Boiler ash, a byproduct resulting from the combustion of the bagasse generated in the sugar plants and potash rich ash obtained after burning slope (Concentrated Spent wash) with bagasse, is recognized as a toxic solid waste throughout the world. This solid waste, which is produced in behemoth volume, has very limited applications and directly disposed to landfills. Therefore, these ashes instead of land filling were used as carrier for production of bio-fertlizers and can generate further revenue for sugar industry. So Attempts were made to assess the screening and characterization of isolates from root nodules (Rhizobium) and soil (Phosphate solubilizing Bacteria) with multiple beneficial properties like nitrogen fixation, mineral phosphate solubilization and production of Plant Growth Promoting substances. These prepared bio-fertilizers were applied in field trials on selected urad crop, which was conducted at farm of NSI Kanpur for two years. The field trials on urad crop were done using 8 different treatments. The data were recorded on various growth and yield attributing parameters. Significantly lower grain yield and number of effective nodules were obtained with T1 where no fertilizer and biofertilizers were applied. Based on the mean performance of two years the T5 (100% RDF + Rhizobium+ PSB) of K rich ash was found as best treatment for plant growth and seed yield. This obtained high in plant height, pods weight per plant, grain weight and Straw weight (kg/ha-1) and was significantly superior over Control. Treatment T3 (100% RDF + PSB), and T4 (100% RDF + Rhizobium) were found effective in respect of recorded higher values of these plant growth characters than rest of the treatments in both the different carrier based biofertilizers. Treatments T6, T7 and T8 bio-fertilizers without RDF also showed significant performance than control. Interaction effect of bio-fertilizers was significant for all characters. Thus, it indicates that the process of bio-fertilizers may be good option for seed growers to achieve seed yield and yield components in urad with potash rich ash as a carrier for biofertilizers

Sugarcane is an important cash crop of Andhra Pradesh utilized as a raw material for sugar and bioethanol production. It is a vegetatively propagated crop and is cultivated by planting multi budded setts directly into the field. This method requires 6-8 tonnes of seed material per hectare which is very expensive and accounts for around 20 per cent of the total cost of cultivation. An alternative method to reduce the large amount of seed material utilized in conventional sugarcane planting is the use of single node seedlings. In this context, Front Line Demonstrations (FLD) at three farmer’s fields were conducted during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 cropping seasons in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. The objective of the study is finding out the advantages of single node seedling method of cane cultivation over three budded setts planting in sugarcane. The results of FLD’s showed that the fields planted with single node seedlings produced cane yield of 87 t/ha which was 6.9 % higher than that of conventionally planted cane crop (81 t/ha). The cultivation cost was Rs. 1,84,775 in farmers practice as against Rs.1,70,020 under single node technology. Single node seedling technology produced 45.14 % higher net returns compared to the farmer’s practice. Sugarcane cultivation by single node seedling technology has thus proved to be more productive when compared to farmers practice with reduced cost on seed material, more yields and net returns. This method could be a better alternative for the farmers of North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh under assured irrigation

The traditional system in health management is a wise practice of indigenous knowledge system. These practices have evolved over time with several trials and errors by the local medical practitioners and elders and have been passed on to new generations. The study was an attempt to document and explore the indigenous knowledge about medicinal plants commonly used by Ao-Naga tribe as well as documentation of their use values for primary health care practices. About 41 plant species belonging to 29 families were identified with their scientific name, vernacular name, local name, family, parts used and medicinal use collected from the local practitioners, village headman and elders. The most commonly used parts included leaves, fruits and roots, and were used in the form of paste, decoction and juice. This documentation will enable to play a significant role in conserving the medicinal plants through domestication and cultivation for the future generation

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) forms a real source of information and knowledge for people, particularly farmers, since it cater solution for their different problems through the access to agriculture information. In the present study, the role of media has been examined in rural development with focus on farming activities among paddy cultivators in Kerala. Thus, the access of farmers to various media based on their socio-economic conditions and the effects of various impact accelerating factors on the information dissemination of various media were also assessed. Study was conducted in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state: Chirayinkeezhu, Parassala, and Vamanapuram, representing low land (or coastal plain), mid land and high land regions respectively. Among the various media, farmers have high access to print (46.50 %), mass media (45.00 %), extension services (56.00 %) and mobile (34.00 %). Significant difference was observed in the access to media by farmers across various socio-economic groups and also in the type of media through which information is provided. Within the impact accelerating factors, the digital literacy and possession status are found to be prominent factors. Results on the access to information and type of media implicates that farmers are more prominent towards accessing less skill required media as compared to high skill required media. Thus, only by improving the skill status of farmers, it is possible to improve the access status of media by farmers

Scope of the study: The goal of this paper is to better understand the consumer buying behaviour of exotic vegetables in Coimbatore. Design/Methodology/approach: Coimbatore city was selected as the study area as it was highly diversified and cosmopolitan. The convenience sampling method was employed for the selection of the sample respondents with the aid of well-constructed and pre-screened interview schedules by personal interview. The sample constitutes both female and male consumers who purchase exotic vegetables in regular markets and organized retail stores. For the present study, 25 sample respondents are selected from each category, i.e., Regular market, Reliance Fresh, SPAR, Nilgiris, and Pazhamuthir Nilayam. Hence a total of 125 sample respondents are selected from the study area to receive a wholesome response covering the entire city. Percentage analysis is used to analysis the collected data. Findings: Findings of the study indicate that the exotic vegetable purchase was majorly done by female consumers and the age group of 21-30 years were highly interested in purchasing exotic vegetables. A higher level of education and higher income groups prefer exotic vegetables in their food habit. Majority of the respondents are preferred broccoli (63.00 per cent), coloured capsicum (55.00 per cent), and lettuce (40.00 per cent) in their food habit. Among 80.80 per cent of respondents mostly prefer the offline purchase and the majority of the respondents (33.70 per cent) purchased exotic vegetables from the supermarket, and 73.60 per cent of respondents are Regular buyers. The majority of the respondents (32.80 per cent) consumed exotic vegetables for more than one year and consume exotic vegetables in twice a week interval (34.40 per cent).42.40 per cent of sample respondents prefer purchasing of exotic vegetables during mornings, while 47.20 per cent of the sample respondents preferred exotic vegetables on weekdays. Also, 49.60 per cent of total sample respondents purchased 1.0 to 2.0 kg at a time and 28.00 per cent of the sample respondents were spending Rs. 1001 to Rs. 1500 for exotic vegetables per month. Research limitations: The study is limited to the data collected via the framed and closed questionnaire. Since this is a primary research, the data's accuracy and reliability are dependent on the information given by the participants. The respondent's viewpoints and opinions may be valid for the time being, but they may change in the future. Practical implication: The result of the respondents based on various socio-demographic profiles and purchase behaviour of exotic vegetables will help the farmers/retailers to understand the needs of consumers in the emerging market of exotic vegetables in a better way. Originality/value: The study topic is relatively less researched in terms of consumer perspectives and also it has a wide scope among consumers. It has emerging market growth, especially where organized retail stores and its still early stage. Keywords: Consumer Purchase Behaviour, Consumer Preference, Consumer Purchase Pattern Exotic Vegetables, ANOVA

Sixty rice cultivars collected from the North Bank Plain Zone (NBPZ) of Assam were subjected to assessment of genetic variability and character association with respect to traits associated with grain yield. A higher magnitude of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for chlorophyll ‘a’ followed by panicle length and biological yield. Out of all the characters studied, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for harvest index, biological yield, number of filled grains per panicle and number of spikelets per panicle. Character association studies revealed that the grain yield had a positive and significant association with 100-grain weight, number of spikelet per panicle, number filled grain per panicle, spikelet fertility, biological yield and harvest index at both phenotypic and genotypic level and plant height, number of effective tillers per plant, leaf area index and chlorophyll ‘a’ at genotypic level only

A field experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during Rabi, 2019-20. The results revealed that out of ten treatments, flonicamid 50 WG, imidacloprid 17.8 SL and clothianidin 50 WDG were found highly effective for the control of aphid population. The maximum seed yield was obtained in plots treated with flonicamid 50 WG followed by imidacloprid 17.8 SL and clothianidin 50 WDG. The maximum ICBR was registered in imidacloprid 17.8 SL followed by dimethoate 30 EC and thiamethoxam 25 WG

Currently, several thousands of diseases are attacking human population, and to tackle them it has become substantial for us to explore the antibiotics. Synthetic antibiotics available in market have its own side effects. Recently, the use of natural products has become ideal for treatment of microbial infections. Hence, scientists are in pursuit of antibiotics which are naturally present in plants. As a result, most of the world’s population uses spice materials as traditional medicine because of their strong antimicrobial properties. The application of spices in treating ailments would be an ideal alternative and can also open up opportunities for the development of anticancer, antimicrobial, and antiviral drugs with lower side effects. Several research works have been carried out in spices that suggest their usage as a potential antimicrobial agent. Pharmacological properties of seed spices viz., Cumin, Coriander, Fennel, Fenugreek, Ajwain, Dill, Black cumin, Celery, Aniseed and Caraway with good potential for antimicrobial, antiviral, and radical scavenger abilities is observed. Taking into consideration the significant role of antimicrobial drugs on human, plant and animal life that are free from side effects will help to cure widespread diseases of day-to-day life of population

Rainfall data of Past 115 years (1901-2015) of five districts of south Gujarat, pre monsoon rainfall at Valsad and Bharuch shows the increasing trend while, that of Dang, Surat and Navsari districts are in declining showed by Mann-Kendall trend, Sen’s slope and regression slope. The Mann-Kendall trend, Sen’s slope and regression slope revealed that winter season rainfall at Bharuch divulges the increasing trend while, that of Dang, Valsad, Surat and Navsari districts are in declining. The frequency of occurrence of drought in pre monsoon season at Bharuch and Navsari districts is higher as compared to Dangs, Valsad and Surat districts. Likewise, the frequency of occurrence of excess rainfall at Dangs and Valsad districts is higher as compared to Surat, Navsari and Bharuch districts

CERES wheat and CROPGRO model (DSSAT version v4.5) were used in this study for assessment of ETo. Blackgram season accumulated ETo mm during the years 2007 and 2008 for simulated, Jenson-Haise method and Blaney-Criddle method were 39.04 and 38.39, 37.66 and 39.19 and 40.83 and 36.56 respectively. Wheat season accumulated reference evapotranspiration for 2007 and 2008 for simulated, Jenson-Haise method and Blaney-Criddle method were 40.83 and 41.76, 35.61 and 39.64, 40.82 and 46.08 respectively. Overall, the calibrated ETo by Jensen-Haise method gave closer percentage over simulated ETo with higher correlation and lower error percentage as compare with Blaney-Criddle method. The results revealed that the CERES wheat and CROPGRO model satisfactorily simulated the ETo mm/day

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, which entitles rural households to 100 days of casual employment on public works at the statutory minimum wage, contains special provisions to ensure full participation of women. A major initiative taken by the India to uplift the socio-economic status of the people under the Ministry of Rural Development is that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The implementation of MGNREGA has been absolutely moving the agricultural life moreover as empowering the Indian women in numerous aspects. The present paper reveals the impact of MGNREGA on the socio-economic and psychological empowerment of women beneficiaries and Non- beneficiaries in Karnataka. The study uses a sample of 200 rural women beneficiaries and Non- beneficiaries drawn from Mandya and Chintamani Gram Panchayats representing rainfed and irrigated situation. The study concludes that socially, economically and psychologically empowering women on MGNREGA scheme lays the basis for greater independence and also for self-esteem. It has become a beacon of light in the empowerment of the rural women and contributed substantially for improving their standard of living

The study was carried out the result of mungbean and sesame (herbaceous plant) intercropping systems with different sulphur levels during kharif season of 2017-18. Among the various row ratios, sole planting of crops gave considerably higher seed yield and uptake of nutrients. The best productivity in terms of mungbean equivalent yield (1.21 t/ha) was obtained under sole mungbean followed by mungbean + sesame in 4:1. Higher growth and yield of mungbean and sesame was recorded with increase in levels up to 45 kg S/ha. Intercropping of mungbean + sesame (4:1) gave considerably highest land equivalent magnitude relation

Farm women perform multiple duties and carry out numerous works in house hold, farm and allied activities with minimum available energy. Most of farm women are the anemic, malnourished and have health problems due to insufficient nutrient intake. Farm women should be sustaining healthy and active life; she must take diet as per recommendation. The study was carried out 60 farm women of two Agro climatic–zones of Maharashtra, from central Maharashtra plateau zone Nanded districts and western Vidhrabh Nagpur district in two age groups. Farmwomen were average 149 cm; average weight noted was 45 kg. The present study revealed that diet consumed by both the age group farm women in all the food group were notably inadequate with comparison of Recommended Dietary allowances for moderate working women. The diet of farm women was grossly deficient in major and micro nutrients such as protein, energy, CHO, Iron, Calcium, and Vit C. Statistically highly significant difference was observed between RDA and foodgroups and mean nutrient intake of selected farm women for both the age group. Therefore, Intervention on balanced diet program is very needful for improvement in nutritional status of farm women

A field experiment was conducted at Main Forage Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during rabi-2019-20 to study the effect of nitrogen levels and promising entries on yield and quality of oat. During experimentation evaluated five new cultivars check with two national check single cut oat varieties and one zonal check varieties (V1: SKO 240, V2: OL 1896, V3: HFO-529, V4: HFO-718, V5: JO-05-09, V6: Kent (NC), V7: OS-6 and V8: JHO-2009-1) with four levels of nitrogen (N1: 30 kg N/ha, N2: 60 kg N/ha, N3: 90 kg N/ha and N4: 120 kg N/ha). The Experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Result revealed that OL 1896 reported significantly higher plant, number of tiller and green fodder dry matter percent. Among various cultivar HFO 718 noted higher green fodder yield, green fodder crude protein yield and dry matter yield. Response of various cultivar on protein content, ADF and NDF was found non-significant. Application of 120 kg N/ha reported significantly higher plant height at harvest, number of tillers, green fodder yield, green fodder crude protein and dry matter percent as well as green fodder crude protein and dry matter yield. ADF and NDF percentage was found significantly lower in 30 kg N/ha treatment