Browsing by Author "Pushpakumari, R"

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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.
Comparative performance of Soybean(Glycine max(L.) Merrill) varities
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Pushpakumari, R; Vikraman Nair, R
An experiment was conducted in the Instructional Farm attached to the College, of Hortuculture, Vellanikkara, during the period from June 1980 to January 1981 to select soybean varieties suitable for the agroclimatic conditions of Kerala. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with 14 varieties and three replications. The study revealed that there was no significant varietal difference in the expression of all growth characters and most of the yield contributing factors at any of the growth stages in both the seasons. But significant varietal differences in seed yield and stover yield were observed in the two seasons. The results of the experiment revealed that the varieties Bragg, JN 2750 and EC 26691 are most promising for the south west monsoon season of Kerala. The variety Monetta gave the highest protein content of 36 per cent and Bragg, Ankur and Improved Pelican respectively recorded the highest protein yield, oil content and oil yield in the south west monsoon season. The study further revealed that soybean cannot be successfully grown during north east monsoon season of Kerala without irrigation.
Competitive and complementary effects of bhindi- cowpea intercropping system in summer rice fallows
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Kalarani, S; Pushpakumari, R
Different methods of growing rice in different seasons
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1988) Joseph, P A; Sasidhar, V K; Aravindakshan, K; Babylatha, A K; Pushpakumari, R
Enhancing the nitrogen use efficiency in bhindi with nitrification inhibitors
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Bindu Kurup, S; Pushpakumari, R
An experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani inorder to find out the effect of nitrification inhibitors in enhancing the nitrogen use efficiency in bhindi. The treatments consisted of four levels of nitrogen viz., 50 kg ha-1, 100 kg ha-1, 200 kg ha-1 and 300 kg ha-1 and three nitrification inhibitors viz., urea, neem cake and mahua cake. Phosphorus and potassium were applied as per package of practices recommendation. The results revealed that nitrogen levels significantly influenced most of the growth and yield contributing characters, yield of bhindi, uptake of nutrients and available nutrient status of soil. Biometric observations like number of leaves, branches, root spread, DMP, LAI, RGR, NAR and CGR increased with increasing levels of nitrogen and the maximum was produced by the highest levels of nitrogen (300 kg ha-1). F1 produced the maximum height and F2 the longest tap root. Time of 50 per cent flowering and number of flowers per plant was maximum with the highest levels of nitrogen (F4). Whereas other yield contributing characters like number of fruits per plant, percentage of fruit set, length and girth of fruit, fruit yield per plant and total yield of bhindi was maximum with F2 (100 kg N ha-1 ). Quality aspects like crude protein and ascorbic acid content of fruits, uptake of nutrients by plant and fruit as also maximum with the highest levels of nitrogen (F4). However, the height of the first bearing node and chlorophyll content of leaves remain unchanged with increasing levels of nitrogen. The optimum level of nitrogen to get maximum fruit yield and net profit was worked out as 142 kg N ha-1 . Nitrification inhibitors caused significant variation in some of the characters like root spread, LAI RGR, NAR, CGR, number of flowers and fruits per plant, percentage of fruit set, length and girth of fruit, crude protein content and ascorbic acid content of fruit, uptake of nutrients by plant and fruit and available nutrient status of soil. In all these cases neem cake blended urea recorded the highest value followed by mahua cake blended urea. From the economic point of view, the maximum net profit of Rs. 11787.74 was obtained for neem cake blended urea and among nitrogen levels, 100 kg N ha-1 recorded the highest net profit of Rs. 16017.50. Thus neem cake blended urea at 100 kg N ha-1 can be suggested as the best economic dose of nitrogen for getting maximum yield and net profit.
Fertilizer Management of minor tuber crops in Coconut based cropping system
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Pushpakumari, R; Sasidhar, V K
An investigation was carried out to evolve the fertilizer management practices of minor tuber crops in coconut based cropping systems during the years 1985-86 and 1986-87. This investigation was carried out as two experiments. In experiment I, screening of minor tuber crops under varying intensities of shade was done adopting a split plot design with 4 replications. In experiment II the fertilizer management of minor tuber crops in coconut based cropping system was studied. The experiment II was conducted in randomised block design with 3 replications. While experiment I was taken up at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, experiment II was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram. Shade had significant influence on the length of vine/height of plant, LAI, NAR, CGR, dry matter production chlorophyll content of leaves, starch and protein content of tubers and yield of tuber of greater yam, lesser yam, tannia and elephant footyam. With increase in shade intensity, the yield declined proportionately in greater yam and elephant footyam reocrding highest yield under open condition. The tuber yield of lesser yam under open and 25 per cent shade levels were statistically on par, beyond which a drastic reduction in yield was observed with increase in shade intensity. Tannia recorded highest yields under 25 per cent shade, with an almost equal yield under 50 per cent shade. Fertilizer levels did not significantly influence the growth and yield characters of lesser yam, elephant footyam and tannia. But for greater yam there was significant increase in plant height in the first year and tuber yield in the second year with increase in fertilizer level. Greater yam responded linearly to fertilizer levels recording maximum yield with full recommended dose of fertilizer, although the variation was significant only in the second year. Lesser yam had maximum yield at medium fertilizer level and elephant footyam at lowest level, though not significant. The general performance of tannia was very poor. The economics worked out for the fertilizer management practices of greater yam, lesser yam, tannia and elephant footyam revealed that among the four crops tried, elephant footyam gave the maximum net profit followed by greater yam and lesser yam. However, tannia resulted in a loss.
Influence of green fruit picking and nutrient sources on fruit production in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) moench)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1998) Sheeba Rebecca Isaac; Pushpakumari, R; Saraswathy, P
Production technology for organic sweet potato
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Dhanya, T; Pushpakumari, R
Productivity enhancement in medicinal rice (Oryza sativa L.) njavara
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2014) Jyolsna, Bhaskaran; Pushpakumari, R
The present investigation on “Productivity enhancement in medicinal rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Njavara” was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani for assessing the impact of silicon, modified NK ratios and reduced seed rate on the growth, lodging and yield and the economics of production of Njavara rice. The treatments consisted of three rates of silicon, viz, (S1)-0 kg, (S2)-50 kg and (S3) -100 kg Si02 ha-1.,three seed rates as (R1)-50 kg, (R2)-75 kg and R3- 100 kg ha-1 and three levels of K(modified N:K ratios) as K1- 40 kg(1:1),K2- 80 kg(1:2) and K3-120 kg(1:3) K20 ha-1.The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. It includes 9 main plot treatments as combinations of silicon and seed rate (SR) and 3 sub plot treatments as the levels of K (modified N: K ratios). The results of the investigation are summarised below. Application of silicon influenced the growth attributes like plant height at 40DAS and at harvest, LAI at panicle initiation stage and culm strength at harvest stage. The other growth attributes like rooting depth, tillers m-2 and total biomass were not significantly influenced by silicon. Yield contributing characters like productive tillers m-2; spikelets panicle-1 and thousand grain weight were significantly influenced by silicon application. While silicon @100 kg ha-1 recorded significantly higher number of productive tillers m-2 and thousand grain weight, silicon @50 kg ha-1registered the highest number of spikelets panicle-1. The other yield contributing characters like grain weight panicle-1, filled grains panicle-1, sterility percentage, straw yield, grain yield and harvest index were not significantly influenced by silicon. Seed rate produced significant influence on growth attributes like plant height, LAI, total biomass and rooting depth. Seed @ 50 kg ha-1 produced the highest rooting depth and total biomass and seed @75 kg ha-1 produced highest plant height. Tillers m-2 and culm strength were not significantly influenced by seed rate. Yield attributes like number of productive tillers m-2, thousand grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index were significantly influenced by seed rate. While seed @100 kg ha-1produced significantly highest number of productive tillers m-2, thousand grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index were highest at seed @ 50 kg ha-1. Potassium (NK ratio) could not exert any significant influence on growth characters except plant height and number of tillers m-2, registering the superiority at K2 (N:K: 1:2). Number of productive tillers m-2 was the only yield contributing parameter significantly influenced by NK ratio ( K levels ) and the highest value was recorded by K3 (N:K: 1:3). Yield attributes like number of productive tillers m-2, grain yield, net income and B: C ratio varied significantly by interaction of treatments and s2 r3 k2 (S-50 kg ha-1, R-100 kg ha-1, NK 1:2 -80 kg ha-1) registered the highest grain yield. The highest net income and the highest B: C ratio of Rs 93120/- and 1.97 respectively were for s1r2k1. (S-0, R-75 , K-40 kg ha-1). Considering the general performance of the crop with regard to all the growth and yield parameters, the treatment receiving silicon @ 50 kg ha-1, seed @ 100 kg ha-1 and potassium @ 80 kg K2O ha-1(NK ratio 1:2) was found beneficial for Njavara rice.
Seed yield and quality in bittergourd as influenced by vegetable harvests
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellayani, 1999) Devi, V S; Pushpakumari, R
The present investigation was carried out at the Callege of Agriculture, Vellayani to study the influence of vegetable harvests on the seed yield and quality, seed extraction, drying methods and storage containers and the position of seed in fruit on the seed and seedling characters of bittergourd. Growth characters viz. length of main vine number of main branches plant-1 and leaf area index were significantly influenced by vegetable harvests and these characters increased with increasing vegetable harvests. The bearing capacity of the bittergourd plant was improved by the frequent picking of green fruits but the ripe .fruit yield and seed yield increased only upto two vegetable harvests. Hundred seed weight was significantly higher for two vegetable harvests but the germination percentage was not appreciably influenced. Though the net income and benefit cost ratio were not influenced significantly, the highest were obtained for two vegetable harvests. Extraction treatments significantly influenced germination percentage, speed of germination, seedling root length and vigour index. Seeds extracted after soaking in water for 12 h recorded the highest seed and characters. seedling Germination percentage, speed of germination, seedling root length, electrical conductivity of seed leachate and hydrogenase enzyme activity were significantly influenced by drying methods undertaken. Among these characters all except seedling root length and electrical conductivity of seed leachate were superior for the method in which seeds were dried under direct sun avoiding peak sunshine hours. Seedling roots were longest for seeds dried fully under shade and electrical conductivity of seed leachate was lowest for artificially dried seeds. Storage containers significantly influenced all the seed and seedling characters studied. Germination percentage, speed of germination, seedling shoot length, vigour index, dry weight, electrical conductivity of seed leachate and hydrogenase enzyme activity were superior for seeds kept in polythene bag. Longest seedling roots were produced by seeds kept in butter paper cover. Interaction between drying and storage containers was significant for seedling dry weight, electrical conductivity of seed leachate and hydrogenase enzyme activity. The highest seedling dry weight was recorded by seeds dried fully under direct sun and stored in polybags at two MAS. Lowest electrical conductivity values were recorded by artificial drying and polythene bag combination at two and three MAS. Hydrogenase enzyme activity was highest for drying under sun avoiding peak hours plus polybag at 45 DAS and for artificial drier plus polybag at 90 DAS. Position of seed in bittergourd fruit influenced germination percentage, seedling root length and vigour index significantly with middle portion recording the highest values.
Shade response and nutrient requirement of common rainfed intercrops of coconut
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Geetha, V; Pushpakumari, R
Standardisation of fertilizer schedule for export oriented production of bhindi
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Sajitharani, T; Pushpakumari, R
An experiment was conducted at the instructional farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani to find out the effect of different levels of fertilizers and their split application on the growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake of bhindi. Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench. The treatments consisted of four levels of nutrients Viz. (330: 110: 220 kg N2 P2O5 & K2O), the present T & V recommendation, 2/3 of the T & V recommendation, 1/3 of the T & V recommendation and 50: 8: 30 kg NP2O5 & K2O per hectare the present package of practices recommendation and 3 methods of application viz. nutrients in 2 splits, 4 splits and 6 splits. The results revealed that nutrient levels significantly influenced most of the growth and yield contributing characters and yield of bhindi. Biometric characters like plant height, LAI, CGR, DMP and yield contributing characters like days to 50 percent flowering, number of flowers formed, number of fruits formed total yield of fruits and quality parameters like protein content and ascorbic acid content increased with increasing levels of nutrients, recording their maximum value at F1 level, (T and V recommendation). Uptake of nutrients by plants, fruits and total was also maximum for the same treatment. However yield attributes viz. setting percentage, length and girth of fruits etc. remain unchanged with increasing levels of nutrients. Application of fertilizer nutrients in different splits viz. 2,4 or 6 cause significant variation in some of the growth and yield characters. An increase in the plant height at 60 DAS, DMP, days taken for 50 percent flowering and uptake of nutrients was noticed when nutrients were supplied in two equal splits, viz half as basal and half 30 DAS (S1). On the other hand the ascorbic acid content in fruits was maximum when nutrients were applied in six splits. Application of nutrients in 6 splits caused a significant reduction in the crude fibre content also. From the economic point of view, the maximum net profit of Rs.13682.54 was obtained by F3 level (2/3 of T and V recommendation) and Rs.14710.8 by S1 (2 equal splits half as basal and half 30 DAS).
Yield, Quality and vigour of bhindi seed as influenced by number of harvests and nutrient sources
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Sheeba Rebecca Isaac; Pushpakumari, R
An experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani to study the influence of vegetable harvests and nitrogen sources on the seed yield and quality in hbindi. The treatments consisted of combinations of four different number of vegetable harvests (0, 2, 4, 6) and four sources (12 t FYM + 110:37:74 kg N, P2o5 and K2o ha-1, 12 t FYM + 3.6 t poultry manure, 12 t FYM + 11 t vermicompost and 6 t FYM + 110:37:74 kg N, P2o5 and K2o ha-1. The results revealed that growth characters of bhindi crop were not significantly influenced vegetable harvests except for the height 90 DAS. Frequent picking of green fruits in bhidndi improved the bearing capacity of the plant but the mature fruit yield, seed yield and quality were significantly reduced. Highest seed yield was observed with zero vegetable harvest bur was on par with two vegetable harvests. Among the seed characters, germination percentage, 1000 seed weight, 100 seed volume, seed protein and seed moisture content were not significantly influenced by the vegetable harvests while seedling root and shoot length and vigour index values were better for two vegetable harvest treatments. This treatment apart from a good yield of quality seeds, yielded some vegetable also. The effect of the sources of nitrogen on the germination percentage, seedling root and shoot length and vigour index was not significant while mother crop growth parameters, mature fruit yield and seed yield were significantly high when organic manures were used in conjuction with chemical fertilisers. Farm yard manure at 12 or 6 t coupled with chemical fertilisers gave statistically similar results with regard to the seed yield and quality. Considering the economics, better profits could always be realised when FYM was applied along with chemical fertilisers without any vegetable harvest but, for a satisfactory yield of quality seed and some vegetable, this source should be combined with two vegetable harvests.