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ThesisItem Open Access Computation and validation of different agroclimatic indices for wheat(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2023) Manpreet Kaur; Dhaliwal, L.K.The field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm, Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during rabi season of 2021-22. The wheat varieties viz., PBW 1 Zn, PBW 725, Unnat PBW 343 and PBW 752 were sown on October 26, November 8, November 16 and November 23. The crop was sown in Randomised complete block design with four replications. The recommended Package of Practices by PAU were followed for raising the crop. The micrometeorological parameters viz. photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), canopy temperature and relative humidity within canopy were recorded at periodic intervals. Biometric observations such as leaf area index (LAI) and dry matter accumulation (DMA) were recorded periodically. The yield and yield contributing characteristics were recorded at the time of harvesting. The wheat yield data of Ludhiana district from 2000-2001 to 2021-22 were collected and corresponding meteorological data on different parameters were obtained from Agrometeorological Observatory. Different agroclimatic indices viz., growing degree days, heliothermal units, photo-thermal units, pheno-thermal index, hygro-thermal units and relative temperature disparity were computed at different phenological stages. Heat use efficiency, helio-thermal use efficiency, photo-thermal use efficiency and radiation use efficiency were computed during rabi 2021-22. The results indicates that growing degree days, photo-thermal units, hygro-thermal units and relative temperature disparity were higher in October 26 sowing as compared to November 23 sowing. Whereas, helio-thermal units were higher in November 23 sowing. Heat use efficiency, helio-thermal use efficiency and photo-thermal use efficiency were higher in October 26 sown crop as compared to November 23 sown crop for total biomass and grain yield.The results showed that crop sown on November 23 experienced higher canopy temperature at reproductive stages as compared to October 26 sown crop. The grain yield was significantly higher in October 26 sowing (44.3 q ha-1) as compared to November 23 (39.2q ha-1) for variety Unnat PBW 343. Historical data on wheat yield and meteorological parameters were analysed from 2002-03 to 2021-22. The extreme heat wave years (2003-04, 2008-09 and 2021-22) indicates that maximum and minimum temperatures were higher than normal by 4 to 5°C during reproductive stage and no rainfall due to absence of western disturbances in the month of February and March was responsible for yield reduction. Temperature condition index was lower at reproductive phase and positively correlated with grain yield. Lower the values of temperature condition index, higher was the stress condition in the wheat crop and viceversa. The crop remained under stress in October 26 and November 8 sowing for 45 days whereas for November 16 and November 23 remained for 60 days. It means that late sown crop (November 16 and November 23) faced stress at heading stage and remained under stress for longer period as compared to early sowing (October 26 and November 8) which faced the moderate stress at anthesis stage.ThesisItem Embargo Assessment of Salix clones for morphological and physiological traits under salt stress(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Manpreet Kaur; Thakur, SapnaThe present investigation entitled “Assessment of Salix clones for morphological and physiological traits under salt stress” was carried out in the teaching area, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab during the year, 2021. Stem cuttings of selected five Salix clones were established in a pot experiment in Feb, 2021 arranged in Factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) using four replications and were irrigated with 0, 20, 40, 60, 80mM NaCl treatments for the active growth period. The observations on growth and physiological characteristics of clones as well as chemical parameters of soil were recorded at an interval of two months after initiation of salinity treatments i.e., May, July and October. However, the biomass parameters were recorded at the end of experiment. All the growth and biomass traits showed significantly reduction with increase in salinity treatments. Among physiological traits, significant reduction were observed in total chlorophyll, carotenoids, total starch and relative water content, while salinity stress raised the content of proline, total soluble sugar, total soluble protein, total phenol, electrolyte leakage and Na+/K+ ratio in all the clones. The enzymatic activities of POD and SOD increased in all the clones when subjected to higher levels of salinity stress. On the basis of overall mean performance, clone UHF 03 showed better growth and biomass accumulation at 80 mM and was found to be the most tolerant to salinity stress among tested clones. SEM and EDS mapping confirmed anatomical changes and higher Na accumulations in the roots and leaves of Salix in response to salinity stress. Highest heritability and genetic gain were recorded for relative water content, POD, fresh root weight, dry root weight and proline content. Strong correlation was observed for total dry weight with various physiological traits i.e., total starch, relative water content, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, total phenol, electrolyte leakage, Na+/K+ ratio, SOD and POD and thus, these traits must be given due importance while making selection for salt tolerance in Salix species.ThesisItem Open Access Value orientation among adolescents: status and determinants(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Manpreet Kaur; Kang, Tejpreet KaurThis study entitled "Value Orientation among Adolescents: Status and Determinants" was conducted in Ludhiana and Kapurthala districts of Punjab state. This study was designed to assess the value orientation of urban and rural adolescents. It attempted to determine the relationship between value orientation and internet use, home environment, perceived school environment and perceived peer pressure. The sample was randomly selected from four Government Senior Secondary Schools located in both urban and rural areas of Ludhiana and Kapurthala districts. The sample included 480 adolescents between the ages of 16-18, who were studying in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. The sample was split to include equal number of rural and urban boys as well as girls. To assess adolescents' value orientation, Personal Value Questionnaire developed by Sherry and Verma was used. School Environment Inventory by Mishra was used to measure psychosocial climate of the school. Home Environment Inventory by Mishra was used to measure adolescents‟ perception of their home environment. Internet Usage Scale by Saini and Kaur was used to assess the patterns/trends of internet usage. Different statistical tools were used to analyze the data. Results showed that rural respondents had a lower aesthetic value than urban respondents when it came to value orientation. Rural respondents had higher internet usage than urban respondents. A significant proportion of rural respondents had medium levels of cognitive encouragement in school environment. Rural respondents were significantly more likely to have low levels of conformity at home. Urban respondents were more likely to feel the influence of their peers. Significant positive correlation between economic, knowledge, hedonistic, family status, health value and peer pressure existed among female respondents. There was a significant negative correlation between aesthetic value, family prestige, overall values and internet usage. A significant positive correlation was observed between democratic, aesthetic and rejection. There was also a significant negative correlation between power and rejection, economic value, permissiveness, social value, and total home environment in rural respondents. On the basis of contribution of each factor, an educational module was prepared for teachers, parents and adolescents to encourage inculcation of positive values.ThesisItem Embargo Mapping and transfer of higher grain length and multiple rust resistance from T.dicoccoides to cultivated wheat(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Manpreet Kaur; Satinder KaurWild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides, the progenitor of modern tetraploid and hexaploid wheats, is an important resource of new variability for disease resistance genes and grain yield traits. T.dicoccoides acc. pau14723 showed resistant to leaf and stripe rust races and was crossed with T.dicoccoides acc. pau4663 (susceptible to leaf and stripe rust) for studying the inheritance and mapping the genes for leaf and stripe rust resistance. Recombinant inbred lines were developed and screened against highly virulent Pt and Pst pathotypes at the seedling and adult plant stages. Inheritance analyses revealed that both the rust infections were controlled by dominant major single gene. For mapping these genes, the markers showing diagnostic polymorphism in the resistant and susceptible bulks were amplified on all RILs. The molecular characterization identified the genes to be present on 1A chromosome of wheat (short arm). MapDisto version 1.7.5. Beta 4 software was used to determining the linkage present between the genes governing resistance and the SSR markers Xbarc148, Xbarc240, Xwmc93, Xwmc818. A total map size of 9.7cM was obtained showing no segregation between Lr and Yr genes and the marker lying closest to the resistance genes was Xbarc148 at 1 cM distance from the resistance genes. The variation in the T. dicoccoides for the yield related traits was studied by crossing the accessions having longer and wider grains with the accessions having shorter grains resulting in three different crosses: T.dico.14723 and T.dico. 4663, T.dico.5219 x T.dico. 4663 and T.dico. TA1027 x T.dico. 5232. The RIL populations developed from these crosses were screened for different traits affecting the yield which include 100 grain wt. (100 Gwt.), spike length (SpL), spike length with awns (SpLWA), no. of spikelets/spike (Splts/Sp), grain length (GL), grain width (GW) and grain area (GA). The interaction between the traits and their contribution to grain yield was studied. The molecular and the phenotypic data was statistically analyzed for the significant contribution of marker alleles. The evaluation of allelic effects of the polymorphic markers for each trait using Kruskal–Wallis test showed that the phenotypic differences in the mean value of GL, GA and GWT were statistically significant for the three different classes of TaGASR7-A and TaGASR7-D. The study suggests the use of variation existing in T.dicoccoides germplasm for wheat breeding programmes.ThesisItem Open Access Nutritional and antioxidant potential of corn silk (Maydis stigma) for development of functional foods(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Manpreet Kaur; Sharma, SonikaCorn silk is nutritionally dense by-product of maize but commonly discarded as waste. The purpose of the study was to access the nutritional and antioxidant potential of corn silk for the development of functional foods. Corn silk of different seasonal varieties (Kharif: PMH 1, PMH 2 & PMH 11; Rabi: PMH 7 & PMH 10) was procured and analyzed for variation in nutritional and antioxidant composition. Findings suggested that corn silk of PMH 11 variety from kharif season was found as best in terms of proximate composition, mineral content as well as antioxidant properties. Further PMH 11 corn silk dried using sun, shade, tray and microwave drying techniques. Among different drying techniques, microwave drying was observed as most effective in retention of nutrients and antioxidant compounds. Protein, fat, crude fiber, ash, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, total phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of microwave dried PMH 11 corn silk was found as 20.78%, 1.74%, 9.88%, 6.03%, 139.47mg/100g, 163.93mg/100g, 1406.13mg/100g, 20.24mg/100g, 1364.56mgGAE/100g, 370.77mgQE/100g and 84.95%, respectively. Effect of different solvent extraction on antioxidant properties of corn silk was also analyzed which revealed the methanolic extraction as best to extract antioxidants from corn silk. Functional food namely corn silk tea, pasta and expanded snacks were formulated and standardized. For each product, one control and three experimental samples using corn silk powder were prepared and analyzed for their sensory attributes. In corn silk tea, all the four formulations were highly acceptable and corn silk tea flavoured with green cardamom attained highest acceptability score. Minerals and antioxidant properties of the corn silk tea were enhanced with the addition of flavours (lemon grass, green cardamom and cinnamon). In pasta and expanded snacks, incorporation of corn silk powder was acceptable at 10 and 5%, respectively. In both supplemented products, protein, fat, fibre, ash, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, total phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity improved significantly from their control. Gruel solid loss in corn silk supplemented pasta was increased significantly from control pasta. Cooking significantly decreased the nutrient and antioxidant composition of both control and corn silk supplemented pasta. The microbial count of corn silk powder was found under the permissible limit up to 12 months. Thus, corn silk powder can be stored in air tight glass container for a period of one year. Cost evaluation of developed functional foods showed a slight increase in approximate cost of experimental products as compared to their control.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of surface coatings and neem extract on post-harvest life and quality of Kinnow fruits under low temperature storage(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Manpreet Kaur; Gupta, NavjotPresent study entitled “Effect of surface coatings and neem extract on post-harvest life and quality of Kinnow fruits under low temperature storage” was conducted at Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during the year 2020-21. The fruits of Kinnow were coated with sodium alginate (2%), aloe vera gel (50%), neem leaf extract (10%, 20% and 40%) and their various combinations and packed in corrugated fibre board (CFB) boxes (5% perforation) with paper lining before storage at 5-6oC and 90-95% RH for 75 days. Fruits were analyzed for various physical and biochemical parameters at 30, 45, 60 and 75 days interval. Results revealed that the physiological loss in weight and spoilage increased progressively with the advancement of storage period. Fruit juice content, peel thickness, titratable acidity, vitamin C content, carotenoid content, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, DPPH antioxidant activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of Kinnow fruits showed a declining trend with the progression of storage period being the lowest in fruits kept under control. Whereas, TSS and sugars exhibited an initial increase in all the coated fruits during storage followed by a decreasing trend towards the end of storage period. However, the rate of increase in TSS and sugars during the initial stages of storage and later decrease was found to be higher in the untreated fruits. Fruits coated with 2% sodium alginate or 50% aloe vera gel in combination with 20% or 10% neem leaf extract or 50% aloe vera gel alone were found to be moderately to slightly desirable upto 75 days of storage. Among all the treatments, combined coatings of 2% sodium alginate + 20% neem leaf extract and 50% aloe vera gel + 20% neem leaf extract proved to be the most effective in extending storage life of Kinnow under low temperature storage conditions by reducing the physiological loss in weight and spoilage and maintaining higher content of juice, titratable acidity, vitamin C, carotenoid content, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, DPPH antioxidant activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity during storage.ThesisItem Open Access Processing suitability of chili varieties for value added products(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Manpreet Kaur; Sachdev, Poonam A.The present investigation entitled ―Processing suitability of chili varieties for value-added products‖ was carried out with the objectives to assess the physicochemical, phytochemical and antioxidant activity of Punjab Sindhuri and CH-27 chili varieties, development of chilli paste with enhanced shelf stability, drying characteristics of chili varieties and preparation of value added products with greater shelf stability and to extract oleoresins by using conventional and non-conventional methods. The CH-27 contained highest total soluble solids (5º Brix), total solids (20.7%), ash content (1.47%), total sugars (4.4mg/100 gm), crude fibre (9.81%), total phenolics (276 mg/100ml), ascorbic acid (132.17 mg/100 gm) and capsaicin (1.17%), while Punjab sindhuri contained highest total chlorophyll (10.43), carotenoids (12.05mg/100 gm), β-carotene (5.85mg/100 gm) and lycopene (3.2µg/100 gm). Among different drying techniques, freeze drying at -40ºC showed significantly highest retention of physicochemical, phytochemical and antioxidant properties in both chili varieties. During 8 months storage (room as well as refrigeration), honey chili sauce containing CH-27 (red) showed utmost retention of total phenolics (679.46mg/100ml), β-carotene (308 mg/100 gm), lycopene (4.59µg/100 gm), per cent inhibition of DPPH (52.02%), FRAP (3.43 mM/100 gm), while honey chili sauce containing Punjab sindhuri (red) significantly retained maximum total solids (84.49%) ascorbic acid (5.54mg/100 gm), color a value (4.84), ash content (2.86%) and total sugars (63.56 gm/100 gm). Red and green form of both chili varieties were processed into the paste and stored at the room as well as refrigeration temperature. The chili paste yield was found significantly higher for Punjab sindhuri (green and red) than CH-27. Treatment containing 0.2gm KMS + 0.2gm sodium benzoate + 1ml acetic acid + 5gm NaCl per 100 gm of chili paste was found to be effective for the better retention of physicochemical, phytochemical and antioxidant activity during 10 months duration of storage. Highest oleoresin yield i.e.7.1% from Punjab sindhuri red variety was observed with ultrasonication method.ThesisItem Open Access Variation in root architecture of advance wheat lines under drought and irrigated conditions(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Manpreet Kaur; Dhingra, MadhuIn the present study, a set of thirty six advance wheat lines including four checks were evaluated for morpho-physiological and yield attributes under irrigated and restricted irrigation conditions in the field. Morphological and yield attributes revealed significant differences among the lines under both the moisture regimes, indicating genetic diversity in the set. Under restricted irrigation conditions, all the lines were affected in terms of plant height, days to flowering and maturity, number of tillers, spikelets per spike and yield attributes; though checks were capable of retaining the performance with minimum reduction in grain yield. Genotypes PBW-677, BWL-3504 and BWL-3498 recorded 0.38-1.99% reduction in yield and were comparable to checks PBW-175 (0.33%) and C-306 (0.53%). On the contrary, genotypes PBW-765, HD-2967, and BRW-3775 recorded 34.65, 38.36 and 39.47% reduction in grain yield under restricted irrigation condition. Genotypes PBW-677, BWL-3504, BWL-3498 and BWL-5233 also depicted lesser effect of water deficit on physiological and biochemical traits viz. chlorophyll content (0.29-2.36% reduction), NDVI (0-0.59% reduction), MSI (3.4-6.2%), RWC (1.0-5.6%), total soluble sugars (36-49% increase) and proline content (1-5%). Genotypes also showed variability in stomatal characteristics with lower stomatal frequency and higher stomatal size in checks. On the basis of percent reduction in grain yield, genotypes with minimum reduction (PBW-677, BWL3504, BWL-3498 and BWL-5233-category I) and maximum reduction (HD-2967, BRW-3775 and PBW-765-category II) along with checks were characterized for root architecture traits. Seminal root traits and root hair density varied under water stress, with higher number of roots and root hair density in checks and category I genotypes. Category I genotypes exhibited longer roots (78.60-88cm) with higher biomass (6.88-10g) at vegetative and reproductive stages. For shoot length and biomass, all the genotypes responded positively under irrigated regime but effect of drought was particularly significant for category II genotypes. Number of nodal roots was also higher in PBW-677 and BWL-3498 respectively. Thus higher number and length of seminal roots, length of nodal roots and total root length and biomass coupled with minimum reduction in grain yield in genotypes PBW-677, BWL3498 and BWL-3504 under restricted irrigation condition indicates the association of root traits with water use efficiency and their role in imparting drought tolerance.ThesisItem Open Access Isolation and screening of pesticide-tolerant phosphate-solublizing bacteria from potato rhizosphere(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Manpreet Kaur; Vyas, PratibhaThe present study was carried out with the aim to develop pesticide-tolerant phosphatesolubilizing bacterial inoculants for improving the growth and phosphorus uptake in potato. A total of 37 phosphate-solubilizing bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of potato growing at different locations of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The bacterial isolates showed phosphate solubilization index ranging from 1.3 to 6.7 mm on modified Pikovskaya agar and phosphate solubilization in liquid medium varying from 115.4 – 919 µg ml-1 with significant difference among the isolates. The isolates were further tested for their tolerance against two commonly used pesticides in potato on minimal salt agar medium amended with three concentrations 1.25, 2.5 and 7.5 μl ml-1 (lower, recommended and higher dosages) of chlorpyrifos and 0.187, 0.375 and 0.75 g ml-1 (lower, recommended and higher dosages) of carbofuran. Out of 37 PSB isolates, only 7 showed pesticide tolerance. The phosphate solubilising ability of the isolates was found to decrease significantly with increased concentrations of pesticides. Seven pesticide-tolerant PSB were identified as Arthrobacter oxydans (PR2PSB2), Bacillus licheniformis (PR3PSB9, PR3PSB10, PR3PSB12 and PR3PSB13), Bacillus subtilis (PR3PSB11) and Bacillus flexus (PR4PSB1) based on phenotypic features, biochemical tests and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization time of Flight Mass Spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis. Four pesticide-tolerant and phosphate-solubilizing bacterial isolates belonging to different species were tested for their ability to promote growth and phosphorus uptake in potato in pesticide amended soils under greenhouse conditions in pots. A significant difference was observed in the growth parameters, P content in shoots and soil P with the use of pesticide-tolerant PSB strains over the uninoculated control. The plant growth promotion and phosphorus content decreased with an increase in pesticide concentrations. The bacterial strains also differed significantly in their ability to promote the potato growth and phosphorus uptake. The highest growth promotion and P uptake was observed with consortium 1 containing Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus flexus and Bacillus subtilis (PR3PSB10, PR4PSB1 and PR3PSB11). The study has led to the selection of pesticidetolerant phosphate-solubilizing bacterial consortium for improved growth and phosphorus uptake in potato.
