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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 STUDIES ON ARTHROPOD PESTS OF APPLE AND THEIR NATURAL ENEMIES IN DIFFERENT FARMING SYSTEMS(UHF Nauni, 2024-07-09) NIKITA CHAUHAN; P L SharmaThe present investigations entitled “Studies on arthropod pests of apple and their natural enemies in different farming systems” were conducted during the year 2022 and 2023 at Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The diversity of apple pests and natural enemies varied with different combinations of variety, planting density and farming system. Aphis pomi De Geer, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann), Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock), Panonychus ulmi (Koch) and Tetranychus urticae Koch, Dorysthenus huegelii (Redtenbacher), Apriona cinera (Chevrolat), Zeuzera multistrigata (Moore), Archips termias (Meyrick), Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Anomala dimidiata (Hope), Anomala lineatopennis (Blanchard), Brahmina coriacea (Hope) and Brahmina flavoserica (Bost) was found across a wide range of apple varieties (Jeromine, Red Velox, Super Chief, Auvial Early Fuji, Gale Gala, Scarlet Spur and Royal Delicious) and natural enemies recorded on all studied varieties, planting densities and farming systems were Coccinella septempunctata (Linnaeus), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemii (Esben-Peterson), Harmonia dimidiata (Fabricius), Oenopia sauzeti (Mulsant), Oenopia kirbyi Mulsant, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (F.), Scymnus posticalis Sicard, Chilochorus infernalis Mulsant, Ischiodon scutellaris (Fabricius), Sphaerophoria indiana Bigot, Episyrphus viridaureus (Wiedemann), Eupeodes corollae (Fabricius) and Aphelinus mali (Haldeman). In laboratory studies on demographics of pests and related natural enemies of apple, showed that all pests and natural enemies completed their life cycle on all the varieties successfully. Predatory potential and density responsiveness of natural enemies like O. kirbyi, S. posticalis, C. zastrowi sillemi, N. longispinosus and A. mali showed promising results against respective apple pests. The predatory potential increased with predator age. For all natural enemies, significant negative linear coefficients were obtained after logistic regression analysis between proportion of prey nymphs consumed (Na/N) and initial prey density (N) which indicated the Type-II functional response for all the stages of natural enemies. The attack rate decreased and increasing handling time with the advancement of the development stage of the prey in all the cases.ThesisItem Open Access MANAGEMENT OF EUROPEAN RED MITE, Panonychus ulmi (Koch) AND PESTICIDE RESIDUE DYNAMICS ON HIGH DENSITY APPLE PLANTATIONS(UHF Nauni, 2024-07-10) PANKAJ; Sapna KatnaThe present investigation entitled “Management of European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch) and pesticide residue dynamics on high density apple plantations” was carried out during 2021-22 and 2022-23 in high-density apple orchards at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tabo (Lahaul and Spiti II) and Department of Fruit Science, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). The effect of European red mite feeding on yield attributes and physico-chemical parameters of apple cv. Jeromine, at different treatments of target threshold viz. 0 (control), 250, 500, 750 and 1000 cumulative mite days (CMDs) per leaf was evaluated. Studies on percentage fruit set, return bloom, fruit load, fruit size, mean fruit weight and total soluble solids revealed that these parameters were not significantly affected at 250 CMDs and remained at par with control. However, significant losses in these parameters were reported at ≥500 CMDs. Whereas titratable acidity, fruit firmness and fruit colour showed no significant effect at any level of mite feeding. Thereby, an economic threshold level of 250 CMDs can be suggested to implement management strategies for avoiding significant losses due to European red mite infestation in HDP apples. For persistence studies pesticide formulations were applied at recommended (X dose) and 1.25 times recommended dose (1.25X dose) respectively i.e., propargite 42%+hexythiazox 2% EC (420 + 20 and 525 + 25 g a.i./ha), spirotetramat 11.01%+imidacloprid 11.01% SC (110.1 +110.1 and 137.63 + 137.63 g a.i./ha), spinosad 45% SC (225 and 281.25 g a.i./ha) and cyenopyrafen 30% SC (90 and 112.5 g a.i./ha). Residue dynamics studies using the QuEChERS method after validating, gave initial deposits of 1.877 and 2.190 mg/kg for propargite, 0.353 and 0.440 mg/kg for hexythiazox, 0.983 and 1.263 mg/kg for spirotetramat, 0.897 and 1.270 mg/kg for imidacloprid, 1.690 and 2.057 mg/kg for spinosad, 0.923 and 1.2 mg/kg for cyenopyrafen at X and 1.25X dose respectively. These residues reached below limit of quantification (LOQ) (0.01 mg/kg) on 15th and 20th day for propargite, imidacloprid, spinosad and cyenopyrafen with a half-life of 1.653-2.395, 1.781-2.280, 1.570-2.279 and 1.697-2.419 days at X and 1.25X dose, respectively. For spirotetramat, residues reachedThesisItem Open Access POPULATION DYNAMICS OF INSECT PESTS INFESTING BROCCOLI AND TO EVALUATE MAJOR INSECTICIDES FOR THEIR BIOEFFICACY AND RESIDUES(UHF Nauni, 2024-07-24) SAKSHI SHARMA; Sapna KatnaThe present investigation entitled “Population dynamics of insect pests infesting broccoli and to evaluate major insecticides for their bioefficacy and residues” was carried out during 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). Results of this investigation revealed that broccoli was found to be infested mainly with aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) and flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze). Incidence of aphid and flea beetle was found to be present throughout the cropping season of broccoli (48th SMW to 10th SMW) while diamondback moth appeared from 4th to 6th SMW which persisted till 10th SMW. Weather parameters showed non-significant correlations with aphid population buildup; maximum and minimum temperature significantly affected diamondback moth larvae population; and maximum temperature, minimum temperature and rainfall significantly affected population buildup of flea beetles. Bioefficacy studies indicated that acetamiprid 20% SP at recommended dose (X) resulted in 75.50-76.52 per cent efficacy in controlling aphid populations, flubendiamide 20% WG at X dose showed efficacy of 76.97-79.62 per cent against diamondback moth and lambda-cyhalothrin 4.90% SC at X dose showed highest efficacy to the tune of 73.95-76.12 per cent in managing flea beetle populations. The average initial residues of cyantraniliprole (60 and 75 g a.i./ha), acetamiprid (15 and 18.75 g a.i./ha), flubendiamide (18.24 and 22.80 g a.i./ha), lambda-cyhalothrin (15 and 18.75 g a.i./ha) and novaluron (75 and 93.75 g a.i./ha) were in the range of 0.562-0.762, 0.757-1.069, 0.231-0.358, 0.473-0.687 and 1.172-1.494 mg/kg, respectively with a half-life of 1.873-2.354, 1.525-1.930, 1.371-1.620, 1.975-2.484 and 1.678-2.170 days in broccoli heads, respectively. No residues were detected in broccoli cropped soil at harvest time. No appreciable risk to consumers from rural and urban households was observed on the basis of acute hazard quotient (HQ) and chronic HQ values being less than 1 for all the insecticidesThesisItem Open Access BIO-ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF SERPENTINE LEAF MINER, LIRIOMYZA TRIFOLII (ORDER: DIPTERA, FAMILY: AGROMYZIDAE) IN TOMATO(UHF Nauni, 2024-07-19) LALIT KALIA; Anil SoodThe present investigations entitled “Bio-ecology and Management of Serpentine Leaf Miner, Liriomyza trifolii (Order: Diptera, Family: Agromyzidae) in Tomato” were carried out during 2022 and 2023 under laboratory and field conditions at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni at an altitude of 1200 m asl. Survey studies on the host range of L. trifolii revealed the infestation of 39 plants belonging to 15 families. Maximum plants from the Cucurbitaceae family were found to be infested by this pest followed by Asteraceae, Solanaceae and Malvaceae family. Survey studies were conducted to record the observations on the pest incidence of L. trifolii in all the four agro-climatic zones comprising 18 different locations of Himachal Pradesh revealed that Zones 1 and 2 i.e. Nalagarh from Zone 1 showed the maximum overall pest infestation of 62.28 per cent during 2022 while Oachghat from Zone 2 showed the maximum pest infestation (56.23%) during 2023. Studies on seasonal abundance of eggs and larvae of L. trifolii on Solan Lalima and BSS 816 varieties of tomato during 2022 and 2023 revealed the fluctuating pest population with overall maximum activity from 21st to 35th standard week during 2022 and from 20th to 27th standard week during 2023. The pest incidence data were correlated with weather parameters and were found to have a significant positive correlation of eggs and larvae with temperature during 2022 and non-significant correlation during 2023. However, a negative correlation was recorded with both humidity and rainfall during both the years. Spatial distribution studies of L. trifolii on two tomato varieties viz. Solan Lalima and BSS 816 revealed that the pest was aggregately distributed on both crops throughout the cropping season. Biology and population growth parameter studies of L. trifolii on tomato revealed that the eggs were translucent white whereas, larvae were shiny yellow. The adults were yellowish-black with red eyes and black spots on the thorax region. Females were larger than males. Studies on different stages of leafminer on two tomato varieties revealed that incubation period of the leafminer on both verities was 2.4 ± 0.1 and the larval period ranged from 1.6 ± 0.1 and 1.6 ± 0.1 for I instar, 2.5 ± 0.1 days and 2.4 ± 0.1 days for II instar, 2.3 ± 0.1 and 2.5 ± 0.1 days for III instar. However, notable distinctions emerged in respect to the pupal period, with Solan Lalima showing 10.9 ± 0.2 days compared to BSS 816 as 7.6 ± 0.1 days. Female longevity for Solan Lalima was 16.7 ± 0.1 days, whereas on BSS 816 it was 19.5 ± 0.2 days. The life fertility data of L. trifolii on tomato revealed that female L. trifolii started egg laying on 21st day of the pivotal age with an average fecundity of 0.17 female eggs per day on Solan Lalima and 18th day of the pivotal age with an average fecundity of 0.70 female eggs per day on BSS 816. Studies on Phenol content estimation for tomato varieties revealed that for Solan Lalima, the phenolic content remained high across all replications with mean phenol content 0.984 AU compared to 0.606 in case of BSS 816. Four insecticides (Cyantraniliprole 10.26 % OD, Chlorantraniliprole 18.50 % SC, Thiamethoxam 25 % WG, Imidacloprid 17.80% SL) and four botanicals (NSKE, Azadirachtin 1%, Melia azedarach, NSKE + Teepol) were evaluated for their efficacy against L. trifolii during the year 2022 and 2023. The studies revealed that during the study period on both the crops Cyantraniliprole showed the maximum mortality of (70.26 %), followed by Chlorantraniliprole (64.60), Imidacloprid (59.02%), Thiamethoxam (57.33%), NSKE + Teepol (31.03%), NSKE (24.65%), Azadirachtin 1% (20.02%), Melia azedarach (17.67%).ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON DEFENCE PRIMING OF SEED AND SEED CROP IN CAULIFLOWER(UHF Nauni, 2024-07-15) AKHILESH KOUNDAL; Narender K BharatThe present investigation titled, “Studies on defence priming of seed and seed crop in cauliflower” was carried out in the laboratory and experimental farm of Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during 2021 to 2023. Three experiments were conducted using cauliflower cv. Pusa Snowball K-I. In the first experiment conducted in vitro, seed priming was done with three plant defence activators viz., SA, JA, BABA each @ 0.50, 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00 mM; three salts viz., KNO3 @ 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 2.0 % and 2.5 %, CaCl2 @ 0.25 %, 0.5 %, 0.75 % and 1.0 % and NaCl @ 0.5 %, 0.75 %, 1 % and 1.25 % each for 12, 18, 24 and 36 hours and four biocontrol agents viz., Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens for 4, 6, 8 and 10 hours. Based on different seed quality parameters best treatment from each plant defence activator, salt and biocontrol agent were selected. In the second experiment, the seeds were primed with the best selected treatments along with their combination and sown in nursery. The maximum values for total emergence (76.13 %), speed of germination (10.90), seedling height (20.36 cm) and minimum values for damping off (4.53 %) and virus infection (1.63 %) were recorded in the treatment SA @ 0.5 mM + KNO3 @ 1.5 % for 18 h. In the third experiment, healthy seedlings from each treatment sown in the nursery were transplanted in the field and a foliar application of the same was done at bolting and flower initiation stage. The minimum days to curd initiation (79.01) were observed in treatment T5 (SA @ 0.5 mM + KNO3 @ 1.5 % for 18 hours) and minimum days to curd maturity (115.22) were observed in treatment T14 (SA @ 0.5 mM + KNO3 @ 1.5 % for 18 hours & its spray). The maximum curd compactness (26.61), curd weight (746.70 g) and curd yield per plot (22.40 kg) were recorded in the treatment T14. The maximum plant height upto curd maturation (42.99 cm) and number of leaves per plant (16.56) were recorded in treatment T5. The maximum number of branches per plant (10.89) and plant height during seed set (78.85 cm), minimum number of days to flower initiation (132.42), maximum number of seeds per siliqua (14.98), minimum days to seed maturity (189.27), maximum seed yield per plant (18.09 g), maximum seed yield per plot (542.65 g), maximum seed yield per hectare (584.67 kg) and maximum 1000 seed weight (3.984 g) were all recorded in treatment T14. The minimum severity of diseases such as Alternaria blight (10.86 %) and black rot (30.76 %) was recorded in treatment T14 as well. The minimum incidence of diseases i.e. downy mildew (4.49 %), stalk rot (15.95 %) and yellows (5.15 %) were also found in the treatment T14. The maximum germination percentage (85.88 %), seedling length (14.41 cm), seedling dry weight (2.96 mg), seed vigour index – I (1237.93), seed vigour index – II (254.06), speed of germination (65.51), germination after accelerated ageing (83.00 %) and minimum total seed mycoflora (2.63 %) were all recorded in treatment T14. While untreated control was found to be the worst among all.The present investigation titled, “Studies on defence priming of seed and seed crop in cauliflower” was carried out in the laboratory and experimental farm of Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during 2021 to 2023. Three experiments were conducted using cauliflower cv. Pusa Snowball K-I. In the first experiment conducted in vitro, seed priming was done with three plant defence activators viz., SA, JA, BABA each @ 0.50, 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00 mM; three salts viz., KNO3 @ 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 2.0 % and 2.5 %, CaCl2 @ 0.25 %, 0.5 %, 0.75 % and 1.0 % and NaCl @ 0.5 %, 0.75 %, 1 % and 1.25 % each for 12, 18, 24 and 36 hours and four biocontrol agents viz., Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens for 4, 6, 8 and 10 hours. Based on different seed quality parameters best treatment from each plant defence activator, salt and biocontrol agent were selected. In the second experiment, the seeds were primed with the best selected treatments along with their combination and sown in nursery. The maximum values for total emergence (76.13 %), speed of germination (10.90), seedling height (20.36 cm) and minimum values for damping off (4.53 %) and virus infection (1.63 %) were recorded in the treatment SA @ 0.5 mM + KNO3 @ 1.5 % for 18 h. In the third experiment, healthy seedlings from each treatment sown in the nursery were transplanted in the field and a foliar application of the same was done at bolting and flower initiation stage. The minimum days to curd initiation (79.01) were observed in treatment T5 (SA @ 0.5 mM + KNO3 @ 1.5 % for 18 hours) and minimum days to curd maturity (115.22) were observed in treatment T14 (SA @ 0.5 mM + KNO3 @ 1.5 % for 18 hours & its spray). The maximum curd compactness (26.61), curd weight (746.70 g) and curd yield per plot (22.40 kg) were recorded in the treatment T14. The maximum plant height upto curd maturation (42.99 cm) and number of leaves per plant (16.56) were recorded in treatment T5. The maximum number of branches per plant (10.89) and plant height during seed set (78.85 cm), minimum number of days to flower initiation (132.42), maximum number of seeds per siliqua (14.98), minimum days to seed maturity (189.27), maximum seed yield per plant (18.09 g), maximum seed yield per plot (542.65 g), maximum seed yield per hectare (584.67 kg) and maximum 1000 seed weight (3.984 g) were all recorded in treatment T14. The minimum severity of diseases such as Alternaria blight (10.86 %) and black rot (30.76 %) was recorded in treatment T14 as well. The minimum incidence of diseases i.e. downy mildew (4.49 %), stalk rot (15.95 %) and yellows (5.15 %) were also found in the treatment T14. The maximum germination percentage (85.88 %), seedling length (14.41 cm), seedling dry weight (2.96 mg), seed vigour index – I (1237.93), seed vigour index – II (254.06), speed of germination (65.51), germination after accelerated ageing (83.00 %) and minimum total seed mycoflora (2.63 %) were all recorded in treatment T14. While untreated control was found to be the worst among all.ThesisItem Open Access DEVELOPMENT OF CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. UNDER ORGANIC FARMING(UHF Nauni, 2024-07-20) NYAMKOI; Bhupender DuttThe present investigations on "Development of cultivation practices of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. under organic farming," were carried out in the experimental field and laboratory of the Department of Forest Products, College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). Among the two seed sources of Silybum marianum procured from CIMAP, Lucknow and UHF, Nauni have revealed that the species is an annual herb with hollow stems and a taproot system. Seed procured from CIMAP, Lucknow has shown flowering and fruiting period of 14-18 days and 12-16 days, while seeds from UHF, Nauni, had flowering and fruiting period of 20-23 days and 16-19 days, respectively. Maximum plant height (106.51 cm), number of primary flower heads (4.50), number of secondary flower heads (2.75), number of seeds per plant (670), seed weight per plant (12.73g) and silymarin content (1.93%) were exhibited by the seeds from CIMAP, Lucknow. Sowing of seeds in the nursery during November under protected condition with application of vermicompost + cocopeat showed maximum germination (97.67%), shoot length (8.10 cm) and root length (7.43 cm). A spacing of 50 x 20 cm resulted in maximum plant height (135.40 cm), seed yield (13.35q ha-1), and silymarin content (2.19%) with the application of vermicompost + PSB. Maximum number of primary branches per plant (5.90), number of secondary branches per plant (3.41), number of primary flower heads per plant (5.90), number of secondary flower heads per plant (3.41), number of leaves per plant (18.84), number of seeds per primary capitulum (95.29), number of seeds per secondary capitulum (65.30), number of seeds per plant (1049.20), and seed weight per plant (17.88g) were obtained using vermicompost + PSB at a spacing of 60 x 40 cm. Highest output-input ratio (1.73) was noticed at 50 x 20 spacing with the application of PSB. The study showed that seeds sourced from CIMAP, Lucknow exhibited superior traits and nursery sowing in November under protected condition with the application of vermicompost + cocopeat was suitable for germination as well as seedling growth. Application of vermicompost + PSB at a spacing of 60 x 40 cm and 50 x 20 cm was best for growth and seed yield, respectively. The application of PSB at a spacing of 50 x 20 cm has greater economic feasibility.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC STUDIES AND DUS CHARACTERIZATION IN GLADIOLUS (Gladiolus L.)(UHF Nauni, 2024-07-24) RAGINI BHARDWAJ; Puja SharmaThe investigation entitled "Genetic Studies and DUS characterization in gladiolus (Gladiolus L.)" including 25 gladiolus genotypes was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan for two consecutive years, 2021-22 and 2022-23 following Randomized Block Design with three replications. Two separate sets of experiments were conducted. Eleven genotypes were planted under protected conditions while rest fourteen were planted under open field conditions. Among the genotypes tested under protected conditions ‘Pratap Glad -1’ and ‘Pusa Manmohak’ performed well for different flowering attributes. Under both protected and open conditions high values for GCV and PCV and high heritability with highest genetic gain were recorded for fresh weight of corms, fresh weight of cormels and number of cormels per plant. For protected environment, high heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance was observed for plant height and cut spike length and a significant positive correlation of number of florets per spike was found with percent sprouting of corms, number of leaves per plant, plant height, cut spike length, rachis length, vase life, fresh weight of corms and diameter of corms. The cut spike length however showed maximum positive direct effect on the number of florets per spike. For protected environment, the 11 genotypes were grouped into four clusters and the highest inter cluster distance was recorded between cluster-II & cluster-III. ‘Arka Amar’ performed best in open field conditions. High heritability with moderate genetic advance was however found for fresh weight of corms and significant positive correlation of number of florets per spike was found with percent sprouting of corms, number of leaves per plant, days taken for spike emergence, plant height, cut spike length, rachis length, diameter of floret, vase life and corm parameters. Maximum positive direct effect on number of florets per spike was however exhibited by fresh weight of cormels. All the 14 genotypes were grouped into four clusters with the highest inter cluster distance recorded between cluster-II & cluster-III. Selected 25 gladiolus genotypes were examined for a total of 66 morphological characteristics and DUS characterization was done. The morphological DUS descriptor was found to be particularly efficient in distinguishing and classifying genotypes according to specific traits.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON PROPAGATION AND PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY IN DAHLIA (Dahlia variabilis L.)(UHF Nauni, 2024-07-24) MANISH KUMAR; Priyanka ThakurThe present investigation entitled “Studies on propagation and production technology in dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) was carried out at Experimental Farm of Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Dhaulakuan, District Sirmour (HP), under the aegis of Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-Solan, HP. The research was conducted from September 2021 to June 2023 including two experiments i.e.; "Effect of propagation time and rooting media in dahlia" in CRD (Factorial) design with three replications. The main aim was to find out suitable rooting media, Sand, Cocopeat + Sand (1:1) and Cocopeat + Sand + FYM (1:1:1) and planting dates (September 15th, October 15th, and November 15th) under low hills of HP for the propagation of five dahlia cultivars namely Anarkali, Gargi, Giani Zail Singh, Matungini and Suryadev. Findings revealed that September 15th was found be the best planting date for the propagation of dahlia cultivars, in terms of root length (5.86 cm and 6.31 cm), number of days taken for rooting (22.18 days and 20.41 days), quality of rooted propagule (8.24 and 8.45) and survival percentage of cuttings (90.20 % and 91.35 %) in both the years. Among the media, Cocopeat + Sand (1:1) was found to be the best for propagation of dahlia in terms of root length (6.46 cm and 6.91 cm), number of days taken for rooting (31.03 days and 28.56 days), quality of rooted propagule (7.67 and 7.85) and survival percentage of cuttings (82.22 % and 83.08 %). Cv. Matungini was recorded best for number of days taken for rooting (27.53 days and 24.90 days), cv. Giani Zail Singh for root length (6.58 cm and 7.16 cm), and for quality of rooted propagule (8.39 and 8.61) and survival percentage of cuttings (85.65 % and 87.00 %), cv. Suryadev was found to be best. Overall, combination of Cocopeat and Sand (1:1) media and September 15th planting was found best for the propagation of dahlia. Second experiment was on " Standardization of planting time for growth and flowering of dahlia cultivars" in RBD (Factorial) design with three replications. The experiment was conducted on above mentioned same cultivars and aim was to observe flowering and tuber production in three different planting dates (October 15th, November 15th and December 15th). Maximum plant height (123.37 cm) and vase life (6.22 days) was recorded during November 15th in cv. Suryadev. Minimum days taken to flowering was observed in cv. Matungini (97.27 days) in similar month, maximum duration of flowering (98.27 days) and number of cut stems (18.05) was recorded during October 15th in cv Matungini. For tuber production, maximum tuber yield per plot was noted during October 15th (3988.67 g) in cv. Anarkali. Overall, October 15th was found to be optimal for flowering and tuber production, while November 15th was identified as the best time for vase life.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of bio-organic nutrient sources on soil properties and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) in sub-tropics of Himachal Pradesh(College of Horticulture and Forestry Dr YSP UHF, Neri, Hamirpur(H.P.), 2024-07-06) Ojaswini; Rakesh SharmaThe present study aimed to investigate the effect of different bio -organic nutrient sources on soil properties and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) in sub-tropics of Himachal Pradesh and was carried out during rabi 2022-23 at the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science and Water Management, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur. The experiment was laid out with nine treatments in a randomized block design, each replicated thrice. The treatments included: T 1 = Beejamrit + Jeevamrit @ 5 % at weekly interval, T2 = FYM @ 25 t ha-1 + R.D.F (recommended practice of manure and fertilizers), T 3 = FYM @ 25 t ha-1 + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit @ 5 % at weekly interval, T 4 = FYM @ 25 t ha-1 + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit @ 5 % at fortnight interval, T 5 = Vermicompost @ 10 t ha-1 + R.D.F, T6 = Vermicompost @ 10 t ha-1 + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit @ 5 % at weekly interval, T 7 = Vermicompost @ 10 t ha-1 + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit @ 5 % at fortnight interval, T8 = Ghanjeevamrit @ 5t ha-1 + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit @ 5% at fortnight interval and T 9 = 100 per cent R.D.F where, R.D.F was recommended dose of fertilizers (NPK = 120:75:60 kg ha-1). Results of the investigation revealed that treatment T 6 recorded maximum onion growth, yield, quality parameters along with nutrient uptake by the crop and outperformed the treatment T 2 (recommended dose of manure and fertilizers). Treatment T 6 also observed 9.63 per cent increment in bulb yield per hectare over treatment T2, coupled with the highest (2.43) benefit: cost ratio. Further, there was a significant effect of different nutrient sources on various soil properties. The maximum soil water holding capacity, soil organic carbon, available N,P, K, S and DTPA-extractable micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) content were observed under treatment T 3. Treatment T3 also recorded a significant increase in biological properties such as total microbial population, total fungal population, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, soil respiration, alkaline phosphomonoesterase, and dehydrogenase activity which indicated the pivotal role of soil properties for the nutrient dynamics and availability to the crop. A positive and significant relationship of bulb yield was observed with plant height, number of leaves, bulb diameter, total soluble solids, total N, P, K and S uptake. Plant available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, total viable microbial population, total fungal population, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, soilrespiration, alkaline phosphomonoesterase and dehydrogenase activity demonstrated the positive and significant relationship with onion bulb yield. Thus, the results concluded that jeevamrit @ 5 per cent at weekly intervals in conjuction with FYM, vermicompost and ghanjeevamrit revealed superior results for growth, yield, quality parameters of onion and also improved the soil properties over combined application of RDF with FYM and vermicompost.
