Browsing by Author "Rampurapu Jessica Blessy."

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    Irradiation and organic grain protectants for enhancing strorability of rice seeds
    (Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture,ellayani, 2025) Rampurapu Jessica Blessy.
    A field experiment on “Millets for crop diversification in summer rice fallows under minimum tillage” was conducted at Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2022 to 2024. The main objectives were to standardize the establishment method of small millets under minimum tillage in summer rice fallows and to evaluate their production potential and economics. The field experiment was conducted during summer season, 2023-24 at IFSRS, Karamana. The field experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with 12 treatment combinations and three replications. The main plot treatments were tillage methods (M1- minimum tillage and M2- conventional tillage), sub plot treatments were crops (C1 – little millet, C2 – foxtail millet and C3- proso millet) and the sub-sub plot treatments were establishment methods (P1: solid row planting and P2: broadcasting). The varieties used for the study for little millet, foxtail millet and proso millet were ATL 1, DHFT-109-3 and TNAU 202, respectively. FYM was applied to all plots @ 5 t ha-1 and crops were fertilized with NPK @ 40:20:20 kg ha-1(IIMR, 2022). The growth attributes of millets were recorded at 15 DAS, 30 DAS, 45 DAS, 60 DAS and at harvest. The results revealed that growth attributes were significantly influenced by treatments. Between the tillage methods, the highest plant height, number of tillers m-2, root weight and dry matter production per plant were observed in conventional tillage (M2). Among the crops, little millet recorded the highest plant height, root weight and dry matter production per plant. The proso millet recorded the highest number of tillers m-2. Between the establishment methods, broadcasting was found to be significantly superior to solid row planting. The results revealed that the yield attributes and yield of millets viz; productive tillers (223.28 no m-2), earhead length (26.76 cm), grain yield (2112 kg ha-1), stover yield (5060 kg ha-1) and harvest index (0.30) were significantly influenced by conventional tillage method. Between the establishment methods, the highest number of productive tillers (222.00 m-2), earhead length (25.21cm), grain yield (2028 kg ha-1) and stover yield (4987 kg ha-1) were recorded in broadcasting method. Proso millet took least days to 50 per cent flowering (35.42 days) and recorded the highest number of productive tillers m-2 (310.92). The longest earheads (38.78 cm) and stover yield (6434 kg ha-1) were recorded in little millet. Foxtail millet recorded 101 the highest earhead weight (3.75 g) and grain yield (2239 kg ha-1), respectively. Grain yield was 38 per cent more compared to little millet (1626 kg ha-1). The grain yield of proso millet was 27 per cent more than that of little millet. The predominant weed flora of the experimental field were grassy weeds followed by broad leaf weeds and sedges. The tillage and establishment methods had significant influence on weed density and weed dry weight. Between the tillage methods, the lowest weed density and weed dry weight were recorded in conventional tillage. Between the establishment methods, the lowest weed density and weed dry weight were observed in solid row planting. The proso millet showed the highest weed density at 15 DAS and the highest weed dry weight at 45 DAS. The nutrient removal (N, P and K) by weeds were the highest in minimum tillage and broadcasting method. The highest N, P and K uptake by crop at harvest was in conventional tillage method followed by broadcasting method. The highest N, P and K uptake (175.56, 30.68 and 118.82 kg ha-1, respectively) was recordedby little millet. The lowest bulk density (1.42 Mg m-3) was observed in conventional tillage method. The results revealed that the highest organic carbon (2.09 %) was recorded in minimum tillage. The highest available N and P were recorded in minimum tillage and solid row planting. Among the crops foxtail millet recorded the highest available N and also had higher available P and it was on par with proso millet. Proso millet had the highest available K, and it was on par with foxtail millet. The analysed data revealed that tillage method, crop and establishment method had significant influence on net income and BCR. The conventional tillage method recorded the highest net income of ₹ 40789 ha-1 with a BCR of 1.75. Among the crops, foxtail millet recorded the highest net income of ₹ 46987 ha-1 with a BCR of 1.87. Broadcasting method recorded the highest net income of ₹ 38248 ha-1 with a BCR 1.72. From the study it could be concluded that, broadcasting is the most effective establishment method for small millets under minimum tillage. However, conventional tillage with broadcasting method could be adopted as a viable cost-effective method for foxtail millet, proso millet and little millet for enhanced productivity and profitability in summer rice fallows.
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    Irradiation and organic grain protectants for enhancing strorability of rice seeds
    (Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2025) Rampurapu Jessica Blessy.
    The present study entitled “Irradiation and organic grain protectants for enhancing storability of rice seeds” was carried out in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2023-2024, with an objective to standardization of the dose of gamma rays for irradiation and organic grain protectants to enhance the storage life of rice seeds. The study was divided into two experiments which were conducted in Completely Randomized Block Design (CRD) with three replications. In the first experiment, the seeds were irradiated with five different doses (100 Gy to 500 Gy) at Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. Another set of seeds were treated with five different organic grain protectants [Arka (Calotropis gigantea) leaf powder-12.5g, Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder-12.5g, Pongamia (Pongamia pinnata) leaf powder-12.5g, sweet flag (Acorus calamus) rhizome powder- 5g, Arappu (Albizia amara) leaf powder-12.5g]. Treated seeds were then shade dried and packed in cloth bags and stored for ten months along with control. In the first experiment, the damage percentage recorded was 20.333 percent, 10.667 percent, 2.333 percent and 0.333 percent in treatment T1 (100 Gy), T2 (200 Gy), T3 (300 Gy) and T4 (400 Gy) respectively in the tenth month of storage. However, in control, the seed damage was observed varied from 0.333 % in initial month to 62.333 % in tenth month of storage with a seed weight loss of 16.253 percent. The treatment T5 (500 Gy) was not affected till the end of ten months of storage. The storage pest infested during ten months of storage period were lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica), rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae) and Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella). The rice seeds irradiated with 400 Gy and 500 Gy gamma rays were not affected by storage pest throughout the storage period. The infested mycoflora Aspergillus flavus, was recorded highest in control 69.333 % at the end of storage. Seeds irradiated with 400 Gy and 500 Gy were not infested by mycoflora till the end of storage period. Germination parameters were studied in the undamaged seeds to study the effect of irradiation in seed aging. Among the different doses of gamma irradiation, T1 (100 Gy) resulted highest seed germination percentage (82.33 %), germination energy (77.70%), root shoot ratio (0.896), germination index (502.62), vigour index (1023.00), seedling shoot length (12.33 cm) and seedling root length (12.23 cm). All the germination parameters showed increased value at lower doses of gamma rays (100 Gy, 200 Gy and 300 Gy) and declined at higher doses (400 Gy and 500 Gy) compared to control. Morphological evaluation of gamma irradiated seeds grown in pots showed that morphological parameters did not vary significantly from the control in treatments with gamma doses 100 Gy and 200 Gy. Gamma irradiation at 300 Gy also did not show variation in morphological parameters compared to control except for germination percentage. But progressive decrease in all morphological parameters was observed for the treatments with gamma doses 400 Gy and 500 Gy. Reduction in germination percentage, panicle length, panicle number and grain per panicle was observed when compared to control. In second experiment, among all organic grain protectants treatment T4 [Sweet flag (Acorus calamus) rhizome powder] resulted least seed damage percentage (5.667%). The damage percentage was observed from fourth month of storage in treatment T1 [Arka (Calotropis gigantea) leaf powder], T2 [Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder], T3 [Pongamia (Pongamia pinnata) leaf powder], T5 [Arappu (Albizia amara) leaf powder] and recorded 12.333 per cent, 13.333 per cent, 8.667 per cent and 20.333 per cent, whereas control was recorded maximum damage percentage with 62.333% at tenth month of storage. The storage pest infestation was lowest in T4 [Sweet flag (Acorus calamus) rhizome powder]. The mycoflora infestation was maximum in control (69.33%) and least in sweet flag (Acorus calamus) rhizome powder (10.16%) in tenth month of storage. Among the different organic grain protectants sweet flag (Acorus calamus) rhizome powder recorded the highest seed germination percentage (82.00%), germination energy (81.00%), germination index (541.00), vigour index (1029.20), seedling shoot length (13.03 cm) and seedling root length (12.40 cm). In this study gamma irradiation proved to be an effective method for controlling storage pest and mycoflora infestation during storage in rice seeds. However, the treatment with higher doses 400 Gy and 500 Gy affected the germination parameters negatively and produced some abnormalities in the progeny. Hence, gamma irradiation at 100 Gy to 300 Gy can be recommended for safe storage of rice seeds. Among the organic grain protectants sweet flag (Acorus calamus) rhizome powder exhibited higher values of germination parameters and least infestation of storage pest and mycoflora till the protectants are eco-friendly methods in enhancing the storage life of rice seeds and were effective in controlling the storage pests. Since gamma irradiation requires special facilities for seed treatment, organic grain protectants will be better technology for small scale farmers.