Browsing by Author "Jayachandran, B K"

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Biomass production and partitioning of photosynthates in ginger (Zingiber Officinale R.) under different shade levels
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1999) Sreekala, G S; Jayachandran, B K
A pot culture experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the year 1997 - 1998 to study the effect of shade on biomass production and partitioning of photosynthates in ginger cv. Rio-de-Janeiro. The experiment was laid out in completely randomised design with five shade levels (open, 20, 40, 60 and 80 per cent) and four replications. Artificial shade was provided using high density polyethylene shade nets and calibrated using quantum photo sensors. Two months after planting, ginger plants were labelled using 14C . After tagging, one set of samples were collected immediately. Subsequently, harvesting of the tagged plants were done once in sixty days after labelling. Monthly observations of various growth parameters were taken from two months after planting. At six months after planting photosynthetic related parameters were measured using leaf chamber analyser. The various growth parameters like number of tillers, leaf area, leaf dry weight, dry matter production, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate at final stage, leaf area index which contributed to yield was highest under 20 per cent shade. This shows that the plant prefers low shade intensity compared to open. The yield recorded under 20 per cent shade was significantly superior compared to open. But the yield at open and 40 per cent shade were on par. Higher shade levels decreased the yield. This shows that the crop can tolerate shade up to 40 per cent. Different shade levels influenced the quality of ginger rhizomes. While volatile oil was maximum under heavier shade levels in general ( 60 and 80 per cent ), non- volatile ether extract was higher under 20 per cent shade. Starch as well as crude fibre content was more in plants grown under open condition. The photosynthetic rate and related parameters of ginger were measured at six months after planting using leaf chamber analyser. Photosynthetically active radiation on leaf surface as well as stomatal conductance was high under open condition. But leaf internal carbon dioxide concentration as well as stomatal resistance was high under heavier shade levels (60 and 80 per cent). Photosynthetic rate as well as the transpiration rate was maximum in plants grown in open. Though, at 20 per cent shade, the photosynthetic rate was less, the yield was high. This might be because of the photo oxidation that has taken place at high light intensities or due to the inefficient translocation of the photosynthates in open condition compared to 20 per cent shade. Radio tracer analysis done using labelled 14C has shown that under open condition, though initial intake of carbon dioxide was more, most of the carbon dioxide taken are seen in the above portion itself. While in 20 per cent shade most of the carbon dioxide taken in has translocated to the lower portion. This shows that under low light intensity the photosynthates produced has translocated efficiently to the lower portion while in open condition efficient translocation has not taken place. The results indicate that 20 per cent shade level is favourable for growing ginger plants to get higher rhizome yield. The yield at 40 per cent was on par with that of open. This shows that crop can tolerate shade upto 40 per cent. Thus the partially shaded coconut gardens can be exploited for increasing the area under ginger which may help in doubling the production.
Characterisation of kasthuri turmeric (Curcuma aromatica Salisb)
(Department of Plantation Crops & Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Manuel Alex; Jayachandran, B K
The study entitled “Characterization of kasthuri turmeric (Curcuma aromatica Salisib.)” was conducted at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices and Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period 2003-'04. The objective of the study was to characterize kasthuri turmeric in comparison with ordinary turmeric (C. longa L.) and zedoary (C. zedoaria Rosc.). Studies were carried out using eleven accessions of kasthuri turmeric and two accessions each of ordinary turmeric and zedoary. Characterization in terms of morphological, biochemical, physiological, anatomical and yield characters were carried out. Molecular characterization using RAPD technique was also used in this study. Analysis of variance of the observations showed significant difference among the accessions for most of the characters. Growth characters like plant height, leaf area, rhizome spread, root spread and rhizome thickness showed that zedoary is more vigorous and superior in above growth characters compared to kasthuri turmeric and ordinary turmeric. Most of the kasthuri turmeric accessions performed in between the zedoary and ordinary turmeric accessions for most of the growth characters analysed. Biochemical studies revealed that the three accessions of kasthuri turmeric, T3 (IISR accession), T8 (Pala wild) and T11 (Kozhikode accession) performed uniquely and was superior in terms of essential oil content, crude fibre, protein and chlorophyll content. But the curcumin content was less than one per cent in these accessions. The zedoary and ordinary turmeric accessions used for comparative study recorded a higher curcumin content, less essential oil and crude fibre contents. A clear difference was established between these three accessions of kasthuri turmeric, ordinary turmeric and the zedoary. Analysis of yield characters revealed that zedoary accessions are superior in rhizome yield and kasthuri turmeric accessions yielded higher compared to ordinary turmeric accessions. Physiological characters like dry matter production, lead are index, leaf area duration and harvest index were found higher in the zedoary accessions differentiating them from kasthuri turmeric and ordinary turmeric accessions. The anatomical characters studied were found to be similar and did not show any significant variations among various accessions. Variability study showed high genotypic coefficient of variance and phenotypic coefficient of variance for most of the characters, revealing great extent of variability for these characters, suggesting good scope for improvement through selection. Correlation studies showed that genotypic correlation is higher than the phenotypic correlation and the environmental correlation was less, revealing strong association at genotypic level between the characters. For the molecular characterization of kasthuri turmeric, DNA was isolated from young leaves of various accessions using Murray and Thompson method. The yield of DNA ranged from 1.26 to 6.39 ng l-1. The purity of DNA estimated using the O.D. ratio (A260/A280) ranged from 1.52 to 1.92. PCR amplification was carried out using 40 decamer primers (Operon Inc., CA, USA) of Kit A and Kit B and a total of 59 RAPDs were generated. Of these, 56 bands were polymorphic. Out of the 40 primers screened, three primers (OPA-04, OPB-17 and OPB-18) were selected for amplifying DNA from all the Curcuma accessions. The estimation of similarity coefficient and construction of dendrogram revealed the presence and extent of genetic similarity among the 15 Curcuma accessions examined. The similarity coefficient values ranged from 0.25 and 1.00. At 63 per cent similarity, the 15 accessions got divided into four clusters. First cluster consisted of only one accession, T15 which is the black zedoary accession. The accessions T7 and T10 together formed the second cluster. The third cluster included the three accessions T3, T8 and T11. The fourth cluster consisted of nine accessions at 63 per cent similarity. At 69 per cent similarity this cluster again got divided into two sub clusters. One sub cluster consisted of four accessions i.e., T4, T6, T9 and T5. Second cluster consisted of five accessions, i.e., T14, T1, T2, T12 and T13 are coming under this cluster. The various accessions of kasthuri turmeric are spread under different clusters. The accessions T3, T¬8 and T11 having cent per cent similarity formed a single cluster. These three accessions are found to have dense pubescence under the leaf surface and had exactly similar plant habit. By considering the high essential oil content, camphoraceous aroma of the rhizomes, low curcumin content and the cent per cent similarity obtained from the molecular characterization studies, these three accessions can be concluded as the true kasthuri turmeric.
Economising planting material in ginger (zingiber officinale R.) using mini-seed rhizome
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Nizam, S R; Jayachandran, B K
An experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the year 1993-1994 to explore the possibility of reducing the size of planting material in ginger using mini-seed rhizomes. The field experiments were laid out in a split plot design with four varieties (Kuruppampady, Maran, Nedumangadu and Rio-de-Janeiro) and three rhizome sizes (5,10and 15g) replicated four times both under open and intercropped conditions. The pot culture study to standardize a soaking treatment for ginger rhizomes revealed that “soaking rhizomes in water for 24 hours, 10 days prior to planting”, to be the best treatment. Increasing the size of rhizomes resulted in increased sprouting percentage. Under open and intercropped conditions, rhizomes weighing 15g recorded the highest sprouting. Size of seed rhizomes influenced the growth parameters namely, plant height, number of tillers and number of leaves per plant, LAI, DMP, NAR, CGR, BR, HI, UI and top yield. It is seen that the performance of plants raised from 10 and 15g with respect to growth parameters were not significantly different. Green ginger yield increased with increasing rhizome size both under open and intercropped condition. Plant raised from rhizomes weighing 5g recorded the smallest yield and was inferior to other treatments. Plants from rhizomes weighing 15g recorded the highest green ginger yield. The difference in yield between plants obtained from 10 and 15g was marginal and statistically insignificant. Plants raised from rhizomes weighing 10 and 15g gave higher dry ginger yields in all the four varieties compared to plants from 5g. However, the difference in yield between plants raised from 10 and 15g rhizome bits were insignificant. The size of rhizomes did not cause difference in quality components like volatile oil and starch in all varieties but it induced small variations in NVEE and crude fibre. The study suggested that the size of rhizomes, varieties and shade influenced the growth, yield and quality of ginger. Throughout the crop period the plants raised from 10 and 15g gave similar performance. Green ginger and dry ginger yield obtained from 10 and 15g rhizome bits were statistically on par under open and intercropped conditions. The study revealed the possibilities of reducing the seed size from 15 to 10g. The cost benefit analysis indicated that use of mini-seed rhizome, weighing 10g, is more profitable under shade. Using a smaller seed size will also help to contribute more produce to the market.
Effect of CCC, ethrel and kinetin on quality of ginger (Zingiber Officinale R.)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1988) Jayachandran, B K; Sethumadhavan, P
Effect of ethrel (2 chloro-ethyl phosphonic acid) on growth and yield of bhendi (Abelmoschus Esculentus L Moench)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1979) Sreekumar, S G; Ramachandran Nair, N; Jayachandran, B K; Mary K George
Effect of organic manures and microbial inoculants on growth, yield and quality of ginger
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2004) Sreekala, G S; Jayachandran, B K
Field experiments were conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during April 2000 to January 2001 and April 2001 to January 2002 to assess the effect of organic manures and microbial inoculants on growth, yield and quality of ginger grown as intercrop in coconut garden, to evaluate its effect on the physical and chemical properties of the soil and to develop a suitable economic organic farming practice for producing export quality ginger free of pesticide residues. Factorial combination of four organic manures (FYM, vermicompost, neemcake and green leaves) and four microbial inoculant treatment (no microbial inoculant, AMF, Trichoderma, AMF + Trichoderma) and two controls (package of practices recommendation of Kerala Agricultural university and absolute control) in RBD were studied. FYM @ 30 t ha-1 was applied uniformly to all plots except for absolute control. Organic manures were applied on nitrogen equivalent basis. The main effects of organic manures, microbial inoculants and their interaction were studied. The application of FYM and AMF + Trichoderma increased plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves, root length, root spread, root weight, root volume, DMP, CGR, NAR, LAI, LAD, root shoot ratio, green ginger yield, dry ginger yield, shoot weight, bulking rate, rhizome spread, rhizome thickness, volatile oil, NVEE and uptake of N, P and K. The starch content as well as crude fibre content was less for FYM and AMF + Trichoderma treatment. Soil physical characters viz., bulk density, particle density, water holding capacity and soil aggregate index were superior for FYM + green leaf treatment and AMF+ Trichoderma application. The available N, P and K content of the soil after the second year of experiment was higher for FYM + green leaves treatment and AMF + Trichoderma treatment. The organic carbon content of the soil was higher for FYM treatment. The soil pH was found to decrease after each experiment for organic manures, microbial inoculants as well as their combinations. Among organic manure microbial interaction, application of FYM + AMF and FYM + neemcake + AMF + Trichoderma promoted significant growth and physiological characters, favoured green ginger yield, dry ginger yield, shoot weight, bulking rate, rhizome spread, rhizome thickness, quality parameters viz., volatile oil and NVEE. The application of FYM + AMF and FYM + neem cake + AMF + Trichoderma enhanced crop uptake of N, P and K and at the same time resulted in appreciable build up of available N, P and K in the soil. The balance sheet for available N, P, K indicated a deficit balance during first year for all treatment except for absolute control. A gain in soil potassium content was noticed during the second year of experiment for all organic manures, microbial inoculants and organic manure microbial inoculant combinations. The shoot borer attack was higher during the first year for FYM treatment at four month after planting and six month after planting compared to the second year. The nematode population in the soil was not significant before and after the experiment to cause economic damage. The residue analysis of plants treated with mancozeb, malathion and dimethoate as per package of practices recommendation of Kerala Agricultural University revealed no detectable level of residues. The FYM + AMF and FYM + neemcake + AMF + Trichoderma generated a higher profit during the first and second year. All organic manure microbial inoculant combination (except FYM + no microbial inoculant, FYM + vermicompost + no microbial inoculant, FYM + neemcake + no microbial inoculant, FYM + green leaf + no microbial inoculant) produced significantly higher yield and profit compared to treatments as per the package of practice recommendation of Kerala Agricultural University. Correlation of yield with plant height, number of leaves, number of tillers, root length, root spread, root weight, root volume, dry matter production, crop growth rate, leaf area index, leaf area duration, shoot weight, bulking rate, rhizome spread, rhizome thickness, volatile oil, oleoresin and uptake of N, P and K showed significant positive correlation, which is an indication that these characters can be used as a criteria for the selection of yield. To sum up FYM + AMF and FYM + neemcake + AMF + Trichoderma can be used as organic manure microbial inoculant combination with equal efficiency for ginger intercropped in coconut garden. The result of two year study revealed that application of organic manure microbial inoculant combination produced better yield and improvement in soil health and nutrition than the application of organic manures or microbial inoculants alone. Increase in the profitability during the second year and reduction in the intensity of pest attack indicates the feasibility of switching over from integrated farming to organic farming.
Effect of shade and mulch on the yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale R.)
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Babu, P; Jayachandran, B K
Effect of spacing on biomass production, dry matter partitioning, yield and fruit quality in tissue culture banana (musa) [aab] nendran
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1995) Anil, B K; Jayachandran Nair, C S; Jayachandran, B K
The experiment with tissue culture Nendran banana under different plant spacings (2.25 x 2.25 m, 2.0 x 2.0 m, 1.75 x 1.75 m, 1.50 x 1.50 m and 1.25 x 1.25 m) showed that the biomass production, dry matter partitioning and yield per plant decreased with decrease in plant spacing, while on per hectare basis it increased with decrease in spacing. The fruit quality deteriorated with decrease in plant spacing. The time taken for ripening of fruits decreased with increase in spacing, while shelf-life remained unaffected. However, the spacing 1.75 x 1.75 m was found optimum for all the characters studied
Floral biology of ginger Zingber officinale R.
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1979) Jayachandran, B K; Vijayagopal; Sethumadhavan, P
Induced mutations in ginger (Zingiber Officinale R.)
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Jayachandran, B K; Mohanakumaran, N
Investigations in ginger cv. Rio-de-Janeiro, were carried out during 1985-89 for studying the effect of gamma rays and ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) on the growth, yield and flowering in the VM1 generation, for assessing the variability including tolerance/resistance to bacterial wilt and soft diseases in the VM2 and for studying the VM3 progenies of the desirable VM2 plants. Dose standardization studies using 10 doses of gamma rays (from 0.5 to 5.0 krad) and 11 doses of EMS (from 8 to 150 mM) revealed that the LD50 for sprouting and survival was between 0.5 and 1.0 krad gamma rays and below 8 mM EMS. For the VM1 study, five doses each of gamma rays (0.5 to 1.5 krad) and EMS (2 to 10 mM) were used. Delayed sprouting occurred to a limited extent. Sprouting, survival, plant height, number of tillers and leaves, and rhizome yield decreased as the doses of the mutagens increased. In general, there was a tendency for recovery of growth parameters as the growth phase advanced. The number of plants with chlorophyll chimera was more in the radiation treatments. Flower production was not sufficient to draw valid conclusions. In the VM2 generation, plant height exhibited a negative shift. Tiller, leaf and rhizome production, at the lower doses of the mutagens in general, exhibited positive shifts and at the higher doses, negative shifts. Wide range of variability was observed with respect to these characters. Pollen fertility was not seen influenced by the treatments. Screening the VM2 plants against bacterial wilt and soft rot diseases did not enable the isolation of tolerant/resistant material. Study of the mutant in the VM3 revealed that majority of the plants failed to express all or some of the characters. A few plants with more yield and dryage, and more volatile oil and NVEE content, were located. The studies indicated that though the range of variability induced is high, recovery of the mutants is very low; probably due to the multicellular nature of the apices of the rhizomes treated, and the consequent chimera formation and diplontic selection. Follow up of the mutation generation up to VM4 or VM5 or till stability is achieved and avoiding storage of the rhizomes between the generations have been considered necessary. Repeated, intensive and large scale induction and continuous screening for disease resistance is worth attempting. Using in vivo and in vitro adventitious bud techniques, somaclonal variation, in vitro screening for disease resistance, induction of mutation immediately after the harvest when buds are in ontogenetically young stage of development, and raising of VM2 and subsequent generations without storage of seed rhizome irrespective of the season, are areas suggested for future research.
Morphomolecular characterization and evaluation of pandanus spp.
(Department of Plantation Crops & Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Thangaselvabai, T; Jayachandran, B K
Investigation on “Morphomolecular characterization and evaluation of Pandanus spp.” was undertaken at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2002-2004 with the view of estimating the genetic diversity among 30 genotypes of Pandanus selected from different locations of Kerala and Tamil Nadu based on morphological, anatomical and molecular markers. Variability and divergence studies between 22 male genotypes of P. fasicularis, standardization of different propagation techniques and leaf curing technology were also undertaken. Morphological characters viz., stem, leaf and spine growth characters and leaf anatomical characters such as leaf thickness and number of stomata revealed significant variability among the 30 genotypes of Pandanus. In RAPD analysis, the four primers such as OPB-11, OPB-12, OPB-18 and OPB-20 produced the highest number of intense and polymorphic bands. A total of 41 scorable RAPD markers were amplified by the four primers and out of these, 35 were polymorphic and six were monomorphic. The UPGMA based dendrogram generated through RAPD analysis grouped the 30 genotypes into eight clusters and each cluster consisted of similar morphotypes. In variability and divergence studies, the genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation (GCV and PCV), heritability and genetic advance showed highest values for most of the characters. Inflorescence yield per plant had high significant positive phenotypic and genotypic correlation with leaf length, width, weight, inflorescence length, girth and inflorescence weight. It had significant negative correlation with spine length. D2 analysis grouped the 22 male genotypes of Pandanus into six clusters. The major characters contributed towards divergence were inflorescence yield and number of inflorescence per plant. The selection of best genotypes for leaf purpose based on the leaf characters viz., number of leaves, leaf length, width, weight and thickness indicated that, the genotype PF 21, PF 22 (grayish green leaf type) and PF 25 (long dark green and short spiny type) identified from Chavara and Karunagapally areas of Kollam respectively are the superior ones. Selection based on the inflorescence yield and related characters revealed that, the genotypes PF 10, PF 19 and PF 25 are the best. The selection for oil content and its fragrance showed that long spiny yellow inflorescence types are good. Genotype PF 18 had the highest oil content of 0.21 per cent. The effect of different physical and chemical seed treatments on the germination and growth performance of Pandanus seedlings indicated that, the treatment T6 (soaking the seeds in diluted cow urine), T7 (cow urine + cowdung slurry) and T8 (cow urine + GA3 100 ppm) were the superior while considering the germination and other growth parameters. Different vegetative propagation materials viz., terminal cuttings with crown (T1), stem cuttings without crown (T2), aerial suckers (T3) and ground suckers (T4) were evaluated for their growth characters such as establishment percentage, number of days taken for the establishment, plant height, girth, number of leaves, length of leaf, width of leaf, leaf yield, number of suckers and number of prop roots. Terminal cuttings with crown showed significant influence on all growth characters invariably at all stages of growth and it was followed by ground suckers. In micro propagation for the initial establishment of shoot tip cultures, the treatment combination involving BA 1 mg l-1 and NAA 0.4 mg l-1 (T7) was found to be the best. For the induction of axillary buds the treatment combination with BA 4 mg l-1 and NAA 1 mg l-1 (T9) was considered as the best. The treatment combination involving 0.6 per cent activated charcoal along with the growth hormones viz., NAA 2 mg l-1 and IBA 2 mg l-1 (T6) produced the highest number of roots per shoot (11.0). The in vitro raised plantlets showed 70 per cent survival in the field. The effect of different leaf curing treatments on the quality attributes of the Pandanus mats were assessed in terms of colour, texture, eye appeal, durability and overall acceptance. Treatment T9 (boiling and sun drying of leaves + colouring with synthetic dyes) and T3 (boiling and sun drying of leaves) obtained highest score values for almost all the quality attributes except texture. With regard to texture treatment T5 (soaking in water for 48 hours + sun drying) excelled the other treatments.
Nutrient management in turmeric (Carcuma Longa L.) through organic manures
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2002) Rakhee, C K; Jayachandran, B K
An experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during June 2001 to February 2002 to evaluate the effect of organic manures on growth, yield and quality of turmeric grown as an intercrop in coconut garden and to assess the relative efficiency of organic manures as substitute to inorganic fertilizers. The experiment consisted of eleven treatments and three replications laid out in RBD. The organic manures used were FYM, vermicompost, neem cake, green leaves, poultry manure, biogas slurry and coir pith compost. Organic manures were applied on nitrogen equivalent basis. The results of the study revealed that the growth characters, rhizome yield as well as quality aspects like volatile oil content of turmeric were significantly influenced by various organic manures. But harvest index, top yield, curcumin content, soil properties except NPK content were not significantly influenced by various organic manures. In the case of weed biomass also no significant influence was noticed. FYM, vermicompost and coir pith compost performed well in the case of growth characters. Though FYM and coir pith compost maintained their superiority at various growth stages regarding plant height, number of leaves, number of tillers, dry matter production, LAI, LAD, and root: shoot ratio, other organic manures like neem cake,' green leaves, poultry manure and biogas slurry gave comparable results at various stages of growth. Regarding rhizome spread and thickness, coir pith compost performed superior and the superiority was present only during later stages of growth .. In the case of root spread, root length and root volume also coir pith compost was the best treatment. At initial stage of growth maximum root weight was produced by FYM and at later stages coir pith compost performed better. In the case ofCGR and RGR, FYM and vermicompost performed better. In the case of NAR maximum values were produced by vermicompost, green leaves and NPK alone as POP recommendations of KAU. Coir pith compost as the source of organic manure had positive influence on rhizome yield which was on par with FYM. Coir pith compost, vermicornpost and FYM performed better than other treatments in the case of dry turmeric and bulking rate at various stages of growth. Absolute control treatment recorded lower values in the case of growth and yield characters. Quality of turmeric improved with various organic manures. Volatile oil content was highest in the case of coir pith compost treatment and it was on par with POP recommendations of KAU, NPK alone as per POP recommendations of KAU and FYM alone as per POP recommendations ofKAU In the case of residual nutrients high soil NPK values were registered by green leaves. B: C ratio was maximum when coir pith compost was used as the organic manure and it was on par with FYM, vermicompost and poultry manure. The significant impact of organic manures in the current research brings out the suitability of organic manures as a substitute for inorganic fertilizers for successful turmeric cultivation.
Nutrient requirement of ginger (Lingiber officinale R.)
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Ancy Joseph; Jayachandran, B K
An investigation was carried out to determine the fertilizer requirements of ginger under varying shade intensities at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the year 1991-92. The experiment using ginger cv. Rio-de-Janeiro was laid out in strip plot design with four shade levels (S0, S1, S2, S3 ) and four fertilizer levels (F1,F2, F3 and F4) and was replicated five times. The shade levels were zero (open), 25, 50 and 75 per cent and the fertilizer levels were 75, 100,125 and 150 per cent of the recommended dose (75 : 50 : 50 N, P2o5 and K2o kg ha-1) as per the package of practices recommendations of KAU. Under open conditions, plant height was found to be the lowest. Leaf number, leaf area index, chlorophyll content, crop growth rate, dry matter production, bulking rate and green ginger yield were found to be lower under open condition when compared to 25 and 50 per cent shade levels. However dry ginger yield under open condition was found to be comparable with that under 50 per cent shade and this might have resulted from high net assimilation rate and better partitioning under open condition as indicated by high utilization index and harvest index. Fertilizer treatments showed a positive influence on vegetative growth, chlorophyll content, rhizome yield and NPK uptake. Under open conditions, significant increase in dry ginger yield was obtained only upto F3 and maximum profit was also obtained for F3. Quality of the produce was found to be unaffected by fertilizer treatments. Growth and yield of ginger were found to be the highest under 25 per cent shade. Response to fertilizer treatments in terms of growth characters and yield were found to be the highest under this shade level. Significant increase in green and dry ginger yield was obtained with each increment in fertilizer dose upto the highest level, F4. Quality of ginger was also superior under low shade and was unaffected by fertilizer treatments. Under 50 per cent shade vegetative growth and dry ginger yield were higher than that under open conditions but lower than that under 25 per cent shade. Though the leaf area index and dry matter production were comparable with that under 25 per cent shade, poor partitioning as indicated by lower utilization index and harvest index might have contributed to the lower yield. Under this shade level, as fertilizer dose increased from F1 to F4, significant increase in yield was obtained. But the increment was only 9.5 per cent as against 20.1 per cent obtained under 25 per cent shade. Under 75 per cent shade vegetative growth and rhizome yield were found to be highly reduced compared to open, 25 and 50 per cent shade. Response to fertilizer treatments was also poor. There was no significant increase in yield with application of fertilizers above F2 level. The study clearly indicates the necessity of increasing the fertilizer dose to 150 percentage of the recommended dose when ginger is grown under 25 and 50 per cent shade.
Nutrient requirement of mango- ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.)
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Mridula, K R; Jayachandran, B K
A field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during the period June-December 1995, to study the effects of different doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on the growth, yield and quality of mango-ginger. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of 3 levels each of nitrogen (15, 30 and 45 kg N ha-1), phosphorus (15, 30 and 45 kg P2O5 ha-1) and potassium (30, 60 and 90 kg K2O ha-l) with absolute control. The experiment was laid out as 33+1 Factorial Randomised Block Design with three replications. Nitrogen (30 kg ha-1) recorded maximum values for most of the characters namely plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production, crop growth rate, bulking rate, top yield, fresh rhizome yield, recovery of dry rhizome, volatile oil. Application of highest dose namely, 45 kg N ha-l resulted in highest number of tillers, number of leaves, utilization index, harvest index, non-volatile ether extract, fibre content and chlorophyll content. Phosphorus (30 kg ha-1) registered higher values for plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index, bulking rate, rhizome spread, fresh rhizome yield and recovery of dry rhizome. Application of 45 kg P205 ha-1 produced maximum sprouting, number of tillers, number of leaves, dry matter production, net assimi- lation rate, top yield, volatile oil, fibre content and chlorophyll fractions. Application of 60 kg K20 ha-1 registered maximum leaf area index, bulking rate, fresh rhizome yield, recovery of dry rhizome, utilization index, harvest index and fibre content. Potassium at 90 kg K20 ha-1 recorded highest plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves and top yield. Lower dose of 30 kg K20 ha-1 produced higher volatile oil, non-volatile ether extract and chlorophyll contents. Significant increase in nutrient uptake was observed with their application at higher levels. Soil nutrient status after the experiment was maximum at higher rates of application of the respective nutrients. Among treatment combinations 30:30:60 kg NPK recorded maximum fresh rhizome yield. This combination also recorded the highest net returns and benefit cost ratio. Thus 30:30:60 kg NPK ha-1 can be recommended as the fertilizer dose for mango-ginger. The physical and economic optimum dose was worked out to be 33:28:62 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1.
Photosynthetic efficiency, growth, yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) under different shade levels
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Joseph Louis; Jayachandran, B K
A field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period from 1998-' 99 to study the effect of shade on photosynthetic efficiency, partitioning of photosynthates and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) under different shade levels. The experiment was laid out as split plot design with shade levels of 0, 25, 50 and 75 per cent as main plot treatments and 3 varieties, Kanthi, Alleppey and Sobha as sub plot treatments. The number of replications was four. Artificial shade was provided using high density polyethylene shade nets and calibrated using quantum photosensors. Bimonthly observations of various growth parameters were taken from two months after planting. At s.ix months after planting photosynthetic related parame!ers were recorded. The various growth parameters like number of tillers, dry matter production, crop growth rate, bulking rate and harvest index which contributed to yield was highest under 25 per cent shade. The yield recorded at 25 per cent shade was significantly superior when compared to open, indicating the shade tolerance of the crop. Different shade levels influenced the quality of turmeric rhizomes as determined by the volatile oil content which was maximum under 75 per cent shade level and curcumin content was maximum under 50 per cent shade level. The photosynthetic rate and related parameters like leaf temperature, leaf internal CO2 concentration and stomatal conductance of' turmeric were measured at 6 MAP using leaf chamber analyser. Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) on leaf surface, stomatal conductance, leaf internal CO2 concentration and leaf temperature was high .under open condition. Photosynthetic rate was maximum in plants grown at open condition. Though at 25 per cent shade, the photosynthetic rate was less, the yield was high at this shade level when compared to the open condition. Under open condition there is a possibility of an increase in photo-oxi dation I photo-respiration resulting in the inefficient translocation of photosynthates from the source to the sink. The results indicate that low levels of shade is favourable for growing turmeric to get high rhizome yield and this specific nature of turmeric can be. fully exploited for growing this as an intercrop or as a crop component in homesteads.
Production dynamics of ginger (zingiber officinale R.) under varying levels of shade, nutrients and triazole
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1999) Ajith Kumar, K; Jayachandran, B K
The experiments were conducted at the Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, during 1996-97 and 1997-98 to study the production dynamics of ginger under varying levels of shade, nutrients and triazole. The specific objectives were to study the production potential of ginger under open and different shade levels, to standardise optimum dose of nutrients and mulch for ginger intercropped in coconut garden and to evaluate the efficacy of triazole in the improvement of yield and other desirable characters. The effect of shade on growth and yield contributing parameters viz., tiller number, leaf number, leaf area, leaf dry weight, root spread, root volume, rhizome spread, rhizome thickness, number of rhizomes, leaf thickness, stomatal frequency, DMP and LAI under 20 and 40 per cent shade levels exhibited significant superiority in pot culture study. In pot culture study: maximum fresh ginger yield of 450.0 and 396.3 g plant" were resulted from plants kept under 20 and 40 per cent shade levels respectively. This was 27.4 and 12.2 per cent higher compared to open- condition. The dry ginger yield of 94.5 and 89.2 g plant" were obtained from plants kept under 20 and 40 per cent shade levels respectively. This was 27.8 and 20.7 per cent higher compared to open condition. However, the dry ginger yield obtained from 60 and 80 per cent shade levels were significantly lower compared to open. The shade levels 20 and 40 per cent gave the highest shoot dry weight of 48.9 and 53.6 g plant" respectively. Volatile oil content showed an increasing trend with increasing levels of shade in pot culture study. Maximum NVEE was recorded under 20 and 40 per cent shade levels. Highest starch content was obtained from 20 per cent shade level. Crude fibre gradually reduced with increase in shade levels. The field trial on nutrient requirement of ginger as intercrop in coconut garden revealed that, NPK application at higher levels increased plant height, tillering, leaf number, leaf area, DMP and chlorophyll content. Physiological parameters like, NAR, CGR and RGR were promoted by higher rates of nitrogen application. The results revealed that, N: P, N : K and P : K ratios of l.5 : 1, l.5 : 1 and 1 : 1 respectively, were ideal to get maximum fresh ginger yield. Application of 150 kg N, 100 kg P20S and 100 kg K20 ha-l gave maximum net profit ofRs. 96605/- and Rs. 99227/- during first and second year respectively. The net profit when the existing recommendation of 75 kg N, 50 kg P20S and 50 kg K20 ha-l was Rs. 54960/- and Rs. 54730/- during first and second year respectively. Hence the study suggests that the existing recommendation (75 kg N, 50 kg P20S and 50 kg K20 ha") has to be doubled (150 kg N, 100 kg P20S and 100 kg K20 ha-l) for increasing the productivity of ginger intercropped in coconut garden. Increased rate of fertilizer application did not influence the quality of the produce. Plant uptake of NPK increased with higher levels of fertilizer application. The field experiment on mulch requirement of ginger intercropped in coconut garden showed that the rhizome yield from plots mulched with 30.0, 22.5 and 1 =r. 0 t ha' were on par. Therefore the mulch requirement of ginger intercropped in coconut garden can be reduced from 30 t ha-l to 15.0 t ha-I Application of triazole did not exhibit any beneficial effect on yield and quality of ginger.
Quality of mango-ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.) as influenced by mineral nutrition
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Mridula, K R; Jayachandran, B K
Vegetative growth of ginger (Zingiber officinale R) as influenced by cycocel, ethrel and kinetin
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1979) Jayachandran, B K; Sethumadhavan, P