Availability of Safe and adequate storage of food grain ensures sufficient supply throughout a year. An efficient public distribution system depends on suitability of storage structures to handle large quantities with minimum time. Planning of new bulk storage structures along with facilities necessary for handling would be easy and faster with software package. A computer program was developed for designing Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) grain bins by using Visual Basic version 6.0 (1998). Programs for designing aeration and conveying system have also been integrated. Output design specifications were validated against worked out specifications for food grain bin. Developed software was informative and user friendly. Present software was found to be valid for the design of RCC silo bin, aeration system and conveying systems for the handling of food grains. Developed computer program will be useful for storage agencies, agricultural engineers and farmers in their decision-making and planning activities

The present field investigation in chilli resulted the treatment T2 (hand weeding at the interval of 15 days) was recorded maximum growth and yield viz., plant height, number of branches per plant, days of first flowering, number of flowers per plant and fruiting span, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit weight, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per plot followed by treatment T9 (three hand weeding at 15,30 and 45 days after transplanting + back polythene mulch (50 μ)) and T10 three hand weeding at 15,30 and 45 days after transplanting+ white polythene mulch (50 μ)over control T1. The maximum gross return was obtained from treatment T2 ₹ 167080. The maximum net profit of ₹ 116080 per ha was obtained under treatment combination T2 (hand weeding at the interval of 15 days) which was closely followed by treatment combination T8 (¬three hand weeding at 15, 30 and 45 days after transplanting + soybean straw mulch) with net profit of ₹ 82500 per ha. The minimum net profit was found in treatment T12 (paddy straw mulch + black polythene mulch (50 μ)) with net profit of ₹ 9980 per ha and the economics of various treatment combinations with 3.28 BC ratio over control.

The Sixty F4 generation pumpkins genotypes were evaluated in randomized block design with two replications to study variability, heritability and genetic advance. Significant differences were observed among genotypes for all the traits studied except for the number of ridges per fruit. High estimates of heritability coupled with high values of genetic advance over mean was observed for average fruit weight, β-carotene content of fruit, seed cavity length, sex ratio, number of seeds per fruit, fruit yield per vine, vine length at 45 and 75 DAS, number of primary branches per vine at 45 and 75 days after sowing (DAS), number of fruits per vine and fruit length. This indicates predominance of additive component for these traits and hence direct selection would be more effective in improving these traits.

The field experiment was conducted at Experimental farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Parbhani under Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani (M.S.) during Kharif 2014-15 to assess performance of pigeonpea + soybean intercropping system under different row proportions and planting geometry in rainfed condition. Among all the treatments, pigeonpea- soybean row proportion (1:2) with 90 cm x 30 cm recorded higher pigeonpea equivalent yield (1721.01 kg ha-1) and B : C ratio (3.67) which was comparable with row ratio 1 : 3 (120 cm x 30 cm) and row ratio 1 : 4 (150 cm x 30 cm). It means pigeonpea intra-row spacing 30 cm under row spacing of 90 cm, 120 cm and 150 cm with 1 : 2, 1 : 3 and 1 : 4 pigeonpea– soybean row proportions respectively produce higher pigeonpea equivalent yield (kg ha-1) rather than 45 cm.

The objectives of present study were to examine the financial performance of The Hisar District Central Co-operative Bank, Results revealed that the number of membership, borrowings, working capital, over dues and loan advanced, of the DCCBs has increased over the study period. The amount of share capital has increased over the study period. The share of owned funds to total working capital was very small in proportion. The DCCBs is highly dependent on borrowed funds from higher financial institutions for undertaking various credit and service activities. The major proportions of loans were given to minor irrigation purpose, which ranges from 19.34 to 56.09 percent. The amount of over dues and number of defaulters has increased because of the loan waiver scheme. Farmers preferred loan in the form of cash than in kind so as to spend it according to their own requirements. Poor financial position and urgent need compelled the farmers to divert some portion of their loan for some other unspecified purposes. The farmers do not intend to make repayment hoping to get interest or part of principal amount remitted on account of political promises.

The objectives of present study were to examine the loan disbursement pattern of The Hisar District Central Co-operative Bank, in Agriculture sector. The study was conducted in Hisar district. In Hisar district, there are nine branches of District Central Co-operative Bank namely Hansi, Barwala, Narunand, Agroha, Arya Nagar, Mandi Adampur, Ukalana, DAC Hisar and Sisai. Hisar district was purposely selected due to easy accessibility. The primary data was obtained from the loanee farmers. List of loanee of Hisar block were prepared from selected bank branch and then 80 farmers were selected randomly and categorized in two categories. Category-I up to Rs. 3 lakhs and category-II more than Rs. 3 lakhs advances. Tablular analysis was done to solve this problem. Data presented in all branches shows that increment in total loan advanced(from 2000-01 to 2012-13) by District Central Co-operative Bank was maximum in Mandi Adampur branch and it was lowest in Narnaund branch of DCCBs Hisar. Total loan advanced were divided into two group and first one was agriculture credit second was non agriculture credit. Total loan advanced given by overall average of selected branches of District Central Co-operative Bank Hisar was increased from Rs.13.26 crores during 2000-01 to Rs.19.19 crores during 2012-13.

The study was conducted during the year 2013-14 in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh state. The primary data was collected through personal interview schedule of farmers from twelve villages covering two blocks. The constraints which were most perceived by summer rice growers were hand weeding is time and labour intensive, high cost of hybrid seed and lack of knowledge about light trap. Farmers offered suggestions regarding summer rice production technology were release of canal water at proper time, timely available of fertilizer and extension activities i.e. kisan mela, demonstration, exhibition, visits etc. should be conducted in village at proper time.

The rotary cutting mechanism was developed in Department of Farm Power and Machinery. The rotary cutting mechanism performs single operation i.e. collection of sorghum cobs with collection unit. Electric drive system is major source to operate electric motor, belt, pulleys etc. The laboratory test of rotary cutting mechanism held at Dr. PDKV, Akola for its performance. Rotary cutting mechanisms operated with seven different rpm of main shaft i.e. 290, 319, 363, 392, 435, 474 and 535 rpm. The cutting efficiency of rotary cutting mechanism ranges from 92 to 100 percent at 474 to 535 rpm of main shaft. The collection efficiency of mechanism increases from 290 rpm to 474 rpm and suddenly decreases at 535 rpm. The collection efficiency of collection unit was 76.47 to 97.20 per cent at 290 to 474 rpm of main shaft. Maximum collection efficiency was found to be 97.20 per cent at 474 rpm respectively.

A field experiment was conducted at the HRS, Mondouri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidylaya, Nadia from during 2013-14 and 2014-15, to study the effect of weed control methods on weed population dynamics, their effects on yield and quality in garlic (Single clove). The treatments were Oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC (Gola) applied before sowing and at 60 DAS, Pendimethalin 30% EC (Stomp) applied before sowing and at 60 DAS, Quizalofop Ethyl 5% applied before sowing and at 60 DAS, Oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC applied before sowing + one hand weeding (HW) at 45 DAS, Pendimethalin 30% EC applied before sowing + one HW at 45 DAS, Quizalofop Ethyl 5% applied before sowing + one HW at 45 DAS, Combined spray of Quizalofop Ethyl 5% and Oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC at sowing and at 60 DAS, Combined spray of Pendimethalin 30% EC and Quizalofop Ethyl 5% at sowing and at 60 DAS, Weedy check (Control). The most predominant weed flora were Chenopodium album, Chenopodium murale, Convolvulus arvensis, Parthenium hysterophorus, Cyprus rotundus and Euphorbia hirta. For controlling weeds and maximum WCE%, highest bulb yield, high TSS, Vit C and antioxidant and minimum weight loss during storage (g)was found with Pendimethalin 30% EC applied before sowing + one HW at 45 DAS was found to be the best herbicides as compared to control and other herbicides. Weed reduced the garlic bulb yield by 46% over the best treatment Pendimethalin 30% EC applied before sowing + one HW at 45 DAS.

Studies revealed the presence of six species of genus Cnaphalocrocis Lederer viz., C. medinalis (Guenee), C. patnalis (Bradley), C. ruralis (Walker), C. trapezalis (Guenee), C. exigua (Butler) and C. poeyalis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) reported in rice in Tamil Nadu, India. In this paper, mentioned insect pest species have been described taxonomically and illustrated with diagnostic characters. Cnaphalocrocis is used as a synonym of Marasmia.