The study evaluates the agro-morphological performance of F4 Multi-parent Advanced Generation Inter-cross derivatives in post-rainy season sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) at the regional station, Solapur, Maharashtra, during 2023-24. Utilizing a Randomized Block Design, 25 successful multi-parent cross combinations derived from 18 diverse founder lines were assessed for 11 quantitative traits. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant genetic differences (P<0.01) across all traits, including substantial selection potential within the population. The F4 population achieved remarkable genetic gains over parental means, specifically in grain weight (97.25%), panicle weight (89.54%), and fodder weight (63.40%), while successfully maintaining the early maturity essential for moisture stressed rabi environments. High broad-sense heritability (h2>80%) was observed for all traits, with grain weight (72.34%) and fodder yield (73.23%) showing exceptional genetic advance as a percentage of mean, suggesting that these yield traits are primarily governed by additive gene action and are highly responsive to selection. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that grain weight has strong positive associations with panicle weight (0.96) and panicle width (0.80). Principle Component Analysis indicated that the first three components accounted for 74.13% of total variation, with PC1 (42.89%) primarily driven by yield-contributing traits, effectively clustering superior genotypes such as G12 and G14. Ultimately, the MAGIC strategy successfully broadened the genetic base, enabling the recombination of favourable alleles to develop high yielding, climate resilient sorghum varieties in post-rainy sorghum.

Seed vigour is a critical component of seed quality that determines the potential of a seed lot to germinate rapidly, establish uniformly, and perform well under diverse field conditions. Farmers frequently encounter poor crop establishment despite acceptable laboratory germination, underscoring the need for reliable vigour assessment. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of different laboratory-based seed vigour parameters in predicting field emergence (FE) across fifteen seed lots of paddy (Oryza sativa L.). Radicle emergence, mean germination time (MGT), germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight, vigour indices (VI-I and VI-II), germination factor (GF), seedling factor (SF), germination seedling factor (GSF), and field emergence were assessed following ISTA procedures. Significant variability was observed among seed lots for all parameters. Correlation analysis revealed that germination percentage, Vigour Index-I, and germination factor showed strong and significant positive association with field emergence, whereas VI-II, SF, and GSF showed weak or non-significant relationships. The study concludes that combining germination percentage with Vigour Index-I provides a robust and practical approach for predicting field performance of paddy seed lots.

The current study aimed to investigate the seasonal variation in physicochemical parameters of water of four different conventional and major source of fresh water bodies namely Lakha Sagar Ren, Tankala pond, Lakholav Mundwa and Kansolav Rol located at Nagaur District Western Rajasthan India, over a period of one year from July 2024 to June 2025. The analyzed parameters included air temperature, water temperature, turbidity, pH, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved solids, carbonate, total alkalinity, biological oxygen demand, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride, fluoride and nitrate. The results showed that highest value of most of these parameters (including Specific conductivity, dissolved solids, carbonate, total alkalinity, biological oxygen demand, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride, fluoride and nitrate) was observed in pre-monsoon season while the values were lowest in monsoon season. This occurred because monsoon season leads to dilution of dissolved ions and increased turbidity owing to land and agricultural runoff, whereas the pre-monsoon season is marked by relatively higher evaporation rate leading to higher concentrations of dissolved substances with reduced water volume. On the other hand, winter conditions tend to favour higher dissolved oxygen levels and lower biological activity.

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) play an important role in improving farmers’ access to inputs, credit, technology, and markets through collective action. However, limited evidence exists on their impact in perennial floriculture crops. The present study assessed the economics of rose cultivation under FPO and non-FPO systems in Rajasthan. Primary data were collected during 2023–24 from 80 rose growers (40 FPO and 40 non-FPO farmers) in Pushkar region of Ajmer district. The study compared establishment cost, maintenance cost, returns, discounted feasibility indicators, and production constraints. The total establishment cost was lower for FPO farmers (₹1,75,499/ha) than non-FPO farmers (₹1,79,560/ha). Maintenance cost during Years 2–10 was ₹8,69,178/ha for FPO farmers and ₹8,85,081/ha for non-FPO farmers. FPO farmers consistently realized higher returns, with cumulative gross returns of ₹61.77 lakh/ha compared to ₹50.28 lakh/ha for non-FPO farmers. Discounted analysis showed higher profitability among FPO farmers, with Net Present Value of ₹28.52 lakh/ha, Benefit–Cost ratio of 5.37, and Payback Period of 1.35 years, against ₹21.87 lakh/ha, 4.28, and 1.46 years, respectively, for non-FPO farmers. Major constraints included high planting material cost, shortage of skilled labour, lack of quality seedlings, and inadequate processing facilities. The study concludes that FPO participation enhances profitability and investment efficiency in rose cultivation.

Efficient utilization of production resources is essential for improving productivity and profitability in garlic cultivation. The present study was conducted in Baran district of Rajasthan to examine the resource use efficiency in garlic cultivation. Primary data were collected from 80 garlic growers during the agricultural year 2023-24 through personal interview method using a structured schedule. The collected data were analyzed using Cobb-Douglas production function and marginal value product to marginal factor cost ratio for estimating resource use efficiency of major inputs in garlic cultivation. The results revealed that the coefficient of multiple determination (R²) was 0.41, indicating that 41 per cent variation in gross returns from garlic cultivation was explained by the selected independent variables included in the model. The regression analysis showed that fertilizer, human labour and plant protection chemicals had positive association with gross returns, whereas machine labour, seed, manure and irrigation showed negative association. Resource use efficiency analysis indicated that human labour, machine labour, seed, manure and irrigation were overutilized, whereas fertilizer and plant protection chemicals were underutilized in garlic cultivation. This implies that profitability in garlic cultivation can be improved by reducing the use of overutilized inputs and increasing the use of underutilized inputs to attain optimum resource allocation. The study concluded that rational allocation of production resources can significantly enhance efficiency and profitability of garlic cultivation in the study area.

The present study was conducted to identify and analyze the constraints faced by groundnut growers in the adoption of sustainable cultivation practices in groundnut cultivation in Chittoor and Ananthapur districts of Andhra Pradesh during 2025–26. An ex-post facto research design was employed for the study. A total sample of 180 groundnut farmers was selected through multistage random sampling technique from six mandals and twelve villages of the selected districts. Primary data were collected using a pre-tested interview schedule. The identified constraints were categorized into technical, financial/economic, personal, support and services, agro-climatic, and marketing and processing constraints. The severity of constraints was analyzed using a three-point continuum and ranked based on mean scores. The findings revealed that among technical constraints, high weed intensity (Mean = 1.422) emerged as the most severe constraint followed by incidence of pests and diseases (1.150) and problematic soils (0.817). Under financial constraints, high wage rates (1.656) was perceived as the major constraint followed by high cost of seed material (1.200) and high cost of fertilizers and pesticides (1.172). In the category of personal constraints, lack of awareness on sustainable cultivation practices (0.883) ranked first, followed by unwillingness of farmers to take risk (0.833). Regarding support and services, inadequate supply of high yielding quality seed material (1.005) and inadequate availability of manures and bio-fertilizers (1.000) were the major constraints. Among agro-climatic constraints, untimely rains (1.194) and drought at critical stages of crop growth (1.050) were identified as the most serious problems affecting sustainable cultivation. In marketing and processing constraints, lack of information about prices and markets (1.022) and exploitation by market intermediaries and local dealers (0.950) were perceived as the major issues by the respondents. The study concluded that groundnut farmers faced multifaceted constraints in adopting sustainable cultivation practices, particularly related to labour costs, weed management, climate variability, inadequate quality inputs, lack of technical awareness, and marketing inefficiencies. Strengthening extension services, ensuring timely availability of quality inputs, promoting climate-resilient technologies, improving market intelligence systems, and enhancing institutional support mechanisms may significantly improve the adoption of sustainable groundnut cultivation practices among farmers.