Effect of Foliar Application of Various Micronutrients on Fruit Yield and Quality Attributes of Guava

The present investigation “Effect of foliar application of various micronutrients on fruit yield and quality attributes of Guava (Psidium guajava) cv. Allahabad safeda” was undertaken at Central Research Field, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Prayagraj (UP) during 2022-2023. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 10 treatment combinations viz, T0 (Control), T1 (FeSO4) 0.4%, T2 (ZnSO4) 0.5%, T3 (H3BO3) 0.4%, T4 (KNO3) 3%, T5 (FeSO4) 0.4% + (ZnSO4) 0.5%, T6 (ZnSO4) 0.5% + (KNO3) 3%, T7 (KNO3) 3% + (FeSO4) 0.4%, T8 (H3BO3) 0.4% + (KNO3) 3%, T9 (FeSO4) 0.2% + (ZnSO4) 0.25% + H3BO3 (0.2%) +(KNO3) 1.5% with three replications. The main objective of the experiment was to find out the effect of various levels of micronutrients on yield and quality of guava and to estimate the economics of various treatments. From the present investigation treatment T9 (FeSO4) 0.2% + (ZnSO4) 0.25% + (H3BO3) 0.2% +(KNO3) 1.5%, performed best in terms of yield parameters, (fruit weight (130.45g), fruit length (7.93cm), fruit diameter (7.28cm), fruit yield per tree (42.10 kg) and quality parameters T.S.S (10.230Brix), Acidity (0.38%), Ascorbic acid (150.03mg/100g), Total sugars (7.86%) of Guava. However, highest B: C ratio was found in Treatment T5 (FeSO4 (0.4%) +ZnSO4 (0.5%) with 4.61

Influence of Intra-Household Gender Dynamics on Household Vulnerability to Climate Change: Empirical Evidence from Tripura State of North-East India

Aim: The study aims to determine how intra-household gender dynamics affect women’s vulnerability to climate change at the household level in the West Tripura district. Study Design: The study followed an ex-post facto research design, with data collected through a survey and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the West Tripura district of Tripura which is the most vulnerable district to climate change. Primary data were collected from April to June 2023. Methodology: Through multistage sampling, a total of 60 households were selected for the study of which 49 were male-headed households and 11 female-headed. All male-headed households had both a primary man and a primary woman member; whereas the female-headed households had only a primary woman member. Therefore, a total of 49 primary men and 60 primary women were selected which resulted in a total number of 109 respondents for the present study. For calculating the Household Livelihood Vulnerability Score (HLVS) of the individual, the components of the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) approach were adapted with necessary modifications to suit local context.   Results: There was a greater number of households where only the primary men had adequacy in the selected empowerment variables while there was a comparatively lesser incidence of women achieving adequacy. The annual household income of male-headed households was higher than the female-headed households by 30.38 %. The contribution of women in the household income of male-headed households averaged just 9.65 %. Variables such as income of primary women, primary women's contribution to household income, and household head had a positive and significant relationship with the HLVS at a 1 percent level of significance. Women-headed households had significantly higher HLVS than men-headed households across all the selected empowerment variables. Conclusion: The findings revealed a significant impact of intra-household gender dynamics on households’ vulnerability to climate change, implying that any vulnerability reduction approaches such as gender-inclusive climate action should address this dimension in the future

Effect of Climate on Physiological and Quality Parameters of Kinnow Mandarin under North Western Himalayan Region

Climatic factors are normally important in the development, yield and quality of fruits leading to commercial value. A field experiment was executed to evaluate the impact of weather parameter on physiological aspect and quality aspect of Kinnow mandarin, these were subjected to drip-irrigation starting from the first year of planting. Results showed positive correlationof peel per cent, peels thickness and pulp percent of kinnow mandarin fruit with minimum temperature and rainfall at K4 stage while evaporation was the only climatic factor that showed positive correlation withpeel per cent and pulp per cent of kinnow mandarin fruit at K4 stage. Similarly maximum and minimum of both temperature at K1 and K3 stage along with relative humidity at K1stage positively favour the content of number ofseed per kinnow mandarin fruit moreover evaporationalso exhibited a positive effect on number of seed per kinnow mandarin fruit at K2 and K3 stage.Stock: Scion ratio were found positively influence by only evaporation at K4 stage

Optimum Sowing Time and Suitable Cultivars for Seed Quality Parameters of Soybean (Glycine max L.) during Off-Season in Northern Telangana Zone

Aims: To identify the optimum sowing time and suitable varieties of soybean for quality of soybean during the off-season in the Northern Telangana Agroclimatic zone of Telangana state in India. Study Design:  Strip plot design with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: The Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Rudrur, Nizamabad District, Telangana state, India, between October 2022 and June 2023. Methodology: The field experiment was conducted in medium clay loam soil under irrigated condition. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with three varieties viz., JS 335 (V1), ASB 22 (V2) and KDS 726 (V3) as horizontal strips and nine dates of sowings (16 days interval) viz., 3 Oct (D1), 19 Oct (D2), 3 Nov (D3), 19 Nov (D4), 3 Dec (D5) 19 Dec (D6), 3 Jan (D7), 19 Jan (D8) and 3 Feb (D9) as vertical strips, replicated thrice. The seeds were sown by dibbling at 5 cm apart within the row and rows were space at 45 cm apart. Standard recommended package of practice of kharif season suggested by PJTSAU was followed. The data on seed quality parameters were recorded by placing 100 seeds of 3 replications in paper towels and field. Results: The results of the experiment revealed that, the seeds of cv. JS 335 and cv. KDS 726 collected from D2 recorded the highest values of germination %, seed vigour index-I and seed vigour index-II which was tested at 1 week after harvest, 1 month after harvest and in June month. Whereas, the seeds of cv. ASB 22 in D1 maintained higher germination%, seed vigour index-I and seed vigour index-II across the time interval of testing from 1 week after harvest to June month. The field emergence test in June month results showed that, the seeds of cv. JS 335, ASB 22 and KDS 726 produced with 3 Jan, 3 Nov and 19 Nov sowings, respectively recorded highest number of seed emergence at 3rd, 4th, 7th and 14th day of count.  Conclusion: The soybean cv. ASB 22 sown in the first week of Oct was found to be suitable for producing high quality seeds during the off season

Greenhouse Gas Emissions during Windrow Composting and Open-Air Dumping of Pig Manure with Added Wood Shavings

Aims: To evaluate GHG emissions from two common manure management practices in Cameroon; windrow composting and Open-air dumping with and without the addition of wood shavings. Study design: The research employed a controlled experimental design with a comparative approach. Place and Duration of Study: Waste-to-resource project site and project laboratory of the Department of Environmental Science of the University of Buea, Cameroon between February and March 2023. Methodology: Fresh pig manure was treated in four configurations: 100% manure subjected to windrow composting, 100% manure subjected to open-air dumping, 90:10% manure: wood shavings subjected to windrow composting, and 90: 10% manure: wood shavings subjected to open-air dumping. Gas samples were collected every next morning at 10:00 AM over a period of 40 days using the static flux chamber method, and analyzed for CH₄, N₂O, and CO₂ emissions using gas chromatography. Results: Results showed that adding wood shavings significantly reduced CH₄ and N₂O emissions across both composting and open-air dumping systems. CH₄ emissions were highest in stockpiled 100% manure (2.152 ± 1.741 mg CH₄ m² min⁻¹) and lowest in composted manure with wood shavings (0.085 ± 0.179 mg CH₄ m² min⁻¹). N₂O emissions followed a similar trend, with the highest emissions (131.3 ± 90.4 mg N₂O m² min⁻¹) recorded in stockpiled 100% manure, compared to the lowest (35.25 ± 43.50 mg N₂O m² min⁻¹) in stockpiled manure with wood shavings. CO₂ emissions were higher in treatments with wood shavings, particularly in composting (159.2 ± 70.8 mg CO₂ m² min⁻¹). Further statistical analyses confirmed significant differences in GHG emissions among the different treatments, with windrow composting consistently outperforming Open-air dumping in reducing CH₄ and N₂O emissions. Conclusion: The study concluded that wood shavings addition and windrow composting practices significantly reduced GHG emissions from pig manure management in tropical settings

Acute Toxicity of Mancozeb (fungicide) on Juvenile Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio var. communis)

Pesticides, particularly fungicides like Mancozeb (MZ), are extensively used in agriculture for controlling fungal pathogens, but their persistence in environmental systems poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems. This study investigates the acute toxicity of Mancozeb on juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. communis) by assessing its effects through a 96-hour static bioassay. The study determined the median lethal concentration (LC50) values of Mancozeb at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Water quality parameters during the bioassay remained stable, ensuring the reliability of the toxicity test. Results indicated that the LC50 values for Mancozeb decreased with increased exposure time, with values of 16.940, 13.615, 9.886, and 8.764 ppm at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, respectively, highlighting a concentration-dependent increase in fish mortality. The findings suggest that Mancozeb exhibits moderate toxicity to juvenile common carp with increased mortality over prolonged exposure. The study bridges the knowledge gap regarding the ecological impact of Mancozeb, emphasizing the importance of safe pesticide practices to mitigate risks to aquatic biodiversity and human consumers reliant on fisheries

Flood Risk and Resilience: Evidence from the 2024 Flood in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Flooding poses a critical threat to rapidly urbanizing areas in the Global South, where climate variability and inadequate infrastructure intensify vulnerability. Maiduguri, Nigeria, offers a salient case study, as demonstrated by the 2024 flood, one of the most severe in the city's recorded history. This study triangulates qualitative interviews and quantitative rainfall data (1992–2024) to examine three dimensions of the disaster: (1) repercussions on infrastructure, livelihoods, and marginalized populations; (2) the influence of shifting rainfall patterns on flood severity; and (3) the efficacy of preparedness and response strategies. Results highlight an upward trend in seasonal rainfall (Sen's Slope: 10.27 mm/year) and a Rainfall Anomaly Index of 3.07 2024, confirming the intensification of extreme precipitation events. The flood displaced over 157,000 residents, disproportionately disrupting lives of women, children, and the elderly, highlighting systemic inequalities. Delayed infrastructure maintenance and suboptimal early warning systems were key amplifiers of flood impact. These findings emphasize the need for climate-informed urban planning, reinforced infrastructure resilience, and comprehensive disaster-management protocols. This study enriches scholarly discourse on adapting to and mitigating climate-induced disasters in rapidly expanding urban contexts throughout the Global South

Assessing Climate Change Resilience in Central Indian Agriculture: A Regional Indicators-based Approach and Agro-climatic Zone Mapping

Climate change has adversely hampered the agricultural economy of India, especially central India. To get insight into the present level of climate change resilience in Central India (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Southern UP) a composite climate change resilience capacity index (CCRCI) was developed for selected 102 districts using 50 climatic, soil, crop, livestock and socio-economic indicators in agriculture. Mann- Kendall non-parametric trend analysis was employed to evaluate long-term climatic trends (kharif 1981- summer 2023) for key climatic indicators like daily average temperature, precipitation, relative humidity and root zone soil wetness. Standard methodologies of index development like normalisation and principal component analysis (PCA) for weight assignment were executed. After developing CCRCI, agro-climatic zone-wise mapping was done for all the selected districts. Results revealed that Maharashtra had the largest number of high climate-resilience districts, followed by Madhya Pradesh with a mix of resilience levels in Chhattisgarh and Southern UP showing significant gaps in climate preparedness. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions in low-resilience districts, particularly in agro-climatic Zones VII (Eastern Plateau and Hills Region) and IX (Western Plateau and Hills Region), where climate exposure and limited adaptability pose significant risks to agriculture. This mapping highlights the diversity of challenges and opportunities in central India, offering a framework for region-specific climate change resilience planning

The Impact of Climate Change on the U.S. Insurance Industry and Means of Prevention

This research paper examines climate change's effects on the U.S. insurance sector from 1980 to 2023. The paper suggested that to alleviate the effects of climate change, insurers and insurance regulators must improve openness and accountability in their climate risk management and encourage firms to handle climate risks effectively. Furthermore, they must elucidate the appropriate management of climate risk and instruct examiners on circumventing blue-lining, which complicates families' access to affordable insurance and other financial services, thus hindering their capacity to recuperate from the impacts of climate change. Finally, they should select an appropriate external financial services provider, to assess the insurer's operational practices, financial reporting, internal controls, and the general condition of the industry to detect potential risks. then, the service provider devises strategies centered on high-risk insurance categories, ensuring enough field testing to mitigate the risks associated with climate change

Enhancing Jamun cv. Goma Priyanka Growth and Stress Resilience through Foliar Humic Acid and Potassium Silicate Application

The present research focuses on an important knowledge deficit concerning the foliar reaction of Jamun cv. Goma Priyanka to the application of humic acid (HA) and potassium silicate (KS), emphasizing its growth and physiological functions. Humic acid promotes the production and equilibrium of phytohormones such as auxins and cytokinins, facilitating cell division, elongation, and differentiation, which in turn enhances plant development. The present investigation was carried out at the Fruit Instructional Farm of College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar, the study underscores the effectiveness of the T15 treatment, which combines potassium silicate and HA at elevated doses, in enhancing leaf relative humidity, chlorophyll content, stress tolerance, and overall plant vitality