Browsing by Author "Reshmi, C R"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

Biostimulants for promoting growth, yield and flower quality in Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Lind)
(Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2024-04-20) Jewel Maria Thomas; Reshmi, C R
The study entitled 'Biostimulants for enhancing growth, yield and flower quality in Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Lind.)' was conducted at the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram. The research spanned from December 2022 to November 2023 and the aim was to assess the impact of biostimulants on growth, yield and flower quality of Anthurium andreanum Lind cv. Dora. in a naturally ventilated polyhouse. Employing a completely randomized design with ten replications, the different treatments administered were T1 i.e., control (fertilizers and manures as per KAU POP recommendations, i.e., cow dung supernatant + 19:19:19 (2 g L-1) weekly once), T2 (T1 + 0.2 per cent humic acid at fortnightly intervals), T3 (T1 + 0.2 per cent humic acid at monthly intervals), T4 (T1 + 2 per cent humic acid - fulvic acid mixture at fortnightly intervals), T5 (T1 + 2 per cent humic acid - fulvic acid mixture at monthly intervals), T6 (T1 + 100 mg L-1 salicylic acid at fortnightly intervals), T7 (T1 + 100 mg L-1 salicylic acid at monthly intervals),T8 (T1 + 2 per cent humic acid - fulvic acid mixture + 100 mg L-1 salicylic acid at fortnightly intervals), T9 (T1 + 2 per cent humic acid - fulvic acid mixture + 100 mg L-1 salicylic acid at monthly intervals),T10 (T1 + 0.5 per cent seaweed extract at fortnightly intervals), T11 (T1 + 0.5 per cent seaweed extract at monthly intervals), T12 (T1 + 0.2 per cent humic acid + 0.5 per cent seaweed extract at fortnightly intervals), T13 (T1 + 0.2 per cent humic acid + 0.5 per cent seaweed extract at monthly intervals), T14 (T1 + 2 per cent humic acid - fulvic acid mixture + 0.5 per cent seaweed extract at fortnightly intervals) and T15 (T1 + 2 per cent humic acid - fulvic acid mixture + 0.5 per cent seaweed extract at monthly intervals). Among vegetative parameters, the highest plant height was recorded in T12 (T1 + 0.2 per cent HA + 0.5per cent SWE fortnightly) which was on par with T8 (T1 + 2 per cent HFA + 100 mg L-1 SA fortnightly). All the other vegetative parameters like, number of leaves, stem girth, leaf length and leaf breadth recorded superior values in T8 (T1 + 2 per cent HFA + 100 mg L-1 SA fortnightly). The highest number of suckers and minimum days for sucker emergence were recorded in T2 (T1 + 0.2 per cent HA fortnightly). Leaf area and leaf area index showed their highest values in T8 (T1 + 2 per cent HFA + 100 mg L-1 SA fortnightly). Regarding floral parameters, shortest days for bud initiation was observed in T9 (T1 + 2 per cent HFA +100 mg L-1 SA monthly) which was on par with T8 (T1 + 2 per cent HFA + 100 mg L-1 SA fortnightly). Other floral characters like, stalk length, stalk girth, spathe length, spathe width, spadix length, spadix girth along with flower longevity were recorded highest in T8 (T1 + 2 per cent HFA + 100 mg L-1 SA fortnightly). In yield parameters, the highest number of flowers per plant was observed in T8 (T1 + 2 per cent HFA + 100 mg L-1 SA fortnightly) and the lowest flower yield was exhibited by T1 (control). With regard to post-harvest parameters, vase life and water uptake recorded highest values in T8 (T1 + 2per cent HFA + 100 mg L-1 SA fortnightly). The physiological loss in weight was minimum in T8 (T1 + 2per cent HFA + 100 mg L-1 SA fortnightly). Among the macronutrients, N and P content in leaves were highest in T8 (T1 + 2 per cent HFA + 100 mg L-1 SA fortnightly) whereas, K content was highest in T14 (T1 + 2 per cent humic-fulvic acid mixture in combination with 0.5 per cent seaweed extract). Among the secondary nutrients, the highest calcium content (1 per cent) in leaves was recorded in T1 (control plants) and Mg content was highest in in T12 (T1 + 0.2 per cent HA + 0.5 per cent SWE fortnightly). Sulphur content recorded the highest in T3 (T1 + foliar application of 0.2 per cent humic acid monthly). The micronutrient content was analyzed and the highest Fe and Mn content were recorded in T8 (T1 + 2 per cent HFA + 100 mg L-1 SA at fortnightly intervals). Zinc content recorded the highest in T9 (T1 + 2 per cent humic-fulvic acid mixture in combination with 100 mg L-1 salicylic acid monthly) and the highest copper content in leaves was recorded in T4 (T1 + 2 per cent humic-fulvic acid mixture fortnightly). Finally, the most economically feasible treatment w
Enhancement of propagation efficiency in exotic varities of heliconia
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2008) Reshmi, C R; Sheela, V L
Evaluation of selected sankhupushpam (Clitoria ternatea L.) lines for yield, alkaloid content and nodulation
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2001) Reshmi, C R; Reghunath, B R
The present study entitled 'Evaluation of selected Sankhupushpam (Clitoria ternatea L.) lines for yield, alkaloid content and nodulation' was carried out at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from June to December 2000. Six superior lines evolved from a preliminary screening of genetic stock conducted by Nair (2000) were raised under shade, as an intercrop in coconut garden and in open as a pure crop. Various biometric observations were taken at four different stages of plant growth, viz., pre-flowering (45 DAS), flowering (90 DAS), seed formation (135 DAS) and seed maturation (180 DAS) stages. These included observations on shoot yield, root yield and pod yield. Nodule characteristics were also recorded. Phytochemical analysis was carried out after harvest of the crop to estimate the crude alkaloid content in the seeds of each accession. Analysis of the results revealed maximum shoot yield for MP-73 and MP-8I under shade and open conditions respectively. The highest pod yield was recorded for MP-76 under shade and for MP-73 under open condition. Root yield on fresh weight basis was found to be the highest for MP-76 under shade and MP-74 under open condition. On dry weight basis, root yield was maximum for MP-74 under shade and for MP-8I under open condition. Maximum nodulation at flowering stage was observed in MP-73 and MP-7& under shade and open conditions respectively. MP-73 and MP-76 recorded higher crude alkaloid content in seeds under shade condition. In open, maximum crude alkaloid was obtained in MP-73. Both yield and nodulation were found to be higher under open condition whereas the crude alkaloid content showed no significant variation between shade and open conditions. From the study, the accessions MP-73 (Thiruvattar White) and MP-76 (Vattiyoorkavu White) were found to show superior performance under both conditions.
Morphological and molecular characterization of nerium (Nerium oleander L.)
(Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2025) Jisna Johnson; Reshmi, C R
The study entitled "Morphological and molecular characterization of nerium (Nerium oleander L.) genotypes" was conducted at the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, during the period 2022-2024. The primary objective was to evaluate the performance of fifteen nerium genotypes and to characterize them using morphological descriptors and molecular markers for assessing their genetic variability and diversity. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all morphological traits, including plant height, leaf blade length, and leaf blade width. Among the fifteen genotypes, twelve (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T8, T9, T10, T11, T13 and T15) flowered during the experimental period. Floral characteristics, such as the number of flowers per plant at full flowering stage (i.e. two months after first flowering), flower diameter, corolla throat length, corolla throat diameter, corolline appendage length, and sepal length, also showed significant variations among the genotypes. Leaf blade width showed the highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation (PCV and GCV) among the plant traits, while the number of flowers per plant at the full flowering stage (i.e., two months after flower initiation) showed maximum variation among the floral traits. Heritability was high across all traits (69.6%–100%), with leaf blade length and single flower weight recording the maximum values. Notable genetic advance was observed, especially in the number of flowers per plant and corolla throat diameter. Traits with high heritability and genetic advance indicate strong genetic control, making them ideal for selection in breeding programmes. Correlation analysis revealed that flower diameter exhibited a significant positive genotypic correlation with plant height, length and width of leaf blade, corolla throat diameter, single flower weight, and shelf life. However, a negative correlation was observed between flower diameter and both the number of flowers per plant and overall flower yield. Additionally, plant height showed a significant 126 positive phenotypic correlation with flower diameter, corolla throat diameter, and single flower weight. Although flower diameter was negatively correlated with the number of flowers per plant, it displayed a strong positive correlation with plant height, corolla throat diameter, and single flower weight, making it a crucial trait for selecting loose flowers. Genetic diversity analysis using the ‘Average method’ and ‘Euclidean distance measures’ clustered the genotypes into four groups based on floral characteristics. The maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster 3 and cluster 4, suggesting that hybridization between these clusters would be most effective. Scoring based on DUS guidelines revealed the highest score for genotype T13 and it was followed by T1 and T4. Molecular characterization of the fifteen genotypes was carried out using ten ISSR primers, all of which generated polymorphic bands. Among the 98 amplicons obtained, 81 exhibited polymorphism, whereas 17 were found to be monomorphic. Among the primers, UBC 826 yielded the highest number of alleles (14), while UBC 814 produced the fewest (3). The primer UBC 855 exhibited the highest polymorphic information content (PIC) value of 0.38, whereas UBC 814 showed the lowest PIC value of 0.15. Based on the cluster analysis of the molecular data, the genotypes were grouped into three distinct clusters: Cluster 1 consisting of seven genotypes (T1, T2, T4, T7, T8, T9, T12), Cluster 2 also containing seven (T3, T6, T10, T11, T13, T14, T15) and Cluster 3, comprising a single genotype (T5). Among the genotypes, T3 exhibited the highest yield of fragrant flowers, followed by T1, making them ideal for loose flower production and potential parental genotypes for breeding programmes. T5 was identified as a dwarf genotype, suitable for potted plant applications. Seasonal variations in flower production were observed across all the genotypes which flowered during the experimental period. These findings provide valuable insights into the morphological and genetic diversity of nerium genotypes, aiding in the selection of superior genotypes for floriculture and breeding purposes.