Influence of organic and inorganic fertilizers on yield and quality of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Field experiments were carried out during Kharif season of 2015 and 2016 to study the influence of FYM, inorganic fertilizers and bio-fertilizers on fresh herbage yield, quantity and quality of essential oil of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). Nine treatments with  three replication were adopted in a randomized block design to find out the effect of different levels of N applied through FYM (100, 75 and 50% of the recommended N along with and without bio-fertilizers), recommended dose of NPK (160:80:80 kg ha-1), recommended FYM (10 t ha-1) + NPK (160:80:80  kg ha-1) and control (recommended  FYM (10 t ha-1) on fresh herbage and oil yield, oil content and oil quality of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Pooled results revealed that application of recommended FYM (10 t ha-1) along with recommended NPK (160:80:80 kg ha-1) recorded the highest fresh herbage yield (39.95 and 19.37 t ha-1), essential oil content (0.48 and 0.45%) and essential oil yield (199.7 and 107.58 kg ha-1) in the main crop and ratoon, respectively. With respect to oil quality, bio-fertilizer has a good impact on oil quality, that highest percentage of Methyl chavicol was recorded with application of recommended FYM (10 t ha-1) + recommended N through FYM along with bio fertilizers in the main crop of 2016 (63.78%) and in the ratoon (59.39 and 59.67%) of 2015 and 2016, respectively

Epidemiological parameters to delineate weather-disease interactions and host plant resistance against leaf blight in small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton)

Small cardamom, the versatile spice of Zingiberaceae is cultivated in diverse agro-climatic regions of India especially in South India. Leaf blight incited by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato is one among the major challenges encountered across different cardamom growing tracts. In the present investigation, epidemiology of cardamom leaf blight was studied and an attempt was made to decipher the resistant nature of Malabar, Mysore and Vazhukka genotypes based on epidemiological parameters. The average percent disease index recorded in Malabar, Mysore and Vazhukka varied from 23.41 to 27.72, 18.79 to 20.34 and 18.74 to 20.38, respectively. The disease exhibited a positive correlation with respect to Tmax and Tmin in all the genotypes, however, significant correlation was observed only in Malabar and Mysore with respect to Tmax. Whereas, rainfall and rainy days had negative correlation with leaf blight in all genotypes however found to be non-significant. The average infection rate was maximum (0.000429) in Malabar, whereas it was 0.000124 and 0.000186 in Mysore and Vazhukka, respectively. The area under disease progress curve registered the highest for Malabar (8814.15) and lowest in Vazhukka (6531.02) while, Mysore type recorded 6612.96 indicating that, Vazhukka and Mysore types might posses horizontal resistance and Malabar with vertical resistance. In the light of above results, plant protection measures could be scheduled based on the take-off level and genotypes with horizontal resistance could be promising candidates in resistance breeding programmes

Performance, diversity analysis and character association of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) accessions in the high altitude of Idukki district, Kerala

The experiment was conducted to evaluate black pepper accessions for growth parameters, yield attributing characters and yield. Out of the ten accessions tested, Karimunda recorded the highest fresh (1.61 kg) and dry (508.7 g) yield of berries plant-1. Fresh weight showed significant positive genotypic correlation to dry weight and while negative correlated to 100 berry volume, 100 berry weight and number of berries spike-1. Hence, selection based on number of berries spike-1, 100 berry volume and 100 berry weight may not lead to the high yielding black pepper variety. The results showed that Karimunda is the most suitable black pepper variety for high altitude areas of Idukki district

Toward a Sustainable Agriculture Through Plant Biostimulants

Over the past decade, interest in plant biostimulants has been on the rise, compelled by the growing interest of researchers, extension specialists, private industries, and farmers in integrating these products in the array of environmentally friendly tools to secure improved crop performance, nutrient efficiency, product quality, and yield stability. Plant biostimulants include diverse organic and inorganic substances, natural compounds, and/or beneficial microorganisms such as humic acids, protein hydrolysates, seaweed and plant extracts, silicon, endophytic fungi like mycorrhizal fungi, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria belonging to the genera Azospirillum, Azotobacter, and Rhizobium. Other substances (e.g., chitosan and other biopolymers and inorganic compounds) can have biostimulant properties, but their classification within the group of biostimulants is still under consideration. Plant biostimulants are usually applied to high-value crops, mainly greenhouse crops, fruit trees and vines, open-field crops, flowers, and ornamentals to sustainably increase yield and product quality. The global biostimulant market is currently estimated at about $2.0 billion and is expected to reach$3.0 billion by 2021 at an annual growth rate of 13%. A growing interest in plant biostimulants from industries and scientists was demonstrated by the high number of published peer-reviewed articles, conferences, workshops, and symposia in the past ten years. This book compiles several original research articles, technology reports, methods, opinions, perspectives, and invited reviews and mini reviews dissecting the biostimulatory action of these natural compounds and substances and beneficial microorganisms on crops grown under optimal and suboptimal growing conditions (e.g., salinity, drought, nutrient deficiency and toxicity, heavy metal contaminations, waterlogging, and adverse soil pH conditions). Also included are contributions dealing with the effect as well as the molecular and physiological mechanisms of plant biostimulants on nutrient efficiency, product quality, and modulation of the microbial population both quantitatively and qualitatively. In addition, identification and understanding of the optimal method, time, rate of application and phenological stage for improving plant performance and resilience to stress as well as the best combinations of plant species/cultivar × environment × management practices are also reported. We strongly believe that high standard reflected in this compilation on the principles and practices of plant biostimulants will foster knowledge transfer among scientific communities, industries, and agronomists, and will enable a better understanding of the mode of action and application procedures of biostimulants in different cropping systems

Biodegradation Technology of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants

Bioremediation technologies for environments contaminated by organic and inorganic pollutants are a major focus of researchers and scientists worldwide. The chemical control of agricultural pests and advocacy for sustainable agriculture have led to the development of new paradigms in environmental remediation. This book covers recent advances in the bioremediation technology of organic and inorganic pollutants in the environment