‘Vegetable Science’ is an official publication of Indian Society of Vegetable Science (ISVS), a society dedicated to promoting the research & development of vegetables. The journal plays a crucial role in disseminating knowledge, sharing innovative ideas and fostering collaboration among scientists, academia and experts working in the realm of vegetable crops. The journal ‘Vegetable Science’ covers all aspects of vegetable research & development. Journal title : Vegetable Science Frequency : 2 issues per year NAAS Score : 5.54 Print ISSN : 0970-6585 Online ISSN : 2455-7552 Publisher : Indian Society of Vegetable Science (ISVS) Language : English
Indian Society of Vegetable Science, ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi-221305, UP
Field-Based Assessment of Bio-rational and Integrated Management of Helicoverpa armigera in Tomato
A field experiment was conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Moga, during the Rabi season to assess the efficacy of biopesticides, botanicals, and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies against Helicoverpa armigera on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Seven treatments, including chemical insecticides (Coragen, Spinosad, Fame), biological agents (Bacillus thuringiensis), a homemade neem extract, and an IPM module (combining biopesticides with pheromone traps), were evaluated under field conditions. Results revealed that Coragen @ 0.5 ml/L was the most effective treatment, reducing larval populations by over 95% at 14 days after the second spray. Spinosad and Fame followed closely with high efficacy. Biopesticides and botanicals showed moderate to low effectiveness when used alone. The integrated IPM module exhibited promising but inconsistent performance. The findings underscore the potential of integrating chemical and biological tools in a rotation strategy for sustainable management of H. armigera in tomato cultivation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr Prerna Thakur (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Morphological characterization and DUS evaluation of Mini cowpea genotype VRCP323
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is a popular leguminous vegetable crop that is widely grown in the tropics and sub-tropics. The breeding of mini vegetable cowpea varieties with dwarfing growth type, early maturing ability, and good quality pods becomes necessary for intensive farming practices. In the current study, a new mini cowpea genoype VRCP323 was evaluated using DUS descriptors. The selected cowpea genotype showed early flowering (≤40 days), determinate bushy growth type, non-vining growth behavior, purplish colored pods, and early pod maturation (≤50 days). Pods were short, thin, smooth, and stringless while seeds were kidney-shaped and brick red colored. Based on the specific morphological traits, VRCP323 was successfully differentiated from other cowpea varieties, indicating its future application as a good mini vegetable cowpea variety.
Cowpea, DUS characterization, mini cowpea, varietal description, vegetable breeding, VRCP323.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rakesh Kumar Dubey (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Soil Physico-Chemical Properties and Microbial Dynamics Under Natural Farming Inputs
Soil health is fundamental for sustaining agricultural productivity and maintaining ecological balance. The increasing environmental concerns associated with intensive agricultural practices have encouraged the exploration of alternative farming systems that promote soil health and ecological sustainability. Natural farming is one such approach which emphasizes the use of locally prepared biological inputs to enhance soil fertility while minimizing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. The present study was conducted during the year 2023 cropping season at the Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) research farm of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) to evaluate the effect of natural farming formulations on soil physiochemical and microbial properties. The experiment consisted of twelve treatment combinations involving three levels of ghanjeevamrit (0, 1.0, 1.5 t/ha) and four concentrations of jeevamrit spray (0, 10, 15 and 20%), arranged in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil parameters including pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and microbial populations were also analyzed. The results indicated that G2J2 and G2J3 showed relatively better performance in improving nutrient availability and microbial counts, this showed that natural farming inputs improved soil fertility and microbial activity compared to the control.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ujjwal Raj , Kuldeep Singh Thakur , Upender Singh , Manisha (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Production dynamics, price transmission and market integration analysis of onion (Allium cepa L.) in India
This study examines the production dynamics, price behaviour and market integration of onion using national level production statistics (1984-85 to 2024-25) and state level monthly wholesale price data (2005-06 to 2025-26) for major onion producing and consuming states. The findings reveal that growth in onion production in India has been largely led by area expansion with limited yield improvement over time. Price analysis further indicates upward trend across states with high volatility and pronounced seasonal patterns where prices peak during lean supply period. Market integration analysis confirms the existence of long run relationship among states, whereas vector error correction model and Granger causality results, highlight leader follower structure with Maharashtra emerging as dominant price discovery centre. Divergent adjustment observed in Delhi and Punjab further suggests that price shocks tend to persist in consumption states due to demand pressure and supply rigidities. Impulse response and variance decomposition analysis confirm strong influence of Maharashtra in shaping price movements across the states. The findings highlight the need to shift from area-led to productivity-driven growth through investment in region-specific high yielding varieties and strengthening of seed systems along with establishment of regional market hubs to reduce price volatility. The study also indicates strong potential for expansion of Kharif onion production in Punjab to support diversification and enhance farm incomes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sukhvir Singh, Amit Guleria, Sunny Kumar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Anther androgenesis in response to culture media and donor genotypes in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)
Androgenesis offers a rapid approach for the development of completely homozygous lines; however, its efficiency depends upon donor genotype and culture conditions. This study aimed to optimize the Androgenesis using different donor hybrids and Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of growth regulators for callus induction and regeneration in brinjal. Among different media combinations, MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l IAA and 0.5 mg/l Kinetin developed the highest and earliest calli (65.8% in 28.5 days). Among donor hybrids, SC-15-2 x MR-319 produced the maximum (73.4%) calli in 13.5 days. Following subcultures of induced calli, MS supplemented with 0.2 mg/l IAA and 4 mg/l Zeatin achieved the highest regeneration (19.5%) in 21.4 days. Among donors, SR-5 x SR-9322 revealed 15.5% calli regeneration in 21.7 days. This donor hybrid also demonstrated direct regeneration from cultured embryos in MS + 2 mg/l IAA + 0.5 mg/l Kinetin medium, which turned into shoots and developed roots upon sub-culturing. In addition, ½ MS added with 0.5 mg/l IBA induced rooting in 58.3% of rootless cut-shoots that were hardened to complete plants following in-vitro and ex-vitro methods for acclimatization. An SSR marker emf21M05 confirmed gametic origin of 20 regenerants. Cytological analysis of Metaphase-1 stages in dividing pollen mother cells of 24 regenerants categorized the plants into diploid (4), haploids (9), and doubled-haploids (11) for further crop improvement in brinjal.
Solanum melongena L., Androgenesis efficiency, Growth regulators, Double haploids, SSR validation
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohinder Kaur Sidhu, Jasmeen Kaur, Navraj Kaur Sarao (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Influence of application of organic sources on pea (Pisum sativum L.) growth and changes in soil nutrient status
The application of organic sources in agriculture has received considerable attention due to their potential to improve soil health and produce quality. The present study was carried out to investigate the impact of agnihotra ash - a byproduct of the ancient Vedic fire ritual and other organic sources such as compost, vermicompost and jeevamrut on pea (Pisum sativum L.) growth and changes in soil nutrient availability. The field experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design with ten treatments. Each plot received an application of organic source before sowing. The organic sources used in the study were supposed to have sufficient ability to supply the required amount of nutrients to sustain crop growth. Agnihotra ash outnumbered the other organic sources and improved the pea growth parameters such as root length (18 cm), shoot length (69 cm), dry root and shoot biomass (0.34 g, 5.9 g), number of pods/plants (22), number of seeds/pod (6.1) and test weight (27 g). The results revealed that among various organic sources, agnihotra ash contained a higher concentration of macro and micronutrients which helped in improving the growth and yield of pea. The available nutrient status of the soil also registered an increase with the addition of organic sources. The results suggest that agnihotra ash can be utilized as a promising source for organic and natural farming, particularly for vegetable crops.
Copyright (c) 2026 Manohari Rathi, Dr. KN Sharma, Mr. Kumar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Optimizing salinity threshold for screening salt tolerance in sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) genotypes at seedling stage
Screening of larger genotypes for salinity tolerance at the seedling stage offers an economical and time-saving approach to alleviate salt stress. The present study was planned to find out the optimum threshold concentration of NaCl for screening salt tolerance in 228 sponge gourd genotypes. The threshold concentration was achieved using the salt injury index (SII) by analysing the effects of NaCl-induced salinity on eight key morpho-physiological traits. The genotypes of sponge gourd were exposed to six NaCl salt concentrations, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mM/L, along with a control treatment. Germination percentage (GP), shoot length (SHL), root length (RL), seedling length (SL), seedling fresh weight (FW), seedling dry weight (DW), and vigour indices I and II (VI-I and VI-II) were recorded up to the 14th day. Salt injury index (SII) was calculated based on morph-physiological traits, revealing that a single concentration of NaCl was not reliable for 50% reduction. Therefore, multiple regression analysis of the salt injury index (SII) conducted and the values were 139 mM/L for GP, 96 mM/L for RL, 90 mM/L for SHL, 92 mM/L for SL, 97 for FW, 133 mM/L for DW and 118 and 133 mM/L for VI-I and VI-II, respectively were able to cause 50% reduction (mean 105.68 mM/L), hence NaCl concentration of 125 mM/L was identified as optimal concentration of NaCl to evaluate salt tolerance, offering standardized in-vitro screening protocol in sponge gourd genotypes for salt tolerance breeding program.
salinity stress, NaCl concentration, Salt Tolerance Index (SII), Sponge gourd, multiple regression analysis.
Copyright (c) 2026 Archana Sanyal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Genotype × Environment Interaction and Yield Stability Analysis in Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) Using AMMI and GGE Approaches
Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L. Roxb.) is an economically important cucurbit vegetable cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical regions; however, limited information is available on yield stability across seasons. The present study aimed to assess genetic variability, genotype × year interaction, and yield stability of 64 ridge gourd genotypes evaluated over three consecutive years in a randomized block design with three replications. Pooled analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P ≤ 0.001) differences among genotypes for yield and its component traits, indicating substantial exploitable genetic variability. The effects of year and genotype × year interaction were also significant for most traits, highlighting the influence of seasonal variation and differential genotypic response across years. To elucidate interaction patterns, Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) and Genotype plus Genotype × Environment (GGE) biplot analyses were performed. The AMMI model showed that the first two interaction principal component axes captured 100% of the interaction sum of squares, enabling identification of stable genotypes. GGE biplot analysis ((PC1 = 65.21% and PC2 = 22.73%, totaling 87.94%)) effectively discriminated genotypes based on mean yield and stability, revealed “which‑won‑where” patterns, and identified ideal genotypes namely RDG‑35 for E2, VRRG‑27‑1 for E3, and VRRG‑8‑17 for E1combining high productivity with wide adaptability. The integration of pooled ANOVA with AMMI and GGE approaches proved efficient in selecting superior and stable genotypes. The findings provide valuable insights for ridge gourd breeding programs focused on developing high‑yielding and widely adapted cultivars under variable environmental conditions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Tribhuvan Chaubey (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
DUS Characterization and Evaluation of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Genotypes from the North-Western Himalaya
French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important cool-season legume valued for its rich nutritional content and role in food and nutritional security in the Himalayan region. The North-Western Himalaya harbors diverse indigenous landraces that remain largely unexplored for their distinctness and breeding potential. The present study aimed to characterize and evaluate 45 French bean genotypes collected from different locations of Uttarakhand using Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) descriptors and morpho-phenological traits. The experiment was conducted during 2023–2026 at ICAR–Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), Mukteshwar, under a randomized block design. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all traits, indicating substantial variability. Frequency distribution showed wide variation in growth, leaf, flower, and pod traits, while Principal Component Analysis indicated that the first two components explained 31.25% of total variation, with major contributions from leaf and pod characters. The wide dispersion of genotypes in the PCA biplot confirmed the presence of considerable diversity. Several genotypes exhibited distinct and desirable traits, highlighting their potential for crop improvement. The study emphasizes the importance of characterization and conservation of indigenous germplasm. Further research should focus on multi-location trials and molecular characterization for effective utilization in breeding programmes.
French bean, DUS characterization, landraces, genetic variability, PCA, Uttarakhand
Copyright (c) 2026 Chandni Chandni (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Assessment of genetic divergence in bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) germplasm using Mahalanobis’s D2 statistic for parental line selection
An investigation was conducted to assess the genetic divergence among twenty-four genotypes of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) to identify suitable parental lines for future breeding programs. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications during the spring season of 2024. Quantitative data for seventeen traits were analysed using Mahalanobis’s D2 statistic. The genotypes were grouped into seven distinct clusters, with Cluster 1 being the largest with ten genotypes, followed by Cluster 2 with seven genotypes, followed by Cluster 3 with three. The remaining four clusters were small, each containing one genotype. Analysis of cluster means revealed significant diversity across the genotypes. Cluster 4 exhibited the most desirable traits, showing the longest fruit length (42.567 cm) and the highest average fruit weight (1213.333 g). In contrast, Cluster 6 had the highest number of fruits per plant (11.557) and the shortest harvest period (49.777 days). The average intra-cluster distance was lowest for the single-genotype clusters (0.000) and highest for Cluster 2 (260.826). The inter-cluster distance, which indicates the level of diversity between groups, was found to be highest between Cluster 3 and Cluster 6 (2361.074), suggesting these groups are the most genetically distant. Conversely, the smallest inter-cluster distance was observed between Cluster 5 and Cluster 6 (400.438). The character contributing most to the overall divergence was average fruit weight (34.84%), followed by days to first female flower anthesis (20.91%) and days to first fruit harvest (13.96%). These findings suggest that genotypes from the most divergent clusters, such as those from Cluster 3 and Cluster 6, should be selected for hybridization programs to create superior recombinants with a broad genetic base.
Copyright (c) 2026 Udham Singh, Dr. Alka Verma, Jayshree Singh, Dr. Shweta Soni, Dr. Manish Kumar Singh, Dr. Ajeet Singh, Dr. D.K. Singh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Genetic analysis of sponge gourd for morphometric traits and physical sensory test
A total of 32 sponge‑gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) genotypes were screened for morphometric traits, yield performance, and sensory aroma. About 26 genotypes displayed medium-long fruits (15–25 cm), and 19 genotypes reached harvest within 55 days, demonstrating notable earliness. Yield showed a strong positive correlation with both fruit number and average fruit weight. Genotype × environment interaction was highly significant for yield, underscoring the importance of stability analysis. Eight genotypes (VRSG‑10, VRSG‑18, VRSG‑171, VRSG‑28, VRSG‑68, VRSG‑69, VRSG‑69‑1, and VRSG‑77) exhibited regression coefficients (b = 0 or 1), indicating stable performance across environments. Moreover, Kashi Shreya, VRSG‑195, VRSG‑7‑17, VRSG‑10, and VRSG‑171 achieved the highest yields per hectare, making them promising candidates for cultivation across major Indian agro‑climatic zones. Cluster analysis grouped the 32 genotypes into eight distinct clusters; notably, VRSG‑7‑17 formed a singleton cluster and possessed a distinctive Basmati‑rice-like aroma in leaves, vines, flowers, fruits, and peel, as confirmed by physical‑sensory evaluation of both raw and cooked material. These findings highlight considerable genetic variability and identify stable, high-yielding, and aromatic lines for future breeding and aroma-targeted improvement programs.
Sponge gourd; Correlation, AMMI Stability Analysis; Physical Sensory Test; Aroma.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Effect of bio-stimulants and plant growth regulators on the growth and quality of green chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
This present research was carried out on “Effect of bio-stimulants and plant growth regulators on the growth, yield and quality of green chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)” at the Instructional Farm, Faculty of Horticulture, UBKV, Pundibari, Coochbehar during 2022-2023. The experiment was laid out in factorial RBD with 27 different treatment combinations, in which factor A was included with 9 different doses of humic acid and seaweed extract as soil application and factor B was included with 3 different PGRs (NAA, GA3 and Triacontanol) with different concentrations as foliar spray. This study was chosen to identify which of those biostimulants and PGRs gave the best results in terms of growth of green chilli. Among the bio-stimulant treatments, A3 [Mobicel – H (80% Humic acid) @ 15 kg/ha] showed the maximum plant height (40.50 cm) and A5 [Biovita Granules (8% Seaweed Extract) at 8 kg/ha] resulted in an increase in the no. of primary branches (8.84) and plant spread (50.35 cm) respectively at 90 DAT. On the other hand, maximum chlorophyll-a content (243.76 mg/100g) and total chlorophyll (a+b) content (208.90 mg/100g) of mature leaves were found in the treatment A3 (Mobicel – H (80% Humic acid) @ 15 kg/ha) and maximum chlorophyll-a content (67.76) and ascorbic acid content (100.72 mg/100g) were found in the treatment A5 (Biovita granules (8% Seaweed extract) @ 8 kg/ha).
Copyright (c) 2026 Rahul Hembram (Author); Animesh Barman, Shanmukha P, Subhamoy Sikder (Translator) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Effect of various concentrations of Biozyme Crop+ bio stimulant on yield and quality of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) variety Baro Pata Local in Terai Zone of West Bengal
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Biozyme Crop+, a commercial bio-stimulant, on the yield and quality of the ridge gourd variety Baro Pata Local and to optimize its dose for ridge gourd cultivation. The experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2017 and 2018 at the instructional farm of UBKV, Coochbehar, West Bengal. It consisted of five treatments of different concentrations of Biozyme Crop+, which were laid in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications in both years. The results revealed that the application of Biozyme Crop+ significantly affected all yield and quality parameters of ridge gourd, and the highest yield (27.27 t/ha) and most of the nutritional quality, viz. Vitamin A (55.99 IU), Vitamin C (5.73 mg/100 g), and fruit crude fibre content (2.44 mg/100g) were recorded with the application of 7.5 ml/l Biozyme Crop+. Therefore, it can be concluded that the application of Biozyme Crop+ @ 7.5 ml/l can be recommended to the farmers to improve the yield and quality of ridge gourd.
Copyright (c) 2026 Aradhana Sen (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Effect of different organic nutrient sources on growth, yield and quality of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) and post-harvest available NPK in soil
Field investigation was conducted at Bahadari Farm, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur during Rabi season 2020-21. Eleven treatment viz., T1 - 30 t/ha farmyard manure, T2 - 20 t/ha Poultry Manure, T3 - 10 t/ha vermicompost, T4 - 30 t/ha farmyard manure + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB, T5 - 20 t/ha poultry manure + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB, T6 - 10 t/ha vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB, T7 - 20 t/ha farmyard manure + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + Panchagavya, T8 - 15 t/ha poultry manure + Azotobacter + PSB+ KMB + Panchagavya, T9 - 5 t/ha vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + Panchagavya, T10 - 10 t/ha farmyard manure + 5 t/ha poultry manure + 2.5 t/ha vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + Panchagavya, T11 - RDF-120 kg N + 80 kg P2O5 + 60 kg K2O/ha were laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Observation were recorded on growth, yield and quality attributes. It was concluded that the application of 10 t/ha farmyard manure + 5 t/ha poultry manure + 2.5 t/ha vermicompost+ Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + panchagavya (T10) was superior in terms of growth attributes and highest yield attributes as well as quality parameters. Treatment 10 t/ha farmyard manure + 5 t/ha poultry manure + 2.5 t/ha vermicompost+ Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + panchagavya (T10) had secured highest net profit as well as B: C ratio. The treatment 10 t/ha farmyard manure + 5 t/ha poultry manure + 2.5 t/ha vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + panchagavya (T10) had registered a significantly higher NPK content in curd and plant of cauliflower as well as NPK uptake by curd and plant with maximum availability of NPK in soil after harvesting. Hence, treatment T10 is superior and may be adopted for more profitable and commercial cultivation of cauliflower cv. Snowball K-1.
Cauliflower, Organic Nutrient Sources, Growth, Yield, Quality, NPK, Soil
Copyright (c) 2026 N Ninama, Satendra Singh Kushwah, RK Sharma, R. Gallani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Effect of NPSZnB fertilizer on yield and horticultural traits of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) varieties in Tanqua Milash District of Tigray, Ethiopia
Tomato is the most significant vegetable for domestic use and commercialization, as well as income generation. However, its production is low due to various constraints like poor soil fertility, pests, abiotic factors and lack of knowledge on agronomic management. Hence, the study was implemented with the objectives of assessing the impact of NPSZnB fertilizer application rates on tomato and ascertaining the economic feasibility in the Gereb-giba small-scale irrigation scheme. Twelve treatments were comprised with diverse fertilizer application rates (150, 200 and 250 kg/ha) in combination with varieties of tomatoes (Melkasholla, Melkasalsa and Roma–VF) using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications in factorial arrangement. The soil texture of the experimental field was classified as clay loam. The results of the analysis of variance indicate that there is a significant difference in the interaction effects of blended fertilizer with tomato varieties based on their agronomic characters. In terms of maturity, when compared to the other treatments, the contribution of NPSZnB to Melkasholla shows a major function for earliness. The highest total fruit yield production (64.11 t/ha) was found from the combination of the Melkasholla variety with the blended fertilizers of 150 kg/ha, followed by 250 kg/ha (58.73 t/ha). According to the cost-benefit analysis, the treatment applied 200 kg/ha blended fertilizer with the variety Roma-VF is generally the most recommended and economically viable for farmers situated in the Gereb Giba area and other similar agroecologies.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kibrom Fisseha, Birhane Girmay, Gebretnsae Gebregzabhier , Shambel Seyum (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Enhancing shelf-life of minimally processed cut carrots: A comparative study of physical, thermal and chemical approaches
Minimal processing is the fastest-growing avenue of the vegetable processing industry, driven by consumers seeking convenience and freshness. Such products have huge demands in hotels, restaurant and cafes (HoReCa) and supermarkets as they enable quick accessibility and availability of fresh-like and convenience-added safe vegetable produce that may also lead to a reduction in food wastage. Minimally processed carrot is a popular segment; under this study, the cut carrots of different genotypes were subjected to different interventions, viz., physical, chemical, thermal and a combination treatment for minimal processing to enhance the shelf life while ensuring safety and quality of cut carrots stored at refrigerated conditions. Physico-chemical, textural and microbiological analyses were done, which indicated that the combined treatment, consisting of thermal treatment, chitosan coating and UV treatment, proved to be effective interventions in maintaining the safe shelf life of VRCAR-134 and Kashi Krisna cut carrots for four days at 10°C storage.
Copyright (c) 2025 Shreya Panwar, Swati Sharma, B. K. Singh, Hare Krishna, S. K. Singh, Anant Bahadur, Rajesh Kumar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Screening of field resistance to Downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) disease in Indigenous and Exotic collection of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
An experiment was conducted to identify sources of resistance to downy mildew in cucumber. A total of 148 genotypes, along with susceptible checks, were evaluated under natural epiphytotic field conditions using percent disease index (PDI) and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) as criteria. Disease severity was recorded on a 0–9 scale at fortnightly intervals on 10 randomly selected plants per genotype, for a total of four assessments until crop termination. Genotypes were classified into four reaction groups based on final PDI: highly resistant (0–20%), moderately resistant (21–40%), moderately susceptible (41–60%) and highly susceptible (>60%). Substantial variability in disease response was observed. Only two genotypes, PI-197086 and PI-197088, were highly resistant, with the lowest PDI (≤ 20%) and AUDPC values (788.54–885.24), indicating slow disease development. Four genotypes (Gol Kheera-1, Gol Kheera-2, IC-345573 and IC-613461) were moderately resistant (AUDPC 1048.93–1269.25), while five (IC-332344, IIHR-82, IC-398675, Pusa Uday and PI-330628) were moderately susceptible. The remaining majority, including several commercial cultivars and advanced lines, were highly susceptible (PDI >60%). The predominance of susceptible entries highlights the vulnerability of current cucumber germplasm and the narrow genetic pool for disease resistance. PI-197086 and PI-197088 represent promising primary donors, with moderately resistant genotypes providing additional diversity for durable resistance breeding.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rahul Kumar, Vidya Sagar, DP Singh, SK Tiwari, Pragya Ranjan, SS Dey, Vivek Hegde, Rakesh Kumar, N Rai (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Response of Red Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) to Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on Growth and Leaf Yield
Amaranth is regarded as one of the least expensive vegetables available. Its greater nutritional content, pleasant taste, wider range of environmental adaptation, lower chance of crop failure, and a number of biotic and abiotic factors suggest that there is much opportunity for its large-scale production. The availability of nutrients in the soil, which are released via the prudent use of fertilizers and manures, is essential for amaranth growth and production. But for a very short-duration C4 crop like amaranth, an appropriate combination of organic and inorganic sources could be sufficient to supply its nutrient requirements. The main objective of the current study is to determine the optimal nutrient combination for amaranth growth and yield in the ICAR-CAZRI, KVK, Pali-Marwar (Rajasthan) farm during the 2022–2023 rabi season. The study's key findings were that various integrated nutrition management techniques had a substantial impact on growth and leaf yield characteristics at each developmental stage (i.e., 20, 40 and 60 DAS). Results were least in application of T1 (Control) and highest in application of T10 (75% RDF + 25% PROM + 25% Vermicompost + 25% Poultry manure + 25% FYM). From an economic perspective, the application of T2 [100% RDF + FYM (25 t/ha)] came after treatment T10, which likewise recorded the highest net monetary returns (Rs. 68790/ha) with a B:C ratio of 3.66. With a B:C ratio of 3.31, T1 (Control) had the noticeably lowest net economic returns, at Rs. 40600/ha.
Copyright (c) 2026 Chandan Kumar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Estimation of inbreeding depression for fruit yield and related attributes in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]
Okra, Inbreeding depression, Hybrid, F2 segregating.
Copyright (c) 2025 Khandebharad V. R., R. A. Patil, S. P. Pole (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Esterase isozyme degradation and ROS-mediated protein oxidation as indicators of ageing induced seed deterioration in onion (Allium cepa L.)
Saturated NaCl salt-induced accelerated ageing is a critical marker test for assessing the physiological viability and vigour of small-seeded, high–value crops with poor storability, such as onions. This study aimed to fill existing knowledge gaps in the biochemical changes associated with onion seed ageing and their impact on germination. The current investigation was conducted in Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Seeds were aged in plastic chambers under controlled conditions (42 ± 2°C and 75 ± 1% RH) for 0, 12, 24, 48, 72, 144 and 288 hours. A 72-hour ageing treatment reduced germination to 50%, effectively producing low-vigour seeds, while 288-hours ageing resulted in complete loss of viability. Seed deterioration was primarily driven by increased malondialdehyde accumulation and moisture content along with loss of membrane integrity. Decline in germination and an increase in abnormal seedlings were linked to reduced activities of key viability enzymes—dehydrogenase and α-amylase—impairing reserve mobilization. Electrophoretic analysis demonstrated substantial degradation of esterase bands (Rf 0.39 and 0.45) and low molecular weight proteins (25–29 kDa) during prolonged ageing of onion seeds. Simultaneously, spectrophotometric and zymographic analysis revealed reduced activities of chief enzymatic antioxidants such as catalase and peroxidase in conjunction with elevated levels of malondialdehyde and advanced oxidation protein products following prolonged ageing, indicating a diminished capacity of aged seeds to neutralize reactive oxygen species due to inadequate antioxidant capacity. The findings of study suggest that esterase isozyme profiling may serve as a potential biochemical marker for assessing seed viability and vigour.
Accelerated ageing, Advanced oxidation protein products, Isozymic patterning, Malondialdehyde content, TTC.
Copyright (c) 2026 Lavanya Vij, Navjyot Kaur, Sanjula Sharma, Rajinder Singh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Morphological description of spine gourd collections in Bundelkhand region of Central India
This study investigates the qualitative morphological and seed-related characteristics of 31 spine gourd (Momordica dioica) genotypes to assess their genetic diversity. The research focused on 17 distinct traits, observing significant variations that can be used for genotype identification and classification. Among the characteristics analysed, notable variations were observed in leaf margin, shape, and colour, as well as in fruit characteristics such as colour, shape, and spine density. Seed traits, such as colour, shape, and seediness, also showed notable diversity. Shannon’s Diversity Index for 17 morphological traits ranged from 0 to 1.250, with leaf margin showing the highest diversity (H’=1.25) and node colour at the attachment of the leaves showing the least (H’=0.239). A qualitative cluster analysis using the UPGMA algorithm grouped the 31 genotypes into two main clusters: Cluster A (5 genotypes) and Cluster B (26 genotypes). Cluster B was further divided into two subgroups, ‘b1’ and ‘b2’. Subgroup ‘b1’ contained one genotype (RLBKD-16), and ‘b2’ contained the remaining 25 genotypes, which were further subdivided into a cluster of one genotype (RLBKD-32) and another of 24 genotypes. The dendrogram effectively illustrates the genetic relationships and diversity among the genotypes, underscoring the value of these traits for selection in breeding programs. These stable, non-environmentally influenced traits are valuable for effective selection in breeding programs aimed at crop improvement, providing a strong basis for future genetic enhancement efforts in spine gourd.
Spine gourd, Genetic diversity, Qualitative traits, Shannon's Diversity Index, Cluster analysis, Seed traits.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Brij Bihari Sharma (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Genetic variability and selection strategies for yield improvement in water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) under upland field conditions
The present study was conducted during 2023 and 2024 to assess the extent of genetic variation and identify promising genotypes for yield and growth-related traits. Over 25 genotypes, including a variety ‘Kashi Manu’, were evaluated under a randomized block design with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all the studied traits, indicating substantial genetic variability. Wide ranges were recorded for key parameters such as days to 50% germination (2.39–4.56 days), plant height at 30 DAS (43.50–69.90 cm), stem diameter at 30 DAS (6.54–10.76 mm) and leaf biomass yield per plant per month (0.67–1.68 kg). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for internodal length, stem diameter (30 DAS) and biomass yield traits, suggesting predominance of additive gene action and effectiveness of direct selection. The genotypes VRWS-32, VRWS-28, VRWS-33, VRWS 41-23 and VRWS 42-23 exhibited superior yield performance, comparable to the check variety. These findings indicate ample genetic potential within the evaluated germplasm and emphasize the scope for selection-based improvement to develop high-yielding, upland-adapted water spinach varieties.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rakesh Kumar Dubey (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Assessment of genetic diversity of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) through morphological characterization and multi-variate analysis
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is popular vegetable because of its rich nutritional profile and potent medicinal properties. In the present research, the genetic diversity of 38 genotypes of bitter gourd was evaluated for nineteen quantitative and nine visual parameters. The trial was conducted during spring-summer season of 2025 at the Vegetable Research Centre, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar and was laid out in RCBD with three replications. High GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance represented significant genetic variability and scope for direct selection. Average fruit yield per plant showed positive correlation with growth and fruit traits, while negative correlation with flowering and maturity traits. Path coefficient analysis revealed direct positive effects of key traits on average fruit yield per plant. Mahalanobis D2 statistics categorized the genotypes into six clusters, with cluster I and II being the largest. Intra-cluster distance was minimum in cluster IV, while maximum inter-cluster distance was noted between cluster I and cluster VI. 89.5 % of total genetic variance was explained by first six principal components and the PCA biplot clearly illustrated clustering, correlations and genetic divergence among the genotypes. Genotypes 2024/PBIG-38, 2024/PBIG-40 and 2024/PBIG-54 were found superior compared to standard check Pant Karela-1 for major yield contributing parameters.
Bitter gourd, genetic divergence, multi-variate analysis, principal component analysis
Copyright (c) 2026 Vaidehi Panchawatkar, S. K. Maurya, Vinay Kumar, Birendra Prasad, Alka Verma (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Characterization of native eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) germplasm of India for economic traits and variation assessment using SSR markers
Characterization and periodic multiplication of germplasm collections conserved in gene banks are essential for their effective use in crop improvement. In this study, 404 eggplant accessions of Indian origin, conserved at the National Gene Bank, New Delhi, were characterized for nineteen agro-morphological traits of economic importance at ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi, and molecular diversity was evaluated using microsatellite markers. Substantial variability was observed for the number of fruits per plant (1–57.3), fruit weight (6.9–274.0 g), fruit yield (0–1976.2 g), fruit length (4.5–30.5 cm), fruit width (2.3–9.9 cm), and plant height (47.8–112.8 cm). Accessions with desirable traits across different fruit shapes were identified. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering revealed three major clusters based on fruit shape: long, oval/round, and oblong. The first five principal components explained 50% of the observed variance. Leaf length, leaf width, and fruit weight contributed most to Principal Component 1, while fruit curvature, fruit length, fruit shape, and fruit width were key for Principal Component 2. A diverse subset of 81 accessions (20% of the total) representing maximum allelic diversity was identified for practical field maintenance. SSR markers were effective in diversity assessment with an average PIC value of 0.425, and cluster analysis grouped accessions primarily by collection region. Combined morphological and molecular variation assessment supports the effective use of diverse eggplant accessions in future breeding programs.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bhuvaneswari S, Sarvesh Kumar Mishra, Akanksha, Subhash Chandra, Chithra Pandey, Sushil Pandey, Rajesh Kumar, Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Shailesh Kumar Tiwari (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Enhancing Yield Potential in Vegetable Pea through Multi-Flowering Trait: Genetic Variability and Principal Component Analysis
Vegetable pea (Pisum sativum L. var. hortense) is a nutritionally and economically important legume, yet productivity gains have remained limited despite expanded cultivation. This study evaluated multi-flowering pea genotypes for yield potential relative to commercially grown single- and double-podded varieties. Significant genetic variability was observed for key agro-morphological and yield-related traits, with yield per plant ranging from 78.0 g (single-podded VRPSel-17) to 176.0 g (multi-podded VRPM-901-5). Traits including days to 50% flowering, total flowers per plant, branches per plant, pods per plant, plant height, and yield per plant exhibited high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, heritability, and genetic advance, indicating strong genetic control and substantial potential for improvement through selection. Notably, pods per plant, total flowers per plant, and branches per plant showed strong positive correlations with yield, highlighting their utility as reliable selection indices. Principal component analysis revealed that the first three components accounted for 61.54% of total variation, with PC1 associated with total flowers, pods per plant, and ten pod weight; PC2 with yield per plant, seeds per pod, and pod length; and PC3 with pod width and days to picking. Collectively, yield- and pod-associated traits constituted the primary contributors to genetic divergence, enabling the effective discrimination and selection of superior genotypes. The present findings identify critical target traits and superior multi-flowering genotypes VRPM-901-5, BSW-136, BSW-2, VRP-343, and VRPE-52 for use in breeding programs aimed at enhancing pea productivity.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jyoti Devi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Integrated Management of Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in Cucumber under Protected Cultivation
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is one of the top ten most widely grown vegetables in the world, known for its high nutritional content, includes dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and bioactive substances with antioxidant qualities. However, its quality and off-season production are significantly affected by the severe threat posed by root-knot nematodes in protected cultivation environment. This study evaluates the efficacy of African marigold (Tagetes erecta) and Silver hydrogen peroxide, alongside two fungal bioagents Purpureocillium lilacinum and Trichoderma viride as well as four bacterial bioagents Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens enriched with neem cake to assess their nematode-suppressive ability against RKN M. incognita. The goal is to develop an integrated management strategy for effective management under nematode infested protected structure conditions. The three years experiments in cucumber (cv. Kashi Nutan) grown under protected conditions results revealed that among the different treatments, treatment comprising of planting African Marigold at 45 days before sowing + Application of bio-agents (2 kg Purpureocillium lilacinum, 2 kg Trichoderma viride, 2 kg Pseudomonas fluorescens) enriched with neem cake (1 t/ha) + drenching bio-agent enriched with neem cake suspension 10% once in 10 days was found most effective by reducing final nematode population in soil (60.7%) and root population (58.2%) with least gall index (2.0) and recorded 21.6% increase in cucumber yield (9.2 t/ha) with maximum C: B ratio was 1:1.21 under protected conditions. In summary, this integrated strategy proves to be an effective management module for suppressing RKN and ensuring safe cucumber production under protected cultivation environment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Manjunatha T. Gowda, Gowri G. Lal, A.N. Singh, Rajesh Kumar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Exploitation of heterosis involving newly developed low chill requiring SI and CMS lines in cabbage
Abstract The present investigation entitled “Exploitation of heterosis involving newly developed low chill requiring SI and CMS lines in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)” was carried out at Vegetable Research Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSKHPKV Palampur. Six lines viz., SI-2008-09, I-4-6, I-4-4, M-G-7, S-G-7 and 105-III-CMS were crossed with three testers viz., KGAT-II, GAP and Glory-I to produce 18 F1s during Rabi season 2023-2024. These 18 hybrids were evaluated along with parents and one private sector commercial hybrid as standard check (WS-483) in Randomized Block Design with three replications during Rabi season 2024-2025. RBD analysis revealed significant differences among genotypes (hybrids and parents) for head yield and all the traits yield related and traits studied. On the basis of per se performance and standard heterosis the most promising cross combinations for marketable head yield and other related traits were I-4-6 × GAP and I-4-6 × Glory-I. These newly developed hybrids were found quite promising under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. Though the proposed hybrids were found statistically at par with commercial check from private sector but these has got the advantage as the parents involved in the development of these two hybrids are low chill requiring, hence, the seed production can be easily done in mid hill conditions.
Heterobeltiosis, cytoplasmic male sterility, self incompatibility, hybrids
Copyright (c) 2026 Shivani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Image-based identification of onion varieties using deep learning techniques
Onion is a crop of immense economic and dietary importance, widely cultivated and traded globally. Accurate identification of onion varieties is critical for pricing, quality assurance, traceability, and consumer preference, yet remains challenging due to high morphological similarity across cultivars. This study is the first reported attempt to classify Indian onion varieties using deep learning applied to bulb images. We evaluated the performance of four pre-trained convolutional neural networks, DenseNet121, InceptionV3, MobileNetV2 and Xception, on a curated image dataset of 10 popular onion varieties. The result showed that DenseNet121 outperformed all models, achieving the highest precision (95.76%), recall (94.92%), F1 score (94.82%) and the lowest mean squared error of 0.94, demonstrating exceptional reliability and accuracy. Its dense connectivity architecture effectively captured subtle features, making it the most suitable for practical applications. InceptionV3 and MobileNetV2 also showed competitive results, with MobileNetV2 offering computational efficiency but facing challenges with certain misclassifications. Xception, despite its efficiency, had the lowest performance metrics, with precision and recall of 91.04% and 88.14%, respectively, and significant misclassification issues. These findings highlight the potential of DenseNet121 for automated onion variety identification and its superiority in addressing the intricate variability within agricultural datasets. These findings demonstrate the potential of deep learning for automating onion variety identification and supporting sorting, grading, and seed chain verification systems. Future work should extend to broader varietal coverage and seasonal datasets for real-world applications.
Onion variety identification, Deep learning, CNN’s, Training, Hyperparameters
Copyright (c) 2025 Amar Jeet Gupta, Supriya Kaldate, Sairam Volaguthala, Bhushan Bibwe, Kalyani Gorrepati, Vijay Mahajan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Integrated nutrient management strategies for reducing chemical inputs without compromising yield in cauliflower
Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) offers a pathway to reduce synthetic fertilizer use while maintaining or improving crop productivity and soil health. A field experiment conducted during Rabi 2020–21 at the Research Farm, Udai Pratap (Autonomous) College, Varanasi evaluated nine nutrient management treatments combining 50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with organic inputs (FYM, vermicompost) and the biofertilizer Azospirillum. Cauliflower cv. Pusa Snowball K-1 grown on a sandy‑loam soil with medium fertility showed that integrated packages substantially improved vegetative growth, accelerated curd initiation and maturity, and increased curd size and weight compared with no-input and inorganic-only controls. The combination T9 (50% RDF + FYM 5 t/ha + vermicompost 1 t/ha + Azospirillum 2.5 kg/ha) produced the greatest plant height (63.48 cm), leaf area (1,343 cm2), largest curd diameter (18.38 cm), highest curd weight (938 g) and maximum yield (341.78 q/ha), and delivered the highest net return and benefit:cost ratio. Treatment T8 (50% RDF + vermicompost 2.5 t/ha + Azospirillum 5 kg/ha) best preserved post‑harvest soil N, P and K, indicating superior residual fertility. Economic analysis demonstrated that selected INM packages can lower chemical input costs and enhance profitability without yield penalties. These results underscore that well‑designed INM strategies, integrating reduced inorganic fertilizers with organic amendments and biofertilizers, can sustainably maintain cauliflower yields, improve soil nutrient status, and increase farm returns, offering a scalable approach for reducing chemical dependence in vegetable production.
Copyright (c) 2025 Chandroday Prakash Tiwari, Dr. Diwaker Singh, Dr. Indivar Prasad, Dr. Aastik Jha, Dr. C. N. Ram, Sashibala (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Screening soil-borne disease resistance in wild and cultivated eggplant accessions for grafting and rootstock breeding
Brinjal (S. melongena L.), a crucial dietary staple in South and Southeast Asia, faces severe yield losses from soil-borne wilt diseases caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae (Fusarium Wilt), Ralstonia solanacearum (Bacterial Wilt), and Sclerotium rolfsii (Southern Blight), with losses up to 81% in India. To address this, 14 Solanum germplasms, including seven wild species and seven cultivated varieties, were screened for resistance to FW, BW, and SB during Kharif 2024 at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, India, aiming to identify robust rootstocks for sustainable disease management and also a source for resistance in the rootstock breeding program. Disease severity was evaluated using the disease index at 10, 20, 30, and 40 days after inoculation and quantified cumulatively via the AUDPC under controlled conditions. Among the germplasms, S. torvum exhibited exceptional resistance across all pathogens, recording the lowest disease index at 40 days after inoculation (BW: 9.33%; SB: 53.33%; FW: 32.00%) and AUDPC (BW: 210.0; SB: 500.0; FW: 380.0), highlighting its potential as a superior rootstock. Similarly, S. sisymbrifolium, S. incanum, and accession IC-111056 showed strong resistance, particularly to BW and SB, while cultivars Surya, Solemel, and Zippy were highly susceptible, underscoring their vulnerability. Identifying the susceptibility of Surya through field trials across diverse agro-ecological zones is essential to validate the stability of resistance, as pathogen strains and environmental conditions vary regionally. The present experiment underscores advancements in rootstock breeding, highlighting significant progress in developing bacterial wilt-resistant eggplant through the identification of promising resistant accessions, contributing to global efforts for sustainable cultivation and rootstock breeding program in brinjal.
Copyright (c) 2025 Akanksha, Vijay Bahadur, Sarvesh Kumar Mishra, Atma Nand Tripathi, Anant Bahadur, Shailesh Kumar Tiwari (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0