Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202. Bangladesh.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i03.37

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Abstract: Strawberry is a promising small fruit crop in Bangladesh. Farmers are giving priority to grow this short duration fruit in their field due to early fruiting and high market demand. The main obstacle is shortage of quality planting materials during planting time. Moreover, saplings produced from tissue culture techniques are very costly, as a result many of interested growers are unable to cultivate strawberry. Therefore, this study was undertaken to find out the impact of indole butyric acid (IBA) on root induction in strawberry daughter plants. Four concentrations of IBA (0, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) were applied at the base of newly born daughter plants of strawberry and inserted them in a polybag (10 cm×5 cm) with loamy soil for rooting. Thereafter, rooting performance of daughter plants was checked at 10, 15, 20 and 25 days after application (DAA) of IBA. The experiment was conducted following randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that different concentrations of IBA exhibited differently on root and shoot development of newly grown strawberry saplings. All the studied parameters were significantly influenced by IBA solutions except root length of saplings. Among the concentrations, 100 and 200 ppm IBA showed successful results in respect of all traits studied while 300 ppm IBA performed better in fresh weight of leaves of new saplings. However, it can be concluded that grower can use 100 and/or 200 ppm IBA solution at the base of newly grown daughter plants to expedite rooting and shoot development of strawberry saplings.

¹Department of Microbiology, Centre for Research & PG Studies, Indian Academy Degree College - Autonomous, Bengaluru-560043, Karnataka, India. ²Department of Biology, Prayoga Education Research Centre (PERC), Bengaluru-560085, Karnataka, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i03.38

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Abstract: Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is the second most cultivated edible mushrooms worldwide after Agaricus bisporus. has more economic, ecological values and medicinal properties. Huge amounts of ligno-cellulosic agricultural crop residues by-products rich in organic compounds are annually generated. This study was conducted to compare effects of different agro residues on growth and bioconversion efficiency of oyster mushroom. P. ostreatus was cultivated on different treatment substrates viz., corn sheath + corn cob + coir pith (T1), paddy straw + ragi straw (T2) and sugarcane bagasse (T3) supplemented with 10 % wheat bran. Parameters such as days, spawn run, primordial formation, harvest days, total yield and biological efficiency were evaluated. The best substrate was found to be T2 (paddy straw + ragi straw) in terms of spawn run (28 days), primordial formation (30 days), average number of fruiting bodies (108±1.3), stem length (7 cm) and cap diameter (9.5±0.085 cm). Total yield of P. ostreatus on different treatment substrates T1, T2 and T3 was found as 507±5 g, 317.7±3.1 g and 761±7.5 g, respectively. The biological efficiency of P. ostreatus was found high in T1 (92.08±0.89 ^%) followed by T3 (87.39±0.85 ^%) and T1 (72.37±0.7 ^%).

¹Rajiv Gandhi Chair, SKUAST-K, Srinagar. ²Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal. ³The Glocal University, U.P., ⁴Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Rangreth, Srinagar. ⁵Krishi Vigyan Kendra Anantnag, SKUAT-K.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i03.39

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Abstract: Jammu and Kashmir, the northern most state is one of the most important apple producing states of India. The pesticide trade has increased tremendously in the region which affects both environment and human health. This paper presents and estimated the cost of illness resulting from pesticide-related acute health symptoms in the apple growing region of Jammu and Kashmir. Apple growers reported as many as 15 serious issues and symptoms associated with the use of pesticides in the region. The study employs Cobb-Douglas linear production function, Cost of Illness method and Contingent valuation method through Willingness to Pay for analysing the requisite data. The study reveals that pesticide sprays and chemical fertilisers contribute 17.25 and 24.23 per cent to the overall apple production in the region. There is a decrease of 7.72 per cent cost of illness if the respondent who applies pesticides is a male and similarly, age of the respondent is having 0.35 per cent impact and incurs huge cost for the illness due to exposure. Similarly, household willingness to pay (WTP) for safer pesticides states that highly qualified respondents in the area are ready to pay 63.59 percent more than the less qualified/illiterate respondents.

¹Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, UHS Campus, GKVK Post, Bengaluru - 560065, Karnataka, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i03.40

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Abstract: Temple tree (Plumeria rubra) is a cosmopolitan ornamental flowering and an avenue tree. Generally, Plumeria sp. is affected by several diseases, among them rust caused by Coleosporium plumeriae was found infecting the temple trees in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India with the severity of 80-100 per cent in the early June till end of August 2016-17. Initially, numerous orange coloured rusty pustules were seen on abaxial leaf and these pustules covered the entire leaf causing inward rolling of leaves, necrosis, senescence and finally leaf abscission. Microscopic observation of the rust pustules revealed the presence of golden pale yellow coloured uredospores that varied from globose to ellipsoidal in shape, ranging from 20-40 x 16-28 ?m in size, borne on erumpent uredinia and no other spore stages were observed. Molecular identification of this pathogen (Indian isolate) through ITS rDNA region amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed 99 % sequence homology with the China isolate (Accession no. KF879087.1). ITS rDNA region partial sequence of the pathogen was deposited in NCBI, GenBank with accession no. MH656772.

¹Department of Zoology, Raiganj University, Raiganj-733134, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India. ²Immunopharmacology and Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Gour Banga, Malda-732103, West Bengal, India. ³Microbiology and Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj-733134, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India. ⁴Entomology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Gour Banga, Malda-732103, West Bengal, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i03.41

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Abstract: Five different popular mango cultivars (Fazli, Guti, Lakhanbhog, Gopalbhog and Langra) of Malda, West Bengal, India were screened for the mango mealy bug (Drosicha mangiferae G.) population in panicle and trunk throughout the pest infestation period during 2018 and 2019. The average pest number at peak time (13 Standard Meteorological Week or SMW) of infestation indicated that maximum pest number of 132.57 and 28.05 was noted in the 30 cm branch of inflorescence and 10 cm² area of the trunk in Fazli cultivar. Whereas, minimum number of 20.27/ 30 cm branch of inflorescence and 6.36 in the same area of trunk was found in Langra. Study of various biological parameters of mealy bugs also indicated the the order of infestation of the five cultivars as Fazli>Guti>Lakhanbhog>Gopalbhog>Langra. Analysis of various biochemical parameters have and nitrogen. Significant negative correlation was observed between pest number and alkaloid, flavonoid, phenol, tannin, ascorbic acid as well as crude fibre suggesting their pivotal role in low pest incidence. By considering the adjusted R² in stepwise multiple regression model, it was noticed that tannin was the most significant factor (39.2 %) followed by nitrogen (15.5 %), flavonoid (11.4 %), phenol (7.7 %), ascorbic acid (6.9 %) and protein (6.2 %) to influence pest number. Factors like moisture (1.00 %), sugar (2.7 %), antioxidant (1.0 %) had minor contributions. Therefore, it can be concluded that a combination of factors influence pest density and a single factor is not adequate to affect the pest population. The study is helpful in understanding the host preference of mealy bug.

¹Department of Humanities, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar, India. ²Department of Business Administration, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i03.42

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Abstract: India’s horticulture production has shown manifold increase in the past two decades and the country is ranking second in the world only next to China. Keeping in mind, the increasing trend in horticulture production and individual product, the purpose of the current paper was to study the short run and long run relation between economic growth and horticulture production as a whole. The study used secondary data on horticulture production and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 2001 to 2018. The econometric tools used were Granger Causality Test, Johansen Cointegration test, VECM model and OLS. Johansen Cointegration Test showed that there is long run relation between the variables; The Vector Error Correction model and its probability output showed that there is no significant short run relation between variables except one, that is when horticulture production is considered as independent variable and GDP as dependent variable. Granger Casualty Test showed absence of cause and effect relation (both way) between the three variables. Out of all variables, OLS showed a significant relation only between GDP and horticulture production.The study revealed that horticulture production shares a linear relationship with GDP both as dependent and as independent variable, but the association does not satisfy Granger Causality Test, indicating that there was no cause and effect relation between the variables. Given that agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy, the absence of short run relation between horticulture and food grain production and food grain with GDP is a matter of concern.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab – 152026.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i03.43

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Abstract: The quality of agricultural production and their modulation by fertilizer application has increasingly received attention. However, the importance of magnesium (Mg) as an essential plant nutrient is well established, but its application has not been studied extensively specially in cherry tomato. The experiment was carried out during two successive seasons of 2018 and 2019 in polyhouse under ventilated condition to evaluate the effect of different Mg levels on growth, yield and fruit quality of cherry tomato grown under drip irrigation system. Foliar application of magnesium sulphate was done at three levels (0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 %) on three cultivars viz., Punjab Red Cherry, Punjab Kesar Cherry and Punjab Sona Cherry during vegetative stage at different time interval (at the first fortnight of January, February and March). The vegetative growth, yield and important quality traits of different cherry tomato cultivars, including TSS, titratable acidity were determined. Punjab Kesar Cherry cultivar showed 19 % higher total soluble solids (TSS) than Punjab Sona Cherry and 10 % higher than Punjab Red Cherry and also showed titrable acidity 20 and 9 % higher than the cultivar Punjab Red Cherry and Punjab Sona Cherry, respectively. The TSS and titratable acidity in tomato fruits increased with Mg application rates. A significantly higher yield was recorded with Punjab Sona Cherry (6.96 kg/m²) as compared to Punjab Red Cherry (5.63 kg/m²) and followed by Punjab Kesar cherry (5.29 kg/m²) with the foliar application of 0.4 % magnesium sulphate.

¹Department of Botany, Rajasthan University, Jaipur -302004, India. ²BNF and Microbial Genomics Laboratory, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur-342033.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2000.v22i03.44

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Abstract: Prosopis cineraria commonly called ‘khejri’ is highly versatile tree supporting wildlife, human beings and livestock in Indian desert. It is used as food, fodder, fixes atmospheric nitrogen, stabilizes sand dunes and its fruits are consumed fresh as well as after drying. Pods were sampled at 5 developmental stages viz., S1(3.5 cm), S2 (5.7 cm), S3 (9.2 cm), S4 (15.3 cm), S5 (17.4 cm, naturally dried pods on tree) to evaluate the changes in phytonutrients(total sugars, reducing sugars, protein and total phenol) and antioxidant activity in terms of DPPH radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide scavenging and ferric reducing power assay during fruit development from S1 to S5. Total soluble sugar content increased from S1 stage (47.1 mg^-1f.wt.) to S5 stage (64.28 mg^-1f.wt.), reducing sugar and sucrose content also increased from 20.65 mg^-1f.wt to 29.45 mg^-1f.wt and 18.75 to 33.84 mg^-1f.wt, respectively. Free amino acid and protein content increased during the development of the pods from very young to ripened stage. Whereas, total phenol content (TPC) was high at S1 stage (229.59 mg^-1f.wt.) as compared to S5 stage (55.24 mg^-1 g.f.wt.) DPPH radical scavenging activity decreases from 78.46 to 22.72 % during fruit development but ferric reducing activity increased with maturity of the pods. These studies are significant in evaluating phytochemical and antioxidant activities of the fruits that are consumed in every season by the local rural people. This study can help in prioritization of these local underutilised fruits as they are rich in some of the phytonutrients and antioxidants.

Horticultural Research Institute and Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Egypt.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i03.45

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Abstract: This study was conducted during 2017 and 2018 at Kaha Vegetable Research Farm, Horticulture Research Institute, Qalyubia Governorate to develop promising hybrids of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) for yield and fruit quality characters under fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) infection stress in Egypt using diallel mating design. The pathogenicity and host range experiment revealed that Fusarium oxysporum isolate No.3 was the most virulent one to the susceptible cucumber cultivar “Beta alpha” and cucumber was the only infected host. The prevalence of the non-additive variance suggested heterosis breeding approach is effective way for improvement of these traits. Most of the traits exhibited significant hybrid vigor for some of crosses based on the better-parent. The analysis of variance showed that all the studied traits were highly significant indicating that both of the parents and hybrids had high variability. Significant general and specific combining ability variances were obtained in all studied traits implying that both additive and non-additive gene effects control genetic expression of these traits. The study showed that lines P2, P4 and P5 had significant positive GCA effects for total yield trait under fusarium wilt stress. Thus, these parents could be successfully used in future breeding programs. Among all the crosses, P1×P3, P1×P4, P1×P5, P2×P4 and P2×P5 exhibited significant SCA effects for both early and total yield characters under fusarium wilt stress. So, these hybrids can be used in future breeding program. The genotypes Kaha1×Dokky2 and Kaha1×Kaha2 followed by Kaha2×Dokky3 as well as Kaha1×Dokky3 were the most resistant genotypes decreasing disease severity correlated with increase in total phenol contents and activities of polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and catalase as compared to susceptible genotypes, i.e., Dokky3, Kaha1×Dokky1 and Dokky1. The scavenging activity was higher in susceptible genotypes compared with resistant genotypes. Furthermore, there was a high correlation between the total phenol content and the scavenging activity. Results also revealed a noticeable significant correlation between disease severity, total yield and early yield traits. Cluster analysis classified the fifteen genotypes into five clusters with different number of genotypes. Further improvement of fruit yield could be possible through the hybridization and selection in transgressive segregation.

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, P.O.B. 641003, Tamil Nadu, India. ²Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Kumulur, P.O.B.621712, Tamil Nadu, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i03.46

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Abstract: This study was aimed to develop the mini-tractor drawn turmeric harvester cum conveyor to dig out and collect the turmeric rhizome. The physical properties of freshly harvested turmeric mother and finger rhizomes (Erode variety) relevant to the development of mini-tractor operated turmeric harvester were determined. Length, width and thickness were 7.90, 2.48, 2.32 cm, respectively. The moisture content of finger and mother rhizomes was found to be 386.85, and 231.56 % (db). The roundness of fresh finger and mother rhizomes were 0.3065 and 0.5244, respectively. Sphericity of the fresh finger and mother rhizomes recorded 0.3052 and 0.4312 respectively. The cylindricity of fresh finger and mother rhizomes was found to be 0.7604 and 0.6428, respectively. The bulk density of finger and mother rhizomes was 523.85 and 532.25 kg/m³, respectively. Based on these physical properties, the equipment was developed with overall dimensions of the equipment of 1000×1000×600 mm (L×W×H). The digger blade was designed with dimensions of 1000(l) × 200(b) × 8(t) mm. Length and width of conveyor is 700 mm and 1000 mm, respectively. Power required for digging, pulling an equipment and conveyor is 11.54 kW, 0.66 kW and 1.15 kW. Total power requirement of the unit is 13.35 kW.

Department of Vegetables, Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Breeding, Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i03.47

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Abstract: This study was conducted at the research facilities of the Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center in Egypt during the period from 2017 to 2019 to develop cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) inbred lines and hybrids tolerant to high temperature to reduce losses in quality and yield and evaluate them under greenhouse conditions. Twenty two inbred lines and twenty hybrids were evaluated in the two successive summer plantings of 2017/18 and 2018/19 under greenhouse conditions along with the hybrid Lamar as a control. Total yield reflected great variation among the inbred lines and ranged from 5.50 to 0.53 kg^-1. P₁₀ gave the greatest total yield and it was at par with P₁₉. Narrow range (3.20 to 2.50 cm) was observed among hybrids for fruit diameter. The highest value was recorded in P₂×P₅. Fruit weight reflected great variation among the hybrids and the hybrid, P₂×P₅ gave the heaviest fruit weight. Data showed significant differences among hybrids for total yield and hybrid P₁×P₃ gave the highest value of total yield and was at par with hybrid Lamar (control). The cross P₁×P₄ achieved high specific combining ability (SCA) effects for all traits in this study which means comparing the general combining ability effects (GCA) of the parents to their corresponding crosses’ SCA indicate that the GCA effects of the parents were reflected in the SCA effects of the crosses for the most studied traits. The reciprocal effects in F₁ diallel crosses were significant for most of the traits studied and the cross P₅×P₁ achieved high SCA effects for all traits.

Viticulture Department Horticulture Research Institute, ARC, Giza, Egypt. Department of Soil and Water, Faculty of Agriculture, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i02.20

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Abstract: This investigation was conducted during three successive seasons of 2016, 2017 and 2018 in a private vineyard located at Samaloute district, Minia Governorate, Egypt on Red Globe grapevines to study the possibility of reducing the amount of mineral phosphorus and potassium fertilizers by using its natural rocks when combined with organic manure (FYM), bio-fertilizers (BF) and elemental sulphur (S). The chosen vines were nine years old, grown in a clay loam soil, spaced at 1.75 x 3 m apart, irrigated under surface irrigation system, and spur-pruned, trellised by Gable supporting system and trained to quadrilateral cordon system. The results revealed the possibility of using 50 % natural rocks of P and K + FYM + BF + S as a partial substitute of mineral phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Application of 50 % mineral P and K + 50 % natural rocks of P and K + FYM + BF + S exhibited the most suitable management system for achieving the best yield with its components, physical properties of clusters, improved physical and chemical berry characteristics, vegetative growth, leaf chlorophyll and mineral content of Red Globe grapevines. The treatment also improved the soil properties.

ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Rehmankhera, Lucknow 226101, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i02.21

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Abstract: The study was conducted on the visitor preference for different modules of National Mango Database developed by ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow, India. The purpose behind creating the database was to develop a portal for providing information on different aspects related to mango. A number of modules were developed on the portal https://mangifera.res.in. Important modules of the database are on 566 phytochemicals, 294 protein sequences, 540 primers, 30,000 nucleotides, 1690 EST, 66 field gene banks holding >4500 accessions, nurseries, processing units, exporters, species, varieties. A module on online phenology monitoring system and a web tool to compare test variety with reference variety was also developed as per DUS guidelines for suggesting reference variety after comparison with candidate’s variety. Agumented knowledge in the database is attracting high number of visitors from all over the world for collecting useful information available in different modules of the portal. The present analysis deals with the popularity of different modules through collated information at the portal. Digital products as an outcome may be developed for the use by farmers, traders, scientists, students and mango lovers. On the basis of analysis made for hits it can be said that mango database becoming popular among people as a unique mango repository and people around the world are showing interest in its different modules.

Biotechnology & Nanotechnology Research Centre, MARDI Headquarters, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. Horticulture Research Centre, MARDI Sintok, 06050, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah, Malaysia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i02.22

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Abstract: The study was conducted on a polyembryonic mango, Harumanis which contains more than one embryos including one zygotic andsingle or more number of nucellar one. In this paper, we used microsatellite markers to identify whether the seedlings of Harumanis were zygotic or nucellar. A total of 95 progenies of Harumanis were evaluated using 13 polymorphic microsatellite markers. The genetic profiling revealed that a total of 14 Harumanis progenies were zygotic or open pollinated seedling as their genetic profile was different with Harumanis at least at one loci. Nevertheless, 76 Harumanis progenies were true to type or nucellar seedlings as their genetic profile was similar to Harumanis. The remaining five progenies could not be identified with the call rates of the genotypic data. Identifying true to type or nucellar seedling is useful for nursery growers to determine the true to type Harumanis progenies from the seed. Meanwhile, the open pollinated seedling or zygotic seedlings are preferred by breeders as they are considered as a new variety which increases the mango genetic variability.

Study Program of Agroecotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Udayana, Bali, Indonesia. ²Study Program of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture. University of Udayana, Bali, Indonesia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i02.23

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Abstract: Fruit and flower crops based on the secondary data were the types of featured horticultural products analyzed and identified in this study sourced from BPS of Bali Province and BPS of Tabanan District. Location Quotient (LQ) was used for identification of featured fruit and flower plant product of sub-district in Tabanan district. The localization of the featured product was analyzed using the localization coefficient (?) and regional specialties using the specialization coefficient (?). The results of the analysis showed that the featured fruit products from Tabanan district are orange, guava, water guava, pineapple, papaya, banana, jackfruit, duku, zallaca, mangosteen and durian being cultivated in Pupuan and Penebel subdistrict. Fruit products are not localized in one district. Although the fruit products are superior, but Tabanan district is not specialized in producing fruit plants, which is indicated by a coefficient of specialization that is smaller than one. Featured flower plant products are most cultivated in Marga and Baturiti subdistricts. Flower plant products are not localized in one subdistrict shown by the localization coefficient which is smaller than one. However, based on the specialization coefficient, Tabanan District is specialized in producing heliconia flowers with a specialization coefficient greater than one.