The size of a population is different at the various observation posts and the modifying environmental factors are not identical either at all the venues and times of light trapping. Therefore, it is easy to understand that catching the same number of specimens at two different observation posts or at different points of time may stand for varying proportions of the given population. Using rela-tive catch values might solve this problem

The novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus caused a large-scale Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic all over the world. COVID-19 is an infectious disease that spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected per-son coughs or sneezes, and through the touch. The infected person may leave the virus on the surfaces where he/she touches. Social distancing is the only way to restrict the spread is the disease. As a precautionary measure, the boarding colleges vacated its hostels and closed the colleges. It was a sudden decision when students could not get time to collect their study material while going home. The evacuation was indefinite and was totally dependent on the COVID-19 spread. The students were not aware about their syllabus completion, examination and no clear-cut idea of the study. Hence, it was felt necessary to study their psychological condition and preparation of their study during this unfamiliar situation. It was also felt neces-sary to know about their own concept about their preparation in lockdown period. Hence, a online study was conducted through a Google form which was circulated through WhatsApp of students and staff of all colleges under the all four Universities in Maharash-tra. The responses for the same are discussed in the present paper

Entire globe is belligerent with an environmental issue, like cli- mate change, global warming, pollution which cause hazards to the ecology, environment, humans and wildlife. It is our responsibility to protect our ecology, our earth, our nation for future generations. Therefore, there is a strong need to encourage sustainability in our day-to-day life. Our each and every action has as impact on envi-ronment. Starting from your food eating habits to the car you drive. Time has come to retrospect our system and workout the solution to bring-in sustainability in our lifestyle

Today, in the era of 21st century, nothing is out of human reach. Man is ready to buy land on the moon. Science has made magnifi-cent achievements in the field of Plant Biotechnology. Now, it is possible to transfer the characters of animals to plants. This tech-nology is known as gene transfer technology and the crop plants are called as Genetically Modified or GM crops. This technology has been used in a large number of crop plants but the most suc-cessful example in India is Bt Cotton. Initially, Bt cotton increased the income of farmers by reducing the input cost but with the pas-sage of time insects developed resistance against Bt cotton. So, the farmers’ income reduced drastically. So, the question of the hour is- Does India need GM crops or not?

The International Potato Center (CIP) and its partners undertook a 25-30-year study on using potato’s botanical seed as a substi-tute technique of developing potato harvest. The benefits of using botanical or ‘true’ potato seed (TPS) instead of the seed tubers are several. TPS has the potential to appeal to small-scale farmers in underdeveloped nations particularly. In numerous ways, using TPS instead of seed tubers forced developing a new chain of the crop-commodity, needing research in seed processing, breeding, market-ing, and agronomy. Through addressing some critical limits in TPS variety uniformity and earliness, along with seed physiology, this study enabled commercial-scale potato production from TPS. Experimentation and farmer adoption in various regions demonstrated that the technical benefits related to TPS just translated into cost savings over tuber seed, which has been either unavailable or too expensive. TPS is a possible alternative because the economic efficiency of the seed tubers is projected to fluctuate in future. Re-searchers may be able to learn more about the factors which stimulate or inhibit the innovation of the crop technology by looking at how TPS is used in many nations. The study provides an overview of the variety of the disciplines of TPS researches in the CIP, along with information on how the TPS technology is used in a number of advanced nations

The initial objective of the experiment was to evaluate insecticides for the control of rice stalk-eyed flies in Fogera district with two locations, within 3km distance apart from each other. Due to the low insect pest population presence within the current experimental site, it was difficult to collect the data for the initial objective of the experiment (insect population data for insecticides for the stalk-eyed fly control experiment). Hence, the objective of the initial experiment (evaluation insecticides for the control of rice stalk-eyed fly) was reformed to answer, the possible cause of the current field experiment failures (low stalk-eyed insect pest population pres-ence within the experimental site). Most of the data were collected from literature, field experiments, and observation. From our ob-servation, a possible cause for the current experiment failure (low insect pest population presence in the experimental site) perhaps due to the following factors, experimental site temperature, the current study site average monthly temperature in the study year (June to October) was 19.6-20.3oc, this temperature is lower than the stalk-eyed fly suitable temperature for its development. The second reason is perhaps the rice variety tolerance to stalk-eyed fly or preference. The other factor may be the ecological cause, from our field observation the stalked eyed fly was found more densely within the high-water level with the rotten area, but the current ex-perimental site was conducted with no more dirty water, this may be one reason for the low number of stalk-eyed fly population pres-ence. The other possibility may be small number of experimental location with similar environmental condition. Before conducting applied research like the stalk-eyed fly control experiment, insect ecology preference (pure water, water with rotten material), insect suitable temperature, and other environmental parameters should be determined. It is also advised, the experiment should be con-ducted in a controlled environment, to avoid the above-motioned kinds of uncontrolled experimental error. It is also recommended that the experiment should be conducted with more experimental locations, which are found in different environmental conditions

Background: The nutritive potential of soybean is limited by the presence of an absorption inhibitor – phytic acid. Development of low-phytate soybean has been envisioned; but, limited variations in the gene pool and the regulatory hurdles have handicapped this process. The present study uses type II CRISPR/Cas9 system for precise editing of GmIPK2 (inositol polyphosphate 6-/3-/5-kinase). Methodology: Single guide RNA (sgRNA) sequences were designed and validated for their efficiency by using various webtools (CRISPR-scan, RNA fold server, and Cas-OFFinder). A single binary vector carrying the guide RNA and Cas9 cassette was designed and expressed transiently in soybean leaf discs by using AGRODATE (Agrobacterium-mediated Disc Assay for Transient Expression) method to edit the GmIPK2 gene. We observed deletions of 2 to 5 nucleotides in the target region of the analyzed leaf discs; thus, validating efficacy of the construct in vivo. Stable transformation of soybean with Cas9/gRNA-GmIPK2 construct was also carried out. Conclusion: The experimental sensitivity resulting from sgRNA efficiency is a major hurdle in successful CRISPR/Cas9-based ge-nome editing. Employing multiple webtools and use of transient expression assays as depicted in this study can speed-up the CRIS-PR/Cas9 based editing in recalcitrant crops like soybean

The popularity of hobby gardens has been increasing in recent years. This study focuses on hobby gardens at Sivas Cumhuriyet University in Turkey. The total number of parcels established is 80 at Sivas Cumhuriyet University Hobby Gardens. Employees of Sivas Cumhuriyet University use the hobby gardens. In the hobby garden, users mostly deal with soil and have a picnic. Products grown in hobby gardens are grown for the users’ own needs, not for profit. For this reason, hobby gardens are in great demand at Sivas Cumhuriyet University. Among those who use Sivas Cumhuriyet University Hobby Gardens, there are those who do not know enough about growing agricultural products. These people receive assistance from neighboring hobby gardens. It is observed that neighbor-ing garden users also provide the necessary assistance. In this case, it shows the contribution of Sivas Cumhuriyet University Hobby Gardens on social solidarity

Ethiopia is rich country in floral and faunal biodiversity resources. Due to this fact the country is among the Vavilovian centers of origin and diversity for different cultivable plant species including bottle gourd. Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is a white flow- ered running or climbing vine which is categorized under the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). It has diversified uses in dish prepara-tion, as an ingredient in medicine and raw material for making of decoration and utensils and cultural musical instrument. Its Jiuce is utilized as medicine to treat different diseases like flatulence, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, liver diseases, and as a diuretic. The fruit edible part is light source of ascorbic acid, beta carotene and good source of vitamin B complex, pectin dietary soluble fibers and contains highest source of choline level-a lipotropic factor, a healer of mental disorders, along with required metabolic and metabo-lite precursors for brain function, amongst any other vegetable crops

Severity of groundnut rust disease caused by pathogen Puccinia arachidis Speg was studied over eight kharif seasons between 2010 and 2020 at Junagadh located in hot semi-arid eco region under agro climatic zone of Gujarat plains and hills. Rust severity was measured on five cultivars (GG 20, GJG 22, TG 37A, TLG 45 and Western 66) grown during three sowing periods (May II fortnight, first and second fortnights of June). Climatic variability for the kharif period of groundnut cultivation was quantified for three climatic variables viz., temperature (maximum and minimum) and rainfall so as to relate to rust severity. The rust progressions in respect of seasons aggregated over cultivars and sowing time on calendar and crop age basis indicated varying duration and severity of the dis- ease. Mean rust severity differed significantly across seasons, cultivars and sowing periods. The rust severity was significantly higher in 2011, GJG 22 and June (both first and second fortnight) sowings, respectively. Although the progression of rust severity varied oncalendar as well as crop age basis amongst cultivars, the disease commencement in respect of sowing times was during 34th standard meteorological week (third week of August) coinciding with crop age of eight weeks. Magnitude climatic variability worked out for kharif of 2011-2020 over long term normals (40 years’ average) indicated a significant change in respect of maximum temperature (+ 0.7 °C) and rainfall (+16.9 mm/week). The significant impact of climatic variability on rust severity over seasons indicated positive and negative association of the unchanging minimum temperature and increasing rainfall, respectively. Climate variability impacts on rust severity brought out CJG 22 and TLG 45 as climate resilient cultivars, and sowing groundnut during second fortnight of May as an adaptive practice for recommendation to farmers under the current climate change scenario