Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) is one of the oldest domesticated grain legumes which
is grown widely throughout the Indian subcontinent. Consequently, lentils has have evolved
over a broad range of growing environments globally, which infers broad genetic variation
and yield. The unpredictable weather patterns existing in the Indo-gangetic Plains of North
Western Bihar, India has affected pulse crop production in general and Lentil in particular.
Therefore field evaluation of promising lentil genotypes were carried out with identifying
superior adaptability and yield stability as a strategy for pulse farming. In changing, climate
scenarios, eight genotypes of lentil were tested in Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bhagwanpur Hat,
Siwan, Bihar (India) during Rabi, 2022-23 for its suitability in the region. SVT/Lentil (2022-
23)/6 lentil variety recorded superiority of yield (1200 kg ha -1 ) and yield attributing characters
such as plant height (36.57 cm), number of branches per plant (24), and days to 50 %
flowering (54 days). Therefore, SVT/Lentil (2022-23)/6 may be suitable genotype for Indo-
gangetic plains of North-Western Bihar region of India in terms of yield which was followed
by SVT/Lentil (2022-23)/5 variety which recorded yield if 1050 kg ha -1 . Multi location
testing will help in promoting these varieties for seed production and large scale cultivation
by farmers. The unpredictable weather patterns existing in the Indo-gangetic Plains of North Western
Bihar, India has affected pulse crop production in general and Lentil in particular. Therefore
field evaluation of promising lentil genotypes were carried out with identifying superior
adaptability and yield stability as a strategy for pulse farming.

The present study was undertaken in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat with objectives to
assess farmers’ awareness of climate change and to identify the key factors influencing it. A
multistage sampling procedure was followed, wherein four districts—Amreli, Jamnagar, Gir
Somnath, and Porbandar—were purposively selected, and a total of 240 respondents were
randomly chosen across blocks and villages. Findings of the study revealed that the overall
awareness level among farmers was 73.55%, with a majority (65.84%) falling in the medium
awareness category. The correlation analysis indicated that factors like as education,
information seeking behaviour, access to weather forecast, innovativeness, scientific
orientation, preparedness for adaptation, perception regarding climate change and cropping
pattern showed higher significance than other variables. Farming experience, extension
participation, mass media exposure and risk orientation showed positive and moderately
significant correlation with the awareness regarding the climate change. Multiple linear
regression analysis revealed that out of 14 independent variables, eight variables viz.
education, farming experience, information seeking behaviour, scientific orientation,
preparedness for adaptation, perception regarding climate change and cropping pattern
showed a significant functional relationship with the awareness regarding climate change as
their p value is less than 0.05. Path analysis further delineated the direct and indirect effects
of these variables. The results underscore the need for targeted interventions aimed at
strengthening knowledge systems and adaptive capacities among farming communities to
address the impacts of climate change more effectively. The major limitation of the study was
that it was restricted to Saurashtra region only and therefore future studies can be replicated
in other regions of the state as well.

In recent days, FPOs have emerged as an effective tool of aggregation in
Indian agriculture. However, the role of women in FPOs is not significant. Women's access to
resources, financing, and markets can be enhanced by encouraging their involvement in FPO.
Therefore, encouraging women to participate in FPO leads to their empowerment, which in
turn promotes inclusive agricultural development, the reduction of poverty, and increased
food security. The present study was conducted for the Board of Directors of NABARD
NABARD-promoted FPOs in Telangana state. The samples were selected randomly from
mixed FPOs and women FPOs i.e., 60 men BoDs and 60 women BoDs from mixed FPOs and
60 women BoDs from women FPOs. Thus constituting to the sample of 180 respondents. The
data was collected using a well-structured and pre pre-tested interview schedule. The chi chi-
square analysis of the results showed that personal, institutional, and societal factors were
affecting gender participation in FPOs. Cent (100.00 %) per cent of men and women BoDs in
mixed FPO suggested that, to reduce gender disparities there should be proper coordination
between the FPO BoDs, women inclusion as compulsory members in all activities, and
encouragement from other BoDs. Cent (100.00 %) per cent of the women BoDs in women
FPOs suggested that including women as compulsory members in all activities, considering
the decision of women in all economic aspects, increase in access to control over resources,
encouragement of husbands for women's social involvement, encouragement from other
BoDs reduce gender disparities in FPO.

This study analyzed the trend in area and production of tomatoes over a time period is important for understanding past behavior and for future planning. Tomato cultivation is highly sensitive to seasonal fluctuations and climatic factors. Therefore, to understand the prior and posterior patterns of tomato cultivation area and production, these statistical models were applied. The statistical study was carried out on different growth models viz. linear, quadratic, cubic, compound, and power for the area and production of tomatoes in Himachal Pradesh for the study period 1995 -2023. The study revealed the cubic and quadratic model was found to best fit the model for area and production, respectively. The highest value of CDVI for the area is 5.40 which indicates higher level of instability in which the variable is more erratic and has less area over time. The increasing annual growth rate for tomato areas is 4.60 percent and 5.90 percent with respect to production of tomatoes over the studied period of time using the compound model. The best-fit statistical models can be used to predict future values with greater accuracy.

Now a days consumption of fruits and vegetables is gaining popularity in the functional food
market due to their health-promoting components, dragon fruit is one among them. The
consumption trend of dragon fruits in India is increasing due to their potential health benefits.
Hence, the present study was conducted to the select best nutritional variety of dragon fruit
through the biochemical analysis, by estimating the nutritional, phytonutrients and antioxidant
activity in red-fleshed and white-fleshed dragon fruits. The moisture and fat content of white-
fleshed dragon fruit comparatively had higher levels 84.70%, and 1.01% respectively compared
to red-fleshed variety. Wherein, the red-fleshed dragon fruit exhibited higher levels of protein,
crude fiber, carbohydrates, and energy: 0.70%, 0.87%, 20.99%, and 93.71 K cal per 100 g
respectively when compared to the white-fleshed variety. The mineral composition of red-
fleshed dragon fruit was high in iron (3.25 mg/100 g), calcium (47.52mg/100 g), sodium (9.11
mg/100 g), manganese (0.60 mg/100 g) and copper (0.14 mg/100 g) respectively compared to
white-fleshed variety. However, Red-fleshed dragon fruit had higher levels of antioxidant
activity, total phenols and total flavonoid contents. Thus, the present study highlights the
nutritional richness of red-fleshed dragon fruit variety it can be also selected as a promising
functional ingredient in food formulations and processing industries.

Niger (Guizotia abyssinica L.) is a traditional minor oilseed crop predominantly cultivated in
tribal regions of India. Under conducive environmental conditions, niger is susceptible to
various diseases, among which leaf spot caused by Alternaria alternata is one of the most
predominant, leading to significant yield losses. In recent years, the area under niger
cultivation has increased in the Konkan region of Maharashtra; however, there is a limited
availability of crop-specific fungicidal recommendations. Additionally, there is a pressing
need for effective, eco-friendly disease management alternatives suitable for smallholder
farming systems. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy
of fungicides and bio-agents against leaf spot disease, both under in vitro and field
conditions. In the in vitro studies, complete inhibition of Alternaria alternata was observed
with treatments of Hexaconazole 5% EC at 0.1%, Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% WP at
0.2%, and Hexaconazole 4% + Zineb 68% WP at 0.1%. Among the seven bio-agents tested,
Pseudomonas fluorescens strain-4 proved to be the most effective, recording the least
mycelial growth (22.16 mm) and the highest inhibition (75.36%) of A. alternata. The most
promising treatments from the in vitro evaluation were subsequently selected for field trials,
integrated with seed treatment. All tested treatments were significantly superior to the
untreated control. The lowest disease severity (6.87%) and the highest disease reduction
(84.94%) were achieved with seed treatment using Captan 50% WP at 4 g/kg, combined with
two foliar sprays of Tebuconazole 50% WG + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG at 0.05%. A
comparable level of control was obtained with seed treatment using Captan 50% WP at 4
g/kg, followed by two sprays of Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% WP at 0.15%, which
resulted in 8.70% disease severity and 80.93% disease reduction compared to the control.

A field experiment was conducted in the Western Section of Research Farm of Birsa Agricultural
University, Kanke, Ranchi, during the late kharif season of 2023 to study the evaluation of
different organic nutrient sources on nutrient uptake, yield, and protein content of horse gram
(Macrotyloma uniflorum) in upland soil of Jharkhand. The experiment was laid out in a
Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications, and the variety used was Birsa Kulthi-1.
The treatment consists of100% N through FYM (T 1 ),100% N through Vermicompost (T 2 ),100% N
through Karanj Cake (T 3 ), 50% N through FYM+50% N through VC (T 4 ),50% N through
FYM+50% N through KC(T 5 ),50% N through KC+50% N through VC (T 6 ), 1/3 N through
FYM+1/3 N through VC+1/3 N through KC(T 7 ), 50% N through FYM (T 8 ), 50%N through VC
(T 9 ), 50% N through KC (T 10 ) and Control (T 11 ). Application of 50% N through FYM+50% N
through VC (T 4 ) resulted in the highest seed yield (770.53 kg/ha), stover yield (1781.40kg/ha), and
harvest index (30.18%). Protein content was non-significant; however, numerically higher protein
content (24.23%) was obtained with 50% N through FYM + 50% N through VC (T4), which also
resulted in a significantly higher protein yield (186.94 kg/ha).The nitrogen uptake in seed (29.95
kg/ha), nitrogen uptake in stover (24.94 kg/ha), total nitrogen uptake (54.89 kg/ha), phosphorus
uptake in seed (2.82 kg/ha), phosphorus uptake in stover (4.10 kg/ha), total phosphorus uptake
(7.28 kg/ha), potassium uptake in seed (4.21 kg/ha), potassium uptake by stover (23.19 kg/ha) and
total potassium uptake (27.40 kg/ha) respectively was higher with application of T 4 (50% N
through FYM+50% N through VC).

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of CRB-advance as a dietary supplement on the rumen fermentation, micro biota and production performance (milk, fat &amp SNF). In dairy animal trials in India,buffers are the crucial for maintaining ruminal health and optimizing milk production by neutralizing excess rumen acidity and preventing ruminal acidosis.Total 40 animals early to mid-lactation Holstein were selected for 60 days’ study and divided in to two treatment groups. In both the group buffer was added separately to the total mixed ration (TMR) and fed at a rate of 100 gm per animal/day. Group 1 offered CRB- Advanced commercially available buffer along with TMR while group 2 treated with Sodium bicarbonate @100 gm/cow per day and 40 gm magnesium oxide per cow per day. Both the group were similar in milk production, and milk components.The result indicated that CRB-Advanced dietary supplementation stabilized rumen ph.,improved gut micro biota, richness and partially probiotic colonization and considerably increased dry matter intake, milk production, compare to the traditional buffer available in the market.

This study explores the economic viability and adoption of the tube net method for seaweed
farming, particularly for Kappaphycus alvarezii cultivation, along the southeastern coast of
Tamil Nadu, India. The research examines the financial feasibility, operational costs, and
socio-economic characteristics of coastal farmers engaged in seaweed cultivation using this
method. Primary data was collected from 120 farmers in Mandapam taluk, focusing on
investment, operational expenses, yields, and labor requirements. The results show that the
method offers a promising alternative to traditional bamboo raft farming, with substantial
profitability potential. The system yields an estimated 39,000 kg of fresh seaweed per year,
generating a gross sales income of ₹3,90,000 annually, with net earnings of ₹1,56,755 per
year for a 25-raft unit. The benefit-cost ratio of 1.67 indicates a high return on investment,
and the system’s low break-even price of ₹59.81 per kilogram demonstrates its financial
resilience. The modular design allows for scalability, making it accessible to small-scale
farmers with minimal financial barriers. The study concludes that despite its advantages, the
tube net method faces some challenges like limited awareness, high initial costs, and regional
ecological constraints affect adoption. The method remains sustainable, profitable, and
community-friendly, aligning with government livelihood schemes and blue economy goals.

The focus of the study was to create a valid and reliable scale to know the attitudinal orientation
of marigold farmers towards marigold cultivation. The major challenge a research face while
developing and standardizing a new scale is measurement error, keeping that in mind; Likert’s
summative rating technique was used, the items were collected based on attributes of marigold
cultivation, and carefully edited. Item responses were obtained on five-point continuum. Item
analysis was determined to find out that weather the scale differentiate between the low and high
attitude group. Cronbach's Alpha yielded the reliability and was found 0.829, which indicates the
scale items has good internal consistency. To know the validity of the measure Content Validity
was determined. The Kappa statistics was also employed for the removal of chance agreement.
The standardize scale contributes toward a precise and reliable instrument for measuring the
attitude within its specified domain. The final scale includes nineteen items.

HIGHLIGHTS
 The items of the scale were generated based on attributes of innovation (marigold
cultivation).
 Item analysis and high Cronbach’s alpha confirms a reliable scale, to asses marigold
farmer’s attitude.
 Content validity analysis ensures that the scale item is valid, to asses marigold farmer’s
attitude.