1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)
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Item Performance of Maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping systems in lowlands(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture ,Vellayani, 2024-02-26) Meera, L Raj; Jacob JohnThe study entitled “Performance of maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping systems in lowlands” was undertaken at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2021-2023. The objective was to evaluate different maize based intercropping systems in the summer fallow of double cropped lowland rice field in terms of weed dynamics, biological efficiency and economics. The field experiment was carried out at the Integrated Farming System Research Station (IFSRS), KAU, Karamana from January to May 2023 in Randomized Block Design with 10 treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised of T1: maize + bush cowpea (1:2), T2: maize + green gram (1:2), T3: maize + black gram (1:2), T4: maize + fodder cowpea (1:2), T5: sole crop of maize, T6: sole crop of bush cowpea, T7: sole crop of green gram, T8: sole crop of black gram, T9: sole crop of fodder cowpea and T10: fallow. Maize (var. TNAU maize hybrid Co-6) was raised as main crop and bush cowpea (var. PGCP-6), green gram (var.TM 96-2), black gram (var. VBN-6) and fodder cowpea (var. Aiswarya) were raised as intercrops. Maize was raised as per the recommendations of TNAU (CPG, 2005) and the intercrops as per KAU Package of Practice Recommendations (KAU, 2016). The results revealed that intercropping had significant effect on the growth and yield of the main crop and intercrops. Growth attributes of maize viz. plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area per plant and leaf area index (LAI) showed significant variation with intercropping. The treatment T5 resulted in taller plants, highest number of leaves per plant, leaf area per plant and LAI and it was followed by T1. Seed weight per cob (63.02 g), grain yield (4566 kg ha-1) and stover yield (13122 kg ha-1) were also highest in T5, which was followed by T3. Growth and yield attributes of intercrops were significantly reduced under intercropping systems. Sole crop of bush cowpea (T6), green gram (T7) and black gram (T8) recorded greatest plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf area per plant and LAI. Yield attributes like number of pods per plant, grain yield and haulm yield were also higher in sole cropping system. The plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf area per plant, leaf area index, leaf stem ratio, green fodder yield and dry fodder yield were higher in the sole crop of fodder cowpea (T9). Intercropping with maize profoundly reduced the weed count, weed dry matter production (DMP) and NPK removal by weeds. The lowest weed count was recorded in T9 at 30 DAS. At 60 DAS, lowest weed count was recorded in T3 and T1. The highest weed count was recorded in T10, both at 30 and 60 DAS. Lowest weed DMP was recorded in T1, 30 and 60 DAS. The weed smothering efficiency of maize + bush cowpea system was the highest among the different intercrops at 30 and 60 DAS (41.46 % and 59.04 % respectively). The N removal by weeds was lowest in T1(1.15 kg ha-1), which was on par with T4 (1.54 kg ha-1) at 30 DAS. At 60 DAS the lowest N removal was recorded in T1 (5.58 kg ha-1). P removal by weeds was lowest in T1 (0.62 kg ha-1, 0.64 kg ha-1) which was on par with T3 (1.78 kg ha-1,1.85 kg ha-1) both 30 DAS and 60 DAS respectively. K removal by weeds was lowest in T1 at 30 DAS (0.92 kg ha-1) and 60 DAS (2.22 kg ha-1). All the crops recorded higher values of NPK uptake under sole cropping of main crop and intercrops. The dehydrogenase activity was the highest in the maize + bush cowpea (T1) (175.52 µg TPF g-1 soil d-1) system compared to the others. The highest amount of available N in the soil found after the experiment was in T8 (472.29 kg ha-1) which was on par with T7 (397.23 kg ha-1) and T9 (397.23 kg ha-1). The highest amount of available P was found in T9 (71.00 kg ha-1) while available K was higher in T8 (168.64 kg ha-1). Analysis of the competitive indices of the intercropping system revealed that the land equivalent ratio (LER), monetary advantage index (MAI) and maize equivalent yield (MEY) were highest in the maize + black gram system (T3). The highest relative crowding coefficient and positive aggressivity value of maize indicated the dominance and competitive nature of maize over intercrops. The maize + black gram (T3) intercropping system recorded the highest net income (₹ 102262 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.15). From the present study, it is inferred that in summer fallows of double cropped lowland, maize + black gram (1:2) system was more suitable in terms of maize equivalent yield, land equivalent ratio, monetary advantage index, net income and benefit cost ratio. Based on weed dry matter production, weed smothering efficiency and nutrient removal by weeds, the maize + bush cowpea (1:2) system was the best.Item Development of pelleted organo-mineral fertilizer and its effect on baby corn (Zee mays L.)(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2023-05-17) Anila A.; Nishan M AThe present study entitled “Development of pelleted organo-mineral fertilizer and its effect on baby corn (Zea mays L.) was undertaken at Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2020-2022. The main objectives of the study were standardization of nutrient sources for production of pelleted organo-mineral fertilizers (POMF) and evaluation of its effect on growth and yield of baby corn. The study comprised of two experiments. The Experiment I (a), was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during November 2021 to January 2022. Organo-mineral fertilizers (OMF) were prepared by mixing organic manures, chemical fertilizers, secondary and micronutrient mixtures, and bio-stimulants in varying ratios on percentage weight basis. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with nine treatments and three replications. After thorough mixing of the components, OMF mixtures were pelletized to form POMF using a pelleting machine. The test crop selected for the study was baby corn with a nutrient recommendation of 135:65:45 kg NPK ha-1 (NPK ratio 3:1.4:1). The best six POMF combinations (POMF 1, POMF 2, POMF 4, POMF 5, POMF 6 and POMF 7) satisfying the nutrient ratios of baby corn were selected for further incubation studies. The Experiment I (b), was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during January 2022 to March 2022. Incubation pot studies were carried out to assess the nutrient release pattern of selected POMF. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with six treatments replicated thrice. Among the different combinations of POMF studied, POMF 2 was found to release nutrients in concurrence with the growth stages of baby corn and hence was screened for further field studies. The Experiment I (c) was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during March 2022 to August 2022. The physico-chemical properties and shelf life of POMF 2 selected from incubation studies were characterized. The nutrient content of POMF 2 (8.18 % N, 3.78 % P and 2.69 % K) remained stable for 4 months and the pellets retained its shape and no fungal growths were observed during the storage period. The Experiment II was conducted at farmers field located at Kakkamoola, Thiruvananthapuram during March 2022 to May 2022 to determine the effect of POMF 2 on growth and yield of baby corn. The variety used was G-5414. The treatments were T1: 100 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal); T2: 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal); T3: 50 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal); T4: 50 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal) + 50 per cent RD as POMF 2 at 25 DAS ; T5: 50 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal) + 25 per cent RD as POMF 2 at 25 DAS; T6: 25 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal) + 25 per cent RD as POMF 2 at 25 DAS; T7: FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1+135:65:45 kg NPK ha-1 ½ N+ full P+½ K basal; ½ N +½ K at 25 DAS) ; T8: Control (No fertilizers). POMF 2 was applied on nitrogen equivalent basis for supplying the recommended dose of 135:65:45 kg NPK ha-1 for baby corn. The results revealed that POMF 2 had significant influence on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of baby corn. At 15 DAE, the mineral fertilizer treatment, T7 recorded significantly higher plant height, while at 30 DAE, basal application of even 50 per cent RD as POMF 2 (T2) resulted in plant height comparable to T7. At 45 DAE, application of 100 or 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 recorded the highest plant height and was comparable with the mineral fertilizer treatment (T7). Basal application of 100 or 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 recorded leaf area index comparable with T7 during 15, 30 and 45 DAE. The same trend was observed in dry matter production, cob length and girth also. The basal application of 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (T2) resulted in cob yields (5.39 t ha-1) comparable to 100 per cent RD as mineral fertiliser, T7 (5.31 t ha-1). The same trend was observed in green stover yield and marketable cob yield also. The basal application of 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (T2) resulted in NPK uptake comparable with full dose of mineral fertiliser (T7). The soil organic carbon content, soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), water holding capacity (WHC) and bulk density of the soil were not significantly influenced by the POMF treatments. The soil organic carbon and pH were found to increase in POMF applied plots compared to mineral fertilizer applied plots. When compared to plots that received mineral fertiliser, POMF treated plots had the highest soil NPK availability. The agronomic efficiency (AE) of N, P and K were found to be higher in organo mineral fertilizer treatments. Basal application of 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (T2), recorded the highest physiological efficiency (PE) of NPK and was comparable with the mineral fertilizer treatment (T7). Application of 100 or 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal) recorded comparable apparent recovery efficiency (ARE). However, the mineral fertilizer treatment, T7 recorded the least ARE for all the three major nutrients. Application of 25 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal) + 25 per cent RD as POMF 2 at 25 DAS (T6) recorded the highest partial factor productivity (PFP) and was comparable with T2. The POMF treated plots recorded the highest apparent gain and actual gain in soil available NPK compared to mineral fertilizer treated plots. The treatment T2, recorded the highest gross income (₹ 215991 ha-1) and was on par with T1 (₹ 213784 ha-1) and T7 (₹ 212486 ha-1). Basal application of 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (T2) recorded the highest net income (₹ 142691 ha-1) and was comparable with 100 per cent RD as mineral fertilizers (T7) (₹ 143783 ha-1). Among the POMF treatments, basal application of 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (T2) recorded the highest BC ratio (2.95) was on par with the mineral fertilizer treatment, T7 (3.09). Thus from the study, it could be concluded that good quality POMF suited for baby corn can be prepared by mixing cow dung powder (30%), neem cake (10%), groundnut cake (4%), rice husk ash (4%), urea (16%), rock phosphate (9%), single super phosphate (8%), muriate of potash (4%), ayar (1%), rock dust (4%), humic acid (5%) and seaweed powder (5%) on percentage weight basis followed by pelletization. Basal application of cow dung based POMF @ 1.25 t ha-1 (equivalent to 75% RD of NPK of baby corn ie. 102:49:34 kg NPK ha-1) could be recommended as the most productive, profitable, and nutrient use efficient nutrient schedule for baby corn. Thus, twenty-five percentage reduction in recommended dose of NPK for baby corn can be achieved by using POMF rather than seperate application of organic manures and chemical fertilizers. Hence, POMF can be popularized as a promising technology for enhancing nutrient use efficiency in baby corn.Item Development of pelleted organo-mineral fertilizer and its effect on baby corn (Zee mays L.)(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2023-05-17) Anila, A; Nishan, M AThe present study entitled “Development of pelleted organo-mineral fertilizer and its effect on baby corn (Zea mays L.) was undertaken at Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2020-2022. The main objectives of the study were standardization of nutrient sources for production of pelleted organo-mineral fertilizers (POMF) and evaluation of its effect on growth and yield of baby corn. The study comprised of two experiments. The Experiment I (a), was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during November 2021 to January 2022. Organo-mineral fertilizers (OMF) were prepared by mixing organic manures, chemical fertilizers, secondary and micronutrient mixtures, and bio-stimulants in varying ratios on percentage weight basis. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with nine treatments and three replications. After thorough mixing of the components, OMF mixtures were pelletized to form POMF using a pelleting machine. The test crop selected for the study was baby corn with a nutrient recommendation of 135:65:45 kg NPK ha-1 (NPK ratio 3:1.4:1). The best six POMF combinations (POMF 1, POMF 2, POMF 4, POMF 5, POMF 6 and POMF 7) satisfying the nutrient ratios of baby corn were selected for further incubation studies. The Experiment I (b), was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during January 2022 to March 2022. Incubation pot studies were carried out to assess the nutrient release pattern of selected POMF. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with six treatments replicated thrice. Among the different combinations of POMF studied, POMF 2 was found to release nutrients in concurrence with the growth stages of baby corn and hence was screened for further field studies. The Experiment I (c) was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during March 2022 to August 2022. The physico-chemical properties and shelf life of POMF 2 selected from incubation studies were characterized. The nutrient content of POMF 2 (8.18 % N, 3.78 % P and 2.69 % K) remained stable for 4 months and the pellets retained its shape and no fungal growths were observed during the storage period. The Experiment II was conducted at farmers field located at Kakkamoola, Thiruvananthapuram during March 2022 to May 2022 to determine the effect of POMF 2 on growth and yield of baby corn. The variety used was G-5414. The treatments were T1: 100 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal); T2: 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal); T3: 50 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal); T4: 50 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal) + 50 per cent RD as POMF 2 at 25 DAS ; T5: 50 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal) + 25 per cent RD as POMF 2 at 25 DAS; T6: 25 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal) + 25 per cent RD as POMF 2 at 25 DAS; T7: FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1+135:65:45 kg NPK ha-1 ½ N+ full P+½ K basal; ½ N +½ K at 25 DAS) ; T8: Control (No fertilizers). POMF 2 was applied on nitrogen equivalent basis for supplying the recommended dose of 135:65:45 kg NPK ha-1 for baby corn. The results revealed that POMF 2 had significant influence on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of baby corn. At 15 DAE, the mineral fertilizer treatment, T7 recorded significantly higher plant height, while at 30 DAE, basal application of even 50 per cent RD as POMF 2 (T2) resulted in plant height comparable to T7. At 45 DAE, application of 100 or 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 recorded the highest plant height and was comparable with the mineral fertilizer treatment (T7). Basal application of 100 or 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 recorded leaf area index comparable with T7 during 15, 30 and 45 DAE. The same trend was observed in dry matter production, cob length and girth also. The basal application of 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (T2) resulted in cob yields (5.39 t ha-1) comparable to 100 per cent RD as mineral fertiliser, T7 (5.31 t ha-1). The same trend was observed in green stover yield and marketable cob yield also. The basal application of 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (T2) resulted in NPK uptake comparable with full dose of mineral fertiliser (T7). The soil organic carbon content, soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), water holding capacity (WHC) and bulk density of the soil were not significantly influenced by the POMF treatments. The soil organic carbon and pH were found to increase in POMF applied plots compared to mineral fertilizer applied plots. When compared to plots that received mineral fertiliser, POMF treated plots had the highest soil NPK availability. The agronomic efficiency (AE) of N, P and K were found to be higher in organo mineral fertilizer treatments. Basal application of 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (T2), recorded the highest physiological efficiency (PE) of NPK and was comparable with the mineral fertilizer treatment (T7). Application of 100 or 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal) recorded comparable apparent recovery efficiency (ARE). However, the mineral fertilizer treatment, T7 recorded the least ARE for all the three major nutrients. Application of 25 per cent RD as POMF 2 (basal) + 25 per cent RD as POMF 2 at 25 DAS (T6) recorded the highest partial factor productivity (PFP) and was comparable with T2. The POMF treated plots recorded the highest apparent gain and actual gain in soil available NPK compared to mineral fertilizer treated plots. The treatment T2, recorded the highest gross income (₹ 215991 ha-1) and was on par with T1 (₹ 213784 ha-1) and T7 (₹ 212486 ha-1). Basal application of 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (T2) recorded the highest net income (₹ 142691 ha-1) and was comparable with 100 per cent RD as mineral fertilizers (T7) (₹ 143783 ha-1). Among the POMF treatments, basal application of 75 per cent RD as POMF 2 (T2) recorded the highest BC ratio (2.95) was on par with the mineral fertilizer treatment, T7 (3.09). Thus from the study, it could be concluded that good quality POMF suited for baby corn can be prepared by mixing cow dung powder (30%), neem cake (10%), groundnut cake (4%), rice husk ash (4%), urea (16%), rock phosphate (9%), single super phosphate (8%), muriate of potash (4%), ayar (1%), rock dust (4%), humic acid (5%) and seaweed powder (5%) on percentage weight basis followed by pelletization. Basal application of cow dung based POMF @ 1.25 t ha-1 (equivalent to 75% RD of NPK of baby corn ie. 102:49:34 kg NPK ha-1) could be recommended as the most productive, profitable, and nutrient use efficient nutrient schedule for baby corn. Thus, twenty-five percentage reduction in recommended dose of NPK for baby corn can be achieved by using POMF rather than seperate application of organic manures and chemical fertilizers. Hence, POMF can be popularized as a promising technology for enhancing nutrient use efficiency in baby corn.Item Varietal suitability and crop geometry of baby corn (Zea mays L.) in coconut garden(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, vellayani, 2016) Dona Scaria; Rajasree, GThe experiment entitled “Varietal suitability and crop geometry of baby corn (Zea mays L.) in coconut garden” was undertaken at the Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, during the summer season (March to May) and the Kharif season (August to October) of 2015. The main objectives of the study were to understand the feasibility of introducing baby corn as intercrop in coconut garden, to assess the effect of varieties and spacings on its growth and productivity and to work out the economics of cultivation. The field experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design with 9 treatments replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of combinations of three varieties and three spacings. The three varieties were Rasi 4212 (V1), G 5414 (V2) and CO-6 (V3) and the three spacings were 30 cm x 20 cm (S1), 45 cm x 20 cm (S2) and 60 cm x 20 cm (S3). The variety G 5414 recorded significantly higher baby cob weight with husk of 47.01 g cob-1 and 35.74 g cob-1, cob yield with husk of 10.97 t ha-1 and 9.98 t ha-1 and marketable baby cob yield of 3.67 t ha-1 and 3.36 t ha-1 in summer and Kharif respectively. This variety took less number of days from tasseling to harvest (2.11) and recorded the highest net income of RS. 133698 ha-1 and RS. 116629 ha-1 and B:C ratio of 2.70 and 2.49 in summer and Kharif seasons respectively. The variety G 5414 was followed by CO-6 in producing higher baby cob yield with husk and marketable baby cob yield. The growth attributes viz., plant height, number of leaves and leaf area index (LAI) at 15, 30 and 45 days after emergence (DAE), dry matter content and light interception were significantly higher for the variety CO-6. Green Stover yield was significantly higher for CO-6 (19.39 t ha-1 and 17.86 t ha-1 in summer and Kharif respectively) followed by G 5414 (16.08 t ha-1 and 14.35 t ha-1 in summer and Kharif respectively). The study revealed that spacing significantly influenced the growth attributes viz., plant height, number of leaves and LAI. The row spacing of 45 cm x 20 cm recorded the highest baby cob yield with husk of 10.90 t ha-1 and 9.63 t ha-1, marketable baby cob yield of 3.49 t ha-1 and 3.24 t ha-1 along with the highest net income of RS. 125839 ha-1 and RS. 114287 ha-1 and B:C ratio of 2.69 and 2.55 in summer and Kharif respectively. Baby cob weight with husk was significantly higher at 45 cm x 20 cm and baby cob-baby com ratio was the most desirable at 30 cm x 20 cm in summer. In summer, the interaction of CO-6 at 45 cm x 20 cm recorded the highest baby cob weight with husk (56.25 g cob-1), marketable baby cob yield (4.21 t ha-1) and B:C ratio (3.16). Net income was the highest with G 5414 at 45 cm x 20 cm and was on a par with CO-6 at 45 cm x 20 cm. In Kharif, CO-6 at 45 cm x 20 cm resulted in the highest baby cob yield with husk (11.16 t ha-1), marketable baby cob yield (3.68 t ha-1), net income (RS.145237 ha-1) and B:C ratio (3.03). The variety G 5414 at 45 cm x 20 cm was on a par with the variety CO-6 at 45 cm x 20 cm with respect to baby cob yield with husk (9.91 t ha-1) and marketable baby cob yield (3.49 t ha-1). The study revealed that, among the varieties tested, the variety G 5414 was superior and among the spacings, 45 cm x 20 cm was significantly superior in both summer and Kharif seasons. The interaction effects revealed that the variety G 5414 at 45 cm x 20 cm and the variety CO-6 at 45 cm x 20 cm were equally superior in terms of yield and economics. In baby com cultivation, detasseling is an important operation which is labour intensive. The variety G 5414 exhibited 50 per cent silking prior to tasseling and hence the detasseling before first harvesting could be avoided. This variety had a better appearance and uniformity compared to CO-6. In general, the baby com yield was higher in summer season compared to Kharif season. To conclude, the result of the study indicated that baby corn can be profitably intercropped in coconut gardens in summer and Kharif seasons. The baby corn hybrid G 5414 at 45 cm x 20 cm spacing resulted in higher baby cob yield with husk, marketable baby cob yield, net income and B:C ratio during both seasons in southern Kerala. The maize variety CO-6 also performed well in coconut garden during both summer and Kharif seasons.