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

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    Standardization of spacing and nitrogen requirement of fodder oat (Avena sativa L.) in AEU 20
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2023-04-05) Niveditha, K Divakaran; Usha C Thomas
    The study entitled “Standardization of spacing and nitrogen requirement of fodder oat (Avena sativa L.) in AEU 20” was undertaken during 2020-2022 at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, with the objective to standardize spacing and nitrogen level for fodder oat production in AEU 20 (Wayanad Eastern Plateau). Field experiment was laid out at RARS, Ambalavayal, in randomized block design with nine treatment combinations in three replications during rabi 2021- 2022. Treatments consisted of two factors viz., row spacing (S) and nitrogen levels (N) at three levels each viz., s1 (15 cm), s2 (25 cm), s3 (35 cm) and n1 (60 kg N ha-1), n2 (90 kg N ha 1), n3 (120 kg N ha-1) respectively. The variety sown was Kent. Spacing had significant effect on all growth and yield attributes except plant height whereas, N levels and S x N interaction was found to have significant influence on all the growth and yield attributes. Within spacing, s3 recorded the highest number of tillers hill-1 whereas GFY and DFY were highest at spacing s1. Within N levels, n3 recorded highest values for growth and yield attributes viz., plant height, number of tillers hill-1, GFY and DFY. Among S x N interactions, s3n3 recorded the tallest plant (111.19 cm) and a greater number of tillers hill-1(9.29). In case of GFY (30.14 tha-1) and DFY (6.03 tha-1), s1n3 recorded the highest yield and were on par with s2n3. Weeds predominantly present in the field were Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Digitaria sanguinalis, Eleusine indica, Digitaria ciliaris, Phyllanthus niruri, Amaranthus viridis, Chenopodium album, Eclipta prostrata and Cyperus rotundus. Highest weed density and weed dry matter were recorded at spacing s3. N levels and S x N interactions had no significant influence on weed density and weed dry matter. Relative weed density recoded highest at spacing s2 (grasses) and s3 (broad leaved weeds) and at N level n3 (grasses) and n2 (sedge). The treatment combination, s2n3 had the highest relative density of grasses (41.82 %) and this result was on par with s2n1 and s1n3. In sedge, s1n2 and s2n2 had the highest relative weed density (32.76 %). Spacing and S x N interaction had no significant effect on chlorophyll content but N levels had significant influence on it. Within N levels, n3 recoded the highest chlorophyll content. Spacing, N level and their interaction had no significant effect on crude fibre content. In case of crude protein content, spacing and S x N interaction had no significant influence while N levels had significant influence on it. Among nitrogen levels, n3 recorded the highest crude protein content. Spacing, N levels and their interaction had no significant effect on the soil pH, EC and OC content of soil. Spacing, N levels and their interaction had significant effect on available N, P and K content in soil after the experiment. Spacing s3 recorded highest value of available N, P and the results were on par with s2. Spacing s2 recorded the highest amount of available K and was on par with s3. Within N levels, n3 recorded significantly higher amount of available N and n1 recorded the highest available P and K. Among S x N interaction, s3n3 recorded the maximum available N and the result was found on par with s2n3. In case of P and K, s2n1 had the maximum available P and K. Spacing and S x N interactions had no significant effect on the N content of fodder oat whereas N levels had significant effect on it. Within N levels, n3 recorded significantly higher N content and it was on par with n2. Spacing, N levels and their interaction had no significant influence on the P and K content of fodder oat. Spacing, N levels and their interaction had significant influence on N, P and K uptake of fodder oat. Within spacing, s1 recorded the highest N, P and K uptake. Among N levels, n3 recorded highest value of N, P and K uptake. The treatment combination s1n3 recorded highest value of N (120.97 kg ha-1), P (27.91 kg ha-1) and K (100.46 kg ha-1) uptake and the results were on par with s2n3. Spacing and S x N interaction had no significant influence on LAI and LAD, but it had significant effect on SLA. Spacing s2 and s2n3 interaction recorded the highest SLA. N levels had significant influence on LAI, LAD and SLA. Within N levels, n3 recorded the highest LAI (30 DAS & harvest), LAD and SLA. S x N interaction had significant effect on net income and B:C ratio. Among treatment combinations, s1n3 recorded the highest net income and B:C ratio (1.87). From the study, it can be concluded that fodder oat can be profitably cultivated in AEU 20 at a row spacing of 15 cm with application of 120 kg N ha-1 in two splits at basal (60 %) and 40 DAS (40 %) along with basal application of 15 t ha-1 FYM, 40 kg ha-1 P2O5, 40 kg ha-120
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    Crop management and post harvest techniques of Dracaena reflexa song of India
    (Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture,Vellanikkara, 2024-02-23) Faheema Jahan, N K.; Mini Sankar
    The investigation entitled ‘Crop management and post-harvest techniques of Dracaena reflexa ‘Song of India’ was carried out in Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara from February, 2023 to December, 2023. The objective of the study was to standardize spacing, nutrient management and post-harvest techniques of Dracaena reflexa ‘Song of India’. The experiment on spacing and nutrient doses was carried out in Randomized Block Design (RBD factorial) using six months old rooted cuttings of Dracaena reflexa ‘Song of India’ by adopting two different spacing viz., 45 cm x 45 cm and 45 cm x 30 cm and three fertilizer schedules viz., 24:6:12 N: P2O5: K2O g/ plant/ year, 48:6:12 N: P2O5: K2O g/ plant/ year, 100g farm yard manure/ plant at four months interval along with absolute control. Foliar spray of N: P2O5: K2O 1:1:1 (19:19:19) at 0.5 per cent was given at three months interval for all treatments, except absolute control. Observations on growth characters, nutrient status of soil, plant nutrient content, plant nutrient uptake and total chlorophyll content were recorded. Among the growth characters such as plant height, plant spread and days taken for first harvest, number of shoots harvested, spacing was found to have no significant influence. Application of N2 (48:6:12 N: P2O5: K2O g/ plant/ year) was found to be superior with respect to plant height over control. Similar trend was observed in plant spread and days taken for first harvest. Regarding interaction effect, treatment combination of 45 x 45 cm spacing and the nutrient dose of 48:6:12 N: P2O5: K2O g/ plant/ year (S1 x N2) as well as S2 x N2 (45 x 30 cm spacing and N: P2O5: K2O @ 48:6:12 g/ plant/ year) were superior and on par in terms of plant height, plant spread, and days taken for first harvest during the experimental period. Plant nutrient content and plant nutrient uptake were was found to be higher in wider spacing (45 x 45 cm). Total chlorophyll content was highest in closer spacing (45 x 30 cm). Nutrient content, nutrient uptake and total chlorophyll content in plants increased as the dose of nutrients applied increased. Application of N2 48:6:12 N: P2O5: K2O g/ plant/ year was found to be superior among the treatments with respect to all these parameters. In interaction effect, treatment combination of S2 x N2 (spacing of 45 x 30 cm with a nutrient dose of N: P2O5: K2O @ 48:6:12 g/ plant/ year), S1 x N1 (spacing of 45 x 45 cm with a nutrient dose of N: P2O5: K2O @ 24:6:12 g/ plant/ year), S1 x N2 (spacing of 45 x 45 cm with N: P2O5: K2O @ 48:6:12 g/ plant/ year) were on par having highest plant nutrient content. Plant nutrient uptake was found to be highest in S1 x N2 (spacing of 45 x 45 cm with N: P2O5: K2O @ 48:6:12 g/ plant/ year) and total chlorophyll content was highest in S2 x N2 (spacing of 45 x 30 cm with a nutrient dose of N: P2O5: K2O @ 48:6:12 g/ plant/ year). Results showed that treatment combination of S1 x N2 (45 x 45 cm spacing and N: P2O5: K2O @ 48:6:12 g/ plant/ year) and S2 x N2 (spacing of 45 x 30 cm with a nutrient dose of N: P2O5: K2O @ 48:6:12 g/ plant/ year) exhibited superiority in terms of growth characters, plant nutrient content, plant nutrient uptake and total chlorophyll content. Even though these two treatments were on par, 25% more plants can be accommodated under the spacing of 45 x 30 cm (S2). Hence spacing of 45 x 30 cm and nutrient dose 48:6:12 N: P2O5: K2O g/ plant/ year can be recommended for enhanced growth and cut foliage yield of Dracaena reflexa ‘Song of India’. Post-harvest studies included standardization of precooling, pulsing, packaging and storage, and holding. Experiment on precooling consisted of three treatments viz., precooling at 10⁰C for six hours, precooling at 15⁰C for six hours and control (without precooling) laid out in CRD with eight replications. After precooling the vase life of shoots were observed and it was found that the maximum vase life (16.25 days) exhibited by the shoots under control (without precooling). The lowest rate of change in fresh weight after the vase life was observed under treatment T3 (control). Hence it could be concluded that no precooling treatment is required for Dracaena reflexa ‘Song of India’. Standardization of pulsing consisted of ten treatments and three replications each, laid out in CRD. The shoot were kept in sucrose 5% for four hours and six hours, sucrose 10% for four hours and six hours, acidified water four hours and six hours, filtered water for four hours and six hours and one 500 mg paracetamol tablet in five litres of water for four hours and six hours. The longest vase life (19 days) was observed in shoots treated with a pulsing solution of sucrose 5% for six hours (T2). This result was on par with T1 (sucrose 5% for 4 hours). And the lowest percentage change in fresh weight was observed in treatment T1 (sucrose 5% for 4 hours). During the vase life, maximum water uptake was observed under the treatments T2 (sucrose 5 % for 6 hours), T6 (acidified water for 6 hours), T1 (sucrose 5 % for 4 hours), and T10 (one 500 mg paracetamol tablet in 5 litres of water for 6 hours). Hence pulsing with sucrose 5% for four hours can be recommended for Dracaena reflexa ‘Song of India’. Packaging and storage study was laid out in CRD with two factors, namely the packaging materials and storage duration. The shoots were subjected to different treatments of packaging viz., cut end plugged with moistened cotton, covered with polyethylene and packed in corrugated fibre board boxes with KMnO4 sachets and without KMnO4 sachets, cut ends plugged with moistened cotton, covered with newspaper and packed in corrugated fibre board with KMnO4 sachets and without KMnO4 sachets and control (without cotton and KMnO4). Shoots under each treatment were stored for durations viz., 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours under air conditioned room at 20⁰ C. Cut ends plugged with moistened cotton, covered with polyethylene and packed in corrugated fibre board boxes with KMnO4 sachets for 6 hours was found to be superior in terms of vase life (19.40 days). Experiment on holding was conducted in CRD with five treatments viz., sucrose 1%, sucrose 2%, distilled water, tap water, one 500 mg paracetamol tablet dissolved in five litres of water and four replications each. Maximum vase life was exhibited by the shoots kept in distilled water (21.38 days) closely followed by sucrose 2% (18.63 days). Treatments viz., Sucrose 2%, sucrose 1% and distilled water were on par in terms of percentage change in fresh weight and total water uptake. As the availability of distilled water is difficult for farmers, sucrose 2% can be recommended as holding solution. Based on the results of the study, spacing of 45 x 30 cm with a nutrient dose of N: P2O5: K2O @ 48:6:12 g/ plant/ year (S2 x N2) can be recommended for enhancing the growth and yield of Dracaena reflexa ‘Song of India’. A protocol for post-harvest management of Dracaena reflexa ‘Song of India’ developed from the study is stage of harvest when plant reaches a height, of 3 feet, conditioning by the removal of dried and diseased plant parts, followed by pulsing with sucrose 5% for four hours. After pulsing, packaging can be done by plugging cut ends with moistened cotton, entire shoots covered with polyethylene and packed in corrugated fibre board boxes with KMnO4 sachets. The recommended storage duration is six hours in air conditioned room of 200 C. Sucrose 2% can be used as the holding solution.
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    Agroforestry measures for soil conservation in hill slope
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Ali, P; Sreedharan, C
    An experiment on 'Agroforestry measures for soil conservation in hill slope' was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara for a period of one year from June 1987 to May 1988. The main objectives of the experiment were to quantify the run-off, soil and nutrient losses as influenced by different agroforestry practices and to evolve economically and ecologically viable agroforestry measures for soil conservation
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    Agrotechniques for soil conservation in taungya systems
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1986) Gopinathan, R; Sreedharan, C
    An experiment on 'Agrotechniques for soil conservation in taungya systems' was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara for a period of two years from May 1984 to April 1986. The objectives of the experiment were to asses the run-off, soil and nutrient losses as influenced by the important taungya practices and to evolve economically and ecologically viable agroforestry measures for soil conservation. Eucalyptus , the main tree component , was intercropped with the usually cultivated taungya crops of cassava and rice . The efficiency of cassava planting on ridges, grass farming and grass stripping was also investigated. There were seven treatments replicated thrice in RBD. Daily run-off and soil loss were quantified by installing multi-slot device consisting of 47 slots and brick masonry settling tank specifically designed for the project.
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    Simulation of environmental and varietal effects in rice using ceres model
    (Department of Agricultural Meteorology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Naziya; Ajithkumar, B
    The present investigation on “Simulation of environmental and varietal effects in rice using CERES model” were carried out in Department of Agricultural Meteorology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2012-13 to determine the crop weather relationship, to calibrate the genetic coefficient and simulation of phenology, growth and yield of Jyothi and Kanchana varieties of rice. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications at Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy during the Kharif season of 2013. Five dates of planting was assigned as a main plot treatment viz., 5th June, 20th June, 5th July, 20th July and 5th August with two varieties (Jyothi and Kanchana) as sub plot treatment. The different growth and yield characters like plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation,1000 grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, number of panicles, spikelets, filled grains and duration of different growth phases were recorded along with monitoring the incidence of various pest and diseases. The daily weather parameters like maximum and minimum temperatures, forenoon and afternoon relative humidity, forenoon and afternoon vapour pressure deficits, bright sunshine hours, evaporation, wind speed, rainfall and rainy days were determined. The minimum temperature, afternoon and forenoon relative humidity, rainfall, rainy days, bright sunshine hours and evaporation were found to be higher in early planting dates compared to late plantings. Plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, yield and yield attributes were highly variable among the different planting dates. Yield and yield attributes were influenced by various weather parameters experienced by the crop during different dates of planting. Days taken to complete maturity were reduced with each successive delay in planting dates in both the varieties. Genotypic variations are found between the varieties but days taken for each phenophases were found to be similar. June 5th and July 20th planting recorded the highest yield in Jyothi whereas June 20th and July 5th planting gave highest yield in Kanchana. Jyothi was found to be superior to Kanchana during the crop season. To determine the critical weather elements affecting the crop growth, correlation analysis was done and it was observed that crop duration would decrease with increase in temperature and bright sunshine hours whereas, the forenoon and afternoon relative humidity, rainfall and rainy days showed a positive influence on crop duration. Multiple linear regression models were fitted, to predict the grain yield based on weather variables. The crop genetic coefficients that influence the occurrence of developmental stages in the CERES-rice models were derived, to achieve the best possible agreement between the simulated and observed values. Calibration was done with the independent data sets of two rice varieties viz. Jyothi and Kanchana for different genetic coefficients, which characterize the performance of the crop. The performance of the CERES-rice simulation model was tested and evaluated using the calibrated genetic coefficients for both the varieties with their respective planting dates. The results of simulation studies in respect of phenophases and yield of rice were compared with the observed values from the field experiment. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and D- stat (index of agreement) were used to evaluate the model performance and found that predicted yield of both rice varieties Jyothi and Kanchana under different planting dates were reasonably close to the observed values.
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    Evaluation of long pepper (Piper longum L) genotypes for growth flowering and yield
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Maheswari R S Nair; Suma, B
    Long pepper (Piper longum L.) belonging to the family Piperaceae is one among the 14 medicinal plants which has high demand in indigenous drug industry and is also prioritized for cultivation and development by National Medicinal Plant Board. Even though long pepper is well adapted for cultivation as an intercrop in coconut, arecanut and rubber plantations of Kerala, its cultivation is limited due to poor returns from the crop on account of high expenditure on harvesting due to staggered flowering and lack of high yielding varieties with high dry recovery. Germplasm collection of long pepper was initiated at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices and was further strengthened by KSCSTE funded project and 60 types were assembled. After an initial evaluation, 42 types were selected including check variety ‘Viswam’ for the present study. The present investigations on “Evaluation of “long pepper” (Piper longum L.) genotypes for growth, flowering and yield” was carried out in Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during December 2012 to May 2014. The objectives of the study were to catalogue the germplasm accessions of long pepper, to study the flowering behavior fruit set and quality and to identify superior long pepper genotypes with high yield and quality. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design, comprised of 42 treatments and six replications. The accessions studied were collected from Western Ghat regions of Kerala and also entries from NBPGR which includes the collections from different regions of Karnataka and Tirunelveli. Characters studied include six qualitative and eighteen quantitative characters including biochemical attributes. Cataloguing of accessions for qualitative characters using IPGRI descriptor for Piper nigrum revealed wide variation among accessions in growth habit, runner shoot production, leaf shape (base, lamina, margin), spike shape and spike colour. Among the forty two accessions studied, it was noticed that thirty eight accessions were found to be female, three found to be male and one non-flowering type. Maximum inflorescence (more than 55 per cent) was produced during June, July and August and minimum (less than 5 per cent) during December and January. In PL 42, PL 53 and PL 57 flowering was extended during May to October. Coefficient of variation for year round flowering ranged from 7.34 per cent to 46.32 per cent. Among accessions, number of primary branches, spike bearing branches per primary branch and leaves per plant ranged from 1.00 to 8.00, 1.00 to 6.71 and 21.67 to 166.0, respectively. The plant height, petiole length, internodal length of spike bearing branches and leaf area ranged from 39.67 cm to 88.33cm, 1.11 cm to 7.56 cm, 1.86 cm to 7.38 cm and 25.98 cm2 to 63.87 cm 2, respectively. The days from planting to emergence and emergence to maturity of spike in female types ranged from 77 to 146 days and 60 to 80 days whereas, male accessions took 135-141 days and 61-64 days, respectively. Number of spikes/spike bearing branch ranged from 1.00 to 3.21 and coefficient of variation observed were 54.81%. Spike length and girth varied from 0.90 cm to 3.10 cm and 3.75 mm to 8.86 mm in female accessions and male accessions from 8.10 cm to 8.18 cm, and 4mm to 4.03 mm respectively. Coefficient of variation for spike length and girth were 7.87 per cent and 6.83 per cent , respectively. Fresh weight per spike recorded highest in PL8 (1.06 g) and dry weight per spike recorded maximum in PL 12(0.20 g). Fresh and dry yield per plant was recorded highest in PL8 which was on par with PL9 along with check variety Viswam. Coefficient of variation observed for fresh and dry yield per plant as 122.45 per cent and 120.44 per cent, respectively. Spike set percent was shown maximum by PL 8 (97.42 per cent) and driage by PL 49 (20.66 per cent). Based on yield parameters, PL 5, PL 8, PL 9, PL 15, PL 23, PL 24 and PL 25 along with check variety were selected as superior accessions. For volatile oil, oleoresin and piperine content, accessions PL 5, PL 8, PL 12 and PL 50 were promising. Cluster analysis among 42 accessions based on qualitative characters and 20 accessions based on quantitative characters were done by using Multivariate Hierrarchial Cluster Analysis using NTSYS software. The dendrogram derived through qualitative characteristics showed degree of similarity varying from 26 to 100 and at 81 per cent similarity long pepper accessions were grouped into seven clusters. Based on quantitative data, the accessions showed only 14 per cent similarity. Since the accessions showed wide variability it can be utilized in future breeding programmes.
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    Regulation of growth and flowering in Heliconia spp.
    (Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, 2016) Kokila, K R; Satheeshan, K N