Abstract: Various chemical changes were studied during ripening of four sapota (Achras zapota [Manilkara zapota]) cultivars, viz. Cricket Ball, Ever Bearer, Bangalore Giant and Calcutta Round, at ambient temperature (25-30 degrees C) and relative humidity of 70-90%. Significant changes during storage were recorded in physico-chemical constituents of all the cultivars studied. The ripening process started first in Ever Bearer and its total soluble solid contents, total sugars, reducing sugars and ascorbic acid accumulation declined after 4 days. All the cultivars had a storage life of 6 days whereas Ever Bearer could only be stored for 2 days at ambient temperature.
Darshana Nand
C-67, Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, Allahabad - 211 016, India.
Abstract: Studies were undertaken on the flowering biology and bearing behaviour of hog-plum (Spondais pinnata [Spondias pinnata]). Well-established trees of hog-plum varieties 'oval' and 'round', growing within the premises of Government Gardens, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, were used. The studies were conducted with special reference to the variety 'oval'. The trees bore pure panicles at the terminal end of last years growth. The flowering took place on naked shoots with the advent of the spring season. Flowers opened during odd hours and anthers dehisced with the opening of flowers. The structure and shape of the inflorescence were similar to mango. Flowers were observed as hermaphrodites numbering 1829.4 per panicle. Pollen grains were dusty. The initial percentage set under natural open pollination was very good (71.29%) compared to very nominal set in mango. Thirty-five fruits per panicle reached final maturity.
A.K. Shukla, R.K. Pathak, R.P. Tiwari and Vishal Nath
N.D. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) 224 229, India.
Abstract: In a field experiment conducted in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, during 1995-96, the effect of irrigation and mulching on growth of aonla (Emblica officinalis [Phyllanthus emblica]) cv. NA 7 was investigated. The treatment comprised 3 irrigations (daily drip irrigation, alternate day drip irrigation and conventional surface irrigation by basin method) and different types of mulching materials, i.e. 200 guage black polyethylene, 8-cm thick farmyard manure (FYM), paddy straw, grass, and unmulched control. Plant height, canopy spread and stock girth were significantly better under alternate day drip irrigation over conventional method. Among mulching treatments, black polyethylene was the most effective mulch material however, among organic mulches paddy straw was the best for the same parameters. Leaf nutrient content (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) was maximum in alternate day drip irrigation and minimum under conventional method. Among mulching treatments, the maximum P, K, Ca and Mg values were found in FYM whereas,
A. Dag and S. Gazit
The Kennedy-Leigh Centre for Horticultural Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Abstract: Effective insect pollination is essential for good fruit set and yield in mango (Mangifera indica). Insects visiting mango bloom were collected for 3 years (1994-96) in 10 commercial orchards located in all major mango-growing areas in Israel. Forty-six distinct species or types (not identified to the species level) were found; most belonged to the orders Diptera (26), Hymenoptera (12) and Coleoptera (6). The following species played a significant role in mango pollination in most orchards: two blow flies (Chrysomya albiceps and Lucilia sericata); the honeybee (Apis mellifera) and the housefly (Musca domestica). Found in only one or two orchards, in medium to large numbers, were: the hover fly Episyrphus balfeatus, the wasp Bembecinus tridens, and two beetles, Cantharis atropoveolatus and Omophlus syriacus. The effectiveness of 12 pollinators was assessed in one orchard. Blow flies were found to be as effective as the honeybee, whereas the housefly was less so. Yield of small caged 'Keitt' mango trees was min
R. Kishun and S. Rajan
Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Rehmankhera, P.O. Kakori, Lucknow - 227 107, India.
Abstract: Nineteen X. campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae strains collected from different ecogeographical areas/mango genotypes of India were studied to confirm the existence of variability in the strains on the basis of their pathogenicity on genotypes (9), reaction towards antibiotics (9) and growth on culture media (5). Study revealed the existence of variability in Xcmi strains as exhibited by their differential reaction. The similarity in Xcmi strains was observed by hierarchical cluster analysis. Clustering pattern on these three detection methods indicated that the grouping of strains is not entirely based on their geographical distribution as the strains from northern and southern parts of India falls in a single cluster. However, the strains collected from Bihar exhibited more similarity with each other and clustered in one or nearby cluster in all the detection methods used.
Divender Gupta and Ranjeet Bhatia
Regional Horticultural Research Station, Jachh (Nurpur) - 176 201, India.
Abstract: The fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis and B. zonata) population was monitored with the help of bottle traps containing 100 ml aqueous solution of 0.1% methyl eugenol and 0.25% malathion per trap, in mango and guava orchards of submountainous region of Himachal Pradesh, India. The maximum catch of 98.6 and 62.6 males/trap for mixed population was recorded during 30th and 27th standard weeks in 1992 and 1993, respectively, in mango orchard. The corresponding catch in guava orchard was 427.2 and 517.0 during the 37th and 39th standard weeks. There was a significant positive correlation between the trap catch and maximum and minimum temperatures during both the years for both the hosts. The maximum catch coincided with the ripening period of fruits.
P.K. Arora, J.N. Sharma, S.K. Thind and P.K. Monga
Regional Fruit Research Station, Punjab Agricultural University, Abohar - 152 116, India.
Abstract: Some 8, 18, 3, 9, 5, 7, 3 and 7 cultivars of sweet oranges, mandarins, limes, lemons, grapefruits, trifoliates [Poncirus trifoliata], tangelos and other related species (such as C. taiwanica) were evaluated for resistance to citrus leafminer (P. citrella) under field conditions at Abohar, Punjab, India, during 1995-97. None of the citrus species was found to be free from leafminer infestation. Two cultivars of sweet orange (Campbell Valencia and Heavy Sweet), 1 of mandarin (Kara), 1 of lime (Sweet lime), 1 of lemon (Galgal), 4 of grapefruits (Davis, Marsh Prolific, Redblush and Star Ruby), 6 of trifoliates (Carrizo, Citrumelo, Pomeroy, Rubidoux, Sacaton Citrumelo and Savage) and 1 of related species (Sadaphal) were found to be least susceptible to leafminer, while 3 cultivars of mandarin (Italian mandarin, Kondanarum and Willow Leaf), 1 of lime (Kagzi lime), 1 of lemon (Jullundhiri Khatti) and 2 of related species (Box orange and Karna Khatta) were found highly susceptible.
Pankaj Srivastava, B.K. Srivastava and M.P. Singh
Department of Vegetable Science, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Udham Singh Nagar, India.
Abstract: Four planting methods, i.e. flat planting, flat planting-earthing up, ridge planting and raised bed double row planting, were tested to study the performance of early cauliflower cv. Pant Gobhi-2 grown during rainy season under Tarai conditions of Pantnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. The cauliflower seedling of 40 days age were planted at 60x45 cm spacing. Earthing up operation was done after one month of transplanting (27 July 1995). The results indicated that the mortality of seedling was significantly lesser in ridge planting compared to flat planting at all the stages of plant growth. The ridge planting resulted in healthy and early plant growth compared to other methods and also showed earliness in curd maturity besides giving higher net curd yield.
K.P. Singh and Sangama
Floriculture Laboratory, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta, Lake, PO, Bangalore - 560 089, India.
Abstract: The effect of seven plant spacing, viz. 30x30, 30x20, 30x10, 20x20, 20x12.5, 20x10 and 20x8.5 cm, on vegetative growth, flowering and postharvest quality of cut spikes in tuberose cv. 'Single' was investigated at Bangalore, Karnataka, India, during 1997-98. Wider spacing resulted in longer rachis and heavier individual florets. Closer spacing produced higher yield of cut flower and loose flower per plot basis. Wider and closer spacing have vice versa effect on above floral parameters. Rest of the studied parameters namely, plant height, number of leaves per clump, spike length, diameter of second floret, flowering duration under field condition and number of florets per spike and their corresponding weight and postharvest quality of cut flower were not influenced significantly by the plant densities.
T. Janakiram, T.M. Rao and R.M. Bhatt
Division of Ornamental Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake, Bangalore - 560 089, India.
Abstract: Plant growth, dry matter accumulation and its partitioning to different plant parts were studied in two cultivars of African marigold (Tagetes erecta) and three cultivars of French marigold (Tagetes patula). The cultivars of both African and French types differed significantly in dry matter production. In the African type, Golden Age recorded higher dry matter, while in the French type the maximum dry matter was accumulated by the Harvest Moon cultivar. The difference in the total yield is attributed to the variation in the growth components.
P.S. Dahiya and S.P. Saraswat
Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla - 171 001, H.P., India.
Abstract: Analysis of the marketing of apples in Himachal Pradesh, India, shows that despite the price support for apples announced since 1981, the marketing system is riddled with myriad problems. Farmers had marketing margins of 41% in 1984-85 and 42% in 1995-96. It is suggested that multipronged strategies should be explored for the future development of horticultural crops in the state in order to achieve better returns for the growers.
G.S.R. Murti, K.K. Upreti, R.M. Kurien and Y.T.N. Reddy
Plant Hormones Laboratory, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bangalore 560 089, India.
Abstract: Changes in the levels of endogenous hormones, abscisic acid (ABA), cytokinins (t-zeatin riboside (t-ZR) and dihydrozeatin riboside (DHZR)) in xylem sap and leaves and indole acetic acid (IAA) and total phenols in the leaves were determined in seven polyembryonic mango cultivars (Bappakai, Chandrakaran, Furukan, Muvandan, Mylepelian, Olour and Vellaikolamban), which are commonly used as rootstocks. Simultaneously morphological characters were recorded on mango cv. Alphonso of similar age raised on these cultivars as rootstocks to examine whether the hormones and phenols produced by these bear any relationship to the growth and development of scion. Also the stem anatomical features of the shoots of current and previous year growth were studied in Alphonso grafted on two rootstocks imparting contrasting effects on shoot vigour. The morphological attributes such as tree girth and tree volume of Alphonso were generally higher on rootstocks Muvandan, Bappakai and Olour and least on Vellaikolamban followed by Kuruk
Shailendra Rajan
Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, PO Kakori, Rehmankhera, Lucknow - 227 107, India.
Abstract: Logistic, Gompertz and Richards functions were used for examining their suitability in fitting growth data of malformed and normal mango panicles. The functional analysis of data indicated that Richards function was a suitable model for summarizing panicle growth data. The model was found to be superior to logistic and Gompertz because of its greater flexibility. The study revealed that Richards function can be successfully used for simulating panicle growth under different treatments and conditions.
R. Junthasri, P. Nartvaranant, S. Subhadrabandhu and P. Tongumpai
Department of Horticulture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
Abstract: The technique in producing off-season mango has been adopted in Thailand since 1986. Paclobutrazol, a plant growth retardant, was used in combination with thiourea for producing as well as breaking of flower buds. The studies on application methods showed that soil drenching of paclobutrazol is more effective for the induction of flowering in mango as compared to foliar spray. The rate of paclobutrazol application depended on the size of tree canopy as well as on mango cultivars. For most cultivars, the rate of paclobutrazol applied is generally determined by multiplying the diameter of tree canopy (expressed in meter) with 1.0-1.5 g of active ingredients of paclobutrazol. At 120 days after the application of paclobutrazol, 0.5% thiourea is usually sprayed to some cultivars for breaking of buds. Using this method, inflorescences are visible within 2.5 to 4 months after the paclobutrazol application depending on cultivar. However, the success in producing off-season mango is also dependent on other factors suc
P.K. Arora, Nirmal Kaur, R.C. Batra and N. Mehrotra
Regional Fruit Research Station, Abohar 152116, India.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.1999.v01i02.09
Key words: varieties, cultivars, fruits, phenols, sugars, quality, insect pests, pest resistance, ascorbic acid, fruit crops, control, agricultural entomology
Abstract: Physicochemical characteristics of fruits of eight ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) varieties, Chhuhara, Gola, Elaichi, Kaithli, Nazuk, Sanaur 2, Umran and ZG-2 in relation to fruit fly infestation were studied at Abohar. Fruit fly (Carpomya vesuviana) infestation was positively correlated with fruit weight, pulp-stone ratio, total soluble solids (TSS) and total sugars, whereas, it was negatively correlated to acidity, vitamin C [ascorbic acid] and total phenols. The varieties high in pulp content, TSS, total sugars, low acidity, vitamin C and total phenols were highly susceptible to fruit fly attack. The most resistance varieties were Umran (49% incidence), Gola (40%) and ZG-2 (33%).