1Agribusiness Department, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Lopez, Quezon Branch, 2Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Pili, Camarines Sur.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i02.36
Key words: Bitter gourd, calphos, fermented fruit juice, inorganic fertilization, sensory evaluation, vermicompost
Free Full-text PDF |
Abstract: Momordica charantia L. is a vegetable crop commonly cultivated under chemical fertilization. Thus, its response to different organic fertilization schemes was investigated. Growth, yield, chemical properties and organoleptic properties were determined, and profitability was also assessed. The experiment was laid out using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated thrice and applied with the following treatments: T1 (farmer’s practice-inorganic fertilizer); T2 (vermicompost); T3 (vermicompost and fermented fruit juice); T4 (vermicompost + calcium phosphate); and T5 (vermicompost + fermented fruit juice + calcium phosphate). Early flowering and fruit setting in bitter gourd were not influenced by the treatments while yield components were highest in inorganic fertilized plants. Vermicompost supplemented with calcium phosphate had higher vitamin A (7,354 I.U), while application of inorganic fertilizer contributed to higher vitamin C (69.87 mg/100 g). Total soluble solids (5 °Brix) was highest in plants applied with vermicompost and fermented fruit juice. A higher amount of phosphorus and potassium in the soil was observed after planting. In contrast, lower soil pH, percent organic matter and total nitrogen were manifested as compared to the initial soil analysis. No statistical differences was observed in color, crispness, and aroma, while statistical difference was observed in bitterness. Bitter gourds applied with inorganic fertilizer were the most bitter, while those fertilized with vermicompost and fermented fruit juice had the least bitterness.
1Agriculture Technology Faculty, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia, 2Agriculture Faculty, Udayana University,Bali, Indonesia. 3Agriculture Technology Faculty, Udayana University, Bukit Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung, Bali (80361), Indonesia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i02.37
Key words: potato tuber, plastic mulch, shading, productivity
Abstract: Potatoes are the most vulnerable crops to climate change in terms of various physiological processes. The implementation of technology in seed potato cultivation was done by installing clear plastic shade on crops and installing black plastic mulch on raised beds. The plastic shade helped in reducing the amount of sunlight intensity received by plants in the range of between 651-1435 lux; maintaining the temperature between 21-28 oC and the relative humidity of the environment between 55-82 %. On the other hand, the plastic mulch helped in controlling the growth of weeds and controlling the amount of water in the soil, especially in the root zone at field capacity, and maintained soil temperature at the fixed root zone at 12-24 oC. Plant growth was influenced by seed quality, soil temperature, and soil moisture content. The combination of plastic shade and mulch plastic technology on potato seed cultivation increased the quality of plant growth measured from the total biomass weight of 17.2 %. The rate of plant growth directly influenced the productivity of the tuber, which increased by 3.3 %.
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i02.38
Key words: Artificially induced flowering, flowering susceptibility, hormone efficiency, auxin, ethylene
Abstract: Natural flowering in pineapple is precocious, lacks synchronization in reproductive phenology and consequently leads to significant losses due to fruits being harvested out of schedule. Several factors influencing the flower initiation in pineapple have been identified, including the cultivar, plant size, temperature, nutrients, and water stress. To increase the synchronization, pineapple flowering can be artificially induced by hormones such as auxin and ethylene. However, despite the artificial induction, the simultaneous full flowering emergence is still difficult to achieve in the industry. Thus, a greater understanding of factors affecting pineapple flowering before hormone application may help in enhancing flowering efficiency. This review discusses the initiation and development of pineapple flowering, as well as the use of exogenous hormones to improve efficacy and provide insight into better pineapple management.
1Department of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab- 144411, India. 2Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. 3School of Agriculture, ITM University, Gwalior, MP-474001.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i02.39
Key words: B:C ratio, chilli, neem cake, panchagavya, vermicompost.
Abstract: The present investigation was conducted in a factorial randomised block design to evaluate the performance of two chilli varieties (V1: CH-27 and V2: Eagle-53) after application of various organic (neem cake, panchagavya and vermicompost) and inorganic nutrient sources. Among the treatments, T10 (neem cake @ 250 kg/ha with recommended fertiliser doses of 100:50:50 kg of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium per ha) produced the highest average plant height (86.28 cm) and average fruit weight (4.36 g). The application of T8 (vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha with neem cake @ 250 kg/ha) resulted in the highest fruit yield (465.73 g/plant and 172.46 q/ha), while the application of T6 (panchagavya at 3 percent with neem cake at 250 kg/ha) resulted in the highest capsaicin content (0.46 g/g). However, the interaction between the nutrient treatments and varieties was significant, with T8V1 having the highest yield (188.75 q/ha) and benefit:cost (B:C) ratio (4.3). The application of vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha in combination with neem cake @ 250 kg/ha was found as the best treatment for high economic yield with no significant deviation in fruit quality. The CH-27 cultivar was superior because of its high yield, superior fruit quality, and high income.
1Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Crop Innovation and Technology Transfer Department, P.O. Box 5016 Kigali, Rwanda. 2University of Rwanda, College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 210 Musanze, Rwanda.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i02.40
Key words: Watermelon cultivars, F1 hybrid, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
Abstract: The choice of cultivar and adequate nutrition are vital for good watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) production. This study evaluated the yield performance of four watermelon cultivars: ‘Sugar Baby’, ‘Crimson Sweet’, ‘Sukari F1’ and ‘Julie F1’ under four different NPK fertilizer rates: 50, 75, 100 and 125 % of the recommended dose (RD) (90:60:60 kg ha-1 of Nitrogen (N): Phosphorus (P): Potassium (K). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design, with cultivars in the main plots, fertilizer in the subplots and three replications. The experiment was conducted in two seasons: 2017A and 2017B at two sites; Karama and Rubona. A higher number of fruits per plant (5.1-5.8) was obtained with ‘Julie F1’ + 75 or 100 % of RD at both sites and in both seasons, followed by ‘Sukari F1’ + 100 % of RD and the open-pollinated cultivar A higher fruit weight (4.4-5 kg) was obtained with ‘Julie F1’ and ‘Sukari F1’ under 125 % of the RD. Plots planted with ‘Julie F1’ and treated with 75 % or 100 % of RD recorded higher fruit yield per plant (20.9-27.5 kg) and higher fruit yield per ha (104.2-137.3 t). From these results, it can be concluded that the high yield performance of watermelon in the study area can be obtained with ‘Julie F1’ using 75 % (67.5: 45: 45 kg ha-1) of the recommended dose of NPK fertilizer.
Department of Botany, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli- 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i02.41
Key words: Plectranthus bourneae, embryogenic callus, somatic embryogenesis, leaf explant, glutamine, ISSR
Abstract: An effective somatic embryogenesis protocol was established for Plectranthus bourneae an Endemic plant to Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. High frequency (77.28 %) of embryogenic callus was achieved from leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The embryogenic callus was subcultured in a combination of 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D and 50 mg/L glutamine (GLU) which produced somatic embryos(84.22 %). Different stages of embryos (globular, heart, torpedo and cotyledonary stage) were observed. Maturation and the frequency of somatic embryo germination increased when transferred onto half-strength MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L gibberellic acid (GA3) and 0.5 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (BA). Plantlets were acclimatized successfully with 90 % survival. Histological studies revealed the development of primary and secondary embryos. The genetic fidelity of mother plants and in vitro raised plants was established by inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. The established protocol assists the rapid production of true-to-type plants by somatic embryogenesis and hence could provide a valuable target material for genetic transformation experiments.
1Department of Agroindustrial Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia. 2Present address: Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Udayana University, Bukit Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung, Bali (80362), Indonesia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i01.02
Key words: LC-MS, profile metabolite, ethanolic extracts, Curcuma domestica Val, Turina-1
Abstract: The metabolite profile of Curcuma domestica Val. variety Turina-1, one of the superior varieties of turmeric was studied by analysing ethanol extract of the variety. The samples for this research were obtained from BPPT Bogor-Indonesia and were extracted using ethanol (96 %) and then analyzed using UPLC-QToF-MS/MS System (Waters), mass spectrometry: XEVO-G2QTOF (Waters), in ESI positive resolution mode, using gradient method with mobile phase: water, formic acid and acetonitrile. The study revealed 13 metabolites viz., Demethoxycurcumin-2 (48.23 %), ?-Turmerone (19.623 %), Curcumin (18.550 %), Bisdemethoxycurcumin-3 (9.064 %), Curcumin-1, (1.706 %), and other compounds with amount less than 1 % (Kaempferol 3-O-glucosyl-rhamnosyl-galactoside, Demethoxycurcumin, ar-Turmerone Bisdemethoxycurcumin, a-Terpinolene, L-Tyrosine and L-Alanine, L-serine). Based on this research, the main metabolite in the ethanol extract of Turina-1 having the potential as antioxidants is the curcuminoids.
1Department of Agriculture, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore-641114, India. 2Department of Food and Agricultural Process Engineering, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i01.03
Key words: Coconut, principal component analysis, score plot, grading
Abstract: Grading of the coconuts adds value to the product and gives better economic return to the farmers as grading reduces the ambiguity in pricing. The aim of the study was to identify the suitable parameters for grading dehusked coconut. In this study, major diameter, minor diameter, length, weight of nut, shell, copra, kernel and water, thickness of shell and kernel were considered. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to achieve the least possible number of parameters which governs an original variation in the dehusked coconut. From the PCA results, two plots viz., score plot and loading plot were obtained for three different size ranges of dehusked coconut (80-90, 91-100 and 101-110 mm diameter). The loading plot revealed that, the weight of nut and weight of kernel was the chief important variables in all the ranges of sizes of dehusked coconut. Score plot was helpful to find the variation between the weights of nut in each size range of dehusked coconuts. Therefore, the present study concluded that the dehusked coconut can to be graded by size as well as weight which may fetch more profit to the coconut producers rather than grading manually by size alone.
1CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic (CIMAP), Research Centre, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand-263149, India. 2CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow-226015, Uttar Pradesh, India. 3CSIR- Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Centre, Purara, Post-Gagrigole, Bageshwar- 263641 (Uttrakhand), India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i01.04
Key words: Rose-scented geranium, cultivars, diurnal, geranium oil, composition
Abstract: Geranium is an economically important aromatic plant for its highly priced essential oil. The essential oil yield and composition is influenced by genetic, agronomical and environmental factors but at maturity, the right harvesting time during the day without affecting the quality is not clear. Present study was undertaken to study the change in essential oil yield and composition at different harvesting time during day in three geranium cultivars i.e., Bourbon, Bio-G-171, and CIM-Pawan. Randomised samples from three cultivars were harvested at crop maturity stage to obtain oil yield and composition of essential oil at different times (06 A.M, 10 A.M, 02 P.M, and 06 P.M.) during the day. Results indicated that essential oil yield increased significantly from 06 A.M. (0.18 %) to 06 P.M. (0.40 %) in Bourbon only and not in Bio-G-171 and CIM-Pawan. With respect to quality of essential oils, no significant quantitative variations in marker compounds was recorded. Citronellol/geraniol ratio is a quality criteria as per industry need and results unveiled high ratio in Bourbon (1.85) and CIM-Pawan (1.73) in afternoon and in Bio-G-171 (1.78) during forenoon, compared with other harvesting time during the day. The study revealed that essential oil significantly increased in cultivar Bourbon during the day but not in Bio-G-171 and CIM-Pawan cultivars. With respect to quality, considering C/G ratio, one can go for harvesting in cultivar Bourbon and CIM-Pawan in the afternoon and for cultivar Bio-G-171, harvesting in forenoon is advisable.
CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, P.O. Box 7, Bunso, Eastern Region, Ghana.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i01.05
Key words: Eggplant, cultivars, germination, harvesting time, seed quality
Abstract: Seed quality is a key factor in crop production and food security, particularly during the increasing uncertainty due to climate change. In this study, the effect of harvesting time on seed quality of six eggplant cultivars (Solanum gilo: Dwomo, Kpando, Solanum melongena: GH 3870, GH 3887, Solanum macrocarpon: GH 1072, GH 4918) was assessed at the experimental site of CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso, Eastern Region, Ghana. The experiment was arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Fruits of six eggplant cultivars were harvested at the fully ripe stage at weekly intervals for a period of nine weeks and seeds extracted after each harvest. Seed quality of eggplant cultivars was assessed by 100-seed weight, seed vigour and germination percentage at weekly intervals. The results showed a significant difference in 100-seed weight among all the cultivars at different harvesting times. GH 1072 had the highest 100-seed weight with the lowest being Dwomo at all harvesting times. No germination was observed at first harvest among the six cultivars. Seed vigour increased at 7, 8 and 9 weeks after harvesting in all the cultivars. The highest vigour and germination percentage were observed in GH 1072 followed by GH 3870. The results obtained indicates that seed quality of eggplant cultivars increases with harvesting time. This varied within and among eggplant species.
1Rand Water, PO Box 1127, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa. 2 Applied Behavioural Ecology and Ecosystems Research Unit, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i01.06
Key words: Hydrozone, ornamental landscape, plant database, plant coefficient, plant factor, indigenous plants, exotic plants
Abstract: About 27 % of available water in South Africa is utilised in the urban environment. Estimates for South Africa place ornamental landscape water use as high as 50 % of urban water use. South Africa’s average annual rainfall is approximately 495 mm. Rainfall patterns are erratic with periodic droughts of anticipated increased frequency. Ornamental landscapes require additional watering to minimise impacts of dry periods. These landscapes are often over- rather than under-watered. One method of reducing urban ornamental landscape water use is to group plants according to predefined hydrozones to optimise water use through improved site maintenance, landscape design and irrigation application. Currently no extensive researched database of commonly grown ornamental landscape plants linked to hydrozones exists for South Africa. To produce such a plant database, an analysis determining the hydrozone rating of plants sold in South African nurseries was undertaken. The result of this study is a database of plant species suitable for ornamental landscape hydrozones (high, medium, low and very low water requirements) and linked to a plant factor. This provides South African Green Industries Council members, especially landscapers with a database to assist in selecting the most appropriate plants for each hydrozone for their ornamental landscapes and gardens. The database will support South African ornamental landscape water use models.
Department of Biotechnology, School of Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Jayanagar, Bangalore – 560 011.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i01.01
Key words: Artificial wounding, mechanical stress, flavonoid, phenol, antioxidant, reactive oxygen species, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.
Abstract: The objective of the study was to evaluate biochemical response to two different types of wounding damage in leaves of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and also to investigate the influence of pre-wounding on subsequent salt stress exposure. Wounding experiment was performed by small punctures either on the midrib or leaf lamina. Results showed that damage by wounding elicited a rapid increase in H2O2 levels within the first few hours of wound stress. H2O2 levels, total phenolic and flavonoid levels were significantly higher in midrib damage than either the lamina damage or control conditions. Wounding pre-treatment reduced the toxic effects of NaCl stress in plants. Alleviation of salt induced damage was greater in midrib cuts through the stabilization of relative water content and also an increase in antioxidant scavenging activity. These results confirm that wounding pre-treatment induced cross-tolerance to salinity stress in tomato plants. It is suggested that an early and significantly elevated generation of H2O2 with local midrib injury could induce a priming response systemically, thereby providing protection to the subsequent salt stress injury.
Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Eachangkottai, Thanjavur-614 902, Tamil Nadu, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i01.07
Key words: Banana, benzyl amino purine (BAP), indole butyric acid (IBA), Poovan, shoot tip, thidiazuron (TDZ)
Abstract: In vitro micropagation of banana is nowadays pinned towards development of disease free clones. An efficient protocol has been developed for micropropgation of banana cv. Poovan by using shoot tip as explant. The explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different concentrations of benzyl amino purine (BAP) and thidiazuron (TDZ) for the development of shoots and inodole butyric acid (IBA) for root induction. MS medium supplemented with TDZ was found to be effective for shoot multiplication than MS medium supplemented with BAP. The highest average number of shoots (7.1) for each explant was found in MS medium containing 1.0 mg L-1 TDZ, while, the maximum of five shoots were produced per explants in MS medium containing BAP (3 mg L-1). The result of this study showed that the maximum multiplication of shoots (8) was obtained in MS medium containing BAP (3 mg L-1) and TDZ (0.5 mg L-1) with four successive subcultures. Shoot elongation was found to be the best in MS medium containing GA3 (0.4 mg L-1). The well-developed shoots were transferred to the rooting media after three to four subcultures. More number of roots were produced in the medium having IBA (1.0 mg L-1). Rooted plantlets were successfully transferred to plastic pots containing autoclaved garden soil, farmyard manure and sand (2:1:1) for hardening. Regenerated plantlets successfully established in field and showed morphological characters identical to mother plants with success rate of 90 per cent. These findings suggested that the protocol might be used for commercial production of disease free Poovan clones through micropropagation.
1Department of Agroindustrial Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia. 2Present address: Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Udayana University, Bukit Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung, Bali (80361), Indonesia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i01.08
Key words: Arak, adsorbent ratio, distillation period, bioethanol
Abstract: Arak is one of traditional Balinese drink that has potential alcohol content used as a raw material in making bioethanol. The aim of this research was to study the influence of adsorbent-arak ratio and distillation period on the characteristics of bioethanol and to identify the right method to produce bioethanol with the best characteristics using distillation-adsorptive purification method. This research used a completely randomized design with factorial experiment. The first factor was an adsorbent-arak ratio, i.e., 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4. The second factor was the distillation period, i.e., 1, 2, 3 h. Each factor was grouped into two groups based on the two times of arak production so that there were 18 experimental units. The data was analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were compared by Duncan’s multiple range test. The result showed that the ratio of adsorbent-arak and distillation period had a significant effect on ethanol content, density, specific gravity, API gravity, and heating value. The combination of 1:3 adsorbent-arak ratio and one-hour distillation period produced the best characteristic viz.,: ethanol content 91.86 %, density 0.83 kg/L, specific gravity 0.81, API gravity 42.31, and heating value 11081.9 kcal/ kg.
Centre for Pollution Control and Environmental Engineering, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry-605 014, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i01.09
Key words: Earthworms, vermicomposting, nutrients, neem, Azadirachta indica
Abstract: The soil is a natural dynamic body with properties derived from combined effects of climate and biotic activity. It is a porous medium made up of minerals, water, chemicals, organic matter, and micro-organisms which supports plant growth and development. On the other side, the leaf litter from the plants upon decomposition release nutrients and helps in nutrient recycling. In nature, leaf litter is processed by soil organisms of which earthworms are one of the major contributors in nutrient cycling. In the present study, an attempt has been made to study the nutrient dynamics while vermicomposting neem leaf litter employing two epigeic earthworm species, Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae. In addition, an assessment has been made on the presence and quantification of the nitrogen (N2) fixing bacteria during the vermicomposting of leaf litter. From this study, it was found that the nutrients were higher in the earthworm worked leaf litter than the control. It was also found that the nutrients were higher on the 30th day from the start of the vermicomposting process, and tend to reduce by the 60th day with further fall on the 90th day.