Jute and allied fibres viz., mesta including kenaf, roselle, ramie, sunhemp, sisal and flax are important industrial crops and the sources of livelihood of about 4 million farm families and supports direct employment to about 3.7 lakh workers. They accounted for about 0.36%, 0.51% and 0.45 of the gross-, net cropped area and total arable land, respectively, in India during 2018-19. The contribution of jute crop to the global acreage and production during 2018 was 49.4% and 53.7%, respectively. Its contribution to global production was reduced to 50.5% during 2019. The present paper analyses the growth of jute and allied crops during 1950-51 to 2020-21; scenario of area, production and yield; breeding and seed production during 2010-11-2021-22. The Compound Annual Growth rate was 0.21%, 1.52% and 1.31%, respectively, for area, production and yield during 1950-51 to 2020-21. The area and production of jute and allied fibres have decreased substantially during the last 12 years despite the enhancement of yield ha -1 from 2197 kg ha-1 in 2010-11 to 2709 kg ha-1 in 2021-22. Of the total 310 varieties of fibre crops (including cotton) released and notified during 2011-23, 43 were of these crops. In jute, leading varieties in the seed chain contributing highest to the breeder seed indent, such as Navin, Suren (JRO 204) and JRO 128 were old released during 1978, 2007 and 2002, respectively, and very old varieties released up to 1995 had a considerably high share in breeder seed indent during 2021-22. During the period under study (2014-15 to 2021-22), there was no indent for breeder seed production of mesta except in 2016-17 and 2021-22 and against the indent of 0.5 q for two varieties, Satyen (JRKM 9-1, released in 2016) and Central Kenaf 2 (JBMP 2, released in 2016), 1.7 q breeder seed was produced during 2016-17. But, during 2021-22 only 22 kg breeder seed against the indent of 9 kg for three varieties HC7910 (Ujjal), released during 1977; HS 4288, released during 1967 and JRM 5 (Shrestha), released during 2010, was produced. In sunhemp, only five varieties, SUIN 037, SUIN 053, JRG 610 (Prankur), PAU 1691 and Chhindwara 1 (Jabalpur 1) were indented for breeder seed production from 2016-17 to 2021-22 released during 2013, 2009, 2015, 2008 and 1973, respectively. Therefore, old varieties for jute and sunhemp need to be replaced in the seed chain. However, no systematic seed production is being followed for other fibre crops like mesta, ramie, sisal and flax. Public sector organizations contributed only up to 30% of the seed requirement of jute in the country. Therefore, there is an urgent need to increase the share of the public sector in seed production to ensure ‘seed security’ as well as its affordability and timely availability. The possibility should also be explored for jute seed production in areas close to the proximity to the area of cultivation by incentivizing seed production. Systematic seed/planting materials production of other crops such as ramie, sisal and flax that have very low acreage but important fibre crops with specific niches of cultivation should also be initiated / strengthened to ensure availability of quality seed/planting materials to the farmers. Since these are industrial crops, therefore, there is an urgent need to develop linkages with private sector especially textile industry, Farmers’ Producing Organizations and Non-Government Organizations for enhancing production of seed/planting materials and also expanding them in new niches by developing suitable models and incentivizing production of fibres from these crops.

Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) is an annual legume and valuable industrial crop due to high galactomannan gum content in its seed, which could be a potential alternative food and feed crop in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The objective of this study was to determine genotype X environment interactions and yield stability of some guar genotypes to understand their adaptation to varying environmental conditions. In this study eight guar genotypes, including five introduced genotypes (Kinman, HFG-53, RGC-192, Brooks and DSP) and three from Sudan (GS9, GS7 and GS8), were evaluated under rainfed condition at four sites (Malit, Gadarif, Obeid and Jabel Kordofan) for two growing seasons (2017 and 2018) and at one site (El Fashir) in 2018 cropping season. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with four replications and plot size of six rows, 6 m long and 0.40 m width. Combined analysis of variance for seed yield of the 8 guar genotypes tested in nine environments (combination of sites and seasons) showed mean squares of environments, genotypes and GEI (genotype x environment interaction) were highly significant. Genotype Kinman obtained the highest mean seed yield over the environments (780 kg/ha) followed by DSP (706 kg/ha) and GS8 (703 kg/ha). Stability parameters were estimated for seed yield using Eberhart and Russell’s stability parameters and Additive Main Effect and Multipli-cative Interaction (AMMI) analysis. Accordingly, GS8 (single stem) was considered as the most stable genotype followed by DSP (branched), while Kinman (branched) was found adapted to more favorable environments with the highest mean seed yield over all environments.

Alternaria leaf spot of cauliflower occurs worldwide but is more prevalent in subtropical and temperate areas. The samples of cauliflower showing the symptoms of Alternaria blight were collected from the experimental farm of the college and the fungal pathogen was isolated. The fungus was identified as Alternaria brassicicola on the basis of cultural and morphological characters. Eight different fungicides were evaluated against the mycelia growth of A. brassicicola and found that azoxystrobin 25%, azoxystrobin 20% + difenconazole 12.5%, zineb 68% + hexaconazole 4%, metiram 55% + pyraclostrobin 5%, difenconazole and hexaconazole were most effective with complete inhibition in the mycelia growth of the fungus. The fungicides were further evaluated for the management of Alternaria blight as foliar spray on the cauliflower plants raised in pots and inoculated with the pathogen. Zineb + hexaconazole, hexaconazole and azoxystrobin + difenconazole were found most effective to manage the disease effectively with 30.00, 37.00 and 40.33 per cent disease index, respectively compared to 79.00 per cent disease index in un-treated control. The fungicides also significantly increased the plant weight compared to 0.2 g in control with highest weight of 5.0 g in zineb + hexaconazole followed by 4.25 g and 3.25 g with hexaconazole and azoxystrobin + difenconazole, respectively. 

Balanites aegyptiaca (L.), is commonly known as ‘desert date’, or ‘Hingot’ is an evergreen, woody, true xerophytic, spinous, perennial flowering tree belongs to the family Balanitaceae. It is widely distributed in sandy, plain and dry land areas of dry land areas of Africa, South Asia and throughout the drier parts of India specially in Western Rajasthan, West Bengal and Maharashtra. B. aegyptiaca is a multipurpose plant with high economic potential for the people of desert. Different parts of the plant are confirmed to be utilized in folkloric medicines for the treatment of many diseases in India and Asia. All parts of the plant have gifted various pharmacological activity. The fruit and nuts of collected germplasm accessions are showing peculiar morphological variation in size, shape colour and weight. This preliminary study shows presence of variability among widely distributed population of this plant which will further help in understanding natural variation available in habitat before planning exhaustive collection and conservation programme for genetic improvement.

Results on evaluation of promising cultivars, over planting dates, application of N in different forms, micro-nutrients, compost doses, plant densities in reference to grain yield, guar gum yield, gum content and viscosity have been discussed. Cultivar HG-563 in early (546.25 kg/ha) and RGC-936 in late (463.13 kg/ha) sown conditions yielded maximum, RGC-1066 gave maximum gum content (31.46%), viscosity was maximum (435.5 cP) in RGM-112. In response to based doses application, maximum gum content (30.83%) was observed with 20 kg N but viscosity was maximum (3238 cP) with 25 kg ZnSO4/ha. Zn application (10 pm) in nano form was also important for gum content (31.03%) but for high viscosity, P in nano form (40 ppm) looked important (3385 cP). Compost manure through 1.50 t/ha proved adequate for giving gum content to the extent of 30.15%. Grain yield when averaged across the cultivars was 3 times more in summer (1520.5 kg/ha) over rainy season (505-546.25 kg/ha) for HG-563 during rainy season. However, range was appreciable higher during summer season from 1021 kg/ha (RGC-1066) to as high as 1950 kg/ha (HG-563). The differences were due to ecological benefits of summer season. More appreciably, not only grain yield but % gum content also increased by about 1.5 times in summer (30.63%) compared to rainy season (28.92%), viscosity of guar gum numerically was more in summer (3601 cP) over kharif (3262.3 cP) season. High grain yield and gum content ultimately increased gum yield by about 320 kg/ha in summer season. The grain yield across eight varieties in 2012 was maximum with 60 plants/plot (415.69 kg/ha), followed by 90 and 30 plants geometry per plant basis. 

An investigation was carried out at Horticultural Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar during 2019-20. Results revealed that the Spinosad 45 SC (0.036%) was found to be the most effective against pomegranate thrips, followed by Cyantraniliprole 10.26 OD (0.0072%) and Clothianidin 50 WDG (0.025%). While for the management of pomegranate aphid Clothianidin 50 WDG @ (0.025%) gave excellent results, followed by Cyantraniliprole 10.26 OD (0.0072%). While, Dinotefuran 20 SG (0.0055%) was found least effective treatment against sucking pests of pomegranate. Whereas, effect of newer molecules on natural enemies revealed that, Cyantraniliprole 10.26 OD (0.0072%) was the safest insecticide on coccinellids, followed by Spinosad 45 SC (0.036%), whereas, Thiamethoxam 25 WG (0.0084%) had the most harmful effect to the coccinellids in pomegranate. In case of chrysopids, Cyantraniliprole 10.26 OD (0.0072%) and Spinosad 45 SC (0.036%) were proved to be the least harmful treatments, whereas, Thiamethoxam 25 WG (0.0084%) and Clothianidin 50 WDG (0.025%) had the detrimental effect to the chrysopids in pomegranate eco-system.

The experiment conducted with forty-two clusterbean genotypes at SKRAU, Bikaner during Kharif-2021 revealed significant genetic variation for twenty-eight agro-morphological, physiological, seed and seeding traits. The highest genotypic coefficient of variance was observed for seed yield per plant (55.08), followed by biological yield per plant, number of branches per plant, seedlings dry weight, number of clusters per plant and seed porosity. High heritability estimates were found for number of branches per plant (93.29%), biological yield per plant (90.15%), seed yield per plant (89.57%), number of clusters per plant (83.48%), number of pods per plant (72.89%), seed volume (86.52%), porosity (89.04%), water absorption capacity (93.22%), water absorption index (77.19%), seedling length (66.81%), seedling fresh weight (94.78%), seedling dry weight (98.23%) and seedling vigour index (61.32%). The highest genetic advance as per cent of mean was estimated for seed yield per plant (107.38%), followed by biological yield per plant, number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, seedlings dry weight, seed porosity, water absorption capacity, water absorption index, seedling fresh weight, seed volume and seedling vigour index. Therefore, the material used in the investigation consists substantial genetic diversity and economic traits such as seed yield per plant, biological yield per plant, number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, seed porosity, water absorption capacity and seed volume have high heritability and genetic advance. All these traits governed by additive gene action and therefore significant improvement in these economic traits could be realized through selection. 

Soilless culture is defined as "any method where plants are grown without using soil as a rooting media and essential nutrients can be supplied through irrigation water. One of the soilless culture systems is hydroponics. By incorporating the fertilizers (which contain nutrients) in the irrigation water in the proper quantity, the fertilizers are supplied. It has been common practices for centuries to grow plants in various nutrient-rich water sources. Plants can be grown hydroponically using a variety of techniques, which can be divided into two categories: active and passive methods. The most widely used hydroponic mediums are perlite, honeycomb clay pebbles with ceramic shells, and Rockwool. In a hydroponic system, the nutrient solution provides all the necessary plant nutrients. Numerous plants, crops, or vegetables can be grown using hydroponics. In general, hydroponically grown produce has higher nutritional value, taste, and yield quality than naturally grown produce on the soil. This method of cultivation is economical, free of disease, environmentally friendly, and gaining popularity both in developed and developing nations worldwide. Along with advanced space research, it offers great potential in many nations to fill the gap left by a lack of suitable cultivable land. Therefore, hydroponics would be a better technique to produce various fruits, vegetables, and livestock feed as well as to meet the future demand for global nutrition. Hydroponics may become an emerging technique for feeding the world's population in the future. 

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. wilczek) is an important short duration pulse crop of Gujarat. It is inflicted by number of diseases but MYMV is the most serious disease whichis also observed on several alternate and collateral hosts which act as primary sources of inoculum. Further, farmers of mungbean cultivation requirements were to cultivate medium duration maturing varieties in kharif season to prevent rainfall damage at maturity stage. Efforts were therefore made at Pulses & Castor Research Station NAU, Navsari and a crosses were attempted between Meha x GM-4 during 2010. It was evaluated in four kharif season and three summer seasons in ten different trials with four checks. Considering all kharif and summer seasons for overall performances of 37 trials in Gujarat it was found promising where it recorded 17.8, 22.9, 25.1 and 17.5% increase over yield check varieties viz., Meha, GM-4, GAM-5 and GM-6 resp.. The GM-7 variety was found resistant against MYMV disease and has high yield potential and good quality. 

Plants in natural conditions are subjected to continuous exposure of various biotic and abiotic stresses. Salinity is one the major Abiotic stress which affects the growth and survival of almost all the crop plants. It is more common in arid and semi-arid regions. Legumes are very important crop specially for the arid and semi-arid regions. Legumes belong to the family Leguminosae or Fabaceae, the 2nd most important family after Poaceae in terms of providing food. Salinity is responsible for a large reduction in the yield of various legumes. Salinity affects the plant at every stage of its life and the plant responses at molecular, biochemical and physiological level to survive under salt stress. High content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the plant indicates the plant is facing stress. Plants have a scavenging system to solve the problem of ROS. The scavenging system involves various enzymes and some other antioxidants. According to various studies by different scientists it has been found that during stress conditions the activity of these enzymes increases in plants.