The present investigation entitled effect of organic and inorganic sources on economics of Hybrid Tea Rose Cv. Gladiator was conducted at Department of Horticulture, Late Shri Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, M.S., India during the year 2008-2009. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with seven treatments and three replications. From the data recorded it was found that the highest returns (Rs. 2.12 Lakhs) were obtained with the treatment T3 (50 % RDF +50% Vermicompost). However, the lowest returns were obtained at the treatment T1 (Control) with 0.92 lakhs. From the data of Benefit : Cost ratio, it was found that the treatment T3 (50% RDF + 50% Vermicompost) was found most beneficial among all the treatments and recorded the highest ratio (1:4.27). However, the lowest ratio (1:2.41) was recorded by the treatment T1 (Control).

AICRP on Safflower, VNMKV, Parbhani conducted 160 demonstrations on safflowers during Five consecutive years from 2017–18 to 2021–22. The critical inputs were identified in existing production technology through meetings and discussions with farmers. Uncontrolled weeds, ignorance about fertilizers and lack of plant protection measures, were the predominant identified causes of low productivity of safflower. The average results of Five years study revealed that the Seed yield under demonstration plots was 1290 Kg/ha as compared to 994 kg /ha in traditional farmer practices plots. The results clearly indicate the positive effects of FLDs over the existing practices. Percentage increase Seed yield over farmer practice was found 30%.

Soybean variety MAUS 725 developed by cross between widely adopted soybean varieties viz., JS 93-05 and MAUS 71. The soybean variety MAUS 725 recorded average seed yield 2207 kg/ha in state multilocation trial of Maharashtra during 2017-18 to 2020-21 (36 trials) and showed superiority of 7.65%, 10.57 % and 11.11% over national checks JS 335, JS 93-05 and JS 97-52, and 5.49 % over local check MAUS 71, respectively. In regional multilocation trial (Marathwada) conducted during 2017-18 to 2020-21 (14 trials), it recorded average seed yield 2398 kg/ha and showed the superiority of 25.54 %, 25.15 % and 33.66 % over national checks JS 335, JS 93-05 and JS 97-52 and 15.06 % over local check MAUS 71, respectively. In AICRP trial conducted during 2017-18 across seven locations in southern zone it recorded average seed yield 2161 kg/ha and showed superiority 10.48 % over national check JS 93-05. Soybean variety MAUS 725 recorded early maturity (93-98 days) and showed the numerical higher test weight as compared to national and local checks. In adoptive trials of farmers field MAUS 725 has recorded average seed yield of 2106 kg/ha and 2253 kg/ha during kharif 2020 & 2021 and showed superiority of 13.65, 17.85 and 12.70, 17.34per cent over local check MAUS 71 and national check JS 335, respectively. The soybean variety MAUS 725 showed moderate to highly resistant against stem tunnelling due to stem fly, moderate resistant against girdle beetle, moderate resistant to resistant against defoliators, moderate to highly resistant against aphids and white fly across zone in AICRP IVT trial conducted during 2017-18. Newly developed variety MAUS725 was observed to be Moderately resistant/Resistant/Highly resistant/Absolute resistant to several diseases like Bacterial pustule, Pod blight, Soybean yellow mosaic virus, Brown spot, Bacterial blight, Soybean crinkle virus, Indian bud blight, Soybean mosaic virus, Alternaria leaf spot, Charcoal rot and Purple seed stain in AICRP CIVT infection index of various diseases conducted during kharif 2017-18 across all zones of India.

Soybean is a major kharif crop grown in Marathwada region of Maharashtra under rainfed condition and is being a preferred crop by the marginal and small rainfed farmers. Though, most of the part of the region is comes under assured rainfall zone but it suffers from occurrence of frequent dryspells. The region receives mean annual rainfall of 880 mm. Rainfall in uncertain and erratic in this region. The productivity of soybean particularly in Marathwada region is uncertain due Occurrence of 3 to 4 dryspells in July to September. The crop productivity decreases with either deficiency of rainfall or its distribution or due to moisture stress in critical growth period due to dryspells occurred in July and August. Thus, to conserve the rainwater and to reduce soil evaporation, straw mulching in inter row space was advocated to farmers to avoid moisture stress and to cope with dryspells. The research demonstrations were conducted on farmer’s field for 3 year since 2019-20 to 2021-22. Results indicated that straw mulch was found effective in in-situ moisture conservation. It was observed that soybean productivity was increased by 21.77 per cent due to application of straw mulch. Similarly, GMR and NMR was increased by 22.25% and 30.84% respectively, due to application of straw mulch. Straw mulch was found effective in additional 22% moisture conservation and found effective in avoiding moisture stress particularly during dryspell period.

Most of the part of the Marathwada region is comes under assured rainfall zone. The region receives mean annual rainfall of 880 mm. Rainfall in uncertain and erratic in this region and sometimes suffers from severe droughts. Major crops of the region are soybean, cotton and pigeon pea which grown on large area in Marathwada region of Maharashtra State and are being a preferred crops in Kharif season by the marginal and small rainfed farmers. The productivity of these crops particularly in Marathwada region is uncertain due to occurrence of frequent dryspells. Occurrence of 3 to 4 dryspells in July to September is a common feature of the region. The productivity of all crops decreases with either deficiency of rainfall and its distribution or due to moisture stress in critical growth period due to dryspells occurred in July and August. Participatory trials were conducted on farmers’ fields during 2019-20 to 2021-22 under the project “National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture” (NICRA) which is in operation at village Babhulgoan in Parbhani District in Marathwada region of Maharashtra. The rainfall data was collected from the nearest rain gauge station. The duration of dryspells and number of dryspells were recorded every year. Farmers were advocated to apply potassium nitrate as foliar spray on major crop The data on crop yield in both the field i.e. with foliar application of potassium nitrate and without its application were recorded. Accordingly, the additional per cent increase in yield was analyzed. This study clearly indicated the advantage of foliar application of KNO3 during the dryspell for higher yield of soybean, pigeon pea and cotton. The results hold promise for improvement in production potential of dryland crops which can be effectively make crops resilient towards recurring drought events.

The rainfall available in the watershed is key factor for determining the availability of water to fulfill the different demand mainly for agriculture, hydropower water supply, industry, etc. A watershed is that contributes runoff water to a common point Runoff is one of the important hydrologic variables used in most of the water resource applications. Runoff is the total surface flow from a given drainage area. Rainfall duration, intensity and aerial distribution influence the rate and volume of runoff. Watershed characteristics such as slope, shape and size, cover of soil and duration of rainfall have a direct effect on the peak flow and volume of runoff from any area (Chandler and Walker, 1998). Rainfall and runoff are significant constitute the sources of water for recharge of ground water in the watershed. Estimation of runoff in a watershed is very important to manage the water resources efficiently. Most of the part of the Marathwada region is comes under assured rainfall zone. The region receives mean annual rainfall of 880 mm. Rainfall in uncertain and erratic in this region and sometimes suffers from severe droughts. The rainfall data for Aurangabad, Parbhani and Nanded stations were collected from the Agro-meteorological station under VNMKV, Parbhani. Runoff was estimated using SCS curve number method considering the all parameters like soil type, vegetation etc. The rainfall runoff relationship was worked out for further planning of small water harvesting structures like farm ponds. The runoff potential for Aurangabad, Parbhani and Nanded station is found to be 20.07 %, 28.31 % and 31.69 % respectively, indicating a good scope for rainwater harvesting and thereby, many more rainwater harvesting structures can be constructed based on site specific conditions. A relation between rainfall and runoff for Aurangabad, Parbhani and Nanded stations were worked out as Y = 0.301X - 55.711 ( R2 value - 0.75), Y = 0.4043X - 88.882 (R2 value - 0.8687) and Y = 0.6018X - 209.2 (R2 value -0.9575) respectively. The linear rainfall-runoff relation obtained can be used for finding out runoff corresponding to any rainfall occurring in the area. The rainfall runoff relationship will be useful for determination of rainwater harvesting potential and its reuse for enhancing production potential of various rainfed crops.

The Godawari-Purna sub basin is located between 76°36' to 77059' E and 19°07' to 19°17' N with an area of 34413.87 ha falls in assured rainfall region. Majority of the area under basin is used for agricultural purpose. The basin boundary is updated using the updated drainage and terrain information from high resolution satellite data of LISS-IV using GIS tool. Based on the derived thematic maps of land use and land capability class, the GP sub basin is divided into 11 sub catchments. Thematic maps viz., land use cover, has been interpreted using the visual interpretation techniques by heads-on digitization in the GIS environment using the enhanced high-resolution satellite imagery. Slope map has been generated from CartoDEM using the surface tools of the spatial analyst toolbox in ArcGIS. Land use mapping indicated that 85.68 per cent land is under cultivation with cropped area indicating a good vegetative cover in basin area. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) indicated that majority of the area of basin is having a slope in the range of 0 to 3 per cent. Majority of the area was found to be under class III and class IV category. All the generated thematic maps of Godawari-Purna sub basin will be useful for land resources planning.

The Godawari-Purna sub basin is located between 76°36' to 77°59' E and 19°07' to 19°17' N with an area of 34413.87 ha falls in assured rainfall region. The basin boundary was updated using the updated drainage and terrain information from high resolution satellite data of LISS-IV using GIS tool. Based on the last 30 years rainfall records, the runoff potential was estimated using SCS curve number method. Marathwada region of Maharashtra state has always been a water deficit area which calls for immediate remedial measures to address the critical water resources situation in the region. The entire Godawari-Purna sub basin (GP sub basin) is hard rock terrain. It suffers from growing water scarcity, which is aggravated by frequent droughts. The various water balance components viz. soil moisture storage, ground water recharge and surface storage were estimated for the GP basin. Similarly, the input from the rainfall was also worked out. The various losses such as runoff, evaporation from water bodies were estimated and accordingly the water available in the basin was estimated. The estimated values of ground water recharge were considered for water balance analysis. The surface water storage in each sub basin was estimated considering the water storage area as per satellite image and thus the storage volume was estimated. Combining the soil moisture storage, surface water storage and ground water recharge, water availability was estimated for each sub basin. The surface runoff was estimated by water balance method considering the rainfall volume and losses in each sub basin. Water balance study reflected that sub-catchment No. I, IV, VI and VIII of GP sub basin are under total water deficit and require urgent attention for water management to meet out the water deficit

Out 40 crosses many of the crosses had shown significant heterosis over their respective better parent and also over standard check for the traits studied. As yield is the important trait for crop production. The ideal hybrid or parent producing high fruit yield per hectare will be the one having traits like higher fruit weight and fruit yield per vine. The hybrids like IC-085618 X Phule green gold and IC-085618 X CO-1 performed significant heterosis.

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) 2n= 24 is an important spice cum vegetable crop in India. It belongs to family solanaceae, which has about 90 genera and 2000 species. In India, only two species viz., Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescence are cultivated varieties. Chilli is mainly cultivated in tropical and sub tropical countries viz. India, Africa, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, USA etc, it is referred to as chillies, Chile, hot peppers, bell peppers, red peppers, pod peppers, cayenne peppers, paprika, pimento, and capsicum in different parts of the world. Chilli fruit are rich source of Vitamin A, C and E. Pungency of chilli is due to a crystalline acrid volatile alkaloid called capsaicin, present in the placenta of fruit which has diverse prophylactic and therapeutic uses in allopathic and ayurvedic medicine. The red colour of chilli is due to the pigment capsanthin. However, under complex situation, correlation alone becomes insufficient to explain relationships among characters analysis of economic yield and yield components.

Pearl millet Varietal Identification Committee in its annual meet on 22nd-24th March, 2018, during the 53rd Annual Pearl Millet Workshop at ARS, Jodhpur, identified MH 2185 as “biofortified pearl millet hybrid AHB 1269Fe” for its high grain Fe combined with high grain and stover yield. MH 2185 is a cross between male-sterile line ICMA1 98222 (female parent) and restorer AUBI 1105 (male parent). The line ICMA1 98222 is based on A1 source of cytoplasmic malesterility developed at ICRISAT, Patancheru. Hybrid MH 2185 was tested in the All India Coordinated Pearl Millet Improvement Project (AICRP-PM) trials during 2015-2017 seasons at 36 locations (12 locations each in 2015, 13 locations in 2016 and 11 locations in 2017) together with 6 controls, 86M86, 86M01, MPMH 17, HHB-67 Improved, Pratap, and Dhanashakti. While the first five controls are commercially released highyielding hybrid cultivars, Dhanashakti is an improved version of open pollinated variety (OPV) ICTP8203 with high grain Fe (71 ppm). AHB 1269Fe hybrid was jointly developed and sponsored to AICRP-PM for evaluation by National Agriculture Research Project Aurangabad, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani and International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Aric Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India.

The present investigation entitled “Studies on extending the shelf life of Fig (Ficus carica L.) fruits Cv. Dinkar Fig” was conducted at Department of Horticulture, Late Shri. Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, M.S., India during the year 2008-2009. The experiment was conducted in Factorial Completely Randomized Design (FCRD) with six pre-harvest treatments and two storage conditions. The treatments were replicated three times. The pre-harvest sprays (0.5%, 1.0% and control) were undertaken 10 and 20 days before harvesting fruits of fig Cv. Dinkar fig. The fruits were packed in CFB boxes and stored under two environments viz. at room temp. (15.10 to 41.30C and 49.00 – 71.00% RH) and in cool storage (50Cand 90-95%RH). The results revealed that there was an increase in TSS, reducing sugars and total sugars with corresponding decrease in acidity of fig Cv. Dinkar fig under both the storage conditions irrespective of pre-harvest treatments. Fruits stored in cool store followed the same trend of physico-chemical changes but at a slower rate. The shelf life of control fig fruits was found to be hardly 2 days at room temperature. However fig fruits of variety Cv. Dinkar fig could be stored upto 4 days at room temperature when these were given spray of CaCl2(1.0%) 10 days before harvesting. The shelf life of untreated fruit of this variety was hardly 5 days in CS. However, it could be further extended upto 8 days when given spray of CaCl2 (1.0%) 10 days before harvesting and stored in CS.

The impact of El Nino-southern oscillation (ENSO) on rainfall and major Kharif crop production was analysed for the period 1985-2017. For this study daily rainfall and crop yield data was collected from India Meteorological Department, Pune and Department of Agriculture, Maharashtra respectively. The Impact of rainfall on productivity of major Kharif crops under different categories of El Nino episode was studied in different districts of Vidarbha region. The rainfall during summer, monsoon, post monsoon and winter seasons were 53.4, -6.1%, 1.1% and 41.2% less respectively during El Nino years compared to normal years in Amravati division. Similarly, in the Nagpur division SW monsoon was 33.3%, 12.2%, 12.3% and 68.3% less during summer, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter seasons respectively during El Nino years. The result showed that the SW monsoon rainfall and annual rainfall was less during El Nino years as compared to normal years. During El Nino years, rainfall in Amravati division was more in June and August and less in July and September compared to normal years. On the contrary, Nagpur district received less rainfall in all the months during El Nino years. Influence of El Nino episodes on productivity of different major Kharif crops of Vidarbha was highly influenced by El Nino episodes. In majority of the districts, Kharif crops produced tended to decline during strong El Nino years as compared to Weak and Moderate El Nino years. Among the different categories of El Nino, strong events exerted a more negative impact on major Kharif crop productivity in all the districts of Vidarbha region.

Drought is a one of the most destructive climate-related hazards, it is in general unstated as a prolonged deficiency of precipitation. Drought features are thus recognized as important factors in water resources planning and management. The purpose of this study is to detect the changes in drought frequency, persistence, and severity in the Maharashtra. Drought probabilities for different talukas of Maharashtra based on SPI methodology was computed for three time scales (Annual - 12 months scale, Southwest monsoon - 4 months scale, and Post monsoon - 3 months scale) for 326 talukas for which daily rainfall data for 30 years or more was used. The main benefit of the application of this index is its versatility, only rainfall data are required to deliver five major dimensions of a drought: duration, intensity, severity, magnitude, and frequency. It is interesting to note that highest probability (89%) is observed in Shirur Anantpal and Udgir taluka of Latur district followed by Loha taluka in Nanded district and Kamptee taluka in Nagpur (89%). Though they are situated in a semi-arid climatic region, near normal conditions are being expected over these talukas. In talukas from coastal Kokan region where annual rainfall is higher, the occurrence of near normal condition is less. Probability of 70 and above has been considered generally as a benchmark for making decisions on agricultural operations, and this is observed in 128 talukas out of 328 talukas across the state for near normal condition. The Lowest probability for normal conditions is noted in Murtijapur talukas in Akola district (50%) followed by Sangrampur in Buldhana district (53%) and Digras in Yavatmal district (54%). The Highest probability of occurrence for moderately dry condition is seen in Manora in Washim district and Parseoni Nagpur district (21%) followed by 20 percent probability in Ralegaon in Yavatmal district and Chopda in Jalgaon district. It can be inferred that 2 out of 10 years moderate dry conditions can be expected in the above talukas. The probability of occurrence of severe and extremely dry conditions is almost nil in 86 and 139 talukas, respectively. The Highest probability (13%) under severe dry category has been noted in 2 talukas and extremely dry conditions may prevail with a 21% probability in Mauda taluka of Nagpur district.

A field experiment of twenty genotypes of brinjal had done with an aim to study correlation and association analysis for fruit yield and its yield contributing characters so as to identify genotypes with desirable attributes for the utilization in crop improvement program during kharif 2017-18.Correlation studies revealed that traits like plant height, number of branches per plant, plant spread, number of fruit per plant, days to 50 % flowering, fruit length and fruit diameter had significant association with fruit yield per plant.The result of path coefficient analysis indicated that the traits like number of fruits per plant, number of branches per plant, plant spread (N-S) and days to 50% flowering should be considered essential for developing high yielding genotypes as they had high positive direct effects on fruit yield per plant.Thus, the fruit yield per plant can be improved by making selection of these characters during yield improvement programme.

An investigation was conducted during the year 2016-2017 with 20 germplasm accessions of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) were evaluated in a randomized block design with two replications at Vegetable Research Farm, The field experiment was carried out at Horticulture Research Scheme (Vegetable) and Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, VNMKV, Parbhani, during the Kharif season,2016-17 to identify the diverse genetic stocks for the use in hybridization programme through genetic diversity based on Mahalanobis D2 statistics. The data was recorded on eighteen yield contributing characters on accessions raised in Randomized Block Design in two replications. The germplasm accessions were grouped into five different clusters. The maximum inter-cluster distance was found between clusters IV and V (D=281.31) followed by clusters I and V (D=253.84), clusters I and III (D=228.56), cluster III and IV (D=228.16) and clusters II and IV (D=180.62) indicated that these groups of genotypes were highly divergent from each other. Among the five clusters, the Cluster I recorded high mean performance for five characters viz., Plant height, Number of branches per plant, Fruit weight, Iron content, Fruit yield per plant,. Regarding the grouping of clusters, cluster I has maximum number of entries i.e., 10 genotypes followed by Cluster II with 6 genotypes, Cluster IV with 2 genotypes and Cluster III and Cluster V with one each respectively. The D2 analysis for eighteen characters partitioned the twenty genotypes into five clusters. The maximum genetic divergence was observed between cluster III and V followed by between clusters I and V. The maximum intra cluster distance was shown by cluster II. The characters number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, total number of pickings, fruit weight, fruit length and fruit yield per plant contributed greatly towards diversity. The clusters showing high genetic divergence could be effectively utilized in heterosis breeding programme. If a breeding programme is used at improving growth attributes like plant height, then cluster III showing maximum plant height can be utilized in breeding programme. Therefore, a plant breeder may keep in mind the above aspects to obtain superior hybrids and good recombinants.

Genetic divergence among 20 genotypes of brinjal for 25 characters was evaluated in a breeding programme aimed at improving yield potential by using Mahalanobis D statistics. The genotypes were grouped into three clusters suggesting considerable amount of genetic diversity in the material. The cluster I had maximum 18 genotypes followed by II and III having each single genotypes respectively. These clusters having maximum number of genotypes, reflecting narrow genetic diversity. The highest intra-cluster distance was observed for cluster I (110.60). The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster II and III (452.85). Noteworthy is that cluster II and III reflected high cluster means for plant height, plant spread NS and EW, days to first harvest, days to 50% flowering, number of flower per cluster, days to last harvest, fruiting span, fruit length, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield per plot, ascorbic acid, total phenolic content, flavonoid content and low percent of fruit and shoot borer infestation and these clusters can be successfully utilized in hybridization programmes to get desirable transgressive segregants.

Twenty germplasm lines of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) were evaluated in a randomized block design with two replications at Vegetable Research Farm, The field experiment was carried out at Horticulture Research Scheme (Vegetable) and Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, VNMKV, Parbhani, during the Kharif season, 2016-17.Twenty okra genotypes were studied for evaluation of correlation and path co-efficient analysis of fruits yield and yield attributes in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Plant height, number of branches, number of fruits per plant, inter nodal length, last harvest, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit, 100 seed weight, number of picking and iodine content, were found to possess significant and positive correlation with fruit yield per plant. It was observed that with increase in plant height and less intermodal length, there was corresponding increases of fruit yield per hectare. Path coefficient analysis of different yield and yield contributing traits on fruit yield per plant revealed with plant height, number of branches per plant inter nodal length, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest, days to last harvest, fruit length, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit, 100 seed weight and crude fiber content, iron content showed positive direct effect on fruit yield these characters play a major role in recombination breeding and suggested that direct selection based on these traits will be rewarded for crop improvement of okra.