The present investigations involving forty five diverse pea recombinant inbreds and three standard checks were carried out for two successive years during 2011-2012 and 2012-13. The objective of the study was to ascertain genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path coefficient among yield and other horticultural and quality traits and identification of superior recombinants for their utilization in crop improvement programme. Wide range of variability was observed for most of the characters under study. The magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV) for all the traits. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variations were recorded for protein content, ascorbic acid, plant height and pod yield per plant for both the years. Pod yield per plant and plant height exhibited high heritability associated with high genetic advance in the respective years indicating the additive gene action for their expression and are likely to respond better to selection. Pod yield showed a positive and significant correlation with number of pods per plant, pod length and number of seeds per pod both the years. Path analysis revealed that number of pods per plant and pod length have highest positive direct effect both the years and thus it may be treated as selection criteria for isolating higher yielding genotypes in garden peas. In heterosis study, some of the recombinant inbreds were found superior over standard checks which include L-14 and L-13 for pod yield/plant, number of pod/plant and earliness. These findings can be further utilized to develop and enhance the yield potential of garden pea.

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A study on ectomycorrhizae and mycorrhizal fungi of Pinus kesiya (Royle ex Gordon) in 2-, 4-, 11-, and 17-year-old pine plantations was carried out. Thirteen mycorrhizal fungi forming ectomycorrhiza with khasi pine were observed. Diversity index of mycorrhizal fungi was directly proportional to the age of the pine stand. The maximum number of fungal species was observed in the oldest stand. Evenness of the sheathing mycorrhizal fungi was also increased with the increase in age of pine. The sporocarps of Boletus luteus, Scleroderma aurantium, Tricholoma saponaceum, and Hygrophorus limacinus were observed as an early colonizing fungi with Pinus kesiya. However, in older plantations Russula lepida and Amanita phalloides were observed as late stage fungi. Boletus luteus and Scleroderma aurantium were dominant species in all the pine stands. Sporocarps of mycorrhizal fungi were maximum during the rainy season and minimum during the winter months. A positive correlation was observed between the number of ectomycorrhizae and mycorrhizal infection with soil moisture, soil pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, and organic matter of the soil. The number of sporocarps exhibited a positive significant correlation with soil moisture content in all the plantations.Key words: ectomycorrhiza, fungi, physicochemical characters, Pinus kesiya.

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A field experiment was conducted for two years at Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur on the influence of vermicompost and split applied nitrogen in pole French bean. Twelve treatment combinations comprising of organic manures, nitrogen fertilization and methods of application were evaluated. The performance of yield and yield related traits increased significantly with application of vermicompost, 125% of recommended nitrogen through split application. Use of vermicompost + 125% nitrogen resulted in highest seed yield (10.43 q/ha) and NPK uptake. Seed yield and NPK uptake with application of vermicompost + 75% N was at par with that of recommended application of N indicating thereby saving of 25% of nitrogen fertilizers. Split applied nitrogen at 125% of recommended dose resulted in 50% increase in seed yield over basal application. Hence, application of vermicompost and split applied nitrogen is a better option to harness high seed productivity and to maintain soil fertility.

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