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Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa
In the imperial Gazetteer of India 1878, Pusa was recorded as a government estate of about 1350 acres in Darbhanba. It was acquired by East India Company for running a stud farm to supply better breed of horses mainly for the army. Frequent incidence of glanders disease (swelling of glands), mostly affecting the valuable imported bloodstock made the civil veterinary department to shift the entire stock out of Pusa. A British tobacco concern Beg Sutherland & co. got the estate on lease but it also left in 1897 abandoning the government estate of Pusa.
Lord Mayo, The Viceroy and Governor General, had been repeatedly trying to get through his proposal for setting up a directorate general of Agriculture that would take care of the soil and its productivity, formulate newer techniques of cultivation, improve the quality of seeds and livestock and also arrange for imparting agricultural education. The government of India had invited a British expert. Dr. J. A. Voelcker who had submitted as report on the development of Indian agriculture. As a follow-up action, three experts in different fields were appointed for the first time during 1885 to 1895 namely, agricultural chemist (Dr. J. W. Leafer), cryptogamic botanist (Dr. R. A. Butler) and entomologist (Dr. H. Maxwell Lefroy) with headquarters at Dehradun (U.P.) in the forest Research Institute complex.
Surprisingly, until now Pusa, which was destined to become the centre of agricultural revolution in the country, was lying as before an abandoned government estate. In 1898. Lord Curzon took over as the viceroy. A widely traveled person and an administrator, he salvaged out the earlier proposal and got London’s approval for the appointment of the inspector General of Agriculture to which the first incumbent Mr. J. Mollison (Dy. Director of Agriculture, Bombay) joined in 1901 with headquarters at Nagpur
The then government of Bengal had mooted in 1902 a proposal to the centre for setting up a model cattle farm for improving the dilapidated condition of the livestock at Pusa estate where plenty of land, water and feed would be available, and with Mr. Mollison’s support this was accepted in principle. Around Pusa, there were many British planters and also an indigo research centre Dalsing Sarai (near Pusa). Mr. Mollison’s visits to this mini British kingdom and his strong recommendations. In favour of Pusa as the most ideal place for the Bengal government project obviously caught the attention for the viceroy.
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ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC DIVERGENCE AND CAUSE EFFECT RELATIONSHIP STUDIES IN TOMATO “(Solanum lycopersicum L.)’’ FOR YIELD AND YIELD ATTRIBUTING TRAITS UNDER LOW TEMPERATURE(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2021) SHAHNAWAZ, AHMED; Yadav, L. M.The current research was conducted at the “Vegetable Research farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar”, during the rabi season (2020-21) having Twenty-five tomato genotypes, including a control, Kashi Vishesh to evaluate the twenty-five genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in a Randomized Block Design with three replications for yield and yield attributing traits. Studies were carried out on “variability, character association, path analysis, and genetic divergence” for characters like “Plant height (cm), number of primary branches/plants, number of days to first flower initiation, number of flowers/clusters, number of fruits/clusters, number of clusters/plants, number of days to first picking, polar diameter of fruit (cm), equatorial diameter of fruit (cm), average fruit weight (g), TSS content of the fruit (obrix), acidity of the fruit (%), number of fruits/plant and fruit yield/plant (kg)”. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for every trait. Estimations of genetic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were high for the characters like: “fruit yield per plant (kg), average fruit weight (g), equatorial diameter of fruit (cm), number of primary branches/plants, plant height (cm), polar diameter of fruit (cm), number of fruits/plant and acidity of the fruit (%)”. A high heritability value was detected, as well as a high genetic advance as percent of the mean for all the fourteen characters. These characters indicated that the presence of additive gene effects that may be exploited through phenotypic selection to improve yield. Based on correlation and path analysis, “Plant height, Average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant” exhibited positive and significant correlation with yield per plant having their positive direct effect suggesting that during selection these traits may be considered as prime traits to improve the yield of tomato. The twenty-five genotypes were divided into nine clusters using Tocher’s method, however, the genotype distribution within each cluster varied in number. Cluster I had the highest number of genotypes (eleven) followed by (four) genotypes in cluster III, (three) in cluster VI, (two) in cluster V and cluster II, IV, VII, VIII, and IX had only (one) genotype each. Cluster I and Cluster V had the highest and lowest intra-cluster distances, respectively. The inter-cluster distance was lowest between clusters II and V and highest between clusters VIII and IX, indicating these genotypes might be used in an inter-varietal hybridization program to achieve superior recombinants. Average fruit weight (24.00 %) contributed the most to divergence, followed by acidity of the fruit (16.33 %), TSS content of the fruit (15.67 %), and number of primary branches per plant (15.00 %). They have collectively contributed 71 %. So, based on this study, genotypes EC 320574 (Cluster V) and PDT-3-1 (Cluster VIII) were selected as superior lines based on high inter-cluster distance alongside mean performance for most of the yield attributing traits suggesting that these genotypes may be used in crossing programme to obtain heterotic recombinants as well as transgressive segregants.ThesisItem Open Access COMPARATIVE DIVERGENCE STUDIES IN BREAD WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) UNDER TIMELY AND LATE SOWN CONDITION FOR ZINC BIOFORTIFICATION(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2020) KUMARI, SHARDA; Singh, Satish KumarA study was conducted at Wheat Breeding section, RPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar during Rabi 2017-18 to evaluate the genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under timely and late sown conditions. Observation were recorded on plant height, number of tillers per plant, flag leaf area, days to fifty per cent flowering, canopy temperature, relative water content, spike length, number of grains per spike, spike fertility, chlorophyll content, days to maturity, thousand grain weight, harvest index, yield per plant, zinc content and heat susceptibility index. 28 genotypes were grown under two environments namely non stressed (timely sown) and stressed (late sown). The experiment in each environment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the accessions for all the parameters except canopy temperature under both timely and late sown conditions. The phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variance was found to be low for days to fifty per cent flowering, harvest index, spike fertility, grains per spike under both the environment (late and timely). Heat susceptibility index showed highest GCV and PCV under late sown condition. It is interesting to note that the differences between GCV and PCV values were minimum implying least influence of environment. Heritability in broad sense for all the characters namely days to fifty per cent flowering, thousand grain weight were found to be high in both environments. The four characters namely heat susceptibility index, number of tillers per plant, flag leaf area, chlorophyll content were found to have high heritability under late sown condition. The characters, namely days to fifty per cent flowering exhibited high heritability coupled with medium genetic advance as per cent of mean under both environments. Hence, direct selection can be done through this character for future improvement of genotypes. The four characters namely heat susceptibility index, number of tillers per plant, flag leaf area, thousand grain weight, chlorophyll content were found to have high heritability revealed high heritability with moderate genetic advance as per cent of mean under late sown condition, whereas days to maturity showed high heritability with low genetic advance as per cent of mean in timely sown condition. Moderate heritability coupled with low genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for traits like number of grains per spike in both environments. Spike length, flag leaf area exhibited moderate heritability with low genetic advance under timely sown condition . Relative water content, plant height, spike fertility, shows medium heritability with low genetic advance under late sown condition. Zinc content showed medium heritability with medium genetic advance under late sown condition. All genotypes showed higher yield under timely sown condition compared to late sown condition, indicating the potential of genotypes to yield better if the favourable condition prevailed. 28 genotypes were grouped into five clusters under timely sown condition but distribution of genotypes in cluster was dissimilar. Under timely sown condition, the maximum intra cluster distance was recorded in cluster III followed by cluster II and I. The least intra cluster distance was observed in cluster IV and V indicating close resemblance between the genotypes presented in these cluster. The maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster III and V followed by cluster I and III, cluster II and IV, cluster III and IV and cluster I and II indicating the chances of getting high yielding recombinants would be better if the crosses are made among the genotypes of these groups. The lowest inter cluster distance was recorded between cluster I and IV followed by cluster I and V, cluster II and IV showing these clusters were relatively less divergent. The maximum contribution in the manifestation of genetic divergence in timely sown condition was exhibited by days to fifty per cent flowering, followed by thousand grain weight, number of grains per spike, grain yield, number of tillers per plant, spike length, zinc content under late sown condition suggesting scope for improvement in these characters. In other words, selection for these characters may be rewarding. In late sown condition, in the present investigation, 28 genotypes (including check) were grouped into nine clusters on the basis of D2 statistics and ward minimum variance. Cluster II comprises highest number of genotypes (17) followed by cluster I (4). Whereas, the cluster III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX were solitary (monogenotypic), comprising single genotype each. Cluster III may be selected as a donor for dwarfness. For the purpose of earliness, cluster VIII followed by I, V were most suited. The genotypes in cluster (IV and VIII) followed by cluster (VII and VIII), due to maximum inter cluster distance between them, exhibited high degree of genetic diversity and thus may be utilized under inter varietal hybridization programme (transgressive breeding) for getting high yielding recombinants. The highest contribution in the manifestation of genetic divergence in late sown condition was depicted by days to fifty percent flowering followed by heat susceptibility index, thousand grain weight and zinc content. This indicated that selection of genotypes for these traits may be rewarding for future utilization in breeding programme.ThesisItem Open Access INCIDENCE AND BIO-CONTROL OF ROOT KNOT NEMATODE, Meloidogyne incognita INFESTING FIELD PEA(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2021) SHRAVANI, VYAMASANI; Singh, Uma ShankarField pea, Pisum sativum var. arvense belongs to family Leguminosae is an annual cool season grain legume and one of the most versatile crop for being extensively used as human consumption, livestock feed, fresh or canned vegetable. Meloidogyne incognita has been identified as a major impediment in effective field pea production. It is the most damaging, accounting for 40-45 percent of pea losses. According to a survey done in several districts of Bihar, M. incognita has been found to infect field pea crops in all of the locations. The greatest prevalence of M. incognita was found in the Birauli Khurd (974) locale, while the lowest was found in the Pusa Mahamadpur Deopar (442). Other plant parasitic genera found in the rhizosphere of field pea crops were M. javanica, Rotylenchulus spp., Haplolaimus spp., and Helicotylenchus spp. The mean root knot index (RKI) was 4 on a scale of 1 to 5, suggesting that field pea plants planted in all areas were susceptible to the root knot nematode M. incognita, according to Hartman and Sasser (1985). According to life cycle studies, J2 of M. incognita was infective juvenile stage (IJ) and penetration begins at the zone of elongation of root tips within 72 hours of inoculation. At an average day temperature range of 9.3 to 21.1°C and RH of 94 percent, the life cycle of the southern root knot nematode in field pea was completed in 33-35 days. The bio-control agents viz. Glomus fasciculatum (85-90 spores/g), Trichoderma harzianum 1.0% WP (2×106 cfu/g), Pseudomonas fluorescens 1.0% WP (1×108 cfu/g), Paecilomyces lilacinus (Purpureocillium lilacinum) 1.0% WP (2×106 cfu/g) either singly or in combined application shown significant improvement in plant growth and development and in declining nematode population. The combined application of P. fluorescens 1.0% WP (1×108 cfu/g) and Purpureocillium lilacinum 1.0% WP (2×106 cfu/g) @ 10g/pot each was determined to be the most efficacious. However, chemically treated plants with Cartap hydrochloride 4G @ 5g/pot had the lowest nematode population, number of galls/plant and Reproduction factor (Rf). Paecilomyces lilacnius (Purpureocillium lilacinum) 1.0% WP (2×106 cfu/g) @ 10g/pot demonstrated promising effects in plants when just single bio-control agent was used. This study discovered that utilizing a mixture of bio-control agents was more effective than using biocontrol agents alone in reducing the population of M. incognita. According to the study, biocontrol agents had the same effects as Cartap hydrochloride 4G. As a result, bio-control agents can be used instead of nematicides.ThesisItem Open Access S election of native Trichoderma strain with Biocontrol potential from sugarcane rhizosystem(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2021) Rajput, Virendra Singh; Dwivedi, MeenakshiIn the currently studies, Trichoderma samples were isolated from rhizosystem of sugarcane crop. The isolates were vigorously tested for their Biocontrol potential. On the basis of their antagonistic potential against C. falcatum pathotypes Cf 07 and Cf 08, the promising isolates were selected. A total of 27 isolates each were obtained from samples from SRI, Pusa and Harpur Jhilli, Pusa. Based on visual cultural differences, 19 isolates were screened from SRI sample and 16 isolates were from Harpur Jhilli sample. Out of the isolates, T SR 11, T HJ 7, T HJ 14 and T. asperellum stronglyinhibited the growth of the pathogen in vitro. The isolates were then dual cultured with the pathotypes in the presence of fungicides (carbendazim 50 WP and azoxystrobin 23 SC), in order to create a micro-environment so that all the three components can interact with each other at the same time. It was found that carbendazim completely inhibited Trichoderma isolates at all the doses (RD, ½ RD, ¼ RD). Hence it cannot be used with Trichoderma under IDM programme. Whereas, azoxystrobin 23 SC was found to be compatible with Trichoderma isolates. Moreover, it was found to aggravate the growth of Trichoderma isolates and suppress the growth of the pathogen. Inhibition of pathogen by ½ RD and ¼ RD in integrated approach was comparable with inhibition at RD of the fungicide. Hence, it was concluded that azoxystrobin 23 SC could be used in reduced doses (1/2 RD and ¼ RD) with BiocontrolTrichoderma isolates and still would be able to manage the pathogen effectively. Hence, it gives a hope that effective IDM strategy against rd rot could be chalked out including azoxystrobin and compatible BiocontrolTrichoderma isolates.ThesisItem Unknown STUDIES ON MACRO-PROPAGATION OF BANANA (Musa spp.)(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2021) KUMAR, VINAY; Panda, Asish KumarThe present investigation entitled “Studies on Macro-propagation of Banana (Musa spp.)” was carried out during 2020-21 in the research farm of All India Co-ordinated Research Project on for Fruit crops research field, Department of Horticulture, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar). The experiments was laid out in Two-factors Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with eight different types of treatment viz., T1 (Sawdust), T2 (Sawdust + Azotobacter), T3 (Sawdust + Trichoderma), T4 (Sawdust + Azotobacter + Trichoderma), T5 (Sawdust (50%) + Banana fibre waste (50%) + Azotobacter), T6 (Sawdust (50%) + Banana fibre waste (50%) + Trichoderma), T7 (Sawdust (50%) + Cocopeat (50%) + Azotobacter), T8 (Sawdust (50%) + Cocopeat (50%) + Trichoderma) which were replicated five times. The results of the investigation that, among the different growing media of T6 (Sawdust (50%) + Banana fibre waste (50%) + Trichoderma) gave better performance in macro-propagation of banana on growth parameters. With referce to different propagation media, Sawdust (50%) mixed with Banana fibre waste (50%) & Trichoderma recorded maximum survival percentage (94.79 %), minimum days taken primary bud (21.45), secondary bud (46.91) & tertiary bud emergence (58.99), and maximum number of primary shoots (4.21), secondary shoots (7.16) & tertiary shoots (19.91). Same growing media also recorded minimum days taken for root emergence (17.61 days), maximum number of roots per shoot (161.10), primary roots (24.89), secondary roots (46.32), tertiary roots (89.90) & highest root length (21.88 cm).ThesisItem Unknown Divergence studies for early heat tolerance in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using morpho-physiological traits and microsatellite markers(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2021) S, VIGNESH; Singh, S.K.The current research programme entitled “Divergence studies for early heat tolerance in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using morpho-physiological traits and microsatellite markers” consisting of 29 bread wheat genotypes and this research was organized at DRPCAU Research Farm, Pusa. RBD with 3 replications was laid out in both the sowing conditions during 2020-21. The research was organized in two different sowing conditions i.e. Early and Timely sown environments, by taking different criterion like Variability, heritability and genetic advances, interrelation between various traits and their direct and indirect effects on GYP and genetic diversity evaluation into concern. ANOVA conceded significant variations between the accessions for all traits under both environments. The characters viz., TPP and GYP exhibited high heritability lies with high GAM in both conditions suggesting that a simple selection system prospective advantageous for such characters to carry genetic enhancement in the favored manner. RAUW 324 was ascertained significant over check (HD 2967) under heat stress environment for HSI specifying that selection of this genotype for heat stress n early condition was beneficial in crop improvement programme. GYP had a significant positive alliance among CC, TGW, PH, FE, SEL, TPP, GPS, SPL, and HI under both conditions, but it had a substantial negative alliance with CT, signifying the importance of these characters with regards to yield. SPL had a noteworthy strong direct positive impact on GYP on both the sowing conditions, as a consequence, selection based on this character would be efficient in getting better the bread wheat genotypes yield under early stage heat stress conditions. Under timely sown situation, cluster III and VII displayed the greatest inter-cluster distance afterward cluster III and VI suggesting that crosses between the genotypes of these clusters could increase the odds of obtaining higher productive recombinants. Under early sown conditions, the genotypes in cluster I and II displayed a significant level of genetic diversity because of the maximum inter-cluster distance among them. Under stress condition the minimum intra-cluster distance was found between cluster IV and VI. Cluster III reported maximum intra-cluster distance (D2) followed by Cluster I under timely sown, whereas Cluster II followed by Cluster I observed maximum intra-cluster distance under early sown condition. TGW devoted the most to towards the manifestation of genetic divergence, followed by TPP, DFF, SPL and PH in timely sown conditions. Whereas, early sown conditions TPP, CC, GPS, DFF, DM and SEL contributed the most. This suggests that selecting genotypes for these characters might be beneficial for further use in breeding programmes in the corresponding environments. 14 SSR markers were used to evaluate the molecular diversity in the 29 bread wheat genotypes. All the 29 genotypes were classified into 6 groups based on molecular diversity. Group A accommodated maximum number of genotypes whereas least number of genotypes was found in group D and E. High similarity coefficient was found between RAUW 301 and RAUW 304 followed by RAUW 312and RAUW 323.ThesisItem Open Access Germplasm Screening and Management of Coriander Aphid, Hyadaphis coriandri D.(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2021) DAS, TUHIN; Prasad, RabindraA sets of field experiments were conducted at the Tirhut College of Agriculture research farm at Dholi, Muzaffarapur, (Bihar) from November to March, 2020-21 to study the susceptibility of coriander germplasms to aphid infestation and the effectiveness of botanical insecticides against the coriander aphid, Hyadaphis coriandri. Through the seven weekly observations which were recorded during rabi season 2020-21, it was found that RD-416 had the lowest mean population (19.91 aphid/ plant) and RD-373 had the highest mean population (34.69 aphid/ plant). The resistance variabilities in coriander germplasms were as followed: RD-416> RD-380 > Acr-1 > RD-417 > RD-382 > RD-412 > RD-120> RD- 404 >RD-23> RD-188 > RD-379 > RD-378 > RD-383 > RD-365 > RD-407> RD-403> RD-377 > RD-366 > RD-154 > RD-373. In second objective, the combined effect of two sprayingsapplied at fortnightly interval against coriander aphid revealed that, thiomethoxam 25 WG @ 0.2g/l had lowest mean population of aphid (5.78 aphid/10 cm apical twig) and it was superior to all other treatments in terms of managing aphid population, followed by Neem Seed Kernel Extract @ 5 ml/l (14.02 aphid/10 cm apical twig) and Neem oil @ 3 ml/l (14.80 aphid/10 cm apical twig).However, Neem seed kernel extract @ 5 ml/l was found at par with neem oil @ 3 ml/l(14.80 aphid/10 cm apical twig), tobacco decoction @ 5ml/l (15.98 aphid/10 cm apical twig) and karanj oil @ 10 ml/l (16.68 aphid/10 cm apical twig) treatments. Remaining treatmentsviz.Lecanicillium lecanii@ 4 g/l (17.45aphid /10 cm apical twig) andyam Bean Seed Extract @ 5ml/l (YBSE) (18.77 aphid /10 cm apical twig) showed considerably less efficiency against coriander aphid. The plots treated with Thiomethoxam 25 WG @ 0.2g/lrecorded highest seedyield (12.95 q/ha).The seed yield obtained in the plots that were treated with Neem Seed Kernel Extract @ 5 ml/l, Neem oil @ 3 ml/l, tobacco decoction @ 5 ml/l and karanj oil @ 10 ml/l recorded 11.35 q/ha, 11.01 q/ha, 10.58 q/ha and 10.51 q/ha seed yield, respectively, and found comparable to each other and considerably superior to the other treatments.The lowest seed yield was achieved in Yam Bean Seed Extract @ 5 ml/l treatment (10.25 q/ha), followed by Lecanicillium lecanii@ 4 g/l (10.37 q/ha), which was statistically at par with one another. Thiomethoxam 25 WG @ 0.2g/l had the highest benefit-cost ratio (2.61) followed by Neem Seed Kernel Extract @ 5ml/l (1.99) and Neem oil @ 3ml/l (1.86). The treatment with Lecanicillium lecanii@ 4 g/l resulted the lowest benefit-cost ratio (1.59), followed by Yam Bean Seed Extract @ 5m/l, Karanj oil @ 10 ml/l and Tobacco decoction @ 5ml/l, which resulted benefit-cost ratios of 1.61, 1.66, and 1.75, respectively.ThesisItem Open Access AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF COCONUT PRODUCTION IN HASSAN DISTRICT OF KARNATAKA(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2021) K T, THILAK; Sinha, D. K.The present study aims at assessing the trends in area, production, productivity and exports from India, costs and returns involved in production of coconut, resource use efficiency of inputs, constraints in production and marketing of coconut in Hassan district of Karnataka. The primary data was obtained from 120 farmers from 10 randomly selected villages of Hassan district of Karnataka by using survey method. The area of coconut had increased from 1893 thousand hectares in 2001-02 to 2109 thousand hectares in 2019-20 with a small compound annual growth rate of 0.6 %. The production of coconut rose from 12822 thousand metric tonnes in 2001-02 to 19717 thousand metric tonnes in 2019-20 with a considerable compound annual growth rate of 2.4. on the other hand, the export of coconut and its by-products showed growth from 25.56 crores in 2001-02 to 2006.73 crores in 2019-20 with a solid compound annual growth rate of 33.9 %. On overall farms level, the inputs requirement for establishment of coconut orchard like, hired labour, family labour, machine labour, seedlings, manure and fertilizer were found to be 49.09 man days, 45.40 man days, 98.63 machine hours, 133.36 seedlings, 407.21 quintals and 741.31 kgs, respectively. On overall level, the total cost of establishment or (Cost-C2) of coconut orchard was estimated to be Rs.529259.79. On overall farms level, for maintenance, inputs requirements like, hired labour, family labour, machine labour, soil bedding, manure and fertilizer was assumed to be 19.18 man days, 13.25 man days, 14.50 machine hours, 97.04 loads, 96.97 quintals and 247.41 kgs respectively. On overall farms level, the total cost of maintenance or (Cost-C2) of coconut orchard was found to be Rs.168891.34. At overall farms level, gross return from coconut was found to be Rs.3,26,999.9. The main contributor to gross returns was main product with Rs.310763.7. Further, the incomes from husk, broom and leaf base were estimated to be Rs.14125.6, Rs.909.4 and Rs.1201.1 correspondingly. The returns over cost-A1, cost-A2, cost-B1, cost-B2, cost-C1, cost-C2, and cost-C3 at overall farms level were accounted to be Rs. 254320.54, Rs. 254320.54, Rs. 248199.90, Rs. 164737.10, Rs. 241571.31, Rs. 158108.51 and Rs. 141219.38, respectively. It is observed that, for the farm as a whole, net present value was estimated to be 3,67,195.57 Rs. /ha. Further, internal rate of return was revealed to be 15.12. The benefit cost ratio was found to be 1.19, for the farm as a whole. The value of multiple determination was found to be 0.76, indicating there by 76 per cent variation in output explained jointly by 5 independent variables like manure, fertilizer, human labour, machine labour and seedlings under study. The regression coefficients of variables like fertilizer, human labour and seedlings were revealed as positive and significant, indicating there by 1 per cent increase in these inputs over their geometric mean would increase the yield by 0.07, 0.05 and 1.07 per cent sequentially. The regression coefficients of variables like manure and machine labour were observed to be positive, but non-significant. The sum of elasticities (bi) value was observed to be 1.18, showing increasing returns to scale, that in turn implies that, input resources were being underutilized. The marginal value productivities of manure, fertilizer, human labour, machine labour and seedlings were computed to be 3237.44, 1337.97, 16549.44, 21506.65 and 7397.01, correspondingly. The values of MVPx/MFCx of manure, fertilizer, human labour, hired labour and seedlings were 21.58, 55.75, 33.10, 28.68 and 73.97. Therefore, it is crystal clear from the discussion that the resources were underutilized and there is ample scope of further use of these inputs to raise the gross returns. The major constraints faced by the coconut growers for overall farms level were identified as the unavailability of credit, water scarcity, high labour wage rate, timely unavailability of labour and pest and disease attack.ThesisItem Open Access IMPACT OF LOCKDOWN ON OVERALL HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS A STUDY ON FAMILIES RESIDING IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2021) ANI,TAGE; Sinha, MukulThe Covid-19 pandemic has placed a heavy challenge on the overall health and nutrition of the population all over the world. With the pandemic and its subsequent imposed lockdown, access and availability of fresh food had been restricted with limited physical activity. This in turn affected the dietary pattern and intake, food choices and the health status of the population. The present study was undertaken to assess the lockdown impact on the health and nutritional status of the population residing in Ziro valley in Arunachal Pradesh. A total of 60 respondents were selected for the survey and a questionnaire was developed which included all the parameters to complete the objectives of the study. The survey was conducted in an online mode by sending out the questionnaires as google forms and offline mode through personal home visits. The impact of lockdown was assessed in terms of changes in the food consumption pattern, nutrient intake, health status, hygiene practices and adoption of certain immune boosting food sources during the pandemic. The food consumption pattern and the dietary intake of the respondents were assessed with the help of a 24-hour dietary recall method and food frequency questionnaire. The results revealed significant changes in the dietary intake with the pre lockdown nutrient intake seen to be higher than the post lockdown intake due to lesser availability of certain food groups post implementation of the lockdown. A significant impact could be seen in the higher pre lockdown intake of protein and fat among the male respondents and fat intake among the female respondents. Among the food groups, differences in the consumption of only dhal, meat products and seasonal fruits were found since everyone had a kitchen garden and access to other dietary requirements. However, the dietary intakes of the respondents were lower than the recommended value (RDA) except protein, fat and carbohydrate intake. The post lockdown BMI of the male (24.01±3.76) and female (23.45±4.22) respondents was found to be higher than the pre lockdown BMI (23.12±3.46 & 22.25±3.14). Regarding the health status of the respondents, the percentage of anaemic respondents was seen to be higher among the female respondents than the male respondents. The prevalence of mild and moderate anaemia was found to be 6.6 percent and 3.3 percent among male respondents. While among females, 23.3 percent were in mild anaemic category, 13.3 percent in moderate anaemic category and 3.3 percent were in severe anaemic category. The adoption of immune boosting food sources to cope with the pandemic situation could be seen in about 80 percent of the respondents. A positive change was found in the hygiene practices of the respondents with 81.6 percent of the respondents reporting of more hygiene consciousness since the implementation of the lockdown. Educational status showed a significantly positive relation with the nutritional knowledge (r=0.39, p<0.01) and the hygiene practices (r=0.42, p<0.01) of the respondents. Hence, the impact of lockdown was observed on the nutritional status and dietary behaviours of the respondents. The study suggests that good nutrition should be given utmost priority since healthy diet supports the immune system and the overall wellbeing and health of an individual.
