Journal of Spices and Aromatic Crops
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Effect of irrigation, nutrient levels and crop geometry on growth and yield of dill (Anethum sowa L.)
Get PDFA field experiment was conducted during rabi season at Ajmer (Rajasthan) to study the growth, profitability and productivity of dill (Anethum sowa L.) as influenced by irrigation and nutrient levels with varying crop geometry. Three irrigation levels (12, 15 and 18 days interval) in main plot, three nutrient levels (N and P2O5 each at 60 + 30, 90 + 40 and 120 + 50 kg ha-1, respectively) in sub plot and three crop geometry patterns (40 × 25 cm, 50 × 25 cm and 60 × 25 cm) in sub-sub plot were studied. The highest plant height at all the growth stages was recorded with irrigation at 12 days interval but higher branches plant-1, dry matter plant-1, yield attributes, seed yield, straw and biological yield of 1.2, 2.1 and 3.3 t ha-1 respectively, as well as net return (Rs.15,428 ha-1) and benefit : cost ratio (0.74) was recorded with irrigation at 15 days interval. Higher plant height, dry matter accumulation at all growth stages, yield attributes, seed yield (1.2 t ha-1), straw (2.1 t ha-1) and biological yield (3.3 t ha-1) as well a net return (Rs. 14,464/-) and benefit : cost ratio (0.69) were obtained with application of 90 kg N and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 being at par with 120 kg N and 50 kg P2O5 ha-1. Crop geometry of 50 × 25 cm resulted in higher seed (1.2 t ha-1), straw (2.1 t ha-1) and biological yield (3.3 t ha-1) over 60 × 25 cm. Thus, application of irrigation at 15 days interval with 90 kg N and 40 kg P2 O5 ha-1 at 50 × 25 cm crop geometry was optimum for realizing higher yield, profitability and productivity of dill.
 
Effect of fungicides and bio-agents on powdery mildew of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)
Get PDFVarious fungicides and biocontrol agents were evaluated for the management of powdery mildew of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) at Raigarh (Chhattisgarh). The results showed that minimum disease intensity (20.6%) and maximum yield (810 kg ha-1) were obtained with application of carbendazim as soil drench and 0.1% spray at 60 days after sowing which was on par with spray of wettable sulphur 0.2% at 60 days after sowing (T6). Cost:Benefit ratio (2.08) was highest with wettable sulphur 0.2% spray at 60 days after sowing.
 
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.
 
Keeping quality of betel leaves (Piper betle L.) as influenced by different methods and seasons
Get PDFThe objectives of the study were to assess the keeping quality under different seasons and methods of storage to suggest the best method and season for betel leaves storage. In all the treatments, leaves in two forms i.e, petiolated and depetiolated were included. The result showed that December–January i.e, winter season was the best for longer storage of betel leaves in any form and method. Among method of storage, zero energy cool chamber was the best for longest period of storage followed by packing with banana leaves in bamboo basket. Depetiolated condition was always better than petiolated condition for enhancing storage life. Chlorophyll degradation was minimum in petiolated condition either in packing with banana leaves or in treatment with Benzylaminopurine (BA) @ 30 ppm compared to depetiolated condition. Ascorbic acid content was more in sterilized paddy straw packing and in hessian cloth lined with mustard seed and ice pieces compared to other treatments.
 
Health benefits of bioactive molecules from spices and aromatic plants
Get PDFSpices are essentially used to improve the appeal and sensory characteristics of food. The bioactive compounds, which are the key natural flavour and fragrance ingredients of various spices and other aromatic plants play a vital role in healthcare. These are discussed with reference to the recent research carried out in anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, neuro-protective, cardiovascular, diabetic support, body weight management, wound healing, antioxidants, antimicrobial as food preservatives, ocular and oral health as well as in aroma-therapy with emphasis on human health and green chemistry.
 
Variability in stigma length and apocarotenoid content in Crocus sativus L. selections of Kashmir
Get PDFIdentification of high yielding selections using the existing gene pool of saffron shows promise and potential for improving the productivity of this crop. The present study was conducted at Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) with 31 saffron selections. Variations in respect to stigma length was observed. Apocarotenoid content was correlated with stigma length of saffron. Stigma size vis-a-vis quality evaluation confirmed that saffron of Kashmir is of intrinsically high quality with respect to colouring, aroma and taste. Variability in stigma characteristics observed in saffron selections can be utilized for saffron crop improvement.
 
Paenibacillus glucanolyticus, a promising potassium solubilizing bacterium isolated from black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) rhizosphere
Get PDFA bacterium possessing high ability to solubilize potash was isolated from the rhizosphere of black pepper. On the basis of biochemical and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the bacterium was identified as Paenibacillus glucanolyticus strain IISRBK2. The optimal medium composition and cultural conditions for the isolation of P. glucanolyticus were sucrose 5.0 g, Na2HPO4 2.0 g, MgSO4.7H2O 2.0 g, FeCl3 0.005 g, CaCO3 0.1 g and wood ash 1.0 g at pH 7.5 at 30oC. The strain was also evaluated for plant growth and potassium (K) uptake of black pepper in soil artificially treated with 0.5,1 and 1.5g K kg-1 soil in the form of wood ash. In this study, wood ash was used as a source of K which contained 53.1 g Kg-1 K of which 4.5% was in insoluble form. Inoculation with strain P. glucanolyticus was found to increase tissue dry mass (ranging from 37.0% to 68.3%) of black pepper in 1g K kg-1wood ash amended soil. In the soil treated with 0.5 -1.5 g K kg-1, K uptake in live bacterium inoculated black pepper plants increased by 125.0-184.0% compared to uninoculated control.
 
Effect of cultivars and fertilizer levels on growth, yield and quality of patchouli [Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth.] under shaded condition
Get PDFA field experiment was conducted at Bengaluru (Karnataka) to study the influence of culivars (Johore and CIM-shreshtha) and three fertilizer levels [Control (no fertilizers); recommended NPK (200:50:50 kg ha-1) and vermicompost 10 t ha-1 + 50% recommended NPK (100:25:25 kg ha-1)] on growth, herbage and oil yield of patchouli under shaded condition. Results showed that among the cultivars, CIM-shreshtha recorded significantly higher plant height and plant spread than Johore. CIM-shreshtha produced 29.25% and 43.28% higher herbage and oil yield compared to Johore. The application of recommended NPK (200:50:50 kg ha-1) produced maximum herbage and oil yield compared with control and was at par with vermicompost 10 t ha-1 + 50% recommended NPK (100:25:25 kg ha-1). Oil quality was not influenced by cultivar and fertilizer levels.
 
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.
 
Antioxidant capacity, radical scavenging ability, total phenols and flavonoids in three types of betelvine (Piper betle L.)
Get PDFBetelvine (Piper betle L.) leaves from female (Bengaluru local), male (Madras type) and meeta paan (sweet type) were analysed for antioxidant capacity (FRAP) and radical scavenging ability (DPPH) using acidic methanol extracts. FRAP and DPPH values were higher in the leaves of Bengaluru local followed by Madras type and were lowest in sweet type of betelvine. However, chlorophyll was higher in female and sweet betelvine when compared to Madras type. Bengaluru local also recorded higher total phenols and flavonoids followed by Madras type and sweet betelvine recorded lowest phenols and flavonoids. Higher antioxidant and radical scavenging capacities of female and male types was mainly due to the higher phenols and flavonoids and not due to total chlorophyll content. The study indicated that the total phenol content of betelvine is comparable with that of tea powder.