Correlation coefficient analysis in twelve gladiolus (Gladiolus hybrids Hort.) genotypes

Study was undertaken to analyses the correlation co-efficient for twenty seven characters in twelve genotypes of gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridusHort.) grown atthe Instructional Farm, Department of Floriculture & Landscaping, College of Horticulture & Forestry, Jhalarapatan, Jhalawar. Spike length had highly positive association with rachis length (rg:0.92, rp:0.88), floret diameter (rg:0.94, rp:0.0.74), spike diameter (rg:0.66, rp:0.50), duration of flowering (rg:0.71, rp:0.42), number of florets per spike (rg:0.89, rp:0.84), number of cormels per plant (rg:0.69, rp:0.65), diameter of corm (rg:0.48, rp:0.41), weight of corm (rg:0.44, rp:0.40), weight of cormels per plant (rg:0.20, rp:0.19), size index of corms (rg:0.41, rp:0.38), florets remaining open at a time in vase (rg:0.56, rp:0.33). At both genotypic and phenotypic levels it had negative correlation with number of spikes per plot (rg:-0.56, rp:-0.48), number of corms per plant (rg:-0.72, rp:-0.50), number of corms per plot (rg:-0.60, rp:-0.54) and florets remaining unopened (rg:-0.39, rp:-0.37). It was observed that for most of the characters genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than phenotypic correlation coefficients

Correlation and path analysis studies in Gladiolus (Gladiolus hybrids Hort.)

Correlation and path analysis were carried out in 12 varieties of gladiolus for different yield attributing traits at the Horticultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Yercaud. The results indicated that the Rachis length was positive and significantly correlated with mother corm weight (g), plant height at 60th days after planting (DAP) (cm), number of leaves per plant at 60th (DAP), length of spike (cm), weight of daughter corm (g) and vase life (days). But, it is negative and significantly correlated with number of days taken for first floret opening (rg: -0.714 & rp: -0.664), number of daughter corms per plant (rg: -0.826 & rp: -0.724) and marketable spikes per plant (rg: -0.561 & rp: -0.418) at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. For path analysis the residual effect was 0.174 and it was evident that the highest direct effect on length of rachis was observed in case of mother corm size (0.951) and weight of the daughter corm (0.943), followed by number of daughter corms per plant (0.859), number of florets per spike (0.849), length of first floret (0.832), marketable spikes per plant (0.385), number of leaves per plant at 60th DAP (0.384), diameter of first floret (0.374) and length of spike (0.221) under Shevaroys condition

Growth and biochemistry of the common hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis L.) and the lily (Lilium longiflorum L.)

The biochemical principles underlining carbohydrate metabolism of ornamental geophytes such as hyacinth and the lily are poorly understood. The present studies were therefore undertaken to investigate the regulation and partitioning of carbohydrates, as well as growth and development of these flower bulbs. Results indicated that starch was the major storage carbohydrate in these bulbs. Starch degradation occurred through amylolysis rather than phosphorolysis. The flower accumulated the highest amount of the reserves in hyacinth, following the depletion of these substances in the bulb scales, whilst in the case of the lily; it was the stem and roots, which accumulated the highest amount of reserves. The isolation of gene fragments of starch phosphorylase and starch synthase from hyacinth as well as the sequences generated for these enzymes implies that primers which are specific to hyacinth can be designed, and full characterisation of the genes can be made in the future by making and probing genomic libraries and isolating clones from cDNA libraries. In general, peeling of bulbs prior to planting resulted in a delay in emergence and reductions in vegetative growth as well as flower quality. Hyacinth plants subjected to defoliation did not show any compensation for leaf loss because growth was always reduced whilst flowering was unaffected, however, the lily responded positively to complete shoots removal especially when herbivory occurred at the beginning of their growth. Plants produced from large bulbs, just like those from the shallow planting regimes performed better in terms of growth and flower quality as compared to those of small bulbs and deep planting. Also, the application of (NH4)2SO4 enhanced more vigorous growth and bulb yield in both species of flower bulbs than did Na2HPO4, but in hyacinth it was Na2HPO4 that produced better flower quality than the former. Varieties such as Sky Jackets and Purple Voice produced the highest vegetative growth and bulb yield, whilst Fondant and Blue Jacket recorded the highest flower quality

Modern Seed Technology

Satisfying the increasing number of consumer demands for high-quality seeds with enhanced performance is one of the most imperative challenges of modern agriculture. In this view, it is essential to remember that the seed quality of crops does not improve

Not Available

Not AvailableIt gives me immense pleasure to present the 16th Annual Report of ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna for the year 2016-17. The institute is contributing immensely in technology development and dissemination through multi-commodity and multi-disciplinary research so as to enhance the productivity and profitability of agricultural production systems, and efficient management of available natural resources in diverse agro-climate zones of eastern states. During the period under report, the institute has developed several technologies for crop production and resource conservation in the backdrop of improved natural resource management strategies to mitigate/adapt to the changing climate challenges. A large number of rice genotypes have been evaluated under drought and submergence stress conditions. In order to increase productivity and cropping intensity in rice-fallows, technologies such as zero tillage and crop residue management have been standardized and popularized. Boro rice has been another area of focus in the last year. For achieving the goal of food, nutritional and livelihood security and increasing the farmers’ income, emphasis has been given on management of fallow lands, conservation agriculture, variety development for stress conditions, water productivity enhancement, rainwater harvesting, diversification in cropping systems with pulses and millets, weed management, solar energy application in agriculture and restoration of degraded lands. Different models of integrated farming systems have been developed for small and marginal farmers of rainfed, irrigated, hill & plateau and waterlogged situations, which have been found ecologically and economically viable. Emphasis has also been given to improve the nutrition and livelihood security of farm women through integrated farming systems.Germplasm of different pulses like greengram, blackgram, pigeonpea, chickpea and lentil were evaluated and promising lines were identified. Similarly a large number of germplasm of mango, litchi, jackfruit, jamun, tamarind, makhana, water chestnut have been collected from different states and evaluated. Promising lines of sweet potato, colocasia, cassava, elephant foot yam and arial yam have been identified. Further, the host-pest interaction and its dynamics in mango have been studied under climate change scenario in eastern region. For augmenting the availability of quality seeds of pluses, two pulse seed hubs have also been sanctioned to the institute. Characterization of Gangatiri, an indigenous breed of cattle, was completed in its home tract of Bhojpur and Buxar districts. Comparative performance of Khaki campbell, White pekin and indigenous duck germplasm collected from Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal was evaluated. Regarding fish health, five districts of Bihar were surveyed to detect the presence of viral diseases of Indian Major Carps through PCR.The institute has also been providing technological support to the farmers of the eastern region of India through its extensive extension network. A total of 122 training programmes, 20 FLDs and 26 OFTs have been conducted for the farmers and state officials. Thirty four villages of four districts of Bihar and Jharkhand were covered under Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav to make the farmers aware of improved technologies. Scientists of the institute have also excelled in strategic and adaptive research, made good contribution in publication of quality research papers in the journal of national and international repute. I acknowledge the consistent support, keen interest and guidance received from Dr. T. Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR in order to plan and implement various research and extension activities. The encouragement, valuable guidance and support rendered by Dr. K. Alagusundaram, DDG, (NRM) is duly acknowledged. All Heads of Divisions/Research Centres deserves appreciation for submitting their research findings in time. I also express my appreciation to the editorial team of this report.Not Availabl

Role of starch structure in texture of winter squash (Cucurbita maxima D) fruit and starch functional properties

Starch structural and functional properties of 13 winter squash ( Cucurbita maxima D.) cultivars were investigated at harvest and after 5 or 10 weeks storage at 12°C. Texture profile analysis was carried out on winter squash fruit steamed at 6 different cooking times from 0 to 20 minutes, and for all three storage times. Buttercup squash cultivars had very high proportion of dry matter as starch (50--60%), whereas Halloween squash often accumulate no starch. Squash starches were B-type, with long amylopectin branch chain-lengths, low amylopectin polydispersity, gelatinization temperature of 60--65°C, and narrow range of gelatinization temperatures. Starch pastes had high peak and final viscosity, and high setback. Hardness of fruit was similar after 10 weeks storage, fracturability increased during storage and springiness of squash fruit decreased during storage. Correlations among squash starch structural and functional properties, and fruit textural attributes were observed. Starch content was positively correlated to fruit hardness and fracturability when raw and negatively correlated at long-duration cooking times. Springiness of raw and cooked fruit was negatively correlated to starch content. Apparent amylose content correlated negatively to hardness and fracturability of squash fruit, but absolute amylose content correlated positively to hardness and fracturability. Hardness and fracturability of squash fruit was consistently correlated to short (DP ≤ 12) and long (DP ≥ 37) amylopectin branch chain-lengths and negatively correlated to intermediate amylopectin branch chain-lengths (DP 13--36), regardless of storage time. Starch structural and functional properties, and textural attributes all varied among seasons. Ultrasound was transmitted through raw and cooked squash fruit as novel method of measuring texture. Ultrasonic velocity (UV) was slower than air for raw fruit, and despite softening during cooking, UV increased as squash were steamed. Light microscopy analysis showed fruit with fastest UV had cells engorged with gelatinized starch, whereas fruit with slower UV had no starch or other material in their cells. Zapallo fruit had dramatic variation in starch accumulation and could be used as model system for starch biosynthesis. Apple starches were also studied and were C-type with long amylopectin branch chains and low paste breakdown

Innovative Research for Organic 3.0 - Proceedings of the Scientific Track

The future challenges in food production and consumption appear clear: - Feed 9 to 11 billion people in the next 30 to 80 years with enough, affordable and healthy food. - Protect the environment (e.g. soils, water, air, biodiversity and landscapes) whilst increasingly under pressure to achieve greater levels of intensification. - Mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change in all farming systems and value chains. - Incorporate novel ethics, food habits, demographics and lifestyles into the food chains. - Produce food on limited farmland and fossil (non-renewable) resources efficiently and profitably. Several findings from scientific research and practical applications suggest that organic food and farming systems can help in tackling these future challenges.1The 'low external input' approach, risk minimizing strategies and ethically accepted production practices of organic food and farming systemscan help to produce more affordable food for an increasing number of people while minimizing environmental impacts. However, resource efficiency, low-meat diets and reducing food waste are also essential factors that have to be considered. From a global perspective, organic food and farming systems is still a niche sector, as less than 1% of global farmland is managed organically and only a small proportion of the global population is consuming organic food in significant amounts. Production yields are relatively low, and the goals of organic food and farming systems, described in the principles and standards, are not achieved on every farm. This needs further development based on scientific evidence and good management practices. A lot has been done already to develop organic food and farming systems. Nevertheless, to assure, that organic food and farming systems becomes a significant part of the solutions for the future challenges in the food and farming sector, there is still much to do. The Scientific Track at the Organic World Congress 2017 in Delhi, India, will contribute to the global discussion on Organic 3.0, and taking the opportunity to answers some of the challenges in the context of the Indian subcontinent in particular. After a double-blind review, done by 120 reviewers from various disciplines from many experienced research institutions throughout the world, about 183papers from 50 countries have been accepted. All the papers in these proceedings can be also foundon the database "Organic Eprints" (www.orgprints.org). The Scientific Board of the Organic World Congress 2017 Delhi, November 201