A field experiment was conducted in the farmer field at Kethanur village, Palladam taluk, Tirupur District, Tamil Nadu during kharif season of 2015-2016 to assess the effect of organic inputs on growth and yield of snake gourd. The results showed that application vermicompost along with panchagavya spray increased 17.4 % yield of snake gourd compared to other organic inputs. Appreciable improvement in growth characters like vine length (8.69 m), stem girth (4.89 cm), dry matter production (8964 kg/ha), and yield attributes viz., fruits per plant (15.20), fruit weight (662.80 g/fruit), and yield (10.07 kg/plant, 20.15 t/ha) of snake gourd were observed with application of vermicompost + panchagavya spray (3%) which was comparable with vermicompost + 3G extract @ 3%. Finally, it can be concluded that use of vermicompost with panchavgaya spray which is economically viable as well as ecologically safe is almost important to improve the productivity of snake gourd

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of different treatments of pre-milking teat stimulation on yield and compositional quality of raw milk in crossbred cattle at SHIATS dairy farm, Allahabad. In treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4, pre-milking teat stimulation was done by milker's hand, latex made hand gloves, cotton duster and muslin cloth, respectively. Milk samples were evaluated for milk yield, fat, SNF, acidity and specific gravity in each of the treatment groups. Milk yield was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T4 as compared to other three groups. The percent acidity was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T1 as compared to T4. Other parameters did not show any significant difference among all the treatment groups. In treatment T1, fat was significantly (P<0.05) correlated with SNF and SNF was significantly correlated with specific gravity (P<0.01) and specific gravity was negatively (P<0.02) correlated with acidity. In treatment T2, SNF was significantly correlated with fat (P<0.05) and specific gravity (P<0.01). In treatment T3, milk yield was positively correlated with fat percent (P<0.05) and SNF was positively correlated (P<0.01) with specific gravity. In treatment T4, milk yield was positively (P<0.05) correlated with SNF. It is concluded that pre-milking teat stimulation with latex made hand gloves results in better milk yield as compared to other stimulations and acidity in milk was higher when teat was stimulated by milkers hand than when stimulated with latex made hand gloves.

A experiment was conducted on entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnik off) for the management of Pyrilla perpusilla in sugarcane at S.K. College of Agriculture and Research Station, Kawardha (Kabirdham), Chhattisgarh, India during 2015-16. For the assessment of percent parasitization by M. anisopliae on nymphs and adults of sugarcane leaf hopper infestation sixty sugarcane leaves were randomly selected throughout the active season of sugarcane leaf hopper infestation at fifteen days interval. M. anisopliae was active during second fortnight of September to first fortnight of January. Parasitized nymphs and adults were first appeared in first fortnight of October. The nymphal and adult parasitization of P. perpusilla ranged from 0.20-91.92 per cent and 15.00-73.33 by M. anisopliae, respectively. Maximum nymphal parasitization 91.92 per cent was noticed at first fortnight of January. However, the highest adult parasitization 73.33 per cent was observed at first fortnight of January.

The field experiment was conducted during rabi 2010-12 at Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Pattukottai to evaluate the efficient weed management practices in blackgram. The treatments consisting of nine weed management methods were conducted in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The treatments are involving pre-emergence herbicide viz., pendimethalin and post-emergence herbicide viz., imazethapyr, quizalofop-ethyl and in combination with hand weeding, power weeding and twin wheel hoe weeding at 30 DAS. In addition, hand weeding and power weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS were tested with unweeded check. Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Digitaria sanguinalis, Cynodon dactylon, Panicum repens, Cyperus rotundus, Cleome viscosa, Euphorbia hirta, Phyllanthus niruri, Portulaca oleracea and Trianthema portulacastrum were the dominant weed species in the experimental field. The results showed that unchecked weeds caused a reduction of 73.8 per cent yield of black gram. Hence, the hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS recorded higher plant height (30.9 cm), number of pods/plant (24.2), seed yield (798 kg/ha) and higher weed control efficiency (90 per cent). However, higher net return (₹ 34560/ha) was obtained in pre emergence application of pendimethalin @ 750 g/ha at 3 DAS (days after sowing) along with twin wheel hoe weeding or hand weeding at 30 DAS. Based on the results, it can be concluded that application pendimethalin followed by hand weeding or twin wheel hoe weeding can be recommended as an effective weed management practice with respect to yield and cost for the blackgram.

Bullock drawn cotton planter was evaluated in field for cotton variety AKA-5 with objectives to test the bullock drawn cotton planter with three point linkage to make it tractor-cum bullock drawn planter. The field performance test conducted over 1 ha area and revealed that the average horse power required was 0.478 hp and average speed was 2.7 km/hr. The average effective field capacity of bullock drawn cotton planter was observed 0.486 ha/hr at the field efficiency of 89.46%. The fabrication cost of bullock drawn cotton planter was found to be Rs. 11850. In the field, it is drudgerous to plant cotton manually as it requires minimum 5 to 6 labours. To avoid labour cost, the modified bullock drawn cotton planter was tested along with three point linkage. Total cost of operations by bullock drawn cotton planter was Rs. 55.395 per hour with minimum required 2.5 labours. Total cost of operations by BD cotton planter per hectare was Rs. 127.63 per hour.

To know the floral biology of strawberry, a field experiment conducted at the experimental farm of VCSG, COH, Bharsar during 2015 – 2016. The vegetative growth started mainly during December to February under hilly conditions of Bharsar. The time of flowering and its duration was recorded between February to June. As monthly observation the flowering under Bharsar conditions commenced from last week of February to second week of June with the peak period 20 to 26 days after opening of first flower. The flowers were hermaphrodite with male and female reproductive organ present in same flower. The maximum rate of anthesis and dehiscence in strawberry plants was found between 10 am to 12 noon. Rise in temperature and fall in humidity were found to hasten anthesis as well as dehiscence

Sesame is one of the oldest and important oil seed crop in the world. The information in comparison to climatic conditions affecting seed biochemical components of sesame was lacking. The present investigation was carried out to compare the biochemical components in three sesame varieties cultivated during kharif and summer seasons. Biochemical constituents viz., oil, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, ash, oxalic acid and free fatty acid in sesame varieties were analysed. Oil content in white, black and brown sesame seed in kharif season is 47.85, 45.23 and 45.21% whereas in summer it is 49.63,48.52 and 47.23 having difference of 1.78,3.29 and 2.02%. Result obtained showed that crude protein ranges from 18.52-24.36%, fiber 3.01-3.29%, ash 3.45-3.85%, carbohydrate 14.43-18.52%. All the values obtained are within the range as reported but highest values were find in summer season seed of different colour. The calcium concentration were 1052 μgg-1, 1026 μgg-1 and 958 μgg-1 in white, black and brown seed of kharif season whereas it is highest the free fatty acid and oxalic acid were highest in kharif season seed i.e., 1.32,1.43 and 1.58% in summer season i.e., 1167 μgg-1, 1036 μgg-1 and 998 μgg-1 in white black and brown seeded varieties.

Assessment of soil quality index is one of the most important factor for Agricultural production because of salinity and alkalinity in the irrigation command areas. For this reason, a minimum data set (MDS) was determined with principle component analysis (PCA) for soil quality assessment in irrigation command areas based on normalized scoring function. The results found that the among the all the reaches the middle reach transition soils found best suitable for crop production with highest soil quality index of 0.874 and 0.826 in middle reach compare to 0.710 and 0.560 in head reach, 0.632 and 0.364 in tail reach command area of laterals-1 and 2. Therefore, best management practices should follow in head reach with respect to increase the water holding capacity in sandy soils and to solve drainage problems in tail reach clay soils The result of this study throw a light on general guideline to manage irrigation command area of UKP..

Coffee production and marketing faced many challenges in Rwanda, where the most important problems faced by farmers were lack of choice in choosing a marketing channel, lack of extension activity, lack of roads and transportation and scattered living conditions of farmers. The major problems faced by coffee traders were the right of setting price, low quantity supplied by farmers, price fluctuation, and access to credit followed by absence of storage facility.

The objective of this study is to analyze the distribution network of different vegetable seed companies for tomato seed business and benchmark the best distribution network. Hassan district of Karnataka was selected for the study. Based on sales volume, four major players dealing in tomato seed business in the study were selected for the study. Four distributors (Purposively), 15 dealers and 15 nurserymen were selected randomly. Sixteen parameters chosen to analyse those are; number of product display, problem solving, transportation facility, work force, payment habits, time period of dealing, promptness in delivery, appropriating schemes, account settlement, co-ordinal nature, product quality, push pull index, dealers width, dealers depth, distributors width and distributors depth. Each seed company was ranked on 1 to 5 scales. Statistical tool like weighted mean was used in the analysis of data. Overall performance of each of the company was calculated based on the weigheted score of indusial company with help of a grid. Study indicated that Hassan district prefers oval shaped, red coloured and high firmness fruits. The Clause seeds company hybrid “Alankara” was the highest preferred tomato in the study area. Overall performance of Clause seeds company was prime and followed by Syngenta, Semenis seeds and Bioseeds.

ATMA is working on “Bottom up approach”, where farmers are mainly focused. Under different cafeterias, the Farm School is among one. Under different cafeterias, the Farm School act as open field school where progressive farmer himself works as a ‘Teacher’. A research on Role perception and role performance of farm school beneficiaries working under ATMA of South Gujarat was conducted in five districts of South Gujarat, which was, were chosen as per the high numbers of Farm Schools. From each district, 2 farm schools were selected randomly and from each farm school 10 beneficiaries were scrutinized randomly to make 100 as sample size. An Ex-post-facto research design was used for the study. The study revealed that the majority of the beneficiaries possessed moderate level of role perception and role performance in Farm School followed by poor and good level of role perception and role performance. Hence, it is recommended that though ATMA is more popular among the farmers, proper motivational activities should carried out by ATMA to increase its efficiency.

In the present study, an attempt was made to prolong the shelf life and to preserve post-harvest quality of fresh tamarind fruits pretreated with fruit hardening chemical agents and aroma chemical compound stored under different storage (Room temperature and low temperature storage) conditions. Optimally matured (TSS 9-10°Brix) fresh and green tamarind fruits were first water washed, sorted to remove mechanically damaged and deformed ones and graded for uniform size, colour, texture and then hydro-cooled for 10 minutes, followed by the post-harvest dip treatments [T0–Control (Untreated), T1-0.25% Calcium chloride, T2-0.5% Calcium chloride and T3–500ppm Phenyl acetaldehyde] for 10 minutes. Both control and treated fruits were surface dried using mechanical driers, then packed into plastic trays with proper cushioning material and stored at RT(29±2°C, 65-70%) and low temperature (LT) conditions (4±10C,90-95% RH). These stored fruits were periodically analyzed for changes in various physiological and physico-chemical quality attributes. The results on LT and RT storage studies indicated that tamarind responded very well to fruit hardening salt, calcium chloride at 0.50% in terms of retention of fruit firmness, fruit color and total phenolic, apart from reduction in physiological loss in weight, effective shelf life of tamarind fruits in fresh form up to 28 days at LT and 16 days at RT storage conditions as against 16 days and 8 days respectively in untreated controls when stored under same conditions.

The present study was conducted to know the prevalence of visceral schistosomosis in cattle and buffaloes slaughtered in Chengicherala slaughter house, Hyderabad. Out of 105 mesenteries collected from slaughter house, 33 were positive for Schistosomes indicating an overall prevalence of 31.42 per cent. A perfusion technique was employed to harvest the schistosomes from mesenteric blood vessels. Out of 21 mesenteries of cattle and 84 mesenteries of buffaloes examined, 6 (21) and 27 (84) were positive showing 28.57 and 32.14 percent infection respectively. Out of 6 positive mesenteries of cattle, only one was having mixed infection for both intestinal schistosomes (Schistosoma spindale and Schistosomaindicum). Both the schistosome species were separated based on morphology of adult cuticle and shape of eggs in females. The study emphasizes the need for developing alternative diagnostic tests for visceral schistosomosis.

The present study was carried out with aim to study histological structure of lingual epithelium in fetuses of Surti goat. For the present investigation, a total 41 apparently normal Surti goat fetuses were procured and categorized broadly into three groups based on Crown-rump length (CR length).The tissue samples were collected from root, body and apex of tongue and were processed. The tissue sections were stained with Mayer's Haematoxylin and Eosin for general histological and micrometrical observations. From 6.6 cm CR length (45 days) to 10 cm CR length (59 days), the tongue was lined by two layers of epithelium; a deep layer of cuboidal cells and a superficial thin sheet of cells over the epithelium during initial stages of development. From 11.10 cm CR length (62 days) to 12.70 cm CR length (65 days), the dorsal surface of the tongue was lined by three layered epithelium, basal layer of cuboidal cells, middle layer of squamous cells and superficial layer of flattened cells. From 31.5 cm CR length (119 days) onwards epithelium of dorsal surface revealed a slight degree of keratinization which was well-developed like adult from 36 cm CR length (131 days). The ventral surface of apex was lined by a single layer of cuboidal or low columnar type of cells with no keratinisation up to 12.7 cm CR length (65 days). From 13.60 cm CR length (67 days) to group III at 31 cm CR length (117 days), the lamina epithelialis was distinctly stratified and divided into dark basal and light superficial layer but no signs of keratinization observed. The epithelium thickness was highest at body in group I, at root in group II and at dorsal surface of apex in group III. Increase in thickness was more in group II.

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif, 2013 at Agricultural college farm, Bapatla. The experimental soil was clay loam in texture, non saline, slightly alkaline in soil reaction with low organic matter, low available nitrogen, medium phosphorus, very high potassium and sufficient micronutrients. Results showed that highest plant height was recorded in where 150 per cent RDF + S @ 30 kg ha-1(T9) was applied, where as highest yield, dry matter accumulation, number of sympodial branches per plant, boll weight and boll number were recorded in the treatment which received 125% RDF + S @ 30 kg ha-1. Sulphur application along with 100, 125 and 150% RDF increased the kapas yield over the 100, 125 and 150 per cent RDF application alone. Among all the treatments 125% RDF + S @ 30 kg ha-1 imposition resulted in higher cost benefit ratio followed by soil test based recommendation.

Solar and biomass are the two sources of renewable energy highly suitable for drying application. Drying using solar energy is the traditional method but this method has a downside of interrupted during off-sunshine hours like rainy season, cloudy weather and night time. Hence, a combination of solar and biomass energy for drying is experimentally analyzed in this paper for copra drying. This article presents the experimental study on drying characteristics of copra drying in solar tunnel dryer integrated with biomass hot air generation system. It facilitates drying to continued under all weather condition and overcomes the limitations of conventional drying methods. The total drying time for drying copra from its initial moisture content of 108.3 per cent (d.b) to a final moisture content of around 5.26 per cent (d.b) was 48 hours. The drying characteristics curves were analyzed and the moisture reduction was uniform throughout the drying period and drying rate showed a peak during initial drying hours because of high moisture content in the fresh coconut and reduced gradually as the time passes. The moisture ratio decreases as the drying time increases. Hence, the solar and biomass integrated drying system reduced the drying time from 5 to 7 days in conventional open sun drying method to 2 days with improved quality of dried copra.

Weeding is one of the critical stages in rice cultivation which affects yield and quality of rice. The success of direct wet seeded rice crop is dependent upon efficient weed control. The present study was conducted to evaluate the field performance of different weed control measures such as manual weeding, chemical weeding and weeding with mechanical weeders like cono weeder and two row power weeder to find out the best economical weed control method in direct seeded rice sown by drum seeder with 20 cm row spacing. The highest field capacity was found 0.06 ha /h with the field efficiency of 70.98 per cent at an average speed of 2.09 kmph for power weeder whereas the field capacity of 0.01 ha /h with the field efficiency of 76.56 per cent at an average speed of 0.83 kmph for conoweeder by mechanical weeding. The fuel consumption for power weeder was observed that 9.25, l/ha. The highest weeding efficiency was found to be 100 per cent with the zero per cent plant damage for manual weeding followed by 90.26 per cent with 1.33 per cent plant damage for cono weeder 90.38 per cent for chemical weeding and 87.58 per cent with 2.63 per cent plant damage for power weeder respectively. Significantly higher grain yield (5949 kg/ha) were realized when manual weeding was employed as weed management option, however this was at par with cono weeding (5645 kg/ha) and significantly superior over weeding with power weeders (5416 kg/ha) and herbicides (5442 kg/ha). Among the all weeding methods the lowest operating cost of 747.12Rs/ha was associated with power weeder and the highest operating cost with 5390.63Rs/ha pertained to manual weeding. Based on the obtained results the weeding cost in power weeder, cono weeder and chemical weeding was reduced by 86, 70 and 73 per cent respectively compared to manual weeding method.

The Migration is a major option of agricultural labours in rainfed regions of Karnataka for their better livelihood. Most of the labours migrate from rainfed to irrigated regions of Karnataka. However, the younger generation in rural areas is increasingly migrating to non-farm sector. Remittances have a major impact on the welfare of recipient households and the main source of income for labour households in the study areas. Remittances were spent on food, education, health and consumer goods. The study revealed that, most of the labourers in irrigated situation migrated near village and within the district but in rainfed situation, labour migration to other districts was relatively high. In both the situation majority of labourers migrated seasonally and the frequency was highest (70%) in rainfed situation. In rainfed situation, after sowing season they were migrated to other regions and return at the time of harvest.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate newly developed maize hybrids in four locations belonging to three different zones of southern Karnataka in order to identify high yielding and stable hybrid. Analysis of variance was highly significant for hybrids and environments for all the traits indicating differential response of the hybrids to varying environments. The variance due to environment (linear) was significant for all the characters indicating that environmental effects were additive. The pooled deviation was also significant for all the characters except days to 50 per cent pollen shedding, days to 50 per cent silking, kernels per row and kernel rows per ear indicating that non-linear component of hybrid× environment interaction was predominant. Stability parameters for grain yield per plant revealed that hybrids viz., CM-202 × NAI-116, SKV-11 × NAI-116, CM-202 × SKV-11, CM-202 × CM-500 and SKV-11 × CM-202 had higher mean performance. Out of 12 hybrids, SKV-11 × NAI-116 recorded higher grain yield per plant, unit regression coefficient and deviation from regression was found non-significant which indicated that the hybrid was found promising in all environments.

In the present study, the problems as perceived by youth in farming were classified into four major types, which were linked with production, market, finance and information & communication. The problems were ranked based on the order of highest mean score obtained within each major type of problems. Among the production linked problems, ‘drastic variations in climatic conditions’ with mean score (1.84) ranked first. In consideration to market problems ‘involvement of intermediaries in marketing of farm produce’ (mean score=1.78) was ranked first. In finance linked problems, very large majority of the youth perceived ‘lack of remunerative prices for different crops’ (mean score=1.81) as a foremost problem and it was ranked first. Regarding information and communication linked problems ‘poor accessibility to different ICT tools’ (mean score=1.67) ranked first and was perceived as a prominent problem by the most of youth in farming. The study also revealed that the majority (95.83%) of the youth in farming felt that ‘exploring export avenues for marketing and regularizing remunerative price for farm produce’ as one of the major suggestions.

The success of water delivery in canal irrigation projects is measured based on whether water is delivered according to the required water delivery targets in an adequate, dependable, efficient and equitable fashion. One of the most critical issues affecting the inequitable distribution of water at the farmer’s field is due to the seepage loss that makes farmers at the tail end to get less water compared to farmers at the head of the water course. Therefore, a modeling approach can be adopted for incorporating the seepage loss along the length of water course /or it's branch. Conjunctive-use strategies has been found to be the most suitable choice for optimum utilization of available land and water resources. Many attempts have been made in the previous studies to optimally allocate the land, water, and other resources of an area to meet different specific objectives. Therefore, in this study a comprehensive review of literature is undertaken considering the past, present methodologies applied to address these issues and future projections for efficient canal based Irrigation scheduling and conjunctive water use planning for optimal cropping pattern.

The research study was conducted in Baihar block of Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh with the aim of ascertaining the barriers perceived by tribal farmers in utilizing eco-friendly farming practices of paddy crop and the suggestions to recover them. A total of 120 respondents from 10 tribal villages of Baihar block were selected through proportionate random sampling method and frequency, percentage and rank order were the basis of data analysis. The conclusions drawn were the lack of training facilities (93.33%), lack of technical knowledge for using light trap and pheromone trap (91.67%) and lack of demonstrations of different eco-friendly farming practices (89.17%) as the major barriers perceived in utilization of eco-friendly paddy farming practices by the tribal farmers. Among the major suggestions, providing trainings to the farmers on different eco-friendly farming practices eg. SRI Technique, Use of bio-fertilizers etc. (90.00%), provision of proper soil testing facility to farmers for balance nutrient supply (87.50%), and frequent contact of field level extension workers with farmers for creating a positive perception and improving utilization regarding these practices (85.00%) headed the study.

Allium tuncelianum is utilized as garlic in Eastern region of Turkey. There have been conducted out some studies for propagation of Allium tuncelianum but there is not any breeding material yet. It is the first research about determining of gynogenic induction capacity of Allium tuncelianum (Kollman) Özhatay, Matthew, Şiraneci) by using flower bud culture. To determined effect of plant growth regulators on gynogenesis induction, 1 mg/l and 2 mg/l of 2,4-D and BAP and their combinations were supplemented in BDS medium was. Induction medium including different combinations of auxin (2,4-D) and cytokinin (BAP) were effective on callus development on explants. The highest callus formation rates were obtained from 2+1 mg/l 2,4-D+BAP and 2+2 mg/l 2,4-D+BAP combinations. It was provided the development of the flower buds in induction medium and callus has formed at 55,28% of flower buds but plantlets could not be achieved from callus. Therefore, it is thought to be more obscurity on gynogenesis induction of Allium tuncelianum. Haploid plant could not be obtained in this research but this study is important due to the guidance for future studies.

Entrepreneurship plays a very important role in the development of economy of a country. Women can be successful entrepreneurs in food businesses as they have qualities and traditional knowledge, which are desirable and relevant for entrepreneurship development in this sector. Chamarajanagar is considered as a backward district, with about a 5.08 lakh women population; most of them live in rural areas, lacking in basic infrastructure and far away from structured market facilities. Here many rural women are actively engaged in various small scale food businesses. Hence, this study was conducted to analyse the impact of training and transfer of available technologies on knowledge and adoption among study group. Initial survey has been conducted by using pretested schedule by selecting one hundred women entrepreneurs involved in home scale food business. To fill the gaps through training, educational interventions were planned for a sub group of 30 women entrepreneurs involved in food enterprise. After attending the technology transfer programme through training and method demonstration, their knowledge index regarding new food products had increased from 56.7 per cent to 90.32 per cent. Among all the products, ragi (66.66%) and maize (60%) papads were adopted by more number of women entrepreneurs. Technology transfer programme had greater impact on empowerment of women. Around 90 per cent of the participants agreed that training helped in increasing income, self confidence and over all personality development. From the present study, it could be concluded that, rural women entrepreneurs having medium innovation capabilities can be motivated to achieve better success in their enterprise and can explore the opportunities to improve their incomes. The technology transfer intervention of the research played a strategic role in improving the knowledge, self confidence and the economic status of the entrepreneur through adopting good manufacturing practices and region specific traditional food product technologies. Hence, technology transfer of food based technologies to existing rural women entrepreneurs is effective.

Climate change is one of the most formidable development challenges faced by humanity today; its consequences are global and intergenerational. Vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters has a strong linkage with poverty and has the potential to create multiple stresses over any regional growth trajectory. There is need to mitigate these adverse effects of climate change through the adoption of sustainable land management practices such as zero tillage appropriate use of fertilizers, improved water management. Adverse climate effects which are most negative threaten crop productivity, hence the need to adopt measures that are sustainable and emit less GHGs in crop production enterprise and policy provisions strengthened to address the challenges. In this backdrop the present paper attempts (I) To evaluate the impact of drought on the yield of crops. (II) To identify the extent of awareness and assess coping mechanism followed by the farmers to climate change. (III) To identify the factors influencing in decision making on the coping mechanism to mitigate the impact of climate change.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and micronutrients on growth and yield of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana L.) cv. Gola under malwa plateau of Madhya Pradesh at the Instructional cum research fruit orchard, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur during 2010-11 on well established six years old orchard of ber planted at 6.0 m X 6.0 m.. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The experiment comprised eleven treatments including control (T1), Urea 1.5 %, (T2), Urea 1.5% + ZnSo4 0.25% (T3), Urea 1.5%+ ZnSO4 0.50% (T4), urea 1.5% + ZnSO4 1.00 % (T5), Urea 1.5% + ZnSO4 0.25% + Boron 0.25 % (T6), urea 1.5% + ZnSO4 0.50% + Boron 0.50% (T7), urea 1.5% + ZnSO4 1.00% + Boron 1.00 % (T8), Urea 1.5% + ZnSO4 0.25% + Boron 0.25% + MnSO4 0.2 % (T9), Urea 1.5% + ZnSO4 0.50% + Boron 0.50% + MnSO4 0.4 % (T10) and Urea 1.5% + ZnSO4 1.00% + Boron 1.00% + MnSO4 0.6 % (T11). The results revealed that the maximum shoot length (184.33 cm, 194.33 cm, 211.10 cm at 15, 30 and 45 days after spray respectively), maximum number of leaves per shoot (650, 670, 675 at 15, 30 and 45 days after spray respectively), maximum leaf area (33.13 cm2, 34.87 cm2 and 35.85 cm2 at 15, 30 and 45 days after spray respectively), minimum days taken to 50% flowering (6.5 days) and maximum fruit retention (41.16) were observed T11 (receiving Urea 1.5% + ZnSO4 1.00% + Boron 1.00% + MnSo4 0.6%). However, the maximum shoot girth (7.21 cm, 7.72 cm and 8.22 cm respectively), highest per cent of fruit setting (5.156), highest yield (33.63 kg) per tree , highest yield per hectare (93.15q) were obtained under T10 ( receiving Urea 1.5%+ ZnSO4 0.50% + Boron 0.50% + MnSO4 0.4%). The minimum values of observations were noted in control under the present studied.

An experiment was conducted on seven year old tree of guava cv. Apple Colour at Mandsaur, (M.P.) to study the effect of nutrients spray on morphological, yield and quality attributes of guava. The plant height increased (0.42 m, 0.39 m and 0.41m), with urea @ 2%, zinc sulphate @ 0.8% and their interaction (urea @ 2% x zinc sulphate@ 0.8%), respectively. The spray of urea @ 2% resulted in canopy spread E-W and N-S direction (0.89 m and 0.86 m), reducing sugar (5.90 %),non reducing sugar (4.15%), the maximum no. of fruit/ tree (238.57), fruit weight (178.50 g), yield per tree (42.19 kg), while spray of zinc sulphate @ 0.8 % resulted in canopy spread E-W and N-S direction (0.86 m and 0.86 m), reducing sugar (5.84%), non-reducing sugar (4.06%), the maximum number of fruit/ tree (234.52), fruit weight (175.25g) and fruit yield/ tree (40.92 kg), respectively. The treatment having foliar spray 1.5% urea and 0.6 % zinc sulphate proved the second best in respect of these parameters.

Attitude refers to the degree of positive or negative affect associated with psychological object. The psychological object may be any symbol, phrase, slogan, person, institution, idea or ideal towards which the people may differ with respect to positive or negative effect. The psychological objects for the present study have been conceptualized as Organic farming. Organic farming provides quality food without affecting the soil health and environment adversely. The present study, analyze the attitude of farmers towards organic farming in western zone of Tamil Nadu by developing a scale to measure the same. The study was contemplated to develop and standardize the same. The method of equal appearing intervals was used to develop the attitude scale, which comprises of 10 statements (Six positive and four negative). The scale thus developed was reliable with rtt> 0.60; rtt 0.822 and validity test value 3.60.

Present work was undertaken to develop Guava (Psidium guajava) candies by using two varieties of guava namely Allahabad Safeda and Lucknow-49. Sugar, butter, milk powder, chocolate flavour and glucose were added as ingredients during the boiling of pulp to improve the nutritive value and taste of candy. Different cooking time (90 min, 120 min and 150 min) was tested during the work. A cooking temperature range of 85-95º C and cooking period of 120 minutes were found to be optimal. The good candies were prepared with the addition of 580 g sugar, 160 g skim milk powder, 85 g butter, 90 g glucose and 40 mg colour per kg of guava pulp without addition of any preservative. From the study, Yield and quality of pulp from “Allahabad Safeda” was found better than that obtained from “Lucknow-49”. With increased cooking time, nutritive value of guava candies decreased. Candies prepared from Lucknow-49 showed maximum quantity of carbohydrates and acidity. Candies prepared from Allahabad Safeda showed maximum quantity of vitamin C and proteins.

The knowledge of soil characteristics is essential for land use planning and water resource management in agriculture. Soil characteristics mapping was carried out using standard methods for Rukhed watershed in Akot taluka of Akola district of Maharashtra State. The soils of watershed are categorized into eight classes viz. clay loam, gravelly clay, gravelly clay loam, gravelly sandy clay loam, gravelly sandy loam, sandy clay loam, Silty loam and clay based on PSD analysis. The hydraulic properties of the soils of watershed were varied greatly over the area. Hydraulic conductivity was found varying from 0.84 to 1.24 cmhr-1, bulk density from 1.31 to 2.56 gcm-3 and particle density from 2.44 to 2.66 gcm-3. Similarly, the porosity was varying from 32.21 to 38.56%. While the EC, pH and organic carbon varied from 0.116 to 0.299 dsm-1, 6.95 to 8.09 and 0.41 to 0.83 % respectively. The contour maps for physical properties of soil and water retention curves were developed for the Rukhed watershed and can be used as a ready reckoner for the future studies.