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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of biofertilizer and organic fertilizer on soil health, growth and yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Gurpreet Kaur; Jupinder Kaur
    The integrated application of biofertilizer, organic and inorganic fertilizer is an agricultural practice which can replenish soil nutrient pool in a sustainable way to benefit soil and plant health. Thus, a field experiment was carried out to study the effect of biofertilizer, organic and inorganic fertilizer on soil microbial dynamics and nutrient status, plant nutrient uptake, growth parameters as well as on yield attributes of Cowpea crop. On analysis of data pertaining to soil microbial dynamics, significantly higher bacterial (289 × 107 CFU g-1 soil), PSB (46 × 103 CFU g-1 of soil) and diazotrophic (176 × 105 CFU g-1 of soil) population was observed in treatment T10 (N100 FYM + consortium biofertilizer) at 35 DAS, whereas, soil fungal (30 × 103 CFU g-1 soil) and actinomycetes (136 × 104 CFU g-1 of soil) population were observed to be significantly higher in treatment T10 (N100 FYM + consortium biofertilizer) at 70 DAS. The soil enzyme activities viz. dehydrogenase (6.991 µg TPF formed h-1 g of soil-1) and alkaline phosphatase enzyme (25.942 µg PNP formed h-1 g of soil-1) activity were recorded to be significantly higher in treatment T10 (N100 FYM + consortium biofertilizer) at 35 DAS. However, significantly higher urease activity (586.11 µg urea hydrolyzed formed h-1 g of soil-1) was observed in treatment T7 (N100 P100 + consortium biofertilizer) at 85 DAS. Soil nutrient status was analyzed at harvest. Significantly higher organic carbon (0.38 %), available nitrogen (122.7 kg ha-1), available phosphorus (28.9 kg ha-1) and available potassium (165.4 kg ha-1) were observed in treatment T10 (N100 FYM + consortium biofertilizer). Whereas, significantly higher electrical conductivity (0.254 dS m-1) was observed in treatment T8 (N50 FYM + NP50 with consortium biofertilizer) and significantly lower pH (7.29) in treatment T10 (N100 FYM + consortium biofertilizer). Plant nutrient uptake of nitrogen (98.04 kg ha-1), phosphorus (12.04 kg ha-1) and potassium (160.76 kg ha-1) were found to be significantly higher in treatment T8 (N50 FYM + NP50 with consortium biofertilizer). The various growth attributes of Cowpea viz. fresh weight of root (9.564 g) and dry weight of root (2.554 g), fresh weight of shoot (150.9 g) and dry weight of shoot (40.5 g), number of leaves per plant (90) and number of nodules per plant (25) were observed to significantly higher at harvest in treatment T8 (N50 FYM + NP50 with consortium biofertilizer). The pod parameters viz., number of pods per plant (23), fresh weight of pod (9.30 g) and dry weight of pod (3.56 g), pod length (7.4 cm) and pod width (0.933 cm) were observed to be significantly higher in treatment T8 (N50 FYM + NP50 with consortium biofertilizer) at harvest. However, the height of the plant (192.87 cm), number of branches (39 at harvest), fresh weight of leaves (47.1 g) and dry weight (19.6 g) of leaves were recorded as highest in treatment T9 (N25 FYM + NP75 and consortium biofertilizer). The yield at harvest as pod yield (2431 kg ha-1) and stover yield (8600 kg ha-1) was observed to be significantly higher in treatment T8 (N50 FYM + NP50 with consortium biofertilizer). Significant positive correlation was observed between bacterial population and enzyme activities, soil properties, plant NPK and yield. The results indicated that combined application of biofertilizer, organic and inorganic fertilizer improved soil health and plant growth leading to increased crop yield.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Integrated weed management in wheat and characterization of herbicide resistance in Phalaris minor Retz.
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Gurpreet Kaur; Tarundeep Kaur
    The study ―Integrated weed management in wheat and characterization of herbicide resistance in Phalaris minor Retz.‖, consisted of two field and one pot experiment. Expt I: Integrated weed management in relation to paddy straw levels, nitrogen rates in wheat under rice -wheat cropping system was conducted in split plot design with paddy straw levels i.e. 0 t ha-1 , 7.5 t ha-1 and 10 t ha-1 paddy straw in main plots, nitrogen doses i.e. 100 % , 125 % and 150 % recommended nitrogen in sub plots and weed control i.e. without herbicide (control) and metribuzin 42% + clodinafop propargyl 12% at 270 g ha-1 (POST) in sub-sub plots with three replications. Significant reduction in viable weed seeds and density of Phalaris minor, Medicago denticulata and Rumex dentatus was recorded in 7.5 and 10 t ha-1 than 0 t ha-1. An increase of 9.3 & 8.1 % and 9 & 5.9 % in grain yield was recorded in 7.5 and 10 t ha-1 paddy straw level than 0 t ha-1 paddy straw level during 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively. Grain yield slightly enhanced with increasing 100 to 125 % recommended nitrogen and started decreasing with further increasing nitrogen to 150 % recommended nitrogen. Lower density of weeds and higher grain yields (38.1-51.3%) were produced in metribuzin + clodinafop (pre-mix) at 270 g ha-1 than without herbicide. Expt II: Integrated weed management with crop establishment methods and row spacing in wheat under rice -wheat cropping system was conducted in split plot design with crop establishment methods i.e. mechanically transplanted rice and manual transplanted rice in main plots, row spacing i.e. 18.25 cm (7.3 inches) and 22.5 cm (9 inches) in sub plots and weed control i.e. without herbicide (control), pyroxasulfone at 127.5 g ha-1 (PRE), metsulfuron 10% + carfentrazone 40% at 25 g ha-1 (POST) and metribuzin 42% + clodinafop 12% at 270 g ha-1 (POST) in sub-sub plots with three replications. Closer row spacing of 18.25 cm had better smothering effect on weeds and gave 9.2 and 12.5% increased grain yields than row spacing of 22.5 cm. Metribuzin + clodinafop at 270 g ha-1 and pyroxasulfone at 127.5 g ha-1 reduced grass and broad leaf weeds effectively. Metsulfuron + carfentrazone at 25 g ha-1 managed broad leaf weeds efficiently but it did not control grass weeds and their biomass. Metribuzin + clodinafop at 270 g ha-1 and pyroxasulfone at 127.5 g ha-1 gave higher grain and straw yield than without herbicide. Expt III: Characterization of herbicide resistance in Phalaris minor was carried out using five post emergence herbicides viz clodinafop, mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron, pinoxaden, sulfosulfuron and isoproturon, and three pre-emergence herbicides namely pendimethalin, pendimethalin+metribuzin and pyroxasulfone at 0, 0.25X, 0.50X, X, 2X and 4X doses of recommended field use of herbicides with three replications tested against 95 populations of Phalaris minor alongwith two susceptible population. It was found that 13 populations had homozygous resistant alleles (404bp band), 41 populations had homozygous sensitive alleles (169 and 235 bp band) whereas 12 populations had heterozygous resistant alleles (169, 235 and 404bp band). T to A nucleotide transversion was observed in amplfied region of ACC gene which is responsible for resistance to Acetyl CoA Carboxylase enzyme in Phalaris minor. Non-enzymatic antioxidant components and antioxidant enzymes played an important role in defence mechanism of Phalaris minor resistant populations under herbicide stress. H2O2 produced during the oxidative stress was detoxified in resistant Phalaris minor populations either by peroxidase enzyme and/or catalase enzyme and/or ascorbate peroxodase and/or glutathione reductase in combination of two or more enzymes along with superoxide dismutate enzyme
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    ThesisItemEmbargo
    Integrated weed management in wheat and characterization of herbicide resistance in Phalaris minor Retz.
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Gurpreet Kaur; Tarundeep Kaur
    The study ―Integrated weed management in wheat and characterization of herbicide resistance in Phalaris minor Retz.‖, consisted of two field and one pot experiment. Expt I: Integrated weed management in relation to paddy straw levels, nitrogen rates in wheat under rice -wheat cropping system was conducted in split plot design with paddy straw levels i.e. 0 t ha-1 , 7.5 t ha-1 and 10 t ha-1 paddy straw in main plots, nitrogen doses i.e. 100 % , 125 % and 150 % recommended nitrogen in sub plots and weed control i.e. without herbicide (control) and metribuzin 42% + clodinafop propargyl 12% at 270 g ha-1 (POST) in sub-sub plots with three replications. Significant reduction in viable weed seeds and density of Phalaris minor, Medicago denticulata and Rumex dentatus was recorded in 7.5 and 10 t ha-1 than 0 t ha-1. An increase of 9.3 & 8.1 % and 9 & 5.9 % in grain yield was recorded in 7.5 and 10 t ha-1 paddy straw level than 0 t ha-1 paddy straw level during 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively. Grain yield slightly enhanced with increasing 100 to 125 % recommended nitrogen and started decreasing with further increasing nitrogen to 150 % recommended nitrogen. Lower density of weeds and higher grain yields (38.1-51.3%) were produced in metribuzin + clodinafop (pre-mix) at 270 g ha-1 than without herbicide. Expt II: Integrated weed management with crop establishment methods and row spacing in wheat under rice -wheat cropping system was conducted in split plot design with crop establishment methods i.e. mechanically transplanted rice and manual transplanted rice in main plots, row spacing i.e. 18.25 cm (7.3 inches) and 22.5 cm (9 inches) in sub plots and weed control i.e. without herbicide (control), pyroxasulfone at 127.5 g ha-1 (PRE), metsulfuron 10% + carfentrazone 40% at 25 g ha-1 (POST) and metribuzin 42% + clodinafop 12% at 270 g ha-1 (POST) in sub-sub plots with three replications. Closer row spacing of 18.25 cm had better smothering effect on weeds and gave 9.2 and 12.5% increased grain yields than row spacing of 22.5 cm. Metribuzin + clodinafop at 270 g ha-1 and pyroxasulfone at 127.5 g ha-1 reduced grass and broad leaf weeds effectively. Metsulfuron + carfentrazone at 25 g ha-1 managed broad leaf weeds efficiently but it did not control grass weeds and their biomass. Metribuzin + clodinafop at 270 g ha-1 and pyroxasulfone at 127.5 g ha-1 gave higher grain and straw yield than without herbicide. Expt III: Characterization of herbicide resistance in Phalaris minor was carried out using five post emergence herbicides viz clodinafop, mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron, pinoxaden, sulfosulfuron and isoproturon, and three pre-emergence herbicides namely pendimethalin, pendimethalin+metribuzin and pyroxasulfone at 0, 0.25X, 0.50X, X, 2X and 4X doses of recommended field use of herbicides with three replications tested against 95 populations of Phalaris minor alongwith two susceptible population. It was found that 13 populations had homozygous resistant alleles (404bp band), 41 populations had homozygous sensitive alleles (169 and 235 bp band) whereas 12 populations had heterozygous resistant alleles (169, 235 and 404bp band). T to A nucleotide transversion was observed in amplfied region of ACC gene which is responsible for resistance to Acetyl CoA Carboxylase enzyme in Phalaris minor. Non-enzymatic antioxidant components and antioxidant enzymes played an important role in defence mechanism of Phalaris minor resistant populations under herbicide stress. H2O2 produced during the oxidative stress was detoxified in resistant Phalaris minor populations either by peroxidase enzyme and/or catalase enzyme and/or ascorbate peroxodase and/or glutathione reductase in combination of two or more enzymes along with superoxide dismutate enzyme.
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    ThesisItemEmbargo
    Evaluation of integrated rodent pest management technology in fodder crops
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Gurpreet Kaur; Babbar, Bhupinder Kaur
    Bajra and berseem act as reservoir crops to the rats. By managing rats in bajra and berseem, we can control rat damage in the upcoming and surrounding crops also. Till now, no work has done on rodent pest management in berseem and bajra. Surveys were conducted in three villages, Noorpurbet, Khairabet and Bhaga khurdh, district Ludhiana to determine the critical stage of rodent management in both crops. Results revealed abrupt increase in their population at two different stages in both crops and after harvesting or irrigation in surrounding fields. It was hypothesized that management of rodents at the determined critical stages in small patches of both crops could also reduce rodent damage in surrounding crop fields at a much-reduced rate. Comparison of different rodent management methods used in bajra and berseem on the basis of % reduction in rodent activity using Kruskall Wallis H test, duration of efficacy, cost of application, effect of management in surrounding fields revealed that integration of repellent based formulation (RBF-developed in our laboratory) with trapping is the most effective and ecologically safe method of rodent management. Integration of RBF (about 100 pouches/acre) with trapping (10 traps/acre) in surrounding fields reduced rodent infestation (65.8 to 97.6%) in both RBF treated bajra fields and in surrounding maize fields for 55 days at a cost of Rs 1161/-. Trapping efficacy of rats was found to increase near RBF treated surrounding fields. Testing of NSA bait (with both toxic and antifertility properties and developed in our laboratory) in bajra crop fields as a reservoir crop also revealed its both toxic and antifertility effects in real field conditions and can be used to reduce rodent infestation for long duration
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of post harvest foliar spray of plant growth regulators on flower quality of chrysanthemum
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Gurpreet Kaur; Jhanji, Shalini
    The present investigation entitled “Effect of post harvest foliar spray of plant growth regulators on flower quality of chrysanthemum” was undertaken in the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping and the Department of Botany of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during the year 2020. The stems of chrysanthemum cv. White Star (spray type) were harvested when ¾ th outer florets were fully expanded. The stems were treated with different chemical solutions of plant growth regulators (PGRs)- Benzyl adenine (50, 100, 150 and 200µM), Thidiazuron (5, 10, 15 and 20µM) and Salicylic acid (50, 100, 150 and 200µM) through pulsing (for 24 h) and postharvest foliar spray application. One set of stems were similarly treated with water representing control. The stems treated with water (control) exhibited early senescence of florets (16.84 days) and yellowing of leaves (11.65 days) which was associated with decline in membrane stability index, chlorophyll content, total soluble sugars, total soluble proteins, activity of antioxidant enzymes viz. peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT). Treatments with plant growth regulators prolonged post harvest longevity of florets as well as leaves as compared to control. This effect was associated with increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, maintenance of total soluble sugars and proteins, improved water uptake by the stems. The morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes were found to be high at initiation of vase life and gradually decreased with progression of time till end of vase life in all the treatments. Cluster analysis inferred that pulsing solutions of BA@50 and100µM and TDZ@5 and10µM were found to be efficient in delaying floret senescence (24.01 days) and leaf yellowing (20.54 days) in cut chrysanthemum stems. Pulsing was considered to be effective than foliar spraying as a means of applying PGRs. TDZ@5µM gave the best results in terms of improving the postharvest life of chrysanthemum stems among the various PGRs.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Molecular mapping of yellow mosaic virus resistance in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Gurpreet Kaur; Navraj Kaur
    Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is a popular cultivated vegetable in India and other countries. The susceptible parent ‘Punjab-14’ and the resistant parent ‘PAUBG-6’ were crossed to obtain F4 mapping population comprising 101 individuals with the objective of mapping yellow mosaic disease resistance in bitter gourd. In the present study, genotypingby-sequencing (GBS) approach was used to develop the genetic linkage map. The map contained 3,144 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, consisted of 15 linkage groups and spanned for 2415.2 cM with an average marker distance of 0.7 cM. By adopting the artificial and field inoculation techniques, F4:5 individuals were phenotyped for disease resistance in Nethouse (2019), Rainy (2019) and Spring season (2020). The QTL analysis using the genetic map and phenotyping data identified three QTLs qYMD.pau_3.1, qYMD.pau_4.1 and qYMD.pau_5.1 on chromosome 3, 4 and 5 respectively with phenotypic variation explained (PVE) from 13.5 to 22.1%. In addition, nine horticultural important traits including days to appearance of first female flower, days to appearance of first male flower, days to fruit maturity, node to appearance of first female flower, seed hardness, seed number, fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit weight were evaluated using quantitative data. As a result, twelve QTLs responsible for these traits were also identified. In another experiment, the relative gene expression of begomovirus genes in susceptible and resistant hosts was studied to understand the mechanism of virus resistance. The expression analysis indicated the high expression of AC4 gene in resistant plant provided the information on the efforts of virus to combat the resistance of plant. The information generated in this study is very useful in future for fine-mapping and for marker-assisted selection for these traits.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Relationship of family environment and school environment with educational anxiety of adolescents
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Gurpreet Kaur; Chawla, Asha
    The present study entitled “Relationship of family environment and school environment with educational anxiety of adolescents”. The study was carried out in Government rural and urban schools of Ludhiana district. The total sample comprised 200 adolescents (100 rural and 100 urban) in the age group of 17-18 years. Personal information sheet, Educational Anxiety Inventory (Sood and Anand 2012), Family Environment Scale (Bhatia and Chadha 1993) and School Environment Scale (Misra 2012) were used to collect the data. The findings of the study revealed that more number of females experienced educational anxiety at average level than males. Rural adolescents had more educational anxiety as compared to urban adolescents. Majority of the adolescents (male and female) experienced their family environment at average level. Majority of urban adolescents experienced their family environment at average level than rural adolescents. Males perceived high level in all the dimensions of school environment. Significant locale differences were found in case of permissiveness and rejection only. In case of females correlation analysis between family environment and educational anxiety was found to be significant and inversely associated with educational anxiety except in one dimension i.e conflict, whereas in males correlation was significant and inverse in active- recreational dimension only. Rural adolescents presented significant but inverse relationship of family environment with educational anxiety except in two dimension i.e organization and conflict. Among males correlation analysis between school environment and educational anxiety were found to be non significant apart from one dimension i.e cognitive encouragement and in case of females correlation analysis were found to be significant and inversely associated with educational anxiety and dimensions like creative stimulation and acceptance. Non significant correlation was found in the dimensions of school environment apart from two dimensions i.e creative stimulation and acceptance in case of rural adolescents. Correlation analysis among urban adolescents presented significant and inverse association between educational anxiety and dimensions like creative stimulation, cognitive encouragement and acceptance.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Raising summer season vegetable crops through intercropping in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) using different doses of nitrogen
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Gurpreet Kaur; Sharma, Madhu
    The present research work entitled, “Raising summer season vegetable crops through intercropping in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) using different doses of nitrogen” was accomplished in 2017 at Vegetable Seed Production Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The experiment was replicated thrice in randomized complete block design (RCBD Factorial) comprising of 3 doses of nitrogen (N1 @125 kg/ha, N2 @ 150 kg/ha and N3 @ 175 kg/ha) and 9 different intercropping systems (T1-Sole Broccoli, T2-Broccoli + Tomato, T3-Broccoli + Capsicum, T4-Broccoli + Chilli, T5- Broccoli + Cucumber, T6-Sole Tomato, T7-Sole Capsicum, T8-Sole Chilli and T9-Sole Cucumber). All the growth, yield and quality parameters of broccoli and intercrops were significantly influenced by nitrogen doses. In case of broccoli, plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf size, plant spread, height up to head, head diameter and weight, total yield, dry matter content, glucosinolates and nitrogen in leaves were highest in N3 and were statistically at par with N2. In different intercropping systems, N3 recorded the maximum value of growth and yield parameters followed by N2. N1 recorded the highest vitamin C. Among the intercrops, tomato plants showed the highest survival percentage and also recorded the highest gross returns, net returns and benefit cost ratio (BCR) followed by chilli. Land equivalent ratio (LER) was also significantly higher in broccoli + tomato. Based upon the present findings, it is concluded that growing broccoli + tomato/chilli using N2 (150 kg/ha) is a highly remunerative option for Punjab farmers in Rabi season.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Formulation and nutritional evaluation of cereal-pulse based extruded snacks supplemented with dehydrated herbs
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Gurpreet Kaur; Singla, Neerja
    In the present investigation, a combination of wheat and chickpea (80:20) was used for formulation of extruded snacks which were supplemented with varying levels of 1-5 percent dried herbs namely Basil (BL), Mint (ML), Drumstick leaves (DL) and a mixture of all these herbs (MXL) having one percent of each herb. While comparing fresh and dried leaves of herbs, It was found that dried leaves had significantly higher (p<0.01) levels of crude protein, fibre, fat, ash, β-carotene, minerals (Ca, Fe and Zn) and bioactive components. Organoleptically extrudates were found to be most acceptable at three percent level of supplementation for all the herbs. Overall acceptability of various extrudates was in order of MXL>DL>ML>BL. A significant change (p<0.05) in physical parameters namely mass flow rate, bulk density, moisture retention, expansion ratio, water absorption index, water solubility index and water holding capacity (WHC) of supplemented extrudates was observed as compared to their control counterparts. The moisture, ash, crude protein, fibre and fat content of supplemented extruded snacks ranged from 3.40 to 3.88, 2.32 to 2.90, 11.35 to 12.20, 3.0 to 3.36 and 1.67 to1.75 g/100g, respectively. Ascorbic acid and β-carotene content of supplemented extruded snacks ranged from 9.72 to 12.98 mg/100g and 54.71-98.10 µg/100g, respectively. Total iron, calcium and zinc content in supplemented extruded snacks were found to increase in the range of 19-29, 38-77 and 52-63%, respectively in comparison to control. The total phenol and flavonoid content of supplemented extruded snacks varied from 153.45 to 184.76 mg GAE/100g and 222.38 to 384.40 mg RE/100g, respectively. The percent increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in supplemented snacks ranged from 97-124, 93-125, 96-154 and 25-46%, respectively by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and RPA, respectively as compared to control. The percent decrease in moisture, ash, protein, fat and fibre ranged from 58-60, 14-18, 0.73-0.87, 19-23, 5-8 %, respectively among the supplemented extrudates in comparison to their raw mixtures. The reduction in vitamin C and β-carotene content was 18-21 and 2-3%, respectively after extrusion. The reduction in phytate, oxalate and trypsin inhibitor content after extrusion was 8-9, 14-15 and 21-24%, respectively after extrusion. Percent increase in total phenols and flavonoid content after extrusion was in the range of 24-28 and 2-3%, respectively. A significant increase (p<0.05) in TAC as measured by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and RPA was observed among supplemented extrudates as compared to their raw mixtures. An increase of 20, 26 and 35 % for in vitro carbohydrate, protein digestibility and iron bioavailability was observed in supplemented extrudates after extrusion. While determining the effect of storage period and type of packaging on organoleptic parameters like appearance, colour etc. were not much affected while changes were observed in texture, taste and flavour. Statistically significant increase in moisture content and decrease in TAC was observed on storage of extrudates in both the packaging materials aluminium laminates (AL) and Ziploc pouches (ZL). However, the rate of loss in TAC was comparatively lower in aluminium laminate stored extrudates as compared to Ziploc pouches. However, moisture and the microbial count were found to be within the permissible limits even after four months of storage period. It can be concluded that supplementation of some of the commonly used dehydrated herbs leaves in the powder form to the cereal-pulse based extruded snacks can help to introduce a new type of value added snacks which will not only satisfy consumers short time hunger but also provide numerous health benefits especially in terms of bioactive components.