Journal of Applied and Natural Science
Not a member yet
2928 research outputs found
Sort by
Forecasting phenology of mustard crop in North-western Himalayas
Get PDFField experiments were conducted during rabiseason of 2007-08 and 2008-09 to study the phenology, thermal indices and its subsequent effect on dry matter accumulation of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) varieties viz., RCC-4, Kranti and Varuna grown under varying environmental conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The early sown (10th October) crop varieties took maximum average growing degree days for flower initiation (492±1), 50% flower-ing (682±1), pod initiation (742±1), 90% pod formation (811±4) and maturity (1394±8) which decreased with subse-quent delay in sowing time and recorded lowest under late sown (9th November) crop. The accumulated helio-thermal units and photo-thermal units decreased from 9824 to 7467 oC day hour and 19074 to 15579 oC day hour, respectively. High heat-use efficiency was obtained under late sown condition on 30th October. The heat-use efficiency (HUE) was high at 90% pod formation stage as compared to other stages in all the varieties and sowing dates (except 9th November sowing). The early sown (10th October) crop had maximum calendar days and cumula-tive pan evaporation (158 days and 448.2 mm) followed by normal (20th and 30th October) (153 days and 434 mm) and late (9th November) (138 days and 403.1 mm) sown crop indicating higher water requirement under early sow-ing. The predictive regression models explained 83-85% variation in dry matter yield in three varieties of mustard. The agro climatic indices are important determinants for temperature, radiations and photoperiods behaviors of crop. The accurate predictions of crop phenology are useful inputs for crop simulation modeling and crop management, and used for climate change assessment and simulated adaptations in present scenarios
Performance of some apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) germplasm accessions for fruit quality traits in Himachal Pradesh
Get PDFThe present investigation was carried out in field gene bank of NBPGR Regional Station Phagli, Shimla during the year 2014-15. Twenty accessions of Prunus armeniaca L. namely St. Ambroise, Wenatchee, Nugget, Stirling, Nari, Harogem, Rakovslik, Viva Gold, IC-432145, Erevani, Safed Perchinar, KS-1, AS-1, AS-2, NJ-A96, Jordan Early, Vitillo, Shahib, Kalola and Anglo Arsani were evaluated for their tree, foliage, floral and fruit characters. St. Ambroise recorded maximum tree height (10.10 m) whereas minimum (2.47 m) was in Stirling. Shedding of leaf started from 29 th October (Nugget) and extended till 27 th November (Vitillo). Time of full bloom extended from 16 th March in Shahib to 23 rd March in Safed Perchinar. The longest duration (22 days) of flowering was recorded in Erevani and shortest (9 days) in Wenatchee. Time of fruit maturity was early (25 th May) in Shahib and late (26 th June) in Vitillo. Largest and heaviest fruits were observed in St. Ambroise (77.59 g) whereas smallest and lightest fruits were in Viva Gold (19.37 g). Maximum pulp to stone ratio was recorded in Safed Perchinar (33.21) and minimum in Nari (15.57). TSS content was maximum (19.56 °B) in Nari whereas minimum (10.73°B) in Anglo Arseni. Titratable acidity was recorded maximum (1.86 %) in AS-1 and minimum (0.76%) in IC 432145. Total sugar content ranged from 8.40 per cent in Anglo Arseni to 16.53 per cent in Nari. Total phenol content was maximum (89.57 mg/100 g) in AS-1 and minimum (70.41 mg/100 g) in IC432145. From the present investigation it may be concluded that St. Ambroise, Nari and Shahib can be used for gene source for developing new hybrid cultivars and St. Am-broise may be suggested for cultivation in wet temperate condition of Himachal Pradesh for its better quality
Genetic divergence studies in clusterbean [Cyamopsis Tetragoloba (L.) Taub.] genotypes for seed yield and gum content under rain-fed conditions
Get PDFThe genetic diversity among 33 cluster bean genotypes was evaluated under rain fed conditions during kharif 2012. The genetic material exhibited wide range of genetic diversity for all the twelve characters investigated. All the genotypes were grouped into seven different clusters. Cluster I was the largest comprising 11 genotypes followed by cluster II consisting of 8 genotypes, cluster V (5), cluster VI (4), cluster IV (2), cluster VII (2), cluster III (1). The clustering pattern indicated that there was lot of diversity among the genotypes and there was no relationship and independent. The intra cluster distance was highest at cluster VI followed by cluster I and II over others. The between the genetic and geographical diversity of the genotypes, but the distribution of the genotypes was random higher magnitude of inter-cluster distance were observed between cluster IV and VI (7.644) followed by cluster IV and cluster III and IV (5.861) and cluster II and V (5.834) indicating wider genetic diversity between the genotypes in V (7.582); cluster II and IV (6.802); cluster IV and VII (6.682); cluster I and IV (6.569); cluster II and VII (6.052); likely to produce more transgressive segregants. It is suggested that genotypes belonging to the clusters I, IV and VII these clusters. The uses of genotypes in hybridization from these clusters having most of the desirable characters are having diversified growth habit may be crossed with genotypes belonging to cluster II as they may be expected to produce good segregants with high yield potential
Performance of summer sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids under different nutrient management practices in coastal Odisha
Get PDFThe field experiment was conducted at Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar during summer 2014 to find out appropriate hybrids and nutrient management practices for summer sunflower. Application of recommended dose of Fertiliser(RDF) i.e. 60-80- 60 kg N, P2O5-K2O ha -1 + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha -1 recorded the maximum capitulum diameter (15.60cm), seed yield (2.17 t ha -1 ), stover yield (4.88 t ha -1 ) and oil yield (0.91 t ha -1 ), while application of RDF + Boron@ 1 kg ha-1 recorded the highest number of total seed (970) and filled seed per capitulum (890) with the lowest unfilled seed (80) and sterility percentage (9.0%). The hybrid ‘Super-48’ recorded the highest seed and oil yield of 2.17 and 0.91 t ha -1 , respectively, at recommended dose of fertiliser + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha -1 . Experiment was conducted in evaluating the new hybrids in addition to evaluate the response of variety to different nutrient management practices
Root architecture and rhizobial inoculation in relation to drought stress response in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris l.)
Get PDFThe present study was aimed at assessing the root traits and rhizobial inoculation in relation to drought in common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris. Drought caused the largest decrease in shoot biomass followed by plant height, while an increase was recorded inroot/shoot ratio. Rhizobial inoculation caused largest increase in shoot biomass followed by root volume and root biomass and smallest increase in rooting depth. WB-216 and WB-185 had better rooting depth in all treatments. However, WB-83 (92.67) had highest rooting depth under irrigated conditions and SR-1 had highest rooting depth under irrigated conditions treated with rhizobium (108.50). Similarly, WB-216 had highest root/shoot ratio under drought (2.693) followed by WB-185 (1.285) while lowest value was recorded for Arka Anoop (0.373). In rhizobium treated drought condition, WB-216 recorded highest root/shoot ratio (5.540) followed by SFB-1 (1.967). Under irrigated conditions (both with and without rhizobium), WB-185 recorded highest root/shoot ratio while lowest was recorded for SR-1 (0.166). The mean squares due to root depth, root biomass and root volume were significant whereas the mean squares due to water and rhizobium were non-significant. Among interactions the genotype x water regime was significant for rooting depth (5 % level), genotype x rhizobia was significant for rooting depth and root volume (1 % level) and the interaction of genotype x water regime x rhizobium was significant for rooting depth, root biomass and root volume (1 % level). The results reinforce the need to further analyse the potential of other soil microbes in common bean rhizosphere in amelioration of the effects of water stress
Tribal farmers\u27 perceived constraints in the adoption of good dairy farming practices in the northern hills zone of Chhattisgarh, India
Get PDFThis study was carried out during the year 2014-15 to explore the perceived constraints encountered by the tribal dairy farmers in the successful adoption of Good Dairy Farming Practices (GDFPs). Out of 27 districts in Chhattisgarh, three tribal populated districts were selected for this study from northern hills zone of the state and totally 300 respondents were selected for constraints analysis. The study revealed that 55.33 % of the tribal farmers realised that insufficient knowledge and awareness towards good dairy farming practices is the major constraints in the adoption process, majority (70.00 %) of the tribal farmers perceived that lack of progeny tested superior bulls for AI and natural service are the main constraint in the adoption of good breeding practices, about (75.70 %) of the tribal farmers expressed the higher cost of concentrates, mineral mixtures and vitamin supplements are the main constraints in the adoption of good feeding practices, majority (70.70 %) of the tribal farmers responded that less number of veterinary hospitals in their locality is the main constraints and its ranks first in the healthcare constraints list, little less than three-fourths (67.67 %) of the tribal farmers articulated that lack of advanced farm machineries (portable milking unit) for small dairy holders is the main constraints in the adoption of good management practices and about three-fourths (75.30 %) of the tribal farmers conveyed that the lack of insurance for longer period is the main constraints and tops in the socio-economic constraints. This constraints study will be highly useful to policy makers and the scientific community to assess the dairy production technologies for refinement and appropriate strategies can be formulated to promote tribal dairying from subsistence level to intensive in order to increase the income from dairy sector
Quality characteristics of white cabbage juice stored using thermal processing and addition of chemical additives
Get PDFCabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) is one of the most important vegetables grown worldwide. Cabbage is valued for medicinal purposes in treating headaches, gout, diarrhea and peptic ulcers. The beneficial phytochemicals in cabbage help to activate and stabilize the body’s antioxidant and detoxification mechanisms that dismantle and eliminate cancer-producing substances. This seasonal vegetable can be made available for the consumers in off seasons also in the form of juice. The juice can be made shelf stable by using thermal treatment and various chemical additives. Therefore, the aim of the experiment was to compare the effect of different chemical additives namely Sodium benzoate, Potassium metabisulfite (KMS) and their combinations and the heat treatment, on the physicochemical, phytochemical parameters and antioxidant activity of Cabbage juice for a period of 6 months at room temperature at the regular intervals.The parameters like TS and TSS did not change significantly. The minimum increase in acidity was found in samples treated with combination of Sodium benzoate and Potassium metabisulfite. The color was best preserved by addition of KMS where the L value changed from 52.66 to 50.86 after 6 months. The ascorbic acid, total phenol content and antioxidant activity was best preserved by KMS with final values of 2.51 mg/100 g, 21.18 mg/100 g and 15.97 % respectively that were far better than the thermally treated samples with values 1.47 mg/100 g, 8.14 mg/100 g and 6.98 % respectively. Keeping in view all the parameters KMS was found to be the most appropriate agent for preservation
Evaluation of shelf-life of aonla (Emblica officinalis G.) cultivars during storage at room temperature
Get PDFive aonla cultivars viz. Chakaiya, Banarasi, Hathijhul, Krishna and Kanchan were evaluated for shelf-life during storage at room temperature. PLW increased with increase in the period of storage in all cultivars (0-15 days). There was no decay loss up to 6th day of storage, however it was observed on 9th day of storage in all the cultivars and it increased up to 15th day of storage. Maximum PLW and decay loss was recorded in fruits of cv. Banarasi (8.14 % and 38.97 %, respectively) on 15th day of storage whereas fruits of cv. Chakaiya had minimum PLW and decay loss (5.83 % and 15.17 %, respectively) on same day of storage. Specific gravity and firmness decreased during the storage from 0-15 days in all the cultivars. Fruits of cv. Banarasi had minimum specific gravity (0.99) as well as firmness (10.83kg/cm2) whereas fruits of cv. Chakaiya had maximum specific gravity (0.93) and firmness (11.10kg/cm2) at the end of the storage. The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the different cultivars of aonla fruit for their biochemical and physiological behavior under room temperature storage and to find out the best among five cultivars for their shelf life under the Haryana agro-climatic conditions
Modeling phosphorus distribution under different fertigation strategies in onion (Allium cepa L.) crop
Get PDFThe understanding of soil and nutrient dynamics under drip fertigation is relevant for crop production as well as water and nutrient management. The aim of this study was to generate information about the distribution of phosphorus (P) under different fertigation strategies for onion production on sandy clay loam soil during 2007-2008 to 2008-2009. The study involved field experiment, laboratory analysis and modeling of P distribution. The phosphorus distribution data in the field were collected, analyzed and used to calibrate and validate the solute transport model HYDRUS-2D for sandy clay loam soil. The performance of HYDRUS-2D was evaluated by comparing its simulated values with the observed values of soil moisture and nutrient concentration. The coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) were used as model performance indicators. The range of R2 between 0.72-0.99 for water as well as nutrient distribution indicates good correlation between the observed and simulated values. The MAE and RMSE values for water and nutrient distribution were in between 0.0009 to 0.0039 which indicated the accuracy of the model. From these results, it can be concluded that the model is performing well for predicting the P concentration in the soil as well as the soil moisture distribution for onion crop grown under sandy clay loam. The model was also validated for water and phosphorus distribution with the observed values at the end of the crop season and found to be performing well. The HYDRUS-2D model may be used to carry out simulations for different soil types and with different fertigation and irrigation strategies for developing guidelines
Exploring possibilities of enhancing water use efficiency in potato: A review
Get PDFClimate change threatens the global agriculture sustainability. Among different kinds of abiotic stresses, water stress is the most devastating component which curtails potato crop productivity. Our recent knowledge is limited concerning water stress tolerance and water use efficiency in potato. Many efforts are being made by the scientific community to reduce water use and to produce “more crop per drop”. This review elaborates quantitative and qualitative aspects of multiple stress mechanisms and their regulating system related to present scenario of water use efficiency (WUE) requirements. WUE can only be improved by using multidisciplinary promising research approaches like molecular breeding, high throughput genotyping, multi-gene transfer and bioinformatics applications to unleash the information needed to exploitation of required traits in potato