This study investigates the participation and drudgery of women in agricultural
activities in rural areas, with a focus on the socio-economic characteristics, the
extent of their involvement, and the level of difficulty they face in various farming
tasks. Conducted in the Mandihal village of Dharwad district, Karnataka, the
research examines the labor-intensive nature of agricultural work and highlights the
disparity between men’s and women’s roles in farm activities. The data revealed
that, women were heavily involved in tasks such as weeding, sowing, transplanting,
and harvesting, which require significant time and physical effort. The study also
measures the drudgery index, a tool to assess the labor intensity and difficulty of
these activities. The findings showed that, activities such as weeding and
transplanting are particularly strenuous, with women reporting high levels of physical
exhaustion. Despite their substantial contribution, women’s agricultural roles are
often undervalued, and they face numerous challenges due to unequal access to
resources, technology, and decision-making power. This study underscores the need
for policies and interventions that address the gendered nature of agricultural labor,
aiming to reduce the physical burden on women while promoting their participation
and empowerment in the sector.

Aim: Pusa Manohari, a cultivar developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI),
New Delhi, lacks comprehensive characterization regarding its physicochemical transformations
during postharvest ripening under varied storage parameters. Consequently, this investigation
was undertaken to elucidate the ripening kinetics of Pusa Manohari across a spectrum of storage
conditions.
Methodology: Mature Mangifera indica cv. Pusa Manohari fruits, harvested 103 days after
flowering (DAF) from 20-year-old trees at the Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-
IARI, New Delhi, were subjected to postharvest storage under room storage (RS) and Pusa Farm
SunFridge (PFSF) conditions.
Results: Total soluble solids (TSS) increased from 9 to 20 °Brix in mangoes stored under room
storage (ambient conditions), and from 9 to 17 °Brix in those stored within a Pusa Farm
SunFridge (PFSF). Fruit firmness exhibited a decline from 96 to 16 N over 18 days in ambient
storage, and from 96 to 36 N over 35 days in PFSF. The respiration rate of room-stored mangoes
initially decreased, followed by a subsequent increase after 5 days, reaching 306 mg CO₂ kg⁻¹
hr⁻¹ at 18 days. Conversely, mangoes stored in PFSF demonstrated a comparatively attenuated
increase in respiration rate, attributable to the lower storage temperature.
Interpretation: This investigation elucidates the comprehensive physicochemical alterations
occurring in mango fruit during ripening under controlled, variable temperature regimes.

The Central Sector Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) has been a
significant step towards direct income support (DIS) in India. In developing nations like India,
economic growth faces numerous challenges with a large portion of the population dependent on
agriculture for their livelihood. Historically small and marginal farmers have suffered
exploitation under the landlord and zamindari systems. Even today, these farmers, owning small
landholdings, continue to require substantial developmental support. The present study, titled
"PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme: Its Utilization Pattern in Ayodhya and Amethi Districts
(UP)," was conducted with the objective of assessing how beneficiaries utilize the financial
assistance provided under the scheme. The study was carried out in the Ayodhya and Amethi
districts of Uttar Pradesh, which were selected purposefully. Ayodhya district comprises 11
blocks, while Amethi has 13 blocks. Out of these, Milkipur, Hariyangatanganj, Mawai,
Amaniganj, Amethi, Musafirkhana, Gauriganj, and Jagdishpur were randomly selected for the
study. Further, four villages from each selected block were chosen using a random sampling
technique. From each village, 10 PM-KISAN beneficiaries were selected, also through random
sampling, forming a total sample size of 320 beneficiaries. The data was collected through
personal interviews, conducted at respondents’ farms and homes. The collected information was
analyzed using frequency distribution, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and correlation
analysis to derive meaningful insights. The study findings reveal that the majority of respondents
(65%) exhibited a medium level of utilization of funds received through the PM-KISAN scheme.
Additionally, 20% of respondents demonstrated high utilization, while 15% showed low
utilization of financial assistance. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the
government enhance the structure and adjust the disbursement of installments in alignment with
farmers’ seasonal requirements to maximize the scheme’s impact. The findings suggest that
several factors significantly influence the extent to which farmers engage with the scheme.
Specifically, annual income, education, size of land holdings, and occupation exhibit moderate to
strong positive correlations with scheme utilization, indicating that individuals with better
financial standing, higher educational levels, and larger landholdings are more likely to make use
of the PM-KISAN Scheme. Furthermore, age, risk orientation, and farming experience also show
positive relationships, although these are weaker compared to the aforementioned factors.

This study evaluates the impact of packaging materials on the shelf life of lye-peeled
garlic powder stored at a temperature of 10-40°C. Garlic powder quality parameters
such as moisture content, allicin content, colour and sensory parameters were measured
for up to 6 months period. Results revealed that increases in temperature from 10 to
40ºC significantly accelerated the degradation of measured quality attributes, especially
in low-density polyethene (LDPE) than aluminium foil pouch (AFP). In contrast, AFP-
packaged products stored at low temperatures showed less moisture content and higher
allicin content. The rate of degradation in colour was found to be lower in AFP as
compared to LDPE in storage temperature of 10-40ºC up to 6-month period. The
finding highlights the selection of appropriate packaging and storage conditions at a
commercial scale to maintain the quality of garlic powder attributes.

Spraying of insecticides in agriculture has been carried out through ground and aerial spraying methods. Taking into cognizance of problems associated with the ground spraying using different kind of equipment is needed which is safer and more efficient method for pesticide application in agricultural practices. The use of advanced technologies such as drones which comes under aerial spraying in agriculture offer potential for facing several challenges. Studies were conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal during rabi,2024 against pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella through drone aerial spray comparision with knapsack sprayer by sequential spraying of insecticides. It revealed that pyridalyl 10% EC @ 1 ml l -1 drone spray was found significantly superior over control (8.75% per cent mean rosette flower) in reduction (65.36%) of the rosette flowers due to pink bollworm larvae. The same insecticide had recorded the lowest green boll damage (9.38%), green boll locule damage (12.81%) with the highest per cent reduction (71.00% and 71.26%) and also recorded the highest seed yield (7.15 kg/ha) and lint yield (2.50 kg/ha) with highest benefit-cost ratio (1.90) during first, second and third sprays, respectively.

The study was conducted in the sugarcane growing districts namely Nizamabad,
Kamareddy, Medak, Wanaparthy and Khammam, where the total (six) sugar factories were
located in Telangana. The area under sugarcane cultivation declined from 0.35 lakh hectares
in 2017-18 to 0.28 lakh hectares in 2021-22. To find out the problmes encountered by the
farming community was try to identified during our field visits to various sugar factory
regions, farmers were personally interviewed to understand the situation and gather their
perspectives.The total 120 number of farmers were selected randomly with 20 number per each
factory jurisdiction randomly. The structure schedule was developed keeping in view of the
objectives and variables to be studied. The responses were collected personally for data
collection. Among the different 6 type of constrains Viz. situation constraints, technological
constraints, financial constraints, managerial constraints, crop management constraints,
infrastructural constraints were identified. ‘Shortage of labour for intercultural operations’ got
1st rank in the situational constraints. Lack of knowledge about pest and disease control got 1 st
rank in the technological constraints. High wage rate of labours during for harvesting got 1 st
rank in financial constraints. Poor turnout by labourer’s 1 st rank in managerial constraints.
Occurrence of heavy weed growth got 1 st rank in crop management constraints. Lack of
adequate machineries got 1 st rank in infrastructural constraints.

The tongue of the non-descript goats was spatula-shaped and divided into apex, body, and root.
Dorsal surface of the tongue of adult goats showed patches of deep to light black pigmentation.
Apex was notched in the centre. Longitudinal groove on the dorsal surface was more apparent in
the young and senile groups. Caudo-dorsal portion of the body presented torus linguae, in front
of which was transverse fossa linguae. Dorsal surface of the tongue was covered by filiform,
fungiform, conical, lenticular, and circumvallate papillae. Filiform papillae were pointed,
thread-like, and directed caudally and were the most abundant. Fungiform papillae were
mushroom-shaped. Filiform and fungiform papillae were also present on the ventral surface of
the tongue tip in ‘V’ configuration in all three age groups. Lenticular papillae were less
developed in young goats. In adults, these were arranged in two parallel rows whereas in the
senile group, the arrangement was irregular. They were found on the torus linguae. The largest
lenticular papillae were placed along the midline of the prominence. Conical papillae were
found lateral to lenticular papillae and orientated caudally. They were greater in the center and
smaller in the caudal and lateral aspects. In comparison to young goats, the adult and senile
groups had a denser distribution of lenticular and conical papillae. Circumvallate papillae were
spherical and encircled by a deep moat which was surrounded by a slightly higher mucosal ring.
They were arranged in two rows. Weight and volume of the tongue was significantly (P<0.05)
greater in senile group followed by adults and least in the young age group. In all three age
groups, the length of the body was the longest part whereas the root was the shortest. Width and
thickness of the tongue was maximum at the level of torus linguae in all the age group. Width at
apex and body showed a significant difference (P<0.05). Thickness at the apex and torus linguae
showed significant difference (P<0.05). Distance between the lingual fossa and tip of the tongue
varied significantly (P<0.05) with advancing age. Similarly, distance between lingual fossa and
root of the tongue showed a significant difference (P<0.05) with advancing age. Total number of
vallate papillae were the highest in adult group but the difference was non-significant (P>0.05).
The length of median longitudinal groove showed a significant difference (P<0.05) among
various age groups. It was longest in the senile followed by young and shortest in the adult
group.

A field experiment was carried out during the rabi seasons of 2023–24 and 2024–25 at the Precision
Farming Development Centre (PFDC), Water Technology Centre, at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi. The
research focused on investigating the impact of various irrigation and fertigation management practices
on flower quality, cut flower yield and soil nutrient status of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium
ramat.) cultivars. The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design with three factors: two cultivars
(autumn pink and autumn white), three irrigation levels (0.5 Epan, 0.75 Epan and 1.0 Epan), and three
fertigation schedules (50%, 75%, and 100% recommended dose of fertilizers). Based on the Royal
Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart classification, the Autumn Pink (V1) variety consistently
exhibited 65 C (Pale Purplish Pink) across all irrigation and fertigation levels, while Autumn White (V2)
maintained 157 D (Greenish White). The observed stability in flower colour suggested that genetic factors
primarily control floral pigmentation, with minimal environmental influence under the applied treatments.
Similarly, the treatment combination V2I2F3 (Autumn White + Irrigation at 0.75 Epan + 100% RDF)
consistently achieved the highest number of cut flowers per ha (i.e 488,975.21 flowers/ha), hence
resulting in higher gross returns, net returns and overall profitability. Pertaining to soil physical and
chemical parameters the pH was 7.65 with 0.29 dS m -1 EC and 0.43% organic carbon, 125.66
kg/ha, 26.55 kg/ha and 281,41 kg/ha available N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O, suggested that optimum
supplementation of nutrients were essential to improve the inflorescence traits, yield and soil nutrient
status of chrysanthemum.

Hibiscus rosa sinensis has a good response from people due to its medicinal and aesthetic
values. Since it is a bisexual and complete flower, it still needs deep observation of flowering
stages to identify the best stage for breeding purposes and genetic improvement of the crop.
This experiment was carried out by three male and female parents in BCKV, Mohanpur, West
Bengal. Flowers from selected varieties were plucked at five different stages in the morning
hours, and each part of the flower was carefully separated for further observation. The report
of this research reveals that the Versicolor Pin Wheel variety shows good pollen parent
features in each stage, especially in the after-senescence stage (stamen length: 1.385cm,
anther amount: 108.13 cm, and pollen viability: 95.11%), while in the Brilliant variety it was
less. Regarding seed parent, the variety that has less style and style arm length (Agni: 7.43cm
and 3.93mm), more ovary length and diameter (Cinnamon Girl: 11.817 mm and Double
Peach: 8.7 mm), a higher percentage of ovule development and stigma diameter (Double
Peach: 91.33% and 3.157 mm), and more stigma receptivity (Cinnamon Girl: +++++) at the
end of the flower is considered a suitable one. From this report, breeders can select a variety
at the perfect stage of flowering for their breeding program.

Assam's agricultural sector is diverse, with rice as the dominant crop alongside
pulses, oilseeds and vegetables. Udalguri district, situated in the North Bank Plain Zone,
faces challenges such as limited irrigation, low mechanization and restricted market access.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Udalguri, has implemented interventions in two adopted
villages i.e Kacharital and Habigaon, aiming to improve the status of agriculture through
enhancing productivity and optimize cropping patterns. However, variability in farmer
adoption rates and climatic uncertainties posed difficulties in assessing long-term
sustainability. This study analyses the impact of KVK’s interventions on crop area expansion,
production trends and diversification between 2018-19 to 2022-23 for Kacharital and 2015-
16 to 2022-23 for Habigaon. Data was gathered through farmer interviews, Participatory
Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Focus Group Discussions (FGD), and analysed using statistical
tools such as Percentage Change, Coefficient of Variation, Simpson’s Index of Diversification
(SID) and Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). Findings reveal a shift towards
diversified cropping. Rice cultivation declined (-5.26 ha in Kacharital, -6.36 ha in Habigaon)
due to water constraints and market shifts. Pulses, oilseeds and vegetables expanded
significantly, improving farm income and soil fertility. Cropping intensity increased from
100.35% to 155.07% in Kacharital and from 106.53% to 129.84% in Habigaon, reflecting
better land utilization. The Simpson Index of Diversification rose to 0.55 in Kacharital and
0.53 in Habigaon, highlighting adaptive farming practices. This study contributes to the
understanding of how targeted interventions influence cropping diversification,
demonstrating that strategic support can improve land-use efficiency and farmer resilience
despite systemic constraints.