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Anand Agricultural University, Anand
Anand Agricultural University (AAU) was established in 2004 at Anand with the support of the Government of Gujarat, Act No.(Guj 5 of 2004) dated April 29, 2004. Caved out of the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU), the dream institution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. K. M. Munshi, the AAU was set up to provide support to the farming community in three facets namely education, research and extension activities in Agriculture, Horticulture Engineering, product Processing and Home Science. At present there seven Colleges, seventeen Research Centers and six Extension Education Institute working in nine districts of Gujarat namely Ahmedabad, Anand, Dahod, Kheda, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Mahisagar, Botad and Chhotaudepur
AAU's activities have expanded to span newer commodity sectors such as soil health card, bio-diesel, medicinal plants apart from the mandatory ones like rice, maize, tobacco, vegetable crops, fruit crops, forage crops, animal breeding, nutrition and dairy products etc. the core of AAU's operating philosophy however, continues to create the partnership between the rural people and committed academic as the basic for sustainable rural development. In pursuing its various programmes AAU's overall mission is to promote sustainable growth and economic independence in rural society. AAU aims to do this through education, research and extension education. Thus, AAU works towards the empowerment of the farmers.
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ThesisItem Open Access IMPACT OF PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT SOCIETY ON TECHNO-ECONOMIC CHANGE OF FARMERS OF ANAND DISTRICT IN GUJARAT STATE(AAU, Anand, 2002) Dabhi, Ranjitsinh Amarsinh; TRIVEDI, J. C.Irrigation as the main catalyst of agricultural development in India accounts for the largest share in total investment in the agricultural sector, Gujarat state has a relatively lower share in the overall availability of water in India. In Gujarat, only 23 per cent of the total cultivable land of the state is under irrigation. Even with the fullest exploitation of the Sardar Sarovar Project, about 52 per cent of the state agriculture will be dependent on the mercy of monsoon, particularly erratic, inadequate and uncertain rainfall. Irrigation development in India is mainly from three sources viz., canals, wells and tanks. Area under irrigation by the canal systems was gradually found in reducing direction. The reason for poor performance of the canal projects are due to the fact that the emphasis on irrigation has been and continuous to be the construction of new projects rather than management of the operation and maintenance of the existing systems. On the basis successive, experience of Rotational Water Delivery System, the concept of participatory irrigation management was accepted for the country. Through the Participatory Irrigation Management Society (PIMS) it would be assumed that by adopting water management system of PIMS, there should be some change among members of PIMS regarding their techno-economic change and extent of adoption of recommended water management practices. There is hardly any detailed researches available in this regard for the Gujarat state. Moreover, within short coming future irrigation water through Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. will also be supplied. Delivery and application efficiency for irrigation management is generally absence of water user's participation in water management. Whatever the past studies conducted, were limited up to some extent. With a view to analyse this situation the study on "IMPACT OF PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT SOCIETY ON TECHNO-ECONOMIC CHANGE OF FARMERS OF ANAND DISTRICT IN GUJARAT STATE" was planned and undertaken. The specific objectives of the study were : 1. To study the personal, social, agro-economic, psychological and communication characteristics of members of PIMS and non-members. 2. To measure the knowledge of participatory irrigation management system of members of PIMS and non-members. 3. To measure the knowledge of functions of PIMS as perceived by the members of PIMS and non-members. 4. To ascertain the knowledge of the members of PIMS and nonmembers regarding recommended water management practices followed in major crops viz., paddy, wheat and banana. 5. To construct and standardized the attitude scale and to measure the attitude of members of PIMS and non-members towards PIMS. 6. To measure the techno-economic change of members of PIMS and non-members. 7. To know the extent of adoption of recommended water management practices, followed by members of PIMS and non-members for major crops viz., paddy, wheat and banana. 8. To measure the impact of participatory Irrigation Management Society management on members of PIMS and non-members. 9. To ascertain the relationship, if any between the selected independent variables with techno-economic change and extent of adoption of recommended water management practices of the members of PIMS and non-members. 10. To predict the extent of variation in dependent variables, caused by selected independent variables. 11. To know the direct and indirect effect of the independent variables on dependent variables. 12. To analyse the problems faced by the members of PIMS, in efficient use of canal irrigation water in PIMS and collect the suggestions to overcome their problems. The Anand district of the Gujarat state was purposively selected for this study. Among the eight taluka of the district two taluka namely Anklav and Borsad were selected purposively as two PIMS viz., Sardar Patel Krushi Vikas Ane Piyat Sahkari Mandli SPKVPSM Bhetasi and Aksher Piyat Ane Krushi Vikas Sahakari Mandli (APKVSM), Bochasan were located in the taluka. All the ten villages of both the PIMS were selected purposively. Total 50 members from SPKVPSM and 50 members from APKVSM were selected proportionately and 50 non-members from each village of both the PIMS were also selected for the study. Thus, total 100 members of PIMS and 100 non-members were included for the study. An interview schedule was prepared in vernacular language and data were collected by personal interview method. The dependent variables undertaken in this study were, techno-economic change and extent of adoption of recommended water management practices. The independent variables chosen for the purpose of the study were personal, social, agro-economic, psychological and communication. In order to measure the attitude of the members of PIMS and non-members towards PIMS, the attitude scale was developed and used by the researcher. The collected data through interview schedule were then transferred to master table and analysed in order to make the findings meaningful. The statistical measures such as percentage, mean score, standard deviation, coefficients of correlation, stepwise multiple regression, standard partial regression coefficient and path coefficient analysis were used. The important findings of the study are summarized as under: 1. Nearly half of the members of PIMS and non-members belonged to middle age group and were having primary level of education. 2. Majority of members of PIMS and a great majority of the non-members belonged to backward caste and a great majority of the respondents had joint type of family and having small to medium size of family. 3. Majority of the members of PIMS and nearly half of the nonmembers had membership in more than one organization and a great majority of the respondents of both the groups had medium socio-economic status. 4. Majority of the respondents had farming and animal husbandry occupations as source of income and a large majority of the respondents were found to have medium level of material possession and housing facility and a large majority, were having medium herd size. 5. Majority of the members of PIMS and more than half of the non-members were marginal farmers, possessed below 1.0 ha of land holding and more than half of the respondents had in between 151 to 200 per cent cropping intensity. 6. Slightly more than one-third of the members of PIMS and half of the non-members had an annual income in between Rs.50,000 to 1,00,000/- and majority of the respondents were found to be under the category of medium credit orientation, risk preference and scientific orientation. 7. Majority of the members of PIMS and a vast majority of the non-members were found to have moderately favourable attitude toward PIMS. 8. Nearly a large majority of the members of PIMS and more than half of the non-members had medium level of knowledge regarding recommended water management practices, while a great majority of the members of PIMS and majority of the non-members were found to have medium level of knowledge regarding PIM system and majority of the members of PIMS and non-members were having medium level of knowledge about functions of PIMS. 9. Majority of the respondents had medium contact with extension agencies and utilization of information sources. 10. Almost (94 per cent) all the members of PIMS had medium to high and all the (100 per cent) non-members were found to have low to medium level of techno-economic change as a result of PIMS. 11. A vast majority (90 per cent) of the members of PIMS were found to have medium to high level of extent of adoption of recommended water management practices, whereas a vast majority (94 per cent) of the non-members were found to have low to medium level of extent of adoption of recommended water management practices. 12. Significant impact of PIMS was observed on many characteristics of the members of PIMS and non-members viz., social participation, socio-economic status, annual income, increase in land use, increase in cropping intensity, change in cropping pattern, increase in crop production, change in material possession and housing facility change in savings and investments, change in housing condition, overall techno-economic change, attitude towards PIMS, knowledge of recommended water management practices, knowledge of PIM system, knowledge of functions of PIMS, adoption of recommended water management practices and contact with extension agency. 13. In case of members of PIMS, out of 23 variables, 16 variables namely education, caste, size of family, social participation, socio-economic status, occupation, material possession and housing facility, size of land holding, annual income, economic motivation, attitude towards PIMS, knowledge of recommended water management practices, knowledge of PIM system, knowledge of functions of PIMS, contact with extension agency and utilization of information sources were positively and significantly correlated with techno-economic change whereas in case of non-members, only one variable i.e. knowledge of PIM system was observed positively and significantly correlated while only one variable i.e. social participation was negatively and significantly correlated with techno-economic change. 14. In case of members of PIMS, 15 variables namely, education, caste, social participation, socio-economic status, occupation, material possession and housing facility, size of land holding, annual income, risk preference, scientific orientation, knowledge of recommended water management practices, knowledge of PIM system, knowledge of functions of PIMS, contact with extension agency and utilization of information sources were observed positively and significantly correlated with extent of adoption of recommended water management practices while only one variable i.e. age was negatively and significantly correlated while, in case of non-members 10 variables namely education, socio-economic status, material possession and housing facility, cropping intensity attitude towards PIMS, knowledge of recommended water management practices, knowledge of PIM system, knowledge of functions of PIMS, contact with extension agency and utilization of information sources were observed positively and significantly correlated with extent of adoption of recommended water management practices, whereas only one variable i.e. type of family was negatively and significantly correlated. 15. Three independent variables viz., knowledge of functions of PIMS, utilization of information sources, socio-economic status, size of land holding, cropping intensity and occupation combinely contributed to 41.14 per cent of the total variance in techno-economic change of members of PIMS, while in case of non-members, three independent variables viz., knowledge of PIM system, scientific orientation and social participation combinely contributed to 19.32 per cent of the total variation in techno-economic change. 16. Only one independent variables i.e. knowledge of recommended water management practices contributed to 64.07 per cent of the total variation in the extent of adoption of recommended water management practices of members of PIMS, while in case of non-members three variables viz. herd size, social participation and knowledge of recommended water management practices combinely contributed to 78.08 per cent of the total variation in the extent of adoption of recommended water management practices. 17. Variables viz., socio-economic status, size of land holding, utilization of information sources, knowledge of recommended water management practices, knowledge of functions of PIMS, caste, contact with extension agency, annual income and size of family exhibited positive direct effect while material possession and housing facility had maximum total indirect effect on techno-economic change of members of PIMS whereas, in case of non-members only one variable i.e. knowledge of PIM system exhibited positive direct effect on techno-economic change. 18. Variables viz., knowledge of recommended water management practices, utilization of information sources, knowledge of PIM system, caste, socio-economic status, annual income, risk-preference, knowledge of functions of PIMS and scientific orientation exhibited positive direct effect, while education had maximum total indirect effect on extent of recommended water management practices whereas, in case of non-members, variables viz., socio-economic status, knowledge of recommended water management practices, knowledge of functions of PIMS, knowledge of PIM system, utilization of information sources, size of land holding and attitude towards PIMS exhibited positive direct effect, while material possession and housing facility had maximum total indirect effect on extent of adoption of recommended water management practices. 19. The most important economic problems faced by the members of PIMS were lack of financial provision at the time of payment of irrigation charge and PIMS does not help for obtaining credit from the any financial organization. 20. The major administrative problems faced by the members of PIMS were at night time trace-passer damage canal / field channel / water course, inadequate canal water supply to the tail-enders, irregular supply of canal water, problem of water course from outlet to field, less coverage of irrigation area compared to irrigation efficiency of PIMS, problem of cleanliness of channel and water course, inability to provide irrigation water by the PIMS at critical stage or dry spell of rain, problem of some dominant farmers in distribution of irrigation water. 21. The important technical problems being faced by the respondents were : deterioration of soil condition due to continuous and over irrigation and high intensity of weed, literature pertaining to modern agricultural technology and water management practices is not provided by PIMS, training programmes pertaining to agricultural technology and water management practices are not arranged by PIMS and educational tour field trips are not arranged by PIMS. 22. The major suggestions given by the members of PIMS were : new field channels water couriers should be constructed, masonry work, maintenance and repairing, cleanliness work etc should be completed in off/slack season, training in new production technology and water management, distribution of relevant literatures, educational tours and field trips should be organized for the PIMS personnel and members, PIMS should help for obtaining credit facility, adequate and regular supply of canal irrigation water should be managed by PIMS, time schedule for irrigation should be prepared and informed timely and should be strictly followed.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON LEAF NUTRIENT STATUS IN RELATION TO DIFFERENT PERIOD AND POSITION IN AONLA (Emblica officinalis Gaertn) CULTIVAR GUJARAT AONLA-1(AAU, Anand, 2002) PARMAR, MAYANKKUMAR A.; Kikani, K. P.The investigation on "Studies on leaf nutrient status in relation to different period and position in aonla (Emblica officinalis, Gaertn) Cultivar "Gujarat Aonla-1" was carried out at Horticultural Research Farm, B.A.College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand during the year 2000-2001. Leaf was choosen as an index tissue and it was collected from five different position of shoot at bimonthly interval starting from June, 2000 to April, 2001 and leaf samples were analyzed for the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium content on dry weight basis. The experimental trees received uniform cultural practices but manures and fertilizers each at two levels before on set of monsoon. Vegetative growth and yield were also recorded for different 16 treatment combinations. Significantly highest leaf level of nitrogen content (3.09 per cent) was found in treatment combination N2P1K1F1 (i.e. 1500 g N + 750 g P + 750 g K + 100 kg FYM/tree) in the month of August when leaf samples were collected from the top portion of the indeterminate branch from middle position of tree and it was lowest (0.08 per cent) in treatment N1P0K0F0 (i.e. 1000 g N + 0 g P + 0 g K + 0 kg FYM/tree) in the month of February at the basal position. Treatment N2P1K1F1 recorded significantly higher leaf level of phosphorus content (1.32 per cent) in the month of August at basal position while, it was lowest in the treatment N1P0K1F0 (0.03 per cent) in the month of February at top position. Leaf level of potassium content was significantly highest (1.41 per cent) in treatment N2P1K1F1 in the month of June when leaf samples were collected from top portion of indeterminate branch from middle portion of the tree and it was lowest (0.10 per cent) in treatment combination N1P1KoFo in the month of August at basal position. An interaction between treatment, period and position for leaf level of calcium content was found to be significant and it was recorded maximum (1.54 per cent) in treatment combination N2P1K1F1 in the month of October at basal position and minimum (0.30 per cent) in N1P0K0F0 treatment in the month of June at top position. Significantly highest (1.32 per cent) leaf level of magnesium content was recorded in treatment N2P1K1F1 in the month of August at basal position, while it was lowest (0.07 per cent) with treatment combination N1POK0FO in the month of June at top position. Significant effect of different treatments were found on plant spread (Eastwest), stem girth, number of fruits/tree and fruit yield (kg/tree). Fruit yield was found highest in treatment N2P1K1F1 and it was lowest in treatment N1P1K0FO. The fruit yield (kg/tree) was significantly and positively correlated with number of fruits per tree, leaf level of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in different periods. More or less same trend was observed between number of fruits per tree with the said nutrient. There was significant and positive relationship between different leaf nutrients content and different periods. Despite the marked fluctuation of leaf nutrients throughout the year, stability period for nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium were noted in the month of August to October; potassium in June to August and calcium in October to December. All these nutrients were found stabilized at middle position of indeterminate branch when samples were collected from middle position of tree. To assess nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium status of aonla tree leaf sample should be collected from middle position of the tree during their respective stabilize period. Besides these, aonla trees requires to be applied N, P, and K alongwith FYM for higher yield.ThesisItem Open Access LONG TERM EFFECT OF FYM AND FERTILITY LEVELS ON PROPERTIES OF LOAMY SAND SOIL (Typic Ustochrept) AS WELL AS YIELD AND QUALITY OF CROPS IN A PEARLMILLET-MUSTARD-COWPEA (FODDER) CROPPING SEQUENCE(AAU, Anand, 2002) PATEL, JITENDRAKUMAR ADITBHAI; PATEL, B. K.The physico-chemical and biological properties of soil and yield, quality and nutrient content and uptake by different crops as affected by FYM (0 and 10 t ha-1) and fertility levels [no fertilizer (FL1), 50% (FL2), 100% (FL3) and 150%o (FL4) of the recommended NP] in a pearlmillet-mustard-cowpea (fodder) sequence were evaluated during 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 from a long term experiment being conducted since 1994 at the Micronutrient Project (ICAR), G.A.U.. Anand. Soil samples at different depths of profile (0-15 cm) (D1), 15-30 cm (D2), 30-45 cm (D3), 45-60 cm (D4), 60-75 cm (D5) and 75-90 cm (D6) were collected in 2000 summer after harvest of cowpea (fodder). EFFECT OF FYM Application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 to kharif pearlmillet had decreased bulk density and increased water holding capacity of soil. Its supplementation also improved availability of total N, P, K, S, Mn and Zn due to increase in organic carbon content of soil in the upper horizon (upto 30 cm). The DTPAextractable Fe in soil at 15-30 cm depth was in a deficient range (<5 mg kg-1). The total microbial biomass carbon and microbial population were improved by about 43, and 8.8 per cent, respectively. The overall increase in seed, straw and total yield of pealmillet was about 42 per cent due to FYM application. The total uptake of all the nutrients was higher under FYM than no FYM. The oil and protein contents of pearlmillet seeds were increased by 6.2 and 12.6 per cent, due to FYM addition, respectively. The increase in seed and straw yields of mustard was to the extent of 16.2 and 6.6 per cent due to FYM over no FYM, respectively. The nitrogen content of mustard seed and straw and S and Mn contents of see4 were significantly improved, while Fe, Zn, Cu contents were lower in seed and straw under FYM than no FYM. The uptake of N, P, K and Fe by seed and straw and thereby total uptake was higher under FYM than no FYM. Similarly, S pptake by seed and total uptake, Mn uptake by straw and total uptake as well as Zn uptake by mustard seed were higher under FYM applied to preceding crop of pearlmillet. The protein (10.1%) and oil (6.6%) contents as well as oil yield (26%) potential were significantly improved due to FYM application. The improvement in fodder yield of cowpea under FYM supplementation was due to increase in'green and dry weight as well as chlorophyll contents. The increase in yield resulted in increase N, K and S contents and uptake by cowpea fodder, while P content and uptake were decreased due to FYM application over no FYM. Among micronutrients, Fe and Cu contents were lower in fodder but their uptake was higher with FYM than no FYM. The protein content of cowpea fodder was increased by 49.8 per cent due to FYM application. EFFECT OF FERTILITY LEVELS The water holding capacity and electrical conductivity of soil were improved due to fertility levels. The available nutrients, especially P was increased, while trends for K, S and Cu were not consistent. Interestingly FL3 (100% recommended) fertility level at 15-30 cm depth gave DTPA Fe < 5 mg kg"', while Zn availability was the maximum. The total microbial biomass carbon content increased upto FL3 and decreased significantly thereafter. The yield attributes in general showed increasing trend with the increasing fertility levels, wherein seed yield of pearlmillet and fodder yield of cowpea were the maximum under FL3, while straw and total yield of pearlmillet and yield of all kinds of mustard were maximum under 150 per cent of the recommended dose of NP. The oil content of pearlmillet and mustard seeds was the maximum at the highest fertility (FL4) level. Similarly protein content of pearlmillet seed and cowpea (fodder) was maximum under FL4 and that of mustard seed under FL3. The uptake of N, P and K by pearlmillet was the highest at the highest fertility level. The S uptake by pearlmillet was the highest at FL4 but in mustard and cowpea it was the highest at FL3. Among different micronutrients, Zn removal was the highest at FL4 in all the three crops, while Fe removal was the highest at the same fertility level under pealmillet only. In case of mustard and cowpea, FL2 and FL3 gave maximum total Fe uptake, respectively.ThesisItem Open Access GENETICAL STUDIES IN OKRA [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench](AAU, Anand, 2002) KAPADIA, SHAILESHKUMAR ISHWARBHAI; BADAYA, S. N.Fifteen females were crossed with five pollinators in a line X tester mating design. The resulting 75 hybrids alongwith 20 parents were grown in a Randomized Block Design with three replications at Plant Breeding Research Farm, Vegetable Research Unit, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand during Summer and Kharif seasons of 1998-99 and were evaluated for 12 characters. The objective of the study was to investigate the mean performance of parents and hybrids, magnitude of heterosis, components of genetic variances, general combining ability effects of the parents and specific combining ability effects of the hybrids over environments. The analysis of variance, in general, revealed significant differences among genotypes, parents, females vs males, parents vs hybrids and hybrids for fruit yield. early yield, yield components, and the two traits for resistance. The presence of genotypes x environments and hybrids x environments interactionswas observed for all the characters except for days to flower and root-knot index. HRB-55, Sel,-2, KS-404 and KS-312 among females; Pusa Sawani and HRB 9-2 among males and KS-312 x HRB 9-2, Padra 18-6 x HRB 9-2, IC-169354 x HRB 9-2 and Red-1'Long x Dafftari-9 among hybrids expressed the highest mean fruit urtd yield on pooled basis and were also superior for many yield components and resistant/tolerant to YVMV disease and root-knot nematodes. Highly significant and high magnitude of heterosis was observed for all the characters but the hybrids varied in magnitude of heterosis for different characters over environments. In general, superior parents gave superior hybrids and higher magnitude of heterosis in hybrid combinations. The highest magnitude of heterosis was observed for early yield per plant, number of fruits per plant, ftult yield per plant, number of branches per plant and YVMV incidence in that order, A number of crosses showed desirable/significant negative heterosis for days to flower, root-knot index and YVMV incidence. The crosses, KS-312 x HRB 9-2, Padra 18-6 x HRB 9-2, IC-169354 x HRB 9-2 and Red-1'Long x Dafftari-9 exhibited highest magnitude of standard heterosis for fmit yield on pooled basis and were also relatively high in individual environments.ThesisItem Open Access FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF SOME IMPROVED ANIMAL HUSBANDRY PRACTICES OF DAIRYING IN ANAND AND VADODARA DISTRICTS OF GUJARAT STATE(AAU, Anand, 2002) GOUR, ANIL KUMAR; PATEL, ASHOK M.The dairy farming plays a pivotal role in the economy of our country. It helps in augmenting food supply, generating employment and raising nutritional level. The major advantage of dairy farming is its minimum land dependency and resource flexibility. It is a major source of income to major segment to rural betterment in small and marginal farmers, at the same time it is also characterized with risk and uncertainty. It is therefore, use of modem inputs and adoption of new technology of animal husbandry are undoubtedly more important in increasing dairy farm productivity. There is a considerable gap between present animal husbandry practices of the dairy farmers and available scientific animal husbandry development so far. Out of these, which technology are known and adopted by its real users of different classes is a matter of question. Hence, to analyze the existing extent of knowledge and adoption of the dairy farmers, the present study on "FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF SOME IMPROVED ANIMAL HUSBANDRY PRACTICES OF DAIRYING IN ANAND AND VADODARA DISTRICTS OF GUJARAT STATE" was undertaken. OBJECTIVES: 1. To study the profile of dairy farmers of Anand and Vadodara districts of Gujarat. 2. To study the extent of knowledge of dairy farmers regarding improved practices of animal husbandry. 3 To study the extent of adoption of improved practices of animal husbandry by dairy farmers. 4. To find out relationship between extent of knowledge of dairy farmers regarding animal husbandry practices and dairy farmers profile. 5. To find out relationship between extent of adoption of improved animal husbandry practices and profile of dairy farmers. 6. To know the problems faced by dairy farmers in adoption of modem practices of animal husbandry, and 7 To seek suggestions to overcome problems/limitations of dairy farmers in adoption of modem practices of animal husbandry. The present study was conducted in randomly selected sixteen villages of Anand and Vadodara districts. A sample of 172 dairy farmers having milch animals was selected for the study. The data were collected with the help of "interview schedule" by conducting personal interview. For the measurement of independent and dependent variables, appropriate scales developed and adopted by other research workers were used with due modifications. The statistical tools used for the analysis of data were percentage. mean, standard deviation, correlation coefficient, stepwise regression and path analysis. The important findings of the study are summarized as under; 1. Majority of the dairy farmers (76.74 per cent) had middle age, secondary and higher secondary level of education (58.72 per cent), higher caste (61.63 per cent), organizational participation in dairy co-operative society (57.56 per cent), medium level of mass media exposure (43.60 per cent), medium to high level of extension contact (77.33 per cent), marginal, small and medium dairy farmers had less than four ha. of land holding (72.09 per cent) and low to medium level of herd size (67.50 per cent). 2. The average parity of dairy animals of dairy farmers was observed 3.67 ± 0.08 while, the average age at first calving in indigenous cows, crossbred cows and buffaloes was 47 months, 34 months and 46 months, respectively. Whereas average peak milk yield was 9.03 ± 0.39 litres and average annual expenditure for medical treatment was Rs. 254.30 per animal. The average number of earner, dependent and total members of family was 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 respectively. Great majority of dairy farmers (94.77 per cent) were dependent on crop farming, dairying and other occupation, and majority (87.57 per cent) of them had increased their total income upto 10 to 25 per cent due to adoption of dairy farming. 3. Majority of the dairy farmers (69.18 per cent) had medium to high level of economic motivation, medium to high level of scientific orientation (79.07 per cent), medium to high level of planning orientation (62.79 per cent), medium to high level of production orientation (70.93 per cent), high level of market orientation (53.49 per cent), medium to high level of competition orientation (77.91 per cent), medium to high level of supervision on dairy production (74.42 per cent) and low level of orientation towards development of skill in farm workers (55.23 per cent). 4. Majority of the dairy farmers had medium to high level of knowledge (68.60 per cent) and adoption (81.98 per cent) regarding improved animal husbandry practices. 5. Continuous rate of adoption regarding improved animal husbandry practices viz. reproductive practices was observed in between 72.10 to 91.86 per cent, nutritional practices in between 59.88 to 95.93 per cent, managemental practices between 52.91 to 98.84 per cent, disease control practices between 32.56 to 97.09 per cent and marketing practices between 32.56 to 100.00 per cent by dairy farmers. 6. Great majority of the dairy farmers of Anand district had perception of majority of the activities carried out by Amul Dairy. 7. The variables namely extension contact, animal possession, economic motivation, scientific orientation, planning orientation, production orientation, market orientation, management orientation, competition orientation, orientation towards development of skill in farm workers, supervision on dairy production and adoption of animal husbandry practices had positive significant relationship with the knowledge of dairy farmers, while land holding and total number of occupation had negative and significant correlationship with their knowledge regarding animal husbandry practices 8. The variables namely extension contact, animal possession, economic motivation, scientific orientation, planning orientation, production orientation, market orientation, management orientation, competition orientation, orientation towards development of skill in farm workers, supervision on dairy production and knowledge were positively and significantly correlated with adoption, while land holding and total number of occupation were negatively and significantly correlated with their adoption regarding improved practices of animal husbandry. 9. The variables namely management orientation, milk yield, competition orientation, land holding, market orientation, extension contact and total number of milch animals jointly contributed 67.24 per cent of total variation in the knowledge of improved animal husbandry practices of dairying. 10. Four variables viz. knowledge, production orientation, orientation towards development of skill in farm workers and total number of animal together contributed 63.13 per cent of total variation in the adoption of improved animal husbandry practices of dairying. 11. Variables viz. market orientation, planning orientation, production orientation, competition orientation, extension contact, total animal possession, scientific orientation and orientation towards development of skill in farm workers exhibited positive direct effect, whereas management orientation had maximum total indirect effect and substantial indirect effect on knowledge regarding improved animal husbandry practices of dairying. 12. Variables namely managemental practices, nutritional practices, disease control practices, marketing practices, reproductive practices, planning orientation, market orientation, production orientation, orientation towards development of skill in farm workers, competition orientation and economic motivation, exhibited positive direct effect, while knowledge had maximum positive total indirect effect and management practices had highest substantial indirect effect on adoption regarding improved animal husbandry practices of dairying. 13. High cost of byre construction, lack of knowledge of recommended managemental practices, unavailability of reasonable and quality green fodder round the year, unavailability of comfortable and stress-free housing during summer season, lack of knowledge of viability of cattle/buffalo, difficulty to store milk during summer season and timely vaccination against diseases in the animals were the major problems faced by dairy farmers in adoption of improved animal husbandry practices. 14. Arrangement of regular visit of veterinary doctor and extension specialist, cooperative society should have the facility of preservation of vaccines and semen, atleast five members of a dairy co-operative society should be trained to solve the problems of animal husbandry, regular training should be provided to farmers to improve their knowledge for better adoption and loan/subsidy facilities should be made available for construction of cattle shed and purchase of dairy animals were the important suggestions given by the dairy farmers to improve level of adoption of modem practices of animal husbandry.ThesisItem Open Access Heterosis and combining ability studies in interspecific hybrids (G.hirsutum x G.barbadense) in cotton over environments(AAU, Anand, 2002) AMIN, ABHISHEK B.; PATEL, A. D.The present investigation comprised of 4 genotypes as females, 8 genotypes as males and their 32 resulting interspecific hybrids produced by line x tester mating design. The hybrids alongwith parents were grown in a randomized block design with three replications at the farm of Department of Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding, B.A. College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand. The experiment to study heterosis, combining ability and nature of gene action for various yield and quality characters was sown on two different dates during kharif 1999. The analysis of variance, revealed significant differences among the genotypes for the different characters studied indicating sufficient variability in parents. The inconsistency in performance over environments was manifested in the significant genotype x environment interaction for majority of the characters. Considering mean performance, females 4716 SR and G. Cot. 10 gave maximum seed cotton yield and highest measurement for micronaire value, respectively. Among the males, Gujvin, BC 2000-1, Sils 9-22 and 53-56 B proved their superiority for yield, yield attributes and other quality traits. The highest mean performance for seed cotton yield and major yield components was exhibited by the hybrids. Pi x P12 (G. Cot. 10 x Suvin), P1 x P9 (G. Cot. 10 x G. 84-1/247) and P2 x P12 (G. Cot. 16 x Suvin). The highest magnitude of heterosis was observed for halo length followed by number of balls, seed cotton yield, plant height, number of sympods and 2.5% span length. On pooled basis, hybrids P1 x P12 (G. Cot. 10 x Suvin), P2 X P12 (G.Cot.16 x Suvin) and P1 x P9 (G.Cot.lO x G.84-1/247) were the most heterotic crosses for seed cotton yield and other yield attributing characters. For quality characters, none of the hybrids gave the highest magnitude of heterosis. Combining ability analysis indicated the significance of σ2gca and σ2sca sea thereby proving the involvement of additive as well as non-additive gene action. However, the ratio of σ2gca / σ2sca revealed the preponderance of nonadditive gene action for all the characters except halo length on pooled basis. The results on general combining ability effects suggested that female G. Cot. 16 and males Suvin, G. 84-1/247 and 53-56 B were the best general combiner for seed cotton yield and other yield related characters. A direct relationship between gca effects and per se performance indicated the importance of per se performance along with gca effects in selection of parents. Estimates of sea effects did not reveal any specific trend. However, a comparison of sea effects with per se performance of crosses indicated that at least one good general combiner was necessary for better per se performanceThesisItem Open Access LONG-TERM EFFECT OF ORGANICS AND FERTILIZERS ON PROPERTIES OF Typic Ustochrept SOIL UNDER BIDI TOBACCO (Nicotiana tabacum L.)(AAU, Anand, 2002) SINGH, GOPAL; PATEL, B. K.Since last 38 years a long term manurial experiment to study the effect of bulky manures and manurial combinations on soil productivity of Typic Ustochrept is in progress at the Bidi Tobacco Research Station, GAU, Anand. The treatments comprised of bulky manures (No organic manure (N), Green manuring (G), FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year (F1), FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 in alternate year (F2) and manurial combinations as recommended dose of N (180 kg ha-1) through castor cake (C4), ammonium sulphate (A4), equal amount from both the source (C2A2), recommended dose of NPK (180 + 90 + 135 kg ha-1, respectively) as A4P2K3 and 135 kg N ha-1 through ammonium sulphate along with recommended dose of P2O5 and K2O as A3P2K3. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES The bulk density was significantly decreased, while the water holding capacity was increased due to the application of organic manures over no organic manures. The green manuring and FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year were superior to others in the reduction of bulk density and increase in water holding capacity, respectively. Among manurial combinations A4P2K3 had profound effect over others in lowering the bulk density, while WHC was the highest under C4. The treatment combination F1 x A4P2K3 registered minimum BD. The bulk density and WHC increased with increase in the depth of soil profile. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES The pH was maintained near neutral due to green manuring and application of recommended dose of NPK. The interaction effect showed minimum pH under GM x A4 treatment combination. The EC and cation exchange capacity were increased significantly due to green manuring and application of FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year. Maximum organic carbon content was noted under treatment combination of G X A4P2K3. The total-N content was significantly the highest under FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year at 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depth. Among manurial combination FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 in alternate year registered the least total-N. It increased upto 30-60 cm depth of soil profile. The total-P content was the highest under green manuring followed by FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year. Among manurial combinations, A4P2K3 registered the highest value of total-P. However, the interaction effect showed that F1 x A4P2K3 showed the highest total-P, while N x A4 combination recorded the lowest total-P. The different fractions of P were improved by addition of bulky manures. Ca-P fraction contributed more than 50 per cent of total-P. All the fractions of P were increased due to A4P2K3 followed by A3P2K3. The non-exchangeable and total-K were maximum under Fi, while exchangeable-K was maximum under F2. Among manurial combinations, A4P2K3 recorded the highest concentrations of all the fractions at all the depths. The total-K increased with the increase in the depth of soil profile. The total-S content was the highest under FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every at all the depths. The highest total-S was registered under A4P2K3 treatment under manurial combinations. It increased upto 15-30 cm and thereafter decreased. The maximum concentration of available and total Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were noted under FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year followed by its application in the alternate year. Among manurial combinations, A4P2K3 showed the highest available and total micronutrient cations at all the depths, except Zn, which was maximum under A3P2K3 at all the depths. Depth-wise distribution showed that availability of Fe, Mn and Cu was maximum at 15-30 cm and for Zn it was at 0-15 cm. Total-Zn and Mn decreased with the depth of soil profile, while total-Cu was almost the same at all the depths. Cadmium was detected (0.81-1.20 mg kg-1) in plot receiving single superphosphate @ 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 year-1. BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES Total microbial biomass carbon was the highest in treatment involving green manuring every year followed by FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year. The interaction effect indicated maximum microbial activity in G x A4P2K3 combination. CORRELATION COEFFICIENT The highly significant negative correlation was found between crop yield and bulk density, while WHC showed positive relationship. Similarly, CEC, organic carbon, total-S and microbial biomass carbon also showed positive relationship with crop yield. From the above results it can be concluded that for maintaining the optimum physico-chemical and biological properties of Typic Ustochrept (Inceptisols) soil of middle Gujarat under tobacco crop either it should be green manured or FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 should be applied every year. Absence of organic manures (green manuring or FYM or Cake) and application of only nitrogen @ 180 kg N ha-1 is likely to deplete soil of micronutrients especially Zn. For monitoring of physico-chemical and biological properties of soil under bidi tobacco crop, samples should be drawn from 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths, as significant association with crop yield and some of the properties was obtained at these depths.ThesisItem Open Access BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ISABGOL(AAU, Anand, 2002) MITTAL, BHARTI; BHATNAGAR, R.Plantago ovata Forsk, commonly known as "Isabgol" belongs to the family Plantaginaceae. It is a native of Mediterranean region and is cultivated for its valuable husk. Although, it has various medicinal uses but less exploited for research at biochemical and molecular level. India is the sole country in the world, which commonly cultivates the Isabgol and is the largest exporter for the same. In addition to husk, Isabgol contains sufficient amount of essential amino acids (Lysine and Methionine), which are deficit in cereals and pulses. The seeds of Isabgol can be used as supplement to cereals and pulses. The study showed that the highest amount of oil, husk, total carbohydrates, cellulose and protein are present in the genotypes DM3 (4.06%), EC124345 & JI65 (36%), EC124345 & J165 (63%), EC124345 (7.7%) and DM3 (18%), respectively and present in very low amounts in the genotypes JI10 (3.25%), DM3 (31%), DM3 & DM1 (51%)), DM1 (4.2%) and EC124345&JI65(15%). It was also observed that the activity of peroxidase is more in genotype EC 124345, which is found to be resistant to downy mildew. On the other hand, the activity of polyphenol oxidase is more in the genotype DM3, which is found to be susceptible to downy mildew. Phenotypic variations are very less in Isabgol and the genotypes are mostly classified on the basis of Disease Index, because in Isabgol downy mildew disease is very severe and causes high yield loss. The markers include biochemical constituents (eg secondary metabolites in plants) and macromolecules, viz. proteins and DNA. Analysis of secondary metabolites is, however, restricted to those plants that produce a suitable range of metabolites, which can be easily analyzed and distinguished between cultivars. The metabolites, which are being used as markers, should be ideally neutral to environmental effects or management practices. Hence, amongst the molecular markers used, DNA markers are more suitable and ubiquitous to most living organisms. Genetic maps comprising closely spaced DNA markers are useful for genome analysis. Molecular markers have several advantages over the traditional phenotypic markers that were previously available to plant breeders. These markers are not environmentally regulated and are, therefore, unaffected by the conditions in which the plants are grown and are detectable in all stages of growth. RAPD, CAPS, ISSR and AFLP markers were used in fingerprinting and to examine genetic diversity among twelve genotypes of the Plantago ovata Forsk. RAPD and ISSR generated unique profiles for each genotype. CAPS could not distinguish between three of the genotypes DM1, JI10 and GI2, whereas, AFLP could not distinguish between DM1 and JI10. Similarity matrices and dendrograms illustrated the genetic similarities between the different genotypes except some clustering variations, which depend upon the type of marker used. Similarity and variation among the Isabgol genotypes were observed by cluster analysis and dendrograms were constructed, which were compared with the dendrogram from biochemical characters and finally the clustering was done using the plant/per cent disease index (PDI), which formed cluster between the genotypes originated at the same place eg JI10, JI42, JI53 and JI56 (developed at Jagudan) except JI65 which showed the similarities with the genotypes developed at Anand (DM1, DM2, DM3 and DM4).ThesisItem Open Access Heterosis And Combining Ability Studies In Interspecific Hybrids (G. Hirsutum X G. Barbadense) In Cotton Over Enviornments(Anand Agricultural University; Anand, 2002) Amin, Abhishek B.; Patel, A.D.