<div>Background: Maize is an important cereal crops as it is a good source of nutrition and raw material for industries. Among various pathogens attacking maize crop, banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) caused by Rhizoctonia solani f.sp sasakii is a potential threat for quality maize production. It affects all the plant parts at every stage of crop growth.&nbsp; 
 
Methods:&nbsp;The present investigation was carried out at Regional Research Station Uchani, Karnal of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar to evaluate the efficiency and efficacy of biorational products (Cowpathy) such as Vedic Krishi inputs viz., Beejamrit and Jiwamrit, compost extract and biocontrol agents with the objective to manage banded leaf and sheath disease and increasing yield of maize.&nbsp; 
 
Result: All the biorational products were found quite effective in controlling the disease and enhancing the yield attributes. Seed treatment with Achook (Neem based fungicide containing azadirachtin) @ 2 g/l of seed was found most effective in controlling disease upto 51.77 per cent. Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10 ml/kg followed by Beejamrit @ 10 ml/kg were also found effective in reducing the disease incidence as compared to control. These are economic, reliable and viable sources and hold good promise for use in organic and sustainable agriculture.</div>

Field Efficacy of Cowpathy Products and Biological Control Agents in Controlling Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight Disease and Increasing Maize Yield

<div>Background: Weed populations reduce crop yields by influencing the pattern of crop growth and development throughout the season and by directly competing with the crop for limiting precious resources, like light, water or nutrients. A number of the factors that influence magnitude of crop yield losses from weed interference include the timing of weed emergence relative to the crop, weed density, pattern of weed growth and development. Weed management is one among the foremost critical factors influencing crop yield. By providing a window of weed-free growth early within the season, the size advantage that crop seedlings have over weeds can be utilized to reduce the intensity of direct competition for resources at the stages of crop development when yield is being determined. Weeds are identified as a significance drawback since they create biotic stress in realizing the genetic yield potential of this valuable crop. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was carried out during the rabi season of 2010-11 to 2014-15 at ICAR- National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer, Rajasthan to estimate the yield losses because of weed infestation and to work out the critical period for weed control (CPWC) in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). There were 14 treatments comprising of initial weedy periods of 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 days after sowing (DAS) and weed free period upto 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 DAS along with weedy till harvest (un-weeded check) and weed free till harvest (weed free check). The treatments were replicated three times in a randomized block design. 
 
Result: Maximum pod length (cm), number of pods/plant, number of seed/pod, test weight (g), seed yield (kg/ha), straw yield (kg/ha) and harvesting index (%) to the tune of 9.47, 41.2, 16.67, 12.60, 2297, 4954 and 31.73 were recorded at weed free throughout growth period. Weed infestation up to 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 DAS and weedy throughout growth period reduced the seed yield significantly to the magnitude of 567.3, 801.7, 913.3, 1253.3, 1393.7 and 1736.3 kg/ha. Yield losses in fenugreek increase from 2.95 kg/ha/day at 15 days weed infestation to 12.31 kg/ha/day at 135 days weed infestation. Maximum gross return (`104248/ha), net return (`67018/ha) were obtained at weed free throughout growth period with the B:C ratio 2.80 among the weed free treatments. The employment of response curves with weed free or weed competition period showed that seed yield of fenugreek&nbsp;were&nbsp;the highest with the field&nbsp;free&nbsp;from weeds throughout the growth period and the critical period of weed/fenugreek competition was 32 days after sowing and lies between 30-45 days after sowing. In regression approach for fenugreek seed yield and weed free or weed competition period the quadratic function was fitted to estimate the expected yields which had the high significant with the data recorded and have the highest values of R2. If we predict the seed yield losses based on the quadratic model for weed free period model, it declined from 42.04 at 0 DAS to 0.0% at 135 days. Similarly, weed infestation period model predicted the seed yield losses increased from 0.00 at 0 days weed infestation to 73.42% at 135 days. Critical period for weed competition in fenugreek was found to be 32 days after sowing. The CPWC is helpful for making decisions on the necessity for and timing of weed control.</div>

<div>Yield Losses Due to Weeds, Critical Period for Weed-crop Competition in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">The aims of this research were to investigate the effects of soil moisture on cassava growth and physiological processes and to determine the critical soil moisture contents. To fulifll the research objectives, cassava was grown under five levels of soil moisture, including 50, 40, 30 and 20% of soil available water holding capacity (AWHC) along with control (no irrigation). Physiological traits and plant growth parameters were measured. The results showed that cassava grown under 50% of AWHC exhibited the highest photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, predawn leaf water potential and chlorophyll activity. All physiological traits decreased significantly when the moisture content was less than 40 and 20% of AWHC in sandy clay loam and loamy sand soil, respectively. Predawn leaf water potential was used to determine the critical point of soil moisture. It was found that the critical soil moisture contents were 39.0 and 15.7% of AWHC in sandy clay loam and loamy sand soil, respectively.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Effect of Soil Moisture and Determination of Critical Soil Moisture Contents of Cassava</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Quality management of citrus fruits is the top priority as the demand for the fruits is increasing tremendously. In order to investigate the effect of critical success factors (CSF,s) or predictors on the performance measurement factors of citrus industry, an exploratory type of study was conducted with 100 valid responses collected from citrus stake holders. Specially prepared questionnaire consisted of 102 items clubbed in to ten groups for performance improvement Input factors and 24 items clubbed in to four groups for performance measures. The questionnaire is prepared in consultation with experts of industry and 1-5 Likert scale is being used for data collection. The data obtained is tested for normality, validity and reliability then, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis is performed. The ANOVA test revealed that the perceptions associated with the findings were in conformity with the hypothesis. Quality improvement frame work or model is derived from the current study. The study revealed that business environment and resources leads to Economic, Quality, Non-financial and Innovation/ technology performance of the citrus industry. Post harvest process control and post harvest pest and disease control measures improved economic performance and technology and innovation performance. Critical factors like marketing and distribution contributed to non-financial performance. It is further seen that socio economic aspects lead to innovation and technology performance.</div>

Critical success factors and organizational performance: A study on citrus industry

<div>Sweet corn [Zea mays (L.) var. saccharata strut] is the most important variety of maize with high sugar content. It contains a glossy sweetish endosperm and primarily grown for human food. It requires moderately high temperature from 22oC up to 33oC, high light intensity and adequate and well distributed rainfall of not less than 200mm during growing season. It can be grown on the wide range of soils. However, it performs best on neutral, well drained, well aerated and moderately heavy, deep fertile soils. Sweet corn is not so much competing with weeds like other crops. Avoid the influence of weed competition on the growth and development of sweet corn produce maximum yield and the economic importance of sweet corn used for conception and health benefits. By so far it is good in health and as medicinal uses it should be managed without affecting by weeds. The weed management option properly controls by the method of mechanical, biological, chemical and integrated weed management. In general, it is significant that properly controlling critical period weed competition in sweet corn reducing the competition of light, water, nutrient and space and maximizing the yield of sweet corn.</div>

<div>Effect of Critical Period of Weed Competition and Its Management Option in Sweet Corn [Zea mays (L.) var. saccharata strut] Production: A Review</div>

<div>In this work, we have proposed a structure that can accumulate information related to nursery climate and yield status and control the framework naturally considering the assembled information. By deeply noticing occasional conditions, this study has the justification behind getting an association between sensor banners and reference assessments. Control programming will give data findings of the continuous show. Through long-time running and functional utilization, the framework has been demonstrated that it has numerous points of interest. To monitor the environment inside the greenhouse different parameters have been considered such as light, temperature, humidity, soil moisture, etc. using different sensors like DHT22 temperature and humidity Sensor, LDR, grove-moisture sensor, etc. which will be interfaced with a microcontroller. A shut circle framework will execute control activity to change temperature, mugginess, light power and soil dampness if any undesirable blunders (high/low) happen.</div>

An Automatic Monitoring and Control System inside the Greenhouse

<div>Background: Weeds are widely reported as a key constraint in organic agriculture. Soybean-chickpea is important cropping sequence adopted in Maharashtra State under irrigated condition. Weed management is a serious problem in both the crop and it mostly controlled through chemical weed control. Today, widespread use of herbicides has resulted in purporated environmental and health problem as well as residual problems to succeeding crops. Now a days residue free food requirement is high. In organic farming cultural and mechanical methods are necessary to break the weed cycle. So, keeping this point in view present investigation was carried out to evaluate organic weed management practices on growth, yield and weed control in soybean-chickpea sequence under irrigated condition.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during Kharif and rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19. The present investigation consisted of ten weed management practices viz. two hand weeding at 20-25 and 45-50 DAS, one hoeing 20-25 DAS + one hand weeding at 45-50 DAS, soybean + sunhemp incorporation after 35-40 DAS in kharif season and chickpea + safflower (2:1) in rabi season,&nbsp;stale seed bed + reduced spacing + 2 tonne of wheat straw + one hand weeding at 25&nbsp;DAS, soil mulch at the time of sowing + one hand pulling at 25 DAS, incorporation of neem cake 1.5 tonne/ ha 15 days before sowing + one hand weeding at 25 DAS, soil solarization with 25 &mu; polythene mulch during summer + one hand weeding&nbsp;at 25 DAS, mulching with straw, weed free and weedy check. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: The higher values of growth attributes was recorded by weed free treatment which was on par with two hand weeding at 20-25 and 45-50 DAS and soil solarization with 25 &mu; polythene mulch during summer + one hand weeding at 25 DAS and significantly superior over rest of the treatments during both the year study. Application of stale seed bed with reduced spacing and 2 tonne of wheat straw along with one hand weeding 25 DAS recorded higher soybean equivalent yield followed by soybean + sunhemp incorporation (35-45DAS) in kharif and chickpea + safflower (2:1) in rabi season during both the year. The lower weed density, dry weight and highest weed control efficiency at 40 days after sowing for both monocot and dicot weeds was recorded by weed free treatment followed by soil solarization with 25 &mu; polythene mulch during summer + one hand weeding at 25 DAS in soybean and chickpea during both the year.</div>

<div>Evaluation of Organic Weed Management Practices on Growth, Yield and Weed Control Efficiency in Soybean-chickpea Sequence under Irrigated Condition &nbsp;</div>

<div>Background: Knowledge about propagation of rare and endangered plant species is very important for their conservation and sustainable utilization. Therefore, it is imperative to understand different reproductive aspects of such species for their conservation and management. It is in this backdrop different propagation method of Aconitum chasmanthum- a Critically Endangered and Endemic Medicinal plant species has been undertaken. 
 
Methods: Seed germination was carried out using different media. For each treatment mean germination time (MGT) was also calculated. Different agro-techniques were also developed in different soil textural classes. The fresh underground tubers of the species were collected from natural population and were split longitudinally into 2, 3 and 4 pieces depending upon the size of the parental tuber containing a portion of shoot apex. The split cuttings were treated with 100 ppm IAA, IBA and GA3 for 48 hours and were sown in sandy loam soils under pots at Herbal Garden. The pots were kept in diffused light to monitor the leafy shoot generation, survival and comparison with the control (untreated cuttings). 
 
Result: The present study revealed that seeds of the species remain dormant for a pretty long period and do not germinate in darker conditions. Among various treatments the species showed 90.0&plusmn;8.66% germination when chilled for 20 days with mean germination time (MGT) of 13.678&plusmn;1.874 days as against 10.66&plusmn;1.154% germination of the control. Although the plants grew nicely on various soils, maximum plant survival and vigorous growth was obtained in loamy textured soils. The plants responded to various nutrient treatments and in loamy soil the maximum dry biomass was shown by the plants treated with nitrogen (300 mg/kg soil) and NPK (500 mg/kg soil). The plants treated with NPK (500 mg/kg soil) produced 14.46&plusmn;2.50 gm dry biomass as against the control of 5.23&plusmn;0.750 gm per individual. The experimental manipulations also reveal that the species has a potential to propagate through tuber cuttings in sandy loam soils. The cuttings treated with IAA, IBA and GA3 showed 68.75% to 75.0% survival rate as against the 62.5% in control.</div>

Efficient Propagation Methods and Management Implication of Aconitum chasmanthum Stapf ex Holmes: A Critically Endangered and Endemic Medicinal Herb of Kashmir Himalaya

<div>Agriculture is the most important economic activity around the world with its contributions reflected by its share in the gross domestic product of countries. It ensures food security, provides raw materials for many industries and employment opportunities. Today, pest and diseases are among the main challenges plaguing the agricultural sector. More specifically, phytophagous mites are devastating many economically important crops worldwide. Tetranychus urticae Koch (Two-spotted spider mites), Raoiella indica Hirst, (red palm mites), Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks (broad mites) and Panonychus ulmi Koch (European red mites) are widely known for their extensive damage to crops. To control these mites, farmers have incorporated the use of pesticides into their farming systems. However, chemical control comes with many problems such as insect resistance, detrimental environmental effects and various human health implications. As such biological control is an environmentally friendly alternative that uses bio-control agents such as predators, pathogens and parasitoids to control pests. In this review, it was found that predators and pathogens were the most widely used biocontrol agents, specifically, the Amblyseius spp. Berlese were most effective and widely documented. The available literature also suggests that for successful control of agricultural mites via biological control, there needs to be a clear understanding of the behaviors of these mites and the bio-control agents used. 
&nbsp;</div>

Biological Control Methods for Agricultural Mites: A Review

Background: Biofloc technology relies on adding a carbon source to maintain optimal carbon to nitrogen ratio for transforming the waste into microbial biomass that aquatic animals can use. In the present study, the growth performance of the critically endangered Hypselobarbus pulchellus in biofloc-based seed rearing with different Carbon to Nitrogen ratio was studied.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Healthy early fry (0.01 g) was randomly stocked into 15 circular FRP tanks (1000 L) at a density of 100 individuals/m3 and reared for 90 days. The carbon to nitrogen ratios of 5:1(CN5), 10:1(CN10), 15:1(CN15) and 20:1(CN20) were maintained using jaggery without considering carbon content derived from the feed and the control group received no additional source of carbon. 
 
Result: The results indicated that H. pulchellus had better growth performance in biofloc systems having higher C/N ratios. The highest weight gain (0.48&plusmn;0.01 g) and weight gain percentage (3931.15&plusmn;120.68%) and specific growth rate (4.11&plusmn;0.03% per day) were found in the CN10 group (P&lt;0.05), followed by CN15 and CN20, while the control group values were lowest. In terms of survival, all treatments had high survival rates ranging from 92% to 94.67%, with no significant variations (P&gt;0.05). The CN10, CN15 and CN20 treatments had significantly higher amylase, protease and lipase activities than control (P&lt;0.05). Moreover, the immunological and antioxidant activity increased with CN ratios. The CN10, CN15 and CN20 groups had significantly lower total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate levels than control group (P&lt;0.05). Overall, this study suggests that C/N ratios of 10:1 to 20:1 are optimal for rearing H. pulchellus fingerlings from early fry, with 10:1 presenting the best growth results.