Navsari Agricultural University

Bangali Babool, Acacia auriculiformis (Family-Leguminosae & Sub-family-Mimosoideae) is an evergreen fast growing exotic tree species and it grows in different parts of India. This species is mainly used for making furniture, fuel wood and as minor timber. The present study aims at determination of volumetric equation for A. auriculiformis in South Gujarat. The study was carried out in different land-use systems like plantation, road side and canal side plantation, etc. in Navsari and Valsad districts of Gujarat during 2022-24. In this study, a total of 120 A. auriculiformis trees belonging to different diameter classes viz., D1: 10-15 cm, D2: 15-20 cm, D3: 20-25 cm, D4: 25-30 cm, D5: 30-35 cm, D6: 35-40 cm, D7: 40-45 cm, D8: 45-50 cm, D9: 50-55 cm, D10: 55-60 cm, D11: 60-65 cm and D12: 65-70 cm were considered. A total of four different regression models such as Linear [V1 = a + b D], Power (V2 = a Db), Logarithmic [V3 = a + b ln(D)] and Quadratic polynomial [V4 = a + b D + c D2] models were tested using DBH as an independent variable. Among them, based on higher R2 and lower RMSE values, the quadratic polynomial model [V4 = a + b D + c D2], followed by linear model [V1 = a + b D] were found to be the best fitted regression equations. Further, based on cross verification of actual values with predicted values of volume 11 trees tested with four equations, Quadratic polynomial model recorded higher RMSE value than others; thus, it is suggested to use volumetric equation: V=-0.468+0.046*D+0.000087*D2 for estimating volume of standing trees of A. auriculiformis with DBH which falls between 10 and 70 cm.

Banana cultivation is increasingly challenged by limited land availability, climate variability, and declining resource-use efficiency, necessitating the adoption of precision-based production strategies. This review critically synthesizes recent advances in high-density planting (HDP), precision nutrient and water management, improved planting material, and other hi-tech interventions for enhancing banana productivity and sustainability. Evidence from experimental and multi-location studies indicates that HDP systems with plant densities ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 plants ha⁻¹ can increase yield by 19–79% over conventional planting, depending on cultivar, spacing, and management practices. Precision fertigation under HDP has been reported to reduce fertilizer use by 25–50% while maintaining or improving bunch weight, fruit quality, and economic returns. In addition, optimized planting geometry and resource management improve light interception, water-use efficiency, and overall system resilience. These approaches improve resource-use efficiency by reducing fertilizer and water inputs by approximately 25–50%, while enhancing economic returns through yield gains of 20–70% compared with conventional banana cultivation systems. This review highlights that integrating precision approaches with cultivar-specific recommendations offers a viable pathway for achieving sustainable productivity in banana cultivation, particularly under Indian and South Asian production systems, while also identifying key research gaps for future refinement. Graphical Abstract

Proper spacing improves light interception, reduces competition for soil nutrients and moisture, and supports healthier canopy architecture. Foliar feeding provides rapid nutrient uptake during critical growth stages, enhancing photosynthetic activity, pod formation, and overall yield. Therefore, to realise higher yield potential in Black gram, field experiments were conducted at the Pulse Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, during summer 2022, in a randomised block design with 12 treatment combinations, replicated 4 times, using the black gram variety “GU-3 (Anjani)”. The two factors under investigation comprised of (Factor 1) spacing level: S1– 45 cm × 10 cm, S2 – 60cm × 10 cm and (Factor 2) foliar application of nutrients: N1 -1 % urea, N2 – 2 % urea, N3 -1 % LUP, N4 – 2 % LUP, N5- 1 % novel and N6 – 2 % novel. Plant height at 60 DAS (40.25 cm) and harvest (50.90 cm), seed yield (963 kg ha⁻¹), straw yield (2197 kg ha⁻¹), and harvest index (30.41) were maximum with spacing of 45 × 10. In contrast, 60×10 cm spacing recorded more branches per plant⁻¹ (5.45 and 5.16 at 60 DAS and harvest) and higher pods per plant⁻¹ (29.36). Among foliar nutrient treatments, 2% novel spray (N6) reported the highest plant height at 60 DAS (43.35 cm) and harvest (54.35 cm), and maximum branches per plant⁻¹ (5.77 and 5.47), remaining statistically at par with N4 (2 % LUP) and N5 (1 % novel). The highest pods plant⁻¹ (32.02) and seeds pod⁻¹ were also obtained with 2% novel, comparable only to 2 % LUP (N4). The highest seed yield (1019 kg ha⁻¹) and straw yield (2349 kg ha⁻¹) were achieved with 2 % novel spray, again at par with N4 and N5.

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) policy remains a cornerstone of India’s agricultural price support mechanism, intended to ensure remunerative prices to farmers, reduce price risk and incentivize crop production. This study critically examines the performance and effectiveness of the MSP system for paddy in Gujarat over the period 2002–2022. The analysis is segmented into two sub-periods, 2002–2012 and 2012–2022, to identify changes in trends, responsiveness and regional variations. The study draws on extensive secondary data from government publications, including the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, CACP reports and the Directorate of Agriculture, Agriculture & Co-operation Department, Government of Gujarat. The findings reveal that MSP for both common and A-grade paddy increased consistently over the study period, with relatively sharper growth during the first decade compared to the second, indicating a slowdown in MSP revisions in recent years. Conversely, Farm Harvest Prices (FHP) exhibited greater volatility. Although FHP remained above MSP for most years during the first sub-period, they fell below MSP in four consecutive years after 2017, with the widest negative deviation observed in 2020–21. While a majority of the years recorded positive FHP–MSP deviations, the recent emergence and persistence of negative deviations point to a declining effectiveness of MSP in safeguarding farmer’s incomes. This trend suggests that MSP announcements alone may not be sufficient to ensure remunerative prices in the absence of effective market support. Strengthening procurement operations and improving price transmission mechanisms are therefore crucial to enhancing the effectiveness of the MSP policy for paddy farmers in Gujarat.

Ashok, Saraca asoca, is one of the evergreen medicinal tree species distributed in semi-evergreen to moist deciduous forests. Bark is largely used in ayurvedic treatments, especially to treat gynaecological problems. Mostly raw materials are procured from wild population. Due to overharvesting, this species is ecologically disturbed, fragmented and need conservation attention. The present study aimed to understand the intervention of planting geometry/spacing on growth and biomass of Saraca asoca, a highly traded medicinal tree species of conservation concern. Study consists of three planting geometry (spacing) viz., 1 x 1 m, 1 x 2 m and 2 x 2 m planted in three different plots under large plot technique; further, plant growth was assessed for a period of eight years in Ashok. Result shows that plant height was significantly varied among three different spacing treatments at the age of 5½ year, and thereafter, spacing did not influence the plant height. Furthermore, basal diameter varied significantly among three spacing (planting geometry) at the age of 5½ to 7½ years. Among three planting geometry, plants grown at 1 x 2 m spacing resulted in height of 499.44 cm and basal diameter of 90.39 mm with height increment of 146.11 cm and basal diameter increment of 41.99 mm over a three years period. Thus, 1 x 2 m spacing is suggested for establishment of ashok plantation for bark harvesting. This information would be helpful among the scientific community while working out precision silvicultural practices for medicinal tree production systems and ex situ conservation of Ashok.

Beekeeping served as an accessible supplementary source of income for farm households. It improves earnings for the rural poor, enhances the nutritional security of rural women and children and ensures continuous employment throughout the year via different activities. However, beekeeping faces significant challenges from numerous factors that either independently or in combination affect honeybees and their valuable products. The present study was carried out to examine constraints faced by the beekeepers in the production and marketing of honey in the South Gujarat region. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used for the study. The study was based on primary data collected from 120 beekeepers selected from six randomly chosen talukas (Dharampur, Kaprada, Ahwa, Waghai, Dolvan and Vyara) within three districts (Valsad, Dang and Tapi). The data were collected through one-to-one personal interviews using a pre-structured schedule. Garrett’s ranking technique was used to analyze the problems perceived by beekeepers in honey production and marketing. Beekeepers said that unfavorable weather patterns, problems with their colonies, pesticide poisoning, a shortage of bee food and a lack of recognition for technology were the main obstacles to honey production. While inadequate storage facilities, an unfixed price for raw honey, a lack of information about the honey industry, a disorganized market structure and the absence of quality testing labs were the major marketing challenges.