Loading...
Thesis
Browse
45 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Embargo Morphological, Physiological and Biochemical characterisation of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus Undatus) under different growing conditions(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Basheer, Aadil; Brar, Jaswinder SinghThe present investigation entitled “Morphological, physiological and biochemical characterisation of dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) under different growing conditions” was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The aim of the study was to optimise the ideal growing conditions for dragon fruit under Punjab conditions and the evaluation was carried out under open sunlight, partial shade and 40-mesh poly net house conditions. The results revealed that higher temperature coupled with low relative humidity under open field conditions negatively impacted the growth of cladodes; however, the initiation of vegetative buds and cladode development was earlier as compared to other conditions. Significantly higher cladode length (83.77 cm), cladode rib width (2.13 cm) and areolar distance (4.93 cm) were recorded in the plants grown under 40-mesh poly net house conditions. Whereas, under open field conditions, the thickness of cladode ribs (3.89 mm) and thorn length (3.37 mm) were recorded highest among all conditions. Similarly, under different growing conditions, the varied microclimatic conditions viz. temperature and humidity also exhibited significant variation in the flowering and fruiting behaviour. Though the morphology of flowers did not alter with growing conditions, but the flower bud emergence, fruit development as well as the maturity advanced during first and second fruiting flush among all four fruiting flushes. One additional flowering was also observed under open field conditions which got damaged due to high temperature and failed to set any fruit. The anatomical studies revealed that the opening and closing of stomata occurred at 20:00 and 12:00 hours, respectively. Though, the stomata density did not alter with growing conditions, but the stomata size was significantly less under open sunlight conditions as compared to the other growing conditions. Chlorophyll a and b content was significantly more in the cladode of plants under 40-mesh net house. The average fruit length (13.12 cm), fruit diameter (8.15 cm) and fruit weight (253.44 g) were highest under partial shade conditions. The fruit quality in terms of biochemical parameters viz., TSS (14.7 °Brix), total sugars (11.61 g per 100g), total phenols (25.92 mg GAE per 100g), flavonoids (17.50 mg CE per 100g), carotenoids (18.01 µg per g), antioxidants (142.78 µmol per 100g) and vitamin C (31.80 mg per 100g) were significantly higher under open sunlight conditions. It was concluded from the present investigation that dragon fruit performed better under partial shade conditions and proved to be more promising as compared to other growing conditions.ThesisItem Embargo Morphological and Biochemical characterization of pomegranate germplasm(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Shagun; Sangwan, Anil KumarThe present investigation entitled “Morphological and Biochemical characterization of pomegranate germplasm”. The objectives of this research were to study biochemical and morphological parameters of exotic pomegranate genotypes and to assess the potentiality of exotic genotype(s) in comparison with domestic growing variety(ies). A wide and significant range of variation was observed among ten pomegranate varieties for various quantitative and qualitative characters which include physical, flowering, fruiting, biochemical and nutritional characters. Under physical parameters, plant growth habit, plant height, leaf shape, leaf apex shape, leaf dimensions, petiole length were studied. Number of sepals, petals, flower size and other qualitative characters were studied under flowering parameters. Fruit morphological characters include fruit colour, shape, size, weight, aril characteristics, aril moisture per cent and fruit juice content. Biochemical analysis included total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C in juice, total anthocyanin content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), total antioxidant activity in peel and juice of fruit, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) in juice and pectin per cent in peel. Results indicated that ‘Shainakskii’ variety had maximum plant height (2.17 m), leaf blade length and diameter (7.77 cm and 1.84 cm, respectively), while ‘Ariana’ variety exhibited maximum fruit length (7.31 cm) and diameter (7.20 cm), fruit weight (269.7 g), aril moisture per cent (78.2 %), juice content (51.0 %) and total antioxidant activity by DPPH (76.5 %) and FRAP methods (68.5 mmol/ L Fe+2), therefore, its arils may be utilised for anardana purpose,Variety ‘Vkusnyi’ possessed maximum antioxidant activity in peel (87.0 %), thus, it may be used for pharmaceutical or cosmetic industry. Also, variety ‘Nusai’ and ‘Myatadzhy’ had lower TA and high juice content and TSS, so, it may be used for table or juice purpose. A significant and positive correlation was found between TPC, total antioxidant activity in peel and total anthocyanin content in juice.ThesisItem Embargo Effect of harvesting season on fruit nutraceutical properties and nutrient profiling of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch)(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Lovedeep Kaur; Nav Prem SinghThe present investigations were conducted to elucidate „the effect of harvesting season on fruit nutraceutical properties and nutrient profiling of strawberry during 2021-23 at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Five strawberry varieties (Rania, Camarosa, Nabila, Sans Andreas, Tropical Beauty) produced during January, February and March were evaluated for physical attributes (fruit size, weight, dry weight, pericarp and pulp colour coordinates) and biochemical parameters (TSS, TSS/acid, juice pH, total sugars, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, anthocyanin content, antioxidant activity, flavonols, ascorbic acid and total phenols). Physico-chemical characters were significantly superior in „Camarosa‟, „Nabila‟ and „Sans Andreas‟ varieties in comparison to „Tropical Beauty‟ and „Rania‟. Pulp and pericarp L*, C* coordinates were significantly better in these varieties; however, fruit anthocyanin content, a* and h* angle was recorded the lowest values depicting the better red colour development. Fruits of all varieties matured during February-March had better quality related parameters. Leaf macro and micro nutrients content was also estimated in different varieties and it was ranged from 2.23 % to 2.85%, 0.22% to 0.27%, 0.63% to 0.93%, 0.91% to 1.16%, 0.33% to 0.47%, 155.66 ppm to 212.0 ppm, 30.6 ppm to 37.5 ppm, 10.1 ppm to 18.8 ppm and 24.19 ppm to 33.89 ppm in leaf of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and B content, respectively. Overall, strawberry varieties produced during February-March are superior in term of fruit size, weight, colour development and chemical attributes.ThesisItem Restricted Effect of edible coatings enriched with cinnamic acid on postharvest life and quality of mango fruit under low temperature storage(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Ajay; Gill, Parmpal SinghThe present investigations entitled ‘Effect of edible coatings enriched with cinnamic acid on postharvest life and quality of mango fruit under low temperature storage’ were conducted in Postharvest Laboratory, Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2022. The fruit were applied with coatings of gum arabic, xanthan gum and carrageenan alone and their combination with cinnamic acid at different concentrations and stored at low temperature (12 ± 1 °C and 85-90 % RH) for 28 days. Both coated and uncoated fruit were analyzed for different physico-chemical attributes and enzymatic assays on 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day for stored fruit. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design. It was concluded that under low temperature storage conditions, the composite coatings of GA 20 % + CA 0.2 %, XG 1.0 % + CA 0.2 % and CG 1.0 % + CA 0.2 % efficiently delayed the ripening process and preserved the fruit quality attributes in ‘Dusehri’ mango up to 28 days of storage period. Fruit applied with these coating recorded the lowest weight loss, membrane permeability & fruit decay and maintained significantly higher fruit firmness, organoleptic profile, TSS, titratable acidity, sugars, vitamin C, TPC, TFC, TCC and TAA. Also, these treatments registered higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (PAL, SOD, CAT and POD) and suppressed the activities of PME, CL and PG cell wall degrading enzymes.ThesisItem Embargo Effect of girdling on vegetative, fruiting and quality attributes of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) cv. Calcuttia(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Pawneet Kaur; Sumanjit KaurThe present study was carried out during the year 2021-23, to evaluate the effect of different levels of girdling on vegetative, fruiting and quality attributes of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) cv. Calcuttia at M S Randhawa Fruit Research Station, Gangian. The girdling of 25% and 50% of primary branches was done in the first fortnight of October at three thickness levels namely 2mm, 4mm and 6mm and girdled trees were compared with control trees. In regard of photosynthesis parameters and enzymatic activity, different girdling treatments significantly reduced the leaf stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, internal CO2 concentration and net photosynthesis while enzymatic activity was significantly increased in girdled trees as compared to control. Highest fruit drop percentage (58.43%) was recorded with girdling of 50% primary branches with 2mm intensity. Fruit yield was increased by 14.11%, 33.41% and 4.50% for 2mm, 4mm and 6mm girdling of primary branches, respectively. Fruit weight (25.53g), pulp weight (18.14g), pulp-stone ratio (6.17) and anthocyanin content (9.93mg/100g) were found maximum in girdling of 50% of primary branches with 4mm thickness. The fruits with higher physico-chemical parameters viz. TSS, acidity and sugars content were observed in girdling of 25% of primary branches with 6mm thickness. Likewise, K, Fe and Mn (leaf, peel and pulp) content was increased with various girdling treatments as compared to control. It is concluded that 50% girdling of primary branches with 4mm girdling thickness improved fruit yield and physico-chemical characteristics in litchi cv. Calcuttia.ThesisItem Embargo Effect of edible coatings and lemongrass oil on postharvest life and quality of Kinnow mandarin(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Bajaj, Kashish; Anil KumarThe present study, "Effect of edible coatings and lemongrass oil on postharvest life and quality of Kinnow mandarin” was conducted in the Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Kinnow fruits were harvested at optimal maturity and were divided into requisite lots for further handling. The fruits were given different treatments viz. Guar gum (0.5 and 1.0 %), xanthan gum (0.5 and 1.0 %) alone, and their combinations with lemongrass oil (1.0 %). The uncoated fruits were used as a control. The fruits were stored at 5-7 °C and 90-95 % RH. The fruits were tested for various physical, biochemical, and enzymatic attributes on the 0, 30, 45, 60, and 75 days of storage. The results revealed that the fruits coated with the composite coatings of guar gum 1.0 % + lemongrass oil 1.0 % and Xanthan gum 1.0 % + lemongrass oil 1.0 % can be stored for 75 days under low temperatures with minimum spoilage and weight loss in contrast to uncoated fruits. Furthermore, the coated fruits also maintained quality attributes such as TSS, sugars, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and flavonoids, along with higher enzymatic activities. These treatments seem to hold promise in extending the shelf-life and marketability of Kinnow fruits under cold storage.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of rootstocks on growth, yield and fruit quality of Kinnow mandarin(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Mashaal, Jamaluddin; Uppal, Gurteg SinghThe present study entitled "Influence of rootstocks on growth, yield and fruit quality of Kinnow mandarin" was carried out during 2020-21 in the Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Kinnow mandarins budded on six rootstocks viz. Kuharske, Rich 16-6, Swingle, Troyer, Carrizo, and Rough Lemon were used in this study. Carrizo rootstock had the highest mean rootstock: scion diameter ratio (0.94), followed by Rough Lemon (0.92), significantly greater than all other rootstocks. However, the bark thickness of rootstock and scion was significantly higher in Troyer (2.1 mm) and Swingle (2.1 mm) rootstocks, respectively. The largest tree canopy volume of Kinnow trees was recorded on Carrizo rootstock (10.89 m3), significantly higher than all other rootstocks. However, the least was recorded on Swingle rootstock (2.25 m3). The mean fruit weight and fruit yield of Kinnow were significantly higher on Carrizo (186.25 g, 68.27 kg/tree), followed by Rough Lemon (168.58 g, 63.62 kg/tree), which were significantly higher than all other rootstocks. Swingle rootstock had the highest mean yield efficiency (9.77 kg/m3) compared with different rootstocks. A significantly higher photosynthesis rate was recorded on Carrizo (5.41μmol m-2 s-1). Kinnow trees had the highest fruit TSS/acidity (12.94) and juice content (52.5%) budded on Carrizo (12.94), followed by Rough Lemon (11.85, 50.2%) rootstock, which was significantly higher than all other rootstocks. However, Kinnow fruits on Rough Lemon recorded the highest ascorbic acid levels ((31.10 mg/100ml juice), and it was at par with Carrizo (30.25mg/100ml juice). Citrus Colour Index (CCI) values for fruit epicarp, pulp, and juice were the highest on Swingle (24.7), Troyer (11.3), and Carrizo (11.1), respectively, which indicated that these rootstocks had higher colour development. The leaf macro and micronutrient levels were also varied in Kinnow tree budded on different rootstocks. Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium contents were higher in Rich 16-6 (2.45 %), Troyer and Rich 16-6 (0.18 %), and Troyer (0.94%), respectively. The magnesium, zinc, calcium, and iron contents were maximum in Kinnow leaves budded on Swingle rootstock. However, Carrizo recorded significantly higher Mn (54.17 ppm) content. The study concluded that Carrizo and Rough Lemon rootstock are promising rootstocks for Kinnow mandarin for higher fruit quality and yield. Furthermore, Swingle rootstock is highly dwarf rootstock for having higher yield efficiency and better fruit colour development.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of plant spacing on vegetative and reproductive behaviour of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Shweta(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Chawla, Himanshu; Arora, N.K.The present investigation on the effect of plant spacing on vegetative and reproductivebehaviour of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Shweta was carried out in the Fruit Research Farm, Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during the year 2021- 22. The observations were recorded on five-year-old plants of guava cv. Shweta at densities viz. 6x5 m, 5x5 m, 5x4 m, 5x3 m, 4x4 m and 4x3 m. Each replication consists of a unit of five trees. The experiment was laid out as per Randomized Block Design. The present investigation revealed that characters like scion girth, stock girth, scion stock ratio, canopy volume and stomatal density increase with an increase in plant spacing while plant height, leaf size and crotch angle have reversed correlation with spacing. Fruiting attributes viz. flower bud density (38.86 %), fruit set (66.12 %) and fruit retention (61.22 %) were recorded higher in trees spaced at 6x5 m as compared to other spacings; whereas, trees planted at closers pacing (6m x 3m) has taken higher 76 days from fruit set to maturity. The number of fruits per tree, fruit yield per tree, fruiting density and yield efficiency (maximum in 5x5 m spacing) were increased with an increase in plant spacings (4x3 m to 6x5 m) while seed number per fruit was found to be decreased. Quality characters namely palatability rating (8.9), TSS (12.6 %), pulp content (93.72 %), vitamin C (228.1 %), total sugars (8.42 %) and pectin content (1.01 %) were found maximum in winter season crops specifically, at wider spaced plants (6x5 m and 5x5 m). With wider plant spacing (from 4x3 m to 6x5 m), solar radiation interception and canopy temperature increased with an increase in the spacing of plants while the relative humidity was found to be decreased. The present study suggested that guava planted at 5x3 m (267 trees/ acre) registered higher yield per acre as compared to others treatments. However, tree spaced at 5m x 5m had significantly higher yield vis-à-vis improved fruit quality as compared to trees planted at recommended spacing i.e. 6m x 5m.ThesisItem Restricted Effect of surface coatings and pomegranate peel extract on postharvest life and quality of pear fruit under low temperature storage(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Megha M; Gill, PPSThe present investigation entitled “Effect of surface coatings and pomegranate peel extract on postharvest life and quality of pear fruit under low temperature storage” were conducted in Post Harvest Laboratory, Department of Fruit Science PAU, Ludhiana. In experiment-I the fruits were coated with chitosan (CH 1 % & CH 2 %), pomegranate peel extract (PPE 1 % & PPE 2 %) and combined coatings of chitosan with pomegranate peel extract (CH 1 %+ PPE 1 %, CH 1 %+PPE 2 %, CH 2 %+PPE 1 % & CH 2 %+PPE 2 %). In experiment-II the fruits were coated with sodium alginate (SA 1 % & SA 2 %), pomegranate peel extract (PPE 1 % & PPE 2 %) and combined coatings of sodium alginate with pomegranate peel extract (SA 1 %+PPE 1 %, SA 1 %+PPE 2 %, SA 2 %+ PPE 1 % & SA 2 %+PPE 2 %). The fruits dipped in distilled water were used as control treatment. Coated and control fruits from both the experiments were packed in corrugated fibre board (CFB) boxes and stored for 67 days at 0-10C and 90-95 % RH. Afterwards, the stored fruits were analyzed for various physico-chemical quality attributes at different storage intervals i.e at 30, 45, 60 and 67 days after storage. Results revealed that fruits coated with CH 2 %+PPE 2 % and SA 2 %+PPE 2 % were effective in maintaining the fruits quality by reducing the loss in weight, colour changes and activities cell wall degrading enzymes like pectin methylesterase (PME), polygalacturonase (PG) and cellulase, retained higher fruit firmness, TSS, sugars, titratable acidity, vitamin C, total phenolics content and total antioxidant activity. These treatments suppressed spoilage, internal browning by delaying rise in polyphenol oxidase activity (PPO) and restrict the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and colour changes of fruits.
