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A field experiment was carried out to standardize spacing and pinching time to enhance the yield and quality of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) at the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Thrissur, Kerala, from September 2021 to May 2022. The design of the experiment was factorial RBD and replicated thrice. The experiment comprised three levels of spacing (15 cm × 10 cm, 20 cm × 10 cm, and 15 cm × 15 cm) and four pinching intervals (pinching at 20 days after planting (DAP), pinching at 30 DAP, pinching at flower bud initiation and no pinching) in all possible combinations. The plants grown with closer spacing (15 cm × 10 cm) were the tallest at all growth stages. The pinching of the apical bud caused a reduction in plant height and increased the number of branches. Pinched plants recorded higher fresh and dry leaf weights than plants left non-pinched. More leaves were registered under the wider (15 cm × 15 cm) spacing than narrower spacings. Pinching favored the formation of more lateral buds, producing a more significant number of branches and, finally, more leaves per plant. High-density planting of stevia yielded the highest aboveground fresh mass (10925 kg ha-1), whereas lower plant densities yielded the lowest aboveground fresh mass (7330 kg ha-1). The stevia planted at a spacing of 15 cm × 10 cm and pinched at flower bud initiation (11980 kg ha-1) produced higher herbage.

In sweet potato, though a number of high yielding varieties are available for cultivation, there is lack of information on suitability of various varieties to different seasons. The results of the study will be useful to recommend varieties ideal for different seasons. Field experiments were conducted during Kharif, Rabi and Summer seasons from 2021 to 2022 with an objective to assess the seasonal influence on growth and tuber yield of five sweet potato varieties [High yielding varieties were Bhu Krishna (V1), Sree Arun (V2), Sree Bhadra (V3), Bhu Sona (V4) and local variety was Kanjanghad Local (V5)]. Randomized Block Design was followed with four replications. Variety Bhu Sona recorded significantly the highest vine length (211.38 cm) compared to other varieties and variety Sree Bhadra (114.71 cm) and variety Kanjanghad Local (112.54 cm) recorded significantly lower vine length. Sree Arun and Bhu Sona were the superior varieties and recorded significantly higher average tuber weight (236.77 g/plant and 219.14 g/plant, respectively), tuber yield per plant (514.65 g/plant and 404.22 g/plant, respectively) and tuber yield per ha (18.92 tha-1 and 15.96 tha-1, respectively). Rabi season was found ideal for all sweet potato varieties with higher average tuber weight (188.96 g/plant) and tuber yield per ha (20.17 tha-1). Per cent contribution of total dry matter to tuber dry matter was more in Rabi season for Sree Arun and Sree Bhadra varieties. Among the varieties, Sree Arun can be recommended for Rabi and Summer seasons and Bhu Sona for Kharif season.

Background: Potassium is a major nutrient needed by the crops including tuber crops. It is essential for tuber initiation and bulking process. Varietal differences in potassium uptake and utilization in many crops were reported. As many varieties of sweet potato are released so far, studies on understanding the variations in potassium accumulation and its influence on tuber yield are essential. Methods: Field experiments were conducted during kharif and rabi seasons, 2021 with an objective to assess the seasonal influence and potassium nutrition [0 kg K2O/ha (K1), 50 kg K2O/ha (K2), 75 kg K2O/ha (K3) and 100 kg K2O/ha (K4)] on growth and tuber yield of five sweet potato varieties - four high yielding varieties (HYV) and one local variety [Bhu Krishna (V1), Sree Arun (V2), Sree Bhadra (V3), Bhu Sona (V4) and Kanjanghad Local (V5)]. There were 20 treatment combinations replicated thrice in a randomized block design. Result: Significantly higher tuber yield (17.01 t/ha) during kharif season was recorded by variety Bhu Sona. But during rabi season, Sree Arun was superior with a tuber yield of 23.92 t/ha. The potassium nutrition up to 75 kg K2O/ha increased the yield of sweet potato in rabi season. Interaction effect of two factors was also significant with respect to tuber yield, total chlorophyll content and tuber K content. Potassium Harvest Index (%) and Potassium Accumulation Value (g/plant) also significantly varied between varieties and K levels.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a neuropathy caused by entrapment of the median nerve at the wrist. CTS is the most well-known and frequent form of median nerve entrapment and accounts for 90% of all entrapment neuropathies. CTS, in the form of median nerve entrapment, remains a perplexing and debilitating disorder. We report a comparative study between the Boston questionnaire (BQ) and median nerve conduction study parameters in patients with CTS treated by division of the flexor retinaculum through a short incision at the palm.Methods: The prospective cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted in department of burns, plastic and reconstructive surgery at SCB Medical College, Cuttack.Results: The average age was 44.49 years (SD=10.51; range=24-70), and the average symptom duration was 19.9 months (range=6-36). There are 36 hands in the severe group, 22 with the moderate group, and 12 with the mild category. The mean symptom severity scale score for severe group A was 40.92 (SD=5.84) and for moderate group B was 31.67 (SD=5.72), and for the mild group, C was 26.0 and SD=3.82). We found significant correlation between symptomatic recovery and Boston severity scales.Conclusions: Clinical correlation of pre- and post-op symptoms is the only full proof way to predict recovery after surgery in CTS‑affected, patients.