Potato crop is affected by numerous diseases in field, as well as in storage conditions, particularly in cold storage. Dry rot of potato is caused by Fusarium sp. Dry rot of seed tubers can reduce crop establishment by killing developing potato sprouts, and crop losses can be up to 25%, while more than 60% of tubers can be infected in storage. It is a rich source of energy, which supplement food source of a country. In this experiment, four systemic and four non-systemic fungicides were tested at different concentrations in vitro for their comparative efficacy against inhibition of the growth of Fusarium sp. through poisoned food technique. To manage these diseases effectively, different concentrations of fungicides were tested. Results revealed against Fusarium sp. that carbendazim and benomyl significantly inhibited the fungal growth even at its lower concentration (100 ppm) and proved statistically superior over the rest of the fungicides tested at different concentrations and among non-systemic fungicides, MEMC significantly inhibited the fungal growth even at its lower concentration (1000 ppm).

Niger (Guizotia abyssinicaCass) is an important minor oilseed crop of hilly and tribal regions and it is used for oil as well as for various other purposes only by the tribal people. Therefore, a systematic study was arranged to document about the increase in the seed yield of niger crop in relation to honeybees (Aphis mellifera), as a pollinator in niger crop with paired plot technique at the Niger Research Station (NRS) at Navsari Agricultural University (NAU) and at farmer’s field, Vanarasi, Navsari, Gujarat (India) and also studied its relation in terms of cost benefit ratio (CB). The trial was conducted at Niger Research Station (NRS), Vanarasi for 3 years (2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16) and also at farmer's field to ascertain the role and involvement of honey bees (Aphis mellifera) in swelling the seed yield of niger crop (due to pollination) and its effect on income due to increase in the niger seed yield. Significant differences were observed for number of capitula/plant, number of seeds/capitula, 1000 seed weight and seed yield in both the location for the consecutive 3 years. However, the seed yield and gross returns were considerably higher in first location of T1Natural plot/open pollinated with beehive (Aphis mellifera)in all the 3 years data with the maximum seed yield with the gross return was obtained in this treatment.

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(Gujarat), India to determine the most suitable sowing date for niger crop. Seeds (5 kg/ ha) of niger variety GN-1 were sown in RBD on 15 th July, 25 th July, 4 th August, 14 th August, 24 th August and 4 th September with a spacing of 30 cm × 10 cm and supplied with recommended dose of NPK. The results revealed that sowing on second fortnight of July (15 th to 25 th July) produced the highest seed yield (kg/ha) attributed mainly to the increased number of branches, capitula per plant and a high 1000-seed weight whereas, delay in sowing leads to early flowering and maturity of niger crop might be due to favourable environmental conditions.