Kufri Chandramukhi Research Articles

Studies on the Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management in Growth of Potato (Cv. Kufri Chandramukhi) Cultivation under Telangana Conditions

Aim: To study the effect of integrated nutrient management in growth of potato. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in RBD with 13 treatments and replicated thrice. Place and Duration of Study: The present investigation was carried out at Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Mulugu, Siddipet district, Telangana during the rabi, 2021-22 and rabi, 2022-23. Results: Among the treatments, T12 treatment (75 % Recommended dose of NPK+ Organic NPK with micronutrients + Organic NPK + Organic based micronutrients + Organic phosphorus + Organic potash) was recorded significantly highest growth parameters like plant height (53.10 cm and 71.74 cm), leaf length (24.09 cm and 25.74 cm), leaf width (16.29 cm and 21.03 cm), leaf area (119.40 cm2 and 157.41 cm2), leaf area index (0.133 and 0.175), plant spreading (52.00 cm at E-W & 49.85 cm at N-S and 69.00 cm at E-W & 68.50 cm at N-S) and stem diameter (0.60 cm and 1.15 cm) at 30 and 60 DAP respectively. While number of main stems per plant was not affected by the imposed treatments during both the seasons.

Effect of calcium and magnesium nutrition on vegetative growth and tuber yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum)

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate on the growth and tuber yield in potato (Solanum tuberosum L). Experiment was carried out in split-plot design comprising of nine calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate treatments i.e.T1- Ca(NO3)2 @ 0.5%, T2- Ca(NO3)2 @ 1%, T3- Ca(NO3)2 @ 2%, T4- MgSO4 @ 0.5%, T5- MgSO4 @ 1%, T6- MgSO4 @ 2%, T7- Ca(NO3)2 @ 1% + MgSO4 @ 1%, T8- Ca(NO3)2 @ 2% + MgSO4 @ 2%, T9- Control on two potato varieties i.e. Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Chandramukhi. Data collected on different parameters were analyzed using CPCS1 software. Among all the calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate treatments, application of Ca(NO3)2 @ 2% + MgSO4 @ 2% was found to be the best for most of the parameters studied and between the varieties Kufri Jyoti was found highly significant for the different parameters under study. Hence it can be concluded that commercial cultivation of potato in the central region of Punjab can be successfully supplemented with application of Ca (NO3)2 + MgSO4 and variety Kufri Jyoti.

Growth and Quality Responses to Plant Spacing in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties

The present investigation was conducted during winter season of 2020 at Experimental Farm of Vegetable Sciences, DAV University, Jalandhar to study the growth and quality responses to plant spacing in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties. Experimental material consisted of four varieties (Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Badshah, Kufri Chandramukhi) sown at three spacings (70 cm × 20 cm, 60 cm × 20 cm, 50 cm × 20 cm) and laid in Factorial Randomized Block design with three replications. Observations on number of leaves per plant at 30 DAS, number of leaves per plant at 60 DAS, number of leaves per plant at 90 DAS, Plant height (cm) at 30 Days After Sowing (DAS), Plant height (cm) at 60 DAS, Plant height (cm) at 90 DAS, average tuber weight (g), number of tuber plant, marketable tuber yield per plot (kg), unmarketable tuber yield per plot (kg),tuber yield per plot (kg), TSS, ascorbic acid (mg/100g), starch content (%) and dry matter content (%) were recorded. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed significant effect of spacing, varieties and their interaction for all the characters under study. It was observed that plants sown at spacing S1 (70 cm × 20 cm) resulted in superior performance for most of the traits studied. Among cultivars, desirable results were observed in V1 (Kufri Pukhraj). Considering the interaction of varieties and spacing it was concluded that Kufri Pukhraj sown at a spacing of 70 cm × 20 cm can result in superior performance with respect to growth, yield, and quality parameters of potato.

Genome-Wide Analysis of TIR-NBS-LRR Gene Family in Potato Identified StTNLC7G2 Inducing Reactive Oxygen Species in Presence of Alternaria solani.

Resistance gene analogs (RGAs) comprising NBS-LRR gene family members are considered prominent candidates in the development of disease-resistant genotypes. NBS-LRR gene family comprised a very large number of genes; therefore, members of one subfamily TIR-NBS-LRR (TNL) are identified in the present study from Solanum tuberosum genome, followed by their bioinformatics characterization. The study identified a total of 44 genes encoding 60 TNL transcripts with two prominent clusters at chromosome 1 and chromosome 11. Expression analysis of 14 TNL genes after Alternaria solani infection at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days post inoculation in two disease-tolerant varieties, Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Pukhraj, and one relatively susceptible variety, Kufri Chandramukhi, showed differential expression of many genes including a high expression (>15-fold) of StTNLC6G2T1 and StTNLC11G9T1. Functional characterization of one such gene, StTNLC7G2, reveals involvement in the generation of reactive oxygen species under A. solani attack, implicating its putative role in plant defense via hypersensitive response.

Evaluation of Quality Parameters of Seven Processing Type Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cultivars in the Eastern Sub-Himalayan Plains.

The eastern sub-Himalayan plain of India is a popular potato growing belt in which vast scope exists to introduce processing grade cultivars. The selection and introduction of a better quality processing grade cultivar in this region may pave the way for the processing industries. Keeping these in the backdrop, this study was conducted at Instructional Farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya (UBKV), Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India under eastern sub-Himalayan plains during winter seasons of 2016–17 and 2017–18 in which seven processing type potato cultivars (Kufri Chipsona-1, Kufri Chipsona-3, Kufri Chipsona-4, Kufri Frysona, Kufri Himsona, Kufri Surya and Kufri Chandramukhi) were evaluated in terms of different quality parameters pre-requisite for chips processing viz., dry matter content, specific gravity, starch content, chips colour score, crispiness and hardness of chips through randomised complete block design (RCBD). The study revealed wide variation in all quality parameters amongst the cultivars. Cultivar ‘Kufri Frysona’ showed the highest specific gravity (1.121) as well as dry matter content (23.35%) followed by ‘Kufri Chipsona-3’. The cultivar ‘Kufri Frysona’ showed the highest starch content (28.52%) too. Chips prepared from ‘Kufri Chipsona-1’ were recorded to be crispier with a relatively lower value of deformation before the first break and less hardness value. All processing type potato cultivar reflected the chips colour score <3 (evaluated, based on 1–10 scale, 10 being the darkest and least desirable) though ‘Kufri Frysona’ had the lowest chips colour score (1.50) signifying its superiority for the region. ‘Kufri Frysona’ cultivation could be recommended in this agro-climatic region particularly for chips manufacturing potato industries.

Evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant efficacy of hydro ethanol extract of peels of Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Chipsona‐3, and Kufri Jyoti potato varieties alone and in combination

AbstractThe potato processing industries generate substantial quantities of phenolic‐rich potato peels as waste by‐products that could be valuable natural sources of antimicrobials and antioxidants in food industry. The present study is aimed to evaluate antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of hydro ethanol extract of peels of three commonly used potato varieties (Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Chipsona‐3, and Kufri Jyoti) alone and in combination along with cytotoxicity evaluation. At their individual effect, antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of potato peel extracts were found to be in the following decreasing order: Kufri Chisona‐3 &gt; Kufri Jyoti &gt; Kufri Chandramukhi. In combination, peel extracts of Kufri Chipsona‐3/Kufri Jyoti blend demonstrated synergistic antimicrobial and antioxidant interactions whereas other tested combinations showed additive antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. The peel extracts of Kufri Chipsona‐3/Kufri Jyoti blend did not show any cytotoxic effect up to 1000 μg/ml concentration. Besides, a high positive correlation between total phenolic contents and antimicrobial activity of potato peel extracts was observed. The results provide evidence that hydro ethanol extract of potato peels of Kufri Chipsona‐3/Kufri Jyoti blend may help in designing a more potent safe and effective novel natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agents in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Validation of molecular response of tuberization in response to elevated temperature by using a transient Virus Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) in potato.

Temperature plays an important role in potato tuberization. The ideal night temperature for tuber formation is ~17 °C while temperature beyond 22 °C drastically reduces the tuber yield. Moreover, high temperature has several undesirable effects on the plant and tubers. Investigation of the genes involved in tuberization under heat stress can be helpful in the generation of heat-tolerant potato varieties. Five genes, including StSSH2 (succinic semialdehyde reductase isoform 2), StWTF (WRKY transcription factor), StUGT (UDP-glucosyltransferase), StBHP (Bel1 homeotic protein), and StFLTP (FLOWERING LOCUS T protein), involved in tuberization and heat stress in potato were investigated. The results of our microarray analysis suggested that these genes regulate and function as transcriptional factors, hormonal signaling, cellular homeostasis, and mobile tuberization signals under elevated temperature in contrasting KS (Kufri Surya) and KCM (Kufri Chandramukhi) potato cultivars. However, no detailed report is available which establishes functions of these genes in tuberization under heat stress. Thus, the present study was designed to validate the functions of these genes in tuber signaling and heat tolerance using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). Results indicated that VIGS transformed plants had a consequential reduction in StSSH2, StWTF, StUGT, StBHP, and StFLTP transcripts compared to the control plants. Phenotypic observations suggest an increase in plant senescence, reductions to both number and size of tubers, and a decrease in plant dry matter compared to the control plants. We also establish the potency of VIGS as a high-throughput technique for functional validation of genes.

Solanum tuberosum (CYCLING DOF FACTOR) CDF1.2 allele: A candidate gene for developing earliness in potato

Circadian clock regulated CDF (CYCLING DOF FACTORs) are a cluster of transcriptional repressors, that accentuates a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for earliness in potato. Earliness in the plant is a desirable agronomic trait for higher productivity and also enable it to withstand various biotic and abiotic stresses. Since potato is a temperate crop, its tropicalization in the Indian subcontinent is a major agricultural challenge. StCDF1 induce a photoperiod-dependent tuberization pathway by interacting with other molecular regulators such as CONSTANS (StCO1/2) and StSP6A. The present study was conducted to elucidate the allelic variation, expression, role in flowering and tuberization of StCDF1 in contrasting tuberization behaviour of diverse Indian potato cultivars, Kufri Surya (KS) and Kufri Chandramukhi (KCM). Our results confirmed two allelic forms of StCDF1 viz. CDF1.2 and CDF1.3. Their expression profile suggests a higher upregulation of both CDF1.2 and CDF1.3 expression at dawn (6:00 am) than noon (12:00 pm). Virus-Induced Gene Silencing was used to validate the role of these alleles with respect to earliness and tuberization in KS. Real-time confirmed the upregulation of StCO and StSP5G and downregulation of StSP6A in VIGS plants. Phenotypic observations suggested delayed tuberization and a low tuber number in VIGS plants. This present study confirms the allelic variation, the importance and functionality of StCDF1.2 in conferring earliness in tetraploid potato cultivars.

Chemical profiling, cytotoxicity study and assessment of antioxidant potential of hydro-ethanol extract of peels of some selected varieties of potato in various in vitro models and in lipid substrate enriched with omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids have immense health benefits. But developing omega-3 fatty acids fortified food is a challenging task. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible antioxidant potential of hydro ethanol extract of peels of five selected varieties of potatoes (Kufri Chipsona-1, Kufri Chipsona-3, Kufri Chipsona-4, Kufri Chandramukhi and Kufri Jyoti) in various in vitro models and in lipid substrate enriched with omega-3 fatty acids. In vitro antioxidant potential was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging, β-carotene linoleic acid bleaching and Fe2+ ion chelating methods. Anti-lipid peroxidation potential was evaluated in omega-3 fatty acids-enriched bulk oil and oil-in-water emulsion model systems using peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (p-AV) and TOTOX value as indicators of oxidation. Chemical characterization of compounds was performed by LC–ESI–MS/MS analysis and cytotoxic potential was evaluated by brine shrimp lethality assay. Among the peel extracts tested, Kufri Chipsona-3 potato peel extract was found to be most effective antioxidant in both the test model systems followed by Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Chandramukhi. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids and anthocyanidins as major constituents of these three potent extracts. These potent potato peel extracts were also found to be non-toxic at recommended dosage level (LC50 > 1000 µg/ml). The results provide evidence that peel extract of these three potato varieties, especially Kufri Chipsona-3, may serve as a potential source of natural antioxidants for retarding oxidation of omega-3 fatty acids-enriched food supplement which subsequently may help in developing omega-3 fatty acids fortified foods.

Influence of bio-chemical constituents of potato varieties on the incidence of insect pests in Andhra Pradesh

Studies were conducted to know the influence of bio-chemical constituents in potato varieties on insect pests in two different locations in the West and East Godavari Districts of Andhra Pradesh. Bio-chemical parameters viz., moisture content (%), sugars (%), protein (mg/100g) and phenol content (mg/100g) were estimated from eight different varieties of potato viz., Kufri Badshah, Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Khyati, Kufri himalini, Kufri surya, Kufri chipsona-3 and Kufri Phukraj grown in two locations (L1 and L2). Results revealed highest phenol content in the variety Kufri Badshah (91.10 mg/100g) in L1, Kufri Himalini variety (86.28 mg/100g) in L2 and both these varieties were significantly negatively correlated with insect pest’s incidence. Subsequently, other bio-chemical parameters viz., moisture content, sugars [reducing and total] and protein content were significantly positively correlated with insect pest’s incidence in all the eight varieties in both the locations. Consequently Kufri Badshah in L1 and Kufri Himalini in L2 had less pest incidence which might be due to their bio-chemical composition

Performance evaluation of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties under Northern Plainsof India

A field experiment was conducted at Allahabad in order to evaluate the performance of different Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties under the climatic conditions of Northern Plains of India.The experiment was carried out for two consecutive years i.e., during 2015-16 and 2016-17to assess the morphology, physiological behaviour of these potato varieties/strains under a similar set of agro-climatic conditions. All the potato varieties/strainsviz.E-4486,JI-5857, JI-1804, JI-1808, JG-224, JG-657,JE-808, JF-110, JF-27, JF-547,JG-1134, Fr/B-10, JH-222, EM/H- 1601,JF-4864, JF-5106, JF-4915,JH-49,JH-516,JI-5871,FR-B-4,FR-B-4,FR/B-21,FR.B-105,G-2524,Kufri Sheetman, Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Bahar, Kufri Lalima, Kufri Badshah, Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Alankar and Kufri Sinduri were replicated thrice under randomized block design. Important information on different aspects like tuber sprouting, plant growth and development and yield was gathered in all the treatments.Potato variety JH-222 was the best performer followed by JG-224, E-4486, JF-547, Kufri Bahar, FR/B-10, Kufri Badshah, JF-110, Kufri Chandramukhi, EM/H-1601, Kufri Alankar, JF-27, JG-1334 and JE-808.

High density planting of potato (Solanum tuberosum) minitubers for increased seed productivity

The experiment was designed to evaluate flatbed planting and density of early potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) seed generation of small minitubers produced under net house conditions of North-western plains. Two varieties Kufri Chandramukhi and Kufri Surya were used in the experiments conducted in 2015–17. The flatbed planting at different plant densities (30×10, 20×10, 15×10 and 10×10 cm) was compared with prevalent ridge and furrow method having 30×10 cm row to row spacing as control in net house.Growth characters (plant height, number of leaves) along with yield parameters (yield, total number of tubers, undersize and seed size tubers) were evaluated for the treatments on per meter square basis. The spacing of 10×10 cm on flat bed significantly outperformed the other treatments in yield as well as total number of tubers. On an average the flat bed planting at 10×10 cm provided a benefit of twice the number of tubers and 1.4 times the yield over control ridge and furrow planting, yielding 259.74 tubers and 5.69 kg on per square metre area basis.The economics of this method was compared to the standard ridge and furrow method, where 1.7 times higher net profit was estimated. The adoption of flat bed planting in net house has tremendous potential in doubling the overall seed production and profitability, which would be itself favourable in advanced seed production generations.

Bioactive compounds, nutritional and antioxidant activities of potato flour as affected by varietal differences and storage

This study evaluated the effect of cultivars and storage on the nutritionally important contents (i.e. starch, protein, fat and ash), bioactive contents (i.e. total phenolic and ascorbic acid) and total antioxidant activities of potato flours prepared from three potato cultivars, namely ‘Kufri Chipsona-2’, ‘Kufri Chandramukhi’ and ‘Kufri Jyoti’. Significant (p>0.05) varietal differences occurred in all the nutritional parameters studied. Processing of fresh potato tubers into flour significantly affected the concentration of bioactive components in all the cultivars. All nutrient components remained unaffected with the exception of moisture which increased during storage. Slight reductions in bioactive components and total antioxidant activities of potato flour occurred during storage. Among the cultivars studied, ‘Kufri Chipsona-2’and ‘Kufri Chandramukhi'were best forprocessing into potato flourdue to low reducing sugars, high dry matter content and high flour yield.

Formulations for preparation of ‘Aloo bhujia’ from medium and high sugar potato varieties

Aloo bhujia was prepared from potato varieties which are otherwise considered unsuitable for processing. Potatoes (boiled and dehydrated) were incorporated at 50% to Bengal gram flour and rice flour which served as base flours using traditional recipe. Results indicated that aloo bhujia prepared from Kufri Chipsona-1 and Kufri Chandramukhi had significantly (p<0.05) lower oil uptake than from Kufri Pukhraj. Bhujia prepared from Kufri Pukhraj, a table variety which is considered unfit for processing, displayed the highest phytochemical content (ascorbic acid 14.12 mg/100g and total phenolics 263.7 mg GAE/100g) and antioxidant activity (90.06%). Between the treatments i.e. boiled mash and dehydrated flour, boiled potato mash incorporated bhujia showed significantly (p<0.05) higher content of phytochemicals and total antioxidant activity compared to potato flour bhujia. However, no significant (p<0.05) difference was observed in sensory quality of the product prepared either with fresh potato mash or dehydrated flour and the product displayed excellent keeping quality during the entire storage period with its nutrients intact.

Incidence of apical leaf curl disease (ToLCNDV), and economics and reaction of potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars against whitefly, Bemisia tabaci in northern India

Whitefly transmissible Gemini virus, Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus-potato (ToLCNDV-potato) causing potato apical leaf curl disease has been posing serious threat to both seed and ware potato production in northern India. Two sets of field and laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the incidence of Bemisia tabaci and ToLNDV-potato under sprayed and unsprayed conditions of nine most commonly cultivated potato varieties during two consecutive years. Besides, that varietal response to B. tabaci and ToLCNDV-potato was also evaluated. The whitefly population significantly varied on potato cultivars sprayed and unsprayed conditions. Minimum incidence of B. tabaci was recorded in Kufri Bahar (5.0/5 plant) and Kufri Khyati (7.0/ 5 plant) when crop was sprayed by three insecticide sprays. The maximum incidence of whitefly (15.33/5 plant) was recorded in Kufri Pukhraj followed by Kufri Chipsona-1 (15.0/5 plant) when crop remain unsprayed. The higher population of whitefly was recorded in the year 2013-14 as compared to 2014-15. The maximum yield and highest cost: benefit ratio was found in the three sprays treatment of cv. Kufri Khyati followed by Kufri Garima. PCR results revealed that most common 22 potato cultivars grown in the country acquired ToLNDV-potato in due course of time, however some of potato cultivars like Kufri Anand, Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Chipsona 1, Kufri Chipsona 2, Kufri Chipsona 4, Kufri Gaurav, Kufri Himalini, Kufri Khyati, Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri Satlej acquired ToLNDV-potato very quickly and showed positive reaction in of October. The sample of whitefly drawn from the respective potato cultivars in of October also exhibited positive reaction as per retaining the virus with almost same trend of potato cultivars. Thus, it is concluded that potato cultivars must be well protected using Imidacloprid followed by Thiamethoxam and Imidacloprid insecticides, first spray on 20 days after planting followed by second and third sprays on 35 and 42 days after planting, respectively for suppression of whitefly population and effective management of apical leaf curl disease, especially crop grown for seed purpose.

Effect of packaging material and storage conditions on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) microtuber storability

An experiment was conducted at the ICAR-Central Potato Research Station, Gwalior (MP) during 2012-13 to study best packaging material and storage conditions for short term storage of potato microtubers of important varieties. Ten Micro tubers each of three popular varieties viz Kufri Sindhuri, Kufri Lauvkar and Kufri Chandramukhi (KCM) were packed in 5 packaging materials/ storage containers viz polythene without ventilation, polythene with ventilation, conical flask with cotton plug, conical flask with plastic cap and petri plates and kept in three storage condition viz ambient temperature, refrigerator (40C) and plant growth chamber (30C). After 45 days of storage of potato microtubers, at 5 per cent level of significance both percent overall weight loss and driage/ rottage was significantly low in polythene without ventilation (13.19 and 10.37 respectively) among packaging material and among storage conditions, at 5 per cent level of significance both percent overall weight loss and driage/ rottage was signifi-cantly low in growth chamber condition of 40C (12.77 and 12.44 respectively) over other two storage conditions. Kufri Sindhuri recorded significantly lowest overall percent weight loss (17.95) and driage/ rottage (8.00) at 5 percent level of significance over KCM and Kufri Lauvkar. Kufri Sindhuri has better storability under growth chamber condition at 30C in polythene without ventilation packaging up to 45 days.

Efficient, one step and cultivar independent shoot organogenesis of potato.

An efficient, one step and genotype independent protocol of shoot organogenesis was developed from leaf and internodal explants taken from microshoots of different cultivars of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Initially, microshoots were cultured on basal Murashige and Skoog medium additionally supplemented with 10µM AgNO3 (MS1 medium) to achieve healthy shoot growth required to get the quality explants. Shoot organogenesis was induced from both types of explants (leaf and internodal) on MS1 medium variously supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA) and gibberellic acid (GA3). Maximum explants were induced shoot organogenesis on MS1 medium supplemented with 10µM BA and 15.0µM GA3 from both the cultivars namely 'Kufri Chipsona 1' and 'Kufri Pukhraj'. Among the types of explants used, better response was observed from internodal segments as compared to leafs. This optimized medium combination was found to be equally effective for all the eight cultivars tested namely 'Kufri Pukhraj', 'Kufri Chipsona 1', 'Kufri Chipsona 2', 'Kufri Jyoti', 'Kufri Surya', 'Kufri Chandramukhi', 'Kufri Khyati' and 'Desiree'. The clonal uniformity of the regenerated shoots was confirmed using random amplified polymorphic DNA and inter-simple sequence repeats markers.

Standardization of planting date for potato (Solanum tuberosum) breeder seed production in Gwalior region of north central india under prevailing climatic situations

A field experiment was conducted at the Central Potato Research Station, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh during 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 for standardization of planting date for Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) breeder seed production with five planting dates, viz. 10 October, 17 October, 24 October, 31 October and 7 November with three popular varieties namely Kufri Chandramukhi (early medium), Kufri Sindhuri (late) and Kufri Chipsona-1(medium). The experiment was planted in three replication in split plot design. Seed production was done as per standard seed plot technique. Days to emergence were significantly delayed in 2012-13 and in 10 October (10.4 days) planting. Final emergence was significantly higher in 2014-15 (93.27%) and in 7 November (91.93%) and in Kufri Sindhuri (91.19%). 2014-15 planting and Kufri Sindhuri and Kufri Chipsona 1 recorded significantly higher growth attributing parameters, viz. stem number, compound leaves and plant height. Significantly higher stem number were recorded in 24 October (4.2) and onward planting. All the other four date of planting recorded significantly higher compound leaves/plant over 31 October planting (38). Decreasing trend in case of plant height was recorded with delay in planting.Significantly higher total tuber number and yield/ha was recorded in planting year 2013-14 and from 24 October, 31 October and 7 November planting over other two earlier planting date and highest was in 7 November planting date (634 thousand/ha and 25.39 tonnes/ha). Significantly higher tuber number and weight was recorded in Kufri Sindhuri (669 thousand/ha and 23.87 tonnes/ha) and Kufri Chipsona 1 (551 thousand/ha and 23.87 tonnes/ha) over Kufri Chandramukhi. Severe mosaic, mild mosaic and off type in each date of planting and varieties were far below maximum permissible limit under Indian minimum seed certification standards. Aphid population (weekly) were below critical limit in all the planting years, date of planting and varieties and lowest was found in year 2014-15, 31 October and 7 November planting and in Kufri Chandramukhi, respectively. Breeder seed production under prevailing climatic situation can be done by planting breeder seed crop during 1 week of November in Gwalior region of north central India.

Levels of Organochlorinated Pesticide Residues in Vegetables

ABSTRACTContamination of soil and crops with organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues is a public health problem. This study was conducted to assess residue levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachloro-cyclohexane (HCH), endosulfan, aldrin, and dieldrin in tissues of eggplant (Solanum melongena L., cv. GJB-3), potato (S. tuberosum L., cv. Kufri Chandramukhi), tomato (S. lycopersicum L., cv. Gujarat Tomato-2), onion (Allium cepa L., cv. Pusa White Round), beet (Beta vulgaris L., cv. Detroit dark red), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L., cv. Pusa Bharati), and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L., cv. Pusa Ageti). Total concentrations of OCP residues ranged from 0.31 to 109.03 μg·kg−1 (wet weight). All samples had some contamination of 1, or more, OCP residues. Mean concentrations of ΣDDT, ΣHCH, Σendosulfan, Aldrin, and dieldrin over all vegetables were 27.01 ± 2.67, 23.13 ± 3.92, 9.97 ± 1.83, 1.43 ± 0.79, and 1.06 ± 0.37 μg·kg−1 (wet weight), respectively. The maximum OCP residue accumulation was in root vegetables, followed by leafy and fruit vegetables. Levels of OCP residues were below the recommended maximum residue limits set by the European Commission and Indian government except for levels for dieldrin, making the vegetables unsafe for human consumption.

Development and quality characteristics of nutritionally enhanced potato legume based wari- an Indian traditional savoury.

The present study was carried out to develop waris from potato and legume blends and to analyze them for organoleptic, physicochemical, phytochemical and shelf life quality. Wari is a partially fermented legume based savoury, used as adjunct in vegetable curries. In this study, potato (boiled and dehydrated) was used to supplement black gram or urad dhal waris. Two processing cultivars (Kufri Chipsona-1, Kufri Chandramukhi) and one commonly grown cultivar (Kufri Pukhraj) were evaluated for processing into waris. Based on preliminary sensory trails, waris with potato (70%) and urad dhal (30%) level of supplementation were found to be most acceptable and these waris were subjected to nutritional evaluation. Storage stability of the waris was assessed by storing the product at room temperature for a period of 12months. Results were compared with dhal waris (control). Protein content was significantly higher in control waris compared to potato supplemented waris. Bioactive compounds including ascorbic acid, total phenolics and total antioxidant activity measured as DPPH radical scavenging activity increased significantly on incorporation of potato. Between the cultivars, waris enriched with Kufri Pukhraj, a table variety which is considered unfit for processing, displayed the highest phytochemical content and total antioxidant activity. Sensory evaluation indicated higher overall acceptability scores of potato enriched waris compared to control waris. Between the treatments i.e. boiled mash and dehydrated flour, waris supplemented with boiled potato mash showed a significantly higher content of phytochemicals and total antioxidant activity compared to potato flour waris. However no significant difference was observed in sensory quality of the product prepared either with fresh potato mash or potato flour. Storage studies showed that the potato waris can be stored safely for 12months with its nutrient constituents intact.