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Growing space requirement and height growth rate-related mortality risk in three fast-growing tree species of Delhi Forest
No full textIdentifying both exogenous and endogenous drivers of tree mortality is a big challenge for forest ecologists, particularly in times of climate change. The survival and mortality trends of fast-growing and slow-growing species (two distinct functional groups in nature) has been eloquently addressed and discussed in the past. This article compares height-growth rate-related mortality risk in three fast-growing Delhi- forest species viz. Eucalyptus citriodora (EC), Acacia auriculiformis (AA) and Acacia nilotica (AN). The survival curves for the three species were generated using the Kaplan-Meier function in R. Cumulative hazard curves were also built simultaneously. Results indicated that the survival probability of E. citriodora was low during most of its height development. Likewise, the cumulative hazard curve demonstrated a maximum value for EC (1.58), followed by AA (1.44) and AN (1.01). Moreover, Cox Proportional Hazard model also indicated a high risk of mortality in EC in contrast to the other two species. Covariates such as tree height suggested a high relative risk in EC as compared to the other two species. However, when crown diameter was incorporated as a predictor variable, it had a negative impact on the risk of mortality for EC in comparison to the other two species in question. With increasing crown diameter, the risk of mortality (relative risk) in EC dropped by about 32% and 11% in contrast to AA and AN, respectively, during the 11- year study period. In addition, the growing space requirement of a tree was also correlated to stem diameter, tree height, and height - to - diameter ratio (h/d). Both stem diameter and tree height had a positive correlation with the growing space requirement. h/d ratio sharply decreased with tree age and growing space having high values (> 1) in the beginning, which stabilized at later stages of growth. The investigation demonstrated that among three species evaluated, EC had the highest hazard and lowest survival time than AA and AN despite the fact that EC had attained maximum height (9.15 m) during the span of 11 years in contrast to AA (7.10 m) and AN (5.74 m)
Optimizing spinach production in arid regions by integrating soil and foliar applications of micronutrients with organic fertilizers under saline irrigation
No full textThis study aimed to optimize integrated nutrient management (INM) strategies to enhance the growth, yield, and biochemical composition of spinach under varying irrigation water salinity levels. A field experiment comprising twelve treatments was conducted using combinations of irrigation salinity (0.5, 2.0, and 4.0 dS/m EC), recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), organic amendments (farmyard manure and vermicompost), and micronutrient applications (soil and foliar). The untreated control (T1), irrigated with 4.0 dS/m EC water alone, recorded the lowest plant height, leaf number, leaf area, dry matter, and yield, confirming the adverse impact of high salinity. In contrast, integrated nutrient treatments significantly improved spinach performance. The most favorable results were observed in Treatment 12 (0.5 dS/m EC + RDF + 50% FYM + 50% VC + foliar ZnSO₄ @ 0.5% + soil FeSO₄ @ 0.5%), which recorded the highest plant height (29.13 cm), leaf number (15.8), leaf area (11.45 cm² at 45 DAS; 16.76 cm² at 60 DAS), dry matter (6.89%), total soluble solids (6.77%), and total yield (266.8 kg/ha). Treatment 4, with 4.0 dS/m EC water and full INM inputs, showed comparable performance (yield: 261.2 kg/ha; plant height: 28.59 cm), highlighting INM’s potential under salinity stress. Biochemical analysis revealed that Treatment 3 (4.0 dS/m EC + RDF + 100% FYM + FeSO₄ @ 0.5%) showed the highest chlorophyll a (0.754 mg/g), chlorophyll b (0.293 mg/g), carotenoids (0.515 mg/g), and ascorbic acid (29.97 mg/100g). Overall, optimized INM effectively mitigates salinity stress, enhances physiological and biochemical traits, and promotes sustainable spinach cultivation in saline-prone areas
Snap melon (a non-dessert form of Cucumis melo) germplasm variability and utilization for varietal development under hot arid climate: An output analysis
No full textThe significance of genetic diversity is widely accepted for making rapid crop improvement, and therefore, by utilizing the regional variability, we can develop genotypes of greater economic value and cultivation under the defined environmental situations. Kaakdia, phoot or snap melon (a non–dessert form of Cucumis melo var. momordica) is a much-relished cucurbit of rural India. The mature and ripe fruits are used extensively for vegetable culinary and garnishing salad. Still, it is underutilized and grown mixed or self-sown crop of traditional farming systems. Vine plants are short-duration (95-125 days) and bear variable-sized fruits (0.182–3.258 kg) that are edible at maturity, specific in taste with ripening and cracks. Semi-domesticated landraces and local cultivars of Cucumis melons diversity is found in abundance under the dry-land conditions of north-western parts of India. This culti-group is highly cross-pollinated and the lack of standard genotypes in snap melon resulted in mixed quality fruits and thus, low market preferences. Intensive surveys and explorations were conducted in the diverse climatic areas of Rajasthan from the year 1994 to 2001, and about 125 accessions of kaakdia type germplasm were collected. The germplasm was evaluated repeatedly, and purified, characterized, and utilized over the period (1994 to 2012) for the crop improvement work at Bikaner. The short-listed genotypes (65) were categorized based on plant growth and size, shape, quality, and utility of fruits, and maintained for conservation of the native diversity. Based on horticultural traits, genotypes AHS-6, AHS-8, AHS-10, AHS-14, AHS-19, AHS-23, AHS-42, AHS-46, AHS-50, AHS-53, AHS-54, AHS-56, AHS-57, AHS-63, AHS-64, AHS-70, AHS-81, AHS-82, DPY-216, and DKS/AHS/2011-2 were found to be potential. With a strategic work-plan, excellent fruit quality, early harvesting (67–70 DAS), high yielding (222–241 q/ha), and abiotic stress-tolerating genotypes, viz., AHS-10 and AHS-82, were developed for summer and rainy season crop cultivation. Now, ICAR-CIAH is first in the standardization of snap melon technology and recommended for harvesting of uniform quality fruits (0.876–0.942 kg weight) and fresh market availability from March to November with the defined production practices. In addition, commercial cultivation of the variety Thar Mahak (AHS-82) is beneficial and cost-efficient to the growers as climate climate-resilient crop-commodity and horti-preneurship
Integrated pest management approaches and their influence on leaf miner infestation in Kinnow Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
No full textKinnow (Citrus reticulata) is the most important juicy fruit crop within the citrus group, which is mostly vulnerable to leaf miner, and this insect poses a major concern to farmers. Farmers injudiciously spray the various non- label claim insecticides either alone or in mixture for the control of leaf miner. Excess applications of insecticides may disturb the ecological balance of beneficial insects, rhizospheric microorganism and contributes in water and soil pollution. Application of IPM approaches is only substitutes to overcome these problems. The present study comprising of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches and farmer adopted practices against leaf miner (Phyllocnistis citrella) Stainton showed that, lowest leaf miner infestation (3.07±2.54, 1.04±0.63 and 1.33±0.37 no. of affected leaves /10 leaves of a shoot) was recorded in IPM plot having need based spray of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) @ 5% and imidacloprid 17.8SL @ 200ml in 500 liter of water as compared to farmer practice (3.87±2.98, 1.89±0.77 and 2.01±0.45 no. of affected leaves /10 leaves of a shoot) and control (5.08±3.70, 2.58±0.92 and 3.13±0.71 no. of affected leaves /10 leaves of a shoot) during the year of 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. Similarly, the least mean leaf infestation (1.81±1.09) was also observed in IPM in comparison to farmer practice (FP) (2.59±1.11) and control (3.60±1.31) plots. The highest reduction of leaf miner damage (49.72%) was noticed in IPM compared to Farmer practice (28.05%). The validated IPM techniques are an economically viable alternative to farmers for effective management of the leaf miner
Impact of integrated pest management strategies on thrips infestation and yield of Kinnow Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)
No full textKinnow mandarin is one of the most important fruit crops in the citrus group, owing to its expanding cultivation area, rising production, and increasing market demand. However, thrips infestation from flowering to fruiting stages has emerged as a serious challenge for growers. In the absence of effective alternatives, farmers often rely on unlabeled or non-recommended insecticide mixtures, which adversely affect beneficial microorganisms and natural enemies, while also contributing to soil degradation and water pollution. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers the most sustainable solution to address these issues. To evaluate its effectiveness, field trials were conducted during 2021–2023 at Hisar, Haryana. Results showed that the lowest thrips populations (1.00 ± 0.77, 2.36 ± 0.76, and 2.55 ± 1.33 adults per branch/tapping in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively) were recorded under the IPM module. This success was attributed to the combined use of blue sticky traps (20/ha), neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5% on young leaves, and cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD @ 600 ml in 500 litres of water. In contrast, higher thrips populations were observed under farmer practice (2.05 ± 1.25, 3.40 ± 1.07, and 3.04 ± 1.46) and untreated control (3.05 ± 1.65, 4.39 ± 1.28, and 3.78 ± 1.68). These findings validate IPM as an economically viable and environmentally sound strategy for the successful management of thrips in Kinnow mandarin
Temporal patterns of aphid infestations in coriander
No full textUnderstanding the temporal pattern of aphid infestation is essential for developing effective and ecologically sound pest management strategies in coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.). This study was conducted during the rabi, 2023–24 and 2024-25 cropping seasons to identify the dominant aphid species infesting coriander and to elucidate their seasonal population trends under field conditions. Aphid species were identified based on morphological characteristics and confirmed through molecular analysis. Three species, Hyadaphis coriandri, Aphis gossypii, and Aphis spiraecola were found to be major pests of coriander. Their infestation began in the 4th week after germination (3rd week of December; 51st Standard Meteorological Week), peaked during the 12th week (4th week of February; 7th SMW), and declined thereafter, coinciding with crop maturity. A highly significant positive correlation was observed between aphid population and natural enemies, particularly coccinellids and syrphid fly larvae, indicating a density-dependent predator response. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring aphid population dynamics and conserving natural enemies for timely and sustainable aphid management in coriander ecosystems