Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology

Consumption of convenience foods has been found to be inexorable in modern scenario due to rapid urbanization, changing life-style of women, rising purchasing power and adaptation to western culture. The chief objective was to assess the correlation between health status and frequency and consumption of convenience foods among working (employed) and non-working (unemployed) women. A total of 120 subjects aged 25-40 years including 60 working as school teachers, bank employees or those working in private sector for 6-8 hours per day and 60 non-working women with family monthly income ranging from Rs. 1-2 lakhs were selected randomly from Ludhiana city. Majority of working women (41.7%) spent more than 30% of their total food expenditure on convenience foods, while among non-working women, it was 8.3%. Working women consumed bakery products, ready-to-eat snacks, ready-to-cook products and beverages thrice a week; sandwich spreads and frozen foods twice a week; sweets rarely whereas non-working women consumed these products fortnightly/ rarely. The average body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (W/H) and total lipid profile was found to be significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher among working women whereas a non-significant difference was observed for Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and Haemoglobin (Hb) levels. BMI, waist-hip ratio, total blood cholesterol and triglycerides were found to be significantly (p ≤ 0.01) correlated with consumption of convenience foods among women. Excessive consumption of convenience foods is one of the major factors for higher incidence of obesity and other non-communicable diseases among women.

A field experiment was conducted to study the impact of temperature and relative humidity on fruiting behaviour and fruit quality of different mango varieties in Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh during the fruiting year 2017-18 in the Garden of the Department of Horticulture, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 3 replications. Seven varieties of mango were taken for study. Fruiting attributes as influenced by temperature and relative humidity differed significantly in different varieties. Chausa taken highest number of days followed by Amrapali, while Dasheri and Gaurjeet recorded earliest fruit setting. The maximum marble size fruit was noted in Chausa while maximum mature fruit was noted in Local. The maximum fruit drop was recorded under Chausa followed by Dasheri, whereas minimum fruit drop was recorded under Local. Gaurjeet mature first (24^th May) followed by Bombay Green (25^th May) and Husnara (30^th May). Chausa (26^th June) and Amrapali (10^th July) mature late and very late respectively. The maximum fruit length and width was found in Chausa among all of the varieties followed by Dasheri in length and Husnara in width. The maximum weight of fruit, fruit pulp, stone and peel was recorded in Chausa followed by Husnara (except peel weight), while, the maximum pulp % was recorded in Amrapali. The variety Gaurjeet and Bombey Green both mature first (71 days) followed by Husnara (75 days) while, Amrapali taken longest duration (124 days) followed by Chausa (109 days) and Local (104 days). It has been observed that during fruit setting and fruit development and maturity mango requires less RH as compared to panicle initiation. During growth and maturity RH positively correlated like temperature in all the varieties. It is concluded that mango variety Chausa being maximum in fruit weight, fruit pulp, stone and peel and medium maturing may found suitable for this region.

As farmers have started to grow millets in recent times, farming is taking a slow drift towards progression. Past studies justifies this with various reasons viz., reduced water table, labour shortage, progressive market for millets and so on. Is it really because of this reason farming is taking a drift or is it because of farmers themselves. To understand this, the current study was conducted in Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts where millet is being extensively cultivated. A 3-point Likert Summated Scale containing pre-tested statements was developed and used to measure the perceived factors favouring millet farming in the current scenario. The total sample size was 120 and most of respondents belonged to small and marginal farming category. The results revealed that, 85.00 percent of the respondents’ in Tiruvannamalai district and 80.00 percent of the respondents in Vellore district agreed towards, supportive role of millets in marginal farmer’s life followed by 55.00 percent of the respondents in Tiruvannamalai and 70.00 percent of the respondents in Vellore agreeing to lack of awareness on environmental sustainability and nutritional health benefits of millets. Factors that have contributed towards favourable attitude towards millet farming were use of communication tools & participation in trainings for information utilization and utilization of media sources to gain knowledge over cultivation and market  trends. 

An efficient indirect somatic embryogenesis protocol for Carica papaya var TNAU Papaya CO.8 was developed using immature zygotic embryos as an explant. Two growth regulators namely 2,4-D and picloram each at 1, 2, 3 mg/L were tested for callus induction and the highest callus induction frequency (83.33%) was observed in MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/L 2,4-D. However the rate of conversion into somatic embryos was highest (63.33%) on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L 2,4-D. Maturation of somatic embryos was studied by using MS medium with different concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) and benzyl amino purine (BAP) along with glutamine (400 mg/L). The maturation of globular embryos was observed to be higher in the combination of ABA (1.5 mg/L), BAP (0.4 mg/L) along with glutamine (400 mg/L). Even though regeneration was observed from cotyledonary stage embryos in presence of different growth regulators like BAP,       α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), phloridzin dehydrate kinetin and gibberellic acid, further growth was not observed due to abnormal regenerative structures. Regeneration of cotyledonary stage somatic embryos were highest (77.4%) in half strength MS medium without growth regulators. The well-developed plantlets with shoots and roots were subsequently transferred for hardening.

Backgrounds: Amaranthus have small lenticular seeds with a curved embryo that surrounds a starchy perisperm and with a seed coat whose color varies among black, brown, yellow and cream-white the present investigation was carried out to analyze the physico-chemical properties and nutritional composition of amaranth.

Methodology: Amaranth grains were procured from the Medicinal Aromatic and Underutilized Plant Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Amaranth flour was assessed for its physico-chemical properties and nutrient composition.

Results: Results on physico-chemical properties revealed that bulk density of amaranth flour was 6.06 g/ml, water absorption capacity 9.40 ml/g and fat absorption capacity 58.16%. Swelling capacity of amaranth was 2.54 ml/g. The results of proximate composition revealed that amaranth flour had 10.33% moisture. 14.29% protein, 5.80% fat, 2.84% ash and 4.91% crude fibre. Albumin, globulin, prolamin and glutelin fractions of amaranth were 9.82, 9.50, 1.42 and 1.28 per cent, respectively. The total, soluble and insoluble dietary fibre content of amaranth was 27.34, 9.40 and 17.95%, respectively. Calcium, zinc, iron and potassium contents were 272.03 mg/100 g, 5.81 mg/100 g, 13.76 mg/100 g and 329.87 mg/100 g, respectively.

Conclusion: It can be concluded from the results of present investigation that amaranth is very good source of protein (14.87%), crude fibre (4.91%), ash (2.84%), dietary fibre (27.34%) and minerals specially calcium (272.03 mg/100 g), iron (13.76 mg/100 g) and potassium (329.87 mg/100 g). Amaranth, a pseudo cereal rich in nutrients can be utilized in preparation of traditional products.

In this paper, the tensile and strain-controlled cyclic deformation behavior of a ferritic stainless steel which is developed for the exhaust manifold of automobiles is evaluated experimentally at different temperatures. The effect of temperature on monotonic tensile responses such as yield strength and ultimate tensile strength and the effect of temperature and strain amplitude on the evolution of peak stress are assessed. The objective of this study is also to reveal the mixed mode of cyclic hardening–softening behavior of the ferritic stainless steel under strain-controlled fatigue test conditions. A parameter, critical accumulated plastic strain, is introduced to the constitutive equations for the material for describing the hardening - softening responses. The nonlinear constitutive equations for describing the cyclic responses are implemented into Finite Element code using determined parameters for obtaining numerical simulation. The stabilized hysteretic responses obtained from experiment and predicted from numerical simulation are compared and found to be realistic.

The experiment was carried out to test the comparative efficacy of various new fungicides in management of powdery mildew disease of garden pea. The results obtained by the concerned study revealed that Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG at a dosage of 350 g/ha was highly effective in controlling powdery mildew disease after 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd spray as compared to other fungicides used followed by Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG @ 300 g/ha and Tebuconazole 250 EC (Tebuconazole 25.9 w/w EC) @ 700 ml/ha.

Aim:The current research aims to map the density and distribution of indigenous cattle population using GIS technique.

Study Design:  Survey research - Cross-sectional.

Place and Duration of Study: Thondamuthur Block, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu State, India. September 2018 to January 2019.

Methodology: A house to house survey was conducted and the locations of farms and households with the indigenous cattle population were geocoded using a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) device. The points generated were used to create density and distribution maps using QGIS 3.4 software and the information collected from the survey.

Results: The study revealed that a total of 21 indigenous breeds were found in the study area out of which 15 breeds were under the descript category and 6 breeds under the non-descript category. In the adult category, the Kangayam breed (descript) was found to be dominant compared to other breeds, occupying 25% of the total indigenous cattle population followed by the non-descript Kongu cattle (19%). Breeds like Hallikar, Kankrej, Umblachery, Tharparkar, and Sahiwal (all descript) occupied 7%, 5%, 4%, 2%, and 2% of the total indigenous cattle population, respectively. The results were similar in the calves category (including heifers) as well, with the Kangayam breed dominating the category with 8% of the total population, followed by the Kongu cattle (7%), Kankrej (2%), Hallikar (1%), Umblachery (1%), Sahiwal (1%), and Gir (1%). The distribution was found to be more concentrated towards the settlements and lower in the individual farms outside the settlements. The reverse scenario was observed with regard to density. Both the density and distribution were found to be least along the village boundaries adjoining the hilly areas.

Conclusion: Spatial distribution and density related information can be effectively utilized in cattle management, policy-making and decision support systems.

Aim:The current research aims to map the density and distribution of indigenous cattle population using GIS technique.

Study Design:  Survey research - Cross-sectional.

Place and Duration of Study: Thondamuthur Block, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu State, India. September 2018 to January 2019.

Methodology: A house to house survey was conducted and the locations of farms and households with the indigenous cattle population were geocoded using a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) device. The points generated were used to create density and distribution maps using QGIS 3.4 software and the information collected from the survey.

Results: The study revealed that a total of 21 indigenous breeds were found in the study area out of which 15 breeds were under the descript category and 6 breeds under the non-descript category. In the adult category, the Kangayam breed (descript) was found to be dominant compared to other breeds, occupying 25% of the total indigenous cattle population followed by the non-descript Kongu cattle (19%). Breeds like Hallikar, Kankrej, Umblachery, Tharparkar, and Sahiwal (all descript) occupied 7%, 5%, 4%, 2%, and 2% of the total indigenous cattle population, respectively. The results were similar in the calves category (including heifers) as well, with the Kangayam breed dominating the category with 8% of the total population, followed by the Kongu cattle (7%), Kankrej (2%), Hallikar (1%), Umblachery (1%), Sahiwal (1%), and Gir (1%). The distribution was found to be more concentrated towards the settlements and lower in the individual farms outside the settlements. The reverse scenario was observed with regard to density. Both the density and distribution were found to be least along the village boundaries adjoining the hilly areas.

Conclusion: Spatial distribution and density related information can be effectively utilized in cattle management, policy-making and decision support systems.

Multiplier onion is among the four groups of onions classified by horticulturists which is propagated through bulbs. Presently onion bulb planting is done manually by planting the root portion oriented downwards as pressed into an irrigated field. Generally about 80-100 man days are required to plant one hectare of onion at a spacing of 15 cm by 10 cm. The manual planting is labour intensive, highly drudgery involved and time consuming. There is need to develop an onion bulb planter possibly with four orientations. Therefore, an experiment was carried at ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru to study the effect of different planting orientations of onion bulb on growth parameter. Onion bulbs were planted on raised bed 45 m long and 0.9 m width at 15 cm row spacing and 10 cm in-row spacing. The four treatments used were viz., T1) root portion up, T2) root portion down, T3) horizontal and T4) inclined. Experiment was laid as a randomized block design with 5 replications. The growth parameters namely i) germination percentage at 7^th and 15^th days after planting, (DAP), ii) Plant height 15^th and 30^th DAP and yield. The results showed that the growth parameters were on par in all the three treatments (root portion down, horizontal and inclined) except in treatment root portion up.

A study was conducted among urban and rural Pre-University College students (16-18 years) who were randomly selected from four science coaching institutes of Dharwad taluk. A quantitative research method involving cross-sectional research design was used.  Under it, firstly, a differential research design was used to know the differences in identity development of urban and rural Dharwad PUC students by their parents education and occupation. A random sample of 10 to 15 per cent were drawn from each class summing up to a total of 156 PUC-I and 156 PUC-II students from Dharwad science coaching institutes. Rural samples comprised of those students, who had completed their school education till Class-10^th in their village and had come for PUC studies in coaching institutes of Dharwad located in urban area. Differential and correlational research designs were used to know the difference and relationship between identity development of PUC students and their parents education and occupation. Dimension of identity development scale was used to assess identity development of PUC students and general information schedule was used to gather basic information about respondents. Chi-square and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. The results of the present study revealed that, father’s education and occupation was not significantly associated with identity development of urban and rural PUC students. However, mother’s education was significantly associated and differed with identity development of urban PUC students. Mother’s occupation was also significantly associatedand differed with identity development of urban and rural PUC students. Thus, there is a need to invest more on quality education of parents which can mitigate poor identity development of PUC students.

A field experiment was carried out during summer season of 2018 at Instructional Farm, Jaguli, BCKV, West Bengal to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and economics in hybrid maize. The treatments were T₁-100% RDF (150:75:75 kg/ha N, P₂O₅ and K₂O) (control), T₂- 75% RDF+ Vermicompost @ 2t/ha, T₃-75% RDF+ Yeast Vinasse @ 2t/ha, T₄-75% RDF+ Vermicompost @ 2t/ha+ soil application of ZnSO₄ @ 25 kg/ha, T₅-75% RDF+ Yeast Vinasse @ 2t/ha+ soil application of ZnSO₄ @ 25 kg/ha, T₆-75% RDF+ Vermicompost @ 2t/ha+ Foliar application of ZnSO₄ @ 0.5% and T₇-75% RDF+ Yeast Vinasse @ 2t/ha+ Foliar application of ZnSO₄ @ 0.5% replicated thrice in RBD. The result of the experiment revealed that application of vermicompost @ 2 t/ha along with 75% RDF and 0.5% foliar application of ZnSO₄ (T₆) exhibited maximum plant height (250.97 cm), LAI (4.58), dry matter accumulation (1680.38 g/m²), number of grains/cob (402.64), cob length (22.34 cm), grain yield (9.04 t/ha), stover yield (13.50 t/ha), net return (Rs.77112/ha), BCR (2.33) and uptake of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O (200.54, 66.45 and 119.12 kg/ha respectively) over application of 100% RDF. However, T₆ was statistically at par with the T₄ and T₇, which produced 8.94 and 8.75 t/ha grains respectively. Therefore, the study concluded that integrated application of vermicompost @ 2 t/ha along with 75% RDF and 0.5% foliar application of ZnSO₄ can be recommended for better grain yield and higher profit of summer maize.

Asiatic citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is identified as a major pest of citrus in subtropical and tropical Asia. Citrus greening disease or Huanglongbing (HLB) is found to be the most serious disease of citrus in the world, causing the highest economic loss. Diaphorina citri Kuwayama is the only known vector of Huanglongbing. Intensive insecticide programs against Asian Citrus Psyllid are generally ineffective for preventing the introduction and spread of Huanglongbing, especially in new plantings. Extensive pesticide applications are causing psyllid resistance and probably damage to bees and beneficial insects. So, it is important to devise Integrated Pest Management schemes that minimize the amount of pesticides applied, especially neonicotinoids and other broad-spectrum materials. An integrated strategy involving both  biological and chemical control tactics is required for sustainable management of the pest to reduce disease spread. Some biological agents which control the D. citri such as lady beetles, lacewings and spiders are all well known as predators. Therefore, the present investigation had been aimed to study the biology and efficacy of various chemicals, both, solely and in combination, viz., Bifenthrin, Lambda cyhalothrin, Azadirachtin (neem oil), Cypermethrin + Profenofos, Deltamethrin + Triazophos and Quinalphos under laboratory conditions against D. citri as management strategies of an insect pest must be based on thorough ecological studies of the concerned insect pest.

The study was carried out to measure the existing motivational climate as perceived by the Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) under Assam Agricultural University (AAU). The study was conducted at the KVKs functioning under the administrative control of the Directorate of Extension Education, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam. Motivational climate as perceived by SMSs was measured by MAO(C) scale developed by Pareek (1981). Findings revealed that the mean score of dependency climate motive (41.69) was the highest among the six motives, followed closely by control climate motive (40.84). These were followed by achievement climate motive (38.73), expert power climate motive (35.52), affiliation climate motive (33.29) and extension climate motive (32.87) in decreasing order of existing motivational climate strength. Hence it could be stated that an overall dependency-control climate existed in the KVKs under AAU, as perceived by the SMSs.

Florpyrauxifen benzyl + cyhalofop butyl is a new combination herbicide product which has proven to control wide range of weed flora. A two year study was planned in the wet and dry seasons of 2015-16 and 2016-17 to evaluate effective dosage of early post-emergence combination herbicide product florpyrauxifen benzyl + cyhalofop butyl (120; 150 and 180 g ha^-1) to manage weeds in aerobic rice and study the residual effect on succeeding maize crop. The results revealed that Barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli) followed by Dinebra retroflexa (viper grass) dominated among the weed flora. The combination product florpyrauxifen benzyl + cyhalofop Butyl 180 g ha^-1 contributed to significantly lower density and dry biomass accumulation by grass and broadleaf weeds as compared to weedy check; however its efficacy was poor on sedges at 60 days after sowing (DAS). Highest weed control efficiency was recorded by florpyrauxifen benzyl + cyhalofop butyl 180 g ha^-1. The highest yield (4100 and 3420 kg ha^-1) was in plots treated with florpyrauxifen benzyl + cyhalofop butyl at 180 g ha^-1 and the lowest yield was in florpyrauxifen benzyl 31.25 g ha^-1 (3280 and 2870 kg ha^-1) followed by bispyribac sodium 25 g ha^-1 (3320 and 2940 kg ha^-1) in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Weed infestation decreased the rice yield by nearly about 69% in 2015 and 72% in 2016. A strong negative relationship between rice yield and weed biomass was seen which explained 87 and 91% variation in grain yield at 30 and 60 DAS. Combination product florpyrauxifen benzyl + cyhalofop butyl at all rates did not have any residual toxic effect on succeeding maize. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that aerobic rice weeds can be controlled by applying early post-emergence application of combination product florpyrauxifen benzyl + cyhalofop butyl 150 to 180 g ha^-1 without any residual toxicity.

Almond is a self–incompatible plant and incompatibility are of the gametophytic type requiring pollen transfer between trees of different cultivars for fruit set. The present investigation was carried out for two consecutive years to evaluate cross-compatibility among selected varieties (three exotic) and selections (six indigenous) of a given segment of almond germplasm. Effective bloom period in the genotypes ranged between 8^th March to 18^th March and 7^th March to 19^th March in Mukhdoom, Shalimar, KD-03, KD-05, KD-06 and 23^rd March to 31^st March and 24^th March to 2^nd April in Pranyaj, Merced, Primorskij and Waris. Fruit set varied with each cross combination, initial fruit-set ranged from 5.55 per cent in Shalimar x KD-03 to 77.77 per cent in Waris x Shalimar in the first year and varied from 11.11 per cent in Merced x Shalimar to 85.71 per cent in Waris x KD-06 in second year. The highest final fruit set of 58.00 per cent was obtained in Merced x KD-05 as compared to lowest fruit set of 1.01 per cent recorded in Shalimar x KD-03 in the first year whereas the final fruit set ranged between 3.23 per cent to 66.00 per cent in Merced x Shalimar and Waris x KD-06 during the second year. Fruit set under open pollination varied from 9.00 to 60.00 per cent among different varieties/selections. No fruit set was observed in any genotype following selfing by bagging. Overall it is observed that the early blooming selections viz. Shalimar, KD-03, KD-05 and KD-06 exhibits maximum compatibility with most of the exotic and indigenous varieties/selections and obtained higher fruit set.