Journal of Spices and Aromatic Crops
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Native multi-trait rhizobacteria promote growth and suppress foot rot in black pepper
Get PDFIn this study, 74 PGPR isolates from different varieties of black pepper were characterized for morphological, biochemical and nutrient mobilization traits as well as inhibition of Phytophthora capsici (causing foot rot) under in vitro conditions. Based on the multiple traits, two PGPR [(Micrococcus luteus Schroeter (1872) Cohn 1872 (BRB3) and Enterobacter aerogenes Hormaeche and Edwards 1960 (AL) (BRB13)] were shortlisted for further growth promotion studies. For biocontrol studies, three PGPR [(Burkholderia cepacia (Palleroni & Holmes 1981) Yabuuchi et al. (1993) (BRB21), Pseudomonas aeruginosa Schröter (1872) Migula 1900 (BRB28) and Serratia marcescens Bizio 1823 (AL) (BRB49)] which showed >70% inhibition of P. capsici were shortlisted. The results from green house study on growth promotion indicated that application of M. luteus (BRB3) + 75% recommended dose (RD) of N + 100% RD of PK produced taller plants, longer roots, greater fresh biomass, more number of leaves and nodes in black pepper. This suggested a 25% reduction in chemical N fertilizer in the presence of M. luteus (BRB3). In the green house study on biocontrol, lowest foot rot (32.77%) and taller plants (332.0 cm) were observed with B. cepacia (BRB 21), which was on par with chemical treatment. This is the first report on the potential of PGPR like M. luteus for growth promotion and B. cepacia for management of P. capsici in black pepper.
 
Variability in quality attributes of paprika and paprika alike chillies (Capsicum annuum L.)
Get PDFAn investigation was carried out to assess the variability in paprika alike chillies (26 indigenous germplasm) and paprika lines (18 exotic collections) for yield and quality attributing parameters, which would inturn help in identifying and utilizing the promising lines for crop improvement. Highly significant variation was recorded among the genotypes for yield and quality contributing characters. Kt-Pl-19, Kt-Pl-19 variant–I, ICBD-10, ICBD-8, SSP-1999 and PBC-171, were found promising, while ICBD-10, ICBD-8, ICBD-1, ICBD-11, ICBD-6, ICBD-19, CC-1, EC-171, EC-490, EC-18, EC-6, EC-45, EC-71 and EC-14 proved to be ideal for quality attributes. Based on yield and quality parameters, the genotypes ICBD-10, ICBD-8 and EC-18 were found suitable for paprika industry with high yield (> 850 g plant–1) and high quality attributing characters (> 200 ASTA units and < 0.5% capsaicin). Among the various characters, maximum coefficient of variation (15.25%) was recorded for capsaicin content in both indigenous and exotic germplasm and minimum variation for color value (0.46%) in the indigenous germplasm and weight of pericarp (6.78%) in the exotic collections.
 
Studies on stability of chilli genotypes at different fertility levels under terai zone of West Bengal
Get PDFAn experiment was carried out to study the stability of 15 chilli genotypes at five fertility levels (0%, 50%, 100%, 150% and 200% of recommended dose of fertilizer) during rabi season of 2006–07 and kharif season of 2007. Pooled analysis of variance showed the presence of significant genetic variability among the genotypes for all the characters studied. Among the different early flowering genotypes, ‘CA-29’ and ‘CA-30’ were specifically adapted to the unfavourable environment and ‘Diamond F1’ and ‘Pusa Sadabahar’ were adapted to the favourable environment. None of the genotypes showed absolute stability with respect to fruit length under different environments. With respect to number of fruits, ‘Pusa Sadabahar’ was stable under different environments. With respect to yield, 12 genotypes showed S2di value significantly greater than zero which indicated the unstability for this trait. Among the high yielding genotypes, ‘Ulka 686 F1’, ‘Jwalan’, ‘CA-29’, ‘CA-48’ and ‘CA-47’ and low yielder genotype had regression value of > 1 which indicated that they showed better response under favourable environment. However, deviation from regression value (S2di) was significant which indicated that their performance among the environment was unpredictable. ‘Chilli Philhal’ and ‘Pusa Jwala’ produced lower yield but these genotypes were adapted to unfavourable environment. The rabi crop showed its superiority over kharif crop with respect to yield and its attributing characters.
 
Resource use efficiency and economics of marketing of green chilli
Get PDFThe study was conducted in Achalpur tahsil of Amravati district of Maharashtra with a sample of 80 farmers selected randomly from four villages with twenty farmers from each village. Data used were pertaining to the period 2009–10. Production function analysis of data indicated that, among various resources selected, human labour, bullock labour and machine power in small farmers, seed, bullock labour and fertilizers and manures in medium farmers and the fertilizers and manures in large farmers were statistically significant. The ratio of marginal value product to its acquisition cost per unit was found to be greater than unity for the variables plant protection chemicals and fertilizers and manures in small farmers, variables human labour and fertilizers and manures in medium farmers and the variables seed, human labour and fertilizers and manures in large farmers. Also economic analysis of data indicated that majority of farm produce was routed through two marketing channels, Channel-I (Producer-commission agent-retailerconsumer) and Channel-II (Producer-commission agent-Wholesaler-retailer-consumer). Producer’s share in consumer’s rupee was found to be 56.31%, 40.59% and price spread was Rs. 655.35 Rs. 891 q-1 for Channel-I and Channel-II respectively.
 
Selected thermal properties of cryo-ground coriander powder (var. RCR-41)
Get PDFThermal properties of cryo-ground coriander powder (var. RCR-41) such as specific heat, bulk thermal conductivity and bulk thermal diffusivity were investigated. It was observed that the specific heat increased from 347.63 to 3700.31 J kg-1K-1 with increase in temperature from -150 °C to 100°C and moisture content from 3.5% to 17.7% (db) and it showed a second order polynomial relationship with moisture content and temperature. The thermal conductivity increased nonlinearly from 0.0884 to 0.1340 Wm-1K-1 with increase in moisture content from 3.5% to 17.7% (db) at 30°C. Thermal diffusivity varied non-linearly from 12.63 × 10-6 to 19.89 × 10-6 m2s-1 with increase in moisture content from 3.5% to 17.7% (db) at 30°C. Both thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity showed quadratic relationships with moisture content. The specific heat was affected significantly with moisture content and temperature (P≤0.01) and both thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity were affected significantly by moisture content.
 
Use of plant growth regulators for yield improvement in coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)
Get PDFTwo genotypes of coriander viz., ACr 1 and RCr 41 were sown during rabi season in three consecutive years (2009–10, 2010–11 and 2011–12) and plant growth regulators (PGRs) viz., abscisic acid (ABA), betaine, acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) (1, 3, 5 and 7 μM) and proline (200, 400, 600 and 800 μM) were sprayed at flowering stage. Morphological parameters in terms of fresh: dry weight, shoot: root weight, shoot root length and seed yield was significantly increased by application of proline, betain and ASA from 1 to 7 μM. Effective concentration of PGRs was influenced by climatic conditions during growth period. In genotype ACr 1, yield was maximum (6.29 and 5.92 g plant-1) in the treatments involving betain at 1 and 5 μM while ASA at 3 and 5 μM resulted in seed yield of 4.96 and 4.97 g plant-1, respectively. Maximum seed yield (5.41 and 5.17 g plant-1) of genotype RCr 41 was recorded in the treatment involving proline at 200 and 400 μM, respectively. It is suggested that exogenous application of proline (200-800 μM), betain and ASA (1-5 μM) at flowering stage in both the genotypes will be useful to enhance the yield.
 
Influence of organic and inorganic sources of fertilizers on growth, yield and economics of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) cultivation under semi arid conditions
Get PDFThe experiment was conducted with eight treatments (absolute control and varying proportions of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients viz., 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through fertilizers (90:45:0), 100% RDN through farm yard manure, 100% RDN through poultry manure, 100% RDN through vermicompost, 50% RDN through fertilizers + 50% RDN through farm yard manure, 50% RDN through fertilizers + 50% RDN through poultry manure and 50% RDN through fertilizers + 50% RDN through vermicompost). Results revealed that RDN through fertilizers and combinations of different organic and inorganic sources produced significantly higher grain yield over absolute control. RDN (100%) applied through fertilizers exhibited highest vegetative growth and yield attributes with maximum yield (2325 kg ha-1), net returns (Rs. 62,091 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (3.01), closely followed by 50% RDN through fertilizers + 50% RDN through vermicompost.
 
Diversity study of leaf volatile oil constituent of Piper species based on GC/ MS and spatial distribution
Get PDFTen wild Piper species of Western Ghats were studied for leaf volatile oil constituents using GC/MS. The total number of major components (≥ 1%) in different species varied from 5 to 10. The leaf oil was rich in sesquiterpenoids. The most abundant compounds in Piper leaf oil of Western Ghats were β-Caryophyllene, Nerolidol and β - Elemene. Different accessions of P. nigrum collected from different parts of Western Ghats were used to study the spatial diversity of aroma with the help of DIVA GIS. The results indicated that the latitudinal influence was strong in aroma diversity. Total number of components varied from 17 to 73, while the major components found were 10 in P. nigrum leaves. The diversity index of the total component was 2.87.
 
Effect of irrigation and crop geometry on growth, yield, quality and profitability of transplanted fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)
Get PDFField experiments were conducted in two adjoining farmer’s field in a tribal area of district Sirohi (Rajasthan) during two successive seasons from July to March, 2011 and 2012 to study the impact of varied crop geometry and irrigation methods on production, quality and profitability of fennel. The trench method of irrigation exhibited significantly higher plant height, number of branches, number of roots plant-1, root length, fresh weight of shoot and roots plant-1, maximum number of umbels plant-1, umbellate umbel-1, number of seed umbel-1, highest seed yield (26.52 q ha-1) with maximum gross return (Rs. 305,714.15), net return (Rs. 266,314.15) and benefit:cost ratio (6.75). Comparatively less time (26.25 h) was required for one hectare irrigation in the same treatment in both the years. The crop planted in paired row (210 cm/120 cm × 25 cm) significantly influenced crop growth, yield and profitability of fennel. In this treatment, highest plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of roots plant-1, root length, fresh weight of shoot and root, maximum number of umbel plant-1, umbellate umbel-1, number of seed umbel-1, highest seed yield (28.55 q ha-1) with maximum gross return (Rs. 336,940.80), net return (Rs. 294,670.80) and benefit: cost ratio (6.97) was observed in both the years. Lower growth, yield and profitability were found in border strip method of irrigation and single row (90 cm × 45 cm) method of planting.
 
Effect of dates of planting on growth, yield and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)
Get PDFThe trial was carried out during 2008–09 to study the ideal date of planting and spacing to obtain better growth, yield and quality of ginger crop var. ‘IISR Mahima’. The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design with dates of planting as main plot treatment (15th April, 1st May, 15th May, 30th May and 15th June) and three treatments of spacing as sub plot treatment (35 cm × 25 cm, 25 cm × 25 cm and 15 cm × 25 cm) with three replications. The observations were recorded on dry recovery (%), harvest index, oil and crude fibre content. Dates of planting had significant effect on all the characters studied. April 15th planting showed better oil content. Among spacings, the spacing of 35 cm × 25 cm gave highest dry recovery. The closer spacing of 15 cm × 25 cm recorded higher harvest index. It was observed that spacing had no significant effect on quality attributes viz., oil and crude fibre content. The treatment combination of 15th April planting and 35 cm × 25 cm spacing exhibited higher dry recovery. The treatment combination of 15th April planting and 15 cm × 25 cm spacing showed maximum harvest index. Economics of interactions revealed maximum net returns of Rs. 559,690.1 ha-1 with benefit cost (B:C) ratio of 2.67 for the treatment combination of 15th April planting and 15 cm × 25 cm spacing.