Volume 11, Issue 4, 2023

Aromatic herbs are in high demand in food processing industries, Cosmetics, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Mint leaves can be used as a flavoring agent in food; they are also valued for their antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Mints (Mentha spp.) are a well-known medicinal and aromatic plant. The mint leaves are used as fresh due to high moisture content. Drying helps to inhibit bacterial growth and decrease water activity. The purpose of this study was to enhance their shelf life and save packaging and shipping costs. A comparative study on the drying process of mint leaves was conducted under shade drying, sun drying and direct solar dryer. Fresh mint leaves were collected from the medicinal block of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Vaishali, Bihar, India. They were washed and the excess amount of water was removed from the surface of the leaves. The various parameters recorded hourly in the experiments were temperature and relative humidity inside and outside the direct solar dryer; the weight of the mint leaves was recorded hourly. Temperature plays a great impact in the drying process. The maximum temperature reached in solar drying up to 560 C as compared to 420 C in sun drying. The minimum relative humidity reached in the direct solar dryer was 17 percent as compared to 28 percent in sun drying.The drying curve data suggest that the drying displays a falling rate period. Henderson pabis model was fitted for drying processes in shade drying, sun drying and direct solar drying. The highest sensory score is reached with color (8.7), flavor (8.5), appearance (9) and overall acceptability (8.7) when dried in a Solar dryer.
To fabricate a low -cost environment friendly solar dryer is quite a challenging task. The solar dryer was built by locally available ply-wood and low- cost materials. The dryer consists of transparent glass, exhaust fan, wire mesh screen, solar cell. Another challenge is to use the maximum solar radiation inside the solar dryer. Inclination angle of the Transparent glass was made 15o to get maximum radiation.
Future scope: World is suffering from harmful gases originated from burning of fossil fuels. Solar energy is a safer and cleaner energy source. Solar dryer can also reduce up to 34 % CO2 emission. This study aims to maintain best sensory quality of dehydrated herbs and spices.it is also aiming for low -cost clean drying technology and sustainable development.

The main focus of this research is to produce the good quality and disease free fruits. In this aspect, the investigation was carried out to reduce or control the pre and post-harvest fungal fruit rot. The study on pre and post-harvest management of fruit rot diseases of ber caused by Alternaria and Colletotrichum was carried out and the results showed that two pre-harvest sprays of Thiophanate Methyl (0.1 %) at 15 day intervals during the marble stage of ber fruit was found effective against Alternaria fruit rot recorded 6.8 PDI compared to untreated control recorded 43.6 PDI. Two pre-harvest sprays of 0.1 per-cent carbendazim at 15 day intervals was found effective against Colletotrichum fruit rot during the pea fruit stage of ber recorded 6.6 PDI compared to untreated control recorded 44.2 PDI. The post-harvest studies revealed that dipping of ber fruits in 2 per cent sodium chloride solution for 10 min. recorded the lowest PDI of 5.27 against post-harvest fungal rot as compared to untreated control recorded 25.27 PDI.

The basic core of agricultural education institute consists of three intra-curricular components like classroom teaching, experiential learning through supervised experiences and leadership activities to the students to gain knowledge and skill in their academic carrier. Experiential learning is fulfilled through RAWEP and AELP. Agricultural Graduates of B.Sc (Ag.) are exposed to learn the knowledge and skills by staying with contact (host) farmers in the village. Along with RAWEP, students were engaged in running of enterprise and gain self employment and self-confidence by establishing their own enterprise with the principle of learning while doing. Present study taken 90 B.Sc (Ag) graduates from Southern Telangana Zone of the state and reported that helps to improve diagnostic skills (98.88%), understanding various management practices in the farm (91.11%), gain the knowledge and skills by conducting the extension activities (92.22%), developing skills in farm budgeting (96.67%), whereas AELP develops technical competency on various best management practices in agriculture (93.33%).

The key challenges for hybrid rice are the development of new rice hybrids with a competitive and comparable grain quality, with wider adaptability, suitable for irrigated areas, a further increase in yield potential and reduction in retail seed price. In this study forty hybrids of rice were developed by crossing four CMS lines and ten restorers in line x tester mating design for estimation of combining ability studies for various yield and yield contributing traits and to identify the best specific hybrid combinations. The pooled analysis of variance for combining ability over locations revealed the presence of significant differences among thelocations, parents and crosses which indicated the existence of adequate variation in the material under study. Among the lines, CMS 59B and among the testers, ZGY 1, RNR 2354, RNR 28359 and JGL 35126 were identified as promising based on their GCA effects for grain yield per plant and other important yield contributing characters.A total of six superior combinations viz., JMS 13A × RNR 2354, CMS 46A × JGL 34551, JMS 13A × ZGY 1, CMS 59A × IR 72, CMS 59A × JGL 35126 and CMS 59A × ZGY 1 have been identified as promising hybrids based on per se performance, positive SCA effects.The ratio of GCA to SCAvariances indicated that non-additive gene action was most prevalent for most of the characters under study.
Key words: Combining ability, GCA, SCA, gene action, hybrid rice and Yield

This paper provides an overview of the ancient evolution,design and development of different types of spiral tube water wheel pumping system (STWWPS). It has always been a challenge to lift water and carry it to some other locations for executing meaningful work, making use of the alternative sources of power. Several kinds of non-conventional energy sources and techniques have been tried. Each one is having its own merits and demerits. Making use of the kinetic energy of flowing water can be achieved through different kinds of water wheel.Spiral tube powered by kinetic energy of flowing water has been utilized for lifting and carrying water for irrigation and other purposes, contributing to the replacement of conventional diesel and electric power sources. These conventional sources are expensive (Diesel) and often unreliable in rural areas (Electricity).This review paper examines the design, development, and performance evaluation of various spiral tube pumping systems, including single, double, multilayer, pedal type, four scoop type, and multi-purpose models. It examines the load torque, power, efficiency, and stress analysis of shaft and bearing, and the impact of rotational speed, submerged ratio, and number of spiral pipes on the performance of the pumping system.The working principle allows these pumps to create a column of water within its coil that alternatively the air which is compressed as it moves towards the center of wheel. These pumpsnot only save electricity and diesel cost but the maintenance cost is also lowapart from contributing to the clean environment.
Keywords -Lifting water, Water wheel pumping system,Spiral tube,Kinetic energy, Revolving wheel, Compressed air, Floating type, Discharge, Delivery head.

Agrivoltaics usage in the farmer fields is a new way to get profitable income as this system allows crops cultivation and electricity generation simultaneously on the same piece of land at the same time. This system enables the farmers to gain several benefits such as optimized land use, productivity improvement in the energy and water sector, economic benefits, etc. India receives ample supply of energy from the sun, but it is not yet utilized efficiently. In an agrivoltaic system, the output of crops will be affected by shade which is provided by panels as they allow very little solar radiation passage for fixation of CO2 by crop. Solar radiation, PAR, and Light Saturation Point are vital indices to enhance plant biomass. Generally shade-loving or tolerant crops are preferable under agrivoltaics. However, shade-intolerant crops can also be grown in interspaces where crops can capture a sufficient amount (> 50%) of sun-light. The shade provided by APV creates a microclimate suitable for practicing cultivation in arid regions, livestock (rangevoltaics) and aquaponics etc. Some of the crops like cherry, bell pepper, lettuce, grapes, berries, and other cool season crop plants etc. showed better response under APV and reported enhanced growth, yield, and quality compared to conventional farming. The electricity generated by PV would improve the farmer’s socio-economic status, and land productivity and helps to curtail environmental pollution.

To determine the best pollen source in sweet orange varieties viz., ‘Mosambi’ and ‘Jaffa’ flowers were subjected to the different pollen grains of mandarin includingMukaku Kishu, W.Murcott and Clementine. The results of the controlled cross pollination showed that in Moambi highest fruit set (49.75 %), lowest fruit drop (77.70 %) and highest fruit retention percentage (9.20 %) was obtained from flowers pollinated with Mukaku Kishu. While in Jaffa highest fruit set (35.37 %) was recorded with W. Murcott, highest fruit retention (4.02 %) and lowest fruit drop (85.63 %) was recorded with Clementine mandarin.Results further indicated that highest fruit retention per cross in Mosambi was observed when crossed with Mukaku Kishu (9.20 %) pollens and lowest (3.96 %) was recorded with Clementine pollens. Whereas, in Jaffa fruit retention per cross was highest (4.02 %) when cross with W.Murcott and lowest fruit retention (2.08 %) was observed when Mukaku Kishu used as pollen parent. Based on the results pollen grain sources had no influence on quality characteristics of the Mosambi and Jaffa sweet orange fruits.The information obtained on the above studied would be useful for selection purposes in the breeding programs in citrus.

Managing paddy straw in conservation agriculture is crucial for long term sustainability of agriculture. Rice straw, which is often scattered or burned in the fields, serves multiple purposes like mushroom production, fuel for cooking, ruminant fodder, stable bedding, and paper making. The study has put forth the knowledge level of farmers regarding paddy straw management. The present study was carried out in the Ludhiana district of Punjab purposively on the basis of availability of rice growers using multistage sampling technique with 100 respondents. The study revealed that 47 per cent belong to middle age group ranging from 35-50 years. Among all, 39 per cent of the farmers have completed senior secondary education. Agriculture was the major occupation of the respondents. It has been reported that more than half of the farmers belonged to nuclear families and majority of farmers had small sized family of 2 to 5 members. The operational land holding data of the respondents was categorized into marginal, small, semi-medium, medium and large categories and the majority of farmers have large land holdings of more than 25 acres. Notably, maximum respondents demonstrated a medium knowledge level regarding paddy straw management. The overall result regarding paddy straw management indicates a mixed level of awareness. While the majority of farmers were knowledgeable about certain aspects such as preferred rice variety for extending time period for straw management and the use of a baler. The study established a positive and highly significant relationship between knowledge level and and factors like education and training.

Different genotypes and mulches are readily available in the market but Indian farmers are unaware about the performance of these genotypes and mulches in a particular region under protected environment. Therefore, considering the foregoing circumstances, the experiment was performed at Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, Khalsa College, Amritsar in the spring-summer season 2022-2023 in Factorial Randomized Block Design comprising of 15 treatment combinations having five levels of mulches i.e. double shaded plastic mulch (M1), black plastic mulch (M2), red plastic mulch (M3), yellow plastic mulch (M4) and no mulch (M5) and three genotypes i.e. EZ-9003 (G1), NS-4266 (G2) and check PTH-1 (G3). The objective of the research was to study the effect of different plastic mulches on the growth, yield, and quality of tomato genotypes and to identify the most promising genotype(s) under the protected environment. The outcomes revealed that double-shaded plastic mulch surpassed other mulches for all the growth and yield-related parameters except days to first picking. Based on mean performance, significant variations have been observed in all the genotypes for various attributes which convey that PTH-1 (check) and NS-4266 are the best genotypes for growth, yield and its related traits taken under study. Biochemical analysis discovered that red and black plastic mulches surpass other treatments, whereas NS-4266 performed well for pericarp thickness and lycopene content, while check PTH-1 and EZ-9003 were best for processing purpose. The two-way interaction of Mulch (M) × Genotypes (G) was found non-significant for all the parameters omitting ascorbic acid content. The maximum net returns and B: C ratio were obtained in genotype NS-4266 and double-shaded plastic mulch under protected conditions for the agro-climatic region of Punjab. Therefore, double-shaded plastic mulch and genotypes PTH-1 (check) and NS-4266 are recommended to the farmers of Punjab to get maximum yield and returns from small holdings of land through protected cultivation.

A field experiment was conducted in Bt cotton during the kharif season 2018 at the National Seed Production Area of Choudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. As cotton has indeterminate growth habit, so to control plant height and encourages the translocation of photosynthesis towards reproductive sinks (growing cotton bolls), which lead to higher yields this experiment was conducted in factorial R.B.D with three replications comprising three levels of Nitrogen (N1: 100% RDF, N2: 125%RDF, N3: 150%RDF) and three different doses of growth retardant (G1: Control, G2: Mepiquat chloride application 20g a.i./ha. at 60 DAS, G3: Mepiquat chloride application 20g a.i./ha at 60 DAS and 75 DAS). The results indicated that several bolls/m2, boll weight (g), and seed cotton yield (kg/ha) was higher at 150% and 125% RDF than 100% RDF. However, seed index is significantly high with 100% RDF. A number of bolls/m2, boll weight (g) and seed cotton yield (kg/ha) was significantly higher with twice the spray of mepiquat chloride at 60 and 75 DAS compared to the control. Similarly highest gross and net return was recorded with 150% RDF level of nitrogen followed by 125% RDF and 100% RDF. Among spraying of mepiquat chloride higher gross returns and net returns was recorded with two sprays of mepiquat chloride (Rs.1,87,138/ha& 95,850/ha) followed by single spray (Rs 1,82,457/ha & Rs 92,473/ha) and control (Rs 1,66,902/ha &Rs 88,364/ha).