Seven products were prepared namely gruel, methi roti, palak poori, pancake, mixed vegetable pakoda, namkeen para and tacos using maize flour as a main ingredient and supplemented with other ingredients viz. Bengal gram flour, milk and milk products, green leafy and other vegetables. These products were chemically analyzed for proximate composition, selected minerals i.e. iron and calcium and amino acids i.e. lysine and tryptophan. On dry weight basis, the crude protein content of products ranged from 6.07±0.01 to 9.31 ±0.01%, crude fat from 2.11±0.01 to 37.69 ±0.18% and ash from 0.93 ± 0.11 to 1.67±0.03%. The energy contribution of these products varied from 382 to 561 Kcal/100g. The calcium content of these products varied from 5.49±0.02 mg/100g of Plain roti to 187.95±0.66 mg/100g of tacos whereas iron content ranged from 1.16 ±0.04 mg/100g of gruel to 3.23±0.02 mg/100g of palak poori. The ionizable content was maximum in methi roti 2.07±0.04 mg/100g. Supplementation of maize with pulse, green leafy vegetables and little bit of milk and milk products improved the protein quality of the products. This would not only improve nutritional value but also add a variety in the dietaries of the consumers.
Salinity tolerance of 20 mashbean genotypes were tested in laboratory under three levels of salinity: 15 mM, 30 mM and 45 mM NaCl, on the basis of their growth behaviour. Out of these two most salt tolerant (VU 1 and KUG 529) and two most salt sensitive (KUG 363 and KUG 539) genotypes were selected for field experiments. Salinity significantly reduced the growth in terms of plant height, leaf area plant−1 and dry matter accumulation in roots, shoots and leaves in all genotypes, though the declension was more pronounced in KUG 363 and KUG 539. Negative effects of salinity on plant growth had an ultimate effect on plant productivity. KUG 529 followed by VU 1 showed high level of tolerance compared to other genotypes.
The experiment was carried out to study the effect of different weather parameters on incidence of whitefly population. Two varieties of moong viz. SML-668 and KM-22 were sown on two different dates of sowing i.e. 20th July and 6th August during kharif seasons of 2007 and 2008. Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) population was recorded twice a week. Whitefly population was positively correlated with maximum temperature whereas morning relative humidity showed an inverse relationship with it. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed higher R2 values when maximum weather parameters were involved. Weather of the previous week significantly affect the incidence of peak whitefly population.
Sixty women of 45–55 years of age belonging to middle income group were selected on the basis of their Bone Mineral Density (BMD) from a reputed clinic in Ludhiana City. Serum calcium and BMD were tested using techniques called OCPC method and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, respectively. The subjects were given nutrition counseling twice a month for a period of 4 months. Assessment of nutritional status was done by dietary survey and anthropometric parameters before and after the intervention period. Dietary survey revealed that the daily intake of milk and milk products, roots and tubers, GLVs, other vegetables and fruits increased significantly whereas the intake of sugar & jaggery and fats & oils decreased significantly after nutrition counseling. There was significant increase in the intake of beta- carotene, niacin, vitamin C, iron, calcium and phosphorus after nutrition counseling. However, the intake of proteins, carotene and iron was less than the recommended dietary allowances. Body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio (WHR) decreased significantly among the subjects after nutrition counseling. The biochemical assessment of the subjects revealed that their serum calcium levels and the t-score of the BMD value increased significantly. As a result, the percentage of osteoporotic subjects decreased from 33.33 to 20 per cent. The impact of nutrition counseling was also seen on the type of physical activity undertaken and time spent on the same by the subjects as well as on their overall nutrient intake.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is an important herbaceous plant and is sometimes called ‘Indian Saffron’ due to its yellow color. Turmeric powder is used in a wide variety of foods and also has cosmetics and medicinal use. The studies were carried out to evaluate the effect of different types of packaging material on the quality of ground turmeric during storage. Rhizomes were ground, sieved and packed in high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), laminated aluminum foil and plastic jars. Samples were stored for 180 days at ambient as well as at refrigerated conditions and examined for change in moisture content, color, overall change in color, hue, chroma, curcumin and oleoresin content. Moisture content increased linearly with the storage period for both the storage conditions, but the change was negligible during the first 30 days of storage. Moisture gain was maximum in PP (16.76% & 16.21%) and minimum in aluminum foil (5.15% & 5.01%) respectively under ambient and refrigerated conditions. The overall change in color was minimum in aluminum foil pack followed by the plastic jars and HDPE packs under refrigerated condition. The curcumin and oleoresin content decreased with the storage period, but the minimum change was in plastic jars under refrigerated conditions. Laminated aluminum foil and plastic jars were suitable for long duration storage of turmeric powder under refrigerated as well as ambient conditions followed by HDPE films, whereas LDPE and PP packs becomes sticky only after 30 days of storage period. Statistical analysis showed that storage condition has non significant effect, whereas storage duration and packaging material has significant effect at the level of 5 -percent on the quality of turmeric powder. Plastic jar and laminated aluminum foil packs were significantly better packaging material for storage of turmeric powder
An experiment was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (India) during rabi season of 2004–05 and 2005–06 with five rice residue management treatments i.e. no rice residue, surface application of rice residues @ 5, 6 and 7 t ha−1 under zero till and incorporation of rice residues @ 5 t ha−1 under zero till and incorporation of rice residues @ 5 t ha−1 under conventional tillage. Treatments were replicated thrice. Lower bulk density (1.48 kg m−3 in 0.15 cm soil depth) and soil strength (9.86 deci MPa in 0–5 cm soil depth) were observed under rice residue incorporation treatment as compared to surface application of residue and no rice residue treatments. However, in the lower layers the trend was reverse and highest bulk density (1.66 kg m−3 in 30–60 cm soil depth) and soil strength (24.76 deci MPa in 30–35 cm soil depth) were observed under rice residue incorporaiton treatment. Cumulative water infiltration was up to 16.13 per cent higher under rice residue incorporation treatment than no rice residue treatment. In upper layers (0–30 cm) higher root density was recorded in rice residue incorporation treatment followed by surface application of rice residues @ 6, 7 and 5 t ha−1 and rice residue removal treatment. In the deeper layers (30–90 cm) root density was higher under surface application of rice residue and no rice residue treatments as comared to incorporation treatment.
A field trial was conducted at Ladhowal, Ludhiana during 2002–03 and 2003–04 to study the effects of planting density and nitrogen on sugar beet. Three planting densities – 83,333 plants (rows spaced at 60cm and plants at 20cm), 1, 00,000 plants (50 cm x 20 cm) and 1, 11,111 plants (60 cm x 15 cm) ha−1 and five nitrogen levels i.e. 120, 150 and 180 kg N ha−1 alone, 90 kg N ha−1 + 20 t farm yard manure (FYM) ha−1 and 120 kg N ha−1 + 20 t FYM ha−1 were evaluated in RBD with three replications. A basal dose of 60 kg ha−1 each of P and K was applied to all the treatments. On an average, planting density of 1, 00,000 plants ha−1 produced the highest beet root and sugar yield. Among nitrogen levels, the response was significant up to 150 Kg N ha−1. Addition of 20 t FYM ha−1 along with 90 kg N ha−1 produced similar root and sugar yield to 120 kg N ha−1 alone. The yields were also similar with 150 kg N ha−1 alone and, 120 kg N ha−1 + 20 t FYM ha−1. Sucrose content in beet roots did not vary statistically among plant densities and nitrogen levels, rather addition of FYM revealed higher sucrose content in roots as compared to without FYM.
Therheological and baking characteristics of 17 Winter x Spring cross lines along with five existing BW lines (constituting the WS group) and two checks PBW 343 and PBW 550 grown during 2007–08 and 2008–09 were analyzed. The rheological characteristics as evaluated on the farinograph did not show any significant effect of either of the entries of or the environment over two years. BW 5503, BW 9134, BW 9135, BW 9158 were observed to be rheologically superior entries. Among baking characteristics bread quality characteristics showed a significant effect of both the genetic and environmental factors. But water absorption, loaf volume and bread quality scores were low. Only BW 9157 and BW 9158 were the entries requiring water in excess of 60 percent during 2007–08 for producing dough of right consistency for baking. Majority of the entries yielded almost non-sticky dough. Cookie quality as adjudged through the spread factor was not upto the mark and only BW 9141 produced biscuits with a spread factor of 8.5 during 2008–09. A significant effect was observed due to environment on the chapatti quality score as well as fresh and stored moisture content. On the whole BW 9134 and BW 9136 produced consistently good chapatties.
Male sterility in chilli is commercially utilized to develop hybrids and substantial progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of male sterility. At present, genetic male sterility (GMS) and cytoplasmic genic male sterility (CGMS) are mostly utilized in chilli. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana has released two chilli hybrids, CH-1 and CH-3, based on GMS system. In India, CGMS system has been commercially exploited in chilli by Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi and Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR), Bangalore. In the recent past, chilli CGMS lines have been introduced at IIVR from the World Vegetable Centre (WVC), which was utilized directly or indirectly to produce CGMS based hybrid viz. Kashi Surkh (CCH-2). The IIHR, Bangalore has also released three chilli hybrids based on CGMS system i.e. Arka Meghana, Arka Sweta and Arka Harita. Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana is also working on development of chilli hybrids based on CGMS system.
A total of 119 genotypes of chickpea from NBPGR were screened against gram pod borer, (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) for four years (2004–05 to 2007–08). The mean incidence of pod borer on the promising genotypes, IC 269317, IC 268855, IC 269218 and IC 269347 ranged from 11.24 to 14.23% as compared to 21.36, 21.53, 23.94 and 35.4% on the check varieties PBG 1, L 550, GPF 2, and the Infester, respectively. The mean Pest Resistance Rating (PRR) was 3 on the promising genotypes whereas it was 4 on check varieties and 6 on the Infester. Genotype IC 269347 gave high yield comparable to check varieties.
Ten field grown Date palm varieties were evaluated against Graphiola leaf spot disease (Graphiola phoenicis (Moug.) Poit) at PAU, Regional Research Station, Abohar. The variety Zahidi was found resistant having minimum PDI. Thoory, Hallawi, Barhee and Khalasa were moderately susceptible, whereas, Degletnoor, Shamran, Hayani and Khadrawi were susceptible to the disease. Medjool was found highly susceptible to the disease. The content of moisture, chlorophylls (a, b and total), total sugars and proteins decreased, whereas, the total phenols increased in the Graphiola infected leaves as compared to the healthy ones. The variety Zahidi (resistant) have more phenols and total sugars and less moisture, chlorophylls and total proteins when compared with highly susceptible Medjool. These biochemical alterations may serve as diagnostic tools for evaluating the Date palm germplasm to Graphiola leaf spot disease.
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of herbicides and submergence period on the growth behaviour of emerging weed Red Sprangletop [Leptochloa chinensis (L.) Nees] in transplanted rice on a loamy sand soil during kharif 2003 and 2004 at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana in a split plot design with three submergence periods (one, two and three week after transplanting of rice) in the main plots and four herbicides (butachlor 1.5 kg, anilofos 0.375 kg, pretilachlor 0.75 kg and pyrazosulfuron 0.015 kg ha−1) along with an unweeded control in the sub plots. The two and three week submergence, though statistically at par, were significantly better than one-week submergence in registering better control of Leptochloa chinensis by reducing its emergence, plant height, LAI and dry matter accumulation leading to higher grain yield of rice. The submergence of two and three week registered 46.7 and 48.1 per cent increase in grain yield of rice over the one week submergence, respectively. All the herbicides were statistically at par but were significantly better than the unweeded control in respect of growth parameters of L. chinensis and grain yield of rice. The growth of L. chinensis was not adversely affected by herbicides under one week submergence.
Dropping of fruits in Kinnow mandarin cause severe yield losses. The influence of growth regulator (2, 4-D) and fungicides (carbendazim, copper oxychloride, zineb and ziram) on fruit drop was investigated. The growth regulator (2, 4-D) was applied alone and in combination with fungicides during the last week of April, July, August and September in four sprays. The combined application of Zineb 75 WP (0.25%) and 2, 4-D (10ppm) resulted in the highest percentage of fruit retention. Maximum fruit drop was recorded early in the season. 2, 4-D (20 ppm) alone was at par with combinations of 2, 4-D (10 ppm) with fungicides in retaining fruits upto 90 days after treatment initiation (upto July), thereafter treatments comprising fungicides were more effective.
This study presents a GIS-based land suitability model under diversification programme. It combines the limitation approach of land capability classification, productivity potential evaluation procedure and crop suitability evaluation framework of FAO. Two blocks from the sub-mountain Siwalik region of Punjab viz., Mahalpur and Garhshankar were selected. This study evaluates the capabilities of the study area for traditional crops like wheat, paddy and maize, and recently introduced crops like sugarcane, sunflower, pea, rapeseed-mustard, potato and kinnow mandarin for agricultural diversification. The suitability of the crops has been worked out at the village level. About 35 per cent of total area, mostly in Siwallik hills is not fit for growing any type of crop. Sandy texture, uneven topography, moderately steep slopes and excessive drainage are responsible for the unsuitability of this area. The GIS based suitability analysis for traditional crops as well as for new crops under diversification of agriculture points towards suitability of relatively large areas for new crops like sunflower (37%), potato (43%) and sugarcane (31%). Forty three and 14 per cent of total area has been found highly suitable and suitable, respectively for growing green pea- a cash crop. Thirty three per cent of total area is suitable for growing kinnow mandarin fruit.
