Coconut is one the important cash crop gown by the farmers near the river beds and also using irrigation sources in Dharmapuri district. Though it has been grown for regular income, the productivity is very low compare to the other regions of the state. The unbalanced application of manures and fertilizers and improper pest and disease management are the major causes for the low yield. Among the diseases the Ganoderma wilt and stem wilt are the major disease and eriophiyd mite, redpalm weevil and rhinoceros beetles are the major pest’s results in lower yield. The incidence of wilt disease led to death of 20-30 years old trees. Hence to demonstrate the integrated pest and disease management strategies among the farmers twenty demonstrations were conducted at Palacode and Moarppur blocks of Dharmapuri district for a period of two years. The management practices viz., sowing of green manure crop sunhemp @ 50 Kg/ha, insitu ploughing of sunhemp on 40-45th day after sowing, Neem cake 5 Kg/tree along with Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 5Kg/ha and Trichoderma viride @ 5Kg/ha, use of pheromone traps @ 12raps/ha for the management of redpalm weevil were demonstrated among the farmers. The percentage incidence of ganoderma wilt, stem wilt, redpalm weevil and mites were recorded at fortnight intervals after the application of treatments in the demonstration and control plots. The observations were continued for two-year period. The results of the above demonstrations revealed reduced incidence of diseases and increased yield. The demonstration plots recorded 11160 nuts/ha yield whereas the control field recorded 9360 nuts/ha. The yield increase was 16.1% in the demonstrated field. The incidence of ganoderma wilt, stem wilt, redpalm weevil and mite incidence in the demonstration plots were 7.22%, 5.41%, 7.91% and 50.50% and in the control plots were 13.11%, 12.22%, 12.77% and 75.54% respectively. The cost benefit analysis of present study recorded BCR and net return of 1.29 and Rs.13,800 in the demonstration and 1.17 and Rs. 6800 in the control plot. The above results revealed that the integrated management practices in the demonstration plots reduce the incidence of pest and diseases considerably.

Rice is the most important food crop which feeds more than half of world population. Rice is not only major staple food crop but also has shaped the culture, diet and economy of thousands of millions of people all around the globe. A field experiment on rice (Oryzae sativa L.) taking three sowing dates viz.25th May, 2014, (Early sown) 12th June, 2014 (normal sown), 27th June, 2014 (Late sown) and fifteen rice genotypes namely IET20924, IET22569, IET22580, IET23275, IET23299, IET23300, IET23324, PHY1, PHY2, PHY3, LALAT, MTU1010, PR113, SASYASREE and IR64 were conducted at Norman E. Borolaug Crop Research Centre & Department of Plant Physiology, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand) during kharifseason for the purpose to evaluate the heat efficiency of rice crop. Mostly the farmer’s use calendar days for prediction of plant growth and development and calendar days could be misleading for the prediction of crop growth for different crop management decisions as temperature varies widely from year to year. Growing degree days (GDD) are the simple and accurate method to predict that when a particular plant stage will occur. Growing degree days (GDD), sometimes also called thermal days, are a unit of measure describing the amount of accumulated heat through the growing season. From this study, we concluded that genotypes sown under early condition were given best results in term of yield parameters this is because early sown genotypes accumulated more number of growing degree days as compared to normal and late sown genotypes which is positively related to all yield attributes.

Present investigation was conducted to assess the effect of boron on growth, yield and economics of rice (cv. Mandakini) on Alfisol under Eastern Ghat High Land Zone of the Odhisa during kharif -2015 at Regional Research and Technology Transfer Sub-Station (OUAT) Umerkote, Nabarangpur district of Odisha. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 8 treatments and 3 replications. The details treatments were T1= Soil Test Based NPK (75:38:30 kg ha-1) + 0 kg B ha-1; T2= Soil Test Based NPK + 0.5 kg B ha-1; T3= Soil Test Based NPK + 1 kg B ha-1; T4= Soil Test Based NPK + 1.5 kg B ha-1; T5= Soil Test Based NPK + 0.2 % borax foliar spray at 21 DAT and 45 DAT; T6= Soil Test Based NPK + 0.3 % borax foliar spray at DAT and 45 DAT; T7= Soil Test Based NPK + 0.5 kg B ha-1 + 0.2 % borax foliar spray at 45 DAT; T8= Soil Test Based NPK + 0.5 kg B ha-1 + 0.3 % borax foliar spray at 45 DAT. The results revealed that growth parameters like plant height (88.17 cm) & number of tillers per m2 (304) and yield attributes like panicle length (21.98 cm), number of grains per panicle (101.92), 1000 grain weight (28.16 g), straw yield (6.66 t ha-1), grain yield (4.30 t ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.89) were recorded maximum in treatment T7 followed by T4 over T1 (control). It can be concluded that application of Soil Test Based NPK (75:38:30 kg ha-1) + 0.5 kg B ha-1 as basal + 0.2 % borax as foliar spray at 45 DAT has better impact as compared to other treatments on the yield and economics of rice.

Wheat variety HD-3059 was disseminated through on farm Testing and Front-Line Demonstrations at farmer’s field in Bijnor district. The demonstrations conducted during last three years (2014 & 2015), were considered for the study. The result indicated that average yield of wheat variety HD-3059 in IP practices ranged between 42.50 to 47.50 q/ha in different blocks of district Bijnor. The adoption of wheat variety HD-3059 was significantly increased in farmers due to higher product, which ultimately resulted in more net return.

The present study makes use of a descriptive type of research design and purposive sampling procedure has been adopted for selecting sample households. Urban Jammu was selected purposively for the study as first stage unit and 100 number of respondents were selected from urban area of Jammu. To collect the data from the respondents in totally, 100 respondents were collected from the four selected area. In addition to this 5 Retailers from four areas were selected. The findings of the study revealed that a majority of the households consumed chicken and mutton for the preparations like Curry, biryani, fry, kabab etc. Meat consumption decisions were made by the husbands in a majority of rural and urban households across all income groups. The average household consumption of meat showed a positive relationship with income. The overall average family monthly income was found to be `27520, `28636, `26868 and `28232 respectively, for the Gandhi Nagar, Gangyal, Janipur and Talab Tillo area of Jammu. The results found that out of 25 households in each region, majority of the households belong to income group II. The positive relationship was found high in case of the chicken, where the consumption varied from lower income group to higher income group. In addition to this while determining the factors responsible for making preference and consuming meat, the taste appears to be having rank first in Gandhi Nagar and Talab Tillo whereas fat content the least. On the other hand, nutritional value appears to be highest rank in Gangyal and Janipur whereas price and easy availability the least.

The fruits of wild pear are found in abundance throughout the mid hill Himalayan regions but, no attempt so far has been made to utilize the fruit for processing and developing value added products. The study, therefore, was conducted to develop value added product from wild pear and evaluate their quality. The wild pear with 70.80 per cent moisture content was found to be a good source of vitamin C (14.49 mg/100 g) and total phenols (149.55 mg/100 g). The recipes and methods of preparation of whole fruit preserve (with peel) has been standardized. Preserves prepared from fruits by water blanching for 9 minutes + 1.0 per cent citric acid dip for 30 minutes (with peel) was standardized. The study revealed that wild pear (with peel) can be utilized successfully for preserve preparation with good chemical as well as sensory attributes.

The present study was conducted to analyze the economics of cluster bean crop. The study area was selected on the basis of highest area and production under this crop. The selected area was Bikaner district under cluster bean crop. The present investigation was carried out to study the cost of cultivation by sample farmer of selected cluster bean crop. Cost of cultivation was reported highest on large farms (Rs 15676.58), followed by medium (Rs 14837.42) and small (Rs 14117.08) farms. The major component of cost was utilized in sowing of seed including cost of seed which contributed 20.26 per cent of total cost. The analysis of cost of cultivation showed that on an average, the total cost (Cost C2) per hectare of cluster bean was Rs 14877.03 for the sample farms of the study area. The cost C2 was highest on large, farms followed by medium and small farms. On an overall basis, the cost of production per quintal was Rs 3206.76 on sample farms. It was highest on small farms, followed by medium and large farms. On an average, gross income per hectare of cluster bean cultivation was Rs 27368. This was higher on large farms as compared to the medium and small farms. On an overall basis, the net income per hectare of cluster bean cultivation was Rs 11460.45. It was more on large farms as compared to medium and small farms. The return to management per hectare of cluster bean cultivation was Rs 9869.70. The returns per rupee of investment was higher on large farms (Rs1.75) followed by medium (Rs1.70) and small (Rs1.69) farms . The economies of scale are not in favor of small farms mainly due to high cost per unit of output. Therefore, the small farms should use their resources (capital and labour) optimally so that the scale economies tilt in their favor. The shortage of human labour in various operations especially in peak period can be substituted through mechanized farming.

The most important aspect of post-harvest operation of maize is maize shelling or simply maize threshing. For a long time now, shelling maize to remove the grain from the cob has been a time consuming, tedious and a mind cracking process especially to the many small scale farmers in the country that basically practice subsistence maize farming. Small scale equipments like hand operated maize shellers were developed and economically feasible for small farmers. The aim of this investigation is to performance evaluation of hand operated maize sheller which was fabricated by FIM scheme, Rajendranagar. The machine was tested on three local varieties of maize DHM117; DHM115 and 900M Gold procured from different parts of Telangana (Rangareddy, Medak, Khammam) with moisture content level below 12% (w.b.). The shelling capacity of hand operated maize sheller on maize varieties DHM 117; DHM 115 and 900M Gold was found as 39.75kg/h; 39.89kg/h and 40.22kg/h with an average shelling efficiency of 97.49%; 98.134 and 98.394% respectively. The shelling efficiency and shelling capacity is not varying with variety of maize.

The present study was carried out at farmers’ fields of Dausa district of Rajasthan during Rabi 2012-13 and Rabi 2013-14 which falls in Agroclimatic zone IIIa of Rajasthan. The soils of the experimental fields were sandy loam in texture, alkaline in reaction (pH 8.9-9.1), low in organic matter (0.12 -0.23), and nitrogen content and medium to high in potassium content. The study consists for treatments namely T1- Control, T2- Neem cake @ 200 kg/ha at sowing, T3- Copper sulphate @ 2.0 kg/ha at sowing and T4- Pyrazusulphuron 10 SL @ 200 gm a.i./ha as pre plant incorporation. On the basis of two year mean data regarding Orobanche density the minimum Orobanche population was recorded with T4- Pyrazusulphuron 10 SL @ 200 gm a.i./ha as pre plant incorporation (2.8) followed by T2- Neem cake @ 200 kg/ha at sowing (3.3) and T3- Copper sulphate @ 2.0 kg/ha at sowing (4.0) which were notably low as compared to control (9.7). On the basis of two year mean data treatment T4- Pyrazusulphuron 10 SL @ 200 gm a.i./ha as pre plant incorporation, treatment T2- Neem cake @ 200 kg/ha at sowing and T3- Copper sulphate @ 2.0 kg/ha at sowing during recorded 39.49, 23.55 and 16.67 per cent higher seed yield as compared to control, respectively. On the basis of two year mean data the maximum net returns were recorded with treatment T4- Pyrazusulphuron 10 SL @ 200 gm a.i./ha as pre plant incorporation (38655) which are 23.20, 26.26 and 55.64 per cent higher over treatment T3- Copper sulphate @ 2.0 kg/ha at sowing, treatment T2- Neem cake @ 200 kg/ha at sowing and control, respectively. The treatment T4- Pyrazusulphuron 10 SL @ 200 gm a.i./ha as pre plant incorporation recorded 5.91, 18.50 and 19.03 per cent higher B:C ratio over T3- Copper sulphate @ 2.0 kg/ha at sowing, T2- Neem cake @ 200 kg/ha at sowing and control, respectively.

Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) is a major stored pest of pulses in India. Biology of pulse beetle was studied during 2015-16 and 2016-17 in the laboratory. The average incubation period, larval + pupal period, and adult longevity of male and female were 4.0, 16.4, 11.0 and 9.6 days respectively. The average of total developmental period (egg to adult) was 25.2 days, and pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition period were 0.4, 8.0 and 2.2 days, respectively. The average fecundity of the females was 85.6 eggs and its viability 94% during its life time.

The present experiment was conducted with aim to know the nature of inheritance of biochemical traits viz., ascorbic acid (mg/100g), reducing sugars (%) non-reducing sugars (%), total sugars (%), dry matter content, total soluble solids, β-carotene (mg/100g). The fifteen F1 hybrids developed through the diallel mating excluding reciprocals with the using of six parents. Highly significant values of additive D ̂ and dominance (H ̂1 and H ̂2) effects of components were observed for most of the traits studied in all three seasons (E1, E2, E3) except the values of D ̂ for total sugars, reducing sugars and ascorbic acid in all three seasons. Average degree of dominance revealed the presence of over dominance for all traits in all three seasons (E1, E2, E3). The proportions of genes (H ̂2 /4 H ̂1) in the parents were less than 0.25 for all the traits indicating asymmetrical distribution of alleles at loci showing dominance in all three seasons (E1, E2, E3). In general, the proportions of dominant and recessive genes in parents [(4 D ̂, H ̂1 )1/2 + F ̂ / (4 D ̂, H ̂1 )1/2 -( F) ̂] were more than unity with positive F ̂ value for all the traits in all three seasons indicating major contribution of dominant genes. The ratio of (h ̂2 / H ̂2) which estimates the number of gene groups revealed that atleast one gene group was involved in the inheritance for total soluble solids during all three seasons. While, for dry matter content, total sugars and reducing sugars exhibited similar number of gene group only during E2 and rest of traits showed involment of less than one gene group.

Ten crops viz., groundnut, castor, sorghum, pearl millet, foxtail millet, pigeonpea, green gram, cluster bean, field bean and cowpea were tested on 5 dates of sowing (D1: 1st fortnight (FN) of June; D2: 2nd FN of June; D3: 1st FN of July; D4: 2nd FN of July; D5: 1st FN of August) for 6 years during 2009 to 2014 with the objective of identifying an optimal sowing date for crops to attain maximum groundnut equivalent yield (kg ha-1), rainwater use efficiency (RWUE, kg ha-1mm-1), gross returns (Rs ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) under arid Alfisols at Anantapur in south India. Significant correlation existed among crop seasonal rainfall, crop growing period, groundnut equivalent yield, rainwater use efficiency, gross returns and benefit-cost ratio in different years. The groundnut equivalent yield was significantly higher when crops were sown in D1 at the onset of monsoon and decreased when sown in D2, D3, D4 and D5 at 15-day interval. Among 5 dates of sowing, sowing of crops done in D1 gave mean groundnut equivalent yield of 492 kg ha-1, RWUE of 2.67 kg ha-1 mm-1, gross returns of Rs.28059 ha-1 and BCR of 2.04; while D2 gave groundnut equivalent yield of 469 kg ha-1, RWUE of 2.86 kg ha-1mm-1, gross returns of Rs.26726 ha-1 and BCR of 1.99. The ranking of crops for different parameters and their rank sum for each date of sowing indicated the superiority of castor when sown on D1, D2 and D4, while cowpea was superior on D3 and D5 with lowest rank sum. Groundnut was superior for pod yield and gross returns when sown on D1, D2, D3 and D4, while field bean was superior on D5. Castor was superior for benefit-cost ratio on D1 and D2; while green gram was superior on D3 and D4; and cowpea was superior on D5. Pearl millet was superior for RWUE on all dates of sowing. Castor attained 1st rank on D1, D2 and D4; 2nd rank on D3; and 4th rank on D5; while cowpea attained 1st rank on D3 and D5; 2nd rank on D1 and D2; and 3rd rank on D4. Thus, castor and cowpea were efficient on D1, D2 and D3, while castor and green gram were efficient on D4, and cowpea and field bean were efficient on D5. We recommend castor and cowpea as alternative crops to groundnut for attaining maximum yield, monetary returns and rainwater use efficiency under arid Alfisols.

Toxic heavy metal pollution of water is a major environmental problem, and there is no conventional remediation approaches and acceptable solutions. This study demonstrates the absorption capacity of water hyacinth for the heavy metal, lead. In tap water hyacinth was cultured and supplemented with 1, 5 and 10 mg/l of lead. They were harvested separately after 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. Plant samples viz. roots, laminae and petioles containing lead were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results indicated that the maximum accumulation by water hyacinth was noted in roots as compared to petioles and laminae. The accumulation of Pb in roots, petioles and laminae increased with initial concentration and also with the exposure period. It was concluded that the trend of overall accumulation of lead by the water hyacinth between the treatments, days and plant organs were in the following order: roots > petioles > laminae T3 > T2 > T1 > T0.60th>45th>30th>15th> 0 days.

Recent researches have focused on the isolation and identification of novel compounds which has strong biological activities. Anti-oxidant analysis is one of the several activities which has gained interest of many researchers and many plant species have been used for the analysis of this property. The present study focuses on the comparative analysis of Anti-oxidant properties of Methanolic Extracts and Essential oils of Artemisia vulgaris, a plant belonging to Asteraceae family. GC-MS study of the essential oils of this plant showed that the major phyto-constituents were (10.7%) followed by ß endesmol (8.95%). DPPH radical scavenging assay was used for the analysis of Antioxidant activity and it was found that the Methanolic extract had the maximum activity of 72.65% while the Essential oil had 88.65% of the activity. The TPC content of the Methanolic extracts was found to be 347.69 mg GAE/g and the TFC content was found to be 101.17 mg GAE/g respectively.

Shallot (red onion) is one of the economic value of horticultural commodities in Indonesia. This commodityis potential to increase farmers’ income. Shallot farmers supposedlyhave receivedprofit from the high price of shallot in the market, but in reality, the economic conditions of shallot farmers in Majalengka lowlands area have not changed yet. The purpose of this research is to study the value chain of shallot agribusiness in the lowland area of Majalengka Regency which apply justice in each chains. Data collection is obtained using the interview techniquethrough questionnaires that had already been prepared in advance. The respondents in this research include agroinput actors,producer or shallot farmers, market participants (wholesalers, traders, retailers), financial institutions, partners, and other related participants needed. This research uses value chain analysis by applying stages of the entry point, value chain mapping, value chain management, determining the profit margin on each chains’ actors, analysis of governance structure, and upgrading value chain. The result shows that the agribusiness value chain need to be improved in terms of management in both primary andsupporting actors.This shallot business is profitable and worth the effort. In the lowland area there are 5 shallot marketing channel patterns. The biggest profit margin is in the channel pattern 1. Observation on the value chain showsthat farmers still have a low bargaining position. One of the efforts to overcome the problem is by reviving the role of cooperative/Gapoktan (farmers group assembly) in the marketing process to minimize the role of intermediaries.

An investigation entitled “Marketing Analysis of Agricultural Inputs in Jammu District of Jammu and Kashmir State” was conducted in Jammu district of J&K state during the year 2016. Two blocks were selected from Jammu district (Marh Block and R.S Pura Block) and two villages were selected from each block randomly. From each village 15 farmers were selected randomly to make a total of 60 farmers. From the 60 farmers, list of retailers was prepared and out of prepared list 5 retailers were selected randomly from each village to make a total of 20 retailers and also list of dealers was prepared and out of prepared list 1 dealer was selected randomly selected from each village to make a total of 4 dealer. Thus, total of 84 samples were collected from study area. It has been observed during the investigation that three different types of marketing channels exists in the research area viz., Channel I: Company  Dealer  Farmer, Channel II: Local villager  Retailer  Farmer and Channel III: Company  Dealer  Retailer  Farmer. The study revealed that 100.00 per cent farmer purchased fertilizer from retailer and 91.00 per cent farmer purchased seed from state agriculture department. Both the dealer and retailer earn maximum net profit by selling MOP fertilizer i.e.,`16.67 and retailer `475.40 per 50 kg bag whereas they earned least profit by selling urea i.e.,`5.30 by dealer and `9.30 by retailer per 50 kg bag. Round up 1 liter was found to have highest marketing efficiency (0.91) in marketing channel I. In marketing channel II only paddy seed of sharbati varieties was sold with (0.67) marketing efficiency. Urea was found to have highest marketing efficiency (0.93) and MOP was found to have least marketing efficiency (0.60) in marketing channel III.

The field experiment carried out during kharif season of 2016 at Agricultural Research Station, S.D. Agricultural University, Aseda, Gujarat to study the Influence of ferros sulphate and zinc sulphate on pod yield of groundnut. Effect of ferros sulphate and zinc sulphate, were tested by soil application and foliar spray for identifying its effect on groundnut pod yield. pod yield was significantly higher under the treatment T9-ZnSO4 @ 8 kg/ha + Foliar Spray of FeSO4 @ 1 %and at par with T7, T1 and T3. Haulm yield also found significantly higher under the treatment T9- ZnSO4 @ 8 kg/ha + Foliar Spray of FeSO4 @1 % which was at par with the treatment T3 and T1.

The present investigation was carried out in the Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, India during 2015-16 on eight years old plant of acid lime. There were twelve treatments comprising of three levels of urea (1%, 2% and 3%), boron (0.4%, 0.6%and 0.8%) and 2,4-D (10, 20 and 30 ppm), and their combinations (Urea 1% + Boron 0.4% + 2,4-D 10 ppm, Urea 2% + Boron 0.6% + 2,4-D 20 ppm and Urea 3% + Boron 0.8% + 2,4-D 30 ppm) with control. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block design with three replications. Foliar spray was done on first week of July and same spray was repeated after 30 days with the urea, boron, 2,4-D and their combinations at pea stage of fruit. It was found that foliar spray of urea 3% + boron 0.8% + 2,4-D 30 ppm significantly increased the plant height and canopy spread (E-W and N-S direction), and also showed the better result for leaf length, leaf width and leaf area. However, foliar spray of urea 2% + boron 0.6% + 2,4-D 20 ppm gave the best values for number of flowers per plant, fruit set, fruit retention and fruit drop.

Nanotechnology is one of the innovative technologies including the production and / or control of structures, devices, or materials in which at least one dimension is from 1 to 100 nanometers. Nanotechnology has found wide application in many areas of life and economy, inter alia in: health care, pharmacy, agriculture, food processing, transport, energy, and information technology. This technology will revolutionize the agricultural and food industry through innovative tools for efficient processing, storage and packaging systems throughout the whole food supply chain. This paper covers the nanotechnology applications in food processing industries aimed at improving taste, texture, and consistency, or at developing polymers to improve food packaging, distribution, and shelf-life. Nano-sensors to detect food contaminants and 'smart' food development are also reviewed. Attention is also paid to the risk of using nanomaterials for human health and the environment.

- The present investigation entitled “Effect of micronutrients on plant growth, flowering and yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) c.v“PKM-1” was under taken at vegetable research field, Department of Horticulture, Allahabad School of Agriculture, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences (SHIATS), Allahabad during rabi season (2015-2016). The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design with 13 treatments and each replicated thrice. The treatments consist of different combinations of micronutrients i.e., zinc, boron, copper and iron. Among these thirteen treatments, treatment T12(ZnSO4 +B3HO3 +CuSO4 +FeSO4 @500ppm) was recorded the maximum plant height (134.50cm), minimum days to first flowering (27.30), maximum number of flower clusters per plant (9.3), maximum number of flowers per cluster (7.27), maximum number of fruits per cluster (6.09), maximum number of fruits per plant (36.93), maximum average fruit weight (41.57g), maximum fruit yield per plant (1462.2g), maximum fruit yield per plot (13.68kg) and maximum fruit yield per ha (33.62t) followed by treatment T11(ZnSO4 +B3HO3 +CuSO4 +FeSO4 @250ppm)

Two strains of bacteria were isolated from the local niche of kumbhalmer (NG) by the enrichment of medium. Both were identified as Azatobactor and Rhizobium. Both bacteria were grown in large scale in their selective medium. Bacteria were applied to the seeds by the seed inoculation techniques. Four crops were selected like Tuvar, Chana, Mustard, and Methi. Physiological character like number of leaves, shoot length, root length, dry weight and fresh weight of shoots and roots, were measured in one-week interval up to six weeks. Seeds inoculated with Azotobactor were comparatively more vigorous and healthy, than controlled and seeds inoculated with Rhizobium. Isolated strains production.

Gamma irradiation in physical mutagens and EMS in chemical mutagens are most efficient and frequently used for induction of economically desirable mutants in several crops. In the present investigation, total 2064 morphological mutants characterized in 17 categories were identified with a frequency of 4.57% in M2 generation of all the three oat varieties i.e., JO-1, Kent and JO-03-91. Morphological mutants induced through mutagenesis with seven doses of gamma rays i.e., 200Gy, 250Gy, 300Gy, 350Gy, 400Gy, 450Gy and 500Gy, 0.4% and 0.8% concentration of EMS for 3hrs and seven gamma + EMS combination treatments (200 Gy + 0.4% EMS, 250 Gy + 0.4% EMS, 300 Gy + 0.4% EMS, 350 Gy + 0.4% EMS, 400 Gy + 0.4% EMS, 450 Gy + 0.4% EMS and 500 Gy + 0.4% EMS for 3 hrs). Amongst all the identified mutants, the appearance of loose panicles (Lax) and broad leaf mutants were highest in frequency (0.46%) and number (206) followed by the frequency (%) of compact panicle-Ert (0.41%), basal hairiness (0.34%), tall (0.31%), fused leaf (0.29%) [twin (0.17%) and triple (0.12%)], awnless (0.28%), narrow leaf and early type (0.27%), late and semi-dwarf mutants (0.26%), double and multiple panicle (0.23%), anthocyanin pigment mutants and double leaf mutants (0.21%), dwarf (0.20%) and higher no. of tillers (0.12%). The overall relative frequency of morphological mutations recorded in M2 generation was the highest in JO-03-91 (5.49%) followed by JO-1 (5.27%) and Kent (3.57%). The maximum mean frequency of morphological mutations recorded in gamma + EMS combination (7.18%-JO-03-91 and 4.67%-Kent) followed by EMS (6.17%-JO-03-91 and 4.30%-Kent) and gamma radiation treatments alone (1.92%- JO-03-91 and 1.73% Kent). The lower doses of combination treatments and EMS treatments alone have been proved to be more efficient in induction of morphological mutations in all the three oat varieties.

Crop residues are main fodder source for maintaining the livestock especially in remote areas. In the present study 67 fodder samples of rice, maize and sorghum were collected from farmer’s field at Jawhar, Junner and Dhadgaon blocks in Palghar, Pune and Nandurbar districts of Maharashtra. The nutritional analysis was undertaken at BAIF Urulikanchan during 2016-17 to evaluate the, nutritional status of crop residues. The nutritional analysis revealed that the crude protein ranges from 2.7 to 6.12%, the crude fiber from 19.13 to 33.53%, the ether extract from 0.19 to 2.56 %, ash content from 3.38 to 26.02 % and silica content ranged from 1.25 to 23.58 %. The results directed that the crop residues of rice maize and sorghum can provide partial nutrition requirements of the animals and supplementation with concentrate feed or fortification of straw for productivity enhancement. The study also indicated that some of the rice and sorghum landraces have desirable fodder traits like high CP, EE, optimum CF and lesser silica content, however its grain and straw yield potential needs to be studied for further promotion.

The study was conducted at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Ullal during 2016-17. The effect of physco-chemical changes of the cashew apple juice with other edible juices during the year 2016, revealed that significantly highest optical density of the juice was recorded in T1- Control (0.40) followed by T2 (C+N) and T5 –(C+N+T) (0.38 and 0.37, respectively). The lowest optical density was reported in T8- (C+N+T+P) (0.26). During the year 2017, with respect to the optical density of the juice the same trend was observed, recorded significantly highest colour value in T1 (Control) (0.38) followed by T2 (C+N). During 2016, significantly highest thickness value was recorded in T1 (control) (1.53) followed by T2 (C+N) recorded 1.43. During 2017, significantly highest thickness value was recorded in T1 (Control) 1.41 followed by while, lowest was recorded (1.20 each) in T6 (C+N+P), T7 (C+T+P) and T8 (C+N+T+P). During 2016, significantly highest TSS value was recorded in T1 (control) (12.00) followed by T4 (C+P) (11.00). Significantly lowest TSS value was recorded in T6 (C+N+P) and T8 (C+N+T+P) (9.80). During 2017, significantly highest TSS value was recorded in T1 (Control) and T4 (C+P) (10.06). Significantly lowest TSS value was recorded in T (C+N+T) (9.19).

Agriculture is a primary unorganized sector in which farmwomen perform the majority of the drudgery prone work. This study was conducted in three villages (Ramnagar Karjahan, Laxmipur and Gahila Dudhaila) of two districts namely Gorakhpur & Deoria of Uttar Pradesh, India. A sample of 75 farmwomen in the age group of 28-55 years who were involved in various agricultural activities was selected for this study. A self-structured and pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect primary & secondary data. The results revealed that participation of farmwomen was higher in activities like seed treatment, transplantation, raising nursery, weeding, pruning, grain storage, manual harvesting, picking of vegetables, collection of animal dung and its transportation to fields. The knowledge level of participants about drudgery reducing implements was almost nil. After trainings, the farmwomen had 74.6 percent gain in knowledge and skill about drudgery reduction. Increased efficiency of the introduced tools saved their time, which they used for resting and taking better care of themselves and their children

Didymella blight of ridge gourd caused by Didymella bryoniae (Auersw.) Rehm has emerged in the recent past as one of the major constraints in the successful cultivation of the crop in Kashmir valley. The role of metrological factors on development of the disease was assessed under temperate agro-climatic conditions of Kashmir. The studies revealed that the disease appeared in the month of June and reached its peak by the end of September. Maximum apparent infection rate of 0.1858 and 0.1826 unit/day in the field was observed during fifth week of July in 2004 and during second week of July in 2005, respectively. Disease development in terms of infection rate was non-significantly but positively correlated with temperature whereas, RH and precipitation showed significant and positive correlation. The step-wise multiple regression analysis revealed that the weather factors viz., temperature, relative humidity (RH) and rainfall accounted for 70.5 per cent variation of disease development in terms of infection rate (unit/day) with overall contribution of 69 per cent by rainfall alone.

This study was designed to observe the effects of different fertilizers and mulching on quality of hybrid chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). This experiment contains nine treatments with combination of different fertilizer sources and mulching. of recommended dose of fertilizer (180:120:180 kg NPK/ha) through fertigation using water-soluble fertilizers resulted that significantly higher pungency levels (46441.66 SHU) and caroteniods content (246.27 mg/100 g of dry weight). Whereas the treatment soil application recommended dose of fertilizer without mulching recorded the lowest pungency (32659.67 SHU) and least caroteniods content (103.57 mg/100 g of dry weight) as compared to all other treatments. From this investigation it is concluded that water soluble fertilizers as well as normal fertilizers fertigation with mulching enhancing the quality parameters in chilli crop compare over the conventional soil-application of fertilizers.

The Present investigation was conducted with the objective to find out the suitable treatment combination of guava and papaya mixed fruit leather and its economic viability in market. Among the 18 treatment combinations, six pulp ratios of guava and papaya i.e. (80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40% and 30%) and three levels of sugar i.e. (15 gm, 30 gm, 45 gm per 100 gm) were used for preparation of mixed fruit leather. The oraganoleptic properties of the treatment combination were evaluated. The mixing of guava and papaya pulp in ratio of (80:20) with S2 (30 gm sugar/100 gm pulp) was recorded best. The organoleptic rating of mixed fruit leather showed that the values for flavor decreases while for colour, texture and overall acceptability increases with increase in sugar content. The economics of the treatments was calculated for 1 kg. of mixed fruit leather. The minimum cost was recorded with treatment combination T1 (80%:20%, 15gm sugar/100gm) while the maximum cost was registered with treatment combination T18 (30%:70%, 45gm sugar/100gm pulp). Different pulp ratio and level of sugar were the reason behind the cost difference. Highest B:C ratio was found in treatment combination T4 (50%:50%,15gm sugar/100gmpulp) whereas lowest B:C ratio was recorded with treatment combination T15 (60%:40%,45gm sugar/100gm pulp). Conclusively, it emerges that blending of papaya and guava pulp with different sugar level gave commercially acceptable product.

The present study was conducted in three different Agricultural Educational Institutes of Uttar Pradesh namely on CSAUAT, Kanpur; NDUAT, Faizabad and I.A.S, BHU in the year 2017 with 220 research scholars as the respondents. The finding of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were Male (80.94 %), 62.73 percent of the respondents belonged to the age group 24 to 27 along with 47.27 percent of the respondents who had basic education in Hindi medium, Most(47.73 %) of the respondents had OGPA in Post-Graduation in the range of 8 to 8.89, sixty five percent of the respondents had rural family background.

Irrespective of land condition of river bed types required for cultivation of watermelon, farmers of Jharkhand are doing their best for watermelon production after harvesting of paddy to multiply income in summer season. The research & extension efforts have been tried to increase income level of farmers by providing market led extension activity through early and timely cultivation of crop, group formation, skill development training regarding marketing, demonstration and on farm trial on nutritious & delicious summer fruit – watermelon varieties.

Aqueous solutions (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mM) of putrescine and spermidine containing a surfactant ‘Tween 20’ were sprayed onto panicles of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Himsagar at 10-15% opening of panicle and 15 days before harvest to study the effect of preharvest application of polyamines on fruit retention, yield, quality and shelf life of fruit during 2014-2016. The result revealed that putrescine (0.5mM) recorded the highest fruit retention (1.61 % respectively), maximum number of fruits/tree (168.00 fruits/tree), fruit weight (250.22 g) and yield (42.03 kg/tree). As regards the biochemical attributes, highest TSS (20.00 °Brix), total sugars (16.24 %) and reducing sugar (3.62 %) with lowest acidity (0.12 %) were obtained in control trees. Similarly, exogenous application of polyamines improved the shelf life of fruits with maximum shelf life (9 days) recorded in putrescine (0.5mM) followed by (7.5 days) in spermidine (1.5mM) whereas control recorded the minimum shelf life (5 days). Finally, it can be concluded that putrescine (0.5mM) was effective in improving fruit retention, yield, quality attributes and shelf life of mango cv. Himsagar at ambient room temperature.

The field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2015-16 at Campus for Research and Advance Studies Dhablan, Patiala to evaluate the response of yield and yield attributes of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to date of sowing and nitrogen levels. A set of 12 treatment combinations including three dates of sowing viz., 20th October (D1), 16th November (D2) and 10th December (D3) in main plot, and nitrogen control, @ 30 kg ha-1, 60 kg ha-1, 90 kg ha-1 in sub plot were applied. The results showed that the crop sown on 20th October and 16th November attained statistically similar plant growth characters (in terms of plant height and dry matter accumulation). Crop sown on 20th October received significantly higher effective tiller (364.69 m-2) then other date of sowing (16th November (358.61 m-2) & 10th December (347.66 m-2)). Crop sown on 16th November resulted better yield attributes (Spike length, Number of grains per spikes and test weight) than the 20th October and 10th December. Different date of sowing significantly affects the yield and a yield attributes of barley. Grain yield found to be significant with crop sown on 16th November, however biological yield significant crop sown on 20th October. Application of 90 kg nitrogen per hectare resulted in improvement in most of the growth parameter. Application of 90 kg nitrogen per hectare resulted in improvement in most of yield attributes (Spike length, Number of grains per spikes and test weight). Grain and biological yield significant increase with each increasing in Nitrogen level up-to 90 kg ha-1.

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season in 2012-2013 at Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU-Varanasi, to study the effect of varying seed rates and row spacing on growth, yield attributes and yield of aerobic rice. The experimental results revealed seed rate @ 35kg/ha recorded significantly highest growth parameters viz. plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves and dry matter accumulation at all the growth stages of rice. Significantly highest number of panicles/m2 and yields (grain and straw yield) were also recorded with seed rate of 35 kg/ha. Row spacing of 20 cm recorded significantly highest growth parameters, number of panicles/ m2 and yields were obtained which was found to be statistically at par with row spacing of 25 cm.