Highest Fruit Yield Research Articles

Delineating eco-physiological traits linked to salt tolerance and fruit yield in pomegranate

Salt stress can suppress pomegranate growth and yield to varying degrees, reflecting the need for developing salt tolerant cultivars. We studied the effects of salinity stress [soil salinity 6.0–7.75 dS/m; irrigation water salinity ∼4.0 dS/m] on growth, eco-physiological relations, and fruit yield and quality in 15 genotypes of pomegranate comprising 13 soft- and hard-seeded ecotypes and two commercial cultivars (‘Ganesh’ and ‘Bhagwa’). There were contrasting differences (p<0.05) between the soft- and hard-seeded types for several traits; the former were distinctly more productive, had thinner fruit peels, higher 100-aril weight and more juice content than the latter. Such differences were likely due to Na+exclusion, resulting in far lower leaf Na+/K+ and Na+/Ca2+ ratios in soft- than in hard-seeded types. Analysis of Variance revealed highly significant (p<0.001) differences amongst the genotypes for all the traits; fruit weight, aril weight and juice content were particularly highly variable, reflecting the scope for further selection. Higher levels of leaf K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ relative to Na+ and Cl− implied the ability of the tested pomegranate genotypes to overcome salt-induced nutritional deficiencies. Correlation analysis revealed that proline accumulation was likely due to excess Na+, rather than for osmotic adjustment. Strong Na+ and Cl− exclusion capacities in some of the tested genotypes may facilitate their use as parents for developing the salt excluder rootstocks. Lower malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels, better leaf chlorophyll, higher leaf water potential and reduced uptake of Na+and Cl−were identified as the major traits underlying salt tolerance and higher fruit yield in genotypes ‘Raj-4’ and ‘Ajm-3’.

Effect of Different Mulching Material on Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.)] Hybrid under Prayagraj Agro-climatic Condition

The present field experiment was carried out during 2021-2022 at the Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and nine treatments. The investigation was carried out with a view to study the effect of different mulching material on growth, yield and quality of watermelon. The results of the experiment revealed that plant growth was superior with silver plastic mulch with respect to days of germination, numbers of branches per vine and vine length. Plants without mulch (control) resulted poor growth. Watermelon plants mulched with silver plastic recorded maximum number of leaves; whereas, minimum was in control. The yield characters such as fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight and number of fruits per plot were recorded significantly highest in the mulch treatment with silver plastic mulch. Similarly, the highest fruit yield per plot (27.52kg) and fruit yield per hectare of watermelon (66.04 t/ha) was also observed with the same treatment. From the economic point of view, silver plastic mulch resulted in the highest net return and also highest cost ratio. The quality characters such as highest fruit pulp weight and lowest acidity were noted in mulching treatment silver plastic mulch. This treatment also recorded maximum vitamin C, TSS. It is concluded that application different mulches in which silver plastic mulch significantly superior in growth, yield and quality parameter. Similarly, with economic point of view, treatment silver plastic mulch resulted in the highest net return and cost: benefit ratio.

Indicators for evaluating the resistance of tomato genotypes to low light

ABSTRACT Low light is one of the most important factors limiting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production. In this experiment, tomato genotypes under low light (winter planting), and adequate light (summer planting) were evaluated in the same greenhouse condition for other environmental conditions where 11 tolerance and susceptibility indices were evaluated in terms of fruit weight per plant produced. Using the rank of each genotype for the calculated indices, the mean rank index was calculated. The highest yield under adequate light was in genotypes “9318,” “9314,” “2216,” “324,” and “5239.” Under low light, genotypes “321,” “9318,” “9314,” “523,” and “324” had the highest fruit yield per plant, respectively. Evaluation of tolerance and sensitivity indices indicated that tolerance indices, geometric mean productivity index, mean relative performance index and relative efficiency index had a positive, significant, correlation with fruit weight per plant in low light and adequate light are the best indicators for selecting genotypes tolerant to low light. Based on these indices, genotypes “9318,” “9314,” “321,” “324,” and “523” had the highest ranks and more tolerance to low light, and might be successfully cultivated in low light areas.

Impact of Polyhouse on Production Potential of Bitter Gourd in Off-season

In Bangladesh, the bitter gourd, which is a vegetable, is a wonderful source of magnesium, folate, zinc, phosphorus, and vitamins B1, B2, and B3. It also contains a high level of dietary fiber. From December 2020 to April 2021, an experiment was carried out in the field laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, to determine how the polyhouse and the local environment affected the growth and yield of bitter gourd during the off-season. It was a factorial experiment using RCBD (Randomized Completely Block Design), in which Factor A represented the impact of a polyhouse and Factor B represented the influence of the environment on the development and yield of bitter gourd during the off-season. Results showed that photochemically active radiation decreased within the polyhouse compared to the open area outside. In terms of soil temperature, soil moisture, and air temperature, a reverse trend was seen. In comparison to an open field during the winter, the polyhouse had higher air, soil, and soil moisture temperatures. Compared to plants cultivated in open fields, bitter gourd plants planted in poly houses had longer stems, more branches, blooms, and higher reproductive efficiency, which led to more fruit setting plants-1 and a higher fruit yield. Additionally, the fruit size in the polyhouse was greater than it was in the open field situation. In comparison to open fields, the fruit output of bitter gourd was approximately 2.5 times higher in polyhouses, which will be helpful to meet up the nutritional demand in the off-season.

Influence of pollination treatments and temperature regimes on progamic phase and fruit set in three European plum (Prunus domestica L.) cultivars tollerant/resistant to Sharka virus

Pollination and temperature are predominant factors affecting the progamic phase of sexual plant reproduction. In light of climate change and the emergence of increasing temperatures, new knowledge is necessary to encourage fruit breeding programmes to develop cultivars adapted to these changes, as well as to find the best incompatibility relationships with the aim of achieving high fruit quality and yield. This research was conducted to reveal the effect of pollination treatments and temperature on the progamic phase and fruit set in three European plum (Prunus domestica L.) cultivars (‘Jojo’, ‘Hanita’ and ‘Katinka’) resistant/tolerant to Sharka virus using fluorescent microscopy. Reproductive parameters (flowering overlapping, pollen germination, number of pollen tubes in the upper part of the style and locule of the ovary, dynamics of pollen tubes growth and initial and final fruit set) were investigated in vivo under different pollination treatments (cross, open and self-pollination). The influence of different temperature regimes (20 °C, 23 °C and 26 °C) on the progamic phase was also observed under cross and self-pollination. The pollination treatments significantly influenced the number of pollen tubes in the style and ovary, as well as dynamics of pollen tubes in different regions of pistil. Pollen tubes showed better growth in different crossing combinations compared to open and self-pollination. Higher temperatures accelerated pollen tube growth and reduced the time they need to reach ovules. Generally, ‘Jojo’ appeared to be the best pollenizer among the examined cultivars, while ‘Katinka’ exhibited the best response of pollen tube growth to various temperature regimes. The differences observed between growth of the pollen tubes in each genotype-temperature combination revealed that certain crossing combinations were better adapted to higher temperatures so this can be taken into account as one of the adjustments to climate change. The ability of cultivars to respond to high temperatures in the progamic phase can also be helpful for breeding programs in developing new cultivars better adapted to different temperature conditions.

Compatibility of carbosulfan 25 EC with certain agrochemicals in brinjal ecosystem

The combined use of chemical insecticides with fungicides and fertilizers in a single application is a promising pest-control option to maximise productivity and minimize labour efficiency. Studies were conducted to assess the compatibility of systemic insecticide, carbosulfan 25 EC with a fungicide, micronutrient and insecticide in brinjal ecosystem. The optimum and effective dose of carbosulfan (250 g a.i.ha-1) was compatible with other agro chemicals used in combination viz., copper oxy chloride 50 WP @500 g a.i.ha-1, zinc sulphate 0.5 per cent and dimethoate 30 EC @ 300 g a.i.ha-1, without any creaming matter and/or sediment formation in any of the combinations. The tank mix foliar application of the combination chemicals viz., carbosulfan @ 250 g a.i.ha-1 + copper oxy chloride 50 WP @ 500 g a.i.ha-1, carbosulfan @ 250 g a.i.ha-1 + zinc sulphate 0.5 per cent and carbosulfan @ 250 g a.i.ha-1 + dimethoate @ 300 g a.i.ha-1 did not inflict any phytotoxic effect on the treatment imposed plants and a mean grade of ‘1’ (0-10% injury) was awarded to all the treated plants in the brinjal ecosystem. The bioefficacy trials after two rounds of spraying with carbosulfan and combination with fertilizer and fungicides revealed that maximum per cent reduction is noticed in insecticide combination (carbosulfan @ 250 g a.i.ha-1 + dimethoate @ 300 g a.i.ha-1) as well as recommended and four times the dose of carbosulfan (250 and 1000 g a.i.ha-1), which similarly effects in managing the shoot and fruit damage caused by the shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis. The treatments with fertilizer and fungicides alone marked the least reduction in fruit and shoot damage. The yield of brinjal ranged from 24.1to 28.7 t ha-1 in different treatments. Plots treated with carbosulfan @ 250 g a.i.ha-1 + dimethoate @ 300 g a.i.ha-1recorded the highest fruit yield (28.7 t ha-1) followed by carbosulfan @ 250 g a.i.ha-1 + copper oxy chloride @ 500 g a.i.ha-1 (28.3 t ha-1) and carbosulfan @ 250 g a.i.ha-1+ zinc sulphate (27.8 t ha-1). The current findings states that carbosulfan in combination with other agrochemicals have given better results in terms of phytotoxicity, bioefficacy and yield.

The influence of chilling hours on root starch content, growth and yield of strawberry tray plants

The chilling requirements of two strawberry cultivars (‘Sonata’, ‘Albion’) were assessed by evaluating the starch accumulation levels in the tray plants’ root system and their subsequent growth and yielding. The research was conducted in an experimental orchard and a greenhouse of the National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice, Poland, in 2017–2019 (2 cycles of obtaining planting material and growing plants). The tray plants (rooted tips) were grown in the natural field conditions until they were transferred in batches to a cold store (–2°C) on five different dates: 12 Oct., 30 Oct., 20 Nov., 11 Dec., and 3 Jan. (of the following year). The number of accumulated chilling hours less than 7°C was recorded for each transfer date, and the roots were analysed for starch content at the time of transfer. After the end of cold storage (3 months, standardised for all treatments), the plants were planted in pots and transferred to a greenhouse to assess growth and plant yielding. The obtained results indicate that chilling induces changes in the extent of starch accumulation. The highest starch accumulation in ‘Sonata’ roots was recorded when the plants received about 500 h of chilling (under Polish conditions accumulated in November/December). In the ‘Albion’ strawberry case, the maximum was found at the lower chilling level – about 300 h (middle of November). The highest fruit yields were produced by ‘Sonata’ plants, for which the number of chilling hours (0–7°C) was 500–800 h. In the case of ‘Albion’, the values were 2–3 times lower. A more extended period of keeping tray plants in field conditions (over 1000 h of chilling) resulted in a deterioration in fruit yield.

Short Notes: Application of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza: Increasing the Yield of Okra

A commercially available arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was applied to investigate the response of okra plants, particularly the yield components. Okra plants were separately treated with inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer, and mycorrhiza. Untreated plants were used as a control (without fertilizers and mycorrhiza). Based on the results, the fruit number per plant, fruit length, and yield were significantly affected by treatments. The high fruit number and yield were observed in plants with mycorrhiza than those plants with fertilizers. The fruit length in plants applied with mycorrhiza was higher than the organic fertilizer, but mycorrhiza and organic fertilizer showed a similarity with inorganic fertilizer and control. The increase yield of okra by application of mycorrhiza was due to the positive association of number of fruits per plant. The fruit length and yield also showed a positive correlation.

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) production in a vertical hydroponic greenhouse system

Objective: A vertical hydroponic greenhouse system (VHGS) was designed and built to evaluat two strawberry varieties (Festival and San Andreas), in two planting densities per pot (40 and 54 plants/m 2 ) and three elevation levels (high, medium, and low). Design/Methodology/Approach: At 126 days after transplanting (dat), the Festival variety showed significant differences in the number of leaves and in the crown diameter. Results: The vertical hydroponic greenhouse system had a high fruit yield (21 kg m2 ): i.e., this productionsystem is up to 35 % more efficient than the open field cultivation system or the multi-tunnel greenhouse system. There was a positive correlation between the number (r 2 =0.89), diameter (r 2 =0.54), and weight (r 2 =0.40) of the fruits and the total yield. Planting density did not show a significant effect on plant growth, yield, and fruit quality. The vertical pot system did not show differences between elevation levels. This production system is a viable option for populations in places with a scarcity of water and to obtain fruits with guaranteed food safety.

Effects of EcoTea Organic Fertilizer and Poultry Manure on Soil Health, Yield and Yield Components of Tomato

This study investigated the effects of EcoTea organic fertilizer and poultry manure on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) yield and soil health. The treatments were arranged in randomized block design with three replications. Treatments PM + FW, C + FW and PM + AW in that order had significant effect on the fruit diameter at 8 WAT while OF + FW and OF + AW recorded an increase in fruit diameter at 11 WAT. Same trend was established in other yield components. The highest fruit yield at 8 WAT was recorded in treatments PM + AW and C + FW respectively while the lowest yield was recorded in OF + FW and OF + AW respectively. At 11 WAT, highest fruit yield was recorded in treatments PM + FW and OF + AW. Although the yield gotten from OF + FW here was not as much as the one from C + FW at 11 WAT; it was not the lowest yield (PM + AW). This is an indication that there was consistency in the yield of tomato under OF treatment; a further indication that EcoTea organic fertilizer’s effect on tomato development is positive and reliable. Overall, Organic fertilizer produced a consistent and reliable impact on the soil health, fruit yield and yield components of tomato especially from 8 WAT to 11 WAT; therefore, it is recommended and safe to use for tomato production under similar conditions as used in this study. The application of fertilizers significantly improved the soil chemical properties. Similar research should be carried out for three or more harvest cycles on the same piece of land to ascertain if the impact of EcoTea organic fertilizer will be sustained with same one-time application.

Recent Advances in Crop Improvement of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) for High Fruit Yield and Quality

Capsicum annuum L. is an indispensable spice cum vegetable crop cultivated worldwide for its edible fruit. The current research is majorly focused on the development of improved chilli varieties to achieve high fruit yield and quality to meet the rapidly growing market demands. Therefore, the screening of the chilli landraces and local cultivars for the genetic variation would provide best parents for the chilli crop improvement. Most of the recent chilli breeding programmes involve the assessment of genetic variation among the genotypes by the estimation of important genetic variation parameters such as phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, heritability and genetic advance, gene flow, and cluster analysis. Correlation and path coefficient analysis was also applied to evaluate the progeny to understand the association between desired traits. The popular DNA-based molecular marker system, simple sequence repeat, is predominantly applied to understand the genetic variation as well as to select the desired progeny. In this current review, we discussed such recent research reports on chilli crop improvement for high fruit yield and quality, highlighted the recent major achievements and provided the important information for the chilli breeders. We hope this current review would shed light on recent developments in chilli crop improvement and help chilli breeders for their future breeding programmes.

Evaluation of Chili Nazla IPB as An Ornamental Chilli for Releasing Variety

Chili (Capsicum annuum L.) exhibits a wide range of variations in terms of crown shape, fruit shape, fruit color, leaf color, leaf shape, and taste. While chili is commonly known as a food plant, it also serves as an attractive ornamental plant. Specifically, ornamental chili plants are desired to possess specific traits, such as compact growth, high fruit yield, and a variety of fruit colors within a single plant. This study aims to comprehensively describe the quantitative and qualitative superiority of the Nazla IPB variety in terms of its characteristics. The research was conducted in the Leuwikopo Darmaga experimental garden's greenhouse, located in Bogor, utilizing a randomized complete block design with four replications. The Nazla IPB variety, which is an open-pollinated (OP) cultivar, stands out due to its short plant height, ranging from 17.83 to 26.42 cm, making it highly suitable for ornamental purposes. Furthermore, the chili plants of the Nazla IPB variety possess a compact crown shape, enhancing their visual appeal, coupled with their short stature (ranging from 21.83 to 26.69 cm). The primary distinguishing features of the ornamental chili variety Nazla IPB include: 1) the color of the leaves, which transition from green (Green 137 C) to purple (Purple N186 A); 2) the black color of the young chili fruit (Black 203 A); 3) the fruit shape of Nazla IPB, which can be described as moderately triangular; and 4) the fruit undergoes a color transformation from black to dark green and finally to red. Nazla IPB has potential to serve as an attractive decorative plant option.

A meta-analysis on rootstock-induced effects in grafted watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus)

Sweet watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus) grafting with complementary rootstocks is necessary for new variety design and to enhance product profiles, including fruit yield and quality and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.. Integrated selection of successful watermelon grafts using multiple traits ensures breeding and economic gains. Therefore, the objective of this study was to undertake a meta-analysis on the responses of watermelon when grafted with contrasting rootstocks involving cucurbit species or interspecific hybrids using agronomic, physiological and quality traits, and insect pest and disease reactions for rootstock selection, variety development and deployment. A meta-analysis was conducted involving 65 studies, and data were analysed using various statistical methods. Results indicated significant (p < 0.05) variations among watermelon varieties for economic traits when grafted onto different cucurbit rootstock species. Interspecific hybrid [Cucurbita maxima × C. moschata] and Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl rootstocks induced high and variable effects on fruit yield and related traits of grafted watermelon.. Watermelon/L. siceraria graft combinations showed high phenotypic variation on sugar profiles. Lycopene content of grafted watermelon was highly variable when grafted onto C. lanatus var. citroides and C. maxima × C. moschata rootstocks. Graft combinations involving L. siceraria and C. maxima × C. moschata were significantly (p < 0.05) differentiated for fruit flesh firmness and color. C. lanatus var. citroides rootstock enhanced low and variable infections for root-knot nematodes, whereas C. maxima × C. moschata rootstock induced high and variable resistance to Fusarium and Verticillium wilt in grafted watermelon. Fruit yield and quality traits of grafted watermelon positively and significantly (p <0.05; p <0.001) correlated with root and photosynthetic parameters useful in selection programs. Overall, the meta-analysis revealed the need to integrate root traits (e.g., increased root weight and total root length, higher root surface area and average root diameter), high photosynthetic efficiency, fruit yield and quality in selecting desirable rootstock in the development of market preferred watermelon varieties.

Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid and Zinc Sulphate Levels on Growth and Yield of Squash under Net House Condition

A field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during November, 2020 to February, 2021. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The experiment had two factors (Different levels of salicylic acid, S0= No salicylic acid (control), S1= 60 ppm of salicylic acid, S2= 90 ppm of salicylic acid and different levels of zinc, Z0= No zinc sulphate (control), Z1= 25 ppm of zinc sulphate, Z2= 50 ppm of zinc sulphate. Different levels of salicylic, zinc sulphate and also their combinations showed significant influence on different growth, yield contributing parameters and yield of squash. The treatment, S2 showed highest results in fruit yield per plant (2422.7 g), fruit yield per plot (9.68 kg) and fruit yield per ha (37.83 t) compared to control. In case of zinc treatments, the highest results in fruit yield per plant (2597.1 g), highest fruit yield per plot (10.38 kg) and highest fruit yield per ha (31.74 t) were found from Z1 compared to control. Likewise, the treatment combination of S2Z1 (90 ppm of salicylic acid and 25 ppm of zinc sulphate) gave the highest fruit yield per plant (3045.4 g) fruit yield per plot (12.18 kg) and highest yield per ha (47.57 t) where the lowest results were found from the treatment combination of S0Z0 (control). The highest gross return (BDT 1189425), net return (BDT 881669) and BCR (3.86) were obtained from the treatment combination of S2Z1 where the lowest was obtained from S0Z0. It can be concluded that from economic point of view, S2Z1 (90 ppm of salicylic acid and 25 ppm of zinc sulphate) treatment combination is suitable for squash cultivation than other treatment combinations.

Provenance Variation in Seed Biometry, Germination and Seedling Traits in Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Neem)

The present investigationon evaluation of provenance variations in seed morphometric, germination and seedling growth attributes of Neem was conducted at Division of Genetics and Tree Improvement at Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India with an aim to study the variation in different provenances of Azadirachta indicafor seed morphometry, germination and seedling traits,to identify superior provenances of Azadirachta indica to produce quality planting stocks, during monsoon of 2021 and 2022. Extensive surveys were conducted in 6 different agro-climatic zones in Tamil Nadu and selected 30 Candidate Plus Trees (CPT’s) based on growth superiority and higher fruit yield. The significant differences were recorded on seed length (cm), seed width (cm), seed perimeter (cm), seed area, and 100 seed kernel weight (g), germination percentage, mean daily germination, germination value, germination time, peak value, time spread of germination and germination index and seedling characters such as shoot length, root length, color diameter, leaf numbers, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, shoot and root vigorous index among the provenances and seed lots. Southern Zone and Rainfall Zone provenances recorded higher values on seed length and breadth, seed weight and seedling parameters and lower values of seed parameters were observed in the Western Zone and seedling parameters in North Eastern Zone. Seed length, seed area, seed perimeter and germination percentage had a significant strong positive correlation with the shoot vigour index. Southern Zone and Rainfall Zone provenances can be recommended for establishing large-scale plantation in the Tree Outside Forest (ToF).

Stability estimation through multivariate approach among solasodine-rich lines of Solanum khasianum (C.B. Clarke): an important industrial plant.

Solanum khasianum is a medicinally important plant that is a source of steroidal alkaloids 'solasodine.' It has various industrial applications, including oral contraceptives and other pharmaceutical uses. The present study was based on 186 germplasm of S. khasianum, which were analyzed for the stability of economically important traits like solasodine content and fruit yield. The collected germplasm was planted during Kharif 2018, 2019, and 2020 in RCBD with three replications at the experimental farm of CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, Assam, India. A multivariate approach for stability analysis was applied to identify stable germplasm of S. khasianum for economically important traits. The germplasm was analyzed for additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), GGE biplot, multi-trait stability index, and Shukla's variance which were evaluated for three environments. The AMMI ANOVA revealed significant GE interaction for all the studied traits. The stable and high-yielding germplasm was identified from the AMMI biplot, GGE biplot, Shukla's variance value, and MTSI plot analysis. Lines no. 90, 85, 70, 107, and 62 were identified as highly stable fruit yielders while, lines no. 1, 146, and 68 were identified as stable high solasodine lines. However, considering both traits, i.e., high fruit yield and solasodine content, MTSI analysis was performed which showed that lines 1, 85, 70,155, 71, 114, 65, 86, 62, 116, 32, and 182 could be used in a breeding program. Thus, this identified germplasm can be considered for further varietal development and could be used in a breeding program. The findings of the present study would be beneficial for the S. khasianum breeding program.

Impact of Bumble Bee Pollination on Strawberry Production under Protected Conditions

Bumblebees are splendid pollinators of various crop plants; they are known to improve fruit productivity by enhancing its biophysical and biochemical properties. In the present investigation, the impact of bumblebee (Bombus haemorrhoidalis Smith) pollination was recorded in comparison to honey bee pollination, open pollination and control (crop devoid of pollinators) in strawberry grown under caged conditions in Nauni, Himachal Pradesh. Bumblebee pollination resulted in higher fruit set (87.16%), longer fruits (39.88 mm/fruits), higher fruit breadth (30.94 mm/fruit), heavier berries (14.26 g/ fruit) and higher fruit yield per plant (402.26 g/ plant) in strawberry cv. Sweet Charlie which accounted for an increase of 10.38 and 7.87, 25.64 and 17.74, 16.22 and 13.41, 35.29 and 31.18 and 33.11 and 20.74%, respectively over control and open pollination. Bumblebee pollination was observed superior to control, open/ natural pollination and was equally good (at par) to honey bee pollination, in terms of all production parameters. These results signified the role of bumblebee pollination in enhancement of the quality and quantity of strawberries grown under caged conditions.

Assessing the impact of varied nitrogen dosages on the vegetative and reproductive parameters of ‘Sweet Sensation’ and ‘Rubygem’ strawberry in Morang, Nepal

Between 2020 and 2021, an experimental investigation was conducted in Tropical conditions to assess the effects of varying levels of nitrogen fertilization (0 kgNha−1, 0.5 kgNha−1, 1 kgNha−1, 1.5 kgNha−1, and 2 kgNha−1) on the growth and yield parameters of two strawberry cultivars (Sweet Sensation and Rubygem) in a sandy loam soil. The results demonstrated that the application of nitrogen positively influenced both vegetative (such as plant height, leaf number per plant, canopy spread, and crown diameter) and reproductive (such as number of flowers and fruits per plant, fruit yield, and TSS content) traits of both strawberry cultivars. Furthermore, the findings indicated that Sweet Sensation responded more positively to higher nitrogen doses than Rubygem in all aspects. The data showed that the utilization of 2 kgNha−1 resulted in the highest fruit yield (0.390–0.508 t/ha) and quality traits, including TSS (7.89–9.21%). While there were no significant variations in TSS content among the plants treated with different nitrogen levels, significant differences were observed between the two strawberry cultivars.

PERFORMANCE OF RABBIT URINE ON THE YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENT OF CUCUMBER

Organic farming is known to be the production system where synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are largely or completely avoided, it has been observed recently the rapid growth of the system in the last decades. An experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm of National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Oyo state to determine the influence of rabbit urine as organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of two varieties of cucumber. The experiment was laid out in a factorial arrangement fitted into a randomized complete block design replicated 3 times. The trial comprised of two cucumber varieties (Marketer and Poinsett), urine application as soil and foliar application, NPK and the control. The results showed significant influence of the treatments on growth and yield of cucumber also significant interaction was observed between varieties and treatments used on yield attributes and yield of cucumber. The application of rabbit urine into the soil and by foliar on marketer cucumber significantly had the highest fruit yield in both years.

Soil properties and growth of yellow bell pepper (Capsicum annum) as influenced by compost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Compost is an inexpensive agricultural waste which improves soil health and quality. The experiment was carried out to assess the influence of compost and mycorrhizal inoculation (Glomus mosseae) on soil properties and growth of yellow bell pepper in pots under screen house conditions, in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The treatments included mycorrhizal inoculation only (C0M1), compost at 20 t ha-1 only (C1M0), compost at 30 t ha-1 only (C2M0), compost and mycorrhizal inoculation at 20 t ha-1 (C1M1), compost and mycorrhizal inoculation at 30 t ha-1 (C2M1) and control (no amendment / uninoculated). Compost and mycorrhizal inoculation (C1M1 and C2M1) significantly improved soil N, P and K compared to control. Inoculation with mycorrhizal only (C0M1) increased uptake of N, P, K, Ca and Mg compared to uninoculated. Co-utilization of compost and mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased root and shoot dry biomass compared to uninoculated. The highest fruit yield was obtained at C2M1 followed by C1M1 in comparison to compost application only. Treatment C2M1 recorded the highest prevalence of percent root colonization. This suggests that compost and Glomus mossea could be considered to have a sustainable potential for better growth and yield performance in the production of yellow bell pepper in an Alfisol.