Browsing by Author "Lalitha Bai, E K"

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Agrotechniques in Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus [Linn] R. Br)
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellenikkara, 1998) Shina, K C; Lalitha Bai, E K
Baby corn [Zea mays L.] as a dual purpose crop in summer rice fallows
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Archana, C R; Lalitha Bai, E K
Canopy spread of and light infiltration through cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) canopies
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1986) Ashokan, P K; Lalitha Bai, E K; Vikraman Nair, R
Crops weather relationship in tomato
(Department of Agricultural Meteorology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Ajithkumar, B; Lalitha Bai, E K
Effect of biofertilizers on N and P economy in palmarosa(cymbopogon martinii)
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Regimol Thomas; Lalitha Bai, E K
An investigation was undertaken at the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, during 1994-’95 to study the effect of biofertilizers on N and P economy in palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini stapf. var. motia). The main objective of the study was to assess the possibility of using biofertilizers so as to replace or minimise the expensive synthetic nitrogen fertilizers for palmarosa. The study also aimed to find out the effect of phosphorus solubilising bacteria (Bacillus megatherium var.phosphaticum) in increasing the availability of fixed soil phosphorus, the effect of combination of chemical and biofertilizers on the growth and yield of palmarosa and to work out the N and P economy due to the integration of chemical and biofertilizers. The experiment was carried out using the palmarosa selection ODP-2. The salient findings are abstracted below: The application of chemical fertilizers increased the available N, P and K contents in soil after different harvests, resulted in increased nutrient uptake and thus improved the growth and yield of palmarosa. The oil yield obtained with the application of 20 kg ha -1 each of N and P2O5 was significantly superior to that in the control plot. The different biofertilizer levels were compared with regard to their effect on palmarosa and it was observed that the combined inoculation of Azospirillum and PSB was the best in increasing the available N, P and K contents in soil and the nutrient uptake by the crop. Hence this particular treatment resulted in the highest oil yield which was significantly superior to that in the uninoculated control. The interaction effect of chemical X biofertilizers showed that the oil yield over a period of one year obtained with the application of 20 kg ha-1 each of N and P2O5 was on par with that obtained with the applications of either Azotobacter alone or Azospirillum alone and also the combined inoculation of Azospirillum and PSB. Thus the biofertilizers Azotobacter alone, Azospirillum alone and the combined inoculation of Azospirillum and PSB could substitute chemical fertilizers to the level of 20 kg ha-1 each of N and P2O5. The data again showed that the combined application of chemical and biofertilizers ie, N and P2O5 each at 20 kg ha -1 along with Azospirillum plus PSB resulted in comparable total oil yield, total returns, net returns and benefit-cost ratio as that obtained with the application of N40 P40 along with Azospirillum plus PSB which recorded the highest value.
Shade response of common rainfed intercrops of coconut
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Lalitha Bai, E K; Vikraman, R
An experiment was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1980-81 to study the shade response of five common rainfed intercrop of coconut garden. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with four levels of shade and five replications. The study revealed that sweet potato cannot be cultivated under shade as it is a ‘shade –sensitive’ crop,while coleus is suitable only where light infiltration is high. Colocasia, turmeric and ginger were found suitable for intercropped situations. Colocasia appears to be shade – tolerant while ginger and turmeric are indicated as ; shade – loving’. These two shade – loving crops are best suited under shaded situations up to 25 and 50 per cent shade, respectively . Photosynthetic mechanism appears to have a decisive role on the shade response of all these crops expecting sweet potato. Excepting colocasia, plant height (length of vine) in all the crops increased with increasing shade intensities. Number of branches (tillers) in all the crops significantly decreased with increasing intensities of shade. The content of total chlorophyll and its components were significantly influenced by shading in all the crop. The contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in all the plant components of all crops increased because of shading. The uptake of all the nutrients followed an identical pattern as that of dry matter accumulation in all the crops.