Area Growth Rate Research Articles

A Descriptive Analysis of Human-Environment Interactions in the Suburban Area of Pune City

The Baner-Balewadi was a rural area that transformed into a residential suburb and is now metamorphosing into a commercial and educational hub of Pune city. This area is now a part of Pune Municipal Corporation and is occupied by various schools, universities, and IT companies. The decadal population growth rate of the Baner-Balewadi area is 275%; it is much higher than the Pune district’s and city’s growth rate, which makes it a fascinating area for this study. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in this area covering three major regions: Balewadi Highstreet, Baner-Balewadi road, and NICMAR University. The data for 15 parameters were gathered, a total of 38 survey samples were collected using stratified random sampling, and land use was mapped to understand the grassroots reality. Thereafter, the parameters were analysed using a descriptive statistical technique, and spider mapping was used for data presentation. The strengths and challenges regarding infrastructural services, transportation, socio-economic factors, environment, and land use were identified. The results show that the waste collection is strong, but there are drinking water issues in the area. The recent development is causing stress on the infrastructural services and unregulated land-use change leading to environmental degradation. The metro construction is causing a lot of noise and air pollution, and people will still prefer buses as a transportation medium in the future because of good connectivity. The study is concluded with area-wise parametric recommendations made after examining the advancement, challenges, and gaps identified at the grassroots from both stakeholders’ and experts’ perspectives.

Analysis of Growth and Instability of Rice Production in Madhya Pradesh, India: A District Level Study

Rice is one of the important food crops cultivated in Madhya Pradesh state covering 4.55% rice area and 3.72% rice production of the country. Its contribution is very vital in agricultural growth of the country. But, yield of the state is less than the national average yield. So, for further improvement of its contribution in the agriculture sector of the country, it is essential to study the growth pattern of rice production in the state. Therefore the present study has been undertaken to examine the growth rate and instability in area, production and yield of rice in Madhya Pradesh state. The district-wise data on rice of Madhya Pradesh state was collected from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India and from the online sources of the state departments for the period 1992-93 to 2019-20. The data was divided into four periods for analysis. Compound annual growth rate and Cuddy-Della Valle Instability index have been computed for the four periods. The districts have been classified into five classes based on the classification of instability. These classes are very low instability, low instability, medium instability, high instability and very high instability. For the state, growth rate for area ranges from -0.80 to 4.23; for production ranges from 0.90 to 12.82 and for yield ranges from 1.31 to 8.24. The highest growth rate for area and production was observed in Hosangabad and Raisen districts respectively in period III; and for yield Datia district in period I. For the state instability ranges from 3.77 to 9.00 for area, 5.93 to 30.70 for production and 6.29 to 22.57 for yield. None of the districts were classified as very low instability for production and yield. Most of the districts recorded medium instability in period I, II and III for yield. The information about growth rate and instability may help the policy makers of Madhya Pradesh state to select the appropriate districts for enhancing the rice yield of the state.

Ultrasound assessment of insular development in adequate-for-gestational-age fetuses and fetuses with early-onset fetal growth restriction using 3D-ICRV technology.

This study aimed to evaluate the growth trajectory of the insula in adequate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and early-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) fetuses and analyze the difference between the two groups using three-dimensional inversion crytal and realistic vue technique (3D-ICRV). Singleton pregnant women, with a gestational age ranging from 20 to 32+6 weeks, who underwent routine examinations at Shandong Maternal and Child Care Hospital between March 2023 and December 2023 were included. The participants were divided into two groups: the FGR and AGA fetuses. Three-dimensional volumes were obtained using transabdominal ultrasound in the transverse section of the fetal hypothalamus based on different gestational ages. 3D-ICRV rendering technology was used for 3D imaging of the fetal insula. Volumes with a clear display of the insula were selected. We observed the morphology of the insula, and measured the area and circumference of the insula. By evaluating the growth trajectory of the insula in AGA and FGR fetuses, differences in insular development between the two groups were compared. Overall, 203 participants were included in this study, with 164 and 39 in the AGA and FGR groups, respectively. The 3D volumes were successfully acquired, and the area and circumference of the insula were measured using 3D-ICRV imaging technology. We found that as gestational age increased, the area and circumference of the insula gradually increased and showed positive correlations with the gestational age, with no significant changes in morphology. The growth rate of insular area and insular circumference in the FGR group is slower than that in the AGA group (insular area: 0.15 vs 0.19 cm2 / week, insular circumference: 0.25 vs 0.28 cm / week). The area and circumference of the insula in the FGR group were significantly different from those in the AGA group (insular area: p = 0.003, insular circumference: p = 0.004). The measured values of the insula using 3D-ICRV identify the differences in insular development between the FGR and AGA fetuses. The findings of this study have important implications for the prenatal evaluation of cortical development and maturity in FGR fetuses and further clinical consultation and management.

Analysis of growth and instability in rice: a district level study in Maharashtra, India

Maharashtra state contributes 3.4% of rice area and 2.65% production of the country. Considering its importance in national rice basket, this study was undertaken to examine the growth rate and instability in area, production and yield of rice in Maharashtra state. The district wise data of rice have been collected from Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India and from the online sources of the state departments during the period 1983-84 to 2019-20, which have been divided into five periods for analysis. Compound annual growth rate and Cuddy-Della Valle Instability index have been computed for the five periods. The districts have been classified into five class based on the classification of instability. These classes are very low instability, low instability, medium instability, high instability and very high instability. Growth rate ranges from -0.6 to 0.08 for area, -2.1 to 1.74 for production and -1.51 to 2.01 for yield. Highest and lowest growth rate for area, production and yield was recorded in period IV for different districts. The instability ranges from 1.79 to 4.39 for area; 5.02 to 18.18 for production and 5.26 to 15.88 for yield. Highest instability was observed in period IV and lowest instability in period I for area and period II for production and yield, respectively. None of the districts classified as very low instability for production and yield in different periods. More than fifty per cent districts were classified as low instability and medium instability for area, production and yield.

An Empirical Analysis of Factors Affecting China's Comprehensive Grain Production Capacity

China, with the largest population in the world, is also the largest grain consumer. Grain security is fundamental to national welfare and the economy, playing a crucial role in socioeconomic development. Since the reform and opening-up, China's grain output has doubled, successfully overcoming the global grain crisis in 2006 and the global food crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, we cannot be overly optimistic; we must realize that China's grain output growth has relied on soil fertility depletion and excessive pesticide and fertilizer usage, putting significant pressure on the environment. This paper analyzes the factors influencing China's grain output based on data from 1980 to 2020. Through this, it reflects the comprehensive grain production capacity and offers feasible suggestions based on the findings. The analysis is carried out from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. On the theoretical side, the paper considers the impact of variables such as the area of irrigated arable land (X1, in thousand hectares), total agricultural machinery power (X2, in ten thousand kilowatts), grain crop sowing area (X3, in thousand hectares), fertilizer use (X4, in ten thousand tons), and natural population growth rate (X5, in percentage) on grain output. On the empirical side, five grain-related indicators are selected for principal component analysis, and the model is tested using Eviews. The relative importance of factors affecting comprehensive grain production capacity varies with different stages of grain production and development. Finally, the paper offers recommendations for improving China's comprehensive grain production capacity based on the research findings.

Study on Influencing Factors and Control Points of Design Estimate of Landscaping Engineering

In recent years, China’s landscaping projects have developed vigorously, and the growth rate of urban garden green space areas has been maintained at about 5%. Overall, with the development of the national economy and the support of macro policies, people’s demand for close to nature and beautify the environment is gradually increasing, which has brought new growth momentum for the development of the landscaping industry. Simultaneously, from the perspective of future economic development and urban development, the landscaping industry still has a lot of room for development. However, with the rapid development of landscape engineering, the problem of cost control of landscape engineering is becoming more prominent, the phenomenon of budget overestimation is common, and there are many factors affecting the cost of landscape engineering, which brings difficulties and challenges to the analysis of its influencing factors and cost management. How to scientifically analyze the influencing factors and control the cost has become an important link in the landscaping project. To solve the above problems, this paper takes the design stage of landscaping engineering as the background, takes the design estimate of landscaping engineering as the research object, through literature research and data collection, fully excavates the main influencing factors of the design estimate stage of landscaping engineering, analyzes the key points of cost control, and provides reference ideas and directions for the later cost management and control.

Effect of Nitrogen and Humic Acid on Growth and Yield of Pakcoy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) Plants

Decreased soil quality due to reduced nutrient content is one of the causes of decreasedquality and yield in plants. The use of humic acid organic matter with N fertilizer is one of the effortsto increase nutrients in the soil while increasing plant growth and yield. This research was conductedin Heuleut Village, Leuwimunding District, Majalengka Regency, from May to June 2024. Theresearch method used was the experimental method with a group-randomized design. The treatmentconsisted of 16 treatments that were repeated twice. The variables observed were plant height,number of leaves, root volume, plant fresh weight, leaf area, and plant growth rate. The resultsshowed that the use of N fertilizer at a dose of 115 kg/ha (urea 250 kg/ha) and humic acid 3 g/planthad a good effect on all variables observed. The results of soil analysis showed an increase in N-totaland C-organic.

PSXIII-20 Impact of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation-derived prebiotic-like additive combined with monensin on feedlot performance in finishing steers

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing a prebiotic-like action additive product derived from the fermentation of Aspergillus oryzae (AM; 2 g Amaferm/d) in combination with monensin throughout the entire feedlot period. The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of this dietary intervention on feedlot performance, focusing on parameters such as feed intake, feed-to-gain ratio, body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and carcass quality. Steers (n = 1,200), aged approximately 18 mo with an initial BW of 307.8 ± 17 kg, were randomly assigned to 8 pens (150 steers per pen) and each pen was randomly assigned to two treatments: a control diet with monensin (M; monensin supplemented at 33 mg/kg DM) and a treatment diet with the addition of AM (M+AM; monensin supplemented at 33 mg/kg DM and 2 g Amaferm/d). The feedlot period comprised three steps, with daily feed delivery adjustments using a feed bunk management system. A multilevel model using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS with pen as experimental unit, was employed to evaluate feed intake, feed to gain ratio, BW and ADG for each period, also including effects on carcass quality and growth measured by ultrasound (random sample of 45 animals per pen; 30% of each pen). No significant differences were observed in feed intake across the three diet steps (P > 0.10). During the adaptation period, steers fed AM had greater ADG (+0.168 kg/d; P = 0.003) and increased BW at d 20 (+5.5 kg; P < 0.001). Although ADG during the finishing phase was similar for both treatments, a trend was observed for greater BW at d 108 (+4.6 kg; P = 0.095) when supplemented with AM. The inclusion of AM showed no impact on feed-to-gain ratio for the entire period (P = 0.589). In the finishing period, a positive effect on ribeye area (REA) growth rate (+0.54 cm2/mo; P = 0.016) and a trend towards greater back fat deposition rate (+0.11 mm/mo; P = 0.069) were observed with AM supplementation. At the end of the finishing period, a trend towards greater REA (+1.39 cm2; P = 0.101) was noted with no differences in back fat. Overall, this study demonstrates that the addition of AM throughout the feedlot period positively influenced the productive response during the adaptation period, leading to improvements in carcass growth during the finishing period.

Predicting Forest Fire Area Growth Rate Using an Ensemble Algorithm

Due to its unique geographical and climatic conditions, the Liangshan Prefecture region is highly prone to large fires. There is an urgent need to study the growth rate of fire-burned areas to fill the research gap in this region. To address this issue, this study uses the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) algorithm to optimize the hyperparameters in the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model, constructing a GWO-XGBoost model. Finally, the optimized ensemble model (GWO-XGBoost) is used to create a fire growth rate warning map for the Liangshan Prefecture in Sichuan Province, China, filling the research gap in forest fire studies in this area. This study comprehensively selects factors such as monthly climate, monthly vegetation, terrain, and socio–economic aspects and incorporates monthly reanalysis data from forest fire assessment systems in Canada, the United States, and Australia as features to construct the forest fire dataset. After collinearity tests to filter redundant features and Pearson correlation analysis to explore features related to the burned area growth rate, the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) is used to oversample the positive class samples. The GWO algorithm is used to optimize the hyperparameters in the XGBoost model, constructing the GWO-XGBoost model, which is then compared with XGBoost, Random Forest (RF), and Logistic Regression (LR) models. Model evaluation results showed that the GWO-XGBoost model, with an AUC value of 0.8927, is the best-performing model. Using the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) value analysis method to quantify the contribution of each influencing factor indicates that the Ignition Component (IC) value from the United States National Fire Danger Rating System contributes the most, followed by the average monthly temperature and the population density. The growth rate warning map results indicate that the southern part of the study area is the key fire prevention area.

Introduction of broadleaf tree species can promote the resource use efficiency and gross primary productivity of pure forests.

Long-term pure forest (PF) management and successive planting has result resulted in "low-efficiency artificial forests" in large areas. However, controversy persists over the promoting effect of introduction of broadleaf tree species on production efficiency of PF. This study hypothesised that introduced broadleaf tree species can significantly promote both water-nutrient use efficiency and gross primary productivity (GPP)of PF. Tree ring chronologies, water source, water use efficiency and GPP were analysed in coniferous Cunninghamia lanceolata and broadleaved Phoebe zhennan growing over the past three decades. The introduction of P. zhennan into C. lanceolata plantations resulted in inter-specific competition for water, probably because of the similarity of the main water source of these two tree species. However, C. lanceolata absorbed more water with a higher nutrient level from the 40-60-cm soil layer in mixed forests (MF). Although the co-existing tree species limited the basal area increment and growth rates of C. lanceolata in MF plots, the acquisition of dissolved nutrients from the fertile topsoil layer were enhanced; this increased the water use efficiency and GPP of MF plots. To achieve better ecological benefits and GPP, MFs should be constructed in southern China.

The Organic Business of the New Generation Throughout the Agricultural Supply Chain

The objectives of this research were to investigate the way of being a farmer, the type of farmer, and the outcome on oneself and organic farming society of the new generation farmers. Twenty model farmers of the new generation accepted by organic farming community were studied using a qualitative research method with primary and secondary data collection. The results showed that there was a significant in growth rate of both area and number of agricultures during the years 2011-2021. These results are in line with the government policy of the Organic Agriculture Strategy 2017-2021 and the (draft) Organic Agriculture Action Plan 2023-2027. The factors that encourage the new generation to do more organic farming are push and pull factors. Nine patterns and two types of organic farming are in line with the way of life, needs, and goals of the new way of life, with the new generation of farmers having a way of farming throughout the supply chain based on organic farming business ecology, and upstream, middle, and downstream. The new generation involved in organic farming showed both concrete and symbolic effects. The concrete effects are: 1) The economic dimension is reducing expenditures and having income from both primary and supplementary sources. 2) The health dimension is physical health, mental health, and social health. The symbolic effects are: 1) There are a change and expansion of the meaning of the word farmers. 2) The image of farmers is promoted. 3) There is support from various sectors, both public and private sectors, and 4) raising awareness to consumers on living a good life with "food".

Low-temperature oxidation behavior and mechanism of hot-dip Al and Al[sbnd]Si coatings on Mo substrate at 600 °C in static air

The hot-dip Al and AlSi coatings are synthesized on Mo substrate at different temperatures. The microstructure and low-temperature oxidation behavior both of the coatings are investigated. The results indicate that hot-dip Al coating is mainly made up of an Al4Mo outer layer and an Al8Mo3 interface layer, while the hot-dip AlSi coating is consists of a Mo(Si, Al)2 inner layer and AlSi alloy outer layer containing Mo(Si, Al)2 grains. After exposed at 600 °C for 40 h, a large number of cracks initiate on surface and inside of the hot-dip Al coating, its mass gain per unit area (Δm) reach to 10.32 mg/cm2, and the RSa (average surface roughness) and Sdr (surface area growth rate) values increase from 0.216 μm and 6.602% before oxidation to 1.214 μm and 35.297%, respectively. During the oxidation process, the structure of the hot-dip AlSi coating is preserved intact, and almost no cracks are observed in the coating. After oxidized at 600 °C for 150 h, the Δm of hot-dip AlSi coating is only 1.56 mg/cm2, and the RSa and Sdr values increase from 0.458 μm and 7.083% to 1.509 μm and 43.586%, respectively. Besides, the oxidation rate constant (Kp) of hot-dip Al and AlSi coatings are 7.42 × 10−4 and 4.47 × 10−6 mg2·cm−4·s−1, respectively, and the latter is only 6.17 × 10−3 times than that of the former. The excellent oxidation resistance of hot-dip AlSi coating is attributed to its small grain size, stable and dense coating structure, and complex oxide layer composition.

Spatiotemporal variation and driving factors of oases in the arid region of Northwest China.

Based on Landsat images and digital elevation model data during 2000-2020, we investigated the spatio-temporal variations and driving forces of oases in the arid region of Northwest China, using an object-oriented method for oasis classification, and employing trends analysis, centroid migration, and geographic detectors methods. The results showed that from 2000 to 2020, the oasis area in the arid region of Northwest China exhibited a linear increasing trend, with a rate of 1079.66 km2·a-1. The growth rate of oasis area, from highest to lowest, was Alxa, Southern Xinjiang, Hexi Corridor and Northern Xinjiang, respectively. Oases in the arid region of Northwest China were mainly distributed in bands or dots along the northern and southern foothills of Tianshan Mountain, Kunlun Mountain, the northern foothills of Qilian Mountain, and the Alxa Plateau. The oasis area in Northern Xinjiang increased while that in the south decreased. Oases in Southern Xinjiang mainly expanded along rivers, with some edges experiencing recession. Expansion and recession of oases in the Hexi Corridor occurred along the rivers in the northwest. Alxa oasis expanded in a scattered pattern with no significant recession areas. The centroids of oases in Northern and Southern Xinjiang generally shifted northeastward, while that in the Hexi Corridor moved northwestward. The centroid of Alxa oasis fluctuated in a north-south direction. The interpretations of agricultural production potential for spatial differentiation of oases in Northern Xinjiang and the Hexi Corridor were the most significant, at 43.6% and 45.3% respectively. Precipitation was the strongest environmental factor affecting Alxa oasis distribution, with an interpretation of 27.6%. Soil types were the strongest factor affecting the distribution of oases in Sou-thern Xinjiang, with an interpretation of 44.9%. The interaction among human activities in oases in the arid region of Northwest China was mainly enhanced by two factors, while the interaction among natural factors was enhanced by both two factors and nonlinear enhancement.

Predicting the impact of climate change on crop water footprint using CMIP6 in the Shule River Basin, China

Quantitatively predicting the impacts of climate change on water demands of various crops is essential for developing measures to ensure food security, sustainable agriculture, and water resources management, especially in arid regions. This study explored the water footprints (WFs) of nine major crops in the middle and downstream areas of Shule River Basin, Northwest China, from 1989 to 2020 using the WF theory and CROPWAT model and predicted the future WFs of these crops under four emission and socio-economic pathway (SSPs-RCPs) scenarios, which provides scientific support for actively responding to the negative impacts of climate change in arid regions. Results indicated: (1) an increasing trend of the overall crop WF, with blue WF accounting for 80.31–99.33% of the total WF in the last 30 years. Owing to differences of planting structure, water-conservation technologies, and other factors, the multi-year average WF per unit area of crops was 0.75 × 104 m3 hm−2 in downstream area, which was higher than that in midstream area (0.57 × 104 m3 hm−2) in the last 30 years; therefore agricultural water use efficiency in the downstream area was lower than that in the midstream area, implying that the midstream area has more efficient agricultural water utilization. (2) an initial increase and then decrease of crop WFs in the study area under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios by the end of the century, reaching their peak in 2030s which was higher than that from 1989 to 2020; with the maximum growth rates in the midstream area ranging from −0.85% in SSP5-8.5 to 5.33% in SSP2-4.5 and 29.74% in SSP5-8.5 to 34.71% in SSP2-4.5 in the downstream area. The local agricultural water demand would continue to increase and water scarcity issues would be more severe in the next 10–20 years, affecting downstream areas more. Under the SSP3-7.0 scenario, crop WF values of the midstream and downstream regions will be 2.63 × 108 m3 and 4.22 × 108 m3 in 2030, respectively, which is significantly higher than those of other scenarios and show a long-term growth trend. The growth rate of the midstream and downstream regions will reach 44.71% and 81.12%, respectively, by the end of this century, so the local agricultural water use would be facing more strain if this scenario materializes in the future. Therefore, the Shule River Basin should encourage development of water-saving irrigation technologies, adjust the planting ratio of high water consuming crops, and identify other measures to improve water resource utilization efficiency to cope with future water resource pressures.

Multilevel growth assessment of mungbean production in Madhya Pradesh

The present study aimed to examine the growth performance of mungbean in Madhya Pradesh, which is the second-highest pulse-producing state in India. With the development of short-duration mungbean varieties, the crop can be cultivated in spring/summer along with Kharif and Rabi seasons. The districtwise time series data on the area, production, and productivity of mungbean in Madhya Pradesh was collected. The growth performance and instability were analyzed using the Compound Annual Growth Rate and Cuddy Della Valle Index. Further, the decomposition analysis was performed to examine the sources of growth in mungbean production. The growth performance was also examined for major mungbean-producing districts of Madhya Pradesh viz; Narmadapuram (Hoshangabad), Sehore, Harda, Narshingpur, and Raisen districts. The growth performance of mungbean in Madhya Pradesh was examined for sub-period I (2000-01 to 2009-10) and sub-period II (2010-11 to 2019-20). The study revealed that the Narmadapuram division of Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest growth rate in area and production for the period 2010-11 to 2019-20. Higher growth rate and instability in the area, production, and productivity was observed in sub-period II which may be attributed to the incentives under NFSM-pulses and area coverage under summer mungbean cultivation during the last decade.

Growth Trends and Instability in Area, Production and Productivity of Fruit Crops in Himachal Pradesh

The study was conducted with the aim to know the growth performance of fruits crops in Himachal Pradesh. The objectives of the study were to analyse the growth and instability of fruits crops in Himachal Pradesh and to estimate the decomposition analysis of fruits crops in Himachal Pradesh. To fulfill the objectives secondary data of 11 years was utilized for analysis using the statistical tools like Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGR), Coefficient of Variation (CV), Cuddy Della Valle’s Instability Index (CDVI) and Decomposition Analysis model. The study revealed that the area, production and productivity For all the fruits crops together, the compound growth rate during the years 2010-11 to 2020-21 has been estimated at 1.06, -0.56 and -1.60 per cent per annum, respectively. The coefficient of variation in the area, production and productivity far all fruits crops during the study period has been estimated at 3.53, 29.22 and 30.68 percent, respectively. The value of CDVI (0.73%) came in the range of 0-15 percent which confirm low level of instability in the area under all crops. The value of CDVI (30.74 and 31.85%) came in the range of 30 percent and above which confirm high level of instability in the production and productivity under all crops. There was low level of instability in the growth rates of area and high level instability in production and productivity during all the study periods. Area effect played the key role in the differentiation of fruit production in Himachal Pradesh.

Analysing Growth Trend, Profitability and Resource Use Efficiency of Summer Mungbean in Eastern Haryana

Background: Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is the most extensively sown crop among commonly produced Asiatic Vignas, viz., urdbean, mungbean, mothbean, ricebean and azukibean. In Haryana, the crop covered 28.5 thousand ha area with annual production of 19.6 thousand tonnes having productivity of 688 kg ha-1 in 2020-21. To prevent the perils of mono-cropping (paddy-wheat system) in the state, there is a need for deep transformation through inclusion of pulses like summer mungbean, in the existing cropping system. Hence, the present investigation critically examines the growth trends, economics and efficiency of resource use in summer mungbean cultivation in eastern zone of the state. Methods: This study uses both primary and secondary source of data. The primary data was collated from 80 summer mungbean growers using multi-stage random sampling technique. The secondary data was retrieved from various published and unpublished sources for a period of 30 years from 1991-92 to 2020-21. For measuring the growth trends and instability in the area, production and productivity of mungbean, compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and Cuddy-Della Valle index (CDVI) were computed. Simple budgeting technique was employed for calculating the economics of summer mungbean. For resource use efficiency, Cobb-Douglas production function was used. Result: The results show a positively significant growth rate in mungbean area, production and productivity but with irregular trends. The instability in mungbean production is more pronounced in Haryana than India and is mainly attributed to area instability, while it is because of productivity instability at the country level. The mungbean is a profitable enterprise in summer season as the net returns realized to the tune of ₹ 26024 ha-1 with benefit-cost ratio of 1.43 in the study area. Further, the efficiency of resourceuse in summer mungbean exhibits increasing returns to scale. Hence, the inclusion of mungbean cultivation in summer season is profitable.

Effects of Promalin on Fruit Growth and Cuticle Properties of ‘Pinova’ Apple

Promalin (Valent BioSciences, Libertyville, IL, USA) is a proprietary mixture of gibberellin A4 + 7 and 6-benzyladenine that is widely used in apple production to improve the fruit shape, size, and skin quality. Promalin typically increases fruit size and length. However, the increased growth likely increases the strain in the fruit skin, which may exacerbate microcracking of the cuticle and, consequently, russeting. This study aimed to monitor the growth-stimulating effect of Promalin in three different regions of fruits and investigate whether Promalin affects cuticular microcracking via effects on the deposition of cuticular components or via the accumulation of strain in the cuticle. Four Promalin sprays (20 mg⋅L−1) were applied to runoff; the first was applied at full bloom, and the remaining sprays were applied at approximately weekly intervals thereafter. Fruit surface areas and fruit surface area growth rates of the Promalin-treated fruits were higher than those of the untreated control fruits. Promalin increased the fruit length, but it had no effect on the fruit equatorial diameter. In Promalin-treated fruits, the base of each sepal extended, thickened, and became fleshy as early as 15 days after full bloom (DAFB). Allometric growth analyses revealed higher constant differential growth ratios of the pedicel and calyx length (before 36 DAFB) in Promalin-treated fruits than in control fruits. After 36 DAFB, the difference in constant differential growth ratios between Promalin-treated fruits and control fruits decreased. Cuticle mass per unit area increased with time in all regions of the fruit surface and was slightly (+3.3%) but significantly higher in fruits treated with Promalin than in control fruits. Additionally, the biaxial strain release was slightly and significantly lower in Promalin-treated fruits than in control fruits. When the isolated, cuticle was ablated from the inner surface and dewaxed, strain relaxation in the control fruits was higher than that in the Promalin-treated fruits. It was concluded that Promalin treatment increases the length of the fruit by increasing the lengths of the pedicel and calyx regions early during fruit development. Promalin only slightly increased cuticle deposition and fixation of cuticular strain. Promalin had no effects on microcracking or russeting.

Growth and Yield Responses of Bari Sweet Corn-1 (Zea Mays L.) to Naa at Different Nitrogen Levels

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of foliar application of NAA at varying N-levels on growth and yield responses of BARI Sweet Corn-1 (Zea mays L.). The trial consisted of ten treatments viz. control = without NAA and N fertilizer; RDN (recommended dose of N fertilizer); 25 ppm NAA + RDN; 50 ppm NAA + RDN; 25 ppm NAA + 50% higher RDN; 50 ppm NAA + 50% higher RDN; 25 ppm NAA + 100% higher RDN; 50 ppm NAA + 100% higher RDN; 25 ppm NAA+ 150% higher RDN and 50 ppm NAA + 150% higher RDN. Results showed that application NAA in combination with various nitrogen (N) levels produced better growth than control but with few exceptions. Growth parameters viz. total dry mater (TDM), leaf area (LA), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) were recorded maximum from 25 ppm NAA in combination with RDN treatment. Findings revealed that 25 ppm NAA in combination with RDN treatment had also produced higher number of leaves per plant, specific leaf area (SLA), biomass duration (BMD) and absolute growth rate (AGR) than RDN treatment although statistically at par to each other. The maximum number of leaves per plant, shoot-root ratio and SLA although recorded maximum from 25 ppm NAA in combination with 100% higher RDN treatment but statistically similar to rest of the combined treatments. Yield attributes and yield of BARI Sweet Corn-1 showed positive response to NAA at varying N-levels with significant variations in majority of cases. The maximum number of cobs and productive cobs per plant, dry weight of cobs, length of cob, number of seed per row and cob, dry weight of tassel, yield per plant and harvest index were also obtained from 25 ppm NAA in combination with RDN treatment. However, maximum number of cobs and productive cobs per plant were also noted from 25 ppm NAA in combination with 100% higher RDN treatment. Significantly maximum yield per plant (114.41g) obtained from 25 ppm NAA in combination with RDN treatment which was 12.02% higher over RDN treatment. Out of ten treatments, foliar application of 25 ppm NAA in combination with RDN treatment produced better stimulation in growth and yield of BARI Sweet Corn-1. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(2): 337-344, 2024 (June)

Assessment of Trend for Area, Production, Productivity and Post-harvest losses of Onion and Potato in Uttar Pradesh, India

"Uttar Pradesh is the major producer of horticultural crops, especially vegetables. The study was carried out to evaluate the trends in area, production, and productivity of onion and potato farming. This analysis was based on secondary data collected from 2001-2002 through 2021-2022. The study period was split into two sub-periods: period-I (2001-2010), period-II (2011-2022), and the overall period (2001-2022). The compound growth rate of area, production, and productivity was analysed at the national level as well as for Uttar Pradesh. It was found that in India, the growth rates in area, production, and productivity for onion was 6.84, 9.57, and 2.55 percent respectively and for Potato it was 3.23, 4.85 and 1.57 percent respectively. The CAGR of area, production & productivity of Onion in Uttar Pradesh for onion was 0.83, 2.91, and 2.04 percent respectively and for potato it was 2.29, 2.90 and 0.60 percent respectively. At farm level, total post-harvest loss for potato and onion was 7.84 and 6.98 kg/qt respectively."