Management of Storage Pest and Pathogens of Oat Seeds Using Low Input and Ecofriendly Methods

Indigenous Traditional knowledge (ITK) is the local knowledge unique to a given culture or society. It is the basis for local-level decision making in agriculture, health care, food preparation, natural-resource management and a host of other activities in rural communities. Storage structures and locally available plant products were used to store seeds and to ward off seed pests and pathogens. In different parts of India, different types of containers are used locally to store different crop seeds, according to the availability and climatic conditions. Sundaramari et. al. (2011) advocated the importance of indigenous storage structures for safe storage of grains in South Tamil Nadu, which can be applied to other parts of the country. Among forages, oat is an important crop during Rabi season particularly in Northern India. This crop is characterized by its quick growth, high forage and grain yield, more dry matter content, leafiness, better palatability as well as suitable for excellent silage. The storage of oat seed is influenced by biotic factors viz., insect-pest and pathogens. In the present study seeds of oat were stored after their treatment with different types of locally available plant products/botanicalsin different types of locally available storage containers and are compared with the chemical treatments and modern storage

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Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Yield of Button Mushroom <i>(Agaricus bisporus) </i>L

61-64Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is most popular amongst all cultivated mushrooms. Need of the hour is to increase its production per unit area/quantity of the compost. Physical as well as chemical mutagens are frequently applied to increase the crop production. In an effort, studies were conducted to see the effect of the gamma radiation on vegetative mycelium as well as on productivity of A. bisporus. Young-developing mycelium of A. bisporus. was subjected to seven different doses of gamma radiation i.e. 0.2 to 1.4 kGγ. The spawn obtained by radiated mycelium was inoculated in the compost for mushroom production. It has been observed that gamma radiation up to 1.0 kGγ accelerated the mycelial growth as well as crop production in all treatments. The total time period for mycelial run was reduced while the increase in productivity varies from 10 to 50 percent in different doses of gamma radiation except at 1.2 and 1.4 kGγ which resulted in deleterious effect. 1-0 kGγ dose of gamma radiations showed best results in both the mycelial growth and crop productivity of A. bisporus.</i

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Variation in Polyphenolics and Antioxidant Activity of Traditional Apple Cultivars from West Himalaya, Uttarakhand

Apple (Malus × domestica) is largely known for polyphenolic and antioxidant properties; however, systematic investigation in the apple growing in the Indian Himalayan region is not carried out. The present study therefore, attempts to quantify polyphenolics and antioxidant activities in three traditional apple cultivars namely ‘Benoni’, ‘Fanny’ and ‘Rymer’ growing at different locations of Uttarakhand (west Himalaya), India. Results revealed that phenolic (0.94–7.00 mg GAE·g−1 FW), flavonoid (1.02–9.86 mg QE·g−1 FW), flavonol (0.77–6.92 mg CE·g−1 FW), tannin (15.49–37.99 mg TAE·g−1 FW) and antioxidant activity (ABTS, 3.10–67.36; DPPH, 4.99–14.06; FRAP, 4.70–39.21 mmol AAE·kg−1 FW) varied significantly among the cultivars and maximum content was recorded in Rymer fruits of Mukhwa location. Altitude showed significant (P < 0.05) positive relationship with total phenolic (r = 0.895), flavonoid (r = 0.843), flavonol (r = 0.812), ABTS (r = 0.856) and FRAP activity (r = 0.830). Based on the results, it is concluded that among three cultivars, Rymer is one of the most promising sources of polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity and therefore, recommended for mass plantation at suitable locations in Uttarakhand for harnessing maximum potential. Keywords: apple, traditional cultivar, antioxidant, polyphenolics, West Himalay

Morphological, Nutritional, Chemical and Antioxidant Potential of Mahonia Jaunsarensis Ahrendt Fruit: A Narrow Endemic Wild Edible Species of Western Himalaya

ABSTRACTMahonia jaunsarensis Ahrendt is a narrow endemic wild edible fruit-bearing species found in Uttarakhand Himalaya and has the potential of breeding compatibility with economically important Mahonia and Berberis species. Berry fruits of the species were explored for nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant potential among three sampling locations. Fresh berries appeared a good source of diverse nutrients (carbohydrate 1.07–1.25 g/100 g, protein 0.97–1.13 g/100 g, non-reducing sugar 3.38–3.92 mg/g, and total sugar 9.86–12.87 mg/g); minerals (e.g. sodium 0.56–0.65 mg/100 g and potassium 0.99–1.14 mg/g); and vitamins (ascorbic acid 3.87–4.49 mg/g, thiamine 9.97–11.57 µg/g and carotenoids 1.67–1.94 mg/g). Similarly, phytochemicals (total anthocyanin 18.93–22.12 mg/g, phenolics 1.56–1.80 mg GAE/g, flavonoids 1.49–1.73 mg QE/g, flavonols 4.88–5.66 mg CE/g, and tannins 6.53–7.58 mg TAE/g) and in vitro antioxidant capacity (measured by ABTS assay, DPPH assay, OH· radical scavenging activity and FRAP assays) varied significantly (p < .05) among localities. Various phenolic compounds (particularly, chlorogenic acid 9.93–13.77 mg/g; caffeic acid 0.32–0.65 mg/g; syringic acid 0.30–0.47 mg/g fw) present in the methanolic extract also varied significantly among the localities. Thus, this phytonutrient- and antioxidant-rich genetic resource can be utilized for health-promoting functional foods. Also, the results of the present study indicated that the variation in nutritional, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activity among the locations can be utilized for elite selection, quality control, and breeding programs in the species