Standardization of protocol for seed pelleting in onion (Allium cepa) to improve seed handling

Not AvailableA pelleting method for onion (Allium cepa L.) seed has been standardized using locally available cheaper materials,viz. vermicompost, cow dung and clay powders as stuffing materials, and methyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol as adhesive materials. The pelleted onion seeds resulted from this method were bold, smooth, round and uniform in size that helped in easy handling. The pellet weight was increased almost 4-5 times of nonpelleted seeds. The quality of pelleted seed was on par with nonpelleted seed in terms of germination and seedling vigour. The germination and seedling vigour index were 87% and 1117, respectively in pelleted seeds and 89% and 1169 in nonpelleted seed. The bulb yield of pelleted seed treatment (31.81tonnes/ha) was better than nonpelleted seed (27.85 tonnes/ha). The pelleted seeds could be stored for 3-4 months even under ambient conditions without decline in viability and vigour.Not Availabl

Potential Phytopharmacy and Food Applications of Capsicum spp.: A Comprehensive Review

Capsicum genus (Solanaceae) is native to the Americas. Today, it is an important agricultural crop cultivated around the world, not only due to its economic importance, but also for the nutritional value of the fruits. Among their phytochemical constituents, capsaicinoids are characteristic and responsible of the pungency of sharp-tasting cultivars. Moreover, Capsicum and capsaicinoids (mainly, capsaicin) have been largely studied because of their health benefits. Thus, this study reviews the scientific knowledge about Capsicum spp. and their phytochemicals against cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, pain, and metabolic syndrome, as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. These bioactivities can be the basis of the formulation of functional ingredients and natural preservatives containing Capsicum extracts or isolated compounds

The Cholecystectomy As A Day Case (CAAD) Score: A Validated Score of Preoperative Predictors of Successful Day-Case Cholecystectomy Using the CholeS Data Set

Background Day-case surgery is associated with significant patient and cost benefits. However, only 43% of cholecystectomy patients are discharged home the same day. One hypothesis is day-case cholecystectomy rates, defined as patients discharged the same day as their operation, may be improved by better assessment of patients using standard preoperative variables. Methods Data were extracted from a prospectively collected data set of cholecystectomy patients from 166 UK and Irish hospitals (CholeS). Cholecystectomies performed as elective procedures were divided into main (75%) and validation (25%) data sets. Preoperative predictors were identified, and a risk score of failed day case was devised using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to validate the score in the validation data set. Results Of the 7426 elective cholecystectomies performed, 49% of these were discharged home the same day. Same-day discharge following cholecystectomy was less likely with older patients (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), higher ASA scores (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), complicated cholelithiasis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.48), male gender (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74), previous acute gallstone-related admissions (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.48–0.60) and preoperative endoscopic intervention (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.34–0.47). The CAAD score was developed using these variables. When applied to the validation subgroup, a CAAD score of ≤5 was associated with 80.8% successful day-case cholecystectomy compared with 19.2% associated with a CAAD score >5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The CAAD score which utilises data readily available from clinic letters and electronic sources can predict same-day discharges following cholecystectomy

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted at Bangalore during 2013 and 2014 to study the effect of fertigation on the performance of okra. The trial included total of ten treatments comprising of varying rates and different sources of fertilizers were tested. Application of recommended dose of fertilizer (180:120:120 kg NPK/ha) through fertigation using water soluble fertilizers on weekly interval resulted in higher values for plant height (153.6 cm), pods per plant (15.79), pod length (16.33 cm), pod girth (6.48 cm) and pod weight (21.28 g), which remained on par with same amount of fertilizer applied bi-weekly. In general treatments which received the fertilizers through fertigation have taken less number of days for flowering over the conventional soil application of fertilizers. All fertigation treatments recorded higher marketable okra pod yield over the conventional soil application of fertilizers to the tune of 12.5 to 46.0 per cent. Among fertigation treatments, application of recommended dose using water soluble fertilizers through 100 per cent weekly fertigation resulted in highest marketable yields (21.65 t/ha). The highest net income (Rs.187852/ha) and B: C ratio (1.53) was obtained with the treatment where in 50 per cent of recommended dose of N: K using water soluble fertilizers supplied through fertigation.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted during Rabi seasons of 2012 and 2013 at fixed organic experimental plot of ICAR-India Institute of Horticultural Research farm, Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru to study the effect of different levels of farm yard manure (FYM) in organic as compared to chemical and conventional practices on growth, yield and quality of onion. The trial included five levels of farm yard manure and two inorganic nutrient supply treatments consisting of only chemical treatment (NPK fertilizers + chemical plant protection) and conventional practice (Recommended dose of FYM + NPK fertilizers + chemical plant protection).Conventional treatment recorded highest plant height (50.1 cm) as well as bulb yield (34.8 t/ha),while onion crop which had received organic manure equivalent to 100 per cent recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) recorded highest number of leaves (10.5) per plant. This bulb yield was on par with the yields obtained in organic treatments receiving FYM equivalent to 50 to 100 per cent RDN. The lower bulb yields were with organic treatment receiving manures equivalent to 25 per cent RDN and treatment receiving only NPK fertilizers. There were no marked differences among the treatments for the quality parameters such as bulb dry matter and shelf life.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA field study was carried out on a red loamy soils of Bangalore for year (2015-2016) to study the effect of different fertilizer sources and mulching on yield, nutrient uptake in hybrid chilli cultivar Arka meghana (Capsicum annuum L.). The trial included nine treatments comprising varying rates and sources of fertilizers, tested with or without mulching. Application of recommended dose of fertilizer (180:120:180 kg NPK/ha) through fertigation using water-soluble fertilizers resulted in higher higher number fruits (142) per plant, fruit length (11.3 cm), fruit girth (4.75 cm), fruit weight (1.29 g), fruit yield per plant (184.11g), fruit yield per hectare (5.03 t ha-1 ), followed by 100% normal fertilizers fertigation with mulching. Application of fertilizers both water soluble as well as normal fertilizers through fertigation with mulching recorded higher uptake of N, P and K at compared to RDF soil application without mulching.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted at Bengaluru during 2015 to study the effect of fertigation on performance of hybrid chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). The trial included nine treatments comprising varying rates and sources of fertilizers, tested with or without mulching. Application of recommended dose of fertilizer (180:120:180 kg NPK/ha) through fertigation using water-soluble fertilizers resulted in higher values for plant height (104.27 cm), number of branches per plant (16.71), leaf area per plant (89.44 dm2 ), dry matter per plant (185.49 g), number of fruits per plant (142.7), fruit length (11.13 cm), fruit girth (4.75 cm), fruit weight (1.29 g), yield per plant (184.11 g) and fruit yield (5.03 t/ha) which remained on par with same amount of fertilizer applied using conventional means along with polyethylene mulching. In general, treatments that received fertilizers through fertigation took less number of days to flowering over conventional soil-application of fertilizers. All fertigation treatments recorded higher dry-chilli fruit yield over the conventional soil-application of fertilizers, to a tune of 27.87% to 52.4% over the control.Not Availabl

Rizobactérias e promoção do crescimento de plantas cítricas Rhizobacteria and growth promotion of citrus plants

Desenvolveram-se três experimentos em casa de vegetação para verificar a possibilidade de as rizobactérias atuarem como promotoras do crescimento de plantas cítricas. Ao todo, testaram-se 10 isolados de Pseudomonas do grupo fluorescente, 13 de Bacillus e sete de outras bactérias rizosféricas em porta-enxertos utilizados na citricultura: tangerineira 'Cleópatra' (Citrus reshni), limoeiro 'Cravo' (Citrus limonia) e limoeiro 'Volcameriano' (Citrus volkameriana). Dependendo do porta-enxerto, sete isolados de Pseudomonas, um de Bacillus e um de outra bactéria rizosférica tiveram efeito benéfico sobre a matéria seca de raízes ou de parte aérea, indicando uma alta proporção de promotores de crescimento entre as bactérias do primeiro grupo. Procedeu-se também à contagem de bactérias fluorescentes do gênero Pseudomonas e de bactérias não-fluorescentes em raízes de tangerineira 'Cleópatra' e de limoeiro 'Cravo', procedentes de viveiro de mudas e do campo. Ambos os grupos bacterianos tiveram sua multiplicação favorecida na rizosfera de tangerineira 'Cleópatra', em condições de viveiro.<br>Three greenhouse trials were carried out to verify if rhizobacteria can promote citrus plant growth. Ten isolates of fluorescent Pseudomonads, thirteen of Bacillus spp. and seven of other rhizospheric bacteria were tested in three rootstocks seedlings: 'Cleopatra' mandarin (Citrus reshni), rangpure lime (Citrus limonia) and Volkamerian lemon (Citrus volkameriana). Depending on the rootstock, seven Pseudomonads, one isolate of Bacillus and one of other rhizospheric bacteria increased the root or shoot dry weight, indicating a high proportion of growth promoters among the fluorescent Pseudomonads. Also, fluorescent Pseudomonads and non fluorescent bacteria were counted in the roots of nursery seedlings and field plants of Citrus reshni and Citrus limonia. The growth of both bacterial groups was favored in the Citrus reshni rhizosphere under nursery conditions