Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in our country where farm business has become a family enterprise in which both men and women take part evenly. The role of women is generally complimentary, not only in physical participation in agricultural activities, but also with respect to decision making. In most of the stages, women are actively involved in carrying out agricultural activities but women remained as “invisible workers”. It is necessary to know the constraints faced by them participation in agricultural activities and in decision making. With this consideration, the study was undertaken. A study was conducted in Rajkot district of Gujarat state. Nine villages were selected from three talukas. Fifteen farm women from each village were selected. Thus, total 135 farm women were considered for study. The ex-post facto research design was followed for the study. The most important constraints faced by farm women in participation in agricultural activities were dual responsibility of work at farm and home (Rank I), non-availability of suitable farm implements and machinery for women (Rank II) and difficulties in some agricultural works (Rank III).

For evolving resistant varieties of wheat against loose smut [Ustilago tritici (Pers.) Rostr.] artificial inoculation of ears by smut spores (dry or wet) is done by various methods. Under present study “Hypodermic Needle Method” of Poehlman (1945) was modified. Accordingly, hypodermic syringes were replaced by a pipette rubber bulb to which one hypodermic needle of 21 gauge was fitted. In hypodermic needle method, wheat ears were pre-treated before inoculation but in modified technique only awns of an ear were removed and other details of pre-treatment of ears avoided so as to provide natural conditions to the ears while inoculating. On maturity, inoculated ears of 12 varieties were harvested, hand threshed and stored in paper bags at room temperature (32-35°C). Next season, such inoculated seed was sown treatment wise separately. Ear emergence revealed that highest plant infection viz., 100% occurred under modified method and 50% in poehlman’s hypodermic needle method in the variety DL955-1. In the same variety smut sori on upper two leaves and proliferated smutted ears on top needles of infected plants developed in modified technique whereas in hypodermic needle method such symptoms did not occur. Out of 12 varieties, only 11 cultivars showed smutted ears and only smut sori on leaves of infected plants in the former while in the latter method, only smutted ears developed but smut sori on leaves did not express. Thus, modified hypodermic needle method proved to be more efficient, convenient and time saver in comparison to hypodermic needle method.

Present investigation was carried out to study the performance of improved cultivars of gladiolus for growth, yield and quality cut flower production under agro climatic conditions of Goa. Ten cultivars of Gladiolus namely Jester yellow, Novalux yellow, Red ginger, Summer pearl, Charms glow, Coral sea, Jester gold, Arka Amar, Arka Gold and Darshan were evaluated for their adaptability and performance. The vegetative, flowering, corm and cormel characters studied showed significant differences among different cultivars. Arka Amar obtained maximum plant height, longest and broadest leaves with significantly maximum no. of leaves per plant. Results on floral characteristics showed that Arka Gold was earlier for emergence of spike (56.33 days) and was found earliest in heading. Arka Gold took minimum days (64.40 days) for opening of first pair of florets. Significantly maximum no. of spikes was recorded in Arka Amar. Longest spike was recorded in Darshan whereas Arka Gold produced shortest spike. Maximum florets per spike were produced by Darshan with maximum stalk length of the flower and floret length. Arka Amar recorded significantly higher weight of the flower spike and flower spikes remained attractive for longer time. Results on corm and cormel characteristics showed that Arka Amar produced maximum number of corms per plant, cormels per plant and gained maximum corm size and corm diameter. Cormel weight/ plant was significantly higher in Darshan. Keeping in view, the vegetative and reproductive characteristics recorded, Arka Amar and Darshan could be recommended for cut flower purpose under Goan conditions.

Marigold (Tagetes spp) is an annual flower crop, mainly cultivated and propagated through seeds. It is essential to maintain the optimum seed quality to meet the desired standards in emerging seed industry at domestic and global seed trade. Indeterminate flowering in marigold leads to differential maturity of seeds resulting in wide differences in seed quality, major constraints in marigold seed production are optimum stage of physiological maturity and stage of seed harvest. Accordingly, a study was undertaken to identify the optimum stages of seed maturity in French types. The experimental results showed that, on-set of germination starts after 4-6 DFA in French types; and the quality seeds in French marigold can be obtained (harvested) between, and 38-40 DFA. Besides, total oil content in seeds estimated of about 35 % during physiological maturity and it was about 33% at harvest maturity; its content also varied with genotype as well as stage of seed maturity.

Twelve genotypes of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) were taken for observation of different parameters like plant height, petiole length, leaf length, plant diameter, venation pattern, leaf margin, rhizome length, number of mother rhizomes, internode pattern, dry recovery percentage and yield per plot. The experiment was conducted in field gene banks of Uttarbanga Krishi Viswavidyalaya. The overall characterization was done according to DUS characters selected by IISR (Indian institute of Spices Research). The plot size was 3m x 1m for the investigation and a spacing of 30 cm row to row and 20 cm plant to plant. The local check was taken TCP-2 and National Check was Prativa. In all the genotypes, PTS-8 was found to have maximum yield per plot lowest yield was recorded in PTS-55. Dry recovery percentage was found highest in TCP-64 and lowest in NDH-98. NDH-79 was found to have highest number of leaves per plant. Highest plant height was found PTS-55 and lowest plant height was found in PTS-12. 10 genotypes were found to have better yield than TCP-2 (Suranjana) and Prativa.

Climate change is a phenomenon that may be ascribed directly or indirectly to human activity which alters the composition of the global atmosphere in addition to natural climate unpredictability observed over comparable period of time. According to this widely accepted definition, the impact of climate change on the community is immense. Climate change has started affecting adversely numerous people through increased floods, reductions in water supply, drought, increased rainfall and various health effects. Various recent studies have highlighted the adverse impact of climate change on the poor and downtrodden.

The Indian Agriculture Scenario is on the brink of a second green revolution. The country arose from an era of food scarcity to that of self-sufficiency. It is becoming increasingly clear that the next leap will come from the information and the knowledge intensity transfer to the agriculture sector, together with other traditional inputs and interventions involving farmers/ group of farmers.

The threshing on Indian farms is required to make and collect both grain and chaff for human and cattle consumption, respectively. This criteria of wheat bhusa making led to unacceptability of combines and the simultaneous development of threshers which not only separate grain but also deliver wheat straw in size of 10-20 mm length. The wheat straw size for maximum output capacity and maximum threshing efficiency were 22.43 mm and 22.67 mm at tip diameter of 600 mm and spike thickness of 6 mm corresponding to maximum feed rate (780 kg/h) in case of rectangular spiked and round spiked threshing cylinders. For higher threshing efficiency, fine straw quality and minimum specific power consumption, rectangular spiked threshing cylinder of 600 mm tip diameter and spike thickness of 6 mm have given best performance results with total grain loss within permissible limit. The spike thickness of 6 mm gave minimum broken grain loss with fine straw quality. The round spiked (plain spike) threshing cylinder with same configuration of threshing cylinder showed best results. But from mass manufacturing point of view, tip diameter of 600 mm and 8 mm round spike thickness will be appropriate for manufacturers. It also delivered good output capacity and threshing efficiency and fine straw quality.

The study was undertaken to assess the muga cocoon yield through adoption of improved and traditional practice separately in seed and commercial crops at the farmers’ level. The study revealed that average cocoon yield in both seed and commercial crops was higher in improved practice against the traditional practice of muga culture. In improved practices, average number of cocoon yield was found 47 and 42 per dfl against the cocoon yield of 31 and 20 per laying in traditional practice during Chatua (Feb-Mar) and Bhadia (Aug-Sep) seed crops 2014 respectively. Similarly, the average number of cocoon yield in both Chatua and Bhadia seed crops during 2015 was higher in improved practice (45 & 24) against the traditional practice (37 & 19) respectively. Likewise, average number of cocoon yield per dfl in Jethua (Apr-May) and Kotia (Oct-Nov) commercial crops during 2014 was higher in improved practice (62 & 58) against the cocoon yield per laying in traditional practice (49 & 43) respectively. Similarly, the average number of cocoon yield per dfl in both Jethua and Kotia commercial crops was higher in improved practice (65 & 52) against the cocoon yield per laying in traditional practice (47 & 43) respectively during 2015. The t-test conducted for equality of variance in ERR between traditional and improved practices found highly significant at 1 and 5 percent level in all the seed and commercial crops in both the years. Thus, the study revealed that improved practice was effective for higher cocoon yield against traditional practice of muga culture.

Karnataka ranks 11th in the list of top milk producing states in India. It has 14 milk processing units across the state, which procures on an average 72.00 lakh kgs of milk per day with production of about 65 different value added milk products. Performance of Indian dairy industry over the past decades has been extremely impressive in the Karnataka state, due to high margin value added dairy products and good product portfolio of various milk processing units. Hence, present study was conducted to know the direction of change in product mix followed in selected milk processing units and the secondary data were collected for the period of five years, i.e. from 2012-13 to 2016-17 and analyzed by using Markov chain model. The study concluded that curd and Skimmed milk powder were the most loyal products in the product mix across all the processing units of Karnataka state.

Spices seed extractor was developed during 2015-19 to extract the seeds from ajwain flowers. The spices seed extractor was operated by 2 hp single-phase electric motor. The developed spices seed extractor consists of feeding hopper, extraction unit, sieve/cleaning unit, main frame and power transmission system. Machine and operational parameters were optimized for ajwain seed extraction to achieve higher seed extraction efficiency. The optimized machine and operational parameters for ajwain seed extraction were found to be stud bolted type drum having rotational speed of 700 rpm and feed rate of 170 kg/h for maximum seed extraction efficiency. The seed extraction efficiency was found to be 98.39 percent at optimized machine parameters.

The present study was conducted in purposively selected Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. Three villages from each tehsil and twenty respondents from each village was selected, thus a total 120 kiwifruit growers were selected as a respondent. The study revealed that majority (78.13 percent) of the kiwifruit growers had medium level of entrepreneurial behavior, followed by low and high level of entrepreneurial behavior. The composite index value of seven dimensions of entrepreneurial behavior such as innovativeness (75.00), achievement motivation (81.24), decision making ability (59.38), risk bearing ability (62.50), information seeking behavior (71.87), leadership ability (65.62) and management orientation (81.25) of the kiwifruit growers was medium entrepreneurial behavior. Therefore, efforts should be made to increase the level of entrepreneurial behavior through intensive training programmes, group discussions, demonstrations, exposure tours, field visits, awareness programme etc., for their socioeconomic upliftment.

An investigation was carried out to see the response of growth, flowering and yield of Gladiolus cv. Punjab Morning to plant growth regulators in winter season in winter season of Uttarakhand tarai region. Four growth regulators each at three levels viz., GA3 (75, 100 and 125 ppm), BA (75, 100 and 125 ppm), ethrel (250, 500 and 750 ppm) and thiourea (250, 500 and 1000 ppm) along with control were used as treatment in this experiment. The concentration of GA3 @ 100 ppm produced earlier sprouting (7.77 days), day to flowering (76.00 days), maximum plant height (78.79 cm), spike length (100.45 cm) and number of leaves (5.60). Maximum number of suckers (4.13) and number of corms/plot (68.33) were obtained from BA@ 75ppm. However, maximum value for number of florets (13.67), diameter of 2nd floret (8.33 cm) and weight of largest corm/plot (44.33 g) was recorded from GA3 @ 125ppm, ethrel @ 250 ppm and thiourea @ 250ppm, respectively.

Four varieties of Chilli, Guntur hope, Bullet, Demon and Pusa Jwala showed wide differences in their genotypic constituents reflected by morphological status. Major characters of growth and yield such as plant height, number of branches/plant, number of fruits/plant, individual fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, yield/ha were influenced by cultivars. Out of the four cultivars, Guntur Hope resulted the best performance in almost all the parameters like plant height (74.8 cm), number of fruits/plant (134.33) and total yield (72.47 q/ha). Cultivar Bullet produced the highest fruit width (1.97 cm) and fruit weight (3.2 gm) but failed to have any impact on total yield due to production of minimum fruit number/plant (79) and lesser fruit length (5.4 cm).

Medicinal plants have a long history and their use is widespread in both developing and developed countries. Costus pictus- an insulin plant is a native of South and Central America belongs to family of costacae. It is widely cultivated in South India and also run wild in many places. The plant has herbal cure for diabetes by consuming the leaves is believed to lower blood glucose levels, hence commonly called as “Insulin plant”. The methanolic leaf extract of Costus pictus when supplemented to streptozotocin induced diabetic rats, is found to reduce blood glucose level by 21 percent after 15 days of supplementation. In the present investigation Costus pictus plants were collected from five different locations are used for the biochemical analysis like Protein, Ascorbic acid, Tannins, Total phenol and Corosolic acid.

In a pot experiment at S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner during kharif 2016 on mungbean to investigate the effect of different RSC water and sources of zinc on growth and yield of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] with three levels of RSC (Residual sodium carbonate) water W2, W4, and W6 (2, 4 and 6 mmol L-1) and four levels of sources of zinc (0, ZnSO4.7H2O, zinc enriched vermicompost and zinc enriched FYM). The study revealed that the number of totals, effective nodules and nodule index, total chlorophyll content, plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed index, root mass, seed and straw yield of mungbean decreased significantly with increasing levels of RSC waters and maximum reduction was recorded with the application of 6 mmol L-1 of RSC water. The significantly higher results were obtained with application of zinc enriched vermicompost over other sources of zinc

Karnataka is known as the fables land of ‘Sandal and silk’, has more than 45.35 percent of the total area under mulberry cultivation contributing over 44.25 percent of silk produced in the country. Mulberry occupies an area of 91,491 hectares with a production of 9,8,222 M.T of raw silk. About 87 percent in the states mulberry area and 93 percent of its cocoon production is concentrated in traditional areas of Karnataka Mysore, Kolar, Chitradurga, Bangalore, Tumkur and Mandya districts. The study was conducted in the year 2017-2018 in Molakalmuru, Challakere and Hiriyur taluks of Chitradurga district in Karnataka. From this study among the 120 respondents most of the Bi-voltine silkworm rearing farmers (40.00 %) were found to be in medium level of economic performance followed by low (33.33 %) and (26.66%) high level of economic performance. The total gross income of the Bi-voltine cocoon production for 100 DFLs is Rs 44,415 and Income over variable cost is Rs22235.15 and Net income is Rs5957.83. Whereas, returns per rupee of expenditure is 1.15 for Including mulberry and depreciation cost and excluding mulberry and depreciation cost of Net income is 34491.16. Whereas, returns per rupee of expenditure is 4.47. The relationship between innovativeness, economic motivation, extension agency contact and extension participation were found to have significant association at 1 percent level of significance.

Potato is a principal cash crop in Himachal Pradesh. The production of potato is 198.66 thousand tonnes in 2017-18 and shares a major part in the vegetable production in the state. The socio-economic survey of sample farms in study area revealed that the average family size was composed of 5 members and majority of family members (27%) were in the age group of 16-30 years. Agriculture along with livestock was the main occupation of majority of sampled farm. The pattern of land utilization pattern showed that the average size of farm holdings was 0.82 ha out of which nearly two-third (66%) was under irrigation. The average number of animals maintained on an average farm was 3.13. In Kharif season, vegetable crops were the most important crops and in Rabi season potato was most important. The per farm productivity of potato varied from 160.80 q/ha on small farm to 168.60 q/ha on large farms. About 50 percent of the total farm’s income was generated by agriculture and allied activities and out of total income generated through agriculture, about 10 percent was contributed by potato crop. This crop contributed three times more towards the total income of the large farms than contribution in the income of small farms. The contribution of non-farm income in the total income of farmers was found to be about 43 to 47 percent across the different categories of farms. Results showed that socio-economic conditions of farmers also greatly affect the organisation and management of farms, Large farmers have better potato production because of better socio economic condition.

Experiment was conducted to study the impact of different growth regulators on chipping of cv. Bean vite. Vermiculite was used as growing media in all the treatments. MH(20,40ppm), IBA (50,100 ppm) and Kinetin (50,100ppm) were tested as sources of PGR’s with an aim to know their influence on bulbil formation. Among the different growth regulators used, best results were recorded in bulbs treated with IBA 100 ppm while as Low success rate was recorded in bulbs treated with kinetin 50 ppm. Most of the variations were statistically significant among the treatments.

The present study was conducted in Kashmir valley at different altitudes for bulb production include Shalimar District Srinagar (1591m amsl), Larnu District Anantnag(2133m amsl), and Kandi Khas District Kupwara (1602m amsl) 4 Asiatic cultivars (Navona, Nello, , Daila and Blackout) , 3 oriental cultivars (Parrano, Tiber and Conca D) and 2 LA hybrids (Pedround and Yellow diamond) of Lilium were procured and planted in field at different altitudes of Kashmir Valley. The results showed that bulbs grown at Tangmarg Larnu District Anantnag(2133m amsl) had better growth parameters than other altitudes. The lilium hybrid groups behaved differently according to temperature conditions. Asiatic and Oriental hybrids were better adapted to cooler climates. Fresh weight of Asiatic hybrids ‘Navona’ and ‘Nello” were significantly higher at different altitudes. In Oriental hybrids fresh weight and size of harvested bulbs were higher at District Anantnag. Moreover, the results indicated that dry temperate regions of Kashmir valley are suitable for quality cut flower and bulb production of lilium.

Sheep farming in Hassan district is majorly a livelihood activity for the resource constrained and poor farmers. The socio-economic profile of the sheep farmers across different agro-climatic zones, assessed using multistage stratified random sampling technique revealed that 63.33 percent above 60 years of age (old age), 25.33 percent between 40-59 years (middle age) and 11.33 percent between 20-39 yeas (young age). 62 percent of them belonged to OBC followed by SC (24.67%), ST (10.67%) and GM (2.66%). The type of family was majorly joint type (63.33%). Vast majority of them were either illiterates (32.67%) or primary level educated (39.33%). 42 percent of the sheep farmers were small to semi-medium land holders. Majority of these variables varied significantly across the zones. The overall average flock size of sheep among the farmers was 49.59 ± 3.85. Higher flock size was observed in central dry zone (86.51 ± 9.61) and lower in Southern dry zone (19.04 ± 2.55). However, the differences were statistically significant owing to agro-geographical and traditional variations between the zones. The average flock size observed across the zones was optimum enough to be maintained by the family members.

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) genotypes were evaluated to study variability, correlation and path analysis. Nineteen genotypes were planted using randomized complete block design with three replications during 2013-14. Fruit yield per plant had the highest PCV (56.25) and GCV (45.92). Highest heritability (H2, 73.10) was recorded for number of fruits per plant. Highest genetic advance (35.69) coupled with higher genetic gain (77.23 %) was estimated for fruit yield per plant. Fruit yield was significantly and positively associated with fruit length, fruit breadth, number of fruits per plant and average berry weight at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis revealed that plant height had maximum positive direct effect (0.041) whereas average berry weight had maximum negative direct effect (-0.040) on fruit yield.

An extensive investigation of wild fern resources in the Western Ghats (Location: Mudigere area) was conducted and collected ferns with great ornamental value. Morphological characters and other traits have been recorded for 20 species which were grown in mist house of College of Horticulture, Mudigere. The number of fronds per plant and frond length contributes to yield while plant height, frond breadth and plant spread determines the ornamental values. Nephrolepis undulate (Afzelius ex Sw.) J. Sm have recorded maximum number of fronds and frond length, respectively. The species viz., Adiantum capillus-veneris L., Aleuritopteris anceps (Blanf.) Panigrahi and Parahemionitis cordata (Roxb. Ex Hook. & Grev.) Fraser- possessed special frond characteristics, contributing for their use in potted plants.

The present study was conducted at Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), Dharwad the experiment was evaluation of selected single cross maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids and their parents for physiological traits under drought stress. Plant height, relative water content, gas exchange (net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and leaf temperature) and grain yield per plant ultimately hybrids which are least susceptibility index for drought with different soil moisture availability. Identified the hybrids shown least drought susceptibility index and highest grain yield under drought stress condition viz., DMIL 516 × DMIL 230 (6,338 kg per ha), DMIL 715 × DMIL 607 (3,665 kg per ha), CML 425 × DMIL 516 (3,905 kg per ha), CML 425 × DMIL 607 (3,052 kg per ha), NC 468 × DMIL 692 (3,641 kg per ha) and DMIL 553 × DMIL 447 (3.687 kg per ha) were identified as drought tolerant hybrids for commercial cultivation. Similarly, among the parents shown least drought susceptibility index viz., DMIL 230 (0.65 %), DMIL 715 (0.53 %) and DMIL 516 (0.56 %) showed least drought susceptibility index with least change in physiological parameters under two moisture levels. We found that all these physiological traits, grain yield and drought susceptibility index (DSI) were inhibited by drought stress.

In many parts of the world water scarcity is becoming an increasingly important issue. Climate change predictions of increase in temperature, atmospheric CO2 level and erratic rainfall mean that water will become even scarcer and scarcer. Since agriculture is the major water user, efficient use of water in agriculture is needed for conservation of this limited resource and to get higher productivity. Enhanced drought tolerance and increased water use- efficiency can be achieved by different strategies such as change of crops capable of producing acceptable yields under deficit irrigation or rainfed situations or developing genetically modified crops which can withstand drought condition or by strategies involving agronomic practices like different seed-priming methods such as hydro-priming, halo-priming, osmo-priming or use of microbial inoculants etc. particularly at on farm level.