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A study with three independent experiments for the seeds of three vegetable species was set at the roof top of Sunway Dormitory near the Bus Terminal, Dinajpur, Bangladesh, during March to May, 2019. The aims were to evaluate the physiological fluctuations in the seeds of sweet gourd cv. Monitaraprimed with the aqueous solutions of H2O2 and to find the suitable concentration. Each experiment had eight treatments: T1 (control/no priming), T2 (hydro-priming in plain H2O) and other six aquatic solutions of H2O2: T3 (0.5), T4 (1.0), T5 (1.5), T6 (2.0), T7 (2.5) and T8 (3.0%). The seeds were soaked for six hours in those seven media (T2 toT8). The seeds were dibbled in wooden seed flats filled-in with coarse sand. The experiments were laid-out in the Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data collected for the 13 traits viz. % germination, % abnormal seedlings, shoot length, root length, seedling length, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, seedling dry matter, number of secondary roots (>1cm) per seedling, number of true leaves per seedling, relative growth rate, seedling vigor index, and root : shoot ratio (dry weight basis). Except the first two traits, the rest 11 were collected at three stagesviz.10, 20 and 30 days after dibbling (DAD). It was lucid that H2O2 was significantly (P≤0.05%) effective to improve most of the traits noted. Treatment T4 (1% concentration) was utmost helpful for sweet gourd and >1.5%, others were toxic and hindered the maximum parameters for all the three species. Nevertheless, further studies with different varieties of those three vegetables species with variable doses of H2O2, priming time and temperature could be explored before drawing valid conclusions.

The contribution of one major or a combination of several physiological processes in salt tolerance was assessed in three local varieties (Blacklong, Advanta-1103, and Dilpasand) of ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.] at varying salt levels (0, 75, and 150 mM NaCl). Based on growth attributes, var. Dilpasand as salt-tolerant and var. Blacklong as moderately salt-tolerant, while var. Advanta-1103 as salt-sensitive. Inter-varietal differences for photosynthetic pigments and relative water content (RWC) was not observed. The salt-sensitive variety Advanta 1103 had greater Na+ accumulation (73.72%) in the leaves than those in the moderately tolerant and tolerant varieties. Total soluble proteins were relatively lower (58.25%) in the salt-sensitive variety but maximal increase (69.34%) in total free amino acids was observed. However, accumulation of proline was maximal in the salt-tolerant variety (Dilpasand). Salt-tolerant variety exhibited minimal oxidative stress (relative low levels of H2O2) and membrane damage (low content of MDA and electrolytic leakage) and higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase). Although all ridge gourd varieties down-regulated the electron transport through PSII by increasing the safe dissipation of heat Y(NPQ) to lower the ROS generation, this was maximal in the salt-tolerant variety Dilpasand. Relatively greater reduction in Y(ND) and enhancement in Y(NA) indicated PSI-photoinhibition in salt-sensitive variety. The greater salt tolerance in var. Dilpasand was due to the coordinated impact of ion exclusion, higher accumulation of proline, better capacity to manage electron transport from PSII to PSI with higher Y(NPQ) and antioxidant capacity.

Background: Ivy gourd is the most nutritious and healthy vegetable among the underutilized vegetable crops. To increase the production effective nutrient management is key tool. Methods: The experiment on growth and yield improvement in ivy gourd through integrated nutrient management was conducted in a randomised block design with three replications at Regional Horticulture Research Station in ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat. Results: An application of 50% RDF (Recommended Dose of Fertilizer) + Bio-compost had a beneficial effect on growth parameters like minimum days to flowering (35.83 days) and fruit harvest (47.11), maximum dry biomass of shoot (8.41 kg) and dry biomass of root (840 g) with near to neutral fruit pH (6.8). Maximum length of fruit (5.12 cm), diameter of fruit (1.80 cm), weight of fruit (4.57 g), maximum fruit yield plant-1 (1.64 kg), highest fruit yield (16.60 t ha-1), maximum leaf nutrient content (N - 1.753 ppm, P - 0.456 ppm, K - 1.653 ppm) and soil nutrient status (N - 211.77 kg ha-1, P2O5 - 69.52 kg ha-1, K2O - 498.96 kg ha-1) were also noted in 50% RDF + Bio-compost as compared to other treatment.

A wax gourd flesh-derived porous carbon material has been prepared using different activating agents through the pyrolysis carbonization method. The materials activated by CaCl2 and KOH were marked as WGF-CaCl2 and WGF-KOH, respectively. The WGF-CaCl2 and WGF-KOH materials have lamellar structures that small particles randomly distribute on the pleats. Compared with the WGF-CaCl2, the WGF-KOH material takes on a higher specific surface area. The WGF-CaCl2 and WGF-KOH materials have different lithium storage performances. The first discharge capacity (152.2/776.6 mAh g−1), the cycling capacity and the rate retention capacity of the WGF-KOH are higher than that of the WGF-CaCl2 because the WGF-KOH material has more micropores, a high-specific surface area and a high Si content.

Key message A dwarfism gene LacDWARF1 was mapped by combined BSA-Seq and comparative genomics analyses to a 65.4 kb physical genomic region on chromosome 05. Abstract Dwarf architecture is one of the most important traits utilized in Cucurbitaceae breeding because it saves labor and increases the harvest index. To our knowledge, there has been no prior research about dwarfism in the sponge gourd. This study reports the first dwarf mutant WJ209 with a decrease in cell size and internodes. A genetic analysis revealed that the mutant phenotype was controlled by a single recessive gene, which is designated Lacdwarf1 (Lacd1). Combined with bulked segregate analysis and next-generation sequencing, we quickly mapped a 65.4 kb region on chromosome 5 using F2 segregation population with InDel and SNP polymorphism markers. Gene annotation revealed that Lac05g019500 encodes a gibberellin 3β-hydroxylase (GA3ox) that functions as the most likely candidate gene for Lacd1. DNA sequence analysis showed that there is an approximately 4 kb insertion in the first intron of Lac05g019500 in WJ209. Lac05g019500 is transcribed incorrectly in the dwarf mutant owing to the presence of the insertion. Moreover, the bioactive GAs decreased significantly in WJ209, and the dwarf phenotype could be restored by exogenous GA3 treatment, indicating that WJ209 is a GA-deficient mutant. All these results support the conclusion that Lac05g019500 is the Lacd1 gene. In addition, RNA-Seq revealed that many genes, including those related to plant hormones, cellular process, cell wall, membrane and response to stress, were significantly altered in WJ209 compared with the wild type. This study will aid in the use of molecular marker-assisted breeding in the dwarf sponge gourd.

The escalating prices of petroleum fuels, the uncertainties in their supply and the wreckage of global climate caused by their continual use have rekindled research interests in the use of plant oil for fuels and other biofuels. Sponge gourd seeds were investigated for its biodiesel properties with the aim of determining the desirability of incorporating the oil into bio-fuel. The seeds were sourced for, processed and extracted while the bio-fuel oil obtained were analyzed. 31.0 Percentage (%) of oil yield was obtained from Luffa cylindrica seeds according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC) Standards which were used to determine other Biofuel properties of luffa cylindrica seed. The laboratory analysis revealed that the oil obtained has higher viscosity at 40°C (15.55 mm2/s) which can perfectly meet up with an established standard of biodiesel on reduction after transesterification. The analysis obtained had a flash point of (150°C), Cetane number of (71.90), Refractive index of (1.645 nm), Acid value of (34.10 mg KOH/g) and Iodine value of (86.20 mgI2/g) obtained compared with most standard biodiesel which is in agreement with the specified ASTM biodiesel standard.

Luffa cylindrica fibre (also known as sponge gourd) is widely available in major parts of Asia and Africa because it is a good source of cellulose fibre. The fibre is cheap, available free in natur...

Study was conducted In RCBD Design with three replicates to examine the impact of nitrogen application methods on the growth and yield of ridge gourd, evaluating 06 treatments comprising of various soil and foliar-applied N combinations. The following treatments were used: T1=Control (no N applied to the surface, no N applied to the leaves): T2=N at 75kg ha-1 through soil; T3=N at 75 kg ha-1 through soil+foliar urea at 1.5% concentration; T4=N at 75 kg ha-1 through soil+foliar urea at 3.0% concentration; T5=N at 100 kg ha-1 through soil; T6=N at100 kg ha-1 through soil+foliar urea at 1.5% concentration;T5=N at 100 kgha-1through soil+foliar urea at 1.5% concentration; The findings showe that various nitrogen application approaches had a major impact on all of the ridge gourd parameters calculated in this analysis (P0.05). With i258.33cm ivine iduration, 7.75 branchesivine-1, 11.26 fruits vine-1,i281.38giaverageisingle-fruitiweight, 3.25kg weightiofiridgeigourd fruitiperivine, 36.30kg ridge gourd fruit yield plot-1 and 14520.55kg ridge gourdifruit yieldiha-1, the ridge gourd vines plantediunderiT6 (N at 100kg ha-1 by soil+foliariapplicationiofiurea at 1.5%iconcentration)iratediforibothivine growthiand ridge igourd yield characteris-tics, the ridgeigourd cropifertilisediwith N at 100k ha-1 through oiliranked second, N at 75kg ha-1 through soil + foliar application ofiureaiati3.0%iconcentrationiranked third, N at 75kg ha-1 through the soil+foliar application of ureaiat 1.5% concentration ranked fourth, and N at 75 kg ha-1 through soil without foliariurea ranked fifth. Onialliof the characteristics tested, the controliplots came inilast.

Cucumis dipsaceus “jaboncillo de campo”, es una especie vegetal de la familia de las cucurbitáceas considerada como maleza en nuestra región, cuyo fruto presenta metabolitos secundarios de importancia industrial y farmacológica destacando entre ellos los flavonoides, glicósidos, alcaloides, taninos y saponinas. Este último compuesto posee propiedades tales como surfactante, espumante, antiinflamatorio y hepatoprotector. Debido a las propiedades que presenta las saponinas se propuso el presente estudio cuyo objetivo principal fue determinar los parámetros operativos: temperatura, tiempo y relación de sólido/solvente en el proceso de producción de extracto de saponina a partir del fruto de Cucumis dipsaceus “jaboncillo de campo”. El estudio se inició con un pretratamiento de los frutos el cual consistía en las operaciones de limpieza, pulpeado y secado. Los experimentos se efectuaron mediante ensayos extractivos a nivel de laboratorio para determinar los parámetros óptimos de operación. Luego se procedió al diseño de los equipos que intervienen en el proceso: destilación al vacío, filtrado y secado, así como se obtuvo un programa computarizado en Visual Basic 10 con la finalidad de proceder al escalamiento piloto respectivo. Para determinar la presencia y concentración de las saponinas en el producto final, se realizó los ensayos de hemólisis de glóbulos rojos y prueba de la espuma o afrosimétrica. Se obtuvo un rendimiento de 73,5 % en la producción de saponinas con los respectivos parámetros operativos: de relación sólido/solvente 1, temperatura 600C y tiempo de extracción 30 minutos.

Bitter gourd wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. momordicae (FOM) is a devastating crop disease in China. A total of 173 isolates characteristic of typical Fusarium oxysporum with abundant microconidia and macroconidia on white or ruby colonies were obtained from diseased plant tissues. BLASTn analysis of the rDNA-ITS of the isolates showed 99% identity with F. oxysporum species. Among the tested isolates, three were infectious toward tower gourd and five were pathogenic to bottle gourd. However, all of the isolates were pathogenic to bitter gourd. For genetic differences analysis, 40 ISSR primers were screened and 11 primers were used for ISSR-PCR amplification. In total, 127 loci were detected, of which 76 were polymorphic at a rate of 59.84%. POPGENE analysis showed that Nei’s gene diversity index (H) and Shannon’s information index (I) were 0.09 and 0.15, respectively, which indicated that the genetic diversity of the 173 isolates was low. The coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst = 0.33 > 0.15) indicated that genetic differentiation was mainly among populations. The strength of gene flow (Nm = 1.01 > 1.0) was weak, indicating that the population differentiation caused by gene drift was blocked to some degree. The dendrogram based on ISSR markers showed that the nine geographical populations were clustered into two groups at the threshold of genetic similarity coefficient of 0.96. The Shandong and Henan populations were clustered into Group I, while the Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Fujian, Jiangxi, and Hubei populations constituted Group II. Results of the genetic variation analysis showed that the Hunan and Guangxi populations had the highest degree of genetic differentiation, while the Hubei population had the lowest genetic differentiation. Our findings enrich the knowledge of the genetic variation characteristics of FOM populations with the goal of developing effective disease-management programs and resistance breeding programs.

Introduction. The relevance of the study is related to the fact that the formation of national clusters is one of the most essential tools to promote innovation and industrial development of the state economy. The objective of the article is to consider the peculiarities of the formation of cluster policy in the Republic of Kazakhstan and assess its development. Materials and methods. Statistical data from the official website of the Committee on Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as scientific papers on the economic development of Kazakhstan and the EAEU countries, were used. Results. The grain processing cluster of Kazakhstan is the basis of the agro-food cluster. In terms of grain production, Kazakhstan ranks third in the CIS after Russia and Ukraine. Wheat exports are one of the primary sources of foreign exchange earnings in the country’s economy. The market share of Kazakhstan for most products in relation to the EAEU is from 5 to 15%. The highest shares are observed in the production/consumption of vegetables and gourd (22.48%), grain (14.34%), and milk (11.92%). The lowest shares of production are observed for the production/consumption of sugar (3.87%), fruits and berries (7.47%), eggs (8.76%), and meat (8.54%). Agro-food production in Kazakhstan increased by 1.04% from 2013 to 2018, while consumption increased by 0.60%. By 2035, the capacity of the EAEU domestic market could grow significantly in the segments: meat and meat products (by 15%), milk and dairy products (by 17%), fruits and berries (by 39%), vegetables and gourd (by 24%), grain (by 12%) and oilseeds (by 69%). Discussion and conclusion. The formation and development of territorial and sectoral clusters, mainly agrarian, will be one of the most effective forms of realization of the national competitive advantages of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The use of plant growth regulators to alleviate PAH phytotoxicity is an alternative choice to increase the efficient of PAH phytoremediation. In this study, the capacity of auxin and gibberellin to...

Pollinators are rewarding for many wild and agricultural crop plants. The experiments were conducted in the agricultural field of Karad tehsil, Maharashtra, India. The present study concentrated on the diversity and species richness of nocturnal insect pollinators on Ridge gourd Luffa acutangula belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. The Ridge gourd plant is monoecious with a bunch of male flowers and solitary female flower. Anthesis happened in late evening hours (17.00-19.00) and flowers remained for 13 to 14 hours. A total of 830 insect pollinators were sampled from June 2020 to November 2020. Altogether 17 species of insect pollinators belonging to 7 families under 6 orders were recorded. Among the total number of species, the Lepidoptera was the dominant order comprising 11 species belonging to the single family Crambidae followed by Blattodea comprising 2 species belonging to 2 families Ectobiidae and Blattidae. Hymenoptera comprised 1 species belonging to family Formicidae, followed by order Orthoptera comprising 1 species belonging to family Gryllidae, order Diptera comprising 1 species belonging to the family Culicidae, followed by the order Coleoptera comprising 1 species belonging to the family Chrysomelidae. The Diaphnia hyalinata belonging to family Crambidae of the order Lepidoptera was the most dominant species and was followed by Chabula acamasalis. The nocturnal species imparted pollination services to agricultural crops. The study also observed fundamental mechanisms of plant and nocturnal insect pollinator interaction as well as floral scent and visual signals. The study can be baseline data for conserving and managing the best pollinators for increasing the yield of Ridge gourd.

Insect crop visitations do not necessarily always translate to transfer or carriage of pollen. To determine the potential of the various insects visiting summer and rainy seasons sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica (Linn.)) flowers to facilitate the pollen transfer, the present study examines the diversity of visiting insects to sponge gourd seed crops in relation to the time of day and season, diversity and abundance to its flowers, fruits and seed yield. These visiting insects taxonomically belonged to 8 different insect orders viz. Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Lepidoptera, Odonata and Orthoptera/Dictyoptera. Rainy season sponge gourd crops had higher numbers of insect visitors and higher diversity (0.80 of Simpson’s Diversity Index and 1.71 of Shannon–Weaver Index of diversity as compared to summer season crop (0.72 and 1.51, respectively). The summer crop had the highest number of visiting insects belonged to the order Coleoptera followed by Hemiptera and Hymenoptera and their reciprocal form of Berger Parker’s dominance indices were 2.21, 5.05 and 6.17, respectively. In summer crop, honeybees were the main pollinators comprising 57.69% of total pollinators in sponge gourds. All the four honeybee species viz., Apis cerana indica, A. dorsata, A. florea and A. mellifera were found to visit in sponge gourd. However, the dominant species was A. florea with 39% of total honeybee share. In rainy season crop, in contrary, honeybees comprised only 16.32% share on total visiting pollinators in sponge gourd. Rice skipper, Pelopidas mathias (46.84% share) was found almost thorough out the day with higher visitation during evening hours. Other pollinators were stingless bees (11.58% share), butterflies and moths. Consequently, we suggest optimizing pollinators’ management including honeybees and thereby improving the attraction of sponge gourd lines to these pollinators to improve pollination rates for sponge gourd seed crops.

Composites of high-density polyethylene and lignocellulosic fiber residues from banana, papaya, and peach palm trees, in addition to sponge gourd and coconut fiber, were investigated to identify the least flammable composite as a potential substitute for natural pine wood. The high-density polyethylene/lignocellulosic fiber composites were prepared in a twin-screw extruder, injection molded to obtain specimens, and characterized in terms of thermogravimetry, flammability using the UL-94 burning test and limiting oxygen index, impact resistance and heat deflection temperature. The high-density polyethylene/sponge gourd fiber composite showed the best impact resistance and was selected for further tests, with the addition of 10wt% magnesium hydroxide and (or) rice husk ash as flame retardants. The use of both retardants provided greater thermal stability to the composite. The addition of magnesium hydroxide to the high-density polyethylene/sponge gourd fiber composite improved the flammability properties of horizontal burning and thermal stability and is a potential candidate to replace natural wood.

Salinity is a major threat for growing cucurbit vegetables in the coastal zone of Bangladesh. A consecutive two year experiment was conducted during Rabi season 2019 and 2020 at Taltali and Amtali upazila, respectively of Barguna district Bangladesh to find out whether organic manure amendment and gypsum fertilizer can reduce salinity related degradation of soil and increase sweet gourd yield in coastal region of Bangladesh There were six treatments having control (no amendment), gypsum fertilizer, cowdung, poultry manure and the combination of gypsum fertilizer with cowdung and poultry manure. The design of the experiment was randomized complete block design with four replications. Every plot received recommended rate of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash fertilizer. The text crop was sweet gourd. Organic amendment significantly increase fruit yield of sweet gourd in saline soil. The performance of poultry manure was better than cowdung. The poultry manure, and poultry manure plus gypsum fertilizer produced fruit yield of 29.1 and 38.1 t ha-1, which is 67 and 119% higher over control treatment, respectively. The gypsum application had positive effect on fruit yield when it is applied with poultry manure. Application of organic manure increase soil moisture content, and reduce soil pH and electrical conductivity. Organic amendment with poultry manure is therefore recommended for sustainable yield of sweet gourd in saline soil, and reduces salinity related land degradation in coastal region of Bangladesh. [J Bangladesh Agril Univ 2021; 19(1.000): 1-7]

The present works describes the effect produced by mechanical disc refining in the pretreatment of lignocellulose agro-industrial waste, using scraps of sponge gourd. Two batches of sponge gourd scraps were refined in a laboratory disc refiner, at a consistence of 2.9 wt% (fiber/water) and residence time of 2 and 4 min. The two batches were then coded as MRS and HRS, respectively. MRS and HRS samples, as well as non-refined sponge gourd (NRS), were characterized in terms of morphological aspects, structural characteristics and thermal behavior. The analysis of SEM micrographs revealed that internal fibrillation dominated the refining process of sponge gourd, which, consequently, led to an increased surface area of the fibers. It was observed that the use of the disc refiner promoted the extraction of some hemicellulose content, increased the devolatilization index to 70% and 60%, as well as crystallinity – to 22% and 31% for MRS and HRS, respectively.

The figleaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouche), is a member of the Cucurbitaceae. Figleaf gourd genotypes are exclusively used as a rootstock for cucumber owing to their high physiological compatibility with cucumber. In this study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of C. ficifolia was assembled. The cp genome of C. ficifolia was 157,631 bp in length, it consists of a pair of inverted repeats (IRa and IRb) regions (25,638 bp) separated by the large single-copy (LSC, 88,211 bp) and small single-copy (SSC, 18,144 bp) regions. The cp genome encodes 111 unique genes, including 80 protein-coding genes, 27 transfer RNA genes, and four ribosomal RNA genes. The overall GC content of C. ficifolia cp genome was 37.2%. The phylogenetic tree of Cucurbitaceae showed that C. ficifolia was clustered into genus Cucurbita and the bootstrap value is 100%.

The present study aimed to identify suitable training system for bitter gourd cultivation,The experiment was conducted at College Orchard, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Among the different training systems evaluated, pandal system recorded the highest vine length (481.81 cm), followed by the bamboo training system (476.76cm). The treatment using fish net training system showed the highest internodal length (6.34 cm). Pandal training system exhibited the highest number of branches (10.04). Earliness in terms of days for the appearance of male and female flowers was observed in pandal training system (41.33 and 53.16 days respectively). Days to 50% flowering was also found earlier in the pandal system (64.23 days). The narrow sex ratio (5.86) was observed in the bamboo pole support system tied with gunny thread. The pandal system recorded the highest number of fruits per vine (78.66) and gunny thread training system recorded the lowest number of fruits (34.83). The highest fruit length of 21.35 Madras Agric.J., 2021; doi: 10.29321/MAJ.10.000291(online first) cm and fruit diameter of 3.57 cm wererecorded inthe pandal training system. The maximum fruit weight was recorded in the pandal system (74.12 g fruit-1) and the minimum fruit weight was observed (52.74g fruit-1) in the fish net system. Pandal training system exhibited the highest yield plant-1 (5.79 kg plant-1), yield plot-1 (132.65 kg) and yield hectare-1 (119.16 q ha-1) while the lowest values were recorded under gunny thread system of cultivation. Among the different training systems pandal/conventional training system is more economical with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.51 followed by bamboo system, fish net system and bamboo poles support system tied with gunny thread

Selenium (Se), an essential trace element that is toxic when humans and animals are exposed to it in excess, is ubiquitous in coal. For centuries, superhigh-organic-sulfur (SHOS) Raša coal, enriched in S, Se, U, V, and Mo, was mined and processed across the Mediterranean Raša Bay area, located in the Istrian peninsula (in the northern Adriatic Sea, Croatia). There is concern that Raša coal mine water is contaminating local water, soil, and crops. The aim of this monitoring study was to determine the levels of Se and selected potentially toxic trace (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mo, Pb, U, V, and Zn), and minor (Fe and Mn) elements in Raša coal mine water, surface water, and associated vegetables, one fruit, and wild plants. Levels of Se in coal mine water were increased (up to 12 μg/L) compared to the maximum allowed water Se (10 μg/L). Compared to an EU average soil Se (1.15 mg/kg), Raša garden soil showed a 5-fold increase in Se. Compared to Croatian and Greek vegetable Se levels (low to normal), Raša vegetables showed a 20-fold, and a 50-fold increase in Se, respectively. Although approximative only, estimates of daily intake (EDI) of Se for mixed Raša vegetables (n = 21) showed a high level (0.055 mg/day). Namely, recommended dietary allowances (RDA) of Se for females and males are 0.055 mg/day, and 0.070 mg/ day, respectively. The EDI values of the analyzed vegetables contributed to average RDA levels as follows: garlic (183%), turnip (154%), parsley (147%), onion and gourd (76%), lettuce (74%), kale (62%), radicchio (51%), and potato (20%). Although the calculated EDI for the analyzed Raša vegetables was 1/8 the toxic dose (>0.4 mg/day), these results call for further research on the dietary and nutritional status of the residents in terms of Se.

Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) is a monoecious crop with sticky and large sized pollen, and it completely depends on insects for pollination. This study identified six insects pollinators viz., Bombus sp., Apis cerana himalaya, Xylocopa sp., Trigona sp., Peponapis sp. and Syrphus sp. Bombus sp. and Xylocopa sp. were observed to be the relatively most abundant. Highest foraging speed and foraging rate was observed with Xylocopa sp. and A. cerana himalaya, respectively. Comparative study revealed that Xylocopa sp. and Bombus sp. carried maximum pollen load, though, amount of pollen and viable pollen deposition by Xylocopa sp. were significantly high, Bombus sp., deposited maximum amount of % viable pollen (41.16%). Hence, Xylocopa sp. and Bombus sp. can be the efficient pollinators of sponge gourd. Further research is needed to study the effect of these pollinators on yield and plant pollinators’ interaction.

Fifteen ridge gourd genotypes were investigated to select the superior genotypes. The overall analysis reveals that PCV was higher than GCV for all the traits. Significant variation was found among genotypes for the qualitative traits under divergence analysis. The selection index reveals that maximum genetic gain and relative efficiency over selection for yield was obtained for the index I123 based on yield/plant (g), No. of secondary branch, No. of male flower/plant characters. In the presented functions, selection index I1234 and I12345 showed highest relative efficiency over direct selection and genetic gain when all the characters were included to construct the selection index. On the basis of performance, the genotype-3023 was found to be most promising parent in order to develop a commercial ridge gourd variety.

Biochemical changes in different ridge gourd cultivars inoculated with Meloidogyne incognita were investigated. All the parameters showed higher activity during post infection period, both at shoots and roots level. Cultivar Priya had significant higher activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) than rest of the cultivars in infected shoots. However, it had only significant higher PAL expression in infected roots of Harsha cultivar of ridge gourd. All the cultivars showed non-significant changes in infected shoots for tyrosine ammonia lyase (TAL) contents. In infected roots, culture BSS 1009 showed significant increase in TAL than cultivars Harsha and Aarti, however Priya only had significant higher expression of TAL than culture Harsha. For peroxidase contains, all the cultivars displayed significant variation at infected shoots and roots level. Highest increase in peroxidase was noticed in resistant than susceptible cultivars in infected shoots of different ridge gourd cultivars. In general, with few exceptions resistant cultivars had higher catalase activity both in infected shoots and roots of different ridge gourd cultivars.

The competition for food and feed arising from scarcity of conventional livestock feedstuff has resulted into search for novel feedstuff that is currently not being utilized as food by man. Thus, the present study was carried out to evaluate the nutritional potential of thermally processed loofah gourds seed in rats was evaluated in a 21-day completely randomized design feeding trials. Forty-eight Wistar strain male albino rats of 46.57±0.55g were allotted to four dietary treatments (T1–raw, T2–boiled, T3–cooked and T4–toasted) loofah gourd seed meal (LGSM) with three replicates each. Data collected included feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass characteristics. Haematological and serological variables were determined using standard laboratory procedures. Results revealed that thermal processing significantly (P

The major limiting factor to the utilisation of loofah gourd seeds (LGS) as food is its high content of anti-nutrient. Heat processing is one of the process of reducing the concentration of anti-nutrients in food resources which may adversely influence the amino acids contents of such resources. Raw seeds of loofah gourds (RLGS) were toasted (TLGS), boiled (BLGS) and cooked (CGLS) and analysed for the amino acids content. The amino acids score, the essential amino acids score and the predicted (P-PER) of the raw and heat treated RLGS were calculated using standard equations. Results revealed that heat treatment significantly reduced (P

The aim of this study was to develop hydrogel loaded with capsicum extract nanoparticles and wax gourd extract for transdermal delivery of capsaicin. The addition of wax gourd extract was supposed to reduce cytotoxicity of capsaicin in capsicum extract against HaCaT keratinocyte cell line. Capsicum extract nanoparticles were prepared by solvent displacement method using hyaluronic acid as a stabilizer. The physical and chemical stability of capsicum extract nanoparticles were investigated by dynamic light scattering technique and UV-Visible spectrophotometry, respectively. Hydrogel loaded with capsicum extract nanoparticles and wax gourd fruit extract was then formulated by using Carbopol 940® as a gelling agent for transdermal delivery. The skin permeability of capsaicin from the hydrogel was evaluated by Franz diffusion cell approach. The cytotoxicity reduction of capsicum extract nanoparticles and capsicum extract nanoparticles by mixing with wax gourd extract was determined by MTT assay The results showed that capsicum extract nanoparticles exhibited an average diameter of 168.4 ± 5.3 nm with a polydispersity index and zeta potential value of 0.26 ± 0.01 and -45.7 ± 7.1 mV, respectively. After two month-storage, particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential values of capsicum extract nanoparticles stored at 4 ° C, 30 ° C, and 45 °C did not significantly change. The capsaicin content decreased to 78%, 71%, and 72% when stored at 4 °C, 30 °C, and 45 °C for three months, respectively. The pH values of hydrogel containing capsicum extract nanoparticles were found to be in the range of 5.58 - 6.05 indicating good stability. The hydrogel exhibited a pseudoplastic character. The rate of permeation flux of capsaicin from hydrogel was 7.96 µg/cm2/h. A significant increase in cell viability was observed when the cells were incubated with capsicum extract nanoparticles mixed with wax gourd, compared to capsicum extract nanoparticles alone. The wax gourd extract in the hydrogel protected HaCaT cells from capsaicin cytotoxicity, thus may provide a new approach for delivery of capsaicin to reduce cytotoxicity to skin cells.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and acute toxicity of the methanol extract of two Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. varieties of dried seeds, Sweet gourd Water Jug (WJ) and bitter gourd Basket Ball (BB). The seed extracts were tested for their total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and scavenging activity to the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Both dried seed extracts were then tested for acute toxicity at doses 2 and 5 g kg-1 each. Sixty female and male rats were assigned into five groups per sex. Four groups were given low and high doses of each dried seed extract and the fifth group was given 10 % Tween 20 as a control. Kidneys and livers of all rats were assessed for biochemistry and histopathology. The seed extract of WJ revealed higher TPC, FRAP and DPPH activities compared to BB seeds, while TFC results were reversed. Toxicologically, no toxicity signs were recorded in animals. Biochemistry results were within the normal ranges with a slight increase in bilirubin and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and histology of kidneys and livers showed normal architecture. In conclusion, WJ and BB dried seed extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity suggesting promising therapeutic regimen against oxidative stress.

A number of scholars have recognized a verbal allusion to Jon. 4.9 in Mk 14.34. However, the Gethsemane account (Mk 14.32-42) may allude to the narrative of Jon. 4 in other ways not previously observed. Some modern interpreters have suggested an allegorical messianic interpretation of Jonah’s gourd as Zerubbabel, despite lacking any basis for this interpretation in early Jewish literature. Mark’s allusion may be formerly unrecognized evidence of such an interpretation from the first century ce. This article will examine the wider allusion to Jon. 4 in Mk 14, suggest what kind of exegesis of Jon. 4 might motivate that allusion, and argue for the coherence of such an allusion within the immediate Markan context.

Heterosis study was under taken in 28 F1 hybrids of ridge gourd obtained from half diallel by using eight parental lines for fruit yield and its contributing characters during summer season. The complete sets of 36 genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block design (RBD) with two replications during summer season. For fifteen different characters the magnitude of heterosis noted in percentage increase or decrease over better parent, top parent and standard check. The cross combinations RHR RG-1 x RHR RG-8, RHR RG-2 x RHR RG-7, RHR RG-2 x RHR RG-8, RHR RG-5 x RHR RG-8, RHR RG-6 x RHR RG-7, RHR RG-6 x RHR RG-8, displayed the significant positive heterosis for most of the traits in summer season. As earliness is a desirable character in ridge gourd, the significantly negative heterosis is considered desirable for all maturity traits viz., length of internode, days to 50% flowering, length of pedicel and days required for first harvest.

The attraction of the female melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coq.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) to three food baits were evaluated in snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.) and ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula (L.)) ecosystems at both Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts during January to march 2020. Food bait admixtures were prepared by combining base baits (guava-B1, muskmelon-B2 and guava+ muskmelon-B3) and bait additives (yeast, food grade alcohol, cane sugar and ProtineX®). The result indicated that both ridge gourd and snake gourd at Coimbatore (23 fruit flies/trap/day) attracted more adult flies than at Tiruppur. Greater number of Z. cucurbitae were attracted to food bait traps in snake gourd field (24 fruit flies/trap/day) at both Coimabtore and Tiruppur. In common, the performance of guava bait admixture (21 fruit flies/trap/day) was relatively greater than other two baits by trapping more adult flies. At individual sites, the three food baits attracted equivalently higher number of females than males (about 70% females). The number of adult flies trapped at first week (42 fruit flies/trap/day) was high and gradually decreased in successive weeks and found low at 11th (2 fruit fly/trap/day) and 12th (1 fruit fly/trap/day) weeks. This management practice for Z. cucurbitae effectively reduced the pest population by attracting most females.

A field Investigation was carried out to study the effect of fertigation on yield, fertilizer use efficiency and economics of hybrid ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb] Arka Vikram during 2018-2019 at Vegetable Research Block of ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design having eight treatments and three replications. The results of the experiment revealed that the treatment T3 i.e application of water soluble fertilizers @ 150:90:150 kg NPK ha-1 through fertigation recorded maximum number of female flower per vine (29.73), number of fruits per vine (19.68), fruit length (49.76 cm), fruit girth (18.40 cm), average fruit weight (454.03 g), fruit yield per vine (4.03 kg) and fruit yield per hectare (53.73 t). Application of water soluble fertilizers @ 150:90:150 kg NPK ha-1 through fertigation (T3) recorded significantly higher fruit yield per hectare (53.73 t ha-1), which was higher to the tune of 23.8 to 70.4 per cent than other treatments tested in hybrid ridge gourd. The second highest fruit yield was obtained with T2 (43.40 t ha-1) followed by T1 (42.10 t ha-1). However, T5 i.e application of water soluble fertilizers @ 50:30:50 kg NPK ha-1 resulted in highest fertilizer use efficiency (245.38 kg yield kg-NPK-1) compared to other treatments. Fertigation at 100% NPK dose along with mulching with silver-black plastic mulch gave the highest net income (Rs.555435.0 ha-1) and B: C ratio of 2.22.

Medicinal plants of the Cucurbitaceae family are widely consumed as foods in human diet. In the present study, a simple, rapid, quantitative, and validated high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method has been developed for the estimation of chlorogenic acid (CA) in the hydroalcoholic fruit extracts of Luffa acutangula (sponge gourd), Sechium edule (chayote squash), Trichosanthes cucumerina (snake gourd) and Trichosanthes dioica (pointed gourd) belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Densitometric analysis of CA was carried out in the absorbance mode at 254 nm. The method gave spot at RF = 0.55 ± 0.04, corresponding to CA in different samples. The limit of detection and limit of quantification per spot were confirmed with the mobile phase ethyl acetate‒chloroform‒formic acid (6:4:0.5, V/V). Linear regression analysis data for the calibration plot for CA showed a good linear relationship with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9997 in the concentration range of 200–1000 ng per spot. The method was validated for sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision and specificity as per the international conference on harmonization guidelines. The proposed validated HPTLC method provides a novel approach for the quality control and standardization of some selected medicinal food plants of the Cucurbitaceae family.

Pranic agriculture is a newly emerging concept of sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture. Pranic agriculture techniques are applied to plants before sowing and at the time of plant development to improve growth and yield. The present study aimed to understand the influence of pranic agriculture on growth, yield, and genetic polymorphism of ridge gourd. An increase in root length by 38%, stem girth by 8%, and the number of days taken for the premier harvest was advanced and found to be significant (p

In 2014 the Hispanic Society Museum & Library, New York, acquired a viceregal Spanish American lacquered gourd, dating to 17th-century Colombia, which was decorated using an indigenous technique known as barniz de Pasto. This technique employs local, raw materials, including natural dyes and a plant resin commonly known as mopa mopa, harvested from Elaeagia pastoensis Mora trees that grow in the Andean rainforest. An in-depth scientific study of the gourd aimed at determining its materials and manufacturing techniques, and at comparing the results with the description of local botanical species reported by Alexander von Humboldt, the German naturalist and explorer, in the account of his travels through the region in 1801. The use of several non-invasive techniques was followed by micro-sampling. Initially, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis was performed to evaluate the possible presence of inorganic pigments, while fiber optics reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) and multiband imaging provided preliminary data concerning the colorants. Dyes and pigments were fully characterized using Raman spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA); a detailed description of the resin was obtained with HPLC-PDA and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS); the metallic elements and overall decoration were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Radiocarbon dating completed the technical information on the object. This work confirmed the identity of the resin as Elaeagia pastoensis Mora, supporting an unequivocal classification of the gourd as a barniz de Pasto object; the color palette was found to include some of the pigments listed by Humboldt, but also comprised other materials, such as calomel, a rare white pigment based on mercury(I) chloride; examination of the decoration’s intricate stratigraphy provided insight into the complexity of the barniz de Pasto technique, in which silver leaf is typically applied on top of a sheet of untinted resin and covered with a variable number of dyed resin layers; finally, a pre-1650 date was firmly established for the gourd, which is in line with stylistic observations that had tentatively placed this object in the early barniz de Pasto period. In addition to providing conservators with the proper tools to preserve similar lacquered objects, the wealth of knowledge gleaned from this study has revealed fascinating details about the technique employed, demonstrating the extraordinary skill and craftsmanship of the artisans involved in the lacquer arts.