S. Sinha1’2, Basavaraj3, B.L. Patil4, R.K. Jain3 and M. Mishra1*
Division of Crop Improvement and Biotechnology, ICAR- Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, P.O. Kakori, Rehmankhera, Lucknow, India-226101.2Amity Institute of Biotechnology, 3Advance Center for Plant Virology, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India-110 012. 4ICAR-National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, IARI, New Delhi, India- 110 012. Corresponding e-mail: maneesh.mishra@icar.gov.in
Abstract: Papaya Ring Spot Virus disease is wide spread across papaya growing countries of the world and is one of the major impediments in successful papaya cultivation. Genetically engineered papaya varieties viz., SunUp and Rainbow have already been developed and commercialized in USA using coat protein mediated resistance. However, transgenic papaya conferring resistance to papaya ringspot virus has not been developed in India till date due to lack of suitable genetic transformation protocol for Indian papaya varieties and unavailability of coat protein gene construct for harbouring broad-spectrum resistance. The current study reports an efficient gene delivery mechanism in papaya. Young globular embryos infected for 30 minutes with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404 harbouring hairpin loop of truncated coat protein gene and subsequently co-cultivated in presence of 100 pM acetosyringone and 1mM spermidine in dark for 72 hours gave rise to independent transgenic events characterized by PCR, dot blot hybridisation and RT-PCR.
K. Manjunatha1*, D. Balasubramanian1, Ravindra Naik2 and J.D. Adiga1
1ICAR–Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, D.K., Karnataka. 574 202. 2ICAR–Central Institute of Agriculture Engineering, Regional Centre, Coimbatore. Pin-641003. Corresponding e-mail: manjunatha.k@icar.gov.in
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i02.30
Key words: Cashew apple, raw cashew nut, physical characteristics and bulk density
Abstract: Cashew, an important tree nut crop, presents a challenge in separating the nut from the soft and fibrous cashew apple at maturity. Understanding the engineering properties of cashew apple and nut is necessary to design a machine for separating these two. The present study is aimed to determine the physical, mechanical and frictional properties of cashew apple and nut in six varieties viz., Bhaskara, Nethra Ganga, Ullal-3, Vengurla-7, Vengurla-4 and Dhana. The cashew apple and nuts’ arithmetic and geometric mean diameters were 44.58 to 52.11 mm, 43.41 to 51.41 mm and 24.96 to 28.81 mm, 23.89 to 28.11 mm, respectively. The sphericity of the cashew apple was found to be in the range of 0.76 to 0.89, whereas that of nut ranged between 0.71 and 0.80. Bulk density of cashew apple ranged from 495.15 to 581.50 kg m-3,whereas that of nuts ranged from 451.66 to 531.47 kg m-3. The static coefficient of friction of cashew apple and nuts varied on different surfaces. The mean values of the compression test in longitudinal and lateral directions were found to be in the range of 80.54 to 179.38 N and 90.92 to 139.40 N. The shearing force was found to be in the range of 20.36 to 53.08 N and 26.52 to 40.46 N in longitudinal and lateral directions, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed in the physical properties of cashew apple and nuts among the varieties. These findings would be pertinent for designing the post-harvest machinery in cashew.
1Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar (Rajasthan) India-326023. 2Department of PHT, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar., India. 3Department of Basic Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar., India. 4Faculty of Horticulture, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Romania. Corresponding e-mail: nirmalchf@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i02.31
Key words: Pollen grain, fruit, ascorbic acid, total phenols.
Abstract: The present investigation aimed to know the effect of different pollen sources and time of pollination for hand pollination on biochemical and organoleptic properties in sugar apple cv. Arka Sahan. For the study, a total 130 flowers of cv. Arka Sahan were hand pollinated with three different pollen sources, such as Balanagar, Raydurg and APK-Ca 1 at three different times in the July. It was found that pollen source and timing significantly affected fruit quality attributes and organoleptic traits. Fruits of T1 (first pollination with Balanagar) exhibited maximum pulp weight, fruit weight and seeds per fruit. The biochemical traits such as higher total soluble solids (32.33 ºBrix), lower titratable acidity (TA) (0.25%), higher total sugar (TS) (25.55%), reducing sugar (RS) (22.75%) and non-reducing sugar (NRS) (2.66 %) were also reported in T1. Likewise, higher ascorbic acid (AA) (27.87 mg/100g) and minimum total phenols content (TPC) (66.76 ?g GAE/100g) were also obtained in T1 yielded fruits compared to the naturally pollinated (control). Evaluation of organoleptic revealed that pollen source and pollination time also affected the sweetness, sourness aroma, grittiness and overall acceptability (8.62) of pulp. Results of organoleptic evaluation revealed that pollen sources and pollination times also affected the sweetness, sourness, aroma, grittiness and overall acceptability (8.62) of the fruit pulp. Hence, Balanagar could be used as an effective pollen source for hand pollination in Arka Sahan during initial weeks of July to get higher quality and acceptability of the sugar apple fruits.
U. Greeshma1, J.S. Bindhu1*, P. Shalini Pillai1, D. Jacob1 and S. Sarada2
1Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University. 2Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University. Corresponding e-mail: jsbindhu@gmail.com
Abstract: Wicking bed systems have gained significant attention in the context of small-scale and urban horticulture as a result of their capacity to effectively mitigate water constraint and promote sustainable crop output. To further our comprehension of these systems, a research study was conducted during the summer of 2020-21 to evaluate the efficacy of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in a wicking bed system.The experimental design followed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a total of eight different treatments, replicated three times. The treatments consisted of several arrangements of wicking bed systems, which involved variations in reservoir depths (100 mm and 150 mm), soil bed depths (200 mm and 300 mm), and the inclusion of coir geotextile as interlayers. Based on the conducted experiments on the results of various wicking bed configurations, it is advisable to utilize a reservoir depth of 150 mm and a soil bed depth of 300 mm, together with the inclusion of a geotextile interlayer, in order to maximize tomato yield inside a wicking bed system. The aforementioned study enhance our understanding of urban agriculture, sustainable water management and crop cultivation techniques.
Byungsoon Kim
Department of Computer Education, Andong National University, Andong, South Korea
Abstract: The precise monitoring of leaf temperature is becoming more important as crop leaf temperature is utilized more frequently for different uses such as irrigation, disease and pest detection. This study aims to explore the potential usage of a cost-effective Lepton 3.5 camera to measure the crop canopy temperature. The accuracy of the Lepton 3.5 will be compared to a FLIR E8-XT thermal camera and an MLX90614 infrared thermometer. With the usage of three devices: a custom Lepton 3.5 camera, an Implexxio LT-1T thermistor and an MLX90614, the temperature of the target leaf of a laboratory plant was automatically measured every five minutes. The data would then be recorded on a private cloud server and manually measured with a handheld FLIR E8-XT. The performance of these three devices was evaluated to the standard of a highly accurate Implexxio LT-1T thermistor using the mean absolute error and root mean squared error. Among the non-contact sensors- MLX90614, Lepton 3.5 and FLIR E8-XT- the MLX90614 sensor showed the highest accuracy. However, the Lepton 3.5 module had an accuracy of less than ±2°C, which was similar to FLIR E8-XT and much better than the error value specified for the Lepton. The low-cost Lepton 3.5 can be used to periodically measure leaf temperature with an accuracy comparable to that of an intermediate-level thermal imager.
M.A. Imran 1, M.H. Rahman*1, M.T. Islam1 and M.S. Hossain2
1Department of Horticulture, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh. 2Department of Agronomy, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh. Corresponding e-mail: Rahmanhassan@hstu.ac.bd
Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the impact of pre-harvest fruit bagging on banana maturity, pest and disease management, and postharvest quality. The bunch was wrapped in a variety of bags, including white polythene bag, blue polythene bag, muslin cloth bag, gunny bag, brown paper bag and non-bagging (control). The study was designed as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results showed that banana bunch covered with brown paper bags were ready to harvest 16 days earlier than those in the control. In addition, bagging increased fruit length, diameter, weight, and pulp weight in comparison to non-bagged fruit. Moreover, the brown paper bag treatment significantly reduced pest infestation (15-fold), disease infection (12-fold) and physiological disorder (6.5-fold) compared to control. The firmness, total soluble solids, and total sugar content were found maximum with brown paper bagged fruit, while Vitamin C content was higher in control fruits. Brown paper bagged fruit exhibited the longest shelf life (12 days) as compared to the control (09 days). Bagging presented a significant effect on the color and overall expression of the fruit, although it did not influence the flavour of the fruit. In conclusion, brown paper bags can help to prevent diseases and insect infestation and improve the fruit quality of bananas.
Kaushal Kumar1,3, Kamini Kumari3*, Somen Acharya1,2, Thupstan Tsewang1, Alok Mishra1, Anshu Verma1 and O P Chaurasia1
1Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR-DRDO), C/O 56 APO, Leh-Ladakh, India. 2Defence Research Laboratory (DRL-DRDO), Tezpur, Assam-784001, India. 3School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India. Corresponding e-mail: kamini.25795@lpu.co.in
Abstract: This study compared the hydroponic and soil cultivation systems for lettuce and spinach production in India’s cold desert, high-altitude Trans-Himalayan region. Hydroponic cultivation is a soilless technique that provides fresh vegetables in regions with environmental stress and limited arable land. The experiment was conducted in hydroponic structures designed for leafy vegetable cultivation, including vertical and horizontal circulated nutrient film technique (NFT), non-circulated systems, and soil cultivation in an open, naturally ventilated double-layer polycarbonate greenhouse in Ladakh, India. Results showed that lettuce and spinach grown in the vertical circulated NFT system had significantly better plant growth characteristics such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh weight, and yield than horizontal NFT, non-circulated, and soil systems. Moreover, fresh produce from vertical and horizontal NFT systems had higher nitrate content, soluble sugar content, and total sweetness index, indicating better crispiness of the produce. Mineral nutrient contents (Ca, Mg, B, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, and Ni) were also higher in the circulated NFT system compared to other systems studied. Thus, this study demonstrated that lettuce and spinach grown in NFT systems produced significantly higher yields with better nutritional quality than soil-grown systems in the Trans-Himalayan region. Hydroponic systems are recommended for successfully producing nutrient-rich vegetables in areas with limited water and arable land. This is the first demonstration of hydroponic systems in high-altitude cold desert conditions for growing leafy greens, and it has promising implications for sustainable agriculture.
Tavisha Singh1*, Seema Bedi1 and Rajinder Singh2
1Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India. 2Associate Director (Seeds), Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India. Corresponding e-mail: tavisha-bot@pau.edu
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i02.36
Key words: Gibberellic acid, seed coat, harvested seeds, KNO3, mean days to germination, Praecitrullus fistulosus, priming, round gourd, seed dormancy, seed germination, seedling vigour index, storage duration
Abstract: Owing to its hard seed coat, the seeds of Praecitrullus fistulosus exhibit dormancy which impairs the germinability and subsequent seed establishment. To overcome this dormancy, the seeds are required to be stored for a minimum of 45 days after harvest (DAH). In north Indian plains, round gourd seeds are harvested in mid-June and are required to be sown immediately in June-July. Therefore, priming treatments were employed to overcome seed dormancy in a short interval. To assess the effect of various priming treatments in overcoming dormancy, the seeds were stored at room temperature for various durations and at the end of the storage period, the seeds were primed by soaking in solutions of GA3 (150 µgmL-1, 500 µgmL-1,1000 µgmL-1 gibberellic acid), cytokinin (150 µgmL-1, 500 µgmL-1,1000 µgmL-1kinetin), ethylene (150, 500, 1000 ethrel), KNO3 (150 and 500 µgmL-1), HNO3 (150 and 500 µlL-1) and water, at 250C for 12 hours and 24 hours, respectively. Among all the priming treatments, 500 µgmL-1 KNO3 for 24 h enhanced percentage germination to more than 60 per cent in freshly harvested seeds to more than 80 per cent in seeds stored for 15 DAH. It also enhanced the length of seedling, vigour index (SVI-I and SVI-II), and coefficient of rate of germination (CRG) with a reduction in the mean days taken for germination (MDG).
Darshana Sihmar* and Aradhita Barman Ray
Department of Food Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar-125001, Haryana, India. Corresponding e-mail: darshanaftgju@gmail.com
Abstract: The acceptability of grapefruit juice is hindered by its inherent bitterness, primarily attributed to the presence of naringin as the main bitter component. To enhance consumer preference, two distinct methods, physical and enzymatic, were employed to mitigate the bitterness of grapefruit juice. In the physical method, the juice underwent treatment with the adsorbent Amberlite IR 400, utilizing a 3-level factorial design. The enzymatic method involved the application of naringinase enzyme, employing the Box-Behnken experimental design. Notably, the physical method revealed a significant linear and interaction effect of time and temperature on the naringin content, while the enzymatic method exhibited a significant linear effect of enzyme concentration, time and temperature on the same. Both debittering methods were optimized using a numerical multi-response optimization technique to determine the optimum variable levels. This ensured that both independent and dependent variables remained within the experimental range, achieving maximum desirability. For the physical debittering method, the optimized conditions were 96 minutes and 28 °C for time and temperature, respectively. Meanwhile, the enzymatic debittering method optimized conditions included 0.83 g/L enzyme concentration, 35 °C temperature, and 3 hours 50 minutes time. Under these optimized conditions, the enzymatic method demonstrated superior results, achieving a higher naringin reduction of 55.77%, compared to the 33.18% reduction achieved by the physical method using Amberlite IR 400.
Mahdi Abbaszadeh1, Amir Salari2, Ali Maroosi3 and Babak Jamali4*
1Plant Nutrition Supervision, Jihad Agriculture of Khorasan Razavi, Mashhad, Iran. 2Department of Water Science and Engineering, Minab Higher Education Center, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran. 3Department of Computer Engineering, University of Torbat Heydarieh, Iran. 4 Department of Agriculture, Minab Higher Education Center, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Corresponding e-mail: babakjamali@ymail.com, babakjamali@hormozgan.ac.ir
Abstract: Nitrate accumulation is a common problem in agriculture. To determine the factors contributing to nitrate accumulation in tomato fruits, the present study investigated the accumulated nitrogen content in tomatoes harvested in Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province (Mashhad, Neyshabur, Torbat-Jam, Fariman, and Chenaran regions) in four consecutive years. At least 30 samples were collected from each growing area and analyzed. Our findings showed that nitrate accumulation was absent in areas where fertilizer application met crop and soil needs. The highest nitrate accumulation in fresh fruits was 487 mg/kg in fields where the plants received 207 kg/ha of nitrogen fertilizer; the nitrate content of the samples was above the standard critical concentration in 71.67% of the regions studied. Nitrate accumulation in tomatoes from Khorasan Razavi province was high, which can adversely impact the quality of this crop in this region.
K. Sathees Kumar1,4, T. Ilakiya2,4 and T. Gowthaman3
1RVS Agricultural College, Department of Social Sciences, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. 2Department of Vegetable Science, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India. 3Department of Agricultural Statistics, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India. 4SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, IndiaCorresponding e-mail: sarassathees96@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i02.39
Key words: Cuddy-Della instability index, Kruskal-Wallis test, ratio to moving average approach, seasonal indices, price instability, ARIMA
Abstract: Vegetable production plays a pivotal role in the horticulture industry, yet the availability of vegetable crops remains unpredictable. Seasonal volatility contributes to unclear supply, resulting in price fluctuations. This study aimed to assess the seasonal indices and price instability of key vegetables in India using the Cuddy-Della Instability Index and the Ratio to Moving Average approach. Monthly price series spanning January 2010 to December 2021 were collected from the AGMARKNET website. Seasonality in the price series was examined using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results indicated that potatoes exhibited moderate instability, while onions and tomatoes displayed high instability. The onion price series demonstrated the highest seasonal indices in October, November, and December. Wholesale and retail prices were lowest in April, May, and June. October and November marked the peak wholesale and retail prices for potatoes, with the lowest prices recorded in February and March. July and August were the months with the highest wholesale and retail tomato prices, while February and March saw the lowest prices. The ARIMA model, applied to de-seasonalized price series, estimated factors excluding the seasonal component. Recognizing these price patterns enables farmers, policymakers, and government sectors to take necessary precautions against sudden price changes.
Hoa Quynh Vu1,2*, Ha Thi Thu Phung1,2, Duc Anh Nguyen1, Thom Mai Nguyen1,2, Hai Minh Ngo3
1Faculty of Agronomy, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, 10000 Trau Quy-Gia Lam-Hanoi. 2Institute of Ornamental Organism Science, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, 10000 Trau Quy-Gia Lam-Hanoi. 3Faculty of Economics and Rural Development, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, 10000 Trau Quy-Gia Lam – Hanoi. Corresponding e-mail: hoayamaguchi2010@gmail.com; vuquynhhoa@vnua.edu.vn
Abstract: Vietnam is one of the countries with high biodiversity, with extremely rich and diverse genetic resources of flowers and ornamental plants, which are precious and valuable in the domestic and international markets. Currently, in Vietnam, rain lilies have many different shapes and colors. This study focused on evaluating the growth characteristics of ten different varieties of rain lily and the ability to propagate these varieties by bulb chipping method in winter-spring in Hanoi, Vietnam. The results show that there was a great diversity in growth characteristics among lily varieties in terms of the number of leaves (4.4 to 12.7), leaf length (8.3-22 cm), leaf width (2.4-9.7 mm), leaf thickness (1.0 to 1.7 mm), leaf angle (23-50o), and tillering ability in six months (0 to 5.8 branches/bulb). The flower colors were also diverse such as white, light pink, dark pink, orange, white. The number of petals was 6 or 12 petals, along with the diversity of flower structure. The ten varieties showed a different propagation capacity by bulb chipping ranging from 1 to 17 multiplication times. The bulbils derived from bulb chipping had the good quality, with the highest number of bulbils in the treatment of the four-piece-chipping. Therefore, the method can be applied to rain lily propagation in Vietnam.
V.A. Naliapara, V.M. Sejani and N.U. Joshi
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh – 362001 (India). Corresponding e-mail: virajnaliapara18@gmail.com
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to develop a conceptual automated solution for the labour-intensive processes of coconut dehusking and deshelling. This was achieved by utilizing simulation-based design techniques. The study centred on the utilization of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) as a fundamental tool for the visualization and simulation of the proposed mechanisms. This study has developed a comprehensive framework for assessing the potential feasibility of the simulated dehusking and deshelling processes by conducting thorough evaluations that encompass stress, displacement, strain, and safety considerations. The cylindrical design with spiral spikes was designed to remove husks efficiently. CAD helped to comprehend the mechanism’s behavior, and subsequent analyses revealed that stress levels remained far below acceptable thresholds. The displacement and strain effects were negligible, providing the structural integrity of the simulated dehusking procedure. The design utilized strategically placed metal bars to improve contact points and effectiveness. The simulation-based assessments replicated the dehusking evaluations, confirming that stress, displacement, and strain remained within limits. This study shows that simulated automation in coconut processing has excellent potential and supports its real-world implementation. Computer-aided design (CAD) and thorough analyses ensured the safety and reliability of conceptual mechanisms and set a precedent for agricultural processing machinery. This study proposes a systematic approach to coconut processing that might change the industry by improving productivity and reducing manual labour.
G. Sandeep1*, T. Arumugam2, G.J. Janavi3, T. Anitha4, K. Senthil5 and A. Lakshmanan6
1Department of Vegetable Science, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam. 2Department of Horticulture, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam. 3Department of Vegetable Science, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam. 4Department of Postharvest Technology, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam. 5Department of Soil Science, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai. 6School of Post Graduate Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Corresponding e-mail: sandeepgunalan@outlook.com, sandeepguna1995@gmail.com
Abstract: The effect of different extraction methods using ethanol as a green solvent, such as soaking/maceration, Soxhlet, Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE), and Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE), on the percentage of extraction yield, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial effect, was investigated. Unknown phytochemicals present in moringa leaf extract from various extraction methods were identified using Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and identified compounds ranged from twenty-eight compounds to thirty-four compounds from various extraction methods. On comparing the conventional and non-conventional methods of extraction, the quantity and quality of extracted moringa biomolecules were found to be high in terms of extraction yield (21.79 ± 0.10%), TPC (144.52 ± 3.44 QE mg/g)), TFC (22.93 ± 0.28 GA mg/g)) and antioxidant activity (84.15 ± 1.14%) in UAE followed by MAE in less time than conventional methods. Moringa leaf extract from UAE, showed a maximum zone of inhibition (56.25 ± 0.35 mm) against E. coli at higher concentrations. Based on the research results, UAE and MAE could be novel extraction methods for various industrial sectors with a wide range of nutrients and bioactivity. In future, these extracted compounds might be further purified, characterized and fortified with other food products to mitigate malnutrition.
Piyatida Amnuaykan
Faculty of Agricultural Production, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. E-mail: piyatida.chou@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.04
Key words: Hydrangea macrophylla, glucose, sucrose, mannitol, vase life
Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effect of different sugar types on the vase life of cut hydrangea flowers. There were 19 treatments based on concentrations and sucrose, glucose, and mannitol combinations. The results showed that the vase solution with 5% glucose provided the most extended vase life, which was 12.4 d, while the control solution with distilled water presented 8.86 d. The results were correlated with the total solution uptake, the number of days for reaching maximum inflorescene diameter, maximum sepal hardness score, chlorophyll content, and sepal electrolyte leakage. It could be implied that glucose alone extends hydrangea vase life by inactivating the ethylene signaling pathway. Based on the sepal size and colour, 3% glucose treatment which generated the second-highest vase life, could be the appropriate concentration for improving flower quality and longevity. This study provides essential information to understand hydrangea flower senescence and develop better vase solutions for cut hydrangea flowers.
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