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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.

Department of Botany, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli - 620 024, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.16

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Abstract: This study demonstrates the morphogenic potential of Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb, a traditional medicinal plant of the family Fabaceae/ Caesalpinaceae. The present study was designed to examine the effect of phytohormones on plant regeneration from epicotyl and hypocotyl explants of C. bonduc. The dormancy of the seeds was overcomed by acid scarification._. Of the two explants tested, 92 percent frequency of shoot regeneration and maximum number of shoots (3.6 ± 0.3), were noticed from the epicotyl explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with 6-benzyladenine (BA) 3.0 mg/L, Indole– 3- acetic acid (IAA) 1.0 mg/L and Poly vinyl pyrrolidone 100 mg/L at pH 5.8. Elongated shoots were individually rooted on half strength MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/L Indole -3-butric acid (IBA) and exhibited 93 % frequency of root development. The in vitro raised plantlets were potted and acclimatized under culture condition for four weeks and transferred to the green house. This efficient protocol will be helpful for propagation of woody climber plants belongs to the family Caesalpinaceae and could be used for genetic transformation study.

Department of Nano Science & Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, India. Department of Postharvest Science of Fresh Produce, Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), The Volcani Center, Bet-Dagan 5025001, Israel.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2019.v21i03.29

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Abstract: Abscission of plant organs is a key process during plant life cycle and prerequisite factor involved in limiting the spread of disease, shedding of un-pollinated flowers and facilitates dispersal of seeds. In agricultural context, abscission may become a major limiting factor for crop productivity. The organs abscise at a specific position called abscission zone (AZ) and it is one of the prime traits to be manipulated during the crop improvement process towards the selection of reduced abscission lines. The tomato abscission polygalacturonase (TAPG) genes are abscission induced polygalacturonases and specifically induced in the AZ, which plays a major role in AZ separation. The current study had accentuated to identify the entire polygalacturonase gene families in tomato AZs, through AZ specific customized microarray. The results revealed that TAPG1, 2, 5, 7 and TPG6, PS2 genes were specifically induced and continuously over-expressed linearly along with abscission progression in tomato flower AZ. Similarly, the same set of genes were up-regulated upon abscission induction at the early hours (24 h) in the leaf AZ, indicating potential involvement in organ abscission. Our study provides new insights for the regulation of the early events in the process of tomato organ abscission and a novel trait for molecular breeding.

Mahyco Research Centre, Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company Private Limited, Aurangabad-Jalna Road, Dawalwadi, Jalna, Maharashtra, 431203, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2019.v21i03.30

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Abstract: Brinjal is a popular vegetable crop in India and widely used in culinary, pickle and industrial purposes. Double haploid technique is used in vegetable crop improvement thus, reducing lengthy conventional breeding timelines to develop new improved varieties. A study was conducted to develop a robust double haploid (DH) protocol in brinjal. Six genotypes and six media combinations were tested. Two media types showed DH production in brinjal ranging from 0.34-9.27 %. Consequently, MSB-6 is recommended media for brinjal DH in light of the obtained results. Similarly, five out of six genotypes showed DH responsiveness. The genotype-wise responsiveness to anther culture ranged from 2.29 - 7.40 %. DH technique complements the plant breeder’s effort to bring new varieties in the shortest time. Therefore, the relevance of improvement in tissue culture assisted double haploidy and continuous improvement of available protocols remain relevant even after six decades of its original discovery.

Thammasat University, Thailand. Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh. Nanjng Agricultural University, China.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2019.v21i03.31

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Abstract: Shortage and inefficient use of resource in agricultural activities in Bangladesh are emphasizing to measure efficiency for increasing productivity with the highest efficiency and make sure of sustainable agricultural development. The motive of the study was to estimate technical efficiency by using stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) of brinjal and bottle gourd cultivation in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Tobit regression was applied to determine the elements affecting the efficiency and Cobb-Douglas production model was applied to pick out elements affecting the gross return of bottle gourd and brinjal. 100 (50 Brinjal +50 Bottle gourd) farmers were selected randomly as well as interviewed for collecting information through one set of questionnaires. The result revealed that bottle gourd and brinjal farmers were not perfectly efficient in Bangladesh. The mean efficiency of bottle gourd and brinjal observed 0.79 and 0.81, respectively. According to mean efficiency, farmers can be efficient in bottle gourd and brinjal farming through increasing 21 and 19 % output, respectively with on-hand resources and technologies. Tobit model suggests that the education level of farmer, training program, choosing high yielding variety and the size of the farm have an effect on farmers� efficiency positively and significantly. In addition, we observed that human labor cost, seed cost, irrigation cost, fertilizers cost, and pesticides and insecticides cost have a significant positive impact on bottle gourd and brinjal production.

Department of Botany, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India- 620 024.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2019.v21i03.32

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Abstract: It is believed and essential that efforts should be made to develop protocols for vulnerable medicinal plants so as to develop new or more safe drugs. In this study, a rapid efficient plant propagation through direct shoot tip explant of Celastrus paniculatus Willd, a medicinal vulnerable plant (belonging to the family Celastraceae), was undertaken. Half strength Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with GA₃ showed maximum percentage (82.4 ± 0.50) embryo response through embryo rescue method. Shoot tip explants were transferred from cotyledonary node and inoculated to shoot induction medium supplemented with cytokinin (BAP, TDZ and Kin) and highest response (87 ± 0.70) with 3.8 shoot number was achieved in BAP 1.0 mg L^-1. Shoot multiplication was achieved with combination of BAP (1 mg L^-1) with meta - Topolin (1 mg L^-1) showed highest response (91.0±1.10) with 10.2 shoots within 10 days after inoculation. The in vitro regenerated shoots were transferred carefully to the half strength and full-strength MS medium supplemented with GA₃ (0.1 to 0.5 mg L^-1) for the elongation. The in vitro elongated shoots were treated with different auxins (IAA, IBA and NAA) individually for early rooting and treated shoots were transferred to the half strength MS medium. At the concentration IBA (0.3 mg L^-1), 91 % rooting was observed. The regenerated plantlets were acclimatized in pots containing sterilized soil and sand in 3:1 ratio and plantlets were then transferred to the field conditions. Ninty percent of the regenerants survived well. The result of the present study reveals the pioneer report on in vitro plant regeneration of C. paniculatus Willd. by using shoot tip explants.