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ThesisItem Open Access Heterosis and combining ability studies in watermelon for yield and quality traits [Citrulus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai](Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Gurpreet Singh; Rajinder SinghThe present investigation entitled “Heterosis and combining ability studies in watermelon for yield and quality traits [Citrulus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai]” was carried out at the Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana, India, during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. Ten lines were crossed with four testers in a line x tester fashion and forty hybrids were assessed for various yield and quality attributes. Magnitude due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) was found significant for most of the traits, indicating importance of both additive and non additive gene control in the inheritance of traits. The ratio of σ2SCA/ σ2GCA was more than unity indicating more influence of non additive genetic control except for days taken to first fruit harvest, number of fruits per plant, TSS and total carotenoids. The tester Arka Manik and Sugar Baby were good general combiners for most of the yield and quality parameters. While, among lines, EC-829875, WM-14 and EC-829870 were good combiners for most of the traits. The F1 Hybrids EC-829870 x Arka Manik for fruit number per vine, EC-829826 x Sugar Baby for total yield per acre, EC-829870 x Sugar Baby for number of days to first fruit harvest and 100 seed weight, WM-53 x EC-829852 for average fruit weight, EC-829826 x EC-829827 for seed number per fruit, EC-829870 x EC-829827 for TSS content and EC-8298226 x EC-829852 for lycopene content were stood out good specific combiners. The hybrids EC-829870 x Arka Manik for vine length, TSS and lycopene content, EC-829823 x EC-829852 for total fruit yield per plant, WM-14 x EC-829827 for number of fruits per plant, EC-829826 x Arka Manik for average fruit weight, number of primary branches, WM-53 x EC-829827 for internode length and EC-829870 x Sugar Baby for 100 seed weight were exhibited highest heterotic effect over better parent (BP). The hybrids EC-829870 x Arka Manik for vine length, EC-829826 x Aarka Manik for number of primary branches, EC-8829858 x Arka Manik for days to harvest first fruit, EC-829875 x Arka Manik for total fruit yield per plant, WM-14 x Sugar Baby for number of fruits per plant, EC-829826 x Arka Manik for average fruit weight, , EC-829823 x EC-829827 for internode length and KFF 1-1-2 x Sugar Baby for TSS were exhibited highest standard heterotic effect over check. The present investigation revealed that hybrids EC-829870 x EC 829827, WM-14 x sugar Baby, KFF 1-1-2 x Arka Manik were promising hybrids in terms of yield and quality traits and can be exploited commercially.ThesisItem Open Access A study of mandi labour in agricultural regulated markets in south-western Punjab(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Gurpreet Singh; Goyal, MiniThe present study was conducted on mandi labour in agricultural regulated markets in south-western Punjab. A sample of 120 mandi labour from six agricultural regulated markets from two districts of Punjab namely Mansa and Barnala was selected. The study revealed that majority of mandi labourers were migrated from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The mean income of the families of mandi labour came out to be Rs. 90435.58 per annum. The mean debt on the family of the respondents was Rs. 12939.40 and was mainly taken from non-institutional sources. The purpose of debt was mainly for house construction and to perform social and religious ceremonies. In regulated agricultural markets, during market arrivals mandi labour perform various activities such as unloading, cleaning, packing, stitching and loading of agricultural produce. The rates of different activities in regulated agricultural markets were recommended by Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board. In case of wheat, paddy and cotton these were Rs. 14.38 per 50 kg, 14.99 per 35 kg and 11.14 per 40 kg respectively. In regulated agricultural market, mandi labour was working in two cropping pattern i.e. paddy-wheat and cotton-wheat. In kharif season, mandi labour earned Rs. 23849.99 or Rs. 27448.20 from paddy or cotton arrival by working 43 or 112 days respectively. In rabi season, they earned Rs. 15530.40 by working 30 days on wheat arrival in the market. Mandi labour working in paddy-wheat pattern earned Rs. 39138.95 by working 75 days while they earn Rs. 42978.60 in cotton-wheat pattern by working 142 days. During the whole year, mandi labour worked for 237 days, out which they worked 107 days in regulated agricultural market and 130 days on supplementary work earning Rs. 41058.76 and Rs. 31800 respectively. Major problems reported by the respondents in regulated agricultural market were lack of proper facility of toilet/washroom, unavailability of purified water and no provision of resting space in the market. The study suggested that wages of mandi labour should be increase by increasing the rates of various market activities and provide proper infrastructural facilities so that labour may get medical aid, toilets, washroom, purified water and resting space in regulated agricultural markets.ThesisItem Open Access Etiology of stem gummosis and leaf blight of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) in Punjab(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Gurpreet Singh; Jain, SandeepThree simultaneously occurring syndromes viz. stem gummosis and slow vine decline; quick wilting and leaf blight were deciphered in the bottle gourd fields and their primary pathogenic causes were established. All the three types of syndromes were more prevalent in south-western districts of Punjab. The incidence of stem gummosis and slow vine decline varied from 0 to 68.30 per cent and 20.57 to 67.89 per cent, whereas the severity varied from 0 to 51.22 per cent and 11.77 to 39.33 per cent in the years 2015 and 2016 respectively. The incidence of quick wilt varied from 2.33 to 57.00 per cent and 5.15 to 27.78 per cent in the years 2015 and 2016 respectively. The incidence of leaf blight varied from 35.57 to 85.15 per cent and 28.88 to 80.15 per cent whereas the severity from 11.55 to 53.33 per cent and 20.44 to 59.67 per cent in the year 2015 and 2016, respectively. Pathogenicity tests were conducted to prove Koch’s postulates and identification of organisms was done through morphological as well as molecular studies. The causal organism of stem gummosis and slow vine decline was identified as Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg. The pathogen associated with quick wilting was identified as Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. and the pathogen associated with leaf blight was identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griffon & Maubl. Best medium for vegetative growth of F. verticillioides was observed to be potato dextrose agar followed by czapek’s dox agar and richard’s agar while for F. oxysporium it was czapek’s dox agar followed by potato dextrose agar and richard’s agar and for L. theobromae it was observed to be potato dextrose agar followed by V8 juice agar and rye agar. None of the test genotypes showed the resistant or moderately resistant reaction against stem gummosis and slow vine decline or quick wilting whereas two bottle gourd genotypes were adjudged as the moderately resistant against leaf blight. Under in vitro evaluation of fungitoxicants, carbendazim 50 WP was found to be the most effective fungicide against Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium oxysporum. Trifloxystrobin + tebuconazole 75% WG was found to be the most effective fungicide against Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Soil drench with carbendazim 50 WP @ 0.2 per cent along with foliar application of tebuconazole 25 EC @ 0.1 per cent three times at fortnightly interval starting from end of July proved to be the most effective against stem gummosis and slow vine decline. Against leaf blight, three foliar sprays of propiconazole 25 EC @ 0.1 % were found to be most effective against leaf blight of bottle gourd under field conditions. This is the first systematic study on stem gummosis in Punjab.ThesisItem Restricted Simulation of nitrogen balance in rice as influenced by irrigation, nitrogen and climate change scenario(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Gurpreet Singh; Vashisht, B.B.Yield potential of rice depends on climatic factors including rainfall, solar radiation and temperature as well as irrigation regime, cultivar and fertilizer nitrogen level. The excessive fertilizer N is being applied by farmers in the quest for higher yields ignoring economic water and N productivities, and environmental pollution. Whole fertilizer N not utilized by rice plants, some portions of N fertilizer are easily lost through various processes, such as NH3 volatilization, leaching and uptake. With prime importance to quantify the nitrogen balance components in rice, field studies were conducted at two different locations at research farms of Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, on sandy loam soils during kharif 2016. In the field study, effect of irrigation regimes (irrigation based on two days drainage period, and based on soil water suction (16 kPa)) and nitrogen levels (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha-1) on growth, yield of rice and nitrogen uptake were evaluated. To assess the N balance components, DNDC (Denitrification-Decomposition) model was evaluated and simulations for yield and N balance components were made for past 30 years (1986-2016) and future 30 years (2021-2050) on different soil series of Ludhiana district of Punjab. Averaged over irrigation regimes, rice yield increased significantly with increasing nitrogen levels. Highest rice grain yield was recorded with application of 180 kg N ha-1 (52.9-59.6 q ha-1), which was significantly higher than control, 60 and 120 kg N ha-1 at location 1 but at par with application of 120 kg N ha-1 at location 2. N uptake was also found higher (46.3-56.4 kg ha-1) in the treatments with 180 kg N ha-1. However, treatments with 60 kg N ha-1 gave higher nitrogen use efficiency in terms of agronomic (20-25 kg kg-1) and recovery (54.8-59%) efficiency. Simulated rice yield, N uptake and volatilization would decrease with lower nitrogen levels, coarseness in soil texture and future time slices but leaching losses would increase with higher nitrogen levels, coarseness in soil texture and future time slices. However, percent reduction in yield would be more in end part of mid century (2041-2050). Percent yield reduction would be low at higher nitrogen levels (150-180 kg N ha-1) and in fine textured soils (silt loam). The study suggests that higher N levels could be good option to compensate yield reduction in future however higher nitrogen levels would lead to higher N leaching and volatilization.ThesisItem Restricted ASSESSMENT OF MICROBIAL CONSORTIA FOR PADDY STRAW DEGRADATION(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Gurpreet Singh; NeemishaAn experiment was conducted to assess the potential of cellulolytic microorganisms for paddy straw degradation. Twenty seven samples representing hot spots for cellulolytic microorganism were collected from eight different locations. A total of 653 microorganisms were isolated including bacteria (520), fungi (100) and actinomycetes (33). The cultures were screened for cellulolytic activity using both qualitative as well as quantitative assay. Among all the cultures tested, only 48 cultures (44 bacteria, 2 actinomycetes and 2 fungi) exhibited cellulase activity. The zone of hydrolysis varied from 0.3 to 3.2cm and largest zone of hydrolysis was obtained by CDM35 (3.2cm). Hemicellulase activity was exhibited by 24 cultures and largest zone of hydrolysis was produced by CDM 23 (2cm). Quantitative estimation of cellulase enzyme was done using DNS method in which highest cellulase activity of 0.29 IU/ml was shown by CDM 26 followed by 0.19 IU/ml by CDM35. All the cultures were characterized using cultural, morphological and biochemical characterization techniques. The genetic diversity of most efficient bacterial isolates was determined using BOX-PCR, ERIC-PCR and 16S rDNA amplification. The dendrogram obtained from pooled data of BOX and ERIC fingerprints resulted in the formation of two major groups at 15% similarity, subgroups at 23% similarity and the maximum similarity obtained was 57%. Functional characterization revealed IAA production by all the isolates however, only 8 cultures exhibited P solubilization capability. Majority of the microorganisms exhibited optimum growth at 30-45˚C. On the basis of all the qualitative assays, quantitative assays, optimum growth temperature and pH, most efficient microorganisms were selected for assessment of degradation potential under glasshouse and field conditions. Ten most efficient cultures consisting of seven bacteria (CDM5, CDM4, CDM7, CDM3, CDM35, CDM2, CDM23), two actinomycetes strains (CDM26 and CDM42) and one fungal strain (CDM45) were selected for experiment. Under glass house conditions treatments T13, T14. T17 & T20, and under field conditions, treatments T5, T6 & T9 performed efficiently in decreasing ADF and NDF.ThesisItem Open Access EPIDEMIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF ALTERNARIA BLIGHT ON SEED CROP OF CARROT (Daucus carota)(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2013) Gurpreet SinghSurveys conducted during 2011 and 2012 revealed that Alternaria blight of carrot was observed at all the locations on all the cultivars. The disease incidence and severity was the highest on Local varieties as compared to PAU recommended varieties. The highest disease severity was observed on local variety grown at village Bohan in district Hoshiarpur, while the lowest disease severity on Selection-21 grown at PAU Ludhiana. Alternaria radicina and Alternaria dauci were found to be associated with the disease. Alternaria radicina has highest frequency than Alternaria dauci on carrot plants. Maximum colony growth and sporulation of Alternaria radicina was observed on carrot leaf agar followed by unmbel extract agar medium. Lowest colony growth and sporulation was observed on Czapek‟s Dox agar medium. Maximum colony growth and sporulation was observed at 25°C temperature followed by 30°C, whereas no colony growth was observed at 35°C. Most suitable range of temperature was found to be 25 to 30°C. Maximum colony growth of Alternaria radicina was observed at pH 6, whereas maximum sporulation was observed at pH 7. The disease severity increase with the increase in the age of plants and a positive correlation between plant age and disease severity was observed. Similarly disease severity increased with the increase in the leaf wetness period. A positive correlation was found between leaf wetness period and disease severity. A minimum 8 hr of leaf wetness was required to cause infection on carrot plants. All three non systemic fungicides proved less effective than systemic fungicides. Among systemic fungicides ED50 values for difenconazole and propiconazole was less than 1μg/ml, while for hexaconazole and azoxystrobin was 1.0 and 5.9 μg/ml respectively. Among non systemic fungicides ED50 value was 17 for chlorothalonil, whereas it was 44 μg/ml for mancozeb. Under field conditions all systemic fungicides proved highly effective in controlling the disease as compared to non systemic fungicides. Azoxystrobin + Difenconazole @ 0.1 per cent proved most effective in checking the disease than other tested fungicides.ThesisItem Restricted CHEMICAL POOLS AND DEPTHWISE DISTRIBUTION OF MICRONUTRIENTS IN SOILS UNDER DIFFERENT CROPPING SEQUENCES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UPTAKE BY CROPS(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2011) Gurpreet SinghRice-wheat, maize-wheat and cotton-wheat are predominant cropping systems, being practised by majority of farmers in Punjab. The adoption of these three cropping systems depletes a huge amount of macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) causing deficiency of these nutrients mainly in light textured soils. So, to overcome the deficiency of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in such soils, alternative cropping systems like maize-potatao-mungbean, cotton-gobhi sarson, groundnut-toria+gobhi sarson etc., are required. Lot of research work has already been done on the predominant cropping systems without inclusion of short duration crops like mungbean, toria, gobhi sarson and onion crop. So, there is need to explore research on inclusion of short duration crops in the main cropping systems, which helps in mobilization of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn. Therefore, the present research study has been conducted with a prime objective to investigate the transformation (chemical pools) and depthwise distribution of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn under different cropping systems. Surface (0-15 cm) and profile (0-120 cm) soil samples were collected from an ongoing field experiment (in progress since 2000) with 10 cropping systems at research farm of Department of Agronomy, PAU, Ludhiana. The plant samples (grain and straw) from each cropping system were also collected both for Rabi and Kharif crops. These soil samples collected at different stages were analyzed for DTPA-extractable and total Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn and their chemical fractions using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Varion AAS-FS Model). The grain and straw samples were also analyzed for their Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn concentration with Varion AAS-FS Model. The levels of DTPA-extractable Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn were significantly higher in soil under all the 10 cropping systems as compared to their initial levels. Higher levels of DTPA-extractable Fe and Mn and Zn and Cu were observed in rice-wheat and cotton-wheat cropping systems, respectively. Among maize based cropping systems, maize-potato-mungbean cropping system reported significantly higher concentrations of DTPA-extractable Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn. The DTPA-extractable Zn and Cu decreased and Fe and Mn increased in soil under maize-potato-mungbeen cropping system. The DTPA-extractable Zn, Cu and Fe decreased with increase in the soil depth. Among chemical fractions, higher levels of Fe and Mn (WSEX and SpAd) were reported in the rice-wheat cropping system. On the other hand higher fractions of Zn [WSEX, SpAd, MnOX and CFeOX] and Cu [WSEX and OM bound] were reported under maize-potato-mungbean and cotton-gobhi sarson cropping systems respectively. Higher uptake of Fe was reported in rice-wheat cropping system, whereas Zn, Cu and Mn reported their higher uptakes in groundnut-potato-bajra (fodder) cropping system. Our study further, investigated that inclusion of short duration crops like mungbean, toria, gobhi sarson and onion helps in mobilization of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn to ameliorate their deficiencies. Among fractions, SpAd, held on organic sites, oxide bound and amorphous fractions of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn contributed towards plant available (water soluble and exchangeable) fraction. However, WSEX, SpAd, oxide bound and organically bound fractions contributed towards uptake of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn by plant grain and straw.