Status of plantation crops sector in India

Status of plantation crops sector in Indi

Synchronous fruit splitting in nutmeg using plant growth regulators

In this study, a simple technique with hormone treatment was developed for synchronous splitting (ripening) of nutmeg fruits. The methodology involves harvesting physiologically mature fruits, dipping the harvested fruits in 500 ppm ethrel (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) solution for 10 minutes, and then storing them in shade. By this method, 90 to 100 per cent fruits split in 18 to 20 hours. Width of the split which helps in easy separation of nut from fruit pericarp was on par with that of naturally split fruits. The dry recovery, nut to mace ratio and fresh and dry weight of the nut and mace of the treated fruits were comparable with naturally split fruits. The intrinsic quality i.e., oil, oleoresin and moisture content of nut and mace of treated fruits were on par with that of naturally split fruits. This indicates that nut and mace of treated fruits had similar physical and intrinsic quality parameters as that of naturally split fruits. The advantage of the method is that it is very effective in preventing aflatoxin (mycotoxin) contamination of nut and mace due to soil contact of naturally split fruits that fall on the ground. The method for synchronous fruit splitting in nutmeg is very simple and can be easily practiced by farmers. It also saves time, labour and money both for harvesting and processing of nutmeg. The cost of ethrel treatment would be around ` 800 per ton of fruit. This is the first report on the induction of synchronous and uniform fruit splitting (ripening) of pre-split harvested fruits in nutmeg

Documentation of fungal endophytes of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and their seed transmission studies

The present study envisaged to document the endophytic fungal association with black pepper through a series of in vitro and in planta investigations. Black pepper was found to harbour endophytic fungal flora belonging to the genera Alternaria, Acremonium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Chaetomium, Curvularia, Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Humicola, Paecilomyces, Rhizoctonia, Phoma and non-sporulating forms. Further, it was found that the endocarp of black pepper seed is free from culturable endophytic fungi. This was evident from the absence of culturable fungi in in vitro grown black pepper seedlings. The growth of fungi from the seedlings grown under green house conditions reveal that the fungal endophytes establish from fungal propagules falling on the (test) plants that may enter the plant tissues as back ground inoculum and grow as endophyte. This was also supported by the study that the type of endophytic fungi that harbour black pepper plants varied with geographical locations from where the samples were collected

Influence of endometrial thickness and embryo placement distance from fundus in in-vitro fertilization treatment

Background: In-vitro fertilization–embryo transfer (IVF-ET) has become progressively popular as a treatment for different type of infertility issues. Implantation of the embryo is an essential step and depends on various factors that play pivotal role in influencing the pregnancy outcomes in IVF cycle. It directly impacts on the efficiency of embryo transfer procedure, site of embryo deposition, catheter loading technique, embryo placement distance from the fundus and thickness of endometrium.Methods: In the present retrospective study, data from IVF-ET treatment cycles conducted at Srushti Fertility Centre and Women’s Hospital, Chennai, for a period between October 2021 and February 2022 were analysed. Women were divided into four groups according to embryo placement distance from fundus post embryo transfer group 1: 10 to 15 to 20 mm. According to endometrial thickness they were divided into two groups, group A: 6-10 mm and group B: 10-14 mm. Clinical pregnancy were assessed between the groups.Results: Clinical pregnancy rates were higher in groups 2 and 3 when compared to embryo placement distance from fundus 62.3% and 82.2%, distance of 10 mm and 20 mm and endometrial thickness of more than 10 mm (group B) had higher clinical pregnancy rates 66.3% than (group A) 43.5%.Conclusion: Ideal ET depth and optimum endometrial thickness were found to influence the clinical pregnancy rates. Embryo placement at 10-20 mm from fundus and endometrial thickness of more than 10 mm is recommended for optimal clinical pregnancy outcomes

Virulence of Phytophthora isolates from Piper nigrum L. and their sensitivity to metalaxyl-mancozeb

Foot rot disease caused by Phytophthora capsici in black pepper is the most destructive disease. A total of 82 isolates from the National Repository of Phytophthora at ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research were evaluated for their sensitivity to metalaxylmancozeb and also tested for their virulence. Of the 82 isolates studied, 19 (23.2%) were highly sensitive to metalaxyl-mancozeb and six (7.3%) were comparatively insensitive (EC90 value >40 ppm; range 41.3 to 68.5 ppm). The isolates also varied in the degree of virulence, viz., 34 (41.5%) were highly virulent, 39 (47.6%) moderately virulent, 4 (3.7%) mildly virulent, and 5 (6.1%) non-virulent. There was neither any significant correlation between sensitivity to metalaxyl-mancozeb and virulence nor with the geographical location.Â

A cross sectional study on screening for depression among elderly in rural areas of Puducherry, India

Background: Depression among elderly has been a neglected health issue. Various factors hinder its early diagnosis. The objectives of this study are to screen for depression among elderly using geriatric depression scale-15 and to determine its influencing factors.Methods: A community based cross sectional study on geriatric depression was done in villages catered by a primary health centre in Puducherry. Permanent residents of the study setting, aged ≥60 years consenting for the study were included. Line listing of elderly individuals in the study setting was done and subjects were selected by simple random sampling. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and clinic-psychological variables. Hindi mental state examination scale was used to screen for cognitive impairment (score 5) among geriatric individuals. Appropriate statistical tests of significance were done.Results: Among the 360 elderly individuals screened using GDS-15 tool, 41.4% of them were found to be at a higher risk of developing depression. Significant factors for risk of depression in univariate analysis include being female, illiterate, unemployed, widow/single, having sleep problems, dependency in activities of daily living and cognitive impairment. Predictors for risk of depression evident by multivariate analysis include presence of unemployment, sleep problems and cognitive impairment.Conclusions: A higher proportion of elderly was observed to be at risk of depression.  Primary care physicians may consider screening for depression in elderly with identified risk factors and act accordingly

Study on yield and quality of flowered and non-flowered turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) plants

Study on yield and quality of flowered and non-flowered turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) plant