1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)
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Item Allelopathy based bio-synthesized nanoparticles and bio-utilization for the management of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms)(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture , Vellayani, 2023-06-09) Harikrishnasagar , V; Susha ,V SThe research work entitled “Allelopathy based bio-synthesized nanoparticles and bio-utilization for the management of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms)” was undertaken at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2020-2022 to evaluate the efficacy of allelopathic weed extract mediated biosynthesized nanoparticles on water hyacinth; bio-utilization of water hyacinth as nutritive manure and its physico-chemical characterization.The effect of plant extract mediated bio-synthesized nanoparticles on water hyacinth was studied at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during June 2022 in completely randomized design with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments included T1: Lantana camara aqueous leachate at 3%, T2: Lantana camara mediated silver nanoparticles at 0.1%, T3: Lantana camara mediated silver nanoparticles at 1%, T4: Parthenium hysterophorus aqueous leachate at 3%, T5: Parthenium hysterophorus mediated silver nanoparticles at 0.1%, T6: Parthenium hysterophorus mediated silver nanoparticles at 1%, T7: Coleus amboinicus aqueous leachate at 3%, T8: Coleus amboinicus mediated silver nanoparticles at 0.1%, T9: Coleus amboinicus mediated silver nanoparticles at 1%, T10: Distilled water (control). Allelopathy-based biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were synthesized in the lab following a biosynthesis protocol. Characterization studies of the three biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) revealed that the reduction of silver ions (Ag+) to silver nanoparticles (Ag0) occurred. It was initially indicated by colour change and was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy. The absorbance ranged between 287 nm and 450 nm. Zeta potential data showed higher stability for P. hysterophorus mediated silver nanoparticles (-32.7 mV) and Dynamic Light Scattering data showed a PDI (Polydispersity Index) of 0.52 and an average size of 213 nm. The SEM image of parthenium mediated silver nanoparticles showed almost spherical shape. X-ray diffraction profile of three plant mediated AgNPs suspension showed face centred cubic structure. The average size of allelopathy-based bio-synthesized nanoparticles was found to be 13.76 nm, 9.96 nm and 17.29 nm respectively for lantana mediated AgNPs, parthenium mediated AgNPs and coleus mediated AgNPs which were calculated using the Debye-Scherrer’s equation.While comparing the effect of allelopathy based aqueous leachates and biosynthesized AgNPs on morphological parameters of water hyacinth, it was found that all the treatment applications showed negative effect on morphological parameters when compared to control. The P. hysterophorus mediated AgNPs affected the plant morphology in a concentration dependent manner. P. hysterophorus mediated AgNPs recorded lowest number of leaves (3.0), bud diameter (3.16 cm), length (5.0 cm) and width (5.26 cm) of leaves and root length (17.46 cm) at 9 days after treatment (DAT). The same treatment showed 100 per cent reduction in biomass within 12 DAT. There was 100 per cent reduction of root and shoot fresh and dry weight and there was no regeneration of ramets till 15 DAT with 100Item Evaluation of water hyacinth co- composts for nutrient retention in lateritic soil(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2021) Anisha, V A; Durga Devi, K MWater hyacinth is a serious menace in low land ecosystems and it’s spread has threatened water quality and aquatic life. Various biological, chemical and physical methods that have been employed to control the weed has yielded minimal results. Hence management through utilization is a viable strategy. It can be effectively utilized in many ways to support crop production. Co-composting has been proved as a promising technique for safe and quick disposal of the weed by utilizing the co-substrates viz., poultry manure, sawdust, biochar, glyricidia, paddy straw, dried leaves and cattle manure. As the weed accumulates N, P, K and other essential nutrients, compost made from water hyacinth can be utilized for improving soil fertility and crop production. Hence, the present investigation entitled “Evaluation of water hyacinth co-composts for nutrient retention in lateritic soil” was under taken in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara during 2020-2021. The objectives were; (i) To find out the suitable combination of water hyacinth and co-substrates for enhancing the quality of water hyacinth composts (ii) To assess the nutrient retention capacity of different co-composts in lateritic soil. Different co-substrates were collected from nearby areas and water hyacinth was collected from Kole lands of Thrissur. Water hyacinth and co-substrates were characterized prior to composting. Water hyacinth co-composts (vermi compost) were prepared using the aforesaid substrates in concrete tanks. The physical and chemical properties of the composting mixtures were recorded at 40 days interval starting from 20 days of composting until 100 days. The yield of water hyacinth co-composts was estimated and the various co-composts were characterized for their physical and chemical properties. Incubation study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient retention capacity of different water hyacinth co-composts in lateritic soil during December 2020 with eight treatments and three replications (soil+ 7 co-composts and soil alone as absolute control). The lateritic soil for study was collected from Instructional Farm, Vellanikkara and analysed for chemical properties. Compost amended soils were incubated for a period of 28 days and nutrient retention capacity (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Zn) was estimated at 4 different time periods after incubation (7, 14, 21, 28 days). Data on characterization of co-substrates revealed that substrates vary in their chemical properties and nutrient content. Among the co-substrates, poultry manure possessed many favourable characteristics. Changes in physical and chemical properties of composting mixtures at different intervals indicated the progress of composting process and stage of compost maturity. All the co-substrates gave reasonably good yield of water hyacinth co-composts. A notable increase in compost yield to an extent of 159.7 per cent was realized in the biochar treatment. Addition of co-substrates improved the bulk density and porosity of water hyacinth co-composts. Application of co-substrates improved the pH of final compost. Highest increase was noticed in the treatment with paddy straw. Addition of paddy straw had significant adverse effect on the electrical conductivity of final co-compost (170.6 % increase in EC over water hyacinth sole treatment) and all the other treatments showed EC below maximum permissible limit for plant growth. The total carbon content of all the co-composts was higher than water hyacinth sole compost. Nitrogen content of the co-compost was improved to a greater extent by the application of paddy straw and poultry manure. Co-composts with sawdust, biochar and dried leaves had significantly lower quantity of nitrogen compared to water hyacinth sole compost. Glyricidia and poultry manure were highly effective in improving total phosphorus content of the co-compost. Total potassium content of water hyacinth compost was significantly improved with the addition of co-substrates like paddy straw and biochar, the extent of increase being 192 and 170 per cent, respectively. Carbon to nitrogen ratio of water hyacinth co-compost was significantly lowered by using poultry manure as a co-substrate. Addition of poultry manure improved all the three secondary nutrients viz., Ca, Mg and sulphur to a higher magnitude. No favourable effect was noticed on the boron content of co-compost by the addition of different co-substrates. However, Fe and Mn levels of final co-composts were considerably lower than the water hyacinth sole compost. This could be considered as a favourable effect of co-composting of water hyacinth with different substrates. Zinc content of the co-compost was significantly improved by the inclusion of co-substrate particularly with the use of poultry manure and dried leaves. Copper content of the co-compost was significantly higher with the addition of poultry manure as co-substate. The addition of co-compost to lateritic soil, improved retention of nutrients particularly nitrogen. The only exception was co-compost with paddy straw (0.9 per cent decrease in the nitrogen retention capacity). Irrespective of the treatments, cocompost retained all the phosphorus and boron present in the co-compost amended soil. The soil’s potassium, magnesium, sulphur and zinc retention capacity could be improved when amended with water hyacinth co-compost. In general, soil with biochar co-compost showed significantly high retention capacity with respect to plant nutrients particularly nitrogen. Further study should be focused on field experiments to test the agronomic efficiency of different water hyacinth co-composts, testing suitability of various crop residues and organic wastes as co-substrates and to derive suitable substrate combinations and ratios to eliminate the adverse effects of co-substrate on compost quality.Item Screening of fungal pathogens for biocontrol of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (MART.)Solms)(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 1994) Santhy Kammath, S; Naseema, AA survey was conducted in and around Trivandrum district viz., in veli, Ambalathara and Akulam to obtain the fungal pathogens of water hyacinth for its biocontrol. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penzig) Penzig and Sacc Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedjin, Fusarium equiseti (Corda) sacc., Fusarium semitectum Berk and Rav, Fusarium solani (Mart) sacc., R. solani Kuhn and sterile fungus were found infecting the plants. The seasonal occurrence of the fungi isolated was studied and it was found that Fusarium spp. were present throughout the period of study. C. gloeosporioides and R. solani were present in the rainy season only. The pathogenicity of all the above fungi to the water hyacinth plants was established by artificial inoculation. Host range studies revealed that R. solani had a wide host range, which included amaranthus, cowpea, rice Monochoria vaginalis and panicum repens. The host range of C. gloeosporioides included chilli, Commelina benghalensis, Hydrocotyl asiatica and Ludwigia parviflora Fusarium spp. were found to infect Monochoria vaginalis only. Among the fungal pathogens isolated from water hyacinth, F. semitectum caused highest intensity of infection of 51.10 per cent followed by F. equiseti and F. solani (48.88 per cent) C. gloeosporioides and R. solani caused 44.44 and 45.76 per cent intensity of infection respectively. Curvularia lunata caused the lowest intensity of infection of 20 per cent. An experiment was conducted to fix the concentration of inoculam required for effective destruction of water hyacinth. The spore concentration of 10 9 spores/ml was the most effective one in the case of F. equiseti, F. semitectum and F. solani For C. gloeosporioides spore concentration of 2 x 109 sporce/ml was the most effective one. Different carrier materials were tried for mass multiplication and storage of the promising fungal pathogens of water hyacinth. The different carrier materials tested were coir pith, paddy straw, peat moss, rice bran and wheat bran. Wheat bran was found to be the most suitable media for F. equiseti, F. semitectum and F. solani. In wheat bran, the spore count and viability of the spores of these fungi were maximum. For C. gloeosporioides, in rice bran maximum spore count was obtained whereas, in the case of viability of the spores, rice bran and wheat bran were on par. In peat moss none of the fungi grew. In the field tests conducted to try different methods of application of the fungi viz., C. gloeosporioides, F. equiseti, F. semitectum and F. solani, applying bilts of inoculum of the fungi and spraying of the inoculum of the fungi were found to be the best methods. Whereas, dusting of the inoculum produced very poor symptoms. The field performance of the fungi in different carrier materials showed that rice bran and wheat bran inoculum caused good symptom development on water hyacinth plants whereas, coir pith inoculum caused poor symptom development. All the three Fusarium spp. viz., F. equiseti, F. semitectum and F. solani were found to produce toxin. Which could cause similar symptoms on the water hyacinth leaves as those produced by inoculating the culture bits.Item Biocontrol of water hyacinth using fungal pathogens(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Susha S Thara; Naseema, ADetailed study was conducted on the host range of the already identified fungal pathogens of water hyacinth viz. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium eguiseti and F.pallidoroseum on thirty cultivated plants including vegetables, pulses and oil seeds, field crops, fruits and forest crops and ornamental plants and forty one common weed plants which are seen in and around water ways infested with water hyacinth. It was observed that C. gloeosporioides could infect amaranthus, bhindi, chilli, Euphorbia hirta, Hydrocotyl asiatica and Phyllanthus niruri. Of the thirty cultivated plants and forty one weed plants tested F. eguiseti was seen to be pathogenic to amaranthus, Amaranthus viridis, Commelina . bengalensis, C. jacobi and Monochoria vaginalis. F. pallidoroseum could produce symptoms on napier grass, Axonopus sp., boerhaavia diffusa, C.benghalensis, C.jacobi, Echinochloa colonum, Euphorbia hirta, Justicia diffusa, J.prostrata, M.vaginalis and Oldenlandia umbrellata and Scorpia dulcis. For the effective destruction of the weed, lxl011 spores per ml concentration of Q. gloeosporioides, E. eguiseti and F. pallidoroseum were found to be more effective than lxl09 and lxl010 spores per ml concentration. Cell free metabolites of the pathogenic fungi were found to produce symptoms on water hyacinth plant. Metabolite produced by E. pallidoroseum caused considerable damage than by E.equiseti and C. gloeosporioides. When pathogens were applied singly and in combination on water hyacinth it was observed that the combined application of F. pallidoroseum and F. equiseti followed by F. pallidoroseum alone gave maximum intensity of infection. Eventhough C. gloeospoirioides gave least intensity of infection it can be used as a co-pathogen with E. eguiseti. Metabolite of the pathogens individually and in combination when applied on healthy water hyacinth plants, maximum damage was caused by F.pallidoroseum alone and the combination of metabolite of three fungi viz. C. gloeosporioides,F equiseti and F. pallidoroseum. Least damage was caused by metabolite of C. gloeosporioides. An experiment was conducted to find out suitable carrier materials for the mass multiplication and storage of pathogen. It was observed that for C. gloeosporioides maximum sporulation was in water hyacinth leaf followed by guinea grass straw and rice bran. But the spore viability was maximum for rice straw, and on coir pith. Maximum infection was caused by fungus grown on guinea grass straw and rice straw. In the case of E. equiseti spore counts was higher in guinea grass straw followed by coir pith. The spore germination was maximum in rice bran and coir pith. Maximum infection was produced by the fungi on guinea grass straw, coir pith and waterhyacinth leaf. E. pallidoroseum produce maximum number of spores on rice bran followed by guinea grass straw. It was observed that the germination percentage of spores were maximum on coir pith. Out of the six carrier materials used the fungus produced maximum infection when grown on rice bran and guinea grass straw. In the study for testing the storage life of metabolities, it was observed that the efficiency to produce symptom was reduced on storage in the case of C. gloeosporioides and E. pallidoroseum whereas for E. eguiseti on storage the effeciency of the metabolite to cause damage increased. Metabolite stored on refrigerated condition performed poorly for all the three fungi. Different methods of application of the three fungi were tried. Of the five treatments, placement of bits and dusting the inoculum along with the carrier materials produced maximum infection. In the experiment conducted to characterize the toxin presented in the cell free metabolite of pathogenic fungi, observed the presence of Fusaric acid in the metabolite of Fusarium spp.Item Management of water hyacinth (eichhornia crassipes(MArt.)solms)using fungul pathogens(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Praveena, R; Naseema, AItem Bioherbicidal potential of fungal pathogenes of water hyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms](Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, 2003) Ancy Salim, M; Naseema, AItem Soil water balance studies in subsurface drip irrigation for amaranthus(Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2016) Neetha Shaju; Priya G NairSubsurface drip irrigation (SDI) is advanced drip irrigation where the tubing and emitters are buried beneath the soil surface. Field experiment was done at the instructional farm, KCAET, Tavanur. Experiment was aimed to optimize the depth of installation of laterals and spacing between laterals under subsurface drip system. This study also computed deep percolation from different layers with different lateral depths. Soil moisture was taken from different depths and horizontal distance and soil moisture contour maps were plotted. Results showed that moisture content increased with depth from the surface due to less evaporation loss. Also, amount of moisture was found to be decreased with time. Moisture content at the surface layer for 10 cm lateral was 14.5 per cent whereas the same for 20 cm lateral was 11.6 per cent due to surfacing. Moisture distribution pattern was uniform for lateral with 15 cm depth. Maximum values of yield were observed for the treatment T4, and then T1 (which have 15 cm and 10 cm lateral depth respectively). Highest water use efficiency was for treatment T4 with a value of 37.96 kg/ha-mm followed by treatment T1 with 34.6 kg/ha-mm. In statistical analysis, it was observed that, there were significant variations between treatments. Number of leaves was influenced by both spacing between laterals and depth of laterals. Stem girth was varied significantly by spacing between laterals. Both spacing between laterals and lateral depth had remarkable effect on crop height. Deep percolation was relatively less from the surface layers than from the deeper layers in higher lateral depths (i.e., 20 cm lateral depth). From this study, it is evident that treatment T4 (lateral spacing = 95 cm, lateral depth= 15 cm) has showed maximum response while considering moisture distribution, crop yield, biometric properties and deep percolation.Item Climate resilient product development from seaweeds kappaphycus alvarezii, gracilaria corticata and water hyacinth eichhornia crassipes(Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2018) Shamiya Hasan; ZachariaItem Management and utilization of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes ( Mart.) Solms)(Department of Agronomy College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Indulekha, V P; George Thomas, CItem Characterization, conversion and evaluation of selected lignocellulosic biomass(Department of Soil science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2014) Anushma, S; Aparna, BThe study entitled “Characterization, conversion and evaluation of selected lignocellulosic biomass” was conducted during the period 2013-14 at the Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The main objectives of the study were the characterization of the lignocellulosic biomass from selected plant sources, assessment of various microbial and enzymatic sources for degrading the lignocellulosic biomass into compost and evaluation of the resultant compost for assessing its manurial value. The experiment was completed in three stages. Representative samples of water cabbage (L. flava), coir pith, water hyacinth (E. crassipes) , and farm wastes (dried leaves and pseudostem of banana) were collected and analysed for bio-chemical composition. Water cabbage recorded 2.74 per cent N, 0.30 per cent P, 0.33 per cent K, 16.98 C:N ratio, and no detectable levels of heavy metals except Ni (0.55 ppm) and inferred as the best substrate in terms of nutrient content followed by water hyacinth, farm wastes and coir pith respectively. The substrates were converted to composts using various inoculants viz. T. reesei, P. sajor-caju, Composting Inoculum and commercial enzyme cocktail (cellulase/pectinase and lactase) and physico- chemical and biological characteristics were analyzed. A mixture of water cabbage and Composting Inoculum) was concluded as the best in terms of nitrogen content , cellulase activity, maturity period, C:N ratio and no detectable levels of heavy metals except Ni (0.414 ppm) followed by the mixture of Water hyacinth and Composting Inoculum had comparable N, P , K, EC , C:N ratio, and heavy metal content below the detectable limit. Considering the effect of inoculants on different substrates, Composting Inoculum was concluded as the best in terms of moisture content, EC,N, P, K, dehydrogenase activity, cellulase activity, maturity period and C:N ratio. The resultant composts from the previous stage were evaluated for their performance as manure in a pot culture experiment with test crop amaranthus (variety - Arun). Application of 100 % N as compost water hyacinth and Composting Inoculum was noticed as the best treatment in terms of yield, plant height, number of branches, girth of stem, soil properties viz. water holding capacity, available N, available P, available K, available Mn, available Cu, bacteria population and plant content of micronutrients viz. Mn, Cu, and B. Major enzymes viz. dehydrogenase, urease and aryl sulphatase imposed significance on yield and yield attributes. Application of 100 % N as compost from water cabbage and Composting Inoculum was found to be good and on par with T13 in many of the characters. Application of various composts did not result any heavy metal accumulation in the soil Thus it was inferred from the study that water cabbage was the best substrate in terms of their chemical composition followed by water hyacinth. water cabbage + Composting Inoculum was recorded as the best compost followed by water hyacinth + Composting Inoculum. 100 % N as compost (water hyacinth + Composting Inoculum) was noticed as the best treatment in pot culture. With regards to inoculants used on different substrates,Composting Inoculum was found to be the most effective for composting the agrowastes.