Volume 11, Number2 (August, 2010)

Rice (Oryza sativa) is particularly sensitive to salt stress during the seedling stage, with consequent poor crop establishment. Physiological responses to salinity were evaluated for contrasting genotypes, during the seedling stage. Two rice genotypes differing in their tolerance of salinity were evaluated in a set of greenhouse experiments under 0 and 12 dS/m of salinity during seedling stage. Photosynthetic CO₂ fixation, stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration decreased substantially because of salt stress, but with greater reduction in the sensitive cultivar IR 29. The tolerant line IR 651 had more responsive stomata that tended to close faster during the first few hours of stress, followed by partial recovery after a brief period of acclimation. However, in the sensitive line, gs continued to decrease for longer duration and with no recovery afterward. Soluble sugars and proteins concentration increased in leaves of IR 651only when subjected to salt stress. This suggests that sugars play an important role in osmotic adjustment (OA) in rice. Not significant differences were found in free proline levels at salinity stress in both the cultivars. It seems proline may not play a role in minimizing the damage caused by dehydration result of salinity.

The effect of nitrogen (N) fertilizer on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence was investigated during the heading period in flag leaves of two rice cultivars, super-green rice SN 19-6 (a new germplasm resource discovered in the super rice selective breeding programme) and Toyonishiki (a traditional Japonica Japanese variety used as a control). Compared with Toyonishiki, N fertilizer had slight effects on SN 19-6 flag leaf photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance, quantum efficiency of open photosystem II center-quantum yield (Fv/Fm), the potential quantum yield of PSII (Fv/F0), and the initial fluorescence (F0). Low N supply treatments did not damage PSII reaction centers in SN 19-6 flag leaves. In the two rice cultivars, the chlorophyll content index (CCI) significantly increased with increasing N supply, but the degree of increase was higher in Toyonishiki than in SN 19-6. Pn, CCI, stomatal conductance, Fv/Fm and Fv/F0 were significantly higher in SN 19-6 than in Toyonishiki under low N supply treatments. These results indicate that compared to Toyonishiki, the super-green rice SN 19-6 had a high photosynthetic rate at heading stage even under low N treatments. This was due to the high leaf chlorophyll content under low N treatments, the relatively high stomatal conductance, and the Fv/Fm and Fv/F0 values in SN 19-6. Therefore, we think that the new idioplasm resource is very important to improve the productivity of rice cultivars under low N fertilizer supply.

A long term experiment was conducted on integrated nutrient management in rice-wheat system at Jabalpur (M. P.) since kharif season 1987-88 to evaluate the sustainable productivity of rice on long term basis. The present paper deals with the studies during the years 2002-03 and 2003-04. Integrated use of 50% N through FYM/wheat staw/green leaf manuring with sunnhemp+50% NPK to rice followed by 100% NPK to wheat or 25% N through FYM/wheat straw/green manuring with sunnhemp+75% NPK to rice followed by 75% NPK to wheat was comparable to application of 100% NPK to both the crops in terms of different growth parameters, yield attributes, productivity, nutrient uptake and economics of rice.

In order to study the efficiency of bacterial phosphorus fertilizer (BPF) in solubilizing the soil insoluble phosphorus, this experiment was conducted at Research Station of Khorasgan Islamic Azad University of Isfahan (Iran) during 2006-07 by a randomized complete block design with split plot layout with three amounts of BPF (0, 100 and 200 g/ha) and five different amounts of chemical phosphorus fertilizer (CPF) (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha ammonium phosphate) by bread wheat (Ghods cultivar). Results showed that the consumption of BPF reduced pH of soil significantly and increased the soil soluble phosphorus (SSP), in a way that increase of SSP in treatment of consumption 200 g/ha BPF was equal to treatment of consumption 200 kg/ha ammonium phosphate fertilizer (APF). Also consumption of BPF has caused increase in flag leaf phosphorus in anthesis time of wheat significantly, also results showed that the BPF increased LAI, biological yield and grain yield of wheat significantly and usually this increase was similar consumption of 150-200 kg/ha APF. In the position of final result able to explain that with use of BPF without use of CPF in soils with high phosphorus or with minimum use of CPF (50-100 kg/ha APF) in soil with low phosphorus would be able to produce wheat yield equal with use of 200 kg/ha APF.

Field experiment was conducted during rabi 2004-05 consisting of two dates of sowing viz., normal (18 November) and late (17 December), and four varieties of wheat viz., Lok-1, Raj-3765, GW-273 and Raj-3077. Accumulated GDD was computed for vegetative, reproductive and total crop duration. Results revealed that number of days and accumulated GDD during vegetative and reproductive phase were more under normal sown crop as compared to late sown crop. Amongst varieties, the maximum number of days (122) and accumulated GDD (1548) were recorded with variety Lok-1 and GW-273 under normal sown crop. Accumulated GDD was decreased with delay sowing. Regression model based on GDD, maximum and minimum temperatures were also developed for prediction of grain yield of wheat. Grain yield was reduced by 62.7% with delay sowing by one month.

Biological effects of selenium during cellular membrane removal were investigated.The uridine tri phosphate (UTP) was estimated for 50 days with selenium leaf cells. UTP with ion chromatographic analysis for selenium was applied. Although UTP was removed to more than 85.4% from oxidative stress, a less efficient removal of cellular membrane was observed due to the presence of selenium.The UTP contributed upto 12% to control transpiration.The results showed that selenium could improve UTP concentration due to antioxidant enzymes activity.This study shows that wheat yield improvement in oxidative stress condition by selenium application due to UTP maintenance by antioxidant enzymes in peroxyzomes.

Peptides can be beneficial to trace elements control, such as cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb).We investigated if peptides decreased the Cd and Pb concentrations of the receiving soils in wheat. Experimental soils were analyzed for total concentrations of Cd and Pb. The studies in the plant tissues indicated that peptides induced GR (Glutathione reductase) activity and then detoxification of Cd and Pb. Data analysis showed that peptide ligands included metallothioneins (MTs) and phytochelatins (PCs) had significant effect on GR rates and could decrease the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant tissues due to heavy metals detoxification. The results showed that phytochelatins were more effective than metallothioneins in control water deficit and detoxification of Cd and Pb in wheat.

In order to evaluate the effect of intercropping and monocropping of barley with narbon bean under conditions of interference and weed control on yield of dry forage, an experiment design was conducted in the College of Agriculture of Lorestan University in cropping year of 2006-07 with application of five levels (seed ratio) of intercropping, monoculture of narbon bean, 75% narbon bean+25% barley, 50% narbon bean+50% barley, 25% narbon bean+75% barley, monoculture of barley and two levels of weed control and interference simultaneous intercropping replacement system in the form of factorial in RCBD with three replicates. Results obtained in evaluation on interactions of levels of weed+different levels of intercropping showed that highest and lowest total yield of dry forage were related to seed ratios of 75% narbon bean+25% barley+control and 25% narbon bean+75% barley+control equivalent to 7.22 and 3.85 t/ha, respectively. Results also showed that interactions among these levels about traits like number of fertile tillers and number of pods/plant and 1000-seed weight of narbon bean were significant, but were not significant with number of seeds/spike and pod and 1000-seed weight of barley and narbon bean. Maximum yield (2.88 t/ha) was attributed to sole cropping of barley+control and minimum yield (2.41 t/ha) to the treatment 50% narbon bean+50% barley+control. Average of least rate of production (3 t/ha) was attributed to the combination of 25% narbon bean+75% barley+polluted to weed and it was highest (3.32 t/ha) to seed ratio of 50% narbon bean+50% barley+polluted to weed. Total LER in seed ratio of 75% narbon bean+25% barley+control of weeds was higher than other treatments (1.58).

This experiment was conducted in College of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran, to study the effect of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) intercropping and sole cropping with narbon vetch (Vicia narbonesis L.) on dynamic of weeds population in the crop year 2006-07. There were five levels of seed contribution, sole cropping of narbon vetch, 75% narbon vetch + 25% barley, 50% narbon vetch + 50% barley, 25% narbon vetch + 75% barley and barley sole cropping and two levels of weeds : controlled and interference. This experiment was conducted by in rows replacement series technique in the form of factorial in RCBD with three replications. Results showed that interaction of weed levels and intercropping levels was significant and the lowest number of weeds and weight of weeds occurred at 75% narbon vetch + 25% barley equal to (14.3 weeds/m² and 6.76 g/m²) combination and the highest one occurred at barley sole cropping equal to 23.3 weeds/m² and 9.72 g/m², while its number and weight in natural flour was 13 weeds/m² and 19.9 g/m², respectively. Number and weight of weeds of barley sole cropping was 63% and 43.3% higher than 75% narbon vetch+25% barley combination, respectively. So, on the basis of result of this experiment, role of 75% narbon vetch+25% barley combination was obvious in increase of forage production and decrease of weeds and the lowest species richness’ was related to 50% narbon vetch + 50% of barley and 25% narbon vetch +75% barley equal to 1.34 species/m² and the highest one was related to narbon vetch sole cropping equal to 1.55 species/m². Maximum leaf area index (LAI) and crop growth rate (CGR) were obtained at stem elongation (all combination with weed) of barley, while at infected treatment this one occurred at tillering stage and totally, decrease and increase of net assimilation rate (NAR) for both controlled and infected treatments were alike. CGR of narbon vetch for controlled and infected levels was alike from six leaves to stem elongation (upward and slow) and the highest LAI was related to narbon vetch sole cropping (in controlled and infected levels) and the lowest one was related to 25% narbon vetch+75% barley combination (in controlled and infected levels). Also, as barley NAR, low seed ratio of narbon vetch had high NAR. The highest and the lowest dry forage production of barley were related to its sole cropping + infected combination equal to 6.17 t/ha and 25% narbon vetch + 75% barley + control combination equal to 1.28 t/ha, respectively. The lowest and the highest mean of sum of the biological yield was obtained from narbon vetch sole cropping+control combination equal to 7.76 t/ha and 25% narbon vetch+75% barley+control combination equal to 10.19 t/ha, respectively.

A field experiment was conducted during late kharif season of 2002-03 to study the performance of sorghum+blackgram intercropping system under varying planting pattern and fertility levels on vertisol of South Gujarat. The study revealed that sorghum+blackgram (2 : 1) in paired row of 30/60 cm (P₃) recorded highest sorghum equivalent yields and earned the net realization of Rs. 31297/ha with BCR of 4.00. Among the various fertility levels, 100% RDF+bio-fertilizers recorded the highest sorghum equivalent yields and earned the net realization of Rs. 30874/ha with BCR of 4.06.

Maintaining current high yields of corn (Zea mays L.) grown in Khuzestan is an environmental threat due to continued overuse of water.The objective of this study was to identify appropriate mechanisms by characterizing agronomic responses of hybrid 704 from three different water deficit.This was done by growing water deficit at 8th leaves,12th leaves,tasseling and control treatments and planting samples (one and two rows) in a field study and measuring yield and other agronomic variables.While water deficit in develoment stages differed in response to cultivation sample, individual in ability to maintain yield under water stress.For example,under water deficit at tasseling stage,yield decreased about 24% than control treatments at planting samples. Likewise, under water deficit at 12th leaves, produced 19.5% less grain yield than 8th leaves stage at planting samples. Agronomic variables such as assimilate remobilization,indicating hybrid ability to maximize kernel number under varying water were critical to maximizing yield. Determining physiological mechanisms associated with ability to maintain kernel number and ear length under stress should be a high priority of breeding programmes.

A field experiment on this crop (variety GFB 1) was conducted in R. B. D. with three replications during summer-monsoon seasons of 2003 and 2004 on different sites to study the influence of various levels of N, K and S. There were two levels of N viz., 100 and 150 kg/ha, three treatments of K viz., 0, 40 and 60 kg K₂O/ha applied either entirely as basal or 50% as basal and remaining in two equal splits after first and second cuts and three levels of S viz., 0, 20 and 40 kg S/ha. There were three cuts in each year. Initial available N, K and S contents in soil were low, medium and marginal, respectively, in their status. Yield of green forage and dry matter yields were increased by application of N, K and S. There was 31.8% increase in green forage yield due to nitrogen (N₂) over that of N₁ (521.4 q/ha), 9.8 and 19.4% increase for K₁ and K₂ over that of K₀ (550.7 q/ha) and 3.78 and 7.86% increase for sulphur S₁ and S₂ over that of S₀ (581.7 q/ha), respectively. Similarly, the dry forage yield was also increased. The yield increase due to N, K and S treatment was supported by increase in growth parameters such as tillers per metre row length, number of internodes per plant and plant height. The beneficial effect due to K particularly that of K2 may probably due to dominance of intensity factor in K supply mechanism.

The present investigation was undertaken at Central Research Station, Dr. PDKV, Akola during 2004-05 on Vertisols particularly with montomorillonitic type with 11 treatments and three replications framed under randomized block design in kharif season for greengram and split plot design in rabi season for sunflower. The results indicated that incorporation of sunflower straw @ 4 t/ha+125% N+100% P of RDF gave significantly higher grain and straw yield of greengram and sunflower. Total uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was highest with treatment T₈ incorporation of sunflower straw @ 4 t/ha+RDF @ 125% N+100% P in greengram. Total uptake of micronutrient (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, B and Mo) included sulphur maximum with treatment T₈ incorporation of sunflower straw @ 4 t/ha+RDF @ 125% N+100% P in greengram. Treatment T₈ incorporation of sunflower straw @ 4 t/ha+RDF @ 125% N+100% P with 100% RDF of sunflower was significantly superior over 75% RDF in relation to total uptake of micronutrient including sulphur in rabi seasons of sunflower. In view of the above, it can be stated that incorporation of sunflower straw @ 4 t/ha+125% N+100% P of RDF to greengram in kharif season and 75% RDF to sunflower in rabi season indicated thereby 25% saving of fertilizers and enhanced yield and total nutrient uptake of greengram and sunflower.

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Bikaner during 1999 and 2000 on sandy soil to study the effect of bio-regulators (thiourea : TU and DMSO) and phosphorus on dry matter partitioning and productivity of clusterbean. The results revealed that significant improvement in number of green leaves per plant and dry matter accumulation at 60, 90 and physiological maturity was noted on account of split application of TU at 5 kg/ha in soil, foliar spray of 500 ppm TU and foliar application of 100 ppm DMSO and TU +DMSO. However, root length and root dry matter at 60 DAS significantly increased with soil application of TU at 5 kg/ha (split) and TU+DMSO only. The highest seed yield of 18.27 q/ha was recorded with application of TU+DMSO in soil. However, it was on par with soil application of 5 kg TU/ha (split). Dry matter distribution to pods at 90 DAS and physiological maturity increased under the influence of soil and foliar applied TU and DMSO. However, dry matter distribution in stems at 90 DAS and physiological maturity decreased with soil and foliar application of TU and DMSO. Seed yield increased significantly with the application of 40 kg P₂O₅/ha over 20 kg P₂O₅/ha and control. Dry matter distribution to pods at 60, 90 DAS and physiological maturity was significantly increased with 20 and 40 kg P₂O₅/ha over control.

Saeed shahbazI*, Hamid Rahimian-Mashhadi, Hassan Mohammad-Alizadeh and Hassan Karim-mojeni [Competitive effects of red root pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) on the growth indices, RUE and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)]. Res. on Crops 11 (2) : 318-325 (2010). Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding Agricultural and Natural Resources Campus, University of Tehran, Iran *(e-mail : s_shahbazi1000@yahoo.com

A field experiment was conducted in 2007 at Research Fields of University of Tehran (Karaj). Four sesame cultivars (Olton, Varamin 2822, Naz uniculm and Karaj 1) were assessed for their relative competitiveness with different densities of pigweed (0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 plants/m²). Oltan is multiculm and the other cultivars are uniculm. Sesame height, leaf area index, biomass and radiation use efficiency were assessed biweekly from 45 days after planting. Red root pigweed decreased the height, leaf area, biomass and light interception of all sesame cultivars. Red root pigweed at eight plants/m² density had the most negative effect on the sesame cultivars height. The grain yield decreased linearly in all cultivars by increasing biomass and LAI of red root pigweed during the growing season. The results indicated that sesame cultivars differed in their ability to compete with red root pigweed. Oltan was the most competitive cultivar, suggesting that a multiculm growth habit may be more effective in suppressing weeds than uniculm growth habits.

The field experiment was conducted during summer season of 2006 at College Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand. There were eight integrated nutrient management treatments. Among the different treatments, the highest pod and haulm yield (1889 and 2677 kg/ha) was recorded under treatment (T₆) 12.5 kg N/ha+50 kg P₂O₅/ha+10 t FYM/ha. The highest net realization of Rs. 28595/ha with ICBR and net ICBR value of 1 : 3.49 and 1 : 2.49, respectively, were recorded under same treatment.

A laboratory experiment was conducted at College of Horticulture, Mudigere, UAS, Bangalore by collecting soil samples from four districts of hilly zone soils of Karnataka under paddy land use cover to elucidate information on quantity and intensity parameters for understanding potassium dynamics in the soils. The results showed that equilibrium activity ratio of potassium (ARe^K) in soils ranged from 1.98 to 6.21 x 10^-3 (M/L) ^0.5, and ARe^K values positively and significantly correlated with Q/I parameters like K_L, K_X and K_O. Potential buffering capacity values (PBC^K) of soils ranged from 32.55 to 98.38 Cmol (P⁺)/kg. PBC^K values significantly correlated with exchangeable K and non-exchangeable K in soils. The free energy change (-DG^o) values indicated that soils had optimum amount of potassium. The studies on Q/I parameters indicated that soils had relatively higher K supplying power (PBC^K) and enough readily available K.

Application of remote sensing in crop production has gained its popularity in recent times due to an increased concern on issues like land degradation, soil pollution, etc. caused by imbalanced fertilization of agricultural lands. Past research in this area has focused primarily on the use of spectral signature of crops as an indirect indicator and as a response factor to the nutrient management systems imposed in soil. Spectral features of various soil properties have not been fully evaluated, especially, concerning the studies on soil fertility evaluation. In this study, spectral evaluation on selected soils was done to determine wavelengths and /or combinations of wavelengths that are indicative of certain soil properties (pH, EC, OC, available phosphorus, available sulphur and available potassium). Further, based on the reference spectral points and reflectance inflection difference (RID) values, various prediction models were developed using simple linear regression (SLR) and multiple linear regression (MLR) approaches and were evaluated as a foundation towards the establishment of functional spectral library for the coastal soils of Tamil Nadu. The results revealed that certain spectral reflectance at specific wavelengths and RID value based spectral regions have been proved to exhibit significant relationships with specific soil properties. The MLR based models were found to provide better estimates of the soil attributes than SLR ones and the models involving RID values were highly effective for quantifying the soil attributes than the individual spectral reflectance values of the soil. Laboratory spectral reflectance (SR) yielded high correlations with traditional laboratory analyses using MLR equations with R² values > 0.70 for all the soil attributes studied. Therefore, for various soil fertility evaluation studies, soil properties can be predicted directly, better with VNIR reflectance spectroscopy than the conventional approach involving the indirect laboratory methods.

The present paper deals with the effect of fertilizers i. e. (biological and chemical fertilizers) on the industrially polluted soils collected from the industrial regions of Hyderabad. The soils were collected from the industrial areas of Bolllaram, Patenchervu and Jeedimetla during winter season. The heavy metal content in the soils was determined by DTPA extraction method. It was found that Zn, Cu, Mg and Cd content of these areas was very high in these regions. Potassium content of these areas was very high, whereas nitrogen and phosphorus content of these areas was very low. In the present study, the germination of seeds was carried out in the industrial area samples by applying chemical fertilizer urea and biofertilizer vermicompost. It was found that the germination started after 60 h in an untreated sample and when the soil sample was treated with the biofertilizer vermicompost, sprouting started after 50 h. The growth rate was very less compared to the treated samples with vermicompost. But no germination was observed in all three samples when they were treated with the urea.

The long term effects of Cu and Ni to water reserves were studied for the use of plants. The objective was to quantify metals accumulation in the soil profile and calculate material balances and metal removal efficiency as the metal loads increase Ni in the 0 to 3.5 m soil profile, with concentration increases of 0.25 to 1.35 mg/kg. Copper accumulated only in the 0 to 1.2 m top soil layer with concentration increase of 0.25 to 0.81 mg/kg. Sequential selective extraction showed Cu tended to oxides such as Fe and Zn oxides and organic nitrogen, and Ni only banded with organic matter. This amounts to the Cu and Ni applied during 10 years reported at the Khuzestan soil center. The low concentrations of Cu and Ni were effluent in the top soil and retained water in sub-soil. This led to attainment of excess water that crops needed in dry regions.

Nasrin Hassanzadeh and Elaheh Norouzi [Cadmium and lead content in soil following the application of chemical fertilizers]. Res. on Crops 11 (2) : 352-358 (2010). Department of Soil Science Islamic Azad University, Hamedan Branch, Hamedan, Iran *(e-mail : nasrinhassanzadeh@gmail.com

A three-month incubation study was undertaken to examine the influence of N, P and K on the various forms [soluble plus exchangeable (SE), weakly specifically adsorbed (WSA), Fe-Mn oxides bound (OX), organic matter complexed (OM) and residual fractions (RES)] of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in a red soil. Application of urea at the rate of 200 mg N/kg significantly lowered the SE fraction, but raised the WSA or OX fraction of both metals. Supply of 80 mg P/kg caused a decrease in the SE fraction of the two metals. The WSA fraction of Pb was reduced, whereas that of Cd increased by adding P. However, addition of 100 mg K/kg led to an increase in the SE fraction, but a decrease in the WSA fraction of Pb and Cd. Applying chemical fertilizers had no significant consistent influence on the other fractions of metals. These findings suggest that in heavy metal contaminated red soil, applying fertilizers does not only provide plant nutrients, but may also change the speciation and thus bioavailability of heavy metals.

The aim of this work was to convert different organic wastes (fruit market wastes, vegetable market wastes, domestic wastes, farm wastes and sugarcane trash) into value added vermicompost. Traditional composting was taken up with farm wastes for the purpose of comparison. Vermicomposting resulted in lowering of pH, organic carbon, C/N ratio and total P and K compared to initial raw materials, while EC and total N were high. The nutrient content of vermicompost was found to be in the order of vegetable market wastes > domestic wastes > farm wastes > fruit market wastes > sugarcane trash. Further vermicomposts were found to be rich in total N, P, K compared to traditional compost, while pH and EC were found to be low. In addition, the process time for vermicompost preparation was found to be 50% of traditional compost. Hence, vermicomposting has proved to be effective and efficient in conversion of wastes into value added product.

In sapota cv. Kalipatti planted at different plant densities, it was observed that the plant height was non-significant among the different spacing treatments, while plant spread, canopy volume and number of fruits per tree were significant. Maximum yield/ha was recorded in the treatments 7.5 x 7.5 m spacing (19.99 t/ha) and 7.5 x 5 m spacing (19.81 t/ha), followed by 5 x 5 m spacing (15.94 t/ha), while lower yields were recorded in 10 x 10 m spacing (11.14 t/ha). 81.12 t/ha fruit was harvested in 5 x 5 m spacing by 13th year which was 51% higher than the yield of 10 x 10 m spacing (39.79 t/ha). Hence, planting sapota at higher densities can fetch higher early returns to farmers.

In a study conducted to characterize 25 sapota genotypes based on certain floral characters viz., pollen size, pollen production per anther, pollen fertility and length of the style, it was revealed that the pollen size was maximum in the genotype Krishna Rao (16.86 µm), while it was minimum in PKM-2 (15.33 µm). Pollen production per anther was maximum in the genotype Gutti (902.84) and minimum in the genotype Brazilian Sapota (494.11). Pollen fertility was maximum in Kalipatti (98.86%) and minimum in Dwarapudi (96.21%). Style was longest in the genotype Dwarapudi, Tagarampudi and DHS-1 (0.90 cm) and shortest in Singapore (0.51 cm)

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to observe the effect of certain growth regulators (CCC, GA and BA) at different concentrations on growth and quality of cut roses on two varieties, namely, Versilia and First Red. The results revealed that the stem length, internodal length and neck length were increased by GA at higher concentrations (100 and 200 ppm) in both the varieties followed by BA at 10.0 mM and CCC at 50 ppm. Increase in neck length by GA at 200 ppm was not appealing and buds were liable to breakage during packing and transport. BA not only increased the leaf area, neck thickness and bud length at 10.0 mM concentration but also increased the total number of petals and bud size in both the varieties.

PRIYANKA JAIN [Effect of preserved guava and papaya pulp on the quality of mixed fruit leather]. Res. on Crops 11 (2) : 373-374 (2010). J. N. K. V. V. College of Agriculture, Indore-452 001 (M. P.), India

Guava and papaya pulp was preserved in airtight glass containers by addition of potassium metabisulphite @ 2.5 g/kg of pulp. Both the pulps were stored at low temperature (6±1°C) for two months. After two months of storage, the guava pulp was found best in organoleptic characters and qualitative characters for the preparation of mixed fruit leather.

Six genotypes of tomato including a local landrace were studied for callus induction and plant regeneration to study the in vitro behaviour of the selected genotypes, optimize the in vitro regeneration protocol initially and to utilize the protocol with best performed genotype for optimization of genetic transformation using reporter gene. Genotypic differences were prominent for in vitro response, especially for callus quality and plant regeneration. MS medium supplemeted with 1.5-2.0 mg/l 2,4-D induced high frequency morphogenic callus in all the genotypes. The highest regeneration frequency from callus was obtained on basal MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/l kinetin and 0.3 mg/l IAA, in which genotype Megha (34.4 shoots/200 mg callus) was highly responsive, followed by PKM 1 (14.5 shoots/200 mg callus) and in others there was very low response. Compact textured callus was highly morphogenic. 2, 4-D, kinetin and IAA were used to induce callus and plantlet regeneration. Highly significant differences among genotypes and hormonal concentrations were noticed for callus induction and plant regeneration. 2, 4-D at 2 mg/l induced the highest frequency of good quality callus among genotypes. A highest regeneration frequency from callus was obtained on basal MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/l kinetin and 0.3 mg/l IAA. Genotype Megha was found to be highly responsive for regeneration through callus. However, 5 mg/l kinetin induced highest frequency of direct planlet regeneration in cotyledonary leaf and hypocotyl explants. Sufficient and healthy rooting of shoots was achieved on basal MS supplemented with NAA (0.1 mg/l) and IAA (0.3 mg/l). The plantlet survival was over 95% during the hardening process. Highly significant and strong interactions between genotypes, explant types and levels of growth regulators were observed, indicating the importance of specificity of genotype to the explant response and level of growth regulators.

The combining ability studies were carried out using line x tester (12 lines and 4 testers) mating method over three environments for 11 characters in okra. The pooled analysis revealed that both additive and non-additive gene actions were involved in the genetic control of various characters studied. The preponderance of non-additive gene action in expression of days to first flower opening, number of nodes at first flowering, days to first picking, number of nodes per plant and fruit length, whereas additive type of gene action was predominant in expression of internodal length, plant height, 10-fruits weight, fruit girth, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield per plant. The lines i. e. KS-404, JOL-06(K)-2, VRO-5, JOL-1, JOL-2K-19 and HRB-108-2, while the testers viz., Arka Abhay and GO-2 were found as good general combiners for fruit yield per plant as they possessed high concentration of favourable genes indicated by significant and positive gca effects. The parents JOL-06(K)-2, KS-404 and GO-2 were good general combiners for early flowering. Among the crosses, Pant Bhindi x Red Bhindi, KS-404 x Punjab-7, JOL-02-10 x Punjab-7 and JOL-06(K)-2 x GO-2 had high sca effects for fruit yield per plant and number of fruits per plant. The results revealed that most of the superior combinations involved at least one parent with high gca effect for most of the traits.

The phenotypic stability for fruit yield and its component traits of 64 genotypes (48 hybrids and their 16 parents) of okra grown on three different dates indicated the significant differences among the genotypes (G), environments (E) and G x E interactions for all the characters (except number of nodes at first flowering for environment and G x E interactions) indicating variable response of different genotypes for various traits under varied environmental conditions. Non-significance of G x E (linear) against pooled deviation for most of the characters under study suggested that performance of genotypes remained similar for their linear regression on environmental index. Non-linear component (pooled deviation) also played an important role for all the characters except for number of nodes at first flowering and fruit length. On the basis of mean (X), regression coefficient (bi) and deviation from regression (S2di); parents JOL-06(K)-2 and GO-2 as well as hybrid JOL-06(K)-2 x GO-2 were found stable and widely adapted for general cultivation for fruit yield and its components in okra.

The effect of Azotobacter on per cent seed germination and seedling growth of okra was examined. Seeds of four varieties of okra viz., Arka Anamika (V1), Versha Uphar (V2), Selection-151 (v3) and Parbhani Kranti (V4) were inoculated with bacterial cultures @ 100 g/l for at least one hour and then placed on solidified 0.8% agar in petriplates to test their per cent germination at 24, 48 and 72 h duration. Seedling growth was measured in terms of shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh as well as their dry weight at 5, 10 and 15 days after sowing (DAS). A control (without inoculation) was also maintained side by side. There was significant increase in per cent seed germination in all the varieties due to bacterization with Azotobacter over the control. The variety V3 (Selection-151) only showed 100% seed germination after bacterization at 72 h after sowing stage. The variety Selection-151 (V3) gave the maximum values for shoot and root length and shoot and root fresh as well as their dry weight. On the other hand, the variety Versha Uphar (V2) proved to be the poorest in respect of all the growth parameters taken in the presence of Azotobacter culture. Therefore, inoculation of seeds with Azotobacter proved beneficial for germination percentage as well as establishment of seedling due to their healthy and vigorous growth.

Six genetically diverse parents of ridge gourd were crossed in diallel mating design without reciprocals to observe heterosis for days to opening of first female flower, first female flowering node, days to first picking, primary branches per plant, main vine length, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit girth, fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant and total soluble sugar. High magnitude of heterosis was recorded for the characters fruit yield per plant, fruits per plant and first female flowering node, while moderate to low heterosis was observed for rest of the characters. The best performing three hybrids, ARGS 00-04 x PRG 7, ARGS 00-14 x Pusa Nasdar and ARGS 02-12 x PRG 7 exhibited 185.33, 111.68 and 88.15% standard heterosis, respectively for fruit yield per plant may commercially be exploited after sufficient evaluation.

In this study, residues of carbaryl were estimated in greenhouse cucumbers, from the time of application till the harvest is done. Carbaryl was applied at recommended application rate (150 g in 100 l water) and also at double the recommended application rate (300 g in 100 l water). Analysis was carried out by the QuEChERS method using HPLC-UV. The average initial deposits of carbaryl on cucumber fruits were found to be 2.61 and 4.87 mg/kg at single and double dosages, respectively. Carbaryl was found rapidly dissipated off the cucumbers, following first order reaction kinetics at both the application rates. Residue levels of carbaryl in samples which were collected post application of the pesticide, throughout a period of 14 days showed a gradual and significant (with P<0.05) decrease in contents for carbaryl. These residues of carbaryl dissipated were found to be at the extent of 96.93 and 95.21%, respectively, at single and double dosages in 14 days.  Half-life (T1/2) for degradation of carbaryl on cucumber was observed to be 3.14 and 3.51 at single and double dosages, respectively. A waiting period more than of 14 days was suggested for safe consumption of cucumber. Also, results showed that the dissipation was dependent on initial doses and followed first order rate kinetics.

The material under investigation comprises 30 F1 hybrids developed by following diallel mating design using six genotypes as parents. The crossing was done in summer and the evalution of the developed hybrids was undertaken. Parents were selected on the basis of the diverse morphological characters, fruit size and shape and yield potential of the lines. Four out of 30 hybrids had significant sca effect with one (X-235 x VS) showing sca effect in a positive direction of average fruit weight. Interestingly, while the cross Raichur local x VN-2 showing significant negative sca effects, involved one negative general combiner as parent, while the remaining two crosses showing negative significant sca effects involved positive general combiner as both the parents.

Genetic variability studies using 50 germplasm lines of rice revealed that maximum phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were recorded for number of grains per panicle, fertility percentage and grain yield per plant. Number of grains per panicle, plant height and fertility percentage recorded high heritability coupled with high genetic advance indicating the reliability of these characters for selection.

The generations mean analysis was carried out in four crosses of wheat to estimate genetic parameters viz., m, (d), (h), (i), (j) and (l) for grain yield and other component traits. The estimates of gene effects showed that the additive (d) gene effect was predominant in the inheritance of days to heading, number of effective tillers per plant, flag leaf area, length of main spike, number of spikelets per spike and grains per spike. On the other hand, dominance (h) gene effect was predominant for plant height. Both additive and dominance effects were found important in determining biological yield per plant and grain yield per plant. All the three types of epistatic gene effects viz., additive x additive (i), additive x dominance (j) and dominance x dominance (l) were involved in governing days to heading, flag leaf area and length of main spike. The additive component of genetic variance could be fixed by simple pedigree selection in the diverse crosses. In case of the characters where both additive and non-additive components are involved, biparental mating coupled with recurrent selection would be highly effective for isolating high yielding lines.

Twenty-one selected durum wheat genotypes, classified according to their maturity duration into three maturity groups i. e. early, midlate and late, were included in the study, they were evaluated for nine yield attributing traits. The mean performance of individual genotype indicated that different genotypes manifested their superiority for different characters. The Kiwi’s for earliness and dwarfness, JD 50-16 for high harvest index, HI 8498 for higher grain yield, GW 1151 for larger grain size and CPAN 6153 for longer spike and more grain number per spike have been identified. Mean expression of various maturity groups indicated that there was a steady decrease in all the characters with increase in earliness (late group through early group), except 100-grain weight and harvest index, in which increasing trend was observed. None of the characters was associated with grain yield per plant in all the maturity groups. Significant changes in character association were observed in early group as compared to late group. Such changes are expected if predominantly repulsion phase linkages are broken down due to recombination. Most of the changes in terms of mean performance and correlation due to earlier maturity were undesirable. Alteration from undesirable to desirable direction particularly for spike related traits is essential for increasing sink capacity and thereby grain yield of early group genotypes.

Twenty-eight F1 crosses of maize derived by diallel mating design involving eight inbred lines (excluding reciprocals) were studied to investigate heterosis over better parent (BP) and standard heterosis over the best check Narmada Moti for grain yield per plant and 10 yield components. The hybrids GWL-2 x GWL-12, GWL-2 x GWL-8, GWL-3 x GWL-12 and GWL-8 x GWL-12 showed significant positive heterobeltiosis and economic heterosis for grain yield per plant and other yield component traits

Majid Shams*, Rajab Choukan, Eslam Majidi and Farokh Darvish [Selection for drought tolerance in maize inbred lines by excised-seedling water retention (ESWR)]. Res. on Crops 11 (2) : 432-436 (2010). Science and Research Branch

Islamic Azad University, P. O. Box 81595-158, Tehran, Iran *(e-mail : mshams@khuisf.ac.ir)

This experiment was conducted during the summer of 2008 in a randomized complete block design with three replications in research field of Islamic Azad University of Khorasgan, Iran (32.40N : 51.48E : 1555 m, a. s. l). Excised-seedling water retention (ESWR), simple linear regression equations between excised-seedlings weight and time changes, the ratio slope of regression (b) to y-intercept (a), namely, b/a and relation between ESWR and b/a were investigated for identification of drought tolerant genotypes among 15 maize inbred lines. The results showed a strong positive correlation and linear relationship between ESWR with b/a (r=0.994, r2= 0.988) so that b/a can use instead of ESWR, and by coefficients of simple linear regression equations can obtain more information about inbred lines under drought stress conditions, such as information about rate, early growth and measurement of water retention capability of inbred lines. We, in this study, in addition to introduction ESWR criterion using of y-intercept (a) and b/a recommend as criteria for screening and obtain more information about drought tolerant inbred lines.

The seeds of horsegram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc] cultivar Dapoli Kulthi-1 were subjected to 100 to 600 Gy gamma radiation, 0.2 to 0.6% EMS alone and their combination treatments. Several viable mutants exhibiting change in their morphology such as growth habit, maturity, pod and grain yield characters were isolated from M2 generation. The lower doses/concentrations induce greater viable macromutations than higher doses/concentrations. A number of various types of mutants like tall, dwarf, gigas, high yielding, early, late and pod mutants were induced in M2 generation. Some mutants are of great importance and they can be utilized in the production of hybrid seeds with superior characters.

Combining ability studies were made in vegetable cowpea using line x tester analysis involving 10 diverse lines and four testers. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes i. e. lines and hybrids for all the characters studied. Preponderance of additive gene action was found for traits like number of pods per plant, 10 pod weight and pods per cluster, while for remaining traits including pod yield per plant, the non-additive gene action was found important. Among the parents JCPL 12, JCPL 16, JCPL 18, JCPL 43, JCPL 86, JCPL 88, Pusa Phalguni and GC 4 were emerged as good general combiners for pod yield per plant. The hybrids JCPL 43 x Pusa Phalguni, JCPL 88 x Arka Garima and JCPL 18 x Pusa Phalguni exhibited high sca effects for pod yield per plant.

The study of genetic parameters in 17 parents and their 15 F1 combinations revealed high estimates of variation for days to flowering and phenol content in parents and for days to flowering and number of inflorescences per plant in F1 progenies. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for days to flowering, days to maturity, phenol content, plant height, number of pods per plant, number of inflorescences per plant, SLA 40 DAS, pod yield per plant and SLA 60 DAS in parents as well as F1’s indicating predominance of additive gene action in field bean.

Heterosis for pod yield and quality traits was studied in 15 crosses of field bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet]. The highest magnitude of heterosis was observed for days to flowering, number of inflorescences per plant, SLA 40 DAS and days to maturity, while moderate for pod yield per plant, carbohydrate content and SLA 60 DAS. Low magnitude of heterosis was recorded for SCMR 40 DAS, SCMR 60 DAS, protein content, vitamin-C content, number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight, phenol content, plant height and number of branches per plant.

In order to assess relationship among oil yield and different traits and determine of the best indirect selection criteria for genetic improvement of oil yield in canola, a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted using 17 cultivars. Correlation analysis for oil yield showed positive and significant relationship among this traits and all the traits studied except days to flowering initiation, flowering duration and number of pods/plant. Step-wise regression of oil yield as dependent variable and the other traits as independent variables revealed that 98.4% of total variation existed in oil yield and accounted for the traits seed yield, oil per cent, plant height and days to physiological maturity. Path analysis for oil yield designed high efficiency of the traits plant height and days to physiological maturity as indirect selection criteria for genetic improvement of this trait in canola cultivars especially in early generations of breeding programmes. For seed yield and oil per cent, positive indirect effects of these traits on oil yield via the traits plant height and days to physiological maturity must be considered.

In order to assess relationship among grain yield and different traits and determine the best indirect selection criteria for genetic improvement of grain yield in canola, a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted using 17 cultivars. Correlation analysis for grain yield showed positive and significant relationship among the traits days from planting to shooting, days from planting to full flowering, plant height, number of grains/pod, 1000-grain weight, biological yield, harvest index, grain oil per cent and oil yield. Step-wise regression of grain yield as dependent variable and the other traits as independent variables revealed that 98.9% of variation existed in grain yield and accounted for the traits biological yield, harvest index, days from planting to flowering initiation and number of grains/pod. Path analysis for grain yield designed high efficiency of biological yield and number of grains/pod as indirect selection criteria for genetic improvement of this trait in canola cultivars especially in early generations of breeding programmes.

Combining ability of 56 sunflower hybrids generated by crossing eight CMS lines with seven testers was studied in respect of seed yield, oil content, head diameter and test weight. Among the CMS lines, CMS M-17A was identified as good general combiner for seed yield. While CMS 207A proved to be the good general combiners for head diameter and test weight. On the other hand, among the testers RHA 23 and RHA C1 were found to be good general combiners for seed yield and other yield contributing characters. The hybrid combination CMS 336A x RHA 23 was identified as best specific combiner for head diameter. Similarly, CMS M1A x RHA 23 for test weight and seed yield and CMS 17A x RHA 278 for oil content.

Forty-five F1’s obtained by crossing 10 different lines of groundnut in a diallel fashion were evaluated with parents and two check varieties viz.,TAG-24 and SB-XI in randomized block design with three replications and heterosis was estimated for 14 yield and yield related attributes. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences for all the characters, high variance was also depicted due to parents for all the traits, thus indicating substantial amount of genetic variability among the parents. Mean square due to hybrids (F1’s) was also significant for yield and its components, exhibiting the existence of real variability in the parental material used in present programme. The parent v/s. F1’s comparison indicated significance for all the traits revealing substantial amount of heterosis in hybrids. For dry pod yield, out of 45 hybrids, 34, 24 and 5 hybrids showed positive and significant heterosis, heterobeltiosis and economic heterosis, respectively. The hybrid GG-5 x GG-20 showed highest heterobeltiosis for dry pod yield, kernel yield and shelling per cent.

High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for number of primary branches per plant, plant height, total sucrose content, pod yield and kernel yield per plant. It indicates the role of additive gene action and hence, the usefulness of phenotypic selection for bringing improvement. It indicates the presence of considerable amount of genetic variability for these characters. High heritability was observed for all 13 characters. High genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for number of primary branches per plant, plant height, number of filled pods per plant, HI, SP, SMK (%), 100-kernel weight, protein content, total sucrose content, pod yield and kernel yield alongwith high heritability. The characters days to maturity and oil percentage recorded moderate GAM alongwith high heritability.

A line x tester analysis was carried out with eight lines and four testers. These 12 parents and 32 crosses were used to estimate the heterosis for 10 traits viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, seed weight, oil content, chlorophyll content, leaf area index and single plant yield. The study revealed that the hybrids, ES-9-1-84 x Paiyur 1 and Es-9-1-84 x CO1 had been identified superior crosses and these crosses can be effectively used for heterosis breeding.

Combining ability studies using line x tester mating design involving five females and 15 males were undertaken to identify good parents and best cross combinations for earliness and its related traits in castor. The estimated components of gca and sca variances showed the preponderance of additive gene action for number of nodes upto primary spike and non-additive gene action for plant height, whereas the traits days to 50% flowering and days to maturity were governed by both the types of gene action as the gca and sca variances were equal in magnitude. Parents Kranthi, RG-1471, RG-178, DCS-9 and RG-2724 were the good general combiners for all the four traits. The crosses Kranthi x RG-1471, LRES-17 x RG-2724 and VP-1 x RG-1471 for most of the traits related to earliness in castor were the best specific combinations to exploit the non-fixable components. The study revealed that per se performance of crosses had significant and positive correlation with sca effects for most of the traits. The best performing hybrids were generally composed of good × good and good × poor combinations. The crosses with poor × poor combinations did not find place among the top performing hybrids for all the four traits related to earliness.

The material consisted of 62 (48 intra- and inter-specific crosses+14 parents) genotypes of Asiatic cottons. All these genotypes were grown at three different locations viz., Surat, Bharuch and Hansot (Gujarat). The observations were recorded on characters to plant morphology and yield of seed cotton and its component characters. Variances due to genotypes, environments and G x E interaction were significant for all the characters studied. Both linear and non-linear components were found significant. Linear was higher in magnitude than non-linear in majority of the characters studied. Looking to the overall performance 8401 was most stable genotype in seed cotton yield. The crosses viz., SRT GMS-1 x G. 87-435 (intra-arboreum), 35N x G. Cot.17 and 378BK x 824 (inter-specific) were comparatively higher yielder with desirable stability.

Genetic distances revealed by RAPD and SSR markers were used to predict the performance and heterosis of crosses in Asiatic cotton. The experimental material comprised seven genotypes of G. herbaceum L. as female parents and nine genotypes of G. arboretum L. as male parents and their 32 F1 hybrids. These 32 hybrids and their parents were evaluated for 17 yield attributing and fibre quality characters at Regional Research Station Farm, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. The 16 parents were analyzed with 15 RAPD primers and 10 microsatellite primer sets via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The RAPD analysis with 15 arbitrary oligonucleotide primers amplified a total of 209 DNA bands out of which 160 were found to be polymorphic. The average polymorphism recorded by the RAPD loci was 74.94%. SSR analysis with 10 microsatellite markers produced 14 alleles. The average number of alleles per locus were found to be 1.40. All 10 microsatellite primer sets representing 14 alleles in the cotton genome showed polymorphisms among the 16 parents. Cluster analysis based on distance calculated from the 25 (15 RAPDs and 10 SSRs) non-redundant variants separated the 16 parental lines into two major groups that corresponded to Gossypium herbaceum and Gossypium arboreum. Associations between the different estimates of GDs and F1 performance for some traits were significant, but not for many yield and yield attributing as well as fibre quality traits. The genetic distances of parental lines did not appear to be reliable for predicting the heterosis in their hybrids.

Genetic variability, correlations and path coefficients were studied in sugarcane taking 21 phenotypically diverse genotypes, which were planted in randomized block design. The study revealed highly significant differences among the 21 genotypes for all the characters studied. All the characters under study indicated the ample variation of these characters. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance observed for number of tillers and single cane weight indicated the presence of additive gene action and direct selection may be highly effective. Correlation coefficient revealed that cane yield was found to be significantly and positively correlated with number of internodes at harvest, cane diameter at harvest, single cane weight, C. C. S. (kg/plot) at 360 DAP and NMC/plot. Path coefficient analysis indicated the highest positive direct effect of sucrose (%) juice at 360 DAP on cane yield. D2 analysis in 21 genotypes of sugarcane revealed considerable diversity, on the basis of which they were grouped into eight clusters. Germination (%) at 45 days, single cane weight at harvest, number of tillers at 120 DAP, NMC/plot and C. C. S. (kg/plot) at 360 DAP contributed maximum to the total genetic divergence. The genotypes of clusters II and VI can be used as parents in hybridization programme to develop high yielding sugarcane varieties.

The sesame isolate of Rhizoctonia bataticola could adapt to carboxin when trained slowly and slowly from 50 to 3000 ppm concentration with changes in morphological structures, but failed to grow on 4000 ppm under in vitro conditions. The carboxin trained culture at 3000 ppm could successfully tolerate the fungicide in the in vivo conditions upto 3000 ppm and caused charcoal-rot upto 42.22%, but at 4000 ppm the disease incidence was reduced from 48.66 to 10.00%

Thiophanate-methyl and carbendazim were most effective against the mycelial growth of Rhizoctonia bataticola followed by carboxin and captan under in vitro conditions, whereas under screenhouse conditions thiophanate-methyl, carbendazim and carboxin were found effective against charcoal-rot of sesame incited by R. bataticola. Seed treatment proved more effective than soil drenching with fungicides.

A field study was carried out at Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during 2002-03 and 2003-04 to assess the impact of intercropping on natural enemies of insect-pests infesting cotton. Cotton (cultivar H-10) crop was intercropped alternately with maize, sesame and soybean. Experimental results of two years’ study concluded that cotton intercropped with maize, sesame and soybean enhanced the population of various natural enemies of insect-pests attacking cotton. Cotton intercropped with maize registered relatively higher number of entomophagous insects followed by cotton + sesame and cotton + soybean. Population of natural enemies increased in all the intercropping treatments as evident from the relatively more numbers of biocontrol agents over cotton as sole crop. Plots treated with insecticides exhibited minimum number of natural enemies suggesting its detrimental effect on the beneficial fauna. The suppression of sucking pests and bollworms incidence, with an increase in seed cotton yield in the intercropping treatments, was attributed to an increase in arthropod natural enemies, which suppressed the insect-pests infesting cotton.

The purpose of this study was to investigate and evaluate the effects of different treatments on improving seed germination characteristics in medicinal species of Carum carrvi and Cuminum cyminum. For this purpose, an experiment was performed in completely randomized design with nine treatments and four replications. In this experiment, nine treatments including pre-treatment with KNO3 0.1% for different times 24 and 48 h, treatment of H2SO4 for 5 and 10 min, hot water in 90ºC for 5 and 10 min, pre-chilling alone for a week, pre-chilling for a week together KNO3 0.1% for 72 h and control were used. Our findings indicate that KNO3 0.1% for 24 h was the best treatment for germination percentage. For germination improvement of both the species, 10 min hot water, 5 and 10 min acid treatments had negative effects on germination so that none of two species was able to germinate at all.

A field trial was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the effect of pre harvest foliar sprays on improving yield potential in periwinkle [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don.]. Foliar application of panchagavya @ 3.0% alongwith the recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers (NPK @ 100 : 50 : 50 kg/ha) significantly increased the yield component traits viz., fresh plant yield (836.34 and 849.93 g/plant), fresh leaf yield (247.82 and 252.35 g/plant), fresh stem yield (504.63 and 509.16 g/plant), fresh root yield (83.89 and 88.42 g/plant), dry plant yield (335.20 and 347.80 g/plant), dry leaf yield (43.20 and 47.40 g/plant),dry stem yield (245.20 and 249.40 g/plant), dry root yield (46.80 and 51.00 g/plant) and total dry matter production (18.48 and 19.79 t/ha) in both December 2006 and June 2007 planted crops, respectively.

Coleus forskohlii Briq. is an important medicinal plant indigenous to India. Genetic divergence among 37 genotypes collected from different places of Tamil Nadu (18) and Karnataka (19) was quantified for the 13 morpho-economic traits viz., plant height, foliage weight, number of leaves, number of branches, stem girth, petiole length, root/tuber girth, root/tuber length, number of roots/tubers, total dry matter production, harvest index, leaf area index and root/tuber yield. Based on their values, all the 37 genotypes were grouped into three clusters such that the genotypes within a cluster had smaller D2 values among themselves than those belonging to different clusters. Tuber/root yield contributed maximum towards total divergence. Leaf area index, harvest index and total dry matter production were the other important contributors for total divergence. The inter-cluster D2 values varied from 48128.684 (between clusters I and II) to 334563.156 (between clusters II and III) and the intra-cluster values varied from 3116.698 (cluster I) to 99778.281 (cluster II).

Callus induction and indirect organogenesis were attempted in a superior clone, ITC 3 of Eucalyptus tereticornis. Genetic transformation needs to be taken up in a widely accepted species like Eucalyptus tereticornis. Gene transformations are adopted to shorten the long breeding cycles and for desired manipulation of the genes; for which an efficient plant regeneration protocol is required to develop plants from transformed tissues. Nodal and leaf explants were used for the study. Nodal explants gave maximum shoots in MS supplemented with 3 mg/l of BAP. Callus induction from leaf was best in MS with 2, 4-D 2 mg/l and IAA 1 mg/l. Shoots could, however, not be obtained from the callus derived from the leaf.

The present work aims at investigating the role of exogenously supplied nitric oxide (NO) donors in alleviating Cd induced toxicity in chickpea leaves. Chickpea plants (HC-3) were raised in small plastic containers containing 400 g of soil supplemented with increasing levels of cadmium (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 ppm). Two NO donors viz., ascorbic acid (100 µM)+sodium nitrite (NaNO2, 200 µm) and SNP (sodium nitroprusside, 250 and 500 µm), were sprayed after 15 days of sowing. The plants were sampled 24 and 72 h after NO treatment for estimation of relative membrane injury and chlorophyll content. A gradual increase in membrane injury (MI) was observed with increasing concentrations of Cd treatments. NO donors decreased the MI as compared to cadmium treated plants. Among the two NO donors, SNP was more effective in decreasing the MI. The total chlorophyll content decreased with increasing Cd concentrations. Both the NO donors alleviated the Cd toxicity by increasing the chlorophyll content and again SNP was found to be more effective as compared to the other NO donor. In conclusion, the toxic effects of Cd on MI and chlorophyll content could be ameliorated by the use of NO donor SNP.

Prediction and calculation of advance and recession curves in furrows require a series of accurate field measurements which are both time consuming and expensive. The basic aim of this research was application of a flood routing method in simulation of advance rate in furrow irrigation and comparing it with results of SIRMOD models. Muskingum-Cunge model was performed with 27 series of field data and compared with SIRMOD results. Field experiments were performed in Shahid Chamran University field area, Ahwaz, Iran. The tests were conducted in three furrows with length of 60, 80 and 90 m, three discharges of 1, 1.25 and 1.5 litres per second and with three replications. For evaluation of the results, four indices : average prediction error of model (Er), distribution into 45° line (l), regression coefficient (R2) and average relative error of model (Ea) were used. According to the results, estimated values of advance phase in all models were more than observed values. Hydrodynamic and Zero Inertia models owned the best results with 11.19% average relative error. Average relative error by the Muskingum- Cunge was 13.47%. This object showed that the Muskingum-Cunge model was a suitable model for predicting of advance phase in furrow. Kinematic wave model gained the weakest results with 34.46% of average relative error. Results indicated that with a smaller furrow length and the higher inlet discharge, predictability of the Muskingum-Cunge model would be better. Finally, the results showed that the Muskingum-Cunge model was simple and found to effectively simulate the hydraulics of the advance phase of furrow irrigation.

The main objective of this research is to compare different irrigation methods based upon a parametric evaluation system in an area of 3770 ha in the Zaviehha plain located in the Khuzestan Province, in the south-west of Iran. The soil properties of the study area such as texture, depth, electrical conductivity, drainage, calcium carbonate content and slope were derived from a semi-detailed soil study carried out on the Zaviehha plain on a scale of 1 : 20000. Once the soil properties were analyzed and evaluated, suitability maps were generated for surface, sprinkle and drip irrigation methods using Remote Sensing (RS) Techniques and Geographic Information System (GIS). The obtained results showed that for 705 ha (18.7%) of the study area surface irrigation method was highly recommended, whereas for 908.2 ha.(24.1%) of the study area sprinkle and drip irrigation methods would provide to be extremely efficient and suitable; moreover, it was found that 808.7 ha (21.4%) of the study area was incompatible for drip and surface irrigation methods; however, for sprinkle irrigation systems the unsuitable lands did not exist in this zone. The results demonstrated that by applying sprinkle irrigation instead of drip and surface irrigation methods, the arability of 2090.2 ha (55.5%) in the Zaviehha plain will improve. In addition by applying drip irrigation instead of sprinkle and surface irrigation methods, the land suitability of 1651.8 ha (43.8%) of this plain will improve. The comparison of the different types of irrigation techniques revealed that the sprinkle and drip irrigation methods were more effective and efficient than the surface irrigation methods for improving land productivity. It is of note however that the main limiting factor in using surface irrigation methods in this area were soil texture and drainage and the main limiting factor in using sprinkle irrigation methods was soil texture. Also, the major limiting factors in using drip irrigation methods were the soil’s calcium carbonate content and texture.

ZAHRA IZADPANAH, ALI AKBAR SALEHI NEYSHABOREY AND MAHMOOD SHAFAI BEJESTAN [Effect of location and diversion angle on sediment transport to an irrigation canal intake]. Res. on Crops 11 (2) : 553-557 (2010). Department of Irrigation and Drainage Faculty of Water Science Engineering Shahid Chamran University, Ahwaz, Iran

This study was conducted to explore the effect of diversion angle and intake location on sediment entering an irrigation intake in a 90° river bend. Experimental study was conducted at Iranian Water Research Organization. A 90° bend has been constructed for study. Three different locations and at each location three different angels were tested under different flow conditions. During each experimental test, sediment feeded upsteam of intake at such a rate to produce a constant sediment concentration for all tests. From the analysis of the experimental data, it was found that the sediment discharge ratio depended on the intake location as well as intake angle. The minimum sediment discharge ratio was found to happen at 75° location at angle of 70°.

Rainfall data of 36 years (1971-2006) of Udaipur have been statistically analyzed. Normal, abnormal and drought months and years and their probabilities were computed. During the rabi season, about 74% of months were drought and showed that if irrigation facilities were not available, there would be crop failure under rainfed condition. Seasonal, monthly and weekly rainfall probabilities were also worked out. There were chances of terminal drought (75%) in the month of September. Hence, provision should be made to provide life saving irrigation from harvested rainwater.

Rainfall is one of the important hydrological events, which plays an important role in many of the agricultural operations. Rainfall varies not only with time but also with geographical area and altitude. The present study was conducted for Kharagpur Hydrological Station of district Midnapur (W. B.). The rainfall and evaporation at different probability levels were estimated. The excess deficit of rainfall showed deficit in the whole year except in kharif season. The overall evaporation rate was significantly high and reasonable amount of water was lost due to evaporation. The large deficit, in most of the period, calls for planning of irrigation.

The present study was conducted to assess the regeneration of khejri trees at two separate field sites in arid areas of Haryana. It was based on density of khejri trees of various age groups in two separate field sites using quadrate method. Site No. 1 was practised with intensive agriculture with farm power machinery, whereas Site No. 2 was practised with traditional camel drawn cultivation. It was observed that the density, frequency and abundance of khejri trees were more in traditional farming as compared to mechanized farming. Natural regeneration of this multipurpose tree species was also observed in traditional system of cultivation which was not found in mechanized system. The study indicates that mechanized farming practices hamper the natural regeneration of khejri and affect the sustainability of agroforestry systems in arid areas.

By getting concentrated investments, human and monetary resources from other parts of the country, Tehran have grown into the biggest politico-economic center and decision-making site in Iran during the recent decades. Consequently, over time, it has started expanding into the neighbouring areas alongwith its population explosion and accumulation of economic activities. In this monopolizing, it took away the neighbouring villages, centers and agricultural lands under its construction domination, and built excessive amounts of new urban dwellings across fertile lands. As a result, Tehran actualized what can be known as the “Tehran Urban Complex” through a joint functional, communicative and human linking process. What is clear in this phenomenon is the environmental consequences due to the destruction of agricultural lands, fauna and flora. This research, a systematic study by using a descriptive-analytical method, addresses the reasons behind the agriculture section’s decline which is due to urbanization and expansion of service and industrial activities across Tehran’s geographical territory. The conclusion of this research is that the disorganized growth of new cities, lack of controlling policies and water shortage are the most significant reasons leading to unstable conditions of agricultural lands across this urban complex.

Azadeh Arbabi, Zahra Arzjani and Marzieh Mogali [Evaluation of runoff and flood-susceptibility of Qal’e Chay watershed in Iran using American method of soil conservation structure (SCS) and geographical information system (GIS)]. Res. on Crops 11 (2) : 581-586 (2010). Faculty of Geography Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran, Tehran, Iran *(e-mail : zarzjani@yahoo.com)

Iran is one of the flood-susceptible countries of the world. Every year floods impose a lot of damages in different parts of the country and the world, leading to casualties as well. Floods caused by river overflow are an important phenomenon in our country, nevertheless ignored because of the rare frequency of its occurrence, and soon after its occurrence, it is forgotten. In order to handle this problem, various measures are taken, some of which are controlling the flood itself, like constructing dams and building walls in the river banks; and another section of such measures is management in water catchments, which includes identifying and forecasting the influential factors in the formation and intensification of floods. Considering the fact that we cannot currently modify atmospheric factors and elements in order to prevent the outbreak of such detrimental phenomena, we should thus seek corrective and basic solutions on the ground and specifically in water catchments. Therefore, the regions with a high potential for flooding should be somehow identified. In order to do this, we obviously need to identify flood-susceptible regions in the district, for due to the large extension of water catchments, performing executive and corrective operations in a fundamental manner will not be possible. According to this objective, the Qal’e Chay water catchment has been chosen due to its excessive flood-susceptibility. Various methods have hitherto been used for producing a map of flood-susceptibility, most of which are based upon classic statistical methods or the results from other districts. GIS and remote sensor techniques have provided a better use of these models today. In this study, all effective factors in producing runoff have been taken into account, has been used for river zonation of water catchment flood-susceptibility based on SCS-CN (Soil Conservation Service-Curve Number) method. Using these maps, the sustainable plans can be developed for water resources, and hence provide solutions for dealing with water crises as well as flood control in water catchments. In addition, the effective factors in flood outburst including climatic factors, physiography, geomorphology, geology and district management have been examined.

G. A. Parray, Asif B. Shikari*, Manzoor A. Ganai, Amjad Hussaini And A. G. Rather [Benefit : cost ratio of local aromatic and high yielding non-aromatic rice cultivars of North-West Himalayas]. Res. on Crops 11 (2) : 587-588 (2010). SKUA S & T-K Rice Research and Regional Station, Khudwani-192 102, Anantnag (J & K), India *(e-mail : asifshikari@gmail.com)

Rice culture day by day is becoming less and less economical due to increase in cost of production in the backdrop of diminishing labour : land ratio and surge in the prices of basic inputs like fertilizer, power, etc. The need of the hour is to look for the varieties which are more remunerative and will be able to withstand competition from other valued crops. Mushk Budgi and Kamad are the two short bold aromatic rices, popular but grown under limited acreage in Kashmir. Major area has been brought under HYV’s of which most widely acceptable are Jehlum and K-332. The conomic survey carried out in the valley confirmed that aromatic rice culture was much lucrative than growing non-aromatic rice cultivars, if managed properly.