PG Thesis
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Item Standardization of nursery technique and growth media foe peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)(Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2026) Aswathi, KThe study entitled “Standardisation of nursery technique and growing media for peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)” was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi, Palakkad, Kerala, during 2024-2025. The investigation aimed to standardise the planting material and rooting media for peppermint seedling production in the nursery and to identify suitable growing media for grow bag cultivation. The research was carried out in two distinct phases. In the first phase, a nursery experiment was undertaken to standardize the planting material and rooting media for the nursery. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Factor 1 consisted of three types of stem cuttings - apical (S₁), middle (S₂), and basal (S₃) three node cuttings with leaves, while Factor 2 comprised five rooting media combinations: cocopeat (M₁), cocopeat + FYM (1:1) (M₂), cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1) (M₃), cocopeat + FYM + vermicompost (1:0.5:0.5) (M₄), and cocopeat + vermiculite + perlite (1:1:1) (M₅). The results indicated that both the type of cuttings and rooting medium had a significant influence on sprouting, rooting, and growth parameters. Among the treatments, apical three node cuttings with leaves planted in cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1) exhibited superior performance regarding the highest sprouting percentage (83.33%), earliest sprouting (5.5 days), longest shoots (10.84 cm), maximum shoot biomass (fresh weight 1.06 g; dry weight 0.32 g), longest roots (9.7 cm), and greater root biomass (fresh weight 0.29 g; dry weight 0.057 g). Hence, this combination was standardized for quality seedling production in peppermint nursery. The second phase focused on evaluating various organic growing media for peppermint grow bag cultivation under a CRD with eight treatments. The best treatment from experiment 1 i.e., three node cuttings from apical region with leaves in cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1) was transplanted to growbag for further field study. The treatment containing soil + cocopeat + vermicompost + bone meal + neem cake (1:1:1:0.005:0.005) (T₈) recorded the highest values for major growth and yield parameters, including plant height (89.70 cm), number of leaves (574.27), number of primary (26.73) and secondary branches (20.07), root length (28.89 cm), and herbage yield (fresh: 337.67 g plant⁻¹; dry: 51.60 g plant⁻¹). Physiological parameters such as leaf area (11,572.18 cm² plant⁻¹) and total dry matter accumulation (60.04 g plant⁻¹) were also superior in this medium. However, essential oil and menthol content were not significantly influenced by the growing media. Economic analysis revealed that the medium containing soil + cocopeat + vermicompost + bone meal + neem cake (1:1:1:0.005:0.005) (T₈) recorded the highest gross return (₹12,156 per 100 m²), net return (₹2,856 per 100 m²), and benefit-cost ratio (1.31), indicating its commercial viability. Overall, the study established that three node apical cuttings rooted in cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1) provide the best planting material for peppermint nursery production. For growbag cultivation, the medium containing soil + cocopeat + vermicompost + bone meal + neem cake (1:1:1:0.005:0.005) can be recommended for achieving optimal growth, yield, and economic returns. These findings provide a scientific basis for the sustainable and efficient propagation and cultivation of peppermint.Item Ergonomic investigations on hand arm vibration of brush cutter for the development of a vibration reducing aid(Department of Farm Power Machinery and Energy, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2016) Aswathi, K; Sureshkumar, P KBrush cutters are widely used in Kerala for weeding and clearing fields. While operating brush cutters, certain amount of vibration is transmitted to human body.Extended exposure to mechanical vibration can induce degeneration of the vascular and sensio-neural systems in the hand called hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).The hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a complex condition associated with vibration exposure and the use of hand-held vibrating machines. The vibration exposure of worker can be decreased by proper selection and maintenance of tool. To study the ergonomic aspects and hand transmitted vibrations of brush cutters, six subjects (3 male & 3 female) were selected who arehaving experience in operation of brush cutter.A suitable vibration reducing aid for brush cutters is designed and fabricated keeping the view that it should be capable of transmitting at least a part of the vibration produced at cutter head to the ground.It should be easily attached or detached from the brush cutters shaft.The material used for the vibration reduction aid should be light in weight and sturdy, so that it could be raised along with the cutter head by the operator. According to the conceptual design, a vibration reduction aid is developed and field tested. It consists of parts viz. curved arms, fixture to arms, quick fixing locks, ground rollers, rollers fixture and rubber grip. The brush cutter and vibration reducing aid is evaluated in the field with different cutter heads viz. nylon rope, 2 blade, 3 blade and circular blade. The experiment is repeated for 2-stroke and 4-stroke models of brush cutters operated by male and female subjects. The energy expenditure for brush cutter operation is calculated for two models of brush cutter for all subjects and compared. A statistical analysis is conducted using MSTAT software and found that the developed vibration reducing aid, blade and type of internal combustion engine have significant effect on vibration excitation in both right and left handles of brush cutters selected. The proposed method of evaluating occupational risk related to mechanical vibration exposure while working with brush cutter makes it possible to account the effect of attachment, cutter head and type of internal combustion engine. Subjective ratings like ODR, OER, OSR and BPDS also indicated significant effect of reducing vibration due to the vibration reducing aid.Item Consumer satisfication on branded products of double horse(College of Co-operation Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 2017) Aswathi, K; Philip ThomasConsumer satisfaction measures how products and services supplied by a company. Consumer satisfaction is seen as key differentiator and increasingly has become a key element of business strategy .The present study was an attempt to analyse the satisfaction level of consumers or the respondents towards double horse branded products. The study mainly focus on three categories of products they are Rice products(highly demanded), masalas (medium demanded) and instant ready to cook category (low demanded). In order to evaluate the width of consumption pattern study was conducted in two districts of Kerala .fifty respondents from Malappuram , above 20Km radius and fifty respondents from Thrissur, 20Km within radius The study also reveals the technological adaptability of double horse products . In order to evaluate brand equity perception of Double Horse rice and rice products, a consumer survey was carried out. For the purpose a sample of 100 product consumers was randomly chosen. The collected data through consumer survey by means of an interview schedule were analysed using appropriate statistical tools like percentages and indices. In order to evaluate the consumer satisfaction building efforts of Manjilas, an interview with the officials with the help of a structured schedule was carried.