Amanpreet Kaur

Climatic Variability Impact on Wheat-Based Cropping Systems of South Asia: Adaptation and Mitigation

Climate change is now a reality, many people prefer to call it as climate variability instead of climate change, which in fact, is much more complex phenomenon from agricultural point of view. The seasons are no longer identifiable as these used to be previously. Sometimes, these prolong or get shortened replacing the other seasons. The increase in climate-extremes in precipitation, temperature, etc. has already started taking a tool on the agricultural production as is evident from one of the most productive region of India i.e. Punjab, where the wheat productivity is affected considerably due to elevated temperature conditions over the last few years. Industry and domestic sectors can easily adapt to the changing climatic conditions but for agriculture sector it is not so easy. A lot still needs to be done especially in formulating strategies to mitigate such effects. The plant breeders have to play a big role in redefining the characters of crop plants through genetic engineering so as to develop cultivars to grow efficiently in newer climatic condition. The cultivars for biofuel crops need to be developed as an alternate to fossil fuel energy sources. It is thus a collective effort on the part of plant breeder, soil scientist, agronomist, plant protection scientist and food technologist to work together to develop strategies for mitigating the ill effects of climate change in agricultural sector.

Skill mapping of production workforce in small scale knitwear units of Ludhiana

The Indian Knitwear industry has an overwhelming contribution in the GDP of the country. Small firms are an important source of employment in India and employ a sizable share of the labour force. Ludhiana Knitwear Industry is very versatile and is manufacturing various types of products. The production workforce plays an important role in determining the quality and quantity of products being made hence, the present research is focused to find out the existing skill sets and skill gaps in production workforce of ten small scale knitwear units of Ludhiana. Data collected from 150 respondents reveal that the production labour was uneducated and lacked vocational qualification, machine knowledge and self understanding of the work. The skill gaps existed in areas pertaining to qualification, efficiency and machine knowledge.

Performance of Front Line Demonstrations on Summer Moong in Jalandhar district

Krishi Vigyan Kendra conducted front line demonstrations on summer moong variety SML 668 at farmers’ fields in district Jalandhar during years 2008 to 2013. The productivity and economic returns of summer moong in demonstrated plots were calculated and compared with the corresponding farmers’ practices (local check). The data obtained was pooled for six years. It was observed that on an average 15.9 per cent higher grain yield was recorded in demonstration plots than the farmers’ practices. The extension gap, technology gap and technology index were 1.3q/ha, 0.76q/ha and 6.7 per cent, respectively. An additional investments of Rs. 1,379/ha coupled with scientific monitoring of demonstrations and non-monetary factors resulted in additional return of Rs. 5,362/ha over the farmers practice. Fluctuating minimum selling price of summer moong during different years influenced the economic returns per unit area.

A Study to Evaluate Spatial Gait Parameters in Patients of Osteoarthritic Knee

Osteoarthritis is a slowly evolving articular disease, which appears to originate in the cartilage and affects the underlying bone, soft tissues and synovial fluid. Quantitative gait analysis is an important clinical tool for quantifying normal and pathological patterns of locomotion, and has also been shown to be useful for prescription of treatment as well as in the evaluation of the results of such treatment. The objectives of this study was to evaluate spatial gait parameters variations in patients with osteoarthritic knee as compared to normal healthy individuals. 100 subjects were included in the study, 50 normal healthy subjects and 50 subjects with bilateral knee osteoarthritis with age group of 40-60 years based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Before gait analysis, all subjects were given informed consent as advised by the Institutional Ethical Committee. Gait analysis was done for both groups with same protocol. Following gait parameters was measured individually for each subject: Step length (m), Stride length (m), Normalised stride length (%), Step width (m) and Foot angle (degree). Paired and unpaired t- test will be used for the analysis of data. The study concluded that there was significant difference is spatial gait parameters in patients with osteoarthritic knee as compared to normal healthy individuals.

Preferences of college girls for fabrics, colours, designs, length, flare and other designing features in one piece dresses.

For this study, a total of 90 respondents (college girls) were selected through purposive random sampling technique. Preferences of college gilrs for fabrics, colours, designs, length, flare and other designing features in one piece dresses were taken. The data collected revealed that majority of the respondents preferred georgette and satin fabric of off white colour for one piece dresses. Medium length of one piece dresses was preferred by maximum number of the respondents. It was observed that embroidery was preferred as surface embellishments by the respondents. For flare in one piece dresses pleats were given first rank by respondents.

Consumer acceptance of prepared one piece dresses inspired from grecian costume.

For this study, a total of 30 respondents (college girls) were selected through random sampling technique. Consumer acceptance of the prepared one piece dresses was studied. The dresses were evaluated on the basis of drape, design, decorative features and overall appearance. Profit margin of the prepared dresses was also calculated. The data collected revealed that majority of the respondents preferred dress G5 on the basis of drape. Dress G15 was given first rank on the basis of design, decorative features and overall appearance. It was easy to earn 30 per cent profit on all the dresses and consumers found the quoted price as adequate.