A high yielding tomato hybrid released for commercial cultivation by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. Named "Pusa Divya F1", the hybrid has a high yield potential ranging from 35 to 45 tonnes a hectare. Pusa Divya F1 matures in 70-90 days after transplanting. It yields firm fruits with thick skin. The fruits are round to oval in shape, and about 16 fruits will weigh one kg. This hybrid is tolerant to late blight and bucket rot diseases, when compared with other hybrids, and can stand long distance transportation. All the cultural practices for raising this hybrid is similar to those adopted to grow other tomato hybrids. The seeds should be properly treated to prevent the incidence of seed-borne infections. The seedlings should be planted in the main field at a spacing of 45 cm by 30cm or 60 cm by 30 cm depending on the soil type and fertility. Liberal quantities of organic manure should be applied, and the nutrients should be applied based on soil test results. The field should be kept free of unwanted vegetation by regular weeding. Good water management and provision of adequate drainage would prove to be rewarding. The hybrid needs staking of the plants. Simple cultural practices such as nipping off terminal shoots and training the plants to the stakes properly will improve the output of the crop. When the crop is in flowering stage, plant growth regulators and vermiwash mixed with cow’s urine may be spread to increase flowering and improve the fruit size. The fruit shoulder will show signs of yellowing upon maturity; and that is when it should be harvested. The harvested fruits should be packed in soft baskets or crates to avoid injury to the skin. For long distant transportation, the fruits should be plucked when they are still green.

Production of Gum Arabic

Acacia senegal is a well-known source of gum-arabic. In India its occurrence of extensive natural stands of the tree in the dry parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. Efforts of Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur, have resulted in the development of a technology which involves simple process of administering the gum inducing solution into the tree (main stem) through a small size hole, then plugging the hole with cleaned clay paste and without requiring any further injury or cuts to the plants. The gum exudation from different points in the plant starts within 5-10 days and may continue for one or two months without any external cut or injury. The physico-chemical characteristics of the gum, so obtained have been found to conform to Pharmacopoeia of Indian specifications. Though on an average, the yield of gum per tree is about 0.5 kg from the existing stands, the maximum gum so produced is up to 5 kg/tree. The cost of treatment is about Rs.10 tree only. Besides, trees which have been consequently treated for the last 4 years have not shown any adverse effect on their performance. As a result, the technology is receiving tremendous response from farmers of western Rajasthan. Production of gum would provide additional income to the farmers and contribute to their well being.

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