RESUMEN
The Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) is a fruit tree globally cultivated in temperate regions of the world. Its floral biology and yield are affected by several factors, with issues related to self- and cross- (in) compatibility among varieties being emblematic of the whole Rosaceae family. The aim of this work was to elucidate the fruit set, dynamics of pollen tube growth in pistil, and yield and other fruiting attributes, in 'Satluj Purple' and 'Kala Amritsari', probably the most popular subtropical Japanese plum varieties in northern regions of India. Specifically, we examined the response of six different pollination variants, namely to self-pollination, open-pollination with the two cultivars located in adjacent rows, open-pollination with the two cultivars located in distant rows, manual cross-pollination, supplementary pollination, and floral bouquet. During the two years of the investigation, both plum cultivars showed good in vitro pollen germination (on average, above 50%) at different sucrose concentrations, with the highest values for the 'Satluj Purple' and for the 15% concentration. In vivo, the analysis of the pollen growth in the various sections of the style indicated the best performance when pistils of 'Satluj Purple' were pollinated by pollen grains of cv. 'Kala Amritsari'. Cross-pollination also registered faster growth of pollen tube in pistil with the lowest number of incompatible pollen tubes compared to open- and self-pollination. From the productive point of view, cross-pollination showed the most pronounced results among the different pollination variants, with the highest initial fruit set (36.6%) and yield (28.0 kg/tree), and the shorter fruit development in 'Satluj Purple' (fruit set and yield in self-pollinated 'Satluj Purple' trees were 3.3% and 2.0 kg/tree, respectively). Conversely, the use of 'Satluj Purple' pollen for 'Kala Amritsari' showed poor results. Finally, in our study, 'Kala Amritsari' showed self-compatibility. We conclude that the main cause of poor fruit set in 'Satluj Purple' is self-incompatibility. The relevant genotypic-specific effects revealed by the analysis of the various pollination treatments also highlighted the importance of interplanting to increase fruit set and yield for subtropical Japanese plum varieties.
RESUMEN
Medicinal mushrooms have been used in various treatments from a very long time, among which, Ganoderma lucidum is one of the most important medicinal mushroom. It is cultivated worldwide to meet its ever-increasing demand in the market. It is generally cultivated by bed log (Sawdust) and wood log (billet) method. This study was an attempt to observe the growth performance of G. lucidum on poplar billets (Populus deltoides) in the Sherpur Village (Dehradun) and Manjgaun village (Tehri Garhwal) of Garhwal Himalaya, India. The farmers' field with empty house/ rooms having proper growing conditions especially humidity and light were used for the cultivation of G. lucidum. The G. lucidum spawn was inoculated in poplar wood billets and these billets were installed in well prepared soil. The results demonstrated that cropping cycle of G. lucidum was shorter (132-136 days) in Sherpur Village (Dehradun) as compared to Manjgaun village (141-145 days) in Tehri Garhwal. Further the results also revealed that yield was decreased in the subsequent flushes. In Village Sherpur, the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum were harvested between 64-66 days, 100-101 days and 135-136 days during first, second and third flush after the installation of billets, respectively. However; in village Manjgaun, the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum were harvested between 69 and 71 days, 107-108 days and 144-145 days in first, second and third after the installation of billets respectively. Warmer temperature in Village Sherpur resulted in the early emergence and development of the fruiting bodies as compared to village Manjgaun where pinhead and fruiting body development was delayed due to the lower temperature during cropping cycle.