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Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat
Assam Agricultural University is the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-Eastern Region of India. The main goal of this institution is to produce globally competitive human resources in farm sectorand to carry out research in both conventional and frontier areas for production optimization as well as to disseminate the generated technologies as public good for benefitting the food growers/produces and traders involved in the sector while emphasizing on sustainability, equity and overall food security at household level.
Genesis of AAU -
The embryo of the agricultural research in the state of Assam was formed as early as 1897 with the establishment of the Upper Shillong Experimental Farm (now in Meghalaya) just after about a decade of creation of the agricultural department in 1882. However, the seeds of agricultural research in today’s Assam were sown in the dawn of the twentieth century with the establishment of two Rice Experimental Stations, one at Karimganj in Barak valley in 1913 and the other at Titabor in Brahmaputra valley in 1923. Subsequent to these research stations, a number of research stations were established to conduct research on important crops, more specifically, jute, pulses, oilseeds etc. The Assam Agricultural University was established on April 1, 1969 under The Assam Agricultural University Act, 1968’ with the mandate of imparting farm education, conduct research in agriculture and allied sciences and to effectively disseminate technologies so generated. Before establishment of the University, there were altogether 17 research schemes/projects in the state under the Department of Agriculture. By July 1973, all the research projects and 10 experimental farms were transferred by the Government of Assam to the AAU which already inherited the College of Agriculture and its farm at Barbheta, Jorhat and College of Veterinary Sciences at Khanapara, Guwahati.
Subsequently, College of Community Science at Jorhat (1969), College of Fisheries at Raha (1988), Biswanath College of Agriculture at Biswanath Chariali (1988) and Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science at Joyhing, North Lakhimpur (1988) were established. Presently, the University has three more colleges under its jurisdiction, viz., Sarat Chandra Singha College of Agriculture, Chapar, College of Horticulture, Nalbari & College of Sericulture, Titabar. Similarly, few more regional research stations at Shillongani, Diphu, Gossaigaon, Lakhimpur; and commodity research stations at Kahikuchi, Buralikson, Tinsukia, Kharua, Burnihat and Mandira were added to generate location and crop specific agricultural production packages.
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ThesisItem Open Access NUTRITIONAL PROFILING OF SOME UNDERUTILIZED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES OF ASSAM(2023) Goswami, Soumitra; Saikia, AnantaThere exists a vast array of species, that have great potential but are often neglected and are termed as underutilized species. Underutilized fruits and vegetables are one such potential bio-asset, that could become a major tool in addressing global malnutrition, poverty and economic prosperity of millions of people. The present study covered assessment of nutritional and anti-nutritional constituents of 42 numbers of underutilized vegetables and fruits (28 vegetables and 14 fruits). The selected vegetables also showed significant variations in their biochemical constituents like moisture content (72.82 - 92.84 g 100g-1), ash content (3.82 - 15.37 g 100g-1), crude fat content (1.51 - 8.33 g 100g-1), crude fibre content (1.62 - 24.67 g 100g-1), crude protein content (1.80 - 9.79 g 100g-1%), potassium content (19.30 - 624.30 mg 100g-1), sodium content (2.34 - 234.11 mg 100g-1), calcium content (69.04 - 858.28 mg 100g-1), phosphorus content (25.94 - 579.15 mg 100g-1), iron content (31.34 - 401.34 mg 100g-1), zinc content (0.03 - 8.02 mg 100g-1), manganese content (25.36 - 264.59 mg 100g-1), Vitamin C (as Ascorbic acid content) (25.64 - 366.98 mg 100g-1), total phenol content (0.63 - 6.54 mg 100g-1) and free radical scavenging activity (72.31 - 95.09 %). The selected samples also contained anti-nutritional properties like saponin (0.13 - 1.08 mg 100g-1), tannin (0.23 - 2.79 mg 100g-1), phytic acid (0.16-0.61 mg 100g-1), oxalate (0.14 - 7.23 mg 100g-1). Similar to the vegetables, the selected fruits also showed significant variations in their biochemical constituents such as moisture content (68.96- 92.46 g 100g-1), ash content (1.39-5.38 g 100g-1), crude fat content (0.41-0.56 g 100g-1), crude fibre content (0.61–5.11 g 100g-1), crude protein content (0.51-8.99 g 100g-1),Potassium content (10.00- 982 mg 100 g-1), Sodium content (0.14 -70.99 mg 100 g-1), Calcium content (1.12-463.83 mg 100 g-1), Phosphorus content (4.57 -306.24 mg 100 g-1), Iron content (0.73 -163.30 mg 100 g-1), Copper content (0.14 -6.19 mg 100 g-1), Zinc content (0.24– 28.94 mg 100 g-1), Manganese content (0.15 -14.64 mg 100 g-1), Vitamin C (as Ascorbic acid content) (5.96 - 117.16 mg 100 g-1), total phenol content (21.08 - 900.84 mg GAE 100 g-1) and free radical scavenging activity (59.05- 94.73 %). The selected samples also contained anti-nutritional properties like saponin (0.01–7.98 mg 100 g-1), tannin (0.49–8.44 mg 100 g-1), phytic acid (0.32-8.05 mg 100 g-1) and oxalate (0.71 -28. 05 mg 100 g-1). However, after determining proportionate values of anti-nutritional components and their related nutrients showed lower than critical values for bioavailability of the related nutrients in majority of the selected fruits and vegetables. Hence, this study may be considered as a benchmark for planning future studies in the field of development of nutraceutical formulations in managing the issue of under nutrition and general wellbeing of the population.ThesisItem Open Access Floral behaviour, growth and post-harvest quality of Dragon fruit [Hylocereus costaricensis (Weber) Britton & Rose](2023) Bagra, Gerik; Neog, ManoranjanAn experiment was conducted on “Floral behaviour, growth and postharvest quality of dragon fruit [Hylocereus costaricensis (Weber) Britton & Rose] during 2019-20 and 2020-21 in the farm of KVK, Jorhat and Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat with the objectives to study the floral behaviour, growth and development of dragon fruit and also the effect of various post-harvest treatments on its post-harvest quality and shelf life. The plants were tagged at bud initiation stage. The floral behaviour of the fruits was studied in the selected plants. The fruits were collected at 7 day intervals after flowering, till harvest for estimation of various physico-chemical parameters. Six post-harvest treatments; T1(Dipping fruits in ascorbic acid 500ppm solution for 5 minutes, air dried and packed in transparent 0.2% perforated LDPE bags), T2(Dipping fruits in 100 ppm sodium hypochlorite for 5 minutes, air dried and packed in transparent 0.2% perforated LDPE bags), T3(Dipping fruits in 1% Chitosan solution for 2 minutes, air dried and packed in transparent 0.2% perforated LDPE bags), T4(Dipping fruits in 1% Calcium Chloride solution for 30 minutes, air dried and packed in transparent 0.2% perforated LDPE bags), T5(Air dried fruits packed in transparent 0.2% perforated LDPE bags),T6(Air dried fruits were kept in open condition without packing and chemical treatment) were applied to fruits. Fruits were subjected to post harvest treatments after harvest and kept at ambient conditions (mean temp 30.5 0C and RH 82.5%). Physicochemical qualities were studied at 2 days, 4 days, 6 days and 8 days after storage (DAS). The laboratory experiment (Part II) was laid out in a factorial CRD with three replications. The flower bud initiation started in the second week of July and it took 18 days to flower. Anthesis started in the afternoon and the period lasted from 4.30 to 9.00 pm. The dehiscence of anthers took place 7 hours after opening of flowers. Pollen viability percentages were found to be 85.77±0.89 and 84.62±0.20 under 10x and 40x magnification, respectively. Fruits reached harvest maturity at 28 days after flowering when peel colour changed to pink red. At harvest, it recorded fruit weight 239.92 g, specific gravity 1.05, pulp:peel ratio 2.59 and the fruit contained TSS 11.95 0Brix, titrable acidity 0.26%, TSS:acid ratio 48.20, total sugar 8.12 %, crude protein 1.19 %, Crude fibre 0.84 mg/g, Total phenolics 51.94 mg GAE/g, Betalains 8.60 mg/100g. Physiological loss in fruit weight (PLW) were increased during storage. T2 recorded the lowest PLW (1.66%) and absence of rotting of fruits which was followed by T1. In T2 and T1, no fungal organism was detected. TSS and sugars were found to increase during storage while titrable acidity and ascorbic acid content decreased. T2 registered the lowest titrable acidity (0.16%) which was followed by T1 & T3 (0.18 %). Highest TSS (12.21 OBrix) and total sugars (8.30%) were recorded in T1 which had statistical parity with T2. Maximum retention of ascorbic acid (8.04%), Crude protein (0.72%), total phenolics (49.28mg GAE/100g), crude fibre (1.03%), Betalain (8.54mg/100g), total antioxidant (53.14 mg/g) were recorded in T2 which was followed by T1. Organoleptic qualities of fruits were found to decrease with the advancement of storage period. The highest organoleptic score values in respect of colour (7.89), taste (7.678), flavour (7.19) and texture (7.20) were obtained in T2 followed byT1. Maximum shelf life of 8 days was recorded in T2. Thus, it may be concluded that dragon fruit should be harvested at 28 days after flowering when peel colour is pink red, specific gravity (1.05), pupl:peel ratio 2.59 and TSS:acid ratio 48.20. Dipping fruits in 100 ppm sodium hypochlorite solution for 5 minutes, air dried and packed in transparent 0.2% perforated LDPE bags is the best treatment with minimum PLW, rotting and microbial activities retaining maximum sugars, ascorbic acid, crude protein, crude fibre, betalains, total antioxidant which extended the shelf life up to 8 days at ambient condition.ThesisItem Open Access Morphological, physico-chemical and molecular characterisation of mango (Mangifera indica L.) genotypes of Upper Brahmaputra Valley of Assam(2023) Hazarika, Binita; Kotoky, UtpalTo study the extent of variation among the different mango genotypes of Assam, the present investigation entitled “Morphological, physico-chemical and molecular characterisation of mango (Mangifera indica L.) genotypes of Upper Brahmaputra Valley of Assam” was carried out during 2021-23 in Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar and Tinsukia districts of Assam. A total of 100 accessions were surveyed out of which 33 accessions were finally selected based on acceptability. All the morphological characteristics were studied as per descriptor of IPGRI, Rome (2006). Results revealed significant variation in qualitative as well as quantitative traits. Tree height (tall, medium and dwarf) varied significantly among the accessions. Leaf features did not significantly differ between accessions, but flower color (yellowish green, yellow, and pink), panicle location (axillary, terminal, and terminal), and the presence of leafy bracts showed significant variations. Substantial differences in fruit shape (roundish, oblong, obovoid, elliptic) and fruit apex shape (round, obtuse, acute) were also observed. Stone and seed characteristics varied among the accessions with respect to type of veins on stone, quantity of fibre on stone, adherence of fibre to stone, seed shape and type of embryony. Quantitative characteristics of leaf, panicle, stone, seed and fruits also varied significantly among the accessions. Highest length:breadth ratio of leaf was observed in AMG-5 (8.89) and lowest in AMS-2 (2.78). Panicle length:breadth ratio was highest in AMS-7 (3.13) and lowest in AMJ-13 (1.04). The number of secondary rachis per panicle, sex ratio, number of fruits per panicle, per cent fruit drop and per cent fruit retention also varied. Study of physical characteristics of fruits revealed that accession AMG-2 had highest fruit weight 1206.48 g and 1197.92g both at harvest and at ripening respectively, whereas, fruit weight at harvest and ripening was lowest in AMG-5 86.31g and 75.67g, respectively. Similarly, significant variations were observed in characters like shape index, lenticels density, stone per cent, pulp: stone ratio, waste index and pulp percent. Study also revealed significant differences in chemical characteristics of fruit. TSS was highest in AMS-6 (18.80°Brix) and lowest in AMJ-13 (10.26°Brix). TSS: Acidity ratio was highest in AMJ-11 (91.00) and lowest in AMG-7 (24.50). Ascorbic acid content was highest in AMT-1(52.70 mg/100g) and lowest in AMJ-14 (22.63 mg/100g). Other chemical characteristics of fruits like total sugar, sugar:acid ratio, carotenoid content, moisture content also significantly varied among the accessions. The PCA for 55 quantitative characters in mango accessions revealed considerable variation among the accessions. 15 components displayed a total variation of 89.55% and were consequently considered to exhibit notable variance. 35 characters contributed to the 18.21% variation in PC1. Cluster analysis revealed maximum Euclidean distance of 17.10 that was observed between the two accessions of Golaghat, AMG-2 and AMG-8, and minimum Euclidean distance of 6.131 was observed between the two accessions of Sivasagar, AMS-3 and AMS-6 indicating that variation was influenced by genetic factor. Despite SSR markers demonstrating that there was no polymorphism, the occurrence of diversity in morphological and physiological traits necessitated additional molecular level studies using a wider array of markers. It can be concluded from the study of the accessions that there is considerable variation among them, and that accessions with distinguished characteristics can be exploited in mango improvement programmes.ThesisItem Open Access Standardization of crop geometry, fruit thinning and nutrient management in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thumb.)(2023) Deka, Bhabesh; Borthakur, Pritom Kr.The present experiment on ―Standardization of crop geometry, fruit thinning and nutrient management in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thumb.)‖ was carried out for two successive years during 2020-21 and 2021-22 in the farmer‘s field Nahat Chapani village, Teok, Jorhat (26°4816.8 North latitude and 94°251.1 East longitude) with the objective to optimize the planting density for maximum yield and quality, to study the effect of crop load on growth, yield and quality and to study the effects of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality. The experiment was laid out in factorial Randomized Block Design with 3 factors viz. Spacing, Fruit thinning and INM with three replications and the data of individual years were subjected to pooled analysis. The spacing levels were D1 (2.5m x 2m), D2 (1.5m x 1m) and D3 (1m x 1m) where F1 (no thinning), F2 (Thinning up-to 1 fruits /primary vine) and F3 (Thinning up-to 2 fruits/primary vine) were the fruit thinning levels. A total of 4 INM treatment were given i.e. N1 (100% RDF), N2 (50% RDF + 50% RDN through FYM), N3 (50% RDF + 50% RDN through vermicompost) and N4 (50% RDF + 25% RDN through Vermicompost + 25% RDN through FYM). The treatments significantly influenced the various parameters except a few. The spacing D1 (2.5m x 2m) recorded the maximum days to flowering (25.59 days), maximum fruits/plant (3.93) and fruit weight (2.34 kg) leading to higher yield per plant (8.87 kg) although the spacing D3 (1m x1m) exhibited minimum days to flowering (25.59) and maximum yield (8.14 t/ha) owing to maximum plant population. Quality parameters were not affected significantly by distance. Fruit thinning significantly influenced the yield attributing and quality parameters. Fruit thinning level (F2) resulted in maximum fruit weight (2.92 kg) and yield (5.3 t/ha) which was at par with F3 (5.38 t/ha). Fruit quality was significantly improved by fruit thinning recording highest values of TSS (12.65 oB), total sugar (8.88%), reducing sugar (5.94%) and DPPH scavenging activity (54.57%). Among the INM treatments, N3 (50% RDF + 50% Vermicompost) was most effective with respect to growth, reproductive, physiological, quality and soil parameters viz., Highest fruits per plant (4.21), yield per hectare (6.26 t), TSS (13.10 oB), total sugar (9.14%), carotenoid (8.22 mg/100g), Lycopene (7.16 mg/100g), DPPH scavenging activity (54.86%), total chlorophyll (2.39 mg/g FW), soil available N (311.86 kg/ha), P (33.15 kg/ha), K (274.49 kg/ha) and organic carbon (1.19%). The interaction of three factors revealed that T35 (D3F3N3) recorded maximum production (10.05 t/ha) that was at par with T31 (D3F2N3) recording 9.82 t/ha yield. T7 recorded the highest values of fruit weight (3.2 kg), TSS (13.28 oB), total sugar (9.24%), carotenoid (8.3 mg/100g), lycopenne (7.19 mg/100g), and DPPH scavenging activity (54.97%) which was at par with T27 (D3F1N3), T31 (D3F2N3) and T35 (D3F3N3). Significantly higher values of soil available N (313.66 kg/ha), P (33.64 kg/ha) and K (295.69 kg/ha) was observed in T35 (D3F3N3). Computation of production economics revealed the B:C ratio to be the highest in D3F3N3 (6.53) which was at par with T31-D3F2N3 (6.35) and T27-D3F1N3 (6.12).ThesisItem Open Access Post-Harvest Quality Enhancement in Banana cv. Grand Naine(2021) Behera, Swosti Debapriya; Neog, ManoranjanAn experiment on „Post harvest quality enhancement in banana cv. Grand Naine‟ was conducted in kharif season of 2017-18 and 2018-19 in the Orchard and Quality Control laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat to study the effect of various pre and post harvest treatments on post harvest quality and shelf life of banana. Two pre harvest treatments B1 (Bunch spray of sulfate of potash 2% + calcium chloride 2%), B2 (Bunch spray of sulfate of potash 2% + micro nutrient Tracel 2%) and six post harvest treatments H1( Dipping hands in 1% chitosan solution for 2 minutes), H2 (Dipping hands in 30 ppm Benzyl adenine solution for 10 minutes), H3 (Dipping hands in 2% calcium chloride solution for 5 minutes) H4 (Dipping hands in 1% Garlic extract for 4 hours), H5 (Dipping hands in Gibberelic acid 150 ppm solution for 1 minute), H6 (Control or Hands without any treatment) were applied to fruits. Fruits were subjected to post harvest treatments immediately after harvest and kept at ambient conditions (mean temp. 21.8 + 2.3°C; mean RH 85 + 10%). Physicochemical properties and enzyme activities were studied at harvest and across storage at 3 days (S1), 6 days (S2), 9days (S3) and 12 days (S4). The laboratory experiment was laid out in a factorial completely randomized block design with three replications. Among pre harvest treatments, sulfate of potash 2% + micro nutrient (Tracel 2%) proved better in improving fruit qualities. On 12th days after storage, maximum TSS ( 25%), Reducing sugar (17.83%) , Non reducing sugar (11.13%) and Total sugar (28.97%) were recorded in B1H6 ( spray of sulfate of potash 2% + calcium chloride 2% + control) while minimum content was found in B2H5 (sulfate of potash 2% + micro nutrient (Tracel 2%) + GA3 150 ppm i.e. 18.72%, 9.03%, 7.40% and 16.44%, respectively. B2H6 registered the lowest titrable acidity (0.32%) which was followed by B1H6 (.322%) and B2H1 (0.357%). Maximum retention of ascorbic acid (4.71 mg/100g), crude protein (3.25%), crude fibre (0.42%), pectin (2.38%) and the lowest phenol content (25.50 mg/ 100g) were obtained in B2H5 . .Pectin methyl esterase activity in pedicel was the highest i.e. 37.34 units / mg protein on 12th days of storage in B1H6 and the lowest activity (20.84 units / mg protein) was found in B2H5. In pedicel, its activity was higher than that of peel. Physiological loss in weight (PLW) and rotting of fruits were increased during storage. B2H5 recorded the lowest PLW (10.39%) on 12th days after storage and absence of rotting of fruits which was followed by B2H3 (10.92%). Organoleptic qualities of fruits were found to decrease with the advancement of storage period. The highest score values in respect of colour (9), flavour (8.67) and overall acceptability (9) were obtained in sulfate of potash (2%) + Tracel 2% + post harvest treatment of Gibberelic acid 150 ppm followed by sulfate of potash (2%) + Calcium chloride (2%) + Post harvest treatment of Gibberelic acid 150 ppm which was having highest taste score (9) and texture value (8.73). Maximum shelf life of 15 days was recorded in sulfate of potash (2%) + Tracel 2% + post harvest treatment of Gibberelic acid 150 ppm while the lowest of 9 days was found in sulfate of potash (2%) + Calcium chloride (2%) + Control. The former treatment is also very cost effective while comparing with other treatments. Thus, it may be suggested that pre harvest treatments with sulfate of potash (2%) + Tracel 2% and post harvest treatment of Gibberelic acid 150 ppm (1 min) appeared to be the best treatment with minimum pectin methyl esterase activity, physiological weight loss, rotting and microbial activities retaining maximum pectin, crude fibre, protein which extended the shelf life up to 15 days at ambient conditions.ThesisItem Open Access INFLUENCE OF RADISH AS COVER CROP AND VEGETABLE CROPPING SYSTEM ON CROP PRODUCTIVITY AND SOIL HEALTH OF SANDY SOIL OF GOSSAIGAON, ASSAM(2021) Brahma, Sanchita; Phookan DeepaBorboraThe present investigation entitled “Influence of radish as cover crop and vegetable cropping system on crop productivity and soil health of sandy soil of Gossaigaon, Assam” was carried out during Rabi season of 2017-18 and 2018-19 and Summer season of 2017-18 and 2018-19 at KrishiVigyan Kendra (KVK) farm of Kokrajhar district under Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone (LBVZ) of Assam State. The soil of experimental site was sandy loam in texture with strongly acidic soil reaction, with low EC, CEC, high bulk density, particle density, low in organic carbon, low in available nitrogen medium in phosphorus and low in potassium. The treatment details were: cover crop (CC) ,followed by CS-I (okra followed by bitter gourd), CS-II (chilli followed by dolichos bean) and cropping system-III (cowpea followed by amaranthus). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD). Forage radish CC was sown during 10th October, 2017-18 and 15th October, 2018-19 with seven replications, 100 % CC (30cm x 30cm), 75% CC (45cm x 30cm) and 50 % CC at 60cm x 30cm, respectively. At young, decomposable harvesting maturity (60DAS), the CC was incorporated in the soil manually in all the plots. After one month of CC incorporation vegetable crops viz., Orka, chilli and cowpea were sown/transplanted during January, 2018 & 2019 with five replications. Vegetable crop biomasses were also incorporated in soil after harvest and followed by the second vegetable crops viz., bitter gourd, dolichos bean and amaranthus, respectively in respective vegetable sequence(s). The influence of cover crop and crop biomasses on soil chemical and physical parameters were studied at different sampling depths for both years. Soil chemical and physical parameters after incorporation of forage radish cover crop recorded significant improvements over control. Most of the growth parameters, yield attributes and yield of vegetable crops, soil chemical parameters (EC, CEC, available NPK, organic carbon, organic matter and C/N ratio), soil physical attributes viz., WHC, total porosity and reduction in bulk density, particle density of soil after harvest and incorporation of crop biomasses were maximum under cent per cent surface cover (T1) during both the year of experimentation. Significantly, the highest okra yield (17.11 and 18.86 q/ha), chilli yield (31.32 and 32.19 t/ha), cowpea yield (27.59 and 28.92t/ha), bitter gourd yield (18.31 and 19.00 t/ha), dolichos bean yield (18.64 and 19.00 t/ha) and amaranthus yield (25.21 and 26.23t/ha ) were obtained with the application of 100 % cover crop (T1) followed by 75 % per cent cover crop (T2) over the control(T0) without surface cover.Among the different levels of cover crop, cent per cent cover crop (T1) resulted in significant EC, CEC, organic carbon (%), organic matter (%), soil available NPK, C/N ratio after crop harvest. Similarly the soil physical parameters also showed improvements in cent per cent cover crop treatment which recorded the highest WHC (%), total porosity (%) lowest bulk density (gmcm-3) and particle density (gmcm-3) over other cover crop treatment as well as control after crop harvest in all the vegetable cropping system. Among the vegetable cropping system, the highest net return (Rs. 7,56,195/ha) with benefit : cost ratio (6.39) were recorded by CS-II (chilli followed by dolichos bean) under 100 % cover crop (T1) followed by the same cropping system under 75 % surface cover (T2) with net returns (Rs. 6,14,595/ha) with B:C ratio (5.38). On the basis of experimental results, it can be concluded that for getting higher returns and improvement of soil health, vegetable crops viz., chilli (spring-summer) followed by dolichos bean (summer) can be grown after cent per cent surface cover with radish cover crop in sequence for sustainable vegetable production in sandy soil of Gossaigaon, under Lower Brahmaputtra Valley Zone of Assam.ThesisItem Open Access Gender Differentiated Dimensions in Agriculture and Identifying its Factors Governing Impact on Tribal Farm Women - A Study in Assam(2022) Bora, Pallabi; Mishra, P.The present study was carried out in Jorhat, Morigaon, Baksa and Dhemaji districts of Assam with the objectives to assess the gender division of agricultural activities and to explore gender differentiated dimensions in agriculture along with its impact factors. A multistage random sampling method was followed to select the final respondents of 320 that comprises equal number of women and men respondents of a particular household. Two agricultural components namely paddy and piggery were included in the study. Appropriate statistical tools viz. frequency, percentage, mean, Z- test, multiple regression, path analysis were employed to analyse the data. The findings revealed that majority of the farm women and men belonged to young age group with less considerable level of education. More than ninety percent had male headed household and nuclear family (70.625) with medium sized family (53.75%) in between 4 to 6 members. Both had good number of years of farming experience but had low training exposure, poor extension contact and less social participation. Majority (66.25%) of them were small holding farmers utilizing 1 to 2 ha of land under paddy (71.25%) and had small pig size of less than 3 number. Most (58.12%) of them had rice and other allied agricultural activities as the main occupation. Average annual family income was Rs. 1.72 lakh and individual average income of women and men was Rs. 0.39 and Rs. 1.33 respectively. Both women and men had a medium level of knowledge and medium risk bearing ability. A medium overall level of participation was found in agriculture by women (55.62%) and men (58.12%) with mean scores of 54.57 and 67.99 in women and men respectively. Majority (40.63%) of the farm women had low decision making power in agriculture, while men (49.37%) had a high decision making power. The overall extent of access and control was found to be medium (48.75%) to low (33.13%) in women whereas, in men, a medium (47.50%) to high (30.62%) level was found. Most of the women had low (41.87%) income control (37.50) and forty five percent men had high to medium (29.38) income Comparatively the workload of women in triple role was more than men as women spent on an average of 15.75 hr. /day while spend 11.88 hr. /day. Both women (64.38%) and men (51.88%) had medium level of perception towards agriculture. A two sample Z- test showed that there were significant differences between women and men in all the four gender differentiated dimensions of agriculture. Among the seven impact factors, only education and family were positively significant with the likelihood of resources‟ access control and control pattern in usage of income at 0.001 level of probability. Three factors viz. personality, family and education were found to be positively significant with the likelihood of production decision making pattern at 0.001 level of probability. The coefficient of multiple determination (R2) values (0.619), (0.709), (0.688) stated that these factors jointly contributed 61.90 percent, 70.90 percent and 68.80 percent towards variation in production decision, resources‟ access control and control over usage of income respectively. Path analysis was performed using SPPS Amos version 26.0 to detect direct and indirect effects of the three dependent variables (Resource access control, Income usage and production decisions) and three independent variables (Personality, Family and Education). Path models revealed significant direct effects between Education and Family with all the dependent variables, i.e., Resource access control, Income usage and production decisions. However, direct effects of individual decision have been observed only with Production decisions. The co-variances among and between the independent variables were significant and showed significant indirect effects.ThesisItem Open Access Standardization of organic inputs in pineapple cv. ‘Kew’(2021) Pathak, Nishita; Kotoky, UtpalAn investigation on ―Standardization of organic inputs in pineapple cv. ‗Kew‘‖ was conducted during the year 2018 - 2020, in the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. The field experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments replicated three times. The ten different treatments were FYM @ 5 tonnes/ha + Wood ash @ 0.8 tonnes/ha (T1), FYM @ 10 tonnes/ha + Wood ash @ 0.8 tonnes/ha (T2), Vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha + Wood ash @ 0.8 tonnes/ha (T3), Vermicompost @ 5 tonnes/ha + Wood ash @ 0.8 tonnes/ha (T4), T1 + Microbial Consortium @ 20 kg/ha (T5), T2 + Microbial Consortium @ 20 kg/ha (T6), T3 + Microbial Consortium @ 20 kg/ha (T7), T4 + Microbial Consortium @ 20 kg/ha (T8), Microbial Consortium @ 20 kg/ha (T9) and RDF (T0, control). The results so obtained showed that, reproductive and quality parameters were significantly influenced by the various treatments. Among the various treatments, T8 was found to be the best in increasing the growth parameters viz., plant height (103.18 cm) at 360 DAP, number of leaves (70.00) at 540 DAP, length of ‗D‘ leaf (67.47 cm), breadth of ‗D‘ leaf (5.37 cm), leaf area (291.38 cm2), leaf area index (2.65), shoot and root ratio (12.23), root length (46.57), number of flower per inflorescence (91.89) and also earliness in flowering was observed. Fruit weight with crown (1.78 kg), fruit weight without crown (1.54 kg), fruit length (15.94 cm), fruit breadth (13.15 cm), fruit volume (1228.52 cc) and fruit yield (56.07 t/ha) were also found to be significantly higher in treatment T8. Similarly in case of quality parameters viz., TSS (15.93 °Brix), reducing sugar (5.63 %), total sugar (9.75 %), ascorbic acid (26.16 mg/100g) and moisture percentage (87.12) recorded significantly higher values in treatment T8. Regarding nutrient status of the soil the results revealed that, the available N (270.84 kg/ha), P (60.02 kg/ha) and K (138.65 kg/ha), organic carbon (0.92 %), soil pH (5.56), microbial biomass carbon (500.67 μg g-1 soil), microbial population viz., bacteria (7.27 log cfu g-1 soil) and fungi (5.01 log cfu g-1 soil) and soil enzyme activity i.e, Dehydrogenase (179.01 μg TPF g-1 soil 24 hour-1), Phosphomonoesterase (342.62 μg pnitrophenol g-1 hour-1) and Fluorescein di-acetate (6.90 μg fluorescein g-1 h-1) were found to be significantly higher in treatment T8. Based on the results obtained during the investigation, it can be concluded that, pineapple plants cv. Kew when applied with Vermicompost @ 5 tonnes/ha + Wood ash @ 0.8 tonnes/ha + Microbial Consortium @ 20 kg/ha (T8) resulted in better growth with improved fruit quality and higher benefit: cost ratio (3.03).ThesisItem Open Access Quality planting material generation of early cauliflower in green house for higher production and productivity(2021) BURAGOHAIN, NAYANMONI; Gogoi, SailenAn experiment was conducted at the greenhouse and in the field of the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat and at Farmer’s field, Korongakhat village, Dhekiajuli, Jorhat for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) to generate quality planting material of early cauliflower in green house for higher production and productivity and to evaluate their performance in the field condition. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with eight treatments comprising of four sowing media [M1-cocopeat (60): vermiculite (20): perlite (20), M2- cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50), M3-cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50): microbial consortium and M4-Conventional nursery] and two varieties [V1 (White Diamond) and V2 (CFL1522)] replicated thrice. In the present study, all the growth parameters at seedling stage were significantly influenced by sowing media. The effect of variety was found significant for days to 2-true leaf emergence, leaf area, seedling fresh and dry weight, seedling growth index and root length. The highest seedling emergence (93.00%) was recorded in sowing media M1 whereas minimum days to transplanting (22.25), maximum leaf area (11.14 sq.cm), stem diameter (0.50 cm), highest seedling fresh (5.44 mg) and dry weight (0.64 mg) was recorded in M2. Minimum days for 2-true leaf emergence (10.75) was recorded by variety V2 while highest leaf area (10.86 sq.cm), seedling fresh weight (4.12 mg) and dry weight (0.43 mg), seedling growth index (1254.49) and root length (4.24 cm) were recorded by V1. Among interactions, M2V1 recorded maximum leaf area (11.97 sq.cm), stem diameter (0.53 cm), seedling fresh and dry weight (5.50 and 0.66 mg) respectively, root length (5.83 cm), relative water content (92.06 %), dry matter accumulation (12.19 %), palisade ratio (1.58); M1V1 recorded maximum emergence (93.79 %), M2V2 recorded minimum number of days (9.50) for 2-true leaf stage, least number of days (22.17) to transplanting, maximum stomata number in upper and lower surface (87.11 and 154.75). The highest curd weight (0.41 kg) and yield (200.22 q/ha) was recorded in M3 and among interactions M3V2 recorded the highest curd weight (0.41 kg) and yield (202.13 q/ha). Similar observations were recorded in Farmer’s field also where media had significant influence for all the parameters and variety showed significant variation for limited parameters. The highest benefit: cost ratio (3.95) was recorded in M3V1 (cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50): microbial consortium and variety White Diamond) while M3V2 (cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50): microbial consortium and variety CFL 1522) registered a B: C ratio of 3.90. Considering the crop performances, sowing media comprising of cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50): microbial consortium (@ 1:100 can be suggested for raising quality seedlings in the greenhouse to get higher yield and maximum return for early cauliflower cultivation.
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