Browsing by Author "Sharu, S R"

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    Integrated nutrient management in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Sharu, S R; Meera Bai, M
    A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm attached to the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1999-2000 to study the combined effect of chemical fertilizers and organic manures on the productivity and quality of chilli, to assess the possibility of substitution of fertilizers by organic manures and also to work out the economics of production. The treatments consisted of combined application of chemical fertilizers and organic manures viz. poultry manure, vermicompost and neemcake in various ratios of 3: 1, 1: 1, 1:3 and 0:2. The control treatment was POP recommendation of KAU (20 t ha! of FYM + 75:40:25 kg N, P205 and K20). The experiment was laid out in randomised block design. An abstract of the result is given below. Plant height, number of branches, shoot-root ratio and dry matter content differed significantly with various treatments. All these parameters were found to be increasing with increased level of chemical nitrogen. Shoot-root ratio was highest for vermicompost applied plots whereas the maximum value for all other growth parameters was produced by poultry manure treatments. All the yield parameters were significantly influenced by various treatments. Higher fruiting phase and fruit set was observed with 2 increasing chemical nitrogen level and maximum value was obtained for poultry manure treatment (3: 1). Poultry manure treatment (1: 1) gave good performance with respect to number of fruits per plant, harvesting interval and total yield. Higher levels of poultry manure along with chemical fertilizers also performed well. Length of fruit was highest for vermicompost treated plots along with chemical fertilizers (1: 1). Highest level of chemical fertilizer along with poultry manure gave good results with respect to LAI and dry matter production. RGR, CGR and NAR was highest for vermicompost applied plots. Keeping quality and ascorbic acid content was higher for poultry manure treatments. Regarding residual nutrients high soil K was registered by higher level of neemcake along with chemical fertilizer. Highest soil N was noted by highest dose of poultry manure (0:2). Poultry manure and chemical fertilizer in equal proportion obtained highest value for soil P. Highest dose of poultry manure together with chemical nitrogen gave good result for NPK content of plants. NPK uptake was also higher for poultry manure treatments. Incidence of bacterial wilt was least in dual application of chemical fertilizer and neemcake in the ratio 3: 1. The economics of cultivation revealed that poultry manure and chemical fertilizer application in equal proportion (1: 1) gave maximum net returns and benefit-cost ratio.
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    Intercropping fodder legumes in palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst.ex A.Rich.) stapf.)
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2018) Nasreen, V; Sharu, S R
    The study entitled ―Intercropping fodder legumes in palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf.)‖ was conducted during June 2017 to March 2018 in the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The objectives were to evaluate the production potential of intercropping fodder legumes in palisade grass in terms of yield and quality and also to assess the biological and economic efficiency of the intercropping system. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of three levels of intercropping (I1-no intercropping, I2-intercropping with fodder cowpea and I3 -intercropping with fodder rice bean), three spacing (S1- 60 cm x 30 cm, S2- 60 cm x 40 cm and S3- 60 cm x 60 cm) and two controls (C1- pure crop of fodder cowpea and C2 - pure crop of fodder rice bean). Palisade grass variety Mulato, fodder cowpea variety CO-9 and fodder rice bean variety Bidhan-2 were used for the study. FYM @ 10 t ha-1 was uniformly applied to all the plots at land preparation. In the treatments involving palisade grass + fodder legumes and palisade grass alone, N, P and K @ 300:75:75 kg ha-1 (1/2 N, 1/2 P and 1/2 K as basal dose and 1/2 N, 1/2 P and 1/2 K after the second harvest of palisade grass) was applied. For pure crop of fodder legumes (fodder cowpea and fodder rice bean) N, P and K @ 25: 60:30 kg ha-1 was applied and the entire dose was given as basal. The fodder legumes were sown twice (along with the planting of palisade grass and after the second harvest of palisade grass) in between two rows of palisade grass at a spacing of 30 cm× 15 cm. In the experiment, pure crop of palisade grass (I1) registered significantly higher green fodder yield, dry fodder yield, crude protein yield, uptake of nutrients and B: C ratio. Palisade grass + fodder cowpea (I2) recorded the highest green fodder yield of legume, dry fodder yield of legume, land equivalent ratio, land equivalent coefficient, aggressivity, crop equivalent yield, crude protein content of grass, crude protein yield of grass-legume mixture, available soil nitrogen and net returns. Among the two fodder legumes, fodder cowpea performed better than fodder rice bean with respect to yield, quality and economics. Among the spacing treatments, significantly higher plant height of palisade grass was registered by narrow spacing of 60 cm x 30 cm in first and fourth harvest and it was on par with 60 cm x 40 cm spacing in second and third harvest. The highest numbers of tillers were produced by 60 cm x 60 cm spacing whereas LAI was the highest for 60 cm x 30 cm spacing. The spacing, 60 cm x 30 cm recorded the highest green fodder yield of palisade grass only in the first harvest. The total green fodder yield, total dry fodder yield, crude protein content, crude protein yield and uptake of nutrients of palisade grass were not significantly influenced by spacing treatments. However, net income and B:C ratio were the highest under the widest spacing (60 cm x 60 cm). Based on these results, it can be concluded that intercropping two rows of fodder cowpea in between two rows of palisade grass planted at a spacing of 60 x 60 cm is the best combination in terms of crop equivalent yield, quality and economics.
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    Nutrient management with nano urea for enhanced herbage yield and quality of fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench)
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture , Vellayani, 2024-11-28) Sabavat Sandhya Sree; Sharu, S R
    The study entitled “Nutrient management with nano urea for enhanced herbage yield and quality of fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)” was conducted during the period 2022-24 at College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of nano urea on growth, yield, quality and economics of fodder sorghum. The field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, during the period from December 2023 to February 2024. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 13 treatments, replicated thrice. The treatments comprised nitrogen management and foliar nutrition. The treatments were T1: 75% Recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + nano urea (0.2%); T2: 75% RDN + nano urea (0.4%); T3: 75% RDN + nano urea (0.6%); T4: 100% RDN + nano urea (0.2%); T5: 100% RDN + nano urea (0.4%); T6: 100% RDN + nano urea (0.6%); T7: 75% RDN + urea spray (2%); T8: 100% RDN + urea spray (2%); T9: nano urea (0.2%) alone; T10: nano urea (0.4%) alone; T11: nano urea (0.6%) alone; T12: KAU POP; T13: control (without nitrogen). The variety used for the study was CNFS-1 released from Zonal Agricultural Research Station, VC Farm, Mandya. The fertilizer recommendation followed was 60:40:20 kg NPK ha-1, along with farm yard manure (10 t ha-1). Foliar spray of nano urea and urea were done at 20 DAS and 40 DAS. All other management practices were followed as per the KAU package of practices recommendations. Nitrogen management and foliar nutrition had significant influence on the growth and yield attributes of fodder sorghum. At 30 DAS, taller plants (75.52 cm) were observed in T5 and was on par with T6. The treatment, T6 resulted in taller plants (132.41 cm and 226.62 cm) at both 45 DAS and harvest and remained on par with T5. Similarly, at 30 DAS, T6 exhibited more number of leaves per plant (6.41), leaf length (47.12 cm), leaf breadth (3.64 cm), leaf area per plant (661.68 cm2), LAI (1.44), stem diameter (11.06 mm), number of internodes per plant (5.24), length of internode (4.38 cm) and leaf: stem ratio (0.39) which was comparable with T5. Similarly, the treatment, T5 resulted in maximum number of leaves per plant (7.54 and 8.99), leaf length (63.47 cm and 89.00 cm), leaf breadth (4.69 cm and 5.61 cm) and length of internode (13.07 cm and 19.95 cm) at both 45 DAS and harvest and was on par with T6. However, higher leaf area per plant at harvest (2682.69 cm2), LAI (3.52) and number of internodes per plant (6.80) at 45 DAS were observed in T6 and remained on par with T5. The treatment, T5 resulted in more number of internodes per plant at harvest (9.67) and was on par with T6. Similarly, leaf area per plant (1586.64 cm2) at 45 DAS and stem diameter (12.94 mm and 15.19 mm) at both 45 DAS and harvest were observed in T6 and was statistically comparable with T5 and T3. Green fodder yield (32.03 t ha-1), dry fodder yield (5.81 t ha-1) and per day productivity (0.53 t ha-1 d-1) were found significantly higher in the treatment, T5 and remained on par with T6. The treatment T5 exhibited higher total chlorophyll content (1.92 mg g-1 FW and 2.83 mg g-1 FW) at both 30 DAS and 45 DAS and was statistically comparable with T6. Higher crude protein content (9.92 %) and crude protein yield (0.50 t ha-1) were observed in T5 and was on par with T6. The treatment T5 resulted in higher N content and NPK uptake which was comparable with T6. The organic carbon and available N, P and K status of soil after the experiment did not vary significantly with nitrogen management and foliar nutrition. The treatment, T5 (100 per cent RDN + nano urea 0.4 per cent) fetched higher net return of ₹ 92221 ha-1 with BCR of 2.36 and was comparable with T6. Based on the study it could be concluded that nitrogen management along with foliar application of nitrogen based formulations improved the growth, yield, quality and economics of fodder sorghum. There was an increased yield of green fodder (39. 26%) when nano urea (0.4%) was supplemented with RDF compared to urea spray (2 %). When the fertilizer level was decreased by 25 percent, growth, yield, quality parameters and net return were also found to be reduced. Thus, the result of the research work revealed that soil application of 100 per cent RDF (60:40:20 NPK kg ha-1) along with foliar spray of nano urea, 0.4 per cent each at 20 DAS and 40 DAS was beneficial for growing fodder sorghum in terms of growth, yield, quality and economics in Kerala during the rabi season.
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    Production package of palisade grass (brachiaria brizantha (Hochst.ex a. Rich.) stapf.)
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Sharu, S R; Sajitha Rani, T
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    Productivity enhancement of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) through foliar nutrition
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2024-02-07) Athira, K P; Sharu, S R
    The study entitled “Productivity enhancement of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) through foliar nutrition” was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2021-23. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of foliar nutrition on growth, yield and quality of blackgram. The field experiment carried out from November 2022 to February 2023, was laid out in randomized block design with 14 treatments replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of foliar application of 19:19:19, DAP, nano-DAP and KCl. The treatments were T1 : foliar application of 19:19:19 (1%); T2 : foliar application of 19:19:19 (2%); T3 : foliar application of DAP (1%); T4 : foliar application of DAP (2%); T5 : foliar application of nano-DAP (0.5%); T6 : foliar application of KCl (1%); T7 : foliar application of KCl (2%); T8 : foliar application of DAP (1%) + KCl (1%); T9 : foliar application of DAP (2%) + KCl (2%); T10 : foliar application of DAP (1%) + KCl (2%); T11 : foliar application of DAP (2%) + KCl (1%); T12 : foliar application of nano-DAP (0.5%) + KCl (1%); T13 : foliar application of nano-DAP (0.5%) + KCl (2%); C1 : Control (POP). The variety used for the study was Sumanjana. Foliar application of DAP and nano-DAP were done at 30 DAS; 19:19:19 and KCl were applied at 45 DAS. All other management practices were followed as per the KAU package of practices recommendations. Foliar nutrition had significant influence on the growth and yield of blackgram. At 40 DAS, taller plants (58.88 cm) were produced by T4 and was on par with T9 and T11, while, T9 resulted in taller plants (79.45 and 85.91 cm) at both 60 DAS and harvest, which was comparable with T8, T10 and T11. At 40 DAS, the number of branches per plant was found to be superior (4.02) in T8 and was comparable with T3, T9 and T11. Similarly, at 60 DAS, T8 recorded more number of branches per plant (5.94) and was found to be on par with T9 and T10. Higher number of green leaves per plant (12.91) was produced by T9 at 40 DAS and was comparable with T4, T8 and T11. At 60 DAS, T8 recorded more number of green leaves per plant (15.03), which was statistically on par with T9, T10 and T11. At 40 DAS, higher dry matter production (16.98 g plant-1 ) was reported in T8, which was comparable with T9. Similarly at 60 DAS and harvest, T8 recorded higher DMP per plant (37.52 and 42.05 g). It remained on par with T9, T10 and T11 at both 60 DAS and harvest. LAI was found to be higher (2.65) in T9, which was comparable with T8 at 40 DAS. T8 resulted in higher LAI (3.21) at 60 DAS and was on par with T9, T10 and T11. T4 reported lower number of days (35.54) to 50 per cent flowering, which was comparable with T9 and T11. Higher number of pods per plant (44.87), pod length (5.25 cm), hundred seed weight (4.71 g) and seed yield (1598.47 kg ha-1 ) were observed in T8 and was on par with T9. Similarly, higher pod weight per plant (21.89 g), pod yield (2237.38 kg ha-1 ) and haulm yield (4171.48 kg ha-1 ) were recorded in T8. It remained on par with T9 and T11. T8 recorded higher total chlorophyll content of 2.46 mg g-1 at 40 DAS and was on par with T4, T9 and T11. At 60 DAS, higher total chlorophyll content (2.36 mg g-1 ) was recorded in T8 and was statistically comparable with T9, T10 and T11. At 20-40 DAS, higher CGR (17.47 g m-2 d -1 ) was registered by T8 which was on par with T9. At 40-60 DAS, T8 recorded higher CGR of 27.39 g m-2 d -1 and was comparable with all other treatments except T6, T7 and C1. T8 registered higher RGR (24.58, 18.58 and 5.60 mg g-1 d -1 ) and was on par with T9, T10 and T11 at all stages of observation. T8 expressed higher protein content of 23.76 per cent and was statistically comparable with T9 and T11. The organic carbon and the available N and K status of soil after the experiment did not vary significantly with foliar nutrition. However, T8 recorded higher soil available P (42.96 kg ha-1 ) and was on par with T9, T10 and T11. The treatment T8 recorded higher N and P uptake. The N and P uptake of T8 was found to be statistically on par with T9 and T11. The highest K uptake was registered by T8 which was followed by T11. T8 recorded significantly higher agronomic efficiency values of 30.12, 19.33 and 22.22 kg kg-1 for N, P and K, respectively. Physiological efficiency was significantly higher in T9 for N (46.33 kg kg-1 ) and K (64.12 kg kg-1 ) whereas, T8 recorded significantly higher PE value for P (44.20 kg kg-1 ). Apparent recovery for N, P and K was superior in T8 (41.60, 29.05 and 55.77 per cent respectively). Higher net income of Rs.83100 ha-1 and BCR of 2.08 were recorded with the foliar application of 1 per cent DAP + 1 per cent KCl (T8) and was found to be on par with T9. From the study, it could be concluded that application of RDF along with foliar application of 1 per cent DAP at 30 DAS followed by 1 per cent KCl at 45 DAS could be recommended for better growth, yield, protein content, nutrient use efficiency and profitability in blackgram.
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    Seed treatment and foliar nutrition on yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) intercropped in coconut
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture ,Vellayani, 2023-01-30) Vanam, Joshna.; Sharu, S R
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    Standardization of agrotechniques for fodder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) intercropped in coconut garden
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2024-01-12) Jakkampudi, Sowjanya; Sharu, S R
    The study entitled ‘Standardization of agrotechniques for fodder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) intercropped in coconut garden’ was conducted at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2021-23. The objective of the experiment was standardization of spacing and nutrient requirement for fodder cowpea intercropped in coconut garden. The field experiments were carried out in rabi 2022 (November – December) and summer 2023 (March – April) laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of two factors, namely spacing (S) and nutrient levels (N). The treatment combinations included four spacing [s1- 20 cm × 15 cm, s2- 30 cm × 15 cm, s3- 40 cm × 15 cm and s4- broadcasting) and three nutrient levels n1-75% POP (18.75: 45: 22.5 kg N: P2O5: K2O ha-1 ), n2-100% POP (25: 60: 30 kg N: P2O5: K2O ha-1 ), n3-125% POP (31.25: 75: 37.5 kg N: P2O5: K2O ha-1 )]. The variety used for the study was Aiswarya. The crop was raised as per KAU package of practices (POP) recommendations (KAU, 2016). Among different spacings, s1 (20 cm × 15 cm) recorded the tallest plants at 30 DAS and 45 DAS in summer. whereas, in rabi, s2 (30 cm × 15 cm) recorded taller plants at 45 DAS which was on par with s1. The treatment s3 (40 cm × 15 cm) at 30 DAS and 45 DAS recorded more number branches per plant which was on par with s2 in both rabi and summer. The more number of leaves per plant was recorded with s2 and was on par with s3 in both seasons at 15, 30 and 45 DAS. The treatment s1 recorded the highest leaf area index (LAI) at 15 DAS whereas at 30 and 45 DAS s2 recorded the highest LAI in rabi and summer. The highest leaf stem ratio was observed with s2 in rabi whereas in summer it was on par with s3. The treatment s3 resulted in higher CGR at 15-30 DAS which was on par with s2 whereas, crop growth rate (CGR) and relative growth rate (RGR) at 30-45 DAS were recorded the highest in s2 in rabi and summer. The highest nodule number per plant was observed with s3 in rabi while in summer it was comparable with s2. The treatment s3 recorded the highest fresh nodule weight in rabi and summer. The highest green fodder yield per plant (94.39 g and 102.13 g), green fodder yield (13.01 t ha-1 and 14.93 t ha-1 ), 103 dry fodder yield per plant (15.26 g and 19.35 g) and dry fodder yield (2.70 t ha-1 and 2.18 t ha-1 ), were recorded with s2 in rabi and summer respectively. Similarly, s2 recorded the highest crude protein content (17.62%) in rabi whereas, in summer (18.29 %) it was on par with s3. The treatment s1 resulted in the lowest crude fiber in rabi while in summer it was comparable with s2. The treatment s2 resulted in the highest N content in rabi and it was comparable with s3 in summer. The treatment s2 resulted in the highest N P K uptake while K uptake was on par with s3 in rabi and summer. The treatment s3 resulted in higher available soil N however it was on par with s2 in both seasons. The treatment s1 recorded the highest available soil P K and available soil K was on par with s4 in summer. Among different nutrient levels, treatment n3 (125% POP) recorded the tallest plants with the highest number of branches per plant at 30 DAS and 45 DAS in rabi and summer. The same treatment recorded the highest number of leaves per plant and leaf area index at 15, 30 and 45 DAS in rabi and summer. Similarly, n3 recorded the highest leaf stem ratio at 45 DAS, CGR at 15-30 DAS and 30-45 DAS in both seasons whereas CGR at both stages was on par with n2 (100% POP) in rabi. Treatment n3 also recorded the highest RGR at 15-30 DAS in rabi and 30-45 DAS in summer. Treatment n2 (100% POP) recorded the highest nodule number and fresh nodule weight per plant in rabi and summer and fresh nodule weight per plant and was on par with n3 in Rabi. The treatment n3 resulted in the highest green fodder yield per plant (93.18 and 98.81g) and dry fodder yield per plant (15.81 and 19.75), green fodder yield (12.52 and 14.27 t ha-1 ), dry fodder yield (2.21 and 2.71 t ha-1 ), crude protein content (16.56 and 17.99 %) and the lowest crude fiber content in plant (20.43 and 19.33 %) in rabi and summer respectively. Similarly, n3 recorded the highest N P K content and N P K uptake in both seasons while P and K contents were on par with n2 in summer. Available soil N was found to be the highest in n2 in rabi and it was on par with n3 in summer. Available soil P and K were found to be the highest in both seasons in n3 whereas in summer available soil K was on par with n2. Among treatment combinations, s1n3 recorded taller plants at 45 DAS which was comparable with s2n3 in rabi and summer.. In the treatment combinations, s3n3 recorded higher number of branches per plant which was on par with s2n3 (40 cm × 15 cm with 125% 104 POP) at 30 and 45 DAS in both rabi and summer. The number of leaves per plant was higher in s2n3 at 15, 30 and 45 DAS which was found on par with s3n3 in both seasons. The treatment combination, s1n3 recorded the highest LAI at 15 DAS in whereas, s2n3 recorded the highest LAI at both 30 DAS and 45 DAS in both seasons and it was on par with s1n3 at 30 DAS in summer. The treatment combination s3n3 recorded higher CGR at 15-30 DAS which was on par with s2n3 in rabi and summer, while at 30-45 DAS the highest CGR was recorded with s2n3.The highest green fodder yield (15.94 t ha-1 and 18.07 t ha-1 ), dry fodder yield (2.73 t ha-1 and 3.43 t ha-1 ) and crude protein content (21.25 % and 22.42 %) were recorded in s2n3 in both seasons. Similarly, s2n3 recorded the highest N content and uptake in both rabi and summer and the highest P uptake only in rabi. s1n3 recorded the highest available soil P in both rabi and summer. The treatment s2 (30 cm × 15 cm) resulted in the highest gross returns (₹ 39,043 ha1 and ₹ 44,787 ha-1 ), net returns (₹15,355 ha-1 and ₹ 20,099 ha-1 ) and B: C ratio (1.64 and 1.80) in rabi and summer, respectively. Similarly, the highest gross returns (₹ 37,555 ha-1 and ₹42,798 ha-1 ), net returns (₹12,620 ha-1 and ₹ 16,863 ha-1 ) and B: C ratio (1.50 and 1.65) were recorded with the treatment n3 (125% POP) in rabi and summer respectively. The treatment combination of s2n3 (30 cm × 15 cm with125% POP) resulted in the highest gross returns (₹ 47,820 ha-1 and ₹ 54,220 ha-1 ), net returns (₹ 22,435 ha-1 and ₹ 27,835 ha1 ) and B: C ratio (1.88 and 2.05) in rabi and summer respectively. Based on the study, it could be concluded that spacing of 30 cm x 15 cm along with the nutrient recommendation of 31.25:75:37.5 kg N: P2O5: K2O ha-1 (125% POP) as basal dose could be recommended for getting the highest fodder yield, crude protein content and profit in fodder cowpea intercropped in coconut garde.