Shant Lal

Effect of Boron and Zinc Application on Nutrient Uptake in Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Pant Prabhat Leaves

Guava is the hardiest fruit crops among tropical fruit trees and excels most other fruit crops in productivity and adaptability. Due to its nutritional value, it is aptly referred to as „Apple of tropics‟. Guava ranks fourth in area and fifth in production among the most important fruits grown in India (Sharma et al., 2007). Guava is an excellent source of International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 6 (2017) pp. 1991-2002 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

Variability induction in Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare Lam.) using gamma rays

The present investigation was aimed to study hormesis, morphological and biochemical variability attributes associated with mutation and purification of novel mutants in Ox-eye daisy. The seeds of Leucanthemum vulgare were exposed to 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 Gy doses of gamma rays (source 60Co). These irradiated seeds were used to raise seedlings and planted in combination with seedlings from non-irradiated seeds (control) in randomized block design. Low doses of gamma irradiation resulted in hormesis and evoked encouraging novelties, whereas, the higher doses elicited higher degree of abnormalities and consequently mortality. The M2 seeds were seeded to observe new characters and mutations in population in every treatment. The minimum plant survival was 51.60% at 100 Gy gamma rays treatment, which significantly differed from all other treatments. The maximum plant survival (99.67%) was observed in non-irradiated control. It was observed that plant survival significantly declined with the increase in the dose of gamma irradiation. Plants raised from irradiated seeds showed significant delay in flowering over the control. The earliest blooms were observed in control (108.03 days), while the maximum days to bloom (118.30 days) were recorded with 100 Gy treatment. Three promising mutants, viz., Spatulate type (L1) at 40 Gy, Quilled-spatulate type (L2) at 60 Gy and Quilled type (L3) at 60 Gy gamma irradiation treatment were labelled, screened and checked for stability of characters in M2 and M3 generations. The seeds of M2 and M3 generations were raised for observation for variation in morphological characters and stability mutants in every generation.

Induction of genetic variability through gamma irradiation in mini marguerite (Chrysanthemum paludosum Poir.) and their RAPD-based genetic relationship

The present investigation was conducted during the kharif season of 2010–2012 to study hormesis, morphological and biochemical attributes associated with mutation and purification of novel types in mini marguerite. The seeds of Chrysanthemum paludosum were exposed to gamma rays (source 60Co) at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 Gy dose treatments and sown along with control (un-irradiated seeds). Lower doses of irradiation resulted in hormesis and induced encouraging novelties, while the higher doses (100 Gy) induced elevated degree of abnormalities (6.41%), which consequently led to mortality (52.50%). Morphological characters, viz., plant height, plant spread (E-W and N-S), delayed flowering was observed in all the treatments. Biochemical characters, viz., chlorophyll a and b content as well as total chlorophyll content increased. The per cent abnormal plants, maximum deformed, per cent abnormal leaves, flower head fasciation/asymmetrical flower heads was also observed all the treatments. Two promising mutants, viz., Star type (P1) at 40 Gy and Jasmine type (P2) at 60 Gy gamma irradiation treatment were tagged, screened and checked for stability of characters for genetic study and possible uses of the traits. The seeds of M2 and M3 generations were sown to observe their morphological characters and mutants in each population. RAPD molecular marker was used to study the genetic divergence and establishment of distinctiveness between the mutants developed, as a result of treatment of gamma rays. The results will aid in development of efficient germplasm utilization and management strategies.

Studies on integrated nutrient management on yield and quality of guava cv. Pant Prabhat

An investigation was carried out during on five-year-old guava cv. Pant Prabhat to evaluate the effect of different organic (farm-yard-manure and vermicompost) and inorganic fertilizers (macro- and micro-nutrients) as well as bio-fertilizers (Trichoderma, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Pseudomonas fluorescence and Aspergillus niger) with organic mulches in different combinations on yield and fruit quality. In the above experiment, trees applied with half dose of recommended fertilizers (225 g N2O: 195 g P2O5: 150 g K2O) + 50 kg FYM inoculated with 250 g Azospirillum tree−1 year−1 found most effective to increase the vegetative growth, yield as well as quality of fruits in both the seasons during both the year. Maximum fruit set and yield in rainy (83.33%, and 72.16 kg tree−1) and winter (34.32% and 6.53 kg tree−1) were recorded with the application of 225g N2O, 195 g P2O5 and 150 g K2O along with 50 kg FYM enriched with 250 g Azospirillum tree−1year−1. Fruit quality (total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, per cent reducing sugars, total sugar, TSS:acid ratio and pectin content) in both rainy and winter seasons were found better in fruits from the plants receiving 500 g: 200 g: 500 g NPK tree−1 + Zn (0.5%) + B (0.2%) + Mn (1%) as foliar spray twice (August and October) along with organic mulching 10 cm thick. Therefore, it is suggested to incorporate bio-fertilizers enriched FYM along with half dose of recommended fertilizers for sustainable production of quality guava fruits.

EFFECT OF POST HARVEST PACKING MATERIALS AND CALCIUM ON SHELF LIFE OF GUAVA

Investigations were carried out to know the optimum concentration of calcium salts and the best wrapping material for increasing shelf life of guava. Fruits treated with calcium chloride 1% and wrapped in newspaper recorded minimum reduction in fruit size (length and breadth) weight and best in organoleptic evaluation during storage period.