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Performance of an inter-specific hybrid Fremont mandarin was assessed on different rootstocks in the hot arid regions of India as a potential scion species to expand citrus fruit availability in an arid region. Fremont scion attained superior growth and yield characteristics on Karna khatta rootstock by displaying the greatest plant canopy parameters followed by Rough lemon rootstock. However, the Pectinifera as well as the Troyer citrange resulted in dwarfness of the scion. The scion-rootstock compatibility indicators such as scion rootstock ratio, stionic difference and TCSA which were greatest in the Fremont/Pectinifera combination, confirm that the inhibited tree growth on Pectinifera rootstock was caused by intrinsic features of the rootstock rather than an incompatibility reaction. Furthermore, Karna khatta rootstock resulted in highest fruit yield and related traits followed by Rough lemon and Pectinifera rootstocks. The Pectinifera rootstock resulted in a similar response to all fruit physical attributes i.e., fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit index and fruiting density, except fruit number. The fruit maturity of Fremont was obtained earliest on Pectinifera, while it was most delayed on Karna khatta and Rough lemon rootstocks. Fruit quality parameters on Pectinifera rootstock were superior to those of common rootstock species (Rough lemon or Karna khatta) including fruit juice content as well as its nutritional constituents like TSS, ascorbic acid, pH, total sugar, organoleptic taste, ripening index, lower content of acidity and rind thickness. The total AAE, total flavonoids, total phenol contents were also noticeably higher than those obtained on other rootstocks, except Troyer citrange. Overall, Fremont mandarin can be considered a promising scion in arid regions to extend the harvesting period of superior quality fruits, especially on dwarfing Pectinifera rootstock. It would further ease harvesting operations vis-a-vis possible attainment of a better micro-climate due to small tree stature and high-density orcharding.

The present study was carried out for management of abiotic stresses (fruit cracking) and biotic stresses (mite and fungal spot) in pomegranate by flower regulation through water stress, pruning and ethrel application. The results revealed that horticultural interventions, chemical treatments and their interactions significantly minimized mite, fungal spot and fruit cracking incidence in pomegranate. In different combinations treatments of horticultural interventions and chemical, minimum mite incidence (4.80 and 4.65%) and fungal spot incidence (9.17 and 7.83%) were recorded in withholding irrigation during June + pruning + thinning with ethrel 2 ml/l treatment as compared to maximum mite (31.95 and 27.51%) and fungal spot (35.78 and 32.58%) recorded in control natural flowering without chemicals during the years 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. Lower fruit cracking incidence i.e.

To identify the most efficient growing medium for root and shoot development in stem cuttings of pomegranate cv. ‘Phulearakta’ under arid conditions, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications during 2014-15 at ICAR-CIAH, Bikaner. About 15-20 cm long hard wood cuttings, 0.5-1.0 cm diameter and having three to four buds were separated from the healthy trees and planted in mid-January. Detached cuttings were treated with 2500 ppm of IBA (3- Indole butyric acid) using quick dip technique (for 5 seconds) and planted in five rooting substrates i.e.sand, vermiculite, perlite, cocopeat and garden soil (control) alone and in combination at 1:1 (v/v). The response of perlite + vermiculite medium was best in terms of rooting (82.33 per cent), number of roots (32.67 per cutting), fresh and dry weight of roots (0.61 mg and 2.08 mg), shoots per cutting (80.33) and survival (76.0 per cent) than the other medium used. Vermiculite + Coco peat 1:1 (v/v) combination also resulted in rooting in more than 80 per cent of cuttings whereas cuttings raised in garden soil and sand showed very low rooting. Based on the findings, it appears that Perlite + vermiculite 1:1 (v/v) and vermiculite + cocopeat may be appropriate alternatives to the conventially used substrate, i.e., garden soil for the better rooting and establishment of pomegranate cultivar 'PhuleArakta' cuttings.

Background: Calligonum polygonoides is an endemic plant species, belongs to Polygonaceae family, native to the "Thar Desert" of India. It is highly tolerant to multiple stresses with dominant biomass and phytochemical producer under extreme niche. It has significant ethnopharmacological applications, but not yet scientifically validated. Materials and Methods: The methanolic extract of C. polygonoides flower bud was subjected to gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis and antioxidant potential assay was done on different radical scavenging scales. The phytochemicals were identified based on retention time and matching their mass spectra to spectra in NIST 14 library. Results: The results revealed the presence of fatty acids, phenolics, terpenoides, flavanoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, ketones, esters, and amino acid derivatives, which comprises 93 compounds. Most of the detected compounds have been proved to possess important bio-activities such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, antioxidant, and antimutagenic. Interestingly, some compounds such as furan-2,5-dimethyl, 2,3-dihydro-2,5-dihydroxy-6 -methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DDMP), dehydromevalonic lactone, deoxyspergualin, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, benzeneethanol-4-hydroxy-, quinic acid, lauric acid, linolenic acid, and squalene were detected which have proved pharmaceuticals applications against major diseases such as cancer, diabetics, cardiovascular, and some other chronic diseases. Furthermore, the methanolic extract also attributed very high level of antioxidant potential on cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and phosphomolybdenum assay scales. Conclusion: The identified phytochemicals with ample pharmaceutical application explore the worthiness of this endemic plant species. Along with pharmaceutical, it has an immense scope in nutraceutical and functional food industry. These medicinal importance advised for its conservation and artificial regeneration, to sustain the agro-ecological balance of Thar Desert of India.