An assessment of fruiting and polyembryony in Langsat (Lansium domesticum Corr.) from Nilgiris, India

In this paper we report the fruit characteristics and seed polyembryony in langsat, Lansium parasiticum (syn. Lansium domesticum Corr.). This fruit tree belongs to the family Meliaceae in order Sapindales and is considered to be native of western South East Asia and is common in both wild and cultivated forms throughout Malaysia and Philippines where the fruits are very popular and the tree is being utilized in reforestation efforts. It is also grown in southern Thailand and Vietnam and flourishes in the Nilgiris and other humid areas of South India. In the present investigation we report the morphological and biochemical parameters of the plants and fruits obtained from State Horticultural Farm, Buliar (latitude 11.34; longitude 76.79) in Tamil Nadu, at elevation of 360 m MSL and receiving average annual rainfall of 125.14 cm. The plantation was established in the year 1900 and consists of various tropical trees like mangosteen, langsat, arecanut, coffee, silveroak, pepper, cinnamon in tier system of planting

Genetic Diversity Analysis and Barcoding in Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) Cultivars Using RAPD and ISSR Markers

Tuberose is one of the most important bulbous ornamentals grown commercially for loose as well as cut flowers. RAPD and ISSR markers used in the study revealed 53% and 73% polymorphism, respectively, among ten tuberose varieties. Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) and Resolving Power (RP) for RAPD varied from 0.35 - 0.46 and 0.8 - 3.6, respectively, and that for ISSR was 0.36 - 0.49 and 0.91 - 4.55, respectively. The dendrogram (UPGMA), based on Jaccards co-efficient as similarity index for RAPD and ISSR, grouped ten varieties into two major clusters, and, combined RAPD-ISSR cluster analysis formed three major clusters based on their genetic relatedness/variation. PCA revealed that the spatial arrangement of these 10 cultivars was congruent with dendrogram analysis. Mantel's test indicated very good correlation, with r = 0.86 for combination of ISSR and RAPD-ISSR. To facilitate identification of tuberose cultivars, a cultivar identification diagram (CID) was developed in which seven ISSR loci could differentiate all the ten cultivars used in the study. Barcodes were developed for five cultivars released by IIHR using 57 polymorphic loci generated by 11 ISSR primers. The size of these loci ranged from 252bp to 2.2kb. These barcodes can be used as a standard reference source for quick identification of cultivars

Characterization of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) genotypes as per DUS guidelines

Characterization and establishment of distinctiveness among 30 chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) genotypes was carried out using morphological descriptors adopted from the DUS guidelines developed by PPV and FR authority on chrysanthemum. The genotypes were characterized for 41 essential characters among which six characters were monomorphic, five dimorphic and 30 were polymorphic indicating their potential for varietal characterization and distinctiveness. Out of 30 chrysanthemum genotypes studied, eight were found to be distinctive on the basis of 10 essential characters. The rest of the 22 genotypes remained in groups of two or three without being differentiated for similar traits and therefore, it is suggested to use other biological markers/DNA fingerprinting. This study will be useful for breeders/researchers/farmers to identify distinctiveness in chrysanthemum genotypes and to seek protection under Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act

Maturity determination of red and white pulp dragon fruit

There is a huge potential for dragon fruits grown in India but insufficient information may hamper its production and postharvest handling. The aim of this study was to investigate the right harvest time and maturity indices for red and white pulp dragon fruit. Growth and developmental studies were undertaken using destructive (total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and TSS: acid ratio) and non-destructive methods (fruit weight, specific gravity, peel colour and heat units). Fruits were collected at seven intervals (7, 14, 21, 26, 31, 36 and 41 days after flowering) to assess the right maturity. All these methods were used to standardize the optimum maturity and right time for the harvest of red and white pulp dragon fruit. Harvesting dragon fruits between 31-36 days after flowering (DAF) was found ideal for optimum maturity and quality. Both red and white pulp fruits harvested at 31 DAF showed better quality in terms of physic-chemical and sensory attributes

Characterisation and utilization of three distinct male sterile systems in marigold (Tagetes erecta)

Three distinct male sterile systems were identified in marigold (Tagetus erecta L.) and classified as apetaloid, petaloid and gynomonoecious types based on their floral morphology. Detailed study indicated differences in their inheritance pattern, maintenance and utilization. Apetaloid male sterility was controlled by single recessive gene. Petaloid and gynomonoecious male sterile systems were under the control of cytoplasmic inheritance. Apetaloid sterile lines were maintained by intercrossing between sterile and fertile plants within the line. Petaloid and gynomonoecious lines were maintained by vegetative propagation. Besides utilizing male sterile system for hybrid seed production, the flowers of petaloid male sterile lines were found to be of commercial importance considering the flower head filled with all ray florets. SCAR marker was able to distinguish petaloid sterile types from apetaloid and gynomonoecious. For the first time, new male sterile systems are being reported in marigold with multiple sterile lines having significant commercial importance

Development and evaluation of ready to serve (RTS) beverage from bael (Aegle marmelose Correa.)

A research study was carried out to develop a RTS beverage by exploiting the nutritional and organoleptic properties of bael fruit pulp. Six treatment combinationsof bael RTS with 10, 15 and 20% of pulp concentration and 10 and 15°B of TSS were prepared based on the review of literature. The biochemical and organoleptic properties of the prepared RTS were evaluated during storage. The pH, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity of the RTS decreased with the storage, while acidity and total sugars increased. Results of the sensory evaluation showed that there was a significant difference between treatments in terms of color, flavor, taste, body and overall acceptability. From the results of quality assessments, the formulated bael RTS beverage with 15% pulp and 15°B TSS was found to be superior and suitable for consumption up to 12 weeks without any significant changes in the quality characteristics

Development and evaluation of ready to serve (RTS) beverage from bael (Aegle marmelose Correa.)

A research study was carried out to develop a RTS beverage by exploiting the nutritional and organoleptic properties of bael fruit pulp. Six treatment combinationsof bael RTS with 10, 15 and 20% of pulp concentration and 10 and 15°B of TSS were prepared based on the review of literature. The biochemical and organoleptic properties of the prepared RTS were evaluated during storage. The pH, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity of the RTS decreased with the storage, while acidity and total sugars increased. Results of the sensory evaluation showed that there was a significant difference between treatments in terms of color, flavor, taste, body and overall acceptability. From the results of quality assessments, the formulated bael RTS beverage with 15% pulp and 15°B TSS was found to be superior and suitable for consumption up to 12 weeks without any significant changes in the quality characteristics

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Not AvailableThe indigenous future fruit ‘Jamun’ is grown throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the country. Since vast genetic variability exists among the seedling populations, characterizing the germplasm to identify superior genotypes is essential for jamun crop improvement. In this background, morphological characterization of 14 jamun genotypes to know the variability was studied in randomized block design with three replications. Significant variability was observed for tree morphological traits such as plant height, canopy spread and leaf petiole length and fruit characters fruit length, fruit width and seed length. Variations were also observed on date of flower initiation, number of flowers and fruits set per panicle. Among the genotypes, a few with bold fruits with comparable TSS and pulp content, lesser plant height and canopy spread and early initiation of flowering such as IIHRJ-3, IIHRJ-14 and IIHRJ-12 were found as superior clones for utilizing the jamun crop improvement programs.Not Availabl

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