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An experiment was conducted to study the effect of integrated nutrient management practices on the microbial community dynamics of soils under sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) at ICAR - Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru during the Kharif season of 2015 and 2016. There were nine treatments replicated thrice in randomized complete block design. The results indicated that integrated application of FYM (10 t/ha) + 100% recommended N through FYM + bio-fertilizer i.e., T2 recorded the highest population of heterotrophic free-living N2 fixers (40.66 and 63.33 CFU ×103/ g), phosphate solubilizing bacteria (5.6 and 6.6 CFU ×103/ g) and fungal (6.4 and 5.33 CFU ×103/ g) while T9 with the application of NPK (160:80:80 kg /ha) + FYM (10 t/ha) recorded the highest population of actinomycetes (29.93 and 44.56 CFU ×103/ g) in the soil during 2015 and 2016, respectively. Application of recommended dose of FYM (10 t/ha) in T7 resulted in a reduction in the population of heterotrophic free-living N2 fixers (26.13 and 34 CFU ×103/ g) and actinomycetes (20 and 30.5 CFU ×103/ g) whereas, the application of a recommended dose of chemical fertilizer in T8 recorded the lowest population of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (3.9 CFU ×103/ g) and fungal (3.6 and 2.5 CFU ×103/ g) during 2015 and 2016, respectively. The highest organic carbon (0.63 and 0.66 %) content in the post-harvest soil samples was recorded with the application of NPK (160:80:80 kg /ha) + FYM (10 t/ha) while, the lowest organic carbon value (0.52 and 0.53%) was recorded in T8 during 2015 and 2016, respectively. Application of recommended FYM (10 t/ha) along with recommended NPK (160:80:80 kg/ha) in T9 recorded maximum herbage yield in the main crop (41.59 and 38.31 t/ha) and ratoon (20.97 and 17.77 t/ha) during 2015 and 2016, respectively. The results obtained from this study clearly demonstrated that integrated nutrient management can maximize soil microbial community dynamics which is considered as the driving force behind regulating soil processes that support sustainable sweet basil cultivation.

Mutation breeding is a key method of generating a large number of heritable variations. Effective dose (LD50) needs to be standardized for inducing sufficient variation in a crop. In the present study, seeds were irradiated with different doses of Gamma rays and found that 66.94 Gy could suppress germination close to 50 percent (LD50) in pummelo. This 60 Gy gamma dose can effectively be used for raising the mutant populations to identify a desirable mutation in pummelo.

Memory enhancing herb - Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri L.) has growing national and international demand owing to its various medicinal properties. In order to study the influence of shade and nutrient levels, an experiment was laid out in strip plot design with shade levels as the main plots (35% shade, 50% shade and 100% sunlight) and nutrients requirement as sub plots [50, 75 and 100% N equivalent through FYM, 50, 75 and 100% N equivalent through vermicompost, RDF (100:60:60 kg NPK/ha), RDF (100:60:60 kg NPK/ha) + FYM (10 t/ha)]. The results revealed that among different shade levels tried, superior plant growth, fresh and dry herbage yield and cumulative dry herbage yield of seven harvests were obtained in 35% shaded condition compared to 50% shade and open conditions. Among different nutrient levels tried, conjunctive use of recommended dose of fertilizers (100:60:60 kg NPK/ha) + FYM (10 t /ha) gave the highest dry herbage yield (16.35 t/ ha), which was on par with organic treatment consisting of 100% N equivalent through FYM + Arka microbial consortium @ 12.5 kg/ha/year (16 t/ha). However, highest content of bacopasaponin C and bacoside A were observed in 100% sunlight condition (1.88 and 2.93%, respectively) and in integrated nutrient management treatment. The results were very promising for acceptance of Brahmi for commercial cultivation especially in organic production scenario to ensure steady supply of quality raw material to cater the increasing national and international demand.

A field Investigation was carried out to study the effect of fertigation on yield, fertilizer use efficiency and economics of hybrid ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb] Arka Vikram during 2018-2019 at Vegetable Research Block of ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design having eight treatments and three replications. The results of the experiment revealed that the treatment T3 i.e application of water soluble fertilizers @ 150:90:150 kg NPK ha-1 through fertigation recorded maximum number of female flower per vine (29.73), number of fruits per vine (19.68), fruit length (49.76 cm), fruit girth (18.40 cm), average fruit weight (454.03 g), fruit yield per vine (4.03 kg) and fruit yield per hectare (53.73 t). Application of water soluble fertilizers @ 150:90:150 kg NPK ha-1 through fertigation (T3) recorded significantly higher fruit yield per hectare (53.73 t ha-1), which was higher to the tune of 23.8 to 70.4 per cent than other treatments tested in hybrid ridge gourd. The second highest fruit yield was obtained with T2 (43.40 t ha-1) followed by T1 (42.10 t ha-1). However, T5 i.e application of water soluble fertilizers @ 50:30:50 kg NPK ha-1 resulted in highest fertilizer use efficiency (245.38 kg yield kg-NPK-1) compared to other treatments. Fertigation at 100% NPK dose along with mulching with silver-black plastic mulch gave the highest net income (Rs.555435.0 ha-1) and B: C ratio of 2.22.

With rising concern about current fertilizer NPK management, the present study was conducted during 2018-2019 at Vegetable Research Block of ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessarghatta, Bengaluru, Karnataka to study the effect of NPK fertigation with water soluble fertilizers (WSF) and conventional fertilizers and soil application of straight fertilizers on post-harvest soil nutrients status, nutrient uptake and yield of hybrid ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.] Arka Vikram. The vine/plant received fertigation with WSF @ 150:90:150 kg NPK ha-1 recorded better growth and highest yield (53.73 t ha-1). The soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and available macro and micronutrients status in soil after the harvest were significantly influenced by different treatments and treatment T3 i.e. fertigation with water soluble fertilizers @ 150:90:150 kg NPK ha-1 found to maintain/improve the soil fertility status compared to other treatments. Drip fertigation with higher levels of WSF improved the plant available nutrients in the soil and found to be statistically on par with traditional soil application of straight fertilizers. Further data indicated that uptake/accumulation of macro and micro nutrients by the vine and fruit was significantly differed with various fertigation treatments and these parameters found highest when it was fertigated with WSF @ 150:90:150 kg NPK ha-1. From this investigation it may be concluded that fertigation with WSF@ 150:90:150 kg NPK ha-1 is found to be best for getting better growth, yield and nutrient uptake by hybrid ridge gourd Arka Vikram and also for buildup of plant available nutrients in the soil.

Perennial horticulture in India has undergone a change from rainfed system to drip fertigation systems and from isolated hedge and bund trees to high intensity orchard systems with enhanced number of trees per unit area. In several parts, particularly in the Deccan plateau, the system has now become completely dependent on water pumped from tube wells. Severe competition for water from tube wells makes farmers to devote more water for cash rich annual crops and even sell water for city dwellers nearby. As a consequence, the groundwater level in the past three decades has fallen from few feet to above thousand feet. At several places it has crossed the “peak water”. Frequent and prolonged exposure of fruit trees and nuts to drought coupled with ground water depletion has led to soil profile drying leading to reduced vigour and enhanced vulnerability to diseases and pests. This has led to withering of fruit and nut trees. Perennial crops are likely to become increasingly maladapted to their environment, particularly in the earlier period of climate change they are more likely to be attacked by diseases and insects. Coconuts, areca nuts and mango trees have died in several places and the government constituted committees have recommended compensation to the farmers. As a country, we have dramatically increased our reliance on groundwater. 175 million Indians are now fed with food produced with the unsustainable use of groundwater. This increase has dried up rivers and lakes, because there is a hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. Yet the legal rules governing water use usually ignore the link between law and science. The issue needs thorough examination and needs policy interventions to come out of this vicious circle.

Vigour reduction through dwarf rootstocks is an essential element of high density planting systems. Cashew is a vigorous evergreen perennial woody plant that is traditionally cultivated in a low density planting system. The present investigations were carried out at ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, Karnataka, India to find out the effects of vigour controlling rootstocks on vegetative growth and yield of cashew cultivars. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with twelve combinations of scion/rootstock with three replications. Different growth habits of four cashew varieties scions (Ullal-3, VRI-3, NRCSel-2 and Vengurla-4) grafted on two dwarfing rootstocks (NRC-492 and Taliparamba-1) and one vigorous rootstock (Vengurla-4) were studied. The results revealed that various stionic combinations varied to growth and yield parameters. Significant interactions indicated that Taliparamba-1 (dwarfing rootstock) with VRI-3 consistently reduced the growth and vigour based on their lower mean tree height, plant volume, TCSA and canopy spread. Stionic combination of VRI-3/ NRC 492 recorded the highest cumulative nut yield of 16.77 kg/ tree (5 seasons of cropping). Based on observation on growth and yield of various stionic combinations revealed that NRC 492 could be used as a rootstock to induce semi dwarfism with a higher nut yield.

Zinc is considered as the fourth important yield limiting nutrient in India, after N, P, and K. From the regular soil analysis data, Indian soils (50%) are found to be deficient in Zn and the zinc deficiency is likely to increase in future. Areas with low soil available Zn are often regions with widespread zinc deficiency in humans. Zinc malnutrition and deficiency in human is alarming and is gaining attention in recent years. Application of zinc to soil and crops is one of the simple and easiest ways to mitigate or alleviate Zn deficiency in human. Moreover Zn uptake, its translocation and yield response of various crops to applied Zn are need to be focused for finding sustainable solutions to the problem of zinc deficiency in crops and humans. In this manuscript, importance of Zn to plants and human, Zn malnutrition problems in India and global level, soil Zn status of Karnataka, various factors that responsible for Zn deficiency in the soils of Karnataka and the response of various horticultural crops to Zn application in the region is discussed. Soil maps are believed to be an important tool to delineate and manage nutrient deficient areas. It also elaborates the effective Zn management strategies to improve crop productivity and farm income.

Highly weathered laterite soils are a characteristic feature of humid tropics with undulating topography and high rainfall. The crop of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) has been cultivated in such landscapes, mainly to prevent further degradation due to the drought hardiness of cashew and requirement of very limited soil disturbances for its cultivation. Providing proper nutrient management is important for balancing the nutrient removal by tree crops especially in poor fertile soils. A study was initiated, after 5 years of application of inorganic fertilisers and organic amendments to cashew in a weathered tropical soil, to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on soil aggregation and biochemical characteristics. The experiment consisted of 11 treatments as Farm Yard Manure (FYM) alone; FYM + biofertiliser consortia; FYM, rock phosphate and wood ash; poultry manure; In situ composting using recyclable cashew biomass and weeds; In situ composting using recyclable cashew biomass and weeds + green manuring; vermicomposting of recyclable cashew biomass; FYM + organic cakes + recyclable cashew biomass + biofertiliser consortia; recommended dose of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertiliser (NPK fertiliser); recommended NPK fertiliser + FYM; and control without nutrient application. Soil samples were collected from surface 0–30 cm layer. The soil samples were fractionated into three aggregate sizes, i.e., >2 mm (large macroaggregates), 0.25–2 mm (small macroaggregates), 0.053 to 0.25 mm (microaggregates) and

To assess the effect of planting density and irrigation in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) during its critical growth stages such as flowering and fruit set on, growth, yield, water-use efficiency and farm income, a field experiment was initiated in a split-plot design in 2011 at Puttur, Karnataka, India. The main plot consisted of three planting densities namely, 5 × 4 m, 6 × 4 m and 10 × 5 m. The irrigation treatments were imposed in subplots as, irrigation at 60% cumulative pan evaporation (CPE), at 40% CPE, at 20% CPE, irrigation once in 15 days, soil and water conservation technique, and control (without any irrigation or soil water conservation technique). The results indicated that the growth, raw cashew nut yield and net income during 5th and 6th year of plantation of cashew increased with increase in planting density per unit area. The average increase in nut yield under high density planting ranged from 75 to 81% compared to normal density planting. Irrigation using drip system from December to March at 20% CPE and 40% CPE was beneficial to increase the nut yield by 53.5% and 34.1% compared to control. The yield increase under soil and water conservation practice was 12.9%, and 59.7% under irrigation once in 15 days. The increased planting density was beneficial to increase the net income and benefit–cost ratio. The deficit irrigation practices were useful to increase the water-use efficiency in cashew. Widely spaced trees showed increased water-use efficiency compared to high-density planting. Overall, the study demonstrated the usefulness of increased planting density and appropriate irrigation practices to increase yield and net income from cashew orchards.

Large numbers of horticultural crops are grown in India due to its wide variety of soil and climatic conditions. However, perennial horticultural crops have edge over annuals as they generally need low inputs such as water, energy, etc., and have high productivity values. India has large tracts of waste and marginal lands (96 million hectares of cultivable wasteland). These lands can be brought under perennial horticultural crops for successful and profitable commercial horticulture. Moreover, putting these marginal lands to perennial horticultural crops can enhance carbon sequestration and improve organic carbon content and health of the soils. This also rejuvenates degraded soils, improves the land productivity, enriches the diversity, and protects the environment. Horticultural crops have a great scope for sequestering more carbon in terrestrial ecosystem than agricultural or agroforestry systems. Studies reported that the carbon dioxide sequestration was significantly greater under the perennial crops as compared to annual crops. The carbon sequestration potential of different horticultural cropping systems ranked in the order of mango > cashew > rose > vegetable > medicinal and aromatic plants, and addition of more residues in perennial systems to soil records less emission of CO2 than annual crops. As a consequence, perennial horticulture-based systems provide economic gain through carbon credits. Enhancement of carbon sequestration in perennial systems can be attained by improving soil health and through better carbon management strategies. These include planting high-biomass-producing crops, recycling crop residue, application of manures, switching from annual to perennial crops, adopting crop rotation in place of monoculture, and promotion of agroforestry systems. This chapter mainly describes the role of perennial horticultural systems in enhancing soil carbon, soil organic matter dynamics, carbon fractions, and its assessment in horticultural systems, carbon sequestration potential of perennial horticultural crops, and also the management options available for improving C sequestration under such system.

Dental caries is a dynamic process which results in demineralization of inorganic constituents and destruction of organic structure of the tooth. The basic mechanism of inorganic demineralization has been studied and documented well enough. However, the exact mechanisms and enzymes responsible for the organic matrix breakdown remain unknown. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of endopeptidases which are responsible for degrading all extracellular matrix components, which are expressed in normal dentin-pulp complex. MMP's are believed to act as double-edged sword since it causes progression of caries process and also helps in repair and defense mechanism initiated by caries in dentin-pulp complex. Several MMPs are also found in normal dentin-pulp complex cells and tissues, and they are considered to be involved in many physiological processes during the formation and maintenance of the dentin-pulp complex. This article gives a brief review of MMPs and its role in oral health.

Soilless production of vegetables is rapidly gaining momentum and popularity especially in the periurban agricultural space. But this requires suitable technological backstopping in terms of substrate, nutrientmanagement and irrigation scheduling. Open and polyhouse experiments were conducted to study the effect ofvarying levels of N, P and K on the growth, biomass, yield and nutritional quality of zucchini hybrid ‘Champion’under soilless culture. The study was carried out with four different NPK levels and seven replications in acompletely randomized design. The results revealed that the nutrient scheduling of 168 ppm N-NO3, 16 ppm Pand 189 ppm K recorded maximum fruit length (24.12cm), fruit girth (44.4mm), fruit weight (335.6g) and yieldper plant (5.71 kg) and per hectare (71.39 tonnes) under open-field soilless culture. However, maximum plantheight (61.25cm), number of leaves (43.33) and total plant dry biomass (146.8g/plant) of zucchini were recordedwith application of 185 ppm N-NO3, 19 ppm P and 224 ppm K. Between open and polyhouse soilless cultivationof zucchini, highest plant height (80.6cm), number of leaves (47.4), number of fruits (22.3) and total plant drybiomass (184.7g/plant) were recorded with polyhouse conditions. Nevertheless, the highest stem diameter(35.2mm), maximum fruit length (23.2cm), maximum fruit girth (42.9mm), fruit weight (315.4g) and yield per plant(5.27kg) and per hectare (65.8t/ha) were recorded with open-field soilless culture. Zucchini plants raised on Arka Fermented Cocopeat registered higher plant height (54.7cm), stem diameter (35.2mm), number of leaves (39.3),total plant dry biomass (139.8g/plant), number of fruits (16.8), fruit length (23.2cm), fruit girth (42.9mm), fruitweight (315.4g) and yield (5.27kg/plant and 65.8t/ha) compared to soil (3.70 kg/plant and 46.3t/ha). The resultsestablished that the growers can increase zucchini yield and fruit quality and advance fruit production (10 days)by changing from soil to soilless culture.

Nitrogen (N) is the mineral nutrient that crops require in the greatest amount. It has more influence on crop growth, production, and quality than any other nutrient. Nitrogen is as much essential to plant growth as it is a potential environmental pollutant. Nitrogen applied to a field but not removed in harvested products is at risk of eventually leaving the field in gaseous or liquid form. The N content of horticulture produces is generally lower than those of agricultural crops. As a result, the proportion of fertilizer N disseminated out of the systems through fruits and vegetables is low. Hence under high intensive horticulture systems, amount of free N available for loss through leaching, denitrification, erosion, etc. is huge. Increasing the efficiency of fertilizer N use can be accomplished by modifying soil and crop management practices to reflect the transitory nature of soil N. Timing and placement of fertilizer application to coincide with peak periods of utilization is foremost in importance as an aid in this venture. Several studies have documented the benefits of judicious use of chemical fertilizers, organic manures, and microbial inoculants in improving N use efficiency and enhancing crop productivity. It minimizes the risk of causing pollution by loss of N through runoff, leaching, emissions to the air, or other mechanisms. In this chapter, an attempt has been made to review various issues and approaches/practices that reduce N losses, thus making them environmentally friendly.

Background and objective: Frenum is a mucous membrane fold that attaches the lip and the cheek to the alveolar mucosa, gingiva, and the underlying periosteum. The frena may jeopardize the gingival health when they are attached too closely to the gingival margin, either due to interference in the plaque control or due to muscle pull. Identifying labial frenum attachment and its association with oral hygiene helps in primary prevention of gingival health. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of the various types of maxillary labial frenum attachment and its association with oral hygiene status in adolescent population. Methodology: A total of 300 adolescents between 13 and 18 years were selected randomly. They were clinically examined for maxillary frenum attachment. Placek's classification of the labial frenum attachments was used to check the origin of frenum. Oral hygiene index (simplified) was recorded and results were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Among 300 examined children 53% were males and 47% were females. The prevalence of the maxillary labial frenum was gingival type (39%) followed by mucosal (28.3%), papillary (23.7%), and papillary penetrating type (9.0%). The gingival type of frenal attachment was statistically significant among different age of children and also between different types of frenal attachment and oral hygiene status (p value < 0.001). There was no significance between frenum attachment and gender. Conclusion: The type of frenal attachment is strongly associated with oral hygiene status. as the age progresses the frenum tends to migrate apically. However, our study did not reveal any relationship between the gender and type of frenal attachment.

Pollution of the environment with the toxic heavy metals has become one of the major causes for worry for human health in both emerging and advanced countries. Metal contamination issues are becoming more and more common in India and elsewhere, with many documented cases of metal toxicity in mining industries, foundries, smelters, coal-burning power plants, and agriculture. As land application becomes one of the foremost waste utilization and disposal practices, soil is increasingly being seen as a major source of metal(loid)s reaching food chain, largely through plant uptake and animal transfer. Heavy metal buildup in soils is of concern in agricultural production due to the adverse effects on food safety and marketability, crop growth due to phytotoxicity, and environmental health of soil organisms. Metal toxicity has high impact and relevance to plants, and consequently, it affects the ecosystem, where the plants form an integral component. A few metals, including copper, manganese, iron, cobalt, zinc, and chromium, are, however, essential to plant metabolism in trace quantities. It is only when metals are present in bioavailable forms and at excessive levels; they have the potential to turn out to be toxic to plants through formation of complex compounds within the cell. Plants growing in metal-contaminated sites exhibit altered metabolism, growth reduction, lower biomass production, and metal accumulation. Various physiological and biochemical processes in plants are affected by metal toxicities. The present-day investigations into toxicity and tolerance in metal-stressed plants are prompted by the growing metal pollution in the environment. This article details the range of heavy metals, toxicity for plants, and mechanisms of plants to cope with metal toxicity.