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ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF SOIL ORGANIC CARBON FRACTIONS IN SOILS UNDER DIFFERENT LAND USE SYSTEMS OF SOMAWARPET TALUK, KODAGU DISTRICT(University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, 19-07-19) SEEMA, ANANTARAJ, JUJIN.; Dr. D. RAVIKUMAR; Dr. K. T. GURUMURTHYA study was conducted at UAHS, Shivamogga to know the carbon sequestration of soils under different land use systems in Somawarpet taluk, Kodagu district, Karnataka. The one hundred representative soil samples were collected from different land use systems viz., natural forest, sacred groves, coffee based agroforestry - indigenous, coffee based agroforestry - exotic and paddy land use systems at 0 to 20 cm, 20 to 40 cm, 40 to 60 and 60 to 80 cm soil depth. The present investigation revealed that, texture of the soil was loam to clay loam. The pH was acidic in all the land use systems and electrical conductivity was normal. The highest BD was observed under paddy land use system. The highest mean value of available nitrogen was observed in coffee based agroforestry - indigenous and highest mean value of available phosphorous and available sulphur was observed in natural forest. Among the different land use systems, the higher mean value of PDOC (18.06 g kg:), PPOC (292.41 mg kg:), CWEC (313.98 mg kg '), SMBC (411.46 mg kg;'), TOC (35.05 g kg;'), and TC (35.43 g kg:) contents were observed in natural forest and decreases with increasing soil depth. The soils under natural forest system was recorded the highest mean value of Humic acid (4.87) and Fulvic acid (5.48). The highest mean value of carbon sequestration was observed in natural forest (4140.23 t ha*'), followed by sacred groves (3995.12 t ha') and lowest mean value of carbon sequestration was observed in paddy land use system (2171.45 t ha*').ThesisItem Open Access PG Theses Abstract - Agriculture(UAHS, SHIVAMOGGA, 2015)ThesisItem Open Access PG Theses Abstract - Horticulture(UAHS, SHIVAMOGGA, 2015)ThesisItem Open Access PG Theses Abstract - Forestry(UAHS, SHIVAMOGGA, 2015)ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC VARIABILITY, DIVERSITY FOR YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TRADITIONAL RICE (Oryza sativa L.) GENOTYPES(University of Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, 2015-05-04) SRIDHAR, T.C; Dr. B. M. DUSHYANTHA KUMAR; Dr. S. GANGAPRASADRice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important food crop grown worldwide. It is the staple food for half of the world’s population, being primary centre of origin it posses huge diversity of rice genotypes of both wild and cultivated. The present study was undertaken to evaluate sixty four traditional rice genotypes for variability and diversity in yield and its components and morphologically characterise the genotypes according to DUS guidelines. ANOVA revealed significant difference among the genotypes studied for all the characters. High range of variation, PCV, GCV and high heritability coupled with high GAM was observed for number of tillers per plant, number of spikelets, grains per panicle, straw yield per plant, harvest index and grain yield per plant. Yield components such as plant height and test weight exhibited highly significant association with grain yield at phenotypic level. Days to maturity followed by harvest index and number of tillers per plant had the highest positive direct effect on grain yield. Using Mahalanobis’ D2 statistic, genotypes were grouped into fourteen clusters. Based on cluster distance, highest inter cluster distance between cluster X and XIV. Among all the characters, days to maturity followed by straw yield per plant had highest contribution towards the genetic diversity. Morphological characterization inferred the existence of distinct and uniform genotypes for the characters specified for rice by DUS guidelines, viz., anthocynin coloration, intensity and its distribution on coleoptile, basal leaf sheath, leaves, nodes, internodes and spikelets. Angular characters like attitude of flag leaf, culm and panicle. Grain characters viz., awns, length, breadth, grain colour, and shape of both hulled and non hulled grains. Quantitative characters like days to flowering and maturity, length and breadth of leaf blade, plant height and test weight. Two genotypes (Naare kela and Navile sanna) were found entirely distinct by presence of multi spikelets per pedicel. This present study identified five promising genotypes viz., Kempakki, Navara, Chammpakali, Solari and Kaase bhai over check variety (Jyothi and JGL-1798) for yield and its components. Thus these local genotypes may be utilised in further crop improvement programme.ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC VARIABILITY, ASSOCIATION AND DIVERSITY IN FRENCH BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)(University of Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, 2015-05-04) BHAGANNA HARALAYYA; Dr. P. M. SALIMATH; Dr. AGHORA. T. S.Success of any crop improvement programme depends on the extent of genetic variability present in the population for the traits for which the improvement is aimed at breeding. Thirty six germplasm collections were evaluated in a simple lattice design with two replications during summer 2014 at College of Agriculture, UAHS, Shivamogga. Data were collected on 13 quantitative traits and were subjected to variability, association and diversity studies. The genotypes revealed that high significant variability for all the tested characters such as green pod yield, plant height, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod and 100 seed weight. The high PCV and GCV values were recorded by number of pods per plant, plant height, number of secondary branches and test weight. Heritability in broad sense and genetic advance as per cent mean were higher for plant height, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, pod length and 100 seed weight. Association analysis revealed significant positive correlation of green pod yield with plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and pod length (em). Positive direct effects were recorded by pod length, plant height, days to 50 per cent flowering and flower to pod set ratio to green pod yield. The number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant and plant height recorded high positive indirect effect with green pod yield. Based on D2 values thirty six genotypes were grouped into 6 clusters. Cluster I was the biggest with 19 genotypes followed by cluster VI and Cluster II & III. The maximum contribution for the diversity was observed in green pod yield followed by plant height. The genotypes like, IIHR-47, Arka Komal, IIHR-99, IIHR-90, IIHR-81A, IIHR-23 and IIHR-I03 are identified as high yielding and most diverse genotypes. These genotypes could be involved in hybridization among promising combinations to develop productive segregants.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF PLANT GEOMETRY AND GROWTH REGULATORS ON GROWTH, ROOT AND SEED YIELD OF RADISH (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. PUSA CHETKI(University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga (Mudigere), 2015-05-05) SHRUTHI, H. T.; Dr. SRINIVASA, V; Dr. GANAPATHI, MThe study was conducted to find out the optimum spacing and growth regulators levels in radish cv. PusaChetkiin open field condition at department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, during 2014-15. The experiment consists of two levels of spacing (45 × 45 cm and 30 × 30 cm) and two levels of growth regulators(GA3and NAA) each at two concentration (200 ppm and 250 ppm) with control in all possible combinations were assessed for vegetative, root and seed characters. Among the different spacings, S2 (45 × 45 cm) and among the different growth regulators levels, G2 (GA3 250 ppm) recorded maximum plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width, spread of plant, number of branches per plant, stem diameter, fresh weight of leaves, stem and root, leaf area,chlorophyll content, absolute growth rate, dry matter accumulation in different plant parts like leaves, stem and roots, root length and root girth, number of siliqua per plant, number of seeds per pod, pod weight, length of pod and the same treatment also recorded maximum seed quality parameters. The maximum root and seed yield were obtained under closer spacing (30 × 30 cm) and GA3 250 ppm. Interactions of spacing and growth regulators levels were found significant with respect to morphological, root and seed quality parameters. The treatment combination S2G2 (45 × 45 cm + GA3 250 ppm) recorded significantly higher values with respect to plant height (85.53 cm), root length (36.80 cm), number of siliqua per plant (264.00),germination percentage (93.33 %) and the same treatment combination also recorded maximum benefit cost ratio (1.70) compared to other treatment combinations.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC INVESTIGATION OF YIELD AND ITS ATTRIBUTING CHARACTERS IN OKRA [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench](University of Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, 2015-05-14) ASHA I S; Dr. S. GANGAPRASAD; Dr. B. M. DUSHYANTH KUMARThe genetic variability is the pre-requisite for any plant breeding programme. Forty nine Okra germplasm accessions were evaluated in a simple lattice design with two replications during kharif 2014 at College of Agriculture, UAHS, Shivamogga. Data were collected on 13 quantitative traits and were subjected to variability, association and diversity studies. The results of the investigation revealed that, there were significant variation among the lines for yield and yield contributing traits. Broad sense heritability as well as expected GAM was higher for plant height, inter-nodal length, first flowering node, number of branches per plant, number of flowering nodes on main stem, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight and fruit yield per plant. Plant height, intermodal length, first flowering nodes, number of branches per plant, number of flowering nodes in main stem, fruit length, number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight had high significant positive association with fruit yield per plant. Direct and indirect association analysis revealed that number of fruits per plant had highest direct effect followed by average fruit weight on fruit yield per plant. Based on Mahalonobis’ D2 values these genotypes were grouped into 8 clusters. Cluster I had maximum number of 35 genotypes followed by Cluster IV with 5 genotypes. Fruit diameter contributed maximum towards genetic divergence followed by number of flowering nodes on main stem. Pusa Makhmalli, EC 693224 and VRO-109 genotypes which are most diverse could be involved in hybridization among promising combinations to develop productive segregants.ThesisItem Open Access GROWTH ANALYSIS, YIELD AND QUALITY OF GUAR GENOTYPES AS INFLUENCED BY PLANTING DENSITY(University of Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, 2015-05-14) NANDINI, K. M.; Dr. S. SRIDHARA; Dr. S. PRADEEPA field experiment was conducted at University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Navile, Shivamogga during kharif2014 on red sandy clay soil to study the growth analysis, yield and quality of guar genotypes as influenced by planting density. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. There were twelve treatment combinations comprised of four spacing (45 em x 15 em, 30 em x 15 em, 45 cm x 10 ern and 30 em x 10 ern) and three genotypes (RGC-I003, RGC-936 and HG-365). Among the spacing, significantly higher grain yield (743.89 kg ha-l), stover yield (1629.94 kg ha-l), RUE (1.32 Mj m"), HUE (1.53 x 10-2), PTUE (2.29 x 1O-2)and quality parameters like gum per cent (30.36), protein per cent (30.94) and endosperm per cent (33.49), viscosity (236.47 cps I) were recorded in plants grown at 30 em x 10 ern. Among the genotypes, significantly higher total dry matter (23.38 g plant"), grain yield (898.18 kg ha-l), stover yield (1931.39 kg ha-l), RUE (1.26 Mj m"), HUE (1.60 x 10-2), PTUE (2.39 x 10-2) and quality parameters like gum per cent (31.09), protein per cent (31.68) and endosperm per cent (33.96) viscosity RGC-I003 (245.75 CpS-I)were recorded with the RGC-I003. This could be due to genetic potentiality of the genotypes. The interaction of spacing and genotypes were found to be statistically non significant. The functional growth models like Logistic, Gompertz and Richards shows the pattern of dry matter accumulation of guar genotypes at different spacing.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS ON YIELD AND QUALITY PARAMETERS OF GUAVA UNDER HILL ZONE OF KARNATAKA(University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga (Mudigere), 2015-05-19) RAJESH, S.; Dr. K. S. SHESHAGIRI; Dr. THIPPESHA. DThe field investigation was carried out during the year 2014-15 at an existing guava plot (C block of ZAHRS Mudigere) of variety Sardar (L-49) in Mudigere taluk of Chikmagalur district, Karnataka state to study the “Effect of growth regulators on yield and quality parameters of guava under hill zone of Karnataka”. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 13 treatments and 3 replications. Among the different treatments the foliar application of GA3 150 ppm + NAA 300 ppm recorded the highest fruit volume (147.67 ml), fruit length (6.45 cm), fruit diameter (6.59 cm), weight of fruit (152.33 g), pulp weight (147.70 g), pulp per cent (96.96), number of fruits per tree (378.00), yield per tree (57.63 kg)and yield per hectare (23.05 tonnes) whereas, the quality parameters like TSS (11.79 0Brix), ascorbic acid (143.99 mg/100 g pulp), titratable acidity (0.37 %), TSS : acid ratio (31.96), reducing sugar (4.23 %), non-reducing (2.67 %) and total sugars (6.89 %) while, minimum yield (41.00 kg) and yield parameters were recorded in control. The foliar application of GA3 100 ppm + NAA 200 ppm recorded lowest number of seeds per fruit (244.33) and seed weight per fruit (4.38 g), while maximum number of seeds per fruit (321.67) and seed weight per fruit (5.36g) was recorded in control. The application of CCC 750 ppm has registered better quality parameters such as lowest physiological loss in weight (6.59 %) and maximum shelf life (11.67 days), whereas highest physiological loss in weight (10.16 %) and minimum shelf life (7.00 days) was recorded in control.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF AGE AND CURING OF SCION ON SUCCESS RATE OF SOFTWOOD GRAFTING IN SAPOTA (Achras zapota L.)(University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga (Mudigere), 2015-05-20) PULI TANUJA; Dr. THIPPESHA. D; Dr. MADAIAHThe present investigation entitled “Effect of age and curing of scion on success rate of softwood grafting in sapota (Achras zapota L.)” was conducted in low cost poly house at College of Horticulture, Mudigere during the year 2014-15. The experiments were carried out with different treatment combinations in Randomized Block Design with appropriate replications. For the study, four age group scions i.e., 3, 6, 9 and 12 months aged with 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days cured scions were selected for carrying out grafting in low cost polyhouse. The results revealed that age and curing of the scions greatly influenced the per cent grafting success and final establishment of the grafts. It is very evident from the study that out of four different age groups the relatively younger scions of 3 months age gave maximum per cent graft success at 30 (50.00%), 60 (42.50%) and 90 (37.50%) day after grafting with maximum survival percentage (87.00). Similarly in the second experiment, among the six treatments of curing, 10 days cured scions registered maximum per cent graft success at 30 (68.75%), 60 (65.00%) and 90 (62.50%) days after grafting with maximum survival percentage (84.00). The interaction effect of the age and curing of scion revealed that maximum per cent graft success at 30 (66.66%), 60 (65.33%) and 90 (64.00%) days after grafting and maximum survival percentage (80.88) were also registered with 3 months age old scion which was cured for 10 days. Hence, softwood grafting can be carried out successfully with younger scions with 10 days curing to achieve maximum success in low cost polyhouse under Mudigere conditions. In general, these observations were found maximum on younger scions with 10 days cured scions.ThesisItem Open Access INSECT PESTS OF FRENCH BEAN, Phaseolus vulgaris L. WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MANAGEMENT OF STEM FLY, Ophiomyia phaseoli (Tryon) (DIPTERA: AGROMYZIDAE)(University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga (Mudigere), 2015-05-20) B. JHANSI RANI; Dr. L. HANUMANTHARAYA; Dr. V. SRINIVASAThe investigations were carried out on population dynamics of insect pests and natural enemies of French bean, varietal screening of French bean against stem fly and management approaches for stem fly, Ophiomyia phaseoli (Tryon) during 2015 at College of Horticulture, Mudigere, Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka. Eight insect pests belonging to four orders and two of their natural enemies were recorded on French bean. They included stem fly, Ophiomyia phaseoli, aphids, Aphis craccivora (Koch), thrips, Megaleurothrips sp., pod borers such as Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and Maruca testulalis (Geyer), plant bugs, Nezara virudula (Linnaeaus), white flies Bemesia tabaci (Gennadius), leaf hoppers, Empoasca sp., coccinellids included Cheilomenus sexmaculata (Fabricius), Coccinella septumpunctata (Linnaeaus) and Coccinella transversalis (Fabricius) and unidentified spiders. In population dynamics, the peak incidence of thrips was noticed during the second week of November and third week of February. The peak incidence of H. armigera was noticed during the third week of November and last week of March whereas, M. testulalis was noticed during the last week of December and last week of March. Further, the peak incidence of aphids, whitefly and leaf hopper were recorded in third week of November and second week of February; third week of November and last week of February; third week of November and March, respectively. Among different varieties screened against stem fly, Arka Suvidha and Arka Komal recorded lowest seedling mortality and stem tunneling with higher pod yield. Whereas, Anupama, Jyothi and Nandi were categorized as susceptible varieties which showed highest seedling mortality and stem tunneling. Among treatments evaluated for the management of stem fly, seed treatment with imidacloprid 70 WS @ 5.0 g/kg seed followed by foliar spray with imidacloprid 17.8 SL @0.3ml/l at 15 and 30 days after sowing recorded the lowest incidence of stem fly with highest net return and C: B ratio.ThesisItem Open Access AGRONOMIC INTERVENTIONS TO ENHANCE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF FOXTAIL MILLET (Setaria italica L.) IN SOUTHERN TRANSITION ZONE OF KARNATAKA(University of Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, 2015-05-22) NANDINI, K.M.; Dr. S. SRIDHARA; Dr. NARAYANA. S. MAVARKARA field experiment was conducted at University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Navile, Shivamogga during kharif2014 onredsandy clay soil to study the growth analysis, yield and quality of guar genotypes as influenced by planting density. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. There were twelve treatment combinations comprised of four spacing (45cmx15cm, 30cmx15cm, 45cmx10cm and 30cmx10cm) and three genotypes (RGC-I003, RGC-936 and HG-365). Among the spacing, significantly higher grain yield (743.89 kgha-l), stover yield (1629.94 kgha-l),RUE (1.32Mjm"), HUE (1.53 x 10-2), PTUE (2.29 x 1O-2) and quality parameters like gum per cent (30.36), protein percent(30.94) andendosperm percent(33.49), viscosity (236.47 cps I) were recorded inplants grown at30cmx10cm. Among thegenotypes, significantly higher total dry matter (23.38 g plant"), grain yield (898.18 kg ha-l),stover yield (1931.39 kg ha-l),RUE (1.26 Mj m"), HUE (1.60 x 10-2), PTUE (2.39 x 10-2) and quality parameters like gum per cent (31.09), protein per cent (31.68) and endosperm per cent(33.96) viscosity RGC-I003 (245.75 CpS-I)were recorded with the RGC-I003. This could be due to genetic potentiality ofthegenotypes. The interaction of spacing and genotypes were found to be statistically non significant. Thefunctional growth models like Logistic, Gompertz and Richards shows the pattern of drymatter accumulation of guar genotypes atdifferent spacing.ThesisItem Open Access PROPAGATION STUDIES IN Celastrus paniculatus Willd. - AN ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANT(University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga (Mudigere), 2015-05-28) POOJITHA K G; Dr. RAVIRAJA SHETTY, G.; Dr. RAJASEKHARAN, P. EAn experiment was carried out to study the propagation of Celastrus paniculatusWilld. at the Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic crops, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, during the year 2013-14. The work was initiated to standardize the seedand vegetative propagation techniques and morphological characterization of this important RET medicinal plant.Among the different germination inducing treatments, the seeds treated withgibberellins at 400 ppm showed higher germination percentage (62.67) germination rate (0.78) and seedling vigour (2082.74). In vegetative propagation, stem cuttings treated with IBA 2000 ppm recorded maximum sprouting percentage (98.66) and rooting percentage (74.25) 120 days after planting. For tissue culture, nodal segments were used as explant and among various combinations, satisfactory results were obtained in terms of number of shoots and number of leaves by using a combination of BAP (4.44µm) + Kn (0. 2.32 µm). To study the morphology, 6 accessions ofC. paniculatusWilld. maintained at Field Gene Bank, Division of Plant Genetic Resources, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore were studied for 9 quantitative morphological characters. High genetic advance over mean coupled with high heritability was observed in characters like seed yield per plant (97.90%), leaf width (96.30%), leaf area (95.30%), leaf length (89.60%), fruit diameter (89.60%) and plant height (87.80%). Correlation study revealed that plant height, leaf length, leaf width and fruit length had significant positive correlation with seed yield per plant. In path analysis, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, fruit diameter and seed length had high positive direct effects on yield per plant.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC VARIABILITY STUDIES IN BRINJAL (Solanum melongena L.) UNDER HILL ZONE OF KARNATAKA(University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga (Mudigere), 2015-05-28) IBAAD, M. H.; Dr. SRINIVASA, V; Dr. M. NARAYANASWAMYAn investigation on genetic variability studies in brinjal was carried out in randomized complete block design in the experimental block of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Mudigere during 2014. Significant differences among genotypes were observed for all the characters under study. High heritability (>60 %) in association with high genetic advance over mean (> 20 %) was observed for number of primary branches, plant spread from east to west, plant spread from north to south, stem girth, leaf area, days to first flowering, days to fifty per cent flowering, number of flowers per cluster, number of clusters per plant, number of fruits per cluster, fruit diameter, fruit length, days taken for first picking, yield per plant, yield per plot, yield per hectare and total chlorophyll content. Therefore, additive component is predominant here. Thus, there is ample scope for improving these characters through direct selection. Total yield per plant was positively and significantly associated with yield per plot, plant height, number of primary branches, plant spread from north to south, stem girth, days to first flowering, days to fifty per cent flowering, number of clusters per plant, fruit diameter and days to first picking. Path analysis revealed that highest positive direct effects on total yield per plant was shown by number of primary branches at 90 DAT (1.2478) followed by number of clusters per plant (0.5123), days to fifty per cent flowering (0.5091), number of fruits per cluster (0.4825) and fruit diameter (0.4292). By following Mahalanobis D2 analysis, 28 genotypes of brinjal were grouped into five clusters. Days taken for first picking (31.75%) followed by pedicel length (15.08 %) and yield per plant (14.02 %) contributed maximum to the total genetic diversity. Results of screening for shoot and fruit borer revealed that Arka Neelkant and IC354597 were found fairly resistant to shoot and fruit borer infestation.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON GENETIC VARIABILITY IN EGGPLANT (Solanum melongena L.) GENOTYPES FOR DROUGHT TOLERANCE AND YIELD(University of Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, 2015-06-10) GOBU. R; Dr. B. N. HARISH BABU; Dr. S. GANGAPRASADThe present investigation was initiated by conducting a survey among eggplant growers of central dry zone (Zone-4) and southern transitional zone (Zone-7) of Karnataka to know their varietal preference and then a study was conducted in eggplant genotypes to assess the genetic variability for drought tolerance and yield under three experiments by imposing water stress at germination stage (73 genotypes), seedling stage (65 genotypes) and reproductive stage (62 genotypes). The survey results revealed that farmers in Zone-4 prefer local cultivars followed by private varieties/hybrids. Whereas in Zone-7, private varieties are more preferred than local cultivars. The analysis of variation revealed the existence of highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits recorded under moisture stressed and non-stressed condition. A high range of variation and high heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for most of the traits. The association studies revealed that fruit yield per plant showed significant positive association with plant height, number of fruits per plant, fruit circumference and average fruit weight. Path analysis revealed that average fruit weight had highest direct positive effect on fruit yield, while fruit circumference showed high indirect positive effect on fruit yield through average fruit weight. Based on Mahalanobis’ D2 analysis, the genotypes were grouped into 11 clusters. Based on cluster mean scoring, cluster II ranked first, which includes Punjab Barsati, IC104083, IVBL-9, Lal Gulab, IC90785, IC333527, Arka Abilash, IIHR-7and Arka Kranti. Out of twelve characters studied, number of primary branches per plant contributed maximum towards total genetic divergence.Based on the results of each experiment, better drought tolerant and susceptible genotypes for moisture stress at different growth stages were identified. The genotype, Jawahar Brinjal-69 has been identified as drought tolerant line at all the three stages viz., germination, seedling and reproductive stage.ThesisItem Open Access CERAMBYCIDAE FAUNA IN PLANTATION AND FRUIT CROP ECOSYSTEMS OF WESTRN GHATS IN KARNATAKA(University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga (Mudigere), 2015-06-10) SANGAMESH, R. HIREMATH; Dr. REVANNA REVANNAVAR; Dr. C. A. VIRAKTAMATHStudies conducted on Cerambycidae fauna in plantation and fruit crop ecosystems of Western Ghats in Karnataka revealed a total of 76 species in 59 genera. Three families of the Cerambycoid complex viz. Cerambycidae, Disteniidae and Vesperidaewere represented in Western Ghats of Karnataka.The family Cerambycidaewas represented by four subfamilies viz. Prioninae (8 genera and 10 species), Lepturinae (1 species), Cerambycinae (19 genera and 27 species) and Lamiinae (29 genera and 36 species). The subfamily Lamiinaewas the most speciose group found in the present study.The family Disteniidae with an unconfirmed species and Vesperidae with a species of an uncertain generic placement (Philus? globulicollisThomson) represented the Cerambycoid families in Western Ghats of Karnataka. Of the 76 species collected, 3 were new records to India (Nepiodesterminalis(Gahan), Neoplocaederusconsocius(Pascoe)and Paraleproderasp. nrjavanica) 11 were new records to south India and 22 were new records to Karnataka. A total of 13 new host plant records for the long-horned beetles collected in the present study were documented. Among the Cerambycidae fauna collected, members belonging to the subfamily Cerambycinae and Lamiinae are considered as pestiferous in their larval stage. Chelidoniumcinctum (Guérin-Méneville), Neoplocaederusferrugineus (Linnaeus), XylotrechusquadripesChevrolat, Batocerarufomaculata (Degeer) and Stheniasgrisator (Fabricius) included in the present study are well known persistent pests on fruits and plantation crops.A checklist of the species documented in the present study along with the diagnostic characters and illustrated key for their identification were provided.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON EPIDEMIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF COFFEE LEAF RUST CAUSED BY Hemileia vastatrix (Berkeley and Broome)(University of Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, 2015-06-10) SHRINIDHIBHARATHISHA NAVILEKAR; Dr. H. NARAYANASWAMY; Dr. B. GANGADHARA NAIKIn India, coffee is cultivated as an important commercial crop which is cultivated in an area of 4,15,341 ha. The major disease threatening the coffee cultivation is leaf rust caused by Hemileia vastatrix (Berk. and Br.). The roving survey on coffee leaf rust carried out during November-December 2014 revealed that, the disease occurrence varied from moderate to severe infection with the disease severity ranging from 9.40 to 47.83 per cent. The highest mean disease severity was recorded in Kodagu district (22.44 PDI). However, the lowest disease severity of 13.82 PDI was observed in Shivamogga district. The epidemiological studies revealed that, lower disease severity was recorded during the month of April to June. Whereas, peak disease severity was recorded during the month of December 2014. The mean minimum temperature had significant (P=0.01) negative correlation with disease incidence. Screening of varieties against coffee leaf rust revealed that, out of six Coffea arabica genotypes, three genotypes (Sln 5b, Sln 9 and Sln 13) were found to have resistance against Hemileia vastatrix (Berk. and Br.) whereas, Sln 3, Sln 6 and Sln 12 were found to be susceptible. The studies on variability of the pathogen indicated that, the isolates CHKM-1 and CHKM-2 were yellow in color remaining all the isolates were orange in color. All the isolates observed were reniform in shape and were echinulated. Evaluation of bacterial antagonists against Hemileia vastatrix (Berk. and Br.) under in vitro condition revealed that, treatment with Bacillus subtilis recorded less uredospore germination (20.03%) compared to Pseudomonas fluorescens (22.41%) at the higher concentrations (1 x 109cfu/ml) tested. Among the different fungicides used against coffee leaf rust, Thifluzamide 24 SC at 1 ml/litre concentration was found to be more effective in managing the disease and found on par with Bayleton at 1gm/litre and Oxycarboxin at1 gm/litre.