1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)
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Item Micro irrigation and mulching for yield optimization of bhindi in rain shelter(Department of Agronomy College of Agriculture ,vellayani, 2021-12-21) Merin Jose.; Sajitha Rani, TThe experiment entitled “Micro irrigation and mulching for yield optimization of bhindi in rain shelter” was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, during the period 2019-2021, with the objective to evaluate the efficacy of micro irrigation and mulching on the growth and yield of bhindi in rain shelter. The field experiment was conducted using the variety Varsha Uphar, during February to May, 2021. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications. The treatments consisted of five main plot treatments (i1: Surface drip irrigation, i2: Rain hose irrigation, i3: Sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm, i4: Sub surface drip irrigation at 15 cm, i5: Sub surface drip irrigation at 20 cm) and two sub plot treatments (m1: No mulch, m2: Organic mulch). Dry banana leaves available in the area was used as organic mulch @ 10 t ha-1 and were laid as per the treatment. Results of the experiment revealed that types of irrigation and mulching had significant influence on growth characters, yield attributes, water productivity and water use efficiency of okra. Plant height at 30, 60, 90 days after transplanting, and at harvest were higher in sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth. The number of branches at final harvest (4.00) and root shoot ratio (0.21) were observed to be the highest in sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth. Types of irrigation and mulching had no significant influence on leaf area index at 50 per cent flowering stage. Dry matter production (5273 kg ha-1 ) was higher in sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth, which was on par with sub surface drip irrigation at 15 cm depth and that at 20 cm depth. Considering the interaction, higher dry matter production was recorded by sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth (i3) with organic mulch (m2) (5328 kg ha-1 ) and was on par with i3m1 and i4m2. Between organic mulch and no mulch, organic mulching recorded significantly higher growth attributes than without mulch. The highest root depth was recorded in sub surface drip irrigation at 20 cm depth (40.1 cm), whereas, higher root volume (35.26 cm3 ) was recorded by sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth and was comparable with sub surface drip irrigation at 15 cm depth (30.72 cm3 ). Organic mulching resulted in significantly higher root depth and root volume than no mulch treatment. Yield attributes like number of fruits plant per plant (28), length of fruit (15.53 cm), fruit yield per plant (411.19 g), and total fruit yield m-2 (2.29 kg) were found to be higher in sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth. Organic mulching resulted in higher yield attributes compared to no mulch. Considering the interaction, sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth (i3) along with organic mulching (m2) was found to be superior compared to all other treatment combinations with respect to fruit yield per plant and total fruit yield m-2 . The higher uptake of N (61.06 kg ha-1 ), P (19.55 kg ha-1 ) and K (19.55 kg ha-1 ) were observed in sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth. Organic mulching recorded higher NPK uptake. Available NPK after the experiment were not influenced by the types of irrigation. Organic mulching recorded higher N (233.66 kg ha-1 ) and P (45.32 kg ha-1 ) content than the no mulch treatment. The highest water productivity (4.49 kg m-3 ) was recorded by sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth. Water use efficiency (6.48 kg m-3 ) was higher in sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth and remained statistically on par with sub surface drip irrigation at 15 cm depth (6.11 kg m-3 ). Organic mulching recorded significantly higher water productivity and water use efficiency compared to no mulch. Among the interactions, sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth along with organic mulching was found to be superior in terms of water productivity and water use efficiency compared to the other treatment combinations. The economics of cultivation in terms of net returns (₹ 5.31 lakhs ha-1 ) and B: C ratio (2.39) were observed to be the highest in sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth, which was on par with sub surface drip irrigation at 15 cm depth. Organic mulching recorded significantly higher net returns and B: C ratio compared to no mulch. Considering the interactions, higher net returns (₹ 5.47 lakhs ha-1 ) and B: C ratio (2.43), was recorded by sub surface drip irrigation at 10 cm with organic mulch. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that sub surface drip irrigation at a depth of 10 cm combined with organic mulch (dry banana leaves) @ 10 t ha-1 can be recommended for bhindi cultivation for obtaining higher yield, water use efficiency and economics.Item Wicking Bed Irrigation in Tomato Solanum lycopersicum L(Department Of Agronomy College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2021-11-19) Greeshma,U; Bindhu, J SThe experiment entitled “Wicking bed irrigation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum (L).)” was conducted with the objectives to standardize the height and media filled reservoir in wicking bed system, to evaluate the performance of tomato as a test crop under wicking bed (WB) system and to work out the economics. The experiment was carried out from December 2020 to April 2021 in farmer’s field at Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with 8 treatments replicated thrice. The treatments were T1 – gravel WB 100mm + geotextile inter liner (GT) + soil bed (SB) 200 mm; T2 - gravel WB 150mm + GT + SB 300 mm; T3 - coconut shell WB 100 mm + GT + SB 200 mm; T4 - coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm; T5 - gravel + coconut shell (1:1) WB 100 mm + GT + SB 200 mm; T6 - gravel + coconut shell (1:1) WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm; T7 - SB 200 mm conventional irrigation; T8 – SB 300 mm conventional irrigation. Soil bed was prepared by mixing soil, coir pith compost and FYM in the ratio 2:1:1. Nutrition was provided as per the organic POP of KAU. Tomato seedlings of variety Vellayani Vijai was used for transplanting. After transplanting, all treatments were surface irrigated for two weeks. Irrigation was given in the wicking bed based on the water level in the reservoir. The growth characters viz., plant height, number of branches, stem girth and leaf area were recorded at 30, 60, 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and at harvest. At 30 DAT and 60 DAT, taller plants (59.32, 93.25 cm, respectively) were observed in coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T4) and at 90 DAT and at harvest gravel + coconut shell (1:1) WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T6) recorded the taller plants. Number of primary branches per plant were higher in the treatment coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T4) in all the growth stages. Stem girth was not influenced by the wicking bed and surface irrigation treatments except at 60 DAT. At 60 DAT, stem girth recorded in all the treatments were on par, except soil bed 200 mm with conventional irrigation (T7). Leaf area was not influenced during early stages of growth. Higher leaf area (797 cm2) was observed for T2 at 90 DAT and at harvest (768 cm2). Coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T4) recorded higher dry matter, root weight and root volume. The longest roots (17.30 cm) were recorded in gravel WB 150mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T2). Flower clusters per plant was significantly more in T2 (31.67) which was on par with T1, T5 and T6. Coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T4) recorded higher number of flowers per cluster (10.67). The treatments, coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T4) and gravel + coconut shell (1:1) WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T6) took less number of days (37.83) to reach 50 per cent flowering. Fruits were longer (4.35 cm) in T3 and fruit diameter was higher (11.63 cm) in T6. T4 (coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm) recorded more fruit weight (41.50 g) and remained statistically on par with T2 and T6. The analysed data revealed that higher yield per plant (1153 g) and more number of pickings were recorded in T4 which was on par with T2. Harvest index was higher in larger reservoir depths. Significantly higher (20.64 mg 100 g fruit-1) ascorbic acid content was recorded in T4 and T5. Total soluble sugars and titrable acidity were not influenced by wicking and surface irrigation treatments. Soil pH, organic carbon, P and K content were not influenced by wicking bed and surface irrigation treatments. Bulk density was higher (1.31 Mg m-3) in gravel + coconut shell (1:1) WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm (T6) which was on par with T3 and T5. Surface irrigation treatments (T7 and T8) recorded lower EC value (0.86 and 0.95 dS m-1, respectively). Available nitrogen content was significantly higher in T4 (coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm) and was comparable with T1 and T5. Plant uptake of N and P was higher in T4 (coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm) and K uptake was higher (10.18 g per plant) in T2 (gravel WB 150mm + GT + SB 300 mm) which was on par with T4. Water requirement of tomato varied with the treatments ranging from 480.06 mm (T4) to 568.22 mm (T7). The frequency of irrigation varied from 9 in larger reservoir depth to 35 in surface irrigation treatments. T4 recorded the lowest water requirement (480.06 mm) and the highest total water use efficiency (65.05 kg ha-1 mm-1). The economic analysis revealed that T4 (coconut shell WB 150 mm + GT + SB 300 mm) recorded the highest net returns per plant (₹ 46.23) and BCR of 2.00. From the study, it could be concluded that, tomato can be successfully cultivated in wicking bed system. Among the wicking beds, coconut shell filled reservoir of 150 mm depth + geotextile inter liner + 300 mm soil bed depth could be recommended for tomato cultivation considering the yield, quality, water use efficiency and economics.Item Standardisation of magnesium nutrition in Bajra Napier hybrid(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture ,Vellayani, 2021-12-23) Navya, M V.; Usha C ThomasThe research work entitled “Standardisation of magnesium nutrition in Bajra Napier hybrid” was undertaken with an objective to assess the influence of magnesium nutrition on growth, yield and quality attributes of Bajra Napier hybrid. The field experiment was carried out during the period October 2020 to April 2021 at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with 9 treatments replicated thrice. The treatment comprised of two factors, namely MgSO 4 levels (M) and frequency of application (F). The treatment combinations included three levels of magnesium [m 1 - 80 kg ha -1 , m 2 - 100 kg ha -1 and m 3 - 120 kg ha -1 ] and three frequency of application [f 1 - split application once in 3 months, f 2 - split application once in 4 months and f 3 - split application once in 6 months]. The crop was raised as per the POP recommendations of KAU (25 t ha -1 FYM and 200:50:50 kg ha -1 NPK). The variety used for the study was Suguna, released from Kerala Agricultural University. A total of three harvests were taken during the study period. The results of the study revealed that growth and yield attributes, physiochemical characters, quality characters, nutrient status in soil after the conduct of the experiment, nutrient uptake and economics of cultivation were significantly influenced by varying levels of MgSO 4 application. Application of 100 kg MgSO 4 ha -1 (M 2 ) recorded significantly higher tiller count per hill (23.22), leaf: stem ratio (1.88), green fodder yield (144.35 t ha -1 ) and dry fodder yield (39.5 t ha -1 ). Physiochemical attributes viz chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate (59.14 μmol CO 2 m -2 s -1 ) in Bajra Napier hybrid were significantly higher in M 2 . Data pertaining to quality characters indicated that crude protein content (9.48 %) in Bajra Napier hybrid was highest in (M 2 ) and was on par with M 3 .Application of 100 kg MgSO 4 ha -1 resulted in highest available phosphorus content (60.47 kg ha -1 ) in the soil and also significantly higher N (454.13 kg ha -1 ), P (48.65 kg ha -1 ) and Mg uptake (189.59 kg ha -1 ). Significantly higher B: C ratio (1.99) was observed in M 2 . However, significantly higher crude fibre content (34.75 %) was observed in M 1 (80 kg MgSO 4 ha -1 ). Similarly available potassium (214.68 kg ha -1 ) and calcium content (251.78 mg kg -1 ) in soil were observed to be significantly higher with application of 80 kg MgSO 4 ha -1 . Significantly higher potassium uptake (398.89 kg ha -1 ) and K: Mg ratio (3.02) were recorded in M 1 . Application of 120 kg MgSO 4 ha -1 (M 3 ) resulted in significantly higher magnesium content (38.22 mg kg - 1 ) in the soil. Frequency of application of MgSO 4 significantly influenced various growth and yield attributes of Bajra Napier hybrid. Highest total green fodder yield (139.59 t ha -1 ) and dry fodder yield (37.14 t ha -1 ), available K status in soil (207.35 kg ha -1 ), NPK uptake and B: C ratio (1.93) were observed with split application of MgSO 4 once in 6 months. Split application of MgSO 4 once in 4 months recorded highest tiller number (22.43) per hill, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate (55.71 μmol CO 2 m -2 s -1 ) and highest phosphorus (57.28 kg ha -1 ) and calcium (237.22 mg kg -1 ) content in soil. Highest available magnesium content (40.33 mg kg -1 ) in soil and Mg uptake (171.35 kg ha -1 ) were registered in F 1 (split application once in 3 months). Significantly higher K: Mg ratio (2.44) was observed in F 1 . Among the interactions, m 2 f 3 (100 kg ha -1 MgSO 4 given as split application once in 6 months) recorded highest tiller number (24.72) per hill, total green fodder yield (153.42 t ha -1 ) and dry fodder yield (40.96 t ha -1 ), chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, crude protein content (10.06 %), highest nitrogen (480.16 kg ha -1 ) and phosphorus uptake (50.57 kg ha -1 ) and B: C ratio (2.11).Highest available calcium content (257.67 mg kg -1 ) in the soil and potassium uptake (421.10 kg ha -1 ) were observed in m 1 f 3 (80 kg ha -1 MgSO 4 given as split application once in 6 months) and was comparable with treatment m 1 f 2 . The treatment combination m 2 f 2 (100 kg ha -1 MgSO 4 given as split application once in 4 months) registered significantly higher available phosphorus content (73.65 kg ha -1 ) in the soil. The highest soil magnesium content (43.67 mg kg -1 ) was observed in the treatment combination m 3 f 1 (120 kg ha -1 MgSO 4 given as split application once in 4 months). The treatment combination m 2 f 1 (100 kg ha -1 MgSO 4 given as split application once in 3 months) resulted in significantly higher magnesium uptake (201.84 kg ha -1 ). Based on the results of the study, it was revealed that growth, yield, quality parameters, crop nutrient uptake and economics of cultivation in Bajra Napier hybrid were significantly influenced by varying levels and frequency of application of MgSO 4 . It could be concluded that, 100 kg MgSO 4 ha -1 given as split application once in 6 months was the best treatment.Item Integrated nutrient management in sofghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) for AEU 8(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2023-03-17) Arathy P Shaji; Rajasree, G