Phytosociology Research Articles

Evaluation of F2 Segregating Population of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) for Yield and Leaf Curl Virus Resistance

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is an important vegetable crop, cultivated worldwide for its fruits which are valued for pungency, flavor, and nutritional benefits. However, chilli production is significantly restricted by various biotic stresses, especially the Chilli leaf curl virus (CLCV). The present study was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University during 2020-2021 to evaluate the F2 segregating population of chilli crosses viz., CHIVAR-6 x Sel-4 and CHIVAR-10 x Sel-3 for yield and leaf curl virus resistance. Evaluation of vegetative and yield related traits was conducted on these populations under the field conditions. Significant variability was observed for various traits such as plant height, fruits per plant, fruit length, yield per plant and resistance to leaf curl virus. The scoring for chilli leaf curl virus was done and based on the scoring the segregants were categorized into highly resistant, resistant, moderately resistant, moderately susceptible, susceptible and highly susceptible. Among the F2 population of the first cross, fruits per plant, plant height, fruit weight and fruit girth showed high and positive correlation with yield per plant. The segregants of the second cross recorded significant positive correlation for fruits per plant, plant height and fruit length with yield. The results of the study provide valuable insights into breeding for both high yield and leaf curl virus resistance, crucial for enhancing chilli production under the challenging situations.

Serological Detection of Cucumber Mosaic Virus and Capsicum Chlorosis Virus in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Germplasm

A survey was conducted on the basis of symptomatology for the screening of germplasm under insect proof glasshouse conditions in the Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. YSPUHF, Nauni, Solan to identify the sources of resistance in pepper crop. The most prominent symptoms were mosaic, mottling, leaf narrowing, stunted growth, mosaic with chlorotic lesions, formation of rings with necrotic lesions and mosaic with mottling. Forty-eight varieties or breeding lines were screened for the presence or absence of virus through DAS-ELISA. The study revealed that nineteen varieties or breeding lines tested positive and twenty-nine tested negative for virus infection. Sweet Banana variety recorded the least O.D. value followed by SB and UHF-Cap-30 whereas, UHF-Cap-22 was most susceptible variety with maximum O.D. value. Mixed infection of CMV and capsicum chlorosis orthotospovirus (CaCV) was recorded with six varieties or breeding lines during germplasm screening. This study signifies the presence of mixed infection with chlorotic lesions like symptoms and importance of DAS-ELISA in screening of pepper germplasm against CMV and CaCV.

Vegetation classification in the Neotropics – Novel insights from Latin America and the Caribbean

Our editorial introduces a Special Collection of scientific articles on current vegetation research in the most biodiverse of all biogeographic realms, the Neotropics. It contains nine scientific contributions dedicated to vegetation data, description and classification. Four research papers provide new vegetation classifications of important Neotropical biomes, namely the Arid Chaco in Argentina, Mexican temperate forests, and Andean wetlands in the Argentine Puna and southern Peru. Furthermore, one study provides a novel bioclimatic-vegetation classification approach applied to Mexican vegetation, while another proposes a new synthesis of the South American terrestrial biomes as geocomplexes. Finally, three vegetation databases are presented in the Special Collection: ArgVeg – Database of Central Argentina (GIVD ID: SA-AR-002), CACTUS – Vegetation database of the Dutch Caribbean Islands (GIVD ID: SA-00-004) and VegAndes: the vegetation database for the Latin American highlands (GIVD ID: SA-00-005). The Special Collection provides fundamental data and tools to better understand the diversity and complexity of Neotropical vegetation. Abbreviations: GIVD = Global Index of Vegetation-Plot Databases, IAVS = International Association for Vegetation Science, IAVS-LACS = IAVS Regional Section for the Latin America and the Caribbean, VCS = Vegetation Classification and Survey

Exploitation of heterosis and combining ability potential for improvement in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is a vital vegetable crop known for its nutritional and economic significance, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Studying heterosis and combining ability in okra is crucial for enhancing its yield, quality, and resistance to pests and diseases. Heterosis can lead to superior offspring with enhanced traits while understanding combining ability helps in identifying the best parent combinations for breeding programs. Okra is an often cross-pollinated crop; therefore, exploiting heterosis is advantageous. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2022 at the Experimental Farm and Quality Analysis Laboratory, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India to evaluate the heterosis and combining ability in okra to facilitate the development of high-yielding, resilient cultivars. The experimental material consisted of an F1 population of 30 crosses obtained from 10 parental lines crossed with three testers in a Line × Tester mating design, plus a standard check (Punjab-8). Estimates of heterosis (heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis) of the cross combinations UHFO-6 × Pusa Bhindi-5, UHFO-6 × Arka Anamika and UHFO-9 × Arka Anamika were high for inter-nodal distance, number of pods per plant, average pod weight, pod yield per plant, harvest duration, hundred seed weight, mucilage content, etc. Higher estimates of general combining ability (GCA) effects for pod yield per plant were observed in the parental lines UHFO-6 (123.47) and UHFO-9 (7.49). Among the cross combinations, UHFO-10 × Hisar Unnat (38.81), UHFO-2 × Pusa Bhindi-5 (38.29), UHFO-2 × Arka Anamika (17.42), and UHFO-5 × Arka Anamika (15.06) demonstrated higher estimates of specific combining ability (SCA) effects for pod yield per plant. The cross UHFO-2 × Hisar Unnat (160.00) exhibited the highest heterobeltiosis for mucilage content, while UHFO-10 × Arka Anamika (562.03) showed the highest standard heterosis for total polyphenol content. These cross combinations could produce okra with enhanced nutritional and medicinal properties. The highest GCA and SCA effects for pod yield per plant were observed in UHFO-6 (123.47) and UHFO-10 × Hisar Unnat (38.81), respectively. Identifying these parental lines and cross combinations based on their combining ability can result in the development of okra hybrids with substantially higher yields. In future, after multi-location trials, these parents and crosses can be released to replace existing okra cultivars (hybrids/varieties). Higher yielding and better quality okra cultivars can enhance the profitability for farmers, contribute to food security, and meet market demands more efficiently.

Simulating High-Resolution Sun-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence Image of Three-Dimensional Canopy Based on Photon Mapping

The remote sensing of sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) is an emerging technique with immense potential for terrestrial vegetation sciences. However, the interpretation of fluorescence data is often hindered by the complexity of observed land surfaces. Therefore, advanced remote sensing models, particularly physically based simulations, are critical to accurately interpret SIF data. In this work, we propose a three-dimensional (3D) radiative transfer model that employs the Monte Carlo ray-tracing technique to simulate the excitation and transport of SIF within plant canopies. This physically based approach can quantify the various radiative processes contributing to the observed SIF signal with high fidelity. The model’s performance is rigorously evaluated by comparing the simulated SIF spectra and angular distributions to field measurements, as well as conducting systematic comparisons with an established radiative transfer model. The results demonstrate the proposed model’s ability to reliably reproduce the key spectral and angular characteristics of SIF, with the coefficient of determination (R2) exceeding 0.98 and root mean square error (RMSE) being less than 0.08 mW m−2 sr−1 nm−1 for both the red and far-red fluorescence peaks. Furthermore, the model’s versatile representation of canopy structures, enabled by the decoupling of radiation and geometry, is applied to study the impact of 3D structure on SIF patterns. This capability makes the proposed model a highly attractive tool for investigating SIF distributions in realistic, heterogeneous canopy environments.

Effect of Sowing Dates and Flower Pruning on Chemical Properties and Shelf Life of Yam Bean (Pachyrrhizus erosus L.) Tubers

Underutilized crops provide essential micro-nutrient and thus able to complement staple foods. The inhibitory effect of floral and fruit development may affect the tuber development. It is logical to assume that large amounts of nitrogen and other essential components are assimilated by the reproductive parts of plant, hence it is important to remove these reproductive parts as well as time of sowing also affect the shelf life and chemical properties of yam bean tubers which form the basis of an experiment on effect of sowing dates and flower pruning on chemical properties and shelf life of Yam bean tubers. An experiment was conducted at Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli during the year 2023-24. Twelve treatments and 3 replications in Factorial Randomized Block Design Planting dates (D) i.e., D₁-1st week of June, D₂-3rd week of June, D3 -1st week of July, D4 -3rd week of July and Interval of reproductive pruning (P) i.e., P1 – Weekly, P2 – Fortnightly, P3 – No pruning. Chemical analysis of the tubers was done to analyse the starch, fiber, dry matter, TSS and shelf life of the tubers from various treatments. Investigation revealed that among the various chemical parameters and shelf life the effect of interaction on starch, fiber, dry matter and shelf life was significant whereas it was non-significant on TSS. The highest starch content was recorded in D3P1 (6.81%). The fiber content was analysed highest in D4P3 (0.69 %). The highest dry matter content was analysed in D1P3 (24.59 %). The highest TSS was recorded in D1P1 (6.40 °B) and highest shelf life was recorded in D1P1 (36.56 days). Considering its nutritional quality and sustainability in the region it can be an alternative crop with food security, nutritional security as well as economic sustainability [1].

Effect of Organic Nutrient Sources on Growth, Seed Yield and Seed Quality of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. Chinese Pink

Seed is the ultimate economic input in any crop production programme. Two field experiments were conducted to study the effect of organic inputs on seed production of radish at Organic Block of Department of Vegetable Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during Rabi season of 2019-20 & 2020-21. Various combinations of organic and liquid manures were replicated thrice in the form of twelve treatments in Randomized Block Design (RBD) Factorial. The pooled data of two years revealed that treatment with Vermicompost @ 8 t/ha + Jeevamrit @ 10 per cent was rated as best treatment for majority of characters like days to 50 per cent initiation of bolting (61.00), days to 50 per cent flowering (93.33), number of primary branches per plant (11.13), plant height (171.50 cm), pod length (5.82 cm), number of seeds per pod (5.01), seed yield per plot (225.25 g) & hectare (417.13 kg) and seed quality parameters like 1000 seed weight (12.02 g), seed germination (97.03 %), seedling length (28.26 cm), seedling dry weight (8.87 mg), seed vigour index-I (2742.07) and seed vigour index-II (860.42). Vermicompost along with jeevamrit recorded 61.41 per cent increase in yield over control. Hence application of vermicompost @ 8 t/ha + jeevamrit @ 10 per cent can be recommended for getting higher seed yield and better growth for organic seed production of radish.

Innovative breeding techniques in vegetable science: A review

Innovative breeding techniques in vegetable science: A review

Comments on nomenclature of the order Rhododendro tomentosi-Laricetalia gmelinii and validation of the alliance Pino sibiricae-Laricion sibiricae

Zonal light-coniferous forests are widespread on long-frozen soils in Southern Siberia. Their individuality was first recognised in 1982 by Guinochet, who proposed a new suballiance for them, Pino-Laricenion sibiricae, within the alliance Vaccinio-Piceion. Later, attempts were made to raise the suballiance to the rank of an alliance. However, they failed to publish the name Pino sibiricae-Laricion sibiricae validly according to the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (ICPN). Therefore, the name is validated here after discussing the reasons for rejecting all previous proposals. The validity of the corrected and mutated syntaxon names Rhododendro tomentosi-Laricetalia gmelinii and Rhododendro tomentosi-Laricion gmelinii, which are related to the alliance Pino sibiricae-Laricion sibiricae, is confirmed. Corrections and mutations of two association names are also performed. Taxonomic reference: World Flora Online Plant List (WFO) (https://wfoplantlist.org/) [accessed 28 July 2024]. Abbreviations: ICPN = International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Theurillat et al. 2021); WFO = World Flora Online Plant List.

Study the Effect of Planting Dates and Reproductive Pruning on Yield Attributes of Yam Bean (Pachyrrhizus erosus L.)

Flowers are reproductive organs that convert photosynthetic assimilates into seeds when flowers are developed the yield of the tuber decreases. So, it’s prerequisite to pluck the flowers to increase the tuber yield [1] as well as its needs to find out suitable planting date for cultivation of yam bean in Konkan region. Therefore, an experiment on “Study the effect of planting dates and reproductive pruning on yield attributes of Yam bean (Pachyrrhizus erosus L.)” was conducted at Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Dapoli, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli during Kharif season of year 2023-24. Two factors were studied during the investigation using factorial randomized block design (p= .05) viz. Planting dates (D) i.e., D₁-1st week of June, D₂-3rd week of June, D3 -1st week of July, D4 -3rd week of July and Interval of reproductive pruning (P) i.e., P1 – Weekly, P2 – Fortnightly, P3 – No pruning. The results showed that weekly reproductive pruning (P1) with planting date 3rd week of June (D2) gave best effect and significantly affect the yield per plant (642.03 g), average weight of tuber (407.70 g),yield per hectare (12.90 t ha-1) and length and diameter of tuber (21.50 cm and 17.53 cm) respectively.

The neglected giant Tchen-Ngo Liou:The enlightenment of his dynamic geobotany theory to current studies in vegetation ecology and biodiversity.

Prof. Tchen-Ngo Liou is one of the founders of China's botany, geobotany, and forest ecology. Theory of dynamic geobotany, established by Prof. Liou, can track back from his doctoral work in Alps in France, and was developed based on his long-term field works in northeast, southeast, north, northeast parts of China, India, North Korea and other regions. In the short course on dynamics geobotany in 1962, he gave a series of lectures which formed a synthesized system. The key elements of this theory are the comprehensive review and critical thinking on climax theory of vegetation science and community succession. Prof. Liou has applied this theory into the establishment of artificial vegetation, the improvement of natural vegetation, forest harvesting and regeneration, and the prevent and control of desertification in China. Here, we gave a short summary about this theory, and discussed its potential influence on important topics in vegetation ecology and biodiversity science, including mountain biodiversity, natural forest conservation, forest management, global change, and vegetation classification.

Nomenclature notes on vegetation of the Salicetea purpureae Moor 1958 class in Ukraine

A brief history of the syntaxonomic studies of floodplain vegetation of the Salicetea purpureae class in Ukraine is presented and the tasks of further research are established. Our study has shown that the vegetation of the class includes more than 30 associations, which belong to 6 alliances and 2 orders. According to the ecological peculiarities, they are divided into willow shrubs on the gravel banks of streams in the montane and subalpine belts of the temperate and boreal zones of Europe and the Caucasus (Salicion eleagno-daphnoidis), willow and poplar forests of lowland and foothill rivers formed on alluvium in the nemoral zone of Europe and at high altitudes in the Mediterranean region (Salicion albae), willow shrubs on the sandy-loamy soils of the river banks of lowlands and foothills of the nemoral zone of Europe (Salicion triandrae), willow shrubs on riverine dunes in central Ukraine (Artemisio dniproicae-Salicion acutifoliae), shrubs on temporarily flooded clay soils in central Ukraine (Rubo caesi-Amorphion fruticosae). The problems of using the phytosociological nomenclature during the analysis of the Salicetea purpureae vegetation on the territory of Ukraine are highlighted. It was found that half of the syntaxa listed in Ukrainian geobotanical literature are synonyms, published invalidly, or need typification. Every syntaxon is accompanied by explanations of its non-validity with citations of the relevant articles published in the 4th edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. In addition to the incorrectly cited associations, two of the six alliances (Artemisio dniproicae-Salicion acutifoliae, Rubo caesii-Amorphion fruticosae) also require correction because their description was based on the invalid nomenclatural types formed by the selection of species which are invalid according to The Euro+Med PlantBase. In this paper, we aimed to analyze the studies on the vegetation of the Salicetea purpureae class on the territory of Ukraine using the Braun–Blanquet approach, determine the issues that require more detailed research in the future, and make some notes on nomenclature discordances. Such review makes it possible to determine all mismatches in phytosociological nomenclature.

Evaluation of Different Genotypes of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) for Different Traits

The present study was conducted at the Main Experimental Station, Department of Vegetable Science, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj during the Zaid season of 2023. Planting material consisted of 30 genotypes of cucumber including one check namely Pusa Uday laid out in Completely Randomized Block Design with three replications. Evaluation was done for fourteen different traits viz., days to first male flower appear, days to first female flower appear, node number at which female flower appear, days to first fruit harvest, number of primary branches per plant, inter-nodal length, vine length, fruit length, fruit diameter, average fruit weight, T.S.S, number of fruit per plant, fruit yield per plant (kg), fruit yield per hectare (q). The genotypes NDCU-23-1 (143.13q) followed by NDCU-23-11 (135.90q) and NDCU-23-12 (131.53q) performed better than the check variety i.e. Pusa Uday in term of fruit yield per plant.

Influence of Foliar Feeding of NPK (19:19:19) on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cv. Kalyanpur Green

The present experiment was conducted during Zaid season of 2023-2024 at Department of vegetable science Kalyanpur, Kanpur. The trial was laid down in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and thirteen treatments viz. T1- Control Plot water spray at 25,40 and 55 DAS, T2- NPK (19:19:19:) @ 0.5% of foliar spray at 25 DAS, T3- NPK (19:19:19:) @ 0.5% of foliar spray at 40 DAS, T4- NPK (19:19:19:) @ 0.5% of foliar spray at 55 DAS, T5- NPK (19:19:19:) @ 0.5% of foliar spray at 25 & 40 DAS, T6- NPK (19:19:19:) @ 0.5% of foliar spray at 40 & 55 DAS, T7- NPK (19:19:19:) @ 0.5% of foliar spray at 25,40 & 55 DAS, T8- NPK (19:19:19:) @ 1.0% of foliar spray at 25 DAS, T9- NPK (19:19:19:) @ 1.0% of foliar spray at 40 DAS, T10- NPK (19:19:19:) @ 1.0% of foliar spray at 55 DAS, T11- NPK (19:19:19:) @ 1.0% of foliar spray at 25 & 40 DAS ,T12- NPK (19:19:9:) @ 1.0% of foliar spray at 40 & 55 DAS and T13- NPK (19:19:19:) @ 1.0% of foliar spray at 25,40 & 55 DAS. Result of study revealed that maximum vine length (400.00 cm), first fruit harvest (53.927 DAS), fruit length (23.600 cm), fruit width (4.00cm), internode length T13 (18.900 cm), number of fruits per vine (14.700), yield per plant (2.60 kg), yield per plot (23.900 kg), yield per hectare (98.200 quintal), Vitamin C (4.043 mg/100gm), TSS (3.693 %) and minimum days to first male flower (39.497 DAS), days to first female flower (39.800 DAS) and first fruit harvest (51.927) was found in treatment T13 NPK (19:19:19:) @ 1.0% of foliar spray at 25,40 & 55 DAS. Keywords: Cucumber, NPK, foliar feeding, growth, and yield.

FloraVeg.EU — An online database of European vegetation, habitats and flora

AbstractThis article describes FloraVeg.EU, a new online database with open‐access information on European vegetation units (phytosociological syntaxa), vegetated habitats, and plant taxa. It consists of three modules. (1) The Vegetation module includes 149 phytosociological classes, 378 orders and 1305 alliances of an updated version of the EuroVegChecklist modified based on the decisions of the European Vegetation Classification Committee. Vegetation units dominated by vascular plants are characterized by country‐based distribution maps and data on the dominant life forms, phenology, soil properties, relationships to vegetation regions, elevational vegetation belts and azonal habitats, successional status, and degree of naturalness. A list of diagnostic taxa is also provided for each class. (2) The Habitats module includes vascular‐plant‐dominated terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitat types from the first to the third or fourth highest hierarchical levels of the EUNIS classification. Of these, 249 vegetated habitats are characterized by a brief description, a point‐based distribution map, diagnostic, constant, and dominant taxa, and a list of the corresponding alliances. (3) The Species module provides information on 37 characteristics of European vascular plant species and some infrageneric or infraspecific taxa, including functional traits (habitus and growth type, leaf, flower, fruit and seed traits, and trophic mode), taxon origin (native vs alien), and ecological information (environmental relationships, Ellenberg‐type indicator values, disturbance indicator values, and relationships to vegetation units and habitat types). Values for at least three variables are available for 36,404 species. Individual taxa, vegetation units, and habitats in these three modules are illustrated by more than 34,000 photographs. The Download section of FloraVeg.EU provides open‐access data sets in a spreadsheet format that can be used for analyses. FloraVeg.EU is a new resource with easily accessible data that can be used for research in vegetation science, ecology, and biogeography, as well as for education and conservation applications.

Economics of Various Treatments of Vermicompost on Growth and Yield Attributes of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Based Intercropping System

Intercropping is an ecologically friendly technique that can increase the sustainability of farming systems, whilst considered as low input systems. An experiment was conducted at the vegetable farm, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalrapatan City, Jhalawar during the rabi season from November, 2022 to April 2023. The experiment comprised fifteen treatment combinations having three levels each of vermicompost (0, 2.5, and 5 ton/ha) and five levels of different intercropping system (Sole Pea, Sole Garlic, Pea + Garlic 1:1, 2:1, 2:2) in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. The result of the present investigation showed that the effect of vermicompost and intercropping system on individually and combined had significant effect on the economic related attributes. The interaction effect of the Vermicompost and Intercropping system significantly increased the economic attributes such as maximum gross return (361172 ₹ ha-1), net profit (272244 ₹ ha-1) and B:C ratio (4.06) was recorded under treatment V2I5 (Vermicompost @5ton/ha+ Pea+ Garlic 2:2) as compared to other treatment, respectively. The interaction effect of vermicompost and Intercropping system also significantly increased pea equivalent yield (166.040 q/ha), land equivalent ratio (1.25) under treatment V2I5 (Vermicompost@5ton/ha+ Pea+ Garlic 2:2), respectively.

Performance of Different Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) Hybrids for Growth, Yield and Quality under Prayagraj Agro-Climatic Condition

An experimental material comprised of 10 hybrid of pumpkin viz., SADABAHAR, PK-2507 F1hybrid, P6 F1 hybrid, P6 Gold F1hybrid, SS-76 F1 hybrid, SURAJ F1hybrid, SIPRA F1 hybrid, PRITVI F1hybrid, LHP-SINGHAM F1hybrid, SW-1001 F1hybrid.The investigation was carried out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Main Experiment Station of the Department of Vegetable Science at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences Prayagraj (U.P) during the spring season. Present investigation reveuled that pumpkin hybrids viz, vine length cm (SW-1001 F1hybrid), no of braches (PK-2507 F1hybrid) performance best in term of growth. Two hybrids namely LHP-SINGHAM F1hybrid and SW-1001 F1hybrid performance best in term of yield. For the maximum number of fruit per plant and minimum node number for the first staminate flower anthesis was observed in the case of LHP-SINGHAM F1hybrid which is promoted to earliness and high yielding. Two hybrids namely P6 Gold F1hybrid TSS (°Brix), LHP-SINGHAM F1hybrid Vitamin c /100gm.

Studies on Heterozsis Breeding in Brinjal Germplasm for Growth and Yield Traits, Solanum melongena L.

Brinjal, Solanum melongena L. is one of the commercial annual vegetables grown all over India for its edible fruits. Heterosis in vegetable crops helps to exploit the superior hybrids based on its phenotypic superiority over their parents and indicates predominance of non-additive genetic effects. This research was carried out at Department of Vegetable Science, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam. The study involves six parents and thirty hybrids laid out in Randomised Block Design with two replications. The cross CO2 × Kothampatti Kathiri, obtained significant positive heterosis (16.53%) for plant height over better parent. Significant heterosis over mid parent was observed for number of branches in Kothampatti Kathiri × Odavai Pachai Kathiri, 33.33%, fruit width in Dharmapuri Oodha Kathiri × Poiyur Purple Kathiri, 25.54%, fruit length in Kothampatti Kathiri × Gobi Pachai Kathiri, 24.33%. Significant negative heterosis over better parent for number of days to 50% flowering was observed in the cross Odavai Pachai Kathiri × Gobi Pachai Kathiri, -9.25%. Significant positive heterosis over standard check was obtained for number of fruit per plant, 35.42% in the cross Dharmapuri Oodha Kathiri × CO2 and fruit yield per plant in Dharmapuri Oodha Kathiri × Odavai Pachai Kathiri, 21.54%. Heterosis exploited could be utilized in further crop improvement program in the development of a superior hybrid.

Effect of Pruning on Economics of Production of Indeterminate Variety of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in Polyhouse

An experiment was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science, CSAUAT- Kanpur to investigate the role of plant spacing and pruning in economics of production of indeterminate variety of tomato in polyhouse rabi season 2023-2024.The variety under observation is NS4266 .Although cultivation under polyhouse condition is capital intensive process but it is also highly remunerative. The experiment is conducted in randomized block design with four treatment and four replication. Pruning under single stem is best over all the other treatments and is comparative to double stem and triple stem in some cases. Single stem has prolonged market period and highly sustainable in nature.

Dry grasslands and thorn-cushion communities of Armenia: a first syntaxonomic classification

Aim: To provide the first syntaxonomic, plot-based classification of the dry grasslands and thorn-cushion communities in Armenia. Study area: Armenia. Methods: We sampled 111 vegetation plots (10 m2) and recorded environmental and structural parameters. We collected additional 487 relevés from surrounding countries for a broad-scale comparison. We used modified TWINSPAN to derive a syntaxonomic classification system, whose units were then compared among each other regarding species composition, structure, site conditions and distribution. Results: The classification of Armenian vegetation plots resulted in a 12-cluster solution. Unsupervised classification of the broad-scale dataset yielded five main groups, which were used for the high-level syntaxonomic assignments of the Armenian data. We assigned about half of the plots of the Armenian dataset to the Festuco-Brometea, while the remaining represented a potential new class, preliminarily called “Ziziphora tenuior-Stipa arabica grasslands”. Most of the syntaxa below class level are new to science, therefore we provide formal descriptions of three orders (Plantagini atratae-Bromopsietalia variegatae, Onobrychido transcaucasicae-Stipetalia pulcherrimae, Cousinio brachypterae-Stipetalia arabicae), four alliances (Acantholimono caryophyllacei-Stipion holosericeae, Artemision fragrantis, Onobrychido michauxii-Stipion capillatae, Onobrychido transcaucasicae-Stipion pulcherrimae) and six associations. We found significant differences in the topographic, climatic and soil characteristics, and structural parameters, species life forms and distribution range types between the grassland types at different syntaxonomic levels. The mean species richness was 47.3 (vascular plants: 46.8, bryophytes: 0.4, lichens: 0.1). Conclusions: We found remarkable differences of the Armenian dry grasslands from the previously known units and described most of the higher syntaxa and all the associations as new to science. Our study provides arguments for a potential new class of Ziziphora tenuior-Stipa arabica grasslands separate both from the Euro-Siberian Festuco-Brometea and the Anatolian Astragalo-Brometea. Finally, we found plot scale richness of vascular plants clearly above the Palaearctic average of dry grasslands and that of non-vascular plants clearly below, which calls for further biodiversity analyses. Taxonomic reference: Euro+Med (2023) for vascular plants, Hodgetts et al. (2020) for bryophytes, Nimis et al. (2018) for lichens except for Xanthoparmelia camtschadalis (Ach.) Hale. Abbreviations: EDGG = Eurasian Dry Grassland Group; DCA = detrended correspondence analysis; ICPN = International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Theurillat et al. 2021); TWINSPAN = two-way indicator species analysis.