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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 Development of Targeted Yield Equations for Aerobic Rice (Var. Rajendra neelam) under Integrated Nutrient Management(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) KUMAR, NARESH; SUMAN, S. N.Field experiment was conducted at Pusa farm, RPCAU during the year 2021 to generate Targeted Yield based Fertilizer prescription equations for aerobic rice Var. Rajendra neelam under integrated nutrient management system. In order to develop fertilizer prescription equations, complex experiment of rice was conducted at nursery jhilly field with aerobic rice (cv. Rajendra neelam) by superimposing 24 treatments consisting of four levels of N (0, 60,120 and180 kg/ha), four levels of P2O5 (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha), four levels K2O (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg/ha) and three level of vermicompost (0, 1 and 2 t/ha). The integrated nutrient management approach had a positive impact on organic carbon, soil available nutrient status, crop yield, and nutrient uptake by aerobic rice. When compared to other treatments, a combined application of 120 kg nitrogen, 60 kg phosphorus, and 40 kg potassium per hectare, along with 2 t/ha vermicompost resulted in the highest available NPK in soils with the highest crop yield and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by aerobic rice. Fertilizer prescription equations were formulated for aerobic rice by following Ramamurthy’s Inductive-cum-targeted yield approach. Based on the experiment in the nutrient requirement (NR) for producing one quintal of aerobic rice was found to be 4.09, 0.90, 2.16 kg/q with respect to N,P and K respectively. The NPK contributions to aerobic rice from fertilizers were 48.11, 38.74, and 58.46 % respectively. Conversely, the percentage contribution of NPK from organic component that is organic efficiency was 7.34%, 4.25 %, 5.3%. Based on NR, CS, CF and CO the fertilizer prescription equations were developed for aerobic rice variety (Rajendra neelam) and an estimate of fertilizer dose were formulated in the form of ready reckoner for a range of soil test values and desired yield targets.ThesisItem Open Access Screening of Pigeonpea Genotypes & Evaluation of Botanicals in-vitro condition against Fusarium wilt disease(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) Kumari, Jyoti; Kumar, BirendraPigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) Millsp), also known as tur or arhar in India is a valuable pulse crop predominantly cultivated in tropical areas and in India. Pigeopea having a significant place among the family Fabaceae. The legume crop pigeopae is kharif season crop and has wider adaptability requires low input in cropping practice. The heavy shedding of leaves adds considerable organic matter in to the soil. Pigeonpea is the 4th ranked pulse crop in the world. In India, Pigeonpea is the 2nd most important pulse crop after chickpea. Among a few variables known to influence pigeonpea development, the most significant is the effect of diseases like Cercospora leaf spot, Fusarium wilt, collar rot, Phytopthara blight, dry root rot , Alternaria leaf spot, phyllody and sterility mosaic. It just so happens, a couple of them causes monetary misfortunes in India (Kannaiyan et al., 1984). Among the illnesses, Fusarium wilt ,incited by Fusarium udum, is the main soil borne disease and was first revealed from Bihar state in Quite a while (Butler, 1906). During the present study, the varietal screenings were conducted in a simulated environment under wilt sick plot. Out of one hundred forty eight genotypes evaluated under wilt sick plot, fifty four genotypes viz. ICP 8863, NAM 88, TJT 501, BDN 2019-5, WRGE 134, BDN 2019-9, AKTE 16-12, PT 11-4-4-1, BDN 716, JKM 189, NAM 151, BDN 2019-34, AKTM 1914, PT 12-5-5-1, GJP 20011, SKNP 1715, BAUPP 18-7, BAU PP 16-38, WRG 391, LRG 471, IPAL 20-5, IPAL 20-24, PT 2017-1, WRGE 124, PT 10- 1-1-2, BDN 2013-2, PT 11-16, GRG 622, GJP 19-15, AKTM 1637, IPA 19-26, IPA 19-43, IPA 19-6, IPA 18-8, IPA 14-2, BSMR 736, BWR 243, BWR 853, BWR 254, BWR 553, BWR 316, BSMR 2, BSMR65, BSMR-1, BSMR 339, BWR 23, BWR 164, BWR 153 and BWR 133 were found resistant and fifty six genotypes viz. AL 2324, PusaArhar 21-1, PusaArhar 21-60, PusaArhar 21-27, PusaArhar 21-29, CRG 16-01, PT 0012, BDN 711,AKTE 1905, LRG 467, RVKT 383, NAM 92, BDN 2013-5, RVSA 2020-6, RVSA 2020-7, RVSA 2020-8, LRG 224, LRG 275, AKTM 1917, GJP 2008, WRG 390, RKPV 821,-01, RKPV 810-01, NPD 18-03, KA 19-05, IPAL 20-1, IPAL 20-11, RVSA 14-2, WRGE 138, PT 2017-2, PUSA 197, MAL53, PA 15-21, IPA 14-6, IPA 11-45, IPA 15-1,IPA 16-18, GTH I, SKNPCH 1906, WRG 65, PAH 16, PAH 17, PAH 5, PAH 10, WRG 1, MAL 13, MAL57, BRG 1, BRG 2, BRG 3, BSMR 175, BSMR 164, BSMR 79, BSMR 26, BWR 254 and BWR 134 were found moderately resistant. Remaining genotypes were showed susceptible reaction against Fusarium wilt disease. Total fifty four genotypes were found entirely resistant to Fusarium wilt .Genotypes found resistant to moderately resistant may either be used as donor parent in breeding program for resistant varieties or if yield level is comparable with existing varieties, it may be released for general cultivation. For an ecofriendly and sustainable management of Fusarium wilt, the effectiveness of botanicals were tested in vitro at 5, 10, 15, and 20% conc. against the pathogen by poisoned food technique. The botanical extract of ashoka leaves, eucalyptus leaves, garlic clove, marigold leaves, tulsi leaves, neem leaves, dhatura leaves, turmeric rhizome,,ginger rhizome, onion bulb and moringa leaves were found effective in inhibition of Fusarium udum.ThesisItem Open Access DEVELOPMENT AND IMPACT OF IRON RICH MILLET BASED BAKERY PRODUCTS AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) CHOUDHURY, SUSHREE SANGITA; Chaudhary, GitanjaliMillets are enriched with many health-promoting constituents like proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fibres, fats, minerals and phytochemicals. Along with millets, some pseudocereals also gain their nutritional importance in present scenario due to abundance of proteins, phenolic acids, minerals, amino acids, dietary fibres and unsaturated fatty acids. Generally food use of millets has been confined to only traditional consumers. Therefore, different processing methods of millets was used to develop value-added products which would diversify their food uses. This present investigation was designed to develop iron-rich millet-based bakery products and the impact of developed products on haemoglobin level of adolescent girls (17-19 years). To achieve this objective, millet grains were germinated, milled into flour and millet biscuits were developed by combining them with other raw ingredients. In this present investigation five different types of millet biscuits were developed by taking wheat flour as control. After standardization of biscuits, the organoleptic and physico-chemical analysis were carried out for selection of nutritionally superior millet-biscuit. The organoleptic score revealed that overall acceptability for all the developed biscuits were ranging from 8.26 ± 0.02 to 7.99 ± 0.02 which indicated that all the developed biscuits come under the category of liked very much to liked moderately. Among them T5 was recorded highest organoleptic score with overall acceptability score of 8.23 ± 0.01 next to control. Among all the treatments including control, T5 was nutritionally superior and significant (p<0.05) pertaining to 2.29 ± 0.02 per cent ash, 22.14 ± 0.01g fat, 6.38 ± 0.02g crude protein, 2.39 ± 0.05g crude fibre, 3.95 ± 0.03mg iron; on the other hand control was nutritionally less superior and significant (p<0.05) in terms of 1.79 ± 0.02 per cent ash, 21.15 ± 0.02g fat, 5.62 ± 0.05g crude protein, 1.53 ± 0.05g crude fibre, 2.89 ± 0.02mg iron per 100g when compared with other treatments. Other than this T5 had 4.00 ± 0.01 per cent moisture, 62.80 ± 0.04g carbohydrate, 475.96 ± 0.26kcal energy, 1.44 ± 0.03mg zinc, 104.33 ± 3.52mg total phenolic content, 66.66 ± 0.88mg tannin, 274.66 ± 3.71mg phytate per 100g. Even though T5 possessed higher tannin content and phytate content than other treatments, its level was lower than the maximum acceptable daily intake of tannic acid and phytate for human being. Based on the organoleptic score and iron content, T5 millet biscuit that comprised of 10:10:2.5:7.5:20 ratio of wheat flour, pearl millet flour, foxtail millet flour, finger millet flour, amaranth seed flour was selected for the intervention study. Experimental adolescent girls (30) who fell in the Hb level range of < 8 to 11.9g/dl were intervened with 250g of T5 millet biscuit for a period of 45 days in order to complement 1/3rd of the regular need of iron for adolescent girls. The mean increase of weight i.e. 0.43kg and the mean increase of BMI i.e. 0.18 kg/m2 was observed at the end of intervention for experimental girls. The mean increase of haemoglobin level after intervention of T5 millet biscuit was found to be 1.24 g/dl in experimental girls which indicated the positive impact of millet-biscuit on haematological health of anemic adolescent girls. It was also observed that after 45 days of intervention, 26.67 per cent severe anemic subjects advanced to the moderate anemic category, 43.33 per cent respondents of moderate anemic group were shifted to the mild anemic group and 30 per cent ended up remaining in the category of moderate anemic, however the range of haemoglobin levels increased positively after intervention.ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF NUTRI-FOOD ON HEALTH & NUTRITION OF UNDERWEIGHT CHILDREN (12 TO 23 MONTHS) OF FLOOD AFFECTED ZONE OF SAMASTIPUR DISTRICT OF BIHAR(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) MONGBIJAM, SUSHMA; Kumari, SunitaInfants and young children are the most vulnerable group to malnutrition because they have the highest nutritional needs for growth and development and are among the most vulnerable populations in the community. Tira Village, Kalyanpur Block, Samastipur District, was chosen as the site for this study, and only the underweight children were selected from three anganwadi centers. A total of 80 children aged twelve to twenty-three months were divided into two groups as a control group and an experimental group. They were surveyed in the study after many visits and the use of a standard schedule. Weight and height were among the anthropometric measurements taken. These data were processed using WHO child growth standards to calculate the Weight for Height Z score (WHZ), Weight for Age Z score (WAZ), and Height or Length for Age Z score (HAZ or LAZ), and conclusions about children's nutritional status were drawn. Therefore, as an additional feeding for the experimental group, the nutri-food was prepared using wheat, moong dal, powdered sugar, milk powder, and ghee to prevent malnutrition. As a supplementary feeding for the experimental group, nutri-food was made. Its effectiveness was then assessed after feeding and compared with that of the control group. For the control group, the mean weight was 8.47±0.68kg before feeding and raised to 8.76±0.72kg after two months of feeding, with a difference in the mean value of 0.29kg, while the mean height was 76.82±2.72cm before feeding and 77.45±2.70cm after feeding, with a difference in the mean value of 0.63cm. For the experimental group, the mean weight was 8.58±0.75kg before feeding and 8.98±0.77kg after feeding, with a difference in value of 0.40kg while the mean height for the experimental is 76.99±3.27cm and rise to 78.58 ±3.44cm with a difference of 1.59cm. The experimental group increased their weight and height more as compared to the control group, and the result is significantly at (p<0.05). So, it is, therefore, possible to conclude that nutri-food should be used to feed children to reduce malnutrition and to provide good health and development.ThesisItem Open Access Management of blast disease of Finger Millet caused by Pyricularia grisea(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) S, RAHUL; Sahni, SangitaFinger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) is an essential reliable climate tolerant small seeded crop grown by tribal and poor farmers in adverse agro climatic conditions in the arid areas of Africa and South Asia. After sorghum and pearl millet, it is the third important crop in India. The present study was undertaken with an aim to find out resistant genotypes/germplasms of finger millet to Pyricularia grisea causing blast disease under natural epiphytotic condition, and to explore different PGPRs for effective management for blast disease under laboratory conditions. Survey has been conducted in different villages of Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai and Sitamarhi districts. Among the four districts highest mean disease incidence of leaf blast 38.5% was recorded in Muzaffarpur district and lowest 5.25% was recorded in Sitamarhi district. Highest neck blast disease incidence 26.35% was observed in Muzaffarpur district and lowest 5.84% in Begusarai district. Similarly highest finger blast incidence 30.85% was found in Muzaffarpur district and lowest incidence 4.59% in Samastipur district. Among 36 genotypes of finger millet evaluated for blast disease resistance 4 genotypes were found resistant to Leaf blast, 31 were resistant to Neck blast, 24 genotypes to Finger blast and 3 genotypes viz., FMV 1166, FMV 1212, GE 4999 were showed multiple resistance to all the three types of blasts i.e., Leaf, Neck and Finger blast diseases. Similarly, out of one hundred forty six genetic stocks germplasms were screened for blast disease resistance, 60 germplasms were found resistant to Leaf blast, 128 germplasms to Neck blast , 99 germplasms to Finger blast and 33 germplasms viz., GS -10, GS -18, GS -21,GS -23, GS 25, GS -30, GS -37, GS -38,, GS -43, GS -49, GS -53, GS -62, GS -66, GS -78, GS -79, GS 80, GS -81, GS -83, GS -84, GS -86, GS -96, GS -97, GS -101, GS – 102, GS -118, GS -120, GS -121, GS -122, GS -123, GS -126, GS -128, GS -135, and GS -140 were showed multiple resistance to all the three types of blasts i.e., Leaf, Neck and Finger blast diseases. Fifteen PGPR (plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria) (Pseudomonad isolates) isolates were evaluated for the effective antagonistic activity/ management of the pathogen Pyricularia grisea. Out of 15, PGPR-3was found most effective with 76.29% followed by PGPR-5 with 74.81% mycelial growth inhibition and PGPR 4 (8.14%) was found to be least effective in managing the pathogen.ThesisItem Open Access Standardisation and Production Technology of Split Gill Mushroom(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) AKHIL, PANCHAGIRI; DayaramPresent study entitled“Standardisation and Production Technology of Split Gill Mushroom”was carried out at Advance Centre of Mushroom Research, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur,Biharregarding different aspects of Schizophyllum commune cultivation. Radial growth of different strains ofSchizophyllum commune was studied on different media and temperature, to know the suitable medium and temperature for its growth and development. Among all the tested media and temperatures, the maximum radial growth was observed in strain SC-06p (34.66 mm)on PDA medium, followed by MEA medium by strain SC-06p (32.00 mm) at 7 days after inoculation. PDA medium gave maximum radial growth by strain SC-06p (58.33 mm) followed by MEA medium by strain SC-06p (51.11 mm) at 14 days after inoculation Maximum radial growth by strain SC-06p (34.66 mm) was observed at 30±1ºC, followed by 25±1ºC bySC-06p strain (31.00 mm) at 7 days after inoculation. Strain SC-06p gives maximum radial growth (58.33 mm) at 30±1ºC followed by 25±1ºC by strain SC-06p (52.33 mm) at 14 days after inoculation. Spawn production of different strains of Schizophyllum commune on wheat, maize and paddy grain was also studied. Wheat grain was found superior which took 9.66 days by strainsSC-06pand SC-01 followed by paddy grain 11.33 days by strain SC-06p in terms of complete spawn development. Wheat straw Substrate was found superior in terms of spawn run period; Pinhead Formation and days for first harvest followed by Paddy straw substrate. Saw dust substrate took maximum spawn run days by strain SC-02 (19.33 days) and SC-03 (19.33 days). Wheat straw substrate gives maximum yield (kg)/100kg substrate by strain Sc-06p (18.30 kg) followed by Paddy straw substrate by strain SC-06p (17.66 kg) on wet substrate. Though all different temperature and media supported the growth of Schizophyllum commune strains. During present study fungal contaminants i.e., Trichoderma spp., Coprinus spp. and Caprinopsis spp. were frequentlyobserved incrops.ThesisItem Open Access DEVELOPMENT OF MICROBIAL CONSORTIUM AND ITS EFFECT ON GREEN GRAM (Vigna radiata)(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) JAMATIA, DINKI; Kumari, GeetaPGPR is a community of root – colonizing bacteria that found in the root of several plant species, and have the ability to maintain root health and promote nutrient uptake and environment stress tolerance which improve plant growth and commercial yield. In the present study a tota l of 19 PGPR-based bacterial isolates viz. six Bacillus spp. (BS1, BS2, BS3, BS4, BS5, BS6), four Azotobacter spp. (AZT1, AZT2, AZT3, AZT4), nine Rhizobium spp. (RZM1, RZM2, RZM3, RZM4, RZL1, RZL2, RZL3, RZL4, RZP1) were taken from the stock culture of the Microbiology department, CBS&H, Pusa. These PGPR isolates were tested for their ability to solubilize nutrients, specifically phosphorus, zinc, siderophore synthesis, and IAA production. Out of 19 bacterical isolates, 5 isolates i.e. AZT4, BS2, BS5, RZL1, RZM2 were found promising one and were further used for developing PGPR consortium. It was found that all the 5 promising one were compatible with each other. The developed consortium was screened for plant growth promoting characters and found the PGPR consortium showed PSI – 3.82, ZnSI – 3.45, siderophore production efficiency - 267 %, IAA – 122 μg mL-1. Further, a pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of PGPR consortium in combination with different levels of NPK on growth parameters (plant height, nodule number, nodule weight, no. of branches and chlorophyll content) of green gram ((Vigna mungo L.) and soil nutrient parameters (available Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potash, Organic Carbon, microbial load). All crop and soil nutrient parameters analyzed increased with application of PGPR consortium compared to the absolute control (without PGPR consortia and RDF). Crop and soil parameters were significantly influenced with the application of NPK fertilizer and PGPR consortia intervention in green gram crop and the maximum value of parameters was obtained in treatment containing PGPR consortia + 100% RDF followed by 75% RDF + Rhizobium as compared to 50 % RDF. At any level of fertilizer application, consortia mode always showed higher value than mono mode. Integration of microbial consortia with chemical fertilizers opens up a huge window for improving crop output while also improving nutrient use efficiency. Hence, in order to improve the growth and performance of the moong bean the developed consortium of Rhizobium + Bacillus + Azotobacter can be used as a (biofertilizer) for the soil of North Bihar state.ThesisItem Open Access Study of Effect of Different Agro-Chemicals on Morpho-physiological Characters of Wheat (TriticumaestivumL.) Under Terminal Heat Stress Condition(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) SHARWA, SAJJAN; Choudhary, Vinay KumarA research was conducted at Research field of Seed Science & Technology,TCA,Dholi, Muzaffarpur under DRPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar during Rabi 2021-22, to assess the effect of different Agro-Chemicals on morpho physiological characters of wheat variety DBW-187 (Karan Vandana) under terminal heat stress conditions. Two varieties of wheat were taken as experimental materials. The wheat variety DBW187 is a timely sown whereas wheat variety DBW107 is late sown variety and used as check. Both the varieties were sown on 22nd December, 2021 in three replications using Randomized Block Design. All the Treatments (Glycine betaine (600ppm), Salicylic acid (400ppm), Ascorbic acid (10ppm), Citric acid (1.3%), Potassium chloride (1%) in singular form and combination of Glycine betaine (600ppm) with Salicylic acid(400ppm), Glycine betaine(600ppm) with ascorbic acid (10ppm), Glycine betaine (600ppm) with Citric acid(1.3%) and Glycine betaine(600ppm) were applied at reproductive stage of wheat variety DBW-187 and no treatment were given to control plot and plot with check variety (DBW 107). The study was executed on mean performance of 11 morpho physiological traits and correlation amongst all the traits including seed yield. Observations were documented for the characters viz. Days to 50% flowering, Chlorophyll content, No. of tillers per plant, Flag leaf area, Days to maturity, No. of seeds per panicle, 1000- seed weight (g), Germination percentage, Seed vigour index, Seed yield (q/ha) and Harvest index. ANOVA revealed significant differences among all the characters for all the treatments under study. The maximum range of variation were recorded for the characters like seed vigour index (1563.67-2211.33) followed by seed yield (22.13-36.83), 1000 seed weight (26.54-39.08), and chlorophyll content (25.91-38.40) whereas minimum range of variation were recorded for no. of tillers per plant (6.09-7.46). However after recording all the observations and comparing it with control and check variety it can be conclude that the effect of chemical Treatment Glycine betaine 600ppm + Salicylic acid 400ppm was found to be most effective treatment for mitigating terminal heat stress as it showed significant superiority for all the character studied over best check. Treatment combination Glycine betaine 600ppm + Salicylic acid 400ppm showed significant higher seed yield (36.43 q/ha) and other parameters like Chlorophyll content (38.40 mg/g),1000- seed weight (38.52 g), Germination percentage (95.33) and Seed vigour index (2211.33). In Days to maturity where earliness is desirable Treatment Glycine betaine (600 ppm) + Salicylic acid (400 ppm) showed earliest days to mature i.e. 105 days than other chemical treatments. In case of Benefit cost ratio this experimental research was found to be economically beneficial with an average ratio of 1.64 and Treatment T6 i.e. Glycine betaine (600 ppm) + Salicylic acid (400 ppm) gave best ratio of 1.40 thus giving maximum amount of net profit value. It can be concluded that wheat crop is significantly affected when sown in late sown conditions. To prevent the losses harvesting should be done on time. If possible wheat heat resistant cultivars should be used. Application of some chemical treatments like Glycine betaine (600 ppm) with adequate amount of fertilizer application and timely irrigation is effective in mitigating the effect of Terminal heat stress condition. Under Terminal Heat Stress Condition, Seed yield exhibited significant highest positive correlation with number of tillers per plant (0.7144) and number of Seeds per panicle (0.6006). However, Seed yield exhibited negative correlation with Days to 50% flowering (-0.7768) and Days to maturity (-0.6951).ThesisItem Open Access DRUDGERY ASSESSMENT OF WORKERS IN MAKHANA PRODUCTION IN BIHAR(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) ANGELA, A.; Kala, ShishirMakhana, also known as foxnut or gorgon nut, is an aquatic plant endemic to South East Asia and China that belongs to the Ferox species of the Nymphaeaceae family. Its scientific name is Euryale ferox. Fortunately, the majority of its commercial cultivation is restricted to India, and even then, primarily to the northern regions of Bihar. Makhana is primarily produced in the districts of Madhubani, Dharbanga, Sitamarhi, Saharsa, Katihar, Purnea, Samastipur, Supaul, Kishanganj, and Araria. The Makhana seed is used to prepare a variety of sweets, including roasted and popped sweets. When makhana is grown for its vegetables, the fully formed, almost-matured fruits are harvested before they burst, and they are then sold as premium vegetables in the marketplaces. Young fruits and leaf petioles are consumed as salad in some areas of Manipur. It is regrettable to say that women's contributions to Makhana production in Bihar have not yet been emphasised. Even the seeds of matured fruits are used to prepare a variety of local cuisines. Research on women in Makhana production is frequently hampered by a lack of data because this field of study has been slower than others to acknowledge the significance of gender. To evaluate the socioeconomic, participation, drudgery, and musculoskeletal issues in Makhana production at the state or national level, very few studies have been undertaken. . In light of these factors, the current study was carried out in the wellknown Makhana-growing district of Madhubani, Bihar, in order to evaluate the socioeconomic profile, the participation of workers in various Makhana production system activities, drudgery, and musculoskeletal issues in Makhana production. The employees' tasks include making ponds, planting seeds, transplanting seedlings, harvesting, and collecting seeds from pond muck. Female responders and their husbands tend to focus on seedling transplantation and harvesting. Women are involved in the first roasting, second roasting, storing at room temperature, and packing of pop Makhana, according to the processing perspective, and a few of the female respondents also worked with their husbands on the Makhana production system. Age was found to be positively connected and significant with the laborious tasks required in cleaning the pond or field, transplanting, filling in gaps, weeding, applying pesticides, and harvesting using the correlation co-efficient and fisher t test. The results suggest that as respondents' ages rise, so does their level of pain. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) is used to assess respondents' musculoskeletal problems over the previous 12 months, including neck pain (67 percent), right wrist/hand pain (52 percent), and lower back pain (78 percent). Next, respondents' inability to perform routine tasks over the previous 12 months was assessed for in their neck (80 percent), shoulder (50 percent), elbow (43.4 percent), and lower back (80 percent) (73.3 percent). According to an ergonomic assessment of workers in the makhana processing industry, the average resting heart rate is 85.9 bpm, the working heart rate can reach 112.86 bpm, and the recovery heart rate is 104.36 bpm—a little less than the average working heart rate. The results showed that the cardiac costs associated with work and recovery was 134.83 bpm and 92.33 bpm, respectively. The sum of the cardiac costs associated with work and recovery, or 227.16 bpm, represents the entire cardiac cost of work. It is determined that the mean physiological cost of work is 22.71 bpm.