Madhya Pradesh Research Articles

Pulses in India: Comprehensive Analysis of Production, Challenges, and Strategic Vision for 2030

Despite of immense growth of Indian agriculture, food and nutritional security is still a challenge due to biasedness towards wheat and rice. As production of pulses in the recent decade has not increased in pace with the increase in population. Pulses are a major source of protein in Indian diet and also environment friendly. Therefore, the increase in pulse production will act as an accelerator for nutritional security. This study analyses the nutritional value of pulses, status of pulses economy in India comprising of import, export and consumption status as well as a strategic vision for 2030 towards promotion of pulses in the country. Pulses form one of the most important group of crops in India, which is also responsible for yielding large financial gains by amounting to a large part of the exports. Of all categories of people, pulses form an integral part of the Indian diet, providing much-needed protein to the carbohydrate-rich diet. For farmers, pulses are an important crop because they can both sell them and consume them, which helps farmers maintain household food security and creates economic stability. Being leguminous crops, they help in restoring soil fertility by utilising nitrogen from the air (nitrogen fixation). Therefore, pulses are mostly grown in rotation with other crops. They need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions. India is the largest producer as well as consumer of pulses in the world. The top pulse-producing states in India are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka, collectively contribute significantly to the country’s pulse output, yet current production fails to meet domestic demand, leading to imports. The common pulses across globe are black gram, green gram, horse gram, peas, cow peas, pigeon peas, lentils and chick peas. A long-term vision is required for pulses in India because of various aspects like lower yield compared to global average, wide gap between demand and supply, rapid population growth and nutritional as well as environmental value. In this article the challenges and constraints in achieving projected demand of pulses and government policy support for achieving this projected demand have been discussed, addressing the complex dynamics of pulses economy in India.

Risk assessment of uranium in water sources near coal mines and in human organs of Shahdol District, Madhya Pradesh, using biokinetic modelling.

This study concentrated on determining the levels of uranium present in drinking water samples obtained from various locations throughout the Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh, India. In this assessment a LED fluorimeter Quantalase (LF-2a) was utilized. Uranium, being a radioactive substance, can be hazardous to health when consumed in significant quantities over extended durations. The study found that the average uranium concentration was 167.91µg/L. 82% of samples exceeded recommended limits, emphasizing the essential aspect of this study. The study utilizes the age-specific biokinetic model developed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection to examine uranium distribution across various organs. Using dosimetric model, the study provides a comprehensive health risk analysis by assessing the chemical toxicity and the radiation dosages received by particular organs. Longitudinal studies on uranium distribution across different organs and tissues showed that the kidneys, liver, non-exchangeable bone volume, and soft tissues are the primary locations where uranium accumulates.

Association between coordinated counseling from both ASHA and Anganwadi Workers and maternal health outcomes: A cross-sectional study from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, India.

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play crucial roles in health promotion and services in rural India. Previous research investigating the effectiveness of coordinated health promotion by different community health workers (CHWs) cadres on health practices is scarce. This study examines the effectiveness of coordinated health promotion by different CHW cadres, specifically Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Anganwadi Workers (AWW), on maternal health outcomes. Using endline data from a 2019 impact evaluation of 6635 mothers with children <12 months in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, we compared the association between standalone and coordinated counseling by ASHA and AWW on various maternal health practices. Outcomes included four or more antenatal care visits, birth preparedness, institutional delivery, postnatal care visits, and contraceptive uptake. Fixed effects logistic regression with robust standard errors, corrected for multiple hypothesis tests, was used for analysis. Results showed that 39.6% of women received four or more ANC visits, 31.2% adopted birth preparedness practices, 79.6% had institutional deliveries, 23.3% received postnatal care, and 19.5% adopted a postpartum contraceptive method. Coordinated counseling from both ASHA and AWW was associated with a greater prevalence of four outcomes (birth preparedness, institutional delivery, PNC visit, and contraception) compared to standalone counseling from either ASHA or AWWs. These findings suggest that health promotion by AWW complements that of ASHA, collectively associated with improved health outcomes. This study underscores the effectiveness of coordinated health promotion and highlights the need for multisectoral and coordinated efforts among different CHW cadres at the community level. The results emphasize the importance of integrating various CHW roles to enhance maternal health practices and outcomes in rural India. Trial registration number: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN83902145. Date of registration: 08/12/2016.

Efficacy of Pyroxasulfone against Weeds and their Impact on Yield and Economic Analysis of Wheat

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season (November, 2021–April, 2022) at AICRP on Wheat, College of Agriculture, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India to evaluate the efficacy of Pyroxasulfone in wheat cultivation to enhance crop productivity and profitability. The study assessed eight weed management treatments, including herbicide applications (pendimethalin at 1000 g ha-1; pyroxasulfone at 127.5 g ha-1; pendimethalin+pyroxasulfone at 1250+127.5 g ha-1; metribuzin at 300 g ha-1; pendimethalin+metribuzin at 1250+280 g ha-1; pyroxasulfone+metribuzin at 127.5+280 g ha-1 as pre-emergence), hand weeding once at 25 DAS and weedy check, in a randomized block design with three replications. The experimental field was dominated by Phalaris minor (17.82%) among monocot weeds, while Medicago denticulata (28.97%), Cichorium intybus (26.19%), Chenopodium album (16.10%), and Anagallis arvensis (10.92%) among the dicot weeds throughout the crop growing period. Results revealed a substantial decrease in weed density and dry weight across all treatments, with the combination of pyroxasulfone+metribuzin at 127.5+280 g ha-1 showing superior efficacy. Weed control efficiency was highest with hand weeding, followed by herbicide treatments. Additionally, treatments significantly influenced wheat growth parameters and yield attributes, with the application of pyroxasulfone+metribuzin at 127.5+280 g ha-1 resulting in the tallest plants and highest number of tillers square-1 meter. Grain yield was also found significantly higher in plots treated with pyroxasulfone+metribuzin at 127.5+280 g ha-1. The economic analysis demonstrated that pyroxasulfone+metribuzin at 127.5+280 g ha-1 yielded the highest net monetary returns, indicating its economic viability.

Determinants of pre-conception care awareness among young and middle-aged women in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh

Pre-conception care pertains to any preventive, promotive, and curative interventions for improving the health outcomes of women. Contrary to the growing burden of intergenerational transmission of chronic diseases, women lacked awareness and access to services for pre-conception care. Considering this, we conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the awareness, perceptions, and practices of pre-conception care among women from young and middle-aged groups in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh. It was a cross-sectional study conducted with 383 women of reproductive age group (15-40 years) using a structured and pre-validated quantitative questionnaire. Out of 383 women, 171 belonged to the younger age group (15-24 years) and 212 to the middle-aged group (25-40 years). More than 50% of women had not heard of pre-conception care, and more than 90% of women in both groups had low dietary diversity. Middle-aged women had higher pre-conception care compared to younger women (βeta coefficient (95% Confidence Interval); p-value: 0.49 (0.03, 0.95); 0.03).

Chakki Peesing: Crushing the Roadblocks, Marching Ahead

The case is highlighting the journey of Mr Rajiv Khera from a seasoned corporate professional to be an Entrepreneur in Gurgaon Region. Rajeev started Chakki Peesing, an urban floor and spices mill in 2020 during the covid 19 Lockdown. Within 6 months of operations, Chakki Peesing has served over 8000 orders with 2000 unique customers, which according to Rajeev is a significant achievement as he is close to his business projections. Rajeev firmly believed that his business model would work in the B2C segment only as the B2B market is very much price sensitive. However, he was open to the idea of getting into strategic collaborations with gymnasiums and health clubs to promote and sell products. One of the competitive advantages of Chakki Peesing was the access to good quality wheat from Madhya Pradesh along with Rajeev’s on experience in sales and distribution. The initial success of Chakki Peesing can also be attributed to the strong network, which Rajeev and his family had with the upper middle class society of Gurgaon, and to the increased awareness among people for having a healthy lifestyle. The case talks about the business development strategy adopted by Rajeev and his son Dhruv who is also the co-founder of the company and proposed various alternative solutions for future course of action pertaining to business expansion.

An Economic Analysis of Maize Production across Major Producing States of India

National Food Security Mission has been taken by Government of India to increase coarse cereal Maize production in the country to meet food, feed for livestock and poultry and industrial raw material, domestic as well as global demand. The traditional and modern industrial uses have made it one of the fastest growing cash crops in the world. Considering its global as well as national importance, In this article, we have analysed the relative change, growth rate and CDVI (cuddy-della valle-index) in cost, returns, profitability and break-even production of maize during the study period 2000-01 to 2018-19 of Maize across major Maize growing states of India. The study found that Cost A1, cost A2, cost B1, cost B2, cost C1 and cost C2 of maize was found to be increased higher in Madhya Pradesh with highly significant annual growth rate during the study period than other states. These cost concepts showed low to medium instability for almost all the leading states. The findings revealed that maize was more profitable in Bihar, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, owing to higher net income and B:C ratios than in other states. Bihar states had higher differential yield and a greater discrepancy between the cost of production and the minimum support price. In some states, actual yields were lower than break-even, and production costs were greater than the minimum support price, resulting in losses for maize growers. The study's findings would help policymakers and governments devise appropriate development strategies and effective policies for less lucrative states.

An Analysis of Delivery Care and Maternal health Performance of Empowered Action Groups (EAG) states of India: with special reference to NFHS 4 &amp; 5

EAGs states (Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Odisha) were selected for special attention due to their lower socioeconomic and health indicators, particularly maternal and child health. This study contains 16 indicators related to delivery and maternity care. The study aims to describes the Maternal health and Delivery Care Performance of EAG states of India with the help of Composite Z- Score on the basis of NFHS 4 &amp; 5. The maternal and delivery care status of India's Empowered Action Group (EAG) states demonstrates substantial health concerns, nevertheless there has been gradual improvement during the study period 2015-16 &amp; 2019-20 (NFHS 4 &amp; 5).

CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM IN NEWBORN AND ASSOCIATION WITH SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS AMONG NEONATE DELIVERED AT MILITARY HOSPITAL IN A CITY OF CENTRAL INDIA

Objectives: The present study aims to assess the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) among neonates in a tertiary care hospital in central India, examining its association with various sociodemographic parameters. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted between January and December 2022, included all live births at a tertiary care center in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured for all newborns as part of routine screening. Sociodemographic data, including maternal age, gestational age, birth order, and newborn sex, were collected. Universal sampling was employed, encompassing all consenting parents and their neonates. Results: Among 388 live births, TSH values ranged from 0.23 to 35.59 mIU/L, with a mean TSH of 8.76±5.92 mIU/L. Of the neonates, 95.9% had normal TSH levels, while 4.1% exhibited elevated levels. Subsequent follow-up identified CH in two neonates (5.2 per thousand live births). Analysis revealed no significant association between elevated TSH levels and maternal age or newborn sex. However, a significant association was observed with gestational age. Birth order also displayed significance, with the third birth order having a higher proportion of neonates with raised TSH levels. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of CH screening in preventing long-term complications and the various sociodemographic factors linked to CH, such as maternal age, gestational age, and birth order.

COMPARATIVE SERUM LIPID STUDY IN SMOKERS AND NON-SMOKERS SUFFERING FROM MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Objective: Comparative study of lipids in smoker and non-smoker myocardial infarction (MI), patients. Methods: Total cholesterol determined by diagnostic kit, that is, enzymatic CHOD-PAP, endpoint colorimetric method. Absorbance was measured at 506 nm by kinetic ultraviolet spectrophotometer which was proportional to the cholesterol concentration in the specimens. Results: There were 41.46% of patients who were smokers with high total cholesterol (&gt;200 mg/dL). The total cholesterol was found to be statistically significant when smokers and non-smokers were compared in different age groups (p&lt;0.05) in urban, rural, and slum populations of Madhya Pradesh. Conclusion: This prospective study of 2006 smoking emerged as a significant modifiable risk factor in MI patients.

Pesticide Pollution in India: Environmental and Health Risks, and Policy Challenges

Intensive agriculture practices in India to meet the food demand of the increasing population have led to the use of agrochemicals such as pesticides in higher quantities to increase productivity resulting in contamination of the environment. Pesticides control pests, weeds, and diseases in plants, animals, and humans. Despite bans on pesticides such as organochlorides (OC), organophosphate (OP), or synthetic pyrethroids ranging from minimal to excessive, are detected in soil, surface water, and groundwater often exceeding WHO and BIS safety limits. The predominantly found pesticides were DDT, HCH, Endosulfan, malathion, chlorpyrifos, atrazine, endrin, cypermethrin, dichlorvos, etc. Different ranges of pesticides were detected in different states (Kashmir, UP, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan, Haryana, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, etc.) of India, which demonstrate that pesticides can persist in the environment and later can show bioaccumulation in the food chain. The article explores the consequences of this pollution such as biomagnification, bioaccumulation, and risks to human health and ecological integrity. This article also covers the adverse effects of pesticides such as carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutagenic, and endocrine-disrupting properties along with the importance of developing new policies or strengthening the current policies and regulations to monitor the use of pesticides.

Societal Adaptation to Pandemic Challenges: Analysing the Role of Local Governance and Healthcare Systems in Madhya Pradesh

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges, compelling communities globally to adapt rapidly to protect lives and maintain societal functions. This study examines the role of local governance and healthcare systems in Madhya Pradesh in addressing these challenges and fostering societal resilience. Drawing on quantitative data from government health agencies and qualitative insights from community feedback, this research explores how local governance structures facilitated public health response, resource allocation, and pandemic preparedness. Findings indicate that decentralized decision-making and robust healthcare infrastructure were instrumental in managing health crises, providing essential services, and supporting economic resilience at the grassroots level. Key results show that regions with stronger local governance exhibited a 30% lower infection rate compared to less governed areas, while areas with well-resourced healthcare systems saw a 20% higher recovery rate. Resource distribution, however, varied significantly, with urban areas receiving 60% more medical supplies than rural regions, creating disparities in healthcare access. Data analysis revealed that healthcare facilities that integrated digital solutions, such as telemedicine, were able to serve 45% more patients remotely, mitigating the risk of virus spread and reducing hospital overload. The study identifies the need for capacity-building initiatives, infrastructure strengthening, and data-driven decision-making to enhance future pandemic preparedness. Future prospects include continuous training programs for healthcare workers, increasing community awareness of health protocols, and leveraging technology for real-time data monitoring. These insights contribute to a comprehensive framework for building resilient healthcare systems in Madhya Pradesh, better prepared for future public health crises.

Effect of Integrating Plant Growth Regulators and Micronutrients on Growth, Phenology and Seed Yield of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

An experiment was conducted during Rabi 2019-20 at College of Agriculture, Indore (Madhya Pradesh) to investigate the effects of Plant Growth Regulator (PGRs) and Micro-nutrient Application on Growth, Quality, and Seed yield of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). The nine treatments consisted of different levels of PGRs i.e. GA3 and NAA with micro-nutrient (Mixol) which contain zinc, iron, manganese copper, boron and molybdenum including control (No use of PGRs and micro-nutrients) viz. T1 = 50 ppm GA3 seed treatment + Mixol 1.0%, T2 = 100 ppm GA3 seed treatment + Mixol 1.0%, T3 = 50 ppm GA3 foliar spray + Mixol 1.0%, T4 = 100 ppm GA3 foliar spray + Mixol 1.0%, T5 = 25 ppm NAA seed treatment + Mixol 1.0%, T6 = 50 ppm NAA seed treatment + Mixol 1.0%, T7=25 ppm foliar spray + Mixol 1.0%, T8 = 50 ppm NAA foliar spray + Mixol 1.0% and T9 = Control. Data were collected on different growth characters (Plant height and number of branches), Phonological attributes (Days to first flowering, days taken to 50% flowering and days to taken seed maturity) and yield characters (Seed yield per plant (g), seed yield t/ha, number of pods per plant, length of pod (cm), number of seeds per pod) of fenugreek. Based on results of one year experimentation, foliar spray of GA3 at 100 ppm + mixol 1.0% was found the best treatment compared with respect to plant growth and seed yield of fenugreek.

How Do the Socio-economic Characteristics of Individual Members Influence the Business Effectiveness and Performance of Self-help Groups with Concerning Sustainable Development Goals: An SEM Approach

This study investigates how the socio-economic characteristics of individual members influence the business effectiveness and performance of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the context of sustainable development goals, with a focus on the cities of Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. The research is underpinned by the sustainable development goals framework, emphasizing the role of social capital and economic empowerment in the success of SHGs. Data were gathered from 384 SHG members using a standardized questionnaire. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed through SmartPLS to analyze the impact of various socio-economic factors, including income level, social capital, educational attainment, household size, and age of the respondents on SHG performance. The analysis reveals that household size and age do not significantly impact SHG performance. However, income level, social capital, and educational attainment are significant contributors to the effectiveness and performance of SHGs. The findings underscore the importance of these variables in achieving the sustainable development goals through SHG initiatives. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers and SHG organizers, suggesting that targeted interventions should focus on enhancing income levels, social capital, and education among SHG members to improve group performance and support sustainable development. This research adds to the literature by offering a region-specific analysis of the socio-economic factors influencing SHG performance, with empirical evidence from key cities in Madhya Pradesh, contributing to the broader discourse on sustainable development.

Study on Weight Gain Efforts through Indigenous Technical Knowledge

Introduction: In India, under-five child malnutrition is a serious public health issue. This is demonstrated by the fact that India has one of the highest rates of underweight children worldwide. Aims: The study was carried out to assess the spatial distribution of nutritional status of children of 1-5 years through weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height data collected by the KVK. Preschoolers' dietary health was regressed on several sociodemographic factors after eliminating the effect of age. The information reveals that children's nutritional condition varies geographically and by gender in India. Methodology: A study was conducted in district Seoni of Madhya Pradesh to eliminate malnutrition via using indigenous technical knowledge (ITK). The trials were conducted in three following years viz 2020 to 2023. Primarily the training was conducted of mothers along with Anganwadi workers regarding the addition of sweet rice to kids from 1-5 years age group. Results: There was twice-daily portions of sweet rice, was prepared by using Jaggery by adding water, desi ghee, and roasted rice dry fruits added to it and then it cooked for 15-30 min and given for 45 days. The average body weight gain after evaluation and personal conversations of mothers was recorded as 9.91 kg and the proportion change against farmers practice was 13.48. Conclusion: The study concluded that rice prevalent areas and rice-based food habits for mothers and children should be adopted the sweet rice (ITK) the recommended practice against farmers’ practice.

Sickle cell disease burden among tribal population of India: a narrative review

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a serious health challenge for tribal communities in India. These groups often have limited access to healthcare, lack proper awareness of the disease, and face higher rates of illness and death due to SCD. This review looks at the impact of SCD on tribal populations and identifies the states where the burden is most significant. A review of existing literature was conducted using sources like PubMed and Google Scholar. The focus was on studies that explored the prevalence of SCD among tribal populations. Various government reports and research articles were also examined to create a well-rounded understanding of how SCD affects these communities. The findings show that Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have particularly high rates of SCD compared to other parts of India. In these states, between 10% and 30% of tribal groups carry the sickle cell trait. Other states, such as Odisha and Maharashtra, have lower rates of the disease, suggesting that specific attention is needed in regions like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to manage the disease more effectively. SCD continues to pose a serious public health issue in India’s tribal regions, particularly in certain states. It is essential to develop strategies that focus on raising awareness, improving access to healthcare, and managing SCD effectively in these communities. Public health efforts must include community involvement, education programs, and policy changes to better address the unique challenges faced by these populations.

Morphometric analysis of the Hatni River Basin Drainage system and its Sub Basins, Western Part of Madhya Pradesh

Morphometric analysis of the Hatni River Basin Drainage system and its Sub Basins, Western Part of Madhya Pradesh

Therapeutic Efficacy of Eucalyptus Oil as Teat Dip in Subclinical Mastitis in Goats

Mastitis, an inflammation of the parenchyma of mammary gland, results in alterations to the chemical and physical composition of milk due to a variety of infectious and non-infectious causes. The present work was conducted in the Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (M.P.). A total of 256 lactating goats irrespective of age, breed, parity and stage of lactation belonging to both organized and unorganized sectors at Jabalpur were screened from “February 2024 to July 2024”. On the basis of modified California mastitis test (MCMT) score, out of 256 lactating goats, 98 goats were found positive for subclinical mastitis with overall occurrence as 38.28% on animal basis and 33.33% on udder halves basis. Therapeutic study on 24 milk samples positive for subclinical mastitis by MCMT was conducted and categorized into four treatment groups (G1, G2, G3 and G4), each group comprised of 6 goats. Six apparently healthy goats were selected as healthy control group (G5). Two different teat dips viz. Eucalyptus oil 98% + DMSO 2% BID for 14 days in groups G1 and G3 and 5% Povidone iodine BID for 14 days in groups G2 and G4 were used as teat dips, respectively. Moreover, goats of groups G3 and G4 were commonly treated with parenteral antibiotic amoxicillin sulbactam @10 mg/kg b.wt. I/M OD for 3 days. Significantly higher values of somatic cell count, standard plate count, pH, freezing point and significantly lower value of lactose were observed in subclinical mastitis affected goats. The mean density and mean water percentage values varied within normal physiological range. On the basis of restoration of milk parameters and standard plate count, the most effective therapy was elicited by Eucalyptus oil 98%+ DMSO 2% as teat dip in combination with antibiotic amoxicillin sulbactam (G3).

A constant contact community-based epidemiological investigation (C3EI) as part of malaria elimination demonstration project, Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh, India

BackgroundIn India, an increase in malaria cases by 21% (223,961 cases) has been reported between 2022 and 2023. Madhya Pradesh ranks 10th in malaria burden, with Mandla district selected for the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project (MEDP) to demonstrate the feasibility of malaria elimination in a hard-to-reach, tribal-dominated, and hilly forested district. A Constant Contact Community-based Epidemiological Investigation (C3EI) was undertaken by continuous engagement with the community for real-time data collection, mapping of malaria cases, identification of risk factors, and monitoring of intervention outcomes designed to drive effective strategies for malaria elimination.MethodsThe study mapped 1,143,126 individuals from 248,825 households in the year 2017 in Mandla district for constant contact surveillance. Fortnightly household visits were conducted to inquire about febrile episodes, with on-spot diagnosis and treatment. Data collection was done using the SOCH mobile application, and analysis using R.ResultsThe constant contact household surveillance revealed that out of 956,795 individuals, 230,780 (24.12%) unique individuals reported one or more febrile episodes, with a total of 322,577 febrile episodes and 490 malaria episodes (RDT positive). Males had a higher risk of malaria infection than females (OR = 2.62; p < 0.0001). The cumulative incidence of malaria was highest among children aged 5–15 years and pregnant women. Multiple episodes of malaria infections were more common in adults over 30 years. The incidence of malaria per 100,000 persons gradually declined from 26.13 in 2018 to 11.18 in 2020, with the highest incidence during the monsoon season.ConclusionThe C3EI presents a new strategy suitable for disease elimination programmes. Implementing C3EI-type longitudinal studies in elimination projects holds promise for generating data to expedite malaria elimination efforts because the unit of observation is a ‘household’. Such a comprehensive approach allows identification in the gaps in case management for prompt interventions at the household-level.

Morphological Characterization-based Optimal Trait Selection for Improving Yield and Stability of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill)

The present investigation was convened during kharif, 2022 (July–October), rabi-Summer 2023 (January–May) and kharif, 2023 (July–October) at J.N.K.V.V., Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India to characterize 165 diverse soybean germplasm lines in pursuance of DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability) guidelines focusing on integrating optimal morphological traits to pre-fine soybean crop improvement. The study revealed significant variation among soybean genotypes. The hypocotyl color, controlled by a monogenic trait, was found in 77 genotypes, closely associated with violet flower color, whereas non-pigmented hypocotyls present in 88 genotypes were linked to white flowers. Growth habits were categorized as determinate (59), semi-determinate (103), and indeterminate (3), demonstrating that semi-determinate genotypes offer balanced resource allocation and reduced lodging. Most genotypes displayed medium flowering time (159) and medium plant height (134). Leaf shape was predominantly pointed ovate (121), with lanceolate leaves associated with higher number of seeds-1 pod. The presence of dark green leaves in 108 genotypes indicated higher chlorophyll content and enhanced photosynthetic efficiency to strengthen plant type. Semi-erect growth habit was prevalent in 152 genotypes, providing better soil coverage and moisture retention, while 13 genotypes showed erect growth. Pod pubescence was observed in 106 genotypes, offering protection against pests. These traits are found stable across the environment and may be used as an identification key for different varieties and donor germplasm lines.