The biochemical basis of host plant resistance for shoot and fruit borer of brinjal was investigated using selected genotypes from the back crosses involving cultivated brinjal varieties and Solanum viarum. The different levels of biochemical constituents namely peroxidase, poly phenol oxidase, total phenols, and solasodine contents were observed in genotypes derived from inter-specific crosses and their parents. A higher level of polyphenol oxidase activity was observed in interspecific cross F 6 EP65 x S. viarum. There was a clear correlation between the levels of biochemical constituents and shoot and fruit borer incidence. This study showed the biochemical parameters responsible for the resistance but showed as well the development of superior genotypes with resistance to shoot and fruit borer.Prabhu M, Natarajan S, Veeraragavathatham D, Pugalendhi L (2009) The biochemical basis of shoot and fruit borer resistance in interspecific progenies of brinjal (Solanum melongena). EurAsia J BioSci 3, 7, 50-57.

The purpose of this study is to examine the value chain analysis of, consumers' awareness level of, and buying motives toward mushroom products. The primary data were collected through face-to-face interviews and by using a questionnaire filled out by 70 consumers from various major mushroom production districts, selected by non-random sampling. Secondary data were collected from various sources. Based on the data analysis, it was found that around 73% of consumers preferred to buy their mushroom products in the supermarket, and 71% of consumers responded that factors other than the shape, color, and size of mushrooms motivated them to buy them. The research concludes that urban consumers were well aware of the nutrition value of mushrooms, but their consumption level was very low compared to non-vegetarians urban consumer in the studied area. Nearly 30% of respondents believed a myth about mushrooms having a mold and were prepared from compost, which causes a bad smell. It was found that that while producers put forth more effort and energy than other actors into the mushroom value chain they received less revenue and profit than wholesalers and retailers. Therefore, policy makers should develop new norms to remove barriers and others issues to safeguard mushroom producers for sustainable growth of the mushroom sector in India. In the future, there will be an increase in the consumption of processed foods. Hence, food companies have to concentrate on mushroom processing and fresh mushroom production.

India is the largest producer of acid lime in the world and they are used as fresh fruit or for the preparation of pickles and beverages. They are rich in vitamin C, minerals and salts. The seasonality of production leads to market glut which results in poor returns to the farmers. Hence, an experiment was conducted to manipulate and regulate flowering by using various plant growth regulators viz., GA­3 and cycocel, chemicals viz., KNO3 and salicylic acid at 11 different treatment combinations. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design (RBD) and each treatment was replicated thrice. The age of the trees was seven years and the variety used was PKM1. The experiment conducted in four consecutive years. The experimental results showed that there were significant differences among the treatments. Acid lime trees sprayed with GA3 50 ppm in June + cycocel 1000 ppm in September + KNO3 2% in October recorded the highest number of fruits tree-1 (1003), weight of fruits (48.60 g) and average fruit yield (28.96 kg tree-1). The same treatment registered the highest values for juice content (32.13 %), TSS (7.29o Brix) and ascorbic acid content (32.56 mg / 100ml).

The nutritional need of acid lime is unique and differs from other fruit crops as it has continuous flowering and heavy fruiting habit. An experiment was conducted with the key objective of studying the effect of integrated nutrient management system on yield and quality of acid lime, variety PKM 1. In this study, application of 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (600:200:300 g NPK plant-1 year-1 )+ Azospirillum (100g plant-1) + phosphobacteria (100g plant-1) + Arbuscular Mycorrizhal Fungi (500g plant-1) + Trichoderma harzianum (100g plant-1) has showed a superior performance regarding yield, yield attributing components and quality attributes of acidlime.

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