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Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) is one of the most important tropical bulbous-ornamental cultivated for production of long-lasting flowers spikes. Adaptation and acclimatization of different cultivars under humid agro-climatic conditions of Goa are to be confirmed for their better performance. The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the performance of tuberose cultivars under agro-climatic conditions of Goa during 2014- 2017. Five single and six double cultivars of tuberose were evaluated during the study period. All the cultivars differed in their growth and flowering behaviour. Among the single cultivars, evaluated, maximum number of florets per spike (47.00) was observed in Pune local whereas spike-length (75.59 cm) was maximum in Mexican Single. Among the double cultivars, evaluated, maximum plant height (52.21 cm) and maximum number of leaves per plant (59.63) were recorded with cultivar Arka Suvasini. Leaf length was significantly higher (52.93 cm) in Pearl double whereas leaf width (2.04 cm) was maximum in Calcutta Double. Days to appearance of flower spike were earlier in Arka Suvasini. Minimum days taken for opening of basal floret (84.88 days) were recorded with cultivar Arka Suvasini. Spike girth (0.68 cm), Spike fresh-weight (69.06 cm), floret stalk-length (3.6 cm), floret diameter (5.24 cm), weight of individual floret (3.49 g) and vase life (7.93 days) was significantly maximum in Cv. Arka Suvasini followed by Pearl Double. Based on the performance evaluation cv. Mexican Single among single types and cv. Arka Suvasini and Pearl Double among double types could be recommended for commercial cultivation under agro climatic conditions of Goa.

The commercial value of goldfish (Carassius auratus) is determined by its attractive colour. Fish cannot synthesize carotenoids, and hence, natural sources of carotenoids are supplemented in the diet. In this study, rose petal meal from four varieties (Jubileums, Brisbane blush, Double delight and Restless) was added in three concentrations (2, 4 and 6 gkg−1) to the formulated control feed and fed to the goldfish, for 45 days. The results revealed that dietary carotenoids had a significant effect (P

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of micro wave oven drying on dry flower quality of four cultivars of Dutch rose flowers viz., Skyline, Lambada, Ravel and First Red. The experiment was laid out in three factorial completely randomized design. Quality parameters such as colour (3.48), appearance (3.51) and texture (3.29) were superior in flowers dried for 2.5 min by embedding in silica gel, while unacceptable quality was obtained in case of flowers dried without any embedding medium. With respect to mode of desiccation, embedded drying was best for quality parameters viz., colour (2.92), appearance (2.81) and texture (2.55); however, non-embedding methods were least acceptable for quality parameters. The results of the present study also suggest that flowers of cv. ‘Lambada’ dried by embedding in silica gel would yield best quality dried flowers as it scored maximum point for all the quality parameters studied. Also, it is evidenced from the present study that flowers of cv. ‘Lambada’ dried for 2.5 min was best for quality parameters, viz., colour (2.53), appearance (2.56) and texture (2.41).

Loss of appealing quality characteristics and rapid desiccation within a short period after detaching from mother plants is one of the major problems in cut foliages. Effect of pulsing with benzyl adenine (BA), 8-Hydroxy Quinoline citrate (8-HQC) and sucrose on vase life of cut leaves of Asparagus setaceus syn. Plumosus was investigated. Two durations of pulsing viz., 12 and 24 h were employed. Pulsing for 12 h with BA (25 ppm) + 8-HQC (200 ppm) + 10 % sucrose resulted in higher fresh weight at senescence.The lowest physiological loss in weight was registered by the cut foliages pulsed for 24 h with BA (25 ppm) + 8-HQC (200 ppm) + 10 % sucrose. Pulsing the cut foliages for 24 h with BA (25 ppm) + 8-HQC (200 ppm) + 10 % sucrose resulted in the maximum uptake of water and registered the highest water balance. The lowest transpirational loss of water was found to be associated with foliages pulsed with 10 % sucrose alone for 24 h. The foliages pulsed with BA (25 ppm) + 8-HQC (300 ppm) + 10 % sucrose for 24 h registered lowest ratio between water loss and water uptake. Results suggest that application of 10 % sucrose+BA (25 ppm) + 8-HQC (200 ppm) as a pulse treatment for 24 h can be recommended to prolong the postharvest life (28.50 days) through delayed leaf senescence and thus enhance the marketability of cut leaves of Asparagus setaceus syn. Plumosus.

Introduction: Neonates are unique and distinctive from the rest of pediatric population due to particular problems related to extrauterine adaptations, anatomical and physiological immaturity. The primary purpose of this study is to assess the effect of classical music therapy on physiological parameters among preterm neonates. Methods: The research approach of the study was Quasi experimental with time series design. Classical music (Instrumental Flute) was played for 50 preterm babies of 30-36 weeks of gestation with MP3 player, using head phone for a total duration of 30 minutes at 20 to 30dB-SPL. Heart rate and oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter were monitored along with respiratory rate and recorded at 5-minute intervals during the therapy period and for the pre-music and after music therapy period, the time intervals were 2.5 minutes. The study duration was 60 minutes, 15 minutes before music therapy (BMT), 30 minutes of music therapy (DMT) and 15 minutes after music therapy (AMT). 50 preterm neonates admitted in newborn nursery were selected by convenient sampling and studied for four consecutive days. Day 1 and 3 for music therapy (experimental group) and day 2 and four as the control group when no music was played through the head phone. Here the subjects act as the control group on alternate days. Results: Mean HR value on day 1 and 3 (with music were significantly lower during the music (DMT) and after music (AMT) phases compared to BMT (139.1±10.9(BMT), 128.9±10.3 (DMT) and 128.9±10.3 (AMT); BMT Vs DMT (F= 584.25, P

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate different oven drying methods for obtaining better quality dried flowers of four Dutch rose cultivars viz., Skyline, Lambada, Ravel’ and First Red. Flowers dried at 40°C in hot air oven with silica gel were more acceptable for colour (3.48), appearance (3.50) and texture (3.23). Flowers dried by non-embedding method took least time (52.32 hours) for drying compared to embedded method. Flowers of ‘Lambada’ dried without embedding took least time for drying (52.07 hours) in hot air oven compared to other cultivars. Quality parameters such as colour (3.48), appearance (3.51) and texture (3.29) were superior in flowers dried for 2.5 minutes in microwave oven by embedding in silica gel. Flowers of ‘Lambada’ dried for 2.5 minutes by embedding in silica gel were best for overall acceptability, while unacceptable quality was obtained in case of flowers dried without any embedding medium. With respect to mode of desiccation, embedded drying was best for quality parameters viz., colour (2.92), appearance (2.81) and texture (2.55); however, non-embedding methods were least acceptable for quality parameters. Flowers of cv. ‘Lambada’ dried by embedding in silica gel yielded best quality dried flowers as it scored maximum point for all the quality parameters studied.

Heliconia varieties/types along with related genera were subjected to RAPD analysis for studying the genetic diversity and to construct phylogenetic tree based on banding pattern. Twenty primers were selected from 120 RAPD primers screened initially. The selected primers produced a high degree of polymorphism. A total of 156 amplified bands were produced, in which, 154 were polymorphic, with an average of 7.7 polymorphic bands per primer and accounting for 99.05% polymorphism. Number of bands per primer varied from 2 (OPN-17) to 13 (OPB-17). Polymorphic Information Content ranged from 0.06 in OPN-17 to 0.50 in OPY-19 with an average of 0.31. The highest resolving power of 9.58 was calculated for OPQ-03, which was closely followed by 9.52 for OPY-19. The lowest resolving power (Rp) of 0.12 was calculated for OPN-17. Average Rp for 20 primers was found to be 4.29. In the dendrogram, the genotypes which belong to related genera species, viz., Canna indica (Red), Canna indica (Orange), Musa spp. (Grand Naine), Maranta arundinacea, Alpinia purpurata, Zingiber officinale and Curcuma longa are all out groups, while all the 26 Heliconia genotypes grouped in clusters E and F at coefficient value of 0.19. Thus, it proved that Heliconia forms a distinct genus in the botanical order Zingiberales.