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    Dynamics of pesticide residues in cardamom growing soils of Iddukki district.
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Siji N Nath; Thomas George
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    Influence of organic matter and moisture on adsorption of chloroacetanilide herbicides in laterite soil.
    (Departmental of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Hasna, K; Durga Devi, K M
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    Synerigistic effect of Na and K on yield and nutrient uptake in Coleus (Coleus praviflorus L)
    (Department of Soil Science & Agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Neenu, S; Sudharmai Devi, C R
    A field experiment was carried out in College of Agriculture, Vellayani during September 2003 to January 2004 to study the “Synergistic effect of Na and K on yield and nutrient uptake in coleus (Coleus parviflorus L.)”. The treatments included were 50 and 100 per cent of the recommended dose of K alone and in combination with 50, 75 and 100 per cent of Na of common salt to equalize the same amount of recommended dose of K. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design. The plant growth characteristics like plant spread, number of functional leaves and LAI showed significant variation due to treatments. The highest values for these parameters were registered by K and Na at 50:50 proportions, showing the synergistic interaction of the two elements at this combination. Leaf water content varied significantly due to treatments. The 50 per cent K plus 75 per cent Na treated plants showed highest value of RLWC. Even though the chlorophyll content did not show significant difference between treatments, it increased with Na application along with 50 per cent K, revealing a role of Na in chlorophyll biosynthesis Tuber yield did not show any significant difference due to treatments. Even then the 50:50 combinations of Na and K treatment gave the highest tuber yield followed by 100 per cent K plus 50 per cent Na treated plants. The yield attributes like number of tubers, weight of tubers and tuber index did not vary significantly. Among the quality attributes, starch content varied significantly due to treatments. The treatment with 100 per cent K plus 75 per cent Na gave the highest value of starch followed by the 50:50 combinations of Na and K. The cooking quality of treatments T3 (100 per cent K alone), T4 (50 per cent K plus 50 per cent Na) and T5 (50 per cent K plus 75 per cent Na) were similar. The shelf life of 100 per cent K plus 100 per cent Na treated tubers were found to be the highest. There was an increase in the content of N, K, Ca and Mg in the plants when Na was also supplied as treatment. Consequently the uptake of nutrients increased with the application of different levels of Na along with 50 per cent K. This shows that Na has a stimulative effect on uptake of nutrients. Application of Na did not affect any soil properties like pH, EC and organic carbon. The available nutrients like N, P, Ca and Mg increased in Na treated plots Yield of tuber was positively and significantly correlated with the dry matter production and uptake of Ca. Yield was positively correlated with the uptake of all nutrients under study. From the above points, it can be concluded that a combination of 50 per cent K and 50 per cent Na is optimum for getting the maximum yield. From the present study it also became evident that the efficiency of nutrient uptake increased at this combination. By adopting this practice, it was seen that the quality of coleus tubers improved and they became nutritionally more rich. This practice was found to be economically more feasible. Considering all these aspects, this fertilizer practice can be recommended to the farmers for getting a higher profit. From this investigation we can clearly establish a synergistic interaction of the two monovalent nutrient ions, K and Na on the growth and yield of coleus.
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    Impact of organic farming practices on soil health,yield and quality of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcort)
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Devi Krishna; Usha, P B
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    Zinc and boron availability in soils and impact of carriers on crop productivity
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Jyolsna, V K; Usha Mathew
    A study entitled “Zinc and boron availability in soils and impact of carriers on crop productivity” was carried out at College of Agriculture, Vellayani 2003-2005 to monitor the effect of moisture levels with and without FYM on the availability of B and Zn in three types of soil viz., red, laterite and Onattukara sandy and the influence of carriers of Zn and B on tomato. The experiment consisted of two parts viz., incubation study and separate pot culture experiments with B and Zn. The physico-chemical analysis of soils used for incubation study was done using suitable analytical procedures. Incubation study was conducted at the laboratory to monitor the availability of B and Zn in red, laterite and Onattukara sandy soils. Two kg of each type of soil was taken in earthern pots of uniform size and incubated for two months at three moisture levels viz., air dry, field capacity and full saturation with and without FYM. The experiment was laid out in CRD with six treatments. They were, T1 – Air dry, T2 – Field capacity, T3 – Full saturation, T4 – T1 + FYM, T5 – T2 + FYM and T6 – T3 + FYM. Soil samples were drawn at fortnightly intervals and analysed for the available content of boron and zinc following standard analytical procedures. Separate pot culture experiments were conducted to study the influence of B and Zn using laterite soil on growth, yield and quality of tomato. They were laid out in CRD with treatments viz., T1 – fertilizers alone as per POP, T­2 – fertilizers and FYM as per POP, T3 - T1 + B/Zn @ 0.5 /2.5 kg ha-1, T4 – T1 + B/Zn @ 1.0/5.0 kg ha-1, T5 – T1 + B/Zn @ 1.5/10 kg ha-1, T6 – T2 + B/Zn @ 0.5/2.5 kg ha-1, T7 – T2 + B/Zn @ 1.0/5.0 kg ha-1 and T8 – T2 + B/Zn @ 1.5/10.0 kg ha-1. Observation on various biometric and yield parameters had been recorded. Soil, plant and fruit analysis were done using standard analytical procedures. From the incubation study, it can be seen that B availability was more at full saturation condition than at air dry and field capacity moisture regimes in all the three soils. It was minimum at air dried state of soil. Available Zn recorded maximum value at air dried state than at field capacity and full saturation moisture regimes. The influence of B and Zn on the growth, yield and quality of tomato can be clearly understood from the pot culture experiments. Plant height and number of primary branches showed significant increase with B and Zn application. Yield, B : C ratio and quality parameters were higher in the treatments which comprise B/Zn along with FYM. Available K in soil after pot culture increased with increase in levels application of boron. The same trend was shown by DTPA-extracted Zn and Cu. Available Fe and Mn decreased by B application. Soil B increased with increase in level of B application. Plant content of these nutrients showed the same trend as that of soil content. Available P, Fe, Mn and Cu decreased with increase in levels of Zn application in the pot culture experiment with Zn. Soil available Zn increased with increase in level of application of Zn. Plant nutrient content showed considerable variations. There was an increasing trend for uptake of nutrients from T1 to T8 as there was an increase in total dry matter production in both the experiments. From the results cited above it can be confirmed that B and Zn fertilization has an important role in improving yield and quality of tomato. The highest yield, quality and B : C ratio were obtained when B was applied @ 1.5 kg ha-1. This indicates that further experiments may be conducted by raising the level of B above 1.5 kg ha-1 to verify its effect on contributing to further increase in yield. In the experiment with Zn, though the yield was the highest in T8, the B : C ratio was higher in T7 than in T8 . This indicates that economic yield was obtained when Zn was at 5 kg ha-1. For the purpose of formulating recommendations on application of B and Zn, more field studies need to be conducted.
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    Soil properties and produce quality of cardamom(Elettaria cardamomum Maton) under organic farming
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2004) Arun, G; Saifudeen, N
    An investigation was conducted at the Upputhara panchayath of Peermede taluk, in Idukki district of Kerala with the objective to compare the soil properties, crop nutrient concentrations and quality of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) under organic and conventional farming.' Nine certified organic farms, that follow IMO and Skal International certification standards and eight adjacent conventional cardamom farms following recommendations of Spices Board were selected for investigation. Fifty samples each of soil and cardamom leaves were drawn from both organic and conventional farms. Cured cardamom samples were collected from each farm under study. A proforma was developed in accordance with the standards fixed by IFOAM for documenting farming practices of the study area Biometric parameters and yield attributes of cardamom plants were observed directly and yield data for the organic and conventional cardamom farms were collected from farm records during the survey. The orgaruc farms selected for the study did not follow strict package of practices and there were variations among individual farms, but within the purview of certification procedures. Conventional and organic farming practices of the study area differed mainly on fertilization policy, plant protection strategy, weed control and land management. Soils of the organic cardamom farms were found to have better aeration than conventional farms, evident from the significantly lower bulk density of soils of the organic farrns. Another significant effect of organic agriculture in cardamom was the improvement of soil electrochemical properties. The rich organic soils of the study area resulted in insignificant difference in organic carbon and organic matter content of the soils of the two farming systems. The ranges of major nutrients in soils were medium to high and hence the difference between organic and conventional cardamom farms with respect to major nutrients was also not consistent. Microbes were proliferating in the organic farms resulting in better decomposition of organic matter with concomitant solubility of major nutrients in the soil. But dehydrogenase enzyme activity of the soil didn't differ significantly. Conventional farming with chemical inputs enhanced morphological make up of cardamom plants. Leaf length, leaf breadth, plant height and number of tillers per clump were significantly low in organic cardamom plants. A reverse trend was seen in the case of petiole length. Panicle length, number of panicles per clump, number of racemes per panicle and number of capsules per raceme were significantly lower in organic farms contributing to lower yields, which of course are expected to improve as farming practices stabilize in due course. Since the morphological make up of the cardamom plants in the organic farms was relatively smaller, the minerals taken up were not diluted resulting in higher concentrations of major nutrients in organically managed plants. The effect of high levels of Ca in the exchange complex is also reflected in low uptake of Fe and Mn by organic cardamom plants. Size of fresh cardamom capsules, colour, and litre weight were higher in the organically produced cardamom samples. However, the number of seeds per capsule was lower in organic cardamom. Both oleoresin and volatile oil contents were found significantly superior in the organic to that of conventional cardamom.
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    Dissipation of chlorpyrifos in red loam soil and its effect on soil organisms
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Rekha, P R; Thomas George
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    Heavy metals in fertilizers in relation to their accumulation in soils due to continuous fertilizer use
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Sathyaprakasan, S; Abdul Hameed
    The possible heavy metal pollution through continuous use of chemical fertilizers for the last several years, has become a topic of grave concern in recent times. It is possible that such heavy metals if present in soil in sufficient quantities, may enter the food chain and endanger animal and human life. The present study was taken up with a view to establishing whether the accumulation of heavy metals in soils and plants is appreciable so as to pose any health hazards. With a view to achieve the above aim soils and rice plants grown in four major rice soils of Kerala which were receiving high doses of fertilizers for the last several years, and also eight common fertilizers used in these areas were collected and analysed for the heavy metal content with emphasis to cadmium. Soils from plots receiving organic manures, chemical fertilizers and a combination of both from one permanent manorial experiment with tall’ , india rice (25 years under same treatments) and soil, plant and grain from another permanent manorial experiment with dwarf Jeponica rice (13 years old) were collected and analysed for their heavy metal content. A pot culture with added cadmium alongwith fertilizers as per package of practices was also conducted incorporating rice, amaranthus and guinea grass to study the plant to plant variation in the uptake and accumulation of heavy metals in their tissues. The result of the studies showed that the phosphatic fertilizers contained the highest amount of heavy metals and among the phosphatic fertilizers maximum amount of Cd was found in factomphos while Ni and Pb were highest in mussoorie rock phosphate. Among the four soil types investigated viz. the Karappadam, Kayal, Kari and Trivandrum sandy loam the highest content of total Cd Ni and Pb were observed in Karappadam, Kayal and Kari soils respectively. The content of extractable Cd and Pb was highest in Kari soil while the extractable Ni was highest in Kayal soil. The mean Cd and Ni content of rice straw from karappadam soil was found to be the highest where as the rice straw from Kayal soil registered the maximum content of Pb. The results obtained from the Permanent Menurial Experimental trials revealed that the continuous use of organic matter alone or organic matter and chemical fertilizers in combination increased the heavy metal content in soils and plants. In the pot culture experiment with rice there was no significant variation in the total as well as the extractable Cd in the soil after harvest among treatments with 0, 10, 20 and 30 g Cd ha-1. The same trend was observed in the straw and grain as well. The Cd content in amaranthus also was not having significant variation among treatments. But in guinea grass the Cd content was significantly higher in the pot which received the highest dose of Cd viz. 30 g/ha. Since the doses viz. 10, 20 and 30g Cd per heactre were fixed on the basis of annual addition through fertilizers the impact could be much less and therefore the results presently obtained cannot be’,said to be conclusive. Correlation studies revealed that the soil total Cd was positively and significantly correlated to plant Cd content. The extractable Cd was also positively and significantly correlated to soil P. Applied N and P fertilizers were seen to significantly influence plant Cd content. The applied K fertilizers on the other hand were seen to positively enhance plant Cd, Ni and Pb contents.
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    Soil resource inventory of the main campus Kerala Agricultural University Vellanikkara: Part II (WEST)
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Sajnanth, K; Saifudeen, N
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    Soil resource inventory of the main campus Kerala Agricultural University Vellanikkara: Part 1 (east)
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Seena, E; Sureshkumar, P