HortFlora Research Spectrum

11-18

Authors: S. S. Chinchorkar , S. B. Suryavansi and G. R. Patel

The rainfall and temperature is the most fundamental physical parameter among the climate as it determines the environmental factors of the particular region which affect the agricultural productivity. Global warming/climate change is one of the most important worldwide issue talked among the scientists and researchers. Attempts have been made to study the temporal variations and trends in monthly, seasonal and annual temperature over Anand (middle Gujarat). Analysis has been carried for four temperature indices, namely - minimum temperature (Tmin), maximum temperature (Tmax), mean temperature (Tmean) and diurnal temperature range (DTR). Non-parametric Mann-Kendall (MK) test was used to detect the trends and the magnitude of the trends were determined with Sen’s estimator of slope.The present study is the warming trends in Tmin , Tmax and Tmean temperatures and decreasing trends in DTR over City of Anand. At the site, the total numbers of statistically significant values in three temperature indices - Tmin , Tmax and Tmean are more than total numbers of non-significant values on annual, seasonal and monthly timescale.All the trend in Tmin variable are increasing at the station on annual, seasonal and monthly scale. These increasing trends in Tmin are significant at annual, seasonal and monthly scales over January, July August and December over Anand, it is significant at annual, seasonal (winter, monsoon, post-monsoon). In general, the magnitudes of rate of change in Tmin are higher as compared to other variables on all time scale at the station.The increasing trends in Tmax at Anand are significant on annual scale, monsoon season as well as in February, March, May,June, August, October to December at Anand Similar to the trends observed in Tmin and Tmax, Tmean shows significant increasing trends on annual, seasonal (monsoon and post-monsoon) and monthly (except January) scale over Anand timescale. DTR shows significant decreasing trends on annual scale, winter season, post-monsoon season and in April month at Anand.

24-32

Authors: Shivnath Das, Ajit Kumar Pandey and Prabhat Kumar

Medicinal and Aromatic plants (MAPs) contribute significantly to rural economy and health security of the country. More than 90% of the formulations under the Indian systems of medicine contain plant-based raw materials. India exports herbal materials and medicines to the tune of nearly 600 corers annually and herbal based drug industry in the country is valued more than 4000 corers annually. In Bihar, area under MAP cultivation is 2600 ha only which is far below the national average. Thus, the status of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants cultivation is still negligible in Bihar. Though commercial cultivation of Mentha and Lemon grass are picking up in the state but still a lot of efforts are required to observe the real impacts of MAPs cultivation. Presently, Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are increasingly perceived as diversification crops in Indian agriculture. Development of suitable agronomic practices for MAPs is crucial to convert these plants into economically viable components in existing cropping systems of Bihar. Therefore, it is necessary for individual state to develop agro-technologies for medicinal plants and motivate farmers towards profitable cultivation of MAP crops for their livelihood security.

41-46

Authors: Khardiwar Mahadeo, Anil Kumar Dubey, S.S.Chicnhorkar and F.G. Sayyad

This study examines the effect of combustion properties of briquettes produced from different crop residues. The densification of biomass changes the combustion characteristics, in view of that the system was designed to determined combustion characteristics of different crop residues briquette using a specially design combustion chamber. In this experiments air is blown around the combustion chamber. The maximum specific rate of combustion achieved 92.8 kg/h-m2 with airflow rate 63. 6m3/h. The higher biomass consumption was observed that mix briquette 17.7 kg/h. with air flow rate 63.6 m3/h. The result indicates that as the airflow rate increase, the rate combustion and temperature of combustion both increase simultaneously. Oxidation temperature and flame temperature in the combustion chamber as depend on a function of airflow rate.

52-57

Authors: Mohd. Zeeshan and J.P. Singh

A field experiment was conducted to investigated the effect of foliar application of boron and GA3 on the physico-chemical composition, yield and cost benefit ratio of phalsa. The trial was undertaken at the Horticulture Garden of Department of Horticulture, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur during 2015-16 and 2016-17. There were 4 levels each of boron and GA3 i.e. 0, 30, 40, 50 ppm and 0, 10, 20, 30 ppm, respectively tried in a Factorial Randomized Block Design replicating thrice. First foliar application of the respective treatments was given when the flower buds were fully swollen and it was super imposed after three weeks. Observations were recorded on juice content, T.S.S., ascorbic acid, acidity and yield. Boron and GA3 in increasing concentration increased all the attributes profoundly barring acidity content. Foliar application of boron at 50 ppm improved the above attributes significantly expressing 50.59, 49.87% juice, 19.58, 19.770 Brix T.S.S., 30.95, 31.33 mg/100g ascorbic acid and 56.72, 59.88q/ha fruit yield against the minimum of 44.89, 44.92%; 17.89, 18.06° Brix; 27.21, 27.53mg/100g and 46.76, 49.17 q/ha registered under control (B0). GA3 treatments also proved profoundly effective in increasing the above parameters and application of 30 ppm recorded 51.25, 51.28% juice, 19.94, 20.13° Brix T.S.S., 30.42, 30.81 mg/100g ascorbic acid and 59.88, 63.27 q/ha fruit yield against 44.78, 44.06%; 17.70, 17.87° Brix; 28.06, 28.38mg/100g and 39.35, 41.21 q/ha values, respectively under control. 50 ppm Boron or 30 ppm GA3 produced less acidic fruits recording 1.450, 1.540% and 1.375, 1.440% acidity content against phalsa bushes deprived of foliar sprays of boron or GA3 (producing most acidic fruits) revealing 1.662, 1.160% and 1.830, 1.860% during corresponding years. It is obviously observed that cost benefit ratio increased progressively in increasing levels of boron and GA3. The cost benefit ratio was calculated on average data of 2015-16 and 2016-17. In this regard the maximum levels of boron (50 ppm), GA3 (30 ppm) and their interaction (B3G3) recorded 2.13, 2.34 and 2.63 cost benefit ratio and their control exhibited 1.68, 1.38 and 1.21 ratio, respectively.

62-66

Authors: M.S. Kanwar and Sonali Guleria

Performance of 26 indigenous/ exotic genotypes of cucumber was studied during Kharif, in randomized block design with 3 replications at Nauni (Solan). Significant differences among the genotypes were observed for all the traits under study, indicating the existence of considerable variability. A large portion of phenotypic variability was observed to be genetic and highly heritable in all the traits except for primary branches per vine. High heritability estimates accompanied with high genetic gain for yield per plant, sex ratio, node of first female flower and vine length indicated additive gene control for inheritance of these traits. Yield per plant had significant and positive association with fruits per plant and primary branched per plant. The traits viz. fruits per plant, fruit weight and fruit length contributed towards yield directly/ indirectly.

70-73

Authors: Bhag Chand, M.L. Meena*, Kusum Meena and B. C. Shivran

The present study examined the effect of bio-fertilizers on growth of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) cv. Pusa Snowball K-1. The study was conducted during Rabi 2015-2016 at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The treatment combination of bio-fertilizers was studied with different doses as T1 (Control), T2 (FYM, 20 t/ha.), T2 (Vermicompost, 5 t/ha.), T4 (Azotobacter, 2 kg/ha.), T5 (PSB, 2 kg/ha.), T6 (Neem Cake, 10 t/ha.), T7 (FYM + Vermicompost, 5 t/ha.), T8 (FYM + Azotobacter), T9 ( FYM + PSB), T10 ( FYM + Neem Cake), T11 (FYM + Vermicompost + Azotobacter) and T12 (FYM + Vermicompost +Azotobacter + PSB). Cauliflower growth including yield and quality parameters i.e. curd weight (g), curd diameter (cm), length of stalk (cm), yield per plot (kg), yield (q/ha) ascorbic acid and acidity respectively. Significant differences were observed for all the above mentioned parameters across the biofertilizer doses in cauliflower under Lucknow conditions.

78-80

Authors: P. C. Singh, P. P. Tripathi and Ramesh Singh

Curvularia leaf spot of brinjal (Solonum melongena) was grown on nine different solid media to observed the redial growth of the test fungus. Potato Dextrose Agar medium, favored the maximum growth and lowest growth was recorded on Asthana and Howker’s medium. The temperature requirement of the pathogen was investigated on Potato Dextrose Agar medium, in the range of 8°C to 45°C. The fungus exhibited maximum growth at a wide range of pH from 3.5 to 9.0, and best fungal growth was recorded at 6.5 and poor growth was observed at pH 3.5.