<div>Background: Dendrobiums are most popular high value cut flowers which require special attention during cultivation. In Assam, Dendrobium orchids are normally grown under iron frame shade net houses which are quite vulnerable to cold injury during extreme winter period and heavy rain during monsoon period. Further, the existing structures are very costly which is not affordable by small and marginal farmers of Assam. Keeping in view the current study was aimed to evaluate a suitable low cost protected structure for commercial cultivation of Dendrobium cv. Sonia under Assam condition.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: An experiment was conducted in the Horticulture Experimental Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, during 2018-2019 which was laid out in factorial completely randomized design with 10 treatment combinations replicated five times. The first factors comprised 5 numbers of low cost protected structures viz., G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5. The second factors comprised T1-1 tier and T2-2 tiers. 
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Result: The results revealed that among the protected structures, healthy growth and better quality flowers were obtained under G1 (Bamboo frame structure covered with fixed 200 micron UV film with top ventilated and 50% agro shade net as ceiling) protected structure followed by G4. Between the tiers, T2 was found to be superior in respect of the growth characters as well as most of the flower characters. So, this treatment combination is merits consideration for commercial growers of Assam to bring about timely and quality flower production of Dendrobium cv. Sonia.</div>

Evaluation of Low Cost Protected Structure for Commercial Cultivation of Dendrobium Cv. Sonia under Assam Condition

Background: Intercropping cotton with pulses and millets, forming a multi-tier system, has the potential to shift the cost-intensive cotton production system towards a more profitable and sustainable approach. The study aimed to explore suitable intercrop combinations for multitier cultivation in cotton under rainfed conditions. 
 
Methods: The experiment involved seven multi.tier Bt cotton intercropping systems and two sole Bt cotton treatments with different spacing tried in a randomized block design with three replications during the kharif seasons of 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23. 
 
Result: The study showed significant effects of various multi-tier cropping systems on cotton&rsquo;s growth attributes, yield traits and yield. Seed cotton equivalent yield varied between 864 to 1401 kg/ha in different intercropping systems. In comparison, sole Bt cotton yielded 1103 kg/ha and the farmer&rsquo;s practice resulted in 827 kg/ha.

Assessing the Influence of Crop Diversification of Intercrops with Cotton on Growth and Yield Characteristics of Cotton

India&rsquo;s rich biodiversity holds a great significance in country&rsquo;s agricultural, economical and social growth. However, biodiversity is severely threatened by various factors such as population growth, urbanization, deforestation and climate change. In India, the Biological Diversity Act of 2002 has been framed for addressing these threats through a structured framework for conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. The Act establishes a three-tier structure composed of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs). The NBA and SBB oversee and regulate biodiversity management, while also empowering local BMCs to actively participate in bio-resources conservation efforts at the grass root level. It is crucial to sustain India&rsquo;s rich biodiversity for future generations through effective implementation of the Biological Diversity Act and related policies. Sustainable and equitable use of biological resources is the only way to protect the rights of indigenous communities and it requires a balance between the IPR and the CBD principles which is aptly attained through BD Act, 2002.

Evaluation of Low Cost Protected Structure for Commercial Cultivation of Dendrobium Cv. Sonia under Assam Condition

Assessing the Influence of Crop Diversification of Intercrops with Cotton on Growth and Yield Characteristics of Cotton

Protecting India’s Biodiversity: The Role of the Biological Diversity Act 2002: A Review