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AbstractThe aroma of cumin (Cuminum cyminumL) is due to the presence of aromatic volatile compounds. The flavor of cumin is judged by its volatile oil content. Cumin seeds of variety RZ-209 and GC-4 collected from western Rajasthan were used for screening of essential oil chemical constituents. The volatile oil content of RZ-209 and GC-4 was 4.0 % and 4.33 % respectively. Cuminaldehyde was found as major constituents in cumin essential oil. The GC-MS scan result reveals that RZ-209 variety contains slightly more cuminaldehyde (40.31 %) than GC-4 variety (38.50 %). Other phyto-chemical constituents were terpenic compounds and organic acids. The total phenolics content ranged from 101-109 mg GAE g-1seed while total flavonoid content were 65-67 mg QE g-1seed. 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging antioxidant activity expressed as IC50value was ranged from 14-16 mg/ml.

The bio-efficacy of different herbicide treatments on the performance of mustard crop and its effect on population dynamics of beneficial soil microorganisms like Azotobacter(aerobic and free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria), Bacillusand Pseudomonas(phosphate solubilisation and biocontrol agents) were studied. Higher doses of pendimethalin (@1.0 kg ha−1) and isoproturon (@1.0 kg ha−1) had toxic effect on the germination (13.33 and 17.33 m−2) and emergence of mustard crop and resulted in significantly lower plant population. These treatments resulted in reduction of plant population to the tune of 47.92 and 31.48 % at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and 47.06 and 27.96 % at harvest. Weed free treatment recorded significantly higher seed yield (2781 kg ha−1) which was about 99 % more than the weedy check. The increase in seed yield with different herbicides was to the tune of 27–73 % over weedy check, except pendimethalin @1.0 kg ha−1as pre-emergence (PE). The weedy check plot showed highest population of Azotobacter, Bacillus, and Pseudomonasthroughout the observation period. However, among different herbicide treatments, the highest population of Azotobacterand Bacilluswas observed with pendimethalin 0.5 kg ha−1as PE and that of Pseudomonaswith isoproturon 1.0 kg ha−130 DAS at harvest stage.

A Field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Farm, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, during the kharif seasons of 2004 and 2005 to find out suitable spacing for pearl millet hybrids along with N and P levels so as to increase the productivity of pearl millet. The experiment was laid out in split plot design allocating combinations of two hybrids and three plant densities in main plots and four fertility levels in sub plots with three replications. Highest pooled grain yield was recorded by HHB 67-2. Sowing pearl millet at 45x12 cm spacing produced highest pooled grain and stover yield. Application of 90 kg N + 45 kg P2O5ha–1resulted maximum pooled grain and stover yield and was at par with 60 kg N + 30 kg P2O5ha–1. HHB 67-2 had significantly higher total uptake over HHB 67. Wider spacing of 60x12 cm had higher NPK content but 45x12 cm resulted into higher total uptake of NPK. NPK content and uptake was found higher when pearl millet was fertilized with 90 kg N + 45 kg P2O5ha–1.

The attempt to understand the culture and heritage of the highly dispersed and persecuted (so-called) 'Gypsies' in Europe and elsewhere leads to the GHOR/Banjaras of India, with whom they share a common cultural heritage. The concept of 'Gypsy' utilised by westerners reflects a cultural bias, rooted in hostility. The identity of the so-called 'Gypsies ', 'Banjaras '/'Lambadas' and their origin has been a subject of controversy and several different theories exist. However, there is a certain amount of consensus among historians, anthropologists and Gypsologists that their origin can be traced to India.'Gypsies'have been labelled and treated as 'criminal nomads' for ages. They have been discriminated against by non-Gypsies, treated as anti-social elements and driven from their original settlements, villages, towns and cities. Due to a history of expulsion, Gypsy migrant groups can be found in different places.This article is based on a comparative study undertaken by Professor Shyamala Devi, entitled "The Search For Identity Of Gypsies Of The World And The Impact Of Different Economic Systems.'