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Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, was established on 1st December, 1985 with the objective to promote education, research and extension education in the fields of Horticulture, Forestry and allied disciplines. Late Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister and the architect of Himachal Pradesh perceived the importance of Horticulture and Forestry to develop and improve the State economy which led to the establishment of this University. Its history lies in erstwhile Himachal Agricultural College, Solan, established in 1962 and affiliated to the Panjab University. It became one of the campuses of Agriculture Complex of Himachal Pradesh University on its formation in 1970. Consequent upon the establishment of Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in 1978, this campus became its Horticulture Complex and finally in 1985, assumed the status of a State University, being the only University in the country engaged exclusively in teaching, research and extension in Horticulture and Forestry.
The University is located at Nauni in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, 13 km from Solan on Solan-Rajgarh Road, at an elevation of 1300 metres above mean sea level. Solan town is situated on national highway (NH-22) and is well connected by train and bus services.
The University has four constituent colleges, out of which, two are located at the main campus Nauni, one for horticulture and the other for forestry, having 9 and 7 departments, respectively. The third College i.e., College of Horticulture & Forestry is located at Neri in Hamirpur District on Nadaun-Hamirpur state highway, about 6 Km from Hamirpur town and is well connected with bus service. The college offers three Undergraduate Degree Programmes i.e. BSc (Hons.) Horticulture, BSc (Hons.) Forestry and B. Tech. Biotechnology and MSc degree programme in a few subjects. The fourth college i.e. College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag (Mandi) is located at Thunag District Mandi. This college offer BSc (Hons.) Horticulture and BSc (Hons.) Forestry degree programme. In addition, there are five Regional Research Stations, 12 Satellite Stations and five Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) situated in different zones of the State.
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ThesisItem Open Access Anthocorid bugs as predator of insect and mite pests on cultivated crops(YSPU, 2012) Nisha Devi; Gupta, P.R.The present studies were primarily carried out in the laboratory and partially under field conditions at Nauni, Solan during January 2009 to August 2011. Anthocorid bugs belonging to 3 genera and 5 species, viz. Anthocoris confususReuter, A. dividens Bu and Zheng, Orius bifilarusGhauri, O. nigerWolff andLippomanus brevicornis Yamada and Hirowatari, were identified on the basis of habitus, biometry and morphological features, mainly the genitalia (copulatory tube in the female and paramere in the male). Except A. confusus, all are being reported for the first time from HimachalPradesh and A. dividens and L. brevicornisare new records from India. Field activity of anthocorid bugs continued from March to November on one or other flora among the 16 plant species. Amongst these, Orius bifilaruswas the predominant one and this as well as A. dividens were amenable for laboratory rearing. The growth pattern of O. bifilarus and A. dividensin subsequent five nymphal stadia was heterogonic as the various body parts increased with varied growth rates and the growth increment adhered to Brooks-Dyar law. Developmental Biology of three anthocorids A. dividens, O. bifilarus and O. nigerwas studied. Among the 4 tested food sources for O. bifilarus, thrips from cucurbits and Corcyra cephalonica eggs proved almost equally good for completing development in 22.8 and 24.6 days with nymphmortality of 8 and 8.7% at 25 o C; a nymph required 55.3 thrips or 144.1eggs of Corcyrafor its development. At 28 o C, it took 20.1 and 20.9 days (14.8 and 13.8% mortality, respectively). Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Tetranychus urticae were poor food sources and these protracted the nymphal duration to 35.3 and 38.6 days and mortality was very high (71.9 and73.1%). The adult bug consumed 228 Corcyra eggs and 146.4 thrips during survival of 14.9 and 17.7 days, respectively. O. nigerwas difficult to rear on thrips and Corcyraeggs as the nymph mortality was high (43.8 and 49.9%, respectively). However, A. dividens was easy to rear and it completed its development on Corcyraeggs and thrips (from Bauhinia and cucurbits) in 21.8 and 25.8 days and nymph-mortality was 15.8 and 20% respectively. It required either 137.2 Corcyra eggs or 74.6 thrips for development and adult bug consumed 260.7 eggs or 109.8 thrips during its survival of 18.5 and 15.0 days, respectively. Blaptostethus pallescens Poppius (a species being advocated for biological control in India) required 208.5 Corcyra eggs for nymph development and adult consumed 296.4eggs during its survival. In all these species, feeding potential of the females were higher than that of males. B. pallescensfailed to complete its development on T. urticae and all nymphs died by IV-stadium. Gross morphology of the male reproductive system of three anthocorids, A. confusus, O. bifilarus and B. pallescenswas studied and illustrated; all these having almost round two testicular follicles in each testis. In female reproductive system of A. confusus, A. dividens, O. bifilarus and B. pallescens each ovary contained 6-7 ovarioles. Copulatory tubes measured 1.5-1.7mm in A. confusus, 0.3mm in A. dividens, 0.07-0.12mm in O. bifilarus and 0.02-0.03mm in O. niger. Fertility analysis revealed that for O. bifilarus intrinsic rate of increase was marginally higher onthrips than on Corcyra eggs (r m =0.088 and 0.085 respectively), while for A. dividens andB. pallescensreared on Corcyra eggs vaule of r m was 0.069 and 0.079, respectively. B. pallescensexhibited Holling’s type II and curvilinear type II functional response to increasing density of Corcyra eggs as prey.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of nutrient management on cutting production, storage and rooting of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllusL.)(YSPU, 2012) Kalkame Ch. Momin; Dhiman, S.R.Studies on the “Effect of nutrient management on cutting production, storage and rooting of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllusL.)” were carried out at the experimental farm of the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Dr.Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan during 2010-12 on commercial carnation culitvars viz.; ‘White Wedding’, ‘Farida’, ‘Niva’ and ‘Madras’. The studies included two experiments. First experiment was conducted during 2010-11 on the effect of nutrient management on cutting production of carnation. The second experiment was carried out during 2011-12 to see the effect of storage on rooting of carnation cuttings using best nutrient management treatment obtained from first experiment applied for cutting production. One week before planting, full dose of phosphorous and potassium and half dose of nitrogen were incorporated into the beds according to the treatment requirements and the remaining half dose of nitrogen was applied at the time of planting. Besides the application of basal dose of N, P and K, different doses of N and K were also applied through fertigation which was given twice a week. Application of biofertilizers (VAM, Azospirillum and PSM) @ 3 g/plant and vermicompost @ 1 kg/m 2 was done ten days after planting. Findings of the first experiment revealed that fertilizer module FM 5 comprising of 20-5-5 g/m 2 NPK as basal application along with 200 ppm N + 280 ppm K as fertigation given twice a week resulted in the production of cuttings with maximum diameter (0.75 cm), weight (5.22 g), number of cuttings per plant per harvest (4.25), total numberof cuttings (16.98), yield of cuttings per metre square (152.78) and cost benefit ratio (1:1.95). Results of the second experiment revealed that cuttings stored for 7 days resulted in minimum percentage of weight loss (3.48 %) and maximum cost benefit ratio (1:3.55). Cuttings that were stored for 7 days (S 1 ) and 14 days (S 2 ) resulted in 100 per cent rooting. The studies also indicated that carnation cuttings can be stored up to 35 days at 2°C without significant change in quality and quantity of cuttings.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of orchard management practices on growth, fruiting and yield of senile plum trees(YSPU, 2012) SuklaBaidya, Ashima; Mehta, KuldeepThe present investigation on Effect of orchard management practices on growth, fruiting and yield of senile plum trees was conducted during 2010 and 2011 at the experimental orchard of the Department of Fruit Science, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-Solan (H.. P). The experiment consisted of three levels of irrigation (Irrigation at 20, 40 and 60 % soil moisture depletion of field capacity), four levels of pruning (Heading back of Scaffolds 75, 50 , 25 % and normal pruning) and two levels of nitrogen fertilization (75 % and 50 % additional nitrogen of the recommended dose as CAN). The studies revealed that irrigation at 20 per cent soil moisture depletion of field capacity resulted in higher tree growth, fruit set, yield, size and quality fruits. Annual shoot growth, radial growth of trunk, pruning weight, average leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content, fruit weight, volume, size, fruit firmness, T.S.S, reducing and non reducing sugars were higher in heavily (75 % of HB) pruned trees whereas tree volume, fruit set and yield was higher in lightly (25 % of HB) and normal pruned trees. With the increase in the pruning severity the leaf N, K, Fe and Mn content increases, whereas Ca, Mg and Cu content decreases. P and Zn content were not affected by pruning treatments. 75 % additional N resulted in increased annual shoot growth, trunk girth, tree volume, leaf area and chlorophyll content. Increasing N treatment also resulted in increased organic carbon, N, P, K, Fe, and Zn, and decreased in pH, EC, bulk density, K, Ca and Cu content. Irrigation and nitrogen fertilization (I x N) interaction had significant effect in all the parameters except fruit weight, pulp to stone ratio, TSS, acidity, leaf (N, Mn and Fe), soil (pH, Ca, Mg and Zn). Irrigation and pruning (I xT) interaction had significant effect in all except girth, tree volume and leaf (N, P, K and Mg). Pruning and nitrogen (T x N) interaction had significant effect on annual shoot growth, spread, pruned wood, fruit set, fruit yield, fruit diameter and leaf copper. IxTxN interaction had significant effect on fruit yield, quality parameters (size, acidity, reducing sugar, total sugar) and leaf copper content. The total water expense of 110.9cm, 117.22 cm and 109.9 cm in the year 2010 and 89.56cm, 79.62 cm and 71.67 cm in the year 2011 was worked out in a season under 20, 40 and 60 per cent soil moisture depletion of field capacity irrigation treatments, respectively. Irrigation and nitrogen fertilization had a marked influence on water productivity during both the years. I3 and N1 treatment registered the maximum water productivity.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on fruit development, leaf nutrient status and harvest maturity of nectarine(YSPU, 2012) Vijay Kumar; Tomar, C.S.The present investigations entitled “Studies on fruit development, leaf nutrient status and harvest maturity of nectarine” were carried out at the experimental orchard of Department of Fruit Science, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, (HP) during 2010 and 2011. Six year-old nectarine plants of two cultivars namely, Silver King and Snow Queen raised on wild peach seedling rootstock were selected on the basis of uniform vigour. The plants were planted at a spacing of 3 x 3 meters and trained to open centre system. The whole program of study was split into two experiments. First experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design to elucidate the seasonal variations in vegetative characteristics, fruit parameters and leaf nutrient status in both the cultivars . The second experiment was conducted to standardize the optimum harvest maturity for these cultivars. The observations on seasonal variation in various characteristics were recorded on 11 sampling dates beginning with 7 DAFB upto 77 DAFB. It was revealed that fruit growth as measured in terms of fruit weight, fruit size and fruit volume exhibited characteristic of double sigmoidal curve. The pattern of growth resulted in a period of rapid growth for 28 days (stage I) followed by slow growth for 21 days (stage II) and again exhibited rapid growth (stage III) in both the cultivars viz., Silver King and Snow Queen. Among the vegetative parameters, number of shoots per branch increased significantly upto 42 DAFB. However, shoot extension growth, tree volume, leaf area, number of leaves per shoot and leaf/fruit ratio exhibited significant increase upto 49 DAFB. The fruit quality parameters viz., total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars and non -reducing sugars increased rapidly from 49 DAFB to 70 DAFB in both the cultivars. In correlation study, number of shoots per branch, number of leaves per shoot, leaf area had significant positive correlation with fruit size, fruit weight and fruit volume. Seasonal variation in leaf N, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe had positive and significant correlation with fruit quality parameters, whereas leaf P, Zn and Cu had negative and significant correlation with fruit quality parameters. The present investigation revealed that the harvesting of nectarine should be done on or around 23 rd to 26 th May in cultivar Silver King and 30 th May to 2 nd June in Snow Queen under midhill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. In terms of days from full bloom (DAFB) to harvest, these calendar dates corresponded to 72 to 75 days and 73 to 75 days for Si lver King and Snow Queen cultivars, respectively. On the basis of consistency in the results, DAFB, total soluble solids, total sugars and reducing sugars were found to be reliable indices of maturity for nectarine fruits.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF ORCHARD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON GROWTH, FRUITING AND YIELD OF SENILE PLUM TREES(2012) SUKLABAIDYA, ASHIMA; MEHTA, KULDEEPABSTRACT The present investigation on Effect of orchard management practices on growth, fruiting and yield of senile plum trees was conducted during 2010 and 2011 at the experimental orchard of the Department of Fruit Science, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-Solan (H.. P). The experiment consisted of three levels of irrigation (Irrigation at 20, 40 and 60 % soil moisture depletion of field capacity), four levels of pruning (Heading back of Scaffolds 75, 50 , 25 % and normal pruning) and two levels of nitrogen fertilization (75 % and 50 % additional nitrogen of the recommended dose as CAN). The studies revealed that irrigation at 20 per cent soil moisture depletion of field capacity resulted in higher tree growth, fruit set, yield, size and quality fruits. Annual shoot growth, radial growth of trunk, pruning weight, average leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content, fruit weight, volume, size, fruit firmness, T.S.S, reducing and non reducing sugars were higher in heavily (75 % of HB) pruned trees whereas tree volume, fruit set and yield was higher in lightly (25 % of HB) and normal pruned trees. With the increase in the pruning severity the leaf N, K, Fe and Mn content increases, whereas Ca, Mg and Cu content decreases. P and Zn content were not affected by pruning treatments. 75 % additional N resulted in increased annual shoot growth, trunk girth, tree volume, leaf area and chlorophyll content. Increasing N treatment also resulted in increased organic carbon, N, P, K, Fe, and Zn, and decreased in pH, EC, bulk density, K, Ca and Cu content. Irrigation and nitrogen fertilization (I x N) interaction had significant effect in all the parameters except fruit weight, pulp to stone ratio, TSS, acidity, leaf (N, Mn and Fe), soil (pH, Ca, Mg and Zn). Irrigation and pruning (I xT) interaction had significant effect in all except girth, tree volume and leaf (N, P, K and Mg). Pruning and nitrogen (T x N) interaction had significant effect on annual shoot growth, spread, pruned wood, fruit set, fruit yield, fruit diameter and leaf copper. IxTxN interaction had significant effect on fruit yield, quality parameters (size, acidity, reducing sugar, total sugar) and leaf copper content. The total water expense of 110.9cm, 117.22 cm and 109.9 cm in the year 2010 and 89.56cm, 79.62 cm and 71.67 cm in the year 2011 was worked out in a season under 20, 40 and 60 per cent soil moisture depletion of field capacity irrigation treatments, respectively. Irrigation and nitrogen fertilization had a marked influence on water productivity during both the years. I3 and N1 treatment registered the maximum water productivity.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF CLONAL ROOTSTOCKS ON GROWTH, CROPPING AND PHYSIOLOGY OF APPLE CULTIVARS SCARLET GALA AND RED FUJI(2012) SARITA DEVI; CHAUHAN, P.S.ABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Effect of clonal rootstocks on growth, cropping and physiology of apple cultivars Scarlet Gala and Red Fuji” was undertaken in Fruit Research Station, Seobag, Kullu during 2008 and 2009. The whole programme of work under this study was carried out with the objectives to assess the effect of clonal rootstocks on growth, vigour and cropping of scion cultivars and to study the effect of clonal rootstocks on foliar mineral composition, physiological and biochemical parameters of scion cultivars. Experiment consisted of ten treatment combinations of five rootstocks viz., EMLA 9, ELMA 26 EMLA 7, EMLA 106 and EMLA 111 and two cultivars viz., Scarlet Gala and Red Fuji. The trials were conducted in a 12 year old plants in Split Plot Design with five replications and planting distance of 3x3m under high density plantation. Among the rootstocks EMLA 1111 rootstock recorded the maximum increase in plant height, tree spread, tree volume, weight of pruning wood and annual shoot growth, whereas maximum leaf area was recorded in EMLA 7 rootstock. Red Fuji attained maximum increase in tree height, tree volume, tree spread, annual shoot growth and weight of pruning wood in comparison to Scarlet Gala. Both the cultivars on EMLA 111 rootstocks recorded the maximum vigour with respect to increase in tree height, tree spread, tree volume, annual shoot growth and weight of pruning wood. Red Fuji recorded the higher values of these vegetative parameters in comparison to Scarlet Gala irrespective of rootstocks. These findings suggests the vigorous behavior of rootstock and scion. The maximum flowering intensity, fruit set, yield and yield efficiency was recoded in EMLA 7 rootstock in 2009 but EMLA 111 performed better in 2008 indicating year to year variations. During 2008 Red Fuji recorded the maximum flowering intensity, fruit set, yield and yield efficiency, however during 2009 Scarlet Gala recorded the maximum of these parameters. Red Fuji on EMLA 111 rootstock recorded the maximum flowering intensity, fruit set, yield and yield efficiency during 2008, whereas during 2009, Scarlet Gala on EMLA 7 recorded the maximum of these parameters. The maximum fruit drop was recorded in EMLA 26 rootstocks and minimum in EMLA 111 and EMLA 7 rootstock. Both the cultivars on EMLA 26 rootstock recorded the maximum fruit drop due to weaker root system of the stock. Among the quality parameters, Red Fuji on EMLA 106 rootstock recorded the maximum fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit weight as compared to Scarlet Gala. The maximum fruit firmness, total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing and non reducing sugars were recorded in EMLA 7 rootstock, which recorded the minimum acidity. Red Fuji on EMLA 7 rootstock recorded maximum total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing and non reducing sugars whereas Scarlet Gala on EMLA 26 rootstock recorded the minimum. Scarlet Gala on EMLA 7 recorded the maximum anthocyanin content as compared to Red Fuji on EMLA 26 rootstock which recorded the minimum anthocyanin content. The maximum chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were observed in EMLA 7 rootstock. Red Fuji on EMLA 7 rootstock recorded the maximum chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance. Endogenous levels of growth substances like IAA and GA3 were found maximum in EMLA 111 rootstock which also recorded the minimum level of ABA, hence resulted in more vigorous growth of trees raised on this rootstock. The maximum content of N, P, K, Ca, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu were recorded in EMLA 111 rootstock, whereas the maximum leaf Mg content was recorded in EMLA 7 rootstock. Red Fuji on EMLA 111 rootstock recorded maximum of N, P, K, however, Scarlet Gala on EMLA 111 rootstock recorded the maximum of leaf Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn content. Based on these results, it may be inferred that Red Fuji on EMLA 111 and Scarlet Gala on EMLA 7 rootstock performed better in terms of fruit set, fruit yield, fruit quality and nutritional uptakeThesisItem Open Access Studies on Agrobacterium-mediated insect resistance gene transfer in Himalayan poplar (Populus ciliata Wall.) and molecular analysis of regenerated plantlets(2012) AGGARWAL, GAURAV; SRIVASTAVA, D.K.ABSTRACT Genetic transformation studies were carried out to standardize a protocol for insect resistance gene (cryIAa) transfer in Himalayan poplar. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain containing npt-II and cryIAa genes in binary vector pBin-1Aa was used for genetic transformation studies. Plant regeneration studies were carried out using two different types of explant viz. leaf and petiole. Leaf and petiole explants were procured from glass house grown plants of Populus ciliata. Petiole explants showed better shoot regeneration as compared to leaf explants. In leaf explants, the high frequency shoot regeneration (80.00%) was obtained on medium supplemented with 0.024mg/l TDZ + 79.7 mg/l adenine. Whereas, in petiole explants the high frequency shoot regeneration (85.70%) was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 0.044mg/l TDZ + 79.7 mg/l adenine. MS medium supplemented with 0.10 mg/l IBA was found best for root regeneration from in vitro developed shoots. The 198 regenerated plantlets were acclimatized on a mixture of sand and soil. Effect of different concentrations of cefotaxime was studied on the regeneration potential in leaf and petiole explants of Himalayan poplar. The maximum per cent (75%) and (78%) shoot regeneration were obtained on MS regeneration medium with 300mg/l cefotaxime in leaf and petiole explants, respectively. Effect of different concentrations of cefotaxime and kanamycin (50 mg/l) were studied on the growth of agrobacterial cells and regeneration potential of leaf and petiole tissues after cocultivation. In leaf and petiole explants the growth of agrobacterial cells were controlled at concentration of 400 mg/l cefotaxime and maximum per cent shoot regeneration 33.00% and 48.00% was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 400 mg/l cefotaxime, respectively. Preculturing of leaf explants for 48 hrs and co-cultivation with agrobacterial cells for 48 hrs worked out to be the best treatment as it gave the highest transformation frequency (42.86%) in leaf explants. Whereas in petiole explants 72 hrs. preculturing and 72 hrs. cocultivation was worked out to be the best treatment as it gave the highest transformation frequency (50.50%). In petiole explants effect of different concentrations of acetosyringone were studied to enhance the transformation frequency in Himalayan poplar. The maximum percent shoot regeneration (76.08%) was obtained from those explants cultured on shoot regeneration medium containing 100 μM acetosyringone at standardized preculturing and cocultivation time interval i.e. 72 hrs. The presence/integration of transgene (cry IAa) into the genome of Himalayan poplar was confirmed by PCR using gene specific primers and Southern blot analysis using radioactive labelled DNA probe. The Southern blot analysis has also been used to confirm copy number of transgene into the genome of Himalayan poplar. For PCR analysis, 48 putative transgenic shoots of Himalayan poplar were randomly selected and out of 48 putative transgenic shoots/plantlets, 16 shoots were found to be +ve for the integration of transgene i.e. cry IAa into the genome of Himalayan poplar. For Southern blot analysis 10 PCR +ve shoots were randomly selected out of 16 PCR +ve shoots. Out of the 10 PCR +ve shoots, 4 shoots were confirmed +ve for integration of transgene cry IAa into the genome of Himalayan poplar with 1 to 4 copies of gene insertion. The confirmation of expression of the transgene cry IAa into the genome of Himalayan poplar at transcriptional level was confirmed by Reverse Transcriptase PCR, Multiplex RTPCR and Real Time PCR. A protocol for high frequency plant regeneration and insect resistance gene transfer in Himalayan poplar have been standardized.ThesisItem Open Access SEASONAL FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE BLENDS WITH HIGH ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL(2012) MISHRA, VIGYA; SHARMA, K.D.Abstract The present study entitled “Seasonal fruit and vegetable juice blends with high antioxidant potential was conducted during 2009-2010 and 2010-1011 in the Department of Food Science & Technology, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan. Natural juices are more nutritional and therapeutic than synthetic juices. Blending of fruit and vegetable juices could be an economic requisite to utilize some fruits and vegetables which otherwise have unfavourable characters like aroma, colour and mouth feel. Besides, fruit and vegetables in combination have synergistic effects on the antioxidant activities leading to the greater reduction in the risk of chronic diseases. Therefore, seasonal blends were developed by blending juices/pulps of summer and winter season fruits (apple, mango, jamun, sand pear, kinnow, red grapes, aonla and papaya) and vegetables (bottlegourd, bittergourd, tomato, pumpkin, carrot, cabbage and beetroot) and were analyzed for different quality and functional parameters including antioxidant activity at 3 and 6 month under ambient and refrigerated storage conditions. Blending enriched the juices with one or more functional ingredients like ascorbic acids, polyphenolics, carotenoids and anthocyanins which otherwise were either present in negligible proportion in the original juice/pulp of the fruit/vegetable or were completely absent in some juices/pulps thus improving the antioxidant potential of the blends in comparison to single fruit. Maximum antioxidant activity was recorded in apple: jamun: pear blend (82.82%) among summer season blends and in kinnow: red grape: beetroot (66.81%) among winter season blends. A marginal increase in total soluble solids, titratable acidity and sugars of the blends was recorded during storage while ascorbic acid, total phenolics, total anthocyanins and antioxidant activity of the products decreased significantly during storage of 6 month. An insignificant decrease was recorded in total carotenoids and sensory score of the blends. Non-enzymatic browning was increased in case of all the blends except blends containing jamun, red grapes and beetroot juice/pulp. The storage of blends at low temperature was found optimum with minimum changes in their quality, functional and sensory characteristics. However, more reduction in antioxidant activity of blends was recorded at refrigerated storage as compared to ambient storage. Cost of production of the blends was in the range of Rs. 5.25 (apple: pear) to Rs. 15.98 (apple: mango: jamun: bottlegourd) for 200 mL glass bottle for summer season blends while Rs. 8.87 (kinnow: red grapes: papaya: cabbage) to Rs 18.26 (kinnow: red grapes) for 200 mL glass bottle. Therefore, blending of pulpy fruits and/or vegetables with the juicy one could be an effective approach to exploit the functional properties of selected fruits and vegetables. Further, the production and availability of these functional juices with high antioxidant potential will add variety in the category of healthy juices in the market.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on fruit development, leaf nutrient status and harvest maturity of nectarine(2012) VIJAY KUMAR; TOMAR, C.S.ABSTRACT The present investigations entitled “Studies on fruit development, leaf nutrient status and harvest maturity of nectarine” were carried out at the experimental orchard of Department of Fruit Science, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, (HP) during 2010 and 2011. Six year-old nectarine plants of two cultivars namely, Silver King and Snow Queen raised on wild peach seedling rootstock were selected on the basis of uniform vigour. The plants were planted at a spacing of 3 x 3 meters and trained to open centre system. The whole program of study was split into two experiments. First experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design to elucidate the seasonal variations in vegetative characteristics, fruit parameters and leaf nutrient status in both the cultivars. The second experiment was conducted to standardize the optimum harvest maturity for these cultivars. The observations on seasonal variation in various characteristics were recorded on 11 sampling dates beginning with 7 DAFB upto 77 DAFB. It was revealed that fruit growth as measured in terms of fruit weight, fruit size and fruit volume exhibited characteristic of double sigmoidal curve. The pattern of growth resulted in a period of rapid growth for 28 days (stage I) followed by slow growth for 21 days (stage II) and again exhibited rapid growth (stage III) in both the cultivars viz., Silver King and Snow Queen. Among the vegetative parameters, number of shoots per branch increased significantly upto 42 DAFB. However, shoot extension growth, tree volume, leaf area, number of leaves per shoot and leaf/fruit ratio exhibited significant increase upto 49 DAFB. The fruit quality parameters viz., total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars increased rapidly from 49 DAFB to 70 DAFB in both the cultivars. In correlation study, number of shoots per branch, number of leaves per shoot, leaf area had significant positive correlation with fruit size, fruit weight and fruit volume. Seasonal variation in leaf N, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe had positive and significant correlation with fruit quality parameters, whereas leaf P, Zn and Cu had negative and significant correlation with fruit quality parameters. The present investigation revealed that the harvesting of nectarine should be done on or around 23rd to 26th May in cultivar Silver King and 30th May to 2nd June in Snow Queen under mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. In terms of days from full bloom (DAFB) to harvest, these calendar dates corresponded to 72 to 75 days and 73 to 75 days for Silver King and Snow Queen cultivars, respectively. On the basis of consistency in the results, DAFB, total soluble solids, total sugars and reducing sugars were found to be reliable indices of maturity for nectarine fruits