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Based on a comprehensive review of existing literature and examining the specimens, including 11 types that were housed in the Coleoptera Section of the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 154 species of tortoise beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) from India are identified. This represents approximately 5.4% of the species diversity of the known tortoise beetles. Photographs of the examined specimens (including type specimens) are also provided. The details of the distribution of all the species across Indian states (including districts and micro-locations) and biogeographic zones are presented. Studying the distribution data of the species reveals that the Western Ghats harbours the highest number of tortoise beetle species (84), followed by the Northeast (58), Deccan Peninsula (51), Himalayas (49), Gangetic plains (34), Islands (12), and Semi-Arid regions (12).

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Nineteen bread wheat genotypes were selected to examine the effect of glycine betaine (GB, 100 mM) on various photosynthetic gas exchange parameters under drought stress and to study the relationship of these parameters with non-enzymatic antioxidants. Drought stress caused a significant decline in net CO₂ assimilation rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i) and transpiration rate (E) among the studied wheat genotypes, with the tolerant genotypes characterized by higher net photosynthetic rate, lower drought susceptibility index (DSI), and higher maintenance of glutathione content (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) levels than the sensitive ones. GB application significantly improved the photosynthetic characteristics, particularly P_n and g_s, of studied wheat genotypes which could be due to more utilization of glutathione and increased levels of ascorbic acid in flag leaves under drought stress. But this response was observed to be genotype specific. Positive correlation of AsA with DSI in GB treated plants, and of P_n with GSH under drought stress and GB applied conditions suggested the role of these non-enzymatic antioxidants in sustaining photosynthetic efficiency and yield stability under prolonged field drought stress conditions.

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Phytic acid is a major storage form of phosphorous in cereals that acts as food inhibitor by chelating micronutrients and prevents it to be bioavailabe for monogastric animals, including humans. Ninety three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasms, including cultivars from India, were characterized for phytic acid and Fe contents. Phytic acid contents ranged from 0.59 (IITR 92) to 2.08% (IITR 25). The Fe contents of all wheat germplasms ranged from 9.97 (IITR 25) to 45.77 mg kg⁻¹ (IBW 1133) while historical cultivars from India contain an average of 21.7 mg kg⁻¹ Fe. This initial screening facilitated the identification of diversity in germplasms for this trait that can be exploited for genetic improvement in wheat. Forty eight F₂ wheat lines from (WL711×IITR 19) were also evaluated, which demonstrated considerable variation in phytic acid content. Phytic acid contents ranged from 0.58 to 2.01% in F₂ lineswith an average of 1.52%. The genotypes showed significant differences in phytic acid and Fe contents. F₂ lines of WL711×IITR19 also illustrated variation in phytic acid content that were significant. The progenies having lower phytic acid content compared to parents are useful for further crop improvement. A relatively high broad sense heritability (93.4%) and genetic advance (32.3%) of phytic acid showed that progenies of this cross would be useful for reducing phytic acid.

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Agriculture has been facing an increasing problem, worldwide, on account of farmers quitting agriculture; and India is no exception to it. In view of this, a study was undertaken to find out the factors predicting future decision(s) of rural farm youth, hailing from Eastern States of India, regarding ‘Whether or not to remain engaged in the agriculture sector’. The data were collected through personal interview with 120 rural farm youth. The results showed that 41.67 per cent of the rural farm youth would leave farming in the future. Binomial Logit Model indicated that the factors like land-holding, entry to farming, attitude towards dairying and crop farming were significant, as far as decision on ‘quitting the farming in the near future’ was concerned. Apart from this, ensuring the ‘Food Security for the Family’ was found to be the main reason for choosing farming as an occupation, as reported by the rural youth engaged in farming. On the other hand, ‘To bring stability in life’ happened to be the prime reason cited by the rural youth that had moved into farming after having tried other occupation(s). Based on the quantitative results, coupled with qualitative information, two distinctive paradigms were developed to reflect ‘How youth becomes a Farmer?’ and ‘How and Why the youth quits Farming?’, with a view to enrich our knowledge on this subject via empirical evidences as obtained from the grassroots level, especially from the Eastern Part of India.

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Experiments were conducted for the quality evaluation of developed gluten-free protein enriched pasta. The pasta was formulated by taking a different proportion of Pre-gelatinized broken basmati Rice Flour, freeze-dried Carrot Pomace, and Groundnut Meal in the ratios of T₁ (100:0:0::PRF:CP:GM), T₂ (97:1:2::PRF:CP:GM), T₃ (94:2:4), T₄ (91:3:6), T₅ (88:4:8), T₆ (85:5:10), T₇ (82:6:12), and T₈ (79:7:14) respectively. Pre-gelatinized broken basmati rice flour (T₁) was considered as the control pasta. Each pasta sample after drying was packaged in polypropylene bags and stored for 3 months at ambient conditions (28±2°C). Results revealed that the Lightness (L*) value of gluten-free protein enriched pasta decreased, while a* and b* values increased with the increase in the incorporation level of freeze-dried carrot pomace and groundnut meal to broken basmati rice flour. Also, water activity, bulk density, swelling power (g g^-1), water absorption index (g g^-1), and cooking time were greatly influenced by the increased incorporation level. There was a significant decrease in cooking time and smoothness of gluten-free protein enriched pasta because of fibre addition. On the other hand, incorporation resulted in little clumpiness and disintegration.

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Kinnow mandarin fruit possesses high nutraceutical value, but it exhibits heavy loss in antioxidant quality during long-term storage. The effect of sodium alginate coating and combination of Sodium Alginate (SA) and Neem Leaf Extract (NLE) coatings was evaluated on cold stored Kinnow fruits. The results revealed that fruits applied with composite coating exhibited slower decline in the levels of phenols (7.89%), flavonoids (16.8%) and carotenoid content (6.64%) during the storage as compared to the control. Coated fruits also retained better antioxidant activity as compared to the control during storage period. In addition, SA +NLE coating reduced the spoilage, loss in weight, loss of juice content, acidity and vitamin C in the Kinnow fruits. Similarly, at the end of 75 days storage period, maximum TA, TSS, juice content, Ascorbic acid, carotenoid content, TPC, TFC and anti-oxidant activity was maintained in 2% SA + 20% NLE coating, hence being the most effective coating.