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Open Access
Post-Harvest Quality Enhancement in Banana cv. Grand Naine
(2021) Behera, Swosti Debapriya; Neog, Manoranjan
An experiment on „Post harvest quality enhancement in banana cv. Grand Naine‟ was conducted in kharif season of 2017-18 and 2018-19 in the Orchard and Quality Control laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat to study the effect of various pre and post harvest treatments on post harvest quality and shelf life of banana. Two pre harvest treatments B1 (Bunch spray of sulfate of potash 2% + calcium chloride 2%), B2 (Bunch spray of sulfate of potash 2% + micro nutrient Tracel 2%) and six post harvest treatments H1( Dipping hands in 1% chitosan solution for 2 minutes), H2 (Dipping hands in 30 ppm Benzyl adenine solution for 10 minutes), H3 (Dipping hands in 2% calcium chloride solution for 5 minutes) H4 (Dipping hands in 1% Garlic extract for 4 hours), H5 (Dipping hands in Gibberelic acid 150 ppm solution for 1 minute), H6 (Control or Hands without any treatment) were applied to fruits. Fruits were subjected to post harvest treatments immediately after harvest and kept at ambient conditions (mean temp. 21.8 + 2.3°C; mean RH 85 + 10%). Physicochemical properties and enzyme activities were studied at harvest and across storage at 3 days (S1), 6 days (S2), 9days (S3) and 12 days (S4). The laboratory experiment was laid out in a factorial completely randomized block design with three replications. Among pre harvest treatments, sulfate of potash 2% + micro nutrient (Tracel 2%) proved better in improving fruit qualities. On 12th days after storage, maximum TSS ( 25%), Reducing sugar (17.83%) , Non reducing sugar (11.13%) and Total sugar (28.97%) were recorded in B1H6 ( spray of sulfate of potash 2% + calcium chloride 2% + control) while minimum content was found in B2H5 (sulfate of potash 2% + micro nutrient (Tracel 2%) + GA3 150 ppm i.e. 18.72%, 9.03%, 7.40% and 16.44%, respectively. B2H6 registered the lowest titrable acidity (0.32%) which was followed by B1H6 (.322%) and B2H1 (0.357%). Maximum retention of ascorbic acid (4.71 mg/100g), crude protein (3.25%), crude fibre (0.42%), pectin (2.38%) and the lowest phenol content (25.50 mg/ 100g) were obtained in B2H5 . .Pectin methyl esterase activity in pedicel was the highest i.e. 37.34 units / mg protein on 12th days of storage in B1H6 and the lowest activity (20.84 units / mg protein) was found in B2H5. In pedicel, its activity was higher than that of peel. Physiological loss in weight (PLW) and rotting of fruits were increased during storage. B2H5 recorded the lowest PLW (10.39%) on 12th days after storage and absence of rotting of fruits which was followed by B2H3 (10.92%). Organoleptic qualities of fruits were found to decrease with the advancement of storage period. The highest score values in respect of colour (9), flavour (8.67) and overall acceptability (9) were obtained in sulfate of potash (2%) + Tracel 2% + post harvest treatment of Gibberelic acid 150 ppm followed by sulfate of potash (2%) + Calcium chloride (2%) + Post harvest treatment of Gibberelic acid 150 ppm which was having highest taste score (9) and texture value (8.73). Maximum shelf life of 15 days was recorded in sulfate of potash (2%) + Tracel 2% + post harvest treatment of Gibberelic acid 150 ppm while the lowest of 9 days was found in sulfate of potash (2%) + Calcium chloride (2%) + Control. The former treatment is also very cost effective while comparing with other treatments. Thus, it may be suggested that pre harvest treatments with sulfate of potash (2%) + Tracel 2% and post harvest treatment of Gibberelic acid 150 ppm (1 min) appeared to be the best treatment with minimum pectin methyl esterase activity, physiological weight loss, rotting and microbial activities retaining maximum pectin, crude fibre, protein which extended the shelf life up to 15 days at ambient conditions.
Open Access
INFLUENCE OF RADISH AS COVER CROP AND VEGETABLE CROPPING SYSTEM ON CROP PRODUCTIVITY AND SOIL HEALTH OF SANDY SOIL OF GOSSAIGAON, ASSAM
(2021) Brahma, Sanchita; Phookan DeepaBorbora
The present investigation entitled “Influence of radish as cover crop and vegetable cropping system on crop productivity and soil health of sandy soil of Gossaigaon, Assam” was carried out during Rabi season of 2017-18 and 2018-19 and Summer season of 2017-18 and 2018-19 at KrishiVigyan Kendra (KVK) farm of Kokrajhar district under Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone (LBVZ) of Assam State. The soil of experimental site was sandy loam in texture with strongly acidic soil reaction, with low EC, CEC, high bulk density, particle density, low in organic carbon, low in available nitrogen medium in phosphorus and low in potassium. The treatment details were: cover crop (CC) ,followed by CS-I (okra followed by bitter gourd), CS-II (chilli followed by dolichos bean) and cropping system-III (cowpea followed by amaranthus). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD). Forage radish CC was sown during 10th October, 2017-18 and 15th October, 2018-19 with seven replications, 100 % CC (30cm x 30cm), 75% CC (45cm x 30cm) and 50 % CC at 60cm x 30cm, respectively. At young, decomposable harvesting maturity (60DAS), the CC was incorporated in the soil manually in all the plots. After one month of CC incorporation vegetable crops viz., Orka, chilli and cowpea were sown/transplanted during January, 2018 & 2019 with five replications. Vegetable crop biomasses were also incorporated in soil after harvest and followed by the second vegetable crops viz., bitter gourd, dolichos bean and amaranthus, respectively in respective vegetable sequence(s). The influence of cover crop and crop biomasses on soil chemical and physical parameters were studied at different sampling depths for both years. Soil chemical and physical parameters after incorporation of forage radish cover crop recorded significant improvements over control. Most of the growth parameters, yield attributes and yield of vegetable crops, soil chemical parameters (EC, CEC, available NPK, organic carbon, organic matter and C/N ratio), soil physical attributes viz., WHC, total porosity and reduction in bulk density, particle density of soil after harvest and incorporation of crop biomasses were maximum under cent per cent surface cover (T1) during both the year of experimentation. Significantly, the highest okra yield (17.11 and 18.86 q/ha), chilli yield (31.32 and 32.19 t/ha), cowpea yield (27.59 and 28.92t/ha), bitter gourd yield (18.31 and 19.00 t/ha), dolichos bean yield (18.64 and 19.00 t/ha) and amaranthus yield (25.21 and 26.23t/ha ) were obtained with the application of 100 % cover crop (T1) followed by 75 % per cent cover crop (T2) over the control(T0) without surface cover.Among the different levels of cover crop, cent per cent cover crop (T1) resulted in significant EC, CEC, organic carbon (%), organic matter (%), soil available NPK, C/N ratio after crop harvest. Similarly the soil physical parameters also showed improvements in cent per cent cover crop treatment which recorded the highest WHC (%), total porosity (%) lowest bulk density (gmcm-3) and particle density (gmcm-3) over other cover crop treatment as well as control after crop harvest in all the vegetable cropping system. Among the vegetable cropping system, the highest net return (Rs. 7,56,195/ha) with benefit : cost ratio (6.39) were recorded by CS-II (chilli followed by dolichos bean) under 100 % cover crop (T1) followed by the same cropping system under 75 % surface cover (T2) with net returns (Rs. 6,14,595/ha) with B:C ratio (5.38). On the basis of experimental results, it can be concluded that for getting higher returns and improvement of soil health, vegetable crops viz., chilli (spring-summer) followed by dolichos bean (summer) can be grown after cent per cent surface cover with radish cover crop in sequence for sustainable vegetable production in sandy soil of Gossaigaon, under Lower Brahmaputtra Valley Zone of Assam.
Open Access
Gender Differentiated Dimensions in Agriculture and Identifying its Factors Governing Impact on Tribal Farm Women - A Study in Assam
(2022) Bora, Pallabi; Mishra, P.
The present study was carried out in Jorhat, Morigaon, Baksa and Dhemaji districts of Assam with the objectives to assess the gender division of agricultural activities and to explore gender differentiated dimensions in agriculture along with its impact factors. A multistage random sampling method was followed to select the final respondents of 320 that comprises equal number of women and men respondents of a particular household. Two agricultural components namely paddy and piggery were included in the study. Appropriate statistical tools viz. frequency, percentage, mean, Z- test, multiple regression, path analysis were employed to analyse the data. The findings revealed that majority of the farm women and men belonged to young age group with less considerable level of education. More than ninety percent had male headed household and nuclear family (70.625) with medium sized family (53.75%) in between 4 to 6 members. Both had good number of years of farming experience but had low training exposure, poor extension contact and less social participation. Majority (66.25%) of them were small holding farmers utilizing 1 to 2 ha of land under paddy (71.25%) and had small pig size of less than 3 number. Most (58.12%) of them had rice and other allied agricultural activities as the main occupation. Average annual family income was Rs. 1.72 lakh and individual average income of women and men was Rs. 0.39 and Rs. 1.33 respectively. Both women and men had a medium level of knowledge and medium risk bearing ability. A medium overall level of participation was found in agriculture by women (55.62%) and men (58.12%) with mean scores of 54.57 and 67.99 in women and men respectively. Majority (40.63%) of the farm women had low decision making power in agriculture, while men (49.37%) had a high decision making power. The overall extent of access and control was found to be medium (48.75%) to low (33.13%) in women whereas, in men, a medium (47.50%) to high (30.62%) level was found. Most of the women had low (41.87%) income control (37.50) and forty five percent men had high to medium (29.38) income Comparatively the workload of women in triple role was more than men as women spent on an average of 15.75 hr. /day while spend 11.88 hr. /day. Both women (64.38%) and men (51.88%) had medium level of perception towards agriculture. A two sample Z- test showed that there were significant differences between women and men in all the four gender differentiated dimensions of agriculture. Among the seven impact factors, only education and family were positively significant with the likelihood of resources‟ access control and control pattern in usage of income at 0.001 level of probability. Three factors viz. personality, family and education were found to be positively significant with the likelihood of production decision making pattern at 0.001 level of probability. The coefficient of multiple determination (R2) values (0.619), (0.709), (0.688) stated that these factors jointly contributed 61.90 percent, 70.90 percent and 68.80 percent towards variation in production decision, resources‟ access control and control over usage of income respectively. Path analysis was performed using SPPS Amos version 26.0 to detect direct and indirect effects of the three dependent variables (Resource access control, Income usage and production decisions) and three independent variables (Personality, Family and Education). Path models revealed significant direct effects between Education and Family with all the dependent variables, i.e., Resource access control, Income usage and production decisions. However, direct effects of individual decision have been observed only with Production decisions. The co-variances among and between the independent variables were significant and showed significant indirect effects.
Open Access
Standardization of organic inputs in pineapple cv. ‘Kew’
(2021) Pathak, Nishita; Kotoky, Utpal
An investigation on ―Standardization of organic inputs in pineapple cv. ‗Kew‘‖ was conducted during the year 2018 - 2020, in the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. The field experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments replicated three times. The ten different treatments were FYM @ 5 tonnes/ha + Wood ash @ 0.8 tonnes/ha (T1), FYM @ 10 tonnes/ha + Wood ash @ 0.8 tonnes/ha (T2), Vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha + Wood ash @ 0.8 tonnes/ha (T3), Vermicompost @ 5 tonnes/ha + Wood ash @ 0.8 tonnes/ha (T4), T1 + Microbial Consortium @ 20 kg/ha (T5), T2 + Microbial Consortium @ 20 kg/ha (T6), T3 + Microbial Consortium @ 20 kg/ha (T7), T4 + Microbial Consortium @ 20 kg/ha (T8), Microbial Consortium @ 20 kg/ha (T9) and RDF (T0, control). The results so obtained showed that, reproductive and quality parameters were significantly influenced by the various treatments. Among the various treatments, T8 was found to be the best in increasing the growth parameters viz., plant height (103.18 cm) at 360 DAP, number of leaves (70.00) at 540 DAP, length of ‗D‘ leaf (67.47 cm), breadth of ‗D‘ leaf (5.37 cm), leaf area (291.38 cm2), leaf area index (2.65), shoot and root ratio (12.23), root length (46.57), number of flower per inflorescence (91.89) and also earliness in flowering was observed. Fruit weight with crown (1.78 kg), fruit weight without crown (1.54 kg), fruit length (15.94 cm), fruit breadth (13.15 cm), fruit volume (1228.52 cc) and fruit yield (56.07 t/ha) were also found to be significantly higher in treatment T8. Similarly in case of quality parameters viz., TSS (15.93 °Brix), reducing sugar (5.63 %), total sugar (9.75 %), ascorbic acid (26.16 mg/100g) and moisture percentage (87.12) recorded significantly higher values in treatment T8. Regarding nutrient status of the soil the results revealed that, the available N (270.84 kg/ha), P (60.02 kg/ha) and K (138.65 kg/ha), organic carbon (0.92 %), soil pH (5.56), microbial biomass carbon (500.67 μg g-1 soil), microbial population viz., bacteria (7.27 log cfu g-1 soil) and fungi (5.01 log cfu g-1 soil) and soil enzyme activity i.e, Dehydrogenase (179.01 μg TPF g-1 soil 24 hour-1), Phosphomonoesterase (342.62 μg pnitrophenol g-1 hour-1) and Fluorescein di-acetate (6.90 μg fluorescein g-1 h-1) were found to be significantly higher in treatment T8. Based on the results obtained during the investigation, it can be concluded that, pineapple plants cv. Kew when applied with Vermicompost @ 5 tonnes/ha + Wood ash @ 0.8 tonnes/ha + Microbial Consortium @ 20 kg/ha (T8) resulted in better growth with improved fruit quality and higher benefit: cost ratio (3.03).
Open Access
Quality planting material generation of early cauliflower in green house for higher production and productivity
(2021) BURAGOHAIN, NAYANMONI; Gogoi, Sailen
An experiment was conducted at the greenhouse and in the field of the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat and at Farmer’s field, Korongakhat village, Dhekiajuli, Jorhat for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) to generate quality planting material of early cauliflower in green house for higher production and productivity and to evaluate their performance in the field condition. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with eight treatments comprising of four sowing media [M1-cocopeat (60): vermiculite (20): perlite (20), M2- cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50), M3-cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50): microbial consortium and M4-Conventional nursery] and two varieties [V1 (White Diamond) and V2 (CFL1522)] replicated thrice. In the present study, all the growth parameters at seedling stage were significantly influenced by sowing media. The effect of variety was found significant for days to 2-true leaf emergence, leaf area, seedling fresh and dry weight, seedling growth index and root length. The highest seedling emergence (93.00%) was recorded in sowing media M1 whereas minimum days to transplanting (22.25), maximum leaf area (11.14 sq.cm), stem diameter (0.50 cm), highest seedling fresh (5.44 mg) and dry weight (0.64 mg) was recorded in M2. Minimum days for 2-true leaf emergence (10.75) was recorded by variety V2 while highest leaf area (10.86 sq.cm), seedling fresh weight (4.12 mg) and dry weight (0.43 mg), seedling growth index (1254.49) and root length (4.24 cm) were recorded by V1. Among interactions, M2V1 recorded maximum leaf area (11.97 sq.cm), stem diameter (0.53 cm), seedling fresh and dry weight (5.50 and 0.66 mg) respectively, root length (5.83 cm), relative water content (92.06 %), dry matter accumulation (12.19 %), palisade ratio (1.58); M1V1 recorded maximum emergence (93.79 %), M2V2 recorded minimum number of days (9.50) for 2-true leaf stage, least number of days (22.17) to transplanting, maximum stomata number in upper and lower surface (87.11 and 154.75). The highest curd weight (0.41 kg) and yield (200.22 q/ha) was recorded in M3 and among interactions M3V2 recorded the highest curd weight (0.41 kg) and yield (202.13 q/ha). Similar observations were recorded in Farmer’s field also where media had significant influence for all the parameters and variety showed significant variation for limited parameters. The highest benefit: cost ratio (3.95) was recorded in M3V1 (cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50): microbial consortium and variety White Diamond) while M3V2 (cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50): microbial consortium and variety CFL 1522) registered a B: C ratio of 3.90. Considering the crop performances, sowing media comprising of cocopeat (50): vermicompost (50): microbial consortium (@ 1:100 can be suggested for raising quality seedlings in the greenhouse to get higher yield and maximum return for early cauliflower cultivation.
Open Access
Effect of different electrical conductances and vertical hydroponics systems on growth, yield and quality traits of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) with special reference to post-harvest shelf life under Assam condition.
(2022) SAROJ, NANHE LAL; Barua, Pritam Coomar
An experiment was carried out in a naturally ventilated playhouse located in Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during the year 2019-20 and 2020-21 to study the effect of different electrical conductances and vertical hydroponics systems most suitable for the strawberry crop. The strawberry crop was subjected to EC levels viz. L1 (1.8 dS/m) and L2 (2.5 dS/m) in three different vertical hydroponics systems viz. T1 (A-Type), T2 (Column-Type), and T3 (Shelf-Type) to study their effect. The experiment was laid out in a factorial completely randomized block design with three treatments, six replications, and two EC levels, and data of individual years were subjected to the pooled analysis. Among the three vertical hydroponics systems (T1 A-Type) and EC (L1 1.8 dS/m) were found to be the best for vegetative and yield contributing characters along with other studies of quality parameters. The significant effect of vertical hydroponics system (T1 A-Type) and EC (L1 1.8 dS/m) was observed in plant height (20.90 cm) and (21.19cm), number of leaves per plant (15.24) and (14.97), number of shoots per plant (5.78) and (5.63), days to bloom (23.79 days) and (23.76 days), number of flowers produced per plant (16.46) and (17.08), leaf area (112.33cm2) and (115.75 cm2), plant spread (24.15 cm) and (23.06cm), days to harvest from fruit set (22.42 days) and (22.64 days), root length (18.15 cm) and (17.05cm), root volume (34.03cc) and (33.19cc) and dry root(2.44g) and (2.46g) weight compared to other vertical hydroponics system and EC levels. The yield attributing characters in terms of yield (357.88g./plant) and (316.91g./plant), fruit weight (25.61g) and (24.03g), number of fruits per plant (13.92) and (12.97), number of fruits per system (295.00) and (247.08), the weight of fruit per system in T3 (5.84 kg) and (5.84 kg), fruit length (6.96cm) and (5.88cm), fruit girth (10.35cm) and (9.89cm) and fruit volume (10.56cc) and (9.74cc) were found significantly higher in vertical hydroponics system (T1 A-Type) and EC (L1 1.8 dS/m). The type of structure, EC solutions, and interaction significantly affected quality parameters. The quality parameters viz., reducing sugars (5.18%) and (4.94%), non-reducing sugars (1.93%) and (1.87%), T.S.S. (7.70 0Brix) and (7.320Brix), total sugars (7.11%) and (6.81%), anthocyanin (29.51 mg/100g) and (27.76 mg/100g), titratable acidity (0.62%) and (0.68%), ascorbic acid (34.99mg/100 g) and (33.48 mg/100 g), moisture (92.00 %) and (91.74%), PLW (9.64%) and (9.69%), decay (9.48 %) and (9.47%), ash content (0.72%) and (0.71%), potassium (2.93mg /100g) and (2.91 mg /100g) and phosphorus (1.25 mg /100g) and (1.25 mg /100g), NAR (1.35mg cm-2 day-1) and (1.34mg cm-2 day-1) and B:C ratio (2.45) was found highest in T1, L1 and T1xL1. Among the three vertical hydroponic systems, significant differences in growth parameters were observed primarily due to differences in Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) availability. A higher NAR availability led to a higher rate of photosynthesis, better growth, and better quality of the fruits of the plants in the vertical hydroponic system (A-type). Therefore, some modifications such as A-shape or V-shape designs are suggested in the vertical hydroponics system to improve NAR availability in the column type and Shelf-type. Among both E.C levels, the effect of EC 1.8 was found to be the best for vegetative and yield contributing characters along with quality parameters of strawberries. The fresh strawberry fruits of cv. ‘Winter Dawn’ were plucked at approximately 3/4th maturity stage and packed in different readily available perforated packaging films viz., low-density polyethylene (P1), high-density polyethylene (P2), polypropylene (P3), polyvinyl chloride (P4), polyolefin films(P5), butter paper(P6) and without packaging as a control(P7). Fruits were wrapped in each packet to create a passive modified atmospheric condition. All the film-packed fruits were then stored in refrigerated and ambient storage temperature (i.e., 6℃ + 65-71% RH and 22-27℃ + 70-76% RH). The various quality attributes viz., physiological loss in weight, decay %, T.S.S., titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total sugars, reducing sugars, anthocyanin, and sensory attributes of fruits were estimated in refrigerated (S1) and ambient (S2) storage conditions (viz., 3- and 1-days intervals) during the entire storage period. Under (S1) and (S2) storage conditions the result inferred that the PLW (P1S1 3.13 and P1S2 5.66%), Decay (P1S1 8.57 and P1S2 13.37%), TSS (P1S1 6.90and P1S2 6.92°Brix), titratable acidity (P1S1 0.55 and P1S2 0.70%), ascorbic acid (P1S1 23.08and P1S2 18.41mg/100g), total sugars (P1S1 4.77and P1S2 4.75%), reducing sugars (P1S1 3.78 and P1S2 3.80%), anthocyanin (P1S1 48.45 mg/100g and P1S2 53.47 mg/100g) and Organoleptic rating (P1S16.14 and P1S2 7.56) were found to decrease with the prolongation of storage periods. No significant variation was recorded for different packaging materials and EC, except for PLW, Decay, and ascorbic acid in fruits packed with P1. The organoleptic rating of strawberry fruits was found best in fruits packed with P1(S1 6.14and S2 7.56) packaging films. In the future, these experimental results may prove very useful for the storage of strawberry fruits for a certain period with better quality.
Open Access
PERFORMANCE OF GLADIOLUS (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF FERTILIZERS AND SPACING USING MARIGOLD (Tagetes patula) AS AN INTER-CROP
(2022) Borah, Karishma; Bora, Sunil
The investigation was conducted in the Experimental farm of Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during 2018-19 and 2019-20, to study the effect of varied levels of spacing and Nitrogenous fertilizer doses in intercropping of French marigold with Gladiolus on growth, yield and quality attributes of the crops and determine the suitable spacing and fertilizer for the system. Postharvest quality of gladiolus spikes produced in the system was further evaluated in the Laboratory of Department of Horticulture, AAU, Jorhat during both the years. The first experiment was replicated three times in 3 factorial RBD with 12 treatments having 3 spacing levels (40cm×20cm, 50cm×20cm, 60cm×20cm), 3 Nitrogenous doses (130 + 220 + 200 kg NPK/ha, 160 + 220 + 200 kg NPK/ha, 190 + 220 + 200 kg NPK/ha), which were compared with 3 controls (Sole Gladiolus, Sole Marigold and Gladiolus + Marigold intercropping with RDF and Recommended Fertilizer). Laboratory experiment laid out in CRD with 3 replications and 10 treatments viz. Distilled water, Sucrose 4%), NaOCl 100 ppm, 8-HQC 200 ppm, Al2(SO4)3 300 ppm, CoSO4 400 ppm, Sucrose 4% + Al2(SO4)3 300 ppm, Sucrose 4% + 8-HQC 200 ppm, Sucrose 4% + CoSO4 400 ppm and Sucrose 4% + NaOCl 100 ppm. Field experiment revealed that growth, floral, yield and quality traits recorded significant variation in intercropping of both crops. In gladiolus, maximum sprouts per plant (2.43), plant height (140.79 cm) and leaves per plant (7.07) recorded with 190 + 220 + 200 kg NPK/ha (F3). Spacing of 60cm×20cm (S3) recorded highest plant height (141.12 cm) and leaves per plant (7.32). Sprouts per plant was superior (2.13) in 50cm×20cm spacing, which is at par with 60cm×20cm spacing. The treatment effect having maximum sprouts per plants (2.52) was attained in T9 (S2F3) and maximum plant height (144.17 days) and leaves per plant (7.42) were revealed in T12 (S3F3). Flowering attributes including days to emergence of gladiolus spike (79.20 days), bud initiation (87.19 days) and opening of first floret (94.72 days) was recorded minimum in spacing S3 (60cm × 20cm). 130 + 220 + 200 kg/ha NPK revealed minimum days to spike emergence (77.77 days), bud initiation (85.79 days) and opening of first floret (93.83 days). Treatment T10 (S3F1) took least days for spike emergence (76.25 days), bud initiation (84.41 days) and floret opening (92.47 days). Spikes per corm (2.20), rachis length (65.06 cm), internodal length (7.61 cm), spike length (94.17 cm) and floret diameter (12.53 cm) of spike, fresh weight (111.04 gm), dry weight (46.04gm), self life (16.16 days) and vase life (12.94 days) recorded highest in treatment T11 (S3F2). Number of florets open (5.36) and florets per spike (12.36) obtained maximum in T8 (S2F2). Treatment T3 (S1F1) attained minimum spike fresh weight (67.75 gm), dry weight (20.75 gm), self life (9.10 days) and vase life (6.98 days). T8 (S2F2) recorded maximum corm size (7.23 cm) and T11 (S3F2) recorded maximum corm weight (139.48 gm), number of corms (3.36) and number of cormels (26.24) per corm planted. Spacing 60cm×20cm (S3) and 160 + 220 + 200 kg NPK/ha (F2) recorded highest corm weight, number of corms per corm planted and number of cormels per corm planted. Physiological attributes of gladiolus viz. Total Chlorophyll content, Net Assimilation Rate, Leaf Relative Water Content and Leaf Area Duration was maximum in of 60cm×20cmand 190 + 220 + 200 kg NPK/ha. Leaf Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium was attained superior in S3 (60cm×20cm) and F3 (190 + 220 + 200 kg NPK/ha). Vegetative and reproductive growth of marigold used as intercrop depicted significant results. Growth parameters of marigold was superior with NPK at 190 + 220 + 200 kg/ha and 60cm×20cm (S3).Flower characters including days to bud visibility (28.02 days), days to full bloom (43.95 days), flowers per plant (36.19), flower diameter (3.38 cm), days to 50% flowering (59.94 days), flower fresh weight (2.96 gm), self life (4.75 days) loose flower life (3.57 days) and flower yield per plant (114.93 gm) was attained in spacing S3. Days to bud visibility (26.34 days), days to full bloom (42.08 days) and days to 50% flowering (58.38 days) was observed maximum in F1 (130 + 220 + 200 kg/ha NPK) and number of flowers per plant (36.84), flower diameter (3.64 cm), fresh weight (2.81 gm), self life (4.85 days), loose flower life (3.79 days) and yield per plant (119.86 gm) was attained with in NPK supplied at 160 + 220 + 200 kg/ha NPK (F3). Evaluation of post-harvest soil analysis revealed that maximum soil organic Carbon and availability of NPK in soil was attained in broader spacing of 60cm×20cm and NPK at 190 + 220 + 200 kg/ha. Highest B:C ratio of 3.44 was attained in treatment combination T11 (S3F2). Considering performance of both crops in intercropping system, T11 was found to be prominent option for increasing yield and maximizing the economic return in the system under study. The results of the second experiment for evaluation of effect of floral preservatives on the post-harvest life of gladiolus spikes upon intercropping with marigold, the treatment T8 comprising Sucrose (4%) + 8-HQC (200 ppm) attained maximum florets open at a time (5.80 days) and total blooming period (17.62 days). The treatment T7 i.e. Sucrose (4%) + Al2(SO4)3 (300 ppm) recorded minimum days to basal floret opening (2.58 days), maximum floret size (11.81 cm), longevity of first floret (5.62 days), highest vase life (13.39 days) and vase solution uptake (101.61 ml) and lowest was obtained in treatment with T1 (distilled water). Based on the analysis, it may be suggested that gladiolus spikes grown in intercropping of marigold can be treated with Sucrose (4%) + Al2(SO4)3 (300 ppm) to maximize the post-harvest floral attributes of the spikes.
Open Access
Response of crop geometry and management practices on growth and shelf life of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.)
(2022) Datta, Himadri Shekhar; Barua, Pritam Coomar
The present study on ―Response of crop geometry and management practices on growth and shelf life of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch)‖ was conducted at the farmer‘s field in Dhankhuloi village of Jorhat district, Assam during the consecutive years 2019-20 and 2020-21 to assess the effects of varied spacing and different mulch material on growth, yield and quality parameters of strawberry. The field experiment was laid out in randomised block design (RBD) with three replications involving twenty treatments comprising of five plant spacings viz., 20 cm x 30 cm (S1), 30 cm x 30 cm (S2), 30 cm x 40 cm (S3), 40 cm x 40 cm (S4), 40 cm x 60 cm (S5) and four different mulch applications viz., paddy straw (M1), red mulch (M2), silver black mulch (M3) and no mulch (M4). After crop harvest, a laboratory experiment was carried out with five treatments involving dipping of freshly harvested berries in Hexanal with varying strengths viz., 1% Hexanal for 2.5 minutes (V1), 1% Hexanal for 5 minutes (V2), 2% Hexanal for 2.5 minutes (V3) and 2% Hexanal for 5 minutes (V4). Undipped berries were considered for control treatment (V5). Both hexanal treated and berries under control treatment were stored at ambient temperature for evaluation of shelf life. The study revealed that the spacing had a substantial impact on crop growth, yield and quality of strawberry. The pooled data revealed that the highest number of leaves per plant (44.55), leaf area (86.77 cm2), number of flowers per plant (38.69), root volume (23.62 cc), minimum days from first flower opening to fruit setting (6.30 days) and days required for initiation of first ripening (63.61 days) were recorded in the widest spacing S5 (40 cm x 60 cm) while minimum days to appearance of first flower (37.85 days) was documented in closest spacing S1 (20 cm x 30 cm). The plants under wider spacing S4 (40 cm x 40 cm) yielded fruits with the highest fruit weight (17.96 g) and number of fruits per plant (32.31). The fruit yield per plant increased significantly with increase in plant spacing and registered maximum of 644.31 g per plant in S4. However, the highest marketable yield (11.80 t ha-1) was obtained in S1. The physical and chemical attributes of fruits were found to be superior in S5 viz., the maximum total sugar (6.31%), reducing sugar (5.59%) and ascorbic acid (78.65 mg 100 g-1) including minimum post harvest disease incidence (27.42%) during both the years of study. The vegetative and reproductive growth of plants varied with the type of mulch used. Highest number of leaves per plant (53.67), leaf area (100.75 cm2), number 6 of flowers per plant (48.73) along with the minimum days required for appearance of the first flower (34.69 days), days from first flower opening to fruit setting (5.31 days) and days required for initiation of first ripening (53.59 days) were recorded with application of silver black mulch (M3). The maximum number of fruits per plant (42.11), fruit weight (22.40 g), fruit yield per plant (945.87 g) and marketable fruit yield (18.98 t ha-1) was obtained with application of silver black mulch (M3). Similarly, treatment M3 produced fruits of superior quality recording the maximum TSS (12.75° Brix), total sugar (6.38%), reducing sugar (5.61%) and ascorbic acid (85.81 mg 100g-1) including minimum post harvest disease incidence of 21.37%. The interaction effect of spacing and mulch revealed that maximum fruit weight (23.12 g), total number of fruits per plant (50.49), fruit yield per plant (1167.91 g), total sugar (6.49%) and reducing sugar (5.72%) was recorded with the treatment combination T15 (40 cm x 40 cm spacing with silver black mulch).The highest marketable yield (22.75 t ha-1) was obtained in T3 (20 cm x 30 cm with silver black mulch). However, the treatment combination T15 yielded highest benefit: cost ratio (3.07). Dipping of fruits in 2% Hexanal for 2.5 minutes (V3) was found to be the most efficacious treatment for prolonging shelf life of strawberry. Maximum fruit firmness (5.88 N mm-1) and shelf life (5.90 days) was obtained in treatment V3, thereby extending the marketing period of the fruit. Based on yield, quality and economics, the treatment combination T15 (40 cm x 40 cm spacing with silver black mulch) was found to be the most viable economic proposition for strawberry in Jorhat condition of Assam. Additionally, dipping the berries in 2% Hexanal for two and half minutes extended the shelf life of strawberry. Thus, the research investigation highlighted the fact that crop geometry and management practices govern yield parameters and shelf life of the high valued crop, strawberry.
Open Access
ORGANIC AMENDMENTS AND MULCHING FOR GROWTH, FLOWERING, YIELD, SEED PRODUCTION AND POST HARVEST LIFE IN CHINA ASTER
(2022) Konwar, Binita; Talukdar, Madhumita Choudhary
The investigation was conducted at Dhemaji during 2019-20 and 2020- 21, to study the effect of Organic amendments and mulching for growth, flowering, yield, seed production and post harvest life in China aster consisting of 36 treatments and 3 replications. Post-harvest quality of flowers was further studied for long distance transport in four different packaging material and three harvesting stages. The vegetative characters in pooled data were highly influenced by the nutrient treatment N4 (Microbial consortium (Bio fertilizers) + Rock Phosphate @ 5 g/m2 + Vermicompost @ 3.0 t/ha) where the highest plant height 60.00 cm , 205.68 number of leaves, 8.25 number of branches and 3313.39 cm2 leaf area. Similarly the mulching M2 (Silver lined plastic mulching) and its interaction with N4 i.e., N4M2 recorded the highest values for these traits. The minimum days for full bloom was recorded in the nutrient treatment N4 with 107.65 days, the mulching treatment M2 with 112.16 days and their interaction (N4M2) with 104.36 days. The nutrient treatment N4 recorded the highest number of flowers of 52.58, blooming period of 45.31 days, self life of 13.77 days and vase life of 11.15 days. The red plastic mulching (M3) was found to record higher values in terms of flower characters though at par with M2. The interaction treatment N4M2 recorded the highest number of flowers per plant (54.23) while N4M3 recorded at par performance with N4M2 showing maximum blooming period of 48.87 days, self life of 14.08 days and vase life of 11.73 days in pooled data. The physiological parameters were highly influenced by the nutrient treatments with N4 recording the highest chlorophyll content of 3.24 mg g-1, anthocyanin content of 309.02 mg 100g-1, NAR of 0.92 and RLWC of 93.21%. The mulching treatment M3 recorded highest values in terms of the above physiological parameters. The highest seed yield was observed in the treatment N4 (8.10 g/plant and 13.49 q/ha), M2 (7.52 g/plant and 12.53 q/ha) and the interaction N4M2 (8.45 g/plant and 14.09 q/ha). The germination percentage and seedling vigour showed a decreasing trend with increase in time from harvest when stored in room temperature. 6 The soil characters in the pooled analysis were found to be highest in terms of Organic carbon, pH, enzymes and microbial biomass carbon with the application of Enriched compost @3.0 t/ha (N8). In the post harvest study after transportation, packaging with high density polyethylene and flowers harvested at the full bloom stage recorded the lowest PLW (45.00%), wilting (71.85%), rotting (22.29%) and highest vase life (7.39 days) on the 5th day in the pooled data. The B:C ratio was found highest in the treatment N4M2 (4.57 and 5.54) followed by N4M3 (4.05 and 5.09) and N8M2(3.74 and 4.74) for flower and seed characters, respectively.

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