Natural farming relies on local organic inputs and fermented bioformulations to offer a sustainable nutrient management strategy for constrained soils. The present study was carried out to assess the seven natural farming combinations to determine their influence on the flowering, yield, and quality of red dragon fruit grown in sodic soil, laid out in randomized block design with three replications, during 2023-24 and 2024-25. The treatments paired either farmyard manure or vermicompost with Panchagavya, Amritpani, or Jeevamrit alongside an untreated control. The vermicompost + Panchagavya combination emerged as the top performer, consistently producing the highest number of flowers per plant (46.77), yield per pole (6.47 kg), total soluble solids (14.68 °Brix), vitamin C (14.09 mg 100 g-1), and reducing sugars (9.75%). As the year × treatment interaction was non-significant, treatment trends remained stable over both seasons. These findings demonstrate that combining vermicompost with Panchagavya enhances red dragon fruit productivity and fruit quality in sodic soils, though multi-year research tracking soil physicochemical and biological shifts is required to uncover the underlying mechanisms.
Geneva (G.) apple clonal rootstocks are a novel series known for their super-dwarfing nature, cold hardiness, disease and insect-pest resistance, and resilience to replant disease. This study evaluated the in vitro rooting performance of two specific clonal rootstocks i.e. G.41 and G.214, using 1.5 cm shoot cultures. The microshoots were cultured on full- and half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) media, as well as Woody Plant Medium (WPM), each supplemented with varying concentrations (1.0–5.0 mg/L) of either NAA or IBA. Among the treatments, half-strength MS medium supplemented with 5.0 mg/L IBA induced the fastest response in the G.41 rootstock, resulting in root initiation at 6.54 days and root emergence at 10.63 days, outperforming G.214. Furthermore, G.41 achieved a perfect 100% rooting rate when grown on half-strength MS medium combined with IBA at 1.0, 3.0, or 5.0 mg/L. The interaction of G.41 with half-strength MS medium containing 5.0 mg/L IBA also yielded the highest number of roots per shoot (17.00), the maximum average root length (82.70 mm), and the longest individual root length (146.13 mm). Ultimately, this optimized protocol offers an efficient, year-round micropropagation strategy to rapidly produce true-to-type, virus-free, and elite clonal apple rootstocks.
Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) is a highly valuable fruit crop known for its flavor, nutritional profile, and antioxidant properties. This study investigated various biofertilizers and organic formulations impacted on the fruit quality and post-harvest shelf life of strawberries. Utilizing 12-month-old runners grown in raised beds, the experiment evaluated 10 treatment combinations alongside a control group, testing Amrit Pani, Jivamrit, Panchagavya, Azotobacter, and phosphorus-solubilising bacteria (PSB) either alone or combined. The results demonstrated substantial differences in fruit quality across the treatments. Notably, the combined application of Jivamrit, PSB, and Azotobacter yielded the best performance, achieving the highest total soluble solids (12.34 °Brix), juice content (58.79%), and ascorbic acid concentration (57.02 mg/100 g). This specific combination also minimised titratable acidity (1.04%), maximized the TSS-to-acidity ratio (12.07) and significantly extended shelf life to 2.78 days (compared to just 1.22 days in the control). While the control group retained the highest pulp content (51.02%), the Jivamrit + PSB + Azotobacter matrix stands out as a highly effective and sustainable nutrient management strategy for strawberry production.
The present experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of foliar application of calcium nitrate and potassium sulphate on growth, yield, and fruit quality of guava cv. L-49, during 2022 to 2023, in randomized block design with ten treatments viz., T1 (absolute control), T2 [Ca(NO3)2 2%], T3 [Ca(NO3)2 4%], T4 [Ca(NO3)2 6%], T5 [K2SO4 2%], T6 [K2SO4 4%], T7 [K2SO4 6%], T8 [Ca(NO3)2 2% + K2SO4 2%], T9 [Ca(NO3)2 4% + K2SO4 4%] and T10 [Ca(NO3)2 6% + K2SO4 6%]. Results revealed that T9-Ca (NO3)2 (4%) + K2SO4 (4%) significantly enhanced all measured parameters. T9 [Ca(NO3)2 4% + K2SO4 4%] exhibited earliest flower bud initiation (24.83 days), flowering (24.17 days) and highest flower count per shoot (20.55). The highest fruit set (8.83 fruits/shoot), lowest fruit drop (2.17 fruits/shoot) and maximum fruit retention (6.33 fruits/shoot) were also recorded under T9. In terms of physical attributes, fruit weight (148.14 g), length (4.58 cm), width (4.14 cm) and volume (163.20 cm³) were significantly improved. Yield per plant (45.29 kg) and per hectare (11.87 t) were highest in T9. Biochemical quality parameters were significantly enhaced under T9 such as total soluble solids (9.93%), ascorbic acid (235.96 mg/100 g) and total sugars (9.64%) with the lowest acidity (0.28%) and longest shelf-life (13.38 days). These findings highlight the substantial benefits of Ca (NO3)2 and K2SO4 in improving guava productivity and quality, with T9 emerging as the most effective treatment.
An experiment was carried out to ascertain the effects of soil pH regulants on growth, flowering and color intensification of hydrangea cut flower under naturally ventilated polyhouse during 2022 to 2024, with seven treatments (g/m2) viz., aluminium sulphate (60, 90 and 120) and lime (200, 250 and 300) replicated thrice in randomized block design. Results revealed that lime (300 g/m2) exhibited maximum plant height (66.62 cm), plant spread (north-south) (65.65 cm), leaf length (22.98 cm), number of leaves (34.62), head diameter (29.49 cm) and stalk length (69.99 cm). Besides, maximum vase life (27.49 days), true blue colour (RHS colour: Purple violet group N82, strong purple A) and highest B:C ratio (4.08) was recorded with aluminium sulphate (120 g/m2). Hence, treatment lime (300 g/m2) is proved best for better growth, flowering and quality attributes, however, aluminium sulphate (120 g/m2) was found best for colour intensification of hydrangea.
