bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A uniformity trial on Indian mustard for determination of optimum size and shape of blocks
Authors: Khan Mujahid , Hasija Ramesh Chander , Aneja Des Raj , Sharma Manish Kumar
Published: January 2019

The aim of this study was to estimate the optimum block size with the shape for field research experiments. A uniform crop of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) variety RH-749 was raised during 2013-14 rabi season over an area of 48m × 48m (2304 basic units) at Research Farm of Oilseed section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCSHAU, Hisar, Haryana, India. The harvesting of crop was done in small units each of size lm × lm (1m2). The blocks of sizes 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 plots with various shapes, for different plot sizes were considered. The coefficient of variation (CV) decreased from 10.66 to 3.89 with the increase in block size from 4 to 24 , indicating that as the block size increased, homogeneity within the block also increases and the blocks elongated in E-W direction were more effective in reducing error variation than those elongated in N-S direction. It was also observed that C.V. without blocking (20.04) was much higher in comparison with the C.V. with blocking (3.89), thus indicating that blocking was beneficial in reducing error variation. The 24 plot blocks were found to be most efficient with 12m × 2m block shape. Rectangular blocks are also advisable either when the experimenter does not have any idea about the fertility pattern of the experimental area or when border effects are large.
Human health risk assessment for heavy metals via intake of contaminated milk and milk products
Authors: Meena Anita , Kaur Ravinder
Published: January 2019

The present study was conducted to assess the risk of human health against heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd) through the intake of milk and milk products produced by animals which are feeding the fodder produced by polluted irrigation water. The milk samples contained amounts of Fe (10.43 ppm) Cu (1.23 ppm), Mn(0.60 ppm ), Zn (2.32),Cr (0.05 ppm), Ni (0.17 ppm) Pb (0.28 ppm ) and Cd (0.13 ppm ) than MAL in buffaloes milk and Ni (0.16 ppm ) and Pb (0.41 ppm) than MAL in cow milk. The milk samples from the small animals (goat) were associated with only Fe (11.24ppm,), Zn (2.47 ppm ), Cr (0.07 ppm) and Pb (0.05 ppm) than maximum allowable limit. The hazardous quotient (HQ) indicated that milks from all types of animals were contaminated with metals. From the results the hazardous quotient (HQ) indicated that higher risk for Pb and Cd (>1) metals contamination in buffalo and cow milk. However HI (2 to 14) for all studied milk sample was found to be not safe. Females are at somewhat higher risk than males. This study projected a high multi-metal threat due to food chain contamination in the study area.
Molecular screening of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes for resistance alleles against important biotic stresses
Authors: Neha Pallavi , Solankey Shashank Shekhar , Vati Lajja , Chattopadhyay Tirthartha
Published: January 2019

Molecular markers are vastly used as tool for screening of disease resistant/tolerant plant genotypes in early stage of growth in an environment-independent manner. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), the major biotic stresses like tomato yellow leaf curl virus, Fusarium wilt, tomato spotted wilt virus and root knot nematode cause severe crop loss. Recently, DNA based molecular markers for the screening of resistance alleles for the abovementioned diseases have been reported in tomato. In the present study, a total of eighteen tomato genotypes have been screened for the presence of possible resistance alleles, using sequence characterized amplified region(SCAR) molecular markers. Resistance allele-specific bands for Fusarium wilt disease, tomato spotted wilt disease and partial resistance allele-specifc band for root knot disease have been identified in some of the genotypes used in the present study. However, none of the genotypes was found to contain Ty3 resistance allele-specific band for resistance to tomato yellow leaf curl disease. Thus, possible resistance sources have been identified for three out of the four biotic stresses, mentioned earlier. Thus, the present study has screened the 18 tomato genotypes at molecular level for presence of resistance alleles for biotic stress, which might be further evaluated and explored in future tomato breeding programmes, targeting biotic stress resistance in tomato. At the same time, the study documents the applicability of molecular markers for rapid disease screening in tomato in an environment independent manner.
Seed traits, germination pattern and seedling vigour in Antiaris toxicaria (Pers.) Lesch., a rare plant species of Western ghats
Authors: Mirgal A. B. , Gunaga Rajesh P. , Salunkhe C. B.
Published: January 2019

Antiaris toxicaria (Pers.) Lesch. is one of the species of ecological importance distributed in Western Ghats and other parts. This species is considered as one of the threatened species and it needs conservation. The information on fruit and seed trait variation and germination attributes are scanty. Such database is useful for afforestation programme as well as for augmentation of rare plant species in their natural habitat. For the present study, 10 open pollinated trees distributed in Devade forest of Sakharpa were marked. April month was the peak fruiting period and healthy fruits were collected from the ground. Fruit and seed traits were found to be varied significantly among trees, where fruit length ranged from 21.50 to 24.71 mm and fruit weight ranged from 3.64 to 4.07 g. Similarly, seeds length (14.01 -15.09 mm), seed thickness (12.15 -13.04 mm) and seed weight (1.20 – 1.57g) also showed significant variation among 10 trees. Field observation showed that there was a poor regeneration in this species at studied site. Therefore, germination study was conducted at nursery condition by imposing several pretreatments. Among eight treatments including control, soaking seeds in water for 24 hrs (T2) resulted in better germination of 38.0% as compared to others. In T2 seed germination started at 16 days after sowing and completed within 42 days. Potting mixture of red soil with saw dust in 30:70 ratio improved seed germination about 20 % as compared to red soil media.
Banded leaf and sheath blight: A menacing disease of maize (Zea mays L.) and its management
Authors: Chaudhary Sorabh , Sagar Sushma , Tomar Akash , Sengar R. S. , Kumar Mukesh
Published: January 2019

Maize (Zea mays L.) crop is attacked by number of fungal, bacterial and viral diseases, out of which banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) caused by anastomosis group 1-IA of Rhizoctonia solani f. sp. sasakii Exner. is one of the most widespread and destructive disease of maize in Southeast Asian countries. The occurrence of this disease has also been reported from other parts of the world, which causes significant yield loss up to 100%. R. solani can survive in the soil for several years and able to infect plants belonging to more than 32 families, including many economically important monocots and dicots plants. The severity of the disease favoured by humid weather with temperature around 28°C, poses challenge to maize growers due to its soil borne nature and lack of resistance cultivars. It is indicated that none of the disease management approaches are effective against BLSB. Banded leaf and sheath blight is difficult to control through either fungicide or crop rotation alone. A number of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling BLSB have been identified that would help the development of maize hybrids resistance to this disease. Management of BLSB requires an integrated approach based on the knowledge of each stage of the disease and molecular aspect of maize defence responses against R. solani. Mention conclusion statement and novelty of the work. The present review summarizes consolidated information on distribution, yield loss, symptoms, pathogen life cycle, epidemiology, genetic structure of the pathogen population, molecular aspect of pathogenicity and its integrated management through cultural, biological, chemical and genetic means. The consolidated knowledge presented in this review should help better disease management and reduce crop yield loss due to banded leaf and sheath blight pathogen.
Sensory and nutritional evaluation of unleavened flat bread prepared by multigrain flour mixture
Authors: Singh Shikha , Verma Anisha , Bala Neeru
Published: January 2019

The present study was undertaken to develop the value added food product using multigrain flour mixture and to assess its sensory and nutritional composition of unleavened flat bread (Chapatti). It was standardized as Control (T0). Along with control; three variations of Chapatti were prepared by replacing wheat flour with different ratio of multigrain flour mixture which referred as T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. They were tested for different attrib-utes (Taste and Flavour, Colour and Appearance, Body and Texture and Overall Acceptability). A food composition table given by Gopalan, et.al, 2007 was used to determine the nutritional composition of Chapatti. Appropriate statis-tical technique was opted for the analysis. The result revealed that the T1 (8.05±0.00) was found most acceptable with regards to its sensory attributes followed by T0 (7.70±0.42), T2 (7.55±0.08), T3 (7.22±0.98) and T4 (6.64±0.46) respectively. Energy (ranging from 388-436 Kcal), Protein (ranging from 22-28 g), fat (ranging from 13-21 g), cal-cium (ranging from145-192 mg), phosphorus (ranging from 466-501 mg), fiber (ranging from 3-4g) and iron (ranging from 6-7 mg) were increased in treatments as compared to control except carbohydrate. Thus, it can be concluded that value added product has good organoleptic and nutritional quality.
Utilization of flower waste for the removal of chromium from tannery effluent
Authors: Davamani V. , Arulmani S. , Parameswari E. , Thangaselvabai T. , Balamohan T.N.
Published: January 2019

In this work we used flower waste biomass as a biosorbent to remove Cr from tannery effluent through column experiments. The sorption capacities of biosorbent (Fine, coarse and rough grades) were also evaluated by employing chemical pretreatments viz., sodium hydroxide, acetic acid, glutaraldehyde and hydrogen peroxide. The order of percentage removal of Cr using the above pretreatments was: 10% hydrogen peroxide < Raw powdered-FWB < 2% Gluteraldehyde < 10% Acetic acid < 0.1N sodium hydroxide. Among the different grades of biosorbents used, fine grade adsorbed more Cr (70 %) than that of coarse (64%) and rough (62 %) sorbents. The removal percentage of Cr from tannery was analyzed by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, the functional groups which are responsible for adsorption was examined by Fourier Transform- Infrared Spectroscopy and the amorphous behaviour of FWB facilitating metal biosorption was indicated by the X-ray diffractogram. This study showed that pretreated flower waste biomass is a potential sorbent of Cr, which could be successfully used to reduce the Cr content in tannery effluent.
Isolation, purification, and characterization of xylanase produced by three species of bacillus under submerged fermentation conditions
Authors: Yadav Bhuvnesh , Chandra Khushboo
Published: January 2019

This study focuses on the screening and identification of bacteria, which can produce alkaline xylanase at alkaline pH and high temperature. Bacterial isolates from enriched decaying soil, capable of hydrolyzing xylan were screened. Selected and purified 13 bacterial colonies (Bacilli and Kurthia) grown on xylan- nutrient agar slants, were activated and transferred into the fermentation medium. Three highest xylanase producing isolates (Bacillus badius, Kurthia gibsonii, Bacillus circulans) were selected for further studies and the xylanase produced by them were screened for their kinetic properties. The optimum temperature for the activity of the xylanase from Isolates A was 50oC; and for Isolate B was 40oC, while that of Isolate C was 30oC. The optimum pH value for the xylanase from isolate A and B was 9.0. In addition, the xylanase was also capable of producing high-quality xylo-oligosaccharides, which indicated its application potential not only in pulp bio-bleaching processes but also in the nutraceutical industry.
Species structure and diversity in Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere reserve, Central India
Authors: Yadav D. K.
Published: January 2019

The present study was aimed at quantifying the species structure and diversity in Achanakmar- Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve. Four sites characterized by varying vegetation attributes and representative of the region were selected. One-hectare, permanent plot was established on each of the site and enumeration was car-ried out by stratified random sampling techinique. The forest sites are characterized by poor species composition. A sum of 2440 trees representing 23 species and 17 families were encountered. Tree, sapling and seedling density (stems ha-1) ranged between 260 - 810, 7500 - 35000 and 25000 - 67500, respectively while the basal cover (m2 ha- 1) ranged between 9.96 - 41.6, 0.86 - 5.07 and 0.28 - 0.96, respectively. Species diversity was highest on the dense site and low on medium site. Beta diversity was highest on degraded site. The presence of a large number of seed-lings indicates the great potential source for future sustainable regeneration, provided by appropriate management regime to protect the forest from degradation and conserve the biodiversity.
Optimization of the process parameters in rice mill using Response surface methodology (RSM)
Authors: Pandey Kumkum , Vinay Deepa
Published: January 2019

Objective of the current study was to analyze a wooden plank used as a loading ramp to perform manual handling task with a view to redesign and develop the new one for agriculture. Developed ramp was more wide, static and non slippery than the wooden plank. For this purpose experiments were conducted on a group of 10 experienced manual handlers in the KLA rice mill of Rudrapur Block, district Udhamsingh Nagar, Uttarakhand, India. The reliability and validity of the developed, modern loading ramp was assessed by using response surface methodology in terms of change in MSD, heart rate and VO2 max. Therefore RSM was applied to optimize the operating parameters of ramp such as load weight, height of ramp and time. As per Box Behenken design total 17 experiments were carried out. Each parameter was varied over three levels as load weight of 40, 50 and 60 kg., height of ramp 3, 4 and 5 feet, and the time viz. 3, 4 and 5 min. ANOVA test and coefficient of determination (R2) were applied. In result it was observed that use of developed pant loading ramp was able to reduce heart rate of selected respondent’s from 135.4 beats/min. to 126.76 beats/min., MSD from 85.45 to 22.80 % and VO2 max from 39.45 to 34L/min.
Effect of packaging materials on the shelf-life of strawberry cv. Sweet Charlie under room temperature storage
Authors: Panda A. K. , Goyal R. K. , Godara A. K. , Sharma Vikas Kumar
Published: January 2019

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) fruits cv. Sweet Charlie were harvested at the 3/4th maturity stage. Freshly harvested fruits were packed in plastic punnets and wrapped with different packaging materials viz., low-density polyethylene (LDPE) 25, 50 and 75 micron, polypropylene (PP) 25 micron, cellophane paper and cling film. Effect of all the packaging materials was studied in ambient storage condition (18-25 ºC and 80-90% RH). The result showed that LDPE 50 micron packaging material proved as the most effective one to control the weight loss (5.49%) and all of the LDPE films along with the PP and cling films appeared best to minimize decay loss. MAP conditions help prevent the decaying of strawberry fruits up to a day. The total soluble solids (6.35% - 5.78%) and titratable acidity (0.91% - 0.70%) were found to be decreased with the prolongation of storage periods, but no significant variation was recorded for different packaging materials. A better level of ascorbic acid in strawberry fruits packed with LDPE 50 (31.56 mg/ 100g) and 75 micron (29.86 mg/ 100g) packaging films was retained. The organoleptic rating of strawberry fruits was found best in fruits packed with LDPE 50 micron (7.90) packaging films. In future, these experimental results may prove very useful for storage of strawberry fruits for a certain period in better quality.
Semi-dwarf narrow rolled leaf mutant in rice: Photosynthetic efficiency and physiological response to gibberellic acid (GA3)
Authors: Ramchander S. , Pillai M. Arumugam
Published: January 2019

Leaf is the major component for fixation of carbondioxide to produce more photoassimilates and maintains source sink relationship in plants. The present investigation was carried out to study the photosynthetic efficiency and physiological response of GA3 of semi-dwraf narrow rolled leaf mutant. Semi-dwarf narrow rolled leaf mutant exhibited reduced plant height, reduced leaf width, reduced panicle length and number of grains per panicle when compared to wild type. Photosynthetic efficiency study revealed that the mutant showed higher photosynthetic efficiency than wild type. Complementation test with GA3 clearly revealed that this mutant is sensitive to GA3 and revert to normal plant height. Scanning Electron Microscope study revealed that mutant had exhibited minimum number of inter-veins between veins, minimum distance between midrib and has slightly larger cell size. Hence, this loss of function mutant is very useful to map the regions associated with panicle length, number of grains per panicle and other traits related to enhancement of yield. The result provides an important clue for further understanding the mechanism of rice leaf development and plant architecture.
Effect of polyamines and natural growth substances on the growth and flowering of rose (Rosa hybrida) cv. Samurai under protected conditions
Authors: Tatte Sumathi , Singh Alka , Ahlawat T. R.
Published: January 2019

Investigations were conducted to study the effect of different polyamines and natural growth substances as a pre harvest foliar spray on greenhouse rose cv. Samurai. The study involved preharvest foliar spraying with polyamines like spermine (10 ppm) and spermidine (10 ppm); natural growth substances like enriched banana pseudostem sap (1 per cent) and cow urine (2 per cent). All the treatments improved the vegetative and flowering characters over control. However, among different treatments, foliar spray of spermine 10 ppm, followed by spermidine 10 ppm were highly significant in influencing all vegetative parameters like plant height (79 cm), number of branches per plant (3.73), stem girth (10.69 mm), number of leaves per plant (91.33), leaf area (14.68 cm2) and leaf chlorophyll content (36.96 mg/g). Further, flowering parameters like flower stalk length (61.24cm), bud length (2.70mm), flower diameter (6.50 cm), number of petals per flower (55.90) and vase life (6.63 days) were significantly maximum in plants sprayed with spermine 10ppm. The treatment of foliar spray with spermine and spermidine almost doubled the flower production and improved the flower quality in tems of bud size and vase life as compared to control.
Effect of edible coatings for enhancing shelf-life and quality in Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk.) fruits
Authors: Dutta Piyali , Dey Koyel , Ghosh Arkendu , Bhowmick Nilesh , Ghosh Arunava
Published: January 2019

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of post-harvest application of different edible coatings like Chitosan (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%), Guar gum (1%, 1.5%, 2%), Gum tragacanth (1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%) on shelf life and quality of cv. BAU ber. Fruits of uniform size were harvested at physiological maturity and treated with various edible coatings. Observations were recorded at intervals of 4 days from storage on physiological loss in weight, fruit length, breadth, colour, TSS, total sugar, reducing sugar,acidity, and ascorbic acid. The results revealed that coating of fruits resulted in reduced loss in fruit weight and higher level of ascorbic acid content, TSS, acidity, total sugar, reducing sugar as compared to the fruits under control. The most effective coating was Guar gum (2%) that extended the shelf life of ber up to 16 days. Fruits under control had a shelf life of only10 days.
Effect of foliar application of zinc and salicylic acid on growth, flowering and chemical constitute of African marigold cv. pusa narangi gainda (Targets erecta L.)
Authors: Choudhary A. , Mishra A. , Bola P. K. , Moond S. K. , Dhayal M.
Published: January 2019

A field experiment on African marigold (Targets erecta L.) was conducted during winter season of 2014-15to study the foliar effect of Zn and SA of 20 treatment combinations having five concentrations of zinc (0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 %) and salicylic acid (0.0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 mM/L).The treatmentZn4SA3 (Zinc 1% + Salicylic acid 1.0 mM/L) recorded the maximum plant height (77.41 cm), number of leaves per plant (314.10),earliest first flower bud appearance (39.78 days), maximum number of flowers per plant (62.33), maximum chlorophyll content (3.83mg/g) and maximum carotene content (3.07 mg/g)as compared to control where it was recorded minimum. These results are conclusive that foliar spraying with zinc 1.0% + salicylic acid 1.0 mM/L may positively increasedthe growth and flowering parametersof marigold.
Zonal trend-agrometeorological models for wheat yield estimation in Haryana
Authors: Goyal M. , Verma U.
Published: January 2019

An attempt has been made to assess the impact of weather variables for district-level wheat yield estimation in Haryana. Fortnightly weather data and trend based yield were used for developing the zonal trendagrometeorological (agromet) models within the framework of multiple linear regression and discriminant function analyses. The district level wheat yield forecasts, percent deviations from the real time wheat yield (s) and root mean square error(s) at zonal level show a preference of using discriminant/weather scores as regressors in almost all the considered districts of the state. Zonal trend-agromet models provided considerable improvement in district-level wheat yield prediction moreover the yield estimates may be obtained 4-5 weeks in advance of the harvest time. The estimated yield(s) from the selected zonal models showed good agreement with State Department of Agriculture (DOA) wheat yields by showing less than 5 percent deviations in 9 districts and 6-11 percent deviations in the remaining 9 districts under consideration.
Pathogenic variability in Exserohilum turcicum and identification of resistant sources to turcicum leaf blight of maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Ahangar M. Ashraf , Bhat Z. A. , Sheikh F. A. , Dar Z. A. , Lone Ajaz A. , Hooda K. S. , Reyaz Malik
Published: January 2019

Turcicum leaf blight of maize incited by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard and Suggs is the major limiting factor of maize production in temperate agro-ecologies. Disease management through host plant resistance is the most effective strategy. In the present study among 26 maize genotypes which were initially screened for resistance against E. turcicum under field conditions, 8 genotypes viz., PS 39, CML 451, CML 470, CML 472, VL 1030, VL 1018140, VL1018527 and SMI178-1 were found resistant when screened against twelve isolates of E. turcicum under artificial epiphytotic conditions. Eight genotypes viz., PS45, CML165, CML459, VL1249, VL0536, SMC-5, SMC-3 and KDL 211 were found moderately resistant with disease grade ranged from 2.1-2.5. These maize genotypes possess resistance to turcicum leaf blight can be used successfully in developing high yielding early maturing varieties for high altitude temperate agro-ecologies. The fungus E. turcicum is highly variable in nature. Variability studies on pathogenicity were conducted on twelve isolates of E. turcicum on eleven putative differential maize lines. During the present study a wide pathogenic variation was observed among the twelve isolates of E. turcicum. Cluster analysis on the basis of similarity or dissimilarity in reaction types exhibited by the differential hosts, clustered the isolates into 6 pathogenic groups. The isolates belonged to higher altitudes (Kti 10, Kti11, Kti5) were found to be more aggressive as compared to the isolates of low altitude areas.
Performance of hymenopteran insects as pollinators of pumpkin in Meghalaya
Authors: Pande Rachna , Verma V. K.
Published: January 2019

Pumpkin is a major cultivated crop particularly in north eastern states of India that depends on insects for the pollination, as the pollens of these plants are large sized and sticky. In the present study, field and lab experiments were conducted to determine the efficiency of the pollinators of pumpkin based on their diversity, relativeabundance and foraging activity. Total four hymenopteran insect pollinators were observed in field viz., bumble bee, little honey bee, Indian honey bee and Digger bee. On the basis of abundance and relative abundance bumble bee was identified as most abundant pollinator of pumpkin with 69.69 per cent mean relative abundance as other pollinators mean relative abundance was less than 25 per cent and it was only 3.49 per cent for Indian honey bee. Foraging speed and foraging rate of bumble bee was 7.13 sec/flower and foraging rate was 3.80 flower/minute. To ensure the efficient pollinator of pumpkin flower, pollen carrying capacity, pollen deposition and percent deposition of viable pollen was studied for all the pollinators in field and laboratory condition. The pollen carrying capacity of pollinators ranged from more than 7 mg to 1 mg. It was highest for bumble bee which was 7.33 mg followed by little honey bee (6.66 mg) and least pollen carrying capacity was observed in Digger bee (1.67 mg). Pollen depositions by pollinators on stigma in a single visit was again highest for bumble bee (565 pollen grains) with maximum number of viable pollen deposition 224.33 pollen grains out of which 39.7 per cent pollen was viable. So on the basis of above result it can be concluded that bumble bee was the most abundant and most efficient pollinator of pumpkin.
Study of variance, heritability and genetic advance for various yield contributing and quality traits in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Harshwardhan Harshwardhan , Kumar Anil , Kumar Amarjeet , Prasad Birendra
Published: January 2019

An experiment was conducted to study the coefficient of variance, heritability and genetic advance for different traits in spring wheat .The investigation comprised of 7 lines of wheat and their 21 crosses in half diallel fashion was carried out in RBD with three replications. Data were recorded for days to 75% heading, days to maturity,plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike, 1000-grain weight, biological yield per plant, harvest index, grain yield per plant, protein content and sedimentation value. The mean squares of the analysis of variance revealed significant and highly significant differences among genotypes for characters studied. Both PCV and GCV (21.8% and 21.3%) were highest for biological yield per plant followed by grain yield per plant (20.9%) and harvest index (19.7%) respectively. Whereas, ECV was maximum (15.2%) for grain yield per plant followed by harvest index (12.2%) and lowest value was recorded for days to 75% heading (0.85%). Days to 75% heading was highly heritable (90.94%) trait followed by plant height (87.23%) while least heritability (17.73%) was noticed for number of grain per spike. The highest genetic advance shown by the biological yield per plant (48.33g) followed by grain yield per plant (19.75g), however, the greatest genetic value percent mean 43.084 for the days to maturity and minimum (2.10) for spike length. Hence, these statistical parameters might be given top priority to strengthen the successful breeding program.
Agroforestry systems practiced in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: Toppo Pratap , Raj Abhishek , Jhariya M. K.
Published: January 2019

Chhattisgarh state has very diverse forest ecosystem and long history of traditional agroforestry. An agroforestry practice is location specific and depends on nature of agro-climatic zone. In Chhattisgarh, farmers are doing this farming practices based on fulfilling their diverse need and improvement of socioeconomic condition but stilldata is insufficient to explore more agroforestry practices in the state. In this context, assessment of different agroforestry models gives not only sufficient data but also open a door for conservation of biological diversity.. Different models like’s Boundary plantations, Agri-silviculture system, Horti-silvicuture, Silvi-pasture, Kitchen garden and Block plantation are used by farmers in Dhamtari. All models are dependent on location characteristic, land use type, soil type, climate and market requirement. This paper highlights the different models of Agroforestry, specific model for the specific sites, lacuna in models faced by farmers and role of agroforestry models in socioeconomic upliftment.
Impact of different tillage methods on growth, development and productivity of maize (Zea mays)-wheat (Tritcum aestivum) cropping system
Authors: Ramesh Ramesh , Rana S. S. , Kumar Suresh , Rana R. S.
Published: January 2019

An experiment was conducted on a silty clay loam soil of Palampur during 2009–2011, to study the effect of different tillage methods in maize (Zea mays L.) wheat {Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.} cropping system. Results revealed that in maize crop, tillage methods in kharif season resulted in significantly highest emergence count (27.1 plant/m2) under manual seed drill. While, multi-crop planter recorded in significantly taller plants (55.4 cm) at 30 DAS; higher dry matter accumulation 81.0, 990.0 and 4184.4 g/m2 at 30, 60 and 90 DAS, respectively and CGR (30.3 g/day/m2) at 30-60 DAS. Tillage methods in rabi season resulted in higher emergence count (17.6 plant/m2) under zero tillage. This treatment also recorded advanced emergence by 1.2 to 1.5 days. In wheat crop, tillage methods in kharif season resulted in significantly highest emergence count (307.6 plant/m2), taller plants (13.1 cm) at 30 DAS, dry matter accumulation (625.3 g/m2) at 120 DAS and CGR (14.4 g/day/m2) at 90-120 DAS under conventional tillage. While, tillage methods in rabi season resulted in significantly highest emergence count (369.5 plants/m2), tallest plants (17.7, 92.6 and 101.0 cm at 60, 120 and at harvest, respectively) with multi-crop planter. While, zero tillage recorded significantly higher CGR (15.8 g/day/m2) and RGR (0.027 g/g/day) during 120-harvest stage. Zero tillage produced statistically at par crop yield and rainwater-use efficiency of both crops with other tillage treatments. Hence, zero tillage can be as good as other intensive tillage system besides lower input cost and environmental security.
Irrigation application efficiency and uniformity of water distribution using multi-outlet pipe and resource conservation technologies
Authors: Rajurkar Gajanan B. , Patel Neelam , Rajmohan N. , Rajput T. B. S. , Prathapar S. A. , Varghese Cini
Published: January 2019

Irrigation experiments were conducted during November to April under wheat crop in the winter season of 2012-13 and 2013-14 in the farmer’s field at Galibkhedi village located in Karnal District, Haryana State, India. In the study, collapsible multi-outlet pipe (MOP) along with single outlets pipe (SOP) was tested in farmer’s field under wheat cultivation. Irrigation was carried out in five treatments including tillage (T) with SOP and MOP; zero-tillage (ZT) with SOP and MOP, and furrow irrigation with raised bed (FIRB). Iso-time profile of waterfront spreading and advance indicated that irrigation water distribution was uniform under the plot irrigated using MOP as compared to plot irrigated using SOP. In addition, water distribution was uniform under zero tilled plots as compared to tilled plot. Results implied that MOP has several advantages over SOP in terms of application efficiency (AE) and uniformity of water distribution. Average application efficiency for the first study year was found to be in the order of ZT-MOP (82.41%) > FIRB (76.79%) > ZT-SOP (75.25%) > T-MOP (74.85%) > T-SOP (69.79%). Average application efficiency for the second study year was found to be in the same order as first year with some deviation in values. In the second year values of mean application efficiencies were ZT-MOP (82.58%) > FIRB (77.13%) > ZT-SOP (73.04%) > T-MOP (69.65%) > T-SOP (66.13%). Overall, this study concludes that irrigation under wheat crop using collapsible multi-outlet pipe (MOP) with zero tillage practices is a suitable option for surface irrigation that accomplishes uniform distribution of water with higher application efficiency.
Study on genetic diversity in chilli (Capsicum annuum) based on multivariate analysis and isozyme analysis
Authors: Mondal Chandan Kumar , Acharyya Pinaki , Saha Uttam
Published: January 2019

Thirty seven diverse chilli (Capsicum annuum) genotypes were studied for 22 growth, yield and fruit quality traits. Multivariate analysis grouped the genotypes into 7 clusters. Cluster IV was largest containing 14 genotypes. Inter cluster distance was maximum between cluster V and VII (248.09), and minimum between cluster I and II (57.80). Cluster VII was most heterogeneous (intra-cluster divergence value 191.25) and Cluster II was most homogeneous (30.25). Genotypes were also analyzed for peroxidase enzyme polymorphism using gel electrophoresis which resulted seven electrophoretic bands (Rf 0.19 to 0.59) and grouped the genotypes into 6 zymotypes. Zymotype P4 included maximum (13) number of genotypes. Number of clusters in peroxidase and multivariate analysis were almost same but distribution of genotypes varied. 73% of total genotypes showed similar pattern of grouping suggesting that the two methods are complementary to each other and should be carried out simultaneously to determine genetic diversity more effectively. Considering variability and diversity analysis of the genotypes, CUCH-4 from Cluster-II (& Zymotype-P2) and CUCH-31, CUCH-34 and CUCH-35 from Cluster-VII (& Zymotype-P4) were identified as promising genotypes which can be used in further crop improvement programme.
Impact of foliar application of potassium and its spray schedule on yield and quality of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) cv. Jaffa
Authors: Vijay Vijay , Dalal R. P. S. , Beniwal B. S. , Saini Hemant
Published: January 2019

A field study was undertaken to extrapolate the impact of foliar application of potash and its spray schedule on yield and physical and chemical parameters of sweet orange cv. Jaffa at experimental orchard, Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The results revealed that foliar application of KNO? at both the doses (2 and 4%) was found significantly or marginally better than K?SO? (1.5 and 3.0%) and control (water spray) in increasing the juice content. Peel content, peel thickness and rag content was found to be influenced significantly due to different treatments on K and its spray schedule. Minimum rag content (38.11%) was recorded with foliar application of KNO? at the rate of 4% and maximum with control. Ascorbic acid and acidity were found maximum with two foliar applications of KNO? at the rate of 4% in the last week of April and August. Foliar application of KNO? at the rate of 4% was found most effective in increasing yield of sweet orange over control and other K treatments. Spray of K in the last week of April, May and August was found superior in increasing yield closely followed by two sprays in the last week of April and August. The findings signify the importance of K spray in enhancing yield and quality of sweet orange under semi-arid north western conditions of India.
Inside the plant: Bacterial endophytes and abiotic stress alleviation
Authors: Pandey Pramod Kumar , Singh Siddhartha , Singh Amit Kumar , Samanta Ramkrishna , Yadav Raj Narain Singh , Singh M. Chandrakumar
Published: January 2019

Bacterial endophytes are the microbes internally associated with the plant, nourished in an isolated environment which is free from the external harsh and changeable ecological condition. They entered into the plant tissues and alleviate the biotic and abiotic stresses by producing numerous secondary metabolites. They are engaged with the de novo synthesis of structural compounds and stimulation of plant immunity. They are also involved in the process of exclusion of the pathogen by niche competition and actively take part in phenylpropanoid metabolism. Abiotic stresses in particular salinity problem, low pH, heavy metal toxicity and accumulation of recalcitrant complex compounds in the soil affecting the plant health are a major threat to the agriculture sector in crop production and stability of ecosystems. To cope with these problems agriculture productivity has been intensified by using synthetic chemicals and pesticides causes numerous problems worldwide. Endophytic bacteria are thus being utilized as a substitute to reduce the use of toxic chemicals and pesticides. They may be employed as a biological agent in the plant growth promotion and for the management of the global environment. There is a tremendous scope for the isolation and identification of new endophytic bacteria with excellent potential.
Growth and productivity of Tectona grandis Linn. f. in plantations and farmlands in coastal zone of Karnataka (India)
Authors: Shahapurmath Girish , Hanumatha M. , Gunaga Rajesh , Rashmi V. , Koppad A. G.
Published: January 2019

The present study was conducted to understand the growth performance and productivity potential of Tectona grandis grown in plantation as well as in the farmlands at coastal zone of Karnataka. The growth of teak tree grown in farmland was significantly higher than tree grown in pure plantation. For instance, the overall height(11.95 m), diameter (23.69 cm), clear bole height (6.20 m), tree volume (0.61 m3) and timber volume (0.33 m3) was higher in farmland than trees grown in pure plantation (11.60 m, 20.33 cm, 4.90 m, 0.42 m3 and 0.18 m3, respectively). However, crown parameters did not show significant difference among trees grown in pure plantations and farmlands. There was a strong influence of age on growth of teak trees grown in both farmland and pure plantation. For instance, tree height (14.72 m) and diameter (30.52 cm) of higher age class (A4: 21-25 years) was maximum as compared lower age class (A1: 5-10 years) with values of 8.29 m and 17.14 cm, respectively. Similar trend was also recorded for volume, clear bole height, crown height, crown length and crown diameter in teak. It was concluded that teak grown in farmland may produce higher growth and volume as compared to pure plantation.
Phytochemical screening and evaluation of anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activity of Elettaria cardamom (Cardamom)
Authors: Bano Shabana , Ahmad Nashrah , Sharma A. K.
Published: January 2019

The present study deals with the phytochemical screening and evaluation of antibacterial and antioxidant activities from the crude methanol extract of the seeds of cardamom, Elettaria cardamom. Crude methanol extract was investigated for their antibacterial activity against Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Listeria monocytogenes,Bacillus pumilus and Escherichia coli. The extract showed maximum zone of inhibition (20.3 mm) against EPEC, however, the antibacterial potential of the extract was slightly lesser against normal E. coli (19 mm). It showed moderate anti-bacterial activity against L. monocytogenes and B. pumilus. Dose-dependent increase in antioxidant activity was also noticed in crude extract as measured by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Thus, our study reports various phytochemicals in the seeds of cardamom with antioxidant and antibacterial potential.
Heterosis for post harvest and nutritional quality traits in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Sharma H. R. , Kumar Manish
Published: January 2019

A study was conducted in tomato using an 6 x 6 diallel crossing design excluding reciprocals to quantify the magnitude of heterosis and to identify the best heterotic combinations for post harvest and nutritional quality attributes viz. pericarp thickness (mm), fruit firmness (g/0.503 cm2), shelf life (days), total soluble solids (oBrix), lycopene content (mg/100g) and ascorbic acid (mg/100g) which are considered essential in present day hybrid varieties of tomato from consumer point of view. All the 22 entries (6 parents, 15 F1 hybrids and 1 standard check) were field evaluated using randomized complete block design with three replications during Kharif 2015-16. Highly significant heterosis (5% level of significance) of positive nature was found for pericarp thickness (22.90%, 32.20% and 5.62%), fruit firmness (17.32%, 56.72% and 9.21%), shelf life (17.54%, 24.87% and 9.57%), total soluble solids (24.44%, 51.44% and 34.20%), lycopene content (28.75%, 35.05% and 25.63%) and ascorbic acid (19.07%,30.00% and 17.85%) over the better, mid and standard check, respectively. Three promising crosses viz., Solan Lalima x EC-1055, Solan Lalima x EC-1057 and Solan Lalima x EC-1058 were identified as high yielding F1 combinations having superiority to post harvest and nutritional quality traits in tomato and can be promoted for release and commercial cultivation.
Fine mapping of rice drought QTL and study on combined effect of QTL for their physiological parameters under moisture stress condition
Authors: Baghyalakshmi K. , Jeyaprakash P. , Ramchander S. , Raveendran M. , Robin S.
Published: January 2019

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of different yield QTL (DTY2.2, DTY3.1 and DTY8.1) under drought and their physiological response to drought stress. Backcross Inbred Lines (BILs) of IR64 (CB-193 and CB-229) along with IR64, APO and the traditional rice variety Norungan were raised in green house condition under water stress and control to evaluate the effect of the QTL on grain yield. The BIL CB-193 recorded higher photosynthetic rate (22.051), transpiration rate (7.152) and Ci/Ca ratio (0.597) whereas the BIL CB-229 recorded high relative water content (80.76%). It was found that the combination of three QTL (CB-229) performed better than the susceptible parent and the line with two QTL (CB-193 Fine-mapping of two QTLs viz., qDTY2.2 and qDTY8.1, for grain yield (GY) were conducted using backcross derived lines. Composite interval mapping analyses resolved the originally identified qDTY2.2 region of 6.7 cM into a segment of 2.1 cM and two sub QTLs at region between RM23132 and RM1578 (75.75 cM- 77.66 cM), RM515 and RM1578 (75.11 cM-77.66 cM) were identified in qDTY8.1 region. However this study provides a unique opportunity to breeders to introgress such regions together as a unit into high-yielding drought-susceptible varieties through MAS.
Gene action and component of genetic variance analysis in the thermo sensitive genetic male sterile (TGMS) line in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Kumar Pardeep , Nautiyal M. K. , Kumar Pankaj
Published: January 2019

The field experiment conducted with eighteen TGMS lines, seventy two F1’s and four checks in randomized complete block design with three replications at the Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during Kharif 2013 and Kharif 2014. Estimates of variance of general combining ability were lower than those of variance of specific combining ability for all the traits e.g panicle number per plant (0.54), 1000 grain weight (1.50), harvest index (3.83) and grain yield per plant (17.09) showing preponderance of non-additive gene action except panicle length (1.28) and spikelet number per panicle(522.70) which showed high gca and indicated additive gene action. High estimates of broad sense heritability coupled with high genetic advance in mean percentage for Spikelet number per panicle (98 and 27.23 respectively). For grain yield per plant (98 and 14.38) and grain number per panicle (97 and 19.93) high heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance (98 and 14.38) indicated the scope of getting better recombinants. Selection will be more effective for the traits those have high heritability and high genetic advance.
Maximum rainfall probability distributions pattern in Haryana –A case study
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Shekhar Chander , Manocha Veena
Published: January 2019

The present study has been undertaken to fit best probability distribution of rainfall in Ambala District of Haryana State. The analysis showed that the maximum daily rainfall among the years ranged between 41mm (1980) to 307.9mm (2009) indicating a very large variation during the period of study. The mean of maximum daily rainfall of all years annually is 112.13mm. The means of monthly and weekly values ranged from 33.10-88.92mm and 8.77- 46.28 mm, respectively. The maximum daily rainfall in a year/monsoon season was307.9 mm and monthly maximum daily rainfall in monsoon season ranged from 105 -307.9mm. The weekly maximum daily rainfall ranged from48 mm-307.9 mm. It was also observed that the minimum among the maximum daily rainfall was 41mm for annual, 34mm for season and 0 in all the months and weeks. The maximum value of coefficient of variation was observed in the first week which indicated a large fluctuation in the rainfall data set and minimum value of coefficient of variation 0.464 was observed for the whole year which shows that fluctuation was minimum for the whole year. Generalized extreme value distribution was found to be best fit probability distribution for most of the periods.
Genotype × Environment Interaction and Phenotypic Stability analysis of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) in Mid-Hills of North-West Himalayas
Authors: Sharma Devender , Paul Satish
Published: January 2019

Stability performance of 30 linseed genotypes including commercial cultivars and elite lines (indigenous and exotic) was compared by using regression on environmental means for grain yield and its components under 5 different environments during rabi 2013-2014. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the traits studied over all 5 individual environments. Genotype × environment interactions were highly significant for all the characters studied. E + (G × E) was significant for all the characters except the number of seeds per capsule. Mean sum of squares for environment (linear) showed significance for all the characters. Significant differences for G × E (linear) were observed for 5 traits viz., primary branches per plant, secondary branches per plant, aerial biomass yield per plant, seed yield per plant and 1000-seed weight. Based on mean performance, regression coefficient (bi) and deviation from regression (S2di) the genotype Him Alsi-2, KL-241 and Nagarkot was highly stable for seed yield (g) and number of capsules per plant was found most adaptive to overall environments. These promising genotypes may be utilized as donors in linseed improvement program for target ecosystems.