Browsing by Author "Narayanankutty, C"
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ThesisItem Open Access DNA barcoding in genera benincasa and praecitrullus(Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2019) Priya Sonkamble, KAU; Narayanankutty, CBenincasa is a monotypic genus with only one cultivated species hispida. In India, Benincasa exhibits rich diversity. There is substantial variation in vegetative traits and fruitcharacters and it is difficult to distinguish ashgourd genotypes based on their external morphology alone. In spite of having enormous morphological variability, all members at present are accommodated into asingle species. The taxonomic classification of Praecitrullus is still uncertain. The marker and pollen morphology studieshave revealed that P. fistulosusis more related to B. hispida, than compared to other cucurbit species. DNA barcoding is a novel system designed to provide rapid, accurate and automatable species identification using short, standardized genomic regions as internal species tags. DNA barcoding is based on the characteristic variations on the sequences of identified genomic regions, which can distinguish individuals of a species. Species identification through barcoding is usually achieved by the retrieval of a short DNA sequence from a standard part of the genome (i.e. a specific gene region either from chloroplast, mitochondria or nuclear genome) and identifying the barcode gaps for each species. The barcode sequence from each unknown specimen is then compared with a library of reference barcode sequences derived from individuals of known identity. The study entitled “DNA barcoding in genera Benincasa and Praecitrullus was done at Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, with the objectives to assess genetic diversity and interspecies relationship among Benincasa and Praecitrullus genotypes and to check the species status of Benincasa using barcodes. Twenty-six ashgourd and five tinda accessions were morphologically screened in the field using the standard descriptor and basedaccessions were clustered, based on morphological characters recorded. The ashgourd accessions varied widely for their morphological traits,fruit size varied between0.191 to 12.0 kg. Thefruit shape, varied from club, spindle, cylindrical, oblong to ridged shape. The growth habit varied from long viny to short viny.Serrated, deep serrated and double serrated leaf margin was observed. For stem pubescencevariations recorded were hispid, downy, tomentose, puberulent, pilose,villous and hirsute. The cross compatibility of the ash gourd accessions were also checked to establish the species status. All the accessions of ash gourd were cross compatiblein both the directions, showing that they belong to the same species. Based on the morphological data of ashgourd accessions nine cluster were generated. One representative accession from each cluster and three representative accessions of tinda selected for the molecular studies. Total genomic was isolated and subjected to PCR assay. The matK and ITS2 gave the bands of 950 bp and 799 bp respectively, which were sufficient to identify barcode gaps.The markers were sequenced from 9 genotypes of ashgourd and 3 tinda genotypes.The BLAST analysis had shown that matK and ITS2 both loci is 99 per cent efficient for species discrimination in Benincasa and Praecitrullus. Barcode gap, a position in the sequence at which a particular nucleotide shows characteristic variation in all the members of a particular species, was identified for all the members of Benincasa and Praecitrullus species. Barcode gaps were identified for tinda, in comparison with Benincasa for both the loci. The barcodes in tinda were observed in matK locus at 47, 127 and 232bp. Similarly, for the locus ITS2, the barcode gaps in tinda were identified at 162, 207, 278, 279 and 288 bp. However, within Benincasa, there were no such characteristic barcode gaps, indicating that the null hypothesis of monotypic status of Benincasa is true. Phylogenetic analysis using Clustal Omega showed the variation within Benincasa species and Praecitrullus species.The barcodes developed in this study could be successfully used to solve the genetic relatedness of Benincasa and Praecitrullus species.ThesisItem Open Access Fertigation and mulching studies in cabage (Brassica oleracea var capitata L)(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture , Vellanikkara, 2013) Mvoyaha Kaposha, Nakaande; KAU; Narayanankutty, CA field experiment on “Fertigation and mulching studies in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata L.)” was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy to work out the optimum levels of irrigation and nutrients for fertigation in cabbage and to study the effect of fertigation and mulching on growth and yield of cabbage. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomised Block Design (RBD) with four replications. The treatments consisted of combinations of two schedules of irrigation (drip irrigation at 60 and 80 per cent Ep), three levels of fertilizer (75%, 100% and 125% of recommended fertilizer dose), mulching (silver-black polythene mulch) and non-mulching. In drip irrigation water was replenished daily according to pan evaporation recorded at three days interval. The cabbage hybrid NS 43 was used for the study. The study revealed that irrigation had significant influence on vegetative characters of cabbage. Scheduling of irrigation at 60% Ep resulted in significantly higher plant height while plant spread, number of non-wrapping leaves and wrapping leaves were highest at 80% Ep. All the yield attributing characters including gross and net head weight were higher at lower level of irrigation (60% Ep). Mulching significantly improved plant height, wrapping leaves and plant spread compared to non-mulched treatments which significantly had no influence on non-wrapping leaves. Mulched treatments also gave significantly highest net head weight than non-mulched treatments. The number of non-wrapping leaves and plant spread was higher in treatments received 125% of recommended dose of fertilizer. Plants receiving 75% of recommended dose of fertilizer gave significantly higher head length, core length and harvest index. Fertilizer had no significant influence on head breadth, head index, gross head weight and head net weight. Interaction effect of irrigation and fertilizer was significant on all vegetative and yield attributes except head length of cabbage. Treatment I1F2 (60% Ep + 100% of recommended fertilizer) gave highest plant height. Number of non-wrapping leaves was higher in treatment I1F3 (60% Ep + 125% of fertilizer dose) while number of wrapping leaves and plant spread was maximum in I2F3 (80% Ep + 125% Ep). The treatment combination of I1F3 (60% Ep and 125% of fertilizer dose) recorded significantly higher gross head weight and net head weight compared to other treatments. Interaction of irrigation and mulching had no influence on number of non-wrapping leaves, but had significant effect on all other vegetative characters of cabbage. Lower level of irrigation along with mulching gave the highest net head weight compared to non-mulched treatment. The treatment combination of fertilizer and mulching had significant influence on all vegetative characters of cabbage except on number of non-wrapping leaves. Irrespective of fertilizer doses, mulched treatments showed more plant height and plant spread compared to non- mulched treatments. The treatment combination of F3M1 (75% of fertilizer dose + silver-black polythene mulch) recorded significantly higher net head weight in the study. Interaction effect of irrigation, fertilizer and mulching had marked effect on plant height, number of non-wrapping leaves, wrapping leaves and plant spread. The highest net head weight recorded in treatment I1F3M1 was significantly superior to all other treatments and it was followed by I1F1M1. Lower level of irrigation (60% Ep) is sufficient for good performance of cabbage. Mulching with silver-black polythene sheet proved to be a very good practice for overall growth and yield of the plants. All levels of fertilizer (75%, 100% and 125% of recommended dose of fertilizer) were mostly on par. But along with irrigation at 60% Ep and mulching, the highest level of fertilizer gave the maximum yield which was significantly superior to all treatments/treatment combinations.ThesisItem Open Access Productivity management in yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata var. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcourt) through crop geometry and nutrition(Department Of Olericulture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Preetha, M D; KAU; Narayanankutty, CThe present investigation entitled "Productivity management in yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata var. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcourt) through crop geometry and nutrition" was carried out during 2002-2004 at Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. The field experiment was undertaken at Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy. The experiment was aimed to standardize the optimum spacing and nutrient requirements of the crop. Green pod yield per plant was maximum (435.66 g) with the wider spacing M3 (1.5 m x 0.75m) compared to closer spacings. Application of increased doses of fertilizers significantly increased the yield of yard long bean. Eventhough the package of practices recommendation for vegetable cowpea is 20: 30: 10 kg NPK ha" (KAU, 1996), in the present study, maximum yield (385.96 g) was obtained when 40: 60: 20 kg NPK ha-I (T3) was applied. This was further supported by the superior vegetative growth characters and nutrient content of the plants. Though split application of fertilizers showed comparable nutrient contents in the plant parts this was not reflected in the yield of the crop. Organic treatments in general reduced the yield of yard long bean. The vegetative growth and nutrient contents of the plants were also low. The interaction effects were also significant for the pod yield and the treatment combination M3 T 3 recorded maximum green pod yield per plant (480.68 g). Productivity of yard long bean-was highest (6.73 t ha-I) in closer spacing of 1.5 m x 0.25 m (MI). With a three fold increase in plant population the yield per plant was reduced only by 42%. The combination MI T 3 (closer spacing with 100% increase in fertilizers over standard recommendation applied in two splits) resulted in significantly higher productivity (7.33 t ha-I). However highest net returns (Rs 33030 ha-I) and B:C ratio (1.82) were realized in the treatment combination MI T 2 with closer spacing and 50% increase over POP recommendation applied in two splits. Organic fanning was not economically viable in yard long bean. The quality of green pods was supenor In organic treatments on account of significantly lesser crude fibre and higher moisture, carbohydrate and phosphorus contents. Organic treatments were also superior when storability and palatability of pods were considered. Zero energy cool chamber was not found suitable for cowpea storage as there was fungal attack to pods due to high humidity inside storage chamber. Hence the recommendation of20 t FYM ha" as basal and NPK 30: 45: 15 kg ha" applied in two splits - half N, full P and full K as basal and remaining half N 20 DAS and a spacing of 1.5 m x 0.25 m can be recommended for yard long bean to get economic returns.ThesisItem Open Access Rootstock evaluation and grafting studies in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)(Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2019) Sadanand Kumabar; KAU; Narayanankutty, CThe present investigation was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy and Centre for Hi-Tech Horticulture and Precision Farming, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the year 2018-2019 with the objective to evaluate ten available rootstocks comprising of Surya, Haritha, SMI, SM2, SM3, SM116, SM398, Solanum sisymbrifolium, Sokmum torvum KAUl, Solanum torvum TNAUl for resistance to bacterial wilt in both field evaluation and artificial Inoculation and to study the field performance of grafted brinjal plants on bacterial wilt resistant rootstocks. In the field trials Solanum sisymbrifolium was highly susceptible to bacterial will with 96.6% wilt incidence whereas SM398 (40% PDI), SM2 (40% PDl), SMI (23.3% PDI), Solanum torvum KAUl (16.6% PDI) and Solanum torvum TNAUl (20% PDI) were found moderately resistant to bacterial wilt. Genotypes such as Surya, Haritha, SM3 and SM1I6 found highly resistant to bacterial wilt even when spot planted with susceptible check genotype Pusa Ruby which showed 100 percent wilt incidence. The PDI in check genotype Pusa Ruby ranged from 86.67 per cent to 100 per cent. Solanum sisymbrifolium spot planted with Pusa Ruby took minimum number of days to wilt incidence (23.40 days) whereas SM398 took maximum days to will (32.3 days). Under artificial inoculation the genotype Solanum sisymbrifolium exhibited 73.33 per cent will incidence along with the susceptible check Pusa Ruby which exhibited 86.6 per cent wilt incidence and both the genotypes were classified as susceptible to bacterial wilt. All other genotypes viz,, Surya, Haritha, SM 1, SM2, SM3, SM 116, SM398, Solanum torvum KAU1 and Solanum fon'um TNAUl did not show any wilt incidence under artificial inoculation and were resistant to bacterial wilt. Solanum sisymbrifolium took more number of days to wilt (16.81 days) when compared to the susceptible check Pusa Ruby (9.77 days). The root dip method recorded highest PDI in both susceptible genotype Solanum sisymbrifolium (86.67%) and the susceptible check Pusa Ruby (100%) when compared to media drenching and stem injection methods and the number of days to wilt incidence was also the lowest in root dip method (11.70 days) followed by stem inoculation (12.25 days) and media drenching (26.50 days). Significant differences were observed with respect to plant height, plant spread, stem girth, number of primary branches, fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, average fruit weight, yield per plant, total phenolic, dry matter, number of wilted plants, root length and root spread among ail the rootstocks used when compared to non-grafted control and all the grafted plants produced significantly better performance for all the above parameters irrespective of the rootstocks used. Maximum yield per plant (6.69 kg), number of fruits per plant (94.80), plant spread, stem girth, number of primary branches, fruit lengtli (22.22 cm), root length (63.65 cm) and root spread (87.05 cm) were recorded when cullivar Haritha was used as a rootstock. The highest plant height, fruit girth (10.97 cm) and average fruit weight (78.00 g) were recorded on SMI 16 rootstock. Highest dry matter content was found in fruits of grafted plants of SM398 (11.12%) and the total phenolic content was the highest when SM3 (113.30 mg/l OOg) was used as rootstock. Maximum numbers of wilted plants were observed in non-grafted control. The perfonnance of non-grafted control plants was poor for all the above characters studied. Grafting did not significantly influence earliness, duration of the crop or number of harvests or total soluble solids content of fruits in brinjal. It had no significant effect on incidence of other pests on the crop except for bacterial wilt. From above studies it could be summarised that spot planting could be used as an effective tool for screening brinjal genotypes against bacterial wilt. Grafting technology could be successfully utilised in brinjal not only for bacterial wilt resistance but also for obtaining higher productivity. Haritha was found to be best rootstock for grafting in brinjal as it recorded significantly higher yield per plant, number of fruits per plant, plant spread, stem girth, number of primary branches, fruit length, root length and root spread followed by SMI 16 rootstock which recorded the highest plant height, fruit girth and average fruit weight.ArticleItem Open Access Spot-planting technique to confirm host reaction to bacterial wilt in tomato(Kerala Agricultural University, 1986) Narayanankutty, C; Peter, K V; KAU