Journal of Spices and Aromatic Crops
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Sodicity affects growth, yield and cation composition of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)
Get PDFField trials were conducted at Banthra, Lucknow, (Uttar Pradesh) to study the effect of sodicity on growth, yield and cation composition of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare mill.) grown in a Typic Natrustalf. The treatments included five exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) levels (10, 20, 30, 40 & 50) and four genotypes viz., HF-107, NDF-9, Local BRS and NDF-7. An adverse effect of sodicity was observed on emergence of secondary branches and seed setting causing decrease in seed yield. The variety HF-107 produced the highest seed yield (1956 kg ha-1) followed by Local BRS (1709 kg ha-1), NDF-9 (1577 kg ha-1) and NDF-7 (1078 kg ha-1). The cation composition of stover revealed Na inclusion mechanism with narrow K/Na and Ca/Na ratios. The study further revealed that the crop can tolerate medium level of sodicity (ESP 30).
 
Characterization of polyphenol oxidase in ginger (Zingiber officinale R.)
Get PDFA polyphenol oxidase (PPO) isoform that showed expression at all developmental stages of rhizomes in 13 ginger (Zingiber officinale R.) accessions and the only one observed at full maturity of rhizome was characterized. The isoform is a non-covalent homo-dimeric protein of 66 kDa subunits. The native molecular mass was estimated at ~127 kDa using non- reducing SDS–PAGE (10%). Its activity after purification was confirmed by substrate staining both in native gel (7%) and non-reducing SDS gel (10%). The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the subunit of ginger rhizome polyphenol oxidase is ‘Glu-Gln-Gly-Val-Gly-Gly-Asp-Asp-Gly-Leu-.’ The enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 4.5 and 60°C. The PPO is thermo-tolerant and active in a broad pH range (pH 3.5 to 8). Heat inactivation studies showed a decrease in enzyme activity at 75°C and above. Lower concentrations of MgCl2 (1 mM) and CaCl2 (0.5 mM) activated the enzyme whereas higher concentrations (10 mM) reduced the activity. L- Cysteine HCl, L-ascorbic acid, potassium metabisulfite and NaCl inhibited PPO strongly. Western blot analysis of crude leaf extracts with polyclonal antiserum raised against purified PPO confirmed absence of its expression in leaves at different stages of development. Polyclonal anti-PPO antiserum cross reacted with Solanum tuberosum, Raphanus sativus and Dioscorea esculenta tuber extracts and Solanum melongena, Malus sylvestris and Musa paradisiaca fruit extracts but no cross reactivity was observed with Curcuma amada and Ipomoea batatas extracts.
 
Chilling injury of large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) in high altitudes of Sikkim and Darjeeling, India
Get PDFManifestations of cold temperature damage on large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) was monitored at Pangthang (2160 m MSL), East Sikkim during the winter seasons (October–March) of 2006–10. Damage to plant tissues, mainly leaves, occurred during prolonged cold wave conditions (below 6oC) that prevailed during December–February. Tiny pin prick like water soaked lesions appeared on the lamina, coalescing to form a large patch that died and turned pale brownish and served as infection court for fungal pathogens. Extreme frosting on leaves was more common in exposed areas without shade trees.
 
Effect of post flowering foliar sprays of nutrients on fruit growth of kokum (Garcinia indica Choisy)
Get PDFA study was undertaken at Dapoli (Maharashtra) to find out the effect of application of postflowering foliar nutrients on growth of kokum (Garcinia indica Choisy) fruits. Various concentrations and combinations of urea 1.0%, potassium nitrate 3.0%, monopotassium phosphate 0.5% and 19 N:19 P:19 K (1.0%) were applied at fruit set and repeated 20 days after fruit (DAF) set. The results indicated that weight of fruit increased consistently up to 90 days of fruit set and decreased slightly at harvest irrespective of treatments. The increase in fruit length and fruit circumference was linear till harvest. All foliar nutrient treatments improved the growth rate over control with respect to fruit weight, fruit length and fruit circumference at all stages of fruit growth. T4 [potassium nitrate 3.0% twice], T5 [potassium nitrate 3.0% + monopotassium phosphate 0.5%] and T6 [19 N: 19 P:19 K (1.0%) twice] were at par with each other and recorded significantly higher yield over control. Among the treatments T2 [Urea 1.0% + potassium nitrate 3.0%] was the best for improvement in fruit weight and fruit circumference of kokum fruit. All foliar nutrient sprays improved the quality of kokum fruit with respect to total soluble solids, acidity, ascorbic acid and sugar content. Among the treatments, T4 and T5 were at par with each other and significantly improved acidity and sugar content.
 
Studies on variability and genetic divergence in elite lines of garlic (Allium sativum L.)
Get PDFThe study was conducted during 2006–07 to 2007–08 at Karnal (Haryana), to identify suitable genotypes of garlic for cultivation. The results revealed that a wide range of variability was recorded for gross yield, marketable yield, weight of 50 cloves, number of cloves per bulb, plant height and clove size index. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variations were high for weight of 50 cloves, number of cloves per bulbs, marketable yield and clove size index. Heritability in broad sense ranged from 43.9 to 95.0%. High value of heritability was recorded for plant height followed by cloves per bulb, leaves per plant, weight of 50 cloves, weight of 20 bulbs, marketable yield, bulb size index, and neck thickness. A high estimate of genetic advance was showed by cloves per bulb followed by weight of 50 cloves, marketable yield and weight of 20 bulbs. High values of heritability, GCV and genetic advance as percent of mean were observed for cloves per bulb, weight of 50 cloves, marketable yield, and weight of 20 bulbs. The analysis of variance revealed significant divergence among the thirty two garlic advance lines for different traits, indicating sufficient genetic diversity among the cultivars. The cluster-VII had highest value of plant height (109.11 cm), gross yield (239.19 q ha-1) and minimum stemphylium intensity (2.08%). Cluster VI was promising for leaves per plant (9.51), bulb size index (15.88 cm2), weight of 20 bulbs (0.696 g) and marketable yield (159.05 q/ha). Cluster X was observed to be promising for bulb diameter (4.63 cm), clove diameter (1.33 cm), clove size index (3.58 cm2) and weight of 50 cloves (85.0 g). Therefore, it is suggested that selection of genotypes based upon the large cluster distances from all the clusters may lead to broad spectrum favorable genetic variability for bulb yield improvement.
 
Standardization of stem thickness and length for harvesting cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Pres.) bark
Get PDFAn experiment was conducted during 2008–09, 2009–10 & 2010–11 at Dapoli (Maharashtra) to study the effect of stem thickness and stem length for harvesting cinnamon bark. Twelve treatment combinations viz., two genotypes; Konkan Tej (G1), ACC-11 (G2), two lengths of stem; 50 cm (L1), 100 cm (L2) and three thicknesses of stem; 1–2 cm (T1), 2–3 cm (T2), 5–6 cm (T3) were used for experimentation. There were no significant differences in bark thickness before and after drying, fresh and dry weights of quill in the genotypes studied and length of cinnamon stem selected for bark extraction. Significantly highest bark thicknesses before (1.14 mm) and after (0.82 mm) drying and fresh (111.21 g) and dry (56.64 g) weights of quill were recorded in T3 (5–6 cm thick stem) treatment. Interaction effect of genotype, length and thickness of stem selected for coppicing indicate significant differences in bark thickness before and after drying and fresh and dry weights of quill. Significantly maximum bark thickness before drying (1.74 mm) was recorded in treatment combination G2L1T3, which was at par with G1L2T3 (1.72 mm), G2L2T3 (1.71 mm) and G1L1T3 (1.67 mm). The treatment combination G1L2T3 produced significantly highest bark thickness after drying (1.33 mm) fresh (223.31 g) and dry (117.28 g) weights of quill respectively. Significantly low bark thickness before drying (1.00 mm) fresh (49.13 g) and dry (22.92 g) weights of quill were recorded in treatment combination G1L1T1, which were at par with treatment combination G2L1T1. Higher oil percentage was observed in 5–6 cm thick stem i.e. Konkan Tej (3%) and ACC-11 (2.50%) respectively. Thus for coppicing of cinnamon for extraction of bark, harvesting of 5-6 cm thick stem is recommended.
 
Arsenic intake and dietary risk assessment of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) leaves in the Gangetic basin of West Bengal
Get PDFField experiments were conducted at farmers’ field in Nadia district of West Bengal during winter seasons of 2008–09 and 2009–10 to evaluate the varietal tolerance and arsenic (As) accumulation of different coriander cultivars and As intake and dietary risk assessment of leaves. Results revealed that As accumulation in different plant parts was in the order, root > leaf > stem. Ingestion of significant proportion of inorganic As through consumption of coriander was observed which posed a risk of 36.0% of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake.
 
Physical properties of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)
Get PDFTurmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome (var. IISR Alleppey Supreme) sample was divided into three grades (I: 25–35 mm, II: 35–45 mm, III: 45–55 mm) according to its major dimension to study its physical properties. The average values of geometric property viz., length (30.38–50.60 mm), breadth (9.77–10.64 mm), thickness (5.18–6.44 mm), arithmetic mean diameter (15.82–21.91 mm), geometric mean diameter (12.77–13.76 mm), square mean diameter (24.24–28.58 mm), equivalent diameter (17.61–21.41 mm), sphericity (0.27–0.42), aspect ratio (0.20–0.35), unit volume (1641–2901 mm3), surface area (771–1265 mm2) and shape factor (1.63–1.77) for grades I, II & III are reported. The gravimetric property viz., bulk density (260–348 kg/m3), true density (1341–1354 kg/m3) and porosity (74.53–80.93%), and frictional property viz., angle of repose (37.57–38.90°) and coefficient of friction with respect to different surface viz., aluminum sheet, mild steel sheet and plywood sheet for grades I, II and III were found to range between of 0.69–0.81, 0.84–0.94, 0.80–0.86, respectively.
 
Diversity analysis of sesame germplasm using DIVA-GIS
Get PDFSesame (Sesamum indicum L.) was studied for its distribution and diversity in India using DIVAGIS. Grid maps were generated for diversity analysis of the eight quantitative traits viz., plant height, inter-node length, leaves per plant, number of flowers per plant, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, seed weight and seed yield. The results indicated that diverse accessions for all these traits can be sourced from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh (partly covering Chattisgarh) states and these states are diversity rich pockets for sesame germplasm in India.
 
Management of leaf spot of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) incited by Colletotrichum capsici through fungicides
Get PDFAn experiment was conducted at Kammarpally (Andhra Pradesh) to evaluate the efficacy of four fungicides viz., Propiconazole (0.1%), Hexaconazole (0.1%), Tricyclazole (0.1%) and Carbendazim + Mancozeb (0.1%) for the management of leaf spot disease (Colletotrichum capsici) of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Rhizome treatment with Carbendazim + Mancozeb (0.1%) gave the best results for germination (90.52%) and rhizome treatment and foliar application of Propiconazole (0.1%) at 45 and 90 days after planting (DAP) were significantly superior in reducing the disease index (20.01%) of leaf spot disease and increasing the fresh rhizome yield (17.13 t ha-1) as compared to other fungicides tested. The high cost – benefit ratio was achieved in rhizome treatment and foliar application of Carbendazim + Mancozeb at 45 and 90 DAP (1:1.92).