Guava Improvement in India and Future Needs

Guava (Psidium guajava L; Myrtaceae) is an important fruit crop of India. High heterozygosity and frequent cross pollination resulted in the present day variability in seedling populations from which promising genotypes have been selected. As of now, there are about 160 cultivars available in India, among which 'Allahabad Safeda' and 'Sardar' varieties are widely cultivated. Crop improvement work attempted in India resulted in release of several superior selections / hybrids. Also, interspecific hybrids resistant to guava wilt were developed at CISH, Lucknow which are graft compatible with commercial varieties of P. guajava. The use of new biotechnological tools like DNA fingerprinting to study the extent of genetic variation among cultivars, rapid multiplication through in vitro shoot-tip culture needs to be employed extensively. Attempts need to be made to spot genetic markers for wilt resistance to improve efficiency in developing wilt resistant clones and rootstocks. Survey to identify superior genotypes with Allahabad Safeda traits and high density planting characters like early bearing, compact plant type, favourable response to pruning, good branch angle to minimize branch breakage even under heavy bearing, and, with a high fruit : shoot ratio need to be paid due attention. Work on aneuploidy breeding, development of autotetraploids and in vitro genetic manipulation of somatic cells needs to be intensified

Comparing the Effect of Inquiry-Based Multiple Intelligence Approach and Non-Inquiry Based Multiple Intelligence Approach on Achievement in Science

The paper focused attention on comparing the effect of inquiry based multiple intelligence approach and noninquiry based multiple intelligence approach on achievement of pupils in some selected primary schools. Two primary schools were selected purposively with one intact class from each school. Each intact class of thirty (30) pupils were randomly assigned to the two groups used for the study. A total of sixty (60) pupils were used in the study. The two groups were assigned each to the inquiry based multiple intelligence approach group and the noninquiry based multiple intelligence approach group. The research design was a quasi-experimental design, involving a pretest and post-test in achievement of students. The reliability of the test instrument was established at 0.75 which was considered adequate. A pretest- was administered to the pupils .The pupils were taught science concepts based on the curriculum of the ministry of education for a period of eight (8) weeks using the inquirybased multiple intelligence approach and non- inquiry multiple intelligence approach for group A and B respectively after which the post-test- was administered. Findings using the statistical techniques of mean, median, standard deviation and one way analysis of covariant (ANCOVA) were used to proffer answers to the generated research questions and hypotheses revealed that there was significant difference between the achievement scores of pupils in science for the use of non- inquiry based multiple intelligence approach and noninquiry based multiple intelligence approach on. It was also statistically established that the effect of inquiry based multiple intelligence approach was on achievement is science was better. Conclusion and recommendations such as introducing and enhancing the use of inquiry based multiple intelligence approach in primary schools was made

Resistance to Fruit Fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and Tea Mosquito Bug, Helopeltis antonii (Sign.) in Certain Wild Psidium Species

Five wild species of Psidium viz., Psidium cattleianum lucidum, P. chinensis, P. friedrichsthalianum, P. molle and P. quadrangularis were evaluated for resistance to fruit fly [Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)] and tea mosquito bug (TMB) [Helopeltis antonii (Sign.)], during 2002-04. Significant variations were recorded among species in their reaction to pests. Two species viz., P. chinensis and P. quadrangularis were resistant to fruit fly (<10% fruit damage) while P. quadrangularis was immune. Psidium. molle and P. cattleianum were resistant to tea mosquito bug. Pest incidence was correlated with fruit biochemical components viz., total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars, vitamin C and acidity. The TSS and total sugars were positively correlated with fruit fly infestation while acidity was negatively correlated. The TMB incidence did not exhibit significant correlation with any of these parameters

Genetic Variability in some Indian Mango Cultivars and Hybrids

Mango is a perennial and highly heterozygous plant. Therefore, it takes a long time to breed a variety in this crop. Information on genetic variability among cultivars and hybrids helps plan meaningful crop improvement programmes. Due to the high heterozygosity, complexity of its flowers and poor fruit-set, the progeny population that can be raised from a cross is very meagre. Hence, there is a need to choose parents that have good fruit-set and show genetic divergence. It would also be interesting to establish if the hybrids generated are truly open-pollinated progenies, or arise from controlled crossing. Basic information thus obtained would help chalk out a potentially successful breeding programme. A study in this direction was carried out by using morphological characters of twelve hybrids and their respective parents. Cluster analysis indicated a relationship between the parents and hybrids. Two major clusters were observed from the clustering pattern. In the first cluster, varieties Dashehari, Banganapalli, Manjeera, Sindhu, Janardhan Pasand, Ratna, Rumani, Amrapali, Neelgoa and Alphonso grouped together. The second cluster consisted of vars. Arka Aruna, Neelum, Arka Puneet, Neeleshan, Mulgoa, Mallika, Arka Anmol and Arka Neelkiran. The hybrid, Sindhu was observed to be genetically closer to Ratna than to Alphonso. The sub-clustering pattern also showed a close relationship between parents and their hybrids. The hybrid, Arka Anmol, was found to distantly placed from the centre (8.54), as also the hybrid, Arka Neelkiran (7.05). 'Sindhu' was also found to be closer to the centre (1.55)

Morpho-biochemical characterization of Psidium species

Several Psidium species are available with many important traits, lack of intensive characterization limits their use in guava improvement. Therefore, the present study was carried out to characterize five wild Psidium species (P. molle, P. chinensis, P. guineense, P. cattleianum var. cattleianum and P. cattleianum var. lucidum) and two P. guajava genotypes (cv. ‘Arka Poorna’ and ‘H 12-5’), based on morphological and biochemical traits. Among morphological traits, fruit weight was ranged from 5.22 g (P. cattleianum var. cattleianum) to 225.14 g (‘H 12-5’), however, among biochemical traits, highest TSS (12.06 ºBrix) and total sugars (9.98%) were recorded in cv. ‘Arka Poorna’, while, lowest recorded in P. cattleianum var. lucidum. Highest ascorbic acid was recorded in P. chinensis (205.33 mg/100 g), whereas, lowest recorded in P. guineense (60.83 mg/100 g). A positive correlation was observed among wild Psidium species but none had correlation with P. guajava genotypes for quantitative traits

Genetic Diversity in 'Appemidi' Pickle Mangoes

Mango is an important fruit crop grown extensively in India. An enormous diversity is seen in its flavour, taste and fruit form unique to particular regions of India. A large diversity for unique pickling types, called 'Appemidi' (tender mangoes), is seen in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. With rapid deforestation in several of these areas, surveys were conducted to collect and conserve these unique types. This resulted in collection of 33 unique accessions which have been conserved in the Institute's field gene bank. On evaluation of tender fruit, accessions 'Chansi Appe', 'Dodderi Jeerige', 'Mani Bhatta Appe', 'Gorana Appe', 'Isagoor Appe', 'Malange', 'Gurumurthy Appe' and 'Kashimidi' were found to possess good traits for tender, whole-fruit pickling

Exploring reader responses to young adult literature in the Malaysian English language classroom

This article presents the results of a study exploring the reader-responses of Malaysian young adults (YAs) to the literature texts used in Malaysian secondary schools, Dear Mr. Kilmer by Anne Schraff, Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford, and Sing to the Dawn by Minfong Ho. The study aimed to determine the extent to which the YAs found these texts engaging and relevant, and how they identified aspects of their own young adulthood in the novels. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods through questionnaires completed by 30 Malaysian YAs, semi-structured qualitative interviews with a sub-group of six participants, and their journal reflections. Using reader-response literary theory as the guiding framework, the data were analysed quantitatively through descriptive statistical analyses, and qualitatively through inductive thematic analysis, in order to examine the extent to which Malaysian YAs could identify with the main characters, themes, issues, or events in the novels and determine the relevance of the novels to their lives. The findings showed that the participants identified with the characters’ conflict between being true to one’s self and conforming to societal and gender expectations. The themes of standing up for one’s beliefs and right to education, combating social inequities, and family relationships were also relevant aspects that surfaced in responses towards the novels. This study provides recommendations for the selection of literary texts for the English language classroom that connect to the developmental phase of young adults and allow learners to see themselves reflected in what they read

Evaluation of Unique Mango Accessions for whole-Fruit Pickle

Studies conducted to evaluate the suitability of nineteen unique mango accessions for preparation of tender whole mango pickles revealed that these varieties were characterized by their acidic taste and rich raw mango flavour, which are most prefered for pickle production. The physical and quality parameters viz. fruit shape, weight, raw mango flavour, firmness, titrable acidity, latex flow, pH, dry matter and vitamin C which are important in pickle quality, showed wide variations among different varieties. Based on the sensory evaluation of whole immature green mango pickle prepared by standard fermentation and curing method, the accessions viz., Kashimidi, Isagoor Appe, Malange, Appemidi, Dantimamidi and Jeerige were considered to be most suitable for preparation of tender mango pickles

Experiences from the implementation of last planner system® in construction projects

Lean practices have shown their potential in reducing environmental, economic, and social impacts during the construction phase, with an increase in the parameters of sustainability in the development of projects. Last planner system® (LPS) has gained prominence in recent times for its ability to increase the possibility of timely construction project delivery. However, LPS is yet to gain sufficient confidence from industry for wide spread implementation. The present paper intends to present the benefits, critical success factors, barriers and drawbacks of the LPS with the intent of promoting the applications in industry. An extensive review of literature published over last two decades has been done. The study has identified that improvement in the reliability of planning, visualization of future and planning transparency, reduction in project time as the major benefits, commitment from top management, training of the participants as the critical success factors, resistance to implement LPS, involvement of many parties in the project as the most significant barriers of implementation. The study has also presented the difficulties faced during LPS implementation which if addressed shall be able to improve the process of implementation, translate to project success, and instil confidence in the industry practitioners to implement the system widely