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Forty-seven apricot genotypes were used to assess genetic diversity (GD) based on morphological and SRAP (Sequence-related amplified polymorphism). Six qualitative and 16 quantitative characters were studied among the genotypes. Twenty combinations of SRAP markers were used, and 115 polymorphic bands out of 134 bands were observed. The overall GD estimated, as percentage polymorphic loci (85.06%), Nei’s genetic diversity (0.27±0.19), and Shannon’s information index (0.40±0.25) were high. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed higher GD (92%) within the groups of apricot. The unweighted pair group method (UPGMA) demonstrated that the apricot genotypes had a similarity range from 0.96 to 0.48, with a mean value of 0.72 similarity coefficient. Furthermore, UPGMA clustering and Bayesian-based STRUCTURE analysis revealed an intermixing in the clustering of apricot genotypes. There is no clear grouping between apricots according to their kernel taste and stone colour, which revealed that these genotypes have a similar genetic background. Knowledge gained from the present study has a practical utility in the management of germplasm conservation and breeding programmes.

Consumer concern about poor taste of fresh apricots is increasing and knowledge about the more suitable production requirement is essential. Genetic component influencing apricots quality is well known. However, there is limited information on environmental effect on fruit quality. This study aims to evaluate influence of altitude on phenological and fruit quality characters of apricot genotypes. Fruits from 162 genotype were collected from nine locations from 3006-3346 m asl in trans-Himalaya. The altitude had a marked influence on date of flowering, fruit weight, moisture and TSS content. For every 100 m increase in altitude, flowering and fruit ripening delayed by 3.3 and 7.1 day, respectively. Inverse relationship between altitude and fruit weight (R2=0.310) was observed. For every 100 m increase in altitude the fruit weight decrease by 0.5 g. Fruit moisture content decreased significantly with increase in elevation (R2=0.585). Decrease in moisture content was 1.9% for every 100 m increase in elevation. Altitude showed linear relationship with fruit TSS content (R2=0.726). For every 100 m increase in altitude, the fruit TSS increased by 1.2ºBrix. Knowledge from the present study on the impact of altitude on fruit quality characters provides a useful guide for selecting orchard location towards improving fruit quality

Genetic component influencing sugar contents and sugar profile in apricots is well documented. This study aims to evaluate influence of altitude on sugar contents and sugar profile in dried-apricots. Fruits from 108 genotypes were collected from six locations from 3006 to 3346 m asl in trans-Himalaya. The geographical elevation had a marked influence on the fruit sugar contents. Linear relationship between total sugar contents and increasing altitude was observed (R2 = 0.877, p ≤ 0.01). For every 100 m increase in altitude, total sugar increased by 64.8 mg/g DW. Sucrose was the highest individual sugar (57.8%), followed by glucose (19.4%), fructose (14.3%) and sorbitol (8.4% of total sugar). The relative proportion of sorbitol increased significantly with increasing altitude in fruits with brown seed coat (R2 = 0.849, p ≤ 0.01). Linear relationship between sucrose contents and increasing altitude was observed (R2 = 0.767, p ≤ 0.05). For every 100 m increase in altitude, sucrose contents increased by 49.1 mg/g DW. Fruit sorbitol contents showed linear relationship with increasing altitude (R2 = 0.899, p ≤ 0.01). Glucose levels increased with increasing altitude, while fructose contents showed inverse relationship with altitude. Therefore, results from the present study suggested that apricots growing at higher altitude contain higher sugar, sucrose and sorbitol. Knowledge from the present study provides useful guide for selecting orchard location towards improving fruit quality.

This paper presents the experimental investigation of indirect forced convection solar dryer integrated with sensible heat storage material (SHSM) and phase change material (PCM) in meteorological environment of Himalayas (latitude 30.91 °N). The iron scrap mixed with gravel is placed on absorber plate and copper tubes comprising of engine oil have been used as SHSM in the solar collector. The Paraffin RT-42 as a PCM has been used in the drying chamber. Experimentations of Valeriana Jatamansi (a medicinal herb) drying have been conducted and its moisture content reduced from initial value of 89% to 9%. Using SHSM and PCM simultaneously the overall drying rate observed 0.051 kg/hr which was almost double as compared to 0.028 kg/hr and 0.018 kg/hr with no use of thermal storage medium and traditional shade drying, respectively. The drying time to reach the saturation level of 9% was recorded as 120 h in comparison to 216 and 336 h, respectively and the dried rhizomes of good quality in terms of essential oil and bio-medical compounds are obtained. From the experimental results rehydration capacity and total Valepotriates were found 7.11 and 3.47% as compared to 6.18 and 3.31%, respectively in case of traditional shade drying. The solar collector without SHSM possess an average energy and exergy efficiency 9.8% and 0.14%, respectively. The respective energy and exergy efficiency achieved with SHSM are 26.10 and 0.81%.

The present study focuses on development of a micropropagation protocol for true to type plants of Rhodiola imbricata, an endangered medicinal plant found in trans-Himalayan Leh-Ladakh region of India. It also aims at analyzing the pharmaceutically important secondary metabolites and antioxidant potential of in vitro and in vivo plants. Various cytokinins and auxins were tested for shoot proliferation and in vitro rooting of the microshoots, respectively. Random primers were used for checking genetic uniformity at different stages of micropropagation. Pharmaceutically important secondary metabolites of R. imbricata such as Rosavin, total polyphenols and free radical scavenging activity were analyzed by HPLC. Among different cytokinins used, BAP (5 µM) and TDZ (1 µM) were found to perform better in terms of shoot proliferation, shoot length and number of leaves as compared to other concentrations. For rooting of microshoots, a lower concentration of NAA (0.5 µM) yielded more efficient rooting of micro shoots (17.33 roots per micro shoot). In vitro rooted microshoots were hardened and showed 60% survival rate. The content of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid was higher in the in vivo plant. The amount of ferulic acid was higher in the in vitro raised plant when compared to field grown plant. Furthermore, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid were higher in the in vitro raised plants as compared to field grown plants. This work will facilitate in conservation of this endangered herb and provide necessary plant materials for various biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.

This article examined the performance of a low cost, economically viable and a novel forced convection solar drying system. To control the thermal fluctuations during the day-night drying process, solar air collector (SAC) was equipped with sensible heat storage medium (SHSM) while, drying unit contained paraffin RT-42 as a thermal energy storage (TES) medium. The experiment was conducted considering a sample size of 9.0 kg of Valerian rhizomes. The rhizomes were dehydrated to saturation value of 9% from preliminary moisture content of 89% on wet basis and took 120 (216) hours with (without) use of TES. The performance evaluation of each element of the dehydrating system was carried out on the basis of energy and exergy analyses. The mean values of energy and exergy efficiencies of SAC without (with) TES were computed to be 9.8(26.10) % and 0.14(0.81) % respectively. The overall drying rate without (with) applying TES was 0.028(0.051) kg/hour. The exergy efficiency of the drying unit was assessed to vary from 3.7% to 75.15% with a mean value of 30.28%. The specific energy consumption (SEC) of the rhizomes and the overall efficiency of the drying system were 11.33 kWh/ kg of moisture and 10.53%, respectively.

This work presents an experimental analysis of a novel indirect solar dryer for drying chillies in the Western Himalayas. Iron scrap assorted with gravels are kept on the absorber plate and engine oil transported through the copper tube, have been applied as sensible heat storage (SHS) medium in the solar air collector (SAC). Paraffin wax has been employed as a phase change material (PCM) in the drying compartment. The performance evaluation of the drying system has been carried out on the basis of physical, thermal and quality attributes. The moisture level of chillies is reduced to 4.85% from 86.50% (wet basis) in 21 h as compared to 96 h and 150 h by using solar drying without thermal storage and in the natural sun, respectively. Outcomes of this work conclude that the dehydrating time is reduced by 78.12% and 86.00% as against drying conducted without the use of SHS and PCM, and natural sun; respectively. Using this drying system, the colour, texture, pungency (sensory parameters) and rehydration capacity of the dehydrated chillies have been found better. From the experimental results vitamin C, capsaicin, carotene and thiamin of the chillies were found 49.25 mg, 0.52%, 341.5 µg and 0.912 mg which were 32.25 mg, 0.23%, 217.8 µg and 0.534 mg, in case of natural sun drying.

Cold arid and high altitude region of the trans-Himalayas (Ladakh & Lahaul-Spiti) is a unique region of the world where all non-native living beings experience noticeably hostile environments that make their survival much challenging compared to their respective natural dwelling niches. The region is characterized by extreme temperature variation, low precipitation mostly in the form of snow, thin atmosphere with high UV-radiation, less oxygen availability, high wind velocity, sparse plant density and fragile ecosystem. Interestingly, these adverse environmental conditions are ideal for the growth of valuable medicinal plants. Like other parts of the Himalaya, Ladakh and Lahaul-Spiti are also the treasure house of several unique medicinal plants which form an indispensable ingredient of local traditional system of medicines especially Sowa Rigpa System (Amchi system of medicine) since ages.

Akare SM, Tagade WY, Warghat AR, Naryal A, Bhardwaj A. 2016. Culturable fungal diversity associated with forest leaf litter from Bhandara District of Maharashtra, India. Biodiversitas 17: 349-358. Diversity of leaf litter fungi were carried out in 201011. Four samples were collected from Bampewada and Sakoli forest area of Bhandara District of Maharashtra, India. The Blotter paper method, Segment plate method and Serial dilution methods were used to assess the diversity of fungal species. Fungi were cultivated on potato dextrose agar, malt extract agar and czapek dox agar. A total of 31 species comprising 29 Ascomycetes and two Zygomycetes were recognized from 4 samples collected from Bampewada and Sakoli forest area. The most abundant group was Ascomycetes. The dominant species in both the forests were A. flavus, A. niger, Aureobasidium sp., Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium sp.1, Rhizopus stolonifer, A. caespitosus, Penicillium sp.2, A. nidulans, Helminthosporium sp. and Monodictys fluctuata. While, common species were A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, A. niger, Beltrania rhombica and Fusarium oxysporum. The fungal diversity was higher in theSakoli forest than that of Bampewada forest. Differences were observed in percentage occurrence of fungal species between two forest areas. The reason may be that the quality of litters, different microenvironments and other characteristics in the Sakoli forest provided more resources for fungi than in Bampewada forest.