Cv Pusa Research Articles

Culturable Diversity of Endophytic and Rhizoplane Colonizing Bacteria of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss), Affected by Soil Types and Assessment of Plant Growth Promoting Attributes

Microbial community in the rhizosphere of plant significantly influences growth and development of a plant. As the soil vary in microbial composition due to interaction of soil with plant roots and its exudates, the role of soil in shaping microbial diversity of a crop rhizosphere is least studied. In present study, Mustard (Brassica juncea cv Pusa Mehak) was grown in three different soil viz. Vertisols, Inceptisols and Alfisols, and the bacteria were isolated form root tissues and rhizoplane to study their plant growth promoting (PGP) attributes and diversity using BOX-Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting technique, as influenced by soil types. Form threes soil orders, total 37 isolates were obtained of which, 19 could grow on nitrogen free medium, 6 solubilized P from tricalcium phosphate, 2 isolate solubilized potassium from glauconite and 8 had zinc solubilizing ability with the highest zinc solubilization index of 3.84 by isolate VRB-7. Based on the fingerprint analysis, differences occurred in the endophytic bacteria of same host grown in different soil types suggesting influence of soil types in colonization of microbes in rhizoplane and endorhizosphere. The common organisms obtained from host grown in different soil types indicating host genotype driven assembly of bacteria. Similarity in the isolates on rhizoplane and endorhizosphere indicated endophytic colonization of the isolates capable of firmly adhering to the rhizoplane. The findings of this study will help in formulation of crop specific bioinoculant for specific soil types and edaphic properties.

Comparative Assessment of Soil Effects on Germination in Radish Plants (Raphanus sativus CV Pusa chetki)

Comparative Assessment of Soil Effects on Germination in Radish Plants (Raphanus sativus CV Pusa chetki)

Effect of Different Organic Manures and their Combina- tions on Growth, Yield and Quality of Bitter Gourd cv Pusa Do Mausami under Sub Tropical Condition of Garhwal Hills

Present research work on the effect of different organic manures and their combinations on growth, yield, and quality of bitter gourd cv Pusa Do Mausami were carried out at the Horticultural Research Center, Department of Horticulture, HNB Garhwal University, Uttarakhand during the summer season of 2017. The experiment was comprised of 11 treatments consisting of different organic manures and their combinations which were laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The result of the analysis of variance revealed that the mean sum of squares due to treatment was significant at a 5% level for almost all the traits. The result showed that T9 (vermicompost + poultry manure) responded best for days taken to the appearance of the first male flower (55.53) and female flower (61.53), number of fruits/vine (28.06), weight of fruit (71.67g), days taken to first fruit harvest (80.53 days) and harvesting duration (60.40 days). The treatment T4 (neem cake) showed best for diameter of fruit (44.4 mm), fruit yield/vine (1793.06 g), yield/plot (16.13 kg/plot) and yield/hectare (179.25 q/ha), respectively. On the other hand, the highest TSS (5.28 oBrix) and ascorbic acid (89.99 mg/100 g) content was estimated in T3 (goat manure). Thus, it can be concluded that the treatment T4 (neem cake) and T3 (goat manure) showed superior results with respect to yield and quality traits of bitter gourd respectively. Hence, these treatments could be used to enhance the production of bitter gourd under subtropical condition of Garhwal hills.

Impact of Lime on Flowering and Fruiting of Raphanus Sativus CV Pusa Chetki

Impact of Lime on Flowering and Fruiting of Raphanus Sativus CV Pusa Chetki

Findings of the Effect of Compost on Above and Below Ground Biomass of Raphanus Sativus cv Pusa Chetki

Findings of the Effect of Compost on Above and Below Ground Biomass of Raphanus Sativus cv Pusa Chetki

Nitrate supplementation attenuates As(V) toxicity in Solanum lycopersicum L. cv Pusa Rohini: Insights into As(V) sub-cellular distribution, photosynthesis, nitrogen assimilation, and DNA damage

The present study investigates As(V) toxicity in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv Pusa Rohini) and its alleviation by exogenous supplementation of nitrate. The seven days old seedlings were grown up to thirty days under defined levels of As(V) concentrations (0, 2.5, 6.25, and 12.5 mg/250 g soil) in alone or/and in combination with 20 mM nitrate. The arsenic accumulation, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, photosynthesis, nitrogen assimilation, and AsA-GSH cycle were evaluated. Results revealed that As(V) exposure significantly (P ≤ 0.05) enhances the root, leaf and leaf sub-cellular arsenic accumulation, H2O2 and MDA contents in a dose-dependent manner. Comet assay indicated a progressive enhancement in the DNA damage with maximum tail length (58.33 ± 9.87 μm) and tail moment (25.05 ± 2.80) at 12.5 As(V) exposure. Nitrate supplementation counteracted As(V) toxicity on photosynthesis, nitrogen assimilation, and boosts AsA-GSH cycle at each respective As(V) treatments. The net photosynthesis was increased by 18% at 6.25 As(V), however, stomatal conductance and Fv/Fm were increased by 26%, and 11%, respectively, at 2.5 As(V) exposure. The activities of NR and GS were enhanced by 29% and 18%, respectively; contents of NO3−, NO2− and NH4+ were improved by 21%, 56%, and 13%, respectively, at 6.25 As(V) exposure. The activities of APX and GR were increased concomitantly with the ratios of AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG. The study demonstrates that nitrate supplementation significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreases As(V) accumulation, boosts the performance of AsA-GSH cycle, and consequently enhances the photosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation. Based on present findings, nitrate supplementation could be recommended as a promising approach to ameliorate the As(V) toxicity in plants.

Biological services by Streptomyces lavendulae MTCC 706 to control invasion, development and reproduction of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) infecting tomato cv Pusa Ruby

The drench application of S. lavendulae MTCC706 @ 2% v/w (SLT) resulted in less than 50% juvenile invasion of M. incognita J2s in tomato (cv. Pusa Ruby), delayed development of J4s, 50.7% reduction in root galling and 42.7% reduction in egg mass production, compared to control. The reproduction factor was 1.2 in SLT, compared to 2.4 in control in 45 days. SLT was compatible with the nematicide carbofuran, as increase in bioefficacy of SLT was observed with 60% reduction in root galling, 61.5% reduction in egg mass production, and a reproduction factor of 1.1 in the combined application with carbofuran @0.5 kg a.i/ha. Replanting of tomato in the pre-treated soil revealed a further reduction in root galling (81.3%), egg mass production (80.5%) and reproduction factor (0.6), indicating establishment of the actinomycete in the soil.

Iron plays a critical role in stomatal closure in cauliflower

Studies have been made of the effects of iron deficiency on water status and transpiration parameters in iron-deficient plants. Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var Botrytis cv Pusa) plants were grown in sand culture with 0.1mM (control) and 0.001mM (deficient) iron supply. Young leaves of Fe-deficient plants showing mild interveinal chlorosis were thin and soft with lesser epicuticular wax than the green leaves of Fe-sufficient plants. Fe deficiency induced increases in specific water content, water potential, stomatal aperture and transpiration and a decrease in diffusive resistance in the young leaves. Although Fe deficiency enhanced stomatal and cuticular transpiration, the greater stomatal opening was mainly responsible for increased transpiration. Fe deficiency stifled diurnal changes in diffusive resistance, ABA accumulation and guard cell K+ content in the leaves. Though Fe deficiency did not affect maximum stomatal opening under favourable conditions, it retarded stomatal closure under conditions of developing water deficit or decreasing light intensity. Higher rates of transpirational water loss in Fe-deficient leaves are appearing to be related to the slow and incomplete stomatal closure, which are attributable to the putative involvement of Fe in the biosyntheses of wax and ABA in Fe-deficient leaves.

Exogenously applied nitrate improves the photosynthetic performance and nitrogen metabolism in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv Pusa Rohini) under arsenic (V) toxicity

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) being a widespread and most commonly consumed vegetable all over the world has an important economic value for its producers and related food industries. It is a serious matter of concern as its production is affected by arsenic present in soil. So, the present study, investigated the toxicity of As(V) on photosynthetic performance along with nitrogen metabolism and its alleviation by exogenous application of nitrate. Plants were grown under natural conditions using soil spiked with 25mg and 20mM, As(V) and nitrate, respectively. Our results revealed that plant growth indices, photosynthetic pigments, and other major photosynthetic parameters like net photosynthetic rate and maximum quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm ) of photosystem II (PSII) were significantly (P≤0.05) reduced under As(V) stress. However, nitrate application significantly (P≤0.05) alleviated As(V) toxicity by improving the aforesaid plant responses and also restored the abnormal shape of guard cells. Nitrogen metabolism was assessed by studying the key nitrogen-metabolic enzymes. Exogenous nitrate revamped nitrogen metabolism through a major impact on activities of NR, NiR, GS and GOGAT enzymes and also enhanced the total nitrogen and NO content while malondialdehyde content, and membrane electrolytic leakage were remarkably reduced. Our study suggested that exogenous nitrate application could be considered as a cost effective approach in ameliorating As(V) toxicity.

Evaluation of Different Papaya Cultivars for Yield, Quality and Papaya Ring Spot Disease under Pune Conditions

Papaya (Carica papaya L) is cultivated primarily in tropical and sub tropical regions. For several decades the global production of papaya has been threatened by papaya ring spot disease (PRSV). In this context, to access the suitability of different papaya cultivars to Pune conditions nine papaya cultivars were evaluated for growth, yield, quality and PRSV incidence. Three trials of this experiment were conducted at NARP, Ganeshkhind, Pune during the year 2009–10, 2010–11 and 2011–12. The pooled data revealed significant differences for all characters except fruit breadth. The cv Red Lady showed early flowering (70.4 DAP) which was at par with cv CO 2 (73.5 DAP), Pusa Nanha (73.7 DAP) and Pusa Dwarf (73.6 DAP). The cv Pusa Nanha recorded significantly lowest height at first flower (53.3cm). The maximum numbers of fruit/plant were recorded in cv Pusa Nanha (33.4). The cv Pusa Giant recorded maximum fruit weight (2.1kg) which was at par with cv Red Lady (2.0kg). The cv Pusa Giant recorded significantly maximum fruit yield/plant (66.1kg) The cv Red Leady revealed significantly superior fruit length (25.6cm) which was due to its elongated fruit shape. Regarding quality parameters viz. pulp thickness and TSS were maximum (3.1cm and 11.71 oBrix, respectively) in cv Red Lady. However, cv Pusa Majesty recorded maximum pulp yield (82.2%). Regarding PRSV incidence at 12 months after planting, it was observed that, cv Pusa Giant recorded minimum infection (65.4%), which was at par with cv CO 6 (66.0%) and CO 2 (66.9%). From present investigation cv Pusa Giant was found as a good yielder and also tolerant to ring spot disease among these nine papaya cultivars.

Effect of fruit retention and seed position on the seed yield and quality in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) cv Pusa Hybrid 1

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of fruit retention and seed position in fruit on the seed yield and seed quality in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir.) cv. Pusa Hybrid 1 during summer 2008 and 2009, Seed Production Unit, IARI, New Delhi. Among two methods of fruit retentions, one fruit per vine (T1) showed superiority over two fruits per vine (T2) in fruit development and seed yield attributes, viz. fruit weight (4.46 kg), fruit length (22.35 cm), fruit width (20.53 cm), cavity size, filled seeds (473.50), total number of seeds per fruit (479.42), 100 seed weight (14.67 g) and seed yield per fruit (70.44 g). Similarly, T1 over T2 were highly significant for germination (94.27 %), total seedling length (32.76 cm), seedling dry weight (51.01 mg), vigour index- I (3032.24), vigour index- II (4721.10) and low moisture content. Within the fruit, middle segment showed highest number of filled seed (166.40), total number of seed (175.70), germination (90.64 %), seedling length (20.94 cm),seedling dry weight (47.53 mg), vigour indices I and II (2666.44 and 3491.82),and low moisture content (8.63%). Based on this, it is proposed to retain one fruit per vine and extract seed from middle and stylar segments of fruit for high quality seed production in pumpkin cv. Pusa Hybrid 1.

Variations in Response Patterns among two Genotypes of Chickpea Against Ambient and Elevated UV-B: Antioxidative Enzyme Profile, Nitrogen Metabolism and Accumulation of Salicylic Acid and Jasmonic Acid

There is limited information on genotypic variations against UV-B and the physiological and biochemical traits underlying these variations. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to identify the traits responsible for the differential response of cultivar (cv.) PUSA 302 and cv PUSA 264 of chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.) to UV-B. The field experiment was a split-plot design with two UV-B levels (ambient and ambient+3.6kJ m-2 d-1) as main plots and two genotypes as sub-plots. Measurements of nitrogen fixing ability, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, flavonoids and reactive oxygen species, quercetin and kaempferol, SDS-PAGE and antioxidative enzyme profile with changes in growth and yield parameters were done. Elevated UV-B stimulated the leghaemoglobin contents in both the cultivars while nitrogenase activity increased only in cv PUSA 302. Salicyclic acid and jasmonic acid induced in both the cultivars under elevated UV-B with higher magnitude of increase in cv. PUSA 302. Both the manifestation and magnitude of major antioxidative enzymes increased in both the cultivars under elevated UV-B except APX. GR and POX showed more induction with more intense bands in cv. PUSA 302 whereas CAT, SOD and GPX increased more in cv PUSA 264 under elevated UV-B. Although, the amount of protein was less in cv PUSA 302 but the fold decrease upon UV-B exposure was more in cv PUSA 264. RuBisCo, larger subunit was majorly targeted by UV-B in both the cultivars, cv PUSA 264 being more vulnerable. The differences in the performances of the cultivars against UV-B was manifested in the form of variations in different growth and yield pattern; growth was promoted in both the cultivars except root length in cv PUSA 302 and shoot length in cv PUSA 264. Cv. PUSA 264 displayed more reduction in yield than cv PUSA 302 under elevated UV-B.

Photosynthesis and growth responses of mustard (Brassica juncea L. cv Pusa Bold) plants to free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE).

Increased atmospheric [CO2] is likely to affect photosynthesis, plant growth, and yield potential of plants. Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is an important oil seed crop that is widely grown in India. Therefore, the impact of elevated [CO2] (585μmolmol(-1)) on pigment and protein content, chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic electron transport reactions, CO2 assimilation, biomass production, and seed yield potential was measured in B. juncea cv Pusa Bold, grown inside free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) rings installed on the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. Plants were grown for three consecutive winter seasons (2010-2013), in ambient (385μmolmol(-1)) or elevated [CO2], in field conditions. Elevated [CO2] had no significant effect on the minimal chlorophyll fluorescence (F 0), while the quantum efficiency of Photosystem II, measured as variable fluorescence (F v = F m-F 0) to maximum fluoresence (F m), increased by 3%. Electron transport rate, photosystem I, photosystem II, and whole chain electron transport rates increased by 8% in elevated [CO2]. However, the net photosynthesis rate increased by ≈50% in three growing seasons under elevated [CO2] condition. The stomatal conductance and transpiration rate decreased resulting in higher photosynthetic water use efficiency. The photosynthesizing surface, i.e., leaf area index substantially increased leading to higher biomass and seed yield under elevated [CO2] condition. Acclimatory downregulation of photosynthesis and plant productivity was not observed in three consecutive growing years suggesting that in the absence of nutrient limitation, B. juncea is highly responsive to elevated CO2 whose yield potential shall increase in changing climatic conditions.

Effect of post-harvest ripening and drying methods on seed quality and storability in pumpkin cv Pusa Hybrid 1

An investigation was carried out, to study the effect of post-harvest ripening and drying methods on the seed quality in pumpkin cv Pusa Hybrid 1, during summer 2008 and 2009 at Seed Production Unit, IARI, New Delhi. After harvesting, the fruits were allowed for post-harvest ripening (PHR) of zero days (P0), 10 days (P1) and 20 days (P2) and seeds obtained from each of the PHR treatments were subjected to three methods of drying, viz. shade drying (D1), sun drying (D2) and mechanical drying (D3). The results showed that seed obtained from 20 days PHR followed by shade drying (P2D1) had given superior quality seed with respect to germination (94.33 %), seedling length (34.30 cm), vigour index - I (3236.52) and electrical conductivity (17.30 m mhos/cm/g) followed by P2D3 (20 days PHR and mechanical drying), while germination (%) was significantly lower in PoD2 during storage. In all treatments the seeds stored for 12 months showed maximum germination followed by reduction after eighteen months of storage. The germination percentage was maintained above the Indian minimum seed certification standards (IMSCS) of 60% up to eighteen months of storage in all treatments.

Influence of Pb toxicity on yield, yield attributing parameters and photosynthetic pigment of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and eggplant (Solanum melongena)

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Pb on yield and yield attributing parameters of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv Pusa Rohini) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L. cv Pusa Upkar). The photosynthetic pigment content and lead accumulation in both crops were also quantified. Tomato and eggplant crops were irrigated with waters having four concentrations of Pb (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 ppm). Normal water was used as control (0 ppm) in both the crops. Application of Pb contaminated irrigation water decreased plant height, leaf area/plant, number of fruits/plant, fresh fruit weight/plant, fruit yield/plant, dry weight/plant, above plant biomass/plant. The decrease ranged from 54% to 98% and 51% to 94% in tomato and eggplant, respectively, summarized for various parameters across treatments. The number of days to first fruit harvest increased by 1-2 days in 10 ppm treatment in both the crops. The inhibitory effects of photosynthetic pigments gradually increased with increase in concentration. 10 Pb ppm concentration resulted in the lowest pigment level (mg/g FW) and maximum inhibition rate compared to control. On the basis of the results obtained, it was concluded that tomato was more sensitive compared to eggplant. An attempt was also made to quantify the impact of Pb on the various parameters. The models used were linear, exponential, quadratic, and polynomial of degree 3. The responses could be described very satisfactorily by the polynomial of degree three with R2 > 99% for the both crops for all the parameters.

Pest and Disease Tolerance in Rice cv Pusa Basmati as Related to Different Locally Available Organic Manures Grown in New Alluvail Region of West Bengal, India

Field experiments were carried out to evaluate relative efficacy of organic manures in improving productivity, pest tolerance of rice in lateritic soil. Three commercial manures viz., Processed Municipality Waste (PMW), Vermicompost (VC) and Oil Cake Pellets (OCP) were assessed in relation to Farmyard Manure (FYM) and with Chemical Fertilizer (CF). Among the organic manures tested, FYM produced maximum grain yield. Maximum tolerance to pests and pathogens in terms of per cent affected hills/panicles was observed when manured with VC followed by FYM. Chemical fertilizer showed significantly higher per cent affected hills and plants compared to all other organic manures. Among the commercial manures, PMW emerged as a potential alternative to FYM and VC.

Determination of biotic aetiology of tapping panel dryness (TPD) syndrome of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) by return-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (R-PAGE) technique

Tapping panel dryness (TPD) syndrome affecting rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is known to reduce natural latex production. Its aetiology remains ambiguous despite long years of research. A low molecular weight RNA similar to viroid RNA was isolated from TPD-affected samples of rubber trees. In the present study, a modified return-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis procedure was standardised. The viroid-like low molecular weight (LMW) RNA was found associated with leaf, bark and root tissues and rubber seedlings. The technique was employed to detect LMW RNA in different clones of rubber planted in different locations and in bud-grafted plants. The LMW RNA isolated from TPD-affected trees was found infectious on seedlings of tomato cv Pusa Ruby. The LMW RNA was reisolated from symptomatic tomato leaves but not from control plants. This is for the first time that a biotic agent, a viroid RNA, is found consistently associated with the syndrome. The technology developed can be useful to demonstrate the onset of TPD in untapped trees in the absence of other methods such as nucleic acid hybridisation.

Cadmium Induced Physio-Biochemical and Molecular Response in Brassica Juncea

Cadmium is a hazardous heavy metal; its presence in the agricultural soil constrains the crop productivity and restricts crop plants from reaching their full genetic potential. In the present study, two Brassica juncea cultivars (Pusa Bold and Pusa Jaikisan), were exposed to different concentrations of cadmium (Cd) as cadmium chloride (CdCl2) (50 μM, 100 μM, 150 μM, and 200 μM). The effect of cadmium on seed germination ratio, changes in the root and shoot length, plant dry weight, moisture content, metal tolerance index, antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation were studied. The consequence of cadmium stress at the molecular level was studied using a key gene Phytochelatin Synthase (PCS). The results of our study suggested that, exposure of cadmium affected the seed germination, growth rate, biomass content and antioxidant enzyme activities in the root, shoot and leaves of both the cultivars. Transcript expression of PCS was increased with increasing CdCl2 concentration in both the cultivars. Based on the results, it was concluded that, Brassica juncea Cv Pusa Jaikisan is more tolerant to cadmium toxicity than the Pusa Bold. These findings could be used to develop heavy metal stress tolerant plants and more importantly, detoxification of heavy metals in the soil.

Characterization of Chromium Toxicity in Food Crops and their Role in Phytoremediation

This study evaluates and compares the remediation potential of rapeseed, soybean and wheat plants for Cr contamination. Seedlings of rapeseed (Brassica campestris cv Pusa Gold), soybean (Glycine max cv Pusa 20) and wheat (Triticum aestivum cv HD 2402) were grown hydroponically and subjected to four levels of Cr treatment (T0: Control, T1: 50 μM, T2: 100 μM and T3: 200 μM). The treated plants exhibited extreme variations in their defence behaviour against Cr stress. The extent of oxidative stress caused by Cr was measured by the rate of lipid peroxidation.

Response of rice cv Pusa Basmati 1 to different planting methods

In India, rice cultivation is becoming increasingly expensive as seedlings are raised in nurseries and transplanted manually. Rice transplanters are yet to be popularized. Manual transplanting alone accounts for nearly 20% of the total cultivation cost. In most cases, the required plant population is not maintained because laborers are not properly supervised as transplanting is done on a contractual basis. Manual transplanting takes longer to complete. Therefore, major constraints are the high cost of manual transplanting and uneven plant population. Our experiment was designed to explore other options for rice crop establishment during the 2000-03 rainy seasons (July-October).