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Open Access
Standardisation of fertilizer schedule for export oriented production of bhindi
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Sajitharani, T; KAU; Pushpakumari, R
An experiment was conducted at the instructional farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani to find out the effect of different levels of fertilizers and their split application on the growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake of bhindi. Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench. The treatments consisted of four levels of nutrients Viz. (330: 110: 220 kg N2 P2O5 & K2O), the present T & V recommendation, 2/3 of the T & V recommendation, 1/3 of the T & V recommendation and 50: 8: 30 kg NP2O5 & K2O per hectare the present package of practices recommendation and 3 methods of application viz. nutrients in 2 splits, 4 splits and 6 splits. The results revealed that nutrient levels significantly influenced most of the growth and yield contributing characters and yield of bhindi. Biometric characters like plant height, LAI, CGR, DMP and yield contributing characters like days to 50 percent flowering, number of flowers formed, number of fruits formed total yield of fruits and quality parameters like protein content and ascorbic acid content increased with increasing levels of nutrients, recording their maximum value at F1 level, (T and V recommendation). Uptake of nutrients by plants, fruits and total was also maximum for the same treatment. However yield attributes viz. setting percentage, length and girth of fruits etc. remain unchanged with increasing levels of nutrients. Application of fertilizer nutrients in different splits viz. 2,4 or 6 cause significant variation in some of the growth and yield characters. An increase in the plant height at 60 DAS, DMP, days taken for 50 percent flowering and uptake of nutrients was noticed when nutrients were supplied in two equal splits, viz half as basal and half 30 DAS (S1). On the other hand the ascorbic acid content in fruits was maximum when nutrients were applied in six splits. Application of nutrients in 6 splits caused a significant reduction in the crude fibre content also. From the economic point of view, the maximum net profit of Rs.13682.54 was obtained by F3 level (2/3 of T and V recommendation) and Rs.14710.8 by S1 (2 equal splits half as basal and half 30 DAS).
Open Access
Evaluation of low cost techniques in potted vegetables grown in roof gardens
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Roshni, C C; KAU; Geethakumari, V L
A pot culture study was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani to evaluate the lowcost techniques in potted vegetables and to compare the efficiency of various techniques for economising water use in vegetables. The experiment was conducted with chilli cultivar ‘Jwalasakhi’ as test crops. The treatments included three levels of irrigation (I3-60, I2-80 and I1-100 per cent field capacity), two methods of irrigation (M1- indigenous auto irrigator using hospital drip and M2-pot watering) and three moisture conservation methods (c0-control without any conservation, C1-application of coir pith and c2-application of Jalasakhti). One absolute control viz., wick irrigation was compared with other treatments. Potting mixture prepared by mixing sand, soil and cowdung in 1:1:1 proportion by weight was used as the rooting medium. The medium was low in available nitrogen, high in available phosphorus and low in available potassium. The field capacity and permanent wilting point were 18.4 and 7.4 per cent respectively. The experiment was laid out in completely randomised design with six replications. The results of the investigation are summarised below. Plant height, branches, LAI at harvest, DMP, S: R ratio and root dry weight at different growth stages differed significantly with methods, levels of irrigation and conservation methods. All these parameters were better under wick irrigation, 100 per cent FC and coir pith mulching. Whereas drip irrigation recorded maximum LAI at initial stages and tap root length. All yield parameters like number of flowers plant-1, fruit plant -1, fruit girth, fruit volume and hundred fruit weight were better under wick irrigation followed by drip irrigation. Among the moisture regimes 100 per cent FC registered better values for all the yield attributes. Coir pith mulching top seeded with respect to these characters. Maximum yield was obtained for wick irrigation, 100 percent FC and coir pith mulching. With respect to WUE, coir pith mulching followed the same pattern as yield. Whereas drip irrigation recorded maximum WUE and 80 per cent FC resulted in higher WUE compared to the other two irrigation regimes. Uptake of N, P and K were maximum in wick irrigation and coir pith mulching. N and K uptake were maximum at 100 per cent FC, but P uptake was high at 80 per cent FC. Under all levels of irrigation, maximum yield and WUE were obtained by drip irrigation and coir pith mulching. Coir pith mulching revealed its superiority under both methods of irrigation with respect to yield and WUE. Maximum yield was obtained at drip irrigation at 100 per cent FC with coir pith mulching while maximum WUE was obtained at drip irrigation at 80 per cent FC with coir pith mulching. Maximum profit was realised by drip irrigation at 100 per cent FC with coir pith mulching. With drip irrigation and coir pith mulching 20 per cent water can be saved without much reduction in yield.
Open Access
Influence of date of sowing and levels of irrigation on the growth and yield of water melon (citrullus lanatus) grown in rice fallows
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Siby Neendissery, T; KAU; Balakrishna Pillai, P
An experiment was conducted at the Rice Research Station, Mannuthy, Thrissur during the period from November 1990 to April 1991 to study the influence of date os sowing and levels of irrigation on the growth and yield of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) grown in rice fallows. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The treatment consisted of seven dates of sowing (November Ist, November 16th, December 16th, December 32st, January 15th and January 30th) in the main plot and four levels of irrigation (IW/CPE ratio of 1.0, IW/CPE ratio of 0.75, IW/CPE ratio of 0.50, pot watering -1 pot per day per pit) in the sub plot. Observations on various morphological characters, flowering and yield attributes were recorded during the course of investigation. Soil moisture observations were taken before, and 24 hours after irrigation to compute consumptive use and soil moisture depletion. The daily values of various weather elements recorded at the meterological observatory were collected to work out the crop weather relationship. The plants irrigated daily (10 litre/pit/day) were superior to others with regard to vine length, date of picking maturity, date and number of male and female flower production, number of fruits, fruit girth, weight, yield and total dry matter production, but was on par with IW/CPE ratio of 1.0. Irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 was superior with regard to the number of nodes for female flower production and number of seeds per fruit. Irrigation treatment IW/CPE ratio of 0.50 recorded the highest sex ratio, hundred seed weight and T.S.S. content. The crop sown on November 16th was superior to others with regard to most of the crop characters. The crop weather relationship studies showed that the temperature range during flowering and early fruit development (3rd to 7th week), maximum temperature during fruit development (7th to 10th week) and relative humidity during maturity (11th to 13th week) negatively correlated with yield. While for total dry matter production there was a negative correlation between temperature range during flowering (3rd to 5th week), maximum temperature during fruit development and early maturity (8th to 11th week) and relative humidity during maturity (11th to 13th week). It was found that irrigation and sowing date has a significant effect on overall growth and yield of the crop. The highest yield was recorded in crop sown on November 16th irrigated daily (10 litre/pit /day). The best performance may be attributed to the optimum weather conditions during the crop period and the effective utilisation of water. From the soil moisture studies it is evident that the consumptive use increased with the frequency of irrigation. The top 15 cm of the soil layer accounted for the highest soil moisture depletion. The depletion was more from the deeper layers in the drier regimes. The water use efficiency was highest for the plants irrigated at IW/CPE ratio of 0.5. sown on November 16th. Results of the present experiment indica that at Mannuthy and surrounding water melon can be successfully raised in rice fallows if irrigated daily (10 litre/pit/day.) and sown in the middle of November.
Open Access
Nutrient management for intercropped colocasia esculenta var thamarakannan
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Rajasree, J; KAU; Oommen, M
Field experiments were conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani to study the effect of nitrogen and potassium on growth and yield of Colocasia and uptake pattern of major nutrients under open and intercropped situations in coconut gardens. The treatments in the experiment consisted of a combination of three levels of N) 40, 60 and 80 kg/ha) and three levels of K (80, 120 and 160 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in 32 factorial RBD. Different growth attributes like plant height, number of leaves plant-1and LAI were maximum when N @ 60 kg/ha and K @ 160 kg/ha were applied under open condition. Under intecropped situations N @ 40 kg/ha and K @ 160 kg/ha recorded the maximum values for these characters. The yield attributes viz., number of cormels/plant, mean weight of cormels, cormel and corm yield/plant, and harvest index gave maximum values when N @ 60 kg/ha and K @ 160 kg/ha were applied under open condition. In the intercropped situation, the highest values were obtained when N and K were applied @ 40 and 160 kg/ha. Nitrogen @ 60 kg/ha and K @ 160 kg/ha gave the highest yield of marketable tubers under open condition while K @ 160 kg/ha gave the maximum yield under intercropped situation. Nitrogen had no influence on yield of marketable tubers under intercropped situations. Pottasium application increased the starch percentage of tubers and 160 kg K/ha resulted in the maximum value under open and intercropped situations. Plant uptake of N, P and K were influenced by increasing levels of K and was highest at the highest level of K in both open and intercropped situations. Available N and P content of the soil was not influenced by N and K levels under open condition, while the available K was maximum when 160 kg/ha was applied in both open and intercropped situations. Maximum benefit cost ratio and net returns were obtaining by the application of N and K @ 60 kg/ha and 160 kg/ha respectively under open conditions and 40kg/ha and 160 kg/ha respectively under intercropped situation with coconut.
Open Access
Agronomic evaluation of rice cultivars for rainfed conditions of Kerala
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Sheela, K R; KAU; Thomas, Alexander
Two field experiments were conducted at the Cropping Systems Research Centre, Karamana and one pot culture trial at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1991 and 1992, to select a suitable rice variety and nutrient level required for maximum rice production in the rainfed wetlands of Southern Kerala. The influence of seed hardening in inducing stress tolerance was also studied. In the study, experiment I included a pot culture trial with six varieties, viz., Jaya, Culture -4, M-102, Rasi, Ravi and Tulasi and six methods of seed hardening viz., water, triazole, NaH2PO4, KCI, cowdung extract treatments and a control in two moisture regimes. The significant results of the study were tested in the field. Experiment 2 included these six varieties and three nutrient levels, viz., 100, 75 and 50 per cent of recommended dose for medium duration varieties (90 : 45 : 45 kg N, P2o5 and K2o) and was conducted as a factorial experiment in RBD during the first crop season of 1991 and 1992. The results of the germination study revealed that KCI concentration of 2.50 per cent was ideal for seed hardening. Seed hardening improved germination of all the varieties and water treatment registered the highest vigour index values. In pot culture, Culture – 4 with water treatment registered the highest biomass production, grain and straw yields. The variety, Jaya had the highest root weight and root : shoot ratio. Among the seed treatments, water, KCI and triazole treatments favourably influenced the yield attributes, yield, root parameters and root : shoot ratio. Increasing the moisture regime from 50 to 100 per cent available water enhanced the growth characters, RWC, chlorophyll and decreased the proline content. The subsequent field trial with the highest grain yielding varieties and seed treatments confirmed the superiority of Rasi and Tulasi for increased grain yield, net income and benefit : cost ratio. The different seed treatments also had favourable influence on the above characters. The results of experiment 2 revealed that M – 102 recorded the highest plant height during both the years, while, Tulasi and Rasi had higher tiller number. The varieties, M-102 and Rasi registered higher straw yield than the others. Increased nutrient levels improved growth characters and straw yield. Pooled analysis of grain yield revealed that the varieties, Jaya, Rasi and Tulasi were good yielders and 75 per cent of the recommended nutrient level was sufficient to obtain high grain yield under rainfed conditions. Increased RWC values were observed in the drought tolerant varieties, Ravi, Tulasi and Rasi and at increased nutrient levels. Proline eontent was unaffected by varieties and nutrient levels. The variety, Jaya registered the highest uptake of major nutrients during 1991 while, Tulasi, Rasi and M-102 had higher uptake than the others during 1992. The highest nutrient level recorded the maximum uptake during both the years. Among the varieties, Jaya, Tulasi, Culture – 4 and Rasi recorded high net income and benefit : cost ratio. Among the nutrient levels, the variation between 100 and 75 per cent recommended nutrient dose was not significant with regard to net income and benefit : cost ratio. Under rainfed conditions, 75 per cent of the recommended nutrient dose was sufficient for the varieties, Jaya, Rasi and Tulasi to obtain commensurate yield, net income and benefit : cost ratio. Moreover, the yield and economic returns could be increased by resorting to seed hardening methods.
Open Access
Phosphorus & molybdeum nutrition in cowpea
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Annie, Philp; KAU; Geethga Kumari, V L
An investigation was undertaken at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period from April to November 1990 with the objective of assessing the interaction effect between phosphorus and molybdenum on the growth and yield of cowepea. The investigation comprised of an initial pot culture study followed by field experiment. The results of the study indicated that seed coating of molybdenum was better than seed imbibition. Application of phosphorus at the rate of 30.0 kg P2O5/ha increased the height and branching and resulted in maximum LAI, nodule number and weight, chlorophyll content, maximum length of pod, hundred seed weight and highest grain yield of 1152.67 kg/ha. Maximum uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and molybdenum was recorded at this level. The maximum available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of the soil after the experiment was also recorded at this level. Seed treatment with molybdenum (1.5 and 2.5 kg sodium molybdate/kg of seed) favourably influenced the growth of cowpea by increasing the height of plant, number of branches, LAI, nodulation and chlorophyll content. Yield attributes such as number of pods/plant, pod length, number of seeds/pod and hundred seed weight increased significantly at these levels. Maximum and significant value for grain yield and dry matter production was recorded by the application of molybdenum at the rate of 1.5 g sodium molybdate/kg of seed. Maximum uptake of nitrogen, potassium and molybdenum was noted at the level of 2.5 g sodium molybdate/kg of seed. Seed treatment with 1.5 and 2.5 g sodium molybdate/kg of seed, significantly influenced the available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium status of the soil after experiment. Combined effect of phosphorus and molybdenum was beneficial in improving the growth and yield of cowpea. Treatment that received 22.5 kg P2O5/ha in conjunction with 1.5 g sodium molybdate/kg of seed recorded maximum value for branching, LAI, chlorophyll content, pods/plant, seeds/pod, pod length, hundred seed weight, harvest index, crude protein content and grain yield of 1287 kg/ha. Highest dry matter production (3455 kg/ha was also recorded at this level of phosphorus and molybdenum. Maximum uptake of nitrogen was recorded by the application of 22.5 kg P2O5/ha in combination with 2.5 g sodium molybdate/kg of seed. The uptake of molybdenum was significantly higher in treatments that received 30.0 kg P2O5/ha and 2.5 g sodium molybdate/kg of seed. Highest phosphorus uptake was recorded by the treatment that received 37.5 kg P2O5/ha in conjunction with 0.5 g sodiuum molybdate/kg of seed. The present investigation revealed that for the variety C-152 a combination of 22.5 kg P2O5/ha with 1.5 g sodium molybdate/kg of seed gave maximum yield and maximum profit. Based on the dose response relationship economic optimum dose for phosphorus was found to be 28 kg P2O5/ha and that of molybdenum 1.37 g sodium molybdate/kg of seed.
Open Access
Assessment of nitrification rates of soils and screening of plant materials for nitrification inhibition properties
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Rekha, C; KAU; Vikraman Nair, R
The present study ‘assessment of nitrification rates of soils and screening of plant materials for nitrification inhibition properties’ was conducted during January 1993 to August 1993 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Trichur. The three soil types, laterite, alluvial and forest were used for nitrification rate assessment. The two soil types, laterite and alluvial were taken from different locations of variable crop association. A total of 13 samples were assessed. One soil sample with the maximum rate of nitrification from these were taken for screening of plant materials for nitrification inhibition properties. Fourteen different locally available plant materials were chosen for screening using N-Serve and neem cake as the standard inhibitors for comparison. Nitrification rate in nearly all the soil was low and there was no appreciable conversion of NH4 from to NO3. A distinct crop associated influence on nitrification rate was absent in the soils studied. The only exception was the alluvial sample with banana as the associated crop and this soil was hence chosen for screening of plant materials. N-Serve was found to be the most effective nitrification inhibitor. Among the plant materials tested, cashew shell was the only material which showed a distinct advantage over other materials including neem cake. Highest mean values in plant height and number of leaves at different growth stages and dry matter production, N content and N uptake were observed in the treatment receiving cashew shell. Other useful materials identified were tobacco waste, calotropis leaf, neem leaf and castor cake.
Open Access
Seed production potential of guinea grass cv rivers dale under different management techniques
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Krishnan, K; KAU; Tajuddin, E
Two field experiments were conducted at farm unit of Kerala Livestock Development Board, Dhoni, Palakkad on a gravely clay-loam during May 1992 to May 1993. The objective of the experiments was to investigate the seed production potential of Guinea grass (panicum maximum jacq.) cv Riverdale under different management techniques. First experiment was laid out in randomized block design with fifteen combinations of three types of cutting management (c1-two seed harvest only, c2-one fodder cut and two subsequent seed harvest, C3-two fodder cut and one seed harvest) and five stages of seed harvest (10,15, 20 25 and 30 days after panicle emergence) replicated thrice. Second experiment was laid out in partially confounded factorial design with twenty seven combination of different levels of N, P and K (N0, N100, N200, P0, P40, P80, K0, K30, K60 kg/ha.). The data collected from the experiment were statistically analysed. The abstract of the study is presented below: Highest seed yield 167 kg/ha. Was obtained from the Guinea grass cv Riversdale when transplanted at a spacing of 60x60 cm, fertilized with 100 kg N, 80kg P205 and 60kg K20 and left without cutting till flowering during the first season and one subsequent seed harvest in the second season. The crop residue received after seed harvest was poor in quality containing higher percentage of crude fibre. A livestock farmer cannot afford to feed his cattle with low quality fodder through out the year. If he can meet both requirement of his livestock and his own demand of seed and the surplus quantity of seed for sale that could be the best management. A cutting management with one fodder cut in the beginning of the season and subsequent seed harvest serves best the purpose with a seed yield of 127 kg/ha. The ideal stage of harvest of seed crop to obtain maximum seed yield is considered to be 10 to 15 days after panicle emergence. The seed yield decreases with delayed harvest (20, 25, 30 days after emergence of panicle). The problem aggravates during the dry seasons. The study showed that the seed quality was on par in all stages of harvest. N, P and K fertilizer application upto 200, 80, 60 kg/ha respectively was not effective in increasing either the fodder or seed yield probably due to the high inherent fertility status of the soil of experimental site.
Open Access
Effect of time of sowing and weed management on the performance of dry sown rainfed rice
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Jacob John; KAU; Thomas Alexander, V
An experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the first crop season of 1992 to study the effect of time of sowing and weed management on the performance of dry sown rainfed rice using Onam variety. Split plot experiment in randomised block design with time of sowing as major treatments and weed management as minor treatments was adopted and the treatments replicated thrice. May 16, May 23 and May 30 were the first, second the third dates of sowing respectively. The weed management treatments included combination of butachlor with 2, 4-D, butachlor with hand weeding, hand weeding twice 20 and 40 DAS, complete weed free and un weeded control. Sowing on May 23 resulted in greater plant height, panicle weight, grain and straw yield, nutrient uptake, grain protein and lesser uptake of phosphorus and potash by weeds when compared to May 16 and May 30. The second best sowing date was May 16. When compared to un weeded control, hand weeding twice, combination of butachlor with hand weeding and butchlor with 2, 4-D gave higher plant height, tiller number, productive tiller number, panicle weight, thousand grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, nutrient uptake and grain protein out of which hand weeding was the best. Hand weeding also resulted in the lowest weed population, weed dry weight, nutrient uptake by weeds, weed index and the highest weed control efficiency. Initially, butachlor alone was ineffective in reducing weed population and its dry weight. However, the combination of butachlor with 2,4-D and butachlor with hand weeding was effective in later stages. The combination of butachlor with hand weeding resulted in higher weed control efficiency than butachlor with 2,4-D. The rice grains contained no applied weedicide residues. Hand weeding, combination of butachlor with hand weeding and butachlor with 2,4-D resulted in greater profit and benefit – cost ratio than un weeded control. However, the highest profit was obtained with hand weeding twice.

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