March Issue Times of Agriculture Magazine PDF

February, 2023/ Page | 1
Timesofagriculture.in
Today, India is setting new records in every field, in such a situation, the
agricultural sector, which is known as the soul of India, and the contribution of our
farmers who make it alive, is elevating its identity in the country and the world.
From the presidency of G20 to the usefulness of Millets (Shri Anna) to the world,
Kisan Samridhi Kendra, Kisan Samman Nidhi, Nano Urea, Nano DAP, Custom
Hiring Center, Center of Excellence for the development of various sectors and many
development-oriented schemes is being operated. Recently, Mr. Bill Gates, who
visited the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, in New Delhi, also
appreciated the research and research of agricultural scientists in India.
Dear Readers, March issue of Times of Agriculture e-Magazine is being

presented with complete information on Custom Hiring Center. In India, the
level of mechanization is 40% and it is estimated to decrease to about 26% by 2050.
Presently, the National average of farm power availability is 2.02 kW/ha. Custom
Hiring Center popularly known as CHC is basically a unit consisting of a set of
agricultural machinery, equipment, and tools for custom hiring by farmers on rent.
The main objective of CHC is to supply agricultural equipment to small, and
marginal farmers at subsidized rates on rent. So that they do not have to face any
kind of problems in their field work. there is a need to increase it to 4.0 kW/ha by
2030 for these custom hiring centers to play a key role.
Hope you like this issue, do share your feedback with us for the betterment of
magazine.
Enjoy Reading.
Thank you!
Dr. Devraj Singh
Editor-In-Chief

A Resonance in Agriculture
ISSN : 2582-6344
Monthly Agriculture e-Magazine
Dr. Devraj Singh

Editor-In-Chief
Assistant Professor,
Invertis University, Bareilly (U.P.)
EDITORIAL BOARD
Dr. V. P. Pandey Dr. Hari Har Ram Dr. P.D. Meena

Ex. Dean Renowned Veg. Breeder Principal Scientist
College of Horticulture & and Author (Plant Pathology)
Forestry, ANDUAT, Consultant at Tata Trust- ICAR-DRMR, Bharatpur,
Ayodhya, U.P. Agriculture Development Rajasthan
Dr. Dhirendra Singh Dr. Ajit Kr. Singh Dr. Ashok Yadav
Sr. Spices Breeder Professor Scientist (Fruit Science)
SKN Agriculture (Plant Pathology) Dr. YSPUHF, Solan,
University,Jobner, Rajasthan Research Station IGKV,
Himachal Pradesh
Raigarh, Chhattisgarh
Er. Gopal Carpenter Dr. Laxman Singh Rajput Dr. G.C. Yadav
Scientist Scientist (Plant Protection) Professor & Head
(Farm Machinery & Power) ICAR-Indian Institute of CHF
ICAR- CISH , Lucknow, Soybean Research Indore, ANDUAT, Ayodhya, U.P.
U.P. Madhya Pradesh
Dr. Bhanu Pratap Dr. Arun Alfred David Dr. Sudhir Kr. Sahi
Professor Associate Professor, Professor,
(Fruit Science)
Soil Sci. and Agril. Chem. Dairy Technology,
ANDUAT, Ayodhya
SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P. U.P. College,Varanasi, U.P.
Dr. A.K. Singh

Dr. Ashutosh Sharma Ms. Bandana
Professor
Soil Science & Agril. Assistant Professor, Scientist (Fruit Science)
Chemistry, P.G. College, Agricultural Extension & Dr. YSPUHF, Solan,
Ghazipur, U.P. Communication, Himachal Pradesh
RLBCAU, Jhansi, U.P.
Dr. Govind Vishwakarma Dr. Sandeep Rout

Research Associate, Assistant Professor, Forestry,
Fruit Science, Sri Sri University,
February,Cuttack,
2023/ Page | 3
RLBCAU, Jhansi,Timesofagriculture.in
U.P. Odisha
About us
“Times of Agriculture” is a monthly agriculture e-Magazine initiated for the

purpose of providing information about recent innovations and technologies in
agriculture and allied sectors. This e-Magazine gives a platform to dignitaries like
scientists, researchers, scholars, students and innovative farmers to share their
views and vivid ideas about agriculture. The main objective of this e-Magazine is to
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awareness regarding the technologies and awareness in agriculture sector by e-
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Management Team
Managing Editor Editors Founder

Manager│Editing Writing│Editing Technical│Design
Dr. Nishakant Dr. Devesh Tiwari Mr. Aman

Maurya Dr. Vipin Kumar Kumar
Maurya

REVIEWERS
Agronomy Vegetable
Science
Dr. Ravikesh Kr. Pal, Rama University, Kanpur Dr. Sharvan Kumar, Invertis University, Bareilly
Dr. Mahendra Kr. Yadav, Jaipur National Uni., RJ
Fruit Science Floriculture
Dr. Shashibala, U.P. College, Varanasi Dr. Ragini Maurya, BHU, Varanasi
Dr. Sachi Gupta, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow
Soil Science Genetics &

Plant Breeding
Dr. Bharat Lal, RLBCAU, Jhansi Dr. Ashish Sheera, Mata Gujri College,
Dr. Kr. Anshuman, KNIPSS, Sultanpur Fatehgarh Sahib
Dr. Sandeep Kr. Diwakar, Invertis Uni., Bareli
Plant Pathology Biotechnology

Mr. S.S. Patel, BHU, Varanasi Dr. Vishwajeet Yadav, SVPUAT, Meerut
Dr. Vikash Kumar Yadav, Invertis University, Bareilly
Mr. Shubham Mishra, JNKVV, Jabalpur
Extension
Education
Entomology
Dr. Kevin Christopher, ITM University, Gwalior
Dr. Ankur Prakash Verma, SVPUAT, Meerut
Dr. Anuj Shakya, SRMU Lucknow
Remote Sensing Home Science
Mr. Shivam Pandey, RSAC, Lucknow Ms. Garima Dwivedi, SHUATS, Prayagraj

CONTENT
Cover Story
CHC: Solution for Mechanized Agriculture
Article
S.No. Title Page No.
No.
1. - Agriculture Updates 8-18
2. 2022 CHC: Solution for Mechanized Agriculture. 19-26

Cover Story
3. 2023 India's vision and strategy towards green energy. 28

Kalyan Singh
4. 2024 Crop diversification: Single window for multi-benefits. 29-30

Sharad Shikandar Jadhav
5. 2025 Shree anna. 31

Om Prakash Singh and Anshika Yadav
6. 2026 Kalanamak: Importance, varieties and nutritional value. 32-33

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bairwa and Dr. Shiva Mohan
7. 2027 Aquatic and cropped weed management under organic farming. 33-34
Ankit Tiwari
Agricultural development programmes and strategies towards climate change adaptation and
8. 2028 mitigation. 34-35
Arunkumar R.
9. 2029 Climate smart agriculture for sustainable productivity in salt affected soils. 35-37
Siddhant Gupta, Shubham Pandey and Anurag Tripathi
10. 2030 Utilization of algae in various field. 37-38

Keerthivarman Ganesan Subramanian, Manikandavelu D. and Aruna S.
11. 2031 Water pollution in India. 39-40

Pramod Kumar Sharma and Ritika Yadav
12. 2032 Drone: An emerging technology in agriculture. 40-41

Chinmay Kumar Sahu and Ravi Kiran
13. 2033 Drones: Future of farming. 41-43

Rakesh Dawar and Deepak Kumar Meena
14. 2034 Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.): An underutilized fruit. 43-44

Prerna Nath, S. J. Kale, Mahesh Dhakar and A.K. Jha
15. 2035 A delicious product of carrot: Carrot candy. 45

Rahmat Gul Hassanzai and Shubham jain
16. 2036 The health benefits of rose from tea to essential oils. 46
Satvaan Singh and Amit Kumar
17 2037 Lemon cucumber (Cucumis sativus var. sativus): A treasure trove. 47

Priyadarshini, V. M.

18. 2038 Core concept of seed testing. 48-49
Gaurav Yadav and Sachin Kumar Yadav
19. 2039 CRISPR-Cas.: Novel plant breeding technique. 50-51

Himansuman, Parul Gupta, Avdhoot B. Dharmadhikari and Abhay Dashora
Impact of nanoparticles on tripartite symbiosis.
20. 2040 51-52
Brunda B. N.
21. 2041 Importance of molecular marker in vegetable breeding. 52-54
Deepesh Keshari, Vibhu Pandey and Khushboo Sharma
22. 2042 Multiline and mixed cultivars: A potential tool to control plant disease. 54-55
Ujjwal Yadav
23. 2043 Why cisgenic and intragenic are alternate to transgenic ? 55-57
Sampath.L., Banoth Madhu, Dhamotharan P. and Baraskar S.S.
24. 2044 Baciilus thuringiensis: An excellent bio-insecticide. 57

Pradeep Kumar Verma and Vishal Srivastava
25. 2045 Egg shell fertilizer and its benefits. 58

Anasuya Sil
26. 2046 Impacts of agriculture on the planet earth. 59-60

Robert Wayembam and Dr. Princy Thakur
27. 2047 Impact of crop residue and their management. 60-61

Anchal Singh and Shweta Gupta
28. 2048 Liquid organic manures for soil health and crop production. 62-63
Gagan B. Shetty and Dr. S. Channakeshava
29. 2049 Importance and role of nutrient management in potato production. 63-64
Pankaj Kumar Ray and Pallavi Bharti
30. 2050 Kisan Rath App: A digital platform for transforming agricultural transportation and trade. 65-66
Pawan Kumar Gupta, Abhijeet and Anuj Mishra
31. 2051 Malnutrition: Big challenge for India. 66-67

Dr. Deepak Singh
32. 2052 Role of NGOs in rural development. 68

Souvik Das
33. 2053 Power tiller agriculture: How it works, types, benefits & brands in India? 69-70
Er. Shankar Singh
34. 2054 One nation one fertilizer scheme: About it, its objective, advantages and challenges. 70-71
Shubham Pandey, Siddhant Gupta, Anurag Tripathi and Kirtivardhan Pandey
35. 2055 Soil mapping. 71-72

Dr. Sandeep Yadav and Sugandha Chauhan
36 2056 Problems and prospects of small-scale fish farmer. 73-74

Vivek Kamble and Dr. Princy Thakur
37 2057 Nutritive value and health benefits of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). 74-75
Mayank Bhushan Singh and Devarshi Ranjan
38 2058 Data science applications in agriculture. 76-77

Jhade Sunil and Manjubala M.
39 2059 Coated urea: The new age fertilizer. 77-78

Deepak Kumar Dwivedi and Gayatri Pralhad Turkar
40 2060 Nano DAP. 79

Dr. Hirdesh Yadav and Dr. Sharvan Kumar
Disclaimer: Whatever articles are published in each issue of the Times of Agriculture are sent by different authors, these are their own views of those authors, we just publish these articles in the magazine and bring them to you.
Although we are well read and tested while selecting the article, but we do not make any changes in the information given by any author, so the author will be responsible for any mistake in the article, no responsibility of the
magazine Will be. We select only good and quality articles, the author will be responsible for the authenticity of the article, not the magazine.

March, 2023/ Page | 8
Timesofagriculture.in March, 2023/ Page | 8
Agriculture
Updates
Clean Plant Centres to promote

domestic production of crops
The Indian government plans to establish
10 Clean Plant Centres to promote domestic
production of crops like apples, almonds,
grapes, avocados and blueberries, which have
seen an increase in demand for imported
planting materials. They will be set up under
the Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme.
The centres will offer diagnostic, therapeutic
and plant multiplication services with an
overall budget of Rs. 2,200 crore until 2030.

Agriculture
Updates
Himachal Pradesh begun commercial

cultivation of mulethi (liquorice)
For the first time Himachal Pradesh has

begun the commercial cultivation of
mulethi (liquorice) with the distribution of
planting material among the farmers by the
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR) - Institute of Himalayan Bioresource
Technology (IHBT).
Dr. Sanjay Kumar, director of the institute
informed that planting material of 'mulethi'
(Glycyrrhiza glabra) was distributed to the
farmers for commercial cultivation in the
state.

Agriculture
Updates
GOI approved the nano-liquid DAP
The Government of India approved the

nano-liquid DAP fertiliser for the benefit of
farmers and to make the country self-reliant,
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya informed.
“IFFCO will manufacture nano DAP which
will prove to be a game changer for Indian
agriculture and economy.”

Agriculture
Updates
ADB approved a $130 million loan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has
approved a $130 million loan to increase
agricultural productivity and promote
Horticulture Agribusinesses to raise
farmers‟ income in Himachal Pradesh,
India.
More than half of Himachal Pradesh's
land area is in the mountains and 90% of the
population lives in rural areas who are
dependent on agriculture.

Agriculture
Updates
Mahyco develops new chilli hybrid

tolerant to black thrips
Seeds major Mahyco has developed a
new hybrid chilli that is tolerant to black
thrips, an invasive pest that has caused
significant concerns for growers in recent
years. The thrips-resistant chilli is presently
undergoing multi-location trials and is
expected to be launched in the upcoming
cropping season. “Black thrips” is a major
issue in chilli. Given the extraordinary
climatic situation, the infestation has
increased.

Agriculture
Updates
HarvestPlus Awarded „Mark of

Excellence
Hyderabad-based HarvestPlus was

honored with the prestigious Mark of
Excellence Award at the 2023 Economic
Times (ET) Ascent Business Leader of the
Year Awards ceremony in Mumbai, India.
The award recognizes HarvestPlus as a
global leader in the promotion of biofortified
nutrient-enriched crops to improve the
nutrition and health of millions of people
worldwide.

Agriculture
Updates
Wheat Variety (HD-3385)

Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR) has developed a new wheat variety
(HD-3385) which can overcome the
challenges arising out due to changes in
weather patterns and rising heat levels.
This new wheat variety called HD-3385
is amenable to early sowing, escaping the
impact of heat spikes and can be harvested
before March end.

Agriculture
Updates
Flipkart‟s “Samarth Krishi”

Flipkart has launched „Flipkart Samarth
Krishi‟ program to provide farming
communities and Farmer Producer
Organisations (FPOs) with national market
access and more negotiation power.
Aligned with the government‟s
commitment to empower Indian farmers and
boost the agricultural sector, the „Flipkart
Samarth Krishi‟ program seeks to provide
market access and build the capacity of
farmers.

Agriculture
Updates
“Gobar Se Samriddhi”
Programme
NDDB Mrida Ltd. a wholly-owned
subsidiary company of National Dairy
Development Board (NDDB) signed an
agreement with Sistema bio. India's leading
biogas company, to work with smallholder
dairy farmers and provide sustainable
solutions in waste-to-energy and open
avenues of generating additional income for
farmers.

Agriculture
Updates
Mizoram first time export „bird‟s eye

chilli‟ to the United States
Mizoram would soon export „bird‟s eye chilli‟
of the state to the United States for the first time.
Agriculture Minister C. Lalrinsanga said that 7.5
metric tons of organic bird‟s eye chilli would be
sent to the US soon after the budget session of the
assembly.
Government has obtained geographical
identification (GI) tag for bird‟s eye chilli or „Mizo
chilli‟.
The chilli to be exported has passed an organic
confirmation test in Bangalore last week.

Custom Hiring Center
Solution for Mechanized Agriculture
About the Author
S. Rahaman
Ph.D. Scholar (Farm Machinery and Power Engg.)
Dr. NTR College of Agricultural Engineering,
ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh
CHC Near Me

Utilization of farm machinery and equipment reduces
the unit cost of production through enhanced input
use efficiency and their judicious use. Thus, there is
strong need for mechanization of agricultural
operations.
In India, the level of mechanization as of 2015-16
is 40% while the share of the population engaged in
agriculture is 40% in 2019-20 and it is estimated to
decrease to about 26% by 2050. The farm power
availability has increased from 1.1 kW/ha in 1995-96
to 2.4 kW/ha in 2015-16. Presently, National
average of farm power availability is 2.02 kW/ha
there is a need to increase it to 4.0 kW/ha by 2030
for these custom hiring centers play a key role.
Thus, there is a strong need for taking farm
mechanization. However, the farm power
distribution is quite uneven across the States,
wherein the highest use of mechanical power is in
the order of 3.5 kw/ha in Punjab and less than
1kw/ha in States like Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand etc.

How it can help farmer's
 CHC supply the farm implements to small, marginal, and poor
farmers at subsidized rates on hire.
 CHC enables the small and marginal farmers to take up farm
operation on time.
 Farm machinery can use during adverse climatic conditions
also.
 labour scarcity during the peak season is a major problem for
farmers, CHCs will fulfil the scarcity of labour.
 Provides access to small and marginal farmers to use costly
farm machinery.
 Facilitates timeliness in farm operations and reduces human
drudgery.
 Reduction in cost of cultivation and efficiency in use of
resources.
 Ideally, the CHC located in a place where by and large small
land holdings are located within a radius of 5 to 7 kms.
 The CHC Farm Machinery Mobile App is already launched by
the government of India, in which more than 40,000 CHSs
have been registered with more than 1,20,000 machinery and
equipment will be given on rent.

Current status of CHCs in
India
State wise custom hiring centre (CHC‟s) established
so far, mechanisation and technology division,
department of agriculture, co-operation and farmers
welfare, ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare,
government of India dated 31.03.2021. Punjab state
had highest CHCs of 22,800 and lowest was
Meghalaya only 3 no. of CHCs. Total CHCs in
India are 78,117. Still India need more CHCs to
increase the farm power 4.0 kW/ha by 2030.
2.02 4
kw/h kw/h
Farm Power Targeted Farm

Availability Power Availability
(2022) (2030)
Timesofagriculture.in March, 2023/

March, 2023/ PagePage
| 22 | 22
Leading State in CHCs
Punjab 22,800
Uttar Pradesh 10,392
Telangana 9,360
Andhra Pradesh 7,617

Subsidies available on
establishment of CHCs
1. Sub- Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
Sub- Mission on Agricultural Mechanization is one such scheme under
which farm machinery or equipment is issued to individual farmers or
SHGs on subsidized rates 40% are provided to the aspirants for the
establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHC).
2. National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

Under this scheme, assistance is provided up to 50% the cost of machinery
such as pump sets, tractor mounted sprayers, seed drills, zero till seed
drills to varying degrees.
3. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

Under this scheme, assistance is provided up to 50% for large equipment
(tractors, combine harvesters, sugarcane harvesters, cotton pickers, etc.).
4. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture

Assistance is provided for procurement of power operated machines and
tools, Associations, farmer groups, SHGs, women farmer groups (with
more than 10 members), etc., that are engaged in cultivation of horticulture
crops are eligible. From the above schemes, out of this 50% subsidy, 60%
assistance from the Centre and 40% from the state are provided for the
farmers.

Establishment of Farm Machinery Banks for
Custom Hiring
Procurement subsidy for establishment of Custom
Hiring Centre up to 10, 25, 40 and 60 lakhs are
provided, the subsidy granted is 40% of total
estimation.
Establishment of Hi- Tech, High Productive
Equipment Hub for Custom Hiring
Procurement subsidy for establishment of Custom
Hiring Centre up to 100, 150, 200, 250 lakhs are
provided, the subsidy granted 40% of total
estimation.
Punjab Meghalaya
Highest number of Lowest number of

CHCs CHCs

Future prospect
Establishing CHCs in every village is an important
strategy to meet mechanization needs of farmers
particularly from small and marginal sections. Establishing
expensive farm machines and implements in CHCs like
combine harvesters for harvesting of paddy, wheat,
groundnut, sugarcane, potato etc., straw baler and laser
land leveller.
Establishment of precision agricultural technologies
(fully automatic machinery) like automatic vehicle
guidance system (remote control), variable rate
technology‟s (Agriculture Drone) for seeding, fertilizer
and spraying need to be introduced. Extension activities
like demonstration of new machineries and technologies
to the farmers at village level need to be taken up.
Rotavator Near Me

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INDIA's VISION AND STRATEGY
TOWARDS GREEN ENERGY
The main source of carbon in

the country is the use of coal in factories
and by electricity generation. Today,
About Author … including India, all the countries of the
world are completely self-sufficient in
the use of coal. If we look at the figures,
we It is found that 63 percent of the
Kalyan Singh
Independent Writer country's electricity is produced from
& Ph.D. Scholar coal only. If the same is seen in different
Deptt. of Veg. Science countries of the world, then 35 percent
BUAT, Banda of electricity is produced in the whole
world from coal while 10 percent is
produced through nuclear power. Same
if talking about coal plants, 281 coal
G
reenhouse gases are the major power plants are operational in India,
cause of climate change. In while 28 are under construction and 23
which mainly carbon dioxide, are proposed. In developed countries,
methane gas, chlorofluorocarbons, and more than 1000 coal plants are
nitrous oxide etc. are prominent. The operational in China, while more than
proportion of carbon dioxide in the 250 coal plants are proposed. India
atmosphere was only 0.03 percent (350 raised the slogan "Phase out the world
ppm). But with the beginning of phase down" towards coal at the climate
industrialization, its emissions continued summit and reiterated its resolve to
to increase. While at present it is 490 achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
ppm, by the end of 21st century it is
expected to increase from 540 to 970 Energy efficiency should be
ppm. Today, India is the fourth largest increased by the use of alternative
carbon dioxide emitting country in the sources of energy i.e. wind energy and 2030 and to implement it, it was done.
world, which accounts for about 5 solar energy. Today we need 137,600 Under the same COP-26, different
percent of the total carbon emissions in million units of electricity, in which we countries of the world have set their
the world. China, America, England are are able to make only 9.2 percent i.e. goals for this global challenge by 2050-
ahead of India respectively. Today, 134 GW of electricity from non-fossil 2070. By the year 2030, India will
where India is emitting 2.597 megatons fuel i.e. alternative energy. By the same increase its fossil-free energy capacity to
(one megaton = 1000,00 tons) of carbon, year 2030, we will need a total of 500 GW through alternative energy
the same China with 11.535 megatons, 251,8000 million units of electricity, for sources, solar energy, wind energy, as
America 5107 megatons, United which we need 630 GW. Electricity will well as meet 50 percent of energy needs
Kingdom 3304 megatons, Russia 1792 have to be produced from solar energy from alternative energy sources. By the
megatons of carbon emissions in the (280) and wind energy (140). To achieve year 2030, a target has been set to reduce
world respectively first, second, and this goal, India will have to cut carbon one billion i.e. 1000 million tonnes of
occupies the third position. If per capita emissions by 45 percent by the year carbon emissions. India has set a target
carbon emissions are seen according to 2030. Whereas, if it is not effectively of reducing carbon intensity by 45
the population, then India is emitting controlled, carbon emissions can percent by 2030. By the year 2070, India
very less 1.9 tonnes of carbon than the increase by 16 percent by 2030, which has set a target of reducing net carbon
rich and developed countries of the can increase the temperature by 2.70C. emissions to zero.
world, whereas the developed and rich
countries America 15.5 tonnes of carbon The Paris Agreement on Today, if concrete steps are not
per person, Russia 12.5 tonnes, China Climate Change was held in the year taken towards its proper management,
8.1 tons, and the United Kingdom is 2014-15 in order to deal with India's then definitely it is becoming very
emitting 6.5 tons of carbon per capita. climate change in COP-26, for which a frightening for the world as well as for
draft was prepared to take effective steps India.■
to deal with climate change by the year

CROP DIVERSIFICATION
SINGLE WINDOW FOR MULTI-BENEFITS
diversification boosts land-use efficiency capital resources, location, access to
About Author … and crop output by improving the

physical and chemical qualities of soil.
agricultural technologies, market
demand and price, transportation costs
Crop diversification shows a lot of scope and general information access.
Sharad Shikandar Jadhav to alleviating the problems such as
Ph.D. Research Scholar resurgence of insects-pests and weeds, Why crop diversification
PGI, MPKV soil degradation, environmental approach?
Rahuri (MS) pollution, soil salinity, decline farm Low cropping intensity, poor
profit and climate change. Crop on–farm input management, late
diversification through crop maturing poor yielder crop cultivars and
intensification system enhanced the net fatigue soil fertility are the main reasons
A
n ever-increasing worldwide returns, B:C ratio, and overall system for lower agricultural productivity. An
population, necessitates productivity of a farm. agro-ecological approach to improve
additional food, fiber, and oil agricultural production systems must
supplies, posing a serious challenge to Crop diversification ensure that promoted systems and
agricultural to produce more and more Crop diversification refers to technologies are suited to the specific
from limited, diminishing, and degraded the addition of new crops or cropping environmental and socio-economic
land and water resources. By 2050, it is systems to agricultural production on a conditions of resource deprived farmers,
expected that the global population will particular farm taking into account the without excess reliance on external
have increased by 50%, and global grain different returns from value-added crops inputs and risk. It is assumed that
demand would have doubled. The stress with complementary marketing diversified cropping systems with
from climate change, accompanying opportunities. Crop diversification is a pulses, oil seeds and vegetable crops can
extreme weather and urbanization also need based, demand driven, regional enhance soil water conservation,
creates the burden. Global agriculture in specific and house hold food security improve soil health, and increase system
the present status points to a formidable goal seeking incessant and dynamic productivity. The introduction of new
challenge to agricultural sustainability. concept and involves temporal, spatial, cultivated species and improved
The most important approached for value totaling and resource varieties of crop is a technology aimed at
sustainable agriculture development is complementary approaches. Crop enhancing plant productivity, quality,
crop diversification. It allowing the diversification is a shift from less health and nutritional value and building
farmers to employ biological cycles to profitable and unsustainable crops or crop resilience to diseases, pest
minimize inputs, conserve the resource cropping systems to more profitable and organisms and environmental stresses.
base, maximize yields and also reduce sustainable crops or cropping systems. Therefore, crop diversification approach
the risk due to ecological and Crop diversification means to increase should blend with traditional agricultural
environmental factors. the total productivity in terms of quality, knowledge and modern agricultural
Crop diversification promotes quantity and monetary value under science, featuring resource-conserving
the interaction of beneficial soil bacteria, specific and diverse agro-climatic yet highly productive systems like
interrupts the disease cycle, and reduces situations. Crop diversification mainly intercropping, mixed cropping, multiple
the quantity of weeds. Crop depends on the land, farming experience, cropping etc.

Nutrient Decline
Balance Profit
Climate
Food Security
Resilience
Pest
Soil Conventional
Disease Crop Diversification
Degradation Monocropping
Resurgence
Nutritional Employment
Security Generation
Climate Biotic
Change Stress
Benefits of crop 7. Crop diversification for risk soil quality and conserving soil
diversification reduction. moisture.
Enhancing natural resources 11. Cover cropping, in-situ residue
Points to be remembers for
sustainability. management, water and nutrient
diversification strategies saving technologies, rain water
Maintaining agro-ecological
1. Diversification approach promote the harvesting approaches for ensuring
balance.
substitution of low yielding year-round high value crop
Opportunities for employment
traditional cultivars with high production should be adopted in
generation, hence reduces social
yielding varieties. diversified farms.
evils.
2. Water loving crops during rainy 12. Recycling of all kinds of biomass and
Minimizing the risk coverage and
season and law water requiring crops crop residues should be promoted in
reducing the magnitude of risk due
during rabi seasons should be diversified cropping systems to
to mono-cropping.
cultivate. Diversion of high water reduce the dependence on external
Higher profitability and also the
requirement crops with less water inputs. Similarly, soil conservation
resilience and stability in
requiring crops measures should be adopted in year-
production.
3. Legumes intervention should also round production systems, to prevent
Year round income generation.
take into consideration, at any given soil and nutrients erosion.
Reduces dependence on external
time legumes must occupy at least 30 13. Integrated nutrient management
input requirement for sustaining
per cent of total cropping area. strategies should be adopted in
family needs.
4. Crops having both domestic and diversified production systems.
Soil restoration.
international demand should be
Enhances opportunity of cropping in Constrains for crop
included in the cropping systems.
aberrant weather situations.
5. Inclusion of crops with comparative diversification
Approaches of crop advantages. Lack of knowledge among the farmer
diversification 6. Rational choice of varieties of crops Lack of skill and knowledge in
1. Horizontal diversification (Crop in the system. choosing alternate crops in cropping
Intensification and substitution). 7. Inclusion of energy efficient crops. system.
2. Vertical Diversification. 8. Systems with high productivity, Over use and sub optimal use of
3. Land based approach for crop profitability and sustainability should natural resources.
diversifying existing cropping be selected. Weak research-extension and farmers
system. 9. The same cropping sequence should linkage.
4. Varietal Diversification. not be repeated in the same field in Lack of salt and moisture tolerant
5. Crop diversification for nutrient two consecutive seasons or years crops and cultivars.
management. except for some legume crops. Small and fragmented land holding.
6. Crop diversification for pest 10. Conservation tillage and irrigation
management. practices should be adopted in
diversified systems for improving
****

Awareness of the
contribution of millets to
About Author … food security and
nutrition.
Om Prakash Singh Improve quality of millets.
Anshika Yadav Entrepreneurship/Startup/
P.G. Scholar Collective development.
Deptt. of Agronomy Focus on enhanced
Bundelkhand University investment in research and
Jhansi (U.P.) development and
extension services.
Importance of millets
1. Nutritionally superior
Millets are less
expensive and nutritionally
superior to wheat and rice
owing to their protein, fiber,
vitamins and minerals. It
is also rich in calcium
Major Millets: Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Finger
and magnesium. It Millet.
provide nutritional
security and act as shield Minor Millets: Foxtail Millet, Kodo Millet,
against nutritional Barnyard Millet, Little Millet, Proso Millet
deficiency, especially
among children and Pseudo Millet: Amaranth, Buckwheat.
onorable Finance Minister women.
Nirmala Sitharaman called 6. Production of millets does not depend
millets as “SHREE ANNA” at 2. Gluten free a low glycemic
index on the use of chemical fertilizers. The
the budget session. She said India is a millets crop do not attract pests and are
hub of Millets. We should improve the Millets can help tackle life style
problems and health challenges such as not affected by storage.
production of Millets.
Millet is a collective term obesity and diabetes as they are gluten Nutritional composition of
free and have a low glycemic index.
referring to a number of small seeded millets
annual grasses that are cultivated as 3. Super crop at Growing 1. Millets contain 7-12% protein, 2.5%
grain crops, primarily on marginal lands Millets are photo insensitive fat, 65-75% carbohydrates, and 15-
in dry areas in temperate, tropical and and resilient to climate change. Millets 20% dietary fibers.
subtropical regions. Finger millet, can grow on poor soil with little or no 2. Good source of essential amino acid
sorghum, little millet, pearl millet, proso external inputs. Millets are less water and prolamins.
millet are sown in India. consuming and are capable of growing 3. Small millets are rich source of
It is grown in about 131 under drought conditions, under non phosphorous and iron.
countries and around 600 million people irrigated condition even in very low
use as traditional food in Asia and Health benefits of millets
rainfall. Millets have low carbon and
Africa. India is the largest producer of Millets are anti-acidic.
water footprints.
millets in the world. It accounts for 20% Millets are gluten free.
of the world wide and 80% of Asia 4. Millets are dual purpose crops Helps to prevent type 2 diabetes.
production. It is cultivated both as food and Effective in reducing blood
Mr. Khadar Vali is known as fodder, thus providing food /livelihood pressure.
Millet man of India, he has been living security to millions of households and Reduces risk of gastrointestinal
for the last 25 years. contributing to the economic efficiency condition.
of farming. Eliminate problems like
Objectives constipation, excess gas and
Enhancement of production and 5. Millets are termed as the “Miracle
cramping.■
productivity of different millets. Grains” or crop of the future.

KALANAMAK
IMPORTANCE, VARIETIES AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE
Aligarhwa. It is named Kalanamak
because of its black husk (kala) and mild
About Author … salty (namak) taste.
Geographical indication tag

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bairwa* Kalanamak landrace was Seeds of Kalanamak
Scientist granted the Geographical Indication tag Table 1 Nutritional composition of
ICAR-DMR, Solan (HP) on September 9, 2013 due to the efforts Kalanamak rice (per100g)
Dr. Shiva Mohan of the Kalanamak Scented Paddy
Assistant Professor Production and Conservation Society in 1. Energy (Kcal) 362.33
Invertis University, Bareilly (UP) Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh. The G.I. 2. Carbohydrate 77.28
of Kalanamak covers the north-east plain 3. Protein (g) 10.49
zone of Uttar Pradesh, which includes 4. Fat (g) 1.25
A
romatic rices are a special eleven districts, namely Baharaich,
group of rice, having fragrance 5. Minerals
Balrampur, Basti, Deoria, Gonda,
mainly due to the presence of Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, a) Potassium (mg) 116.00
2-acetyl pyrroline along with superior Sant Kabir Nagar, Siddharthnagar, and b) Magnesium (mg) 26.50
grain and cooking qualities. Due to these Shrawasti. c) Calcium (mg) 29.60
qualities, they fetch a premium price and
d) Iron (mg) 2.80
are popular among consumers in the Cultivation and varieties
Orient, Middle East, Europe, and the It is primarily cultivated in the e) Zinc (mg) 1.30
United States of America. Among the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh and the
beta carotene was drastically reduced
aromatic rices, Kalanamak occupies a Central Tarai region of Nepal.
from 0.42 micrograms/100 g (freshly
pivotal place because of its quality Kalanamak landraces generally mature
harvested) to 0.18 micrograms/100 g
characteristics. Kalanamak is an in 150–160 days and yield 1.5–3.0 t/ha.
(one-year-old sample). Kalanamak rice
aromatic, pigmented rice native to the The Participatory Rural Development
genotypes are moderate to slightly
northeastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India. Foundation (PRDF), Gorakhpur,
aromatic. The low glycemic index (49–
The earliest cultivation of Kalanamak developed four varieties of Kalanamak:
52%) of Kalanamak varieties makes
was recorded during the Buddhist period Kalanamak KN 3, Bauna Kalanamak
them suitable for diabetic patients.
(900 BC). Rice grains similar to 101, Bauna Kalanamak 102, and
Nutritional composition of Kalanamak
Kalanamak were found from excavation Kalanamak Kiran.
rice is given in table 1.
sites at Kapilvastu (Aligarhwa), in the
Nutritional composition of
present-day Siddharthnagar district of Phytonutrient composition of
Kalanamak rice
Uttar Pradesh. This territory was under Kalanamak
Kalanamak rice has a unique
the rule of King Shuddodhan, the father Kalanamak is a potential source
property: its unpolished grain has a rare
of Lord Buddha. The name Shuddodhan of vitamin E, antioxidants, and
green color, which gives it the false
itself denotes pure rice. Famous Chinese
impression of
traveller Fa-Hien wrote about Lord Table 2 Phytonutrient composition of Kalanamak rice
being immature. In
Buddha after attaining Bodhisattva and
a study, beta- SN Phytonutrient Quantity
visiting Kapilvastu. He was passing
carotene levels 1. Vitamin E 22.31±0.58 µg/g
through the forest of Bajaha when he
were compared 2. Total phenol content 43.19±0.54 mg/100g
was stopped by the villagers of Mathla
between freshly 3. Flavonoid 7.18±0.52 mg/100g
(now Mudila) for 'prasad'. He gave them
harvested
rice and asked them to sow it in a 4. Anthocyanin content 34.01±0.45 mg/100g
Kalanamak rice
marshy place. The typical aroma from 5. Antioxidant activity 897.10±0.55 µM AAE/100g
samples and one-
rice will remind people of Lord Buddha. a). Reducing power (231.01±0.12 µM AAE/100g)
year-old samples.
The original area of Kalanamak is Radical scavenging 89.01%
It is observed that b).
believed to be between Bajaha and inhibition

phytoconstituents with free radical Also, consumption of Kalanamak dishes like pulao, biryani, and sweet
scavenging properties (Table 2). regulates blood pressure, body weight, dishes like kheer. In conclusion,
and chronic inflammation. Kalanamak rice is a highly valued
Medicinal properties
variety of rice that is known for its
Kalanamak has free radical Conclusion
unique flavour and aroma. It is an
scavenging ability and anticancer Kalanamak rice is a traditional,
important crop for farmers in the eastern
properties. It helps in controlling tumour aromatic rice variety that is grown in the
region of India, and it is highly sought
growth and breast cancer. Lutein and eastern region of India. It is
after by consumers.
zeaxanthin, two compounds found in characterised by its strong aroma and
■■■
Kalanamak rice, improve eye health. Its medium-grain texture. The rice is known
bran is rich in dietary fiber, which is for its distinctive flavor, which is often
important for maintaining blood sugar described as nutty and spicy. It is
levels by reducing sugar absorption. commonly used in the preparation of
AQUATIC AND CROPPED WEED MANAGEMENT

UNDER ORGANIC FARMING heating. This is an eco-friendly
technology used to kill weeds which are
weed from being established in a produce from seeds. It involves
cultivated crop, pasture, or a green mulching of soil with transparent
About Author … house. preventive method of weed plastic films so as to trap the solar heat
control include use of weed free crop in the surface soil. The resultant
Ankit Tiwari seeds, weed free manure, clear temperature increase would be lethal to
Ph.D. Student equipment‟s, use vigilance, quarantine soil pathogens, nematodes and weeds.
Deptt. of Agronomy measures and elimination of weed This method can be use where air
SVPUAT, Meerut (U.P.) infestation in and around irrigation temperature goes up to 450C during
channels and cultivated fields. hottest part of summer months. It is
Cultural methods efficient where bright sun light is
A
pplication of chemical to kill Cover crops are highly available for about 4-6 weeks.
or suppress the growth of un- competitive with the weed species Biological methods
wanted plant is called weed infesting an area for light, nutrients, This method involves utilization
control. Increased the application of space, CO2 and moisture. The crops of natural enemies for the control of
chemical herbicides has caused many such as barley, millet, sorghum, alfalfa, certain weeds. This can be achieved by
problems in soil, plant and environment. clover, cowpea, sesbania, sunflower etc. direct or indirect action of biological
The environment ecosystem safety has Other cultural methods are sowing of control agents. In direct action,firstly the
been doubted with increased chemical cover crops, crop rotation, line sowing, bio control agent bores into plant,
pollution hazards by agrochemicals. maintaining optimum plant population, weakens its structure which leading to
That apart, weed plant are developing drip irrigation, stale seed bead etc. its collapse and consumes as food and
resistance to chemical herbicide. In which reduces weed germination and its destroys the vital plant parts. In indirect
India, continuous use of isoproturan in establishment . action the bio control agent reserves the
wheat crop has resulted in the Mechanical methods competitive ability of weed over other
development of resistance in Phalaris It is refers to any technique plants and enhances the condition
minor. More over there is also problem that involve the use of farm equipment favorable for plant pathogens.
of resurgence of weeds. In organic to control weeds. This method includes a. Insects
farming weeds can be managed to salve practices common non chemical method For bio-control of weeds, the
the pollution hazards and produce of weed control like hand weeding, insect selected should specifically
organic food. The methods of organic hoeing, mowing, flooding, mulching, attack on the targeted weed without
weed management following: burning and tilling the soil for the harming the other plants.
Preventive methods reduction of weeds population.
b. Plant pathogens
In this method to use any Soil solarization The active ingredient in a bio-
control method that aims to prevent It is also called solar soil herbicide is a living organism, mostly a

microorganism. An herbicide made of and peas suppress the growth of Sickling/ chopping- To remove the
mycelia fragments or spore of fungi is Chenopodium album. The crop residues top growth of unwanted plant to prevent
called mycoherbicide. This technique from alfalfa, sunflower, wheat, corn and seed production and starve the
holds promise because reduced soybean are toxic to weeds. Biolaphos a underground parts especially in
quantities of spores are needed, when microbial toxin (allele-chemical) is irrigation and drainage channels.
seedlingsare small and emerging. found in a bacterium Streptomyces Dredging- Mechanical pulling of
Allelopathy hygroscopicus use to weed control. aquatic weeds along with their roots and
Inter-weed-competition determined From salvia spp.1,8-cineole is rhizomes
by allelopathy can be manipulated in released which has phytotoxic effect Chaining- Long and heavy chain
the natural control of weeds. Natural cinmethylin is systhetic herbicide eitch attached to animals, tractors, is pulled/
compounds released by some plants control the annual grass and BLW in rubbed overs bottom and embankments
inhibit or prevent the growth of nearby rice. of ditches and fragmented weeds are
plants. Marigold flowering plant is Aquatic weed management collected by nets and hooks.
found to suppress the growth of
Digging- For patch or spot control of
parthenium weed. Thistle exudation ■■■
perennial weeds.
inhibits the growth of oats. Wheat, oats
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

AND STRATEGIES TOWARDS CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) irrigation by harnessing rain water at
micro level through „Jal Sanchay‟ and
…
& Intended Nationally Determined
About Author Contribution (INDC). All the „Jal Sinchan‟.
components of NMSA such as Rainfed
Arunkumar R.* Agriculture, Soil Health Management, Strategies towards adaptation:
Ph.D. Scholar Organic Farming, etc. have significant Adaptation strategies have
Agril. Ex. & Communication role in achieving SDGs. NMSA as a traditionally centered on
TNAU, Coimbatore (T.N.) programmatic intervention caters to infrastructure-based interventions.
Mission Deliverables that focuses However, there has now been a shift
mainly on conservation agriculture to towards acknowledging the need for
make farm sector more productive, a more development-oriented
Agricultural development sustainable, renumerative and climate approach which addresses the
programmes resilient by promoting location specific underlying causes of vulnerability,
integrated/composite farming systems; such as poverty, lack of education,
1. National Mission for and gender inequality.
soil and moisture conservation measures
Sustainable Agriculture At the individual level, women and
and comprehensive soil health
(NMSA) men use a range of different
management.
NMSA is envisaged as one of the strategies to adapt to climate change,
eight Missions outlined under National 2. Pradhan Mantri Krishi many of which are highly gendered.
Action Plan on Climate Change Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) For instance, while men may opt to
(NAPCC), NMSA aim at promoting The Pradhan Mantri Krishi migrate or travel to towns or cities to
Sustainable Agriculture through climate Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was earn money, this option is less open
change adaptation measures. The major launched during the year 2015-16 with to women because of the social
thrust is enhancing agriculture the motto of „Har Khet Ko Paani‟ for norms that tie them to the home.
productivity especially in rainfed areas providing end-to end solutions in Women may instead opt to increase
focusing on integrated farming, soil irrigation supply chain, viz. water day labouring in the nearby villages
health management, and synergizing sources, distribution network and farm and towns or change the pattern of
resource conservation. NMSA also a level applications. The PMKSY not only farming or crops.
committed target to fulfil National and focuses on creating sources for assured In addition to looking at gender
International commitments on irrigation, but also creating protective norms, there is a further need to look

at socioeconomic status and 1. Smart irrigation system (SIS): data generated through new technologies
underlying power relations to fully Less than 50% of agricultural such as sensors, GPS, and satellite
understand climate change impact land in India is irrigated land, due to imaging. The application of these new
and adaptation strategies. increasing water scarcity and depleting technologies can help in collection of
Understanding the layered identities groundwater resources. Several states of significant and meaningful data that
of and discrimination faced by India, such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, make more resilient to Indian agriculture
individuals provides a more complete Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, system.
picture of the limitations they face Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, have 4. Farmer-centric crop insurance:
and the opportunities that are extremely poor water irrigation access To the protection loss of
available to them. due to vulnerable climate change. agricultural production by uncertainty in
A focus on „power-laden social Therefore, effective water management climate change, an effective crop
structures such as dependency, caste and SIS such as drip or sprinklers insurance package is required. Several
and gender-unequal relations can method should be incorporated and crop insurance programs are already
potentially craft more holistic allocated across state of India facing paying for the loss, but compensation
adaptive responses that tap into water scarcity problem. amount is very little as compared with
opportunities to improve the 2. Reduce postharvest loss the actual loss. Therefore, the crop
wellbeing of vulnerable peoples‟. Postharvest loss of major insurance package needs to overhaul, so
agriculture produced is estimated to be that poor or small agriculture landholder
Strategies towards mitigation
US$13 billion. Only 2.2% of vegetables farmers can be protected by long-term
Smart agricultural practices include and fruits are consumed in India, and insurance cover and low premium.
eco-friendly practices that control the rest is prepared to export; thus, chances 5. Evidence-based research:
rate of land degradation and soil of wastage increased. In comparison The agricultural research
fertility loss due to drought, salinity, with India, the United States and China (breeding, production technology
waterlogging, and soil erosion. have their own storage and processing development, resource management
Thus, we observed that agriculture facility of vegetables and fruits. Due to innovation, etc.) plays a vital role in
sector plays a critical role in GHGs lack of centralized large-scale increasing yield and also increases the
mitigation by lowering the 10% of processing and preservation technology, resilience to the climate change
N2O emission, 42% by carbon offset India has faced a big postharvest loss of problems (such as extreme heat and
through biofuel production, 32% by agriculture products under vulnerable precipitation, pest, and crop disease).
absorbing CO2 emission, and 15% by climate change. So there is an The economically important crops such
reducing methane emission under overwhelming need to develop advanced as pulses and soybean are more
climate change strategies. technology for local processing, smart vulnerable to climate change. So that
packing, and transport facilities to advanced agriculture research will
Dora (2018) proposed five vital reduce the postharvest loss. directly improve efficiency and boost
methods to mitigate the impact of 3. Environmental data-driven crop yields along with minimizing the
climate change on agricultural system supply chain management: impact of climate change on farming
that the Indian government should The agricultural supply chain may systems.
consider: be improving by using environmental ■■■
FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIVITY IN SALT AFFECTED SOILS

About Author
Siddhant Gupta*
S
Research Scholar oil salinity is one of the major and fields and 20% of all cultivated lands
Deptt. of Agrometeorology, widespread challenges in recent globally. The increase in atmospheric
GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand times impeding global food greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations,
security and environmental along with the resulting rise in air
Shubham Pandey sustainability. According to a report temperature, reduction in relative
Anurag Tripathi
from the Central Soil Salinity Research humidity, and intense rainfall events, are
M.Sc. (Ag.) Student
Deptt. of Agricultural Meteorology, Institute (CSSRI), India, soil salinity all likely signs of climate change and
ANDUA&T, Ayodhya now covers 33% of irrigated agricultural have a significant impact on how

quickly soil salinity increases. Making The combination of gypsum and the types of phytoremediation methods are
matters worse, the negative effects of mineral langbeinite (rich in Mg2+ and available to reduce soil salinity:
climate change hasten the development K+) leads to a significant reduction in
a. Agroforestry: Fruits, fodder and
of soil salinity and may soon affect areas the soil exchangeable Na+ and
salt-tolerant plants can survive in
that are not now afflicted. Due to sea sodium adsorption rates (SAR) and
low-water conditions requiring
level rise and excessive groundwater improves the saturated hydraulic
saline irrigation in arid and semi-
extraction in arid places of the world, conductivity of the soil.
arid regions. Fruit trees such as
climate change may hasten the
Climate change gooseberry (Aonla), Ber and
salinization of soil and groundwater as
Long-term changes in weather sapodilla can tolerate ESP up to 60
well as hasten the encroachment of salt
patterns and climate systems are referred in high sodium soil. Similarly,
water into rich soils.
to as climate change. As a result, since among agroforestry, Prosopis
Mitigation strategies for salt 2000, the atmospheric CO2 concentration juliflora is considered to be adapted
affected soils has increased by 20 μmol/mol each (pH > 10) to acidic soils, followed
Saltwater agriculture is an decade, reaching >400 μmol/mol, and by Tamarix articulata and Acacia
integrated approach that harnesses the the global air temperature has risen by nilotica. However, P. juliflora, T.
productivity of degraded land and water 1.5 0C above pre-industrial levels. As a articulata and Salvadora persica
resources using stress-tolerant result, a number of abrupt alterations can be successfully grown in saline
germplasm. have already been noted, which have a soils down to ECe 30–40 dS/m.
Mitigation approaches to combat soil significant impact on the development of b. biological drainage: Biological
salinity, such as the application of soil salinity. These alterations include: drainage is a technique that uses tree
alterations, cultivation of resistant Increased frequency of extreme species to reduce groundwater
genotypes, appropriate irrigation, weather conditions such as rising levels through transpiration, mainly
drainage and land-use strategies, temperatures, evaporation rates, in flooded areas. Eucalyptus is the
conservation agriculture, excessive precipitation and heat most effective species in lowering
phytoremediation and bioremediation stress. groundwater levels in canal-
techniques, have successfully Global warming due to increasing controlled areas.
addressed the problem of soil salinity concentrations of greenhouse gases c. Halophytes (Light-loving
and provide associated benefits of (CO2, N2O, CH4, etc.) that trap heat plants): Halophytes refer to plants
soil carbon. in the atmosphere. that can grow and adapt in saline
Segregation, conservation and Spatial and temporal variations in conditions. Light-loving plants of
recycling of natural resources. These precipitation distribution led to genera such as Pandanus,
management practices further changes in soil moisture content. Pongamia, Plantago, Porterasia,
improve the socioeconomic Increased precipitation leads to soil Prosopis, Rhizophora, and
conditions of rural farming erosion, groundwater recharge, Salvadora are popular for
communities in salt-damaged areas. infiltration and retention, and reclamation of saline soils.
Various organic and inorganic increased temperature increases
transpiration and water removal from Salt-loving plants provide
modifications, applications of
the soil profile. economic and ecological solutions for
microorganisms, salt-loving plants,
the management of saltwater flooded
tree species, changing land use Climate-smart agriculture soils. Bioremediation involves the use of
patterns, conservation agriculture, Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) different microorganisms or a
and innovative irrigation strategies works on the principles of conservation consortium of microorganisms to
can be used to rehabilitate saline soils agriculture as well as on specific input rehabilitate salt-affected soils. Different
around the world. management measures, such as PGPRs have shown their effects on
Organic supplements such as biochar, nutrients, water, genotypes, labor and remediation of saline soils by improving
compost from municipal solid waste pesticides. CSA is emerging as a plant growth. Salt-tolerant bacteria
and inorganic calcium-rich potential soil salinity mitigation strategy typically exhibit high salt requirements
supplements (e.g., fly ash, gypsum, in the face of climate change in Asian and survive in environments with high
phosphogypsum) and zeolite can be countries, especially in northwest India. salinity to accommodate high osmotic
used to restore high sodium soils. Phytoremediation is a well-known pressures. Genera including
The application of these reclamation technique that uses plant species to Ammoniphilus, Arthrobacter,
materials improves soil bulk density, accumulate salts in order to reduce their Azospirillum, Bacillus, Brevibacillus and
aggregate stability, hydraulic concentration in the soil. Three main Brevibacterium produce IAA,
conductivity and reduces the pH, EC,
gibberellic acid and other organic acids
ESP of saline soils.

that can dissolve and metabolize soil using it in combination with salt-tolerant groundwater drainage in mangrove
nutrients. Mycorrhiza is known for its plants can increase the amount of salt areas, micro-irrigation techniques,
ability to mobilize and dissolve nutrients removed. climate-smart conservation agriculture,
even in saline environments. Vesicular soil shaping techniques, agroforestry,
Conclusion
arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) often aid and microorganisms capable of
Climate change has many
in phosphate solubilization and improving saline soils. These
negative environmental impacts on soil
phosphorus delivery to plant roots in technologies can improve the
and groundwater salinity worldwide and
saline soils, because phosphate remains physicochemical and biological
mainly in arid and semi-arid regions.
in precipitate due to the presence of Ca2+ properties of saline soils worldwide.
Thus, climate-smart salinity
and Mg2+ base carbonate salts. Continued research activities in this area
management practices can provide
Cyanobacteria can survive in harsh will advance global agricultural
different avenues for mitigating salinity
environments, including high salinity sustainability and food security in salt-
and its environmental impacts. Various
conditions, and improve soil quality. affected regions.
mitigation technologies, such as
Most cyanobacteria have been used as ■■■
modification (gypsum, biochar, MSW,
biofertilizers. Removing salt from soil
zeolite), salt tolerance genotyping,
using cyanobacteria is challenging, but
ALGAE and a large portion of the

aquaculture
(seaweeds,
production
molluscs, larval
IN VARIOUS FIELD carbohydrates, carotenoids

vitamins for health, food and feed
or
rearing, etc.), securing a stable human
food supply. On a daily basis, a wide
array of high-value substances derived
additives, cosmetics and for energy
from marine algae, such as
production. The first use of microalgae
phycocolloids and pigments, is used.
by Chinese, who used Nostoc to survive
About Author during famine. However, microalgal
1. To increase dissolved oxygen and to
decrease toxic gases like ammonia,
biotechnology only really began to
nitrite, hydrogen sulfide, methane,
Keerthivarman Ganesan develop in the middle of the last
carbon dioxide in pond water.
Subramanian* century. Nowadays, there are numerous
2. To stabilize pond water quality and
Manikandavelu D. commercial applications of microalgae
to lower the content of toxic
Aruna S. such as microalgae can be used to
Deptt. of Aquatic Environment compounds.
enhance the nutritional value of food
Management 3. To make use of microalgae as a
and animal feed owing to their chemical
Tamil Nadu Dr.J.Jayalalithaa Fisheries natural feed.
composition; they play a crucial role in
University, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu 4. To provide shade and to decrease
aquaculture and they can be
cannibalism.
incorporated into cosmetics. Moreover,
5. To increase and stabilize water
they are cultivated as a source of highly
A
lgae are microscopic unicellular temperature.
valuable molecules. In recent years,
organisms capable to convert 6. To minimize pathogenic and
microalgae apart from being used as
solar energy to chemical energy unwanted microbial population by
single-cell proteins, they are projected as
via photosynthesis. They contain competing with the available
living-cell factories for the production of
numerous bioactive compounds that can
bio-fuels and various beneficial
be harnessed for commercial use. The
biochemicals used in food, aquaculture,
potential of microalgal photosynthesis
poultry and pharmaceutical industries
for the production of valuable
due to presence of different useful
compounds or for energetic use is
compounds.
widely recognized due to their more
efficient utilization of sunlight energy as Why algae in aquaculture?
compared with higher plants. Algae can In the marine realm, algae
be used to produce a wide range of sustain the production of a hundred
metabolites such as proteins, lipids, million tons per year of marine fisheries Fish Feeding on algae

nutrients in the water. carotene much more valuable and are ions present in their environment.
Another potential large-scale likely to increase the demand for the Mechanisms of cyanobacterial and
application of microalgae is the product. By being fat soluble, the natural microalgal resistance to heavy metals
cultivation of Haematococcus for the beta carotene is a much superior involves environmental factors, non-
production of the carotenoid astaxanthin, anticarcinogen and an anti-heart disease specific protective mechanisms of the
which gives salmon flesh its reddish agent. Thus, the new findings of these cell and specific protective mechanisms
color. In the long-term microalgae desirable medical properties are likely to developed in response to the impact of a
biomass high in lipids (omega-3 fatty increase even more the demand and toxic metal species in the cell. In
acids) may be developed as substitutes desirability of natural beta carotene. The addition to intracellular protective
for fish oil-based aquaculture feeds. potential of micro-algae as a source of mechanisms in which the main
food coloring is limited, however, mechanism of biosorption of heavy
Algal pigment
because algal-derived food coloring is metals is ion exchange in the
Algae has commercial uses as a
not photostable and the color tends to cyanobacterial outer cell wall, there are
natural food coloring and cosmetic
bleach with cooking. Nevertheless, in mucilaginous sheaths that behave as an
ingredient. Some microalgae contain
spite of this limitation, the potential “external vacuole”. The metal-binding
substantial amounts of carotene. Beta
market for micro-algae-derived food properties are probably due to a high
carotene is used as a food coloring (with
coloring is vast. Dunaliella salina is density of anionic charges, especially
a major application in providing the
grown for a source of the photosynthetic carboxyl, identified in the capsular
yellow color to margarine), as a food
pigment, beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is polymer. This group of microorganisms
additive to enhance the color of the flesh
used as an orange dye and as a vitamin C could have a higher efficiency in the
of fish and the yolk of eggs and to
supplement. biosorption during its growth in polluted
environment or in the use dried non-
Soil replenishment
living biomass for the removal of heavy
The difficulties in soil
metals. The use of selected diazotrophic
reclamation in arid and semi-arid regions
cyanobacteria that accumulate heavy
are mostly the salinity conditions of
metals would decrease the cost of
large soil areas. Several studies have
production of biomass to use as
been carried out on the effect of salinity
inoculum in processes of environmental
on the growth, metabolism and yield of
remediation. M. tenera could be used for
the plants and algae. Some growth
remediation of lead contaminated soils
regulators such gibberellic acid (GA3)
and waters.
was used for improving the salt
tolerance of the plants. From an Conclusion
Beta carotene
economic point of view, growth Algae play a crucial role in
improve the health and fertility of grain- regulators are expensive and are non- aquaculture. The importance of algae in
fed cattle. Natural beta carotene has practical especially, when applied in this domain is not surprising as they are
physical properties that make it superior large amounts. Algae play an economic the natural food source of these animals.
to synthetic. In particular, natural beta role in soil reclamation increases soil The main applications of algae for
carotene is fat soluble. It was announced fertility and improve the plant conditions aquaculture are associated with nutrition,
recently by the National Cancer Institute under certain environmental factors. being used fresh as sole component or as
that beta carotene is anticarcinogenic; food additive to basic nutrients and for
Treatment of heavy metals
other studies have found that beta inducing other biological activities.
A large number of
carotene is effective in controlling ■■■
microorganisms, including cyano-
cholesterol and in reducing risks of heart
bacteria, are able to concentrate metal
disease. These new findings make beta

Sulphur dioxide dissolves into water
resulting in the formation of sulphuric
acid. This toxic substance combines with
IN INDIA
vapour to create acid rain, which
into the environment. In addition to all contaminates freshwater resources like
of this industrial sewage releases lakes. When these freshwater bodies
chemicals and metals polluting the water become acidic, life cannot sustain in
bodies further. them, making it unsafe for even human
consumption.
Agricultural pollution: There are
various fertilizers and chemicals that are Radioactive waste: Radioactive
About Author used in fields by farmers to protect and water pollution occurs during or
provide additional nutrients to plants. aftermath of a nuclear explosion and the
However, when these chemicals are mismanagement of nuclear waste and
Pramod Kumar Sharma* mixed with rainwater they flow off the materials. In addition, radioactive
RLBCAU, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
land and mix into water bodies such as pollution can enter our water during the
streams, rivers, canals etc polluting the extraction and mining of radioactive
Ritika Yadav water bodies thus creating a harmful materials such as Uranium (James
Apex University, Jaipur, Rajasthan environment for all aquatic life. Parker). Recently, numerous nations all
over the globe have reported cases of
Oil pollution: Oil pollution mostly radioactive water body contamination
falls under industrial wastewater but its
T he introduction of hazardous
elements into the environment is
a definition of pollution.
Pollutants are the broad term for the
damaging substances. The presence of
impact is so severe that a separate
category was developed to study it. A
very huge contributor of oil pollution is
the spilling of oil in the oceans that
and the resulting health effects. Given
that groundwater is significantly highly
susceptible to radioactive elements that
can be found in rocks, radioactive
contamination of groundwater is more
dangerous substances (or pollutants) in causes the degradation of aquatic probable than that of surface water.
water bodies that render it unfit for environment. Gasolines and oil dripping
human consumption can be used to from the ever-growing number of In addition to producing a large
explain water pollution in particular. In vehicles around us also pollute the water amount of useless radioactive waste,
other words, it's water body bodies to a large extent and contribute to nuclear reactors also produce strontium-
contamination. Environmental and water around 1 million tonne of oil polluting 90, caesium-137, and other elements.
body degradation is largely due to the water bodies. Oil spills are The two radioactive elements that are
human activities like industrialization responsible for 10% of total oil most commonly discovered in sewage
and agricultural operations. Land, air, pollution. treatment plant sludge are 40K and 7Be.
and water contamination are the three Surface and groundwater are polluted by
River dumping and marine mining activities for radioactive
main categories of pollution. The focus
dumping: The garbage in forms of elements like uranium and thorium.
of this research is on water pollution and
paper, plastic, glass, electronic wastage Nuclear submarines contaminate the
its prevention.
is dumped into rivers. It can take around marine environment with radioactive
Sources of water pollution 2 to 200 years to decompose this waste. material. There have been reports of
Water pollution is a result of a Although strict laws have been made radioactive pollution caused by
number of human activities that have a against marine dumping and making it submarine mishaps and sinking‟s.
negative impact on the water quality of illegal in some nations it still is one the
water bodies. The following is a primary reasons of water pollution. Effects of water pollution
discussion of the primary factors that The dumping of industrial Life need water to survive; in
lead to water pollution: waste in water bodies is a serious threat other words, life cannot exist without it.
because this kind of waste often contains All industrial, environmental,
Sewage discharges: All households harmful or toxic components that can agricultural, and metabolic functions
produce sewage water, often referred to severely affect or potentially kill marine depend on water, either directly or
as wastewater, which is subsequently life. indirectly.
chemically treated before being released
into bodies of water. The sewage water The burning of fossil fuels: The The National Faecal Sludge and
carries various waterborne pathogens combustion of fossil fuels causes three Septage Management (NFSSM) Alliance
(such as E. coli, cholera, negative effects: air pollution, water highlighted that the absence of access to
campylobacteriosis and others), bacteria pollution, and climate change. The clean drinking water and fundamental
and chemicals that constitutes a serious substances generated during the burning sanitation services is responsible for
health risk. A report by UNESCO of fossil fuels are responsible for these 90% of all diarrhoea-related deaths in
(United Nations Educational, Scientific impacts. India, particularly among children.
and Cultural Organization) in 2017, Fossil fuels such as coal and
oil, when burnt, produce a significant Hence, water pollution causes
about 80% of sewage water undergoes serious damage to human health. Surface
no treatment before being released back amount of ash in the atmosphere.
and groundwater become hazardous and

unfit for human use when disease- avoiding waste. The following methods sedimentation (primary treatment),
carrying organisms like bacteria and for preventing water pollution: activated sludge bio filters (secondary
viruses are introduced. Water borne treatment, also used for industrial waste
diseases, which lead to the deaths of Wash your car away from any storm water), aerated lagoons, and constructed
about five million people annually, are drains. wetlands; industrial wastewater
also caused by pollution of the water Prevent trash, chemicals, or solvents treatment methods such as ultra-
supply. At least 2 billion people from going down sewer drains. filtration, API oil-water separators, bio
throughout the world consume water that Avoid using pesticides and filters, dissolved air flotation (DAF), and
has been tainted with faeces. The biggest fertilizers that can leak into water powdered activated carbon treatment.
threat to the safety of drinking water is systems.
microbial contamination brought on by Examine your septic system every Conclusion
faeces contamination. three to five years. Water pollution is an
Sweep your driveway rather than environmental problem that is of a major
Rivers passing through hose it down. concern. The industrialization of society
different mining areas suffer heavily and Use non-toxic cleaning products.
and other human activities are largely to
people are forced to use the polluted
To control water pollution, many blame for the polluting of the water.
water in absence of other water
nations around the globe have enacted There is a critical need for the
resources. Following table is an example
laws. Controlling water pollution government and the population to start
of pollution load generated along the
basically means to control harmful and
Yamuna River. cooperating in order to stop polluting the
toxic substances from mixing with water
water and find solutions to manage and
Water Pollution Management bodies that may contaminate the water
and Control body and create a threat for aquatic life control it. In order for the next
In order to manage and reduce as well as land life. generation to pollute the water less and
water pollution, a variety of strategies develop alternatives, it is important to
Water pollution can be minimized
could be used. It may be done through educate the younger generations about
by using the three R‟s rule: to Reduce, to
preventive, practise initiatives, or the effects of water pollution.
Recycle, to Reuse.
participation in projects or programmes,
regulation and monitoring; or taking In addition to this fundamental
control measures by eliminating or principle, pollution can be reduced by
■■■
sewage treatment methods such as
DRONE
speed and direction, flight
AN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY controller, GPS module, battery,
antenna, receiver, cameras,
IN AGRICULTURE sensors, including ultrasonic

sensors and collision avoidance
sensors, accelerometer, which
agriculture, our nation still needs to measures speed and altimeter,
improve productivity and efficiency to which measures altitude.
the fullest extent possible. There is
About Author Types of drones
frequently a deterioration in the Return
1. Rotor type
on Investment (ROI) when resources are
2. fixed-wing type.
Chinmay Kumar Sahu* insufficient, not allocated according to
Ravi Kiran weather, or not utilized to their fullest Uses of drone in agriculture:
Deptt. of Agrometeorology extent. Crop surveillance: It involves
GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand keeping an eye on a crop's development
Pradesh, India What is drone?
from the time the seeds are sown until
Drone is an unmanned aircraft
harvest. Drones are equipped with a
and also known as unmanned aerial
special imaging device called
vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aircraft
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index
A
staggering 18% of India's GDP systems. The meaning of drone is to
(NDVI). The NDVI provides precise
is generated by the agricultural make a continuous low sound like a bee.
color information to show the state of
sector. It is considered the Components and common
the plant.
prime source of livelihood for features of drone
approximately 58% of the country's Field monitoring: It is difficult for
Drones have a large number of
population, mainly for rural areas. farmers to monitor such a large piece of
components, viz. electronic speed
Despite the GDP contribution of Indian land. The drone provides accurate field
controllers, which control a motor's

information, including elevation multispectral and Red-Blue-Green Drones are dependent on weather
information that helps to find (RBG) colour sensors. conditions. It is advisable to not fly
irregularities in the field. Transporting goods in drones in rainy and windy weather
Planting and seeding: Ten drones agriculture: The drones can also carry conditions.
can plant four million trees a day. The and transport the goods related to It requires knowledge and skill for
forestry sector currently makes the most agriculture from one place to another as operation and an average farmer may
use of automated drone seeders. per the farmer‟s requirement. struggle to understand drone
Spray treatment: Drone sprayers Livestock management: livestock functions.
save workers from having to navigate can be managed and monitored Drone flights commonly last 20–60
the field with backpack sprayers, which efficiently with the help of drones, minutes due to their heavier
is hazardous to their health. They offer a sensors, and cameras. Drones can also payloads. As a result, the amount of
very fine spray application that can identify predators and detect sick field coverage per charge is reduced
target specific areas to maximize animals before an attack. and the cost of operating the drone is
efficiency and save on chemical costs. increased.
The benefits of drones:
Drone pollination: scientists are
As the drones are operated by trained Conclusion
developing tiny drones that can pollinate
pilots, there is no chance of their Drones have the potential to
plants without damaging them.
misuse and they can increase ROI revolutionize the agriculture sector
Drone irrigation: water can be
(Return on Investment). providing accurate and reliable
distributed in field in the most efficient
Drones use ULV (Ultra-low volume) information about field conditions helps
way in an effort to conserve resources by
spraying technology, thus it saves reduce human error and inefficiencies in
using microwave remote sensing.
water and overuse of chemicals. traditional farming practices. The drone
Disaster management: Drones can
The farmer can increase production act as “an eye in the sky” brings the new
help the farmers to detect real-time revolution in the agriculture sector. A
capacity by carefully planning
weather conditions and the information combination of software, sensors,
irrigation, keeping track of crop
collected by the drone can be interpreted cameras, and various analytical tools can
health, learning more about soil
by farmers to prepare an advance plan automatically collect and translate data
health, and adapting to environmental
for risk mitigation.
changes. and images into useful information and
Geo-fencing: Drones fitted with insights, which greatly reduces the
It is safer and more convenient to
thermal cameras can detect birds and likelihood of human error. Drones can
spray pesticides in terrains, infected
animals day and night and alert farmers. be useful to farmers in a various ways,
areas, taller crops, and power lines.
The birds can be scared off the field with but before purchasing pricey equipment,
a few drone flights. Limitations of agri-drones: it is important to understand their
Crop biomass and damage The low level of internet connectivity capabilities and limitations.
estimation: Detection of weeds, creates the trouble in operation of
■■■
infections and pests can be easily done digital technologies such as drones
by using a drone with the help of
DRONES I
for irrigation and use age-old methods
ndia is primarily an agrarian for other farming practices. Hence, the
economy. Agriculture remains the quality and quantity of agricultural
chief source of income for the produce is sometimes compromised in
FUTURE OF FARMING
majority of the rural households. India‟s spite of the relentless efforts of farmers.
economy is also heavily dependent on Fortunately, there is hope.
the agricultural produce that constitutes What if crop failure could be detected in
a major portion of its exports as well. advance, and necessary steps could be
However, despite mounting importance taken? Can there be a juxtaposition of
About Author of agriculture, the sector is still far traditional farming methods and
behind in technological advancements. innovative solutions like agri-drones to
Rakesh Dawar* Crop failure due to adverse weather tackle the problems ailing the
Deepak Kumar Meena conditions and uncontrolled pests issues agricultural sector in India? Can drones
Ph.D Schalor, become major players in the area of crop
Division of Agronomy have been the key contributors to this
scenario. Moreover, Indian farmers are surveillance, thus leading to better
IARI, New Delhi
even now dependent on monsoon rains chances of failure mitigation? We will

intelligence with their 'Digital Sky
Platform' online.
Advantages of using drones
in agriculture
The use of drone technology in
agriculture is here to stay. According to
recent research, the global drone market
within agriculture would grow at 35.9%
CAGR and reach $5.7 billion by 2025.
The use of drone technology in
agriculture is here to stay. This emerging
technology can help reduce time and
increase the efficiencies of the farmers.
The use of drones in the agricultural
sector is only expected to rise as the
industry matures, and so it is good to
know how to use this technology.
Soil and field analysis
explore all these opportunities in this reaching a whopping $1.3
For efficient field planning,
article and try to see what the future has billion, UAVs (unmanned aerial
agricultural drones can be used for soil
in store. vehicles) fill the gap of human error
and field analysis. They can be used to
Drones in agriculture and inefficiency by traditional
mount sensors to evaluate moisture
farming methods. The purpose of
The UN projects that the content in the soil, terrain conditions,
adopting drone technology is to
world‟s population will reach a massive soil conditions, soil erosion, nutrients
exclude any guesswork or ambiguity
9.7 billion by 2050, causing agricultural content, and fertility of the soil.
and instead focus on accurate and
consumption to rise 69% between 2010 Crop monitoring
reliable information.
and 2050. And considering most of the Crop surveillance is the
External factors like weather, soil
farmers and agriculture companies using supervision of crop progress from the
conditions, and temperature play a
drones are big-ag-owned farms that time seeds are sown to the time for
critical role in farming. Agriculture
manage thousands of acres of land, the harvest. This includes providing
drone empowers the farmer to adapt
potential for drone growth in agriculture fertilizers at the right time, checking for
to specific environments and make
is extensive. Popular applications for pest attack, and monitoring the effect of
mindful choices accordingly. The
drones in agriculture include crop and weather conditions. Crop surveillance is
gained data helps regulate crop
livestock monitoring, irrigation the only way that a farmer can ensure a
health, crop treatment, crop scouting,
management, and fertilization – Drone timely harvest, especially when dealing
irrigation, and carry out field soil
Fly estimates that drones can spray with seasonal crops.
analysis and crop damage
fertilizer 40 to 60 times faster than doing Any errors at this stage can
assessments. The drone survey helps
so by hand. result in crop failure. Crop surveillance
boost crop yields and minimize time
Why adopt agricultural helps in understanding and planning for
and expenses.
drones? According to experts, the predicted
the next farming season. Drones can
help in effective crop surveillance by
Drone technology has gotten world population will be 9 billion by
inspecting the field with infrared
most of the recognition in the industry 2050. Agricultural consumption is
cameras and based on their real-time
because of its diversity and considered also said to increase simultaneously
information, farmers can take active
the future for the agrarian community. by nearly 70%. Drone technology,
measures to improve the condition of
How can drones support equipped with artificial intelligence
plants in the field.
Indian agriculture? (AI), machine learning (ML), and
Plantation
remote sensing features, are rising in
Drones don't merely enhance overall Drones can help in planting
demand because of its advantages.
performance but also encourage trees and crops, which was done by
The central government has
farmers to solve other assorted farmers before. This technology will not
acknowledged the importance of
barriers and receive plenty of benefits only save labor but also help in saving
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),
through precision agriculture. With fuels. Soon, it is expected that budget-
machine learning, and artificial
the market for agricultural drones friendly drones will be used instead of

huge tractors, as they emit harmful gases crop that has been planted. Manually, farming has become technically
and pollute the environment in the this may take days, and even then, there advanced for commercial farmers who
process. is space for human error. Drones can do have enormous chunks of land. Perhaps,
Livestock management the same job in a matter of hours. With one day these drones will become fully
Drones can be used to monitor infrared mapping, drones can gather automated and provide farmers with
and manage huge livestock as their information about both the health of the accurate data on the amount of
sensors have high-resolution infrared soil and the crop. pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers to
cameras, which can detect a sick animal Avoid overuse of chemicals apply on specific areas or crops after
and swiftly take actions accordingly. So, Drones can prove to be surveillance. It shall be a new dawn for
the impact of drones on precision dairy especially effective in reducing the farmers.
farming is soon to become a new overuse of pesticides, insecticides, and
normal. other chemicals. These chemicals indeed Path ahead
Crop spraying help to protect the crop. But, their Looking further into the future,
Agri-drones can be used to overuse can prove to be detrimental. drone technology is going to change the
spray chemicals as they have reservoirs, Drones can detect minute signs of pest agriculture sector. Many Indian startups
which can be filled with fertilizers and attacks, and provide accurate data are also showing interest in the industry
pesticides for spraying on crops in very regarding the degree and range of the and aiming to invest in low-cost drones,
little time, as compared to traditional attack. This can help farmers calculate which can help farmers and
methods. Thus, drone technology can the required amount of chemicals to be simultaneously create employment
usher in a new era for precision used that would only protect the crops opportunities for the rural youth and
agriculture. rather than harming them. enhance the knowledge of farmers as
Check crop health well.
Farming is a large-scale activity Conclusion ■■■
that takes place over acres of land. Farmers, now, have the best
Constant surveys are necessary to surveillance and inspection technology
monitor the health of the soil and the for their farms. It‟s true to say that
(Artocarpus heterophyllus L.)

AN UNDERUTILIZED FRUIT
disease survival rate. It is known by
A
rtocarpus heterophyllus L.
different names in India, locally
commonly known as jackfruit
About Author “Kathul” while at some other places as
(JF) is an exotic tropical fruit
“Panasa”. JF is not considered as a
grown in tropical regions and is native
commercial crop due to various reasons
Prerna Nath* India. JF grows in tropical, high rainfall,
viz., non-uniform quality of the fruit,
ICAR-Research Center for Eastern coastal and humid areas of the world. It
longer gestation period and stomach
Region, FSRCHPR, Ranchi is the world‟s largest edible fruit with
disorders on high consumption. JF is
S. J. Kale tender and pulpy bulbs. India alongwith
preferred both as unripe and ripe. It is a
ICAR-NISA, Ranchi Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, and
high potential fruit in terms of
Mahesh Dhakar Malaysia are among the top five
processing. It can be used to prepare an
A.K. Jha producers of JF. It is referred to as poor
ICAR-Research Center for Eastern array of processed products both in raw,
man‟s meat because of its texture JF is a
Region, FSRCHPR, Ranchi unripe or ripe stages with different
low maintenance fruit tree with high
texture, flavor, aroma, acceptability.
drought resistance, pest attack and high

Nutritional composition of major reasons being its short shelf Dietary and medicinal
jackfruit and its seeds life that leads to fast deterioration
importance of jackfruit
JF nutritional composition viz., flavour loss, tissue softening,
varies according to the cultivar type, surface browning, bruising, Dietary
habitat and maturity stage. JF mechanical injury etc. which leads Unripe/raw JF
constituents higher protein, calcium, to lower prices and economic loss to  Unripe or raw JF are used in curry
iron, and thiamine. JF contains amino the farmers. Ripe JF rapidly undergo preparations and pickle making
acids like arginine, cystine, histidine, deterioration owing to improper  Snack preparations ex; chips and
leucine, lysine, methionine, threonine, knowledge and unawareness on its pakora
and tryptophan. It is rich in vitamin C postharvest package of practices  Flour: May be used in combination
and contains appreciable quantity of which result in inadequate handling. with other ingredients for making
pyridoxine, niacin, riboflavin, and folic Poor sanitary practices and storage bakey items.
acid. Ripe JF is rich in calcium, facilities leads to higher losses. JF Ripe JF
magnesium and other organic acids. JF being bulky in nature only 35
 Ripe bulbs due to high TSS may be
seeds is a good source of carbohydrates, percent of the fruit is edible and rest
used in preparation of sweetened
proteins and dietary fiber. The fruit is is occupied by of rind, inner
products ex. Ice cream, pudding,
rich in phytochemicals such as perigones & central core which is a
payssam, drinks, jam, jelly, leather
flavonoids, stillbenoids, morin, big hinderance in its economic
etc.
artocarpin, dihydromorin cynomacurin, growth. Due to non uiform shape
 Osmotically dehydrated bulbs.
isoartocarpin, cyloartocarpin, and size its transportation to the far
 Flour from ripe JF bulbs.
artocarpesin, artocarpetin, off places is also a tedious job for
JF Seeds
artocarpanone, oxydihydroartocarpesin, packaging industry. Difficulty in
 Snack item: boiled and roasted.
orartocarpetin, and cycloartinone, thus peeling and cutting has lead to its
 Seed flour is mixed with wheat flour :
making it a powerful antioxidant with lower popularity amongst the
chapatti for diabetic patients.
anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti- population. Along with these
reasons its strong and distinct flavor, Tender Jackfruit leaves
fungal, anti-cariogenic, anti-neoplastic
aroma and taste is also not easily  Cooked as vegetable by tribal
effects.
acceptable to its new consumers. population.
Jackfruit varieties Medicinal
Different varieties and Suggested solutions to  All parts of JF tree are used in
genotypes exists all over the world.
increase its utilization Ayurveda and Unani medicine since
There are genus comprises around fifty
Presently, demand for ages.
species in its genus most of which are
nutritious and convenience foods is  Ripe fruits: prevents excessive bile
native to Asia. Majorly two varieties of
increasing day by day. In this view, formation.
JF are available in India i.e. koozha and
minimally processed fruits and  Seed extracts: helpful in digestion.
varikka.
vegetables are in high demand and  Roots: treats skin infections.
Small fruits therefore JF processing into ready to  Ripe fruits: natural laxative.
Fibrous cook and ready to eat forms would  Leaves: heal cuts and wounds.
Koohza increase its popularity amongst
Soft & mushy
variety population. Following proper
Sweet bulbs ripe JF can be converted into pulps and
Mainly used in raw form package of practices, post-harvest purees which form base material for
Processing variety management, reduced post-harvest other development of processed
varikka losses, conversion of JF waste into
Yellow to orange to red products. Apart from this, JF seeds on
variety processed products. Both ripe and unripe
colored bulbs the other hand are in good due to
JF have different food applications viz., positive health benefits towards
Unripe jackfruit are relished in curry
Major reasons for diabetes.
form and therefore they can be
underutilization of Jackfruit minimally processed into „Ready to
Despite the fact that JF is a healthy fruit, ■■■
Cook‟ form and also pickles. Whereas,
it is still an underexplored crop. Few

Flow chart of carrot
CARROT CANDY sugar and glucose, and 3/4 mature carrot

subsequently drained and dried is
Trimming
called candied fruit. Candies are
Rahmat Gul Hassanzai attractive in stickiness, taste, flavours, Cutting
Shubham jain colour and overall acceptability and
Research Scholar nutritional quality. Fruit and vegetable Pricking
Deptt. of Fruit Science candies are becoming more popular
ANDUAT, Kumarganj, Ayodhya because of high well-liked, least volume, Dipping in lime water (2%)
higher nutritional value and longer shelf
life. White sugar is the common Washing with fresh water (4-5 times)
C
andy is eat up globally by all sweetening agent used in getting ready
age group people and has Balenching (15minutes)
of candies. Such sugar hold sucrose
remained well-liked, particularly (99.7%). Extreme consumption of Steeping in 50 % sugar syrup for 24 hrs.
among children and has a high request in sucrose quite often cause to variety of
global market for value added candies of health problems viz. heart problems and Steeping in 60 % sugar syrup for 24 hrs
functional importance. It has a bright coronary thrombosis. Keeping in view
future in the fast food market, as the the disadvantages associated with Steeping in70% sugar syrup for 3 days
advantage of its portability and long excessive sugar use, considerable
shelf life without refrigeration. Dipping in boiling water 3-4 quick dips
interest is being taken to explore the for removing of adhering of sugar
Developing an innovative candy with possibilities of replacing sugar with
enhanced nutrients may add a new alternate natural and artificial Drainage of water & syrup
variety of the candy to the existing array sweeteners. Carrot (Daucus carota L.)
of candies available in worldwide belonging to family of Apiaceae grown Drying
market. The fruits and vegetables are all over the world. It is one of the most
highly decomposable and can not be significant and common vegetable Labelling & packkging
stored for longer period. A noticeable grown extensively in different countries
amount of these produce is lost during Storage (cool & Dry place )
especially during winter season. Among
production season because of surplus the different vegetables, carrot is the (Daucus carota L.) purchased from local
availability and improper post-harvest finest source of carotene, which is market. After trimming, washing,
handling. It is, therefore essential to precursors of vitamin A and also well- removing inedible portion cut into pieces
develop suitable technology for supplied source of ascorbic acid and are of 1.2-1.5cm. Carrots were pricked with
preservation and processing of such known vitaminized food with moisture, stainless steel fork. These pieces were
surplus produce. These produce can be protein, fat, carbohydrates, sugars and dipped in lime water (2%) and putted
processed into various value added fiber, respectively, with vital nutrients overnight. Next day, the carrots were
products like jam, jelly, marmalade, for maintaining health. Due to the health taken out from the lime water and
ready to serve, candy, toffee etc. Candy and nutrition benefits of the carrot, its washed with fresh water 4-5 times, these
is sweet food made from fruits and commercialization and industrialization pieces were blanched in boiling water
vegetables by impregnating them with in the form of different product is very for 15min and were placed on a dry
syrup followed by draining of excessive important in fulfilling the nutrient cloth and excess water was allowed to
syrup and then drying the product to a requirements of the people particularly drain off. The pricked and blanched
shelf stable state. Fruits and vegetables as a cheap source of vitamin A. carrots pieces were soaked and steeped in 50 %
like ginger, apples, guava, mango, citrus are being consumed in various forms viz, sugar syrup for 24 hrs. Next day once
and carrots have been used to prepare salad, soup, stew, curries, pies and again steeped in 60 % sugar syrup for 24
candies. Candies are delicious food item, sweetmeats. They are cooked and hr. in third day also repeated the same
composed of sweet taste and high processed into various value added procedure but this time the pricked
calorie. Processing of fruits into candies products viz, canned carrots, chips, pieces were steeped in 70 % sugar syrup
is an osmotic dehydration process where candy, kheer, halwa, powder, juice, for 24 hrs. After third day the pricked
sugar goes into the bringing out water beverage, preserve, intermediate pieces were dipped in boiling water 3-4
into the syrup. A sugar is moved from moisture products and jams as blending quick dips for removing adhering of
the syrup to the tissues, the agent. sugar, drainage of water & syrup, then
concentration goes up inside the fruits How to prepare carrot candy dry in oven, after all the above process
while moisture content becomes lower Fresh, mature and red carrots carrot candy were prepared, packaged
and lower. A fruit impregnated with and stored in cool and dry place.■

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ROSE Rosehip oil
Rosehip
FROM TEA TO ESSENTIAL OILS

oil is another
PRODUCTS
product that is
derived from the
rose plant and is commonly
used in skincare. It is
About Author extracted from the seeds of
the rosehip, which is the fruit
that remains after the rose petals have
Satvaan Singh* vitamins, minerals, fallen off. Rosehip oil is high in vitamins
Deptt. of Floriculture and and antioxidants,
Landscape Architecture A and C, as well as essential fatty acids,
which have been shown to help boost the which can help improve skin elasticity
Amit Kumar
immune system, reduce inflammation, and reduce the appearance of fine lines
Deptt. of Fruit Science
College of Horticulture and promote healthy digestion. It may and wrinkles. It is also a natural source
SVPUAT, Meerut (U.P.) also have a calming effect on the body, of retinol, which is a powerful anti-aging
helping to relieve stress and anxiety. ingredient. In conclusion, rose products
Rose essential oil offer a variety of potential health
Rose essential oil is another benefits, from promoting immune health
popular rose product with potential and reducing inflammation to improving
R
oses have been cherished for health benefits. This oil is extracted from mood and cognitive function. Whether
their beauty and sweet fragrance the petals of the rose plant and is often you prefer to enjoy roses in the form of
for thousands of years, but they used in aromatherapy, massage, and tea, essential oils, or skincare products,
also offer a variety of potential health skincare. It has a there is likely a rose-based product out
benefits. From rose tea to essential oils, soothing, floral there that can help improve your overall
rose-based products have been used for scent that can help wellness and quality of life.
medicinal purposes for centuries. The promote relaxation Conclusion
petals, leaves, and hips of the rose plant and reduce feelings In conclusion, roses are not just
are rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and of tension and beautiful flowers, but also offer a wide
other compounds that have anti- stress. Some range of potential health benefits. Rose
inflammatory, anti-aging, and immune- research suggests products, such as tea, essential oils,
boosting properties. Rose products have that inhaling rose rosewater, and rosehip oil, have been
been used to treat everything from essential oil may also help improve used for centuries in traditional medicine
digestive issues to skin conditions, and mood, memory, and cognitive function. and skincare, and continue to be popular
are often sought out for their calming Rosewater today. Rose tea is an excellent source of
and stress-relieving effects. In this Rosewater is another common antioxidants and has been shown to
article, we will explore the many rose product that has been used for boost immune health and promote
potential health benefits of rose centuries in traditional medicine and healthy digestion, while rose essential
products, as well as the various ways skincare. It is made by distilling rose oil is a popular aromatherapy tool for
they can be used to improve wellness petals and can be used as a toner, facial promoting relaxation and reducing
and overall quality of life. Whether you mist, or ingredient in skincare products. stress. Rosewater has anti-inflammatory
are a tea lover, a skincare enthusiast, or a Rosewater has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated
fan of aromatherapy, there is likely a properties that may help soothe irritated skin, while rosehip oil is rich in vitamins
rose-based product out there that can skin and reduce redness and puffiness. It and fatty acids that can help improve
help you feel your best. is also a natural astringent, which can skin elasticity and reduce the appearance
Rose products help tighten pores and improve the of fine lines and wrinkles. With so many
Rose products have been used overall appearance of the skin. potential benefits to offer, it's no wonder
for their potential health benefits for that rose products have been used for
centuries, and they remain popular today centuries and continue to be popular
in various forms. today. Incorporating rose products into
Rose tea your wellness routine may be an
One of the most common ways excellent way to improve your overall
to consume roses is through rose tea, health and well-being, both inside and
which is made by steeping dried rose out.
petals in hot water. Rose tea is rich in ■■■

A TREASURE TROVE sweetness enables its usage in Lemon cucumber Lemon cucumber Tofu Salad
salads and relishes. It can also be Pesto
used as a good pickling cucumber.
Origin
About Author Lemon cucumbers are
believed to have originated in India
Priyadarshini, V. M. or the Middle East in 16th century. In
Research Scholar 1900s it was introduced into USA.
Department of Horticulture According to the Middle – Eastern
Faculty of Agriculture documents, it was introduced into
Annamalai University,
America sometime between 1894 Cucumber Almond Soup Lemon cucumber salad
Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
and 1905. Now these are some of the
speciality grocers in United States,
Europe and Asia.
Description
L
emon cucumber, also known
They are annual climbing
through several other names like
plants having weak and trailing
Garden Lemon, Yellow
vines reaching to a height of about 5
cucumber, Apple cucumber, Crystal
m. The flowers are yellow and starts
lemon and Crystal Apple belongs to the
flowering during summer and early
Cucurbits family. These are heirloom
autumn. Fruits are spherical to oval – Lemon cucumber Lemon cucumber cocktail
cucumbers dating back to 1894. It
shaped, small, approximately about 5 pickles
obtains the name from its appearance
– 7 cm, having a protrusion at one
having lemon- yellow skin colour and a Lemon cucumbers are rich sources
end similar to navel orange. The skin on
sweeter version of the regular of Vitamin C and Caffeic acids, two
maturity turns golden
well known antioxidants with anti-
yellow and also has
inflammatory properties.
some striping and
Its found to be helpful against
mottling. Inner flesh
several health ailments like
appears similar to
constipation, heart diseases, stress,
traditional cucumber,
acts as diuretics and also prevents
having edible seeds
hyperthermia.
with cool crisp
Skins and rinds are found to act as a
texture. They are
source of fibre intake for the body.
greatly cultivated in
This also has tremendous
soils that are
beautifying effects when applied on
abundant in humus,
face.
moisture and areas
Storage:
having adequate
In order to protect its nutritional
sunshine,
values and sweet flavor, they are usually
Traditional uses
wrapped in plastic bags and stored in the
and health
refrigerator where they retain their
benefits of
freshness and remain firm and plump for
cucumbers. The sweetness is due to the lemon cucumber
about 1 – 3 days.
absence of bitter principle found in Great for hydrating as they have
normal cucumbers. The presence of very high-water content. ■■■

SEED TESTING
by the farmers
from the standing
crop and testing
About Author them for
germinability by
Gaurav Yadav* way of raising
Research Scholar seedling before
Department of Seed Science & Goddes during
Technology, CSAUA&T Kanpur
festival is a
tradition/ which
Sachin Kumar Yadav
Research Scholar leads of seed
Department of Entomology, selection and to
CSAUA&T Kanpur know its quality.
Breeders
have developed
high yielding and
T
he quality seed is a basic and
most vital input in agricultural hybrid types of all
production. The response of all crop plants through
other inputs depends on quality of seeds methodical
to a large extent. Quality seed alone can breeding Fig: Seed Testing lab and seed germination testing
contribute about 15-20% of the total programmes in
production. Seed quality has a major role order to increase production. To meet Therefore the seed testing and seed
to play in seed industry. Seed quality is the needs of farmers, such high yielding quality control has gained significance.
the composite form of several and hybrid plants that breeders have
developed with a set of quality The quality control of seed can
characters, like physical and genetic
purity, viability, germination, vigour, requirements need to be replicated over be perceived in two ways i.e., initially at
colour form and condition etc., all of a vast region, which has resulted in a multiplication or production level called,
which contribute to the planting value of systematic seed production programme. pre quality check, and post-quality check
seed. The measurement of these The physical purity, moisture, when the seed is at marketing level. The
parameters or the assessment of the germination percentage, viability, and responsibility of ensuring quality of seed
planting value of the seed is known as seed health among other factors, need to as prescribed through Seeds Act 1966 is
seed testing. be maintained at the laboratory level the major task of the seed certification
during the seed production process while authorities, which is attained through
Importance of seed testing the genetic purity needs to be maintained seed crop inspection in field and seed
Evaluation of seed health. and monitored at the field level. By use analysis in the laboratories. The seed is a
Determination of planting value of of minimal seed certificate criteria, clear living material and is subjected to
seed. seed standards are established to declare deterioration over a period of time due to
Determination of selling price of a Seed as seed. To retain, multiply and wrong storage, unfavorable
seed. distribute high-quality seeds to farmers, environmental conditions, pest and
Maintenance of minimum seed who are their absolute consumers, is disease attack etc. The likely
standards. essentially the goal of those involved in possibilities of this deterioration is more
To detect the cause of seed breeder seed production and distribution at distribution of marketing level from
deterioration. of seeds for increased output. This where the seed reaches the ultimate
Forecast storability of the seeds. system of breeding, multiplication and consumer farmer. In order to check the
distribution should be healthy and possible distribution and use of inferior
The concept of quality seed
meaningful to meet the ultimate and spurious quality seeds by the farmer,
testing are well known in our farming
objective of higher production. a special wing is in the Department of
system. The process of selection of seeds Agriculture-called, Quality Control
for sowing from a pick & choose method

Wing and the seed testing laboratories in Thrandt, in Saxony, Germany, in 1869 are 180 notified labs, 150 in the public
are part of this quality control system of under the direction of Friedrich Nobbe sector and 50 in the private sector.
the department. By Government and a text book of him, “The hand book However, only 26 out of a total of 180
notification the seed inspectors are on seed tests” was published in the year labs are functioning with ISTA support
appointed throughout the state with 1876. and only 8 of them have ISTA
specific area of operation. Seed recognition.
Thereafter International Seed
inspector are the seed law enforcement
Testing Association (ISTA) was founded There is a definite procedure
officers of the Department, who are
in 1924, with the aim to develop and for analysing the seed samples received
authorised to check, inspect, seize the
publish standard procedures in the field in the laboratory, which involves the
seed material and documents and draw
of seed testing; ISTA is inextricably following steps. The seeds are tested to
seed samples from the seed lot as per
linked with the history of seed testing. know the germination percentage in four
rules and send the samples for analysis
With member laboratories in over 70 replications of 100 seeds each.
to the seed testing laboratories.
countries worldwide, ISTA
Sr.no. Procedure
The seed testing in a laboratory membership is truly a global
is the analysis of different seed quality network. The vision of ISTA is 1 Registration of seed samples
parameters such as physical purity, worldwide uniformity in seed 2 Verification of documents
moisture and germination percentage. quality evaluation. First set of 3 Assigning Code Number (Lab No.)
This is done to know weather the ISTA Rules were formulated for 4 Mechanical Mixing and Dividing.
sampled seed lot meets the minimum seed testing in 1931. Since then the 5 Taking out Working Sample
seed standards prescribed to the used as seed testing programme as a Moisture Analysis
6
a Seed. Accuracy and reproducibility of quality control has been
7 Testing for Physical Purity
the analysis results is the pre-requisite of systamatised and developed world
8 Putting (Germination)
the seed testing programme. Seed testing over.
has been considered essential to avoid 9 Seedling Evaluation
In India, the first seed 10 Re-Evaluation
hazards in agriculture by way of
testing station was established in
ensuring quality of the seed prior to 11 De-coding and Documentation
1961. Later during the second five
marketing or sowing operations. The 12 Preparation of Analysis Reports
year plan, four seed testing
results obtained from the analysis of the 13 Communication of Results
laboratories were established that
seed sample are of considerable
also included the Central Seed 14 Seeds Storage.
importance to the farmers, seeds man,
Testing Laboratory (CSTL) at
seed law enforcement officials (seed
Indian Agricultural Research The entire process of seed
inspectors), seed processors, seed
Institute, New Delhi, thus marking a testing in a seed testing laboratory is
certification and other agencies involved
beginning of a regular programme of based on the sample received. So, it is
in the seed programme. These results
seed testing in our country. Later, the important and essential to submit a
may cause the rejection as seed lot for
CSTL at IARI, New Delhi was shifted to sample of suitable size with same
distribution or for further multiplication
NSRTC Varanasi in 2006 and upgraded constituents in the same proportions as
or it may even serve as evidence in the
as Central Seed Testing and Referral in the seed lot from which it was drown.
court of law against the sellers of
Laboratory. The NSRTC is equipped Otherwise, the incorrect sampling leads
spurious seeds.
with all state-of-art facilities and it is the to misleading results, rejection of good
The concept of seed testing model seed testing laboratory for the seed lot or even acceptance of an inferior
dates back of 1869 when prof. Friedrich country. Giving the details of seed seed lot for sowing.
Nobbe in Germany. The seeds must be testing labs in India, Mr. Keshavulu ■■■
tested before sowing or planting. The (Director of TSSOCA and the President
first seed testing station was established of a world seed body, ISTA) said there

NOVEL PLANT BREEDING TECHNIQUE
About Author novel plant breeding techniques can be selective location in the genome, and use
…
used for transgenesis, but mainly aim at the DNA repair mechanism of the cell
cisgenesis, the insertion of genes that itself to produce changes. Simply, SDN
originate solely from closely related technology boils down to using a DNA
Himansuman*
organisms; and particularly at „gene cutting enzyme (nuclease) coupled to a
Parul Gupta
Ph.D. Research Scholar editing‟, that changes just one or a few messenger molecule (protein or RNA).
Avdhoot B. Dharmadhikari letters of the DNA at a specific location. Then this couple is introduced into the
M.Sc. Research Scholar The innovative aspects of these cell of a plant which is to be modified.
Abhay Dashora techniques are that (1) the mutation is The messenger molecule identifies the
Assistant Professor very precise, and/or (2) the final location in the genome (site of
Deptt. of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
Rajasthan College of Agriculture,
products are free from foreign DNA, modification) and the nuclease cuts the
MPUAT, Udaipur and/or (3) the genetic material inserted DNA there. The cell‟s own DNA repair
originates from the same species mechanism links the two together again,
(cisgenesis), and/or (4) only a specific which will produce major or minor
tissue in a plant is being modified. In changes.
P
lants have large and complicated
genomes. Therefore, until sum, this will overcome almost all
Among these techniques,
recently, the insertion of foreign objections voiced by opponents of gene
CRISPR-Cas stands out for its major
DNA was a kind of roulette: where will technology. These procedures amount to
opportunities. In comparison with ZFNs
DNA be modified, will the insertion genetic modification at all: genes are just
and TALENs the CRISPR-Cas
work, and will there be side effects? But inserted which originate from the same
technology is simple, fast, cheap and
by now, techniques have much improved species, or just change one or a few
applicable with all biological cells. This
and totally novel plant breeding nucleotide/gene in the DNA. In
technique stems from a defence
techniques have been developed, principle, the same results can be
mechanism of bacteria against viral
carrying names like ZFNs, TALENs and achieved by the classic techniques of
infections but, this technique has very
CRISPR-Cas. These techniques enable crossbreeding and mutation, but only at
broad applications.
us to change DNA with much precision. the expense of much more precision,
time and money. If these novel plant CRISPR-Cas9
Novel plant breeding breeding techniques would be legally In 1987, the Japanese
techniques judged not to amount to genetic researcher Yoshizumi Ishino
Novel plant breeding techniques modification, this could very much accidentally discovered a remarkable
(NPBTs) are another major enlargement speed up their application. The three piece of DNA when cloning a bacterial
of the arsenal at the disposal of plant new systems all belong to the so- cell. Normally, the DNA code is
gene technology. These techniques come called site-directed nucleases (SDNs). irregular, but he then saw a short
on top of the major achievements in identical letter combination that repeated
the ‟80s and ‟90s, that had brought us SDN technology
itself several times, being interspaced
the Agrobacterium vector system; and Using SDNs, we can now apply
with unstructured pieces of equal length.
on top of techniques developed early this precision modification in plants. These
He did not understand its function, but
century like RNA-interference. These techniques will cut the two
he devoted six sentences to this
complementary DNA helixes at a

phenomenon, as this uncommon have entered into cell in the course of its organisms, and therefore accessible to
structure had not been described before. existence. In the neighbourhood of the smaller laboratories too.
In 2005, French and Spanish researchers CRISPR piece nuclease genes are also
Conclusion
suggested that this was a bacterial associated with it, the so-called Cas
Among the novel plant
defence mechanism against viruses. In genes, hence the name CRISPR-Cas
breeding technologies, the CRISPR-
2002, the Dutch microbiologist Ruud system.
Cas9 technology has certainly made its
Jansen named the system Clustered
Using ZFNs or TALENs is way. Its results are convincing and the
Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic
rather troublesome, because we need to developments are astonishingly fast. Its
Repeats. Not a very popular name, but
produce new messenger proteins for proper functioning has now also been
exactly what it was all about: in the
each application. But CRISPR-Cas9 on demonstrated in plants, in very diverse
piece of DNA in question they find
the other hand (in which the 9 denotes species like wheat, rice, tomatoes,
Clustered, Regularly Interspaced, Short
the lactic acid bacterium as the origin of soybean, tobacco and poplar. Many
and easily recognizable pieces,
the molecules) is very successful. This is agricultural crops have genomic
recognizable because they are
caused by a relatively small messenger duplicates, i.e. several copies of the
Palindromic and Repeat themselves.
RNA that can easily be adapted. same gene. CRISPR-Cas enables us to
CRISPR is a database with Therefore, we can direct the Cas9- change at once all copies of a particular
small DNA pieces in between the nuclease to any desired location in the gene.
palindromic bits. These intermediate genome. The system is cheap, fast and
pieces contain information on all applicable over a broad range of ■■■
bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) that
IMPACT OF conditioners, Mycorrhizal symbioses
NANOPARTICLES
pesticides and Mycorrhiza is a association
PGPHs have between a fungus and a plant. There are
both pros and 2 types of mycorrhiza those are
cons. These ectomycorrhizal fungi which grows
chemicals also extracellularly and endomycorrhizal
ON TRIPARTITE SYMBIOSIS
have some fungi which grows intracellularly.
threats to the human
Rhizobial symbioses
health, environment
Rhizobia are diazotrophic
and ecological balances. With proper
bacteria that fix nitrogen. Gram
assessment of risks associated to these
negative, motile, non-sporulating rods
About Author nano agrochemicals threats can be
minimized. and they forms nodules. Nitrogen is
deficient nutrient and most commonly
Brunda B. N. Introduction supplied plant nutrient, Nitrogen which
M.Sc (Agri.) Nano particles- Richard Feynman is supplied through fertilizers has
Division of Microbiology articulated the concept of severe environmental concerns.
ICAR-IARI, New Delhi nanotechnology in his seminal 1959 Inoculation with rhizobia tends to
lecture entitled “There‟s plenty of room increase yield. Rhizobia after infection,
at the bottom”. Nanoparticles are atomic produce nodules in the legume where
or molecular aggregates of which a they fix nitrogen gas (N2) from the
N
anotechnology has the potential single unit measures from 1 to <1000 nm atmosphere.
to truly revolutionize (in at least one dimension), but they
agricultural systems by offering Tripartite symbiosis
usually are sized between 1 and 100 nm.
diverse applications such as nano- Plants colonized by Arbuscular
Nanoagrochemicals, including
fertilizers, nanopesticides, nanoparticle- mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) greatly
nanofertilizers, nanopesticides,
based plant growth stimulators such as enhance Phosphorus (P) and Nitrogen
nanocarriers and nanoparticle-based
TiO2 Nanoparticles, SiO2 Nanoparticles. (N) acquisition, especially by extra
growth stimulators that are potentially
Crop growth promotion and protection radical mycelium. On the other hand,
more efficient and less contaminant than
against stresses are the core benefits of soil bacteria referred to as rhizobia
their conventional analogs have been
nanoagrochemicals. Nano agrochemicals establish a symbiotic relationship with
synthesized and researched worldwide.
like fertilizers, soil amendments, soil legume plants by making novel root

Risk prevention: can be done by
proper assessment and identification of
risk.
Risk mitigation: Using less toxic,
biodegradable or green nano materials as
agrochemicals, use of nano materials
with proper safety, handling of nano
materials without exposure risks can be
avoided.
Risk communication: complete
knowledge providing to the associated
mankind and farmers in relation to risks
associated to nano agrochemicals would
help in better management of hazards
and threats.
Conclusion
organ known as nodules, which fix expected for potentially toxic In-depth evaluation of the
atmospheric dinitrogen (N2) and transfer substances, Nanoparticles concentration literature shows that Nanoparticles may
it to the host plant. The symbiotic was found to be the most critical factor have negative, neutral or even positive
relationship of both AMF and rhizobia determining the toxicity of effects on development of mycorrhizal
with the same host leguminous plants is Nanoparticles against mycorrhizas, as and rhizobial symbioses. Overall, most
termed a “tripartite symbiosis”. even less toxic Nanoparticles such as studies indicating adverse effects of
ZnO Nanoparticles can be inhibitory at Nanoparticles on mycorrhizas and
Effects of different
high concentrations and highly toxic rhizobia have been performed using
nanoparticles on development
Nanoparticles such as Ag Nanoparticles either unrealistically high NP
of mycorrhizal & rhizobial
can be stimulatory at low concentrations. concentrations that are unlikely to occur
symbioses
Likewise, rhizobia show differential in soil, or simple soil-less media (e.g.,
Nanoparticles may have responses depending on the hydroponic cultures) that provide
neutral, negative, or positive effects on Nanoparticles concentration and the limited information about the processes
development of mycorrhizal and properties of Nanoparticles, rhizobia, occurring in the real environment/
rhizobial symbioses. The net effect of and growth substrate. agrosystems. Now a days nano urea is
Nanoparticles on mycorrhizal Ways to combat NP toxicity- gaining more attention so it is important
development is driven by various factors Three thumb rules are: to know about nano paticles‟ pros and
including Nanoparticles type, speciation,
cons.
size, P concentration, fungal species, and
■■■
soil physicochemical properties. As
IN VEGETABLE BREEDING
About Author
Why molecular markers are distribution throughout the genome,
Deepesh Keshari* preferred? selectively neutral behaviour, open
Deptt. of Vegetable Science access, easy and fast assay, low cost,
GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand A molecular marker is a DNA
high reproducibility and transferability
Vibhu Pandey sequence that is readily detected and
between laboratories, populations or
College of Horticulture, whose inheritance can be easily
species. There are three different types
SVPUAT, Meerut (U.P.) monitored. The desirable properties of
of markers viz., morphological,
Khushboo Sharma molecular markers are high
biochemical and molecular. It helps in
College of Horticulture polymorphism, co-dominant inheritance,
improving disease resistance, fruit yield
SKUAT, Srinagar, J&K frequent occurrence and even
and quality, tree shape, floral

characteristics, cold, hardiness, and Biochemical markers AFLP
dormancy. Although genetic maps have Biochemical markers, or In AFLP, both good-quality and
been developed for most of our isozymes, are multi-molecular forms of partly degraded DNA can be used;
important vegetable species and several enzymes which are coded by various however, this DNA should not contain
horticulturally important gene loci have genes but have the same functions. They any restriction enzymes or PCR
been tagged, only a few instances of are allelic variations of enzymes and inhibitors. In AFLP, two restriction
application of molecular markers for thus gene and genotypic frequencies can enzymes (a frequent cutter and a rare
progeny selection in vegetable crops. be estimated with biochemical markers. cutter) are used for the cutting of DNA.
DNA markers Each end of the resulting fragments is
What is an ideal molecular/ Different types of DNA ligated with the oligonucleotides.
DNA marker? molecular markers have been developed Oligonucleotides are short nucleic acid
An ideal molecular marker and successfully applied in genetics and fragments used for the ligation in PCR.
must have some desirable properties: breeding activities in various agricultural One end is specific for the rare cutter (6-
crops. The following section provides bp recognition site) and the other one, is
1. Highly polymorphic nature: It must some brief information related to for the frequent cutter (3-bp recognition
be polymorphic as it is a molecular markers based on their site). This will lead to the amplification
polymorphism that is measured for method of detection. of only those fragments which have been
genetic diversity studies. Hybridization-based markers cut by these cutters.
2. Codominant inheritance: determi- (RFLP) SSRs or microsatellites
nation of homozygous and RFLP was the first molecular Microsatellites are also called
heterozygous states of diploid marker technique and the only marker as SSRs, short tandem repeats and
organisms. system based on hybridization. simple sequence-length polymorphisms.
3. Frequent occurrence in the Individuals of the same species exhibit SSRs are tandem repeat motifs of 1–6
genome: A marker should be evenly polymorphism as a result of nucleotides that are present abundantly
and frequently distributed throughout insertion/deletions, point mutations, in the genome of various taxa.
the genome. translocations, duplications and Microsatellites can be mononucleotide
4. Selective neutral behaviours: The inversions. DNA is mixed with (A), dinucleotide (GT), trinucleotide
DNA sequences of any organism are restriction enzymes which are isolated (ATT), tetranucleotide (ATCG),
neutral to environmental conditions from bacteria and these enzymes are pentanucleotide (TAATC) and
or management practices. used to cut DNA at particular loci hexanucleotide (TGTGCA). SSRs
5. Easy access (availability): It should (known as recognition sites). This results represent the lesser repetition per locus
be easy, fast and cheap to detect. in a huge number of fragments with with a higher polymorphism level. This
6. Easy and fast assay. different lengths. high polymorphism level is due to the
7. High reproducibility. PCR-based markers occurrence of various numbers of
Classification of markers The PCR technique was repeats in microsatellite regions and can
developed by Cary Mullis in 1983, as a be detected with ease by PCR.
Molecular markers technique which could amplify a small SCAR (Sequence-characterized
Molecular markers are nucleotide quantity of DNA without the application amplified regions)
sequences and can be investigated of any living organisms. Denaturation, SCAR markers are more
through the polymorphism present annealing and extension are the most specific and more reproducible as
between the nucleotide sequences of important steps involved in PCR compared to RAPD. SCAR markers are
different individuals. Insertion, deletion, reactions. co-dominant and mono-locus markers
point mutations duplication and Randomly amplified polymer- and are mostly applied for physical
translocation are the basis of these phic DNA (RAPD) mapping. The procedure for the
polymorphisms. Amplification of genomic DNA development of SCAR markers includes
is achieved by PCR using single, short the purification of PCR fragments
Morphological markers (10 nucleotides) and random primer. followed by the designing of SCAR
Morphological markers can During PCR, amplification takes place primer.
visually distinguish qualities like seed when two hybridization sites are similar Sequence-based markers
structure, flower colour, growth habit to each other and in opposite directions. Sequencing is a technique in
and other important agronomic traits. These amplified fragments are which nucleotide bases and their order is
Morphological markers are easy to use, dependent on the length and size of both identified along the DNA strand and
with no requirement for specific the target genome and the primer. molecular markers which are based on
instruments. the identification of a particular

sequence of DNA in a pool of unknown may be transitions (C/T or G/A) or frequency in plants ranges between 1
DNA are known as sequence-based transversions (C/G, A/T, C/A or T/G) SNP in every 100–300 bp. SNPs are
markers. based on the nucleotide‟s substitution. A widely distributed within the genome
Single-nucleotide polymorphism single-nucleotide base is the smallest and can be found in coding or non-
(SNP) unit of inheritance and SNP can provide coding regions of genes or between two
Single base-pair changes the simplest and maximum number of genes (intergenic regions) with different
present in the genome sequence of an markers. SNPs are present in abundance frequencies. ■
individual are known as SNPs. SNPs in plants and animals and the SNP
mixtures are used

which is an
example of
A POTENTIAL TOOL TO CONTROL PLANT DISEASE

phenotypically
different cultivar
mixtures.
Multiline cultivars
…
then after a certain time new races of the
pathogen will evolve and suppress the Multiline cultivars are a
resistance mechanism in the pureline mixture of a number of pureline
Ujjwal Yadav cultivars that possess identical
cultivars. For this plant breeders were
Apex University phenotypic characters (like similar
forced to look for a number of different
Jaipur height, seed colour, flowering and
resistant genes that will effectively
control the virulent races of the maturity dates, agronomic characteristics
pathogen. To overcome these etc.) as well as genetic characters except
limitations, plant breeders began to give one gene which is responsible for
M
odern agriculture aims to more attention to the multiline cultivars. disease resistance. The purelines in the
achieve higher yield to feed multiline cultivars must be compatible
the overgrowing population Cultivar mixtures with each other so that when they are
of the world. This high yield has been Cultivar mixtures are mixtures grown in a mixture they will not affect
achieved through hybridization of different cultivars that have variation the yielding ability of each other.
techniques or by selecting superior in many characteristics including the Jenson in 1952 first suggested
varieties. Monoculture is adopted for disease resistance, but they also have the use of multiline cultivars in oat. In
these superior types where each and sufficient similarities so that they can be 1953 Borlaug and Gibler gave the
every plant is genetically identical. It grown together. Cultivar mixtures methods to develop multiline in wheat.
may enhance the yield but these genetic generally enhance the stability of crop Multiline cultivars can significantly
uniformity increase the susceptibility of yield and in some cases they reduce use suppress those diseases that have an
the plant to different disease causing of pesticides. Except this they do not airborne dispersal phase such as rust,
microorganisms. So if this genetic influence major changes in the mildews, Rhynchosporium,
uniformity increases the vulnerability of agricultural system. These mixed helminthosporium, septorioses and even
plants to diseases, then one cost effective cultivars are also cheap and to formulate Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides
and potential method for disease control and modify compared to multiline often to the extent in which fungicide
is to increase the genetic diversity of the cultivars. use become uneconomic. Though
crop by using cultivar mixtures. In a mixture of cultivars, all the disease development is slower in the
On the other hand, when cultivars must contain good agronomic multiline cultivars, but, inevitably, one
pureline varieties do not show stability characteristics and they may have line within the multiline becomes more
in their performance year after year phenotypic similarity for certain infected compared to the remaining
because of changes in environmental important traits like quality and grain lines. As the line is infected, it may use
conditions. Furthermore in pureline type, height, maturity that depends on fewer resources (nutrients, light, water)
cultivars they contain only one or a few agronomic practices and intended use. and less space compared to its neighbors
major genes that provide resistance to a An example of phenotypically similar which are resistant to the pathogen and
specific disease. So, when pureline cultivar mixtures is barley to control of because of this, those surplus resources
cultivars containing a single gene for powdery mildew, whereas in Africa red- are distributed to the resistant ones. So,
disease resistance are widely cultivated, and white-grained sorghum cultivar the yield that is lost because of the

disease in the susceptible plants is Density effect: It implies increase in modify the microclimatic conditions
compensated by the higher yield the spacing between the susceptible which is not favorable for plant diseases
provided by the more resistant plants. plants will reduce the movement of development.
spores between susceptible plants when
Mechanism of disease Merits of multiline cultivars
it is compared with the single cultivar
suppression by cultivar mixtures Due to the genetic diversity,
stand. This mechanism is particularly
and multiline cultivars multiline cultivars can adapt better to
applicable for those phytopathogens
Cultivar mixtures are not able the environmental changes compared
which for transmission of spores depend
to eliminate or suppress the disease to the pureline cultivars.
on rain splashes to a distance that is less
completely. Instead, cultivar mixtures As in multiline cultivars pathogen
than 1 m.
reduce disease progression rate through can dominate only one or few lines
Barrier effect: As resistant varieties
the elimination of large numbers of within the mixtures. Therefore, there
are present in the cultivar mixture,
spores at every cycle of multiplication of is relatively lower loss to the
canopy of this resistant plants act as a
the phytopathogen. As genetic cultivator.
physical barrier which interrupt the
differences are there in the population of Only a small proportion of the field
movement of the spore of the
plants, a number of spores are eliminated contains the susceptible line.
phytopathogens. Spores of the
through their deposition on resistant Therefore, pathogens can infect only
phytopathogen that landed on the
plant individuals and also by dilution as a small proportion of the field. As
resistant plants are not able to show any
there is a greater distance between the well as disease spread slowly
effect or show a little effect on the host
plants of the same genotype. compared to when the entire field has
plant and it also protects the susceptible
Additionally, in susceptible plants the a susceptible population. This will
plants from the pathogen. This barrier
avirulent phytopathogens also activate reduce the level of infection in
effect is influenced by the size and
the defense responses which delay the susceptible plants as well.
number of resistant plants in mixture,
infection cycle of the phytopathogen. Demerits of multiline cultivars
also by the spore dispersal physics.
Moreover, a variety of physiological and Farmers need to change the seed of
Induced resistance: When a
epidemiological mechanisms influence multiline cultivars after every few
susceptible plant is attacked by an
the level of disease. The major years by depending on the change in
avirulent strain of the phytopathogen,
mechanisms by which mixed cultivars the pathogen race.
the defense response of that
suppress diseases are classified into four There is a chance that a new strain
incompatible plant gets activated which
categories like: density effect or dilution of the pathogen can evolve and
induces the resistance mechanism.
effect, barrier effect, induced resistance,
Modification of the infect all the lines in the multiline
and alteration of the microclimate.
microclimate: Mixed cultivars have a varieties.
variation in the characteristics like ■■■
canopy structure, plant height etc. which
Cisgenic and intragenic

modifications also have
ARE ALTERNATE TO TRANSGENIC ?

the potential to create crops
that are more readily acceptable to
consumers who may be wary of
transgenic modification. This is because
C
isgenic and intragenic
…
modification are considered the modifications are considered to be
alternatives to transgenic more similar to the kinds of genetic
modification in genetic engineering changes that might occur naturally, or
Sampath.L.
because they involve the transfer of through traditional breeding methods,
Banoth Madhu
genes within the same or related species, rather than being seen as fundamentally
Dhamotharan P.
Ph.D Scholar (GPB) as opposed to genes from different different.
Centre for Plant Breeding and species as in transgenesis. As a result, It's crucial to keep in mind that,
Genetics, TNAU, T.N. they are considered to be potentially despite the fact that cisgenic and
Baraskar S.S. more natural, and may have fewer intragenic modifications are sometimes
Ph.D Scholar (GPB) viewed as alternatives to transgenic
potential risks associated with the
PJTSAU, Hyderabad, Telangana ones, they nonetheless involve the
Genetics, TNAU, T.N. transfer of genes from different species.

intentional manipulation of an associated risks and advantages, and the about the presence of genetically
organism's genetic material and raise the regulatory and commercial environment modified ingredients in food or
same kinds of ethical and safety issues in a given area or nation. other products. Some countries also
as other types of genetic modification. A genetically modified require traceability systems to
The precise hazards and advantages of organism (GMO) that has solely been ensure that transgenic organisms
each sort of genetic alteration will also developed by transferring genes from can be tracked throughout the
vary depending on the application, thus related organisms is referred to as supply chain.
each situation must be carefully "cisgenic" in the field of genetic 3. Post-market monitoring:
considered. engineering. The transplanted genes are Once a transgenic organism is
Genetically modified organisms specifically positioned on the same approved and in use, regulatory
(GMOs) are regulated differently in each chromosome as the original genes and agencies may continue to monitor
country and area. Transgenic alterations are derived from the same species or a the organism to ensure that it is not
may be regulated similarly to cisgenic closely similar one. To put it another causing unexpected harm to the
and intragenic modifications in some way, cisgenic alteration only introduces environment or to human health.
circumstances, but in other genes from the target organism's genetic
In addition to these broad
circumstances they may be excluded pool, as opposed to transgenic
categories, specific regulations may also
from some regulatory requirements. It's modification, which introduces genes
apply to specific types of transgenic
crucial to remember that GMO from different species or even whole
organisms, such as those that are
regulation is a complicated matter and kingdoms. Some people view cisgenic
designed to be used as biopesticides or
can rely on a variety of elements, modification as a more organic kind of
as sources of industrial enzymes.
including the particular crop, the genetic engineering since the genomic
It's important to note that the
intended application, and the possible modifications created are comparable to
regulation of transgenic organisms is a
hazards and advantages. those that would arise by conventional
complex and evolving issue, and the
Since they are typically breeding methods, but with more control
specific regulations that apply can vary
regarded as more "natural" or more akin and accuracy. Others counter that it still
widely depending on the country, the
to conventional breeding techniques, includes potentially unanticipated
intended use of the organism, and the
cisgenic and intragenic changes may be genetic alterations and that its use still
potential risks and benefits.
less regulated than transgenic requires prudence.
modifications. Because of this, some The regulation of transgenic Regulation on cis and
authorities could believe that these organisms varies from country to intragensis
alterations pose less of a threat to the country and region to region, but in The regulation of cisgenic and
environment or to human health than general, transgenic organisms are subject intragenic organisms is currently less
transgenic ones. to more regulatory oversight than non- well-defined and less consistent across
It's also likely that because transgenic organisms due to the potential different countries and regions than the
cisgenic and intragenic changes are less risks and uncertainties associated with regulation of transgenic organisms. This
common and well-known than genetic modification. is partly because these techniques are
transgenic modifications, the regulatory Regulations governing transgenic relatively new and less well-known than
frameworks for these sorts of organisms typically fall into three broad transgenic techniques, and also because
modifications are less developed or less categories: the distinction between cisgenic/
strict. It's probable that when these 1. Pre-market approval: Many intragenic and transgenic techniques is
methods are used more often, the legal countries require that transgenic not always clear-cut.
and regulatory frameworks for cisgenic organisms be approved by a However, it's important to note
and intragenic changes will advance and regulatory agency before they can that the regulatory frameworks for
unify in many areas and nations. be sold or used in agriculture or cisgenic and intragenic organisms are
It's also important to keep in other applications. This approval still evolving, and there is ongoing
mind that even if a certain sort of genetic process typically involves a rigorous debate about the appropriate level of
alteration is not subject to regulatory scientific assessment of the potential oversight for these types of organisms.
scrutiny, it can still be under other types risks and benefits of the organism, Some scientists and regulators argue that
of monitoring, such as requirements for and may also include public cisgenic and intragenic techniques are
labelling, customer preferences, or consultation and input. inherently less risky than transgenic
market pressures. The choice to utilise 2. Labeling and traceability: In techniques, and therefore should be
any kind of genetic alteration will many countries, transgenic subject to less regulatory oversight.
ultimately be influenced by a number of organisms are subject to labeling Others argue that the potential risks and
variables, including as the intended use, requirements to inform consumers benefits of cisgenic and intragenic

techniques should be evaluated on a not subject to specific regulatory variety of factors, including the potential
case-by-case basis, and that the oversight, they may still be subject to risks and benefits, the regulatory and
appropriate level of oversight will other types of oversight, such as labeling market conditions, and the preferences
depend on the specific application. requirements or consumer preferences. of consumers and other stakeholders.
It's also worth noting that even Ultimately, the use of cisgenic and ■■■
if cisgenic and intragenic organisms are intragenic techniques will depend on a
Baciilus thuringiensis
AN EXCELLENT BIO-INSECTICIDE
Some available Bt varieties and
About Author Target insects
Bacillus
Pradeep Kumar Verma thuringeinsis Target insects
Deptt. of Plant Pathology type
Vishal Srivastava 1. Bacillus Wax moth, some
Deptt.of Floriculture Landscape and aizawai caterpillars,
Architecture Diamond back Symptoms
SVPUAT, Meerut, U.P. moth When Bt affects a larva, it stop
2. Bacillus Specific beetles feeding, becoming lethargic, and may
tenebrionis such as- regurgitate or produce watery faces.
Colorado Potato The head capsule could seem
B
aciillus thuringeinsisis (Bt) is
gram– positive, anaerobic beetle and leaf excessively huge given the size of the
bacteria. It is naturally present in beetle larvae body. The larva normally expires
soil all around the world and used as 3. Bacillus San Specific beetles within week or few days after
biological insecticide. Bt produces Diego becoming flaccid. As the body part
spores, which develop into new bacteria, 4. Bacillus Black flies, decay, they turn in brown to black in
to reproduce. Bacillus thuringeinsis israelensis mosquitoes, color. The host body may turn red or
spore contain poisonous, (Cry protein) gnats yellow from microorganism.
that, when consume by insect larvae, kill 5. Bacillus Most caterpillars Method of uses
them, Bt is referred to as a bio- kursataki Spraying
insecticide because it is derived from a  2-3 spray of Bt @ 1-1.5 gram/liter
natural source. In 1901, A Japanese sawflies), are targeted by cry toxins. Bt
of water depending on the stage of
biologist Shigetane Ishiwatari is commercially available in the market
larva like 2nd or 3rd instars at 10-15
discovered the bacteria and gave it the with different name such as Dipel, Halt,
days interval.
name Bacillus sotto while researching and Delfin ect.
 2-3 spray of Bt @ 2.5 gram/liter of
the wilt illness that affects silkworm. Mode of action
water at flowering stage of the crop
Twenty year later, in the German region  The caterpillar eats Bt-treated foliage
for management of Helicoverpa
of Thuringia, Ernst Berliner indentified (spores and crystalline toxin).
armigera on pluses crop such as red
the same bacteria from a sick  After few minutes, the poison binds
gram, chickpea etc.
Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia to certain receptor on the caterpillar's
Precaution
kuehniella). He named it Bacillus gut wall. Later the caterpillar stops
 Please store in cool places.
thuringeinsis. Each different strain of Bt feeding.
 Use of Bt before the date of expiry
kill the various type insect species  Then few hours lysis of epithelial
date.
belonging to the order Lepidoptera cells of the midgut.
 Never mix with other pesticides or
(moth and butterflies), Diptera (Flies and  In 1-2 days after caterpillar dies due
inorganic fertilizers.
mosquitoes), Coleoptera (beetles), to septicemia as spore and gut
■■■
Hymenoptera (wasps, bees, ants, and bacteria multiply in its blood.

soft bodies of
snails and
slugs, the lingering egg
scent keeps deer away.
About Author
Eggshells promote the
growth of roots.
Anasuya Sil
Eggshells' calcium
Ph.D. Research Scholar
carbonate helps a plant's
Deptt. of Plantation, Spices,
Medicinal & Aromatic Crops, roots become stronger so
Faculty of Horticulture, BCKV, that it can grow more
Mohanpur, Nadia quickly and robustly. To
make a fine powder,
simply crush clean, dry
What is eggshell fertilizer?
eggshells. Boiling water that will give your garden liquid
Egg shell fertilizer is prepared
should be added to the powdered calcium. Ten to twenty clean, dry
by using dried crushed eggshells that are
eggshells, then the mixture should eggshells should be added to a gallon
rich in calcium carbonate (93%), an
be covered and kept in a refrigerator of boiling water. Strain out the shells
essential mineral for fortifying plant cell
for a week with only one daily after letting them soak in the water
walls. Other minerals found in the shells
stirring. Pour the mixture directly for the night. For each plant, pour
that aid plant growth include potassium,
into the soil above the plant's roots two cups of liquid on it. Every two
phosphorus (0.3%), a trace of sodium,
after seven days. weeks, repeat the eggshell tea
and magnesium (0.3%). When eggshell
How to make eggshell fertilizer? procedure.
powder applied to the soil, it
There are three different Which plants respond well to
decomposes quickly and is easily
process to prepare eggshell fertilizer- eggshell fertiliser?
absorbed by the plants. It is an efficient
Crushing of eggshells: Many plants will benefit from
calcium supplement which can be
Eggshells should be washed, rinsed, eggshell fertilizer, but not all plants.
utilized in conjunction with homemade
and dried. Using a rolling pin, food Fruit-bearing plants and vegetables like
garden fertilisers and natural fertilisers
processor, or mortar and pestle, crush lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, apples,
to enhance plant growth.
the eggshells into a white dust. To strawberries, and eggplants can benefit
What are the benefits of
prevent breathing in any eggshell from eggshell fertilizer. The calcium in
eggshell fertilizer?
dust while crushing the shells, wear a eggshell fertilizer will aid in preventing
Eggshells reduce the soil's acidity.
mask. Incorporate the eggshell blossom-end rot. Additionally, it will
To absorb nutrients and fend off
powder into the soil of your increase the growth of some annual and
toxic substances like aluminium,
vegetable garden, indoor plant perennial flowers, including roses and
many plant species prefer low soil
potting mix or flower bed. chrysanthemums. Although eggshell
acidity. Eggshell calcium carbonate
Grinding of eggshells: fertilizer is beneficial for succulents,
changes the soil's pH levels, making
Eggshells can be ground into powder some succulents might need nitrogen.
it less acidic and more alkaline.
using a coffee grinder if you don't However, the additional calcium in
Eggshells prevent blossom-end
have access to a food processor or eggshell fertilizer will harm some indoor
decay. Due to a calcium deficiency,
other manual tools. Pour the ground and outdoor plants. Geraniums, violets,
some plants, such as tomato plants,
eggshells into planting holes or add azaleas, and other acid-loving plants are
will develop black spots on the ends
them to a compost bin to make susceptible to disease from it. Avoid
of their fruit. Fertilizing with
mulch. Many master gardeners fertilising spinach, beans, and cabbage
eggshell calcium can make fruiting
supplement eggshell fertilizer with with eggshells as these plants require
plants thrive and prevent blossom-
coffee grounds, which are high in high amount of nitrogen for their growth
end rot.
nitrogen and potassium, to add even and calcium decrease nitrogen content in
Pests are managed by eggshells.
more nutrients. soil.
While the sharp edges of dry,
Steep the eggshells: Eggshells ■■■
crushed shells are dangerous for the
can be used to create a fertilizer tea

ON THE PLANET EARTH
…
Robert Wayembam*
M.Sc. Research Scholar
Dr. Princy Thakur
Assistant Professor
Deptt. of Soil Science and
Agricultural Chemistry,
LPU, Jalandhar, Punjab
Fig.1. Revenue of the worldwide food market between 2014 to 2027 (Statista
Research Department, Mar 23, 2022).
deeds among the numerous positive The recent doubling in global
effects of agriculture. The benefits of food production was influenced by
globalization on food are: numerous causes:
A
griculture takes up one-third of Feed the hungry people Improved agricultural techniques.
the surface of the world. Number of undernourished The creation of higher-yielding
Agriculture directly impacts the individuals decreases breeds of crops.
environment. Agriculture alone has a Increases choice for the customer Increasing herbicide use for weed
higher environmental impact on the Shoot up the capital flows management, and
planet earth than any other human Increase relationship between Increased use of fungicides and
activity. The increase in fertilisation, the countries by export and import of insecticides for pest control were all
amount of irrigated cropland, and the foods. significant factors.
area under cultivation were related to the Made people aware to use food in a
35-years increase in agricultural food good or safe manner.
production. The freshwater and marine
environments would be most impacted
by agriculture.
In the coming decades, there
will be greater demands on agricultural
land for food and fibre as the population
grows. Approximately 5 billion hectares
of the planet's entire land surface are
used for agriculture, which rises by 13
million hectares yearly (FAO, 2002).
Forest areas are converted to agricultural
land i.e., monoculture land, in order to
feed this growing population. Grain
output, including that of rice, wheat, and
maize, has grown faster than the pace of
population growth. As a result of this
achievement, the number of
undernourished individuals fell and the
human population of the planet doubled.
Positive impacts bring by

agriculture Fig. 2. Area of land in billion ha that feeds the world. By FAO, 2021
Giving food to those who are Statistical Yearbook “World Food and Agriculture”
hungry is one of the most effective good

eutrophier and has an impact on the
global climate due to its role as a
greenhouse gas.
More irrigation results in more
water being taken away from the
aquatic ecosystem and more
agrochemicals would be leached,
which would have an effect on
groundwater and surface water.
Land removal and tilling would
also release a significant amount of
CO2.
Conclusion
Agricultural ecosystems have
improved greatly in their ability to
produce food, but these higher yields
come at a price that cannot be
disregarded for the environment,
particularly if nitrogen and phosphate
fertilisation rates triple and the area
Fig. 3. Effects of global food production (Author Hannah Ritchie and
irrigated doubles. Agricultural practices
Max Roser 2022 “Environmental Impacts of Food Production”)
must be changed to reduce
Excess use of phosphorus limits the environmental consequences as the
Global adverse effects of nutrients for aquatic ecosystem and world enters an era in which global food
agriculture impair water quality and the production is predicted to double.■
Doubling of world food production structure of aquatic food webs.
results in tripling of the planet's Agricultural nitrogen affects both
annual rates of phosphorus and aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems as
nitrogen emission.
issues. In the absence of proper
AND THEIR MANAGEMENT

management practices, approximately 95
metric tons of crop residue is burned
every year in India causing air pollution
problems. Crop residue burning leads to
potential as a bioenergy feedstock. Crop poor air quality and impose a health
burden on India. The growing demand of
About Author residue are fed to domestic animals in
forms ranging from traditional stubble- food have led to increase in food
Anchal Singh* grazing of harvested grain fields to production around the world. Waste
Shweta Gupta preparation of chopped residue mixes material generated from various
Ph.D. Student that are made more palatable and agriculture operations are known as
Department of Agronomy nutritious by the addition of nitrogen- agriculture waste. Crop residue contains
BUAT, Banda (U.P.) rich compounds. Each year, the nation both the field residue that are left in an
produces 620 MT of crop leftovers, of agriculture field after the crop has been
which 234 MT are surplus, with rice and harvested and the process residues that
C
rop Residue are material left in are left the crop is processed into a
wheat accounting for 30% of this total.
an agriculture field after the usable resources.
Rice and Wheat account for 62% of the
crop has been harvested. These 1. Field residue- stalks, stubble,
16% of agriculture that is burned in
residues include stalk and stubble, leaves stems, leaves and seed pods are
total. Crop residue burning creates major
and seed pods. Crop residue left in the some common examples for field
environmental problem like global
field after grain harvest have a large residue which can either be
warming as well as causing health

ploughed directly into the ground or population of „enemy‟ pests results disc coulters and happy seeder would
burnt first. Proper management of crops are more prone to diseases. help in mulching the crop stubble.
field residue can help to increase Stubble burning leads to loss of Crop residue can be used as livestock
irrigation efficiency. nitrogen, phosphorus, potash and feed by supplementing it with some
2. Process residue- Sugarcane sulphur and other soil nutrients additives. However, crop residue are
bagasse and molasses, husks, seeds besides organic carbon. low in digestibility and cannot be
and roots are some good examples 3. Emission of greenhouse and used as sole ration for livestock.
for process residue. This can be other gases- Burning of crop Fast decomposition by chemical or
used as soil amendment, animal residue is the main source of biological means and in-situ
fodder and fertilizers. greenhouse gases (GHGs) and other management practices in the field
Impact of crop residue chemically and radiative trace gases must be promoted.
1. Environmental issues due to such as CO, CH4, N2O and other Crop residue can be used as biofuel.
burning of residues- Burning of hydrocarbons. Burning of crop Biofuel can be used as a neat fuel in
crop residues creates numerous residue also emits large amount of internal combustion engine after the
environmental problems includes particulates that are composed of conversion ligno-cellulosic biomass
emission of greenhouse gases wide range of organic and inorganic into alcohol.
(GHGs) that contributes to global species. To utilize the surplus crop residue for
warming, air pollution problems, energy generation by establish
Management of crop residue
increased levels of particulate matter energy plants.
Some following Suggestions
and smog that creates health Crop residue can be used as biochar,
are required for good crop residue
problems. Burning of crop residues surface mulch and soil health
management practices:
increases the quantity of air management.
Change in the harvesting method of
pollutants such as C02, CO, NH3, Crop residue should be categorize as
crop and the crop stem may be cut
NOX, Volatile organic compounds recycling i.e. lime or gypsum and
from the root level itself with the
and PM. Biomass burning is also a their use in agriculture field like any
help of suitable reaper cum harvester.
major emission source of polycyclic other mineral fertilizers.
Crop residue can be used as compost
aromatic hydrocarbons, a class of Conclusion
like animal bedding and then heaped
organic pollutants that receive great
in dung pits. On composting, the Crop residue can be used as
public concern due to their wide
residue of rice crop provides good feed for livestock, raw materials for
spread occurrence and toxic effect on
quality manure as rich in nutrients as industry and fuel. Management of crop
ecological safety and human health.
FYM. residues remains diverse in different
2. Residue burning affect soil
Establish provision of region. Government should promote and
fertility- The heat generated from
encouragements to farmers for not provide support alternative options to
burning of paddy straw enter into the stop burning of residue. Farming
burns paddy residues in the open.
soil and increasing the soil communities needs awareness about the
Crop residue can be used in
temperature. This kills bacterial and harmful impacts of field burning of crop
mushroom cultivation. Mushroom
fungal population of the soil that are residues and also know the importance
cultivation needs crop residue as
important for fertility soil. Burning of of crop residues incorporation in soil for
substrate input.
crop residues also reduces the maintaining soil health as well as
The different type of machines used
population of other microorganism sustainable agricultural productivity.
in agricultural operations like double
present in the soil. Due to the loss of
■■■
„friendly‟ pests and increases the

FOR SOIL HEALTH AND CROP PRODUCTION
Crop productivity advantages:
Their small particle size and liquid
About Author formulations also allow for rapid
uptake when applied directly to
Gagan B. Shetty* leaves (foliar feeding).
Ph.D. Student Soil related advantages: Fig. 1: Examples for liquid organic manures
Deptt. of Soil Sci. & Agril. Chem.
 Nutrient release: slow and
College of Agriculture,
consistent at a natural rate that 100 gram yeast, 3 litres tender coconut
GKVK, Bangalore
plants are able to use and also it water, 3 kg jaggery and 12 ripened
Dr. S. Channakeshava
Associate Professor, constitutes full of both macro and Cavendish banana were added and
Deptt. of Soil Sci. & Agril. Chem. micro nutrients. contents were incubated for 6 days and
College of Agriculture,  Encourages soil life: Microbes the mixture was stirred thoroughly thrice
Karekere, Hassan convert the organic matter to the a day. Plastic drum with all the contents
form of nutrients that plants need. was kept in shade and it was covered
Earthworms feeding on organic with wet jute bag. After 21 days of
materials are eaten and loosen the fermentation, mixture was filtered
T
he greatest challenge facing by
the nation in the coming years is soil. through a cotton cloth and used
to provide safe food for the Environmental advantage: it is according to treatments schedule.
growing population in the country. free from any harmful residues or it
Jeevamrutha
Continuous use of inorganic fertilizers will not cause pollution due to
Jeevamrutha was prepared by
hazards the soil health in respect of runoff from irrigation or rain.
mixing 10 kg of cow dung, 10 litre of
physical, chemical and biological Major ingredients required for cow urine, 2 kg of local jaggery, 2 kg of
properties of soil. Therefore, it is preparation of liquid organic pigeon pea flour and hand full of soil
necessary to minimize the application of manures collected from farm. All these were put
inorganic fertilizers by substituting with Cow dung, cow urine, cow milk, cow in 200 litre capacity plastic drum and
organic manures. The panchagavya, curd and cow ghee. mixed thoroughly and volume was made
jeevamrutha and beejamrutha etc are
up to 200 litres. The mixture was stirred
ecofriendly liquid organic preparations Major liquid organic manures
well in clock wise direction and kept in
prepared from cow dung, urine, milk, used by farmers and their
shade covered with wet jute bag. The
curd, ghee, legume flour and jaggery etc. preparation:
solution was regularly stirred clockwise
Organic manures which contains less Panchagavya
in the morning, afternoon and in the
than 4% of solids and require less time Panchagavya is a term used in
evening continuously for 10 days and it
for preparation and less bulky in nature. Ayurveda, it is a fermented product
was used for soil application.
They contain macro nutrients, essential made from five ingredients obtained
Jeevamrutha was applied when the soil
micro nutrients, many vitamins, essential from cow, such as milk, urine, dung,
was wet near the root zone of the crop as
amino acids, growth promoting factors curd and clarified butter. It is having the
per the treatments.
like IAA, GA and beneficial potential to play the role of promoting
microorganisms. growth and providing immunity in plant Beejamrutha
system. Beejamrutha was prepared
Importance of liquid organic
using the ingredients viz. cow dung, cow
manures: Preparation of Panchagavya
urine, water and lime. Cow dung (5 kg)
Economic advantage: Improve the It is prepared by mixing 7 kg
tied in a cloth was dipped in a bucket
economic wellbeing of growers and fresh cow dung and 1 kg ghee and
containing 50 litres of water overnight.
farmers in particular and the society incubated in a plastic drum for 2 days
Next day morning, the tied dung is
in general. and it was mixed daily once. On third
frequently squeezed and dipped in the
Social advantage: There is no day, 10 litres cow urine and 10 litres of
water. Five litres of cow urine, a handful
health hazard effect to human water were added and mixed thoroughly
of soil and 50g of calcium chloride was
beings and animals because there is and incubated for fermentation for 13
added to this extract.
no any toxicity effect. days. Then, 3 litres milk, 2 litres curd,

Conclusion manures in organic farming would help easy to disperse in water and it is rapidly
The liquid organic manures can farmers to get higher yield and more up taken by plants compared to solid
be prepared locally by resource poor returns. Besides, it improves the soil organic fertilizers.
farmers as they are cost effective and physical, chemical and biological
eco-friendly. Use of liquid organic properties. These have long shelf life, ■■■
IMPORTANCE AND ROLE OF

phosphorus uptake in the potato crop
occurs between 40 and 60 days after the
NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
crop has grown. Phosphorus remains
stable in the soil, so it is very important
for the roots to grow in the direction of
phosphorus for its absorption. The
utilization efficiency of phosphorus is
very low in potato due to shallow and
inefficient root system of potato.
mostly used in potato production, while Phosphorus is an essential element for
calcium, magnesium and sulfur are cell division and its limited availability
Pankaj Kumar Ray* being used limited. Balance of all these can affect root growth. On the one hand,
SMS (Horticulture) nutrients in fertilizer application is very
KVK, Saharsa, Bihar potato has a high requirement of
important for high quality and better phosphorus and on the other hand its
Pallavi Bharti production of potatoes. utilization efficiency is low, so excessive
Research Scholar Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen is one of the use of phosphorus in potato crop has
Birsa Agricultural University,
Ranchi, Jharkhand
most important macronutrients for plant been considered necessary for good
growth and development. Of all the yield. As an alternative, using water-
essential elements, nitrogen has the soluble phosphorus-containing fertilizers
greatest effect on potato yield. Excessive in the right amount can save the
P
otatoes are the main source of N use delays tuber formation, which has environment from contamination along
food supply in many parts of the an adverse effect on yield. The with better yields.
world. It is the world's third most requirement of N in potato crop is Potassium (K): The uptake of
important food crop after rice and wheat, comparatively less within the first 4 to 5 potassium (K) in potatoes is higher than
the world's total production of potatoes weeks of sowing. During this period of that of all major nutrients. It contains
is 370 million tonnes as of 2018. China growth, nitrogen utilization is important about 400 mg per 100 g of fresh tubers
is the leader in potato production and for better stem growth, number of or about 1.7% of the total dry matter and
almost a third of the world's potatoes are leaves, and rate of leaf expansion. up to 6% of the total dry matter in the
grown in China and India. India is It has a positive effect on leaves. The major function of K in plants
second only to China with potato photosynthesis, resulting in better size is to control the activities of all enzymes.
production of 50.19 million tonnes and yield of potatoes. The uptake of N in In potato crop, potassium
which is 13.55% of the total global potato crop ranges from a peak of 2.5 to stimulates starch synthase enzyme and
potato production (Source FAOSTAT, 4.5 kg day-1 ha-1 at the time of tuber ensures the process of starch synthesis.
2019). filling and about 58.70% of the total N is Potassium is also essential for
Therefore, potato is a high- utilized during this period. The risk of osmoregulation and cell expansion in
yielding crop with a high nutritional loss of nitrogen due to leaching in potato plants, an adequate supply of which is
value, so more fertilizers are required for crop is very high, so it is used divided so important for plant growth and high
its proper growth and yield. A good that the availability of nitrogen remains biomass production. Deficiency of K in
potato crop absorbs about 100 kg ha-1 of in the soil. Apart from this, nitrogen potato crop can lead to reduction in leaf
nitrogen (N), 50 kg ha-1 of phosphorus demand of potato can be met by size as well as number of leaves. Apart
(P2O5), 300 kg ha-1 of potassium (K2O) spraying nitrogen in certain conditions. from this, potassium is also important
and about 20 kg ha-1 of calcium (CaO) Phosphorus (P): Potato crop requires for photosynthesis and the distribution of
and magnesium (MgO) (Source IPI relatively high amount of phosphorus as synthetase (food material) produced
Bulletin No.8). compared to other crops. The effect of from it through the phloem. Potassium is
phosphorus is important in early potato a very important element for high stature
Role of key nutrients in potato stage especially in tuber formation and yield and starch production in potato
crop: Generally, nitrogen (N), later in tuber maturation. Most of the crop.
phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are

Magnesium: Magnesium is an to water or temperature stress and in Zn and Mn and in such situations foliar
essential element for potato plant growth maintaining potato quality in storage. nutrition may be a better option for
and productivity. It is an essential Sulfur (S): Sulfur (S) is an essential proper nutritional management. Many
component of chlorophyll, and an nutrient for potato yield and quality. pesticides are used in the potato crop,
important factor in photosynthesis and Sulfur is an important component of which contain Cu and Zn, which is
all plant activities. Magnesium increases amino acids such as methionine and sufficient to meet the requirement of
the weight and firmness of potatoes. cysteine, therefore essential for the these nutrients under normal conditions.
Magnesium deficiency is commonly formation of related proteins. Tuber Boron deficiency can occur in sandy
seen in sandy soils, acidic soils, and weight, dry matter and starch content soils, however, potatoes have low
areas with surface irrigation. Before the can be improved by the use of sulfur in demand for B, and excessive boron use
symptoms of magnesium deficiency potato crop. The movement of sulfur can be harmful to plants. If boron is
appear in the potato crop, significant occurs within the plant through both the needed. So soil application is
losses in potato productivity have phloem and the xylem, although this recommended in potato crop because the
already occurred, therefore, balanced movement of sulfur is inhibited by the boron sprayed on the leaves does not
application of magnesium in the potato phloem from older to younger leaves, so reach the tubers. The usefulness of Ni,
crop is important for maximum yield. the symptoms of sulfur deficiency Cl, and Mo in potato is still a matter of
Potassium and magnesium compete with (yellowing of leaves) are often the first research.
each other, so Mg should be used in a to appear on young leaves. Sulfur can be
Conclusion
3:1 ratio of potassium utilization. used in potato at the rate of 45 kg ha-1.
Adequate supply of nutrients is
Calcium (Ca): Calcium (Ca) is an Appropriate use of sulfur increases the
of main importance for achieving
essential element for potato crop, it immunity of potato to Streptomyces
desired potato yield. In order to find the
strengthens the cell wall and cell scabies and the effect of scab is less
optimal level of nutrient supply. Based
membrane. The movement of calcium visible. In addition, it also reduces the
on this fundamental knowledge, a potato
within the plant occurs through the infection rate of Rhizoctonia solani
grower may decide the accurate choice
xylem, so the transport of calcium which is the main cause of black spot in
of type, time and amount of fertiliser
depends on the plant's transpiration. potato.
application. Nitrogen is the first limiting
Symptoms of calcium deficiency in Micronutrients: Zinc (Zn), Boron
nutrient for plant growth. Its application
plants are seen in young leaves because (B), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn),
is indispensable for successful potato
the transpiration rate is usually low in Nickel (Ni) Iron (Fe), Chlorine (CI) and
production. An adequate amount of
young leaves and calcium is not mobile Molybdenum (Mo) are generally found
nitrogen increases root and shoot
inside the plant so Ca cannot transfer in sufficient amounts in most soils.
number and size of tubes. Phosphorus
from old to new leaves. In potatoes, However, a slight deficiency of these
improves yield by its positive effect on
water reaches the upper part of the plant elements can cause severe loss in yield.
tuber number as well as the size of
through the main roots, while the tubers The use of micronutrients is
potato tubers. Potato plants take up large
get it from the stolon and tuber roots, so recommended only when soil tests show
quantities of potassium throughout the
adding Ca around the stolon can increase deficiencies or if plants show signs of
growing season.
the calcium content of the tubers. The deficiency. The pH value of the soil
high calcium content of tubers is helpful affects the availability of elements, as ■■■
in reducing internal tuber disorders due high soil pH limits the availability of Fe,

Introduction 17, 2020, would make it easier for
With the farmers and traders to find appropriate
increase in transport facilities for the transfer of
A DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR TRANSFORMING agricultural farm.
production at the
AGRICULTURAL TRANSPORTATION AND TRADE beginning of the
What is Kisan Rath mobile app?
Farmers, FPOs, and traders can
21st century, there
use the Kisan Rath mobile application to
are new issues emerges related
…
find buyers, sellers, or transporters for
to the world's growing food
their agricultural produce and receive
consumption. Information and
responses from a variety of traders or
Communication Technology (ICT) is
Pawan Kumar Gupta* carriers. Transport of farm products
now more important than ever for
Abhijeet from the farm gate to the mandi and
Research Scholar agricultural extension services, and
from one mandi to another is made
Deptt. of Agricultural Extension technological advancements have
possible by the app. The supply links
Anuj Mishra opened up a wide range of potential
Research Scholar between farmers, FPOs, APMC mandis,
applications for ICT across all
Deptt. of GPB and intra-state and inter-state buyers will
development sectors. As a convenient
CSAUAT, Kanpur (U.P.) be smooth as a result. Also, this app will
and accessible medium today, mobile
lessen waste and help improve the cost
can be utilised by rural communities to
of perishable goods. The Kisan Rath app
disseminate information effectively and
will make it easier for farmers and
to build a larger network of rural
T
he Kisan Rath, a smartphone
traders to find primary and secondary
app, will assist farmers and development partners.
transportation options for moving
merchants in moving goods The COVID-19 pandemic not
agricultural and horticultural produce.
across the nation from farm gate to only makes it difficult to live a normal
mandi and mandi to mandi. This life, but it also has a complex and varied How the app will work?
software assists farmers and traders in effect on agriculture across a wide range According to the ministry, the
interacting with transporters, enabling of sectors that make up the agricultural consignors farmers, FPOs, buyers, and
them to access a network of more than value chain. Supply chain disruptions traders will submit a request for
20,000 tractors and 5 lakh trucks. By are caused by transportation issues. With transportation that will be distributed to
offering prompt services, the Kisan Rath regard to the present issues faced in market-based transport aggregators, who
will maintain efficient supply links agriculture and related fields, ICTs have then work with truckers and fleet owners
between farmers, warehouses, FPOs, played a significant role in the sector. to obtain competitive quotes against the
APMC mandis, and intra and interstate The "Kisan Rath" mobile request and return the quote and trucker
purchasers as well as assist in reducing application (app), which was developed information to the consignor. The
food waste. All of these will help and released by National Informatics agreement is then finalised through off-
perishable goods to be priced more Centre and the Ministry of Agriculture line direct negotiations between the
favourably. & Farmers Welfare respectively on April consignor and the trucker. Once the

journey is over, the user can rate or 14000 custom hiring centers By doing this, the mediators will also
comment on the trucker in the app, available. be eliminated, which will boost the
which over time develops into a way for It will result in the boarding of farmer's income.
the transporter to get feedback on how to 20,000 tractors and more than 5 lakh
Conclusion
improve their offerings. The Consignors trucks via transportation aggregators.
For the benefit of the nation's
would benefit from this as well when
Benefits citizens, the KISAN RATH application
choosing Logistics Service Providers in
This application makes it simple to has been crucial. It must establish a
the future.
sell and buy things. connection between the carrier and the
Features The purpose of this application is to trader or farm and bring out the greatest
This application will function as a increase the likelihood of directly assistance feasible. It functions more
means of bringing buyers and selling vegetables and crops to like a stepping stone when it comes to
sellers together. customers. offering the various transport options.
Make the process of finding Together with reducing food waste, it This application will raise sales potential
transportation vehicles for both will be a first step towards offering and lower losses that might result from
primary and secondary transit easier. farmers and dealers timely circumstances that might cause a product
It will first be offered in eight transportation services at affordable to be blocked. Direct interaction
languages, including Hindi and costs. between buyers and sellers will also
English. This programme will lessen the remove the need for middlemen,
We can easily keep up with the state likelihood that you will lose increasing the farmer's income. With the
of the market by using this something because of circumstances KISAN RATH smartphone app,
programme. that cause the product to become everyone may now transact directly with
On the application that offers this blocked. one another to sell and purchase
facility, there will be more than connected goods.
■■■
MALNUTRITION
BIG CHALLENGE FOR INDIA
… nutrients as a
result of poor diet.
Dr. Deepak Singh Malnutrition is a
to the GBD (Global Burden of Disease),
Assistant Professor challenging issue in India. It serves as an
2019 the rate of obesity for men was
Meerut Institute of example of India's tendency towards
Technology, Meerut, (U.P.) 23% and for women 24% high in major
extremes. The majority of the population
urban areas. Numerous non-
is poor and unable to purchase the
communicable diseases, including
amount of food they need. Contrarily,
cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory
obesity is a nationwide issue that is
M
alnutrition is under nutrition conditions, are brought on by obesity.
growing in severity.
condition carried by According to the Food and Agriculture
insufficient nutritional Status of malnutrition in India Organization (FAO), 224.3 million
intake, inadequate nutrient absorption, Economic disparity is one of people, are considered undernourished.
excessive nutrient loss, and sometimes the main factors contributing to In the 2019 Global Hunger Index (GHI),
even a lack of sanitary conditions. malnutrition in India. The bulk of the India is ranked 107 out of 121 nations.
Additionally, it can refer to over population has a poor socio-economic
nutrition, which is frequently seen in Reason for causing malnutrition
position, hence their food frequently
economically developed countries as In India the main reason for
lacks in both quality and quantity.
evidenced by rising obesity rates, causing of malnutrition is poverty,
Malnourished women are less likely to
overeating, or excessive intake of certain inadequate nutritional food, lack of pure
give birth to healthy children. According
drinking water and poor sanitation.

Numerous factors are crucial in the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDM) development, labour, women and child
development of chronic malnutrition in It began as a centrally development, people with special needs,
children. In India, 36% of women are supported programme in 1995. It states and monitoring and surveillance, the
underweight, and according to data on that any child enrolled and attending the National Nutrition Policy (NNP)
anaemia, 56% of girls and 30% of boys school whose age is between the six and identified key actions that would have an
between the ages of 15 and 19 were fourteen and is enrolled in grades 1st to impact on nutrition.
anaemic. Adolescent girls are especially 8th would receive a hot prepared lunch
Integrated Child Development
susceptible to the issue of iron every day, except school holidays, free
Services (ICDS)
deficiency anaemia due to menstrual of charge.
A well-known government
blood loss (IDA). Although it is more
National Health Mission (NHM) flagship initiative is the Integrated Child
common in lower-income families,
In 2013, the Indian government Development Service (ICDS) Scheme,
gender inequality affects both sexes
started the National Health Mission which provides children with
equally and is the cause of this gender
(NHM). The National Rural Health supplemental nourishment, immunisa-
gap.
Mission and the National Urban Health tions, and pre-school instruction. It was
How to decrease the problem of
malnutrition Mission were incorporated under it. The established in 1975 and is one of the
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is biggest programmes in the world
To reduce the malnutrition
carrying it out. It was extended once offering a comprehensive set of services
status from India various strategies are
more in March 2018 to run through for a child's whole development. The
implemented like enhance nutritional
March 2020. Strengthening the health goal of this programme is to improve the
status, lowering poverty, enhancing
systems for reproductive, maternal, nutritional and physical health of kids in
sanitation, fortifying foods with
neonatal, child, and adolescent health, as the age of 0–6 years and create the
necessary nutrients, boosting women's
well as communicable and non- framework for the child's healthy
educational opportunities, and enhancing
communicable diseases, is one of the physical, psychological, and social
agricultural practises, making a dietary
primary programme components. development.
plan, which might include taking
supplements treating specific symptoms. Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Conclusion
Older persons, youngsters, those with Yojna (IGMSY) India has one of the highest
severe or ongoing illnesses, and others The government of India rates of malnutrition people among the
can require special attention to get the administers a maternity benefit developing nations. In India, a many
nutrients they require. Anyone beginning programme called the Indira Gandhi peoples die due to facing the
to exhibit malnutrition or under nutrition Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY). It malnutrition problem. The Indian
symptoms should consult a physician for was first launched in 2010, The Ministry government has acknowledged this
a diagnosis and course of treatment. of Women and Child Development during the past few years and has
Government strategies for (WCD) is in-charge of its increased, streamlined, and created a
implementation. For the first two live number of programmes to fight against
reducing the rate of
deliveries, it is a conditional cash malnutrition.
malnutrition
transfer programme for lactating and ■■■
As a result of India's high rate
expectant mothers who are at least 19
of malnutrition, the Indian government
years old. It attempts to foster favourable
has introduced a number of programmes
conditions for safe deliveries,
to combat the issue. In order to address
wholesome eating habits, and proper
nutrition needs, particularly in the wake
feeding practises.
of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists
have suggested strategies for India to National Nutritional Policy
aim towards nutrition security. These (NNP)
include establishing community The Government passed the
kitchens, expanding the public food National Nutrition Policy (NNP) in
distribution system to include pulses and 1993. In areas such as agriculture, food
millets. Various programmes are running production, food supply, education,
by government such as MDM, NHM, information, health care, social justice,
IGMSY, NNP, and ICDS Scheme. tribal welfare, urban development, rural

ROLE OF NGOs
IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT
… inspiration to
work . NGOs
Souvik Das
M.Sc. Student take quick
Agri. Extension and decisions in
Communication response to
SHUATS, Prayagraj need their
community.
Role of
T
he organisations which are
outside the direct control of NGOs in
Govt. agencies or autonomous rural
body and engaged in providing financial developmen
and non-financial services to the t
community called NGOs. The non govt. 1. Empowe
and voluntary prominence after India rment: The term “empower” refers issues, child labour etc. MYRADA
specially after 1970s. For examples to “give power or authority to.” (Mysore Resettlement and Development
NGOs might focus on activities in areas NGO also play important role Agency) in collaboration with other
involving health or health emergences, towards promoting self-employment NGO has been taken up by Govt. depart
infrastructure, advocacy of minority of women by following ways: concerned with watershed management
rights, support the poor, rural (a) Training and skill development and watershed development in India.
development etc. . 3. Role of NGOs in community
(b) Awareness and property rights. development programme:
Basic characteristics of NGOs (c) Credit/micro credits/ self-help The community development
NGOs are such type of group. programme like adoption of villages
organizations that work with the people For examples: SEWA (Self-Employment for development, moral support
to improve their social and economic Women Association) a leading NGO during flood famine period. Supply
situation. based at Ahmedabad, Gujrat, its of food and drinking water during
promotes the rights of low income, flood, training programme for rural
Voluntary and independent
independently employed female youths, housing projects, repair and
NGOs are formed voluntarily
workers. SEWA is the framed around renovation of houses etc will satisfy
and are built upon the commitment of
the goal of full employment in which the basic necessities.
few persons and independent in planning
women secures for her family income, 4. NGO as innovators: NGO
and implementation of their programme.
food, health, care, child care and shelter. innovate whether it technical,
Non-profit oriented 2. NGO as networkers: procedural, institutional or
NGOs are not run on profit Networking may be defined an methodological ways in the
motives. The surplus and grains from interaction among group of expectation that govt. will scale up.
economic projects. Institutions in order to realise
Conclusion
anticipated benefits for themselves
Flexible In this way NGOs can bring
for their clients.
NGOs are flexible in awareness among the poor rural people.
AVARD (Association of Voluntary
interventions , they are not bound by red It‟s very necessary to inform the rural
Agencies in Rural Development), VANI
tapism and bureaucratic obstacles. people about their fundamental rights.
(Voluntary Actions Network in India),
And NGOs are the only organized that
High motivation and quicker in FEVORD-K (Federation of Voluntary
could make the rural India developed.
decision making Organizations for Rural Development in
The members and the staff are Karnataka are many organizations ■■■
endowed with high motivation and around issues like environmental women

HOW IT WORKS, TYPES, BENEFITS & BRANDS IN INDIA
till only to the required depth, softening
and loosening the soil as they do, and
…
making it easier to plant rice and paddy
in the water submerged fields without
any danger of drowning the plants under
Er. Shankar Singh
water. The situation may alter with better
S.M.S. (Agril. Engineering)
KVK, Chanpura, Madhubani, disseminated information and better
Types of power tillers
Bihar safety features and safe usage
Power tiller are available in three
guidelines.
different sizes:
 Mini-sized power tiller- These
Power tiller brands in India
lightweight implements are good for
Most of the power tillers used in
vegetable and fruit farms, where the
T
he concept of power tiller came India are made by Indian and Chinese
in the world in the year 1920. cultivation areas are small, the soil is
agricultural equipment manufacturers.
Japan is the first country to use relatively loose and does not require
Some of the more well-known Indian
power tiller on large scale. In Japan, the powerful tilling, and the crops are
power tiller manufacturers include.
planted in narrow rows that need to
first successful model of power tiller  KMW Kirloskar Power Tillers.
be manoeuvred through without
was designed in the year 1947.  Kubota Power Tillers.
destroying them.
A power tiller is a two-wheeled  Kranti Power Tillers.
agricultural implement, fitted with rotary  Medium-sized power tiller-
 VST Shakti Power Tillers.
tillers, that is fast gaining traction in the These power tillers are suitable for
farms where the soil is harder and  Bull Agro Power Tillers.
Indian agricultural scene for its multi-
rockier. These tillers are propelled  Southern Agro Engines Power
purpose uses. In addition to tilling the
forward by the spinning tines. Tillers.
soil, power tillers can be used for
 Large-sized power tiller- These  KAMCO Limited Power Tillers.
ploughing the soil, sowing seeds,
planting seedlings, adding fertilizers, power tillers are suitable for more Benefits of power tiller to Indian
spraying fertilizers, herbicides, and extensive farm lands where there is farmers
water, pumping water, harvesting crops, sufficient space to manoeuvre the Indian farmers with small and
threshing crops, and transporting crops. tiller as required. These tillers are medium sized land-holdings are likely to
All these additional tasks are performed propelled forward by the wheels and find power tillers more useful than
by attaching agricultural devices such as the spinning tines are positioned tractors for the following reasons:
ploughs, seeders, planters, pumps, between the wheels. Farmers should 1. Power tillers are less expensive than
sprays, harvesters, threshers, and carriers consider the size of their land, the tractors, and the Indian government
to the power tiller. type of soil, the amount of tilling provides subsidies to Indian farmers
Power tillers can work on small necessary, the storage space they to purchase them.
as well as large farms, but they are have for the power tiller, and their 2. Power tillers require less room for
particularly recommended for farms budget for the power tiller. storage.
where the small land size or the rugged, Power tillers in India 3. Power tillers consume lower fuel
sloping terrain might make manoeuvring amounts than tractors. If a tractor
Power tillers have been used in
a tractor about impractical. Difficult, or require two litres of diesel for an
Indian agriculture since the 1980s, but
even dangerous. In hilly regions in India,
have not, so far, surpassed the popularity hour‟s work, a power tiller can make
where only terrace farming is possible, do with one litre in the same time.
of tractors. Part of this may be due to
farmers have found power tillers to be 4. Power tillers have relatively low
insufficient knowledge about power
extremely useful. maintenance costs as compared to
tillers and insufficient advertising about
Rice and paddy farmers with tractors. Also, if farmers are diligent
their benefits, and part of it may also be
small farm plots use power tillers to about cleaning the power tillers daily,
because a tiller needs to be manually
successfully till water-flooded fields. replacing engine oil as required, and
handled and directed and the person
Unlike tractors, which are heavy and can maintaining necessary fuel levels, the
walking behind the tiller can be at
compact the soil with their weight and power tillers will remain in
physical risk from the spinning tines.
till deeper than necessary, power tillers

reasonably good condition for a 7. Power tillers can be effectively used Cambodia, Burma, South Korea, North
longer period. on different types of terrains – flat Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan,
5. Power tillers are easier to lands, hilly terraces, water and Brazil. Indian agricultural firms
manoeuvrer than tractors, and this is submerged fields, and dry fields. produce power tillers for the Indian
a very important consideration on 8. Power tillers are ideal for small areas agricultural market and also export
small-sized farms and hilly terrain where the plants are planted in power tillers to many other countries.
farms. narrow rows, as the machines can be The power tiller manufacturing industry
6. Power tillers are useful in regions easily manoeuvred between these is expected to continue to grow in
where there is acute labour shortage. rows without damaging or destroying coming years as more and more farmers
They are useful too in regions where the plants. around the world become aware of the
there is no labour shortage – the many benefits and the definite cost
Aside from in India, power
labour can be used for other, less savings factors of power tillers.
tillers are widely used in other parts of
cumbersome jobs. Also, power tillers
will work faster and better than
the world, in particular in rice-producing ■■■
nations like China, Japan, Vietnam,
human and animal labour.
the remaining two-thirds of the
ONE NATION ONE FERTILIZER SCHEME

space of the bags.
Companies has Selling all
fertilisers under single brand will
ABOUT IT, ITS OBJECTIVE, ADVANTAGES AND CHALLENGES unique the fertiliser brands across
country irrespective of the company that
understand the fertiliser brands and the manufactures them. Across country will
unavailability of quality soil nutrients have one and unique bag design, like
About Author …  since retailers push selected brands
hoping for high commissions from
Bharat DAP, Bharat urea, Bharat NPK,
Bharat MOP, etc., with the launch of this
companies. This initiative will minimise scheme.
Shubham Pandey* the problem related to farmers‟
Siddhant Gupta One Nation One Fertilizer
confusion. But it can disincline fertiliser
Anurag Tripathi factories from undertaking marketing ↓
Kirtivardhan Pandey and branding activities. Sell fertilizer under a single brand name
Deptt.of Agril. Meteorology of Bharat
ANDUAT, Kumarganj, Ayodhya About ONOF
Two days event PM Kissan ↓
Samman Sammelan 2022, Prime Bharat Urea, Bharat DAP, Bharat MOP,
minister launched Pradhan mantri Jan Bharat MOP and Bharat NPK
Urvarak pariyojana – One nation One irrespective of the company that
T
o maximise agricultural
fertiliger During on October 17, 2022. In manufactures.
production by fixinging easy
this scheme Prime minister launched
availability of fertilisers and
Bharat fertilizer, which will help Objective and advantages of
Agri- facilities to farmers at optimum
companies market fertilizers under the One Nation One Fertilizer:
prices and promote the balanced nutrient
single brand name Bharat. Under this The main objective of the One
application Prime Minister Narendra
scheme, it is mandatory to all fertiliser Nation One Fertilizer scheme is to bring
Modi introduce Bharat fertilizers on the
companies sell all types of fertilisers, uniformity in fertilizers by banning
occasion under One Nation One
such as Urea, Muriate of Potash, Di- industrial diversion of fertilizer brands
Fertilizer (ONOF) initiative on October
Ammonium Phosphate or NPK, under across the country. Now the Fertilizer
17 at Pusa in New Delhi on two-day
the brand name of „Bharat‟. companies can sell their products with
programme of PM Kisan Samman
Companies has power only „single brand name‟ and „single bag
Sammelan 2022. Under this scheme, all
advertise their brand, logo, name and design. This initiative eliminates the
fertiliser companies should sell all types
other pertinent information on one-third problem related to confusion of brand
of chemical fertilisers, such as Urea,
of the fertiliser bags. They will have to specific preference that faced by the
Muriate of Potash, Di-Ammonium
compelled to the whole fertilizers with farmers as the same N and P are used in
Phosphate and NPK, under the brand
one brand „Bharat‟ and PMBJP logo on fertilizers by different companies.
name of „Bharat‟. Farmers are unable to

Still now, the maximum retail Fertilizers in consultation with the contract manufacturers and importers for
price of urea is fixed by the Government manufacturers and importers. This the government. Till now, if any bag of
of India, through which the fertilizer supply plan is issued by the government fertilizer‟s not fulfil the required
companies compensate for the high cost for the coming month before the 25th of standards, the complaint is put on the
of manufacturing or imports made by every month. Distribution is also company. But now, it passed on fully to
them. monitored regularly by the Govt. to the government.
Central government give subsidy on ensure availability of fertilizers to fulfil Conclusion:
about 26 fertilizers including urea as the requirement including remote areas. One Nation One Fertilizer
well as effectively fixing its Maximum Government believes that when it spends scheme regulate all fertilizer companies
Retail Price, the MRP of non-urea so much money on fertilizer subsidies to sell all types of chemical fertilizers,
fertilizers has been not rule by the and also determines where and at what such as Urea, Muriate of Potash, Di-
government on paper, but if any price companies can sell their products, Ammonium Phosphate and NPK, under
company sell this fertilizer at higher they should also get some credit. The the brand name of „Bharat‟. This
price than the MRP informally indicated cost to be spent on fertilizer subsidy has initiative will play a key role to
by the government, they will not get been estimated by the central eliminates the problem related to
subsidy. Other than giving and deciding government to cross Rs. 200,000 crore confusion of brand specific preference
subsidies, the central government also in the financial year 2022-23. that faced by the farmers as the same N
regulate where companies can sell their Challenges: and P are used in fertilizers by different
fertilizer products under Fertilizer It will disincentivise fertilizer companies.
Control Order, 1973. As per this order, companies from undertaking marketing ■■■
an agreed monthly supply plan fertilizers and brand promotion activities.
are prepared by the Department of Companies will now be reduced to
SOIL MAPPING
information on environmental risks are all being taken
maps and in into account when mapping the soils.
supporting papers. The soil layer must be mapped
A predetermined grid (grid-survey) or, in sequence for sustainable land use
more commonly, the surveyor's management to be implemented
…
judgement can be used to define the properly. Because of the exponential
intervals between inspections. They growth of soil mapping techniques and
make use of their knowledge of the data availability, map quality has
Dr. Sandeep Yadav* relationships between various soil types, improved dramatically in recent decades.
Assistant Professor
the environment, geology, vegetation, Regardless of these developments, local
Shri Ram Swaroop Memorial
University, Lucknow etc. The suitability of the soils for a knowledge remains an excellent source
particular crop, their compatibility for of information, having been refined over
Sugandha Chauhan irrigation, their danger of erosion, and a time and just being useful for mapping
Ph.D. Scholar variety of other unique demands or soils and implementing sustainable land
CSKHPKV, Palampur (H.P.)
S
oil mapping is a technique used in
"precision farming" that uses
cutting-edge technology to collect
the most precise data on the state
of the soil, weather, and crops in order to
depict the spatial distribution of each
soil. Soil mapping includes identifying
and recognizing the various soils that
exist, gathering information about their
location, nature, qualities, and
prospective uses, and recording this

management. distributions. Scales for mapping 4. Electrochemical sensors- These
For instance, one can use soil soils range from extremely fine at instruments can characterize an object's
maps to determine the ideal site for a 1:1,250 to 1:5,000, allowing for the electrical properties as well as determine
structure or the plants to grow in specific identification of the pattern of soils whether potassium, nitrates, and other
areas. You can discover more about in specific fields, to scales of elements are present.
what kind of native flora grows best on a 1:500,000 to 1:500,000,000, which
Advantages of soil mapping
certain soil type if you're fascinated in only provide a relatively generalized
that subject. view of the soils of a country or We may understand the make-up,
A system of soil categorization continent. characteristics, and particulars of
is required in order to map and identify the agricultural land plot we are
Techniques for soil mapping cultivating considerably better
various types of soil:
We may create maps with thanks to mapping or soil mapping.
1. Humidity.
several layers of soil information using a It deals with the development of a
2. The soil's composition.
number of different methods. Open earth map based on criteria related to the
3. Conductivity and soil pH.
excavations were used to create works in farming activity's commercial
4. Soil fertility.
the past, but today we have access to feasibility.
5. Soil texture.
much more sophisticated instruments. Soil mapping is a crucial tool in
How soil mapping is These are the primary ones: modern agriculture since it provides
determined? the data, we need to lower the
1. Electromagnetic and
1. Auger borings- Excavated margins of error in our operations.
electrical sensors- The equipment
profile pits are added at When it comes time to use various
used to create these maps is often
predetermined positions in the strategies that may be necessary for
terrestrial, such as a tractor equipped
landscape. These profile pits are his or her crops, the farmer may
with a gadget that can measure these
important for the complete make much more accurate decision.
electrical values.
description and collection of soil
2. Sensors that use light- More and Disadvantages of soil mapping
samples for chemical, physical, and
more of these processes now include It is challenging to identify and
biological laboratory examination.
drones. From appropriate heights, they depict the interaction between soil
They are utilized to show lateral as
are able to capture photographs of the and landscape. Examples include
well as vertical changes in the soil.
soil that are incredibly accurate. regions with diverse parent
In this method, a picture of a
3. Sensors made of metal- Using materials.
region's soil and its relationship to
instruments that, when clamped to the It might be exploited
the surrounding landscape is
soil, allow one to determine which kind Data issues may cause a project to
developed.
of materials constitute this one and in be unsuccessful.
2. Digital soil mapping- These are
what densities is a common way to
simply tools to apply your ■■■
determine the composition of a land plot.
knowledge of soil patterns and

SMALL-SCALE FISH FARMER Prospect of small-scale fish
problems farmer
…
government takes initiatives to provide
initial capital to support farmers, provide Farmers have the freedom to gather
training to fishermen, and implement fish whenever they want due to the
Vivek Kamble* respective.
various schemes to give a helping hand
M.Sc. Research Scholar Fish can be cultivated in a
to the small-scale fish farmer which
Dr. Princy Thakur helps farmers in rearing fisheries and constrained amount of space, and it is
M.Sc. Research Scholar doubling their income. a tasty, simple, and good source of
Deptt. of Soil Sci. & Agril. Chem. high-quality animal protein for
LPU, Phagwara, Jalandhar, Punjab, Introduction human consumption.
India
In many countries, fish is the Farmers can utilize the area for fish
most important constituent of the farming, which is less profitable than
population‟s diet. After China, India has growing crops and requires more
the second most fish-producing country upkeep.
A
quaculture and fisheries are
in the world. Fisheries and aquaculture Farmers are allowed to choose the
developing vastly over the past
are art, science, and business all bundled types of fish they want to cultivate in
few decades; however, small-
into one. Fish demand is increasing their own ponds.
scale fish farmers are still one of the
rapidly due to the increasing population, Farmer can start with a tiny area if
liable communities in India, having low
urbanization, increasing people‟s they don't have access to a vast one.
income and limitations in carrying out
income, and knowing the nutritive value After raising and selling your goods
their fish farming business. In their first
of fish and its health benefits. Fish is the locally, you can get direct cash in
attempt to successfully farm business,
source of important proteins, vitamins, hand.
small-scale fish farmers encounter lots
and omega-3 acids. More than 80% of
of problems that restrict fish farming Problems of small scale fish
global aquaculture products are
longevity like problems related to the farmer
produced in freshwater. Aquaculture has
paucity of knowledge, loan procedures,
undergone huge development and today A lack of knowledge and creative
disease, and pest attacks, dietary
it is highly diversified. India‟s Fisheries thinking on how to improve fish
requirements, adopting new technology,
industry had exceptional development, farming while spending less and
marketing strategies, and fluctuation in
with a yearly growth rate that is an earning more.
market price, water management, labor
average of 10.88 percent. Employing poor farming techniques
availability. To overcome these

without consulting experts. Government initiatives to help friendly, has judicious land and water
Paucity of knowledge about types of farmers usage, greater production, and less
fish, habitats, and nutritional needs of PMMSY Program promotes growth water contamination.
fish. in India‟s Fisheries industry.
Conclusion
Effect of climate on life cycles of the Fisherman skills are being improved
Farmer needs to understand and
fish they intend to produce in their through training, workshops, open-
confront the challenges they will face,
specific regions. house training, and short-term
devise strategy for dealing with the
Instead of early harvesting breeds, courses.
challenges. Fish industry is important to
regional fish breeds that are less NFDB implementing a paddy cum
Indian economy because it contributes to
prolific. fish culture project to help farmers
food & nutritional security, national
Improper feeding techniques, less double their income.
income, and exports. Farmers should be
ability to handle parasites attacked by Govt. provides Kisan Credit card
aware of scheme, policies, initiatives,
fish-eating birds. (KCC) to meet the working capital
and KVK‟s which conduct on-farm
Paucity of skills in post-harvest requirement.
training which helps to improve farmers
management, marketing experience, KVK Conducts live demonstrations,
knowledge and skills, which has a
market fluctuation. and on-farm training in various and
positive result in increased fishery
Lack of knowledge of the loan fish farming technology. It is a
production and industry. Government
application process and requirement. knowledge and resource center where
promotes fish farming and implements
Suffering high labor costs, and farmers boost their knowledge and
village-level training, technical
minimal support from family skills under one umbrella.
assistance so that farmers can easily
members. Currently, Bio-floc technology is
learn new techniques and earn.
popular and has benefits, including
the fact that it is less expensive, eco- ■■■
NUTRITIVE VALUE AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF

farms. The state of
Andhra Pradesh, which is
WHITELEG SHRIMP (Litopenaeus vannamei )

located on the nation's
southern coast, has
OF PLANT DISEASES 175,000 ha of brackish

water and 974 km of
Central and South America from shoreline.
Tumbes, Peru in the south to Mexico in
A brief history of Litopenaeus
About Author …  the north. Since the 1970s, it has been
widely distributed around the world, but
vannamei
The Government of India (GoI)
notably since 2000 as it has risen as the
Mayank Bhushan Singh decided to start shrimp farming after
primary species of cultured shrimp in
Department of Aquaculture conducting research on brackish water
ANDUAT, Kumarganj, Ayodhya Asia. With 1.24 million ha of brackish
fish farming in the late 1970s. In the
water area and 8,118 km of coastline,
early 1990s, Penaeus monodon culture
Devarshi Ranjan* India is the second-largest producer of
grew rapidly as a result of the financial
Department of Aquaculture shrimp in the world, with Andhra
benefits of shrimp farming. An outbreak
Dr. RPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, Pradesh having the most vannamei
Bihar of White Spot
Syndrome Virus
(WSSV) occurred
T
he most widely cultivated in 1994 due to lack
shrimp in Latin America and of growing culture
Southeast Asia, making up more systems and
than 90% of all shrimp production, is the cultivation
whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei, practices.
originally Penaeus vannamei). This is Freshwater shrimp,
also known as Pacific white shrimp or or Macrobrachium
King prawn. This decapod crustacean is rosenbergii
indigenous to Eastern Pacific Coast of Health benefits

("scampi"), was introduced in 1999 as a vannamei brood stock was imported to Table 2. Mineral composition of
replacement for P. monodon. The 1990s India to reduce the risk of negative of flesh of L. vannamei
is a well-known "virus disease period" in effects from the introduction of this Minerals Mg/g
shrimp farming. Freshwater prawn exotic shrimp.
Calcium 154.5
farming in the state was severely
Nutritive value and health Magnesium 13.41
affected by a severe disease outbreak in
benefits Sodium 67.70
2001-2002. After this phenomena a new
Shrimp is a low-calorie, high- Potassium 56.70
species of shrimp, Litopenaeus
protein food that is also rich in Phosphorus 6.98
vannamei which was disease resistance,
calcium, a variety of extractable Manganese 0.89
ability to withstand high stocking
chemicals, and other essential
density, low salinity, and tolerance of Iron 4.54
nutrients for human health.
high temperatures, as well as its rapid Copper In trace
Polyunsaturated fatty acids
growth rate suggested as a possible Chromium In trace
predominate in the shrimp lipid
replacement species. The National
(essential fatty acids). Peoples can
Bureau of Fish Genetics and Resources cardiovascular disease, better bone and
benefit from them in terms of their
(NBFGR) and the Central Institute of brain health, greater weight control, and
health, including improved brain
Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) so forth.
and retinal development.
together conducted a risk analysis to
Shrimps' bodies include a variety of Conclusion
determine whether the introduction of
inorganic substances that support a The shrimp Penaeus vannamei
this new species was feasible. In 2009,
variety of essential physiological has large amounts of protein, vitamins,
the Coastal Aquaculture Authority
processes. and minerals. When included in a
(CAA) approved vannamei culture
Certain elements, such copper, zinc, regular diet, the shrimp maintain a high
through the import of specific pathogen
manganese, iron, and chromium, nutritional content while displaying
free (SPF) brood stock and stringent
which are present in shrimp at heightened antioxidant activity, which is
regulatory guidelines. The introduction
acceptable quantities and have advantageous for enhancing nutrition
of vannamei was done in response to
useful biological functions, are and health. This article may be help in
ongoing pressure from producers and
particularly beneficial to human the areas of pharmaceutical and food
traders. At the request of the Ministry of
health. manufacturing like: shrimp product
Agriculture, the Rajiv Gandhi Center for
Aquaculture (RGCA) established the preservation and cooking process
Health benefits techniques to meet consumer nutritional
Aquatic Quarantine Facility (AQF) of L.
vannamei, a state-of-the-art facility Nutrient-rich and low in needs and contribute to the development
located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This calories and carbohydrates, shrimp are a of new functional products with
great food. Shrimp is a healthy food therapeutic nutritional properties that
Table 1. Proximate composition of source of antioxidants for people. These include shrimp meat in their
flesh of L. vannamei substances can protect cells against composition, used in therapeutic
Parameters Value (%) damage. Astaxanthin, an antioxidant, nutrition to treat chronic diseases and
may help to minimize UV damage and malnutrition diseases, and extract some
Crude protein 35.69±0.5 wrinkles. Selenium is also in abundance bioactive compounds from shrimp meat
Crude carbohydrate 3.20±0.3 in them. There is little evidence to (vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and
Crude lipid 19.00±0.6 determine how well this mineral protects amino acids) for uses in the
cancer, despite some studies' claims to pharmaceutical industries.
Moisture 76.20±0.5
the contrary. Additional advantages ■■■
Ash 1.20±0.6 could include a reduced risk of

IN AGRICULTURE insights. Here are some applications of agricultural yields and economic losses.
data science in agriculture: With data science, farmers can now
access historical data and use it to
1. Digital soil and crop mapping
About Author …  Data science can be used to
map out digital soil and crops. Several
identify patterns in weather patterns.
This information can then be used to
make more informed decisions about
Jhade Sunil* countries like Ireland also depend on
when to plant crops and how to care for
Manjubala M. satellite-based soil and crop monitoring
them. Data science is therefore assisting
Research Scholar to inspect areas more quickly than
traditional methods allow. This helps in in enhancing crop yields and lowering
Department of Farm Engineering,
deciding what crops should be grown financial risks for farmers. DTN will
Institute of Agricultural Science
on a particular piece of land. It saves a become a trusted partner due to its
BHU, Varanasi
lot of time and effort and results in weather intelligence tools (like
higher yield production. ClearAg). These tools provide actionable
weather intelligence, predictive models
2. Weather prediction to
(LSTM, CNN, and RNN), and applied
improve yield
I
n the modern world, digital meteorological expertise.
transformation in agriculture has led Crop quality is significantly
to several innovations. It helps influenced by the weather. In the past, 3. Fertilizers recommendation
organizations find new opportunities, farmers would make decisions based on Knowing the exact fertilizer
improve decision-making, and enhance their experience and intuition about the rate is a science and requires a thorough
operational capabilities. Data is a crucial weather. Nevertheless, this method is analysis of multiple factors. Often,
tool for digital transformation. Data frequently incorrect, resulting in poor hundreds of dynamic parameters have to
refers to a systematic record of a specific
quantity. Data is being used by farmers
to help them make better choices
regarding planting, irrigation, crop
management, and measuring crop yields.
Data science is a field of study that
works with huge amounts of data using
modern tools and methodologies to
reveal hidden patterns, obtain valuable
information, and improve decision-
making in related domains.
Application of data science in

agriculture
One of the challenges farmers
face is a lack of access to best practices
from sowing to harvesting and storage.
Data science can offer useful
information that can be used to make
decisions that are cost-effective and
increase the income and profitability of
a farmer. Data science applications in
agriculture are diverse, from precision
farming to livestock management. Data
science allows farmers to track their
crops, animals, and water usage and
know what pests or diseases are present
in their fields. It also provides local
insights into historical data, including
past land usage and hyper-local weather

be considered. Misuse of fertilizers is a patterns. By understanding how plants data about their crops for centuries, but
widespread issue since determining the respond to current conditions, farmers only recently have they had the tools to
"optimal fertilization range" is difficult. can adjust their growing practices to make sense of this data. With the help
The majority of farmers still rely on trial help crops flourish under future of agricultural data scientists, farmers
and error, guesswork, and estimation. conditions. Ex: The invention of mobile can gain a deeper understanding of their
The result is that crops do not meet their app such as "FamGraze" helps farmers crops and make more informed
yield potential, and increase manage their grass more effectively by
decisions about how to care for them by
environmental pollution. Professionals suggesting the cheapest feed for their
harnessing the power of data science.
in data science may now advise farmers livestock.
Precision agriculture, which uses
on the appropriate amount of fertilizer to
use. According to data from the CABI 6. Automated irrigation system sensors and mapping technology to
An automated irrigation assess soil conditions, weather patterns,
Fertilizer Optimizer app in Uganda,
system was developed to maximize the and crop growth to improve production,
some farmers saw yields improve by up
use of irrigation water for agricultural is being developed in developing
to seven times. crops. This system has a wireless
countries such as China, the United
4. Disease detection and pest network of soil moisture and
temperature sensors placed in the root States, and the United Kingdom.
management
zone of the plant. Using threshold Compared to traditional farming
Disease detection and pest
values for temperature, light intensity, practices, this style of farming lowers
management information can then be
and soil moisture, a machine learning expenses, enhances yields, and has less
used to develop targeted pest
algorithm was created and programmed negative impact on the environment.
management strategies that can into a microcontroller-based gateway to
minimize crop damage. Ex: The random manage water flow.
forest (RF) method was discovered to be ■■■
the best algorithm for classifying plant Benefits of data science in
diseases since it had the highest agriculture
accuracy when compared to other Data science is helping to
algorithms. improve crop yields by providing
insights into the optimal growing
5. Adaptation to climate change conditions for specific crops. It is also
Climate change is one of the helping to reduce wastage throughout
biggest challenges facing agriculture the food supply chain, from farm to
today. At the same time, climate change table. Finally, data science is assisting in
is making it more difficult to grow the development of new eco-friendly
crops and raising the risk of crop farming techniques that can help
failure. As a result, agricultural preserve and enhance the environment.
productivity must increase by up to
60% by 2050 to meet global demand. Conclusion
Data science provides farmers with new Data science has the potential
insights into how plants respond to to revolutionize the agricultural
changes in temperature and rainfall industry. Farmers have been collecting
COATED UREA
application of CRFs in agriculture. This
article aims to provide a better overview
R
ising world population is
of the development regarding CRFs and
expected to increase the demand
THE NEW AGE FERTILIZER for nitrogen fertilizers to
different raw materials utilized to form
CRF in the past ten years and also to
improve crop yield to be able to feed
provide and insight for future works in
the rising population and ensure food
Deepak Kumar security, with the current challenges
the field of agriculture.
Dwivedi* nutrient use efficiency of urea and its Introduction
Ph.D. Research Scholar pressing environmental concerns,
Deptt. of Soil Sci. & Agril. Chem.
Nitrogen is the most crucial and
Central Agriculture University,
controlled release fertilizers (CRFs) can essential plant nutrient, and to supply
Imphal) Umiam, Meghalaya become a solution to overcome all these this essential nutrient urea has been used
Gayatri Pralhad Turkar challenges by controlling the rate of since ages making it the most commonly
M.Sc. Scholar release of fertilizer by providing a used nitrogen-based fertilizer, it also has
Deptt. of Soil Sci. & Agril. Chem. coating around it. However, there are a high nitrogen content (46%) and low
ANDUAT, Kumarganj, Ayodhya
certain obstacles in the widespread cost. However, it is prone to loss due to

poor absorbance by plants which leads economic advantage in terms of saving Organic material based coatings
to economic decline and severe labor, time and energy. It also 1. Synthetic polymer-based coating.
environmental concerns such as nitrate contributes to agronomic safety by 2. Natural polymer-based coating.
leaching, groundwater contamination, reducing the toxicity imposed to plants
Synthetic polymer based
soil acidification, heavy metal and specially seedling which can have
coating
contamination and eutrophication of severe effects of burst release of
freshwater bodies. fertilizer which can increase the osmotic Polymer based coating
Conventional fertilizer application pressure of soil to large extent. materials have become more favorable
required direct administration of Types of coating material on recently as they are least reactive to
environmental factors. The use of single
chemical fertilizer to plants which urea fertilizers have classified broadly
or multiple blended polymeric materials
showed low utilization efficiency as only into two categories- organic and
a part of the nutrients applied are inorganic; among organic fertilizers was developed to solve the problem of
absorbed. Urea was reported to have there are two types of polymers which quick and instantaneous nitrogen release.
nutrient utilization efficiency of only are used as coating materials which are Keeping inner hydrophilic and outer
hydrophobic gradient layers decreases
about 30%, where major losses occur synthetic polymers which include
the release rate of urea and can take up
through volatilization, some portion polyurethane, polyethylene, alkyd resin,
to 60 days.
react with organic compound in the soil polyphenol, polyvinyl alcohol and
and rest is lost through leaching into natural polymers which include starch, Natural polymer based coating
water system. With these challenges and cellulose, biochar and among inorganic Oils based polymer coating
environmental concerns CRFs have polymers, the coating materials include materials such as neem oil, castor oil are
become solution in this day and age by bentonite, Sulphur based coating used to increase the hydrophobicity
formulating them to release nutrient materials, gypsum and zinc. which resist action of water on urea
according to requirement of plants. dissolution. Natural polymers are
Inorganic material based
What are controlled release coatings generally used with other materials to
fertilizers? form composites as they do not have
Minerals such as hydroxyapatite,
adequate mechanical integrity and other
A controlled release fertilizer is bentonite, zeolite and attapulgite were
properties for a CRF. These are also
a coated or granulated that releases explored as they can act as soil
biodegradable and non-toxic to the
nutrient gradually into the soil, they are conditioners and improve the physical
environment.
also made available to the target at the and chemical and chemical properties of
Future outlook
desired rate and concentration level. the soil as well as ion-exchange
CRFs have been extensively studied to properties that favor plant growth. The future work can be focused
provide safer, more economical and Varied proportions of gypsum and on the utilization and formulation of
efficient way of administering nutrients, Sulphur was also used as coating low-cost biodegradable materials with
it can sustain the nutrient in the soil for a materials and its efficiency was shown suitable binders that favor absorption
and provide hydrophobicity. The
longer period which helps to improve to improve by adding hydrophobic
nutrient use efficiency (NUE) by less sealant such as paraffin and polyol. Urea formulation of procedures and methods
frequent dosing. It can also efficiently impregnated hydroxyapatite for upscaling should be developed with
reduce environmental hazards by encapsulated with lignocellulosic the goal to bring CRFs to a point of
practical and commercial application.■
decreasing nutrient removal rate from biomass which further retards rate and
the soil by rain or irrigation. sustains the release for up to 55 days to
It can decrease the fertilizer release 75%of the nutrients.
application rate by 20-30%. It provides

NANO DAP
government permitted to formulated The extensive use of chemicals
and evaluated nanotechnology based in agriculture has made the crop yield
liquid phosphorus fertilizer that acidic and added numerous chemicals to
named Nano Di- Ammonium the soil. Nano DAP is a solution that
phosphate (DAP). helps to lower the soil's pH value and

The India Nano DAP market is provides crucial minerals such as
About Author … predicted to experience substantial nitrogen and phosphorus. This fertilizer
growth during the forecast period. DAP, is particularly effective in boosting the
a reliable source of Phosphorus and growth of monocotyledon and dicot
Dr. Hirdesh Yadav
Nitrogen, is widely used in agriculture as plants such as wheat, corn, millet, lilies,
Lecturer
Agriculture ASIC, Lakhoti, a fertilizer when minerals are scarce. sugarcane, banana, onions, ginger, palm,
Bulandshahar Nano urea and Nano DAP, the next- and bamboo. As per the SATAT report,
Dr. Sharvan Kumar generation fertilizers, are eco-friendly India imports 30% of its total fertilizer
Assistant Professor and beneficial to farmers. They promote consumption, and DAP is the second
Deptt. of Agriculture sustainable development by reducing air, most demanded fertilizer after Urea.
Invertis University, Bareilly soil, and water pollution while Nano DAP is an excellent alternative
improving crop yield and health. that enhances soil texture and
Nano DAP, a nanotechnology- composition by increasing water-holding
based advanced fertilizer, has smaller capacity and beneficial minerals without
T
here is good news for the particles that increase its surface area causing environmental pollution.
farmers, after Nano Urea, the and soil concentration capacity, leading Consequently, it aids in treating the
Government has now approved to better distribution kinetics to targeted soil's acidic value and promoting
Nano DAP. Farmers‟ Cooperative areas. This size advantage also facilitates healthier crop growth. These benefits are
Company IFFCO will make Nano DAP storage and transportation, further expected to fuel the demand for the
in the country. It is considered important boosting its demand in the future. The Indian nano DAP market in the
for agriculture and economy of the India nano DAP market is expected to foreseeable future.
country. One bottle of Nano DAP will benefit from favorable government The central government of
be as effective as one bag of DAP policies and ongoing research during the India has allocated a budget of
fertilizer. projected period. approximately USD 18 billion for
A nano fertilizer refers to a The agricultural sector is a fertilizer subsidies in 2023, thereby
product that provides nutrients to crops crucial pillar of the country's economy, providing significant support to
in one of three ways . In the providing employment to many and agriculture activities. Following the
nanotechnology nutrient can be occupying a vital place in the global successful introduction of nano urea, the
encapsulated inside the Nano materials agricultural market. With one of the government is now making efforts to
such as nanotubes or Nano porous world's largest populations, the region is commercialize nano DAP, which is
materials that coated with thin protective expected to experience an increase in more effective than traditional DAP but
polymer films (PPF) or delivered as demand for food and clothing, thereby available at a lower price, thereby
particles or emulsions of nanoscale boosting agricultural activities to meet expected to further drive market growth.
dimensions. global demand. India is one of the top The Department of Chemicals and
Nano Di Ammonium phosphate fifteen exporters of agricultural Fertilizers has sold the patent for nano
(DAP) is the second most valuable commodities worldwide, with significant DAP to IIFCO ltd. for a period of 20
product after nano Urea. Phosphorous is exports of rice, meat, spices, raw cotton, years, making it commercially available.
an important nutrient which helps to and sugar. Additionally, various IIFCO is providing licenses and signing
transferring and storing energy, initiatives, such as Pradhan Mantri MOUs for the production of nano DAP.
photosynthesis and organic compound Krishi Sinchai Yojana, credit facilities Additionally, the launch of online stores
formulation. The conventional fertilizers for farmers, and fertilizer subsidies, are like IIFCO Bazar is expected to facilitate
are complexes with iron, aluminum driving agricultural activities. As nano the product's direct accessibility to the
hydroxides and calcium in the soil or its DAP offers a cost-effective solution for end-user, thereby supporting the growth
immobilization with clay particles in soil crop production while preserving soil of the India nano DAP market. All these
restrict its availability. health, farmers are expected to switch to factors combined are expected to fuel
Only 10-20 percent‟s this alternative, thus increasing demand the growth of the Indian nano DAP
phosphorus taken by the plants so to for nano DAP in the projected period. market.
overcome these problems central ■■■

Times of Agriculture

March Issue Times of Agriculture Magazine PDF

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March Issue Times of Agriculture Magazine PDF

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February, 2023/ Page | 1

Dear Readers, March issue of Times of Agriculture e-Magazine is being

February, 2023/ Page | 2

Dr. Devraj Singh

Dr. V. P. Pandey Dr. Hari Har Ram Dr. P.D. Meena

Dr. A.K. Singh

Dr. Govind Vishwakarma Dr. Sandeep Rout

“Times of Agriculture” is a monthly agriculture e-Magazine initiated for the

Price – Free for Readers

Managing Editor Editors Founder

Dr. Nishakant Dr. Devesh Tiwari Mr. Aman

February, 2023/ Page | 4

Fruit Science Floriculture

Soil Science Genetics &

Plant Pathology Biotechnology

Remote Sensing Home Science

February, 2023/ Page | 5

2. 2022 CHC: Solution for Mechanized Agriculture. 19-26

3. 2023 India's vision and strategy towards green energy. 28

4. 2024 Crop diversification: Single window for multi-benefits. 29-30

5. 2025 Shree anna. 31

6. 2026 Kalanamak: Importance, varieties and nutritional value. 32-33

10. 2030 Utilization of algae in various field. 37-38

11. 2031 Water pollution in India. 39-40

12. 2032 Drone: An emerging technology in agriculture. 40-41

13. 2033 Drones: Future of farming. 41-43

14. 2034 Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.): An underutilized fruit. 43-44

15. 2035 A delicious product of carrot: Carrot candy. 45

17 2037 Lemon cucumber (Cucumis sativus var. sativus): A treasure trove. 47

February, 2023/ Page | 6

19. 2039 CRISPR-Cas.: Novel plant breeding technique. 50-51

24. 2044 Baciilus thuringiensis: An excellent bio-insecticide. 57

25. 2045 Egg shell fertilizer and its benefits. 58

26. 2046 Impacts of agriculture on the planet earth. 59-60

27. 2047 Impact of crop residue and their management. 60-61

31. 2051 Malnutrition: Big challenge for India. 66-67

32. 2052 Role of NGOs in rural development. 68

35. 2055 Soil mapping. 71-72

36 2056 Problems and prospects of small-scale fish farmer. 73-74

38 2058 Data science applications in agriculture. 76-77

39 2059 Coated urea: The new age fertilizer. 77-78

40 2060 Nano DAP. 79

February, 2023/ Page | 7

Clean Plant Centres to promote

March, 2023/ Page | 9

Himachal Pradesh begun commercial

For the first time Himachal Pradesh has

March, 2023/ Page | 10

GOI approved the nano-liquid DAP

The Government of India approved the

March, 2023/ Page | 11

ADB approved a $130 million loan

March, 2023/ Page | 12

Mahyco develops new chilli hybrid

March, 2023/ Page | 13

HarvestPlus Awarded „Mark of

Hyderabad-based HarvestPlus was

March, 2023/ Page | 14

Wheat Variety (HD-3385)

March, 2023/ Page | 15

Flipkart‟s “Samarth Krishi”

Timesofagriculture.in March, 2023/ Page | 16