The present study was conducted in Haveri district of Karnataka state. The required primary data was collected from sample farmers through personal interview method with the help of pre-tested and well structured schedule. The study attempted to examine the cost and returns structure in major maize hybrids. A sample of 120 farmers from Haveri district was selected through multistage stage random sampling technique. Per hectare cost of cultivation was slightly more in NK-6240 (Rs. 37,494) compared to CP-818 (Rs. 34,369) and Sunny (Rs. 36,120) with a respective benefit cost ratio of 1.88, 1.79 and 1.83. In the study area cultivation of CP-818 was found to be profitable than other two hybrids. In Kharif season, per hectare cost of maize (Rs. 35,716) was high (Rs. 35,716) compared to Rabi (Rs. 30,157) but the benefit cost ratio was more in Rabi (2.28) than in Kharif (1.80).

In an earlier report, we described the gene encoding a lipophorin receptor (LpR) of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), and recombinant expression of the protein. The present study was performed to characterize the corresponding native BmLpR and its binding characteristics. Polyclonal anti-LpR antibody prepared against the cloned receptor fragment from the cytoplasmic domain specifically detected the receptor. Through immunoblotting, ovary and brain membrane protein samples of BmLpR have shown an apparent molecular mass of 105 kDa and 120 kDa under nonreducing and reducing conditions, respectively. Ligand binding of LpR supported the immunoblot results. It bound to high density lipophorin (HDLp) and has shown requirement of Ca2 in binding. Further, a dose-dependent inhibition by EDTA was observed in receptor ligand binding. The characteristics of the BmLpR protein confirm the properties of a ligand-receptor interaction similar to that of vertebrate low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR).

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The present study attempts to analyze resource use pattern, cost and returns structure in major maize hybrids in Haveri district of Karnataka. The study was based on primary and secondary data. The required primary data was collected from sample farmers through personal interview method with the help of pre-tested and well structured schedule. A sample of 120 farmers from Haveri district was selected through multistage random sampling technique. The secondary data on area, production and productivity was collected from District Statistical Office for the period from 1998-99 to 2009-10. The annual growth rates for maize area and production were 3.41 per cent and 2.12 per cent and were significant at one and ten per cent level, respectively. The growth rate of maize yield was found to be negative (-1.25%) but not significant. It was observed that, the farmers growing NK-6240 were found to use slightly more quantity of most of the inputs compared to the farmers growing CP-818 and Sunny. Among the different operations the use of human labour was highest for harvesting, followed by sowing, hand weeding, threshing and spreading of FYM in all three hybrids. Per hectare cost of cultivation was slightly more in NK-6240 (Rs. 37,494) compared to CP-818 (Rs. 34,369) and Sunny (Rs. 36,120) with a respective benefit cost ratio of 1.88, 1.79 and 1.83.