1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)
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Item Adoption of organic farming by vegetable farmers in Ezhikkara panchayat(College of Co-operation, Banking & Management, Vellanikkara, 2022-06-18) Jesna Mathew; Sreelakshmi, C CItem Multinutrient pellets for organic farming in rice (Oryza sativa L.) for acid sulphate soils of Kuttanad(Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2023-04-04) Rohith A K.; Biju JosephThe current work entitled “Multinutrient pellets for organic farming in rice (Oryza sativa) for acid sulphate soils of Kuttanad” was conducted at the Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani and Rice Research Station, Moncompu, during the year 2022. In this study, organic multinutrient pellets were prepared and investigated for its nutrient release characteristics through laboratory incubation study. Simultaneously a field experiment was conducted during puncha season in a randomized block design with Pournami rice variety to evaluate the effect of organic multinutrient pellets on organic rice cultivation in acid sulphate soil. Pellets were prepared using N, P and K organic nutrient sources permitted in NPOP, taking into account the nutritional requirement of rice and the fertility status of the experimental soil. The pellets were P1 (blood meal +rock phosphate +potassium sulphate), P2 (blood meal +rock phosphate +langbeinite), P3 (blood meal +steamed bone meal +potassium sulphate), P4 (blood meal +steamed bone meal +langbeinite), P5 (groundnut cake +rock phosphate +potassium sulphate), P6 (groundnut cake +rock phosphate +langbeinite), P7 (groundnut cake +steamed bone meal +potassium sulphate), and P8 (groundnut cake +steamed bone meal +langbeinite).Bentonite clay and humic acid were used as binding agents. On the characterization of pellets, all the pellets were found physically stable with high water holding capacity and bulk density. N content (8.47) was highest in pellet 3 (blood meal +steamed bone meal +potassium sulphate) while pH (5.98), organic carbon (23.13%), P (4.24%), K (4.21%) and Ca (5.08%) content were highest in pellet 1 (blood meal +rock phosphate +potassium sulphate). A laboratory incubation experiment was carried out to investigate the nutrient release pattern of the pellets after addition to soil. The organic multinutrient pellets were added into pots containing 5kg of acid sulphate soil, depending on the weight of soil taken and the nutritional requirement of rice. The pots were maintained at saturated condition. Samples were drawn at 15th, 30th, 45th, and 60th day of incubation, and analyzed for chemical parameters such as pH, EC, organic carbon, available N, P, 177 K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, dehydrogenase activity, humic acid and fulvic acid using standard procedures. Soil pH and EC increased with days of incubation while organic carbon decreased. The availability of all nutrients increased from 15th day to 60th day and the maximum value was observed on 60th day of incubation. The dehydrogenase activity of soil and humic acid content increased with days of incubation while fulvic acid content decreased. In the field experiment 11 treatments were included such as, T1- Organic nutrient management as per KAU POP recommendation (organic crops), T2- Nutrient management as per KAU POP recommendations, crops 2016. T3- Organic nutrient management using pellet I, T4- Organic nutrient management using pellet II, T5- Organic nutrient management using pellet III, T6- Organic nutrient management using pellet IV, T7- Organic nutrient management using Pellet V, T8- Organic nutrient management using pellet VI, T9- Organic nutrient management using pellet VII, T10- Organic nutrient management using pellet VIII, T11- Absolute control. Analysis of post-harvest soil for chemical properties showed that, highest quantity of available Ca (410 mg kg-1), Mg (116 mg kg-1), S (19.83 mg kg-1) and P (24.59kg ha 1 ) were reported in T4. While the highest quantity of available N (291.68 kg ha-1), K (174.47 kg ha-1), Mn (2.54 mg kg-1) and Cu (1.25 mg kg-1) were observed in T2 followed by T3. T10 reported highest values in B (0.40 mg kg-1) and Zn (2.00mg kg-1). pH (5.21) and EC (0.120 dS m-1) of soil were the highest in T4 and T3 respectively. Regarding the nutrient content and uptake in plants, the treatment T2 (nutrient management as per KAU POP recommendations, crops 2016) registered the highest content and uptake of the most nutrients, which was followed by T3 (organic nutrient management using blood meal, rockphosphate and potassium sulphate) and T4 (organic nutrient management using blood meal, rock phosphate and langbeinite). The content and uptake of N and P and the uptake of K were highest in the T2. T3 recorded the highest content of N in grain, uptake of N in straw and the content and uptake of K in grain and straw. 178 Organic multinutrient pellet prepared using blood meal, rock phosphate and potassium sulphate on application in T3 significantly influenced the number of tillers (296.52), number of panicles meter-2 (280.27), spikelets panicle-1(111.67) and height of plants (100.53 cm) and provided highest value for them. Length of panicle (17.33 cm), filled grain percentage (90.07%) and 1000 grain weight (27.30g) were highest in T2 (nutrient management as per KAU POP recommendations, crops 2016). Chlorophyll content (1.23 mg g-1) was found highest in T6 due to the application of pellets prepared with langbeninte which contained magnesium. Nutrient management using organic multinutrient pellets had considerable impact on grain yield and straw yield. Highest grain yield (6167 kg ha-1) and straw yield (9012 kg ha-1) were recorded in T2 (nutrient management as per KAU POP recommendations, crops 2016) which was followed by T3 (organic nutrient management using blood meal, rock phosphate and potassium sulphate). The nutrient use efficiency of major nutrients were found to be highest in T2 receiving inorganic fertilizers, which was on par with the treatment T3 receiving blood meal, rock phosphate and potassium sulphate. Organic multinutrient pellets significantly influenced harvest index of rice. T2 and T3 registered the highest index value (0.41), while T4, T6 and T10 reported harvest index of 0.40. T2 with KAU POP recommendation of inorganic fertilizers reported the highest BC ratio of 3.79. However, T3 (Organic nutrient management using blood meal, rockphosphate and potassium sulphate) was on par with T2 with BC ratio of 3.02. Organic nutrient management in rice can be easily done by using multinutrient pellets prepared using nutrient sources permitted under NPOP. Pellets prepared using bloodmeal, rock phosphate and sulphate of potash (T3) produced on par yield to the treatment receiving inorganic fertilizers (T2). It was able to significantly improve the uptake of most of the nutrients in plant and could also maintain significantly higher levels of nutrients in the post-harvest soil. T2 was superior with respect to economics of cultivation with a BC ratio of 3.79 compared to a BC ratio of 3.02 in T3. It can be concluded that T3 (organic nutrient management using blood meal, rock phosphate 179 and potassium sulphate) is a viable option for nutrient management in organically grown paddy in acid sulphate soils of Kuttanad. 180Item Development of multi nutrient formulation and pellets for organic farming and their evaluation in Banana (Musa AAB cv. Nendran)(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2024-11-05) Lucy Taki; Biju JosephA study entitled “Development of multi nutrient formulations and pellets for organic farming and their evaluation in banana (Musa AAB cv. Nendran)” was carried out at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2019-2023, with the objective to develop multi nutrient formulations and pellets using nutrient sources permitted under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and to evaluate them in relation to nutrient release characteristics and productivity of nendran banana in agro-ecological unit 8 of Kerala. The study comprised of four parts viz., preparation and characterization of organic multi nutrient formulations, development of organic multi nutrient pellets and their quality evaluation, incubation study to investigate the nutrient release characteristics of organic multi nutrient formulations and pellets and a field study to evaluate the organic multi nutrient formulations and pellets in nendran banana. Organic multi nutrient formulations were prepared using organic nutrient sources like blood meal (BM), soybean meal (SM), rock phosphate (RP), steamed bone meal (SBM), potassium sulfate (SOP), langbeinite (L), epsom salt (ES) and borax (B) permitted in NPOP. Formulations were prepared by mixing nutrient sources considering the nutrient requirement of nendran banana (N:P2O5:K2O @ 300:115:450 g plant-1) and the fertility status of the experimental soil. The multi nutrient formulations prepared were F1 (BM+RP+SOP+ES+B), F2 (BM+RP+L+ES+B), F3 (BM+SBM+SOP+ES+B), F4 (BM+SBM+L+ES+B), F5 (SM+RP+SOP+ES+B), F6 (SM+RP+L+ES+B), F7 (SM+SBM+SOP+ES+B) and F8 (SM+SBM+L+ES+B). The multi nutrient formulations were characterized for their physical, chemical and biochemical properties. The results of characterization study were subjected to principal component analysis which revealed that the formulation F1 containing blood meal, rock phosphate, potassium sulfate, epsom salt and borax was superior to other formulations with index mean value of 13.07. Formulation F1 had 3.73 g cm-3 bulk 348 density, 2.67% moisture content, 6.5 pH, 3.23 dSm-1 EC, 29.43% OC, 7.21% N, 2.71% P, 10.78% K, 5.98% Ca, 0.35% Mg, 4.45% S, 1174.11 mg kg-1 Fe, 4.53 mg kg-1 Mn, 13.55 mg kg-1 Zn, 8.65 mg kg-1 Cu and 93.67 mg kg-1 B. It also contained 45.04% crude protein, 2.95% humic acid and 3.55% fulvic acid. Based on the result of the PCA, formulations F1 (BM + RP + SOP + ES + B), F2 (BM + RP + L + ES + B), F3 ((BM + SBM + SOP + ES + B) and F6 (SM + RP + L + ES + B) with index value of 13.07, 9.82, 11.93 and 7.35 were selected for further pelletization studies. Four selected organic multi nutrient formulations were mixed with 2 binding agents viz. bentonite (Bn) and starch (St) at 2 levels (2% and 4%). The formulations were mixed with binding agents as per the treatments and moistened with deionized water and compressed into pellet form. The 16 multi nutrient pellets prepared were P1 (BM+RP+SOP+ES+B+2%St), P2 (BM+RP+SOP+ES+B+4%St), P3 (BM+RP+SOP+ES+B+2%Bn), P4 (BM+RP+SOP+ES+B+4%Bn), P5 (BM+RP+L+ES+B+2%St), P6 (BM+RP+L+ES+B+4%St), P7 (BM+RP+L+ES+B+2%Bn), P8 (BM+RP+L+ES+ B+4%Bn), P9 (BM+SBM+SOP+ES+B+2%St), P10 (BM+SBM+SOP+ES+B+4%St), P11 (BM+SBM+SOP+ES+B+2%Bn), P12 (BM+SBM+SOP+ES+B+4%Bn), P13 (SM+RP+L+ES+B+2%St), P14 (SM+RP+L+ES+B+4%St), P15 (SM+RP+L+ES+B+2%Bn) and P16 (SM+RP+L+ES+B+4%Bn). The results of laboratory analysis of multi nutrient pellets were also subjected to PCA. Four different groups were made out of the 16 multi nutrient pellets with group 1 consisting of P1 to P4; group 2 consisting of P5 to P8; group 3 consisting of P9 to P12 and group 4 consisting of P13 to P16. PCA was performed separately on different groups to select one best multi nutrient pellet from each group. After one-way ANOVA of index values, the mean values of pellets P3 (11.23), P5 (8.21), P11 (11.36) and P15 (6.17) were greater found in their respective groups. However, the pellets P4 (BM+RP+SOP+ES+B+4%Bn), P6 (BM+RP+L+ES+B+4%St), P12 (BM+SBM+SOP+ES+B+4%Bn) and P16 (SM+RP+L+ES+B+4%Bn) with next higher 349 mean values of 11.03, 8.02, 11.16 and 6.05 were selected for further studies because of their superior physical qualities and stability. In the third part of the study a laboratory incubation experiment was carried out for 300 days to evaluate the nutrient release pattern of the 4 selected formulations (F1, F2, F3 and F6) and pellets (P4, P6, P12 and P16) upon addition to soil. Soil samples were drawn at 60 days interval (60th, 120th, 180th, 240th and 300th day of incubation) and nutrient release characteristics were studied. The result revealed that the soil organic carbon, water soluble carbon, labile carbon and particulate carbon increased till 60th day in all treatments then decreased till the end of incubation period. Significantly higher water soluble carbon (49.07 mg kg-1), labile carbon (1084.33 mg kg-1) and particulate carbon (3950.00 mg kg-1) was observed throughout the incubation period in T4 containing soyabean meal, rock phosphate, langbeinite, epsom salt and borax which was on par with T8 containing same formulation with 4% bentonite. The available N, NH4 +-N and NO3 --N content increased till 120th day irrespective of treatments and thereafter it decreased. Treatment T1 having blood meal + rock phosphate + potassium sulphate + epsom salt + borax recorded highest available N (246.46 kg ha-1), NH4 +-N (84.00 mg kg-1) and NO3 --N (46.67 mg kg-1) content throughout the incubation period followed by its corresponding pellet T5 having blood meal + rock phosphate + potassium sulphate + epsom salt + borax + 4% bentonite. The available P, labile P and non labile P increased upto 240th day for all the treatments. T1 showed significantly higher level of available P (111.41 kg ha-1), labile P (22.27 mg kg-1) and non labile P (42.89 mg kg-1), throughout the incubation period which was on par with T5. It was observed that available K, water soluble K, exchangeable K and non exchangeable K increased till 240th days of incubation and then declined in all treatments. Formulation T3 having blood meal + steamed bone meal + potassium sulphate + epsom salt + borax had significantly higher available K (972.93 kg ha-1), water soluble K (81.67 mg kg-1) and exchangeable K (352.68 mg kg-1) throughout the incubation period. However, the highest non exchangeable K varied during different 350 incubation period. Secondary nutrients Ca, Mg and S showed maximum release in all treatments till 240th day and thereafter declined with T2 formulation containing BM+RP+L+ES+B showing significantly higher content throughout the incubation period. The highest available micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) was in treatment T5 which was on par with T1. A field experiment was conducted during 2021-2022 to evaluate the effect of organic multi nutrient formulations and pellets on soil fertility and crop productivity using nendran banana as test crop. The results of soil analysis revealed that application of multi nutrient formulations and pellets did not have much influence on physical properties of soil in both basin and 1m away from the plant. However, the chemical and biological attributes were significantly improved in both the soil. Application of T2 containing formulation BM+RP+SOP+ES+B and T6 containing pellet BM+RP+SOP+ES+B+4%Bn improved the availability of N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Zn content in both the soils. Dehydrogenase activity and microbial population was enhanced by application of KAU organic POP (T1), formulation SM+RP+L+ES+B (T5) and pellet SM+RP+L+ES+B+4%Bn (T9) in basin soil. Crop growth parameters like plant height, girth of pseudostem and no of functional leaves per plant were significantly higher in T2 which was on par with T6. Yield parameters like length, girth and weight of index finger, bunch weight, no. of hands per bunch, no. of fingers per bunch and no. of fingers in D-hand was also significantly higher in T2 and T6 compared to other treatments. T2 recorded the highest yield of 34.17 t/ha which was on par with T6 (31.25 t/ha). The crop receiving T9 (SM+RP+L+ES+B+4%Bn) had the longest crop duration and the shortest was observed in T2. The fruit quality parameters like TSS, TSS/acidity ratio, total sugar, reducing sugar, non reducing sugar, total sugar/ acidity ratio, carbohydrate, pulp to peel ratio was significantly higher in treatments T2 and T6. The foliar N, P, K, Ca, Fe content at harvest was highest in T2 containing formulation BM+RP+L+ES+B, foliar Mg, S content was highest in T3 containing formulation BM+RP+L+ES+B and foliar 351 Mn, Zn, Cu, B content was highest in T4 containing formulation BM+SBM+SOP+ES+B. Total uptake of N, Zn and B was highest in T2 while the total uptake of P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu was highest in T6. Fruit quality parameters like TSS, total sugar, reducing sugar, non reducing sugar and pulp/peel ratio was significantly higher in T2 which was on par with T6. Shelf-life of nendran fruit increased significantly in T4 receiving the formulation BM+SBM+SOP+ES+B and T8 receiving the same formulation with 4% bentonite. Nutrient use efficiency was higher in T2 and T6. The highest B:C ratio of 2.21 was recorded in T2. From the results of the study, it can be concluded that multi nutrient formulation prepared using blood meal, rock phosphate, potassium sulphate, epsom salt and borax (T2) and multi nutrient pellet prepared using blood meal, rock phosphate, potassium sulphate, epsom salt, borax and 4% bentonite (T6) was superior to other formulations and pellets. The nutrient release from above formulation and pellet were maximum at incubation period of 120th day for N and 240th day for P, K, secondary and micronutrients. The treatment T2 applied @ 4.2 kg plant-1 was found to be superior to other treatments with respect to available nutrient status of soil, nutrient uptake, growth parameter, yield and quality of nendran banana, which was found to be on par in the case of the most of the parameters with the treatment T6 applied @ 4.5 kg plant-1. T2 was also the most economical treatment. Hence, the application of organic multi nutrient formulation prepared using blood meal, rock phosphate, potassium sulphate, epsom salt and borax at the rate of 4.2 kg plant-1 as 3 equal split doses at 2MAP, 4MAP and 6MAP can be recommended for nutrient management in organically grown nendran banana.Item Exploratory study on organic farming among smallholder farmers(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2021) Visakha, T; Jayasree Krishnankutty, MOrganic agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. The study was formulated with objectives to identify the components of organic farming in the selected organic homesteads, identify the marketing channels utilized by farmers and work out their marketing efficiency, analyze the biodiversity in the selected organic homesteads, explore the constraints experienced by farmer and formulate suggestions for promoting organic farming in the state. The study was conducted in Malappuram district of Kerala state. comprising of Nilambur and Wandoor blocks with a sample size of 30 organic homesteads picked out using random sampling techniques. Data were collected by using structured interview schedules and direct observation. The results revealed that components of organic farming in the selected homesteads were use of bulky organic manure, concentrated organic manure, green leaf manure, green manure crops, bio fertilizer, liquid organic manure, traps, bio control agents and organic pesticides. The study assessed the diversity of plants in organic homesteads. Nilambur block recorded the higher diversity (0.84) followed by Wandoor block (0.73). Nilambur block recorded the higher species richness (1.96) followed by Wandoor block (1.80). The major crops marketed in the study area vegetables and banana. Vegetables studied were chilli, bitter gourd, cowpea and Amaranthus. In the case of cowpea highest marketing efficiency was recorded in channel I (Producer –consumer) and lowest in channel II (Producer-retailer-consumer) ,whereas bitter gourd highest marketing efficiency was recorded in channel I (Producer – consumer) and lowest in channel II (Producer-retailer- consumer), in the case of chilli highest marketing efficiency was recorded in channel I (Producer – consumer) and lowest in channel III (Producer- Govt agency (horticorp) – consumer), In amaranthus highest marketing efficiency of was recorded in channel I (Producer – consumer) and lowest in channel II (Producer-retailer-consumer ) . In thecase of banana highest marketing efficiency was in recorded in channel I (Producer – consumer) and lowest in channel II ( Producer-retailer-consumer) . Source of income, annual income had showed higher positive correlation with biodiversity index of organic homesteads. A comparative study between the farmers from two blocks revealed that education and annual income were significantly different of these two blocks of farmers. The major constraints faced by farmers were lack of premium price for organic produce, less market price, lack of crop insurance, wild animal attack, low yield, high wages, and labour shortage and pest and disease problems. Suggestions brought forth by the study for promoting organic farming are designing implementing awareness programs for the consumers, development of model organic farms with institutional support, providing financial incentives for promoting organic farming, ensuring availability of quality organic manure at reasonable price, enhancing the supportive role in government marketing of organic produce and encouraging setting up of organic kitchen garden in homesteads, organic certification More studies on organic farming especially on the marketing aspects are needed to develop viable solutions for the challenges faced by the promoting system.Item Transition to organic agriculture in Kasaragod district: A multi dimensional analysis(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Seenu Joseph; Jiju P AlexItem Organic farming as a strategy for climate change adaptation - an exploratory study(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculturture, Vellayani, 2018) Sangeetha, K G; Sheiref, A KItem Technology utilisation of organic plant protection practices of KAU(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2017) Aparna, K V; Allan ThomasItem Adoption of organic farming technologies in banana and vegetable crops in kasaragod district(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Akshay Sasidharan; Sheiref, A KItem Proteome analysis of organically grown yardlong bean (VignaaunguicuIata sub sp. sesquipedalis (L.) verdcourt(Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Deepthi K Kumar; Deepu MathewItem Farmer and consumer behaviour towards organic vegetables(Department of rural marketing management, College of cooperation, banking and management, Vellanikkara, 2015) Divya Vijayan; Ushadevi, K N