bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Varate Giduga (Acc. No. 21067; IC No. 418238) : A unique mango (Mangifera indica L.) variety
Authors: M R Dinesh , M Sankaran , K V Ravishankar , Gowda Sunil
Published: August 2023

Varate Giduga is one of the unique variety from Sirsi region of Karnataka. The tree is Semi-circular shaped with dense foliage, leaves about 25cm long; dark green in colour with wavy margin. It is a very consistent and heavy producer. The fruit of this tree matures by mid-April and fruit has a distinctive yellow skin color on fruit exposed to the sun. The fruit shape is round, fruit weight ranged from 350-400 g, fruit length was 9.8 cm, fruit diameter was 9.2 cm, fruit thickness was 8.0cm and bisexual flowers were 16.53%. Biochemical constituents such as the total phenols (317.50 mg/100 g), flavonoids (5.79 mg/100g), carotenoids (1.46 mg/100 g) and acidity (0.19%) were recorded which suggests that these characters are unique as compared to other varieties. The fruit skin is rough and glossy in appearance and the fruit has little or no fiber. It is very delicious in taste with high pulp percentage (74.0%) and high TSS (23.4º B). The flesh color is orange. The fruits have deep orange firm pulp and very sweet with pleasant flavor. Besides,several other traits have drawn special attention to this mango variety as it has large sized fruits (Fig-1), late variety with very good taste, fruit can be cut into two halves by retaining the stone in one half, regular bearer and fruit fly resistant genotype because of its thick peel and high phenolic content in pulp (317.50 mg/100 g).
Groundwater Decline and Prolonged Drought Could Reduce Vigour, Enhance Vulnerability to Diseases and Pests and Kill Perennial Horticultural Crops: Needs Urgent Policy Intervention
Authors: Ganeshamurthy A N , Kalaivanan D , Rupa T R , Raghupathi H B
Published: August 2023

Perennial horticulture in India has undergone a change from rainfed system to drip fertigation systems and from isolated hedge and bund trees to high intensity orchard systems with enhanced number of trees per unit area. In several parts, particularly in the Deccan plateau, the system has now become completely dependent on water pumped from tube wells. Severe competition for water from tube wells makes farmers to devote more water for cash rich annual crops and even sell water for city dwellers nearby. As a consequence, the groundwater level in the past three decades has fallen from few feet to above thousand feet. At several places it has crossed the “peak water”. Frequent and prolonged exposure of fruit trees and nuts to drought coupled with ground water depletion has led to soil profile drying leading to reduced vigour and enhanced vulnerability to diseases and pests. This has led to withering of fruit and nut trees. Perennial crops are likely to become increasingly maladapted to their environment, particularly in the earlier period of climate change they are more likely to be attacked by diseases and insects. Coconuts, areca nuts and mango trees have died in several places and the government constituted committees have recommended compensation to the farmers. As a country, we have dramatically increased our reliance on groundwater. 175 million Indians are now fed with food produced with the unsustainable use of groundwater. This increase has dried up rivers and lakes, because there is a hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. Yet the legal rules governing water use usually ignore the link between law and science. The issue needs thorough examination and needs policy interventions to come out of this vicious circle.
Carotenoid Content in Cherry Tomatoes Correlated to the Color Space Values L*, a*, b*: A Non-destructive Method of Estimation
Authors: Pandurangaiah Shilpa , A T Sadashiva , K S Shivashankar , D V SudhakarRao , K V Ravishankar
Published: August 2023

Cherry tomatoes are rich sources of carotenoids. The carotenoids are known to be precursors of vitamin A and also act as an antioxidant. It is important to visually judge the tomato surface color for higher β carotene content since this is the major provitamin AA carotenoid. Estimation of carotenoids by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and spectrophotometric methods in tomatoes are very expensive and time consuming. Therefore, colorimeters can be used to describe the color and determine the carotenoid content in a relatively easy and inexpensive manner. The objective of this study was to determine, if the carotenoid content within cherry tomatoes measured by conventional method could correlate with colorimetric CIE (Commission International del’Eclairage) L*, a*, b* color space values. Strong correlations were found between color surface value a* and total carotenoids (0.82) and lycopene content (0.87). We also observed positive correlation for the b* color value with β carotene (0.86). The L* value was negatively correlated (-0.78) with an increase in carotenoids. These close associations between color space values L*, a*, b* and carotenoids will help the breeders to quickly screen large germplasm/ breeding lines in their breeding program for improvement in carotenoid content through this time saving, inexpensive and nondestructive method at fully ripe stage.
Breeding for Improvement of High Temperature Tolerance in Garden Pea (Pisum sativum L.) for off Season Cultivation
Authors: C Susmita , T S Aghora , N Mohan , R M Bhatt
Published: August 2023

The present investigation is aimed towards breeding varieties of garden pea for early summer cultivation (March-May) that can tolerate temperatures up to 35 0C. High temperature tolerant accessions KTP-4, Arka Sampoorna, Oregon Sugar, Magadi local were crossed with Arka Ajit, Arka Pramodh, Arka Priya having superior pod quality, yield and followed by pedigree method of breeding, superior transgressive segregants from these crosses were advanced up to F 7 generation. In F 7, six selected advanced breeding lines were assessed for their performance in the field with checks during early summer for four years in succession. Results revealed significant differences between selected lines and checks wherein all the lines surpassed checks with yield ranging from 5.9-7.6 t/ ha and in checks it was only 2.6-3.1 t/ha. Among these six breeding lines, three lines were selected based on high yield (6.7-7.6 t/ha), pod quality characters and identified to be highly suitable for early summer cultivation.
Evaluation of Hybrids and Cultivars of Single type Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)
Authors: S B Jadhav , S V Vichare , S M Katwate
Published: August 2023

Hybrids and cultivars of single type tuberose was evaluated to fulfill the need to develop new hybrids as demanded by commercial growers. Evaluation of fifteen genotypes showed significant variation in growth, floral and bulb characters. Cultivar Arka Prajwal was significantly superior over all genotypes, which recorded least number of days for opening of 1st floret (78.55 days) with maximum diameter of spike (1.18 cm), length of floret (6.05 cm), weight of individual floret (3.12 g) and weight of spike (121.43 g).The hybrid genotype L1P4 (Variegated X Phule Rajani) was observed to be superior in terms of rachis length (39.78 cm), inter-nodal length (7.25 cm), length of bulb (8.09 cm), diameter of bulb (3.76 cm) and diameter of bulb-lets (1.85 cm). Among the hybrid genotypes L1P4 also recorded maximum plant height (116.39 cm), spike length (109.58 cm), weight of cut spike (105.08 g) and vase life (11.00 days). However, it was foundto be at par for number of florets per spike (57.25), length of floret (5.92 cm) and number of spikes per clump (10.14) with all other cultivars and hybrids tested. From the overall performance, it was found that the cultivar Arka Prajwal was the best. Genotype L1P4 found promising for loose as well as cut flower production because of its number of florets, inter-nodal length and spikes per clump which are important characters considering loose flower for taking maximum number of pickings. However, characters such as rachis length, spike length, vase life and weight of spike which are imperative for cut flowers are also noted superior in genotype L1P4.
Soil and Plant Analysis - A Strategic Tool to Diagnose Micronutrient Imbalance in Lime and Sapota Orchard in Tablelands of Chambal Ravine Region of India
Authors: I Rashmi , H R Meena , J Somasundaram , T K Radha
Published: August 2023

Micronutrient imbalance in lime and sapota fruit crops result in unstable fruit yield, fruit shedding and degrade quality of the produce. A study was therefore conducted to evaluate micronutrient statusoflime and sapota orchard by analysing soil and plant samples. Soil samples were collected from surface (0-15cm) and sub-surface (15-30cm) depth representing whole orchard. At the same time, plant samples including 35-40 each for leaves and petiole samples each from lime and sapota field was also collected. Available micronutrients from soil samples were extracted using diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid (DTPA) and it was in the order of manganese (Mn)> iron (Fe)> zinc (Zn)> copper (Cu) in both lime and sapota plantations. DTPA- extractable Zn and Cu showed low status, marginal status of Fe and sufficient level of Mn in soils of sapota plantations. In plant analysis, high concentration of Cu (869 mg kg-1) and Zn (411mg kg-1) was observed in lime leaves; however, in sapota crop Cu and Zn content was 8.25mg kg-1 and 16.7mg kg- 1 respectively. Similarly, Fe and Mn content of lime leaves was 197 and 43 mg kg-1 which was slightly higher than sapota leaves that recorded 128 and 49mg kg-1 of Fe and Zn respectively. In sapota plants, higher Mn and Cu concentration in leaf resulted in Zn deficiency symptoms such as shortened internodes or rosette disorders of sapota plants. Thus, correcting micronutrient deficiency is pre-requisite for qualitative and quantitative fruit production in tablelands of India.
Identification of NBS-LRR Resistance Gene Analogues (RGA) from Rose (IIHRR13-4) Resistant to Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera pannosa (Wallr.:Fr.) de Bary)
Authors: K Chandran Neethu , S Sriram , Prakash Tejaswini
Published: August 2023

Resistance is the best strategy to manage powdery mildew (Podosphaera pannosa (Wallr.:Fr.) de Bary) of rose. Identification of resistant genes (R genes) from plant species will help in breeding programs. Nucleotide Binding Site - Leucine Rich Repeats (NBS- LRR) is a major class of R gene family in plants. This study reports the identification and molecular characterization of resistance gene analogues from roses maintained at ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR). The powdery mildew resistant line IIHRR13-4 was compared with the susceptible commercial cultivar, konfetti. PCR based approaches with degenerative primers based on different conserved motifs of NBS-LRR were employed to isolate resistance gene analogues (RGAs) from rose. Eleven RGAs (IIHRR13-4R1, IIHRR13-4R2, IIHRR13-4R3, IIHRR13-4R4, IIHRR13-4R5, IIHRR13- 4R6, IIHRR13-4R7, IIHRR13-4R8 IIHRR13-4R9 and IIHRR13-4R10) were identified from powdery mildew resistant germplasm line, IIHRR13-4, based on the sequence and similarity to RGAs from rosaceae family and other crops. The major similarity to rose RGAs reported are from Fragaria vesca, Rosa hybrid cultivar, Prunus and Rosa chinensis. RGAs isolated from IIHRR13-4 belonged to Toll Interleukin Receptor (TIR)-NBS-LRR and Non-TIR-NBS-LRR RGAs (Lecine Zipper (LZ) type). Different motifs of RGAs identified were P-loop, RNBS A, kinase 2, kinase 3a, RNBS-D and GLPL of NBS domain. This study reports the existence of resistance at genetic level in powdery mildew resistant genotype IIHRR13-4. These RGAs will be useful for mapping and characterization of R genes in IIHRR13-4 and breeding for improved powdery mildew resistance in roses.
Evaluation of Novel Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hooker F.) Hybrids for Flower Quality Traits under Polyhouse Condition
Authors: C Aswath , Kumar Rajiv
Published: August 2023

The present study was carried out to evaluate the performance of two gerbera hybrids IIHR15-7 and IIHR16-8 along with their parents and a commercial check, for flower quality traits under polyhouse condition in completely randomized block design, during 2016-17 to 2018-19. The hybrids IIHR15-7 and IIHR16-8 had been developed through the half-sib method of breeding with IIHR9 and Arka Ashwa, respectively, as parents. Data for three years were pooled and analyzed statistically. In both hybrids IIHR15-7 and IIHR16-8, all the quantitative traits were found to be on par with the respective commercial checks. They had novel flower colour (as per RHS Colour Chart) i.e. NN155A, White Group for IIHR 15-7 and 65A Red Purple Group for IIHR16-8, with semi-double and double forms of flowers, respectively. These hybrids are suitable for cut-flower and flower arrangement purposes. Further, these hybrids will be useful for developing new gerbera hybrids with novel traits.
Studies on Fruit Development in Pink and White types of Wax Apple (Syzygium samarangense Merr. & Perry) in Goa, India
Authors: S Priya Devi , A Porob Shejal , M Thangam
Published: August 2023

Fruit development studies were taken up in white and pink types of wax apple trees aging twelve years old at Goa, India. The study was initiated with the onset of flowering in November during the year 2018. After tagging the flowers on anthesis, samples were drawn periodically to record parameters like fruit weight, fruit volume, fruit length and diameter (upper, middle and lower), quality or biochemical parameters like total acids and sugars. Relative growth rate (RGR) was calculated for all parameters and graphs were generated. In both the types, fruit weight, fruit volume, fruit length and diameter increased in a sigmoidal pattern. The quality characters like TSS, total acids and total sugars also showed a sigmoidal pattern of increase whereas the increase in reducing sugars exhibited a double sigmoidal pattern of increase. It was evident from the curves that there was pronounced peak in growth rate between 21 and 28 days after anthesis for fruit weight, fruit volume, fruit length and diameter, in both pink and white types of wax apple.
Biodiversity of Tropical Fruits and their Conservation in India
Authors: Sankaran M , Dinesh M R
Published: August 2023

India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity centres with 2 biodiversity hotspots which are the reservoirs of plant genetic resources. India stands at 7thplace in the global agricultural biodiversity status. Among fruit and nut crops, there are about 117 cultivated species with 175 wild relatives of which only 25 species have been domesticated. Genetic resources conservation of fruit trees is intricate and complex as they are belonging to various genera and species which require specific climate. Hence, in situ and ex situ conservation can go simultaneously. The western ghat and North eastern India are centers of diversity for several important native fruits including Mango, Jackfruit and Citrus. Apart from the major fruit crops, India is home to several underutilized fruit crops. However, due to increased pressure on land use several of the wild types, which are a great source of genes governing useful traits, are disappearing. Thus, there is an urgent need to conserve them in both in situ and ex situ conditions. The genetic diversity and modes of conservation of tropical fruits are discussed in this paper.
Phenotypic variability for horticultural and fruit quality attributes in plastic house grown tomato
Authors: Adeniji O T , Tenebe A V , Ishaka A , Jandong E , Adamu J T , Adekoya M , Zamzam M A , Aremu C A
Published: August 2023

In Sudan's agro-ecological zone, tomato production is constrained by a dearth of high fruit yielding and quality (Solanum lycopersicum [L.]) varieties for cultivation in polyhouse. Exotic and indeterminate tomato genotypes with high fruit yield and quality were evaluated to gain information on variation for fruit yield, quality, shape, and interdependence between traits in Sudan agroecology. The seed was sown during 2018 and 2019. Fruit yield, quality, and phenomic traits were measured. Development, °Brix, and fruit yield responded to microclimate factors in the polyhouse over years. ‘Bruno’ was the best for fruit size and ‘Tofi’ for fruit number. Vine length at flowering, fruits/cluster, days to 50% flowering, and days to first flowering and fruit brix are heritable. The genotype responses suggest the need for stable and to develop high-yielding and quality tomato varieties for protected cultivation in the Sudan agro-ecological zone. Testing stable genotypes in locations could enhance breeding efficiency with respect to genotypic stability. The yield data gained under tropical conditions identified traits of superior genotypes for multiple environment studies and to encourage tomato growers to consider protected cultivation in the tropics.
Development and evaluation of novel gladiolus hybrid selections IIHRG-7 (IC620379) and IIHRG-11 (IC620380) for flower quality and Fusarium wilt resistance
Authors: Rao T M , Janakiram T , Negi S S , Aswath C , Dhananjaya M V , Rajiv Kumar , Ramachandran N
Published: August 2023

The present study was carried out to evaluate the performance of two novel gladiolus hybrid selections IIHRG-7 and IIHRG-11 along with commercial checks, for flower quality traits and Fusarium wilt resistance in completely randomized block design, during 2012-13 to 2014-15. Three years data were pooled and analyzed statistically. The hybrid selections IIHRG-7 and IIHRG-11 had been developed through hybridization by crossing Arka Meera x Picardy and Gold Medal 412 x Arka Poonam, respectively followed by selection. IIHRG-7 has novel flower colour (as per RHS Colour Chart) i.e., Red-Purple (65.B) having Red-Purple (62.A) streaks with Red-Purple (67.B) splash and spike with variegated florets, while, IIHRG-11 has novel floret colour as Red (41.C) having Red (41.A) margin. Blotch Red (46.B) with yellow (13.C) border and resistance to Fusarium wilt disease. These hybrid selections are suitable for cut-flower and flower arrangement purposes. Further, these hybrid selections will be useful for developing new gladiolus hybrid selections with novel traits and resistance to Fusarium wilt disease.
Standardization of nitrogen application for potted Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. kikiobiory
Authors: Thakur Tanya
Published: August 2023

The present investigation was carried out to standardize nitrogen application for standard potted Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Kikiobiory at Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, PAU, Ludhiana during the year 2015-16. Six treatments of nitrogen viz. 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/pot were applied twice in the last week of September and October. The results of the study revealed that nitrogen application had significant effect on all the vegetative and floral parameters. The largest flower size (17.69 cm) was obtained with the nitrogen application of 400 mg/pot which was at par with 500 mg/ pot (17.67 cm). Application of nitrogen at 500 mg/pot recorded the highest plant height (75.47 cm), number of leaves per plant 75 days after planting (30.92), number of root suckers per plant (11.47) and delayed flower bud appearance (93.78 days), color break stage (122.59 days) and also shown flower quality deterioration by reducing the flowering duration (5.84 days) as compared to the other treatments. Therefore, it was concluded that 300 mg of nitrogen per pot applied twice was the standard dose for quality flower pot production in Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Kikiobiory.
Effect of putrescine and benzyl adenine on growth, flowering and post-harvest keeping quality parameters in chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.)
Authors: Singh Taranjit , Bala Madhu
Published: August 2023

The experiment was conducted with the objective to study the effect of different anti-senescence compounds like putrescine and benzyl adenine (BA) on vegetative, floral, and post-harvest keeping quality of chrysanthemum cv. Punjab Shyamli. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design (RBD) and replicated thrice. Putrescine (@ 50, 100, and 150 ppm) and benzyl-adenine (@ 100, 150, and 200 ppm) were sprayed twice on cv. Punjab Shyamli (spray type and pompon) at bud initiation stage and at fully developed flower buds. Control plants were sprayed with normal water. Floral parameters were delayed and the vase life of cut stems was enhanced by benzyl adenine @ 200 ppm. The maximum delay of flower opening stage (116.33 days), number of sprays (5.00), and vase life (27.22 days) were obtained with benzyl-adenine @ 200 ppm treatment. The flower diameter was 4.53 cm with benzyl-adenine @ 200 ppm compared to 2.87 cm in control.
Amino acid profile of eighteen isolates of different edible macrofungal species
Authors: Azeez Shamina , Pandey Meera , Jasmin M R , Rachitha R , Satisha G C , Roy T K , Chandrashekara C , Shivashankara K S
Published: August 2023

Edible mushrooms from India (18 isolates belonging to 4 species) were profiled for protein, free and bound amino acids (AA). The protein content (range of 9.5-32.6%) was highest in Pleurotus cintrinopileatus and P. sajor-caju; free AA (range of 11.6-73.1 mg/g DW) was higher in Hypsizygus tessulatus and Agrocybe aegerita, bound AA (range of 57.4- 171.9 mg/g DW) was also high in H. ulmarius, P. djamor, P. florida, P. sajor-caju. The essential free and bound AAs and chemical scores of isoleucine, tryptophan, phenylalanine were highest, higher in Hericium erinaceus, P. cystidiosus, P. eryngi, P. sajor-caju. The isoleucine (Ile) score in the free fraction of selected mushrooms was comparable or higher than the best five plant sources, while tryptophan (Trp) scores were almost double. Thus, these mushrooms are good sources of Ile, Trp, and aromatic amino acids. The conditionally essential and nonessential AAs were also quantified. This study reveals the diversity in protein and AA and nutritionally superior mushroom species.
First report on honeydew excretion by the melon thrips, Thrips palmi karny (Thysanoptera : Thripidae) and its biochemical analysis
Authors: Aravintharaj R , Asokan R , Roy T K
Published: August 2023

Sap sucking insects like thrips, aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies exploit the sugar rich phloem for growth and development. The excess sugar in the phloem sap creates osmotic imbalance leading to loss of water from haemolymph to gut lumen. In order to maintain osmolarity, sap sucking insects have developed structural adaptation (filter chamber) and also excrete excess sugar as honeydew through various orifices. The excreted honeydew is known to play very vital ecological role such as natural enemy calling (attracting parasitoids). In this regard scanty information is available on this important aspect for different sap sucking insects. In this study we are reporting for the first time on the composition of honeydew from the major horticultural thrips, Thrips palmi reared on French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). LC-MS-MS analysis revealed the presence of 15 different sugars majorly inositol, fructose, maltose, glucose and sorbitol @ (130.9 ±0.47μg); (95.1±0.45μg); (60.7 ±0.28μg); (54.2 ±0.40μg) and (28.1 ±0.35μg), respectively.
Genetic variability studies in amaranthus (Amaranthus spp.)
Authors: Agadi Annapoorna , Kolakar S , Lakshmana D , Nadukeri S , Hanumanthappa M
Published: August 2023

An investigation was carried out to estimate the nature and extent of genetic variability​ ​among twenty Amaranthus genotypes (Amaranthus spp.) under a randomized block designduring the year 2019-20. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the genotypic​ ​coefficient of variation for all the traits. High genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and​ ​phenotypic coefficient variation (PCV) was observed for leaf area, leaf area index, leaf area​ ​duration, AGR, dry weight of leaf per plant, specific leaf weight, speed of germination,​ ​chlorophyll content and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Moderate GCV and PCV were observed​ ​for leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, dry weight of stem per plant, leaf: stem ratio and​ ​foliage yield per plant. The high estimates of heritability coupled with higher values of genetic​ ​advance as per cent mean (GAM) were observed for the parameters like test weight, speed of​ ​germination, germination percentage, seedling dry matter, seedling vigour index-1, seedling​ ​vigour index-2, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, leaf area index, leaf area​ ​duration, AGR, specific leaf weight, stem weight per plot, dry weight of leaf, dry weight of​ ​stem, leaf: stem ratio, foliage yield per plant, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and beta- carotene​ ​content which indicates the predominance of additive gene action. Arka Arunima,​ ​Chikmagalur local, IC-551486, IC-551494 and IC-551466 recorded high foliage yield per​ ​plot and these can be utilized in further breeding programmes.
Responses of different okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) cultivars to water deficit conditions
Authors: Ayub Q , Khan S M , Hussain I , Naveed K , Ali S , Mehmood A , Khan M J , Haq N U , Shehzad Q
Published: August 2023

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the adverse effects of drought on different okra cultivars and to identify the most suitable okra cultivar for growing in drought conditions. Five okra cultivars namely Pusa Green, Clemson, Sabz Pari, Pusa Swani and Mehak Pari were subjected to three drought levels i.e., control (100% Field capacity),50% and 25% Field Capacity (FC). Physiological parameters like fresh and dry weight of plant and plant height were recorded along with biochemical attributes such as chlorophyll content (a, b, total) carotenoids, total protein, proline content, and Membrane stability index (MSI%). Results showed that drought significantly reduced all the studied parameters and at maximum drought (25% FC) lowest values of fresh weight (12.42g), dry weight (1.22g), plant height (7.86cm), chlorophyll a (9.02mg/g FW), chlorophyll b (18.69mg/g FW), total chlorophyll (27.71mg/g FW), carotenoids (11.80mg/g FW), total protein (2.73mg/g FW),whereas maximum Proline (21.36μg/g FW), and MSI (72%) were observed under the same drought. The results concerning responses of okra cultivars under drought conditions showed that maximum. Fresh weight (15.25g) and Dry weight (2.74g) was observed in Pusa green while maximum Plant height (13.77cm), Chlorophyll a (14.38mg/g FW), Chlorophyll b (24.41mg/g FW), Total Chlorophyll (38.80mg/g FW), Carotenoids (18.57mg/g FW), Total Protein (5.44mg/g FW), Proline (27.78μg/g FW), and MSI (56.33%) were produced by Sabz Pari. Hence it can be concluded that drought causes significant variation on physical and biochemical attributes of okra whereas Sabz Pari showed resistance towards the applied stress and produced better results.
Post-harvest quality and quantification of betalains, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in fruits of three cultivars of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill)
Authors: Gonzalez F P H , Saucedo V C , Guerra R D , Suarez E J , Soto H R M , Lopez J A , Garcia C E , Hernández R G
Published: August 2023

Postharvest quality, quantification of betalains, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of peel, pulp, and juice of fruits of three prickly pears (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill.) cultivars of Colegio de Postgraduados in México, were measured. The red and orange cultivars showed outstanding features of postharvest quality (size, texture, TSS and pulp and juice content) highest content of betalains and phenolic compounds. Therefore, highest antioxidant activity. In general, the highest content of bioactive compounds was detected in the peel, besides the content in pulp and juice did not show statistically significant differences. Phenolic content is very high in comparison with other fruits. Antioxidant activity was measured by three assays:FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH. Three cultivars showed a high correlation between antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds. The methodologies used in this work are a very useful tool for the quantification of bioactive compounds in O. ficus-indica fruit tissues.
Studies on mutagenic sensitivity of seeds of pummelo (Citrus maxima Merr.)
Authors: Sankaran M , Kalaivanan D , Gowda Suni
Published: August 2023

Mutation breeding is a key method of generating a large number of heritable variations. Effective dose (LD50) needs to be standardized for inducing sufficient variation in a crop. In the present study, seeds were irradiated with different doses of Gamma rays and found that 66.94 Gy could suppress germination close to 50 percent (LD50) in pummelo. This 60 Gy gamma dose can effectively be used for raising the mutant populations to identify a desirable mutation in pummelo.
Impact of carbohydrate metabolism pathways on bearing habit of mango (Mangifera indica L.) genotypes
Authors: Vittal Hatkari , Sharma Nimisha , Shivran Mukesh , Sharma Neha , Dubey Anil Kumar , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Sharma Radha Mohan , Singh Bikram Pratap , Bollinedi Haritha , Meena Mahesh Chand , Pandey Rakesh , Gutam Sridhar
Published: August 2023

Heterozygosity is the major constraint in perennial fruit crop like mango for regular bearing breeding. Majority of the popular mango varieties have irregular bearing habit. Many external and internal factors affect the bearing habit of perennial fruit crops. Among internal factors, the level of carbohydrate reserves and phytohormones plays a major role on bearing habit of fruit crops like apple, citrus, mango, litchi etc., Therefore, present research work aimed to study the carbohydrate metabolism pathways in regular and irregular mango genotypes of varying origin. A total of 30 primers were designed using in silico mining of four key genes coding for citrate synthase, alcohol dehydrogenase, sucrose phosphate synthase and trehalose phosphate synthase. These genes play important role in sugar and starch metabolism in mango. Of these specific primers, 14 showed polymorphism among the genotypes studied. Gene diversity (GD), average number of alleles per locus (An), polymorphism information content (PIC) and major allele frequency (Maf) observed were 0.45, 2.14, 0.35, 0.59, respectively. Simple sequence repeats markers grouped 63.15% studied mango genotypes of regular bearers together. Further, these markers could be utilized in a greater number of genotypes for regularity.
Spices biotechnology
Authors: Peter K V , Babu K Nirmal , . D Minoo
Published: August 2023

In recent times, biotechnological tools have supplemented various conventional approaches in conservation,characterization, improvement and utilization for increasing production and productivity of spices. In manyspices, viable micropropagation technologies are available for commercial production and generation of disease - free planting material. Somaclonal variation is important in crops where natural variability is low and a few useful somaclonal variants have been identified in ginger, turmeric and vanilla. Protoplast technology is also available for capsicum, black pepper, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, saffron and peppermint. In vitro cryopreservation, Synseed and Micro-rhizome technologies are available for safe propagation, conservation, movement, and exchange of spices germplasm. Studies are in progress for in vitro production of flavour and colouring compounds like capsaicin, vanillin, anethole, crocin, picrocrocin, saff'ranal, etc. using immobilized and transformed cell cultures. Use of molecular markers for crop profiling, fingerprinting, molecular taxonomy, identification of duplicate hybrids, estimation of genetic fidelity and tagging of genes for marker aided selection (MAS) is gaining importance. Isolation of important and useful genes and development of transgenics is in the preliminary stage.
Development of Diagnostic Leaf Nutrient Norms and Identification of Yield Limiting Nutrients Using DRIS in Rose Grown under Protected Conditions
Authors: Anjaneyulu K
Published: August 2023

Leaf samples collected from protected cultivation units of rose around Bangalore (Karnataka) and Hosur (Tamil Nadu), when flower buds were at pea size, were processed and analyzed for various nutrients and thus, the data bank was established. By using Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS), nutrient expressions, which have shown higher variance and lower coefflcient of variation, were selected as norms viz, N/P(13.02), K/N(0.85), N/S(11.10), P/S(0.853), K/P(11.0), N/Ca(2.18), N/Mg(7.18) etc. In addition, five nutrient ranges have been derived using mean and standard deviation as low, deficient, optimum, high and excess for each nutrient to serve as a guide for diagnostic purpose. The optimum N ranged from 2.53 to 2.96% , P from 0.19 to 0.23%, K from 2.23 to 2.72%, Ca from 1.15 to 1.59%, Mg from 0.41 to 0.55% and S from 0.21 to 0.27%. Among the micronutrients, the optimum Zn ranged from 28 to 64 ppm, Fe from 176 to 240 ppm, Mn from 107 to 175 ppm and Cu from 13 to 21 ppm for roses under protected conditions. The diagnosis of nutrient imbalance (DRIS indices) indicated that the most common yield limiting nutrients were potassium and magnesium among the macronutrients and iron and zinc among the micronutrients in protected cultivation units of rose.
Development of IPM Package with Safe Pesticide Residue: 1. Cabbage
Authors: Sharma Debi , Krishnamoorthy A , Moorthy P N Krishna , Ganesan Girija , Ahuja A K , Awasthi M D
Published: August 2023

An IPM module with safe pesticide residues on cabbage, with already proven treatments such as carbosulfan, dimethoate, cypermethrin + profenofos and mancozeb under chemical method of control; NSP, Bacillus thuringiensis and Trichogramma bactrae under non chemical method of control were revalidated individually and in combination. Six releases of parasitoid T. bactrae at weekly intervals starting from 12 days after transplanting or spray of NSP 4% at 10-15 days interval, 4 times, starting from 20 days after transplanting, foliar spray of dimethoate and mancozeb gave good control of aphids, leaf blight and black rot respectively. Based on the effectiveness of the treatment and pesticide residues below their permissible levels in cabbage at harvest, a module was developed and tested in the field. The IPM package thus developed was found to control the pests effectively and at the same time the residues on the crop were within the safe limits.
Analysis of Genetic Divergence in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
Authors: Sharma H R , Sharma Deepa , Thakur A K
Published: August 2023

Non-hierarchical analysis conducted on 60 genotypes of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) grouped the genotypes into 10 clusters. Maximum divergence within a cluster was exhibited by the cluster VIH (1.531), closely followed by cluster III (1.528) and cluster V (1.460), whereas, cluster VIII and cluster II were the most divergent from each other followed by cluster VII and cluster VIII. Promising genotypes selected were FT-5, LBR-10-2, THS-1-1, THS-2-2, T-99-1-2 and T-99-2-3 for yield per plant, fruit size index, pericarp thickness and plant height, whereas, W 55, Campbell and EC-123018 were found to be the best for average fruit weight. However, genotypes EC-170785 and Red cherry may be used to improve the number of fruits per plant and earliness.
A Statistical Model for Ascertaining the Influence and Reliability of Weather Parameters on Incidence of Blossom Blight in Mango (Mangifera indica L.)
Authors: Venugopalan R , Rawal R D , Saxen A K
Published: August 2023

A statistical model was developed to study the influence and reliability of weatlier parameters on incidence of blossom blight in Mango (Mangifera indica) and subsequently to predict their incidence. Results showed that preceding week's weather variables viz., maximum and minimum temperature, evaporation, rainfall, morning and evening relative humidity and wind speed were found to collectively predict blossom blight incidence to the extent of 94.3 per cent. Further, as a measure of goodness-of-fit, the coefficient of determination (R2) and mean squared error were used to evaluate the empirical model developed by using above variables. Validation test showed that the model developed using relative humidity at 07.30 h (X3), evaporation (X5) and wind speed (X6) (Y = 883.4 - 8.065 X3-11.506 X5 -33.619 X6) could predict the incidence to the extent of 75.7%. This model is useful in determining the role of climatic factors in disease appearance and progression and devising suitable management strategy.
Marketing and Post-Harvest Loss Assessment in Sapota
Authors: Gajanana T M , Sudha M , Dakshinamoorthy V
Published: August 2023

A study was undertaken in the Kolar district of Karnataka to assess the losses in post harvest handling and marketing of sapota. The analysis of data collected at the field level, market level, procurement centre of HOPCOMS and at the retail level indicated post harvest loss (PHL) of 15.98% in the wholesale marketing channel (WSM) and about 14.07 per cent in the HOPCOMS channel. Marketing system for sapota was found to be inefficient as the efficiency index was found to be less than 1. However, between WSM and HOPCOMS, the latter was found to be more efficient in terms of lower marketing cost, higher price realization by farmers and lower margin of the intermediaries. Use of mechanical harvester, pre harvest management of fruits against fruit borer and opening of procurement centres of HOPCOMS in the producing region are suggested in order to reduce the PHL and also to improve the efficiency of the marketing system.
Composition and Properties of Fibre Extracted from Pseudostem of Banana (Musa Sp.)
Authors: Shivashankar S , Nachane R P , Kalpana S
Published: August 2023

Pseudostem waste from five commercial cultivars of banana was used to extract fibre in order to study its properties. Fibre was extracted by decortification of sheath either manually or using Raspador machine. Yield of fibre in cultivars varied from 0.548% to 0.891%. There was no significant difference in the yield of fibre from different layers of sheath although differences among cultivars were significant. Cellulose was the major component of the fibre at about 60% while lignin levels were nearly 20%. The strength characteristics of Nendran fibre like, mean breaking load, mean breaking extension and tenacity were comparable to those reported for other naturally occurring plant fibres such as pineapple, jute and sisal. The study highlighted the importance of exploiting banana pseudostem after harvest of banana bunch for fibre production on a commercial scale.
Effect of Soil Moisture Stress on Physiological Response in Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) Varieties
Authors: Satisha J , Prakash G S , Bhatt R M , Sampathkumar P
Published: August 2023

Four varieties of grape namely Flame Seedless, Thompson Seedless, Sharad Seedless and Tas-A-Ganesh were subjected to different levels of moisture stress to study their physiological response. Stress was imposed for 14 days by withholding irrigation. Observations on relative water content, leaf water potential, leaf osmotic potential and gas exchange parameters like photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and water use efficiency (WUE) were recorded. None of the varieties could survive for 14 days without irrigation (100% stress). Flame Seedless and Thompson Seedless at 50% moisture stress maintained higher turgidity as indicated by lesser reduction in relative water content and water potential attributed to better osmotic adjustment. Marginal reduction in photosynthesis and greater reduction in transpiration rate in the variety Flame Seedless may have resulted in higher WUE under moisture stress. Higher photosynthetic rate, lower transpiration rate, higher water relation parameters and high WUE in Flame Seedless under soil moisture stress indicated its better tolerance to drought.
Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)
Authors: Mir M M , Sofi A A , Singh D B , Bhat F N
Published: August 2023

Studies were carried out to find out association between different characters and magnitude of association of different characters with gross fruit yield (kg/plant) in ten cultivars of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) including one local check. Data revealed that genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than their corresponding phenotypic ones for most of the characters, implying an inherent relationship among them. Fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit volume, juice content, fruit set and number of fruits/plant exhibited highly significant positive correlation. Among the characters studied, number of fruits/plant, fruit weight, fruit volume and fruit set recorded maximum positive direct effect towards gross fruit yield (kg/plant) at both the levels. This study revealed that both the number of fruits/plant and fruit weight could form a selection criterion for yield improvement in pomegranate.
Heterosis Studies in Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)
Authors: Tomar Rukam S , Bhalala M K
Published: August 2023

Ten parental lines and 45 F1 hybrids of muskmelon obtained from half dialleles were studied to investigate the extent of heterosis in muskmelon. Heterotic effects over the better parent were observed to be higher for number of the node on which first female flower appeared, fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, moisture content and total soluble sugars in E2 than in E1. The hybrids AMM-01-18 x AMM-02-26, Hara Madhu x RM- 50, AMM-00-25 x AMM-00-11 and AMM-01-18 x DM-1 were found to be high-yielding and heterotic in both the seasons studied and even when averaged over the two environments, with other yield attributes and quality traits. Hence, after sufficient evaluation, these hybrids were identified as potential hybrids for widespread cultivation and commercial exploitation.
Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Onion Yield and Soil Properties under Chromic haplusterts of Karnataka
Authors: Basavaraja P K , Sridhara S , Sushma A R , Hareesh G R
Published: August 2023

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2002 and 2003 under Chromic Haplusterts (medium black soils) at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Hiriyur to study the effect of Coir Pith Based Compost (CPBC) along with organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on yield of Onion. The study revealed that combined application of CPBC @ 15 t/ha along with press mud (PM) and half the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) gave significant higher bulb yield of onion (14.70 t/ha) as compared to RDF along with FYM (9.55 t/ha). The bulb yields were on par with the combined application of CPBC along with FYM and 50% RDF or combined application of CPBC and Green manure (GM) along with 100% RDF, indicating the utility of CPBC in onion cultivation. Higher net and gross returns were recorded with application of CPBC and PM @ 15 t/ha each along with 50% RDF with better benefit cost ratio. The yield and quality parameters also differed significantly among the various combinations of CPBC with PM or FYM in conjunction with inorganic fertilizers. Analysis of the soil after the harvest of onion crop did not show any significant difference in pH and EC among the treatments. However, organic carbon, available phosphorus and available potash were significantly higher due to application of CPBC, PM, FYM and GM along with 50% or 100% RDF.
Effect of Blending, Additives and Storage Conditions on the Quality of Watermelon Nectar
Authors: Pal Harshata , Banik Ashis Kumar , . Nuchhungi
Published: August 2023

The impact of blending of nectar with coconut water, fortification with ascorbic acid and tocopherol and subsequent storage at low temperature (4-5°C) and room temperature (15-33°C) on the quality of nectar was evaluated. In most of the treatments, total soluble solids and reducing sugar content of the nectars increased during storage, whereas the total titratable acidity and lycopene content decreased. Blending and addition of tocopherol did not show improved effect on quality. Low temperature storage recorded better stability.
Analysis of Variability for Qualitative and Quantitative Traits in Coleus forskohlii Briq.
Authors: Kavitha C , Vadivel E , Rajamani K , Thangamani C
Published: August 2023

Thirty seven Coleus forskohlii genotypes collected from different regions of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were subjected to diversity analysis based on NBPGR descriptors. Eleven qualitative and fourteen quantitative traits of C. forskohlii were evaluated to assess the morphological variations available among the collected genotypes. For qualitative traits, a large number of genotypes out of 37 clustered together at 74 % similarity in four different groups. The dendrogram contract based on fourteen quantitative traits for the same set of genotypes did not reveal a clear pattern in grouping and the genotypes were grouped into ten different clusters. Cluster analysis of various sets of data revealed different groups of genotypes for each of the data set. A poor congruence observed among data sets of qualitative and quantitative traits in the comparison indicated that the morphological traits are not suitable for precise discrimination of closely related genotypes in C. forskohlii.
Influence of some Pesticides on Entomopathogenic Fungus Lecanicillium (=Verticillium) lecanii (Zimm.) ZARE & GAMS
Authors: Krishnamoorthy A , Visalakshi P N Ganga
Published: August 2023

An in vitro study was conducted to determine the interaction effect of ten pesticides tested at field recommended dose on conidial germination, vegetative growth and sporulation of Lecanicillium lecanii(ZIMM.) ZARE&GAMS. Compatibility of L. lecanii to different pesticides was found to be varied. Conidial germination was 99.3 and 85.7% in Pongamia oil and acephate, whereas, it was totally inhibited by the presence of chlorothalonil, iprodion + carbendazim, carbendazim and thiophanate methyl indicating that these pesticides were highly toxic. Dinocap recorded as moderately toxic while endosulfan, abamectin and ethion were least toxic based to the germination of conidia. So also Iprodion + carbendazim did not and carbendazim allow L. lecanii to put forth mycelium growth in their presence. Thiophanate methyl, Pongamia oil, acephate, endosulfan, ethion and chlorothalonil were observed to be innocuous pesticides registering growth of mycelium upto 2.33, 2.23, 2.23, 2.03, 2.03 and 2.00 cm dia., respectively, from 0.6 cm dia. held in the center of Petri plate on 14th day after treatment. As far as sporulation is concerned, Pongamia oil alone recorded the maximum yield of 47.2x106 conidia/ml followed by 18x106 conidia/ml, in chlorothalonil as against 20x106 conidia/ml in control, which means that the pongamia oil exhibited synergistic effect on L. lecanii, yielding more conidial spores. Thus, based on in vitro interaction study, pongamia oil alone was found to be safe to the entamopathogenic fungus L. lecanii in nature and iprodion + carbendazim and carbendazim were found to be highly toxic.
Effect of Pheromone Lure-Distance and Direction in Trapping Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guen.) Male Moths
Authors: Singh H S , Kumar N K Krishna , Krishnakumari B
Published: August 2023

An experiment was conducted at Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, to study the presence of male Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer (BSFB) outside cropping area and the effect of wind direction on male BSFB trap catches. Water traps with 4 mg of synthetic BSFB pheromone lure in rubber septa were placed at 0, 50, 100, 150 and 350 m away from a brinjal field in all four directions i.e., North, South, East and West. Water level in the traps was maintained constant and lures were changed at 20 days interval. Count of BSFB trapped males and record of wind direction was made every 24 h for 61 days. Results indicated that the number of male BSFB moths in distantly located traps (350 m from the brinjal field) was at par with the numbers observed in traps placed in the main brinjal field. Traps located at 50 and 100 m from brinjal field attracted less male BSFB moths than those at 0, 150 and 350 m indicating the feasibility of trapping male BSFB moths even in non-brinjal area. Trap direction did not significantly influence trap catch. Nearly 60% of BSFB male moths were observed in traps placed against direction of the wind.