Browsing by Author "Jagadeesh Kumar, T N"

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Evaluation of promising hybrid napier cultivars under varying plant population
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Soumya, P; Jagadeesh Kumar, T N
Hybrid Napier grass, an interspecific cross between Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) and bajra (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is a popular fodder grass grown in many parts of Kerala. The present investigation was undertaken to have an understanding on the growth characteristics, fodder production potential and nutritive value of some popular cultivars of hybrid Napier grass and also to find out the effect of plant population on their performance. The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy research farm of College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during 2009-2010. Eight popular cultivars, namely, CO2, CO3, CO(CN)4, KKM-1, Suguna, Supriya, IGFRI-3 and DHN-6 were planted under three different spacing of 60cm x 60cm, 90cm x 60cm, and 90cm x 90cm. Observations were taken during the period of one year on growth and fodder production potential. The nutrient composition of different cultivars of hybrid Napier grass was also analysed. Among the cultivars evaluated, the growth was comparatively fast in KKM-1 followed by CO(CN)4 with respect to plant height, number of tillers, leaf length, leaf area index, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate. The fodder production potential of the cultivars was assessed by harvesting the herbage at 50- 55 days interval. The green and dry matter yields indicated a clear yield advantage for KKM-1 and CO(CN)4, which were on par and hence can be ranked first. The cultivars CO2 and DHN-6 can be ranked second based on yield. Suguna, CO3 and Supriya came third in fodder production and IGFRI-3, fourth with the lowest yield. Regarding spacing, number of tillers per plant was comparatively higher at wider spacing of 90cm x 90cm. Leaf area ratio and relative growth rate were also higher under lower plant densities. At the same time, leaf area index was found to be higher at closer spacing of 60cm x 60cm. Other parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf: stem ratio etc. were found to be non significant with respect to spacing. Considering annual fodder production, herbage and dry matter yields were higher at closer spacing of 60cm x 60cm. Nutritional attributes like crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, nitrogen free extract, total ash, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and oxalate content of all the cultivars were assessed. Nutritionally, the cultivars differed with respect to crude protein and oxalate content. All the cultivars except CO2 had higher crude protein content. Oxalate content which is an anti nutritional factor, was higher in CO2 and IGFRI-3 while, the least oxalate content was recorded in DHN-6. From nutrient point of view, the cultivar DHN-6 was found to be superior. Regarding the nutrient uptake from soil, KKM-1, CO(CN)4 and CO2 had higher rate of removal. Among the three spacings, nutrient uptake by plants was higher under closer spacing of 60cm x 60cm compared to wider spacings. Among the cultivars, B:C ratio was maximum for KKM-1 and among the spacings, closer spacing of 60cm x 60cm was found to be more profitable. Among the cultivars evaluated, KKM-1 and CO(CN)4 ranked first with respect to high fresh and dry fodder yield. Although the cultivars DHN-6 and CO2 were comparable in yield and ranked second, quality wise DHN-6 was better with the least oxalate content, better leaf: stem ratio and crude protein content. Therefore, along with KKM-1 and CO(CN)4, DHN-6 can also be recommended for Kerala under irrigated conditions. The spacing of 60cm x 60cm was the ideal spacing for hybrid Napier cultivation in Kerala condition for maximum yield
Nutritional charecteristic in relation to growth and productivity of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Jagadeesh Kumar, T N; Mercy George
Three field experiments and one green house study were conducted at Cashew Research Station (CRS), Madakkathara, Thrissur, Kerala during 1997 -99 with the objective to study the response of graft raised cashew to varying levels of nutrient regimes and to assess the variation in leaf nutrient status in relation to nutrient regimes and to develop yield prediction model based on tissue nutrient status; to study the varietal variation in tissue nutrient status of eighteen promising varieties in relation to yield; to assess the effect of lime and Mg S04 on the growth and productivity of cashew in late rite soils; to develop a nutritional strategy in the cashew nursery for the production of healthy root stocks. Exp. I Influence of nursery technique on growth of cashew root stocks a) Effect of potting media and nutrient supplements b) Effect of lime incorporation in potting media A study was also carried out to standardize a nutrient management strategy in the nursery to produce vigorous root stock. Three different potting media (soil, sand and FYM in 1: 1: 1; soil and FYM in 1: 1; soil and sand in 1: 1 ratio) and four nutrient supplements (control, 100 g N; 200 g N + 100 g PZ05; 200 g N, 100 g PZ05 and 200 g KzO 100 kg-1 potting media) in a factorial combination. The potting media containing 1: 1 soil : FYM mixture supplemented with 200 g N, 100 g PZ05, 200 g KzO per 100 kg potting media is best for producing good quality cashew seedlings. Investigation conducted to study the effect of incorporation of lime in potting media at different levels varying from 0 to 500 g 100 kg-1 potting media revealed that the response of cashew seedlings to the application of lime was limited. Exp. 11 Effect of soil nutrient regimes on leaf nutrient status and yield of graft raised cashew This study involving four nutrient reqirnes - namely, 375:165:375; 750:325:750; 1125:390:1125 and 1500:650:1500 g N, P20S and K20 tree-1 year" and an absolute control was conducted for three years on graft raised cashew variety Madakkathara-1. Flower production and yield characters were significantly influenced up to a level of 750:325:750 g NPK tree-1 year" .The chlorophyll a and b was highest both at flushing and flowering stages with the application of 750:325:750 g NPK tree-1 year". At pre- flushing and pre-flowering stages, Nand K concentration in leaf, the total uptake of N and K, the highest nut yield as well as kernel yield was highest with the application of 750:325:750 g NPK tree" year". Exp. III Effect of soil application of lime and magnesium sulphate on growth and productivity of graft raised cashew Investigation was carried out on five year old cashew grafts of variety Madakkathara-1, to study the effect of application of lime and MgS04 at four levels each (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 g tree" year") in a factorial combination on growth and productivity of cashew. The results showed that primary factors regulating the productivity of cashew was the number of flushes per unit area and application 500 g lime and 1500 g MgS04 has registered 85 per' cent reproductive flushes. Application of 1500 g lime and 1000 g MgS04 increased bisexual flowers, nut panicle" and nut weight. Increase in the contents of N, P and K was associated with decrease in the contents of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu, which explains the fact that these micronutrients restricted the uptake of primary elements. Exp. IV Varietal variation in leaf nutrient status and its relation with nut yield Among the 18 varieties tested in the varietal evaluation trial, three varieties namely V-5 and V-4 (Vengurla selections) and M-26/2 (Vridhachalam selection) were found to be promising in terms of nut yield, the most important commercial criteria in cashew. In most of the parameters related to yield, the above varieties were found comparatively better. Photosynthetic efficiency measured in terms of leaf chlorophyll content was also higher in these varieties. Leaf nutrient concentration (N and K) was also comparatively high in the high yielders.