Livestock are one of the important components of the different region farming systems in Gujarat region. Fertilizer management affects both the productivity and nutritive value of forage legume crops. The influence of Schoenite in combination with different potassic fertilizers on fodder lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) was evaluated through field experiments at Main Forage Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand on loamy sand soil during rabi season of the year 2019-2020. The plant height, Number of tillers per meter raw length at first and second cut tended to increase with the application of potassic fertilizer through soil and foliar spray. The magnitude of per cent increase in green fodder yield (101.11, 33.24 and 50.08) and dry matter yield (132.07, 67.40 and 79.49) of lucerne was found at the first and second cut as well as in total yield, respectively with response to 25 kg K2O ha-1 through Schoenite + Schoenite spray @1% over the RDF + water spray. The same treatment recorded higher crude protein content and yield. The significant differences in P, K, S, and Mg content and uptake before and after spray by crop were observed due to potassic fertilization.

In order to adapt India’s educational system to the needs of the 21 st century, the
National Education Policy 2020, which is considered more inclusive and
progressive has been implemented. Simultaneously, STEAM education – an
inter/trans/multi-disciplinary approach that integrates Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics has become a global paradigm in
education, encouraging students’ critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.
This paper delves into the dynamic synergy between National Education Policy
2020 (NEP 2020) and STEAM education, emphasizing the potential of
developing a workforce that is knowledgeable and flexible by equipping
students with essential 21 st -century skills. Lack of research studies on the
integration of STEAM education in the context of Indian education system,
hindered a proper literature review.

Sesame is mainly cultivated under traditional, low-input agro-systems. However, Adequate application of nitrogenous fertilizers not only improves the crop yield but also maintains soil N status and thus sustains productivity. The experiment was carried out during the kharif season 2015 to 2017 in a randomized block design with four replications. There were five graded levels of nitrogen application viz.,0, 30, 37.5, 45 and 60 kg N ha-1. In coarse-textured, low-nitrogen status soil with an average nitrogen content of 106.45 kg/ha, the study found that sesame seed yield increased significantly with nitrogen application up to 45 kg N/ha.The increase in mean seed yield was 19.23, 24.52, 39.26, and 41.18 percent and in mean stalk yield was 19.59, 23.81, 30.62, and 34.64 percent due to the application of 0, 30, 37.5, 45, and 60 kg N/ha, respectively over control. The mean N-uptake also increased with N application. The mean N-use efficiency varied from 43.10 to 52.38 percent being the maximum (52.38 %) with the application of 45 kg N/ha. The mean post-harvest available N status was 105.43, 107.51, 108.11, 109.15, and 110.23 kg/ha at 0, 30, 37.5, 45 and 60 N/ha, respectively. The economic data analysis revealed that the benefit-cost ratio also increased with nitrogen application and was 0.93, 1.10, 1.15, 1.27, and 1.28 at 0,30, 37.5, 45 and 60 kg N/ha, respectively. Application of 45 kg N/ha was optimum for the cultivation of sesame crop yield, soil N fertility status, and economics under coarse textured low nitrogen status soils.

The field evaluation was carried out to assess the performance of eight insecticides (Dimethoate 30 EC, thiamethoxam 25 WG, imidacloprid 17.8 SL, quinalphos 25 EC) and biopesticides (NSE 5 %, Azadirachtin 1 % and L. lecanii 1.15 WP) at MPKV, Rahuri in during both 2019-20 and 2020-21. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with an individual plot size of 2 m × 1.5 m. The interval between the foliar applications was 10 days, the first application was given after the pest incidence was noticed, with the help of a knapsack sprayer. The treatment imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 25 g a.i. ha-1 and thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 25 g a.i. ha-1 were found to be most effective in reducing the population of fenugreek aphids, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) pursued by dimethoate 30 EC @ 300 g a.i. ha-1, and azadirachtin 1% @ 2 ml/l. The imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 30 g a.i. ha-1and thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 25 g a.i. ha-1 treated plots obtained the highest yield of 7.44 t ha-1 and 7.27 t ha-1, respectively. The highest ICBR was recorded in the treatment of imidacloprid (1:30) and thiamethoxam (1:26) treated plots. Neonicotinoids are more effecive against aphids than other tested insecticides.

Understanding the various characteristics of rainfall in the current era of global warming requires investigating changes in rainfall patterns and events at the regional and district levels historically for predicting futuristic changes. This knowledge will be valuable for developing policy plans for rainfed agricultural states like Odisha, which is also highly vulnerable to floods and droughts. The changing climatic scenario and its impact on various sectors of the economy have emerged as one of the greatest challenges before scientists and policy makers all over the world in the twenty-first century. The impact of climate change is expected to be different in different parts of the globe. Some regions and economic systems may explore positive impacts, whereas others may experience losses due to climate change. The present study in assessing the futuristic changes in seasonal precipitation and solar radiation helps to determine the impact of climate change on coastal districts of Odisha state. Where rainfed crops are grown in a large scale in coastal districts of Odisha, rainfall and solar radiation are two important weather variables that drive crop growth and development that greatly influence the Kharif agricultural productivity, these two parameters are considered for the current research. The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) has been used to derive the futuristic projections of seasonal rainfall and solar radiation for the years 2030, 2050, 2070, and 2090 under four different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) scenarios 2.6, 4.5, 6.0 and 8.5. The results of the present study showed an increasing trend of solar radiation in the future by about a maximum of +2.60 MJ/day in Puri district by 2090 under RCP 8.5 scenario. For the year 2090, there is a maximum decrease of rainfall by -399.05 mm. under RCP 2.6 scenario in the Puri district and by -394.42 mm. under RCP 8.5 scenario in Kendrapara district.

A lab experiment was conducted from April 2021-Sep 2022 at NSP, Seed unit, UAS, Dharwad. The seed quality parameters such as germination, shoot length, root length, seedling dry weight, and seedling vigor index were calculated. Onion seeds were evaluated at bimonthly intervals, and the experimental design followed was a Factorial completely randomized design (FCRD) with 3 replications and 2 factors, namely storage conditions such as ambient and cold storage,and storage containers (cloth bag, high-density polythene bag (HDPE), polythene bag (700 gauge), aluminum laminated bag, vacuum packed bag), the results revealed that the seeds stored with the treatment with vacuum packed bagand stored in cold storage gave good results at the end of 18 months of storage periodi.e.,seed germination (82.83 %), Shoot length (8.97 cm), root length (7.61 cm), seedling dry weight (21.95 mg) and seedling vigor index (1818) respectively compared to other treatments. Next to the vacuum-packed bag with cold storage, the best results were seen in the seeds stored in cold storage with the aluminum laminated bag.

Natural farming, using desi-cow waste to boost soil biology, is widely adopted. Jeevamrit enhances soil health and organic carbon without heavy reliance on farmyard manure (FYM), supporting sustainable agriculture and lowering the carbon footprint. In Himachal Pradesh, lower nitrogen, optimal phosphorus and higher potassium levels reduce nutrient needs, highlighting the need for tailored farming. During this study data was collected manually which leads to errors and inconsistencies during data handling, which were addressed through rigorous data editing and verification. Our study compared Jeevamrit to chemical fertilizers on growth and yield of marigold. Jeevamrit @ 2 L/m2 via drenching in the mother block, followed by harvesting cuttings for rooting, allowed monthly plantings across seasons. Soil health improved in Jeevamrit-treated plots, leading to better marigold quality and higher marketable flowers and yields compared to RDF-treated plants. The current study indicates that plants treated with Jeevamrit @ 2 L/m2, and the plants treated with the recommended dose of fertilizers (NPK @ 30:20:20 g/m² during field preparation), plants raised from the first harvesting flush of cuttings and planted during the summer season, exhibited a comparable benefit-cost ratio i.e. 2.36 and 2.39 respectively. Nonetheless, the benefit-cost ratio was marginally higher for plants exclusively supplied with the recommended dose of fertilizers (NPK @ 30:20:20 g/m2). This study provided a detailed comparative cost and benefit analysis of natural farming (using Jeevamrit) versus chemical fertilizers (RDF) in marigold production, emphasizing the financial feasibility and seasonal impacts on yield and profitability. The outcome of the investigation suggests that plants treated with Jeevamrit (2 L/m2) can be used as an sustainable alternative to traditional fertilizers, especially for marigold production in the Himalayan region’s Mid-hills, warranting a benefit-cost analysis.

Aim: This study aims to analyze the bamboo-based handicrafts developed by rural bamboo handicraft workers and the utilization of these handicrafts through a cost-benefit analysis.
Research design: The descriptive research design was chosen in order to achieve the objectives of the study.
Methodology: The present study was conducted in three villages, namely Harpur, Waini, and Gangapur of Pusa Block in Samastipur district of Bihar. From these three villages, 120 bamboo handicraft workers were selected randomly. Bamboo-based handicrafts were categorized under 4 broad categories, namely Basket, Furniture, Utility, and Miscellaneous Products, and a cost-benefit analysis was used to analyze the net profit gained by these workers in each category.
Results: The findings of the study revealed that the majority of bamboo handicraft workers were found to develop various types of bamboo-based handicrafts in each category. Under the basket category dala and duli were produced by most of the workers, ladder and charpai were mostly developed in the furniture category, fork and tray in the utility product category and basuri in miscellaneous product category. Cost-benefit analysis of these handicrafts revealed that net profits per month gained by the bamboo handicraft workers are Rs.7680, Rs.3600, Rs.1910, and Rs. 3100 in basket, furniture, utility and miscellaneous product categories, respectively, based on their production of handicrafts per month.
Conclusion: Bamboo handicraft making was the main source of income and livelihood for these workers in the study locale. On the basis of the results, it can be concluded that an average bamboo handicraft worker earned between Rs.2800 to Rs.17000 per month from the cash sales of handicrafts developed by them. This shows that bamboo handicraft products greatly contribute to the regional economy and enhance the capacity of rural workers to overcome poverty.

The field experiment was carried out on Black gram cv. GU 3 at Organic Farm, ACH, NAU, Navsari, Gujarat, India during the summer of 2021. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with a Factorial concept (FRBD) having two factors each having three levels i.e. soil application viz., S1 (100 % RDN through NADEP compost), S2 (Ghan-jivamrut @ 500 kg/ha) and S3 (Ghan-jivamrut @ 500 kg/ha + Jivamrut @ 500 L/ha) and foliar application viz., F0 (Control), F1 (Novel organic liquid nutrient @ 1 %) and F2 (Moringa leaf extract@ 3 %) was given thrice at 15, 30 and 45 DAS. The result revealed that the S1 treatment recorded significantly the highest plant height at harvest, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, and seed yield. For foliar application, the treatment F2 recorded significantly the highest plant height at 40 DAS and higher number of branches per plant, plant height at 60 DAS and at harvest, number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, seed yield and stover yield but remained at par with F1 treatment. It can be concluded that the soil application of 100 percent RDN through NADEP compost and foliar application of either 3 percent Moringa leaf extract or 1 percent Novel organic liquid nutrient at 15, 30, and 45 DAS accomplished higher yield and higher net profit.

Marigold (Tagetes spp.) holds significance in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and pigments, due to its flower pigment and essential oil. Conventional breeding methods for genetic enhancement are time-consuming due to its cross-pollination nature. To expedite improvement, doubled haploid lines can be produced through androgenesis. In spite of the potential benefits, challenges such as genotype-specific responses, anther development stage, pretreatment and culture conditions pose significant hurdles. Addressing these factors could pave the way for more efficient application of androgenesis in marigold crop improvement, offering quicker pathways to developing superior plant varieties. This study aimed to determine the optimal temperature stress pretreatment, sucrose concentration in culture media and duration of darkness during anther incubation to enhance embryogenic callus proliferation and subsequent regeneration. It was found that subjecting marigold flower buds with anthers at the uninucleate stage to a temperature stress of 4 °C for 72 hours followed by culture in MS media containing 4% sucrose, supplemented with NAA (0.2 mg L-1), and BAP (1 mg L-1) yielded the best results. Ploidy analysis of fifty regenerated plantlets revealed varying ploidy levels, including haploid. These findings hold promise for advancing research on haploid and doubled haploid development in marigold and related species.