Integrated weed management of medicinal plants in India

Abstract: The present as well as future need is to diversify the agro-ecosystem and to minimize or overcome the bad effects of global warming and climate change. Medicinal plants survive very well in the current scheme of crop diversification in various types of agro-climatic conditions of India. Agronomists are posed with challenge of scientifically fitting most suitable medicinal plants in different ago-climatic regions. Among the losses caused by different pests in the agriculture, the weeds account for about 45% and it may be more or less equal in the case of medicinal plants. Integrated weed management increases the factor productivity, income of the farmer, quality of produce and is eco-friendly in nature. By taking examples of two important medicinal plants viz. Satawar (Asparagus racemosus Willd.) and Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees.), the present review discusses the different methods of weed management and how they may be integrated to develop new paradigm as an integrated weed management

Exploring Genetic Distinctiveness among Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Strains

The field experiment was carried out using the twenty genotypes of radish and evaluated during the Rabi season, 2021–2022, at the experimental unit of the Department of Horticulture, Tilak Dhari PG College, Jaunpur (U.P.). The objective was to estimate the genetic diversity available in the genotypes. The D2 analysis showed broad diversity among the genotypes, which was grouped into five clusters on the basis of various horticultural traits. The clustering pattern showed that the highest genotypes were recorded in cluster III (8 genotypes), followed by cluster V (5 genotypes), cluster IV (3 genotypes), cluster II (2 genotypes), and cluster I (2 genotypes). The greatest intra-cluster distance was recorded in Cluster IV (3.380), followed by Cluster III (3.219), Cluster II (3.104), and Cluster V (3.079). Cluster I have the smallest intra-cluster distance (2.182). The highest inter-cluster distance was 6.851 observed between Cluster IV and II, while the lowest was 3.139 between Cluster V and III. By the divergence analysis, the parents for hybridization for diverse clusters could be selected to harness the heterotic vigour’s and also to minimize the genetic erosion. The selection of the best genotype for breeding programs for the development of high-yielding varieties

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) cv. Ruby Queen

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on the growth and yield of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) cv. Ruby Queen. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design using ten treatments and three replications at the college farm of the Department of Horticulture, Tilak Dhari PG College, Jaunpur, (U.P.) during the rabi season of 2021-22. Integration of nutrient sources was comprised in the form of treatments viz. T1 - 100% NPK of RDF (70:110:70 Kg/ha), T2 -75% NPK of RDF + FYM (10 t/ha) + Azotobacter (10 Kg/ha) + PSB (10 Kg/ ha), T3 - 75% NPK of RDF + VC (3 t/ha) + Azotobacter (10 Kg/ha) + PSB (10 Kg/ha), T4 - 75% NPK of RDF + FYM (5 t/ha) + VC (1.5 t/ha) + Azotobacter (10 Kg/ha) + PSB (10 Kg/ha), T5 - 50% NPK of RDF + FYM (10 t/ha) + Azotobacter (10 Kg/ha) + PSB (10 Kg/ha), T6 - 50% NPK of RDF + VC (3 t/ha) + Azotobacter (10 Kg/ha) + PSB (10 Kg/ha), T7 - 50% NPK of RDF + FYM (5 t/ha) +VC (1.5 t/ha) + Azotobacter (10 Kg/ha) + PSB (10 Kg/ha), T8 - 75% NPK of RDF + FYM (10 t/ha), T9 - 50% NPK of RDF + VC (3 t/ha) and T10 - Control. Among all treatments, T4 (75% NPK of RDF + FYM + VC + Azotobacter + PSB) performed best for growth and yield parameters recorded significantly minimum number of days required for 80 percent germination of seedlings (2.68 days), highest plant height (50.24 cm), most leaves per plant (13.53), maximum leaf area (3227.50 cm2), higher chlorophyll content index (21.76), maximum root length (16.23 cm), root diameter (7.73 cm), root yield per plant (220.14 g), root yield per plot (4.40 Kg), root yield per hectare (22.014 t), and highest harvest index (0.91) was observed

Advancement in Tissue Culture Techniques for Fruit Crops

Tissue culture is a highly promising approach that enables the efficient propagation of many plants from tiny fragments of the parent plant within a relatively brief timeframe and confined area. Tissue culture, a contemporary approach, is primarily employed for the efficient and extensive replication of many commercially significant plant species, such as the date palm. Utilizing the tissue culture technique presents a potential approach for generating a substantial quantity of genetically homogeneous palm plants that resemble other plants and yield typical fruit within four years from initial planting. Furthermore, this technique allows to produce date palm plants devoid of diseases, exhibiting an exceptionally high survival rate of nearly 100% when compared to the traditional vegetative propagation of shoots, owing to the robustness of their root system. The process of surface sterilization holds significant importance in the production of explants for in vitro studies, as it effectively addresses the issue of bacterial and fungal contamination originating from field sources, which might vary considerably across different fruit plant species. The efficacy of tissue culture techniques for date palm acclimatization in vitro is contingent upon the observation of leaf count prior to transplantation in the greenhouse. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the determinants that govern the tissue culture of fruit trees. India is known for being the native land of various fruit crops that are both significant and minor in terms of their importance. These crops include Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.), Karonda (Carissa carandas L.), Bael (Aegle marmelos Corr.), Jamun (Syzygium cuminii L.), and jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.), etc. These fruits possess considerable nutritional, medicinal, and therapeutic value, making them highly valuable in commercial sectors such as medicine, food, and cosmetics. The limited availability of suitable planting materials imposes constraints on the commercial production process for these crops. Using plant tissue culture techniques holds promise in substantially augmenting the number of novel cultivars or genotypes inside fruit crops. The primary aim of this review study is to consolidate and synthesize the extant body of knowledge about the tissue culture techniques employed in cultivating various fruit crops

A Comprehensive Review on Protected Cultivation of Horticultural Crops: Present Status and Future Prospects

Protected cultivation of horticultural crops has emerged as a crucial technique in modern agriculture, offering numerous benefits such as increased yield, enhanced quality, and protection against adverse climatic conditions and pests. This comprehensive review aims to present the current status of protected cultivation practices and explore its future prospects in horticulture. The review begins by discussing the various types of protected cultivation structures, including greenhouses, high tunnels, and shade houses, along with their advantages and limitations. It then highlights the significance of protected cultivation in addressing global food security challenges by ensuring year-round crop production and reducing dependence on seasonal variations. The review further explores the impact of protected cultivation techniques on the growth and development of horticultural crops, including improved crop morphogenesis, precipitation management, and the optimization of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels. Furthermore, the utilization of advanced technologies like hydroponics, aeroponics, and vertical farming within protected cultivation systems is examined, with an emphasis on their potential for maximizing crop productivity while minimizing resource consumption. Moreover, the paper delves into the challenges and constraints faced in implementing protected cultivation, including cost considerations, energy requirements, and the use of synthetic inputs. It discusses sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches, such as utilizing renewable energy sources and adopting organic farming practices, to mitigate these challenges and promote ecological balance. Lastly, the review discusses some future prospects and trends in protected cultivation, including the integration of precision agriculture techniques, the use of artificial intelligence, and the adoption of smart farming technologies. These advancements have the potential to further optimize resource utilization, improve automation, and enhance crop monitoring and management, ultimately leading to greater yield and quality improvements in horticultural crop production