1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)
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Item Schizophyllum commune for the management of colletotrichum leaf blight of turmeric.(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, vellayani, 2025) Gibence, H Rose Winnie; Heera, GThe study entitled “Schizophyllum commune for the management of Colletotrichum leaf blight of turmeric’’ was carried out at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2021-2023, with the objective of characterization and utilization of antimicrobial compounds from S. commune for the management of Colletotrichum leaf blight of turmeric. Survey was conducted during October 2022-February 2023 in three districts of Kerala, viz., Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha to study about the disease incidence (DI) and disease severity (PDI) of leaf blight of turmeric. The disease incidence ranged between 31.12 – 55.11% and disease severity between 24.32 – 62.00 %. The highest DI and PDI was observed at Neyyattinkara location of Thiruvananthapuram. The common symptom observed in surveyed area was brownish necrotic blighting from tip or margin with prominent yellow halo. Ten fungal isolates were obtained, sub-cultured and purified. Pathogenicity of these fungal isolates were proved. The pathogen was identified as Colletotrichum sp. The morphological studies of Colletotrichum sp. revealed that mycelial width, septal distance and conidial size ranged from 1.01- 1.85 µm, 13.41-7.98 µm and 9.10 × 3.70 - 18.54 × 4.50 µm2 respectively. The conidial shape was either dumbbell or oblong. Colony colour was either off white, ash grey or dark grey. Colletotrichum isolate C6 was identified as the most virulent (Sadanandapuram from Thiruvanathapuram) after virulence rating. The molecular characterization of isolate C6 was done using ITS primers where it had the maximum identity with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Morphological, cultural and molecular characterization is done and identified C6 isolate as C. gloeosporioides. The mycelial growth of Schizophyllum commune was either fluffy, cottony or sparse. The mycelial growth rate was maximum in SC5 (S. commune 5; DMRX-2160) followed by SC3 (S. commune 3; DMRX-2158) (1.03 and 1.01 cm day-1 respectively). SC 1 (S. commune 1; DMRX-2156), SC2 (S. commune 2; DMRX-2157), SC4 (S. commune 4; DMRX-2159) exhibited growth rate of 0.92, 0.81 and 0.69 cm day-1 respectively. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) was identified as the most suited and Czapek dox agar (CDA) least suited media for S. commune. In vitro antagonism was done by dual culture assay and poisoned food technique. All the S. commune strains were effective in managing the pathogen in vitro. The strains SC1, SC3, and SC5 exhibited lysis where as SC2 and SC4 showed overgrowth as mode of inhibition in dual culture assay. Highest inhibition was exhibited by SC5 (40.78 %) followed by SC3 (39.62%). Different concentration viz., 25, 50 and 75% of S. commune culture filtrate were tested against C. gloeosporioides in poisoned food technique. Among these, 75% concentration exhibited highest inhibition percentage. SC5 culture filtrate amended media showed highest inhibition (44.46%) of followed by SC3 (37.03%). Two most effective strains of S. commune viz., SC5 and SC3 were selected for in vivo studies. In vivo studies were conducted to evaluate effect of S. commune mycelial extract and cell free culture filtrate (CF) on leaf blight of turmeric in comparison with biocontrol agent (Pseudomonas fluorescens) and chemical control (Propiconazole). Among all the treatments spraying culture filtrate of SC5 at seven days interval showed lowest PDI (17.76%) at 14 days after inoculation (DAI) followed by propiconazole (T8), P. fluorescens (T7) and culture filtrate of SC5 (T5) which were statistically on par with each other. Similar trend was also observed at 21 and 28 DAI. Similarly, lowest lesion size observed in T5 (CF of SC5) at 14 DAI (1.96 ×1.4 cm2), 21 DAI (2.4×1.6cm2) and 28 DAI (3.96×2.3cm2). The maximum plant height was observed in T7 (127.66 cm) followed by absolute control (126.65 cm) and T5 (125 cm). There was no significant difference in the number of leaves in response to different treatments. Plant defence enzyme viz., peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenyl alanine ammonia lyase showed enhanced activity followed post inoculation the spray of P. fluorescens and culture filtrate of SC 5. Hot water extraction recovered 0.18g and 0.119g crude polysaccharide from S. commune mushroom mycelial powder and culture filtrate respectively. The results of this study revealed wide spread occurrence of Colletotrichum leaf blight in the turmeric growing areas of Kerala viz., Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha. Wide variation in cultural and morphological characters of Colletotrichum isolates was observed from the surveyed areas. The most virulent isolate (C6) obtained from Sadanandapuram identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides based on cultural, morphological and molecular characters. PDA was identified as the most suitable media for the growth of S. commune. Schizophyllum commune strains possessed biocontrol potential with lysis and overgrowth as mode of action against C. gloeosporioides in dual culture assay. Culture filtrate of S. commune reduced the disease severity in leaf blight of turmeric. Crude polysaccharides were present in culture filtrate as well as in mushroom mycelial powder. The active compound responsible for biocontrol property of S. commune should be identified, fractionated and structurally elucidated. In vitro and in vivo activity of purified compound against fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens should be investigated and more research is needed for field level application.Item Growth, yield and curcumin production in turmeric (curcuma longa L.) mediated by chitosan application(Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture , Vellayani, 2024-03-27) Shibana, S N.; Deepa, S NairThe research programme entitled “Growth, yield and curcumin production in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) mediated by chitosan application” was carried out in the Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2021 to 2023 with an objective to evaluate the effect of different modes and frequency of application of chitosan (CTS) on plant growth, yield and secondary metabolite production in Curcuma longa. The present study was carried out as four experiments (i) Biopriming of rhizome bits using chitosan (ii) Effect of different modes and frequency of application of chitosan (iii) Effect of chitosan application on beneficial soil microflora and (iv) Effect of chitosan application on expression profile of curcumin synthase gene. All the experiments were tried in two varieties viz., Sobha and Sona. In the first experiment, single bud rhizome bits were treated with different concentrations of chitosan for specified periods. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Each replication consist of 25 rhizome bits. The treatments included, T1: CTS 1 g L-1 for 30 min, T2: CTS 1 g L-1 for 1 h, T3: CTS 2 g L-1 for 30 min, T4: CTS 2 g L-1 for 1 h, T5: CTS 4 g L- 1 for 30 min, T6: CTS 4 g L-1 for 1 h and T7: Control (without priming). The treated rhizome bits were shade dried and sown in protrays and maintained for 45 days. The observations on growth parameters were recorded at 45 days after planting. The rhizome bits exposed to CTS 1 g L-1 for 1 h was observed to give better results in terms of growth parameters and vigour index in both the varieties. Chitosan treatment enhanced the shoot length of the plantlets by 58 % in Sobha and 83 % in Sona, over the control. The collar girth enhanced by 39 % and 19 % over the control in Sobha and Sona, respectively. However, the chitosan treatment did not significantly influence the days to sprouting, sprouting per cent and survival per cent in both the varieties. The plantlets obtained on priming of rhizome bits with CTS 1 g L-1 for 1 h was used to study the effect of different modes (foliar and soil application) and frequency of application of chitosan in the second experiment. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The foliar application treatments included, F1: CTS 1 g L-1 monthly, F2: CTS 2 g L-1 monthly, F3: CTS 3 g L- 1 bimonthly, F4: CTS 4 g L-1 bimonthly, F5: CTS 4 g L-1 trimonthly, F6: CTS 5 g L-1 trimonthly, Cp: Primed control and C: Unprimed control. Chitosan application significantly influenced growth, quality and yield parameters of turmeric over the control. Among the foliar treatments, monthly application of CTS 2 g L-1 (F2) was observed to give better results in terms of plant growth parameters viz., plant height, leaf area, shoot weight, rhizome spread and rhizome weight at 6 MAT. The cell membrane integrity and total chlorophyll content was observed to be significantly higher with monthly application of CTS 2 g L-1 (F2) in both the varieties. The activity of defense enzymes (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) were significantly higher in F2, in Sobha and Sona. F2 and F4 recorded low incidence of leaf blotch disease. Chitosan application significantly influenced the yield and yield attributing characters compared to untreated control. Trimonthly foliar application of CTS 4 g L-1(F5) and trimonthly foliar application of CTS 5 g L-1 (F6) recorded significantly higher dry yield per plot (1.93 kg) in variety Sobha, which was on par with all other chitosan foliar treatments. In variety Sona, bimonthly application of CTS 4 g L-1 (F4) recorded significantly higher dry yield per plot (2.21 kg) and on par with all other chitosan foliar treatments except F1. Foliar application of chitosan enhanced the dry yield in the range of 43 % to 69 % in Sobha and 56 % to 91 % in Sona over the control. Nutrient uptake also recorded a significantly higher value in F2 in both the varieties. In foliar spray treatment, F2, F4 and F6 recorded significantly higher volatile oil content in Sobha, while in Sona F2 and F4 recorded higher values. Oil content enhanced by 116 % to 137 % in Sobha and 144 % to 164 % in Sona over the control. F2 and F4 recorded significantly higher oleoresin content in both the varieties. Oleoresin content increased in the range of 76 % to 82 % in Sobha and 64 % to 72 % in Sona compared to control. F2 (6.63 %) and F4 (6.42 %) recorded higher curcumin content and enhancement ranged from 83 % to 89 % in Sobha. While in Sona, F2 recorded higher curcumin content (7.35 %) which recorded an enhancement of 54 % over the control. From the study it could be concluded that the best priming treatment of rhizome bits is with CTS 1 g L-1 for 1 h in terms of seedling growth and vigour index in both the varieties. All the chitosan treatments gave better performance in terms of yield over the control irrespective of mode of application in both the varieties. F2 and F4 gave better performance with respect to both yield and quality. Among these, the BC ratio was observed to be higher in F4 in both the varieties. Hence, F4 (bimonthly foliar application of CTS 4 g L-1) is selected as the best and economically feasible chitosan treatment for improving growth, yield and secondary metabolite production in turmeric. Chitosan application also improved the population of beneficial soil microflora, nitrogen fixing bacteria and phosphorus solubilising bacteria. Chitosan also enhanced the expression level of curcumin synthase gene.Item Micrometeorological modification with mulches to enhance the yield of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)(Department of Agricultural Meteorology, College of Agriculture,Vellanikkara, 2021) Abin Divakaran, A; Lincy Davis, PTurmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is one of the most important rhizomatous spices, belonging to Zingiberacea. It is an annual herbaceous plant native to tropical SouthEast Asia. Turmeric has high medicinal properties and it is wildly used in pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. Due to the high value of the crop, it is getting good demand all over the world. India is one of the largest producer and consumer of turmeric around the world. In India turmeric is mainly planted in the hot summer months and grown as a rainfed crop, but due to the drastic changes in the agroclimatic conditions its production is influenced detrimentally. Mulching is an important cultural practice in turmeric, which helps to maintain an optimum microclimatic condition, reduce weed growth, add organic matter and conserve moisture throughout the high evaporative periods. Due to these changing climatic conditions assessment of an effective date of planting and finding a most suitable mulching practice are required for the effective production of turmeric. Hence, the goal of this study is to determine how planting dates and micrometeorological modifications with mulches affect turmeric yield. Turmeric variety Kanthi was raised in Plantation Crops and Spices farm, College of Agriculture, KAU, Vellanikkara with four different dates of planting (1st May, 15th May, 1 st June and 15th June) and four different mulching treatments (white polythene mulch, black polythene mulch, paddy straw mulch and green leaf mulch). The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four dates of planting as main plot treatments and four mulching practices as subplot treatments. Crop weather analysis was done by using SPSS software and crop yield prediction model was developed with the help of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and regression analysis. The total crop period was divided into four phenophases (P1-planting to germination, P2-germination to initiation of active tillering, P3-initiation of active tillering to bulking, P4- bulking to physiological maturity). The days to reach each phenophases were different in every date of planting. May 1st planting took more days to reach 100 per cent germination and to reach physiological maturity both 1st and 2nd dates of plantings took more time. The plant biometric characters like plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of tillers and dry matter accumulation were found to be more in earlier dates of planting (May 1st and May 15th) in almost all the time. In mulching practices paddy straw mulch was superior and it was followed by green leaf mulch. The yield produced by May 1st and May 15th dates of planting were on par and in case of mulching treatments paddy straw mulch produced superior yield than any other mulching practice. In mulching treatments polythene mulches recorded more soil temperature and moisture content than organic mulches in almost all the time. The first phenophase of 1st date of planting recorded high maximum, minimum and soil temperature along with less rain fall and rainy days. This might have influenced the late emergence of turmeric. The increase in maximum temperature, wind speed, sunshine hours and evaporation reduced the plant height in third phenophase. Soil moisture content and relative humidity inside the plant canopy showed a positive correlation with yield, whereas soil temperature showed a negative correlation with yield during the bulking stage of turmeric. The decrease in maximum temperature, bright sunshine hours, wind speed and evaporation and the increase in the minimum temperature, forenoon and afternoon relative humidity and rainfall during bulking stage enhanced the yield in turmeric. The development of yield prediction model with principal component analysis of mulching treatments and dates of planting of four phenophases were done and the yields of turmeric crop with these equations were predicted. This showed that, the predicted yield was in accordance with the observed yield in all mulching treatments.Item An economic analysis of production and marketing of turmeric in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2022) Akkidasari Venkata Rao; Thasnimol, FThe present study entitled “An economic analysis of production and marketing of turmeric in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh” was carried out in Palakkad district of Kerala and Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. The specific objectives of the study were to study economics, input use pattern and resource use efficiency of turmeric cultivation in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, to estimate the marketing efficiency and to analyse the constraints in production and marketing of turmeric. Both primary and secondary data were used to examine the specific objectives of the study. Palakkad district and Visakhapatnam district were purposively selected as these districts were the major producer of turmeric in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, respectively.Alathur and Kuzhalmannam blocks of Palakkad district and Chinthapalli and G Madugula blocks of Visakhapatnam districts were purposively selected based on high acreage and production of turmeric. From the selected block panchayath, one grama panchayath was selected based on high acreage and production of turmeric. Finally, 35 farmers were randomly selected from the selected panchayats in the Visakhapatnam district, and 15 farmers were randomly selected from the selected panchayats in the Palakkad district. Apart from these, 10 market intermediaries from Palakkad district and 20 from Visakhapatnam district were selected to elicit market-related information. The total operational cost of turmeric was Rs. 1,74,430 in Palakkad district and Rs. 1,14,022 in Visakhapatnam district. In total operational cost, 71.63 per cent was attributed to the labour cost in Palakkad district, whereas it was 42.19 per cent in Visakhapatnam district. The low share of labour cost was mainly due to the low wage rate prevailing in the Visakhapatnam region. The total fixed cost for the cultivation of turmeric was Rs. 26,794 in Palakkad and Rs. 10,480 in Visakhapatnam. The gross income from turmeric was Rs. 2,70,000 in Palakkad district, whereas it was Rs. 1,68,000 in Visakhapatnam district. The total cost of cultivation (cost C) of turmeric incurred by the farmers in Palakkad and Visakhapatnam districts was observed to be Rs. 2,01,224ha-1 and Rs. 1,24,410ha-1 respectively. The net return at cost C for Palakkad and Visakhapatnam farmers was Rs. 68,775 ha1 and Rs. 43,589 ha1 , respectively. The estimated Benefit- Cost (BC) ratio was almost equal in both districts i.e., 1.34 in Palakkad and 1.35 in Visakhapatnam district. Analysis of input use patterns in turmeric cultivation revealed that the total labour required to perform various operations in turmeric cultivation was 241 man-days and 160 man-days, respectively, for Palakkad and Visakhapatnam districts. In Palakkad district, the major labour absorbing operation was harvesting and it accounted for about 34.69 per cent of total labour requirement, followed by land preparation, curing, and intercultural operations. Similarly, in the Visakhapatnam district, harvesting operation also required more number labours and it accounted for 27.72 per cent of the total workforce, followed by planting, weeding, and irrigation. Resource use efficiency in turmeric cultivation was estimated using the Cobb-Douglas production function, and it was fitted separately for Palakkad and Visakhapatnam districts. In Palakkad district, the independent variables like area, number of labourers, farmyard manure and muriate of potash were significantly and positively affected the yield of turmeric. While in Visakhapatnam district, area, seed and machine service were significantly and positively influenced the yield of turmeric. Allocative efficiency was examined to know whether the resources in the farm were efficiently utilized or not. Marginal productivity analysis showed that resources like farmyard manure, labour and muriate of potash were underutilized, whereas the resources like factomphos and lime were over-utilized in Palakkad district. Similarly, in the Visakhapatnam district, seed and machine services were having greater potentiality for further use as these resources were underutilized in the study area. Among the two identified channels in Palakkad district, channel-II (Producers - Trader cum semi processors - Processor cum primary wholesaler- Retailers) was the most preferred channel among producers due to its relatively low marketing cost, marketing margin and high marketing efficiency. Three marketing channels were identified in the Visakhapatnam district. Among three, Channel I (Producer- village merchant- trader cum semi processor- processor cum semi wholesaler- retailer- consumer) was the predominant marketing channel in the study area. Although Channel I was the dominant marketing channel, Channel III (Producer- trader cum semi processor- processor cum semi wholesaler- retailer- consumer) was the most efficient channel due to its low marketing cost and marketing margin. High wage rates and shortage of labour were considered as the major production constraints faced by the turmeric farmers in the Palakkad district. While in Visakhapatnam district, lack of remunerative price and lack of suitable machinery services for different operations were the major production constraints faced by the farmers. In the case of marketing, price fluctuations and inadequate storage and marketing facilities were the important constraints faced by the farmers and traders. Turmeric cultivation is found to be profitable in both districts, hence government may take suitable measures to bring more land under turmeric cultivation through area expansion programmes and such other programmes. To address the problem of labour shortage, incorporate agricultural operations in the ‘MGNREGA’ programme and may also be addressed with the use of low-cost machinery hence policies may be formulated to provide suitable machinery for the farmers through respective Krishi Bhavans. Strengthen the infrastructure facilities near the production sites and facilitate the farmers to perform on-farm post-harvest handling operations through the formation of several Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). The establishment of a regulated market in the Visakhapatnam district may help the farmers to realize a better price for the produce by eliminating the involvement of market mediators.Item Harvesting stages and chitosan sprays on curcumin yield in tumeric (Curcuma longa L.)(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2020) Ashwini, S; Jalaja S MenonTurmeric (Curcuma longa L.) the golden spice, is highly valued as a medicinal plant. The major active constituent of turmeric is curcumin. The curcumin content varies with the agro climatic regions, cultivars, agronomic practices and the stages of harvest. The present study entitled „Harvesting stages and chitosan sprays on curcumin yield in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)‟ to identify the influence of chitosan sprays and stages of harvesting on curcumin yield of turmeric genotypes. There were twenty seven treatment combinations of genotypes, harvesting stages and foliar application of chitosan. Among the turmeric genotypes Wayanad local (Acc WCL 23) was found superior in morphological characteristics like plant height (94.49 cm, 127.70 cm, 140.20 cm, respectively), number of tillers (2.97, 3.59 and 3.71, respectively) and leaf area (529.06 cm2, 657.38 cm2 and 696.28 cm2, respectively) in all the three growth stages of plant at 100, 120 and 150 Days After Planting (DAP). The foliar sprays of chitosan at 1g L-1 at monthly interval had a pronounced in morphological characters like plant height (133.58 cm), number of tillers (3.78) and girth of tillers (10.36 cm) at 150 DAP. However, the interaction effect of turmeric genotypes and foliar application of chitosan on morphological characters was found non significant. The photosynthetic rate was found higher in turmeric genotype, Wayanad local sprayed with chitosan (35.60 μmol m-2s-1). The lowest disease sevearity index for leaf spot was remarkable in chitosan sprayed plants (23.82%). The rhizome characters like length of primary rhizome and number of secondary rhizomes were found to be significantly high in Sobha (10.68 cm and 18.67 cm, respectively) and Wayanad local (11.07 cm and 18.35, respectively). The genotype Prathibha was found superior in width of rhizome (2.79 cm). The highest number of primary rhizomes was recorded in genotype Wayanad local (6.78) and Prathibha (6.67). When the main effect of harvesting stages were analysed, harvesting at 270 DAP was found superior in improving length, width and number of primary rhizome (10.58 cm, 3.19 cm and 7.10 cm, respectively). Chitosan sprayed plants recorded highest number (7.32) and width (2.59 cm) of primary rhizomes. Among the turmeric genotypes Wayanad local (255.86 g plant-1) and Sobha (246.01 g plant-1) recorded highest fresh rhizome weight. The rhizome harvested at 270 DAP recorded the highest fresh rhizome weight (266.52 g plant-1). Chitosan at a concentration of 1g L-1 significantly improved the fresh rhizome yield per plant (273.18 g plant-1). From the interaction effect it was evident that the fresh rhizome yield per plant was significantly superior in chitosan sprayed plants of Wayand local (314.00 g plant-1) harvested at 210 DAP (V3H1C1 ) and in chitosan sprayed plants of Sobha (311.25 g plant-1) harvested at 240 DAP (V1H2C1). The treatment combination V2H3C1- Prathibha sprayed with chitosan and harvested at 270 DAP was found on par (297.55 g plant-1). The chitosan sprayed plants of Wayanad local (18.44 %) harvested at 240 DAP (V3H2C1) recorded highest curing percentage. The curcumin content was significantly high in Prathibha (4.36 %). Harvesting of turmeric at 240 DAP (4.34 %) and 270 DAP (4.33 %) was found to be significantly superior in the curcumin content. Chitosan sprays significantly improved the curcumin content (4.81%). When influence of genotypes, harvesting stages and chitosan spray on curcumin content was analysed in detail, the treatment combinations of V1H2C1 - chitosan sprayed plants of Sobha harvested at 240 DAP (5.26%), V2H2C1- Prathiba at 240 DAP with chitosan sprays (5.14%), V3H1C1- Chitosan sprayed plants of Wayanad local harvested at 210 DAP (5.11%) and V3H3C1- Wayanad local harvested at 270 DAP (5.20%) were found superior. The curcumin yield improvement by foliar sprayings of chitosan was more pronounced in Sobha (52.96%) followed by Wayanad local (Acc WCL 23) (45.71%) and Prathibha (40.52%). Significantly higher curcumin yield was obtained from the treatment combinations involving genotype Sobha sprayed with chitosan 1 g L-1 and harvested at 240 DAP (V1H2C1) - (385.16 kg ha-1) and Wayanad local (Acc WCL 23) sprayed with chitosan 1 g L-1 and harvested at 210 DAP (V3H1C1) - (378.54 kg ha-1). However, foliar application of chitosan at 1g L-1 is effective in enhancing the weight of fresh rhizome, curcumin content and curcumin yield in turmeric. Harvesting at 240 and 270 days after planting are equally good in getting higher weight of fresh rhizome and curcumin.Item Value chain analysis of turmeric- a study with special reference to(College of co-operation, banking and management, Vellanikkara, 2014) Rahana Ibrahim, P; Jacob Thomas, MValue chain refers to the full range of activities that are required to bring a product (or a service) from conception, through the different phases of production, to delivery to final consumers and disposal after use. Mapping is the process of making a pictorial representation of the VCA (value chain analysis). The study was conducted with the objective of to map the different components and stakeholders in the value chain of numeric to analyse the distribution of benefits at each level of value chain of turmeric. The study was based upon both primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data was collected through the survey of farmers, village traders, wholesalers, and input suppliers. Secondary data were collected from the published works of various authors, several journals and magazines. The collected data were analysed by using the tools like Value chain mapping, Percentage Analysis and rank order scale. Value chain mapping was made by analysing the various dimensions like core processes in the value chain, actors involved in the turmeric value chain, specific activities of core processes, flow of product, information and knowledge, volume of product, geographical flow of product, value at different levels of value chain, type of relationship and linkages exists and mapping the constraints and potential solutions. The study attempted to analyse the value chain of turmeric in Pazhayannur block of Thrissur district. At each level, actors are adding values to the product. Turmeric cultivation in the study area gives a good return to the farmers because of the subsidy from Krishibhavan. Farmers face a lot of problems in production stage which include erratic climatic conditions, low productivity and yield, small size of land holdings and lack of scientific technology. Institutional support to farmers in input provision and marketing of turmeric is the major solution for the problems.Item Collection and evaluation of Wayanad turmeric (curcuma longa l.) for yield and quality(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2019) Anu, T S; Jalaja S MenonItem Shade response of common rainfed intercrops of coconut(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Lalitha Bai, E K; Vikraman, RAn experiment was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1980-81 to study the shade response of five common rainfed intercrop of coconut garden. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with four levels of shade and five replications. The study revealed that sweet potato cannot be cultivated under shade as it is a ‘shade –sensitive’ crop,while coleus is suitable only where light infiltration is high. Colocasia, turmeric and ginger were found suitable for intercropped situations. Colocasia appears to be shade – tolerant while ginger and turmeric are indicated as ; shade – loving’. These two shade – loving crops are best suited under shaded situations up to 25 and 50 per cent shade, respectively . Photosynthetic mechanism appears to have a decisive role on the shade response of all these crops expecting sweet potato. Excepting colocasia, plant height (length of vine) in all the crops increased with increasing shade intensities. Number of branches (tillers) in all the crops significantly decreased with increasing intensities of shade. The content of total chlorophyll and its components were significantly influenced by shading in all the crop. The contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in all the plant components of all crops increased because of shading. The uptake of all the nutrients followed an identical pattern as that of dry matter accumulation in all the crops.Item Morphological studies and quality evaluation of turmeric types(Department of Horticulture (Plantation Crops), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1978) Joseph, Philip; Sivaraman Nair, P CA study using 19 turmeric types was conducted during the period from April 1977 to June 1978 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara with a view to find out the possibility of distinguishing different types based on morphological parameters, to screen out the types with high yield and quality, to evaluate their relative susceptibility or tolerance to important pests and diseases and to study the yield and quality variations at different periods of maturity. The study revealed that morphological characters are not reliable to classify the turmeric types, although some of them can be distinguished by rhizome characters. The morphological characters such as the height of plant, length and breadth of leaf, leaf area index, petiole length, number of leaves per tiller, number of roots per plant, length of root, length of primary fingers and girth of mother rhizome were positively correlated with yield, whereas the intensity of shoot borer attack was negatively correlated with yield. All the types were susceptible to the incidence of ‘leaf spot’, ‘leaf blotch’ and shoot borer infection. The type VK5 (Mannuthy Local) showed the minimum incidence of pest and diseases. The yield of turmeric showed significant variation among the types. Maximum yield of green turmeric was noticed in the type VKI (Chayapasupa) whereas the type VK5 (Mannuthy Local) recorded the maximum yield of cured produce. Significant variation was noticed among the types with regards to the oleoresin and curcumin content. The oleoresin content varied between 12.1 and 21.1 per cent and the variation in curcumin content was from 2.33 to 6.55 per cent. The uncured turmeric samples had a higher content of oleoresin and curcumin than that of cured samples. The yield, percentage recovery of dry produce, oleoresin and curcumin varied significantly among the different periods of maturity in case of the types VK4 (G.L.Puram-II), VK5 (Mannuthy Local), VK17 (Armoor Cll-324) and VKII (Vontimitta). The dry yield, curcumin and oleoresin per hectare were maximum on 270th day whereas the maximum percentage recovery of oleoresin was on 180th and 270th day after planting. The types VK5 (Mannuthy Local), VK1 (Chayapasupa), VK2 (Kuchupudi) and VK3 (Kodur) can be recommended for large scale cultivation in the plains of Kerala as these types are found to be superior in yield of dry produce, oleoresin and curcumin per hectare. Of these VK5 (Mannuthy Local) and VKl (Chayapasupa) are preferred because of the low incidence of pest and diseases. The optimum time of harvesting turmeric is found to be on 270th day after planting under Vellanikkara conditions.Item Nature and extent of damage caused by insect pests on stored pepper, cardamom, ginger and turmeric(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Jijy Joseph; Nalinakumari, TThe occurrence and distribution of insect pests in stored ginger, turmeric, pepper and cardamom in five districts of Kerala were assessed in a survey conducted at bimonthly intervals for a period of six months. In stored ginger, the major pests recorded were L. serricorne and A. fasciculatus and in turmeric, L. serricorne. Low infestation Of S. paniceum occurred in pepper. Cardamom was relatively free of insect infestation. Both adult and larval stages of these pests damaged these produces. Besides these, damages by T. castaneum, L. minutes, O. surinamensis and R. dominica in ginger and turmeric were observed in a few samples. Stray samples of turmeric also showed infestation by adults and grubs of S. paniceum. Caterpillars of P. manihotalis, E. zebrine and S. ruttella were seen infesting neglected stocks of ginger and P. manihotalis and E. zebrine in neglected stocks of turmeric and pepper respectively. Quantitative loss studies revealed a loss of 13.01 per cent and 17.97 per cent respectively in ginger and turmeric by L. serricorne in six months, where as A. fasciculatus caused 11.58 per cent loss in ginger. Pepper exposed to S. paniceum caused only 1.2 per cent loss over a period of six months. While the volatile oil content of ginger infested by L. serricorne and A. fasciculatus reduced significantly after five months, the non volatile acetone extract reduced significantly in the sixth month compared to the fixed quality standards. In turmeric L. serricorne infestation resulted in a significant decrease in volatile oil content after three months of storage and non volatile acetone extract after five months. Significant positive correlation existed between the population build up and weight loss in ginger infested by L. serricorne and A. fasciculatus and turmeric by L. serricorne. In pepper exposed to S. paniceum the correlation was not significant. Significant negative correlation existed between the population build up of L. serricorne and A. fascicultus and volatile oil content and non volatile acetone extract of ginger and L. serricorne and volatile oil content of turmeric. The correlation between the population build up of L. serricorne and non volatile acetone extract in turmeric was not significant. Significantly high incubation period of L. serricorne was recorded in ginger compared to turmeric and only insignificant differences were noticed in larval and pupal duration and adult longevity. S. paniceum showed significantly high incubation and pupal period in pepper compared to that in turmeric where as the adult longevity was significantly higher in turmeric. Compared to L. serricorne, A. fasciculatus took longer period to complete its development in ginger.