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Propagation of Coccinia cordifolia (L.) Cogn. from shoot tip and nodal segment through micropropagation techniques
The present work was undertaken to develop a reproducible protocol for the micropropagation of an important medicinal plant of the Cucurbitaceae family, Coccinia cordifolia (L.) Cogn., by using shoot tips and nodal segments to overcome the impediment in seed settings and seed germination of conventional reproduction. To develop an efficient protocol, 0.1% HgCl2 treatment for 6 minutes was found effective for surface sterilization of field-grown explants to eliminate microbes and fungus and to get healthy tissues. Throughout the study, different concentrations of auxin, cytokine, and gibberellin were used either alone or in combination as supplemented in MS medium to find suitable conditions and suitable explant (nodal segment). BAP was the best cytokine source as 2.0 mg/l BAP produced 4.0±0.20 and 4.8±0.09 shoots per culture and gained 5.8±0.11 cm and 6.7±0.32 cm length with regeneration rate of 90 and 100 percent in shoot tips and node, respectively. The highest percentage (90%) of regeneration for axillary shoot proliferation was obtained in node explants at MS medium containing 2.0 mg/l BAP + 0.1 mg/l NAA. The highest number of shoots regenerated per culture was 3.0±0.41, with a length of 6.0±0.16 cm. GA3 was also found effective in producing longer shoots with the combination of BAP, but the average shoot number was reduced drastically. Although full-strength MS medium was found to be ideal for shoot regeneration and used in shoots proliferated experiments, half and full-strength of MS medium with auxins supplements of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/l either of IBA, NAA, and IAA) were used for roots growth and half strength nutrients supplemented with 0.5 mg/l IBA was found most compelling. The highest number of roots regenerated per shoot was 3.1±0.30, and the average root length was 1.8±0.30 cm. Rooted plantlets were finally transplanted into small plastic pots containing sun sterilized sand, soil and humus (1: 2: 1) to adapt the plantlet in ex vitro environment, and acclimatized plantlets showed 95% survival rate in outdoor condition which proved the effectiveness of using biotechnology to improve plant’s growth rate and mass production
Early evaluation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) clones as intercrop in coconut gardens under red river region of Assam State, India
A field experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Station (AICRP on Palms), Kahikuchi of Assam Agricultural University for three consecutive years (2018-20) to study the initial performance of cocoa clones as intercrop in adult coconut (Cocos nucifera L) garden spaced at 7.5 m × 7.5 m taking sixteen cocoa clones. Data on tree height, stem girth, number of pods, pod weight, number of beans pod-1, dry bean weight tree-1 year-1 and single dry bean weight revealed significant variations among the 16 cocoa clones. Dried beans are the prime economic produce of cocoa, and single dry bean weight ranged from 0.95 to 1.4 g. With respect to dry bean yield tree-1, VTLC-20 recorded a significantly higher dry bean yield of 2.2 kg tree-1 followed by VTLC-18 (1.5 kg tree-1) compared to other cocoa clones, and eight clones yielded more than 1.0 kg dry bean tree-1. Results showed that the number of leaves on the crown, number of inflorescences per palm and nut yield of coconut was not negatively affected; rather, there was an increase in the yield of coconut over a period
Control of browning in plant tissue culture: A review
Browning is one of the severe problems in plant tissue culture that hampers successful in vitro propagation of plants especially woody and perennial plants. In order to control the browning problem, different efforts has been made in vitro such as presoaking of explants in antioxidant solution, incorporation of antioxidants into medium, culturing in the dark period and frequent subculturing of explants. Presoaking of explants in antioxidant solutions like polyvinylpyrolidone (PvP) and ascorbic acid (AC) is one of the most frequently used. Incorporation of antioxidants such as 0.2-0.5g/l PvP and 15-250mg/l ascorbic acid into MS medium is commonly used to control browning in different plants and explants followed by activated charcoal, citric acid, MES and AIP. Moreover, frequent sub culturing and incubation of explants in the dark period is the other alternative. This review article includes the study of previous and current research achievements in a comprehensive way on the different methods to control browning problem in plant tissue culture and suggests further optimization for successful control of browning when using the same or different crops as well explants
Price transmission and supply response: the case of Indian small cardamom: Indian small cardamom – Price analysis
Market price volatility, the major challenge faced by the cardamom exporters greatly hinders the investment and destabilizes the earning of small holders. The present study attempted to analyse the price transmission between Indian and international markets and study the supply response of small cardamom to changes in price. The co-movement of prices of small cardamom exist between the Indian and international markets after trade liberalisation and the price transmission has been from the international market to the Indian market. The short-run disequilibrium has been found between the Indian and international prices of cardamom, which got corrected with varying speed of adjustment. The positive and significant elasticity of supply of small cardamom with respect to its own two year lagged price has been established. Crop specific price stabilization mechanism would help to overcome the wide fluctuations in prices of small cardamom
Effect of organic manures, PGPR and micronutrients on yield and quality enhancement in ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L): Yield and quality enhancement in ajwain through organic substitutes and micronutrients
Experiments were conducted for two consecutive years during 2017-19 to study the effect of organic manures, PGPR and micronutrients on yield and quality of ajwain seed. Farm yard manure (FYM) and vermicompost (VC) were used as organic sources at 50% and 75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) as basal dose. PGPRs namely Azospirillum lipoferum, Bacillus megaterium and Frateuria aurantia were used for seed priming. Micronutrients namely ZnSO4 and Fe2SO4 were applied thrice as foliar application @ 0.5% first before flowering, second at 50% flowering and third during grain formation. The results revealed that highest number of umbels plant-1, umbellets umbel-1, number of fruits umbellet-1, seed yield plant-1, seed yield hectare-1, straw yield, biological yield, test weight of seeds and essential oil yield were recorded with the application of 50% RDN through VC, which was on par with 50% RDN through FYM, seed priming with Azospirillum and foliar application of zinc with respect to their individual effect. Maximum essential oil content, fixed oil content and thymol content were also observed in case of application of 50% RDN through VC, seed priming with Azospirillum and foliar application of zinc individually. Highest Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 3.33 was recorded with combined application of 50% of RDN through FYM along with seed priming with Azospirillum and foliar spray of Zn at 0.5%.
The integrated use of organic manures, PGPRs and micronutrients could also exert significant influence on yield and quality of Ajwain. It was observed that highest seed yield, yield attributing characters and essential oil yield and quality parameters were recorded with combined application of 50% of RDN through vermicompost along with seed priming with Azospirillum and foliar application of zinc which was statistically on par with application of 50% of RDN through FYM along with seed priming with Azospirillum and foliar application of zinc
Spices for taming the COVID-19 pandemic: Prospects and perspectives: Spices for taming COVID-19 pandemic - A review
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), first reported in December 2019 from Wuhan in China, had reached the stage of a pandemic. To date (28.06.2021), there are more than 181.9 million confirmed cases of the disease in the world. Even though vaccines have been developed, antiviral drugs are yet to be developed for management and treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Since several medicinal plants are used in traditional medicines, though with controversial efficacy claims, they can be considered as sources of new antiviral drug compounds against emerging viruses. In this context, spices are noteworthy as their anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory properties are well studied and documented. The emerging scientific literature includes a number of papers on the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of spice extracts and specific compounds proven through different types of laboratory experiments. Here, the information pertaining to anti-viral properties of spice-based phytochemicals or natural compounds (not crude extracts) is summarized in this review. Spice-based compounds discussed here are an option for testing in COVID-19 patients though we don’t have strong data to support their active recommendation. Because of their natural origin, safety, and low cost, they can be a viable option in our fight against viruses and this compilation may be useful for planning and designing more robust experiments in future
Variability in yield parameters of onion genotypes in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh: Onion genotypes for Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh
Of the seventeen onion varieties evaluated for assessment of variability in mean performance, variances, heritability and genetic advance, (L-883 and Bhima Shweta) were most promising genotypes in respect of gross and marketable bulb yield, minimum number of bolters, rotten and multi-centred bulbs, bulb weight, equatorial bulb diameter, total soluble solids, number of leaves per plant and earliness in maturity. High values of genetic and phenotypic for gross and marketable bulb yield, average bulb weight, days to 70% neck fall and plant height indicated more opportunity of selection for these traits. High genetic advance as percentage of mean coupled with high heritability was observed for gross and marketable bulb yield and average bulb weight. Therefore, significant improvement could be expected through selection for these traits
Response of black pepper varieties for propagation by serpentine layering: Response of black pepper varieties for propagation
In the present study response of light black pepper verities for propagation through serpentine layering was studied. Verities showed significant variations with respect to growth attributing parameters, survivability and numbers of layers per year. Maximum survivability (93.00 % and 88.33 %) at 30 and 90 days after cutting was found in Panniyur-1. Maximum planting material production per year was achieved in Panniyur-1 (51.17) which was higher than the rest of the varieties but was statistically at par with Panniyur-2 (50.50) and Pournami (50.17). These three varieties may be considered for higher production of planting materials through serpentine layering method
Strengthening agriculture-nutrition linkages to improve consumption of nutrient-dense perishable foods in India - existing evidence and way forward
The triple burden of malnutrition in India is largely contributed by poor quality diets lacking adequate intake of nutrient dense perishable foods (NDPFs) - milk, eggs, fruits and vegetables. This is intriguing because India is one of the largest producers of NDPFs. This review examines possible reasons for this disparity. Poor post-harvest infrastructure, price volatility, unorganized supply chains, long-standing government policies favouring cereals and increasing consumer preference of convenience foods are identified as major reasons for the low intake of NDPFs. While nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions appear promising to improve intakes of NDPF, stronger evidence is needed to scale up these interventions
Alternative screening method for drought tolerance in barley genotypes
Lack of genetically stable and durable drought tolerant winter and spring barley genotypes is one of the main contributing to low and unpredictable yields in Kenya and other parts of the world despite annual release of new and high yielding varieties. Therefore, the study was set to identify genotypes exhibiting tolerance to drought through physiological and phenotypic approaches. A total of 32 genotypes were planted in split-plot arrangement in completely randomized design replicated thrice. Genotypes were maintained under 20% and 80% field capacities. Phenotypic and physiological data were collected, converted to ratios then analyzed on Genstat version 14.1 VSN International Ltd at a 5% level of significance. Significant differences were observed in winter and spring barley in terms of growth, tillering ability, grains formed per spike, 1000 seed weight and MSI (p < 0.05). Spring barley expressed higher tolerance to drought than winter barley especially in terms of height, number of grains per spike and seed weight. Water deficiency in cells and tissues might have altered and inhibited physiological and biochemical processes. The phenotypic and physiological methods corresponded and confirmed tolerance to drought in most winter and spring genotypes grown in Kenya