This paper aimed to investigate the limitations associated with onion farming in the western undulating agroclimatic zone of Odisha, specifically regarding production, marketing, and storage. The study employed a multi-stage purposive sampling technique. The state was divided into 10 zones based on agro-climatic characteristics, and the district from the western undulating zone, Kalahandi districts, was purposively chosen since many farmers in these regions, like others in Odisha, cultivate onions throughout the winter season. A total of 90 farmers (45 from Bhawanipatna block and 45 from Golamunda block) were selected at random and interviewed directly for the purpose of study. Furthermore, the location, climatic conditions, and soil are ideal for onion cultivation. Kalahandi was chosen in 2021–2022. According to the survey, labour shortages for weeding, ignorance of improved varieties, high labour costs, ineffective and expensive weedicides, high seed costs, etc. were the top five problems faced by onion growers. The main difficulties faced by onion growers during marketing included low prices during harvest, which were followed by sharp price fluctuations, high transportation costs, payment delays, a lack of market news and information, a lack of storage facilities, etc. in the research area. To ensure an effective produce marketing system, the government, developmental agencies, marketing boards, and NAFED should intervene by enhancing the market infrastructure at the taluk and district levels and supplying timely market information. Farmers may be able to overcome the issue of price fluctuations if government authorities intervene promptly and announce an extension or announcement of the government support price for onion crops.

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a profitable commercial crop that spans over 33 million hectares in 77 countries and is a vital source of natural fibre globally. It is extensively grown in India and supports over 60 million Indians, including 6 million farmers, the majority of whom are small and marginal farmers. The current study used a randomised block design with two replications and a spacing of 90 cm x 60 cm to explore 89 cultivars from one frequently planted tetraploid species (G. hirsutum) in an areolate mildew hotspot in Odisha during the kharif of 2019, 2020, and 2021. The infector row technique was utilised to supplement natural disease pressure, and the severity of grey mildew was graded on a 0-4 scale. Among all the genotypes tested GSHV-159 and GISV-272 were reported to be disease free. While 32 genotypes shown only moderate resistance to the disease, 22 entries had consistently strong resistance over three years. These genotypes can be used as Grey mildew resistant donors. Twenty-four of the types tested were vulnerable to grey mildew, while the remaining nine germplasms were extremely sensitive to the fungus. These findings support cotton producers, particularly small, marginal, and tenant farmers, in selecting the best genotypes with resistance to grey mildew disease, a hazard to the environment, the economy and most importantly, sustainable crop production.

The impact of various carbon sources on the growth and sporulation of six different Ramularia isolates was investigated by testing eight different sources of carbon in liquid Richard's medium. The mycelial growth was assessed by determining the dry biomass weight, and there were three replicate flasks for each combination of isolates and carbon source. The study showed that the extent of utilization of different carbon sources varied among the isolates, and the highest mean dry biomass weight was recorded by RGKN1 followed by RGGNPR1. Maltose and sucrose were found to be the best source of carbon supporting highest mycelial growth and sporulation. Starch and lactose supported the least mycelial growth and sporulation. The results clearly established the essentiality of carbon source for metabolic activities of the fungus. The study proved the existence of cultural variability among the Ramularia isolates basing on their carbon utilisation.

Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) belongs to the family Fabaceae is an excellent sources of protein (25%), B-complex vitamins, rich source of micronutrients like iron (7.5mg) and copper-109% is being now affected by Fusarium oxysporum in the Kharif season in western undulated zones of Odisha thereby reducing protein content by 4 -5 % and yield by 15-20% a new report.

Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) belongs to family Fabaceae, sub family papilionaceae, is being grown as one of the important pulse crop. Blackgram is perfect combination of all nutrients, which includes proteins (2526%), carbohydrates (60%), fat (1.5%), minerals, amino acids and vitamins. It stands next to soybean in its dietary protein content. Among the various factors responsible for low yields, biotic and abiotic stresses take a heavy toll of the crop, out of which diseases cause an estimated yield loss of 20 to 30 per cent. Seed International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 8 Number 10 (2019) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

Seed health testing to detect seed-borne pathogens is an important step in the management of crop diseases. Laboratory experiments were carried out at College of Agriculture, Bhawanipatna during Kharif, 2018 to investigate the planting value of the seed and extent of seed-borne fungal pathogen problems from farmers saved seeds in Western undulated Zone of Odisha. A total number of six seed samples of Sesame were collected from farmers saved seeds in M. Rampur, Karlapada, Bhawanipatna, T. Rampur, Kesinga and Narla block of Kalahandi districts. Each sample was physically inspected and pure seeds were separated from abnormal seeds and inert matter. Seed samples collected at T. Rampur and Kesinga were of high quality compared to seed samples collected at Karlapada, M.Rampur, Bhawanipatna and Narla. Seed moisture content and pure seeds ranged from 9.3- 11.2% and 82-93% respectively. In seed health study, six fungi namely Fusarium spp., Macrophomina phaseolina, Curvularia sp. Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium sp., and Alternaria sp. were found in the seed samples of farmers saved seeds. Among the fungi, prevalence of Fusarium, Macrophomina, Curvularia, Alternaria were maximal ranging from 23.9% - 35.4% which was followed by Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium spp. (18.5% to 19%). The percentage of fungal seed infection was higher in seed samples collected at Bhawanipatna and Narla with infection rate of 33.1 % &34.2% respectively and lowest for seeds sample collected at T. Rampur and Kesinga with infection rate of 15.5 & 17.3% respectively. All the six fungal pathogens were more prevalent in farmer saved seed and it is recommended that seed should be well dried to keep seed moisture content within the 9.0% and treated with appropriate fungicides prior to planting inorder to have better seed quality.

Command Area Development project needs to actualize the vast untapped growth potential in agriculture, strengthen rural infrastructure, to support the development, promote the value addition, accelerate the growth of agri-business, generate employment in rural areas, secure a fair standard of living for the farmers and agricultural workers and their families, discourage the migration to urban areas and face challenges arising out economic liberalization and globalization.Multi stage random sampling technique was adopted for this study to select the ultimate unit of sample farmers Pipili block of Puri district was purposively selected as it was under command area development programme.So far as the resource use efficiently is concerned, a comparative study between beneficiary and nonbeneficiary farmers showed that the independent variable inputs like human labour, manures and fertilizer of irrigation etc. had a positive impacts towards the crop yield as well as to goods income of the beneficiary farmers, Where as in non-beneficiary farmers, except manures and fertilizers other variable did not have much influence over the gross income.It is obvious that irrigation facilities in the command area might have provided better scope for efficient utilization of the variable resource which would enhance income of the respondents.So the hypotheses i.e. the resources are equally efficient in beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers of different location is rejected.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important edible oilseed crop which is valued as quality food, nutrition, edible oil, bio-medicine and health care, all in one. It is mostly grown in hotter and drier areas of tropical and subtropical regions. Around 60-65 countries of the world produce sesame seed. China, India, Sudan, Myanmar, Uganda, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tanzania, Mexico, Thailand and Egypt are major producer of sesame. India is the world leader with the maximum (25.8%) production from the largest (29.8%) area and highest (40%) export in the world. India produces 870 thousand metric tons in fiscal year 2015-2016. Sesame is largely cultivated in the western, southern and eastern parts of with productivity of 413 kg/ha India (Annual report, 2016-17, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Government of India). In Odisha, it is generally grown in all most all districts, mainly in Ganjam, Angul, Sundergarh, Dhenkanal, Raygada, Subarnapur, Bargarh and Bolangir. Being a drought-tolerant, short duration crop, it is adapted to many cropping system. There is a large yield gap and farm loss exists in sesame crop because of knowledge gap, poor crop management practices and disease pest infestation. In Odisha, sesame is generally grown in rainfed condition in uplands, poor light textured soil International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 11 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

India having the agriculture based economy and people mostly dependent on agriculture as primary source of income. To improve the agriculture based economy emphasis has been given to crop loan and credit. In Orissa majority of the people derive their livelihood from agriculture. In this study five villages of Karanjia block are selected at random. Selected villages are Amduma, Saandeuli, Andharjhori, Rasmtala and Purna Pani.. The analysis revealed that marginal, small, medium and large size groups of land holding constitute at 39.07 per cent, 22.62 per cent, 33.79 per cent and 4.52 per cent of the total sample respectively. Out of 80 crop loan respondents the marginal, small, medium and large farmers constitute 66.25 per cent (53), 20.00 (16) and 10.00 (8), and 3.75 (3) per cent respectively. The study further reveals that 80 to 90 per cent of the sample farmers cultivate paddy, which is the staple food for the region. Pulses, oilseeds and vegetables are also grown by the sample farmers. Paddy and vegetables dominate the cropping patter in district. The analysis further revealed that the credit flow per acre to small and marginal farmer is observed to be more than other farm sizes. The recovery performance of loans in case of loan borrowers has increased marginally at 20.00, 21.25, 6.25 and 6.67 per cent for using HYV seeds, fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides and weedicides respectively.

Sugarcane is a major cash crop of India, particularly in UP, Maharastra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujurat, and Foot hils of Uttarakhand. Sugarcane crop has a productivity of 70 tonnes/ha and an area of 4.2 mha. plays a pivotal role in the national economy. Sugarcane is considered as one of the best cash crops in Orissa. It is grown in all the 30 districts of Orissa. The selected district Dhenkanal occupied 10th position in area (1.19 thousand ha), 9th position in production (81.46 thousand MTs) and 14th position in yield (68510 kg/ha) in 2004-05. The establishment of a sugar factory in Dhenkanal district has increased the prospect of this crop in the surrounding area. The marginal and small farms managed to earn more net return that other two categories of sample farms in both the regions. The other measures of farm incomes, like family labour income farm business income farm investment income etc. exhibited inverse relationship with farm size in both the regions excepting few cases.

Rice along with wheat and maize supply almost 60% of the dietary energy and protein derived from plants. Rice alone accounts for 40% of the protein in Asian diet. In India, rice provides 25% of our protein requirement besides being the principal source of vitamins (thiamine & riboflavin) and minerals (Ca & Fe). In India, maize is the third most important food crop after rice & wheat. It is cultivated in 8.12 mha. (2007-08) under a wide  range of agro-ecological situations. It contributes nearly 8% in the national food basket and more than Rs. 100 billion to the agricultural GDP at market price apart from providing employment to over 100 million man-days at the farm and downstream agricultural and industrial sectors. Value-addition in maize has a great potential. There are several value-added products of maize particularly QPM & baby corn that not only increase the farm income but also provides employment to rural youth and farm women. The study is based on primary data which is collected the sample growers by cost accounting method with help of specially designed schedules under Odisha state. The multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was adopted in the study. Thus the sample size was 80 farm holdings. It is seen from the table that chemical fertilizers use was less than the recommended doses expect potash in all crops. The use of potash is not recommended by the universities till the use of potash was observed on the farmer’s field so this is the double loss on farmers side. The other inputs were under utilized by the farmers in the study area. The inputs used for all crops were below the recommendation. In the economic point of view farmers should allocate their more land resources in the cultivation of maize in upland than high yielding paddy and then general paddy crop in study area. The benefit cost ratio in all major cereals was observed more than one unity which indicates the cultivation of cereals is economical viable under study area.

A field experiment was conducted on Typic Rhedustalfs to determine the effects of various organic production systems. Results revealed that the soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) content was greatest with the application of 100% N through farmyard manure. The ratio index value of biofertilizer along with 50% N through any one of the organic sources were greater than 100% N through green leaf manure/vermicompost, integrated use of manure and fertilizer (conventional production system), and control (traditional system of production). Soil enzymes varied with the production systems. The urease, phosphatase, and -glucosidase activities were more with greater nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic-matter treatments, respectively. The SMBC, soil enzymes, and microbial activity were very responsive to organic production systems, but their levels and activities were not reflected in sweet potato root yield.