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IARI Regional Station (CHC), Amartara Cottage, Cart Road, Shimla-171004 (H.P.).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i01.13

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Abstract: A screening technique for the identification of resistant germplasm of apple (Malus spp.) and pear (Pyrus spp.) to white root rot (Dematophora necatrix Hartig) was standardized under field conditions. Rooted suckers were planted in the field during late dormancy stage (February). These were challenge inoculated when plants had established in the field and attained new growth (during the month of July) by introducing fungus inoculum multiplied on wheat grain in the rhizosphere (50 grains/ sucker). Soil moisture was maintained at the field capacity. Different species exhibited differential reaction to disease development parameters viz., mycelial colonization of the infected plant parts, rate of wilting, defoliation, necrosis on the bark, wood and vascular region. Necrosis on the leaves was observed as first symptom of disease expression which took 10 days after the inoculation in susceptible species whereas incubation period was extended in resistant species. Most of the population of different susceptible host species collapsed within 30 days of inoculation. The mortality rate varied with species. The technique evolved is easy, quick, reliable and capable of creating required disease pressure under field conditions for screening rootstocks against white root rot disease.

Department of Horticulture, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur 5200, Bangladesh.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i01.14

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Abstract: Effect of postharvest treatments on shelf-life and quality of litchi cvs. ‘Bombai’ and ‘Madraji’ were studied. Fruits of both the cultivars were stored in polyethylene bags, bamboo baskets with litchi leaf lining and open conditions at 5 °C and under ambient temperature for 9 days. In all the cases, fruits stored in open conditions lost weight rapidly and became unmarketable within 3 days due to rapid pericarp browning. In contrast, fruits kept in polyethylene bag had reduced weight loss and retained pericarp colour greatly during storage. Decay symptom was observed when the fruits were stored in ambient temperature either in polyethylene bags or in bamboo baskets with litchi leaf lining. However, no decay symptom was found in fruits kept at 5 °C irrespective of storage treatments. The changes in TSS, ascorbic acid and total phenolics in the aril were minimum in the treatment of polyethylene bags than that of bamboo baskets with litchi leaf lining and open conditions. Overall, fruits of both cultivars showed similar storage behavior and maintained better quality at 5 °C than ambient temperature.

NAT.43 Avenue Charles Nicole, City Mahrajene, 1082, Tunis, ISEP=BG 49 Avenue 13 Aot Choutrana II, 2036 Soukra. Tunisia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i01.02

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Abstract: The experiment consisted of hedging citrus trees of the variety Washington Navel with a planting density of 873 plants/ha. The hedge was 2.65 m high, 0.5 m wide on the upper part and 1.5 m on the lower part forming 10 degrees angle to the vertical and NE/SW orientation. The control tree was cut to a ball shape. Considering mean values of three years, hedging showed a high vegetative stretching (7.20 cm) while the control tree had a lengthening of 4.18 cm, with a growth rate of the spring shoots of 6.80 mm and 4.29 mm per day, respectively. As well, a larger spring leaf area was noted as compared to the control tree. This area was 366.55 cm² against 124.22 cm² by branch, respectively. In spite of a more severe pruning in the treatment, the fruit yield was near to that of the control (9.12 kg/tree) with a density of 873 trees/ha. No significant difference was noted for the total amount of chlorophyll between both sides of the hedge (South/East and North/West) for the non-bearing shoots (1.75 and 1.51 mg. g^-1 fresh weight, respectively) and bearing ones (1.57 and 1.51 mg/g fresh weight) contrarily to the control (non-bearing shoots 1.2 and 1.57 mg g^-1 fresh weight; bearing shoots 1.97 and 1.35 mg. g^-1 fresh weight). All stages of maturation occurred earlier in the treatment.

Department of Vegetable Production, Unidade Acadêmica de Serra Talhada, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Serra Talhada-PE, Brazi. Associação Educacional do Vale da Jurumirim, Avaré-SP, Brazil. Instituto Federal de Pernambuco, Campus Zona Rural, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Centro de Ciências Agrárias-CECA, Maceio, AL, Brazil.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2017.v19i01.15

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Abstract: Polyamines and boron spray were applied on gerbera to study their effect on the quality of flowers in potted plants of gerbera cv. ‘‘Kosak’’. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with six treatments (control, 0.8 mL^-1 boron, 2 mMol L^-1 putrescine (Put), 2 mMol L^-1 spermine (Spm), 0.8 mL^-1 boron + 2 mMol L^-1 Put and 0.8 mL^-1 boron + 2 mMol L^-1 Spm) replicated six times. Gerberas (ligules and leaves) cv. ‘‘Kosak’’ were sprayed once with 100 mL of each concentration as treatment. In all the treatments, 1 mL/100 L^-1 of a non-ionic surfactant was added to improve wetting and spray distribution. The results indicated significant effect of Put, Spm and boron on measured traits (P?0.05). Mean comparison showed that 2 mMol L^-1 Spm produced the better quality potted gerberas. It was verified that polyamines and boron was effective to delay flower senescence of gerberas ‘‘Kosak’’. However, the combination of the two substances (0.8 mL^-1 boron + 2 mMol L^-1 Put and 0.8 mL^-1 boron + 2 mMol L^-1 Spm) had non significant effect on flower shelf life.

Scuola Superiore Sant Anna, Institute of Life Science, Pisa, Italy. Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.30

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Abstract: The aim of this research was to study the involvement of weather conditions and the influence of two Prunus rootstocks (Myrabolan 29/C and apricot Seedling) on flower bud biology of Pisana (Prunus armeniaca L.), one of the most appreciated Italian apricot cultivar, grown in a Mediterranean agro-climatic environment. Anatomical investigations on xylem differentiation within flower buds and biological observations on flowering as well as fruiting were carried out over two consecutive growth seasons. These years were characterized by different weather conditions due to temperatures and rainfall events which influenced the chilling accumulation, blooming time and xylogenesis process. The onset of xylogenesis within flower buds was conditioned by summer temperatures and water availability. The two rootstocks commonly used in apricot, Myrabolan 29/C and apricot Seedling, did not affect the flowering and fruit-set rate of the grafted cultivar. Nevertheless, differences in progressive differentiation of the secondary thickness of procambial cells in xylem vessels were observed.

Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture, Temple University, 580 Meetinghouse Rd., Ambler, PA 19002. Director of Research and Development, Aquatrols Corporation, Paulsboro, NJ 08066.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.31

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Abstract: Surfactant formulations consisting of proprietary blends containing sulfonic acid ester ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer blend (ACA3204-R and ACA3204-P); sulfonic acid ester ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer blend with polyethylene glycol addition (ACA3204-2a), and ethoxylated alkylphenol (ACA160) were tested for wettability of peat-based substrates and for relative phytotoxicity. Substrate incorporation rates used in this study were 116 mL m^-3 (a low recommended rate), 232 ml m^-3 (a moderate recommended rate), and 464 ml m^-3 (a supra-optimal rate). After a third wetting cycle, those substrates incorporated with ACA3204-R, ACA3204-P, or ACA160 at 232 ml m^-3 had higher wettability ratings than the Pro-Mix HP control (Premier Horticulture Inc., Quakertown, PA). There were no differences in shoot dry weight (SDW) or visual root health rating (VRHR) among treatment groups of impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) compared to the control For pansy (Viola × wittrockiana), Pro-Mix-HP control-grown plants had higher SDW (0.8632 g shoot^-1) than ACA3204-R at 464 mL·m^-3 (SDW = 0.6266 g shoot^-1) but SDWs for ACA3204-P, ACA3204-2a and ACA160 were similar to the control at all rates. Compared to the control, pansy VRHRs declined at 464 ml m^-3 for all surfactants except for ACA160. In general, higher rates of surfactant increased mean days to 50% germination (D_X; an inverse measure of germination rate) compared to distilled water control for pansy but this effect was less pronounced for impatiens. There appeared to be a stimulatory seedling effect on mean pansy root length for ACA3204-R and ACA3204-P (rates = 300-1200 ppm) and for ACA3204-2a (rates = 600-1200 ppm). In conclusion, surfactant formulations ACA3204-R, ACA3204-P, ACA3204-2a, and ACA160 were comparatively non-phytotoxic at moderate rates of substrate incorporation (mature plant growth) but laboratory seed germination was affected by low concentrations. ACA3204-R had similar wettability rating to that of ACA160 following the third wetting cycle. Further testing with additional plant species and substrates would aide in evaluating the usefulness of newer horticultural surfactants.

Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic. Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening, Pr?honice, Czech Republic.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.32

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Abstract: Water deficit is one of the most adverse factors for plant growth and productivity. The experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of synthetic brassinolide analogue at concentrations 100 nmol.L^-1 , 1 nmol.L^-1 , 0.01 nmol.L^-1 and 0 nmol.L^-1 on lettce seedling grown at two moisture levels (reduced, control). The plants were cultivated in growth chamber under day / night temperature of 20 oC/15 oC. The total quantities of irrigation water during the experiment: reduced - 28 mm; control - 39 mm. The seedlings of two butter head lettuce cultivars (cv. Mars and cv. Marsalus) were sprayed to foliage at juvenile stage of growth. The plant parameters (length, fresh weight of shoots and roots) and dry matter content were measured on 21^st and 28^th day after sowing. Significantly higher values of the average fresh weight and length of aboveground part and roots were measured on 28^th day for the cultivar Marsalus treated with brassinosteroide analogue at concentration 1 nmol.L^-1 in conditions with reduced irrigation. The results showed that treatment of plants in the initial stage of the development with 1 nmol.L^-1 solution can be used to limit the consequences of reduced moisture conditions. Prior to use the most effective concentration should be taken into account which parameter of plant is expected to be changed and also the varying sensitivity of the cultivars to the treatment.

Department of Agril. Biotechnology,College of Agriculture, AICRP Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar- 3, Odisha,

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.33

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Abstract: Phytochemical and molecular characterization of Piper species was investigated. There was a wide variation of the active compounds present in leaf and fruits of different Piper species/accessions. Among the two active compounds, piperine-1 content was more in P. chaba fruit and Piperine -2 in P. nigrum fruit as compared with other species. Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) marker was also used to analyze the genetic variation between the species / accession of Piper species. The phylogenetic analysis generated by ISSR marker was divided into two major groups with 47% similarity. First major group is only one species (i.e. Piper spp. Accession -1) and also morphologically distinct from other seven species. The second groups are divided into two minor groups. Piper betle var. Godi Balunga and Piper betle var. Astarangi Balunga are grouped together with 100 % similarity at genetic level, whereas, Piper betle var. Utkal Sudhama having 97 % similarity with Piper betle var. Godi Balunga and Piper betle var. Astarangi Balunga. Both phytochemical and molecular marker was showed significant variation among and between species/accessions. This study will help for the breeding program in Piper .

Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Structures and Irrigation, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey. Yuzuncu Y?l University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Biosystem Engineering, 65080, Van, Turkey.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.34

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Abstract: Water stress under reduced irrigation conditions affect plant physiology and hence yield and crop quality. Moreover, high altitude climatic conditions can significantly influence plant physiology. Therefore, a two year field study was conducted to determine the effects of different irrigation quantities on plant growth (leaf number, stem diameter, plant diameter and height), marketable yield, water use and crop quality attributes (mineral content, total phenolics and antioxidant activity) of drip-irrigated lettuce in a semi-arid region with a high altitude. A randomized complete block design was used for testing of different irrigation quantities replicated three times. Different irrigation quantities were adjusted considering 100 (I1), 85 (I2) and 70% (I3) of evaporated water from a Class A pan. Lettuce evapotranspiration was the highest in the I1 treatment (214.1 mm) considering the two year average values. Therefore, the I1 treatment provided the maximum growth and marketable yield (2.17 kg m^-2). Water use efficiency was also the highest in the I1 treatment (10.2 kg m^-3) because the lettuce yield decreased significantly with the decreasing irrigation quantity. However, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in lettuce leaves were the highest in the I3 treatment. Moreover, I2 and I3 treatments provided higher mineral contents. While the potassium content in leaves was the most abundant among macro minerals (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, and Na), manganese content was the highest among micro minerals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and B). It could be said that lettuce can be irrigated with less irrigation quantities for obtaining higher mineral contents, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. This application can also provide water saving but cannot induce water productivity.

Department of Life Sciences, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.35

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Abstract: Many species of Barleria genus are used in folkore medicine and the biological effects of their compounds have been validated. Molecular identification of Barleria would be a valuable tool for its identification. In the present study, partial gene sequences of rbcL and matK were amplified and sequenced for four Barleria species namely B. cristata, B. prattaensis, B. cuspidata and B. prionitis. The divergence patterns of rbcL, matK gene sequences and their 2-locus combinations revealed discrimination from genera to subgenera level. Further, Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to assess genetic relationships between the species. The banding pattern and dendrograms constructed showed divergence in all the four species.

Laboratory of Floriculture, Laboratory of Biology of Horticultural Plants, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.36

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Abstract: Effect of 0.01M salicylic acid treatment on two rose plant cultivars (?Red Berlin? and ?Red Horizon?) exposed to 0.2M NaCl or 0.35M D-Mannitol iso-osmotic stress (-1,05MPa) was studied. After five days of stress, the salicylic acid treatment strongly increased the proline content in leaves up to 28 times compared to control. It did not affect the soluble sugars content in ?Red Berlin?, but decreased it below the control levels in ?Red Horizon?. The plant response to salicylic acid application varied and was dependent upon the cultivar and the iso-osmotic agent. Thus, the salicylic acid had a beneficial effect on plants under NaCl stress and caused a slight increase in chlorophyll content and a significant increase in the quantum yield of photosystem PII in rose plants under Mannitol stress (Fv/Fm ratio about 0.72). It also increased leaf fresh/dry weight ratio of stressed plants (81% in ?Red Berlin?), while it significantly reduced electrolyte leakage of stressed leaves.

Departement of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University, Denpasar, Bali-Indonesia. Departement of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Warmadewa University, Denpasar, Bali-Indonesia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.37

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Abstract: The main problem of snake fruit production in Indonesia is high fluctuation of fruit production between different harvesting seasons, due to fruit-set failure in some parts of the year. The objective of this research was to find out the relationship between IAA and sugar content of leaves and flowers in relations to the failure of fruit-set in three flowering seasons of snake fruit (April, July, and October). The study was conducted at the production center of snake fruit in Bali (Karangasem Regency) by using Completely Randomized Design. The results showed that fruit-set in April, July and October was 54.16, 47.00 and 70.10%, respectively. Low fruit-set was found associated with low IAA content both in leaves and flowers. The lowest percentage of fruit-set found in July (47.00%) was related to the lowest IAA content in the leaves (10.06 ng g^-1) and flowers (20.60 ng g^-1). However, the highest percentage of fruit-set in October (70.10%) was correlated to the highest IAA content in the leaves (29.67 ng g^-1) and flowers (52.56 ng g^-1). Low fruit-set was also closely related to the low content of sugar in the leaves. The lowest percentage of fruit-set in July was caused by the lowest total sugar (24.54%) and reducing sugar (6.56%) content in the leaves, whereas the highest percentage of fruit-set on October related to high total sugar (30.58%) and reducing sugar (12.22%) content in the leaves. It can be concluded that failure of fruit-set in snake fruit was associated with low IAA and sugar content in leaves and flowers.

Biology Magister Program, Biology Department, Department Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia. Biology Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.38

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Abstract: The demand for cayenne pepper is constantly increasing with the growth of the food industry, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics use, which needs to be accompanied with efforts to increase the production. One effort that can be done is to improve the quality of fruit by mutation breeding using colchicine mutagen induction. Colchicines are an alkaloid that affects microtubule synthesis, and cause doubling of the chromosomes number (polyploidy). Therefore this research aimed to detect polyploidy in cayenne pepper plants (Capsicum frustescens L.) as a results of mutation induction with colchicine. The seed of three genotypes of local cultivars of cayenne pepper were soaked in colchicine with the concentration of 0.00% (K0), 0.015% (K1) and 0.025% (K2) for 6 hours. Chromosomes were observed in root tip of eight days old seedings using squash technique and stained using acetoorcein. Ploidy analysis showed that genotype III concentration of 0.015% showed 2n lowest percentage at 13%. The concentration of 0.015% on the chili was able to induce triploids at 60%. Besides inducing triploid plants, colchicine was also able to induce polyploidy such as, tetraploid and mixoploid. Colchicine treatment did not significantly affected tetraploid whereaas chromosome mixopolid was significantly affected at the concentration of 0.015%. The results of this study indicated that the treatment of colchicine was able to induce polyploid in cayenne pepper plants. Polyploids found in this study were triploid (2n = 3x = 36), tetraploid (2n = 4x = 48), and mixoploid (2n = 2x = 24, 2n = 3x = 36 and 2n = 4x = 48).

Indonesian Spices and Medicinal Crops Research Institute, Bogor, Indonesia 16111. Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia 16680.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.39

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Abstract: Ginger production is hindered by lack of high quality seeds due to seed-borne pests and rhizome disease. Therefore, ginger true seed (GTS) is considered as one of the potential alternatives to solve the problem. However, GTS production is constrained because lack of flowering and low pollen viability. This research aimed to improve pollen viability by applying boron and zinc and study its impact on yield. This study was arranged in randomized complete block design with two factors and four replications. The first factor was dosage of boron at 0, 2, 4 kg ha^-1 and zinc at 0, 1, 2 kg ha^-1. Boron and zinc were applied once a week for three weeks started at one week after generative bud appearance. Parameters observed were plant growth (plant height, numbers of tillers, stem diameter and number of leaves) and pollen viability. The dosages of boron and zinc had no significant effect on plant growth parameters. Boron at 2 kg ha^-1 improved pollen viability up to 275% compared to control. Cross pollination using pollen from boron treated plants resulted in delaying flower fall. Existence of flowers had no effect on rhizome formation.

Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.40

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Abstract: Phosphorus is one of the most important elements for plant nutrition and mycorrhiza has the capability to improve plant yield by increasing nutrient supply to plants. We studied the effect of presence and absence of mycorrhiza on growth and productivity of summer squash under different phosphorus levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg ha^-1) laid out in factorial randomized complete block design. Results showed that with increasing phosphorus fertilizers, fruit number per plant increased while seed number per fruit decreased. In addition, mycorrhiza inoculation with application of 50 kg ha^-1 phosphorus fertilizer had maximum values for root colonization (54.33%), oil (45%) and linoleic acid (68.25%) percentage. Mycorrhiza symbiosis had a direct relationship with summer squash yield. Mycorrhiza acted as good substitute of phosphorus fertilizers. Therefore, it seems that the low rate of phosphorus fertilizer application leads to improved interaction with mycorrhiza.