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The experiment on ten genotypes of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) was conducted to work out the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and genetic divergence effects of their various attributes on spike yield. The analysis of variance revealed that mean squares due to treatments were highly significant for all characters. The magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters. Expected genetic advance expressed as per cent of mean ranged from 4.83% to 102.96%. The highest of genetic advance as percentage of mean was recorded for number of cormels per plant (102.96%) and lowest for number of spikes per plant and number of spikes per hectare (4.83%). High genetic advance in percent of mean coupled with high heritability was recorded for the characters of number of cormels per plant, weight of cormels per plant, spike yield per hectare, vase life, average weight of spike, duration of flowering, length of spike, days taken for initiation of spike, number of leaves per plant, days taken for complete sprouting, height of plant, percentage of sprouting, number of cormels per plant provide greater scope for further improvement of these traits in advance generations. Genetic advance ranged from 0.066 to 8278.50. The genetic advance is highest for number of spikes per hectare (q) (8278.50) and lowest number of spikes per plant (0.066). The PCV were higher than GCV for all the characters taken in to consideration. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficient variations were highest for number of cormels per plant (50.04 and 50.11 respectively) and lowest for number of spike per plant (3.44 and 5.04 respectively). Heritability and genetic advance indicate that the additive nature of gene action and reliability of those characters for selection and emerged as ideal traits for improvement through selection. Heritability and genetic advance indicate that the additive nature of gene action and reliability of those characters for selection and emerged as ideal traits for improvement through selection.

The evaluation of bituminous concrete mixes for their tendency to rutting has been an important research field for many years. Rutting is a major type of distress encountered in bituminous pavements. The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical analysis technique to obtain various structural parameters such as stress, strain and deflection of pavement layers. The objective of this paper is to study the sensitivity of these variables in reducing the vertical surface deflections, the critical tensile strains at the bottom of the bitumen layer and the critical compressive strains on the top of subgrade using the finite element method. This study has been carried out in order to compare the performance of flexible pavement using the finite element method and KENLAYER. Vertical surface deflections in flexible pavements have always been a major concern and are used as a criterion for pavement design. It is desirable to reduce the deflections as much as possible. This paper deals with ways to reduce deflections by varying the design configuration, such as increasing the Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) modulus, the base modulus, sub base modulus and the subgrade modulus. Another objective of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of two different methods in reducing vertical surface deflections (wo) and the critical tensile strains in the bitumen layer (εt) or the radial strains at the bottom layer of HMA. The finite element method was adopted to evaluate the effectiveness of the two methods and the sensitivity of various factors

A study was undertaken to examine the efficacy of bio-fertilizers and mulching on growth, yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Chandler during two successive years, i.e. 2012-13 and 2013-14 at Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), India. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and ten treatments. One year old runners were used for planting. Significantly increase in plant height (19.20 and 18.70cm), number of leaves (17.15 and 16.75), number of runners (2.28 and 2.17) and number of crowns (2.78 and 2.64) per plant, whereas minimum number of days (66.00 and 65.33 days) to produce first flower, maximum number of flowers (16.18 and 15.87) and fruits set (15.13 and 14.72) per plant during both the years of experimentation was observed with strawberry plants treated with Azotobacter 7 kg/ha+black polythene mulch. Maximum duration ofharvesting (67.85 and 67.00 days) with higher yield (109.12 and 107.00 g/plant) of berries was also recorded with Azotobacter 7 kg/ha+black polythene mulch treated plants in both the years. As far the quality characters of berries are concerned, strawberry plants produced berries of significantly maximum length (2.92 and 2.90 cm), width (1.83 and 1.79 cm), weight (7.15 and 7.11g), volume (4.39 and 4.36 cc), TSS (7.19 and 7.16 0Brix), total sugars (5.63 and 5.60 %) and ascorbic acid (56.13 and 56.00 mg/100g pulp) with minimum acidity (0.250 and 0.249%) when treatedwith Azotobacter 7 kg/ha+black polythene mulch in northern plains of India.