Characterization and evaluation of pummelo (Citrus grandis L.) half-sib population for economic traits

Host plant resistance (HPR) traits of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula (Roxb.) L. against melon fruit fly, (Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett)) in hot arid region of India

India is one of the largest guava (Psidium guajava L.) producing country. This exotic crop adapted very well to climatic condition of nation which results in its huge variability in the form of seedling population. In present investigation the existing genetic diversity of guava explored and analyzed on the basis of physico-chemical characters during 2015-16 at Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan (India). The objective was to find some pink pulped and soft seeded guava genotypes. Among 17 guava genotypes, a wide range of diversity was recorded with respect to fruit weight (74.45-357.29), fruit length (45.6-93.96 mm), fruit diameter (50.70-86.15 mm), TSS (7.9-16.3°B), acidity (0.26-0.77%), ascorbic acid (52.44-164.86 mg/100 g) and lycopene content (3.53-6.18 mg/100 g). Seed variables like hardiness (44.06-132.98 N), length (2.22-3.96 mm) and width (1.85-3.16 mm), number of seeds per fruit (99-775) and seed index (0.17-1.48) also exhibited variability. However, highest coefficient of variation was found for fruit weight (52%) and ascorbic acid content (41.1%). Fruit weight was observed to be positively and significantly correlated with fruit diameter, fruit length, peel thickness, seed core thickness, seed hardness and seed weight. Titrable acidity was positively correlated with seed length, seed width and seed index. Four genotypes, viz. BKDV, JSL2, IFA and RFJ were identified for further multiplication to establish them at the Germplasm Block for their detailed evaluation and utilization in the breeding programme.

The present investigation was carried out in forty genotypes of ber at the Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (UP) from 2021–22 to 2022–23. Phenotypic correlations were worked out among eighteen characters of Ber to know the nature of the association existing among the characters. The correlation among the quantitative characters was worked out. The length of the fruit was found to be significantly and positively correlated with fruit weight (0.617**), and the width of the fruit exhibited a significant positive correlation with fruit weight (0.853**). Leaf length showed significant positive correlations with length of fruit (0.443*) and a non-significant but positive correlation with weight of fruit and width of fruit. Leaf width showed significant positive correlations with fruit weight (0.794**), length of fruit (0.563**), and leaf length (0.487*). Stone weight has shown significant positive correlations with fruit weight (0.626**) and width of fruit (0.874**), and stone length has shown significant positive correlations with fruit weight (0.440*), leaf width (0.409*), and stone weight (0.584**). Stone width has shown significant positive correlations with leaf length (0.417*), leaf width (0.701**), and stone weight (0.487*). The height of the tree has shown significant positive correlations with length of fruit (0.576**), width of fruit (0.977**), stone length (0.803**), and stone width (0.628**). The stem girth also exhibited a significant positive correlation with fruit weight (0.966**), width of fruit (0.496*), leaf length (0.650**), stone weight (0.397*), and height of the tree (0.406*). Specific gravity has shown significant positive correlations with fruit weight (0.817**). leaf length (0.641**) leaf width (0.424*), stone weight (0.455*), stone length (0.417*), and stone width (0.734**).
 TSS content was also found to be significantly and positively correlated with fruit weight (0.774**), leaf length (0.645**), leaf width (0.970**), stone weight (0.539**), stone length (0.425*), stone width (0.765**), stem girth (0.855**), and specific gravity (0.547**). Total acidity content in fruit was found to be significantly and positively correlated with fruit weight (0.725**), length of fruit (0.882**), width of fruit (0.948**), leaf length (0.809**), leaf width (0.989**), stone weight (0.772**), stone length (0.605**), stone width (0.892**), height of the tree (0.792**), and specific gravity (0.702**). TSS: acid ratio has shown significant positive correlations with fruit weight (0.981**), length of fruit (0.455*), width of fruit (0.963**), leaf length (0.929**), leaf width (0.854**), stone length (0.813**), stone width (0.727**), height of the tree (0.832**), stem girth (0.453*), and specific gravity (0.728** ).Reducing sugar has shown significant positive correlations with fruit weight (0.680**), leaf width (0.821**), stone length (0.835**), stone width (0.503*), height of tree (0.747**), stem girth (0.812**), and TSS acidity ratio (0.410*). Non-reducing sugar has shown significant positive correlations with fruit weight (0.782**), length of fruit (0.999**), width of fruit (0.499*), leaf width (0.482*), stone weight (0.662**), stone length (0.399*), stone width (0.453*), specific gravity (0.488*), and TSS (0.787**). Total sugars have shown significant positive correlations with fruit weight (0.960**). length of fruit (0.412*) leaf length (0.539**), leaf width (0.710**), stone length (0.745**), stone width (0.897**), height of the tree (0.658**), stem girth (0.841**), and acidity (0.584**). Ascorbic acid has shown significant positive correlations between length of fruit (0.938**), leaf width (0.642**), stone length (0.664**), stone width (0.685**), height of tree (0.400**), and specific gravity (0.942**).

Heterosis in different F1Capsicum annuum genotypes for fruit traits, ascorbic acid, capsaicin, and flavonoids

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a tropical vegetable and a source of vitamins such as K, C, and B. It is commonly grown and sold for daily consumption, but picking the right fruit size is more profitable. Therefore, a method for estimating the fruit weight is highly recommended. This paper aimed to determine the dimensions of cucumber fruit based on its usual harvesting size and to establish a model to show the relationship between fruit weight, fruit length, and fruit diameter. Cucumber was planted in the experimental field belonging to the Faculty of Agricultural Biosystems Engineering, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from January to June 2022. In the study, 48 market-size fruits were randomly selected from the plots to measure their weight, length, and diameter. The result shows that fruit length and fruit diameter had a positive relationship (P < 0.001; R = 0.70). Fruit weight was 3.38 fruit length × fruit diameter (P <0.001; R = 0.95). Nevertheless, L/D ratio negatively affected fruit weight, when it exceeded 3:1. Fruit weight was greater than 100 g when fruit diameter was over 4 cm and fruit length was over 10 cm. Therefore, when picking cucumber fruits, one must consider fruit length and diameter to be profitable. Further studies will focus on measuring cucumber fruit already available on the market to understand more about actual consumer preferences.

The effectiveness of liquid extracts from neem leaf (NLE), wood ash [WAE] and their modified forms (modified neem leaf MNLE) as fertilizer sources for improving soil fertility, growth and yield of garden egg (Solanium melogena L.) was demonstrated. Six treatments were tested, namely neem leaf extract, wood ash extract (WAE), modified neem leaf extract, poultry manure, N P K 15-15-15 fertilizer (NPK) and control (no fertilizer or extract). Results indicated significant increases (P<0.05) in plant height, leaf area, leaf population, number of branches, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, soil N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, content, and soil acidity under different fertilizer extracts compared to the control treatment. NLE yielded increased plant height, leaf area and stem girth of garden egg by 19.8%, 21.5% and 5% respectively compared to wood ash treatment[WAE]. As compared to NPK, NLE also yielded increased plant height and stem girth, while, NPK yielded increased leaf area and number of branches compared to NLE. Plant height and leaf area increased by 15% and 11% respectively under NLE treatment as compared to poultry manure. For the yield parameters, modified NLE yielded increased garden egg fruit weight, fruit length and fruit diameter by 37.5%, 41.55% and 31.3% respectively as compared to WAE, and fruit weight, length and diameter by 42%, 24% and 12.5% respectively as compared to NPK. When compared to poultry manure, NLE yielded increased fruit weight, length and diameter by 27.7%, 17.6% and 15% respectively. For soil chemical composition, WAE resulted in the highest value of soil pH while the modified NLE yielded the highest values of soil Ca, Mg and O.M(Organic matter). NPK had the highest values of N, P and K but decreased soil pH, Ca, Mg and O.M (Organic matter)., Modified neem leaf extract increased soil pH, Ca, Mg and O.M by 24%, 96%, 96% and 74.4% compared to N P K 15-15-15 fertilizer. This is because NPK fertilizer had highest K/Ca, K/Mg and P/Mg ratio signifying nutrient imbalance which might disturb uptake of K, Ca, Mg and P in soils. Modified neem leaf extract applied at 1200L/ha gave the best results in the growth, yield performance of garden egg and soil fertility improvement. This is a result of its combined nutrient superiority over the sole application of neem leaf, WAEs and poultry manure.

The present investigation was conducted during the year of 2014 and 2015 to determine the genotypic and phenotypic correlation along with their direct and indirect effects through path coefficients analysis and to estimate the contribution of most important traits towards fruit quality and yield in mango. The genotypic correlation values were recorded higher than their corresponding phenotypic value in 60 diverse mango genotypes grown at ICARIARI, New Delhi. The result suggests that there were strong inherent relationship between the traits. The a* (r2 = 0.179, 0.178), fruit weight (r2 = 0.236, 0.234), fruit length (r2 = 0.371, 0.370), fruit diameter (r2 = 0.393. 0.391), fruit width (0.366, 0.361), titrable acidity (r2 = 0.273, 0.272), stone weight (0.329, 0.328), stone length (r2 = 0.351, 0.347), stone diameter (r2= 0.249, 0.248), stone width (r2 = 0.278, 0.272) and peel weight (r2 = 0.370, 0.365) showed positive association with yield both at genotypic and phenotypic levels, respectively. At genotypic level, the highest positive direct effect was exhibited via fruit weight (5.74) followed by b* (1.006), peel % (0.685), stone length (0.292), fruit diameter (0.259), titrable acidity (0.159), pulp: stone (0.143), fruit shape index and ascorbic acid (0.067), stone diameter and stone width (0.053) on yield. The residual effects of genetic and phenotypic path analysis were 0.24 and 0.32 on fruit yield was not much higher side and revealed higher genetic variability, supports lower degree of environmental influence on the selected traits. In combination with correlation coefficient and path analysis, it was found that fruit weight, fruit diameter, stone length, stone diameter and titrable acidity exhibited significant positive correlation coefficients with yield and also induced the high positive direct effect. Thus, results affirmed that fruit weight, fruit diameter, stone length, stone diameter and titrable acidity are the major components of fruit yield and to be considered in mango improvement programme.

Background and Objectives: Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) is a dioecious plant species, requiring cross pollination for fruit production. Because of its high resistance to the lower temperature (up to –18oC), kiwifruit is a good alternative to Citrus orchards in north part of country encountering chilling stress. This research was done to study the effects of two male cultivars on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of three female cultivars to determine of the best cross for each female cultivar. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out as factorial experiment; female cultivars in three levels (Hayward, Bruno, Monty) and male cultivars in two levels (Tomori and Matua) based on completely randomized design with 6 treatments, 4 replicates, 24 plots and 10 flowers in each plot. Different fertilization was done between male and female cultivars. After harvest of fruits, the effect of treatments on fruit fresh weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit acidity, total solid solution and fructose content in fruits were measured. Results: Results showed that the type of cultivar alone had a significant effect on fruit weight, length and diameter, fruit acidity, soluble solids content and fruit sugar content at 1% level. Male cultivar showed significant differences in fruit weight, fruit length, acidity and soluble solids content at 1% and fruit sugar content at 5% level but no significant effect on fruit diameter. Also, interaction effect of male and female cultivars was significant on weight, length and total solution solid of fruit in 1% level and on fruit diameter in 5% level, but it has not effect on fruit acidity and sugar. The highest fruit weight (85.24 g), fruit length (70.82 mm) and total soluble solid (13.50°Brix) were obtained from cross of Bruno and Matua cultivars. The maximum fruit diameter (46.43 mm) and fruit fructose sugar (6.08 g L-1) was observed from cross of Hayward and Matua and Monty and Tomori cultivars, respectively. The lowest fruit acidity (pH) (3.53) was obtained in cross of Monty and Matua cultivars. Conclusion: Artificial pollination is a suitable approach to overcome all kinds of problems caused by pollination and fertility and increases the quality and marketability of kiwifruit. Pollination at the right time and with the right method and the right choice of male and female cultivars will improve most quantitative and qualitative traits of kiwifruit. Increasing fruit size is important to increase marketability and increase fruit sugar to enhance fruit flavor, and the main focus of such studies should be on these issues.

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.), an evergreen shrub belonging to the Myrtaceae family, is widely valued for its applications in the cosmetic, hygienic, and medicinal industries. This plant produces berries in two colors—white and black—with black berries receiving increasing attention due to their superior antioxidant properties. This study investigates black myrtle berries’ morphological and biochemical characteristics from eight prominent natural habitats in Fars Province, southwestern Iran. The results reveal significant variations in the morphological (such as fruit length and diameter, fruit length-to-diameter ratio, seed length and diameter, fruit weight, pulp weight, seed weight, pulp-to-seed ratio, and number of seeds) and biochemical attributes among the studied populations. The longest fruit was from the Kherqeh (KH) (8.29 mm) population, while the shortest was from the Baghnari (BN) (5.85 mm) population. The largest fruit diameter was also from KH (6.83 mm), which did not show a significant difference compared to the Zanjiran (ZF) population, while the smallest fruit diameter was from BN (5.12 mm), which did not differ significantly from the Kavar (KA), Simakan (SM), Kouhmareh Road (JK), or Atashkadeh (AT) populations. Notably, all populations exhibited high levels of phenolic compounds, ranging from 660 to 1846 mg per 100 g of fresh weight, and potent antioxidant activity, as indicated by low half-maximal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.018 to 0.187 mg per gram. Correlation analyses further demonstrated that altitude and specific soil properties influenced the biochemical traits of the berries to varying degrees. These findings offer valuable scientific insights for selecting and utilizing specific myrtle populations in horticulture, particularly for breeding programs to maximize antioxidant properties and phenolic content.

Thirty five chilli genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block design at College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana state, India during Kharif, 2019 for seven months and at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional station, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during Rabi 2019-20 for seven months to estimate genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and genetic advance as % of mean of seventeen yield and yield related traits. For all the traits studied, the magnitude of PCV was higher than corresponding GCV. High Phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation estimates were recorded for plant height, plant spread, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits plant-1, fruit weight, fruit yield plant-1, fruit yield plot-1, ascorbic acid, capsaicin content and capsanthin content indicating the existence of wider genetic variability for these traits in the genotypes studied. High heritability was recorded for the traits Days to first flowering, Fruit length, Fruit diameter, No. of fruits plant-1, Fruit weight, Fruit yield plant-1, Fruit yield plot-1, Ascorbic acid, Chlorophyll content, Capsaicin content and Capsanthin content. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as % mean indicates existence of additive gene action which was observed in fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits plant-1, fruit weight, fruit yield plant-1, fruit yield plot-1, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll content, capsaicin content and capsanthin content. Hence these traits can be improved by direct selection.

Bombai’ is a popular litchi variety of West Bengal but susceptible to fruit cracking which reduces the market price. Till now numbers of research trial conducted in litchi with different chemicals but reports on impact of application of brassinolide in reduction of fruit cracking maintaining quality attributes are limited. Therefore, an experiment was conducted during January-May of 2019–20 at the Experimental Farm of Horticultural Research station, Mondouri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidayala, Nadia, West Bengal, India to evaluate the effect of different dose of brassinolide on fruit yield, quality and reduction of cracking in litchi. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design comprising five treatments of brassinolide [T1: Brassinolide (0.5 mg l-1), T2: Brassinolide (1.0 mg l-1), T3: Brassinolide (1.5 mg l-1), T4: Brassinolide (2.0 mg l-1) and T5: Control (water spray)] with four replication/treatment. The solutions were applied two times; first before anthesis and another at 15 days after anthesis. Result revealed that brassinolide increased the number of fruits per panicle and significantly increased individual fruit weight, length, diameter, and yield. Among different treatments, brassinolides at 1 mg l-1 (two-time application i.e., 15 days before and after anthesis) is identified to be superior considering all qualitative aspects i.e., maximum fruit weight (26.40 g), fruit length (5.15 cm) and yield (95.88 kg plant-1). This treatment also exhibited maximum TSS (21.22°Brix), total sugar (14.11%), ascorbic acid (37.42 mg 100 g-1) and anthocyanin (23.13 mg 100 g-1) content with minimum (9.12%) fruit cracking. The control treatments registered minimum values for all parameters.

This study assesses the influence of varying crop loads on growth, return bloom and fruiting traits with a focus on trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA)in High-Density Apple Cultivar Gala Redlum, Study was conducted at the experimental field of the Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST-Kashmir, during 2021-2022.The experiment, organized in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, utilized 4-year-old "Gala Redlum" plants. The trees were hand-thinned to 4, 6, 8, 10 fruits per cm2 of TCSA, with a control group undergoing no thinning. Results indicated that the highest values for annual shoot length (36.40 cm), return bloom (111.50 flower clusters/tree), fruit length (68.49 mm), fruit diameter (75.07 mm), and fruit weight (191.62 g) in the C2 treatment (4 fruits per cm2 of TCSA). Following closely, the C3 treatment (6 fruits per cm2 of TCSA) exhibited substantial values for the aforementioned parameters. Furthermore, the S2 treatment (10-12 cm2 TCSA) recorded maximum annual shoot length (30.63 cm), return bloom (64.13 flower clusters/tree), fruit length (61.74 mm), fruit diameter (69.18 mm), and fruit weight (168.16 g). Notably, the combined treatment C2xS2 yielded the highest return bloom (114.00 flower clusters/tree) and fruit characteristics (fruit length, diameter, and weight).

The potential for improvement in crops is proportional to the magnitude of genetic variability present in the germplasm. Thirty genotypes of chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were evaluated during the summer rainy seasons of 2005 and 2006 to study the extent of genetic variability, determine the association between different characters, understand direct and indirect effects of component traits on fresh and dry yield, and identify desirable genotypes. The project was undertaken at the experimental farm of the Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSK HPKV, Palampur, India. Sufficient variability was observed for all horticultural and quality traits studied; that is, days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest, primary structural branches per plant, secondary branches per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter, average fruit weight, number of seeds per fruit, 100-seed weight, pericarp:seed ratio, number of marketable fruits per plant, number of total fruits per plant, plant height, marketable yield per plant, total soluble solids, and oleoresin, capsanthin, and capsaicin content. On the basis of mean performance, the genotype Palam Yellow was found to be promising for marketable fresh yield; on the basis of dry yield, the genotype Surajmukhi was found to be promising. High phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) were observed for marketable fresh and dry yield per plant, numbers of marketable fruit, average fresh and dry fruit weight, fruit length and diameter, seed weight per fruit, number of primary structural branches per plant, and oleoresin and capsaicin content. Moderate PCV and GCV were recorded for numbers of secondary branches per plant, plant height, harvest duration, number of seeds per fruit, 100-seed weight, pericarp:seed ratio, ascorbic acid, and capsanthin. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was noted for marketable fresh and dry yield per plant, average fruit weight, numbers of marketable fruit, fruit diameter, and oleoresin and capsaicin content, which indicated the role of additive gene action for the inheritance of these traits. These traits are likely to respond better to selection. Correlation and path analysis studies indicated that average fruit weight, numbers of total and marketable fruits per plant, and fruit length contributed to marketable fresh yield. Average dry fruit weight, numbers of total and marketable fruits per plant, seed weight per fruit, and harvest duration played a predominant role for predicting dry yield. Among quality traits, capsanthin was significantly and positively correlated with yield. Ascorbic acid and capsaicin content were positively associated with total soluble solids at green and red stage, respectively.

Cognition of correlations offers the possibility to evaluate complicated characters by evaluating the less complicated ones. Multiple correlations are useful in finding a balance between principal characters studied in breeding programs. The aim of the study was the evaluation of principal component characters of production capacity in a collection of 24 landraces of sweet pepper landraces from West Romania. Evaluated characters were: number of fruit per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, pulp thickness, pulp weight, number of seeds in fruit, production of fruits per plant. The evaluated collection presents incresed variability for number of fruits per plant, average weight of single fruit and fruit pulp weight. Production of fruit per plant, fruit diameter and fruit length are lower. Production of fruits per plant is influenced in proportion of 50% by fruit number and secondly by fruit diameter. Fruit diameter has a significant and major contribution (over 70%) on fruit weight, less important beeing the fruit length and diameter, pulp thickness. From simple regressions study we conclude that single fruit weight is influenced by fruit diameter and pulp thickness, and production per plant depends on number of fruits per plant and fruit diameter. Number of seeds per fruit is higher in longer fruit.

&lt;abstract&gt; &lt;p&gt;Drought stress is one of the challenges that can affect the growth and the quality of strawberry. The study aims to determine the growth, biochemical changes and leaf gas exchange of three strawberry cultivars under drought stress. This study was conducted in a glasshouse at Indonesian Citrus and Subtropical Fruits Research Institute, Indonesia, from July-November 2018. The experiment was arranged in a factorial randomized completely block design (RCBD) with three replications and four water deficit (WD) levels [100% field capacity (FC)/well-watered), 75% of FC (mild WD), 50% of FC (moderate WD), and 25% of FC (severe WD)] for three strawberry cultivars (Earlibrite, California and Sweet Charlie). The results showed that total chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents (p ≤ 0.05) were influenced by the interaction effects of cultivars and water deficit. Whereas other parameters such as plant growth, transpiration rate (&lt;italic&gt;E&lt;/italic&gt;), net photosynthesis (&lt;italic&gt;A&lt;/italic&gt;), stomatal conductance (&lt;italic&gt;gs&lt;/italic&gt;), leaf relative water content (LRWC), flowers and fruits numbers, proline content, length, diameter, weight and total soluble solid (TSS) of fruit were affected by water deficit. &lt;italic&gt;A&lt;/italic&gt; had positive significant correlation with plant height (r = 0.808), leaf area (r = 0.777), fruit length (r = 0.906), fruit diameter (r = 0.889) and fruit weight (r = 0.891). Based on the results, cultivars affected LRWC, and also number of flowers and fruits of the strawberry. This study showed that water deficit decreased plant growth, chlorophyll content, leaf gas exchange, leaf relative water content, length, diameter and weight of fruit but enhanced TSS, anthocyanin, MDA, and proline contents. Increased anthocyanin and proline contents are mechanisms for protecting plants against the effects of water stress. California strawberry had the highest numbers of flowers and fruits, and also anthocyanin content. Hence, this cultivar is recommended to be planted under drought stress conditions. Among all water stress treatments, 75% of FC had the best results to optimize water utilization on the strawberry plants.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/abstract&gt;