Agriculture Journal: Volume-9, Issue-2, February, 2023

Abstract-In North-east India including Assam, available Manganese [Mn2+] in soil is 3- 52 ppm with a critical limit 2-3 ppm. In plants, [Mn2+] is 15-20 ppm g-1 dry weight, in excess of which Mn becomes toxic to crop plants (Basumatary et al., 2014). There is a paucity of information on the effects of natural or synthetic plant growth regulating subnstances viz., Cytokinin, Coconut milk and Calcium chloride on amelioration of Mn toxicity of rice crop grown in acid soil condition of Assam. So, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate into the effects of root-dip treatments of rice crop with these substances on biochemical performance of four rice genotypes (Kanaklata, Bishnuprasad, Jyotiprasad and Numoli) cultivated in acid soil enriched with higher Mn (30ppm native Mn plus 20ppm added Mn). At 20 ppm Mn application, there were decreases in total chlorophyll content (14.52%), NR activity (17.77%), Carbohydrate content (3.83%). In contrast, soil treated with 20 ppm Mn as basal at vegetative stage along with the overnight (≈12h) root dip treatments (RDT) of rice varieties with Cytokinin (100ppm), Coconut milk (10 times dilution) and CaCl2 (100ppm), enhenced Cholorophyll a (3-525-19.771%), Chlorophyll b (1.917-19.55%), total chlorophyll contents (4.13-6.35%),) in leaf, NR activity (4.46-10.08%) and carbohydrate content in grain (2.24-10.92%). The variety, Kanaklata was found to be the best based on the biochemical parameters (total Chl:1.861 mg g-1 f.w, Chl ‘a’ (0.924 mg g-1 f.w), Chl ‘b’ (0.933 mg g-1 f.w), Carbohydrate: 9.202 mg g-1, and [Ca2+] in roots (59.35ppm).

Abstract-Land, the most indispensable natural resource has been facing challenges of soil degradation, water scarcity, reduced productivity, climate change, social deterioration etc. In these consequences, the rainfed areas might get the priority to develop because of its area coverage in India and great potentiality towards crop yields increment through improved resource management practices. Rainfed areas can best be managed through integrated watershed management approach involving human intervention in manipulating natural resources for overall societal development. Land resource inventory (LRI) is the first and primary step followed by planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in the watershed management programme. We surveyed and studied Dwarkeshwar microwatershed in Puruliya district of West Bengal for land resource inventory at 1:3960 scale considering soil, parent material, existing land use, physiography, climate and vegetation. Nine soil series and ten physiographic units were identified and mapped. Considering the above parameters with the existing socio-economic status and need, a management unit map regarding land use planning has been developed for further use as a primary tool for implementation purpose.

Abstract-Climate warming may appear fatal for many plant species. Thanks to evolutionary formed mechanisms of resistance xerophytes possess high ability of adaptation to elevated temperature and water deficiency. That is why the knowledge of biology of drought resistant species seems very important for possible recovering of deserted regions in future. Antioxidant system is regarded to play an essential role in plant resistance against water deficiency. On the base of analysis of antioxidant system, stress-adaptation strategies of xerophytes, growing at two arid habitats of Georgia – v. Udabno (Iori plateau) and Kotsakhura gorge (Kvernaqi hill), has been investigated. It was established that several mechanisms of antioxidant system are involved in stress-resistance of studied xerophytes. In some cases these mechanisms were similar in species of the same habitat and may be linked with environmental conditions; while in some cases the specific peculiarities of plants were revealed. In particular, ascorbate-tocopherol system was activated in most experimental species. Protective mechanism of phenolic substances accumulation was active in all species as well. Udabno plants were distinguished by the accumulation of osmoprotective soluble carbohydrates; while accumulation of another osmoprotectant - proline was common in both habitat plants.

Abstract-Agriculture plays an important role in the livelihood of the people of Nagaland, where about seventy per cent of the people are either engaged directly or indirectly to agricultural activities. Naga farmers practices old- traditional cultivation of shifting/jhum cultivation. Despite of having more than half of its population engaged in agriculture it still depends on other states of the country in many ways. Growth in agricultural sector is one of the effective means of reducing poverty in rural areas and which can be achieved through subsidies from the government. This paper highlights the impact and drawbacks of subsidies on agricultural sector in Nagaland. The study reviews the literature available in various policy documents, reports, journals and previous studies related to subsidies on agricultural sector. This study focuses in particular on the types, effects, roles, employment, economic contribution, farmer benefit, issues, and recommendations for Nagaland's agricultural development. We contend that the Government should implement some policies where the subsidies can be effectively provided to the farmers because we recognize the necessity of subsidies for the expansion of the agricultural sector in Nagaland.

Abstract-Papaya and Muskmelon fruit bar enriched with palm jaggery is a nutritious product which has been shown to be effective in providing health and nutritious benefits for human beings. In present study on the development of papaya- muskmelon fruit bar enriched with palm jaggery, Papaya- muskmelon fruit bar was prepared from blend of ripe papaya and muskmelon pulp in the ratio of (50:50), cane sugar (25%), Pectin (1%), Citric acid (0.5%), on weight basis and taken as standard or control. The main aim of the present study is to replace the cane sugar with the palm jaggery in order to increase the nutrient composition of papaya- muskmelon fruit bar. The palm jaggery incorporated in three different compositions (25%, 20%, 30%) and analyzed physico- chemical, colour, texture and sensory characteristics of the Papaya-muskmelon fruit bar. The results obtained that papaya and muskmelon fruit bar enriched with palm jaggery had moisture content of about 12-15%, TSS 65-75 Brix, Total ash content of 0.04-0.5%. Colour study revealed that standard is totally different from three samples which is dark chocolate colour. Sensory characteristics revealed all the samples of the Papaya-muskmelon fruit bar enriched with palm jaggery are acceptable. In that 30% palm jaggery enriched papaya-muskmelon fruit bar is highly acceptable in appearance, taste, aroma and overall acceptability. The samples are packed in LDPE pouches, stored at room temperature (27ºC).