Browsing by Author "Manju, P R"

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Characterization of vegetable cowpea
(Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2006) Manju, P R; Rajamony, L
The research project “Characterization of vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)” was conducted at the Department of Olericulture and Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2002 to 2005. The objective of the study was to genetically catalogue the accessions based on IPGRI descriptor for cowpea, to estimate the genetic parameters for different traits in the germplasm as well as to characterize them based on morphological, anatomical, biochemical and molecular parameters. Sixty six accessions of vegetable cowpea collected from various sources upon cataloguing pointed out wide variation for several morphological characters. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the accessions for all the characters studied coming under growth, flowering, pod, yield and quality. Among the accessions evaluated, VS 8 (CHCP-1) had the highest yield (1136.89 g) and pods per plant (102.59), while VS 19 (Aryanad, Thiruvananthapuram) and VS 4 (Kanjikuzhi Payar) were noted for their high pod length, pod weight, pod girth, seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and vine length. Root : shoot ratio had the highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, followed by pod weight and yield per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for yield per plant, pods per plant, pod length and pod weight. Correlation studies revealed that characters like vine length, collar girth, pod length, pod girth, pod weight, pods per plant, seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, seed length, seed width, number of harvests, keeping quality and pod protein observed high positive correlation with yield, whereas root : shoot ratio and peduncle length were negatively correlated with yield. Path coefficient analysis indicated that pods per plant exerted the highest positive direct effect on yield, while seed length, pod weight and vine length had high indirect effects on pod yield. In discriminant function analysis, the accession VS 27 (Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram) ranked first, followed by VS 8 (CHCP-1) and VS 19 (Aryanad, Thiruvananthapuram). Based on Mahalanobi’s D2 statistic, the 66 accessions were grouped into ten clusters. Cluster I was the largest containing 18 accessions, while cluster X was the smallest with two accessions. Cluster X performed better most of the biometric characters, with the highest intercluster distance observed between clusters VI and X. On screening the accessions for legume pod borer resistance, VS 19 (Aryanad, Thiruvananthapuram) was found to be the most tolerant, while VS 42 (Pilicode, Kasargode) was the most susceptible. Pod trichome density as well as phenol content were negatively correlated with plant susceptibility index. On the basis of the present study, VS 27, VS 8 and VS 19 were found to be promising based on their superiority in yield, quality and tolerance to legume pod borer and hence they may be utilized for further crop improvement programmes. The organoleptic quality and overall acceptability of all the accessions was also assessed based on appearance / colour, doneness, taste, flavour and texture. The overall acceptability ranged from 2.00 to 3.60 and 2.40 to 3.60 in vegetable and dual purpose / grain types respectively. Characterization of vegetable cowpea based on seed protein banding pattern as well as RAPD revealed the presence of wide variability among the accessions. Similarity coefficient values ranged from 0.20 to 0.97. At 66 per cent similarity, the selected 50 accessions were grouped into eleven clusters. It may be concluded that molecular characterization may be used as a tool for DNA fingerprinting as well as parental selection for further crop improvement in vegetable cowpea. The study also highlighted the probable development of yard long beans from grain type cowpeas with the dual purpose and bush types as intermediate forms.
Direct regeneration of banana(Musa spp.) cultivar njalipoovan through in vitro male bud culture.
(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2025) Jovita Joju; Manju, P R
The present research work entitled “Varietal evaluation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) for urban horticulture” was conducted at the Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, from 2023 November to 2024 October. The study was under taken to evaluate the growth and yield response of planting materials of guava to different type and size of containers and to evaluate the growth response of different varieties of guava in containers. The experiment 1 entitled “Performance evaluation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) in containers” was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 18 treatments and 3 replications using the guava variety Arka Kiran. The treatments included two container types (C1 - Plastic container and C2 - Air-pot), three container sizes (V1 – 40 L, V2 – 60 L and V3 – 80 L) and three different planting materials (P1 - Air layers, P2 - Rooted cuttings and P3 - Grafts). The medium of planting consisted of soil, coir pith and farm yard manure in 1 : 1 : 1 ratio across all treatment. Twelve- month-old potted plants were subjected to the study. Plants in plastic containers (C1), registered significantly taller growth with greater plant spread, primary stem girth, number of leaves per plant (at 15, 18, and 21 MAP), stem girth (at 15 and 18 MAP), root dry weight, shoot dry weight, and leaf area (at 21 MAP) compared to those in airpots. Meanwhile, plants in airpots exhibited earlier flowering, shorter duration from flowering to harvest and longer flowering duration. They also produced greater number of fruits and higher fruit weight, length, diameter and fruit yield. Among different container volumes, 80 L (V3) had the tallest plants with the highest plant spread, stem girth and primary stem girth and the highest number of leaves per plant (15 MAP, 18 MAP and 21 MAP). In addition, they exhibited earliness in flowering and harvest, highest flowering duration, fruit weight, length, diameter, number of fruits and fruit yield. Root dry weight, shoot dry weight (21 MAP) and leaf area were also the highest in V3. 168 Among the different planting materials, air layers produced taller plants with greater plant spread (at 15, 18, and 21 MAP), number of leaves per plant, leaf area and root-to-shoot ratio (at 21 MAP). In addition, they exhibited early flowering, longest flowering duration and the shortest number of days from flowering to harvest. The number of fruits, fruit weight, fruit length, diameter and fruit yield were also observed to be the highest in air layers. Grafts (P3) recorded the highest values for stem girth, primary branch girth, root dry weight and shoot dry weight. The fruits were analysed for quality parameters, including TSS, total sugar, reducing sugar, ascorbic acid, total antioxidant activity and total carotenoids. Container size, type, and planting material showed a significant difference in ascorbic acid and carotenoid content, whereas all other parameters were non-significant. Ascorbic acid and carotenoid content were higher in airpots. In terms of container volume, the 80 L containers showed higher ascorbic acid(227.67 mg 100g-1) and carotenoid levels (0.67 mg 100g-1) , while, among planting materials, air-layered plants had the highest values. Leaf tissue was analysed for physiological and biochemical parameters viz., chlorophyll content, total carotenoids, total reducing sugars and total soluble proteins at 18 MAP. Container type and planting material did not show any significant effect on these parameters, while 80 L container volume showed significantly higher total soluble proteins compared to 40 and 60 litres. The two factor interaction between container type and size (C x V), showed that 80 L plastic containers (C1V3) recorded significantly higher plant spread (E-W and N-S), stem girth, leaves per plant, leaf area and root dry weight. The shoot dry weight was higher in both plastic container and air-pots with 80 L (C1V3 and C2V3). Air-pots with 80 L (C2V3), exhibited early flowering with more fruits per plant, enhanced flowering duration, earlier flowering to harvest and the highest fruit weight, length, diameter and fruit yield. Interaction between container type and planting material (C x P) also confirms similar results in air-pots with air layers (C2P1). Root : shoot ratio was the highest in air-pots with grafted plants (C2P3). The two factor interaction between container size and planting material (V x P) showed that air layers grown in 80 L containers (V3P1) outperformed other combinations with respect to plant height, plant 169 spread, leaves per plant, leaf area, number of fruits, flowering duration, days to flowering, days from flowering to harvest, fruit weight, length, diameter and fruit yield. Shoot dry weight, stem girth and primary stem girth were the highest in 80 L with graft (V3P3). In three factor interaction, 80 L plastic containers with graft (C1V3P3) showed higher root dry weight and shoot dry weight while plant height and leaf area were the highest for air layers in 80 L plastic container (C1V3P1). The least number of days to flowering and days from flowering to harvest were observed in 80 L airpots with air layers (C2V3P1) they also produced the highest number of leaves and fruits, as well as the greatest fruit weight, length, diameter and fruit yield. Another notable feature observed in the study is the presence of root coiling in plastic containers of all sizes (40, 60, and 80 L), regardless of the type of planting material. In contrast, root coiling was absent in airpots of all container sizes. This study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate container types, sizes, and planting materials for successful guava cultivation in containers. Airpots outperformed plastic containers by enhancing reproductive traits like early flowering, extended flowering duration, and superior fruit yield and quality. Larger containers (80 L) showed the best results across growth, fruit yield and biochemical parameters, including ascorbic acid and carotenoids. Among planting materials, air layers excelled in vegetative growth, earliness in flowering, and fruit quality, establishing 80 L airpots with air layers as the optimal choice for container-based guava cultivation. The experiment 2 entitled “Varietal evaluation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) for urban horticulture” was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments included five varieties of air layered guava: T1-Allahabad Safeda, T2-Lucknow 49, T3-Arka Kiran, T4-Arka Rashmi and T5- Arka Mridula. (Note: The best container type, container size and planting material (Airpots 80 L air layers) was selected from the result of first year observations of the experiment entitled “Performance evaluation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) in container and used in this experiment). T5-Arka Mridula registered the highest plant 170 height, primary and the secondary stem girth, while early flowering with highest number of flowers was registered in T4-Arka Rashmi. Leaf tissue was analysed for physiological and biochemical parameters viz., chlorophyll content, total carotenoids, total reducing sugars and total soluble proteins at 6 MAP. Total chlorophyll (0.98 mg 100 g -1), reducing sugar (1.84%) and carotenoid content(0.70 mg 100 g -1) were the highest in T5-Arka Mridula and total soluble protein was the highest in T1-Allahabad Safeda. This study emphases the importance of the growth response of different varieties of guava in containers. Among vegetative parameters, plant height, primary and secondary stem girth were the highest in Arka Mridula which was reflected in physiological and biochemical parameters like chlorophyll, reducing sugar and carotenoid contents that gave the highest values. However, in plant spread and flowering parameters like days to flowering and number of flowers the highest values were in Arka Rashmi. Plants with a compact canopy and good reproductive parameters are ideal for container growing. Thus, the present study unveils the suitability of Arka Rashmi for container growing of guava.
Genetic cataloguing of hot chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) types of Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2002) Manju, P R; Sreelathakumary, I
Genetic cataloguing of hot chilli (Capsicum chinese Jacq.)
(Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2001) Manju, P R; Sreelatha Kumary, I
The research project "Genetic cataloguing of hot chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.)" was carried out in the vegetable research plot of the Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during September 2000 to May 2001. The objective of the study was to catalogue the accessions based on the IBPGR descriptor for Capsicum and to estimate the genetic parameters for different traits in the germplasm for identifying superior lines based on yield, quality and pest and disease resistance. Thirty two accessions of C. ch inense collected from various sources upon cataloguing pointed out wide variation for several morphological characters. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference among the accessrons for all the characters studied namely, plant height, primary branches per plant, plant spread, days to first flowering, pollen viability, days to maturity, fruits per plant, fruit length, pedicel length, fruit girth, fruit weight, seeds per fruit, 1000-seed weight, yield per plant, yield per harvest, number of harvests, capsaicin, oleoresin, ascorbic acid and mosaic incidence. Among the accessions, CC 23 recorded the maximum yield (1649.72 g) as well as fruits per plant (637.44). CC 13 was the earliest to flower (54.67 days) with the maximum number of harvests (6.94) and least vulnerability index for mosaic (40.63). Fruits per plant recorded the maximum phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, followed by yield per plant and fruit weight. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for fruits per plant, yield per plant, fruit weight, fruit girth and fruit length. Correlation studies and path coefficient analysis revealed that fruits per plant is the primary yield component as evidenced from its high positive correlation as well as high direct and indirect effects on yield. In the discriminant function analysis, CC 23 (Nemom, Thiruvananthapuram) ranked first, followed by CC 13 (Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram) and CC 7 (Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram). Based on the analysis for genetic divergence, the 32 accessions were grouped into six clusters, with the maximum intercluster distance observed between clusters I and VI. On the basis of the present study, the accessions CC 23, CC 13 and CC 7 were found to be promising with regard to yield, quality and mosaic resistance and the same may be utilized for further improvement.
Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in hot chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.)
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2002) Manju, P R; Sreelathakumary, I
Thirty-two accessions of hot chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) were evaluated to estimate the variability, heritability and genetic advance in randomized block design with three replications. Higher phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were observed for fruits per plant, yield per plant, seeds per fruit and fruit weight. High estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance were also observed for these characters, indicating that they can be effectively improved through selection.
Performance evaluation of guava(Psidium guajava L.) in containers
(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2024-01-30) Tharene, R S; Manju, P R
The present research work entitled “Performance evaluation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) in containers” was conducted at Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, from 2022 November to 2023 October. The study was undertaken to evaluate the growth response of different planting materials of guava plants to different types and sizes of containers. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 18 treatments and 3 replications using the guava variety Arka Kiran. The treatments included two container types (C1- Plastic container and C2- Air-pot), three container sizes (V1- 40L, V2- 60L and V3- 80L) and three different planting materials (P1- Air layers, P2- Rooted cuttings and P3- Grafts). Three month old planting materials were used in the study. The medium of planting consisted of soil, coir pith, and farm yard manure in 1 : 1 : 1 ratio across all treatments. The plants were trained by promoting scaffolds at 8-10 cm height from the soil level to achieve a pyramidal / bush shape. Regular pruning was followed to remove upright, criss-cross and drooping branches. Management practices were given uniformly across all treatments. Irrigation was done in alternate days in summer and at regular intervals based on prevailing climatic conditions. Plastic containers (C1) in comparison to air-pots registered significantly taller plants with higher plant spread, stem girth, leaves per plant (3 MAP, 6 MAP, 9 MAP and 12 MAP), primary branch girth (6 MAP, 9 MAP and 12 MAP), root dry weight, shoot dry weight and leaf area (12 MAP). While plants in air-pots showed early flowering along with more number of flowers, flowering duration and higher root : shoot ratio. Among different container volumes, 80 L (V3) had taller plants (3 MAP, 6 MAP, 9MAPand12MAP)withmore plant spread in both E-W (3 MAP and 6 MAP) and N-S (3 MAP, 6 MAP, 9 MAP and 12 MAP) directions. Earliness in flowering along with higher stem girth (3 MAP), primary branch girth (3 MAP and 9 MAP), leaves per plant (3 MAP, 6 MAP, 9 MAP and 12 MAP), flowering duration, number of flowers, shoot dry weight (12 MAP) and leaf area was also observed in V3. 40 L (V1)recorded the maximum root dry weight which was also on par with 80L (V3). 146 Among different planting materials, air layers showed taller plants with more plant spread in E-W (3 MAP, 6 MAP, 9 MAP and 12 MAP) and N-S (3 MAP, 6 MAP and 9 MAP) directions. In addition to this, early flowering and increased leaves per plant (3 MAP, 6 MAP, 9 MAP and 12 MAP), flowering duration, number of flowers, leaf area and root: shoot ratio (12 MAP) were also observed in air layers. Grafts (P3) recorded the highest stem girth, primary branch girth, root dry weight and shoot dry weight. Leaf tissue was analysed for physiological and biochemical parameters viz., chlorophyll content, total carotenoids, total reducing sugars and total soluble proteins at 12 MAP. Container type and planting material did not show any significant effect on these parameters, while 80 L container volume showed significantly higher total soluble proteins than 40 and 60 litres. The two factor interaction between container type and size (C x V), showed that 80L plastic containers (C1V3)recorded significantly higher plant spread (E-W and N-S), stem girth, leaves per plant, leaf area and root dry weight. The shoot dry weight was higher in both plastic container and air-pots with 80 L (C1V3 and C2V3). Air-pots with 80 L (C2V3) observed early flowering with more flowers per plant and enhanced flowering duration. Interaction between container type and planting material (C x P) also confirms similar results in air-pots with air layers (C2P1). Root : shoot ratio was highest in air-pots with grafted plants (C2P3). The two factor interaction between container size and planting material (V x P) showed 80 L having air layers (V3P1) outperformed other combinations with respect to plant height, leaves per plant, number of flowers, leaf area, flowering duration and days to flowering. Shoot dry weight was highest in 80 L with grafts (V3P3). In three factor interaction, 80 L plastic container with grafts (C1V3P3) showed higher shoot dry weight, while leaves per plant and leaf area was maximum for air layers in 80L plastic container (C1V3P1). Early flowering with more number of flowers was observed in 80L air-pots with air layers (C2V3P1). Another notable feature observed in the study is the presence of root coiling in plastic containers with 40 and 60 litre sizes irrespective of the type of planting material. Again, air-pot being a porous container showed a lower media temperature across all sizes. Correlation analysis revealed that container size is positively correlated with plant height, plant spread (N-S), leaves per plant, leaf area, number of flowers, shoot dry weight, total soluble protein and negatively correlated with root shoot ratio. The present investigation pointed out that an increase in container size enhanced shoot and root growth in guava. Considering the perennial nature of the crop and the superior attributes of air-pots over plastic containers, it can be concluded that 80 L air-pots with air layers (C2V3P1) can be suggested as the best option for growing guava in containers.
Quality parameters in hot chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.)
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2002) Manju, P R; Sreelathakumary, I
Thirty two accessions of hot chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications during September 2000 to May 2001 for quality parameters namely, capsaicin, oleoresin and ascorbic acid contents. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the accessions. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation along with high heritability and genetic advance was observed for all the characters. Correlation studies indicated a positive association of capsaicin with oleoresin, primary branches per plant and pollen viability and a negative association with pedicel length and fruit weight.