Background: The present study was designed to assess career preferences, entrepreneurial orientation and constraints in pursuing a career in entrepreneurship among final year female undergraduate students of agriculture. 
 
Methods: The descriptive research survey was used to collect all the required information from the students required for the present study. The statistical measures such as Percentages, Weighted Mean Scores, Correlation coefficients, Means, Standard Errors and procedures such as Mann-Whitney U test and Multiple Linear Regression analysis were employed to analyse the data collected. The Entrepreneurial Behavioural Index (EBI) was constructed based on self-confidence and risk-taking ability of students. The constraints were analysed through Garett&rsquo;s ranking technique. 
 
Result: The present study revealed that most of the final year female agricultural students were from urban background (58%), nuclear families (87%) with below 5 members (89%), education score in the range of 2-4 and with annual family income in the range of 2-4 lakh rupees. Majority of the students were inclined to pursue post-graduate education. The students from urban background had significantly higher family education score and income. It was found that the Food Safety Officer followed by the Agricultural Officer were the most preferred careers. The job security followed by intrinsic interest in work and job satisfaction were the most deciding factors for career preferences. The present study showed that the students were high in self-confidence (0.80&plusmn;0.01) and medium in terms of risk-taking ability (0.69&plusmn;0.01) and Entrepreneurial Behavioural Index (0.73&plusmn;0.01). The self-confidence, risk-taking ability and EBI improve with increase in number of family members and they decrease with increase in family education score. The intrinsic constraints such as fear of loan followed by insecure income, excessively irregular working hours and lack of suitable attitude for entrepreneurship were the four major constraints perceived by the students in opting for a career in entrepreneurship.

Career Preferences and Entrepreneurial Orientation among Undergraduate Female Agricultural Students&nbsp;

Agriculture in India is characterised by small and marginal farmers and they constitute nearly 80 per cent of the total land holdings. The cultivation of multiple crops under small land holdings results in regular production of lesser quantities of vegetables, which the farmers cannot take to the market regularly, leading to a distress local sale of produce through the middlemen. Facilities to store the produce for a shorter period and taking a bulk of commodity to the market would be a viable option for them. Though the refrigerated storage of vegetables can keep them fresh over a longer period, the high initial investment and energy requirement appears to be the hurdles for small and marginal farmers. The zero energy cool chamber could be the best alternative to such farmers having smaller holdings especially for short term on farm storage of perishables without any recurring expenditure on energy source, as it works on the principle of evaporative cooling. The present study on the storability of vegetables under ZECC had proved its usefulness in extending the storability of tropical vegetables, with reduction in temperature up to 9o C and increase in relative humidity by 18 per cent could be achieved inside the chamber compared to ambience. The ZECC proved useful in storage of vegetables with minimum PLW and decay and the freshness was retained for 3 days in lab lab, 4 days in bhendi, five days brinjal, bitter gourd and radish. 
&nbsp;

Studies on storability of vegetables in zero energy cool chamber

Measurement of productivity growth is very essential to take appropriate policy decisions for the development of the agriculture sector. Present study measures total factor Productivity growth of pigeon pea crop in sub-sector of Maharashtra State. The Tornqvist Theil chained Divisia index approach was applied for the measurement of total factor productivity using output and input data of pigeon pea crop. Farm-level data on yield, level of &nbsp;inputs use and their prices for the period 1989-90 to 2008-09 were taken from the state funded cost of cultivation scheme. The multi-variable model was utilized to know the determinants of total factor productivity growth taking total factor productivity as dependent variable. Beside double sown area, other explanatory variables included total amount of loan, net cropped area, area under irrigation, area under high yielding variety, annual rainfall, villages electrified, number of tractors, number of pump sets, road density. The results indicated that total factor productivity growth was positive in pigeon pea crop in sub sector of Maharashtra State. Area under irrigation, area under high yielding varieties, rainfall, and road density has positive and significant impact on total factor productivity of pigeon pea crop in sub- sector.

Total factor productivity growth of pigeon pea crop in Maharashtra&nbsp;

<div style="text-align: justify;">An attempt was made to predict the relative storability of seeds of soybean varieties (JS-335 and DSB-21) through accelerated ageing technique in comparison with that of natural ageing where both the varieties had similar initial germination (93 %). The seeds were subjected to accelerated ageing conditions at 41 oC temperature and 95 &plusmn; 5 per cent relative humidity up to 180 hours. While, for natural ageing, the seeds were packed in cloth bag with the initial moisture of 9.5 per cent and stored under ambient conditions. The experimental results revealed that with the subsequent increase in accelerated ageing duration from 24 hours onwards up to 180 hours, the seed quality parameters viz., seed germination percentage, mean germination time, seedling vigour index and dehydrogenase enzyme activity decreased significantly. While the electrical conductivity increased significantly. When the accelerated ageing results were compared with that of natural ageing, &nbsp;accelerated ageing for 132 hours (67 % germination) was nearly equal to nine months of natural ageing (69 % germination) in case of JS-335 whereas in DSB-21, 144 hours of accelerated ageing (70 % germination) was equal to nine months of natural ageing (70 % germination). Hence, the accelerated ageing test can be used to predict the relative storability of soybean seeds. Hence, the seed producers can take decision regarding which seed lot can be stored for longer time and which one should be immediately sold to the market without any compromise in seed quality. It also helps in taking other management decisions.</div>

Prediction of storability in soybean seeds through accelerated ageing technique [Glycine max (L.) Merill]

<div>The objectives of this study were to measure culling frequency and analysis of reasons for boar culling in commercial boar studs. Data were obtained from nine commercial boar studs included 2342 culled boars in Southern China during July 2013 to June 2016. Descriptive statistics of reasons for boar culling revealed that the frequency of unplanned cull boar accounted for a large proportion (88.04%), reproductive disorders (40.61%) and lameness (27.2%) were the most frequently cited reasons. Sperm-related problems accounted for the largest proportion (668, 70.24%) due to reproductive disorders, followed by the abnormal genital system (169, 17.78%). The highest frequency of reproductive disorders was arisen in May (17.98%), and the relatively high culling frequency lasted for 16 weeks until August (10.00%), especially for the Yorkshire boar that owned highest culling risk (47.09%) with the culled number reached peak in May (60, 21.82%), followed by July (33, 12.00%). In addition&yuml;the highest frequency of boar culling due to lameness appeared in May (90, 14.13%), followed by January (68, 10.68%) and December (66, 10.36%) with cold and wet. It was speculated that extreme weather was more likely to cause lameness. Our research suggested farmers under subtropical climate should take effective measures to reduce heat and humidity stress at the earliest, preferably from late spring to August to improve reproductive efficiency on boar studs, and also take breed differences into their decision-making processes to ensure adequate boar power and customer satisfaction.</div>

<div>Analysis of the Factors Affecting Boar culling in commercial Boar Studs in Southern China</div>

Background: The study is on determinants of income of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) production contract systems in Cross River State, Nigeria. Cocoa is a food and industrial crop of significant importance that has a role to play in terms of poverty reduction. Contracts are an integral part of the production of cocoa taking the form of leases, contracts for deed and contract for sharing of production. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were employed in the selection of respondents for the study. Primary data were used and collected through field survey using structured questionnaire/interview responses from cocoa producers. Data were analyzed with the use of multinomial logit regression analysis. The income of the cocoa producers was set as the dependent variable and the rest of the variables were defined as the explanatory variable. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Result of analyses indicated that six of the nine parameters included in the model affected the amount of income realized by owner managed producers significantly. These parameters included; age, educational level, household size, farm asset, credit, experience, membership of group, farm size and distance. The fixed rent contracts producer has the lead equation as the exponential; the significant variables were age, household size, farm asset, credit, experience and membership of group. The results for the Sharecropping contracts showed that the lead equation was also exponential, the significant variables were experience, membership, farm size and distance. Based on the result of findings, the following recommendations were made:&nbsp; the link between the various contract arrangements should be strengthened to improve the performance of cocoa production, young school leavers, should be encouraged to take advantage of these types of management systems to boost production.

Determinants of Income of Cocoa Production Contract Systems in Cross River State, Nigeria

<div>Background: The importance of standardized organic fertilizers with relatively balanced levels of NPK elements, in order to increase the role of organic fertilizers as a source of nutrition for plants which at the same time can improve soil physical, chemical and&nbsp; biological properties and can increase the role of organic fertilizers as a medium for growth and development of biological agents so that they can increase its role as a biopesticide and biofertilizer, thereby simultaneously increasing crop productivity on marginal land. 
 
Methods: This research was conducted in the period June-November 2019 at South Konawe Regency Southeast Sulawesi Indonesia and in the Integrated Laboratory of Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kendari Halu Oleo University. Assessing and formulating organic fertilizers by taking into account the composition of the ingredients which include; C/N ratio of the total material, elemental content of NPK, C-Organic content, moisture content and pH, to produce standardized organic fertilizers, with relatively balanced levels of NPK elements. The field research was arranged in a randomized block design consisting of 3 treatments including B0 = Inorganic fertilizer (control); B1 = Organic fertilizer formula A + agens hayati Biofresh; B2 = Organic fertilizer formula B + agens hayati biofresh. Each treatment was repeated 3 times, which in total there were 9 experimental units. 
 
Result: The formulation of organic fertilizers by taking into account the composition of the ingredients can produce organic fertilizers of a standard quality, with relatively balanced levels of NPK elements, effectively increasing the ability of biofresh biological agents, so as to increase the disease suppression index by 30.12%, with an increase in productivity of 14.31% of non-standard organic fertilizer treatments. And with the efficiency of using biofresh biological agents of 70.6%.</div>

Standardized Organic Fertilizer Formulations and their Effectiveness in Enhancing the Role of Biological Agents to Increase Disease Resistance and Maize Productivity in Marginal Lands

<div>Background: Echinococcus granulosus is a cyclophyllid cestode parasite that lives as an adult in the intestine of canids and is the most common cause of hydatidosis in ruminants (intermediate hosts). It also offers a public health risk because of the possibility of human infection. The incorrect disposal of dead animals, access of farm dogs to the internal organs of sheep and grazing in areas with wayward dogs are the most common production methods that might increase the risk of sheep being exposed to hydatidosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the natural spread of E. granulosus infection in wayward dogs, as well as the sterility and fertility rates of hydatid cysts in herbivores of Al-Kharj (Saudi Arabia). 
 
Methods: Fecal samples from 150 dogs were collected from several locations in Al-Kharj (Saudi Arabia) where livestock rearing takes place and the existence of wayward and semi-feral canines from August 2021 to February 2022. Parasitic eggs were recovered from fecal samples using the flotation method, followed by centrifugation at 1200 &times; g. Examination of slaughtered animals was done by comprehensive visual examination, palpation and incision of the internal organs, including lungs, liver, muscles, kidneys and heart. All hydatid cysts detected in the organs were collected for cyst count, cyst fertility testing and protoscolices viability testing. Examination of cysts and viability of protoscolices. A 0.1% aqueous solution of eosin stain was used to examine the survival of protoscolices. According to Smyth and Barret (1980), deceased protoscolices became stained (purplish-red color) five minutes after exposure to staining, whereas living protoscolices remained colorless (recorded as alive) under the microscope. 
 
Result: 1698 sheep, 450 goats and 240 camels (slaughtered in Al-Kharj Abattoir) were examined as to their livers, lungs, muscles, kidneys and hearts were checked for hydatidosis. In a study of 150 dogs, 21 (14%) were shown to be naturally infected with E. granulosus eggs. Hydatid cysts were also identified in 156 (9.18%) sheep, 36 (7.5%) goats and 24 (10%) camels. In comparison to other tissues, the liver and lungs had the highest percentage of infestation, with values of 50.6% and 25.6% in sheep, 58.3% and 16.6% in goats and 66.6% and 16% in camels, respectively. The older age groups had higher infection rates than the younger ones. The highest percentage was seen in sheep over the age of 12 months (10.4%) and camels over the age of 6 years (12%). Hydatidosis is a serious economic and zoonotic problem. Therefore, we should take preventative measures in Al-Kharj city to avoid environmental pollution and infection of both humans and animals.</div>

Prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus (Cestoda: Taeniidae) Infection in Stray Dogs and Local Herbivores in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia

<div style="text-align: justify;">Sugarcane an important cash crop suffers from several fungal, bacterial, phytoplasmal and viral diseases. Of the fungal diseases, smut had been a major constraint to sugarcane production in most of the sugarcane growing tracts of the country. The disease is caused by fungus Sporisoriumscitamineum (Syn: Ustilago scitaminea).Primary transmission of the disease takes place trough infected setts. Earlier this disease was kept under control through heat therapy (Aerated steam therapy /moist hot air treatment) of seed canes by the sugar mills and sugarcane research centers. However, since last couple of years, sett treatment practice has been stopped and smut incidence increased by many folds. To know the current scenario of sugarcane diseases in the subtropical region, authors surveyed the reserved areas of 44 sugar mills in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Uttrakhand states during 2010-2019 crop seasons regularly. In Haryana, smut prevails as major disease in most of the sugar mills and its incidence is increasing rapidly. The disease incidence ranged from 1.0 to 40.0% in ratoons and traces to 9.0% in plant crops of varieties viz. Co 0238, Co 89003, CoH 116, CoH 119, CoH 150, CoH 152, CoH 156, CoH 160, CoJ 85, CoJ 88 and CoS 8436. In Shahabad area most of the fields of variety CoH 160 had severe smut incidence i.e. up to 40.0% in ratoon and 9.0% on plant crops. Similarly in the varieties Co 0238, Co 89003 and CoJ 88 cultivated under Punjab, traces to 11.0% incidence in ratoon and up to 5.0% in plant crops was found. Further, in western UP occurrence of smut was moderate to 6.5% in ratoon and traces to 1.5% in plant crops of cultivated varieties. The maximum disease incidence (T-2.5%) was noted in Harinagar (Bihar) on variety CoSe98231, whereas, under Laksar (Uttrakhand) it observed to a tune of 4.5% and 6.0% on varieties CoSe 03234 and CoSe 01434, respectively. In the light of observations recoded over the period, advisories were issued regularly to the sugar mills for its prevention and farmers of the state have adopted smut management practices i.e. roguing of smut whips followed by spray of Propiconazole 25EC @ 0.1%. Farmers and sugar mill officials of the state have been advised to adopt seed cane treatment practices with Sett Treatment Device, recently developed by ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore to combat this disease. The Haryana sugar Federation is also advised to promote sett treatment practice in the state. Since last four years all the Co-operative sugar mills have been running tractor driven sett treatment units for seed cane treatment at farmer fields to manage sett borne diseases. Since smut has emerged as a serious disease, sugar industry should take up the disease management in a systematic way to sustain sugarcane cultivation in the region and also to prevent buildup of disease epidemics.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Current status and management of sugarcanesmut disease in North India</div>

<div>Grafting is a widely used propagation technique in fruit trees. Anatomical proximity between scion and rootstock is the prerequisite for the successful graft-take and survival of the grafted plants. The success of grafting, subsequent growth of scion shoot and development of the successful grafts depend upon several factors like climatic conditions, the growth stage of scion and rootstock, methods of grafting, etc. The grafting response of fruit crops differs due to seasonal variability and environmental condition where grafting is carried out. A controlled environment with the congenial conditions for faster healing and callus formation results in better graft success, survival and growth of grafted plants.&nbsp;</div>