Theses

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

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
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.
Open Access
Management of water cabbage (Limnochairs flava (L.) buchenau) in wetland rice ecosystem
(College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2012) Nishan, M A; KAU; Sansamma, George
An investigaton entitled ‘Management of water cabbage (Limnocharis flava (L.) Buchenau) in wetland rice ecosystem’ was carried out in the wetland of the Instructional farm attached to the College of Agriculture, Vellayani from February 2011 to January 2012. The major objectives of the experiment were, to study the biology of water cabbage (Limnocharis flava (L.) Buchenau), to evaluate certain new generation herbicides for managing it and to assess the potential of the weed biomass as an organic source. For the study of weed biology (Part I), a part of the weed infested field was selected for the experiment and prepared thoroughly as in the case of rice cultivation and the sample plants were observed from their emergence onwards. The ontogeny of the weed, its vegetative, and reproductive characters and also their allelopathic influence on germination and early growth of rice were studied. The field experiment on weed management (Part II) was laid out in Randomised Block design with eight treatments replicated thrice. The treatments included azimsulfuron @20 and 30 g a.i. ha-1, bispyribac sodium @20 and 30 g a.i. ha-1), (metsulfuron methyl+ chlorimuron ethyl) @ 4 and 6 g a.i. ha-1 and 2, 4-D @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 along with a weedy check as control. The potential for utilization of the weed biomass through vermicomposting (Part III) was also assessed during the investigation. The data on weed biology indicated that water cabbage had very efficient reproductive mechanism which explains the invasive nature of the weed. A single plant was found capable of producing more than one lakh seeds and about 90 per cent of them germinated under favourable conditions. The plants exhibited pseudovivipary, through production of ramets which gave an additional advantage for the plant to spread. Germination studies revealed that maximum weed seed germination occurred under direct sunlight in crowded condition in the wetland soil condition. Direct sunlight was found necessary for the seed germination. Allelopathic studies showed that the fresh leachate of water cabbage was found to exert a positive effect on the vigour index of rice seedlings while substantial reductions in seedling growth were observed when treated with decayed plant leachate. The results of the field study on weed control efficiency of the different herbicides indicated that 2, 4-D @1 kg a.i. ha-1 was most effective for controlling water cabbage. Among the new generation herbicides (metsulfuron methyl + chlorimuron ethyl) @ 6 g a.i. ha-1 and bispyribac sodium @ 30 g a.i. ha-1 were equally effective for controlling water cabbage. The results of soil microbial studies indicated that the soil treated with the herbicides had much higher microbial population than the untreated plots except in the case of bispyribac sodium. The cost of managing the weed by using new generation herbicide was found considerably lower than that by manual weeding. The chemical analysis of the vermicompost prepared from the weed biomass recorded favourable nutrient composition. The micronutrients and heavy metals were within the safe limits except for the copper content. More over, the luxuriantly growing weed biomass was promising for bioremediation, to remove pollutants from aquatic ecosystems.
Open Access
Production technology for organic coleus
(College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2012) Atul, Jayapal; KAU; Kumari, Swadija O
An investigation entitled “Production technology for organic coleus” was undertaken at College of Agriculture, Vellayani from August to December 2011 to standardize an organic nutrient package for coleus and work out the economics of cultivation. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three levels of organic manure (to supply100%, 75% and 50% recommended dose of 60:60:100 kg NPK ha-1), two levels of biofertilizer (with PGPR mix 1 and without biofertilizer) and two varieties (Sree Dhara and Suphala). The trial was laid out in 3 x 2 x 2 asymmetrical factorial RBD with three replications. Neem cake @ 1 t ha-1 was applied uniformly to all the plots. Growth characters like plant height and number of branches per plant were not significantly influenced by different levels of organic manure or biofertilizer application. But levels of organic manure exerted significant influence on leaf number and LAI during early and later stages of crop growth. During the initial stage, 100% and 75% levels of organic manure were on par in their effects on leaf number and LAI but during later stage of the crop, 100% level was superior to other levels. Application of PGPR mix 1 produced higher LAI during initial and final stages of the crop. The var. Sree Dhara produced taller plants with more number of branches during later stages of growth. But the var. Suphala produced higher leaf number and LAI during the initial stage while the var. Sree Dhara dominated at other stages of growth. Yield components like number of tubers and marketable tubers per plant were influenced by levels of organic manure but the effects of 100% and 75% levels were on par. But an increasing trend in the weight of tubers and marketable tubers per plant was observed with increase in the level of organic manure. Application of PGPR mix 1 exerted profound influence on these yield components. The var. Sree Dhara dominated over the var. Suphala in these yield components but the var. Suphala recorded significantly higher percentage number of marketable tubers per plant. Tuber yield showed an increasing trend with incremental doses of organic manure recording the highest yield with 100% level. Application of PGPR mix 1 improved the yield. The var. Sree Dhara produced higher yield than the var. Suphala. Dry matter production and utilization index increased with increase in the level of organic manure and also due to application of PGPR mix 1. The var. Sree Dhara was found superior in dry matter production. Quality characters of tuber such as starch and protein contents were not influenced by the treatments. The tubers could be stored for one month without sprouting, microbial decay and appreciable physiological loss in weight. Increasing levels of organic manure significantly increased the uptake of P and K but failed to produce significant effect on N uptake. Application of PGPR mix 1 enhanced the nutrient uptake. The var. Sree Dhara registered higher uptake of nutrients than the var. Suphala. Soil nutrient status after the experiment in terms of organic carbon and available P and K contents increased with increase in the level of organic manure. Application of PGPR mix 1 improved the status of available P and K in soil. Available N in the soil was not influenced by the treatments. There was no significant difference in nutrient status of the soil after the experiment due to varieties. Higher net income and BCR could be obtained by the application of 100% or 75% levels of organic manure. Application of PGPR mix 1 increased the net income. The var. Sree Dhara recorded higher net income and BCR than the var. Suphala. The study revealed that coleus has great potential for organic cultivation. Application of 100% RD of NPK (60:60:100 kg ha-1) through organic manures (6t FYM + 3t CPC + 3 t wood ash ha-1) along with PGPR mix 1 and the recommended basal dose of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 is necessary for getting higher yields of organic coleus. During the normal planting season, var. Sree Dhara produced higher yields, net income & BCR than the var. Suphala. But the var. Suphala which is recommended for year round cultivation is found to be early maturing than the var. Sree Dhara.
Open Access
Efficacy of new post-emergence herbicides for rice
(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2012) Syama, S Menon; KAU; Prameela, P
Weeds are the major problem in rice production. Manual removal of weeds is laborious and due to labour shortage and high cost of labour, farmers are resorting to chemical weed control. Many new molecules of selective herbicides are now coming in the market which are having broad spectrum activity or effectiveness against a group of weeds. The present study was conducted to evaluate the relative efficacy of some of these herbicides in wet land rice culture. The experiment was conducted at Alappad Kole in farmer’s field during October 2011 to February 2012. The treatments included application of graminicides alone ( metamifop, fenoxaprop p-ethyl, cyhalofop-butyl); graminicides with follow up application of herbicides to kill non grass weeds (cyhalofop-butyl fb Almix, metamifop fb carfentrazone ethyl, metamifop fb Almix, fenoxaprop p-ethyl fb Almix, fenoxaprop p-ethyl fb ethoxysulfuron) and herbicides with broad spectrum activity (bispyribac sodium, penoxsulam and azimsulfuron). Hand weeded and unweeded controls were also included for effective comparison. All herbicides in the study were post emergent in action and were sprayed at 20 DAS. Observations on weeds as well as crop were taken at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and at harvest. Visual phytotoxicity scoring on rice as well as on weeds was done at three and seven days after spraying. As revealed by the weed spectrum in unweeded control, grasses were the dominant weeds than sedges and broad leaved weeds. Among grasses, Echinochloa stagnina and Echinochloa crusgalli among sedges Fimbristylis miliacea, Cyperus iria and Cyperus difformis and in broad leaved weeds Lindernia crustacea and Ludwigia perennis were the dominant weed species. Sedges and broad leaved weeds were present in treatments applied with graminicides alone at 30 DAS. At 60 DAS and at harvest, higher weed population was observed compared to 30 DAS. Bispyribac sodium, cyhalofop-butyl+Almix and fenoxaprop p-ethyl+Almix continued to perform better in terms of weed control as evidenced by low weed dry matter production both at 60 DAS and at harvest. N, P and K uptake by weeds at different stages of crop followed the same trend as that of weed dry matter production. Among various herbicides or herbicide combinations only carfentrazone ethyl applied treatment showed phytotoxicity to rice. The variations in plant height among treatments were significant only at 30 DAS and the tallest plants with 54 cm height were observed in unweeded control. However, there was a slight reduction in the height of rice in plots applied with Almix, fenoxaprop p-ethyl and bispyribac sodium compared to hand weeded control, though visual phytotoxicity symptoms were not expressed. The highest number of panicles/m2, filled grains per panicle as well as grain yield was registered in hand weeded control. Cyhalofop-butyl+Almix and fenoxaprop p-ethyl+Almix were on par with respect to grain yield and recorded comparable yield with that of hand weeding. Cyhalofop-butyl+Almix and fenoxaprop p-ethyl+Almix also registered low weed index of 5.2 (for both) and high weed control efficiency of 88 and 90 percent, respectively. From this study it can be concluded that, cyhalofop-butyl followed by Almix or fenoxaprop p-ethyl followed by Almix or bispyribac sodium alone can be recommended for effective post emergence weed control and higher yield in wet seeded rice. If grasses are the predominant weeds, cyhalofop-butyl or fenoxaprop p-ethyl alone without follow up spray of Almix can also be recommended.

Theses

Browse

Thesis Type

Type

Author

Date

Subject

Search Results