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The morphological variation and genetic diversity in 15 root and shoot characters was studied in 27 castor accessions sown in an elevated temporary root study structure. Variation in characters accounted to 3.05 to 50.29%. Characters were subjected to Shannon Weaver diversity index (H') to know the genetic diversity. Eleven traits recorded high H' indicating suitability in breeding programmes. Their regression coefficients indicated positive change for six traits in dependent variable seed yield. Phenotypic correlation studies revealed that seed yield was significantly correlated to root dry weight, root diameter, plant height, node number, effective spike length and 100 seed weight. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that PC1, 2 and 3 accounted for 44.52, 15.93 and 10.54% variation. High loadings in the first three PCs were recorded for nine traits viz., root dry weight, shoot dry weight, root length, total root length, root diameter at crown region, SCMR, effective spike length, node number to primary spike. Hence, present studies gains importance in understanding the root related traits and their role in quantifying the genotypes in terms of divergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is a country with varied agroclimatic conditions which enable the cultivation of different crops. India stands amongst the top producers of fruits, and mango is produced in abundance in India. Lack of suitable marketing avenues and channels decreases the margin for the growers. This study was undertaken to know the existing marketing channels and the problems associated with these marketing channels in the Mahabubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. The study revealed four marketing channels used by farmers, of which the pre-harvest contractor was the most prevalent, because it involved low risk. The intermediaries in various channels faced many problems, of which, high transportation charges, high commission agent charges and syndicating of the wholesalers are the major ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation was carried out to study the influence of plant spacing at four levels, viz. 45x15 cm², 45x20 cm², 60x15 cm² and 60x20 cm² and fertilizer doses at three levels, i.e. 90: 45: 45 NPK kg ha-1, 120: 60: 45 NPK kg ha-1 and 150: 75: 45 NPK kg ha-1 on sweet corn during kharif 2008. Significance of fertilizer dose was observed for number of seed rows cob-1 and number of seeds cob-1, while plant spacing was significant for shelling percentage. Interaction between plant spacing and fertilizer dose was found to be significant for various parameters, viz. cob girth and length, number of seeds cob-1, shelling percentage, 100 seed weight and seed yield plant-1. Combinations, viz. 45x20 cm² and 120: 60: 45 NPK kg ha-1, 60x15 cm² and 150: 75: 45 NPK kg ha-1, 60x20 cm² and 120: 60: 45 NPK kg ha-1, 60x20 cm² and 150: 75: 45 NPK kg ha-1, performed better for yield components like cob girth and length, number of seeds cob-1 and 100 seed weight thus, higher seed yield plant-1. Similar performance of 45x20 cm²/120: 60:45 NPK kg ha-1 with other superior combinations indicated the field value of lower plant spacing and moderate fertilizer dose in realizing higher seed yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]