Current Horticulture

Validation of ToLCNDV resistant germplasm in melon and cucumber through challenged inoculation

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The present study was conducted to validate the Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus (ToLCNDV) resistance in four promising accessions of melon and cucumber (IC629818-A, IC629818-B, IC629822, and IC410617) along with checks PI 124111, Pusa Uday and Punjab Naveen through artificial inoculation at glasshouse facility of ICAR-IARI, New Delhi during 2024-25. These lines were identified through field screening against ToLCNDV in the Kharif season at ICAR-NBPGR farm during 2021-2024. The artificially inoculated glasshouse grown plants of Arya IC629818-A and IC629818-B showed no symptoms of ToLCNDV with 0 velnerability index. PCR amplification also confirmed the absence of virus in the plants. This is perhaps the first report wherein any melon germplasm showed immune/highly resistant reaction to ToLCNDV. The cucumber genotype IC410617 had little symptom (VI=4.5) with no amplification of viral coat protein and thus categorized as resistant. These lines show potential for their utilization as novel sources of resistance for breeding of ToLCNDV-resistant cucumber and melon cultivars.

Unraveling nutrient stress in aonla (Emblica officinalis): comprehensive insights into research and utilization- a review

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), also known as Indian gooseberry, is a time-honored fruit tree species belonging to the
Euphorbiaceae family. Widely distributed across diverse ecological regions, aonla demonstrates remarkable adaptability to varying
edapho climatic conditions. The crop is highly valued for its rich nutritional value, therapeutic properties, and significant post
harvest and industrial applications. Historically, aonla’s pharmaceutical benefits have been documented in ancient litrature, both as a
standalone remedy and in combination with other ingredients. To enhance the utilization and improvement of this invaluable genetic
resource, it is crucial to delve into studies on its origins, diversity, and geographical distribution. To achieve a deeper insight into its
taxonomy, systematics, and biological traits, including phenology, floral biology, and pollination mechanisms, detailed investigation
is essential. In addition to fundamental biological aspects, agro-technologies, propagation methods, canopy architecture, and
strategies for managing physiological disorders, pests, and diseases play a critical role in conserving aonla germplasm and boosting
production. This review aims to comprehensively address these areas, offering insights into the genetic, ecological, and agronomic
aspects of aonla cultivation, with a focus on its conservation and enhanced production techniques.

From soil to shelf: challenges and opportunities in medicinal plant research

Swarajya Laxmi Nayak, Manish Das — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Medicinal plants played a vital role in traditional healthcare and emerged as a cornerstone in development of modern pharmaceuticals. Increasing global demand for natural therapies, along with advances in science and technology, is transforming the medicinal plant sector. This review highlights emerging trends like DNA barcoding for identifying and conserving medicinal plants, as well as the use of genomics, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence in medicinal plants. Despite this progress, the sector faces challenges, including biodiversity depletion, adulteration, lack of standardization, weak regulatory frameworks, biopiracy, and climate-related threats. Addressing these issues needs global collaboration to ensure sustainable cultivation, ethical resource use, and effective quality control. The integration of cutting-edge tools with traditional knowledge offers a promising path toward developing safe, effective, and eco-friendly plant-based healthcare solutions.

Retrofitting microbes for inorganic nutrients in citrus nursery: new perspectives

A.K. Srivastava, Seyed Majid Mousavi — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Nutritional health of citrus nursery is the foundation of quality production of mature citrus trees coupled with extended productive life. Retrofitting microbes for nutrient requirement one of the novel approaches of not only ensuring good health of citrus nursery but cutting down the intensity of mortality during planting into new citrus field. We attempted to tailor the nutrient requirement of citrus nursery through the microbial consortium (Aspergillus flavus, MF113270; Bacillus pseudomycoides, MF113272; Acinetobacter radioresistens, MF113273; Micrococcus yunnanensis, MF113274; and Paenibacillus alvei, MF113275) developed through extensive isolation, characterization and value addition of different microbial inoculants. The progressive microbial response studies showed that the magnitude of response with microbial consortium outweighed the response of individual microbes with regard to large number parameters, comprising germination percentage, vigour index soil microbial population, changes in available pool of nutrients and leaf nutrient composition, without any additional supplement of inorganic fertilizers. Introducing further the mycorrhizal inoculants, biochars, microbes from rhizospheres of other fruit crops would facilitate towards much better rhizosphere resilience to be fitted in substrate for pre-evaluation of citrus, that could be easily extended to even grown-up orchards as well. With these efforts, we succeeded in retrofitting microbes in place of nutrients to be added from outside sources, synonymous to organic citrus nursery.

Next-generation onion (Allium cepa L.) breeding using molecular markers: progress and prospects

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Onion (Allium cepa L.), a member of the family Alliaceae, is a globally significant vegetable and spice crop with substantial export potential, especially from India. The simple bulbs of onion are consumed either raw as a salad or cooked with other food to add flavour. Further, it is processed into different products viz., dehydrated, sliced, chopped or powdered. Apart from its high nutritional contents, it is an anti-carcinogenic food that helps to prevent colon, prostate and stomach cancer. To meet the increasing demand, several breeding methods like mass selection and heterosis breeding had been employed since the early era of plant breeding. However, the crop poses unique challenges to the breeders through binneal life cycle, photosensitivity, complex allogamous mating systems and high sensitivity to inbreeding and short viability period of the seeds. Thus, to meet the increasing global demand for fresh market and processing segments, there is a critical need to transition towards marker-assisted and genomic-led breeding strategies. This review synthesizes the progress in developing genomic resources for onion and discusses their potential to revolutionize breeding for improved yield and multi-stress resistance.

Integrated use of plant nutrients for higher quality yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in midhills of Nepal

Venus Simkhada, Umesh K. Acharya, Sirjana Aryal, Shobha Khadka — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a high-value crop in Nepal, but its productivity is constrained by declining soil fertility and the inconsistent availability of chemical fertilizers. To tackle this issue, a study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of integrated plant nutrient management (IPNM) on ginger yield and quality in two mid-hill sites: Bhotechaur (Sindhupalchok) and Anekot (Kavre). Field experiments (2023-2024) were laid out in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments combining several types of in situ composts, chemical fertilizers, and micronutrients (Zn and B). Nutrient management treatments had no significant effect on final plant population (p>0.05) or rhizome yield (p>0.05) at either sites. However, notable yield differences were observed numerically. T₇ (multimix compost @ 20 tonsha_-1) produced the highest rhizome yield at both sites (24.86 tonsha^-1 at Anekot and 49.32 tonsha^-1 at Bhotechaur), while T₁ (control) and T₂ (100% NPK + Zn/B) were consistently the lowest performers. Quality parameters (crude fiber and oleoresin) were significantly influenced by treatments, though effects were highly site specific. At Anekot, T₄ (50% NPK + fine compost + Zn/B) produced the lowest crude fiber content (13.43%), while T₃(50% NPK + coarse compost + Zn/B) yielded the highest oleoresin content (0.61%). Integrated nutrient management significantly improved ginger quality by reducing crude fiber and improving oleoresin content, despite inconsistent responses to yield across locations. For mid-hill regions of Nepal, application of 50% recommended NPK combined with 10 tonsha^-1 quality compost supplemented with zinc and boron is recommended for optimal quality and yield.

Influence of NAA on fruit drop and quality attributes of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

Sumanjit Kaur, Manu Tyagi, Nav Prem Singh, Rachna Arora, Mandeep Singh Gill — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The study envisaged the effect of synthetic auxin on fruit drop, cracking, yield and quality attributes of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)
cultivars, viz. Dehradun and Calcuttia in sub mountaneous zone of Punjab (India). The experiments were conducted at four locations
for both cultivars, during 2021 and 2022. The different concentrations of NAA (10, 20, 30, 40 ppm) along with the control (water
spray) were applied 10 days after fruit setting (DAFS). The pooled data of two years revealed that application of NAA (20 ppm)
drastically reduced fruit drop, cracking index, enhanced fruit retention and quality attributes, i.e. fruit weight, pulp: stone ratio,
TSS and total sugars. Pericarp anthocyanin and; a^* and hue angle (h^*) colour coordinates were also improved with NAA treatments
as compared to the control. Fruit yield/plant was better with NAA and it ranged from 5.67 to 19.55 % in ‘Dehradun’ and 7.40 to 17.33
% in ‘Calcuttia’ cultivar over the control. The application of NAA (20 ppm) effectively reduced the incidence of fruit drop, cracking,
improving fruit retention and juice quality.

Substitution of response of nutrient sources on fruit yield, quality and soil fertility changes in Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata)

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Studies were caried out to find out the substitution response of chemical fertilizers with organic manures and biofertilizers in
different proportions on quality production and soil fertility on black clay soils-growing Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco),
at Dr Punjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth, during 2021-23. There was maximum fruit yield through balanced nutrition. The highest fruit
yield was observed with the application of 100 % NPK + FYM (50 kg /tree) + biofertilizers + S + Zn + Fe + B as one combination of
integrated nutrient management. Additionally, all other integrated nutrient management treatments showed promising results, with
regard to fruit quality, juice recovery percentage, total soluble solids and TSS: acid ratio, compared to only chemical fertilizers. The
integrated use of organic manures, biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers improved fertility status of soil, represented by available
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur compared to individual application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. These studies
showed the role of integrated nutrient use for quality production of Nagpur mandarin grown on black clay soils of central India.

Response of wedge grafting and time on survival of mango (Mangifera indica) in polyhouse and open field condition

Rajesh Singh, Pratik Kumar Kashyap — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The experiment was conducted to find out best time for wedge grafting in mango in different dates of grafting viz. 15^th November (D₁), 1^st December (D₂), 15^th December (D₃), 1^st January (D₄), 15^th January (D₅), 1^st February (D₆),15^th February (D₇) and 1^st March (D₈) under polyhouse condition and open field condition. Wedge grafting in the month of March gave better results in polyhouse (69.31%) as well as in open field condition (59.70%). Polyhouse condition gave better response than open field condition with respect to hight of grafted plant (46.09), length of graft union (4.59), stem girth (1.55), time taken for 1^st sprout (9.33), number of sprouts (9.08), length of sprout (21.45), number of leaves per plant (23.30), fresh weight of leaves (27.13), dry weight of leaves (18.15), fresh weight of grafted plant (75.30), dry weight of grafted plant (18.96).

Evaluation of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) genotypes for growth, yield and quality under Bundelkhand agroclimatic conditions

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The experiment was conducted to evaluate 30 bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria L.) genotypes for their morphological, yield, and
quality character at RLBCAU, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, during kharif 2022. The genotypes were sown in a randomised block design with
three replications, and observations were taken on 15 characters. There was a wide range of mean values among genotypes. Hybrid
Green Gold (8.0, 6.60kg) and MAHY 8 (7.6, 6.40kg) were statistically superior for maximum number of fruits/plant as well as fruit
yield/plant, respectively. The maximum vine length (800cm), total soluble solids (2.93 oBrix) and ascorbic acid content (16.97mg)
were recorded in RBG 9 genotype. The minimum day to first flowering bud (26.0 days) and earliest node of first appearance of female
flower (10.6) was observed on Pusa Samrudhi. Genotype MAHY 8 was earliest for days to first fruit set (37.3), followed by minimum
days to fruit picking (46.0). However, maximum fruit length was recorded in Muskan (46.6 cm), followed by MAHY 8 (45.0cm). The
highest fruit width was recorded in Narendra Shishir (12.6cm), and highest fruit weight in Pusa Santushti (0.867g).

Effect of Various Spacing and Foliar Spray of Novel (banana pseudostem based organic liquid nutrients) on Economics of Cowpea (Vigna ungiculata L.) under Mango-based Agroforestry System

Mehfuza Patel, M. B. Tandel, S. M. Patel, M. K. Desai, M. P. Ahir, Y. A. Garde — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The study was undertaken to check economic possibility of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] under mango-based agroforestry
system with various spacings and foliar sprays of novel (banana pseudostem - based organic liquid nutrients) during 2021-22 at
ASPEE College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India. The trial was framed with eight treatment
combinations of two factors which contain two levels of spacings and four foliar sprays of fertilizers (after initiation of flowering
and 15 days after first spray) under mango orchard and open growing condition in a randomized block design with factorial concept
consisting of three replications. Under mango-based agroforestry system and in open condition, highest net realization (₹ 1,57,437/
ha and ₹ 1,89,259/ha, respectively) and BCR (2.58 and 1.98, respectively) were obtained in S2F4 [45 cm × 45 cm spacing and novel
plus (banana pseudostem - based organic liquid nutrients + botanical pesticides) sprayed at 1 %].

Effect of foliar application of organics on growth and yield of coriander (Coriander sativum)

Suvarna, Pankaj Bhalerao, S. T. Bhatt — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of foliar application of organics on growth and yield of coriandervar. GDLC-1” was carried out at Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat during Rabi season in the year 2022-2023. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and nine treatments viz., Panchagavya @ 1.5 % (T₁), Panchagavya@ 3 % (T₂), Novel organic liquid nutrients @ 1.5 % (T₃), Novel organic liquid nutrients @ 3 % (T₄), vermiwash @ 1.5 % (T₅), vermiwash @ 3 % (T₆), cow urine @ 1.5 % (T₇), cow urine @ 3 % (T₈) and control (T₉) was followed. The foliar spray was given at 20 and 45 days after sowing. The foliar application of Novel organic liquid nutrients @ 1.5 % (T₃) was showed highest total chlorophyll content (1.64 mg g^-1 and 1.71 mg g^-1), photosynthetic rate (12.24 μmol m^-2 s^-1 and 13.10 μmol m^-2 s^-1), transpiration rate (3.48 m mole m^-2 s^-1 and 3.69 m mole m^-2 s^-1) and stomatal conductance (0.21 mol m^-2 s^-1 and 0.22 mol m^-2 s^-1) at 30 and 50 DAS, respectively. In case of growth parameters, maximum plant height (39.14 cm and 27.87 cm), number of branches plant^-1 (11.73 and 20.20), petiole length (18.57 cm and 10.07 cm), leaf length (3.93 cm and 3.77 cm) and leaf width (4.05 cm and 3.84 cm)were observed under the same treatment. Among different treatments, foliar application of Novel organic liquid nutrients @ 1.5 % (T3) recorded significantly minimum days taken for first cutting (30.00) with maximum fresh weight of herbage plant^-1 (18.47 g and 24.40 g),herbage yield at first and second cutting (9.13 t ha^-1and 11.70 t ha^-1) at 30 and 50 DAS as well as fresh weight of herbage (20.83 t ha^-1) at both the cuttings.Economic point of view, maximum net income of Rs.632592.00ha^-1with benefit: cost ratio of6.56 was was found economical,profitable and highly remunerativeby foliar spray of Novel organic liquid nutrients @ 1.5 % (T₃) as compared to rest of the treatments.

Assessment of genetic diversity among tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) genotypes under salt-affected conditions

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with 38 genotypes (including three checks) of tomato (Solanum
lycopersicum L.), in three replications for thirteen quantitative traits. The analysis of variance showed that mean squares due
to genotypes were significant for all the characters. Based on the Mahalanobis D2 statistics, 38 genotypes were grouped into 15
clusters. The maximum number of genotypes (9) were grouped into Cluster I. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed
between Cluster XI and Cluster VI, indicating that crossing genotypes from these two clusters is likely to produce highly heterotic
and diverse segregants. Highest per cent contribution towards clustering of genotypes were observed in total soluble solids, followed
by unmarketable fruit yield/plant, average fruit weight and equatorial diameter of fruits.

Assessment of liquid bio-botanicals on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) under south- eastern region of Rajasthan

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023, Agricultural Research Station, Ummedganj, Kota, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effects of various liquid bio-botanicals on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) under the agro-climatic conditions of south eastern Rajasthan. The randomized block design (RBD) with three replications and ten treatments: control (T₀), Vermiwash spray (10%) at 30, 45, and 60 days after sowing (DAS) (T₁), Jeevamrut (500 L/ha) at sowing and at 30, 45, and 60 DAS (T₂), cow urine spray (10%) (T₃), panchagavya spray (5%) (T₄), Amritpaani (500 L/ha) (T₅), and combinations was used. The integrated application of jeevamrut and amritpaani (500 l/ha each at sowing), along with foliar sprays of panchagavya (5%) and vermiwash (10%) at 30, 45, and 60 DAS, significantly enhanced plant height, number of leaves, and number of branches compared to the control. This treatment also reduced days to first picking and improved fruit length, fruit weight and number of pickings. Further, it recorded higher gross returns, net returns, and benefit-cost ratio over other treatments. Thus, the integrated use of liquid bio-botanicals is a promising strategy for improving okra productivity and farm profitability under organic production systems in southeastern Rajasthan.