Despite recent achievements in economic progress in India, the fruit of development has
failed to secure a better nutritional status among all children of the country. Growing
evidence suggests the existence of a socio-economic gradient of childhood malnutrition in
India. In many countries, including India, there is a clear socio-economic gradient in
childhood malnutrition. For example, children from the poorest households are more likely to
experience chronic malnutrition than those from wealthier families. Children from lower SES
households often face higher risks of malnutrition, including undernutrition and stunting,
compared to those from higher SES households. This is due to several factors, such as limited
access to nutritious food, inadequate healthcare, and poor living conditions. Other variables,
such as the mother's educational attainment and access to sanitary facilities, greatly influence
a child's nutritional health. Children's socioeconomic position (SES) also significantly
influences their nutritional status.
The present paper is an attempt to measure the impact of socio-economic factors on
childhood malnutrition in rural areas of the Kanpur district and to identify the role of
household socioeconomic status (SES) as the determinant of the nutritional status of children.
In the present study, the socioeconomic status is determined by three indicators, i.e.
educational status, occupational status and income of the family. The findings indicated that
the majority of families (57.31%) belonged to the upper lower class followed by the lower
middle class (22.69%) and lower class (18.08%) of the socioeconomic scale used in the
present study. Whereas, the anthropometric data of the children's body measurements
revealed that the majority of boys and girls were stunted and undernourished as they were not
meeting the WHO standard for height and weight for the 7-9 years of age group. The study
supported that socioeconomic factors of the family are determinants of the nutritional status
of children.

Guava (Psidium guajava) is native to tropical America and belongs to the Myrtaceae family with
C.N. 2n= 22. Guava is an important fruit crop of the world and is also known as “Apple of
Tropics”. A field study was carried out at the Experimental Orchard, College of Agriculture,
Kaul, Kaithal in the year 2023-2024 on 12 year old guava trees cv. Hisar Safeda to determine the
effect of foliar application of different chemicals on yield and quality of guava. Different
treatments were taken i.e. T 1 : CaNO 3 @ 0.5%, T 2 : CaNO 3 @ 1.0%, T 3 : CaNO 3 @ 1.5%, T 4 :
K 2 SO 4 @ 0.5%, T 5 : K 2 SO 4 @ 1.0%, T 6 : K 2 SO 4 @ 1.5%, T 7 : FeSO 4 @ 0.2%, T 8 : FeSO 4 @ 0.4%,
T 9 : FeSO 4 @ 0.6%, T 10 : GA 3 @ 50 ppm, T 11 : GA 3 @ 75 ppm, T 12 : GA 3 @ 100 ppm and T 13 :
Control (water spray) with three replications under randomized block design. The results of the
study revealed the significant increase in quality and leaf nutrient status of guava fruit. However,
the foliar application of K 2 SO 4 @ 1.5 % is efficient to improve the ascorbic acid (202.4 mg/100 g
pulp), TSS (12.29°B), acidity (0.31 %), TSS/Acid ratio (39.65), total sugar (7.19 %), reducing
sugar (4.02 %), non-reducing sugar (3.17 %) and sulphur content (0.28 %). Similarly, CaNO 3 @
1.5 % increased the pectin content (0.98 %) and calcium content (2.19 %). Whereas, FeSO 4 @
0.6 % is beneficial for increasing the iron content (180.2 ppm) in guava leaves.

This study characterized soils and assessed groundwater quality for irrigation in Ambach
village, Chikhli taluka, Navsari district. Soil samples from 138 locations at two depths (0-20
cm and 20-40 cm) showed slightly alkaline pH on the surface (6.1-8.9, mean 7.8) and
subsurface soils (6.5-8.7, mean 7.9), with 93.78% and 96.94% being non-saline, respectively.
The SOC levels in the surface soils were 27.53% low, 36.95% medium, and 35.53% high,
while those in the subsurface soils were 40.47% low, 37.70% medium, and 21.83% high.
Nitrogen was medium in the surface (284.1-329.5 kg ha⁻¹) and medium to low in the
subsurface (239.4-290.2 kg ha⁻¹). The P₂O₅ was high in both layers. K₂O in surface soils
was 21.9% low, 24.5% medium, and 53.6% high, whereas the subsurface levels were 26.3%
low, 34.0% medium, and 39.6% high. The micronutrients Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu were mostly
high, with the nutrient index indicating high fertility for P₂O₅ and K₂O, however, some
areas had medium to low fertility. Groundwater assessment of 60 samples (2023-24) from
irrigated fields (417 ha, 57% irrigated) revealed pH 7.4-8.4 (mean 7.8) and EC 0.39-1.74 dS
m⁻¹ (mean 0.99 dS m⁻¹), with 71.66% classified as high salinity (C3) and 28.33% as
medium salinity (C2). SAR ranged from 0.52 to 3.52 (mean 1.33), indicating safe use, while
RSC ranged from -0.86 to 7.26 meq L⁻¹ (mean 2.61 meq L⁻¹), posing moderate to high
alkalinity risks. Gypsum is recommended to mitigate high SAR and RSC. The study
addressed challenges such as high soil variability, limited farmer adoption of organic
amendments, and poor irrigation water quality (high EC, RSC). It contributed to sustainable
agriculture by providing site-specific nutrient management strategies, promoting organic
matter incorporation, and recommending efficient soil and water management practices to
enhance soil fertility and crop productivity.

This study was conducted during the Rabi season (November 2023 to March 2024) at two
locations IIOR-Rajendranagar and Narkhoda farms in Telangana, India. To assess the incidence and
population dynamics of major insect pests and their correlation with weather parameters. Weekly pest
monitoring included observations of leaf miners, leafhoppers, aphids, and Spodoptera litura across
different crop growth stages. The results revealed distinct pest trends influenced by climatic factors.
Leafhopper populations peaked during the 52 nd standard meteorological week (SMW) with correlations
varying across farms. At Rajendranagar, leafhopper population dynamics were negatively correlated with
minimum temperature (-0.436*) but positively correlated with morning relative humidity (0.387NS).
Similar trends were noted for aphids, which showed significant positive correlations with maximum
temperature (0.484*) and sunshine hours (0.641**). Spodoptera litura recorded its highest damage
percentage (20%) by the 2 nd SMW at Rajendranagar, showing a significant negative correlation with
minimum temperature (-0.602*). Leaf miner damage peaked at 6% during the 51 st SMW, demonstrating
largely non-significant weather correlations. This study highlights the influence of environmental factors
on pest dynamics in groundnut cultivation and underscores the need for location-specific pest
management strategies. These findings offer critical insights for optimizing pest control measures and
improving groundnut productivity in semi-arid regions.

An 8 lakh hectare paddy area remains fallow in Rabi sesason in eastern Vidarbha due
to cultivation of long duration paddy varieties, poor fertility status of soil, water logging,
excessive moisture in lowland area and lack of irrigation. The residual moisture left in soil
after harvest of paddy is often sufficient to raise linseed. Linseed is a traditional oilseed crop
that plays a major role in increasing the income of small and marginal farmers in the paddy
fallow area of the eastern Vidarbha region of Maharashtra during the Rabi season. All India
Coordinated Research Project on Linseed, College of Agriculture, Nagpur organized training
programs, cluster demonstrations under irrigated and rainfed situations in paddy fallow area
and field days for 234 and 295 linseed growers during 2022-23 and 2023-24. The cluster
demonstration of linseed with a varietal introduction along with the whole package of an
improved package of practices like the adoption of high-yielding variety PKV NL-260, line
sowing or sowing with zero till seed drill, improved seed rate @ 15 kg/ha, seed treatment
with bio-mix consortium, irrigation at critical growth stages @ 40-45 DAS and 65-70 DAS,
integrated nutrient and weed management practices, plant protection practices after
undergoing the training. The farmers under medium and higher level of knowledge groups
increased from 25 to 52% and from 15 to 33%, respectively. The adoption level in medium
level and high level were increased from 16 to 60% and 10 to 18%, respectively. Further,
farmers with low levels of adoption declined from 74 to 22%. The two-year data revealed the
yield of linseed increased to 34.40% over the yield obtained under farmer's practices. The
results also showed that due to enhanced knowledge and adoption of an improved package of
practices, the yield of linseed variety increased by 6% during the second year (2023-24) as
compared first year (2022-23) over the yield obtained under farmers' practices. The linseed
seed yields 31.10% and 37.57% higher yield over the local variety and improper management
practices used by farmers during 2022-23 and 2023-24. The average extension gap (162
kg/ha), technology gap (263 kg/ha) and technology index (29.24%). The reduction
technology gap and index were 92 kg/ha and 10.27% showing that the feasibility to the
adoption of a demonstrated improved package of practices for linseed cultivation in paddy
fallow area was found productive and economically viable as compared to existing farmer
practices. The results clearly indicate that the intervention of an improved package of
practices of linseed cultivation through cluster demonstration in the paddy area of eastern
Vidarbha had a significant positive impact on the adoption of improved practices enhanced
yield potential of linseed to greater extent and development of value addition chain helpful
for the income level of the farming community which helps in uplifting the socio-economic
level of farmers. This study suggests the need of conducting of cluster demonstrations,
intensive trainings and intervention of improved technology to educate the linseed growers
for achieving higher production of linseed and development of value additional chain in the
approximately 8 lakh hectare paddy fallow area in eastern region of Vidarha during rabi
season.

Escalating demands of consumers requires modification in the fashion industry with respect to
design, color, style, and techniques. The beauty and charisma of Chikankari and tie and dye still
rule the wardrobe. The study was framed with the view to develop a fusion design using
Chikankari and tie and dye. A total of 30 designs were prepared for preparing kurtas, stoles, and
hand-bags. A Total of 15 designs were selected from each category for final construction. The
parameters of the selection of designs were a color combination, arrangement of design,
appropriateness of designs and overall appearance. All the selected designs were applied on
chiffon and cotton blend fabrics using various direct dyes. Acceptability of the prepared kurtis,
stoles and hand-bags were also assessed using 5-point ranking performance. Cost of developed
products was determined based on raw material cost, dyeing, and trimmings charges in the final
sale cost. All the prepared articles were highly accepted due to their color combination and
embroidery pattern. The study successfully introduced the preparation of apparels and
handicrafts using a combination of tie-dye and Chikarkari. The growing fashion consciousness
and influence of media have turned the women's wear segment into a lucrative and highly
evolving market. With the changing world of fashion the field of textiles demands unique,
different and fresh designs. The traditional Indian embroideries and printing techniques can play
an important role in creating new designs and can satisfy the ever changing demands of
consumers. The key challenges faced by textile designing in India includes inadequate
infrastructure, outdated technology, fluctuations in raw material prices a large unorganized sector
lack of skilled workforce, environmental concerns, intense competition from global markets, and
limited access to design innovation and research and development; all of which can hinder the
growth and competitiveness of Indian textile designers in global market. Therefore the present
study was an attempt to add new dimensions in value addition of textile products by application
of a combination of Chikankari embroidery and tie-dye.

The PCA of the chilli parents and crosses revealed that the five traits have been loaded on first
two and three components accounting for about 78.92% and 72.48% variance in chilli parents
and crosses respectively. The Eigen values ranged from 2.60 for first PC to 1.34 for second PC
for chilli parents and 1.49 for first PC to 1.03 for third PC for chilli crosses chilli parents the
first two principal components with eigen values greater than 1 were found to contribute
52.10% and 26.82% of variance respectively, explaining a cumulative variation of 72.98%
and in case of the chilli crosses the first three principal components with eigen values greater
than 1 were found to contribute 29.92%, 21.91% and 20.65% of variance respectively,
explaining a cumulative variation of 72.48%. The results of the principal component analysis
employed in the study have demonstrated the high degree of genetic variation and the traits
contributing to the variance, therefore this population panel can be used for trait development
in breeding programs for the traits contributing to major variation.

Various plastic mulches are widely accessible on the market; however, Indian farmers are
unaware of their efficacy at varying spacings under protected conditions. In order to discover the
effect of mulch and spacing on parthenocarpy cucumber under protected conditions, research
was undertaken at Vegetable Research Farm during the rainy season of the year 2021-22 in Split
Plot Design comprising five levels of mulches, i.e. (M 1 ) double shade plastic mulch, (M 2 ) black
polyethylene mulch, (M 3 ) transparent plastic mulch, (M 4 ) paper mulch and (M 5 ) no mulch and
three plant-to-plant spacing’s i.e. (S 1 ) 30, (S 2 ) 45 and (S 3 ) 60 cm. (M 1 ) Double shade plastic
mulch recorded minimum node at which first flower appears, days to initiation of first flowering,
days to 50% flowering, days to first picking and inter-nodal length whereas the maximum
duration of flowering, fruit length, fruit weight and fruit yield per plant. However, the number of
flowers/plant and number of fruits per plant were recorded significantly higher under (M 2 ) black
polyethylene mulch. Highest benefit: cost ratio was found under (M 4 ) paper mulch. Among
different spacings, 70 × 30 cm recorded statistically maximum number of flowers per plant, fruit
length, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield in Kg per m 2 , minimum days to first picking and
maximum benefit: cost ratio. The interaction of mulch and spacing was non-significant for all the
parameters except for total soluble solids and benefit: cost ratio. Although (M 4 ) paper mulch
exhibited maximum benefit: cost ratio but cucumber crop performed best under the (M 1 ) double
shade plastic mulch followed by (M 2 ) black polyethylene mulch. The main challenge to growing
the parthenocarpic cucumber in polyhouse was higher plant densities which may restrict air
movement and promote humid conditions favorable for disease development and prevent
effective fungicide application. Many researchers studied the effect of spacing on cucumber
production but the reports are contradictory to each other in terms of adopting closer or wider
spacing.

A field experiment was conducted at the College Farm, N.M. College of Agriculture,
Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during Rabi 2023-24 to evaluate the performance of
castor (Ricinuscommunis L.)-based intercropping systems in South Gujarat conditions. The
experimental soil was clayey (Vertisols) with low available N (240.42 kg/ha), medium
P₂O₅ (39.58 kg/ha) and high K₂O (338.28 kg/ha) with a slightly alkaline pH (7.68). The
experiment followed a randomized block design (RBD) with nine treatments: T₁ (sole
castor), T₂ (sole green gram), T₃ (sole Indian bean), T₄ (sole sorghum), T₅ (sole sweet
corn), T₆ (castor + green gram (1:2)), T₇ (castor + Indian bean (1:2)), T₈ (castor +
sorghum (1:2)) and T₉ (castor + sweet corn (1:2)).Results showed that castor plant height
was 39.62 cm at 30 DAS, 79.20 cm at 60 DAS and 147.59 cm at harvest. Intercrop heights at
harvest were 75.45 cm (green gram), 73.80 cm (Indian bean), 154.20 cm (sorghum) and
152.70 cm (sweet corn). Yield attributes of castor included a main spike length of 49.85 cm,
three spikes per plant and 68.2 capsules per spike leading to a seed yield of 1,625 kg/ha and
stover yield of 3,004 kg/ha. Green gram yielded 750.23 kg/ha, the highest among intercrops.
Oil content (48.67%) was highest in sole castor while T₉ had the highest harvest index
(47.81). T₆ (castor + green gram) proved superior optimizing resource use and productivity.
Thus, intercropping castor with green gram can be recommended for enhanced yield and
profitability in South Gujarat.

Garlic is valued for its unique flavour and aroma and is used in various forms, including
fresh, dried, powdered, pickled, and in oil. Garlic has been utilized for its health benefits for
millennia. Garlic’s extensive history of medicinal use across cultures and its validation through
scientific research underlines its status as a versatile therapeutic agent.The field study was
carried out to find out the best insecticides, fungicides, and bio-agents for the management of
garlic foliar diseases and thrips. The trial was conducted during rabi season 2020-21 and 2021-
22 on garlic variety Agrifound White at the Regional Research Station, NHRDF, Nashik in
Maharashtra. The data revealed that, the significantly lowest stemphylium blight incidence
(45.0%) with intensity (6.27%), purple blotch incidence (15.0%) with intensity (1.07%), and the
lowest thrips population (6.80 nymphs/plant) was recorded at 90 DAP in the treatment – Garlic
clove treated with Carbosulfan @ 2.0ml/L + Carbendazim @ 1.0g/L (dip for 5 minutes) + Spray
of Carbosulfon @ 2.0ml/L+ Carbendazim @ 1.0g/L at 45 DAP+ fipronil @ 1.0ml/L
+Tricyclazole @ 1.5g/Lat 60 DAP + Carbosulfan@2.0ml/L+ Carbendazim@1.0g/L at 75 DAP +
Fipronil@1.0ml/L +Tricyclazole @ 1.5g/L at 90 DAP]. The significantly highest gross yield
(67.85 q/ha) as well as marketable yield (64.18 q/ha) was recorded in the same treatment.