1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)
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Item Characterization of selected exotic jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) varieties(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2025) Neha, A R; Bindu, BThe study entitled ‘Characterization of selected exotic jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) varieties’ was conducted at the Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, from November 2024 to July 2025. Fifteen exotic jackfruit varieties were identified from South Kerala, covering the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Kottayam. No systematic study has been conducted so far regarding the evaluation and morphological characterization of exotic jackfruit varieties under Kerala conditions. Keeping this in view, the present study is proposed with the aim of morphological characterization and evaluation of selected exotic jackfruit varieties grown in South Kerala. Observations were recorded on quantitative, qualitative, biochemical and organoleptic parameters. A preliminary survey was conducted in various locations across Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Kottayam districts to identify exotic jackfruit varieties. The preparations included contacting KVKs, research stations, various private and public nurseries and contacting farmers in order to collect information regarding the same. A traditional variety popular in Kerala, Muttom Varikka, was taken as control in order to compare the differences in characters with the exotic varieties. Seven of the exotic varieties were collected from Kollam, six from Thiruvananthapuram and each from Alappuzha and Kottayam district. Field observations for the selected exotic varieties were conducted by documenting the morphological characteristics of the tree, leaves, inflorescences, fruits, seeds, and other contributing traits, following the IPGRI (2000) descriptor for jackfruit. The incidence of pests, diseases, and other physiological disorders were also monitored and recorded. Regarding the important qualitative characters, most of the exotic varieties exhibited an irregular crown shape (40.00%) and irregular branching pattern (53.33%). All the exotic varieties were regular bearers, with 66.66% of them being early-bearing. Considerable variations were observed in qualitative, quantitative and biochemical characters of exotic varieties. Among the varieties, 26.66% exhibited a twisted flake shape, 20% each displayed obovate and rectangular shapes, 13.33% had an irregular shape, and 6.66% each showed spheroid and cordate forms. 86.66% of the exotic varieties were sweet in taste, while 13.33% of them were insipid. Most of the varieties had yellow pulp color (40 %), followed by light yellow (33.33%), followed by coppery red (20 %) and creamy white (6.66%). An agglomerative hierarchical clustering was performed using 12 yield contributing quantitative parameters. The analysis classified the varieties into three clusters according to the similarities of these traits. The clustering results showed that the elite varieties with desirable traits were predominantly found in Cluster III. An agglomerative hierarchical clustering based on biochemical analysis was conducted using eight key biochemical traits that contribute to yield. The analysis classified the varieties into two clusters according to the similarities in these traits. The results indicate that the elite varieties with desirable characteristics were grouped in Cluster II. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed using ten quantitative characters contributing to yield, including fruit length (FRL), fruit diameter (FRD), fruit weight (FRW), flake length (FLL), flake width (FLW), weight of flakes per kg of fruit (WFPKF), weight of fresh flake without seed (WFFWS), flake to fruit ratio (FFR), flake to seed ratio (FSR) and yield per tree (YPT). The PCA biplot results show that FFR, FRW, FRL, and FLL contribute positively to PC1. Gumless, White Jack, Red Jack, Thailand Red, J 33, and Dang Surya are found to have high values for these parameters. Similarly, FSR and YPT contribute positively to PC2 while FLW contributes negatively to PC2. Vietnam Super Early, Seedless are found to have high values for FSR but low values for FRL, FRD, FRW and FLW. Among the quantitative characters, J 13 had the longest fruit (57 cm), White Jack had the largest diameter (84.10 cm) and heaviest weight (14 kg). White Jack had the highest weight of flakes per kg of fruit (876 g), and Red Jack had the highest weight of fresh flake without seed (29 g). White Jack had the longest flake (8.50 cm) and the widest flake was present in Red Jack (11.10 cm). The highest yield per tree was recorded in the Gumless variety (326.80 kg). The traditional variety, Muttom Varikka taken as control, exhibited a fruit weight of 7 kg, fruit length of 58 cm, and fruit diameter of 70.50 cm. PCA on biochemical parameters was carried out based on Total Soluble Sugars (TSS), acidity (AY), TSS-acidity ratio (TAR), ascorbic acid (AA), reducing sugars (RS), non-reducing sugars (NRS), total sugars (TS) and total carotenoids (TC). The PCA biplot shows that TSS, TS, TAR, RS and AA have positive contributions to PC1 while AY has a negative contribution to PC1. Exotic varieties such as J 33, Pink Jack, Dang Surya, Thailand Red and Cambodian Orange have higher values for TSS, TS, TAR, RS and AA, whereas J13, Seedless, Thailand Pink and Vietnam Early have higher values of AY. TSS peaked for the J33 variety (40.7 ºBrix) while maximum acidity was found in Thailand Pink and J13 varieties (0.64%). Vietnam Red and Pink Jack exhibited the least acidity (0.21). Pink Jack variety had the highest TSS-acidity ratio (167.62), followed by Vietnam Red (121.90) and ascorbic acid content was high in White Jack (20.19 mg/100g). Among the biochemical parameters, J33 had the highest percentage of non-reducing sugar (11.38 %) as well as total sugars (17.92%) and the Red Jack variety had the highest total carotenoid content (4430.13 μg/100g). For the identification of elite varieties based on the parameters, scoring was given based on the economic characters like tree vigour, fruit weight, pulp colour, flake to fruit ratio, TSS, acidity, carotenoid content, flake to seed ratio, number of fruits per tree and yield per tree. The elite exotic jack fruit varieties identified based on the study were Vietnam Super Early, J33, Thailand Red, Red Jack, Gumless, Cambodian Orange and Dang Surya. These elite varieties were compared with the traditional control variety, Muttom Varikka. The PCA analysis with traditional as well as selected elite varieties were done on 15 yield contributing quantitative and biochemical factors: fruit length (FRL), fruit diameter (FRD), fruit weight (FRW), flake length (FLL), flake width (FLW), weight of flakes per kg of fruit (WFPKF), weight of fresh flake without seed (WFFWS), flake to fruit ratio (FFR), flake to seed ratio (FSR), yield per tree (YPT), Total Soluble Sugars (TSS), acidity (AY), TSS- acidity ratio (TAR), ascorbic acid (AA), reducing sugars (RS), non-reducing sugars (NRS), total sugars (TS) and total carotenoids (TC). The PCA biplot showed that the traditional variety had comparatively higher values for FFR, WFPKF, FLL, FRL, FRD, while other parameters were found in higher values in exotic varieties. The organoleptic assessment of the flake was done using a hedonic scale rating, ranging from 1 (indicating poor quality) to 9 (representing excellent quality), and underwent statistical analysis using Kendall's and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Red Jack had the highest rank for appearance (8.6), Dang Surya scored the highest for colour (8.8), Dang Surya and Thailand Red had the highest score for flavor (9). Texture scores were highest for Dang Surya (8.4). J33 scored 9 for taste. Overall acceptability scores were highest for Thailand Red and J33. Overall assessment revealed that exotic jackfruit varieties, Vietnam Super Early, J33, Thailand Red, Red Jack, Gumless, Cambodian Orange and Dang Surya were identified as elite types. The results of the study showed significant variation in both quantitative and qualitative traits, as well as biochemical and organoleptic parameters among the different exotic varieties. The findings indicate that exotic jackfruit varieties possess distinct advantages over traditional types, particularly in yield potential and fruit quality attributes. Further exploration and utilization of these varieties is essential for identifying superior genotypes, promoting commercial cultivation, conserving promising varieties, developing value-added products, and improving the economic potential of exotic jackfruit varieties.Item Direct regeneration of banana(Musa spp.) cultivar njalipoovan through in vitro male bud culture.(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2025) Jovita Joju; Manju, P RThe present research work entitled “Varietal evaluation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) for urban horticulture” was conducted at the Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, from 2023 November to 2024 October. The study was under taken to evaluate the growth and yield response of planting materials of guava to different type and size of containers and to evaluate the growth response of different varieties of guava in containers. The experiment 1 entitled “Performance evaluation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) in containers” was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 18 treatments and 3 replications using the guava variety Arka Kiran. The treatments included two container types (C1 - Plastic container and C2 - Air-pot), three container sizes (V1 – 40 L, V2 – 60 L and V3 – 80 L) and three different planting materials (P1 - Air layers, P2 - Rooted cuttings and P3 - Grafts). The medium of planting consisted of soil, coir pith and farm yard manure in 1 : 1 : 1 ratio across all treatment. Twelve- month-old potted plants were subjected to the study. Plants in plastic containers (C1), registered significantly taller growth with greater plant spread, primary stem girth, number of leaves per plant (at 15, 18, and 21 MAP), stem girth (at 15 and 18 MAP), root dry weight, shoot dry weight, and leaf area (at 21 MAP) compared to those in airpots. Meanwhile, plants in airpots exhibited earlier flowering, shorter duration from flowering to harvest and longer flowering duration. They also produced greater number of fruits and higher fruit weight, length, diameter and fruit yield. Among different container volumes, 80 L (V3) had the tallest plants with the highest plant spread, stem girth and primary stem girth and the highest number of leaves per plant (15 MAP, 18 MAP and 21 MAP). In addition, they exhibited earliness in flowering and harvest, highest flowering duration, fruit weight, length, diameter, number of fruits and fruit yield. Root dry weight, shoot dry weight (21 MAP) and leaf area were also the highest in V3. 168 Among the different planting materials, air layers produced taller plants with greater plant spread (at 15, 18, and 21 MAP), number of leaves per plant, leaf area and root-to-shoot ratio (at 21 MAP). In addition, they exhibited early flowering, longest flowering duration and the shortest number of days from flowering to harvest. The number of fruits, fruit weight, fruit length, diameter and fruit yield were also observed to be the highest in air layers. Grafts (P3) recorded the highest values for stem girth, primary branch girth, root dry weight and shoot dry weight. The fruits were analysed for quality parameters, including TSS, total sugar, reducing sugar, ascorbic acid, total antioxidant activity and total carotenoids. Container size, type, and planting material showed a significant difference in ascorbic acid and carotenoid content, whereas all other parameters were non-significant. Ascorbic acid and carotenoid content were higher in airpots. In terms of container volume, the 80 L containers showed higher ascorbic acid(227.67 mg 100g-1) and carotenoid levels (0.67 mg 100g-1) , while, among planting materials, air-layered plants had the highest values. Leaf tissue was analysed for physiological and biochemical parameters viz., chlorophyll content, total carotenoids, total reducing sugars and total soluble proteins at 18 MAP. Container type and planting material did not show any significant effect on these parameters, while 80 L container volume showed significantly higher total soluble proteins compared to 40 and 60 litres. The two factor interaction between container type and size (C x V), showed that 80 L plastic containers (C1V3) recorded significantly higher plant spread (E-W and N-S), stem girth, leaves per plant, leaf area and root dry weight. The shoot dry weight was higher in both plastic container and air-pots with 80 L (C1V3 and C2V3). Air-pots with 80 L (C2V3), exhibited early flowering with more fruits per plant, enhanced flowering duration, earlier flowering to harvest and the highest fruit weight, length, diameter and fruit yield. Interaction between container type and planting material (C x P) also confirms similar results in air-pots with air layers (C2P1). Root : shoot ratio was the highest in air-pots with grafted plants (C2P3). The two factor interaction between container size and planting material (V x P) showed that air layers grown in 80 L containers (V3P1) outperformed other combinations with respect to plant height, plant 169 spread, leaves per plant, leaf area, number of fruits, flowering duration, days to flowering, days from flowering to harvest, fruit weight, length, diameter and fruit yield. Shoot dry weight, stem girth and primary stem girth were the highest in 80 L with graft (V3P3). In three factor interaction, 80 L plastic containers with graft (C1V3P3) showed higher root dry weight and shoot dry weight while plant height and leaf area were the highest for air layers in 80 L plastic container (C1V3P1). The least number of days to flowering and days from flowering to harvest were observed in 80 L airpots with air layers (C2V3P1) they also produced the highest number of leaves and fruits, as well as the greatest fruit weight, length, diameter and fruit yield. Another notable feature observed in the study is the presence of root coiling in plastic containers of all sizes (40, 60, and 80 L), regardless of the type of planting material. In contrast, root coiling was absent in airpots of all container sizes. This study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate container types, sizes, and planting materials for successful guava cultivation in containers. Airpots outperformed plastic containers by enhancing reproductive traits like early flowering, extended flowering duration, and superior fruit yield and quality. Larger containers (80 L) showed the best results across growth, fruit yield and biochemical parameters, including ascorbic acid and carotenoids. Among planting materials, air layers excelled in vegetative growth, earliness in flowering, and fruit quality, establishing 80 L airpots with air layers as the optimal choice for container-based guava cultivation. The experiment 2 entitled “Varietal evaluation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) for urban horticulture” was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments included five varieties of air layered guava: T1-Allahabad Safeda, T2-Lucknow 49, T3-Arka Kiran, T4-Arka Rashmi and T5- Arka Mridula. (Note: The best container type, container size and planting material (Airpots 80 L air layers) was selected from the result of first year observations of the experiment entitled “Performance evaluation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) in container and used in this experiment). T5-Arka Mridula registered the highest plant 170 height, primary and the secondary stem girth, while early flowering with highest number of flowers was registered in T4-Arka Rashmi. Leaf tissue was analysed for physiological and biochemical parameters viz., chlorophyll content, total carotenoids, total reducing sugars and total soluble proteins at 6 MAP. Total chlorophyll (0.98 mg 100 g -1), reducing sugar (1.84%) and carotenoid content(0.70 mg 100 g -1) were the highest in T5-Arka Mridula and total soluble protein was the highest in T1-Allahabad Safeda. This study emphases the importance of the growth response of different varieties of guava in containers. Among vegetative parameters, plant height, primary and secondary stem girth were the highest in Arka Mridula which was reflected in physiological and biochemical parameters like chlorophyll, reducing sugar and carotenoid contents that gave the highest values. However, in plant spread and flowering parameters like days to flowering and number of flowers the highest values were in Arka Rashmi. Plants with a compact canopy and good reproductive parameters are ideal for container growing. Thus, the present study unveils the suitability of Arka Rashmi for container growing of guava.Item Exploring the compatibility of intra and inter specific grafting and budding in Artocarpus species(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2025) Surya, S.; Zahida, P MThe Artocarpus genus, part of the Moraceae family, includes over 60 genera and more than 1000 species, many of which bear large, nutritious fruits. While Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit) is widely recognized and cultivated, other species such as breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and wild jackfruit (Artocarpus hirsutus) remain largely underutilized, especially in regions like Kerala. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg.) is a tropical staple fruit crop that remains underutilized and neglected despite having high nutritional value and potential for achieving food security. Breadfruit is typically propagated through suckers, root cuttings, or air layering, but these methods produce limited planting materials and result in trees without taproots, increasing their susceptibility to wind damage. Anjili/wild jack (Artocarpus hirsutus Lam.), another underutilized fruit crop of genus Artocarpus, earlier recognized as a timber tree, is gaining momentum among people as a fruit crop recently. It is mainly propagated through seeds and its vegetative propagation methods are not yet standardized. Grafting or budding offers a wide range of benefits such as wider adaptability, true-to-type nature, low juvenile phase, dwarfism, etc. Interspecific grafting and budding using different species as rootstocks improve disease resistance and stress tolerance and also provide better tap root system while intraspecific grafting and budding, combine desirable traits like higher yields and better quality. Hence the study entitled “Exploring the compatibility of intra and inter specific grafting and budding in Artocarpus species” was undertaken to identify the compatible rootstocks and standardize propagation methods in Artocarpus altilis and A. hirsutus at Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara during 2023 – 2024. The study consisted of two experiments. The first experiment was the identification of compatible rootstocks and suitable methods of propagation for A. altilis. These experiments were conducted in combination of two factors – methods of propagation (P) and types of rootstocks (R). Three different Artocarpus species including A. hirsutus (Anjili or wild jack) (R1), A. camansi (Breadnut) (R2), and A. heterophyllus (Jackfruit) (R3) were used as rootstocks for patch budding (P1) and softwood grafting (P2) methods. The treatments included P1R1 (patch budding on A. hirsutus), P1R2 (patch budding on A. camansi), P1R3 (patch budding on A. heterophyllus), P2R1 (softwood grafting on A. hirsutus), P2R2 (softwood grafting on A. camansi) and P2R3 (softwood grafting on A. heterophyllus). The different growth parameters such as days to sprout, number of leaves, number of branches and shoot length were recorded at 15 day intervals. Success percentage, number of roots, average length of roots and anatomical observations were noted 120 days after grafting/budding (DAG/DAB). All parameters showed significant variation across propagation methods, rootstock types, and their interactions. Among the propagation methods, patch budding (P1) achieved highest success percentage but early sprouting was observed with softwood grafting (P2). However, P1 outperformed P2 in all other parameters, including maximum number of leaves, greater shoot and root length, and higher number of roots. While evaluating the three different rootstocks, A. camansi (R2) exhibited the highest success rate followed by A. hirsutus (R1). A. heterophyllus (R3) failed to produce successful grafted or budded plants. Early sprouting was observed for R1 while R2 outperformed R1 in morphological parameters like the number of leaves, shoot length, number of roots and the average length of roots. In examining the combined effects of propagation methods and rootstock types, patch budding on A. camansi (P1R2) yielded the highest success rate, followed by patch budding on A. hirsutus (P1R1) and softwood grafting on A. camansi (P2R2). All other treatment combinations failed to survive. P2R2 showed the shortest sprouting time while highest leaf number was observed in P1R2. Maximum shoot length was observed for P2R2 from 45 to 90 DAG followed by P1R2, while in the later stages at 105 and 120 DAG/DAB highest shoot length was recorded by P1R2 succeeded by P2R2. P1R2 recorded more roots while length of roots was found on par values for P1R1, P1R2 and P2R2. Anatomical studies conducted at 120 DAG/DAB revealed a well-developed connection between stock and scion in P1R2 indicating the compatibility of A. camansi with breadfruit. In the second experiment, the design, factors, treatment combinations and observations were same as that of the first experiment and was conducted to identify the compatible rootstocks and suitable methods of propagation for A. hirsutus. The results showed that softwood grafting (P2) recorded highest success rate, early sprouting, maximum number of branches, leaves, and greatest root and shoot length while maximum number of roots was found for patch budding (P1). Among the rootstocks, maximum success percentage, shortest sprouting time, highest leaf and branch count, and greatest shoot and root length were observed for A. hirsutus (R1) whereas a maximum root number was observed for A. camansi (R2). Here also A. heterophyllus (R2) failed to produce a union with A. hirsutus. While assessing the treatment combinations, softwood grafting on A. hirsutus (P2R1) yielded better result in terms of success rate, shortest sprouting time, maximum number of leaves and branches, and highest shoot and root length but the maximum number of roots was recorded for patch budding on A. camansi (P1R2). All other treatment combinations failed to give positive results. In addition to these experiments, the seed and seedling characters of five Artocarpus species (T1 – A. heterophyllus, T2 – A. hirsutus, T3 – A. camansi, T4 – A. lacucha, T5 – A. gomezianus subsp. zeylanicus) were studied to document the morphological variations in seeds and seedlings. Seed traits such as weight, length, width, and thickness were measured, along with germination percentage and the number of days required for germination. Seedling growth parameters, including height, stem girth, number of leaves and leaf area were recorded for three months after sowing. The results revealed that T3 (A. camansi) had highest seed weight, width, thickness, early germination, maximum germination percentage, highest shoot length, stem girth, and leaf area. Longest seed was observed for T1 (A. heterophyllus) and maximum leaf count was observed for T2 (A. hirsutus). The present study revealed that patch budding is the best propagation method and A. camansi and A. hirsutus can be used as rootstocks for breadfruit. Patch budding on A. camansi showed a higher success percentage followed by patch budding on A. hirsutus. For anjili, softwood grafting was found better than patch budding and A. hirsutus was found to be the more compatible rootstock followed by A. camansi. Softwood grafting on A. hirsutus recorded highest success rate followed by patch budding on A. camansi. These successful treatment combinations can be utilized commercially after field evaluation for the propagation of breadfruit and anjili.Item Morphological and biochemical characterization of exotic fruit crops of sapotaceae family(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture ,Vellanikkara, 2025-02-10) Amal Kishore, M.; Aswini, AThe Sapotaceae family includes a variety of tropical fruit crops known for their ecological and nutritional importance. Among these, abiu (Pouteria caimito) and star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito) are gaining attention for their unique qualities and potential benefits. These fruits are rich in nutrients, including phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which make them valuable for promoting health and diversifying agricultural systems. Kerala's tropical climate provides favorable conditions for cultivating abiu and star apple, making them suitable additions to the state’s fruit crops. These fruits contribute to biodiversity while offering new market opportunities for farmers. Their distinct flavors and high nutritional value make them attractive to consumers, often commanding premium prices and increasing farm incomes. Although these fruits are now being grown commercially in Kerala, there is limited research on their growth, flowering, fruiting, and yield under local conditions. Understanding these aspects is essential to improve their cultivation and realize their full potential. The study on abiu (Pouteria caimito) was carried out across four distinct agroecological locations in Kerala: Kottayam, Thrissur, Malappuram, and Kozhikode. A total of 34 genotypes were collected from these regions and was evaluated for their morphological, biochemical, physiological, and phenological traits. Analysis of the genotypes revealed significant variability across morphological, biochemical, and other characteristics, highlighting the diversity present within these collections. The yield of abiu trees varied significantly across genotypes, highlighting their diverse genetic potential for production. Collection 01 stood out with the highest yield of 301.24 kg/tree, followed by Collection 26 (57.70 kg/tree) and Collection 11 (40.08 kg/tree), which also demonstrated strong productivity. Additionally, Collections 1, 15, 26, and 25 were identified as having exceptional yield characteristics, while Collections 21 and 19 recorded the lowest yields of 1.36 kg/tree and 3.62 kg/tree, respectively. These findings emphasize the importance of prioritizing high-yielding genotypes such as Collection 01 to enhance commercial productivity. Similarly, there was considerable variation in biochemical characteristics such as total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, antioxidant content, total phenolic content, total sugar, flavonoids, and fruit protein among the abiu collections. TSS, an essential biochemical trait, ranged from 7.06 OBrix to 13.08 OBrix, with Collection 11 exhibiting the highest value. Acidity varied from 0.097 per cent to 0.102 per cent, with Collection 02 showing the maximum level. Antioxidant content was highest in Collection 06 at 7.02 AA mg/100g, which also recorded the maximum total phenolic content of 1.03 mg/g. Total sugar content ranged from 4.46 per cent to 11.16 per cent, with Collection 07 leading in this trait, while flavonoid content peaked at 0.97 mg/g in Collection 17. Fruit protein content showed significant variation, with Collection 14 having the highest value of 1.90 mg/g. Based on these biochemical traits, Collections 11, 02, 06, 07, 17, and 14 were identified as superior genotypes. There was significant variation in physiological parameters such as relative water content, excised leaf water loss, membrane stability index, leaf thickness, lipid peroxidation, and epicuticular wax content among the abiu collections. Relative water content ranged from 54 per cent to 92 per cent , with Collection 30 recording the highest value. Excised leaf water loss was minimal in Collection 01 at 0.55 per cent, while membrane stability index was the highest in Collection 07 at 84.39 per cent. Leaf thickness varied from 205 × 10⁻³ mm to 280 × 10⁻³ mm, with Collection 33 showing the greatest thickness. Lipid peroxidation values ranged from 0.0093 mg/g to 0.0143 mg/g, with Collection 05 having the lowest value, indicating better oxidative stress tolerance. Epicuticular wax content showed notable variability, with Collection 30 having the maximum value of 0.57833 mg/g. Based on these physiological traits, Collections 30, 01, 07, 33, and 05 were identified as superior genotypes. The dendrogram analysis grouped the genotypes into four clusters. Cluster I contained five genotypes (11, 7, 22, 30, 33), while Cluster II had sixteen genotypes (27, 28, 18, 23, 34, 5, 26, 29, 31, 19, 20, 8, 16, 17, 24, 25). Cluster III comprised only one genotype, Collection 01, highlighting its unique traits, and Cluster IV included the remaining genotypes (14, 4, 10, 9, 12, 21, 32, 6, 13, 15). This analysis underscores the genetic diversity among the collections, with Cluster III being particularly distinct. ELISA was conducted on fruiting and non-fruiting types of Pouteria caimito to study hormonal variations. The analysis showed clear differences in hormone levels between the two types. Auxin was higher in the petiole and flower head of fruiting types, highlighting its role in supporting cell growth and development necessary for fruiting. However, auxin levels in the whole flower and ovary were similar in both types, suggesting that other factors may influence fruit formation in these parts. Cytokinin levels also showed variation, with fruiting types having more cytokinin in the ovary, aiding cell division and fruit development. In contrast, non-fruiting types had higher cytokinin levels in the petiole and flower head, possibly diverting resources and reducing fruiting success. This study demonstrates how auxin and cytokinin distribution in different plant parts influences the fruiting process in abiu. Anatomical studies of abiu fruit stalks showed significant differences between fruit-setting and non-fruit-setting types. Non-fruit-setting types had a smaller section diameter (1747.89 µm vs. 3437.60 µm), lower vesicle density (0.000244 vesicles/µm² vs. 0.000893 vesicles/µm²), and smaller vesicle diameter (29.4 µm vs. 38.09 µm). These structural differences highlight their role in fruit development. The study on star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito) was conducted with nine collections, eight of which were sourced from different parts of Thrissur, and one from Kozhikode in Kerala. These genotypes were systematically evaluated for their morphological, biochemical, physiological, and phenological traits. The analysis revealed significant variability across the studied characteristics, highlighting the diversity present within these collections and their potential for further research and utilization. The analysis of star apple collections revealed significant variation in morphological traits and fruit yield. Collection 09 emerged as the best performer with the tallest tree height (7.48 m) and the highest fruit yield per tree (24.98 kg). It also recorded the largest fruit weight (246.95 g) and the longest fruit length (8.82 cm), making it ideal for high-yield purposes. In contrast, Collection 08, though having a shorter tree height (4.72 m), stood out for its extended shelf life (6.89 days), highlighting its potential for storage and marketability. Other morphological parameters, such as inflorescence length and flower density, varied across collections, with Collection 02 having the longest inflorescence (1.39 cm) and Collection 01 exhibiting the maximum number of flowers per inflorescence (30.76). In terms of biochemical traits, Collection 06 excelled with the highest antioxidant capacity (18.22 AA mg/100 g), total sugar content (15.13 per cent), and phenolic content (2.87 mg/g), making it a valuable choice for health-oriented applications. Collection 08 showed the highest TSS (19.65 °Brix) and protein content (2.83 mg/g), indicating superior fruit quality. Meanwhile, Collection 07 had the highest acidity (0.10267 per cent), which could contribute to its unique flavor profile. These biochemical differences highlight the diverse nutritional potential of the collections. Physiological traits also showed marked differences, with Collection 08 leading in leaf sugar (28.37 mg/g), leaf protein (26.07 mg/g), and membrane stability index (80.75 per cent), suggesting better stress tolerance and overall vigor. However, Collection 01 displayed the highest relative water content (66 per cent), which is critical for maintaining hydration under varying environmental conditions. These findings underline the importance of both biochemical and physiological traits in identifying superior genotypes, with Collections 09, 08, and 06 standing out as the most promising for further cultivation and improvement. Anatomical studies on the fruit stalks of star apple accessions revealed that stalk characteristics influence fruit size. Longer stalks, such as in Collection 07 (21.01 mm), do not necessarily result in larger fruits, as seen with a fruit size of 55.42 mm. However, thicker stalks, like in Collection 06 (6.9 mm), were associated with larger fruits, measuring 68.3 mm. This highlights the importance of stalk diameter over length in supporting fruit size. Future research on abiu and star apple should focus on molecular characterization of genotypes to identify key genetic markers and traits influencing their superior performance. Multilocation trials across diverse environments should be conducted to understand their climate adaptability and ensure consistent productivity. As both crops are sexually propagated, variability and the lack of uniform planting materials remain significant challenges. Developing and distributing high-quality planting materials will play a crucial role in promoting these crops. Abiu and star apple are not only promising fruit crops for the future but also highly nutritious, rich in antioxidants, and beneficial for health. Their antioxidant properties can combat oxidative stress, contributing to better health outcomes, while their unique taste and texture make them appealing to consumers. These novel fruit crops are also essential for enhancing biodiversity, offering opportunities to diversify farming systems and reduce dependency on traditional fruit crops. By introducing these underutilized species into cultivation, we can increase genetic diversity, support ecological balance, and create new market opportunities for sustainable agriculture. Their potential to combine health benefits, biodiversity enhancement, and consumer appeal positions them as key crops for future agricultural development.Item Vegetative propogation in abiu (Pouteria caimi(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture,Vellanikkara, 2025) Rehna Salim.; Smitha John, KAbiu [Pouteria caimito (Ruiz & Pavon.) Radlk.] is an exotic tropical fruit, originated from the Amazon region in Brazil. It belongs to the Sapotaceae family and is one of the upcoming novel fruits. The fruit is distinct due to its peculiar taste which is often compared to that of a mix of tender coconut, vanilla and custard. Due to their unique flavour and nutritional benefits, fruits of abiu are often sold at a premium price, providing higher income for the farmers. As the climate and soil conditions in Kerala are congenial for the cultivation of abiu, there is lot of scope for taking up the commercial cultivation of this crop in Kerala. So, in order to maintain their true to type character and to produce planting materials of identified superior types, vegetative propagation techniques have to be standardized. Under this context, the present study entitled “Vegetative propagation in abiu (Pouteria caimito)” was carried out in the Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara during the year 2023-2024 with the objective of standardizing an efficient vegetative method of propagation in this fruit crop. The research programme consisted of six experiments. In the first experiment, trials were conducted to enhance the seed germination and seedling growth parameters. The experiment was laid out in CRD with seven treatments replicated thrice with three seeds in each replication. The different seed treatments included control (T1), Acid scarification (T2), Hot water scarification (T3), Sandpaper scarification (T4), GA3 200 ppm (T5), 2% KNO3 (T6) and 2% Thiourea (T7). The seed treatment with GA3 (T7) took least number of days for germination while maximum number of days for germination was recorded in sandpaper scarification (T4) while seeds treated using hot water scarification (T3) did not germinate at all. The seedling growth parameters like seedling height, seedling girth and number of leaves was found to be maximum in GA3 (T5) which was on par with KNO3 (T6) and thiourea (T7). The second experiment on propagation by stem cuttings was laid out in CRD with two factors and was done during June 2024. The first factor was type of cuttings with three treatments viz., terminal cuttings (C1), softwood cuttings (C2), and hardwood cuttings (C3). The second factor was growth regulators with three treatments, IBA 4g/L (G1), IAA 4g/L (G2) and NAA 4g/L (G3). The treatments were replicated twice with six plants in each replication. Sprouting was observed only in hardwood cuttings in combination with all the three growth regulators but later got dried up and failed to survive further. The third experiment was propagation by air layering which was carried out during June 2023 and was laid out in CRD with four treatments replicated four times with six air layers per replication. Treatments were Coir pith compost (T1), Vermicompost (T2), Sphagnum moss (T3), and FYM (T4). Sphagnum moss (T3) was found to be superior in terms of number of days for root emergence, number of rooted layers, mean number and length of adventitious roots per air layer but after planting, complete mortality of all the air layers was recorded irrespective of treatments. The fourth, fifth and sixth experiments (propagation using softwood grafting, patch budding and approach grafting) was also laid out in CRD with six treatments replicated thrice with six plants in each replication. The different rootstocks taken as treatments were Abiu (T1), Eggfruit (T2), Sapota (T3), Khirni (T4), Star apple (T5) and Wild star apple (T6). In softwood grafting, abiu as the rootstock (T1) showed maximum values for scion growth parameters which was followed by sapota as the rootstock (T3) while remaining treatments failed to survive. In patch budding and approach grafting experiments, only the treatment using abiu as the rootstock (T1) resulted in successful sprouting and survival, whereas the other treatments failed to survive till the end of the experiment. Results from the present study indicated that stem cuttings, air layering and patch budding were not suitable for commercial propagation of abiu in the region of Kerala. Softwood grafting of abiu using abiu and sapota rootstocks exhibited significantly good result for scion growth parameters and survival, whereas in approach grafting, only abiu rootstock survived successfully. The study also showed that seed treatment with thiourea recorded early seed germination while pre-soaking treatments with GA3, thiourea and KNO3 positively influenced the seedling growth parameters. However, scarification treatments negatively influenced the germination and growth of abiu seedlings.Item Comparative evaluation of biotization for hardening of tissue culture (TC) Banana cv. Nendran(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, 2025-06-02) Sandra, TThe study entitled “Comparative evaluation of biotization for hardening of tissue culture (TC) banana cv. Nendran” was carried out at RARS, Pilicode and College of Agriculture Padannakkad during 2023 to 2024 to study identification of ideal stage of biotization and comparative evaluation of biotization agents in hardening of TC banana cv. Nendran.The study comprised four experiments: in vitro culture, primary hardening, secondary hardening, and combined evaluation of biotization agents during hardening. The in vitro rooting stage experiment carried out in completely randomised design with four treatments and five replications. The treatments were T1 (Piriformospora indica along with rooting medium), T2 (Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) along with rooting medium), T3 (Pseudomonas fluorescens (PF) along with rooting medium), and T4 (Control: rooting medium). Among these, T1 significantly enhanced early root initiation, shoot proliferation, and overall rooting efficiency. Plantlets treated with P. indica (T1) during in vitro rooting showed superior performance during primary hardening, achieving the highest survival rate (93.33%) and enhanced growth traits: plant height (10.33 cm), pseudostem girth (2.47 cm), leaf length (5.23 cm), leaf width (1.93 cm), leaf area (15.39 cm2 ), number of primary roots (2.67), root length (2.80 cm), number of secondary roots (18.33), shoot dry weight (0.02 g), chlorophyll content (0.56 mg g-1) and relative growth rate (0.044 mg g-1 d-1). Lower proline content (1.04 µmol g⁻¹ FW) indicated reduced stress, and improved uptake of N, P, and K and micronutrients confirmed its role in nutrient acquisition. During secondary hardening, both T1 (P. indica) and T3 (Pseudomonas fluorescens) showed 100% survival, but T1 outperformed T3 in all growth parameters, including plant height (13.17 cm), pseudostem girth (2.33 cm), leaf length (8.80 cm), leaf width (2.67 cm), number of leaves (5.33), leaf area (59.93 cm2), number of primary roots (3.67), root length (10.47 cm), number of secondary roots (75), root fresh weight (0.44 g), shoot fresh weight (1.52 g), shoot dry weight (0.10 g) and relative growth rate (0.037 mg g-1 d-1). T1 also exhibited the lowest proline content (0.71 µmol g⁻¹ FW), suggesting better stress tolerance. The primary hardening experiment carried out in completely randomised design with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments were T1 (P. indica), T2 (PSB), T3 (PF), T4 (PF + PSB), T5 (PF + P. indica), T6 (PSB + P. indica), T7 (PF + PSB + P. indica) and T8 (control). Biotization with P. indica (T1) produced the highest survival rate (100%) and demonstrated superior plant growth, including significant increases in plant height (5.70 cm), leaf length (6.97 cm), leaf width (2.33 cm), leaf area (12.48 cm2), root length (5.97 cm) root fresh weight (0.62 g), chlorophyll content (0.47 mg g-1), relative growth rate (0.047 mg g-1 d-1), macronutrient and micronutrient uptake (N, P, K, Fe and Cu). Proline accumulation (1.25 µ mol. g-1 FW) was lower in T1, suggesting improved stress tolerance. The secondary hardening experiment carried out in completely randomised design with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments were T1 (P. indica), T2 (PSB), T3 (PF), T4 (PF + PSB), T5 (PF + P. indica), T6 (PSB + P. indica), T7 (PF + PSB + P. indica) and T8 (control). During this experiment, T7 showed excellent results, with improved growth metrics such as plant height (15.20 cm), leaf length (8.90 cm), number of leaves (5.67), leaf area (45.88 cm2), root length (12.07 cm), number of secondary roots (111.67 ), root fresh weight (0.65 g), chlorophyll content (0.46 mg g 1), shoot fresh weight (1.20 g), shoot dry weight (0.08 g), macronutrient and micronutrient uptake (N, Fe, Cu, Zn). Combined evaluation study was laid out in completely randomised design with 11 treatments and two replications. The treatments were T1 (P. indica during in vitro and primary hardening), T2 (P. indica during in vitro and primary and secondary hardening), T3 (PSB during in vitro and primary hardening ), T4 (PSB during in vitro and primary and secondary hardening), T5 (PF during in vitro and primary hardening), T6 (PF during in vitro and primary and secondary hardening), T7 (PF during in vitro + PSB during primary and secondary hardening), T8 (PF during in vitro + P. indica during primary and secondary hardening), T9 (PSB during in vitro + P. indica during primary and secondary hardening ), T10 (PF during in vitro + PSB + P. indica during primary and secondary hardening) and T11 (Control). T2 exhibited superior growth and stress tolerance compared to other treatments. This was evidenced by enhanced plant height (14.83 cm), leaf length (9.40 cm), leaf width (3.13 cm), number of leaves (6.00), leaf area (69.29 cm²), number of primary roots (5.67), secondary roots (86.67), root fresh weight (0.72 g), shoot dry weight (0.11 g), chlorophyll concentration (0.26 mg g⁻¹), and relative growth rate (0.04 mg g⁻¹ d⁻¹). Notably, lower proline accumulation (0.81 µmol g⁻¹ FW) indicated reduced abiotic stress. T2 also showed much increased nutrient uptake, primarily of Phosphorus (0.50%), Potassium (0.07%), Iron (225.24 ppm), Copper (26.95 ppm), Manganese (135.33 ppm), Zinc (43.87 ppm), and Boron (18.61 ppm).Item Role of biostimulants on growth and yield of papaya(Carica papaya L.)(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture , Vellanikkara, 2024-02-09) Anjana Mukesh; Aswini, APapaya (Carica papaya L.) is a most important fruit crop cultivated throughout the tropical and subtropical regions. The fruit is known for its sweet and musky flavour, making it a popular choice among the consumers. Papaya is rich in vitamins, particularly vitamins C, A and E. It contains enzymes called papain, which aids in digestion and is used for industrial purposes. The fruit is a good source of dietary fibre and antioxidants, contributing to overall health. The fruit's qualities and health benefits make papaya more appealing to customers. Drastic invasion of pests and diseases and scarcity of superior variety with higher yield are the major constrain for the economic production of papaya in Kerala. The uses of biostimulants on different horticultural and agronomic crops were gaining popularity due to their growth and development, quality enhancement and resilience to stress. In this background, the present study investigates on “Role of biostimulants on growth and yield of papaya (Carica papaya L.)” to evaluate its effect on the papaya variety “CO 7”. he biostimulants were applied every month and the observations were recorded at bimonthly intervals. Results indicated that significant variations were observed among treatments in various growth parameters. For instance, T2, involving chitosan and Sampoorna KAU Multimix, exhibited the minimum plant height at 120.47 cm and the plant collar girth was notably reduced (38.88 cm) after 10 months of growth in proportion to height. The application of biostimulants, especially chitosan and Sampoorna KAU Multimix (T2), significantly increased the number of leaves (23.44). In terms of flowering dynamics, significant differences were observed among treatments, with the earliest flowering in T2 at 108.77 days. Sex reversal were observed during the study encompassing male, female, bisexual and andromonoecious plants. The number of flowers per cluster reached its maximum in T1 (chitosan) at 4.97, while T2 demonstrated the highest fruit set percentage at 75.38%. The period from fruit set to maturity was notably shorter (131.61 days) and more number of days (6.72 days) for maturity to ripening reported in T2. Fruit parameters, including weight, length, girth, and volume, showed statistically significant differences among treatments, with T2 consistently recording the maximum values (1463.22 g, 24.32 cm, 40.95 cm, and 1283.33 cm3, respectively). Flesh thickness, fruit count and seeds per fruit also exhibited significant variations among treatments. Biochemical analyses further revealed distinct profiles. T2 demonstrated the highest total soluble solids at 14.11°Brix, while titratable acidity values were notably lower in T2, T1 and T4. T2 also showcased the highest total carotenoid content at 2.73 mg/100g, ascorbic acid content at 66.41 mg/100g and total sugar content at 11.81%. Shelf life was significantly longer in T2 at 8.61 days. Organoleptic evaluation scored the highest rank in T2 based on its overall appeal. Throughout the cropping period, the occurrence of diseases such as foot rot, Corynespore leaf spot, and viral infections in papaya crops was noted, showing no apparent relationship with the treatments applied in the current study. The application of chitosan has been associated with a reduction in viral diseases, as reported in earlier research works. However, to deepen our understanding and establish the potential of chitosan in mitigating viral diseases in papaya crops, further studies are imperative. In conclusion, the study highlights the superiority of the papaya variety CO 7, attributed to its impressive combination of high yield and superior fruit quality. Moreover, the application of biostimulants has proven to be instrumental in enhancing the overall growth, yield and quality of the papaya fruits. Notably, the efficient combination of Chitosan and Sampoorna KAU Multimix can give as a single spray, rather than separate spraying will reduce the labour cost. The application of combination of chitosan and Sampoorna KAU Multimix emerges as particularly promising, showcasing the potential to deliver higher economic benefits to farmers. The positive effects of Sampoorna KAU Multimix pave a way to standardize micro nutrient mixture for papaya as similar as practices established for banana. This finding current study underscores the importance of strategic biostimulant use in optimizing papaya production, offering valuable insight into agricultural practices aimed at improving crop outcomes, stress tolerance and economic returns.Item Organic nano NPK formulation for enhancing growth, yield and quality in banana cv. Nendran (Musa AAB)(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2022-07-18) Deepa, H L.; Reshmi ,C RThe thesis work entitled ‘Organic nano NPK formulation for enhancing growth, yield and quality in banana cv. Nendran (Musa AAB)’ was carried out in the Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from December 2020 to November 2021. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of soil application of organic nano NPK formulation on crop growth, yield and quality in banana cv. Nendran. The field experiment was laid out in the Instructional Farm (Block V) of College of Agriculture, Vellayani in RBD with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments T1 to T6 consisted of combinations of different doses of granular organic nano NPK formulation (15g, 30g and 45g per plant per year) and different splits of application (two splits and six splits). T7 was soil test-based Package of Practices (POP) recommendation (133.86: 28.8: 338.4 g N: P2O5: K2O plant-1 in six splits) and T8 was ‘control’ (maintained without fertilizer application). Suckers of uniform size were used as the planting material. FYM @ 10 kg per plant as basal dose and lime @ 100 g per pit two weeks prior to planting were applied uniformly to all the treatments. Analysis of granular organic nano NPK formulation revealed that it had a pH of 7.79 with an EC of 0.14 dS m-1 . Organic carbon and humic acid content were 2.35 per cent and 19.19 per cent respectively. The primary nutrients like N, P and K were 1.97 per cent, 1.82 per cent and 2.96 per cent respectively. In addition, the formulation had considerable amount of secondary nutrients like Ca (0.33 per cent), Mg (0.28 per cent) and S (0.62 per cent). The results indicated that, at all stages of crop growth, the pseudostem height, girth, functional leaf area, and leaf area index (LAI) recorded the highest values for the treatment T7 (soil test-based POP recommendation). Application of 45 g nano NPK in 6 splits (T6) was the best treatment with respect to total number of functional leaves at 4 and 6 MAP and at harvest. The earliest bunch emergence was noticed in T7 (soil test-based POP recommendation) and it was on par with T6 (45 g nano NPK in 6 splits). The shortest crop duration was recorded for T6. However, it was on par with T7 and T2 (15 g nano NPK in 6 splits). The highest sucker production after harvest was noticed in T6 (45 g nano NPK in 6 splits). Soil test-based POP recommendation (T7) recorded highest bunch weight, number of fingers in D hand and total biomass yield at the same time the treatment was on par with T6. Application of 45 g nano NPK in 6 splits (T6) recorded the highest number of hands per bunch, number of fingers per bunch and weight of finger while the treatment T7 was on par. T6 (45 g nano NPK in 6 splits) recorded significantly higher length of fingers, girth of fingers and pulp-peel ratio. Quality parameters like TSS, total carotenoids, starch content, total sugars, reducing sugars, sugar acid ratio, ascorbic acid and moisture content of fruits were significantly high in T6 (45 g nano NPK in 6 splits). However, highest non - reducing sugar content was recorded inT5 (45 g nano NPK in 2 splits). The lowest acid content in fruits was noted in T6 (45 g nano NPK in 6 splits). The control (T8) recorded the lowest peel thickness. T6 (45 g nano NPK in 6 splits) recorded the longest shelf life and the fruits took longer time for ripening. Post-harvest soil analysis revealed that the highest pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content, dehydrogenase enzyme activity, soil primary nutrients (N, P and K) and soil S content were recorded by T6 (45 g nano NPK in 6 splits). Soil Mg content was significantly higher in T7 (soil test-based POP recommendation) and the highest Ca content was recorded in T4 (30 g nano NPK in 6 splits). Plant uptake of primary and secondary nutrients was increased with the application of 45 g nano NPK in 6 splits (T6) along with 10 kg FYM and 100 g lime plant-1 year-1 . Incidence of pest (pseudostem weevil) and disease (Sigatoka leaf spot) was observed during the field experiment for which appropriate remedial measures were adopted. Though the highest net income was obtained from T6 (45 g nano NPK in 6 splits), it was on par with T7 (soil test-based POP recommendation). However, the BC ratio was the highest in T6 (45 g nano NPK in 6 splits). The study revealed that the application of 45 g granular organic nano NPK in 6 splits along with 10 kg FYM and 100 g lime per plant per year increased the overall growth, yield and quality of banana cv. Nendran with high net income and BC ratio.Item Abiotic stress tolerance in mango (Mangifera indica L.) rootstocks(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture ,Vellanikkara, 2024-03-02) Chetan Hanamant, B Patil.; Aswini, AMango (Mangifera indica L.) a tropical fruit crop with immense economic and cultural value, is extensively grown in a wide range of agro-climatic zones. Mango seedlings are resilient to a variety of environmental conditions, but they frequently face difficult obstacles due to abiotic stress factors. It is extremely concerning that this crop's productivity has been dropping over the last few years. Considering these problems into account, a study entitled “Abiotic Stress tolerance in mango (Mangifera indica L.) rootstocks” was carried out in the Department of Fruit Science during 2022-23, constituting three experiments namely, Screening of mango genotypes for tolerance to salinity, flooding and drought. All the set of three experiments were conducted using factorial completely randomized design (FCRD) with two factors: genotypes viz., V1- Moovandan, V2- Olour, V3- Kurukkan, V4- Chandrakaran, V5- Vellaikolumban, V6- Bappakai, V7- H-66, and abiotic stress. In the first experiment, mango genotypes were evaluated for different levels of salinity stress viz., S0- Control, S1- 2 dSm-1, S2- 4 dSm-1, S2- 4 dSm-1, and S4- 8 dSm-1 NaCl. Salinity was induced in the soil by quantifying the EC and pH of the soil. Growth characters had shown significant difference among genotypes. The highest seeding height (26.05 cm) was recorded in Moovandan, seeding girth (0.39 cm) was recorded in Bappakai, number of leaves (22.58), vigour index (2811.37), was observed in H-66, seedling girth (0.44 cm), number of sprouts (2.87) and internodal length (5.26 cm) in Chandrakaran. Physiological parameters further revealed that, leaf area (52.06 cm2) in Vellaikolumban. leaf area index (2.85) in H-66, Stomatal conductivity (0.127 molm-2s-1) and leaf transpiration rate (2.08 µmolm-2s-1) in Moovandan, net photosynthetic rate (6.74 µmolm-2s-1) in Olour recorded to maximum. On estimation of biochemical characters viz., phenol content and proline content was increased on increasing level of salinity. Higher phenol content (16.53 mg/g) and proline content (1.53 µmol/g) in was noticed in Bappakai. While, chlorophyll content (4.46 mg/g) was highest in Chandrakaran. Among the higher salinity stress Moovandan performed theItem Performance evaluation of guava(Psidium guajava L.) in containers(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2024-01-30) Tharene, R S; Manju, P RThe present research work entitled “Performance evaluation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) in containers” was conducted at Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, from 2022 November to 2023 October. The study was undertaken to evaluate the growth response of different planting materials of guava plants to different types and sizes of containers. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 18 treatments and 3 replications using the guava variety Arka Kiran. The treatments included two container types (C1- Plastic container and C2- Air-pot), three container sizes (V1- 40L, V2- 60L and V3- 80L) and three different planting materials (P1- Air layers, P2- Rooted cuttings and P3- Grafts). Three month old planting materials were used in the study. The medium of planting consisted of soil, coir pith, and farm yard manure in 1 : 1 : 1 ratio across all treatments. The plants were trained by promoting scaffolds at 8-10 cm height from the soil level to achieve a pyramidal / bush shape. Regular pruning was followed to remove upright, criss-cross and drooping branches. Management practices were given uniformly across all treatments. Irrigation was done in alternate days in summer and at regular intervals based on prevailing climatic conditions. Plastic containers (C1) in comparison to air-pots registered significantly taller plants with higher plant spread, stem girth, leaves per plant (3 MAP, 6 MAP, 9 MAP and 12 MAP), primary branch girth (6 MAP, 9 MAP and 12 MAP), root dry weight, shoot dry weight and leaf area (12 MAP). While plants in air-pots showed early flowering along with more number of flowers, flowering duration and higher root : shoot ratio. Among different container volumes, 80 L (V3) had taller plants (3 MAP, 6 MAP, 9MAPand12MAP)withmore plant spread in both E-W (3 MAP and 6 MAP) and N-S (3 MAP, 6 MAP, 9 MAP and 12 MAP) directions. Earliness in flowering along with higher stem girth (3 MAP), primary branch girth (3 MAP and 9 MAP), leaves per plant (3 MAP, 6 MAP, 9 MAP and 12 MAP), flowering duration, number of flowers, shoot dry weight (12 MAP) and leaf area was also observed in V3. 40 L (V1)recorded the maximum root dry weight which was also on par with 80L (V3). 146 Among different planting materials, air layers showed taller plants with more plant spread in E-W (3 MAP, 6 MAP, 9 MAP and 12 MAP) and N-S (3 MAP, 6 MAP and 9 MAP) directions. In addition to this, early flowering and increased leaves per plant (3 MAP, 6 MAP, 9 MAP and 12 MAP), flowering duration, number of flowers, leaf area and root: shoot ratio (12 MAP) were also observed in air layers. Grafts (P3) recorded the highest stem girth, primary branch girth, root dry weight and shoot dry weight. Leaf tissue was analysed for physiological and biochemical parameters viz., chlorophyll content, total carotenoids, total reducing sugars and total soluble proteins at 12 MAP. Container type and planting material did not show any significant effect on these parameters, while 80 L container volume showed significantly higher total soluble proteins than 40 and 60 litres. The two factor interaction between container type and size (C x V), showed that 80L plastic containers (C1V3)recorded significantly higher plant spread (E-W and N-S), stem girth, leaves per plant, leaf area and root dry weight. The shoot dry weight was higher in both plastic container and air-pots with 80 L (C1V3 and C2V3). Air-pots with 80 L (C2V3) observed early flowering with more flowers per plant and enhanced flowering duration. Interaction between container type and planting material (C x P) also confirms similar results in air-pots with air layers (C2P1). Root : shoot ratio was highest in air-pots with grafted plants (C2P3). The two factor interaction between container size and planting material (V x P) showed 80 L having air layers (V3P1) outperformed other combinations with respect to plant height, leaves per plant, number of flowers, leaf area, flowering duration and days to flowering. Shoot dry weight was highest in 80 L with grafts (V3P3). In three factor interaction, 80 L plastic container with grafts (C1V3P3) showed higher shoot dry weight, while leaves per plant and leaf area was maximum for air layers in 80L plastic container (C1V3P1). Early flowering with more number of flowers was observed in 80L air-pots with air layers (C2V3P1). Another notable feature observed in the study is the presence of root coiling in plastic containers with 40 and 60 litre sizes irrespective of the type of planting material. Again, air-pot being a porous container showed a lower media temperature across all sizes. Correlation analysis revealed that container size is positively correlated with plant height, plant spread (N-S), leaves per plant, leaf area, number of flowers, shoot dry weight, total soluble protein and negatively correlated with root shoot ratio. The present investigation pointed out that an increase in container size enhanced shoot and root growth in guava. Considering the perennial nature of the crop and the superior attributes of air-pots over plastic containers, it can be concluded that 80 L air-pots with air layers (C2V3P1) can be suggested as the best option for growing guava in containers.