<div>The official system of release of crop varieties in India has been in operation for more than six decades since October 1964. The Central Government decided to legalize this system and regulate the quality of seeds of varieties and enacted the Seeds Act on December 29, 1966. The Act came in to force in whole of India and State of Sikkim with effect from September 2, 1968 and May 8, 1987, respectively and October 1, 1969 only for certain provisions of some sections. The first Central Seed Committee and Seed Rules were formed in 1968. The Seeds Act, 1966 was amended in 1972 resulting in to the creation of first Central Seed Certification Board in 1984. The first set of 56 varieties was notified with effect from October 1, 1969 as per section 5 of the Seeds Act, 1966; for specific state/s and for 15 years, but, the bar of 15 years for notification of varieties was removed in 2006 since the notification of May 15, 1990. A total of 7326 high yielding varieties/hybrids having tolerance of biotic and abiotic stresses and enhanced nutritional quality of 96 field crops have been released and notified till 2024. Among them, 242 varieties were de-notified until cut-off notification of May 15, 1990. Another land mark policy decision during the last six decades was enforcement of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers&rsquo; Rights Act, 2001 and Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers&rsquo; Rights Rules, 2003 for protecting the rights of var ious stakeholders such as plant breeders, researchers and farmers initiating an era of Intellectual Property Rights in Agriculture and registration of 9210 varieties. The Central Government initiated regulating the price of Bt cotton since 2016-17. The future-regulating system of variety release and notification and seed quality through any legislation should address various issues like the plant variety protection regime including benefit sharing, development of varieties by utilizing new emerging technologies such as gene-editing, biotech crops and harmonizing Indian and international seed production/certification standards to cater the need of Indian farmers and also promote seed export.</div>

Transformation of Variety Release and Notification System in India- Six Decades of the Seeds Act, 1966: A Review

<div>Background:&nbsp;Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers causes&rsquo; harmful impact on soil, environment and human being, hence demand of organic food products has shot up recently. Organic farming aims to optimization of crop productivity rather than its maximization through renewal and strengthening of ecological processes and functions of whole ecosystem. Limited varieties information is available on long term performance of pulse crop varieties under organic cultivation system so far. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to investigate the growth and yield performance of green gram varieties under organic production system. 
 
Methods: Eight varieties of green gram were studied under organic production system. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The recommended dose of nutrients for green gram is 15:40:00 kg ha-1 and manures were applied on nitrogen equivalent basis through organic sources. The observations on growth and yield parameters of green gram were recorded at the time of harvesting. Soil and plant samples were collected at time of harvest and analyzed for available nutrients in soil and nutrient content in seed samples. 
 
Result: The maximum plant height at harvest (62.47cm), number of primary branches per plant (5.18), number of pods per plant (27.27), number of seeds per pod (11.27) with highest seed yield (809.80 kg ha-1) exhibited by variety MUM-2 followed by RMG-975 (802.47 kg ha-1) and lowest seed yield (617.80 kg ha-1) was found in the variety MSG-118. MUM-2 variety recorded highest plant nutrient status as compared to other varieties. Among eight varieties of green gram MUM-2 and RMG-975 found better for organic farming in terms of growth, seed yield and quality aspects.</div>

Performance of Green Gram Varieties under Organic Production System

Background: Legume is an essential alternative approach in the organic agricultural system to produce ecologically safe nitrogen (N),&nbsp;while restoring soil health in an appropriate mode to supply nutrients for subsequent crops. The experimental study was conducted in the summer (March) 2024 at Tamil Nadu rice research institute, Aduthurai, Tamil Nadu to study the residual effect of Sunnhemp varieties either alone or incorporation along with rice stubbles and their impact on nutrient availability of soil, soil organic carbon and yield attributes of succeeding rice in sunnhemp-rice cropping system. 
 
Methods: The field trial was set up in a split-plot design with fivefold replication during the summer of 2024, with the main plot consisting of two Sunnhemp varieties (V1&nbsp;- ADT 1, V2&nbsp;- CO 1) and the subplot comprising of Rice residues (W1&nbsp;- Without residues, W2&nbsp;- With residues). The treated Sunnhemp varieties were ADT 1 and CO 1; the succeeding rice variety was ADT 57. 
 
Result: The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the two varieties in terms of nutrient release pattern. The residual effect of Sunnhemp variety (ADT 1) with residues (V1W2) contributed sustained release of nitrogen (143.4 kg/ha), phosphorus (22.9 kg/ha) and potassium (56.4 kg/ha). The increase in soil organic carbon from the initial level was also 0.036% throughout the crop growth, which has greatly influenced the growth and yield attributes and eventually resulted in the highest grain and straw yield of the succeeding rice crop.

Residual Management of Sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea) Varieties in Releasing Soil Nutrients and Their Impact on Succeeding Rice Crop

<div style="text-align: justify;">Agriculture must become nutrition-smart. Food security without nutrition security is not enough. Our basic food systems have to be optimized to provide the greatest amount of nutrients per square meter per unit time, especially in the face of climate change. &nbsp;Majority of the Indian people are vegetarian and they depend primarily upon grain legumes for dietary protein. Unfortunately the production of grain legumes in India has remained stagnant since 1950 causing declining per capita availability and widespread malnutrition. This is because most of the good lands have gone to the green revolution led &lsquo;wheat-rice&rsquo; and &lsquo;rice-rice&rsquo; cropping systems and food legumes have been pushed to marginal lands. Also, the traditional food legume varieties are late in maturity with low yield potential. This has led to inadequate protein and minerals in the diets of rural and urban masses on one hand and imbalanced soil fertility due to cereal-cereal rotation on the other hand. Therefore, increased cultivation of pulses is urgently needed. How can this be achieved with the limited land is one of the major challenges of agricultural research. The only answer is to breed and cultivate short duration food legumes in the existing niches between cereal-cereal systems. Wheat is harvested in March&ndash;April and rice is transplanted in July leaving about 80-90 days gap in which a short duration food legume can be grown. A number of photo-insensitive and heat tolerant &lsquo;60-day cowpea&rsquo; varieties have been recently developed by Pantnagar University which were tested under farmer participatory on-farm trials and All India Multi-location Coordinated Trials with the support from Harvest Plus Project of CGIAR. These varieties can be grown as a niche crop in the wheat-rice cropping system of northern India which has a potential area of over 10 million ha. and also fit well in rice fellows in southern India.&nbsp;</div>

Short durartion cowpea varieties for cultivation as a niche crop in various cropping systems for enhanced pulse production

<div>Background: Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers causes harmful impact on soil, environment and human being, hence demand of organic food products has shot up recently. Organic cultivation aims to optimization of crop productivity rather than its maximization through restoration and back up of ecological processes and functions of whole ecosystem. Limited varieties are available on long term performance of pulse crop varieties under organic farming system so far. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to investigate the growth and yield performance of cluster bean varieties under organic production system. 
 
Methods: In this field-laboratory investigation during 2016-2020, eight varieties of cluster bean were studied under organic production system. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The recommended quantity of nutrients for cluster bean is 15:40:00 kg NPK ha&ndash;1 and manures were applied on nitrogen equivalent basis through organic sources. The observations on growth and yield parameters of cluster bean were recorded at the time of harvesting. Soil and plant samples were collected at time of harvesting and analyzed for available nutrients in soil and nutrient content in seed samples. 
 
Result: Our investigation exhibited significant improvements in plant growth parameters, yield and yield attributes. The maximum plant height at harvest (123.53 cm), number of primary branches per plant (9.46), number of pods per plant (66.08), number of seeds per pod (8.66) with highest seed yield (1490.42 kg ha-1) were exhibited by variety RGC-1038 followed by RGC-1055 (1365.11 kg ha-1). Significant improvement in yield and yield attributes on the pooled basis were recorded in variety RGC-1038 followed by RGC-1055 and lowest seed yield (761.14 kg ha-1) was found in the variety RGC-986. RGC-1038 variety recorded highest plant nutrient status as compared to other varieties. The maximum net returns (Rs.48403/-) and B:C ratio (3.09) were recorded with the variety RGC-1038. Among eight varieties of cluster bean RGC-1038 and RGC-1055 found promising for organic farming in terms of growth, seed yield, quality and net return aspects.</div>

Growth, Yield and Quality of Cluster Bean Varieties as Influenced by Organic Production System

<div style="text-align: justify;">The wide gap between the present level of productivity and potential productivity (2 ton ha-1) of cashew nut in the country as well as in the state of Odisha is due to use of traditional varieties of low yield potential and &nbsp;non adoption of scientific orchard management practices. To address the issue of low productivity of cashew in the state, a multi locational trial was laid out during the year 2008 using clonal planting materials of twenty five released cashew varieties collected from different co-operating centres of AICRP on Cashew, India. &nbsp;The collected grafted plants were planted at a spacing of 7.5 m x 7.5 m following Randomized Block Design (RBD) having six plants per treatment and replicated twice. Recommended package of practices were adopted uniformly to raise a good crop. Data recorded on various vegetative growth parameters, yield attributing traits and nut yield of different cashew varieties revealed that Vengurla-7 recorded maximum for the vegetative parameters like tree height (5.45m), trunk girth (84.05cm) and canopy spread in North-South direction (8.75m) while canopy spread in East-West direction was recorded maximum in variety, BPP-8(8.75m). Maximum number of flowering laterals m-2 was recorded &nbsp;in variety, Chintamani-1(28.87) while BPP-8 recorded maximum nuts m-2(46.0). Number of nuts panicle-1 recorded maximum in variety, Bhubaneswar-1 (9.0). Nut weight(9.6 g) &nbsp;as well as kernel weight(3.02g) was recorded maximum in variety, Vengurla-7. Variety, Kanaka recorded highest shelling(32.76%) among the tested varieties. Nut yield was significantly maximum in variety, BPP-8 (16.75 kg plant-1) while that of lowest in variety Jharagram-1(1.60kg plant-1) at 7th harvest. TSS was recorded maximum in variety Bhubaneswar-1 while acidity was maximum in variety, Vengurla-4(0.22%). &nbsp;Yield is the ultimate target for any evaluation programme. &nbsp; From the study, it is be concluded that among the twenty five tested released varieties, BPP-8 was the &nbsp;best performing cashew variety under hot and humid climatic zone of Odisha.</div>

Performance of released cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) varieties under hot and humid climatic zone of Odisha &nbsp;

<div>Background: The study was carried out to understand the anatomical details of the female reproductive system of the indigenous chicken of Assam and Kamrupa variety during the different stages of laying period namely, the pre-laying, laying and post-laying period. 
 
Methods: The study was designed on 36 numbers of apparently healthy female chicken in each group as Experimental Group A (indigenous chicken of Assam) and Experimental Group B {Kamrupa variety, AICRP (PB)} which were further divided into 3 sub-groups viz., pre-laying, laying and post-laying birds. Comparative gross anatomical parameters were undertaken.The birds were sacrificed as per the technique advocated by Gracey (1986) according the research age group. The abdominal cavity of each experimental bird was opened and anatomic location and relative in situ topographic position of the female reproductive organs and biometrical parameters were recorded. 
 
Result: Average weight of entire reproductive system of Kamrupa variety (58.24&plusmn;8.47 gm) was significantly higher than indigenous chicken of Assam (27.28&plusmn;4.25 gm, p&lt;.001). Average weight of the ovary of Kamrupa (laying: 54.91&plusmn;4.92 gm, post laying: 6.53&plusmn;0.33 gm) was significantly higher than that indigenous one (laying: 29.2&plusmn;0.76 gm; post-laying: 2.26&plusmn;0.24 gm, p&lt;0.05).Relative mean length of the oviduct of Kamrupa variety (laying: 753.73&plusmn;4.25 mm; post-laying: 576.49&plusmn;5.27 mm) was significantly greater than indigenous chicken of Assam (laying: 358.91&plusmn;3.63 mm; post-laying: 278.84&plusmn;15.48 mm, p&lt;0.05) respectively.&nbsp;</div>

Comparative Macro Anatomical Studies on the Female Reproductive System of Kamrupa Variety and Indigenous Chicken (Gallus domesticus) of Assam during Different Stages of Laying

Background: This study evaluates the benefit of zero tillage over conventional tillage for cultivating field pea (Pisum sativum L.) varieties in rice fallow system (RFS) during winter season of 2023 at Hengbung, Manipur. The study is conducted to compare the productivity of the two varieties V1-Aman (IPF 5-19), V2-Prakash (IPFD 1-10) with tillage practices, W1-zero tillage and W2-conventional tillage. Soil analysis after harvest is recorded for studying the residual effect. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The experimental design adopted is split plot design where the field pea variety, V1&nbsp;and V2&nbsp;is assigned in subplots and the tillage practices, W1&nbsp;and W2&nbsp;is assigned in the mainplots. The study involves four treatments (T) which are T1@V1W1, T2@V1W2, T3@ V2W1&nbsp;and T4@ V2W2 in 1hectare experimental farm at FGI, Hengbung in RFS replicated five times. The data for agronomic parameters were recorded and Soil chemical analysis for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were recorded to study the residual effect. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The recorded agronomic parameters and their residual effect on soil nutrient indicates that zero tillage demonstrated better performance over conventional tillage with both the varieties. There is significant difference between the two varieties and also the nutrient released in soil after harvest where V1&nbsp;shows better performance in yield and nutrient release over V2&nbsp;and within the same varieties the treatment T1 and T3 shows better performance. The overall findings suggest that zero tillage significantly enhances the crop output of field pea cultivation in RFS.

Residual impact of Zero Tillage and Conventional Tillage on the Productivity of Field Pea Variety Aman (IPF 5-19) and Prakash (IPFD 1-10) under Rice Fallow System

<div>The present experimentation was undertaken during pre-kharif season of 2013 and 2014 to study the varietal performance of cowpea in rice-wheat cropping system at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibai, Cooch Behar, West Bengal after harvesting of wheat under zero tillage conditions and before rice sowing. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications by using eighteen varieties of cowpea. The result of pooled data revealed that all the growth, yield parameters and quality parameters varied significantly with respect to different varieties of cowpea. The longest and lowest vine length was noticed in Lafa Sundari Bangla (112.10 cm) and VU-5 (32.64 cm), minimum and maximum days for flowering, first harvesting and last harvesting was recorded in Kaberee and Pusa Phalguni Gold. Variety Girija and Deshi Lafa produced longest pod (45.40 cm), highest individual pod weight (14.29g). &nbsp;For number of pods per plant Triguna (31.07) was found highest which was statistically at par with Kanak (30.70), Kashi Kanchan (29.33). Maximum yield of 18.51 t/ha was obtained from Kashi Kanchan followed by Triguna (17.07 tonnes/ ha) and Kanak (16.69 tonnes/ha). Lafa Sundari Bangala recorded with highest beta carotene content (1037 IU/100g fresh pod), ascorbic acid content (20.17 mg/100g fresh pod) as well as highest protein content of 4.69 per cent. Hence, it is concluded that the cowpea variety Kashi Kanchan, Triguna and Kanak may be recommended for commercial cultivation in rice-wheat cropping system under terai zone of West Bengal as they produced higher yield (34.52 %, 24.06 % and 21.29 %, respectively) over the check variety Lafa Sundari Bangla.</div>

<div>Performance of cowpea varieties under zero tillage conditions in rice-wheat cropping system</div>

<div>Background: Organic farming seems to be one of the best options to offer healthier food and environment in the present situation. However, non availability of promising varieties is a major constraint which inevitably makes us to shift towards traditional varieties. Rice being the major crop grown and consumed in Tamil Nadu, an attempt was made to study the yield potential of different traditional varieties of rice under organic cultivation. 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2020-2021 at wetland farms of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The experiment was laid out in RBD with twelve varieties replicated thrice under SRI method. The treatments consisted of twelve traditional varieties viz., Athur Kichili samba, Garudan samba, Illuppaipoo samba, Milagu samba, Poonkar, Sorna masuri, Thooya malli samba, Thanga samba, Kuzhiadichan, Kullakar, Anaikomban and Thulasi vasa samba. 
 
Result: The investigation revealed that significantly higher plant height, number of productive tillers, panicle weight, panicle length, fertility percentage were observed in Kuzhiadichan and Anaikomban which eventually led to higher grain and straw yield. The aforementioned varieties have also fetched higher net returns of Rs. 96,476 ha-1 and Rs. 73,893 ha-1, respectively indicating their suitability under organic production system.</div>