Strategic Approaches for Outdoor Cultivation of Paddy Straw Mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) as Intercrop Under different Cropping Systems

The present study aimed to selectpotential strainof Volvariella volvacea suitable for outdoor cultivation in different cropping systems like Banana, Maize, Coconut, Coconut+Banana where such suitable microclimate prevails. Among the different strains of V.volvaceatested, the strain Vv-19-06 obtained from Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan,performed considerably superior with higher bioefficiency of 17.44 and sturdy sporophores at egg stage and storage life of 1.1 days under refrigerated condition.Moreover, the morphogenesis of button stage to matured mushrooms were extended up to 1.8 days and the opened mushroom were retained on the bed for another 1.6 days, which is an added advantage.Cultivation of paddy straw mushroom as intercrop in Banana, Maize, Banana+coconut and Coconut cropping systems proved successful with spawn running completion ranging from 8 to 10.3 days, pinhead formation ranging from 9.3 to 11.6 days and harvestable button/egg stage appeared ranging from 11 to 12.6 days. The bioefficiency was comparatively better in all the cropping systems, which ranged from 19.4 to 20.6 %, with a total cropping cycle of 20.5 to 22 days.The indoor cropping system, which requires additional cost for infrastructure, also recorded bioefficiecy of 21.3 in a cropping cycle of 17 days. In all the cropping systems tested, the B:C ratio worked out to be 1:2.3 to 1:2.5 as in indoor cropping system proving that paddy straw mushroomcould be promoted for the outdoor systemin Maize, Banana, Banana +coconut , Coconut cropping systems as intercrop as it fetches additional income to rice-growing farmers.

Development of Soil Test Based Fertilizer Prescription Equations for Chrysanthemum on Alfisol

Field experiments were conducted during 2017 – 2018 to develop fertiliser prescriptions equations (FPEs) through IPNS for the desired yield targets of Chrysanthemum on Udic Haplustalf . The fertilisers prescription equations (FPEs) were developed under NPK alone and under IPNS for the desired yield target of Chrysanthemum by using the basic parameters. The variation observed in the achievement of targets was within the range of ± 10 per cent (90 – 110%) proving the validity of FPEs. Hence, the Inductive cum Targeted yield approach applied to develop fertiliser equations provides a strong basis for maintenance of soil fertility with high productivity and efficient nutrient management in “Precision Farming” for sustainable and enduring Agriculture.

Socio-Economic Impact of Hybrid Castor - (YRCH 1) among Salem and Namakkal Castor Farmers

India has the largest area (11.48 lakh ha) and the highest productivity (1666 kg ha-1) of castor in the world. Castor is one of the crucial non-edible oilseed crops grown in arid and semi-arid regions. Castor farming is currently besieged by a slew of issues, including fluctuating rainfall patterns, biotic and abiotic stress. Castor productivity can be boosted by using the latest improved castor hybrids, changing the planting pattern, using automation methods, and adopting new production technologies. So, introducing hybrid castors like YRCH 1 will boost castor productivity. The Hybrid castor-YRCH 1 was released in the year 2009 and more extension activities was undertaken to popularise this hybrid in the major castor growing districts of Tamil Nadu, by the Tapioca and Castor Research Station (TCRS), Yethapur, and the Krishi Vigyan Kendras of respective districts. The present study was undertaken with the objective of analysing the socioeconomic impact of Hybrid castor-YRCH 1 among castor farmers. This study was conducted in the Namakkal and Salem districts of Tamil Nadu, which has the maximum area under Hybrid castor (YRCH 1) cultivation. In this study, four villages have been selected, from which 120 farmers were selected by simple random sampling technique. Using a well structured interview schedule, the required data were collected and percentage analysis was done. From the findings, it is revealed that most farmers have increased material possession (62.92%) due to the adoption of Hybrid castor (YRCH 1) and its production technologies.

Elucidating Knowledge level of Vegetable growers on Retail Marketing in Telangana

In the scenario of extending the organized retail markets to tier II and III cities of India, a preliminary inquiry in Ranga Reddy district highlighted the non-participation of the vegetable growers in the retail marketing system. To understand further, the knowledge level that contributes to the behavior is examined in this study. A total of 150 vegetable growers of the peri-urban area were selected by simple random sampling and were approached with a structured interview schedule. A teacher-made test was posed to elucidate the knowledge in 4 aspects - awareness, marketing process, pricing, and additional services provided. It was found that 64.00 per cent of the respondents had a medium knowledge of retail markets. The correlation analysis disclosed a significant positive relationship of knowledge level with education, the area under vegetables, market orientation, market intelligence, information-seeking behavior at 1 per cent, and economic motivation, landholding at 5 per cent. It was observed that age and experience in vegetable farming are negatively significant with 0.05 per cent of probability. Execution of -step-wise regression to fit the model where education, market orientation, the area under vegetable production, annual income, economic motivation, decision-making ability with unstandardized coefficients 0.994, 0.953, 0.482, - 4.285E-6, 0.197, 0.222 respectively were found significant with 39.7 per cent of coefficient of determination (R2). Converting knowledge into actions requires interactions with retail market agencies that build trust.

Attitude of Scheduled Tribes Towards Tribal Development Schemes in Tamil Nadu

The Central and State Governmenthave implemented several tribal development schemes throughout the country for the welfare of the tribes. But, whether the tribes have felt the real benefits of these schemes is a big question. It can be measured by analyzing the attitude of tribes towards tribal development schemes. In this context, a survey was conducted among the tribes of Jawadhu hills and Kalrayan hills, representing three districts: Salem, Tiruvannamalai, and Viluppuram. From the study, it was found that 35.19 per cent of the tribal respondents had a highly favorable attitude, followed by 33.33 per cent with a less favorable attitude and 31.48 per cent of tribal respondents with a moderately favorable attitude towards tribal development schemes. The possible reason for the findings and the suggestions to improvethe attitude of scheduled tribes in favour of the tribal development schemes described.

Influence of Sett Treatments on Biochemical, Weed, Physiological Parameters and Nutrient Uptake of Bajra Napier Hybrid Grass [CO (BN)5]

A field experiment was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, to study the influence of sett treatment on biochemical parameters, weed parameters, physiological parameters and nutrient uptake of bajra Napier hybrid grass. The results of the experiment indicated that on biochemical parameters, sett treatment with water (12 hours soaking fb 24 hours incubation) (S1) recorded higher reducing sugars (28.89 mg/g), total sugar (34.83 mg/g) and starch content (45.83 mg/g). Whereas the lower non reducing sugar content (5.94 mg/g) and total phenolics content (1.65 mg/g) were also observed with sett treatment with water (12 hours soaking fb 24 hours incubation) (S1). Similarly, on weed parameters, significantly lower weed density (9.90 No./m2) and weed dry weight (12.92 g/m2) was recorded with sett treatment with water (12 hours soaking fb 24 hours incubation) (S1). On physiological parameters, significantly higher leaf area index (28.98), relative water content (87.85 %) was registered with water (12 hours soaking fb24 hours incubation) (S1). Among sett treatments, water (12 hours soaking fb24 hours incubation) (S1) had registered higher nitrogen (192.8 kg ha-1), phosphorus (33.0 kg ha-1) and potassium (112.9 kg ha-1) uptake.

Development and Evaluation of Whey-based Herbal Beverages as Health Drink

The present study aimed to developwhey-based herbal beverages and to evalautetheir physical, chemical, and sensory properties. The pH, titrable acidity (% lactic acid) and total soluble solids (⁰Brix) of whey used for the development of whey based herbal drinks were found to be 5.21, 0.23 and 6.4 respectively. The proximate composition of whey such as lactose (g/100g), protein (g/100g) and fat (g/100g) were 4.28, 0.28 and 0.13, respectively. The whey (65%), sugar (11%), H1 - brahmi extract (3%), H2 - mint extract (2%) and H3 - jaljeera powder (0.15%) were standardized for the formulation of whey-based herbal drinks. Among the three variations, whey-based jaljeera drink (H3) scored the highest sensory acceptability. The pH, titrable acidity (% citric acid), total soluble solids (⁰Brix), lactose (g/100g), protein (g/100g), fat (g/100g), total reducing sugar (g/100g), total sugar (g/100g), calcium (mg/100g), ascorbic acid (mg/100g) and total phenol (mgGAE/100g) of whey-jaljeera drink (H3) were 5.24, 0.21, 12.0, 2.78, 0.46, 0.30, 3.43, 14.43, 55.27, 0.12 and 14.26, respectively. The sensory attributes retention was high in glass (P2) compared to PET (P1). The sensory attributes were gradually decreased during the storage of room temperature (R1) than refrigerated temperature (R2). The cost of the formulated whey brahmi drink, whey mint drink, and whey jaljeera drinks were Rs.18.33/250ml, Rs.20.20/250ml and Rs.14.75/250ml, respectively. The study concluded that nutritionally rich whey-based herbal drinks can be recommended to all group of people.

A Study on the Relationship of Profile Characteristics with Group Performance of Tribal Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs)

The present study aimed to analyze the relationship of profile characteristics with group performance of tribal FIGs. The survey was purposively conducted in Erode district as it contains more number of tribal Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs). A total of five Tribal FIGs were randomly selected from 16 Tribal FIGs belonging to Dhimbam Dhaniya Farmer Producer Company Limited (DDFPCL) and the total sample size was 100. A well-structured interview schedule was prepared and employed to collect the data from the respondents. The findings showed that majority of the respondents were young aged with high school education, female marginal farmers receiving low level of annual income with medium level of farming experience. They had also received medium level of support from institution. The findings of the study also revealed that majority of the members of tribal FIGs had 76.00, 75.00, 73.00, 67.00 and 55.00 percentages of self-confidence, economic motivation, group leadership, group communication and information seeking behaviour respectively.To improve the performance of tribal FIGs, measures should be taken to increase the level of group communication, group leadership and group cohesiveness. This can be increased through organizing regular meetings for members, proper selection of leaders and making the members to understand the importance of group action

Awareness and Extent of Adoption of In-Situ Water Conservation (ISWC) Practices among Dryland Farmers

The study was conducted among dry land farmers of Pudukkottai district in Tamil Nadu. Using random sampling method 80 respondents were selected and data was collected through pre-tested interview schedule. Adoption index was used to quantify the selected In-Situ Water Conservation (ISWC) practices. The study examined the level of awareness and extent of adoption of In-Situ Water Conservation (ISWC) practices among dry land farmers. The results showed that among the eight selected practices, respondents had cent percent awareness about summer plough, land leveling and ridges and furrows. Majority of respondents had medium level (76.20%) of adoption of ISWC practices respectively. The study reveals that most of the respondents followed more than two ISWC practices on their farms to conserve the rainwater.

Effect of Graded Levels of Magnesium on Dry Matter Production and Yield of Maize Cultivated in Soils of Maize Growing Tracts in Pudukkottai District of Tamil Nadu

In order to assess the effect of graded levels of applied magnesium (Mg) (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 kg ha-1) on the soil available major nutrients, field experiments were conducted in 14 farmer’s holdings at Pudukkottai district with hybrid maize (NK 6240) as a test crop. Dry matter production (DMP) of the whole plant (above ground) at harvest stage of maize was significantly influenced by the application of 100% NPK + 10 kg Mg ha-1 and recorded the highest mean as 25620 kg ha-1 at harvest stage. A noticeable increase in grain and stover yield of maize crop was manifested by applying 100% NPK + 10 kg Mg ha-1 which recorded the highest mean yield as 11.6 t ha-1 and 14.0 t ha-1, respectively. It reported a 14.31 and 22.25 per cent increase in grain and stover yields, respectively, over control.