Leaf area estimation is an important biometrical trait for evaluating leaf development and plant growth analysis in field study of horticultural as well as other species of crop plants. These measurements can be made either destructively and/or non-destructively by using a variety of sensitive instruments as INTRODUCTIONCrop growth, productivity and quality are directly related to leaf area (LA) as leaves constitute the most important aerial organ of the plant, playing a major role in the photosynthetic assimilation by means of the light absorbing pigments (e.g., chlorophyll and carotenoids), which they possess in abundance. Hence, the total leaf area, which in the majority of cases has a direct bearing on the amount of chlorophyll, is an important parameter for assessing the ability of the plant to synthesize its dry matter (Prasada Rao et al., 1978). In addition, leaf area development strongly influences water and nutrient use of the horticultural crop plants and thus important for cultural management practices such as irrigation, fertilization, etc. It is also needed for evaluation of training and pruning systems and estimation of pest population densities in horticultural crops (Lang, 2005a;Anderson et al., 1999;Sepulveda and Kliewer, 1983; Elsner and Jubb, 1988; Lang, 2000b). A large number of methods, either destructive or not, have been developed to measure leaf area. However, measuring the surface area of a large number of leaves, especially in the field, can be costly, time consuming, laborious and usually destructive (Beerling and Fry, 1990). Many methods like tracing, blueprinting, photographing, or using a conventional planimeter, require the excision of leaves from the plants. It is therefore, not possible to make successive measurements of the same leaf. Also, the plant canopy is damaged, which might cause problems to other measurements or experiments (Lu et al., 2004). Non-destructive methods, which do not require the leaves to be detached, are useful because they allow measurements to be repeated during the plant"s growth period, and reduce the variability associated with destructive sampling procedures (Silva et al., 2005;Pandey and Singh 2011). Instruments and laser optic apparatuses have been developed for quick, accurate, and non-destructive measurement of leaf area (Daughtry 1990; Fladung and Ritter, 1991; Mori et al., 1991;Smith et al., 1991;Blanke, 1995;Ebert, 1995;Beverly and van Lersel, 1998; Igathinathane et al., 2006). However, these devices are somewhat expensive, time-consuming and complex (Manivel and Weaver, 1974;Robbins and Pharr, 1987) for basic and simple studies. A modelling approach involving linear relationships between LA and one or more dimensions of the leaf is an inexpensive, rapid, reliable and a nondestructive alternative for accurately measuring LA (Williams and Martinson, 2003; Lu et al., 2004). Thus for many fruit (Kobayashi, 1988;Potdar and Pawar, 1991; Uzun and Çelik, 1999;Campostrini and Yamanishi, 2001;Williams and Martinson, 2003;Demirsoy et al., 20...

Performance of two fodder crops namely, sorghum (Sorghum vulgare L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) was investigated with Willow (Salix alba L.) to evaluate productivity and economics of the silvopastoral agroforestry system in Kashmir valley. The experiment was laid out by planting two year old willows at 2.0m × 2.0m spacing and dividing the main plot into sub-plots of size 8m × 2m each with 5 replications in randomized block design (RDB). The intercrops of sorghum and maize were maintained at 20cm × 10 cm spacing and supplied with recommended doses of fertilizers. The economics of the willow plantation intercropped with fodder crops was compared with sole willow farming by the benefit-cost ratio and net present worth. The study revealed the differential behaviour of Salix alba regarding growth parameters (height, diameter and girth) by different intercrops and various fodder intercrops with respect to yield, above ground biomass, dry matter production and soil nutrient status (pH, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). The willow based silvopastoral system was estimated to have benefit-cost ratio of 2.71 with maize and 2.68 with sorghum, while as sole crop the willows accrued a benefit-cost ratio of 2.66. The study is useful in discovering growth of willows, productivity of fodder crops and soil nutrient status under various silvopastoral agroforestry systems for maximizing economic gains. The findings envisaged evidences in favour of adopting willow based silvopastoral agroforestry instead of sole tree farming and the knowledge of interactions will be helpful in proper management of the system for sustained multiple productions.

Seed germinating ability and stand establishment determine the management options in crop production system. Physiological advancement of seeds through priming is a simple and cost-effective method to improve the germinability and stand of any crop. Studies were performed on seed invigoration through hydropriming at the division of PHT, SKUAST-Kashmir during the year 2016 to optimize the hydropriming duration for improved germi-nation and seedling vigour of okra (Pusa sawani) and parsley (curly type). Freshly harvested seeds were soaked in normal water for varying durations (okra- 12, 18 and 24 h; parsley- 24, 48 and 72 h) at (25±2°C) and re-dried to original moisture content at room temperature. Fifty seeds of each treatment were cultured in 14.0 cm Petri dishes lined with 5 layers of moist blotting paper. Observations on various germination parameters were recorded at (25±2°C). Priming of okra seeds for 18 h resulted in highest FGP (85.7%), GE (66.5%), GI (36.7), SDB (29.1mg) and SVI (2.49) coupled with minimum values of T50 (2.75 day) as well as MGT (2.38 day). However, the highest FGP (78.7%), GE (48.7%), SDB (3.13 mg), GI (12.8) and SVI (0.25) together with minimum T50 (7.2 day) and MGT (6.5 day) in parsley was recorded with 24 h priming duration. As such priming duration of 18 and 24 hours at 25±2°C were found optimal for enhanced and rapid seed germination with vigourous seedlings.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different concentrations of gibberellic acid, spacing and nutrient sprays on vegetative and floral parameters of snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus cv. Rocket Pink) at Urban Technological Park, Habak, Srinagar, J&K, India during two successive years in 2017and 2018. Eighteen different treatments with 3 concentrations of gibberellic acid (0 ppm, 100 ppm and 200 ppm), 2 spacings (15 cm x 15 cm and 15 cm x 20 cm) and nutrient sprays (3 sprays, 4 sprays and 5 sprays) were replicated thrice in Completely Randomized Block Design. Original Research Article

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The present study on out planting performance of Ocimum basilicum in field plantation was undertaken to optimize the spacing required for achieving maximum yield and essential oil. Seeds collected locally were sown in a broadcast manner and transplanted later at seedling stage at different spacing viz., S 1 (10 cm × 10 cm), S 2 (10 cm × 20 cm), S 3 (10 cm × 30 cm) and S 4 (10 cm × 40 cm). Seeds were sown in well prepared nursery beds in March, 2018. Germination started from 6th days of sowing and was completed within 15 days. All the germinated seeds survived in open nursery beds during the first growing season. Growth parameters like plant height, No. of leaves per plant, leaf fresh weight g/plant, leaf dry weight g/plant, above ground biomass g/plant, below ground biomass g/plant and total biomass g/plant showed an increasing trend with the decrease in spacing. Among the four spacing the maximum total biomass (27.76 g/plant) was registered in spacing S 1 (10 cm × 10 cm) and minimum (14.10 g/plant) was recorded at the higher spacing S 4 (10 cm × 40 cm). Maximum average seed oil (0.0105 ml/plant) and herbage oil (0.532 ml/plant) was recorded in the spacing S 1 (10 cm × 10 cm).

The study was conducted to standardise protocol for sterilisation of different explants of chrysanthemum cvs. "Candid and "Flirt". Different explants tried were shoot tips, petals, nodal segments and leaf. Carbendazim 200 ppm for 30 minutes + mercuric chloride (0.1%) dip for 2 minutes and final treatment with ethyl alcohol (70%) for 10 seconds proved best for culture asepsis of shoot tips followed by petals, nodal segments and leaf segments in both the cultivar. Carbendazim 200 ppm for 30 minutes + mercuric chloride (0.1%) dip for 2 minutes and final Original Research Article