Prakash Kalita

Standardisation of growing media and its depth for rooftop gardening of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) cv. Prof. Harris

An experiment was conducted to study the standardisation of growing media and its depth for rooftop gardening of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) cv. Prof. Harris during 2016. The experiment was laid out in two-factor completely randomized block design comprising five growing media having different components by volume at three different depths viz., D1: 10 cm, D2: 20 cm and D3: 30 cm depths. The media compositions were G1: Soil+sand+coco peat+vermicompost (1: 1: 2: 2), G2: Sand+coco peat+vermicompost (1: 2: 2), G3: Sand+coco peat+vermicompost +vermiculite (1: 2: 2: 0.5), G4: Sand+coco peat+vermicompost+perlite (1: 2: 2: 0.5) and G5: Sand+coco peat+vermicompost+vermiculite+perlite (1: 2: 2: 0.25: 0.25). Among the depths of growing media, D3 i. e. 30 cm was found best for increasing the plant and flower characters. It induced early flowering (bud visibility at 46.53 days, bud opening at 61.89 days and full bloom at 75.84 days), greater flower number 47.13/plant and longer flowering duration 62.37 days. Among the media, G5 responded best in terms of flower earliness (bud visibility at 49.00 days, bud opening at 64.35 days and full bloom at 78.85 days), more number of sprays per plant i. e. 7.01 sprays per plant and longer duration of 54.52 days compared to other growing media. The treatment combination of media depth D3 i. e. 30 cm and growing media G5 was best for rooftop gardening of chrysanthemum.

Analysis of greengram genotypes based on morpho-physiological, biochemical attributes and seed yield in relation to growing season

The study was conducted during kharif and summer seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 with twenty genotypes of greengram. The mean monthly soil moisture content was 23.46 per cent for kharif season and 12.95 per cent for summer season. Significant variations in morpho-physiological, biochemical attributes and seed yield were recorded in all the genotypes. The genotype Pusa Baisakhi was found to be the highest seed yielder during kharif season which was followed by Pant Moong 4, Pratap, SGC 25 and SGC 20. The genotype Pusa Baisakhi showed the highest value for leaf area per plant, in vivo leaf nitrate reductase activity, leaf photosynthetic rate, total dry matter content per plant and number of pods per plant. On the other hand, during summer season the genotype SGC 25 was found to be the highest seed yielder followed by SGC 20, Pusa Baisakhi, Pant Moong 4 and Pratap. The genotype SGC 25 was found to record highest value for number of branches per plant, total leaf chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, leaf photosynthetic rate and number of pods per plant. On an average during kharif season 27.21 per cent higher seed yield could be obtained compared to that of summer season.