1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)
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Item Effect of hydrogel and mulching on maize (Zea mays L.) in sandy soil(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, 2018) Rajap Shiva Kumar; Bridgit, T KAn investigation entitled “Effect of hydrogel and mulching on maize (Zea mays L.) in sandy soil” was carried out at College of Agriculture, Padannakkad during 2016- 2018 to study the effect of hydrogel (super absorbent polymer) and mulching on soil moisture status, growth and yield of maize in sandy soil. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The treatment combinations included three levels of hydrogel viz. H1 – 1.25 kg ha-1, H2 – 2.5 kg ha-1, H3 – 3.75 kg ha-1 and three types of mulch viz. M1 – rice straw (5 t ha-1), M2 – rice husk (5 t ha-1), M3 – coirpith compost (2.5 t ha-1) and one control (KAU Package of Practices recommendations). Observations were recorded on growth and growth attributes, yield and yield attributes, plant analysis, soil analysis and economics. Hydrogel @ 2.5 kg ha-1 and rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1 recorded maximum plant height, dry matter production and root volume of maize whereas maximum leaf area and LAI were observed in hydrogel @ 3.75 kg ha-1 and rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1. The yield and yield parameters such as cob, grain and stover yield were found to be higher in treatments receiving hydrogel @ 2.5 kg ha-1 and rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1 than other levels of hydrogel and types of mulch. The response of hydrogel @ 2.5 kg ha-1 and rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1 was significantly superior over other treatments with respect to total N and P uptake. While total K uptake recorded was maximum in the case of hydrogel @ 3.75 kg ha-1 and rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1. The major beneficial effect of hydrogel was in enhancing and maintaining soil moisture status of coarse textured sandy soil at 15 and 30 cm depth. The treatment receiving hydrogel @ 3.75 kg ha-1 and rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1 recorded maximum soil moisture retention. The maximum porosity was recorded in the case of hydrogel @ 3.75 kg ha-1 and coirpith compost mulch @ 2.5 t ha-1. The residual nutrient status with respect to available N and K2O recorded maximum values in hydrogel @ 1.25 kg ha-1 and rice husk mulch @ 5 t ha-1 and available P2O5 was maximum with hydrogel @ 3.75 kg ha-1 and rice husk mulch @ 5 t ha-1. Considering the economics of maize crop production, the gross and net income obtained were maximum in hydrogel @ 2.5 kg ha-1 and rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1. However, BCR was found to be maximum in treatment with hydrogel @ 2.5 kg ha-1 and rice husk mulch @ 5 t ha-1. The maize growth and yield were significantly improved by the application of hydrogel and different mulches. Hydrogel @ 2.5 kg ha-1 in combination with rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1 was most efficient and economical compared to other combinations and can be recommended for maize cultivation in sandy soils of KeralaItem Climate change adaptation through improved water use efficiency in rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2016) Anjaly C Bose; Santhoshkumar, A VThe food security of more than half of the world population depends on rice. Studies suggest that global climate change is going to affect the food production through temperature and water stress and this affect the rice production around the globe. The present study tried to elucidate the influence of varying soil moisture status on rice productivity and evaluate the strategies for increased water use efficiency in a climate change adaptation strategy. The study was conducted during May 2016-September 2016 at RARS, Pattambi in variety Jyothi. The treatment combination included the presence or absence of hydrogel along with 4 different levels of irrigation (IW/CPE=2, IW/CPE=1.5, IW/CPE=1 and IW/CPE=0.5). The results showed that the various irrigation levels and hydrogel application had a significant impact on the physiology of rice. Hydrogel application improved the soil moisture availability and increased plant establishment. The maximum plant height was observed for the treatment IW/CPE=2 (105.30 cm) without hydrogel. The hydrogel effect on plant height was significant only up to the booting stage. Hydrogel had its significance on number of tillers only at the vegetative stage of the plant, while, interaction was significant at the vegetative, reproductive and ripening stages. The higher value (19.67) of tiller number was recorded for the treatment IW/CPE=1.5 with hydrogel. LAI was not affected by the application of hydrogel. Only the irrigation treatments had a significant effect on LAI, of which the treatments IW/CPE=2 (2.72) and IW/CPE=1.5 (2.61) recorded the maximum LAI. Higher number of primary branches per panicle was recorded for plants with hydrogel (10.25). The number of panicle per hill was more for the treatment IW/CPE=1.5 without hydrogel (9.20). The number of filled grains produced per panicle is more for plants with hydrogel (86.00). 1000 grain weight observed was higher for the treatment IW/CPE=2 (27.23 g) without hydrogel. Hydrogel did not have any significant effect on the plants physiological parameters like booting, heading, flowering, number of days taken for active tillering and panicle initiation. The more stressed plants took the maximum number of days to booting, heading, flowering and panicle initiation. For the treatment IW/CPE=0.5, there seen no sign of 50 percent flowering and consequently, it did not attained physiological maturity. Hydrogel and irrigation had a significant impact on grain yield. Even though the higher yield (7014.63 kg ha-1) was observed for the irrigation level IW/CPE=2 without hydrogel, the mean average value of grain yield of plants treated with hydrogel is higher than plants treated without hydrogel (4455.03 kg ha-1 and 3951.80 kg ha-1 for with and without hydrogel). It can be concluded that hydrogel had significance only when the irrigation level was low (IW/CPE=1.5 and IW/CPE=1). However, at extreme low water level (IW/CPE=0.5) and high water level (IW/CPE=2), hydrogel failed to exhibit any beneficial role. Under the projected climate scenario using RCP 4.5, it was found for the year 2030 the maximum yield was observed for the treatment IW/CPE=2 (6010 kg ha-1), followed by comparable yield in the treatment IW/CPE=1.5 (5997 kg ha- 1 ). The production was found to be less in the treatment IW/CPE=1 (3504 kg ha-1) and nil to the treatment IW/CPE=0.5. For the year 2050 and 2080, the maximum yield was for the treatment IW/CPE=2.