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The present study is the analysis of large scale data (31949 ha area and 79873 farmers) generated through the CFLD on pulses across the major pulses growing states under the ICAR-ATARIs of Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Pune (Maharashtra), Patna (Bihar), Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Kolkata (West Bengal), Guwahati (Assam), Shillong (Meghalaya), Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Bengaluru (Karnataka) and Patna (Bihar). The pulse crops included in this analysis were from all three growing seasons: kharif (pigeonpea-5556 ha, blackgram-6067 ha, and greengram-2689 ha), rabi (chickpea-8376 ha, lentil-3747 ha and field pea-1890 ha), and summer (greengram-3624 ha). The average performance data of CFLD were obtained for the above states for all the crops representing all three growing seasons during the cropping seasons of 2016–17 and 2017–18. Thus, CFLD data were analyzed from across minimum of 21 states (greengram) and maximum of 24 states (blackgram). The major variables analyzed were average yield obtained from the check plots and demonstrations plots. These yields were computed for yield advantages and also compared with the reported district level, state level, national level yields and the potential yields of the respective crops in the given states (data procured from secondary sources for the year 2017–18). Accordingly, the yield advantages (absolute as well as per cent) at various level were analyzed and their degree of variation was computed for all the crops across the seasons. The paper brings out the results of above analyses in objective manner.

Potato is commercially important vegetable crop in hills of Uttarakhand and grown as an off season. Farmer’s get remunerative return of their potato because of the off season. It was observed that incidence of late blight disease hampered the production and majority of the farmers used mancozeb fungicide which did not provide expected relief from the menace of late blight disease. Accordingly, interventions were made on combination of fungicides to find out their field efficacy against late blight disease of potato on farmer’s field. The result of the experimentation revealed that two spraying of azoxystrobin + tebuconazole @1 ml/litre of water at moderate severity stage of late blight disease proved to be most effective treatment on reduction of incidence, increase in yield and net income over all other treatments in all the three consecutive years. The T3 has been investigated as best treatment in all the respects among various treatments. The summary of the investigation advocates that two spraying of modern combination of fungicides namely, azoxystrobin + tebuconazole even at moderate severity stage of late blight disease gave tremendous impact on its management throughout the crop season. Considering its impact of three years investigation against late blight disease in off season potato, this novel combination of fungicide may be recommended to the farmer's of the country.

Paraquat poisoning is a grave public health problem in the Andaman and Nicobar islands of India. To evaluate various aspects of paraquat poisoning that influence the outcome, a retrospective study was planned. In this case series study, the information about all cases of acute paraquat poisoning who were admitted to GB Pant Hospital, Port-Blair, in a 12-year period (January 2007–December 2018) were evaluated. A total of 29 referred patients were evaluated with the majority from the early productive age of 16–30 years (68.97%). The case fatality rate was 100%. Most of the incidents took place in South Andaman district (68.97%) and during the rainy season (55.17%). Initially, they presented with local symptoms like mouth and throat pain with ulceration (48.27%), vomiting (44.82%), breathlessness (34.48%), epigastric and abdominal pain (31.03%), hematemesis (27.58%), and oliguria (20.68%). Later on, major organ dysfunctions like a respiratory failure (65.51%), acute kidney injury (62.08%), acute liver failure (55.17%), cardiac dysfunction (31.03%), and multiorgan failure (58.62%) ensued. Patients who were referred early had a significantly longer hospital stay. Few received advanced care, like, methyl prednisolone (24.12%), cyclophosphamide (10.34%), Mesna/NAC (06.89%), charcoal tablets (10.34%), mechanical ventilation (06.89%), and hemodialysis (10.34%). Apart from hemodialysis in acute kidney injury patients and steroid pulse, no other modalities showed improved hospital survival duration. Primary prevention especially government laws, public awareness, and education of health professionals regarding the seriousness of this problem are the keys to get rid of this incurable poisoning in these islands. The government should prioritize preventive works in the south Andaman district and during the rainy season to avoid catastrophe each year and if possible should ban it. Methyl prednisolone therapy and hemodialysis might be advocated to have a better outcome.

Background & objectives: Malaria is a serious public health problem in Car Nicobar Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India. Using larvivorous fishes has proved to be the cheapest method for vector management approach, with long suppression of mosquito population. This study aims to scale-up the diversity of larvivorous fishes and their potential larvivoracity to evolve an appropriate biological intervention strategy against the immature stages of malaria vectors. Methods: During 2003 (pre-tsunami) and 2014–2016 (post-tsunami), an ecological descriptive survey was carried out in the water bodies around Car Nicobar Island. Fishes were captured using fishing nets and cast nets; and placed in plastic jars and preserved in formalin solution. Fishes were identified and classified according to the available keys. Their abundance and data on the current conservation status was recorded and analyzed. Their potential larvivoracity was graded according to their feeding intensity. Results: Pre-tsunami, a total of 27 larvivorous fish species belonging to 11 orders, 23 families and 23 genera were identified. Order Perciformes and the family Cyprinidae were the most ascendant group constituting 51.9 and 11.1%, respectively. While, 80.8% of species were preferred to inhabit the freshwater region, only 37% of species were surface feeders (SF). According to the conservation, assessment and management plan (CAMP, 1998), 44.4% species were at lower risk least concern (LRlc), while 55.6% species were at least concerned (LC) as per the IUCN, 2017 categorization. However, after the tsunami, 17 fish species had gone extinct and 10 fish species were found to remain alive in the local water bodies. Interpretation & conclusion: Post-tsunami, the larvivoracity analysis indicated that Ophiocara aporos, Ophiocara procephala, Valamugil seheli, Channa punctata, Kuhlia rupestris, Khulia mugil, and Terapon jarbua possess high-level larvivorous potentiality in nature and are recommended for vector control in the study area. These fish species were facing several anthropogenic threats, such as human interference, loss of habitat, trade, overexploitation, and fishing. Therefore, it is important to protect the water bodies from external impact and implement the conservation strategies. Further, periodic fish fauna surveys, identification of breeding sites, scale-up of the larvivorous potentiality at the field level, creating public awareness through health education on establishment of larvivorous fish ponds and planning for mass rearing of the native fish species should be adopted as part of vector management approach in the endemic malarious region of Car Nicobar Island.

It has become mandatory for all the domestic producers of urea to produce Neem Coated Urea (NCU) since 2015 to reduce overall input cost in farming and to ensure environmental sustainability through enhanced nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The present study was carried out during 2017–19 with the aim to find out the awareness level of farmers about NCU and its impact on crop productivity. A total of 12,604 farmers across the country were interviewed by 458 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). The results of the study showed that 76% farmers were aware about NCU and its effectiveness in increasing crop yield. Farmers of Delhi NCR, Haryana and Rajasthan were found to have the highest awareness while those of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Jammu & Kashmir had the lowest level of awareness. Overall, 79% farmers were satisfied with its use. Use of N fertilizers decreased significantly in 2018 compared to 2017 in both the seasons (kharif and rabi), however, the existing rate of application was still significantly higher than recommended doses. The average yield enhancement due to use of NCU was 8.25%. The highest yield increase due to use of NCU was observed in Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Results of the study implied that more emphasis is needed for dissemination of information about NCU through awareness, training and capacity building programmes for farmers and grassroots level extension functionaries.

A pot experiment was conducted at ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur during 2010–12 to assess the response of chickpea crop to molybdenum (Mo) in moderately-alkaline Inceptisol (pH 8.0-8.1). Soil application of Mo at 1 kg/ha increased the grain yield by 7.8–11.9% (P< 0.05). However, the Mo seed treatment (4 g/kg seed) had a marginal and mostly non-significant effect on growth and yield attributes of chickpea. The higher aboveground dry matter (10.0–19.3%), root weight (11.6–12.5%), nodule weight (7.1–12.1%), and pod number per plant (11.8–22.0%) were observed with soil application of Mo over control treatment. Notably, a negative interaction (P

There is great scope in converting rice (Oryza sativa L.) fallows into productive agro-ecosystems through appropriate crop based interventions involving suitable varieties and appropriate resource conservation technologies (RCTs). Pulses such as chickpea, lentil, lathyrus and blackgram -through rotation or relay with rice - are the candidate crops for efficient utilization of conserved and scarce resources including soil moisture. Therefore, studying bio-physical aspects of popular rice - chickpea rotation so as to conserve resources and deriving maximum benefits is important and is the crux of the current investigation. A study was carried out in a vertisols at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (India) during 2011-14 under the existing conditions guarded by a tropical sub-humid climate receiving an annual precipitation of 1582 mm. Two transplanted rice habit groups (a tall local rice Masuri, maturing at 130-140 days and a dwarf HYV of rice Swarna, with 110-120 days duration grown during rainy season) were combined with three residue management practices, viz. residue removal, stubble (30 cm) and mulch for growing two contrasting varieties of chickpea (early high biomass JG 130 and medium high biomass JG 226) grown during winter season. Chickpea was planted with a zero till drill after rice. The study showed that soil moisture depletion (SMD) pattern was decreased over the crop season in case of mulched or 30 cm stubble retained plots in comparison to absence of mulch due to its possible role as a soil cover. On the contrary, SMD was higher in case of tall rice (Masuri) habit due to its relatively longer duration as compared to dwarf rice (Swarna) habit. Similar although to a lower degree in SMD was apparent in case of early biomass accumulating variety (BAV) chickpea JG 130 over medium BAV JG 226. Soil health parameters in terms of its physical and microbiological parameters (like, bulk density, soil strength, dehydrogenase activity etc), crop physiological parameters (such as relative leaf water content (LWC) and specific leaf weight (SLW), plant population), nodulation activities (Rhizobium population, nodule number and its dry weights) and crop growth/yield parameters (pods/plant, root characteristics etc) were positively influenced by mulch or stubble retention (due to its beneficial role as a soil cover) and dwarf rice habit (Swarna). Small yet consistently superior values of soil fertility indicators, viz. soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrients (NPKZn, Fe, Mn and Cu) availability status were also evident following mulch or retention of stubble on the soil surface, whereas the values were abysmally small when comparison was made between chickpea cultivars (early BAV JG 130 and medium BAV JG 226). Besides these, weed dynamics, grain yield attributes and the resultant grain yield were especially favoured following soil moisture conservation strategies involving dwarf rice habit and mulch/stubble retention since availability of soil moisture was fairly extended over a period of time following these measures. Thus, it is inferred from the study on rice-chickpea system that efficient agronomic management of soil and land resources is crucial for augmenting soil health and enhancing output in prevalent rice fallow of Eastern Indian Plateau.

Pigeonpea–wheat rotation is emerging as a potential alternative to existing rice–wheat system of Indo–Gangetic plains because of many inherent constraints right from requirements of higher inputs to deterioration in soil health in the latter. Realizing the importance of pigeonpea–wheat cropping system, the present study was conducted to evaluate diverse crop establishment practices [ridge pigeonpea followed by flatbed wheat (RP–FBW); raised–bed pigeonpea followed by raised–bed wheat (RBP–RBW)] in combination with three cultivars of pigeonpea (UPAS 120, ICP 67B, and Pusa 992), and two wheat cultivars (Shatabdi, Unnat Halna). Two–year study revealed that raised–bed practice of crop establishment resulted in 11.7% higher grain yield of pigeonpea as compared to ridge planting. Although the advantage of raised–bed was not apparent in wheat as 13.9% higher grain yield was recorded under flatbed over raised–bed establishment method. Based on pigeonpea equivalent yield and production economics, RP–FBW was found superior over RBP–RBW. However, the performance of component crops suggested that raised–bed for pigeonpea and flatbed for wheat could be the strategic crop establishment under pigeonpea–wheat rotation. Plant nutrient utilization as expressed by nutrient harvest index, physiological efficiency and utilization efficiency differed substantially within the cultivars of pigeonpea and wheat crop; and the preceding pigeonpea cultivars significantly influenced the nutrient acquisition in the successive wheat crop. Among the different cultivars, UPAS 120 pigeonpea followed by Unnat Halna wheat had far better response measured through the highest pigeonpea equivalent yield (2.71 t/ha), net return (` Rs. 69,331), and benefit: cost ratio (2.02). Thus, the study suggested that strategic cultivar selection and appropriate crop establishment method could be the key to maximize output from the pigeonpea–wheat system in IGP.

The study involving bio-physical aspects of popular rice (Oryza sativa L.) + lathyrus relay system for conserving natural resources and deriving the best benefits out of them was carried out in a vertisols at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Raipur (India) during 2011-14. The study location comes under tropical sub humid climate that receives an annual precipitation of 1582 mm. Two rice habit groups (a tall local rice Masuri maturing at 140 days visà -vis a dwarf HYV of rice Swarna with 110 days duration) were combined with two moisture conservation practices (retaining rice stubble height up to 15 cm versus 30 cm) for growing two contrasting varieties of lathyrus (early high biomass accumulating Ratan vis-à -vis medium high biomass Prateek). The study showed that soil moisture depletion pattern was relatively lower in case of residue retention at a higher cutting height, i.e. 30 cm in comparison to 15 cm with better and higher crop cover in the former. At later stages of lathyrus, faster moisture depletion was observed in case of lathyrus Ratan over that in Prateek. Yet, maximum soil moisture depletion was recorded under Prateek especially under long rice habit group since it stayed for long as compared to ‘Ratan’. Similarly, bulk density (BD) was increased slightly with both time and soil compaction as a result of tillage or soil traffic. Soil strength indicated higher order variation (0.13 to 0.19) which could explain relatively higher sensitivity of soil strength to relay cropping situation in comparison to BD. However, marginal changes did occur in respect of soil porosity (47- 50%), pH (6.6 to 7.2) and EC (0.12 to 0.14 dS/m) at 15 cm profile depth. Moreover, as a result of slow depletion of soil moisture storage (SMS) following stubble retained at 30 cm height, soil organic carbon (SOC) status was greatly enhanced under it. Similar small increments in respect of soil fertility attributes such as soil available N (193.4 to 210.4 kg/ha), soil-P (10.3 to 12.2 kg/ha), soil-K (465.4 to 475.4 kg/ha), Cu (2.2 to 2.5 mg/kg), Fe (6.9-7.6 mg/kg), Zn (0.69-0.84 mg/kg) and Mn (6.2-6.9 mg/kg) after the harvest of rice were observed with diverse treatment combinations. Similarly, soil microbiological properties such as Rhizobium, dehydrogenase activity, crop growth and nodulation did affect following treatment imposition. Besides these, weed dynamics and the resultant yield attributes and grain yield were favoured especially in those treatments where soil moisture is conserved (higher SMS) and availability of it was extended over a period of time. Therefore, the study carried out in a lentil relayed with diverse rice habits showed that efficient management of soil and land resources was crucial for realizing higher output through adequate soil cover with better soil health.

Prevalence of lameness was estimated in crossbred lactating cattle (337) and Murrah buffaloes (82) from 7 organised dairy farms and 100 lactating cattle and 51 lactating buffaloes from 50 unorganised (backyard) farms from different villages of Ludhiana district of Punjab. Gait of each animal was first assessed on a 5- point numerical scale on the day of observation. Clinical lameness was significantly more in crossbred cattle (8.92%) as compared to buffaloes (2.26%) and was more on organised farms (9.31%) as compared to unorganised farms (1.99%). Each animal was then examined for any claw lesion before and after removing sliver of 1mm from the solar surface. Most of the lesions were observed in hind claws [OR:1.17] except sole avulsions (OR:0.25) and white line fissures (OR:0.37) which were more evident in fore claws. Heel erosions (45.44%), sole haemorrhages (2.26%), white line haemorrhages and under run soles (4.56%) were predominant lesions of lameness in organised dairy farms especially crossbred cattle suggesting claw horn disruption as the possible aetiology. Sole avulsions (37.37%), white line fissures (13.37%), overgrown hooves (10.53%) and overgrown soles (6.75%) were more frequent on unorganised farms suggesting poor hoof synthesis due to trace mineral deficiency. Overgrown hoofs were more frequent in buffaloes. Sole avulsions were observed for the first time in this study.

A field experiment was carried out during wet season 2010-2012 with an objective to evaluate the effect of aerobic situation on yield attributes and physio-morphological trait performance of advanced breeding lines and popular high yielding rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties of eastern India including aerobic check MAS 946. Significant yield decline was observed almost in all the rice genotypes grown under aerobic situation as compared to normal transplanted condition. The range of yield decline was 1.43 to 3.27 tonnes/ha under aerobic situation compared to normal irrigated condition. Rice genotypes capable of maintaining high early vegetative vigour, plant biomass, RWC, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate leads to produce higher grain yield under aerobic situation. The existence of genetic variation (PCV and GCV) revealed significant differences among genotypes for different morpho-physiological traits. Higher values of heritability and genetic advance were observed for plant height and DFF whereas low heritability for grain yield, plant biomass and test weight. Promising rice genotypes for aerobic situation, IR77298-14-1-2-130-2, IR84899-B-182-3-1-1-2, IR84887-B-157-38-1-1-3,IR84887-B-156-17-1-1, IR 84899 B-179-1-1-1-2 and IR 83927- B-B-278-5-1-1-1showed high yield advantage (40.29%) over susceptible genotypes due to better performance of physio-morphological traits. Hence these promising genotypes may be adopted in rainfed lowland ecosystem as well as under limited water availability areas. Moreover, these promising genotypes can also be utilised as donor parents in future aerobic rice breeding programme.

A field study was conducted at Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur during winter season of 2008-09 and 2009-10 to study the weed control efficiency of different weed management practices including post-emergence herbicides in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) + mustard (Brassica juncea L.) intercropping system. Treatment comprised two different doses of quizalofop-ethyl, imazethapyr and chlorimuron-p-ethyl along with pendimethalin and manual weeding. Cyperus rotundus, Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album, Polygonum plebejum and Phalaris minor were the dominant weeds. Cyperus rotundus was the most dominant weeds with highest relative density and relative dry weight. The toxic effect of imazethapyr and chlorimuron was recorded on both chickpea and mustard. Among herbicide treatments, significantly lowest weed density and weed dry weight and highest weed control efficiency, weed control index, nodule specific weight and plant dry matter were recorded in quizalofop-ethyl @ 60 g/ha. Similarly, higher chickpea and mustard yield, system productivity, net return and B/C ratio were recorded in quizalofop-ethyl @ 60 g/ha and manual weeding.

Iceberg calving is the detachment of ice from ice shelves or glaciers. Although calving is a natural phenomenon, an abnormal rate of calving can be a threat to ice shelves. Some of the events were so large, that an iceberg of approximately 150 × 50 km area was calved in a single event. The most recent reported iceberg calving event was Larsen C and it took place in July 2017. In addition to the large and widely reported calving events, there are several small calving events, which are also of great significance and contribute to the overall mass loss from Antarctica. This study focuses on small calving events in Antarctica along various coasts. Three calving events are studied here, all of them have occurred in the past. This study was performed using Google Earth and Landsat satellite imageries. The first event is identified to have occurred at the Knox coast in 2016. Even after the icebergs were calved, they remained intact with the ice shelf due to ice fronts. The second event took place at the Queen Mary Coast in the year 2014. This event was studied from 2009 to 2016 using Landsat satellite images and many rifts were observed. The third event took place at the Princess Astrid Coast in the year 2016. This event was monitored from 2014 and three icebergs were calved between the years 2014 to 2016. This study emphasizes the exploitation of optical satellite data for studying calving events in Antarctica. Various crevasses and rifts are observed on Landsat imageries, which can be the first sign of a calving process.

This paper presents dwell time distribution based optimal reporting cell planning (RCP) for location management in wireless cellular networks. Dwell time parameter is critically dependent on users’ behavior within the network. The innate advantage of Percentile dwell time over the conventionally used absolute dwell time is that it can take only fixed values depending on the number of cells per location area. This helps tremendously in reducing the computational overhead and can be applied to any size of the network as long as the number of cells per location area remains constant. Consequently, the proposed percentile dwell time has been used to determine the optimal reporting cell-planning configuration such that the overall mobility management cost is minimized. Evidently, from the simulation result the proposed technique provides a clear edge of 14.28% improvement in cost reduction compared to the existing technique.

The present study was conducted at ICAR research complex for eastern region, Patna during kharif 2012 and 2013 with objective to identify rice genotypes having high yield potential and stability under water stress (drought) conditions. Fifteen rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes were grown under irrigated and water stress conditions. Water stress was imposed at reproductive stage by withholding irrigation supply. Yield and yield attributesof rice genotypes under water stress condition were recorded. The effects of water stress on various physio-morphological traits associated with drought tolerance were also studied at reproductive stage. Results revealed that, significant yield decline was observed in most of the genotypes grown under stress condition compared to non-stress condition. Drought susceptibility index (DSI) and relative grain yield (RY) were used to illustrate yield stability and yield potential, respectively. Significant variation in drought susceptibility index and relative yield values within genotypes were observed. The DSI values ranged from 0.68 to 1.46 and the mean RY values were 0.85 for irrigated plots and 0.77 for water stressed plots. The rice genotypes IR 83376-B-B-24-2, IR 83373-B-B-24-3 IR 84895-B-B-127-CRA-5-1-1 and IR83387-B-B-27-4 showed high yield potential and stability (i.e. DSImean RY). These drought tolerant genotypes were also superior in terms of grain yield and higher content of desired physio-morphological traits in terms of plant biomass, relative water content, soluble protein and proline content. These drought tolerant rice genotypes may be adopted in large area in rainfed lowland ecosystem where drought is frequent, particularly at reproductive stage.