<div>Background: This study assessed the perceived influence of agricultural extension on cassava production in southern Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to; ascertain the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, identify the perceived influence of agricultural extension on cassava production in the study area and constraints in the production of cassava by farmers in the study area.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique. Stage one was a purposive selection of municipalities in Southern Nigeria due to its endowment with cassava production. Stage two involved a random selection of five (5) municipalities in Southern Nigeria namely; Uyo, Calabar, Umuahia, Abakaliki and Owerri. Stage three equally involved a random selected of twenty (20) respondents from each of the municipals, giving a total of hundred (100) respondents used for the study. Data were obtained from primary sources using structured interview schedule. Objectives were analysed using descriptive statistics such as; percentage, frequency, mean, rank and standard deviation. 
 
Result: The result on the house hold size showed that 39% had between 6-10 persons, while 27% had 11-15 persons, 21% had 1-5 persons. Also 13% had 16 and above number of persons. The result also revealed that the respondents observed help in reducing soil compartment, training of farmers on pest/disease control, production practices, processing and marketing with mean scores of <img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> = 2.43, <img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> = 2.27,&nbsp;<img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> = 1.92,&nbsp;<img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> = 1.86 and <img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> =1.69 respectively; as perceived influence of extension on cassava production. This implied that extension workers had no significant influence on cassava production in the study area, this may be attributed to inadequate funding of extension services in Nigeria. Majority (60%) believed that language barrier and unfavourable attitude of farmers with mean of <img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> = 2.43 and <img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAgAAAAKCAYAAACJxx+AAAABIklEQVQoFR3OzyuDYQDA8SeRlMMOLrIUxYWD5mSHpRy0cDCkrTkoN3MQklYO3NyUOCvKP+DIYS4O5NfNymGrzV5t74/9et73efd8mfu3T18B4Fk2U/1B+oSgq7MD0dmN6Bng/qWEwK+DL8GqgW0Dkjpg+FDUIPCKGF/vhIKDDAcC5PJvnF6eIXqHmFw6QKAN0BWuL8452t+jRZnM6wMTs6vkAKF0G5R8fjyT2lin4TpEojNkDROzHXi4SOWgZIm1+AIr8QQFy8FSTSQK0WpVgQqFfIbpyAjpw2PkvykxdRGB66DlN6nNeexqllgsiVH2aeLSwEJgWyQX53h8usNHsrOV5ubqFgXU8BEn27uEx8cwa2XqWrEcTRAaDfNjejT/Jn8Bgqj79E6h3/gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" /> = 2.42 respectively were the constraints of agricultural extension workers in enhancing cassava production in the study area. This implied that influence of extension agents in the area may not be significant. This may be due to ineffectiveness of extension services in Nigeria. the study concluded that, rural farmers need to be involved in the mainstream of extension services in order to identify and prioritize their production activities. The study therefore, recommended that agricultural extension workers should be involved in all areas of agricultural production and not on cassava production alone, so as to improve on the gross domestic production of the nation.</div>

Perceived Influence of Agricultural Extension on Cassava Production by the Farmers in Southern Nigeria

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Online purchase has a very important role to play in creating consistent demand for farmers&rsquo; products and linking them directly to final consumers. Preferences of consumers are the most important driver of online purchases that prosper the linkage between farmers and the final consumers and these preferences are vastly influenced by consumers&rsquo; socio-economic characteristics. The current study was conducted to analyse the influence of socio-economic factors on the online purchase of food products in Bangalore city.&nbsp; 
Methods: Individual cross-sectional data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire from 105 consumers of randomly selected areas of Bangalore city namely, Sahakarnagar, Judicial Layout, Yelahanka, Canara bank layout, Mahadevapura, Sanjaynagar and Jayanagar. Binary logistic regression was applied as the research method to examine the influence of socio-economic characteristics like gender, age, occupation, education, number of family members with income and income (as predictor variables) towards the online purchase of food products (as dependent&nbsp; variable).&nbsp; 
Result: Results indicated that age (negatively), number of family members earning income and monthly income (positively) significantly influenced the online purchase of food products. Other variables like education, gender (in favour of men) and occupation also influenced (positively) the outcome variable but, statistically were not significant.</div>

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Consumers Online Purchase Behavior of Food Products in Bangalore City

<div style="text-align: justify;">The present study comprises a sample of 90 fishery growers by following multi stage simple random sampling technique to access the factors influencing the entrepreneurial behavior in Dimapur district of Nagaland. It is well known fact that fishery is an important enterprise in entire north eastern region of India; which comprising of a brother and seven sister states. The study revealed that entrepreneurial behavior has an positive impact due to the majority of fishery growers had medium level of knowledge about improved package of practices of fishery enterprise viz; farm decision making ability, family size, economic motivation, marketing orientation and scientific orientation programme aspects were enhance the knowledge about reorient relevant training programmes giving due cognizance to the influencing factors.&nbsp;</div>

Factors influencing entrepreneurial behavior of fishery growers in Dimapur district of Nagaland

<div>Background: The model of sustainable agriculture mostly emphasizes on enhancing the efficacy of agrochemical usage by the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technology, substitution of various inputs and practices with effective alternative technologies involving low energy utilization and plant/animal integration. Following the sustainable approach towards agriculture, a research has been conducted in the state of Rajasthan to identify the major factors that influence the adoption of IPM technology in Cotton. Cotton being the major crop of Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts for kharif season had an average area of 2.39 lakh hectares and average production of 7.44 lakh bales that constituted 51 per cent and 52 per cent of total area and production of Rajasthan, respectively during last five years ending 2016-17.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: On the basis of pest management strategy, farmers in the area were classified into three categories viz. farmers following conventional practice, farmers following IPM practice and farmers following both the practices, for the research. The purpose of the study was to identify the factors influencing adoption of IPM technology in the study area. A total of nine metric socio-economic variables of three groups of a total sample of 90 farmers from both the districts were taken for the study for the crop year 2017-18. The data were analyzed through suitable statistics: linear discriminant analysis and two-step cluster analysis. 
 
Result: It was found that &lsquo;years of experience in current practice followed&rsquo;, &lsquo;number of workshops attended for current practice&rsquo;, &lsquo;years of education&rsquo;, &lsquo;years of experience in agriculture&rsquo; and &lsquo;number of trainings attended for current practice&rsquo; are the major variables that discriminated among the three group of practices followed by the farmers of the study area. Among the selected significant discriminating factors, &lsquo;higher education&rsquo;, &lsquo;higher number of workshops attended for current practice&rsquo; and &lsquo;higher number of trainings attended for current practice&rsquo; were found to be the major influencing factors towards the adoption of IPM technology among the cotton growers in the study area. This study would facilitate the stakeholders involved in the dissemination of IPM technology as a measure for sustainable agriculture.</div>

Analyzing the Factors Influencing the Adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Technology in Cotton in Rajasthan

Background: Dolichos bean [Dolichos lablab (Roxb.) (L) Var. typicus] is one of the most important leguminous vegetable crops cultivated in tropical plains of India. The mature and immature pods are rich in protein, minerals and vitamins. Most of the pole types of dolichos beans are photosensitive in nature, suited for growing in specific season like kharif and not productive when grown in summer season. Different cultivars of Dolichos bean require different seasons for getting maximum yield. With this background, studies on seasonal influence on growth and yield of dolichos bean genotypes were carried out.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Methods: An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of season and genotypes in Dolichos bean. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with nine treatment combinations and four replications. In this study, three genotypes of dolichos bean viz., CO 1, Dbp-3 and Dbp-4 were sown during kharif, rabi and winter seasons.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: The main and interaction effects on genotypes and season of sowing had a significant influence on green pod yield, crude fibre, crude protein and total dry matter production. The genotype Dbp-3 sown during kharif season recorded the highest values for green pod yield (23.43 t.ha-1), crude protein (5.99%), dry matter production at various stages of growth (65.9, 254.3, 305.8, 359.2, 389.8 and 418.0 g.plant-1 at 30, 60,90,120,150,180 days after sowing respectively) and it was significantly different from all other treatments. The same treatment i.e., genotype Dbp-3 sown during kharif season was recorded the lowest amount of crude fibre content (1.53%).

Studies on Seasonal Influence on Yield and Quality of Dolichos Bean Genotypes

<div>Background: The year round green forage supply for better health and productivity of the animals can be ensured by mixed cropping of cereal and legume forages along with proper nutrient management. Keeping these facts in mind an experiment was carried out to analyse growth, productivity and profitability of fodder sorghum and clusterbean as influenced by mixed cropping and nutrient management. 
 
Methods: Experiment was laid out in factorial randomized complete block design with four seed rate combinations of sorghum and clusterbean (S1 - sole sorghum, S2 - sole clusterbean, S3 - 75% sorghum + 25% clusterbean and S4 - 60% sorghum + 40% clusterbean) along with six nutrient management treatments (N1 - 100% RDF, N2 - 100% RDF + PGPR, N3 - 100% RDF + seaweed extract, N4 - 75% RDF + PGPR, N5 - 75% RDF + seaweed extract and N6 &ndash; 50% RDF + PGPR + seaweed extract) in three replications. The growth of crops was evaluated in terms of plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves, leaf stem ratio and stem girth which all together contributed towards the fodder yield. 
 
Result: In sorghum crop the growth was not statistically different between the treatments S1 and S3 but in clusterbean sole crop recorded higher growth yet the influence was not significant on all parameters. Among nutrient management N1, N2 and N3 treatments recorded higher growth and thus yield in both crops which was not statistically different from N5 treatment. The correlation study indicated that cumulative influence of these growth parameters resulted in higher green and dry fodder yield under sole crop. Whereas in mixed cropping S3 treatment recorded significantly at par fodder yield to S1. The evidence presented above shows that 75% sorghum + 25% clusterbean mixed cropping treatment with 75% RDF + seaweed extract served its purpose of fodder yield enhancement.</div>

<div>Growth, Productivity and Profitability of Fodder Sorghum and Cluster Bean as Influenced by Mixed Cropping and Nutrient Management</div>

Background: In a genetic breeding program, understanding the viability of pollen germination and pollen tube growth is an essential factor for artificial hybridization. Currently, little is known about the influence of sucrose, boric acid concentrations and calcium chloride on pollen viability in alfalfa. This study is valuable for providing information about pollen germination requirements to support further improvement of artificial pollination and breeding programs in alfalfa.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The single-factor experimental and an orthogonal design method (L16 [4]3) was used to compare the effectiveness of key factors (e.g., concentrations of sucrose, boric acid and calcium chloride) to determine the pollen vigor of Medicago varia Martin. &lsquo;Caoyuan No.1&rsquo;and M. ruthenica L. Trautv. &lsquo;zhilixing&rsquo; and to optimize the culture medium for in vitro pollen germination. Four different varieties were chosen to compare the diurnal variation of pollen vigor.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The four factors that influenced pollen germination in Medicago varia Martin. &lsquo;Caoyuan No.1&rsquo;and M. ruthenica L. Trautv. &lsquo;zhilixing&rsquo; in order of significance are as follows: sucrose &gt; H3BO3 &gt; CaCl2. These variables influenced pollen tube growth in the following order: sucrose &gt; H3BO3 &gt; CaCl2. The optimal culture medium for promoting pollen vigor of Medicago varia Martin.&lsquo;Caoyuan No.1&rsquo; was 10% sucrose, 300 mon/L H3BO3 and 100 mon/L CaCl2; that of M. ruthenica L. Trautv. &lsquo;zhilixing&rsquo; was 10% sucrose, 200 mon/L H3BO3&nbsp; and 50 mon/L CaCl2. Among several species of alfalfa, &lsquo;Caoyuan No.1&rsquo; shows the highest pollen vigor and the daily pollen activity curves of all varieties showed a single peak type.

Influence of Sucrose, Boric Acid and Calcium Chloride on in vitro Pollen Germination and Tube Elongation of Alfalfa

Background: The choice of superior herd sires is essential for genetic improvement in dairy cattle, with sperm quality serving as a key factor. Bull semen&rsquo;s superior qualities are essential for accelerating genetic improvement through AI. These characteristics are affected by several factors, including the environment, management techniques, physiological condition and hereditary factors. This study involved in evaluating genetic and non-genetic factors influencing seminal attributes. 
 
Methods:&nbsp;Data on 1,85,413 ejaculates from nine genetic groups viz. Jersey, Holstein Friesian, crossbred Jersey, crossbred Holstein Friesian, Bargur, Kangayam, Pulikulam, Umblachery and Red Sindhi were collected from four frozen semen stations of Tamil Nadu State. Semen production data viz. ejaculate volume (mL), spermatozoa concentration (million per mL), initial motility (percentage), post-thaw motility (percentage), total initial motile spermatozoa and total post-thaw motile spermatozoa were also examined for various genetic and non-genetic factors affecting them using linear mixed model with repeated measures. 
 
Result:&nbsp;The overall estimated marginal means for Volume of ejaculate, Concentration of spermatozoa, Initial motility, Total initial motile spermatozoa per ejaculate, Total doses per ejaculate, Post-thaw motility and Total post-thaw motile spermatozoa per ejaculate were 3.11 &plusmn; 0.11 (mL), 963 &plusmn; 30.60 (106/mL), 79.50 &plusmn; 1.29 (per cent), 1847 &plusmn; 118 (106), 151.00 &plusmn; 7.20, 51.00 &plusmn; 0.42 (per cent) and 1535 &plusmn; 80.20 (106) respectively.The effect of all genetic and non-genetic factors (farms, ejaculates, period, seasons, age) were observed to be significantly influencing the seminal traits considered in the study. However, the estimated marginal means of each trait displayed varied ranges of mean against non-genetic factors.

Genetic and Non-genetic Factors Influencing Semen Production Traits in Dairy Bulls

<div style="text-align: justify;">A field experiment was carried out during kharif 2015 at organic farming block of Research Institute on Organic Farming, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru to study the influence of different levels of jeevamrutha and panchagavya on growth, yield attributes and yield of cowpea in red sandy loam soil. The results revealed that application of jeevamrutha at 1000L ha-1 and panchagavya at 7.5% significantly influenced growth parameters like plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf area and leaf area index. Interaction effect of jeevamrutha and panchagavya was significant in enhancing the grain yield of cowpea besides improvement in yield attributes like number of pods per plant, length of pods, pod weight, number of seeds per pod, seed weight per plant and 100 seed weight. Nodule characteristics &ndash; total and effective number of nodules as well fresh and dry weight of nodules was also significantly influenced by jeevamrutha &amp; panchagavya application at different levels and also due to their interaction. Liquid organic formulations &ndash; jeevamrutha and panchagavya are effective in producing higher grain yield in cowpea.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Growth and yield of Cowpea [Vignaunguiculata (L.) Walp] as influenced by jeevamrutha and panchagavya application</div>

<div>Background: The arid area of northwest China is the main producing area of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) characterized by low rainfall, low vegetation coverage and vulnerable ecosystem. However, there are still very few reports about the influence of alfalfa at various growing years on the physico-chemical properties and microbial community structure in typical northwestern irrigated desert soil. This study has important theoretical and practical guiding significance for providing reference and scientific evidence for local alfalfa industry development and protection of soil ecosystem to maintain efficient alfalfa production. 
 
Methods: The rhizosphere soils of &ldquo;Sanditi&rdquo; alfalfa and Longdong&rdquo; alfalfa were collected to assess the influence of alfalfa varieties, growing years and growth stages on the physico-chemical properties, microbial biomass and microbial community structure. There were four treatments in this experiment: 1. &ldquo;Sanditi&rdquo; alfalfa planted in 2015 (S1); 2. &ldquo;Sanditi&rdquo; alfalfa planted in 2016 (S2); 3. &ldquo;Sanditi&rdquo; alfalfa planted in 2017 (S3); 4. &ldquo;Longdong&rdquo; alfalfa planted in 2017 (LD). 
 
Result: Soil of all treatments had consistent pH at 8.11-8.45. The average soil organic matter content was 11.02 g. kg-1, 11.43 g. kg-1, 11.26 g. kg-1 and 11.20 g. kg-1 respectively for LD, S1, S2 and S3 (P&gt;0.05). The total nitrogen content was 0.451 g. kg-1, 0.468 g. kg-1, 0.437 g. kg-1 and 0.428 g. kg-1, respectively for growing seasons of LD, S1, S2 and S3 (P&gt;0.05). The results suggested that alfalfa cropping did not significantly influence the soil organic matter content in 3 years. S1 significantly changed the ratio of fungal to bacterial typical fatty acids, which was significantly higher than S3 and LD, but insignificantly higher than S2. Continuous cropping of alfalfa in arid area affected the diversity of the fungi community and reduced soil bacterial community richness and diversity.</div>

Influence of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) at Various Growing Years on the Physico-chemical Properties and Microbiology of Irrigated Desert Soils