213 research outputs found
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Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) research for horticultural harnessing and environmental services: an appraisal
No full textDry-land agriculture has enormous potential in ensuring nutritious food to the inhabitants and eco-restoration. Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) is a life-line tree of the Thar Desert. It is the most important component of the traditional farming systems of arid and semi-arid region of the north-western part of India. It tolerates extreme edapho-climatic conditions with lush-green foliage and bears fruits that too during the driest period. Its nutritious leaf-fodder (loong) and tender pods (sangri) used extensively. Sangri is sold fresh and dehydrated at high price, and it is the main constituent of Panchkutta vegetable cooking. Prior to CIAH - Khejri Technology, the rural people used to collect tender pods from the natural seedling trees and there was no quality standard for it. For horticultural exploitation, a series of technological advancements have been made at ICAR-CIAH and first-time recommended are patch-budding for vegetative propagation for conservation of the elite genotypes and mass-multiplication of true-to-type plants in the nursery, in-situ orchard establishment by bud-grafting, induction of thornlessness in plants, variety-Thar Shobha, crop-regulation to harvest both sangri and loong annually, on-farm value-addition and diversified crop-combination models adopting HBCPSMA concept such as Organic Panchkuta, native, multi-purpose and intensive production. Based on crop-commodity potentialities, khejri planting models viz., KM–1, KM–3, KM–7, KM–9 and KM–11 exhibited tremendous scope for desert horticultural promotion and agro-ecological prosperity
Assessment of losses due to pulse beetle in chickpea under stored conditions in Southern Haryana
No full textThe present study was carried out with the objective of assessing the losses caused by pulse beetle (Callosobruchus spp.) during storage of chickpea grains in various storage structures. It was found that, still farmers are using traditional storage structures (earthen pots, earthen pots + sand, jute bags). Chickpea grain samples (500g each) were collected during August, September and October from different storage structures (metal bins, plastic bags, gunny bags, earthen pots and earthen pots + sand) in 15 villages of Rewari, Hisar and Mahendergarh district in the year 2017 and 2018. The results of analysed samples revealed that the highest infestation was observed in Rewari followed by Hisar and Mahendergarh district. It was found that maximum number of farmers were using metal bins (51.45, 40.11%) followed by gunny bugs (31.79, 31.64%), plastic bags (16.76, 15.82%), Earthen pots (6.51, 7.91%) and Earthen pots + sand (2.35, 4.52%) to store the chickpea grains in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Out of total samples infested with bruchid, 70.91 & 53.63 per cent gunny bag samples were found infested followed by plastic bags (48.28 & 20.29%), metal bins (11.24 & 15.94%) and earthen pots (9.80 & 10.14%) in both the years. There was no infestation of pulse beetle observed in those samples which were stored in earthen pots along with sand. Higher moisture percentage in the grain and infestation of pulse beetle was observed in the month of September followed by October in comparison to August month. Among the storage structures in frequent use, metal bins were found to have less qualitative and quantitative losses of seed/grains
Effect of flower regulation on biotic and abiotic stress management in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) under hot arid climate
No full textThe present study was carried out for management of abiotic stresses (fruit cracking) and biotic stresses (mite and fungal spot) in pomegranate by flower regulation through water stress, pruning and ethrel application. The results revealed that horticultural interventions, chemical treatments and their interactions significantly minimized mite, fungal spot and fruit cracking incidence in pomegranate. In different combinations treatments of horticultural interventions and chemical, minimum mite incidence (4.80 and 4.65%) and fungal spot incidence (9.17 and 7.83%) were recorded in withholding irrigation during June + pruning + thinning with ethrel 2 ml/l treatment as compared to maximum mite (31.95 and 27.51%) and fungal spot (35.78 and 32.58%) recorded in control natural flowering without chemicals during the years 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. Lower fruit cracking incidence i.e. <2.0 kg/plant was observed in withholding of irrigation during June + pruning + thinning with ethrel applications in both years. The maximum fruit cracking (2.51 and 3.24 kg/plant) was recorded in withholding of irrigation during March without chemicals treatment during 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that withholding irrigation during June + pruning + thinning with ethrel 2 ml/l treatment reduced mite and fungal spot incidence and fruit cracking through induction of flowering and fruit growth during optimal climatic conditions and enhanced management
Evaluation of different IPM modules against ber stone weevil, Aubeus himalayanus in hot arid region of India
No full textThe ber stone weevil, Aubeus himalayanus Voss (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) appeared to be an emerging pest reported from various region of India. The stone weevil is an emerging threat for ber production in India especially in Northern India. The results showed that organic IPM module-II registered significantly lower stone weevil population (12.04 % on retained fruits & 15.04% in dropped fruits) followed by module-I (21.26 % on plant fruits & 26.15% in fallen fruits). The highest stone weevil population was observed under control module (49.23 % on retained fruits & 54.91% in dropped fruits). The marketable yield of ber fruits differed significantly under different modules. The fresh fruit yield of ber was observed in the order of organic IPM module-II (82.26 kg/ plant)> module-I (78.25 kg/ plant)> module-IV (73.14 kg/ plant)> module-III (64.81 kg/ plant) and least under control module (56.27 kg/ plant) in pooled both years. It can be inferred from the results that organic IPM module-II (Moderately resistant genotype (Umran), deep summer ploughing after pruning of plants, neem oil spray @ 5 ml per litre of water in October month, hand picking of damaged fruit and adult in November month and spray of spinosad 46 SC @ 0.4 ml per litre of water in December month) was highly effective and gave higher yield of marketable ber fruits. The benefit-cost ratio of the tested ber production systems in the control of stone weevil decreased in the following order: module-II (B: C ratio 10.41:1)> module-I (B: C ratio 9.41:1)> module-IV (B: C ratio 7.08:1)> module-III (B: C ratio 3.66:1)
Postharvest treatment of pyroligneous acid on solanaceous crops at different storage condition
No full textPyroligneous acid or wood vinegar is a liquid produced through natural carbonization of plant refuse and has been reported to improve harvest quality of vegetables. This study makes use of pyroligneous acid derived from bamboo refuse and applied as postharvest treatment on fruits of two solanaceous crops namely hot pepper and eggplant prior to storage. A 2 × 3 factorial experiment was laid out in two (2) sets of experiments in Completely Randomized Design with six treatment combinations and thirty replicates. Hot pepper (var. Chain Fair) and Eggplant (var. Fortuner) fruit samples were dipped for 1 min at different concentration of pyroligneous acid with control (no application), 20% v/v and 30% v/v and were stored at ambient (25-30°C) and refrigerated (8-10°C) conditions for a week. Fruits of both crops reached its limit of marketability at visual quality rating index of three in the 4th day of storage. Morphological characteristics particularly visual quality, firmness, shelf life and degree of shriveling was maintained better when stored under refrigerated condition. Fruit decay incidence regardless of storage condition was reduced especially with higher concentration of pyroligneous acid treatment. However, there were no marked variations of pyroligneous treatment on physico-chemical characteristics, color change, water content and dry matter content of hot pepper. The application of pyroligneous acid at 30% v/v retained better total soluble solid content of eggplant irrespective with storage conditions. Nonetheless, refrigeration delayed color changes, % cumulative weightloss, pH, fruit size, degree of shriveling and firmness
Farmer Interest Groups: an effective pathway for enhancing agricultural production, productivity and profitability
No full textThe present study was conducted to assess the impact of Farmers’ Interest Groups on transfer of technologies and enhancing agricultural production, productivity and profitability of farming community of Panchmahal district of central Gujarat, India. For impact assessment study, 10 FIGs were selected randomly from different villages of Kalol and Goghmba taluka of Panchmahal district. The results of present study revealed that the mean adoption level of scientific crop and dairy production technologies was found to be greater (82.53 MPS and 81.51 MPS) for the member of Farmer Interest Groups after technological interventions of KVK, Panchmahal as compared to the non-FIG members (54.47 MPS and 36.65 MPS), respectively. The overall difference in adoption level of scientific crop and dairy farming technologies of FIGs members and non FIG members was found to be 27.98 and 44.87 MPS, respectively. During the period of study, it was observed that the crop and dairy production under FIG recorded the higher yield than existing farmers' practices. The percentage increase in yield was recorded 21.50 percent in milk production of cow to 58.72 percent in lucerne production over existing farmers' practices. Based on the study, it may be inferred that the formation of Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) has been highly beneficial to farmers. After realizing the benefits of FIGs, the beneficiary members were more active in participation, meetings and adoption of improved agriculture and animal husbandry technologies. Therefore, there is a need to bring out a comprehensive policy with institutional framework and adequate incentives for promotion of FIGs for crops -livestock based farming system in the country which will not only be helpful in agriculture and livestock production but also improve the socio-economic conditions of the farming community
Honeybees diversity, pollination, entrepreneurship and beekeeping scenario in NEH region of India
No full textThe north-eastern region of India with diverse forage resources encompasses great potential in beekeeping. The honeybee species existing in the north-eastern hill region are Apis dorsata, A. florea, A. cerana himalaya, A. mellifera, A. laboriosa and Trigona iridepennis. Modern agriculture has come to depend greatly on the bees to fulfill its pollination needs. Pollen analysis from North-eastern hill region revealed that the dominant sporomorphs were Brassica sp., Solamun sp., Helianthus sp., Wendlandia sp., Clematis sp., Adhatoda sp. and Mussaenda sp. Bee flora was identified as 107 plants from North-eastern region of India. Different types of entrepreneurship can be developed through beekeeping like honey bees rearing, sale of honey bees colonies, consultancy to farmers for honey bee rearing, processing of honey at large scale and marketing of honey products. Available information on honeybee’s diversity, pollination, entrepreneurship and beekeeping scenario for sustainable agriculture of north-eastern hill region are reviewed and discussed
Standardization of techniques for raw mango candy production for rural entrepreneurship
No full textIndia is the largest producer and consumer of mango fruit and it is available for a longer period of time from February to September in different parts of the country. Mango is a rich source of antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and fair amounts of iron and nicotinic acid. Raw mango fruits contained higher amount of polyphenols including flavonoids and thereby showing higher antioxidant properties. With the purpose of raw mango product diversification, raw mango candy of commercial varieties (Totapuri, Mallika and Dashehari) was developed during the mango season and evaluated for nutraceutical properties at three months and six months interval. Organoleptic evaluation of the product was assessed by using nine point hedonic scales. The total soluble solids, acidity, and reducing sugar increased, while ascorbic acid and antioxidant decreased during six months storage. Organoleptically Dashehari candy got highest score (8.5 out of 9) and Mallika lowest with score (7.8 out of 9). Highest TSS was recorded in Dashehari candy (73.50 B) and Lower in Mallika (66.50 B). Vitamin C was at par in Dashehari and Mallika i.e. 98.0 mg/100gm and lowest in Totapuri 70.0 mg/100gm. Acidity was highest in Mallika (0.81%) and lowest in Totapuri (0.33%). No microbial growth was found in any sample during the storage period. This mango candy is a perfect diversification for utilization of raw mango as small scale enterprise for farm women. It will also give solution to mango dropping during wind storm during the month of April-May
Effect of bio-fertilizers on growth and yield of spinach (Beta vulgaris L.) cv. All Green
No full textSpinach beet is one of the most common leafy vegetables of tropical and sub-tropical regions. The popular palak growing states include Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Gujarat. However, Palak is not very popular in South India. It is primarily used as potherb. It is a rich Source of vitamin A and C and also contains appreciable amount of protein, calcium and iron. The leaves contain low oxalic acid. Variety All Green was developed at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, it produces green tender leaves and gives about 6-7 cuttings at 15-20 days interval with yields about 12 tonnes/ha. Bio-fertilizers are less expressive, ecofriendly and sustainable likely to assume greater significance complement or supplement to inorganic fertilizers. A field experiment was conducted to see the effect of biofertilizers on growth and yield of spinach. Under study treatments imposed were Control – RDF (T0), Azotobacter @ 10kg/ha (T1), PSB @10 kg/ha (T2), Azotobacter + PSB each @10 kg/ha (T3), Azotobacter + PSB as seed treatment (T4), Azotobacter @ 2 lit/ha (T5), PSB @2 lit/ha (T6), Azotobacter+ PSB each @2 lit/ha (T7),Azotobacter @10 kg and PSB @2 lit/ha (T8), Azotobacter @ 2 lit + PSB @ 10 kg/ha (T9). Result revealed that biofertilizer supplimentation beneficial over control with respect to growth and yield of crop. Among biofertilizers of Azotobacter and PSB each at 2 litre per hectare application through liquid formulation was better and economic to the farmers for growing spinach cv. All Green
Combining ability and gene action studies for horticultural traits in cowpea: A review
No full textIdentification of most suitable parents is one of the most important requirements in any crop improvement approach for development of elite lines/genotypes. The combining ability analysis helps to choose the best parents for crop improvement programmes for desirable traits. The attraction of combining ability is that it provides a reasonable basis for forecasting the performance of yet untested crosses but yet makes no assumptions genetically. This technique helps to choose the best hybrid combinations in terms of superiority over the parents and reveals the type of gene action associated in the inheritance of different characters. Therefore, combining ability study has been the most important and efficient tool for identifying the desirable parents for a crop improvement programme. The knowledge and information about the heritability of yield and its component traits in cowpea can be explored to develop high yielding cowpea varieties with wider adaptability as climate resilient approach to extenuate climate change through appropriate conventional and advance breeding methods. This review will be useful in understanding the opportunities offered by combining ability and gene action studies in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) for improving productivity and various horticultural traits