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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 DAIRY CATTLE MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING OF MILK IN LOWER BRAHMAPUTRA VALLEY ZONE OF ASSAM(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2014-01) DAS, MUKUT; Mili, D. C.An investigation was undertaken to study the dairy cattle management and marketing of milk in rural areas of Kamrup, Barpeta, Goalpara and Nalbari district under lower Brahmaputra valley zone of Assam from April, 2012 to March, 2013. Two hundred dairy farmers having at least two milch cows were selected randomly for collection of data. A structured, reliable and valid interview schedule was prepared, pre-tested and was employed for data collection. All the obtained data were tabulated and put to standard statistical test to facilitate proper interpretation and to arrive at some conclusions as per the pre-formulated objectives of the study. The study revealed that the overall average age at first calving, lactation yield, lactation length, intercalving period, dry period and service period in crossbred cattle were found to be 31.03 ± 0.09 months, 1441.18 ± 26.53 litres, 292.32 ± 0.72 days, 385.64 ± 0.85 days, 93.32 ± 0.99 days and 111.95 ± 0.85 days respectively in crossbred cattle irrespective of locations, while the corresponding values for indigenous cattle were recorded as 42.34 ± 0.10 months, 280.75 ± 7.45 litres, 238.60 ± 1.83 days, 538.42 ±1.69 days, 299.86 ± 2.03 days, 258.57 ± 1.71days respectively. All the economic traits were found to be significantly influenced by the genetic group and the location except for the lactation yield within the location in indigenous cattle. In regards to the housing of cattle in the study areas, the dairy farmers used 56.84 and 43.16 per cent thatch and corrugated iron sheet roof respectively in crossbred cattle. However, majority of the dairy farmers (81.48%) and only 18.52 per cent used corrugated iron sheet as roof material for housing of the indigenous cattle. Most of the dairy farmers (47.95%) had cattle shed with half wall, 23.97 per cent with full wall and 28.08 per cent without wall in respect of crossbred cattle. The corresponding data in respect of indigenous cattle were 25.93, 62.96 and 11.11 per cent respectively in the study areas. Further, 32.19 per cent of dairy farmers housed cattle in earthen floor and 67.81 per cent used concrete floor in housing of crossbred cattle; however, 90.74 and 9.16 per cent respectively in case of indigenous cattle. Another important finding of the investigation was that 65.75 per cent of dairy farmers had shed with drainage and 34.25 per cent without drainage in the study areas. However, for dairy farmers rearing indigenous cattle only 11.11 per cent had cattle shed with drainage and 88.89 per cent without drainage in the study areas. The majority (58.22%) of the dairy farmers practiced stall feeding of their cattle and 41.78 per cent practiced grazing in case of crossbred cattle. However for indigenous cattle, only 7.41 per cent of the dairy farmers practiced stall feeding and 92.59 per cent practiced grazing in the study areas. It was found that 94.52 per cent of the dairy farmers fed their animals with naturally grown green fodder and only 5.48 per cent fed their animals with own cultivated green fodder in case of crossbred cattle. In respect of indigenous cattle, 96.30 per cent of the dairy farmers fed their animals with naturally grown green fodder and only 3.70 per cent fed their animals with their own cultivated green fodder in the study areas. In the study areas, the main source of dry fodder was paddy straw (Oryza sativa L.) and fed to the animals @ 2-5 kg per milch animal per day. Concentrate ration was provided @ 3-7 kg per day per crossbred cattle; while for indigenous cattle, 62.96 per cent of dairy farmers offered only rice polish @ 1-3 kg per day per animal and 37.04 per cent of dairy farmers provided no concentrate ration. The overall average total fixed capital per milch animal in crossbred cattle was estimated to be Rs.38,120.13 irrespective of location. In respect of indigenous cattle, the corresponding overall average total fixed capital per milch animal was Rs.10,102.81. The overall average total fixed cost (FC) per milch animal per annum was worked out to be Rs.5,901.72 in crossbred cattle and Rs.1,673.76 in indigenous cattle irrespective of location. The overall average total variable cost per milch animal per annum was estimated to be Rs.41,391.17 in crossbred and Rs.8,367.72 in indigenous cattle; while the overall average total cost per milch animal per annum was Rs.47,292.63 in crossbred and Rs.10,041.47 in indigenous cattle irrespective of their rearing locations. The overall average total return per milch animal per annum was estimated to be Rs.54,295.51 in crossbred and Rs.11,101.02 in indigenous cattle; while the overall average net return per milch animal per annum were Rs.7,002.88 in crossbred and Rs.1,059.55 in indigenous cattle irrespective of study locations. The overall average cost of milk production per litre without considering the study locations was worked out to be Rs.30.31 in crossbred and Rs.31.88 in indigenous cattle. The overall average return over feed cost (ROFC) irrespective of study locations were Rs.18,955.68 and Rs.6,270.80 with the overall average feed cost efficiency of 53.67 and 129.82 per cent in crossbred and indigenous cattle respectively. The overall average return over variable cost (ROVC) irrespective of study locations were Rs.12,880.68 in crossbred and Rs.2,733.33 in indigenous cows; while the fixed cost and variable cost ratio were 1:7.01 in crossbred and 1:4.99 in indigenous cows. The overall average break-even output of milk production irrespective of study locations were 929.36 litres in crossbred and 286.11 litres in indigenous cows. The per cent of break-even output to total output irrespective of locations were 62.04 in crossbred and 101.91 in indigenous cattle. The overall average input-output ratios irrespective of study locations were 1:1.15 in crossbred and 1:1.11 in indigenous cows. In respect of marketing of milk, majority of the dairy farmers adopted marketing channel 1 (Producer – Consumer) which accounted to 44 per cent of the total milk marketed in the study area; while only meager 6 per cent of total milk were marketed through channel 4 (Producer – Dairy Co-operative – Retailer – Consumer). In regards to socio-economic study, 77 per cent (majority) of the dairy farmers were of middle age group (38 – 55 years), had medium size family (4 – 7 members) medium level (primary – higher secondary) educational qualification, medium (Rs. 28,369 – Rs. 1,58,600) annual family income, medium (upto Rs. 1,09,476.00) annual family income of the dairy farmers from dairying alone. Studies on the different constraints faced by the dairy farmers in adopting day-to-day animal husbandry practices, majority (48.5%) responded that lack of finance was the major constraint followed by delay in receiving payments for milk (44.5%). Other constraints included high cost of concentrate, shortage of green fodder, non-availability of skilled labour, lack of desired marketing channel, inadequate knowledge of cattle diseases, their prevention and control, besides non-availability of timely veterinary services in the study areas.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF CRITICAL LIMIT OF ZINC AND RESPONSE OF RICE TO ZINC APPLICATION IN SOILS OF ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2014-07) Goswami Kandali, Gayatri; Barua, N. G.Georeferenced and representative soil samples were collected from 14 districts of Assam for assessment of zinc status of soils. Altogether, 4110 numbers of surface (0-0.15m) soil samples were collected from rice growing fields of fourteen districts randomly at an interval of 2 to 2.5 km. using Global Positioning System. Thirty numbers (30) of surface (0-0.15m) soil samples were collected from rice growing fields at block level from each district randomly at an interval of 2 to 2.5 km. Based on DTPA-Zn content , soils were categorized as low, medium and high. Nutrient index and fertility ratings were determined following the procedure of Bajaj & Ramamoorty (1969). The highest Zn deficiency (32.21 %) was observed in Lakhimpur district and the lowest ( 2.66 %) in Dhemaji district. The lowest nutrient index (NI) of 1.38 in Nalbari district and the highest (1.63) in Dibrugarh district were recorded. Deficiency of zinc as a whole in the state of Assam represented by the fourteen districts was 26.22%. Twenty five georeferenced bulk surface soil samples (0-30 cm) with variable zinc status were collected from rice growing areas of Assam representing the major soil orders viz. Inceptisol, Alfisol and Entisol to find out the critical limit of Zn in rice soils. A pot culture experiment was conducted taking these soils with four levels of zinc viz., 0,2,4 and 6 kg Zn/ha to find out the response of rice (cv. Ranjit) to applied zinc and the critical limit of zinc in soils and crop. Dry matter yield of rice in control pots ranged between 7.5 to 21.5 g/pot with a mean value of 13.71g/pot. The mean dry matter yield increased significantly over control with rates of zinc application. The highest was recorded in 4 kg/ha of applied zinc. Bray’s percent yield ranged from 57.18 to 95.7 and the highest Bray’s percent yield of 95.7 was observed in the soil having DTPA-Zn of 0.4mg/kg and the lowest value of 57.18 was observed in the soil with DTPA-Zn 2.49 mg/kg. Higher zinc concentration corresponds to higher dry matter yield and higher zinc uptake. The bulk soil samples were also extracted by different extractants viz., DTPA, 0.5N HCl, 0.1N HCl, Ammonium Acetate, EDTA- Ammonium Carbonate, and Ammonium Bicarbonate-DTPA( AB-DTPA), 0.04M EDTA and 2M MgCl2 solution to find out a suitable extractant / method for available zinc in soil . DTPA showed the highest correlation with all the plant parameters followed by AB-DTPA, 0.05 N HCl and EDTA- Ammonium Carbonate. The critical limits( Cate & Nelson,1965) of DTPA, 0.5N HCl , 0.1N HCl, Ammonium Acetate, EDTA- Ammonium Carbonate, AB-DTPA, 0.04M EDTA and 2M Mgcl2 in soil were found to be 1.24, 1.25, 4.8, 0.9, 2.8, 1.74, 2.8 and 0.37mg/kg respectively. The critical limit of Zn for rice was 35 ppm based on DTPA method. In order to study the distribution of different forms of zinc in rice soils and their relative importance to zinc nutrition of rice , Zn fractions of bulk soil samples were extracted by adopting the sequential extraction procedure of Murthy(1982).Water soluble and exchangeable Zn(WSEX-Zn) fraction in soils ranged from 0.32 to 1.92 ,Complexed Zn (COMP-Zn) from 1.46 to 4.5 , Amorphous Sesquioxide bound Zn from 1.30 to 6.21,Crystalline Sesquioxide bound Zn ( CBD-Zn) from 0.45 to2.25 and Residual Zn(Res-Zn) from 101.79 to285.28 mg kg-1 with mean values of 0.87, 2.71, 2.92, 1.12 and 186.98 mg kg-1, respectively. WSEX-Zn, COMP-Zn, Amorphous Sesquioxide bound Zn, CBD-Zn and Res-Zn constituted 0.45, 1.57, 1.62, 0.63 and 95.70 % of total Zn of soils. WSEX-Zn , COMP-Zn and Amorphous Sesquioxide bound Zn was positively and significantly correlated with clay, OC and CEC of soils. However, CBD-Zn was significantly negatively correlated with pH (-0.522**) and Res-Zn was positively correlated with organic carbon (0.425*) and clay (0.397*) c ontent of the soils. Multiple regression of physico-chemical properties of soil with different Zn-fractions showed the highest R2 value (0.616) with COMP-Zn. Multiple regression of different Zn fractions with plant parameters showed the highest contribution of WSEX-Zn to Zn concentration (76.78%), Zn-uptake ( 63.03 %) and dry matter yield ( 36.15 %) of rice. Path analysis of different Zn-fractions with Zn-concentration in rice showed the highest direct effect (0.5610) of WSEX-Zn on Zn concentration and indirect effect of COMP-Zn (0.3731) and Amorphous Sesquioxide bound Zn (0.2508) via WSEX-Zn. A field experiment was conducted for two seasons (2011 and 2012) in a Zn deficient field of the Instructional cum Research Farm of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, to study the response of sali rice (var- Ranjit) to zinc application with six levels of ZnSO4 (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 ,25 and 30 Kg/ha) which corresponds to 0, 1.05, 2.1, 3.15, 4.2, 5.25, and 6.3 Kg Zn ha-1 in a randomised block design with three replications. Addition of 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 showed the highest increase in plant height by 3.46 %, total tillers by 42.05%, effective tillers by 46.65%, filled grains by 26.86%, and thousand grain weight by 4.96% over control. The percentage of chaffy grain was also lower by 24.43% over control. The grain yield varied from 26.4 q/ha to 45.9 q/ha and straw yield ranged from 55.1 q/ha to 66.4 q/ha due to zinc application. The highest grain yield (45.9 q/ha) and straw yield (66.4 q/ha) was recorded in 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 which was significantly higher than all other treatments. Grain yield varied from 34.47 to 73.86%, while straw yield varied from 3.62 to 20.51 % over control. Maximum mean zinc uptake of 97.57 and 311.75 g ha-1 in grain and straw was recorded in 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1, respectively. The residual zinc was found to be lower in the second year compared to the first year in all the treatments. The treatment with 25kg ZnSO4/ha registered maximum net returns (Rs.23,198.7) and the highest benefit:cost ratio (2.43)ThesisItem Open Access ROLE PERCEPTION AND ROLE PERFORMANCE OF ELECTED MEMBERS OF PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTION IN RELATION TO IMPLEMENTATION OF VARIOUS AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMMES IN UPPER BRAHMAPUTRAVALLEY ZONE OF ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2014-07) Bordoloi, Sanjib Ranjan; Bhattacharrya, A.K.Overall development of country is the main objective of Indian government since its independence. Keeping this in view Panchayati Raj Institutions have been introduced under the 73rd Amendment Act of the Constitution of India. Accordingly in view of the historic Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, the Assam Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 [1] was enacted and comes to effect from 5th May, 1994 and it has expected that the new Panchayayti Raj System will be fruitful if executed in the true sense of the term. Activity mapping were prepared and notified vide notification No- PDA 336/2001/pt-III/32 dated 25th June 2007 for devolution of function, functionaries and funds to Zilla Parishad , Anchalik Panchayats and gaon Panchayat. At present there are about 25991 elected representatives at all the levels of the Panchayat fifty per cent of which are women. These member represents more than 266.55 lakhs rural population, 2223 Gaon Panchayats, 188Nos. Anchalik Panchayats and 20Nos. Zilla parishad. The new Panchayats cover about 24247 villages i.e. 87% of rural population. It was realized that the all round development is possible only through the development of agriculture. Elected members of Panchayati Raj at various levels are the direct carrier of knowledge of agricultural development programmes. The study aims to obtain the answers of how best the members of PRI’s able to perceive the designated roles? What may be the effect of socio-personal and socio psychological attributes of the respondents on performance? What is the level of performance as ratted by the members and as per ratting of the beneficiaries? What are the problems faced by the members of PRI’s in performing their roles? What are the opinions of beneficiaries about role performance of PRI members? The study was conducted during 2012-14 in Upper Brahamaputra Valley zone of Assam. Out of the five district Golaghat, Sibsagar and Jorhat district were selected following purposive cum random sampling method. From each District 1 President of Zilla Parishad Constituency, 3nos. of member of Zilla Parishad Constituency, 3nos of President of Anchalik Panchayat, 9nos. President of Gaon Panchayat (G.P), 9nos. of Member of Anchalik Panchayat, 27nos. of Unit members and 27nos. of beneficiaries were selected for the study and making a total sample size of 237 for three districts. The important findings of the study were; 52.56 per cent of PRI members and 50.62 per cent of beneficiaries were of middle age group. 57.69 per cent of PRI members and 39.51 per cent of beneficiaries were graduate. 44.23 per cent of PRI members and 45.68 per cent of beneficiaries were OBC/MOBC caste. 42.30 per cent of PRI members possessed medium level social participation and 58.97 per cent PRI members were office bearer in various social organizations and 64.74 per cent PRI members shows regular participation in various social organizations. 63.46 per cent PRI members from nuclear family. 42.30 per cent of PRI members possessed medium level leadership behaviour and more than half (>60%) of them possessed medium level in 7 dimensions of leadership behaviour. 72.44 per cent PRI members possessed medium level extension participation. 60.25 per cent of the respondents were medium level cosmopolite ness. 46.79 per cent of the respondents have medium level decision making ability. 60.25 per cent of the respondents have medium personality level. 56.41 per cent of the PRI members have medium level role perception. 77.77 per cent of the members of Zilla Parishad have high level role perception. Each of the presidents of Zilla Parishad have high level role perception 44.45 per cent of the members of Anchalik Panchayat have medium level role perception. 77.77 per cent of the presidents of Anchalik Panchayat have high level role perception. 62.96 per cent of the presidents of Gaon Panchayat have medium level role perception. 71.60 per cent of the unit members of Gaon Panchayat have medium level role perception. 54.49 per cent of the PRI members possessed medium level role performance. 66.67 per cent of the members of Zilla Parishad medium level role performance. 66.67 per cent of the presidents of Zilla Parishad possessed medium level role performance. 40.74 per cent of the members of Anchalik Panchayat have medium level role. performance. Per cent 77.77 percent of the presidents of Anchalik Panchayat have high level role performance. 59.26 per cent of the presidents of Gaon Panchayat have medium level role performance. 56.79 per cent of the of unit members Gaon Panchayat have medium level role performance. 44.44 per cent beneficiaries perceived low level role performance of members of Panchayatiraj Institutions. co-relation analysis: Out of 10 selected independent variables Caste (-0.832**), family type (-0.971**), cosmopoliteness (-0.779**), of members of zilla parishad exhibited negative and significant relationship with role perception. Leadership behaviour (0.752*), extension participation (0.874**), decision making ability (0.993**) cosmopoliteness (0.834**) and personality level (0.852**) of members of zilla parishad exhibited positive and significant relationship with role perception. Caste (-0.777**), family type (-0.927**), of members of zilla parishad exhibited negative and significant relationship with role performance. Leadership behaviour (0.796**), extension participation (0.866**), decision making ability (0.990**) and personality level (0.861**) of members of zilla parishad exhibited positive and significant relationship with role performance. Age (0.753*), leadership behaviour (0.894**), extension participation (0.930**), decision making ability (0.958**) and cosmo politeness (0.666*) and personality level (0.958**) of presidents of Anchalik Panchayat exhibited positive and significant relationship with role perception. Family type (-0.485**) of presidents of Anchalik Panchayat exhibited negative and significant relationship with role performance. Age (0.753**), leadership behavior (0.894**), extension participation (0.930**), decision making ability (0.958**), cosmopoliteness (0.666*) and personality level (0.958**) of Presidents of Anchalik Panchayat exhibited positive and significant relationship with role performance. Age (0.436*), leadership behavior (0.411*), extension participation (0.503**) and personality level (0.615**) of Presidents of Gaon Panchayat exhibited positive and significant relationship with role perception. Age (0.535**), leadership behaviour (0.480**), extension participation (0.538**). Decision making ability (0.409*) and personality level (0.537**) of Presidents of Gaon Panchayat exhibited positive and significant relationship with role performance. Leadership behaviour (0.527**), extension participation (0.407*), decision making ability (0.362*) of Members of Anchalik Panchayat exhibited positive and significant relationship with role perception. Caste (-0.406*), family type (-0.535**) of member of Anchalik Panchayat exhibited negative and significant relationship with role perception. Leadership behaviour (0.466*), decision making ability (0.396*) of member of Anchalik Panchayat exhibited positive and significant relationship with role performance. Family type (-0.485**) members of Anchalik Panchayat exhibited negative and significant relationship with role performance. Age (0.359**), leadership behaviour (0.320**), extension participation (0.230*) of unit members exhibited positive and significant relationship with role perception. Family type (-0.330**), of unit members exhibited negative and significant relationship with role perception. Family type (-0.325**) of unit members exhibited negative and significant relationship with role performance. Age (0.372**), leadership behavior (0.419*), extension participation (0.351*), of unit members exhibited positive and significant relationship with role performance. Multiple regression analysis Multiple regression analysis was also done and it was seen that the regression coefficients of extension participation (b = 4.562**), personality level (b = 0.991**) were found to be significant with role perception of president of gaon panchayat (R2 = 0.593). Regression coefficients of leadership behaviour (b= 2.133**), extension participation (b = 2.349**), personality level (b = 2.637**) were found to be significant with role performance of president of gaon panchayat (R2 = 0.528). The regression coefficients of caste (b= 4.747**), cosmo politeness (b=1.598**) were found to be significant with of role perception of unit members of gaon panchayat (R2=0.196). Regression coefficients of caste (b=4.489**), cosmo politeness (b=2.531**) were found to be significant with of role perception of unit members of gaon panchayat (R2=0.183).Also the regression coefficients of education (b= -6.724**), family type (b= -20.646**), leadership behaviour (5.559**) and personality level (b = 4.168**) were found to be significant with role perception of members of anchalik panchayat (R2 = 0.770). The regression coefficients of education (b = -26.981**), family type (b = -17.622**), leadership behaviour (6.441**) and and decision making ability (b=5.725**) were found to be significant. Therefore, these parameters can be termed as good predictors of role perception and role performance of members of PRI’s. The major problems faced by the members of PRI’s are i) Insufficient fund and delaying in sanction of fund. ii) Preferential distribution of funds iii) Control over the Panchayats by superior authorities, bureaucrats, and ruling political party. iv) Lack of proper circulation and information of the different schemes of the government to the Panchayati Raj Instituions. v) Lack of training exposure and training need assessment vi) Lack of communication between members of PRI’s and agriculture department. vii) Irregular and insufficient supply of inputs. Peoples opinion on role performance of PRIs members i) Majority of members of PRI’s are unaware of agricultural schemes. ii) Lack of clear modalities in panchayat for implementation of agricultural schemes. iii) Lack of inter institutional harmony amongst the departments involve with agricultural development. iv) Lack of co-ordination between gaon panchayat, anchalik panchayat and zilla parishad. v) Majority of members of PRI’s are only interested to satisfy their higher level political leaders than the voters. vi) The beneficiaries are selected for different schemes from amongst the close relatives of the elected members and from the party men of the ruling party. vii) The Panchayats have lost its self-governmental character. Besides, it has became implementing agency of the government schemes. viii) Elected panchayat body not accountable to the voters in real sense of the terms. ix) Conscious voters are not interested in activities of Panchayati Raj Institutions. x) Lack of training infrastructure at village levelThesisItem Open Access An Economic Analysis of Crop Production Risks and Measures Adopted by Farmers of Riverine Area in the Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone of Assam(AAU, Jorhat, 2014) Boruah, Luhit Kumar; Barman, R.N.The present study was designed to assess the factors influencing crop production risks along withanalyzing the quantum of crop production risks and measures adopted by the farmers of riverine areas in the Upper Brahmaputra Valley (UBV) zone of Assam. The study also attempted to suggest feasible risk minimized optimal crop production plans to the farmers of the riverine areas. The important objectives in the study were (i) To study the factors influencing risks associated with crop production in the riverine areas of Upper Brahmaputra Valley zone (ii) To measure the quantum of risks and various risk minimization strategies adopted by the farmers (iii) To suggest appropriate risk minimization crop production plans for the farmers of the study area. A multistage stratified random sampling technique was used to select the ultimate sample unit. The farmers were categorized into three size groups that is small (less than 2 ha), medium (2-less than 4 ha) and large (4 ha and above 4 ha). Rice (31.08%) is the major crop in the study area, followed by summer vegetables (24.44%), rabivegetables (15.81%), pulses (13.01%), potato (5.23%), sugarcane (4.65%), oilseeds (3.40%) and chilli (2.38%). The riverine areas, because of its critical locations are always subjected to high risks of crop loss. The most important risk factor for the three groups of farmers in the study area was the flood and excessive rainfall (49.43%),followed by other factors like soil erosion (12.29%), insufficient rainfall/drought & drought like situation (9.17%), pest and diseases (5.41%), government and agricultural policy (4.24%), input costs (3.42%), insufficient and non availability of farm machinery in time (2.53%), insufficient family labour and difficulties in finding labour(3.40%), lack of contract growing (2.05%),interest rates and debt situation (1.47%), economic condition (1.24%), health problem (1.10%), climatic conditions (1.11%), lack of keeping farm record (0.97%),theft (1.49%),crop prices (0.41%) and crop yields (0.27%). Altogether 18 risk management strategies were listed out of which 17 strategies were followed by the farmers of the study areas. Some of these risk management strategies were ex-ante and some were ex-post. The most effective risk management strategy for the three groups of farmers in the study area was the growing more than one crop (10.11%) followed by strategies like bunding (9.43%), manure and fertilizer application (8.42%), spraying and drenching of pesticides (8.30%), irrigation (8.30%), drainage (8.30%), Intercultural operation including mulching (8.29%), growing more than one variety and adjusting sowing time (7.81%), use of plant growth regulator (4.54%), planning expenditure (4.37%), doing off farm works (4.33%), avoiding high risk farm land (3.40%), ITK (3.18%), arranging resource use (3.12%), reducing debt burden (2.92%) keeping/maintaining farm records (2.74%) and contract growing (2.44%). The MOTAD model was used to suggest appropriate optimal crop production plans by minimizing risks for all size groups of farms of the study area. Ten optimal crop production plans viz., plan-1 through plan-10 were suggested for the three groups of farmers of the study area for adoption. Plan- 1 is a risk minimum plan with lowest expected income while Plan- 10 is high risk plan with highest expected income. Increases in cropping intensities have been observed in the suggested optimal plans as compared to the existing plans. The highest cropping intensity was observed in case of small farms in the maximum expected income plan -10 as compared to medium and large farms.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC DIVERSITY IN IVY GOURD [Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt.] GENOTYPES OF NORTH EASTERN REGION BASED ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND RAPD MARKERS(AAU, Jorhat, 2014) Saikia, Jumi; Borbora Phookan, DeepaAn experiment was conducted to study the genetic diversity in ivy gourd [Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt.] genotypes collected from different parts of Assam and other North Eastern States (Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Nagaland) during the summer seasons of 2013 and 2014. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications at the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. Morphological characterization of 22 genotypes revealed significant variation among the genotypes. The mean performance of genotypes for quantitative traits revealed that the genotype IG-23 recorded maximum for fruit characters viz., fruit length (8.50 cm), fruit weight (33.62 g) and fruit yield per plant (8.66 kg). Whereas IG-22 exhibited the highest number of primary branches (7.35), fruit width (3.03 cm) and number of fruits per plant (391.83). Promising genotypes were IG-10, IG-18, IG-22 and IG-23. Genetic variability in terms of PCV and GCV were high for yield per plant (27.56% and 23.87%, respectively). High heritability in broad sense combined with high genetic advance was recorded for number of fruits per plant (94.39%, 38.57%) followed by fruit weight (93.36%, 32.61%) which were indicative of preponderance of additive and additive x additive type of gene interaction. The correlation analysis revealed that yield per plant had significant positive correlation with number of primary branches, fruit length, number of fruits per plant and fruit weight. From the path coefficient analysis, it was observed that number of fruits per plant had the highest positive direct effect (1.1928) on yield. Number of primary branches had the highest positive indirect effect on yield via number of fruits per plant (1.1491). The residual effect was 0.1097 which was within a reasonable limit indicating that the characters included in path coefficient analysis were adequate in explaining the variation in ivy gourd. Genetic diversity using Mahalanobis’s D2 statistic grouped the genotypes into 6 clusters following the method suggested by Tocher. Among the 6 clusters the intra-cluster distance varied from 0.00 to 3.48 and maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster IV and cluster V (7.83). Cluster IV showed desirable values for number of primary branches (6.66), peduncle length (2.27 cm), fruit length (7.10 cm), number of fruits per plant (302.83), fruit weight (28.92 g) and yield per plant (7.55 kg). The most important characters contributing towards divergence were fruit weight (37.23% contribution) followed by number of fruits per plant (30.30%). D2 analysis revealed that the pattern of distribution of genotypes from different locations into different cluster was random. At molecular level, 25 random decamer primers generated a total of 124 amplification products of which 52 bands were polymorphic. Total polymorphism was 41.94%. The extent of polymorphism was higher with RAPD primers such as OPB-08 (83.33%), OPC-01 (71.43%) and OPD-05 (66.66%). The dendrogram showed that UPGMA cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into 4 major clusters. In cluster I, only one genotype i.e. IG-14 was included which was out grouped from the rest of the genotypes. A fairly wide range of Jaccard’s similarity coefficient (0.10 to 1.09) was observed which indicated high level of genetic diversity. Among the nutritional traits, highest protein content (1.41 g/100 g) as well as iron (2.75 mg/100 g) were recorded in IG-22. Ascorbic acid (27.05 mg/100 g) and carotene (189 g/100 g) were found to be highest in IG-18. IG-23 recorded the highest crude fibre content (1.97%) and total ash content (6.78%).ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC STUDIES ON HEAT TOLERANT TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) AND THEIR ANDROGENIC RESPONSE TO ANTHER CULTURE(AAU, Jorhat, 2014) Das, Reecha T.; Talukdar, PranabThe present investigation comprising of parental, F1, F2 and backcross generations of four tomato crosses viz. H7997 x CLN1621E, H7997 x BL337, H7997 x Nagcarlan and H7997 x CLN2366A was conducted at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat with three objectives- 1) to study the pattern of inheritance and gene effects for yield, yield attributing and physiological characters related to heat tolerance. 2) to study the genotype environment interaction of the generations of the crosses and 3) to study the androgenic ability of tomato lines and their hybrids. The experiment was conducted in three different environments during the offseason and one in the rabi season. Significant variation was revealed among the crosses and generations for almost all the yield and yield attributing and physiological characters. The pooled analysis of variance indicated profound influence of the environments on the expression of all the characters except for days from flowering to fruit setting. High estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was observed for fruit yield per plant and relative stress injury in most of the environments. High heritability with high genetic advance was observed for number of fruiting clusters per plant, fruit yield per plant, relative stress injury, pollen viability percentage and chlorophyll stability index in two or more environments. Out of the four crosses, high fruit yield per plant was recorded for three crosses viz. H7997 x CLN1621E, H7997 x Nagcarlan and H7997 x CLN2366A all were at par. Pooled analysis of variance for stability revealed significance of linear genotype - environment interaction for all the characters except for days from flowering to fruit setting and number of fruiting clusters per plant. Non linear genotype-environment interaction found to be significant for all the characters except for days from flowering to fruit setting, flower shed percent, chlorophyll stability index and relative stress injury. In the present investigation, the F1 of crosses H7997 x CLN1621E, H7997 x Nagcarlan and H7997 x CLN2366A and F2 of cross H7997 x CLN2366A and B2 of cross H7997 x BL 337 average stability for fruit yield per plant. Correlation studies between stability parameters of yield with yield attributing and physiological characters and also amongst them revealed that stability of and number of fruits per plant among the yield attributing characters and membrane stability percentage and chlorophyll stability index among the physiological characters together with plasticity of rest of the characters was mainly responsible for yield stability in heat tolerant tomato. F1 of cross H7997 x CLN1621E exhibited consistently significant mid parent heterosis over environments for most of the characters including fruit yield per plant. This was followed by crosses H7997 x Nagcarlan and H7997 x CLN2366A. Inheritance studies indicated failure of additive-dominance model for all yield and yield attributing and physiological characters In general, additive effect was found to be predominant in most of the yield attributing and physiological characters in almost all the crosses in two to three environments. Response of the components of generation mean to environmental fluctuations revealed that additive gene effect was consistent for number of primary branches per plant, days from flowering to fruit setting, number of fruiting clusters per plant and number of fruits per plant. Among physiological characters additive effects were found to be consistent for senescence index, lipid peroxidation and relative stress injury. Both additive and non additive gene effect was found to be consistent for fruit yield per plant. Duplicate epistasis was observed for most of the characters under study including fruit yield per plant. However, complementary epistasis was observed for days to fruit maturity, number of fruiting clusters per plant and fruit yield per plant in one to two crosses in individual environments. Androgenic studies revealed that H7997 x CLN 2366A and H7997 x Nagcarlan were the most responsive genotypes with high callus induction percentage and callus diameter. Thus there is also scope for development of doubled haploids in these two crosses.ThesisItem Open Access BIOECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF Lepidiota mansueta Burmeister (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE)(AAU, Jorhat, 2014) Pujari, Dwiban; Dr Badal BhattacharyyaField and laboratory experiments were carried out at Majuli river island and White grub laboratory, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat to study the bioecology and management of Lepidiota mansueta (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) during 2011 to 2013. Experimental results confirmed the biennial life cycle of L. mansueta. The incubation period was found to be varied from 13-18 days with a mean of 15.80 ± 1.70 days. There were three larval instars. The duration of first and second instar were relatively shorter and it ranged from 38-42 (mean: 39.45±1.47 days) and 53-65 days (mean: 61.70 ± 3.53 days) respectively. The third instar grub showed prolonged duration which ranged from 532-556 days with a mean of 542.65 ± 7.60 days. The pupal duration was found to be varied from 26-28 days (mean: 28.60 ± 1.90 days). The total duration from egg to adult ranged from 666-702 days with a mean of 688.20 ± 9.84 days. The mean length and width of egg was 4.96 ± 0.03 and 3.93 ± 0.04 mm, respectively. The mean length and width of first, second and third instar grubs were 13.30 ± 0.95 and 2.47 ± 0.51, 24.10 ± 1.32 and 6.93 ± 0.74, 48.30 ± 1.62 and 10.30 ± 1.02 mm, respectively. The mean length and width of the pupae were found to be 32.60 ± 1.04 and 11.50 ± 0.68 mm respectively. Sexual dimorphism based on adult morphometrics revealed that females were significantly longer in body length (48.4 ± 1.03 mm) than males (43.4 ± 0.51 mm). Although the head plus thorax length of both sexes were identical, the abdomen was significantly longer in female (22.7 ± 0.89 mm) than in male (17.8 ± 0.43 mm). The length of the female alimentary canal (115.0 ± 0.12 mm) significantly differed from the male (94.0 ± 0.08 mm). The mean length of fore legs (18.0 ± 0.12 mm) and mid legs (23.0 ± 0.09 mm) were significantly longer in male than female (Foreleg: 17.2 ± 0.13 and mid leg: 22.1 ± 0.12 mm), whereas the hind legs were identical in both the two sexes. In field conditions, none of the plants were damaged by both sexes of the beetles soon after emergence from the ground. Host specificity test comprised of thirty different plant species conducted in laboratory conditions also revealed that adults of both sexes of L. mansueta were non- feeding. The alimentary canals of dissected adults did not show any food materials in their guts which clearly indicated the non-feeding nature of adults. Further, scanning electron microscopy images of mandibles and maxillae of both sexes of the beetles did not exhibit any dentations which indicate that the mandibles and maxillae were not fitted for phytophagy but probably used for digging of soil for burrowing. In field, the first and second instar grubs were observed from April-May and May-July during 2011 and 2012 respectively. The third instar grubs were noticed in soil throughout the sampling periods with a peak population (4.2 and 3.7 per cubic meter) during August, 2011 & 2012. Habitat selection by L. mansueta grubs studied in five selected ecosystems at Majuli revealed that grubs were significantly more abundant in grasslands which were situated near water sources (8.0, 6.5 & 6.0 nos./m3 during 2011, 2012 and 2013). In open grassland, the mean population of grubs was 4.6, 4.7 & 4.2 numbers per cubic meter during 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively. Studies on abundance of L. mansueta grubs in grassland and cultivated lands showed significant preference for the soil depth of 0-10 and 11-20 cm. In grassland, grubs showed significant preference for the soil depths of 0-10 (3.18 ± 2.49) and 11-20 cm (1.48 ± 1.06). In cultivated field, the mean number of grubs recorded in 0-10 and 11-20 cm depths were 0.84 ± 0.62 and 0.96 ± 0.66 number, respectively. The grub population recorded in 0-10 and 11-20 cm were found to be at par with each other but significantly differ from 21-30 and 31-40 cm soil depths. Correlation studies between L. mansueta grubs and soil physico-chemical parameters revealed that among soil physical parameters, bulk density (r = -0.804) and sand content (r = -0.482) had significant negative correlations. Among the soil chemical parameters, soil organic matter content (r = 0.834), available nitrogen (r = 0.802) and soil microbial biomass carbon (r = 0.781) had significant positive correlations, while, available P2O5 (r = -0.466) had significant negative correlation on grub population. Multiple regression analysis between grub population and soil parameters revealed that 92.7 per cent grub abundance could be attributed due to the combined influence of soil physico-chemical parameters. The tuber damage caused by the grubs of L. mansueta recorded in potato varied from 22.20 to 30.84 per cent with a mean damage of 28.95 ±1.39 and 27.33 ± 3.14 per cent during 2012 and 2013, respectively. Plant damage in sugarcane ranged from 14.81 to 26.46 with mean damage of 19.25 ± 3.76 and 20.27 ± 1.38 per cent during 2012 and 2013, respectively. The plant damage in green gram and corm damage in colocasia found to be varied from 12.94 to 20.47 and 14.51 to 19.12 with mean damage of 16.02 ± 1.74 & 17.55 ± 1.49 and 17.05 ± 1.33 & 15.52 ± 0.82 during 2012 and 2013, respectively. Among the six insecticides tested for their effectiveness against L. mansueta grubs in potato, fipronil 5 SC @ 150 g a.i./ha recorded lowest per cent of tuber damage on weight basis (5.24 and 4.57%) and this treatment was found to be at par with fipronil 5 SC @ 100 g a.i./ha (5.91 and 5.09%), chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 400 g a.i./ha (5.55 and 6.20%) and quinalphos 25 EC @ 400 g a.i./ha (6.14 and 6.72%) but significantly superior over rest of the insecticides. On number basis, fipronil 5SC @ 150 g a.i./ha registered lowest tuber damage (4.20%), and it was at par with chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 400 g a.i./ha (5.25 %) and quinalphos 25 EC @ 400 g a.i./ha (5.66%) during 2012 and chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 400 g a.i./ha (5.18%), fipronil 5SC @ 100 g a.i./ha (5.99%) and quinalphos 25 EC @ 400 g a.i./ha (6.43%) during 2013, but significantly superior over rest of the treatments. As regards to tuber yield, all the insecticidal treatments exhibited statistical parity except amamectin benzoate 5% SG @ 12.5 g a.i./ha. However, highest benefit cost ratio was recorded in chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 400 g a.i./ha treated plots (2.50 and 2.62) followed by quinalphos 25 EC @ 400 g a.i./ha (2.23 and 1.85).ThesisItem Open Access PRODUCTION BEHAVIOUR ACREAGE RESPONSE AND MARKETING OF POTATO IN BRAHMAPUTRA VALLEY ZONE OF ASSAM(AAU, 2014) Borah, Sangita; DrChandan HazarikaThe present work was design to study “Production Behaviour Acreage Response and Marketing of Potato in Brahmaputra Valley Zone of Assam”. Potato is one of the most important and widely cultivated vegetable crops of Assam and ranks fourth in terms of acreage under individual crop in the state. It is one of the important cash crops grown in the Brahmaputra Valley Zone of Assam. The study reflected that per hectare potato cultivation cost was found to be highest for LBVZ of Assam (Rs. 70362.08) and the lowest was observed for NBPZ (Rs. 69755.20). Similarly, Gross income of the farmers was observed to be highest for LBVZ (Rs. 124032.20) and the lowest was recorded for CBVZ (Rs. 123718.00), Similarly, Net Income was observed to be highest for NBPZ (Rs. 54229.27) and the recorded lowest production was observed in CBVZ (Rs. 53360.95) of Assam. Potato productivity was found to be highest for size group III farmers (232.24 qtls) of LBVZ of Assam and the lowest productivity was also recorded for LBVZ of size group I farmers (223.90 qtls). On the other hand, per quintals potato production cost was found to be highest for size group III farmers (Rs. 325.03) of CBVZ among all the zones and lowest was recorded for size group I farmers (Rs. 291.63) of LBVZ of Assam. Among all the zones, both in LBVZ and NBPZ most of the input variables had found positive and significant influence on the output. Because of this reason, most of the commercial potato growers were concentrated to these zones of Assam. The growth rate of area and production and productivity analysis reflected that Barpeta, Kokrajhar and Sonitpur district was recorded for positive growth rate in area under the crop. Barpeta, Kamrup, Kokrajhar, Darrang, Sonitpur and Nagaon districts were recorded for positive growth rate in production and Goalpara, Dhubri, Kamrup, Kokrajhar, Dibrugarh, Darrang Sonitpur and Nagaon districts were recorded for positive growth rate in productivity of the crop. Major changes in area instability occurred in CBVZ (-44.00) along with high instability in yield (-61.24). Acreage analysis reflected that Barpeta, Goalpara, Dhubri, Nalbari, Jorhat and Darrang districts were recorded for positive and significant lag acreage under the crop. The short run and long run price elasticities were found negative for most of the districts indicated that one rupee increase in price of potato would leads to decrease area under the crop simultaneously. The disposal pattern of potato was found increasing with increase size groups of farmers in all the zones of Brahmaputra Valley. The price spread analysis indicated that producer received highest share in channel-I and lowest in channel-III.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF KASTURBA GANDHI BALIKA VIDYALAYA (KGBV) IMPLEMENTED UNDER SARBA SIKSHA ABHIJAN IN ASSAM(2014) Gogoi, Sampreety; DrUtpala GoswamiThe study on “Evaluation of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) implemented under Sarba Siksha Abhijan in Assam” was undertaken during the year 2011-12. Multistage sampling design was adopted for the study. Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Kamrup and Barpeta districts were selected purposively for the study. The criteria for selection were for coverage of Upper Assam, Middle Assam and Lower Assam to represent the entire scenario of the State. A total numbers of nine KGBVs were selected for the study. From these KGBVs, all the wardens, teachers, caretakers and staffs were included to study the evaluation of the programme. All the girls from class eight were taken purposively to assess their performance. To assess the views of girls in KGBVs, 20 per cent of the samples were selected randomly from the attendance of class six, seven and eight. The primary objective of the present study were: (1) To evaluate the infrastructure facilities provided in the KGBV, (2) To evaluate the management system in the KGBV, (3) To evaluate the co-curricular and curriculum activities in the KGBV, (4) To evaluate the performance of the children after studying in the KGBV, (5) To evaluate the health care facilities provided in the KGBV, and (6) To evaluate the district wise differences in proper implementation of the different activities in the KGBV. A self-structured interview schedule was developed to elicit specific information. The schedule contained both open- and close-ended questions and comprised aspects regarding background information of the KGBVs; demographic characteristic of the KGBVs; personal characteristics of the wardens, assistant cum care takers, teachers and staffs; infrastructure facilities in the KGBVs; management system in KGBVs; co-curricular and curriculum activities in the KGBVs; performance of children after studying in the KGBVs; health care facilities provided in KGBVs; district wise differences in proper implementation of different activities in the KGBVs; and views of girls in KGBVs. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. The primary data collection methods adopted were in-depth personal interview, focus group discussions and observations. The data were analyzed using frequency percentage and paired ‘t’ test. Results of the study indicated that 88.88 per cent of the respondent revealed that there was no sufficient rooms to accommodate all the girls in the KGBVs. Out of nine numbers of KGBVs, four numbers of KGBVs were functioning in their own buildings and five numbers in rented and Government unused buildings. Hundred per cent of the respondents expressed that the, District Programme Officer (DPO) alternative schooling (AS) were in-charge of the KGBVs. As per the responsibilities entitled by State mission office, the DPO (AS) is to look after the well being and proper functioning of the KGBV component. Hundred per cent of the respondents expressed that monthly expenditure for each girl is Rs. 30 per day and within that minimum cost they have to provide food and other materials for the girls. There were no class wise teachers in the KGBVs and there were differences in the hours of implementation of the classes in the KGBVs. Sufficient reading materials and text books were provided in the KGBVs. Although the evaluation were conducted weekly, monthly, half yearly and quarterly, but no records of the marks achieved by the girls in weekly and monthly evaluation were found in the KGBVs. The computer classes were organized sometime in the KGBVs as most of the computers were not working, and in all the KGBVs there was problem of load-shedding. Vocational trainings and self protection skills were organized, for four to six months by engaging experts, in the KGBVs for empowering the girls and to help them earn their livelihood in future. The teachers also felt that girls became more disciplined after getting enrolled in the KGBVs. As the class eight girls have studied for three years in the KGBVs, significant differences among the achievement of the girls in terms of marks achieved in the subjects at entry level and exit level were observed. The teachers and all the officials had work out to accelerate learning and enable the girls to reach grade level knowledge and skills. Doctors do not come and visit the girls in the KGBVs for regular health checkup, which reflects that convergence was not developed with local primary health centers to build a linkage for regular checkup. The availability of food was there in almost every KGBV, but there was a lack of varieties in most of the cases. Fruits and milk were absent from the menu in almost all the KGBVs. After observation in all the KGBVs, it can be revealed that no major differences in the districts were found in implementation of different activities in the KGBVs. Hundred per cent of the girls expressed that they love being at KGBVs. As the girls have developed good social relations amongst themselves and their teachers, it is a good indicator for the success of the KGBV scheme.