Thirteen common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) accessions collected from different ecological regions of Jammu and Kashmir were evaluated at four diverse locations during kharief 2009. Significant variation was observed for most of the morphological traits. Estimates of heritability (bs) were high (>60 %) for all the traits except pod length. The expected genetic gain (per cent of mean) was high (>30 %) for days to maturity, number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, 100-seed weight and seed yield plant-1 while it was moderate (10.0-30.0%) for days to 50 per cent flowering, number of branches plant-1, pod length and protein content. Seed yield plant-1 was observed to have a highly positive and significant correlation both at phenotypic and genotypic levels with number of pods plant-1, pod length, number of seeds pod-1 and 100-seed weight. But negative and significant correlations with days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity were estimated from pooled analysis. Classification of accessions led to the formation of two clusters wherein the maximum number 7 accessions were grouped in cluster I and the remaining six were grouped in cluster II. Analysis of traits contributing maximum to the divergence revealed that traits viz., 100-seed weight (37.10%), protein content (15.26%), number of seeds pod-1 (11.28%) and days to maturity (10.14%) to contribute to the divergence in the present experimental material.

in randomized complete block design with sixteen treatment combinations consisting four levels of sulphur (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg S ha -1 ) and boron (0, 1, 2 and 3 kg B ha -1 ) replicated thrice . The study revealed that combined application of 30 kg S and 2 kg B ha -1 recorded significantly higher values for number of seeded pods per plant (7.00), number of seeds per pod (5.95), seed yield per plant (7.20 g), seed yield per ha (24.0 q), 100-seed weight (17.32 g) , Stover yield per ha (25.54 q) and maximum net returns of RS. 141243.0 with returns per Re invested of 2.43.

Weather parameters play an important role in the spread of potato late blight of caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary has historically been serious disease of potatoes through worldwide, including India. Due to spatial variation in prevailing weather conditions, its severity varies from region to region. Disease development process and the weather parameters are well understood and have been utilized for disease developing forecasting models and decision support system. Therefore, an experiment was conducted for two consecutive cropping seasons (2017 & 2018) to develop a forecasting model against late blight of potato using stepwise regression analysis for Northern Himalayas in India. Maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and wind speed appeared to be most significant factors in the potato late blight disease development. The meteorological conditions conducive for the development of potato late blight disease were characterized. Maximum and minimum temperatures in the range of 15.0 – 28.0°C and 2.0 – 12.0°C were found favorable for potato blight disease. Similarly, relative humidity, rainfall and wind speed in the range of 85 - 95 per cent, 15.5 - 20.75 mm and 1.0 - 5.5 Km h-1, respectively, were conducive for potato late blight disease which are helpful in disease development.

A field experimental was conducted at Division of Vegetable Science, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar during rabi 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 in randomized complete block design with sixteen treatment combinations consisting four levels of sulphur (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg S ha-1) and boron (0, 1, 2 and 3 kg B ha-1) replicated three times. Application of 30 kg S ha-1 showed marked improvement in growth and nodulation parameters in pea. Increasing dose of boron in the absence of sulphur up to 3kg ha-1 resulted marked improvement in growth and nodulation in garden pea. Higher values of plant height, number of branches plant-1, fresh weight plant-1 , dry weight plant-1, number of nodules plant-1, fresh weight of nodules plant-1ha- and dry weight of nodules plant -1 were noticed with combined application of 30 kg S + 2 kg B ha-1.

Kala zeera (Bunium persicum Boiss. Fedtsch.) is one of the most important spice crop in the world. A set of two hundred fifty two (252) diverse kala zeera germplasm accessions were collected during an exploration mission from hot-spot regions /hills dividing two neighboring countries (India-Pakistan) on line of control (LOC) and hills near line of actual control (LAC) with China. The crop grows wild in its natural habitat mainly in Gurez valley, Tulail, Kashtiwar, Keran, Machil Tangdhar, Machil, Drass, Paddar, Khrew, Char-e-Sharief, Pang, Lahaul spiti, Shaung, Bharmour and Almora hills of Indian Western Himalayas. The germplasm collected has been characterized for morpho-agronomic traits and the analysis of trait data revealed significant variability in number of branches plant-1, number of umbelets umbel-1, number of seeds plant-1, seed yield per plant and 1000 seed weight. The collection and characterization of 252 Kala zeera germplasm accessions can prove useful in future Kala zeera improvement programs in the world as this is first such comprehensive report of the crop from Western Himalayan region of India.