Forecasting precipitation accurately at local scale especially in mountainous regions like North-west Himalayas (NWH) remains a major challenge. Although Machine Learning (ML) techniques offers potential advantages over traditional Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models but with a condition that the available input meteorological variables can effectively differentiate between various weather and precipitation events. This study utilizes near surface meteorological variables (air temperature, wind speed, water vapor mixing ratio and sea level pressure) of the High Asia Refined Analysis, version 2 (HARv2) data for the past 41 years (1980–2020) at 13 locations in the Western Himalaya (WH) and Central Himalaya (CH), India. The results are statistically analyzed with the help of Spearman rank correlation and the Mann–Whitney U-test along with the comparison of means, variances, and daily tendencies of input meteorological variables across binary (precipitation/no precipitation) and percentile-based precipitation categories. Results confirm the availability of significant discriminatory capability. The findings of this study support the use of ML models for real-time, local-scale weather forecasting in Himalayan regions by utilizing local meteorological observations for improved predictive accuracy.

Long length homogeneous meteorological observations are required for various hydro-meteorological applications, develop forecasting models for mitigation of hydro-meteorological hazards, climatic change and its impact studies, planning for sustainable developments and climate change adaption etc. Such observations for the high-altitude mountainous areas such as the North-West Himalaya (NWH) (or elsewhere) are not available due to the inhospitable climatic conditions and complex topography. The reanalysis (or refined analysis) data provide estimates of the meteorological variables. However, it has been reported that the reanalysis (or refined analysis) data exhibit errors and biases for meteorological variable(s). The errors and biases in the reanalysis (refined) analysis meteorological variable(s) can be reduced and long length data can be generated efficiently via statistical downscaling. In this study, three statistical downscaling methods; altitude correction (ALTC), regression (SR), quantile–quantile mapping (SQ), are developed and employed to statistically downscale daily mean air temperature of the High Asia Refined Analysis version 2.0 (HARv2) at 10 stations in the NWH, India and their performances are evaluated and compared. The daily mean air temperature of the HARv2 is found to exhibit statistically significant positive correlation (CC) with the observed daily mean air temperature (OB) at each station. This suggests suitability of the ALTC, SR and SQ for statistical downscaling of daily mean air temperature of the HARv2.The root mean square error (RMS) for the estimation of the observed daily mean air temperature of the HARv2 data is found to fall in the range 5.7–11.6 (6.3–11.9) ℃ and it is found in the range 5.6–9.1(6.3–8.6) ℃, 4.2–7.8 (3.9–6.4) ℃, 4.2–7.8 (3.9–6.4) ℃, 4.2–7.8 (3.9–6.4) ℃, and 4.2–7.8 (3.9–6.4) ℃ for the training (test) data sets at 10 stations in the NWH. These results show that the statistical downscaling improves estimation of the observed daily mean air temperature in the NWH and it is fairly possible to develop long length data on daily mean air temperature utilizingHARv2 at a specific location in the NWH. Developed long length data on daily mean air temperature can be useful for many applications such as hydro-meteorological applications and forecasting, study of climatic change and its variability, disaster mitigation, planning for sustainable development in the NWH.

The present study was carried out during the year 2024-25 in Uttar Pradesh to know the training needs of the potato growers their preference time, duration, place of training and training of methodology, for this study the data was collected from 192 Potato growers through personal interview schedule. After analyses of data, it was found that agronomical training needs shows higher priorities of improved varieties reported by 59.37% respondents, with mean score of 2.51, after this fertilizer based on soil testing recommendation needs reported by 47.91% of the respondents with mean score of 2.40 and regarding needs of Potato processing reported by 33.85% respondents with mean score of 2.18. These needs were place Ist, IInd and IIIrd respectively. Regarding time of training 46.35% respondents preferred one to two weeks before cropping season start, 64.58% respondents preferred one to three days training, 44.27%, respondents preferred place of training at village level and 47.92% respondents preferred lecture cum demonstration cum tour programme training methodology.

This research work focuses on the development of an analog ensemble system with 10-members for real time quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) at local scale (specific site) in the north-west Himalaya (NWH), India, by using the observed precipitation amounts in analog days (ANOB) and precipitation amounts simulated with the help of the weather research and forecasting model (WRF model) for day1 [d1, lead time 24 h (24 h)] in analog days (ANWRF). Developed analog ensemble system is validated for QPFs in the hindcast mode to explore on the possibility of developing statistical-dynamical analog ensemble system for real time QPFs. The performances of the WRF model for d1, ANOB, ANWRF and climatological forecast model for d1, d2 (lead time 48 h) and d3 (lead time 72 h) are evaluated and compared. The ANOB, ANWRF and WRF model exhibit similar patterns for QPFs but differ in their QPF biases. The ANOB and ANWRF exhibit marginally poor performances relative to the WRF model for the QPFs for d1. However, these models exhibit better skills relative to the climatological forecast model for the QPFs for d1, d2 and d3. The results suggest fair possibility of developing statistical-dynamical analog ensemble system which can be driven by the local scale meteorological observations for the QPFs at local scale. Moreover, it is fairly possible to use precipitation amount simulated with the help of the WRF model [or the other model(s)] for short lead time (d1) in analog days to produce real time QPFs for longer forecast lead times (d2 and d3).

Ensemble characteristics of a 10-member analog ensemble (AE) system for simultaneous prediction of six surface meteorological variables are examined at six station locations in the north-west Himalaya (NWH), India for lead times, 0 h (0 h)[d0], 24 h (d1), 48 h (d2) and 72 h (d3). The maximum (MMX), minimum (MNX) and mean (ME) values of each variable in analog days are found to exhibit statistically significant positive correlations with their corresponding observations at each station location for d0 through d3. The MEs of the variables are found to reproduce statistics (temporal mean, temporal standard deviation), empirical distributions of the observations on the variables reasonably well, and the MEs of the variables exhibit reasonable values of the RMSEs for d0 through d3. The observations on each variable and multiple variables simultaneously fall within their ranges (MMXs, MNXs) in ensemble members for maximum number of days for all lead times. The AE system is found to exhibit high spatial and temporal consistency in its predictive characteristics at six station locations in the NWH. Despite our short length data, these results are very interesting and suggest practical utility of the AE system for simultaneous prediction of variables at local scale utilizing local scale surface meteorological observations. Similar studies on various other types of ensemble systems can help to assess their practical utility for various forecasting applications.

The field experiment was conducted to determine the population fluctuation of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) larval population in relation to abiotic factors on chickpea for two seasons during (Rabi, 2021-22) at Crop Research Centre (CRC), Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut. The present study revealed that the Gram pod borer larval population were first observed from 50th and 51th standard meteorological week till harvesting the crop i.e. 15th standard meteorological week during Rabi, 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively. The highest peak larval population (4.20 and 3.80 larvae per plant) was observed in 12th and 11th standard meteorological week during Rabi, 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively. The data recorded were subjected to correlation with various meteorological parameters on population fluctuation of H. armigera on chickpea. The correlation analysis showed that both minimum and maximum temperature were positively correlated during both years. Relative humidity of both morning and evening showed negative correlation with population of gram pod borer. However, the larval population showed non-significant negative correlation with rainfall both seasons during Rabi, 2021-22 and 2022-23. The information generated in present investigation may be used for the insect pest prediction and sustainable management strategies of H. armigera (Hubner) in chickpea crop.

The experiment on biology of fruit borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) was carried out in the Bio-control Laboratory, Department of Entomology, S.V.P.U.A.&T., Meerut. Results showed that the mean pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition period of fruit borer on tomato lasted for 2.46 ± 0.29, 6.33 ± 0.14 and 1.67 ± 0.14 days, respectively. A female laid on an average 329.40 ± 68.17 eggs. The incubation period was observed to be 3.08 ± 0.32 days on tomato. The first instar larva was very active with body length of 1.54 ± 0.81 mm and body breadth of 0.46 ± 0.05 mm. The larval development completed within 22.45 ± 0.44 days. The duration of each instar on tomato was found to be 2.58 ± 0.26, 3.50 ± 0.14, 3.42 ± 0.26, 3.71 ± 0.28, 4.38 ± 0.16 and 4.83 ± 0.14 days, respectively. The mean pre-pupal period lasted for 2.00 ± 0.24 days on tomato. The mean pupal period lasted for 12.33 ± 0.62 days. Longevity of adult ranged from 8 to 11 days with an average of 9.30 ± 1.25 days in males, while the longevity of female moths ranged from 10 to 14 days with an average of 11.30 ± 1.34 days. The male moth measured 17.79 ± 0.41 mm in length, 35.55 ± 0.92 mm in breadth and the female moth measured 19.76 ± 0.58 mm in length, 40.08 ± 0.99 mm in breadth on tomato. The sex ratio for male and female was 1: 0.76 on tomato. The generation from egg to death of male and female i.e., total life cycle was found to be completed within 39 to 60 days with an average of 50.3 ± 7.51 days and 41 to 63 days with an average of 53.5 ± 7.93 days, respectively.

The present investigation entitled ‘Study the seasonal incidence of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linn.) on cabbage’ was carried out on variety ‘Golden Acre’ during Rabi, 2021 and 2022. At Crop Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (UP). The data were recorded on five randomly selected plants once in a standard week. Diamondback moth population reached a maximum level of 9.67 and 9.33 larvae/five plants during 3rd week of January in Rabi 2021 and 4th week of January in Rabi 2022. The P. xylostella was active throughout the year with a varying degree of infestation.

The present investigation entitled ‘bio-efficacy of Novel insecticides and bio-pesticides against Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linn.) was carried out on the cabbage, variety ‘Golden Acre’ during Rabi, 2021-22 and 2022-23. At Crop Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (UP). The data were recorded on five randomly selected plants once in a standard week. Pooled data of both the year (2021 and 2022), After treatments, spinosad 2.50% SC at 600 ml ha-1 consistently showed the lowest larval count on days 3, 7, and 14, with 3.33, 2.17, 2.25 larvae per five plants followed by emamectin benzoate 5% SG at 200 g ha-1, diafenthiuron 50% WP at 600g ha-1, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki at 1000 g ha-1, Beauveria bassiana at 1500 ml ha-1 and Metarhizium anisopiliae at 2000 g ha-1, and nimbecidine 0.03% at 2500 ml-ha, respectively. The nimbecidine 0.03% at 2500 ml ha-1 recorded the lowest efficacy. Chemical and biological treatments varied significantly, while chemicals had similar efficacy, and biologicals were equally effective. Control plots had the highest larvae count.

Spot blotch, caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker is a major disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), in all the six agro climatic zones of India. Estimation of losses due to this disease vary from location to location, due to diverse environmental conditions. The use of resistant cultivars is the most effective, long-lasting, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly technique for sustainable disease control. The experiment was conducted at Crop Research Centre, Chirodi farm of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.). Among the tested varieties, disease index and AUDPC values varied significantly for both years’ data viz. 2021-22 and 2022-23. In this experiment 32 wheat varieties were screened against B. sorokiniana under artificial epiphytotic conditions in the field. Each variety were sown in two row of three-meter length with three replications, two line of susceptible check RAJ 4015 was sown at every ten genotypes of interval. Among 32 wheat varieties, two varieties were found to be resistant, eleven varieties were found moderately resistant, fourteen varieties were found moderately susceptible and five varieties were found susceptible, none of the variety was found immune and highly susceptible against spot blotch disease. Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) calculated for the thirty- two wheat varieties on the basis of disease index. AUDPC varies from 212.90 to 1143.9 and 198.80 to 1144.90 during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 years’ data. The pooled mean, Area Under Disease Progress Curve varied from 205.85 to 1144.40, showing the fast progress of disease in all genotypes. It was observed that different wheat varieties expressed varied type of disease response against B. sorokiniana.

The present study was conducted to find out the knowledge level of basmati rice growers in Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. The data was collected through personal interview schedule from the basmati rice growers for the investigation based on their knowledge of package of practices in basmati rice cultivation. The study reported that majority (77.50%) of basmati rice growers were having high knowledge about land preparation, (65.00%) use of green manuring, (56.66%) basmati rice growers were having high knowledge of harvesting of basmati rice and the majority (84.17%) basmati rice growers were having medium knowledge about transplanting and (81.66%) selection of improved basmati rice varieties for basmati rice cultivation. The study also reported that the majority (77.50%) of rice growers were having low knowledge about soil treatment and (45.83%) use of balanced fertilizers in basmati rice cultivation. The study further reported that the majority (87.50%) of the basmati rice growers were fully using sandy loam and loamy soil for basmati rice cultivation and the majority (87.50%) of the basmati rice growers were fully adopted proper field preparation practices for basmati rice cultivation in the study area. The study also reported that the majority (80.83%) of the basmati rice growers were fully adopted harvesting time of basmati rice.

The study was conducted to evaluate how organic farming has affected the livelihood of organic farmers. The research was carried out in Churachandpur and Imphal West districts of Manipur. The ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected using a structured and pre-tested interview schedule through personal interview method. The direct impact consisting of yield, income and cost of cultivation and the indirect impact such as personal, social, economic and environmental impact were considered for the study. The outcomes of the study indicated that regarding overall impact, the majority of the organic farmers were having medium to high level of impact of organic farming. Regarding direct impact, majority of the organic farming has reported an increase in yield, income and a decrease in the cost of cultivation. Whereas for indirect impact the majority of the organic farmers have reported increased confidence in sustainable farming, participation in social organizations, household savings and improvement in soil fertility and quality.

This study was conducted in two blocks i.e., Baghara and Charthawal of Muzaffarnagar district of Western Uttar Pradesh during the year 2018-19. To know the socio-economic characteristics of guava orchardists for this investigation data was collected from 80 guava orchardists through personal interviews. It was found that the majority of guava orchardists (43.75 percent) belongs to higher medium age group ranging between 46 to 60 years of age, (22.50 per cent) respondents were having educational status up to high school, (70.00 per cent) orchardists were belonging to other backward caste category, (91.25 per cent) orchardists were married, (91.25 per cent) orchardists were engaged in agriculture as the main occupation, 60.00 per cent orchardist’s were living in joint family, (48.75 per cent) guava orchardists were belong to medium family category 5-8 members including their family, (63.75 per cent) were having membership of one organization, (78.75 per cent) orchardists were had pucca house, (51.25 per cent) orchardists were having land (above 04 ha.), majority of the respondents (60.00 per cent) were having medium level of family resources (between 6-10), (90.00 per cent) were having motor cycle/ Scooty as transportation facility, (43.75 per cent) were having low level of farm assets (below 6), (68.75 per cent) orchardists were having private electric tube well as a source of irrigation, (81.25 per cent) were having medium level of information sources (Between 7-12 sources) in research study area. The majority (53.75 percent) of guava orchardists’ annual income was above Rs. 2,00,000.

Pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is the most economic insect pest of pulse and can cause huge quantitative losses and also decreases the nutritional value of stored products. The morphological and molecular characterization of pulse beetles was determined and different non-edible oils against C. chinensis were assessed at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi during 2019–20. Eggs of C. chinensis were 264.74±3.716 μm in width and 452.33±4.531 μm in length. The final instar larva of C. chinensis was 1703.12±4.692 μm in width and 3062.19±33.119 μm in length. The width and length of the pupae was 1696.09±5.589 μm and 3281.60±73.641 μm, respectively. The length of the adult body was 2520.85±23.278 μm for females and 2469.70±29.570 μm for males with a width of 1426.78±41.334 μm for females and 1456.54±23.606 μm for males. Both C. maculatus and C. chinensis got amplified by COI primer. A band of approximately 710 bp was obtained from both pulse beetles (C. maculatus and C. chinensis). DNA barcode helps in identification of pests at all life stages. Hundred per cent of egg mortality, larval mortality and adult mortality were reported in all non-edible oils such as Pongamia glabra L., Hydnocarpus wightiana Blume, Madhuca longifolia Konig, Callophyllum inophyllum L. and Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Similarly, all non-edible oils had ovipositional deterrence. To summarize, these oils can be used for the management of pulse beetles during storage.

Vegetables are widely grown crops throughout the country as a commercial crop. Vegetables constitute an important item of human diet Vegetables are important constituents of Indian agriculture and nutritional security due to their short duration, high yield, nutritional richness, economic viability and ability to generate on-farm and off-farm employment. Our country is blessed with diverse agro-climates with distinct seasons, making it possible to grow wide array of vegetables. Farmers deciding to take particular crop or use scientific methods to grow crops exhibit entrepreneurial behaviour. Understanding of such behaviour is essential to improve the quality of extension services offered by the institutional and non-institutional agencies. So the present study was carried out during the year 2021-2022 in four blocks of Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh with the objective to study the socio-economic profile of vegetable growers and to find out the correlation between socio-economic profile and entrepreneurial behaviour. Ex-post-facto design was selected as an appropriate research design to investigate the variables influencing the entrepreneurial behaviour of vegetable growers The present study was conducted on 160 respondents and data were collected through personal interview method with the help of interview schedule. The study revealed that the majority of vegetable growers (60.62 per cent) belonged to middle age group, (77.50 per cent) belong to Other Backward Caste, (36.25%) were having education up to intermediate level, ( 86.25 per cent) were married, (66.87 per cent) belonging to joint family system, (61.25 per cent) were having 5 to 8 members in a family, (92.50 per cent) were having Pucca house, (79.38 per cent) respondents were engaged in agriculture as main occupation, (53.75 per cent) respondents were having membership of only one social organizations, (38.75 per cent) were having 2 to 4 ha of land, (51.25 per cent) were having medium material possession, (30.00 per cent) were having Rs. 2 lakh to 3 lakh. The result from the study reveals that majority of the respondents belonged to medium socio-economic status (42.50 per cent) followed by high socio-economic status (31.87 percent) and remaining belonged to low socio-economic status (25.63 per cent). Most of the socio-economic variable were having positively and significantly correlation with entrepreneurial behaviour. The variable age was found to have negative correlation with entrepreneurial behaviour of vegetable growers. Thus the correlation analysis reveals that people with better education , more land holding, higher social participation, more material possession and higher annual income have higher entrepreneurial behavior in growing vegetables. While those farmers who were young are growing vegetable more successfully as an entrepreneur.

Pulse beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a notable insect pest of green grams, garden peas, chickpeas, cowpeas, lentils, black grams, and pigeon peas. Callosobruchus chinensis L. can cause huge quantitative and qualitative losses and also decrease the nutritional values of stored grains/pulses. The biology, life table parameters, and host preference of C. chinensis were studied in three pulses - green grams, lentils, and cowpeas. We also evaluated the green gram germplasms for resistance to C. chinensis. Cowpea was the most appropriate host for the culturing of C. chinensis under laboratory conditions among the three pulses. C. chinensis exhibited higher fecundity, shorter development period, and longer female longevity in cowpeas than green grams and lentils. The relative growth rate of C. chinensis was 0.101 +/- 0.006 mg/day. The finite growth rate, intrinsic rate of increase, and net reproduction rate demonstrated a faster increase in the C. chinensis population in cowpeas than green grams and lentils. We observed the overlapping patterns in the life expectancy, survival rate, and reproductive results of C. chinensis on cowpea, green gram, and lentil; this universal pattern is important in assessing the life table parameters. Based on growth index, we graded 20 green gram germplasms as resistant (6), moderately resistant (7), moderately susceptible (2), susceptible (3), and highly susceptible (2). The green gram germplasms resistant to C. chinensis, EC920900, IC616111, IC616247, IC616161, IC616258, and IC616138 have the potential in reducing the loss of green grams during storage. To summarize, cowpeas can be utilized for continuous mass rearing of C. chinensis in the laboratory and the resistant germplasms can be used as donor in future breeding programmes.