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The presence of the seagrass Halodule uninervis was documented for the first time outside the Chilika lagoon at Haripur creek, along with previously documented Halophila ovalis from the same region. The population structure (density; biomass; leaf growth rate; and morphometrics) and environmental parameters was assessed for both seagrass species. The pH levels of the water column above both seagrass meadows were lower than the standard oceanic pH of 8.2, likely attributable to upstream freshwater influences. Halophila ovalis grew on sandy and H. uninervis on silty substrates. High nutrient (nitrate and phosphate) concentrations in the water column of the creek influenced the growth of macroalgae (Ceramium sp. and Gracilaria verrucosa) on the leaves of H. uninervis. Leaf reddening was only observed in H. ovalis leaves. Under similar environmental conditions, the shoot density and biomass (above-and below-ground) of H. ovalis were 2-fold lower that for H. uninervis. The leaves of H. uninervis were 9-fold longer than H. ovalis, whereas H. ovalis had 5-fold wider leaves than H. uninervis. The leaf plastochrone interval of H. ovalis (2.3 days) and H. uninervis (9.6 days) was similar for the Indian Ocean region. Consequently, the H. ovalis leaf growth rate was 2-fold lower than that for H. uninervis. H. ovalis shoot internodes were 2.6-fold longer than for H. uninervis, whereas the root lengths of H. uninervis were longer than for H. ovalis. The shorter root length of H. ovalis resulted in a higher branching frequency than for H. uninervis. The total C and N content were higher in the H. ovalis leaves than those of H. uninervis. This study suggest seagrass responses to similar environmental conditions are species-specific. Regular assessment of the seagrass population structure and water quality monitoring of Haripur creek are essential for better management and conservation of these important seascapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was carried out to study the efficacy of foliar feeding of brassinosteroid on growth, yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Winter Dawn. The experimental finding revealed that the physiological growth in terms of leaf number, specific leaf weight, leaf relative water content and total chlorophyll content in the leaf has increased significantly in all the brassinosteroid treated plant with maximum in the treatment consist of three repeated foliar spray of brassinosteroid at vegetative, flowering and again at fruiting stage, irrespective of their concentration. Fruit yield (31.93 tonnes ha−1) with earliest ripening (within 13.67 days after fruit setting) and biggest fruit size (18.43 cc) was obtained in the treatment of three brassinosteroid spray @ 0.2 ppm each at vegetative, flowering and fruiting stage. Further, total soluble solid (TSS): acid ratio and reducing sugar also was measured maximum (21.71 and 5.20%, respectively) in three repeated spray of brassinosteroid @ 0.2 ppm. Hence, it can be concluded that the foliar feeding of brassinosteroid @ 0.2 ppm each at vegetative, flowering and fruiting stage is the best treatment to increase the yield potentiality of strawberry cv. Winter Dawn with improved fruit quality under subtropical condition of Bihar, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted with twenty five small size potato (Solanum sp.) genotypes to characterize the different growth, yield and quality characters as well as its variability. The research work was conducted at the Instructional farm of the Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, and West Bengal, India during the year 2017-18 and 2018-19. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with tree replications The genotypes were characterized for 37 characters namely, tuber characters, sprout and stem characters, leaf characters and growth habit. These genotypes upon sorting showed discrete variation with respect to vegetative, tuber and quality characters. Wide range of variation was also pragmatic among the genotypes for quite a few morphological, tuber and quality characters. Among the different tuber characters absence of secondary tuber colour, shallow depth of tuber, intermediate note of eyes per tuber, evenly distributed eye showed 100% frequency and other leaf and growth characters also shows higher frequency. Variability studies were bare that there was an extensive range of inconsistency for all the characters studied. High GCV and PCV were found in case of anthocyanin content of tuber and yield of tuber plant-1. High heritability along with high genetic advance (as percentage of mean) was found in tuber yield plant-1and average weight of single tuber. These characters may be painstaking as trustworthy selection indices as they are possibly governed by additive gene effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor productivity of rice in rainfed lowlands is due to complete submergence as it is a major abiotic stress of these regions. For enhancing the rice productivity of these areas, better nutrient management options are required and results may even better when combined with stress tolerant cultivars, even when tested under natural conditions of farmers' field. For supporting the above statement, the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus in graded doses was evaluated for submergence tolerance in controlled conditions and the results obtained were tested and validated at farmers' field in Cuttack, Odisha, India. Shoot elongation, leaf senescence and lodging were lowest with the application of higher phosphorus (60 kg ha−1). Highest dose i.e. 100-60-40 NPK kg ha−1 resulted in higher plant survival of all the varieties by 90–170% over no nutrient application, it was also reflected in the higher growth after recovery, leaf greenness, leaf and stem growth, chlorophyll and carbohydrate concentrations and ultimately higher grain yield. At farmers' field, application of basal P, K and post-flood N management practice resulted in overall better performance of Swarna and Swarna-Sub1 showing higher yield attributes leading to 65.7 and 37.9% higher grain yield, over conventional practices followed by farmers. Apart from that results were more positive if post-flood nitrogen was applied as urea foliar spray might be due to quick absorption of N by plant leaves and also spraying helps in removing the silt of flood water sticking to the leaf surface and facilitated the plants to photosynthesize and survive after desubmergence. These cost-effective management options may enhance the productivity and profitability of rice in the flood-prone areas where farmers hesitate to apply nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental irrigation is essential to increase tree productivity in dry areas to fulfill the local needs. One-year-old Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh plants were planted in July 1998 and supplemental irrigation was provided at 36.2 mm (I1), 26.5 mm (I2), 20.2 mm (I3), 18.1 mm (I4), and live saving (I5). Frequency and quantity of irrigation increased with an increase in irrigation level enhancing plant height, collar diameter, and biomass. These variables were highest at I1, but water use efficiency (WUE) was highest at I2. Dry biomass production increased from 1.18 kg plant-1 at I5 to 13.75 kg plant-1 at I1 at 24-month age. Biomass allocation to root increased from I1 to I5 but it was at the expense of leaf and branches. Height, collar diameter, dry biomass, and nutrient uptake indicated a non-linear increase with total quantity of water. Partitioning of N, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn was greater to stem; and those of P, K, and Ca was greater to leaf than to the other parts. Conclusively, I3 and I4 levels supported establishment whereas I2 level was best for growth and productivity of E. camaldulensis plants in dry areas. The I1 level could be tried to increase water use and reduce salinity buildup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of attached and detached leaves of Euphorbia caducifolia, the latter collected from morphologically different plants, suggested that this species exhibited typical crassulacean features of acid metabolism. Fluctuations in acidity were found to be due mostly to the appearance and disappearance of malic acid in dark and light respectively. Deacidification also took place when leaves were kept in dark for a longer period. The TAN showed a fall when the leaves aged and were about to fall. A remarkable feature found in this species was the high percentage of total acids which ranged up to 8240 mg/100 g fresh weight of leaves, together with great differences in the constituents analysed. This suggests that morphological diversity is correlated with physiological diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]