Performance of High Yielding Promising Sugarcane Variety for Western Zone of Tamilnadu

Sugarcane is an important commercial crop cultivated in over 23,000 ha in Erode district of TamilNadu state. Attempts were made by researchers and extension workers to improve the productivity of sugarcane by adopting high yielding varieties and improved production technologies. The on-farm trials were conducted during Kharif 2017 and 2018 in five farmers’ field to assess the performance of high yielding promising sugarcane varieties suitable for Western Zone of TamilNadu. The varieties selected for trial were Co 86032 and Co 0212. The study revealed that Co 0212 recorded more number of productive tillers per plant (10.4), intermodal length (14.51 cm), stem girth (11.22) and individual cane weight (1.511 kg) which was superiorly higher than the existing variety Co 86032. Similarly Co 0212 recorded the yield of 127.5 ton / ha during 2017 which was 17.24 per cent higher yield than the existing variety and 138.86 ton / ha recorded and 30.68 per cent yield advantage was noticed in the ratoon crop. The highest benefit cost ratio of 2.44 was recorded in Co 0212 in ratoon crop and 2.05 in first crop where as 1.73 and 1.86 BCR observed in Co 86032 in first and ratoon crop respectively. Considering the above facts, Co 0212 would be identified as a better alternate variety suitable for the Western Zone of TamilNadu

Exploration of Soil and Weather Factors on Mulberry Root Rot Incidence in the Western Zone of Tamil Nadu, India

Aims: To record the occurrence of mulberry root rot disease, epidemiology, interaction of weather and soil parameters with the soil-borne pathogens in Western zone of Tamil Nadu during 2019-2020. Study Design: Survey. Place and Duration of Study: Surveyed in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts of Tamil Nadu. Laboratory experiments were carried out at Department of Sericulture & Department of Plant Pathology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore between July 2019 and Jan 2021. Methodology: Per cent disease incidence of root rot was recorded in all surveyed gardens. To analyze the soil and weather parameters, the composite soil samples were subjected to textural analysis and weather data were collected from TNAU Agro Climate Research Centre. To predict soil temperature for all surveyed locations, the model regression equations were derived. The correlation analysis was done between per cent disease incidence, weather and soil parameters. Results: The highest disease incidence was recorded in Nallampalli block of Dharmapuri district (54 per cent) whereas the lowest in Udumalaipettai block of Tiruppur district (0.06 per cent). The infected mulberry root samples yielded complex of soil-borne pathogens including Macrophomina phaseolina, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium sp., and pathogenicity was proved. The results revealed that root rot incidence was recorded in all types of cultivars, significantly in ruling variety V1 irrespective of its age, soil type, spacing, and irrigation method. Soil parameters like texture, temperature and moisture content were found to augment the disease. Per cent disease incidence had significantly positive correlation with the weather factors like air and soil temperature whereas negative correlation with relative humidity and rainfall. Conclusion: Synergism of abiotic stress factors hinders the mulberry plant health and increases its susceptibility to the soil-borne pathogens.

Managing impact of extreme weather events in sugarcane in different agro-climatic zones of Uttar Pradesh

Sugarcane is a cash crop in Uttar Pradesh; economic condition of the farmers is highly dependent on sugarcane production. However, average yield of the state has gone up from 39.5 t/ha (1950-51) to 59.2 t/ha (2009-10), was observed associated with fluctuating weather conditions, whereas other major sugar producing area in India have average yield of 70 t/ha. The result of the above study showed that there was an average rising trend in the annual minimum temperature (0.03° Cyr-1) over all the agro-climatic zones of the state. Out of nine agro-climatic zones, four zones namely South Western Zone, Central Plain Zone, Western Plain Zone and Eastern Plain zone, which were marked by decreasing annual rainfall trend. However, Vindhyan Zone, Mid Western Zone and Bhabhar and Tarai Zone show rising trend. To explain better relation between cane yield and weather parameters this study also show that maximum, minimum temperature and moisture plays the most important role during germination, tillering, grand growth and ripening phases of the sugarcane. Considering extreme weather, we found that temperature below 25 °C, above 35 °C and 40 °C are slowing down the growth and finally reducing the final yield. It is also noticed that temperature and rainfall extremes had high possibility of governing sugarcane yields but there were also quite a number of instances wherein the extremes couldn’t be reasoned directly for the yield fluctuations. Therefore, to sustain the productivity, this study recommends the improvements of the adoptive responses of varieties, management of the risk associated with extreme weather events by providing weather linked value-added advisory services to the farmers and crop insurance agencies.

Comparative analysis and epidemiological study of SARS-CoV-2 in first wave among different states of India

SARS-CoV-2 has now spread worldwide, and various governments are attempting to control the disease's spread before it becomes a global health crisis. Data from 28 Indian states and 8 Union Territories (UTs) provides a detailed look at the transmission pathways and case fatality rate (CFR) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The case fatality ratios were calculated in each zone of India i.e. Central, Eastern, North Eastern, and Northern, Southern and Western zone. Moreover, the CFR was calculated in different periods of month. The CFR wassignificantly higher (P<0.01) in April to June period of 2020. The period of month had significantly different (P<0.01) on CFR. CFR was compared in different zones in India, western zone showed highest CFR as compared to other zones. The effect of Covid-19 was compared with different age groups and co-morbidities patients. This analysis showed that the mortality in Maharashtra was higher because of the poor adherence to the safety norms and due to the most visited and crowded place of India.

COMPOSITION AND CONTENT OF ORGANIC ACIDS IN JUICE AND WINE FROM GRAPES GROWN IN THE NORTH-WESTERN ZONE OF DAGESTAN

Методом капиллярного электрофореза изучен качественный состав и количественное содержание органических кислот в соках и виноматериалах из винограда сортов Ркацители и Молдова, выращенных в экологических условиях равнины и предгорья северо-западной зоны Дагестана. Идентифицировано восемь компонентов: винная, лимонная, молочная, муравьиная, уксусная, щавелевая, яблочная и янтарная кислоты. Превалировали винная и яблочная кислоты, которые, как и уксусная, содержались во всех опытных образцах. Количество обнаруженных органических кислот составляло от 0,01 (молочная и янтарная) до 3,31 г/дм3 (винная). Их наибольшая общая массовая концентрация определена в соке из винограда сорта Ркацители – 5,3 г/дм3. Отмечено, что суммарное содержание этих компонентов в образцах соков и виноматериалов из винограда сортов Ркацители и Молдова незначительно зависит от высоты места произрастания винограда над уровнем моря. Этот природный фактор обусловливает различия в соотношениях кислот, особенно при формировании их пулов в виноматериалах. Органические кислоты, обнаруженные в исследованных образцах продуктов переработки винограда, способны влиять на появление неординарных нюансов цвета, вкуса и аромата, повышающих качество шампанских вин и коньяков. The qualitative composition and quantitative content of organic acids in juices and wine materials from grapes of Rkatsiteli and Moldova grown under the ecological conditions of the plains and foothills of the North West zone of Dagestan were studied by the method of capillary electrophoresis. Eight components are identified: wine, lemon, dairy, ant, acetic, oxalic, apple and amber acids. The amount of the found organic acids was 0,01 (dairy and amber acids) – 3,31 g/dm3 (wine acid). Their highest general mass concentration is defined in juice from Rkatsiteli – 5,3 g/dm3. It is noted that the total content of these components in the samples of juice and wine materials from grapes of Rkatsiteli and Moldova slightly depends on the height of your growing grapes above the sea level. This natural factor causes differences in ratios of acids, especially when forming their pools in wine materials. The organic acids found in the studied products of processing made from Rkatsiteli and Moldova grapes are capable to influence emergence of the extraordinary nuances of color, taste and aroma increasing quality of sparkling wines and cognacs.

Some Aspects of Western Taranaki Geology and Pedology

<p>The North Island of New Zealand is the southern end of an island arc structure which stretches 3000 km northwards to Samoa. It comprises the Hikurangi Trench to the east of the North Island (Houtz, et.al. 1967), a central negative gravity anomaly (Robertson and Reilly 1958) and two volcanic zones to the west of the gravity anomaly (Cole 1967). The volcanic zones comprise the Ohakune-White Island zone of calc-alkaline volcanoes and a western zone of more alkaline volcanoes from Northland to Taranaki. The Taranaki volcanoes are principally high potash low magnesia hornblende-andesites (Hatherton 1968a) which extend 25 km south from New Plymouth to Mt. Egmont. Volcanological investigations on the Taranaki andesites have previously been limited to petrological, geomorphic and Recent tree-ring dating studies. The following work involves detailed studies on the tephrochronology, lahar stratigraphy, weathering and soil formation in western Taranaki together with a detailed interpretation of Quaternary volcanic and climatic events.</p>

Some Aspects of Western Taranaki Geology and Pedology

<p>The North Island of New Zealand is the southern end of an island arc structure which stretches 3000 km northwards to Samoa. It comprises the Hikurangi Trench to the east of the North Island (Houtz, et.al. 1967), a central negative gravity anomaly (Robertson and Reilly 1958) and two volcanic zones to the west of the gravity anomaly (Cole 1967). The volcanic zones comprise the Ohakune-White Island zone of calc-alkaline volcanoes and a western zone of more alkaline volcanoes from Northland to Taranaki. The Taranaki volcanoes are principally high potash low magnesia hornblende-andesites (Hatherton 1968a) which extend 25 km south from New Plymouth to Mt. Egmont. Volcanological investigations on the Taranaki andesites have previously been limited to petrological, geomorphic and Recent tree-ring dating studies. The following work involves detailed studies on the tephrochronology, lahar stratigraphy, weathering and soil formation in western Taranaki together with a detailed interpretation of Quaternary volcanic and climatic events.</p>

Opinion and Expectations of Beneficiaries towards Training Programmes of KVKs: Gender Analysis

Study was conducted to know the opinion and expectations of beneficiaries towards training programmes of KVKs in Haryana. Agro climatically Haryana is divided into two zones i.e., western and eastern zone. Based on the year of establishment, four KVKs two each funded by ICAR from western and eastern zone of Haryana, functioning for the last five years and where maximum number of rural women participated in their training programmes were selected. These KVKs were Bhiwani and Fatehabad from western zone, Rohtak and Jhajjar from eastern zone. The opinion of male and female beneficiaries were studied through five specific aspects of training viz., training programme, course content, time and duration, physical facilities, evaluation and supporting activities. For analyzing the expectations of the beneficiaries, a schedule was developed. Results revealed that out of both the zones, majority of male and female beneficiaries had high opinion level about all the four specific training aspects viz; training programme (26.0% male and 20.5% female), course content (24.0% male and 21.5% female), time and duration (22.5% male, 20.0% female) and physical facilities (26.0% male and 26.5% female). In case of evaluation and supporting activities where they had medium (27.5% male and 19.5% female) level of opinion regarding training programmes. Overall level of opinion of respondents towards training programmes was medium (26.0% male and 20.5% female) followed by high (24.5% male and16.5% female) and low (7.0% male and 5.5% female). Whereas, level of expectation of beneficiaries for training programmes was high (33.0% male and 21.5% female) followed by medium (20.5% male and 15.0% female) and low (4.5% male and 5.5% female).

Impact of COVID-19 on Food and Non-Food Consumption Behaviour of People in the Western Zone of Tamil Nadu

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the global pandemic COVID-19 on household income, expenditure, and consumption behaviour of farmers in the western zone of Tamil Nadu during the year 2020. The Annur block in the Coimbatore district was purposively chosen for this study since majority of the farmers cultivating horticultural crops were affected significantly due to COVID-19 situation. A total of 210 farmers were selected using a proportionate sampling technique by covering the vegetable (Tomato, Brinjal, and Bhendi) and flower crops (Jasmine, Mullai, and Rose). The study helped in analyzing the changes noticed in the livelihoods of the farmers as a consequence of the emergence of this global pandemic situation. The findings of the study indicated that the average annual income of farmers has been lowered about 17 per cent due to COVID-19 along with subsequent effects on household consumption expenditure and savings being reduced about 16 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively. Further, the expenses on food items had increased about 8 per cent, while non-food group expenses had plummeted about 46 per cent. On the other hand, medical expenses significantly enhanced to an extent of about 38 per cent among the sampled households.

Growth and Yield Performance of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.) under Malabar Neem (Melia dubia) Plantations in Western Zone of Tamil Nadu

Background: Black gram (Vigna mungo. L) is one of the most cultivated legume pulse crop with high nutritive value and Malabar neem (Melia dubia) is an emerging industrial agroforestry tree in Southern India. To maximize the land utilization with a field experiment was conducted at Western zone of Tamil Nadu to investigate the performance of black gram varieties under different spatial arrangements of Melia dubia plantations. Methods: An agroforestry trial was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with eight treatments and three replications during kharif and rabi (2019-20) season. Black gram crop varieties (V1 - CO6 and V2 - VBN 6) were intercropped with M. dubia (1.5 year old plantation) with three different spacing of S1 (3 x 1.5 m), S2 (3 x 3 m) and S3 (4 x 4 m) while S0 as open field (Sole crop of black gram) for both the season. Result: The results of pooled analysis of two season shown that, treatment S0V2 recorded plant height (49.96 cm), number of branches (3.76), number of leaves (259.75), number of flowers (53.44), number of pods (22.85), seed yield per plant (5.38 g) and seed yield per hectare (0.82 tonnes) in open condition. Similarly in intercropping the growth and yield attributes of black gram were minimum performance recorded in CO 6 at closer spacing (3 x 1.5 m). In tree growth maximum pooled height increment (1.57 m) was observed in closer spacing (3 x 1.5 m) and maximum diameter recorded in wider spacing of both varieties. Hence wider spacing of S3 (4 x 4 m) can be suggested for intercropping under M. dubia plantations upto 4 years.