Economic analysis of different rice cultivars against major biotic stresses

The comparative biological studies on yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Wlk.) and white Stem Borer, Scirpophaga fusciflua Hampson showed that the moths of both species preferred to lay eggs on the dorsal surface of leaves. The eggs were laid in masses during night hours and covered with brownish hairs of the anal tuft. The maximum eggs of S. incertulas hatched on 6th day, whereas the S. fusciflua eggs hatched on the 5th day with per cent hatchability of 86 and 93 per cent, respectively. There were six larval instars in S. incertulas with 25-34 days larval duration and five for S. fusciflua with 26-31 days larval duration. The pupal period lasts for 7-9 days in both species, and the adults emerge from the pupae during dusk hours. Adults exhibited sexual dimorphism. The longevity of male and female moths was also similar in both species. The morphometries of larval head capsule width were more in S. incertulas as compared to S. fusciflua. Male pupal weight of both the species were almost similar but it was varied significantly in female pupa S. incertulas (0.024mg) and S. fusciflua (0.032mg).

Biological parameters and comparative morphometrics studies of Scirpophaga spp. in rice

Kumar¹,

Ram²,

Yadav³

et al. 2023

The social profile of farmers in the village of S.A.S. Nagar district of Punjab

Kaur¹,

Mohan²

2023

Agriculture education is crucial in ensuring the growth of agricultural profitability, efficacy, ecological responsibility, technology for agriculture, and environmental and ecological stability. The current study examines the socioeconomic factors that contribute to the importance of the farming community in Punjab, especially in the villages of Shakrullapur, Rora, Bibipur, Batta, and Fatehpur Theri all of which are located in the Kharar tehsil and SAS Nagar Mohali district. For this study, a questionnaire-based methodology was used. There are recordings of the 120 farmer interviews. The research aims to determine the living and working situations of the populace. A complete understanding of the socioeconomic condition was the aim of this investigation. While many people have improved their quality of life, some are still in the same predicament. Therefore, these locations Socioeconomic status must be investigated, particularly about the community as a whole, occupational framework, academic achievement, labour force income, residential characteristics, and government programs. Variables like Age, education, land holding, family composition, source of information, and extension contact were selected to assess the socio-profile of the farmers. The study showed that the average age of the respondents was 66%, 84% of respondents had access to mobile phones. The majority of the respondents were small farmers which is about 57% also, it is observed that about 34% of farmers have completed their middle school. And most of them i.e., about 86% get their source of information from input dealers (Private agencies), 59% of respondents have extension contact with cooperative societies.

Adoption of paddy straw management techniques in Haryana: Effective approach on environmental conservation

P Sihan,

A Kumar,

S Singh

et al. 2023

Crop residue burning directly contributes to environmental pollution and releases 149.24 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), over 9 million tonnes of carbon monoxide (CO), 0.25 million tonnes of oxides of sulphur (SOX), 1.28 million tonnes of particulate matter and 0.07 million tonnes of black carbon. The burning of paddy straw results in extensive impacts both on and off farm, e.g. losses in soil organic matter, soil nutrients, production and productivity, air quality, biodiversity, water and energy efficiency and on human and animal health. In India, being a largest producer of rice as well as of its residue, the effects from residue burning are more severe (Yadav, R.S.2019). There are diverse set of productive techniques for paddy straw management that can be utilised such as composting, straw as a ruminant fodder, incorporated in the soil, gasification, bailing, mushroom farming, production of bio-fuel, recycling in soil, packing material and bio-char production (Pathaket al., 2010). The study on ‘Knowledge and Adoption of Paddy Straw Management Techniques in Haryana’ was conducted with following specific objectives of knowledge, adoption and constraints by the farmer in adoption of paddy straw management techniques. Majority (75 %) of the farmers were having low level of adoption regarding Paddy Straw Management Techniques. Whereas full (100%) adoption of paddy straw as animal fodder got Ist rank followed by domestic purpose got rank 2nd. The respondents had a greater level of acceptance adoption of Spreader/Shrub Master with weighted mean score of 0.95 got rank 1st.