development opportunities. The present study was conducted in Jagdalpur of Bastar region of Chhattisgarh state. For the primary investigation total 130 respondents were selected through proportionate random sampling method. The data were collected with the help of well-structured interview schedule. The results of the study indicate that maximum number of the respondents were illiterate (31%) and 50 percent had middle age group (between 36 to 55 years). Majority of women (62%) belongs to nuclear family. Agriculture & subsidiary occupation (31%) was the major occupation of the family and 62 percent of the family belonged from low income group. The study revealed that 46 percent women families were landless. The study reported that 42 percent of the rural women had medium economic motivation and 46 percent belonged to medium mass media exposure. The study reports that 50 percent of rural women had medium extension education contact and 42 percent had medium training exposure. About 46 percent of the respondents had medium level of income generation. Age, education and caste had non-significant association and influenced in empowering the rural women, whereas annual income, occupation, economic motivation, scientific orientation and mass media exposure had significant association with income generation of rural women respectively.

A field trial was conducted to monitor the impact of five isolates of Bacillus sp. viz. Bacillus licheniformis CKA1, Bacillus subtilis CB 8 A, Bacillus sp. RG1, Bacillus sp. S1 and Bacillus sp. S2 @ 109 CFU in combination with GA3 (25, 50 and 75 ppm) on plant growth, physiological parameters, yield and leaf nutrient status of strawberry cv. Chandler during the years 2013-14. The study showed significant effects of the treatments where the maximum plant height, leaf area, number of crowns per plant were recorded from T15, while the maximum plant spread in T12 and the number of runners per plant in T18. The number of fruits and yield were highest in T12 and lowest in control (T19). The physiological parameters viz. chlorophyll content in T9, rate of photosynthesis in T15 while stomatal conductance and transpiration rate in T18 were recorded maximum. Treatments also had significant effects on leaf nutrient contents in which maximum leaf nitrogen and manganese were recorded in T9, whereas phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc in T18.The potassium was highest in T6 and iron, copper in T12. Study revealed that the PGPR can be used for sustainable fruit production.

Thermo–sensitive genic male sterility (TGMS) is a system in which temperature controls the sterility/fertility expression. TGMS genes are conditioned by temperature variations during critical thermosensitive stage. TGMS plants become male sterile when temperature is above critical sterility temperature (CST) and it remains fertile if the temperature is below the CST. It can overcome the difficulties in three line system of hybrid rice development and can successfully be utilized in tropical countries where significant variations in temperature exist between season and between altitudes. Frequent fluctuations in temperature can affect pure hybrid seed set in TGMS rice since complete male sterility is a prerequisite for hybridisation programmes. Phytohormones play a key role in attaining functional spikelet development. They are also involved in the thermo signalling pathway and control the male reproductive development in rice. Hence this study aims at identifying effective plant growth regulator in modulating pollen development and controls the expression of tms gene. Three plant growth regulators (PGR) namely ethrel, salicylic acid and maleic hydrazide (MH) were applied as foliar spray at two stages viz., panicle initiation and two weeks after panicle initiation. The results have shown that MH, ethrel and salicylic acid at different concentrations were effective in influencing anther development and induced pollen sterility. The study suggests that spraying of MH (8.92 mol m-3) two times; at the time of panicle initiation and fifteen days after panicle initiation were more efficient in inducing pollen sterility in TGMS rice and can be used for commercial hybrid rice seed development.

The present investigation was conducted with the objective to know the Effect of integrated nutrient management modules on nutrient uptake, quality and economics of high yielding varieties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under late sown condition. The study comprised four treatments of nutrient management modules (a) F0 – Control, (b) F1- RDF(20 kg N, 50 kg P2O5 ha-1) + RC (Rhizobium culture), (c) F2 - RDF + PSB (Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria),(d) F3 - RDF + RC +PSB and three varieties namely Uday , Avrodhi and PUSA-362. The study revealed that the nutrient management modules F3 – RDF (20 kg N, 50 kg P2O5 ha-1) + RC +PSB found suitable for maximum nutrient uptake and quality of chickpea with variety PUSA-362. The maximum nutrient (NP) uptake found with PUSA-362 which was significantly superior over Uday, It remained at par with Avrodhi. Nitrogen content in grain and straw of different varieties were recorded non-significant. Varieties of chickpea did not differ significantly in the protein content. The highest net return of Rs 34740 ha-1 was recorded with PUSA-362 with RDF + RC + PSB, against lowest net return of Rs. 7343 ha-1 recorded with unfertilized Uday variety. Maximum gross return, net return and benefit cost ratio were calculated with the application of F3 – RDF (20 kg N, 50 kg P2O5 ha-1) + RC +PSB and variety PUSA-362. Thus it may be concluded that PUSA-362 fertilized with F3 – RDF (20 kg N, 50 kg P2O5 ha-1) + RC +PSB may be found highest economic value of chickpea in eastern Uttar Pradesh conditions.

Present agricultural practices encourage the use of two or more than two chemicals to achieve broad spectrum plant protection effect. Not so much is known concerning the effect of these chemicals applied singly or in combination, on the ecology of micro flora, microbe population, including pathogenic fungus and also the antagonistic fungi use of these chemicals may prove beneficial not only in weed control and insect control but also as a means of controlling certain soil borne fungi through their effect in non-target organisms.

Poor oilseed productivity in India closely interlinks to imbalanced and inadequate fertilization and diverse variety of climate and edaphic adversities. In this backdrop, a study was conducted at Udaipur in Indian mustard during winters of 2012 and 2013 to assess effect of 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 plant growth regulators or PGRs (water spray, brassinolide/BR0.5 ppm, Indole 3 acetic acid/IAA 50 ppm and BR 0.5 ppm + IAA 50 ppm) in sub plots of a split plot design replicated thrice. Results show that 100% RDF+ FYM + bio-fertilizers registered significantly higher pooled dry matter accumulation (DMA) plant-1 at 30, 60, 90 days after sowing (DAS) and physiological maturity (7.46, 26.36, 34.56 and 57.79 g, respectively); dry matter partitioning (DMP) in siliquae and leaves (53.49 and 14.11%, respectively), seed oil content (38.90%), crude protein in seed (17.24%), harvest index (19.19%) and seed, stover, crude protein and oil yield (3231, 13604, 558 and 1261 kg ha-1, respectively). Among stress mitigating PGRs, BR + IAA outperformed registering significantly higher pooled DMA plant-1at 60, 90 DAS and physiological maturity (24.84, 33.26 and 55.31 g, respectively); DMP in siliquae and leaves (53.35 and 14.90%, respectively), seed oil content (38.59%), crude protein in seed (16.97%) and seed, stover, crude protein and oil yield (2922, 12379, 497 and 1132 kg ha-1, respectively).

The present study was conducted in Srikakulam district of north coastal Andhra Pradesh during the year 2015-16. Srikakulam district of north coastal Andhra Pradesh was purposively selected for investigation as the mesta crop is being grown larger area. Ex-post facto research design was followed for studying the personal and psychological characteristics, knowledge and adoption levels of the Mesta farmers. A total of 60 Mesta farmers were randomly selected from six villages of six Mesta growing mandals of Srikakulam district. Majority of the mesta farmers belong to middle age, having primary school education and were small farmers followed by medium. Majority of the mesta farmers had medium farming experience, extension contact, level of aspiration, management orientation, economic orientation and low scientific orientation. Majority of the respondents (48.33%) had low knowledge about recommended practices of mesta cultivation and adoption of recommended practices was low. Majority of the Mesta farmers (46.66%) are depending fully or partially on informal sources and utilization of formal sources and mass media sources very poor.

Agriculture is an important sector and a major indicator of the state's economic status. The role of rural women in agriculture and allied operations is highly significant in Odisha. They are actively participating in all range of agricultural activities including pre-harvesting, post-harvesting and storage. Their knowledge, labour and skill produce not only food and income for their families, but contribute to global food stocks. But still their hard work remains unrecognised. Long standing hurdles faced by rural women in terms of limited access to productive resources (Land, Credit, Inputs, New technologies, Transport, Extension Services, Storage, Training and Technical Assistance) prevent them from adopting new technologies and thus they remain confined in their traditional packages of practices in rice-based cropping system. In rice-based cropping systems, except for seedbed and land preparation, fertilizer spraying, pesticide application and irrigating the fields, women dominate rice operations. Despite women’s important contributions in farming and livelihoods, women have less access than men to knowledge and skills, decision making, resources, productive assets, including land, credit, agricultural extension services, agricultural inputs like improved seeds, fertilisers and small equipment/light machinery etc. Development of a nation cannot take place without establishing gender equality. Therefore, it is necessary to study the condition of farm women to assess their contribution and the difficulty they face in agricultural sector. Providing due recognition to women’s work and providing them access to the resources and equip them with modern technologies will solve many of our problems related to food and nutrition.