Poly House Research Articles

Genetic Variability And Correlation Studies of Gerbera Jamesonii Bolus) Under Protected Condition

Sixty three lines of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) were evaluated to determine the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, genetic gain and correlation coefficients for seven flower contributing characters. Significant variations were recorded for the various characters studied. The flower stalk length was maximum (54.67 cm) in GA-34 followed by (53.50 cm) in GA-27, flower stalk thickness (10.23 mm) in GA-62 followed by (9.98 mm) in GA-34, the flower diameter (12.96 mm) in GA-14 followed by (12.66 mm) in GA32, the number of leaves were maximum (65.66) in GA01 followed by (64.33) in GA-35, the flower disc diameter (36.29 mm) in GA-02 followed by (34.47 mm) in GA-44, Ray floret breadth (53.24 mm) in GA-26 followed by (51.05 mm) in GA-30. Highest number of total flower/plant/year (45.13) in GA-35 followed by (41.17) in GA-29. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were highest for the total flower yields per year (66.72% and 66.00%), indicating presence of sufficient genetic variability for selection in these traits. Highest heritability recorded for total number of flower, number of leaves/plant (each 99.00%), flower disc diameter and flower stalk length (98.00%), respectively. The high genetic advance percentage of mean for ray floret breadth, total flower yields and flower disc diameter recorded as 99.50%, 81.32% and 52.56%, respectively. The coefficients values of simple correlation exhibited strong and positive association between all the traits, indicative of involvement of linked gene's inheritance pattern in the traits of study. Further, presence of high genetic gain as well as strong positive association between the traits open the ways for the improvement of the traits in the present material through selection procedure. From the present study, it could be inferred that there is vide scope of gerbera for their good quality flower production for longer durations under poly house in agro-climatic conditions of Kumaun hills of Uttarakhand, which could fetch higher prices to the growers of the region. Further, all the sixty three lines assessed have shown their potential in one or more characteristics under poly house and there is need to study their performance in different growing medium and conditions for the development of production technology for better yield and quality of the produce round the year.

Dissipation Dynamics of Certain Pesticides on Open Field and Poly House Conditions

Dissipation Dynamics of Certain Pesticides on Open Field and Poly House Conditions

Macropropagation and Production of Clonal Planting Materials of <i>Panax pseudoginseng</i> Wall.

Panax pseudoginseng Wall., a highly medicinal, herbaceous, long-lived plant, grows in the forest litter of shady primary forest. The species is threatened in the natural habitat due to unsustainable harvesting of rhizome for medicine and habitat destruction. The species has very poor adaptive power to the synthetic environment and fails to grow and propagate. Present study was undertaken to develop suitable low cost propagation technique and produce clonal planting materials through rhizome splitting and root cutting. Rhizomes and roots were cut into segments and sowed in the raised soil bed prepared by mixing decayed wood powder, sand and top black soil at 1:1:3 ratios in a shaded poly house. Of the sowed rhizome segments ~55% segments remained recalcitrant to morphogenetic response in the first year of the study and the response improved in the subsequent years. In the third year ~51% rhizome segments responded positively. The horizontal root cuts mostly remained morphogenetically dormant but inclined root cuts exhibited better response. The morphogenetic response from the roots was comparatively very poor compare to rhizome segments. The plantlets formed both rhizome segments and root cuttings were maintained for three years in the bed/pots followed by transferring in the cultivated plots.

Performance of gerbera cultivars under naturally ventilated poly house

Performance of gerbera cultivars under naturally ventilated poly house

Development of a model for mass production of <em>Neoseiulus longispinosus</em>, a phytoseiid predator of spider mites

The two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch.) is a serious pest in greenhouses as well as on field grown crops. The predatory mites are important in regulating spider mite populations and should be conserved whenever possible due to their great predatory potential. The pyhtoseiid predator Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) longispinosus (Evans) has a wide distribution and has the ability to adapt to warm temperature inside poly houses under South Indian conditions. This study was undertaken to develop an efficient mass multiplication model for N. longispinosus. To determine the highest yield of predatory mite N. lonigispinosus, both the prey (T. urticae; 5 and 10 per leaflet) and predator mites (2 and 4 per leaflet) were released at two different ratio on French bean (FB) plants at four different growth stages as a tri trophic system. The treatments were imposed with three replicates in a factorial arrangement. Prey mites were released at 20, 25, 30 and 35 days after sowing (DAS) and predatory mites were released 10 days after prey mite release. The number of eggs, immature stages and adults of spider mites as well as predatory mites in each sample was recorded from 35 DAS. Two models where ten spider mites were released per leaflet on 20 DAS with 2 and 4 predatory mites released at 30 DAS, and the third model where release of spider mites at 25 DAS with two predators per leaflet were released, gave the highest yields of the predator. The first model was the most suitable, where the predators harvested was 1,087,130 (55 DAS), 1,362,600 (60 DAS) and 2,000,700 (65 DAS) per 300 pots, at a cost of production of Indian Rupees (INR) 7.5, 6.4 and 4.63 for 1000 predators, respectively. When four predators were used in the above model, 146,230, 325,840, 700,110 and 1,083,700 predators were harvested per 300 pots in 35, 40, 45 and 50 DAS, respectively. The costs of the 1000 predators were INR 40.39, 19.85, 10.04 and 7, respectively. The present models were based on two repeated cycles (two times) and the information generated may be insufficient to draw a solid conclusion. Hence, these models need to be tested thoroughly to stabilize predator production.

Physiological maturity and its influence on seed yield and quality in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) under different growing environments

To study the physical and physiological changes occurred during maturation in fruit and seeds of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) (cv. Pant Shankar Khira-1) grown under naturally ventilated polyhouse, insect proof net house and open field conditions at Centre for Protected Cultivation Technology (CPCT) farm, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi during summer and kharif seasons 2011. The fruits were harvested at 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 days from anthesis (DFA) and seeds were extracted following fermentation. Various physical parameters, viz. fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, number of filled seeds, number of unfilled seeds, 100 seed weight, seed yield/fruit, seed fresh weight, seed dry weight were recorded. The physiological maturity was evaluated by germinating seeds before and after drying. There were only small, non-significant difference in germinability among seed harvested at 35, 40 and 45 DFA, all of which were of higher quality than seeds which had been harvested at 25 and 30 DFA. The analysis of data showed that the seeds attained physiological maturity at 35 DFA under naturally ventilated poly house and insect proof net house, whereas at 40 DFA under open field condition.

Effect of different media treatments on rooting of carnation (Dainathus cryophyllus L.) cuttings of cv. BALTICO under poly house conditions

Effect of different media treatments on rooting of carnation (Dainathus cryophyllus L.) cuttings of cv. BALTICO under poly house conditions

Effect of shoot pruning on yield and quality attribute of a winter capsicum (Capsicum annum L.) crops in hills protected condition

In greenhouse crops, fruit yield and quality can be increased by managing shoot pruning. An experiment was conducted to study the growth and flowering performance of one varieties of capsicum (Capsicum annum L.) at experimental farm Division of Vegetable, Vivekananda Research Institute of Hill Agriculture, Almora. Was studied for effects on fruit yield, fruit quality and plant growth of greenhouse grown sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L. cv. ROBUSTA) during winter 2012-2013 in Uttrakhand Hill. Fruit set was inhibited due to the high temperatures. Marketable yield (number and weight) per m2 increased linearly was greater on plants with four stems than in those with Control, Double Leader system, Triple Leader system, Fourth Leader system. Total marketable yield and extra large fruit yields per plant were greatest in the Fourth Leader system. Plants Red fruits were harvested 79 and 105 days after transplanting. The stem length and the number of nodes per stem increased linearly with the decrease in plant spacing. Stem length and number of nodes per stem were greater in single-stem than in four-stem plants. Number seeds and peal thickness of fruits and total yield were higher in four and two than in single-stem plants. Total stem weight in fourth-stem plants increased linearly with Results indicated pruned to four stems increased marketable and extra large fruit yield in a short harvest period of a winter poly house sweet pepper crop in Uttrakhand hills. Results showed that capsicum (Capsicum annum L.) yield and quality can be effectively manipulated by plant population and stem pruning, while fruit pruning had only a limited effect.

Growth, quality and pest infestation in tomato under protected cultivation in semi-arid region of Punjab

Studies on tomato plant growth, pest infestation, yield and quality were carried out for two consecutive years (2010–2012) under different poly-houses (PHs) and shade net-houses (SNHs). The replicates of SNH structures were covered separately by 35%, 50% and 75% green shade nets. Vigorous tomato plant growth was achieved under PHs and 35% SNHs with more stem diameters ranging from 0.9 ± 0.2 to 1.2 ± 0.1 cm with normal leaf area. Whereas, proliferated or tender plant growth with less stem diameters (0.6 ± 0.1 to 0.7 ± 0.2 cm), leaf specific weight and more leaf area were found under 50 and 75% SNHs. Comparatively, more chlorophyll ‘a’ and ‘b’ (Chla and Chlb) levels and less carotenoid contents were recorded under 50 and 75% SNHs. Compared to open field, the colour values of tomato fruits indicated more redness under PHs and SNHs (in 35%) and also significantly more weight, fruit size, yield and good quality were achieved. Aphid and whiteflies were able to enter the SNHs, but not caused any serious infestation. Thus, PHs and SNHs (35%) were found fairly useful to create favourable microclimate for tomato plant growth and higher yield and also for minimization of pest infestation.

Standardization of in Vitro Regeneration Protocol for Conservation of Shirui Lily (Lilium Mackliniae)-An Endangered Heritage Flower under Changing Climatic Conditions

Shirui lily (Lilium mackliniae), an endangered Asiatic lily species, hails from the Shirui peak of Siroi hill range in Ukhrul district of Manipur, India. This rare species is now at the verge of its extinction due to uncontrolled trampling and plucking by the human intrusions and extensive slash and burning cultivation in this region, as a result of which, it has been recorded in the ‘Red Data Book’ of ‘Indian Plants: Volume I’. Conservation of this endangered species under changing climatic conditions is a great concern for the researchers. An attempt has been made in the present investigation to establish an efficient in vitro regeneration protocol in L. mackliniae for its conservation. Callus cultures were established in MS medium containing different concentrations of 2,4-D (1-2mg/l). The regeneration ability in friable callus was 12 fold higher as compared to the compact callus. Direct regeneration and somatic embryogenesis was achieved in friable callus at 6-8 weeks of subculture in MS with benzyladenine (BA, 1.0mg/l). Multiple shoot proliferation and rooting were achieved in MS+0.5mg/l BA and 0.5mg/l napthalene acetic acid (NAA), respectively. Hardening under mist house resulted in higher survivability (85%) over poly house (62.2%) and shed net (55.5%). The in vitro plantlets were evaluated under different temperature and moisture regimes. The first time report of in vitro regeneration protocol will be helpful to augment breeding strategies in this rare endangered species for wide adaptation under changing climate conditions.

Influence of seed extraction methods on seed quality in cucumber (cucumis sativus) cv. Pant Shankar Khira-1

The present investigation was carried out with the objective to study the influence of seed extraction methods on seed quality in cucumber cv. Pant Shankar Khira-1 at Division of Seed Science and Technology, IARI, during summer and kharif season of the year 2011. The mature fruits were harvested from different growing environment viz. naturally ventilated poly house, insect proof net house and open field condition and subjected to nine different methods of seed extraction includes, Fermentation for 24 h (T1), Fermentation for 36 h (T2), Fermentation for 48 h (T3), Acid (1% HCl) for 10 min (T4), Acid (1% HCl) for 20 min (T5), Acid (1% HCl) for 30 min (T6), Alkali (1% NaOH) for 10 min (T7), Alkali (1% NaOH) for 20 min (T8) and Alkali (1% NaOH) for 30 min (T9). Various seed quality parameters like germination, seedling length, seedling dry weight, vigour indices, moisture content and electrical conductivity were observed in all the treatments. The experimental results revealed that the fermentation for 24 h (T1) has given high performance for seed quality among all treatments. However, in case of acid and alkali treatments as time of exposure increases the seed quality decreases. The seeds obtained from the fruits harvested from naturally ventilated poly house showed highest germination followed by insect proof net house and lowest found in open condition. The similar results were obtained in both the seasons.

Effect of different levels of pruning and micronutrient (Fe) on growth, flowering and cut flower yield of dutch rose (Rosa hybrida Linn.) cv. FIRST RED under greenhouse condition

The present experiment on the effect of different levels of pruning and micronutrient (Fe) on growth, flowering and cut flower yield of Dutch rose (Rosa hybrida Linn.) cv. FIRST RED under greenhouse condition was carried out under poly house, at Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, during 2011-2012. The experiment comprised of ten treatments, viz., three pruning levels (heavy, medium and light) and three different levels of micro nutrients spray FeSO4 (0.0%, 1.0% and 1.5%) and absolute control and replicated thrice in Factorial Completely Randomized Design. Among the different levels of pruning, the heavy pruning recorded maximum number of shoots, stem length of the flower, vase life, number of flowers per plant, per square meter and per hectare among the pruning levels. Light pruning recorded maximum plant height, shoot length, flower diameter and days to first flower bud appearance. However, medium pruning recorded maximum stem diameter and in-situ longevity. Among micronutrient levels maximum stem length, stem diameter, vase life, flowers per plant, per square meter and per hectare were observed in FeSO4 1 per cent. The shortest period noted to first flower bud appearance and first flower opening in FeSO4 1.5 per cent.

Risk analysis of profenofos on tomato in poly house and open fields and risk mitigation methods for removal of profenofos residues from tomato for food safety.

Profenofos is a broad spectrum foliar insecticide and acaricide with contact and systemic action, widely used on tomato in India for the management of sap sucking insects and mites. Profenofos is not registered for use in India on tomato, and hence Maximum Residue Limits are not available as per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. However, use of profenofos in poly house and open fields is very common, and hence profenofos residues are found in market samples. A research project was taken to study dissipation pattern of profenophos 50% EC in both open fields and poly houses, when applied twice @ 500 g a.i. ha−1, first spray at fruit initiation followed by second spray at 10 days interval as per the farmers practice. Profenofos residues were quantified through regular sampling till the residues are below determination level (BDL) of 0.05 mg kg−1 following the validated QuEChERS method. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of profenofos was performed on GC-FPD and GC-MSMS (TQD). Initial deposits of 3.25 mg kg−1 were detected in tomato samples collected from poly house, which dissipated to BDL by 15th day with half-life of 2.43 days. In open fields, deposits of 1.51 mg kg−1 dissipated to BDL by 7th day with half-life of 1.55 days, indicates that dissipation is slow in poly house compared to open fields due to various factors, and in both situations initial deposits are lower than the MRL (10 mg kg−1) of Codex Alimentarius Commission hence a pre-harvest interval of 1 day is recommended. MRL of 7 mg kg−1 in poly house tomato and 3 mg kg−1 in open field tomato is recommended based on the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) calculator and chronic hazard exposure assessment taking into consideration of average body weight, national per capita tomato consumption and acceptable daily intake (ADI) of profenofos. Among various decontamination methods tested, veggy wash found to be very effective in removing profenofos residues to an extent of 75.84% which can be recommended as risk mitigation method for food safety, followed by 4% acetic acid solution (71.22%) and tap water wash was least effective (37.60%) in removing profenofos residues from tomato.

Effect of spacing and training levels on growth and yield of capsicum under polyhouse in North-Bihar conditions

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of spacing and number of shoots on growth and yield of capsicum variety Indira under poly house during 2009–10 and 2010–11 at polyhouse unit, Department of Horticulture, Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Muzaffarpur, Bihar. There werethree levels of spacing 45 x 30 cm (4.4 plants/m2), 45 x 45 cm (2.94 plants/m2) and 45 x 60 cm (2.22 plants/m2) and thre elevels of numbers of shoots per plant viz. two shoots, three shoots and four shoots. The experiment was laid out infactorial randomized block design with three replications. Among the different spacing, S1 (45 x 30 cm) spacing recorded significantly higher plant height (147.21 cm.) than the other spacing but spacing S3 (45 x 60 cm) recorded significantly higher number of leaves per plant (105.67), number of flowers per plant (13.03), number of fruits per plant (9.65) but the maximum fruit yield (71.39t/ha) was recorded under spacing S1 (45 x 30 cm) with regards to the number of shoots per plant. The treatment two shoot per plant recorded significantly higher plant height (144.36 cm), number of leaves (116.25) whereas retaining four shoots per plant recorded significantly higher number of flowers per plant(13.04), number of fruit per plant (9.30), fruit yield (65.35t/ha). But for the common farmers growing capsicum cv. Indira with closer spacing S1 (45 x 30 cm) and training level (four shoots per plants) will be more profitable under polyhouse.

Screening of improved cultivars of cucumber in naturally ventilated polyhouse under tarai condition of Uttarakhand

A number of varieties/hybrids have been recently developed in the country in this crop but little effort has been made so far to screen them for their suitability of growing under poly house conditions. The experiment involving 10 genotypes includes five parthenocarpic varieties namely Hilton, Kian, Isatis, PPC-2 and PPC-3 and five monoecious F1 hybrids namely Malini, Kamini, Sheetal, Alamgir CT-180 and NS-404, collected from different sources. All the genotypes had a wide range of variation for most of the characters under investigation. For fruit yield per hectare in rabi season, the genotypes Kian (200.15 q), Isatis (188.78 q), and Hilton (144.30 q) were the top performers and superior over the check variety PPC-3 (122.22 q), however, Sheetal was the least yielder genotype with 82.13 q/ha fruit yield and in summer season, the genotypes Malini (590.76 q), Hilton (572.80 q), and NS-404 (523.77 q) were the top performers and superior than the check variety PPC-3 (449.02 q) however, Sheetal was the least yielder genotype with 318.19 q/ha fruit yield. The high fruit yield recorded in the genotypes has been directly attributed to increased number of fruits per plant.

Performance of Sweet Pepper under Protective Structure in Gazipur of Bangladesh

Evaluation of sweet pepper cultivation under different protective structures was made in two consecutive seasons of 2007-08 and 2008-09 at the experimental field of Horticulture Research Center of BARI, Gazipur. One popular commercial capsicum variety California Wonder was included in the study with four protective structures (low height poly tunnel, polytunnel with side open, poly tunnel with side closed and poly house) including control (open field). Protective structures had remarkable and significant influence on plant growth and yield of sweet pepper. The plants grown under protective structures had higher plant height compared to that of plants grown in open field. The highest individual fruit weight (65.2g) was recorded form the plants grown under poly house condition while it was the lowest from open field grown plant (3.34 g). More than five fruits were harvested when the plants were grown under poly tunnel (side closed) or poly house. The maximum fruit yield per plant (334.0g) was recorded from poly house, which was 160.4% higher than that of plants grown under open field condition. The second highest yield was recorded from the plants of poly tunnel (212.5) indicating bright scope for sweet pepper cultivation under protective structures. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v1i1.8523 International Journal of Environment Vol.1(1) 2013: 1-8

English

The present study evaluates Poly House and Open field production of quality Sprouting broccoli. Sprouting broccoli is an exotic vegetable which is gaining popularity among   Indian growers due to its high nutritive value and market potential in the recent years. Experiment was conducted to determine the growth, yield and quality of sprouting broccoli under polyhouse and open field condition at Horticultural Research Station, Mondouri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal (India) during the months of October to March (2010 to 2012). The experiment consisted of two growing conditions (viz, Polyhouse and Open field) with four hybrid varieties (viz, Early You, Princess, Fiesta and Nokguk). Results indicated that the plants grown in the polyhouse were superior than those grown in the field.  Quality attributes like, Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, reducing sugar , non-reducing sugar and total sugar  were also found  significantly increased in polyhouse grown crops.  Marketable curd yield of ‘Early you’ were highest in poly house condition. Plants grown in poly house gave the highest production in all the four varieties as compared to the plants grown in open field. Significant trends were found in all the quality attributes with increasing tendency in all the four varieties of sprouting broccoli in polyhouse. Study amongst the four varieties   that for highest production with good quality, polyhouse condition was found to be effective for successful cultivation of Sprouting broccoli in the gangetic plains of West Bengal.   Key words: Sprouting broccoli, polyhouse, open field.

Effects of Plant Growth Substances on Rooting of Hedychium spicatum under Different Temperature Regimes

Present study was carried out to develop a simple and efficient vegetative propagation protocol by applying various treatments to rhizome cuttings with different test solutions of auxins and phenolic compound. These were alpha-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), phloroglucinol and coumarin. The concentrations for each treatment were 10.0, 50.0 and 100.0 microM. After treatments the rhizome cuttings were planted in polybags containing forest soil and kept under different temperature regimes i.e., inside polyhose (at 20-25 degrees C), inside mist chamber (at 15-20 degrees C) and under nethouse (nursery condition, at 14-18 degrees C). The maximum rooting percentage (74.06%) was achieved at 20-25 degrees C (inside polyhouse) by applying 50.0 microM IBA. Inside poly house condition, the various developmental parameters showed better responses compare to other conditions. On the basis of present study emphasizes that the temperature play a crucial role in rooting and further growth of the plants in this species. By using this simple and significant conventional method of propagation we could be propagate this vulnerable medicinal and aromatic species at large scale for commercial purpose.

Suppression of common blight disease (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli) by a bacterial endophyte in soybean (Glycine max)

Soybean seeds inoculated with Paenibacillus polymyxa HKA 15, a bacterial endophyte of soybean showed higher germination percentage, root length, shoot length, vigour index and biomass compared to uninoculated seeds. The crude metabolite from P. polymyxa HKA 15 showed a clear zone of inhibition against strains (M 5 and CP 1-1) of bacterial common blight pathogen X. axonopodis pv. phaseoli in agar diffusion assay. Under poly house conditions, the effect of P. polymyxa HKA 15 on seed germination percentage and biocontrol activity against bacterial common blight disease was assessed. Soybean seeds treated with P. polymyxa HKA 15 showed significant increase in seed germination percentage compared to untreated seeds. Pin-prick inoculation of strains of X. axonopodis pv. phaseoli, strains, viz CP 1-1 and M 5 on soybean leaves treated with endophyte resulted in lowest mean disease ratio (MDR) of 0.80 and 0.88 at two DAI and 1.24 and 1.1 at four DAI and per cent disease incidence (PDI) of 16 and 17.6 at two DAI and 24.8 and 22 at four DAI respectively.

Design and development of energy efficient solar tunnel dryer for industrial drying

A natural convection poly house walk-in type solar tunnel dryer was designed and used for drying surgical cotton on industrial scale. This article deals with the basic design criterion used for development of solar tunnel dryer and result of drying of surgical cotton in actual use. A batch of surgical cotton of 600 kg by mass, having an initial moisture content of 40% wet basis from which 210 kg of water is required to be removed to get a desired moisture content of about 5% wet basis, is used as the drying load in designing the dryer. A drying time of 7–8 h is assumed for the anticipated test location (Udaipur, 27° 42′ N, 75° 33′ E) with an expected average solar irradiance of 5.5 kW m−2. Average cost of drying one batch of surgical cotton in a solar tunnel dryer has been worked out to be approximately 4.63 USD as compared to 30.00 USD in the existing diesel fired dryer.