Browsing by Author "Mercy George"

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Ammonium and nitrate release pattern from residue incorporated rice soils
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1999) Beena Jacob; Mercy George; John, P S
Combined application of green manure and amophos on P nutrition and yield of rice
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1999) Pushpa Joseph; Mercy George; John, P S
Comparative performance of soybean varieties
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1985) Pushpakumari, R; Mercy George; Vikraman Nair, R
Experiments were conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the south west monsoon seasons of 1980 and 1934 10 select soybean varieties suitable for the agro-climatic conditions of Kerala. These were laid out in randomised block design with 13 varieties during 1980 and 14 during 1984. The results of the study indicated that the varieties Bragg and EC 26691 may be adjudged as the most promising based on yield performance and consistency in yield over seasons. A further superiority of the variety, Bragg is to be recognised if protein content of seeds also is taken as a criterion.
Effect of different maize-legume mixtures on the quality of forage under graded levels of nutrition
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1984) Mercy George; Mohamed Kunju, U
Effect of incorporation of cropes residues on productivity of succeding rice cropes
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellenikkara, 1994) Beena Jacob; Mercy George
An experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy during the summer and kharif seasons of 1993 to evaluate the effect of cowpea and groundnut residue incorporation on the productivity of succeeding rice crop in comparison to a green manure Sesbania rostrata and a pre-rice fallow under four levels of N (0, 35, 70, and 105 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with four replications. Biomas yield on dry weight basis was higher for groundnut and sesbania (7.0 t/ha) while N accretion was higher from cowpea (133kg N/ha). Extractable ammonium in the soil was the highest in sesbania incorporated treatments and minimum in plots preceded by fallow. Sesbania underwent faster mineralization compared to residues and mineral-N accumulation reached a peak 15 days after incorporation. Cowpea residue and sesbania incorporation resulted in higher plant height and tiller production. The dry matter production of rice by incorporation of sesbania was on par with cowpea residue when 70 kg N/ha was applied for rice. Sesbania incorporated treatments recorded the highest leaf area index whereas chlorophyll content at boot leaf stage was maximum in cowpea residue treated plots. Number of spikelets per panicle and total number of spikelets per panicle were higher in sesbania incorporated treatments which was on par with that of cowpea residue treated plots. Grain yield was higher after sesbania (3.24 t/ha) and cowpea residue (3.23 t/ha) incorporation and sesbania along with 70 kg N/ha produced the highest grain yield of 3.74 t/ha. N, P and K contents of grain were maximum when rice was grown after cowpea residue incorporation. Total uptakes of N, P and K at harvest were also the highest after cowpea residue incorporation which was statistically similar to that of sesbania incorporation. Even though NPK uptake increased by application of 105 kg N/ha, they were on par with 70 kg N/ha. Groundnut-rice system and sesbania-rice system were comparable in retaining a higher level of soil fertility. Net income was higher from groundnut-rice system whereas return per rupee invested was higher for cowpea-rice system.
Fodder production potential of different maize legume mixtures under graded levels of nutrition
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1983) Mercy George; Mohammedkunju, U
Functional efficiency of organic meal in groundnut production
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellenikkara, 2000) Senthil, S; Mercy George
An experiment entitled "Functional efficiency of organic meal on groundnut production" was carried out in the Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during Aug.-Dec. 1999. The main objectives of the study included the elucidation of functional efficiency of organic meal in groundnut nutrition, its mechanism of influence in relation to other mineral and organic sources and role of organics in soil rhizosphere characteristics. The study also included the role of S on groundnut production and its role in modifying the availability of P component of organic meal. The Package of Practices-Recommendations (POP) with various P sources and graded levels of organic meal with or without lime were tried in Randomized Block Design with four replications. Organic meal @ 1000-1500 kg ha-I without lime and POP where P was applied as organic meal with elemental S were found to have pronounced effect on various plant growth, nutrient uptake and yield attributing characters of groundnut. These treatments also favoured the better oil and protein content and yield, which in turn resulted in higher returns per rupee invested. Addition of any form of organic manure IS necessary for the better rhizosphere microbial activity in the soil. The very high yields of groundnut resulted with depletion of soil organic carbon level, which necessitated a higher level of application of organic matter to the soil, or incorporation of groundnut residue to compensate it. Nutrient use efficiency analysis suggested that the yield could be further improved through altering the applied input level of Ca, P and S. This experiment also conveyed that the present recommendation level of lime and sulphur was not necessary for higher production in Vellanikkara situations. But additional amount of phosphorus than POP recommendations for high yielding varieties of groundnut like VRJ-4 is required.
Nutrient management in cashew nursery
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Sinish, M S; Mercy George
Nutritional charecteristic in relation to growth and productivity of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Jagadeesh Kumar, T N; Mercy George
Three field experiments and one green house study were conducted at Cashew Research Station (CRS), Madakkathara, Thrissur, Kerala during 1997 -99 with the objective to study the response of graft raised cashew to varying levels of nutrient regimes and to assess the variation in leaf nutrient status in relation to nutrient regimes and to develop yield prediction model based on tissue nutrient status; to study the varietal variation in tissue nutrient status of eighteen promising varieties in relation to yield; to assess the effect of lime and Mg S04 on the growth and productivity of cashew in late rite soils; to develop a nutritional strategy in the cashew nursery for the production of healthy root stocks. Exp. I Influence of nursery technique on growth of cashew root stocks a) Effect of potting media and nutrient supplements b) Effect of lime incorporation in potting media A study was also carried out to standardize a nutrient management strategy in the nursery to produce vigorous root stock. Three different potting media (soil, sand and FYM in 1: 1: 1; soil and FYM in 1: 1; soil and sand in 1: 1 ratio) and four nutrient supplements (control, 100 g N; 200 g N + 100 g PZ05; 200 g N, 100 g PZ05 and 200 g KzO 100 kg-1 potting media) in a factorial combination. The potting media containing 1: 1 soil : FYM mixture supplemented with 200 g N, 100 g PZ05, 200 g KzO per 100 kg potting media is best for producing good quality cashew seedlings. Investigation conducted to study the effect of incorporation of lime in potting media at different levels varying from 0 to 500 g 100 kg-1 potting media revealed that the response of cashew seedlings to the application of lime was limited. Exp. 11 Effect of soil nutrient regimes on leaf nutrient status and yield of graft raised cashew This study involving four nutrient reqirnes - namely, 375:165:375; 750:325:750; 1125:390:1125 and 1500:650:1500 g N, P20S and K20 tree-1 year" and an absolute control was conducted for three years on graft raised cashew variety Madakkathara-1. Flower production and yield characters were significantly influenced up to a level of 750:325:750 g NPK tree-1 year" .The chlorophyll a and b was highest both at flushing and flowering stages with the application of 750:325:750 g NPK tree-1 year". At pre- flushing and pre-flowering stages, Nand K concentration in leaf, the total uptake of N and K, the highest nut yield as well as kernel yield was highest with the application of 750:325:750 g NPK tree" year". Exp. III Effect of soil application of lime and magnesium sulphate on growth and productivity of graft raised cashew Investigation was carried out on five year old cashew grafts of variety Madakkathara-1, to study the effect of application of lime and MgS04 at four levels each (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 g tree" year") in a factorial combination on growth and productivity of cashew. The results showed that primary factors regulating the productivity of cashew was the number of flushes per unit area and application 500 g lime and 1500 g MgS04 has registered 85 per' cent reproductive flushes. Application of 1500 g lime and 1000 g MgS04 increased bisexual flowers, nut panicle" and nut weight. Increase in the contents of N, P and K was associated with decrease in the contents of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu, which explains the fact that these micronutrients restricted the uptake of primary elements. Exp. IV Varietal variation in leaf nutrient status and its relation with nut yield Among the 18 varieties tested in the varietal evaluation trial, three varieties namely V-5 and V-4 (Vengurla selections) and M-26/2 (Vridhachalam selection) were found to be promising in terms of nut yield, the most important commercial criteria in cashew. In most of the parameters related to yield, the above varieties were found comparatively better. Photosynthetic efficiency measured in terms of leaf chlorophyll content was also higher in these varieties. Leaf nutrient concentration (N and K) was also comparatively high in the high yielders.
Nutritional management of yellowing in arecanut
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2007) Jacob, D; Mercy George
Organic recycling through cocoa litter
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Sreekala, N V; Mercy George
A field experiment was conducted in the cocoa fields of Cadbury – KAU Co-operative Cocoa Research Project, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, to study the organic recycling through cocoa litter. The objectives of the study were to find out the time required for natural senescence of cocoa leaves, to estimate the quantity of litter produced in a cocoa field in an year, to quantify the nutrient return through litter fall and to find out the rate of decomposition of cocoa litter. The studies were carried out both in shaded and unshaded cocoa fields, except the litter decomposition study which was carried out in the shaded field only. The lifespan of cocoa leaves was found to be significantly different in the shaded and open fields, ranging from 94 to 193 days in the open condition and from 108 to 159 days in the shaded condition. The quantity of litter produced was significantly influenced by the season, shaded/open condition and their interaction. The total annual litter fall was 5.3 t ha-1 in the shaded field and 8.2 t ha-1 in the open field. In both the fields, litter fall was maximum during December to march with the peak occurring in the first fortnight January. Litter fall was lower during the wetter months of the year. The nutrient return through litter fall was higher in the unshaded field. In the shaded field, the nutrient return through litter fall from a hectare for an year was 66.9, 5.0, 59.7, 84.9 and 40.3 kilograms of N,P,K Ca and Mg. respectively. In the open field, the annual nutrient addition through litter fall from a hectare was 109.7, 6.8, 104.2, 103.7 and 57.4 kilograms of N,P,K, Ca and Mg. respectively. Litter decomposition followed a biphasic pattern with an initial rapid phase and a subsequent slower phase. About 95 per cent of dry weight of litter was decomposed during the rapid phase of first four months and it took eight more months for decomposition of 98.9 per cent of the original weight.
Productivity of cashew as influenced by chlorophyll and leaf nitrogen content
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1994) Latha, A; John, P S; Mercy George; Krishnan, S
Productivity of rice in relation to nitrogen management
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1994) John, P S; Mercy George; Latha, A
Productivity of rice in relation to nitrogen management
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1994) John, P S; Mercy George; Latha, A
Relative efficiency of soil and foliar applied nutrients in irrigated rice of Palakkad
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2013) Nissa Latheef; Mercy George
The research programme entitled “Relative efficiency of soil and foliar applied nutrients in irrigated rice of Palakkad” was conducted in the farmer’s field, Thathamangalam, Palakkad during Mundakan season October 2011- February 2012 to compare the efficacy of soil and foliar applied nutrients especially magnesium, zinc and boron. The treatments included package of practices recommendation for rice manuring (POP NPK+FYM), NPK alone as in the package of practices recommendation (POP NPK), soil test based nutrient application +FYM, soil application of MgSO4 @ 40 & 80 kg ha-1, ZnSO4 @ 20 & 30 kg ha-1, Borax @ 10 & 20 kg ha-1; foliar spray of MgSO4 @ 0.5 & 1%, ZnSO4 @ 0.5 & 1% and Borax @ 0.25 & 0.5% and an absolute control. Soil application of Mg, Zn and B were done as basal and foliar application were given at 20 and 40 DAT of rice as per the treatments.
Response of cashew to nutrient application in laterite soil
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1996) Latha, R A; Mercy George; John, P S
The response of cashew grown in laterite soil to long term application of nutrients at different levels was studied in terms of yield attributing characters and yield. The quadratic response in yield observed with increasing levels of individual primary nutrients necessitated the estimation of optimum economic dose and were worked out to be 748 g N, 329 g P,O5 and 765 g K,O per tree per year.
Response of piper longum in coconut gardens to differential spacing and manurial regimes
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellenikkara, 1996) Sheela, N; Mercy George
An experiment was conducted during 1994-95 in the KADP farm of the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, to evaluate the response of piper longum as an intercrop in coconut gardens to differential spacing and manorial regimes. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with three replications. The study revealed that plant height, number of branches, number of leaves and total dry matter increased with higher dose of organic manure and 30:30:60 NPK kg ha-1. The optimum spacing was found to be 50 x 50 cm. the above treatment recorded the maximum number of spikes and total dry spike yield (449 kg ha-1). The NPK content of spikes was more than vegetative parts. The nitrogen content decreased as the crop grew but phosphorus content increased and potassium content remained more or less same. The uptake of N,P and K was highest in fertilizer applied plots. The total alkaloid yield was highest in the treatment receiving 50 x50 cm spacing, 20 t ha-1 organic manure and 30:30:60 NPK kg ha-1. The organic and inorganic fertilizers and their combinations did not have any significant effect on the chemical properties of soil. However the plots receiving inorganic fertilizers alone showed a reducing trend in available N, P and K. Thippali cultivation involves high investment for planting material and maintenance and harvesting are also labour intensive. The labour cost in Kerala is very high. It is a crop which requires a periodical harvesting (maximum yield in July –August and October – November months) and care should be taken to harvest only the mature spikes. Thippali being a perennial crop, no net return could be obtained in the first year of planting. The yield level indicated that it should be a profitable crop from the second year of planting.
Utilization of phosphorus from green manure by rice
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Pushpa Joseph; Mercy George
Yield & quality of Piper longum L. under differential spacing & manural regimes in coconut gardens
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Ayisha, T P; Mercy George
An experiment was conducted during 1995-1996 in the KADP Farm of the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, to evaluate the yield and quality of Piper longum to differential spacing and manurial regimes in coconut gardens. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with three replications. The growth and yield during 17 - 29 months after planting were studied. The study revealed that growth and yield characteristics increased with an application of 20 t ha-1 organic manure and 30:30:60 NPK kg ha-1. The optimum spacing was found to be 60 x 60 cm. The growth and yield of the crop was poor in dry months and the peak yield was obtained at 17 MAP. After that there was a general decline. The two peak bearing stages were identified during July-August and October-November months. The nitrogen content of vegetative parts decreased with ageing, but phosphorus content increased and potassium content remained more or less same. The N content in spikes was much higher than vegetative parts unlike that of P and K. The NPK uptake was higher in plots receiving 20 t ha-1 organic manure and 30:30:60 NPK kg ha-1 under a spacing of 60 x 60 cm. Nutrient status of the soil was found decreasing after the experiment even though organic manure and fertilizers were applied every year. Economic analysis of thippali cultivation revealed that it could be a profitable intercrop in coconut gardens if planted under a spacing of 60 x 60 cm with an application of organic manure @ 20 t ha-1 and fertilizer @ 30:30:60 NPK kg ha-1