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Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.21

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Abstract: To evaluate the efficacy of slow release NPK fertilizers in turmeric, two field experiments were conducted on a sandy clay loam soil. These slow release NPK fertilizers are new products in the form of tablets, mixtures and coated formulations, which contains all the three major nutrients in them. Five slow release NPK fertilizer sources were tested in comparison with straight fertilizers at three NPK levels viz., 75, 100 and 125 % of recommended dose in a randomized block design. The results clearly indicated that the wet rhizome yield significantly increased with increasing levels of NPK and when applied in the form of tablets. The N, P and K uptake both in shoot as well as rhizome of turmeric increased significantly up to 125 % of NPK level applied. The uptake was significantly higher in plots which received tablet form of slow release fertilizers than other fertilizer sources.

Graduated School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.22

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Abstract: Seedlings of three tomato cultivars, 'Reika', 'Marryroad' and 'First Power' were grown in either pots or plug trays in order to clarify the interaction effect of cultivar and root container size on the number of days to flowering and the number of leaves preceding the first inflorescence under different temperature regimens. The number of days to flowering was greater in seedlings raised in plug trays than those in pots, regardless of temperature regimen. Flowering was delayed at 23/18?C compared with 30/25?C for seedlings raised in either pots or plug trays. The number of leaves preceding the first inflorescence was greater in seedlings raised in plug trays than those in pots, except for 'Marryroad' at 23/18?C. Regardless of root container size, the number of leaves preceding the first inflorescence was greater in 'First Power' than in 'Reika' and 'Marryroad' at 30/25?C. These results suggest the importance of cultivar choice for the production of tomato seedlings with a small number of leaves preceding the first inflorescence using plug trays in cool conditions.

National Institute of Floricultural Science, Fujimoto, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8519, Japan; Tokyo University of Agriculture, Funako, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.23

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Abstract: To establish a simple and rapid extraction method for soluble carbohydrate for determination of osmolar concentration in petals by HPLC analysis, a method using a centrifugal filter device with microwave heating was developed. Rose 'Sonia' petals were placed in a centrifugal filter device and heated in a microwave oven to boiling. The centrifugal filter device was centrifuged with the petals at 12,000 g for 10 min. The resulting leached solution was subjected to HPLC analysis. No significant difference in soluble carbohydrate composition was observed between the solution obtained from this method and that obtained from a conventional extraction method in which tissues are homogenized using hot ethanol solution. Changes in soluble carbohydrate concentration with flower opening in 'Rote Rose' roses were investigated using the new method. The osmolar concentrations of glucose and fructose in the petals increased during flower opening. This increase was roughly comparable to the increase in osmotic pressure in the petals. The results suggest that the method using the centrifugal filter device with microwave heating is a simple and rapid way to determine osmolar concentration of soluble carbohydrates of rose petals.

Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Miki, Kagawa 761-0795, Japan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.24

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Abstract: The effects of root zone cooling on flower development and fruit set of 'Satohnishiki' sweet cherry were studied. Soil temperature in pots of the tree was maintained at approximately 11?C from bud burst until petal fall, then at about 15?C until harvest by circulating cooled water through a tube coiling the pots. Root cooling did not appreciably affect flower size, pollen germination and pollen tube elongation in pistils. However, the treatment prolonged ovule longevity and markedly increased the fruit set rate. These results suggest the possibility of applying root cooling to improve the fruit set of sweet cherries grown in warm regions.

Haramaya University, College of Agriculture, Department of Plant Science, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, Haramaya University, College of Agriculture, Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, P.O. Box 131, Haramaya, Ethiopia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.25

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Abstract: Field experiment was conducted to study effects of preharvest treatment of ComCat? spray, organic manure, NP fertilization and the combinations of ComCat? with the two forms of fertilizers on yield and chemical quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Total and marketable yields were significantly influenced by the preharvest treatements. The result showed that the use of ComCat? and its combination with organic manure gave the highest total yield of 58.5 and 55.8 t ha^-1, respectively. At harvest, 94 and 93% of tomatoes subjected to preharvest ComCat? and ComCat? plus organic manure treatment were marketable, respectively. The chemical quality parameters tested such as total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, reducing sugar and total sugar were significantly (P<0.01) affected by the preharvest treatments. The study clearly demonstrated the importance of integerated agro-technology in order to simultaneously improve the yield and quality of tomatoes.

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti PutraMalaysia, 43400 UPMSerdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.26

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Abstract: Papaya is a climacteric fruit, naturally fragile and cannot resist low temperature. Thus, prolonging the postharvest life of papaya fruit for long distance transportation is highly desirable to increase its commercialisation. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) has been widely used to delay ripening and senescence of horticultural produces. The objective of this study was to determine characteristics of 'Eksotika' papaya treated with 1-MCP and optimum concentration of 1-MCP in prolonging postharvest life of papaya. Papayas were treated with 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 uL L" of 1-MCP for 7 days at 21?C/90% relative humidity (RH). Then, the fruits were allowed to ripen at 26?C/70% RH. 1-MCP did not affect L*, C*, soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity, pH, vitamin C and weight loss of papaya. The h^o and firmness of papaya treated with 30 uL L" of 1-MCP showed significant high values as compared to other concentrations. Similarly, visual quality evaluation also showed that fruits treated with 30 uL L" of 1-MCP retained green colour for 9 days and by day 13, no disease infection and shriveling was found in these fruits as compared to other concentrations. There is potential to prolong postharvest life of Eksotika papaya using 1-MCP.

Guilan University, Faculty of Agriculture, Horticultural Department, Rasht, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.27

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Abstract: A study of the nitrate uptake of Broccoli (Brassica oleraceae var. italica), grown with different amount of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) was conducted in 2006 on open field at the University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran. The experiment was arranged in complete randomized block design with four treatments (0, 25, 50 and 100 Mg. ha^-1 MSWC) and four replications. The results revealed that under prevailing local conditions, total yield of the broccoli was higher when fertilized with MSWC and low when compost was not applied to the planted area. The plants with the highest compost application (100 Mg ha^-1) gave significantly highest yield at 37.03 Mg ha^-1 which was statistically different from other treatments. The significant differences were found also on marketable yield with an exception at lowest compost treatment. The lowest amount of nitrate (0.197 % in DM) in broccoli edible part was with application of 50 Mg. ha^-1 compost.

Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka 599-8531, Japan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.28

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Abstract: Three varieties of carrot (Daucus carota L.), 'Tokinashigosun', 'Hitokuchi' and 'Kurodagosun' were cultured hydroponically with rockwool blocks (56^8^30 cm high) in a greenhouse for 90 days. Two types of rockwool block, with holes and without holes were used in the study. Rockwool blocks with holes had seven rooting holes (10 cm in depth and 2.5 cm in diameter) 8 cm apart, which were filled with vermiculite for promoting root development. Rockwool blocks without holes were used as the control for comparison. Two rockwool blocks were placed side by side in a plastic box (58x18x18 cm high) and 14 plants were grown in each plastic box. The rockwool blocks were automatically sub-irrigated with a nutrient solution containing 35 ppm total N, 14 ppm P, 59 ppm K, 23 ppm Ca, 10 ppm Mg, 0.62 ppm Fe, 0.12 ppm Mn, 0.06 ppb B, 0.02 ppm Cu, 0.04 ppm Zn and 0.01 ppm Mo. The solution was added to the plastic boxes twice a day to keep the depth of the solution at 15 cm. The fresh and dry weights of the storage roots were 2 to 3 times greater in the rockwool blocks with holes than those without holes in each variety. The storage roots produced in the rockwool blocks with holes were 2 times longer than without holes in all the varieties. The diameter of storage roots was also greater in rockwool blocks with holes than without holes. Greater weights of the whole-plant and percent harvest index were obtained in the rockwool blocks with holes than in the without holes in all the varieties. Carbon dioxide concentration inside the rockwool blocks at a depth of 8 cm from the top surface and 1 cm beside the storage roots were lower in the rockwool blocks with holes (0.08%) than in the without holes (0.11%). Carbon dioxide gas diffusion coefficient in the rockwool media was greater in the rockwool blocks with holes than in the without holes. The hardness of the growing media was lower in the rockwool blocks with holes containing vermiculite than in the without holes. Therefore, better aerating conditions inside the rockwool blocks with holes containing vermiculite and lower hardness of the media would partly account for the better growth of storage roots in the rockwool blocks with holes than in the without holes in all the tested varieties.

Department of Plant Pathology, UAS, Dharwad-05, Department of Horticulture, UAS, Dharwad-05

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.29

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Abstract: During summer 2005 out of 50 genotypes screened for tomato leaf curl virus under field conditions, none of the lines tested were resistant, however, six genotypes showed mild infection and nine genotypes showed moderate infection. In the second season, i.e., 2006 only Nandi and Vybhav showed moderate resistant reaction, along with the new commercial hybrids Hy-558, Hy-530, NS-563 and NS-719. The variety Vybhav was found superior over other varieties against the disease. The presence of virus in the symptomatic hosts was confirmed by ELISA and PCR. The plant height of the genotypes contributes to maximum extent (52.21 %) to the divergence followed by yield per plant and per cent disease incidence (10.86 % each), but the vector population contributed least (0.97 %). As a result of D² clustering, the commercial hybrids possessing lot of diversity fall in to four different clusters, cluster II had got six entries, cluster III 3 entries, cluster IV 6 entries and cluster V only one entry wheras cluster I had 50 entries.

Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Guilan, Iran; Center of Natural Resources research, Alborz- Karaj, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.30

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Abstract: Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae causes canker, leafspots and necrosis of the bark of cherry, plum, and peach fruit trees. Symptoms caused by this pathogen on leaves, blossoms, and fruit, reported as common else where, are rare in Guilan cherry orchards. In this research, during survey from cherry, plum, and peach orchards in different areas of Guilan province (Talesh, Hashtpar, Astaneh-Ashrafieh and Lahijan), samples were taken from infected tissues of disease trees. For isolation of bacteria causing disease, infected tissue were crushed in bacteriological saline (0.85% w/v NaCl) and 100uL of juice was cultured on nutrient agar (NA) and King's B medium. Strains of bacteria rod-shaped, gram negative and aerobic bacterium were isolated. The strains produced Levan on media including sucrose. All strains made Hypersensitive Reaction (HR) on tobacco and geranium leaves. All of the isolated bacteria were oxidase, nitrate, tween 80 hydrolysis, indole and starch hydrolysis negative and could not rot potato tuber slices, produced H₂S, and grew at 36?C. The isolates could use citrate and urease. The isolates produced acid from sorbitol, galactose, myo-inositol, manitol, xylose, maltose and sucrose. Their gelatin test were positive. Based on morphological, physiological, biochemical, pathogenicity properties and total cellular protein profiles (SDS-PAGE), the predominate pathogenic type was identified as P. s. pv. syringae. This is the first report of the existence of P. s. pv. syringae on stone fruit trees in Iran.

F.C.A (UNMDP)-E.E.A.INTA, Balcarce, Agronomy Department, c.c.276,7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires province, Argen?tina

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.31

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Abstract: In the 2004 and 2005 seasons, experiments were carried out at INTA Balcarce, Argentina on potato cultivars Kennebec, Innovator and Shepody, with different susceptibility to Rhizoctonia solani Kuehn. A randomized block design with four replications was created. Visual observations during the crop cycle were carried out in order to record the number of healthy and infected plants, with symptomatology of stem canker produced by R. solani. After harvest, the potatoes in each block were washed and weighted, the total yield recorded and the marketable and "seed" potatoes were classified into healthy, cracked or malformed tubers. The best results on the reduction of infected plants were obtained with the highest dose of fluazinam (as Frowncide 50SC) and pencycuron (as Monceren 25SC). Commercial and "seed" tuber yields in the Spunta cultivar showed no significant differences among treatments, but with the Shepody cultivar, when the severity of the disease was high (2004) both fungicide treatments surpassed the untreated check. When the severity of the disease was low (2005), all chemical treatments registered higher commercial and "seed" tubers yields than the untreated check. In Kennebec and Spunta cultivars, all the treatments - except the lowest dose of fluazinam - accomplished a higher quantity of healthy tubers and surpassed the untreated check; although only the highest doses showed the highest yield of healthy tubers, showing a positive relationship with respect to the applied dose. Only the highest doses of fluazinam considerably reduced diseased tuber incidence in comparison to the untreated check.

Plant Physiology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.32

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Abstract: The study was carried out to investigate the effect of ethanol (ET) at different concentrations on longevity and senescence delay in bougainvillea flowers. The treatments were water (control), 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 70% ET. Positive response was found in case of 4, 8 and 10% of ET after a certain period of treatment application. Dry weight was higher in lower concentrations of ethanol and lower in higher concentrations. Flower longevity was 2 days longer in 4, 8 and 10% ET than in water control and other concentrations of ethanol. Petal wilting and abscission occurred 2 days later in 4, 8 and 10% ET than in control. Perianth abscission also appeared 2 days later in 4, 8 and 10% ET than in control. However, petal discoloration (color change) was later in control, 2, 4, 8 and 10% than in 20, 30, 40, 50 and 70% ET. The results showed that flower vase life was significantly affected by ethanol concentrations as well as longevity was longer in 4, 8 and 10% ET than in water control and other concentrations.

Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.33

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Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exogenous putrescine on postharvest life and quality of sweet cherry fruit, cultivar "Surati-e Hamedan" at 2?C. Fruits were treated with 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 mM putrescine as well as distilled water (Control) for 10 minutes, then transferred into the fridge (2?C). The rate of ethylene production, weight loss, tissue firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity and pH of fruits were determined 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 d after the beginning of storage. Parameters associated with ripening processes, including softening and loss of titratable acidity, significantly decreased by application of putrescine. Soluble solids content of cherries also increased by the putrescine treatment. In addition, cherries treated with higher concentrations of putrescine showed lower rate of ethylene production. Weight loss of the fruits was affected by putrescine in a concentration dependent manner, while putrescine did not affect pH of fruit juice.

Scientist, Department of Pomology, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, HP-173 230 India; Research Officer(R & D Agriculture), Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Lmited (GOI), Chembur, Mumbai-74, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.34

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Abstract: The present investigation was undertaken with the objective to find out the nutritional status of mango orchards cv. Dashehari located in north- western Himalayan region of India and to establish the relationship of soil microflora especially, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and Azotobacter with growth, fruit yield, and soil and leaf nutrient contents. The study revealed that the correlation between AM spore population and shoot extension growth, leaf area, fruit yield, available Cu and Zn content and leaf N, P, Cu, Zn and Mn contents was found to be positive and significant, whereas, the relationship with soil as well as leaf K content was negative but significant. Azotobacter count was positively and significantly correlated with fruit yield, soil organic carbon (OC) and leaf Fe content, while, it was negative and significant with leaf K content. The relationship of per cent root colonization with soil OC and available N content of orchard soil was found to be positive and significant, and with shoot extension growth, leaf area, fruit yield, electrical conductivity, available P, K, Cu, Zn and Mn content and P, K and Cu contents of leaf, it was negative but non-significant.

Department ofBiology, Faculty of Science, Addis Ababa University, P.O.Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Leibniz Insti?tute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Plant Reproductive Biology, Correnstrasse 3, D-06466 Gatersleben, Germany

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2008.v10i02.35

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Abstract: Effects of seed sterilization, storage time, and temperature as well as extent of seeding survival and establishment under glasshouse versus nursery conditions were studied for E. kebericho. Seeds sterilized for 9 and 5 minutes in 70 % ethanol and in 10% sodium hypochlorite, respectively, germinated best (95.2 ? 1.2%) on Murashige and Skoog medium, supplemented with 10 g L^-1 phytoagar. Further increases or decreases in sterilization time decreased germination percentage and increased contamination, respectively. Unsterilized seeds (control) were completely contaminated before the emergence of radicle as a result of fungal growth. Seed germination percentage declined with increasing storage time and dropped from 94.6 ? 0.4 % to 32.2 ? 1.2% in 15 months. 25 ^oC was an optimal temperature for best germination (94.6 ? 2.4%) of seeds. Seeds sown in pots containing a mixture of sand, nursery soil, and animal manure in a ratio of 0.5: 2.5: 0.5 respectively, germinated significantly (P< 0.05) compared to other soil ratios. Increase in sand or animal manure ratios decreased germination, while increase in nursery soil increased percentage and rate of germination. High percentage (96.0 ? 0.5%) germination was obtained with the seeds sown in nursery soil-surface mixed additives compared with the control. Seedlings of nursery bed origin survived best compared to those in vitro or pot origin seedlings. Ultimately, seedlings growth with vigorous and orthotropic developmental pattern was obtained under nursery conditions, compared to those in the glasshouse, which showed stunted and plagiotropic developmental pattern. The study found that seeds stored for less than 5 months, and at 25 ^oC, were the most suitable for in vitro and ex vitro propagation of E. kebericho.