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Aridland Agriculture and Greenery Department, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885 Safat, 13109, Kuwait
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.22
Key words: Ornamental plants, drought, mulching effect, plant growth
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Abstract: To further enhance the understanding of cultural needs and to promote efficient use of expensive water resources in ornamental plant production, it is important to conduct studies on fertilizer and irrigation requirements, identification and control of insect pest and disease and water conservation measures under local climatic conditions. The study reported in this paper was initiated in June 2002 to determine the effects of mulching on the growth and greenery impact of four proven adaptable introduced ornamental plants (Vitex agnus castus (VA), Caesalpinia mexicana (CM), Myoporum parvifolium (MP) and Rosmarinus officinalis (RO). Organic mulches (processed bark or compost) procured locally were applied to the soil surface immediately after planting. Periodic data recorded during the first year after planting indicated significant individual effects (mulches and species). However, the mulch x species interactions were not significant at P= 0.05. The processed bark was the better than compost in increasing plant height and canopy in MP and RO. However, VA plants in bark mulch had increased seedling height and larger canopies than those in unmulched plants. CM plant height was not affected by mulching but canopy increased due to surface mulching. The root zone soil moisture regimes were almost similar in all treatments
Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut - 673012, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.23
Key words: Callus initiation, multiple shoots, SH medium, somatic embryoids, Nephelium lappaceum L.
Abstract: An efficient protocol has been developed for in vitro propagation of rambutan through tissue culture. Embryonic plants as well as multiple shoots were developed from seed explants cultured on Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) basal medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg l-1 ) and BAP (1 mg l-1 ). The multiple shoots were separated and subcultured on the same media. Callus initiation with somatic embryoids were generated from the excised cotyledons that were cultured on SH medium supplemented with 1 mg l-1,4-D whereas direct somatic plantlets were developed from the excised cotyledons cultured on SH medium supplemented with 1 mg l-12,4-D and 0.25 mg l-1BAP. Regenerated plantlets with well developed shoots and roots were successfully transferred to soil. This system could be utilized for biotechnological applications and also in generating variability. This is the first report on in vitro propagation of rambutan.
Department of Botany, Department of Biochemistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.24
Key words: Tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, L. pimpinellifolium, cultivars, biochemical properties, peroxidase, catalase
Abstract: The fruits of three cultivars of the cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and the wild species (L. pimpinellifolium) were analysed and compared for their biochemical properties. Ripe fruits at the orange-red stage were used for all the analyses. Both the cultivated and the wild tomato species showed high moisture contents. The wild tomato cultivar had a higher crude protein content and quantitatively represents the better source of protein intake when compared with the cultivated cultivars. The crude fibre content was highest in L. esculentum cv. Roma V.F. The ash content was higher in the Ibadan local and wild cultivars than in the other cultivars. Peroxidase activity was found to be highest in L. pimpinellifolium, while catalase activity was highest in L. esculentum cv lfe-1. Glutathione transferase activities was negligible in all the samples analysed.
Caroni Research Station, Waterloo Road, Carapichaima, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, 138 Bregon Park, D ’ Abadie, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Faculty of Science and Agriculture, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.25
Key words: Citrus, Valencia, Ortanique, mandarin, virus and virus-like diseases, tristeza, exocortis, psorosis, yield
Abstract: Low yield is a serious problem of citrus in Trinidad but it is not known to what extent virus/viroid diseases contribute to yield reduction. This study is an attempt to quantify both the extent of infection of major virus/viroid diseases known to exist in citrus locally and the relationship of infection level with yield. The virus and vims-like diseases assessed in surveys were citrus tristeza virus (CTV), citrus exocortis viroid (CEV) and psorosis. The study began in 1996 and was conducted on Valencia orange, Ortanique tangor and Portugal mandarin established on sour orange rootstock. Techniques used in the survey included visual assessment of symptoms and both biological and serological indexing. In 1997, Ortanique had the highest level of CTV infection of 48.8 % of trees, while in the other cultivars < 10 % tested positive. There were significantly fewer high yielding Ortanique CTV positive trees compared to CTV negative trees (P = 0.042). Fruit count of CTV positive trees was significantly lower than CTV negative trees in Valencia 2000 (P = 0.004) and Ortanique for a cumulative period of 1998 - 2000 (P = 0.001). All Ortanique trees and few trees of the other cultivars appeared infected with CEV. The yield pattern of infected trees over time did not suggest a reduction in yield associated with CEV infection. Valencia field 12069 had the most (51 %) trees with psorosis-like bark symptoms. Presence of bark-scaling symptoms showed no relationship with yield. Of the three diseases studied, only CTV was responsible for yield reduction.
Central Potato Research Institute, Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.26
Key words: Potato, water-logging resistibility, cultivars, tubers, damage.
Abstract: Present study disclosed 24 hours water-logging as physio-damage free water logging and more than 24 hours as physio-damage for the tubers of 4 potato cultivars, namely Kufri Bahar, K. Sutlej, K. Anand and K. Ashoka. A higher percentage (72.51 %) of K. Bahar tubers displaying freedom from water damage showed the tubers of this variety as most water damage resistance among tubers of all cultivars studied. Tubers of K. Sutlej with 64.16 % freedom from water damage were next in order. At various durations of water logging viz., 0, 24, 72, 160 hours, 80.01 % freedom of tubers of K. Bahar from water damages showed this cultivar as most water resistant ones among tubers of remaining cultivars and tubers of K. Sutlej with 56.66% water damage freedom were next in overall 72 hours water logging. But tubers of all cultivars lost their water damage resistibility under 160 hours water logging. Tubers of K. Anand and K. Sutlej were found to be most water damage susceptible under water logging for more than 24 hours. The present investigation suggests that the potato growers should first take care of K. Anand and K. Ashoka tubers during water logging for more than 24 hours.
Gaziosmanpasa University, Agricultural Faculty, Agricultural Economics Department, 60240- Tokat, Turkey
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.27
Key words: Vegetable family farms, economic analysis, profitability, cost analysis, sensitivity analysis
Abstract: The main material of this study consists of primary data obtained through surveying 92 family farms in a chosen area. In the study area, it was found out that the cultivated land is 3.70 ha with average population of 7.49 people/ha, literacy rate is 84.78% and that 57.84 % of family labour is unemployed. Each enterprise has an active capital of 82141.05$ on average and the rate of foreign debts in the passive capital is less than 1%. Average agricultural income per person (1254.87 $) is 1/3 times less than the gross national income (3377 $) in the country. The net profit of studied crops in the planted areas was 375.75, 367.94, 143.90, 98.42 and -12.08$ for eggplant, squash, tomatoes, beans and watermelon, respectively. This result indicates that profitability does not had a significant effect on the pattern. Sensitivity analyses on enterprise net profit for eggplant, squash, tomato, bean and watermelon revealed that for eggplant and squash, net profits were more sensitive to yield and price changes than for tomatoes, beans and watermelons.
Department of Vegetable Crops, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana - 141 004, India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.28
Key words: Tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., topping, transplanting time, hot-set, yield, varieties, fruit borer, sun-scald, pruning
Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of integrated management practices on yield and harvesting span of tomato. The experiment consisted of five cultural treatments and four varieties, planted in a split plot design. Number of primary branches, fruit trusses, fruits, fruit weight, marketable yield and Incidence of fruit borer were the highest in November transplanted crop, allowed to grow as such, and were lowest in March transplanting. Topping in both November and February transplanting reduced fruit yield, characters contributing to yield and incidence of fruit borer. Hybrid TH2312 out performed other varieties for most of the characters. Harvesting span of November transplanted-topped crop was the longest and that of March transplanting the shortest. The effect of topping in delaying the harvesting span was more conspicuous in November transplanted crop compared with February transplanting. This effect also varied with the varieties/dates of transplanting, being well marked in TH2312 and CR-2-P8-5-1 in November transplanting and only in Nagcarlan in February transplanting. The incidence of blotchy ripening and sunscalding was highest in March transplanting and the lowest in November transplanting, whereas the reverse was true in case of incidence of fruit borer. Topping increased incidence of blotchy ripening, sun-scalding and decreased the incidence of fruit borer infestation in both November and February transplanting.
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tohoku University, Tsutsumidori- amamiyamachi 1-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8555, Japan. Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Mild, Kagawa 761-0795, Japan
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.15
Key words: ACC synthase, Dianthus caryophyllus, flower senescence, ethylene production, transgenic carnation
Abstract: Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. Nora) plants, transformed with carnation ACC synthase (DC-ACS1) cDNA in sense or antisense orientation (the transgenes are sACS transgene and aACS transgene, respectively) by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer were produced. Cut flowers of all the transgenic lines obtained, 2 lines transformed with sACS transgene and 3 lines with aACS transgene, showed suppressed ethylene production during natural senescence as compared with flowers of the non-transformed control line. Among 5 transgenic lines, the sACS-1 line harboring sACS transgene had the severest reduction in ethylene production from flowers, and the flowers lost their vase-life with drying and discoloration in the rim of petals, the ethylene-independent deterioration of carnation flowers. DNA gel blot analysis revealed that the loci of sACS transgenes in the sACS-1 line were different from those in the 6-0-66 line, which is another transgenic line of different origin harboring sACS transgene, although both lines have two copies of the transgenes.
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Bayern University, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, Agricultural Engineering and Irrigation Programme, NAERLS, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.16
Key words: Irrigation levels, fertilizer levels, and watermelon, semi arid region
Abstract: Watermelon is a crop with a high economic value, which is grown and traded for export in many countries. With the expansion of land under irrigation and provision of irrigation facilities in many of the semi-arid regions including Nigeria, local farmers now grow the crop under irrigation, which hitherto, was restricted to rainy season or under residual moisture. A field study was earned out to investigate the effects of varying levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100 or 50 kg N ha-1 and irrigation regime (7, 14 or 21-day intervals) on the performance of watermelon at Kadawa (11 o 39’ N, 08o 02’ E), Nigeria. The result revealed that nitrogen significantly affected the growth, yield and yield components in the range of 50-150 kg ha-1 . Similarly, frequency of irrigation affected some of the growth parameters; however, the total and marketable yields were not significantly affected when irrigation regime was delayed up to 21-day interval. Thus, the volume of water would be reduced thereby increasing efficient use of water in the region which is the major limiting factor during the dry season farming.
United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Iwate University, Laboratory of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences, Iwate University, Ueda 3-18-8, Morioka 020-8550, Japan.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.17
Key words: Eggplant, leaf area ratio, leaf weight ratio, relative growth rate, specific leaf area, tomato, unit leaf rate
Abstract: A quantitative growth analysis was performed using instantaneous leaf growth parameters for eggplant and tomato under soil water deficit conditions. A conventional approach was applied for quantifying the relative growth rate (RGR) calculation and was compared with directly measured RGR. Relative leaf growth rate (RLA) was also measured in relation to leaf area (LA). Total plant dry weight (Ldw) was significantly reduced under stress for both the crops and hence RGR. Total Leaf area (LA) and leaf weight (Ldw) was higher in tomato than that of eggplant and adversely affected by periodic water deficit at reproductive stage. Water deficit lowered the leaf growth in terms of LA and Zdw in eggplant by 34 and 3% and in tomato by 25 and 25 %, respectively. Tomato plants showed higher CET (Cumulative evapotranspiration) by increasing water use at reproductive stages than eggplant but both plants lowered the CET underwater deficit. Among the leaf growth characteristics, leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf weight ratio (LWR) and unit leaf rate (ULR) were quantified and used as important parameters for RGR analysis. The index LAR was very sensitive and had great influence on simulated RGR although it fluctuated during all growth stages. Higher SLA at reproductive stage representing lower thickness of leaf was the characteristics of eggplant. But tomato showed lower SLA that was attributed to accumulate photosynthates in leaves during reproductive stage. ULR varied during the experiment but exhibited more efficiency in tomato. In general, higher RGR at vegetative and early reproductive stages was common for both crops followed by lower RGR. The measured and calculated RGR were not constant at all at any growth stage. The calculated RGR based on leaf growth characteristics were, in general, well agreed with measured RGR for both cases indicating leaf growth characteristics credibly provides useful information for crop growth behavior. The present findings also suggest that LAR along with ULR had positive influence on RGR of eggplants and tomato at any growth stage.
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore -641 003, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.18
Key words: Zn enriched manure, Zn solubilizers, yield, curcumin content, soil nutrients, turmeric
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of Zn enriched organic manures and Zn solubilizers on the yield, curcumin content of turmeric and nutrient status of the soil. The treatment with FYM + zinc solubilizing bacteria showed higher turmeric rhizome yield increase of 21.6 percent than the FYM alone treatment (9.1 per cent) than no manure (control). The dry rhizome yield, reflected the promising effect of Zn and Fe enriched coirpith or FYM, and Zn enriched coirpith or FYM at M1 (no manure) while at M2 (NPK + FYM) and M3 (NPK+FYM+Zn solubilizing bacteria), the foliar spray of Zn + Fe + MOP excelled the remaining treatments. Incorporation of farmyard manure at 12.51 ha-1 along with Zn solubilizing bacteria stood superior by registering highest values for available of N, P and K content in the soil. The Zn solubilizing organism (Bacillus sp.) identified interestingly proved to have favorable effect on the availability of N, P and K. The effect of micronutrient treatments comprising of soil application of per se ZnSO4, FeSO4 and fortified FYM with Zn and Fe and foliar spray of these two nutrients resulted in synergistic effect on the enhanced availability of not only micronutrients but also K. The DTPA - Zn content of the soil though evidenced significant variation for the different treatments of FYM, FYM + ZSB (Zn solubilising bacteria) and micronutrients on an overall basis did not exceed the deficiency level. Addition of Fe with Zn either as such or fortified with FYM / with coirpith showed synergistic effect on Zn availability in the soil. The available B content of the soil showed an upheaval trend for manuring and Zn and Fe applications. During different stages of crop growth and at harvest stage, DTPA - Fe content in none of the treatments exceeded the threshold level. However, enhancement for treatments with organic manures and micronutrients were statistically perceptible. The availability of Cu and Mn in the soil, brought out the positive effect of Zn and Fe added as such or as fortified either alone or along with FYM and FYM + ZSB. Both content as well as uptake of all the major nutrients in the turmeric plant right from the early phase of crop growth to harvest were positively altered by FYM, FYM + ZSB and soil and foliar application of Zn and Fe.
College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, The University in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. P.O. Box: 482 Burida
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.19
Key words: Water stress, Conocarpus, growth, osmotic adjustment, osmotic potential, arid conditions
Abstract: Six-month-old buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus L.) seedlings were grown in containers under different soil water potentials (soil), ) to 1) determine the minimum soil water potential at which Conocarpus trees can survive and grow fairly well, 2) to study the soil-plant water relationship at different irrigation regimes, and 3) to examine the capacity of Conocarpus seedlings for osmotic adjustment via solute accumulation. Seedling growth was not affected significantly until soil water potential was lower than -0.1 MPa (between 40 and 30% FC), after which, plant height, leaf area and shoot and root dry weights became disrupted by severe water deficit. Water stress decreased osmotic potential of leaves and roots. Leaves tended to osmoregulate their cell sap through osmotic adjustment process as their content of soluble sugars increased. The positive survival under low soil water potential could be related to increased osmotic adjustment. Soil water potential values seem more useful tool than FC values to estimate water requirements and use over an extended period of time, for plant grown under different soil types and different environmental conditions. The study indicate that Conocarpus seedlings can withstand reasonable water stress and can survive at moderately low water potential but, in contrast to other studies, can not be classified as a high drought tolerant or resistant species.
National Center for Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer, Jordan. University of Jordan, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.20
Key words: Rose, cultivars, rootstocks, Rosa indica, Rosa canina, Rosa hybrida, yield, mineral composition
Abstract: Performance of three rose cultivars First Red, Versilia, and Virginia was evaluated when were grown on their own roots and when grafted onto three rootstocks Rosa indica, Major; Rosa canina, Inermis and Rosa hybrida, Natal Briar in a plastic house. Yield, dry weight and mineral composition were investigated for two successive years. Scion rose cultivars especially on the rootstock Natal Briar produced more flowers/plant which was greatly dependent on the rootstock. The Natal Briar rootstock was superior to that of R. indica and R. canina rootstocks. In addition, more yields were obtained from plant combinations than cultivars grown on their own roots. Scion/rootstock combinations were superior to those grown on their roots with respect to dry weight percentage and nutritional status. Higher and efficient macro and microelement contents were found in shoot and root portions of plant combinations than in the cutting plants. There was no relation between the yield and the elemental status of the root tissues except for phosphorus. Furthermore, shoot and root dry weights were highly correlated to the yield/plant. Shoot dry weight was highly correlated to manganese, magnesium and phosphorus, respectively. While root dry weight was mainly correlated to the manganese, zinc, and magnesium. We conclude that rose yields can be improved through more uniform mineral distribution within the plant tissue by selecting efficient rootstocks to grow scion cultivars on them.
Division of Crop Improvement and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut-673012, Kerala. Centre for Medicinal Plant Research, Kottakkal, Kerala, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.21
Key words: Aerial stem, apical meristem, axillary meristem, direct regeneration, ginger, transformation, Zingiber officinale Rose.
Abstract: An efficient and reproducible protocol for direct multiple shoot induction through in vitro culture of aerial stem (pseudostem) of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose.) is reported. Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with BAP and NAA in different combinations (1:0.5,1:1,2:1,3:1 mg l-1 ) resulted in high frequency shoot / root organogenesis from the basal and middle segments of the aerial stem explants of in vitro grown ginger as compared to the other hormone combinations. Maximum of 3.1 shoots could be obtained. Genotypes differed in their in vitro response of multiple shoot induction. Anatomical studies revealed the origin of shoot primordial from axillary, apical and primary thickening meristem and of root primordial from primary thickening meristem. The regenerated plantlets were acclimatized and successfully established in the field conditions and harvested after 8 months.
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Reduit, Mauritius.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.02
Key words: callus, gene expression, genes, genetic engineering, genetic transformation, in vitro culture, in vitro regeneration, leaves, tissue culture, transgenic plants
Abstract: Green-fluorescent protein (GFP) gene expression was observed in tissues of litchi (Litchi chinensis) after transformation using Agrobacterium. In vitro grown leaf tissues were used for transformation. After four weeks in culture, expression of GFP was apparent when the regenerated callus and the leaves were observed under fluorescence microscope fitted with a blue exciter filter, a blue dichroic mirror and a barrier filter. Although no transformed litchi plantlets were regenerated, screening for GFP gene expression may prove useful to improve transformation efficiency and to facilitate detection of transformed litchi plants.
College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, PO Box: 1482 King Saud University, Al-Qassim Branch, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.03
Key words: antitranspirants, chlorophyll, drought, evapotranspiration, irrigation scheduling, kaolin, leaf conductance, net assimilation rate, photosynthesis, pinolene, plant water relations, stomata, turgor, water stress
Abstract: The effects of pinolene-base Vapor Gard (VG) emulsion type film and Kaolin (Surround WP) particle type film antitranspirants on stomatal behaviour, water status, carbon assimilation and transpiration rate of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) cv. Double plants, grown under irrigation regimes of 100, 80 and 60% of total evapotranspiration (ET) values, were studied to select the most suitable antitranspirant for conserving irrigation water, with no detrimental effects on growth and production of tuberose plants grown in arid regions. Severe water stress decreased the stomatal frequency and conductance (gs), leaf water potential ( Psi w), osmotic potential ( Psi pi ) and turgor potential ( Psi p), relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content (chl), carbon assimilation rate (A) and transpiration rate (E). Both types of antitranspirants effectively enhanced the performance and physiological activities of water-stressed plants particularly, at the 80% ET, but they did not compensate for the negative effects caused
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.04
Key words: boron, calcium, chemical composition, copper, crop yield, foliar diagnosis, grapes, iron, magnesium, manganese, mineral nutrition, nitrogen, nutrient balance, nutrient deficiencies, petioles, phosphorus, plant composition, plant nutrition, potassium, sodi
Abstract: Diagnostic norms were developed from 53.2% top yielding vineyards in Tamil Nadu, India, among 940 observations on yield and petiole analyses of Muscat grapes using bivariate Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS)/Modified Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (MDRIS) and multivariate Compositional Nutritional Diagnosis (CND). About 66 optimum nutrient ratios and concentrations were computed from N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, B, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn analytical results. When several nutrients are limiting yield simultaneously, the diagnosis of nutrient disorder by multivariate CND approach is required for higher diagnostic precision. Based on the classification of NIIs, approximately 17% were severely limited by mineral nutrition and 32% of the vineyards were identified as having possible imbalances. The norm values and identification of yield limiting nutrients were close to each other with DRIS and CND, while there was no consensus with Critical Value Approach norms and diagnosis.
Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Plant Biotechnology Division, Regional Plant Resource Centre, Bhubaneswar - 751 015, Orissa, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.05
Key words: auxins, benzyladenine, buds, culture media, cytokinins, IAA, in vitro culture, in vitro regeneration, micropropagation, plant growth regulators, rooting, shoots, sucrose, tissue culture
Abstract: Efficient and rapid micropropagation system was developed for Geoderum purpureum [Geodorum purpureum], an important terrestrial orchid, through axillary meristem culture by manipulating cytokinin and auxin. Multiple shoots were induced from axillary meristems cultured on agar-based MS medium supplemented with 2.0-3.0 mg benzyladenine/litre, 0.5-1.0 mg IAA/litre and 3% (w/v) sucrose. Maximum number of shoot buds were obtained with 3.0 mg benzyladenine and 1.0 mg IAA/litre. The rate of shoot multiplication was maintained in subsequent subculture on similar fresh culture medium. Elongated shoots were separated and rooted on half strength basal MS medium supplemented with IAA or IBA and 2% (w/v) sucrose. Maximum percentage of rooting was obtained on medium having 0.5 mg IAA/litre. Plantlets, thus developed were established in soil with 80% survival.
Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Ehime University, Matsuyama, 790-8566, Japan.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.01
Key words: bananas, databases, geographical information systems, plantations, precision agriculture
Abstract: Results are presented of experiments conducted in Thailand to construct the geographical databases of land suitability for Musa (ABB) group plantation, to assess land suitability for Musa (ABB) group using geographical information systems, and to select the possible lands for new banana plantations.
Genetics Laboratory, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, 82524 Sohag, Egypt.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.06
Key words: benzyladenine, buds, carotenoids, chlorophyll, enzyme activity, enzymes, growth, IBA, in vitro culture, internodes, leaf area, light intensity, micropropagation, moisture content, peroxidase, plant growth regulators, propagation, rooting, roots, shade pla
Abstract: Although all nodal segments of Syngonium podophyllum irrespective of their age and different concentrations of benzylaminopurine [benzyladenine] (BAP) showed axillary shoot growth, young nodes cultured on MS medium supplemented with 5 micro M BAP gave the best results. Elongated shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 5 micro M IBA. Increase of the frequency of axillary bud sprouting and decrease in the frequency of root formation with the increase of light intensity were recorded, which was accompanied with increase of relative peroxidase activity. Instead of peat, soil consisted of sawdust, sand and clay (1:1:1) was a suitable combination producing valuable plant survival. Subjecting the plants growing in the soil to full sunlight for one day enhanced the peroxidase activity and aggressive chlorophyll degradation, thereby leading to leaf bleaching especially at relatively high temperature (40 degrees C) or low moisture content of the soil (50% field capacity). Plants grown under illu
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.07
Key words: clonal propagation, cuttings, growth, internodes, jackfruits, plant morphology, rooting, roots, shading, shoots
Abstract: The study considers the effect of different levels of shade on growth and morphology of shoots and rooting ability of cuttings developed from decapitated ground layered stock plants. Two-year-old seedling-originated stock plants of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) were decapitated at the tip and layered on ground. Shoots were allowed to develop at three levels of shade: vegetational shade (75% of full sun), lateral shade (40% of full sun) and overhead shade (10% of full sun). Different levels of shade significantly affected the growth and morphology of shoots. Active bud percentages as well as number of shoots produced per stock plant with longer internodes were significantly higher in lateral shade. Rooting percentages of cuttings obtained from the shoots of vegetational, lateral and overhead shade were 80, 87 and 90, respectively. The maximum number of roots (6.2) and root dry mass (20.7 mg) were found in cuttings obtained from lateral shade, followed by overhead shade. The results are discussed in the
Division of Plant Physiology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110 012, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.08
Key words: crop quality, ethanol, fruits, postharvest treatment, ripening, sugar content, tomatoes
Abstract: Mature-green tomato fruits (cv. 'Bombay') were exposed to ethanol vapour at 0, 1, 2, or 4 ml/kg for 24 hours at 25 degrees C. Ripening was measured as a change in fruit colour. Ethanol treatment delayed fruit ripening which was concentration dependent. Higher concentration of ethanol vapour delayed tomato fruit ripening for more days. Postharvest treatment of ethanol vapour to tomato fruits showed higher TSS, lower acidity, higher brix:acid ratio and high sugar content compared to untreated fruits. The relative association of applied ethanol concentration showed a negative association with acidity and a positive association with sugar content at red-ripe stage. There was a negative relationship between titratable acidity and sugar content in ripe tomato fruit. Postharvest use of ethanol improves the sensory quality of fruits after complete ripening.
Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow - 226 001, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.09
Key words: branches, correlation analysis, crop yield, genetic gain, heritability, leaf cuttings, leaves, plant height, protein content, selection criteria, stems, yield components
Abstract: An experiment was conducted during 2003 kharif season in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 29 vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) cultivars to identify the suitable direct and indirect component traits that contribute towards foliage yield. The first cutting of foliage started after the third week of sowing and subsequent cuttings were conducted at 15-day intervals. Data were recorded for plant height, stem diameter, branches per plant, leaves per plant, leaf size, protein content and foliage yield. Heritability values were high for all the characters in all the cuttings and pooled values. Foliage yield showed maximum heritability in all 4 cuttings followed by plant height and leaf size. Genetic gain was highest for foliage yield followed by leaf size and stem diameter. In general, the genetic advance values were high in all the cuttings for foliage yield, plant height, leaf size and stem diameter. Only plant height was positively correlated with foliage yield in all the cuttings. In the first and second
Department of Vegetable Science, H.P. Agricultural University, Palampur - 176 062, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.10
Key words: crop yield, crosses, genes, genetic analysis, tomatoes, yield components
Abstract: An experiment was conducted to understand the nature of gene effects for yield and its component characters in tomato. Six generations, (P1, P2, F1, F2, B1 and B2) of Hawaii 7998 x BT-18, Hawaii 7998 x EC 191536 and BT-18 x EC 191536, derived after crossing the bacterial wilt resistant parents, were studied following 3-parameter model of Cavalli (1952) and 6-parameter model of Jink and Jones (1958). Duplicate epistasis with relatively higher magnitude of [l] interaction (+) was observed for marketable yield per plant and number of marketable fruits per plant in Hawaii 7998 x BT-18 and BT-18 x EC 191536, thus suggesting a need for exploitation of hybrid vigour or intermating followed by selection in later generations, in these crosses. Whereas, the presence of additive effects [d and i] in Hawaii 7998 x EC 191536 indicated the importance of simple pedigree selection. For the traits related to earliness (days to 50% flowering and days to first harvest), pedigree selection in BT-18 x EC 191536 and pedigree selec
Department of Horticulture Gorukle, Faculty of Agriculture, Uludag University, 16059 Bursa, Turkey.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.11
Key words: apples, controlled atmosphere storage, controlled atmospheres, crop quality, cultivars, relative humidity, storage quality, temperature
Abstract: An experiment was conducted to study the suitable atmospheric combinations for controlled atmosphere (CA) storage of apple cultivars Granny Smith and Jonagold, and revealing some physical and chemical changes occurring during the storage of these cultivars. Granny Smith and Jonagold were stored for 210 and 180 days, respectively, at 0+or-0.5 degrees C and 90+or-5% relative humidity (RH) under the atmospheric combinations of 0:21 (CO2:O2) [normal atmosphere (NA)-control], 3:1, 3:1.5, 3:2 and 3:2.5. Fruits were kept at room conditions (20+or-2 degrees C and 60+or-5% RH) for 5 days at the end of storage period to determine the shelf life. Physical and chemical analyses (weight loss, respiration rate, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, fruit flesh firmness, pectin esterase activity, fruit skin colour) were realized on the fruit samples taken during storage and at the end of shelf life. At the end of the study, it was determined that the fruits of apple cultivars Granny Smith and Jonagold could be store
Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110 012, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.12
Key words: catalase, dormancy, dormancy breaking, enzyme activity, enzymes, grapes, peroxidase, phenols, plant development, sprouting
Abstract: An experiment was conducted from 1 November 1998 to 15 March 1999 and 1 November 1999 to 15 March 2000 to study the role of hydroperoxidase enzymes (peroxidase and catalase), phenols and their relationship with the intensity of dormancy in grape cv. Pusa Seedless, grown under the subtropical conditions of north India. Catalase activity increased during the early part of the dormancy cycle then declined and was lowest at bud break. On the other hand, peroxidase activity was lowest at the initial stages of dormancy then increased and was maximum at dormancy breaking. Phenol content increased from the onset of dormancy to deep dormancy then declined and was lowest at sprouting.
Catedra de Edafologia, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. San Martin 4453, 1417, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.13
Key words: application rates, crop yield, environmental factors, phosphorus fertilizers, protected cultivation, soil chemical properties, soil physical properties, soil properties, tomatoes
Abstract: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of overapplication of phosphorus fertilizers on soil properties in commercial greenhouses for tomato production and to study the relationship between soil extract P values and yields. Twenty commercial greenhouses with continuous tomato production were analysed in the horticultural belt of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, with Vertic Argiudoll soils, and compared with a control site. Composite soil samples were extracted at 0-20 cm of depth in 2 sampling dates: initial (tomato transplantation) and 6 months later (harvest). Oxidizable C, total N, Bray extractable P, and exchangeable bases in ammonium acetate extracts, were determined in dry soil samples. Electrical conductivity and pH were measured in saturated soil paste extracts. Tomato yields were determined at each experimental site. Overapplicaton of fertilizers was associated with physical-chemical degradation of the vertic soils of the region with visual symptoms of chlorosis, calcium deficiency, and
Proagro Seed Company, Dhumaspur Road, Badshahpur, Gurgaon, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i01.14
Key words: aubergines, biological development, developmental stages, fecundity, fertility, infestation, insect pests, laboratory rearing, larvae, ova, oviposition, plant pests, susceptibility, synthetic diets
Abstract: An efficient technique for laboratory rearing of the aubergine shoot and fruit borer (SFB) Leucinodes orbonalis is described. The modified oviposition chamber enhanced the overall egg-laying capacity of the adults in terms of fecundity and fertility of the eggs. For larval rearing, round-sized fruits provided a better medium than the long-sized fruits. Approximately 50% of the neonate larvae survived when released on artificial diet. No pupation was observed on the diet even 30 days after infestation. Most larvae were smaller in size compared to those reared on non-artificial diet. Aubergine did not possess resistance to SFB at the preflowering or pre-fruiting stages. However, data showed that to evaluate aubergine germplasm against SFB, the infestation can be as low as 3 or 10 larvae per plant. Aubergine infested with 3 larvae per plant should be kept for approximately 2 weeks and those infested with 10 larvae per plant for approximately 10 days prior to assessing damage by SFB.
