Browsing by Author "Elizabeth Chacko"

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Evaluation of desert type of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) for southern region of Kerala
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Elizabeth Chacko; Rajamony, L
The present investigation was carried out with fifteen muskmelon varieties during December – May (1989 – 90) at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The evalution was done in a randomised block design with three replications and in three sowing months of December 1989, January 1990 and February 1990, to assess the variability available in desert muskmelon with respect to growth, production and quality parameters, to study the interrelationships among yield components and to assess the suitability of the available dessert types of muskmelon for cultivation in the southern zone of Kerala during December – February season. Significant differences were observed among the varieties in the three sowing months for the percentage of germination, number of days to first male/female/bisexual flower production, their node of production, days to first harvest and first fruiting node, yield per vine and volume of fruit, length of vine, number of branches, fresh weight of shoot, reaction towards pest and organoleptic test. Pooled analysis revealed significant influence of environment on the characters viz., days to first harvest, first fruiting node, yield per vine, volume of fruit, length of vine and number of branches. It was observed that December sown crop possessed the majority of the desirable characters and the varieties suitable were Pusa Sharbathi and PMR – 6. The percentage of germination, total weight of fruits/vine, volume of fruit, F/C ratio, percentage of reducing and reducing sugars, acidity, fresh weight of shoot and number of branches exhibited moderate or high values of GCV. High heritability in conjunction with high genetic advance was observed for percentage of germination, yield/vine, volume of fruit vine length. Therefore these characters form reliable index for selection. Significant positive correlations were observed between percentage of germination and yield per vine and number of fruits per vine. The association between number of days for first female/bisexual flower production and first harvest revealed that early flowering variety will be early in coming to harvest also. Yield per vine displayed significant positive association with volume of fruit which in turn was strongly associated with number of tertiary branches and the number of branches with the length of vine. TSS exhibited significant positive association with acidity.
Physico-chemical and biological properties of high evaluation soils with reference to tea (Camellia sinensis)
(Department of Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1988) Elizabeth Chacko; Alice Abraham
A study has been made on the Tea plantations in Ponmudi in Kerala State with a view to determine the extent to which the physical, chemical and biological characters of these soils are affected by the plantation. Samples for the study were collected from soil profiles exposed at different locations in the tea and adjacent non – tea areas. Plant samples were also collected from these locations and subjected to detail chemical analysis. The mechanical composition of the soils of tea plantations did not depict any significant difference when compared to non – tea soils. In both these soils, the sand and silt content decreased, and clay content increased with depth in the profile. However, a higher content of clay observed in the tea soils indicates a greater degree of weathering and clay formation. The bulk density and particle density of the tea and non – tea soils increased with depth. The surface soil of the profile which contained a greater amount of organic matter recorded a higher water holding capacity. The CEC of soils was found to be low and is likely to be influenced by the predominance of kaolinitic clay minerals. The soils of the tea plantations were highly acidic. Exchangeable aluminium and hydrogen which are the factors contributing to soil acidity were more or less similar in the tea and non – tea soils. The tea plantation recorded a highercontent of total and available nitrogen compared to non – tea areas. The soils cultivated to tea, though contained only a lower amount of total phosphorous, registered a higher content of available phosphorous. The high content of phosphorous is apparently due to the annual application of heavy doses of phosphatic fertilizers. Total acidity, sesquioxides and clay content were higher in the tea soils and contributed to a greater P fixing capacity. The contents of total and exchangeable potassium as well as exchangeable calcium and magnesium in soils cultivated to tea were higher than the adjacent non – tea soils. Lack of fixation sites for potassium in the tea soils might have probably lead to a higher status of exchangeable potassium. The total microbial count including that of bacteria, fungi and actinomyctes in the tea and non – tea areas was appreciable. The tea soils possesed a higher capacity for solubilisation of insoluble inorganic phosphates which was related to the total acidity. These soils did not show any capacity for nitrogen fixation and urease activity was comparatively low. Chemical analysis of the tea leaves showed a higher content of nitrogen and phosphorous than other nutrient elements. The annual application of fertilizers and a lesser removal of nutrients through processed tea has resulted in a rather high fertility status of the tea soils.