An investigation was carried out to assess the combining ability and nature of gene action in baby corn (Zea mays L.) genotypes, by making crosses of eight inbred lines namely, HKI 3209, SML 1, EC 595979, CM 128, VQL 1, G 18 seq C5 F 76-2-2-1-1-2-BBB, HKI 209, in diallel mating design (without reciprocal crosses) by following Griffing Model–I and Method–II during rabi season 2013-14 at the experimental farm of BAC, Sabour, Bhagalpur (Bihar). The crosses were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) to assess the combining ability and nature of gene action. Based on general combining ability, parents CM 128 and VQL 1 were best parent forbreeding programme for yield and quality improvement. The specific combining ability also indicates that hybrid CM128 x VQL1 was best specific combiner for baby corn yield (4.11q/ha), fodder yield (50.91q/ha) as well as for better quality. The crosses CM 128 x HKI 209 recorded the high mean (7.35%) and SCA effects (2.57 ºBrix) for quality traits. The gene action analysis also revealed preponderance of non-additive gene action for yield and its contributing characters.

The 3 oyster mushroom species namely Pleurotus florida, P. eous, and Hypsizygus ulmarius were evaluated for their biological efficiency (BE) and net returns from the rupee invested (NRRI) in late kharif and rabi seasons. The BE and NRRI of P. florida and H. ulmarius were on par and significantly superior to P. eous in both the seasons. The present study provided corroboration for the suitability of P. florida and H. ulmarius cultivation in the late kharif and rabi seasons whereas, P. eous cultivation in the summer and early kharif seasons. Thus, the season-specific selection of oyster mushroom species promotes the concept of year-round mushroom cultivation.

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2011-12 and 2012-13 at Bihar Agricultural college, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, to study the effect of planting geometry and seed treatment on growth and yield of wheat under System of Wheat Intensification. The results indicated that maximum grain yield of wheat i.e., 48.71 and 51.17 q ha-1 during 2011-12 and 2012-13, respectively were recorded when the crop was sown in a fashion of 15×15 cm 2 planting geometry which was significantly higher than the grain yield recorded under conventional and 10×10 cm 2 planting geometry but was at par with that obtained under the 20×20 cm 2 planting geometry. It was also observed that grain yield of wheat was significantly higher with treated seeds i.e., 44.55 and 47.41 q ha-1 during 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively, as compared to that obtained with untreated seed. With respect to grain yield, the treatment 15×15 cm 2 geometry registered highest % increment in grain yield, having values 16.6% and 14.8% followed by 20×20 cm 2 with values 11.4% and 7.7% in 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively, over conventional sowing, the % increase in B:C ratio also followed the same trend during both the years of experimentation.

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