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Department of Floriculture and Landscaping,Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i02.25

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Abstract: A field experiment was carried out in Entisol soil at Horticulture Research Station, BCKV, Nadia to study the response of integrated plant nutrient supply system on gerbera under poly house condition. Different combinations of chemical fertilizer (100, 75 and 50% RDF), organic manure (FYM and vermicompost) and bio-fertilizer (Azoztobacter and PSB) were evaluated in Randomized Block Design. Healthy disease free tissue culture gerbera plants with uniform growth were planted in the bed of a size 10 x 1 m with a spacing of 50 x 50 cm. The growth attributes, flowering characteristics, flowering quality (stalk length and flower size) was improved under the treatment receiving 75% RDF along with FYM, vermicompost and Azotobacter + PSB. The maximum numbers of flower with longest shelf life in field condition and vase life in room condition can be harvested with combined application of 75% RDF, FYM, vermicompost along with or without Azotobacter + PSB. The bio-fertilizer had significant role in flower quality improvement.

Department of Horticulture (Fruit and Fruit Technology), Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India- 813210. Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India- 110012.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i02.26

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Abstract: Citrus is one of the most economically important fruit crops in the world, greatly valued as table fruit as well as in the processing industry. Among the different citrus fruits, pummelo plays a major role in the processing industry. However, the presence of a large number of seeds in pummelo greatly hinders processing quality. Therefore, induction of seedlessness in pummelo is one of the major goals around the world. Currently, irradiated pollen technique emerges as a novel tool for induction of seedlessness in any fruit. However, reduction of fruit size is a great concern in irradiated pollen technique. Hence, an experiment was conducted to study the effect of gamma ray irradiated pollen technique on fruit growth in citrus using pummelo (C. grandis (L.) Osb.) as seed parent while sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.) cv. ‘Mosambi’ and sweet lemon (C. limetta Risso) as pollen sources. Irradiation of pollen grains was performed at 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 Gray (Gy) by using ⁶⁰Co gamma ray and the experiment was laid out in complete randomized design with 5 replications. With the increased doses of irradiation, fruit growth in terms of length, diameter, weight and volume differed significantly throughout the period of observation starting from 35 days after pollination to till maturity. At maturity, maximum fruit length (387.70 mm), weight (590.27 g) and volume (885.27 cc) were recorded in C. grandis × C. limetta crosses at control while minimum fruit length (129.74 mm) and weight (211.54 g) were observed in C. grandis × C. sinensis crosses at 300 Gy. There was no fruit retention till maturity in either cross combination at 400 Gy. Among two different cross combinations, with the increased dose of irradiation, the rate of reduction in fruit growth in terms of length and weight as compared to respective control was much higher in C. grandis × C. sinensis crosses. However, for the production of marketable size fruits (not more than 300 g), irradiation of either pollen parent at 200-300 Gy was found to be the best while, doses below 200 Gy caused the production of fruits weighing more than 400 g, which do not have good market value.

Agrotechnology, Gunadarma University Jl. Margonda Raya No 100, Depok, Indonesia 16424. Department of Agronomy and Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Jl. Meranti Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor, Indonesia 16680. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Jl. Kamper, Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor, Indonesia 16680. Center for Tropical Horticulture Studies, Jl. Raya Pajajaran, Bogor, Indonesia 16144.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i02.27

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Abstract: The melon aphid or cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover) is one of the major pests of pepper. Chemical based crop protection is the major way to control aphid until now. The use of resistant varieties may help to reduce the use of insecticides, together with Integrated Pest Management. The objective of this research was to identify the antixenosis and antibiosis based resistance of melon aphids in several pepper genotypes that may be explored as sources of resistance in aphid resistance breeding program of pepper. We used choice and no-choice test, and detached leaf based experiments. Antixenosis based resistance was detected as shown by significant number of aphid per leaf, total aphid per plant, and total winged aphid per plant. Antibiosis based resistance was also detected as shown by significant difference in longevity time, reproduction time, number of aphid progeny per day, and the fecundity of the melon aphid among genotypes.

Faculty of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, 10520, Thailand.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i02.28

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Abstract: This study examined fumigation toxicity of 18 medicinal plant essential oils (EOs) against adult of aphid (Aphid gossypii) and whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). Then, non-target effects of the EO mixtures on physiological changes of eggplant (Solanum melongena) were tested. The insecticidal property and physiological toxicity of the fumigation formulas were also examined and compared to methyl bromide (MB) fumigation. The results showed that the eggplant fumigated with clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) EOs mixture at the ratio of 1:3 (Cl1Le3) showed no significant physiological changes when compared to the control treatment. The formula resulted in similarly high mortalities (82-100%) of both insects when compared to MB. However, MB fumigation caused complete senescence appeared before day 3 observations. On the contrary, the eggplant fumigated with Cl1Le3 at 3 µL/L air showed no differences in the physiological changes when compared to the control throughout the 9-day examinations.

Department of Horticulture, University of Georgia, 1111 Miller Plant Science Building, Athens, GA 30602. 111 Fieldstone Farms Dr. Coweta, GA 30278,

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i02.29

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Abstract: Inoculation techniques were evaluated for the transmission of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV) to susceptible squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) variety, Gentry. Two different types of airbrush sprayers (gravity fed and siphon fed) were evaluated in comparison to the standard method of rub inoculating leaves dusted with carborundum abrasive. In addition, the number of inoculations (1-3) with the airbrush sprayers and whether the carborundum dust was directly applied to leaves or mixed with the inoculum were also evaluated. The standard method consistently had high infection rates of 90% or greater, whereas the airbrush sprayers had inoculation rates of 30%-97%. Whether the carborundum was dusted or applied in the inoculum solution had no impact on infection rate. The greater the number of inoculations the greater the infection rate in two out of three experiments. In conclusion, the airbrush sprayer may be helpful during preliminary screening; however, it should not be relied on as the sole method of inoculation.

Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Karaikal, Puducherry - 609603.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i02.30

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Abstract: To evaluate the efficiency of tank silt with organic manures, pot culture experiment was conducted at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Karaikal on Sorakudy soil series using okra as test crop with 13 treatments. Wherein, absolute control and application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) was compared with the application of tank silt (TS) alone @ 2 t ha^-1 and different organic manures viz., press mud (PM), sewage sludge (SS), water hyacinth compost (WHC), FYM and spent wash (SW). The same set of treatments were repeated with 100% RDF. The results revealed that fruit yield was higher with TS+PM+ remaining through fertilizer (RTF) and it was comparable with RDF, TS+RTF, TS+SS+RDF and TS+PM+RDF. With regard to the quality of fruits, the chlorophyll and ascorbic acid content was higher in TS+WHC+RDF and TS+PM+RDF, respectively. The mucilage content was more with TS+SW+RDF. The absolute control treatment recorded the highest crude fibre content and physiological loss in weight (PLW). The study revealed that addition of this organo mineral amendments could positively influence the yield and quality of okra when applied over and above the 100% RDF rather than accounting their nutrient contribution during fertilization.

Department of Botany, Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra, Haryana, 136119.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i02.31

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Abstract: The dominant AMF Glomus mosseae (G) and Acaulospora laevis (A) were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Z. elegans Jacq. and mass produced in laboratory for further studies. A pot experiment was performed to see the interactive potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (G. mosseae and A. laevis) alone or in combination with Trichoderma viride (T) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (P) on Z. elegans under glass house conditions. The experiment were conducted in a factorial arrangement based completely randomized design with five replicates. Various morphological (plant height, shoot biomass, root biomass, root length, leaf area, flower number, diameter) and biochemical attributes (chlorophyll, carotenoids, flower anthocyanin content, P content, total sugar, starch and protein content) were measured after 60 days. The results indicated a variation in growth response of Z. elegans with different treatments. AMF alone or in combination helped in increasing the different parameters of Z. elegans. The combination of G+A showed maximum increase of growth parameters followed by G+T and G+A+P. Consortium inoculation of bioinoculants plants with G+A+T+P treatment proved to be the best treatment for total proteins and total chlorophyll content while flower anthocyanin content was best in G+A treatment. AMF promotes higher AM colonization and spore number enhancing nutrient acquisition especially phosphorus, producing plant growth hormones resulting in an improvement of rhizospheric condition of soil, altering the physiological and biochemical properties of Z. elegans. Based on different parameters studied, G. mosseae was found to be an efficient bioinoculant as compared to A. laevis for growth enhancement of Z. elegans.

Date palm Research Center of Excellence, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, Central Laboratory for Date palm Research and Development, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i02.16

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Abstract: The rational of the study was to determine the effect of different concentrations of sucrose (20 and 40 g/L) and activated charcoal (0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/L) alone (control) and in combinations on the somatic embryogenesis of date palm cv. Sukkary. The results of two-factorial (sucrose and activated charcoal) randomized complete design indicated that no embryogenesis growth occurred when MS media was used without the addition of carbon source. The individual and combined effects of 40 g/L sucrose and 1 g/L activated charcoal produced sturdy embryogenesis and its related traits. The use of 40 g/L sucrose caused significant improvement in the number of somatic embryos (49.92), length of somatic embryos (1.08 cm), fresh weight of somatic embryos (1.54 g), dry weight of somatic embryos (0.148 g), germination of somatic embryos (4.92), and length of leaflets (2.14 cm). Similarly, use of 1 g/L of activated charcoal significantly increased the number (42.89), length (0.99 cm), fresh weight (1.29 g), dry weight (0.156 g), germination (3.22) of somatic embryos, and length of leaflets (1.47 cm) as compared to other treatments. Results also showed that the combined application of 40 g/L sucrose and 1 g/L activated charcoal significantly enhanced the number of somatic embryos (69.67), length of somatic embryos (1.37 cm), fresh weight of somatic embryos (2.18 g), dry weight of somatic embryos (0.262 g), germination of somatic embryos (6.33), and length of leaflets (2.57 cm) as compared to other treatment combinations. However, the same sucrose level with 0.5 g/L activated charcoal concentration also showed promising results.

Faculty of Agriculture, Ryukoku University, Otsu 529-2194, Japan, (Former affiliation, Kyoto Prefectural University). Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyoto 606-8522, Japan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i02.17

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Abstract: Anthocyanins are natural pigments distributed widely among higher plants. Anthocyanins in plant-derived food are also important nutrient constituents, due to their dietary health benefits. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop grown worldwide, many with anthocyanins in their fruit tissues, but the pigmentation varies specially in the popular purple tomato. To develop tomatoes with a high anthocyanin content, we conducted cultivation experiments under natural temperature and sunlight conditions using two purple cherry tomato cultivars ‘Toscana Violet’ and ‘Blue Bingo’ and an ordinary cherry tomato cultivar ‘Amakko’ as a control to clarify problems which we may encounter during year-round cultivation of purple tomatoes. The content of anthocyanins was high in the tomatoes cultivated in the winter but extremely low in those cultivated in the summer. These findings suggested that the high temperature in summer may cause poor anthocyanin production resulting in less pigmented fruits, although the yield of fruits itself is not be affected greatly. Furthermore, treatment of ‘Blue Bingo’ fruits at late growth and maturation stage by a night (8 h)-and-day (16 h) temperature regime of 15-22 ?C resulted in marked accumulation of anthocyanins in skin and outer pericarp of the fruits, but those of 20-27 ?C and 25-32 ?C had no or little accumulation.

College of Agriculture, Universitas Sriwijaya, Inderalaya 30662, Indonesia. Graduate School, Universitas Sriwijaya, Palembang 30139, Indonesia. STIPER Sriwigama, Palembang 30137, Indonesia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i01.03

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Abstract: Non-destructive measurement of leaf area (LA) is preferred in growth analysis and plant physiological studies. Many regression-based models have been developed for estimating LA using leaf length (L), leaf width (W), or imaginary rectangle of L x W (LW) as predictor or independent variable. Objective of this study was to develop and validate appropriate regression models for estimating snap bean trifoliate LA using easily measured L, W, or calculated LW. Snap bean used in this research was PV072 cultivar. Trifoliate-leaf samples were purposively collected from different individual plants, to represent wide range of leaf sizes, from the smallest leaf with fully open blade to the largest available leaf. Snap bean trifoliate leaf consists of three leaflets. The sampled leaves were alternately divided into two subgroups, based on length of terminal leaflet, for developing and validating LA estimation models. Linear, quadratic, and power regressions were evaluated for their appropriateness to be used for estimating LA. Intercept (a) was forced to zero to make the models more geometrically realistic. Results of this research indicated that: (1) zero-intercept quadratic and power regression models performed well if length of leaflet (Lt) or width of leaflet (Wt) was used as predictor, whereas zero-intercept linear model was appropriate and geometrically-sound if imaginary rectangular Lt x Wt (LtWt) was used for estimating surface area of both terminal and side leaflets (LtA); (2) for a practical, fast, and accurate estimation of LA, LtWt of terminal leaflet was the recommended option among other single or combination of predictors; and (3) recommended empirical model for LA estimation of snap bean trifoliate leaf is LA = 1.5198 LtWt.

Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Shimane University, Matsue, Shimane 690-8504, Japan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i01.04

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Abstract: Changes in the incidence of fruit cracking, yield, number, and characteristics of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Japan over a 20-years period were investigated. Ten cultivars released in Japan during this period were compared in a short-term experiment conducted from fall through winter in hydroponics. The incidence of fruit cracking in cherry tomato cultivars decreased gradually with year of release from 1987-2009. The incidence of fruit cracking was negatively correlated with fruit yield and number among the 10 cultivars tested. With regard to fruit characteristics, the incidence of fruit cracking was negatively correlated with the fruit weight, the ratio of flesh weight to locular gel weight (F/G), and thickness of exocarp and mesocarp, but not with the flesh weight, soluble solid content or firmness of exocarp and mesocarp among the 10 cultivars tested. These results indicated that, by breeding in cherry tomato cultivars released in Japan over the past two decades, the decreased incidence of fruit cracking was related to the increase in the fruit yield and number per plant, and to the increase in fruit weight and F/G, in association with an increase in the total volume of water inflow into fruits.

College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (CAVM), University of Rwanda. P.O. Box 210 Musanze, Rwanda. Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University. P. O. Box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i01.05

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Abstract: Two greenhouse experiments were conducted in Finlays, Lemotit Flower Farm, Kenya to determine the effect of bioslurry and plant biostimulant Hicure^® on yield, quality and vase life of carnation. The experiments were laid in split plot embedded in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Four levels of bioslurry: 0, 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 L m^-2 were applied in the main plot while four levels of Hicure^®: 0, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 L ha^-1 were used in the sub-plot. Results showed that bioslurry or plant biostimulant did not have a significant effect on carnation’s flower yield, weight, flower stem length and flower stem diameter. However, the interaction of bioslurry and plant biostimulant particularly at the rate of 0.5 L m^-2 and 3 L ha^-1 significantly improved the flower stem length by 1.11 cm as compared to control. The application of bioslurry significantly improved the flower head size in second trial from 21.09 mm in control to 21.68 mm, 21.81 mm and 21.90 mm for the carnation’s flower head diameter and from 40.34 mm in control to 40.96 mm, 40.97 mm and 40.88 mm for the carnation’s flower head length, respectively for the rate of 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 L m^-2. The flower head diameter was significantly improved from 22.12 mm in control to 22.32 mm, 22.30 mm and 22.40 mm by respective application of Hicure^® at the rate of 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 L ha^-1 during first trial. Their interaction also improved the flower head length in second trial. Application of bioslurry had no significant effect on the vase life while plant biostimulant at the rates of 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 L ha^-1 significantly reduced the vase life by two days in first trial and one day in second trial. It was concluded that application of bioslurry at the rate of 0.5 L m^-2 and plant biostimulant Hicure^® at the rate 3 L ha^-1 can therefore, be adopted for improvement of carnation quality parameters such as stem length and flower head size.

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Cranberry Experiment Station, 1 State Bog Rd, P.O. Box 569, East Wareham, MA 02538. Seed Savers Exchange, 3094 North Winn Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101. Alabama State University, Department of Physical Sciences, 915 S. Jackson St. Montgomery, AL 36104.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i01.01

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Abstract: Yellow vine (YV) on cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) is a symptom of stress that might reduce upright net photosynthetic carbon assimilation (A) through both, stomatal effects, which reduce the internal CO₂ concentration (Ci), and nonstomatal factors. This study evaluated the shade effects on reversing the effects of YV symptoms in chlorophyll and nutrient content, and uprights gas exchange. Shaded vines were affected in the same way as unshaded yellow vines and their net photosynthetic carbon assimilation was not affected by stomatal activity in contrast with the normal green vines. However, A was not limited by stomatal activity ? 250 mmol m^-2 s^-1. Chlorophyll a concentration was positively correlated with A (r = 0.53 P? 0.05), shaded and YV had significantly lower total chlorophyll concentration relative to normal vines. Chlorophyll b was less affected by YV symptoms. Plant tissue were collected in autumn and analyzed for individual nutrient composition. Manganese levels were excessive in all samples; this was especially true for yellow vines, suggesting that the yellow vines may be under more water stress. Shading yellow vines did not change their nutrient composition relative to unshaded yellow vines. It is plausible that excess water on the bog is the major cause of the yellow vine as growers have a cultural practice of applying 25 mm of irrigation water a week regardless of the evaporative demand or field capacity.

Natural Resources Department, Institute of African Research and Studies, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Ornamental Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i01.06

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Abstract: A pot experiment, conducted during 2014 and 2015 seasons in completely randomized factorial design to determine the effect of natural extracts, foliar spray of Moringa leaves extract (1:30), humic acid (10%), seaweed (2%), Hogland nutrient solution and tap water as control, on growth characteristics (plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves/plant, number of branches/plant, root length, and total dry weight of plant parts (roots, shoots and flowers), floral and chemical characteristics of Lagerstroemia indica grown at various sea salt concentrations (0, 3.12, 6.25 and, 9.37 dS/m) showed that by increasing sea salt concentrations, all growth characteristics, inflorescence number/plant and, inflorescence diameter decreased significantly, while, the number of days to inflorescence increased. Total chlorophylls, carotenoid contents, total carbohydrates and N, P, K%. Meanwhile, proline content, total soluble phenols, Na, Ca, and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase) increased at the high level of salinity (9.37 dS/m). The usage of the Moringa leaf extract significantly improved growth, inflorescence, as well as chemical characteristics, but also, decreased significantly Na under the adverse conditions of the studied sea salt stress. Moringa leaf extract could promote growth and protect crape myrtle plants against injuries by sea salt stress and being safe and cheap can substitute inorganic or chemical fertilizer.

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Floriculture Improvement Programme, Vegetable / Floriculture Department, National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), P.M.B. 5432, Ibadan, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i01.07

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Abstract: Conventional vegetative propagation of flamingo flower (Anthurium andraeanum Lind.) is time consuming while commercial quantities can take years to develop. Hence, determination of a suitable and available potting media/ potting media mixes to provide solution to its propagation and flowering challenge is imperative. The growth response and sustainability of flamingo flower in different growth media were evaluated under nursery conditions between late planting season of 2011 (September) to early planting season of 2012 (February). Second planting was during the early planting season (June) to late planting season of 2012 (December) in the screen house of the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Eight growth media viz. topsoil alone (TS) (control), topsoil + poultry manure (TSP) 3:1, sawdust + poultry manure (SP) 3:1, river sand + poultry manure (RSP) 3:1, coconut husk + poultry manure (CHP) 3:1, coconut coir + poultry manure (CcP) 3:1, maize cob + poultry manure (MCP) 3:1, oil palm empty fruit bunch + poultry manure (EFBP) 3:1 were tested. Suckers of Anthurium were planted in nursery bags arranged in a Completely Randomized Design with three (3) replicates in each planting year. Results indicated that growth media significantly affected the percentage of surviving plants. Sawdust + poultry manure (SP) (3:1) (93.33 %) was similar to those in coconut coir + poultry manure (CcP) (3:1) (80.00 %). Plants in the medium, coconut coir + poultry manure (CcP) (3:1) (7.33) were the better as compared to all the others in both planting years in terms of visual quality at 85 days after planting (85 DAP). Flower production in Anthurium was not significantly affected by growth media utilised in this study.