Duck Meat Nuggets were prepared by incorporating Black Rice Extract (BRE) as natural antioxidants to find the best formulation with superior antioxidant properties and shelf life. Four formulations were prepared viz. Control (0% BRE), T1 (0.5% BRE), T2 (0.9% BRE), T3 (1.3% BRE). Five batches of duck meat nuggets of each formulation were prepared and the final products were evaluated for physicochemical, antioxidant, and microbiological qualities. All parameters under the proximate composition, viz. Moisture, crude protein (CP), ether extract, and total ash (TS) content showed a non-significant (p<0.05) difference between control and BRE-treated products. The total plate count (TPC) of the control and BRE-treated products increased significantly (P<0.01) with increasing storage time up to 15 days. However, the control products had the highest TPC throughout the storage period. The total number of viable psychrophilic bacteria (TVPBC) was not detected until the 5th day of storage. After day 5, TVPBC increased significantly (P<0.01) in all control and BRE-treated products through day 15 of storage. The incorporation of black rice extracts reduced TVPBC significantly (P<0.01) in the treated samples than in the control sample. Colititre count, yeast and mold count and Staphylococcus count were negative for all formulations up to the 15th day of storage. It was noticed that higher concentrations of BRE had high total phenolic content. The addition of BRE significantly (P<0.01) increased antioxidant activity in the treated samples compared to the control. One of the challenges faced during the study was the determination of the optimal concentration of Black Rice Extract (BRE) to be incorporated into the duck meat nuggets. The researchers had to carefully select and evaluate different concentrations of BRE to find the formulation that provided the best antioxidant properties and extended shelf life for the product. Duck meat nuggets with 1.3% BRE (T3) had the highest antioxidant activity value and had an extended shelf life of up to 15 days.

Information on the combining ability and heterotic patterns of maize germplasm is of great value to maize breeders. The objective of this study was to determine the heterosis and combining ability of seven yellow University Maize inbreds (UMI) as lines and five Quality Protein Maize as testers (QPM) lines in a line x tester fashion to understand the genetic architecture, breeding behavior, recombination potential and prediction of progeny performance. Significant differences among the hybrids were observed for all 18 characters indicating the existence of genetic variability. The line x-tester analysis revealed the importance of dominance gene action for all the characters. Parents CML 144, CML 145 in lines, and UMI 524 in testers have superior gca effects and per se performance. On the basis of per se performance, sca effects, and standard heterosis the hybrids CML 145 / UMI 189, CML 146 / UMI 427, CML 147/ UMI 427, and CML 147 / UMI 426 appeared to be best for heterosis breeding. Evaluation of hybrids based on significant gca and non-significant sca resulted in the identification of CML 143 / UMI 427, CML 144 / UMI 524, CML 145 / UMI 189, CML 145 / UMI 427, CML 145 / UMI 524 , CML 146 / UMI 189, CML 147/ UMI 524 as worthy genotypes for commercial exploitation and further utilization in recombination breeding programs. Maximum desirable heterosis over mid-parent was observed for  carotene (78.68%) and Tryptophan (62.07 %) followed by single plant grain yield (56.61 %). For heterosis over better parent was observed for protein (54.47%)  carotene (78.68%) followed by single plant grain yield (59.99%) . Among the hybrids, CML 143 x UMI189 recorded highly significant standard heterosis for carotene (41.66), lysine (13.29), and tryptophan (34.29), and also this hybrid was considered to be the best one for moderate yield (31.25 %) and moderate starch (4.92) and low protein(1.63%), which indicates that heterosis in general, can be commercially exploited especially in maize to improve nutritional qualities along with yield to suit the farmers so the exploitation of heterosis is the best method to increase the qualitative like lysine and tryptophan along with increase in the grain yield in maize.

Papaya is known to be affected by many viruses, out of which the most important are PRSV; PRSV-P (Papaya exhibits yellowing, leaf distortion, and severe mosaic) and PRSV-W (PRSV-W causes mottling and distortion of leaves and fruit). The type that gave the virus its name is the Type P isolates (PRSV-P). The other type, Type W isolates (PRSV-W), does not infect papaya. Isolates of PRSV-W do infect cucurbits such as watermelon, cucumber, squash, etc., and were originally known as Watermelon Mosaic Virus. It has been documented as PRSV is transmitted by several species of aphids like Aphis nerii, Aphis gossypi, Aphis spiraecola, Myzus persiciae, Toxoptera aurantii, Aphis craccivora and Rhopalosipum maidis in a nonpersistant manner. Prevention through Quarantine and Geographical displacement is an important aspect of their management. IPM for various aphid species has been successfully achieved by using Bio-control agents like using fungi Lecanicillium lecanii, Beauveria bassiana or Isaria fumosorosea. Given pathogen derived resistance, the coat protein (CP) gene from a mutant mild strain of PRSV provided a high level of resistance to Hawaiian strain of PRSV has been reported. Transgenic papaya to prevent PRSV has been developed soon after the successful development of transgenic tobacco expressing CP genes of the Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) showing resistance. However, the success and effectiveness of CP mediated PRSV resistance depend on the origin of PRSV isolates and their translatable and untranslatable constructs. The discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) mediated resistance in transgenic tobacco against potato virus Y has emergd as an important molecular tool for crop improvement and the study the function of gene and gene silencing mechanism using RNAi mediated resistance may be one of the important tools for managing the virus in case of papaya ringspot virus. Advances in our knowledge and adoption of various technologies like pathogen-derived resistance, replicase gene mediated resistance, cross-protection, post-transcriptional gene silencing method with a better understanding of the occurrence, symptoms of disease, transmission, vector of the virus and their genome structure will provide various researchers to study and develop proper strategies for the better management of the disease.

The FMCG industry has been facing challenges such as increasing consumer demand, low consumer spending power, a rise in the health concerns, government regulations and a highly competitive market environment. However, with the increasing population of India with an average age of 28.2 years and an increase in the working population and awareness for healthy and ready to eat foods, a raise in nano-marketing makes the FMCG companies to seize a huge scope in both the rural and urban India. P & G Hygiene and Health Care Limited is in the first position concerning the overall performance score of 62 followed by Nestle India Limited with 57 and Colgate-Palmolive India Limited with a performance score of 55. It is of interest to observe that P & G Hygiene and Health Care Limited obtained one first rank and three second rank out of five indicators viz., Profitability concerning investment, Profitability with regard to sales, Operating efficiency and liquidity. Similarly, Nestle India Limited got one first rank (Solvency) and two-second ranks (Liquidity, Profitability with regard to investment). Good performance in all the categories would contribute to overall performance. P & G Hygiene and Health Care Limited has maintained its position in long-term performance ranking (2010-11 to 2021-22) also with an overall score of 60 points. Colgate-Palmolive India Limited is in the 2nd position. While, Nestle India Limited was pulled down to 3rd position. It can be observed that there is an improvement in the performance of some companies like United Spirits Limited in the recent past as compared to long-term performance. United Breweries Limited, and Tata Consumer Products Limited have maintained their positions in both periods.

A field study was carried out at the Experimental Farm of Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) in 2019 to find out the best rootstock-scion combinations among different pear cultivars and rootstocks. As there is problem of uneven and weak growth of rootstock under different rootstock-scion combinations and to find best comination, four scion cultivars (Carmen, Abate Fetel, William Bartlett, and Chinese Sandy Pear) were bench grafted on five rootstocks (Quince C, BA-29, Quince seedling, Kainth seedling, and Pear suckers) during mid-March and these grafted plants were transplanted in the nursery. The earliest bud burst (14th April) was recorded in Chinese Sandy Pear/Quince and the highest grafting success (96.67 %) was recorded in Carmen/Quince C, Abate Fetel/Quince C, Chinese Sandy Pear/Quince C, Abate Fetel/BA-29 and Chinese Sandy Pear/Quince. The highest stock girth (34.29 mm) was measured in Chinese Sandy Pear/Quince whereas the highest scion girth (38.51 mm) was measured in William Bartlett/Kainth. The highest and lowest stock-scion ratio was recorded in William Bartlett/Quince and Abate Fetel/Quince C, respectively. Maximum plant height (132.15 cm) and the number of branches per plant (3.55) was recorded in Chinese Sandy Pear/Pear sucker whereas minimum plant height (98.16 cm)and the number of branches per plant (1.88) was recorded in Carmen/Quince and Carmen/BA-29, respectively. The minimum and maximum internodal length was recorded in Carmen/Quince (1.58 cm) and William Bartlett/Pear sucker (2.31 cm). The maximum growth and proportion of saleable plants was obtained in William Bartlett/Quince (86.33 %). From the present study, it is concluded that the pear scion cultivars grafted on Quince C and Quince rootstocks had moderate to high levels of compatibility and hence are best suitable for the propagation of pear.

Agricultural performance is measured in terms of production value of different crops at constant and current prices it helps to look at each crop in detail to understand the cost benefit ratio in terms of investment in rising the crop and profit obtained from the final yields. Due to the non-availability of standard scale to measure agricultural performance of farmers, it was thought that, there is a need to construct a scale to measure the agricultural performance. An attempt was made to develop a scale by using five points’ Likert type summated rating scale. For all four dimensions (Land/ Soil fertility index, Market index, Technology achievement index and Labour productivity index) of agricultural performance index. Initially 72 statements were framed and after discussion with the experts in the field of Resource Management and Consumer Sciences, these statements were reduced to 55 statements. Those 55 statements were given to 30 experts from different disciplines for content validity. All 30 experts’ data was entered in SPSS software. Both validity and reliability was done for all the statements. The reliability values of all four dimensions were greater than the standard value of alpha 0.7 as recommended by Cronbach, 1951. Regarding validity as per Kasier-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure, a measure of 0.6 was recommended. For all four dimensions, KMO values were greater than the standard value i.e. 0.6. Bartlett test of sphericity was done to know the overall significance of the correlation within a correlation matrix. Data of all four dimensions of the present study was found significant. Hence the present data was acceptable for factor analysis. Factor analysis or Principle Component Analysis was carried out by using SPSS; total three components were extracted for each dimension. PCA cut off point was 0.6 for all the four dimensions. By considering the PCA cut off point, finally 49 statements were retained and 6 statements were deleted.

Agricultural soil is at serious risk from nutrient mining because there is a large gap between fertilizer input and the extraction of nutrients. A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2020 to Rabi 2020-21, under mustard- pearl millet cropping sequence at Hisar to evaluate the impact of different NPK alone or in combination with FYM on crop productivity. There were fourteen treatments viz., T1- control, T2-100% PK, T3-100% NPK, T4-150% NPK, T5-100% NPK+S @20 kg/ha, T6-100% NPK+Zn @25 kg/ha, T7-100% NPK+B @10 kg/ha , T8-100% NPK+FYM @2.5 kg t/ha, T9-100% NP, T10-100% NK, T11-100% NPK+S @40 kg/ha, T12-100% NPK+S @60 kg/ha, T13-100% NPK+FYM @5.0 kg t/ha, T14-100% NPK+S@20 kg/ha + Zn @25 Kg/ha +FYM @2.5 kg t/ha. Each treatment was replicated thrice in a randomized block design. There was a significant improvement in seed yield over control with an increase in NPK up to 150% RDF (117, 121, 141 and 172% at 100% NK, 100% NP, 100% NPK & 150% NPK, respectively) in the nutrient management practices under long-term mustard based cropping sequence (mustard-pearl millet).It is concluded that over ten years of pearl millet–mustard cropping system, the treatment receiving organic manure along with an optimal dose of chemical fertilizer provided the highest yield of both crops and improved soil fertility. Application of nutrients, both organic and inorganic, maintains the soil fertility status and also maintains crop production in the mustard-pearl millet cropping system.

The study aimed to assess the balcony design in elderly housing, contributing factors and the association between existing balcony features and the needs of elderly people. Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh was selected for the study. The elderly women (n=60) aged sixty and above were the criteria for the selection of the sample. The guidelines for designing balconies in elderly housing served as a base for identifying the features of the existing balcony of the house. An interview cum observation schedule was designed for collecting information about the existing balcony conditions and needs of the respondents. Most of the respondents belongs to good financial status to afford good housing to live comfortably. The results revealed that there is an association between the existing balcony design and the needs of the respondents. No standard design guidelines were adopted when balconies were designed. Most of the balconies were designed based on the availability of space. The elderly felt essential to have balconies with a clear width of 5 feet and a total area of 50-60 square feet in their housing. The elderly felt essential to have balconies with sufficient area and with the provision of railings or balustrades at the proper height. The variables of the study i.e., family monthly income and type of the house had no influence on the adoption of standard design guidelines while planning balcony design.

Now a day, plug tray technology is commonly adopted by nurserymen for raising of tomato seedling. After germination of seed, hapless supplementation of inorganic fertilizers, PGR, and plant protection measures affects nursery as well as post-transplant stages of seedlings. So, to protect the environment from chemicals and hazardous polluting products, and maintain the ecological balance, sustainability, and recycling of natural resources for future generations, the present investigation was carried out with different organic amendments viz. Control (T0), Bijamrut + Trichoderma harzianum + Beauveria bassiana (T1), Bijamrut + Trichoderma harzianum + Beauveria bassiana + NPK consortia (T2), Bijamrut + Jivamrut (T3) and Bijamrut + Waste decomposer (T4). The results of the study revealed that, the significantly earliest days to germination (4.07), maximum germination per cent (90.69), the height of seedling at 20 days after sowing (8.00 cm) and at transplanting stage (20.56 cm), minimum days to transplant (28.93) and maximum survival per cent (88.36) of the seedling at transplanting was observed in the application of Bijamrut (200 ml/kg) through seed treatment and media enrichment with Trichoderma harzianum (50 g) and NPK consortia (50 ml) per 10 kg media and foliar spray of Beauveria bassiana (0.6%) at 10 and 20 days after sowing under 50 per cent green shade net.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), of the Pedaliaceae family, is one of the traditionally grown oilseed crop. There are certain limitations in the crop field establishment due to the small seed size with poor germination rate. Hence, to address the limitations field experiments were carried out to study the effect of seed encapsulation and supplemental nutrition for enhancing the productivity of summer sesame during two consecutive years summer of 2019 and the Summer of 2020. The treatment involves seed encapsulation as the main factor and six foliar nutrition as a subfactor. Field experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design replicated thrice. The pooled data from two consecutive years shows that seed encapsulation with organics recorded a yield increase of 5 % higher yield to the non-pelleted seed. Among the foliar spray, combined nutrient spray (1.5%) followed by19:19:19 NPK @ 1 % recorded higher values in plant height (120.9 cm), number of branches/plant (7.4), number of capsules/plant (135.5), number seeds/capsule (72.9) and seed yield (900 kg/ha). Thereby, the pelleted seed enabled better crop establishment and supplemental foliar nutrition facilitated higher sesame seed yield.