Browsing by Author "Luckins C Babu"

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Anthesis in Indian lemongrass Cymbopogon Flexuosus, stapf
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1979) Mercy, S T; Gopinathan Nair, V; Luckins C Babu
Studies were undertaken on the mechanism of anthesis in Indian lemongrass. An inflorescence takes 25 to 32 days for completion of anthosis. The peak period of anthesis is from the 6th day from commencement of anthesis to the 11th day. About 80% of spikes complete anthesis by the 15th day. Anthesis takes place in the morning between 7 and 8.30. !n the sessile spikelets anthesis appears earlier than its appearance in the pedicellate ones. There are four distinct stages in the anthesis of sessile spikelet which take plrce one after the other in quick succession. The most characteristic featrue of anthesis is the slight protogynous nature of the sessile spikelet. Though this is a basic adaptation for cross pollination, the large number of spikeleis opening in a short span of time indicate the possibility for self pollination under field conditions.
Biology of the seedling of the sandle wood (Santalum album Linn.)
(Department of Forestry, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 1991) Yayati B Taide; Luckins C Babu
An experiment was conducted in the College of Forestry, Vellanikkara during July 1990 to March 1991. The investigation was undertaken with a view to studying the biology of sandal seedling (Santalum album Linn.). The main objective of the experiment was to study the influence of host plants on the growth and development of sandal and to identify promising sandal – host combinations to be recommended and adopted for large scale plantations. The experiment was laid out in a completely Randomised Design with 15 host species as treatments. The results revealed that sandal has host specificity and with certain host species sandal tended to put up better growth. Casuarina was found to be the best host among the 15 host species tried in the experiment. All the growth characters like height, collar girth, number of leaves, root and shoot biomass, root and shoot length were higher when sandal was associated with host species like casuarina, terminalia, albizia, dalbergia, pongamia. On the other hand some species like emblica, delonix, acacia, ailanthus, lucaena had an antagonistic or allelopathic effect. A multitrait selection index was developed for the 15 host species tried in the investigation and five sandal –host combinations have been identified for recommendation for large scale sandal plantations.
Chlorophyll content as an index for selection in Rauwolfia spp.
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1996) Narayanan, A K; Luckins C Babu; Namboodiri, K M N; Achamma Oommen; Augustine, A
Concept of ideal plant type (ideotype) in horsegram (Dolichos Biflorus L.)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1995) Swapna, M; Achamma Oommen; Namboodiri, K M N; Luckins C Babu
The concept of an ideal plant type in horsegram was studied based on crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area index (LAI) and harvest index (HI). A plant type with peak CGR, NAR and LAI at the middle growth period was found to be the best. Efficient partitioning of the total dry matter produced towards the reproductive parts was very important for a higher harvest index.
Eco-physiological studies in a tropical evergreen forest ecosystem (of Nelliampathy area, in Kerala)
(Department of Forestry, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara., 1991) Sheik Hyder Hussain, S; Luckins C Babu
Eco – physiological studies in a tropical evergreen forest ecosystem of Nelliampathy area in Kerala The physiological ecology of tropical vegetation in general and that of evergreen forest in particular is poorly understood. As regards to South indian forest ecosystems studies on these lines are virtually absent. The present investigation attempts to generate some basic information on ecological aspects of evergreen forests and also to identify the changes caused by human interference. The study was carried out in three locations adjacent to the Nelliampathy tract representing undisturbed and selection felled evergreen forests and cardamom plantation. In each of these three ecosystems, 50 x 50m plots were established in most typical sites of one hectare and the vegetation, structure, phytosociology and floristics were analysed. Estimation of leaf area index, leaf litter and nutrient input through litter, soil nutrients and natural regeneration was carried out. Monthly measurements of micrometeorological parameters namely, air temperature, relative humidity, rainfall soil temperature and soil moisture were taken. Light environment was studied both in vertical and horizontal profiles. The evergreen forest ecosystem presented diverse physiognomic features exemplified by size of trunks, crown, branching pattern, coppicing power, buttressine, colour and blaze of bark, cauliflory and ramiflory. The disturbance to the ecosystem by way of selection felling and /or raising of cardamom in the understory has caused drastic changes in the structure. There is marked difference in the distribution of trees among the three storeys and also in various girth classes. The dominant species association, as indicated by the Importance Value Index is Palaquium ellipticum – Cullenia exarillata in the undisturbed and cardamom plots, while it is Mesua ferrea – Palaguium ellipticum in the selection felled plot. Of the 20 species of trees (> 30 cm girth at breast height), 17 were present in the undisturbed, 15 in the selection felled and 11 in the cardamom plot. The index of species diversity was 0.85 and 0.86 for undisturbed and selection felled areas respectively, with the cardamom plot possessing an index of 0.76. The most important plant families occurring in the area are Sapotaceae, Bombacaceae, Clusiaceae and Euphorbiaceae. The undisturbed evergreen plot has the maximum leaf area index and the cardamom plot the minimum, while the selection felled area occupies the median position as a result of the varying degrees of canopy removal. The vertical distribution of light reveals that while 60 percent radiant energy is received at 30 m height, 30 percent at 20 m and 15 percent at 10 m, only 10 percent is available at the ground level. There is a striking difference in the horizontal distribution of light categorised into varying intensities among the three plots which is affected by the disturbances in the canopy. The monthly soil temperature did not vary between the undisturbed and selection felled plots, while it was higher in the cardamom plot. A reverse trend was observed in the case of soil moisture with the undisturbed plot having maximum soil moisture. The ecosystems under consideration are phenologically active due to the dry spell and flowering of most species occurs in January – March. While fruiting is towards the monsoon period, maximum leaf fall takes place during the summer. There is significant variation in the total annual litterfall among the three ecosystems with the undisturbed plot occupying the top position and the cardamom plot the bottom. The same trend is followed with regards to the input of N,P,K Ca and Mg though leaflitter into the ecosystem. The highest value for soil nutrients (0-20 cm) was estimated in the undisturbed plot and least in the cardamom plot. Natural regeneration was normal in the undisturbed evergreen forest, almost absent in the selection felled plot due to the invasion of Strobilanthes sps., while only unestablished seedlings were available in the cardamom plot due to successive weeding operations. The study reveals that slight and heavy modifications in the evergreen forest ecosystem brings about significant changes in structure, floristics, microclimatic environment and features relating to the functioning of the system, namely, nutrient input and regeneration.
Evaluation of provenances for seedling attributes in rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.)
(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2000) Resmi Nair, R; Luckins C Babu
A randomised block design experiment involving the performance of selected provenances, i.e., Trivandrum, kollam, Wyanad, Idukki and Thrissur (local provenance) of Dalbergia latifolia Roxb. Initiated during June 1999 was used for the present investigation. This study was undertaken to examine the seed characteristics, germination characters, growth parameters and physiological characters. Seed characteristics like 100 seed weight and individual seed weight showed significant variation among the provenances. The seeds from Trivandrum provenance was found to be superior than the others. Idukki registered the lowest mean value for the individual seed weight and the others were on par. Germination behaviour of rosewood provenances in the laboratory conditions showed significant variation except in the case of days taken to complete germination. Wyanad provenance recorded the highest germination percentage and other germination characters like peak value, mean daily germination and germination value were superior for Idukki provenance and it was statistically comparable with the Kollam provenance. Except mean daily germination and germination value, significant variation was shown by the provenances with respect to the germination characters in the field conditions. Idukki provenance was superior with respect to germination percentage and was on par with Wyanad provenance. Inferior performance in the case of peak value was shown by Thrissur (local provenance) and the others were comparable. More time for completion of germination was taken by Kollam which was having a statistically inferior germination percentage. Biometric observations also showed significant variation among the provenances except leaf area. At 60 DAS Trivandrum and Kollam were superior over the others for shoot height. Wyanad and Idukki which registered the least values at 60 DAS were superior towards the later stages of growth. Statistically inferior performance was shown by local provenance at all stages of the experimental period. For root length and collar diameter also similar trend was followed. With respect to number of leaves per plant superior performance was registered by the Wyanad provenance, but for leaf area both Wyanad and Idukki performed better. Trivandrum, Wyanad and Kollam provenances were comparable for the number of lateral roots and physiologically active fresh lateral roots were superior for Trivandrum and Idukki provenances. Biomass production which plays an important role in the ultimate biological yield, showed significant variation among the provenances. Kollam, Wynad and Idukki provenances were statistically superior for various biomass characters such as stem, leaf, root and shoot dry weight. Physiological parameters like relative growth rate and net assimilation rate showed significant variation among the provenances. Idukki, Kollam and Trivandrum were superior with respect to relative growth rate and Kollam registered the highest mean for the net assimilation rate which was on par with Wyanad and Idukki provenances. Chlorophyll content, which decides the photosynthetic potential in plants did not show any significant difference among the provenances throughout the experimental period.
Floral biology of Indian lemongrass Cymbopogon flexuosus stapf
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1982) Luckins C Babu; Mercy, S T; Gopinathan Nair, V
Formulation of a key for identification of the different types of pepper, Piper nigrum L.
(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1982) Kanakamany, M T; Luckins C Babu
The studies reported herein were carried out in the Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during the year 1980-82 with a view to formulating a key for identification of different varieties of pepper. From the germ plasm collection maintained in the Pepper Research Scheme of the College, 45 types of uniform age were earmarked. Observations on twentyeight quantitative and seventeen qualitative characters were recorded from all the fortyfive types and the variability among the types was assessed. The study revealed that the material was highly variable with reference to many of the characters.
Genetic analysis of high yielding rice varieties of diverse origin
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Vanaja, T; Luckins C Babu
Reproductive biology of Terminalia species of tropical moist deciduous forests of Kerala
(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2000) Saju, P U; Luckins C Babu
An investigation was carried out in Kerala Agric~ltural University campus and Vazhachal Forest Division on the reproductive biology of Termina/ia species of tropical moist deciduous forests of Kerala with the objective of understanding the phenology, floral biology, morphology, flowering, self fertilization, pollination time, fruit set and seed matruity of its species. Four species of Termina/ia viz., Terminalia paniculata, T. tomentosa, T. catappa and T. be/erica were observed for a period of twelve months starting from June 1996 to July, 1997. The study revealed that leaf shedding and dormancy occurred in dry months and flushing occurred after the dormant period facilitate the utilization of high moisture available during the rainy season. The inflorescence of T. panicu/ata and T. tomentosa was panickled spikes and in T. catappa and T. be/erica it was simple spike. All flowers were hermaphrodite in T. panicu/ata and T. tomntosa but in T. catappa and T. be/erica the only lowermost six were hermaphrdite and others were male flowers with defective overy. Mass flowering was observed in T. be/erica and T. tomentosa, but steady state type of flowering activity was observed in T. ceteppe and intermediate type of flowering pattern was noticed in T. panicu/ata. The anthesis and antherdehiscence occurred during the morning and evening hours in Termina/ias facilitate high insect activity and maximum pollination. The stigma receptivity was high at the time of anthesis and it declines sharply with its age. The fruit development phases and seed maturity were distinguishable from the colour change of their fruits. The extent of fruit set seed maturity and reproductive capacity of Terminaliassuggested that only very small proportion of the flowers producerd were transformed into viable fruits.