Genetic divergence studies for yield and quality traits in white and brown finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L).)

The present study assessed the nature and magnitude of genetic variability for yield and quality-related traits in 64 finger millet genotypes for 25 parameters during Kharif, 2020-21 at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh. In D2 analysis, the maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster Ⅳ, with white-seeded genotypes and cluster Ⅵ with brown-seeded genotypes indicating these clusters may give a high heterotic response and better segregants. The principal component analysis identified the maximum contributing variables i.e., grain yield per plant, harvest index, fingers per earhead, test weight, peduncle length, seed protein content and seed calcium content in the first principal component. PCA scores of 64 genotypes indicated that genotypes IC0477628, IC0476988, IC0477206, VR1034, IC473950 and IC0477272 are diverse for yield and quality traits and hence hybridization between these genotypes is suggested for generating transgressive segregants

An assessment and distribution of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in Sangla Valley (District Kinnaur: Himachal Pradesh)

The present study was conducted to understand the butterfly diversity in the Sangla Valley of Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh, India from April 2015 to March 2018. A total of 40 species of butterflies belonging to 33 genera and five families were recorded from the present study. From the observed butterflies, the family Nymphalidae was the most dominant among the five families with 20 species, followed by Lycaenidae comprising 10 species, Pieridae with 07 species, Papilionidae with 02 species and Hesperiidae with 01species. The butterfly fauna of Sangla Valley has been documented for the first time. The diversity of butterflies is near lower altitudes as compared to alpine regions and Bhoj Patra forests in Cchitkul. Maximum diversity of butterflies exists in open spaces on wild vegetation. One species of Snow Apollo i.e. Parnassius hardwckii has been recorded for the first time from Sangla Valley landscape. The present study added valuable information on the diversity of butterfly fauna and will contribute in developing effective conservation measures in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh

Effect of spacing and harvest duration of moringa leaves in Arid Region

Moringa oleifera Lam, a member of the Moringaceae family, is highly prized and grows in many tropical and subtropical countries. It has a broad spectrum of medicinal uses and is highly nutritious. An experiment was conducted to investigate how spacing and harvest duration impact the growth, leaf yield, and quality of Moringa oleifera Lam at the College of Agriculture, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The study involved spacing treatments of 60 x 60 cm, 60 x 45 cm, and 45 x 45 cm as well as harvest durations of 30, 45, and 60 days. Randomly selected individual plants from each harvest plot were analyzed to record the fresh leaves and air-dried weights. Additionally, the plant's average stem diameter, height, and branches were recorded. According to the results, over a 60-day period after sowing, there was a steady increase in plant height. The 60 x 60 cm, 60 x 45 cm, and 45 x 45 cm spacings resulted in plant heights of 92 cm, 96 cm, and 102 cm, respectively. The number of branches produced per plant also increased with time, reaching 10 and 12 for medium and wide spacings, respectively. Although the wider spacing produced a more significant number of branches and higher yield per plant compared to the medium and close spacings, the total shoot yield per hectare was higher in the close spacing than in the medium and wide spacings. According to the study, the growth and yield of Moringa were significantly influenced by spacing, with leaf production, branches, and overall yield being particularly affected

Identification of spoilage yeasts in cashew apple (Annacardium occidentale L.) using MALDI-TOF MS

Cashew (Annacardium occidentale L.) is a hardy and golden crop of arid regions, and the pseudo fruit, cashew apple is a vital source of sugars and vitamins that is discarded as a waste during cashew nut processing. Cashew apples start fermenting soon after the harvest, and due to the presence of a wide spectrum of polyphenols and tannins, the change of colour of cashew apples leads to an unappealing marketability and storage stability. The present study is aimed to rapid identification of different spoilage yeasts and to identify them using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectroscopy. Spoilage yeasts like Candida krusei, C. tropicalis, Pichia norvegensis, Brettannomyces bruxellensis were the spoilage yeasts found to have high confidence score values of 2.00 - 3.00 with high consistency

Phenotypic diversity of date-palm genotypes (Phoenix dactylifera L.) collected from Mundra of Kutch region

A wide range of variability with regard to fruit and pulp characters and taste was observed in date groves in Kutch region of Gujarat (India), which have been developed naturally from seeds. An exploration was undertaken to identify better genotypes of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) based on their fruit quality and yield-attributing characteristics. A total of 14 fruit samples were collected and data were analysed for fruit characters. Among the different genotypes MDR2 was identified and marked superior with respect to fruiting characteristics like fruit weight (29.86 g), fruit length (53.12 mm) and quality characteristics (TSS 35.17 ºB). In India, the coastal strip of the Kutch region contains the only remaining natural date palm groves, which should be utilised and maintained to be used in future genetic improvement programmes

Assessment, estimation and economic performance of different Kharif Onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties under Malwa Plateau of Madhya Pradesh

A farm testing trial (OFT) was conducted on the 13 farmers’ fields of the Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh to assess the most of assessing variety of Kharif onion for two consecutive years i.e. 2018-19 and 2019-20. The present study revealed that onion variety Bhima Dark Red (BDR) performed better for most of the growth parameters, yield and yield attributing traits and economic performance as well as gross and net returns compared to Bhima Super and N-53 varieties. Maximum plant height (63.72 cm), number of leaves per plant (13.17), leaf length (51.85 cm), bulb diameter (5.95 cm), fresh weight of bulb (102.53 g), cured weight of bulb (93.38 g), bulb yield (262.56 q/ha), minimum neck thickness of bulb (1.10 cm) and bolting percentage (0.70%) were observed in Bhima Dark Red. Bhima Dark Red variety recorded an additional net return of Rs. 71,541 and Rs. 198667 over Bhima Super and N-53. Highest B: C ratio was obtained with Bhima Dark Red (6.74) as compared to Bhima Super (5.47) and N-53 (3.42), respectively

Selection of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies for desirable traits

The experiment on selecting honey bee Apis mellifera L. colonies for desirable traits was conducted at the Apiary of the Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana (India) during 2020-21. The significant variations were observed in various colony parameters viz. colony strength (7.2 to 13.0 no. of bee frames), brood area (1029.42 to 3917.73 cm2), honey store (1196.48 to 2568.71 g), pollen area (314.76 to 692.73 cm2), brood survival rate (76.56 to 91.61.39 %) and paper potness (8.82 to 24.73 %). Ranking of honey bee colonies was developed on the basis of a five-point scoring system for each desirable trait. Colonies were rated based on 1 to 5 point scale. The average score ranged from 1.2 to 4.9. On the basis of top score, 9 colonies (C-6, C-8, C-2, C-20, C-12, C-11, C-5, C-19 and C-16) were selected for further evaluation and mass queen rearing, having average scores ranged from 3.5 to 4.9

Relationship of weather parameters and date of showing on vector-borne disease, stem necrosis of potato

Stem necrosis is a hot spot disease caused by Tospovirus, a groundnut bud necrosis virus strain for Rajasthan. The minimum per cent incidence (5.56%) of stem necrosis was recorded with the variety Kufri Sindhuri and Kufri Pushkar (7.69%), while the maximum per cent incidence (24.87%) in Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri Bahar (23.75%). Out of three sowing dates, minimum disease incidence was recorded on 3rd planting date. The maximum and minimum temperature was highly significant, with a positive correlation against stem necrosis on the first planting date. A highly significant positive correlation between stem necrosis and the thrips population was detected. The maximum area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) value was found on 1st date of sowing. The 3rd date of sowing produced the maximum number of tubers per plot, marketable yield and total tuber yield (q/ha). However, the maximum per cent dry matter was recorded in K. Sindhuri (22.27%) and K. Pushkar (21.01%). Thus, the experiment results suggested that the variety of Kufri Sindhuri and Kufri Pushkar with planting in the last week of October caused a significant reduction in stem necrosis disease leading to a corresponding increase in tuber yield of potato

Biological parameters and comparative morphometrics studies of Scirpophaga spp. in rice

The comparative biological studies on yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Wlk.) and white Stem Borer, Scirpophaga fusciflua Hampson showed that the moths of both species preferred to lay eggs on the dorsal surface of leaves. The eggs were laid in masses during night hours and covered with brownish hairs of the anal tuft. The maximum eggs of S. incertulas hatched on 6th day, whereas the S. fusciflua eggs hatched on the 5th day with per cent hatchability of 86 and 93 per cent, respectively. There were six larval instars in S. incertulas with 25-34 days larval duration and five for S. fusciflua with 26-31 days larval duration. The pupal period lasts for 7-9 days in both species, and the adults emerge from the pupae during dusk hours. Adults exhibited sexual dimorphism. The longevity of male and female moths was also similar in both species. The morphometries of larval head capsule width were more in S. incertulas as compared to S. fusciflua. Male pupal weight of both the species were almost similar but it was varied significantly in female pupa S. incertulas (0.024mg) and S. fusciflua (0.032mg)