Browsing by Author "Manju, P"

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Combining ability and heterosis in bittergourd (Momordica charantia L.)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Iswara Prasad, C M; Manju, P
The present investigation "Combining ability and heterosis in bittergourd (Momordica charantia L.)" was conducted in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, involving seven parents, 21 hybrids without reciprocals and the check variety Preethi with a view to assess the general and specific combining abilities, the nature of gene action and to estimate the extent of heterosis for 13 characters in bittergourd. Significant differences were noticed among the 29 genotypes for all the characters studied with respect to the mean performance. Among the parents MC 17 (P,) and MC 40 (P6) and among the hybrids MC 18 x MC 40 (P2 ~ P6) had the high mean performance for yield and most of the yield attributes. The estimates of PCV and GCV for most of the traits were comparatively high with very high estimates of heritability and genetic advance indicating the scope of improvement through selection. The combining ability analys.is revealed that both GCA and SCA variances were significant for all the characters indicating the involvement of both additive and non-additive gene action. However, the ratio of additive to dominance variance was less than unity for most of the characters indicating the predominance of non-additive gene action and thereby suggesting the importance of heterosis breeding programme in crop improvement. The parent MC 40 (P6) and the hybrid MC 18 x MC 40 (P2 x P6) were the best general and specific combiners respectively for yield and most of the yield related components. Several )1ybrids possessed significant relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for all the characters except significant standard heterosis for 100 seed weight. The hybrid MC 18 x MC 40 (P2 x P6) recorded the maximum positive standard heterosis for yield and most of the yield attributes. However, the hybrids MC 17 x MC 40 (PI x P6), MC 17 x MC 53 (PI x P7) and MC 18 x MC 53 (P2 x P7) also exhibited good performance with regard to yield and related characters.
Combining ability en grain cowpea
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1996) Jayarani, L S; Manju, P
Combining ability analysis involving two lines, six testers and 12 hybrids revealed the importance of specific combining ability for all the characters except for length of pod and days to flowering. The varieties Chharodi-1, Culture-9, V 26 and GC-82-7 were the best general combiners and the cross combinations Chharodi-1 x V 26, Chharodi-1 x Kanakamani and Culture-9 x V 322 were the best specific combinations for yield and yield attributes under partially shaded upland conditions.
Combining ability in bhindi
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Tavanur, 1995) Rajani, B; Manju, P
The study was carried out in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1994 – 95 to estimate the combining ability of six genetically divergent parental strains of bhindi and their 30 F1 hybrids obtained by crossing the six parents in a diallel pattern. The magnitude of heterosis and nature of gene action governing the yield of fruits and other important yield attributes was also elicited through Hayman’s numerical and graphical approach. The combining ability analysis by the Method 1 of griffing’s (1956) approach revealed that the parent P 4 (NBPGR/TCR 864) was the best general combiner for yield and a few yield related characters. Among the hybrids, P1 x P4 (NBPGR / TCR 893 x NBPGR/TCR 864) exhibited outstanding s.c.a. effects for yield. Non additive gene action was found to govern days to first flowering number of flowers per plant, length of fruit, girth of fruit, weight of single fruit, weight of fruits per plant and number of seeds per fruit while the remaining characters were governed by additive gene action. The numerical and graphical analysis indicated overdominance for almost all characters except leaf axil bearing the first flower and incidence of shoot and fruit borer for which complete dominance was seen and leaf number for which partial dominance was noticed. The Vr-Wr graph also indicated the presence of epistasis for weight of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit, fruiting phase and height of plant. There was manifestation of heterosis for all the characters studied. The hybrid P2 x P1 (NBPGR/TCR 861 x NBPGR/RCR 893) was the most outstanding for yield and yield related characters when compared to the mid parent, better parent and the standard check and it also exhibited heterosis for tolerance to shoot and fruit borer. The cross P1 x P4 (NBPGR/TCR 893 x NBPGR/TCR 864) was also heterotic for earliness in flowering. In general, the parents NBPGR/TCR 893 and NBPGR/TCR 861 either alone or together produced heterotic combinations.
Combining ability in bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Rajani, B; Manju, P
The study was carried out in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture , Vellayani during 1994-95 to estimate the combining ability of six genetically divergent parental strains of bhindi and their 30 F1 hybrids obtained by crossing the six parents in a diallel pattern. The magnitude of heterosis and nature of gene action governing the yield of fruits and other important yield attributes was also elicited through Hayman's numerical and graphical approach. The combinig ability analysis by the Method 1 of Griffing's (1956) approach revealed that the parent P4 (NBPGR/TCR 864) was the best general combiner for yield and a few yield related characters. Among the hybrids P1 X P4 (NBPGR/TCR 893 x NBPGR/TCR 864) exhibited outstanding s.c.a effects for yield. Non addictive gene action was found to govern days to first flowering number of flowers per plant, length of fruit, girth of fruit, weight of single fruit, weight of fruits per plant and number of seeds per fruit while the remaining characters were governed by addictive gene action.
Combining ability in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus [L.] Moench)
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Rajani, B; Manju, P; Manikantan Nair, P; Saraswathy, P
A study was conducted to estimate the combining ability of six genetically divergent parental strains of okra by diallel analysis with respect to yield and a few related attributes. The combining ability analysis by the Method I of Griffing's (1959) approach revealed that the parent NBPGR/TCR 861 was the best general combiner for single fruit weight and length and NBPGR/TCR 864 for yellow vein mosaic resistance. Among hybrids, NBPGR/TCR 893 x NBPGR/TCR 864 exhibited outstanding sea effect for yield while NBPGR/TCR 865 x NBPGR/TCR 438 and NBPGR/TCR 893 x NBPGR/TCR 861 were notable for single fruit weight, length and girth. The hybrid NBPGR/TCR 854 x NBPGR/TCR 865 showed maximum tolerance to YVM.
Estimation of inbreeding depression through embryo and kernel analysis in coconut types
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1994) Manju, P; Gopimony, R
The study was undertaken to assess the breeding value of the three Komadan generations, the WCT and the NCD by selfing them and studying the extent of inbreeding depression. The three Komadan generations behaved as a distinct group against WCT and NCD types for weight of embryo and kernel. The significant reduction in embryo and kernel weight in the selfed nuts of NCD and WCT indicated a high degree of inbreeding depression. The results indicate the high degree of homozygosity achieved by the Komadan types through natural self pollination as against heterozygosity in WCT and NCD.
Fruit component and seedling progeny analysis of komadan coconut types
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Manju, P; Gopimony, R
The present study was undertaken with a view to unravel the genetic status of a coconut type, Komadan, popular in the Central Travancore region of Kerala, in relation to its origin by comparing its three generations with WCT and NCD through fruit component and seedling progeny analysis. The study revealed that the Komadan types showed significant superiority for majority of the mother palm characters especially number of bunches and spadices and number of nuts per palm per year. Number of nuts per palm per year and number of female flowers per bunch had high heritability combined with moderate to high genetic advance indicating the predominance of additive genes. Among the Komadan palms, 33 per cent were of self pollinating nature thereby occupying a position in between WCT and NCD regarding pollination system. All the Komadan palms had nuts of different shades of brown while 70 per cent of WCT palm had nuts of green shade and NCD palms had varying shades of green, olive and brown nuts indicating the distinction of Komadan as a separate group. Komadan types were superior to WCT in all seednut characters except polar diameter of nut, oil content, thickness of husk and husk/nut ratio. It behaved as a distinct type regarding thickness of meat. One or the other of the Komadan generations was found to be on par with NCD for majority of the seednut characters. Komadan types occupied an area midway between NCD and WCT based on Niu kafa-Niu vai Introgression hypothesis with a clear progression through generations towards better weight of unhusked nut. Inbreeding depression was noticed in WCT and NCD as indicated by significant reduction in embryo and kernel weight in selfed nuts compared to open pollinated nuts. In Komadan there was no inbreeding depression indicating a high degree of homozygosity. The seednuts of Komadan types showed early germination compared to WCT and NCD. Regarding seedling characters, Komadan behaved as a distinct type for total leaf area over both WCT and NCD. Number of seedlings with split leaves was also more in Komadan. This type was superior to WCT for seedling vigour index also. Estimation of prepotency based on recovery of quality seedlings showed that 40 to 60 per cent of Komadan palms were prepotent where as the same in WCT and NCD were only about 20 per cent. Analysis of petiole colour of seedlings showed that 71 to 82 per cent of seedlings among the three Komadan generations showed moderates brown colour (bronze) ; 97 per cent of WCT seedlings had different shades of green and wider variations in petiole colour were noticed in NCD seedlings. It can be concluded that the Komadan type maintained its genetic identity over generations with respect to economically important characters viz. Kernel, copra, and oil content and also in the recovery of quality seedlings which inturn reflects its prepotent nature. The collection and maintenance of typical komadan germplasm through inter se crossing and development of isolated seed gardens for large scale production of komadan seedlings are suggested as future line of work.
Genetic analysis for yield and resistance to yellow vein mosaic in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Sindhumole, P; Manju, P
Genetic analysis in f2 generation of irradiated interspecific hybrids in okra (abelmoschus spp.)
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Sophia, John; Manju, P; Rajamony, L
Genetic analysis in f2 generation of irradiated interspecific hybrids in okra (abelmoschus spp.)
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Sophia, John; Manju, P; Rajamony, L
Genetic analysis of segregating generations of irradiated interspecific hybrids in Okra (Abelmoschus spp.)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Sophia John; Manju, P
A study* was. conducted in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during l996-'97 to estimate the extent of variability generated in the f 2M? and F3M3 generations as a result of hybridisation and hybrid irradiation of the interspecific hybrids between A. s esculenins and A. manihot and also to isolate high yielding yellow vein mosaic disease resistant lines from among the segregating generations In the l-^M-, generation, the irradiated treatments were found to be late flowering and had more number of leaves per plant, flowers per plant and fruits per plant Irradiation was found to increase pollen sterility and was maximum in 10 kR However seed set was lower for the irradiated treatments. Average fruit weight and weight of fruits per plant was maximum in plants belonging to the treatment 20 kR. Fruit length and girth were found to increase with increasing radiation doses. Number of ridges per fruit, fruiting phase and plant duration were higher in the irradiated treatments when compared to 0 kR and was maximum in 40 kR Plant height was highest in the treatment 30 kR Irradiation was found to increase YVM disease incidence and fruit and shoot borer incidence and it was maximum in 30 kR among the irradiated treatments. However a few high yielding YVM disease resistant plants resembling the cultivated parent were also observed in 30 kR ■Genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance were high for number of branches per plant and number of seeds per fruit in all the irradiated treatments in F2M2. High heritability with high genetic advance were observed for leaf number, number of flowers per plant, Iruits • ' per plant and pollen sterility in 20 kR and 30 kR. Significant positive * . correlation of number of leaves per plant, flowers per plant and fruits per plant with weight of fruits per plant and also among themselves was observed in all the irradiated treatments in F2M0. Average fruit weight and fruit yield A* • 0 per plant were positively correlated in treatments 0 kR, 10 kR, 40 kR, P, and P2. % In F3M3 the irradiated treatments were found to be late flowering and had more number of leaves, branches, flowers and fruits per plant. Pollen sterility was lower for the irradiated treatments, when compared to the unirradiated treatment and was lowest in 30 kR. However the number of seeds per fruit was more in 30 kR compared to the other treatments excluding parental treatments. Irradiation was found to decrease average fruit weight but fruit yield per plant was more for the irradiated treatments due to the larger number of fruits and was maximum in 40 kR. Length of fruit increased with increasing radiation doses. Significant differences among the irradiated treatments were not observed with respect to number of ridges per fruit. Irradiation was found to increase the fruiting phase as well as plant duration. Plant height was maximum in 10 kR when compared to all the other treatments. Yellow vein mosaic disease incidence was high in the cultivated parent and the higher dose radiation treatments viz , 30 kR and 40 kR. From the present study *a few recombinants which resembled the cultivated parent, with high yield and YVM disease resistance could be isolated from 30 kR, which suggested that 30 kR could be ideal radiation dose for evolving high yielding YVM disease resistant lines in okra. Fruit and shoot borer incidence was highest in the cultivated parent and was also high in 30 kR. High to moderately high genotypic coefficient of variation was observed.lor number of branches per plant, leaves per plant, flowers per plant, fruits per plant, weight of fruits per plant and number of seeds per fruit in all irradiated treatments in F3M3. High heritability and genetic advance were observed lor number of fruits per plant, weight of fruits per plant, flowers per plant and pollen sterility in all the irradiated treatments. Number of leaves per plant, flowers per plant and fruits per plant were positively correlated with fruit yield per plant in all the treatments while average fruit weight had significant positive correlation with fruit yield per plant in 0 kR, P, and P2 in the F3M3 generation. As a future line of work, high yielding, YVM disease resistant plants assembling the cultivated parent which have been isolated from the treatment 30 kR will be further evaluated for a few more generations and if found superior and YVM disease resistant it will finally be developed into a YVM disease resistant variety.
Genetic analysis of yield and resistance to anthraconse in chilli(Capsicum annuum L)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Ajith, P M; Manju, P
Genetic divergence in bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus [L.] moench
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1994) Bindhu, K K; Saraswathy, P; Manju, P
Seventy genotypes of bhiiuli were subjected to D2 analysis based on 14 economic characters in order to classify them into group constellation. The 70 genotypes were found to fall into six clusters with 57 genotypes in cluster I, four in cluster II, three in cluster III, two in cluster IV, three in cluster V arid one in cluster VI. The distribution of the genotypes into six different clusters was not according to their places of origin showing that the genotypes forming one group were geographically diverse, while those obtained from the same region were genetically different. Cluster V showed high mean values for yield and major yield attributes indicating that it is superior to the rest of the clusters. Cluster I and IV were genetically closer while cluster II and VI were wider. Selection of parents from cluster II and VI for hybridisation is likely to give heterotic hybrids.
Genetic evaluation of F4 and F5 generations of irradiated interspecific hybrids in okra(Abelmoschus spp.)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1998) Anu Mary C Philip; Manju, P
A study was undertaken in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1997-98 for the genetic evaluation of the F 4 and F 5 generations of irradiated interspecific hybrids between A. esculentus and A. manihot with the objective of isolating high yielding yellow vein mosaic disease resistant lines from the segregating generations. The families in the F 4M4 generation were found to be late flowering and recorded higher mean values for number of leaves, number of branches, number of flowers and number of fruits per plant compared to the cultivated parent. The fruit yield per plant was higher than the parents inspite of the reduction noticed in average fruit weight. The families recorded lesser values for fruiting phase and duration and higher values for plant height. The crude fibre content of the fruits, yellow vein mosaic incidence and shoot and fruit borer infestation were lower in the families. This provided scope for the selection of several high yielding and YVM disease resistant types from the F 4M4 generation Number of flowers per plant and incidence of YVM disease recorded high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation. High heritability and genetic advance were observed for leaf number and weight of fruits per plant. Fruit yield per plant had high positive correlations with leaf number, number of branches, number of flowers and fruits per plant and plant height. Hence effective selection can be done for these characters for yield improvement. In the F sMs generation, the families were early flowering and recorded increase in leaf area, pollen sterility and number of branches per plant. The families also recorded higher mean values for leaf number, number of flowers and fruits per plant and plant height compared to the parents. The fruit yield per plant, average fruit weight and number of seeds per fruit were higher in the F sMs families. The fruiting phase and duration recorded an increase while the crude fibre content of fruits, incidence of YVM and incidence of shoot and fruit borer recorded lower mean values. Incidence of YVM disease had the maximum phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation. High heritability and genetic advance were observed for yield of fruits per plant. Weight of fruits per plant was significantly and positively correlated with leaf number, number of branches, number of flowers and fruits per plant, average fruit weight and plant height. Selection based on these characters will be effective in improving the yield of the crop. At the same time, high variation noted for YVM disease incidence offers more scope for selection based on disease incidence, in the process of selection for high yielding disease resistant types.
Genetic evaluation of yield and anthracnose resistance in the segregating generation of three way cross hybrides in chilli
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2013) Vineetha, G; Manju, P
Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is an important spice cum vegetable crop, grown on a commercial scale in India. It is an important constituent of many foods since it adds flavor, colour, vitamin C and pungency, productivity of the crop remains low mostly due to destructive diseases. One of the most dreaded diseases affecting chilli is anthracnose, which is also called dieback and fruit rot. The best way to tackle this disease is to grow resistant varieties. Hence it is essential to identify the sources of anthracnose resistance and study the inheritance of resistance to develop high yielding anthracnose resistant varieties of chilli. The aim of the project was to identify high yielding anthracnose resistant types through evaluation from among the F4 segregating generation of three way cross hybrids in chilli. Eight promising three-way cross hybrids with regard to fruit yield and resistance to anthracnose selected from a previous PG project was used as the material for this study. The eight three way cross hybrids were considered as families and within each family eight progenies were studied. The eight families are given below Family 1 - (Jwalamukhi x Kidangoor local) x Jwalasakhi Family 2 - (Jwalamukhi x Ujwala) x Vellayani Athulya Family 3 - (Jwalasakhi x Vellayani Athulya) x Kidangoor local Family 4 - (Jwalamukhi x Ujwala) x Kidangoor local Family 5 - (Samkranthi local x Vellayani Athulya) x Kidangoor local Family 6 - (Vellayani Athulya x Jwalasakhi) x Samkranthi local Family 7 - (Vellayani Athulya x Ujwala) x Jwalamukhi Family 8 - (Kidangoor local x Ujwala) x Jwalasakhi The investigation was carried out as two separate experiments- Pot culture experiment and Field experiment. Pot culture experiment was laid out in CRD with 8 families and 8 progenies with three replications to score for anthracnose disease by creating disease pressure by artificial inoculation of the plants with the pathogen at 35 DAT and 50 DAT. Six superior progenies from each family with regard to yield and anthracnose resistance were selected for field experiment after eliminating two progenies which exhibited low yield and high anthracnose disease incidence. Viz., progeny 4 and 8, 1 and 4, 4 and 7, 4 and 5, 2 and 5, 2 and 8, 3 and 5, 4 and 6 from families 1, 2, 3,4,5,6,7 and 8 respectively. Family 8 was superior for yield and showed resistance to anthracnose followed by three other families. Progenies which were superior within these families were 8 and 3 in family 8, 6 and 1 in family 5, 8 in family 7 and progeny 3 in family 2. Genetic parameters such as phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), heritability and genetic advance and correlation of 8 families were studied. Fruit yield per plant showed maximum GCV, PCV and genetic advance while heritability percentage was maximum for fruit length and average green fruit weight. Fruit yield per plant showed positive and significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations with average green fruit weight and length of fruit while it showed negative correlation with duration among the families. The field experiment was laid out in Compact Family Block Design, with 8 families and 6 progenies in four replications. Scoring for anthracnose disease was done under natural condition in the field. Among the 8 families, family 8 was highly superior for the important traits such as number of fruits per plant, average green fruit weight, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit yield per plant and was resistant to anthracnose disease. Based on the evaluation of progenies in each family, progeny 1 was significantly superior in family 1, progeny 2 in family 2, progeny 3 in family 3, progeny 4 in family 4, progenies 3 and 4 in family 5, progeny 1 in family 6, progenies 4 and 6 in family 7 and progeny 6 in family 8. Biochemical analysis on chilli revealed that capsaicin and oleoresin were found to be maximum in the above selected progenies in each family which were superior for yield and anthracnose resistance. Progenies which exhibited high capsaicin content were found to exhibit low disease incidence. The study revealed that Kidangoor local x Ujwala x Jwalasakhi (family 8) was the best and was significantly superior followed by Samkranthi local x Vellayani Athulya x Kidangoor local (family 5), Jwalasakhi x Vellayani Athulya x Kidangoor local (family 3), Vellayani Athulya x Jwalasakhi x Samkranthi local (family 6), Vellayani Athulya x Ujwala x Jwalamukhi (family 7) and Jwalamukhi x Ujwala x Vellayani Athulya (family 2). The progenies that were found to be superior within these families will be selected based on yield and yield attributes as well as anthracnose disease resistance for further evaluation of the recombinants in the F5 segregating generation.
Genetics divergence in bhindi (abelmoschus esculentus (L.) moench)
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Bindu, K K; Manju, P
A study was conducted in the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period 1991-93. The main aim was to estimate the magnitude of genetic divergence in a collection of bhindi varieties to select suitable ones for use as parents for developing commercial hybrid varieties. The estimation of genetic parameters of important economic characters, the association among these characters, direct and indirect effects and D2 values were undertaken. Seventy genotypes of bhindi were evaluated in a RBD with three replications. The genotypes showed significant differences in most of the characters studied except fruiting phase and leaf axil bearing the first flower. Genotypic coefficient of variation was maximum for weight of fruits per plant and minimum for days to first flowering. Heritability estimate was maximum for length of fruit while it was minimum for leaf axil bearing the first flower. Genetic advance as percentage of mean was maximum for weight of fruits per plant. High hertibility coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for length of fruit, leaf area, weight of single fruit, height of the plant and weight of the fruits per plant. At genotypic level yield per plant showed positive correlation with all the characters studied. Path coefficient analysis at genotypic level revealed that the number of fruits per plant, weight of single fruit and number of branches exhibited high direct influence on yield. The study indicated that the model for selection of high yielding varieties of bhindi should be based on the number of fruits per plant, weight of single fruit and number of branches. D2 analysis revealed that the 70 genotypes were grouped into six clusters. Cluster I, II, III, IV, V and VI contained fifty seven, four, three, two, three and one genotypes respectively. The maximum divergence was obtained between clusters II and VI and the minimum between clusters I and IV. The intra cluster distance was maximum in cluster III and minimum in cluster IV. In future breeding programme for the development of heterotic hybrids parent may be selected from cluster II and VI for hybridization.
Kanjangad - a sweet potato variety for uplands
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1995) Manju, P; Sunny K Oommen
In an investigation to identify superior clones of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.\ Lam) suitable for uplands, 36 clones were evaluated in a preliminary yield trials and 14 superior ones were clonally selected and subjected to comparative yield trial for three years. The types SPC-13, SPC-18, SPC-20 and Kanjangad gave higher tuber yield in comparison to others. SPC-13 had the highest total acceptability score followed by Kanjangad which show their superior cooking quality. The results of the farm trial conducted at 12 locations revealed the superiority of SPC-18 and Kanjangad with respect to tuber yield and low weevil incidence. However, the farmers' preference and consumer acceptability were more towards Kanjangad due to its attractive spindle shape and purple colour. Kanjangad was hence released as variety for cultivation in the uplands of Kerala.
Malika, an improved variety of vegetable cowpea
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1995) Manju, P; Sunny K Oommen
In an investigation to identify a high yielding vegetable cowpea type with good quality green pods, 13 genotypes were collected from different agroclimatic regions of Kerala and 20 single plant selections made. Based on yield and yield attributes, nine promising selections were subjected to comparative yield trial for three seasons. Even though Selection 16 and 7 ranked first and second respectively for yield of vegetable pods in the comparative yield trials, pod length and number of seeds per potl were maximum for Selection 7 which is a single plant selection from Trivandrum Local. The results of the farm trials conducted at 10 locations in Trivamlrum district revealed the superiority of Selection 7 over the others with respect to the yield of vegetable pods. Hence, Selection 7 was released as "Malika" having a duration of 100 days. It is suitable for cultivation in the homestead during kharif and in the rice fallow during summer in Trivandrum district of Kerala.
Seedling progeny analysis in coconut types
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1995) Manju, P; Gopimony, R; Nampoothiri, K U K; Saraswathy, P
The study was undertaken to identity prepotent palms from among five coconut types vi/.., three Komadan generations. West Coast Tall and Natural Cross Dwarf based on growth rate of seedlings at the 9th month of germination. For most of the seedling characters, Komadan generations (Manju, 1992) showed significant superiority over WCT and they behaved as a distinct group with regard to total leaf area over both WCT and NCD. They were also found to be significantly superior to WCT for seedling vigour index and number of seedlings with split leaves. The three Komadan generations were on par regarding recovery ot quality seedlings and were significantly superior to WCT. Based on this character, 20 per cent of the palms in Komadan were identified to be prepotent.
Sneha, an improved variety of groundnut for uplands
(Kerala Agricultural University, 2000) Suma Bai, D I; Manju, P; Sverup John; Wilson, D; Gopimony, R; Vijayagopal, P D
Initial evaluation trials (lETs) were conducted with 18 superior types and 18 extra early segregants from the Fs progenies during 1993. From the lETs, seven high yielding types and nine high yielding, extra early progeny bulks were selected and subjected to CYTs during kharif 1994 and 1995 at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram along with check varieties. Two promising types, VGE-551 and 1SKO-8805 with high yield and two cultures, Culture 15 and Culture 18 with high yield and early maturity were advanced to farm trials along with TMV 2 and local check at nine locations in Thiruvananthapuram district during kharif 1996. Culture 15 with high yield and early maturity was recommended for release as Sneha suitable for cultivation in the uplands of Thiruvananthapuram district.