Number Of Canes Research Articles

Assessing Feasibility of Growing Sugarcane by a Polythene Bag Culture System for Rapid Multiplication of Seed Cane in Sub-Tropical Climatic Conditions of India

The conventional system of sugarcane (Saccharum species complex) planting is inefficient for rapidly multiplying the seed cane of newly released varieties due to a higher seed rate (6.0 t ha-1) and low germination rate (35−40%). We examined the effect of planting methods on the multiplication rate of seed cane in a field experiment conducted at Lucknow (India) during the 2005−06 and 2006−07 cropping season. Forty- day- old plantlets grown in polythene bags in the nursery using 28,000 single-bud cane pieces per ha area, were transplanted at 45 cm spacing in furrows 90 cm apart and the results were compared with those obtained by the conventional practice of planting three- two - and one- bud cane pieces at the rate of 37,000, 55,500 and 111,000 setts per ha, respectively. The polythene bag culture produced a significantly higher number of shoots and millable canes and a higher seed cane yield as compared with the conventional planting method, which is an advantage for seed cane multiplication. The results further indicated that with almost equal cost of cultivation, the rate of seed cane multiplication was about 35 times by the polythene bag culture method and 8−11 times by the conventional planting method.

Effects of Poultry Manure as a Supplement to Chemical Fertilisers in Sugarcane

An experiment was conducted to find out the effectiveness of poultry manure on the growth and yield parameter of sugarcane at growers plot Sreepur, Gazipur, Bangladesh during the cropping seasons 2005-06 and 2006-07. Considering both the cropping seasons the number of tillers, number of millable canes and yield were highest in poultry manure (PM) treated plot compared to Recommended Fertiliser Dose-1998 (RFD). Among the different treatments, poultry manure@ 6 tonnes per hectare+ 25 per cent less of RFD was shown to be best in respect of number of tillers, number of millable canes and yield of sugarcane. Keywords: Saccharum officinarum, poultry manure, yield of cane.

INTRODUCING AUTUMN SUGARCANE AS A RELAY INTERCROP IN SKIPPED ROW PLANTED RICE–POTATO CROPPING SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY IN THE INDIAN SUB-TROPICS

SUMMARYField experiments were conducted for the three consecutive cropping seasons of 2003–05, 2004–06 and 2005–07 at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, India, to explore the feasibility of planting sugarcane in autumn as a relay intercrop in standing rice. The cropping systems evaluated were: i) rice-potato-spring sugarcane; ii) rice + autumn sugarcane (planted as a relay intercrop in every sixth row devoid (skipped) of transplanted rice + potato after rice; iii) rice-autumn sugarcane (planted without preparatory tillage) + potato; and iv) rice-autumn sugarcane (planted with preparatory tillage) + potato. In each case, sugarcane was planted in rows 90 cm apart. Rice was transplanted in rows at 20-cm row spacing when followed by potato or sugarcane, but at 18-cm row spacing when intended for sugarcane planting as a relay intercrop in late September. The germination (60.4%) of cane buds, tillers (323 000 ha−1) and number (149 000 ha−1), length (225 cm), girth (2.44 cm) and weight (747 g) of millable canes were markedly better when autumn sugarcane was planted with rice as a relay intercrop in comparison to other cropping systems. Similarly, this cropping system produced the maximum cane (111.4 t ha−1) and sugar (13.2 t ha−1) along with sugarcane equivalent yield (216.4 t ha−1). In turn, relay intercropping system with maximum cane production efficiency of 420 kg ha−1day−1 fetched the highest economic returns (Rs. 258 ha−1day−1) and benefit:cost ratio (1.5). Compared with the rice-potato-spring sugarcane cropping system, the relay intercrop of autumn sugarcane in standing rice produced 35.4% more cane and 38.3% more sugar with 24.1% higher returns besides 79.1% energy saving. This practice will not only benefit cane growers and sugar mill owners in tropical and sub-tropical India, but also in other parts of the world where rice and sugarcane are extensively cultivated.

Studies on variation in interspecific hybrids of Saccharum

The extent and pattern of variation were studied in the seven crosses of F1 population of improved S. officinarum x Interspecific hybrids of Saccharum involving one cultivated S. barberi and two wild species S. spontaneum and S. robustum. The study revealed the superiority of all the crosses for cane population and presence of substantial variability for further effective selection and utilization. In general the hybrid progenies were observed to be thin. High heterotic vigour was observed for cane height, which will be of use to maintain yield potential. Mean performance of the crosses for H.R. Brix% was low, which needs further improvement. The average NMC in crosses in general were less when compared to male parent ISH 154 and were high in comparison with pistil parent like Co 87010. The crosses involving commercial hybrids as a pistil parent and S.robustum as a donar in the male parent namely Co 87010 X ISH 29 was superior for single cane weight and cane yield. There was an improvement in cane diameter and H.R. Brix % by utilizing clone ISH 29 from S. robustum group as a male parent, whereas, S. barberi involving clone ISH 154 helps in increasing the cane population and millable cane height in respective crosses. In general, clones with high number of millable canes, moderate brix, good vigour and medium thick canes were also observed which can be exploited further.

First Report of Diplodia corticola Causing Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) Cankers and Trunk Cankers and Dieback of Canyon Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis) in California.

The botryosphaeriaceous fungus Diplodia corticola A. J. L. Phillips, Alves & Luque was shown to be the most prevalent canker and dieback pathogen in cork oaks (Quercus suber L.) in the Iberian Peninsula causing a general decline of the trees as a consequence of canker formation in the trunks (1). In addition, D. corticola has been recently reported as a grapevine pathogen causing cankers in the vascular tissue of 1-year-old canes, spurs, and cordons in Texas (3). In 1998, Jacobs and Rehner reported one isolate of D. corticola from oak in California, but no information regarding the oak species from which the isolate was obtained and its virulence were available in the study (2). In 2009, D. corticola was isolated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 0.01% tetracycline hydrochloride from symptomatic grapevine cordons and on acidified PDA from the trunk of a canyon live oak tree from Sonoma and Plumas counties, respectively. Two grapevine isolates (UCD1260So and UCD1275So) and one oak isolate (CDFA519) were examined and morphologically compared with previously identified D. corticola isolates CBS678.88 and UCD2397TX from cork oak from Spain and grapevine in Texas, respectively. D. corticola colonies from California were characterized by moderately fast-growing, dark olivaceous, and dense aerial mycelium on PDA. Conidia were obtained from pycnidia formed on pine needles placed on 2% water agar. Conidia were hyaline, contents granular, aseptate, thick walled, ellipsoidal, sometimes becoming dark brown and septate with age. Nucleotide sequences of three genes (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, a partial sequence of the beta-tubulin gene BT2, and part of the translation elongation factor EF1-α) from D. corticola isolates UCD1260So, UCD1275So, and CDFA519 from California were amplified. All DNA sequences from grapevine and oak tree isolates from California showed 99 to 100% homology with D. corticola isolates previously identified and deposited into GenBank. All DNA sequences obtained from Californian isolates were also deposited into GenBank. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by inoculating detached Vitis vinifera cv. Red Globe dormant canes and canyon live oak branches with agar plugs of isolates UCD1260So, UCD1275So, and CDFA519 (10 inoculations per isolate per host) as described by Úrbez-Torres et al. (3). The same number of grapevine canes and oak branches were inoculated with noncolonized agar plugs as controls. Six weeks after inoculation, the extent of vascular discoloration that developed from the point of inoculation was measured. D. corticola isolates UCD1260So, UCD1275So, and CDFA519 caused an average vascular lesion length of 30.4, 29.6, and 24 mm and 15, 13.2, and 8.6 mm in grapevine dormant canes and oak branches, respectively. Furthermore, D. corticola isolates from grapevine were pathogenic in oak branches and vice versa. Reisolation of D. corticola from discolored vascular tissue of inoculated material was 100%. The extent of vascular discoloration from inoculated grapevine canes and oak branches was significantly greater (P < 0.05) compared with the controls (1.8 and 2 mm, respectively). No fungi were reisolated from the slightly discolored tissue of the controls. To our knowledge, this is the first report of D. corticola causing grapevine cankers and oak trunk cankers in California.

Determination of the best blackberry cultivar using various statistical techniques

This study was conducted to determine the best blackberry cultivar using jointly various statistical techniques such as Chi-square, G, and Correspondence statistics. For this aim, data of pomological traits such as fruit weight, cane number, cane diameter, cane height, cane yield per plant of Ness, Cherokee, Arapaho, Chester Thornless, Navaho, Black Satin, Dirksen Thornless and Jumbo cultivars were collected during 2002-2006. With respect to chi-square and G statistics, associations between cultivar and each pomological trait (fruit weight, cane number, cane diameter, cane height, and cane yield per plant) were found more significant (P < 0.0001). The relationship between year and cane number was significant (P < 0.0001 and year and cane diameter was significant (P < 0.05). The highest cane number was produced in 2004, followed by 2005. The relationship between fruit weight and cane diameter or cane yield per plant were more significant (P < 0.0001). Although Blacksatin and Jumbo blackberry cultivars had the highest cane number, Chester Thornless from blackberry cultivars had the highest cane diameter, the highest cane yield per plant and the highest fruit weight. It was concluded that Chester Thornless cultivar was the most appropriate cultivar for Central Anatolia region. Key words: Adaptation, blackberry, cane, fruit, Chi-square statistic, G statistic, correspondence analysis.

Increasing the efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum for nutrient uptake and control of red rot in sugarcane

The application of Trichoderma multiplied culture (TMC) of T. harzianum strain Th 37 @ 20 kg/ha on the stubbles at the ratoon initiation stage increased the availability of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) by 27, 65 and 44%, respectively. Availability of some of the micronutrients viz., Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn were also enhanced, respectively by 6, 100, 79 and 66%. There was a considerable increase in organic carbon (55%) with concomitant decrease in soil pH (6%).There was significant difference in nutrient uptake between highly red rot susceptible variety (CoLk 7710) and moderately resistant variety (CoS 96268). The increase of N uptake was more in susceptible CoLk 7701 (69%) where as the uptake was only 45% in moderately resistant CoS 96268. P uptake increased by 96% in CoLk 7701 and 69% in CoS 96268. K uptake increased 128% over control of CoLk 7701 and 59% in CoS 96268. The level of protection against red rot increased up to 78% in combination with TMC + salicylic acid (SA) and 86% with metabolites + SA where as the protection was 60 and 71%, respectively with TMC and metabolites. Application of TMC + SA resulted in significant growth promotion through improvement in ratoon initiation (15%), number of tillers (8%), cane height (5%), girth (4%), number of internode (8%), length of internode (2%), single cane weight (5%) and number of millable cane (4%) which was reflected in the improvement in average yield by 23%. Key words: Sugarcane, Trichoderma harzianum, red rot, Colletotrichum falcatum, biocontrol, nutrient uptake, salicylic acid, agrochemicals, growth promotion, management.

Effect of Subsoiling, Deep and Differential Rate Placement of Fertilizer on Sugarcane Crop Response

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of sub-soiling, deep and differential rate placement of fertilizer on sugarcane crop at the Crop Research Centre, Pantnagar. The concept was to place fertilizers in root zone of crop, while breaking the subsoil pan, to increase the availability of nutrients to roots and improve the subsoil health. The sugarcane crop response data showed that the growth, yield and yield attributes were not significantly affected by different fertilizer doses, which indicated 20% saving of fertilizer. Subsoiling alone increased the cane weight, number of millable cane and cane yield by 4.26%, 11.40% and 15.87% compared to conventional ploughing with in-furrow fertilizer application (control). Subsoiling-cum-deep fertilizer placement method showed increase in cane weight, number of millable cane and cane yield by 17.02%, 15.78%, and 35.61%, respectively, whereas subsoiling-cum-differential rate fertilizer placement method recorded increase of 16.21%, 16.42% and 35.41% in the same order as compared to the control.

Native American Ethnobotany of Cane (Arundinaria spp.) in the Southeastern United States: A Review

Abstract Cane (Arundinaria spp.) was one of the most important plant resources for Native Americans living in the southeastern United States prior to Euro-American settlement. The use of cane permeated virtually every aspect of tribal life. Cane was used to make houses and village structures, military and hunting weapons, fishing gear, furniture and domestic implements, personal adornments, baskets, musical instruments, and watercraft. Medicines were prepared from cane, and parts of the plant furnished food and fuel. Canebrakes provided agricultural land, livestock forage, and habitat for wild game. Although large numbers of canes were harvested each year, there is no historic evidence that Native Americans actively managed canebrakes for the production of culms. The cultural importance of cane to Native Americans declined dramatically following Euro-American settlement of the southeast because: 1) trade goods were deemed superior and replaced articles made from cane in local economies; 2) the rapid disap...

Optimization of Gamma Radiation Dose for Induction of Genetic Variation in Sugarcane (Saccharum spp) Callus and Regenerated Shoot Cultures

Callus cultures were established in three commercial sugarcane varieties viz., CoJ 64, CoJ 83 and CoJ 86 from spindle explants on MS + 2,4-D (4 mg l−1) + BAP (0.5 mg l−1) medium. Shoots were regenerated from two-month-old calli on MS + BAP (0.5 mg l−1) medium. Callus and callus derived shoots were treated with gamma (γ) radiation at 20, 40, 60 and 80 Gray (Gy). Per cent shoot regeneration from y-irradiated calli in the three varieties ranged from 90 to 93.8 at 20 Gy, 83.3 to 87.5 at 40 Gy, 30 to 36.4 at 60 Gy and 0 at 80 Gy. Upon irradiating shoots, subsequent shoot proliferation in the three varieties ranged from 90.9 to 93.1% at 20 Gy, 82.6 to 84.0% at 40 Gy and 27 to 32.3% at 60 Gy, whereas 80 Gy dose was 100% lethal. Thus, 60 Gy dose of y-radiation was found to be optimum for carrying out mutagenesis of both callus and callus derived shoots. In the field, different irradiated clones of the same variety exhibited huge variability with respect to number of canes, cane girth, cane height and sucrose content.

Estimation of fruit weight by cane traits for various raspberries (Rubus ideaus L.) cultivars

Raspberries are an important commercial fruit crop, widely grown in all temperate regions of the world. The raspberries contain significant amounts of polyphenol antioxidants such as anthocyanin pigments linked to potential health protection against several human diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate fruit weight by their cane traits (the number of canes, cane height, cane diameter, and cane yield) for Aksu Red, Canby, Heritage I, Heritage II, Holland Dwarf, Nuburg, Rubin, Summit, Tulameen, and Willamette cultivars grown in Central Anatolia region during 2002 - 2006. For this aim, average fruit weight (dependent variable) for each cultivar was estimated by independent variables such as the number of cane, cane height, cane diameter, and cane yield using Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA). The results clearly show that cultivars having the best fit (giving the best R2 values and the lowest RMSE) in MRA were: Holland Dwarf (99.64%), followed by Heritage I (99.06%), Summit (98.6%) Aksu Red (92.82%), Willamette (92.68%), Heritage I (90.46%), Rubin (90.28%) and Canby (85.45%). Multiple Regression Modeling gave good results for these cultivars. However, R2 values of these cultivars were found higher (better fit) than those of Nuburg and Tulameen cultivars. It was concluded that the number of canes had significant negative effect on fruit weights of Heritage (P cultivars, but significant positive effect on only fruit weight of Rubin cultivar (P while it had significant negative effect on fruit weights of Canby (P 0.001), and Tulameen (P (P all cane traits were statistically significant (P improve fruit weight.

Estimation of fruit weight by cane traits for various raspberries (Rubus ideaus L.) cultivars

Raspberries are an important commercial fruit crop, widely grown in all temperate regions of the world. The raspberries contain significant amounts of polyphenol antioxidants such as anthocyanin pigments linked to potential health protection against several human diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate fruit weight by their cane traits (the number of canes, cane height, cane diameter, and cane yield) for Aksu Red, Canby, Heritage I, Heritage II, Holland Dwarf, Nuburg, Rubin, Summit, Tulameen, and Willamette cultivars grown in Central Anatolia region during 2002 - 2006. For this aim, average fruit weight (dependent variable) for each cultivar was estimated by independent variables such as the number of cane, cane height, cane diameter, and cane yield using Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA). The results clearly show that cultivars having the best fit (giving the best R2 values and the lowest RMSE) in MRA were: Holland Dwarf (99.64%), followed by Heritage I (99.06%), Summit (98.6%) Aksu Red (92.82%), Willamette (92.68%), Heritage I (90.46%), Rubin (90.28%) and Canby (85.45%). Multiple Regression Modeling gave good results for these cultivars. However, R2 values of these cultivars were found higher (better fit) than those of Nuburg and Tulameen cultivars. It was concluded that the number of canes had significant negative effect on fruit weights of Heritage (P cultivars, but significant positive effect on only fruit weight of Rubin cultivar (P while it had significant negative effect on fruit weights of Canby (P 0.001), and Tulameen (P (P all cane traits were statistically significant (P improve fruit weight.

Estimation of fruit weight by cane traits for eight American blackberries (Rubus fructicosus L.) cultivars

2 values) in MRA were found to be Black Satin (99.40%), Ness (99.16%), Navaho (96.46%), Dirksen Thornless (96.22%), Chester Thornless (91.92%), and Cv. Jumbo (91.26%), which meant that most (almost 100%) variation in fruit weight for these cultivars was explained by the number of cane, cane height, cane diameter, and cane yield. However, corresponding values for Arapaho and Cherokee cultivars was estimated as 2.88% and 33.2% of the total variation in fruit weight. It was concluded that number of canes had positive-significant effect on fruit weights of Dirksen Thornless (P < 0.001) and Cv. Jumbo (P<0.01), but negative-significant effect on that of Black Satin (P < 0.001). Cane height had positive-significant effect on fruit weights of Black Satin (P < 0.001) and Ness (P<0.001) cultivars, but negative-significant effect on cv. Chester Thornless (P < 0.001) and Dirksen Thornless (P < 0.01). Cane diameter had positive-significant effect on fruit weights of Black Satin (P < 0.001) and Chester Thornless (P < 0.01), Navaho (P < 0.05), Ness (P < 0.01) cultivars, whereas it had negative-significant effect on cv. Jumbo (P < 0.05). Cane yield had positive-significant effect on fruit weight of only Cv. Jumbo, but negative-significant effect on cv. Black Satin (P < 0.001), Chester Thornless (P < 0.01), Dirksen Thornless (P < 0.001), Navaho (P < 0.001) and Ness (P < 0.001). It was concluded that cane traits with the positive and negative effect on fruit weight provide useful clues for breeding proposes to improve fruit weight.

Avaliação agronômica de cultivares de videiras apirenas na região de Jaíba, Minas Gerais

Atualmente, há interesse crescente no cultivo de cultivares de uvas apirenas no Brasil, devido ao aumento na demanda e ao alto valor recebido pelos seus frutos, além da possibilidade de produção em épocas de pouca oferta no mercado mundial. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de introduzir e avaliar o desempenho agronômico das cultivares Catalunha, Sultanina, Crimson Seedless e Superior Seedless enxertadas sobre 'IAC 572 Jales'. O experimento foi realizado na Fazenda Experimental da EPAMIG, em Mocambinho, distrito de Jaíba-MG, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com sete repetições. Foram analisados a fertilidade de gemas, o número e a massa de cachos, e o número e a massa de ramos. O ciclo, da poda à colheita dos cachos, foi de 97 dias para 'Superior Seedless', 104 dias para 'Sultanina', 106 dias para 'Catalunha' e 125 dias para 'Crimson Seedless'. As melhores produtividades foram obtidas nas safras com podas realizadas no primeiro semestre de cada ano, para todas as cultivares. 'Catalunha' apresentou os melhores resultados quanto ao número de cachos por planta e fertilidade de gemas, atingindo produtividade média de 19,0t/ha/ano. A cultivar Catalunha pode ser indicada para o cultivo em Jaíba-MG, sendo, entretanto, necessários novos estudos de manejo para o aumento da fertilidade de gemas de 'Crimson Seedless', 'Sultanina' e 'Superior Seedless'.

Potassium nutrition for improving stubble bud sprouting, dry matter partitioning, nutrient uptake and winter initiated sugarcane ( Saccharum spp. hybrid complex) ratoon yield

A field experiment was conducted for two crop cycles during 2003–2005 and 2004–2006 at Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow to improve bud sprouting, dry matter accumulation (DMA), nutrient uptake and ratoon yield by using potassium fertilizer. Potassium (K) fertigation in standing plant cane increased the number of buds per stubble and number of stalks in ratoon cane. K content of stubble increased by 16.7% with K fertigation. The content of reducing sugars in buds at the time of ratoon initiation improved significantly with K fertigation. It improved dry matter accumulation, number of millable canes, individual cane weight, ratoon cane and sugar yields. Thus, it could be concluded that application of 66 kg K ha −1 with irrigation water in standing plant cane before harvest improved bud sprouting, dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake in ratoon crop. Irrigation in standing plant cane increased ratoon cane (69.9 t ha −1) and sugar yields (7.6 t ha −1). This increase for ratoon cane and sugar yield was 8.7 and 5.55%, respectively over the control. Further, it increased ratoon cane yield by 15.21% (74.1 t ha −1) and sugar yields by 13.9% (8.2 t ha −1) with K fertigation over the control. Thus, K nutrition holds great promise for improving growth of ratoon cane and sugar yields.

Adaptation of eight American blackberry (Rubus fructicosus L.) cultivars for Central Anatolia

Blackberry is an important fruit plant cultivated for its delicious fruit throughout Europe and America. Although the fruit has wide acceptance in Turkey, it is not cultivated on large scale. The study aimed to evaluate the performance of Arapaho, Black Satin, Cherokee, Chester Thornless, Dirksen Thornless, Jumbo, Navaho and Loch Ness cultivars of American origin for adaptation under Central Anatolian conditions at Ankara during 2002 - 06. The results showed that changes in the environmental conditions affected yield, performance of number of canes, cane length, cane diameter, yield per plant, fruit weight and total acid content (g/l) significantly. Overall comparison of the results showed that cv. Chester Thornless is most suitable for the environmental conditions of Central Anatolia.

Field and Greenhouse Response of Red Raspberry Genotypes to Root Rot

Red raspberry genotypes (Rubus idaeus L.) were evaluated for resistance to root rot at two field sites in Washington state and in a greenhouse study. Thirteen raspberry genotypes were planted in two field sites naturally infested with Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi Wilcox and Duncan and evaluated over 3 years for growth and symptom expression. In greenhouse pot tests, 14 genotypes were inoculated with an isolate of P. fragariae var. rubi at three inoculum levels and evaluated for growth, root color, and symptom expression using a 1 to 4 rating scale. Eleven of the 14 cultivars were found to be susceptible or very susceptible to root rot in the field and greenhouse. ‘Summit’ and ‘Newburgh’ possessed high levels of resistance to the pathogen. ‘Cascade Bounty’ also showed high resistance to root rot in the greenhouse, but confirmation from a field study is needed. Subjective root ratings of greenhouse-grown plants correlated well with measurements of cane numbers and cane infection in the field. The greenhouse tests were useful in identifying resistant genotypes and very susceptible genotypes but did not always match field results. Observation of at least 3 years in the field was necessary to compare relative reaction with root rot among genotypes.

Effect of pineapple disease on germination and yield contributing parameters of some promising varieties of sugarcane

The per cent germination, number of millable cane and yield of canes in the inoculated plots decreased by 18.25, 15.19 and 6.23% respectively as compared to healthy plots. The varieties also differed significantly among themselves in respect of all observed parameters. Isd 34 performed better than other tested varieties when healthy setts were used. On the other hand, inoculated setts of Isd 32 showed highest germination loss (30%) compared to its healthy ones. Inoculated setts of Isd 20 yielded highest reduction in millable cane production and yield of cane compared to its healthy check. Isd 35 found as less vulnerable to pineapple disease. Among the tested varities, the varity Isd 32 proved highest susceptible showing 30 per cent reduced germination, however, the variety Isd 35 proved the most resistant showed only 6% reduction in germination.

In vitro induction and characterization of somaclonal variation for red rot and other agronomic traits in sugarcane

In the present investigation, optimal media compositions for enhancing the callus induction and subsequent plant regeneration were worked out in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. complex). The field grown somaclones were characterized for yield and quality contributing traits in comparison to donor variety CoJ 88. The MS + 2,4-D (4.0 mg/l) + kin (0.5 mg/l) + sucrose (30 g/l) was found to be the best for the callus induction among the nine media compositions used. The highest shoot regeneration was 34.65% on MS + BAP (0.5 mg/l) followed by 31.07% on MS + IAA (2.0 mg/l) + kin (0.5 mg/l) and the least 11.80% on MS + BAP (2.0 mg/l). The shoot elongation was optimum on MS + IBA (5.0 mg/l). The rooting was carried on MS + NAA (3.0 mg/l) + IBA (2.0 mg/l) + sucrose (70 g/l). The somaclones, on field evaluation, exhibited huge variability for characters viz., tiller number at 120 days of field transfer, number of millable canes, cane height, number of nodes and internodal length at time of harvest and also for HR Brix at 240 and 300 days after field transfer. In R0 generation, the variations induced for the characters such as stalk height after 120 days, HR Brix after 240 and 300 days of field transfer were negatively skewed with most of somaclones having values higher than the population mean values thereby offering adequate scope for improvement cane and quality. Elite somaclones marked for each trait were reported. Out of 228 somaclones inoculated with Cf 08 pathotype of red rot in R1, three were resistant, four were moderately resistant and 221 somaclones showed variable degree of susceptibility, whereas, to Cf 03 pathotype, fourteen were resistant, nineteen were moderately resistant and 195 showed variable degree of susceptibility. Three somaclones exhibited moderate resistance (MR) to both the pathotypes, whereas, donor variety CoJ 88 showed susceptible reaction. These somaclones will further enhance the germplasm for sugarcane breeding.

EFFECT OF DATE AND PRUNING TYPE ON RED RASBERRY

In this research it was evaluated the effect of type as well as date of pruning on red raspberry ‘Malling autumn Bliss’ in Guerrero, Chihuahua, Mexico. One-year-old plants were used, spaced 0.5 m between plants, 0.6 m width in hedgerows, and a between rows spacing of 1.5 m. The nutrient supply was done by using 60 ton·ha-1 of dry bovine manure incorporated at 10-15 cm depth. Drip irrigation was used with emitters spaced 1 m. During 2001, pruning at ground level in March 15, April 15, and May 15 were performance, also pruning of the cane portion that fruited the previous year on March 15. During 2002 only pruning at ground level was done on March 15, April 15 and May 15. The results indicated that pruning at ground level in March 15 gave the highest yields in both years with 7.4 and 5.0 ton·ha-1, respectively. Pruning in May 15 delays blooming and harvest date, and fruit size is small. Fruit size ranging from 1.8 to 3.6 g, is obtained with pruning in March 15 and April 15. The highest number of new canes was obtained with pruning on April 15.