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ThesisItem Open Access Enhancement of propagation efficiency in exotic varities of heliconia(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2008) Reshmi, C R; KAU; Sheela, V LHeliconias are among the most popular garden plants, both for the ease with which they can be grown and the sheer magnificence of the blooms. Studies were conducted to standardize rapid propagation techniques under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Three heliconia varieties belonging to three distinct groups viz., St. Vincent Red (small erect type), Golden Torch Adrian (hybrid) and Sexy Pink (large pendent type) were selected for the study. For in vitro culture establishment, shoot tip explants were effective. The treatment of shoot tips with 0.10 per cent mercuric chloride for ten minutes followed by dipping in 0.05 per cent mercuric chloride for five minutes (after trimming) resulted in better surface sterilization. Longitudinal cutting of the in vitro established shoot tip with apical dome into two halves and culturing them separately produced the highest number of axillary buds. Addition of 0.05 per cent activated charcoal to the establishment media reduced the media browning and hastened shoot initiation. For culture establishment of all the three varieties, MS medium supplemented with BA 5.00 mg l-1 was found to be the best. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with BA 2.00 mg l-1 resulted in the highest shoot proliferation in the variety St. Vincent Red. In Golden Torch Adrian, BA 2.00 mg l-1 + NAA 0.20 mg l-1 gave better results. In the variety Sexy Pink, Kinetin 5.00 mg l-1 + NAA 0.20 mg l-1 was the best. For further multiplication in Sexy Pink, BA 1.00 mg l-1 was sufficient. Solid culture medium was better for shoot proliferation in the variety Sexy Pink. Higher sucrose concentration (40.00 g l-1) increased the multiplication rate, but reduced the length of shoots as well as the number of leaves. Addition of activated charcoal to the media as well as exposure of cultures to light had negative effect on shoot proliferation. Full MS medium was found to be the best for in vitro rooting of the variety Sexy Pink. Addition of NAA 0.50 mg l-1 to the MS medium gave better results for in vitro rooting in Golden Torch Adrian and Sexy Pink. Sucrose @ 30.00 g l-1 was sufficient for in vitro rooting in the variety Sexy Pink. Activated charcoal delayed root initiation and reduced the number of roots in the variety Sexy Pink. Sand recorded 90.00 per cent survival in all the three varieties after two months of planting out. At varietal level, significant difference was evident in the total number of suckers. In the first experiment, the variety St. Vincent Red (3.82) was significantly superior in terms of total number of suckers. However, in the second experiment, St. Vincent Red (4.06) was on par with Golden Torch Adrian (4.10). The variety Sexy Pink produced comparatively taller suckers in both the trials. Varietal variation in the number of leaves was observed only in the earlier stages. During the preliminary field experiment, the variety Sexy Pink excelled in leaf area at almost all stages of observation. Among the three varieties, highest collar girth was recorded by suckers of Sexy Pink variety during the first two stages of observation. However, towards the later stages, it was statistically on par with St. Vincent Red. Foliar spray was superior to rhizome dip in terms of total number of suckers, height of suckers and the number of leaves. In the case of leaf area, both the treatments were more or less on par. Application of growth regulators had pronounced effect on sucker production at all the stages during the first experiment when BA 750 mg l-1 produced the highest number (4.19) of total suckers. In the second experiment, variation was evident only in the total number of suckers. Here, BA 850 mg l-1 produced the highest number (4.33) of suckers and it was on par with BA 700 mg l-1 (4.00) and GA3 650 mg l-1 (3.79). Irrespective of the stage of plant growth, gibberellic acid produced taller suckers and BA 500 mg l-1 resulted in the shortest suckers. BA treatments recorded comparatively higher number of leaves. Growth regulator application had remarkably influenced the leaf area of suckers also. Application of BA 1000 mg l-1 (3.53 cm) and GA3 800 mg l-1 (3.33 cm) recorded higher collar girth in suckers. VG interaction exerted significant variation in the number of suckers. At varietal level, BA 750 mg l-1 produced the highest number of suckers in St. Vincent Red (4.75), GA3 500 mg l-1 in Golden Torch Adrian (4.63) and GA3 750 mg l-1 in Sexy Pink (4.00). Among VG treatment combinations in the second experiment, the highest number of suckers (4.75) in the variety St. Vincent Red was produced by BA 700 mg l-1. The varieties Golden Torch Adrian (4.88) and Sexy Pink (3.75) recorded the highest with BA 850 mg l-1. Gibberellic acid produced taller suckers. In the second experiment, VG interaction had no significant effect on the height of suckers. Regarding the number of leaves, BA resulted in comparatively higher number of leaves in both the experiments. In all the three varieties, BA 850 mg l-1 produced the highest number of leaves. Collar girth was found to increase with increase in the concentrations of BA and GA3 in all the three varieties. The economics of foliar application of growth regulators revealed that BA 850 mg l-1 significantly enhanced the profit in the varieties Golden Torch Adrian and Sexy Pink. Although negligible, BA 700 mg l-1 recorded slight positive response in the variety St. Vincent Red with respect to profit.ThesisItem Open Access In vitro propagation and rapid analysis of selected varieties of papaya (carica papaya L)(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2007) Bindhu, B; KAU; Jayachandran Nair, C SA study was carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2003-2006 for refining existing tissue culture protocol with respect to selected varieties and hybrids of papaya. Molecular characterization of papaya hybrids was also carried out using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Papaya varieties and hybrids selected for the study were Pusa Nanha, CO-5, Washington, Pusa Nanha x Coorg Honeydew, Pusa Dwarf x Coorg Honeydew, Solo x Coorg Honeydew and Pusa Nanha x Solo. Apical buds and lateral buds from seedlings and mature plants were used as explant for in vitro propagation. The present study revealed that full strength MS medium supplemented with sucrose 30.00 g l-1 and agar 6.00 g l-1 under light condition produced highest shoot number and longest shoot in papaya varieties and hybrids. Application of BA 0.50 mg l-1 along with NAA 0.10 mgl-1 was found to be better for initial culture establishment and proliferation of papaya varieties and hybrids. Application of amino acid, arginine 50.00 mg l-1 resulted in highest shoot proliferation rate, while highest shoot length was obtained from arginine 100.00 mg l-1. Addition of activated charcoal 0.05 per cent and Cobalt chloride 10.00 mg l-1 increased shoot proliferation rate and shoot length in papaya varieties and hybrids. In vitro rooting was best in full strength MS medium supplemented with IBA 3.00 mg l-1, sucrose 30.00 g l-1and activated charcoal 0.05 per cent. Earliest planting out of in vitro propagated plants in potting media was carried out in papaya variety Pusa Nanha and late planting out in papaya hybrid Pusa Nanha x Coorg Honeydew. Highest plant height of in vitro propagated plants, at time of planting out in potting media was recorded by papaya variety Washington and lowest by papaya hybrid Pusa Nanha x Coorg Honeydew, while hsighest leaf number was reported from papaya variety CO-5 and lowest from Pusa Nanha. But longest root was noticed in papaya hybrid Pusa Nanha x Coorg Honeydew and shortest root from CO-5. No significant difference was noticed in the number of roots produced at the time of planting out in potting media. In vitro propagated plants of papaya had better establishment in the potting mixture containing sand : soil : cowdung (1 : 1 : 1) + Mycorrhiza (1.00 g plant -1). After field establishment, highest plant height and plant girth was noticed in papaya variety Washington and lowest in papaya hybrid Pusa Dwarf x Coorg Honeydew. While highest leaf number upto six weeks after planting was shown by papaya variety CO-5 and thereafter by papaya variety Washington. Lowest leaf number upto eight weeks after planting was noticed in papaya hybrid Solo x Coorg Honeydew and thereafter by papaya hybrid Pusa Dwarf x Coorg Honeydew. Early flowering was reported in papaya hybrid Pusa Dwarf x Coorg Honeydew and late flowering in papaya variety Washington. Most of the papaya varieties and hybrids selected for the present study exhibited only dioecious nature, but papaya hybrid Solo x Coorg Honeydew showed gynodioecious nature. Highest field establishment of in vitro propagated plants was shown by papaya varieties CO-5 and Washington and lowest by papaya hybrid Solo x Coorg Honeydew. Genomic DNA was successfully isolated from four papaya hybrids using CTAB method. All the ten primers (six primers from OPA and four primers from OPB series) yielded amplification products with isolated DNA. A total of 39 RAPDs were obtained from ten primers of which 36 bands were polymorphic. Primers OPA-03, OPA-04, OPA-12, OPB-04 and OPB-17 gave 40 scorable bands, with an average of 8.0 bands per primer. The largest cluster in dendrogram was formed by three hybrids - Pusa Nanha x Coorg Honeydew, Pusa Dwarf x Coorg Honeydew and Pusa Nanha x Solo. The second cluster contained only one hybrid - Solo x Coorg Honeydew. The minimum similarity coefficient detected in the present study was 0.389, suggesting a genetic differentiation among the papaya hybrids.ThesisItem Open Access Performance of phalaenopsis orchids under varying shade levels(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2008) Pavithra, C G; KAU; Sabina George, TOrchids, the most beautiful flowers in god's creation, belongs to the family Orchidaceae. Phalaenopsis called the 'Moth Orchids' are recognised as the most beautiful flowers among orchids. Their long arching sprays of long lasting blooms are very popular throughout the world. One of the critical factors identified for successful growing of orchids is light. Determining the most suitable shade level for early vegetative growth of orchids is important as it influences the pre-flowering period, flower induction and flower production. The present work was thus taken up with a view to assess the performance of three Phalaenopsis cultivars under varying shade levels and to determine the most suitable shade level for early vegetative growth of hardened plants. The experiment was carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture , College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2006 -2007 with a view to assess the performance of Phalaenopsis orchids under varying shade levels and to determine the most suitable shade level for early vegetative growth of hardened plants. The following three commercially grown cultivars of Phalaenopsis orchids were used as the experimental material. The cultivars are Phalaenopsis Hsin, Phalaenopsis Luchia Pink and Phalaenopsis Brother Girl. For the three experiments, shade was provided with black high density polyethylene shade net calibrated for 25 %, 50 % and 75 % shade. Effect of shade and cultivar differences influenced the plant growth, shoot and leaf morphology and physiological and anatomical characteristics of the hardened plants. Among the cultivars, Phalaenopsis Hsin was found to be the best cultivar for obtaining greater number of roots, shoot length, shoot girth, internodal length, length and width of the leaves. Phalaenopsis Brother Girl was found to be the best cultivar for maximum leaf thickness and number of stomata on upper and lower surface of the leaves. Phalaenopsis Luchia Pink was found to be the best cultivar for greater root length and root thickness. The most suitable shade level conducive for shoot length, shoot girth, number of leaves, length and width of the leaves was found to be 50%. The most suitable shade level for greater number of roots, root thickness, thickness of leaves and chlorophyll (b) leaves was found to be 25% The interaction between shade and cultivar differences were also found to influence the performance of hardened plants.ThesisItem Open Access Reorienting the concept of agricultural development in the context of Kerala(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2008) Jaliya, M K; KAU; Joy, MathewIndia’s agrarian culture and economy is in a progressive path of resurrection. The local administrative bodies are vested with increased powers to plan and execute need based development activities. Hence a clear understanding of the concept of agricultural development among the major stakeholders serves as a firm base for development. The present study entitled ‘Reorienting the concept of agricultural development in the context of Kerala’ was carried out in five blocks of Thrissur district, namely, Mullassery, Vadakkanchery, Chavakkad, Chowannur and Ollukkara. Progressive farmers, panchayat presidents, agricultural officers and agricultural scientists were the four groups of respondents selected for the study. An open ended question was formulated to explore, explain and clarify the perceptions of these respondent groups on the concept of agricultural development. The perception differences among the respondent groups were visually depicted by using the tool of concept mapping. It is a type of structured conceptualization that can be used by groups to develop a conceptual framework that can guide evaluation or planning. A ranking schedule with four sub-sections namely, physical dimension, economic dimension, ecological dimension and socio-psychological dimension was prepared after discussing with agricultural experts and incorporating productive suggestions from the different respondent groups. The Comparison of percentage mean scores between various respondent groups conducted after the analysis of the responses of open ended questions revealed that agricultural scientists scored the most (75 %) and farmers scored the least (36.3). The scores of agricultural officers and panchayat presidents were respectively 50 % and 41 %. The extent of perception differences among the four respondent groups regarding the concept of agricultural development was significant when it was compared with the standard definition chosen for the purpose of the present study. It was revealed from the study that the concept map of progressive farmers focused more on production related activities whereas concept map of panchayat presidents also followed suite except that it laid more importance on socio-concern. The concept map of agricultural officers was hinged on participatory approach and committed to social well-being of the society. The concept map of agricultural scientists stood out distinctly from the rest of the concept maps. The major emphasis was on marketing and finance assistance. A model for agricultural development was constructed from ten most preferred activity statements ranked by the four respondent groups among physical, economic, socio-psychological and ecological dimensions. A venn diagram was prepared as a pictoric representation of prioritised statements.ThesisItem Open Access Organic farm produce in Kerala - an economic analysis(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2007) Dana, K; KAU; Jessy, ThomasThe present study on the “Organic farm produce in Kerala – An economic analysis" was conducted to analyse supply pattern, marketing practices, constraints in production and marketing and to study the consumer awareness regarding organic produce. The study was based on the data collected from Poothadi and Panamaram panchayaths in Wayanad districts, where organic farming is taken up on a commercial scale. The general cultivation practices followed in organic was examined and the input wise expenses for selected crops were worked out. Among the inputs organic manure contributed the largest share in most of the crops followed by labour. The yield and return were worked out and the per hectare expenses estimated based on cost component analysis by employing ABC cost concepts. Total cost at C3 level in organic farms was found to be Rs.49116 per hectare and it ranged from Rs. 72374 in Class I farms to Rs 53584 and Rs. 43599 per hectare in Class II and Class III farms respectively. The returns from the organic farms at the aggregate level were worked out to Rs 126706 per farm and it was Rs 50539, Rs. 101742 and Rs 207862 for Class I, Class II and Class III farms respectively. The farm efficiency measures for organic farms were worked out and the benefit cost ratio was found to be 1.58. At the aggregate level, the gross income was found to be Rs. 77496 per hectare and net farm income was Rs. 28379 per hectare. Resource productivity analysis revealed that, bio pesticides, labour and cropping intensity was significantly influenced the gross income. Optimum returns for selected variables were worked out based on the above analysis . The important marketing channels for organic produce were, Producer - Indian organic producer’s company – exporter; Producer – private company – organic market and Producer – local market and the first channel was found to be widely adopted by the farmers. It was found that no marketing cost was involved in the marketing of organic produce in the study area. The major constraints faced by the farmers were lack of fixed price premium, lack of assured markets, scarcity of quality organic manures, lack of financial support during transitional period, competition from fake products, pest and disease control and lack of consumer awareness. The study revealed that 53 per cent of consumers were aware of the market availability of organic produce and the Willingness To Pay Premium (WTPP) was found to be Rs. 4.6 per kilogram of organic vegetables, Rs 7.4 per kilogram of fruits, Rs. 11.9 per kilogram of spices and Rs. 2.5 per kg as price for milk. Logistic regression analysis revealed that awareness with respect to organic produce and income were highly significant and it indicated that the willingness to pay premium was directly related to these variablesThesisItem Open Access Nutritional management of yellowing in arecanut(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2007) Jacob, D; KAU; Mercy, GeorgeYellowing of arecanut is the most serious problem affecting arecanut cultivation. The incidence of yellowing is noticed in isolated patches without any definite pattern. The diagnostic symptoms first appear as yellowing of leaflets in two to three leaves of outermost whorl, with abrupt demarcation between yellow and green regions. Yield in affected palms gets reduced by 30-40 per cent every year and in 3-4 years the entire garden becomes most uneconomical when left without proper management. Experiments of the research project entitled “Nutritional management of yellowing in arecanut” were conducted for three years from October 2003 to September 2006. Three hundred palms, hundred each in toposequences viz. converted paddy field, garden land and terraced upland of Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram districts were studied to develop an yellowing index to quantify yellowing in arecanut. The incidence of yellowing among various toposequences and popular cultivated arecanut varieties were recorded. To develop a management strategy to contain the yellowing, field experiments were laid out in three toposequences viz. converted paddy field, garden land and terraced upland respectively in the farmers’ fields of Thrissur district in RBD using single plant plot with five replications. Treatments involved provision of deep drainage, application of organic manure, lime, sand, sodium silicate, magnesium sulphate, zinc sulphate, borax, ammonium sulphate, urea and three levels of potassium. The index earlier developed by George et al. (1980) was modified as Yellowing index ( I ) = {(Y+N)/L + R} x 10, where Y is the total score for yellowing, N is the total score for necrosis, R is the score for reduction in crown size and L is half the number of leaves in crown. The modified yellowing index utilizes 13 classes in place of earlier 8 classes to score yellowing, 5 classes in place of earlier 3 classes to score necrosis and 5 classes in place of earlier 3 classes to score reduction in crown size, thus enabling precise quantification of yellowing. The highly significant negative correlation of the leaf elemental composition, growth and yield parameters with the yellowing index of experimental arecanut palm in all the three toposequences viz. converted paddy field, garden land and terraced upland clearly validated the reliability of the index. The survey done in Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram district showed that highest percentage of healthy palms are existing in garden land situations. Among the three toposequences, garden land was found to be inherently more productive and supportive to arecanut cultivation than converted paddy field and terraced upland due to its physiograhic layout. The severity of the yellowing incidence was more in terraced uplands followed by converted paddy field possibly due to the imbalanced availability and uptake of nutrient elements aggravated by excessive leaching of nutrient elements in terraced uplands, and due to impeded drainage in converted paddy field. Survey also showed that local cultivars remained healthier than any of the high yielding varieties such as Kasargode local, Mangala, Mohitnagar and Sumangala as local cultivars recorded the lowest incidence of yellowing. The local cultivars being comparatively healthy could be selected and used as elite mother palms for replanting in severely yellowing affected areas. Incidence of root rotting was found mainly confined to 16 percent of yellowing affected palms grown in converted paddy field alone. Presence of well drained soils in garden land and terraced upland might have resulted in absence of root rotting in arecanut palms grown under these toposequences. Incidence of both root xylem blockage and presence of phytoplasma in root phloem were found to occur simultaneously in the same yellowing affected palms. However these two phenomena were also found to occur independently of each other in yellowing affected palms irrespective of the toposequences under which the palms were cultivated. In the converted paddy situation, provision of deep drainage and additional lime application have created a condition congenial for balanced uptake of nutrients as shown by enhanced calcium, magnesium and sulphur contents and reduced phosphorus contents in leaf. The deep drainage treatment increased the nut weight and kernel weight by 3.5g to 1.5g respectively. This increase has helped to maintain the yield even with a reduction in number of nuts palms-1 occurred over the years in unfertilized treatments. Application of fertilizers at 100:40:140g palm-1 in conjunction with deep drainage and additional lime application increased the chali yield by 1001 to 1138 kg ha-1. Sulphur application along with this has further increased the yield to the level of 1289 to 1412 kg ha-1 under converted paddy field. Changing the N:K ratio to supply nutrients at 100:40:200 g NPK palm-1 increased the yield by 1138 to 1344 kg ha-1. S application together with this enhanced rate further increased the yield by 1385 to 1590 kg ha-1 under converted paddy field. Enhanced rate of potassium, combined with magnesium and sulphur application resulted in the highest chali yield of 3.22 kg palm-1 (4415 kg ha-1). This treatment resulted in the least yellowing index and highest content of chlorophyll, nitrogen, sulphur and magnesium in the plant under converted paddy field. Under garden land situation, additional application of organic manure by 5 kg ha-1 alone has not reflected in the yield increase but has improved the leaf elemental composition particularly that of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and magnesium. Additional quantity of lime over farmers’ practise has helped to increase the soil pH and thereby availability and content of calcium in plants. Under garden land situation, fertilizer application at 100:40:140 g ha-1 increased the yield by 1069 kg ha-1. Additional organic matter @5 kg palm-1 increased the yield by 1316 kg ha-1 over pre experiment yield. Enhancement of N:K ratio to 1:2 or 1:2.5 without sulphur application did not increase the yield. However together with sulphur application, notable yield increase by 1289 kg h-1 at 1:2 and by 1412 kg ha-1 at 1:2.5 ratio was resulted under garden land. Highest yield of 3.99 kg palm-1 (5470 kg ha-1) which was 1604 kg more than pre application of treatments was resulted from the treatment which received 100:40:250 g NPK combined with 60 g of magnesium sulphate. Nitrogen application through ammonium sulphate was better than urea since it contained sulphur. Boron application as 20 g borax has also increased yield by 0.97 kg palm-1 resulting in 5265 kg ha-1 which was 1330 kg more than pre application of treatments under garden land. Under terraced upland, nutrient application through sulphur containing fertilizers have found to increase the yield considerably. Fertilizer application at 100:40:250 g NPK palm-1 with 20 g borax was found to give 3.44 kg palm-1 (4716 kg ha-1) and with 20 g zinc sulphate gave 3.38 kg palm-1 (4634 kg ha-1). Application of magnesium sulphate has significantly reduced the yellowing index and increased the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and total chlorophyll which in turn resulted in high dry matter production.ThesisItem Open Access Micro irrigation and polythene mulching in oriental pickling melon (cucumis melo var.conomon(L.) makino)(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2009) Anoop, N C; KAU; Joseph, P AA field experiment on micro irrigation and polythene mulching in oriental pickling melon (Cucumis melo var. conomon (L.) Makino) was conducted during the summer season of December 2004 to March 2005 in the summer rice fallows of Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy, Thrissur. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of combinations of five irrigation methods (drip, microtube, bubbler, wick and basin irrigations) and three mulch treatments (control, black LDPE mulching in the basin and in the entire interspace). The variety used in the study was Mudicode. The study revealed that mulching with black LDPE enhanced soil moisture retention in soil, growth, yield, water use efficiency and economic parameters than control. Mulching in the entire interspace with black LDPE was superior to basin mulching alone. Number of branches per vine, length of vines, number of leaves per vine, leaf area and dry matter production at harvest were highest in full mulching. Similarly, full mulching with black LDPE recorded the highest male and female flowers per plant and female to male flower ratio. In the setting percentage, basin mulching recorded 10 per cent more setting over control, while full mulching increased it by five per cent. Mulch had no significant influence on fruit characteristics like mean fruit weight, girth and volume. Full mulching enhanced number of fruits per plant by 27 per cent and basin mulching by 20.5 per cent over control. While full mulching increased fruit yield per hectare by 28 per cent over control, basin mulching increased it over control by 20 percent. Full mulching checks weed growth by 100 percent and enhanced leaf contents of N and K. Due to checking of evaporation from soil, soil moisture content was higher by 8.3 to 16.7 per cent laterally to a distance of 60 cm from the centre of the pit and higher by 10.6 to 14.2 per cent depth wise to a depth of 60 cm over control. Mean seasonal consumptive use and crop coefficient values were the least in full mulched plots. Full mulching and basin mulching increased field water use efficiency by 28.0 and 20.0 and crop water use efficiency by 40.8 and 30.8 per cent, respectively over control. Economic analysis revealed that net profit increased by Rs. 51,838 (33.4 per cent) and Rs. 40,787 (26.3 per cent) by full mulching and basin mulching, respectively over control. Among the irrigation methods, oriental pickling melon responded best to wick method. Though basin irrigation promoted better vegetative characters, its favourable influence on yield characters were not visible. Wick irrigation recorded higher fruit setting percentage than other methods. Though basin irrigation recorded 12.6 to 33.8 per cent more fruits per plant than other methods, average fruit weight was significantly the lowest in basin method. Wick irrigation recorded the highest mean fruit weight of 1236 g while basin irrigation recorded the lowest weight of 963.5 g. Highest fruit yield was recorded in wick irrigation (46.34 t ha-1) followed by microtube method (42.75 t ha-1) and basin irrigation (40.97 t ha-1). Though basin irrigation retained higher moisture in soil, radially as well depth wise compared to other methods it was not reflected in fruit yield. Though basin irrigation recorded the lowest mean seasonal consumptive use, it recorded the lowest FWUE. Wick irrigation recorded the highest net return (Rs. 2,13,306 ha-1) and net income per rupee invested (3.29). The combination of mulching with black LDPE and irrigation methods increased fruit yield, water use efficiency, net profit and net return per rupee invested over the individual effects of irrigation. Best fruit yield and net profit were obtained when wick irrigation was combined with mulching with entire interspace with black LDPE.ThesisItem Open Access Documentation and quality evaluation of selected traditional foods of central zone of Kerala(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2009) Aneena, E R; KAU; Indira, VThe study entitled “Documentation and quality evaluation of traditional foods of central zone of Kerala” was taken up with the objectives of identifying and collecting information on the various traditional foods of central zone of Kerala and documenting their mode of processing, and evaluating quality characteristics of the selected less used traditional foods. The study was conducted in four districts namely Eranakualm, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram comprising the central zone of Kerala. Senior citizens who possess the details of traditional food items and preparations in each locality were selected as the respondents. The respondents were categorised based on the communities they represent. Details of traditional food habits with respect to preference for traditional foods, the reasons for the preference, frequency of preparation of traditional foods, traditional foods prepared during special occasions, festivals/rituals and during physiological conditions and traditional foods included for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks were collected from the selected respondents. Transition that occurred in the traditional food pattern and in the preparation of traditional foods was also collected. Quality evaluation of selected traditional foods was conducted at laboratory level with respect to chemical constituents, acceptability and microbial growth. The foods were packed in suitable packaging materials and stored under different conditions and the quality evaluation of foods was carried out during storage. Majority of the respondents preferred traditional foods due to their health benefits and palatability. Most of the respondents prepared traditional foods for break fast and lunch and also prepared different traditional snack items. Most of the respondents did not prepare traditional health foods at home due to the laborious procedure involved in the preparation and the commercial availability of these products. Respondents belonging to different communities prepared various traditional foods during special occasions, festivals/rituals and consumed traditional foods during different physiological conditions. Most of the respondents included traditional food items for breakfast and lunch. Changes were observed in the traditional food pattern and traditional foods over different years with respect to ingredients, method of preparation and vessels/ utensils used for preparation. The recent trend of food consumerism was portrayed by the increased frequency of eating out habits, purchase of instant mixes and bakery items. From the traditional food items collected, twelve traditional foods namely inderiyappam, kala kala, kaliyadakka, karinellikka, madhura puttu, manda, muttayappam, niracha pathiri, paniyaram, poruvelangai, rankayyan and vishu katta and three beverages namely, cherunaranga then vellam, inji paneeyam and paanakam which were least used, nutritionally viable and organoleptically acceptable were selected and replicated under laboratory level. Quality evaluation of these foods was conducted initially and during storage. Evaluation of the chemical composition of the traditional foods showed that most of the traditional foods are rich in certain macro and micro nutrients. Organoleptic evaluation of the replicated foods indicated that most of the traditional foods were acceptable to the younger generation. The replicated traditional foods were packed in suitable packaging materials and stored under ambient or ambient and refrigerated conditions for different intervals. Among the different replicated foods inderiyappam, muttayappam, niracha pathiri, rankayyan and vishu katta were highly perishable and could be stored only for a day. The quality attributes of paanakam, cherunaranga then vellam and inji paneeyam also decreased considerably during storage. From the present study, it was found that the selected traditional food items could be replicated under the prevailing conditions without change in their quality aspects. Hence, these technologies should be popularised as an attempt to conserve the traditional cuisines of Kerala.