1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://localhost:4000/handle/123456789/1
Browse
3 results
Search Results
Item Role of biostimulants on growth and yield of papaya(Carica papaya L.)(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture , Vellanikkara, 2024-02-09) Anjana Mukesh; Aswini, APapaya (Carica papaya L.) is a most important fruit crop cultivated throughout the tropical and subtropical regions. The fruit is known for its sweet and musky flavour, making it a popular choice among the consumers. Papaya is rich in vitamins, particularly vitamins C, A and E. It contains enzymes called papain, which aids in digestion and is used for industrial purposes. The fruit is a good source of dietary fibre and antioxidants, contributing to overall health. The fruit's qualities and health benefits make papaya more appealing to customers. Drastic invasion of pests and diseases and scarcity of superior variety with higher yield are the major constrain for the economic production of papaya in Kerala. The uses of biostimulants on different horticultural and agronomic crops were gaining popularity due to their growth and development, quality enhancement and resilience to stress. In this background, the present study investigates on “Role of biostimulants on growth and yield of papaya (Carica papaya L.)” to evaluate its effect on the papaya variety “CO 7”. he biostimulants were applied every month and the observations were recorded at bimonthly intervals. Results indicated that significant variations were observed among treatments in various growth parameters. For instance, T2, involving chitosan and Sampoorna KAU Multimix, exhibited the minimum plant height at 120.47 cm and the plant collar girth was notably reduced (38.88 cm) after 10 months of growth in proportion to height. The application of biostimulants, especially chitosan and Sampoorna KAU Multimix (T2), significantly increased the number of leaves (23.44). In terms of flowering dynamics, significant differences were observed among treatments, with the earliest flowering in T2 at 108.77 days. Sex reversal were observed during the study encompassing male, female, bisexual and andromonoecious plants. The number of flowers per cluster reached its maximum in T1 (chitosan) at 4.97, while T2 demonstrated the highest fruit set percentage at 75.38%. The period from fruit set to maturity was notably shorter (131.61 days) and more number of days (6.72 days) for maturity to ripening reported in T2. Fruit parameters, including weight, length, girth, and volume, showed statistically significant differences among treatments, with T2 consistently recording the maximum values (1463.22 g, 24.32 cm, 40.95 cm, and 1283.33 cm3, respectively). Flesh thickness, fruit count and seeds per fruit also exhibited significant variations among treatments. Biochemical analyses further revealed distinct profiles. T2 demonstrated the highest total soluble solids at 14.11°Brix, while titratable acidity values were notably lower in T2, T1 and T4. T2 also showcased the highest total carotenoid content at 2.73 mg/100g, ascorbic acid content at 66.41 mg/100g and total sugar content at 11.81%. Shelf life was significantly longer in T2 at 8.61 days. Organoleptic evaluation scored the highest rank in T2 based on its overall appeal. Throughout the cropping period, the occurrence of diseases such as foot rot, Corynespore leaf spot, and viral infections in papaya crops was noted, showing no apparent relationship with the treatments applied in the current study. The application of chitosan has been associated with a reduction in viral diseases, as reported in earlier research works. However, to deepen our understanding and establish the potential of chitosan in mitigating viral diseases in papaya crops, further studies are imperative. In conclusion, the study highlights the superiority of the papaya variety CO 7, attributed to its impressive combination of high yield and superior fruit quality. Moreover, the application of biostimulants has proven to be instrumental in enhancing the overall growth, yield and quality of the papaya fruits. Notably, the efficient combination of Chitosan and Sampoorna KAU Multimix can give as a single spray, rather than separate spraying will reduce the labour cost. The application of combination of chitosan and Sampoorna KAU Multimix emerges as particularly promising, showcasing the potential to deliver higher economic benefits to farmers. The positive effects of Sampoorna KAU Multimix pave a way to standardize micro nutrient mixture for papaya as similar as practices established for banana. This finding current study underscores the importance of strategic biostimulant use in optimizing papaya production, offering valuable insight into agricultural practices aimed at improving crop outcomes, stress tolerance and economic returns.Item Nano nitrogen application in papaya (Carica papaya L.) for growth, yield and quality enhancement(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2024-02-02) Sneha, J V; Bindu, BNano nitrogen application in papaya (Carica papaya L.) for growth, yield and quality enhancement The study entitled “Nano nitrogen application in papaya (Carica papaya L.) for growth, yield and quality enhancement” was conducted in the Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture Vellayani, from 2022 April to 2023 June. Nitrogen plays a major role within the plant to ensure energy is available when and where the plant needs it to optimize yield. The present work was undertaken to assess the effect of foliar applied nano nitrogen on growth, yield and quality enhancement in papaya. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 10 treatments and 3 replications. The papaya variety Arka Surya was selected for the experiment purpose. Treatments were T1-POP (25% N) (soil) + Nano N (6 foliar sprays at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 MAP), T2-POP (25% N) (soil) + Nano N (5 foliar sprays at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 MAP), T3-POP (25% N) (soil) + Nano N (4 foliar sprays at 2, 4, 6 and 8 MAP), T4-POP (50% N) (soil) + Nano N (6 foliar sprays at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 MAP), T5-POP (50% N) (soil) + Nano N (5 foliar sprays at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 MAP), T6-POP (50% N) (soil) + Nano N (4 foliar sprays at 2, 4, 6 and 8 MAP), T7- POP (75% N) (soil) + Nano N (6 foliar sprays at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 MAP), T8-POP (75% N) (soil) + Nano N (5 foliar sprays at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 MAP), T9-POP (75% N) (soil) + Nano N (4 foliar sprays at 2, 4, 6 and 8 MAP), T10-KAU POP (240:240:480 g NPK plant per year) (control). Foliar application of nano nitrogen was given @ 4ml per litre and FYM was applied at the rate of 10kg per plant as per KAU POP uniformly to all treatments as basal dose. The requirement of lime, phosphorus and potassium were met on the basis of calculated value as per initial soil status. Application of 75% nitrogen through soil along with 6 foliar sprays nano nitrogen (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 MAP) in bimonthly interval increased the biometric characters like height of plants, girth of plants, number of leaves, number of flowers per cluster, number of female flowers, fruit set and decreased height at first flowering, days taken for first flowering, and flowering to harvest duration. The results reveals that yield characters such as fruit weight, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, pulp percentage, flesh thickness, number of fruits per plant and total yield per plant was increased and days taken for maturity of fruit was decreased while application of 75% nitrogen through soil along with 6 foliar sprays of nano nitrogen (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 MAP). Each character among the qualitative ones examined varied significantly. Application of 75% nitrogen through soil along with 6 foliar sprays of nano nitrogen (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 MAP) reduced the titrable acidity and recorded maximum TSS, total sugar, reducing sugar, ascorbic acid, carotenoid whereas plants treated with 25% nitrogen through soil along with 4 foliar sprays nano nitrogen (2, 4, 6 and 8 MAP) reported the lowest values for these characters. Pulp and peel color also improved in this (T7) treatment. Application of 75% nitrogen through soil along with 6 foliar sprays nano nitrogen (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 MAP) increased the organoleptic qualities like appearance, colour, taste, flavour and overall acceptability. Shelf life of fruits were longer with the same treatment. According to data on the soil analysis there was a reduction in soil available nitrogen and in plant analysis, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium,content was the highest with the plants treated with 75% nitrogen through soil along with 6 foliar sprays nano nitrogen (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 MAP). Similarly data on fruit analysis showed that nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium content was the highest with the T7. The Foot rot caused by Phytophthora palmivora was noticed in the field with less than 1 per cent incidence rate. Also red spider mite infestation was noticed in some plants. The pest and disease incidence were controlled by taking appropriate remedial measures as and when noticed. The highest net income and benefit cost ratio was observed while applying 75% nitrogen through soil along with 6 foliar sprays nano nitrogen (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 MAP) followed by plants that treated with Ad hoc recommendation (240:240:480 g NPK plant per year). From the above findings, it was concluded that application of 75% nitrogen through soil along with 6 times foliar sprays of nano nitrogen (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 MAP) along with the application of organic manure (10 kg FYM plant-1 ) increased the growth, yield and quality characteristics of papaya and it was economically viable tooItem Fertigation studies in papaya (Carica papaya L.)(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2021) Karishma Sebastian; Bindu, BThe investigation entitled “Fertigation studies in papaya (Carica papaya L.)” was carried out in Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period 2018 – 2020 with the objectives to standardize the nutrient level for yield improvement through fertigation and foliar nutrition in papaya variety Surya and to study the postharvest management practices for extending the shelf life of papaya fruits. The experiment was undertaken in two parts. In part I, standardization of nutrient level for fertigation and foliar nutrition was carried out in RBD with 14 treatments replicated thrice. A combination of four fertigation doses of 75 %, 100 %, 125 % and 150 % RDF of N (304.89, 406.52, 508.15 and 609.78 g urea plant⁻¹ year⁻¹ respectively based on soil test data in 76 fertigation) and K (426.25, 568.33, 710.42 and 852.50 g MOP plant⁻¹ year⁻¹ respectively based on soil test data in 76 fertigation) and three foliar sprays (1.0 % 19:19:19 at bimonthly interval starting from 4 MAP to 16 MAP, 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.3% borax at 4 th, 8th, 12th and 16th MAP and water spray at bimonthly interval starting from 4 MAP to 16 MAP) were compared with soil application of recommended dose of NPK (187:170:341 g NPK plant-1 year-1 based on soil test data) (control 1) and 187:170:341 g NPK plant-1 year-1 based on soil test data as organic manures as combination of FYM, poultry manure and vermicompost in the ratio of 2:1:1 (control 2). In control 2, additional requirement of P and K were met through the application of rock phosphate and potassium sulphate respectively. Organic manure (15 kg FYM plant-1 ) was given uniformly to all treatments as basal. Lime and rock phosphate (500g and 850g respectively based on soil test data) was applied uniformly for all treatments as basal except controls. Urea and Muriate of Potash (MOP) were used as fertilizer sources for fertigation and applied weekly from 1 MAP to 20 MAP. Application of different levels of fertigation and different foliar sprays had significant effect on growth, yield and quality of papaya. Growth parameters viz., plant height, stem girth and number of leaves were significantly higher in plants receiving 100 % RD of N and K through fertigation and foliar sprays of 1.0 % 19:19:19 (T4) at bimonthly interval starting from 6 MAP to 16 MAP. T4 also recorded highest leaf area index at 6, 12, 18 MAP and at final harvest, flowering at the shortest height, highest number of female plants and highest fruit set (86.27 %). However, application of 100 % RD of N and K through fertigation and foliar sprays of 0.5 % ZnSO4 and 0.3 % borax at 4 th, 8th, 12th and 16th MAP (T5) initiated earliness in flowering (142.67 days) and harvest (275.00 days). Treatments T4 and T5 were on par in fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, pulp percentage, flesh thickness and yield contributing characters like fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and yield per plant (38.30 kg plant⁻1 and 37.60 kg plant⁻1 respectively). Fruit quality parameters viz., TSS, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, total sugar, reducing sugar and non reducing sugar were found highest in T5. Fruits from T5 also registered longest shelf life (5.78 days) and highest mean sensory score for all parameters. Index leaf analysis at 6 MAP revealed highest nitrogen and potassium content of leaf in T10 (150 % RD of N and K through fertigation and foliar sprays of 1.0 % 19:19:19). Calcium, magnesium and sulphur content of leaves were highest in T5, whereas boron and zinc content were highest in T8 (125 % RD of N and K through fertigation and foliar sprays of 0.5 % ZnSO4 and 0.3 % borax). Highest nitrogen and potassium of fruits were observed in T12 (150 % RD of N and K through fertigation with water spray). Highest nitrogen content in soil was noticed in T11 (150 % RD of N and K through fertigation and foliar sprays of 0.5 % ZnSO4 and 0.3 % borax) and T10 witnessed highest potassium content. T4 and T5 were at par regarding B : C ratio (2.58 and 2.54 respectively). In part II of the investigation, postharvest management for extending shelf life of papaya was carried out with nine treatments replicated thrice. Different postharvest treatments given were precooling - hydro cooling (S1), surface sanitization with 150 ppm sodium hypochlorite (S2), external coating with 1% chitosan (S3), precooling followed by external coating with 1% chitosan (S4), packaging with ethylene scrubber 8% KMnO₄ (S5), precooling followed by packaging with ethylene scrubber 8% KMnO₄ (S6), precooling followed by external coating with 1% chitosan and packaging with ethylene scrubber 8% KMnO4 (S₇), hot water treatment followed by waxing with 6% carnauba wax and packaging with ethylene scrubber 8% KMnO₄ (S8) and control (S9). Papaya variety Surya was raised at Instructional Farm, Vellayani and fruits at fully mature green stage were harvested, subjected to different postharvest treatments and packaging was done in CFB boxes and stored under ambient conditions till the end of shelf life. Papaya fruits subjected to precooling followed by external coating with 1% chitosan and packaging with ethylene scrubber KMnO₄ (S7) recorded the longest shelf life of 9.67 days, which was at par with S8 (hot water treatment followed by waxing with 6% carnauba wax and packaging with ethylene scrubber KMnO₄). Physiological loss in weight, ion leakage, percentage disease index, bacterial and fungal count were significantly lowest in S7 and S8 after three days of storage. These treatments also recorded maximum total carotenoids, total soluble solids, total sugar, reducing sugar and minimum acidity after nine days of storage which indicated extended shelf life. Highest mean rank score for sensory attributes were also recorded in treatments S7 and S8 after nine days of storage. In conclusion, application of 100 % recommended dose of N and K (406.52 g urea plant⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 568.33 g plant⁻¹ year⁻¹ respectively) through weekly fertigation from one to 20 months after planting and foliar sprays of 0.5 % ZnSO4 + 0.3 % Borax at 4 th, 8th, 12th and 16th MAP, along with basal application of 850g rock phosphate and 15 kg FYM resulted in increased growth, yield and quality characters of papaya variety Surya with highest B: C ratio. Fruits at fully mature green stage when subjected to precooling followed by external coating with 1% chitosan and packaging with ethylene scrubber 8% KMnO₄ in CFB boxes exhibited a shelf life of 9.67 days in storage under ambient condition in papaya variety Surya.