TECHNOLOGICAL GAP IN RECOMMENDED CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF CABBAGE GROWERS AT KUHUBOTO BLOCK IN DIMAPUR DISTRICT OF NAGALAND

This study has been conducted to find out the technological gap in recommended cultivation practices of the cabbage growers in order to understand the extent of the difference between the traditional and non- traditional practices practiced by the local farmers in the district. The aforementioned study was conducted at Kuhuboto block in Dimapur district of Nagaland in the year 2021. A descriptive research designed was applied for this study. The primary data was collected from 120 respondents by personal interview method using pre-structure interview schedule. After the analysis of the data, it was observed that, maximum number of the respondents (55.83%) were having medium level of overall utilization of information sources and majority of the cabbage growers (62.50%) belonged to medium level of over-all technological gap category. It indicates that a sum number of the population had incorporated the new technologies while others have still yet to adopt and use the new recommended cabbage cultivation. The socio- economic variables associated with the respondents, such as education and training exposure were positively significant with the extent of adoption of improved package of practices of cabbage cultivation. The above results compel the research and extension system to work on the gaps in a pragmatic way.

The Effect of Cultivation Practices on Agronomic Performance, Elemental Composition and Isotopic Signature of Spring Oat (Avena sativa L.)

The present study investigated the effects of cultivation practices on grain (oats) yield and yield components, such as straw yield, harvest index, thousand kernel weight, and plant lodging. In addition, multi-element composition and isotopic signature (δ13C, δ15N) of the oat grains were studied. The spring oat cultivar ‘Noni’ was grown in a long-term field experiment during 2015–2020, using three management practices: control without organic amendment, incorporation of manure every third year and incorporation of crop residues/cover crop in the rotation. Synthetic nitrogen (N) (0, 55, 110 and 165 kg/ha) was applied during oat development in each system. Multi-element analysis of mature grains from two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) was performed using EDXRF spectroscopy, while stable isotope ratios of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) were obtained using an elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (EA/IRMS). The results show how cultivation practices affect yield components and isotopic and elemental signatures. Increasing the N rate improved both the oat grain and straw yields and increased susceptibility to lodging. The results show how the elemental content (Si, Ca, Zn, Fe, Ti, Br and Rb) in the oat grains were influenced by intensification, and a noticeable decrease in elemental content at higher N rates was the result of a dilution effect of increased dry matter production. The mean δ15N values in oat grains ranged from 2.5‰ to 6.4‰ and decreased with increasing N rate, while δ13C values ranged from −29.9‰ to –28.9‰. Based on the δ15N values, it was possible to detect the addition of synthetic N above an N rate of 55 kg/ha, although it was impossible to differentiate between different management practices using stable isotopes.

Problems with the Concept of “Pest” among the Diversity of Pestiferous Thrips

Almost all of the thrips species that are considered pests are members of a single subfamily of Thripidae, the Thripinae, a group that represents less than 30% of the species in the insect Order Thysanoptera. Three of the five major Families of Thysanoptera (Aeolothripidae, Heterothripidae, Melanthripidae) are not known to include any pest species. The Phlaeothripidae that includes more than 50% of the 6300 thrips species listed includes very few that are considered to be pests. Within the Thripidae, the members of the three smaller subfamilies, Panchaetothripinae, Dendrothripinae and Sericothripinae, include remarkably few species that result in serious crop losses. It is only in the subfamily Thripinae, and particularly among species of the Frankliniella genus-group and the Thrips genus-group that the major thrips species are found, including all but one of the vectors of Orthotospovirus infections. It is argued that the concept of pest is a socio-economic problem, with the pest status of any particular species being dependent on geographical area, cultivation practices, and market expectations as much as the intrinsic biology of any thrips species.

PENDAMPINGAN MASYARAKAT DALAM BUDIDAYA PORANG SECARA AGROFORESTRI SEBAGAI RINTISAN DESA ALASOMBO, SUKOHARJO SEBAGAI SENTRA PORANG

<p><strong><em>Community Assistance in Porang Cultivation in Agroforestry to Realize Alasombo as a Porang Center. </em></strong>Land conditions in Alasombo Village, Sukoharjo Regency, Central of Java potentially to be developed as a centre for porang (<em>Amorphophallus muelleri</em> Blume). The purpose of community service (PKM) is to introduce and improve skills in agroforestry cultivation of porang to realize Alasombo as a porang centre. PKM partners are ASSTI Farmer Groups and Youth Groups in Bende, Alasombo. The methods used were focus group discussion (FGD), cultivation practices, and evaluation. The activity was carried out from April to December 2020. Cultivation practices were carried out in Bende. The results of PKM activities show that 52.2% of the people know that for porang tubers have a high selling price and are very potential as an export commodity, 60.9% of the people do not know how to cultivate porang properly, 56.53% do not know that porang can be produced by agroforestry, and 95.5% people do not understand that the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil affect the growth and yield of porang. Assistance by universities is essential for the transfer of knowledge and technology to the community. Continuous assistance activities need to be carried out to make Alasombo a centre for <em>Amorphophalus</em> sp. `</p>

Family Medicinal Plant Cultivation (TOGA) in the New Normal of the Covid-19 Pandemic

The existence of Covid-19 quickly resulted in many losses, so the government implemented a new normal. This policy encourages all parties to take various ways to restore the economic, social, and cultural conditions, one of which is by cultivating Family Medicinal Plants (TOGA) which also functions to increase the body immunity and utilizing yard land that has not been managed optimally. The activities are socialization about TOGA, cultivation techniques, cultivation practices, mentoring, and evaluation. This activity was carried out during the new normal at RT.03 RW. 05, Limbungan Rumbai was attended by 15 partners. Partners are enthusiastic about cultivating TOGA and have increased knowledge after the implementation of the extension. The practice of planting the 45 TOGA seeds given, 100% succeeded in growing well. The success of growing seedlings include quality seeds, correct planting techniques and giving fertilizer at the right dose.

Modeling Basin-Scale Impacts of Cultivation Practices on Cotton Yield and Water Conservation under Various Hydroclimatic Regimes

The SWAT model equipped with an improved auto-irrigation function was used to assess the impacts of cultivation practices on irrigated and dryland cotton yield and water conservation in the Texas Panhandle. Results showed the largest irrigation depth led to reductions in irrigation and crop evapotranspiration (ETc) with slightly increased cotton yields compared to the baseline scenarios under different hydroclimatic regimes. However, soil water content and surface runoff values were increased when using the largest irrigation depth. The opposite results were observed for the small irrigation depth. Early planting of cotton resulted in decreased irrigation and ETc, and increased cotton yields under both irrigated and dryland conditions, particularly in normal and wet years. By contrast, the late planting scenarios indicated the opposite for those variables. Simulated hydrologic variables were relatively stable using various maturity cultivars. Nevertheless, greater than 10% reductions in irrigated cotton yield under diverse hydroclimatic years and dryland yields during normal and wet years were identified in the long-season cotton. The opposite was determined for the short-season cotton. These outcomes suggest that a larger irrigation depth, earlier planting date, and short-season cultivar are promising cultivation practices for improving cotton yield and water conservation in the Texas Panhandle.

Rethinking a sustainable truffle sector under global crises

Global climate change is the main threat for the emerging truffle sector, which already extends across seven key regions in the Americas, Europe, South Africa and Australasia. At the same time, the potential effects of financial crises and global pandemics have not yet been considered in most risk assessments. Here we describe the direct and indirect impacts of the actual coronavirus pandemic on the rising truffle sector. We discuss how COVID-19 affects small family businesses and international enterprises, and if the current harvest decline will have ecological long-term benefits. Furthermore, we question extant cultivation practices, irrigation techniques and trade systems to prepare for a more equitable and sustainable future of the global truffle industry. Despite various foci on one of the most expensive gourmet foods and its associated agroforestry, we expect our reflections to be valuable for many other high-value crops, and a green agriculture in general.

Toward an Investigation of Diversity and Cultivation of Rye (Secale cereale ssp. cereale L.) in Germany: Methodological Insights and First Results from Early Modern Plant Material

Rye (Secale cereale ssp. cereale L.) is a secondary domesticate, considered to have originated as a weed in wheat fields and to have developed traits of domestication by evolving similar physiological and morphological characteristics to those of wheat. Although it migrated into Europe as a weed possessing domestication traits, it became one of the most significant crops grown in large parts of Europe from the medieval period onward. Within the modern borders of Germany, rye was grown using at least two divergent cultivation practices: eternal rye monoculture and three-field rotation. The straw of rye was used to produce Wellerhölzer, which are construction components in traditional half-timbered houses that have enabled a desiccated preservation of the plant remains. In order to assess the impact of cultivation practices, local environmental conditions and genetic variation on the genetic diversification of rye, we seek to integrate well-established archaeobotanical methods with aDNA sequencing of desiccated plant remains obtained from Wellerhölzer from Germany. In the current contribution, we present a proof of concept, based on the analysis of plant remains from a Wellerholz from the Old Town Hall of Göttingen. We use arable weed ecology to reconstruct cultivation practices and local environmental conditions and present a phylogenetic analysis based on targeted loci of the chloroplast and nuclear genome. Our results emphasise that the study of desiccated remains of plants from Wellerhölzer offer a unique opportunity for an integration of archaeobotanical reconstructions of cultivation practices and local environment and the sequencing of aDNA.

PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE OF THE FARMERS TOWARDS IMPROVED OKRA CULTIVATION PRACTICES IN EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentusL.) also known as Lady’s Finger is an economically important summer vegetable crop that belongs to the family Malvaceae. It is known to have originated in tropical Africa. The crop is quite popular due to its easy cultivation, dependable yield and resistant to drought & water logging adaptability to varying moisture conditions & soil types. (Maurya et al., 2013). the major findings are 74.16 percent of the respondents have knowledge on soils that are Loose, loamy soils are required for Okra cultivation, followed by 64.16 percent of the respondents are saying that they cultivate Okra crop throughout the year. Okra plant produces fiber by 20.2 to 7.2 percent. (Chauhan 1972) East-godavari district of Andra pradesh state was selected purposively based on the maximum farmers’ availability. Descriptive research design was used for the present study. A total of 120 respondents were selected purposively as a sample for the present investigation. The data was collected by using pre-tested schedule and analyzed using appropriate statistical tools. Karl Pearson’s Co-efficient of Correlation test was applied to find out the association between farmers socio-economic profile with independent variables. It was concluded that the socio-economic status of the respondents constitute medium level. It was observed that majority of the respondents belonged to the high level of perception and towards improved okra cultivation practices. There was a positive and significant relationship between independent variables with dependent variables.

A Study on the Factors Affecting Greenhouses Emissions in Cotton in Greece

While cotton cultivation is considered as the main cash crop for Greece, cultivation practices and their environmental-friendly level are the focus of recent research. Research is examined the main sources for greenhouses gases in cotton cultivation. Until now, crop cultivation stimulates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions only from soil. For this reason, main sources are found to be agricultural practices such as irrigation and fertilization. It is imperative to be estimated sources of greenhouses emission in cotton cultivation for the territory of Greece. The present study takes into account all the factors related to the cotton cultivation, from the fertilizers production to energy consumption for all cultivation techniques such as tillage. The data were calculated using Cool farm tool software. In order for the data to be representative and verifiable, the average of all the fields is referred in the study. The analysis of the emissions concerned all the fields where cotton is grown in a remarkable area. The total CO2e emissions coming from an average value of 117.32 ha are 43.11 k kg. The main source of emissions are the fuels used for all processes in the field such as harvesting, cultivator, irrigation, etc. Many factors significantly affected the GHG emissions from cotton field in Greece. Although water supply and N fertilizer are the main source for emissions only from soil, there are many factors to exanimated in order to minimize adverse effects of climate change.