Browsing by Author "Prasannakumari Amma, S"

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Analysis of growth and yield in Plumbago spp.
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Jalaja S, Menon; Prasannakumari Amma, S; Nybe, E V
Studies on growth and yield of Plumbago rosea and Plumbago zeylanica were undertaken in the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur during 1995 to 1998. Studies on growth up to 18 months after planting revealed that the two species exhibited a linear pattern of growth. There was no significant difference in fresh root yield of the two species. However, P. rosea recorded 7.78 per cent higher yield than P. zeylanica at 18 months after planting. The dry root yield was found to be significantly higher in P. zeylanica and the percentage of increase in yield in P. rosea was 83.5. It was observed that retention of crop in the field up to 18 months increased dry root yield by 2.27 times in P. rosea and 2.01 times in P. zeylanica as compared to harvesting at 12 moths after planting.
Analysis of growth, flowering and quality in koduveli (Plumbago Spp.)
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1999) Jalaja S Menon; Prasannakumari Amma, S
Analysis of growth, flowering and quality in plumbago rosea and plumbago zeylanica were undertaken in the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur during 1995 to 1998. Study analysed the variation in vegetive, physiological, biochemical, anatomical and reproductive characters of the two medicinally important specied of plumbago. The post harvest storage technique of P.rosea were also studied.
Impact of trading companies jointly sponsored by rubber board and rubber producers societies on growers in Kottayam and Thrissur districts
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Radhakrishnan, T P; Prasannakumari Amma, S
The impact of trading companies on growers in Kottayam and Thrissur districts was studied. The activities of both the companies include centralised marketing of rubber sheet/ latex and centralised purchase and distribution of estate inputs in order to get maximum ben- efits to growers. . The study revealed that the performance of M/s. Manimalayar Rubbers (P) Ltd. was comparative I y better when compared to M/s. Vallathol Rubbers (P) Ltd. The growers of both companies got reasonable price for their produce (field latex or sheet). Both the companies had distributed estate inputs to growers at a reasonably lower price when compared to the open market. Both the companies could make arrangements to supply the estate inputs at the door steps of RPSs without additional charge. Both the companies participated along with Rubber Board officials in the dessemination of scientific knowledge of cultivation. The major limitations found in the functioning of the, RPSs were (1) they do not own building and (2) non co-operation among members. Major suggestions to improve the activities of the company included (1) starting sheet trading and (2) starting rubber based industry or processing unit. The studies indicated that the following suggestions are to be taken to improve the functioning of the companies (1) increasing the paid up share capital (2) taking initative to start either rubber based industry based on mother unit concept or a processing unit or making good quality sheets (3) centralized I region wise bulk purchasing of all estate inputs.
Influence of organic manures and Azospirillum on growth, yield and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Thulasi Chengat; Prasannakumari Amma, S
An investigation was undertaken at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during May, 1994-January, 1995 with the objectives of studying the influence of organic manures and Azospirillum on growth, yield and quality of ginger, finding out their impact on chemical properties of soil and uptake of plant nutrients, studying influence on pests and diseases and working out economics of cultivation. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design. The different organic manures included were farmyard manure, poultry manure and neem cake. The experiment was carried out using the cultivar Maran. The salient findings are abstracted below. Plant height was found to be favourably influenced by the treatments except neem cake. Number of tillers per plant and number of leaves per tiller were not influenced by the different treatments. Dry matter accumulation in the leaves and rhizomes was comparatively higher in the treatments poultry manure alone and farmyard manure alone. Root dry weight was the maximum in the treatments, Azospirillum + 75 per cent N. The treatment farmyard manure was significantly superior to others as far as total dry matter production was concerned. Yield of green ginger and dry ginger and dry ginger recovery were found to be higher in the treatments farmyard manure and Azospirillum, though not significant. Oleoresin content was unaffected by the different treatments. Percentage of essential oil was significantly higher in the treatments. Azospirillum + 75 per cent N and farmyard manure. Uptake of N and P was higher in the treatments poultry manure alone, Azospirillum + 50 per cent N and farmyard manure alone. Incorporation of farmyard manure in the soil resulted in the enhancement in organic carbon content of soil. Plots receiving inorganic form of N contained more available N in soil after the experiment. Neem cake was found to be effective in reducing the incidence of soft rot disease. The most profitable among the different treatments was farmyard manure alone.
Performance of clone RRII 105 in kuttanaad taluk of Alleppey district
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Mathew John; Prasannakumari Amma, S
An attempt was made to assess the performance of clone RRII 105 in Kuttanad taluk. Data were collected through personal contacts and interview with the help of a pretested interview schedule. For the study, all the units in Kuttanad were selected. The results revealed that garden lands were suitable for rubber cultivation because of the high fertility of the soil and conducive climatic features. The growers adopted a high population density per unit area. All the growers used clone RRII 105 for planting and majority used polybagged plants. The study also revealed that growth of plants were satisfactory even if the stand per hectare was high. Another interesting factor noted was that the fungal diseases were very negligible. Weed growth was found to be little due to prolonged floods (7 to 15 days) during July- August. The average yield obtained was high when compared to the national average. As the growers preferred high intensity tapping, tapping panel dryness showed an increasing trend. The study showed that the growers in this area are not strictly following the management practices recommended by the Rubber Board. The studies, thus indicated that rubber cultivation is economic and viable in garden lands of Kuttanad taluk. Field studies are to be initiated to find out the optimum population density per hectare and manorial practices for enhancing productivity in the taluk.
Performance of RRII 105 In higher elevations of Thodupuzha taluk in Idukki district
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1995) Abraham Joy, K; Prasannakumari Amma, S
An attempt was made to compare the performance of RRII 105 at high elevations and low elevations in Thodupuzha taluk of Idukki district. Primary data were collected through personal visits and interviews with the help of a pretested interview schedule. Secondary data were gathered from the records available at the Rubber Board Regional Office, Thodupuzha. It is found that the average annual rain fall for three year was 4089.03 mm and the average number of rainy days as 177.99 in higher elevations. In low elevation areas it is 2976.49mm and the average number of rainy days as 149.32. For the study, 15units, each planted with RRII 105 during 1981 for which subsidy permits issued from Rubber Board were selected from low and high elevations ie., up to 450m above MSL and above 450m respectively . Units selected in high elevation area ranged from 525m above MSL to 780m above MSL. All the growers used RRII 105 budded stumps for planting . planting density observed in the unit showed a higher trend . The study also revealed that the growth of plants in high elevation was not satisfactory when compared to the plants in low elevations. From the study it was found that immaturity period in high elevation area was eight to ten years and in low elevations it was seven to nine years. The girth increment was also found to be less in high elevation areas . The average yield obtained was little less when compared to the national average in high elevation areas. The study showed that tapping panel dryness is negligible in high elevation localities when compared to low elevation . Wind damage is also very negligible in both the localities. The study showed that the growers in this area are not strictly adopting the fertilizer recommendation of the Rubber Board in mature area. The study has also revealed that majority of the growers are not adopting spraying since RRII 105 was found tolerant to abnormal leaf fall disease . Eventhough the attack of powdery mildew was severe in high elevation areas, majority of the growers were not adopting dusting. The study thus revealed that growth and yield performance of RRBI 105 is comparatively is poor in high elevation areas.
Stimulation of seed germination in white flowered leadwort (Plumbago zeylanica l.)
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Jalaja S, Menon; Prasannakumari Amma, S; Nybe, E V
Studies on the effect of containers, potting mixtures and growth regulators on growth and survival of clove seedlings
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Prasannakumari Amma, S; Mohanakumar, N
Studies were undertaken at the Instructional Farm , attached to the collage of Horticulture , Vellanikkara during 1979-80 to find out the methods to increase the percentage germination of clove seeds, to accelerate the rate of growth of the seedlings and to improve the percentage survival of the seedlings transplanted to the main field . The seeds collected during May ,June and July were classified as heavy , medium and light and sown with or without the pericarp . The seeds collected and sown during the month of June recorded the highest percentage of germination . However , the may seeds were superior with respect to rate of growth and vigour of the resultant seedling . Though heavy seeds recorded the highest percentage of germination , heavy and medium seeds were on par when the rate of growth of the seedlings was considered . The removel of pericarp increased the percentage germination , but did not influence the rate of growth of the resultant seedlings. G A at the concentrations ranging from 100 to 400ppm exhibited inhibitory effects on germination of clove seeds. The clove seedlings from the primary nursery when transplanted to improvised coconut husk pots filled with a mixture containing one part soil, one part sand and one part powered cowdung with bonemeal @ 2 teaspoons /pot and powered groundnut cake @2 teaspoons/pot, exhibited higher rate of growth . Sparying of GA 200ppm + urea 0.5 per cent to the clove seedlings transplanted to coconut husk pots or growing in one of the three potting mixtures tried , enhanced their rate of growth . Transferring the seedlings from the primary nursery to coconut husk pots at the second month and transplanting them to the mainfield with the container intact at the ninth month gave higher rate of survival.
Survey, evaluation and identification of black pepper cultivars
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Prasannakumari Amma, S; Nybe, E V; Sujatha, V S; Prabhakaran, P V
A survey was conducted in the traditional pepper growing tracts of Thodupuzha and Meenachil taluks of Kerala during 1995. Thirty holdings per each taluk were selected. The pepper cultivars grown in these selected homesteads were evaluated for yield and yield contributing characters for the two years. Results showed that in Thodupuzha taluk, Neelamundi, Kaniyakkadan and Mundi performed best. In Meenachil taluk, Karimunda was the best during the first year. However, during 1997, Jeerakamunda was the highest yielder. Karimunda, the most popular cultivar in these areas recorded relatively poor performance