Evaluation of Taro (Colocasia esculenta L.) Cultivars for Growth, Yield and Quality Attributes

A study on varietal evaluation in taro for growth, yield and quality attributes was carried out in a replicated experiment and morphological and chemical analysis was done. Significant differences were recorded for all the characteristics studied. 'Panchmukhi' recorded highest plant height (179.33cm), petiole length (153.11cm), petiole breadth (13.87mm) and leaf size (3095.67cm2), LAI (1.14), corm length (152.41mm) and breadth (107.77mm), average corm weight (1500.00g) and corm yield (20.00t/ha). 'C-3' recorded maximum (15.00) petiole number and cormel length (85.93mm). Cormel yield (15.29t/ha), total yield (25.92t/ha) and number of cormels per plant (30.33) was found to be maximum in cv. White Gouriya. 'ML-2' recorded maximum (7.33) number of side shoots. Highest average cormel weight (72.85g) was maximum in cv. Arcol-7, and 'Arcol-5' recorded maximum (67.43mm) cormel breadth; the least blight incidence percentage (8.00) was recorded in 'Nayabungalow'. As for biochemical constituents, 'Nainital' recorded the highest (5.85%) total sugars, 'Kandha-5' exhibited the highest (34.67%) starch content and 'Nadia Local' with showed highest levels of oxalic acid (1.05mg/100g). Highest dry matter content (27.50%) was recorded in cvs. KCA-1 and Panchmukhi, while the highest moisture percentage (82.83) was recorded in 'IG Coll-5'

Antioxidant phytochemicals and gingerol content in diploid and tetraploid clones of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

Fresh rhizomes of 18 diploid and tetraploid genotypes of Indian ginger, including commercial cultivars and experimental genotypes, were assayed for gingerol content and antioxidant activity. The tetraploid ginger type was derived from the respective diploid ginger by shoot tip culture. [6]-Gingerol was identified as the major pungent phenolic compound in all samples (mean 1354.78 470 mg/g), while [8]- (mean 180.94 45 mg/g) and [10]-gingerol (mean 234 79 mg/g) occurred in lower concentrations. The total gingerol content of the tetraploid type was much higher than that of the respective diploid type and especially the [10]-gingerol. Both diploid and tetraploid types of the cv. Meghalaya Local contained the highest level of gingerol. At both ploidy levels, the genotypes showed significant differences in phenols and antioxidant activities. Correlation of total phenolics with different antioxidant assay at both diploid and tetraploid level was linear and strong to moderate. For genotypes at both ploidy levels, antioxidant activity (BCO) was determined especially by [6]-gingerol while [8]- and [10]-gingerol did not affect BCO. These results demonstrated that in the tetraploid types of ginger, the gingerol content and antioxidant activity were higher than in the diploid ones

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Not AvailableLow use of chemicals in agriculture, plentiful availability of biomass and manure and favorable climatic conditions offer the opportunity for organic farming in eastern Himalayan region of India. Thus, field experiments were conducted in seven consecutive years from 2005 - 06 to 2011 -12 under a raised and sunken bed (RSB) land configuration (0.3–0.4 m height, 2 m width, 7 m length) in lowland at Meghalaya (950 m above sea level), India. The RSBs were constructed to facilitate drainage and accommodate vegetables in lowland conditions. The objectives of the study were (i) to identify suitable crops and cropping sequences for organic food production, and (ii) to assess long term impacts of organic farming on soil and produce quality. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) – vegetable sequences on raised beds and rice (varieties) – fallow (no crop) sequences on sunken beds were assessed under four farming practices in fixed plots. The four farming practices were control (only in-situ recycling of 2/3rd crop residues), organic (farmyard manure and rock phosphates), inorganic (mineral fertilizer) and integrated farming [50/50 organic and inorganic fertilizer sources (INF)]. Results indicated that seven-year average productivity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and carrot (Daucus carota L.) under organic (22.1, and 10.1 Mg ha−1, respectively) and INF (21.9, and 10.4 Mg ha−1, respectively) were significantly higher than both inorganic (17.6, and 7.1 Mg ha−1, respectively) and control (3.77, and 3.1 Mg ha−1, respectively). However, yields of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were the highest under INF (14.4 and 8.7 Mg ha−1, respectively) followed by organic (13.9 and 7.5 Mg ha−1, respectively). Considering farming practices, INF (3.99 Mg ha−1), organic (3.85 Mg ha−1) and inorganic (3.81 Mg ha−1) had the similar rice productivity in sunken beds but all had significantly higher yield than that of control. After seven years, the soil available N on raised and sunken beds under organic farming was 13.3 and 4.36% higher than that under inorganic and 20.8 and 18.2% higher than that under control, respectively. Soil microbial biomass carbon was significantly higher under organic raised (177.9 μg g−1 dry soil) and sunken beds (146.77 μg g−1 dry soil) than that of other farming practices. Most of the quality parameters of tomato (lycopene content, total sugar, total soluble solids) and carrot (total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, beta carotene) were superior under organic farming followed by INF. Combining all these long-term results, the study strongly suggests several benefits of organic farming for sustainable productivity and improved soil and produce quality under eastern Himalayan condition.Network Project on Organic Farming, ICA

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Not AvailableA study on varietal evaluation in taro for growth, yield and quality attributes was carried out in a replicated experiment and morphological and chemical analysis was done. Significant differences were recorded for all the characteristics studied. ‘Panchmukhi’ recorded highest plant height (179.33cm), petiole length (153.11cm), petiole breadth (13.87mm) and leaf size (3095.67cm2), LAI (1.14), corm length (152.41mm) and breadth (107.77mm), average corm weight (1500.00g) and corm yield (20.00t/ha). ‘C-3’ recorded maximum (15.00) petiole number and cormel length (85.93mm). Cormel yield (15.29t/ha), total yield (25.92t/ha) and number of cormels per plant (30.33) was found to be maximum in cv. White Gouriya. ‘ML-2’ recorded maximum (7.33) number of side shoots. Highest average cormel weight (72.85g) was maximum in cv. Arcol-7, and ‘Arcol-5’ recorded maximum (67.43mm) cormel breadth; the least blight incidence percentage (8.00) was recorded in ‘Nayabungalow’. As for biochemical constituents, ‘Nainital’ recorded the highest (5.85%) total sugars, ‘Kandha-5’ exhibited the highest (34.67%) starch content and ‘Nadia Local’ with showed highest levels of oxalic acid (1.05mg/100g). Highest dry matter content (27.50%) was recorded in cvs. KCA-1 and Panchmukhi, while the highest moisture percentage (82.83) was recorded in ‘IG Coll-5’.Not Availabl

Impact of varieties and organic nutrient sources on productivity, soil carbon stocks and energetics of rice-ratoon system in Eastern Himalayas of India

Cultivation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties having ratooning potential under adequate organic nutrient sources (ONSs) could improve system productivity, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and energy use efficiency in the eastern Indian Himalayas. A 6-year study was conducted to evaluate the impact of four varieties (Shahsarang-1, Lampnah, IR-64 and Krishna Hamsha) under five ONSs [pig manure (PM), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), in situ paddy straw (PS) recycling and farmers’ practice] on productivity, soil health and energetics of a rice-ratoon system in a mid-hill (950 m asl) subtropical climate. Organic manures were applied on an N-equivalent basis. The 6-year average grain yield of main rice was significantly highest for Shahsarang-1 (4.40 Mg ha−1) followed by IR-64. Shahsarang-1 (2.58 Mg ha−1) and IR 64 also produced higher ratoon crop yields, leading to higher total annual productivity (main + ratoon crops) than other varieties. Rice grown with PM produced the highest average rice productivity of main crop, followed by FYM. The highest total N, P and K uptake by the rice was obtained under PM followed by FYM. After six cropping cycles, the maximum SOC stock and available N and P were observed under PM, whereas available K was highest under PS recycling. The highest gross energy output, net energy and energy intensity were registered with PM, whereas energy use efficiency and energy productivity were the highest under control. Thus, cultivation of either Shahsarang-1 or IR-64 using PM/FYM is appropriate for enhancing productivity, soil health and conservation of energy in the study region and similar eco-regions elsewhere

Impact of fodder grasses and organic amendments on productivity and soil and crop quality in a subtropical region of eastern Himalayas, India

•Four fodder crops under 3-sources of nutrients compared in a 3-year study.•Hybrid napier recorded the highest (28.1Mgha−1) average dry fodder yield.•Mean dry fodder yields under organic was 27.5% higher than inorganic fertilizer•Perennial forages improved soil quality and SOC stocks.•Organic sources of fertilizers improved SOC stock by ∼10% after 3-years. Agriculture in the Eastern Indian Himalayas is characterized by fragility and marginality with about 77% of the geographical area under hills and degraded plateau. Thus, field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years during 2008–2011 to assess the impact of perennial fodder grasses and sources of nutrient supply on productivity and quality of soil and fodder under terrace conditions in a subtropical degraded hill soil of Meghalaya, India (980m above sea level). The treatment consisted of four fodder crops and three sources of nutrients. Fodder crops were broom grass (Thysanolaena maxima), congosignal grass (Brachieria rosenesis), hybrid napier (Pennisetum typhoides x P. purpureum) and guinea grass (Panicum maximum). Three sources of nutrient supply were organic, inorganic and control (inherent soil fertility conditions). Farmyard manure (FYM) was used as organic source of nutrient supply on N equivalent basis and P nutrition was supplemented through rock-phosphate. Fertilizer urea, single super phosphate and muriate of potash were used as inorganic source of nutrients. The dry fodder yield increased in each successive year and three year average dry fodder yield was significantly higher with hybrid napier (28.1Mgha−1) than other grasses. Among nutrient sources, the average dry fodder yield under organic amendment (22.9Mgha−1) was 27.5 and 64.4% higher than that under inorganic fertilizer (17.9Mgha−1) and control (13.9Mgha−1), respectively. Crude fibre (35.9%) and lignin (7.02%) concentrations were the maximum in hybrid napier whereas, cellulose (39.1%) was the highest in congosignal grass. On the contrary, crude protein concentration was the maximum in broom grass (8.27%), and it was at par with that in hybrid napier. The available N, P, K and soil organic carbon (SOC) contents were significantly higher (P=0.05) under organic compared to those under other nutrient sources. The SOC concentration (17.2gkg−1) and stock (32.2Mgha−1) after three years under organic treatment was 5.3 and 2.1% and 13.3 and 8.1% higher than that recorded under inorganic and control, respectively. The study indicated suitability of fodder grasses and organic amendments in improving quality of marginal degraded hill soils

Comparative muscle transcriptome of Mali and Hampshire breeds of pigs: a preliminary study

Muscle development is an important priority of pig breeding programs. There is a considerable variation in muscularity between the breeds, but the regulation mechanisms of genes underlying myogenesis are still unclear. Transcriptome data from two breeds of pigs with divergent muscularity (Mali and Hampshire) were integrated with histology, immunofluorescence and meat yield to identify differences in myogenesis during the early growth phase. The muscle transcriptomics analysis revealed 17,721 common, 1413 and 1115 unique transcripts to Hampshire and Mali, respectively. This study identified 908 differentially expressed genes (p 2FC > ±1) in the muscle samples, of which 550 were upregulated and 358 were downregulated in Hampshire pigs, indicating differences in physiological process related to muscle function and development. Expression of genes related to myoblast fusion (MYMK), skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation (ANGPT1, CDON) and growth factors (HGF, IGF1, IGF2) were higher in Hampshire than Mali, even though transcript levels of several other myogenesis-related genes (MYF6, MYOG, MSTN) were similar. The number of fibers per fascicle and the expression of myogenic marker proteins (MYOD1, MYOG and PAX7) were more in Hampshire as compared to Mali breed of pig, supporting results of transcriptome studies. The results suggest that differences in muscularity between breeds could be related to the regulation of myoblast fusion and myogenic activities. The present study will help to identify genes that could be explored for their utility in the selection of animals with different muscularities.</p