BIOLOGY OF MEALY BUG (PHENACOCCUS SOLENOPSIS TINSLEY) ON

BIDI TOBACCO (NICOTIANA TABACUM L.)

* *
Babu Lal Jat, D.M. Mehta and L.V. Ghetiya
Department of Entomology, B. A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand - 388 110
*
Bidi Tobacco Research Station, AAU,Anand - 388 110 (Gujarat)
ABSTRACT
Studies on the biology of the mealy bug, Phenacoccus solenopsis
Tinsley was carried out at various temperatures and relative humidity on tobacco
at AAU, Anand. The incubation period was 1.4 to 2 days with an average of 1.48
0.45 days. The male and female nymphs of mealy bug passed through four
and three nymphal instars, respectively on tobacco. The duration of first instar
nymph, second instar nymph and third instar nymphs of female mealy bug was 3
to 6 (4.30 1.02 days), 4 to 8 (5.97 1.15 days) and5.58 0.92 (4 to 7 days),
respectively.The male nymphs were found to be forming white silken cocoon
after third moulting. The duration of male cocoon was 4 to 6 days with an average
of 5.00 0.69 days. The longevity of male and female was 1 to 3 (2.42 0.78
days) and 28 to 34(29.34 1.55 days) respectively.The total life cycle of male
and female was 20 to 26 (21.00 2.36 days) and 43 to 54 (47.00 2.50 days).
The average pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods were 4.88
1.02, 16.55 1.09 and 7.90 1.21 days, respectively. The average number of
eggs laid by a female during its life cycle was 448 85.41 eggs.
Key Words:Biology, laboratory, Phenacoccus solenopsis, tobacco
Introduction
The occurrence of meal y bug
(Phenacoccus solani Ferris) on tobacco was
recorded by Williams et al. (1985).
Phenacoccus solenopsis is a newly emerging
pest on tobacco. Present study was
undertaken at Bidi Tobacco Research Station,
Anand Agricultural University, Anand to
generate data on this pest.
Materials and Methods
To establish initial culture of P.
solenopsis, mealy bug infested cotton twigs
were collected from the cotton field and they
were reared in the laboratory. Pumpkin
(Cucurbita sp.) fruit was used for rearing the
mealy bug (Nikam et al., 2010). Fresh
pumpkin fruit was washed thoroughly with
water and kept aside till the water on the
surface of the fruit was evaporated. It was then
placed in a plastic bowl, the bowl was placed in
plastic tray which was then kept in wooden
cage. Female mealy bugs were released on
pumpkin fruit to allow them to establish and lay
the eggs. The newly hatched crawlers were
placed individually on tobacco leaves with the
help of camel hair brush. These tobacco
leaves were placed in glass petri dishes. When
crawlers settled on leaves, they were marked
by drawing red circle around them. The
crawlers thus marked were observed daily for
studying till they attended adult stage.
Results and Discussion
The data recorded on di fferent
parameters are presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
The incubation period of P. solenopsis was 1.4
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1458 - 1461, 2013
1459 BIOINFOLET
to 2 days (1.48 0.45 days). Observations on
nymphal period showed that the female
moulted three times to attain maturity,
whereas male moulted four times.Dhawan
and Saini (2009) also recorded 3 and 4 instars
in females and males, respectively on cotton.
The duration of first instar nymph was 3 to 6
days(4.301.02 days).The duration of second
instar nymph was 4 to 8 days with an average
of 5.97 1.15 days.The male and female
nymphs can be distinguished from this instar.
The male nymphs form white silken cocoon
after third moulting, whereas it was not formed
in case of female nymphs (Fig. 1). The
duration of male cocoon was 4 to 6 days (5.00
0.69 days).Ghulam et al. (2009) reported
cocoon periodas 6.5 to 9 days, whereas,
Dhawan and Saini (2009) reported it as 6 to 8
(7.0 1.0) days on cotton. The duration of third
instar nymph of female was 4 to 7 days (5.58
0.92 days), which was in agreement with
Dhawan and Saini (2009).
Longevity of male was 1 to 3 days (2.42
0.78 days). Dhawan and Saini (2009)
reported it as 1 to 2 days for male
adult,whereas Nikam et al. (2010) reported it
as 7 to 10 days.The difference in adult (male)
longevity may be due to the difference in
availability of food and environmental
condition. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and
post-oviposition periods were 4 to 8, 15 to 19
and 4 to 10 days with an average of 4.88
1.02, 16.55 1.09 and 7.90 1.21 days,
respectively. Vennila et al. (2010) also found
more or less similar findings on cotton.
Longevity of female was 28 to 34 days with an
average of 29.34 1.55 days. Nikam et al.
(2010) at Anand also reported similar results
on female longevity on cotton. Whereas,
Dhawan and Saini (2009) reported 13 to 17
days longevity. This may be due to different
environmental condition.
In present study, total life cycle of male
was 20 to 26 days with an average of 21.00
2.36 days, as was also reported by Nikam et al.
(2010) on cotton. The total life cycle of female
ranged from 43 to 54 days with an average of
47.00 2.50 days. Nikam et al. (2010) reported
it as 55 to 60 days (58.00 3.72 days). The
number of eggs laid by a female mealy bug
ranged from 321 to 645 with an average of
448.66 85.41 during entire life cycle.
Kamariya and Patel (2011)reported similar
observation while Nikam et al., ( 2010)
reported them as 400 to 700 eggs/female.
Table 1 : Incubation period of mealy bug, P.solenopsis on bidi tobacco
Table 2 : Duration of different stages of mealy bug, P. solenopsis on bidi tobacco
Table 3 : Fecundity of mealy bug, P. solenopsis on bidi tobacco
Male
Female
Male cocoon
Ovisac
rd
3 instar male
Eggs
rd
3 instar female
nd
2 instar
1460 Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
st
1 instar
Fig. -1 : Life stages of mealy bug,
P.solenopsis on bidi tobacco
References:
Dhawan, A. K. and Saini, S. (2009). Study on
biology of mealy bug, Phenacoccus
s o l e n o p s i s o n c o t t o n i n
Punjab.Symp.Abstracts.Proc. of the
Nati.Symp. IPM Strategies to Combat
Emerging Pest in the Current Scenario
of Climate Change held at CAU,
Pasighat(Arunachal Pradesh) on
January 28-30, 2009, p. 35.
Ghulam, M.A., Zafarullah, S. and Muhammad,
S. (2009). J. Agric. Res., 47(4): 423
Kamariya, N.M. and Patel, V.N. (2011).J.
Cotton Res. Dev., 25(1): 115
Nikam, N.D., Patel, B. H. and Korat, D. M.
(2010).Karnataka J. Agric. Sci., 23(4):
649
Vennila, S., Deshmukh, A.J., Pinjarkar, D.,
Agarwal, M., Ramamurthy, V.V., Joshi,
S., Kranthi, K.R. and Bambawale, O.M.
(2010). J. Insect Sci., 10: 1-9.
Williams, D.J., Blair, B. W. and Khasimuddin,
S. (1985).Entomol.Gaz.,121: 87
1461 BIOINFOLET
EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS APPLICATION ON OIL YIELD, NUTRIENT
CONTENT AND UPTAKE IN PALMAROSA (CYMBOPOGAN MARTINII VAR. MOTIA)

M. Jayalakshmi and S. G. Wankhade

Dr.Panjab Rao Deshmukh Krish Vidyapeeth, Akola-444 104(MS), India
ABSTRACT
Maximum oil yield (45.86 Kg /ha) and nitrogen and potassium uptake and
-1
contents were highest due to the application 80 kg N / ha .
Key words: Palmarosa, oil yield, nutrient uptake
Introduction

Cymbopogan marti ni var. Moti a
commonly known as Palmarosa or Rosha
grass is a tall perennial tufted hedge. Its oil
has a sweet floral rose-like odour which is
extensively used as perfumery material in
soaps; perfumes; cosmetics, mosquito
repellents, tobacco products, foods and non-
alcoholic beverages (Prakasa Rao et al.,
1985) beside a medicine (Rajeswara Rao,
1999). The crop is estimated to remove 31.6,
74 and 75 kg each of NPK from the soil
besides 34.8 kg Ca, 20.6 kg Mg, 0.9 and 0.034
kg of Mn and Zn respectively in a harvest of
-1
108 q ha of dry mass (Pareek et al., 1983).
Present investigation was undertaken to
study concentration and uptake of nutrients by
Palmarosa under different nitrogen and
phosphorus fertility levels.
Materials and Methods
A field experiment was conducted
at Nagarjun Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
Garden, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi
Vidyapeeth, Akola during Kharif season of
2007-2008.. There were twelve treatment
combinations laid in factorial randomized
block design with three replications. The
treatments included four levels of nitrogen
-1
and 40 kg Phosphorus ha . Nitrogen was
applied and through urea in three split doses,
50 % as a basal dose followed by 25 % each at
the two subsequent cuttings. Phosphorus was
applied as basal dose at the time of planting
through single super phosphate. Potassium
-1
was applied as basal dose @ 40 kg ha
universally through murate of potash.. The first
cutting was done after 110 days of planting i.e.
at flowering stage, subsequently second and
third cuttings were undertaken after 90 and
st
170 days after 1 cutting respectively. The oil
content was estimated using clevengers
apparatus, and distilled by a small hydro steam
distillation unit. Total nitrogen, phosphorus
and potassium contents were estimated by
Kj el dhal ' s met hod Vandomol ybdat e
phosphoric acid and Flame photometer (Piper,
1966) respectively. Uptake of N, P and K was
calculated by multiplying the per cent
composition of N, P and K with dry matter yield
at each cutting.
Results and discussion

Application of nitrogen had significant
effect on oil content of the plant biomass.
Significantly highest oil content was recorded
-1
due to the application of 80 kg N ha which
found superior over all other treatment levels.
No significant effect of phosphorus application
was recorded on the oil content. The
interaction effect between nitrogen and
phosphorus application was found to be
statistically non-significant.
Application of nitrogen had significant
effect on oil yield. Significantly highest oil yield
was observed under the influence of 80 kg N
-1 -1
ha , followed by 60 kg N ha , whereas
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1462 - 1466, 2013
1463 BIOINFOLET
significantly lowest oil yield was recorded with
-1
0 kg N ha . Phosphorus application had also
significant effect on oil yield.. Significantly
highest oil yield was recorded under the
-1
influence of 40 kg P O ha followed 20 kg
2 5
-1
P O ha . The interaction effect between
2 5
nitrogen and phosphorus application on oil
yield was found to be significant.
.
The nitrogen content in the foliage
increased with each level of nitrogen
-1
application up to 80 kg N ha . (Table 1),
whereas under the influence of P application,
significantly highest nitrogen was recorded
-1 -1
with 40 kg P O ha followed by 20 kg P O ha
2 5 2 5
(Table 1). The data presented in Table 2
reveal ed t hat ni t rogen upt ake was
significantly influenced by various levels of
nitrogen and phosphorus. On an average the
st rd
nitrogen uptake increased from 1 to 3
cutting, and highest uptake was recorded at
rd
3 cutting. The application of phosphorus had
significant effect on nitrogen uptake. These
results support observations made by
Prakasha Rao et al.(1985) who reported that
application of N fertilizers increased the
uptake of N,P and K by Lemon grass. During
present study highest nitrogen uptake was
recorded under the treatment combination of
-1
80 kg N + 40 kg P O ha , followed by 80 kg N
2 5
-1
+ 20 kg P O ha .
2 5
Application of nitrogen and
phosphorus had significant effect on P content
which ranged from 0.42 to 0.69 %..
Significantly highest P content was recorded
-1
with the application of 80 kg N ha (Table 1).
The application of phosphorus increased P
content. Significantly highest P content was
-
recorded with 40 kg followed by 20 kg P O ha
2 5
1
. The interaction effect of nitrogen and
phosphorus on P content was found to be non
significant (Table 4). Significantly highest P
uptake was observed due to the application of
-1 -1
80 kg N ha followed by 60 kg N ha . Similar
results were obtained by Barooh and Khader
(1990).
The interaction effect on phosphorus
uptake was found to be significant. Highest P
uptake was recorded under the treatment
-1
combination 80 kg N + 40 kg P O ha .
2 5
Application of nitrogen had significant effect on
K content; significantly highest K content was
-1
recorded due to the application of 80 kg N ha .
Similarly the potassium content increased with
-1
phosphorus application, up to 40 kg P O ha .
2 5
However, the interaction effect of nitrogen and
phosphorus was statistically non-significant.
Application of nitrogen and phosphorus had
significant effect on uptake of K. These results
supported the findings of Rajeshwara Rao et
al. (1991). Significantly highest K uptake was
recorded due to application of 80 kg N + 40 kg
-1
P O ha . It is thus concluded that application
2 5
-1
of 80 kg N and 40 kg P O ha gives maximum
2 5
-1
Table 1: Oil contents (%) and oil yield (Kg ha ) as influenced by nitrogen and phosphorus
application to Palmarosa (Cymbopogan martinii var. Motia )
Table 2: Interaction effect of nitrogen and
-1
phosphorus on Oil yield (kg ha ) at
st
1 cutting
Table 3: Interaction effect of nitrogen and
-1
phosphorus on Oil yield (kg ha ) at
nd
2 cutting
-1 rd
Table 4: Interaction effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on Oil yield (kg ha ) at 3 cutting
Table 5: NPK contents (%) as influenced by nitrogen and phosphorus
1464
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
-1
Table 6: Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on N, P and K uptake (kg ha ) at various cuttings
-1
Table 7: Interaction effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on nitrogen uptake (kg ha ) at third
cutting
-1
Table8: Interaction effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on phosphorus uptake (kg ha ) at
various cuttings
1465 BIOINFOLET
-1
Table 9: Interaction effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on potassium uptake (kg ha ) at
various cuttings
References
Barooh M and M.D. Khader (1990). Indian
Perfumer. 34(2): 147.
Pareek, S. K., M. L. Maheswari, K. D. Singh
and R. Gupta. (1983) International
Journal for Tropical Agriculture. 1(3):
203.
th
Piper, C.S. (1966). Soil and plant analysis 4
Edition, Inter Science Publishers, New
York.
Prakasa Rao, E.V.S., Singh, M., Ganesha
Rao, R.S., Rajeswara Rao, B.R., (1985).
Agric. Sci. Camb. 104 : 67
Prakasha Rao, E.V.S.,M.Singh, R.S.Ganesh
Rao.( 1985 )..Int. J. Crop Agric. 3(2) :
123
Rajeshwara Rao, B. R., E. V. S. Prakasa Rao,
K. Singh, M. Singh, P. N. Kaul and A. K.
Bhattacharya. (1991). Indian Journal for
Agricultural Sciences. 61(7): 169
Rajeswara Rao, B.R., (1999.) Aromatic
plants for dry areas. In: Sustainable
Alternate Land Use Systems for
Drylands. Singh, R.P., Osman, M.
(Eds.), Oriental Enterprises, Dehradun,
India, pp.157170.
1466
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
SOIL SUITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR RICE IN ANDHRA PRADESH USING GEOGRAPHIC
INFORMATION SYSTEM
Y. Sudha Rani, G. Jayasree, M.V.R Sesha Sai*, G. Sujatha* and K.V.Ramana*
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, ANGRAU,
Hyderabad- 500030, Andhra Pradesh
*
National Remote Sensing Centre, Balanagar, Hyderabad-500037, Andhra Pradesh
ABSTRACT
Soil suitability analysis was undertaken by digital processing of geo-
referenced data (climate, soil and land cover) and calculating potential
production areas through decision rules framed for rice crop in Arc GIS spatial
analyst. The results indicated that about 41.4 % area was highly suitable (S1)
and 38.6 % moderately suitable (S2) for rice cultivation in Guntur district, 65.9 %
moderately suitable (S2) and 33.1 % marginally suitable in Nalgonda district
and about 47.3 % highly suitable (S1) and 38.1 % moderately suitable (S2) in
Visakhapatnam districts.
Key words : Land suitability, soil suitability, rice, Geographic Information
System.
Introduction
The process of land suitability
classification is the evaluation and grouping of
specific areas of land in terms of their
suitability for a defined use. The main
objective of the land evaluation is the
prediction of the inherent capacity of a land
unit to support a specific land use for a long
period of time without deterioration. The
t opographi c charact eri st i cs, cl i mat i c
conditions and soil quality of an area are the
most important determinant parameters of the
land suitability evaluations. Use of GIS allows
the construction of models from which land
suitability map can be produced. The present
study was undertaken with the objective to
identify suitable production areas for rice crop
in Andhra Pradesh.
Materials and Methods
Soil suitability for rice crop growing area
was evaluated following FAO guidelines
(FAO, 1976). Various criteria suitable for rice
cultivation given by Sehgal (1996) and Sys et
al. (1991) are presented in Table 1, which
involve formulation of climatic and soil
requirements of the crop as highly suitable
(S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally
suitable (S3) and unsuitable (N). The Arc GIS (
Geographic information system ) package was
used and the basic maps were digitized, geo-
referenced and resampled for creation of
polygon and raster maps using the GIS
software. FAO ( 1976) approach was adopted
for soil suitability analysis. Various thematic
maps of soil characteristics were created using
the ArcGIS v 9.3 and the soils were grouped
under different suitability classes. The
suitability maps were generated in the GIS.
Results and Discussion
In Guntur, the soils were found to be
highly to marginally suitable for rice cultivation.
Soil characteristics viz., pH, organic carbon,
texture, drainage were defined as limitations,
while Electrical conductivity was not found to
be a limiting factor for growing rice. Similar
results were reported by Bhatta et al. (2005).
The suitability map was created (Fig 1) which
provides the spatial extent of the area under
different suitability classes. About 101281 ha
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1467 - 1471, 2013
1468
(43.4 %) soils were found to be highly suitable
for rice cultivation, while 94585 ha of the area
are moderately suitable (Table 2). Similar
results were observed by Vadivelu et al.
(2004) in rice growing soils of Assam. A total of
48966 ha of the area (20 per cent) was
marginally suitable for rice cultivation (Table 2,
Table 1: Suitability criteria and rating-rice
Fig. 1). These soils were sandy loam in texture
with low moisture holding and retentive
capacity, low organic carbon content and were
alkaline in reaction. Similar observations were
reported by Tamgadge et al. (2002) in Madhya
Pradesh and Chattisgarh.
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Fig 1. Soils suitability for rice cultivation in Guntur district
Table 2. Spatial distribution of soils suitability for rice cultivation in Guntur, Nalgonda
and Visakhapatnam districts
Nalgonda district
The mean annual temperature of
o
Nalgonda district was 29 C which is
moderately suitable for rice cultivation. In this
district, rice is cultivated as irrigated crop
which may overcome rainfall constraints. The
suitability map (Fig 2) provides the spatial
extent of the area under different suitability
classes.
1469 BIOINFOLET
Fig 2. Soils suitable for rice cultivation in Nalgonda district
About 48940 ha of the area ( 33.1 %)
was found to be marginally suitable for rice
cultivation, mostly because of the sandy loam
texture of the soils (Table 2)..
Visakhapatnam district
The rainfall in this district ranged
between 1200 to 1400 mm which was highly
suitable for rice cultivation. About 47.3 per
cent of these soils (42245 ha) were clayey and
moderately well drained in nature. The soil
reaction was alkaline, leading to limited
availability of nutrients to the crops. The
organic carbon status was low. The soils were
categorized as highly suitable for rice
cultivation (Table 2). About 34028 ha of the soil
area (38.1 %) was observed to be moderately
suitable for rice cultivation. About 14.6 % of the
soils were marginally suitable for rice
cultivation.
1470
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Fig 3. Soils suitable for rice cultivation in Visakhapatnam district
It is thus concluded that majority of
the area was suitable for rice growing.
However, an optimization of the values
adopted be conducted in future to allow an
optimal suitability determination for rice
growing.
References
FAO. (1976). A frame work for land
evaluation. FAO soils bulletin 32,
Rome.
Tamgadge, D. B., Gajbhiye, K. S. and Bankar,
W. V. (2002). Journal of the Indian
Society of Soil Science 50(1): 81.
Vadivelu, S., Sharma, J. P., Raja, P., Bhaskar,
B. P., Gajbhiye, K. S., Baruah, U.,
Sarkar, D., Butte, P. S. and Dutta, D. P.
(2004). Journal of the Indian Society of
Soil Science 52(2): 177.
1471 BIOINFOLET
EFFECT OF VARYING LEVELS OF ZINC ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF GROUNDNUT
(ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L.) VARIETIES
S. Sharma, O.P. Sharma, H.R. Choudhary*, L.R. Yadav, Seema Sharma** and S.K.
Choudhary*
S. K. N College of Agriculture, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agriculture University, Bikaner,
Jobner (Rajasthan) 303329.
*
Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
(U.P.) 221005.
** Department of Agronomy, B.A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand
(Gujarat) 388110.
ABSTRACT
Girnar 2 variety of groundnut was found superior with respect to the
Plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of branches and number of
nodules. Maximum plant height was recorded in variety TG37A. The yield
attributes (number of pods per plant, number of kernels per pod, seed index,
shelling percentage) and pod, haulm and biological yields were significantly
higher in variety Girnar 2,but almost same as those of RG510.Furthermore,
plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of branches, pods per plant,
kernels per pod, pod yield, haulm yield, biological yield, harvest index, number of
nodules, shelling percentage and seed index etc. significantly increased with the
application of Zn upto 5 kg/ha.
Key words: Groundnut, Varieties,Zinc
Introduction
Zinc deficiency in crop plants is a
wi despread nut ri t i onal di sorder. The
deficiency of zinc arises mainly due to alkaline
soil pH, calcareousness, low organic matter,
exposed sub soil, Zn free fertilizers and
flooding induced electro-chemical changes.
The role of zinc in increasing the crop yield
has been well established (Patilet al.,
2003).Present investigation was undertaken
for choice of suitable variety of groundnut
(Arachis hypogaea L.) and appropriate dose
of zinc to enhance its productivity.
Material and methods
The experiment was undertaken at
Agronomy farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture,
Jobner, District Jaipur (Rajasthan).The place
falls in agro-climatic zone III A (Semi-arid
Eastern Plain Zone) of Rajasthan. The
treatments consisted of five varieties(RG
510,RG 382, Girnar 2,HNG 10 and TG 37A)
and four levels of zinc(0,2.5,5.0 and 7.5 kg /
ha). The experiment was laid out in
Randomized Block Design, wherein each
treatment was replicated three times. The crop
was sown in 45 cm apart rows in the furrows
opened for fertilizer application using 80 kg
seed/ ha. Before sowing, the seeds were
treated with Bavistin @ 3 g/kg seeds to prevent
seed borne diseases.A uniform dose of 60 kg
P O and 20 kg N /ha was applied through DAP,
2 5
and remaining N through urea as a basal dose.
Zinc was applied through ZnSO (20% Zn)
4
which was thoroughly incorporated in the soil
before sowing. Observations on various
growth and yield attributes (Tables 1 and 2)
were recorded at 40, 50, 80 DAS and at
harvest.The chlorophyll content in the leaves,
at pre flowering stage was estimated following
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1472 - 1474, 2013
1473 BIOINFOLET
Arnon (1949).The crop was harvested at
maturity and pod as well as haulm yields were
measured.The harvest index was calculated
as described by Donald and Hamblin
(1976).The data were statistically analyzed
(Panse and Sukhatme, 1978).
Results and discussion
Girnar 2 variety proved significantly
superior than RG 382, HNG 10and TG 37A
with respect to all growth parameters viz.Plant
height, dry matter accumulation, number of
branches and number of nodules per plant (
Table 1 ).Groundnut varieties differed
significantly with respect to plant height,
number of branches, nodules and dry matter
accumulation at all the growth stages. Variety
Girnar 2 recorded significantly higher dry
matter accumulation at 60 DAS and at
harvest, more number of nodules at 50 DAS
and branches at all the growth stages
compared to other varieties, and it was at par
with RG 510. This might be due to fast
growing, bushy and spreading habit of variety
Girnar 2 which progressively increased
branching and dry matter accumulation. RG
510 was also comparable to Girnar 2 with
respect to dry matter accumulation and
number of branches/plant. Ramesh et al.
(2006) and Virender et al. (2008) also reported
differential growth of groundnut varieties.
Variety Girnar 2 exhibited superior
yield attributes (number of pods per plant,
number of kernels per pod, seed index,
shelling percentage) and pod (2845 kg/ha),
haulm (7071 kg/ha) and biological (9916
kg/ha) yield. The variety TG-37A was found to
be poor yielder.Similarly, the lowest number of
pods, kerenls per pod and seed index were
recorded with the variety TG 37A. These
results are in close conformity to those
obtained by Adhikari et al. (2003)and Samui et
al. (2004).
Application of zinc significantly
increased plant height, number of branches
per plant, dry matter accumulation at all
growth stages, and number of nodules and
chlorophyll content 50 DAS (Table 1). By and
large, application of 5.0 and 7.5 kg Zn/ha
improved these parameters over control and
2.5 kg Zn/ha. Zinc plays significant role in
various enzymatic and physiological activities
of the plant and their favorable effects might
have led to increase the above growth
parameters. Results of present investigation
are in line with those obtained by Baskar et al.
(2000) and Tripathyet al. (1999).
Application of 5 and 7.5 kg Zn/ha
produced significantly higher pods per plant,
kernels per pod, pod yield, seed index, haulm
yield, biological yield, harvest index and
shelling percentage as compared to control
and 2.5 kg Zn/ha. The findings of Singh and
Mann (2007) supported the fact that addition of
zinc improved pod yield of groundnut, but the
effect was limited upto 5 kg Zn/ha, beyond
which the response was almost static.
References
Adhikari, J., Samanta, D. and Samui, R.C.
(2003) Indian Journal of Agricultural
Sciences, 73 (2): 108.
Arnon, D.I. (1949) Plant Physiology, 24: 1.
Baskar, M., Solaimalai, A., Sivakumar, C.,
Sanicaranayanan, K. and Sankara, C.
(2000) Field Crop Abstract, 21 (1): 60.
Donald, C.M. and Hamblin, J. (1976)
Advances in Agronomy, 28: 361.
Panse, V.G. and Sukhatme, P.V. (1978)
Statical methods for agricultural
workers.Revised 3rd Edn. ICAR, New
Delhi.
Patil, C.V., Yaledahalli, N.A. and Prakash,
(2003) INM for sustainable productivity
of groundnut in India, Paper presented
at t he Nat i onal Wor kshop on
Groundnut. Seed Technology, Raipur,
pp 6-7.
Ramesh, G., Reddy, A.S.S. and Murthy, V.R.
(2006)Crop Research, 32 (2): 168.
Samui, R.C., Subnendu, Mandal and Anirban,
Mondal(2004)Journal of Oil Seed
Research, 21 (1): 173.
Table 1: Effect of groundnut varieties and zinc levels on growth parameters of groundnut
NS=Non Significant
Table 2 Effect of groundnut varieties and zinc levels on yield and yield attributes of
groundnut
Singh, Y.P. and Mann, J.S. (2007)Indian
Journal of Agronomy, 52 (1): 70.
Tripathy, S.K.,Patra, A.K. and Samui, R.C.
(1999)Annals of Agricultural Research,
20 (4): 439.
Virender, Sardana, Kandhola, S.S. and
Parvender, Sheoran (2008)Indian
Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 78 (4):
372.
1474
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
EFFECT OF MOISTURE STRESS ON PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS AND YIELD
COMPONENTS IN CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.) GENOTYPES
K. D. Shinde, A. V. Narwade, H. S. Thakare and D. A. Chauhan
Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat
ABSTRACT

Present investigation was carried out to find out the effect of moistures
regimes on the yields of chickpea genotypes. The grain yield of chickpea
significantly declined due to moisture deficit, which appeared as a result of
reduction in leaf area index, root length, photosynthetic rate, relative water
content, membrane stability index, plant height, number of pods per plant, pod
weight and harvest index. Among the six varieties of chickpea, Dahod yellow
recorded significantly highest yield under irrigation as well as moisture stress
condition, hence, it was identified as drought tolerant variety. The remaining
varieties were sensitive to moisture stress.
Keywords: - Chickpea, Drought, LAI, MSI, Photosynthetic rate and RWC
Introduction
Attempts were made during present
investigation to identify most suitable
genotype of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) for
cultivation under rain fed conditions.
Material and Method
A field experiment was undertaken at
College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural
University, Navsari during rabi season 2010-
2011. Four irrigation intervals, (viz., I - All
0
irrigation applied at 30, 60 and 90 DAS, I -
1
Irrigation applied at 30 and 60 DAS, I -
2
Irrigation applied at 30 DAS and I - Kept as
3
unirrigated) and six varieties of chickpea (viz.,
Vijay, Jaki-9218, Dahod yellow, Chaffa, ICC-4
and GG-2) in split plot design with three
replications were evaluated. Recommended
-1
dose of fertilizer (25-50-00 kg ha NPK) was
applied. The data on leaf area index (Watson,
1947), Photosynthetic rate (measured using
Lc-Pro Photosystem, Bio-gen, U.K.), Relative
water content (RWC; Barrs and Weatherley,
1962), Membrane Stability Index (Sairam,
1994), Plant height were recorded at 30, 60
and 90 days after sowing (DAS), whereas,
Number of pods per plant, Pods weight,
Harvest index, Grain yield were recorded at
harvest from randomly selected five plants of
each treatment.
Results and Discussion
Under moisture stress condition (Table
2) leaf area index significantly decreased as
compared to irrigated condition. Among
different irrigation intervals, I treatment
1
showed significantly highest LAI (1.72) while
among the genotypes variety Dahod yellow
recorded maximum LAI. The results are in
agreement with the findings of Saxena and
Johanson, (1991) and Deshmukh et al.,
(2004a). Under l i mi ted water suppl y
transpiration was reduced to optimize water
use efficiency (WUE) for adaptation under
moisture stress conditions (Jones, 1979).
Photosynthesis was significantly reduced
under moisture stress condition as was
experienced by Krouma (2010) and Ma et al.,
(2006). The relative water content significantly
declined due to moisture stress in all varieties
as was pointed out by Basu et al., (2004) and
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1475 - 1478, 2013
1476
Gangadhara (1995). Membrane stability
index was significantly reduced in all varieties
at 30 DAS. The results are in agreement with
the findings of Sairam and Saxena (2000) and
Rahabarian et al. (2011). The plant height
significantly declined under moisture deficit,
while maximum plant height was recorded
under irrigated condition, as was also
observed by Deshmukh et al., (2004b),
Mandel et al., (1979) and Bhattacharya et al.,
(1995). However, the differences in plant
height at 30 days after sowing (DAS) were not
significant, which may be due to the
availability of residual soil moisture. Under
moisture stress root length increased. The
roots of chickpea went deeper in the soil as
moisture stress appeared. The results are in
close agreement with the finding of Sheldrake
and Saxena (1979). The root system was
shallow under irrigation.
The number of pods per plant
significantly reduced under moisture stress,
while more number of pods was recorded
under irrigated condition, as was also pointed
out by Mandal et al., (1979). Similarly the pod
weight was significantly reduced due to
moisture deficit. Similar results were obtained
by Bhatia et al., (1993) and Ramteke, (1995).
The values of harvest index were minimum
under moisture stress, while maximum under
irrigated conditions, as experienced by Mandal
et al., (1979), Bhatia et al., (1993), Ramteke
(1995) and Kumar et al., (2003). Under
irrigated condition the grain yield was higher,
which reduced due to moisture stress. Results
are in agreement with the findings of Sharma et
al., (1974), Singh et al., (1987), Bhattacharya
et al., (1995), Toker and Cagirgran (1998),
Mandal et al., (1979), Bhatia et al., (1993) and
Ramteke (1995). The adverse effects of
moisture stress were observed when it
occurred at 60 and 90 DAS. The findings
recorded during present investigation helped
in evaluating genetic variation for drought
tolerance in chickpea genotypes.
Table 1:- Effect of irrigation intervals on physiological parameters in chickpea (90 DAS)
I -All three irrigation given i.e. 30, 60,90 DAS, I -Two irrigations are given i.e 30, 60 DAS, I -Only
0 1 2
one irrigation is given i.e 30 DAS and I -Kept as rainfed
3
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Table 2:- Effect of irrigation intervals on yield and yield contributing parameters in
I -All three irrigation given i.e. 30, 60,90 DAS, I -Two irrigations are given i.e 30, 60 DAS, I -Only
0 1 2
one irrigation is given i.e 30 DAS and I -Kept as rainfed
3
References
Barrs, H.D. and Weatherley, P.E. (1962). Aust.
J. Biol. Sci., 15: 413.
Basu, P.S., Ali, M. and Chaturvedi, S.K.
(2004). Adaptation of photosynthetic
components of chickpea to water
stress."New directions for a diverse
t h
pl anet". Proceedi ngs of the 4
International Crop Science Congress.
(Ed., RA Fischer). Brisbane, Australia,
26 September - 1 October 2004, pp. 50-
57.
Bhatia, Y.S., Singh, B.N. and Lal, S. (1993).
Indian J. Pulses Res., 6(1): 1.
Bhattachrya, A., Singh, D.N. and RajDesh, B.
(1995). Legume Res., 18 (4): 193.
Deshmukh, D. V. , Mhase, L. B. and
Jamadangi, B.M. (2004a). Indian J.
Pulses Res., 17 (1): 47.
Deshmukh, D. V. , Mhase, L. B. and
Jamadagni, B.M. ( 2004b). Indian J. of
Pulses Res., 17(2): 181.
Gangadhara, G.C. (1995). Genotypic
variation in water use efficiency and
related parameters in chickpea (C.
arietinum L.) under stress and non-
stress conditions. M.Sc. (Agri.) Thesis,
University of Agricultural Sciences,
Bangalore.
.
Jones, H.G. (1979). Stomatal behaviour and
breeding for drought resistance. In:
Stress Physiology in Crop Plants, Eds.
H. Mussel and R.S. Staples, Wiley, New
York, pp.407-428.
Krouma, A. (2010). Turk J. Agric., 34:257.
Kumar, N., Nandwal, A.S., Lather, V.S.,
Dahiya, B.S., Sheoran, I.S., Waldia, R.S.
and Panwar, J.D.S. (2003). Indian J.
Plant Physiol. (Special Issue), pp. 91-97.
Ma, Q.Q., Wang, W., Li, Y.H., Li, D.Q. and Zou,
Q. (2006). Indian J. Plant Physiol., 163:
165.
Mandal, K.P., Singh S.P., Hassan, W. and
Yadav, K.D. (1979). Indian J. Agron., 24
1477 BIOINFOLET
(2): 240.
Pantuman, G., Fukai, S., Cooper, M.,
Rajasereekul, S and Toole, J.L. (2001).
Field screening for drought resistance.
In: Increased Lowland Rice Production
in the Mekong Region, S, Fuaki and J.
Basnayake (Eds.), ACIAR, Canberra,
Australia. pp. 67-77.
Rahbarian, R., Khavari, N.R., Ganjeali, A.,
Bagheri, A. and Najafi, F. (2011). Acta
Bi ol ogi ca Cr acovi ensi a, Ser i es
Botanica, 53(1): 47.
Ramteke, S.D. (1995). Physiological basis of
variation in yield potential of chickpea
genotypes. Ph.D. Thesis, University of
Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad.
Sairam, R.K. and Saxena, D.C. (2000). J.
Agron. & Crop Sci., 184: 55.
Sax ena, N. P. and J ohans on, C.
(1991).Chickpea in the Nineties. Van
Rheenen, H.A., Saxena, M.C., Walby,
B.J. and Tall, S.D. (Eds.). ICRISAT
Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Sharma, H.C., Singh, T. and Ram Mohan, D.S.
(1974). HAU. Res. J., 4 (4): 255.
Sheldrake, R. and Saxena, N.P. (1979).
Growth and development of chickpeas
under progressive moisture stress. In:
Stress Physiology in Crop Plants. H.
Mussell and R.C.Staples (Eds), Wiley,
New York, pp.465-483.
Singh, D.P., Singh, P., Sharma, H.C. and
Turner, N.C. (1987). Field crop res., 16
(3): 231.
Toker, C. and Cagirgran, M. (1998). Tr. J. of
Agric. and Forestry, 22: 615.
Watson, D. J. (1947). Ann. Bot., 11: 41.
1478
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
EFFECT OF STORAGE ON QUALITY OF SOYBEAN [ ( GLYCINE MAX ) MERRILL ]
SEEDS
D.R. Nagawade, R.W. Bharud and V.R. Shelar
Department of Agricultural Botany, Post Graduate Institute, Mahatma Phule Agriculture
ABSTRACT
The seeds of 'JS 335' variety of soybean were stored and evaluated for
germination, root shoot length, dry matter content, moisture content, electrical
conductivity, seed mycoflora and vigour index. The stored seeds with 10%
moisture content showed significantly higher germination percentage and other
seed quality parameters. The seed stored in polythene bag showed minimum
loss of seed quality,as compared to the seeds stored in cloth and HDPE bags.
Keywords:Moisture levels, Seed quality, Soybean, Storage containers
Introduction
Loss of seed viability during storage is a
major constraint in soybean production,
particularly in tropical and subtropical
countries (Wine and Kueneman, 1981).
Soybean seed deteriorates faster (Priestley
et al., 1985) especially under tropical
conditions (Deloucheet al., 1973).Present
investigation was undertaken to study the
effect of moisture levels and storage
containers on quality of soybean seeds during
storage.
Materials and Methods
Present investigation was undertaken
during November 2010 to December 2011 at
Seed Technology Research Unit, M.P.K.V.,
Rahuri. Soybean seeds of variety JS-
335,were collected from B.S.P. farms, Seed
cell, M.P.K.V., Rahuri and stored in Cloth bag
(S ), HDPE bag (S ) and Polythene bag (S ) at
1 2 3
10 % (M ) and 12 % (M ) moisture levels.
1 2
Observations on Germination percentage,
Root-shoot length, Dry matter content, Seed
vigour index-I, Seed vigour index-II, Moisture
content, Electrical conductivity, Seed
mycoflora were recorded at monthly interval
as per the standard procedures given by ISTA
(Anon., 1996), The statistical analysis of data
was carried out as described by Panse and
Sukhatme (1989).
Results and Discussion
Moisture levels had significant effect on
seed germination during storage. The seeds
stored at 10% moisture level showed
significantly higher percent germination
(48.33%). These findings confirmed the
observations made by Sripichitt et al., (1989),
Egli et al. (1979), Gregg (1982), Gupta et al.
(2004), and Toledo et al. (2010).
The seeds stored in polythene bag (700
gauge) mai nt ai ned hi gher per cent
germination followed by seeds stored in HDPE
bag, at the end of storage period of 390 days.
The lowest germination percentage was
recorded when the seeds were stored in cloth
bags. Seeds stored in cloth bags showed
wider fluctuations in seed moisture content
and greater loss of seed quality due to its
permeable nature of pores. These findings are
in agreement with the observations of Baskin
et al. (1987). The superiority of polythene bag
in maintaining higher seed quality has also
been reported by Srivastava (1976),
Arulnandhy and Senanayale (1988), Singh et
al. (1988), Vanangamudi (1988), Singh et al.
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1479 - 1483, 2013
1480
(1998) and Solunke et al. (1998).
The seeds stored at 10% moisture
levels recorded significantly higher root and
shoot length (Table 2). These finding are in
agreement with those of Zang et al. (1995). At
the end of storage period of 390 days, the
highest root and shoot length was recorded in
the seeds stored in polythene bags followed
by HDPE bags and cloth bags (Table 2).
Singh et al. (1988) also reported similarly. The
seeds stored at 10% moisture level recorded
significantly higher seedling dry matter
content (Table 3).Seeds stored in polythene
bag were wi th hi gher seedl i ng dry
matter.Moisture content of seeds was within
the limits (Table 4). The fluctuation in the
moisture content was higher in the seeds
stored in cloth bags.
Higher seed vigour index I and II was
recorded in the seeds with 10% moisture level
(Table 5).Similarly higher vigour index-I was
recorded in seeds stored in polythene bags,
f ol l owed by HDPE bags and cl ot h
bags.Thus,10% moisture level was found to
be beneficial in maintaining seed quality, while
polythene bag maintained better seed quality
during storage followed by HDPE and cloth
bags.
Table 1.Effect Moisture level and Storage container on germination (%) of soybean seed
during storage.
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Table 2.Effect of Moisture level and Storage container on root-shoot length (cm) of soybean
seed during storage.
Table 3.Effect of Moisture level and Storage container on seedling dry matter content (g) of
soybean seed during storage.
1481 BIOINFOLET
Table 4.Effect of Moisture level and Storage container on moisture content (%) of
soybean seed during storage.
Table 5.Effect of Moisture level and Storage container on seed vigour index-I and II of
soybean seed during storage.
References
Anonymous, (1996), International Rules For
Seed Testing. Technical Report. Seed
Science and Technology (Supplement)
pp. 29:1
Arulnandhy, V. and Senanayake, D.A.,
(1988),Seed Res.,16(2):183
1482
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Baskin, C., Delouche, J.C. and Cabrera,E.R.,
(1987),Newsletter of Association of
Official Seed Analyst.,61:15
Delouche, J.C., Mathews, R.K., Dougherty,
G.M. and Boyd, A.H., (1973),Seed Sci.
and Tech.,1: 663
Egli, D.B. White, G.M. and Tekrony, D.M.,
(1979),J. Seed Tech.,3: 1
Gregg, B.R., (1982), Soybean seed quality
and practical storage. In Soybean seed
quality and stand establishment (Eds.
J.B. Sinclair and J.A. Jakcobs.)INTSOY
series No. 22, Univ. of Illinois, Urbana,
Illinois. pp. 52-56
Gupta, Anuja and Aneja, K.R., (2004),Seed
Res.,32(1): 26
Panse, V. G. and Sukhat me, P. V. ,
( 1989) , St at i st i cal met hods f or
Agricultural workers,4th Edition, ICAR
Publications, New Delhi
Priestley, D.A., Cullinan, V.J. and Wolfe, J.,
(1985),Plant Cell and Environment,8:
557
Singh, K.K. and Dadlani, M., (1998),Seed
Tech. News.,28(4): 33
Singh, S.N., Srivastava, S.K. and Agrawal,
S.C., (1988),Tropi. Agric.,65(2): 106
Solunke, R.B., Jawale, L.N., Hussaini, M.M.
and Sudewad, S. M. , ( 1998) , J.
Maharashtra Agric. Univ.,23(2): 176
Sripichitt, A., Nawata, E. and Shigenaga, S.,
(1989),Japanese J. Tropi. Agric.,33(1): 18
Srivastava, A.K., (1976),Seed Res.,4(1): 56
Toledo, M.Z., Cavariani, C., Franca-Neto,
J.de.B.and Nakagawa, J., (2010),Seed
Sci. and Tech.,38(2): 399
Va n a n g mu d i , K . , ( 1 9 8 8 ) , S e e d
Research,16(2): 81
Wine, H.C. and Kueneman, E.A., (1981),Field
Crop Res,4: 123
Zang, M., Yoshiyama, M., Nagashima, T.,
Nakagawa, Y., Yoshioka, T. and Esashi,
Y., (1995),Plant and cell physiology,36(7):
1189
1483 BIOINFOLET
RESPONSE OF WINTER MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) TO VEGETABLE INTERCROPS.
S. K. Choudhary, R. N. Singh, P. K. Upadhyay, R. K. Singh, H. R. Choudhary and Imtiyaj
Ahmad
Departrment of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
-221005 (U. P.) India
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted during winter season in the years
2010-2011 at agriculture research farm Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi to
find out the production potential of winter Maize (Zea mays L.) intercropped with
various vegetableslike radish (Raphanus sativus) spinach (Spinacia oleracea
L.) and carrot (Daucus carota).Values of benefit cost ratio and net return were
greater with all the intercropping systems than the sole crop indicating yield
advantage.All intercrops recorded significantly higher maize-equivalent ratio
and production efficiency than sole crop. Intercropping of maize with carrot gave
-1
highest maize-equivalent yield (282.46 q ha ), production efficiency (403.57
-1
%),net return (184762.98 Rs. ha ) and benefit cost ratio (3.86).
Key words: maize, radish, spinach, carrot, yield attributes, yield and economics
Introduction
The winter (Rabi) crop of Maize (Zea
mays L.) is sown in the months of October-
November. Its initial growth is slow, leaving
enough space for intercropping. During this
period intercrops are planted in between two
rows of maize. Higher productivity and net
return from intercropping combination have
been reported by Singh and Kumar
(2002).Increase in grain yield of maize after
intercropping with grain legumes has been
reported by Patra et al.,(1990).Present study
was undertaken to find out suitable
intercropping system of winter maize under
the central plain zone of Uttar Pradesh.
Materials and methods
An investigation was carried out
during the winter (Rabi) season 2010-2011 at
Agriculture Research Farm, Institute of
Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu
Uni versi t y, Varanasi . There were 11
treatments combinations comprising of maize
(Zea mays L.), radish (Raphanus sativus),
spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and carrot
( ) e.g.T - Pure (sole maize)
1
Dacus carota
normal, T -Pure (sole maize; paired ), T -
2 3
Sole-Radish, T - Sole-Spanish, T - Sole-
4 5
carrot, T - Maize + Radish, T - Maize paired +
6 7
Radish, T - Maize + Spanish, T - Maize paired
8 9
+ Spanish, T - Maize + carrot, T - Maize
10 11
paired + carrot, which were arranged in
randomized block design with 4 replications.
The varieties employed were Hybrid maize
(Bio-seed)-9544, radish-Hill queen (Golden
vigro), Spinach- local (Desi), and Carrot-E.N

(Gulshan seeds). The crops were sown on 14
December 2010 and harvested on 16 May
2011. Radish and carrot were uprooted on 13
February and 09 April 2011 respectively, and
spinach was harvested twice. Recommended

package of practices was followed to raise
healthy crops. Fertilizer requirement of all the
crops was met through urea, single super
phosphate (SSP) and murate of potash
(MOP)as per the recommendations and
treatments.
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1484 - 1486, 2013
1485 BIOINFOLET
Results and discussion
Si gni f i cant reduct i on i n yi el d
attributes of maize viz.cob length(cm),
-l -
number of kernel rows cob , No of kernels row
l -l -l
, No of grain cob , grain wt cob (g), cob yield
-l
plot (kg), and 1000 grain weight was
experienced when maize was intercropped
with radish, followed by spinach and carrot as
compared to sole cropping of maize. The
results are in accordance with those obtained

by Jha et al. (1999). However, most of the
yield attributes increased in paired sole
planting of maize (100: 50cm) when
compared to sole maize (75 x 20cm).
Significantly better yield of sole maize was
observed over intercropping systems. Sole
maize produced greater grain yield, as was
also reported by Karim et al. (1990).
The grain yield of maize was
significantly influenced by intercrops
(Tables1). Association of intercrops in maize
significantly decreased grain yield of maize,
as compared with the sole cropping. Patra et
al. (1990) reported an increase in grain yield of
maize However, maize equivalent yield
i ncreased due t o t he i nt ercroppi ng
combinations.Intercrops performed better
under paired planting systemof maize.Paired
maize + carrot planting pattern recorded
maximum maize equivalent yield which was
significantly higher than that obtained in
normal row planting.
All the intercropping systems were
superior over sole maize. Maximum maize
equivalent yield was recorded under
maize(paired) + carrot followed by
maize(paired) + radish, while minimum in
maize(paired) + spinach intercropping system
Maximum production efficiency was recorded
under maize(paired) + carrot, followed by that
with radish and minimum with spinach
intercropping system. These results are in
conformity with the findings of Singh and
Kumar ( 2002) . The mai ze + car r ot
intercropping system fetched highest net
return followed by maize + radish and maize +
spinach. Inclusion of carrot, radish and
spinach as intercrop with maize was found to
be more profitable and stable in comparison to
sole cropping of maize. The findings are in
conformity with the results reported by Kumar
et al. (2006).Intercropping of carrot with winter
maize registered higher B:C ratio, followed by
maize + radish and maize + spinach.Similar
results were reported by Singh and Singh
(1993).
Table 1. Effect of vegetable intercropping on yield attributes of winter maize
N=normal row , p= paired row
References
Jha, G. Singh,D.P.Varshney, S.K. and Kumar,
S. (1999).Proceedings of the Global
Conference on Potato, 2: 974.
Karim, M. A. Zaman, S. S. and Quayyum.
(1990). Bangl adesh Journal of
Agriculture Sciences,17(1): 99.
Kumar Ashok.Chhillar, R.K and Gautam,
R. C. ( 2006) . I ndi an Jour nal of
Agricultural Sciences, 76(5): 315.
Patra,B.C.Mandal, B.K. and Mandal, B.B.
(1990).Indian Agiruclturist, 34: 227.
Singh and Singh O.P. (1993).Indian Journel of
Agronomy, 38: 519.
Singh, S.N. and Kumar Ashok.(2002).Anals of
Agricultural Research, 23(4): 532.
1486
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
ISOLATION, SCREENING AND ANTAGONIUM ASSAY OF PSEUDOMONAS SPP. FOR
PLANT GROWTH PROPOTING ACTIVITY AND ITS CAMPATIBILITY WITH PESTICIDE
MOLUCULES
* ***
J. Sai Prasad, Manish Jha , R. Naveen Kumar** and Arbind Kumar Gupta
Department of Agricultural Microbiology and Bioenergy,
*
Department of Plant Pathology,
**
Department of Soil science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar,
Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad 500 030, Andhra Pradesh, India.
ABSTRACT
. Twenty six isolates of plant growth promoting Pseudomonas spp. were
isolated and identified. They were in vitro screened for PGPR properties like
phosphate solubilization, siderophore, IAA, HCN productions, antagonistic
activity against Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii and compatibility with
commonly used pesticide molecules. The results revealed that all
Pseudomonas isolates were positive for IAA production, 76.9 % for phosphate
solubilization, 92.3 % for ammonia, 88.46 % for siderophores and 80.76 % for
HCN productions. Eight isolates showed inhibition potential against Rhizoctonia
solani and Sclerotium rolfsii. Pseudomonas isolates CBuP1, CBpP1, CBpP2,
SBuP2, ABuP1, ARpP2 and AmaP1 could be considered for their bio control
activity. Among the pesticides tested, Azoxystrobin (fungicide), Flubendiamide
(insecticide) and Pretilachlor (herbicide) inhibited growth of Pseudomonas.
However, other fungicides, insecticides and herbicides were compatible with all
of the isolates tested. Isolate of Pseudomonas isolate ARuP1 showed all
properties of PGPR.
Keywords: Pseudomonas, biochemical characterization, PGPR, Biocontrol,
compatibility.
Introduction:
The bacteria inhabiting rhizosphere
and beneficial to plants are termed as Plant
growth-promoting rhizobacteria or PGPR
(Kloepper et al, 1980). They suppress plant
disease, induce systemic resistance and
produce si derophores or anti bi oti cs.
Pseudomonas species are the most dominant
rhizobacteria. Pseudomonads showing
PGPR activity exhibit fluorescence under UV
light and hence are also known as fluorescent
Pseudomonads. It is one of the most
abundant microorganisms in the rhizosphere.
Studies were undertaken on various isolates
of Pseudomonads dur i ng pr esent
investigation.
Material and methods
Ten rhizospheric and two non-
rhizosheric soil samples were collected from
Rajendranagar of Rangareddy district, Andhra
Pradesh. All Pseudomonas isolates were
isolated on King's B agar medium and
maintained in King's B agar slants. The
isolates were verified for their purity and then
colony morphology and pigmentation was
observed. The cell shape and gram reaction
were also recorded as per the standard
procedures given by Barthalomew and
Mittewar (1950). The isolates were then
biochemically characterized by IMViC tests
(indole, methyl red , Voges-Proskauer and
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1487 - 1491, 2013
1488
citrate tests), carbohydrate fermentation,
oxidase test, catalase test, H S production,
2
denitrification test, starch hydrolysis and
gelatin liquefaction test as per the standard
methods described by Cappuccino and
Sherman (1992). Phosphate solubilisation
efficiency (PCE) was determined as describe
by Pikovskaya R.E. (1948). The isolates were
tested for ammonia production by inoculating
them in to 10 ml peptone in the test tubes. The
0
tubes were incubated for 48-72 h at 362 C.
Nessler's reagent (0.5 ml) was added in each
tube. Change in colour of the medium from
brown to yellow was taken as positive test for
ammonia production.
Indole acetic acid production was
tested according to Gorden and Weber
(1951). Si derophore producti on was
estimated qualitatively Yeole and Dube (
2000). The HCN production was tested by the
method of Castric and Castric (1983).
The isolates were screened for
antagonistic activity against common disease
causing phytopathogens like Sclerotium rolfsii
and Rhizoctonia solani following dual culture
technique (Skidmore and Dickinson, 1976).
Percent inhibition of test pathogen was
calculated as : I = [ ( CD TD / ) ] x 100, where,
I = % Inhibition of test pathogen, CD =
Diameter of test pathogen colony in control
(mm) and TD = Diameter of test pathogen in
treatment (mm). The isolates were employed
for the estimation of compatibility with
agrochemicals by dual culture method (Nene
and Thapliyal 1993). Compatibility with
following agrochemicals was studied.
1) Fungicides: Tebuconazole, Azoxystribin,
Carbendazim and Captan.
2) Insecticides: Spiromecifin, Thiacloprid,
Imidacloprid and Flubendiamide.
3) Herbicides: Metribuzin, Propaquizafop,
Pretilachlor and Pendimethalin.
Results and Discussion
Table 1 gives an account of the
Pseudomonas isolates obtained during
present investigation. All isolates developed
small to medium, smooth, glistening colonies,
wi th yel l owi sh green or l i ght green
pigmentation, while some of them were dull
white with no pigmentation. The isolates were
Gram negative, small, single isolated rods
without sporulation. All isolates showed
positive results for catalase test, oxidase test,
indole production and ammonia production.
For methyl red, Voges Prausker's test, starch
hydrolysis, gelatin liquefaction, citrate
utilization, H S test, denitrification seven
2
isolates showed positive results, while for
lactose, sucrose, dextrose, mannitol utilization
four isolates showed positive results.
Plant growth promoting characters of
the isolates are presented in Table 2. Twenty
isolates were able to form clear zone of
tricalcium phosphate (TCP) solubilisation, the
diameter of which ranged from 12-26 mm.
Isolate AmaP1 recorded highest zone
diameter ( 26 mm ) while CBuP1, ABpP1,
ABpP2 showed minimum diameter of the zone
( 12 mm ). All isolates were positive for
ammonia and IAA production. Twenty three
isolates were able to produce siderophores,
while 21 produced HCN. (Table 3). Thirteen
isolates showed inhibition potential against
Rhizoctonia solani, with the maximum value in
ABpP1 (37.75%).
Fourteen isolates were inhibitory to
Sclerotium rolfsii, with maximum per cent
inhibition by AmaP2 (42.40%). Hence, isolate
AmaP1 could be considered for its biocontrol
activity. Eight isolates got affected by
Azoxystrobin, while 6 each by Flubendiamide
and Pretilachlor. Anand and Kulothungan
(2010) also showed that Pseudomonas
fluorescens produced maximum amount of
secondary metabolites. Upadhyay and
Srivastava (2010) and Gupta and Gopal,
2008) . r epor t ed t hat Pseudomonas
fluorescens strain solubilized phosphorus and
synthesized IAA. Dev and Dawande (2010)
evaluated the antagonistic property of
Tri choderma spp. and Pseudomonas
fluorescens against Rhizoctonia solani, and
concluded that these antagonists suppressed
the growth of Rhizoctonia solani. Sarvani
(2011) reported that, majority of the isolates
found to be compatible with the agrochemicals
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
used at their recommended and half the
recommended dosages.
In present study isolates CBuP2,
CRpP2, SBuP1, SRuP1, ABpP1 and ARuP1 of
Pseudomonas spp. were found to be efficient
PGPRs with multiple beneficial activities.
Table 1. Description of the Pseudomonas isolates.
References:
Anand, R. and Kulothungan, S. (2010).
Annals of Biological Research. 1(1):
199.
Barthalomew, J.W. and Mittewer, T. (1950).
Stain Technology. 25: 153.
Cappuccino, J.G. and Sherman, N. (1992)
Microbiology, a laboratory manual.
The Benjamin / cummings Publishing
Company Inc. California.
Castric, K.F. and Castric, P.A. (1983). Applied
and Environmental Microbiology. 45:
700.
Dev, N. and Dawande, A.Y. (2010). Asiatic
Journal of Biotechnology Resources. 1:
39.
Gorden, A.S. and Weber, R.P. (1951). Plant
Physiology. 26: 192.
Gupta, A. and Gopal, M. (2008). Indian Journal
of Agricultural Research. 42(2): 153.

Kloepper, J.W., Leong, J., Teintze, M. and
Schroth, M.N. (1980). Nature. 286: 885.
Nene and Thapliyal. (1993) Fungicides in
Plant Disease Control, Oxford and IBH
Publishing House, New Delhi. pp 163.

Pikovskaya, R.E. (1948) Microbiologia, 17:
362.

Sarvani, B. (2011) Isolation and study of Plant
Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria from
soils of Rangareddy district. M.Sc.
(Ag.). Thesis Acharya N.G. Ranga
Agricultural University. Hyderabad.
Skidmore, A.M. and Dickinson, C. H. (1976)
1489 BIOINFOLET
Table 2. Plant growth promoting attributes of Pseudomonas isolates
HCN- Hydrogen cyanide IAA- Indole Acetic Acid
+ Weak production ++ Moderate production
+++ Strong production No production
Transactions and Journal of the
British Ceramic Society. 66: 57.
Upadhyay, A. and Srivastava, S. (2010).
Indian Journal of Experimental
Biology. 48: 601.
Yeole, R.D., Dube, H.C. 2000. Journal of
Mycology and Plant Pathology. 30(3):
335-338.
1490
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Table 3. Antagonistic potential of pseudomonas isolates on the radial growth of rhizoctonia
solani and sclerotium rolfsi:
HCN- Hydrogen cyanide Siderophores
+ Weak production ++ Moderate production
+++ Strong production No production
1491 BIOINFOLET
BIOLOGY OF CRYPTOLAEMUS MONTROUZIERI MULSANT ON SOLENOPSIS
MEALYBUG, PHENACOCCUS SOLENOPSIS TINSLEY
A.M. Kakde and V. N. Patel*
Department of Entomology, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh - 362 001
*
Research Scientists, Main Dry Farming Research Station,,J.A.U., Targhadia (Rajkot).
ABSTRACT
The biological aspects of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant on
Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley were studied under laboratory conditions. The
average incubation and total periods were 4.40 and 18.05 days, respectively.
The pre-pupal, pupal and total development periods were 2.30, 8.95 and 32.75
days, respectively. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post oviposition periods
were 7.40, 45.70 and 7.60 days, respectively. Males lived longer than females
with life cycle duration of 99.20 and 93.10 days, respectively. The mean
fecundity was 99.70 eggs per female and sex ratio (Male : female) was 1:1.25.
The per cent hatchability and adult emergence observed were 80 and 90,
respectively.
Key words: Biology, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Phenacoccus solenopsis
Introduction
The management of Solenopsis mealy
bug is difficult due to wide host range,
presence of waxy coating on body and high
reproductive potential. The use of biocontrol
agents like Parasitoids, predators and
pathogens play an important role in the
management of insectpests, the use of which
became popular as they are non-toxic.Among
the predators, coccinellids check mealybugs,
scales, aphids, coccids, aleyrodids etc. (Mani
and Krishnamoorthy, 1997).The predator,
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant naturally
controls the mealybug population. The
information regarding biology of C.
montrouzieri on the cotton mealybug, P.
solenopsis is very scanty and hence present
study was undertaken.
Materials and Methods
The present investigation was carried
out in the Bio-control laboratory, Department
of Entomology, College of Agriculture,
Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh
during Kharif 2010.The mealybug P.
solenopsis collected from infested cotton field
and mass multiplied on sprouted potato and
pumpkin. The culture of C. montrouzieri was
obtained from NBAII, Bangalore and
maintained on different instar nymphs of the
mealybug. Newly emerged 10 male and
female pairs were confined into transparent
plastic container (9-11 cm) closed with muslin
cloth. The mealybugs along with cotton leaves
were provided to the pairs as food. The pairs
were observed for their pre-ovipositon,
oviposition, post-oviposition, fecundity and
longevity. Total life cycle and adult longevity of
both sexes were also calculated. Time taken
from egg laying to hatching, duration of larval
stages pre-pupal and pupal stages and sex
ratio were recorded. Mean and standard error
for all these biological parameters were
worked out. Statistical analysis of data was
done by the analysis of variance technique
given by Panse and Sukhatme (1985).
Results and Discussion
The results on biological parameters (
Table 1) revealed that incubation period,
st nd rd th
durations of 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 instar grubs and
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1492 - 1494, 2013
1493 BIOINFOLET
total grub period were 4.400.88, 2.900.79,
4.850.88, 6.450.83 and 3.850.75 and
18.052.04 days, respectively. The pre-pupal
period, pupal period and total developmental
period recorded were 2.300.73, 8.951.05
and 32.753.58 days, respectively. Pre-
oviposition, ovipositon and post oviposition
periods were 7.400.70, 45.701.49 and
7.600.70 days, respectively. The longevity of
male and female were 66.601.35 and
60.501.58 days, respectively, and males
lived longer than females. The life cycle was
completed within 99.201.55 and 93.101.85
days by males and females, respectively.
Mani and Krishnamoorthy (1997) reported the
incubation period of 4 to 6 days. Rao and
David (1958) revealed that total grub period of
the predator was 14 to 16 days, and pre-pupal
and pupal periods were 2-3 and 7-9 days,
respectively on M. hirsutus. Kaur et al. (2010)
reported that pre-oviposition, ovipositon and
post oviposition period of C. montrouzieri on P.
solenopsis was 7.230.13, 46.752.17 and
7.800.47 days, respectively and the longevity
of male and female was 68.302.85 and
61.782.16 days respectively. Thus, the
present findings are in close agreement with
those recorded byearlier workers.
The data on values of biological
parameters of C. montrouzieri ( Table 2)
revealed that fecundity of C. montrouzieri was
99.701.70 eggs with 80 per cent fecundity.
The adult emergence was 90 per cent and the
male to female ratio was 1:1.25. Kaur et al.
(2010) revealed that fecundity, hatchabilityity
(%), adult emergence (%) and male to female
sex ratio of C. montrouzieri on P. solenopsis
was 98.157.32, 79.001.03, 88.501.06 and
1:1.36 respectively.
Table 1: Biological parameters of C. montrouzieri on P. solenopsis under laboratory
conditions.
Table 2 : Average Fecundity, hatchability adult emergence and sex ratio of C. montrouzieri
onP. solenopsis under laboratory conditions.
References
Kaur, H.Virk, J.S. and Kaur,R. (2010)..J. Bio-
Control, 24(2):123
.
Mani, M. and Krishnamoorthy,A.( 1997 ).
Madras Agric. J.,84(5): 237.
Panse, V. G. and Sukhatme, P. V.
( 1985) . St at i st i cal met hods f or
agricultural workers, ICAR, New Delhi,
pp 361.
Rao, T. V. and David, L. A. (1958).Indian J.
Agnc. Sci., 28: 545.
1494
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
COMBINING ABILITY AND HERITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR YIELD AND YIELD
CONTRIBUTING CHARACTERS IN CHILLI (CAPSICUM ANNUUM. L)
S. G. Barhate, A.M. Musmade, D.S. Patil and B.T. Patil
Department of Horticulture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri.
ABSTRACT
The present investigation was undertaken in half diallel fashion
excluding reciprocals during Kharif and summer seasons 2010 - 2012.The
hybrids differed significantly for all the characters under investigation. The
general combining ability (GCA) was significant for all traits studied. Significant
specific combining ability (SCA) was also observed for all variables except days
to 50% flowering in Kharif season. Both additive and non additive effects
influenced the performance of hybrids. The non-additive effects played
important role than additive effects. The parents P , P and P were found as the
1 2 8
reliable general combiners for most of the traits studied.
Key Words: General combining ability, specific combining ability, Gene action,
Capsicum annuum.
Introduction
Diallel analysis provides information
on performance of individual lines in general
combining ability (GCA). It also gives
information on performance of crosses in
relation to that of parents in the form of specific
combining ability (SCA). The GCA and SCA
effects provide information on the efficacy of
breeding, which can be used to identify the
lines for improvement (Kearsey and Pooni,
1996). Heritability is useful to study genetic
change (Falconer, 1981) and enable to
choose proper breeding program.
Material and Method
The present investigation consisted
of eight elite lines of chilli viz., RC-129, RC-
130, RC-176, RC-131, RC-177, RC-173, RC-
136 and RC-174 selected on the basis of
morphological, qualitative and quantitative
characters (Table 1). Seeds of the parents
were obtained from Senior Vegetable
Breeder, AICRP, Department of Horticulture,
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri,
and sown in the month of January 2010, and
the plantlets were transplanted after 40 days in
the main field with a spacing of 60 x 45 cm.
Crossing among the parents was undertaken
in 8 x 8 half diallel fashion without reciprocals.
Thus, the experimental material comprised of
28 F s, 8 parents and 1 standard check. All of
1
them were evaluated at AICRP(vc), MPKV.,
Rahuri during Kharif season of 2011 in
randomized block design with two replications.
The plot size was 2.40 x 2.70 m and plants
were spaced 60 x 45 cm apart. The same set
was evaluated during summer 2012. Eight
qualitative and thirteen quantitative characters
were studied to estimate combining ability,
based on the values of the means. The
procedure given by Griffing (1956) was
followed to determine combining ability, while
heritability in narrow sense was calculated
following Falconer (1981) and was classified
as high (30-60 %), medium (10-30%) and low
(5-10%) following Robinson (1965).
Result and Discussion
The analysis of variance for general
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1495 - 1505, 2013
1496
and specific combining ability of parents and
their 28 F s is presented in Table 2. The
1
variance due to general and specific
combining ability was highly significant for all
the characters in both seasons, except SCA
for days to 50 % flowering in kharif season. For
almost all characters both additive and non-
addi ti ve gene acti on i nfl uenced the
performance of the hybrids. The non-additive
effects played important role than additive
effects (Table 3). High GCA : SCA ratio
suggests additive gene effects, while low ratio
signifies presence of dominant and/or
epistatic gene effects (Kornegay and Temple,
1986). The results suggested the possibility of
the hybrid vigor exploitation because of the
significant non-additive effects for all the traits.
These effects could be important in
maximizing these traits. Only non-additive
gene effects were responsible for the
expression of days to flowering, plant height,
number of fruits per plant, days to fruit ripening
and fruit yield per plant (Shukla et al., 1999).
Lohithaswa et al., (2001), reported that fruit
length and fruit diameter have additive gene
effect. However, both additive and non-
additive gene actions, with the latter
predominating, for days to 50% Flowering,
days from fruit set to fruit maturity, fruit length
and girth, and fresh fruit, 100-dry fruit and 100-
seed weights have also been reported
(Bhagyalakshmi et al., 1991).
Estimates of GCA effect and mean of
the parents in F generation are shown in
1
(Table 4). Some of the parents were good
general combiners for yield and yield
contributing characters. The parent P , P ,
1 2
were good general combiners for most of the
characters studied, while the parents P , P , P
1 2 5
and P were good general combiners for yield
8
of green fruit per plant (Table 4). Similar
results were reported by Lohithaswa et al.,
2001; Nandadevi and Hosamani, 2003;
Shukla et al., 1999; Lohithaswa et al., 2000.
The parent P (RC-129) was indicated as the
1
best general combiner, though it showed
negative GCA effects for days to 50%
flowering.
SCA effects of the crosses in F
1
generation are given in (Table 5). The SCA
effect showed that the best specific
combination for days to 50 % flowering with
significant negative values were P X P , P X
3 7 2
P , P XP and P XP where as hybrids P X P ,
4 1 7 4 5 2 6
P X P , P X P , P X P and P X P showed
6 7 1 4 3 6 4 5
significant positive values of SCA effects for
fruit length. The hybrids P X P , P X P , P XP ,
5 8 6 7 2 4
P XP and P XP showed significant positive
1 3 1 8
SCA effects for number of fruits per plant.
Maximum positive SCA effect and per se
performance for yield per plant was observed
in hybrid P X P (381.73, 332.93) in Kharif and
6 7
summer respectively. Lohithaswa et al. (2000)
also identified 15 crosses as good specific
combinations for fruit yield and other related
traits. Considering the overall performance
crosses P X P , P XP , P X P , P XP , P X P ,
6 7 1 8 1 5 2 4 2 6
P X P , P X P and P X P were the best
5 8 1 3 7 8
specific combinations for the yield and yield
contributing characters in both the season.
The values for heritability for yield and
yield contributing traits are presented in Table
3.. The highest heritability estimate was
recorded for yield per plant (48.70 %), followed
by number of fruit per plant (43.12 %), hundred
seed weight (38.21 %), days to 50 % flowering
(33.47 %) and plant spread in North-South
(30.90 %) in kharif season. Whereas, in
summer season, number of fruit per plant
(42.59 %) recorded the highest heritability
estimate followed by yield per plant (40.51
%).The estimates of heritability indicated that
all the studied traits were highly heritable. The
results of present study, in respect of all the
traits, indicated high heritability estimates
which are important for improvement of chilli.
The parents P , P and P were identified as the
1 2 8
good combiner and could be used in further
het er osi s br eedi ng pr ogr amme f or
improvement in chilli.
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Table 1. Salient features of parents of chilli included in study
Table 2. ANOVA for combining ability for kharif and summer seasons in 8 x 8 half diallel of
chilli
, - significant at 5 and 1 per cent level, respectively
1497 BIOINFOLET
Table. 3 Estimates of genetic variance component and heritability in various characters in
8 x 8 half diallel of chilli.
1498
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Table 4. Estimates of GCA effects of various characters in 8 x 8 half diallel of chilli (kharif
and summer season)
Table 4. Contd
1499 BIOINFOLET
Table 4 .. contd
1500
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Table 5. Estimates of SCA effects of various characters in 8 x 8 half diallel of chilli (
kharif and summer season)
* And ** Significant at 5 % and 1% level
1501 BIOINFOLET
Table 5. Contd
* And ** Significant at 5 % and 1% level
1502
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Table 5. Contd..
* And ** Significant at 5 % and 1% level
1503 BIOINFOLET
Table 5. Contd.
* And ** Significant at 5 % and 1% level
1504
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
References:
Bhagyal akshmi , P. V, Shankar, C. R,
Subrahmanyam, D. and Babu, V.G.
(1991) Indian J Genet 51: 420.
Falconer, D.S. (1981) Introduction to
quantitative genetics. 2nd Edn.
Longman, New York.
Griffing, B. (1956). Aust J Biol Sci 9 :463.
Kearse, M.J, Pooni, H.S. (1996) The genetic
anal ysi s of quanti tati ve trai ts.
Chapman & Hall, London.
Kornegay, J.L, Temple, S.R. (1986) Crop Sci
26: 1153.
Lohithaswa, H.C., Manjunath, A., Kulkarni,
R.S. (2001) Crop Improv. 28: 69.
Lohithaswa, H.C., Kulkarni, R.S., Manjunath,
A. (2000). Indian J Genet Plant Breed
60: 511.
Nandadevi, Hosamani, R.M. (2003) Capsicum
and Eggplant Newsletter 22: 43.
Nandadevi, Hosamani, R.M. and Salimath,
P.M. (2003). Karnataka J Agril Sci
16:276.
Robinson, H.F. (1965). Ind J Genet 26A:171.
Shukla, M.R., Patel, J.A., Doshi, K.M., Patel,
S.A (1999) Veg Sci 26: 45.
1505 BIOINFOLET
HETEROSIS FOR GREEN FRUIT YIELD AND ITS CONTRIBUTING CHARACTERS IN CHILLI
(CAPSICUM ANNUUM. L)
S. G. Barhate, A.M. Musmade, M.N Bhalekar and B.T. Patil
Department of Horticulture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri.
ABSTRACT
The present investigation was undertaken in diallel fashion involving 8
diverse parents to evaluate heterosis, heterobeleltiosis for various characters.
The experiment was carried out at All India Co-ordinated Research Project on
vegetable crops, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Amhednagar,
during summer 2010 to summer 2012. The hybrids differed significantly for all
the characters, as evident from their highly significant mean square values. The
significant heterotic crosses involved high x low, low x high, low x low and high x
high performance of parents in both summer and kharif season.The cross
combinations P X P , P X P , P X P , P X P and P X P exhibited higher
1 8 6 7 1 5 5 8 1 2
magnitude of heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for green fruit yield per
plant and number of fruits per plant.. Hence these cross combinations should be
further exploited for breeding.
Key Words: Chilli, heterobeltiosis, standard heterosis, useful heterosis
Introduction
Information on the magnitude of
heterosis is basic requisite to assess crosses
that exhibit high amount of heterosis. While
selecting the crosses, per se performance of
parents and hybrids for various attributes
must be taken into consideration, in addition
to per cent heterosis.
Material and Methods
The present investigation consisted
of eight elite lines of chilli (Capsicum annuum
L.) viz., RC-129, RC-130, RC-176, RC-131,
RC-177, RC-173, RC-136 and RC-174.
Seeds of parents were obtained from Senior
Vegetable Breeder, AICRP, Department of
Hort i cul t ure, Mahat ma Phul e Kri shi
Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. The seeds of parent were
sown in the month of January 2010 in nursery
and the plants were transplanted after 40 days
at spacing of 60 x 45 cm. The crossing among
the parents was followed in 8 x 8 half diallel
fashion without reciprocals. Thus, the
experimental material comprised of 28 F s, 8
1
parents and 1 standard check were evaluated
in randomized block design with two
replications during Kharif season of 2011. The
plot size was 2.40 x 2.70 m and plants were
spaced at a distance of 60 x 45 cm. The same
set of parent and F hybrids were also
1
evaluated during summer 2012. To estimate
heterosis, eight qualitative and twelve
quantitative characters were studied in each
season. The analysis of variance for all the
traits under study was carried out as
suggested by Panse and Sukhatme, (1985).
The magnitude of heterosis was calculated as
percentage increase or decrease of F mean
1
over the mean of better parent (BP) (Turner,
1953; Hays et al. 1955). Similarly, per cent
superiority over best parent and standard
hybrid check were calculated.
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1506 - 1515, 2013
1507 BIOINFOLET
Result and Discussion
Analysis of variance for experimental
design (Table 1) revealed that the mean sum
of squares due to parents varied significantly
for all the characters, except days to 50 %
flowering, plant height, plant spread. Number
of primary branches, fruit diameter and fruit
weight during kharif and summer seasons.
While the hybrids were found significantly
superior for all characters except days to 50 %
flowering. The parent vs. crosses showed
significant differences for most of the
characters except fruit diameter in both kharif
and summer seasons, and plant spread (E-
W), hundred seed weight, incidence of leaf
curl virus during kharif season, which
indicated good amount of variability.
Mean performance of parents and
crosses for all the characters under study are
presented in (Table 2), which revealed that the
parents P , P , P and P were most promising.
1 2 3 8
Among the cross combinations, crosses P x
1
P , P x P , P x P exhibited significant
8 1 7 1 2
heterosis over standard check in kharif
season. While the crosses P x P , P x P and
2 4 1 7
P x P recorded significant heterosis over
1 8
better parent and standard check in summer
season.
For standard heterosis, the crosses
P XP , P XP , P X P , P XP and P X P
1 8 5 8 1 5 6 7 1 2
depicted high heterotic effects for number of
fruits per plants, in both summer as well as
kharif season (Table 4). The crosses which had
larger estimates of Hetrobeltosis and Standard
heterosis for number of fruit per plant, also
exerted significant positive heterotic effects for
fruit weight, Plant spread and plant height and
number of primary branches per plant, among
the yield contributing characters. Therefore,
heterotic effects for number of fruits per plants
could be due to interaction effects of other yield
attributes like fruit weight, plant spread and
plant height and number of primary branches
per plant.
Among developmental characters,
early flowering, hundred seed weight, number
of seeds per fruit, fruit diameter might have
contributed indirectly for heterotic effect on
yield per plant. According to Grafius (1959),
there could not be a separate gene system for
yield, as the yield is an end product of the
multiplicative interactions between its various
component characters. Therefore, green fruit
yield per plant could be a result of
combinations of heterosis. However, positive
and negative estimates of heterosis for rest of
the characters could have checked each other
for exerting heterotic effects. Hence, to obtain
maximum advantage of heterotic effects for
green fruit yield, desired level of heterosis of
each component characters should be
determined to identify superior hybrids in
respect to yield and quality parameters.
Table 1 ANOVA for various characters in 8 x 8 half diallel of chilli
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Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Table 2.Mean performances of parents and crosses for kharif and summer seasons in
chilli
1509 BIOINFOLET
Table 3. Contd
1510
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Table 3. Contd.
1511 BIOINFOLET
Table 4. Heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for number of fruit per plant
and fruit yield per plant of F1 hybrids of chilli.
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Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
1513 BIOINFOLET
Table 4. Contd.
1514
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
References
Grafius, J. E. (1959). Agron J., 51: 557,
Hays, H.R., Immer, F.R. and Smith, D.C.
(1955). Methods of Plant Breeding,
New York, McGrow Hill Book Co., Inc.
nd
2 Edn. XI- pp.551
Panse, V.G. and Sukhatme, P.V. (1985).
Statistical Methods for Agricultural
Workers. I.C.A.R., New Delhi. pp: 359.
Turner, J.H. (1953). Agron. J., 45: 484.
1515 BIOINFOLET
EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON YIELD AND YIELD
ATTRIBUTING CHARACTERS OF BAJRA
Avinash Singh Tomar
Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Raja Balwant Singh College, Bichpuri,
Agra-283105, U.P. India
ABSTRACT
The results of field experiments conducted during the years 2008-09

and 2009-10 revealed that integrated nutrient management (INM) treatments

significantly improved bio-mass production, cob length,weight of grains per cob,

weight of1000 grains and grain yield over control. The treatment comprising of
-1
NPK(50% RDF) + 10 t FYM ha + application of Azotobactor enhanced grain
-1
yield over NPK (50% RDF) + 10 t FYM ha . The results obtained indicated
additive role of Azotobactor.
Key words: Integrated nutrient management, Growth characters, yield, Bajra
Introduction
Bajra is a predominant crop of the
north-Western plain zone and central zone of
India. The productivity of the crop is
considerably low due to imbalance use of
nutrients. Addition of organic manures in
association with inorganic fertilizers play an
important role in sustainable crop production
The results of a large number of experiments
on manures and fertilizers conducted in the
country and abroad revealed that neither the
chemical fertilizer alone nor the organic
source exclusively can achieve the production
sustainability of soils as well as crops under
highly intensive cropping system. Therefore, it
becomes necessary to know the suitable
combination of chemical fertilizers with
organi c manures for profi tabl e crop
production in cereal based cropping
systems.In view of this the effect of integrated
nutrient management (INM) on productivity of
bajra [ Pennisetum typhoides ( Burm, f.) ] was
studied.
Material and methods
Field experiments were conducted
during rabi seasons 2008-09 and 2009-10 at
R.B.S.College research farm, Bichpuri, Agra
with twelve treatment combinations viz. control
-1
(T ), 10t FYM ha (T ), 10t FYM + Azotobactor
1 2
(T ), NPK (50% recommended dose) (T ), NPK
3 4
-1
(50%RDF) + 10 t FYM ha (T ), NPK
5
(50%RDF) + Azotobactor (T ), NPK
6
-1
(50%RDF) + 10t FYM ha + Azotobactor (T ),
7
NPK (75% RDF) (T ), NPK (75%RDF) + 10 t
8
-1
FYM ha (T9), NPK(75% RDF) + Azotobactor
-1
(T10), NPK(75% RDF) + 10 t FYM ha
+Azotobactor (T ) and NPK (100%RDF) (T ).
11 12
The treatments were replicated three times in
randomize block design ( RBD )The

recommended doses of fertilizer (RDF )NPK
-
was80:60:40 Kg ha . Full quantities of P and K

fertilizers and half quantity of N fertilizer were

mixed and placed 3-4 cm belowthe seed at the

time of sowing. Well decomposed FYM was

added to the plots as per treatment, oneweek

before sowing. Seeds of bajra were dipped in
culture solution of Azotobactor before sowing.
Remaining half dose of nitrogen was applied
as top dressing 60 days after sowing. The
crop was raised upto maturityand data on yield
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1516 - 1519, 2013
1517 BIOINFOLET
and yield attributing characters were
recorded.The results obtained are presented
in Table 1.
Results and Discussion
The results revealed that the cob length
and grains per cob significantly increased due
to the application of FYM and Azotobacter
along with NPK.The weight of 1000 grains
significantly increased only due to the
-1
application of NPK (75% RDF) + 10 t FYM ha
+ Azotobactor (T )and NPK (100% RDF) ( T
11 12
) over control (T ). The yield attributing
1
characters significantly improved due to the
application of 10t FYM/ha and Azotobactor
along with NPK. The result are in close
conformity with the findings of Verma (1996)
Increase in the magnitude of growth character
with chemical fertilizers has also been
reported by Dahiya et al. (1998).
The beneficial effects of FYM include
supply of additional plant nutrients and
improvement in physical condition of the soil..
Inoculation of seeds with Azotobactor along
wi t h NPK was al so f ound t o be
benef i ci al . . However, appl i cat i on of
Azotobactor without FYM failed to improve
yield attributing characters and yield
advantage. Though the yield attributes
significantly improved over control with the
application of NPK it failed to give yield
advantage. The data given in Table 2 revealed
that INM treatments significantly enhanced
bio-mass production and grain yield over
control. This was also true for stover yield also.
Azotobactor inoculation with 50 and 75% NPK
improved grain yield during both the years.
References
Dahiya, S.S, Malik, C.V.S.and Hooda,I.
S. ( 1998) . Har yana Jour nal of
Agronomy, 14 (1): 164.
Verma, O.P.S. (1996), Indian journal of
Agronomy,41(1): 58.
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1518
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
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1519 BIOINFOLET
SEASONAL INCIDENCE OF MAJOR INSECT-PESTS OF SOYBEAN IN MALWA REGION OF
MADHYA PRADESH.
Swati Singh , Avinash Singh Tomar and Ansar Nadaf
Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi VishwaVidayalaya, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Morena M.P.- 476001
ABSTRACT
During Kharif season of 2007, 12 insect species, while during 2008 and
2009. 13 insect pests and one mite were observed on soybean. These pests
were identified as. Gesonia gemma (Swinhoe), Chrysodeixis acuta (Walker),
Spodoptera litura (Fab.), Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.), Myllocerus maculosus
(Desbro), Gryllus sp. ;Cneorane sp., Luperus clytie (Wilcox)and Mocis undata,
Stem borers viz. Obereopsis brevis (Swed.) and Melanagromyza sojae (Zehnt.);
and sap feeders Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius),and Chauliops fallax(scott.).Of
these, Cneorane sp., Gesonia gemma, Chrysodeixis acuta, Melanagromyza
sojae and Obereopsis brevis were recorded as major pests. During 2007 the
infestation reached up to 13.5 per cent, while during 2008 and 2009 up to 26.6
and 30.5per cent respectively before harvesting of the crop.
Key words: Gesonia gemma, Chrysodeixis acuta, Cneorane sp,
Melanagromyza sojae, Obereopsis brevis.
Introduction

Among the various factors responsible
for the low yield of soybean (Glycine max (L.)
Merrill), the insect-pests have been
considered to be of prime importance (Singh
and Singh, 1999). Amongst these, blue beetle
(Cneorane sp) grey semilooper (Gesonia
gemma Swinhoe), and green semilooper
(Chrysodeixis acuta Walker) defoliate the
plants. The stems fly (Melanagromyza sojae
Zehnter) and girdle beetle (Obereopsis brevis
Swed.) bore the main stem and branches.
During present investigation the seasonal
incidence of major insects of soybean was
recorded for successful control measures.
Materials and Methods

The survey was carried out during
Kharif season of 2007 to 2009 at Research
Farm of R.A.K. College of Agriculture, Sehore,
Madhya Pradesh under All India Coordinated
Research Project on Soybean financed by
ICAR, New Delhi. The soybean variety JS -335
2
was sown on an area of 25 m with row to row
distance of 40 cm. During the course of
investigation insecticidal spray was avoided.
The incidence of all insect pests were recorded
at weekly intervals, starting from the seven
days after emergence as per methodology of

AICRP on Soybean Singh (1996) and data is
presented in Tables 1 to 3. Parasitoids and
predator were also recorded. Observation for
defoliators was recorded by counting larvae of
grey semilooper (Gesonia gemma) and green
semilooper (Chrysodexis acuta ) adult blue
beetles ( Cneorane sp.) and grey weevil per
meter row length (mrl) by shaking the plants.
Such observations were recorded at weekly
intervals at random from ten places. To record
the infestation of stem fly and tunnel in stem
caused by its maggots, 10 plants were
uprooted and split opened vertical. Plant
height and tunnel length were measured for
calculating per cent stem tunneling. To record
infestation of girdle beetle, numbers of girdled
plants by girdle beetles were recorded at
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1520 - 1527, 2013
1521 BIOINFOLET
weekly intervals. The data so obtained were
presented as per cent infestation.

Results and Discussion
During Kharif season of 2007, 12 insect
species were observed at different stages of
crop growth, while during 2008 and 2009 13
insect pests and one mite were observed
(Table 2). These pests belonged to defoliators
viz. Gesonia gemma (Swinhoe), Chrysodeixis
acuta (Wlker), Spodoptera litura (Fab.),
Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.), Myllocerus
maculosus (Desbro), Gryllus sp. ;Cneorane
sp., Luperus clytie (Wilcox)and Mocis undata,
Stem borers viz. Obereopsis brevis (Swed.)
and Melanagromyza sojae (Zehnt.) and sap
feeders Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius),and
Chauliops fallax(scott.). Of these, Cneorane
sp., Gesonia gemma (Swinhoe) Chrysodeixis
acuta Melanagromyza sojae and Obereopsis
brevis (Swed.) were recorded as major pests
(Table 1). Earlier, Sontakke and Patro (1991)
had reported the incidence of about 20 insect-
pests of soybean in Orissa. Whereas, 16 to 18
insects and one mite infesting soybean crop
were reported by Chaturvedi et al.(1998),
Gupta et al.(2000) and Aske et al. ( 2007)
.Amongst the defoliators heavy infestation of
blue beetle (Cneorane sp.), grey semilooper
[Gesonia gemma (Swinhoe)] and green
semilooper [Chrysodeixis acuta (Walker)] was
observed. Whi t ef l y [ Bemi si a t abaci
(Gennadius)], thrips [Caliothrips indicus
(Bagnall)], mite [Tetranychus cinnabarinus
(Boisduval)] were sap feeders. Stem fly
[Melanagromyza sojae (Zehntner)] and girdle
beetle [Obereopsis brevis (Swed.)] were stem
borers. Blue beetle, Cneorane sp.
The blue beetle adult infestation was
observed at the emergence of cotyledon with
negl i gi bl e popul ati on. The maxi mum
population was observed in first week of
August in the year 2007 otherwise it was
observed in the third week of July. There was
gradual decrease in population in second
week of August in the year 2008 and 2009.
(Fig 1) . There was no apparent relation
between pest population, temperature and
rainfall. However, heavy and continuous
rainfall adversely affected the population of
adult blue beetle (Table 2, fig. 1).Chaturvedi et
al. (1998) also recorded its appearance just
after the emergence in the last week of July
which remained active up to the first week of
September, with maximum population in the
second week of August, which caused severe
damage to cotyledons and young trifoliate
leaves. Singh and Singh (1989) estimated its
economic threshold level as less than 4
adults/mrl of soybean crop at Sehore.
However in present study pest population was
not increased above economic threshold level.
Grey semi l ooper, Gesoni a gemma
(Swinhoe):
The infestation of grey semilooper
started on fourth week of July during 2007 and
2008 recording 1 to 2 larvae/mrl in both years
with an average population of 1.9 in 2007 and 0
.4 larvae/mrl. in 2008. While during 2009, the
infestation started in the second week of July
recording 0.33 to 1.0 larvae/mrl with an
average population of 0.1 larvae/mrl and
maximum population of 4.21/mrl at 42 . The
population of the pest gradually increased up
to second week of August with an average of
6.9 larvae/mrl (Fig 2). Singh et al. (1987) also
reported infestation of this pest on soybean
crop in last week of July. During 2008 grey
semilooper population gradually increased
and reached at peak in the first week of August.
In the year 2009 the population gradually
increased up to first week of September with
an average of 43.9 larvae/mrl. An abrupt
decrease in the population occurred in August
2007 due to increase the temperature. During
2008 it was observed in second week of
August with an average of 1.2 larvae/mrl due to
heavy rainfall and high humidity. In the year
2009 an abrupt decline in larval population was
observed in second week of September with
an average value of 5.2 larvae/mrl probably
due to heavy rainfall and high humidity.
Shrivastava and Sharma (1988) also reported
activity of the pest from first week of August to
third week of September having population of
15.33 larvae at Hoshangabad, Madhya
Pradesh. Similarly Singh et al., (1987) reported
severe infestation of grey semilooper,
Gesonia gemma (11-17 larvae/mrl) in Bhopal,
Sehore and Raisen, districts of Madhya
Pradesh. Singh. et al.,(1989 ) found
significant increase in larval population with
the increase in plant population of soybean at
Sehore. There after population of the pest
disappeared due to senescence of the crop
and larval infection by parasitic fungus,
Beauveria bassiana during third week of
September.
Green Semilooper, Chrysodeixis acuta
(Walker):
The Infestation of green semilooper
started in the first week of August in 2007 and
2008 recording 0 to 1 larval/mrl in both of the
years, while during 2009 the Infestation of
green semilooper started in the second week
of the August, with an average of 0.3 larva
/mrl. During 2007 the population of the pest
gradually increased up to first week of
September and recorded 8.5 larvae/mrl at 63.
Similarly during 2008 the population of the
pest gradually increased up to second week of
August and recorded 6.8 larvae/mrl.. In the
year 2009 the population of the pest gradually
increased up to third week of August and
recorded 3.8 larvae/mrl (Fig 3). Thereafter
population of the pest decreased gradually
and disappeared due to senescence of the
crop and larval infection by parasitic fungus,
Beauveria bassiana during last week of
September. Singh (1996) reported severe
infestation of green semilooper, C. acuta
(Walker) feeding on buds, flowers and pods of
soybean in Raisen, Hoshangabad and
Narsinghpur districts of Madhya Pradesh.
During present study pests remained active
from August to September.
Stem fly, Melanagromyza sojae (Zehntner):
Infestation of stem fly started in middle
of August during 2007 with 5% infested plants
and 2.32% stem tunneling. Plant infestation
gradually increased and reached up to 75%
with 15.90% stem tunneling in the first week of
October 2007 when the crop was harvested.
During 2008 and 2009 the infestation of stem
fly started in first week of August. (Fig 4 and 5).
Singh and Singh (1990, 1992) also reported up
to 100% plant infestation with 90% stem
tunneling of soybean by M. sojae.In present
investigations, stem fly infested 3.00 to 80 %
plants with 11.51 to 15.90 % stem tunneling.
Gain and Kundu (1986) reported moderate
temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall to
be congenial for high infestation of M. sojae.
Girdle Beetle, Obereopsis brevis (Swed.):
The infestation of girdle beetle started in
first week of August in the years 2007 and
2008. But in 2009 its infestation appeared
during last week of July (Fig 6). Singh and
Singh (1996) reported that girdle beetle
inflicted maximum girdle formation on the
petiole followed by the branch, stem and
petiole.
1522
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
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1523 BIOINFOLET


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1524
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
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1525 BIOINFOLET
References
Aske, S., Khandwe Nanda and K.J. Singh
(2007). Insect Environment 12 (4):156.
Chaturvedi, S.; Singh. K.J.; Singh, O.P. and M.
P. Dubey (1998)..Crop Research, 15
(2-3):260
Gain, D. and G. G. Kundu (1986). J. Ent. Res.,
10(2):152.
Gupta, A. K.; Singh, K. J. and O. P. Singh
(2000). Ann. Plant & Soil Res., 2(1) :73.
Shrivastava, S. K. and S. Sharma (1988).. J.
Nat. Env., 5: 37.
Singh and Singh, (1999) Journal of Oilseeds
Research, 16 (1): 118.
Singh, O. P. (1996). Annual progress report
(Entomology) of All India Co-ordinate
research project on soybean, R.A.K.
College of Agriculture, Sehore.
Singh, O. P. and K. J. Singh (1996).. Tropical
Agriculture 73 (1): 77.
Singh K. J. and O. P. Singh (1992).. J. Insect
Sci., 5(2) :198.
Singh, O. P. and K. J. Singh (1990). Indian J.
Plant Prot., 18: 271
Singh, O.P., Singh, K.J and P.P Singh, (1989 ).
Bhartiya Krishi Annusandhan Patrika
1526
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
4(3) : 149
.
Singh K. J. and O.P .Singh (1989) J Insect
Sci, 2 (1):64.
Singh, O.P. and K.J. Singh (1987). J. Agric.
Sci. 4 (1): 87.
Singh,O.P.; Nema ,K.K. and S.N.Verma (1987)
. FAO. Plant . Prot. Bull. 33(3) : 100.
Sontakke and B. Patro (1991). Environment
and Ecology 9 (1): 173.
1527 BIOINFOLET
RESPONSE OF IRRIGATION SCHEDULING AND INTEGRATED NUTRITION ON SCENTED
RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.)
Vijay Pal, M M Singh, Rakesh Kumar and S S Verma
Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm,
Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad (U.P.)
during kharif season of 2010. The experiment was laid out in split plot design
with three replications. The treatments comprised of 3 irrigation schedules (7
cm irrigation 1, 4 and 7 days after disappearance of ponded water in main-plot
-1 -
and 5 nutrient managements i.e. 90+45+45 kg NPK ha , 60+30+30 kg NPK ha
1 -1
+ 30 kg N ( through FYM ), 60+30+30 kg NPK ha +30 kg N ( through bio-
-1
compost ), 45+22.5+22.5 kg NPK ha + 45 kg N ( through FYM ) and
-1
45+22.5+22.5 kg NPK ha + 45 kg N ( through bio-compost ) in sub-plots.
Results revealed that irrigation 1 day after disappearance of ponded water
recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes viz. plant height, leaf
area index, dry matter/plant and grain and straw yield. Similarly, growth, yield
-1
attributes and yield significantly increased with 90+45 +45 kg NPK ha , which
-1
remained at par with 60+30+30 kg NPK ha +30 kg N (FYM), 60+30+30 kg NPK
-1 -1
ha +30 kg N (bio-compost) and 45+22.5+22.5 kg NPK ha + 45 kg N (bio-
compost).
Key words: Rice, Irrigation scheduling, Nutrient management, Yield
Introduction
Among the rice varieties, scented or
basmati rice occupies prime position
(Bhattacharjee et al., 2002). Water and
nutrient management are major factors
responsible for achieving better crop
production. Keeping this in view present
investigation was undertaken to study
influence of irrigation scheduling and
integrated nutrient management on scented
rice.
Materials and Methods
The investigation was undertaken at
Agronomy Research Farm of Narendra Deva
University of Agriculture and Technology,
Faizabad during Kharif season of 2010. For
this purpose an experiment was laid out in split
plot design and wherein each treatment was
replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of 3
irrigation schedules i.e. 7 cm irrigations at and
after 4 and 7 days of disappearance of ponded
water (DADPW).The 5 nutrient management
-1
systems viz., 90+45+45 Kg NPK ha ,
-1
60+30+30 kg NPK ha + 30 kg N ( through
-1
FYM), 60+30+30 kg NPK ha + 30 kg ( through

bio-compost), 45+22.5+22.5 kg NPK + 45 kg N
-
( through FYM) and 45+22.5+22.5 Kg NPK ha
1
+ 45 Kg N (through bio-compost )
Transplanting was done with two
seedlings per hill at a spacing of 2010 cm.
The fertilizer was applied through area, single
super phosphate, and muriate of potash. One
third of N and entire amount of P and K were
applied as basal dose. Remaining amount of
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1528 - 1530, 2013
1529 BIOINFOLET
nitrogen was applied in two equal splits at
maximum tillering and panicle initiation stage.
Irrigation treatment was started just after
transplanting with 7 cm depth of water in each
irrigation treatment. The data on growth,
yields attributes and the yield were recorded
and statistically analysed following Gomez
and Gomez (1984).
Results and Discussion
Taller plants were recorded due to 7 cm
irrigation with 1 DADPW, which was
significantly superior over 4 and 7 DADPW.
The taller plants were was recorded due to the
-
application of 90+45+45 kg NPK ha
1
.Maximum leaf area index was noticed in 7
cm irrigation 1 DADPW. The results are in
agreement with those obtained by Prasad et
al. (1992). Similarly, leaf index was maximum
-
due to the application of 90+45+45 kg NPK ha
1
as was also reported by Singh et al. (1997).
Maximum dry matter production was recorded
with 7 cm irrigation and 1 DADPW, and also
-1
with the application of 90+45+45 Kg NPK ha .
Higher panicle length was recorded with 7 cm
irrigation and 1 DADPW. The results are
similar to those recorded by Singh and Ingram
(2000). Higher panicle length was also
obtained with the application of 90+45+45 Kg
-1
NPK ha . Maximum number of grains per
panicle was observed in 7 cm irrigation 1
DADPW as well as due to the application of
-1
90+45+45 Kg NPK ha .Thus irrigation
schedules had significant impact on grain
production. Higher grain yield (36.13 q/ha)
was recorded in 7 cm irrigation 1 DADPW,
which was 13.2 and 33.9% higher than 7 cm
irrigation 4 and 7 DADPW, respectively.
Similarly, maximum grain yield was recorded
-
with the application of 90+45+45 kg NPK ha
1
.Similarly, straw yield under 90+45+45 Kg
-1
NPK ha was higher.
References
Bhattacharjee, P., Singhal, R.S. and Kulkarni,
P. (2002).International Journal of Food
Sciences and Technology, 37 (1):12.
Gomez K.A, Gomez A.A.(1984). Statistical
Procedures for Agricultural Research
nd
(2 Ed.). John Wiley and Sons, New York. pp.:
20-30
Prasad, U.K., Prasad, T.N. and Kumar, A.
(1992).Indian J. Agron., 37 (4): 686.
Singh, H. and Ingram, K.T. (2000). Philippine
J. Crop Sci., 16 (1): 511
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1530
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
GENETIC VARIABILITY AND HERITABILITY STUDIES IN GERBERA JAMESONII BOLUS
Priyanka Prajapati, Alka Singh, A.K. Senapati*
Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture
*Department of Post Harvest Technology
ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry,
Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari - 396450, Gujarat
ABSTRACT
Twelve genotypes of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) were evaluated to
determine genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and genetic advance
as percent for thirteen characters. Significant variations were recorded for the
various characters studied. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation
were highest for the number of leaves per plant, number of clumps per plant and
leaf area index, indicating presence of sufficient genetic variability for selection
in these traits. High heritability and high genetic advance for number of leaves
per plant, leaf area index and fresh weight indicated the presence of additive
gene effects in these traits and their amicability for direct selection. The non
additive gene effects were evident in petal thickness, hollowness of the stalk,
fresh weight, flower diameter, stalk diameter and neck diameter thus warranting
use of heterosis breeding for these characters. The selection on the basis of
number of leaves per plant, number of clumps per plant and leaf area index will
be more effective for further breeding programme.
Keywords: Gerbera, heritability, variability, genetic advance, phenotypic and
genotypic coefficients of variation
Introduction
The variation and estimates of the
heritability and genetic advance are important
parameters on which the success of selection
lies. The present study was undertaken to
assess and estimate the magnitude and
nature of variation among twelve genotypes of
gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hooker
F.) with respect to various vegetative, floral
and yield attributes which could be utilized in
crop improvement programme.
Materials and Methods
The present investigation was
conducted at ASPEE College of Horticulture
and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University,
Navsari (Gujarat) during rabi seasons of
2010-11 and 2011-12. Eight week old plantlets
of twelve genotypes ( Stanza, Fana, CF Gold,
Diego, Cherany, CF Orange, Lion, Venezia,
Torbin, Jaffana, Kento and Ice Queen ), were
procured from Germini Agro Pvt. Ltd., Pune
and planted a year before commencement of
the present study. These genotypes were
raised on beds ( 45 cm height, 60 cm width and
30 cm pathway ) at a spacing of 30 cm x 30 cm,
with double row zig-zag system, in completely
randomized system with three replications.
The recommended package of practices was
followed for raising the crop. Twenty plants
from twelve genotypes were selected
randomly from net plot and were tagged for
recording the observations, during the two
years. The pooled results were used to study
vegetative growth, flowering, quality attributes
and yield characters. The genotypic and
phenotypic coefficients of variation were
estimated according to the methods of Panse
and Sukhatme (1967), variability as per the
formula given by Burton (1952) and
heritability, genetic advance and expected
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1531 - 1533, 2013
1532
genetic gain as suggested by Johnson et al.
(1955). The mean, standard error, and
coefficients of variation were worked out as
suggested by Panse and Sukhatme (1967).

Results and Discussion
The analysis of variance revealed
that mean sum of squares (MSS) was
significant for most of the characters studied
indicating varietal differences. Higher
magnitude of variation was reflected by higher
range for maximum characters (Table 1). The
estimates of Phenotypic Coefficient of
Var i at i on ( PCV) wer e hi gher t han
correspondi ng val ues of Genot ypi c
Coefficient of Variation (GCV) for almost all
the characters under consideration, indicating
that the variation was not only due to
genotypes but also due to the influence of
environment. The results were in agreement
with those of Chobe et al., (2010) in gerbera
and Verma et al., (2008) in rose.
Highest GCV and PCV were recorded
for number of leaves per plant, number of
clumps per plant, leaf area index and
hollowness of the stalk, indicating higher
variation in these characters with greater
scope for improvement. High variability has
also been reported by Kumari et al., (2011) for
number of flowers per plant and leaf area
index in gerbera.
High estimates of heritability were
recorded for number of leaves per plant
followed by that for leaf area index, fresh
weight of flower, hollowness of the stalk,
clumps per plant, number of flowers per plant,
neck diameter, stalk diameter, petal thickness,
leaf area, stalk length, plant height and flower
diameter, reflecting the importance of these
traits in selection program (Panse, 1967).
Similar findings were reported by Kannan and
Rammdas (1990) in gerbera.
Heritability in conjunction with genetic
advance gives more reliable index of selection
value. (Johnson et al. 1955). High heritability
with high genetic advance indicate additive
gene action. In present study, leaf area
showed high heritability along with high
genetic advance, followed by number of leaves
per plant and number of flowers per plant per
year. Thus, selection on the basis of these
characters would be more effective, as also
reported by Kumari et al. (2011), Kolte (2008)
and Nair and Shiva (2003).
In present study, high heritability
associated with low genetic advance for petal
thickness, fresh weight, hollowness of the stalk
and number of clumps per plant indicated non-
additive gene action. Selection of plants based
on leaf area, number of leaves per plant and
number of flowers per plant per year with high
heritability along with high genetic gain might
be effective for improvement of gerbera.
References
Burton, G.W. (1952). Quantitative inheritance
th
in grasses. Proc. 6 Internat. Grassld.
Cong. 1: 277.
Chobe, R.R., Pachankar, P.B. and Warade,
S.D. (2010). Asian J. Hort., 5 (2): 356.
Johnson, H.W, Robinson H.F. and Comstock,
R.E. (1955). Agron. J., 47: 314.
Kannan, M. and Rammdas, S. (1990). Prog.
Hort., 22 (1-4): 72.
Kolte, S.L. (2008). Studies on genetic
di ver si t y i n ger ber a ( Ger ber a
jamesonii). M.Sc. Thesis Mahatma
Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri,
Ahmednagar (M.S.).
Kumari Anop, Patel K.S. and Chaudhary M.
(2011). Res. Pl. Bio. 1(5):01.
Nair, S.A. and Shiva, K.N. (2003). J. Ornam.
Hort.,6 (3): 180.
Panse, V.G. and Sukhatme, P.V. (1967).
Statistical methods for agricultural
workers. I.C.A.R. New Delhi, 2nd Edn.
pp. 152-154.
Verma, S.; S. Kumar and D. Singh (2008). J.
Ornamental Horticulture. 11 (1): 62.
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
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1533 BIOINFOLET
INFRARED SPECTROSCOPIC EVALUATION OF WHEAT STRAW COMPOST PREPARED
USING LIGNOCELLULOLYTIC FUNGI
*
D. K. Acharya, R. M. Shukla , P. B. Acharya, P. Shilpkar, H. A. Modi
Department of Microbiology, Biogas Research Centre, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Sadra, Gandhinagar-
382 320, Gujarat, India
*
Department of Microbiology and Biofertilizer Project, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agriculture
University, Anand 388 001, Gujarat, India
**
Department of Life sciences, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Navarangpura, Ahmedabad-
380 009, Gujarat, India
ABSTRACT
FT-IR has been used to determine changes at molecular level during
biological activities of composting and to assess compost stability. Two
lignocellulolytic fungi, Aspergillus niger and A. oryzae were used for composting.
The FT-IR scan of compost suggests that there were notable changes at 60 and
90 days of composting. The absorbance bands of treated and untreated wheat
straw spectra showed a characteristic behavior during composting process.
However, certain modifications like extending the composting time, analysis of
ignited material and utilization of pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometric
technique can certainly give an insight into different stages of composting
process for organic and inorganic substances. The objective of present
investigation was to undertake spectroscopic characterization of organic matter
in compost.
Key words: Compost, FT-IR, Lignocellulolytic fungi, Wheat straw
Introduction
The research on composting has been
focused on biochemical changes associated
with composting (Thuris et al., 2001),
molecular characteristics of dissolved organic
matter (Chefetz et al., 1998) and production of
humic acid (Veeken et al., 2000; Castaldi et
al., 2005). On the other hand less attention
has been paid to the transformations of
organic components till maturity of compost.
The objective of present investigation was to
undertake spectroscopic characterization of
organic matter in compost prepared with
wheat straw using Aspergillus niger and A.
oryzae, the two lignocellulolytic fungi.
Materials and Methods
Wheat straw and fresh buffalo dung
were collected from Gandhinagar, ( Gujarat ).
The straw was chopped to 1-3 cm pieces and
moistened with water. Pit composting method
as described by Taiwo and Oso (2004) and
Acharya et al (2011) was followed for the
preparation of compost. Four different
mixtures were employed i.e. only wheat straw,
mixture of wheat straw and buffalo dung ( 1 : 5
), and buffalo dung and wheat straw inoculated
with A. niger and/or A. oryzae. Both
lignocellulolytic fungi were isolated from the
soil. The compost bin was prepared using
bricks. Size of each bin was 2'2' and height
was 1.6'. The working size was nearly 1.2'1.5'
feet. The capacity of each bin was 10 kg
mixture of composting material. The contents
of each bin were turned upside down manually
at 15 days intervals and the moisture content
was maintained up to 70 % by spraying water.
as per the recommendations (Acharya et al.,
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1534 - 1537, 2013
1535 BIOINFOLET
2010). A. niger and A. oryzae were used as
inoculating the material, as was suggested in
earlier studies (Acharya et al., 2010). The
7
inoculum ( 610 spore / ml ) was prepared
using salt medium as described by Ekperigin
(2007), in five layers. Compost samples were
taken from bin after 30, 60 and 90 days as per
the method described by Ishi and Takii (2003).
Two mg compost sample was
pressed with KBr (1:100) to make pellet. FTIR
spectra were recorded using KBr pellets on
Perkin Elmer FT-IR system at the Centre of
Excellence, Vapi ( Gujarat ) within the range
-1 -1
4000 to 400 cm with 4 cm resolution against
ambient air as background. All samples were
compared with wheat straw by the software
Parkin Elmer 'SpectrumLite'.
Results and discussion
An absorbance spectrum peak at 3429-
-1
3438 cm ( Figure 1 ) indicates prevalence of
free O-H group. During composting with A,
niger the aliphatic methylene band at 2922
-1
cm decreased with the advancement of time.
-1
Band near 2360 reflects CO absorbance,
2
which indicated degradation of organic
material by fungus. The band at 1633-1637
-1
cm reflects absorbance of aromatic C=C
bond and C=O group that is part of amides
and carboxylate. The band at this spectra can
be attributed to moiety of lignin and other
aromatic compounds. The band around 1251
-1
cm can be assigned to C-O stretch of
carboxylic acids and C-N stretch of amides.
There was gradual decrease in this band,
which disappeared after 30 days. The
polysaccharides absorbance was observed
-1
between 1170 and 950 cm (Tan, 1998).
Significant changes were observed after 30
days.
With the use of A. oryzae significant
changes are observed within the range of
-1 -1
1750-1050 cm (Figure 2). Peaks at 2923cm
suggest presence of aliphatic C-H bond, which
remained throughout the process. Smidt et al.,
(2005) reported that it decreased with time due
to breakdown of aliphatic compounds. During
-1
present investigation absorbance at 2363cm
increased up to 90 days of composting,
probably due to the respiration (Nakasaki et
al., 1985), leading to increased CO evolution
2
(Khan et al., 2009). The signal at 1489-1420
-1
cm suggested vibration of CH groups in long
2
chain aliphatic molecules. The peak between
-1
1683-1636 cm could be related to ring
vibration of aromatic compounds, whereas
inclusion of peptide material at earlier stages of
composting was revealed by intense band
-1
around 1550 cm (Spaccini and Piccolo,
-1
2008). The shoulder at 1734-1717 cm could
be tentatively assigned to stretching vibrations
of carbonyl groups in alkyl and alkyl-aryl ester
bond such as those of plan biopolymers which
could be observed only at 60 days, then
disappeared at 90 days. This indicated the
process of degradation of plant polymers. The
decrease of the band intensities for alcoholic
-1
and ether functional group at 1090-1049 cm
was observed. These alterations suggested an
initial degradation of most bioavailable
compounds such as free lipids and proteins,
followed by an improved decomposition of
carbohydrates (Spaccini and Piccolo, 2008).
-1
The signal at 897 cm together with 1734-1717
-1
cm indicated the presence of carbonate salts
formed during composting (Tatzber et al.,
2007) which disappear at 90 days. The bands
-1
around 1400-1300 cm interval indicated
presence of polysaccharides and stable lipids
in the compost.
Fig 1: FT-IR spectra of compost prepared using A. niger from 0 to 90 days
Fig 2: FT-IR spectra of compost prepared using A. oryzae from 0 to 90 days
1536
Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
References
Acharya, D., Shilpkar, P., Acharya, P. and
Modi, H. (2011) J. Adv. Devel. Res. 2
(2): 198.
Acharya, D. K., Chabhadiya, S. B., Shah, A.
J., Acharya, P. B., Shilpakar, P., Modi,
H. A. (2010), International Journal of
Biological and chemical science,
4(2):443.
Castaldi, P., Alberti, G., Morella, R., Melis, P.
(2005) Waste Manag. 25: 209.
Chefetz, B., Hatcher, P. G., Hadar, Y., Chen,
Y. (1998). Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 62:
326
.
Chen, Y., Inbar, Y., Hadar, Y. and Malcolm, R.
L. (1989). Sci. Total Environ. 81-82:
201.
deBertoldi, M., Vallini, G. and Pera, A. (1985)
Technological aspects of composting
including modeling and microbiology. In
Composting of agricultural and other
wastes. Gasser, J. K. R. (Eds).
Elsevier Applied Science Publishers.
London. pp 27-40.
Ekperigin, M. M. (2007) Afr. J. Biotech. 6(1):
28.
Ishii K and Takii S. (2003). Journal of Applied
Microbiology, 95:109.
Khan, M. A. I., Ueno, K., Horimoto, S., Komai,
F., Tanaka, K. and Ono, Y. (2009) Biol.
Fertil. Soils. 45: 305.
Nakasaki, K., Shoda, M. and Kubota, H. (1985)
Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 50: 1526.
Smidt, E., Eckhardt, K., Lechner, P., Schulten,
H. and Leinweber, P. (2005)
Biodegrad. 16: 67.
Spaccini, R. and Piccolo, A. (2008) Clean.
36(2): 152.
Taiwo, L. B. and Oso, B. A. (2004) Afr. J.
Biotech. 3(4):239.
Tan K. H. (1998) In: Principles of soil
chemistry. Mariel Dekker Inc. USA. pp
521.
Tatzber, M., Stemmer, M., Spiegel, H.,
Katzlberger, C., Haberhauer, G. and
Gerzabek, M. H. (2007) Environ. Chem.
Lett. 5:9.
Thuris, L., Pansu, M., Feller, C., Herrmann,
P., Rmy, J. C. (2001) Soil Biol.
Biochem. 33: 997.
Veeken, A., Nierop, K., de Wilde, V., Hamelers,
B. (2000) Biores. Technol. 72: 33.
1537 BIOINFOLET
EFFECT OF PRE-COOLING TREATMENTS FOR EXTENDING RIPENING IN MANGO
(MANGIFERA INDICA L.) CV. KESAR, ALPHONSO AND RAJAPURI.
U.B.Deshmukh, S.P.Chavan and S.G.Salunkhe
Department of Horticulture, Akola 444 104 Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth,
ABSTRACT

Effect of precooling on the storage life of three different mango cultivars
o o
was studied. Various precooling temperatures were adoptedsuch as 6 C, 8 C,
o o
10 C 12 C and control (ambient temperature) under the various treatments.

Precooling of mango fruits, immediately after harvest, delayed ripening, without
any deterioration in fruit quality. However, all the temperatures used were not
equally effective.The pre-cooling temperature 8 C for 8 hours was found most
significant in delaying ripening and extending shelf-life of fruits up to 2-3 days of

control. It reduced the weight loss, increased total soluble solids and reduced

acidity of mango fruits. While Pre-cooling at 6 C for 8 hours was found suitable
all above characters in case of mango fruits cv. Rajapuri. In control treatment for
(No pre-cooling) ripening of mango fruits was characterized by rapid loss in
physiological weight which adversely affected bio-chemical qualities of the
fruits.

Key words :Pree-cooling, mango, shelf life,
Introduction
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is grown
all over the world but, this fruit occupies a
unique place among the different fruit crops
grown in India. Most of the work on storage of
mango has been carried out at cold storage
conditions. One of the most important factors
affecting post harvest life and quality of
horticultural crops is temperature. In order to
increase storage life of the fruit, proper
temperature management during handling
and storage is essential. The shelf life of
mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit is
considerably influenced by fruit maturity and
storage. It is minimum at ambient temperature
as compared to low temperature storage
condition. In view of this present investigation
was undertaken.
Material and methods
Fully matured mango fruits of three

different cultivars (Kesar, Alphonso and
Rajapuri ) with uniform size and shape were
harvested at the maturity from orchard and
carried in plastic creates to the laboratory. The
experiment was laid out in Completely
Randomi zed Desi gn (CRD) wi th two

replications and thirteen treatments. The pre-
cooling treatments were control (T1), and
o
precoolingtemperture at 6, 8,10 and 12 C for
2, 5 and 8 hours. Thus total 12 treatment
combinations were used for study. The mango

fruits of cv. Kesar, Alphonso and Rajapuri were
kept in carats under open condition at room
temperature (25 to 28C) after pre-cooling

treatment. Each Individual fruit from different
treatments was observed in view of ripening.
Two fruits from each replication were randomly
selected at a time and used for chemical

analysis,after 5, 10, 15 and 20 days of storage.
The fruit pulp was used for chemical analysis.

The shelf life was decided when 30 per cent

fruits were over ripened rotten or got spoiled.

Per cent physiological loss in weight (PLW)
BIOINFOLET 10 (4 C) : 1538 - 1541, 2013
1539 BIOINFOLET

wascalculatedasPLW ( % )= [(Original weight-
Final weight) / ( Original weight )] x 100.Fruit
pulp was homogenized in a blender and used
f or chemi cal anal ysi s ( Desai and
Deshpande, 1975). Ot her bi ochemi cal
observation such as the total soluble solids
(TSS) was det ermi ned usi ng hand
refractometer (Erma made,Japan 0.242 Brix,
No. 96/88). Titrable Acidity was determined
using the method described by Ranganna
(1979).The data were statistically analysed
following Panse and Sukhatme (1967).
Results and Discussion
The weight loss of mango fruits as
influenced by different treatments during

storageispresented in Table 1.The weight loss

of Kesar under various treatments was non-

significant on 5th day of storage, however, on

10th and 15th days of storage, significant
difference was recorded. Significantly
minimum (21.59 %) weight loss was recorded
o
due to pre-cooling of fruits at 8 C for 8 hours.

Almost similar trend was observed in Alphonso

andRajapuri fruits. At all the stages of storage,

treated fruits showed significant reduction in
weight loss as compared to control.
Table 1: Effect of pre-cooling on physiological loss in weight of mango fruits.

The minimum weight loss of kesar fruit

(21.59 %) on 20 days of storage wasrecorded
o
in T7 (8 C for 8 hours) during the storage
which is at par with other treatment expect T1
(control) T2, T5,and T8. Almost similar trend
was observed in weight loss in Alphonso
mango fruits. Minimum (17.15 %) weight loss
o
was recorded in treatment T (at 8 C for 8
7
hours) during storage period which was at par
with other treatments except, T (Control), T ,
1 2
th th th
T and T on 10 and 15 day. Whereas on 20
5 8
day of storage, T treatment noted significant
7
reduction in weight loss and was at par with T ,
4
T and T as compared to control
10 13
(T ).Significantly minimum (15.83 %) weight
1
o
loss was recorded in treatment T (at 6 C for 8
4
hours) during storage period of rajapuri fruit
which was at par with other treatments except,
th
T (Control), T , T ,T and T but, on 20 day of
1 2 5 8 11
storage, T treatment exhibited significant
4
reduction in weight loss and was at par with T ,
7
T and T , while treatment T (Control), T , T
10 13 1 2 5
and T and T treated fruits were discarded
8 11
due to early ripening of fruits. Average number
of days taken for more than 90 per cent
ripening of fruits is given inTable 2. Significant
difference among different treatments was
observed with respect to number of days taken
for ripening. Delayed ripening of Kesar (11.50
days) and Alphonso (12.00 days) was
o
observed due to pre-cooling of fruits at 8 C for
8 hours, while early ripening (9.71 days) was
observed in control treatment in kesar and
10.10 daysin alphonso.
Table 2: Effect of pre-cooling treatments on days for ripening of mango during storage.
Similar trend was also observed in
Rajapuri fruits. but, fruits were late ripened
than Alphonso and Kesar in most of the
treatments. Significantly higher numbers of
days (14.20) were required for fruit ripening in
T which was at par with T , T and T , while
4 7 10 13
untreated fruits T (control) required minimum
1
days ( i.e. 12.60) for ripening.
Significantly higher shelf-life of Kesar

(16.49 days) was observed due to pre-cooling
o
at 8 Cfor 8 hours. whileRajapuri recorded it as
o
19.06 days, due topre-cooling 6 C for 8 hours.
Control treatment rcorded minimum shelf life.
Table 3:Effect of pre-cooling treatments on shelf-life (days) of mango during storage.
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Vol. 10 (4 C), 2013
Shelf life of kesar T10 in treatments
(15.87), T6 (15.62) and T13 (15.56), observed
followed by T7 while minimum (12.19) days of
shelf life was observed in control (T1).In
Alphonso higher days of shelf-life (17.51
days) was observed in treatment T7 (pre-
cooling of fruits at 8 C for 8 hours) followed by
0
T4, T10 and T13 treatments whereas
minimum (13.69) days of shelf-life was
observed in control (T1).In Alphonso fruit
higher days of shelf-life (17.51 days) was
observed in treatment T7 (at 80C for 8 hours)
followed by T4, T10 and T13 treatments
whereas minimum (13.69) days of shelf-life
was observed in control (T1).
Higher days of shelf-life of rajapuri
(19.06), was observed in fruit treated with 60C
for 8 hours (T4),while minimum (17.00) days
of shelf-life was observed in control (T1)
Thus the shelf life of mango fruits
could be extended up to 2-3 days with the pre-
o
cooling treatment ( 8 C for 8 hours ) in cv.
o
Kesar and Alphonso and at pre-coolingat 6 C
for 8 hours in Rajapuri. All pre-cooling
treatments recorded extended shelf life as
compared to control.
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S u b r a ma n y a m, H . ( 1 9 7 1 ) .
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