The present study was conducted to analyse the economic benefits of mechanized sowing of rabi crops using tractor drawn seed-cum-fertilizer drill in comparison with the animal drawn seed drill used by the farmers in Raichur District of Karnataka. The primary data was collected from a sample of 120 numbers of Rabi crop growing (Jowar and Bengalgram) farmers through personal interview using pre-tested structured schedule. The results revealed that the mechanized sowing of crops required less labour per hectare compared to that of bullock sowing. The mechanized method of sowing has resulted an increase in grain yield by 1.17 q/ha in Jowar and 0.69 q/ha in bengalgram. The relative benefits of Rabi crops cultivation through mechanized cultivation over partially mechanized cultivation revealed a net gain of Rs. 2990 per hectare in jowar and Rs. 1737 per hectare in bengalgram, respectively.

Dry flowers in floriculture sector provide an excellent opportunity in augmenting farmer’s income throughout the year despite of the ill hazards of the climatic vagaries faced in open field conditions. Dehydration technology helps in maintaining original colour and shape of flowers for long term utilization with a little care. A wide variation in drying time among different drying method and planting material was recorded. With the sustainable utilization of all family members, farmers can easily generate 1.5 times to 5 times profit by the value addition of dry flowers. For getting higher profits input cost is lowered down by the incorporation of priceless home available waste materials along with dry flower for making floral handicrafts.

Soil can be an excellent temporary storage medium for water, depending on the type and condition of the soil. In coastal sandy soil having high infiltration rate and poor water holding capacity. Soil amendments have significant effect on different properties of the soil. They may increase the field capacity and hydraulic conductivity, decrease infiltration rates and bulk density Soil parameters of the crop was significantly affected by the application of the soil amendment like silt and aquasorb and showed an increment of 25% in field capacity and 95% of the Hydraulic conductivity. And there is a decrease in about 45% of infiltration rates. The good values of field capacity, bulk density infiltration and hydraulic conductivity was obtained when compared with control i.e., in coastal sandy soils 25% of field capacity, 95% of hydraulic conductivity, 45% of infiltration rate shows the significant percentage of the soil physical parameters.

In this study, different experiments were conducted to characterize the osmotic dehydration of Fig fruit with respect to drying behavior. The quality of dehydrated Fig fruit slices was evaluated with the syrup concentrations (30, 40 and 50 oBx) and time of immersion (1 hr interval up to 6 hrs). The fruit to solution ratio was taken as 1:5 (w/v). The maximum and minimum amount of weight reduction of 182-63 g and 196-68 g was found at higher concentrations 50 oBx and 30 oBx, respectively. The maximum amount of solid gain and water loss of 11.72% and 20.72% was found at 50 °Bx and minimum amount of solid gain and water loss of 5.64% and 7.64% was found at 30 oBx, respectively. Overall results indicated that the water loss and solid gain were increased with the increase in immersion time and with different sugar solution concentrations. The moisture content (%) and drying rate were decreased with increase in drying time.

The present communication reports a case of uterine prolapse in a local non-descript buffalo and its successful reduction, replacement and repositioning

In this study, current trend in oilseed crops production has been emphasised, the study was based on secondary data from the year 1950-51 to 2012-13. The data is based on several governmental documents and web-sites. The linear, quadratic and exponential functions were fitted in order to analyse the trend in area, production and productivity of oilseed crops in India. Quadratic functional form was employed to fit the trend due to its higher R2 value as compared to other two forms. Besides these, compound growth rate, coefficient of variation (CV) and instability index are also computed. Similarly, the effects of area, productivity and their interactions towards increasing production were also estimated in the present study. The results of the study revealed that the ‘c’ value in the quadratic functional forms for area, production and productivity were positive and significant for the total oilseed crops in the country more particularly during Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, Phase IV, Phase V, Phase VI, Phase VII and overall. The growing of oilseed crops was moderate risky as revealed by the lower CV. The CV of area, production and productivity of oilseed crops were less than 43.68 per cent. The instability indices for area, production and productivity for oilseed crops were positive and thereby indicating less risk for growing oilseed crops in coming days. The increase in production is due to increase in area as well as interaction of area and productivity of oilseed crops in the study periods.

The study entitled “A study on relationship between extent of participation in decision making activities, with socio-economic and psychological characteristics of rural youths towards farming in Jorhat district of Assam”, following Ex-Post-Facto research design. A total of 200 respondents were selected by using multistage purposive cum random sampling technique. The data were collected by means of personal interview schedule during 25th Feb, 2016 - 3rd April, 2016. The findings revealed that reveal that age (0.576), size of operational land holding (0.147), annual income of the family (0.068), and attitude towards farming (0.578) of the respondents is positively significant and highly correlated with extent of participation in decision making. However, education level ( = 45.194*) and occupation of parents ( = 134.695*) had significant association at 5 per cent probability level with extent of participation in decision making. The regression coefficient of age (b = 0.931), sources of farm machineries and farm implements (b = -0.738) and attitude towards farming (b = 1.322) were found to be significant. The co-efficient of multiple determinations (R2=0.555) explain together 55.50 per cent to the total variation on the extent of participation in decision making.

Mungbean yellow mosaic disease is a major constraint in production of mungbean in Karnataka. An expected band size of approximately 1000 bp was amplified from MYMV-CP-F/MYMV-CP-R primers, designed specifically for MYMV. Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV) was characterized by sequencing the coat protein gene. The actual length of MYMV obtained was 889 bp including 115 bp pre-coat proteins at 5’ end, 774 bp core coat protein and 257 deduced amino acids. The phylogenetic analysis of the coat protein sequence of yellow mosaic virus infecting mungbean was carried out together with the known begomoviruses sequences obtained from Genbank database. Cluster phylogram based comparison of the coding nucleotide sequences of MYMV-Hebbal-Bangalore isolate revealed that the MYMV-Hebbal, Bangalore isolate group with cluster II consisting of Mungbean yellow mosaic viruses. Analysis of nucleotide sequence of coat protein gene of yellow mosaic virus associated with mungbean showed maximum identity with 99% MYMV-Maharashtra: SB [AF314530.1], followed by 98.9% with MYMV-Namakka l: MoB [DQ865201.1] as well as MYMV-Tamil Nadu:MB [AJ132575.1] and 98.8% with MYMV-Madurai: SB isolates [AJ421642.1]. The nucleotide identity of MYMV-Hebbal isolate with other MYMV isolates ranged between 94.5-99%. MYMV-Hebbal, Bangalore isolate showed an identity of 79.3-81.0% with different MYMIV isolates. The amino acid sequence of mungbean yellow mosaic virus shared maximum identity of about 100% with MYMV-Maharashtra: SB [AF314530.1], MYMV-Tamil Nadu:MB [AJ132575.1], 99.6% with MYMV-Namakkal:MoB [DQ865201.1], 99.2% with MYMV-Madurai: SB [AJ421642.1]. The deduced amino acid identity of MYMV-Hebbal-Bangalore isolate with other MYMV isolates ranged between 96.4-100%. The aminoacid identity of MYMV-Hebbal-Bangalore isolate with other MYMIV isolates ranged from 84.0-85.9%.The results from the present study revealed that yellow mosaic virus infecting mungbean from Hebbal, Bangalore is a Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV) but not Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus(MYMIV) and is a variant of Mungbean yellow mosaic virus(MYMV).

An attempt has been made to cryopreserve PD6 rooster semen using N-methylacetamide (MA) as a cryoprotective agent (CPA). Semen was collected from roosters, and pooled semen sample was diluted such that the concentration was arrived at 4 million/µl, followed by equilibration at 5°C for 30 minutes. Then the samples were diluted in 1:1 proportion with diluent containing 12%, 18% and 24% MA so that the final concentration of MA was 6%, 9% and 12% respectively and the final sperm concentration was 2 million/µl in each treatment. Immediately semen was loaded into 0.5 ml straws, sealed and kept 4.5 cm above liquid nitrogen (LN2) and exposed to nitrogen vapours for 30 minutes and subsequently immersed into LN2and stored in LN2 container. Frozen semen was thawed in ice water. Semen was evaluated before and after cryopreservation for progressive sperm motility, live and abnormal sperm percent and seminal plasma lipid peroxidation. Fertility trial was conducted by inseminating PD-3 line hens per vagina (200 million sperm in 0.1 ml semen dose) six times at three days interval. The progressive sperm motility percent in 6% MA, 9% MA and 12% MA treatments were 30.91, 34.55 and 27.73 respectively. The live sperm percent in 6% MA (31.82), 9% MA (35.63) and 12% MA (29.91) was similar between the treatments. Abnormal sperm percent was comparable between treatments. The percent fertility achieved with 6%, 9% and 12% MA cryopreserved semen were 1.5%, 0% and 5.3%, respectively, while control group inseminated with fresh semen produced 94.3% fertility. The percent hatchability on fertile eggs set (FES) for 12% MA treatment was 62.5% that was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the control group 93.82%. There was zero hatchability on FES in 6% MA and 9% MA groups.

The study has been conducted by the KVK Ujjain with 72 respondents to know the attributes of Rural Agriculture Extension Officers (RAEOs), job performance, job satisfaction and training needs of RAEOs. Correlation between attributes, job performance and job satisfaction of RAEOs has also been worked along with the involvement of RAEOs in other work than transfer of technology. The major findings were as majority of respondents belongs to 46-50 years of age group, had higher secondary to post graduation level of education and possess 25-29 years of work experience. Most of them performed both related and allotted work, change work according to instructions from the authority and work as per instructions of the department. Regarding job satisfaction, majority of them were satisfied with allotted and transfer of technology work and were highly satisfied in perception during the field work among the farmer community. Education was found negatively correlated with job satisfaction and had positive correlation with job performance. Age and experience were positively correlated with job satisfaction and negatively correlated with job performance. Among training needs of RAEOs priorities were given to rainfed production technique and organic farming by the RAEOs. Hundred per cent of the respondents agreed on their involvement in election work/photo identity work among the works other than transfer of technology.

An attempt was made on “Planting geometry and intercropping of sugarcane” at Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Pune, Dist Pune, Maharashtra during 2008 to 2009 to find out suitable planting patterns for sugarcane to minimize the cost of production, to study the performance of intercropping in sugarcane and to study the effect of planting geometry and intercropping on growth, yield and quality of sugarcane during Suru season. Four levels of planting distance viz.90 x 30 cm single row planting, 90-180 x 30 cm paired row planting, 180 x 30 cm single row planting and 120 cm single row planting with sugarcane planter in main plots and two treatment i.e., Sugarcane + groundnut and Sole sugarcane in sub plots laid out in strip plot design with three replications. The suru sugarcane planted in 90-180 x 30 cm paired row planting was recorded significantly the highest plant height (312.12 cm), number of leaves (7.69), millable cane height (276.70 cm), cane yield (131.95 t ha-1), CCS yield (19.21 t ha-1), cane equivalent yield (143.91 t ha-1) and number of millable cane (92.78 ‘000’-1) for 90 x 30 cm single row planting and it was found at par with 180 x 30 cm single row planting with respect to germination per cent, length of internodes per plant, cane weight and number millable cane for 90-180 x 30 cm paired row planting. Significantly the highest brix (22.25), Sucrose (20.61%) and CCS (14.56%) and non significant with respect to purity (%). The number of tillers, dry matter per plant, number of internodes, and girth of cane (cm) found to be non significant. The significantly higher interaction of cane equivalent yield was found in90-180 X 30 cm paired row (152.96 t ha-1) in sugarcane + groundnut intercrop than rest of treatment. The gross monetary returns (Rs 165496 ha-1), net monetary returns (Rs 112125 ha-1) and B:C ratio (3.10) significantly higher at paired planting of 90-180 x 30 cm spacing than rest of treatments. The sugarcane planted with groundnut registered significantly higher gross monetary returns (Rs 151354), net monetary returns (Rs 96092) and B:C (2.74) ratio than sole sugarcane. The significantly higher interaction of net monetary returns was found in90-180 X 30 cm paired row (120628 t ha-1) in sugarcane + groundnut intercrop than rest of treatment.

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2016-17 at Horticultural experimental farm, College of Horticulture Mandsaur to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of dill (Anethum sowa Roxb). The eight treatment combinations of different fertilizers doses, vermicompost and biofertilizers were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Integrated nutrient management significantly influenced different growth, yield and quality parameters of dill. Application of treatment 100 % NPK + 5 tons Vermi-compost/ha + PSB 5 kg/ha and Azotobacter 5 kg/ha gave significant maximum plant height (168.1 cm), branches plant-1 (45.8), fresh weight of plant (336.1 g plant-1), dry weight of plant (109.3 g plant-1), umbel plant-1(99.6), umbelletumbel-1(34.0), seed umnellet-1(22.4), seed umbel-1(745.2), seed yield (17.50 q ha-1), straw yield (29.00 q ha-1), biological yield (46.50 q ha-1), test weight seed(3.87 g) and essential oil content of seed (3.35 %) as compared to all other treatments tested.

Leaf chlorosis followed by flowering was noticed in Heliconia plants supplied with organics alone during its early vegetative phase. This finding was recorded from the experiment on standardizing nutrient management practices for Heliconia in low fertile sandy soils with lesser water holding capacity. The main experiment was laid out at Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (Regional Station), Kerala State, India with five nutritional treatments and four replications in Randomised block design. During initial growth phase (four months after planting), plants grown under integrated management exhibited a healthy vegetative growth. Nevertheless, 90% of the plants supplied with organics alone exhibited leaf yellowing. It was observed that more than 60% plants with leaf chlorosis started to flower early (180 days after planting) but the flowers were of smaller size with 3 to 4 bracts. The results showed that the leaf nutrients such as K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe were lower in plants supplied with organics alone. The deficient leaves were found to have significantly lower leaf chlorophyll, relative water content and wax content. However, the deficiency symptoms of these plants disappeared one month after the second dose of manuring (i.e. seven months after planting). Plant height differed significantly only during the reproductive phase. Other growth parameters such as suckering habit, number of leaves and leaf area was recorded higher in plants supplied with adequate organic manures (T3) from eight months after planting. After recovery from the stress, plants started producing quality flowers with 6 to 7 bracts at 280 days after planting.

The study was undertaken to determine electrical properties of three Indian banana cultivars during ripening. Capacitance, relative permittivity, impedance and admittance were measured at different frequency ranges from 10 kHz to 1 MHz for each stage of ripening. The observed results showed that capacitance, relative permittivity and admittance values increase with the time duration of ripening for all three varieties. However, the impedance value was found to be decreasing linearly for all varieties during ripening. Robusta cultivar had maximum values of all the properties followed by Poovan and Karpuravalli. In the frequency ranges of 10 kHz to 1 MHz, the electrical properties of Indian banana are correlated linearly to ripening stages. Results of this study are highly use-full for development of a non destructive banana quality measuring device.

The future food production has to come from more difficult areas which are economically and ecologically at a disadvantage. Agricultural development programme however well planned and imaginative, cannot make an impact on rural life unless it is backed both by extension and research support. The Transfer of Technology model normally puts the researcher in the role of generating all new technologies and the farmer staying in the receiving end. A local leader who has adopted improved practices extends the same to others. The common man has much faith in the local leaders. The term “leader” implied a person who was clearly distinguished from other individuals in power, status, visibility and such traits of character as intelligence, integrity, courage, wisdom and judgement. In some societies the political leadership controls the economy; significant influence is exercised by them in the direction and rate in which changes take place in society. The 73rd Amendment provides for an elaborate system of establishing panchayats as units of self-government. A study was conducted in the purposively selected Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh to ascertain the variation in performance of panchayat leaders caused by independent variables..In all (9 + 54 + 200) 263 panchayat leaders were considered as respondents for the study. An interview schedule was used as a tool for collecting primary data from the respondent panchayat leaders and all the 263 respondents were personally interviewed for collecting the raw information. The variables, caste, social participation, occupation, achievement motivation, information sources, time allocation for panchayat activities and political efficacy had positively significant contribution towards role performance at 0.05 level of probability. Whereas the remaining five variables viz. education, annual income, cosmopoliteness, extension participation and attitude towards panchayati raj institutions had positive and significant contribution towards role performance of gram panchayat leaders at 0.01 level of probability. The variables social participation, annual income, information sources and extension participation had positive and significant contribution towards the role performance of janpad and jila panchayat leaders at 0.05 level of probability and the variables education, achievement motivation and cosmopoliteness had positive and significant contribution on role performance of janpad and jila panchayat leaders at 0.01 of probability.