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Climate variability and change in the spices and plantation cropping systems in Kerala state, India
Get PDFKerala state in India has rich bio-diversity and tropical rain forests and is spread in 13 agro-ecological zones under the humid tropics. Rainfall decline (annual as well as monsoon), increase in temperature and climate shift towards lesser humid zones within the humid climate are the notable characteristics of the state. Cropping system changes, as well as changes in the production of spices and plantation crops in Kerala, were analyzed from 1952-53 to 2018-19. Area and production changes of various crops in the Idukki district have also been studied and presented in this paper. The average temperature in Kerala has risen by 0.65 °C from 1956 to 2014. In Idukki high ranges, the maximum temperature is increasing, and the minimum temperature is declining, resulting in a widening of temperature ranges. Such a scenario may adversely affect the thermo-sensitive crops, which may need urgent attention as these crops are grown in the forest-agro-ecosystems across the Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR) of the Idukki district. Deforestation, the shift in cropping systems, declining wetlands, and depletion of surface and groundwater resources had deepened the adverse effects of floods and droughts on spice and plantation crops. Therefore, there is an urgent need for proactive steps on a short and long-term basis against the climate change risks for the sustenance of crop production both in terms of quality and volume
Genetic analysis of yield related traits in landrace × commercial watermelon hybrids
Get PDFWatermelon [Citrullus lanatus var lanatus L.] is a major xerophytic crop originating in Africa especially grown in subtropical and tropical parts of the world. However, few adapted varieties are available to promote greater yield and make watermelon a viable commercial crop of choice. Path analysis and combining ability was carried out for yield related traits among three popular local landraces; Landrace1, Landrace 2 and Landrace 3 collected in Zimbabwe and three commercial watermelon varieties ‘Congo’, ‘Charleston Grey’ and ‘Crimson Sweet’ in plots arranged in an RCBD replicated 3 times. A complete diallel mating design was used to generate 36 F1 genotypes which together with the parents were evaluated for several quantitate traits. Data on correlations, path analysis, GCA and SCA between fruit yield and other traits were computed using Microsoft Excel and GenStat 17. Individual fruit weight (FIW) and the number of fruits per plant (NF) were found to be significantly linked with final fruit yield. Significant positive correlations were also observed on NF and number of female flowers (NFF), number of vines (NV), and FIW and these traits could be recommended as reliable selection indicators for creating high yielding watermelon genotypes. Path analysis showed that FIW and NF were the most important contributors to watermelon yield. GCA and SCA effects were significant and positive for yield which indicates that the traits are controlled by both additive and non-additive genes. ‘Crimson Sweet’ and ‘Landrace 1’ were the best pollen sources whereas ‘Landrace 1’ and ‘Landrace 2’ were the highest yielders when used as female parents. Overall, results from this study identified usable yield related proxies and need to incorporate local landraces germplasm in watermelon improvement
AMMI Analysis for Green Pod Yield Stability of Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Genotypes Evaluated in East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
Get PDFThe experiment was conducted at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center (ATARC), Lume and Dugda Districts during the 2019 and 2020 main cropping seasons to identify adaptable and high yielder snap bean genotypes for East Shewa Zone and similar agro ecologies. Ten snap bean genotypes were used as planting material. The experiment was laid down in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The AMMI model shows that the environment accounted for 40.93%, GXE 31.79%, and genotype 12.70% of the total variation. The high percentage of the environment indicates that the major factor influencing the yield performance of snap beans is the environment. The first two IPCAs are the most accurate model that could predict the genotype’s stability and explained by IPCA-I (53.10%) and IPCA-II (21.1%) of GEI. This result revealed that there were differential yield performances among snap bean genotypes across testing environments due to the presence of GEI. According to stability parameters (ASV, and GGE Biplot) and mean yield results revealed that G-24 and G-12 genotypes are the most stable genotypes across test locations. Therefore, G-24 and G-12 were proposed as candidate genotypes for possible release
Effect of curing methods on quality and drying characteristics of turmeric: Effect of curing methods on quality of turmeric
No full textTurmeric rhizomes of Suranjana cultivar were cured by traditional and microwave methods in water and sodium bicarbonate solution and dried in hot air dryer. Effect of curing methods on moisture content, hardness, colour, curcumin content, essential oil content, total phenolic content and drying rate were investigated. Curing methods did not have significant effect on moisture content of cured rhizomes. Hardness of turmeric rhizomes decreased as curing duration increased. Microwave curing in sodium bicarbonate solution for 6 min resulted in maximum value of the colour indices, highest curcumin content (5.20%) and essential oil content (4.38%) in turmeric powder and highest dry recovery (24.20%). Curing caused significant reduction in drying time. Minimum drying time (20.84 h) was required in microwave curing in water for 8 min, whereas, uncured samples took longest time (29 h) for drying. Drying of all the turmeric rhizomes cured by different methods occurred in falling rate period
Growth and yield of AGCr-1 coriander affected by plant geometry and nutrition: Growth and yield of AGCr-1 coiander
No full textA study was conducted during Rabi season of 2015-16 and 2016-17 at the Research Farm of ICAR-NRC on Seed Spices, Ajmer, Rajasthan to assess the influence of plant geometry and different levels of nutrition on vegetative growth and yield of coriander variety Ajmer Green Coriander-1 (AGCr-1). The treatments comprised of three crop geometry (25 cm x 5 cm, 25 cm x 7.5 cm and 25 cm x 10 cm) and three levels of NPK (40:25:20 kg ha-1, 50:35:25 kg ha-1 and 60:45:30 kg ha- 1) laid out in Randomized Factorial Block Design. The vegetative growth attributes viz., plant height at different growth stages, length of first leaf, length of second leaf, number of basal leaves plant-1, primary branches plant-1 and secondary branches plant-1 recorded the highest level with the application of 60:45:30 kg ha-1 NPK combined with (25 cm x 7.5 cm) crop geometry. Similarly, yield parameters like number of umbel plant-1, number of umbellates umbel-1 and seed yield (1253.0 kg ha-1) were also maximum with the same treatment
Vegetation analysis and species diversity of the invasive plant Heliotropium curassavicum growing naturally in heterogeneous habitats
Get PDFHeliotropium curassavicum is an invasive annual weed plant that spreads quickly, especially on disturbed saline soils and coastal locations in arid and semiarid habitats. This study aimed to assess the vegetation composition of invasive plant H. curassavicum. The soil factors and associated species of this plant were studied in natural coastal desert habitats (northern Nile delta coast) and inland habitats (farrow land and canal bank habitats). The floristic composition revealed the occurence of 109 species (67 annuals, 2 biennials and 40 perennials) belonging to 86 genera and related to 29 families. Asteraceae, Poaceae, Chenopodiaceae, and Fabaceae (53.21 % of all species reported) are the most abundant families. Therophytes and cryptophytes are the mainly abundant life forms and the Mediterranean chorotype is the most representative. The cluster analysis of stands expressed four vegetational groups (A, B, C and D). The most dominant species with group A was Polypogon viridis, with group B was H. curassavicum, with group C (the largest one) was Cynodon dactylon and H. curassavicum and with group D was Phragmites australis. Diversity indices expressed more richness and evenness of vegetation group B (H. curassavicum communities). The major soil factors influencing the studied invasive species are soil texture, WHC, organic carbon, cations (Na+, K+, Ca++, and Mg++), and SAR
In vitro acaricidal activity of Azadirachta indica and Phytolacca dodecandra leaves and their combination on Rhipicephalus (boophilus) decoloratus
Get PDFRhipicephalus (boophilus) decoloratus (ticks) are causing great economic loss among the cattle rearers from cattle mortalities and costs during the treatments. Synthetic acaricides have been used for a long time in the management of ticks, however chemical resistance from multiple uses of acaricides as well as contamination of dairy products from these acaricides has caused the urgent need for alternative herbal drugs. This study evaluated in vitro activity of the combination of Phytolacca dodecandra L’Her and Azardirachta indica A. Juss against R. (boophilus) decoloratus (ticks) with a view to developing active, less toxic and non-resistant acaricides. P. dodecandra and A. indica were collected, dried after authentication, pulverised mechanically and extracted with cold water. Ticks were treated with the herbal extracts singly and then in combination with concentrations ranging between 50-100mg/mL of distilled water. The anti-tick activity of P. dodecandra and A. indica was compared with Duodip and Ametix which are synthetic acaricides currently being used by farmers in Western Uganda. Results showed that P. dodecandra extract gave the highest mortality of ticks (65%) compared with A. indica (50%), Duodip (40%) and Ametix (5%) within a period of 12– 48 hours after exposure to the treatment. A combination of the two medicinal plant extracts (50%) did not show any significant difference in tick mortality compared to P. dodecandra. Phytolacca dodecandra has potential benefits thus may be used to obtain a natural eco-friendly acaricide for the management of ticks, however, a combination of the two medicinal herbal extracts has little synergistic effect compared to when P. dodecandra is used alone
Assessment of threatened status, phytochemical composition and biological properties of three Aconitum species from Kashmir Himalaya - India
Get PDFGenus Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) is represented by 6–8 species from Kashmir Himalaya. Traditionally Aconitum species are used to treat a wide array of diseases, but their ethnopharmacological validation and phytochemistry are hitherto unreported from Kashmir Himalaya. The present study was undertaken to bring insights into the traditional use and distribution pattern of three Aconitum species from the region. An ethnobotany-directed approach was employed to study the conservation status of three Aconitum species. Their phytochemical profiles and biological properties were screened under in vitro conditions. Folin–ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride assays were employed to measure their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, respectively. Plant extracts were evaluated for antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Three Aconitum species, viz. Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle, Aconitum violaceum Jacquem. ex Stapf and Aconitum chasmanthum Stapf. ex Holmes showed dwindling conservation status in Kashmir Himalaya. Aconitum extracts showed significant variations in total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Antioxidant activity of Aconitum chasmanthum methanolic extract was studied to be comparatively higher (80.115%). Aconitum chasmanthum DCM & methanolic extracts showed a good MIC value of 0.125 mg/ml against Candida albicans and Streptococus pyogenes, respectively. The percent inhibition of NLRP inflammasome was found significant in Aconitum violaceum ethyl acetate extract (74.61%). The present study revealed that Aconitum species are constantly declining at least in investigated habitats of Kashmir Himalaya and hence need strategic conservation planning. The results also emphasized the utility of Aconitum species as an antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent that could be used to manage various health problems
Effect of seed invigoration with inorganic nanoparticles on seed yield in chilli (Capsicum annum)
Get PDFAn experiment was conducted to study the effect of seed invigoration with inorganic nanoparticles on plant growth and seed yield of chilli. Seed invigoration with nano particles of ZnO and TiO2 was found to be beneficial in improving yield and yield attributes. Seed treatment with nano ZnO @ 1300 mg kg-1 of seed and nano TiO2 @ 900 mg kg-1 exhibited increased plant height, fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit yield, number of seeds per fruit and seed yield
Halogenation for improvement of seed yield and quality in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
Get PDFFreshly harvested seeds of chilli variety Anugraha were treated with halogens namely Calcium oxy chloride (CaOCl2) and Iodine crystal (I2) indirectly through a carrier Calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The treatments included Control (Untreated), CaOCl2 + CaCO3 (2g each/kg seed), CaOCl2 + CaCO3 (4g each/kg seed), Iodine crystal + CaCO3 (50mg each/kg seed) and Iodine crystal + CaCO3 (100mg each/kg seed). Seed treatment with CaOCl2 + CaCO3 @2g each/kg seed registered significantly higher values for fruits per plant, fruit weight, seed yield per plant and hundred seed weight followed by CaOCl2 + CaCO3 @4g each/kg seed. The treatments, CaOCl2 + CaCO3 @2 g each/kg seed and Iodine crystal + CaCO3 @100mg each/kg seed performed superior in seed quality with higher seedling vigour and lower electrical conductivity of seed leachates over other treatments, while untreated control recorded least seedling vigour indices and highest electrical conductivity