Browsing by Author "Sushama, P K"

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Calcium dynamics in substrate - wormcast - mushroom - plant continuum
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2010) Bindhu, C J; Sushama, P K
The study on Calcium dynamics in substrate-wormcast-mushroom-plant continuum was conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during October 2006 to May, 2010 with the objectives, to select a suitable organic enrichner for calcium rich wormcast production, to standardize the protocol for calcium rich wormcast production, to test the suitability of wormcast as a casing material and substrate for milky mushroom production, to evaluate the spent mushroom as source of nutrition in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and to explore the contributions of different calcium rich nourishing media to soil health in a sustainable way. In order to attain the objectives, the different experiments were done in a phased manner. In experiment 1, the different animal and bird manures such as those of cow, pig, rabbit, goat, poultry and quail were characterized for their physico-chemical properties especially the calcium. The screening process was carried out as a rapid exploratory trial. Based on calcium content, cowdung and goat manure were selected as the promising organic enrichners for calcium rich wormcast production. In order to standardize the protocol for calcium rich wormcast production, an incubation experiment was carried out with banana pseudostem as the substrate. Along with different levels of organic enrichners, the inorganic materials such as phosphate rock and lime were tried. The biotic agent, Eudrilus euginiae was introduced after 10 days of incubation. The temperature of the compost pile was monitored daily. The samples were drawn at fortnightly intervals and examined for various properties like pH, microbial count and earthworm biomass. Along with the determination of physico-chemical properties of compost material, the wormcast was also fractionated into humic and fulvic acids of organic matter. Based on the calcium content, the wormcast produced in the treatment that received 50 per cent level of cow dung was selected for the succeeded experiment. In order to evaluate the best casing material, a study was undertaken in a suitably designed mushroom shed, using the mushroom strain, Calocybe indica. The trial was carried out with different casing materials, wormcast, coirpith compost, termite mud dune and soil, viz., 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 per cent of the substrate, paddy straw. Samples were drawn at harvest for recording the morphological characters, growth attributes, yield, keeping quality, biochemical constituents and physico-chemical properties. Based on calcium content, the spent mushroom produced by the treatments with 20, 40 and 50 per cent wormcast was selected as the nutritional source for tomato. A pot experiment was done with tomato variety, Anagha. The spent mushrooms were mixed with potting mixture at levels, 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent of the recommended dose of vermicompost for tomato (4.5 kg pot-1). From the pot culture, it was inferred that spent mushroom at levels, 50 and 75 per cent were superior to others in terms of nutrient uptake and yield in tomato. The calcium use efficiency in terms of physiological efficiency, agronomic efficiency, recovery efficiency and factor productivity was also computed for the treatments that yielded comparatively better. The important salient findings are as follows: 1. Cow dung is the best substrate for the production of calcium rich wormcast 2. The wormcast, coirpith compost and termite mud dune are not suitable as substrate For milky mushroom but are suitable as casing materials. 3. Wormcast at a level of 20 per cent of substrate is the best casing material for milky Mushroom as compared to coirpith compost, termite mud dune and soil. 4. Spent mushroom at a level of 50 per cent of recommended dose of vermicompost is sufficient for a mean yield of 0.770 kg pot -1 in tomato. 5. There is very promising complimentality among the different calcium rich nourishing media such as substrate, wormcast, spent mushroom and soil. 6. There is much addition of calcium from the different sources both to the exchangeable and non-exchangeable pool of soil calcium. Effective management of animal manures for enriched compost production, use of spent mushroom as organic manure and the utilization of wormcast for milky mushroom culture are some of the practical utilities of the study. Moreover, the vermiculture may be extended to further agripreneurship programmes.
Decomposability and mineralization pattern of coirpith in latosols
(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of horticulture,Vellanikara, 1993) Jothimani, S; Sushama, P K
An investigation on the decomposability and mineralisation pattern of coirpith in latosols was carried out at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 1990 – 92. The experimental soil was laterite and the various treatments for mixing with the soil comprised of coirpith raw as well as enriched with Pleurotussajorcaju, urea and rockphosphate. The individual and different combinations of these factors were compared with Glyricidiamaculata applied to the soil. The study involved and incubation experiment and field trial. In order to measure the decomposition of coirpith compared to glyricidia in laterite soil under incubation, the measurement of CO2 evolution was carried our for a period of six months. A field experiment was conducted to study the influence of additives such as microbe, rockphosphate and urea on decomposition of coirpith. The fertility value of the resulting compost was evaluated by estimating pH, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, available N, P and K of the soil at monthly intervals for a period of one year. Humic and fulvic acid contents of soil were estimated one year after the incorporation of treatments in the soil. The mineralisation of lignin rich coirpith was found to be accelerated due to the addition of both Pleurotussajorcaju and mineral N in the form of urea. With all the treatments and treatment combinations the rate of Co2 evolution was found to be the highest at the second day of incubation and appreciable changes were associated in general, up to 48th day of incubation. There after it declined and attained almost equilibrium values at the end of sixth month. Due to the incorporation of either the glyricidia or coirpith with the without the various adjunctants a steady state of acidic reaction was maintained in the soil. Even with the application of coirpith alone, there was only slight reduction in soil pH. There was not much variation between glyricidia and coirpith treatments on organic carbon content of the soil. Both the microbe and urea enrichment to coirpith reduced the organic carbon content due to faster decomposition whereas it was slightly improved by the addition of rockphosphate. Though there was hike in the CEC of the soil immediately after the addition of organic materials, the values tended to decrease at the end. There was progressive increase in the available nitrogen contents of the soil with the advancement of period of incubation due to the mineralization of glyricidia and coirpith. Among the coirpith treatments, the maximum value was noticed when coirpith was enriched with all the additives. The addition of organic materials also favoured an improvement in available P content of the soil. The contents of available P in the soil increased when coirpith was incorporated with urea. Regarding the release of available K from the soil, the glyricidia incorporation always showed a better performance as compared to coirpith treatments. The microbial inoculation seemed to decrease the humic and fulvic acid contents from their original levels due to decrease in organic carbon content of the soil. This was noticed one year after incorporation of treatments into the latosols.
Decomposition of leaf litter by oriculture
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Nithya Jose; Sushama, P K
Dynamics of nutrient release and transformations from slow release fertilizers in acid rice soils
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1995) Nisha, P T; Sushama, P K
A study was conducted to assess the pattern of release and transformation of major plant nutrients from slow release nitrogen fertilisers (SLNF) and to evaluate the efficiency of SLNF at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 1992 – 94. Urea formaldehyde (UF), NP tablet (NP tab), NPK tablet (NPK tab), gypsum coated urea (GCU), blended urea ammonium sulphate (UAS) and magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) were compared with no (NF) and recommended dose of fertilisers (C). Evaluations were conducted with four acid soils viz., laterite, kari, Kuttanad alluvium and costal sandy kept under incubation for six months and a pot culture study using laterite soil and rice variety Jyothi during puncha season. The release of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4 – N) was found maximum in kari soil, followed by kuttanad alluvium and laterite and the lowest in sandy soil. Release of nitrate nitrogen (NO3 – N) was maximum in the earlier periods in the case of sandy and laterite soils with lower release at later stages. In the case of kari and Kuttanad alluvium the trend was opposite with higher release at later intervals and lower release at early periods. In general nitrification was found to be low in all the soils. Irrespective of the soil types, the maximum content of NH4 – N was recorded by the NPK tab which was closely followed by MAP, whereas the maximum NO3 – N was registered by MAP. For these two different forms of nitrogen, the minimum values were always found in the NF treatment. The available P content of the soil recorded significant variation throughout the period incubation. Among the treatments MAP and UAS recorded the maximum values and NPK tab the minimum P content. Irrespective of the soil types, there was uniformity in the release of available K throughout the incubation period. In pot culture trial NH4 – N decreased as crop stages advanced. With NO3 – N, an initial decrease followed by an increase at harvest stage was noticed. The treatment GCU recorded maximum NH4 – N and NO3 – N content, while NF the minimum. There was decrease in available P and K contents of the soil as the crop growth proceeded. Significant influence on morphological observations were also recorded with MAP maintaining superiority over other treatments. Maximum dry matter, straw and grain yield were recorded respectively by the treatments UAS, C and MAP. Uptake of N, P and K were also influenced significantly with MAP registering the highest and NF the lowest values. Both NP and NPK tab recorded lower values. Maximum leaching loss of N and P were seen with the control and the minimum with MAP whereas it was respectively with UF and NPK tab for K. The total N recovery percentage, was recorded in the decreasing order : MAP > C > UF > GCU > UAS > NP tab > NPK tab. There was a decreasing order of MAP > UAS > UF > GCU > C > NPK tab NP tab for N response of different treatments under study.
Effect of coir pith on physico-chemical and moisture retention properties of selected soil groups of Kerala
(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1995) Venugopal, R; Sushama, P K
An investigation on the effect of coir pith on physico- chemical and moisture retention properties of selected soil groups of Kerala was carried out at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 1991-93. Three major soil groups selected for the experiment were coastal sandy, laterite and red. Pots were filled with these soils at the rate of 10 kg soil per pot. Coir pith at the rate of 5 t ha -1, 10 t ha-1, and 20 t ha-1, was added in the soil. An absolute control treatment with no coir pith application and a control treatment with farm yard manure applied at the rate of 5 t ha-1 were maintained. One set of pots was used for incubation study for a period of one year. The soils were maintained at field capacity. Samples were collected from the pots at quarterly intervals and analysis was done for various physico- chemical properties like volume – mass relationships, moisture retention at tensions of 30, 500, 1000 and 1500 kPa and organic carbon. At the end of one year after incubation water stable aggregates and cation exchange capacity were analysed. Another set of pots was used for in vitro study. Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings were raised in the pots. Irrigation was given as and when the plant showed temporary wilting symptoms and the interval between the consecutive irrigations was noticed for different treatments. At the end of the sixth month the plants were taken out and analysed for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and uptake of these nutrients were calculated. Soil samples were also collected from the pots to study the available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents. It was noticed that the application of coir pith significantly improved the bulk density, maximum water holding capacity and per cent pore space. There was a significant increase in the moisture retention at different tensions. Water stable aggregates were measured and per cent aggregate stability, mean weight diameter, structural coefficient and stability index showed significant increase with the increasing levels of coir pith. Soil moisture retention at different tensions was significantly influenced by the addition of coir pith. As the level of coir pith increased soil moisture retention increased. Organic carbon content showed an initial increase to a period of six months and subsequently decreased. Cation exchange capacity showed an increasing tendency with increasing levels of coir pith. Significant correlation was obtained between various physical properties and organic carbon content of the soils. After the removal of the crop the available nitrogen content of the soil decreased with increasing levels of coir pith whereas available phosphorus and potassium contents increased with increasing levels of coir pith.
Effect of leaf area on tuber yield of irrigated tapioca
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1982) Sushama, P K; Pillai, G R; George, T P; Jose Mathew
Effect of slow release nitrogen fertilizers on yield and nitrogen use efficiency of rice
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1999) Nisha, P T; Sushama, P K
Evaluation of different methods for reducing percolation loss of water in rice fields
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1983) George, T P; Balakumaran, K N; Jose Mathew; Sushama, P K; Pillai, G R; Kuruvilla Varghese
Afield experiment was conducted in a sandy loam soil of the Agronomic Research Station, Chalakudy for five years (1974-'80 to study the efficiency of puddling with different implements (power tiller, country plough and wetland puddler), soil dressing with lateritic,loam and sub-soil compaction at 30 cm depth in reducing percolation loss in rice fields. The study showed that these methods neither effectively reduced the water loss nor influenced the grain yield.
Evaluation of maton rockphosphate in the acid rice soils of Kerala
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Suja, Thomas; Sushama, P K
A study conducted at College of Horticulture during the period 1994 – 96 so as to assess the effectiveness of Maton rockphosphate (MTRP) as a source of P compared with single super phophate (SSP), diammonium phosphate (DAP) and Mussoorie rockphosphate (MRP). In addition to the above sources a control treatment (with no P fertiliser) and another treatment with SSP at the rate of 45 kg P2o5 ha-1 given twice (conventional practice) were also included. The P release from all the sources were monitored with an incubation experiment. In order to evaluate the response of fertilisers two continuous pot culture experiments were undertaken using Jaya variety of rice. Two acid rice soils of Kerala, viz., Kuttanad alluvium and laterite were used for the study. The variations in pH of the soil types indicated that there was increase with advancement of periods under waterlogging irrespective of the treatments including the control. Available N was high in Kuttanad alluvium as compared to laterite and was found to decrease with periods of incubation. The content of available P gradually increased with period of incubation, reached a peak at 120 days for water soluble phosphates (SSP and DAP) and 180 days for rockphosphates, irrespective of the soil types. Comparing the two extractants, Mathewstriacid extracted more available P than that of the Bray solution in both the soil types. Available K decreased with periods of incubations. In general, Kuttanad alluvium recorded higher content of available nutrients as compared to laterite. In both the soil types the most dominant P fraction was Fe – P followed by AI – P and Ca – P. While evaluating the pot culture experiment it was observed that available nutrient content decreased with advancement of crop growth. Even after the harvest of second crop, the residual effect of MTRP was recorded to be high. There was maximum uptake of P at the second crop season as compared to the first crop irrespective of the soil types. The leachate loss decreased with crop growth in both the soil types. But the maximum leachate loss was recorded for N followed by K and P. The grain yield as well as the relative yield was found to be maximum for the laterite soil on comparison to Kuttanad alluvium for the first and second crop of rice. In Kuttanad alluvium, DAP and MTRP yielded better in the first and second crop respectively. While in laterites SSP was found to be better in grain yield as compared to other sources, The source, DAP was superior to others in straw yield for both the soil types with increase in levels of P application, there was increase in grain and straw yield.
Foliar diagnosis, yield and quality of pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in relation to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1982) Sushama, P K; Jose, A I
Pepper vines of variety, Panniyoor-1, of the NPK fertilizer trial maintained at the Pepper Research Station, Panniyoor, Canncanore District were selected for the collection of tissue samples under the present study during 1979-81. The experiment was laid out in a 33 factorial design in a randomized block design, confounding the effect of NP2K2 totally. In order to standardize the best leaf position for foliar diagnosis, the mature leaves of fruit bearing laterals were numbered from the youngest to the oldest, taking the youngest fully matured leaf as the first and they were collected separately. The most suitable season for the collection of leaf intended for foliar diagnosis was also standardized by drawing samples of first mature leaf at different stages of growth of the vine. The suitability of different types of stem of the plant such a runner shoot, top shoot, fruit bearing lateral and hanging shoot for tissue analysis was also examined. For studying the variations in the oleoresin content of berry as influenced by fertilizer nutrients, the berries were sampled at different stages of maturity. The first mature leaf better reflected variation in the levels of application of nitrogen to the vine. As the phosphorus and potassium contents of the first mature leaf established significant positive correlation with yield of pepper, it is recommended as an index for foliar diagnosis in pepper in relation to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium status of the vine. The period just prior to flushing is the most suitable season for the collection of leaf samples intended for foliar diagnosis. During this period, the first mature leaf is sensitive to application for different levels of nitrogen and its potassium content established significant positive correlation with yield. For assessing the phosphorus status of the vine, the runner shoot appeared to be a better tissue as its phosphorus content established a high degree of correlation with yield. As compared to other types of stem, the highest content of potassium was found in the fruit bearing laterals. The periods of maturity significantly influenced the phosphorus, potassium and oleoresin contents of the berry. Their contents increased from four to six months after flowering and then decreased. The graded doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and their interaction failed to influence the percentage of oleoresin content of pepper.
Heavy metal contamination of laterites by accumulation of solid wastes
(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Divya Vijayan, V; Sushama, P K
A heavy metal is defined as a metal that has the atomic number and specific gravity greater than 20 and 5 Mg m-3, respectively. Heavy metals occur naturally in the soil environment from the weathering of parent materials and also as contaminants at the waste disposing sites. Though, the soil acts as a sink for the majority of heavy metals, the excess uptake of any one of them may limit the plant growth. In this background, the research work entitled “heavy metal contamination of laterites by accumulation of solid wastes” was undertaken during the period 2010-2014. The project aims to investigate the extent of distribution of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg and Co) in waste dumping sites of laterite as influenced by soil and climatic conditions using geostatistical technique, to correlate the activity of major soil enzymes with the contents of heavy metals, to explore the potential of phytoremediation as well as aerobic and anaerobic methods of composting for the removal of heavy metals in solid waste and to evaluate the performance of amaranthus under different decontaminated methods adopted. In order to attain the objectives, four experiments were conducted. The effect of soil and climatic factors on heavy metal accumulation was examined with the collection of soil samples at quarterly intervals for a period of one year from two different waste disposal sites located at Laloor and Kalamassery. For the study on phytoremediation, the crops, vetiver, marigold and sunflower were experimented. Both the aerobic and anaerobic methods of composting were tried for the removal of heavy metals in another set of experiment. A pot culture study was also conducted to assess the growth of amaranthus under different decontaminated conditions. The salient findings are summarized as follows: The percentage distribution of Pb, Ni, Co, Cr and Hg at the different sites of Kalamassery revealed that Cr had the highest distribution followed by others. At Laloor, Pb was found to be dominant for the major dumping sites, whereas Cr at the non dumping site. The geo accumulation index for Hg was recorded as above one for all sites at Kalamassery. The average contents (mg kg-1) of Pb, Co, Ni, Hg and Cr was 15.58, 6.06, 43.18, 0.56, 107.9 at Kalamassery and 82.84, 7.79, 35.54, 0.42 and115.67 at Laloor, respectively. Heavy metal contents were found to be higher during summer than rainy season except for Cr and Cd. In general, soil enzyme activities were higher during quarter II of the sampling period. There was a positive correlation between Fe and urease (0.391*) and Pb and phosphatase (0.350*). The phytoremediation study with the three different crops (sunflower, marigold and vetiver) proved vetiver as a good phytostabilizer compared to others. Vetiver was found to be a translocator of Cr, since Ni, Pb, Co and Hg were mostly stabilized in the root. Marigold translocated all these heavy metals from soil except Co, and sunflower translocated Co, Ni and Cr except Pb. Bioconcentration factor (the heavy metal concentration in the plant/ the heavy metal concentration in the soil) was higher for vetiver compared to sunflower and marigold. Vetiver removed the heavy metals from the waste material in the order Cr>Ni> Co> Pb. Compared to aerobic composting, the anaerobic method proved to be better for the removal of heavy metals from the waste material collected from Laloor. The comparative performance of amaranthus grown in soil under different methods adopted for reducing heavy metal contamination showed that the yield was found to be the highest in the treatment with aerobic compost. The lowest yield was reported for amaranthus grown with phytoremediated material, followed by absolute control. The uptake of major nutrients also followed the same trend as yield. The heavy metal content was higher in the shoots of amaranthus grown with waste material and the accumulation followed the order Cr>Pb>Ni>Co>Hg. In all the treatments under study, the presence of Cr was more dominant in the post harvest soil compared to other heavy metals.
Jaivakrushi:mannum valangalum
(Kerala Agricultural University, 2013) Jayasree Sangar, S; Estilita, S; Sushama, P K
Micronutrient status of soil and leaf of coconut palms growing on reclaimed marshy soil
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1985) Jose, A I; Venugopal, V K; Sushama, P K; Gopi, C S; Saifudeen, N
Nitrogen transformations in acid rice soils of kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1999) Nisha, P T; Sushama, P K
Production and effective utilization of biogas from fruit waste
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Aswathy Gopinadhan; Sushama, P K
Production and evaluation of proteinaceous earthworm meal
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Horticulture, Vellakikkara, 2012) Fasila, E K; Sushama, P K
Standardisation of period of sampling for foliar diagnosis in pepper in relation to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1984) Sushama, P K; Jose, A I; Sukumara Pillai, V
A study was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to standardise the most suitable season for foliar diagnosis in pepper. The first mature leaf of fruit bearing laterals of Panntyoor 1 pepper vines grown under the NPK fertilizer trial at the Pepper Research Station Panniyoor, Taliparamba. Cannanore district was made use of. The period just before flushing appeared to be the most suitable for the collection of samples intended for foliar diagnosis of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Utilization of elephant dung for vermicompost production
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Horticulture, Vellakikkara, 2011) Rekha V R Nair; Sushama, P K