In the present study two free threshable mutant lines derieved from interspecific hybradization followed by mutation were used to generate F2 populations involving non free threshable dicoccum variety (DDK-1025) and analyzing genetic parameters like genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and associations. The cross DDK-1025 x ML-1 exhibited considarable variation for traits like plant height, tiller number, spikelets per spike, grain yield per plant, threshability and presence of rachis and number of grains per spike, spike density and thousand grains in cross DDK-1025 x ML-2 exhibited had high mean values. Most of the traits recorded higher values for phenotypic coefficient of variation followed by genotypic coefficient of variation and high heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance. The nature of association of yield and its attributes was similar in both the crosses, except for few characters viz., number of grains per spike with plant height. It was noticed strong association between threshability and presence of rachis in both the crosses.

This investigation was carried out to find the effect of sowing dates and cultivars on yield and economic attributes of summer sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) with five different dates of sowing (10th February, 20th February, 2nd March, 12th March and 22nd March) in the main plots and three cultivars of sesame (Rama, Savitri and Tillotama) in the sub plots, in a split plot design with three replication was conducted on sesame. The crop sown on 2nd March produced highest amount of seed yield which was 55.99 percent and 40.85 percent as compared to the other date of sowing during 2013 and 2014 respectively. Cultivar Rama recorded highest seed yield 17.70 percent and 12.06 percent during 2013 and 2014, respectively followed by Savitri and Tillotama. The date of sowing significantly influenced the number of branches plant-1, number of capsules plant-1, number of seeds capsule-1 and test weight of seeds. The highest yield attributes was recorded when sesame sown on 2nd day of March. Moreover, Rama produced the higher values with respect to number of capsules plant-1, number of seeds capsule-1 and test weight. Among sowing dates, sowing of crop during 2nd day of March gave significantly higher gross returns, net return and return per INR investment. Irrespective of cultivars, Rama (V1) gave significantly higher economic return as compared to Savitri and Tillotama during 2013 and 2014, respectively. The results indicated that sowing of sesame within 2nd March to 12th March is the optimum sowing dates of sesame to have optimum seed yield if grown as late summer crop. Based on the result obtained, it can be concluded that cultivar Rama can be adopted in this region during summer season, because of its highest seed yield ability.

This study has examined trend in growth and instability of major spices in India for the last 39 years from 1974-75 to 2012-13, which were further divided into three sub-periods. The growth rates were worked out by fitting the exponential growth function and instability analysis was carried out by generating Cuddy Della instability index. The study has observed that almost all the spices have recorded a positive and significant growth rate in all the sub-periods. Sub-period II (1990-91 to 1999-00) is comparatively stable in terms of area, production and productivity in all the spices which also recorded a higher growth rates. Sub-period III (2000-01 to 2012-13) however witnessed fluctuations in growth rate in most of the spices. Variations in weather and price fluctuations were observed as the main factors affecting growth and instability in spices in India. So, plans should be formulated to make spice sector more research oriented to prevent it from vagaries of weather and also plan should be oriented towards creation of efficient markets.

The present study examines the resource-use efficiency and extent of diversification in farming system in tribal region of central Gujarat. The maize- based farming system has been found predominant in the study area. Livestock, poultry, and cereals have been observed to be the main sources of farm income. To determine the level of diversification in various farming system different diversification index was employed. Among different index composite entropy index was found better than all other index because it considered weightage of number of crops. It was found that composite entropy index was highest (0.73) in FS-IV and lowest (0.60) in FS-I. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to estimate the resource use efficiency level. Findings revealed that the farmers were inefficient in using the resources. The seeds and irrigations were found to be over-utilized, while fertilizers, labourer and agrochemicals were found to be under-utilized. The results showed that appropriate adjustment is required for optimum allocation of resources and to maximize the revenue from the maize cultivation.

Utilization and repayment of borrowed agricultural loans has been one of the numerous of agricultural development in the developing world and India is no exception. As such, this study focused on to identify the factors which influence overdues of tribal borrowers in Jharkhand State of India. A sample of 240 borrowers was selected by multistage sampling technique for analyzing the problem of overdues. In estimating problem of overdues of the borrowers, the linear discriminant function analysis was employed and results showed that income and farm experience made the most significant contributions to the discrimination to the tune of 39.38 per cent and 15.10 per cent respectively. Other socio economic factors that contributed to the discrimination between defaulters and non-defaulters were age (11.95 per cent) land holding size (9.99 per cent), irrigation potential (9.48 per cent), amount borrowed (9.10 per cent) and family size (5.40 per cent). On the other hand education had a negative contribution of -0.40 per cent and cropping intensity has no contribution to discrimination between defaulters and non-defaulters.