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ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of flag leaf characteristics in relation to spike quality and corm production in gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.)(Punjab Agricultural University, 2024) Ramandeep Kaur; Dr. Shalini JhanjiThe present investigation entitled “Evaluation of flag leaf characteristics in relation to spike quality and corm production in gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) was conducted at the Research Farm of the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2022-2023. The genotypes/varieties were evaluated for distinctiveness, uniformity and stability (DUS). Significant differences among the genotypes were recorded for studied morphological and post harvest quality parameters. The cluster analysis grouped the genotypes/varieties into two major clusters which were further subdivided into two subclusters each. Cluster Ib (Punjab Pink Elegance, Punjab Lemon Delight, Punjab Glance, etc) performed best in terms of desirable morphological traits while cluster IIa (Pusa Gunjan, Pusa Kiran, Punjab Dawn, etc) was found to have performed least in terms of various morphological characters. Cluster analysis also revealed that Punjab Glance and Punjab Glad 3 lied in different clusters and differed based on flag leaf length, spike length, spike weight, corm weight, days to initiation and complete spike emergence due to which these two varieties were selected for evaluation of flag leaf characteristics in relation to spike and corm production during different spike developmental stages. With advancement in developmental stages, there was significant growth of flag leaf, spike and corm. In comparison of Punjab Glance and Punjab Glad 3, Punjab Glad 3 had comparatively greater flag leaf length, width, area, weight, total leaf weight, area, spike length, rachis length, spike weight, rachis weight, spike diameter, lamina thickness, epidermal thickness, mesophyll thickness and stomatal index but in terms of corm traits, Punjab Glance had greater number of corms, corm weight, corm diameter and number of cormels. Punjab Glad 3 had comparatively greater membrane stability (MS), relative water content (RWC), total soluble sugars (TSS), total soluble proteins (TSP), sucrose content, starch content, activity of acid invertase, neutral invertase and sucrose synthase than Punjab Glance in both flag leaf and spike while in corm Punjab Glance had greater MS, RWC, TSS, TSP, sucrose content, starch content, activity of acid invertase, neutral invertase and sucrose synthase. Punjab Glad 3 had greater flag leaf length and width which led to longer spike but less corm development as maximum assimilates were translocated to spike while in case of Punjab Glance though it had shorter spike but the corm in this case had greater sink strength which led to better corm development.ThesisItem Restricted Response of soil and foliar applied zinc on wheat and its residual effect on moongbean(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Manjot Singh; Dr B. K. YadavMicronutrient deficiencies have rapidly emerged as a significant human health concern, particularly in developing nations. Zinc (Zn) is a basic ingredient and regulatory co-factor in enzymes and proteins involved in many metabolic activities. It is vital for both animals and plants. The experiment was conducted during the Rabi 2020-21 and Kharif 2021to study the response of soil and foliar applied zinc on wheat and its residual effect on moongbean. Soil and plant samples were analysed by standard methods. The present study results revealed that plant growth parameters such as plant height, spike length, test weight, grain and straw yield of wheat significantly differ among wheat cultivars and increased by spraying of 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O along with 1% urea at the time of booting + grain filling stages. Macronutrients (N, P, and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) content in wheat grains significantly varied among wheat cultivars. The macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu and Mn) content in wheat grain and straw was non- significant due to spraying of Zn fertilizer irrespective of the source, however, Zn content in grain and straw varied significantly due to spraying of Zn fertilizer irrespective of the source. The soil chemical properties (pH, EC and OC), macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu and Mn) showed nonsignificance and soil available Zn showed significance difference between two cultivars (PBW 725 and PBW 658), under different Zn treatments and time of spray. The residual effect of different Zn sources and time of application on soil chemical properties and available nutrients were also non-significant after succeeding moongbean crop. However, available Zn was significantly higher with applied Zn @ 5kg ha-1 in soil (T1). Similarly, the plant growth parameters and Zn content in succeeding moongbean was significantly higher with applied Zn @ 5kg ha-1 in soil (T1) as compared to other methods of Zn application. From the present study it is concluded that wheat variety PBW 725 showed the highest yield attributes, yield, Zn content and among all the Zn treatments, treatment T5 (2.5 kg Zn ha-1 applied in soil + 0.5% EDTA- Zn +1% urea - foliar spray) exhibited superior performance. Whereas, treatment T1 (5 kg Zn ha-1 -applied in soil) has the most beneficial residual effect on succeeding crops (moongbean) in terms of growth and yield.ThesisItem Embargo Characterization of maize inbred lines for high plant density amenable traits(Punjab Agricultural University, 2024) Meena, Tarun Kumar; Dr Gagandeep SinghIn temperate maize, breeding for stress tolerance including a higher number of plants per unit area has been extensively used for productivity enhancement in commercial hybrids but this strategy has not been exploited in tropical maize. The increase in the number of plants per unit area through the adoption of high density planting (HDP) is one of the alternative strategies to achieve high productivity in tropical/subtropical maize. Narrow leaf angle, shorter anthesis silking interval, and moderate plant height were delineated as major architectural traits for tolerance to HDP in parental lines. The lines harboring these traits coupled with high grain yield potential under HDP were identified and recommended to use as parents for the HDP breeding program. These are following inbred lines identified for HPD traits CML 451, 221520, EML108, EML113, EML129, PML1112, PML115, PML1194, PML1239, PML133, PML162, PML163, PML164, PML18, PML2, PML80, PML81, SN485145 and VL174449.The inheritance study of leaf angle resulted as the expected number of intermediate, broad leaf angle and narrow leaf angle plants for 9:6:1 was 405, 250 and 607, respectively, giving a chi-square value of 1.097 (< 5.991) hence giving a perfect fit to 9:6:1. Thus, Chi-square analysis revealed that the narrow leaf angle is controlled by two recessive gene. A cross between broad leaf angle (PML1126) and narrow leaf angle (CML451) inbred line was used to raise an F2 mapping population for the construction of two contrasting bulks namely, broad leaf angle (BLA) and narrow leaf angle (NLA). These bulks along with both the parents were sequenced using whole genome resequencing and analysed using the SNP-index method for identifying the narrow leaf angle associated region. Identification of QTLs associated with narrow leaf angle in the material under study based on sequence based bulked segregant analysis and use of QTLseqr software was done. It was observed that the ∆SNP-index values in the region 48.72mb to 55.13mb on chr 6, 44.63mb to 45.74mb; 46.21mb to 50.86mb on chromosome 7, 48.22mb to 54.56mb on chromosome 9 lied outside the statistically calculated confidence interval at 99% level of significance. The findings of the present study will facilitate in genetic dissection of candidate gene(s) responsible for the narrow leaf angle gene. This study will also help in the development of SNP-based markers which would facilitate marker-assisted transfer of narrow leaf angle gene in maize inbred line.ThesisItem Restricted Genetic and biochemical characterization among diverse set of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) germplasm(Punjab Agricultural University, 2024) Alka; Dr. Arvinder Kaur ToorThe present study involved the evaluation of sixty linseed genotypes at two locations. Two experiments were conducted, focusing on agro-morphological and biochemical traits. The agromorphological assessment included traits like branches, capsules, seed yield, and maturity duration. Genotype BAU-2019-13 excelled in seed yield at Ludhiana, while LCK-2134 performed best at Gurdaspur. Descriptive statistics indicated minimal environmental impact on most of the traits, suggesting potential for improvement through direct phenotypic selection. Traits like primary branches and seed yield per plant showed high heritability and genetic advance, indicating suitability for improvement through phenotypic selection. Genotype × environment interaction was observed, and GGE biplot analysis highlighted superior performances of LCK-2134 in Gurdaspur and BAU-2019-13 in Ludhiana. Positive correlations were identified between morphological traits and seed yield per plot. Dendrograms revealed six clusters at each location, by grouping genotypes with similar features. These clusters are crucial for breeding programs and for suggesting potential for heterosis. The agro-morphological characterization demonstrated significant genotype variation. The second experiment focused on biochemical traits, including crude protein, oil percentage, and fatty acids. Genotypes with high oil percentage and low anti-nutritional factors were identified as valuable for both human and livestock feeding. The top genotypes for oil percentage and crude protein were Surbhi × LC 2023 and BAU-2021-08, respectively. Genetic variability was confirmed by significant mean sum of squares in the analysis of variance. G × E interaction was significant for tannins and crude protein, while other traits showed non-significant interaction. Dendrograms for biochemical traits classified genotypes based on homogeneity and heterogeneity. The study's comprehensive characterization identified promising genotypes with exceptional performance in both agro-morphological and biochemical traits. This information is valuable for future linseed breeding programs.ThesisItem Embargo Effect of different paired row arrangement on growth, yield and quality of kharif maize (Zea mays L.)(Punjab Agricultural University, 2024) Ashesh, Ayush; Dr. Harpreet SinghThe present study entitled “Effect of different paired row arrangement on growth, yield and quality of kharif maize (Zea mays L.)” was conducted at Regional Research Station (RRS), Gurdaspur and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana during kharif 2022. The soil of Regional Research Station, Gurdaspur and Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana was clayey loam and sandy loam respectively and pH of soil at both the locations is neutral. The research was conducted in Randomized complete block design having twelve treatments and three replications. The hybrid variety used during research was PMH-13. The treatment comprise of 9 paired rows and 3 conventional methods at standard spacing of 60 cm x 20 cm. The paired rows are at different spacing where intra-paired rows are 20, 30 and 40 cm with inter-paired row distance of 60, 80 and 100 cm. Plant height significantly varied with planting population and paired spacing. The treatment with 20 cm intra-row spacing and 60 cm inter-row spacing consistently resulted in taller plants at various stages of growth. The treatment with 40 cm intra-row spacing and 100 cm inter-row spacing, which had the lowest population, exhibited significantly thicker stem girth. Days to reach tasseling and silking stages were not affected by different paired row arrangements and population densities. Leaf area index (LAI) was highest in the treatment with 20 cm intrarow spacing and 60 cm inter-row spacing, and a population of 125,000 plants ha-1. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) levels were significantly higher in the treatment with 20 cm intra-row spacing and 60 cm inter-row spacing, attributed to early and complete ground cover. Yield attributes like cob weight was not influenced by the treatments. However, cob length, cob girth, number of grains, and test weight were maximized in the treatment with 40 cm intra-row spacing and 100 cm inter-row spacing, with the lowest population. The highest grain yields were achieved with 20 cm intra-row spacing and 60 cm inter-row spacing, and a population of 125,000 plants ha-1. Similar yields were obtained with 40 cm intra-row spacing and 60 cm inter-row spacing, with a population of 100,000 plants ha-1. Nutrient and protein content in the plant were not significantly affected by the treatments. Stover yield was also higher in the treatment with 20 cm intra-row spacing and 60 cm inter-row spacing. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake were significantly higher for 20 cm intra-row spacing and 60 cm inter-row spacing due to increased dry matter accumulation. From economic perspective, the treatment with 40 cm intra-row spacing and 60 cm inter-row spacing was the most cost-effective option, with lower cultivation costs and higher net income at both the locations (PAU, Ludhiana and RRS, Gurdaspur).ThesisItem Restricted Identification of major abiotic bottlenecks in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity in Punjab(Punjab Agricultural University, 2024) Mahajan, Sakshi; Dr. Prabhjyot Kaur SidhuThe field experiment entitled, “Identification of major abiotic bottlenecks in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity in Punjab” was carried out at the Research Farm of the Dept of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, PAU, Ludhiana during rabi 2022-23. Five wheat cultivars (Unnat PBW343, Unnat PBW550, PBW826, PBW869 and PBW824) were sown under six thermal environments (D1: 26th October, D2: 2nd November, D3: 9th November, D4: 16th November, D5: 23rd November and D6: 30th November) in a split plot design. The perusal of data revealed that the number of days required to complete the phenological stages were more under D1 followed by D2, D3, D4, D5 and D6. The cv Unnat PBW550 took least number of days to complete its life cycle. The LAI, tiller count periodic dry matter and PAR interception was more under thermal environment D1 and cv PBW826 while these parameters were more under late sown conditions in cv Unnat PBW550. The grain yield of wheat cultivars was reduced with delay in sowing by ~34 days (26th October to 30th November) by 40.7, 39.1, 46.0 and 42.6% in cv Unnat PBW343, PBW826, PBW869 and PBW824, respectively while in cv Unnat PBW550 the yield increased by 23.9% with delayed sowing. The GDD and PTU had positive relation with the yield and yield attributes amongst the four cultivars, while a negative relation was found with the cv Unnat PBW550. The weekly and monthly thumb rule models were developed using past 15 years meteorological data. It was concluded that the temperature and sunshine hours decreased from October till January and later from February onwards increased till April and the inverse happens with RH. The crop weather calendars that were developed will provide useful information regarding meteorological data for different growth stages and can be used to issue agro-advisories for crop yield prediction. The analysis revealed that high temperature was the cause of low yield during 2021-22 while rainfall during grain filling of wheat contributed to yield loss during 2014-15. Maximum/minimum temperature of 16-27/0-12oC, 14-23/3-10 oC and 25-36/10-20 oC during vegetative, flowering and physiological maturity stages, respectively were favourable for high yield of wheat in Punjab.ThesisItem Restricted Evaluation of promising lines for yield and quality traits along with leaf curl virus disease resistance in pickled chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)(Punjab Agricultural University, 2024) Ravinder Singh; Dr S.K. JindalThe present study was conducted to evaluate seventy-five pickled chilli genotypes for various yield and quality traits at Vegetable Research Farm, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2021-23. The research findings depicts that all the genotypes differ in the expression of different traits. Like, genotype PCP-732-2 exhibited the highest plant height (72.1 cm) but was not superior in other traits. All the characters evaluated, possessed high heritability along with high genetic advance as a percent of the mean except for number of fruits per plant. Fruit yield per plant exhibited significant and positive correlation with fruit length, fruit width, pericarp thickness, number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight at both the phenotypic and genotypic levels. Path analysis had provided insights that number of primary branches, fruit length, pericarp thickness, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, capsaicin in green fruits, oleoresin content and colouring matter have direct and positive effect on fruit yield per plant at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. Therefore, emphasizing these Principal component analysis indicated that most of the variation among the genotypes was contributed by the first seven principal components (> 70%). Among the variables, plant height emerged as a key contributor followed by the number of primary branches, fruit length and fruit width. Cluster analysis concluded that seventy-five genotypes were classified into four clusters. Cluster I entailed maximum number of genotypes (37), followed by Cluster II (30), III (7) and IV (1). The maximum intra-class distance was found in cluster I followed by cluster II and cluster III. The inter-class distance was found highest between cluster I and cluster IV followed by cluster II-cluster III. The larger the inter-class distance, the more distinct and well-separated the clusters from each other. Natural and artificial screening against chilli leaf curl virus disease reported that genotypes specifically, FLP-649, PCP-7001, PCP-701-1 and PCP-754 were found to be resistant while, artificial screening against rootknot nematodes reported that genotype PUP-607 and PCP-701-1 exhibited resistant reaction. Hence, genotype PCP-701-1 possessed resistance against both diseases.ThesisItem Restricted Effect of water quality and fertigation on yield and quality of onion (Allium cepa L.) under drip irrigation(Punjab Agricultural University, 2024) Sharma, Avni; Dr. K. S. SekhonAn on-going experiment with cotton-onion cropping system was selected under to study the effect of different water qualities viz. canal water (CW), poor quality saline tube well water (TW) and alternate CW and TW (CW-TW) and three N fertigation levels [ 100% (N100), 120% (N120) and 140% (N140) of recommended dose of N (RDN)] under drip irrigation and with 120% RDN under conventional flood irrigation on bulb yield and quality of onion (Allium cepa L.) at Jodhpur Farm of PAU Regional Research Station, Bathinda. The experiment was triplicated in randomized complete block design on a permanent layout in three strips of four rows keeping one drip lateral, having in-line emitter spacing of 30 cm and discharge rate 2.4 L hr-1. The onion plants were partitioned into leaves and bulb at 60 days after transplanting (DAT) and at final harvest stages and analysed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na and Cl elements. The plant height increased progressively till 90 DAT under drip irrigation (DI) and conventional irrigation (CI). At harvesting, CW gave significantly higher plant height than TW and CW-TW under DI which were superior than CI. Number of leaves per plant and dry matter (DM) accumulation in leaves and bulb in CW was at par with CW-TW. Dry matter accumulation (DM) in leaves and bulbs was recorded in the order- TW< CW-TW< CW. Under CI, DM accumulation with CW was at par with CW-TW. Onion bulb yield also decreased with increasing salinity. The highest total biomass at 60 DAT and bulb yield was obtained with CW which was at par with CW-TW. Among the fertigation levels, N140 recorded significantly higher DM which was at par with N120 biomass at 60 DAT. The increasing irrigation water salinity decreased N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S content whereas Na and Cl content increased in both plant parts. CW and TW under DI, registered the highest and the lowest macronutrient content in leaves and bulb at both the growth stages, whereas CW-TW held the intermediate values for the macronutrients. Highest fertigation of 140 % RDN under DI registered the maximum content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S at both the growth stages in both the plant parts. Increasing N dose decreased the Na and Cl content in leaves and bulbs at both the growth stages. CI recorded the significantly lower N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S content in both plant parts with CW, TW and CW-TW at 120 % RDN than DI at the same 120% RDN. Ascorbic acid varied significantly with water quality under CI. The maximum content was observed with CW which was at par with CW-TW. DI recorded significantly higher TSS with TW and CW-TW at 120 % RDN than CI. The infiltration rate, mean weight diameter and organic carbon content decreased but bulk density, EC1:2 and pH1:2 increased with increasing water salinity. Increasing salinity decreased available N and P and increased available K, Ca,Mg,Na,Cl in the both surface (0-15 cm) and sub surface (15-30 cm) soil layers. Increasing N doses increased K and Ca content in the soil whereas Na and Cl decreased. It is concluded that cyclic use of good quality canal water and poor quality saline tube well water (CW-TW) with 20% higher N than the recommended dose can be adopted for irrigation on the sandy loam soil for sustainable production of rabi onion with minimal adverse effect on soil health in semiarid conditions using drip in case of scarce good quality water scenario.ThesisItem Embargo Effect of pruning level and time on growth and flowering of ornamental climbers(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Parteek Singh; Dhatt, K.K.The study entitled “Effect of pruning level and time on growth and flowering of ornamental climbers” was carried out at Research Farm, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab during 2022-2023. The present study was planned with the objective to standardize the pruning time and level of ornamental climbers. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications to study the different pruning time (2) and pruning levels (4 bud stage, 8 bud stage, Tip pruning and control). The optimal pruning time for Adenocalymma alliaceum was late September, that resulted in early bud initiation, bud sprouting, flower bud initiation, and flowering (40.20 days). Plants pruned at the 8-bud stage (L3) took minimum time to leaf bud initiation (22.41 days), leaf bud sprouting, and time to flowering (48.33 days). For Petrea volubilis, late January pruning resulted in minimum time for leaf bud initiation, bud sprouting, leaf sprouting, flower bud initiation, and flowering (47.16 days). In Petrea volubilis pruning at the 4-bud stage was early to leaf bud initiation, bud sprouting, leaf sprouting, and flower bud initiation (45.33 days). In Quisqualis indica, late March pruning leads to the least time for flower bud initiation (46.00 days) and flowering (64.58 days). Leaf bud initiation (5.33 days), bud sprouting, leaf sprouting, flower bud initiation (52.25 days), and flowering (70.83 days) was earliest in plants pruned at 4 bud stage (L2). Pruning at 4 bud stage in Pyrostegia venusta has same trend as in Quisqualis indica with maximum leaf length, width and area.
