Biochemical investigations on vigour enhancement in aged seeds upon seed priming in onion

Loss in seed quality that occurs during all process, from maturation in the field to storage, leads to seed deterioration. Storage of onion seeds under ambient, hot and humid conditions is very problematic since these conditions deteriorate seed quality faster. Seed deterioration is associated with many metabolic defects that occur due to changes in enzymes and protein levels. This deterioration can be rectified to the extent possible by the technique of seed priming. The results clearly indicated that priming will restore the lost seed vigour in aged seeds due to reactivation of enzyme activity in old seeds. The germination percentage improved from 60% to 79.5% and 72.5% in GA3 and hydroprimed, respectively. Priming will also restore the lost seed vigour in aged seeds due to reactivation of proteins in old seeds and expression of these proteins in priming treatments are related to priming induced proteins in contrast to their absence in the aged seeds which are necessary for germination and longevity of seeds

Influence of seed treatment and packaging materials on seed longevity of cluster bean [Cyamopsistetra gonoloba (L.) Taub.]

An experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of packaging materials and seed treatments on storability of cluster bean under ambient conditions of Bengaluru. The experiment consisted of six treatments viz. control (T1), bavistin @ 2 g kg-1 (T2), spinosad @ 0.04 ml/kg (T3), neem leaf powder @ 1:20 ratio (T4), Acorus calamus@ 10 g kg-1 (T5) and cow dung powder @ 10 g kg-1 (T6) and three packaging materials viz., cloth bag (C1) super grain bag (C2) and poly lined cloth bag (C3). Treated seed samples were stored in three containers under ambient storage conditions up to the duration of which seeds maintain minimum seed certification standards and samples were drawn at bimonthly intervals for ascertaining the seed quality parameters. The study suggested that seed treat-ment could be useful to prolong the storage life of cluster bean seeds. The seeds treated with spinosad (0.04 ml/kg) and stored in super-grain bag were better for maintenance of higher seed quality parameters [germination (80.00%), root length (11.70 cm), shoot length (13.60 cm), mean seedling dry weight (152 mg), seedling vigour index I and II (2024&12140) and TDH activity (1.224) with low electrical conductivity (0.368 dSm-1)] up to 18 months under ambient conditions of Bengaluru (room temperature). Super-grain bag proved to be better storage container with higher seed quality attributes viz., germination (72.38 %), seedling vigour index-I (1726), total dehydrogenase activity (1.201) and other seed quality parameters compared to cloth bag. The study suggested that use of appropriate packaging material and seed treatment could be useful to prolong the storage life of cluster bean seeds

Effects of Type of Cutting, IBA and Bioinoculants on Rooting in Madhunashini (Gymnema sylvestre Retz.)

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of type of cutting, IBA and bioinoculants on rooting in madhunashini. Among the three types of cuttings, hardwood cuttings registered higher values for fresh (0.790g/cutting) and dry weight (0.650g/cutting) of sprouts, per cent rooting (6.66 %), fresh and dry weight of roots (0.037 and 0.030g/ cutting) and biomass production (0.682g/cutting). Among IBA and bioinoculant treatments, Azotobacter chroococcum recorded higher values for percentage sprouting (26.66 %) and rooting (9.99 %) as also for other root parameters; whereas, maximum fresh weight (0.863g/cutting) and dry weight of sprouts (0.740g/cutting), and, biomass production (0.759g/cutting) was observed in IBA 1000ppm treatment. Interaction effect of type of cutting, IBA and bioinoculants on fresh and dry weight of sprouts (2.438g and 2.084g, respectively) and biomass production (2.123g/cutting) was found superior in hardwood cuttings treated with IBA 1000ppm. Percentage of rooting (13.33 %) was better in hardwood cuttings treated with Azotobacter chroococcum. Therefore, among the various treatments tested, hardwood cuttings treated with Azotobacter chroococcum are the best for propagation through cuttings

Intercropping of medicinal and aromatic plants in coconut gardens

A field study was conducted at Horticulture Research Station, Arsikere, Karnataka during 2006-07 to 2008-09 to identify suitable medicinal and aromatic plants for intercropping in coconut gardens of maidan tract of Karnataka. The experiment consisted of 14 medicinal and aromatic crops viz., Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Makoi (Solanum nigrum), Coleus (Coleus forskohlii), Garden rue (Ruta graveolens), Lepidium (Lepidium sativum), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Arrow root (Maranta arundinaceae), Kacholam (Kaemferia galanga), Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens), Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus), Citronella (Cymbopogon winteranus), Lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanoides). The yield of all the medicinal and aromatic crops grown as intercrop in coconut garden were reduced compared to their sole crop yields. The reduction in yield was less in lemon grass (6.4 %), tulsi (23.5 %), arrow root (23.9 %), vetiver grass (25.1 %), kalmegh (25.7 %), makoi (29.1 %), citronella (30.2 %) and garden rue (30.5 %). The nut yield of coconut was improved with intercropping of medicinal and aromatic crops. The andrographolide content in kalmegh (4.40 to 3.20 %), rutin alkaloids in garden rue (1.68 to 1.40 %) and oil content in lepidium (19.60 to 17.23 %) were significantly reduced when grown as intercrops in coconut garden as compared to sole crop. However, the forskohlin content in coleus (0.43 to 0.61 %) and essential oil content in ambrette (0.24 to 0.29 %) were significantly increased by intercropping. In other medicinal and aromatic crops, the quality parameters were not significantly influenced by intercropping. The intercropping system of growing lemon grass under coconut recorded the highest net income (Rs. 91,561/ha) and B:C ratio (2.89) followed by garden rue (Rs. 81,865/ha and 2.79), tulsi (Rs. 77,472/ha and 2.71), kalmegh (Rs. 75,163/ha and 2.56), arrow root (Rs. 72,211/ha and 2.28) and makoi (Rs. 67,058/ha and 2.68). Hence, intercropping of lemon grass, garden rue, tulsi, kalmegh, arrow root and makoi with coconut can be recommended for maidan tract of Karnataka

Molecular characterization of ginger genotypes using RAPD and SSR markers

Genetic diversity among ginger genotypes collected from different parts of the country was studied using molecular markers (30 RAPD and 55 SSR). Compared to RAPD primers SSR primers were efficient in distinguishing the genotypes. A total of 86 and 23 polymorphic bands were observed with RAPD and SSR primers, respectively. Percentage polymorphism observed between RAPD and SSR primers was 97.40 % and 56.54 %. Grouping of genotypes by using combined data of RAPD and SSR primers indicated that irrespective of their place of collection or geographical origin, 30 genotypes were clustered into different groups which showed that, each individual genotype is having wider variability or it might be due to the genetic similarity existing among them

Effect of feeding three different formulated feeds having different protein levels on the growth of angel fish (Pterophyllum scalare) juveniles

Experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary protein level on growth and nutrient utilization by angel fish (Pterophyllum scalare) juveniles. Fifty-four juveniles (average wt. 2-2.5 g) were equally divided in three treatments with each of three replicates. Three formulated diets with graded protein levels, T1 (35% CP), T2 (40% CP) and T3 (45% CP) were fed to juveniles for 45 days. A trend of higher weight gain %, SGR, FER and PER was found with the increased CP level in the feed. Feed intake was similar in all the groups. T3 group fed with 45% CP registered highest weight gain % (43.26 ± 2.07), SGR (0.78 ± 0.04), FER (0.29 ± 0.01), which were significantly higher (P<0.05) than the T1 and T2 groups. Protein digestibility of T2 and T3 groups was significantly higher than the T1 group. Survival was similar in all the experimental groups. Diet with 45% CP with protein energy ratio of 112.62 mg protein/K cal. is ideal for juvenile angel fish for indoor rearing

Methyl (2Z)-2-(2-fluoro-4-meth­oxy­benzyl­idene)-5-(4-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-7-methyl-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-5H-[1,3]thia­zolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxyl­ate

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C24H21FN2O5S, consists of two crystallographically independent mol­ecules. In each mol­ecule, the central dihydro­pyrimidine ring is significantly puckered and adopts a conformation which is best described as an inter­mediate between a boat and a screw boat. The least-squares planes of the dihydro­pyrimidine rings are almost coplanar with the fluoro-substituted benzene rings, making dihedral angles of 9.04 (7) and 6.68 (7)°, and almost perpendicular to the meth­oxy-substituted benzene rings with dihedral angles of 89.23 (7) and 88.30 (7)°. In the mol­ecular structure, S(6) ring motifs are formed by C—H⋯O and C—H⋯S hydrogen bonds. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked into a three-dimensional network by inter­molecular C—H⋯O and C—H⋯F hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure is further stabilized by a C—H⋯π inter­action

Growth and Yield Performance of Hybrid Hot Pepper, Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) as Influenced by Fertigation and Polyethylene Mulching

A field experiment was conducted at Bengaluru during 2015 to study the effect of fertigation on performance of hybrid chilli (Capsicum annuum&nbsp;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

Flowering and fruit set in vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Andr.)

Cultivation of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia&nbsp;Andr.) is becoming increasingly popular in recent years in the hill zone of Karnataka, India. &nbsp