Field tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of four different sized tractor – implement (rotavator) combination of at College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Anand Agricultural University Godhra, District: Panchmahal. The four different ranges of available tractors, i.e. power tiller (13 hp), mini tractor 1 (12 hp), mini tractor 2 (15 hp) and medium size tractor (35 hp) were used for seedbed preparation in the field under identical operating conditions using rotavator as matching implement in order to evaluate the performance of rotavator with each tractor and to suggest the small farmers in selecting suitable tractor for cost-effective operation. The parameters evaluated were travel reduction (wheel slippage), draft, speed of operation, drawbar power, volume of soil disturbed, fuel consumption, field efficiency and soil pulverization. The experimental plots were laid side by side in a randomized block design (RBD). Results indicate that mini tractor (Yuvraj 215) of 15 hp performed better in comparison to the other tractor – implement (rotavator) combination for seed bed preparation with respect to the parameters evaluated. It was found that the cost required for tillage operation by medium size tractor (Sonalika DI-35), mini tractor (Yuvraj 215), mini tractor (Captain DI-2600) and power tiller (VST Shakti 130 DI) was 1655.93, 1396.44, 1598.42, 2497.00 Rs/ha respectively. The operational cost of mini tractor (Yuvraj 215) was observed lowest. The mini tractor (Yuvraj 215) was therefore recommended among the three tractors from the standpoint of operational efficiency and economy.

Seed storage proteins comprise a key part of the protein content and play pivotal role to maintain the quality of seed. The composition of storage proteins are very essential because they determine the total protein content of the seed and show their effect on nutritional quality of the seed as well as functional properties of food processing. Therefore, classification is required to categorize these proteins and for the development of crops with improved nutritional superior varieties. Bioinformatics tools and techniques are extensively employed in the arena of agriculture to annotate the biological data. Annotation uncovers the structural and functional characteristics of genes as well as proteins also. In present study seed storage proteins of five major cereal crops were categorized into four classes i.e. albumins (12), globulins (42), glutelins (11) and prolamins (68) using six physicochemical properties (number of amino acid, molecular weight, theoretical pI (isoelectric point), aliphatic index, instability index and hydropathicity) by employing Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) approach.

The present study is an effort to measure agricultural development level of special status Indian states applying the Wroclaw Taxonomic technique based upon composite index based on optimum combinations of nine agricultural development indicators. The constructed agricultural development index shows that ranking of 11 specific states of India on the bases of selected indicators. The state-wise data on these indicators for the year 2013-14 was used for obtaining the level of development of 11 specific states of India out of total 29 states of India. The study utilizes very recent time point for measurement of agriculture development for eleven special status states of India. It is found that Assam scores first rank in the agriculture development whereas Mizoram stands on the last position. Wide disparities have been observed in the level of agricultural development between different special status states of India.

The incidence / population of various insect pests and natural enemies were recorded at weekly interval on rice cultivar CSR 30 under transplanted condition with different herbicidal treatments during Kharif 2013 and 2014. The overall seasonal population of plant hoppers varied from 185.5 to 197.8 and 15.42 to 16.70 plant hoppers/10hills during 2013 and 2014, respectively. All the treatments were on par with each other. The seasonal mean incidence of stem borers varied from 3.93 to 4.82 and 4.67 to 5.49 per cent in different treatments during 2013 and 2014, respectively. There was no significant difference in the incidence of stem borer in different treatments during both the years. The incidence of rice leaf folder fluctuated during both the seasons with overall mean incidence of 5.98 to 6.51 per cent in 2013 and 3.87 to 4.17 per cent damaged leaves in 2014 and none of the herbicide neither increase nor decrease leaf folder incidence. There was no significant difference in the spiders population in different herbicidal treatments during 2013 and 2014. The average grain yield in different treatments was statistically at par with each other during both the years.

The present studies on population dynamics of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on cotton hybrid BIO 6588 (BG II) were carried out during Kharif 2014 at Cotton Research Area, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Two peaks of whitefly adults were recorded from 34th and 38th Standard Meteorological Week (i.e. 3rd week of August and 3rd week of September, 2014) with number as high as 37.94 and 45.42 adults per leaf whereas nymphal population was as high as 45.26 and 62.93 nymphs per leaf during 33th and 39th SMW (i.e. 2nd week of August and last week of September). Whitefly adult population showed significant positive correlation with morning relative humidity (r=0.455) and sunshine hours (r=0.650). Sunshine hours also showed significant positive correlation (r=0.543) with the nymphal population.

The present study was conducted to analyse the impact of agricultural credit on agricultural development and constraints in advancing the agricultural credit. The study was conducted in the district of Bikaner region viz., Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner and Churu district. A lead bank of each selected district was selected purposively for collection of secondary and primary data in respect of agricultural loan supplied to the farmers. A sample of 30 farmers was drawn as borrower farmers from each selected district by probability proportion to the number of borrower farmers. The increasing trend was observed in the value of net worth with increase in farm size on both borrower and non-borrower farmers of the study area. At overall level about 47 to 50 per cent net worth value was higher on borrower farmers than the non-borrower farmers. The value of current assets was ranged from 1.81 to 3.82 on borrower farmers in comparison to non-borrower farmers 1.02 to 2.90. Similarly, the intermediate ratio on borrower farmers was about 2.30 to 2.93 against 1.80 to 2.24 on non-borrower farmers. The net capital ratio was 13.00 to 19.60 on borrower farmers in comparison to 10.46 to 16.92 on non-borrower farmers. The overall difference in net income between borrower and non-borrower farmers was ranged ` 14377.1 to 274341 on per hectare. About 48 per cent higher income was recorded on borrower farmers than the non-borrower farmers at overall basis in the study area. The return per rupee on borrower farmers was ` 2.83 to 3.90 and 2.35 to 3.10 on non-borrower farmers. Thus, it can be concluded that financial position of all the borrower and non-borrower farmers in the study area was worthiness but in comparison the non-borrower farmers the financial position of all the borrower farmers of each selected district was quite worthiness in the study area

The study was conducted to analyze farmers’ buying behaviour of cumin seeds in Banaskantha district of Gujarat state. The primary data were collected through personal interview with the help of an interview schedule. To fulfill the objectives of the study, 120 cumin growers were selected randomly from Tharad and Kankrej talukas of Banaskantha district. It was found that farmers gave more preference to the quality and yield followed by price, timely availability and brand image while purchasing cumin seeds. Farmers gave a more preference to the cost and availability of seeds while selection of seed dealer. About 40.00 per cent farmers purchased cumin seeds from retailers’ shop. Nearly 70.00 per cent farmers purchased cumin seeds on cash payment. Relatives, dealers, demonstration and newspaper were the major sources of information used by farmers for purchasing cumin seeds in the study area.

Pulses are the main source of quality protein and a rich source of energy, minerals and certain vitamins. The study was conducted in Jaipur district of Rajasthan. Jaipur district comprises of sixteen tehsils, out of which 3 tehsils viz., Dudu, Phulera and Phagi were selected purposely. Out of selected Tehsil two gram panchayats were selected randomly from each tehsils and two revenue villages were selected from each selected gram panchayat on the basis of random sampling method. Thus, the total 12 villages were selected. After that we took total 120 mungbean growing farmers (respondents) were selected randomly through proportional allocation to the size of sample. The study found that three fourth of the farmers 72.50 per cent were categorized in medium knowledge level, whereas 15.87 per cent and 11.67 per cent were having low and high knowledge level about recommended production technology of mungbean. It was found that farmers possessed maximum knowledge regarding “Spacing” (81.66 MPS) and “high yielding varieties” (77.22 MPS) of mungbean crop, and farmers possessed less knowledge regarding “storage” aspects (42.85 MPS).

Osmotic dehydration has received more importance in recent years as an effective method for preservation of fruits. Being a simplest and easiest process, it facilitates processing of fruits with retention of initial fruit characteristics viz., colour, aroma, texture and nutritional composition. It is less energy consumption with less coast than air or vacuum drying process because it can be conducted at ambient temperature. It has advantages for the processing industry to maintain the food quality and to preserve the freshness of the food. It includes two steps, water removal sugar solution and dehydration by cabinet drier in which moisture gets removed and helps to maintain higher shelf life. Sensory evaluation has played a major role in the selection of the product based on the consumer preferences. The sensory selected product based on shapes, thickness, concentration, time showed the significant differences (Chi-square value) between the treatments.

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2013-14 and 2014-15 at the Research Farm, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) to study tillage and weed management methods on productivity and energy analysis of chickpea. The results revealed that bed planting and conventional tillage resulted in higher growth, yield and yield attributes of chickpea. Both these tillage practices resulted in higher energy output (59317 to 61263 MJ/ha), while lowest (48974 MJ/ha) in case of broadcasting method. Among the herbicidal method weed management, Vellor recorded significantly higher growth, yield and yield-attributes of chickpea in addition to highest energy output (63335 MJ/ha), energy use efficiency (6.18) and energy productivity (0.13). The overall results allude that bed planting with use of Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr herbicide may be adopted to achieve maximum productivity of chickpea.