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Date Palm Research Center of Excellence, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Frontier Agriculture, SOYL Precision Crop Production Division, Newbury, United Kingdom.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.03

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Abstract: Present study was designed to evaluate the response of date palm cultivars Khadrawy and Zahidi to varied concentrations of pollen grains liquid suspension (1, 2, 3 and 4 g L^-1). The experiment was arranged in two-factorial randomized complete block design. Results of the study revealed that the pollen application of 4 g L^-1 significantly increased fruit set (86 %), fruit weight (11.27 g), fruit length (38.27 mm), fruit width (23.70 mm), fruit thickness (18.90 mm), fruit geometric diameter (24.93 mm), fruit arithmetic diameter (26.96 mm), fruit surface area (1953.93 mm²), fruit volume (11.29 cc), yield per palm (23.97 kg), seed length (2.40 cm), pulp weight (9.83 g), pulp:seed ratio (6.88) and moisture content (22.72 %). However, fruit drop parameter was minimal (37 %) in that treatment as compared to others. All other parameters (fruit sphericity, seed weight, seed diameter, percent of pulp, percent of seed, total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars) were statistically not different. However, application of 3 g L^-1 pollen grains liquid suspension treatment was closely followed by 4 g L^-1 pollen grain application regarding all these attributes. Comparison between the date palm cultivars, Khadrawy was observed superior than Zahidi regarding aforesaid parameters. The interaction of both factors showed positive impact of 4 g L^-1 pollen suspension concentration when applied to cultivar Khadrawy, which was closely followed by 3 g L^-1 application. It is therefore, concluded from the present research that although the application of 4 g L^-1 pollen suspension treatment gave the best results in both cultivars, application of 3 g L^-1 pollen suspension can also be practiced at a minimal compromise on date palm yield and quality for both cultivars.

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 814, Cameroon. Department of Agriculture, Livestock and By-Products, National Advanced School of Engineering of Maroua, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 46, Cameroon. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 454, Cameroon.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.04

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Abstract: Comparing the foraging behaviour and the pollination efficiency of honey bee (Apis mellifera) with a carpenter bee (Xylocopa olivacea) in the farmer garden of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) was conducted in Maroua (Cameroun) in 2016 and 2017. Several foraging parameters were assessed for each bee species during the blooming period of watermelon and comparisons were made between fruit and seed yields from four pollination treatments on female flowers including the no bee visit treatment (T₀), the one bee visit treatment for A. mellifera (T₁) and X. olivacea (T₂) and the unrestricted treatment (T₃). Results showed an important difference in the rhythm of activity between the two bee species with a peak of floral activity of X. olivacea at 07:00-08:00 a.m. time interval and that of A. mellifera at 09:00-10:00 a.m. A. mellifera was prominent than X. olivacea regarding the frequency of floral visits in 2016 (77.74 and 22.26 %) and in 2017 (81.28 and 18.72 %) and the density of individuals per 1000 flowers in 2016 (442/1000 flowers and 97/1000 flowers) and in 2017 (476/1000 flowers and 88/1000 flowers). Despite the higher foraging intensity of A. mellifera compared with that of X. olivacea, the carpenter bee was a more efficient pollinator than the honey bee. Indeed, the mean treatments for fruiting rate, mean fruit weight, mean fruit diameter, and mean mature seeds per fruit of watermelon were higher on the one visit basis in T₂ than T₁. Moreover, the unrestricted treatment T₃ produced fruit with the best marketable value than restricted treatments T₂, T₁, and T₀. X. olivacea should be associated with A. mellifera in a watermelon field to optimize the pollination of this crop for obtaining improved yields. Considering very high pollinating efficiency of X. olivacea, the means of conservation must be developed for this solitary bee which appeared in this work as a synergistic or alternative pollinator of the honey bee within a watermelon farm.

Department of Plant Pathology, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003, India,

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.05

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Abstract: The aim of the research was to identify the emerging rust disease in fig cultivation. In commercial orchards in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India, trees infected with rust exhibited reddish-brown angular leaf spots on their upper surfaces while their lower leaf surfaces contained numerous orange to reddish, rust pustules. An intensive survey was conducted to determine the incidence and severity of rust in fig orchards of the different districts of the Western Ghats and found that the incidence was very severe (100 %) in Pannaikadu, Dindigul district. To confirm the pathogen and its infection module, scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze these rust pustules and their anatomy. Based on the microscopy study, the subjected pathogen was identified as Cerotelium fici, this is the first detailed report of C. fici infection on fig plants in India.

Department of Plant Sciences, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal - 576104, Karnataka. India. Department of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal - 576104, Karnataka. India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.06

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Abstract: The pre-treatment of seeds with physical and chemical agents or exposure to different temperatures improves the viability and germination of seeds. The current study was aimed to explore the consequence of various pre-treatments on in vitro seed germination percentage of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) var. Mattu Gulla. The seeds were pre-treated with Helium-Neon (He-Ne) laser (632.8 nm, 7.1 mW with a power density of 4.0198 mW/cm²), low and high temperatures, acid and alkali. The pre-treated seeds were surface sterilized and germinated aseptically on Murashige and Skoog medium and incubated at 25±2 ºC with 16 h photoperiod. A positive effect of the pre-treatments on germination percentage was observed for He-Ne laser (30 J/cm²), low temperature (4 and -20 °C) and sulphuric acid (30 %). The low temperature pre-treatments were significantly improved the germination of Mattu Gulla seeds while alkali pre-treatment with potassium hydroxide (2.5, 5.3 and 7.6 M KOH) showed inhibitory effect on in vitro seed germination. Thus, the study revealed the integral role of pre-treatment especially with low level laser irradiation and low temperature treatment for the augmented in vitro seed germination of brinjal variety.

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong Dubai, Dubai, UAE.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.01

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Abstract: This paper summarizes the implementation of a vertical Micro-Farm that uses a WiFi network to communicate with sensors and actuators from multiple nodes. It addresses the issue of ordinary vertical farms, which require the user to monitor it occasionally to provide fertilizer and water. The system can be easily configured to automatically control supply of nutrients, water and light requirements for various plant types through a web enabled Interface. The web dashboard can further provide complex analysis of the whole system by collecting values from different sensors. The designed vertical farm system is power efficient, self-sustained, and can be setup easily by the user as each vertical rack acts as a single node or module. The user only needs to plant the seeds and fill up the tanks. Due to the modular approach, the system is also scalable without requirement of more complicated materials or wiring.

Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Bakrajo, 46001, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.07

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Abstract: In order to study the effects of four IBA concentrations [0, 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg L^-1], and three substrate pH levels [pH 5, 7 and 9] on rooting of hardwood cuttings of peach cv. Red May, experiment were conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sulaimani/ Kurdistan,Iraq, . The experiment was laid down in a factorial RCBD with three replications. Comparison among means was done using Duncan’s multiple range test (P?0.05). Rooting and callusing percentage, root number, root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot length, shoot diameter, leaf number, leaf area, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight were examined. The highest rooting percentage (40 %) was achieved from 2000 mg L^-1 IBA. However, effects of IBA levels were not significant on callusing. Control gave no rooting and other root traits. Effects of the IBA concentration on vegetative traits were not different with each other except shoot diameter and leaf number. Shoot diameter and leaf number were the highest (1.12 mm and 4.51, respectively) at 2000 mg L^-1 IBA. Rooting and other parameters were the best in pH 5 and 7 substrates. Substrate pH 9 gave minimum rooting and other parameters. Effects of interactions between the two factors showed that cuttings treated with 2000 mg L^-1 IBA and planted in pH 7 substrate gave the highest (60 %) rooting percentage, and cuttings dipped in 1000 mg L^-1 IBA and planted in pH 7 substrate gave the best other root traits. Interaction effects of the two factors on shoot traits showed that the maximum shoot traits were observed at interaction between 2000 mg L^-1 IBA and pH 5 substrate.

Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Lucknow (U.P.) - 226002, India. Central Institute for Sub-tropical Horticulture, Lucknow- 243122, India. Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur, Rajasthan – 304022, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.08

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Abstract: Cumin wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cumini is one of the most destructive diseases responsible for causing even up to 60 per cent yield losses in cumin belt of India. Due to the soil inhabiting and seed borne nature with aggressive sporulation ability of the pathogen, sustainable and effective management of this disease using cultural practices and chemical methods is tedious. However, the uses of resistant varieties as well as novel biocontrol agents offer more economic and environmental friendly method of management which can be integrated with regulated chemical methods to achieve maximum disease suppression. Therefore, in the present study Trichoderma spp. isolated from banana rhizosphere of wilt suppressive and salt affected soils of Uttar Pradesh were characterized using morphological and molecular methods. The isolates were evaluated for their antagonistic potential against the pathogen F. oxysporum f. sp. cumini through dual culture assay. Out of 21 Trichoderma isolates screened, three isolates viz., CSR-T-2, CSR-T-3 and CSR-T-4 showed significant inhibition of F. oxysporum f. sp. cumini with 62.65, 79.85 and 84.31 per cent inhibition, respectively. The three promising isolates were characterized morphologically on the basis of their colony characters on different culture media as well as microconidia size, setae, colour, hyphae, chlamydospores etc. The molecular identification for confirmation of. sp.cies status of these isolates were done by sequencing ribosomal RNA using ITS1 and ITS4 universal primers. The 3 isolates viz., CSR-T-2, CSR-T-3 and CSR-T-4 were identified as T. koningiopsis (KJ812401), T. reesei (MH997668) and T. asperellum (MN227242), respectively. In the present study the isolate CSR-T-4 identified as T. asperellum was found to be best in inhibiting the mycelia growth of cumin wilt pathogen under in-vitro conditions and thus can be further exploited for the biological management of cumin wilt under field conditions in form of bioformulation.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramagirikhilla, Peddapalli, Telangana State, India-505212.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.09

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Abstract: India is the leading country for growing chilli with highest area, production, consumption and also for export. Telangana State is the second largest producer in India. Due to high fluctuations in market price and high cost of cultivation coupled with lower yields are leading to frequent low profits and even loss to the farmer. Targeting high profits, a new chilli variety, LCA-620 was assessed in the farmer’s field for three consecutive years from 2016-17 to 2018-19 in Karimnagar district of Telangana State, India. Higher yields were recorded in the variety as identified by longer fruit length and high dry weight of fruit as critical factors. With overall superior performance by recording 9.6 % of yield increase and 4.5 % of cost saving, 28.6 % of high net return was achieved in the new variety, LCA-620 over control (Teja) with high B:C ratio of 2.3 compared to control (1.96).

Department of Crop Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al Khoud 123, Sultanate of Oman. Department of Soils, Water and Agricultural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al Khoud 123, Sultanate of Oman.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.10

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Abstract: Salinity is a major environmental factor limiting agricultural production in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Capillary barrier (CB) created from substrate structuring is a technique that can potentially be used to mitigate salinity, however, little has been done to evaluate the use of structured potting media for this purpose. This study evaluated the effects of CB structured potting media on the growth and physiology of marigold under salinity stress. These configurations used the following substrates: vermiculite (V), perlite (P), sand (S), and peat moss (PM) that were stacked in a pot in three layers from top to bottom: V-P-V, V-S-V, and V-P-PM. Four salinity levels of irrigation water were applied to each of the three configurations that included (Control (Desalinated, ECi ? 0.6 dS m^-1), 3 dS m^-1, 6 dS m^-1, and 9 dS m^-1). The results showed that salinity adversely affects the vegetative, reproductive and physiological parameters of marigold. However, the best growth of marigolds was for those grown in the layered V-S-V media. The layered V-S-V media was the best media among the tested media that can mitigate salinity stress of marigold. The outcome from this study is important for farmers and nursery growers in many arid areas where saline water is the only available irrigation source.

Horticultural Research Institute- Agricultural Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.11

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Abstract: This study was carried out from 2016 to 2017 at Agricultural Research Center, Cairo, Egypt. From former evaluation work on several inbred lines of melon, eight inbred lines were chosen as parents for 4 crosses, viz., RIL D51 × RIL 154 (C. melo var. cantaloupensis, galia type), RIL Mg₅ × RIL 148 (C. melo var. cantaloupensis, charentais type), RIL A10 × RIL A5 (C. melo var. ananas) and RIL Si819 × RIL Ab11 (C. melo var. aegyptiaca) to interpret the genetics of fruit flesh colour. Parental, F₁, F_1r, F₂ and BCs populations of each cross were sown in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replicates in the 2017 early summer season in open field using a drip-irrigation system. One pair of genes governed the fruit flesh colour character in all the four crosses. The type of dominance was no dominance of the dark green over orange flesh colour or the reverse in the first hybrid, complete dominance of the reddish orange over dark green flesh colour in the second hybrid, partial dominance of the white over orange flesh colour in the third hybrid and complete dominance of the orange over greenish white flesh colour in the fourth hybrid. Mid and better parent heterosis values were 0.00 and -15.50 % in the first hybrid, 25.00 and 0.00 % in the second hybrid, -57.89 and – 77.46 in the third hybrid and 44.90 and 0.00 % in the fourth one, respectively. Hundred percent broad sense heritability (BSH) was recorded in the four hybrids, but narrow sense heritability (NSH) differed from moderate to elevated, being 36.5, 72.15, 28.48 and 26.46 % in the first, second, third and fourth hybrids, respectively. These results proved that melon flesh colour is influenced by genotypic variability. Also, the melon flesh colour inheritance was complex and this may be due to flesh colour gene has multiple alleles (polygenic inheritance).

Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran, Department of Water Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran, ³Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.12

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Abstract: ‘Granny Smith’, a variety of apple is susceptible to superficial scald. Superficial scald is one of the most controversial post-harvest physiological disorders. At the moment there is no complete documented information about the pre-harvest factors responsible for its induction, symptom development and control methods. Accordingly, this study was to examine the possible link between the disorder and qualitative indicators of environmental changes, particularly humidity during early fruit growth and cell division. The study was conducted in a commercial orchard in Abyek region, Alborz-Iran in 2014. Examined trees were 7 year-olds and grafted onto seedling rootstocks. On-tree water spray was done during full bloom, 17 May till 6 June, in four levels including 0-day, 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day water spray. Fruits were harvested 160 days after full bloom (DAFB) and stored in a commercial chamber (5±2?C) in four levels including: 0-day (before storage), 30-day, 60-day and 90-day of cold storage. Superficial scald severity in the 0-day water spray samples was 91.7 % after 60- and 90-day storage, while all three water spray treatment regime significantly reduced it after 60- and 90-day storage. The 14-day water spray was significantly more effective in reducing the incidence of superficial scald which was 91 % after 60-day and 75 % after 90-day storage. The highest firmness (9.5 kg cm^-2) was observed before storage. The highest SSC was observed in the 7-day water spray and before the storage. Interestingly, on-tree water spray considerably decreased superficial scald and/or delayed its severity during mid- and long-term storage.

Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani 695 522, Kerala, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.13

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Abstract: The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different levels of fertigation and drip irrigation on yield and quality of watermelon. Fertigation treatments were 75, 100 and 125 % recommended dose of fertilizer (RD). Irrigation treatments were 0.6 and 0.8 evapotranspiration (ET) rates. One control was taken with surface irrigation and conventional soil application of fertilizers. Levels of fertigation and irrigation exerted significant influence on number of fruits plant^-1 and yield plant^-1. Total yield was highest at 100 % RD (91.1 t ha^-1) compared to 125 % RD (80.13 t ha^-1). Fertigation at 100 % RD recorded highest number of fruits which was on par with 125 % RD. There was increase in number of fruits plant^-1 and fruit yield with increase in irrigation level from 0.6 to 0.8 ET. Fertigation at 100 % RD recorded the highest yield of 8.51 kg plant^-1. Fertigation and irrigation levels had no influence on fruit weight. TSS, lycopene, ascorbic acid and sugar contents did not increase with deficit irrigation of 0.6 ET.

Departement of Agroecotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.14

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Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the pepper yellow leaf curl disease (PepYLCD) caused by begomovirus at different elevations on the percentage of growth and yield reduction in chili (Capsicum annuum L.) plants. The study was conducted in farmer’s field at Lambeugak (lowland) with the latitude of 30 meter above sea level (m asl) and Saree (middleland) with the latitude of 485 m asl of Aceh Province, Northern Sumatera, Indonesia. The samples selection was obtained using the Purpose Sampling method. Data collection were devided into 2 clusters where the first cluster samples were choosen randomly from 600 plants (300 plants for lowland and 300 plants for middleland) for the disease incident percentage and second cluster samples were choosen randomly from first cluster, each field consisted of 30 plants (15 virus-symptomatic plants and 15 non-virus symptomatic plants) for the reduction of growth and yield percentage. PepYLCD incidence in lowland reached 100 % at 120 day after transplanting (DPT), whereas in middleland it occurred at 150 DPT. At 45 DPT virus-symptomatic plants at lowland encountered higher reduction percentage of growth than the middleland plants, including height of plant (43.6 %) and stem diameter (31.1 %). The yield of virus-symptomatic plants in lowlands encountered higher loss than the middleland plants, including the number of fruits per plant (53.6 %) and productivity (72.6 %). The reduction of growth and yield was also suspected to be the impact of temperature differences that the average and maximum temperatures of lowland (27.68 and 35.53 ^oC) was higher than the middleland (25.36 and 30.17 ^oC) during the experimental period. Our present study showed that the escalation of PepYLCD incidence was affected by environmental factors which reduced the growth and yield of chili plants.

Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari - 396 450, Gujarat, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.15

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Abstract: The stability analysis of 26 diverse genotypes of marigold (Tagetes spp.) carried out over three different environments, revealed that the differences among genotypes and environments were highly significant for all the characters when tested against both pooled error as well as pooled deviation. The analysis further revealed that component of G x E (linear) had most contribution for plant height, number of secondary branches per plant, days to first flowering, flower diameter, flower weight, number of flowers per plant and flower yield per plant indicating significant differences among the genotypes for their regression on environmental indices. Considering the three stability parameters, Local Selection 13 for flower yield (414.40 g/plant); F₁ White Dwarf, Local Selection 2 and Namdhari African Orange for earliness and Local Selection 9, Local Selection 14 and Local Selection 13 for individual flower weight were identified as promising genotypes for further improvement programme.

Agribusiness and Rural Development (ARD) Department, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah City 46011, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah City 46011, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.02

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Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the effect of different fertigation levels and intervals on growth, yield and flower quality of red cut rose (hybrid tea rose) under a semi-controlled condition at the Horticulture Department, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani. The experiment was laid out in RCBD design with six fertigation treatments, each with three replicates. The fertigation treatments comprised of 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/L of compound fertilizer (NPK+micro-nutrients) with two intervals (1 and 2 weeks). The results indicated that fertigation rate of 1.5 g/L and 1 g/L increased the flower yield and quality of flower significantly. Additionally, the main and interaction effects of fertigation rates and intervals was clearly observed in this study.