Browsing by Author "Mariam, K A"

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Critical analysis of the soil plant atmosphere continuum for increasing the productivity of rice in lateritic soils
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Sailaja Kumari, M S; Mariam, K A
The project entitled Critical analysis of the soil plant atmosphere continuum for increasing the productivity of rice in lateritic soils was conducted at two locations of Palakkad district (Koyalmannam and Ottappalam) for two seasons during 1999-2001. Objective of the study was to identify the role of P, K and lime in influencing the nutrient content of soil and plant and hence rice yield in Fe toxic lateritic solils .The study included the evaluation of influence of P, K and lime on macro and micronutrient content of soil and plant at critical stages in addition to uptake studies, correlation pattern of nutrient ratios with soil and plant was also studied. Field evaluation of the crop performance at two locations revealed the following. At Koyalmannam and Ottappalam P, K and lime significantly influenced the yield and yield contributing characters. Phosphorus, potassium and lime at 35 kg ha-1, 70 kg ha-1 and 600 kg ha-1 respectively increased the grain yield. However for the second crop at Ottappalam significant yield reduction was not observed even with the 17.5 kg ha-1 of P. Pooled analysis of yield data showed significant influence of higher level of P at 35 kg ha-1. Potassium at higher level of 70 kg ha-1 significantly increased the yield. But higher level of lime application at 600 kg ha-1 significantly increased only the straw yield. However higher level of P, K and lime at 35, 70 and 600 kg ha-1 respectively increased the major nutrient content of the plant and decreased the Fe and Mn contents. There was significant increase in the uptake of N, P and K while the Fe uptake was reduced by the higher level of K application. Potassium and phosphorus applied together in general decreased the Fe uptake while it enhanced the uptake of P and K. Soil available major nutrients also showed significant positive response to higher level of K and lime application. There was an increase in the N, P and K contents of the soil at higher level of P application at 35 kg ha-1. The available Fe and Mn contents of the soil showed significant decrease at higher dose of K and lime. Correlation studies showed significant positive correlation of N/Fe, P/Fe, K/Fe and K/Ca+Mg ratios of soil and plant with yield which indicated that an increase in P and K followed a decrease in the Fe content of soil which subsequently increased the yield.
Dynamics of potassium in the soil of kole land
(Department of Soil science and Agricultural chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Jyothikumari, K N; Mariam, K A
In the present investigation, attempt has been made to evaluate the chemical nature, distribution, fixation and availability of potassium in the soils of kole lands. Soil samples were collected from 15 locations in Chathankole – Puppilakkadkole area, seven from Chittilappilly village and four each from Adat and Chalakkal villages. In each location, from two nearby plots both surface (0 - 20 cm) and subsurface (20 – 40 cm) soil samples were collected and were analysed for the physic – chemical characteristics related to potassium availability. A retention study and a laboratory incubation experiment of three month duration was carried out in order to find out the level of retention and transformation of applied potassium. In order to find out the most suitable extractant for assessing the available potassium in these soils, different chemical extractants were tried and its correlation with K uptake by rice in Neubauer experiment was carried out. The soils collected from the three villages showed wide variation in the particle size distribution and majority of them were grouped under the textural class clay and sandy clay loam. The single value constants were showing variations depending on the clay content and organic carbon. Soils were generally acidic in reaction. Organic carbon content varied among the samples and for certain sites subsurface accounts higher value. The total reserves of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were relatively low. Total potassium showed significant positive correlation with clay content, organic carbon and cation exchange capacity. Water soluble, exchangeable and HNO3 solubleforms of potassium were low in these soils. These forms of potassium showed significant positive correlation with each other also with total K except for water soluble fraction. From the retention study it was found that in soils with high saturation capacity the retention capacity is low and hence longer duration of time is essential for maximum retention. From incubation experiment it was found that on application of potassium fertilizer, the different fractions viz., water soluble, ammonium acetate extractable and nitric acid soluble potassium got increased at the end of the incubation period although fluctuations were noticed in all the fractions during this period. In NH4 OAC extracted higher amount of potassium compared to Mathew’s extractant and 0.01 M CaCl2. The potassium extracted by these extractants and IN HNO3 – K were positively and significantly correlated with K uptake by rice in Neubauer experiment. Among all the four extractants maximum correlation was obtained for In NH4 OAC.
Effect of zinc in combination with lime on the composition of and absorption of nutrients by rice
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1979) Mariam, K A; Koshy, M M
A pot culture experiment was carried out using the Vellayani Kayal soil (Tropaquept) in a randomized block design to study the effect of zinc in combination with lime on the absorption of nutrients by rice. The soil used in the study had a pH of 4.3 and it contained 0.11% N, 0.02% P20S, 0.36% K20r 0.10% CaO, 0.13% MgO and 4.2 ppm available Zn. The levels of zinc used were 0, 10, 20 and 40 Kg ZnS04 7H20/ha and those of lime were 0, 250, 500 and 1009 Kg CaC03/ha. NPK fertilizers (70+35+35 kg/ha) were also applied as per the package of practices. The application of lime did not result in appreciable increase in the pH of the soil under field conditions. The nitrogen content of grain was increased significantly by zinc, but it had no effect on the nitrogen content of straw. Application of lime reduced the nitrogen content of the grain. Zinc tended to decrease and lime tended to increase the P206 content of both grain and straw. But this effect was significant only in the case of grain. The K.,0, CaO and MgO contents of both grain and straw were practically unaffected by the application of zinc and lime. However there was a trend for CaO and MgO to increase in the plant material with increased applications of lime. When the total quantities of nutrients removed per pot was considered there was significant variation only in the case of nitrogen and phosphorus whereas in the case of the other nutrients the treatment effects, were non-significant.
Effect of zinc in combination with lime on the growth and yield of rice
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1977) Mariam, K A; Koshy, M M
A pot culture experiment was carried out using the Vellayani Kayal soil in a randomized block design to study the effect of zinc in combination with lime on the growth and yield of rice. The number of tillers per plant was increased significantly by lime, but not by zinc. Neither lime, nor zinc had any significant effect on the number of productive tillers, whereas these treatments resulted in significant increase in the height of plants. The panicle length was increased significantly by lime and the number of grains per panicle was increased by both lime and zinc. The effect of zinc on the yield of grain and straw was inconsistent whereas the yield of grain tended to increase with increase in the levels of lime.
Influence of soil texture on potassium availability, fixation and uptake by rice in laterite soils
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Jessymol, A S; Mariam, K A
The present investigation was carried out m order to assess the influence of various proportions of clay on the potassium dynamics in s oil on application o f potassium fertiliser and its effect on the uptake o f nutrients by rice Sixty surface samples were collected from the major rice growing areas of Thrissur district Based on their particle size analysis and organic carbon content, twenty samples were selected for studying the various physico-chemical characteristics related to the potassium availability In order to find out the transformations of applied potassium, a laboratory incubation experiment was carried out in five selected soils for a period of three months Mineralogy of the fine sand fraction was also carried out in these soils A pot culture experiment was carried out in four selected soils to determine the uptake of nutrients. The soils collected from the three locations showed wide variations in their clay content and majority o f them were grouped under the textural classes, sandy loam and sandy clay loam The single value constants were showing variations depending on the clay content and organic carbon The content and uptake o f N, P, and K was found to increase with increasing levels o f K application Calcium did not show significant difference with applied K and in the case of Mg a decreasing trend was observed The water-soluble and ammonium acetate extractable K were decreasing with advancement o f the crop growth and these fractions were found to be maximum correlated with the dry matter weight at i the flowering and tillering stages respectively Nitric acid soluble fraction was found to contribute towards the later stages of crop growth Maximum correlation was obtained for the gram yield and straw yield with this fraction Even though the positive effect of potassium application on the yield of paddy is very conspicuous, the response varied with the textural composition In more clayey soils more o f potassium fertilisers hast to be recommended to get maximum response as revealed m the present study
Studies on the effect of zinc in combination with lime on the growth, yield and absorption of nutrients by rice
(Division of Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1975) Mariam, K A; Koshy, M M
A pot culture experiment was carried out to assess the effect of different levels of zinc and lime on the growth, yield and chemical composition of rice, variety Annapurna. The soil used was collected from the kayal land attached to The College Farm, Vellayani. The levels of zinc and lime applied in the study were 0,10,20 and 40 kg/ha of zinc sulphate and 0, 250, 500 and 1000 kg/ha of 'Geolime' respectively. A randomised Block Design with 16 treatment combinations and 3 replications were used in the experiment.
Suitability of Tunisia rock phosphate for direct application in acid rice soils of Kerala
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture,Vellanikara, 1997) SanthoshKumar, V C; Mariam, K A
A study was conducted at College of Horticulture during the period 1993-95 so as to assess the suitability of Tunisia rockphosphate for direct application in acid rice soils of Kerala as a source of P compared with single superphosphate (SSP) diammonium phosphate (DAP) and Mussoorie rockphosphate (MRP). In addition to above sources a control treatment (with no P fertilizer) and another treatment with SSP of the rate of 45 kg P2O5 ha-1) given twice (conventional practice) were also included. The P release from all the sources was monitored with an incubation experiment. In order to evaluate the residual effect of fertilizers two continuous pot culture experiments were undertaken using Triveni variety of rice. The acids soils of Kerala namely Kuttanad alluvium and laterites were used for the study. The soils showed variation in pH with submergence irrespective of the treatments. The different nutrients like N, K, Ca, Mg were higher in Kuttanad soil compared to laterite soil and was found to decrease with period of incubation. The available phosphorus content gradually increased with period of incubation and reached a peak .fit 60 to 90 days for water soluble phosphates and 90th to 120th day for rockphosphates. Comparing the two extractants, Mathew's triacid extracted more available P than that of Bray solution in both soil types. In general, Kuttanad alluvium recorded higher content of available nutrient as compared to laterite. The extent of fixation of P was higher in Kuttanad soil with Fe-P as dominant fraction while in laterite soil it was Al-P which was dominated. While evaluating pot culture experiment the different nutrients showed a decrease in soil and increase in uptake with the advancement of crop. Of the different soils Kuttanad alluvium registered a higher yield compared to laterite soil. It was found that TRP registered a comparable uptake of phosphorus and gave a comparable yield of grain and straw with other sources in laterite and Kuttanad alluvium. The residual effectiveness of rockphosphate was found to be higher than that of water soluble sources and TRP gave the highest. Of the two different type of soils Kuttanad soil showed a higher residual effectivenes and resulted in higher yield for 2nd crop while laterite soil registered a lower yield.
Transformation of added potassium in laterite soils
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1993) Jessymol, A S; Mariam, K A
An incubation experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions to study the transformation of applied potassium fertilizer in five rice soils differing in textural composition for a period of three months. At the end of the incubation period, there was a remarkable increase in all the three fractions of potassium viz., water soluble, ammonium acetate extractable and nitric acid soluble forms for all the soils although slight fluctuations were noticed throughout the incubation period. The relationship of the different forms of potassium and the relative proportion of each in the soil varied with the clay content and mineralogical composition.