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Development of micronutrient enriched staple foods is an important breeding goal in view of the extensive problem of 'hidden hunger' caused by micronutrient malnutrition. In the present study, kernel iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations were evaluated in a set of 31 diverse maize inbred lines in three trials at two locations -Delhi (Kharif 2007(Kharif & 2008 and Hyderabad (Rabi 2007-08). The ranges of kernel Fe and Zn concentrations were 13.95-39.31 mg/kg and 21.85-40.91 mg/kg, respectively, across the three environments. Pooled analysis revealed significant genotype × environment (G × E) interaction in the expression of both the micronutrient traits, although kernel Fe was found to be more sensitive to G × E as compared to kernel Zn. Seven inbred lines, viz.,

A b s t r a c t. Soil temperature is an important factor in biogeochemical processes. On-site monitoring of soil temperature is limited in spatio-temporal scale as compared to air temperature data inventories due to various management difficulties. Therefore, empirical models were developed by taking 30-year long-term (1985-2014) air and soil temperature data for prediction of soil temperatures at three depths (5, 15, 30 cm) in morning (0636 Indian standard time) and afternoon (1336 Indian standard time) for alluvial soils in lower Indo-Gangetic plain. At 5 cm depth, power and exponential regression models were best fitted for daily data in morning and afternoon, respectively, but it was reverse at 15 cm. However, at 30 cm, exponential models were best fitted for both the times. Regression analysis revealed that in morning for all three depths and in afternoon for 30 cm depth, soil temperatures (daily, weekly, and monthly) could be predicted more efficiently with the help of corresponding mean air temperature than that of maximum and minimum. However, in afternoon, prediction of soil temperature at 5 and 15 cm depths were more precised for all the time intervals when maximum air temperature was used, except for weekly soil temperature at 15 cm, where the use of mean air temperature gave better prediction.

Jute (Corchorus spp. L.), the second most important fibre crop next to cotton, is a biodegradable and eco-friendly crop and one of the main cash crops of eastern India. India is the largest producer of raw jute in the world earning about `2200 crores per annum through export of diversified jute goods for which quality jute fibre is needed. The jute fibre quality depends directly on retting process. In India, more than 90% jute farmers do not have the access to free flowing water, so they carry out jute retting in stagnant water. The quality of jute fibre is deteriorated in stagnant water retting because of several factors like less rainfall, repeated retting, absence of efficient retting microbes, direct use of mud, soil etc. In this review paper we have discussed the views of various research workers about the efficient retting microbes, their utilization as microbial consortium for faster retting and quality jute fibre production even in stagnant water retting. Latest molecular approaches for identification of retting microbes including whole genome sequencing of retting microbes and their utilization as talc based formulation, spore based liquid formulation, use of immobilized strain of efficient retting microbes for faster environment friendly jute retting towards quality jute fibre production under farmers’ field conditions have also been discussed in detail.