1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)

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    High density planning and use of nutrient stick for enhanced productivity in tissue culture (TC) banana (Musa AAB) cv. nendran
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agricullture, Padannakkad, 2025) Sajith Sajeev.; Sajitha Rani, T
    An investigation entitled “High density planting and use of nutrient stick for enhanced productivity in Tissue Culture (TC) banana (Musa AAB) cv. Nendran” was carried out at Instructional farm II, Nileshwar during 2023 to 2024 to analyse the productivity of TC Nendran banana supplemented with nutrient stick under high density planting. The field experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications. The experiment had two main factors (i) planting density D1: One sucker per hill (2m x 2m), D2: Two suckers per hill (2m x 3m), D3: Three suckers per hill (2m x 3m) and (ii) fertilizer schedule, F1: KAU POP, F2: KAU POP + 10 nutrient sticks per hill each at 2 MAP and 4 MAP, F3: KAU POP + 10 nutrient sticks per hill each at 2 MAP, 4 MAP and 6 MAP. Results of the field experiment showed significant changes in the growth attributes, yield attributes, leaf nutrient content, fruit quality and chemical properties of soil. Pseudostem height was highest for D1 in initial stages but at harvest D3 produced maximum height while in case of pseudostem girth, D1 had the highest value till harvest. Number of functional leaves, total leaves, leaf length, leaf breadth was highest for D1 and corresponding LAI was the highest in D3. D3 recorded maximum crop duration and more days to bunch emergence while it took minimum days to ripening. D3 produced maximum number of suckers per pit while D1 produced maximum number of suckers per plant. Yield attributes like bunch weight, number of hands per bunch, number of fingers per hand, average weight of fingers, finger length, finger breadth was the highest for D1 but bunch weight per pit and yield per hectare were the highest for D3. Fertilizer schedule and their interaction with planting density did not produce any significant influence on growth and yield attributes Soil analysis reported that EC was the highest for D3 and F3 and also for their interaction d3f3, which was on par with d3f1 and d3f2. Organic carbon, Ca, Mg and B were the highest in D1 while available N, P and K were significantly higher for D3. Leaf nutrient analysis showed significantly higher concentration of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and boron in D1. Fruit analysis revealed that TSS, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugars and shelf life were significantly higher for D1 while titrable acidity was the highest for D3. Nutrient uptake of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and boron were significantly higher for D3. The highest gross income, net income and benefit cost ratio were obtained from D3. Net income and benefit cost ratio were the highest for F1 The present investigation revealed that high density planting of Tissue Culture banana @ three suckers per hill (2m x 3m) is beneficial for getting higher yield and maximum economic return.
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    Comparative evaluation of biotization for hardening of tissue culture (TC) Banana cv. Nendran
    (Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, 2025-06-02) Sandra, T
    The study entitled “Comparative evaluation of biotization for hardening of tissue culture (TC) banana cv. Nendran” was carried out at RARS, Pilicode and College of Agriculture Padannakkad during 2023 to 2024 to study identification of ideal stage of biotization and comparative evaluation of biotization agents in hardening of TC banana cv. Nendran.The study comprised four experiments: in vitro culture, primary hardening, secondary hardening, and combined evaluation of biotization agents during hardening. The in vitro rooting stage experiment carried out in completely randomised design with four treatments and five replications. The treatments were T1 (Piriformospora indica along with rooting medium), T2 (Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) along with rooting medium), T3 (Pseudomonas fluorescens (PF) along with rooting medium), and T4 (Control: rooting medium). Among these, T1 significantly enhanced early root initiation, shoot proliferation, and overall rooting efficiency. Plantlets treated with P. indica (T1) during in vitro rooting showed superior performance during primary hardening, achieving the highest survival rate (93.33%) and enhanced growth traits: plant height (10.33 cm), pseudostem girth (2.47 cm), leaf length (5.23 cm), leaf width (1.93 cm), leaf area (15.39 cm2 ), number of primary roots (2.67), root length (2.80 cm), number of secondary roots (18.33), shoot dry weight (0.02 g), chlorophyll content (0.56 mg g-1) and relative growth rate (0.044 mg g-1 d-1). Lower proline content (1.04 µmol g⁻¹ FW) indicated reduced stress, and improved uptake of N, P, and K and micronutrients confirmed its role in nutrient acquisition. During secondary hardening, both T1 (P. indica) and T3 (Pseudomonas fluorescens) showed 100% survival, but T1 outperformed T3 in all growth parameters, including plant height (13.17 cm), pseudostem girth (2.33 cm), leaf length (8.80 cm), leaf width (2.67 cm), number of leaves (5.33), leaf area (59.93 cm2), number of primary roots (3.67), root length (10.47 cm), number of secondary roots (75), root fresh weight (0.44 g), shoot fresh weight (1.52 g), shoot dry weight (0.10 g) and relative growth rate (0.037 mg g-1 d-1). T1 also exhibited the lowest proline content (0.71 µmol g⁻¹ FW), suggesting better stress tolerance. The primary hardening experiment carried out in completely randomised design with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments were T1 (P. indica), T2 (PSB), T3 (PF), T4 (PF + PSB), T5 (PF + P. indica), T6 (PSB + P. indica), T7 (PF + PSB + P. indica) and T8 (control). Biotization with P. indica (T1) produced the highest survival rate (100%) and demonstrated superior plant growth, including significant increases in plant height (5.70 cm), leaf length (6.97 cm), leaf width (2.33 cm), leaf area (12.48 cm2), root length (5.97 cm) root fresh weight (0.62 g), chlorophyll content (0.47 mg g-1), relative growth rate (0.047 mg g-1 d-1), macronutrient and micronutrient uptake (N, P, K, Fe and Cu). Proline accumulation (1.25 µ mol. g-1 FW) was lower in T1, suggesting improved stress tolerance. The secondary hardening experiment carried out in completely randomised design with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments were T1 (P. indica), T2 (PSB), T3 (PF), T4 (PF + PSB), T5 (PF + P. indica), T6 (PSB + P. indica), T7 (PF + PSB + P. indica) and T8 (control). During this experiment, T7 showed excellent results, with improved growth metrics such as plant height (15.20 cm), leaf length (8.90 cm), number of leaves (5.67), leaf area (45.88 cm2), root length (12.07 cm), number of secondary roots (111.67 ), root fresh weight (0.65 g), chlorophyll content (0.46 mg g 1), shoot fresh weight (1.20 g), shoot dry weight (0.08 g), macronutrient and micronutrient uptake (N, Fe, Cu, Zn). Combined evaluation study was laid out in completely randomised design with 11 treatments and two replications. The treatments were T1 (P. indica during in vitro and primary hardening), T2 (P. indica during in vitro and primary and secondary hardening), T3 (PSB during in vitro and primary hardening ), T4 (PSB during in vitro and primary and secondary hardening), T5 (PF during in vitro and primary hardening), T6 (PF during in vitro and primary and secondary hardening), T7 (PF during in vitro + PSB during primary and secondary hardening), T8 (PF during in vitro + P. indica during primary and secondary hardening), T9 (PSB during in vitro + P. indica during primary and secondary hardening ), T10 (PF during in vitro + PSB + P. indica during primary and secondary hardening) and T11 (Control). T2 exhibited superior growth and stress tolerance compared to other treatments. This was evidenced by enhanced plant height (14.83 cm), leaf length (9.40 cm), leaf width (3.13 cm), number of leaves (6.00), leaf area (69.29 cm²), number of primary roots (5.67), secondary roots (86.67), root fresh weight (0.72 g), shoot dry weight (0.11 g), chlorophyll concentration (0.26 mg g⁻¹), and relative growth rate (0.04 mg g⁻¹ d⁻¹). Notably, lower proline accumulation (0.81 µmol g⁻¹ FW) indicated reduced abiotic stress. T2 also showed much increased nutrient uptake, primarily of Phosphorus (0.50%), Potassium (0.07%), Iron (225.24 ppm), Copper (26.95 ppm), Manganese (135.33 ppm), Zinc (43.87 ppm), and Boron (18.61 ppm).
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    Expression profiling of water stress responsive miroRNAs in banana (Musa spp.)
    (Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2022-03-08) Amal Mohamud Naushad; Soni, K B
    The study entitled “Expression profiling of water stress responsive microRNAs in Banana (Musa spp)” was conducted during 2019-2021, in the Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The study envisaged expression profiling of selected computationally predicted miRNAs in banana cultivar Nendran (Musa AAB) under water stress conditions. Fifty-two novel miRNAs and their targets have been computationally predicted in banana genome A, using NOVOMIR (Mathew, 2018) in a previous study conducted in the Department of Plant Biotechnology. Among five miRNAs were selected in this study for their validation and identifying their association with water stress response. The microRNAs selected are miR-3900-5p (target: Heat shock protein, HSP gene), miR-2172-5p (target: Putative Ethylene Responsive Transcription factor 1 (ERT) gene), miR-971-5p (target: Argonaute, (ARG) gene, miR-6928-5p (target: FAD dependent oxidoreductase gene), and miR-2172-5p (target: Diacylglycerol, DAG gene). Six months old in-vitro raised banana plants of cv. Nendran (Musa AAB) were used in this study. Water stress was induced in the potted plants by withholding irrigation for seven consecutive days. After 7 days, the relative water content in the leaf samples was reduced from 93.84 to 59.32, indicating water stress. The expression profile of the miRNAs and their target genes in banana plants under water stress conditions was analysed by performing Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Total RNA was extracted from leaf samples using the modified Rodrigues Garcia method and reverse transcribed to cDNA using the miRNA specific stem-loop primers designed. Selected miRNAs were amplified using miRNA specific forward and universal reverse primers. The target genes were also amplified by designing primers. The specificity of the primers was determined using a melt curve analysis. All the reactions are conducted with three biological and two technical replicates. Out of the four, three miRNAs (miR-2172-5p, miR-6928-5p and miR-971 5p) and their target genes showed amplification in all the samples. All the water stressed 70 plants showed upregulation of miR-2712-5p (4 to 11fold), and downregulation of miR971-5p (0.1 to 0.4fold) and miR-6928-5p (0.2 to 0.7fold). The two targets of miR2712-5p showed differential expression under the water stressed conditions, DAG gene was downregulated (0.1 to 0.2folds) and ERT gene was upregulated (2 to 3folds). Expression of FAD dependant oxidorductase (The target of miR-6928-5p) and ARG (the target of miR971-5p) was increased up to 3 to 4folds respectively in water stress conditions. Relative gene expression analysis in the water-stressed plants indicated an inverse correlation between all the three miRNAs and their targets, suggesting their strong miRNA: target relation. The study showed that miR-2172-5p, miR-971-5p, miR-6928-5p are water stress-responsive in banana cv. Nendran. Since the products of all the target genes are related to stress responses in plants, an in-depth study of these miRNAs may help develop strategies for water stress management in bananas.
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    Response of banana Musa (AAB) 'Nendran' to nutrient sources
    (Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2021) Manohar Lal Meghwal; Jyothi, M L
    Banana is the leading tropical fruit in the world market today with a highly organized and developed industry. Banana having a root system spread in the top 60 cm soil, is heavy feeder of nutrients and requires large quantities of nutrients for its growth, development and yield. Nutrient removal from soil by crops must be replenished. Under good management conditions and adequate supply of biofertilizers and organic manures, the nutrient removal can be replenished and soil physical, chemical and biological properties can be improved. Organic and inorganic sources of nutrients have significant influence on fruit quality and soil characteristics. The current agricultural policy emphasize a shift towards safe agricultural practices for which organic management is the best option. However the crop behaviour under organic and inorganic management needs elaborate studies. Hence the research entitled ‘Response of banana Musa (AAB) 'Nendran' to nutrient sources was formulated to elucidate response of banana in terms of growth, yield and quality to nutrient sources and to compare the fruit quality of banana grown under organic and conventional systems in farmer’s field. The study revealed that vegetative growth of Musa Nendran banana was not influenced by different sources of nutrients in early stage in both the years but later differences were recorded between the treatments. Plant height, number of leaves and pseudostem girth showed significant differences from 90 DAP. At bunching stage plant height and pseudostem girth were higher in organic treatments. There was significant difference in pseudostem girth between the treatments throughout the growth stage of Nendran banana. Among the treatments, T8 resulted in better growth of plants. Leaf characters like number of leaves and leaf area index were not influenced significantly between organic and integrated nutrient management. Early leaf production was also noticed in treatment T8 as indicated by the observations on phyllocron. Growth was delayed in control where no manures and fertilizers. In general more number of leaves per plant and lesser duration for leaf emergence was recorded in both the years in organic treatments. Chlorophyll production in the index leaf of banana was influenced with organic and inorganic nutrition. Chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll in the index leaf were distinctly higher in treatment T8 (fertigation with FYM) which was on par with treatments T3 and T5 where organic manures alone were applied. Early flowering and early harvesting were observed in organic treatments. Higher total biomass production was recorded in organic treatments. Yield and yield attributing characters like bunch weight, number of finger, finger weight were highest in treatments with organic sources of nutrients. The mean bunch weight was influenced significantly by organic and inorganic sources of nutrients. Fertigation with organic sources of nutrients resulted in the production of heavier bunches in both years. Maximum bunch weight was recorded from treatment T8 which was on par with other organic treatments as well as integrated management with fertilisers applied as fertigation as well as based on soil test results. No significant variation was observed between treatments on number of hands per bunch and finger characters like finger length and girth. Peel thickness of fruits were not significantly influenced but the pulp to peel ratio was significantly influenced by the treatments. Pulp to peel ratio was higher in all treatments other than T1 and control where T1 is the POP recommendation for TC banana under integrated nutrient management. Yield per plant was positively correlated with available N, P, K, Calcium, magnesium, sulphur, Zn, Cu, B, content of the soil. Yield was also positively correlated with soil properties like pH, organic carbon content, CEC, Bulk density, and Dehydrogenase enzyme activity. Higher biomass production was recorded in plants that received nutrients from organic sources compared to integrated nutrient management and control. Shelf life of fruits were improved in organic treatments. Fruit quality parameters like TSS, Total sugars, ascorbic acid and β carotene of ripe banana fruits were improved in organic treatments compare to inorganic system. Sensory score of ripe fruits and fruit chips were maximum in organic treatments. The taste of ripe banana fruits was improved in plants grown under organic treatments. Fertigation with organic manures (T8) resulted in improved fruit quality of Nendran banana in both the years. Different soil physical and chemical properties also improved when nutrients were supplied through organic sources. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content, cation exchange capacity, available, N, P, K, Mg, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Mn and boron were better in soils receiving organic manures alone. Similarly the soil biological properties like dehydrogenase activity, nitrogenase activity, microbial biomass carbon, and viable counts of total fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes were better in organic treatments. Bulk density of soil was low in soils receiving organic manures alone compared to integrated nutrients. Total uptake of nutrients in organic and integrated nutrient management system was compared. Uptake of N, Ca, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu was higher in organic system of cultivation of banana compared to integrated system. Higher benefit cost ratio was recorded banana grown in organic system. The study revealed that organic sources of nutrients improved soil properties and thereby improved growth, yield and quality of banana.
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    Induction of genetic variability in Musa sp. var. Nendran by in uitro methods
    (Department of pomology and floriculture, College of horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1993) Mini Balachandran; P.K.Valsalakumari
    Investigations were carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture and Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of the All India Co-ordinated Floriculture Improvement Project, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, during 1991-93 on the induction of variability in the banana variety Nendran (Musa AAB ‘Nendran’) by in vitro methods. Explants utilized for the study were shoot tip and eye bud for direct organogenesis through enhanced release of axillary buds and shoot tip, flower base, inflorescence axis, embryonic leaves and scalp for somatic organogenesis/embryogenesis. For culture establishment, axillary shoot initiation and in vitro rooting, different growth regulators, like NAA, 2, 4-D and 2, 4, 5-T (auxins) and BA and kinetin (cytokinins) were made use of. The plantlets produced in vitro were subjected to hardening treatments to ensure a better establishment of planted out plants and their growth parameters were studied. For shoot tip and eye bud explants, a combination of treatments involving, an initial dipping of explants in emisan (0.1 per cent) for 30 minutes followed by dipping in norfloxacin (0.1 per cent) for 30 minutes followed by dipping in norfloxacin (0.1 per cent) for 30 minutes and finally rinsing the explants in mercuric chloride (0.1 per cent) for 20 minutes was found to be best, but for flower base and inflorescence axis explants, emisan (0.1 per cent) treatment for 20 minutes and for embryonic leaves, dipping in alcohol for one second were in the best. Better and speedier establishment and growth of shoot tip and eye bud explants were observed on MS (semi-solid) medium containing NAA 2 ppm + BA 5 ppm. Addition of activated charcoal (500 mg per litre) to the medium, reduced media and explant discolouration due to polyphenol oxidation. When the performance of the shoot tip and eye bud explants was compared, eye bud explants took more time for culture establishment and growth. In shoot tip culture, on an average, each explant released 8.66 axillary shoots in the treatment involving MSb*+ NAA 2 ppm + BA 10 ppm. In the case eye bud, on an average, each explant released five axillary shoots. Continuous sub culturing was carried out at two week interval to assess the variation induced to cultured plants due to repeated subculturing. It was found that, the number of shoots produced per culture was not constant in all the subcultures. Still, the axillary shoots produced per explant per culture vessel increased at the mean rate of 5.90. BA alone at higher concentration (10 ppm) resulted in colloid (globular semi-hard, light green callus like structure) formation and subsequent regeneration. MSb*: MS medium containing half concentration of inorganic salts and full concentration of organic growth factors. For in vitro rooting, MSb medium containing NAA 10 ppm and AC 0.05 per cent was found to be effective for early root initiation and the maximum number of roots per shoot was produced at the treatment involving MSa* +NAA 5 PPM+ AC 0.05 per cent. Of the various explants, viz., shoot tip, inflorescence axis, flower base, embryonic leaves and scalp(in vitro) tried for initiating collus scalp and embryonic leaves recorded maximum response. Among the media tried for callus initiation, MSb media at liquid consistency was found to be more effective. Maximum callus index (266) was recorded for the treatment combination involving 2, 4-D 7 ppm and BA I ppm. For callus differentiation the treatments involving 2, 4-D and BA, BA alone and basal MS media resulted in rhizogenesis, and treatments involving 2, 4-D alone produced embryoid like structures from scalp callus. No shoot organogenesis was observed. Also treatments were conducted with changed levels of nitrate source in the media, but they did not give any favourable results. Embryoid like bipolar structures were recovered from scalp callus when they were transferred to media devoid of growth regulators. To study the variation, if any, induced due to derail subculturing, the shoots obtained from each subculture cycle (through enhanced release of axillary buds) were isolated and their MSa* : MS medium containing full concentration of inorganic salts and organic growth factors identify maintained. The shoots thus separated were rooted and planted out after subjecting them to a process of hardening. Somatic chromosome counts were made at the root tips of plantlets from 10 subcultures to confirm the ploidy. All the plants were triploids (2n = 33). The plantlets from different subcultures were planted out in sand, which was found to be the best medium. Observations made on growth parameters, at fifteen days interval, revealed that the plants from subcultures differed significantly with respect to the rate of growth in height and leaf area.
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    Post-harvest handling in musa (AAB Group) Nendran
    (Department of Processing Technology, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2001) Rani Suseel; Philipose Joshua
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    Bunch stalk feeding of urea In banana musa (AAB group) nendran
    (Department of Pomology and Horticulture,College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1997) Ancy, T K; Sajan Kurien
    The experiment entitled "Bunch stalk feeding of urea in banana Musa (AAB group) "Nendran'" was carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, Vellanikkara during the period of 1996 June to 1997 June with five preliminary and two main experiments. The major objectives of this research was to study the effect of bunch management practices like male bud pruning and urea feeding in banana on yield and quality attributes and also the metabolism of urea in the fruit. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomised Design with two replications. The preliminary experiments had undoubtedly, proved the fact that, pruning the male bud at a distance of 20 cm from the last hand improve the bunch characters and yield. Urea feeding through the cut and of bunch stalk also had its impact on getting maximum return with minimum inputs. Placement of an optimum dose of 30g urea at the cut stalk end, 3 weeks after the complete emergence of the bunch by adopting the flat cut method increased yields. A higher dose, greater than 50g resulted in negative effects on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the bunch as well as fingers. The main experiments on bunch stalk feeding, also reinforced the superiority of 30g placements at 2nd and 4th week after the emergence of bunch, after female phase recording an yield increment of 4.4 kg over the control. Urea spray, with a spray volume of 250 ml, at 5% concentration, 2 times on a bunch i.e., 3rd and 5th week and also at 3rd and 4th week recorded an yield increment of 3-3.5 kg, compared to the control. Higher doses and more frequency of urea spray resulted in a retearding effect on bunch development. Bunch feeding with urea did not reduce the quality significantly. But a slight increase in acidity and reduction in sugar content and TSS were noticed. The urease activity and molecular absorption of urea studies, to a great extent explain the metabolism of urea feeding in banana fruits. However, the rapidly expanding direct application of urea as a fertilizer and results generated in the study points to a re-evaluation of the existing methods, the role of this compound and the manner of its application and assimilation.
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    Performance of non-conventional soil ameliorants in banana (Musa spp) var. Nendran
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture,Padannakkad, 2019) Amalendu, M V; Jayaraj, P
    An investigation entitled “Performance of non-conventional soil ameliorants in banana (Musa spp) var. Nendran” was carried out at College of Agriculture Padannakad and Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) farm Nileshwar from 2017 to 2019. The objective was to study the performance of banana (Musa spp) var. Nendran in initial period with respect to the different non-conventional ameliorants and a subsequent field trial to confirm the importance of these ameliorants throughout the growing period in improving plant health and yield Pot culture study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of different soil ameliorants in improving soil health as well as crop health with respect to availability of nutrients upto 4 months. The experiment was conducted in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of 5 treatments and 4 replications with the following treatments; T1 (basal application of Calcium silicate), T2 (Basal application of lime+ silica), T3 (Basal application of dolomite + silica), T4 (Basal application of Gypsum+ silica), control T5 (Basal application of lime as per KAU POP 2016). The biometric observations like the plant height, number of leaves, root length, root diameter and root CEC were periodically recorded. Considering the plant height, pseudostem girth and number of leaves T4 showed superior results. The root characters like root length, root thickness and root CEC were found superior in T4. The field experiment was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) farm Nileshwar to study the effect of ameliorants on yield and quality of tissue culture banana var. Nendran. It was conducted in randomized block design comprising of 11 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments used in pot culture experiment were used in split doses to manage the soil acidity throughout the growing period of crop. Treatments were T1( Basal application of Calcium silicate), T2 (Basal application of lime + silica), T3 (Basal application of dolomite +silica), T4 (Basal application of Gypsum + silica), T5 (Lime+ silica in 2 splits at 1st and 2nd month after planting), T6 (Dolomite + silica in 2 splits at 1st and 2nd month 140 after planting), T7 (Gypsum + silica in 2 splits at 1st and 2nd month after planting, T8 (Lime+ silica in 3 split doses at 1st month, 2nd month and 4th month after planting),T9 (Dolomite + silica in 3 split doses at 1st month, 2nd month and 4th month after planting), T10 (Gypsum + silica in 3 split doses at 1st month, 2nd month and 4th month after planting), T11 (Application of lime as per KAU POP 2016) as the control. Biometric observations were recorded periodically. Soil and leaf analysis were also carried out at specific intervals of the experiment. The results of the field experiment revealed that among the vegetative characters, plant height, pseudostem girth at 90 cm height, number of leaves, number of functional leaves and number of suckers were superior for T10. Considering the yield attributes like number of hands per bunch (6.33) and number of fingers per hand (8.66) T10 recorded superior results. Treatment T10 recorded the highest bunch weight of 11.24 kg. Among the finger characteristics, average finger breadth (16.00 cm) and average weight of the fingers (225.00 g) is superior in T9 and the finger length (21.30 cm) is superior in T10. Among the treatments T10 recorded minimum days for bunch emergence (186 days), days to harvest (277 days) and days to ripening (4.33 days). Fruit characters like total soluble solids (29.90 0 brix), titrable acidity (0.27 %), reducing sugar (19.00 %), non reducing sugar (4.89 %), shelf life (4.40 days) were found superior in T10. Studies on the soil nutrient status was conducted at 3 months after planting, 6 month after planting and at harvest of the crop. It was revealed that T10 recorded superior results for soil pH and electrical conductivity. Considering the organic carbon content and cation exchange capacity T10 recorded superior results. Available nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and sulphur, copper, zinc and silicon was found superior in T10 whereas highest available magnesium content was recorded in T9. In case of available Iron, manganese and exchangeable aluminium T10 gave superior results. Leaf analysis was carried out at bunching and at harvest of the crop and the following results were obtained. Nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus content in the leaf was found superior for T10. The calcium and sulphur content in the leaf was 141 superior for T10 while treatment T9 recorded the highest magnesium uptake. Uptake of micronutrients like zinc, copper and silicon were found superior in T10. Lowest concentration of iron and manganese were recorded in T10. The results from the investigation revealed that the application of non-conventional soil ameliorants increased the nutrient availability in soil thereby increasing the yield and quality of banana. Among them application of gypsum + silica in 3 splits dosses performed well and produced superior results in northern lateritic soils.
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    Pre-harvest forecasting models and trends in production of banana (Musa spp.) in Kerala
    (Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Sharath Kumar, M P; Vijayaraghava Kumar
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    Low cost alternatives in commercial micropropagation of banana(musa spp.)
    (Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Faiza Mohamed; Shylaja, M R