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Chromium (Cr) toxicity is becoming one of a major issue for the cultivation of crops. Toxicity of Cr directly affects synthesis of chlorophyll and restricts Fe intake, which decreases crop growth. It is well documented that the reduction of Cr toxicity through the application of biochar. However, current experiment was carried out to investigate any positive effect of, banana peel waste biochar (BC) and foliar application of Fe (FFe) on growth and chlorophyll content of Spinacia oleracea L. under different levels of Cr toxicity. Seeds of Spinacia oleracea L. were grown under three levels of Cr i.e. control (Cr0), Cr35 (35 mg Cr kg−1 soil) and Cr70 (70 mg Cr kg-1 soil). Analyzed data confirmed that Spinacia oleracea L. seeds grown in 1% BC amended soils and 1000mM FFe, showed significantly better growth, Fe uptake and chlorophyll content as compared to control at Cr35 and Cr70. A significant improvement in shoot length (16.9 and 26.9%), root length (16.3 and 20.9%), plant fresh (15.5 and 28.3%) and dry weight (70.3 and 77.8%) as compared to control under Cr35 and Cr70, respectively, validated the efficacious functioning of 1% BC and FFe to mitigate Cr toxicity in Spinacia oleracea L. It is concluded that both 1% banana peel waste BC and 1000mM FFe have potential but sole application of FFe is more effective to alleviate Cr toxicity in Spinacia oleracea L. Fortification of Fe by foliar application is more effective comparative to banana peel waste biochar for improvement in growth, chlorophyll content and accessory pigments synthesis in spinach under chromium (IV) toxicity.

Poor uptake of nutrients not only deteriorates the quality but also the yield of horticultural crops. Among various macro and micronutrients, the role of K, Ca and B is very important. Therefore, balanced application and uptake of K and Ca and B can improve the quality and yield of mango trees. So, a field study was conducted with the hypothesis that combined application of K and Ca along with B would be effective to improve yield and quality of Mango cv. Summer Bahisht (SB) Chaunsa. There were two sources of Ca(CaCl2 and Ca(NO3)2) and three sources of K(KNO3, K2SO4 and K-Citrate) combined with boric acid (BA). All Ca and K sources were applied at the rate of 1% while BA was applied at 0.2%. As compared to control, a significant improvement in fruit set panicle-1 (35.7% and 50.0%), fruit retention (125% and 40%), shelf life (73.3% and 36.6%), total soluble solids (35.1% and 40.6%) and fruit yield (52.5% and 49.2%) in 2016 and 2017 respectively, confirmed the effectiveness of KNO3 (1.0%) + BA (0.2%). Between CaCl2 and Ca(NO3)2, application of Ca (NO3)2 was found more efficacious regarding improvement of quality and yield of SB Chaunsa. It is concluded that to improve the quality and yield of Mango cv. SB Chaunsa, KNO3 (1.0%) + BA (0.2%) is the best nutrients combination, and Ca(NO3)2 is a better option as compared to CaCl2.

Organic residues are an important factor that directly affects fruiting tree seedlings' health at earlier stages. It provides a suitable environment for seedling growth by providing better nutrient ions, water, and aeration. However, low organic contents and high shrinkage of most organic materials mostly deteriorate ideal potting media characteristics. Low aeration, high water, and nutrients leaching decrease seedling growth and cause a significant loss of valuable resources. That is why the current study was conducted to screen out the best indigenous materials based on particle size to produce good characteristics bearing potting media. For that, eight different ingredients, i.e., “sugarcane”, “coconut coir”, “wheat straw”, “rice straw”, “corn cob”, “leaf litter”, “farmyard manure”, and “sunflower heads” were collected. Initially, all the materials were air-dried and processes as per requirement. After grinding, three particles size (fine = < 2 mm, medium = 3 mm and coarse = 5 mm) were separated by sieving. Results showed that decreasing particle size in “rice straw”, “corn cob”, “farmyard manure,” and “sunflower head” decreased leachate pH. Higher EC in leachates was negatively correlated with particle size in all potting media ingredients. Except for farmyard manure, fine particle size increases the water-holding ability of potting media ingredients. However, air-filled porosity was associated with a decrease in particle size of potting media in gradients. In conclusion, farmyard manure, “sunflower heads”, “leaf litter” and “sugarcane” should be incorporated while making a combination for potting media. More investigations are suggested by mixing different particle size ingredients to prepare potting media.

The field experiment was carried out using advanced breeding lines of rabi sorghum to study association among the yield and its component traits, direct and indirect effects of traits on the yield. Association studies indicated that seed yield per plot showed significant positive correlation with traits viz., plant height (rp=+0.7243, rg=+0.7409), ear head length (rp=+0.6002, rg=+0.6021), 100 seed weight (rp=+0.1593, rg=+0.1880), fodder yield (rp=+0.9434, rg=+0.9476) and lodging percentage (rp=+0.5263, rg=+0.5646) at both phenotypic and genotypic level.Genotypic correlation was higher magnitude than phenotypic correlation. Revealed increase in ear head length will increase the seed yield. Partitioning of yield and yield components both at phenotypic and genotypic levels into direct and indirect effects revealed that positive direct effects of ear head length (Ppi=+0.2533, Pgi=+0.5241), ear head diameter (Ppi=+0.0669, Pgi=+0.2580), days to maturity (Ppi=+0.0338, Pgi=+0.1193), fodder yield (Ppi=+0.6484, Pgi=+0.7461) were relatively high and followed by less lodging percentage (Ppi=+0.1751, Pgi=+0.2263). Residual effects were Pr=0.1303 and Gr=0.0624 at phenotypic and genotypic levels. Indicating importance of these characters and can be strategically used to improve the seed yield of sorghum.

Mango fruit quality plays a significant role in fruit storage. It also directly affects the economic value of fruit in the national and international markets. However, deterioration of soil health due to low organic matter is a major hurdle for mango growers. Scientists suggest incorporation of organic matter. However, high temperature and low precipitation lead to oxidation of organic residues in soil. On the other hand, biochar is gaining the attention of growers due to its resistance against decomposition. It can improve soil physicochemical attributes. Limited literature is available regarding biochar effects on the quality attributes of mango. Therefore, the current study was planned to investigate the effects of acidified biochar on mango quality and yield attributes in alkaline soil. Five levels of biochar, i.e., 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 Mg/ha, were applied in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results showed that 20 and 40 Mg/ha acidified biochar significantly enhanced fruit retention, sugar contents, ash contents and TSS of mango compared to control. A significant increase in mango fruit weight and yield per plant validated the efficacious role of 40 Mg/ha acidified biochar over control. Furthermore, the maximum significant decrease in fruit juice acidity signified the imperative functioning of 40 Mg/ha acidified biochar in alkaline soil. In conclusion, 40 Mg/ha acidified biochar application can improve mango quality and yield attributes in alkaline soil. More investigations on different soil types, climatic zones and mango varieties are recommended to declare 40 Mg/ha acidified biochar as the best treatment for improvement in the quality and yield of mango fruit in alkaline soils.

An experiment was carried out involving twenty three advanced breeding lines along with two checks M 35-1 and Muguthi during rabi season 2012-13 at four locations. Observations were recorded on 10 different characters viz., plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), ear head length (cm), ear head diameter (cm), days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, 100 seed weight (g), fodder yield per plot (kg), seed yield per plot (kg), and lodging percentage. The pooled analysis of variance revealed that mean sum of squares due to genotypes was significant for ear head diameter, days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity and fodder yield, indicating presence of considerable amount of variability in the genotypes. The mean sum of square due to environment + (genotypes x environment) was significant for plant height, ear head length (cm), ear head diameter (cm), days to 50 per cent flowering, fodder yield per plot (kg), seed yield per plot (kg), and lodging percentage characters except stem diameter, days to maturity and 100 seed yield. On the basis of stability parameters a four genotypes viz., GS-6 (2364 kg/ha), GS-16 (2454 kg/ha), GS-22(2775 kg/ha) and GS-23(2978 kg/ha) were found most stable over Gulbarga, Raichur, Bellary and Malnoor environments of Hyderabad Karnataka region.