Pruning and defoliation are essential operations for inducing off-season flowering and fruiting to yield better quality and quantity of fruits in custard apple. A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of different levels of pruning on growth and quality of custard apple (Annona squamosa L.), cultivar Dharur-6 of eight years old plants spaced at 4×4 m 2 . studied at custard apple, Research Station, Ambajogai, district Beed during the year 2016-2017. The data has been statistically analyzed by using Randomized Block design. In this experiment, six pruning treatments (5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm and control) were taken after harvesting of previous year fruits. Shoot emergence was found earlier, in pruned trees as compared to unpruned trees. The statistical analysis revealed that, the treatment Pruning at 20 cm shows maximum weight of fruit (263 g), weight of pulp (110.7) and weight of peel (131.23 g) ware recorded. Maximum total soluble solid (23.80%) was recorded in the treatment pruning at 20 cm. Maximum reducing sugar (18.50%) was recorded in treatment pruning at 15 cm. Significantly maximum non-reducing sugar 1.88% was observed in treatment Pruning at 15 cm. Significantly maximum total sugar 20.38% was recorded in the treatment Pruning at 15 cm. Hence, it is therefore suggested that treatment pruning at 20 cm can be used to maintain growth and quality of custard apple. AbstractArticle History

The present investigation was carried out at Instructional-Cum-Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Latur during kharif season, 2016-17; to study the variabilities in brinjal. To conduct the study eighteen genotypesof brinjal viz., Poiyoor, Nagarkoil, Chettipulam, Vengaloor, Br.CVK (spineless), Erangere, Rampur Local, Panrutti, Rayadurga local, Gulabi, Pusa Purple round, Arka Keshav, Malapura Local, Pune Kateri, Padhukottai, Kateri Wangi, Br. CVK (spine) and Vettai Mangalam wereevaluated for 19 quantitative characters. A wide range of variations were observed among different genotypes for all growth, yield and quality characters. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits. High (>20%) genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient variation (PCV) were observed for fruit dry matter %, fruit yield plant -1 , weight of fruits, leaf petiole length, fruit yield hectare -1 , fruit yield plot -1 , plant height and days required for first flowering. High heritability (>60%) coupled with high genetic advance as percent over mean (>20%) were recorded for the characters viz., plant height, leaf petiole length, days required for first flowering, fruit pedicel length, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits plant -1 , weight of fruits, fruit yield plant -1 , fruit yield plot -1 , fruit yield hectare -1 , fruit dry matter % and fruit protein %. The additive component is predominant for the above characters.Genotype, variability, brinjal, Solanum melongena L. AbstractArticle History

Eight different promising cropping systems of important crop of Marathwada region were tested in varied weather condition under rain fed agriculture. At the end of two year experiment it was investigated that, sowing of all the cropping systems in 26 th MW recorded the highest mean productivity as compared to delayed sowing after 26 th MW. The data further revealed that the parlimillet + pigeonpea (C 5), sorghum + pigeonpea (C 4), greengram-Rabi sorghum (C 8), soybean + pigeonpea (C 6) showed the better performance over the sowing dates as compared to all the other cropping systems. The lowest mean productivity of 537 kg/ha was obtained when sorghum + pigeonpea ICS sown in 32 nd MW (D 4 C 4) followed by D 4 C 1 , D 4 C 7 , D 3 C 1 and D 3 C 4 treatment combinations. The benefit cost ratio observed to be highest in D 1 x C 5 i.e. pearlmillent + pigeonpea (26 th MW).

Eight different promising cropping systems of important crop of Marathwada region were tested in varied weather condition under rain fed agriculture. At the end of two year experiment it was investigated that, sowing of all the cropping systems in 26 th MW recorded the highest mean productivity as compared to delayed sowing after 26 th MW. The data further revealed that the parlimillet + pigeonpea (C 5), sorghum + pigeonpea (C 4), greengram-Rabi sorghum (C 8), soybean + pigeonpea (C 6) showed the better performance over the sowing dates as compared to all the other cropping systems.The lowest mean productivity of 537 kg/ha was obtained when sorghum + pigeonpea ICS sown in 32 nd MW (D 4 C 4) followed by

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