The present investigations were carried out to study the effect of different plant geometries and training levels on the seed quality of tomato cultivar Solan Lalima, at the department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan during Kharif season, 2013. The treatment combinations comprised of four training levels i.e. Y1 (single stem), Y2 (double stem), Y3 (unpruned with horizontal string) and Y4 (unpruned bush stakes, control) and eight plant geometries viz. S1 (60×15 cm), S2 (60+30×15 cm), S3 (60×30 cm), S4 (60+30×30 cm), S5 (90×15 cm), S6 (90+30×15 cm), S7 (90×30 cm) and S8 (90+30×30 cm). Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the treatment combinations for all the characters studied. The treatment combination Y1S7 (single stem and plant spaced at 90×30 cm) gave the best results for thousand seed weight (3.90 g), germination percentage (89.33 %), seedling length (14.20 cm), seedling dry weight (1.55 mg), seed vigour index-Length & Mass (1269.20 & 138.25, respectively) but it gave a low seed yield per unit area (257.55 kg/ha). The combination Y2S5 (double stem and 90×15 cm) gave a higher seed yield per hectare (519.71 kg) over all other treatments. This treatment also gave highest benefit: cost ratio (5.17:1) which is an ultimate goal of any experiment.

The use of polyethylene mulch in vegetable cultivation has increased the last 10 years. In India due to the benefits of maintain favorable soil temperature, reduced weed growth, moisture conservation and higher crop yields. A field experiment was conducted on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) at Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal during (December-April) in 2013-14 and 2014-15, in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments consisted of inorganic mulchs (red, black and silver), organic mulch and control. Results of the study indicated highest values of plant height, number of flowers per cluster, SPAD values, fruit weight, yield and soil temperature were observes red mulch followed by black and silver plastic mulch as organic mulch and control. All coloured mulching had significantly higher marketable yield of tomato compared to organic mulch and control. Marketable yield increased by 64.54% in red coloured mulched tomato followed by 57.45 % in blak, 45.40% in silver, 21.98% in organic mulched crop over control. The highest soil microbial biomass content (MBC) content were recorded in red mulch (17.2x 106) followed by black mulch (12.4 x 106) than silver (10 x 106) mulch, MBC content in organic mulch was recorded (7.2 x 106) and lowest MBC content was recorded in control (4.4 x 106).

Twenty two NILs and 94 pyramided lines were evaluated for shoot, root traits and water use efficiency (WUE) under two water regimes. Significant differences for different pyramid genotypes were observed under low moisture stress (LMS) condition. Higher yield was recorded in qRT 2+7-14-4 genotype containing root length QTL on chromosome 2 and 7, under well watered condition; under stress, yield was high in genotype qRT 2+9- 19-3 having QTL on chromosome 2 and 9. A set of 50 root pyramid genotypes were analyzed for carbon-13 isotope discrimination, a surrogate trait for WUE. Highest WUE among QTL introgressed lines was observed for qRT 1+7-16-4 genotype for root QTL on Chr. 1 and 7. Root phenology using polypropylene pipes revealed significant differences among genotypes for root length, root number, root volume, root fresh weight and root dry weight. Maximum root length and root number were for qRT 1+7-18-4 and qRT 1+7-19 genotypes containing QTL on chromosome 1 and 7 respectively. Root volume was highest in QTL introgressed genotype qRT 2+7-10-4. The best performed lines were forwarded for subsequent testing towards developing drought tolerant genotypes.

Study focused on impact assessment of front line demonstrations (FLDs) through assessing and comparing the level of adoption of recommended mustard production technology (MPT) by beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers. The sample consisted of randomly selected 102 mustard growers. Results described the positive impact of front line demonstrations on adoption of mustard production technology by the respondents. The findings supported that there existed a significant difference in level of adoption between beneficiary and non-beneficiary respondents regarding recommended practices of mustard cultivation. The value of rank order correlation (0.94) was positive and significant, supported the significant correlation with extent of adoption of improved mustard production technology by the beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers. The beneficiary farmers were much motivated for adoption of technology. Front line demonstrations depicted the increased production as well significant change in attitude and adoption of mustard production technology. Hence, more number of farmers must be set forth under the umbrella of the technology demonstration.

The present investigation was carried out at Research Farm of the department of Vegetable Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during spring Rabi season of 2014-15 on the basis of characterization and variability present in twenty-five garlic genotypes. The twenty-five genotypes were laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The cloves of each genotype were planted manually on 28th October 2014 in flat beds of 3x2 m size at a spacing of 15x10 cm. The genotypes were categorized on the basis of plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, foliage colour, pseudostem length, polar and equatorial diameter of bulb, number of cloves per bulb, skin colour of bulb and cloves and days to harvesting, which differentiate the garlic genotypes. The material assessed in the present investigation possessed wide range of variation for various characters observed. The genotypes were characterized for their morphological characters.