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Are horticulture-based land uses benign for fertility and health of soils in mid to high hills of the north-western Himalayan region?Soil fertility in many parts of the north‒western Himalayan region (NWHR) has declined owing to accelerated nutrient mining under existing crop regime. Therefore, this study aimed to assess effect of the predominant horticulture‒based land uses on soil fertility and health in mid and high hills of NWHR. Soil samples (0‒20 cm) were collected, analyzed for different soil chemical attributes (pH, electrical conductivity, organic C, available primary-, secondary-, and micro-nutrients), and compared across five key land uses: perennial grass (PG), peach orchard (PO), apple orchard (AO), field vegetable farming (VF), and protected vegetable farming (PV). Soils of the investigated land uses were neutral to near neutral in soil reaction (6.3‒6.8) except field vegetable and protected vegetable farming. Amount of soil organic C and labile organic C was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in soils of apple orchards (18.6 g kg‒1 and 687.3 mg kg‒1, respectively) and peach orchards (20.4 g kg‒1 and 731.3 mg kg‒1, respectively) over others. An abrupt and significant increase in Olsen-P was recorded in soils of field vegetable farming (17.1 mg kg‒1) and protected vegetable farming (13.0 mg kg‒1), which shifted their nutrient index (NI) of P in to high category (≥ 2.33). The concentration of mineralizable-N in soil was statistically at par in soils under perennial grass and fruit orchards, while protected vegetable farming showed maximum soil mineralizable- N content (115.5 mg kg‒1) and NI of nitrogen (1.83). The NI was in high category (≥ 2.33) for copper, iron, and manganese in majority of the land uses. In view of the results, temperate fruit‒tree based land uses are benign in up‒keeping soil fertility and soil health, and needs promotion on large scale. Additionally, policies to create incentives for the build-up of soil organic matter and replenishment of the depleted soil macro and micro nutrients in vegetable-farmed lands are warranted.Not Availabl

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Remobilization of Mineral Nutrients from Peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) Foliage during SenescenceRemobilization of nutrients is frequently associated with foliage abscission but received much less attention in deciduous fruit crops. Analysis of mature and senescent leaves of peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) revealed remobilization of several nutrients namely, nitrogen (N), potassium (K), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn)and boron (B), although with different efficiencies. In contrast, nutrients such as calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe) are accumulated in the senescent leaves. Recycling of nutrients through leaf fall can decrease considerably the need for fertilizer inputs.Not Availabl

Variability of health and bioactive compounds in strawberry (

Introduction. Strawberry is rich in health as well as bioactive compounds, and benefits resulting from the use of natural products rich in bioactive substances are receiving increased interest from the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. Materials and methods. Twenty-two cultivars of strawberry (Fragaria ×  ananassa Duch.) grown under a temperate ecosystem were screened for ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins and antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP assays). The phenolic content was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent using gallic acid as the standard. Antioxidant activity was determined in terms of DPPH and FRAP assays and expressed as ascorbic acid equivalent. Total anthocyanins and total flavonoid content were determined using a colorimetric method. Titratable acidity (citric acid) was determined by the titration method. The average data of two years was analyzed using SAS 9.2 software. Results and discussion. Significant differences in the health and bioactive compounds were detected among the cultivars. The range of ascorbic acid of the tested samples was (51.03 to 89.40) mg·100 g–1 fresh weight. Titratable acidity varied between 0.73% and 1.44%; however, total anthocyanins ranged between (28.24 and 43.32) mg cyanidin-3-glucoside Eq·100 g–1 fresh weight. Total phenols varied from (380.10 to 888.10) mg gallic acid Eq·100 g–1 and total flavonoids from (31.26 to 55.16) mg catechin Eq·100 g–1. The total antioxidant activity ranged between (203.13 and 471.10) mg ascorbic acid Eq·100 g–1 fresh weight for DPPH, and between (326.06 and 701.13) mg ascorbic acid Eq·100 g–1 fresh weight for FRAP. Total phenols, DPPH and FRAP showed close association; however, PCA clearly categorized the selected cultivars into two broad groups. All of the diverse cultivars were clustered into two clusters which could be exploited for future qualitative breeding programs based on average cluster distance and can act as gene sources for making health foods. Conclusion. The importance of our findings would be significant for farmers, breeders, consumers and industries concerning food quality, disease prevention and healthcare

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Not AvailableClimate change is the biggest threat to mankind, affecting agriculture due to 0.74C average global increase in temperature in the last 100 years and atmospheric CO2 concentration rise from 280 ppm in 1750 to 400 ppm in 2014-15. Such changes pose a drastic influence on the growth and cultivation of the different crops on the Earth as global food production must increase by 50% to meet the projected demand of the world’s population by 2050. Simultaneously, these changes will also affect the reproduction, spread and severity of many plant pathogens, thus posing a threat to our food security. Pest and disease management has played its role in doubling food production in the last 40 years, but pathogens still claim 10–16% of the global harvest. Integrated solutions and international co-ordination in disease management strategies should be reoriented under changing climatic conditions with amalgamation of new strategies for sustainable food production and food security.Not Availabl

Variation in growth, production and quality attributes of

Introduction. Diverse fruit crops with a high value reduce the risk of crop failure and offer alternatives to farmers and the market. The scope of profitable production with such quality crops along with environmental concerns make the evaluation of new species desirable. The aim of our study was to determine the most appropriate species of Physalis for small-scale commercial production in the temperate climate of western Himalayan regions. Materials and methods. Four Physalis species, viz., P. peruviana, P. ixocarpa, P. pruinosa and P. nicandroides, were field-grown during 2010–2011 in the experimental field of the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar, India, to determine the most appropriate species of Physalis suitable for a temperate climate. Results and discussion. All the species tested produced vegetative growth, flowered and fruited; however, they differed significantly. The number of basal shoots was found to be maximum for P. pruinosa (6.37), whereas the maximum number of prickles per shoot was recorded as maximum for P. nicandroides (6.48). The number of points of attachment varied significantly with species, and the maximum was recorded for P. pruinosa and P. ixocarpa (7.16 for each); the maximum size of fully developed leaves (146.8 mm) and overall plant height (168.27 cm) were recorded for P. pruinosa. Physalis pruinosa and P. ixocarpa were found to exhibit vigorous growth under a temperate climate. Significant differences were recorded for fruiting, flowering and yield potential among the Physalis species. The minimum days taken for bud burst were reported for P. nicandroides (23.55) and P. ixocarpa (24.41). Similarly, the minimum days taken to reach maturity were reported for P. peruviana (64.96). The maximum number of fruits per plant (260.23), length of fruit (33.83 mm), average fruit weight (37.19 g), husk weight (0.32 g), fruit husk ratio (121.27), maximum fruit firmness (43.96 Relative Index) and yield (9.96 Relative Index) were recorded for P. pruinosa. Significant variation was recorded in quality attributes. The highest total soluble solids were found for P. nicandroides (8.46 °Brix), whereas the minimum total titrable acidity (0.35%) and maximum ascorbic content (38.41 mg·100 g–1) were recorded for P. peruviana. The ‘L’ value of fruits, showing brightness, was recorded as the highest for P. peruviana (58.97), whereas fruits of all the species showed a negative ‘a’ value, indicating that none of them produced redness; however, the ‘b’ value, indicating yellowness, was maximum for P. pruinosa (18.72)

Enhancing blooming period and propagation coefficient of tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.) using growth regulators

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators on growth, flowering and bulb production of tulip under Karewa conditions of Kashmir Himalaya during 2009 to 2011. The three different growth regulators; gibberellic acid (GA3) at 100, 200, and 400 ppm, 2-chloroethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CCC) and maleic hydrazide (MH) each at 100, 200 and 500 ppm along with control were applied as dip treatment and foliar spray. Plant height was recorded maximum with 400 ppm GA3 (37.32 cm) followed by 200 ppm GA3 (34.13 cm). GA3 at 400 ppm significantly caused earliest flowering (141.30 days) followed by 200 ppm GA3 (142.43 days) as compared to the control (148.93 days), while delayed flowering were observed by 500 ppm MH (152.96 days) followed by 200 ppm MH (151.93 days). The longest blooming period was recorded in 200 ppm GA3 (28.46 days) followed by 400 ppm GA3 (27.76 days) in comparison to the control (21.59 days). The maximum vase life was obtained with 400 ppm GA3 (11.26 days) followed by 200 ppm GA3 (10.43 days) over the control (7.30 days). The maximum number of bulbs and daughter bulbs per plant were recorded with 400 ppm GA3 (1.43 and 3.03) followed by 500 ppm CCC (1.41 and 2.65) over the control (1.07 and 1.72), respectively and thereby enhanced propagation coefficient was obtained in 400 ppm GA3 (258.66%) followed by 500 ppm CCC (237.73%) as against the control (170.00%).Keywords: Tulipa gesneriana, gibberellic acid, 2-chloroethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, maleic hydrazide, blooming period, propagation coefficientAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(2), pp. 168-17

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Influence of pruning intensity on light penetration and leaf physiology in high-density orchards of mango trees

Introduction. High–density orchards of ‘Amrapali’ mango trees become overcrowded and show progressive decline in yield after 14–15 years of planting; hence, trees require pruning for sustainable production. Reduction in yield in such orchards is due to poor light interception and a low photosynthetic rate, which influence vegetative growth, flower initiation, fruit set and, thereby, the fruit yield. Hence, to help design a tree canopy for optimum plant growth and yield, we studied the effect of pruning on light interception and on different leaf physiological parameters of ‘Amrapali’ mango trees under high density. Materials and methods. Sixteen-year-old trees of an ‘Amrapali’ mango high-density orchard were subjected to tipping and light, moderate and heavy pruning; un-pruned trees were used as control. The available photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) and leaf physiological parameters such as rate of photosynthesis, specific leaf weight (SLW) and leaf chlorophyll (Chl) content were measured in pruned and un-pruned tree canopies, following standard procedures. Results and discussion. The percent available PPF was greater in all pruned tree canopies than in un-pruned tree canopies; this could be due to tree openness caused by pruning. The light interception was lower at the lowest height of the tree canopy, probably because the center of the tree canopy was partially blocked by new growth or criss-cross branches. The rate of photosynthesis was greater in leaves that developed in pruned tree canopies than in those developed in un-pruned tree canopies, although there was no difference in SLW; this could be due to better light interception in pruned trees. In contrast, total leaf chlorophyll content was the highest in leaves that developed in un-pruned and tipped tree canopies; this may be due to increased shade owing to overlapping or crowding of tree canopies in these trees, indicating that mango leaves that developed in shade appeared to be more physiologically efficient at synthesizing chlorophyll than leaves that grew in the sun or on the sunny side. Conclusions. The studies indicated that pruning ‘Amrapali’ mango trees by removing about 10–15 cm of the top from old branches improves light penetration, which influences the leaf physiology considerably. Hence, it would be useful for designing high-density ‘Amrapali’ mango orchards to maximize productivity, although it requires additional studies to recommend a particular pruning intensity

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RELATIONSHIP AMONG DIFFERENT FORMS OF SOIL POTASSIUM AND AVAILABILITY AS INFLUENCED BY THE CONTRASTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN APPLE (MALUS DOMESTICA BORKH.) ORCHARDS OF KUMAON REGIONThe distribution of K forms (water soluble, exchangeable, non-exchangeable, mineral and total K) in two apple (cv. Royal Delicious) orchards differing in fertilizer management practices located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand was investigated. The apple orchard at Mukteshwar is managed by the conventional fertilizer management practice, and the other at Dutkanedhar is managed organically. At Mukteshwar, the distribution of water soluble, exchangeable, non-exchangeable, mineral and total K was 0.23, 0.86, 5.46, 78.2, and 86.7 cmol kg-1, respectively. Further, soil analysis revealed that both the soils contain very high levels of available K (>350 mg kg-1). Leaf K content in orchard of Dutkanedhar was deficient (0.81%) with the appearance of K deficiency symptoms as necrotic leaf edges; whereas, the same at Mukteshwar was recorded as sufficient (1.93%). The positive and significant correlations were observed between available and water soluble (r= 0.78), available and exchangeable (r= 0.45), exchangeable and non-exchangeable (r= 0.33), non-exchangeable and mineral (r=0.77) and mineral and total K (r= 0.95) in the orchard of Mukteshwar. It was concluded that K requirement in apple could not be satisfied entirely through addition of organic manures only, and thus, K fertilization is indispensable.Not Availabl