Browsing by Author "Damodaran, V K"

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Dehydration, packing and storage studies of fruits (banana, jack and mango)
(Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1983) Kuber Singh, K; Damodaran, V K
Factors affecting yield in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)
(Department of Horticulture (Pomology & Floriculture and Landscaping), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Parameswaran, N K; Damodaran, V K
Investigations on the different vegetative, flowering and fruiting characters, influencing yield in cashew, were undertaken at the main campus of Kerala Agricultural University at Vellanikkara. These studies were made during the period from November 1978 to April 1979. Important vegetative characters studied were the percentage of flowered shoots per unit area of tree canopy and the growth parameters of the tree represented by spread and height. The major flowering and fruiting characters studied were the pattern of flower opening, percentage of bisexual flowers, factors affecting pollination, fruit-set, fruit-drop and the mean weight of nuts harvested. The results showed that among the vegetative characters, percentage of flowered shoots per unit area of tree canopy was found to be the most important factor, contributing to yield. Tree-spread was also found to have a positive correlation with yield. The influences of this character on yield was not direct but indirectly through the former character. There was no significant correlation between yield and height of the tree. Pattern of flower opening in cashew panicles was found to have three phases viz., the first male phase followed by a mixed phase which is again followed by a second male phase. The duration of these three phases was found to be varying in the different trees. It was found that some trees had only the mixed phase throughout and those trees yielding above the median had a longer mixed phase as compared to the trees yielding below the median. A positive correlation was found between yield and percentage of bisexual flowers in the tree. Among the flowering and fruiting characters affecting yield, this factor was found to influence yield much more than any other character. Examination of a random number of bisexual flowers revealed that a large proportion of bisexual flowers remained unpollinated in nature. So, lack of pollination was found to be one of the reasons for poor fruit-set and yield in cashew. This was further confirmed from the high fruit-set obtained in the hand pollinated panicles. Receptivity of the stigma was found to be continuing up for 48 hours after flower opening and hence it was not a limiting factor for securing high yield. Supplementing the natural pollination with the help of insect pollinators met with some success. Keeping bee-hives in the orchards during flowering season is advisable for facilitating better pollination. A positive correlation could be observed between yield and percentage of fruit-set but the ultimate yield was found to be adversely affected by the severe shedding of young fruits before reaching maturity. The intensity of fruit-drop was found to be high in the early stages of development but it declined during the later stages. The causes of fruit-drop that could be identified were those resulting from the attack of insect pests, adverse climatic conditions etc. Studies did not reveal any significant correlation between yield and mean weight of nuts harvested.
Floral biology, Pollination and fruit development in pineapple (Ananas comosus L.)
(Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1982) Jayachandran Nair, C S; Damodaran, V K
Maturity and post-harvest studies in mango (Mangifera indica Linn.)
(Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1982) Jessy Kuriakose, M; Damodaran, V K
The present investigations were carried out in the College of Horticulture, during the year 1979-80. The objectives were to study (i) the growth and maturity of mango fruits in order to standardise the harvest indices in five varieties viz., Bennet Alphonso, Mundappa, Suwarnarekha, Olour and Neelum (ii) the effect of different storage methods on the shelf life of fruits harvested at three different stages (A,B and C) and (iii) the suitability of the varieties for canning. Studies on physic-chemical characters of the fruits throughout the period of maturation were conducted with the view to fix optimum time for harvest. This study brought out that the length, weight, specific gravity (except for Mundappa) reducing sugar, starch and T.S.S. contents could be taken as dependable maturity standard. Based on these parameters the maturity standards have been fixed for the five varieties studied. The growth of fruits by way of increased length, girth, weight and volume was maximum during the first four weeks of maturation. From a stage to full maturity the acidity showed a declining trend while starch content increased. The change in reducing sugar content was erratic throughout the period of maturation. Towards full maturity the moisture and ascorbic acid contents showed gradual decline whereas an increasing trend was observed in case of drymatter content. As maturity advanced, the rate of increase in carotene content also increased. To prolong the shelf life, the most effective method was to store fruits in polythene bags of 300 gauge thickness along with KMnO4 which gave a mean storage life of 25.5 days. Storage in 300 gauge polythene bags alone was also equally good. The more the thickness of polythene, the longer was the shelf life. Waxing of fruits was not be effective as storing fruits in 300 and 250 gauges polythene bags, in terms of shelf life, but the extent of reduction in weight at the end of storage life was least in this method. Waxing was also effective in retention of acidity as well as ascorbic acid content during storage. In this method the total sugar content of the ripe fruits was not appreciably affected compared to other methods except control. The waxed fruits on ripening had the same extent of increase in carotene content as those under the other methods. Waxed fruits at the end of storage period had significant increase in T.S.S. content as compared to storage in polythene bags 250 and 300 gauges as well as in polythene bags 300 gauges along with waxing or KMnO4 . Storage of fruits in polythene bags of 300 gauge thickness, at the end of storage period, resulted in reduction of acidity and T.S.S. content compared to waxing. Compared to the untreated fruits, there was more retention of ascorbic acid content in this method. In terms of storage life as well as quality of fruits at ripening, the best stage for harvest was found to be B stage. Among the five varieties studied Bennet Alphonso and Neelum had better storage life followed by Mundappa, Suwarnarekha and Olour respectively. The quality of ripe fruits varied with varieties. In terms of storage life as well as quality of fruits Neelum came best. In shelf life though Bennet Alphonso came second, in quality of ripe fruits Mundappa was the second best. Neelum was found to be most suitable variety for canning followed by Mundappa. Bennet Alpphonso was the least suitable.
Morphology and biology of the cashew flower Anacardium occidentale L.
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 1966) Damodaran, V K; John, Abraham; Alexander, K M
Morphology and biology of the cashew flower (Anacardium occidentale L); 1. flowering habit, flowering season, morphology of flower and sex ratio
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 1964) Damodaran, V K; John, Abraham; Alexander, K M
Propagation studies in nutmeg
(Department of Horticulture (Pomology & Floriculture and Landscaping), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Lila Mathew, K; Damodaran, V K
The studies on the propagation of nutmeg (MYRISTICA fragrans Houtt) were carried out at the Instructional Farm of the College of Horticulture, and at the District Agricultural Farm, Mannuthy during the period from April 1978 to July 1979. The studies consisted of two methods - namely, the seed propagation and vegetative propagation. The seed propagation studies included viability studies and the effect of growth regulators on germination and the subsequent growth of the seedlings. Under vegetative propagation, the main objective was to standardise an economical and effective method of vegetative propagation of nutmeg. The studies revealed that maximum per cent and quicker germination was obtained by sowing the seeds during the month of June and there was significant difference between the heavy and light group of seeds. Seeds stored in moist sand remained viable for a longer period than those stored in metalic containers. Gibberllic acid treatment had significant effect on the germination of seeds and the subsequent growth of the seedlings. Seeds treated with 200 ppm GA for 24 hours gave good results as compared to other treatments. Among the different methods of vegetative propagation tried, inarch grafting gave the highest per cent of sucess - about 95 per cent during the month of June. The growth of the grafts was poor when compared to the seedlings of same age during the initial stages, but the growth was progressive and satisfactory after two months (of seperation). Other methods of vegetative propagation viz., side-grafting, veneer grafting and wedge grafting were also successful up to 40 per cent, but the growth of the grafts was less than that of the seedlings. However, these methods need standardisation for use on a large scale programme of propagation of nutmeg.
Quality evaluation of cashew apple high yielding varieties
(Department of Horticulture (Processing Technology), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1978) Vilasachandran, T; Damodaran, V K
Physico - chemical characters of cashew apple of sixteen varieties representing superior selections from the four Cashew Research Stations at Anakkayam (Kerala), Vridhachalam (Tamil Nadu), Vengurla (Maharashtra) and Bapatla (Andhra Pradesh) were studied during the period 1977-’78 in four year old trees of the cashew plantation in the main campus of Kerala Agricultural University at Vellanikkara. The objective of the investigation was to identify varieties producing superior quality apples. Variability in qualitative factors of the apple of sixteen varieties as well as seedling progenies of the same variety was studied in detail. The study revealed that the variety K 10-2 ranked first in respect of the mean weight, length, diameter, length/diameter ratio and juice content of apples. Variety M 6/1 recorded the maximum T. S. S., specific gravity and sugar. The sugar content of apple juice was entirely in the form of reducing sugars. With regard to ascorbic acid, K 27-1 topped the list. Minimum tammin was recorded by BLA-40. Maximum protein and pectin content was recorded by M 10/4. Vengurla 37-3 stood first in ether extractives and BLA-273 in crude fibre content. Apples of BLA-1 and Ansur 1-27 had the highest carbohydrate content. The residue of cashew apple left after extraction of juice was found to be rich in protein and ascorbic acid and so can be utilized as a constituent in cattle feed. Varieties BLA 139-1 and M 10/4 due to their high pectin content in residue may be utilized for extracting pectin. The study showed that considerable variation existed between the progenies of the same variety with respect to almost all characters studied. Positive correlation between the weight and juice recovery of apple was observed in all the varieties studied.
Standardisation of vegetative propagation technique in cashew with a view to reduce tho post-separation mortality of alr-layers
(Department of Horticulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1978) Valsalakumari, P K; Damodaran, V K
Investigation on the different aspect of the poet separation mortality of air-layers worn carried out on four year old cashew trees at the main campus at Vellanikkara of the Kerala Agricultural University during tho period of February 1977 to Juno 197Q. Air-layering was done at fortnightly interval and observation on the shoot growth worn recorded to find out whether there is any correlation between rooting of air-layer and tho shoot growth cycles. Wedge grafting was also tried no an alternative method for air-layerlng. The best time for air-layering in cashew was from February to April at which time the tree were in active growth phase as indicated by tho maximum percentage of shoot extension growth. Percentage of rooting in different Months wan positively correlated with tho percentage of shoots in flush and tho rate of shoot extension grown in tho respective month. Rooting was positively correlated with maximum temperature in tho respective month® and negatively correlated with total rainfall. Establishment was better in layers planted in polythene bags with the medians supplied with nutrient solution ns ooapared with pinnto not supplied with nutrient solution but the differences were not significant. Juno find July which arc tho heavy rainfall months in Kerala wore tho boot months for planting out air-layers directly in tho field. Establishment was improved by Keeping the layers in mist chamber. Treatment with IBA ppn and NAH 500 ppm produced the maximum number of rooted air-layers. treatment with IBA 250 ppm was tho boot in respect of the coon length of roots while IBA 500 ppm produced maximum number of roots per layers The highest percentage of establishment of air-layers was recorded by layers treated with IBA 500 ppm. Wedge grafting on eight month old cashew seedlings, though needed further standardisation, gave n better success in March compared to February.
Studies on the insecticidal control of helopeltis antonii signoret on cashew
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 1969) Damodaran, V K; Balakrishnan Nair, M P