1Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production. 2Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Seed Production. 3Department of Botany and Plant Ecology. Wroc?aw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland, Corresponding e-mail: piotr.kuc@upwr.edu.pl
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.25
Key words: Seedling stimulation, plant development, essential oils, Salvia officinalis, Valeriana officinalis, Myconate® HB, formononetin
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Abstract: The research aimed to demonstrate the effect of Myconate® HB (formononetin) on the growth, weight, nutrients and active compounds in Valeriana officinalis and Salvia officinalis. The research was carried out in the experimental field on brown soil. A univariate experiment was established using the randomised block design in four replications. The study showed that the use of Myconate® (Agrii Polska Sp. zoo.) on V. officinalis seedlings positively affected the weight of the aerial parts and roots, as well as on the content of dry matter and fiber. However, the content of total protein and nitrogen-free extracts was unfavourable. In the case of S. officinalis, the use of Myconate® also had a positive impact on the weight of the aboveground parts and roots and on the content of total protein and crude ash in the herb, while it negatively influenced the contents of dry matter, fiber and nitrogen-free extracts. Myconate®, however, did not affect the length of the phenological stages in the experimental plants. The percentage of essential oils increased during the vegetation period in both species in all the tested plots, while their statistically higher contents were observed from the full tillering stage in the plots sprayed with Myconate®.
ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta, Bengaluru-560089. Corresponding e-mail: manjunath.bl@icar.gov.in
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.26
Key words: Benefit-cost ratio, irrigation side, papaya (Carica papaya L.), partial root zone drying, scheduling irrigation, water use efficiency
Abstract: A field experiment to standardize the partial root-zone drying irrigation in papaya (Carica papaya L.) cultivar ‘Red Lady’ indicated that replenishing 70 % of the evaporative demand and changing the irrigation sides once in 12 days stored higher soil moisture (14.6 %) in the root zone. Irrigation meeting 60 % ER found to enhance the photosynthetic rate (13.9µ mol/m2/s) significantly, while shifting the irrigation at 16 days was found to reduce the rate (9.9 µ mol/m2/s). ABA production increased with an increase in the interval between the changing irrigation sides. Vertical growth of roots was significantly higher (67.3 cm) when irrigation was scheduled meeting 60 % pan evaporation with irrigation side changing once in 16 days. Replenishing 60 % of evaporation recorded significantly higher number of fruits (46.1/plant) and further changing the irrigation sides once in 12 days found to yield considerably more papaya fruits (53 /plant) and total yield (32.4 kg/plant) accounting to 100 t/ha. This treatment also recorded substantially higher water use efficiency (100.4 kg/ha.mm), saving 14.3 % water. Further, scheduling irrigation at 60 % ER and changing the irrigation sides at 12 day intervals was found to be more economical with higher gross returns (Rs. 10,00,000), net returns (Rs. 6,09,340) and benefit-cost ratio (2.60).
1ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Imphal 795004, Manipur, India. 2Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan 731236, West Bengal, India. 3Central Horticultural Experiment Station, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bhubaneswar 751019, Odisha, India. Corresponding e-mail: manas.sahoo@icar.gov.in
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.27
Key words: Nitsch vitamin, MSB5, synseeds, organogenesis, genetic fidelity, Kachai lemon
Abstract: An efficient shoot and root organogenesis protocol has been developed from synseeds derived from various explants of Citrus jambhiri Lush. Optimum synseeds were developed using sodium alginate (0.5-0.75%) in 1.0% CaCl2 solution. Shoot organogenesis was examined under various basal vitamin mediums (MS Nitsch and MSB5) supplemented with various concentrations of adenine sulfate (ADS) and 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) from different explants such as cotyledonary junction, shoot tip, and nodal explants. The synseed regeneration response ranged between 60-100% among the vitamins, cytokinins and explants used. The number of shoots per synseeds was higher (13.4) in MSB5-BAP (1.5 mg L-1), followed by 12.8 in MSN-ADS (2.0 mg L-1), 11.2 in MSN-ADS (1.0 mg L-1), and 10.8 in MSB5-ADS (1.0 mg L-1) from the synseeds developed using 0.75% sodium alginate. The mean number of roots per explant was higher (4.2) in ½MSN+IAA (1.0 mg L-1). Similarly, the mean root length was higher (5.2 cm) in ½MSN+IAA (0.5 mg L-1) followed by 4.2 cm in ½MSN+IAA (1.0 mg L-1). Regenerants derived from synseeds have shown no somaclonal variations, confirming that the plantlets are true-to-type to their parental progenies. The encapsulated plantlets showed >90% survivability while transferred at Kachai village, Manipur, India. The results of the present study encourage the use of various vitamin mediums and explants for large-scale propagation of C. jambhiri through synseeds.
1Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Green Fields, Vaddeswaram, Guntur, AP, India. 2S.R. University, Warangal, Telangana, India. Corresponding e-mail: rameshdamarla2009@gmail.com.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.29
Key words: Apple (Malus Domestica Borkh), pre-cooling, cooling kinetics, un-steady state, controlled atmosphere storage (cas)
Abstract: The objective of the present investigation was to model the rate of cooling of apples in a fruit storage unit using forced air pre-cooling. Apples of Royal, Red, Rich-a-red and Golden Delicious varieties were procured from Shimla and Royal Delicious from the Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh, India. Apples were transported in refrigerated and non-refrigerated vehicles. After grading and sorting on a fully automatic machine, the apples were subjected to a cooling process. Apples were placed in perforated plastic crates and stacked in a controlled atmosphere chamber of 720 m3 capacity. Temperature profiles of apples were recorded with a programmable logic controller connected to sensors. The effect of variety, initial apple temperature, and fruit quantity per chamber on the cooling rate were investigated. Initial fruit temperature significantly affected the cooling time. The apple variety did not significantly affect the cooling time, except that slow cooling was observed for golden delicious in the last cooling stage. Varied masses of apples resulted in a proportionate increase in cooling time. Cooling times were 132, 113, 78, and 65 hours for a mass of 165, 150, 140, and 130 Metric Tons (MT), respectively. Correlation coefficients ranged from 0.970 to 0.979 for different varieties. The rate of cooling with apple mass was modeled with linear, exponential, and polynomial and found to best fit with the exponential model with R2 values of 0.99, 0.96, 0.95, 0.966 for 165, 150, 140, and 130 MT, respectively. The time taken to cool 150 MT of apples was 97, 114, and 147 hours from an initial temperature of 35.2, 28.4, and 15.6oC, respectively. The drop rate was exponential, with R2 values in the range of 0.936 to 0.973.
1Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran. 2Faculty of Economics and Agricultural Development, University of Tehran, Iran. Corresponding e-mail: hseinim@ut.ac.ir
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.30
Key words: Educational extension, extension performance, sustainability, public extension services, private extension services
Abstract: The present study aimed at evaluating prominent factors that affect the sustainability of horticultural private extension services (SHPES) and the continuous flow of their activities from the perspective of public sector experts. The study sample consisted of 148 public sector experts who were selected through stratified random sampling. A questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Validity was confirmed by face validity, convergent validity, and content validity. The results showed that infrastructure, educational extension, and economic factors had the most positive and significant effects on the SHPES and the continuity of their activities. The result of the calculated goodness-of-fit index (0.718) revealed that the model provided an excellent fit for the data. Also, the structures and factors explained 78% of the variance of the SHPES. The present study showed how management, economic, socio-cultural, policy, infrastructure, and educational factors influence SHPES.
Department of Agricultural Economics, CARDS, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003, Tamil Nadu, India. Corresponding e-mail: narms012@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.31
Key words: NHM, horticulture, growth rate, and decomposition
Abstract: The present study aims at analyzing the growth performance of Horticulture in India. The paper analyzes the growth rates and decomposition analysis of horticultural crop groups’ area, production and productivity from 1991-92 to 2020-21. The study period was divided into pre-NHM (1991-92 to 2004-05) and post-NHM (2005-06 to 2020-21). The compound growth rate results show that the growth rate in area, production and productivity of horticultural crop groups are positive and statistically significant during the post-NHM period than the pre-NHM period. From decomposition analysis, area effect and yield effect are positive during the post-NHM period for all the crop groups; the interaction effect also shows positive except for fruits and flower crops. The overall performance in area, production, and productivity is quite satisfactory during the post-NHM period; greater attention needs to be given to the states where productivity has declined with marginal increments under NHM.
1Amity Institute of Horticulture Study and Research, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India. 2Horticulture Department, Agriculture Faculty, Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan. 3Amity Food and Agriculture Foundation, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India. 4Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry, Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, India. Corresponding e-mail: hakimi.ss.ku.af@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.32
Key words: Pearson variety, harvesting stages, postharvest treatments, ambient storage, shelf life, quality, and market
Abstract: This study was conducted under ambient condition at the research farm of the Agriculture Faculty in Kabul University, Afghanistan. The objectives were to identify suitable harvesting maturity stages for tomato crop that will result in adequate shelf life of tomato fruits for local and distant markets. The results indicated that fruits of the turning color stage treated with 6 % CaCl2 solution had the best quality and highest shelf life (17.5 days) compared to other treatments. Whereas, based on the significant main effect the 15.38 and 14.17 days’ highest shelf life recorded for tomatoes of H1 (turning color stage) and D1 (dipped in 6 % CaCl2 solution) respectively. The TSS (oBrix) and PLW (%) increased till the end of storage life but the tomato fruits’ firmness (g cm-2) decreased. The lowest values noted as 4.79 and 4.74 (oBrix) TSS and 3.31 and 2.93 (%) PLW but the highest tomatoes firmness were 932.50 and 854.17 (g cm-2) recorded all for fruits of H1 (turning color stage) and D1 (dipped in 6 % CaCl2 solution), respectively. In conclusion, the turning color, pink color and light red color stage’s fruits of the Pearson variety are recommended harvesting of fruits of Pearson variety for the distant market, local market, and immediate use, respectively and the 6 % CaCl2 solution could increase shelf life and maintain tomato quality.
Department of Forestry, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University), Nirjuli -791109, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Corresponding e-mail: asamad969@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.33
Key words: Growth regulator, Piper pedicellatum, propagation, Rahre, stem cutting, underutilized, wild leafy vegetable
Abstract: Piper pedicellatum C. DC. is a wild leafy vegetable belonging to the family Piperaceae and is categorized as threatened species. It is one of the widely used popular leafy vegetable in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Sikkim, locally known as Rahre, Raro or Rori. The species is rich in vitamin A, Vitamin C, minerals, dietary fibre, antioxidants, protein, and energy and is also used as an ethnomedicinal plant. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of growth regulators IBA and IAA and length of stem cuttings on propagation potential of P. pedicellatum C. DC in the Forestry Nursery of North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology during the years 2018 and 2019. The experiment revealed that the performance of stem cuttings viz., time taken for first sprouting, maximum sprout per cutting, length of sprouted shoot, number of leaves per cutting, and maximum fresh weight of shoot are found better in the treatment of T4 (L1 + IBA 1500 ppm), T7 (L1 + IAA 1500 ppm), T11 (L2 + IBA 1500 ppm) and T14 (L2 + IAA 1500 ppm), respectively. Similarly, the maximum number of roots per cutting, root length, fresh and dry weight of roots were also recorded in the treatment of T4 (L2 + IAA 1500 ppm) at par with T11 (L1 + IBA 1500 ppm) during both the year. The mean maximum survival rate of cuttings with a higher rooting percentage was observed in T11, which is at par with T7, T14, and T4. Although L2 cuttings performed better than L1 cuttings, the difference was not so prominent. Stem cuttings, irrespective of their length, treated with IBA 1500 ppm and IAA 1500 ppm showed significantly superior performance over the cuttings treated with lower concentrations of IBA and IAA. The outcome of the present study indicated that the P. pedicellatum is a promising wild leafy vegetable plant that can be exploited for conservation, domestication, and cultivation through the vegetative propagation technique, with standardization of its production technology for the adoption of commercial cultivation of the threatened species.
ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal – 132001 (Haryana). Corresponding e-mail: R.Raju@icar.gov.in
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.35
Key words: Capsicum, green chilli, tomato, polyhouse, saline water drip irrigation, vegetable
Abstract: Production of vegetables under protected cultivation is necessary to meet the continuous demand across the seasons. Due to the capital and labour-intensive nature of the polyhouse technology, majority of Indian farmers with small and marginal category (>85%) cannot afford it. On the other hand, 6.73 million hectare land area in India is affected by salinity, which hampers crop production hence the area under vegetable cultivation is shrinking as the majority of vegetables are sensitive to salinity stress. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of saline water drip irrigation on production of capsicum, green chilli and tomato crops in naturally ventilated polyhouse. The economic analysis revealed that the estimated cost of polyhouse construction (300 m2) with drip irrigation system was ?4,71,563 and the overall cost (cost C3) of vegetable production under polyhouse was estimated to be ?2,15,623. Among capsicum, green chilli and tomato crops grown in the polyhouse, overall net returns over cost C3 was highest from tomato followed by capsicum and green chilli. The economic indicators were very encouraging with positive net present value, higher benefit-cost ratio, higher internal rate of returns, and shorter payback period. The investigation also suggests the viability of saline water drip irrigation for commercial cultivation of vegetables in naturally ventilated polyhouse, which is not possible under the natural environment with saline water drip irrigation.
1Date Palm Research Center of Excellence, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. 2Frontier Agriculture, SOYL Precision Crop Production Division, Newbury, United Kingdom. Corresponding e-mail: mmunir@kfu.edu.sa
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.36
Key words: Broccoli, cultivars, phenotypic traits, growth and development, temperate zone
Abstract: Evaluating different germplasm resources is the basis of selecting excellent broccoli cultivars in a specific climatic condition for the fresh market and the processing industry. Agronomic traits of thirteen broccoli cultivars were studied to determine the suitable cultivars for temperate regions. Cultivars, viz. Bonanza, Sun King, Volta, De Cicco, Coronado Crown, Packman, Belstar, Kabuki, Marathon, Green Magic, Parthenon, Blue Wind and Green Sprouting were included in the study. Significant differences (P?0.05) were found in morphological, phenological, curd-related, and yield-related variables among 13 broccoli cultivars. Morphological parameters such as plant height, plant spread, and stem diameter were maximum in cultivar Marathon, whereas phenological traits such as minimum days to curd formation and total days to harvest were counted in broccoli cultivars De Cicco, Packman, and Blue Wind. Maximum curd diameter was recorded in cultivars Bonanza, De Cicco, Coronado Crown, Packman, Kabuki, Marathon, and Parthenon, whereas the highest per hectare curd yield was obtained from cultivars De Cicco, Packman, Marathon, and Parthenon. The present finding also demonstrated a significant association between different broccoli cultivars with plant height, curd weight, and yield traits. Similarly, a significant positive correlation was observed among stem diameter, curd diameter, curd weight, and curd yield parameters, and between leaf number per plant, days to curd initiation, days to curd formation, and total days to harvest parameters.
1Pomology, Faculty of Agriculture Cairo University. Cairo University Street, Giza, Egypt. 2Horticultural Research Institute Agricultural Research Center. Horticultural Research Institute Agricultural Research Center, 9 Cairo University Street, Giza, Egypt. Corresponding e-mail: esraakassem46@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.37
Key words: vermicompost, foliar and soil treatments, African-rose, rootstocks, plum
Abstract: This study was conducted on a farm of Horticultural Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt, during two successive seasons (2019 & 2020) on seedling African-rose plum grafted on two rootstocks (Nemaguard and Marianna 26-24, respectively) in sandy soil. African rose seedlings were treated with vermicompost liquid fertilization as follows: soil treatment by vermicompost diluted times, foliar treatment by vermicompost diluted 10 times, double treatment of the soil as mentioned above, and foliar applications and control. The main purpose of this project was to study the effect of vermicompost liquid fertilization on the vegetative growth behavior of African rose plum seedlings grafted on two different rootstocks and reducing the use of chemical fertilizers in the long run and establishing farms that depend on organic fertilization to preserve the environment and maintain consumer health. The results showed that all vermicompost treatments increased the vegetative growth parameters and leaf mineral content of African rose seedlings compared to the control. In addition to, the double treatment of soil and foliar applications gave the highest growth parameters and leaf mineral content. The endogenous hormone is significantly affected by all treatments under study. These results explain that vermicompost fluid improves the morphological and physiological characteristics of the treated seedlings and can be applied to produce organic plums. It gradually dispense with chemical fertilization, and preserve the environment.
Viticulture Department, Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt. Corresponding e-mail: salwa.bedrech70@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.38
Key words: Early Sweet seedless grape, Plastic cover, Nitrogen, Potassium, fertilization, quality; microclimate
Abstract: To determine the vines' optimum nitrogen and potassium fertilization rates of Early Sweet grape cultivar under open field and plastic cover conditions, the study was undertaken in the two periods of 2019 and 2020 with a preliminary season in 2018. Six treatments were applied in this experiment, three in an open field and three under a transparent plastic cover with different rates of (60, 45 and 30 units fed-1) for nitrogen and (100, 75 and 50 units fed-1) for potassium. Results showed that the vines receiving rates of N 45 units + K 75 units fed-1 under plastic cover recorded a higher percentage of bud break followed by N 60 units + K 100 units fed-1 treatment under plastic cover. In addition to an earlier sprout than those in the open field, they gave the highest values in term of yield and all physical and chemical parameters for reproductive growth, except for the vegetative growth where the best treatment was obtained from N 60 units + K 100 units fed-1 under plastic cover followed by N 60 units + K 100 units fed-1 in the open field. This result suggests that the plastic cover has a beneficial effect on decreasing the rates of fertilization due to the change in vine canopy microclimate through enhancing vegetative and reproductive growth and creating a balance between them.
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar- 190006, India. Corresponding e-mail: tahir.inayatullah@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.39
Key words: Digitalis purpurea L., antioxidant enzymes, flower longevity, senescence, silver thiosulphate, spermine
Abstract: The present investigation focused on the study of the exogenous inclusion of anti-senescence biogenic polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) and ethylene antagonist silver thiosulphate on flower longevity and postharvest performance in excised flowers of Digitalis purpurea L. At one day before anthesis stage, isolated buds of Digitalis purpurea were transported to the laboratory in distilled water. The samples were divided into five sets with one set of flower buds (i.e., control) held in distilled water. The remaining four sets were respectively supplied with 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM of putrescine (PUT), 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mM of spermidine (SPD), 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mM of spermine (SPM), 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mM of silver thiosulphate (STS). The inclusion of polyamines and STS in holding solutions enhanced the flower longevity of D. purpurea significantly compared to the control. The results indicated that the flower longevity of 14 days was recorded in 0.4 mM of spermine, followed by 13 days in 1 mM PUT, 12.5 days in 0.2 mM SPD and 12 days in 0.2 mM STS. This enhanced flower longevity corroborated with the higher values of soluble proteins, total sugars, floral diameter and membrane stability index. The improved flower longevity was also found to be positively associated with increased activities of various antioxidant enzymes viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and reduced activity of lipoxygenase (LOX). The flowers supplemented with different treatments retained a lower phenolic content than the control. This research concluded that polyamines and STS have a profound impact on the flower longevity of Digitalis flowers. SPM was found to be a more potential polyamine in augmenting the postharvest performance in isolated flowers of D. purpurea.
Department of Zoology1, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Amritsar2, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004. Corresponding e-mail: rajwinder-singh@pau.edu
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.40
Key words: Fruit bats, LED bulb, light method, litchi crop, Pteropus giganteus
Abstract: Litchi (Litchi chinensis) is an important subtropical evergreen fruit crop of Punjab and is considerably damaged by the fruit bat (Pteropus giganteus). Since no study has been done in Punjab to assess fruit damage and control of fruit bats in litchi crop, present study was conducted in litchi orchards at two different locations (six sites) Gurdaspur [Regional Research Station (PAU), villages Ranjit Bagh and Tibar] and Pathankot (villages Sujanpur, Balusa and Malikpur) each having three replications, during 2018 and 2019. Our results reported that yield loss (%) to litchi fruits by P. giganteus was in the range from 6.85 to 8.93% and damage 5.59 kg/tree having average yield of 74.09 kg/tree. The average economic litchi fruit loss was calculated to be Rs. 32,232.0/acre. This damage to litchi fruit crop was minimized by using lighting, a non-lethal and non-polluting method (LED bulbs), with one-time installation cost. It is concluded that after installation of 16 LED bulbs/acre of 30 watts at a distance of 50 feet from each other in an upward position at the height of 8 feet above tree canopy in an orchard having 72 trees planted at a distance of 25×25 feet, we can reduce fruit bat damage to a lower level and can give a net economic return of Rs. 13448.0/acre to litchi fruit growers which will increase their farm income and help in conservation of fruit bats.
1Rajiv Gandhi Chair in Contemporary Studies on Livelihood and Food Security, 2KVK, Bandipora, 3School of Agricultural Economics and Horti-Business Management, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, 4Department of Environmental Studies, The Glocal University, U.P., 5Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Rangreth, Srinagar, 6Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, Srinagar & 7Demartment of Tourism Management, University of Kashmir, Srinagar. India Corresponding e-mail: bhatarshad09@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i02.41
Key words: Rate of adoption, new apple varieties, probit model, technological intervention, production gain
Abstract: Improved high-yielding apple varieties are important for reducing food insecurity in developing countries and improving horticultural production and productivity. The study used cross-sectional data from a survey conducted during 2021 fruit season, a probit model analysis was used to determine the probability of adopting new, improved apple varieties (NIAVs) by growers from two main apple-producing districts of Kashmir valley i.e., Shopian and Pulwama. The results revealed that the education of the respondent, extension services availed, and apple plant accessibility play significant roles in decisions regarding the adoption of new apple varieties. Moreover, farming variables like holding size is the key factor influencing the probability of adopting NIAVs in the study area. The extensive role performed by extension services, enormous emphasis on dissemination, demonstration, and growers' participatory studies and training packages to popularize and undertake new apple varieties and enhance their adoption rate is required on a large scale in the study area. The study suggests that policy intervention ought to be made to improve the educational status of apple-growing households and develop programs on a varietal package of apples that offer apple growers a variety of choices in selecting the appropriate varieties for adoption. Such programs ultimately help growers develop more profit-oriented behaviour, which will not only enhance adoption rate, profitability, and production but will also improve food & nutritional security in the long run in the region in the particular and whole valley in general.