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End date: 2015 × Start date: 2015 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    FARM LEVEL PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES, POST HARVEST LOSSES AND MARKETING EFFICIENCY OF MAJOR VEGETABLES: A STUDY IN THE DARRANG DISTRICT OF ASSAM
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2015-07) Dutta, Sumi; Barman, R. N.
    Vegetables are important supplements to the human diet. India ranks 2nd after China in the world with total production of 162.19 million tones. In Assam area under vegetable is about 2.73 lakh hectares with annual production of 49.79 lakh MT.Vegetables are highly perishable food products in nature and in the process of supply from the farm level to the market level. The seasonal gluts and lack of infrastructure and marketing facilities in the developing countries have significant effect on the extent of post harvest losses of vegetables. In Assam not much information is available regarding the farm level adoption of production technologies and quantum of post harvest loss of vegetables at various stages of marketing and its impact on marketing efficiency. The present study was conducted in the Darrang district of Assam and was designed to collect information regarding the level of production technologies, assessment of productivity, technology gaps of some major vegetables, physical and value loss at farm level and at various stages of marketing and to examine the impact of post harvest loss on farmer’s net price, marketing costs, margins and efficiency of major vegetables. The study was based on both primary and secondary data. Bechimari and Kharupetia two major vegetable growing areas were identified.Both tabular and functional analysis was done in analyzing data. Cost concepts used in farm management studies were applied to calculate costs in the present study and results indicated that cost of production increased with increase in size of the farm and regardingknowledge on different parameters of vegetable production it was observed that almost all farmers (99.33%) had the knowledge about the ploughing and application of organic manures (99.00%).The extent of adoption gaps for selected vegetables is estimated and 7 technology components were found. More than 30 percent of technology adoption gaps were observed in terms of technology components T4, T5 and T6 i.e. Manuring and fertilization, Number of irrigations applied & Intercultural and weed control.As vegetables are perishable in nature so during the process of distribution and marketing substantial losses are incurred. The post harvest loss was estimated first at farm level and then at market level and in case of market level it can be clearly observed that the physical loss was highest in itinerant level followed by wholesaler and retailer level. 4 major marketing channels of vegetables were identified namely Channel I:Producer–Consumer,Channel II:Producer–Retailer–Consumer,ChannelIII:Producer–Wholesaler–Retailer-Consumer,ChannelIV:Producer–Itineranttraders–Wholesaler-Retailer-Consumer. Marketing efficiency was estimated in different marketing channels and it was found that Channel II was the most efficient channel and Channel IV was the least efficient channel.ButChannel IV was considered as the most effective one because farmers sold majority of their marketed surplus through Channel IV.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EVALUATION OF EFFICACY OF WHOLE OUTER MEMBRANE PROTEIN OF Salmonella Typhimurium ADJUVANTED WITH CALCIUM PHOSPHATE NANOPARTICLES AS VACCINE CANDIDATE AGAINST SALMONELLOSIS IN CHICKEN
    (Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2015-06) DEKA, SURAKSHA SUBEDI; Sarma, Satya
    Salmonella sp can infect a broad array of animals, causing diseases ranging from gastroenteritis to life threatening systemic infections. Substantial economic loss is manifested through mortality and poor growth of infected birds. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is the most frequently isolated serovar causing global food-borne outbreaks and chicken alone accounts for 10.4% of the total isolates. The control of salmonellosis can be accomplished either by vaccination or medication. Antibiotic resistance and issue of antibiotic residue is a major hurdle in medication. Thus control through immunization is the most efficient and economic method. The present study was conducted to study the efficacy of whole outer membrane protein adjuvanted with calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CAP-OMP) as vaccine candidate against salmonellosis in chicken. The study was carried out in Kamrupa birds which are dual purpose breed. The OMP was extracted from Salmonella Typhimurium (MTCC - 98) strain and confirmed by SDS-PAGE. CAP-OMP vaccine was then synthesized by method that is based on co-precipitation of calcium phosphate and OMP. The amount of protein entrapped in the complex was determined and the formulation was used to immunise the chicks on 14th day of life followed by booster dose after two weeks. The humoral immune response of the target vaccine was compared with aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted OMP and unadjuvanted OMP by indirect ELISA. Blood was collected from all the birds at 0 before vaccination and days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 45 and 60 after booster vaccination. Some of the birds from each group were challenged on 60th day with either S. Typhimurium or with S. Gallinarum. The humoral response of the unchallenged birds was studied from 60th to 90th day. The CAP-OMP vaccine was able to elicit significantly higher antibody titres compared to other two groups up to 60th day post booster vaccination. However antibody titre level fell thereafter in all the groups. Mortality was not observed in any of the challenged birds but some clinical symptoms were exhibited by the control group. The challenged birds were slaughtered after one week and total CFU of either S. Typhimurium or S. Gallinarum per gram of liver was determined. It was observed that none of the vaccines gave total protection against challenge organisms but the Salmonella isolates recovered from the birds immunized with target vaccine was significantly lower than that of control group. The other two formulations viz; aluminium hydroxide –OMP vaccine and unadjuvanted OMP vaccine also decreased the bacterial count in liver tissue. Some important serum biochemical parameters were also studied from the vaccinated birds and it was found that the total protein and globulin content was significantly higher in CAP-OMP vaccinated group than the control groups. Creatine kinase level was significantly higher during first 21 days post booster vaccination birds given Aluminium hydroxide -OMP indicating some tissue damage at the site of injection caused by Aluminium hydroxide. Other parameters like alkaline phosphatase and creatinine showed non-significant fluctuations throughout the experiment. From this study, it can be concluded that CAP-OMP (S.Typhimurium) vaccine can be an effective vaccine candidate against salmonellosis.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF FEW PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING MICROBES, THEIR COMPATIBILITY ANALYSIS AND UTILITY IN BIOINTENSIVE MANAGEMENT OF BACTERIAL WILT OF TOMATO
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2015) Nath, Bharat Chandra; Bora, L. C.
    Biointensive management of bacterial wilt of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) caused by Ralstonia solanacearum was attempted using various bioactive (Plant Growth Promoting) microorganisms viz., Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and Azotobacter chroococcum. The molecular characterization of these microorganisms was made to determine their distinctiveness from their close relatives through sequencing of ITS region of ribosomal DNA in case of fungal microorganisms and 16S region of ribosomal DNA in case of bacterial microorganisms. Interactive action among the four bioactive microorganisms showed compatibility in all the treatment combinations in vitro. The antagonistic potential of these bioactive microorganisms was tested in vitro singly or in consortia and per cent inhibition of target pathogen were recorded and analyzed. The highest inhibition (57.70%) against R. solanacearum was recorded against consortia of T. viride+ P. fluorescens + B. subtilis + A. chroococcum followed by T. viride + P. fluorescens + B. subtilis (39.77%) and P. fluorescens + B. subtilis + A. chroococcum (35.65%). Talc based bioformulations were prepared using the best three bioactive microorganisms and their consortia for management of bacterial wilt in pot grown tomato plants during 2013-14 and 2014-15 crop seasons. Applications of the consortial formulations were made as seed treatment, root treatment and soil application. Significantly highest reduction of bacterial wilt incidence (95.09 %) and highest yield (1.692 kg/plant) of tomato was recorded in treatment comprising of T. viride+ P. fluorescens + B. subtilis + A. chroococcum. Correlation studies revealed negative correlation (-0.993) between bacterial wilt incidence and yield of tomato. Screening of 47 tomato genotypes was done under field condition during 2012-13 and 2013-14 crop seasons to assess their degree of tolerance against bacterial wilt pathogen R. solanacearum. Highly resistance reaction (HR) was recorded in Konbilahi (L. pimpinellifolium) followed by resistance reaction (R) in Sel-35, sel-19 and Sel-9. Highest yield was recorded in 2012/TOLCVRES-3 (278.16 q/ha) followed by H-24 (276.85 q/ha) and 2012/TOLCVRES-4 (272.04 q/ha).
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pest complex of French bean and Management of the major pests through Development and Validation of certain IPM modules
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2015-07) SHARMAH, DIGANTA; Rahman, S.
    The present investigation was carried out in the ICR farm, AAU, Jorhat-13 as well as in the Acarology laboratory, Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during 2013-14 and 2014-15 to record pest complex of french bean with their incidence; management of the major pests through development and validation of certain IPM modules and to evaluate certain plant extract against aphid and two spotted spider mite (TSSM). Eight insect pests viz. cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon; aphid, Aphis craccivora; thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis; pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera; white fly, Bemesia tabaci; leaf beetle, Menolepta signata; leaf miner, Liriomyza sativae; red ant, Dorylus orientalis and a mite pest i.e. two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae were recorded. The incidence of aphid and cut worm was found to be maximum during the 51st Standard meteorological week (SMW) with 1.33 numbers per twig per plant and 1.0 number per plant, respectively. Highest population of TSSM and thrips were recorded during 52nd SMW i.e.1.23 and 0.97 number per leaf, respectively. The incidence of pod borer and whitefly was found to be maximum during the 51st SMW with 1.12 per plant and 52nd SMW with 1.23 numbers per leaf, respectively. The incidence of leaf beetle, leaf miner and red ant was found to be minor. Meteorological parameters had a significant impact on population build up of various French bean crop pests. Cutworm population had a positive and significant correlation with morning relative humidity. Aphid had a positive significant correlation with maximum temperature and BSSH but negative with relative humidity. TSSM population had a positively significant correlation with relative humidity and negatively with maximum temperature. Pod borer population showed a negative significant correlation with maximum temperature and positive correlation with relative humidity. Whitefly population showed a negative significant correlation with maximum temperature and positive correlation with relative humidity. Thrips had a negative significant correlation with rain fall. Significantly lesser per cent incidence of Aphid (0.60%) was seen in Module-I than Module-III (2.58%) and Module-II (6.0%). But highest percentage of aphid incidence (13.40%) was registered in Module-IV. The mean population of thrips varied from 1.0 to 10.0 per cent among the modules. Module-I was found to be superior by recording significantly less incidence of thrips (1.04%) than Module-III (2.6%) and Module -II (4.0%). Considerably higher per cent incidence of thrips was observed in Module-IV (10.0%). The per cent population of mite was least (1.0%) in Module-I compared to Module-III (3.0%) and Module -II (7.6%). However, maximum incidence of mites was recorded in Module -IV (9.0%). Whitefly incidence was recorded to be minimum (1.2% in Module -I compared to Module -III (2.80%) and Module -II (4.0%). While highest percent incidence of whitefly was registered in Module -IV (10.8%). The mean per cent population of pod borer varied from 0.40 to 8.40% among the different modules. Module-I was found to be superior by recording significantly less incidence of pod borer (0.40%) and was significantly differed from Module -III (3.2%) and Module-II (5.8%). The highest healthy green bean yield ha-1 was achieved in Module I (13.99t ha-1) followed by Module-III (13.91t ha-1), Module II (13.56t ha-1) and Module-IV (9.88t ha-1). The effectiveness of IPM Modules in respect to B:C ratio were obtained to be 2.06, 1.95 and 1.97 from Module –I, II and III respectively. Efficacy of seven plant extract viz. Polygonum hydropiper, Murraya koenigii, Jatropha curcas, Piper longum, Ocimum sanctum, Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus and Pongamia pinnata were evaluated against aphid (A. craccivora) and TSSM (Tetranychus urticae) under both laboratory and field condition and all were found to be effective in reducing pests population as compared to control. LC50 were calculated for the different plant extracts and found that Piper longum (3.39% & 3.41%), Jatropha curcas (4.17% & 4.37%), Polygonum hydropiper (4.37% & 4.57%), Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus (5.13% & 5.23%), Murraya koenigii (5.25% & 5.35%), Pongamia pinnata (5.25% & 5.37%) and Ocimum sanctum (5.62% & 5.66%) against the aphid and TSSM, respectively after 48 hrs. of exposure period. The highest per cent mortality of both aphid and TSSM were obtained in Piper longum (3%) 75.46% & 66.85% after 96 hrs. of exposure period followed by Jatropha curcas (4%) with 65.89 % & 58.89%, Polygonum hydropiper (4%) with 63.89% & 57.31%, Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus (5%) with 60.19% & 51.02%, Murraya koenigii (5%) with 55.56% & 48.61%, Pongamia pinnata (5%) with 52.31% & 46.11% and Ocimum sanctum (6%) with 48.61% & 36.57%, respectively under laboratory condition. Under field condition highest per cent reduction of both aphid and TSSM were obtained in Piper longum (3%) with 84.38% & 63.41% after 7 days of treatment followed by Jatropha curcas (4%) with 73.53% & 52.50%, Polygonum hydropiper (4%) with 72.73% & 50%, Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus (5%) with 60.0% & 44.74%, Murraya koenigii (5%) with 56.25% & 43.59%, Pongamia pinnata (5%) with 45.0% & 40% and Ocimum sanctum (6%) resulted 39.39% & 37.84%, respectively.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDY OF DIFFERENTIAL GENE EXPRESSION IN RICE UNDER DROUGHT STRESS
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2015-07) Deka, Diganta; Modi, M. K.
    Rice is a dietary staple for a large part of the world’s human population which is grown under varying water regimes ranging from flooded to rainfed upland condition. The predominantly rice-growing areas in Asia are often threatened by severe abiotic stresses, the most common being drought which affects the yield potential of rice across all agro-climatic regions of the globe. Interestingly, some of the rice varieties of Northeast India are found to be drought tolerant e.g. Banglami. Comparative biochemical and physiological analyses of the variety with a high-yielding variety Luit confirmed this. Keeping all these points in view, high throughput RNA-Seq of the variety Banglami in presence and absence of drought was performed as an attempt to study the differential gene expression in Banglami. The RNA isolated by Trizol reagent (Invitrogen) was used for preparation of paired-end libraries using Illumina TruSeq RNA Library Preparation Kit. Libraries were sequenced using 2 X 150 PE chemistry on NextSeq. The reads were aligned against the indica reference assembly (ASM465v1). The expression analysis of the genes revealed 25,272 and 24,408 numbers of expressed genes in well watered control and drought stressed sample, respectively. Further analysis revealed 391 numbers of genes showing differential expression among which 86 were up-regulated and 305 were down-regulated. Among the differential expressed genes a number of genes were found to be very important for development of drought stress tolerant behaviour. Further, downstream analysis like Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, KEGG pathway analysis and QTL mapping were also performed which revealed important informations regarding the differentially expressed genes under drought stress condition in particular and the whole transcriptome of the Banglami variety of rice in general. The present study identified altered gene expression in rice induced by drought stress and provided a comprehensive map of drought responsive genes and pathways. Thus the results of the present investigation can serve as valuable genetic resource for gene expression, genomics and functional genomics studies in general and drought stress research in rice in particular.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    BIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES OF ASSAM
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2015-08) Kshetrimayum, Sumita; Das, Debanand
    Investigations were carried out to find the molecular characterization of root-knot nematode of Assam, morphological and morphometric variations among the populations of root-knot nematode (s) of Assam and effect of temperature on the biology (embryogenesis, penetration and multiplication) of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. PCR analysis using specific primer, MiF-MiR for M. incognita showed that all the populations of root-knot nematode collected from nine districts (Jorhat, Golaghat, Sibsagar, Lakhimpur, Dhubri, Nagaon, Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar and Kamrup) of Assam produced a PCR product of 399bp for all the root-knot nematode isolates. A representative of four different isolates from four districts viz., Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Kamrup were partially sequenced. Sequenced similarity of Mi isolates from four districts showed 89 per cent to 99 per cent homology. Results of molecular characterization using RAPD primers revealed that populations of root-knot nematode of nine districts of Assam formed three clusters with a bifurcation at 0.47 similarities. The first cluster had five isolates viz., Jorhat, Sibsagar, Kokrajhar, Kamrup and Dhubri. The second cluster comprised of three isolates viz., Golaghat, Lakhimpur and Dibrugarh, while Nagaon was found to be totally different from other isolates. Study on the morphological variations among the populations of Meloidogyne incognita from nine districts of Assam exhibited variations only in the tail shape, while other morphological characters showed similarities among the populations. Tail shape of second stage juveniles of M. incognita collected from Golaghat, Kokrajhar, Nagaon and Sibsagar district was similar in shape. Likewise, tail shape of second stage juvenile of Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Lakhimpur population showed similarity but, Dhubri and Kamrup population showed variation from other populations. No variation on perineal pattern was observed in size and shape of perineal pattern of M. incognita collected from nine districts of Assam. Studies on morphometric variations (body length, stylet length, lip height, lip width, MB, a, b, b´, c and c´) among the populations of M. incognita from nine districts of Assam showed no distinct variations in the major characters, except in MB value. MB value of Kamrup population was higher (61.79) than other populations. Present investigation on effect of temperature on the biology (embryogenesis, penetration and multiplication) of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita revealed that M. incognita completed embryogenesis within 4.468 days at 28°C, which was found to be the favorable temperature for embryogenesis than 31°C (5.168 days) and ambient temperature (7.645 days). Penetration was not affected by temperature but, migration and post-penetration inside the root tissue were influenced by temperature. At 27±1°C, M. incognita second stage juvenile took 5 days to reach stele region followed by 31±1°C and 23±1°C (7 days) while, at 21±1°C, it took 10 days. Multiplication of M. incognita was greatly affected by temperature. Maximum number of galls per root system (119.6), number of egg masses per root system (275.2), number of eggs per egg mass (343.6), final nematode population (1335.2) and reproduction factor of nematodes (2.67) was observed at 27±1°C followed by 31±1°C, 23±1°C and 21±1°C.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    DIVERSITY OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES (EPN) IN ASSAM
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2015) Borgohain, Nivedita; Gogoi, B. B.
    An investigation was carried out to see the diversity and distribution of Entomopathogenic nematodes in Assam. EPNs were recovered at a frequency of 14.75 per cent from 45 samples out of the 305 number samples. The highest frequency of 30.00 per cent was recorded in Karbi-Anglong district and lowest of 10.00 per cent was from Dhubri district. Identification of EPNs isolates were made on the basis of morphological and morphometric studies on the developmental stages of the nematodes. Four species of EPN viz., Steinernema abbasi, Steinernema karii and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Heterorhabditis sonorensis were identified. Heterorhabditis sonorensis is for the first time reported from India. Among the identified species Steinernema abbasi is more prevalent, like Heterorhabditis sonorensis are more abundant in our ecosystem. Highest record of EPNs was in forest eco-system (20%) followed by perennial fruit crops (18.18), grass land (15.4%), ornamental crops (9.43%) and vegetables (6.00%). Steinernema spp. isolated from acidic to alkaline soil whereas Heterorhabditis spp. from acidic to alkaline soil with low to high organic matter content. On the basis of soil types, highest EPNs were recorded from sandy loam soil
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BHUT JOLOKIA (Capsicum chinense Jacq.)
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2015) Sentimenla; Narzary, B. D.
    An experiment was conducted during the year 2012-13 and 2013-14 in the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat on eleven Bhut jolokia (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) genotypes for morphological and biochemical characterization. Observations were recorded for morphologic traits, growth characters, yield and yield attributing traits, biochemical characters and colour parameters. Characterization of the genotypes was done based on 11 morphological characters following the descriptors developed by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute for the genus Capsicum, IPGRI (1995).The genotypes were characterized by the 11 morphological characters, of which only 4 characters showed polymorphism. Significant variation was revealed among the genotypes for all the growth and yield and yield attributing characters except for 1000 seed weight. The highest fruit yield per plant with the highest number of flowers per cluster, minimum days to emergence of flower bud, highest number of fruits per plant and maximum days to harvest maturity was produced by G9 compared to other genotypes. Among the other genotypes G1, G6 and G10 were found promising for fruit yield. All the genotypes showed significant variation with regard to the biochemical characters except moisture content. Genotypes G1 showed the highest content for potassium, iron, capsaicin, moisture and DPPH scavenging activity. It was observed that the crude protein, beta-carotene and oleoresin content were highest in G3 compared to the other genotypes. G6 gave the highest value for ascorbic acid and phosphorus content compared to the other genotypes under study. From the colour value estimation it was found that genotype G3 exhibited the highest ‘L’ and ‘a’ value while G4 showed the highest value for ‘b’ and hue compared to the other genotypes and the highest value for Chroma was recorded in G9. From the study of genetic parameters in this population of genotypes, it was observed that fruit yield per plant showed the highest genotypic variation, heritability and genetic advance. The other characters found to be effective selection criteria were plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of fruits per plant and number of seeds per fruit. From Path analysis it was found that the number of primary branches and fruit width exerted positive direct effects and were positively correlated with fruit yield per plant. Thus by considering both genetic parameters and character relationships number of leaves per plant, days to emergence of flower bud, fruit width, number of primary branches per plant, number of fruit per plant and harvest duration could be further exploited for crop improvement to develop suitable plant type. Thus considerable variation observed among the genotypes for various yield attributes suggested good scope for developing high yielding varieties through selection and hybridization. Moreover identification and characterization of bhut jolokia genotypes is essential for protection of plant varieties and for maintenance breeding, seed production and certification.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    A STUDY ON UTILIZATION OF MICROFINANCE PROVIDED BY ASSAM GRAMIN VIKASH BANK TOWARDS WOMEN EMPOWERMENT OF SELF-HELP-GROUP BENEFICIARIES IN UPPER BRAHMAPUTRA VALLEY ZONE (UBVZ) OF ASSAM.
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2015) Sharma, Sangeeta; Bhattacharyya, A. K.
    Women are the vital component in society. The position and status of women in any society is an index of its civilization and progress. Empowerment of women helps in creating situation in which they can think about their own destiny and through which they can participate as equal partners in various development activities. Micro Finance refers to a collection of banking practices built around providing small loans and accepting tiny deposits. Assam Gramin Vikash Bank (AGVB) amalgamated in 2006 has performing SHG Bank Linkage Programmes disbursing microfinance. Keeping this in view this study was conducted with the following objectives: 1. To study the effectiveness of group in utilizing microfinance. 2. To study the socio-personal characteristics of respondents availing microfinance. 3. To find out the socio economic status and level of empowerment of women beneficiaries availing microfinance by AGVB. 4. To study relationship between utilization of fund and profile characteristic of beneficiaries. 5. To identify the problems perceived by respondents in availing and utilizing microfinance provided by AGVB. The study was conducted in Golaghat, Jorhat and Sivasagar districts of Assam. For the districts, data were collected with the help of selected Branches of Assam GraminVikas Bank. Total respondents of the study were 240. Assam Gramin Vikash Bank was established in 2005 summing up regional rural banks and one nationalised bank UBI. This bank has branches all over the state excluding KarbiAnglong and DimaHasao. For uplifting the socio-economic status of rural population, Assam Gramin Vikash Bank-the pioneer Regional Rural Bank of the state puts its sincere and concerted efforts towards sustainable economic development of rural Assam through holistic approach have resulted in many eye catching revolutionary impacts. The study was conducted with the help of six branches of the Bank spread in three selected districts of Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone. The important findings of the study were:  Above fifty six percent (56.25%) of the respondents were of Young age.  Above thirty one percent (31.67%) of the respondents were educated upto Higher Secondary level.  Above sixty nine percent (69.16%) of the respondents were belonging to nuclear family.  Above sixty two percent (62.50%) of the respondents had small sized family.  Above forty two percent (42.50%) of respondents were from Scheduled Caste/Tribe.  Above seventy three percent (73.33%) of respondents were married, 19.17% respondents were unmarried.  Above fifty percent (50.83%) of respondents were having membership in one organization.  Above eighty six percent (86.67%) of respondents preferred Bank as their saving source.  Above forty eight percent (48.75%) respondents repaid more than 90% of microfinance they borrowed.  Majority of respondents (74.16%) had medium level of perceived economic motivation.  Above fifty six percent (56.67%) of respondents had high level of perceived innovation proneness.  Majority of the respondents (66.25%) had medium level of perceived risk bearing ability.  Majority of the respondents (75%) had medium level of Achievement Motivation.  Above sixty seven percent (67.91%) of respondents had medium level of perceived self confidence.  Majority of respondents had medium level of perceived group effectiveness of their group.  Majority of the respondents (74.58%) of respondents had medium level of women empowerment.  Goatery ranked first (freq.120) in adopting activities for utilizing microfinance by the bank.  Conflict among members was perceived as a major problem faced by the respondents.  Respondents perceived that the Bank showed little Monopolistic power.  Age, education, family type, family size, marital status and management of microfinance of respondents were found having no relationship with perceived group effectiveness of the respondents.  The study revealed that respondents from SC/ST caste and OBC/MOBC caste had a positive significant relationship (Sig. 050) with perceived Group effectiveness.  Positive significant relationship was found between perceived group effectiveness of respondents of all the districts with economic motivation (.173**), innovation proneness (.143*), and achievement motivation (.173**).  Itwas found that the group effectiveness had no relationship with risk bearing ability(.123NS) andself confidence(.009NS)  Respondents’ age, education, caste, saving pattern and repayment of microfinance had positive significant relationship with level of women empowerment.  Family type, family size, marital status, organizational membership of the respondents had no relationship with level of women empowerment.  It was found that there was apositive significant relationship between perceived level of women empowerment of respondents of all the districts with economic motivation (.228*), innovation proneness (.296**), risk bearing ability (.823**), self confidence (.527**) and achievement motivation (.485**)  The study revealed that perceived group effectiveness of the respondents had a positive relationship with perceived level of women empowerment (Sig. 0.000).