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Open Access
Nutrient Management for yield and quality improvement in Kacholam
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2012) Kavitha, P R; KAU; Meera, Menon V
Kacholam (Kaempferia galanga L.) is an important medicinal and aromatic plant of the Zingiberaceae family. In India, kacholam is cultivated throughout the plains for the rhizomes. The economic produce of kacholam is the chopped and dried rhizomes of 6-7 months maturity. Dried rhizomes are used in bulk quantities in ayurvedic medicine and in the cosmetic industry. It is used for curing inflammatory wounds, skin disorders, piles, oedema, fever, epilepsy, splenic disorders and asthma. The constituents of the rhizome oil include para methoxy ethyl cinnamate (60.24 % of the oil), ethyl cinnamate (20.66%), cineol, borneol, 3-carene, camphene, kaempferol, kaempferide and cinnamaldehyde. There is immense scope for cultivation of kacholam in Kerala, as the climatic and soil conditions are optimally suited to its growth and development. Kacholam can be grown as an intercrop in coconut gardens and it has attained the status of a cash crop of homesteads. Though there is an approved ad hoc recommendation of organic manures as well as N, P and K for kacholam, there are reports that the K dose is inadequate. Also, considering the low availability and high cost, the present organic manure recommendation of 20 tonnes ha-1 is rather unaffordable. There are also reports about the inadequacy in the availability of secondary nutrients viz., S, Ca and Mg, which may affect yield and quality of kacholam. A field experiment was conducted during 2011-2012 in the coconut garden of Water Management Research Unit, Vellanikkara to evaluate the effect of varying doses of K and secondary nutrients on yield and quality of kacholam. There were 12 treatments with 3 replications each. Treatments consisted of package of practices (POP) recommendation of 20 tonnes farmyard manure along with 50:50:50 kg N, P and K ha-1 and combinations with S, Ca, Mg and extra dose of K applied as first and second top dressing. Rhizomes were planted at a spacing of 20 x 15 cm and planting was done on 3/ 06/ 2011. Harvesting was done seven months after planting. Observations included biometric observations taken at monthly intervals, nutrient contents at 2 ½ and 5 months after planting, and at harvest. Nutrient uptakes was also worked out. Essential oil and oleoresin in rhizomes were also analysed. The soil pH and chemical parameters were analysed before and after the experiment. There were significant differences among treatments with respect to yield, essential oil, oleoresin, nutrient contents and nutrient uptake. With respect to yield, the treatment receiving S applied either at first top dressing or at second top dressing and that with S, Ca and Mg recorded highest yields as compared to other treatments. Essential oil content also showed the same trend as that of yield. But in case of oleoresin, the content was more only in the treatments receiving S as first and second top dressing. This treatment resulted in highest uptake of all nutrients except Ca at harvest. Application of the secondary nutrients thus had a direct positive effect on yield and quality. Changing the N:K ratio of present NPK recommendation resulted in reduction of yield and other quality parameters. The yield and quality parameters with the reduced organic manure dose were found similar to the present POP. Increased phosphorus content of soil observed after experimentation indicated the possibility of reducing the recommended phosphorus dose. Supplementing S, Ca and Mg with a reduced organic manure dose is also to be tested.
Open Access
Production potential of cereal fodder crops under various tillage practices in rice fallows.
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Gintu, George; KAU; Prameela, P
In order to test the feasibility of raising cereal fodders in rice fallows under various tillage systems an experiment entitled “Production potential of cereal fodder crops under various tillage practices in rice fallows” was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications during the period from November 2009 to February 2010. The main plots had tillage practices as treatments which included zero tillage with and without herbicide application (M1 and M2), minimum tillage (M3) and normal tillage (M4). The subplots had three treatments, viz., fodder cereals; maize (S1), sorghum (S2) and bajra (S3). Analysis of data on herbage yield of the three fodders under different tillage practices showed that the herbicide based zero tillage, minimum tillage and normal tillage practices resulted in comparable yields (20.72, 18.72 and 18.08 t/ha). Zero tillage without herbicide application resulted in significantly lower yield (11.69 t/ha). Growth parameters like plant height, leaf area index, leaf stem ratio, shoot root ratio etc. recorded at various growth stages also showed the favourable influence of minimum and herbicide based zero tillage on plant growth. Among the cereal fodders, maize recorded significantly higher yield of 20.19 t/ha followed by sorghum with 15.91 t/ha and bajra with 15.81 t/ha. Considering tillage practices and crops together, the highest B: C ratio of 3.31 was realized when maize was grown under herbicide based zero tillage closely followed by maize under minimum tillage with a B: C ratio of 3.24. Of the other two crops, bajra was found to be more profitable than sorghum. Like maize, herbicide based zero tillage resulted in a higher B: C ratio (3.0) for bajra than other tillage treatments. The yield reduction in zero tillage without herbicide application was mainly due to weeds. A study of weed spectrum showed that dicots were the major weed flora followed by grasses and sedges. The weed population and weed dry matter production were the highest in zero tillage without herbicide application followed by minimum and herbicide based tillage and the least was in normal tillage. Weed dry matter production in zero tilled without herbicide plot was 1545 kg/ha compared to a much lower dry matter accumulation of 193 kg/ha in normal tillage plot. The silage made from all the three cereal fodders was found to be of good quality with golden yellow colour, pleasant smell and a pH ranging from 3.8 to 4.2. In silage prepared without the addition of molasses, pH was found to be slightly higher (4.2) compared to silage prepared with molasses as additive (3.9). The study revealed that fodder maize under herbicide based zero tillage was the best with regard to yield and B: C ratio. However, for a herbicide free production system, maize grown under minimum tillage is preferred due to its equally good performance.
Open Access
Production protocol for organic tomato : (lycopersicon esculentum mill.).
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Abijith, Kumar V P; KAU; Girija, Devi L (Guide)
The research project entitled ‘Production protocol for organic tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)’ was conducted at the Instructional Farm attached to the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the year 2009-2010 to study the effects of organic nutrition and spacing and their interaction upon growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake of tomato and to assess the residual effect of organic nutrition on the succeeding crop. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of four levels of nutrients, N1 (full nitrogen substitution as organic), N2 (75% nitrogen only and as organic), N3 (50% nitrogen only and as organic) and N4 (Package of Practices Recommendations ‘Crops’: 2007 of Kerala Agricultural University) and three spacing viz., S1 (60 cm x 60 cm), S2 (60 cm x 45 cm) and S3 (60 cm x 30 cm). Before transplanting, the seedlings were given a root dip in Pseudomonas flourescens culture against bacterial wilt disease. The experiment was laid out as 4 x 3 factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with 3 replications. The number of treatments were 12 replication-1. Common treatments such as neem seed oil-garlic emulsion spray, pseudomonas spraying, trichoderma incorporation in the soil and uniform mulching at different intervals were also undertaken. From the results it was found that integrated supply of nutrients through FYM and chemical fertilizers gave the highest fruit yield in tomato. Among the different spacing, the widest spacing of 60 cm x 60 cm recorded the highest fruit yield plant-1. The interaction effects were significant with the highest yield in the combination where the individual effects of nutrient levels as well as spacing were significantly the highest, viz., N4S1. The fruit weight was also the highest in the same treatments and the crop duration the modest. The lowest fruit weight and the shortest duration of crop was observed in N3. The widest spaced plants produced the highest fruit weight and the combination involving POP recommendation and the widest spacing (N4S1) again produced the heaviest fruits. The fruit quality and appearance was also found the best in N1 and N4 when compared to other two levels. Spacing had no effect on the quality characters while the interaction between nutrient levels and spacing had significant effect on lycopene and TSS content with N1S1 giving the highest values for them. The dry weight of plants was found the highest in N1 and in the widest spacing (S1) and among the interaction the same combination produced the highest plant dry weight (N1S1). The nutrient uptake especially N and P was found the highest in N4 and K in N1. In closer planting the nutrient uptake was the highest consequent to the increase in population. The organic carbon and available nutrient status after the experiment was the highest in N1. The effect of nutrient levels and spacing were significant in benefit-cost ratio at the normal market price as well as the premium prices of the produce. The POP recommendation (N4) with an integrated nutrient approach with organic and inorganic sources fetched the highest B:C ratio. Similarly for planting distances, it was found that tomato cultivation become remunerative in terms of B:C ratio only when the plants were spaced at a closer distance than wider spacing. Inorder to study the residual effect of organic nutrition, a crop of amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor) was raised after tomato and the biometric characters of the residual crop studied were influenced by nutrient levels with the highest values in N4 (control) and the lowest in N3. The marketable yield of amaranthus was also found the highest in N4 (control). Similarly the economics of amaranthus cultivation revealed the significance of N4 and S3 in producing the highest B:C ratio. The combination of N4 and S3 also recorded the highest B:C ratio in amaranthus. The uptake of nutrients especially N and K was found the highest in N4 and N1. Though spacing had no significant role in the uptake of nutrients, the combination of nutrient levels and spacing had significant influence and the highest uptake was observed in N4S3. The combined B:C ratio of tomato-amaranthus sequence was determined at the premium price of tomato plus the market price of amaranthus by assuming a 20 % hike for the organic produce in the market. The effect of nutrient levels and spacing were significant with N4 giving the highest B:C ratio and N3 the lowest. The closely spaced plants (S3) recorded the highest B:C ratio and the widest spaced plants (S1), the lowest. The interaction effect was significant with the highest B:C ratio in N4S3 and the lowest in N3S1. Among the organic treatments N1 was found the best with a combined B:C ratio of 1.38 followed by N2 (1.00) and the lowest in N3 (0.78). Among the organic combination with spacing it was in N1S3 the highest B:C ratio found (1.42) followed by N1S2 (1.36) and N1S1 (1.35).
Open Access
Production technology for organic sweet potato
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Dhanya, T; KAU; Pushpakumari, R
Kerala the ‘Land of coconut’ occupies first position in area and production of coconut in India but the productivity is below the national average. This is because of unproductive and senile palms, lack of adaptation of recommended cultivation practises and serious incidence of pests and diseases. The root (wilt), an endemic disease of Kerala causes an annual loss of 968 million nuts. Recently another type of yellowing characterised by mid whorl yellowing shedding of immature nuts and drying of inflorescence without showing characteristic ribbing symptom is rapidly spreading in many parts of Kerala. There is no research report available in this emerging problem in the coconut growing tracts of Kerala. Since there is rampant spreading of yellowing to other coconut cultivated areas causing a serious reduction in nut yield, this problem demands immediate attention. Hence an experiment was conducted in the Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellyani to generate the basic information on the causative agents and on the changes of physiological, molecular and anatomical realms of coconut affected by mid whorl yellowing A wide variation was observed in the physiological parameters like total pigments, relative water content, carbohydrate fractions, proteins, phenols and antioxidants betweenpalms with yellowing and control palms. The palms with yellowing showed a significant reduction in the total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid content when compared to the healthy palm. Relative water content was lower for all the palms with yellowing compared to the control palm and the healthy palms were maintaining a better water status and membrane integrity. All the selected palms with yellowing recorded an accumulation of reducing sugars compared to the healthy palms. The trend was similar for starch content except for palms with general yellowing. The control palms recorded maximum protein content compared to other palms with yellowing. A significant increase in the phenolic compounds was observed in palms with yellowing compared to the healthy palms. This results point to an activated defense system. The 14th leaf starting from the first fully opened one is the most widely used leaf for nutrient analysis as recommended by the IRHO. (Fremond et al., 1966).The 14th leaf data from the control palms and palms with different types of yellowing were analysed. The data showed that there were significant reductions in the levels of major nutrient nitrogen, phosphorus and also in the levels of magnesium and the micronutrient manganese in case of palms showing mid whorl yellowing compared to the control palm. But significantly higher levels of accumulation were found in case of potassium, calcium, iron and copper. These variations in the nutrient levels can have an influence on symptom development in coconut palms. The maximum yield was recorded for the control palm. Chlorophyll degradation and loss of structural integrity were evident from the anatomical studies of leaf tissues in case of palms with yellowing. Vascular browning which extended to the cortex and the vascular disintegration in the roots of affected palms were seen on anatomical analyses. A pure quality DNA was obtained by modified CTAB DNA isolation protocol. Molecular analyses using nested PCR showed that with the phytoplasma specific universal primers P1/P7-R16F2n/R16R2 provided an amplicon ) in the positive control and palms with inner and middle whorl yellowing and the primers R16mF2 /R16mR1 -R16F2n/ R16R2 provided an amplicon for the positive control and palms with inner, middle and general yellowing. The root (wilt) phytoplasma specific semi- nested primers IF7/7R3- IF7/7R2 provided an amplicon of 493 bp only for the positive control and no amplification was seen in any of the selected palms. The control palm and the palms affected with outer whorl yellowing provided no amplification at all for any of the primers tested. Amplification of phytoplasma specific universal primers in palms with mid whorl yellowing indicates that phytoplasma has got a role in development of the specific symptom. This demands immediate attention and extensive studies on the etiology, changes in biochemical profile, anatomy etc. Salient Findings Amplification of phytoplasma specific universal primers in palms with mid whorl yellowing indicates that phytoplasma has got a role in development of the mid whorl yellowing symptom. But in case of the root (wilt) phytoplasma specific primers, there was no amplification in palms with mid whorl yellowing. This suggests that the mid whorl yellowing of coconut palm which is an emerging problem in Kerala may not be associated with the root (wilt) disease. The results of biochemical and physiological analyses of the selected palms clearly indicate an altered primary metabolism, source-sink relation and a complexity in the nutriophysiology. These altered conditions can act as predisposing factors for the development of specific symptoms. The anatomical analyses showed damages of roots in the palms with mid whorl yellowing. They will have internal browning of vascular elements, extending into the cortex and also disintegration of vascular elements. Future line of work Detailed analysis of nutriophysiology, source-sink relation and hormonal profile. Studies on soil factors like nutrient level and water status. Extension of anatomical studies to different type of tissues. Extension of molecular studies into identification of specific phytoplasmal strains associated with mid whorl yellowing of coconut palms. Development of management strategy for the improvement of the field performance and productivity of coconut palms with mid whorl yellowing.
Open Access
Rhizosphere management for enhancing root productivity and oil yield in vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash.
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Shimi, G J; KAU; Anilkumar, A S
Vetiver is the only grass cultivated specifically for its root essential oil, a complex mixture of sesquiterpene alcohols and hydrocarbons, used extensively in perfumery and cosmetics. The World Bank has promoted the Vetiver System since the 1980s for various applications such as soil erosion and sediment control, water conservation, landslip and riverbank stabilization and recently for pollution control. However, cost effective techniques for increasing root production in the humid tropics are lacking. The present investigation was carried out at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani to study the effect of planting methods, subsurface drip fertigation and combined application of bioinoculants on root and oil yield in vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides). The technical programme consisted of combinations of three planting methods, viz, P1 – Planting in coconut husk mulched trenches, P2 – Planting in coconut husk lined trenches and P3 – Planting on the ridges, two levels of fertigation, viz, F1 – Subsurface drip fertigation and F2 - No fertigation; and two bioinoculants, viz, B1 - Application of bioinoculants and B2 - No bioinoculants. The trial in Factorial RBD was conducted during 2010-11. Planting methods, fertigation levels and application of bioinoculants influenced various growth characters of vetiver, viz., plant height, number of leaves and tiller production at various stages of growth. In general, planting in coconut husk lined trenches resulted in better performance. Installation of sub surface drip fertigation system and application of bioinoculants also encouraged vegetative growth. The effect of the above treatments on number, length, spread, volume and weight of vetiver roots were found to be remarkable at certain stages of growth. In general, planting in coconut husk lined trenches was found to improve all the root parameters studied when compared to ridge planting. The effect of bioinoculant application was also conspicuous in improving root growth compared to control (no inoculation). Planting vetiver slips treated with bioinoculants in coconut husk lined trenches under sub surface drip fertigation 111 system provided a favourable situation for root elongation during the early phase of crop establishment. Planting methods, fertigation levels and application of bioinoculants had no significant effect on any of the physiological parameters, viz, canopy temperature, relative leaf water content and osmotic potential studied. Significant influence of planting methods on chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll were observed. Planting on ridges (P3) which was on par with planting in coconut husk lined trenches (P2) showed significantly higher contents of chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll. Leaf dry matter production at all stages and root dry matter at certain stages were found to be significantly influenced by the main effects of treatments. Similar to biometric characters, leaf and root dry matter production were found highest when vetiver was planted in coconut husk lined trenches. Sub surface drip fertigation had a positive and significant effect in enhancing leaf and root dry matter production. The effect of bioinoculants was also positive and significant in improving the above parameters when compared to control. Among the different planting methods, planting in coconut husk lined trenches registered the highest value of soil moisture content before irrigation which was closely followed by planting in coconut husk mulched trenches. The effect of sub surface drip fertigation in influencing soil moisture content before and after irrigation was remarkable. However, application of bioinoculants was not found to significantly influence soil moisture contents. Planting in coconut husk lined trenches (P2), installation of sub surface fertigation system and application of bioinoculants enhanced root and oil yield. Economic analysis of the system also proved the superiority of planting vetiver in coconut husk lined trenches (P2), installation of sub surface drip fertigation system and application of bioinoculants in improving gross and net income. APPEND
Open Access
Management of greater club rush (scirpus grossus L.f) in wetland rice ecosystem
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Sreethu, G S; KAU; Sansamma, George
An investigation entitled“ Management of greater club rush (Scirpus grossus L.f) in wetland rice ecosystem’’was undertaken in a wetland rice ecosystem heavily infested with the weed. The study was taken up during February 2010 to January 2011. The main objectives of the experiment were to develop a management strategy for recovering the wetland rice ecosystem invaded by greater club rush, economical analysis of rice cultivation in the land recovered from the invaded weed and study of the weed biology. Laboratory studies conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, were also included to achieve the objectives envisaged. The field experiment on weed management (part I) was laid out in Randomised Block Design with nine treatments and three replications. The treatments included farmer’s practice of tillage, application of lime at two different doses after tillage and application of glyphosate and 2, 4 – D alone and in combination on weed re-growth with and without tillage. Before applying the treatments, the thick growing weed was given an initial mowing. The laboratory studies were done to analyse the herbicide residue in the treated plots and to study the effect of the applied herbicides on the soil microbial population. The treatment adjudged as the most efficient was verified further in a larger plot, by comparing it with the farmer’s practice of weed management to study the economics of rice cultivation in the land recovered from the invasive weed (part II). The biology of greater club rush was also studied simultaneously (part III). The results of the weed management study indicated that all the herbicidal treatments were significantly superior to farmer’s practice of tillage in reducing the weed dry weight. Weed control efficiency was found to be 100 percent throughout the study, when the thick infestation was mowed once and treated with a combination of (glyphosate @1kg ai ha-1 + 2,4-D @ 2 kg ai ha-1) Tillage + glyphosate @1kg ai ha-1 + 2,4-D @ 2 kg ai ha-1 was also effective in controlling the weed, but fragments of root system was found remaining in the soil even after nine months; as a possible source of reinfestation. However, application of lime as a means of controlling greater club rush was found to have no effect on the weed growth. Considering all factors, T7 (glyphosate @1kg ai ha-1 + 2,4-D @ 2 kg ai ha-1) was adjudged as the best treatment for testing further in the farmer’s field (part II ). There was substantial increase in the floristic diversity after the experiment in herbicide treated fields which were completely cleared of greater club rush within 45 days of herbicide application. The residue analysis of the soil collected on the next day of herbicide application revealed that the residue was below detectable limit in the case of both 2, 4 – D and glyphosate, alone as well as in combination. The results on soil microbial population indicated that the soil treated with any of the herbicides had a much higher microbial population than the untreated plots. The cost worked out for the management of the thick infestation of greater club rush was prohibitively high in all the treatments. Economic analysis of rice cultivation in the land recovered from the invasive weed indicated that the grain and straw yield in the treated plot was substantially higher than that from the non treated plots. When the economics was worked out inclusive of the cost of land recovery through eradication of greater club rush, the net profit from rice cultivation was not very high. But the important indication was that the farmers suffered great loss when they followed the present practice of mowing followed by tillage. The observations on the weed biology indicated that in greater club rush, propagation was exclusively through vegetative means. The nutrient composition of the weed was comparable to that of rice plant. Due to its very high biomass production, the nutrient uptake of greater club rush was much higher than that of rice crop.
Open Access
Development of an effective organic liquid manure for vegetable crops
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2012) Asha V, Pillai; KAU; Sheela, K R
An investigation entitled “Development of an effective organic liquid manure for vegetable crops” was carried out at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2010–2012. The main objective of the study was to develop a safe organic phytotonic with about 2% nitrogen and to evaluate its influence on growth and yield of vegetables and to assess the economics of using liquid manures. The investigation comprises three phases viz; preparation of composite liquid manures, shelf life study and crop response study.The preliminary part of the experiment was conducted as a laboratory study. The nutrient content of organic sources along with common liquid manures like cow’s urine, vermiwash and two commercial organic liquid formulations (Nutrich–Z and Biosix) were estimated. It was observed that the highest N content of 6.18 % was registered by groundnut cake. Poultry manure had the highest P (0.90 %) and K content (2.14 %).The liquid extracts of common organic sources and vermiwash collected from portable vermicompost units prepared by mixing kitchen waste with different proportion of organic sources were also analysed for their nutrient content. In general, the N content of these extracts and vermiwsah ranged from 0.01 to 0.33%. To prepare a liquid manure with high N content, composite manures were prepared by mixing organic manures in definite proportions. The N content was maximum in the extract collected seven days after soaking of the composite manure groundnut cake + neem cake + poultry manure in 1:0.5:0.5 ratio. Based on the nutrient content, three promising liquid extracts of composite manures were selected for further study and the shelf life study was conducted after pH adjustment. The study was conducted in CRD with two replications. The results of the study indicated that the different containers and storage methods could not increase the shelf life of the liquid manures due to foul smell and mould growth. To improve the shelf life, these manures were subjected to autoclaving after pH adjustment and another laboratory study was conducted in CRD with three replications. The results of the study indicated that the nutrient content of liquid manures increased with PGPR addition. The N content of liquid manures increased up to 60 DAS and a slight decline was observed at 90 DAS. Storage in open and refrigerated condition did not cause any variation in N content. Though P content increased with PGPR addition, it declined with increase in storage period. The K content did not show any rapid decline on refrigerated storage up to three months. The crop response study was conducted with six treatments (three liquid manures, a commercial formulation of liquid manure, urea spray and control) laid out in RBD with four replications. Amaranthus and bhindi were selected as test crops. The results revealed that the liquid manures prepared from the composite manure of ground nut cake + neem cake + poultry manure (1: 0.5: 0.5) enhanced the growth characters and yield both in amaranthus and bhindi. Moreover, vitamin C content of amaranthus and chlorophyll content of bhindi were improved by foliar nutrition with organic liquid manure.The study on economic analysis revealed that the same liquid manure registered the highest net return (Rs. 69802 ha-1 for amaranthus and Rs. 98152 ha- 1 for bhindi) and B:C ratio (2.33 and 2.64)
Open Access
Production potential of hybrid rice (oryza sativa L.) in lowland ecosystem
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2012) Sneha S, Mohan; KAU; Shalini Pillai, P
An investigation entitled “Production potential of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) in lowland ecosystem” was carried out at the Cropping Systems Research Centre, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, during the second crop season, 2011 (28 July to 25 November). The objectives of the study were to assess the production potential of hybrid rice in lowland ecosystem, to quantify its nutritional requirement in relation to plant spacing and seedling density and to work out the economics of hybrid rice cultivation as against a conventional inbred.The performance of hybrid rice variety, KRH-2 was assessed in comparison with inbred, Jaya. The treatments comprised two spacings (S1 - 20cm x 10cm, S2 - 20cm x 15cm), two seedling densities (D1 - 1 seedling per hill, D2 - 2 seedlings per hill) and three nutrient levels (N1 - 90: 45: 45 kg NPK ha-1, N2 - 120: 60: 60 kg NPK ha-1, N3 - 150: 75: 75 kg NPK ha-1) and control Jaya raised as per the KAU package of practices. On the whole, there were (12 + 1) treatment combinations. The field experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. Observations on growth attributes, yield and yield attributes and soil parameters were recorded as per the technical programme. Brief outline of the experimental results are presented below.Hybrid rice, KRH-2 recorded more plant height, tillers per hill and leaves per hill than Jaya. Nutrient levels had significant effect on plant height at panicle initiation and harvest stages. The tiller count per hill was maximum with N3 at the panicle initiation and harvest stages. Maximum number of leaves per hill was recorded at D2 and N3 at panicle initiation stage and by S2 and N3 at harvest stage. The interaction, s2d2n3 recorded the maximum number of leaves per hill. The nutrient level, N3 and the interactions s2d2 and s1n3 recorded the maximum leaf area index at all the growth stages. Rooting depth of hybrid rice was significantly higher at wider spacing (S2) during the panicle initiation and at D2 and N1 during the harvest stages. Total dry matter production (g hill-1) of hybrid rice was maximum at S2, D2 and N3 during the panicle initiation stage. Hybrid rice, KRH-2 recorded significantly more dry matter per hill than Jaya. The nutrient level, N3 and the interactions, s2d1 and s1n3 recorded the maximum number of productive tillers per hill. Panicle length and number of spikelets per panicle recorded at S1, D2, N3 and the interaction s2d1 were the highest. Sterility percentage was minimum at S2, D2, N3 and at s2d2, s2n3, d2n3 and s2d1n3. Thousand grain weight of hybrid rice was the highest at N3. Grain yield and straw yield of hybrid rice were significantly higher at D2 and N3. Among the different interactions, maximum grain yield was recorded in s2d1 and s1n3 and straw yield at s2d1n3. KRH-2 produced heavier and longer panicles with more number of spikelets than Jaya. However, the higher mean sterility percentage and lower mean test weight of KRH-2 made Jaya a better performer in terms of mean grain yield. The cooking properties and chemical properties of hybrid rice in comparison with Jaya, determined in terms of optimum cooking time, grain elongation ratio, volume expansion ratio, amylose and amylopectin contents failed to reveal any significant variation with different spacing, seedling density, nutrient level and their interactions. The organoleptic test revealed the best appearance and texture for KRH-2 at s2d1n1, colour at s2d1n3 and taste at s2d2n1 and s2d1n3. Hybrid rice, KRH-2 had a better flavour than Jaya, but became stickier upon cooking. The treatment N3, and the interactions d1n3 and s2d1n3 recorded significantly higher values for crude protein and total starch. KRH-2 recorded significantly lower amylose content than Jaya.The uptake of the major nutrients, N, P and K by hybrid rice was significantly higher at wider spacing (S2) and highest nutrient level (N3). Among the significant interactions N, P and K uptake were maximum at s2d1, P and K uptake at s2n3 and K uptake at d1n3. The treatment combination s2d1n3 recorded higher values for phosphorus and potassium uptake. Jaya accumulated more phosphorus in its dry matter than KRH-2. The nutrient status of the soil after the experiment showed significant higher values for available nitrogen and potassium at N3. Jaya maintained a higher available nitrogen status in the soil than KRH-2. The economic analysis revealed highest gross returns, net returns and B : C ratio for hybrid rice at wider spacing (20cm x 15cm), lower seedling density (1 seedling per hill) and highest nutrient level, N3 (150: 75: 75 kg NPK ha-1). The interaction s2d1 and d1n3 recorded highest B : C ratios of 2.35 and 2.31 repectively. The data on B : C ratio for hybrid rice, revealed significantly higher ratios for S2 (2.13), D1 (1.98), N3 (2.17) and s2d1 (2.35). The control Jaya recorded a higher mean B : C ratio (2.49) than hybrid rice, KRH-2 (1.90). The comparison made between the treatments including the control showed that raising hybrid rice, KRH-2 at s2d1n3 (20cm x 15cm + 1 seedling per hill + 150: 75: 75 kg NPK ha-1) fetched higher returns than Jaya raised as per the KAU POP. The result also indicated the possibility of reducing the seed rate required for hybrid rice, which could in turn increase the returns considerably, considering the high cost of the seed of hybrid rice.
Open Access
Performance of hybrid napier cultivars under rainfed conditions
(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2012) Savitha, Antony; KAU; George, Thomas C
Hybrid napier, an inter-specific cross between bajra (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and napier (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is a popular fodder grass with high nutritive value and herbage yield. Hybrid napier cultivars perform well under irrigated condition but their performance under rainfed condition is not evaluated. A field experiment was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to evaluate the performance of 11 popular cultivars under rainfed conditions—CO-2, CO-3, CO-4, KKM-1, Suguna, Supriya, IGFRI-3, IGFRI-7, DHN-6, PTH and PBN-16. Slips were planted at a spacing of 60 cm X 60 cm in June, and growth, fodder yield and nutrient uptake were studied at 45 days interval. The first harvest was taken at 75 days after planting and subsequent harvests at 45 days interval. The cultivars differed significantly in various parameters such as plant height, tillers/plant, leaves/plant, leaf width, leaf length, leaf area index, net assimilation rate, relative growth rate, leaf area ratio, leaf: stem ratio and shoot: root ratio. Four harvests were made, the last being in January. Green and dry fodder yield were maximum during the first harvest, thereafter, yield decreased. In summer, no harvesting was done due to stunting and drying of plants. Among the eleven cultivars evaluated, CO-3 recorded the highest green fodder yield followed by DHN-6. Nutritive values and oxalate content showed significant differences among the cultivars. Crude protein content was maximum in CO-3 and IGFRI-3. In general, CO-3 showed supremacy over other cultivars in terms of overall nutritional quality. Oxalate content, an antinutritive factor, was found to be the highest in Suguna. Nutrient uptake was higher in the first harvest, and CO-3 had the highest nutrient removal. In summer, maximum RLWC was noticed in Supriya and CO-3, and the lowest in IGFRI-3. All the clumps of CO-3, CO-4 and PTH survived the dry periods and maximum mortality was noticed in PBN-16 followed by IGFRI-3, DHN-6, CO-2 and KKM-1. The study revealed that CO-3 is superior to all other cultivars with respect to yield, nutritive value and the ability to withstand drought, and hence, CO-3 is highly suited for rainfed cultivation. Since there was no mortality of clumps for CO-4 and PTH, these cultivars can also be considered. Although DHN-6 showed 25 percent mortality of clumps during summer, as it outyielded other cultivars during rainy period, it may be suitable for areas with well distributed rainfall.

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