Volume 11, Issue 4, 2023

Climate change, water scarcity, population growth, rising food prices, and other socioeconomic
repercussions are anticipated to pose a danger to agriculture and global food security in the
twenty-first century, especially for the world's poorest residents of arid and subarid countries.
We must concentrate on dry lands to significantly boost the production of grains because

agricultural fields with irrigation systems have been fully utilized. Utilizing arid areas to
produce sufficient quality grains is difficult because of their poor productivity. The most
important source of food in the world is cereal grains, which also play an important part in the
global diet of people. In the semiarid tropics of Africa and Asia, millet is one of the most
significant drought-resistant crops and is a major source of carbohydrates and proteins for the
local population. Additionally, millet grain is currently attracting more interest from food
scientists, technologists, and nutritionists due to its significant contribution to national food
security and potential health advantages. The phytochemicals found in millet grains have a
beneficial impact on human health by reducing phytates and cholesterol levels. The quest for
substitute grains is necessary to relieve the pressure caused by the frenetic demands on
cereals and their uses in numerous industries. The performance improved when pearl and finger
millets were substituted for maize in the diets of several animals. In terms of poor growth
conditions and high nutritional value, millets outperform other grains like wheat and rice as
crops that are climate change compliant. These strategies will aid in the fight against hunger
and malnutrition while also providing monetary benefits to the millet growers and other
stakeholders.

Climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) is an approach that includes sustainable use of existing natural resources through crop and livestock production systems and achieve long-term higher productivity and farm income even under climate variabilities. The Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) programme was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Vaishali in ive villages of Bihar, India. A survey conducted revealed that after the introduction and three years of continuation of the programme, maximum number of respondents (58.88%) were found to be in the category of higher adoption for CRA technologies due to the assured bene its in economic terms as well as for soil conservation and environmental protection and has made more and more farmers to adopt those technologies. Demonstrations were conducted in 595 acres in kharif season and 623 acres in rabi season. The B:C ratio of all kharif crops were higher with CRA technology application (2.51 for paddy, 2.52 for maize. 1.58 for pearl millet and 1.28 for sorghum) as compared to conventional practices (1.92 for paddy, 2.11 for maize. 1.25 for pearl millet and 1.10 for sorghum). Crops demonstrated in rabi season also showed that both the yield and B:C ratio (2.23 for wheat, 3.5 for lentil, 2.9 for chickpea, 2.13 for mustard and 2.2 for rabi maize) were higher with the application of CRA technologies as compared to traditional ones (1.8 for wheat, 2.5 for lentil, 1.3 for chickpea, 1.73 for mustard and 1.68 for rabi maize). This programme has open many new climate resilient options for the farmers to adopt in this scenario of changing climatic conditions. The climate resilient agriculture (CRA) technologies have been very successful especially in rabi crops and increases the net pro it of farmers by cutting down the cost of cultivation. However, the major challenges faced in the implementation of the programme was to convince farmers to come out from their traditional method of crop cultivation and adopt our technologies in the initial stages which were later reduced when the results started showing the impact.

Guar, also known as clusterbean, is a member of the Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family. Its genus
Cyamopsis contains three species: C. tetragonoloba, C. senenglensis, and C. serrata. The most
extensively farmed of these is C. tetragonoloba, followed by the other two. The pathogen that
causes leaf blight, is Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis, drastically reduces plant stand
and can produce up to 58% less in cultivars. The illness simultaneously manifests as leaf spot
and blight. During the Kharif seasons of 2018 and 2019, a roving study carried out in the main
clusterbean-growing areas of Rajasthan confirmed the presence of the bacterial blight caused by
Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis. No district or location in the examined districts was
totally devoid of the bacterial blight illness. Hanumangarh (30.23%) had the highest disease
severity, and Barmer (17.54%) recorded the lowest. Cluster bean was more susceptible to
Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis infection at the maturity stage and 30 days after
planting in the months of October and November, when the temperature starts to fall. The state's
locations varied in terms of the severity of the sickness as a percentage. Results showed that
compared to sprinkler and rainfed environments, illness severity was more frequently found
under flood irrigation conditions.

Agriculture development initiatives on the part of humans have long been documented. Since
learning about the significance of this area, farmers and researchers have not stopped looking for
strategies and solutions to increase agricultural output and quality while also shielding it from
potential threats and stress. In place of agrochemicals, mechanisms using microorganisms as
biofertilizers and biocontrol agents have recently gained popularity. Utilizing advantageous
microorganisms is an environmentally benign tactic that plays a significant part in promoting
plant growth and in the biocontrol of plant diseases. Reduced chemical inputs and the usage of
harmful pesticides in agricultural soils may be possible with a greater understanding of how
these bacterial communities are used. The focus of the current review is on plant growth-
promoting bacteria (PGPB), and it provides a summary of their function in soil fertilization and
plant protection with a focus on their methods of action. This chapter includes a number of
PGPB examples that were taken from the literature. Examples of how these bacteria have been
used in agriculture are also included in this review.

This research study survey explores the potential of utilizing horticultural therapy as an effective means to enhance social and emotional well-being in urban settings. As cities around the world grapple with growing population densities and the associated stress of urban life, the demand for effective interventions that can provide comfort, foster connections, and promote personal growth has become increasingly crucial. Horticultural therapy, by establishing green havens amidst urban sprawl, not only fosters the development of practical gardening skills but also instills a deep sense of achievement and relaxation. This therapeutic approach can mitigate stress, alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, and facilitate social interactions, thus making a significant contribution to the overall welfare of urban dwellers. The study emphasizes the necessity of further research and the integration of horticultural therapy into urban planning and healthcare strategies, recognizing its potential to enhance the quality of life in bustling urban landscapes. Keeping in view urbanization and the green area around the Chandigarh city, a home gardening-related questionnaire was developed, following a series of in-depth discussions with members of the faculty of horticulture at Chandigarh University and amateur gardeners in and around Chandigarh about the specifics and peculiarities of the local gardening practices. The investigation proved horticultural therapy as a means of improving the emotional and social well-being of urban populations shows great promise.

In this study, an efficient method is presented for biogas formation from animal waste. Gas
production is a critical issue in today’s world and there is a big challenge to obtain it from
reproducible sources. A comprehensive study is presented on the production of methane in
biogas from animal wastes. For this purpose, a reactor was designed and animal wastes were
used as feed of the reactor for biogas production. For supplying the moisture during the gas
formation, the feed was mixed with distilled water in a 1:1 ratio. The mean cell residence time
was set at 25 days. The results showed an intense sensitivity of the microorganism to the pH of
the reactor. In acidic media, the produced biogas was much lower than in neutral and slightly
basic media. In addition, the percentage of methane in the biogas showed to be increased by
increasing pH from 6.8-7.2. In addition, the temperature should be maintained between 30-70 °C
to get the optimal yield of the gas production.

The present study was carried out during rabi 2020-21 and rabi 2021-22 respectively, where
a total of 2612 and 2657 germplasm lines were evaluated for various qualitative and yield
and yield attributing traits. Among all these genotypes, the genotypes which have been found
common for both the seasons have been categorized. From the results of two seasons,
common germplasm lines found for earliness, dwarf stature, and high number of capsules -1
plant are IC0118855, IC0498442, IC0498490, IC0342800, EC41466, EC0541213,
IC0096701, IC0203213, IC0096533 and IC0525956. Also, common germplasm lines for
found for resistance to bud fly infestation and Alternaria blight are IC0096551, IC0342801,
IC620658, IC0118859, IC0498634, IC0526105, IC0498795, IC0499155, IC0498843,
IC0599415, IC0498763, EC993391, EC993389 and IC633096. These promising genotypes
are of the prime candidates for active integration into further breeding initiatives, aimed at
cultivated genotypes with desirable characteristics. Furthermore, the strategic utilization of
diverse facts found whether the germplasm lines is to play a pivotal role in processes
associated with registration, ongoing maintenance & safeguarding of linseed lineages.

Despite being an indigenous oilseed crop with a long history of cultivation in India, sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), is potentially underutilized due to gap in the outreach of technology which ultimately led to less production and productivity gradually over the years. Cluster Front Line Demonstration (CFLD) is a suitable vehicle for disseminating advanced agricultural technology to the farming population through demonstration in a cluster. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramagirikhilla, Peddapalli district has held front line Integrated Crop Management demonstrations in sesame during Rabi seasons from 2019-20 to 2021-22 in Northern Telangana agro-climatic region. A total of 129 demonstrations totaling 60 hectares were held on farmers’ fields under National Food Security Mission on Oil seeds programme. The results revealed that the demonstrated technology with an improved variety Swetha Til did better with an average growth of 17.49 % in yield over the farmers practice. The average values over three seasons for extension gap, technology gap and technology index were obtained was 1.22 quintals per hectare, 1.63 quintals per hectare and 16.30 %, respectively. As an overall effect, the demonstrated technology resulted in higher gross return (Rupees 47201 per hectare) and net return (Rupees 27937 per hectare) with a greater B: C ratio (2.47) when compared with farmers practice and the adoption rate of the demonstrated technology by the gap farmers after demonstration is 100%.

Microalgal oil is an important source of high-value fatty acids. However, the quality and extraction yield is often affected by the oil extraction process. The quality of oil extracted decides its end use as biofuel or neutraceuticals. This study investigated the effect of two different extraction methods viz. Folch method and Soxhlet method on the quality as well as extraction yield of the oil from Nannochloropsis sp. and Spirulina sp. The chemical parameters of oils such as acid value, free fatty acid, peroxide value, and iodine value as well as the oil fatty acid composition analysis were carried out. The oil obtained from Soxhlet extraction showed lower acid value, free fatty acids content, and peroxide values in both species compared to the Folch method. However, the oil recovery (% oil yield) was higher (22% and 8%) in the Folch method as compared to the Soxhlet method (11% and 6%) from Nannochloropsis sp. and Spirulina sp. respectively. The fatty acid composition showed higher content of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids when extracted using Soxhlet method viz. 0.66% and 2.52% of EPA and DHA compared to 0.46 to 0.50% of EPA and DHA by Folch method from Nannochloropsis sp. and Spirulina sp respectively. The outcome of the study justifies the Soxhlet method of oil extraction as a superior method for oil extraction from microalgae with good quality and stability. Oil obtained in this way could be used in the food, feed and oil industry.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of salicylic acid as dipping at two different concentration (100 and 200ppm) on shelf life and bio chemical parameters Guava cv. Lucknow 49 fruits (preharvest spray with Ca(No3) 2 at 1 and 2 per cent)at two different color maturity stages of Green Mature (MG) and Color Turning stage (CT) and stored the fruits at room temperature (28± 2°c & 60 ± 10 % RH). Pre harvest spray with calcium nitrate (2%) and postharvest treatment of SA at 200ppmat mature green stage recorded the minimum PLW of 13.65per cent on 9th day after storage with maximum fruit firmness of 4.93 Kg/cm2 and fruit biochemical quality parameters viz TSS(9.01 ◦Brix), Ascorbic Acid (189.93 mg 100g-1)Total sugars (6.95 %)with minimum total fruit skin and flesh colour difference ΔE= 3.44 and 1.68