PG Thesis
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Item Post harvest management practices in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.)(Department of Post Harvest Technology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2020) Elso Remya Rajan; Mini, CItem Value chain analysis of pineapple in ernakulam district(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Apeksha Rai, K; Chitra ParayilPineapple (Ananus comosus) is a fruit with excellent juiciness, exciting tropical flavour and enormous health benefits. It is a rich source of Vitamin A, B and C and also contains a large number of vital nutrients for human health with less fat and cholesterol. It can be used to produce a large number of value-added products like jam, jelly, squash, pickle, candy, etc., which not only provides remunerative prices for the farming community in a sustainable manner but also creates employment opportunities for the unemployed rural community. The research work entitled “Value chain analysis of Pineapple in Ernakulam district” was undertaken to prepare the value chain map of Pineapple in Ernakulam district, to assess the value chain production system; evaluate their technical efficiency; to identify the institutional and infrastructural issues that affect the competitiveness of the selected value chain and to propose interventions for upgrading the Pineapple value chain. The study area was confined to Ernakulam district of Kerala state, since it accounted for 60 per cent of the Pineapple production in the state. The sample respondents were selected from Avoli and Manjaloor Panchayats of Muvattupuzha block and Koothattukulam and Ramamangalm Panchayats of Pampakkuda block. Twenty Pineapple farmers were selected from each Panchayat at random. In addition, data was collected from ten processors, five traders, five transporters and twenty consumers using separate sets of pretested interview schedules by personal interview method. The total sample size was 120. The data analysis was done by value chain mapping (Commodity Chain Analysis), descriptive statistics, growth analysis, cost concepts, Production function analysis, Data Envelopment Analysis(DEA), marketing concepts (market cost, market margin, price spread, market efficiency), rank method and Garrett ranking technique. The results of value chain mapping revealed that the major core processes included in the Pineapple value chain were input supply, production, collection, wholesaling, processing, retailing and consumption. The main actors who actively participated in the value chain were input suppliers, pineapple farmers, traders, exporters, wholesalers, processors, retailers and consumers. The facilitators involved in the value chain were sucker dealers, Krishibhavans, transporters, Pineapple Research Station (PRS), Pineapple Farmers’ Association (PFA), Pineapple Merchants’ Association, Kerala Pineapple Mission and financial institutions. Cost of cultivation for Mauritius variety was estimated for three years. The input cost estimated for first, second and third year was ₹ 500575, ₹ 277742 and ₹ 248188 ha-1 respectively. During the first year major share of the Cost A1 was contributed by planting material. During second and third year lease amount contributed more towards Cost A1. Net returns at Cost A1 for first, second and third year were found to be ₹ 476105 ha-1, ₹ 512729 ha-1 and ₹ 289576 ha-1 respectively. Second year reported higher net returns since variable cost like machine, planting material and manure cost were not considered as ratoon cropping system was followed. B:C ratio for Cost A1, Cost A2, Cost B and Cost C for three years were computed and it was found that Pineapple farming was profitable business in the study area and more profit can be earned by cultivating Pineapple in owned land than in leased land. From Production function analysis, it was found that plant density significantly contributed towards the yield and increasing returns to scale (1.56) was observed for Pineapple farming in the district. Data envelopment analysis showed the efficiency of Pineapple farm with a mean technical efficiency of 0.73 in Ernakulam. Mean scale efficiency and allocative efficiency value of 0.83 and 0.91 was obtained respectively. The marketing cost and marketing margin in fresh fruit and processed product channels were observed and found that traders and wholesalers incur maximum marketing cost in fresh Pineapple and processors in case of processed Pineapple. Traders and retailers earn more profit in fresh Pineapple whereas, processors in case of processed Pineapple channel. Producer share and marketing efficiency were found to be high for fresh Pineapple than the processed Pineapple. High cost of planting material and scarcity of hired labour were the major constraints in Pineapple production. Price fluctuation and decreasing demand were the major constraints in Pineapple marketing. The interventions drawn to upgrade Pineapple value chain include: 1) Supply of subsidized inputs at the farm level 2) Good agricultural practices should be followed to produce cost effective and export quality Pineapple 3) Advanced and affordable technology should be made available to farmers for value addition activities 4) Market yards, storage facilities and processing plants should be established and 5) Commercialization of new and improved Pineapple products. To conclude, the Pineapple value chain is lacking in horizontal and vertical integration among chain actors. The small producer-farmers are not able to reach the final market directly as they are dominated by the extended value chain actors and this situation made their position weak and helpless in the market with less bargaining power.Item In virto multiplication and standardisation of hardening techniques in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.)(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1993) Prabha, J; Keshavachandran, RStudies were conducted on in vitro multiplication and standardization of hardening techniques in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) at the Tissue Culture Laboratory of the All India Co – ordinated Floriculture Improvement Project attached to the Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1991 – 1993. Surface sterilization treatment was standardized for crown explants. Among the different treatments tried, treatment with Emisan 0.1 per cent for 30 minutes followed with mercuric chloride 0.1 per cent for 10 minutes was found to be the best. Explants collected in the months of January and February gave the least contamination and maximum survival percentage. MS medium with BA 5.0 mg/1 inche alone or in combination with NAA 1.0 mg/1 inche gave maximum establishment of the explants. The globular structures were formed at maximum intensity within the shortest time of 5.96 days in MS medium supplemented with BA 5.0 mg/1 inche and NAA 1.0 mg/1 inche. Among the three cytokinins tried, the fastest response and the highest intensity of globular structures was obtained with BA followed by KIN and 2ip. Maximum shoot proliferation (11.9 per culture) was obtained with basal MS medium in which cent per cent of the cultures developed vigorous dark green shoots. Rooting of the in vitro derived shoots was obtained in in vitro as well as ex vitro conditions. Hundred per cent in vitro rooting was obtained in basal MS medium as well as in media supplemented with various concentrations of IBA and NAA. The fastest rooting (in 8.54 days) was obtained in the basal medium. Rooting was also faster in liquid medium compared to solid medium. In solid medium, early root initiation and the maximum length of roots were observed with 0.65 per cent agar concentration. Among the ex vitro rooting treatments tried, treatment with the rooting powder Rooton resulted in the fastest rooting and the maximum length of the roots. Profuse rooting of the shoots was obtained without using growth regulators by keeping them in a mist chamber. Treatments were standardised for successful transfer of the plantlets to the outside environment. Hundred per cent survival of the plantlets was obtained by immersing the roots of the plantlets in sterile water for 18 hr prior to transplanting. Among the different containers tried, plantlets grown in plastic pots, in general showed maximum vigour with respect to the number of leaves, height and width of the largest leaf, followed by those in mud pots and poly bags. The maximum percentage increase in these parameters was observed for the plantlets in pro-trays. Potting mixes such as cocopeat, soilrite, biofibe and vermiculite were found to be better in inducing vigorous growth of the plantlets. Plantlets grown in plastic pots with cocopeat or plastic bags with soilrite mix, in general, grew more vigorously. A nutrient starter solution of NPK fertilizer solution once a week or one fourth strength basal MS salts was found to be sufficient to induce healthy growth of the transplanted plantlets in the early stages of growth. To induce better growth of the plantlets in the later stages, application of the NPK fertilizer solution twice a week or Hoagland’s solution once a week was found to be better. Encapsulated beads were successfully formed with the differentiating globular bodies formed from the primary explants. The globular bodies could be encapsulated using 2.5 per cent sodium alginate and 75 mM calcium chloride with a complexation time of 30 minutes. The plantlets after 90 days of growth in the greenhouse with a minimum height of 10 cm and 12 leaves were successfully transferred to soil.Item Feasibility of pineapple as an intercrop in small holdings of rubber in Muvattupuzha taluk(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Jose, V C; Tharian George, KMuvattupuzha is a taluk where majority of people earn their living through agriculture. The literacy level of people is high. Among the crops raised, rubber is having great importance and it covers larger area. Almost all the rubber growers raise some intercrop during the first three years of immaturity of rubber to get some income. As an intercrop in rubber, pineapple has received much attention in recent years. The present study is an attempt to find out the benefits of growing pineapple as intercrop, to work out the B. C. R and to study its feasibility when compared to other cropping systems. Irrespective of the size of holding pineapple is used for intercropping in many units. Pineapple as intercrop was found to slightly retard the growth of rubber in the immaturity period and at tappable stage. Considering the long gestation period of 5 to 7 years and the profitability of intercropping during this period when there is no other income, it can be ignored. Cost analysis has proved that pineapple is a profitable intercrop in young rubber plantations. Among the varieties of pineapple, Mauritius is preferred due to higher profitability (B. C. R 2.4), easy management practices and marketability. Cultural operations for pineapple is not difficult, requiring minimum digging compared with other crops. Though the profitability depends on market price during harvesting period, it is fetching comparatively higher returns on account of comparatively stable prices. In Muvattupuzha taluk there is good marketing facility for pineapple. Fruits are sold in open market and through cooperative societies. The study revealed that soil erosion and weed growth are low or medium in pineapple intercropped plots. The study highlighted the potential of pineapple as an intercrop in rubber plantations in the taluk. The growing popularity of the crop is evident from the steady expansion of area under pineapple in all the villages of the taluk which was initially confined to selected regions.Item Refinement of In Vitro propagation technique in Pineapple Var. Mauritius and Mass Multiplication of Elite Clones(Department of pomology and floriculture, College of horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1996) Jo Jose, C; Radha, TThe studies on refinement of in vitro propagation technique in pineapple var. Mauritius and mass multiplication of elite clones were conducted at Kerala Horticulture Development Programme, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during 1993 – ’95. Based on the survey conducted at the major pineapple growing areas, namely, Vazhakulam – Muvattupuzha regions of Ernakulam district, five elite clones of Mauritius variety with higher yield and other desirable fruit characters were selected propagules from the selected clones were planted at Vellanikkara for taking explants for their mass multiplication through refined in vitro propagation techniques. For shoot tip explants, treatment with emisan 0.1 per cent for 35 minutes followed with mercuric chloride 0.1 per cent for 10 minutes and for lateral bud explants treatment with emisan 0.1 per cent for 10 minutes followed by 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride for three minutes was found to be the ideal surface sterilization treatment. Culture establishment and growth initiation of shoot tip explants from different sources (suckers, crowns and slips) and lateral bud explants were better in MS medium supplemented with BAP 3 and 4 mg 1-1. Explants from shoot tips were found to be better than those from lateral buds for achieving faster culture establishment and growth initiation. Enhanced release of axillary buds was the maximum in Ms medium containing BAP 4.0 mg 1-1. Among the different subculture stages, multiple axillary bud production was higher in second suculture stage. Addition of casein hydrolysate 100.0 mg 1-1 in to the medium with BAP 4.0 mg 1-1 favoured the production of axillary buds. Adventitious bud initiation from sucker shoot tips was fastest in MS medium supplemented with BAP 5.0 mg 1-1 + NAA 1.0 or 0.5 mg 1-1. For adventitious bud production from lateral buds, treatment with BAP 7.5 mg 1-1 + NAA 1.0 mg 1-1 was the best. Proliferation rate of adventitious buds was maximum in MS medium supplemented with BAP 4.0 mg 1-1 + NAA 0.5 or 1.0 mg 1-1. Rate of multiplication of adventitious buds was higher in liquid medium under shake culture condition, than in solid medium. Faster shoot regeneration and increased vigour of the shoots were resulted in growth regulator free MS medium. However, highest number of shoots were produced in MS medium supplemented with BAP 1.0 mg 1-1. Liquid medium under shake culture condition was found superior of solid media with respect to initiation of shoots and mean number of shoots, however, the latter resulted in longer shoots. In vitro rooting was fastest in MS medium, without any growth regulator, which produced longer and normal roots with secondaries and root hairs. Though addition of NAA (3 mg 1-1) resulted in increased number of roots, they were very short and hair like. Stationary liquid medium was found superior to solidItem Plant parasitic nematodes associated with pineapple in Kerala(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Hamza Koya, C P; Venkitesan, T SAs a part of the studies on the occurrence of plant parasitic nematodes associated with pineapple in Kerala, a survey was carried out in different agro climatic regions of the Kerala State and it was found that R. reniformis occurred in more than 76 per cent of the locations sampled. Helicotylenchus spp. were recorded in about 50 per cent of the locations. The other plant parasitic nematodes detected in association with the crop included Meloidogyne spp., Creconemoides spp., Pratylenchus spp., Hoplolaimus and Hemicyclophora occurred in very low population densities. A new species of Helicotylenchus closely resembling H. digitatus ( Hussain and Siddique, 1964) but differing with respect to spear knob characters and location of excretory pore has been reported to be associated with the crop. The pot culture trial with M. incognita indicated that this nematode could not induce pathogenic effect on the cv kew even at the highest inoculum levels of 10,000 larvae per 7.5 kg soil during the period of 180 days.Item Effect of different growth regulators on flowering and fruit development in pineapple(Department of Horticulture (Pomology), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Santha, K K; Aravindakshan, MThe present investigations were carried out in College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University during the years 1976-78. The object of the study was to find out the effect of growth regulators and certain other chemicals on flowering and fruit development in pineapple. The growth regulators and chemicals included in this study consisted of ethrel and Planofix at different concentrations and combination of Ethrel, Ca CO3 and urea. Ca C2 was also included in this study. Seasonal variation in the effect of growth regulators and chemicals in two seasons was noticed. Application of growth regulators and chemicals in January resulted in earlier flowering than November application. The differential response of growth regulators in the two seasons might be attributed to the variation in leaf area. Of the different growth regulators and chemicals tried, Ethrel 250 ppm was found to be the for maximum induction of flowering. Ethrel at all concentrations was found to reduce the duration of flowering and also the time for fruit set. Ethrel in combination with urea 2 per cent and Ca CO3 0.04 per cent also showed similar effect. Time taken for fruit maturity was slightly reduced by Ethrel treatment while it was delayed by the application of Planofix. In respect of fruit size, maximum size was obtained by Planofix 20 ppm. None of the growth regulators, chemicals and combinations tried resulted in an over all improvement in quality of fruits, but the number of leaves possessed by a plant profoundly influenced the quality of fruits. While induction of flowering could be achieved by the application of growth regulators and chemicals irrespective of the morphological characters of the plant, the fruit development was found to be associated with the number of leaves possessed by the plant. The fruits produced by plants with higher number of leaves (Class IV) possessed maximum of TSS, reducing sugars, total sugars and sugar acid ratio closely followed by Class III. For a satisfactory fruit development the plant should possess around 40 leaves at the time of application of growth regulators. The nutrient status of leaves was also found to influence fruit development considerably. The largest fruits were produced by plants having leaf nutrient status of 1.40 per cent N, 0.08 per cent P and 3.43 per cent K. The application of growth regulators and chemicals was responsible for low sucker production. Ethrel at 1250 ppm retarded the sucker production to a maximum extent.Item Effect of Shade on Growth and Fruiting in Pineapple(Department of Pomology & Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Horticulture,Vellanikara, 1979) Radha, T; Aravindakshan, MThe present investigations were carried out in the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University during the years 1976-1979. The object of the study was to find out the effects of shading on the growth, flowering and fruiting behaviour of pineapple variety ‘kew’. The treatments consisted of four levels of shade viz., 0, 25, 50 and 75 per cent. Shading was provided by coconut leaves on erected pandals over the plants and the intensity adjusted by using an ;Aplab’ lux meter periodically. The number of leaves produced per plant was not influenced by shading. In fact the leaf area was found to increase especially at the later stages of growth under shade. Dry matter accumulation in the leaves also was not reduced considerably in shade indicating the capacity of pineapple to tolerate shade. Early, uniform and increased flowering was noticed in plants grown under shade. Percentage of flowering was maximum at 50 per cent shade which probably indicated that the shade tolerance limit of pineapple is upto 50 per cent. Ethral was found to exhibit an inhibitory effect on flowering in the case of plants grown under shade above 25 per cent intensity. Crown growth of fruits was greatly enhanced by shade treatments and therefore the contribution of crown weight to the total fruit weight was higher in the shaded plants. Fruit weight with crown was comparable in shade and in open. Developmental pattern of fruits was not found to be influenced by shade treatments. Quality of the fruits in general, was decreased by shading. The acidity increased with shade intensity while the sugar and ascorbic acid contents decreased. Nitrogen content of leaves increased by shading, during the later stages of growth. The shaded leaves also possessed higher magnesium and lower calcium contents at all stages of estimation. Chlorophyll ‘a’, ‘b’ and total contents of leaves increased as the intensity of shade increased. Destruction of chlorophyll in the leaves in the open as evidenced by the yellowish appearance of leaves was not noticed under shade. Number of suckers produced per plant was not considerably affected by shading. Suckers produced by shaded plants were more vigorous than those produced by shaded plants were more vigorous than those produced by plants grown in the open.Item Production and marketing of pineapple in Trichur District(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1982) Jesy Thomas, K; Mukundan, KA study on the production and marketing of pineapple in Trichur district was conducted during March-April, 1982 to evaluate the costs and returns of pineapple production, the marketing costs and price spread as well as the problems faced by the cultivators. Simple random sampling was adopted for selecting the sample and fifty cultivators were surveyed by personal interview method. The total cost of cultivation per hectare of pineapple for four years for the district was found to be Rs.30334.92 and cost was highest for the first year being Rs.13289.92 (42.55 per cent).The major item of expenditure was human labour constituting about 59.32 per cent (Rs.17995) of the total costs. Expenditure on fertilizer accounted for 24.25 per cent (Rs.7356) and that for suckers 6.78 per cent (Rs.2056) for the district. With regard to the operation-wise cost of cultivation, manuring and earthing occupied a major share of 39.48 per cent (Rs.11976) and for weeding the expenditure was Rs.6656 (24.04 per cent). Pineapple starts yielding in the second year and maximum returns was found to obtain in the third year with Rs.18934 per hectare for the district. The returns in the second and fourth year were Rs.11626 and Rs.12476 respectively. Cost of production per quintal of pineapple fruits was highest in the second year (Rs.79.26) and lowest in the third year with Rs.54.82 for the district. The pay-back period was 2.77 years, with a benefit cost ratio of 1.31, net present worth of Rs.8258.09 and internal rate of return of 43.37 per cent. The number of suckers per hectare was the factor which was found to be significant in the regression analysis. The main marketing channel in the case of pineapple was producer Commission/agent wholesaler ----Retailer ---- consumer channel. The marketing efficiency assessed on the basis of price-spread and marketing costs revealed that there was a high price spread of Rs.94 per quintal and the producers got only 51.79 per cent of the consumer’s price, while wholesalers and retailers got 17.69 per cent and 20.77 per cent margins respectively. Pineapple was marketed as fresh fruit commonly, but the canning industries in Trichur make a number of canned products such as squash, slices, titbits etc. High cost of inputs, fluctuation in prices and improper marketing facilities etc. are the problems faced by the cultivators in this district. Non-availability of sufficient fruits to factories become a serious problem in the case of canning units.Item Biometrical studies in banana(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1982) Rosamma, C A; Narayanan Namboodiri, K MStudies were undertaken with forty eight banana varieties belonging to five different genomic groups at the Banana Research Station, Kannara and Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1981-82 to estimate the extent of genetic variability, association among the selected characters and its partition into direct and indirect effects through path coefficient analysis. Selection indices were worked out to estimate the efficiency of selection through discriminant function over straight selection or vice versa.
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