Contents

Editorial

A field experiment on little millet was conducted during kharif season (June-October )of 2020‒21 at College of Forestry, V.C.S.G. Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, Ranichauri, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India to study the effect of fertility levels on different high yielding cultivars of little millet under rainfed conditions of hills of Uttarakhand. The experiment was consisted of sixteen treatment combinations. The experiment was executed in split plot design along with three replications. The different levels of fertility viz. control (without RDF), 50% RDF, 100% RDF and 150% RDF were laid out in main plots, while four cultivars of little millet viz. LMV 528, LMV 536, BL 9 and JK 8 were laid out in sub plot. It was observed that little millet crop can be grown successfully in the mid hills of Uttarakhand. The significantly higher grain and straw yield was recorded in 150% RDF than 100% and 50% RDF. Higher B:C ratio was also recorded in 150% RDF. Among the tested varieties LMV 528 recorded significantly higher grain and straw yield along with maximum harvest index. Though crop can be grown successfully in mid hills but it was not economical viable as B: C ratio is lower. Therefore, there is need to develop location specific package of practices to make crop more economical for farmers.

Rice production from upland areas has an important contribution in total rice production and it is mainly cultivated in rainfed condition in rainy season. The present study was conducted during kharif season of 2021 in Malkangiri district of South Eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha to evaluate the performance of different upland varieties (Mandakini, CR Dhan 202 and CR Dhan 200) in relation to existing variety (Sahabhagi dhan). Rice variety Sahabhagi dhan was considered as local check (farmer’s practice). Performance of CR Dhan 200 was better in terms of plant height (122.5 cm), number of tillers/m2 (299.8), panicle length (22.3 cm), number of grains/panicle (141.2), test weight (22.5 g) with highest yield (43.5 q/ha). In terms of yield, it was 7.1-13.0% more with CR Dhan 200 as compared to others varieties. Highest economic return with more B: C ratio (1.99) was also recorded with CR Dhan 200. So, rice variety Sahabhagi dhan can be replaced with CR Dhan 200 for more yield and higher economic return in rainfed upland ecosystem of South Eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha.

With the advent of green revolution technology, Rice-wheat cropping system emerged as prominent system in the Indo-Gangetic plains. Conventional agriculture based on mechanized tillage system is responsible for increased crop production but same time deteriorating natural resource base. To address the sustainability issue, conservation agriculture was evolved. Various resource conservation technologies (RCTs) were adopted by the farming community in Indo-Gangetic plains, one of which was surface seeding technology (SST). In Eastern Uttar Pradesh this technology has been economically as well as environmentally beneficial to the farmers in wheat crop. SST-adopters earned net income of ` 30268.18 per hectare in comparison to non-adopters (` 17736.31 per hectare) in the study area. Adoption of SST benefits the environment also as it reduces the carbon emission by 22.46 kg/ha. The major constraint faced by the SST-adopters was inability to use mechanical harvesting for paddy crop which increases the cost of cultivation. The major issue that obstructs the non-adopters from adopting the technology was unsuitability of the soil type. Thus, SST proves to be an economic boon that maintains the sustainability.

The aim of this study was to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of active fraction isolated from methanol extract of Polyalthia longifolia against 70 clinically isolated Staphylococcus strains. Two different fractions (Fraction 1 and fraction 2) were isolated from methanol extract of P. longifolia and studied for anti-staphylococcal activity by agar well diffusion method. Fraction 2 showed considerable anti-staphylococcal activity; hence it was selected for MIC and MBC studies by 96 well microtitre plates. Rifampicin was used as positive control. Fraction 2 was highly active against most of the strains studied which was comparable with standard drug rifampicin. Our results confer the utility of this plant fraction in developing a novel broad spectrum anti-Staphylococcus agent.

Present experimental research was conducted during the year 2020-21 in the Horticulture Research Block, Department of Horticulture, School of Agriculture Sciences, SGRR University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India to study the effect of mulching on growth, yield and economics of strawberry. The runners of strawberry cv. Chandler were planted in the first week of November. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three treatments and three replications. The treatments were comprised with different mulching materials viz. control as without mulching (T1), straw mulching (T2) and polythene mulching (T3). The various parameters of growth, yield and economics were recorded at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 DAT and at final harvest. Significant results were obtained for different attributes of growth, yield as well as in terms of economics under black polythene mulching (T3). The black polythene mulching results in maximum number of leaves per plant (26.95), number of flower per plant (24.08), leaf area (955.99 cm2), number of runners per plant (16.00), number of fruits per plant (15.5), fruit weight (15.10 g), total yield per plot (2.82 kg/plot), total yield per hectare (20.34 q/ha) and B:C ratio (1:2.73). From this we can say that black polythene mulching is more suitable for growth and yield attributes of strawberry cultivation.

The unique initiative undertaken by EB project nature led to revival of Bolen spring in to perennial flow in 2017 which had completely dried up. Soi Village where the project was started gets sufficient potable water throughout the year, community water tank is sufficiently stored, revival of agriculture in abandoned paddy fields. A key outcome has been 27 Ha of spring shed is restored to medium dense forest. Above 100 Ha of forest has been protected from any kind of deforestation activities and 3 sacred grooves at various locations by the project. About 5000 number of native or wild fruit bearing plants and medicinal plants has been conserved at spring shed forest. Above 70 species of native orchids are conserved which includes very rare and threatened species. The EB project nature is one of the central attractions during Basar Confluence Festival of Tourism Department under State Govt. since 2019. People of Soi and Gori village are making handsome income from tourism, homestays, forest trek guides etc. Due to banning of hunting inside the project area various wild animals like barking deer, Asiatic wild dog, Asiatic black bear, wild boar, porcupine and birds such as crested serpent eagle, chestnut breasted partridge etc. have been spotted due to revival of forest and Spring shed.

The present paper deals with the analysis of growth and instability in production, area and yield of sugarcane for some selected states of India by estimating compound growth rate (CGR) and Cuddy-Della Valle (CDV) instability index on the basis of time series data on production, area and yield of sugarcane pertaining to the period 2010-2019 for the concerned states. The statistical measures viz. percentage change and percentage share have also been incorporated in the study. The percentage change is used for exploring the trend pattern of sugarcane during the concerned period by considering the base year as 2010. Moreover, the values of statistical coefficients viz. coefficient of variation (CV) and coefficient of determination ( R2) have been obtained for the production, area and yield of sugarcane in the concerned states. The values of R2 have been computed by fitting linear models to the respective time series data on production, area and yield of sugarcane in the concerned states.

Agricultural residue constitutes an important part of the larger discussion about the environmental costs of development, covering a range of concerns from green energy harvesting to residual waste management. Research into the potential uses of agricultural waste is aimed at solving two problems at once, viz., waste disposal and the need to create useful products from waste materials. As agricultural turnover increases with each passing year, so does the volume of agricultural residue generation. The use of biomass in recyclable format is the latest adapted method among all. Nutrient recyclability, biogas plants, multiple bioenergy forms are some of the needs of the hour in the sector of biomass energy. The government of India is taking initiatives to promote the use of biomass both in the fields of energy as well as for composite material production. From issuing low-interest loans to providing back-end subsidies, everything is being done at the moment to promote and empower clean-energy startups that aim to contribute to the process of utilizing residual agrowaste for real, tangible profit, both in environmental and monetary terms. The objective of our research has been to accelerate that process through the exploration of new and innovative solutions.

Mangrove species grow on saline soils of the tropical and subtropical coasts, which are permanently or periodically flooded. The mangroves are halophytes having certain traits which help them to survive in differing levels of salinity, drought, inundation and extreme temperatures. They can remarkably normalize ion homeostasis in brackish conditions by salt secretion, ultra filtration and ion appropriation. These plants have different developmental, physiological and anatomical adaptations as compared to a normal tree, which allow their survival in high stress habitat. This review is focused on those features of the mangroves that help them to adjust and grow extensively in the saline rich coastal regions, which make mangrove species physiologically different from other trees.

For orchardists, traders, and scientists alike, the falling productivity of large, thick orchards that are abundant in recent years has become a serious worry. Due to an unsuitable location and climate, intercropping, insufficient nutrient levels, improper planting techniques, the use of unattractive planting materials, the occurrence of pests and diseases, and other biotic and abiotic challenges, orchards age prematurely. The use of rejuvenation technology, which includes top-working, reiterative pruning, and canopy rebuilding to increase production, may be a viable strategy for restoring the health and vigour of the trees and ensuring the profitability of orchards. There are two rejuvenation tenets: (1) Trees have dormant buds that, when they grow back, activate to form new branches and fruiting zones. (2) Branch heading back creates an unbalanced root to shoot ratio which is balanced by the tree by producing more branches. It was discovered that the fundamental reason of the guava’s fall in terms of production and productivity was an overcrowded, ageing orchard planted in an ad hoc fashion that supports lower photosynthetic phenomenon and provides a suitable environment to house pests and illnesses. One of the causes of the low productivity in the mango industry is the vast number of ancient mango orchards that are 30-60 years old and older and have either stopped producing or have experienced a significant reduction in production. Sapota orchards grow senile and produce quality and quantity start to diminish over time as a result of irregular canopy management procedures. Timely broad spectrum fungicide spraying should accompany pruning activities.