A study on nutritional and microbial analysis of Kunapajala with different storage time interval was conducted in the Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry and the Department of Plant Pathology, UBKV, Coochbehar-736165, West Bengal during March, 2019. The motive of this work was to estimate the physicochemical properties, macro and micro nutrient content and various microbial load of Kunapajala with different storage time interval. Kunapajala had the highest P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu & Mn 40 days after preparation and it had highest N and S 20 days after preparation. It had the highest beneficial microbial load of Fungi, Actinomycetes, Pseudomonus, Phosphorus Solubilising Bacteria (PSB), Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Rhizobium and Trichoderma 40 days after preparation. So, continuous foliar and soil application of Kunapajala from 20 days after preparation to 40 days after preparation was beneficial to get maximum utilization. Moreover, Kunapajala can be used as an alternative against chemical fertilizers and pesticides to develop organic farming.

Gladiolus is one of the most potential bulbous cut flower crops cultivated widely in India due to its attractive and long lasting spikes. The plant is propagated vegetatively through corms and cormels, but due to low rate of multiplication, its cultivation is hindered. Also, it is grown through underground modified stems, they are more often attacked by soil borne diseases such as Fusarium corm rot. In-vitro propagation techniques, assumes significance, especially for securing rapid multiplication of quality planting propagules using dormant cormlet explants and media. The results of the study revealed that the MS growing medium supplemented with 2 mg/l BAP showed improved results in respect of sprouting of explants (54.46 %), days required for sprouting of explants (8.68 DAI) and shoot length at 30 (6.32 cm), 60 (12.40 cm) and 90 (13.21 cm) DAI. The in vitro regenerated gladiolus plantlets when placed in the rooting MS medium supplemented with 4 mg/l IBA showed earlier root initiation (8.31 DAI) and higher number of roots/shoot (5.37 DAI) as compared to the rest of the treatment combinations. Hardening medium consisting of garden soil + sand + vermicompost (1:1:1) showed greater survivability (50.98 %) of plantlets. Thus, the study has been initiated an efficient protocol for in-vitro propagation of gladiolus through cormlets cultured in MS media containing BAP and IBA as shooting and rooting plant growth regulators and subsequent acclimatization in garden soil + sand+ vermicompost medium.

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Curcuma caesia Roxb. is a perennial herb with bluish-black rhizome and reportedly harbors medicinal properties. The powder and essential oil of the rhizome of the herb has potential use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. This important wild turmeric species has also been declared as endangered. Conservation and propagation of the black turmeric species by in vitro techniques is of high importance. The present study was conducted to develop an efficient protocol for mass propagation and conservation of Curcuma caesia collected from northern part of West Bengal. Bud from rhizomes as explants was cultured on full strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium for 19 days. For multiplication purpose, the explants were transferred either in MS medium supplemented with 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and IAA or Kinetin (KIN) with BAP for 56 days. MS medium supplemented with a combination of BAP 2.0 mg/L and IAA 0.75 mg/L gave the highest number (four) of shoots. MS medium supplemented with a combination of 2.0 mg/L IBA gave the highest number (twelve) of roots after 28 days. Healthy and complete plants with well-developed roots were hardened, acclimatized and planted in the field successfully with a survival rate of 70%. 2.0 mg/L 2,4-D showed the best result of callus induction for 83 days. K e y w o r d s

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