Flavor profiling and gene expression studies of indigenous aromatic rice variety (Mushk Budiji) grown at different altitudes of Highland Himalayan regions.

Mushk Budiji-an indigenous aromatic rice variety is usually grown at an altitude ranging from 5000 to 7000 ft above mean sea level in Highland Himalayas. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of altitude, soil nitrogen content and climatic conditions (temperature) of the selected locations on the flavor profile of Mushk Budiji using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and electronic nose (E-nose). E-nose being rapid and non-destructive method was used to validate the results of volatile aromatic compounds obtained using GC-MS in Mushk Budiji. Around 35 aromatic compounds were identified in Mushk Budiji rice samples. Highest volatile peak area percentage (105.41%) was recorded for Mushk Budji grown at an altitude of 5216.53 ft. Highest E-nose score (2.52) was obtained at an altitude of 6299.21 ft. Over-expression of fatty acid degradation and linoleic acid metabolism genes was observed at higher altitudes, whereas lipid biosynthesis was negatively influenced by higher altitude. Fatty acid degradation and linoleic acid metabolism is responsible for the synthesis of volatile aromatic compounds in Mushk Budiji. This study will therefore be the path finder for investigating the intricate mechanism behind the role of altitude on aroma development in Mushk Budiji rice for future studies.

Predicting the optimum harvesting dates for different exotic apple varieties grown under North Western Himalayan regions through acoustic and machine vision techniques.

Acoustic system and machine vision were used to evaluate the effects of different harvest dates on the quality and sensory attributes of exotic apple varieties of North Western Himalayan. Gala Redlum (V1) was harvested at 110 (H1), 120 (H2) and 130 (H3) Days from Full Bloom (DFFB); Red Velox (V2) and Super Chief (V3) were harvested at 130 (H1), 140 (H2) and 150 (H3) DFFB. Highest acoustic coefficient (21.13) and firmness (20.72 lbs) recorded at first harvest date (H1) decreased significantly (p ≤0.05) (19.86 to 17.90 lbs) at second harvest (H2) and (17.77 to 16.80 lbs) at third harvest date. Highest starch iodine rating (3.72); anthocyanin content (24.81 mg/100 g); total soluble solids (12.10 %); total sugars (8.75 %) were recorded at H3 in all the varieties. For Gala Redlum (V1) 130 DFFB and for Red Velox (V2) and Super Chief (V3) 150 DFFB were predicted as suitable harvesting dates for table consumption.

Evaluation of seedling age and nutrient sources on phenology, yield and agrometeorological indices for sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata L.).

The field experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2020 at Agronomy farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, SKUAST-K to study the influence of age of seedling and sources of nutrients on phenology, yield and agrometeorological indices for sweet corn. The experiment included two factors viz. age of seedlings (12, 22 and 32 days old seedling) and sources of nutrients (control, RDF, 50 percent RDF + FYM @ 12 t ha-1, 50 percent RDF + vermi-compost @ 4 t ha-1 and 50 percent RDF + poultry manure @ 2 t ha-1) tested in RCBD with three replications. Transplanting 12 days old seedlings required maximum number of days to attain different phenological stages, thereby accumulated maximum heat units followed by 22 days old seedlings. While as transplanting 22 days old seedling recorded significantly highest HUE, HTUE, PTUE and HyTUE and consequently resulted in the highest green cob and biological yield compared to other ages of seedlings. Among various sources of nutrients, application of 50 per cent RDF + poultry manure @ 2 t ha-1 took maximum number of days to attain various phenophases thereby accumulated maximum heat units and registered highest HUE, HTUE, PTUE and HyTUE followed by application of 100 per cent RDF.