Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is among the most widely cultivated vegetable crops, with genetic diversity influencing traits such as inflorescence architecture. While floral development is well studied, flowers arising from unusual positions are rare and scientifically intriguing. Here we report a novel floral phenotype in indeterminate tomato under polyhouse conditions i.e., Extended Sympodial Growth (ESG). ESG involves reversion of the terminal flower to a vegetative shoot that resumes growth and produces additional inflorescences, altering the typical sympodial rhythm. ESG was consistently observed over six seasons in the var. NS-4266. Notably, this phenotype did not occur in field trials of NS-4266, suggesting polyhouse-specific expression influenced by controlled conditions. This first report of ESG highlights meristem plasticity in tomato and opens opportunities for exploring alternative growth habits and yield-enhancing traits.

A phenological stage-based nutrient scheduling approach was developed and validated for tomato cultivation under naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions. Nutrient uptake dynamics revealed a progressive decline in nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations from seedling to ripening, whereas potassium demand increased steadily toward fruiting, with the reproductive phase accounting for the majority of total nutrient requirements. Based on tissue nutrient removal and nutrient use efficiency, an estimated dose of fertilizers framework was derived and translated into stage-wise fertilization schedules using water-soluble fertilizers. Five fertilization levels (75-175% of the estimated dose of fertilizers) were evaluated. Among these, a 125% estimated fertilzer dose consistently resulted in superior plant growth, yield attributes, and fruit yield, while maintaining desirable fruit quality traits. Lower fertilization levels enhanced certain bioactive compounds but at the expense of yield. Overall, the study demonstrates that an estimated dose of fertilizers-based fertilization at 125% provides an effective balance between productivity and quality, offering a physiologically grounded and resource-efficient nutrient management strategy for protected tomato cultivation. These findings highlight a trade-off between yield and nutraceutical quality, suggesting that fertilization strategies should be tailored according to production objectives.

Climate change poses a major threat to global crop production and food security, with cucurbit crops particularly vulnerable to heat, drought, and other climatic stresses. In this study, seven Cucurbitaceae species—bottle gourd, sponge gourd, ridge gourd, pumpkin, ash gourd, Summerfit (an interspecific hybrid of snap melon), and cucumber—were evaluated for tolerance to moisture stress. Plants were subjected to two irrigation regimes (50% and 75% of field capacity) after 15 days of transplanting, and morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits were assessed after 65 days. Severe reductions in growth and physiological performance occurred at 50% field capacity, indicating intense water-deficit stress. Bottle gourd exhibited the lowest reduction in relative water content (7.72%), while ash gourd showed the lowest reduction in membrane stability index (22.88%). Hierarchical clustering grouped bottle gourd and ash gourd as highly drought-tolerant species. Principal component analysis confirmed their superior performance, with higher catalase activity, root length, root surface area, root volume, root density, shoot length, and shoot dry weight under moisture stress. These findings suggest that ash gourd and bottle gourd enhance water uptake through improved root architecture, making them promising rootstocks for cucumber cultivation in water-limited environments.

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) is a high-value crop with significant nutritional and market appeal. Protected cultivation improves fruit quality and profitability, but the lack of parthenocarpic varieties limits yield under low pollination conditions. This study evaluated the potential of plant growth regulators (PGRs) to induce parthenocarpy in muskmelon variety ‘Kashi Madhu’ under greenhouse conditions. A mixture of β-naphthoxyacetic acid (10 µM), gibberellic acid (GA3 290 µM), 24-epibrassinolide (0.2 µM), melatonin (10 µM), and putrescine hydrochloride (180 µM) was applied via lanolin wax to the pedicels on the day of anthesis. PGR-induced fruits were 8.2

The rising global food crisis calls for adopting circular economy concepts like aquaponics for effective nutrient and resource reuse for sustainable development. The study for 90 days aimed at optimizing the performance of striped murrel (Channa striata)-lettuce aquaponics for different hydraulic loading rates (HLR) of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 m/day with vermicompost extract supplementation at 27.5 mg/L in all treatments. The increase in HLR exhibited a positive linear relation between water quality and fish growth. A parallel growth of fish and plant was recorded at 4 m/day (66.81 f 1.59 g and 1481.56 f 46.30 g) and 6 m/day (65.80 f 1.80 g and 1455.91 f 30.94 g), respectively, while at higher HLR a linear decline was observed. The study revealed that the interaction between the physico-chemical characteristics of culture water was influenced by HLR, with significant reduction in total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and nitrite at increased HLR, while nitrate, phosphate and iron exhibited a reverse trend which increased with higher HLR. The serum glucose, cortisol, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver of fish were significantly higher at 2 m/day. The results displayed that all tested HLRs were effective, while HLR of 4 and 6 m/day improved water quality, mineral content of lettuce and production of striped murrel-lettuce aquaponics. The separate quadratic regression model fitted for different HLR with fish and plant production was 5.4 and 5.9 m/day, respectively. Hence, a HLR of 5.6 m/day with vermicompost supplement was recommended as the best compromise for optimal performance of striped murrel-lettuce aquaponics.

In recent years, grafting has emerged as an efficient and alternative tool to the relatively slow conventional breeding methods, aiming to increase tolerance to abiotic stresses and soil pathogens while improving yield and quality attributes in fruit vegetables. In the present investigation, six inter-specific cucurbitaceous rootstocks, viz. sponge gourd (SG), ridge gourd (RG), ash gourd (AG), bottle gourd (BG), and Summerfit (SF), an inter-specific hybrid of snap melon × acidulus melon, were evaluated for cucumber (C) cv. 'Kashi Nutan'. Experimental findings revealed that cucumber grafted onto inter-specific SF exhibited a 14.63%, 57.5%, and 20.05% increase in vine length, number of branches, and dry matter production, respectively, compared to the self-rooted control. Photosynthetic parameters such as photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PS II) (Fv/Fm) were also higher in cucumber leaves grafted onto the SF rootstock. Compared to self-rooted plants, cucumber grafted onto SF recorded 72.3% more fruits, a 36.9% increase in fruit weight, and an 80.9% higher fruit yield. The SF rootstock also showed a 44.54% increase in total root length (TRL), a 77.11% increase in root volume, and a 27.25% increase in average root diameter over self-rooted cucumber.

Bael (Aegle marmelos Correa), commonly known as Bengal quince, golden apple, or stone apple, is a resilient fruit tree indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. Well adapted to arid and semi-arid agroecological zones, bael holds significant promise for climate-resilient agriculture and nutritional security. This review comprehensively synthesizes current knowledge on the biology, taxonomy, genetic diversity, propagation techniques, cultivation practices, and abiotic and biotic stress management strategies associated with bael. The fruit is nutritionally rich, containing essential vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and a wide range of bioactive phytochemicals that contribute to its therapeutic properties. The review also explores the traditional and ethnomedicinal uses of bael, particularly in the treatment of gastrointestinal, metabolic, and inflammatory disorders. Advances in biotechnological tools, such as tissue culture, micropropagation, and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation, have opened new avenues for genetic improvement, germplasm conservation, and trait enhancement in bael. Despite its wide ethnobotanical and pharmacological relevance, the crop remains underexploited in modern agriculture and medicine. Future research should prioritize clinical validation of therapeutic claims, elucidation of underlying mechanisms of bioactivity, and the identification of specific biochemical and molecular markers for cultivar improvement. This review serves as a consolidated resource for researchers, horticulturists, and policymakers aiming to harness the full potential of A. marmelos for sustainable horticultural development, functional food applications, and health-focused innovations in resource-limited environments.

The present study was carried out during 2021 and 2022 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to evaluate bioactive compounds, antioxidant and browning enzymes activity in peel of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria Stand.) fruit “Kashi Ganga” over pulp. Notably, it was observed that bottle gourd peel showed significantly higher bioactives and antioxidant capacity over fruit pulp, which is generally consumed. Two-fold stronger antioxidant capacity was observed in peel (91%) over pulp (43%). Antioxidant enzyme activities were 2.84 (catalase) and 5.67 (ascorbate peroxidase) fold higher in peel over pulp. The chlorophyll content in peel (48 µg/g FW) was 4-fold higher over pulp (12 µg/g FW). No significant difference in browning enzyme activity polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase were recorded. Higher cellulose content in peel (1.15 g/100 g FW) over pulp (0.5 g/100 g FW) was found. This indicated that health benefits can be enhanced by including peel along with pulp in diet.

Dryland fruits have significant role especially in enhancing the per unit land productivity. Scientific approaches and adoption of appropriate production technologies for dryland fruits may give good returns to farmers. To achieve this ideal multiplication techniques required for production of genuine and clean planting materials. Over time, various vegetative propagation techniques have been refined to produce exact copies of selected varieties using different plant parts. Advances in plant propagation research have bolstered breeding programs and facilitated the production of true to type high-quality planting materials. For multiplication of dryland fruits, identifying suitable plant parts, period of multiplication and their methods is crucial for commercial upscaling. This review aims to consolidate recent research on innovative multiplication techniques for underutilized dryland fruits, focusing on their potential for commercial exploitation.

Drought stress is one of the remarkable abiotic stress which causes substantial yield and economic losses across the globe in the changing climate scenario. Though, okra plants can grow well, it produces fewer pods under limited water conditions, with a direct correlation between water supply and yield. This study aimed to evaluate the drought tolerance of selected okra accessions by analysing various morpho-physiological and biochemical traits, with the goal of identifying the most promising genotypes for breeding programs focused on drought tolerance. In this study, initially, 24 okra genotypes were tested for drought tolerance under field conditions and further they were tested in a pot experiment with 50

The Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), commonly referred to as Aonla, is a significant medicinal fruit tree native to India. Its homeland harbors a wide spectrum of genetic diversity, relevant to various desirable horticultural traits. Assessing genetic variability for varietal enhancement necessitates a comprehensive capture of both quantifiable and non-quantifiable morphological characteristics. In this study, 49 accessions were meticulously evaluated and characterized for 38 diverse qualitative and quantitative morphological traits. Commercial Aonla cultivars, primarily selected, typically exhibit a semi-spreading or spreading nature. The Aonla germplasm showcases notable discrepancies in morphological traits, spanning growth, flower, bark, and fruit characteristics, reflecting the diversity across its tree. Fruit aspect ratio, defining the relationship between diameter and length, serves as a crucial identifying feature. Variations in total soluble solids, ascorbic acids, pulp: stone ratio, pulp content, fruit dimensions, weight, circumference, and yield per plant were observed across genotypes and varied from 7.5–12.1°brix, 340.72–550.38 mg/100 g, 13.25–19.71, 13.50–42.35 g, 1.79–4.17 cm, 2.28–4.27 cm, 15.97–45.19 g, 7.04–13.44 cm, and 45.70–105.14 kg/tree, respectively. Genetic variability analyses suggest ample opportunities for selection, with correlation research elucidating important selection criteria. Path coefficient analysis identified traits with direct and indirect effects on yield per plant, while principal component analysis offered a comprehensive overview of variability among genotypes. Cluster analysis categorized genotypes into distinct groups, revealing valuable traits for achieving high fruit yield. Overall, the research underscored the importance of morphological traits in assessing Aonla diversity and their role in breeding programs aimed at enhancing quality and yield. The findings provided valuable insights for cultivar selection and future breeding efforts, contributing to the sustainable cultivation and utilization of Aonla germplasm.

In this study, postharvest behavioural dynamics among 52 diverse chilli genotypes was observed during storage (15 degrees C) to discriminate and cluster them in accordance to their inherent responses. Fruit weight, size, weight loss, colour change, firmness, capsaicin, chlorophyll, carotenoids (red and yellow fractions), moisture content and purchase preference were recorded. Significant differences were observed among genotypes. A2 x IIVRC 18057 and IIVRC 18093 registered minimum (24.4 %) and maximum (71.7 %) weight loss, respectively at the end of storage. In all genotypes, moisture content declined with storage. Genotype dependent inverse relationship between capsaicin content at green and red stage was observed (r= -0.51). Firmness ranged between highest (4.65 N) in IIVRC 22100 on day zero, to lowest (0.14 N) in A3 x F5-112 on day 10. IIVRC 18131, Kashi Surkh, and IIVRC 18160 showed higher firmness. The loss of smooth glossy appearance, colour change and carotenoids accumulation showed variable responses during storage. Minimum colour changes were observed in IC119455, IC114957, IC119326, IC119327, EC 578666, IIVRC 18093, IIVRC 23002 and IIVRC 20005. Chlorophyll ranged between 68.63 mu g/g fw (Pusa Jwala) to 270.61 mu g/g fw (Kashi Gaurav) initially. Chemometric analysis using clustering and principal component analysis was performed. IIVRC 18093 and IIVRC 18253 were found most distant and can be utilized in breeding. IIVRC 18057 clearly indicated consumer liking in preference ranking test over other genotypes on final day. Overall, inherent diversity pointed the potential for careful selection of specific genotypes for definite breeding, consumer acceptability, marketing and storability strategies.

Horticultural production is reaching new heights every passing year. Presently, India is the second largest producer of vegetables after China. However, humongous postharvest losses and waste occur due to improper management and handling. Postharvest loss has been one of the main global challenges towards ensuring food security. This waste seems inhumane especially when tens of millions of people worldwide are suffering from hunger, malnutrition, under-nutrition and other chronic diseases while the food waste contributes to global warming as well. Fresh vegetables are highly perishable. Lack of proper transportation, especially temperature management during transit and storage further reduces their storability and marketing window. United Nations sustainable developmental goal 2 aims to reduce food losses by 50% by 2030. Several approaches like value addition particularly drying technology, temperature and storage atmosphere control, using edible coatings and different anti-senescent molecules like salicylic acid, nitric oxide, 1-methylcyclopropene, methyl jasmonate, polyamines, etc. have been undertaken world-wide to enhance storability of fresh vegetables. This review is an attempt to present a bird’ eye view of postharvest losses and possible strategies for the management and reduction of losses in vegetables.

High moisture content and soft texture are the major factors that result in higher losses to the tune of even 25–40% in fresh fruit and vegetables, in turn causing colossal waste of food, time, efforts, input costs, and pre-harvest resources. Drying technology has been used as a valuable technology to reduce volume, preserve quality, and enhance storability far beyond what is possible for fresh horticultural commodities since ages. With advancement in time, different drying technologies have come up. Notable among them are freeze drying, which is known to produce the best-quality dried produce, and air drying, which is used most commonly due to ease of handling and cost efficacy. However, the major drawbacks of freeze drying are the long drying time and the higher energy consumption, which lead to a higher per-unit cost of the dried product. The current times demand an intelligent, cost-effective drying system with a quality of dried produce comparable to its fresh counterpart. This brings us to the need for advancement in freeze-drying systems to lower energy consumption and improve efficiency.

To meet the growing demand for fresh produce in cities, promoting peri-urban and urban farming is essential to reduce reliance on rural areas for vegetables. One innovative approach developed at ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi (2019-2022), is the dual grafting of brinjal and tomato on a single brinjal plant, termed 'Brimato' (Brinjal + Tomato). Using the vigorous, waterlogging and salinity-tolerant brinjal rootstock IC 111056, four brinjal cultivars (Kashi Sandesh, Kashi Uttam, Kashi Manohar, Kashi Vijay) and three tomato cultivars (Kashi Aman, Kashi Chayan, Vani) were selected as scions. Over three years, experiments showed that scion cultivars significantly impacted Brimato productivity. Kashi Manohar combined with Kashi Aman or Kashi Chayan yielded the highest brinjal fruit numbers, while Kashi Aman combined with hybrid brinjal Kashi Sandesh resulted in the highest tomato fruit numbers. The highest fruit yields were observed with the Kashi Sandesh + Kashi Chayan combination, yielding 2.58 kg/plant. The Kashi Aman + Kashi Sandesh combination produced a cumulative yield of 5.98 kg/plant. Physiological traits like photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll fluorescence yield varied significantly among scion cultivars, with Kashi Manohar and Kashi Aman scions exhibiting the highest photosynthetic rates. Grafted Brimato plants showed enhanced fruit quality, particularly in vitamin C and β-carotene content. These findings highlight the potential of Brimato plants for urban agriculture, offering a viable solution for sustainable fresh produce supply.

Soil micronutrient deficiencies lead to crops with low essential element concentrations, affecting human health through micronutrient malnutrition. Effective practices, like foliar nutrient application, improve crop quality and reduce malnutrition. The garden pea (Pisum sativum L. var. hortense) is cultivated worldwide for its nutritional value and such nutrient-rich crops, through agronomic biofortification, offer a sustainable solution to global health issues by addressing micronutrient deficiencies. Four liquid micronutrient formulations [Treatment 1 (T1), Treatment 2 (T2), Treatment 3 (T3), and Treatment 4 (T4)] were prepared using either water or vermiwash as a carrier, with variations that included the presence or absence of plant growth regulators (GA3 + NAA)] and evaluated along with commercially available formulations [Arka Vegetable Special (T5) and ProKissan (T6)]. Micronutrient formulations, particularly T3, demonstrated notable effects on various parameters, including plant height, biomass, root characteristics, pod weight, and micronutrient contents in seeds of garden pea var. Kashi Nandini. T3 significantly outperformed other formulations in promoting plant growth, resulting in higher values for plant height, biomass, branches per plant, nodule mass, root biomass, surface area, volume, and density. Yield parameters such as pod length, weight, number of pods, and seeds per pod were also positively influenced by micronutrient treatments, with T3 leading to the highest overall yield, with a 24.09 % increase per plant and a 13.39 % increase per hectare compared to the control. Additionally, foliar application of micronutrients increased the concentration of copper, zinc, iron, and manganese in seeds, positively impacting seed quality. Quality parameters, including total soluble solids, protein, total phenol, and total flavonoid contents, were significantly improved by micronutrient treatments, with T3 showing the most favorable outcomes. Texture analysis indicated that peas treated with T3 had lower firmness values, suggesting maintained tenderness and sweetness. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between various growth parameters, yield traits, and micronutrient contents. Overall, foliar micronutrient application proved to be a valuable biofortification strategy for enhancing the performance and quality of garden peas.

In the present study, biocontrol potential of Bacillus subtilis CRB7 was evaluated to counter root-knot nematode infestation in tomato grown under protected cultivation. Under pot conditions, gall formation on roots was reduced when B. subtilis CRB7 applied at 1.25, 2.5 and 5 g plant(-1). Nursery drench with B. subtilis CRB7 at 5, 10 and 15 g m(-2) significantly reduced gall formation on roots (37.0 to 85.8%). Further, application of B. subtilis CRB7 as nursery drench at 15 g m(-2), soil drench at 0.5% at 30 day's interval and soil application of enriched vermicompost (5 kg 2 tonnes(-1) of vermicompost ha(-1)) significantly reduced gall formation on roots (58.3% and 54.2%) and enhanced yield (29.8% and 15.4%) in two consecutive protected field experiments, respectively. Given its potent efficacy, B. subtilis CRB7 emerges as a promising component for the management of root-knot nematode in tomato grown under protected cultivation. [GRAPHICS] .

The demand for vegetables in India is substantial, driven by widespread vegetarian dietary preferences. However, the supply often falls short due to the inability to grow all types of vegetables throughout the year. This emphasizes the significance of off-season vegetable cultivation, offering a solution for year-round production, controlling price fluctuations during off-seasons, and ensuring accessibility for people across different economic classes. Off-season cultivation plays a pivotal role in addressing nutritional deficiencies and providing economic returns to farmers, especially during periods of market surplus and falling prices. Consequently, there has been a notable increase in off-season cultivation practices, where crops are grown outside the regular cropping calendar to counter supply shortages and capitalize on high market prices. Various methods are employed for cultivating off-season vegetables, including leveraging a country’s agro-climatic diversity, using different varieties, cultivating in diara lands/riverbeds, and employing protected cultivation. However, this review specifically focuses on diara/riverbed and protected cultivation of vegetables for their off-season production. While these practices have shown promise, ensuring consistent technical support, training, and a reliable supply of inputs like seeds and fertilizers, along with market information, is crucial for sustaining the adoption of agricultural technologies. Long-term success depends on accessible extension services, and the combined impact of various technologies contributes to improved off-season agricultural practices. This underscores the importance of farmer-centric policies in guiding enduring technology adoption. Factors such as education, experience in vegetable production, access to extension services, and training significantly influence farmers’ decisions regarding technology adoption.

Cabbage is a prominent leafy vegetable belonging to the cole group of vegetables. To increase its productivity, nutrient management involving use of micronutrients is one of the most important practices. Consequently, the present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of four laboratory-prepared micronutrient formulations (Micromix A; Mix-A, Micromix B; Mix-B, Micromix C; Mix-C and Micromix D; Mix-D) on growth and yield of cabbage. For comparison two micronutrient formulations available in the market, Arka Vegetable Special and Agromin were also undertaken in this study. The results revealed a significant improvement in morphological parameters like fresh stem weight, fresh root weight, root length, head weight per plant and open leaf weight per plant as a result of foliar application of micronutrient formulations as compared to the control. Additionally, it was discovered that foliar application of Mix-A, Mix-B, Mix-C and Mix-D increased the yield of cabbage by 14.04 %, 20.25 %, 27.14 % and 23.14 %, respectively over the control. Furthermore, among different formulations, Mix-C proved more effective as compared to the rest of the treatments. Thus, it can be inferred that foliar application of micronutrients has great potential in improving the yield and yield characteristics of cabbage.

Indian bael ( Aegle marmelos L. Correa) is an underutilized fruit tree native to India. India harbors a diverse array of genetic variations related to desirable horticultural traits. Assessing genetic variability for varietal improvement necessitates the use of descriptors that comprehensively capture both quantitative and qualitative morphological characteristics. In the present study, variability in 213 accessions of bael were assessed and precisely characterized for various qualitative and quantitative morphological traits. The predominant traits observed in most commercial bael cultivars, which are developed through selection, include a semi-spreading or spreading nature with thorns. The bael germplasm displayed considerable qualitative and quantitative differences in morphological traits, encompassing the leaf, thorn, flower, and fruit, highlighting the diversity present within different parts of the bael tree. Aspect ratio of leaf, which relates the diameter to length, is an important identifying feature. The higher aspect ratio indicates towards round or oblate shape, while lower ratio points towards oblong or oval/ovate fruit shape. However, the final shape depends upon the nature of their either ends (apex or base). Likewise, the contents of total soluble solids (pulp), total soluble solids (mucilage) ascorbic acids and TSS: acidity ratio in the studied genotypes varied from < 34 to > 38 °Brix, < 45 to > 50 °Brix, < 0.30 to > 0.48 per cent and < 110 to > 0.125, respectively. In response to the observed variability in various traits, a comprehensive set of 55 morphological descriptors has been proposed. These descriptors are intended for the characterization, evaluation, and identification of bael germplasm. They are anticipated to be valuable not only for aiding researchers in data interpretation but also for contributing to crop improvement efforts.