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ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR VALUE ADDED MILLET PRODUCTS IN URBAN AREAS OF PRAKASAM DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, 2024-02-08) PENUGONDA RAMAKRISHNA; P.V. SATHYA GOPALMillets are small-grained cereal food crops with drought, and extreme weather resilience and require minimal chemical inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides to flourish. Millets are also known as "Nutri-cereals" because they contain most nutrients necessary for regular human body function. Millets can bring a dietary advantage to their consumers and help them to tackle many lifestyle diseases. Millets are becoming more essential because of the systemic link between human health and nutritional consumption. The rise in demand for value added millet foods is mainly due to a change in their lifestyle and the resulting diseases like diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and cancer etc., Commercialization with value addition of the products is the only way to increase the consumption of millets. The objective of the present study was to collect the data on market opportunities for value added millet products in urban areas of Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. The study is based on primary data collected from sample of 80 consumers from four urban centres (20 consumers from each urban centre). The data on consumption of millets, consumer preference towards value added millet products was collected with the help of a structured interview schedule developed based on the study objectives. The collected data was processed using Percentages, Frequencies, Mean, Standard Deviation and Garret ranking. Presented in the form of tables to draw valid conclusions. Several factors affect the consumption of millets which resulted in shifting of consumers from fine cereals to millets. Socio-economic factor is one of the major variables which changes the food purchasing behaviour which is unique for each consumer. xiv The education, income and health level of the family are the major factors that were found to influence the consumption of millets. The present study found a positive association between education levels and millet consumption. The millet consumers were more in the higher education level category. Most of the consumers expressed that they could observe an improvement in their health status due to the consumption of millets. Thus, millet consumption was found to be positively associated with health status. Income status too influenced millet consumption. The consumption statistics for value added millet products revealed that they were consumed regularly, either alternate day or weekly once and that they provided personal benefits to the consumers. While majority of consumers preferred to consume instant mixes, RTE foods, and RTC foods to save preparation time, avoids spoilage and wastage. Most of consumers are spending an average high amount on traditional recipes for consuming. The study revealed that nutritional value, price, good flavour and taste, storage and preservability are the major attributes preferred by the consumer. The estimated market potential of value added millet products in Prakasam district, for Traditional recipes was rupees 72.15 crores followed by Pasta products is rupees 21.46 crores, Bakery products is 16.86 crores, Flaked and popped products is rupees 8.29 crores and for Instant food mixes is rupees 4.02 crores (per year)ThesisItem Open Access ADOPTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGNS FROM SCULPTURES OF AMARAVATHI (ANDHRA PRADESH) ON TEXTILES(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) SUVARNA, B; ANITHA, DAmaravathi sculpture, flourished in the Andhra region of south-eastern India from about the 2nd century BC to the end of the 3rd century AD, during the rule of the Sātavāhana dynasty. Amaravati was a seat of Buddhism prior to the rise of Satavahanas, and a stupa and monastery was built there during the reign of Emperor Ashoka (269-232 BC) under Mauryan empire. The great stupa or Mahachaitya at Amaravati was one of the biggest in Andhra Pradesh done in Amaravati School of art and sculpture during the Satavahna period in 3rd century BCE. The sculptural wealth seen adorned the Mahacahitya is known for its superb reliefs, which are among the world’s finest examples of narrative sculpture. Most of the Amaravati sculptures are made of limestone. Today, there are only a few slabs of the stone left in Amaravati. These structures are now replicated with cement. It is from these replicated sculptural pieces and information from net, different pictures of Buddhist sculpture were collected. Out of many pictures collected, a total of 40 sculptural designs consisting of animal, birds, floral, creepers were identified. From the selected 40 motifs, twenty were selected for sarees and another 20 for dress materials. All 40 developed motifs were number 1-20 for sarees and 1-20 for dress materials and were placed for the selection of five best each for dress material and sarees. A panel of 30 judges critically evaluated the motifs using a questionnaire developed to identify the best five. Judges evaluation was analysed by using frequency and percentages and final 10 motifs were selected. Selected motifs were modified using CorelDRAW X5 suitable for dress material and sarees either using a part of the motif or whole of the motif. xv NAME : B. SUVARNA ID. NO. : GHM/2016/01 TITLE OF THE THESIS : ADOPTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGNS FROM SCULPTURES OF AMARAVATHI (Andhra Pradesh) ON TEXTILES DEGREE TO WHICH IT IS SUBMITTED : MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HOME SCIENCE MAJOR FIELD : TEXTILES AND APPAREL DESIGNING FACULTY : HOME SCIENCE MAJOR ADVISOR : DR. (MRS.) D. ANITHA UNIVERSITY : ACHARYA N. G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY YEAR OF SUBMISSION : 2018 As kurti is a favourite of the adolescents, motifs were modified to suit the kurti material. Modified motifs were retained for dress material along with additional design for neck region or sleeve border to enhance the overall look of the kurti. In case of sarees, the modified motifs were further developed into designs as per the present trend with borders, pallu and butis in the saree. Each motif/design was rendered in three colour ways for both kurti material and saree. Motif/design was shown in three different placements on both sarees and dress materials. For developing colour ways, colours that are used in Kalamkari painting of Srikalahasti were used with the help of CorelDRAW software. All the developed designs were evaluated by a panel of thirty judges for selection of one top preferred colourway and placement for each motif/design for both sarees and for dress materials. Fabric of 100 per cent plain weave cotton in 90s X 65s count for sarees and 60s X 40s count for dress materials was sourced from Vijayawads, to render Kalamkari painting with sculptural motifs and designs. Sarees and dress materials were treated and painted using Kalamkari technique as per the preferred placements and colour ways using natural colours at Sri Kalahasti of Chittoor district. The cost of each saris was determined by adding the cost of fabric, painting material, and labour involved in tracing, painting and finishing. The final products-Kalamkari painted saris and dress materials were assessed for consumer’s acceptability on 11 different parameters. The selected five dress materials motifs numbers were 19, 20, 5, 2 and 1 were ranked I, II, III, IV and V respectively. Then, among the other 20 motifs for sarees, selected five motifs numbers were 2, 3, 4, 7 and 11 which were ranked as I, II, III, IV and V respectively. Consumer evaluation revealed that all the dress materials and sarees painted with Kalamkari technique were found to be very appealing and accepted on all the parameters of assessment. The cost of the dress materials and saris was rated appropriate by all the consumers. Thus, Amaravathi sculptural motifs adapted for development of designs for dress materials and saris have broaden the design base for textile products and could cater to the demands of high-end consumers through diversity of designs and unique technique of Kalamkari.ThesisItem Open Access ADOPTION LEVEL AND PRODUCTlVITY IN FARMING OF SMALL AND MARGINAL FARMERS UNDER LAB-TO-LAND PROGRAMME IN MAHABOOBNAGAR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 1988) MAN MOHAN REDDY, SREEPURAM; RAYAPA REDDY, TADOPTION LEVEL AND PRODUCTlVITY IN FARMING OF SMALL AND MARGINAL FARMERS UNDER LAB-TO-LAND PROGRAMME IN MAHABOOBNAGAR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESHThesisItem Open Access ADOPTION OF PRODUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS OF MAIZE IN MAHMUD I RAQI DISTRICT OF KAPISA PROVINCE OF AFGHANISTAN(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) KOHISTANI, TAMANA; PRASAD, S.V.Maize crop occupies an important position in the world and Afghanistan both in the area and production as it is consumed in different ways in comparison with wheat and rice. However the productivity of maize in Afghanistan is very poor because of non-adoption of latest production recommendations for different reasons. Hence this study was undertaken. Ex-post-facto research design was followed in the present study. Mahmud-iraqi district of Kapisa province was purposively selected for the study as the researcher hails from the same district and also maize is growing extensively in this district. From the selected district four villages were selected and from each village 30 respondents were selected by following simple random sampling, making a total of 120 respondents. The data were collected by personal interview method through structured interview schedule. Appropriate statistical procedures were employed to analyze and interpret the data. The analysis of profile characteristics of the farmers indicated that majority of the farmers engaged in maize cultivation are, young , illiterate, small farmers with medium farming experience, mass media exposure, extension contact, social participation, scientific orientation, economic orientation, innovativeness, achievement motivation and deferred gratification. Majority of the farmers had medium extent of adoption of production recommendations of maize. Correlation analysis revealed that the selected independent variables viz., farming experience, mass media exposure, extension contact, social participation, scientific orientation, economic orientation, innovativeness, achievement motivation and deferred gratification had positively significant relationship, whereas age and education were having negative and significant relationship, and farm size had nonsignificant relationship with the extent of adoption of production recommendations of maize. xii Inadequate extension services, as the major constraint, followed by difficulty in getting loans, lack of improved seed or hybrids, shortage of extension personnel, High cost of inputs, lack of training programmes, illiteracy, non availability of fertilizers in correct time and quantities, lack of awareness about latest technologies, non availability of technologies for small farms, poor access to information sources, lack of credit facilities, lack of ICTs, lack of suitable farm implements and machinery, and lack of drudgery reduction technologies were the major problems encountered by the respondents in the adoption of production recommendations of maize. Provision of micro credit followed by provision of agricultural loans, provision of high yielding varieties and hybrids, availability of suitable farm implements, supply of fertilizers in correct time and quality, provision of extension services, provision of agricultural subsidies, provision of training to farmers in latest technologies, increase farm mechanization by custom hiring of farm machinery, improved access to agricultural information sources, increased efficiency of extension staff, formulation of new agricultural policy, formation of farmer cooperatives, development of technologies for small farm and availability of ICTs, were the suggestions perceived by the respondents to overcome the problems in the adoption of production recommendations of maize. A suitable strategy has been developed keeping in view the results obtained in the study and discussions held with the stakeholders in the study.ThesisItem Open Access ADSORPTION STUDIES OF SOME PESTICIDES IN BLACK SOILS OF ANDHRA PRADESH.(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 1985) Subrahmanyam, B.V; Sarkar, D.KADSORPTION STUDIES OF SOME PESTICIDES IN BLACK SOILS OF ANDHRA PRADESH.ThesisItem Open Access AGRO-CLIMATIC INDICES FOR PREDICTION OF GROWTH AND YIELD OF FINGERMILLET (Eleusine coracana L.)(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2016) REVATHI, TOMPALA; SREE REKHA, MA field experiment entitled “Agro-climatic indices for prediction of growth and yield of fingermillet (Eleusine coracana L.)” was conducted at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla on sandy loam soil during kharif 2015. The treatments consisted of three varieties of fingermillet viz. Chaitanya (V1), Bharathi (V2) and Hima (V3) as first factor and three dates of sowing viz.1st fortnight of July (D1), 2nd fortnight of July (D2) and 1st fortnight of August (D3) as the second factor. The design adopted was Randomized Block Design with factorial concept replicated thrice. The results indicated that the growth parameters such as drymatter production, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, yield attributes and yield were significantly influenced by dates of sowing and varieties, except plant height and number of tillers m-2 which were influenced by dates of sowing only. Test weight and harvest index could not reach the level of significance with both varieties and dates of sowing. Interaction between dates of sowing and varieties were significant for drymatter production at 30 DAS and straw yield. Plant height was significantly influenced by dates of sowing at all stages of crop growth. Sowing of fingermillet varieties on 2nd fortnight of July (D2) produced significantly taller plants at all stages of crop growth. Maximum number of tillers m-2, number of productive tillers m-2 and highest drymatter were also produced with 2nd fortnight of July sowing (D2). Among the varieties, significantly highest drymatter was recorded with Chaitanya which was on par with Bharathi. Delay in 50% flowering and maturity was noticed with 2nd fortnight of July (D2) compared to other two dates of sowing. Among the varieties, Chaitanya took maximum number of days for 50% flowering and maturity which was significantly superior to Bharathi and Hima varieties. The highest grain yield of 2305 kg ha-1 was recorded with 2nd fortnight of July sowing (D2). Among the varieties, the highest grain yield of 2173 kg ha-1 was recorded with Chaitanya, which was significantly superior to Bharathi and Hima. The highest straw yield was also recorded with 2nd fortnight of July sowing (2962 kg ha-1) (D2). Interaction between dates of sowing and varieties were significant only for drymatter at 30 DAS and straw yield. The highest drymatter was produced by variety Chaitanya sown during 2nd fortnight of July (D2) which was significantly superior to other interactions. The highest straw yield was obtained with fingermillet variety Chaitanya sown on 1st fortnight of July (D1) which was significantly superior to V2D1, V3D1, V1D3 and V3D3 and statistically on par with V1D2,V2D2,V3D2 and V2D3. Days to attain each phenological stage for varieties differed in their duration. The maximum days to attain maturity were with varieties Chaitanya followed by Bharathi and the least was with Hima. Higher values of all agro-climatic indices viz. GDD, HTU, PTU,TPR, HUE, HtUE, PTI and PtUE were observed with 2nd fortnight of July sowing (D2) followed by 1st fortnight of Aug (D3) as compared to 1st fortnight of July(D1). Significant linear relationships were observed for drymatter and grain yield of three varieties with agro-climatic indices viz., Growing Degree Days, Helio Thermal Units, Photo Thermal Units, Heat Use Efficiency, Helio-thermal Use Efficiency, Photo-thermal Use Efficiency and Pheno Thermal Index. The regression equations can be applied to predict fingermillet growth and yield using daily information on temperature, photoperiod, day length and sunshine hours during the crop season. The highest gross returns (Rs. 29277 ha-1), net returns (Rs. 19433 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.1) were obtained with Chaitanya variety sown on 2nd fortnight of July.ThesisItem Open Access AGRONOMIC APPROACH FOR FORTIFICATION OF SWEET CORN (Zea mays L.) WITH ZINC AND IRON(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) SHAKOOR KARRIMI, ABDUL; PRATAP KUMAR REDDY, AA field experiment entitled “AGRONOMIC APPROACH FOR FORTIFICATION OF SWEET CORN (Zea mays L.) WITH ZINC AND IRON” was carried out during kharif, 2017 on sandy loam soils of wetland farm of S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati campus of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with ten treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of RDF alone (180-60-50 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1) (T1), RDF + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (Basal) (T2), RDF + soil application of FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 (Basal) (T3), RDF + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1) (Basal) (T4), RDF + 0.5% foliar application of ZnSO4 at booting (T5), RDF + 0.5% foliar application of ZnSO4 at booting and silking (T6), RDF + 0.2% foliar application of FeSO4 at booting (T7), RDF + 0.2% foliar application of FeSO4 at booting and silking (T8), RDF + 0.5% foliar application of ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at booting (T9), RDF + 0.5% foliar application of ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at booting and silking (T10). The sweet corn variety (sugar – 75) was tested in the present experiment. Growth parameters like plant height, leaf area index and dry matter production and yield parameters like number of cobs plant-1, cob length, cob girth, number of seed rows cob-1, number of seeds row-1 and cob weight were higher with 0.5% foliar application of ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at booting and silking along with RDF (N, P2O5 and K2O 180:60:50 kg ha-1) (T10). xvi Significantly higher green cob and green fodder yield of sweet corn were recorded with foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at booting and silking along with RDF (T10) compared to rest of the treatments. Higher gross and net returns as well as benefit-cost ratio were obtained with foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at booting and silking with along with RDF (T10). Application of recommended dose of fertilizer (N, P2O5 and K2O 180:60:50 kg ha-1) (T1), recorded significantly higher protein content over the rest of treatment tried. Higher zinc and iron content in the seed was registered with foliar application 0.5% of ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at booting and silking along with RDF (N, P2O5 and K2O 180:60:50 kg ha-1) (T10). Soil application of FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 + RDF (N, P2O5 and K2O 180:60:50 kg ha-1) (T3), recorded the highest post-harvest soil available nitrogen. Higher post- harvest soil available phosphorus and potassium status were recorded with Soil application of FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 soil applications of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + RDF (N, P2O5 and K2O 180:60:50 kg ha-1) (T2). Post-harvest soil available zinc was maximum with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 along with RDF (N, P2O5 and K2O 180:60:50 kg ha-1) (T4). The higher Post-harvest soil available iron was registered with of soil application of FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 along with RDF (T3), which was on par with 0.2% foliar application of FeSO4 at booting and silking along with RDF (T8) and 0.2% foliar application of FeSO4 at booting along with RDF (T8). In conclusion, the present study revealed that productivity and quality of sweet corn was increased with foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at booting and silking along with RDF (N, P2O5 and K2O 180:60:50 kg ha-1). The same nutritional management strategy also realized maximum economic returns, apart from enhanced quality.ThesisItem Open Access AGRONOMIC EVALUATION OF CROP ESTABLISHMENT TECHNIQUES, N-LEVELS ON RICE (Oryza sativa L.) AND EFFECTS ON SUCCEEDING GREENGRAM (Vigna radiata)(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) AMARA JYOTHI, P; MARTIN LUTHER, LA field experiment entitled “Agronomic evaluation of crop establishment techniques, N-levels on rice (Oryza sativa L.) and effects on succeeding greengram (Vigna radiata)” was conducted for two consecutive years (2015-16 and 2016-17) on sandy clay loam soils of Agricultural Research Station, Ragolu. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design, replicated thrice with four crop establishment techniques as main plots and five nitrogen levels as sub plots. The main plot treatments consisted of (i) Dry direct sown (DDS) rice, (ii) Aerobic rice (iii) Planting with machine and (iv) Normal planting. The subplot treatments consisted of five nitrogen levels (90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 kg N ha-1). Before harvesting of rice, greengram was sown to assess the residual effects of treatments given to rice in rice - greenram sequence. Cultivars used in the study for rice and greengram were MTU 1001 and LGG 460 respectively. Among crop establishment techniques, planting with machine recorded significantly higher plant height, drymatter production, yield attributes, grain yield, straw yield, nutrient uptake, nitrogen use efficiency and gross returns compared to other crop establishment techniques of rice. However, DDS rice recorded higher net returns and return per rupee investment and aerobic rice registered maximum water productivity. Application of nitrogen @ 150 kg N ha-1 recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes, grain and straw yield, NPK uptake and available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil after harvest of rice over that of other nitrogen levels. Whereas the N use efficiency was found to be superior with nitrogen application @ 120 kg N ha-1 compared to other levels. Though the maximum gross returns, net returns and return per rupee investment were noticed with 210 kg N ha-1, which was however comparable with 180 and 150 kg N ha-1. Number of pods plant-1, number of seed pod-1, seed yield, haulm yield, gross returns, net returns, benefit cost ratio of green gram and the available nitrogen status in soil after harvest of greengram were significantly higher with aerobic rice establishment technique over planting with machine and comparable with DDS rice. There was a progressive increase in seed yield of succeeding greengram with the increase in nitrogen levels applied to the preceeding rice crop in the sequence. Among N levels the highest seed yield of greengram was recorded with 210 kg N ha-1. However the difference in seed yield among the N levels was measurable up to application of N @ 150 kg N ha-1 only. Maximum system productivity of rice–greengram was recorded with planting with machine technique followed by normal planting. System productivity of rice–greengram increased progressively with increase in level of nitrogen. Highest net returns of system was recorded with DDS rice-greengram followed by planting with machine -greengram system. The results of the study “Agronomic evaluation of crop establishment techniques, N- levels on rice and effects on succeeding greengram” conducted consecutively for two years indicated that, among rice establishment techniques planting with machine emerged as productive and dry direct sown rice was emerged as profitable and aerobic rice emerged as water saving techniques of rice. Irrespective of the crop establishment techniques, application of nitrogen @ 150 kg N ha-1 was found to be optimum for reaping higher grain yield and economic returns.ThesisItem Open Access AGRONOMIC FORTIFICATION OF FODDER MAIZE (Zea mays L.) WITH ZINC(Acharya N.G.Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2015) MEHTAZ SULTHANA, SHAIK; CHANDRIKA, VA field experiment entitled “Agronomic fortification of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) with zinc” was carried out during kharif, 2014 on sandy loam soils of Dryland Farm of S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati campus of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with twelve treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of soil and foliar applications of zinc viz., RDF alone (120 kg N - 50 kg P2O5 - 40 kg K2O ha-1) (T1), RDF + Soil application of 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 (T2), RDF + Soil application of 50 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 (T3), RDF + Foliar application of 0.2% ZnSO4 at 30 DAS (T4), RDF + Foliar application of 0.2% ZnSO4 at 45 DAS (T5), RDF + Foliar application of 0.2% ZnSO4 at 30 and 45 DAS (T6), RDF + Soil application of 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 along with foliar application of 0.2% ZnSO4 at 30 DAS (T7), RDF + Soil application of 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 along with foliar application of 0.2% ZnSO4 at 45 DAS (T8), RDF + Soil application of 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 along with foliar application of 0.2% ZnSO4 at 30 and 45 DAS (T9), RDF + Soil application of 50 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 along with foliar application of 0.2% ZnSO4 at 30 DAS (T10), RDF + Soil application of 50 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 along with foliar application of 0.2% ZnSO4 at 45 DAS (T11), RDF + Soil application of 50 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 along with foliar application of 0.2% ZnSO4 at 30 and 45 DAS (T12). xiv At all the growth stages of observation, the growth parameters like plant height, leaf area index, leaf to stem ratio and dry matter production were recorded highest with T12 i.e., soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% twice at 30 and 45 DAS along with RDF, which was however, comparable with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% at 45 DAS along with RDF (T11) and differed significantly over other treatments. The lowest values were recorded with RDF alone without zinc (T1) which differed significantly over other treatments. The highest green fodder yield of maize was recorded with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% twice at 30 and 45 DAS along with RDF (T12), which was however comparable with soil application of either 50 or 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 + foliar application of 0.2% ZnSO4 once or twice at 30 and 45 DAS along with RDF (T11, T10, T9, T8 and T7). Application of RDF alone without zinc (T1) resulted in significantly the lowest green fodder yield. Quality parameters like crude fibre and crude protein per cent of fodder maize were at their best with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% twice at 30 and 45 DAS along with RDF (T12) where as the lowest values were found with that of RDF alone without zinc (T1). Uptake of nutrients [nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and zinc] were found to be the highest with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% twice at 30 and 45 DAS along with RDF (T12), where as the lowest uptake of nutrients [N, P, K and Zn] were recorded with the application of only RDF without zinc (T1). Zinc concentration before the first foliar spray in plant was increased with the soil application of zinc. The highest zinc content in the fodder was recorded with the treatments involving soil application of 50 kg ha-1 ZnSO4 (T12, T3, T10, T11 respectively) which were on par with each other, followed by the treatments with soil application of 25 kg ha-1 ZnSO4 (T9, T8, T7, T2). The treatments with both soil and foliar spray showed significant increase in zinc content after first foliar spray, and the highest was recorded with treatments involving soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 along with foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% at 30 DAS along with RDF (T12, T10). Similarly, the highest zinc content after second foliar spray was recorded with the treatments involving foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% once or twice at 30 and 45 DAS along with soil application of 50 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 (T12, T11, T10). The lowest content of zinc before and after foliar sprays was recorded with application of only RDF without zinc (T1). xv The highest available post harvest soil nutrient status (N, P and K) was recorded with application of only RDF without zinc (T1) and differed significantly from rest of the treatments. The lowest was recorded with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% twice at 30 and 45 DAS along with RDF (T12). Available zinc was higher with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% twice at 30 and 45 DAS along with RDF (T12), which was however comparable with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% at 45 DAS along with RDF (T11), which were significantly superior over other treatments. The lowest available zinc was recorded with application of only RDF without zinc (T1). Higher gross and net returns were realized with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% twice at 30 and 45 DAS along with RDF (T12). The highest B : C ratio was realized with the treatments involving soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 along with foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% once or twice 30 and 45 DAS along with RDF (T9, T8, T7) which were however on par with each other due to decrease in cost of cultivation. From the above experimentation it can be concluded that application of zinc has significantly influenced the growth, quality parameters, green fodder yield and nutrient uptake (N, P, K and Zn) by fodder maize. The best treatment to obtain higher productivity and quality was soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 + foliar application of 0.2% ZnSO4 twice at 30 and 45 DAS along with RDF (T12). However, there is a trade-off between the green fodder yield and B : C ratio. Hence, it can be inferred that foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% either at 30 or 45 DAS along with soil application of 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 can be recommended to fodder maize to obtain higher monetary returnsThesisItem Open Access AGRONOMIC INTERVENTIONS FOR ENHANCING PRODUCTIVITY OF MUSTARD IN RICE-FALLOWS(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) RAJYALAKSHMI, BOMMIDI; VENKATESWARLU, BThe field experiment entitled “Agronomic interventions for enhancing productivity of mustard in rice-fallows” was carried out on a clay soil of the Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla during rabi, 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatments comprised of four seed rates (S1 : 6 kg ha-1, S2 :8 kg ha-1, S3 :10 kg ha-1, S4:12 kg ha-1) allotted to factor-A and three varieties ( V1 : NPJ-112, V2 : PM-28, V3 : Pusa bold) allotted to factor-B. Significantly the highest initial and final plant population was recorded at 12 kg seed ha-1 and was superior to10 kg ha-1, 8 kg ha-1 and at 6 kg seed ha-1.The seed rate with 6 kg ha-1 registered significantly the lowest initial and final plant population. Initial and final plant population was not significantly influenced by varieties. Plant height at 30 DAS was significantly influenced by seed rates, varieties and their interaction whereas at 60 DAS and at harvest, the plant height significantly influenced by seed rate significantly the tallest plants were obtained with the seed rate 12 kg ha-1, which was on a par with the seed rate 10 kg ha-1and the lowest plant height was obtained with the seed rate 6 kg ha-1. At 60 DAS and at harvest, significantly taller plants were observed with the variety PM-28 (107.9 cm), which was on a par with the variety NPJ-112. The lowest plant height was recorded with the variety Pusa bold. Significantly the highest and the lowest drymatter was registered by using 12 and 6 kgs seed rate ha-1 at all the stages of observation i.e. 30 DAS, 60 DAS and at harvest respectively. 8 kg ha-1 and 10 kg ha-1 treatments too were statistically comparable. At 30 and 60 DAS, variety PM-28 recorded significantly the highest drymatter over Pusa bold. Significantly the lowest drymatter was registered by Pusa bold. At harvest, significantly the highest drymatter accumulation was observed with the variety PM-28 and the lowest drymatter accumulation was recorded with the variety Pusa bold. Significantly higher number of branches per plant were recorded with the lowest seed rate of 6 kg ha-1, and it was significantly superior to all other seed rates. The lowest number of branches per plant were recorded in the highest seed rate 12 kg ha-1. PM-28 recorded the highest number of branches per plant which was on par with NPJ-112. Pusa bold recorded significantly the lowest number of branches per plant. Seed rate with 6 kg ha-1 significantly took more number of days to 50 per cent flowering, which was on par with 8 kg ha-1. Days to 50 percent flowering decreased significantly with the increased seed rates12 kg ha-1 which was on par with 10kg ha-1. There was a non-significant difference for days to 50% flowering among the varieties. Significantly, the highest number of siliquae per plant and seeds per siliqua were registered in 6 kg ha-1 seed rate where as the lowest number of siliquae per plant and seeds per siliqua in 12 kg seed ha-1. Siliquae per plant and seeds per siliqua with 8 kg seed ha-1 and siliquae per plant and seeds per siliquae with 10 kg seed rate ha-1 were comparable with 6 kg seed ha-1. Among the varieties PM-28 registered siliquae per plant and seeds per siliqua was significantly superior to the cultivar Pusa bold recording the lowest number of siliquae per plant and seeds per siliqua. Cultivar NPJ-112 registering siliquae per plant and seeds per siliqua was comparable statistically on a par with PM-28. The 1000 seed weight registered at 6, 8, 10 and 12 kg ha-1 seed rates and the varieties Pusa bold, NPJ-112 and PM-28 were statistically comparable. Significantly, the highest seed and stalk yields was recorded in the 12 kg seed ha-1 and was statistically comparable with the seed and stalk yield registered in 10 kg ha-1 only. The seed and stalk yield recorded in 10 kg ha-1, 8 kg ha-1and 6 kg ha-1, seed rate treatments were statistically comparable with one another. Significantly, the highest seed and stalk yield was registered by PM-28 and it was followed by NPJ-112. Significantly the lowest seed and stalk yield was registered by Pusa bold. Harvest index was not significantly influenced due to different seed rates. Varieties differed significantly among themselves, Higher harvest index was recorded with the variety NPJ-112, which was on par with PM-28 and Pusa bold. Oil content was not significantly influenced by the different seed rates and varieties of mustard. N, P, K, & S nutrient content at 30, 60& at harvest in seed and stalk was not significantly influenced by different seed rates and varieties. At 30, 60 DAS and at harvest, 12 kg seed rate ha-1 registered significantly the highest nitrogen uptake which was superior over 8 kg seed ha-1 and 6 kg ha-1. At 30, 60 DAS and at harvest the highest nitrogen uptake was recorded in variety PM-28 which was on a par with NPJ-112. The lowest nitrogen uptake was registered with variety Pusa bold. At 30, 60 DAS and at harvest, significantly the highest phosphorus uptake was recorded at 12 kg seed rate ha-1 which was statistically comparable with 10 kg seed rate ha-1 only. At 30 and 60 DAS, significantly the highest phosphorus uptake was registered by PM-28 variety followed by NPJ-112. The lowest phosphorus uptake was recorded in Pusa bold. At harvest, significantly the highest phosphorus uptake by seed and stalk was recorded in PM-28 variety which was superior to Pusa bold. At 30, 60 DAS and at harvest, significantly the highest potassium uptake was found at 12 kg seed rate ha-1 which was superior to all other seed rates. At 30, 60 DAS and at harvest, significantly the highest potassium uptake was recorded by PM-28 variety which was statistically on a par with NPJ-112. The lowest was registered by Pusa bold. At harvest, the highest sulphur uptake in seed and stalk of mustard was recorded at a planting density of 12 kg seed rate ha-1 which was on a par with 10 kg ha-1 where the lowest sulphur uptake was registered with 6 kg ha-1. At harvest the highest sulphur uptake in grain was recorded with the variety PM-28 which was on par with NPJ-112. While the lowest sulphur uptake was registered in variety Pusa bold. Significantly the highest available residual N, P, K, & S was recorded with 6 kg ha-1 which was on par with 8 kgha-1. While the lowest was found with 12 kg ha-1 which was on par with 10 kg ha-1. Significantly the highest residual available N, P, K, & S was recorded in the variety pusa bold, which was on a par with NPJ-112, whereas the lowest residual available N, P, K & S was reported in the variety PM-28. The highest gross return, net return and return per rupee invested was obtained with the seed rate 12 kg ha-1 and the variety PM-28.ThesisItem Open Access AGROTECHNIQUES FOR ENHANCING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF RABI REDGRAM [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] AND STUDY OF CARRYOVER EFFECT ON YIELD OF SUMMER FODDER(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2015) NAGAMANI, C; SUMATHI, VPresent investigation entitled “Agrotechniques for enhancing the productivity of rabi redgram [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] and study of carryover effect on summer fodder” was carried out for two consecutive rabi and summer seasons of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 at S. V. Agricultural College Farm (ANGRAU), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design, replicated thrice. The treatments were three times of sowing viz., II FN of September (T1), I FN of October (T2) and II FN of October (T3) as main plots, three nutrient doses viz.,10-40-0 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (N1), 20-50-10 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (N2) and 30-6020 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (N3) as sub plots and two foliar sprays viz., NAA (25 ppm) and DAP (2 %) sprayed once at 60 DAS (F1) and same twice at 60 and 80 DAS (F2) as sub-sub plots. The test variety was LRG-41. There was significant improvement in growth parameters of redgram (plant height, leaf area and dry matter production) due to II FN of September (T1) sowing relative to that due to I FN of October (T2) and II FN of October (T3) sowings. All the growth parameters suffered a setback due to II FN of October (T3) sowing. Application of 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (N3) significantly improved the growth parameters. The effect of foliar sprays on growth was significant only at 100 DAS and at harvest as the treatments were imposed at 60 and 80 DAS. There was significant improvement in plant height, leaf area and dry matter production due to foliar spray of NAA (25 ppm) and DAP (2 %) twice at 60 and 80 DAS (F2). Crop growth rate was significantly higher due to September II FN (T1) sowing, during both the years. Significantly, higher crop growth rate at all samplings was with 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (N3), during both the years. Foliar spray of NAA (25 ppm) and DAP (2 %) at 60 and 80 DAS (F2) resulted in significantly higher crop growth rate between 75 and 100 DAS and 100 DAS and at harvest. Crop sown during II FN of September receiving nutrient dose of 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (T1N3) recorded higher crop growth rate between 100 DAS and at harvest, which was however, comparable with that due to September II FN sowing with nutrient dose of 20-50-10 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (T1N2). At 25, 50 and 75 DAS, number of total and effective nodules plant-1 were the highest due to II FN of September (T1) sowing followed by that due to I FN of October (T2) and II FN of October (T3) with significant disparity between any two of them, during both the years. With regard to nutrient doses, application of 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (N3) resulted in significantly higher number of total and effective nodules plant-1. At 25 DAS interaction of crop sown during II FN of September with nutrient dose of 20-50-10 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (T1N2) resulted in the highest number of total and effective nodules plant-1. Longer duration to 50 per cent flowering and maturity was with the crop sown during II FN of September (T1) which was significantly longer than that due to later sowings. Maximum growing degree days and helio thermal units from sowing to 50 per cent flowering and 50 per cent flowering to maturity were accumulated by rabi redgram sown during II FN of September (T1) and was decreased in order for each fortnight delay in sowing. Crop sown during II FN of September (T1) significantly improved the yield attributes (number of pod bearing branches plant-1, number of pods branch-1, number of seeds pod-1 and test weight), seed and stalk yield relative to late sowings. Application of 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (N3) improved the yield attributes, seed and stalk yield, during both the years. Foliar spray of NAA (25 ppm) and DAP (2 %) at 60 and 80 DAS (F2) significantly improved the yield attributes, seed and stalk yield of redgram in both the years. Crop sown during II FN of September receiving 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (T1N3) significantly improved the yield attributes (except test weight), seed and stalk yield. Number of pod bearing branches plant-1 and seed yield were the highest due to II FN of September sowing along with foliar spray of NAA (25 ppm) and DAP (2 %) at 60 and 80 DAS (T1F2), during both the years. The highest seed protein content was with earliest sown crop during II FN of September (T1), while the lowest was with that due to II FN of October (T3) sowing, during both the years. Application of 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (N3) resulted in the highest seed protein content. The highest nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) content and uptake were with the earliest sown crop during II FN of September (T1) during both the years. Application of 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (N3) resulted in the highest nutrient content and uptake, which was significantly higher with 20-50-10 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (N2) in both the years. With regard to foliar sprays, nitrogen uptake during first year and phosphorus uptake during both the years, were the highest with NAA (25 ppm) and DAP (2 %) foliar spray at 60 and 80 DAS (F2). The highest phosphorus and potassium uptake was with crop sown during II FN of September along with the nutrient dose of 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (T1N3). The highest gross and net returns as well as benefit : cost ratio were with the crop sown during II FN of September (T1) in both the years. With regard to nutrient doses, 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1(N3) resulted in the highest economic returns. Foliar spray of NAA (25 ppm) and DAP (2 %) at 60 and 80 DAS (F2) resulted in significantly higher economic returns relative to that due to same foliar spray once at 60 DAS (F1). The highest economic returns were with crop sown during II FN of September with 3060-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (T1N3) during both the years. The highest gross and net returns were with crop sown during II FN of September with foliar spray of NAA (25 ppm) and DAP (2 %) at 60 and 80 DAS (T1F2) during both the years. Significant improvement in post harvest soil fertility status (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) after rabi redgram was with the crop sown during II FN of October (T3). Among the nutrient doses, 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1(N3) resulted in the highest residual soil fertility status, during both the years. Significantly higher green fodder yield of korra, on residual fertility after rabi redgram, was with late sown crop during II FN of October (T3). The highest green fodder yield of korra was due to residual effect of 30-6020 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1(N3), which was significantly higher than with other nutrient doses tested. The highest crude protein and crude fiber content of fodder korra was with residual effect of rabi redgram sown during II FN of October (T3) while their lowest were with that due to II FN of September (T1) sowing, during both the years. Significantly the highest crude protein and crude fiber content was with residual effect of the highest nutrient dose of 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 (N3) applied to rabi redgram, during both the years. Significant improvement in post harvest soil fertility status, after korra, was with the residual effect of rabi redgram sown during II FN of October (T3). Application of 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1(N3) significantly improved the post harvest soil fertility status. Investigations indicated that rabi redgram gives optimum yield and economic returns if sown during II FN of September with 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 along with foliar spray of NAA (25 ppm) and DAP (2 %) twice at 60 and 80 DAS. During summer season, higher green fodder yield of korra, on residual fertility after rabi redgram, can be realised if rabi redgram is sown during II FN of October with of 30-60-20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1.ThesisItem Open Access ALLELE MINING AND ALLELIC DIVERSITY OF GENES GOVERNING GRAIN SIZE RELATED TRAITS IN RICE (Oryza sativa L.)(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2017) SWARAJYA LAKSHMI NAIDU, B; LAKSHMI NARAYANA REDDY, VMining elite alleles for grain size is one of the key aspects for the improvement of cultivated rice to suit diverse global consumer preferences. Thus with the goal of identification of novel and superior alleles from the genes governing the grain size related traits by exploring the natural variability present in the rice germplasm, the present study was conducted. In all, 124 rice genotypes were evaluated for different grain traits such as grain length (GL), grain width (GW), grain length to width ratio (GL/GW), and 1000-grain weight (TGW). The germplasm of 124 rice genotypes presented substantial variation for grain size traits. Significant correlations were detected among the grain size traits. All the four traits exhibited normal distribution in the germplasm indicating quantitative inheritance of these traits. In total, 32 molecular markers comprising of 8 grain size gene-specific markers and 24 SSR markers covering all 12 chromosomes were used in this study and all markers showed polymorphism and produced a total of 86 alleles among the 124 rice varieties. Number of alleles ranged from 2 to 4 with an average of 2.68 alleles per locus. The mean polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.34, with values ranging from 0.70 (RM 252) to 0.03 (RM 502). The screening of the 124 rice genotypes with eight gene-specific markers viz., GS3 specific marker revealed two alleles, GS5INDEL1 revealed two alleles, qSW5 specific marker revealed four alleles, qGRL7.1 specific marker revealed two alleles, GS2 specific marker revealed two alleles, qsgw7 specific marker revealed two alleles, SLG7 specific marker revealed two alleles and GLW7 specific marker revealed two alleles with substantial variation in the germplasm. For finding the allelic diversity a dendrogram consisting of 124 rice genotypes was drawn using unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages (UPGMA) based on genotyping data using NTSY spc -2.02e software. The dendrogram revealed that 124 genotypes could be made into two groups, A and B. The group A exclusively includes the extra-long grain length basmati genotypes. However, the group B could be again divided into two groups i.e., B1 and B2. The group B1 includes mostly long grain genotypes. The group B2 comprising of all classes of grain length and size genotypes. Based on the population structure Q matrix data the 124 accessions are divided into four clusters/subpopulations, viz., from POP1 to POP4. POP1 subpopulation was grouped under extra-long grain type, POP2 was grouped under long grain type, POP3 and POP4 includes all the four grain size classes. Eight marker-trait associations were identified by screening 124 genotypes with grain size specific primers for GL, GW, L/B and TGW traits. One GS3 gene-specific marker, GS3RGS1 was found to be associated with GL, GW, L/B and TGW traits with their PVE as 15.2%, 16.9%, 10.3% and 7.8%, respectively. Earlier results by Fan et al., (2006), Lu et al., (2013) and Xu et al., (2016) also reported that the GS3 is the major gene governing the grain length and minor gene for grain width. Similarly, one SSR marker, RM505 was showed association with GL, GW, L/B and TGW traits with their PVE as 4.4%, 2.6%, 1.9% and 3.8%, respectively. The present investigation reinforce the fact that grain size is a complex trait regulated by many genes located on different chromosomes. However, the gene specific markers, for GL, GW, TGW and L/B traits, such as GS3RGS1 and RM505 have potential to be used as foreground markers in marker-assisted breeding. Mining of complete gene sequences and other genes governing grain size traits is warranted further investigation adding some more germplasm. However, harmonious pyramiding of superior and novel alleles from diverse germplasm facilitates the designing of rice varieties suitable to diverse consumers in the worldThesisItem Open Access ANALYSIS OF CONSUMERS’ BEHAVIOUR FOR PURCHASING ORGANIC VEGETABLES IN THRISSUR CORPORATION OF KERALA(ACHARYA NG RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY) SOORYA, C; .PAUL, K. S. RIndia ranks 8th in terms of organic agricultural land and 1st in terms of total number of producers as per 2020 data. Organic Farming is showing a positive growth trend in the country and the organic food market in India is estimated to be growing at a 25-30 per cent, mainly due to lower base. The major factors attracting public and private attention include; increasing prospects of organic agribusiness trade because of increasing demand for safe food and an approach to sustainable development of farming. Similar situation prevails in Kerala also where there appears to be a strong demand for organic food. Rise in income levels, greater health consciousness and environment friendly attitude motivates people to prefer organic produce. As vegetables constitute a major portion of food consumption of people, changes has undergone in the nature, type and quality of vegetables consumed by them. In the context of changing behaviour of consumers towards organic vegetables, study on consumer behaviour and WTP towards organic vegetables is very important. Keeping in view of above facts the present study entitled “Analysis of consumers‟ behaviour for purchasing organic vegetables in Thrissur Corporation of Kerala” has been undertaken with the following objectives 1. to study the consumers‟ behaviour towards organic vegetables 2. to assess the consumers‟ willingness to pay (WTP) and consumer surplus for organic vegetables 3. to identify the factors that contribute to the consumers‟ willingness to pay (WTP) a premium for organic vegetables 4. to prioritize the constraints in purchasing organic vegetables Thrissur Corporation was purposively selected as it is one of the corporations having the highest number of functioning eco shops in Kerala. All the 4 functioning eco shops in the Thrissur Corporation area were selected for the study. A total of 200 consumers, constituting 50 consumers from each eco shops were selected. For calculating consumer Willingness to Pay (WTP) three vegetables, cowpea, bitter xii gourd and ash gourd were selected according to the average annual stock arrivals in the concerned eco shops. Primary data was collected from the consumers through personal interview method and secondary data about the information of distribution of eco shops in the corporations was obtained from the Office of the Principal Agricultural Officer of the concerned districts. Majority of the consumers believed that vegetables distributed through eco shops are organic and strongly agreed with the fact that organic vegetables are healthier. Most of the consumers agreed that organic vegetables are nutritious and taste better than conventional vegetables. Majority of the respondents disagreed that organic vegetables are more perishable and agreed that organic vegetable production is environment friendly. The mean WTP estimated for cowpea, bitter gourd and ash gourd was 70.860 ± 1.301, 68.384 ± 1.326 and 34.370 ± 0.400 respectively. By subtracting the actual price paid by the consumer from the estimated mean WTP, consumer surplus calculated for cowpea, bitter gourd, and ash gourd was ₹20.1, ₹18.5 and ₹9.4 respectively. Health consciousness, taste, trust and eco-friendly nature of organic vegetables were the important factors that determined consumers‟ WTP for concerned organic vegetables. Monthly income and education, even though were significant factors had very less impact on consumer WTP when compared to other variables. The major constraints faced by the consumers were unavailability, poor range of varieties in the available organic vegetables and lack of advertisement on organic vegetables, which ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Distance to the eco shops was another important barrier mentioned by the consumers and occupied the 4th position. The study explored the market potential of organic vegetables by analysing consumer behaviour and estimating their WTP and pointed out the factors affecting the consumers‟ WTP. The study also revealed the difficulties faced by the consumers in purchasing organic vegetables and provided suggestions to improve organic vegetable marketing, which helps in refinement of policy decisions.ThesisItem Open Access AN ANALYSIS OF CREDIT NEEDS AND REPAYING CAPACITY IN CHANGING AGRICULTURE IN PEDAPADU BLOCK OF WEST GOOAVARl DISTRICT ANDHRA PRADESH(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 1980) Sai baba, K.S; Nagabhushanam, T.D.JAN ANALYSIS OF CREDIT NEEDS AND REPAYING CAPACITY IN CHANGING AGRICULTURE IN PEDAPADU BLOCK OF WEST GOOAVARl DISTRICT ANDHRA PRADESHThesisItem Open Access AN ANALYSIS OF FARMERS ACCESS TO CREDIT, BORROWING BEHAVIOUR AND RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, 2014) MANI PRIYANKa, G; RADHA, YIndian Agriculture is predominantly characterised by small and marginal farmers, tenants, landless / agricultural labourers with the co-existence of institutional (formal) and non-institutional (informal) credit agencies. Small and marginal farmers are usually left out of the purview of formal credit and depend on private money lenders which obviously costs them heavily. The government virtually had no record of information on tenant holdings, number of tenant farmers etc., by which they are denied of several benefits from developmental programmes. In this context it would be of high use to investigate on the access to credit, borrowing behaviour and resource use efficiency of land owned farmers, semi- tenant farmers and tenant farmers to bring out certain policy changes in the present credit structure with the following specific objectives. 1. To assess the access to credit by land owned farmers, tenant farmers and semi-tenant farmers from different sources. 2. To identify the socio-economic factors affecting the borrowing behaviour of selected farmers. 3. To study the resource use efficiency of land owned farmers, tenant farmers and semi-tenant farmers. Multi-stage random sampling design was employed to select a representative sample of 120 farmers from six villages of three mandals in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Primary data was collected through personal interview method with the help of pretested schedules from the respondents and the data was tabulated and analyzed. Secondary data was collected from Chief Name of the Author : G. MANI PRIYANKA Title of the Thesis : AN ANALYSIS OF FARMERS’ ACCESS TO CREDIT, BORROWING BEHAVIOUR AND RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH Submitted for the award of : Master of Science in Agriculture Department : Agricultural Economics Major Advisor : Dr. Y. RADHA University : Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University Year of Submission : 2014 Planning Officer (CPO) of Guntur district. Statistical tools used in analysis were mean, percentages, cost concepts, Theil’s index, Discriminant analysis and Multiple Linear Regression. The detailed analysis revealed that land owned farmers and semi-tenant farmers were having more access to both institutional and non- institutional credit than the tenant farmers. Tenant farmers were having more access to non- institutional credit compared to land owned farmers and semi-tenant farmers as they lack collateral to pledge in banks. Land, cost of cultivation and net returns showed positive and significant influence on borrowing behaviour of land owned farmers. Cost of cultivation and net returns showed positive and significant influence on borrowing behaviour of semi-tenant farmers while only land showed positive and significant influence on borrowing behaviour of tenant farmers. The discriminant functional analysis revealed that between the land owned farmers and semi-tenant farmers, institutional loan amount was the major discriminator (52.67 %) followed by operational costs (38.56 %); between the land owned farmers and tenant farmers institutional loan amount was the major discriminator (81.38 %) followed by operational costs (22.48 %); and between semi-tenant farmers and tenant farmers, operational costs was the major discriminator (54.71 %) followed by institutional loan amount (49.08 %). Factors influencing resource use efficiency of the farmers revealed that land and labour cost showing significant influence on gross returns of land owned farmers. Labour cost, borrowed capital and owned capital showed positive and significant influence on gross returns of semi- tenant farmers. Land, borrowed capital and owned capital showed positive and significant influence on gross returns of tenant farmers. Labour cost, borrowed capital and owned capital exhibited positive and significant influence on gross returns of the total sample farmers. As credit being positively significant for all the farmers and institutional finance emerged as the major discriminator, the same may be made available to all the farmers, irrespective of owning the land, to increase resource use efficiency.ThesisItem Open Access AN ANALYSIS OF FARMERS ACCESS TO CREDIT, BORROWING BEHAVIOUR AND RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, GUNTUR, 2014) MANI PRIYANKA, G; RADHA, YIndian Agriculture is predominantly characterised by small and marginal farmers, tenants, landless / agricultural labourers with the co-existence of institutional (formal) and non-institutional (informal) credit agencies. Small and marginal farmers are usually left out of the purview of formal credit and depend on private money lenders which obviously costs them heavily. The government virtually had no record of information on tenant holdings, number of tenant farmers etc., by which they are denied of several benefits from developmental programmes. In this context it would be of high use to investigate on the access to credit, borrowing behaviour and resource use efficiency of land owned farmers, semi- tenant farmers and tenant farmers to bring out certain policy changes in the present credit structure with the following specific objectives. 1. To assess the access to credit by land owned farmers, tenant farmers and semi-tenant farmers from different sources. 2. To identify the socio-economic factors affecting the borrowing behaviour of selected farmers. 3. To study the resource use efficiency of land owned farmers, tenant farmers and semi-tenant farmers. Multi-stage random sampling design was employed to select a representative sample of 120 farmers from six villages of three mandals in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Primary data was collected through personal interview method with the help of pretested schedules from the respondents and the data was tabulated and analyzed. Secondary data was collected from Chief Name of the Author : G. MANI PRIYANKA Title of the Thesis : AN ANALYSIS OF FARMERS’ ACCESS TO CREDIT, BORROWING BEHAVIOUR AND RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH Submitted for the award of : Master of Science in Agriculture Department : Agricultural Economics Major Advisor : Dr. Y. RADHA University : Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University Year of Submission : 2014 Planning Officer (CPO) of Guntur district. Statistical tools used in analysis were mean, percentages, cost concepts, Theil’s index, Discriminant analysis and Multiple Linear Regression. The detailed analysis revealed that land owned farmers and semi-tenant farmers were having more access to both institutional and non- institutional credit than the tenant farmers. Tenant farmers were having more access to noninstitutional credit compared to land owned farmers and semi-tenant farmers as they lack collateral to pledge in banks. Land, cost of cultivation and net returns showed positive and significant influence on borrowing behaviour of land owned farmers. Cost of cultivation and net returns showed positive and significant influence on borrowing behaviour of semi-tenant farmers while only land showed positive and significant influence on borrowing behaviour of tenant farmers. The discriminant functional analysis revealed that between the land owned farmers and semi-tenant farmers, institutional loan amount was the major discriminator (52.67 %) followed by operational costs (38.56 %); between the land owned farmers and tenant farmers institutional loan amount was the major discriminator (81.38 %) followed by operational costs (22.48 %); and between semi-tenant farmers and tenant farmers, operational costs was the major discriminator (54.71 %) followed by institutional loan amount (49.08 %). Factors influencing resource use efficiency of the farmers revealed that land and labour cost showing significant influence on gross returns of land owned farmers. Labour cost, borrowed capital and owned capital showed positive and significant influence on gross returns of semi- tenant farmers. Land, borrowed capital and owned capital showed positive and significant influence on gross returns of tenant farmers. Labour cost, borrowed capital and owned capital exhibited positive and significant influence on gross returns of the total sample farmers. As credit being positively significant for all the farmers and institutional finance emerged as the major discriminator, the same may be made available to all the farmers, irrespective of owning the land, to increase resource use efficiency.ThesisItem Open Access AN ANALYSIS OF FARMERS BUYING BEHAVIOR TOWARDS CHILLI SEED IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2022-12-22) AZMATH HUSSAIN, KANDUKURU; UJWALA RANI, S.The present study entitled “An analysis of farmers buying behavior towards chilli seed in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh” was undertaken mainly to study about the aspects of farmer buying behavior and brand preference towards chilli seed and the results was analysed with the concept of brand loyalty and switching behavior of farmer. Guntur district was purposively selected for the study and the top two mandals were choosen which has maximum area under cultivation of chilli crop and three villages from each was selected with a sample size of 120 farmers. The selected villages were Gudipudi, Nandigama, Peddamakkena, Anantavarappadu, Vatticherukuru and Lemallepadu. The data related to the present study was collected using a well defined schedule through personal interview method and it pertained to the agricultural year 2019-20. The statistical tools like weighted average score method, percentage analysis, Chi-square test, factor analysis and Garatte’s ranking technique were used. There are eight seed brands which were popularly used by farmers in the study area i.e. 355 Byadgi , BSS – 355 VNR – 577, ROMY 21, GAYATRI – 155, JINI- 2626, US -341 and VIKRANTH. Among these, most of the farmers purchased 355 Byadgi even though its cost is high when compared to other varieties. Through factor analysis it is observed that high yield potential of seed which influence the sample farmers to purchase the brand. Majority of the farmers gather information from dealers about price, availability and quality of seed before taking decision to purchase specific xvi seed and they are also influencing farmers by giving services like discounts, credit on the brand to increase their market share. There is always a positive relationship between brand loyalty and brand preference of a product. Farmers loyalty can be gained when he is provided with good quality seed type. Through Chi square analysis, it was observed that there is a strong association between seed characteristics with farmers brand preference and also revealed that there is no association between age, literacy, income with brand preference. Purchase pattern of various seed brands by sample farmers was collected and data were analysed in four cluster namely loyals, habitual, variety seekers, switchers by using brand loyalty matrix between product involvement and brand support . It was found that, sample farmers repeatedly purchase the same brand with high product involvement, if they were satisfied about price, yield of brand and the farmers shifts to other brands if they have low product involvement with the various reason like trying of new brand and unavailability of credit on brand and lost trust. Some of constraints like unavailability of quality seed, high price of seed were major constraints perceived by farmers. The area under cultivation is not likely to increase significantly, the thrust will have to be on rising productivity per unit of cultivated land. So the government institutions like KVKs, RARS, extension officers should ensure the availability of quality certified seed to farmers at sowing time. Supply of seed on subsidies and attractive MSP will enable small and marginal farmers to purchase seed at affordable price which will help in achieving desirable increase in production and productivity.ThesisItem Open Access AN ANALYSIS OF FARMER’S PREFERENCE IN THE SELECTION OF FARM MACHINERY(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2017) KHADARBASHA, DUDEKULA; NAFEEZ UMAR, SHAIKAn attempt was made to study about the factors that influence the farmer in selection of farm machinery in Guntur, Krishna and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh by collecting data from six villages, i.e., in each district one wet land and one dry land village covering 15 farmers in each village making a sample size of 90 farmers. The data was analysed using statistical tools like Spearman’s Rank correlation, factor analysis, Ward’s Minimum Variance Cluster analysis and non-parametric tests like Chi-Square test, Garret Ranking Techniques and Z-test. This study showed that the variables mechanics reputation, engine, loan availability to the farmer and media influence were showing significant difference in between dry land and wet land farmers whereas the variables brand reputation, easy reparability, cost of the machine, appearance, performance, resale value and subsidy does not show any significant difference in between dry land and wet land farmers. Factor analysis is a data reduction technique, which was used to identify a small set of variables, which accounts for a large proportion of the total variance in the original variables. The first five factors constitute about 63.60% of the total variance in the total 13 variables included in the analysis. The results indicated that multivariate approaches based on cluster analysis and factor analysis effectively summarized the source of variability in farmer’s preference in the selection of farm machinery and precisely identifies different clusters of farmers based on their similarities existing among them. Correlation studies showed that farmers prefer branded machinery which can have best engine capacity and its performance to agricultural operations was very good. It was also revealed that the farmers were buying the farm machinery based on the media influence. Hence, when the farmer was looking for a branded farm machinery, he was not considering spare parts availability, cost of machine, appearance of the machine, offers from the dealers, resale value and subsidy from the Government because the branded machinery generally have all these characteristics automatically. Chi-square test showed that there was significant difference between the independent variables like age, education, farm size, family size, farming experience and crops grown with the preference in the selection of farm machinery. Cluster analysis revealed that there were 4 different clusters of farmers existing among the selected villages based on the similarities existing in between them among the various variables that influence a farmer in selecting farm machinery. Among them, cluster IV was the largest with 30 farmers contributing about 33.33% of the total farmers. The cluster I was the second largest cluster with 28 farmers contributing about 31.11% followed by cluster II with 21 farmers with 23% of the total farmers. The smallest cluster was cluster III with 11 farmers contributing about 12% of the total farmers. The various constraints that the farmers were facing during usage of farm machinery were analysed using Henry Garret Ranking technique and concluded that lack of credit facilities majorly influence the farmer’s for buying farm machinery. The other constraints were small land holding, scattered farm holdings, high cost of farm machinery and maintenance of farm machinery. Farmers were least influenced by constraints like negative attitude of farmers towards improved machinery and belief of few farmers that the machinery was not suitable for varied types of lands and crops. This study helps to identify the factors that were positively and negatively affecting the farmers in selecting the farm machinery. This helps to analyze the various constraints involved in selecting the farm machinery and suitable measures can to be taken to overcome these constraints. This will lead to increase the usage of farm machinery in the modern mechanized era to a greater extent.