SELECTED CONTENTS

Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.04

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Abstract: India is the second largest producer of potatoes in the world. Shallow root system makes potato crop an inefficient nutrient consumer and sensitive to water stress. Anecdotal evidence hints that many potato growers of northwest India prefer complex NPK fertilizers or compound NP fertilizers over the straight fertilizers because they believe the former to be more efficient on agronomic basis. Thus, this study was aimed at conducting a comparative evaluation of various fertilizer sources across different irrigation and FYM regimes over two years on a loamy sand soil. A field experiment in split-split plot design was used with one additional blocking factor of soil variability. The main plot involved two FYM levels (0 and 50 t ha^-1) and three irrigation water pan evaporation (IWPE) based irrigation regimes (IR1 with IWPE 2.0, IR2 with IWPE 1.4, and IR3 with IWPE 0.8) in sub-plots. Four fertilizer treatments in sub-sub plot involved a check (T0); T1 with N,P, and K respectively from straight fertilizers urea, single superphosphate (SSP), muriate of potash (MOP); T2 with P from DAP, remaining N from urea, and K from MOP; T3 with P from NPK complex (12:32:16) fertilizer and the remaining N from urea and K from MOP. General trends in tuber yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) during the year 2011 and statistically proven results of various a priori single degree of freedom contrasts showed that NPK complex fertilizer and NP compound fertilizer performed better than straight fertilizers.

Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.05

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Abstract: Root development of hardwood cuttings of Plumeria rubra was investigated in relation to basal heat and the size of cuttings. Terminal cuttings of a clone grown in Sicily were trimmed to various lengths, ranging from 10 to 26 cm. To verify the cutting rooting response to basal heat, half of the cuttings were placed on a basal heated bench (28±3 °C, constant temperature) while the remaining were placed on an unheated bench (16-18 °C during the night and 20-22 °C during the day). Percent rooting and cutting survival were not affected by basal heat and cutting length. However, basal heat positively affected number of roots, length of longest root and bud growth. Increases in the length of the cutting resulted in a parallel increase in adventitious root formation. Medium (16-20 cm) and long (22-26 cm) length cuttings exposed to basal heat exhibited the best development in terms of number of roots, root length and bud growth. We suggest that in the Mediterranean region the use of basal heat and of medium/long size cuttings may be beneficial to propagators wishing to produce P. rubra rooted cuttings with well-developed root system.

Department of Crops, Horticulture & Soils, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Egerton - 20115, Kenya.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.06

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Abstract: Dormancy in Oriental lily bulbs (Lilium spp) is a major bottleneck in lily flower production by small scale farmers because they cannot afford expensive chilled bulbs that have been induced to break dormancy. Thus for developing alternative and low cost dormancy mitigation techniques, the study investigated the effects of lily bulb pre-treatments with benzyl adenine (BA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) on dormancy breaking, emergence rates, time to flowering and bulb multiplication. Bulbs were pre-soaked for 24 hours in prepared solutions of various concentrations of BA and GA3 (0; 25; 50; 100 and 150 mg/L) and their combinations, plus a positive control of chilled bulbs. An unbalanced factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications was used. The experiment was repeated in two seasons. Results showed that treating bulbs with BA and GA3 significantly influenced dormancy breaking in both the trials and was comparable with the chilling treatment. The highest sprouting was observed in bulbs treated with 50 mg/L BA (92%) and 50 mg/L GA3 (96.67%) in both trials; compared to chilled bulbs with 100% sprouting. The number of days to 50% bulb emergence was significantly reduced in trial 1 with various combinations of GA3 and BA (50 mg/L:100 mg/L; 150 mg/L:100 mg/L and 150 mg/L :150 mg/L ). Combining the plant growth regulators also decreased the number of days to flowering; with 25 mg/L BA + 150 mg/L GA3; 50 mg/L BA + 100 mg/L GA3; 50 mg/L BA + 150 mg/L GA3 and 100 mg/L BA + 100 mg/L GA, respectively, significantly decreasing the number of days to flowering to 124 compared with 132 for the control in trial 2.

Division of Post Harvest Technology, Division of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Division of Fruit crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake P.O., Bangalore-560089, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.01

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Abstract: The effect of vineyard shading on the composition, sensory quality and volatile flavours of grape wines from Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot Noir under Bangalore conditions, a region endowed with mild tropical climate, was studied. Wines from 50 and 75 per cent shaded vineyards were found to have better sensory appeal, significantly higher titratable acidity and lower levels of phenolics than those from open conditions. The wine colour parameters viz., hue and chroma, were significantly superior in wines prepared from berries of open vineyards. Head space volatile analysis showed that wines from shaded vineyards possessed higher levels of Pinot Noir aroma varietal specific compounds such as phenyl ethyl alcohol, methyl anthranillate, methyl and ethyl hexanoate, linalool, octanoic acid, and decanoic acids. The study showed the possibility of improving Pinot Noir wine quality by vineyard shade management in warmer viticulture areas...

Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra-136119, Haryana, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.07

Canadian Humalite International Inc., 15723-116 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5M 3W1.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.08

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Abstract: Seedlings of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) variety Grand Rapids were grown in deep water culture growing units. The units contained growing solution with limited amount of nutrients and different concentrations of humic substances. Six treatments and one control, 12 replications each, were evaluated in a two month period. Only one plant perished from a total of 84, indicating that the growing units were effective. A liquid product containing 13,800 mg L^-1 humic substances of small particulate sizing (1.1 ± 0.64 ?m in mean diameter) was utilized as a source of humic substances. Significant plant (root and leaf) growth was observed at low product rates between 70 and 500 mg L^-1, corresponding to 1 and 7 mg L^-1 humic substances. At increased rates, the growth was reduced. At much higher rates, plant growth was again observed, that was likely caused by the presence of nutrients in the product. These experiments demonstrated the efficacy of humic substances on plant growth, a critical finding in the context of sustainable horticulture, in which maximum yields from minimum input would be desired.

College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh - 362 001 (Gujarat), India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.09

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Abstract: A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of N and P2O5 nutrition on growth, flowering, yield and chlorophyll content of different varieties of African marigold on the medium black calcareous soil during two consecutive years. The treatments consisted of all combination of three levels of nitrogen (100, 150 and 200 kg N ha^-1) and three levels of phosphorus (50, 100 and 150 kg P2O5 ha^-1) with three varieties of African marigold viz., Local Orange (V1), Pusa Basanti (V2) and Pusa Narangi (V3). The growth parameters like plant height, number of primary and secondary branches as well as leaf area exhibited increasing trend with increase in nitrogen level which were highest at N3 (200 kg N ha^-1). The phosphorus application failed to influence the growth of plant except plant spread. The maximum total chlorophyll content, 1.452 and 1.431 mg g^-1, respectively was found due to addition of nitrogen and phosphorus. The higher number of flowers, diameter of flower, number of ray florets per flower and flower yield was recorded at higher level of each nutrient i.e. N3 (200 kg N ha^-1), and P3 (150 kg P2O5 ha^-1). Number of days to first flower was advanced with increasing levels of N. Variety Pusa Narangi produced the biggest flower diameter (6.20 cm), highest number of flowers per plant (56.34), flower yield (183.0 quintal ha^-1), leaf area (13.89 cm²) and total chlorophyll content (1.432 mg g^-1) in leaves. The interaction effect of N and P was found significant for plant spread at 60 DAT and at the end of harvest season. The combination N3P3 (200 kg N ha^-1 and 150 kg P2O5 ha^-1) recorded maximum plant spread (42.87 and 56.65 cm) at 60 DAT and at the end of harvest season, respectively. Treatment combination N2P3 (150 kg N ha^-1 and 150 kg P2O5 ha^-1) recorded significantly larger flower diameter (7.79 cm).

Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar-1900 07. J & K. India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.10

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Abstract: Apples of Red Chief variety after stabilization at room temperature (20±2 °C) were initially washed with chlorinated water (100 ppm sodium hypochlorite) to prevent surface contamination. After manual peeling, apples were cut in to disc shaped slices of 2 and 3 mm thickness (having uniform diameter of 20 mm) and treated with 1% ascorbic acid and 1% citric acid (anti browning agents) for studying their effect on drying time and quality of apple slices. Slice size and pre-drying treatments of ascorbic acid and citric acid has resulted in significant (P<0.05) variation for drying time, rehydration, dry matter contents, firmness, quality and total colour change. Significantly minimum time (300 minutes) for drying of apple slices, maximum rehydration ratio (4.9), and maximum firmness (11.9 RI) was recorded in case of 2 mm slices treated with 1% ascorbic acid and 1% citric acid. Maximum TSS (18.9° Brix) was recorded in 2 mm slices and 3 mm slices (18.7° Brix) treated with citric acid and ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid and citric acid were effective to stabilize the ascorbic acid content and maximum (18.0 mg/100g) was recorded in case of slices of 2 mm thickness treated with 1 % ascorbic acid and 1% citric acid. Similarly size of slices and anti browning agents were significantly effective to reduce the total colour change in apple slices and minimum colour change was observed in 2 mm slices (10.0) treated with 1 % ascorbic acid and citric acid and 3 mm slices (12.25) treated with 1% ascorbic acid and 1% citric acid. It can be concluded that apple slices of 2 mm thickness and pre drying treated with 1% citric acid and 1% ascorbic acid as anti browning agents took minimum time for dehydration with minimum changes in colour, firmness, quality, and retained maximum compositional attributes with minimum browning.

Division of Fruit Crops; Division of Plant Physiology & Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake, Bangalore-560 089, Karnataka, India. Faculty of Agriculture, Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed University), Gandhigram,

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.11

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Abstract: Effects of tree spacing (5x2 m, 5x2.5 m, 5x3 m, 5x3.5 m and 5x4 m) and pruning (8 buds/cane, 6 buds/cane and 4 buds/cane) on growth, physiological parameters, fruit yield and quality were studied in fig cv. Poona during 3^rd and 4^th years of planting. Results indicated that the fig responded more to tree spacing than the pruning levels in terms of morpho-physiological characters and yield. With increase in in-row tree spacing from 5x2.5 m to 5x4 m, the vegetative growth parameters like leaf number, shoot length, internodal length, tree spread, tree height and tree circumference and the fruit yield both in terms of fruit number and fruit weight per tree declined under different pruning levels and closer tree spacing of 5x2.5 m recorded higher values. Physiological parameters like photosynthesis rate and leaf water potential remained at higher levels under closer spacing as compared to the wider spacing under different pruning levels. The increased pruning levels from 8 buds/cane to 4 buds/cane resulted in reduction of tree height while yield characters were marginally influenced by the pruning. The interaction effects between pruning and spacing levels were, however, non-significant. Under 5x2.5 m, the average fruit size and TSS recorded the highest values with no marked differences in acidity. The fruit yield calculated on per tree basis showed highest fruit number of 84.3-253.0 and 232.3-321.5 and fruit weight of 2.69-8.61 and 7.43-9.44 kg, respectively during 3^rd and 4^th year of planting under closer spacing of 5x2.5 m with 8 buds/cane pruning. The yield per hectare under various pruning levels recorded high values under the closer spacing of 5x2.5 m or 5x2.0 m with 8 buds/cane pruning. Overall results showed that 5x2.5 m tree spacing in combination with light pruning level of 8 buds/cane is ideal for achieving higher growth and yield in fig during 3^rd and 4^th year of planting.

Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow-226025, U.P., India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.12

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Abstract: Soil-borne pathogens (Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) were isolated from the diseased plants of brinjal and tomato, identified by morphological analysis viz., PCM (Phase contrast microscopy) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). These pathogens produced cellulolytic enzyme in vitro and the activity of this enzyme increased with the increase in age of the culture. F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici produced more cellulolytic enzyme than F. solani. The activity of cellulolytic enzyme by F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici was more in 14^th day-old culture and decreased with the increase of culture age whereas the activity of cellulolytic enzyme produced by F. solani did not decrease and enzyme activity increased with the increase in the age of culture (23^rd day-old culture). In vitro efficacy of systemic fungicides viz., Roco (Thiophanate methyl 70% WP) and Chlorothalonil (non-systemic fungicide), herbicides viz., Syncore (Metribuzin 70% WP), 2, 4- D (2, 4- Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) and insecticides viz., Nuvan (Dichlorvos 76% EC), Prima (Acetamiprid 20% SP) against F. solani and F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici were evaluated using poisoned food technique at 100, 200, 400 ppm concentrations on 7^th day of inoculation. The fungicide (Chlorothalonil) inhibited the mycelial growth of F. solani by 82.34%, while Thiophanate methyl inhibited F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici by 77.96% respectively at 400 ppm concentration. Herbicide (Metribuzin) inhibited the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and F. solani by 75% and 62.50%, respectively at same concentration followed by insecticides Dichlorvos (56.87%) and Acetamiprid (53.12%), respectively.

Department of Fruit Science, UHF, Nauni-Solan (Himachal Pradesh), Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST-Jammu, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.13

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Abstract: Exotic cultivars introduced from abroad and local selections from seedling population of walnut were subjected to Non-hierarchical Euclidean cluster analysis based on 12 nut and kernel characters. Studied accessions were grouped into four clusters, where cluster 1 and 3 had majority of the accessions. The clustering pattern of walnut genotypes belonging to the same eco-geographical region revealed their distribution in more than one cluster showing between geographic and genetic diversity. The first component presented maximum eigen root value and per cent variation. The mean intra and inter cluster distance (D) revealed that cluster 4 had highest intra cluster distance (2.206), while the inter cluster distance was maximum between cluster 3 and 4 (5.806). Maximum mean nut yield, nut length, nut weight and kernel weight was recorded in cluster 4, whereas, maximum kernel percentage and fat percentage was recorded in cluster 1 and 2, respectively. Minimum shell thickness was observed in cluster 2. The accessions of cluster 3 and 4 were found highly diverse from each other and will give better segregants after hybridization which can be used as a parent in further breeding programme.

Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK 74078-6027. USA. Department of Statistics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK 74078-6027,USA.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.02

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Abstract: Greenhouse production of geraniums is popular for sales in the spring, and monitoring plant nutrition is important for high quality plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate if nondestructive handheld sensors could be used to quantify nitrogen (N) status in Pelargonium × hortorum ‘Maverick Red’ using controlled release fertilizer (CRF). Fertilizer treatments of 0, 4, 8, 10, or 12 g of 16N-9P-12K were topdressed on greenhouse grown plants. Individual plants were scanned from 10 pots per treatment for Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) and Soil-Plant Analyses Development (SPAD) over eight different sampling dates starting 7 days after fertilizer treatment application (DAT). Height, width, number of flowers, number of umbels and leaf N concentration were also recorded. Linear and quadratic trends were seen for both NDVI and SPAD. Plant height and width was highest in the 12 g treatment, but was not different than the 8 g or 10 g treatments. Number of flowers was highest in the 10 g treatment, but was not different from the 8 g and 12 g treatments. Number of umbels was not significantly different among fertilizer treatments, but all were greater than the control. For all measurement dates, a correlation was seen for fertilizer rate and leaf N concentration. Neither sensor showed correlations with leaf N concentration at 7 DAT or 14 DAT; however, both were correlated with each other and leaf N concentration starting 28 DAT. Results from this study indicated that 8 g CRF produced the best quality plants. Both NDVI and SPAD can be used to predict N status in potted geraniums grown with CRF, but consistency in sample collection and sampling time may be necessary to correlate the values with N status.

KVK, ANGR Agricultural University, Utukur, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh-516003. ARS, ANGR Agricultural University, Utukur, Kadapa Andhra Pradesh-516003

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.14

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Abstract: Boron deficiency in papaya causes deformation of apical meristem, distortion of young leaves, dwarfing of plants, fruit deformities and uneven fruit ripening that severely reduces the yield and quality. Hence, an experiment on effects of foliar application of boron on yield and quality of papaya with a commercially important variety Red lady was conducted at fifteen locations of Andhra Pradesh where the boron deficiency is wide spread due to tropical climate and high soil pH. Foliar application of 0.03 % borax at every 60 days interval from planting to harvest recorded significant increase in the leaf boron content from 18.44 mg kg^-1 to 26.62 mg kg^-1. Borax application recorded 29 % more number of fruits per plant, 37 % higher yields (65.28 kg plant^-1) and reduced deformed fruits (13.58 %) compared to control (21.34 %). The study clearly indicated that, the regular supply of boron through foliar application in tropical climate is vital for realizing higher yields in papaya.

Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, Punjab. PAU Regional Fruit Research Station, Bahadurgarh, Patiala, Punjab

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.15

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Abstract: The study was conducted to assess the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation coefficient among 35 guava (Psidium guajava L.) genotypes, evaluated for tree, vegetative, reproductive, fruit and seed characters during 2010 to 2013. Wide range of phenotypic variability in the studied material was observed as phenotypic coefficients of variation for different traits ranged from 8.17 for fruit width to 35.00 for number of seeds per fruit. Genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters ranged from 6.95 to 33.11 percent. Heritability ranged from 73.97 to 99.77 percent. Very high heritability estimates were obtained for fruit length to width ratio. The genetic advance as per cent of mean was highest for number of seeds per fruit (64.52 %). Characters like seed weight per 100 g fruit, seed weight per fruit, 100-seed weight, thickness of outer flesh and fruit weight had high heritability and higher genetic advance, which indicate that the expression of these characters is governed by additive gene action. Genotypic correlation coefficients, in general, were higher in magnitude than the corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficients indicating an inherent association among various characters under study. Presence of genetic variability along with high heritability and genetic advance indicate that these genotypes can be further utilized in guava breeding programme, keeping in mind the inherent association of various agronomical important traits to combine the desired traits into a single line/cultivar.

Department of Horticulture, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Narendra Nagar, Kumarganj, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh-224 229 (India).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i01.16

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Abstract: The cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.), a quick growing herbaceous crop, leaves behind a good amount of crop residue in the field after fruit harvest that can be utilized as organic source of plant nutrient supply to next crop to be cultivated. In present investigation, crop residue of cape gooseberry grown in sodic soil of Eastern Uttar Pradesh (India) at three planting density (S1 - 75 x 60 cm, S2 - 75 x 75 cm and S3 - 90 x 75 cm) and four levels of NPK fertilizers (F0 - without fertilizers, F1 - 60:40:40, F2 - 80:60:60 and F3 - 100:80:80 NPK kg ha) was estimated. Soil properties were also studied before and after cropping seasons. Mean data of two consecutive years recorded crop residue (fresh biomass) production 34.51, 29.7 and 27.95 t ha^-1 at S1, S2 and S3 plant spacing, respectively. The application of NPK fertilizers significantly increased crop residue production and mean value recorded with fertilizer level F0, F1, F2, and F3 was 22.00, 28.71, 34.24 and 36.63 t ha^-1, respectively. Increased plant population per unit area as well as higher doses of NPK levels showed a little improvement in bulk density, porosity, organic carbon, pH and EC of soil but influence was non-significant, however, plant spacing and NPK fertilizer treatments exhibited significant improvement in available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium of the soil at the end of the second cropping season.