1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)

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    Standardisation of preservation techniques of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) palm wood
    (Department of Wood Science, College of Forestry, 2017) Jeeshma, V J; Anoop, E V
    Coconut (cocos nucifera L.) palm wood belongs to the class of perishable timbers which can be used as an alternative wood sources with affective preservation. Preservative treatment of coconut wood can enhance the service life of coconut service life of coconut wood. The objective of this study was to develop appropriate preservative methods to treat sawn coconut wood under the prevailing eco-climatic conditions in Kerala and to evaluate the effect of different factors on the treatability of coconut wood. Wood samples were treated with inorganic (Copper Chrome Boron- CCB and Borax Boric Acid-BBA) and organic preservatives (Cashew Nut Shell (CNS) liquid, need oil and turpentine). Diffusion and pressure treatment were deployed for inorganic preservation and organic preservatives were investigated only through diffusion treatment. Wood samples were air dried to a moisture content of about 50 per cent and total of 354 sampled belonging to high and medium density wood were treated with preservatives. Diffusion treatment of inorganic preservatives in high and medium density wood showed no significant difference in retention whereas significant difference was observed for penetration percentage. For pressure treatment, retention and penetration were significant in high density wood whereas medium density wood showed only significant retention. A proportionate relation existed between the solution concentrations and the two observations- overall retention and penetration percentage. Relation of diffusion period and retention in high density wood showed no uniform pattern while, an increasing trend was seen in medium density wood. Penetration depth followed an increasing pattern under increasing treatment duration in the two density classes. Among the two treatment methods, pressure treatment performed better than diffusion treatment. Absorption percentage of organic preservatives was non-significant among treatment factors (chemicals and duration), and their interaction in the two density classes. The study found that sawn coconut wood samples could be effectively treated with preservatives complying with the prescribed retention and penetration percentages as per the different standards and therefore, could be used as a potential substitute for conventional timbers.
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    Investigations on clamping and climbing mechanisms for the design of semi autonomous areca palm climber
    (Department of Farm Power Machinery and Energy, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2017) Supritha; Shivaji, K P
    Palms are un-branched evergreen trees cultivated mainly for its nuts and one has to climb up the tree for harvesting and other operations like spraying. Considering the difficulty and drudgery involved in this operation different types climbers were developed by researchers and innovators. These climbers essentially consist of two functional mechanisms; the clamping mechanism for gripping the unit to the trunk and climbing mechanism for vertical movement of unit. These developed palm climbers can be categorized based on the type of motion of the unit as continuous, discrete or serpentine and based on the power utilized for actuating the functional components as mechanical or robotic. Further categorization can be done based on the mechanism deployed for the actuating functional components. The biometric properties of areca palm are important for the design optimization and performance of climber. Among the quantifiable biometric properties diameter, variation of diameter along height, height and tilt angle were identified as the critical properties which has direct influence on design and operations. The diameter of areca palm determines the size of gripping unit, shape and dimensions of gripping arms or structures, their spacing and the distance through which the gripping arms are to be moved for locking and unlocking. Tilt angle is critical in optimizing the height of the climbing unit and the maximum relative movement of functional sets of components. The height of palm does not directly influence the design of the climber; it is a major parameter which affects the operation of the robotic climbers. The time required for completing the climbing is directly influenced by the height and when height increases, it will be difficult to see and operate the climber from the ground. By analyzing all these data and the past works related to mechanical and robotic climbers, their suitability and merits and demerits, a preliminary model of semi-autonomous areca palm climber was fabricated. The principle of linear actuators was adapted for the design of the climber by incorporating power screw rods and DC motors. The designed climber has two components, one was gripping unit which will provide to and fro motion to the gripping arms hence the arms grabs the tree. Another component was climbing unit which will provide up and down movement hence the climbing happens. At the beginning, the power was supplied to the lower gripping unit; by the movement of both the arms it grabs/holds the tree. Then the power was supplied to the upper gripping unit. By that both the gripping units grabs the tree trunk tightly. After that, the lower arm releases the contact and moves up by the rotation of main motor. Then lower arm holds the tree trunk, upper arm releases and moves up. This process continues until the desirable height was reached. The arms hold the entire body during climbing. During climbing part of robot was always fixed to the tree trunk. The operation of robot was controlled by wired remote controller. The prototype can be simply installed and controlled on the palm by an inexperienced operator. The device has been tested for its performance and found safe, reliable, and efficient and also reduces the problems in climbing of arecanut tree to a good extend.
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    Characterisation of coconut palms (Cocos Nucifera L.) showing general yellowing
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2017) Aparna, K; Sreekala, G S
    The study on “Characterisation of coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) showing general yellowing” was undertaken in selected coconut palms coming under Thiruvallam of Thiruvananthapuram district from March 2016 to March 2017. The objective was to evaluate the field characteristics and nutritional status of soil and coconut palms showing general yellowing and to formulate a management strategy. Coconut palms of variety WCT showing general yellowing which advance from lower to upper whorls of leaves were identified from farmer’s field of Thiruvallam. Fifteen palms showing uniform pattern of general yellowing and five healthy palms were selected from five farmer’s fields. Field, soil, plant and management practices followed by farmers were studied in the selected palms to identify the pre disposing factors leading to general yellowing. Observations on morphological and yield characteristics of selected coconut palms were recorded for one year at 60 days interval. Soil and plant samples were collected and analysed for macro and micronutrients. Based on soil test results the quantity of deficient macro nutrients were calculated and applied as per package of practices recommendation of Kerala Agricultural University. The soil and plant sample was again analysed six months after the application of fertilisers. Data generated on field characterization revealed the type of soils as red loam soils with good drainage in all the selected coconut palms. High soil organic matter was seen in all the healthy coconut palms while eighty percentage of coconut palms showing general yellowing were under medium status of organic matter. Of the coconut palms showing general yellowing, fifty three percent belonged to the age group of 31-35.The disease and pest incidence in the healthy palms was only twenty percent while it was more than fifty percent in palms showing general yellowing. The morphological, physiological and yield parameters of selected palms indicated significant variation in number of leaves showing yellowing, chlorophyll content, membrane integrity, relative water content, number of bunches, number of female flowers per bunch of inflorescence, number of nuts set per bunch, weight of nut, weight of copra and oil content in coconut palms showing general yellowing compared to healthy palms. However after the application of nutrients significant increase in chlorophyll a content, total chlorophyll content, membrane integrity and relative water content was noticed in coconut palms showing general yellowing. The soil and leaf nutrient analysis revealed a significant variation in N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and B content between coconut palms showing general yellowing and healthy palms. However, observations made at six months after the application of manures and fertilisers revealed a significant increase in soil pH, organic carbon, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, B and Cl in the soil and N,P,K of index leaf of coconut palms showing general yellowing. There was no significant variation in the S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu before and after the application of manures and fertilisers. The present study based on nutritional status and visual symptoms revealed that low soil nutrient status of N, P, K, Ca and Mg have resulted in the general yellowing in coconut. The application of fertilisers as per average management recommended by KAU (2016) could only enhance the soil N, P, K and Mg status to medium level while for calcium it still remained in low status. Thus a higher dose of N, P, K, Ca and Mg are required for the palms showing general yellowing to substantially improve the nutritional status of the palm.
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    Wood property profiling of coconut palms grown in different agro-climatic zones of Thrissur district, Kerala
    (Department of Wood Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2017) Alex K George; Anoop, E V
    Wood anatomical, physical and mechanical properties of samples collected from 51 coconut palms belonging to three age groups viz., 15-25 years (young), 35- 45 years (mature) and 55-65 years (over mature), grown in three agro-climatic zones (Malayoram, Central midland and Coastal sandy) of Thrissur district, Kerala were profiled in this study. Dermal, sub-dermal and core wood from each sample were used for assessing physical and anatomical properties and samples of density above 650 kg m -3 were selected for profiling mechanical properties. Nested analysis of variance was carried out to analyse the variation in coconut palm wood properties due to location, age and radial position. Most of the physical, anatomical and mechanical properties did not vary significantly across agro-climatic zones and age groups. However, across age groups, basic density, vascular bundle percentage, fibre lumen diameter, fibre wall thickness and compression parallel to grain (maximum load and compressive stress at maximum load) were found to vary significantly. Along the radial positions there was significant difference in physical and anatomical properties. Basic density, being highly positively correlated with mechanical and anatomical properties, estimation of density can be used as a key to determine end use under field conditions for potential utilization at the industrial level.
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    Characterisation of boron deficient coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.)
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2017) Athulya S Nair; Sreekala, G S
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    Nutrio-physiological and molecular analyses and carbon dioxide enrichment studies of coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) with foliar yellowing
    (Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2017) Deepa, S; Manju, R V
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    Impact of climate change variables on young coconut seedlings (Cocos nucifera L.)
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2016) Kannan, S; Mary Regina, F