The Rice crop is grown in 43934 ha in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh during Kharif and Rabi. The traditional medium slender grain cultivar BPT-5204 is most popularly grown variety during Kharif and occupies 30-40% of area in the district, which is susceptible to BPH and blast resulting in low yields and low net returns. Hence on farm trials were conducted during 2012-13, 2013-14 & 2014-15 with objective to assess the performance of new rice variety NDLR-7 which is medium slender short duration (130-135d) variety with tolerance to BPH and blast. During all the three years maximum number of BPH/sample was very low in NDLR-7 than BPT 5204 and maximum collections were recorded in November followed by October month. During all the years the variety recorded 6.1t/ha with average net returns of Rs.76,808/- per ha where as BPT-5204 recorded 5.83t/ha with average net returns of Rs.68,542/ha. Because of its high yield, pest tolerance and good cooking quality it is widely accepted by farmers through horizontal spread of technology. Due to extension activities of KVK, Kalikiri area under NDLR-7 has been increased from 80ha in 2013-14 to 2000 ha in 2016-17 owing to its tolerance to BPH, fine grain and high market price and first choice of farmers, millers and traders.

The present investigation conducted out at Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Dapoli, Dist.Ratnagiri (M.S.) during kharif 2017. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design. There were ten treatments replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of oxyflourfen (PE) (T1), oxadiargyl (PE) (T2), oxyflourfen (PE) fb HW at 30 DAT (T3), oxadiargyl (PE) fb HW at 30 DAT (T4), oxyflourfen (PE) fb bispyribac sodium (POE) (T5), oxadiargyl (PE) fb bispyribac sodium(POE) (T6), oxyflourfen (PE) fb metasulfuron methyl + chlorimuron-ethyl (POE) (T7), oxadiargyl (PE) fb metasulfuron-methyl + chlorimuron-ethyl (POE) at 25 DAT (T8), Weed free check (T9), unweeded check (T10). The soil of experimental plot was sandy clay loam in texture, acidic in pH and medium in organic carbon content. It was low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and available potassium. The soil was levelled, well drained and uniform in depth. During the course of present investigation, periodical growth observations, yield contributing characters and yield were recorded to evaluate the treatment effects. Results revealed that among all the treatments, treatment weed free check and among weedicide treatments, treatment oxyflourfen (PE) @ 0.1 kg a.i. ha-1 fb HW at 30 DAT produced higher growth, yield attributes and yield as compared to rest of the treatments under study.

Among all the potato growing regions of India, Punjab occupies a special position as majority of the potatoes grown in the state are used for seed purpose outside. The major clients of seed potatoes produced in Punjab are the states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Odisha etc. This role has made the state to earn the status of “Seed Bowl of Potato “in India. The potato statistics of Punjab during the period 1950-51 to 2010-15 indicates higher average growth rates in area and production in comparison to country as a whole. During 1950-51 to 2010-15, annual compound growth rate for potato area and production in Punjab stands at 7.15% and 11.06% respectively as compared to 3.45% and 6.24% respectively at all India basis.

The study was conducted in fourteen districts of Centrally Sponsored Scheme Agricultural Technology Management Agency (CSS-ATMA) at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat with a sample size of 120. In these 120 members, 60 were BTM & 60 were ATM. The main findings of the study were, majority of the BTMs and ATMs belonged to medium age group with a mean of 32.66 and 30.58 respectively. The majority of the BTMs and ATMs have medium level of service experience with a mean of 6.20 and 4.56 respectively. In case of other independent variables like Perceived organizational support, job involvement, achievement motivation, job satisfaction also majority of the respondents belongs to medium level. In case of independent variables like perceived work environment mean is 12.73 and 11.33 for BTM and ATM respectively. In case of attitude towards extension work the mean is 23.01 and 18.73 for BTM and ATM respectively.

Abiotic stresses are major challenges affecting yield and production in plants including fruit trees. Drought, salinity, high temperature, frost are the major problems in tropical and subtropical ecosystems wherein major fruit orchards are concentrated. The review presents current scenario and understanding on the mechanism of abiotic stress responses in fruit crops. An overview of the physiological, biochemical and molecular changes that occur upon confronting stress is also presented. The details of the genes involved in stress response, native adaptation mechanism in natural ecosystems are also highlighted. Several abiotic stress pathways, trehalose biosynthesis genes, signal perception and transduction mechanisms are described. Insights into biochemistry of ROS, their production sites, antioxidant defence systems working in concert to control the cascades of uncontrolled oxidation to protect from oxidative damage are also covered. Opportunities and scope for stress breeding in fruits to re-establish homeostasis in stressful environments can be key to changing climate conditions.

Climate change is one of the most significant challenges the world is facing today. The problems of human induced climate change drew consideration of researchers and policy makers Climate and agriculture are inextricably linked, while, the magnitude of climate change impact varies greatly by region. In this context, the present study was an attempt to analyze rainfall variability in the Krishna river basin. The secondary data related to monthly annual rainfall data for a period of (1987-2016) were collected from the Krishna River Basin. Data were collected from different sources of Government of Karnataka, Government of India, Department of Meteorology and Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES) Bengaluru for analysis for assessments and comparisons of rainfall. Descriptive analysis like means, percentages, coefficient of variation, mean deviation, correlation matrix and other descriptive statistics were used. The mean annual rainfall of this region was 100.44 cm spread with coefficient of variation of 25.29. The maximum rainfall was 145.78 cm during 1998. The normal range was between mean 100.44 cm annual rainfall was 80.75 to 109.00 cm. Out of 30 years, eight years viz., 1988, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000 received excess of rainfall (+>10%). Whereas ten years viz., 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 received less than -10 to -49 percent rainfall than the normal range and these ten years are declared as moderate drought years. The study concluded that suitable cropping patterns for different rainfall situations have to be identified through research and recommended to the farmers. Research efforts to evolve drought resistant, short duration and high yielding varieties of crops need to be strengthened.

The objectives of the study were to study the effect of different treatment combinations of fertilizer and FYM on to introduce the targeted yield concept for fertilizer recommendation for maintaining soil fertility. To adjudge the performance of conjunctive use of chemical fertilizer and organic manures using targeted yield concept of recommendation.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) is a perennial aquatic plant grown for use as food, medicine and also for cultural and religious activities. Lotus root is the edible rhizome of the lotus plant. It is interesting to note that all parts of lotus plant are edible and are used in oriental medicine. Lotus is generally grown in the waterlogged field, and pond. In Chhattisgarh lotus rhizome, cylindrical and brown is known as Dhais and at some parts of state it is also known as Kamal gatta or Kamal kakdi. Lotus rhizomes are low in cholesterol and saturated fat. They are rich in vitamin C and good source of dietary fibre, vitamin B6, thiamin, phosphorus, potassium, copper and manganese. Cost estimation of lotus cultivation was done by the field observation and discussion with farmers. The traditional harvesting method consists of farmers feeling for the rhizomes using their toes and then digging them out their hands. The rhizomes are sold in per kg basis, flower and fruit (Pod) on no. basis. The major cost of the production was observed on harvesting of the lotus rhizome, which was one of the most unhygienic and tedious job. Total cost of cultivation in three seasons was observed to be Rs 6.455 lakhs whereas, the gross return was recorded as Rs 9.15 lakhs. Net return was recorded as Rs 2.695 lakhs.

Use of biocontrol agents and resistant sources proved to be better when compared to chemical means, both in terms of cost and its side effects. Hence in vitro biocontrol studies were conducted using four efficient biocontrol agents such as three fungi (Purpureocillium lilacinum, Pochonia chlamydosporia, Trichoderma harzianum) and one bacteria (Bacillus subtilis). Under laboratory condition, egg hatching and juvenile mortality tests were made to know the efficacy of biocontrol agents in the form of culture filtrate. Among these, P. lilacinum and P. chlamydosporia were almost equally effective in comparison with other biocontrol agents in controlling the root knot nematode in mango. P. lilacinum was very effective in inhibiting the egg hatching of M. incognita (78%) whereas P. chlamydosporia was best among the four organisms in juvenile mortality test (90.75%). Screening of mango rootstocks of five different varieties were also made to know their status of resistance against root knot nematode. In case of screening, the rootstock of polyembryonic variety H- 13- 1 was moderately resistant (Root knot index- 3) in comparison with the other four variety rootstocks.

One of the major strategies to enhance sugarcane and sugar productivity in the sub-tropical India is to select elite sugarcane clones having high sucrose content and a longer tillering duration for commercial cultivation and their scientific harvesting schedule. A study was conducted at The Uttar Pradesh Council of Sugarcane Research, Shahjahanpur to assess the sucrose content of five early maturing and five mid-late maturing varieties. The varieties were harvested from the month of early crushing (October) to late crushing (April). The early varieties, CoS 8436, CoS 08272,CoSe 8231, Co 0238, and Co 0118 showed high percent sucrose, percent fibre and pol percent in cane in comparison to the mid-late varieties CoS 767,CoS 97261,CoS 08279,CoS 07250, and CoSe 01434. Percent juice sucrose of early maturing varieties was 12.9-16.9% during October, and gradually increased until April where the range was 20.1-21.2%. The sucrose percent in juice of mid-late maturing varieties was 13.5-14.7% in October, and increased to 18.9-19.7% in April. Although, the overall superiority of the early maturing varieties continued throughout the harvesting period and the mid-late maturing varieties showed promising performance equivalent to early maturing varieties from February onwards. Values for Pol percent cane showed a similar trend. Percent fibre of the early varieties was 12.4-13.2%, and increased by an average of 1.5 units by April in all the varieties. In mid-late maturing varieties, the percent fibre was 13-13.3% in October, and increased by 0.5-1.0 units by April. These results show that proper balance of the area under early and mid-late maturing varieties and their scientific harvesting schedule will improve sugar recovery in this part of the country.

Pregnancy is indisputably the most exciting time in woman's life. And just as with any exciting event there's also the thrill of uncertainty. It is during nine months that you experience the maximum changes in your body both internal and external - some obvious, some subtle. The aim of this study is to focus on the problem of pregnancy in Gujarat. In this study pregnancy problem checked on respondents from rural and urban area of Gujarat and also checked from different age group like of more than 30 years & less than 30 years. Sample 50 were from rural area and 50 were from urban area. Pregnancy complications are more common in older women & rural areas Women over 40 have a higher rate of cesarean delivery.

Drying of steam balanced 4mm thickness carrot slice was carried out in three drying methods such as tray drying at 70ºC, Radio frequency (RF) drying with initial moisture content of 90%wb at 210mm electrode distance and combination drying which includes drying of carrot slices of moisture content up to 40%wb in tray dryer at 70ºC followed by RF drying until complete drying. The dried carrot slices were stored in Zip lock pouches at ambient condition for 90 days and its physic-chemical changes were compared. During the 90th day of storage, the rehydration ratios were 9.3, 9.4 and 9.4 for tray dried, RF dried and combination dried carrot slices respectively. The L value of dried carrot slices changed to 32.57, 38.45 and 37.21, the ‘a’ value of dried carrot slices changed to 19.07, 17.65 and 19.54 and the ‘b’ value of dried carrot slices changed to 21.41, 24.16 and 23.52 for tray dried, RF dried and combination dried carrot slices respectively during 90th day of storage. After drying the β carotene content were found to be 21.23, 68.21 and 38.78 mg/100g of dry sample. During the 90th day of storage, the β carotene content were found to be decreased to 18.75, 50.6 and 28.26 mg/100g of dry sample for tray dried, RF dried and combination dried carrot slices respectively. During the 90th day of storage, the total sugar content were 60.56, 80.24 and 64.59 mg/100g of dry sample for tray dried, RF dried and combination dried carrot slices respectively.

Awareness building about development schemes is an integral function for spreading new information, ideas and technology which not only minimizes the information gap but also opens up avenues for positive thinking in development perspective. Communication sources (formal, informal and mass media) provide stimuli related to programme objectives, beneficiaries, procedures and benefits on massive scale and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was one such programme which got priority by different sources. The impact of the sources on perceived gain in knowledge was the major point of interest for the researchers in the present study which was taken up in Mayurbhanj and Jharsuguda districts of Odisha, India representing good performing and poor performing districts respectively. By adopting multi-stage sampling technique 228 beneficiaries and 152 non-beneficiaries were selected for the study and appropriate tools were employed to quantify the parameters. The analysis of data brought out that in both districts, the knowledge level about MGNREGA was higher among the respondents who had used informal sources more as compared to the respondents using formal sources and mass media.

India is the third largest producer and second largest consumer of Chemical fertilizer in the world, after China. The total production of nitrogen (N) in India was 13.43 million tons during 2017-18. However, the consumption of N was 16.96 million tons during 2017-18. So 3.43 million tones N was imported by India during 2017-18. Cereals are the maximum consumer of nitrogenous fertilizer. Cereals are the major source of food and fodder. Total cereal production of India is 251 Million tons during 2017-18. It is main source of energy for human being and animals. It play vital role for synthesis of chlorophyll and protein. Nitrogen use efficiency is very less (25-30%), because it is lost very easily through volatilization and leaching so precision nitrogen management is required. Low use efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture contributes to different environmental impact like eutrophication of surface water bodies, acidification of agricultural soil and increased concentration of nitrous oxides in atmosphere contributing to global warming. Split application of the N fertilizer to cereal may reduce the rapid nitrous oxide emission and increase nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Leaf Color Chart (LCC), Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) meter, site specific nutrient management (SSNM), crop canopy sensor, crop stimulation models and controlled release fertilizers (CRF) are effective tools of precision N management. Around 10-25 % nitrogen can save through precision nitrogen management. According to our discussion LCC an ideal tool and eco-friendly to optimize NUE irrespective to N applied.

Twenty Sahiwal female calves having age groups of 7 to 12 months and between 80 to 111 kg body weights were randomly allotted into four groups of five animals in each, viz., T1 (basal diet), T2 (basal diet with RPM 5 g/d), T3 (basal diet with RPL 15 g/d) and T4 (basal diet with RPM 5 g plus RPL 15 g/d) on the basis of age and their body weight for 90 days to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of rumen protected methionine (RPM) and rumen protected lysine (RPL) individually and in combination on haematological and blood biochemical profile. The results revealed no significant difference in haematological parameters. Supplementation of rumen protected amino acid did not affect level of glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, triglycerides and total cholesterol, however significant differences were observed in Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) (P≤0.01) and creatinine (P≤0.05) levels in T4 as compared to other treatment groups.

To suggest most suitable pre-harvest forecasting model on mustard crop for Banaskantha district of Gujarat state past 32 years (1982-83 to 2013-14) weather data (weekly average of maximum and minimum temperature, morning and evening relative humidity, bright sunshine hours/day and rainfall (mm) from 42nd to 3rd meteorological standard weeks (MSW) were collected from the Agro-Meteorological Observatory, Agronomy Instruction Farm, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar. The time trend was also included as independent variable. The data on average mustard yield (dependent variable) of Banaskantha district were obtained from the Directorate of Agriculture, Gujarat state, Gandhinagar. The step-wise regression procedure was employed by using 28 years data. The prediction equations and forecast of subsequent years were obtained separately for 26 to 28 years data set. The positive and significant effect of rainfall was observed. Effect of time trend was not observed suggested that technological advancement was not found significant with the mustard yield. The correlation coefficient as weight approach was found superior compared to other approaches. This approach provided suitable pre-harvest forecasting model predicting yield 4 weeks before actual harvest and explained more than 51 % variation in mustard yield.

Pulsed magnetic field processing is a novel method of food preservation which involves the use of magnetic field in the form of pulses with varying frequency. Pulsed magnetic field treatment was given to orange juice at different concentration for inactivating the microorganism and for retaining the quality parameters during storage period. A laboratory model batch type Pulsed magnetic field treatment chamber was designed. To evaluate the efficiency of the system, the different process parameters were selected i.e., magnetic field intensity (2T, 4T and 6T), Concentration of fruit juice (10, 15 and 20%) and treatment time (5, 10 and 15 min). The process parameters had significant effect (p<0.01) on microbial destruction, viscosity and colour value of orange juice. Log reduction for TPC was found to be maximum of 2.28 and for yeast and mold reduction was found to be 1.02 for fruit juice subjecting to 4T magnetic field with 15 min treatment time stored under refrigerated condition for about 10 days.

The study brings to a focus, the growth and trade performances of Indian coffee. Secondary data on area, production, productivity and export of coffee were collected for the period of 1990-91 to 2017-18. Growth rate of area (2.39%) and production (2.24%) of Indian coffee has been increased over the study period. Coffee export in terms of quantity (3.91), value (9.73) and unit value (5.60) also registered a positive growth. The results of Coppock’s instability index revealed the existence of stability in the area (2.54%), production (9.51) and productivity (4.32%) of Indian coffee. The instability index for quantity, value and unit value realized from Indian coffee export was found to be 13.79%, 22.63% and 18.81% respectively. The results of Markov chain model found Italy, Poland, Russia, and Jordan as the loyal and stable market for Indian coffee. With the increasing global demand per se there is a huge scope for expanding the cultivation in non-traditional regions. Adoption of new technologies and initiatives on value chain is essential.

The objectives of the study were to study the effect of different treatment combinations of fertilizer and FYM on to introduce the targeted yield concept for fertilizer recommendation for maintaining soil fertility. To adjudge the performance of conjunctive use of chemical fertilizer and organic manures using targeted yield concept of recommendation.

The present investigation entitled “Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, leaf yield and economics of spinach (Beta vulgaris L.) var. Pusa Jyoti” was carried out during kharif 2016-17 (first year), 2017-18 (second year) and pooled at the Experimental field, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, RVSKVV, Datia (M.P.) with 16 treatment combinations of three levels of inorganic fertilizers i.e. 50% RDF (75:40:50 kg NPK ha-1), 75% RDF (112.5:60:75 kg NPK ha-1) and 100% RDF control (150:80:100 kg NPK ha-1), three organic manure i.e. 20 t FYM ha-1, 10 t vermicompost (VC) ha-1 and 7.5 t poultry manure (PM) ha-1 and two bio-fertilizers viz,. 5 kg Azotobacter (Azo) ha-1 and 5 kg PSB ha-1.Experiments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Results revealed that the application of 75% RDF + 10 t Vermicompost ha-1 + 5 kg PSB ha-1 + 5 kg Azotobacter ha-1 (T8)was recorded significantly maximum plant height, number of leaves plant-1, fresh and dry weight ofleaves plant-1 and leaves yield hectare-1at first year, second year and pooledas compared to control. The net return of Rs 1,79,592 ha-1 and cost benefit ratio 1: 3.88 was found maximum with the application of 75% RDF + 7.5 t Poultry Manure ha-1 + 5kg PSB ha-1 + 5 kg Azotobacter ha-1(T12) it also gave the leafyield 241.93 q ha-1(Rank third and at par with T8) but the significantly maximum leaf yield of 253.57 q ha-1 was obtained in the treatment T8 (75% RDF + 10 t Vermicompost ha-1 + 5 kg PSB ha-1 + 5 kg Azotobacter ha-1)it was gave net return of Rs 1,50,232 ha-1 and cost benefit ratio 1: 2.45 as compared to treatment T14 (50% RDF + 10 t VC ha-1 + 5 kg Azo. ha-1 + 5kgPSBha-1).Due to high price of vermicompost, the net returns and cost: benefit ratio of the treatments with vermicompost were relatively low in spite of high green yield and gross return when compared with that of Poultry Manure.Applicationof75% RDF + 7.5 t Poultry Manure ha-1 + 5kg PSB ha-1 + 5 kg Azotobacter ha-1 was economically viable treatment.