Role of Psychological Attributes of DAESI Dealers in Knowledge and Skill Development

Psychological attributes are the internal human characteristics which reflect a great impact over the trainees of any programmme. These attributes are distinct for each and everyone. National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) had launched a individual financed One-year Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI) Programme during the year 2003 for the input dealers in order to make input dealer competent enough in terms of knowledge and skill. In Chhattisgarh, under the flagship of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidhayalaya Raipur, Directorate of Extension Services had initiated a yearly Diploma course which was started in the year 2017-18. This study is focused to access the role of Psychological Attributes of DAESI dealers in knowledge and skill development. a random sample of 100 participants were selected out of 154 participants. The data was collected through a well prepared Questionnaire & need based online data methods and ex-post facto research design was used. The study reveals that majority of respondents were moderately benefited from DAESI programme 2019-20 in terms of increase in knowledge and gain in skills. Correlation and path analysis between various psychological attributes and increase in knowledge & gain in skill reveals that three attributes namely, innovativeness, risk bearing ability and self-confidence is considered the most important and determining attribute for increase in knowledge and skill level of DAESI dealers

Correlation and Path Analysis in Commercial Tenera Oil Palms Collected from Southern Thailand

Background: Tenera oil palm is widely planted as a commercial plantation crop throughout Southern Thailand. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the phenotypic correlation and the direct and indirect effects among bunch yields and vegetative characteristics in commercial tenera oil palms. Methods: The oil yield, fresh fruit bunch, bunch number, average bunch weight, leaf area, leaf dry weight and rachis length were recorded from six commercial tenera oil palm progenies. The data were recorded between January 2019 and June 2020 at The Chaipattana Foundation’s oil palm plantation in Trang Province, Thailand. Result: Results show that fresh fruit bunch, average bunch weight and rachis length positively correlated with oil yield (rp = 0.90**, 0.50* and 0.53, respectively), while bunch number and rachis length positively correlated with fresh fruit bunch (rp = 0.58* and 0.47*, respectively). The path analysis shows that bunch number significantly correlated with fresh fruit bunch (0.58*) and strongly directly affected it (1.11). The fresh fruit bunch significantly correlated with oil yield, (0.90**) and had a strong direct (2.08) and indirect effect (1.20). These results indicate that bunch number and fresh fruit bunch are useful variables for oil yield improvement in further breeding programs of oil palm.

Under Rainfed Effect of Foxtail Millet [Setaria italica (L.) beauv] Germplasms Evaluation on Genotypic Variance, Correlation and Path Analysis

Background: Setaria italica is an essential crop in the developing world and yield levels are low. To improve the yield, the utilization of diverse germplasm in a breeding program is vital. Methods: The present study aimed to characterize 50 genotypes in the first year and out of 50, 10 genotypes in the second year using multivariant traits. Wide variation was observed in both the qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant differences for most symptoms. Higher estimates of GCV were followed for grain yields, followed by panicle lengths and organic outcomes. Higher estimates of PCV were observed for plant height and leaf length, followed by leaf width. Low GCV and PCV were recorded as leaf length, 50% flowering in days. PCV study indicated direct selection based on characters, panicle weight, test weight and strawweight showed a high and positive effect on grain yield per plant in both rainy and summer season indicating the proper relationship between these characters with grain yield per plant, which helps indirect selection for these traits thus in improving the grain yield per plant. Variability in foxtail millet germplasm allows plant breeders to effectively select specific donor lines for genetic improvement of foxtail millet. Result: Best 5 genotypes were found to be: Kangni-7 greater than Kangni-1 greater than Kangni-6 greater than Kangni-5 greater than Kangni-4.

Effects of Online Learning Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students’ Satisfaction, Adjustment, Performance, and Loyalty

This research investigates the student online learning experience (SOLE) during the 2020 spring Covid-19 pandemic. We collected quantitative data through an online survey from 362 international and 488 domestic students at a large Polish University. Correlation and path analysis within a conceptual model of SOLE and its academic outcomes established that (1) SOLE explained adjustment, performance, satisfaction, and loyalty, (2) academic adjustment predicts performance, satisfaction, and loyalty, (3) that academic performance and satisfaction predict student loyalty, and (4) that academic performance predicts satisfaction. Interestingly, time spent in quarantine/self-isolation did not exert any effect on academic outcomes in SOLE. Moreover, qualitative data collected via narrative interviews with 13 international and domestic students developed our understanding of SOLE and its outcomes. We propose some research and practice implications for universities to enhance SOLE.

Evaluation of bunch quality components in Dura x Dura progenies of Zambia and Camaroon sources of oil palm germplasm

Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate oil palm dura progenies developed from Zambia and Cameroon germplasm sources for bunch components for the selecting of high oil yielding mother palms. Methodology: Total 77 dura genotypes were evaluated by considering 15 different bunch components. Bunch analysis data were collected from tenth year onwards after planting. The genetic diversity, Principal component analysis, correlation and path analysis of the genotypes were estimated. Results: Study revealed that oil-to bunch ratio depends on fruit-to-bunch ratio and mesocarp-fruit ratio. The ANOVA value showed a significant variability among the genotypes for most of the bunch traits and the identified genotype P35 (24.53 %) was highest oil yielder. Positive significant correlation (p≤ 0.01) of mesocarp-to-fruit ratio and oil-to-dry mesocarp with oil-to-bunch ratio were noted in this study. Based on path analysis, the information obtained from this study is the oil-to-wet mesocarp ratio (0.697) showed the highest significant positive direct effect on oil-to-bunch ratio followed by mesocarp-to-fruit ratio (0.570). Interpretation: This study may support for the future selection of mother palms to utilize in oil palm improvement programmes. Introgression into existing breeding materials and breeding for seed production utilising selected palms.

Selection indices for fruit yield improvement in elite cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivars

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important vegetable crop, rich in vitamins and minerals and eaten fresh as a dessert. Its fruit yield is relatively low, though could be improved through knowledge of character association with it and selection of desirable materials for improvement programmes. Fifteen cultivars of Cucumber were evaluated at two locations (Abeokuta and Ibadan), South West, Nigeria in a randomized complete block design with three replicates in order to determine heritability, correlation, direct and indirect effects of characters on fruit yield. Data collected on agro-morphological characters were subjected to analysis of variance, estimates of heritability, correlation, and path analysis. Significant variations (p <0.05) were observed in the cultivars. High heritability estimates (>90%) was observed for fruit length at both locations. A significant phenotypic and genotypic correlation was observed between fruit yield and fruit weight. Number of days to 50% flowering and fruit width could also be selected directly for improvement of fruit yield in cucumber.

Some Genetic Parameters and Path Coefficient of Three-Way Crosses in Maize

Correlation and path coefficient analysis were worked out for ten morphological traits in 30 three-way crosses of maize. Phenotypic and genotypic correlation analysis indicated that ear length; row numbers per ear, grain numbers per row, leaf area and leaves numbers had a positive significant correlation with grain yield per plant. Further partitioning of correlation coefficients into direct and indirect effects showed that traits days to silking, row numbers per row and leaves numbers had a positive direct effect on grain yield per plant. The traits ear length, grain numbers per row and leaf area had a maximum total effect on grain yield. Furthermore, PCA analysis has gave interested results and it supported the results of correlation and path analysis. The correlation and path analysis obviously indicated that direct selection based on these attributes may be useful in raising grain yield in maize.

Correlation and Path Analysis Studies for Various Yield and Component Traits in the Segregating Generations of Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L). Hepper]

Background: Blackgram despite of being a highly nutritious and short duration legume crop, it is not cultivated on large scales due to many constraints. Considering this, the research was aimed to develop blackgram genotypes with wider adaptability, genetic variability and high yielding potential by studying nature and magnitude of association among yield and related traits for effective production. Methods: The present investigation was carried out at Experimental Farm of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, CSK HPKV, Palampur (H.P.) to assess the character association and direct and indirect effects among yield and related traits in 14 crosses and ten parents for 11 quantitative characters during Kharif 2018 and 2019 in randomized complete block design with three replications. Result: Correlation studies highlighted that seed yield per plant had significant and positive association with pods per plant, biological yield per plant, pod length, plant height and 100 seed-weight at genotypic and phenotypic levels in both generations. Study of path analysis revealed that biological yield per plant and pods per plant exhibited maximum positive direct and indirect effects to the total association between yield and other component traits in both the generations. These traits could be suggested as best selection indices on priority basis which would be commendable to improve the performance of genotypes during breeding programme.