Contract Farming in Potato Production: An Alternative for Managing Risk and Uncertainty

The cost of potato cultivation has been found 17 to 24 per cent higher under contract farming over various costs than under non-contract system, mainly due to high investments on seeds, fertilizers and machine power. Yield has been found 255.78 quintals per ha in the contract farms, which is 8.84 per cent higher over the potato yield obtained from the non-contract farms. Gross income has been Rs 99753 per ha in the contract farms as against Rs 41572 per ha in non-contract system. The sale price of potato has been found much higher (Rs 390/q) for contract than non-contract farms (Rs 177 /q). The net return over operational cost (cost ‘A1’) has been found as Rs 11882 per ha in non-contract farms, which increased more than five-times under contract farming system, it being Rs 62982 per ha. Similarly, the net return has been found five-and-a-half times more in contract than non-contract system over cost C1 (without rental value of the land). The net return over cost C2 has been observed as Rs 51866 per ha for contract farms and only Rs 800 per ha under non-contract system. Benefit-cost ratio on various costs has been found to vary from 1.40 to 1.02 for without contract and from 2.71 and 2.08 for contract farming. The impact of contract farming has been quite visible and remarkably favourable on yield and profitability of potato production at the existing pattern of resource-use and production technology prevalent in the Haryana farming system. The regression analysis has indicated significant influence of manure and fertilizers and human labour on the return of potatoes grown under contract farming situation. MVP-MFC ratios of plant protection, manure-fertilizers and human labour have been found much higher, indicating tremendous scope to increase the profitability in potato production under contract farming situation whereas in the case of non-contract system, irrigation and plant protection have shown sufficient scope to raise the crop income. The yield uncertainty has been less in contract than non-contract potato production. There has been no price uncertainty in the contract farming of potato whereas in the non-contract system, it exits to a large extent due variations in the price of potatoes sold in the market. These findings have clearly underlined the superiority of contract farming over non-contract farming system in potato production.Agricultural and Food Policy,

Model for Polarized and Unpolarized Parton Density Functions in the Nucleon

We present a physical model for polarized and unpolarized structure functions and parton density functions (PDFs) of the proton and the neutron. It reproduces the data on F_2^p(x,Q^2) for 0.00001<x<1 and 2.5<Q^2<5000 GeV^2, F_2^p(x)-F_2^n(x), F_2^n(x)/F_2^p(x), xg(x), dbar(x)-ubar(x), d(x)/u(x), the Gottfried sum, the fractional momentum of charged partons and the polarized structure functions g_1^{p,n}(x), at various Q^2. We present for the first time, proton and neutron PDFs which do not assume charge symmetry. Contrary to the common practice, we explain polarized and unpolarized data with a single model.Comment: version to appear in Phys. Lett. B; a note added at the end of the paper; no other change; latex, 10 pages, 4 ps figure

A LITERARY REVIEW ON MERCURY W.S.R. TO ITS MEDICINAL ASPECT

Rasasastra is a branch of Ayurvedic medicine dealing with metals and minerals having higher therapeutic efficacy. Recent world wide discussions on hazardous nature of Mercury have led to the global ban on Mercury through Minamata Convention. This is a crisis situation for Ayurveda as Parada (Mercury) is the heart of Rasasastra. An attempt has been made to educate the readers regarding the medicinal aspects of Mercury. Rasasastra texts starting from Rasendra mangalam to Rasatrangini have been analyzed for relevant verses regarding Mercurial formulations with respect to its disease curing property. Mercury has qualities similar to ambrosia. Mercurial medications prepared from purified Mercury can readily treat even Asadhya rogas (incurable diseases). Purified Mercury samples were tested for their therapeutic efficacy through alchemy. A systematic classification regarding types of Mercury, their impurities and purification procedures are mentioned after extensive research in Rasasastra. Method of intake, Pathya (wholesome), Apathya (unwholesome), complications during Mercurial medication have been cited in classical verses. Paribhasha (definitions) regarding basics of Rasasastra have been described for better understanding of Mercurial processes. Procedures like Jarana (digestion), Astadasa samskara (eighteen purification procedures), Dhruti (stable liquid metal), Satwapatana (extracting the essence), Bandhana, etc have been elaborately described in the texts, but their techniques are still unclear in practical aspect. A special clause should be created for the use of Mercury in Ayurvedic medicines with respect to its health benefits and disease curing properties. Also there is a need to intensify research in the field of Rasasastra.

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Not AvailableA field experiment was carried out at Sardarkrushinagar Dantewada Agricultural University (SDAU), during two consecutive winter seasons of 2006-07 and 2007-08 to study effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and biofertilizer on growth dynamics, productivity and nutrient uptake of fenugreek. The experiment consisting of sixteen treatment combinations with two levels each of nitrogen (N) (10 and 20 kg N/ha) and P2O5 (20 and 40 kg P2 O5/ ha) and four levels of seed inoculation with bio-fertilizers (no seed inoculation (control), seed inoculation with Rhizobium alone, seed inoculation with phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) alone and seed inoculation with both Rhizobium+ PSB) was laid in factorial randoblized block design (FRBD) with three replications. Application of 20 kg N and 40 kg P2 O5/ha significantly increased dry matter accumulation per plant (DMA), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) at all the growth stages as well as seed yield, straw yield, net return, benefit cost ratio (BCR) and, N, P and K uptake by crop over their respective lower levels. Inoculation of seed with both Rhizobium and PSB gave the highest DMA, CGR, RGR and NAR over their sole application as well as control. Seed and straw yield as well as, net return, BCR and, N, P and K uptake by crop was also recorded significantly higher with Rhizobium + PSB seed inoculation followed by Rhizobium alone. Thus, higher seed and straw yield as well as net return and BCR of fenugreek can be realised with the application of 20 kg N/ha, 40 kg P2O5 / ha and seed inoculation with Rhizobium and PSB both.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableA field experiment was carried out at Sardarkrushinagar Dantewada Agricultural University (SDAU), during two consecutive winter seasons of 2006-07 and 2007-08 to study effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and biofertilizer on growth dynamics, productivity and nutrient uptake of fenugreek. The experiment consisting of sixteen treatment combinations with two levels each of nitrogen (N) (10 and 20 kg N/ha) and P2O5 (20 and 40 kg P2 O5/ ha) and four levels of seed inoculation with bio-fertilizers (no seed inoculation (control), seed inoculation with Rhizobium alone, seed inoculation with phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) alone and seed inoculation with both Rhizobium+ PSB) was laid in factorial randoblized block design (FRBD) with three replications. Application of 20 kg N and 40 kg P2 O5/ha significantly increased dry matter accumulation per plant (DMA), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) at all the growth stages as well as seed yield, straw yield, net return, benefit cost ratio (BCR) and, N, P and K uptake by crop over their respective lower levels. Inoculation of seed with both Rhizobium and PSB gave the highest DMA, CGR, RGR and NAR over their sole application as well as control. Seed and straw yield as well as, net return, BCR and, N, P and K uptake by crop was also recorded significantly higher with Rhizobium + PSB seed inoculation followed by Rhizobium alone. Thus, higher seed and straw yield as well as net return and BCR of fenugreek can be realised with the application of 20 kg N/ha, 40 kg P2O5 / ha and seed inoculation with Rhizobium and PSB both.Not Availabl

Effect of VAM fungi and bacterial biofertilizers on mulberry leaf quality and silkworm cocoon characters under semiarid conditions

The influence of VAM fungi and bacterial biofertilizer (BBF) with 50% reduction in the recommended dose of (N and P) chemical fertilizers on leaf quality traits of mulberry variety (S-13) and its impact on silkworm (PM ? NB4D2) growth and cocoon characters were studied under semi-arid conditions. Four different treatments were imposed i.e., T1: Control (only 100% NPK); T2: VAM (50% cut in P); T3: BBF (50% cut in N) and T4: BBF and VAM (50% cut in N and P). The results revealed that reduction (50%) in the dose of chemical fertilizers in T2, T3 and T4 did not affected the leaf quality traits or cocoon parameters, this may be due to the effect of microbial inoculants in these treatments, which had efficiently regulated the normal growth, metabolism and physiological activity in plants. Among the three-biofertilizer treatments, leaf quality, silkworm growth and cocoon parameters were found improved in T4 and was on par with T1 control. The dual inoculation (T4) proved economical and beneficial with regard to saving of 50 % cost of chemical fertilizers and improvement in soil fertility, leaf quality and cocoon parameters, thus this technology can be recommended to sericulture

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted during 2008-09 and 2009-10 post-rainy seasons at Navsari, Gujarat to evaluate the effects of land configuration, fertilizers and farm yard manure (FYM) application on productivity, water use efficiency, nutrient uptake, soil fertility status and the economics of green gram ( Vigna radiata L.) cultivation. The raised bed method of planting was found superior as was evident from significant increase in growth and yield attributes, grain (0.93 t/ha) and stover yield (2.27 t/ha), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake, net returns ( 37.6 × 103/ha) and B:C ratio (3.9) and decrease in plant mortality percent. Application of 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (20 kg/ha) and phosphorus (40 kg P2O5/ha) recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes, grain and stover yield, IWUE, NPK uptake, available NPK in the soil, net returns and B:C ratio over the application of 75% of recommended dose of N and P. Similarly, the application of FYM at 5t/ha recorded statistically higher growth and yield attributes, grain and stover yield, IWUE, NPK uptake, available NPK in the soil after harvest, net returns and B:C ratio and decrease in plant mortality percent over no FYM application.Not Availabl

The Theory of Brown Dwarfs and Extrasolar Giant Planets

Straddling the traditional realms of the planets and the stars, objects below the edge of the main sequence have such unique properties, and are being discovered in such quantities, that one can rightly claim that a new field at the interface of planetary science and and astronomy is being born. In this review, we explore the essential elements of the theory of brown dwarfs and giant planets, as well as of the new spectroscopic classes L and T. To this end, we describe their evolution, spectra, atmospheric compositions, chemistry, physics, and nuclear phases and explain the basic systematics of substellar-mass objects across three orders of magnitude in both mass and age and a factor of 30 in effective temperature. Moreover, we discuss the distinctive features of those extrasolar giant planets that are irradiated by a central primary, in particular their reflection spectra, albedos, and transits. Aspects of the latest theory of Jupiter and Saturn are also presented. Throughout, we highlight the effects of condensates, clouds, molecular abundances, and molecular/atomic opacities in brown dwarf and giant planet atmospheres and summarize the resulting spectral diagnostics. Where possible, the theory is put in its current observational context.Comment: 67 pages (including 36 figures), RMP RevTeX LaTeX, accepted for publication in the Reviews of Modern Physics. 30 figures are color. Most of the figures are in GIF format to reduce the overall size. The full version with figures can also be found at: http://jupiter.as.arizona.edu/~burrows/papers/rm

Genome-wide association and Mendelian randomisation analysis provide insights into the pathogenesis of heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A small proportion of HF cases are attributable to monogenic cardiomyopathies and existing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have yielded only limited insights, leaving the observed heritability of HF largely unexplained. We report results from a GWAS meta-analysis of HF comprising 47,309 cases and 930,014 controls. Twelve independent variants at 11 genomic loci are associated with HF, all of which demonstrate one or more associations with coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation, or reduced left ventricular function, suggesting shared genetic aetiology. Functional analysis of non-CAD-associated loci implicate genes involved in cardiac development (MYOZ1, SYNPO2L), protein homoeostasis (BAG3), and cellular senescence (CDKN1A). Mendelian randomisation analysis supports causal roles for several HF risk factors, and demonstrates CAD-independent effects for atrial fibrillation, body mass index, and hypertension. These findings extend our knowledge of the pathways underlying HF and may inform new therapeutic strategies