Performance of medicinal and aromatic plants as intercrops in coconut plantations in Konkan region of Maharashtra

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Coconut Research Station, Bhatye, Ratnagiri (AICRP on Palms) during 2006-2011 to develop appropriate cropping system with medicinal and aromatic plants as intercrops compatible with coconut. The experiment consisted ‘shatavari’ (Asparagus racemosus), ‘adulasa’ (Adhatoda vasica), arrowroot (Maranta arundincea), lemon grass (Cymbopogum citratus) and citronella (Cymbopogum winterianus) replicated four times in randomized block design. The yield of different medicinal/aromatic plants was maximum in lemon grass (31 t ha-1) followed by citronella (22 t ha-1), arrowroot (16 t ha-1), adulsa (2.1 t ha-1) and shatavari (0.8 t ha-1). The yield of intercrops in terms of coconut equivalent yield was higher with lemongrass (7750 nuts ha-1) followed by arrowroot (6000 nuts ha-1), adulasa (4725 nuts ha-1), citronella (4125 nuts ha-1) and shatavari (3500 nuts ha-1). The yield of coconut increased from 12 to 21 per cent after planting the intercrops. The net return was maximum in coconut + lemongrass (Rs. 96,200/ - per ha) followed by coconut + arrowroot (Rs. 93,200/- per ha), coconut + shatavari (Rs. 83,300/- per ha), coconut + adulasa (Rs. 78,300/- per ha) and coconut + citronella (Rs. 73,800/- per ha). Further, it was observed that shatavarin and saponins in shatavari, alkaloid in adulasa, citranol in citronella and sugar in arrowroot were higher with intercropping whereas citral in lemon grass slightly reduced with intercropping. Considering the performance of different medicinal crops as intercrop and market demand, arrowroot, lemongrass, adulasa, citronella and shatavari have been recommended as intercrops in coconut plantation for Konkan region of Maharashtra

Microbial load reduction using modified Solar Conduction Dryer with composite filters

[EN] The present work studies the microbial load reduction in sapota and beet root by three different drying methods i.e. Open Sun Drying (OSD), Solar Conduction Drying (SCD) and a modified SCD with filters (SCDF). Parameters analyzed were water activity, moisture content, drying kinetics, Total Viable Counts, Total Fungal Counts and ash content. It was found that the samples dried in SCDF showed least microbial counts, faster drying times and lower ash content as comparison to OSD. This study shows that SCD and its modification provide a better alternative for low cost drying of fruits and vegetables for quality retention.Jadhav, P.; Ashokkumar, S.; Nagwekar, N. (2018). Microbial load reduction using modified Solar Conduction Dryer with composite filters. En IDS 2018. 21st International Drying Symposium Proceedings. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1743-1750. https://doi.org/10.4995/IDS2018.2018.7728OCS1743175

Extraction of Stevioside from Stevia Rebaudiana Leaves Using Cellulase

Stevioside is a diterpene glycoside present in Stevia Rebaudiana leaves that has the ability to sweeten at rated between 70 to 350 times than sucrose (0.4% w/v). It has no calorific value. Unlike many low calorie sweeteners, stevioside is stable at high temperature. The objective of this research is to extract stevioside from stevia rebaudiana leaves by using cellulase from Aspergillus Niger. Acetate buffer and ethanol were used as a medium for enzyme and as a solvent, respectively. In this present study, the enzymatic extraction of stevioside from stevia rebaudiana leaves was carried out using cellulase with various parameters that affect the production of stevioside such as concentration of enzyme, incubation time and temperature. Cellulase was observed to give the highest stevioside yield (16230 ± 0.3 μg/ml) at 40oC. This indicated that the maximum temperature for cellulase activity was 40oC. The results signify that the enzymatic extraction method is an alternative to solvent based stevioside extraction, based on its higher efficiency. Thus, it can be concluded that the extraction of stevioside from Stevia rebaudiana leaves using cellulase can be maximized under the maximum conditions for the cellulase activity where the used of solvent can be minimized in degrading the cell wall Together with the maximum heat and correct combination of the solvent used, a new and efficient way of extracting high yield of stevioside can be obtained

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted at Regional Coconut Research Station, Bhatye, Ratnagiri (AICRP on Palms) during 2006-2011 to develop appropriate cropping system with medicinal and aromatic plants as intercrops compatible with coconut. The experiment consisted ‘shatavari’ (Asparagus racemosus), ‘adulasa’ (Adhatoda vasica), arrowroot (Maranta arundincea), lemon grass (Cymbopogum citratus) and citronella (Cymbopogum winterianus) replicated four times in randomized block design. The yield of different medicinal/aromatic plants was maximum in lemon grass (31 t ha-1) followed by citronella (22 t ha-1), arrowroot (16 t ha-1), adulsa (2.1 t ha-1) and shatavari (0.8 t ha-1). The yield of intercrops in terms of coconut equivalent yield was higher with lemongrass (7750 nuts ha-1) followed by arrowroot (6000 nuts ha-1), adulasa (4725 nuts ha-1), citronella (4125 nuts ha-1) and shatavari (3500 nuts ha-1). The yield of coconut increased from 12 to 21 per cent after planting the intercrops. The net return was maximum in coconut + lemongrass (Rs. 96,200/ - per ha) followed by coconut + arrowroot (Rs. 93,200/- per ha), coconut + shatavari (Rs. 83,300/- per ha), coconut + adulasa (Rs. 78,300/- per ha) and coconut + citronella (Rs. 73,800/- per ha). Further, it was observed that shatavarin and saponins in shatavari, alkaloid in adulasa, citranol in citronella and sugar in arrowroot were higher with intercropping whereas citral in lemon grass slightly reduced with intercropping. Considering the performance of different medicinal crops as intercrop and market demand, arrowroot, lemongrass, adulasa, citronella and shatavari have been recommended as intercrops in coconut plantation for Konkan region of Maharashtra.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableMohachao Narel is a variant in coconut with sweet and soft endosperm found in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, India. Embryos from sweet endosperm type nuts were found to be tiny and elongated and does not not erminate naturally necessitating the embryo rescue technique as a sole method of propagation. Efforts were made to raise tiny slender embryos of Mohachao Narel type, which lack vigour and natural germination, in vitro. Embryos were cultured in Eeuwen's Y3 medium supplemented with 60 gil of sucrose and subsequently transferred to medium containing lower concentration of sucrose. Additives such as thidiazuron and glutamine were included to improve the vigour of the plantlets. Germination percentage varied in the embryos from Mohachao Narel fype, with a highest germination percentage..of 50% recorded in the third collection. The plantlets resulted through in vitro cultured could be successfully planted in the field.Not Availabl