Study on the vegetative propagation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) Through air and stool layering” Mr

ABSTRACT

A set of forty one genotypes of Yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ssp. sesquipedalis Verdc.) was evaluated in a Completely Randomized Block Design with three replications at student research farm, College of Horticulture, Dr.YSRHU, Rajendranagar during kharif, 2013 with an objective to study genetic variability, genetic divergence, character association and path coefficient analysis. The Analysis of Variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the nineteen characters under study suggesting considerable amount of variability exists among the genotypes.

The phenotypic coefficient of variation was slightly higher in magnitude than genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters indicating that all characters had interacted with influence of environment to some degree. High PCV and GCV were recorded for number of pods per plant, pod length, pod ascorbic acid content and pod yield per plant suggesting the existence of wider genetic variability for the traits in the genotypes under study. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed in case of plant height, terminal leaf breadth, length of cluster stalk, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length, pod girth, pod ascorbic acid content and pod yield per plant indicating the preponderance of additive gene action making selection effective. Number of primary branches per plant, terminal leaf length, length of harvesting time, number of pods per cluster, seed number per pod and seed protein content showed high or medium heritability and moderate genetic advance as per cent of mean revealing in heritability of these characters the presence of both additive and non additive gene action. The correlation study for nineteen characters of Yardlong bean indicated that all the traits except terminal leaf breadth, days to first flowering, days to 50 per cent flowering, days to 95 per cent pod maturity, pod ascorbic acid content and seed protein content had significant positive association with pod yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels.
Path coefficient analysis study revealed that length of cluster stalk and pod girth exerted high and positive direct effect on pod yield per plant and these traits recorded significant positive correlation with pod yield per plant signifying the importance of these traits in selection programme for crop improvement.
Genetic divergence was assessed among 41 genotypes of Yardlong bean for 19 characters using Mahalanobis’ D2 statistics. The genotypes were grouped into seven clusters. Pod length contributed maximum towards divergence followed pod ascorbic acid content, pod girth and 100 seed weight. Highest inter cluster distance was observed between cluster V and VII followed by cluster VI and VII. Highest cluster mean values were observed for most of the traits with the genotypes present in cluster VI.
Based on the D2 statistics genetic distances, cluster men values and clustering pattern the genotypes IC-582859, NSJ-362, IC-582850, IC-582872, IC-582851 and IC-582829 from III, V, and VI clusters could be used as best parents in crop improvement programme to produce desirable segregants for yield and yield traits in Yardlong bean.
The present investigation revealed that the genotypes IC-582859 and NSJ-362, IC-582850 and IC-582872 were found superior on the basis of the characters having high heritability, high genetic advance as per cent of mean and strong association and high direct effect on pod yield. Hence for these characters due weightage should be given in selection programme and as parental sources should be used in future breeding programmes of Yardlong bean.

185) “Morphological characterization and evaluation of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.) genotypes for yield and quality characters – L.Pradeepthi.

ABSTRACT
A field experiment was carried out on morphological characterization and evaluation of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.) genotypes for yield and quality characters at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Rajendranagar, during the period from August 2013 to February 2014. The study was conducted on 15 genotypes in a randomized block design with three replications. Highly significant differences were observed among 15 genotypes of Jack bean for all the 29 characters studied. Out of fifteen genotypes, PSR – 12202 for number of pods per plant, pod weight, marketable pod yield per plant, protein, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus content in pods while, IC – 512946 for plant height at last harvest, earliest flowering, fewer days to fruit set (for

first formed flowers) and less number of days to first pod harvest whereas, IC – 541380 for number of primary branches per plant at first harvest, number of primary branches per plant at last harvest and number of seeds per pod were found to be superior based on their mean performance. Hence these genotypes may be further tested in different locations for their stable performance and thereafter may be selected as parental source for future breeding programmes.

The characters viz., plant height at first harvest, number of primaries per plant at first harvest, plant height at last harvest, number of primaries per plant at last harvest, pod weight, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight and pod yield per plant were observed with high genetic variability, high heritability in conjunction with high genetic advance as percent mean indicating the predominance of additive gene action on the expression of these traits and hence direct selection will be rewarding for improvement of these traits in Jack bean.
The correlation and path analysis studies revealed that the traits like pod weight and number of pods per plant were considered as primary yield contributing components as they showed highly significant positive correlation with pod yield per plant and also exhibited highest direct positive effects on pod yield per plant and hence, direct selection based on these traits would result in improved pod yield.
Considerable variation was found among the genotypes for morphological characters viz., growth habit (pole and bush), leaf density (sparse, intermediate and dense), stem colour (light green, purple and dark purple), flower colour (purple and white), pod shape (straight, intermediate and curved), pod colour (light green and green), pod beak length (short, medium and long), pod curvature (straight, curved and highly curved), pod surface (smooth and wrinkled) and seed colour (brown, reddish purple, white, greyish yellow and greyish orange). Whereas the traits like leaf vein colour, flower stalk, inflorescence emergence, flowering pattern and pod suture colour has no variability.

186) “Effect of potting media on growth of cashew rootstocks” S.Mounika.

ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Effect of potting media on growth of

cashew rootstocks” was carried out at College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during 2013-14. The experiment was carried out in Factorial Randamized Block Design with three replications.
The treatments used were four varieties and six potting media. The varieties were V1 (BPP-5), V2 (BPP-8), V3 (BPP-9) and V4 (VRI-2). The Potting media were PM1 (Red earth + FYM + Sand + Neem seed powder in 1:1:1:1 ratio), PM2 (Red earth + FYM + Sand + Custard apple seed powder in 1:1:1:1 ratio), PM3 (Red earth + FYM + Sand + Pongamia seed powder in 1:1:1:1 ratio), PM4 (Red earth + FYM + Sand + Vermicompost in 1:1:1:1 ratio), PM5 (Red earth + FYM + Sand + Cocopeat in 1:1:1:1 ratio) and PM6 (Red earth + FYM + Sand in 1:2:1 ratio).
This experiment was conducted with an objective to find out the effect of potting media composition on germination and growth of different rootstock along with the interaction effects of variety and potting media composition. The data was recorded on number of days for germination, rate of germination, germination percentage, number of leaves, leaf area, internodal length, seedling girth, seedling height, root length, dry matter content of shoot, dry matter content of root, shoot to root ratio, nutrients analysis of plant and potting media.
In the present study, among the varieties V1 recorded least number of days for germination (16.82) and maximum rate of germination (5.08). V4 recorded significantly maximum percentage of germination (88.89), number of leaves (8.19), internodal length (3.38 cm), seedling height (13.21 cm), root length (21.24 cm), dry matter content of shoot (34.83 %), dry matter content of root (19.84 %), shoot to root ratio (1.77) and lowest percentage of nutrients in the potting medium (N-0.01, P-0.005 and K-0.031). V2 recorded the highest leaf area (53.89 cm2), seedling girth (2.23 cm) and plant nutients (N- 2.78, P-0.53 and K - 0.99). Hence, the variety (V4) VRI-2 followed by (V2) BPP-8 were found vigorous.
Among the different potting media PM1 recorded minimum days for germination (20.72) and maximum rate of germination (4.9). PM2 recorded significantly maximum germination percentage (88.33%), number of leaves (8.11), leaf area (54.09 cm2), internodal length (3.19 cm), seedling height (12.10 cm), seedling girth (2.22 cm), dry matter content of shoot (31.93 %), shoot to root ratio (1.71) and percentage of plant nutrients (N- 3.22, P-0.56 and K-1.03) and the lowest percentage of nutrients in the potting medium (N-0.006, P-0.002 and K-0.031). PM4 recorded significantly highest root length (21.43 cm) and dry matter content of root(20.32%). Hence, the potting medium PM2 (Red earth + FYM + Sand + Custard apple seed powder in 1:1:1:1 ratio) followed by PM1 (Red earth + FYM + Sand + Neem seed powder in 1:1:1:1 ratio) was found the best for production of vigorous rootstocks.
Among the interactions, the interaction of PM1V1 recorded significantly minimum days for germination (15.00) and maximum rate of germination (6.60). The interaction of PM2 with V1 and V4 recorded maximum germination percentage (96.67%). The interaction of PM2V4 recorded maximum number of leaves (10.07), internodal length (3.65 cm), seedling height (14.09 cm), dry matter content of shoot (40.70 %), shoot to root ratio (2.22). The interaction of PM2V2 recorded significantly maximum leaf area (58.33cm2) and seedling girth (2.45 cm). PM4V4 recorded significantly highest root length (22.50 cm) and dry matter content of root (22.47 %).
In the interactions, the interaction of PM2 with V4. i.e. PM2V4 followed by PM2V2 was found the best for production of vigorous and healthy cashew rootstocks. PM4 can also be adopted as best potting media for production of rootstocks.

187) “Effect of pinching and plant growth regulators on growth and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)” – V.Krishna Veni.

ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Effect of pinching and plant growth regulators on growth and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)” was carried out at Vegetable Research Station, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during Rabi 2013-14. The fenugreek cv. APHU Methi-1 was used for conducting the experiment. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with factorial concept comprising 20 treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of pinching as one factor containing four pinching treatments viz., No pinching (P0), single pinching at 25 days after sowing (P1), single pinching at 45 days after sowing (P2), double pinching at 25 and 45 days after sowing (P3) and application of plant growth regulators was taken as another factor containing five treatments viz., Control (Water spray) (G0), 50 ppm gibberellic acid (G1), 75 ppm gibberellic acid (G2), 50 ppm naphthalene acetic acid (G3) and 75 ppm naphthalene acetic acid (G4). Five plants were selected at random from each treatment and tagged for recording biometric observations. The data were recorded at an interval of 30, 60 and 90 DAS for assessing parameters like plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of days taken to flower initiation, number of days taken to 50% flowering, number of flowers per plant, percent of pod setting, number of pods per plant, length of pod (cm), number of seeds per pod, seed yield per plant (g), seed yield per plot (g), seed yield per hectare (q), test weight (g), number of days to seed maturity, fresh and dry weight per plant (g) and benefit cost ratio.
The results emanated from the experiment recorded significantly maximum plant height, early flower initiation, early 50 per cent flowering, early maturity and maximum test weight with no pinching (P0) treatment. Single pinching at 25 DAS (P1) recorded significantly maximum number of branches, number of flowers, number of pods, length of pod, number of seeds per pod and seed yield whereas all the yield attributing parameters like number of flowers, number of pods, length of pod, number of seeds per pod and seed yield were recorded to be significantly minimum with double pinching at 25 and 45 DAS (P3). Maximum fresh weight and dry weight at 30 DAS were observed with single pinching at 45 DAS (P2). At 60 and 90 DAS maximum fresh and dry weights were observed with double pinching at 25 and 45 DAS (P3).
Among the application of plant growth regulators, foliar spraying of GA3 50 ppm (G1) thrice (25, 45 and 65 DAS) resulted in best performance of all parameters like plant height, number of branches, number of flowers, number of pods, length of pod, number of seeds per pod, seed yield, fresh weight and dry weight of fenugreek. Early flower initiation and early maturity was observed with application of GA3 75 ppm (G2).

Among the interactions between pinching and plant growth regulators, the treatment of no pinching with application of GA3 50 ppm (P0G1) resulted in maximum plant height and test weight. Maximum number of branches and yield attributes like number of flowers, number of pods, length of pod and seed yield were recorded with single pinching at 25 DAS and application of GA3 50 ppm (P1G1). The economics of the experiment reveal that the pinching at 25 DAS with application of NAA 50 ppm (P1G3) gave highest B: C ratio (1.88).

188) ‘‘Study on the value addition of cashew apple juice by blending with mango, pineapple and sapota juice for RTS beverage’’ -Anindita Roy.

ABSTRACT

Cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) is one of the important commercial plantation crop cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Cashew apple is one of the primary by-products of cashew nut industry. The fruits should be processed and value added in order to reduce postharvest losses. In view of above an experiment was carried out entitled ‘‘Study on the value addition of cashew apple juice by blending with mango, pineapple and sapota juice for RTS beverage’’ during the year 2012-2013 at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Dr. Y. S. R Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.

The focus of the present study is utilization of cashew apple for preparation of cashew apple RTS by using mango, pineapple and sapota juice. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design (CRD) and stastically analysed for the parameters like colour, P^H , density (Kg m^-3), total soluble solids (˚Brix), titrable acidity (%), reducing sugars (%), TSS/Acid ratio, ascorbic acid (mg/100g), tannins(mg ml^-1), organoleptic evaluation, storage and net benefit were studied in the preparation of cashew apple RTS.
Among the treatments, it was observed that RTS prepared from mango with cashew apple juice blend of 25% cashew apple juice + 75% mango juice blend (T3) was best with p^H of 3.45, 3.25 and 3.11, density kg/m^-3 of 0.91, 1.07 and 1.01, total soluble solid (Brix⁰) of 14.86, 15.46 and 15.70, titrable acidity (%) of 0.65, 0.59 and 0.32, reducing sugar (%) of 2.22, 2.59 and 2.64, TSS/Acid ratio of 22.87, 26.82 and 49.40, ascorbic acid (mg/100g) of 12.51, 11.76 and 11.66 at 0, 30 and 60 days respectively. Followed by RTS prepared from 25% cashew apple juice + 75% pineapple juice blend (T6) with p^H of 3.55, 3.18 and 3.11, density (kg/m^-3 ) of 0.94, 1.08 and 1.02, total soluble solid (Brix⁰) of 15.10, 15.50 and 15.66, titrable acidity (%) of 0.58, 0.53 and 0.33, reducing sugar (%) of 5.04, 5.04 and 5.52, TSS/Acid ratio of 25.56 , 30.06 and 49.87, ascorbic acid (mg/100g) of 25.25, 22.20 and 20.93 at 0, 30 and 60 days respectively.
Further, the organoleptic score for RTS prepared from mango with cashew apple juice blend of 25% cashew apple juice + 75% mango juice blend (T3) followed by 50% cashew apple juice + 50% mango juice blend (T2), and RTS prepared from 25% cashew apple juice + 75% pineapple juice blend (T6) and by 50% cashew apple juice + 50% pineapple juice blend (T5) were found best for their quality parameter upto 60 days of storage and they are economical for utilisation of cashew apple juice with different blends of mango and pineapple for their RTS preparation.
The pineapple RTS costs of 99 per litre, mango RTS costs of 60 per litre, sapota RTS costs of 50 per litre over the cashew apple RTS of40 per litre as per the prevaling price of local market were taken into consideration for calculation of net benefit cost for the RTS prepared from cashew apple blended juices. The highest net benefit of 61.16 was found in 25% cashew apple juice + 75% pineapple juice (T6) followed by 50% cashew apple juice + 50% pineapple juice (T5) .46.95 followed by 25% cashew apple juice + 75% mango juice (T3) 32.28 and the lowest net benefit 21.20 was found in 75% cashew apple + 25% sapota juice (T7) of their economic feasibility

189) “Studies on genetic variability and correlation analysis in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) Genotypes”- Prathana Mohanty.

ABSTRACT
The experiment was taken up to elicit the information on magnitude of genetic variability, heritability and to predict the gains realized through selection, character association, cause and effect relationship and divergence for the quantitative characters in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) genotypes. Thirty genotypes of sweet potato were evaluated in RBD with three replications during kharif season of 2013 at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Dr. Y. S. R. Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.
The study revealed significant differences among genotypes for different characters studied. Among all the genotypes studied, genotype Accession-22 recorded the highest root yield per hectare and found suitable to the local agro-climatic conditions. The genotypes 440127, SWA-2 and ST-14 were also found to be elite for different characters.

Among the characters studied, high PCV and GCV were observed for characters like vine length, vine internodal length, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, total leaf area, number of roots per plant, root yield per plant, β-carotene content, starch content, total sugars, reducing sugars, non reducing sugars and total root yield per hectare content indicating high variability available in the germplasm for these characters for further improvement.

High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for characters vine length, vine internodal length, number of branches per plant, length of leaf lobe, number of leaves per plant, total leaf area, root girth, root yield per plant, β-carotene content, starch content, total sugars, reducing sugars, non reducing sugars and total root yield per hectare indicated that these characters were least influenced by the environmental effects, and these characters were governed by additive genes and selection will be rewarding for improvement of such traits.

The total root yield per hectare (t/ha) had significant positive correlation with traits like number of branches per plant, number of roots per plant, root girth, root yield per plant and β-carotene content suggesting the importance of these traits in selection for yield and can be identified as yield attributing characters for the genetic improvement of yield in sweet potato.

The total root yield per hectare (t/ha) was result of direct effect of number of branches per plant, number of roots per plant, root length, root yield per plant, starch content and reducing sugars. The high direct effect of these traits appeared to be the main factor for their strong association with total root yield per hectare.
Analysis for divergence using D² statistic revealed highly significant differences for different traits, grouping the 30 genotypes into 6 clusters. Cluster II had the maximum number of genotypes (8) followed by cluster I (7). Maximum inter cluster distance was observed between clusters III and VI while the intra cluster distance was maximum in cluster II and VI. Highest percent contribution to divergence came from β-carotene content, starch content, total sugar, total leaf area, root dry matter content, number of leaves per plant, root yield per plant, petiole length, root girth, vine length and reducing sugar suggested that selection of one or two elite genotypes from divergent (II & VI) and (III & VI) clusters based on the above characters and crossing would result in more heterosis and novel hybrids.

190) “Evaluation of F₁ hybrids in cashewnut (Anacardium occidentale L.)” –M. Sreenivas.

ABSTRACT

An investigation was carried out to evaluate F₁ hybrids of cashewnut at Cashew Research Station, Bapatla during the year 2012-13. Eight hybrids each in three age groups were taken for evaluation against the standard check BPP 8 of corresponding age. The three sets were of 7, 12 and 14 years age. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications with the objective of evaluating the F₁hybrids on morphological, flowering and fruiting characters, assessing correlation between yield and its attributes and estimating the extent of heterosis for important traits.

Morphological parameters like tree height, stem girth, canopy spread recorded significant differences among the hybrids under local agro-climatic conditions of Bapatla. Out of 24 hybrid genotypes 15 showed early season flowering and the rest showed mid season flowering. Stem girth and canopy spread were in close association with number of branches and total number of flowers as well as number of hermaphrodite flowers per panicle and ratio of hermaphrodite to male flowers in many of the hybrids for example H 94 in set I, H 200 in set II and H 313 in set III. High yielding hybrids like H 94 in set I, H 180 in set II and H 313 in set III were found to have maximum ascorbic acid and tannin content in their apples. The nut yield per tree was found to be highest in the hybrids H 94, H 85 in set I, H 180, H 200 in set II and H 313, H 306 in set III. Individual kernels weighing more than 2 g were observed in the hybrids viz., H 94, H 85, H 200 and H 313 which were also good in nut yield per tree. However, all the hybrid genotypes under study produced medium sized kernels (kernel weight ranging between 1.2 g and 2.5 g) except only two (H 328 and H 338 in set III) which had low kernel weight (less than 1.2 g).
Phenotypic and genotypic correlations among yield and its attributing characters showed that nut yield was found to have positive and significant correlation with tree height, stem girth, mean canopy spread, flowering laterals per m² canopy, panicle length, primary branches per panicle, hermaphrodite flowers per panicle, fruits set and fruits retained till maturity. Genotypic path co-efficient analysis revealed that apple weight exhibited high and positive direct effect on nut yield followed by number of hermaphrodite flowers per panicle. Nut yield showed positive heterosis in six crosses (H 77, H 85, H 94, H 95,H 116 and H 117,) over mid parent, five crosses over better parent (H 77, H 85, H 94, H 116 and H 117) and only two crosses (H 85 and H 94) over standard check among the hybrids of set I. In set II and set III, seven crosses (set II: H 180, H 187, H 193, H 194, H 200, H 203, H 206; set III: H 298, H 303, H 306, H 313, H 319, H 328 and H 338) had positive heterosis over mid parent and two crosses showed heterosis over standard check in set II: H 180 and H 200; and five over standard check in set III (H 303, 306, H 313, 319, 328 and 338). Maximum heterosis for nut yield per tree was registered by the hybrids H 94 (set I), H 200 (set II) and H 313 (set III). The present study revealed that the cross combinations H 200 and H 313 showed heterosis at early age and can be studied further for any possible improvement in the same.
191) “Impact of planting dates, micronutrients and GA₃ on flower and seed production in African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)” – Ch. Rohit