Browsing by Author "Bindhu, J S"

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Efficiency of Rajphos compacted with mono-ammonium phosphate or single super phosphate for growth and yield of rice
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2003) Sunderasan Nair, C; Sreedaya, G S; Sarada, S; Bindhu, J S; Vyas, N G
Management of Setaria barbata in upland rice
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2022-09-27) Sandra S Lopez; Bindhu, J S
A field experiment on "Management of Setaria barbata in upland rice" was undertaken during 2019-21 with an objective to find out a cost-effective weed management practice for Setaria barbata in upland rice. The investigation was carried out at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram in Thiruvananthapuram district during the period from June 2020 to October 2020. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design (factorial RBD), with three replications. Treatments were 16 (2x8) combinations of 2 factors; Factor A (seed bed preparation) and Factor B (weed management practices). The treatments included two seed bed preparation, viz., stale seedbed (s1) and no stale seedbed (s2) and weed management practices, viz., preemergence application of oxyfluorfen @ 0.15 kg ha-1 followed by (fb) fenoxaprop-p-ethyl @ 0.06 kg ha-1 at 25 DAS (w1), pre-emergence application of oxyfluorfen @ 0.15 kg ha-1 fbcyhalofop-butyl @ 0.135 kg ha-1 at 25 DAS (w2), pre-emergence application of oxyfluorfen @0.15 kg ha-1 fb application of penoxulam + cyhalofop-butyl @ 0.135kg ha-1 at 25 DAS (w3), preemergence application of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl @ 0.025 kg ha-1 fb application of fenoxaprop-pethyl @ 0.06 kg ha-1 at 25 DAS (w4), pre-emergence application of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl @ 0.025 kg ha-1 fb application of cyhalofop-butyl @ 0.135 kg ha-1 at 25 DAS (w5), pre-emergence application of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl @ 0.025 kg ha-1 fb application of penoxulam + cyhalofopbutyl @ 0.135kg ha-1 at 25 DAS (w6), hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS (w7), no weeding (weedy check) (w8). The variety used was Prathyasa (MO-21) released from Rice Research Station, Moncompu. FYM @ 5 t ha-1, N: P: K @ 90:30:45 kg ha-1 and lime 1.5 t ha-1 were applied uniformly to all treatments.The predominant weed flora of the experimental field was grass weeds followed by broadleaved weeds and sedges. Among the grass weeds, Setaria barbata was the dominant one. Stale seed bed recorded significantly lower density and dry weight at all stages of observations. At 15 and 30 DAS, lower absolute density, relative density and weed dry weight were recorded in w3. At 45 DAS, total dry weight and absolute density were lower in w1, w2, w3 and w7. Higher weed control efficiency (WCE) was observed in w2 (91.76%) at 15 DAS, w3 (97.34%) at 30 DAS and w7 (95.52%) at 45 DAS. Among interactions, s1w1 and s2w3 recorded higher WCE. The weed index in w3 was negative (-0.32%), indicating that w3 was superior than hand weeding (w7). The growth attributes viz., plant height, number of tillers, dry matter production and physiological parameters (CGR, RGR, total chlorophyll content) were significantly influenced by seed bed preparation and weed management practices at all growth stages. Stale seed bed method had the tallest plants and higher number of tillers during all growth stages. At harvest, tallest plants and higher number of tillers were observed in w3 (oxyfluorfen fb penoxsulam + cyhalofop butyl). The treatments w1 and w2 showed slight phytotoxicity on rice seedlings. Stale seed bed positively influenced the yield attributes of upland rice viz., number of panicles per m2, number of spikelets per panicles, percent filled grains, panicle weight, grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index. Among the weed management methods, w3 recorded higher values for all the above yield attributes except harvest index and number of panicle m-2. The grain yield was significantly affected by weed management strategies with w3 recorded higher grain yield (2.91 t ha-1) which was on par with w1, w2 and w7. Stale seed bed preparation had higher dehydrogenase enzyme activity, organic carbon, P and K status after the experiment. Among the weed management treatments, the dehydrogenase activity was higher in w3. Available N and K status of the soil were also influenced by weed management practices with weedy check recording lower values. Weedy check recorded the highest NPK uptake by weeds. Leaf folder and rice bug infestation were controlled by appropriate control measures. he highest BC ratio was observed with w3, which was on par with w1. Net returns was higher in w3 which was on par with w1 and w2. Weedy check (w8) recorded lower net returns. From the experimental results it can be concluded that, adoption of stale seed bed method along with pre-emergence application of oxyfluorfen @ 0.15 kg ha-1 at 0-3 DAS followed by either the application of penoxsulam + cyhalofop butyl @ 0.135kg ha-1 or fenoxaprop-p-ethyl @ 0.06 kg ha-1 at 25 DAS can be recommended as a viable cost-effective weed management option for the management of Setaria barbata in upland rice.
Nano zinc nutrition in rice based cropping systems in high Phosphorus soils
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2025-07-04) Boddu Archana; Bindhu, J S
The project entitled “Nano zinc nutrition in rice based cropping systems in high phosphorus soils” was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, during 2020-2025. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the response of rice to nano zinc in high P soils, study the residual effect of nano zinc nutrition on growth and yield of succeeding crops, study the P - Zn interactions and to identify the promising crop sequence in terms of system productivity and profitability. The study comprised three parts which were carried out at Integrated Farming System Research Station (IFSRS), Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during 2022-23. The first and second parts of the experiment were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications using variety Uma (Mo 16) in virippu and mundakan seasons. The treatments comprised T1- [Soil application (SA) of ZnSO4 at 20 kg ha-1 (applied only in virippu season)], T2- [Nutri priming (NP) with nano Zn at 0.05%], T3- [NP with nano Zn at 0.05% + Foliar spray (FS) with nano Zn at 0.05% at maximum tillering (MT) stage], T4- [NP with ZnSO4 at 0.5%], T5- [NP with ZnSO4 at 0.5% + FS with nano Zn at 0.05% at MT stage], T6-[FS with nano Zn at 0.05% at MT and panicle initiation (PI) stages], T7- [FS with ZnSO4 at 0.5% at MT and PI stages], T8- [Control (Recommended Dose of Nutrients (RDN) without application of P and Zn)]. The RDN were 90:45:45 (N:P2O5:K2O) kg ha-1 modified as 64:22:53 kg ha-1 on soil test basis. The growth and yield attributes of rice were significantly influenced by nano zinc nutrition. Taller plants with the highest number of tillers per m2, higher leaf area per hill, leaf area index and dry matter production were recorded in T3 and was on par with T6 during both the seasons. The yield attributes viz., higher numbers of productive tillers per hill, grains per panicle, grain weight per panicle and lower sterility percentage were observed in T3 and was on par with T6 during both the seasons. The pooled mean over the seasons revealed that the grain yield (5161 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6148 kg ha-1) of rice were higher in T3 and was on par with T6. The grain yield increased by 78 and 69 per cent in T3 and T6, respectively over control. The nutrient uptake by plants at panicle initiation and harvest were significantly affected by zinc nutrition. The higher uptake of N, P, K, Ca and Zn by the rice plants at panicle initiation and harvest were observed in T3 which was comparable to T2 and T6 at panicle initiation and comparable to T6 at harvest during both virippu and mundakan. The nutrient use efficiency of P and Zn in terms of agronomic efficiency was the highest in T3 and T6, respectively during virippu and mundakan. The available nutrient status of the soil after each season was significantly influenced by nano zinc nutrition. The available N, P, K and Zn were higher in T3 and T6 during both virippu and mundakan. The dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities were significantly higher in T3 and were on par with T6. The highest net returns (₹ 76622 ha-1 and ₹ 86368 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.74 and 1.82) were recorded in T3 during virippu and mundakan, respectively. The third part of the experiment was conducted during summer season to study the residual effect of nano zinc nutrition on growth and yield of succeeding crops. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design and was replicated thrice wherein, each individual plots of previous crop were divided to three sub plots and crops viz., grain cowpea (Kanakamony (PTB 1)) and bhindi (Anjitha) were grown in two sub plots and one sub plot was kept as fallow. The main plot treatments were residual nutrients of the previous seasons (N1 to N8) and the sub plot treatments were three crop sequences (C1- rice-rice-grain cowpea, C2- rice-rice-bhindi, C3- rice-rice-fallow). Growth, yield attributes and yield of summer crops viz., grain cowpea and bhindi were higher in N1. Available N, P, K, Zn, and soil enzyme activities were influenced by the residual nutrient status of the soil and crop sequences. Higher available N was observed in N6 and N5, available P, K and dehydrogenase activity were higher in N3, available Zn was the highest in N6, and phosphatase activity was higher in N1. Among the crop sequences, available P, Zn and dehydrogenase activity were the highest in C1. Among the interactions, the highest available Ca, available Zn and phosphatase activity were observed in n8c2, n3c1 and n1c1, respectively. The highest system yield (11504 kg ha-1) and system productivity (32 kg ha-1 day-1) were observed in N3 which was on par with N6. The crop sequence C2 recorded the highest system yield (10592 kg ha-1), while both C2 and C1 sequences showed higher system productivity. Among the interactions, n3c1 and n3c2 recorded the highest system yield (12100 and 12090 kg ha-1, respectively) and system productivity (33 kg ha-1 day-1, respectively). The highest energy efficiency, the lowest specific energy, the highest energy productivity and the highest energy intensity were recorded in N3. Among the crop sequences, C1 recorded the highest energy efficiency (7.42) and energy productivity was higher in C2 (0.62 kg MJ-1). Among the interactions, n3c3 recorded the highest energy efficiency. The data on nutrient balance showed a net gain of nitrogen in all treatments in C1 and C2, except N8. The rice-rice-fallow sequence showed a net gain in N3, and N6. Available phosphorus showed a net loss among all sequences and all treatments except N8. Potassium had a positive balance in the rice-rice-grain cowpea and rice-rice-bhindi in all treatments except N8. In rice-rice-fallow sequence, net gain of K was observed in N3 and N6. Zinc balance was positive in all the crop sequences and all the treatments except N1 and N7 which recorded net loss of Zn. Among the residual nutrients, the highest system net returns (₹ 173627 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.49) were observed in N3 whereas, among crop sequences, rice-rice-bhindi (C2) showed the highest net returns (₹ 114127 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.47). Among the treatment combinations, n3c2 recorded the highest net returns (₹ 182091 ha-1) and the highest B:C ratio (1.79) in n3c3. From the study, it can be concluded that nutri priming with nano zinc at 0.05% (50 ml ha-1) followed by foliar spray of nano zinc at 0.05% (250 ml ha-1) at maximum tillering stage along with soil test basis recommended dose of nutrients was effective way in enhancing the productivity and profitability of rice in high phosphorus soils. The growth and yield of grain cowpea and bhindi were the highest in residual nutrient with soil application of ZnSO4 at 20 kg ha-1 [applied only in virippu]. Rice-rice-bhindi was identified as the promising crop sequence in terms of system productivity and system profitability.
Nutrient and moisture optimization in banana (Musa AAA. Grand Nain)
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Bindhu, J S; Girija Devi, L
Organic nutrient scheduling in wicking bed system for tomato(Solanum lycopersicum (L.)) in homesteads
(Department of agronomy, college of agriculture ,Vellayani, 2023-09-04) Ashish Koshy, George; Bindhu, J S
Performance of greengram (vigna radiata( L.) wilczek) cultivars under different tillage methods
(Department of Agronomy College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Abid, V; Bindhu, J S
An experiment entitled “Performance of greengram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) cultivars under different tillage methods” was undertaken to study the response of selected greengram cultivars under different tillage methods and to identify the most economical combination of cultivar and tillage. The experiment was conducted during the period from December 2017 to March 2018 at Agronomy Farm, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. Split plot design was adopted with three replications. The main plot treatments were four tillage methods viz., M1 - minimum tillage (primary tillage only), M2 - minimum tillage followed by pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1 kg ha-1, M3 - minimum tillage followed by post-emergence application of imazethapyr + imazamox @ 80 g ha-1 at 20 DAS and M4 - conventional tillage (Primary and secondary tillage) followed by two hand weedings at 15 and 30 DAS. Sub plot treatments were four cultivars; V1 –CO 6, V2 –CO 7, V3 –CO 8 and V4 -VBN (Gg)2. The growth attributes of greengram (plant height, number of branches and leaf area) at flowering and at harvest stages were influenced by tillage methods. Higher values were observed in minimum tillage followed by application of herbicide imazethapyr + imazamox @ 80 g ha-1 at 20 DAS and the lowest in minimum tillage. Among the cultivars, CO 8 and VBN (Gg)2 had recorded higher growth parameters. The physiological parameters, CGR, LAI, LAD and number of nodules per plant also varied with tillage methods and cultivars. The results revealed that yield parameters as well as yield were influenced by tillage methods and cultivars. Minimum tillage followed by application of imazethapyr + imazamox @ 80 g ha-1 at 20 DAS resulted in higher number of pods and number of seeds per pod and was at par with conventional tillage method. Among the cultivars, higher values of yield components were recorded in CO 8 followed by VBN (Gg)2. Minimum tillage followed by application of imazethapyr + imazamox @ 80 g ha-1 at 20 DAS recorded higher seed yield (748 kg ha-1) which was at par with conventional tillage. This was 102 per cent higher than yield from minimum tillage. The cultivar CO 8 recorded the highest seed yield (736 kg ha-1) and differed significantly from other three cultivars. All cultivars performed better under minimum tillage followed by application of imazethapyr + imazamox @ 80 g ha-1 at 20 DAS and conventional tillage followed by two hand weedings at 15 and 30 DAS. Among the interactions, the cultivar CO 8 in minimum tillage followed by imazethapyr + imazamox @ 80 g ha-1 recorded higher seed yield (942 kg ha-1) and it was at par with conventional tillage. The results revealed that weed density and dry weight varied with tillage methods but not with cultivars. The weed density was lower in conventional tillage method which was at par with minimum tillage followed by herbicide sprays. The soil nutrient status was not influenced by the cultivars. Among the tillage methods, minimum tillage method recorded higher values of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium after the experiment. The nutrient uptake was higher in minimum tillage followed by post emergence application of imazethapyr + imazamox @ 80 g ha-1 at 20 DAS. Economic analysis revealed that cultivar CO 8 grown under minimum tillage followed by imazethapyr + imazamox @ 80 g ha-1 at 20 DAS (M3V3) recorded the highest gross returns and benefit - cost ratio. Greengram cultivar CO 8 (V3) grown under minimum tillage method followed by post emergence herbicide spray of imazethapyr + imazamox @ 80 g ha-1 at 20 DAS (M3) can be recommended for summer rice fallows considering the yield and profitability.
Production potential and economics of sesamum-pulse intercropping in Onattukara tract
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1999) Bindhu, J S; Muraleedharan, V
An experiment entitled "Production potential and economics of sesamum-pulse intercropping in Onattukara tract" was conducted in the summer rice fallows of Rice Research Station, Kayamkulam from February 1998 to August 1998. The study also aims at estimating the residual effect of the intercropping on succeeding crop of rice during virippu season. The experiment was laid out In randomised block design with nine treatments in four replications. The weather condition during the cropping period was congenial for crop growth. The treatments were sole crops of sesamum, blackgram and greengram, intercropping of sesamum with blackgram and greengram in 1: 1, 2: 1 and 3: 1 ratios. The results indicated that sesamum in general, having a tall growing habit was least affected by shade when put under intercropping systems with pulses under different planting ratios. The association of sesamum had lesser adverse effect on legumes and it was proved that legumes can be grown in a compatible manner with sesamum. The sole crops produced significantly higher seed yield than the intercropping systems, in which yield varied due to differences in 2 population. The sole crops recorded the maximum nutrient uptake values due to more drymatter production as compared to intercropping treatments. The bio-economic suitability of the intercropping systems were studied. Higher LER, LEe, Ree, Aggressivity and sesamum equivalent were obtained in sesamum + blackgram in 1: 1 ratio and sesamum + greengram in 2:1 ratios. The results on monetary returns were higher in intercropping systems irrespective of the pulse crops raised, compared to sole crop of sesamum. The highest gross returns, net returns per rupee invested and !. ~ benefit cost ratio were realised from the sole crop of blackgram. Among intercropping systems, sesamum + blackgram in 1: 1 ratio gave higher monetary returns and benefit cost ratio. The maximum monetary advantage based on LER (Rs. 1219 hal ) was obtained when sesamum and blackgram were grown in 1: 1 proportion. The results on energy equivalents were also higher for sole crop of blackgram and sesamum + blackgram in 1: 1 ratio. In general, the soil nutrient status indicated a significant positive buildup of nitrogen and phosphorus. But in case of potassium, the exchangeable potassium was slightly reduced after the experiment. The yield of succeeding rice crop was not significantly influenced by the preceding crops combinations. 3 Thus raising a sole crop of blackgram in the rice fallows of Onattukara tract appears to be more profitable. Under the circumstances, where an intercrop is desired for yield stability, to reduce risk or for yield diversity, raising sesamum and blackgram in 1: 1 proportion can be recommended as an economically viable and biologically sustainable practice for the rice fallows of Onattukara region during the summer season.
Productivity enhancement of green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) wilczek) under system of crop intensification (SCI)
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2023-01-09) Koduru Sowmya; Bindhu, J S
The study entitled “Productivity enhancement of green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) under system of crop intensification (SCI)” was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2020-2022. The objectives were to standardize the plant population and to assess the effect of foliar nutrition in enhancing the productivity of green gram in summer fallows through a system of crop intensification. The field experiment was conducted from February 2022 to May 2022, in farmer’s field at Southern Coastal Plain (AEU 1), Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with 16 treatment combinations and four replications. The main plot treatment was spacing (S1- spacing of 25 cm x 15 cm with single seedling hill-1 , S2 -spacing of 25 cm x 15 cm with double seedling hill-1 , S3 -spacing of 25 cm x 25 cm with single seedling hill1 , S4- spacing of 25 cm x 25 cm with double seedling hill-1 ) and the sub plot treatment was foliar application (F1 - Urea @ 2%, F2 - DAP @ 2%, F3 - KNO3 @ 0.5%, F4 - DAP @ 2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% at 15 and 30 DAS). All other management practices were followed as per Package of Practices Recommendations of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU, 2016). The green gram variety, CO 8 was used for the experiment. The growth attributes of green gram viz., plant height, number of leaves plant-1 , number of branches plant-1 , leaf area and dry matter production were recorded at 15 DAS, 30 DAS, 45 DAS, 60 DAS and at harvest. The growth attributes were significantly higher with single seedling (S1 and S3) compared to double seedling hill-1 (S2 and S4) at all the growth stages. Among the foliar application treatments, F3 and F4 recorded significantly superior growth attributes. The physiological parameters, viz., CGR, RGR, NAR and LAI also varied significantly with spacing and foliar application. The results indicated that the yield attributes viz., number of pods plant-1 (27.06), and number of seeds pod-1 (12.25) were higher with S3 whereas length of 130 pod (7.99 cm) was higher with S1. Among the foliar nutrition treatments, higher yield components were recorded in F3. Spacing of 25 cm x 25 cm with single seedling hill-1 (S3) recorded higher seed yield (899.44 kg ha-1 ) and it was at par with S1 and significantly superior to the other two spacings. Single seedling treatments (S1 and S3) showed a yield increase of 10.7 per cent and 38.2 per cent, over double seedling treatments (S2 and S4). Haulm yield was higher with S1 and it was on par with S3. Foliar nutrition with KNO3 at 0.5% (F3) at 15 and 30 DAS recorded higher grain yield and haulm yield (880.85 and 1854.29 kg ha-1 , respectively) and remained at par with F4. Weed density and weed dry weight were lower (9.75 m-2 and 18.54 g m-2 , respectively) in S2 than S3 (15.94 m-2 and 28.92 g m-2 , respectively). Weed density and weed dry weight were significantly lower in F2 and higher in F1. Higher uptake of N, P and K were observed with S1 and S3. Among the foliar nutrition treatments, higher N (49.60 kg ha-1 ) and P uptake (10.11 kg ha-1 ) were observed with F4. K uptake (27.07 kg ha-1 ) was higher with F3 and was at par with F4. Post-harvest analysis of soil revealed higher available N (378.06 kg ha-1 ) and available K (193.60 kg ha-1 ) in S1 and it was at par with S2. Available P was higher (112.42 kg ha-1 ) in S3 and was comparable with S2. Among the foliar nutrition treatments, higher status of available N and P were observed with F4 and available K with F3. The economics of cultivation varied with spacing and foliar nutrition treatments. Spacing of 25 cm x 25 cm with one seedling hill-1 (S3) along with foliar nutrition of KNO3 at 0.5% (F3) at 15 and 30 DAS recorded higher net returns (₹ 43868 ha-1 ) and benefit cost ratio (1.75). From the study it could be concluded that, planting green gram at a spacing of 25 cm x 25 cm with single seedling hill-1 with recommended dose of fertilizers, supplemented with foliar application of KNO3 at 0.5% at 15 and 30 DAS could be recommended for higher productivity and profitability of the crop in summer rice fallows under the system of crop intensification.
Weed management in summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2020) Sarin, S; Bindhu, J S
Wicking Bed Irrigation in Tomato Solanum lycopersicum L
(Department Of Agronomy College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2021-11-19) Greeshma,U; Bindhu, J S
The experiment entitled “Wicking bed irrigation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum (L).)” was conducted with the objectives to standardize the height and media filled reservoir in wicking bed system, to evaluate the performance of tomato as a test crop under wicking bed (WB) system and to work out the economics. The experiment was carried out from December 2020 to April 2021 in farmer’s field at Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with 8 treatments replicated thrice. The treatments were T1 – gravel WB 100mm + geotextile inter liner (GT) + soil bed (SB) 200 mm; T2 - gravel WB 150mm + GT + SB 300 mm; T3 - coconut shell WB 100 mm + GT + SB 200 mm; T4 - coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm; T5 - gravel + coconut shell (1:1) WB 100 mm + GT + SB 200 mm; T6 - gravel + coconut shell (1:1) WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm; T7 - SB 200 mm conventional irrigation; T8 – SB 300 mm conventional irrigation. Soil bed was prepared by mixing soil, coir pith compost and FYM in the ratio 2:1:1. Nutrition was provided as per the organic POP of KAU. Tomato seedlings of variety Vellayani Vijai was used for transplanting. After transplanting, all treatments were surface irrigated for two weeks. Irrigation was given in the wicking bed based on the water level in the reservoir. The growth characters viz., plant height, number of branches, stem girth and leaf area were recorded at 30, 60, 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and at harvest. At 30 DAT and 60 DAT, taller plants (59.32, 93.25 cm, respectively) were observed in coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T4) and at 90 DAT and at harvest gravel + coconut shell (1:1) WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T6) recorded the taller plants. Number of primary branches per plant were higher in the treatment coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T4) in all the growth stages. Stem girth was not influenced by the wicking bed and surface irrigation treatments except at 60 DAT. At 60 DAT, stem girth recorded in all the treatments were on par, except soil bed 200 mm with conventional irrigation (T7). Leaf area was not influenced during early stages of growth. Higher leaf area (797 cm2) was observed for T2 at 90 DAT and at harvest (768 cm2). Coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T4) recorded higher dry matter, root weight and root volume. The longest roots (17.30 cm) were recorded in gravel WB 150mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T2). Flower clusters per plant was significantly more in T2 (31.67) which was on par with T1, T5 and T6. Coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T4) recorded higher number of flowers per cluster (10.67). The treatments, coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T4) and gravel + coconut shell (1:1) WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T6) took less number of days (37.83) to reach 50 per cent flowering. Fruits were longer (4.35 cm) in T3 and fruit diameter was higher (11.63 cm) in T6. T4 (coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm) recorded more fruit weight (41.50 g) and remained statistically on par with T2 and T6. The analysed data revealed that higher yield per plant (1153 g) and more number of pickings were recorded in T4 which was on par with T2. Harvest index was higher in larger reservoir depths. Significantly higher (20.64 mg 100 g fruit-1) ascorbic acid content was recorded in T4 and T5. Total soluble sugars and titrable acidity were not influenced by wicking and surface irrigation treatments. Soil pH, organic carbon, P and K content were not influenced by wicking bed and surface irrigation treatments. Bulk density was higher (1.31 Mg m-3) in gravel + coconut shell (1:1) WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T6) which was on par with T3 and T5. Surface irrigation treatments (T7 and T8) recorded lower EC value (0.86 and 0.95 dS m-1, respectively). Available nitrogen content was significantly higher in T4 (coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm) and was comparable with T1 and T5. Plant uptake of N and P was higher in T4 (coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm) and K uptake was higher (10.18 g per plant) in T2 (gravel WB 150mm + GT + SB 300 mm) which was on par with T4. Water requirement of tomato varied with the treatments ranging from 480.06 mm (T4) to 568.22 mm (T7). The frequency of irrigation varied from 9 in larger reservoir depth to 35 in surface irrigation treatments. T4 recorded the lowest water requirement (480.06 mm) and the highest total water use efficiency (65.05 kg ha-1 mm-1). The economic analysis revealed that T4 (coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm) recorded the highest net returns per plant (₹ 46.23) and BCR of 2.00. From the study, it could be concluded that, tomato can be successfully cultivated in wicking bed system. Among the wicking beds, coconut shell filled reservoir of 150 mm depth + geotextile inter liner + 300 mm soil bed depth could be recommended for tomato cultivation considering the yield, quality, water use efficiency and economics.
Zinc and boron nutrition in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) for Onattukara sandy plain
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2019) Reni Francis; Bindhu, J S