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Flower senescence represents a genetically programmed and tightly regulated terminal phase of floral development that plays a critical role in reproductive success and postharvest performance of ornamental and horticultural crops. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the physiological and biochemical processes governing flower senescence, with emphasis on hormonal control, metabolic alterations and cellular signaling mechanisms. Ethylene acts as a primary regulator in many species by inducing senescence associated gene expression, whereas ethylene independent pathways also contribute to senescence regulation, reflecting species specific variability. Key physiological changes include deterioration of membrane integrity, disruption of water relations, reduced respiratory efficiency and loss of cellular homeostasis. Biochemically, senescence is marked by enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, degradation of proteins and nucleic acids and coordinated modulation of antioxidant defence systems. Alterations in carbohydrate metabolism, sugar signaling and secondary metabolites further influence the progression of senescence. The review has also highlighted the roles of calcium signaling, polyamines, nitric oxide and programmed cell death in regulating senescence responses. Understanding of these integrated physiological and biochemical mechanism is essential for developing effective strategies to extend floral longevity and improve postharvest quality.
Key words: Senescence, physiological, postharvest, floral longevity.
Srishty Kumari*, Suman Bhatia and Swati
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni – 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
Email: k.srishty1908@gmail.com
Dried ornamental crops have gained considerable importance in the global floriculture industry due to their long-lasting nature, eco-friendly attributes and diverse application in decorative and value-added flower products. Unlike fresh flowers, dried flowers retain their aesthetic appeal for months or even years when processed and handled properly, making them suitable for year-round purpose and long-distance marketing. This review provides a complete overview of postharvest handling practices of dried ornamental crops, with particular intensity on drying techniques, packaging, storage and shipment of dry flowers. Various dehydration methods such as air drying, press drying, hot air oven drying, microwave drying, desiccant drying, freeze drying, glycerine preservation, skeletonizing, bleaching and dyeing are discussed in relation to flower type, moisture management, quality retention and end use. In addition, suitable packaging materials, storage conditions and protection measures against moisture, insects and physical damage are critically inspected. The article emphasizes the economic potential of dried ornamental crops, particularly in developing countries like India, where export opportunities remain neglected. Overall, this review serves as a practical reference for researchers, floriculturists, entrepreneurs and artisans involved in the production, processing and marketing of dried ornamental products.
Key words: Dried flowers, ornamental crops, dehydration techniques, postharvest handling, packaging, storage, value addition.
Kajol Chauhan*, Suman Bhatia, Mansi Mishra and Puja Sharma
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni – 173 230, Solan,
Himachal Pradesh, India
Email: kajolchauhan2377@gmail.com
Ethylene is a plant hormone that is well-recognized for its dominant role in the senescence, abscission, and quality deterioration of many ethylene-sensitive ornamental flowers, thus causing serious reduction in vase life and marketability. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on biosynthesis mechanisms through ACS and ACO, and signaling of ethylene through receptors such as ETR/ERS, downstream transducers like EIN2/EIN3-EILs, and ethylene response factors, indicating how activation of these pathways accelerates wilting of petals, chlorophyll and pigment loss, organ abscission, and programmed cell death in a wide range of species. We discuss sources of natural and stress-induced ethylene production, such as pollination, mechanical injury, dehydration, or pathogen attack, and how very low concentrations, even in the range of ppb-ppm, can already provoke visible senescence. Ethylene detection methods are evaluated from laboratory techniques, including GC-FID and SPME-GC, through portable real-time sensors, for their applicability in the greenhouse, storage, transport, and retail environment. This review further discusses postharvest mitigation strategies, including preharvest cultivar selection for ethylene insensitivity, careful harvest and handling, chemical inhibitors such as 1-MCP, physical/atmospheric controls, use of ethylene-absorbing materials, including KMnO4, activated carbon, and zeolites, and emerging approaches comprising nanomaterialbased scavengers, enzyme-based ACC deaminase systems, and genetic modification to modulate either biosynthesis or response pathways. Finally, we identify key challenges; among them the variation in sensitivity among different species/cultivars, absence of regular real-time monitoring across most supply chains, and environmental or regulatory concerns related to some inhibitors of action, and discuss future directions towards a more sustainable, data-driven management of ethylene, or with genetic or sensor-based strategies.
Key words: Ethylene, ornamental flowers, postharvest senescence; vase life, 1-MCP, controlled atmosphere storage.
Swati1*, Suman Bhatia1, Kajol Chauhan1 and Priyanka Thakur2
1Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni -173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
2Regional Horticultural Research & Training Station, Dhaulakuan- 173 001, Dist- Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, India
Email: darochswati@gmail.com
A field study was carried out at Integrated Research Farm, Department of Organic Agriculture and Natural Farming, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya during the Kharif season of 2022, to evaluate the effect of organic sources of nutrient on growth and growth indices of adzuki bean (HPU-51). The randomized block design used in the experiment included eight treatments, viz., T1– Beejamrit + Jeevamrit (175 l ha-1) + Mulching (10 t ha-1), T2Beejamrit + Ghanjeevamrit (500 kg ha-1) + Mulching (10 t ha-1), T3– Beejamrit + Jeevamrit (175 l ha-1) + Ghanjeevamrit (500 kg ha-1) + Mulching (10 t ha-1), T4– FYM (10 t ha-1), T5– FYM (10 t ha-1) + Ghanjeevamrit (500 kg ha-1), T6– Biofertilizers (Rhizobium + PSB) + FYM (10 t ha-1) + Vermiwash (225 l ha-1), T7– Biofertilizers (Rhizobium + PSB) + Vermicompost (5 t ha-1) + Vermiwash (225 l ha-1), and T8– Absolute control. Application of biofertilizers (Rhizobium + PSB) + vermicompost (5 t ha-1) + vermiwash (225 l ha-1) resulted in significantly higher values of plant height, dry matter accumulation, absolute growth rate, unit area efficiency than absolute control. The experiment concluded that applying vermiwash with biofertilizers of Rhizobium and PSB, and vermicompost as a substitute of chemical fertilizers to provide nutrients which provided positive effect on growth and growth indices of adzuki bean ultimately gave effect to produce a good yield.
Key words: Adzuki bean, dry matter accumulation, growth parameters, organic, plant height.
Rimzim1*, Janardan Singh1, Tarun Sharma1 and Manish Kumar2
1Department of Agronomy, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur – 176 062, Himachal Pradesh, India
2Department of Agronomy, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur – 313 001, Rajasthan, India
Email: rimzimbhattiabc@gmail.com
The ecology is impacted by the widespread disposal of agricultural waste. The primary study was carried out to lessen environmental pollution and efficiently turn garbage into compost. The main aim of this research was to recycle and enrich the nutrients present in the organic residues through earthworm species and produce the enriched vermicompost. The research was conducted with two factors and three replications. Factors are earthworm species (E) (Eudrilus eugeniae and Eisenia foetida) and the organic residues (R) such as paddy straw, coconut wastes, vegetable wastes, farm wastes and FYM. The chemical attributes of the vermicompost which includes organic carbon, pH, EC, and the major nutrients N, P, and K showed marked improvement when E. eugeniae was combined with coconut waste as the substrate. The vermicompost produced from the combined use of E. eugeniae and the coconut wastes was observed with high organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.
Key words: Organic residues, earthworms, organic carbon, pH, EC, macro nutrients.
B.S.R. Niivedidhaa* and N. Maragatham
Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore – 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India.
Email: niivedidhaaravi@gmail.com
A field experiment entitled “Effect of Organic Manures, Rhizobium and Bijamrit on Growth and Yield of Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek]” was conducted at the Dr. B.R.C. Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, during Kharif 2024 on a loamy sand soil. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with 12 treatment combinations replicated three times. The treatments comprised four organic manures, viz., FYM @ 6 t ha–1, vermicompost @ 2 t ha–1, poultry manure @ 0.75 t ha–1 and Jivamrit @ 500 l ha–1 (soil application) + 10% foliar spray at 30 DAS, along with three seed treatments, viz., Bijamrit @ 200 ml kg–1 seed, Rhizobium @ 25 ml kg–1 seed, and Bijamrit + Rhizobium. The results revealed that nutrient management through organic sources significantly influenced the growth and yield attributes of mungbean. Application of poultry manure @ 0.75 t ha–1 significantly increased plant height, dry matter accumulation, branches per plant, pods per plant, grains per pod, grain yield, stover yield, and biological yield over the other organic manures; however, it remained statistically at par with vermicompost @ 2 t ha–1. Similar trends were observed for seed protein content, available soil N, P, and K at harvest, and microbial population at harvest. The highest benefit-cost ratio (4.1) was recorded with poultry manure. Among the seed treatments, the combined application of Bijamrit @ 200 ml kg–1 seed and Rhizobium @ 25 ml kg–1 seed recorded the highest growth and yield attributes and was found statistically at par with Rhizobium @ 25 ml kg–1 seed alone. The highest benefit-cost ratio (3.4) was also recorded under the combined application of Bijamrit and Rhizobium. The study concluded that the application of poultry manure @ 0.75 t ha–1 along with seed treatment of Bijamrit @ 200 ml kg–1 seed + Rhizobium @ 25 ml kg–1 seed significantly enhanced mungbean yield and economic returns.
Key words: Mungbean, organic manures, poultry manure, rhizobium, bijamrit, soil fertility.
Suman Karwa, Ramdev Sutaliya, Mahendra Junjariya*, Naleeni Ramawat, Rakesh Kumar and Rekha Ratanoo
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur – 342 304, Rajasthan, India
Email: mahijunjariya@gmail.com
Finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] is a crop having high nutraceutical properties with potential health benefits in comparison to other commonly consumed cereals. Uttarakhand is a leading state in production of finger millet in Himalayan region, but poor production is not able to offer economic revenue to the farmers. Use of inorganic fertilizer to increase production is not safe for environment as well as for human beings. So the use of biofertilizer is one of the eco-friendly approaches to increase productivity. Totally 9 accessions and 10 bacterial strains were screened. Three bacterial strains (BS-58, BS-27, and Y-19) were finally selected to assess their effects on plant growth, antoxidant enzyme activity, nutrient use efficiency, yield and grain nutrient content of finger millet under field experiment. Among different treatments, T1 (BS-27) exhibited a maximum plant height (9.96%) followed by T5 (BS58+Y-19; 7.39 %) and T2 (BS-58) exhibited a maximum increase in seed yield (35.99%) closely followed by T5 (BS58+Y-19; 34.48%). A significant increase (250.41, 45.16 and 45.16%) in soil nutrients (NPK) and their uptake (2.19,
0.22 and 0.58%) was recorded in different treatments. Protein, Ca and Fe content of the grain was also increased by 55.49, 23.40 and 19.35%, respectively over control. These bacterial strains were able to increase nutrient use efficiency of the finger millet crop. The study revealed that the biopriming of finger millet seeds with PGPB alone and in combination found as potential agents to enhance the physiological traits of finger millet for obtaining higher yield and nutrient quality.
Key words: Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas fluorescens, finger millet, principal component analysis, nutrient use efficiency.
Rakesh Singh1*, Deepti Prabha1, Yogesh Kumar Negi2 and J.S. Chauhan1
1Dept of Seed Science & Technology, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar – 246 174, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India
2Dept of Basic Sciences, College of Forestry, (VCSG UUHF), Ranichauri – 249 199, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India
Email: negirakesh656@gmail.com
A field study was conducted at Junagadh, Gujarat, during the rabi seasons of 2019-20 to 2024-25 to evaluate the performance of different farming systems. Four farming systems, viz., natural farming (NF), Kamdhenu Krushi Tantra (KKT), organic farming (OF) and conventional farming (CF), were assessed in wheat-based production systems. Natural farming comprised wheat + chickpea (4:1) intercropping, KKT involved wheat with sweet corn on bunds, while OF and CF included sole wheat and chickpea cultivated on area-equivalent basis. The results revealed that CF recorded significantly higher wheat grain yield (3543 kg ha–1), straw yield (5170 kg ha–1), yield attributes and wheat grain equivalent yield (WGEY) (5679 kg ha–1). Organic farming recorded superior nutrient content in crop produce, the highest soil organic carbon (0.80%), available nitrogen (240 kg ha–1), phosphorus (32.8 kg ha–1), potassium (315 kg ha–1) and microbial population at harvest. Total nitrogen and phosphorus uptake were highest under CF, whereas KKT recorded the highest potassium uptake. Heavy metal concentrations in soil remained low and were not significantly affected by farming systems. Economic analysis indicated that OF generated the highest gross returns (` 128,287 ha–1) and net returns (` 85,244 ha–1), whereas NF recorded the highest benefit-cost ratio (3.15) due to lower cultivation costs. The study concluded that organic farming provided the most balanced combination of productivity, soil health improvement and profitability, while natural farming enhanced soil biological activity and economic efficiency. These findings suggest that organic and natural farming systems can serve as sustainable alternatives to conventional agriculture for long-term soil and environmental health.
Key words: Conventional farming, Kamdhenu Krushi Tantra, natural farming, organic farming, soil fertility, sustainability, wheat grain equivalent yield.
S.K. Chhodavadia1, R.K. Mathukia2*, P.J. Gohil1, L.C. Vekaria3 and J.R. Talavia4
1Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh – 362 001, Gujarat, India
2School of Agriculture, Dr. Subhash University, Junagadh – 362 001, Gujarat, India
3Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh – 362 001, Gujarat, India
4Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh – 362 001, Gujarat, India
Email: rkmathukia@gmail.com
