1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://localhost:4000/handle/123456789/1
Browse
9 results
Search Results
Item Varietal evaluation of guava(Psidium guajava L.) for urban horticulture(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2025) Swetha, V; Simi, SThe 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 Varietal evaluation of guava(Psidium guajava L.) for urban horticulture(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2025) Swetha, VThe 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 Vegetative propagation in jamun (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels)(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2023-03-17) Vishnupriya, V.; Jyothi BhaskarJamun (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels) is a popular, but underutilised indigenous fruit crop in India with high nutritive value. It can be multiplied through both seed and vegetative propagation methods. Due to the long juvenile period, huge size of the tree and short shelf life of fruits, jamun is not preferred for commercial cultivation in Kerala. As jamun fruits are highly nutritious and possess good medicinal properties, there is an urgent need to commercialise this crop in Kerala. To achieve this goal, availability of true to type, early bearing and dwarf statured clones of superior jamun types should be assured in sufficient quantity and this can be achieved only through vegetative propagation methods. Under this context, the present study entitled “Vegetative propagation in jamun (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels)” was carried out in the Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara during the year 2021-2022 with the objective of standardizing an effective vegetative method of propagation in this fruit crop. The research programme consisted of four experiments. The first experiment was on propagation by hardwood cuttings which was laid out in CRD with two factors and was done during June (2022). The first factor was growth stimulants with six treatments viz., T1 (AMF), T2 (IBA), T3 (Pseudomonas fluorescens), T4 (Aloe vera gel), T5 (Cow dung slurry) and T6 (Tender coconut water). The second factor was growing condition with two treatments, T1 (Mist chamber) and T2 (Shade house). All these treatments were replicated thrice with twenty plants in each replication. The cuttings kept under mist chamber started sprouting earlier (8.49 days) than those cuttings kept under shade house (11.09 days). Though sprouting was observed, after one month the plants started to dry up and failed to develop roots and did not survive under both growing conditions. The second experiment, propagation by air layering was done during November (2021) and was laid out in CRD with five treatments replicated thrice with twenty plants per replication. Treatments were T1 (Coir pith compost), T2 (Vermicompost), T3 (Sphagnum moss), T4 (Saw dust), and T5 (FYM). Minimum number of days for the emergence of roots (55 days) in air layers was recorded in T2 (Vermicompost) and longest root was observed in T1 (Coir pith compost). Though the air layers produced using sphagnum moss (T3) and coir pith compost (T1) survived during the experiment period, the survival percentage (6.67% and 5.00% respectively) was very low and were found to be on par with each other. Air layers produced using vermicompost, saw dust and FYM as the media rooted but failed to survive till the end of the experiment. The third experiment (propagation using budding) was also laid out in CRD with six treatments replicated thrice with twenty plants in each replication and it was carried out during the month of June (2022). The budding methods tried were T1 (T budding), T2 (Patch budding), T3 (Forkert budding), T4 (Flute budding), T5 (Ring budding) and T6 (Yemma budding). These budding methods failed to sprout except patch budded plants which took 102.78 days for initial sprouting and about 10.00 per cent of patch budded plants were found to survive 190 days after budding. The fourth experiment, propagation using grafting, was also laid out in CRD with eight treatments replicated thrice with twenty plants in each replication and it was also done during June (2022). The methods of grafting tried were T1 (Epicotyl grafting), T2 (Softwood grafting), T3 (Whip grafting), T4 (Whip and tongue grafting), T5 (Veneer grafting) and T6 (Approach grafting), T7 (Wedge grafting on one year old rootstock) and T8 (Wedge grafting on three year old rootstock). Results from the present study showed that hardwood cuttings, air layering and budding methods were not suitable for commercial propagation of jamun plants under the climatic conditions prevailing in Thrissur. Among the grafting methods, wedge grafting done on three year old rootstock showed better growth performance with respect to production of maximum number of leaves and shoots and also longest shoot (17.73, 3.55 and 16.40 cm respectively). With regard to survival rate, wedge grafting performed on one year old rootstock of jamun was found to be the best (53.33% survival) among the different methods of grafting carried out during the period under study.Item Integrated nutrient management for enhancing growth, yield and quality of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. edulis Sims.)(Department of fruit science, college of agriculture , Vellayani, 2023-08-22) Akshara Rakesh.INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT FOR ENHANCING GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF PASSION FRUIT (Passiflora edulis f. edulis SIMS.) The study entitled “Integrated nutrient management for enhancing growth, yield and quality of passion fruit (Passifloraedulis f. edulisSims.)”was carried out in the Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during December 2020 to December 2021, with an objective of development of integrated nutrient management practice for passion fruit and to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of passion fruit. The field experiment was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 12 treatments and 3 replications. Purple passion fruit variety 134P was used for the experiment. The trial was conducted in combinations in which nitrogen requirement of the crop as per Ad hoc POP (25: 10: 25 g NPK vine-1 ) were replaced 25% and 50% with enriched vermicompost mixture which include neemcake, poultry manure, Azospirillum and PGPR mix-I, 1.5 times the Ad hoc Package of practice recommendation (37.5: 15: 37.5 g NPK vine-1 ) and lime application. The fertilizers were applied in three equal split doses, at planting, flowering and fruiting stage. Organic manure (10 kg FYM plant-1) as per Ad hoc POP was given uniformly to all treatments as basal except T12 (absolute control - no fertilizer application) .Urea, Rajphos and Muriate of Potash were used as fertilizer sources. Required quantity of lime based on soil analysis was applied in pits 10 days prior to planting. The results indicated that the application of N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K of Ad hoc POP recommendation, increased the total yield of passion fruit. Plant girth was found to increase in treatment, N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost and it showed highest plant girth at 4, 10 and 12 months after planting. Number of flowers produced per vine was highest with Ad hoc POP recommendation. The vines treated with N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K had the highest number of flowers produced per vine and the same treatment decreased the days taken for first flowering, days taken for first fruiting and days from flowering to harvest. There was also an increase in the number of fruits produced at 5, 6, 7 and 8 months after planting and total fruit production per vine in the treatment N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K of Ad hoc POP recommendation. Fruit characters like the rind and pulp colour also improved with application of N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K, which recorded an increase in the fruit weight, seed weight and pulp weight while a decrease in rind weight100 seed weight was highest in fruits from the vines treated with N (50 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (50%), P and K of Ad hoc POP recommendation. Regarding the fruit quality characters N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K of Ad hoc POP recommendation, showed highest TSS, total sugar, sugar-acid ratio, carotenoid and ascorbic acid with lowest acidity level. The highest score for organoleptic evaluation of fruits were noticed with the application of N (25 %) as neem cake enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K of Ad hoc POP recommendation Shelf life at ambient condition was increased with the application of enriched vermicompost in which N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K showed the highest value. The soil analysis revealed that pH could be brought to near neutral with initial lime application in N (25 %) as Azospirillum enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K of T1, NPK (25 %) as PGPR mix-1 enriched vermicompost + N, P and K 75% and N (50 %) as Azospirillum enriched vermicompost + N (50%), P and K . Highest EC value was recorded in 37.5: 15: 37.5 g NPK vine-1 + 10 kg FYM. Available Nitrogen was highest in N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K of Ad hoc POP recommendation and available potassium was highest in N (50 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (50%), P and K while NPK (50 %) as PGPR mix-1 enriched vermicompost + N, P and K 50% showed highest available phosphorous content.N (25 %) as Azospirillum enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K seemed to have the highest dehydrogenase activity in soil and organic carbon content was highest in N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K of Ad hoc POP recommendation. Analysing the plant sample shows that the Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium contents were highest in leaf samples from vines treated with 37.5: 15: 37.5 g NPK vine-1 + 10 kg FYM, N (50 %) as neem cake enriched vermicompost + N (50%), P and K and N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K respectively. Application of N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K of Ad hoc POP recommendation recorded highest nitrogen content in fruits. Plants treated with 37.5: 15: 37.5 g NPK vine-1 + 10 kg FYM reported highest phosphorous content in the fruit sample. Regarding the net income and B:C ratio obtained, the application of N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K of Ad hoc POP recommendation recorded the highest. Overall assessment indicated that adoption of Integrated Nutrient Management through application of N (25 %) as poultry manure enriched vermicompost + N (75%), P and K of Ad hoc package of practice (25: 10: 25 g NPK vine-1) given as three equal split doses (at time of planting, flowering and fruiting stage) was economically viable and it improved the growth, fruit yield and quality of passion fruit under Kerala conditions.Item Standardization of budding in jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) var. sindoor on rootstock developed under elevated carbon dioxide enviornment(Department of fruit science, college of agriculture, Vellayani, 2023-11-15) Akshay, A J.; Priya Kumari,IThe study entitled “Standardization of budding in jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) var. ‘Sindoor’ on rootstock developed under elevated carbon dioxide environment.” was conducted in Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture Vellayani, from year 2019 to 2022.The study comprised of two experiments and was undertaken with the main objective to develop a method to improve the growth and other physiological aspects of jackfruit root stocks that provide a better bud intake and bud union ; and also standardization of budding using different budding methods, age of root stock and scion. The first experiment was designed in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 20 replications. One month old roostocks were selected for the experiment. The treatments were: (1) Control (T1), involving rootstock plants maintained under standard conditions; (2) Control with a 3% foliar urea spray (T2), where rootstock plants received regular care along with a 3% foliar urea spray every two weeks; (3) Elevated carbon dioxide environment in a trench system (T3), exposing rootstock plants to increased CO2 levels; and (4) Elevated CO2 with a 3% foliar urea spray (T4), where rootstock plants experienced elevated CO2 while also receiving the foliar urea spray. For growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves and plant girth, the treatment T4 gave the maximum value throughout the observational period and the minimum value was observed in T1.In leaf area there was no significance at 60 DAS , while at 120 DAS the treatment T4 showed the maximum leaf area (108.49 cm2) which was on par with T3.(98.96 cm2). Similar effects were observed in shoot dry, root dry weight and dry matter production at 120 DAS with T4 giving the maximum values (8.56g, 3.78g and 12.97g respectively). In the month of August, treatment T3 (15.53 µmoles CO2 m-2s-1) exhibited the highest photosynthetic rate, with T4(15.03 µmoles CO2m-2s-1) performing equally well. However, in the subsequent months of September, October, and November, treatment T4(12.93, 19.07 & 19.58 µmoles CO2 m-2s-1 resp.) consistently displayed the highest photosynthetic rate.The treatment T1 showed a highest rate of transpiration at 60 and 120 DAS (12.27 and 13.10 mmoles/m2s) and T4showed a lower rate of transpiration (4.93 and 6.70 mmoles/m2s). The root shoot ratio and specific leaf area exhibited no significant differences at both 60 and 120 days after sowing (DAS). In contrast, when it comes to stomatal frequency and stomatal conductance, treatment T1 consistently displayed the highest values, while treatment T3 consistently showed the lowest values. In terms of biochemical parameters such as reducing sugar and total carbohydrate, treatment T4 consistently demonstrated increased values, indicating a higher assimilation rate in this treatment.The rootstocks treated with foliar urea and carbon dioxide supplementation (T4) demonstrated improved growth in crucial physiological and morphological characteristics including photosynthetic rate and total carbohydrate content, making T4, as the best treatment and the one chosen for Experiment 2. Experiment 2 was done using Completely Random Design (CRD) with treatments including different budding methods (B1-Patch budding, B2-Modified Forkert Budding, B3-Chip Budding), root stocks ( R1-2 month old rootstock from Experiment 1, R2-4 month old rootstock from Experiment 1, R3- 2 month old rootstock (control), and R4-4 month old rootstock (control)) and position of the bud in scion stick (S1-bud from 1th to 5th bud from tip, S2- bud from 5th to 10th bud from tip) with 24 treatments combinations and 15 replications. The patch budding technique demonstrated the best success rates for both bud sprouting (66.53%) and budding success (79.76%). The chip budding method had the lowest success rate (33.66%) and bud sprouting (20.21%). Similarly, patch budding demonstrated greater development during the whole observation period in terms of sprout length, girth, and number of leaves. The CO2 enrichment and foliar urea-treated two-month-old rootstock (R1) had the greatest rates of budding success (79.99%) and sprout length (60.88%). The two-month-old control plants have the lowest rates of sprouting (36.99%) and budding (45.66%) success. The combination effect of budding method and rootstock type showed that the treatment combination B1R1 (Patch budding done on 2-month old rootstock raised under CO2 enriched environment) gave maximum budding success (92.08%) and bud sprout success (77.79%). Similar effect was observed in all other factors like sprout length (at 30,45 and 60 DAB), number of leaves (at 45 and 60 DAB) and sprout girth (at 30,45 and 60 DAB). The minimum values on all the factors was observed in the treatment combination of chip budding done in 2 month old rootstock raised under ambient condition (B3R3). The combined effect of rootstock and bud position showed that the treatment combination R1S2 (Buds from 6th to 10th position budded onto 2 month old rootstock under CO2 enriched condition) with maximum budding success rate (83.58 %) and bud intake success rate (62.30%). This treatment combination, also showed improved growth in terms of sprout length (at 30, 45 and 60 DAB), and sprout girth (at 45 and 60 DAB) . The combined effect of budding method and bud position showed that the treatment combination B1S2 (patch budding done using scion bud from 6th to 10th position on scion stick) gave the maximum value for budding success (83.26%) and bud sprout success (69.93%), as well as improved growth in terms of sprout length and sprout girth. The treatment combination B1R1S2 (patch budding using buds from 6th to 10th position of budstick on 2 month old rootstock raised under CO2 enriched conditions) was found superior among all other combinations with a maximum budding success of 90.5% which was on par with other combinations like B1R1S1, B2R1S2 with a value of 87.69% each. Maximum bud sprout success percentage was observed in the same treatment combination with a value of 80.98%. Minimum value on budding success and bud sprout success was observed in the treatment combination B3R3S1 and B3R3S2. which failed to produce any successful sprouts. In all the assessed duration of 30, 45, and 60 days after budding, the treatment combination B1R1S2 consistently displayed superior sprout length, measuring at 4.96 cm, 7.69 cm, and 14.22 cm, respectively. However, no statistically significant differences were observed among the treatments regarding the number of leaves produced by the sprouts. Additionally, the treatment combination B1R1S2 consistently demonstrated a greater sprout girth at all time points, measuring at 1.41 cm, 2.26 cm, and 3.58 cm for the respective duration of 30, 45, and 60 days after budding. Patch budding method was found superior to the other budding methods with a budding success with a 57.7% more budding success compared to chip budding and bud sprout success 69.6% higher bud sprout success compared to the chip budding. Patch budding method is superior to other budding methods as it shows a higher success rate both individually as well as in combination with other treatments, in terms of budding and bud sprout success as well as other growth parameters. In summary, patch budding emerged as the superior method when compared to other budding techniques. Additionally, the application of CO2 supplementation to two-month-old rootstocks yielded a higher success rate. Furthermore, buds selected from positions ranging from the 5th to the 10th demonstrated a greater success rate in budding. These parameters displayed both individual and interactive effects, suggesting that the combination of these three factors contributes to the development of healthier and more successful budlings.This method has the potential to significantly accelerate the multiplication of the Sindoor variety. The shorter period required for rootstock development, coupled with the higher success rate of budding, results in the production of more successful budlings. This, in turn, maximizes the efficient utilization of plant material, enhancing its overall effectivenessItem Inter and intra specific grafting and budding in Annona spp(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2023-03-17) Pooja Varma M.Edible fruits of the genus Annona are collectively known as Annonaceous fruits. In India, these fruits were mainly consumed by the lower classes, but now realising the nutritional benefits and medicinal value of these fruits in controlling lifestyle diseases and lethal ailments like cancer, the demand for these fruits are on the increase. These fruits are mainly propagated through seeds and therefore, exhibit great genetic variability with regard to its growth, yield and quality, with an unpredictable pre-bearing age. So in order to propagate an identified superior type maintaining their true to type character vegetative propagation techniques have to be standardized. There is also a lot of scope for taking up commercial cultivation of Annona spp. like A. squamosa L. (Custard apple or Sitaphal), A. reticulata L. (Bullock’s heart or Ramphal) and A. muricata L. (Soursop) which are common in our homesteads. But, the main factor limiting the commercial cultivation of these crops is the lack of good quality planting material. So the present study entitiled “ Inter and intra specific grafting and budding in Annona spp.”was carried out in the college orchard attached to the Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara during 2021-2022. The research programme was conducted as two experiments. First experiment was identification of rootstock and scion combinations for softwood grafting in Annona spp. Three selected species of genus Annona namely Annona squamosa L., Annona reticulata L. and Annona muricata L. were grafted in all possible cross combinations (as rootstock and scion) during three different seasons (February- March using four months old rootstock, May- June using six month old rootstock and October- November using one year old rootstock). Experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with nine treatments replicated thrice with twenty one plants per replication. Treatments included T1 (A. squamosa on A.squamosa), T2 (A. squamosa on A. reticulata), T3 (A. squamosa on A. muricata), T4 (A. reticulata on A. squamosa), T5 (A. reticulata on A. reticulata), T6 (A. reticulata on A. muricata), T7 (A. muricata on A. squamosa), T8 (A. muricata on A. reticulata) and T9 (A. muricata on A. muricata). Observations on vegetative characters were noted at 15 days interval for three months and root characters at the end of third month after grafting. From the results it was found that treatment T4 (A. reticulata on A. squamosa) took only minimum number of days (9.55 days) to sprout when grafted during February- March, whereas maximum survival percentage was observed for the treatment T9 (A. muricata on A. muricata) (100%) followed by T1 (A. squamosa on A. squamosa) (90.46%) and T6 (A. reticulata on A. muricata) (80.90%) grafted during the same period. Plants grafted during May-June were observed with very low survival percentage for all the nine treatments. For grafting carried out during October-November, T6 (A. reticulata on A. muricata) (80.95%) and T1 (A. squamosa on A. squamosa) (76.18%) exhibited better survival rates. With regard to number of leaves and branches produced T1 (A. squamosa on A. squamosa), T6 (A. reticulata on A. muricata) and T9 (A. muricata on A. muricata) were found to be superior irrespective of season of grafting or age of rootstock used. Treatment T9 (A. muricata on A. muricata) was observed to possess maximum shoot length (37.12 cm) and treatment T1 (A. squamosa on A. squamosa) produced maximum number of roots, whereas average length of root was maximum for treatment T6 (A. reticulata on A. muricata) when grafted during February-March. Second experiment was conducted to identify the best rootstock and scion combinations for patch budding in Annona spp. Treatments from T1-T9 were same as that of experiment 1 budded in all possible cross combinations of three species of Annona namely A. squamosa L., A. reticulata L. and A. muricata L. Observations on vegetative characters were recorded at 15 days interval for three months. Root characters were recorded at the end of three months after budding. The results of this experiment indicated that treatment T3 (A. squamosa on A. muricata), T5 (A. reticulata on A. reticulata) and T6 (A. reticulata on A. muricata) took an average count between 29-36 days for initial sprouting. Plants budded during May- June sprouted earlier, whereas highest survival percentage was observed for treatments T6 (A. reticulata on A. muricata) (100%) budded during February-March. Branching did not exhibit any significant difference in any of the treatments. Treatment T6 (A. reticulata on A. muricata) produced maximum number of leaves during all the three seasons. Treatments T6 (A. reticulata on A. muricata) (24.75 cm) and T9 (A. muricata on A. muricata) (20.01 cm) budded during October-November were found to be superior with respect to shoot length. Treatment T5 (A. reticulata on A. reticulata) budded during February-March produced maximum number of roots, whereas T3 (A. squamosa on A. muricata) (13.75 cm) and T9 (A. muricata on A. muricata) (13.05 cm) budded during the same period recorded maximum length of root. In the present study, treatments T1 (A. squamosa on A. squamosa), T6 (A. reticulata on A. muricata) and T9 (A. muricata on A. muricata) were found to perform better with regard to all the characters under study. The period February-March followed by October-November were identified as the ideal season for grafting and budding in Annona spp. Grafted plants were found to perform better compared to budded plants in terms of early initial sprouting and survival rate.Item Genetic diversity analysis of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) accessions using molecular markers(Department of fruit science, College of agriculture, Vellayani, 2023-12-09) Gazel, M Gaddafi; Anu, G KrishnanItem Characterization of avocado(Persea americana Mill)(Department of fruit science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Anu Ann Augustine; Jyothi BhaskarItem Responses of mango (Mangifera indica L.) to chemical regulators under high density planting system(Department of fruit science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Anju Jayachandran; Ajith Kumar, K