Fruit Research Station Research Articles

Behaviour of some pear cultivars from Cluj-Napoca Fruit Research Station breeding program in the Romanian steppe conditions

Behaviour of some pear cultivars from Cluj-Napoca Fruit Research Station breeding program in the Romanian steppe conditions

Genetic Variability in Mango Clones of Langra cv. for Physical-bio Chemical Parameters at Kymore Plateau and Satpura Hills of Madhya Pradesh, India

The present study was carried out to assess the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for different characters in 40 clones of mango. The study was conducted at Fruit Research Station (Farm), Imalia for evaluating the variability of Langra clones in Randomized block design. All the characters showed very small difference between genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and respective phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), indicated that all the characters were least affected by environment. The high phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for pulp %, peel %, stone %, pulp : stone ratio, pulp : peel ratio, fiber %, density of lenticels, fruit weight kg, acidity %, reducing sugar % in the both years. High heritability coupled with genetic advance were observed for all characters studies indicating these characters are governed by additive gene action and phenotypic selection may be more fruitful. Hence, direct selection may be followed for the improvement of mango for these characters.

Effect of Foliar Feeding of Plant Growth Regulator and Nutrients on Phenological Attributes of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv Apple Colour

Guava, (Psidium guajava L.), small tropical tree or shrub of the family Myrtaceae, cultivated for its edible fruits. Guava trees are native to tropical America and are grown in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Nutrients and PGR play a crucial role in flowering and fruit production and their deficiency can significantly impact the yield, productivity, and quality of fruits. Therefore, keeping these points in view, the present investigation was carried out on a 10-year-old guava plant in a high-density plantation (3x3) at the Fruit Research Station Imaliya, Department of Horticulture, J.N.K.V.V., Jabalpur (M.P.) during the mrig-bahar season of 2022-23. The study employed a Factorial Randomised Block Design (FRBD) with 20 treatment combinations involving Plant Growth Regulators (PGR) like salicylic acid and various nutrients, replicated three times. Results indicated that the combination of salicylic acid (200 ppm) + borax (0.5%) significantly influenced several phenological parameters. This treatment resulted in the earliest flower bud initiation (18.33 days) after foliar application, the highest average number of flower buds per shoot (7.05), minimum days to 50% flowering (33.67 days), maximum average number of flowers per shoot (6.95), the highest fruit set percentage (92.18%), the highest fruit retention percentage (81.23%), and the lowest fruit drop percentage (18.77%). The application of salicylic acid at 200 ppm in conjunction with borax at 0.5% (S2 M4) followed by salicylic acid at 300 ppm with borax at 0.5% (S3 M4) demonstrated exceptional efficacy in significantly optimizing phenological parameters when compared to the control.

Assessment of Foliar Application of Biostimulants and Silicon on Yield and Yield Attributing Characters of Mango (Mangifera indica l.) CV. Kesar

The present investigation was carried out at Fruit Research Station, Sakkarbaug, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during 2020-21 and 2021-22. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with Factorial concept consisting two factors with three replications. The treatment comprised with biostimulants viz., without biostimulant, humic acid (1.5 %), panchagavya (3 %), seaweed extract (0.2 %), novel organic liquid fertilizer (2 %) and silicon i.e., without silicon, potassium silicate (0.2 %) and orthosilicic acid (0.2 %). The results of the study indicated that among the different biostimulants application of humic acid 1.5 % and among the different silicon application of potassium silicate 0.2 % was recorded with minimum number of nubbins per 100 fruits at pea (20.42 and 22.52) and marble stage (10.67 and 12.80) and maximum fruits retention at harvesting (2.03 and 1.85 %), number of fruits per tree (213.71 and 195.52), fruit yield (50.78 and 45.14 kg/tree), fruit length (10.60 and 10.39 cm), fruit breadth (6.67 and 6.55 cm), fruit weight (234.58 and 226.24 g), pulp weight (175.87 and 168.79 g) and pulp: stone ratio (5.16 and 5.07) during pooled analysis, respectively. In the present investigation some of the interaction effects were also found significant. The combined application of humic acid 1.5 % with potassium silicate 0.2 % recorded maximum number of fruits per tree (235.57), fruit yield (60.42 kg/tree), fruit length (11.06 cm), fruit breadth (96.86 cm), fruit weight (254.71 g) and pulp weight (192.61 g) during pooled analysis. It can be concluded that for improved yield and yield attributing characters with foliar application of humic acid 1.5 % along with potassium silicate 0.2 % at initiation of flowering, pea and marble stage.

Influence of Fertilizers and Bioinoculants on Growth Parameters of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. L-49

The experiment was conducted to study the influence of fertilizers and bioinoculants on growth characteristics of guava cv. L-49 at Fruit Research Station Imaliya, Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, during 2022-23 and 2023-24 on twelve-year-old guava trees planted at 3.0 m x 3.0 m spacing. The experiment was carried out in factorial RBD with three replications. The data revealed that different levels of nutrients and bioinoculants alone and in combinations significantly influenced the growth parameter. The maximum increase in plant height (12.16%) & (12.46%), canopy spread E-W (14.15%) & (14.45%), canopy spread N-S (14.33%) & (14.72%) and stem girth (11.19%) & (10.07%) were recorded in N2 (100%RDF), during both years of experimentation respectively. With respect of bioinoculants, the maximum plant height (11.48%) & (11.71%), canopy spread E-W (13.24%) & (13.61%), canopy spread N-S (14.05%) & (14.44%) and stem girth (9.72%) & (8.85%) were observed in B5 (Bactobooster 200 ml), during both years respectively. Among the treatment combinations, T10 (100% RDF + Bactobooster200ml) was found superior with respect of the maximum increase in plant height (12.86%) & (13.09%), in canopy spread E-W (15.77%) & (16.11%), canopy spread N-S (16.16%) & (16.66%) and in stem girth (12.54%) & (11.01%) during both the years of experimentation respectively followed by T15 (75% RDF + Bactobooster 200 ml) and minimum was recorded in control.

Optimization of Flowering and Fruit Development in Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana L.) cv. Umran using Fertilizers, Micronutrients, and Bioregulators

In order to investigate the effect of fertilizers, micronutrients and bioregulators on flowering and fruit growth and developments on ber (Ziziphus mauritiana L.) cv. Umran, an experiment was carried out during 2019/2020 cropping season at the Fruit Research Station, Imalia, Department of Horticulture JNKVV Jabalpur. The study used a factorial design using randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replications and a total of twelve treatment combinations that included bioregulators, micronutrients, and fertilizers either separately or in various combinations. The application of treatment T4 [RDF (N:P:K)+Foliar spray of GA3 + NAA (50 ppm+50 ppm)] was found to be significantly superior as compared to other treatments for flowering parameter in respect to induce early flower bud formation, based on the results obtained in this study. It takes 22 days to induce the earliest flowering after spray, and it takes 8.67 days to achieve 50% flowering. The earliest date of flower bud initiation was found with the T11 [RDF (N:P:K)+ NPK -18:18:18 (1.0%) + ZnSO4 (0.5%) + Borax (0.3%)] which showed to be the best for fruit growth and development characteristics, including specific gravity (1.047), fruit weight (36.52 g), fruit volume (36.56 ml), fruit length (4.53 cm), and fruit diameter (3.50 cm).With regard to practically every fruit growth and development attribute, the treatment T10 was found to be the second best.

Estimating the Morphological Variability of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Genotypes in Jabalpur District, India

As variability is crucial for crop improvement, it is better to characterise several genotypes that are derived from either seedlings or wild types. This research facilitates the identification of cultivars, genotypes and the elimination of identical plants within populations. The study was conducted in year 2022-23 with thirty-three guava genotypes of Jabalpur district to examine various morphological characteristics such as tree height, trunk girth and canopy diameter, branching attitude, stem colour in young shoots, branching density, mature leaf colour, leaf shape, leaf base shape, leaf tip shape, leaf curvature and leaf twisting. The experimental investigation was carried out at the Fruit Research Station, Imaliya, under the Department of Horticulture at the College of Agriculture, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Genotypes exhibited notable diversity in their morphological traits with respect to height, gith, canopy and several leaf-based characteristics. For the estimation of diversity, the DUS guideline of UPOV was followed. All the genotypes in this study aged between eight to thirteen years. Descriptive statistics showed that, the height of the trees varied between 2.78m (JG-322) and 6.12m (JG-325). The trunk girth ranged between 27.21cm (JG-314) to 87.23cm (JG-319). The canopy in the east-west direction ranged from 4m (JG-325) to 8.34m (JG-322) whereas, in north-south direction varied 3.68m (JG-325) to 8.41m (JG-322). The observed diversity in these traits yielded significant insights that might drive the selection of parental plants for an advanced guava breeding initiative.

Impact of foliar application of growth regulators on fruit splitting, yield and quality of daisy mandarin (Citrus reticulata)

The experiment was conducted during 2021 and 2022 at the Fruit Research Station, Jallowal-Lesriwal, Jalandhar (Punjab Agricultural University), Punjab to study the effect of foliar application of growth regulators on fruit splitting, yield and quality of Daisy mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco). The different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) (10, 20 and 30 ppm), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (10, 20 and 30 ppm), ethephon (10, 20 and 30 ppm) and salicylic acid (SA) (100 and 200 ppm) along with control were applied at different developmental stages of Daisy mandarin. The results revealed that the application of salicylic acid at 100 ppm effectively mitigated the severity of fruit splitting in Daisy mandarin during both the seasons and highest fruit weight, number of fruits and maximum fruit yield were observed with foliar application of GA3 at 10 ppm. Regarding the fruit quality attributes including total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, juice and flavonoid content, exhibited superior results with the application of 10 ppm GA3 as compared to untreated plants. The results suggested that application of 10 ppm GA3 and 100 ppm salicylic was effective in enhancing fruit quality attributes and reducing the incidence of fruit splitting in Daisy mandarin.

Influence of Chemicals and Plant Bioregulators Application during the Time of Fruit Developmental Phenophase on Fruit Weight, Quality and Shelf-life of Mango (Mangifera indica. L)

The present study was conducted to know the influence of chemicals and plant bioregulators application during the time of fruit developmental phenophase on fruit weight, quality and shelf-life of Mango (Mangifera indica. L) at the fruit research station, Aswaraopet, Telangana, India during the 2022- 23. Among chemicals and plant bioregulators maximum fruit retention percentage (16.851 %), TSS (14.901 °Brix), total sugars (12.999 %) and shelf life (15.034 days) were recorded with pre-harvest application of CPPU. Maximum ascorbic acid content (49.838 mg. 100 g-1), reducing sugars (4.277 %) and firmness (5.866 kg.cm-2) were recorded with pre-harvest application of Ca(NO3)2 whereas, minimum physiological loss in weight was recorded with the application of CPPU on 12th day (16.244 %). Among different time of chemicals and plant bio regulator application, maximum fruit retention percentage were recorded with chemicals and plant bio regulator applied at 703 phenophase, maximum shelf-life was recorded with the application of CPPU at 709 phenophase, minimum physiological loss in weight was recorded with the application of CPPU at 709 phenophase.

Effect of Various Organic and Inorganic Formulations on Fruit Setting and Yield in Mango cv. Kesar

The present experiment was carried out at Fruit Research Station, Sakkarbaugh, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat). The results of the study indicated that the spraying of monopotassium phosphate 2 % + Boron 0.8 % + Panchgavya 3 % was found effective in fruit setting where as spraying of KNO3 2 % + NAA 50 ppm + Jeevamrut 5 % exhibited the minimum fruit drop at marble stage (58.89 %), harvest stage (49.44 %), maximum fruit retention (48.89 %), maximum number of fruits per panicle (2.08), maximum number of fruits per tree (88) and highest fruit yield (13.57 kg/tree and 3.76 t/ha).

The Response of Two Chokeberry Cultivars to the Influence of Climatic Factors in Bistrita Area, Romania

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa Michx.) is one of the most cultivated species in recent years, gaining consumer appreciation due to its fruit’s bioactive compounds. This aim of this paper was to study the behavior of two chokeberry cultivars ‘Viking’ and ‘Galicjanka’ under climatic factors in Bistrita area, within an experimental plot established at Fruit Research and Development Station Bistrita. Resistant to low temperatures but sensitive to drought, the two chokeberry cultivars ‘Viking’ and ‘Galicjanka’, have recorded a positive development evolution in pedoclimatic conditions in Bistrita area. For the success of this crop, it is necessary to ensure all the parameters to obtain a high-quality production, so that the deficiencies caused by insufficient water supply can be prevented by implementing technological measures that reduce the negative impact of the ever- changing environment.

Response of Foliar Feeding of NAA, Urea, Nano-urea and Biofertisol on Fruit Quality of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Langra

A study was conducted during the season of 2022-23 at the fruit research station in Imalia, which is affiliated with the Department of Horticulture at the JNKVV in Jabalpur. The objective of the study was to evaluate the positive effect of foliar sprays containing NAA, Urea, Nano-urea, and Biofertisol on the fruit quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Langra. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block design in three replications and all the treatments were replicated thrice by using the single tree as a unit. Each treatment was carried out with one tree for each replication. At the full bloom and pea stage, the spraying of three different concentrations of NAA (20 ppm, 30 ppm, and 40 ppm), Urea (2%, 3%, and 4%), Nano-urea (0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%) and Biofertisol (5 ml/l, 10 ml/l, and 15 ml/l) was compared with the control, which consisted of no spraying. According to the findings of the experiment, applying a foliar spray containing 40 ppm of NAA resulted in a significant improvement in the quality parameter, as measured by a maximum TSS value of 22.22 oBrix, a maximum TSS: acid ratio of 117.13, maximum ascorbic acid content of 26.70 mg/100g, a minimum acidity content of 0.19%, and reducing sugars of 6.74% and total sugars of 17. During the evaluation, it performed at the same level as T3 (NAA 30 ppm), T2 (NAA 20 ppm), and T7 (Urea 4%).

Effect of Seed Treatment and Growing Condition on the Germination and Survivality of Custard Apple (Annona squamosa L.) Seedlings

The study was carried out during the year 2018-2019 at the Fruit Research Station Imalia and in laboratory of Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur (M.P.). The experiment was laid out in Factorial Complete Randomized Design (FCRD) replicated thrice. The experiment consist of two factor viz. A- Three growing condition (G3 - Poly house, G2-net house, G1-Open condition) and B- Six seed treatment (S1 - Water soaking, S2-Cowurine, S3-GA3, S4-KNO3, S5-Thiourea, S6-Sodium Thiosulphate) having 18 treatment combinations. Observation were recorded on various aspects like days taken to 1st germination, days taken to 50 % germination, height of seedling, girth of stem, number of leaves, fresh weight of shoot and root, dry weight of shoot and root, root length, total length of seedling, number of roots/seedling, survival percent of seedling.
 On the basis of present investigation, it is concluded that among the various seed treatments and growing condition, the growing condition of poly house and seed treatment with GA3 500 ppm have been proved superior with respect to germination, growth and survival of seedling. Among various treatment combinations, G3S3 treatment combination (Poly house and GA3 500ppm) found best over the rest of the treatment combinations with respect to germination parameters like minimum days taken to 1st germination (25.33) days taken to 50% germination (45.66), growth parameter like maximum - height of shoots (25.13cm), girth of stem (3.91mm) and number of leaves 18.91 at 160 DAS respectively, root length(15.13cm), number of roots/seedling(45.12), survival percentage of seedling (89.34%).The G3S4 (Polyhouse and KNO3) was found next best treatment combination in this respect.

Effect of Scion Dip Treatments and Growing Condition on Physiological Parameter of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Wedge Graft cv. Dashehari

The current study was carried out on wedge grafting in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Dashehari during the2022-23 at the Fruit Research Station, Imaliya, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV Jabalpur. This research includes the use of many different plant growth regulators, ZnSo4, and growing conditions. The research was carried out using a statistical design known as Factorial Completely Randomized Design (FCRD).The primary objective of this study is to determine the influence that different scion dip treatments and growing conditions have on the physiological characteristics of the plant. According to the findings, among the various treatments, IAA 200 ppm + ZnSo4 500 ppm under shade net condition was proved superior with respect to maximum chlorophyll content index (27,18.5), leaf area duration (2720.67 cm2/day, 2,620.67 cm2/day), leaf area index (8.65,1035) and light transmission ratio (24.05,18.15) at 60 and 120 days after grafting (DAG). It was also noticed that scion dip treatments with IAA 200 ppm in combination with ZnSo4 500 ppm under the shade net condition were favorable as compared to the open condition.

Influence of Seed Priming and Growing Medium on Germination and Seedling Vigour of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.)

A field experiment was conducted in 2020–21 at the Fruit Research Station, Imaliya, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur. The AFRBD (Asymmetrical Factorial Randomized Block Design) was set up with 20 distinct treatment combinations of soil media Soil + Sand, Soil + Vermicompost, Soil + Sand + Vermicompost, Soil +Vermicompost + Biofertisol, Soil + Vermicompost + Azatobactor + PSB + KSB and plant growth regulator i.e. GA3 0 ppm (control), GA3 100 ppm, GA3 200 ppm, GA3 300 ppm. The vigour and germination of seeds were significantly impacted by the type of media used and the usage of plant growth regulators. In regard to the growth parameter, better values for seedling height, number of leaves and stem girth at 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing were found with treatment GA3 200 ppm. Growth metrics, such as root length, fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight and dry root weight at 120 days, revealed improved results with a higher vigour index when the combination of GA3 200 ppm + growing medium (soil+ vermicompost+ Biofertisol) were applied. The GA3 200 ppm with growing medium (Soil+ Vermicompost+ Biofertisol) were proven to be better in terms of the seed germination parameters. Minimum time was taken for seed germination and increased seed germination percentage had been recorded at 30 days after planting.

Visual rating and the use of image analysis for assessing canopy density in a pecan provenance collection during leaf fall

A collection representing the native range of pecan was planted at the USDA − ARS Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Station, Byron, GA. The collection (867 trees) is a valuable genetic resource for characterizing important horticultural traits. Canopy density during leaf fall is important as the seasonal canopy dynamics provides insights to environmental cues and breeding potential of germplasm. The ability of visual raters to estimate canopy density on a subset of the provenance collection (76 trees) as an indicator of leaf shed during autumn along with image analysis values was explored. Mean canopy density using the image analysis software was less compared to visual estimates (11.9% vs 18.4%, respectively). At higher canopy densities, the raters overestimated foliage density, but overall agreement between raters and measured values was good (ρc = 0.849 to 0.915), and inter-rater reliability was high (R2 = 0.910 to 0.953). The provenance from Missouri (MO-L), the northernmost provenance, had the lowest canopy density in November, and results show that the higher the latitude of the provenance, the lower the canopy density. Based on regression, the source provenance latitude explained 0.609 of the variation using image analysis, and 0.551 to 0.640 when based on the rater estimates of canopy density. Visual assessment of pecan canopy density due to late season leaf fall for comparing pecan genotypes provides accurate and reliable estimates and could be used in future studies of the whole provenance collection.

First Report of Fusarium avenaceum Causing Postharvest Decay of European Pear in Mid-Atlantic United States.

Fruit losses due to postharvest decay caused by several fungal species is a major challenge for pear production (Sardella et al. 2016). In December 2021, a European pear (Pyrus communis L.) 'Dawn' with brown, circular, watery, and sunken lesions was observed in cold storage at the USDA Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, West Virginia. Only 1 of 14 'Dawn' pears examined in cold storage had the described disease symptoms. The fruit was surface sterilized, and symptomatic tissue was transferred to potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25°C under continuous light. The isolate was hyphal tip purified and propagated on PDA plates at 25°C. The colonies grew an average of 8 mm/day and produced fluffy white aerial mycelium and pigmented rings of golden yellow which then darkened to pink with a dark pink on the reverse. The isolate was also cultured in liquid basal medium with carboxymethyl cellulose (Moura et al. 2020) for 7 days at 25°C to promote macroconidia formation. Macroconidia were slightly falcate with a tapering apical cell, usually 2 to 4 septate, and on average 16.8 µm long by 2.8 µm wide. The isolate was identified as Fusarium spp. based on morphology. Identity of the isolate was confirmed through sequencing of the ITS and TEF1 gene region (Stielow et al. 2015). The ITS and TEF1 sequences were deposited in GenBank (OP007197 and OP007198). BLAST analysis of the ITS amplicon identified multiple Fusarium spp. with 100% identity and 100% query coverage including F. avenaceum KJ562378. BLAST analysis of the TEF1 amplicon showed 99% identity and 99-100% query coverage with F. avenaceum isolates KM189442 and MK512754. Organic Bartlett pears were surface sanitized with a 1% aqueous chlorine solution, rinsed with sterile water and dried in a laminar flow hood. Fruit were then wounded with a sterile nail (4 mm diameter x 4 mm depth) and inoculated with a 4 mm mycelial plug taken from a 7- to 10-day old culture on PDA and wrapped with Parafilm. Plugs taken from sterile PDA were used as a control. Inoculated fruit were stored at 25°C in fruit trays in plastic bins for 7 days. Six fruit composed a replicate, and the experiment was repeated for a total of two replications. Lesions developed within 48 hours and expanded to an average of 28.5 mm by day 7. No lesions were observed on control fruit. Symptoms observed on inoculated pears were the same as the decay observed on the original pear obtained from cold storage. Fungal colonies isolated from the lesions and cultured on PDA morphologically resembled the original isolate from the infected pear. In 2014, F. avenaceum was first reported in the United States to cause post-harvest decay of apples in Pennsylvania (Kou et al. 2014). In the Netherlands, F. avenaceum has been reported to cause postharvest decay of 'Conference' pears but was observed at low frequencies (1-5%) in packing-house surveys (Wenneker et al. 2016). Fusarium spp. was also recently found on European pears in Southern Oregon (KC and Rasmussen 2020). F. avenaceum can produce mycotoxins which is a concern for fruit processing (Munkvold et al. 2021). Monitoring for this pathogen to prevent losses and mycotoxin contamination of processed fruit products will be import for consumer safety. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. avenaceum causing postharvest decay of European pear in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

Species Complex of Leaf Roller Infesting Litchi (<i>Litchi chinensis</i> Sonn.) In West Bengal with their Seasonal Incidence

An experiment was conducted at Fruit Research Station, Mandauri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya with a view to rule out the leaf roller species complex associated with litchi (Litchi chinensis) in West Bengal. The result revealed that three species namely litchi leaf roller, Gatesclarkeana sp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); leaf webber, Dudua aprobola Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); litchi leaf roller, Statherotis leucaspis Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) were associated with the crop and hence their seasonal incidence and interaction with abiotic factors have also been studied. Among the species Gatesclarkeana sp. was found least abundant and occasionally observed during fruiting season while Dudua aprobola observed only in copper leaf stage or in soft tender leaves. Statherotis leucaspis was observed as most dominant species in basin of West Bengal which has not yet been reported from the state. The pest remained very active from 26th standard meteorological week and continued upto 47th standard week. Interestingly the same pest was observed during panicle initiation stage to flowering stage, attacking the panicle (maximum 23.75%) which led direct yield loss.

Studies on Effect of Biofertilizers and Biostimulant on Yield Parameters of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda under Meadow Planting System

The research was carried out at Fruit research station, Sangareddy, Hyderabad during the period of June, 2019 to January, 2020 (Mrig bahar crop) to know the effect of biofertilizers and biostimulant on yield parameters of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda under meadow planting system. The study indicated that interaction between biofertilizers and biostimulant significantly influenced yield parameters. Among the twelve treatment combinations application of B3S3- Azotobacter @ 50 g tree-1 + Phosphate solubilizing bacteria @ 50 g tree-1 + Seaweed extract @ 75 g tree-1 recorded maximum fruit set (56.68 %), fruit retention (54.95 %), fruit length (7.12 cm), fruit diameter (7.14 cm), fruit weight (180.69 g) and yield per tree (4.51 kg).

Response on Phenological, Fruiting Behaviour and Growth Characteristics of F1 Candidates Rootstock Seedlings of Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch

Aim: The aim of present study was to evaluate the flowering and fruiting behaviour of different variety of peach, plum along with growth characteristics of their F1 hybrids and identification hybrid rootstocks for future genetic improvement.
 Study Design: The experiment was designed in Randomized Block Design Factorial with three replications.
 Place and Duration of Study: Rootstock hybridization programme were carried out at main fruit research station Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab during 2016-17 and 2017-18.
 Methodology: Rootstock hybridization programme were carried out with three varieties two peach namely Sharbati and Flordaguard and one plum Kala amritsari and study the phenological, fruiting behavior and growth performance of seedlings of parents and F1 hybrids.
 Results: Higher days from full bloom to maturity take by Sharbati × Flordaguard (129.4 Days) and minimum in Kala amritsari × Flordaguard (111.1 Days). For completion of stratification seeds of Sharbati and Sharbati × Flordaguard took maximum days for stratification (90-105 Days and 30-105 Days, respectively) and minimum in Flordaguard (30-60 Days). Seed germination % higher in Flordaguard (97.15%) and minimum in Sharbati × Kala amritsari (70.81%). Pollen viability in stored and fresh pollen was highest in Flordaguard (96.26 and 97.58%), while, minimum in Sharbati (90.89% and 96.60%). Leaf colour values (L, a, b, chroma and hue) maximum were in Sharbati and minimum in Flordaguard and leaf colour values of both hybrids, were as Flordaguard. Maximum chlorophyll (SPAD units) were recorded in Flordaguard × Sharbati (42.87) which was at par with the SAPD values of Sharbati × Flordaguard. Leaves of Flordaguard and both the hybrids showed dark reddish green colour on upper and light reddish green in lower side of leaves. Seedlings of Sharbati, Sharbati × Flordaguard and Flordaguard × Sharbati showed better growth characteristics as compares to seedlings of Flordaguard.
 Conclusion: The advance candidate hybrid rootstocks may be useful for further exploitation for genetic improvement and development of rootstock with good nursery characters.