The demend of heliconias for cut flower trade is increasing day-by-day because of the long vase life, attractive colour and exotic shape. A study was  conducted to standardize growth regulators for enhacing propagation efficiency in  three  viz., St. Vincent Red (small erect type), Golden Torch Adrian (hybrid) and Sexy Pink (large pendent type) .  Two field trials were carried out for this purpose. Based on the results of the preliminary field trial, second experiment was laid out. At varietal level, significant difference was evident in the total number of suckers. In the first experiment, the variety St. Vincent Red (3.82) was significantly superior in terms of total number of suckers. However, in the second experiment, St. Vincent Red (4.06) was on par with Golden Torch Adrian (4.10). Application of growth regulators had pronounced effect on sucker production at all the stages during the first experiment when BA 750 mg l-1 produced the highest number (4.19) of total suckers. In the second experiment, variation was evident in the total number of suckers. Here, BA 850 mg l-1 produced the highest number (4.33) of suckers and it was on par with BA 700 mg l-1 (4.00) and GA3 650 mg l-1 (3.79). VG interaction exerted significant variation in the number of suckers. At varietal level, BA 750 mg l-1 produced the highest number of suckers in St. Vincent Red (4.75), GA3 500 mg l-1 in Golden TorchAdrian(4.63)and GA3 750 mg l-1 in Sexy Pink (4.00). Among VG treatment combinations in the second experiment, the highest number of suckers (4.75) in the variety St. Vincent Red was produced by BA 700 mg l-1. The varieties Golden Torch Adrian (4.88) and Sexy Pink (3.75) recorded the highest with BA 850 mg l-1. The economics of foliar application of growth regulators revealed that BA 850 mg l-1 significantly enhanced the profit in the varieties Golden Torch Adrian and Sexy Pink. Although negligible,BA 700 mg l-1 recorded slight positive response in the variety St. Vincent Red with respect to profit.

 A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College and research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Killikulam, Tamil Nadu to standardize the vegetative propagation technique in vellerukku. Three types of cuttings viz., terminal, middle and basal cuttings and three types of growth regulators viz., IBA, NAA @ 500 ppm and 1000ppm alone and in combination and control were used. The result revealed that the terminal cuttings treated with IBA 500 ppm registered the highest rooting percent (86.66 percent and 90.00 percent), number of roots (11.21 and 11.47), root length (23.75 cm and 24.98 cm), shoot length (29.40 cm and 30.64 cm) and survival percentage in the main field (68.13 percent and 71.20 percent) under both the environment viz. open and mist condition were recorded by the terminal cuttings treated with IBA 500 ppm. It was followed by terminal cuttings treated with IBA 1000 ppm. Whereas control (basal cuttings dipped in distilled water) recorded the lowest values of 18.20 and 23.28 percent of rooting, 7.03 and 7.08 number of roots, 16.14 cm and 17.12 cm root length, 19.54 cm and 20.03 cm shoot length 11.62 and 12.47 percent survival in the mainfield under both open as well as mist condition. 

 A field trial on fertigation studies on tomato was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore. The experiment include totally seven treatments viz., Soil application of normal fertilizers at 100 percent RDF (T1), Soil application of normal fertilizers at 100 percent RDF and drip irrigation (T2), drip fertigation with normal fertilizers at 100 percent RDF (T3), drip fertigation with normal fertilizers at 75 percent RDF (T4), drip fertigation with water soluble fertilizers at 100 percent RDF using MAP, Multi K and Urea (T5), drip fertigation with water soluble fertilizers at 75 percent RDF using MAP, Multi K and Urea (T6) and drip fertigation with water soluble fertilizers at 50 percent RDF using MAP, Multi K and Urea (T7). The experiment was laidout in a randomized block design and replicated thrice. The results of the study revealed that drip fertigation with water soluble fertilizers at 100 per cent RDF using MAP, Multi K and Urea significantly increased the plant height, dry matter production, leaf area index, total chlorophyll content, number of fruits per plants, fruit weight and yield per plant. It was followed by drip fertgation with water soluble fertilizers at 75 percent RDF using MAP, Multi K and Urea and drip fertigation with normal fertilizers at 100 percent RDF using Urea, Single Super Phosphate and Muriate of Potash. Similarly, the same treatment also recorded increased values for quality traits viz., TSS, titrable acidity and ascorbic acid content of fruits. Higher nutrient uptake and fertilizer use efficiency were observed by drip fertigation with water soluble fertilizers at 75 perent RDF using MAP, Multi K and Urea and drip fertigation with normal fertilizers at 100 percent RDF using Urea, Single Super Phosphate and Muriate of Potash.

 Meat is an important component of the diet of people needed for a healthy living. This study basically analysed the factors affecting meat demand in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Primary data were used and collected from 148 randomly selected household heads using structured questionnaires. Multistage random sampling technique was employed in the selection of respondents. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were employed in analysis of the data. The results revealed that majority (74%) of the household heads were men and married, with an average household size of 8 persons. About 74% of them have attained some levels of formal education, 40% were farmers and they earn an average of ₦32,182.67 a month. Their meat sources were predominantly from cattle and poultry birds. The result of regression analysis revealed that family size, marital status, level of education and monthly income positively influences meat demand in the area. However, age was found to negatively affect meat demand. The coefficient of determination was 0.87 indicating that 87% of the variation in meat demand was explained by the variables used in the model. The study recommends that household heads diversify their income sources to increase the family’s disposable income. Training programmes be organized for household heads on nutrition and dietetics to sensitize them on the nutritional diseases associated with protein deficiency.