To make the poplar (Populus deltoids) based agroforestry systems economically more profitable, twelve winter flower annuals under three environmental conditions (open, under 3 and 4 year old poplar canopy) with four replications in split-split plot design were evaluated. Results of the study revealed that yield and other parameters of flowering annuals were low in crops that were in association with poplar than in open environmental condition. Among the crops studied, Coreopsis tinctoria, Coreopsis lanceolata, Phlox drumondii and Gaillardia pulchelia showed better performance than the other crops in both conditions. The poplar growth parameters such as tree height, diameter at breast height, crown spread, crown height and tree volume/fresh weight showed better performance under agroforestry plantation than without inter-cultivation. Benefit-cost ratio of growing flowers for seed production ranged from 1.15 to 5.31 under three year old poplar canopy and 1.68 to 5.51 in open environment. The corresponding values were 1.12 to 5.17 and 1.40 to 5.37 for four year old poplar canopy and open environment. In comparison to traditionally grown wheat crop, flower annuals were found profitable under poplar canopy as well as in open environment.

Field experiments with medicinal rice Njavara were conducted at Cropping Systems Research Centre, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during summer of 2007 and 2008. The experimental design was split plot with three replications. The treatments consisted of four establishment techniques viz., System of Rice Intensification SRI (M₁), Integrated Crop Establishment Method (ICM) (M₂), Package of practices (PoP) (M₃) of Kerala Agricultural University and Conventional Management Practices (CMP) (M₄) in main plot. Three nutrient sources viz., (1) organic, 2) integrated use of organic and inorganic, 3) chemical fertilizers only) were used under different establishment techniques. Root dry matter production was determined at weekly intervals and plant nutrients uptake was determined by calculating from the product of dry matter, straw dry weight, grain yield and percentage of nutrients. Results revealed that at early stages (4-6 WAT/WAS) (Weeks after transplanting/Weeks after sowing), root dry matter production hill^-1 was in the order of SRI > ICM >

An easy and simple approach is developed to fabricate nano‐composite packaging films from starch molecules reinforced with cellulose nanofibers derived from unripe from banana peel. Addition of 10g (w/w, dry starch basis) of cellulose nanofibers into the starch matrix results in improved mechanical and thermal stability of the nano‐composite films. The results show that addition of cellulose nanofibers into the starch matrix result in significant reduction in water solubility and water vapour permeability of the packaging films. The mechanical properties (elongation at break and tensile strength) of the films are improved significantly with incorporation of nano‐particles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy displays similar spectra for all tested samples due to the similar chemical nature of starch and cellulose. Similarly, differential scanning calorimetry analysis shows improved thermal stability of packaging films with the addition of nanofibers derived from banana peel cellulose. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy results show smooth surfaces and even distribution of particles and spaces in the matrix films as compared to the control. These results indicate the possible use of these packaging films in the food packaging industry thanks to their biocompatible, biodegradable, and non‐toxic characteristics and features.

The present investigation was attempted to assess the leaf litter production, decomposition rate and amount of major nutrient return in Populus deltoides, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Tectona grandis and Pyrus pyrifolia based agroforestry land use systems in Taran Taran district which falls in the north western agro-climatic zone of thePunjab state, India. The litter production in selected tree species was quantified using litter traps and decomposition pattern of leaf litter was investigated by litter bag technique. Litterfall in the selected tree species varied significantly (5 % level of significance) during different months of the study period. Among the four species, P. deltoides exhibited highest leaf litter production (7.8 tons/ha) followed by T. grandis (1.83 tons/ha) and E. tereticornis (1.77 tons/ha) whereas, lowest leaf litter production was observed in P. pyrifolia (0.34 tons/ha). The present study also showed that temperature as compared to rainfall play a significant (5 % level of significance) role in litter decomposition. In case of P. pyrifolia, P. deltoides and T. grandis decomposition take place 100 per cent, 98 per cent and 99 per cent respectively after 10 months whereas in E. tereticornis 87.7 per cent leaf decomposed after 10 months. The nutrients percentage through litter fall was maximum of nitrogen (2.27 %) followed by potassium (1.90 %) and phosphorous (0.32 %). Maximum and minimum N input through leaf litter was in P. deltoides (2.27 %) and P. pyrifolia (1.15 %). The K input (%) was maximum in leaves of T. grandis (0.32) and minimum in E. tereticornis (0.21). The maximum input of P (%) through leaf litter was in P. deltoides (1.90) whereas, minimum value was observed in E. tereticornis (1.27). Tree based agroforestry land use systems improve soil nutrient status as compared to traditional wheat and paddy based land use systems under this region of Punjab. Therefore tree based land use systems need to be promoted over the traditional field crops for realizing better environmental benefits in this region.

The present study was designed to find the best mixing ratio of mandarin and strawberry juice, and to study the individual and combined effect of sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate on physiochemical and organoleptic characteristics of the product during storage. The juices from both fruits were mixed in different ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1, 3:1) and were analyzed organoleptically. The product having both fruit juices in (1:1) was taken for further study. Total six samples (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6) were preserved with different concentrations of sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate and were analyzed for their physiochemical (pH, total soluble solids, % acidity, ascorbic acid, reducing and non-reducing sugar) and organoleptic characteristics (color, flavor, taste and overall acceptability) for 90 days at 15 days interval at room temperature. The average value for pH, ascorbic acid and non-reducing sugars were decreased at α value (˂ 0.05) while the average value for total soluble solids, percent acidity and reducing sugars were increased at α value (˂ 0.05). The average judges score for color, flavor, taste and overall acceptability of all samples was decreased at α value (˂0.05). S4 [(1:1) + 0.075% Sodium benzoate + 0.025 Potassium sorbate] stayed more acceptable while S6 [controlled] showed unsatisfactory results both physiochemically and organoleptically.