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Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur
Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (renamed as Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in June, 2001) was established on 1st November, 1978.The College of Agriculture (established in May, 1966) formed the nucleus of the new farm University. It is ICAR accredited and ISO 9001:2015 certified institution. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has ranked this University at eleventh place among all farm universities of the country.
The University has been given the mandate for making provision for imparting education in agriculture and other allied branches of learning, furthering the advancement of learning and prosecution of research and undertaking extension of such sciences, especially to the rural people of Himachal Pradesh.
Over the years, this University has contributed significantly in transforming the farm scenario of Himachal Pradesh. It has developed human resources, varieties and technologies and transferred these to farming community enabling the State to receive the “Krishikarman award” of Govt. of India four times in row for food grain production among small states of the country. Today, the State has earned its name for hill agricultural diversification and the farming community has imposed its faith in the University.
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ThesisItem Open Access Genetic analysis of fruit yield, component and quality traits in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2023-03-05) Sharma, Shaina; Chadha, SanjayThe present investigation entitled “Genetic analysis of fruit yield, component and quality traits in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)” was carried out at Vegetable Research Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSKHPKV Palampur with the objectives to study the nature and magnitude of gene action of fruit yield, component and quality traits of triple test cross progenies, and to identify the potential parents and cross combinations on the basis of combining ability and heterosis in tomato. The experimental material comprised of 24 triple test cross hybrids derived by mating 08 lines with three testers namely 12-1, Palam Pride and their single cross F1 (12-1× Palam Pride). 24 cross combinations, 11 parents along with standard check- 1 (Avtar) were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications during summer-rainy season of 2021. Tester F1 i.e.12-1× Palam Pride was identified as promising cross combination at CSKHPKV, Palampur during the past years and was also used as standard check -2 for the estimation of standard heterosis. Susceptible checks (Punjab Chhuhara and Roma) were included at every 11th row alternatively to ensure the presence of uniform distribution of bacterial wilt disease inoculum. The observations were recorded on five competitive plants marked at random in each entry over the replications on different quantitative traits viz. plant survival on the basis of bacterial wilt disease incidence, days to 50 per cent flowering, days to first harvest, average fruit weight (g), fruit shape index, pericarp thickness (mm), total fruits/plant, marketable fruits/plant, marketable yield/plant (kg), total yield/plant (kg), locules/fruit, plant height (cm), duration of fruit harvest (days). Data were recorded on some visual traits fruit shape, fruit colour, fruit shape at pedicel area, fruit shape at blossom end and blossom end scar. Biometrical analysis was done for the characters TSS (0Brix), ascorbic acid (mg/100g), lycopene content (mg/100g), titrable acidity, dry matter content, pH content, moisture content, carotenoid content (mg/100g) and TSS- AR ratio. Epistasis was discovered to be a crucial component of genetic variation for majority of the traits including marketable fruit yield/ plant. Epistasis has been found to be invariably present for all the examined attributes except days to first harvest. Both (i) and (j+l) type of interactions were significant for days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, total fruits/ plant, gross yield/ plant, marketable fruits/ plant, marketable yield/ plant, locules per fruit, pericarp thickness, fruit length, fruit shape index, TSS, titrable acidity, carotenoid content, dry matter content, moisture content and TSS-AR ratio.Additive component was more pronounced than dominance component for all the traits except pericarp thickness, locules per fruit, dry matter content and moisture content. Degree of dominance was in the range of incomplete dominance for all the traits except pericarp thickness, locules per fruit, dry matter content and moisture content. Genetic variance revealed from triple test cross progenies can be exploited by intermating selected individuals in early segregating generations with delayed selection in later generations, diallel selective mating/biparental mating or recurrent selection followed by pedigree method to exploit both additive and non-additive components as well as epistasis. Line × tester analysis revealed the preponderance of non-additive gene effects for most of the traits viz. days to 50 per cent flowering, days to first harvest, duration of fruit harvest, plant height, fruit length, fruit width, fruit shape index, pericarp thickness, locules/fruit, total fruits/plant, marketable fruits/plant, total yield/plant, TSS, ascorbic acid content, titrable acidity, pH, carotenoid content, dry matter content, moisture content and TSS-AR ratio while additive gene effects for marketable yield per plant. Lines DPT 4 and DPT 1 were found to be good general combiners for most of the traits. The cross-combinations DPT 1×12-1, DPT 1× Palam Pride, DPT 4×12-1 and 2015/TOINVAR-4×12-1 exhibited high heterosis, SCA and per se performance for majority of traits, therefore were rated as potential crosses. As a result, it would be helpful to exploit tomato hybrids, particularly those that showed high SCA in the current study for the development of hybrids.ThesisItem Open Access Line × tester analysis for fruit yield and component traits in okra (Abelmsochus esculentus (L.) Moench)(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2022-10-25) Shweta; Sood, SoniaThe present investigation entitled “Line × tester analysis for fruit yield and component traits in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)” was carried out at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSK HPKV Palampur with the objective of gathering information on heterosis, combining ability and gene action by using line × tester mating design involving nine lines and three testers. Lines, testers, their 27 cross-combinations, along with standard check 1 ‘Samrat’ and standard check 2 ‘Shakti’ were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications during Summer season 2020 (E1), Summer season 2021 (E2) and Rainy season 2021 (E3). The data were recorded on different phenological and structural traits, fruit yield and yield attributing traits, quality traits and disease incidence of Cercospora leaf spot. Sufficient genetic variability was recorded for all the traits in three environments. Significant genotype × environment interactions were recorded for all the characters indicated role of environment on the performance of genotypes and cross-combinations. The analysis of variance for line × tester design revealed significant differences due to females, males and female × male interaction for most of the traits in three environments and under pooled over environments indicating substantial diversity in the experimental material. A large variation in magnitude and direction of heterosis was observed for most of the traits studied. Hybrids ‘Palam Round × Hisar Unnat’, ‘Kashi Vibhuti × Hisar Unnat’, ‘VRO-4 × Hisar Unnat’ and Palam 5 ridged × Hisar Unnat’ were the most promising crosses exhibited significant desirable standard heterosis for fruit yield and related traits and displayed maximum reliability by retaining their ranking among top five crosses over the environments. Lines ‘Palam Round’, ‘Kashi Vibhuti’ and ‘VRO-4’, and tester ‘Hisar Unnat’ were recorded good general combiners for fruit yield per plant and related traits. ‘Palam Round × Hisar Unnat’, ‘Kashi Vibhuti × Hisar Unnat’, ‘9801 × P-8’, ‘Kashi Pragati × Palam Komal’ and ‘HPO-1 × P-8’ were the most promising cross-combinations on the basis of SCA effects for yield and component traits. The dominant component of variance was higher than additive component for most of the traits, indicated the preponderance of non-additive gene action. Based on per se performance, SCA effects and standard heterosis ‘Palam Round × Hisar Unnat’ and ‘Kashi Vibhuti × Hisar Unnat’ were the most promising cross -combinations for developing superior progenies. These cross-combinations had good amount of mucilage, ascorbic acid, produced green colour fruits with downy pubescence. Palam Round × Hisar Unnat was ridgeless, resistant to Cercospora abelmoschi and highly resistant to Cercospora malayensis whereas Kashi Vibhuti × Hisar Unnat had five ridges per fruit and resistant to both species of Cercospora leaf spot. These cross-combinations can be released as hybrids after further field testing and their exploitation in future breeding programmes. Single seed descent method, recurrent selection and bulk method can be the best breeding strategy to obtain maximum number of transgressive segregants with high fruit yield.ThesisItem Open Access Response of different varieties to diverse nutrient management practices in chilli-garden pea sequence(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2023-03-14) Noori, Rafiullah; Sharma, AkhileshThe present investigation was undertaken to assess the response of different nutrient management practices on different varieties of garden pea and chilli. The field experiment comprised of 15 treatments which was conducted in chilli-garden pea sequence during two consecutive growing seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-22 following split plot design, replicated thrice. The main plot treatments consisted of five nutrient management practices (75, 100 and 125% of recommended NPK, organic farming and natural farming) while sub-plot treatment comprised of three varieties each of chilli and garden pea. Different nutrient management practices and varieties significantly influenced yield and majority of its attributes in both the crops along with NPK uptake and available N, P and K content in soil. The interaction effects between nutrient management practices and varieties were also significant for yield (fresh/red ripe/dry in chilli and fresh/seed in pea), many important traits, N, P and K uptake, monitory gains in respective crops and chilli equivalent yield. Application of 20 tonnes/ha + 125% NPK resulted in significantly higher mean marketable green, red ripe and dry fruit yield of 254.22, 209.64 and 57.30 q/ha with net returns of Rs. 2.89, 3.27 and 6.62 lakhs/ha, respectively over years in chilli. Similarly, this treatment when applied in pea genotype DPP SP-6 also resulted in maximum average pod and seed yield of 166.64 and 27.25 q/ha along with net returns of Rs. 2.53 and 1.60 lakhs/ha, respectively in pooled data over years. Natural farming practice showed least performance for all the traits in both the crops while organic farming practice found better than natural farming. The maximum N, P and K uptake was recorded in treatment supplemented with 20 tonnes of farmyard manure + 125% of recommended NPK in both the crops. At the end of the experiments, treatment supplemented with 125% NPK increased available N, P and K levels in the soil by 55.96, 8.05 and 44.14 kg/ha over the initial status of the soil. Application of 125% NPK resulted in significantly highest chilli equivalent yield of 510.48 q/ha in Him Palam Mirch 2 mean over years with an increase of 8.3% over recommended practice of 100% NPK in the same variety. Therefore, it can be concluded that treatment supplemented with 125% NPK resulted in maximum yield advantage and economic returns in chilli-garden pea sequence while organic farming performed better than natural farming.ThesisItem Open Access Rootstock and scion compatibility studies in pomato(palampur, 2022-08-09) Thakur, Vandana; Sharma, ParveenThe present investigation was carried out to evaluate sixteen different graft combinations of pomato for various growth, yield and quality attributes of tomato and potato of pomato plant during the year 2019-20 and 2020-21. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm, Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur under modified naturally ventilated polyhouse. The experimental material comprising of four tomato scion and four potato rootstock along with two checks one each of tomato and potato was evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design along with three replications. The data was recorded from five random plants and evaluated for horticultural attributes of tomato and potato of pomato grafts during both years. According to the analysis of variance, the significant variability was observed for tomato and potato horticultural attributes, respectively. High heritability with high genetic advance was observed for most of the yield and their attributing traits of tomato and potato. Correlation and path analysis concluded that fruit yield per square meter with number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit length and width, while for potato tuber yield per square meter with tuber length and tuber width, number of tuber per plant, average tuber weight may possibly be well thought-out as the pre-eminent selection parameters for developing high yielding combinations for tomato as well as for potato. On the basis of mean performance and economics calculated for sixteen different graft combinations along with two checks, the results demonstrated that Kufri Pukhraj + Avtar, Kufri Pukhraj+ Rakshita, Kufri Pukhraj + Heemsohna, Kufri Jyoti + Avtar and Kufri Khyati + PTH-1 performed best for various growth, yield and quality attributes and both for tomato as well as for potato harvested form pomato grafts. These best five combinations were also recorded with higher net return, gross margin and benefit: cost ratio and found to be most suitable to get maximum profit margins from limited agricultural land holdingsThesisItem Open Access Genetical studies in parthenocarpic cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)(palampur, 2022-05-21) Kaur, Manpreet; Sharma, ParveenThe present investigation entitled “Genetical studies in parthenocarpic cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)” was carried out at the Experimental Farm, Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur to gather information on combining ability, gene action and magnitude of heterosis in parthenocarpic cucumber. Eight parental lines were used to develop F1 hybrids through half diallel mating design (excluding reciprocals). All parental lines and hybrids were evaluated along with standard check Kian in RBD with three replications under modified naturally ventilated polyhouses during spring-summer seasons of 2020 and 2021. Genetic diversity of eight parental lines was assessed using SSR markers to identify the diverse parents. PCA revealed 54.04 per cent variation as justified by first three principal components and maximum genetic variation (21.10%) was contributed by PC1. Eight cucumber genotypes were grouped into two clusters and both the clusters were divided into 2 sub clusters (NTSYS software) and DARwin software exhibited three clusters out of which cluster II was further divided into two sub clusters and was also confirmed by population structure. The analysis of variance indicated significant differences among genotypes (G) for fruit yield and other component traits in all the environments. Significant differences for environment (E) and G × E interaction for most of the traits indicated the role of environment on the performance of genotypes/crosses. Combined analysis of variance also indicated that mean squares due to parents, hybrids and parents vs. hybrids were significant for most of the traits. Variances due to GCA, SCA and their interaction with environment were significant for most of the traits, indicating the importance of testing parents as well as hybrids across environments. The top cross combinations identified on the basis per se performance were DDPCG1 × DDPCG2, DDPCG1 × DDPCG5, DDPCG1 × PPC-2 and DDPCG1 × PPC-3 for fruit yield and its component traits under protected environment. Parents DDPCG1, DDPCG4, PPC-2 and DDPCG5 were observed to be good general combiners for earliness, fruit yield and its component traits. Cross combinations viz., DDPCG4 × DDPCG5, DDPCG1 × PPC-2, DDPCG1 × DDPCG5, PK-1 × PPC-3 and DDPCG1 × DDPCW1 were the most promising crosses on the basis of SCA effects for yield and its related traits. For most of the traits, there was preponderance of non-additive gene action which reaffirms the importance of hybrids in cucumber. A wide variation in magnitude and direction of heterosis was noticed for majority of the traits with maximum manifestation for number of fruits per plant and marketable yield per plant. Hybrids DDPCG1 × DDPCG2, DDPCG1 × DDPCG5, DDPCG1 × PPC-2, DDPCG1 × PK-1 and DDPCG1 × DDPCW1 were the most promising crosses with significant economic heterosis for yield and yield related traits. Based on per se performance, SCA effects and heterosis, DDPCG1 × DDPCG2, DDPCG1 × DDPCG5, DDPCG1 × PPC-2, DDPCG1 × PK-1 and DDPCG1 × DDPCW1 were the most promising hybrid combinations for protected environmentThesisItem Open Access Heterosis and combining ability studies in male sterility based F1 hybrids of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)(palampur, 2022-05-10) Hem Lata; Sharma, AkhileshThe present investigation entitled “Heterosis and combining ability studies in male sterility based F1 hybrids of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)” was carried out at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSKHPKV, Palampur to estimate the genetic diversity among inbred lines using molecular markers, and to study combining ability and heterosis to ascertain promising hybrids for fruit yield and component traits following ‘line × tester’ mating design involving 4 GMS lines and 10 diverse testers. Lines, testers and their 40 cross combinations, along with standard check ‘CH-27’, were evaluated in α-RBD with three replications for two consecutive years during summer-rainy seasons of 2020 and 2021. Assigning inbreds into different heterotic groups is essential for exploitation of heterosis for hybrid development. Out of 88 SSRs, 59 were found to be polymorphic and PIC value ranged from 0.077 to 0.779 with an average of 0.43 which indicated that SSRs used in study were polymorphic in nature. Heterotic grouping based on morphological and molecular marker analysis indicated the presence of considerable diversity in the inbred lines. Sufficient genetic variability was observed for yield and its contributing traits over the years. The line × tester analysis revealed significant differences due to lines, testers and line × tester interaction for most of the traits during both years and pooled over years indicating appreciable diversity in the experimental material. Lines ‘DPChMS 9-2’ and ‘DPChMS 26-1’ were good general combiners for green, red ripe and dry fruit yield per plant while ‘VVG’, ‘DPCh 10’, ‘DPCh 40’, ‘Surajmukhi’ and ‘Him Palam Mirch-2’ were the promising tester with significant GCA for majority of the traits. On the basis of SCA effects, crosses viz., ‘DPChMS 9-2 × DPCh 101’, DPChMS 9-2 × Him Palam Mirch-2’, ‘DPChMS 9-2 × PBC 535’, ‘DPChMS 11-2 × DPCh 40’, ‘DPChMS 11-2 × Him Palam Mirch-1’, ‘DPChMS 11-2 × Surajmukhi’, , ‘DPChMS 29-2 × DPCh 6-2’, ‘ ‘DPChMS 26-1 × Surajmukhi’, DPChMS 26-1 × Him Palam Mirch-1’, ‘DPChMS 26-1 × DPCh 22-C’ and ‘DPChMS 26-1 × VVG’ were the most promising for majority of the traits including fruit yield per plant (green, red and dry) with one of the parents at least as good or average/poor general combiner. Different traits showed the predominance either of additive or dominance variance with red ripe fruit yield for the latter. A wide variation in magnitude and direction of heterosis was noticed for majority of the traits. The promising hybrids for economic heterosis across the environments for green, red ripe and dry fruit yield per plant along with most important economic traits were ‘DPChMS 9-2 × Him Palam Mirch-2’, ‘DPChMS 9-2 × DPCh 10’, ‘DPChMS 26-1 × DPCh 10’ and ‘DPChMS 11-2 × DPCh 40’, ‘DPChMS 9-2 × DPCh 40’ and ‘DPChMS 29-2 × DPCh 10’. Based on per se performance, SCA effects and heterosis, ‘DPChMS 9-2 × Him Palam Mirch-2’ and ‘DPChMS 9-2 × DPCh 101’ were promising hybrids for marketable green fruit yield, while ‘DPChMS 9-2 × Him Palam Mirch-2’ and ‘DPChMS 11-2 × DPCh 40’ had the same for both red ripe and dry fruit yield per plant. Thus, deploying GMS lines for hybrid seed production in chilli could help farmers to double their income as it reduces the cost of production of hybrid seed and hence, seed could be supplied to farmers at lesser costThesisItem Open Access CYTOPLASMIC MALE STERILITY (CMS) BASED HETEROSIS AND GENE ACTION STUDIES IN CAULIFLOWER (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.)(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2019-09) Sekhon, Bhallan Singh; Singh, YudhvirThe present investigation was undertaken to assess the combining ability, nature and magnitude of gene action and to ascertain best heterotic combinations for morpho-physiological, yield and yield contributing and quality traits. Forty eight cross combinations developed by crossing eight CMS lines and six diverse testers in Line × Tester fashion were evaluated along with four standard checks in randomized complete block design with three replications at the Vegetable Research Farm, CSK HPKV, Palampur and HAREC, Bajaura, Kullu during winter 2017-18. Visual, morphological (Ward’s method) and molecular characterization (SSRs) were employed to assess the diversity in parental materials. Out of 35 SSRs, 28 were found to be polymorphic and PIC value ranged from 0.17 to 0.54 with an average of 0.37. The PCoA, PCA and factor analysis delineated the CMS lines into two groups as mid-maturity (CaYCMS-1, CaYCMS-2, CaYCMS-3, CaYCMS-4 and CaYCMS-5) and late group (CaYCMS-6, CaYCMS-7 and CaYCMS-8) CMS lines. All the CMS lines showed similar performance as that of their maintainers for seedling, floral and seed traits. Results of combining ability were discussed by analysing the data in all three possibilities as Experiment I (All CMS lines and testers), Experiment II (5 Mid-late group lines and testers) and Experiment III (3 Late group lines and testers). The bifurcation of experiment reveals the importance of late group lines in terms of earliness and mid-group lines for yield and related traits when analysed for GCA. Thus lines and testers showing good GCA, crosses with good SCA and heterosis in Experiment II and Experiment III were given prime importance. The analysis of variance indicated significant differences among genotypes for most of the traits in both the experiments under all the environments, exhibiting wealth of variability. Location × genotype interaction was significant for most of the traits which indicated a definite role of environment on the performance of genotypes. The line × tester analysis revealed significant differences due to lines, testers and line × tester interaction indicating appreciable diversity in the experimental material. The parental lines viz., CaYCMS-3 and CaYCMS-5 in Experiment II and CaYCMS-6 in Experiment III while testers viz., DPCaY-6, DPCaY-7 and DPCaY-8 in Experiment II and DPCaY-3, DPCaY-5 and DPCaY-9 in Experiment III were identified as good general combiners for earliness and most of the morpho-physiological traits. Among lines CaYCMS-4 and CaYCMS-5 in Experiment II and CaYCMS-7 in Experiment III and testers viz., DPCaY-6 and DPCaY-9 in Experiment II and DPCaY-6, DPCaY-8 and DPCaY-9 in Experiment III were the good general combiners for yield and yield related traits. For quality traits, lines CaYCMS-1, CaYCMS-2 and CaYCMS-5 in Experiment II and CaYCMS-6 and CaYCMS-8 in Experiment III and testers DPCaY-5, DPCaY-6 and DPCaY-7 in Experiment II and DPCaY-5, DPCaY-6 and DPCaY-9 in Experiment III were identified as good general combiners. Non-additive gene action was in preponderance for most of the traits suggesting the exploitation of hybrid vigour in cauliflower. On the basis of GCA, SCA and heterosis, CaYCMS-3 × DPCaY-7 and CaYCMS-3 × DPCaY- 8 in Experiment II and CaYCMS-8 × DPCaY-8 and CaYCMS-8 × DPCaY-9 in Experiment III had appreciable tendency for early maturity across the environments. Crosses viz., CaYCMS-1 × DPCaY-7, CaYCMS-5 × DPCaY-5 and CaYCMS-5 × DPCaY-6 in Experiment II and CaYCMS-6 × DPCaY-8 from Experiment III were observed as promising combination for most of quality traits. For marketable yield, CaYCMS-5 × DPCaY-9 (265.19 q/ ha) and CaYCMS-5 × DPCaY-5 (261.98 q/ ha) from Experiment II and CaYCMS-6 × DPCaY-6 (336.54 q/ ha) and CaYCMS-7 × DPCaY- 7 (329.40 q/ ha) from Experiment III were the most promising cross combinations across the environments. The cross combination CaYCMS-5 × DPCaY-5 also showed appreciable heterosis for dry matter content, TSS, K and Mg. These best performing hybrids could be recommended for release after thorough evaluation over the environments. Further, mid-maturing and late maturing CMS lines can be used for developing hybrids that can mature in succession and provide continuous harvest to the farmers for fetching higher prices in the market. Moreover, separate analysis is recommended for different maturity groups in cauliflower for drawing unbiased conclusions even if the genotypes of different groups were transplanted at same time.ThesisItem Open Access GENE ACTION STUDIES FOR FRUIT YELD AND HORTICULTURAL TRAITS IN OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)(CSKHPKV, Palampur, 2019-07-22) Singh, Akhilesh; Sood, SoniaThe present investigation entitled “Gene action studies for fruit yield and horticultural traits in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)” was carried out at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSK HPKV Palampur to gather information on genetic architecture for fruit yield and horticultural traits in okra. The experimental material comprised of 51 triple test cross progenies derived by mating 12 lines with three testers namely, 9801 (L1), Hisar Unnat (L2) and their single cross F1 (L3). This genetic material was evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications during May to October, 2018. The observations were recorded on ten randomly selected plants in each entry over the replications on different quantitative traits [days to 50 per cent flowering, days to first picking, first fruit producing node, nodes per plant, internodal length (cm), fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), average fruit weight (g), plant height (cm), harvest duration (days), fruits per plant and fruit yield per plant (g)], quality traits [immature fruit colour, fruit pubescence, ridges per fruit, dry matter (%) and mucilage (%)] and screening for yellow vein mosaic disease. Epistasis was found to be an integral part of genetic variation for majority of the traits including fruit yield per plant. Epistatic interaction for most of the traits was j+l type except first fruit producing node, nodes per plant, internodal length, fruit length, fruit diameter, average fruit weight, fruits per plant, ridges per fruit and dry matter whereas harvest duration, fruit yield per plant and mucilage carried both ‘i’ and ‘j+l’ type with predominance of ‘i’ type except fruit yield per plant. Additive component (D) was more pronounced than dominance component (H) for most of the traits except mucilage. Both additive and dominance components were of almost equal magnitude for mucilage indicating the importance of both additive and dominance type of gene action. Degree of dominance was in the range of partial dominance for most of the traits, while mucilage showed complete dominance. The kind of genetic variance revealed from triple test cross can be exploited by intermating selected individuals in early segregating generations with delayed selection in later generations, diallel selective mating/ biparental mating or recurrent selection followed by pedigree method to exploit both additive and non-additive components alongwith epistasis. Lines IC-169468, Parbhani Kranti, P-8, VRO-6 and Japan Round were found to be good general combiners for majority of the traits. The cross-combinations Parbhani Kranti x Hisar Unnat, P-8 x Hisar Unnat and VRO-4 x Hisar Unnat exhibited high SCA, heterobeltiosis, economic heterosis and per se performance for fruit yield per plant and were rated as potential crosses. Parbhani Kranti x Hisar Unnat, P-8 x Hisar Unnat and Parbhani Kranti x 9801 were the best cross-combinations for majority of the traits and were moderately resistant (Parbhani Kranti x 9801) to resistant (Parbhani Kranti x Hisar Unnat and P-8 x Hisar Unnat) to the YVMV disease. Due to ease in manual emasculation and pollination and resistance to yellow vein mosaic virus disease in the hybrids, it shall be a desirable proposition to exploit the parental lines of okra, in particular those revealing high SCA in the present study for the development of hybrids.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF ROOTSTOCKS FOR BIOTIC STRESS MANAGEMENT IN TOMATO UNDER PROTECTED CONDITIONS.(CSKHPKV, Palampur, 2019-05-14) Sharma, Vibhuti; Kumar, PardeepTomato is one of the principle vegetables grown under protected conditions worldwide. Biotic stresses are among major constraints which are affecting vegetable crops. Bacterial wilt of tomato (Ralstonia solanacearum) is one of the devastating bacterial diseases affecting vascular bundles of plants. Plant-parasitic nematodes are economic pests of agriculture importance and tomato is regarded as the favourable host for root knot nematode. Vegetable production and productivity is very high under protected environments as compared to open field conditions. But production under protected conditions has suffered a great setback due to biotic stresses such as bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanceraum and nematode infestation (Meliodogyne sp.) Both these problems are not easy to manage and there is no effective chemical treatment to manage these biotic stresses under polyhouses. The chemical control measures and manipulation of agronomical practices are not effective to control the disease. Hence, identification and development of new improved disease resistant cultivars is very important to boost up the production and productivity of crop in wilt prone areas of H.P. In order to combine various desirable horticultural traits in tomato along with resistance to diseases, the most appropriate approach is grafting of desirable scion on resistant rootstocks. Therefore, keeping above mentioned facts, the present investigation entitled “Evaluation of rootstocks for biotic stress management in tomato under protected conditions” was carried out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications and cleft grafting method was used to graft desirable scion on resistant rootstocks. The treatments comprised of sixteen different rootstocks and one commercial hybrid GS-600 which was horticulturally superior and was used as a scion. The data were recorded on various growth parameters, horticultural and quality traits. All rootstocks used in the study were found resistant to bacterial wilt. For nematode incidence rootstocks Green Gourd (Tomato), Brinjal (VI-34845), Chilli rootstocks (PI-201232 and AVPP0205) were found to be resistant. Whereas, Brinjal rootstock VI-47335 (EG-195) was found moderately resistant. Rootstock Green Gourd and VI-34845 were found resistant for bacterial wilt as well as for nematode incidence. Therefore, these rootstocks can be used for countering biotic stresses such as (bacterial wilt and nematodes) efficiently under protected conditions. For early production to fetch higher returns plants grafted on rootstock LS-89 proved best as it was found superior to other rootstocks for days to first flowering (28.00) and days to first harvest (75.50). To get higher yield in terms of number of marketable fruits per plant (23.67), average fruit weight (91.50 g), marketable fruit yield per plant (2.16 kg) and marketable fruit yield per square metre (25.92 kg/m2) as well as for prolonged harvest duration (72.62 days) plants grafted on tomato rootstock Green Gourd found superior. The rootstock Hawaii-7998 showed higher success rate (97.00 %) when scion GS-600 was grafted on it. Grafted plants on various rootstocks excelled in quality over non-grafted plants and were high-caliber for TSS (5.48 0 Brix ) which was found higher in plants grafted on rootstock Arka Nidhi. Lycopene content (6.75 mg/100 g) was recorded maximum in plants grafted on rootstock Back Attack. Whereas, titrable acidity an important quality trait was detected in plants grafted on rootstock VI-47335 (0.67%). Fruit firmness hold great significance for enhanced shelf life as well as maintaining quality during transit was recorded highest in plants grafted on rootstock Palam Pink (4.34 kg/cm2). Ascorbic acid content which has exceptional importance in human health was also adjudged highest in plants grafted on rootstock Palam Pink (21.94 mg/100g). This rootstock also recorded maximum fruit length (5.49 cm) as well as fruit width (5.99cm). Pericarp thickness which plays remarkable role in long distance transportation was recorded highest in plants grafted on rootstock Palam Pride (5.81mm). Benefit cost ratio is a critical factor in crop production to determine the expenses incurred and returns received in any crop production. Higher Benefit: cost ratio (10.76) was found in plants grafted on rootstock Green Gourd.