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

ABSTRACT

The present investigation entitled “Studies on Bunch Management Practices in Tissue Culture Banana (Musa spp.) cv. Grand Naine” was carried out at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Anantharajupet during 2013-14. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design replicated thrice with fourteen treatments. The treatment comprised of spraying the whole plant just after bunch emergence with different chemical combination and by adopting bunch feeding technique using cowdung in combination with different chemicals. The bunch yield attributes and quality parameters were studied.

With respect to yield parameters, less number of days for fruit maturity (86.90 days), the highest finger length (21.90cm), finger girth (13.81 cm), finger weight at harvest (153.55g), bunch weight (22.84 kg), hand weight (3.08 kg) and pulp weight (100.46g) were observed with spraying of 0.25% potassium dihydrogen phosphate + 0.5% urea. Whereas, the highest finger weight after ripening (129.77g) was recorded in treatment with spraying of 0.5% potassium sulphate + 0.5% urea.
The highest peel weight (44.04g) was noticed in the treatment of bunch feeding with cowdung slurry containing 0.5% potassium nitrate + 0.5% potassium dihydrogen phosphate. Maximum thicknesses of peel (3.35mm) was observed in control (without any spray and bunch feeding). The highest pulp to peel ratio was recorded in spraying of 0.25% potassium nitrate + 0.25% potassium dihydrogen phosphate (2.76).
With regard to fruit quality parameters, less acidity (0.141 %), the highest total soluble solids (23.30B), total sugars (18.75%), reducing sugars (7.66%) and non-reducing sugars (11.09%) were observed in the treatment with spraying of 0.25% potassium dihydrogen phosphate + 0.5% urea.
In respect of physiological characters, bunch feeding with cowdung slurry containing 0.5% potassium nitrate + 0.5% potassium dihydrogen phosphate (13.34 %) had attained least physiological loss in weight. The treatment, spraying of 0.5% potassium dihydrogen phosphate recorded the highest shelf life of 11.63 days. Spraying of 0.25% potassium dihydrogen phosphate + 0.5% urea was superior in terms of maximum gross returns (319000.00), net returns (209590.37) and benefit-cost ratio (1.91).
223) “Heat accumulation studies in different varieties of grape (Vitis sps.)” – Y.Vijayanthi Kalyan.

ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “HEAT ACCUMULATION STUDIES IN DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF GRAPE (Vitis sps.)” was carried out during October 2013–April 2014 at Grape Research Station of Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The experiment was aimed to find out the heat unit requirements of the sixteen varieties evaluated. Another objective of this experiment was to find out the effect of accumulated heat units on growth, yield and overall quality in the sixteen varieties.

Among the sixteen varieties tested for growth parameters, the maximum pruning weight (3.35 kg/vine) was found in Shiraz, the maximum shoot length (204.5 cm) and number of leaves on shoot (68), number of nodes per shoot (17), cane diameter (15mm) was found in Bangalore Blue.

Regarding yield characters, the highest yield per vine (15.5 kg) was seen in Bangalore Blue, the highest number of bunches (178) was seen in Shiraz, the maximum bunch weight (364.9g) was seen in Rizamat.

In case of quality parameters, the highest TSS (21.65°Brix) and juice percentage (76%) was seen in Pusa Navrang, least titrable acidity (0.10%) seen in Rubi Red, maximum brix-acid ratio (18.95) in Madhu Angur and the maximum hundred berry weight (369g) was seen in Italia.

It was found in the experiment that there was wide variation in the requirement of heat units from variety to variety and stage to stage. However, the varieties Anab-e-Shahi (1864.3 GDD), Italia (1714.3 GDD), Bangalore Blue (1634.4 GDD) and Concord (1634.4 GDD) were found to require the maximum number of heat units from pruning to maturity, while the varieties Pusa Navrang (815.7 GDD) and Shiraz (836.6 GDD) were found to require the minimum number of heat units from pruning to maturity. The requirement of heat units also differed significantly with different phenological stages. On an average, the requirement of heat units was maximum for fruitset to maturity stage (676.4 GDD) followed by anthesis to fruitset stage (312 GDD). The panicle emergence to anthesis stage had the minimum requirement of heat units (88.2 GDD) followed by pruning to budbreak stage (140.3 GDD).

Regarding growth parameters, the last of the varieties to show budbreak viz., Anab-e-Shahi, Madhu Angur, Bangalore Blue, Concord were also the varieties showing maximum pruning weight, shoot length, leaf area indicating that growth relates proportionally to the accumulated heat units. however, such a pattern was not observed in case of yield parameters. In case of quality parameters, sugars increased and acids decreased with increase in accumulated heat units in individual varieties as expected because of ripening.

Correlation studies were also carried out among the different parameters and heat units accumulated in the sixteen varieties. Regarding growth and yield parameters, certain patterns of correlation were observed. A few of the parameters (number of leaves on shoot, leaf area, cane diameter, berry diameter and sunscald) correlated positively with the accumulated heat units while some parameters (juice percentage, number of bunches per vine and bunch length) correlated as significantly negative.

This experiment emphasized the importance of Heat Units as a non-destructive index of maturity compared to other methods such as DFFB (Days From Full Bloom), colour charts, etc. It is a more accurate measure of growth as temperature is also taken into account along with time. This method helps to analyse climate changes and its impact on plant growth and production over a period of time. It also allows to compare performance of plants of same or different varieties grown in different regions and seasons.

224) “Studies on the effect of phenotypes and different levels of nitrogen on growth and yield of kakrol ( Momordica dioica Roxb.)” – Ch. Bindhu.
ABSTRACT

The present investigation entitled “Studies on the effect of phenotypes and different levels of nitrogen on growth and yield of kakrol ( Momordica dioica Roxb.)” was carried out during the kharif season of 2013-2014 at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The study was carried out with 9 different treatments involving different combinations of different phenotypes and levels of nitrogen. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with factorial concept replicated thrice and data on the effect of different phenotypes and nitrogen treatments on growth, yield and economics were recorded and statistically analyzed.

The influence of different phenotypes on plant growth parameters like number of primary branches, number of nodes per plant were significant and showed highest values in vines with single lobed leaves. On the other hand the lowest values were recorded on parameters viz., number of days taken to appearance of first female flower and node at which first female flower appear was lowest in vines with single lobed leaves. The yield contributing parameters like fruit length, number of fruits per plant, mean fruit weight, net plot yield, estimated fruit yield, fresh seed weight and nitrogen uptake were recorded highest in vines with single lobed leaves.

Among the nitrogen levels, the higher values for plant growth parameters with respect to length of main shoot at last harvest, number of branches at last harvest, internodal length, number of days taken for appearance of first female flower, number of nodes per plant at harvest and days to last harvest were recorded with the application of 375 kg N ha^-1. The yield contributing parameters like number of fruits per plant, mean fruit weight, net plot yield, estimated fruit yield and fresh seed weight, nitrogen uptake were also recorded higher with the nitrogen application of 375 kg N ha^-1 .

Among the different interaction effects between phenotypes and nitrogen levels showed significant influence in most of the growth and yield characters viz., number of primary branches at last harvest, number of fruits per plant, maximum net plot yield, estimated fruit yield. However, fruit length, fruit diameter, mean fruit weight, number of seeds per fruit, seed weight per fruit and quality parameter i.e., ascorbic acid did not differ significantly. The gross returns and net returns recorded maximum vines with single lobed leaves with application of 375 kg N ha^-1 resulting in a maximum benefit-cost ratio of 2.18.

Among the different treatment combinations, it was found that the treatment combination vines with single lobed leaves with application of 375 kg N ha^-1 proved to be the best and economical for cultivation of kakrol under light soils of coastal Andhra Pradesh.

225) “studies on the synergistic effects of antioxidants and modified

atmosphere packaging on chilling injury and storage life of guava cv.

Allahabad Safeda” –K.Kiran Kumar.
ABSTRACT

A set of three experiments, on the effects of antioxidants (benzyl adenine 50, 100 ppm, methyl jasmonate 0.1,1µM or thiabendazole 500,750 ppm and oxalic acid 4, 6 mmol) modified atmosphere packaging (fruits packed in polypropylene bags with 2 pores, 4 pores _, 6 pores_, 8 pores and 10 pores) and combination of antioxidants (four best of antioxidants) and MAP (first two best of MAP) on chilling injury and storage life of guava cv. Allahabad safeda stored at 6 ± 1º C was conducted at Fruit Research Station, Sangareddy, Medak District, Telangana. In all the experiments, the design followed is completely randomized design with factorial concept with three replications per treatment. Various physical parameters like PLW (%), fruit firmness (kg.cm^-2), chilling injury (rotting, skin scald), shelf life (in days), ripening (in days), organoleptic evaluation and biochemical parameters like TSS (°Brix), titratable acidity (%), ascorbic acid (mg/100g), brix-acid ratio and electrolyte leakage (%) were estimated at an interval of 5 days during storage in all the experiments.
Guava fruits cv. Allahabad safeda were dipped in different concentrations of antioxidants and stored at 6 ± 1º C. Fruits treated with benzyl adenine 50 ppm recorded significantly lowest PLW, ripening and highest fruit firmness, organoleptic evaluation. Significantly lowest chilling injury was recorded in the fruits treated either with benzyl adenine 50 ppm or methyl jasmonate 0.1µM with corresponding increase in the shelf life of up to 26.63, 25.42 days respectively. The fruits kept under control recorded the shelf life of up to 20.05 days only. BA 50 ppm and methyl jasmonate 0.1µM have significantly reduced the chilling injury and corresponding electrolyte leakage. Biochemical parameters like titratable acidity and electrolyte leakage were significantly lowest in the fruits treated with benzyl adenine 50 ppm. Significantly highest TSS and brix-acid ratio were recorded in fruits treated with benzyl adenine 50 ppm. Significantly highest ascorbic acid was recorded with either benzyl adenine 50 ppm or methyl jasmonate0.1 µM.

Guava fruits cv. Allahabad safeda were packed in polypropylene bags with different ventilation (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 pores) and stored at 6 ± 1º C. Fruits packed in polypropylene bags with 4 pores significantly recorded lowest PLW. Significantly highest fruit firmness and organoleptic evaluation were recorded in fruits packed in polypropylene bags with 4 pores. Significantly lowest chilling injury and electrolyte leakage was recorded in fruits packed in polypropylene bags with 4 pores and corresponding increase the shelf life of upto 25.63 days. The fruits kept under control recorded a shelf life of 20.05 days only. Titratable acidity was significantly lowest in fruits packed in polypropylene bags with 4 pores. Fruits packed in polypropylene bags with 4 pores recorded significantly highest TSS, brix-acid ratio and ascorbic acid.

Guava fruits cv. Allahabad safeda were treated with four best antioxidants (benzyl adenine 50 ppm or methyl jasmonate 0.1µM or thiabendazole 500 ppm and oxalic acid 6 mmol) and then packed in two best treatments of MAP (fruits packed in polypropylene bags with 2 pores or 4 pores) and stored at 6 ± 1º C. The combination treatments of fruits packed in polypropylene bags with 4 pores + benzyl adenine 50 ppm recorded significantly lowest chilling injury and corresponding electrolyte leakage followed by 4 pores + methyl jasmonate 0.1µM or 4 pores + thiabendazole 500 ppm or 4 pores + oxalic acid 6 mmol recorded significantly lowest chilling injury correspondingly increased the shelf life upto 29.45, 28.40,28.38 and 28.35 days respectively. The combination treatments of fruits packed in polypropylene bags with 4 pores + benzyl adenine 50 ppm recorded significantly lowest ripening, PLW, highest fruit firmness and highest organoleptic evaluation. Biochemical parameters like highest TSS, highest ascorbic acid and lowest electrolyte leakage were recorded with the fruits packed in polypropylene bags with 4 pores + benzyl adenine 50 ppm. Significantly lowest titratable acidity was recorded with the fruits packed in polypropylene bags with 4 pores + benzyl adenine 50 ppm Significantly highest brix-acid ratio was recorded with the fruits packed in polypropylene bags with 4 pores + benzyl adenine 50 ppm. The combination of antioxidants and MAP enhanced the shelf life of 4.46 and 4.17 days over the MAP or antioxidants used alone, respectively.
226) “Characterization and evaluation of inbred lines of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]” – D. Vishnu Priyanka.
ABSTRACT
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is a traditional pod vegetable crop of high nutritional, medicinal, industrial and economic values in India. The productivity potential and economic viability of okra in tribal, rural and peri-urban vegetable farming systems is low owing to the low yielding potential, susceptibility to yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) and sub-optimal pod quality. The productivity potential and economic viability of okra systems can be enhanced by the development of advanced varieties having high yield potential coupled with YVMV resistance and superior pod quality attributes. A set of 25 inbred lines (RNOYR-30 to RNOYR-54) along with one YVMV resistant check (RNOYR-16), one YVMV susceptible check (RNOYR-19) and two commercial checks (Arka Anamika and Pusa Sawani) were characterized for 18 qualitative traits and evaluated for 18 quantitative traits in a randomized block design with 3 replications at Vegetable Research Station, Dr. Y. S. R. Horticultural University, Rajendranagar, Telangana, India during summer, 2014 to identify the horticulturally superior inbred lines on the basis of their production potential, YVMV resistance and superior pod quality attributes, to identify the diverse inbred lines, to determine the yield components and suitable selection methods. The analysis of variance of RBD revealed highly significant differences for all agro-economic traits indicating presence of great amount of variability in the material under study. On the basis of production potential for various agro-economic traits including marketable pod yield per plant, resistance to YVMV and acceptable pod quality attributes, the inbred lines RNOYR-54 (399.93 g of marketable pod yield per plant and zero percent YVMV incidence), RNOYR-51 (383.67 g of marketable pod yield per plant and zero percent YVMV incidence) and RNOYR-37 (320.58 g of marketable pod yield per plant and zero percent YVMV incidence) were found to be horticulturally superior, which can be either exploited for commercial cultivation after multi-environment testing or utilized in the future breeding programmes for the development of advanced open pollinated varieties or F1 hybrids in okra.
Genetic divergence analysis following Mahalanobis D2 statistics and Tocher’s method revealed distinct clustering pattern with 5 clusters and considerable genetic diversity in the material under study. The characters YVMV infestation, fruit length and days to 50% flowering with high per cent of contribution to total divergence (55.17%, 14.29% and 8.62%, respectively) were the potent variables in differentiating the breeding material under study. The use of diverse inbred lines from the divergent clusters with high intercluster distance (cluster III and IV, I and III and clusters II and III) in hybridization is expected to result in high heterosis and throw desirable transgressive segregants. Genetic variability analysis revealed high magnitude of genetic variability and high degree of transmission of majority of the growth, earliness and yield associated traits under study. High magnitude of genotypic coefficient of variation (>20%) for number of marketable fruits per plant, marketable yield per plant and yellow vein mosaic virus infestation indicated high degree of genetic variability offering great scope for selection of these characters. High heritability (>60%) coupled with high expected genetic advance (>20%) for number of marketable fruits per plant, marketable yield per plant and yellow vein mosaic virus infestation indicated the involvement of additive gene action and more chances of fixing by selection to improve such traits. Phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficient analysis revealed positively significant association of number of branches per plant, days to last fruit harvest, fruiting period and number of marketable fruits per plant and total yield per plant and negatively significant association of yellow vein mosaic virus infestation with marketable yield per plant. Genotypic path coefficient analysis revealed that number of branches per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to first fruit harvest, fruiting period, fruit length, total number of fruits per plant, number of marketable fruits per plant, pod borer infestation and yellow vein mosaic virus infestation are the key agro-economic traits having high to very high genotypic direct effect on marketable yield per plant and are thus identified as yield components in okra. From the correlation and path coefficient analysis, it is evident that direct selection for number of branches per plant and number of marketable fruits per plant, indirect selection for fruiting period and restricted simultaneous selection for yellow vein mosaic virus infestation are effective in okra.

227) “Standardization of Microbudding technique in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.Osbeck). cv.Sathgudi.”- T.Teja.

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to standardize the optimum age of root stock seedling for micro-budding under open and shade net conditions and also to study the extent of bud wood transmissible diseases (HLB & CYMV) in microbudded plants through molecular indexing during the period from November 2013-August, 2014 at Citrus Research Station, Tirupati, Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Chittor district of Andhra Pradesh.

A comprehensive study of results revealed that budlings prepared on six month old Rangpur lime root stock seedlings were found to take minimum time for sprouting and recorded maximum success percentage of budded plants, highest bud wood size, maximum number of sprouts, number of nodes and leaves, maximum leaf length and width and also in respect of sprout growth, scion stem diameter closely followed by the budlings prepared on five month old Rangpur lime root stock seedlings. However, as compared to the budlings prepared in both open and shadenet condition height of plant and length of the initial sprout per budling were found to have moderate values with respect to scion stem diameter.

Among different growing conditions the highest bud survival was recorded in open condition which supported greater vigour of scion sprouts as evident from the data obtained on number of growth flushes and number of nodes. On the other hand shadenet was found to produce earliest sprouts but ranked after open condition in yielding successful budlings which were stouter.

Among the interactions, budlings prepared in the six month old root stock seedlings under open conditions were found to record the highest survival percentage followed by those under shade net house. The next superior values were found to be recorded by the budlings prepared in the five month old root stock seedlings under open conditions followed by the budlings prepared in the four month old root stock seedlings under shade conditions.

In the budlings the extent of disease transmission among the different age groups microbudded, HLB was observed with 451 bp amplicon in 6^th month age of the root stock under open field condition while Citrus Yellow Mosaic virus was amplified with 726 bp in the same age of root stock under shade net condition through Molecular screening by Duplex PCR. Amplification of no pathogens were observed in early age group root stocks.

It can be concluded by the present study that the warm conditions and raising temperatures in the open found to favour higher success of microbudding in sweet orange cv. Sathgudi and early age i.e., four and five months old root stock propagation by microbudding reduce or nullify the incidence of budwood transmissible diseases both under open and shadenet. The duplex-PCR method developed in the present investigation proved to be highly sensitive, economic and reliable method for detection of bud wood transmissible diseases in citrus budwood certification programme to obtain disease-free planting material.

Ph.D (Horticlture)

1. 
   “Effect of chemicals and plant growth regulators on dormancy, flowering, corm production and vase life in gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.)” T. Padma latha.
   

ABSTRACT

The present investigations entitled “Effect of chemicals and plant growth regulators on dormancy, flowering, corm production and vase life in gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.)” were carried out for two years during 2008-09 and 2009-10 at Herbal Garden, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. For this study, four experiments were conducted with the gladiolus cultivars Darshan and Dhiraj.

In effect of growth regulating chemicals and plant growth regulators on dormancy, flowering and corm and cormel production experiment, cv. Darshan recorded significantly minimum number of days to sprouting and maximum percentage of sprouting over cv. Dhiraj. Pre-planting soaking of corms for 24 h was significantly more influencing over 12 h soaking in decreasing the number of days to sprouting and increasing corm sprouting percentage and number of buds sprouted per corm. Thiourea (TU) 2% and salicylic acid (SA) 150 ppm were highly effective in reducing the number of days taken for sprouting over control. TU 2%, SA 150 ppm, KNO₃ 1.5% and GA₃ 150 ppm significantly increased sprouting percentage of corms over control and recorded maximum number of sprouts per corm.

The cv. Darshan was early in flowering and performed better than the cv. Dhiraj with respect to vegetative and floral parameters. Likewise, pre-planting soaking of corms for 24 h improved vegetative and flowering attributes. SA 150 ppm followed by TU 2% were more effective in increasing vegetative growth and reducing number of days to flowering. SA 150 ppm followed by GA₃ 150 ppm were effective in improving flowering performance of gladiolus cultivars in terms of increasing number of spikes per plant, spike length and weight and number of florets per spike.

The cv. Dhiraj recorded maximum corm size and weight, maximum number of small cormels and total number of cormels per plant over cv. Darshan. Cv. Darshan recorded higher number of big cormels. Soaking of corms for 24 h significantly improved corm and cormel attributes. SA 150 ppm and TU 2% were effective in increasing number of corms per plant. Maximum corm size and weight were recorded with SA 150 ppm and GA₃ 150 ppm. Maximum number of big cormels per plant and cormel weight was recorded with TU 2%, GA₃ 150 ppm and SA 150 ppm. Control recorded significantly more number of small cormels and total number of cormels per plant.

With respect to studies on the influence of plant growth regulator sprays on flowering and corm and cormel production, cv. Darshan differed significantly with cv. Dhiraj in respect to plant height, leaf area and flowered earlier. GA₃ 150 ppm followed by brassinosteroid (BR) 10 ppm recorded maximum plant height, number of leaves and leaf area during vegetative growth and resulted in earlier flowering. TIBA 100 ppm, TIBA 50 ppm and control recorded significantly minimum leaf area and showed delayed flowering. Cv. Dhiraj recorded maximum percentage of plants flowered than the cv.Darshan. Cv. Darshan recorded significantly highest spike length and inter floret length and minimum days to wilting of spike over the cv. Dhiraj. Cv. Dhiraj was significantly superior over cv. Darshan in respect of number of florets per spike and longevity of spike. Maximum spike length and weight, number of florets per spike and spike field life were recorded with GA₃ 150 ppm. Lowest values in respect of flower parameters were recorded with TIBA treatments and control.

The cv. Darshan recorded maximum number of big cormels per plant and cormel weight. Cv. Dhiraj recorded maximum number of small cormels per plant. Foliar sprays of BR 10 ppm and GA₃ 150 ppm significantly increased number of corms produced per plant, corm size and corm weight and propagation coefficient. Number of big cormels per plant and total number of cormels were recorded significantly higher with BR 10 ppm and was followed by TIBA 100 ppm. BR 10 ppm and TIBA 100 ppm produced maximum number of small cormels per plant. Weight of cormels per plant was recorded maximum with BR 10 ppm and GA₃ 150 ppm.

In studies on effect of chemicals and plant growth regulators on induction of flowering in gladiolus plants raised from cormels, cv. Darshan was significantly superior over cv. Dhiraj in respect of vegetative parameters and earliness in flowering. Foliar sprays of SA 150 ppm and Ca(NO₃)₂ 1% recorded maximum vegetative growth and were significantly effective in induction of early flowering in the plants raised from cormels. These treatments also recorded significantly highest flowering percentage. Control and TIBA 100 ppm took maximum number of days to flowering. Number of spikes per plant, spike length and weight, number of florets per spike and spike longevity were maximum with salicylic acid at 150 ppm. Cv. Dhiraj recorded maximum corm size and number of small cormels per plant. BA 100 ppm and SA 150 ppm recorded maximum number of corms per plant, corm size, corm weight, number of big and small cormels per plant, total number of cormels per plant and weight of cormels per plant.

In the post harvest experiments, pre-planting soaking of corms for 24 h recorded significantly less number of days to first floret opening. Pre-planting treatment of corms with SA 150 ppm recorded minimum days to first floret opening, maximum number of florets opened at a time per spike and vase life.

The cv. Darshan recorded maximum diameter of the second fully opened floret and higher vase life than cv. Dhiraj due to pre-harvest foliar sprays of plant growth regulators. Pre harvest foliar sprays of GA₃ 150 ppm, BR 10 ppm and CPPU 5 ppm induced earliest first floret opening and recorded maximum values for number of florets opened at a time per spike, diameter of second full opened floret and vase life.

The cv. Darshan recorded maximum diameter of the second fully opened floret and higher vase life than cv. Dhiraj due to pre-harvest foliar sprays of plant growth regulators and chemicals on the plants raised from cormels. Significantly minimum days to first floret opening, maximum number of florets opened at a time per spike and diameter of second floret were recorded with pre harvest foliar sprays of SA 150 ppm, BA 100 ppm and Ca(NO₃)₂ 1%. Maximum vase life of 7.17 days was recorded with SA 150 ppm.

2. 
   “Studies On Different Stages Of Maturity, Post Harvest Treatments, Packaging And Storage On Extension Of Shelf Life Of Mango (mangifera indica l.) cv. Baneshan”- A. Kiran Kumar