Browsing by Author "Gopikumar, K"

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Correlation between seed and seedling characters in jack (Artocarpus Heterophyllus L.)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1980) Nazeem, P A; Gopikumar, K; Kumaran, K
Dridadharukkal: Krishiyum Paripalanavum
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1997) Gopikumar, K
Effect of growth regulators on rooting of cuttings and layers in Jasmine (Jasminum auriculatum Vahl.)
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1987) Sreelatha, U; Gopikumar, K
Systematic studies were carried out to standardise various aspects of asexual propagation in jasmine through cutting and layering. For propagation studies using cuttings, semihard wood cuttings of jasminum auriculatum and Jasminum grandiflorum were treated with IBA and NAA each at 2000, 3000 and 4000 ppm concentrations and planted under mist and open conditions. The results revealed that all the auxin treatments particularly IBA were superior to control with regard to rooting percentage. Other root growth parameters such as number, length, fresh weight and dry matter production of roots were also maximum with IBA treatments. However, in Jasminum auriculatum, the effect of growth regulators was not statistically significant and this may be attributed to the shy rooting behaviour of this species due to some endogenous inhibitors. Regardless of the growth regulator treatments mist had profound influence on root growth as well as vegetative growth parameters in both the species of Jasminum studied. To find out the effect of growth regulators and season on rooting of layers, layering was done at monthly intervals with ISA and NAA each at a concentration of 100 and 250 ppm. The results indicated that all the growth regulator treatments were superior to control with regard to rooting percentage, number, length, fresh weight and dry matter production of roots. Study on seasonal effect on success of layering has clearly shown that layering should be done during the rainy season particularly from June to September for getting maximum success. However, further studies to find out the role of inhibitory substances present in the shoots which cause failure of rooting of cuttings and layers may perhaps yield valuable results.
Effect of growth regulators on seed viability, germination and vigour of seedlings of mangium (Acacia mangium [Wild]) and Rosewood [Dalbergia latifolia (Roxb)]
(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2000) Vinayan, R; Gopikumar, K
Effect of growth substances on rooting of planting materials in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1993) Gigi Francis; Aravindakshan, M; Gopikumar, K; Valsalakumari, P K
The study revealed lhat all types of planting materials treated with IBA 1000 ppm were superior wilh regard to rooting percentage and other root growth parameters such as number, length, fresh weight and dry matter production of roots. Regardless of the growth substance treatments, mist had pronounced influence on root growth in all the planting materials. All types, except laterals, rooted readily during March; but laterals recorded maximum rooting during June, though there was not much difference among the planting materials with regard to their rooting ability, laterals were shy rooters and produced roots only after six weeks of planting while all the other types produced roots readily within three weeks of planting.
Effect of muncipal garbage on the growth and vigour of rose wood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb) seedlings in the nursery
(Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2004) Sreelekha, P T; Gopikumar, K
The present study to evaluate the effect of potting media containing fresh and decomposed municipal garbage on the growth and vigour of rose wood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.) seedlings in the nursery was carried out at the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 2002-2004. A total of twelve treatments with and without municipal garbage were tried for raising the seedlings. . The result of the study revealed that seedlings could not be established when fresh municipal garbage alone was used as potting media. The potting medium containing soil: 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage recorded the maximum height, where as maximum collar diameter was observed when the seedlings were grown in medium containing soil: sand: cowdung in equal proportions. This medium was also found to be superior with regard to shoot fresh and dry weights. Seedlings grown in media containing soil: sand: fresh municipal garbage in equal proportions recorded more root length, where as with regard to root number, a higher value was recorded by seedlings grown in media containing soil: sand: 2 weeks decomposed municipal garbage. The treatment containing soil: sand: cowdung in equal proportions was found to be the best with regard to root fresh and dry weights. Media with 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage alone and soil: 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage were also found to be promising with regard to these parameters. Significant response with regard to leaf area was recorded by potting medium containing 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage. Other physiological growth attributes like leaf area ratio, leaf weight ratio, specific leaf area, specific leaf weight and relative growth rate did not follow any systematic pattern. No uniform trend could be observed with regard to chlorophyll content of the seedlings also. Seedlings grown in potting media containing soil: sand: cowdung recorded maximum content of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in the tissues. Media containing 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage also recorded high content of tissue nitrogen and phosphorous. It was observed that at the end of the study period, percentage of nutrient elements in different potting media slightly increased compared to the initial content. Potting media containing 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage recorded high nitrogen content, while phosphorous and potassium were highest in potting media containing soil: sand: fresh municipal garbage. In general, with regard to most of the shoot and root growth parameters, biomass and physiological growth attributes, media containing hundred percent 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage and media with soil: 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage in equal proportions were found to be quite comparable to standard media having soil: sand: cowdung. However, considering the cost, ease of availability and as an alternative use, 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage could be recommended for extensive production of rosewood seedlings in the nursery.
Effect of phased october plantings and plant density on growth and yield of cabbage var. golden acre
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1980) Vasantha Kumar, K; Indrasenan, G; Gopikumar, K; Balasubramaniyan, P P
Effect of shade levels on growth and vigour of seedlings of terminalia species in the nursery
(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2002) Prasad, G; Gopikumar, K
Evaluation of jack fruit (type 'varikka') for pectin
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1982) Vilasachandran, T; Kumaran, K; Gopikumar, K
Evaluation of tree species for growth, wood properties and leaf nutrient content
(Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2008) Harsha T Hegde; Gopikumar, K
The present study was conducted in the College of Forestry, Kera1a Agricultural University, Vellanikkara to evaluate the growth performance, biomass production, wood properties and leaf nutrient content of the selected tree species grown in the arboretum during the period 2006 to 2008. The species selected for the study includes Adenanthera pavonina, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Bridelia retusa, Ceiba pentandra, Hydnocarpus wightiana, Hymenodictyon excelsum, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Pterocarpus santalinus, Samadera indica and Tectona grandis. Data related to growth measurements from 1992 to 2006 have been collected from the college department. The results revealed that the species like Tectona grandis, Ceiba pentandra and Artocarpus heterophyllus were fast growing in terms of height and girth while Samadera indica as slow growing. Peltophorum pterocarpum produced highest number of branches. The spread was the maximum for Artocarpus heterophyllus followed by Adenanthera pavonina. During the end of the study in 2008, maximum volume increment was recorded by Ceiba pentandra while the lowest was for Samadera indica. The total biomass production was found to be the maximum for Ceiba pentandra in terms of fresh and Adenanthera pavonina in terms of dry weight while the lowest total biomass was produced by Pterocarpus santalinus in terms of both fresh and dry weights. Trunk accounted for maximum biomass production followed by branches. The contribution of trunk was followed by branches in all the tree species except Ceiba pentandra where the dry weight of leaves was more than that of branches. Adenanthera pavonina, Tectona grandis and Pterocarpus santalinus produced more heartwood percentage compared to other species. Sapwood percentage recorded was the maximum for Samadera indica. Pterocarpus santalinus, Hydnocarpus wightiana and Ceiba pentandra were having high calorific values and hence could be used for fuel wood purpose also. Specific gravity was found to be the maximum for Samadera indica and minimum for Pterocarpus santalinus. Leaf tissue nitrogen content was significantly highest in Adenanthera pavonina followed by Pterocarpus santalinus. The phosphorus content was found to be the maximum in Artocarpus heterophyllus while minimum in Ceiba pentandra. Leaves of Tectona grandis recorded the maximum content of potassium while the lowest was for Artocarpus heterophyllus. The present series of investigations indicate the scope of selecting fast growing tree species with high biomass production, better wood qualities and high foliage nutrient content for distribution to farmers for social/agroforestry and even for general afforestation programmes.
Forest nursery technology and management
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1999) Gopikumar, K; Jayasankar, ,S.; Dhaneshkumar, P.
Growth behaviour of forest tree species
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1998) Gopikumar, K; Bindu, S; Shajikumar, Y M
Leaf litter dynamics of ornamental flowering trees
(Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2007) Jinsy M Joseph; Gopikumar, K
A detailed study was conducted at the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala during 2005-2007, to compare the rate of decomposition and mineralization pattern of leaf biomass of five ornamental flowering trees viz., Bauhinia purpurea Lamk., Cassia fistula Linn., Gliricidia sepium Kunth., Lagerstroemia speciosa Auct. and Peltophorum pterocarpum Baker. The experiment was laid out in a typical homegarden. The rate of leaf biomass decomposition was generally faster for all the species studied. Of the five species studied, G. sepium and L. speciosa showed faster rates of leaf biomass decomposition while B. purpurea recorded the lowest rate. Generally, all the species followed a biphasic pattern of biomass decomposition. The initial nitrogen, C: N ratio, lignin content and lignin: nitrogen ratio of the leaf biomass influenced the decomposition rate. The fibre content of leaf biomass was also found to have significant affect on the rate of decomposition. Leaf biomass of L. speciosa and G. sepium showed rapid release of all the nutrients compared to that of B. purpurea. Among the nutrients, potassium registered a faster rate of mineralization, followed by nitrogen for all the species except L. speciosa, which showed faster mineralization for nitrogen. Lower mineralization tendency was seen for phosphorus in all the species. The influence of leaf litter decomposition on soil pH and electrical conductivity was not significant. However, content of most of the nutrient elements in the soil was significantly improved with respect to all the species particularly towards the end of the study.
Mangium
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1995-07) Animon, M.M.; Gopikumar, K; Santhosh Kumar, ,S
Mrududarukkal : Krishiyum upayogavum soft wood timber trees - Silviculture and utilization
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1996) Gopikumar, K; Animon, M M; Santhosh Kumar, S
Municipal garbage as a component of potting media for seedling of selected forest tree species
(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2001) Adersh, M; Gopikumar, K
The present study was undertaken at College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur to evaluate the effect of potting media containing garbage on the growth and vigour of teak (Tectana grandis Linn. F.) and mangiurn (Acacia mangium Willd) seedlings. The study revealed that when garbage, especially fresh garbage, was used as a component of potting media, no significant effect was observed on survival rate of seedlings of teak, but a high rate of mortality was observed in the case of mangium. The potting media containing soil, sand and cow dung in equal proportions produced the best results with regard to shoot growth parameters like height and girth. However, the potting media containing soil, sand and one month decomposed garbage also produced similar results which was on par with the best treatment. Teak seedlings registered higher root biomass, root spread and root number when grown in the media containing garbage especially one month decomposed garbage. Unlike teak, in the case of mangium the treatment soil, sand and cow dung in equal proportions was proved to be the best with regard to root growth parameters. In both teak and mangium, chlorophyll content was not found to be significantly influenced by any media. Seedlings grown in the media containing soil, sand and cow dung in equal proportions recorded higher uptake and concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the plant tissue when compared to all other treatments. This was true both ill the case of teak and mangrurn. In general, the treatments T3 (soil: sand: cow dung) and T6 (soil: sand: 1 month decomposed garbage) were proved to be better when compared to all other treatments. In many cases these two treatments were found to be on par.
Nutrient content and decomposition of leaf biomass of selected woody tree species
(Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 1994) Kunhamu, T K; Gopikumar, K
A detailed study was conducted at the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala during 1992-94 to compare the rate of decomposition and nutrient release pattern of leaf biomass of five forest tree species namely, Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken, Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, Macaranga peltata, (Roxb) M.–A., Terminalisa paniculata Roth and Bridelia retusa (L.) spreng. The experiment was laid out in a typical home Garden. Generally, all the species under study showed a faster rate of leaf biomass decomposition. Among the various species tested, B. retusa and T. paniculata showed faster rates of leaf biomass decomposition while P. pinnata exhibited relatively a slower rate. The initial leaf nitrogen content and C:N ratio could not establish a direct relationship with rate of decomposition. However, in all the species, lignin content was found to exert a profound influence on mass loss patterns. All the species showed a faster mineralisation of nutrients in accordance with the mass loss pattern. Among the nutrients, potassium followed a faster rate of mineralisation. A relatively good trend for N mineralisation also has been reported for M. peltata, T. paniculata and B. retusa during the course of the study. Generally, Ca, Mg and S exhibited lower rates of mineralisation. T. paniculata and B. retusa followed an efficient release pattern for all the nutrients while P. pinnata showed slower rates of mineralisation with regard to most of the nutrients.
Nutrient content and decomposition of leaf litter of Acacia mangium Willd as affected by season and field conditions
(Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 1995) Ramakrishna Hegde; Gopikumar, K
A detailed experiment was conducted at the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, during the period from 1993 to 1995 to study the nutrient content and pattern of leaf litter decomposition of Acacia mangium Wild. During south west monsoon and north east monsoon seasons. The experiment was conducted both in home garden and open area. The rate of decomposition was faster in all the study situations. The initial nitrogen, lignin, C:N ratio and lignin : nitrogen ratio of leaf litter were found to exert profound influence on the rate of decomposition. The decomposition rate was found to be a function of time, soil moisture and soil temperature. The nutrient release pattern in almost all cases followed a characteristic biphasic model with an initial rapid phase followed by a slower latter phase. Among the different nutrients, potassium showed a faster rate of mineralisation in most of the situations while calcium and nitrogen mineralised slowly. Among the several mathematical models tried to predict the absolute amount of nutrients in the residual mass, the second order hyperbolic function was found to be good fit in most of the cases. Though the PH was not altered significantly by the decomposing litter mass, the content of most of the nutrient elements is found to be drastically influenced.
Nutritional defficiency symptoms of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. F )seedling
(Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 1997) Viju Varghese; Gopikumar, K
Sand culture studies were conducted in College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur with an objective of inducing the symptoms of deficiency of various nutrient elements in seedlings of teak (Tectona grandis Linn.f.) grown in sand culture. The effects of nutrients viz., N,P,K, Mg,S,Zn and Mo on the growth, chlorophyll content and nutrient concentration of seedlings in the nursery were also studied. The results were finally confirmed by recovery studies by supplying the seedlings showing the symptoms of deficiency of various elements with complete nutrient solution. For the study, two months old seedlings of uniform growth were planted in containers filled with pure quartz sand and supplied with Hoagland No. 2 (1948) nutrient solution. The treatment solution was prepared by eliminating the desired nutrient from the complete Hoagland nutrient solution. The characteristic deficiency symptoms produced by seedlings due to the deficiency of various nutrient elements include leaf discolouration, necrosis, scorching, defoliation and growth stunting. The seedlings showing visual deficiency symptoms were also photographed. Seedlings that received complete nutrient solution were healthy with dark green foliage. Vegetative growth of the seedlings was also found to be affected due to the nutrient stress. All the fractions of chlorophyll ie; chlorophyll – A, chlorophyll – B total chlorophyll of the treatment seedlings particularly N deficient seedlings declined considerably during the study period. Visual deficiency symptoms of the nutrient elements also coincided with a corresponding reduction in foliar levels of the cocernrt element. There was remarkable improvement in the growth and recovery of the visual symptoms when the deficient element was again supplied to the seedlings through complete nutrient solution. The foliar nutrient content of these seedlings was also found to be improved significantly on application of complete nutrient solution.
Nutritional deficiency symptoms of ailanthus (ailanthuis triphyra (dennst.) alston)
(College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 1993) Anoop, E V; Gopikumar, K
Sand culture experiments were carried out under controlled conditions inside a glasshouse attached to College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University main campus, Vellanikkara, during the period 1991-93 for inducing deficiency symptoms of various nutrient elements in the seedlings of Ailanthus (Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.) Alston). The effects of major nutrients viz., N, P, K Mg and S on the growth, chlorophyll content and nutrient concentration of seedlings in the nursery were also studied. The results were also confirmed by recovery studies by supplying the seedlings showing the symptoms of deficiency of various elements with complete nutrient solution. For the study, two months old seedlings of uniform growth were planted in containers filled with pure quartz sand and supplied with Hoagland No.2 (1948) nutrient solution. The treatment solution was prepared by eliminating the desired nutrient from the complete Hoagland nutrient solution. The characteristic deficiency symptoms produced by seedlings due to the deficiency of various nutrient elements include leaf discolouration, necrosis, scorching, defoliation and growth stunting. The seedlings showing visual deficiency symptoms were also photographed. Seedlings that received complete nutrient solution were healthy with dark green foliage. Vegetative growth of the seedlings was also found to be affected due to the nutrient stress. All the fractions of chlorophyll i.e., chlorophyll – A, chlorophyll – B and total chlorophyll of the treatment seedlings declined during the study period compared to control. Visual deficiency symptoms of the nutrient elements also coincided with a corresponding reduction in foliar levels of the concerned element. There was remarkable improvement in the growth and recovery of visual symptoms when the deficient element concerned was again supplied to the seedlings through complete nutrient solution.