Deficiency of magnesium in maize (Zea mays L.) induced by high potassium level in a micaceous soil of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India

A field observation was undertaken in a farmer’s field sown with maize at Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand to record whether K rich micaceous soil can cause Mg deficiency. The crop was fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorus only. The visible effect of Mg-deficiency initiated after 20-25 days of maize sowing as interveinal chlorosis in older leaves along the margins running the full length of the leaves parallel to the veins. In later stage, necrosis of older leaves occurred particularly at the tip of the leaves. The leaf and soil sample collected at 45 days after sowing (DAS) revealed an extremely low content of Mg in soil (4.32 mg kg-1) and plant (0.11%). The soil analysis also revealed that the soil was acidic in nature (pH 5.07) with low cation exchange capacity (9.7 cmol kg-1). However, the soil was having a very high level of water soluble (18.2 mg kg-1), exchangeable (262.3 mg kg-1) and available K (280.5 mg kg-1), which has resulted in an imbalanced exchangeable K: Mg ratio (60.7:1) rendering reduced uptake of Mg by maize. Therefore, it was concluded from the study that magnesium deficiency can occur in maize in conditions like acidic, sandy, mica rich soils with high level of K combined with low Mg content, even without K fertilization. Hence, the farmers may use dolomitic lime and/or Mg-containing fertilizers to correct Mg deficiency under such conditions for sustainable agricultural production systems

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Evaluation of Onion (Alium Cepa L.) Genotypes for Growth, Yield and Quality under Mukteshwar ConditionsSignificant variation among the 47 genotypes of onion was observed for all the traits plant height, leaf length, leaves per plant, polar and equatorial diameter of bulbs, average bulb weight, total soluble solids and total yield quintal/hectare. The coefficients of variation were low to high and ranged from 9.33 to 33.22%. It was observed moderate for bulb weight was positively associated with polar diameter, length, and girth of bulb. However, it was negatively correlated with days to maturity and total soluble solids. For improving bulb yield and important component traits in onion, the generation of genetically broad base population using diverse genotypes in breeding programmed is advocated. Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important crops cultivated throughout the world and utilized as spice and condiment. It is hardy, bulbous rooted perennial plant with small narrow rounded leaves a white flower. Onion possesses typical pungent flavoring it useful mainly as a spice, seasoning and flavouring agent for foodstuff. Eating of raw onion boost the immune system and regulate blood sugar level. However, there is great potential for increasing area, production and productivity of this crop in the region, and hence, there is an urgent need to evaluate different onion genotypes under Mukteshwar region. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to study the evaluation of onion genotypes for growth, yield, and quality in Mukteshwar condition in order to achieve this objective. The highest bulb yield (313.5 Q/ha) was recorded in genotypes AVT-I-BLRO-1229 and AVT-II-CLRO-1227, followed by 297.0 Q/ha and 280.5 Q/ha recorded in IET hybrid-ALRO-1230 and IET-ALRO-1243. Whereas, the lowest bulb yield (171.6 Q/ha) was obtained in AVT-II-CLRO- 1275 genotypes.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe main objective of the present investigation was to develop an improvised method for the preparation of Rhododendron squash, which otherwise had a narrow consumer’s acceptability, despite being rich in antioxidants due to faulty preparation procedure and to compare the superiority of the new method over existing preparation method by examining various antioxidants and total antioxidant capacity. For the preparation of squashes in the present investigation, Rhododendron petals were heated with water at 80 °C for 20 min and left for 3-hour (or 180 min) followed by filtration and addition of sugar with or without ginger juice. Leaving Rhododendron petals with water for 3-hour at room temperature following heating facilitated maximum recovery of anthocyanin in water. Rhododendron squashes, prepared through improvised method, were compared with a Rhododendron squash collected from the market (control) for their physico-chemical characteristics, antioxidants and sensory quality attributes. The improvised Rhododendron squashes registered higher values for most of the parameters than the control.Not Availabl

Interaction between different pre- and postharvest treatments on shelf life extension of ‘Oregon Spur’ apple

Introduction Fruit quality characteristics are governed by preharvest factors, mainly climate, nutrition and plant bio-regulators, of which the latter two can easily be manipulated in the grower’s interest. Likewise, the postharvest treatments with the best performance can maintain quality during storage and distribution. Therefore, it is important to embrace a holistic approach to combine the pre- and postharvest practices in view of attaining maximum quality and satisfaction at the consumer level. Materials and methods. Various combinations of mineral nutrients (calcium and boron) and bio-regulators (salicylic acid and gibberellic acid) were applied at the pre- and postharvest stages of apple fruits to study their influence on postharvest behavior of these fruits during 60 days of storage under ambient conditions. Results and discussions Among the different treatments tried, fruits treated with either salicylic acid or calcium showed significant improvement with regards to improved physico-chemical characteristics and reduced fruit infection percentage. Integration of pre- and postharvest application of chemicals was verified as the most effective choice for the improvement of shelf life of apple fruits amongst the treatment combinations applied either at the pre- or postharvest stage. The application of salicylic acid in combination with calcium or boron renders an alternative to the use of fungicides to control decay during apple fruit storage

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Not AvailableAbstract — Introduction. Fruit quality characteristics are governed by preharvest factors, mainly climate, nutrition and plant bio-regulators, of which the latter two can easily be manipulated in the grower’s interest. Likewise, the postharvest treatments with the best performance can maintain quality during storage and distribution. Therefore, it is important to embrace a holistic approach to combine the pre- and postharvest practices in view of attaining maximum quality and satisfaction at the consumer level. Materialsandmethods.Various combinations of mineral nutrients (calcium and boron) and bio-regulators (salicylic acid and gibberellic acid) were applied at the pre- and postharvest stages of apple fruits to study their influence on postharvest behavior of these fruits during 60 days of storage under ambient conditions. Results and discussions. Among the different treatments tried, fruits treated with either salicylic acid or calcium showed significant improvement with regards to improved physico-chemical characteristics and reduced fruit infection percentage. Integration of pre- and postharvest application of chemicals was verified as the most effective choice for the improvement of shelf life of apple fruits amongst the treatment combinations applied either at the pre- or postharvest stage. The application of salicylic acid in combination with calcium or boron renders an alternative to the use of fungicides to control decay during apple fruit storage.Not Availabl

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Varietal performance in physico-chemical properties of peach (Prunus persica) grown in Uttarakhand, IndiaIn this study, the varietal performance in respect of the quality and good yield in Kumaun region at the time of growing areas were evaluated. The varieties are F-16-23, Florda king, Nectarine, Red June. The results were pertaining to their highest fruit length (68.50 mm), fruit breadth (71.38 mm), fruit weight (186.11 g) found in T4 Red June and fruit firmness (8.74 lb/in2) found in T3-Nectarine. The acidity (1.66 %), ascorbic acid (440 mg/100 g), reducing sugar (19.77 %) and total sugar (51.73 %) found in T4- Red June, T-2 Florda King, T-3 Nectarine. The study revealed that the size and yield good in Red June and the nutritional value was higher in Florda King and Nectarine peach.Not Availabl

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PHYTO-CHEM I CAL CHAR AC TERS OF KIWI FRUIT (ACTINIDIA CHINENSIS) VAR. ALLISON AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTHKiwi fruit is gaining popularity in the Himalayan states including Uttarakhand. A few varieties of this fruit are performing well in mid hills of Kumaon region. The effect of different stages of harvest on various phyto-chemical characters including ascorbic acid, total carotenoid, antioxidants and sugar content was studied in Kiwi fruit var. Allison. The investigation was carried out at different harvest dates after two months of fruit set. The anthesis of female flowers started from 14 May 2014 and 100% flowering was recorded on 23 May 2014. The number of female flowers/tree was recorded in a range of 346-2952. In the male plants (Tomuri) of Kiwi, 90-1176 flowers/tree were recorded which increased the fruit set of Kiwi fruit. The fruits took 150 days to mature on the basis of flower anthesis to harvesting. The physical parameters viz., fruit length (46.30 mm to 61.06 mm), fruit breadth (31.26 mm to 64.70 mm) and fruit weight (29.56 g to 153.08 g) gradually increased with the fruit development. The bio-constituents like reducing sugars (0.7%-1.76%), non-reducing sugars (1.38%-5.15%) and total sugars (2.09%- 6.91%) were found to increase substantially but the acidity decreased from 2.53% to 1.43% with the development of fruit. Ascorbic acid contents were recorded the highest (912.5 mg/100g) in the initial stage of fruit growth which reduced significantly to 261.87mg/100g at fruit maturity. The caraotenoid content and total antioxidants in the fruits increased significantly from 11.57 to 55.54μg/100g and 0.54 to 5.48 mMTE/L respectively during the period under study. From the study it was inferred that the Kiwi fruits attain full maturity in 7 months with good phyto-chemical constituents.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA survey was conducted in Nainital district of Uttarakhand for evaluation of physic-chemical characteristics in sixteen apple strains. The highest fruit weight (304.37 g), fruit volume (300.00 cc), fruit length (8.08 cm) and fruit diameter (9.05 cm) were recorded in Collection-2 whereas highest T.S.S. was recorded in Collection-5 (13.97 °B), while lowest acidity was recorded in Collection-10 (0.90%) whereas the ascorbic acid content was found maximum in Collection-16 (10.42 mg/100 g). The Collection-12 exhibited highest total sugars (10.39%), reducing sugars (9.23%) and total anti-oxidant activity (40.70 mMTE/L). Among all the strains the highest carotene content was recorded in Collection-4 (137.31 µg/100 g). The Collection-1 was the most luminous (L*=85.20), whereas the highest red colour was recorded in Collection-2 (a*=+42.26). The yellow colour (b*=+68.25) and Chroma (C*=68.89) were found highest in Collection-6, while highest hue angle was recorded in Collection-8 (h°=91.40). The most of the physico-chemical characteristics were found superior in Collection-2 and Collection-12 as compared to other apple collections.Not Availabl

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Storage behaviour of apple cultivars under ambient conditionsAn experiment was conducted at ICAR-CITH, Regional Station, Mukteshwar, Nainital, Uttarakhand in ten apple cultivars to assess the physico-chemical changes and shelf-life at ambient storage conditions for 49 days. The physiological loss in weight, TSS, reducing sugars, total sugars, non-reducing sugars and fruit decay percentage increased, while fruit firmness, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid content and organoleptic score decreased during storage in all cultivars. Cultivar Skyline Supreme exhibited lowest physiological loss in weight (7.77%), highest TSS (14.93 °B) and organoleptic score (7.19) than other apple cultivars. However, the cv. Red Chief exhibited highest ascorbic acid (12.32 mg/100 g), reducing sugars (8.89%) and total sugars (10.59%) and the cv. Bright-N-Early exhibited highest fruit firmness (8.18 lb/in2) and lowest fruit decay (5.05%) than other apple cultivars. Conclusively, Skyline Supreme, Red Chief and Bright-N-Early have better shelf-life than other apple cultivars under ambient storage conditions.Not Availabl