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Defence Agricultural Research Laboratory, Pithoragarh - 262 501, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2005.v07i01.16

Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tohoku University, Tsutsumidori-amamiyamachi 1-1, Sendai 981-8555, Japan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2005.v07i01.02

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Abstract: An attempt was made to determine the vase life of spray type carnation flowers by observing the number of open flowers, i.e. the percentage of open flowers to the total number of initial flower buds, and to evaluate the efficacy of this method. The vase life determined by this method was similar to that determined by measuring ethylene production and observing senescence symptoms of carnation flowers. The method effectively evaluated the action of preservatives, sucrose and 1,1-dimethyl-4-(phenylsulfonyl)semicarbazide in carnation flowers. The results indicated that this method can be used as an alternative method for the determination of the vase life of carnation flowers, especially those of the spray type.

Aridland Agriculture and Greenery Department, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885 Safat, 13109, Kuwait

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.22

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Abstract: To further enhance the understanding of cultural needs and to promote efficient use of expensive water resources in ornamental plant production, it is important to conduct studies on fertilizer and irrigation requirements, identification and control of insect pest and disease and water conservation measures under local climatic conditions. The study reported in this paper was initiated in June 2002 to determine the effects of mulching on the growth and greenery impact of four proven adaptable introduced ornamental plants (Vitex agnus castus (VA), Caesalpinia mexicana (CM), Myoporum parvifolium (MP) and Rosmarinus officinalis (RO). Organic mulches (processed bark or compost) procured locally were applied to the soil surface immediately after planting. Periodic data recorded during the first year after planting indicated significant individual effects (mulches and species). However, the mulch x species interactions were not significant at P= 0.05. The processed bark was the better than compost in increasing plant height and canopy in MP and RO. However, VA plants in bark mulch had increased seedling height and larger canopies than those in unmulched plants. CM plant height was not affected by mulching but canopy increased due to surface mulching. The root zone soil moisture regimes were almost similar in all treatments

Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut - 673012, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.23

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Abstract: An efficient protocol has been developed for in vitro propagation of rambutan through tissue culture. Embryonic plants as well as multiple shoots were developed from seed explants cultured on Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) basal medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg l^-1 ) and BAP (1 mg l^-1 ). The multiple shoots were separated and subcultured on the same media. Callus initiation with somatic embryoids were generated from the excised cotyledons that were cultured on SH medium supplemented with 1 mg l^-1,4-D whereas direct somatic plantlets were developed from the excised cotyledons cultured on SH medium supplemented with 1 mg l^-12,4-D and 0.25 mg l^-1BAP. Regenerated plantlets with well developed shoots and roots were successfully transferred to soil. This system could be utilized for biotechnological applications and also in generating variability. This is the first report on in vitro propagation of rambutan.

Department of Botany, Department of Biochemistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.24

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Abstract: The fruits of three cultivars of the cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and the wild species (L. pimpinellifolium) were analysed and compared for their biochemical properties. Ripe fruits at the orange-red stage were used for all the analyses. Both the cultivated and the wild tomato species showed high moisture contents. The wild tomato cultivar had a higher crude protein content and quantitatively represents the better source of protein intake when compared with the cultivated cultivars. The crude fibre content was highest in L. esculentum cv. Roma V.F. The ash content was higher in the Ibadan local and wild cultivars than in the other cultivars. Peroxidase activity was found to be highest in L. pimpinellifolium, while catalase activity was highest in L. esculentum cv lfe-1. Glutathione transferase activities was negligible in all the samples analysed.

Caroni Research Station, Waterloo Road, Carapichaima, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, 138 Bregon Park, D ’ Abadie, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Faculty of Science and Agriculture, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.25

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Abstract: Low yield is a serious problem of citrus in Trinidad but it is not known to what extent virus/viroid diseases contribute to yield reduction. This study is an attempt to quantify both the extent of infection of major virus/viroid diseases known to exist in citrus locally and the relationship of infection level with yield. The virus and vims-like diseases assessed in surveys were citrus tristeza virus (CTV), citrus exocortis viroid (CEV) and psorosis. The study began in 1996 and was conducted on Valencia orange, Ortanique tangor and Portugal mandarin established on sour orange rootstock. Techniques used in the survey included visual assessment of symptoms and both biological and serological indexing. In 1997, Ortanique had the highest level of CTV infection of 48.8 % of trees, while in the other cultivars < 10 % tested positive. There were significantly fewer high yielding Ortanique CTV positive trees compared to CTV negative trees (P = 0.042). Fruit count of CTV positive trees was significantly lower than CTV negative trees in Valencia 2000 (P = 0.004) and Ortanique for a cumulative period of 1998 - 2000 (P = 0.001). All Ortanique trees and few trees of the other cultivars appeared infected with CEV. The yield pattern of infected trees over time did not suggest a reduction in yield associated with CEV infection. Valencia field 12069 had the most (51 %) trees with psorosis-like bark symptoms. Presence of bark-scaling symptoms showed no relationship with yield. Of the three diseases studied, only CTV was responsible for yield reduction.

Central Potato Research Institute, Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.26

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Abstract: Present study disclosed 24 hours water-logging as physio-damage free water logging and more than 24 hours as physio-damage for the tubers of 4 potato cultivars, namely Kufri Bahar, K. Sutlej, K. Anand and K. Ashoka. A higher percentage (72.51 %) of K. Bahar tubers displaying freedom from water damage showed the tubers of this variety as most water damage resistance among tubers of all cultivars studied. Tubers of K. Sutlej with 64.16 % freedom from water damage were next in order. At various durations of water logging viz., 0, 24, 72, 160 hours, 80.01 % freedom of tubers of K. Bahar from water damages showed this cultivar as most water resistant ones among tubers of remaining cultivars and tubers of K. Sutlej with 56.66% water damage freedom were next in overall 72 hours water logging. But tubers of all cultivars lost their water damage resistibility under 160 hours water logging. Tubers of K. Anand and K. Sutlej were found to be most water damage susceptible under water logging for more than 24 hours. The present investigation suggests that the potato growers should first take care of K. Anand and K. Ashoka tubers during water logging for more than 24 hours.

Gaziosmanpasa University, Agricultural Faculty, Agricultural Economics Department, 60240- Tokat, Turkey

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.27

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Abstract: The main material of this study consists of primary data obtained through surveying 92 family farms in a chosen area. In the study area, it was found out that the cultivated land is 3.70 ha with average population of 7.49 people/ha, literacy rate is 84.78% and that 57.84 % of family labour is unemployed. Each enterprise has an active capital of 82141.05$ on average and the rate of foreign debts in the passive capital is less than 1%. Average agricultural income per person (1254.87 $) is 1/3 times less than the gross national income (3377 $) in the country. The net profit of studied crops in the planted areas was 375.75, 367.94, 143.90, 98.42 and -12.08$ for eggplant, squash, tomatoes, beans and watermelon, respectively. This result indicates that profitability does not had a significant effect on the pattern. Sensitivity analyses on enterprise net profit for eggplant, squash, tomato, bean and watermelon revealed that for eggplant and squash, net profits were more sensitive to yield and price changes than for tomatoes, beans and watermelons.

Department of Vegetable Crops, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana - 141 004, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.28

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Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of integrated management practices on yield and harvesting span of tomato. The experiment consisted of five cultural treatments and four varieties, planted in a split plot design. Number of primary branches, fruit trusses, fruits, fruit weight, marketable yield and Incidence of fruit borer were the highest in November transplanted crop, allowed to grow as such, and were lowest in March transplanting. Topping in both November and February transplanting reduced fruit yield, characters contributing to yield and incidence of fruit borer. Hybrid TH2312 out performed other varieties for most of the characters. Harvesting span of November transplanted-topped crop was the longest and that of March transplanting the shortest. The effect of topping in delaying the harvesting span was more conspicuous in November transplanted crop compared with February transplanting. This effect also varied with the varieties/dates of transplanting, being well marked in TH2312 and CR-2-P8-5-1 in November transplanting and only in Nagcarlan in February transplanting. The incidence of blotchy ripening and sunscalding was highest in March transplanting and the lowest in November transplanting, whereas the reverse was true in case of incidence of fruit borer. Topping increased incidence of blotchy ripening, sun-scalding and decreased the incidence of fruit borer infestation in both November and February transplanting.

Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tohoku University, Tsutsumidori- amamiyamachi 1-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8555, Japan. Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Mild, Kagawa 761-0795, Japan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.15

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Abstract: Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. Nora) plants, transformed with carnation ACC synthase (DC-ACS1) cDNA in sense or antisense orientation (the transgenes are sACS transgene and aACS transgene, respectively) by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer were produced. Cut flowers of all the transgenic lines obtained, 2 lines transformed with sACS transgene and 3 lines with aACS transgene, showed suppressed ethylene production during natural senescence as compared with flowers of the non-transformed control line. Among 5 transgenic lines, the sACS-1 line harboring sACS transgene had the severest reduction in ethylene production from flowers, and the flowers lost their vase-life with drying and discoloration in the rim of petals, the ethylene-independent deterioration of carnation flowers. DNA gel blot analysis revealed that the loci of sACS transgenes in the sACS-1 line were different from those in the 6-0-66 line, which is another transgenic line of different origin harboring sACS transgene, although both lines have two copies of the transgenes.

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Bayern University, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, Agricultural Engineering and Irrigation Programme, NAERLS, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.16

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Abstract: Watermelon is a crop with a high economic value, which is grown and traded for export in many countries. With the expansion of land under irrigation and provision of irrigation facilities in many of the semi-arid regions including Nigeria, local farmers now grow the crop under irrigation, which hitherto, was restricted to rainy season or under residual moisture. A field study was earned out to investigate the effects of varying levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100 or 50 kg N ha^-1 and irrigation regime (7, 14 or 21-day intervals) on the performance of watermelon at Kadawa (11 ^o 39’ N, 08^o 02’ E), Nigeria. The result revealed that nitrogen significantly affected the growth, yield and yield components in the range of 50-150 kg ha^-1 . Similarly, frequency of irrigation affected some of the growth parameters; however, the total and marketable yields were not significantly affected when irrigation regime was delayed up to 21-day interval. Thus, the volume of water would be reduced thereby increasing efficient use of water in the region which is the major limiting factor during the dry season farming.

United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Iwate University, Laboratory of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences, Iwate University, Ueda 3-18-8, Morioka 020-8550, Japan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.17

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Abstract: A quantitative growth analysis was performed using instantaneous leaf growth parameters for eggplant and tomato under soil water deficit conditions. A conventional approach was applied for quantifying the relative growth rate (RGR) calculation and was compared with directly measured RGR. Relative leaf growth rate (R_LA) was also measured in relation to leaf area (L_A). Total plant dry weight (L_dw) was significantly reduced under stress for both the crops and hence RGR. Total Leaf area (L_A) and leaf weight (L_dw) was higher in tomato than that of eggplant and adversely affected by periodic water deficit at reproductive stage. Water deficit lowered the leaf growth in terms of L_A and Z_dw in eggplant by 34 and 3% and in tomato by 25 and 25 %, respectively. Tomato plants showed higher CET (Cumulative evapotranspiration) by increasing water use at reproductive stages than eggplant but both plants lowered the CET underwater deficit. Among the leaf growth characteristics, leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf weight ratio (LWR) and unit leaf rate (ULR) were quantified and used as important parameters for RGR analysis. The index LAR was very sensitive and had great influence on simulated RGR although it fluctuated during all growth stages. Higher SLA at reproductive stage representing lower thickness of leaf was the characteristics of eggplant. But tomato showed lower SLA that was attributed to accumulate photosynthates in leaves during reproductive stage. ULR varied during the experiment but exhibited more efficiency in tomato. In general, higher RGR at vegetative and early reproductive stages was common for both crops followed by lower RGR. The measured and calculated RGR were not constant at all at any growth stage. The calculated RGR based on leaf growth characteristics were, in general, well agreed with measured RGR for both cases indicating leaf growth characteristics credibly provides useful information for crop growth behavior. The present findings also suggest that LAR along with ULR had positive influence on RGR of eggplants and tomato at any growth stage.

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

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.18

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Abstract: A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of Zn enriched organic manures and Zn solubilizers on the yield, curcumin content of turmeric and nutrient status of the soil. The treatment with FYM + zinc solubilizing bacteria showed higher turmeric rhizome yield increase of 21.6 percent than the FYM alone treatment (9.1 per cent) than no manure (control). The dry rhizome yield, reflected the promising effect of Zn and Fe enriched coirpith or FYM, and Zn enriched coirpith or FYM at M₁ (no manure) while at M₂ (NPK + FYM) and M₃ (NPK+FYM+Zn solubilizing bacteria), the foliar spray of Zn + Fe + MOP excelled the remaining treatments. Incorporation of farmyard manure at 12.51 ha^-1 along with Zn solubilizing bacteria stood superior by registering highest values for available of N, P and K content in the soil. The Zn solubilizing organism (Bacillus sp.) identified interestingly proved to have favorable effect on the availability of N, P and K. The effect of micronutrient treatments comprising of soil application of per se ZnSO₄, FeSO₄ and fortified FYM with Zn and Fe and foliar spray of these two nutrients resulted in synergistic effect on the enhanced availability of not only micronutrients but also K. The DTPA - Zn content of the soil though evidenced significant variation for the different treatments of FYM, FYM + ZSB (Zn solubilising bacteria) and micronutrients on an overall basis did not exceed the deficiency level. Addition of Fe with Zn either as such or fortified with FYM / with coirpith showed synergistic effect on Zn availability in the soil. The available B content of the soil showed an upheaval trend for manuring and Zn and Fe applications. During different stages of crop growth and at harvest stage, DTPA - Fe content in none of the treatments exceeded the threshold level. However, enhancement for treatments with organic manures and micronutrients were statistically perceptible. The availability of Cu and Mn in the soil, brought out the positive effect of Zn and Fe added as such or as fortified either alone or along with FYM and FYM + ZSB. Both content as well as uptake of all the major nutrients in the turmeric plant right from the early phase of crop growth to harvest were positively altered by FYM, FYM + ZSB and soil and foliar application of Zn and Fe.

College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, The University in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. P.O. Box: 482 Burida

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.19

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Abstract: Six-month-old buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus L.) seedlings were grown in containers under different soil water potentials (soil), ) to 1) determine the minimum soil water potential at which Conocarpus trees can survive and grow fairly well, 2) to study the soil-plant water relationship at different irrigation regimes, and 3) to examine the capacity of Conocarpus seedlings for osmotic adjustment via solute accumulation. Seedling growth was not affected significantly until soil water potential was lower than -0.1 MPa (between 40 and 30% FC), after which, plant height, leaf area and shoot and root dry weights became disrupted by severe water deficit. Water stress decreased osmotic potential of leaves and roots. Leaves tended to osmoregulate their cell sap through osmotic adjustment process as their content of soluble sugars increased. The positive survival under low soil water potential could be related to increased osmotic adjustment. Soil water potential values seem more useful tool than FC values to estimate water requirements and use over an extended period of time, for plant grown under different soil types and different environmental conditions. The study indicate that Conocarpus seedlings can withstand reasonable water stress and can survive at moderately low water potential but, in contrast to other studies, can not be classified as a high drought tolerant or resistant species.

National Center for Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer, Jordan. University of Jordan, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2004.v06i02.20

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Abstract: Performance of three rose cultivars First Red, Versilia, and Virginia was evaluated when were grown on their own roots and when grafted onto three rootstocks Rosa indica, Major; Rosa canina, Inermis and Rosa hybrida, Natal Briar in a plastic house. Yield, dry weight and mineral composition were investigated for two successive years. Scion rose cultivars especially on the rootstock Natal Briar produced more flowers/plant which was greatly dependent on the rootstock. The Natal Briar rootstock was superior to that of R. indica and R. canina rootstocks. In addition, more yields were obtained from plant combinations than cultivars grown on their own roots. Scion/rootstock combinations were superior to those grown on their roots with respect to dry weight percentage and nutritional status. Higher and efficient macro and microelement contents were found in shoot and root portions of plant combinations than in the cutting plants. There was no relation between the yield and the elemental status of the root tissues except for phosphorus. Furthermore, shoot and root dry weights were highly correlated to the yield/plant. Shoot dry weight was highly correlated to manganese, magnesium and phosphorus, respectively. While root dry weight was mainly correlated to the manganese, zinc, and magnesium. We conclude that rose yields can be improved through more uniform mineral distribution within the plant tissue by selecting efficient rootstocks to grow scion cultivars on them.