CURRENT HORTICULTURE

Ethno-botanical study of plants used by Kodava tribes in Kodagu district of Karnataka

Karunakaran G — 2024-06-08

The ethnic knowledge on medicinal value of major plants viz. Justicia wynaadensis, Remusatia vivipara, and Bambusa bambos
consumed by Kodava tribes in Kodagu District of Karnataka, India was carried out to preserve the herbal/medicinal plant wealth
and their proper usage, as there is a decline in human expertise to identify and recognize various medicinal plants. Data were
documented using conventional ethnobotanical methods such as interviews and discussion with local populace of Kodava tribals
(headmen, healers, and elderly persons) of the study area using a semi-structured questionnaire comprising information about
plants and their local names, plant parts used, time of usage, method of sample collection and preparation of dishes, their nutritional
and their use in traditional folk medicines, and any other specific comments. The study indicated that J. wynaadensis, locally known
as Maddh toppu or Kurinji Toppu or Aati soppu, undergoes a mysterious transformation in terms of chemical constituents during wet
and dark months of the monsoon, which is responsible for its medicinal values. During Kakkada padinet, Kodava people consume
Maddu Payassa prepared from J. wynaadensis and believe that it generates heat and stabilizes the body temperature, and thus gives
resistance against fever and cold during monsoon season. The R. vivipara is known as Mara Kesa, is used in folk medicine to cure
inflammation, arthritis, to dispel worms and germs for disinfecting the genito-urinary tract. The consumption of newly emerged
bamboo shoots (B .bambos) along with mushrooms is said to balance the body temperatures during heavy rainy days. In summary,
the participants of the study underlined that these underutilized vegetables, major components in traditional dishes, offer enhanced
nutritional and medicinal values when consumed especially during the monsoon season.

Efficient in-vitro regeneration protocol in chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) from ray florets

D P Jadhav — 2024-06-08

The experiment was conducted to standardize regeneration protocol from ray florets in chrysanthemum cv. Pusa Arunodaya (TQP-
06). For callus induction, the highest callusing percent (82.67%) with a minimum number of days for callus initiation (10.87 days)
was observed in MS medium supplemented with Kinetin (10 mg/l) + NAA (1.0 mg/l) in treatment (T3). Highest shooting percent
(69.33 %) with minimum number of days for shoot initiation (6.27 days) along with maximum number of shoots per explant (5.67
shoots) in MS medium supplemented with Kinetin (5.0 mg/l) + NAA (1.0 mg/l). In shoot proliferation, the highest number of shoots
after 30 days (51.67), 60 days (72.00), and 90 days (98.67) in MS medium supplemented with Kinetin (5.0 mg/l) + NAA (1.0 mg/l).
The highest rooting percent (85.00%) with least days for root initiation (7.00 days) along with maximum roots per shoot (8.00) and
optimum root length (5.00 cm) in MS medium supplemented with IBA (0.2 mg/l). The rooted plants were successfully acclimatized
in 3-4 weeks and survived under field conditions.

Morphological and physiological responses of CMD resistant cassava (Manihot esculenta) genotypes to nutrient regimes

S.Sunitha — 2024-06-08

The field studies were carried out on cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) varieties resistant to cassava mosaic disease (V1-CR43-2,
V2-15 S 59, V3-15 S 409 , V4-15 S 154, V5-CR43-7, V6-8S 501-2, V7-CR24-4, V8- 15S-436) and three levels of nutrient doses (F1-75:50:75,
F2- 100:50:100 and F3- 125:50:125 kg NPK/ha) in spilt plot design during 2018-19 and 2019-20 to assess the response of varieties to
nutrition. There was significant difference in morphological and physiological parameters among varieties, but not with different
nutrient doses. The rate of leaf production was more 4-6 months after planting (34-40%) and percentage retention was less for first
season crop (55.6-41.4%) compared to second season (77.2-52.5 %). Though not significant, higher nutrition levels recorded more
number of green leaves as well as leaf area at most of the stages. Tuber bulking rate was 0.19 to 0.37 g/day during initial two months.
The rate increased and maximum bulking was recorded between 4 and 8 months (2.15-6.71 g/day). Pooled analysis also showed a
gradual increase in tuber yield with nutrient levels, but was not significant (7%). The varieties responded differently to nutrients
with respect to tuber yield. F3 recorded higher tuber yield (66.9 t/ha) than F1 (45.7 t/ha) in V7 and V6 recorded highest tuber yield with
F2 level of nutrition (71.1 t/ha). F1 was found optimum for rest of the varieties.

Optimizing mulch thickness for enhanced vegetative growth of khirni (Manilkara hexandra)

Mukesh Chand Bhateshwar — 2024-06-08

A field experiment for optimizing mulch thickness for enhanced vegetative growth of khirni (Manilkara hexandra Roxb.) cv. Thar
Rituraj was conducted during the 2019-20 at College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar, Rajasthan. Among different thicknesses
application of T6-12 cm thickness of dry grass to individual plants was significantly superior to all other treatments, but it was on at
par with T5-10 cm thickness of dry grass. In treatment T6, an increase in shoot and leaf parameters, such as rootstock girth (10.98%),
scion girth (11.05%), plant height (32.61%), number of nodes/shoot (80.52%), number of internodes/shoot (94.33%), number of
leaves/plant (39.94%), leaf length (13.45%) and leaf area index (1.50%), were recorded during February 2020.

Impact of saline soils on grafted tomato (Solanum lycoparsicon) onto brinjal (Solanum melongena)

P C Singh — 2024-06-08

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of salinity on horticultural traits of grafted tomato (Solanum lycopersiocon
Mill.) onto brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) rootstock and to find out the best salt tolerance or resistant rootstock/graft
combination during 2021-22 at ICAR-IIVR KVK, Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh. Three rootstocks (IC-111056, IC-354557, and Surya)
and graft between three different scions (Kashi Aman, Kashi Chayan and NS-4266) were compared with their scions. Among
rootstock, IC-111056 and IC-354557 were observed highly salt tolerant to saline condition which could be used as rootstock for
further crop production in saline conditions and its use in conventional breeding programme to develop salt tolerant/resistant
variety.

Effect of fruit retention and days to fruit maturity on seed yield and quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Naiya Patel — 2024-06-08

The experiment was conducted at Department of Seed Science and Technology, BACA, AAU, Anand, to find out the effect of fruit
retention and days to fruit maturity on seed yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), during kharif season of 2021-22. The experiment
consisted of twelve treatment combinations involving four different number of fruits retention, viz. R1: 10 fruits/plant, R2: 15 fruits/
plant, R3: 20 fruits/plant and R4: all fruits/plant and three days to fruit maturity, viz. M1: 50 days after fruit formation, M2: 60 days
after fruit formation and M3: 70 days after fruit formation. The 15 fruits retained/plant (R2) and 50 days after fruit formation (M1)
gave significantly higher fruit yield, seed quality and seed vigour. The maximum weight of fruit (7.80 g), fruit length (17.77 cm), fruit
girth (5.75 cm), number of seeds/fruit (47.01), 100-seed weight (6.893 g), germination (96.67 %), seedling root length (11.91 cm),
seedling shoot length (18.68 cm), seedling length (30.58 cm), seedling fresh weight (4.810 g), seedling dry weight (0.1804 g), seedling
vigour index-I (2955.96) and seedling vigour index-II (17.44) were noticed in 15 fruits/plant 50 days after fruit formation (R2M1).
Whereas, lower (0.800) electrical conductivity was recorded with R2M2.

Evaluation of high temperature tolerant longmelon (Cucumis melo) cultivar

B.R. Choudhary — 2024-06-08

Longmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. utilissimus), a warm season crop, can be grown in tropical and subtropical regions. The cv. AHLM-
2 (Thar Sheetal) has been developed to produce early fruiting with quality fruits free from bitterness coupled with tolerance to high
temperature. Varieties developed by the private sector are used by the farmers and their seed are expensive. The release of Thar
Sheetal, an open-pollinated cultivar with better fruit length (27.62 cm) and fruit weight (81.82 g) is a prolific bearer (18.20-21.87
marketable fruits/ plant). Thar Sheetal has high yield potential of 136.31 q/ has under hot arid conditions, which is 22.11% higher
than the control ‘Punjab Longmelon-1’. It bears tender, attractive, light green fruits which are not bitter. Thar Sheetal can withstand
high temperature and is able to set fruits up to 42º C under hot arid conditions.

Variability in different isolates of Penicillium italicum causing blue mould rot in orange (Citrus reticulata)

Meera Choudhary — 2024-06-08

Seven isolates of blue mould fungi (Penicillium italicum), causing blue mould rot on orange (Citrus reticulata Blanco) isolated
from Jobner region exhibited variable growth on artificial culture media (PDA). The PI-1 appeared as dark green centre with white
periphery. The other isolates had different colony characters with green to light blue centre surrounded by cottony to profuse colony
peripheries. The disease intensities of blue mould isolates were also variable. The PI-1, PI-2 and PI-3 were at par, while maximum
intensity (57.76 %) was recorded in PI-1 and minimum (21.12 %) in PI-7.

Integrated protocol for value-addition in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa)

Neelima Garg — 2024-06-08

An integrated protocol was standardized for production of diversified products from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). The fresh
fruits were subjected to lactic acid fermentation using Lactobacillus sp. The prepared probiotic drink was collected and left over
fruits were utilized for preparation of other products, viz. candy, squash, jelly and wine. Candy was prepared by incubating whole
fruits in subsequently increasing concentrations of sugar syrup and then drying at 60 oC temperature in electric dehydrator to an
intermediate moisture level of around 12%. The sugar syrup thus left had attractive red color due to anthocyanins extracted from the
fruits. It was used for preparation of squash, jelly and wine. The strawberry probiotic drink contained 2.2 oB TSS, 0.17% acidity, 2.1
mg/100ml vitamin-C, 37.1 mg/100ml phenolics and 2.36 mg/100ml anthocyanins. During ambient storage of probiotic drink up to
30 days, vitamin-C, phenolics and anthocyanin contents decreased while reducing sugars increased. Quality analysis of strawberry
products revealed that candy contained highest amounts of phenolics and anthocyanins followed by jam, jellly and squash and least
in wine. The vitamin-C content ranged between 1.6 to 14.8 mg/100 g or ml, being highest in jelly while least in wine. The ethanol
content in wine was found to be 11.7 per cent. All the strawberry products were highly acceptable during sensory evaluation scoring
above 7.0 out of total 9.0. It may be concluded that a variety of processed products could be prepared from same raw material by using
the integrated protocol for strawberry products.

Effect of zinc and corm size on growth and corm yield in gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.)

Sakshi Santosh Vyas — 2024-06-08

An experiment was conducted at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to find the effect of soil application of zinc
sulphate and corm size on growth and corm parameters in gladiolus cv. Malaviya Kundan during 2018-19. The experiment was laid
out in randomized block design replicated 4 times where mother corms of seven different sizes and zinc sulphate at three different
levels were used. The largest-sized corm (4.0 cm) was found to be the best in growth characters like leaf length, scape width and
number of leaves/plant. Application of zinc at various doses also provided positive response in days to sprouting and leaf length.
Bigger- sized corms (3.0-4.0 cm) produced more no. of corms and cormels/hill, increased diameter and weight of corms compared
to small size of mother corms (1.0-2.5 cm). All the doses of zinc sulphate failed to exert any significant effect on production of corms
and cormels.

Effect of copper and zinc as a supplement fertilizer on growth of radish (Raphanus sativus) root and foliage

M.K. Nehra — 2024-06-08

The foliar spray of copper (0.3%) and znc (0.4%) solution at 15 and 25 days of growth improved the plant height, fresh weight and root
size of radish (Raphanus sativus L.). The application of copper and zinc along with N, P, K fertilizers improved crop growth more than
the control. The concentration of 0.6% copper and 0.8% sinc showed some toxic effect and reduced growth of leaves and root but was
better than the no application of Cu and Zn elements.

Application of microwave oven technology for dehydration of ornamental leaves

B Raghupathi — 2024-06-08

The standardization of microwave oven drying technology for dehydration of ornamental leaves was done. The embedding of leaves
in silica gel and microwave oven drying (720 micro power, i.e. medium high) for 2 min was suitable technique for dehydration of
ornamental leaves of Swietenia mahagoni, Acacia auriculiformis and Hamelia patens leaves. The time of 2.5 min was appropriate for
leaves of Alstonia scholaris, Rosa spp., Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Bougainvillea glabra, 3 min for Lagerstroemia speciosa and 3.5 min
for Polyalthia longifolia and Ixora chinensis.

Response of integrated nutrient management and micronutrients on quality, nutrient content, uptake and soil of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

B A Jethava — 2024-06-08

The experiment was conducted to find out the response of integrated nutrient management and micronutrients on quality, nutrient
content, nutrient uptake and soil parameters of tomato at College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Vaso, during rabi
season in 2019-20 and 2020-21. The randomized block design with factorial concept having 14 treatment combinations with three
replications comprising two factors having two levels of micronutrients and seven levels of INM was used. Different treatments of
INM and micronutrients improved the quality, nutrient uptake and soil parameters. The maximum titrable acidity (0.92%) recorded
with M1: zinc @ 100 & N6: 50% RDF + 50% N from vermicompost + bio NPK, while maximum TSS (5.38 oBrix), lycopene (3.08 mg/100
g) and vitamin-C (34.93 mg/100 g) recorded with N6. For nutrient uptake, M1: zinc @ 100 ppm recorded maximum nitrogen uptake
by plant (119.71 kg/ha). In INM, treatment N5 recorded maximum nitrogen content (1.72%), phosphorus (0.68%), potash (1.38%),
nitrogen uptake (125.75 kg/ha), phosphorus uptake (44.42 kg/ha) and potash uptake (54.95 kg/ha). The INM treatment N5: 50% RDF
+ 50% N from FYM + Bio NPK recorded maximum microbial count (6.2 × 107 and 7.5 × 107) during 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively
and also maximum available N2O (271.77 kg/ha), available P2O5 (51.08 kg/ha), available K2O (257.13 kg/ha), organic carbon (0.45%),
minimum electrical conductivity (1.13 dS/m) and pH (7.76).

Response of different fertigation levels and cultivars of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) on yield and economic benefit

Neelam Dev — 2024-06-08

A field study was conducted to evaluate the “response of different fertigation levels and cultivars of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa
Duch.) on yield and economic benefit” at the Department of Horticulture, Dr. K.S.G.A. College of Agriculture, Eternal University, Baru
Sahib (HP) during 2021-2022. The experiment was set up using a Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with 12 treatment
combinations, which included four levels of fertigation (0%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) and three cultivars (Camarosa, Chandler, and
Winter Dawn) and replicated thrice. The maximum value of fruit setting (99.21 %), number of flowers/plant (20.36), yield/plant
(425.27 g) and yield/plot (5.10 kg) were noted in fertigation level F3 (100% recommended dose of NPK). The highest fruit setting
(96.58 %), number of flowers/plant (19.14), yield/plant (381.31 g), yield/plot (4.57 kg) were recorded under “Chandler” cultivar
whereas, maximum fruit setting (98.91 %), yield/plant (442.18 g) and yield/plot (5.30 kg) were obtained with treatment combination
T12 (Camarosa+100% RDF dose of NPK through drip) as compared to other treatments. The maximum Cost: benefit ratio (3.31) was
observed in treatment combination T12 (camarosa with 100% recommended dose of NPK through drip).

Genetic variability and character association for growth and yield characters in Dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus var. typicus) under rainfed semi-arid conditions

Gangadhara K — 2024-06-08

The genetic variability and character association were studied in 60 genotypes of dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus var. typicus
L.) during 2018-2023 at Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR- CIAH), Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat. A degree of
variation was observed for all characters. High Phenotypic Co-efficient of Variation (PCV) and Genotypic Co-efficient of Variation
(GCV) were recorded for primary branches/plant, number of pods/plant, Pod length, pod weight and pod yield/plant. The high PCV
and GCV were recorded for primary branches/plant, number of pods/plant, pod length, pod weight and pod yield/plant indicated
maximum variability in the genotypes. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent mean was observed for plant
height, number of primary branches/plant, number of pods/plant, pod length, pod girth, pod weight and pod yield/plant indicating
that these characters are controlled by additive gene action. Thus, selection for these characters will improve the yield. Pod yield/
plant exhibited positive and highly significant correlation with number of branches, number of pods/plant, pod length, pod girth,
pod weight at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Hence these traits should be considered as important selection criteria for
improvement of pod yield/plant.

New varieties of arid fruits

A K Singh — 2024-06-08

Promising Dragon fruit varieties

Karunakaran G — 2024-06-08

Exploring potential of protected cultivation in India—a review

Balraj Singh — 2024-06-08

Protected cultivation has become an integral part of modern agriculture, significantly contributing to global food security and
horticultural production. The diverse array of structures and crops grown under protection underscores the adaptability and
versatility of these systems. As the world grapples with the challenges of feeding a growing population, protected cultivation is set
to play an increasingly vital role in the future of agriculture, offering solutions to the problems of climate change, resource scarcity,
and food quality. To realize the full potential of protected cultivation, governments, agricultural institutions, and private sector must
work together to support and promote sustainable practices, ensure training and knowledge sharing, and create favourable policies
for its continued growth. Looking to the future, the potential of protected cultivation is enormous. As global population growth and
climate change continue to exert pressure on traditional agriculture, protected cultivation offers a sustainable solution to increase
food production, ensure crop quality, and reduce the dependency on seasonal variations. Additionally, technological advancements
in energy-efficient systems, renewable energy adoption, and integrated pest management are expected to make protected cultivation
even more sustainable and economically viable.

Induced mutation breeding in tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) – a review

Jyothi R — 2024-06-08

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa Linn.) is major bulb crop growing in both tropical and subtropical areas. The popularity of tuberose
is due to as it occupies prime position in cut and loose flower, essential oils extraction and landscaping. The main problem in
conventional tuberose breeding is lack of genetic variability, self-incompatibility and seed sterility. To achieve the rapid evaluation,
induced mutation was opted. It is one of important pathway to find variability in vegetatively propagated species. So far 3,300
officially released mutants available in 170 different species from 60 countries. Mutation induction in tuberose was carried out by
physical mutants like X-rays, Gamma Rays and chemical mutagens like EMS and DES. Till now two induced mutants namely, Rajat
Rekha (Silver strip) and Swarna Rekha (Golden Strip) with leaf variation have been developed at CSIR-National Botanical Research
Institute, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh). More mutation works was also carried out through induced mutation. In future still there is
wide scope opened for induction of different mutants like colour variation, change in petal shape, altered flower arrangement in
spike, long and short spike mutants in tuberose.

Ramification of post-harvest thermal disinfestation technology for mango fruit flies [Bactrocera spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae)] across India

Abraham Verghese — 2024-06-08