PG Thesis
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Item Potential and prospects of fodder legumes in rice fallows(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture,Vellanikara, 1987) Meera Menon, V; Achuthan Nair, MAn experiment was conducted in the Agricultural Research Station , Mannuthy during third crop season of 1985-’86 and first crop season of 1986-’87 to evaluate the relative performance of fodder legumes in rice fallows and their residual effect on the succeeding crop of rice under graded levels of N. The experiment, replicated thrice, was laid out in a split plot design with seven treatments – six fodder legumes (sannhemp, soya bean, rice bean, velvet bean, cowpea and black gram and a fallow- as main plot treatments and two N levels (52.5 and 70 kg/ha) applied to kharif rice as sub-plot treatments. The results revealed that sannhemp gave a fodder yield of 21 t/ha in rice fallows which was significantly superior to all other treatments. An increase in soil organic carbon, total and available N was also noticed. Soil organic carbon and total N was highest in the cowpea cropped plot. Available N in the soil was highest in the velvet bean cropped plot and the fallow plot recorded the lowest values. Increased rice grain yield was recorded after legumes compared to fallow and the highest grain yield was recorded after velvet bean followed by that after sannhemp cowpea and black gram. Application of N at the recommended dose of 70 kg/ha produced superior yields compared to N at 52.5 kg/ha. Rice crop succeeding fodder legumes with 75% N produced grain yield comparable to that after fallow receiving 100% N. The net income and returns per rupee invested were highest after the sannhemp-rice sequence followed by the cowpea-rice sequence. The results proved that 25% N could be saved in the case of rice after legumes. The study also showed the superiority of sannhemp and cowpea in fodder yield and residual effect in the succeeding rice crop.Item Comparative efficiency of different phosphatic fertilizers in rainfed Nendran Banana(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture,Vellanikara, 1990) Sheeja, V G; Harikrishnan Nair, KThough phosphorus is one of the key nutrients for plant growth, the consumption rate of phosphatic fertilizers in India is found to be comparatively low. The escalating cost of the imported raw material used for the manufacture of P fertilizers may be one of the possible reasons for the low intake. In this regard, the direct application of cheap native ground rockphosphate as a P source is a fruitful attempt especially in acid soils. The present investigation was conducted to compare the efficiency of different phosphatic fertilizers including rockphosphates in upland soils with ‘Nendran’ variety of banana as the test crop. The present study comprises of two aspects, field experiment and laboratory incubation study. The field experiment was conducted at two locations, viz. at the Instructional Farm attached to College of Agriculture, Vellayani and at Kattakada, in the cultivator’s field. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with four treatments and five replications. The laboratory study was carried out in the soil, treated with different phosphatic fertilizers after incubation with organic matter under moist conditions to assess the influence of organic matter on the release of P from different P sources. The growth characters of banana plant such as height and girth of pseudostem, number of photosynthetically active leaves, leaf area and period taken for flowering were recorded and analysed upto shooting stages of the crop. The bunch characters like weight of bunch, length of bunch, number of fingers and hands bunch-1, and length and girth of finger were also recorded and analysed. Phosphorus application significantly influenced biometric characters of the crop while the differences between the various P sources were not statistically significant. In most of the growth and yield characters, comparatively higher efficiency was shown by plants treated with superphosphate, eventhough, it was statistically on par with the other sources in both locations. Thus, it indicates the possibility of using cheaper rockphosphates for meeting the phosphorus requirement of banana in upland soils of Kerala, rather than going in for the costly superphosphate. The effect of treatments on the drymatter production was significant at both locations. Phosphorus application significantly increased the P uptake. However the different P sources could not produce significant variation in the uptake of phosphorus in both locations. The phosphorus content in the leaf was found to be maximum from the late vegetative phase to shooting period of the plant growth. With respect to available and total P2o5 content in the soil, the differences between the various sources were not statistically significant though, addition of phosphorus increased the available as well as total P2o5 content of soil significantly over no P treatment. A significant positive correlation existed between the leaf P content and total P uptake. Similarly a significant positive correlation between yield as well as total drymatter content with P uptake was observed. The incubation study revealed that organic matter produced significant effect on the release of phosphorus from different P sources added to the soil under moist conditions. Upto 90 days of incubation, increased availability of phosphorus was recorded in all treatments, and the trend continued till 135 days. A gradual decline in the concentration of available P was noticed thereafter. However, a favourable influence of organic matter on the release of P from different sources has been brought out from this study. When the mean values of available P over all the periods were compared, maximum availability was recorded by soils incubated with organic matter and superphosphate. In general, various sources of P behaved similarly and were on par with respect to the release of phosphorus due to organic matter incubation.Item Management of Phytophthora disease in black pepper nursery(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Reshmy Vijayaraghavan; Koshy AbrahamPhytophthora rot is the serious disease of black pepper nursery. An investigation was carried out to isolate and select the efficient antagonists from black pepper nurseries and use them alone or in combination with fungicides in the integrated management of the disease. The experiment was laid out at CCRP farm at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, The pathogen causing the disease was isolated and identified as Phytophthora capslcl Leonian emend A. Alizadeh and P.H.Tsao based on the cultural and morphological characters. Quantitative estimation of rhizosphere microflora from different pepper nurseries yielded more soil bacteria followed by fungi and actinornycetes. All the 22 fungi, five out of 20 bacteria and none of the actinomycetes tested were antagonistic to P. capsici. Among the fungal isolates, 13 isolates including standard culture of T. harzianum recorded cent per cent inhibition of P. capsici. Further, selection of the efficient isolates was carried out based on the antagonistic index (AI). The isolates 22 F and 34 F recorded an AI of3000 and 1500 respectively and these were identified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Trichoderma viride. The standard culture of T harzianum also recorded an AI of 1500. The three antagonists were found parasitic on Picapsici as evidenced by excessive coiling, penetration and disintegration of the hyphae. The fungicides viz., Bordeaux mixture, Kocide, Captaf and Kavach were incompatible with the three antagonists, while, lndofil M-45, Ridomil I\.1Z, Akomin and Anthracol were compatible. Fytolan showed partial compatibility with Tviride and 1~ harzianum but incompatible with T. longibrachiatum. Among the eight insecticides tested, Phorate and Carbofuran showed compatibility with the antagonists, whereas Monocrotophos, Quinalphos, Endosulfan, Dimethoate, Cypennethrin and higher concentration of Chlorpyrlphos were incompatible. In general, fertilizers like Urea, Rajphos, Ammonium sulphate and Muriate of potash (MoP) were compatible with antagonists, while, Factomphos and higher concentration of Urea did not support good growth. 149 Bordeaux mixture, Fytolan, Kocide, Indofil M-45, Ridomil MZ and Captafat all concentrations and higher concentration of Akomin-40 and Anthracol were inhibitory to P. capsici. The insecticides Phorate, Carbofuran and Chlorpyriphos showed comparatively good inhibitory effect against the pathogen but complete inhibition of pathogen was noticed with Monocrotophos, Endosulfan, Quinalphos, Dimethoate and Cypermethrin. The fertilizers viz., urea, MoP, Rajphos supported growth of the pathogen while, Factomphos and ammonium sulphate exerted an inhibitory effect. Solarization of potting mixture resulted in the build up of soil temperature and the build up was more in the upper layer of soil. Solarization of potting mixture and application of biocontrol agents had a positive effect in increasing the sprouting and reducing the pre-sprouting mortality of cuttings and is comparable to plants raised as per PoP. Observations on the incidence and severity of Phytophthora rot in black pepper showed that in general soil solarization, application of antagonists and spraying of Ridomil MZ had a favourable effect in checking the disease and the effect is almost similar to that of disease management as per PoP. A variation in the population of soil microfIora in different treatments was o~~rved. Thy cuttings raised in solarized potting mixture incorporated with native antagonists had a significant effect in increasing the height and number of leaves.Item Assessment of nitrification rate of Kerala soils and agronomic factors influencing it(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Marykutty Zacharias; Vikraman Nair, RThe present study 'assessment of nitrification rate of Kerala soils and agronomic factors influencing it' was conducted during June 1987 to November 1988 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Trichur. A series of laboratory incubation studies were conducted using a total of 22 soil samples including 20 samples drawn from five soil types (laterite red, alluvial, forest and black soils ) of Keralaand two from Coimbatore (red and black). The presence of Nitrosomopas was observed in 11 soil samples and that of Nitrobacters in all soil tested. The nitrification rate was high for alluvial and black soils and low for the red laterite soils.Item Nitrogen economy and soil conservation in tapioca - stylo intercropping system(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1983) Anil Kumar, P; Pushpangadhan, KAn experiment was conducted at the college of Agriculture, Vellayanl, during 1981-82 to study the possibilities of reducing the fertiliser nitrogen dose for tapioca end the efficiency of reducing soil erosion in slopy areas when intercropped with stylosanthes. The experiment was carried out in a randomised block design with four replications under rainfed condition. The results revealed that growth characters and yield attributing characters ware not Influenced by stylosanthes intercropping and nitrogen levels, Even though numerically the tuber end top yields were lower in intercropped plots, statistically no significance was observed due to intercropping and levels of nitrogen. The utilisation index also was not influenced by intercropping end nitrogen levelsItem Effect of secondary nutrients on yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Sanghamithre, V K; Meera V MenonPrimary nutrients viz. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are generally regarded to be instrumental in maintaining growth, yield and quality of crops. The secondary nutrients, sulphur, calcium and magnesium, though reported to play key roles in the growth and development of crops, seldom get the recognition they deserve. There are no recommendations for these nutrients for most crops. At the same time, there are reports of increasing deficiency of sulphur, calcium and magnesium in the laterite soils of Kerala. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a vital spice crop of the Zingiberaceae family. The rhizome, which is the economic produce, contains an essential oil, curcumin and related compounds as major constituents. There is immense scope for cultivation of turmeric in Kerala due to favourable climatic and soil condition. Turmeric is a crop requiring heavy fertilization for increasing yield and quality. This research programme was taken up to study the effect of secondary nutrients on the yield and quality of turmeric. The field experiment was conducted during 2013-2014 in the farm of the Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. There were 10 treatments with 3 replications each. Treatments consisted of package of practices recommendations (POPR) of 40 tonnes farmyard manure along with 30:30:60 kg N, P and K/ha and its combinations with S, Ca and Mg applied one and two months after planting. Rhizomes were planted at a spacing of 25 × 25 cm and planting was done on 05 June 2013. Harvesting was done after seven months. Biometric observations were taken at monthly intervals and nutrient contents were analyzed at three and six months after planting and at harvest. Nutrient uptake was also worked out. Curcumin and oleoresin content in rhizomes were also analyzed. The soil pH and chemical parameters were determined before and after the experiment. There were significant differences among the treatments with respect to leaf area index, yield, nutrient content and nutrient uptake. In the case of leaf area index, the treatment receiving Ca as second top dressing (viz. two months after planting) recorded the highest LAI compared to other treatments. Fresh and dry yields of turmeric and benefit: cost ratio was also high in the same treatment. This treatment resulted in the highest uptake of all nutrients except S at harvest. Earlier application of sulphur, calcium and magnesium (viz. one month after planting) also led to higher yield and benefit: cost ratio, confirming the direct positive effect on yield. Absolute control recorded the lowest values for all parameters including yield and quality components. Future research should be focused on altering and testing the dose and schedule of application of S, Ca and Mg, and analysis of their interaction effect to maximize productivity, Application of micronutrients and optimizing their dose and schedule for higher yield and quality should also be attempted.Item Nitrogen nutrition and rhizobial inoculation on soybean(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1978) Geethakrishnan Nair, P; Vikraman Nair, RAn experiment was conducted at the Research Station and Instructional Farm, Mannuthy during 1976 on the nitrogen nutrition and rhisobial inoculation on soybean ( Glycene max (L.) Marrill). The investigation was undertaken to assess the nitrogen requirement of the crop under inoculated and uninoculated conditions. Also the study was aimed to arrive at the fertiliser equivalent of rhisobial inoculation. The experiment was laid out in factorial in randomized block with 12 treatments and 4 replications. The study revealed that nitrogen fixed symbiotically, was adequate for the crop. Application of nitrogen depressed symbiotic nitrogen fixation and with increasing levels of nitrogen, there was depression in symbiotic nitrogen fixation. The study also revealed that introduced strain of Rhizobium japonicum was less effective in nitrogen fixation on soybean than the strains already present in the soil. Application of nitrogen didi not influence the stover yield. Inoculation of an ineffective strain tended to depress the stover yield. Application of nitrogen increased the plant height in the early stages when symbiotic nitrogen fixation could not make any substantial contribution towards nitrogen supply. Significant increase is test weight with increasing levels of nitrogen indicated that enhanced soil nitrogen supply was beneficial towards the later stages of crop growth. The quality of nitrogen fixed by the soybean plant appears to exceed the fertiliser equivalent of 250 kg N/ha applied basally.Item Possibilities of using unsymmetrlcal dimethyl urea as Urease/Nltrlflcatlon inhibitor for Increasing the efficiency of nitrogenous fertilizers(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1988) Asha VarugheseAn Investigation was carried out at the College of Agriculture, Vellayanl, during the first crop season of 1987 to study the efficacy of the use of unsymmetrical dimethyl urea (UDMU) and neemcake (NC) In various combinations as urease/nitrification inhibitors for increasing the nitrogen use efficiency in wetland rice soils of Kerala. The initial analysis of the basic physico-chemical properties of the soil from the experimental site was done. UDMU was applied along with urea as mixed and in the coated form. Two levels of UDMU. via, 1/10th and 1/5th of the quantity of area were used for study. Neemcake was added at the rata of 40 kg/ha. Soil samples were withdrawn periodically from the experimental plots and analysed to the laboratory for estimating urea N, NH4 No2-N and contents in order to study tbs rate of mineralisation of urea. The experiment was carried out in a simple randomised block design with ten treatments and three replicationsItem Water management and nk nutrition of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Subba Rao, R; Raveendranathanpillai, GAn experiment was conducted at the Agronomic Research Station, Chalakkudy, during the summer season of 1984 (January to April) on water management and NK nutrition of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). It was laid out as a factorial experiment in split plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments consisted of nine combinations of three levels each of nitrogen and potassium, viz., zero, 50 and 100 kg/ha. The sub plot treatments consisted of four levels of irrigation, viz., cultivator’s practice of daily pot watering at the rate of 4 1/plant and irrigation to a depth of 5 cm at cumulative pan evaporation values of 25, 50, and 75 mm. The study revealed that cucumber responded well to frequent irrigations and higher levels of nitrogen and potassium. Growth characters like length of vine, number of leaves, leaf area index and dry matter production as well as yield components like mean length, girth, weight and number of fruits and fruit setting percentage were favourably influenced by one or more of the above factors. Only sex ratio showed a reverse trend for all the three factors. Fruit yield was also higher in frequently irrigated and well fertilized plots. Field water use efficiency was higher in the less frequently irrigated treatments and higher levels of nitrogen and potassium. Total consumptive use and Et/Eo values were maximum in 25 mm CPE irrigation treatment. Soil moisture depletion pattern showed that cucumber extracted as much as 60 per cent of the total water used from the top 30 mm soil layer. The nitrogen and potassium content of plants at all the stages of observation was enhanced by the application of the respective nutrients only. In general, composition of the respective nutrients only. In general, composition of major nutrients in plants was not affected by irrigation. The uptake of major nutrients was higher at higher irrigation frequencies and higher levels of nitrogen and potassium as in the case of dry matter production. Status of available nitrogen and potassium in the soil after the experiment was enhanced by the application of the respective fertilizers only. In general, irrigation had no influence on content of major nutrients in the soil. positive significant correlation with fruit yield was observed with growth characters (length of vine, number of leaves, leaf area index and dry matter production), yield attributing characters (mean length, girth, weight and number of fruits and fruit setting percentage) as well as uptake of major nutrients. Only sex ratio showed a negative correlation with yield. Irrigation at 25 mm CPE and application of 100 kg/ha each of nitrogen and potassium recorded the maximum profit, net return per rupee invested and benefit : cost ratio.Item Response of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) to biofertilizers.(Department Of Olericulture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Anisa, N A; Baby Lissy MarkoseAn investigation on the effect of biofertilizers on growth and yield of okra was carried out in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2010-11. Okra variety Arka Anamika was used for the study. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design with thirteen treatments and three replications. The biofertilizers (Azospirillum, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Frateuria) were applied @ 2 kg/ha. The treatments included sole inoculation of biofertilizers along with FYM (T1, T2, T3), dual inoculation along with FYM (T4, T5, T6), inoculation of all the three biofertilizers along with FYM, applied as single dose (T7) and double dose (T8), inoculation of all the three biofertilizers along with FYM and inorganic (½, ¾, full dose) fertilizers (T9, T10, T11), application of all the three biofertilizers without FYM (T12) and control (T13- KAU POP). The study revealed that the treatment where Azospirillum, AMF and Frateuria were inoculated along with double dose of FYM (T8) and the treatment where all the three biofertilizers were applied along with FYM and ¾ NPK (T10) exhibited superiority in terms of growth parameters. The relative chlorophyll content (48.73 SPAD Units) and total dry matter production (350.50 g/plant) were the highest in plants supplied with double dose of FYM along with biofertilizers. The earliest flowering (39.67 days) and harvesting (46.33 days) were recorded in plants inoculated with AMF and Frateuria along with FYM (T6). The treatment T8 (double dose of FYM along with Azospirillum, AMF and Frateuria) recorded the maximum fruit weight (19.80 g), fruit girth (6.17 cm) and number of seeds per fruit (82.89). It was followed by the treatment T10 (FYM, inorganic fertilizers (¾) and biofertilizers). Plants treated with double dose of FYM, Azospirillum, AMF and Frateuria (T8) recorded the highest number of fruits per plant (31.67), fruit yield per plant (544.40 g) and total fruit yield (16.33 tha-1). It was followed by integrated application of FYM, inorganic fertilizers (¾) and biofertilizers (T10). The crude protein content of okra fruit was higher in treatments where all the three biofertilizers were applied. The treatment T10 where FYM, inorganic fertilizers (¾) and biofertilizers were applied, recorded the highest beta carotene content (94.33 µg/100g). Shelf life (6.67 days) was more in plants treated with all the three biofertilizers and FYM (T7 and T8). Higher nutrient content and uptake was observed in treatments where all the three biofertilizers were applied. Application of biofertilizers resulted in improvement of soil parameters like organic carbon, available N, P2O5 and K2O, pH and electrical conductivity. The population of Azospirillum, AMF and Frateuria in the rhizosphere was also enhanced by the use of biofertilizers. Regarding the economics of cultivation the highest B:C ratio of 2.49 was recorded in T8, where double dose of FYM was applied along with all the three biofertilizers. It was followed by the treatment T10 which recorded a B:C ratio of 2.42. It can be concluded that inoculation of biofertilizers enhanced the growth, yield and quality of okra. The available nutrient status and health of the soil was also improved by biofertilizer application. Overall assessment indicated that combined application of all the three biofertilizers along with double dose of FYM was the best, with respect to growth and yield. The second best performance was obtained when FYM, inorganic fertilizers (¾) and biofertilizers were applied signifying that a reduction of 25 per cent chemical fertilizers is possible by using biofertilizers.