Browsing by Author "Geethakumari, V L"

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Abelmoschus esculents
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1999) Asha K Raj; Geethakumari, V L
A fieId experiment was con d u c t e d at the De par t men t 0 f Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani to find out the effect of dual application of phosphate sources and microbial inoculants on the quality of compost and to standardize an organic nutrient schedule for bhindi. Two su c c e s s i v e experiments; (I) standardisation of agro-techniques for enriching compost and (2) organic nutrient scheduling in okra were conducted to achieve the ob j e c t i v e s en vis age d . I nth e fi r s t ex per i men tor din a r y co III P 0 s t (uninoculated a i.d unamended co mp o s t ) was compared with various enriched composts prepared u s r n g phosphate sources such as rockphosphate or bonemeal at var io us levels (5%, 10%, 20%) and microbial inoculants (Azotobacter and Phosphobacter). The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with n m e treatments and three replications. In the second experiment an o r g aru c nutrient schedule was standardised for bhindi, variety Arka anamika by comparing the e ff e c t s 0 f fi v e 0 r g ani c nit r 0 g ens 0 u r c e s [ F Y M a Ion e (S I ), F Y M + poultry manure (S2),' FYM + neemcake (S)), FYM + greenleaf (S4), and FYM + enriched compost (Ss)], three nitrogen levels [50 kg ha-I (Nd, 100 kg ha-I (N2) and' 150 kg ha-I (N))] and microbial inoculation (control and Azospirillum) on growth, yield and quality of bhindi. POP recommendation of Kerala Agricultural University (12t FYM + 50:e:25 kg NPK ha-I) was the absolute control used in the study. The experiment was laid out in 5x3x2+1 factorial randomised block design with three replications. The results of the investigation are summarised below. Addition of phosphate sources and microbial inoculants reduced the decomposition period and improved the manurial value of enriched composts as compared to the ordinary compost. Lowest C:N ratio and ripening period and highest N, P and K content was recorded by the compost enriched with 20 percent bonemeal and microbial inoculants. Compost treated with 20 percent rockphosphate and bonemeal was comparable with bone meal with respect to C:N ratio, ripening period and P content. Ordinary compost was the most inferior treatment in the study. Among nitrogen sources, all organic nitrogen sources (neemcake, green leaf, poultry manure and enriched compost) except FYM (Sd were superior to POP recommendation. FYM + neemcake (S3) recorded the maximum germination percentage and number of fruits plane I , where as plant height, LAI, fruit weight and fruit length were highest for FYM + green leaf (S4), which also took the' minimum days for 50 percent flowering. All the growth and yield parameters were highest at N3 level of nitrogen and with Azospirillum inoculation. FYM + neemcake recorded the maximum yield (158 q h a") and was on par with FYM + green leaf. Yield was maximum at N3 level and with Azospirillum inoculation. Crude protein content and ascorbic acid content were maximum for FYM + poultry manure and FYM + enriched compost respectively. FYM + enriched compost and FYM + neem cake re cor d e d co m par a b I e and low est c r u d e fi b r e con ten tan d h i g h est keeping quality of fruits. Various quality attributes were better under N3 level of nitrogen and Azospirillum inoculation. Nand P uptake were highest for FYM + neem cake where as K uptake was maximum for FYM + poultry manure, at N) level of nitrogen and with Azospirillum inoculation. The available N, P and K status of the soil were highest in FYM + neemcake, FYM + enriched compost and FYM alone treated plots respectively, at N3 level of nitrogen and Azospirillum inoculation. FYM + neem cake recorded the rn a x i mum profit and was comparable with FYM + green leaf and FYM + poultry manure. B:C ratio was highest in FY M + nee m cake. P rofi t was max I mu m at N 3 level of nitrogen and Azospirillum inoculation. In the case of interactions S3N3A (FYM + neem cake at N3 level and with Azospirillum) recorded the highest fruit yield and profit ha-I and was comparable with S4N3A (FYM + green leaf at N3 level with Azospirillum) and S2N3A (FYM + poultry manure at N3 level and Azospirillum) The present study revealed that the substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic manures such as neem cake, green leaf, poultry manure and enriched compost was beneficial for increasing the yield and improving the quality of bhindi.
Development and evaluation of bio-organic composite manure for vegetables
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Vipitha, V P; Geethakumari, V L
Effect of intercrops on nutrient uptake and productivity of chilli-based cropping system
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Anitha, S; Geethakumari, V L; Raghavan, Pillai
Evaluation of low cost techniques in potted vegetables grown in roof gardens
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Roshni, C C; Geethakumari, V L
A pot culture study was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani to evaluate the lowcost techniques in potted vegetables and to compare the efficiency of various techniques for economising water use in vegetables. The experiment was conducted with chilli cultivar ‘Jwalasakhi’ as test crops. The treatments included three levels of irrigation (I3-60, I2-80 and I1-100 per cent field capacity), two methods of irrigation (M1- indigenous auto irrigator using hospital drip and M2-pot watering) and three moisture conservation methods (c0-control without any conservation, C1-application of coir pith and c2-application of Jalasakhti). One absolute control viz., wick irrigation was compared with other treatments. Potting mixture prepared by mixing sand, soil and cowdung in 1:1:1 proportion by weight was used as the rooting medium. The medium was low in available nitrogen, high in available phosphorus and low in available potassium. The field capacity and permanent wilting point were 18.4 and 7.4 per cent respectively. The experiment was laid out in completely randomised design with six replications. The results of the investigation are summarised below. Plant height, branches, LAI at harvest, DMP, S: R ratio and root dry weight at different growth stages differed significantly with methods, levels of irrigation and conservation methods. All these parameters were better under wick irrigation, 100 per cent FC and coir pith mulching. Whereas drip irrigation recorded maximum LAI at initial stages and tap root length. All yield parameters like number of flowers plant-1, fruit plant -1, fruit girth, fruit volume and hundred fruit weight were better under wick irrigation followed by drip irrigation. Among the moisture regimes 100 per cent FC registered better values for all the yield attributes. Coir pith mulching top seeded with respect to these characters. Maximum yield was obtained for wick irrigation, 100 percent FC and coir pith mulching. With respect to WUE, coir pith mulching followed the same pattern as yield. Whereas drip irrigation recorded maximum WUE and 80 per cent FC resulted in higher WUE compared to the other two irrigation regimes. Uptake of N, P and K were maximum in wick irrigation and coir pith mulching. N and K uptake were maximum at 100 per cent FC, but P uptake was high at 80 per cent FC. Under all levels of irrigation, maximum yield and WUE were obtained by drip irrigation and coir pith mulching. Coir pith mulching revealed its superiority under both methods of irrigation with respect to yield and WUE. Maximum yield was obtained at drip irrigation at 100 per cent FC with coir pith mulching while maximum WUE was obtained at drip irrigation at 80 per cent FC with coir pith mulching. Maximum profit was realised by drip irrigation at 100 per cent FC with coir pith mulching. With drip irrigation and coir pith mulching 20 per cent water can be saved without much reduction in yield.
Growth and yield of cowpea as influenced by different methods and source of phosphorus applications
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1984) Geethakumari, V L; Mohammed Kunju, U
Input optimization for medicinal rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Njavara.
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Sriramkumar, N; Geethakumari, V L
Intercropping banana varieties in coconut gardens
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1988) Rajan, K C; Geethakumari, V L; Mohammed Kunju, U; Elizabeth Syriac, K
Among the four varieties tried, Palayamthodan wjs found to be the best followed by Monthan for intercropping in coconut gardens. It can be concluded that two ratoons of Palayamthodan with threo suckers par hill in tha second and third years is the most remunerative systems. Though the per hestaro yield was satisfactory in S2 find S3 systems individual bunch wsight was reduced in second ratoon. The highest B/C ratio of 3.32 was recorded by Palayamthodan with truoa sucker por hill. Bunchy top disease incidence was maximum in Nendran especially in the ratoon crops with two or three suckers per hill in tha second and third years.
Shade response of upland rice cultivars (Oryza sativa L.) as influenced by silica application
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2002) Sunilkumar, B; Geethakumari, V L
Suitability of upland rice cultivars (Oryza sativa L.) for shaded situations
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Sunilkumar, B; Geethakumari, V L
A field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani) to assess the effect of varying levels of solar radiation and silica on the performance of upland rice cultivars. This study also aimed at computing the economics of upland rice cultivation and silica application. The treatments included three shade levels (0, 20 and 40 per cent), two levels of silica (no silica and 100 kg ha-' silica) and four varieties (Swarnaprabha, A4-4-2, A4-1- 3 and Matta Triveni). Shade was imposed by using shade nets of appropriate shade levels and silica was applied as sodium silicate. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design. The results of the investigation are summarised below. Solar radiation influenced growth attributes significantly. A significant reduction was observed in tillering, LAD, proline content, SL W, LAI, culm strength, root weight, root length and root-shoot ratio as the shade advanced to 20 and 40 per cent levels. Among the growth attributes only plant height and chlorophyll content increased significantly with increase in shade level. Yield contributing characters were also significantly influenced by solar radiation. Maximum number of productive tillers, spikelets per panicle, thousand grain weight, length and weight of panicle was observed in the open situation. A significant reduction in grain yield was observed with increase in shade level. Maximum productivity was registered at 0 per cent shade level which was 68 and 387 per cent higher than 20 and 40 per cent shade levels. Same trend was observed in DMP. Maximum straw yield was recorded at 20 per cent shade which was on par with zero per cent shade. Application of silica increased total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a/b ratio, root length and root weight significantly. Grain and straw yield increased significantly by 22 and 18 per cent with the application of silica. In the open situation A4-4-2 recorded maximum grain yield. At 20 per cent shade level A4-4-2 and Matta Triveni top seeded other cultivars. Swarnaprabha recorded maximum straw yield In the open situation. Compared to open situation at 20 per cent shade level straw yield increased significantly in A4-4-2 and Matta Triveni. Sodium silicate was found as an un-economical source of Si for upland nee. Silica nutrition can be made economical by substituting sodium silicate with a cheaper source of silica. B : C ratio reduced significantly with increase in shade level. The treatment LoS I V I registered maximum B : C ratio of 1.35.