International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 535-537, July, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of apricot cultivars based on physico-chemical characteristics observed under temperate conditions

M.Y. Bhat, Bilal.A. Padder, *Imtiyaz A. Wani, F. A. Banday, HafizaAhsan, M.A. Dar and AbidA.Lone

Division of Fruit Science Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir Shalimar Srinagar- 191121 (J&K)

*Corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 03 April, 2013 

Abstract

The investigation was undertaken to evaluate improved cultivars on the basis of physico-chemical characteristics in Australian Sweet, Kaisha, Conian Italy, Roundel, Quetta and Charmagz cultivars. Physico-Chemical characteristics of apricot cultivars at harvest revealed that the maximum fruit length can be (37.06) mm and diameter (38.19) mm in cultivar Conian Italy. The shape of the fruit varied from flatish round (Conian Italy and Kaisha) to oval or heart shaped (Australian Sweet, Charmagz, and Roundel). Maximum fruit weight was recorded in cultivar Conian Italy (34.5g) and cultivar Quetta recorded the minimum fruit weight (24.00g). Maximum fruit volume (33.82cm3) was recorded in cultivar Conian Italy. Maximum fruit density (1.04g/cm²) was recorded in cultivar Quetta. Fruit firmness differed significantly  and maximum  fruit firmness (3.11lbs/sq inch) was recorded in cultivar Roundel followed by Charmagz (2.62lbs/sq inch). Fruit skin colour  score of (6.00pt) orange  was recorded in cultivar Quetta  followed by Kaisha (5.00pt) light orange. Maximum organoleptic rating of (9.00pt) excellent was recorded in cultivar Charmagz. Maximum TSS (21.80%) was recorded in cultivar Charmagz and minimum was recorded in cultivar Quetta. Maximum fruit acidity (1.92%) was recorded in cultivar Conian Italy and minimum was recorded in cultivar Australian Sweet (0.39%). Maximum TSS/acid ratio (83.85) was recorded in cultivar Charmagz. Maximum ascorbic acid content was recorded in cultivar Australian Sweet (17.00mg/100g). Maximum content of reducing, nonproducing and total sugars’ was recorded in cultivar Quetta (2.96%), Australian Sweet (9.95%) and  Charmagz (15.20%) respectively.

Key words: Evaluation, apricot, cultivar, physico-chemical-characteristics, variation, maturity.

 International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 538-543, July, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Water productivity and profitability of maize under drip fertigation in intensive maize based intercropping system

S Anitta Fanish

Department of Agronomy,Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu– 641 003, India.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 8 April, 2013

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during 2008 and 2009 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University; Coimbatore to study the effect of drip fertigation in intensive maize (Zea mays L.) based intercropping system. During 2008, drip fertigated maize at 150 per cent RDF recorded significantly higher grain yield of 7.3 t ha^-1. Whereas during 2009, higher grain yields of 7.5 t ha^-1 was recorded under drip fertigation of 100 per cent RDF with 50 per cent P and K as Water Soluble Fertilizer (WSF). Drip irrigation helps to save the water upto 43 per cent compared to surface irrigation besides enhancing the water use efficiency. A higher net return (Rs 56858) and B:C ratio (3.24)  was obtained under drip fertigation of 150 per cent RDF + radish as intercrop combination. It is inferred that drip fertigation once in three days at 100 per cent RDF with 50 per cent P and K as water soluble fertilizer could enhance the productivity of maize based intercropping system. Considering the high cost of water soluble fertilizers, drip fertigation of 150 per cent RDF with radish as intercrop could be an alternative option to realize a reasonably good yield and income in maize based intercropping system.

Key words: Drip fertigation, intercropping, maize, maize grain equivalent yield (MEY), WUE, Water Soluble Fertilizer.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 521-534, July, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Prediction of meat and meat products by gamma rays, electron beams and X-ray irradiations-A Review

Hayam M. Ibrahim

Food Technology Dept., National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 18 June, 2013

Abstract

Food quality is directly related to people’s health and social progress. Consumers are looking for quality seals and trust marks on food products, and expect manufacturers and retailers to provide products of high quality. In practice, it is more necessary to develop fast and efficient spectroscopic tools as useful technology to accomplish meat and meat products quality detection. Irradiation, results in physicochemical changes in food products. Ionizing radiation includes gamma rays, electron beams, and X-rays. Ionizing radiation is effective at eliminating food pathogens in poultry and other foods. Some physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory properties of fermented sausages have been realized by E-beam radiation. Gamma irradiation in combination with antioxidant addition (tea poly-phenol) was used in the pork industry to assure quality product with prolonged shelf-life. X-ray irradiations e.g. computed and micro-computed tomography was used successfully for prediction assessment and estimation of salt and water content in dry-cured ham, sodium chloride diffusivity of fresh and frozen/thawed ham muscles during salting and intramuscular fat level and distribution in beef muscles. This review article presents the most recent trends, during the last four years, concerning the ability of Gamma Rays, Electron beams and X-ray radiations for quality predictions of meat and meat products.

Key words: Irradiation, gamma rays, electron beams, X-ray, meat and meat products, prediction.

Review

Breeding oil palm (Elaeis guineensis jacq.) for fusarium wilt tolerance: an overview of research programmes and seed production potentialities in Cameroon

Ngando Ebongue Georges Frank²*, Etta Cullbertson Enow¹, Ntsomboh Godswill Ntsefong², Oben Tom Tabi¹

¹Lobe Research Department, Pamol Plantations Plc, P.O. Box 5483 Akwa Douala, Cameroon

²La Dibamba specialized Centre for Oil Palm Research (CEREPAH), P. O. Box 243 Douala, Cameroon

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 29 May 2013

Abstract

With about 39% of world production of vegetable oils, palm oil is currently the most important vegetable oil commodity in the world. Despite a contribution of less than 1% to world production, palm oil covers about 90% of edible oil needs in Cameroon. The Government has set up a development plan aimed at increasing current palm oil production through massive plantings. However, the occurrence of Fusarium wilt disease may seriously thwart these efforts, as it is the main threat to the development of palm plantations in Africa. Early breeding programmes designed to produce wilt tolerant seeds have been undertaken by the two national seed producers, PAMOL and CEREPAH La Dibamba. Fusarium wilt resistant seeds produced by CEREPAH derives from crosses between Dabou Deli x La Me BPROs, particularly DA115 D selfs x LM2T selfs. CEREPAH’s current annual wilt tolerant seed production is about 1,000,000 units, despite a production capacity of about 5 million. At PAMOL, Fusarium wilt tolerant seeds are mainly derived from crosses between Ekona x Ekona and Ekona x Binga BPROs, particularly descendants of Lb2/2311T. For the past years, average annual production was about 200,000 despite a potential of more than 1 million.

Key words: Fusarium wilt, Elaeis guineensis Jacq., disease tolerance, seed production, oil palm breeding.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 510-512, June, 2013. © International Scholars Journal

Short Communication

Record of egg parasitoids Telenomus sp. laricis group (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and Chaetostricha sp. (Hym: Trichogrammatidae) from  Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse (Heteroptera: Miridae) infesting cocoa

P. S. Bhat¹ and Srikumar.K.K²

¹Directorate of Cashew Research, (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Puttur 574 202, Karnataka, India.

²Department of Entomology, Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur 574 202, Karnataka, India.

^*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 1 April, 2013

Abstract

Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse (Heteroptera: Miridae) is an economically important pest of cocoa causing significant reduction in yield and marketable fruits. From an economic perspective the other plants attacked are cashew and tea.  Survey for egg parasitoids of H.theivora from cocoa host has determined two parasitoids viz., Telenomus sp. laricis group (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and Chaetostricha sp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). Telenomus sp. was observed predominant with 3.2% parasitism and Chaetostricha sp. showed low level of parasitization of 0.8%. According to our knowledge this is the first report from H.theivora eggs on cocoa.  The parasitism provided by these parasitoids certainly warrant further investigations on biological control programmes for this economically important pest.

Key words: Egg parasitoids, biological control, H.theivora, cocoa. 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 500-505, June, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Long-term effect of manure and fertilizers on the physical and chemical properties of an alfisol under semi-arid rainfed conditions

E. Parvathi¹, K. Venkaiah¹, V. Munaswamy², M.V.S.Naidu¹,T.Giridhara Krishna² and T. N. V. K. V. Prasad¹*

¹Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry S.V.Agricultural College, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh – 517502, India.

 ²Regional Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Tirupati-517 502, A.P., India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 11 April, 2013

Abstract

The status of nutrients-their depletion and build up in soil and crop productivity after thirty years (1981-2011) of groundnut intensive cropping were studied under continuous use of various inorganic fertilizers and organic manure in an Alfisol. Results showed that application of NPK (20:10:25 kg ha^-1) +gypsum+zinc sulphate recorded highest pod yield of 1499 kg ha^-1 which was on par with NPK+gypsum and FYM alone treated plot. The soil pH and EC did not change significantly but markedly changed the organic carbon and available nutrient contents of the soil. The available phosphorus and potassium were gradually depleted in all the treatments but the magnitude of depletion was less in the treatments which received P and K respectively. Thus, the balanced use of fertilizers continuously either alone or in combination with organic manure is necessary for sustaining soil fertility and productivity of groundnut under rainfed conditions.

Key words: Groundnut, Alfisol, Long-term effect, manure, fertilizer, Physico-Chemical Properties.