Browsing by Author "Rajan, S"

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Character association of seeds on plant morphology in snakegourd (trichosanthes anguina L.)
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Ashok, P; Rajan, S
The research project 'Character association of seeds on plant morphology in snakegourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.)' was carried out in College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 1999-2000. The study envisaged to find out the association of various seed characters on the vegetative characters of snakegourd, classification of accessions based on the seed index, growth index and yield index as obtained from principal component analysis and to formulate keys for varietal identification. The 25 accessions were catalogued based on the IBPGR descriptor list. Significant differences for various seed characters, growth characters and yield characters were noticed among the accessions. Correlation studies have shown that the number of seeds per fruit strongly associated with days to male flower opening and fruit maturity. Seed size index was strongly associated with leaf size. The highest seed index value for TAl 08, the highest growth index value for TA 118 and the highest yield index value for TA 114 were obtained as revealed from principal component analysis . . Twenty five accessions were grouped into different clusters based on the seedindex, growth index and yield index. Based upon the seed characters (seed size, seed coat colour and 100 seed weight), growth characters (leaf lobes, leaf pubescence and tendril length) and fruit characters (fruit skin colour, fruit girth, fruit length and fruit weight) keys were developed for varietal identification.
Chromosome number of a semi-wild form of okra
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1996) Reena Susan Chacko; Suresh Bahu, K V; Rajan, S
Effect of NPK and frequency of cuttings on yield and quality in Amaranthus tricolor L.
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Deepa Sukumar; Rajan, S
Evaluation of F1 hybrids in snakegourd
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1995) Sudevkumar, V; Rajan, S
An investigation on “Evaluation of F1 hybrids in Snakegourd” was conducted at College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, during 1992 – 1994. Ten F1 hybrids were evaluated along with their parents and a standard check variety TA – 19 for two seasons. Heterosis was estimated in different seasons for different characters like days to first male flower anthesis, days to first female flower opening, days to first fruit picking maturity, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, yield per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, flesh thickness, number of seeds per fruit, hundred seed weight, seed weight/fruit, total crop duration, fruit fly incidence, crude fibre content of fruit, crude protein content of fruit and ash content of fruit. The heterotic behaviour of all the ten hybrids was studied for season 1, season 11 and pooled over seasons for each character. Heterosis was estimated in terms of relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard beterosis. Cost of production of F1 seeds of snakegourd was also worked out. All the ten hybrids recorded significant heterosis in terms of relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for characters like days to first male flower opening, days to first female flower opening, days to first fruit picking maturity, number of fruits/plant and total yield/plant in both the seasons. The number of days taken for flower opening, fruit picking maturity as well as the total crop duration were found to be lower in second season (summer). Seasonal variation was significant in number of days taken to first fruit picking maturity, total yield, number of seeds/fruit, seed weight/fruit and total crop duration. The hybrids which exhibited high heterosis for yield in terms of relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis were P4 x P3 (146.05%, 128.03% and 71.00% respectively), DFH 15 x DfH 58 (124.27%, 124.24% and 67.36% respectively) and P13 x P4 (113.10%, 110.83% and 61.57% respectively). The per se performance for yield was high for P4 x P3 (13.02 kg), DFH 15 x DFH 58 (12.75 kg), P13 x P4 (12.31 kg) and P9 x P5 (12.24 kg). Earliness for 6-8 days was also manifested by P4 x P3, DFH 15 x DFH 58 and P9 x p5. The time taken for production of one kg of F1 hybrid seed was 10.29 hours for preparatory operations and crossing work and the cost incurred was Rs. 103/kg of seed.
Evaluation of F1 hybrids of okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus [L.] Moench)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1994) Suresh Babu, K V; Prasanna, K P; Rajan, S
Floral biology of annual drumstick
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1996) Suresh Bahu, K V; Rajan, S
Genetic analysis in F2 And F3 progenies of selected crosses of rice varieties of diverse origin
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Faseela, K V; Rajan, S
The research project 'Genetic Analysis in F2 and F3 Progenies of Selected Crosses of Rice Varieties of Diverse Origin' was carried out in the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur durinq the period January to December, 1998. The major objectives of the study were to understand the various genetic parameters of characters under study, identification of yi&ld components and formulation of selection model so as to isolate promising lines having desirable ideotypic features • from the segregating generations. The high yielding varieties developed from such lines will have a broad genetic base as the parents of selected crosses are of diverse origin. Components of heritable variation revealed that the characters showed decreased trend of variability from F2 to F3. PCV was higher than GCV in both generations for all the characters studied. Low PCV and GCV were observed for grain length, panicle length and duration to 50% flowering in both generations, while grain density showed low PCV and GCV in F3 only. In general, broad sense heritability estimates were observed to be higher in F2 than F3. The characters, plant height at harvest, total tillers plant", LIB ratio, 1000 grain weight, secondary branches panicle' and tertiary branches panicle:' provided great help in direct selection from phenotypic performance, as they exhibited higher values of genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and expected genetic advance. The .. character, grain length showed little scope of improvement through selection due to low GCV and GA . • Correlation studies in F2 and F3 revealed that positive correlation existed between yield and component characters, namely, total tillers, panicle bearing tillers and tertiary branches panicle". Negative correlation was observed for 1000 grain weight with yield in both the generations. Panicle length and duration to 50% flowering exhibited absence of association with yield in F2 and F3, which indicate that these traits can be recombined as desired. In F3, LIB ratio and grain length exhibited positive correlation and grain breadth exhibited negative correlation, with yield, while these characters showed absence of association with yield in F2• Plant height and number of grains panicle:' exhibited negative association with yield in F2 where as number of grains panic!e' exerted positive association with yield in F3 and plant height showed absence of association with yield in F3. Genotypic correlation among di~ferent yield components in F2 and F3 revealed that semidwarf plants with higher number of productive tillers produced grains with higher LIB ratio and lesser grain weight, which in turn increased the yield. The study also showed that, when number of grains and compactness of• panicles increase, grains become more slender with reduced grain weight. Study of path coefficient analysis revealed that all the characters influenced the yield directly or indirectlv through some other traits. The correlation and path analysis study suggested that during selection, breeder should give emphasis on" semidwarf olant stature, higher number of productive tillers, compact panicles, reduced number of secondary branches, high LIB ratio of grains with reduced density and weight. A selection model was formulated consisting of the characters, , namely, yield ha:'. total tillers plant". LIB ratio, grain breadth and grain density. Using this model, ranking of 105 genotypes in F3 was done and identified that the accessions, V 82 and V 89' belonging to lA 36 x Mattathriveni, were the best genotypes. Study revealed that all the four crosses namely, Vytilla 3 x Mattathriveni, Vytilla 3 x Kaohsiung Sen Vu 338, Mattathriveni x Mahsuri and lA 36 x Mattathriveni, were promising enough to derive superior segregants, the best among them being IR 36 x Mattathriveni. The plants with red kernel, identified in F3 of the cross IR 36 x Mattathriveni, can be used for the development of high yielding varieties with red kernel and preferable cooking qualities suited to Keralites, as well as resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This investigation also suggested that crosses from parents of diverse origin will broaden the genetic base of the varieties to be developed in future and will help to break the yield plateau in rice.
Genetic variability and heritability studies in snakegourd (Trichosanthes Anguina L.)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1993) Philip Varghese; Rajan, S
Genetic variability and heri lability parameters were studied in48snakegourd accessions. The genotypic coefficient of variation was high for f r u i t i ng nodes on main vine, male flowers/plant, sex ratio, fruits/plant and crude fibre content. The heritabilily was high for total duration of the crop and crude protein content of the f r u i t . Male flowers/plant, sex ratio, fruiting nodes on main vine and fruits/plant exhibited high heritability and high genetic gain indicating additive gene action. Yield/plant, fruit length, total crop duration, days to first harvest and days to first male flower anthesis exhibited high heritability and low genetic gain which indicate nonadditive gene action including epistasis and dominance pointing towards heterosis breeding for high yields and earliness.
Genetic variability in Abelmoschus caillei L.
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1999) Reena Susan Chacko; Suresh Babu, K V; Rajan, S; Krishnan, S
Studios on parameters of variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis of fruit yield in Abelmoschus caillei L- revealed that characters such as number of branches per plant, number of nodes per plant, plant height and fruit length had maximum coefficient of variation. Higher values of heritahility anil genetic advance were simultaneously estimated for fruit yield per plant and fruits per plant. Yield per plant had hiph positive significant correlation with fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit weight, plant height and number of intemodes on main stem. Path analysis revealed positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant through fruits per plant followed by plant height,
Genotypic and seasonal influence on leaf spot disease in amaranth
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Krishnakumary, K; Rajan, S
The investigation on " Genotypic and seasonal influence on leafspot disease in amaranth" was undertaken in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during 1996 - 1998. The objectives of the study were to identify amaranth accessions resistant to leaf spot disease, to isolate and identify the pathogens associated with the disease, to study the seasonal influence on leaf spot and yield and to find the possibility for biochemical cataloguing of amaranth accessions. Evaluation of 168 amaranth accessions for leaf spot disease resulted in identification of 14 immune, 15 resistant, 19 moderately resistant, 34 moderately susceptible and 86 highly susceptible accessions. Red types were found highly susceptible as compared to green types. Disease infection occurred within 15 days of planting resulted in maximum percentage of disease severity. Two types of leaf spot symptoms were inflicted and causal organisms identified were Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. and Colletotrichum capsici (Syd.) Butler and Bisby. The two organisms either alone or in ombination caused the incidence and development of leaf spot disease. Red types were infected by Rhizoctonia solani alone where as the green types were infected by both pathogens. Seasonal influence on disease recorded maximum disease severity in July crop and minimum in April crop. Low temperature, high relative humidity and high rainfall were the favourable weather conditions for disease development. Leaf spot in amaranth was negatively correlated with maximum and minimum temperatures where as relative humidity and rainfall were positively correlated with the disease. Highest yield was realised in March planted crop and lowest in June crop. Yield and yield attributes except plant height were positively correlated with maximum and minimum temperatures where as relative humidity and rainfall were positively correlated with them. High content of total phenols, OD phenol and ascorbic acid were recorded in immune and resistant accessions than susceptible. Total phenol content was higher in rainy season. OD phenol, ascorbic acid and pigments decreased upon infection in rainy season. Oxalates and nitrates had no influence on leaf spot disease development. High negative correlation was found between total phenol, OD phenol, .ascorbic acid, chlorophyll 'a' and 'b' and disease. Generally immune and resistant accessions had more number of PPO and PRX bands than susceptible types. The additional band expressed in diseased condition in certain accessions can be taken as the biological marker for leaf spot resistance.
Heterosis for yield components and fruit characters in tomato
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Alice, Kurian; Peter, K V; Rajan, S
Heterosis for yield components and fruit characters was studied using line x tester analysis between bacterial wilt resistant / tolerant accessions and processing varieties. Heterotic hybrids were identified for average fruit weight (Sakthi x Fresh Market 9, Sakthi x HW 208F), yield / plant (Sakthi x TH 318, Sakthi x Fresh Market 9), locule number (LE 206 x Ohio 8129, LE 214 x St 64) and pericarp thickness (Sakthi x St 64, LE 206 x 64, LE 214 x St 64). All the hybrids were late to harvest and they produced fruits with round shape.
Heterosis in snakegourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.)
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Philip Varghese; Rajan, S
The present investigation "Heterosis in snakegourd" was conducted at the College of Horticulture during 1988-1990. Assessment of genetic variability showed significant differences of 25 characters in 48 snakegourd genotypes. The highest phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for fruiting nodes on main vine, male flowers/plant, sex ratio and fruits/plant. The pcv was lowest for total crop duration. The gcv resulting in high heritability was high for majority of the characters. High heritability coupled with high genetic gain was noticed for male flowers/plant, sex ratio and fruiting nodes on main vine. The 48 genotypes were grouped into 10 clusters. The combing ability analysis revealed significant gca variances for all characters. The sca variances were also significant for all characters. The sca variances were also significant for all characters except for total crop duration, sex ratio and fruits/plant.
Heterosis of growth characters and earliness in Snakegourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1993) Philip Varghese; Rajan, S
Heterosis of growth characters and earliness in snakegourd was worked out in a 13 x 13 analysis. Heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis were found for main vine length, primary branches per plant, days to first male flower anthesis, days to first female flower opening, fruiting nodes on main vine, days to fruit maturity and days to first f r u i t picking maturity. Days to first female flower opening showed high heterobeltiosis in parental combinationsTA 102xTA 41, TA 77xTA 41 and TA87xTA30. The crosses TA 77 xTA 55, TA 89 xTA 19,TA89xTA 102andTA77xTA 99 were highly heterobelliotic for days to first fruit pickig maturity and in crosses TA 100 x TA 82, TA 77 x TA 99, TA 77 x TA 41 and TA 30 x TA 99, standard helerosis was high for this trait.
Impact of organic sources of plant nutrients on yield and quality of brinjal
(Department Of Olericulture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Prasanna, K P; Rajan, S
An investigation on the "Impact of organic sources of plant nutrients on yield and quality of brinjal" was carried out at the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during 1993-1997. Results showed that yield attributes of brinjal like number of fruits, volume of fruits, yield per plant and yield per plot was maximum with highest level of poultry manure (155 Kg N ha-1) The crop duration as well as the number of harvests were significantly increased when poultry manure was applied at the highest level (155 kg N ha-1). Quality parameters like ascorbic acid and total soluble solids were maximum with the highest level of poultry manure. , The starch content as well as reducing sugar content of fruits were maximum with higher level of FYM and poultry manure while all the organic treatments were at par with regard to total sugars. Moisture content of fruits increased with increasing levels of N. The appearance, flavour, texture and taste of cooked fruits were superior from treatment involving lower level of poultry manure while the colour preference was for the fruits from treatments having inorganic fertilizers alone at lower level. Maximum per cent of unmarketable fruits after five days and seven days of storage was obtained from the plants supplied with inorganic fertilizers alone and minimum in plants given with organic manures alone. Seed characters like number of seeds per fruit, weight of seeds per fruit, seed yield per plant and germination per cent of seeds were maximum in treatments having higher level of poultry manure (155 kg N ha-1). Shoot and fruit borer attack was reduced with the application of FYM alone, while incidence of epilachna beetle was reduced with the application of FYM or poultry manure alone. Physical as well as chemical properties of soil in terms of bulk density, organic carbon, total N, available P and K were improved with the continuous application of organic manures alone. Total uptake of N, P and K were maximum for the plants applied with higher level of poultry manure. Poultry manure at higher level showed average stability with regard to almost all yield contributing characters. Brinjal cultivation was found to be more remunerative with the application of poultry manure at higher level (155 kg N ha-1) .
Incorporation of resistance to fruit cracking in a bacterial wilt resistant genetic background in tomato
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1995) Sadhan Kumar, P G; Rajan, S
An investigation on “Incorporation of resistance to fruit cracking in a bacterial wilt resistant genetic background in tomato” was undertaken in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from January, 1991 to March, 1994. The findings are succinctly mentioned below. Evaluation for bacterial wilt resistance revealed that Sakthi and LE 79 – 5 are consistently resistant to bacterial wilt. Four addition sources of bacterial wilt resistance were identified viz., LE 214, CAV – 5, LE 415 and LE 382 – 1. Resistances to bacterial wilt in these lines was governed by recessive genes. Screening for resistances to fruit cracking resulted in the identification of fifteen tomato genotypes which were found to be resistant to both radial and concentric cracking. Resistances to concentric fruit cracking in these lines were found to be dominant. All the bacterial wilt resistant genotypes had a higher content of total phenols, O.D. phenol and ascorbic acid than the susceptible line pusa Ruby. The crack resistant varieties had a higher content of insoluble solids and pectin, lower content of acidity, total sugar and reducing sugar in fruits, thick fruit skin and pericarb as compared to susceptible variety. The elasticity of skin was also higher in crack resistant genotypes. Crack resistant varieties had a compact arrangement of parenchymatous cells when compared with crack susceptible variety. The resistant lines had a thicker cuticle also. The F1 S developed by line x tester crossing were susceptible to bacterial wilt. All the same, they were resistant to both radial and concentric fruit cracking indicating dominant gene action for crack resistance. The F2 segregants with combined resistance to both bacterial wilt and fruit cracking were selected for further improvement.
Influence of date of planting on seed yield and quality under two fertilizer levels in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
(Department of Olericulture,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Rajan, N; Rajan, S
An experiment was conducted at the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from July, 1988 to February, 1989 to study the effect of date of planting on seed yield and quality under two fertility levels in tomato variety Sakthi (LE 79). The experiment was layout in a split plot design with three replications, as date of planting in the main plots and fertilizer levels in sub plots The date of planting had a significant impact on various growth and yield characters. The plant 'height and the number of secondary branches were maximum in October- planting. Inflorescence, clusters/ plant, flowers per cluster, fruits/cluster, pollen fertility and fruit set were also maximum in October planting followed by November planting. The February planted crops recorded, the lowest value, for these characters plots. The July' planting took longest time for crop duration while February planting registered the shortest duration. Fruits/plant, fruit yield/plant, average fruit weight and seed, yield/plant were higher in October planting followed by November planting. The lowest value for these characters was in February crop. The high level of fertilization (NPK 150:60:60 kg/ha) brought a significant improvement on these characters.
Integrated weed management for rice based cropping system of Onattukara tract
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Rajan, S; Muraleedharan Nair, V
Field experiments were conducted at Rice Research Station, Kayamkulam from April 1996 to May 1998 to study the effect of integrated weed management practices for rice-rice-sesamum cropping system of Onattukara tract. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with twelve treatments during the first crop season and in split plot randomised block design with twelve treatments and twelve residual effects during second crop season and with twenty four residual effects during the third crop season. Rice varieties Bhagya and Dhanya and sesamum variety Thilak were used for the study during the first, second and third crop seasons respectively. Results of the study revealed that grasses, broad leaved weeds and sedges competed with the crop plants in the rice-rice-sesamum cropping system. The herbicide treatments significantly reduced the monocot, dicot and total weed population in the cropping system. Pendimethalin pre-emergence application alone or integrated with hand weeding/2,4-D post emergence significantly reduced the weed growth during the first crop season whereas thiobencarb pre-emergence + hand weeding reduced the weed growth in the second crop of rice. The weed count and dry matter accumulation by weeds in the sesamum crop during the third crop season was significantly reduced by the carry over effect of herbicide 2 treatments applied both to first and second crop rice compared to the carry over effect of herbicide treatments applied to first crop rice alone. The herbicide treatments significantly influenced the growth and yield attributing characters .of the first and second crop of rice. The residual effects of previous weed control treatments on the growth and yield of sesamum was not significant. Pendimethalin pre-emergence + hand weeding or its integration with 2,4-D post emergence influenced the growth characters of first crop of rice, thiobencarb pre-emergence + hand weeding found to exert considerable influence on the growth and yield of second crop of rice. Weedy check recorded the lowest yield and under weed free situation the crop plants had registered maximum growth and yield. The yield loss due to weed indicated by the weed indices was maximum under weedy check and minimum for pendimethalin pre- emergence + hand weeding and thiobencarb pre-emergence + hand weeding applied to first and second crop of rice in rice-rice-sesamum cropping system. The weed management practices and their carry over effects had significant influence on the uptake of nutrients by the crop and weeds during the first, second and third crop seasons. Unweeded check exploited the available nutrients and water resulting in better weed growth and dry matter accumulation through out the cropping system. The soil nutrient status was also affected by the weed management practices studied. The N, P, K status of soil was high for weedy check 3 compared to herbicide treatments and weed free treatments owing to poor crop utilization of the nutrients. The herbicide treatments applied both to the first and second crop of rice and their carry over• effects on third crop of sesamum had no significant effect on the population of soil organisms. Economic analysis revealed that herbicide treatments were remunerative compared to weedy check and farmers practice in the first and second crop seasons. The residual effects of weed management practices had not influenced the economics of sesamum crop during third crop season. Bioassay studies revealed no phytotoxic concentration of herbicide residues in the soil after the rice-rice-sesamurn cropping sequence.
Leaf litter addition and nutrient recycling in two clones of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) at Vellanikkara estate of Kerala Agricultural University
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Rajan, S; Nazeem, P A
The present study deals with the quantification of leaf litter addition and nutrient recycling in two clones of rubber in the Vellanikkara Estate of kerala Agricultural University , Trichur . Two different methods of collection were adopted for litter collection in both the clones RRII 105 and RRII 118. Wintering was found to start on 23rd November, 1993 for clone RRII 105 and continued till 12th February , 1994 whereas in RRII 118 wintering strated by 25th November, 1993 and continued till 17th February , 1994. Peak leaf fall was noticed in the month of January for RRII 105 whereas it was in the month of February in the case of RRII 118. Thus clonal variation do exist for the wintering pattern. The total leaf litter production was estimated to the 4954.297 kg for RRII105 and 4584.558 kg for RRII 118. The nutrients contributed through leaf litter during wintering in the clone RRII 105 were 72 kg N, 2 kg p, 57 kg K, 59 kg ca and 12kg mg whereas for the clone RRII 118 it was 61kg N, 2kg p, 43kg k , 79 kg ca and 9kg mg . The clone RRII 105 contributed more litter as well as nutrients than the clone RRII 118. Contrary to the previous years the nutrient levels in the leaf litter did not follow a regular pattern during the wintering period . The presence of green leaves shed due to high wind velocity resulted in an increased level of nutrients in some collection s. It was also observed that the contribution of N, K and Ca were more during the wintering period whereas p was more prior to peak wintering and Mg was more after peak wintering. Comparison of nutrient status in soil samples collected from the area enclosed by net and outside sites showed that removal of leaf litter resulted in relatively lower levels of soil nutrients in the top soil . The leaf area worked out during the study was 6.44 for the clone RRII 105 and 5.53 for clone RRII118. The study also revealed that enclosing the trees with net is the best method to quantify the leaf litter addition . The expensive and cumbersome procedure of providing nets cannot be replaced by collecting the leaf litter from a marked area provided with 15 cm high fencing . The leaf litter accumulated in the fenced area was always less and varied from 27 to 71 per cent of the quantity of litter collected by providing net to cover the canopy all around the trees.
New leaf spot disease in green amaranth
(Kerala Agricultural University, 2000) Krishnakumary, K; Sally K Mathew; Rajan, S
Production potential of amaranthus under irrigation and nitrogen levels
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1991) Rajan, S; Oomen, M
An experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during the summer seasons of 1989 and 1990 to study the response of amaranthus to different water management practices and nitrogen doses. The trial was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments consisted of a combination of two varieties (red and green ) and four irrigation treatments. (Irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 and the farmer’s practice of daily irrigation). Sub plot treatments consisted of four levels of nitrogen (50, 75,100 and 125 kg N/ha). The study revealed that amaranthus responded well to frequent irrigations and higher levels of nitrogen. Red variety of amaranthus was superior to green variety in most of the growth and yield attributing characters studied. Biometric characters like height, girth of stem, number of branches, number of leaves, LAI, and dry weights of leaves, stem and roots were favourably influenced by frequent irrigations and higher nitrogen levels. Total yields were also higher in more frequently irrigated treatments and at higher nitrogen levels. The moisture content of leaves was not influenced by irrigation and nitrogen treatments. However nitrogen exerted, significant influence on the moisture content of stem. Protein content of red variety was maximum and as the frequency of irrigation and levels of nitrogen were increased, protein content of plant increased and the maximum was recorded at daily irrigation treatment and at 125 kg N/ha. A relatively higher fibre content was noted in red variety. The effect of irrigation treatments on the fibre content of plants were not conclusive but the nitrogen fertilization tended to decrease the fibre content of plants. The red variety recorded a comparatively higher uptake of nutrients. The uptake of N, P and K were enhanced by frequent irrigations and nitrogen application upto 125 kg/ha. Available N, P, K status of the soil after the experiment was reduced by red variety. Higher irrigation treatments reduced the N and k content of soil after the experiment. But the nitrogen fertilization increased the nitrogen content and reduce the potassium content of the soil after completing the experiment. However the effects of different irrigation and nitrogen treatments on available phosphorus content of the soil after the experiments were found to be inconsistent during the two seasons. The red variety showed maximum water use efficiency then the green variety. Field water use efficiency was higher in the less frequently irrigated treatments (IW/CPE) of 0.75 and 1.00) and at higher nitrogen fertilizations (125 and 100kg N/ha). The results of economic analysis revealed that net income and benefit cost ratio were maximum for red variety and these were increased by more frequent irrigations and Nitrogen fertilizations up to 125 kg N/ha.