Maize is of the main cereal produced. In this study the seed mycoflora of freshly harvested maize of zone-I were isolated by standard technique i.e. Agar plate method (APM) and Blotter plate method (BPM). A total of 9 genera i.e. Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium notatum, P. expensum, Trichoderma sp. Fusarium verticilioides, Rhizoctonia solani, and Macrophomina phaseolina were isolated by standard Agar plate method and 7 fungal genera, i.e. Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium notatum, Fusarium verticilioides, Rhizoctonia solani and Macrophomina phaseolina by blotter plate method. On the basis of density, frequency and abundance, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were found as dominate and taken for detail study. The seed lot of this zone is three categories i.e. Original (OS), Partial discolour (PDS) and Discolour seed (DS). Maximum important value index (IVI), Simpson index of dominance (D), Shannon-Weaver index of diversity (H) and Evenness (E)of Aspergillus flavus OS (88.961%, 0.0779, 0.360, 0.224), PDS (88.912%, 0.0878, 0.360, 0.224) and DS (90.536%, 0.0911, 0.362, 0.225) were contributed. In Blotter plate method, highest density of A. niger OS (3.946), A. flavus PDS (4.286), DS (4.300) were recorded. Maximum frequency showed by A. flavus OS (96.667 %), DS (100.000%) and A. niger PDS (100.000%). The abundance of A. niger and A. flavus OS (0.295), A. flavus PDS (0.302), DS (0.328) were recorded. Relative density maximum recorded in A. niger OS (22.940%), A. flavus PDS (24.933%) and DS (23.305%). Relative frequency highest were found in A. flavus OS (23.387%), DS (23.810%) and A. niger PDS (22.727%) and relative abundance were intended in A. flavus OS (29.467%), PDS (30.189 %) and DS (32.824%). Maximum IVI, Simpson index of dominance, Shannon-Weaver index of diversity and evenness contributed A. flavus OS (75.179%, 0.0628, 0.347, 0.215), PDS (74.628 %, 0.0619, 0.346, 0.215) and DS (79.939 %, 0.0711, 0.352, 0.219). These species are some of the common on the maize during storage and spoil the grains. So, the next step is monitoring the mycotoxin production of isolated species.

A field study was conducted to study the soil dynamics in teak and bamboo stands planted to rehabilitate degraded soil in Futala farm, Dr. P.D. Krishi Vidhyapeeth, College of Agriculture, Nagpur, India. Soil samples were collected from a planting arrangement and age sequence of 0-, 8-, 14-, 17- and 19- year old plantations to assess the effects of trees stand on physic-chemical and micronutrient status of the soil. The tree stand altered the status of soil organic carbon (OC), Inorganic carbon (IOC), DTPA-Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn, decreased pH of the soil when referred to the cultivable land. The increment of micronutrients and decrement of pH in the soil was in the order of chrono-sequence and the nutrient index (NIV) for soil of teak and bamboo plantations was medium for iron, zinc and high for manganese and copper. These changes in the soil are hypothetical in agroforestion of degraded sites.

The present investigation was carried out at Project Coordinating Unit (Sesame and Niger) Research Farm, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) during 2015-16 to determine the extent of genetic variation, association and their interrelationship of yield with yield attributing traits among 71 niger accessions. Results revealed that high magnitude of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for seed yield per plant followed by Free fatty acid content (%), number of secondary branches per plant, number of primary branches per plant, number of capitula per plant, plant height and seed length while, all other characters showed low PCV and GCV. High heritability was recorded for almost all the characters except number of primary branches/plant which showed moderate heritability. High genetic advance was exhibited by seed yield/plant followed by free fatty acid content (%), number of secondary branches/plant, number of capitula/plant, seed length, number of primary branches/plant and plant height. Moderate genetic advance was recorded for oil content (%). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was exhibited by seed yield/plant followed by free fatty acid content (%), number of secondary branches/plant, number of capitula/plant, seed length and plant height indicating lesser influence of environment and presence of additive gene action, hence amenable for simple selection. Correlation revealed that positive and highly significant association of seed yield/plant was exhibited by seed length, number of capitula/plant, 1000 seed weight, number of secondary branches/plant and days to 50% flowering. Path analysis showed the highest positive direct effect on seed yield/plant was exerted by seed length followed by number of capitula/plant, number of secondary branches/plant, 1000 seed weight and days to 50% flowering suggesting that these traits are good yield enhancing indices

The cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae Woll.) causal organism of ‘molya disease’ is considered to be key nematode pest in India. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to study the inheritance of resistance for H. avenae in the F1, F2, and backcross progenies of the parents P12210 (Susceptible) × Raj MR-1 (Resistant) and P12231 (Susceptible)× Raj MR-1 (Resistant). The F1 plants of all the crosses were susceptible to H. avenae indicating that susceptibility was dominant over resistance for this disease. A 3:1 ratio of resistant to susceptible progenies in the F2 generation, indicating the monogenic recessive inheritance of resistance for H. avenae. Test cross (F1 × recessive parent) progeny was segregated in the ratio of 1 susceptible: 1 resistant. The back cross of F1 plants with susceptible parents gave all susceptible progeny. These results also confirmed the monogenic recessive nature of the inheritance. Therefore, the results of our study indicated that resistance is controlled by a single recessive gene. This information may be helpful in selection and breeding of susceptible cultivars of wheat for resistance to H. avenae.

Participatory irrigation management refers to the involvement of farmers (water users) in the different aspects of irrigation management such as planning, designing, construction and supervision, policy and decision making, operation and maintenance, and evaluation of irrigation system. The required information for the study were collected from primary and secondary sources. Based on highest number of water users’ cooperative society, Rajkot and Jamnagar districts were selected purposively. Moreover, Cobb-Douglas production function was also employed to examine the resource use efficiency in wheat production, separately for both the groups. Major finding of the study revealed that there existed difference in cropping pattern and crop intensity, between two groups of respondents. The average gross return of wheat crop was Rs. 31200 and Rs. 21001 in case of farmers from functional and non-functional water uses’ cooperative society, respectively. All variables, except plant protection chemical had positive and significant impact on wheat production in both the groups of respondent.

The study was conducted in the Pandah and Navanagar Blocks of Ballia District of Uttar Pradesh during 2011-12 to see value chain and constraints in maize marketing and price behaviour in Uttar Pradesh. Four villages namely (Kathaura, Bhati, and Rudrabar, Sadwapur) were randomly selected from Navanagar and Pandah Blocks. Twenty farmers from each village (Maize growing villages) were selected on random basis. Thus, a total 80 respondents were selected from four villages. For analyzing the value chain and Constraints, data were obtained by personal interview with Maize growers, Wholesalers and Retailers and for analyzing the Price behavior, data were collected from Kisan Mandi Bhawan, Statistical Department of Lucknow. Tool used for value chain of Maize was Chart Method and Garret’s Ranking Technique was used to identify the most important problems/constraints in the marketing of Maize.Collected data were analyzed with the help of simple statistical tools like Means, Percentage, Moving Average etc. Maize is an important crop of the world. Today's time there is much scope for value chain in maize by which it can be processed into different products such as Maize flour, Sattu, Lozi for children, Pashuaaharpind, Bhujia, Dalia, Murgi Dana, Finisher. In the case of small farmers, not selling the produce outside was the problem that was ranked first. Medium farmers and large farmers facing problem of not sending the produce outside and delay in cash payment. Long distance to the primary market, lack of storage facility and poor market information were other important problems for medium farmers. The price of Maize crop depends on the market arrivals and demand. Seasonal indices shows the seasonal prices, in which price indices more than 100 shows that WSP are more and vice-versa. Study revealed by the line graph of wholesale price that maximum price for the year from 2001-02 to 2010-11 is for the month of May and minimum price for the same period is for August month. The Compound Growth Rate (CGR) of MSP is 0.054 and coefficient of determination (R2) is .880. The CGR for WHOLE SALE PRICE is 0.007 and R2 is 0.920. For Seasonal component, the CGR is 0.001 and R2 is 0.067. To overcome the problems related to delayed payments, there is a need on the part of APMC to have strict regulation of practices to ensure prompt receipts of sale proceeds by the farmers. Efforts are to be made to provide market information through multi media for better decision making and to realize a better price decides stabilizing in price.

The present study attempted to estimate the cost of cultivation of Tur, identify methods of harvesting and document constraints faced by Tur growers in mechanical harvesting in two major Tur growing districts of north Karnataka i.e., Vijayapur and Bagalakote. Multistage sampling procedure was followed for selection of 120 Tur growers. The data pertained to the agricultural year 2013-14. Farm budgeting and Garrett ranking techniques were used to analyze the data. The net returns per hectare for Tur cultivation for manual harvesting and mechanical threshing and mechanical harvesting cum threshing was found to be ₹27588.17 and ₹35181.82 leading to undiscounted benefit cost ratios of 1.45 and 1.62, respectively. The two major methods for harvesting and threshing of Tur in the study area were using human labour for harvesting, bullock pair for transportation and machine for threshing and using combined harvesters for harvesting and threshing, of which, mechanical harvesting cum threshing of Tur was found to be economical to the extent of ₹3041.40 per ha in Vijayapur district and ₹2960.25 per ha in Bagalakote district. The major problems faced in mechanical harvesting and threshing of Tur were non-availability of machines during requirement, splitting of grains, loss of fodder and absence of standard price for area harvested.

The importance has been given on transfer of agriculture technology providing little attention on rural youth development and communication requirements. Presently, the high accomplishment on agricultural research has led to a large pool of new agricultural technologies, which are yet to be disseminated to rural youths, particularly those in the core rural areas. A study was carried out during 2014-15 in four villages of Yadgir district on extent of ICT facilities used by rural youths. A sample size of 50 rural youths was selected from each village by simple random method, which constituted a sample size of 200 rural youths. A structured schedule was developed to collect the data. The main objective of the study was to know the extent of Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities used by rural youths in Yadgir district and to know the areas in farming where the information was sought by rural youths. It was found that majority of the rural youths (91.50 %) used mobile phone services for getting information on agriculture. Whereas, land line telephones were used by only 10.50 per cent. The study also revealed that the major areas in farming where the information was sought through ICT facilities were, Land record certificates (100 %), Crop cultivation (44.50%), Agriculture input sources (40.50%), Income generating activities (26.00%) Credit facilities at nationalized bank/co-operative banks (19.50%), New technology in agriculture (17.50%) and Market information (Daily price, marketing news, marketing events) (14.50%) in the order of priority. The problem encountered by rural youths were Operating difficulty (84.50%), Non-cooperation of staff (44.50%), Low computer literacy (34.50%), Too many search engines (25.50%), High rental rates (22.50%) and Computer breakdown due to electricity failure, service problem etc (17.50%).

- Bihar is one of the poorest and most populous states in India. The share of employment in agriculture and allied activities is 68.9 percent in Bihar. This study is attempting to undertake a micro level analysis of collected data to assess the carried out by jeevika project in Muraul Block of Muzaffarpur District of Bihar. Study reveals that t calculated (13.975) value of investment and t calculated (16.725) value of return was more than t table (2.059) value of investment and return respectively. Comparison among investment as well as return in Poultry activity practiced by the respondents, before and after joining the project through paired t-test, showed a significant difference hence providing positive effect on the life of project beneficiaries.

The study was undertaken with an objective to quantify the comparative economics of Groundnut based Cropping Systems in Pavagada Taluk of Tumkur District in Karnataka. A sample of 96 farmers was selected using multistage stratified random sampling method and data was collected through personal interview method. The Tabular analysis were employed for analysis of data. Cropping System (CS)-I (Groundnut+Redgram+Greengram+Cowpea), CS-II (Groundnut+Redgram), CS-III (Groundnut sole), were the three important Groundnut based Cropping System (CS) followed in the study area. Under rain fed condition, it was found that, per acre total variable cost was high in CS-I (Rs. 7,864.13/acre), followed by CS-III (Rs. 7,653.73/acre) and CS-II (7426.58/acre). The acre total fixed cost was high in CS-II (Rs. 1800.58/acre), followed by CS-III (Rs 1791.69/acre) and CS-I (Rs. 1740.08/acre). The maximum net returns were found under CS-I (Rs. 8512.79/acre), followed by CS-II and CS-III (Rs.6805.06 and Rs.5857.23/acre, respectively).It was found that Returns per rupee of investment was found to highest in CS-I (1.89), followed by CS-II and CS-III with values of 1.74 and 1.64 respectively. The results of the study through light on and enable the farmers and extension agencies to plan for the appropriate Cropping System.

The present study was undertaken with an overall objective to evaluate the Resource use efficiency of Groundnut based Cropping Systems in Pavagada Taluk of Tumkur District in Karnataka. For the study 96 Farmers were selected by Multistage stratified random sampling method, data was collected with pretested interview schedule through personal interview method. (Cropping system)CS-I (Groundnut+Redgram+Greengram+Cowpea), CS-II (Groundnut+Redgram) and CS-III (Groundnut sole), were the Three important Groundnut based Cropping Systems (CS) followed in the study area underrainfed condition. The Cobb-Douglas type of production function was fitted to study the resource use efficiency in major cropping systems identified in the study area. The results of the Cobb-Douglas production functionanalysis revealed that the ratio of MVP to MFC was greater than one for Human labour, Bullock labour and FYM under different Cropping System, indicating further scope for using additional units of these inputs to increase net income. The result of the study through light on and enable the farmers and extension agencies to plan for the appropriate Cropping System to utilize farm resources rationally and to enhance productivity and profitability.

Substantial quantity of inorganic zinc applied to the soil is converted into unavailable form, but it can be converted back into available form to make it access to the plants by the intervention of zinc solubilizing bacteria. In this study, two zinc solubilizing bacteria were isolated from stone quarry dust powder, after purification and characterization, these isolates were identified as Bacillus aerophilus and Enterobacter sp by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. These two new isolates along with twenty two isolates including the reference strain of Bacillus aryabhattai obtained from microbiology lab, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru were then assessed for their ability of zinc solubilization in both solid and liquid basal media. The results indicated that among all isolates, B. aryabhattai showed significant increase in solubilization and produced larger clear halo zone on solid agar medium amended with 0.1% of zinc sources viz., zinc oxide (42.1 mm), zinc carbonate (46.3 mm) and zinc phosphate (26.7 mm). Similarly, in liquid basal medium containing 0.1% of zinc sources, B. aryabhattai enhanced solubilization significantly and released the higher amount of zinc with zinc oxide (554.8 ppm), zinc carbonate (368.6 ppm) and zinc phosphate (576.5 ppm) after 15 days of incubation as compared with other isolates. The pH of the culture broth was found to be decreased in the range of 3.33 to 3.35. Among all isolates, B. aryabhattai was found as the most promising zinc solubilizing bacteria; hence it can be exploited as potential bio-fertilizer for sustainable crop production.

The present study was planned to evaluate the inclusion of graded level of formaldehyde treated dietary protein (rapeseed meal) for ruminant feeding through in vitro gas production technique. Five different type of concentrate mixtures were prepared by replacing protein ingredient (rapeseed meal) from basal concentrate mixture at graded level (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) with that of formaldehyde treated one. The respective diet prepared from these concentrate mixture were incubated with buffalo rumen liquor at ruminal temperature to assess the fermentation variables and nutrient utilization efficiency. The formaldehyde treatment of rapeseed meal resulted into improved production of microbial biomass with an enhanced tendency for its efficiency at the level of 50% and above. It has also prevented the microbial degradation of dietary protein as evident by lowering of ammonia nitrogen at dose level higher than 50%. The replacement of rapeseed meal with that of formaldehyde treated one in concentrate mixture have potential to protect the microbial degradation of protein in rumen with optimistic effect on microbial biomass production and rumen ammonia.

India is facing the challenges of sustaining its rapid agricultural growth while dealing with the global threat of climate change. The first strategy is to mitigate/reduce the rate and magnitude of climate change itself through reducing the emissions of human causes of climate change, for example, mitigation of greenhouse gases, prevention of soil erosion etc. The second (and complementary) option is to promote adaptation to climate change to decrease the impacts and take advantage of new opportunities, for example, boost existing production systems by using different practices (e.g. altering sowing patterns) and new technologies (e.g. irrigation systems, adapted varieties etc.). The study had been conducted at Manasa block of Neemuch district and Malhargarh block of Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh. Two villages were selected purposively from each of the selected blocks thereby constituting four villages for the study. A total of 60 farmers were selected by way of proportionate random sampling method. Lack of information on appropriate adaptation option was the major problem faced by the farmers in adoption of mitigation and adaptation of climate change practices in agriculture. The study recommends that appropriate information based on level of knowledge and based on felt needs of identified farmers for on climate change mitigation and adaptation practices should be provided by Knowledge Management Portal on real and correct time

The study was taken up in Mandya district (irrigated situation) and Bijapur district (rainfed situation) of Karnataka. The results revealed that, average consumption of pulses, vegetables, fruits, milk, edible oil, sugar and egg that are rich in minerals and vitamins was comparatively higher in migration labour households compared to non-migration labour households. The total per household expenditure on food items was higher (Rs. 3883) in migration labour households in rainfed situation. The dependence of households on market for cereals and millets consumption was low in non-migration households in irrigated situation (80.52 %) and highest in migration labour households in rainfed situation (88.53 %). On an average, 36 per cent of cereals consumption was from public distribution system (PDS). PDS played an important role in food security of labour households by way of providing food grains at cheaper prices. The extent of market dependence for pulses was relatively lower in rainfed situation compared to irrigated situation. Overall market dependency of labour households for fruits and vegetables was 83 per cent in rainfed and 81 per cent in irrigated situation. The extent of market dependence for milk was low (37.98%) in non-migration labour households of irrigated situation and more in migration labour households of irrigated situation (88.89 %). The extent of market dependence for egg and meat was highest in migration labour households compared to non-migration labour households.