Conditions Of Kashmir Research Articles

Comparative Efficacy of Synthetic Hormones, Wova-FH and Ovatide on Breeding Performance of a <i>Cypirinus carpio</i> Var. communis in the Captive Conditions of Kashmir

This study assessed the efficacy of two GnRH-based synthetic hormones, Ovatide and Wova-FH, in the induced breeding of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) under the environmental conditions of Kashmir. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three treatments for each hormone and a control group, performed in triplicates, was employed. The latency period varied significantly, with Ovatide showing superior performance. The shortest latency period (38±0.38 hours) was recorded at the highest dosage of Ovatide (0.7 mL/kg), compared to 44±0.57 hours for Wova-FH (0.5 mL/kg) and 55.5±0.5 hours for the control. Ovatide also achieved the highest ovulation rate (88.8%), significantly outperforming Wova-FH (55.5%) and the control (22.2%). Fertilization rates were significantly higher in Ovatide-treated groups, ranging from 85.25%±0.98 to 86.20%±1.12, compared to 83.42%±0.69 to 84.04%±1.15 in Wova-FH groups. However, hatching rates ranged from 67.80%±0.66 to 71.08%±1.37 across all treatments with no significant differences (p>0.05) between hormone-treated and the control groups, indicating that hatching success is independent of hormone type and dosage. This study provides evidence supporting the use of Ovatide as a more effective inducing agent for carp breeding in Kashmir for sustainable aquaculture development in the region.

Influence of pytomulches on soil moisture status, growth and yield of mulberry (Morus spp.) under rainfed conditions of Kashmir

Influence of pytomulches on soil moisture status, growth and yield of mulberry (Morus spp.) under rainfed conditions of Kashmir

Predicting Alternaria blight severity in radish: A comprehensive analysis of meteorological influence and time series modelling

AbstractAlternaria leaf blight (ALB), caused by Alternaria brassicicola, poses a significant threat to radish cultivation, particularly in the agroclimatic conditions of Jammu and Kashmir, India. This study investigates the epidemiology of ALB during 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 growing seasons, focusing on the impact of meteorological factors on disease progression. Disease severity was monitored across various radish‐growing regions, revealing considerable spatial and temporal variability. The analysis identified maximum temperature (Tmax) as the most critical factor influencing percent disease index (PDI), with a strong positive correlation observed in both seasons, particularly in 2020/2021. Conversely, maximum relative humidity (Max RH) showed a negative correlation with PDI, suggesting complex interactions between temperature and humidity in disease dynamics. Principal component analysis further highlighted the distinct weather patterns between the two seasons, highlighting the role of environmental variability in disease progression. The study employed an advanced time series model, seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA), to forecast disease progression based on historical PDI data and corresponding weather parameters. The SARIMA model, by incorporating seasonal components, was found to be the best fit for predicting disease outbreaks. The findings of this study highlight the importance of integrating meteorological data into disease forecasting models to provide early warnings and guide timely interventions. By enhancing the understanding of ALB epidemiology, this research offers valuable insights for the development of sustainable disease management strategies in radish cultivation, reducing reliance on chemical fungicides and mitigating yield losses.

Assessment of Phenological and Yield Characteristics of Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh) Varieties

Phenology has gained recently a considerable emphasis as a method for assessing the impacts of changing climate on plant species. Shifting in phenological stages changes can have rippling impacts on environment. Quantifying the effects of these shifting changes on plants is therefore crucial. Knowledge of the dates and duration of particular phenological stages and their variations can be a valuable source of information for organizing, planning and implementation of some regular and special horticultural activities. The phenological study of apple is an essential component of the study as critical phenological stages of the apple are highly reliant on environment, they also have significant practical and scientific implications in the domain of selection. In particular, proper flowering and fruit ripening time are very critical to achieve optimum fruit yield and quality. Fruit yield is an important parameter that determines the acceptability of a cultivar by consumers. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the apple varieties for their phenology and yield under Kashmir conditions. Four varieties viz., Super Chief, Red Chief, Gala Redlum and Mitch Gala were used for study. Phenological characteristics revealed that Mitch Gala was earliest in all the phenological stages and Super Chief was late. The blooming period of the studied varieties indicated the synchronizing behaviour of the varieties, which is a prerequisite for effective pollination and adequate fruit set. As far as flowering is concerned, Mitch Gala was earliest to bloom and Gala Redlum was late. Fruit production characteristics revealed that Gala Redlum and Mitch Gala. In terms of yield characteristics, highest yield of 20.58 kg/tree was recorded in Gala Redlum followed by 19.40 kg/tree in Mitch Gala.

Comparative Screening of Elite Bivoltine Silkworm Breeds under Summer Conditions of Kashmir

The success of the sericulture industry largely depends upon the quality of mulberry leaf and type of silkworm breed reared on these leaves. The rearing of season specific silkworm breeds can be instrumental in the successful rearing which will yield good cocoon crop and thereby leading to enhanced silk production. Data with respect to eleven economic parameters viz., fecundity, hatching percentage, larval weight, fifth instar larval duration, total larval duration, cocoon yield by number, cocoon yield by weight, single shell weight, single cocoon weigh, shell ratio and pupation rate was recorded, analysed statistically and subjected to multiple trait evaluation index. Significant differences were recorded in economic parameters but no specific silkworm breed performed best in all the economic parameters studied except SK-6 which performed best for most of the economic parameters, SK-1 and SK-28 showed best performance with respect to single cocoon weight and fecundity respectively. Out of nineteen silkworm breeds only nine breeds viz., SK-6, SK-28, SK-30, KSO, SK-22, SK-24, SK-1, SK-13 and CSR-4 were found promising with average evaluation index of 66.7, 58.8, 57.2, 56.6, 55.5, 54.5, 53.1, 52.6 and 50.7 respectively. These breeds could be utilized in appropriate combination in evolution of new breeds/ hybrids for the region.

Influence of Natural Dyes on the Qualitative and Quantitative Parameters of Bivoltine Silkworm Breeds under Sub-Tropical Conditions of Poonch District, Jammu and Kashmir

The study on Influence of Natural Dyes on the qualitative and quantitative parameters of Bivoltine Silkworm Breeds under Sub-tropical Conditions of Poonch District, UT Jammu and Kashmir,” was conducted during the spring of 2022 at the PG, Department of Sericulture, Poonch Campus, University of Jammu. The study examined the effects of feeding bivoltine silkworm breeds CSR16 and CSR27 with two concentrations (50% and 100%) of natural dyes: madder (Rubia cardifolia) and indigo blue (Indigofera tinctoria). A comprehensive evaluation of both qualitative and quantitative parameters was undertaken, including fecundity, hatching %, larval duration, weight of 10 mature larvae, survival rate, mortality %, pupation % and cocoon quality parameters. The results indicated significant enhancements in fecundity, hatching % and cocoon yield for silkworms treated with both dyes at 100% concentration (T2). Specifically, CSR16 and CSR27 exhibited the highest values for larval weight, cocoon weight, pupation rate and shell ratio % in T2 treatments. The findings suggest that feeding silkworms natural dyes, particularly at higher concentrations, significantly improved the economic parameters of both breeds. While the cocoons produced were intrinsically coloured without compromising commercial parameters, the colour intensity was lighter than anticipated. This implies that introducing dyed mulberry leaves during the 1st instar stage may yield more favourable results. Overall, the study demonstrates that madder and indigo dyes are suitable for producing coloured silk, offering potential for large-scale applications in sustainable silk production.

Comparative Analysis of Some Morpho-cultural Characters of Venturia inaequalis (Apple Scab Pathogen) under Kashmir Conditions

Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) represents one of the most widely cultivated and economically important temperate fruit crops in the world. However, its cultivation faces significant challenges due to various fungal pathogens, particularly apple scab inflicted by Venturia inaequalis, which has a profound impact on the yield and quality of apple, resulting in substantial economic loss. The pervasive nature of V. inaequalis and its ability to damage crops poses a serious threat to sustainable apple production. In this study, the morpho-cultural characteristics of V. inaequalis were systematically analyzed and compared between the Shopian and Baramullah districts of the Kashmir Valley. Ten isolates from each district were grown on Malt Extract Agar (MEA) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) for comparative analysis. The colonies were characterized by a compact hue ranging from greyish-green to blackish and exhibited a densely velvety texture. Mycelial growth was predominantly aerial, with some isolates displaying partial irregularity in colony margins, while others exhibited greater uniformity. The mean colony radii for potato dextrose agar and malt extract agar media was measured as 23.01 mm and 28.50 mm for the Shopian district, and 28.09 mm and 33.33 mm for the Baramullah district, respectively. The mean conidial spore density was recorded at 27.87 spores/cm² for the Baramullah district and 34.67 spores/cm² for the district Shopian, respectively. This variation could be attributed to several factors, including genetic diversity within the pathogen populations, differences in altitude, climate, and other environmental factors, the selection pressure exerted by fungicide applications, the emergence of novel pathogen races, and phenotypic plasticity driven by the differing agricultural practices and microclimatic conditions in the respective regions.

Genetic variability studies for yield and yield attributing traits in mulberry (Morus spp.) genotypes under temperate conditions of Kashmir

Genetic variability studies for yield and yield attributing traits in mulberry (Morus spp.) genotypes under temperate conditions of Kashmir

Forecast Maize Phenology by Utilizing Thermal Indices under Foot Hills of Shivalik Conditions of Jammu and Kashmir

Forecast Maize Phenology by Utilizing Thermal Indices under Foot Hills of Shivalik Conditions of Jammu and Kashmir

Influence of sowing dates and weed management practices on weed dynamics, productivity and profitability of direct seeded rice

This study evaluated the impact of differential sowing windows and improved weed management strategies on weed dynamics, productivity, and economic viability of direct drum seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the temperate agro-ecosystem of Kashmir. A two-year field experiment was conducted utilizing a split-plot design with two sowing dates (May 10 and June 3) as main plots and six weed management practices as sub-plots. The earlier sowing date (May 10) resulted in significantly enhanced leaf area index, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, and grain and straw yields compared to the later sowing (June 3). Among weed management treatments, four mechanized conoweedings (equivalent to weed-free conditions) and sequential application of bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor (60 and 600 g a.i. ha−1) as pre-emergence followed by 2,4-D (0.75 kg a.i. ha−1) as post-emergence demonstrated superior efficacy in weed suppression and augmentation of crop growth parameters and yield attributes. These treatments also exhibited the lowest weed index and highest benefit–cost ratio. The May 10 sowing, coupled with efficacious weed control measures, significantly reduced weed density and biomass while concomitantly improving nutrient uptake and economic returns. The results indicate that adopting a May 10 sowing date for direct seeded rice, in conjunction with either four conoweedings or the aforementioned sequential herbicide application, can optimize agronomic productivity and economic profitability under the temperate conditions of Kashmir. The study aided in choosing the best sowing window and efficient weed management strategy for attaining higher productivity and profitability of direct seeded rice in temperate conditions.

Status of Alternaria Leaf Blotch on Apple under Kashmir Conditions

Status of Alternaria Leaf Blotch on Apple under Kashmir Conditions

Ontogenic Predisposition of Tomato Foliage to Early Blight Caused by Alternaria solani under Mountainous Conditions of Kashmir

This study explores the susceptibility of tomato plants to early blight caused by Alternaria solani concerning their chronological and physiological ages. While previous research has noted higher resistance in younger potato plants and an acropetal increase in resistance within plant leaves, such investigations are limited in tomatoes. Our study aimed to address this gap by investigating the influence of chronological and physiological ages on early blight resistance in tomato plants. Using the Keck Ruth Ageti cultivar, we conducted experiments at various plant growth stages. Chronological age variations were achieved by sowing seeds at 10-day intervals, with inoculation occurring when the youngest seedlings reached 20 days. Leaf sampling from different sections facilitated the evaluation of physiological age effects. Results showed a direct relationship between plant age and disease susceptibility, with older plants exhibiting higher incidence rates. Moreover, resistance increased from lower to upper leaves, with top leaves demonstrating the highest resistance.

Seasonal population dynamics and impact of abiotic factors on plant parasitic nematodes under temperate conditions of Kashmir, India

Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) pose a significant threat to the successful cultivation of grapevines globally. Abiotic parameters such as temperature, moisture and pH critically influence nematode population growth. Ecological investigation was conducted on three grapevine cultivars (Sahibi, Hussaini and Thompson) in Kashmir, India, from January 2021 to December 2022. The population dynamics of the identified PPNs around the grapevine rhizosphere were studied in relation to various factors. Nematode abundance peaked during the warm months of the summer season and dipped during winter. Soil and air temperatures positively correlated with the abundance of nematodes; however, soil moisture and rainfall showed a negative correlation. This study underscores the critical role of environmental factors on the population dynamics of plant parasitic nematodes, with temperature being an important influential factor. Effective nematode management in grapevine cultivation requires a thorough understanding of these dynamics to mitigate the impact of these parasites.

Assessment of genetic variability in blackgram (Vigna mungo) under rainfed conditions of Jammu and Kashmir

Assessment of genetic variability in blackgram (Vigna mungo) under rainfed conditions of Jammu and Kashmir

Morphomolecular characterization of invasive fruit borer infesting apple

Apple, a vital fruit crop worldwide and a major crop grown in northern parts of India, acts as a backbone for the survival and livelihood of the farming community. However, it is prone to severe damage from insect pests and diseases. In the past few years, due to erratic weather patterns, there has been an alarmingly increased infestation of different insect pests, both invasive and non-invasive, resulting in substantial economic losses to this industry. One similar case was seen in the Himalayan region of India, where the apple crop in Karewas was heavily damaged by some invasive fruit borer, feeding on pulp and making galleries to reach the seed locules, thereby destroying the seed material. To ascertain the true identity of this pest, a study based on morpho-molecular characterization of this pest was carried out in the Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, SKUAST Kashmir, India, during the years 2021 and 2022. The invasive fruit samples were collected from apple orchards at different locations (experimental sites) in North India by installing delta sticky traps @ 5 traps/ha for moth collection. The fruit-boring larvae and pupa were also collected and reared in confined chambers of the laboratory with controlled temperature and humidity. All the laboratory investigations were conducted at the Division of Entomology, FoA, Wadura, SKUAST Kashmir. During the investigation, it was confirmed that the invasive borer is a codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.), a member of the family Tortricidae, order Lepidoptera, which was earlier having quarantine importance in India, as it was only present in the Ladakh region of India. From the phylogenetic analysis of sample sequences, the species of codling moth present at all experimental sites was more identical to the codling moth sequence from Leh (the northernmost arid region), India. Further, the study of life cycle and voltinism revealed that codling moth completes three generations per year in Kashmir, with a single cycle lasting up to 2.5 months. However, the timing of various generations varies, depending on prevailing weather conditions at specific locations and times. The number of generations completed by codling moth in Kashmir conditions during apple growing season was three full and a half overwintering generations. The study of the life cycle of this important pest was necessary to know the weak link for its effective management and to prevent the economic loss in apple fruit.

Identification of resistant donors for turcicum leaf blight disease of maize among cold tolerant temperate germplasm

Turcicum leaf blight disease of maize is the major biotic factor limiting maize production under temperate agro-climatic conditions of Kashmir. Deployment of disease resistant cultivars is the most effective, ecofriendly and cost-efficient disease management option under these conditions where chemical control of maize diseases is not adopted. In the present study, temperate maize germplasm was evaluated against Exherohilum turcicum causing turcicum leaf blight of maize. Among the evaluated maize genotypes some early maturing cold tolerant inbred lines registered high level of resistance (HR) with disease score 1 in 1 to 9 evaluation scale which can be used profitably in resistance breeding programme for the development of high yielding maize varieties resistant to turcicum leaf blight.

Analysis of bitter gourd genotypes for yield and traits that contribute to yield using character association and path coefficients under temperate conditions of Kashmir

Analysis of bitter gourd genotypes for yield and traits that contribute to yield using character association and path coefficients under temperate conditions of Kashmir

Political Conditions of Kashmir under Sikh Rule: A Historical Analysis (1819-1846)

This research paper critically examines the political conditions of Kashmir during the transformative period of Sikh rule, spanning from the early to mid-19th century. Under the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the annexation of Kashmir marked a pivotal moment in the region's history, replacing the erstwhile Afghan and Mughal influences with Sikh governance. The study aims to unravel the intricacies of this historical juncture by scrutinizing administrative policies, socio-political dynamics, and the enduring consequences of Sikh rule on the Kashmir Valley. By employing a comprehensive analysis of primary and secondary sources, the research elucidates the governance structures implemented by the Sikh rulers, encompassing the appointment of administrators, revenue systems, and the assimilation of Kashmir into the broader Sikh Empire. The study further investigates the interactions between the Sikh administration and the local nobility, probing shifts in power dynamics and the implications for governance. Additionally, the paper explores the religious landscape, assessing Sikh policies promoting religious freedom and tolerance, and evaluates the socio-economic impact on agriculture, trade, and the general welfare of the Kashmiri populace. A pivotal aspect of this research involves an examination of resistance and revolts against Sikh rule, elucidating the multifaceted nature of opposition that emerged during this period. Finally, the study delves into the lasting legacy of Sikh governance, delineating its enduring effects on the political, social, and cultural fabric of Kashmir. Through this exploration, the research endeavors to contribute nuanced insights into a crucial yet underexplored chapter in Kashmir's historical narrative.

Effect of plant bio stimulant application on plant health, growth, fruit yield and quality of apple (Malus x domestica) under temperate conditions of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Effect of plant bio stimulant application on plant health, growth, fruit yield and quality of apple (Malus x domestica) under temperate conditions of Jammu and Kashmir, India

In vivo pathological evaluation of naturally occurring infectious Bursal disease in broiler chicken reared under temperate climatic conditions of Kashmir

In vivo pathological evaluation of naturally occurring infectious Bursal disease in broiler chicken reared under temperate climatic conditions of Kashmir