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

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    Standardization of growing medium and growth retardants for compact growth of potted African marigold
    (Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2021) Niranjana Gopal; Mini Sankar
    The study entitled “ Standardization of growing medium and growth retardants for compact growth of potted African marigold” was carried out in the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara during 2020-2021. The objective of the study was standardization of growing medium and growth retardants for regulating growth of potted African marigold for display purpose. The experiment consisted of five different media viz; cocopeat (60%) + vermicompost (20%) + vermiculite (10 %) + rice husk (10%) [M1], cocopeat (60%) + FYM (20%) + vermiculite (10%) + rice husk (10%) [M2], cocopeat (40%) + soil (20%) + vermicompost (20%) + vermiculite (10%) + rice husk(10%) [M3], cocopeat (40%) + soil (20%) + FYM (20%) + vermiculite (10%) + rice husk (10%) [M4] and soil: FYM: sand (1:1:1) [M5] and two growth retardants in three different levels viz; cycocel [750 ppm (GR1), 1000 ppm (GR2) and 1500 ppm (GR3)] and paclobutrazol [30 ppm (GR4), 60 ppm (GR5) and 90 ppm (GR6)] along with a control group of each media without application of growth retardants. Four week old seedling of marigold variety ‘Double Orange’ was used for the study. Observations on vegetative characters, Floral characters as well as the nutrient status of growing media were recorded. With regard to vegetative characters, growing media, growth retardants and interaction between growing media and growth retardants had significant influence. Shortest plants were observed in M1 [cocopeat (60%) + vermicompost (20%) + vermiculite (10 %) + rice husk (10%)] and among the growth retardants, paclobutrazol at 90 ppm [GR6] was found to produce short plants. The same treatment were also found superior with respect to plant spread, number of branches and number of leaves. Regarding interaction effect an improvement in all vegetative parameters was observed in M4 [cocopeat (40%) + soil (20%) +FYM (20%) + vermiculite (10%) + rice husk (10%)] x GR6 [paclobutrazol 90 ppm]. Significant effects of growing media could be observed in floral characters and M4 was found superior with respect to floral characters Viz; number of flowers per plant (10.14), flower diameter (4.61 cm)and field life of individual flowers (9.21 days). M2 was found superior in terms of other floral ABSTRACT characters viz; days taken for first flower bud emergence and days taken from flower bud initiation to flower opening. With respect to the influence of growth retardants on floral characters, a greater number of flowers per plant (9.50), flower diameter (4.22), flowering duration (96 days) and field life of individual flowers were observed by the application of paclobutrazol at 90 ppm. Growing medium and growth retardant interaction had significant influence on floral characters. Lowest days for first flower bud emergence and from flower bud initiation to flower opening were observed in M2 [cocopeat (60%) + FYM (20%) + vermiculite (10%) + rice husk (10%)] x GR1 [cycocel 750 ppm]. Number of flowers per plant was highest in M4 x GR6, M5 x GR6 and M4 x GR5 [paclobutrazol 60 ppm]. Treatment combination M4 x GR6, M5 x GR6 and M4 x GR4 [paclobutrazol 30 ppm] were superior with respect to flower diameter and field life of individual flowers. Analysis of growing media before and after the experiment for differentphysio- chemical properties revealed that M1 had the lowest bulk density (g/cm3 ) highest porosity (%) and water holding capacity (%).The chemical properties pH and EC of all the media were found in the favourable range [pH - 5.8- 6.2; EC<1.5dS/m] both before and after the experiment. Available N, P, K before and after the experiment was found highest in M4 .Plant nutrient content (NPK), Total chlorophyll content and uptake of nitrogen and potassium by plants were also found higher in M4. From the overall performance, it could be noted that the vegetative parameters viz; plant spread, number of branches and number of leaves as well as floral parameters such as number of flowers, size of flowers and field life of individual flowers were in desirable range in treatment combination M4 x GR6. Hence the medium M4 [cocopeat (40%) + soil (20%) + FYM (20%) + vermiculite (10%) + rice husk (10%)] along with application of paclobutrazol 90 ppm [GR6] 20 and 35 days after pinching can be recommended for compact growth of potted Africanmarigold
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    Effect of growth regulators on fruit set and yield of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata. Poir)
    (Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Mohan Kumar, S; Ramachandran Nair, S
    An experiment was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agriculture University, Vellanikkara during December-April 1983-‘84 to study the effect of six levels of growth regulators viz., alar (100 and 200 ppm), CCC (500 and 1000 ppm) and ethrel (100 and 200 ppm) and of the two different stages of application (four leaf and six leaf stage) on growth, sex-expression, fruit set, yield and quality of two distinct pumpkin genotypes (Cucurbita moschata Poir.) collected from Palghat district of Kerala State. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. The effect of plant growth retardant to suppress the luxuriant growth of the crop is further confirmed by the results of the present study. All treatments caused a significant reduction in the length of the main vine and all other vegetative characters under study. There was a drastic reduction in the number of male flowers and an increase in the female flower number, altering an otherwise male dominated sex-ratio of the crop. CCC 1000 ppm was found to be effective in promoting early fruit set and harvest of both the genotypes tried. However there was no significant increase in the number of fruits per plant, average weight of the fruit, flesh thickness and the number of seeds per fruit. CCC treatments followed by alar 200 ppm was found to be the most effective in increasing the yield. Type T1 gave maximum yield with CCC 1000 ppm whereas type T2 responded well to CCC 500 ppm concentration. CCC 1000 ppm however caused a slight reduction in the yield of this genotype. There was also a slight increase in the carotene content with CCC treatments. Type T1 recorded a slight decrease in yield with both ethrel (100 and 200 ppm) treatments. No significant difference was noticed when growth regulator sprays were given at two different stages (four leaf and six leaf) of the crop. The study thus also proved that the response of pumpkin to growth regulators sprays is governed by the genotype and the concentration of the growth regulators used.
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    Efficiency of four methods of selection in brinjal improvement in relation to resistance to bacterial wilt
    (Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Asha Shankar, M; Peter, K V
    Bacterial wilt caused by pseudomonas solanacearun is one of the serious problems that limits its cultivation in kerala. With the identification of SM- 6, a brinjal line from Kerala Agricultural University showing considerable degree of resistance to wilt, the prospects of brinjal cultivation has become brighter under the acidic soil conditions of kerala. Studies at the department of Olericulture, Kerala Agriculture University, indicated the presence of transgressive seggregant(s) within SM-6 which were grouped into eleven distinct types. Hence a study was undertaken at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikara to improve upon the existing eleven types for earliness and yield keeping resistance to wilt intact. Each of the eleven genetics groups were improved through four methods of selection mass, single plant, pure line and single seed descent. The selections were conducted in two consecutive cycles. The criteria for selecting elite plant types were fruits/plant and total yield/plant. Observations were recorded on earliness, Vegitative characters, Productive characters and their components. The relative efficiency of the four methods of selection to improve economic characters was critically examined. Being a cross pollinated crop mass selection and single plant selection were found superior to pure line selection and single seed descent to improve economic characters. Genetic information line genotypic co-efficient of variation, phenotypic co-efficient of variation, heritability in the broad sense, genetic advance and genetic advance as percentage of mean was estimated for the progenies developed through four method of selection. The relative efficiency of the four methods of selection was also examined in terms of improving genetic parameters of progenies. Genetic advance as percentage of mean was highest for progenies developed through single plant selection. Realised genetic gain for economic characters as compaired to the overall mean was positive for progenies developed through maas and single plant selections. The eleven genetic groups were also evaluated under each selection method for the characters under study. The genetic groups SH-6-2, SH-5-1 and SH-6-4 were promising for fruits/plant and yield/plant. The level of resistance of sm-6 to bacterial wilt was assessed under four methods of selection. Single seed descent was found effective to improve to improve the level of resistance of sm-6 to bacterial wilt. When screened under field conditions, the genetic groups sm-6-1, sm-6-4,and sm-6-9 exhibited complete plant immunity under all the four methods of selection. In both the cycles. Multi locational trials and artificial inoculation studies further confirmed the resistance of the basic population of sm-6 to bacterial wilt.
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    Variability studies on certain T X CDO F, hybrids of coconut (Cocos nucifera L)
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1987) Sreelatha, P C; Kumaran, K
    Investigations conducted on variability in 14 F1 parental combinations of T X CDO coconut hybrids at the KADP farm attached to the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara revealed no significant difference between pollen parents in their contribution to the progenies in any of the 17 characters studied, unlike the female parents. The number of spadices was found to be highly correlated with the number of buttons set followed by the number of functional leaves and number of female flowers produced. The fourteen parental combinations were grouped into three clusters using Mahalanobis’ D2 analysis. Clusters I and II were the most divergent ones. Production of spadices and female flowers were found to be high during March, April and May and absent during October, November and December. Heavy rain during active female phase was found to affect setting of button adversely. Fertility and viability of pollen were found to be very high except during April and May due to high temperature.
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    Evaluation of shade tolerant morphotypes of colocasia
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Hemalatha, S; Tajuddin, E
    The present study 'Evaluationo f shade tolerant morphotypes of colocasia' was conducted during May to December 1990 at the College of Horticulture and Instructional Farm, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala, India. Experiment at College of Horticulture was laid out in split plot design with four shade levels in the main plot and six morphotypes in the sub plot. The experiment was carried out with four replications providing 0, 25, 50 and 75 per cent shade. For providing shade, pandals were erected on wooden frames and covered with unplaited coconut fronds on all sides leaving a clearance of 1 m from the ground level. Shade intensities were adjusted using Line quantum and Point quantum sensors. Experiment at Instructional Farm, Vellanikkara was laid out in randomised block design with four replications. Six morphotypes of colocasia raised under artificial conditions at College of Horticulture, were raised in the interspaces of coconut garden; at the Instructional Farm. Under artificial conditions, most of the colocasia morphotypes recorded the highest yield at 25 per cent shade and hence this crop is classed as shade loving corp. Though shading had no significant effect on corm yield, cormel yield and harvest index, there was variation in all these parameters among the morphotypes and M recorded the highest value. Morphotypes M„, M,_ and M were ' 2 10 16 selected as better yielders for all shade situations. Starch content of tubers increased with shading whereas oxalic acid content remains unaffected. Most of the morphotypes evaluated performed similarly under artificial as well as natural shade. Eleven light infiltration observations from different locations were taken at hourly intervals from 9 am to 5 pm, using Line quantum and point quantum sensors and percentage values were worked out. Mean percentage light infiltration values obtained revealed that there is no consistent relationship between light infiltration and height of the coconut palms or spacing.
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    Varietal evaluation and genetic improvement of anthurium (Anthurium undreanum Linden) through hybridization
    (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Reshma Gopi; Beena Thomas
    The present investigation, “Varietal evaluation and genetic improvement of anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Linden) through hybridization” was carried out at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, during 2014 -16, to assess the genetic variability of commercial genotypes of anthurium and improve them through intervarietal hybridization. Twenty five genotypes of anthurium were evaluated in completely randomized design with five replication to identify suitable parents with commercial qualities.There was wide variation among the qualitative as well as quantitative characters of anthurium. The number of flowers year-1 ranged from 1.2 (Lucia Pink, Mauritius Orange) to 4.8 (Cascade White and Lady Jane) and the spathe size ranged from 42.88 cm2 (Lady Jane) to 101 cm2 (Boroque). The number of suckers plant-1 exhibited high genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation followed by anthocyanin content, pollen fertility, number of flowers year-1 and leaf area. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance found in almost all the characters except days from emergence to maturity of leaves, days from emergence to maturity of inflorescence, number of suckers plant-1 and duration of female phase. It indicates additive gene effect and improvement could be made for that character by simple selection based on the phenotypic performance. The number of flowers year-1 showed significant positive phenotypic association with characters like leaf area, spadix length and inclination of candle with the spathe. Based on the availability of pollen as well as the receptivity of stigma, sixty two crosses were attempted among the fifteen parental genotypes, out of which twenty six were successful. The percentage of candle bearing berries ranged from 0 to 100. The average number of fruits candle-1 was found to be high in the variety Liver Red and it was low in the genotypes, Vezuvious Red and Chekas. The percentage of fruit set was high in Liver Red x Dragon’s Tongue and it was low in Chikoos x Liver Red. The cross Hawaiian Orange x Dragon’s Tongue exhibited the maximum seed size among the single seeded berries and in double seeded berries, Hawaiian Orange x Chikoos found to had the highest seed size. The percentage of germination was high in Hawaiian Orange x Chikoos and low in Pistache x Chikoos. The present investigation revealed that there was wide variation in characters among twenty five genotypes of anthurium evaluated. Cross compatibility analysis revealed that the cross Hawaiian Orange x Chikoos have medium fruit set and highest seed germination among all the successful crosses
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    Maximisation of productivity by rescheduling the nutrient application in banana
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Dovelyn Peters, C; Shahul Hameed, S M
    An experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm attached to College of Agriculture, Vellayani during December 1995 to September 1996 with the objectives of finding out the optimum dose of fertilizer and frequency of their application to maximise the productivity of banana. Three levels of NPK and four frequencies of application and two additional treatments (Farmer's practice and NPK based on soil test value) were tested for their efficacy in 3x4+2 factorial RBD with two replications. The results of the study revealed that application of I 380:115:600 g NPK plant-1 (L2) significantly improved thevegetative characters viz. height and girth of pseudostem, number of leaves and LAI and induced early shooting (184.06 days) and reduced the total crop duration (268.59 days). Fertilizer application in six splits have also significantly improved the vegetative characters. However application of 380:115:600 g NPK plant-1 in six splits could impart significant improvement only on the height of the plant. Bunch yield was observed to be the highest (10.42 kg) at L2 level. Significant improvement in the bunch characters and finger characters (mature) observed at this level resulted in higher bunch yield. Among the bunch characters, number of fingers bunch-1 (46.49) and bunch length (54.35 cm) were highest at L2 level. Significantly higher values for all the finger characters studied were recorded at this level. In the case of frequency of application, six splits recorded the highest bunch weight (11.20 kg) compared to other splits. Here also as in the case with NPK levels, six splits recorded significantly higher values for all the finger characters studied and the bunch characters viz., number of fingers bunch-1 and bunch length which in turn contributed to higher bunch weight. Among the ripe fruit characters, highest pulp/peel ratio was recorded at the lowest level of NPK (190:115:300 g NPK plant-1) even though higher finger weight, pulp weight and peel weight were recorded at L2 level. Six splits recorded significantly higher finger weight and pulp weight compared to other splits. However highest pulp/peel ratio recorded at six splits was on par with ten splits. Application of 380:115:600g NPK plant-1 in six splits recorded significantly higher finger weight and pulp weight compared to other treatments. Among the quality attributes, significantly higher values for TSS, total and nonreducing sugars, sugar/acid ratio were recorded at lowest level of NPK (L1) and these values showed a decreasing trend with increase in levels of NPK. However acidity and reducing sugar content values were lowest at L1 level and these values increased with increase in levels of N and K. However starch content was highest at L2 level. Frequency of application and interaction effects were significant only with respect to starch content and non reducing sugar content. Sensory evaluation of ripe fruits revealed that lowest level of NPK (190:115:300 g NPK plant-1) produced better quality fruits. NPK content of index leaf at harvest did not show any significant variation among treatments. Available NPK content of the soil after harvest recorded higher values compared to initial status. Available phosphorus and K20 contents recorded highest values at L3 level indicating lesser uptake by the plant. When the economics of production was worked out, itwas observed that T2 recorded the highest B:C ratio (2.46) followed by T6 (2.45) while highest net profit (Rs.18460) was obtained in T6, The present study revealed that application of 380:115:600 g NPK plant-1 in six splits was beneficial for better growth, yield and quality of fruits in ‘Nendran' banana.