Horticultural Science Research Articles

Synergistic Effects of Organic Manures and Biofertilizers on the Growth Performance of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.var.Botrytis) cv. PusaSnowball-1

The experiment was carried out during Rabi 2023-24 at the Experimental, Organic Research farm Kargunwaji, Jhansi, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh). The present experiment was carried out using Randomized block design with three replications to study the effect of organic manures,i.e. (farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost and poultry manure) and biofertilizers individually or in combination on the growth performance of cauliflower. The obtained results can be summarized as follows: The plant height was found to move significantly due to various treatments at every observation stage of plants. Among treatments, T6 (50% Biofertilizer+50% Vermicompost) treatment resulted in significantly higher plant height at every stage as compared to the remaining treatments. Application of 50% Biofertilizer+50% FYM treatment (T5) was found the second-best treatment. Accordingly, at 60 days stage the maximum height upto 33.56 cm was recorded in the case of T1 (100%FYM) treatment, followed by 32.31cm in the case of T1 (100%FYM) treatment. Economically, the results confirmed the fact that organic and bio-fertilizer treatments were effective but less profitable compared to traditional fertilizers, where treatment T0 (N100P60K80) recorded the highest B: Cratio (2.53) and followed by T6 (50%Biofertilizer+50% Vermicompost) treatment with1.78B:Cratio.

Enhancing Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus) Propagation Efficiency through Growing Media

The experiment was carried for one and half year during November, 2019 to January, 2020 under the shade house of Fruit nursery at Main Horticultural Research and Extension Centre (MHREC), College of Horticulture, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India to assess the influence of different media on root induction, growth and shoot parameters in dragon fruit. The experiment involving different media viz., sand, sand+soil, sand+fym, sand+vermicompost, sand+soil+fym, sand+soil+vermicompost, soil, soil+fym, soil+vermicompost, fym and vermicompost was carried out using completely randomized design (CRD). It revealed that vermicompost was found the best media for the propagation of cutting which recorded early sprouting (13.2 days), highest sprout length, number of sprouts per cutting, length of the longest root, number of primary roots, fresh weight, dry weight (15.19 cm, 3.20, 15.08 cm, 9.60, 82.00 g, 34.60 g respectively at 90 days after planting), and survival percentage (84%), whereas, the sand and soil media combination resulted in the lowest performance of dragon fruit cuttings, with minimal sprout length (4.10 cm), low percentage of cuttings sprouted (24%), and poor root development (9.64 cm longest root, 3.60 primary roots) with lowest fresh weight (27.80 g), dry weight (11.80 g) and survival percentage (20%) at 90 DAP. Hence, it appears, a rooting media with more fertility would be highly useful in obtaining high root and shoot parameters in dragon fruit. The results of this study are helpful in choosing propagation media for large scale planting material.

Editorial: introducing dedication reviews-broad reviews in plant and horticultural sciences.

Editorial: introducing dedication reviews-broad reviews in plant and horticultural sciences.

Performance of Varieties and Standardization of Plant Density on Growth Parameters in Palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis Roxb.) under Summer Conditions in the Central Telangana Zone

It was a Factorial Randomized Block Design, with two factors (three varieties (Arka Anupama, All Green, Mulayam) and four plant densities (25 cm × 10 cm, 25 cm × 15 cm, 30 cm × 10 cm, 30 cm × 15 cm) and three replications, conducted at Post Graduate Institute for Horticultural Sciences, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Mulugu from March to June 2024. The results revealed that Arka Anupama recorded maximum number of leaves per plant (10.51, 13.76, 12.36 and 11.35), length of leaves, width of leaves at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th cuttings, leaf area (100.00 cm2) and leaf area index (1.51). The maximum plant height (23.35 cm, 26.99 cm, 25.59 cm and 20.46 cm) and length of leaf petiole was recorded in All Green at all cuttings. A 30 cm × 15 cm plant density ` recorded maximum plant height (23.53 cm, 27.11 cm, 25.46 cm and 20.36 cm), number of leaves per plant, length of leaf petiole, length of leaves, width of leaves at all cuttings and leaf area (109.96 cm2). Highest leaf area index (1.11) was recorded in 30 cm × 10 cm plant density. The V1S4 (Arka Anupama, 30 cm × 15 cm) exhibited maximum number of leaves, length of leaves, width of leaves and leaf area, while plant height and length of leaf petiole were highest in V2S4 (All Green, 30 cm × 15 cm). V1S1 (Arka Anupama, 25 cm × 10 cm) recorded highest leaf area index on par with V1S3 (Arka Anupama, 30 cm × 10 cm).

The Physical and Physiological Quality of Informal Seeds of Rwanda: Case of Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.)

This study was carried out at the laboratories of the Department of Seed, Crop, and Horticultural Sciences; School of Agriculture and Biotechnology; University of Eldoret, Kenya, on common bean seed samples collected in major growing areas’ markets of the Southern Province of Rwanda, where informal seeds are predominant and with a varied physical and physiological seed quality. Therefore, we conducted this study to assess the physical and physiological quality of seeds in Rwanda's informal system through laboratory tests. The GenStat computer package was used to run data. The markets of Kamonyi, Muhanga, and Nyanza are sources of market common bean informal seed in the southern province of Rwanda. The physiological qualities were more in the sample M1E from Muhanga market, locally known as Shyushya, because this local variety proved to be the best to have better seeds that develop into normal plants (96.5%) and vigorous plants through first count and speed of germination with 95.5% and 26.11, respectively. This was also observed on the sample M2C from Nyanza that shares the same local name. Nyanza market had more physiological qualities than the others; its seeds grew more into normal plants (72.2%) and vigorous plants via first count and speed of germination with 63.3% and 21.68, respectively, than the others. Muhanga market had more good physical characteristics of seeds, with the highest mean of thousand seed weight (340.9 grams) and seed length (1.31 cm). The sample M2B, locally known as Mutiki, is a variety with the highest mean of thousand seed weights (446.1 grams), and this is common with other samples (M2B and M3A) locally known as Mutiki from other markets. This study revealed that the inform variety known as Shyushya is to be considered for agronomical purposes, while the formal variety locally known as Mutiki could be considered for market purposes. Nyanza market to be considered as the source of seeds for the agronomical aspects, while Muhanga market could be the source of seed for the grains of market

Effect of copper on nitrogen uptake, transportation, assimilation processes, and related gene expression in Chinese cabbage [Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis (L.)] under various nitrate-to-ammonium ratios.

Improving vegetable yield and optimizing its quality through nutrient management have long been central to plant nutrition and horticultural science. Copper (Cu) is recognized as an essential trace element that promotes plant growth and development. However, the mechanisms by which Cu influences nitrogen (N) metabolism remain largely unknown, with limited studies exploring the interaction between Cu and varying nitrate-to-ammonium (nitrate/ammonium) ratios. In this study, Chinese cabbage was exposed to two Cu concentrations (0 and 0.02 mg L-1) in combination with three nitrate/ammonium ratios (10/90, 50/50, and 90/10) under hydroponic conditions. The results showed that Cu application increased plant biomass, nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) enzyme activities, the expression of NR (NIA) and GS2 (Gln2) genes, and N content in both shoots and roots. Additionally, Cu treatment decreased nitrate and free amino acid contents, as well as the expression of nitrate transporters NRT1.1 and NRT2.1 in roots while increasing these four parameters in shoots. Additionally, these effects were significantly modulated by the nitrate/ammonium ratios. In conclusion, Cu may facilitate nitrate transportation, enhance nitrate reduction, promote ammonium assimilation, and influence the transformation of organic N compounds, highlighting its potential role in improving N metabolism in Chinese cabbage.

Drought-stress tolerance potential in plum and prune rootstocks and cultivars (Prunus spp.) based on physiological and photosynthetical parameters

Drought stress and water crisis is a great limiting factor for the production of horticultural crops. The present study was carried out during 2021 and 2022 at Horticultural Science Research Institute, Kamalshahr, Karaj, Iran to identify the effect of drought stress in physiological and photosynthetic characteristics of Prunus spp. rootstocks and varieties of 4-year old Prunus spp. The factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) having 3 factors and 3 replications. Factors included 8 rootstocks, viz. Myrobalan 29C, Penta, Tetra, St. Julien, Mariana 2624, GF 677, GN 15 and Seedling as the first factor; 4 cultivars, viz. Greengage, Simka, NO 16 and Zochelo as the second factor; and drought stress conditions in two levels namely with interruption of irrigation for 14 days and without interruption of irrigation as the third factor. Drought stress decreased relative water content of leaves, stomatal conductance, transpiration, CO2 content in substomatal chamber, and water use efficiency. Zuchelo and Greengage varieties and GN 15 rootstock had the highest and Simka variety and Mariana 2624 and Myrobalan 29C rootstocks had the lowest stomatal exchanges and photosynthesis, respectively. Among the rootstocks; GN 15, GF 677 and Mariana 2624 showed better physiological stability under stress, and the most tolerant variety against drought stress was NO 16. Totally, grafting combination of cv. NO 16 and rootstock GN 15 has been identified as the most tolerant to drought stress.

Abstracts of Presentations from American Society of Horticultural Science 2024 Annual Conference

This supplement contains the Abstracts of Presentations from American Society of Horticultural Science 2024 Annual Conference

Research Trends and Development Patterns in Microgreens Publications: A Bibliometric Study from 2004 to 2023

This article presents a general overview of scientific publications in the field of microgreens using bibliometric tools. Data were collected from the Web of Science database (from Clarivate Analytics) in the period from 2004 to 2023, covering 20 years of scientific publications. The results are presented in the form of tables, graphs, and charts to analyze the development of microgreens publications. The countries with the greatest influence on the microgreens topic are the USA, Italy, and India, which have the highest number of publications in the analyzed period with 133, 76, and 38 publications, respectively. On the other hand, the authors with the highest number of publications are Raphael, Y. (University Naples Federico II-Italy), De Pascale, S. (University Naples Federico II-Italy), and Luo, Y. (ARS, Food Quality Laboratory, Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Lab, USDA-USA). The journals with the highest productivity in microgreens are HortScience (American Society of Horticultural Science), Horticulturae (MDPI), and Foods (MDPI), with publication numbers of 49, 27, and 23, respectively. Regarding the relationship of the documents in this study with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the large majority of documents can be linked to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), followed by SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well Being). As a final remark, the mapping, trends, and findings in this work can help to establish logical paths for researchers in the field of microgreens.

How Natural Resources, Consumer Perceptions, and Labor Are Transforming the US Nursery Industry

The nursery industry produces and sells plants for landscape and environmental purposes and represents a major sector within the US agricultural industry. In recent years, the nursery industry has undergone rapid growth as a result of various factors, including increased demand from housing development and pandemic-fueled interest in home horticulture. As with any industry, the nursery industry must adapt to changes in societal trends to sustain growth. In the wake of unprecedented societal and supply chain issues stemming from the global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the American Society for Horticultural Science Nursery Crops Professional Interest Group gathered experts in various disciplines to provide their opinions and insights into the future of the nursery industry, focusing specifically on the changes and challenges the nursery industry will face in the coming decade. Nursery crop specialists spanning the United States identified three primary areas that will steer the future momentum of the nursery industry: consumer trends, natural resources, and labor. Six experts were selected to represent these areas in a workshop held Jul 2022 at the American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference in Chicago, IL, USA. This article was developed to disseminate to the greater scientific community the discussions held and insight shared during that workshop.

Heterosis and Combining Ability Analysis in Tomato Using Line × Tester Model

The experiment entitled Heterosis and combining ability studies for yield and yield attributing trait in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) in Bundelkhand Region was carried out during Rabi 2021-22 and 2022-23 at the Experimental, Organic Research farm Kargunwa ji, Jhansi, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh). The present experiment was design under Randomized block design with three replication with plot size - 3×3m and number of rows per plant – 5 rows per plant accommodating spacing (60×60) cm. All F1s (50) along with parents were raised in RBD in 3 replications and population size were 30 plants per treatment with standard spacing. All 17 parents (5 lines and 12 testers) were raised in separate plots along with a check grown in RBD in three replications to study the combining ability, to estimate the magnitude or percentage of heterosis in the crosses, for identification of the best F1 hybrid and correlation among different traits. Since, Line × tester analysis provides information of potential parents the hybrid line. The three best combinations for line parents viz., H-88-78-5, Kashi Aman, H-88-78-5 and their F1 hybrid viz., H-88-78-1x Kashi Chaya,VRT-67 × Kashi Chaya,H-88-78-5×VRT-50 performed significantly better amongst rest of the other treatment.

EVALUATING GENETIC DIVERSITY IN PAKISTANI TURMERIC SELECTIONS THROUGH ANALYSIS OF CURCUMIN CONTENT, VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS, AND RHIZOME YIELD TRAITS IN FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN

EVALUATING GENETIC DIVERSITY IN PAKISTANI TURMERIC SELECTIONS THROUGH ANALYSIS OF CURCUMIN CONTENT, VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS, AND RHIZOME YIELD TRAITS IN FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a member of the Zingiberaceae family, is a spice plant that has long been recognized for its medicinal properties. There is high genetic variation exists within the species of Curcuma longa, even though it is clonally propagated. The overall genetic diversity in Curcuma longa may be due to its population distribution in areas of diverse ecological conditions in Pakistan. Present study was performed to evaluate different turmeric selections, which were collected from five different locations viz., S1 from Institute of Horticultural Sciences (IHS), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Pakistan, S2 and S3 from Faisalabad (Jaranwala and Kanjwani, respectively) and S4 and S5 from Kasur (Tirath and Hussain Khan Wala, respectively), Punjab, Pakistan. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design and each treatment was replicated thrice. Among the selections, selection S5 (Hussain Khan Wala) performed best for growth and yield traits, i.e. plant height (79.6 cm), number of tillers per plant (3.4), number of leaves per plant (17.7), leaf length (37.7 cm), leaf width (12.3 cm), stem diameter (16.1 mm), number of primary rhizomes per plant (6.3), number of secondary rhizomes per plant (11.1), total number of rhizomes per plant (18.4), weight of primary rhizomes (95.3 g per plant), weight of secondary rhizomes (94.3 g per plant), yield (213.1 g per plant), rhizome length (52.7 mm) and rhizome diameter (22.8 mm). However, curcumin content (0.79%), total dry matter (45.8%), moisture content (58.1%) and total soluble solids (12.0 oBrix) were highest in selections S2 (Jaranwala), S4 (Tirath), S1 (IHS, UAF) and S2 (Jaranwala), respectively. Therefore, it is recommended that turmeric selection S5 (Hussain Khan Wala) may be cultivated for higher yield, while S2 selection (Jaranwala) is for highest curcumin production.

The Most Outstanding—Recognizing Achievements through ASHS Publication Awards: A Brief History of Publications and an Introduction to Publication Awards

The American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) has since its inception published annual serial monographs or journals to achieve its mission of communicating horticultural science. To recognize the accomplishments of the membership, a series of professional awards was created. After the individual awards, the ASHS created publication awards. This paper, and the papers that follow, document the publication awards of the ASHS. The papers were based on presentations at the 2023 annual conference and serve as additional recognition of the contributions of member authors and as a historical record of achievements of the ASHS.

Award-winning Fruit Publication in ASHS Journals across the Decades (1986–2023)

Established in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) is a leading professional organization that serves a diverse horticultural community. With influence spanning both national and global domains, ASHS makes substantial contributions to various branches of horticulture. In 1985, ASHS introduced the annual Fruit Publication Award to honor exceptional research articles related to fruit. Reflecting on these awarded articles, especially in light of ASHS’s 120-year history, not only serves as a congratulatory gesture to the recipients but also provides insight into the evolutionary progression of fruit science.

Twenty-five Years of Award-winning Education Publication Excellence in ASHS Journals

The American Society for Horticultural Science Education Publication Excellence award was established in 1997 to recognize the most outstanding publication in ASHS journals related to education and teaching. This article reviews the award history, authors, and topics of the awarded papers. The award was recognized annually from 1998 to 2023 except for 3 years when no award was given. The majority of awarded papers were published in HortTechnology. Awards were presented to 70 authors from 23 institutions in 20 states and two other countries. Of the awarded papers, three had single authors, and 20 had multiple authors. Several awarded authors have been recognized in other ASHS publication awards or professional career awards. The majority of awarded papers focused on undergraduate students, teaching methods, and floriculture or ornamental topics.

Thirty-six Years of Award-winning Vegetable Publication Excellence in ASHS Journals

The American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Vegetable Publication Award, established in 1985, recognizes the author(s) of the outstanding paper on vegetable crops each year published in ASHS journals by an ASHS member. The goal is to encourage better quality research and more effective communication through writing and publication. Manuscripts published in any of the three ASHS journals are eligible to receive the award. To date, of the 36 awarded papers, 86.5% of the awarded papers were published in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science and 13.5% in HortScience, and no publications in HortTechnology have received the award. Authors from 25 states have received the Vegetable Publication Award, with Florida having the most recipients (eight), followed by California (four), Wisconsin (four), Michigan (three), and Illinois (three). In addition, the Vegetable Publication Award has been presented to papers with authors from Israel (two), Canada (two), and one each from Belgium, Brazil, China, Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands. There is some association between commodities that were the subject of the awarded papers and the highest value vegetable commodities in the United States. Eight of the awarded papers reported studies on tomato (ranked first for value in the United States), four on lettuce (ranked second), and three each on broccoli, (ranked fifth) and sweet corn (ranked seventh). Most of the awarded papers covered topics related to plant physiology and response to stress (18 papers), followed by breeding and genetic resources (eight papers); nutraceuticals, aroma, and volatiles (five papers); genetics and gene mapping (three papers); postharvest (two papers); and only one winning paper focused on production systems.

Introduction - Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook, Vol 1

Greenhouse vegetables cannot usually compete directly on a price basis in the same markets with field-grown vegetables. Greenhouse vegetable production is much more expensive and more intensive and the crops must be marketed as specialty produce. Since greenhouse production is very costly and intensive, and the market for the specialty items is volatile, the prospective grower must be keenly aware of the special and exacting requirements of greenhouse vegetable production. This publication presents the special considerations that must be understood by all new or perspective greenhouse vegetable growers. This document is a chapter of the Florida Greenhosue Vegetable Production Handbook, Volume 1, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First Publication Date: December, 1990

Performance of Blackgram as Influenced by Water Soluble Fertilizers and PGPR under Rainfed Situation

Lower production potential of blackgram grown under rainfed situation due to lack of proper nutrition during critical crop growth stages. So, investigation was carried out with an objective to study the effect of water-soluble fertilizers and PGPR on performance of blackgram during Kharif-2019, a field study was carried out at University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga which comes under Southern Transition Zone of Karnataka. Experimental design was laid out in randomized complete block design with thirteen treatments and replicated thrice. Treatments include combination of 19:19:19, monopotassium phosphate @ different dosage foliar spray with and without PGPR treatment along with package of practices. Water soluble fertilizers viz., 19:19:19 (N: P: K) and mono potassium phosphate (0:52:34) were used in treatment combinations along with PGPR. The Results revealed that, foliar application of 19:19:19 and mono potassium phosphate @ 1 per cent each at 30 and 45 days after sowing + PGPR along with a package of practice recorded significantly higher plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf and stem dry weight, crude protein (26.54 %), seed yield (1167 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (2019 kg ha-1) over package of practice treatment and also positive correlation was found between growth and yield parameters with seed yield and haulm yield.

Deciphering the Traits Association and Path Coefficient Analysis among Yield Attributing Traits of Snap Melon (Cucumis melo var. momordica) Genotypes

An investigation was carried out at the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, during the Rabi season of 2021. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design with two replications and aimed to assess twenty-five snap melon genotypes alongside three check varieties, sourced from various regions in India. Seventeen yield-related traits were observed for each genotype, and the mean data was utilized for subsequent analysis. The study on trait associations revealed that genotypic correlations exhibited higher values compared to their respective phenotypic counterparts, indicating stronger, consistent correlations independent of environmental factors. Notably, yield plant-1 exhibited positive and significant correlations with vine length, number of fruits vine-1, fruit weight, length of fruit, fruit circumference, and flesh thickness at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis unveiled that the total number of fruits plant-1 and average fruit weight exerted positive direct effects on yield plant-1. Consequently, the study suggests that selection based on traits such as number of fruits-1 plant and average fruit weight would be effective for enhancing yield in snap melon.

Impact Assessment of Integrated Farming System Project on the Socio-economic Status of the Beneficiary Farmers of Bidar District of Karnataka

Integrated farming system (IFS) is recognized as the best solution to the farmers for providing income assurance and nutritional security to the farmers particularly for the small and marginal farmers with limited resources. Looking into the importance of the Integrated farming system, Government of Karnataka has implemented the IFS project to the farming communities of different districts coming under the jurisdictions of the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot from the financial supports of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Hence, the present study at College of Horticulture, Bidar was undertaken as one of the project implemented campus of the University for assessing impact of IFS Phase II on the beneficiary farmers of Bidar district. Initially, this project has created awareness about the IFS project among the selected beneficiaries through training programmes and then distributed the farm inputs like vegetable seeds, field crop seeds, vegetable seedlings, fruit grafts, nutrient specials, bio-fertilizers, and farm implements like battery operated sprayers, seedling planters and cycle weeders. The study found that, before implantation of the project, the farmers in the Bidar districts were generally growing Redgram with intercropping of Greengram/ Blackgram/Jowar/Soyabean and sugarcane crop, after implantation of the IFS project, there was a change in crops cultivation to the horticultural crops. The farmers who had received the benefits of seeds/seedlings and the technical information at free of cost for the cultivation of the horticultural crops, it was observed that, papaya crops growers were realised higher net profits of Rs. 1,10,988 per acre with the B:C ratio of 1.45, followed by the farmers of marigold crop (Rs. 1,01,881/acre), watermelon (Rs. 84459/acre), onion (Rs. 72,938/acre), chilli (Rs. 49,023/ acre) and Brinjal (Rs. 39,801/acre). Further, it was found that, the use of farm machineries like sprayers, farmers reduced the cost and time requirment of labour for spraying of pesticides. Similarly, famers used cycle weeders have opined that, for weeding men and women labours requiremnt was reduced to the tune of 12 to 15 days/ acre for men labours and 8-9 man days/acre for women labour and the use of Vegetable Handy Planter resulted in reduction labour and time requirment in planting of seedlings to the tune of 40 to 50 per cent of time duration. Hence, in overall, the IFS project interventions have benefited the farmers economically for minimizing the cost of production through availing the inputs at free of cost and also helps them for realizing the higher income from adoption of the best technologies given through the university.