An experiment was conducted during Kharif 2012 and 2013, at Agricultural Research Station, Dhadesugur, University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Raichur, Karnataka, India, to evaluate the phytotoxicity and bio-efficacy of pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP (5, 10, 15 and 20g a.i./ha as spray) against the weeds in transplanted rice. Sprays of Saathi (Market Sample) @ 15g a.i./ha, Pretilachlor 50% EC @ 500 ml a.i/ha, hand weeding at 15 and 40 days after planting (weed free check) and a weedy check (untreated check) were also maintained. The dominant weeds were Echinochloa colona, Panicum repens, Cynodon doctylon, Ludwigia parviflora, Leptochloa chinensis and Cyperus sp . Application of pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20g a.i./ha was most effective in controlling the associated weeds and increasing the grain yield of rice without any phytotoxic effect.

An experiment was carried out during 2013 and 2014 in deep black soil to study the effect of castor de-oiled cake and inorganic fertil - izers on growth, yield and economics of rice ( Oryza sativa L) at ARS, Dhadesugoor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Kar - nataka. Pooled data revealed that, application of 100 percent recommended dose of NPK and Zn + 1000 kg castor de-oiled cake per hectare recorded significantly higher filled grains per panicle, grain and straw yield (182, 5.89 and 7.54 t/ha, respectively) and it was on par with the application of 100 percent recommended dose of NPK and Zn + 750 kg castor de-oiled cake per hectare (177.9, 5.75 and 7.35 t/ha, respectively), and application of 100 percent recommended dose of NPK and Zn + 500 kg castor de-oiled cake per hect - are (176.9, 5.72 and 7.22 t/ha, respectively). Whereas, application of only 100 percent recommended dose of NPK and Zn per hectare recorded significantly lower number of filled grains per panicle, grain and straw yield (157.3, 4.56 and 5.78 t/ha, respectively).

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2014 at the Main Agricultural Research Station, UAS, Dharwad to study the influence of bio-priming on field performance and yield in maize hybrid GH-0727. The treatments imposed are Control, KH2 PO4 (1%), Azospirillum brasilense (10%), Azospirillum brasilense (20%), Pseudomonas striata (10%), Pseudomonas striata (20%), Azospirillum brasilense(10%) +KH2 PO4 (1%), Azospirillum brasilense (20%) + KH2 PO4 (1%), Pseudomonas striata (10%) +KH2 PO4 (1%) and Pseudomonas striata (20%) + KH2 PO4 (1%). The results of the investigation revealed that among the bio-priming treatments Azospirillum brasilense (20%) recorded significantly higher field emergence (96.3%), plant height at harvest (210 cm), minimum number of days to 50 percent tasseling and silking (53 and 57.33 respectively) and yield (68.28 q/ha). The yield parameters like cob length, cob girth, number of rows per cob, number of seeds per row and yield per plant were higher with Azospirillum brasilense (20%), which was on par with Pseudomonas striata (20%) and minimum was recorded with non primed control. The study indicated that seed bio- priming with Azospirillum brasilense (20%) significantly enhanced the crop growth, performance and yield as compared to control. The study indicated that the bio-priming with Azospirillum brasilense (20%) increased the yield by 22.8 per cent which was on par with Pseudomonas striata (20%).

The knowledge test was developed to measure the knowledge of dairy farmers. In all 125 items were initially constructed on the basis of promoting thinking rather than root memorization and differentiate the well informed dairy farmers from the poorly informed ones. The scores from sample respondents were subjected to item analysis, comprising of item difficulty index & item discrimination index. In the final selection, the scale consisted of 50 items with difficulty index ranging from 30-80 and discrimination index ranging from 0.30 to 0.55. The reliability of the knowledge test developed was tested by split half and test-retest method. The coefficient of correlation values in split half & test retest methods were 0.85 & 0.76 respectively which were found to be significant at 1% level. It was found that knowledge test constructed was highly stable & dependable for measurement.

The primary ingredients of poultry diets are of plant origin especially from seed part of plants. The Non-Starch Polysaccharides (NSP) in plants viz. cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectins, glucans and arabinoxylans affect nutritive values of feed ingredients in many ways [1]. One of the primary reasons is the NSP compounds cannot be digested by chicken due to lack of NSP hydrolyzing enzymes. Dietary NSP inhibits digestion of starch, fat and protein [2] and amount of emulsified lipids. NSP enzymes break the NSP of plant cell wall and release the en - trapped nutrients into the gut [3]. Review of literature reveals that the combination of Lysophospholipids along with exogenous enzymes complex have positive effects on nutrients digestibility and absorption which is reflected on feed efficiency and production performance [4]. Based on that, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of combination of exogenous enzymes with lysophospholipids (Nu - triKEM L dry) on production performance in White Leghorn Layers.

A study was conducted with three chickpea genotypes Pusa 256 (National Check-North Zone, recommended for late planting), RSG 888 (West Zone, drought tolerant) and JG 11(South Zone, recommended for early planting and rainfed cultivation) to study the effect of high temperature stress on various biochemical parameters (antioxidant enzymes and protein profile). A polypeptide of approximately 40 kDa was observed in all the three genotypes in response to heat stress. In addition two polypeptides of approximately 24 and 68 kDa were found to be differentially expressed in response to heat stress in RSG 888 only. In all the chickpea genotypes high temperature stress also showed increased activity of antioxidant enzymes such as POX, GR, and SOD. RSG 888 possessed better seedling growth parameters under high temperature as compared to Pusa 256 and JG11.

Signaling molecules (hormones, growth regulators, proteins, amino acids, nucleotides, etc.) are essential for the growth, development and adaptation of plants, as well as for the activation of their antioxidant responses to a number of environmental stress factors such as extreme temperatures, light, drought, salinity, heavy metals, herbicides, pathogens and others [1-3]. The study of their impact on plants is becoming more relevant in view of progressive climate changes and increasing pollution worldwide. Recognition of the stress stimulus by cell membrane receptors induces in the cell a signaling cascade leading to the triggering of specific defense responses. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in clarifying the role of signaling molecules in plant adaptation and protection mechanisms against environmental stress. As agriculture needs to produce more and be environmentally friendly, crop models are used to support agronomists and to overcome current and future challenges for agriculture.

An experiment was carried out during Kharif 2013 and 2014 in deep black soil to study the Impact of biovita on growth, yield and economics of rice ( Oryza sativa L) at ARS, Dhadesugr, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka. Pooled data revealed that, panicle length was not significantly influenced by different rate of biovita application. However, Significantly higher grain yield (6491 kg/ha) and straw yield (7787 kg/ha) were recorded in the treatment applied with biovita granule at 12.5 kg within 10 days after transplanting + first spray of biovita liquid at 500 ml at tillering (30 DAP) + second spray of biovita liquid at 750 ml at panicle initiation (60 DAP) + third spray of biovita liquid at 750 ml at grain filling stage (75 DAP) and which was onpar with the application of biovita granule at 10.0 kg within 10 days after transplanting + first spray of biovita liquid at 500 ml at tillering (30 DAP) + second spray of biovita liquid at 750 ml at panicle initiation (60 DAP) + third spray of biovita at 750 ml at grain filling stage (6339 kg/ha and 7586 kg/ha, respectively) and application of biovita granule at 7.5 kg within 10 days after transplanting + first spray of biovita liquid at 500 ml at tillering (30 DAP) + second spray of biovita liquid at 750 ml at panicle initiation (60 DAP) + third spray of biovita liquid at 750 ml at grain filling stage (5913 kg/ha and 7376 kg/ha, respectively). Whereas, application of only recommended dose of fertilizer recorded significantly lower grain yield (5087 kg/ha) and straw yield (6050 kg/ha) compared to other treatments.

The analysis of variance revealed considerable genetic diversity among elite genotypes of M. charantia for aggregate effect of most of the characters studied. Among the genotypes evaluated, MC 9 was the earliest to emerge, MC 1 was the most vigorous registering the highest values for vine length and MC 20 for internodal length. Significantly maximum number of primary branches was recorded by MC 32 and was the earliest to harvest. Maximum fruit length, fruit girth, average fruit weight and yield per plant were recorded in MC 20. Highest number of fruits per plant was recorded in MC 10. MC 32 had higher number of seeds per fruit while MC 24 recorded higher seed weight. Minimum fruit fly infestation and mosaic incidence was observed in MC 33.

Erosion is a limitation to agricultural practices in the rainforest zones of Africa. Research shows that almost 30% of farm produce in the affected areas is lost to erosion. Common methods of erosion control methods had been discovered and practiced by modern farmers and rural farmers through the efforts of the Agricultural extension workers. Some of the erosion control methods include plating cover crops, terracing, ridging, crop rotation, contour farming and lots more. This research work investigated the best erosion control method out of contour farming and terracing. Improved maize varieties was planted on prepared contour and terraced farmland of the same dimension of (6m x 6m) at the teaching and research farm of the department of Agricultural science, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria. The primary growth rate of the maize plants was measured and recorded weekly from the time of germination to the time of fruiting. The number of maize seed per farmland was also taken at the end of the harvest. The result of the experiment that took ten weeks to reach completion clearly shows that terracing is a better method of erosion control than contour farming with or without the construction of ridges.