Maximum Leaf Area Research Articles

Effect of Drought Stress and Different Levels of Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilizers on the Accumulation of Osmolytes and Chlorophyll in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Management of plant nutrition using fertilizers is an approach to deal with drought and to increase water productivity in paddies. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the effects of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers and drought stress on water use efficiency (WUE) and physiological traits of Gilaneh rice in split-plot experiments based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments were irrigation intervals (flood irrigation and irrigation at 10 days) as the main factor and different levels of nitrogen (0, 60, and 120 kg ha−1) and potassium (0, 80 and 160 kg ha−1) fertilizers as a subfactor. Results showed that WUE and proline content increased by changing the moisture regime from flood irrigation to 10 days in all levels of fertilizers. The highest WUE (0.764 kg m−3) was observed in the treatment of N fertilizer of 60 kg ha−1 with 160 kg ha−1 of K fertilizer in the 10-day irrigation. The highest plant proline content (16.3 mg g−1 FW) was observed in 160 kg ha−1 of K fertilizer during 10-day irrigation. On the other hand, relative water content, chlorophyll a and b contents, carotenoids, maximum leaf area, and leaf area duration decreased with drought stress at all fertilizer levels. At the stress level, however, the application of fertilizers, in particular N fertilizer treatment, led to improvements in these traits. Given the scarcity of water resources in the country, therefore, WUE and other inputs can be improved in such strategic crops as rice with proper management of plant nutrition.

Comparison of Growth Responses in Sorghum Genotypes and Corn Grown in Arid Regions Under Different Levels of Water and Nitrogen Supplies

Improving the productivity of cropping systems in terms of irrigation water use and nitrogen (N) fertilizer and exploring the associated effective physiological traits are priorities mostly in water-limited areas. Therefore, this field experiment was conducted on a clay loam soil (thermic family of Typic Haplargids) in central Iran with the three planting dates of 2016 (June 30), early 2017 (June 10), and late 2017 (July 11). Three forage sorghum genotypes including SF002, SF001, and Pegah, three grain sorghum genotypes of MGS5, GS24, GS28, and one common corn hybrid were grown under two irrigation regimes (55% and 85% of the maximum allowable depletion – MAD) as well as two N levels (0 and 112.5 kg N ha−1 in the form of urea, 46% N). The results showed considerable genetic variation among the sorghum genotypes in terms of yield. Due to water-limited conditions, the grain and biomass yields of the corn hybrid were decreased more those of sorghum genotypes. However, higher potential sorghum genotypes recorded total dry biomass (shoot biomass and grain yield) values similar to those of corn under both normal and deficit irrigation regimes. On the other hand, the grain share of the total biomass in the corn hybrid was higher in the two irrigation regimes. Under deficit irrigation, the use efficiency values of irrigation water (IWUEb) and N fertilizer (NUEb) for the biomass yield in Pegah and GS24 were higher than those in the corn hybrid. However, IWUEg and NUEg in corn were significantly higher under both irrigation regimes compared to those recorded for even the high-yield potential genotypes of the grain and forage sorghum. The positive effects of N application on the plants declined under water-limited stress, but the negative effects of water deficit stress were reduced with N application, while dry matter and grain yield increased as a consequence of the increase in the maximum leaf area index, chlorophyll <em>a</em>, chlorophyll <em>b</em>, and carotenoid contents, as well as the enhanced antioxidant activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase enzymes. It can be concluded that the corn-based planting system is superior to sorghum even under low irrigation conditions, and N supply could moderate the negative effects of water shortage stress on plant growth.

Physiological traits, yield, and yield components relationship in winter and spring canola.

Understanding the relationship between physiological traits with yield and yield components is an essential step towards developing high-yielding and high-quality canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars. This study aimed to explore further the relationship between some physiological features, including radiation use efficiency (RUE), and seed yield in canola. Significant differences were found among cultivars regarding maximum leaf area index (LAImax ) and required days to achieve maximum LAI (DLAImax ). All cultivars obtained the minimum LAI required to intercept 90% of the incident radiation, but at different times. Some cultivars like SW102 and Shirali had the same fraction of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR) when LAI was maximal, but SW102 had higher IPAR. This indicated that SW102 was more efficient in irradiation capacity and may have a higher photosynthesis rate when exposed to the high irradiation conditions. The average canola RUE in the current study was 3.80 and 3.63 g MJ-1 m-2 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. In general, the crop growth rate was higher in the first year than in the second year due to the fewer cloudy days and more incident radiation. Results indicated that duration of growth, crop growth rate, and harvest index were crucial for enhancing biomass and seed yield. Also, a relatively high correlation was found between the RUE and DLAImax . The cultivars that reached their maximum LAI later demonstrated higher RUE, and consequently had higher biological and seed yield. The results obtained could be used to develop an improved canola crop growth model and breeding programs. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Accounting for field-scale heterogeneity in the ecohydrological modeling of large arid river basins: Strategies and relevance

It remains a great challenge to represent field-scale (e.g., meters to tens of meters) heterogeneity in the ecohydrological modeling of large river basins due to the tradeoff between spatial resolution and computational cost. This study improved an existing ecohydrological model, HEIFLOW, by introducing the subgrid structure of land cover, multilayer soil water simulation and accurate spatial coverage of irrigation within the grid. These improvements enable the model to provide reliable simulations over a wide spectrum of spatial scales, from the field scale to the large-basin scale (i.e., 104 to 105 km2). The new model was implemented in the Heihe River Basin, the second largest endorheic river basin in China, with a grid size of 1 km by 1 km for a modeling domain of approximately 90,589 km2. The major study findings include the following. First, in arid areas with sparse vegetation, ignoring the subgrid characteristics of land surfaces will lead to significant errors that may be further propagated when the modeling results are used to support management or scaled up for larger-scale climate modeling. Second, the multilayer soil structure can improve ecohydrological simulations in terms of temporal variations, and it is necessary to separate a thin surface layer from the soil zone in arid areas. In the case study, a single-layer soil structure would introduce greater than 10% error in simulating the annual maximum leaf area index (LAI). Third, considering the accurate spatial coverage of irrigation within the grid cell is critical for successful simulations of ecohydrological processes in arid areas. In the case study, accurate spatial coverage would lead to −31%, +46%, and +13% changes in the simulated average soil evaporation, transpiration and LAI, respectively, over the entire area with irrigation. Overall, this study provides a unique perspective to address the scale issue in ecohydrological modeling and reveals the importance of field-scale heterogeneity to the management of water resources and ecosystems based on ecohydrological modeling.

Spectral discrimination using infinite leaf reflectance and simulated canopy reflectance

ABSTRACT An important application of hyperspectral remote sensing is monitoring the diversity of plant species and functional types, which correlate with differences of leaf chemical constituents. Diffuse reflectance of an infinitely thick leaf ( R ∞) is directly related to chemical absorbance and may be calculated from leaf spectral reflectance and transmittance based on Kubelka-Munk theory or other radiative transfer models. The PROSPECT-D leaf optics model was used to create leaf optical properties of nine pseudo-species, and R ∞ were calculated using Stokes’, Lillesaeter’s, Goudriaan’s, and Hapke’s equations. Conceptually, R ∞ is assumed to equal canopy reflectance (canopy ρ ) at maximum leaf area index. For each pseudo-species, canopy ρ at a leaf area index of 10 was obtained using the PROSAIL model, but the simulated canopy ρ did not match R ∞. Similarity between R ∞ and canopy ρ for each pseudo-species was calculated using five spectral information metrics: Euclidean distance (ED), an adjusted spectral correlation measure (SCM), spectral angle mapper (SAM), spectral information divergence (SID), and the product of SID × sin(SAM). Differences using ED between canopy ρ and R ∞ were large, especially using Stokes’ equation. However, the SCM, SAM, SID, and SID × sin(SAM) metrics showed R ∞ from the Stokes’ equation was the most similar to canopy ρ , because these metrics are insensitive to differences in magnitude. The combined SID × sin(SAM) metric had the greatest similarity between R ∞ and canopy ρ compared to the other spectral information metrics. While R ∞ was not a good substitute for canopy ρ, R ∞ may be important for assessing differences of leaf chemical composition among species, thereby avoiding effects of taxon-independent factors on canopy ρ .

Relationship between Vessel Formation and Seasonal Changes in Leaf Area of Evergreen and Deciduous Species with Different Vessel Arrangements.

To discuss the diversity of morphological traits and life strategies of trees, the functional relationship between leaf expansion and vessel formation must be clarified. We compared the temporal relationship among tree species with different leaf habits and vessel arrangements. Twigs, leaves, and trunk core samples were periodically acquired from 35 sample trees of nine species in a temperate forest in Japan. We quantitatively estimated leaf expansion using a nonlinear regression model and observed thin sections of twigs and trunks with a light microscope. Almost all of the first-formed vessels in twigs, which formed adjacent to the annual ring border, were lignified with a leaf area between 0% and 70% of the maximum in all species. The first-formed vessels in trunks lignified between 0% and 95% of the maximum leaf area in ring-porous deciduous Quercus serrata and ring-(radial-)porous evergreen Castanopsis cuspidate. Their lignification occurred earlier than in diffuse-porous deciduous Liquidambar styraciflua, diffuse-porous evergreen Cinnamomum camphora and Symplocos prunifolia, and radial-porous evergreen Quercus glauca and Quercus myrsinifolia. The timing varied in semi-ring-porous deciduous Acanthopanax sciadophylloides and diffuse-porous evergreen Ilex pedunculosa. The observed differences in the timing of vessel formation after leaf appearance were reflected in their differing vessel porosities and were connected to the different life strategies among tree species.

Effect of composition of agricultural wastes and biochar as a growing media on the growth of potted Stock (Matthiola incana) and Geranium (Pelargonium spp)

The reuse of organic wastes in agriculture is an appropriate method for environment management and providing nutrients to the plants. The objective of this study is to utilize possibility of agricultural waste as component of growing media and comparative evaluation of best potting media for flower production. The research was conducted at Floriculture Research Area, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. There were total four treatments (garden soil, biochar + peat moss + leaf compost, leaf compost + soil, peanut shell compost + soil, rice straw + soil). Each treatment was replicated three times, having 10 plants each. Different agricultural waste materials such as leaf compost, peanut shell compost, rice straw and biochar were used as source for quality growth of Stock and Geranium. Physio-chemical analysis (N, P, K, pH, EC) were best in the growing media comprising biochar + peat moss + leaf compost. The experiment was arranged according to Completely Randomized Design (CRD) under factorial arrangement. The results regarding maximum plant height (57.4 cm), number of leaves per plant (62.5), root length (43.1 cm), number of flowers (31.6), flower diameter (4.8 cm), evapotranspiration rate (7.38 mol/m2/s), transpiration rate (46.4 mmol/m2/s) and leaf total chlorophyll contents (81.0 SPAD) were recorded in biochar + peat moss + leaf compost media while maximum leaf area (46.58 cm2), photosynthetic rate (2.11 μmol m2/s), stomatal conductance (1.73 mol/m2/s), respiration rate (416.67), internal CO2 (375.67) and minimum days to first flower emergence (43.8) were observed in peanut shell + soil media. Statistically all the parameters were positively correlated with each other.

Optimization of Tensiometer-Based Drip Irrigation Scheduling and Its Effect on Growth, Yield and Water Use Efficiency in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Tensiometer is the most preferred soil moisture monitoring sensor for drip irrigation scheduling in vegetable crops because of its low cost, easy to use and accurate measurement of soil moisture tensions. In tomato, tensiometer-based drip irrigation scheduling along with mulching may reduce evaporation and increase water and nutrient use efficiency. In the present investigation, three irrigation schedulings, i.e. drip irrigation at − 40, − 60 and − 80 kPa, and three mulching treatments (black polythene, BP; paddy straw, PS; and no mulched control) were applied. Experimental findings revealed that scheduling drip irrigation when tensiometer reads at − 40 kPa coupled with BP mulching registered the maximum leaf area (0.648 m2/plant), number of fruits (35.7/plant) and fruit yields (2.72 kg/plant or 891.68 q/ha). The maximum chlorophyll content index (41.8) was observed with − 40 Kpa + PS mulching, while maximum water use efficiency (355.31 kg/ha/mm water) with drip irrigation was at − 60 kPa + BP mulch. The lowest weed growth (31.27 g dry matter/m2) was registered under BP mulching followed by PS mulch (111 g/m2) irrespective of irrigation scheduling.

English

Climate change is one of the serious threats to agriculture and livestock. Climate change induced and reduced water shortage lowers production of food and fodder crops. In order to investigate the effects of deficit irrigation on forage yield of maize (Zea mays L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), and guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) grown as sole or intercropping of maize with cowpea and guar, the fields experiments were conducted during spring 2016 and 2017 in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement. These crops were further exposed to water deficit by skipping irrigation at crop stages following maize growth scale at 15 days (V4), 30 days (V6), 45 days (V9), and 60 days (V12) after sowing along with normal irrigation. Maize intercropped with guar had maximum leaf area, plant height land equivalent ratio and monetary advantage index at normal irrigation but did not differ significantly under deficit irrigation. Thus, maize intercropped with guar was found more productive and beneficial with respect to sole under deficit irrigation. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

Chitosan and salicylic acid: Its role in growth and biochemical characteristics of floral malformation in mango (Mangiferae indica L.)

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the fifth largest cultivated fruit crop globally with the yields of approximately 58.4 million tonnes, second only to banana among the tropical fruit species (FAOSTAT, 2019). Mango malformation (MMD) is an ambiguous disease of mango with the tremendous economic importance throughout the mango growing regions. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Seven different concentrations of chitosan and salicylic acid viz. (Control, 0.25% CT, 0.50% CT, 0.75% CT, 0.20% SA, 0.40% SA and 0.60% SA) were sprayed at three different stages i.e. prior to panicle emergence, pre blooming and full bloom in the month of February to March on two mango cultivars Amrapali (moderately susceptible) and Dashehari (Moderately resistant). The data revealed that chitosan 0.50% shows maximum length of healthy panicle (12.47 cm), malformed panicle (9.45cm), total chlorophyll content (4.90 mg g-1 fr. wt) and phenolic content (296.92) over control. On the contrary, highest weight of healthy panicle (32.33g) and malformed panicle (71.50g) was recorded in 0.60% SA and 0.20% SA treatment. However, maximum leaf area (77.85 cm2) and MDA content (8.56 n molg-1fr. wt.) was at 0.40% salicylic acid treatment over control. Among both the varieties maximum growth characteristics were recorded maximum in Amrapali than Dashehari. However total chlorophyll and phenolic contents was recorded highest in Dashehari as compared to Amrapali. Therefore, it was concluded that protective application of either chitosan or salicylic acid prior to panicle emergence, pre blooming and full bloom reduced the negative effect of mango malformation by increasing growth characteristics and elevate the defense induced antioxidant activities to confer resistance to floral malformation.

Growth and forage yield potential of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) as exploited by sowing dates and plant population

Studies were conducted at two locations viz., Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Moga to evaluate the effect of weather variables caused by sowing dates and seed rate on growth and fodder yield of cowpea. The fourteen treatment combinations comprised of seven dates of sowing i.e. March 5, March 25, April 14, May 4, May 24, June 13 and July 3, and two seed rates i.e. 30 and 37.5 kg ha−1. Crop sown on March 5 took the longest time to emerge and was the only crop to flower. The highest plant height and dry matter accumulation per plant was registered in the sowing of May 4 and March 5, respectively. However, the maximum leaf area, number of branches, green and dry fodder yield was observed in the April 14 sowing. The higher seed rate (37.5 kg ha−1) increased green fodder yield by 8.9 percent over the lower seed rate (30 kg ha−1).

Evaluation of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) genotypes under sub-tropical plains of Jammu region (J&K)

The present investigation was conducted in the Division of Vegetable Science & Floriculture, FoA, Chatha, SKUAST-Jammu (J&K) to evaluate the performance of ten turmeric genotypes under subtropical plains of Jammu region during the year 2019-20. The experiment was laid in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The genotypes used in the present investigation were SJT-09, Prabha, Sugandham, Suroma, Tanda Local, Rajendra Sonia, PH-1, Allepey Supreme, Suguna and Local Chowkichora. The results revealed maximum plant height (101.06cm) and Leaf Area Index (7.43) in genotype Suroma whereas maximum number of leaves per plant was recorded in Tanda Local (7.83). However, SJT-09 recorded the maximum number of fingers per rhizome (15.38) and length of fingers per rhizome (4.22 cm) whereas girth of fingers per rhizome (cm) was statistically non significant. In case of yield parameters, the maximum rhizome yield per plot and rhizome yield was recorded in SJT-09 (18.38 kg and 20.39 t/ha respectively). Among all the genotypes, minimum crop duration was recorded in Prabha (201 days). With respect to quality parameters, highest curcumin content was recorded in Rajendra Sonia (6.43%) which was statistically at par with SJT-09 (6.43) whereas maximum dry recovery was also recorded in SJT-09 (20.60%). Based on the results of our study, turmeric line SJT-09 was found to be most promising both in terms of yield as well as quality and can be promoted for cultivation under subtropical plains of Jammu region.

Study on quinolone accumulation and growth inhibition induced by quinolone levels of hydroponics

Residual antibiotics can enter soil and water bodies through organic fertilizers with food safety risk via plants absorption, while how do plant growth and quinolone accumulation respond to residual antibiotics levels in soil or water is not clear. Hydroponic experiment in greenhouse was conducted with floating seedlings of tobacco as model plant to investigate the responses of quinolone antibiotics accumulation and plant growth to different levels of ciprofloxacin (CIP) and norfloxacin (NOR). Results showed that CIP and NOR inhibited the growth of tobacco seedlings. The plant height, stem circumference, maximum leaf width, and maximum leaf area of tobacco seedlings were significantly decreased. So as to the plant biomass of leaves, stems, and roots. Accumulation of CIP in the tobacco seedlings in the T3 was 1.1 times that of the tobacco seedlings in the T1, NOR in the T4 was 1.2 times that of the tobacco seedlings in the T1. And the higher the concentration, the more significant the inhibitory effect. Both antibiotics can be absorbed and accumulated by tobacco seedlings. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of CIP was greater than that of NOR.

Optimizing the Growth and Yield of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) Cultivars by Altering Sowing Dates

| Appropriate sowing time is an important aspect that can affect the gowth and yield of any crop. So, a research trial was planned at Research Area, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan to investigate the impect of different sowing dates on growth and yield on mungbean cultivars. The research trial was arranged out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) under split plot arrangement followed by 3 replicas. In this study four different sowing dates (1st March, 15th March, 29th March and 12th April and two cultivars (AZRI-2006 and NM-92) were used. Data regarding leaf area index, leaf area duration, plant height (cm), number of pod bearing branches per plant, number of grains per pod,1000-grain weight (g), grain yield (kg ha-1), biological yield (kg ha-1) and harvest index (%) of mungbean were recorded by using standrd procedure. Results of experiment revealed that sowing date of 1st march and varity AZRI-2006 result in maximum leaf area index (3.43), leaf area duration (24.14), plant height (74.067cm), number of pod bearing branches per plant (60.96), number of grains per pod (11.30), grain yield (715.11 kg ha-1), biological yield (7773.3 kg ha-1) and harvest index (9.6167%) while sowing date 12th april and Varity AZRI-2006 produce maximum 1000-grain weight (66.67 g). On the bases of result of this study it was concluded that sowing date of 1st march and varity AZRI-2006 play important role in aching maximum yield of mungbean.

Agronomic Biofortification with Zinc and Iron for the Improvement of Wheat Phenology and Yield

| Both zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) are involved in the biochemical and physiological processes of the wheat plant. Low Zn and Fe contents in soil and/or their low availabilities for plant uptake not only affect the final yield but also decrease their harvestable levels in the wheat grains. The research trials were conducted for two consecutive years (2016-17 and 2017-18) on the foliar supply of Zn and Fe to wheat at different growth stages in the Agronomy Research Farm, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar - Pakistan. Four Zn levels (0, 1, 2, and 3 kg ha-1) and four Fe levels (0, 2, 4, and 6 kg ha-1) at three growth stages (i.e. foliar application of full dosage at the tillering stage, full dosage at the booting stage and their respective half dosages at the tillering stage + half at the booting stage) along with one unsprayed check were used in the experiment. All the treatments’ combinations and a control {(4 x 4 x 3) +1} were laid out in a randomized complete block design having three replications. The plot size was 12 m2 accommodating ten rows. The recommended wheat cultivar ‘Pirsabaq 2013’ was sown by using 120 kg ha-1 seed rate. Nitrogen at the rate of 120 kg ha-1 was applied in two splits from urea. Similarly, 90 kg ha-1 phosphorus was applied from DAP at the time of sowing. Analysis of variance showed that sole foliar Zn application at 3 kg ha-1 significantly improved the flag leaf area (36.9 cm2) and leaf area tiller-1 (97.2 cm2). While more spike m-2 (248), maximum grains spike-1 (47.2), spike length (13.1 cm), and thousand grains weight (42.9 g) were observed with foliar application of 2 kg ha-1 Zn. Significantly maximum leaf area tiller-1 (96.4 m2), flag leaf area (36.2 cm2), spike m-2 (253), grains spike-1 (46.9), spike length (12.9 cm) and thousand grains weight (43 g) were found best with the application of 4 kg ha-1 Fe. In case of application stages, more leaf area per tiller (95.9 cm2) and flag leaf area (36 cm2) were observed with both the application of Zn and Fe when applied 100 % at tillering stage. Similarly, more spike-2 (250.9), maximum grain spike-1 (46.3), spike length (12.7 cm), and thousand grains weight (42.6 g) were noted with the split foliar application of both Zn and Fe. It can be concluded from the experiment that application of both foliar Zn and Fe enhanced the phenological development and yield component of wheat crop. Similarly, foliar application of full dosage at tillering stage also hastened the phenological parameters of wheat crop, therefore recommended for the wheat crop cultivation in the locality of Peshawar.

Effects of chemical mutagens on the physio-chemical traits of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

A field experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Research station, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during Rabi 2017 and 2018 seasons. Five hundred seeds of variety Utkal Kumari (BT 10) were taken and subjected to single and combined mutagenic treatment as per the specification. The experiment was laid down in Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Leaf area (dm2/plant), total dry matter and chlorophyll content were measured at 30, 60 and 75 days after transplanting(DAT). NAR (Net assimilation rate) and CGR (Crop growth rate) were also calculated at 30-40 DAT and 50-60 DAT. All the treatments showed increase in yield over control and buffer except in treatment Sodium Azide (SA) 0.06% which indicated that the mutagens had positive effect on the plant for increasing yield. The increase in yield depends on leaf area or photosynthesizing tissues, total respiring tissues or total biomass, photosynthetic efficiency as reflected by chlorophyll content, Net assimilation rate (NAR) and crop growth rate (CGR). Ethyl methane sulphate (EMS) at 0.6% concentration had shown maximum increase in yield which was attributed to maximum leaf area (55.19 dm2/plant), maximum total dry matter (19.44g/plant) and maximum crop growth rate (0.347g.m−2.day−1). The chlorophyll content and NAR (Net assimilation rate) were also significantly high for this treatment.

Impact of Vermicompost, Poultry Manure and Jeevaamrit on Growth Parameters of Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) cv. Allison

The present investigation was conducted on 6 years old kiwifruit vines cultivar ‘Allison’ at a spacing of 4.0 m × 6.0 m for two consecutive years 2018-19 and 2019-20 at experimental block of Department of Fruit Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). The experiment was laid out in triplicate in Randomized Block Design with 8 treatments under three farming systems viz., Inorganic Fertilizer Based System (IFBS), Organic Farming Based System (OFBS) and Subhash Palekar’s Natural Farming System (SPNFS). The maximum leaf area (158.1 cm2), leaf area index (4.36), chlorophyll index (51.2), comparative photosynthetically active radiation (612 µ mol quanta m-2 s-1) was found in the treatment (T8) receiving 30 liters of jeevaamrit (JM) + 3 kg ghana jeevaamrit and 40 kg FYM per vine under SPNFS. Among OFBS, the treatment T2 (100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through vermicompost and poultry manure on 50:50 basis) observed maximum leaf area (151.8 cm2), leaf area index (4.35), comparative photosynthetically active radiation (642 µ mol quanta m-2 s-1) but lower significantly lower chlorophyll index (51.2) over T1 (Recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + FYM) treatment of IFBS. Hence application of 30 litres jeevaamrit and 3 kg ghana jeevaamrit (both in 3 equal splits first in end of January, second in February and third in the month of April) along with 40 kg FYM per vine or alternatively substitution of 100% RDN through vermicompost and poultry manure on 50:50 basis along with 40 kg FYM were found to be best and alternate different option in place of inorganic fertilizers to ‘Allison’ cultivar of kiwifruit under mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh, India. Furthermore, the research emphases mainly on improving soil health without compromising growth and yield of kiwifruits in the region. By using alternative sources of nutrients, farmers can obtain the comparable growth and yield of kiwifruits.

Influence of potting mixture on growth and economics of stone graft of mango cv. alphonso


 
 
 Konkan is considered as an important mango belt of India. This belt is not only famous for the production of the king of mango ‘Alphonso’ but also for the supply of quality planting material throughout the country. Soil is the basic medium used in the nursery. Availability of quality soil for nursery is getting scared and it is a need of the hour to find out lightweight, well-aerated media for reducing transport cost and mortality. Hence field experiment was carried out to find the response of mango cv. Alphonso stone grafts in the different potting mixtures. The treatment cocopeat + leaf manure + compost (1:1:2) was recorded significant increase in plant height (129.40%), girth of grafts (38.08%), highest number of shoot (1.50), number of leaf (22.70), highest absolute growth rate (0.1483 cm/day) and relative growth rate (0.0237 cm/cm/day). Whereas, maximum leaf area (617.03 cm2) was obtained in soil + leaf manure (1:1) followed by leaf manure + cocopeat (1:3) (610.17 cm2) leaf manure + cocopeat (1:3). Maximum root length (21.97 cm) and dry weight of root (7.23g) were obtained in treatment cocopeat + leaf manure + compost (1:1:1). The economics involved for different treatments showed that cocopeat + leaf manure + compost (1:1:2) was recorded with the highest B:C (1.39) followed by Soil + Cocopeat (1:1) in stone grafting. From the above investigation, it is concluded that potting mixture had a significant effect on the growth performance and economics of mango grafts. For raising mango grafts, the media containing cocopeat along with leaf manure and compost was the ideal soilless media.
 
 

Influence of potting mixture on growth and economics of stone graft of mango cv. alphonso

Konkan is considered as an important mango belt of India. This belt is not only famous for the production of the king of mango ‘Alphonso’ but also for the supply of quality planting material throughout the country. Soil is the basic medium used in the nursery. Availability of quality soil for nursery is getting scared and it is a need of the hour to find out lightweight, well-aerated media for reducing transport cost and mortality. Hence field experiment was carried out to find the response of mango cv. Alphonso stone grafts in the different potting mixtures. The treatment cocopeat + leaf manure + compost (1:1:2) was recorded significant increase in plant height (129.40%), girth of grafts (38.08%), highest number of shoot (1.50), number of leaf (22.70), highest absolute growth rate (0.1483 cm/day) and relative growth rate (0.0237 cm/cm/day). Whereas, maximum leaf area (617.03 cm2) was obtained in soil + leaf manure (1:1) followed by leaf manure + cocopeat (1:3) (610.17 cm2) leaf manure + cocopeat (1:3). Maximum root length (21.97 cm) and dry weight of root (7.23g) were obtained in treatment cocopeat + leaf manure + compost (1:1:1). The economics involved for different treatments showed that cocopeat + leaf manure + compost (1:1:2) was recorded with the highest B:C (1.39) followed by Soil + Cocopeat (1:1) in stone grafting. From the above investigation, it is concluded that potting mixture had a significant effect on the growth performance and economics of mango grafts. For raising mango grafts, the media containing cocopeat along with leaf manure and compost was the ideal soilless media.

Assessment of Variability of Foxtail Millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.] Genotypes

Analysis of genetic diversity and variability is an initial step for crop development in a plant breeding program. Thirty foxtail millet genotypes were evaluated for their ten agro-morphological traits viz. grain yield, days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of nodes per tiller, panicle length, thousand-grain weight, and leaf blast during April to August season of 2018 at Kabre, Dolakha, Nepal. Clustering was done based on variability observed among the genotypes for all the ten traits by the average linkage method. The genotypes were grouped into six clusters. The shortest inter cluster distance between Cluster I and Cluster II was 17.63 and the longest was between Cluster IV and Cluster VI with 47.55. Cluster I had the maximum leaf blast score with the minimum leaf length. The Cluster II had the maximum grain yield and days to 50% heading and the number of nodes per tiller. The Cluster III was characterized by the maximum leaf length and leaf blast value. The genotypes grouped into the Cluster IV were characterized by the lowest value of days to 50% heading and 80% days to maturity and those of Cluster V had the maximum thousand-grain weight. The genotypes categorized into Cluster VI had the maximum plant height, leaf length, and panicle length. Cluster II and Cluster V were good because of their agro-morphological traits. The presence of a high level of diversity among the genotypes indicated their suitability for selection in crop breeding programs. Correlation analysis of genotypes having the maximum panicle length leaf area and higher plant height and shorter maturity period are pre-requisite for improvement in grain yield.