Browsing by Author "Balakrishna Pillai, P"

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Chemical weed control in rice under semi dry conditions
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1979) Ramakishnan Nair, T; Balakrishna Pillai, P; George, C M
Climatic water balances of Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1982) Prasada Rao, G S L H V; Balakrishna Pillai, P
Crop weather relationship of rainfed banana under different times of planting
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Venugopalan, K; Balakrishna Pillai, P
An experiment was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Kerala Agricultural University during December 1986 to July 1988 to study the crop weather relationship of rainfed banana under different times of planting. The experiment was conducted in randomised block design with seven times of planting (1st week of December, 1st week of January, 1st week of February, 1st week of March, 1st week of April, 1st week of May, and 1st week of June) and the treatments were replicated three times. Observations on all weather parameters and soil temperatures were recorded daily. Crop growth characters like height of pseudostem, girth of pseudostem, number of leaves and leaf area at various stages of growth, sucker production at shooting and harvest, and the days taken from planting to shooting, shooting to harvest and planting to harvest were recorded. Yield characters like bunch weight,length of bunch, weight of hand, number of hands, number of fingers per bunch, number of fingers per hand, length of finger and girth of finger were recorded. The various fruit quality characters like total soluble solids, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, total sugars, acidity and sugar acid ratio were recorded. The total crop growth period for all the treatments included two dry seasons. The general pattern of weather during the 1987-'88 dry season was better compared to that of 1986-'87. The highest soil temperature at any depth and time were, observed in April during 1987 and in March during 1988. Generally, December recorded the lowest soil temperatures The time of planting greatly influenced all the growth, yield and quality characters. At early stages, late plantings generally recorded taller plants with more girth, number of leaves and leaf area. The time of planting had a significant influence on the sucker production at harvest. The duration from shooting to harvest was significantly influenced by time of planting and the last two plantings took comparatively more time for fruit development.
Crop weather relationship studies in bitter gourd
(Department of Agricultural Meteorology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Lincy Davis, P; Balakrishna Pillai, P
An experiment was conducted during 1995 – 96 at the College of Horticulture, Vellenikkara to find out the optimum date of sowing and to study the crop – weather relationship in bitter gourd, variety mc –84. The experiment was laid out in randomised black design with 3 replications. The treatments consisted of twelve dates of sowing starting from April 15th, 1995 and ending in March, 15th, 1996. For each and every treatment one control plot was maintained. The biometric observations of the crop growth characters, flowering and yield attributes were taken at different stages of development of the crop. The observations on the incidence of pests and diseases were recorded from the control plots. The observations on weather elements were recorded daily. October sowing was significantly superior to others with regard to number of female flower production, number of fruits, fruit set, fruit length girth, weight and yield. The crop weather relationship studies showed that the temperature range during 45 to 65 DAS and sunshine hours during 40-60 DAS were positively correlated with both total yield and number of female flowers per plant while minimum temperature during 45-60 DAS and mean relative humidity during 45-70 DAS were negatively correlated with both total yield and number of female flowers per plant. Crop sown during September, October and November were free from the attack of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coq.). While Eudioptes indica (Saund.) occurred throughout the year. Mosaic disease incidence was severe in crops sown during June. But September sown crop was free from diseases.
Delineating the various agroclimatic zones of Kerala & identifying the cropping patterns for the different zones
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1986) Karmachandran, K M; Balakrishna Pillai, P
An investigation was carried out for delineating the various agroclimatic zones of Kerala and for identifying the cropping patterns for the different zones. Meteorological data were collected from 100 stations in Kerala. Soil and crop data were collected for the whole state. The agroclimatic features of Kerala were studied. The water balance elements and indices of 14 representative stations in the state were computed and presented on annual basis. Six moisture availability regimes (MAR) were proposed and delineated following the guidelines of Hargreaves (1971 & 1975). Twenty agroclimatic zones were identified by superimposing the six moisture availability regimes over seven soil groups. The zones are (1) Dry-Forest loam (AF1), (2) Semi dry-Red loam (BR1) (3) Semi dry-Laterite (BLa), (4) Semi dry-Alluvium (BA1), (5) Semi dry-Black soil (BBs), (6)Semi dry-Forest loam (BF1), (7) Sub humid-Red loam (CR1), (8) Sub humid-Laterite (CLa), (9) Sub humid-Alluvium(CA1), (10)Sub humid-Saline (CSa), (11) Sub humid-Forest loam (CF1), (12) Humid-Laterite (DLa), (13) Humid-Alluvium (DA1), (14) Humid-Greyish Onattukara (DGo). (15) Humid-Saline (DSa) (16) Humid-Forest loam (DF1), (17) per humid-Laterite (ELa), (18) per humid-Forest loam (EF1), (19) Wet-Laterite (FLa) and (20) wet-Forest loam (FF1). Twelve cropping patterns of the state were also identified. Suitability of the existing cropping patterns for the agroclimatic zones were examined. It is found that the cropping patterns existing in almost all the agroclimatic zones are suitable to the zones. Coconut is not suitable for BBs zone and the eastern part of the BLa zone, while rubber is not congenial for the zone BF1. Mango and jack are not suitable for the high altitude areas of DF1zone. Coconut, tapioca and cocoa are suitable only up to 900 m above M. S. L. in the zone EF1. In FLa zone rubber grows well up to 600 m above M. S. L, while cardamom is better for higher elevations. Tapioca is not suitable for areas 800 m above M. S. L in the zone FF1. The important crops except tapioca are unsuitable for AF1 zone. It is felt that a detailed study with a denser network of meteorological stations is necessary for examining the suitability of crops to the zone CF1. Crops such as millets with low water requirement should be given more importance in the zones like BBS and AF1. Dry (A) type MAR demands great care of crops at least for six dry months. Perhumid (E) and Wet (F) types of MAR demand proper drainage for crops except rice. Proper soil conservation measures have to be taken up when tapioca is grown on the slopes, especially of the sub humid (C), Humid (D), perhumid (E) and wet (F) types of moisture availability regimes.
Differential response of two medium duration rice varities to time of planning and graded doses of nitrogen
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1982) Lathif, P H; Balakrishna Pillai, P
An experiment to study the differential response of two medium duration rice varieties to time of planting and graded doses of nitrogen was conducted during the mundakan season of 1980 – 81, at the Research Station and Instructional Farm Mannuthy. The experiment was laid out in split plot design, with combinations of four time of planting (September 25th, October 10th, October 25th and November 9th) and 2 varieties (Jaya and Sabari) in the main plot and 3 levels of nitrogen (60, 90, 120 kg/ha) in subplots. Observations on the plant growth characters were recorded at 30th day, 60th day after planting and at harvest. Chemical analysis of plants at these stages were also done. Time of planting significantly influenced the growth characters as well as the yield and yield attributes. Plant height, panicle length, number of spikelets, number of filled grains, percentage of filled grains, dry matter production, grain yield, straw yield, harvest index, grain straw ratio, total nitrogen uptake at harvest, nitrogen uptake by grain, content of phosphorous in straw and grain and the total uptake of phosphorous at harvest and potassium uptake by grain were significantly higher in the early planted crop, than in later planted crops. However, number of days taken to 50 per cent flowering, and to maturity, production of tillers and productive tillers, phosphorous content of straw and potassium content of grain were positively influenced by delayed planting. Sabari recorded significantly higher number of days to flowering and maturity than Jaya. Higher levels of nitrogen were found to increase the dry matter production and nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content of straw.
Effect of different levels of Nitrogen,Phosphorus and Potassium on Growth and yield of Cowpea,(Vigna sinensis Savi) variety P.118
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1978) Mohankumar, B; Balakrishna Pillai, P
An experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, Vellanikkara, during the second crop season of 1977 to study for effect of different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on the growth and yield of cowpea, variety P. 118. The experiment was laid out in a 33 confounded factorial design confounding N P2 K and NP2 K2 in replications I and II, respectively. The study revealed that plant height increased with incremental doses of nitrogen. Nitrogen at 20kg/ha level contributed to increased nodulation which in turn favorably increased the grain yield. Phosphorus also had significant positive effect on nodulation. Nitrogen at 20 kg/ha and phosphorus at 40 kg P2O5 /ha exerted significant positive influence on the total dry matter production of the crop at harvest. Through their increased response in terms of number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and length of pods, nitrogen, at 20 kg ha and P2O5 at 40 kg/ha increased the grain yield per hectare significantly. Application of nitrogen at 30 kg/ha registered the maximum haulm yield. The grain haulm ratio was maximum for the combination of 20 kg nitrogen and 40 kg P2O5/ha Nitrogen at 21.6 kg/ha was found to be the optimum level for maximum grain production. The optimum level of phosphorus could not be estimated since the crop exhibited a linear response beyond the maximum level tried. Nitrogen application increased the plant content as well as the grain content of the element. Similarly application of phosphorus and potassium increased the plant contents of phosphorus and potassium, respectively. The uptake by nitrogen and phosphorus was significantly influenced by the 20 kg/ha and 40kg P2O5 /ha The protein content of grain increased with increasing levels of nitrogen. Applied potassium did not exhibit any significant influence on the yield components and most of the growth attributes.
Effect of N, P and K on the growth and yield of chilli, variety pant C1
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1985) Joseph, P A; Balakrishna Pillai, P
An experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm of the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to study th-j effect of different levels of N, P and K on the yield of chilli variety, Pant C1 during rainfed and irrigated seasons. The most economic levels of N, P_05 and K.,O were found to bs 92:52:39 and 90:52:26 kg/ha respectively for the rainfed and irrigated chilli crops. By spending an additional cost of Rs. 16.36 on two kg N and 4 kg K.,0 for the cultivation of chilli during the rainfed season compared to the cost of cultivation of chilli during irrigated season, an additional income of Rs. 3798 could be obtained. Cultivation of chilli variety Pant C1 is thus highly profitable during the rainfed season from May to September compared to the irrigated crop from November to February.
Effect of N, P and K on the yield of cowpea, variety P118
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1979) Mohan Kumar, B; Balakrishna Pillai, P
An experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm of the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to study the effect of different levels of N, P and K on the yield of cowpea variety P-118. Nitrogen at 21.6 kg/ha was found to be the optimum level for maximum grain production. Optimum level of P could not be estimated since the crop exhibited a linear response beyond the maximum level tried. Applied K did not exhibit any significant influence on the yield components indicating the adequacy or soil supplies of the nutrient.
Effect of soil moisture stress on growth and yield of banana cv. Nendran
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Jessy, M D; Balakrishna Pillai, P
Effect of sulphur in preventing the occurrence of chlorosis in paddy seedlings
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1974) Balakrishna Pillai, P; Singh, H G
Efficiency of complex fertiliser on rice
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1979) Balakrishna Pillai, P; Sasidhar, V K; Vikraman Nair, R
Influence of age of seedlings, spacing & time of application of nitrogen on the yield of rice var I. R. 8
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1977) Panikar, R S; Balakrishna Pillai, P; Chandrasekharan, P
Influence of date of sowing and levels of irrigation on the growth and yield of water melon (citrullus lanatus) grown in rice fallows
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Siby Neendissery, T; Balakrishna Pillai, P
An experiment was conducted at the Rice Research Station, Mannuthy, Thrissur during the period from November 1990 to April 1991 to study the influence of date os sowing and levels of irrigation on the growth and yield of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) grown in rice fallows. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The treatment consisted of seven dates of sowing (November Ist, November 16th, December 16th, December 32st, January 15th and January 30th) in the main plot and four levels of irrigation (IW/CPE ratio of 1.0, IW/CPE ratio of 0.75, IW/CPE ratio of 0.50, pot watering -1 pot per day per pit) in the sub plot. Observations on various morphological characters, flowering and yield attributes were recorded during the course of investigation. Soil moisture observations were taken before, and 24 hours after irrigation to compute consumptive use and soil moisture depletion. The daily values of various weather elements recorded at the meterological observatory were collected to work out the crop weather relationship. The plants irrigated daily (10 litre/pit/day) were superior to others with regard to vine length, date of picking maturity, date and number of male and female flower production, number of fruits, fruit girth, weight, yield and total dry matter production, but was on par with IW/CPE ratio of 1.0. Irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 was superior with regard to the number of nodes for female flower production and number of seeds per fruit. Irrigation treatment IW/CPE ratio of 0.50 recorded the highest sex ratio, hundred seed weight and T.S.S. content. The crop sown on November 16th was superior to others with regard to most of the crop characters. The crop weather relationship studies showed that the temperature range during flowering and early fruit development (3rd to 7th week), maximum temperature during fruit development (7th to 10th week) and relative humidity during maturity (11th to 13th week) negatively correlated with yield. While for total dry matter production there was a negative correlation between temperature range during flowering (3rd to 5th week), maximum temperature during fruit development and early maturity (8th to 11th week) and relative humidity during maturity (11th to 13th week). It was found that irrigation and sowing date has a significant effect on overall growth and yield of the crop. The highest yield was recorded in crop sown on November 16th irrigated daily (10 litre/pit /day). The best performance may be attributed to the optimum weather conditions during the crop period and the effective utilisation of water. From the soil moisture studies it is evident that the consumptive use increased with the frequency of irrigation. The top 15 cm of the soil layer accounted for the highest soil moisture depletion. The depletion was more from the deeper layers in the drier regimes. The water use efficiency was highest for the plants irrigated at IW/CPE ratio of 0.5. sown on November 16th. Results of the present experiment indica that at Mannuthy and surrounding water melon can be successfully raised in rice fallows if irrigated daily (10 litre/pit/day.) and sown in the middle of November.
Influence of weather parameters on growth and yield of rice variety Jaya
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Sreelatha, P; Balakrishna Pillai, P
An experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy, Kerala Agricultural University during May, 1988 to February, 1989 to study the influence of weather parameters on growth and yield of rice variety Jaya. The experiment was conducted in split plot design with twelve times of planting (June 18, July 2, July 16, July 30, August 13, August 27, September 10, September 24, October 8, October 22, November 5, and November 19) as main plot treatments and two spacings (20 x 10 cm and 20 x 15 cm) as subplot treatments and the treatments were replicated three times. Observations on all weather parameters were recorded daily. Crop growth characters like plant height and number of tillers at various stages of growth and time taken from transplanting to panicle initiation, panicle initiation to flowering and flowering to harvest were recorded. Yield components like number and percentage of productive tillers, length of panicle, number of spikelets per panicle, number and percentage of filled grains, grain yield, straw yield, drymatter production, thousand grain weight, harvest index and grain straw ratio were recorded. Observations on incidence of pests, diseases and nematodes were also recorded. However, no serious incidence was noticed. The time of planting greatly influenced all the growth and yield characters. Early plantings, generally recorded taller plants and more number of tillers and productive tillers. The time of planting had a significant influence on the duration taken from flowering to harvest. Number of spikelets and filled grains per panicle did not show any significant trend with delay in planting.
Nitrogen phosphorus and potassium requirements of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) variety pant C-1
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1982) Joseph, P A; Balakrishna Pillai, P
Field experiments were conducted at the Instructional Farm, Vellanikkara during the periods from May to September 1981 and November 1981to February 1982 to study the effects of graded doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on the growth and yield of chilli variety Pant. C.1 in two seasons.
Nutritional status of soils and the incidence of "bunchy top" disease of banana (var. Java)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1974) Balakrishna Pillai, P; Nair, C K N
All the plants in the control contracted the disease earlier than the treated plants. The uptake of N by the plant decreased with increasing levels of Ca & Ms There was an increase in the N content of leaves after the incidence of the dsease. The present studies have indicated that the CaO-)-MgO/K2O in the plant tissue exerts some influence on the resistance of the tissue to infection by the Bunchy top virus.
Nutritional status of soils and the incidence of the bunchy top disease of banana (Var Java)- Part VI Effect of application of calcium and magnesium to soil on the ratio of Calcium oxide/Magnesium oxide in the plant and its relation to bunchy top infection
(Division of Agronomy, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Vellayani, 1968) Balakrishna Pillai, P; Nair, C K N
Experiments were laid out under semi-field conditions to study the effect of combined application of calcium oxide and magnesium oxide at different concentrations to soil in the ratio of 3:1. The absorption of calcium , magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by plants from soils containing varying quantities of calcium oxide and magnesium oxide was studied. The plants were allowed to be infected by releasing the virus carrying sphids after the initial period of growth, to study whether there was any resistance to the incidence of bunchy top.
Relative efficiency of different herbicides on rice under semi dry conditions
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1979) Balachandran Nair, G K; Balakrishna Pillai, P; Madhavan Nair, K P; Sasidhar, V K
The findings of the present investigation reveal that amongst different weed control measures tried the application of propanil (Stam F — 34) in combination with 2, 4 — D (Feronoxone) at the rate of 0.75 and 0.5 kg. a. i/ha respectively, followed by propanil (Stam F — 34) alone at the rate of 1.5 kg. a.i/ha and Butachlor (Machete) alone at the rate of 1.5kg. a.i/ha are beneficial in controlling weeds and improving grain yields of rice.
Studies on the performance of rice variety 'Aswathy' under different methods of direct seeding and weed control
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Sreedevi, P; Balakrishna Pillai, P
An experiment was conducted in the Rice Research Station and Instrumentation farm, Mannuthy, Kerala Agricultural University during the first crop season of 1978 to study the performance of a rice variety 'Aswathy' under different methods of direct seeding and weed control.