Assessment of financial viability of farmer producer organizations in Garhwal Division of Uttarakhand

The study was undertaken to assess the financial viability of some Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in Uttarakhand. Financial ratio analysis of FPOs were done on parameters such as liquidity, solvency, profitability and efficiency ratio and Financial Strength of the small organizations for the financial year 2017-18 to 2019-20 were analyzed. Financial ratio analysis depicted that liquidity position of producers’ organization was good and adequate to manage their expenses while, profitability and efficiency position were not adequate enough. Overall,it was estimated that Producers’ Organization are trying hard to make their presence in the market. FPOs require support not only at the individual FPO level but also at the promotion and ecosystem level.

Entrepreneurship opportunities in horticulture sector

Horticulture sector has the potential to enhance the farm income, provide livelihood security and earn foreign exchange. However, focused policy interventions are needed to realise the potential of this sector. India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally. During 2019-20, the production of fruits is 102.03 million MT and that of vegetables is 189 million MT and that of flowers is 2.94million MT. The salient features of commercial horticulture are perishability, intense technology, high profitability accompanied with high investment and high risks including vulnerability to post-harvest losses. Overall, it demands very good entrepreneurship and leadership.The review reveals the trends of the horticultural sector in India and identifies the growth prospects. According to the Economic Survey 2020-202, the share of agriculture in gross domestic product (GDP) has reached almost 20 per cent for the first time in the last 17 years, making it the sole bright spot in GDP performance during 2020-21. The resilience of the farming community in the face of adversities made agriculture the only sector to have clocked a positive growth of 3.4 per cent at constant prices in 2020-21, when other sectors slid. The share of agriculture in GDP increased to 19.9 per cent in 2020-21 from 17.8 per cent in 2019-20.The Horticulture has become a key driver for economic development in many of the states in the country and it contributes 30.4 per cent to GDP of agriculture, which calls for technology-led development. The research priorities are for genetic resource enhancement and its utilization, enhancing the efficiency of production and reducing the losses in environment friendly manner. Horticultural sector accounts for about 37% of the total exports of agricultural commodities, and the exports have recorded sustained rising trend.The major concerns of the sector are improving the productivity through research and development, enhancing the share of value-added products, geographical diversification of exports and enhancing the infrastructure including cold storage and rural roads.The horticulture sector has been considered as the sun rising sector of Indian agriculture because of its contribution to livelihood and nutritional security. Here are some strategic options to overcome the hurdles in the entrepreneurship climate setting process to enhance farmers’ income.

Gene stacking: Approach of genetic engineering

Gene stacking is the process of addition of two or more gene of interest into a single plant. The combination or stacking of different traits or genes in plants is rapidly gaining popularity in biotech crop production. The new evolved trait is known as stacked trait and the crop is known as biotech stacked or simply stacked. This can be accomplished in many ways, one of which is gene pyramiding. Biotech stacks give crops a larger genetic and agronomic boost, allowing them to perform better in challenging farming situations. Biotech stacks are designed to increase productivity by overcoming biotic and abiotic challenges like as insect pests, diseases, weeds, and environmental stress. This review will explain about the gene stacking principle, the need for biotech stacking, and the many gene stacking methods.

Population dynamics of stem fly and defoliator pests of soybean and their natural enemies in relation to weather parameters

The field experiment was carried out at Polasa Farm, Regional agricultural research station Jagtial during the Kharif, 2014-15 and 2015-16. Study about pre dominant lepidopteran insect –pests in soybean crop noticed that the tobacco cut worm, (Spodptera exigua Hubner), green semi looper(Crysodexis acuta Walker), and tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura Fab) along with stemfly, (Melanagromyza obtusa Zehnter) as non lepidopteran pest were noticed at various growth stages of cropgrowth. The peak activity of stem fly (37.84%) was observed during 37th standard week per meter row) for the year 2014 and for the year 2015 to a maximum infestation of 35.70 per cent during 30th std.week. The peak activity of caterpillar pests i.e., S. litura (7.6 larvae per meter row) for the year 2014 was observed during 34th std.week and for the year 2015 (12.4 per meter row during 36th std.week and C. acuta (0.7 larvae per meter row) during 36th std. week for the year 2014 and for the year 2015 (2.20 larvae/mrl on 37th std week. S. exigua (1.6 larvae per meter row) for both the years 2014 and 2015 was observed during 32th std.week Among the natural enemies, one predators namely, spiders (Oxyopes sp. was observed to prey on the insect pests.The biocontrol agent’s one species, lynx spider, Oxyopes sp. population recorded on the crop during Kharif , 2014 ranged from 0.15 to 0.40 /mrl and 0.15 to 0.60/ mrl during Kharif, 2015.

Apricot kernel possesses in vitro cytotoxic effect against breast cancer cell lines

In the search for potential anticancer agents from fruits, the present research work was carried out to examine the in vitro cytotoxic potential of kernel part of Prunus armeniaca (apricot) against eight distinct human cancer cell lines from six different tissues: lung (A-549), colon (HCT-116), breast (MCF-7, MDAMB-231), pancreatic (MIAPaCa-2, Panc-1), prostrate (PC- 3) and CNS (N2A). Methanolic extract and subsequent fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol) were used as test material and anticancer activity was determined via SRB assay at 100g/mL. Results revealed that chloroform fraction of kernel suppressed the proliferation of human breast cancer cellline with growth inhibition of 89%. The fraction of kernel was then evaluated at lower concentrations of 50, 40, 30, 20 and 10g/mL. Further IC50 value was calculated and it was observed that the fraction showed IC5038.66. To conclude, kernel part of Prunus armeniaca possesses certain constituents with cytotoxic properties that can be used to develop anticancer agents especially for breast cancer therapy and to provide a great service to cancer patients.Further studies are required for the isolation of active ingredients from the kernel part.

Periodontal diseases and other dental disorders in dogs : An epidemiologic study

The study determined the epidemiology of periodontal diseases among dogs. This study was conducted on 181 dogs older than 6 months to examine their oral cavities and gather information about their feeding habits. Periodontal diseases were reported in 59.67% of dogs. It was highest for Spitz (75.61%), followed by German shepherd (64.49%), Mongrel (61.53%), Labrador (51.02%) and other Non-descriptive breeds (33.9%). Compared to dogs fed only vegetarian diets, those fed non-vegetarian diets had few health problems. There was the highest incidence of dental problems among vegetarians (69.28%), followed by those given a combination of vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets (51.32%). Periodontitis was common in these dogs, regardless of its cause, and its incidence increased with age. Lesions were more severe in the premolar and molar regions than in the maxillary and mandibular incisor regions. The incidence of missing teeth increased with age. First premolars were the most commonly lost teeth, followed by other premolars and molars, where severe periodontitis was commonly found. The incidence and severity of calculus on teeth increased with age. Due to these findings, it is especially important to keep dogs’ dental hygiene in good condition and conduct continuous periodic examinations.

Standardization of processing and preservation technics for bael (Aegle marmelos correa) syrup

An experiment was conducted on Bael fruits to study the physical properties and chemical composition, to find out the suitable recipes for preparation of ideal syrup, also storage stability of syrup prepared from suitable recipes. Physical and chemical properties revealed that average weight (g)-510.25,Juice content(%)-75.28,TSS(%)-38.42,Total tritable acidity(%)- 0.42,Ascorbic acid (mg/100g)-14.32 indicated the proper maturity stage of Bael for syrup preparation.In these study different recipes of Bael syrup was standardized to explore the processing potential of Bael, a minor fruit. There were five different possibilities of recipes. The syrup prepared from the recipes 26% pulp, 65% TSS and 1.4% Acidity gave highest organoleptic quality score grater consumer acceptabilities and retain good nutritional qualities followed by syrup prepared from 28% pulp, 68% TSS and 1.5% Acidity and the quality of the prepared syrup was maintained up to tenth months at ambient temperature.

Estimation of the pH of soybean rhizoplane, rhizosphere and bulk soil and its effect on availability and uptake of phosphorus in calcareous Vertisols

Vertisols are spread over central and western parts in Madhya Pradesh in India.As the Vertisolsare calcareous and/or alkaline in nature, mobility of P from soil to root surface is carried by diffusion process, and this diffusion rate is quite low i.e. 0.13mm day-1 (Jungk 1991). One of the major limitation is thatmany rhizosphere chemical interactions that can be involved in the changes ofP ion concentration in the soil solution and in the replenishment of the depleted soil solution (P buffering capacity)do not taken into account (Darrah, 1993).This prompted us to re-evaluate the P-fertility of Vertisols. In the study an attempt has been made to evaluate the most suitable method for P availability in calcareous Vertisols for crops considering the pH of rhizosphere. By agar plate technique, the pH of rhizoplane and rhizoplane soil was found acidic even though soil pH was7.6. The major portion of inorganic P in Vertisols is associated with Ca (Ca-P), which can be soluble more under acid condition than pH 8.5 of Olsen’s condition. The pH of bulk soil, that is unplanted soil which is treated in same way of applied nutrient and water as the planted pots, is 7.9. Soybean crop decreased the pH of rhizosphere and rhizoplane by 7.5and 6.0 respectively. Following the various crops the pH of rhizosphere decreased. Among various crops tested the lowest pH (5.8) of the rhizosphere and rhizoplane -attached soil was noticed in care of Chickpea. In case of pea, maize, sorghum and wheat the pH of rhizosphere and rhizoplane were 7.4 and 6.1, 7.6 and 6.4, 7.5 and 6.4, 7.5 and 6.3, respectively. Decreased pH due to rhizosphere can dissolve the phosphorus from the Calcium and increase the availability of P in Calcareous/ Alkaline soil.

Socio-economic status and extent of adoption of climate resilient technologies in the Eastern Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh

The study focused on extent of adoption of climate resilient technologies and socioeconomic status of the farmers in the eastern plain zone of Uttar Pradesh. Data collected from flood and usar affected blocks of Varanasi and Chandauli subjected to analysis. High adoption of climate resilient technologies noticed followed by low and medium adoption. Farmers belonged to middle age and young age adopted climate resilient technologies more compare to old age farmers. Illiterates adopted less compare primary and secondary educated farmers, where they adopted more. Nuclear family constituted more in high and low adoption groups similar pattern followed in joint family. Among all groups of adoption, the medium family size accounted for the most adoptions, followed by the medium and big family sizes. Low income was predominant among farmers of all groups whereas high adopted farmers had higher income than medium and low adopted farmers. The majority of the farmers had medium farming experience, which affected positively on adoption more than high and low experience, low adopted farmers having less expertise. Farmers with a high extension contact used more climate resilient technology.

Effect of integrated pest management module against major sucking pests of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

A field experiment was conducted to assess the performance of IPM module against major sucking pests of pomegranate on seven farmers’ field in the adopted village of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Khargone (M.P.) during 2018-19 and 2019-20. IPM module comprised Neem oil 1500 ppm @ 3 ml/lit at first flush of leaf+ Need based spray of Imidacloprid 17.8% SL @ 0.25 ml/lit and Thiamethoxam 25% WG @ 0.20 g/liton the rotation of 15 days’. Minimum population of aphids and thrips were recorded in IPM fields and maximum population of the aphids and thrips were recorded in non-IPM fields. Per cent insect control over non-IPM was 50.35% for aphids, and 47.72% for thrips, respectively. Fruit yield for IPM was 156.36 q/ha for both seasons as against 128.43 q/ha in non-IPM. Hence, it may be inferred that IPM module was able to enhance the yield with cost-effective production as against non-IPM.