Journal of Spices and Aromatic Crops
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Response of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-gracecum L.) to sodicity
Get PDFField trials were conducted at Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) to study the effect of sodicity on growth, yield and cation composition of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). The treatments included five exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) levels (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50) and four varieties namely, HM-346, RMt-1, Hissar Sonali and Kalyanpur Selection. The results showed that the crop was able to endure sodicity at germination stage but an adverse effect was noticed on emergence of branches plant-1 rather than plant height. The yield attributes were unaffected up to ESP 30. The variety Kalyanpur Selection produced greater biomass and seed yield than other genotypes up to ESP 30. The cation composition of plant revealed Na inclusion mechanism and showed narrow K/Na and Ca/Na ratio in the foliage indicating the potential of fenugreek crop to withstand medium level of sodicity.
 
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.
 
Effect of agronomic practices on productivity and profitability of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.)
Get PDFA field experiment was carried out at Ajmer (Rajasthan) to find out the optimum sowing time and crop geometry for realising higher productivity and profitability in anise (Pimpinella anisum L.). Fifteen treatment combinations comprising of five dates of sowing viz., 15th October, 30th October, 15th November, 30th November and 15th December in main plot and three crop geometry viz., 20 cm × 10 cm, 25 cm × 10 cm and 30 cm × 10 cm spacing in sub plot were taken. The results revealed that sowing of anise on 15th October produced significantly higher plant height (7.94 cm, 40.98 cm and 54.88 at 60,90 DAS and at harvest, respectively), number of branches plant-1 (14.70 and 13.92 at 90 DAS and harvest respectively), number of umbels plant-1 (40.91), number of umbellates umbel-1 (17.4), number of seeds umbellate-1 (19.45), test weight (2.60 g), seed yield (892 kg ha 1), gross returns (Rs. 80,280 ha-1), net returns (Rs. 74,280 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (12.38). Crop geometry of 20 cm × 10 cm significantly resulted in highest plant height, number of branches plant-1 at all stages, number of umbels plant-1 (31.57), number of umbellates umbel-1 (14.72), number of seeds per umbellate (17.58), test weight (2.40 g), seed yield (507 kg ha-1), net returns (Rs. 39630 ha-1) and Benefit Cost Ratio (6.61). Therefore, sowing of anise on I5th October at 20 cm × 10 cm spacing was optimum for realising higher productivity and profitability of the crop.
 
Identification of fertility restorer and sterility maintainer lines in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
Get PDFThree cytoplasmic geneic male sterile lines of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) namely, JNKVVA1, ACBGA1 and ACBGA2 showed 100% male sterility when tested with 1% acetocarmine solution. Among the 50 chilli lines crossed with the three male sterile lines, 36 lines were stable for fertility restoration (Rf) while, two lines namely, AVNPC131 and X235 were identified as sterility maintainers (rf).
 
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.
 
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.
 
Influence of sheep manure, vermicompost and biofertilizer on growth, yield and profitability of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) production
Get PDFA field study on effect of various sources of organic manure (sheep manure and vermi compost) with and without biofertilizer (Azotobacter sp.) on performance of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) was conducted at Ajmer (Rajasthan) during rabi 2003, 2004 and 2005. Application of biofertilizer alone as well as in combination with sheep manure, vermicompost and recommended doses of fertilizer resulted in higher growth, yield attributes and yield over absolute control. The association of biofertilizers with all sources of nutrients proved beneficial and resulted in higher growth and yield. Application of recommended doses of fertilizer with seed inoculation by biofertilizer proved to be superior for realizing higher net return and benefit:cost ratio.
 
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.
 
Effect of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) in a semi-arid tropical climate
Get PDFField experiments were conducted at Bangalore (semi-arid tropical climate) to study the influence of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers (NPK and sulphur) on growth, seed and oil yield and oil quality of coriander (Coriandrum sativum). The results of the study showed that application of vermicompost (7.5 t ha-1) + 25% recommended NPK (25 : 12.5 : 12.5 kg ha-1) produced maximum biomass (28.2 q ha-1), seed (10.82 q ha-1) and oil yield (6.53 kg ha-1) of coriander which was at par with other treatments except full organic manure and control which indicated that 75% NPK requirement can be supplemented through vermicompost without loss of yield. The oil content and quality were not influenced by the treatments tested.
 
Physical and biochemical parameters of fresh and dry ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)
Get PDFThe physical and biochemical properties of fresh and dry ginger (Zingiber officinale) (cv: Himachal) obtained from Nemmara (Palakkad District, Kerala), useful for the design of processing machineries, were determined. The average moisture content of fresh and dry rhizomes were 81.70% and 8.85%, respectively. The average length, width and thickness of fresh rhizome were 14.99 cm, 8.17 cm and 4.49 cm, respectively and the corresponding values for dry rhizome were 9.74 cm, 5.56 cm and 4.49 cm. The mean values of cylindricity for primary, secondary and tertiary finger rhizomes were 0.46, 0.51 and 0.56, respectively and the corresponding values for dry finger rhizomes were 0.48, 0.53 and 0.58. The average mass, volume and surface area of fresh rhizomes were 103.45 g, 85.0 cm3 and 194.52 cm2, respectively and the corresponding values for dry rhizomes were 31.62 g, 22.10 cm3 and 65.84 cm2. The bulk density, true density and porosity for fresh rhizomes were determined as 471.49 kg m-3, 1107.01 kg m-3 and 66.80%, respectively, and for dry rhizomes the values were 460.09 kg m-3, 1013.22 kg m-3 and 54.09%. The angle of repose increased from 34.6° to 39.5° after drying. Mild steel surface offered more frictional resistance than other surfaces and the coefficient of friction for fresh and dry ginger against mild steel was 0.74 and 0.54, respectively. The average meat : peel ratio of the whole fresh rhizome was 10.7:1. The average recovery of dry ginger was 23.01%. The dry ginger obtained had 1.6% essential oil, 3.5% oleoresin and 2.7% crude fibre.