Effect of gibberellin on seeded Vitis vinifera with special reference to induction of seedlessness

Application of GA (25-50 ppm) to Ana:b-e-Shahi at prebloom stage decreased the bunch weight and berry number but weight of the berries was increased and up to 29.6% seedless berries were induced. GA sprays (25-50 ppm) at 2-3 days after full lbloom increased the bunch and berry weights but few seedless berries were induced.GA application (50-150 ppm) to Bhokri grape at 10-11 days before full bloom formed more than 90% seedless berries but bunch weights and berry number were reduced. WitJh an additional second spray at 7- 8 days after full bloom, berry size was impmved but bunch weights were still reduced. At 4-5 days before full bloom application of GA, up to 41.4 % seedless berries were induced but bunch and berry weights were a,gain reduced. With another spray at postbloom stage bunch and berry weights were brought to the level of control.   In Gros Colman (Pusa) grape, GA application (50-100 ppm) at 5-6 days before full bloom and 2-3 days after full bloom also formed seedless berries but the bunch and berry weights were reduced. IFruit set was also improvP.d at boVh stages of spray. Prebloom GA application (50-150 ppm) to Alamwick grape, produced seedless berries up to 38.29% but ,bunch and berry weights were appreciably decreased. No effect on berry number was noticed.Application of GA (25-75 ppm) at prebloom + posbbloom and postbloom alone decreased the bunch and berry weights and berry number markedly of Bharat Early and Black Hamburg varieties. Toxic effects like shot berry formation and cracking of rachis were noticed. No seedless berries were observed. however, more berries with 1 or 2 seeds were formed at the expense of berries with 3 or 4 seeds. Even GA application at Jow concentrations to these varieties (5-25 ppm) reduced bunch weights and berry number.The differential response of these seeded varieties of Vitis vinifera is attributed to different amounts of growth factors and inhibitors present in them

Viticulture in the tropical regions of India

By an intelligent appreciation of the vine's physiology grapes are being grown successfully in the tropical regions of India, where the vine stays evergreen throughout the year. The vines are pruned twice a year, once in April for vegetative growth and again in October for the fruiting cycle. The canes which bear the fruit al·e less than one year old. But, since the growth is continuous and rapid, the canes are equivalent in development differentiation to one-year-old canes of the warm temperate and sub-tropical grape growing regions.The ever present over-abundant crop potential of the vine has been exploited by separating out the period of maturity of fruit and maturity of the wood for the next crop. The yields are very high as the depressive effects of high crops are eliminated by 1back or foundation' pruning in April and by heavy doses of fertilizers and manures at the time of pruning.The growers have been able to harvest grapes almost the year round of the 'Bangalore Blue' (V. labrusca type) by staggering the pruning. In the V. vinifera types, the grape season is also extended, within limits, by adjusting the pruning time.Because of shorter period in which the vines come into bearing, ready germination of seeds and the year round availability of flowers, this area is ideal for breeding and genetic studies.As has been shown by the successful grape cultivation in the tropical regions of India, it seems probable that some grapes will do equally well in other tropical regions of the world where the climatological conditions are similar

Differential response of some seeded grape cultivars of Vitis vinifera to gibberellin application

Several seeded cultivar,s of Vitis vinifera varying in seed content and berry size were tested to see their response to GA application. Oultivars with high seed index number and low seed content like Bhokri, Anab-e-Shahi, Gros Colman (Pusa) and Alamwick did not show any toxic effects due to GA application but responded by producing seedless berries and increasing berry weight with prebloom and postbloom application respectively. Alamwick alone, with high seed index number did not respond to GA by increasing the berry weight but it responded by forming seedless berries. Oultivars like Bharat Early, Black Hamburg and Black Muscat with high seed content per berry and low seed index number did not respond to GA by producing seedless berries and increasing berry weight. This differential response of cultivars to exogenous GA is discussed on the basis of physiological differences in the two groups of cultivars

Effects of certain growth substances and boric acid on germination, tube growth and storage of grape pollen (Vitis ssp.)

Investigations on the ,effects of growth substances (GA, IAA and IBA) and boric acid on grape pollen have shown that maximum germination and tube growth was obtained rwith boric acid at lower concentrations (5, 10 and 20 ppm) as compared to GA, IAA, IBA and control. Although GA showed lesser pollen germination, pollen tube growth was enhanced at 5, 10 and 20 ppm in the grape cultivars under study. Pollen grains of Pusa Seedless were stored for 12 months and Pearl of Csaba for four months at different combinations of temperature and ihumidity. The pollen viability was highest when sfored at -12° to -10° C with 25 per cent R.H. which was followed by 4° to 8° C ,and 25 per cent R.H. The pollen germination increased throughout the storage period by boric acid at 5, 10 and 20 ppm

Development of a microprocessor-based biochemical sampler

Modern medicine requires patients to be treated on the basis of precise data, which are often obtained from electronic equipment. An inexpensive and portable microprocessor-based sampler developed by the authors is described. It is comprised of the following units: sample plate assembly, probe-drive linkage system, wash fluid receptacle, timing system and 8085A microprocessor

Induction of pollen sterility in grapes (Vitis vinifera)

The morphology of the grape flower renders hand emasculation very tedious and hence hinders large scale hybridisation work. Chemical induction of male sterility which has been successfully achieved in some crops may likewise aid in grape breeding, if the method proves practicable. This paper deals with an experiment designed to achieve this object.Three varieties of grapes, Bhokri, Hussaini and Rosem-T-Lahore (all belonging to Vitis vinifera) were tested with three different chemicals, viz. maleic hydrazide, tri-iodobenzoic acid and FW-450, using various concentrations. In the first two varieties the dosages of maleic hydrazide 500 ppm, tri-iodobenzoic acid 400 ppm and FW-450 0.30% was found to induce complete pollen sterility. However, the third variety needed higher concentrations. In all cases two applications of the chemicals were necessary to induce comp1ete pollen sterility. In addition to inducing pollen sterility, FW-450 prevented anthesis and anther dehiscence. Considering the fruit set and seed set obtained in the male sterile flowers (induced by various chemicals) rby using good pollen, maleic hydrazide appears to be most promising. The chemical treatments did not influence seed germination. The most important factors with regard to the use of this method were  (1) the variety used, (2) the chemical applied, (3) the number of applications of the chemical and(4) the stage at which the chemical treatments are made. The implications of these results have been discussed

Response of turmeric (Curcuma Zonga L.) to nitrogen in relation to application of farm yard manure and straw mulch

Experiments were conducted during kharif 1995 and 1996 at Ludhiana, India, to study the response of turmeric (Curcuma longa) to nitrogen in relation to application of farm yard manure and wheat straw mulch. The treatments consisted of two levels of mulch (0 and 6 tJha), four levels of farmyard manure, (0, 20, 40 and 60 tJha) and three levels of nitrogen (0, 60 and 120 kg/ha). The study revealed that application of wheat straw mulch improved growth and yield of turmeric significantly. Rhizome yield increased significantly with each increase in farm yard manure level during 1996 with a maximum yield of 365.4 q/ha with 60 tJha of farm yard manure. Nitrogen levels did not affect growth and yield of turmeric significantly. &nbsp

Response of turmeric (Curcuma Zonga L.) to nitrogen in relation to application of farm yard manure and straw mulch

Experiments were conducted during kharif 1995 and 1996 at Ludhiana, India, to study the response of turmeric (Curcuma longa) to nitrogen in relation to application of farm yard manure and wheat straw mulch. The treatments consisted of two levels of mulch (0 and 6 tJha), four levels of farmyard manure, (0, 20, 40 and 60 tJha) and three levels of nitrogen (0, 60 and 120 kg/ha). The study revealed that application of wheat straw mulch improved growth and yield of turmeric significantly. Rhizome yield increased significantly with each increase in farm yard manure level during 1996 with a maximum yield of 365.4 q/ha with 60 tJha of farm yard manure. Nitrogen levels did not affect growth and yield of turmeric significantly. &nbsp

Development of a photometric system for continuous flow analysis

Most chemical analyses carried out in a clinical laboratory are colorimetric. An improved photometric system is described where a tungsten lamp is the light source, a photo-diode is the detector and a microcontroller 8051 is used for processing and displaying absorbances. The performance characteristics of the instrument are reported. The parameters investigated are photometric linearity, precision and instrumental drift