HORTICULTURE
D. RCGH-117
Effect of micronutrients on growth and yield of Ginger: Three (3) genotypes of ginger viz.
Hiching, Himgiri and Nadia were evaluated under the present study. Application of recommended package of practice (NPK 100:90:90 kg/ha) along with IISR micronutrients @ 5g/l at 60 and 90 days after planting produced higher yield of 36.78 t/ha, 22.68 t/ha and 30.51 t/ha in Hiching, Himgiri and Nadia, respectively. Higher oleoresin content in Hiching (4.04%), Himgiri (4.17%) and Nadia (4.35%) were also recorded under recommended package of practice +IISR micronutrients (5g/lit).
Effect of biocapsule on growth and yield of Ginger: Experiment was conducted with three genotypes viz. Himgiri, Nadia and Hitching. For Himgiri and Nadia, the highest yield was recorded with application of POP + Trichoderma capsule + GRB 35 capsule (32.87 t/ha and 30.01 t/ha, respectively). Higher oleoresin content in Himgiri (4.16%), Nadia (4.38%) and Hitching (4.10%) was also recorded with POP + Trichoderma capsule + GRB 35 capsule.
Flowers
Collection, characterization, evaluation and maintenance of Orchid germplasm
A total of thirty-three orchid species were collected, evaluated and characterized for vegetative and flowering characters. Twenty two species out of 33 have started flowering. Regarding vegetative characters, plant height ranged from 18.67 cm (in Paphiopedillum fairrieanum) to 148.68 cm in Phaius tankervilleae, plant spread from 19.48 cm in Vanda parasii to 107.83 cm in Phaius tankervilleae).
Maximum pseudobulb size (length, 27.73 cm in Dendrobium nobile and width, 2.57 cm in Dendrobium densiforum), leaf size in Phaius tankervilleae (length, 112.86 cm and width, 15.42 cm) and number of leaves in Coelogyne flaccid (97.73 leaves/plant) were observed. Inflorescence length was maximum in Cymbidium aloifolium (43.64 cm) and minimum in Pleione pracox (1.75 cm). Number of flowers was highest in Aerides multiflorum (94.28/ inflorescence) and minimum in Paphiopedilum spicearianum (1.00/ inflorescence). Cymbidium hybrids recorded the maximum flower diameter (9.42 cm) and flower length (5.84 cm), while minimum flower diameter (0.63 cm) and length (0.62 cm) were recorded in Pleione pracox.
Evaluation of promising gerbera hybrids under open field conditions
Four promising hybrids of gerbera RCGH- 12, RCGH-22, RCGH-114 and RCGH-117 (Fig.
26) developed by the Division of Horticulture were evaluated. Result showed that RCGH-114 recorded maximum flower stalk length (53.47 cm), while RCGH-117 recorded the highest flower stalk diameter (5.36 mm), flower diameter (11.08 cm), number of ray floret/ head (170.56). RCGH-22 showed maximum number of flowers/ Plant (23.52/
year) and longest vase life (5.62 days) in RCGH-117.
observed to be 0.02 % and 0.71 %, respectively.
When the caterpillars of S. litura, P. brassicae and P. xylostella were exposed to sub-lethal doses, the significant variation was observed in larval and pupal weight, their duration, per cent pupation and adult emergence. Overall results revealed that, n-hexane fraction of Vitex negundo and essential oils of Ocimum basilicum and Piper nigrum are most effective against major cruciferous defoliators.
Management of cabbage butterfly (Pieris brassicae) in cabbage
Three insecticides viz. indoxacarb 14.5SC (75 and 150 g a.i./ha), chlorfenapyr 10SC (100 and 200 g a.i./ha) and chlorpyrifos 20EC (200 and 400 g a.i./
ha) were evaluated against cabbage butterfly, Pieris brassicae on cabbage. Two sprays were done at 15 days intervals. All the treatments were found significantly superior over untreated control in reducing the larval population. Among the insecticides, indoxacarb was the best to provide maximum protection (>80%
reduction of larval population) with highest yield.
Indoxacarb also exhibited less toxicity towards spider and coccinellids beetles.
Method standardization and dissipation pattern of novaluron and chlorantraniliprole in tomato
The methods for determination of dissipation pattern of novaluron and chlorantraniliprole residues in tomato and soil were standardized in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detector. The analytes were extracted from tomato and soil samples with acetonitrile following modified QuEChERS method. Novaluron was detected at 7.10 ± 0.02 min under the following optimum HPLC conditions: combination of acetonitrile:water ratio was 75:25, flow rate: 1 mL/min, wave length: 230 nm whereas chlorantraniliprole was detected at 4.01±0.02 min with HPLC condition of acetonitrile/
water ratio - 80:20, flow rate: 0.8 mL/min, wave length: 260 nm. Recovery of both insecticides was more than 80% with these methods. Most of the residues were dissipated within 7 days of application.
Insect pests of cucurbit crops in Meghalaya Insect pests damaging cucurbit crops studied in Meghalaya. Red pumpkin beetle, Epilachna beetle, fruit flies, Blister beetles, cucurbit longicorn beetle and few minor pests were found attacking cucurbits with stalk length (26.28 cm); flower diameter (9.02
cm); number of 7.72 nos. flowers per plant per month and vase life (6.24 days). In another experiment, 15 varieties of exotic gerbera were evaluated under low cost polyhouse for growth and flowering traits and Alesmera was found to perform better.
CROP PROTECTION Entomology
Eco-friendly management of fruit flies in squash Different bio-intensive modules were evaluated (repeated trial) involving botanical pesticides and entomopathogens during fruiting season in squash.
The Module consisting of two sprays at 15 days interval of mixture of bio-pesticides viz., Anonin 1EC and Azadirachtin 0.03EC @ 1ml each /liter of water along with mass trapping by using lure traps @ 15/
ha and and soil incorporation of M. anisopliae (1x108 cfu/gm) @ 4 kg/ha was found reducing 68.33% fruit fly damage in squash.
New fruit fly species records in Brinjal and Cucurbit
Invasive solanum fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons was found damaging brinjal fruits in the experimental farm of ICAR-RC for NEH at Umiam. Similarly, fruit fly, Bactrocera (Parasinodacus) cilifera was recorded for the first time infesting cucurbit crops in Meghalaya. Basic biological attributes of both species were studied on respective host crops and these two newly reported species were characterized at molecular level to facilitate its rapid and reliable identification.
Bioefficacy of indigenous plant extracts and essential oils against important defoliators of cruciferus crops
Extracts from different plants viz., Vitex negundo, Curcuma angustifolia, Parkia roxburghii and Fleminga vestita and essential oils viz., Cymbopogon citratus, Piper nigrum, Mentha piperita, Occimum basilicum and Rosmarinus officinalis were tested for their bioefficacy against three important defoliators of cruciferious crops. In topical application technique, LC50 value of O. basilicum was observed to be 0.09
% and V. negundo 1.99 %, against the caterpillars of S. litura at 72 hrs; whereas it was 0.28 % and 1.59 % on P. xylostella, respectively. In case of P. brassicae, LC50 of Piper nigrum oil and V. negundo extract was
in Meghalaya. Among, red pumpkin beetle and fruit fly damage was relatively higher on both the crops.
Red pumpkin beetle attacked at early stage causing severe damage on leaf and indirectly hampered the growth of the crops while fruit flies infestation started with initiation of fruit and damaged more than 30 % marketable fruits on both the crops.
Biological attributes of fruit fly and its field parasitism on different varieties of guava fruits Biological attributes mainly number of maggots/fruit, weight of puparia (mg) and their natural field parasitism (%) were studied on eight different varieties. Significant differences were found in maggot density (F=53.86, p<0.01), weight of puparia (F=2.76, p=0.02) and its field parasitism (F=16.46, p<0.01). Number of maggots per fruits were significantly higher in guava variety Allahabad Safeda (29.20); while weight of puparia and natural field parasitism were maximum in variety RCGH-7 (12.15g and 18.29%, respectively).
Seasonal incidence of insect pests of Colocassia The chyrsomelid beetle (Aplosonyx chalybaeus), leaf folder, mealybug, aphids and white grub, leaf eating caterpillars were recorded as pests of Colocassia. The incidence of chyrsomelid beetles were observed from last week of May. Damage due to oviposition punctures resulted in secretion of exudates and rotting of the affected portions (stems) near the soil. The grubs on hatching feed on the stem tunneling and burrowing downwards inside the corms resulting in numerous holes and tunnels which ultimately decayed. The adults were found feeding on the leaves of Colocasia resulting in circular holes of about 5-6 cm in diameter. Another major insect of Colocasia was leaf folder. The incidence of leaf folder started from last week of June with 2-3 folded leaves/m2. Several plants were found to be infested with leaf folder. The caterpillars folded the leaves longitudinally and ate the leaves from inside. Masses of excreta and caterpillar could be seen on unfolding the leaves thus leading to economic loss.
Bio-rational management of major pests of ginger Different botanical pesticides and entomopathogens were evaluated against major pests of ginger in Meghalaya. Significant reduction in pest damage was observed in ginger crop applied with bio- intensive module consisting of “rhizome treatment of
Lecanicillium lecanii (108 spores/ml) @ 10 ml/litre water for 1 hour before planting OR soil application of Lecanicillium lecani (1×108 cfu/gm) @ 5 kg/ha during earthing up in the month of June followed by foliar spray of Azadirachtin (neem oil based) 0.03 EC
@ 5 ml/litre water during July and August and Soil application of Metarhizium anisopliae (1x108 cfu/
gm) @ 5 kg/ha during August”.
Assessment of effects of biopesticides on honeybee, Apis cerana in mustard
Potential impacts of widely used biopesticides was assessed against foraging bees, Apis cerana in Mustard (Fig. 1). In laboratory studies, LC50’s of pesticides to the honey bee was in the order of Beauveria bassiana 1.5L (4.79%) > Bacillus thuriengiensis 8SP (1.67%) > Azadirachtin 0.03 EC (1.64%) > Annonin 1EC (1.22%) > Spinosad 2.5 SC (0.006%) > Imidacloprid 17.8SL (0.005%).
Based on three essential risk assessment criteria’s, the Azadirachtin, Anonnin, B. bassiana and Bt var.
k were found slightly to moderately toxic to the honeybee; whereas Spinosad and Imidacloprid were found dangerous to the bees. Entomopathogenic fungus, Nomuraea rileyi was found absolutely harmless to the bees. In field studies, the relative abundance, foraging rate and speed of honey bees were significantly affected in different treatments and the effect was strongly observed in Annonin and Spinosad treatments. Significantly higher yield was obtained in Azadirachtin (1.43 t/ha) and Anonin (1.22 t/ha) treated plots.
Monitoring, detection and management of invasive and potentially dangerous pests in northeast India.
Regular surveys were undertaken in different parts of the NEH region and detected some invasive/
potentially destructive pests for the first time in north east India viz., Soft scale, Platylecanium spp. in wild date palm; South American pinworm, Tuta absoluta on potato; Hypogeic mealybug, Formicococcus polysperes on Taro etc. Few potentially dangerous pests observed from periodic survey were charectorized at molecular level such as pine lappet moth, Dendrolimus houi (Fig 27), Tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta; Vegetable leaf miner, Liriomyza sativae, and Paddy armyworm, Mythimna separata (Fig 28) in Meghalaya and necessary advisories were
issued to the farmers and state government offices thorugh institute website and different advisory services. Golden dust weevil, Hypomeces squamosus (Fig 29) has sporadically appeared in large numbers in different parts of the Assam, Nagaland and found causing significant damage to the Mango, Citrus, Guava, Assam lemmon and many other important crops in the region.
Fig 27. Dendrolimus houi
Fig 28. Mythimna separata
Fig 29. Hypomeces squamosus