Studies were conducted on the New Orchard of Indian gooseberry aonlal Cv. NA-7 at Central Horticultural Experiment Station (CIAH-ICAR), Vejalpur, Panchmahals, Gujarat, India during the years 2004 and 2005, with the objective to maximize its productivity under natural rainfall conditions, in the semi-arid tropics of western India. Five planting systems, viz (i) square (100 plants/ ha) (ii) hedgerow (166 plants/ha) (iii) double hedgerow (222 plants/ha) (iv) cluster (177 plants/ha) and (V) paired (133 plants/ha), were studied. Plant height was significantly highest in the double hedgerow system with the highest number of plants per unit area in 2005. However, maximum values of tree spread and, rootstock and scion girth were recorded in the square system of planting. Maximum yield per ha (687.31 and 1798.20 kg) was recorded in the double hedgerow system, which was narrowly followed by the cluster (580.22 and 1470.87 kg) and the hedgerow (559.64 and 1361.21 kg) planting systems. Among the various planting systems, an increase in yield (99.80 %) and additional economic returns (8982.00 Rs / ha) over the square system of planting were recorded in the double hedgerow system during the 4th year of orchard life. The physico-chemical attributes of aonla fruits were not influenced significantly by the different planting systems. According to the initial trends, the double hedgerow planting system can be adopted by aonla growers for better productivity per unit area even in early stages of bearing.

Among the various pests that attack pomegranate, anar butterfly, Deudorix (=Virachola) isocrates Fab., has assumed a major status limiting the cultivation of this crop in and around Panchmahal district of Gujarat, India. An attempt was therefore made to study varietal reaction, extent of damage and management of borer in commercially grown cultivars of pomegranate. In all, there were five cultivars viz., 'Ganesh', 'Mridula', 'Jyoti', 'Ruby' and 'Jalore seedless' which were replicated four times. There were four plants in each replication. The crop chosen for the experiment was the late Hasta and early Ambe bahar crop. In order to retain the crop, need based irrigation was given at regular interval. Bagging was resorted for management of borer. Observations on varietal reaction to borer revealed that all cultivars were found to be equally susceptible to borer attack. The incidence ranged between 35.0% in 'Jalore seedless' to 42.0% in 'Ganesh'. Gradually, it increased from 50.0 to 60.0% in the second week of March. The situation was however further deteriorated and almost 80-90% fruits were found to be damaged by borer in unprotected plot. The experiment on bagging of fruits showed significant reduction on percentage damaged fruit and the extent of damage was observed to be below 10.0% in almost all cultivars as against 90.0% in open fruits.

Drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lamk.) is one of the important perennial vegetable grown in India; having almost every part of plant valued for food, but is also enriched with more nutrition and high mineral and vitamins at cheaper inputs. Except its edible pod, no other exploitation has been done in drumstick in India yet, though seed oil (lubricator in delicate machineries, manufacturing of perfumes and hair dressings), seed powder (a water clarifier). Considering the above said facts, an attempt has been made to identify a suitable type for this region through an experiment comprising 14 diverse genotypes were evaluated with three replications in randomized block design. The results revealed a significant difference for all the characters under study. The economically important parameters like fruit length ranged from 32.5 (MO-8) to 123.1 cm (PKM-2), pulp weight ranged from 35.1 to 169.8 g and number of fruit per plant ranged from 78.5 to 314.7. The highest seed weight was observed in Dwarf moringa (12.8 g) having 23.5 seeds per fruit. Drumstick cv. PKM-2 recorded the highest yield of 44.3 kg per tree followed by PKM-1 (36.7 kg) under semi-arid ecosystem of western India.

The experiment was carried out at the CHES Vejalpur farm with pomegranate 'Ganesh' grown under rainfed conditions. The climate of the area is semi-arid with mean rainfall of 750 mm, during the experimental period. The mean maximum temperature of the area was 44 degrees C and mean minimum was 10 degrees C. The depth of the soil ranged from 0.75 to 1 m, with a pH range of 7.5 to 8.1. The soil of the area is saline in nature. The crop was raised at 5x5 m spacing (400 plants/ha). Root distribution acts as a guide for application of fertilizers as well as irrigation. Root distribution varies according to the type of soil, method of propagation. No such work was carried out in India on pomegranate. Therefore studies were initiated to study root distribution pattern of air layered six-year-old pomegranate 'Ganesh'. The root distribution pattern in air layers of pomegranate 'Ganesh' under semi-arid rainfed conditions revealed that the root system is shallow in nature as below 60 cm soil depth not much root activity was recorded. Maximum root activity on fresh and dry wt. basis was observed in 0-30 cm radial distance from tree trunk (54.17%), which was 31.12% in 30-60 cm radial distance and 2.12% in 60-90 cm radial distance. However, soil depth wise it was maximum at 30-60 cm and 42.69% at 0-30 cm depth. It was least (3.74%) at 60-90 cm depth.

An investigation on high density planting systems was carried out on young trees of aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), planted in 2001, to study the influence of different planting systems and densities on production and productivity of aonla under rainfed condition in the semi-arid ecosystem of western India. Plant height was recorded significantly highest in double hedgerow system having maximum number of plants per unit area, among the different planting systems. However, maximum values of root-stock girth, scion girth and plant spread were recorded in the square system of planting, but the differences among the treatments were non significant. Individual plant gave high yield in square system, but on per unit area basis, double hedgerow system exhibited almost double the crop over square system of planting. Planting systems and plant densities had considerable influence on TSS, vitamin C and sugar contents. Other physico-chemical characters of fruits were not affected significantly by the different planting systems. Based on the overall evaluation data, it can be concluded that by adopting double hedgerow system of planting in aonla the productivity per unit area can be enhanced to nearly double over conventional square system of planting under the rainfed condition in semi-arid ecosystem.

The influence of different organic mulches viz, paddy straw, maize straw, rice husk, grasses, subabul loppings on soil properties, earthworm population, growth, yield and fruit quality attributes was studied. Various organic mulches significantly increased the soil moisture status at various soil depths. Paddy straw mulch recorded the maximum soil moisture content followed by maize straw and grasses, among the different evaluated organic mulches. The findings of the study indicated that paddy straw mulch followed by maize straw and grasses had given favourable results with regards to soil moisture and physico-chemical attributes of soil and earthworm population in basin soil. Paddy straw mulches were found to be more effective in producing maximum growth than rest of the mulching treatments. Plants treated with paddy straw mulch recorded highest yield 09.00 kg/plant and 42.15 kg/plant during 2005 and 2006. TSS, total sugar, total phenols and vitamin C were observed maximum with paddy straw followed by maize straw mulch. Among the evaluated organic mulches, paddy straw had showed better response followed by maize straw. In view of the superiority over other organic mulches, use of paddy straw as mulch material over long period needs to be popularized for increasing the productivity of aonla orchards in rainfed condition under semi-arid ecosystem.

The ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) is an important fruit crop growing in the marginal land of western hot arid Rajasthan. The productivity is low because of various biotic and abiotic stresses. Of these, the insect pests are major constraints causing significant loss. The pests like fruit fly (Carpomyia vesuviana Costa), chafer beetle (Holotrichia sp.) and bark eating caterpillars (Indarbela tetraonis Moore) (Indarbela quadrinotata Walker) are considered as major pests of this region (Singh, 2008). In addition, recently the severe incidence of fruit weevil, Aubeus himalayanus Voss (Curculionidae: Coleoptera) has been recorded in the Experimental Farm of Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner during 2008-2009. The adult female weevil lays the eggs on the stylar end of fruits and newly hatched grubs enter into seed by making puncture in endocarp at immature stage and starts feeding on soft seed coat and later it enters into endosperm moving downward. After entering the seed, it starts feeding on inner content of the seed, and pupates within the seed by making hallow galleries. The weevil completes its life within a single fruit. The stone weevil has been reported as a new pest of ber in Karnataka (Balikai et al., 1998), Rahuri and Jobner (Pareek and Nath, 1996). However, information available about this pest and its cause is very meager. This weevil is thought to be an emerging pest of ber in arid and semi arid region of India. Hence, the periodical observation has been made to study the status of this pest in this region.

Effect of zero energy cool chamber (ZECC) along with post-harvest treatments (including CaCl2, mustard oil and K2SO4 separately) on shelf-life and fruit quality attributes of ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk.) cv 'Gola' during storage under semi-arid ecosystem of Gujarat was studied. Increase in physiological loss in weight (PLW), spoilage loss, total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugar and reduction in titratable acidity, and ascorbic acid during storage were observed in all treatments. Fruits treated with CaCl2 1.5% and stored in ZECC recorded least PLW (17.1%), spoilage loss (20%), respiratory activity (0.25 mg CO2/kg/h) and exhibited 7 days of shelf-life, followed by CaCl2 1% + ZECC, while untreated fruits had 3 days of economic shelf-life. Fruits stored in ZECC recorded 6 days shelf-life. Highest respiration rate was in control (0.45 mg CO2 /kg/h) on 9th day of storage. Data on fruit quality attributes indicated that ZECC + CaCl2 1.5% or ZECC alone might be an ideal on-farm storage facility for maintaining the quality of ber fruits under semi-arid environment of Western India.

An experiment was conducted to study the floral biology of 15 elite genotypes of chironji (Bhuchanania lanzan Spreng.) during 2004 and 2005. Peak period of panicle emergence and flowering were recorded in January-February. Highest panicle length (35.11 cm) was noted in CPT 1. Peak period of anthesis and dehiscence was recorded between 6-11 AM and 8 AM to 12 noon respectively in all the genotypes. The stamen and pistil length varied from 1.97-2.12 mm and 1.22-1.38 mm respectively being at the top in CPT 13. Pollen viability ranged from 54.55-70.38% being highest in CPT 5. Pollen germination and pollen diameter ranged from 20.00 to 35.00 % and 49.10 to 63.18 mu, respectively. Maximum stigma receptivity was recorded in CPT 5 (35.00 %) on the day of anthesis. The peak period of fruit set was recorded in February in majority of genotypes and it was noted maximum in CPT 12 (37.50). Fruit set / panicle was found to be positively and significantly associated with panicle length and it may be observed while selecting elite genotypes. Vegetatively propagated genotypes have been planted in the field for their further evaluation.

Effect of zero energy cool chamber (ZECC) along with post-harvest treatments including CaCl2, mustard oil and K2SO4 separately on shelf-life and fruit quality attributes of Indian gooseberry or aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn) during storage under semi-arid ecosystem of Gujarat was studied. Increase in physiological loss in weight (PLW), spoilage loss, total soluble solids, total sugar and reducing sugars, reduction in titratable acidity and ascorbic acid were observed during storage period in all the treatments. Fruits treated with 1.5% CaCl2 and stored in ZECC recorded least PLW (16%), spoilage loss (16.5%), respiratory activity (83 mg CO2 /kg/h) and exhibited 11 days of shelf-life, while untreated control had 6 days economic life. It was closely followed by 1% CaCl2 + ZECC treatment. Fruits stored in ZECC recorded 9 days shelf-life. Highest respiration rate was in control (88.1 mg CO2 /kg/h) on 13(th) day of storage. It may be concluded that 1.5% CaCl2 and storage in ZECC treatment was found most efficient to retain the fruit quality attributes till 13(th) day of storage under semi-arid environment of western India.

Effect of gunny bag (control), corrugated fiberboard box (CFB), pigeon pea basket, wooden crate and bamboo basket with polythene liner (PL) or newspaper liner (NPL) as packaging materials was studied for transportation and storability of aonla (Indian gooseberry) cv. 'NA-7' at ambient temperature of 21 +/- 2 degrees C (minimum) and 33 +/- 2 degrees C (maximum) with a relative humidity of 65 +/- 3% (at 8 am) under semi-arid conditions of Western India. Increase in physiological loss in weight, spoilage, total soluble solids, total sugars and reducing sugar and decrease in titratable acidity, and ascorbic acid during storage were general phenomena in all the treatments. Minimum spoilage loss was in fruits kept in CFB with NPL closely followed by CFB with PL. Same treatment also showed lowest respiratory activity (81.1 mg CO2 /kg/h) and exhibited I I days of economic shelf-life, while control had 7 days economic life under ambient conditions. Highest respiration rate was in control (90.0 mg CO2 /kg/h) on 13(th) day of storage. CFB provides appropriate atmosphere and ventilation inside the box and also strength to withstand heavy stack loads and can be recycled as pulp or paper. It may be concluded that CFB with NPL was most suitable and economically viable packing container for transportation of aonla fruits under ambient conditions.

Planning, design and construction parameters of series of water harvesting structures were presented for 66.75 hectares in micro-watershed. Thematic maps were prepared for planning, design of various types of-water harvesting structures in 1:5,000 scale on land use/land cover, soil with drainage status. The slope of the land varies from 0-5 per cent and slight, moderate and serve erosion classes were observed.The total volume of water storage is 61,200 m(3) at cost of 6.75/1000 liters, which also be estimated to protect 1607 m(3) of productive soil from flowing out of the area. The series of check dam is found suitable for retaining productive soil and also to help in conservation of moisture for horticulture land.

Effect of calcium nitrate and perforated polyethylene (PPE) bag on shelf-life and quality attributes of ber fruit cv 'Gola' and 'Goma Kirti' was studied during storage at ambient conditions (12-28 degrees C, 65 +/- 3% RH) under semi and environment of Gujarat. Different post-harvest treatments were applied to the fruits after harvest. Increase in physiological loss in weight (PLW), spoilage percentage, total soluble solids, total sugars and reducing sugar and decrease in acidity, and ascorbic acid during storage were observed. The treatment with calcium nitrate (1.5%) and kept in the PPE bag was most efficient to retain fruit quality. This treatment recorded 21.3 and 10.8% PLW in 'Gola' and 'Goma Kirti', respectively. Calcium nitrate (1.5%) + PPE bag also recorded least spoilage loss in both the cultivars. The cultivars had 5 and 9 days, while untreated control had 3 and 5 days economic life for 'Gola' and 'Goma Kirti', respectively under ambient conditions.

The variance analysis for seventeen quantitative characters were studied in annual moringa showed that genotypes differ significantly among themselves for all the characters under study indicating great wealth of variability existence among the genotypes selected for all the economic traits. Studies on correlation and path coefficient analysis indicated that the genotypic correlations were higher than phenotypic level in general. The yield per plant had positive and significant correlation with percent fruit set, fruit length, fruit pulp weight, fruit weight, number of primary branches and number fruits per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. The path coefficient analysis revealed that the days to 50% flowering, number of flowers per panicle, height at first branch, percent fruit set, number of fruits per plant, plant height, fruit length and fruit girth had the highest positive direct effect on yield per plant. Number of fruits per plant, number of primary branches, number of flowers per panicle, percent fruit set had the highest indirect positive effect on yield per plant through no of fruits per plant. Hence, the selection based on these characters will be effective in formulating selection indices for improvement of high yielding genotypes in annual moringa

The study was undertaken with forty-six genotypes of bitter gourd collected from diversified areas of the country assessed under zero irrigation condition for mean, genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in respect of fourteen quantitative characters. The genotype MCC-23 recorded the highest number of primary branches per plant, fruit yield per plot and fruit weight. The genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation for different characters ranged from 6.375 to 37.251 and 8.373 to 38.630 respectively. The highest PCV and GCV were observed for number of female flowers per plant followed by fruit weight and number of primary branches per plant indicating the extent of variability based in these characters. High heritability coupled with greater genetic gain was observed for number of female flowers per plant followed by fruit weight, number of primary branches per plant and yield per plot indicating the additive gene action. Fruit girth showed moderate heritability with low genetic gain