Yield and qualitative and biochemical characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) cultivated in different soil, water, and climate conditions

Saffron is highly valued for its unique aroma, taste, color, and medicinal properties. Iran is one of the most important saffron-producing countries. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of climatic and environmental characteristics of six sites (Shirvan, Faruj, Zavareh, Torbat-e Heydarieh, Ghayen, and Birjand) on the yield and qualitative, and biochemical characteristics of saffron. The studied sites were considered as treatments. The obtained data were analyzed based on a nested design, where the village within the site was considered an experimental error, and the farm within the village within each site was considered a sampling error. The Torbat-e Heydarieh treatment with altitudes of ~1323.3 m produced the maximum saffron flower yield (0.83 g m2), stigma yield (0.098 g m2), safranal content (15.8%), picrocrocin content (30.6%), and crocins content (69.3%). Evidently that the low maximum summer temperature in the area is one of the reasons for its superiority. The correlation analysis between traits shows that the maximum summer temperature had a significant negative correlation with saffron flower yield, stigma yield, and picrocrocin and crocin content. Results showed the highest total flavonoid and phenol content and DPPH activity related to Shirvan and Faruj. Although the results showed that selenium could increase the quantitative and qualitative yield of saffron, this requires further studies to confirm it. Based on the findings, it is concluded that I) qualitative and quantitative characteristics of saffron are strongly controlled by the environmental and climatic conditions and II) Razavi Khorasan province had a significant advantage in terms of flower and stigma yield and safranal, picrocrocin and crocin content of saffron and North Khorasan province in terms of biochemical characteristics.

Effect of Different Levels of Irrigation on Yield and Yield Attributes of Winter Marigold Crop (Tagetes erecta L.)

Agriculture has been indispensable for the subsistence of the people of India in general and farmers in particular. It has naturally been the cornerstone of the Indian economy since time immemorial and agriculture has played a major role in the country's economy since its inception. The research work was done to study the effect of irrigation levels on the yield and growth of winter marigolds. Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) had been taken twice the winter season of 2019-20 and 2020-21. The average flower yield (t/ha) was recorded under the treatment I1 (12.03 t/ha) was found maximum and it was followed by I2 (10.51 t/ha), I3 (9.73 t/ha). The consumptive water use (CWU) was found maximum (26.62 cm) in 100% of ETc and the lowest CWU was found (21.03 cm) in 80% of ETc through a drip system of irrigation in the cropping year 2020-21. Similarly, in 2019-20 CWU was found maximum (18.02 cm) in 100% of ETc, while the lowest CWU was found (14.42 cm) in 80% of ETc. The water use efficiency was found highest in I3 (0.77 t/ha/cm) and minimum WUE was found in I2 (0.525 t/ha/cm) in the cropping year 2019-20. For 2020-21, a maximum WUE was recorded in I2 (0.497 t/ha/cm) and the minimum WUE in I3 (0.335 t/ha/cm).

Extraction of Rhododendron arboreum Smith flowers from the forest for the livelihood and rural income in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Rhododendron arboreum locally known as ‘Burans', that bears magnificent flowers is one of the valuable non timber forest produces (NTFPs) in Garhwal Himalaya. These flowers are good source of income for local populace and help them to their subsistence up to some extent. R. arboreum flower can help local population to improve their livelihoods if potential harvesting is carried out sustainably. An attempt has been made to estimate the flower yield, examine extraction techniques, marketing trends and various uses of flowers. Stratified random sampling method was carried out in eight sites varying in altitudes and geographic locations. Flower yield kg/ha for each site was calculated as standard process. Questionnaire based survey was carried out in selected villages for flower extraction and marketing trends. Projections of potential (probable/-could generate) income were made and cost–benefit analysis was also estimated. Tree density of R. arboreum ranked first and Q. leucotrichophora had second rank while 16–25 cm cbh class tree density for R. arboreum was found highest across the sites. Flower yield was significantly (p < 0.001) higher at Khirsu site with 26–35 and 46–55 cm cbh class. There was positively significant correlation (n = 446, p < 0.001, r = 0.53) between flower yield and actual cbh. Flower yield has a direct relation with size of tree whereas yield has been less impacted by the sites. Average yield of flowers across the sites was about 25.3 ton/ha. On average 30% households are engaged in the extraction and trade activities with the extraction rate of 25–350 kg/household/year. A net household income of Rs. 6000–37,000 (89–545 USD) per year was computed from Rhododendron flower extraction and marketing business. The total monetary benefit was significantly higher than the inputs for all value added items on a per day basis. R. arboreum plays important role in ecological and economic sustainability of poor rural people and unemployed youths in Himalayan region. This can reduce unemployment through development of small cottage industry and entrepreneurship at village level by making different food products i.e. juice, squash, sauce and pickle etc.

Screening of Tuberose Cultivars against Leaf Spot (Alternaria polyanthi) and its Management

Background: Tuberose flower has been found to be affected by various fungal and viral diseases which affect growth and cause loss in flower yield. Among them, leaf spot incited by Aternaria polianthi is an important fungal disease in tuberose. The incidence of the disease is common in the both single and double-type tuberose varieties due to prevalence of high rainfall and humid conditions. During survey it was found that the disease incidence was increasing gradually causing economic losses in Assam. Methods: The field trial was carried out during kharif seasons (2015 -18) to test the efficacy of six fungicides against leaf spot of tuberose (Var. Local single petal) caused by Alternaria polyantha. Four sprays with fungicides at an interval of seven days starting from the first appearance of the disease symptom were done. Per cent disease incidence (%) with growth parameters were recorded one week after the last spray. Another field experiment for screening the resistant genotypes was conducted using 11 tuberose genotypes during kharif seasons (2016-17 and 2017-18). Result: Eleven tuberose cultivars (Bidhan Ranjani-1, Bidhan Ranjani-2, Arka Nirantara, GK-TC-4, Prajwal, Phule Rajani, Local Single, Local Double, Vaibhav, Suhashini and Shringer) were screened against leaf spot caused by A.polyanthi under natural field condition. None of the cultivars were found to be immune or resistant, while three cultivars viz., GK-TC-4, Bidhan Rajani-1 and Arka Nirantara showed moderate resistant reaction with recorded per cent disease incidence of 16.11, 18.17 and 18.71, respectively. Spraying with azoxystrobin, difenoconazole and a combo fungicide consisting of iprodione (25%) + carbendazim (25%), at 0.1% recorded lowest per cent disease incidence of 7.91, 9.83 and 11.85% compared to control (33.62 PDI) with per cent disease reduction of 70.59%, 64.61% and 76.31%, respectively.

Impact of Three Different Light Spectra on the Yield, Morphology and Growth Trajectory of Three Different Cannabis sativa L. Strains

Cannabis is one of the oldest cultivated plants, but plant breeding and cultivation are restricted by country specific regulations. Plant growth, morphology and metabolism can be manipulated by changing light quality and intensity. Three morphologically different strains were grown under three different light spectra with three real light repetitions. Light dispersion was included into the statistical evaluation. The light spectra considered had an influence on the morphology of the plant, especially the height. Here, the shade avoidance induced by the lower R:FR ratio under the ceramic metal halide lamp (CHD) was of particular interest. The sugar leaves seemed to be of elementary importance in the last growth phase for yield composition. Furthermore, the last four weeks of flowering were crucial to influence the yield composition of Cannabis sativa L. through light spectra. The dry flower yield was significantly higher under both LED treatments compared to the conventional CHD light source. Our results indicate that the plant morphology can be artificially manipulated by the choice of light treatment to create shorter plants with more lateral branches which seem to be beneficial for yield development. Furthermore, the choice of cultivar has to be taken into account when interpreting results of light studies, as Cannabis sativa L. subspecies and thus bred strains highly differ in their phenotypic characteristics.

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients on Flowering of Hybrid Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii B.) cv. Shimmer in Open Field Condition

The present investigation on Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on flowering of hybrid gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii B.) cv. Shimmer in open field condition was conducted at Biotechnology cum Tissue Culture Centre, OUAT Bhubaneswar during 2015-16 and 2016-17. The aim of the study was to find out suitable organic and inorganic sources of nutrients for cut flower production of gerbera in open field condition. There were eight treatment combinations consisting of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), Vermicompost, 75% RDF, PSB, Azospirillum, Azotobacter and foliar spray of macro and micro elements. Application of 75% RDF (15:10:30 g NPK/10 plants) + Vermicompost (25 g/10 plants) + Azospirillum/ Azotobacter (20 g/10 plants) + PSB (20 g/10 plants) + macro and micro element spray recorded earlier flower bud initiation and flowering. The same treatments conducted to maximum length of flower stalk, thickness of flower stalk, flower diameter, number of flowers/plant and bloom life. It can be concluded that reduced dose of chemical fertilizer (75% RDF) along with application of vermicompost and biofertiizer can improve flower yield of gerbera in open field condition.

FOLIAR APPLICATION OF POTASSIUM AND ZINC ENHANCES THE PRODUCTIVITY AND VOLATILE OIL CONTENT OF DAMASK ROSE (Rosa damascena Miller var. trigintipetala Dieck)

Potassium (K) levels are decreasing worldwide in agricultural soils, and K deficiency is becoming a major issue. Study on damask rose response to K application is scarce. Furthermore, despite its importance in the cell division, photosynthesis and protein synthesis, there is a lack of published reports on plant responses to zinc (Zn) application. Further research is required to understand the damask rose's response to both elements. This study investigated the effects of K and Zn foliar application on the vegetative growth, flower yield, and volatile oil content and composition of damask rose. K and Zn nutrition was applied either individually or combined as K2SO4 and ZnSO4 at 0.5 or 1.0%. Foliar application of K2SO4 and ZnSO4 was applied with a manual pump four times in each growing season, the first at the beginning of stem elongation and leaf formation, and then at two-weekly intervals. Results showed that K and/or Zn treatments significantly improved the growth characters, flower yield, relative water content (RWC), stomatal conductance, and essential oil content and composition such as linalool, nerol, citronellol, geraniol, and nonadecane. The chlorophyll content, total soluble sugars (TSS), and protein content also increased, but free amino acid content decreased, suggesting that the distribution of nitrogenous compounds (between amino acids and proteins) and their transformation were influenced by K and Zn supply. Individual applications of K or Zn increased the N, P, K, and Zn contents in damask rose leaves, relative to the control, which increased further with combined applications of K and Zn. Results suggest that foliar application of K and/or Zn could be part of the damask rose fertilization program to provide plants with the optimum level of nutrition for improving the quantity and quality of flowers and essential oil yields.