HortFlora Research Spectrum

193-198

Authors: Anil Kumar Singh; Pravesh Kumar; Renu Singh; Nidhi Rathore

Integration of trees with crops adds a significant element of biological diversity to agronomic systems and promotes sustainable, protective and productive land use. The biological interactions between the major components i.e., trees and crops are of primary importance ana introduce challenges and complexities not present in sole cropping. Specifically, it must be demonstrated that satisfactory growth and yields of both trees and crops can be achieved in the microenvironment of the agroforestry land-use system that varies considerably with time. Compared to an open environment, the modified microclimate under trees will have reduced solar radiation, a lowered red:far-red light ratio, a more moderate temperature regime, higher humidity, lower rates of evapo-transpiration and higher soil moisture levels. All of these factors will change as a function of tree development and tree management practices. The spacing arrangement chosen for trees will also be a factor in determining how rapidly the changes come into play. During the establishment phase, tree shade will be minimal and have little significant effect on the understory companion crops. However, as the trees grow, the changes in the microclimate will become more pronounced, which might strongly affect the growth and compatibility of the understory companion crop.

208-214

Authors: Naresh Kumar; Vijai Kumar; M.C. Singh

In an experiment conducted on ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal), to study the response of different organic amendments with organic manure (FYM) and bio-fertilizers in relation to plant growth, root yield and quality parameters it was found that the seedlings (5-7 leaf stage) inoculated with Azospirillum @ 105 or 106 CFU resulted a significant increase in plant growth and biomass yield. However, the root and seed yields were observed higher in the plants planted in soil amended with vermi-compost and FYM @ 2 or 3 kg/1.8 m2/plot. The plant height varied significantly among all the treated plots but remain taller (24.80 cm) in plots treated @ 2kg FYM having maximum stem diameter (0.48 cm) at 30 DAP (days after planting) and highest numbers of leaves per plant (438) after reaching 75 DAP followed by seedling treated with Azospirillum @ 106 CFU. However, the lowest number of leaves per plant (97.4) was observed in the plants grown in plots amended vermi-compost @ 2 kg/plot. Number of branches per plant remained highest (51.0) with plants treated with Azospirillum @ 106 CFU, soil amended with vermi-compost @ 2 kg and FYM @ 3 kg/plot followed by plants grown with Azospirillum @ 105 CFU (46.0). Whereas, the plants grown in plots amended without FYM produced least number of branches (21.2) even at 75 DAP. Fresh root weight per plant was observed maximum (24.0 g) in the plants amended with vermi-compost @ 2 kg and FYM @ 3 kg/plot and inoculated with Azospirillum @ 106 CFU. However, the dry weight of the roots remained highest (7.6 g/plant) in the plants treated with FYM @ 3 kg, vermi-compost @ 2 kg/plot and inoculated with Azospirillum @ 105 CFU.

220-224

Authors: Praveen Kumar Nishad; Balaji Vikram; V. M. Prasad

Guava cv. Apple colour is a commercial fruit crop for the grower in India but its self life is poor and its waste causes many economic problems. The aim of this study was to improve the self life of the fruit by the use of different chemicals composition, Waxol percentages and packaging materials. There were ten post harvest treatments - Bavistin (0%), (0.1%) and (2%) and Wax (0%), (6%) and (8%), and one storage condition i.e (Room temperature). Name of chemical use - Their effects were accessed by complete randomized design with three replications. The treated fruits of guava were stored at room temperature. There was decrease in vitamin C (mg) and acidity during storage period of guava fruit under room temperature. The increase in TSS and juice pH and physiological loss in weight of fruit was noticed in storage period irrespective of post harvest treatment and room temperature. All the treatments were found better in respect of TSS & ascorbic acid content over control. On the basis of results obtained the treatment combination T4 (Waxol 6%+Bavistin 0.2%) proved to be the best in terms of fruit quality and better shelf life at room temperature.

231-234

Authors: A. S. Sidhu; B. S. Sidhu; J. S. Brar

The data revealed that fruit yield of peach increased with increasing application of zinc sulphate. The maximum fruit size (5.0 cm length and 4.9 cm breadth), fruit weight (89.00 g), fruit yield per plant (58.25 kg) and yield per unit area (64.07 q/hectare) were observed with 800 g ZnSO4 per plant as soil application followed by foliar spray (0.5%) whereas minimum yield was obtained without zinc application. Zinc application also improved total soluble solids (TSS) and TSS:acid ratio. However, acidity of fruits obtained from treated and untreated plants was not differ significantly but the highest acid content was observed in control plants, whereas lowest was in foliar application of 0.50% ZnSO4. Fruits were also more palatable in Zinc applied plants. The highest concentration of zinc (11.55 ppm) in leaves was observed at higher doses of soil zinc application and was in lowest in control plants.

239-243

Authors: Yogita and R.B.Ram

The present investigation comprising the supplementation of chemical and biofertilizers for onion crop was carried out under field conditions at Horticultural Research Farm of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow during rabi season of 2010-2011. The experiment comprised of four levels of chemical fertilizers and six levels of biofertilizers. The maximum plant heights, number of leaves, neck thickness, bulb diameter, bulb weight, number of scales and yield were found with the application of T12 (100 kg N+50 kg P+70 kg K/ha+2 kg/ha Azotobacter+1.9 kg/ha VAM) that was closely followed by Tn (100 kg N+50 kg P+70 kg K/ha+2 kg/ha Azotobacter+2 kg/ha Phosphobacteria), T18 (75 kg N+37.5 kg P+52.5 kg K/ha+2 kg/ha Azotobacter+1.9 kg/ha VAM) and T17 (75 kg N+37.5 kg P+52.5 kg K/ha+2 kg/ha Azotobacter+2 kg/ha Phosphobacteria) respectively. Minimum number of days required for bulb formation and number of days taken to maturity were also obtained with the application of T12 (100 kg N+50 kg P+70 kg K/ha+2 kg/ha Azotobacter+1.9 kg/ha VAM). Results obtained by the application of inorganic fertilizers with biofertilizers exhibited significant effect on various parameters studied under the investigation.

253-258

Authors: Santosh Gangwar; H.S.Shukla; Dheerendra Katiyar; Vivek Pandey

The experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, C.S.A. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur during the year 2006-07 to find out effect of calcium nitrate on physico-chemical changes and shelf-life of aonla fruit. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was selected with four treatments of calcium nitrate (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 per cent with control) and four other treatments of cultivars (Banarasi, Krishna, Kanchan and NA-7) and 5 days, 10 days and 15 days of storage period. Experiments unit was 1 kg fruit in perforated polythene bags. Fruits were treated and stored on 17 November, 2006. As regards among the treatments tried as post-harvest dip at 1.0 per cent calcium nitrate treatment proved most effective in respect to increase physico-chemical qualities and shelf-life of aonla fruits. The 1.0 per cent calcium nitrate treated fruits significantly reduced the physiological loss in weight, pathological loss, exhibited better quality on account of its favourable effect on total soluble solids, total sugar and in retaining more ascorbic acid and acidity thereby rendering them acceptable upto period of 15 days. Different cultivars could keep well up to 5 days with 'Excellent' rating, 10 days with 'Good' rating while only NA-7 and Krishna with 'Fair' rating upto 15 days.

263-266

Authors: Jitendra Kumar; Anis Mirza; Krishan Pal

An investigation was carried out to find the effect of different chemicals as pulsing solutions (CaCl2 1%, Sucrose 5%+8HQC 150 ppm, Sucrose 3%+Al2(SO4)3 300 ppm for duration of 20 and 24 h) and wrapping materials (Newspaper, Butter paper and Cellophane sheet for duration of 16 h) on the quality and vase life of cut rose cv. First Red. Results obtained show that all treatments performed better than that of control. Among all the treatments, A2C2 (cut rose pulsed with Sucrose 5%+8HQC 150 ppm for 20 h and packaged with Butter paper for 16 h) recorded the maximum increase in quality and vase life of 12.34 days. Whereas the treatments A2C0 (pulsed with Sucrose 5%+8HQC 150 ppm for 20 h only) and A0C2 (packaged with Butter paper for 16 h only) recorded a vase life of 11.13 days and 11.02 days, respectively. However, in control treatment (A0C0) the vase life recorded was 8.53 days.

270-273

Authors: Mani Ram; Virendra Pal; Manoj Kumar Singh; Mukesh Kumar

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of spacing and salicylic acid levels on vegetative growth and flowering of gladiolus cv. White Properity at HRC, SVPUAT, Meerut. The three levels of spacing (20×10, 20×20, and 20×30 cm) and three levels of salicylic acid (0, 50 and 100 ppm) were used in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. Out of these a optimum spacing 20×20 cm was found superior with 100 ppm salicylic acid concentration in respect of number of leaves, leaf length (cm), days to opening of 1st floret and visibility of first spike, spike length, and number of florets per spike.

278-280

Authors: A.K. Singh; B.P. Bhatt; Santosh Kumar; P.K. Sundram

Single plant selection (SPS) is the one of the best way to identify and purify the desirable traits. Both lines were screened and purified adopting the same technique. 2011215 is identified for rainfed and irrigated environment whereas 2011410 is best suited for irrigated condition. Both the lines were found suitable for Eastern States, viz. Eastern U.P., Bihar and Jharkhand.

284-285

Authors: Awadhesh Kumar; Hashim Mouzzam; Priyanka Singh

Field studies were conducted in Uttar Pradesh, India, in 2011, to investigate response of gibberellic acid (GA3) on the growth behaviour and menthol content in Mentha piperita under the influences of variable seasons (winter and summer). Uniform suckers of M. piperita were grown in nursery beds with appropriate supply of organic manures. Four weeks old nursery grown saplings were transplanted in pots. All pots were treated by the exogenous application of different successive concentrations (0, 10, 15, 25, 50 and 100 ppm) of GA3. At 75 days after GA3 application in each season (winter and summer), observations on plant height, number of stolons and leaves per plant, leaf area, plant biomass and menthol content were recorded. Results showed that the long photoperiod treatment along with higher concentrations of GA3 favoured more stimulation of menthol content in the peltate glandular trichomes of the M. piperita plant body.

Page : 131 - 134

Authors: A.K. Singh; S. K. Singh; A. K. Pandey; K. Rajan; A. Kumar

A field trial was conducted under farmer's participatory research project at farmers' field in the Bhojpur district of Bihar on clay loam soil to improve strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) productivity and quality through drip irrigation and polythene mulch and to enhance water use efficiency through pressurized irrigation coupled with use of black polythene mulch along with surface irrigation. Drip irrigation with polythene mulch gave significantly highest yield (50.10 q ha-1) as compared to surface irrigation in an unmulched condition (40.15 q ha-1) however, the yield under paddy straw (45.90 q ha-1) and unmulched (42.07 q ha-1) was next in order to drip with polythene mulch but were significantly at par among themselves. When calculated the percentage increase the drip with polythene mulch gave 25 per cent higher yield than surface with unmulched condition. Similarly, the water use efficiency (WUE) was highest in drip irrigation with polythene mulch (7.7 kg ha-1 mm-1) as compared to surface irrigation (5.1 kg ha-1 mm-1). The fruit yield of strawberry under drip irrigation was found to be 46.07 q ha-1 compared to 40.15 q ha-1 under surface irrigation. Moreover, polythene mulch plus drip irrigation further raised the yields. Fruit weight increased significantly while other analyzed quality characteristics did not differ significantly among treatments. Drip irrigation besides giving a saving of 50-55% irrigation water resulted in 20-40% higher yield of crops studied.

103-109

Authors: Ram Asrey; C. Sasikala; Dinesh Singh

Due to rising consumers' concern over chemical/pesticides residue free eatables and international food safety laws, it is felt world wide to find out an alternative approach for postharvest food loss reduction and quality retention. To find out safe postharvest treatment alternatives, Kinnow mandarin fruits were treated individually with 1-MCP (250 nl L-1), Debaryomyces hansenii (109 cfu ml-1 for 2 minutes) and their combination (250 nl L-1+109 cfu ml-1). Treated fruits were stored at 10°C temperature and 85% RH. Their impact on pathological, physical and quality parameters was investigated after 45 days storage. Fruits treated with 1-MCP (250 nl L-1)+Debaryomyces hansenii bioagent (109 cfu ml-1) resulted in minimum incidence of moulds (green 3.61% and blue 2.05%) over all natural decay (7.25%) and higher sensory score (7.50). Higher fruit firmness and lower PLW was recorded equally good with 1-MCP alone and in combination of Debaryomyces hansenii bioagent. Postharvest fruit quality parameters viz TSS, acidity, total sugars and vitamin C content were not affected with the 1-MCP and Debaryomyces hansenii either atone or in combination.

117-121

Authors: Navjot Gupta; Sukhjit Kaur Jawandha

Physiochemical and enzymatic changes in the peach fruits packed in corrugated cardboard boxes of 2 kg and 4 Kg and traditional wooden boxes of 4 Kg and 8 Kg were studied during cold storage (0-2°C with 85-90 per cent R.H.). The CFB boxes was proved very effective in reducing spoilage, physiological loss in weight (PLW) and maintaining acidity, total phenols content and pectin methyl estrase (PME) activity during storage. There was an increase (p≤0.05) in spoilage, PLW, TSS, reducing sugars and PME activity and decrease (p≤0.05) in acidity and total phenols content during storage. The fruits packed in 2 kg CFB boxes were best in terms of quality parameters followed by 4 kg CFB boxes. Results revealed that peach fruits packed in 2 kg CFB boxes can be stored for three weeks in cold storage (0-2°C, 85-90% RH) with acceptable edible quality of fruits and can be substituted for wooden boxes due to its demonstrated benefits

127 - 130

Authors: Bikramjit Singh Gill; Savreet Sandhu; Sukhdev Singh

The citrus industry is considered to be a major fruit industry hence it needs to be improved to cater to the diverse needs of consumers and crop breeders. Genetic manipulation through conventional techniques in this genus is invariably a difficult task for plant breeders as it poses various biological limitations comprising long juvenile period, high heterozygosity, sexual incompatibility, nucellar polyembryony and large plant size that greatly hinder cultivar improvement. The demands for elite rootstock material are continuously increasing for fruit production and to fulfill such demands application of in vitro propagation techniques is one of the successful alternative particularly in case of citrus crops. One of the essential requirements for the successful application of plant propagation technology in agriculture is its capacity to regenerate elite plantlets. The process of embryo culture is a suitable method of micropropagation and has the potential of mass propagation commercially. Keeping in mind these things experiment on "Embryo culture and development of seedlings in different Citrus species" was conducted. The seeds were extracted from the developing fruits from the trees growing in the college nursery and were sterilized. The embryos of six Citrus species were cultured to obtain the stock plants. The germination ranged from 71.5 to 96.0 per cent and the embryos were inoculated on the basal Murashige and Skoog medium. Citrus limon gave the maximum (96 per cent) germination and Citrus sinensis resulted in minimum (71.5 per cent) germination. It was concluded from the experiment that in vitro propagation has been a great potential tool to overcome problems related with the field culture for citrus species. These advances in biotechnology have generated new opportunities for citrus genetic improvement. Therefore, development of efficient embryo culture protocols is necessary for conservation and qenetic improvement of citrus.

139-144

Authors: Sanjay Kumar; Annapurna; Yogesh Chandra Yadav; Raghvendra Singh

A field experiment was conducted with twenty diverse genotypes of Okra (Pusa Makhamali, VRO-6, VRO-5, Selection-10, IIVR-10, HRB-10, IIVR-11, Perkins Long Green, VRO-4, HRB-9-2, Parbhani Kranti, RS-410, Punjab-7, DOV-91-4, D-1-87-1, EMS-8-1, Bhindi Vaphy, 315, and BO-2) in randomized block design with three replications. Analysed data revealed that among all the genotypes, Pusa Makhamali, Perkins Long Green, Parbhani Kranti, VRO-6, VRO-5 and Selection-10 gave promising results.

149-152

Authors: Sunil Kumar; A.K. Shukla

An experiment on bench grafting in custard apple (Annona squamosa L) employing cleft grafting technique was conducted at Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi during 2007. Bare rooted stocks of custard apple having 0.6 cm diameter were bench grafted with dormant scion of cv. Balanagar. Dormant scion shoots having 0.6 cm thickness used for grafting has given highest graft success (96.4%) when it was performed during 29th May, whereas minimum (37.8%) was recorded when 0.8 cm thick scion was grafted on 6th June. Days taken to sprouting, length of sprout, collar diameter, number of secondary branches and number of secondary roots per plant were significantly influenced by scion thickness and time of grafting.

158 - 161

Authors: Ram Ishwar Yadav; Ram Kumar Singh; Pravesh Kumar; Anil Kumar Singh

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of nutrient management through organic sources on guava trees. Results showed that application of various organic substances increased growth of trees, fruit yield and fruit quality as compared to untreated ones (control). The highest values of these parameters were recorded for trees applied with poultry manure followed by the trees applied with FYM. Application of poultry manure on guava trees significantly increased number of fruits per plant and resultantly higher yield (kg/tree) was achieved as compared to control. The recorded values of total soluble solids and total sugar were also found significantly higher with the application of poultry manure.

165 - 167

Authors: R.B. Ram; D. Kumar; Priyamvada Sonkar; Rubee Lata; M. L. Meena

The present investigation was carried out during 2005-2006 at the Horticultural Research Farm of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. The experiment was conducted using six varieties viz. Amrapali, Dashehari, Mallika, Langra, Chausa and Lucknow Safeda in a Randomized Block Design with five replications. Results reflect that the highest success per cent and over all performance of stone grafting operations was recorded by using scion stick cultivar Amrapali, whereas minimum success per cent was in cultivar Lucknow Safeda under Lucknow conditions.

172 - 174

Authors: Dheerendra Katiyar; S.M.Tripathi; A.K. Dwivedi; Vivek Pandey

An experiment was conducted at Department of Vegetable Science, C.S. Azad Univ. of Agri. & Tech., Kalyanpur, Kanpur during Rabi season of 2005-06 to find out the effect of nitrogen (30, 60, 90, 120 kg ha-1), phosphorus (30, 60, 90 kg ha-1) on crop growth, head yield and quality of broccoli. The significant result was obtained in growth and yield parameter, i.e., height of plant, days to pentral head, head yield per plant and per plot, plant frame, head size, harvest duration and compactness of the head. The most of the characters and optimum head yield of broccoli were favoured by applying 90 kg nitrogen and 90 kg phosphorus per hectare.

178 - 180

Authors: P. Ishfaq Akbar; M Saleem Mir; M S Kanwar; Jahangeer A. Baba

This paper focuses on the identification and selection of the ornamental characteristics of Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), which is found growing successfully in India. The probable aesthetic utilization of E. angustifolia for the beautification of cold and arid landscapes is also discussed.

184 - 186

Authors: R.C. Shakywar; S.P. Pathak; M. Pathak; Anil Kumar Singh

Field studies were conducted in Uttar Pradesh, India, during the 2006 and 2007 kharif seasons, to determine the response of taro (Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum) genotypes against leaf blight (Phytophthora colocasiae). A total of 90 taro genotypes were evaluated under natural epiphytotic conditions. Results showed that, out of the 90 genotypes evaluated, none was found highly resistant, resistant and moderately resistant. Only 7 genotypes were moderately susceptible, 23 genotypes were susceptible and 60 genotypes were highly susceptible to the pathogen.

190 - 192

Authors: S. K. Singh; Sanjay Kumar; Yogesh Chandra Yadav; Adesh Kumar

Field studies were conducted in Uttar Pradesh, India, in 2008-09, to determine the effects of various nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer rates on the growth, yield and quality of okra cv. Arka anamika. A total of 10 treatment combinations of N, P and K fertilizers were studied and data were recorded on the plant height, leaves per plant, nodes per plant, stem diameter, days to flowering, flowers per plant, days to first fruit formation, length of fruit, diameter of fruit, fruits per plant, weight of fruit per plant, fruit yield per plot and fruit yield/ha. Results showed that the application of the recommended NPK rate (120:90:60 kg/ha) had the highest okra yield with respect to the various quantitative and qualitative traits studied.

1-4

Authors: Pooja Sapra Sharma and Rajan Sharma

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.), is one of the oldest living tree species and its leaves are among the most extensively studied herbs in use today. Nick named as “living fossil” by Charles Darwin, Ginkgo is over 150 million years old and was thought to be extinct until it was found growing in China in 17th Century. In western world, Ginkgo supplements are among the best-selling herbal medications. Ginkgo leaves contain two types of chemicals (flavonoids and terpenoids) believed to have potent antioxidant properties. Ginkgo has been used in Chinese traditional medicine to treat blood disorders and enhance memory. Scientific studies throughout the years have found evidence that sup ports these claims. Al though not all studies agree,Ginkgo may help treat dementia (including Alzheimer’s dis ease) and intermittent claudication, or poor circulation in the legs. It also shows promise for enhancing memory in older adults.

13-16

Authors: A.K. Srivastava; Dinesh Kumar; J.P. Pandey; Vijai Kumar and B.C. Prasad

Tasar culture practiced largely by tribal depended hitherto on a host of tasar host plants naturally available in the forest. Changing social fabric on one hand and the need for conservation of tasar flora on the other call for insight and devising focused strategies sustenance of tasar culture is required. In this backdrop, block plantation of Arjun/Asan are taken up at different spacing, of these plantation with 10′ × 5′ has given more profit. It is need of the hour that tasar food plants combined with land husbandry and horticultural plants viz. Terminalia catappa, Anacardium occidentale, Carissa carandus, Zizyphus jujuba, Eugenia cuminii, etc are effective means of development as tasar food plants for expansion of tasar flora. It will provide gainful employment opportunities in rural areas which will check migration of rural folk to urban areas.

24-28

Authors: Rajiv Kumar; Bidyut C. Deka; A.R. Roy

Orchids are internationally acclaimed for their exquisite flower forms and attractive colours. Forty orchid species were evaluated for vegetative and flowering characters at ICAR Research complex for NEH region, Umiam, Meghalaya during 2009-10. The findings revealed that plant height ranged from 5.06 cm (Pleione maculata) to 140.00 cm (Thunia marshalliana).Significantly maximum number of stems/plant was recorded in Arundina bambusifolia (15.83). Epidendrum sp. recorded maximum stem length (130.50 cm) and internodal length (9.68 cm). However, maximum number of leaves/plant (99.76) and spikes/plant (17.80) was recorded in Coelogyne nitida. Earliest flowering was recorded in Dendrobium phyllum (136 days) while it was delayed in Cymbidium giganteum (829 days). Number of flowers/spike varied from 1.00 (Paphiopedilum spicearianum) to 140.02 (Aerides multiflorum). Significantly maximum spike length (90.00 cm) and spike durability (58.90 days) was recorded in Calanthe masuca and Cymbidium hybrid, respectively. Flower size varied from 0.83 cm (Pholidota sp.) to 13.63 cm (Paphiopedilum villosum), while Phaius tankervilliae (7.86 m) recorded the longest pedicel. Species Calanthe masuca, Cymbidium giganteum, Dendrobium nobile, Phaius ankervilliae, Renanthera imschootiana, Thunia marshalliana, Vanda coerulea were found promising as cutflower.

34-37

Authors: Yogesh Chandra Yadav; Sanjay Kumar; Raghvendra Singh

A field experiment was conducted with 20 diverse genotypes (BSC-1, BSC-2,CH-122, 126,128, CHC-1, Swarna Ageta, VRC-11-2, CC-3, CC-8, DR/NKV/02,VRC-19, CC-2,4, 5, 6, 7 , 9, 1 and Ranchi-1) in randomized block design with three replications. Analyzed data revealed that among all the genotypes CC-5, BSC-2, BSC-1, CH-128, CHC-2 and CC-2 gave promising results.

42-45

Authors: Upesh Kumar; Prem Naresh; S.K. Biswas

In vitro screening of six extract of plant species viz. Azadirachta indica, Datura metel, Lantana camara, Parthenium hystorophorus, Ociumum spp., Argimone mexicana and five bioagents viz. Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum and Gliocladium virens were tested against Stemphylium botryosum. Among plant extracts Azadirachta indica (66.5 per cent) and Datura metel (64.5 per cent) were the best in restricting the growth of pathogen over control and in evaluation of bioagents, S.botryosum + T.harizianum (81.2 per cent) and S. botryosum + T. viride (74.5 per cent) were significantly inhibited the growth of pathogen. Under field condition suppression of pathogen by T. harzianum, treating the garlic cloves (0.2 per cent) along with two foliar sprays (0.2 per cent) at 15 days interval found to be most effective for management of this disease.

50-54

Authors: R.N. Singh; S.L. Pal; D.K. Rana; S.S. Rawat; M.S. Gusain

The investigation was carried out to study the effect of bio-regulators on growth and yield parameters in capsicum under protected condition in Garhwal region. The investigation revealed that bio-regulators spray had significant influence on growth and yield. Spraying of NAA @ 50ppm increased the plant height, number of secondary branches, leaf area, days taken for anthesis, number of flowers/plant, number of fruits/plant, fruit weight and yield per plot. The maximum height (114.38 cm) and maximum yield (1.85 kg) per plant was found in treatment T3

60-63

Authors: A.K. Goswami; H.S. Shukla; Prabhat Kumar; D.S. Mishra

The present investigation was conducted on uniform, healthy, nine year old budded trees of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Sardar. Various doses of calcium nitrate, boric acid and zinc sulphate were sprayed twice i.e. 45 and 25 days before harvesting and compared with untreated ones. Each treatment was applied on two trees and replicated thrice in a randomized block design. It was observed that the size of fruit comprises length, diameter,volume were maximum in fruits collected from trees sprayed with zinc sulphate (0.4 per cent).The maximum weight was observed under 0.4 per cent boric acid and it was at par with zinc sulphate at 0.4 per cent. The zinc sulphate 0.4 per cent also improves the physico-chemical parameters at harvest. Among the different treatments pre harvest spray of zinc sulphate at 0.4 per cent was found most effective for improving the physico-chemical parameters at harvest and prolonged the shelf-life of fruits exhibiting lower degree of post-harvest losses.

69-72

Authors: Vijai Kumar; Vipin Kumar; Vandana Umrao; Monbir Singh

A field experiment was conducted to find out effect of plant growth promotors (GA3 and IAA) on growth and flowering of carnation under open field condition of Western Uttar Pradesh. Four levels of each of gibberellic acid (0, 50, 100ppm and 150 ppm) and IAA (0, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) were sprayed on standing crop of carnation in factorial R.B.D. with three replications. Results revealed that higher concentration of GA3 (150 ppm) or IAA (300 ppm) applied individually responded favourable effects on most of the paramaters studied. The interaction of higher levels of both the hormones (150 ppm GA3 and 300 ppm IAA) influenced significantly to all the characters except no. of side shoots and diameter of stem.

77-79

Authors: Sanjive Kumar Singh; S.M. Tripathi

Phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, correlation coefficient and path analysis were estimated for plant height, length of leaf, stem diameter, equatorial diameter and corm yield per plant in zimikand (Amorphophallus campanulatus Blume). The experiment comprising 18 diverse genotypes have been sown in RBD with 3 replications during 2002-03 and 2003-04 at VegetableReaserch Farm of C.S.Azad Uni. of Agr. & Tech.Kalyanpur, Kanpur. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all the characters. High heritability accompanied with moderate genetic advance as per cent of mean for different characters suggested that improvement in corm yield may be made through selection. Phenotypic correlation coefficients of all characters with yield were found positive and highly significant. Yield per plant had strong positive correlation with equatorial diameter and stem diameter at genotypic level. The path coefficient revealed maximum direct effect of equatorial diameter on yield followed by length of leaf in both the years while plant height showed negative direct effect on yield. Thus, the characters like equatorial diameter and leaf length may be considered while making selection for the improvement of yield in zimikand.

83-85

Authors: Vartika Srivastava; Prabhat Kumar; P.N. Rai

Studies were conducted to determine the correlation between the physical and chemical characters of jamun (Syzygium cumini). Fruits from each of 20 trees in Uttar Pradesh and 5 trees in Uttarakhand (India) were collected and observations for physical parameters (fruit weight, average fruit size, seed size, seed weight, pulp:seed ratio and pulp percentage, among others) and chemical properties (total soluble solids, acidity, TSS:acid ratio, total sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars, sugar:acid ratio and ascorbic acid) were recorded. The estimates of correlation coefficient between all possible pairs of physicochemical characters of fruits were worked out. Results showed major significant correlations for pulp weight, fruit volume, fruit size and pulp:seed ratio. Highly significant correlations were also recorded for TSS and acidity along with seed size for the various jamun genotypes.

89-91

Authors: Prakash Chandra Singh; Ritesh Singh Gangwar; Vivek Kumar Singh

Field studies were conducted in Uttar Pradesh, India, in 2006 and 2007, to determine the influence of boron (B), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in fruit quality of aonla (Phyllanthus emblica) cv. Banarasi. The treatments comprised 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% B, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 Zn and 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% Cu along with a control. The quality parameters of aonla fruits, i.e. TSS, acidity, total sugars, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and ascorbic acid content, were estimated. Results showed that The TSS of aonla fruits was improved significantly with the foliar application of al 3 trace elements. The fruit acidity was significantly reduced by increasing concentrations of the trace elements. Both foliar spray of trace elements and their levels when examined individually influence the sugar content significantly. Significant improvements in reducing and non-reducing sugar contents were also observed after application of the trace elements. Zn was significantly superior than B and Cu in improving the ascorbic acid content of aonla fruits.

94-95

Authors: Manoj Kumar Pandey; Himanshu Pandey

The present study was conducted to analyse the extent of participation of farm women (n=238) in wheat, mustard, rice and vegetable production in rural peripheries of Delhi, India. Farm women's participation in agri-horticulture in rural Delhi is immense and based on the findings of the study it can be concluded that, except in ploughing, they are involved in all other activities in some form or another. It was observed that majority of farm women belong to the 26-52-year age group. Extension personnel may therefore concentrate on technology transfer to this age group for quick dissemination and widespread adoption of improved and drudgery-reducing technologies.