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ThesisItem Open Access Fodder production technology under light and moisture stress situations(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2014) Anita, M R; KAU; Lakshmi, SThe field experiment of the project entitled “Fodder production technology under light and moisture stress situations” was undertaken at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, during January 2012 to March 2014. The main objectives of the project were to identify drought tolerant varieties of fodder cowpea and their performance evaluation in varying proportions of grass legume mixtures under open and shaded conditions. The project comprised of two investigations. The Investigation-I entitled “Drought tolerance studies in fodder cowpea under open and shaded situations” was conducted during the summer season (January to March) of 2012. The Investigation-II on “Evaluation of grass-fodder cowpea mixtures under open and shaded situations” was conducted for two years from March 2012 to 2013 and from March 2013 to March 2014. In Investigation-I, five fodder cowpea varieties (V1-UPC-618, V2-UPC-622, V3-Bundel Lobia-1, V4-COFC-8 and V5-CO-5) were evaluated for their drought tolerance under four soil moisture stress levels (M1 - pre sowing irrigation + life saving irrigation; M2 - pre sowing irrigation + irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.4; M3 - pre sowing irrigation + irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.6 and M4 - pre sowing irrigation + irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.8). The investigation was conducted as two separate experiments one in open and other in shade. Both the experiments were laid out in split plot design with four replication. Based on the results of this investigation, two drought tolerant fodder cowpea varieties were selected each under open and shaded situation, for conducting Investigation-II. The fodder cowpea varieties COFC-8 (V4) and UPC-622 (V2) which recorded significantly higher green fodder yield (24.21 t ha-1 & 21.36 t ha-1, respectively), crude protein yield (0.79 t ha-1 & 0.66 t ha-1, respectively) and net returns of Rs 44880 ha-1 and Rs 36011 ha-1, respectively were selected for open condition. The fodder cowpea varieties COFC-8 (V4) and UPC-618 (V1) which recorded significantly higher green fodder yield (11.50 t ha-1 and 11.00 t ha-1 respectively), crude protein yield of 0.41 t ha-1 & 0.34 t ha-1 respectively and net returns of Rs 13498 ha-1 and Rs 11873 ha-1 respectively were selected for shaded situation. Investigation-II on the evaluation of grass-fodder cowpea mixtures were also conducted as two separate experiments, one in open and the other in shade. The experiments were laid out in RBD with three replications, comprising of two grasses [G1-Hybrid napier (Suguna), G2-Guinea grass (Harithasree), two best fodder cowpea varieties from the first investigation (V1-COFC-8(open and shade), V2-UPC-622 (open), UPC-618 (shade) and three grass legume row ratios (R1-1:1, R2 -1:2, R3 -1:3). The results indicated the superiority of the grass legume mixture of hybrid napier cv. Suguna and with both the fodder cowpea varieties in the grass legume row ratio of 1:2 with respect to green fodder yield, crude protein yield and net returns. Based on the results, it can be concluded that hybrid napier cv. Suguna intercropped with fodder cowpea varieties COFC-8 and UPC-622 in open condition and with COFC-8 and UPC-618 in partial shade (30 per cent) in the row ratio of 1:2 is the best for obtaining maximum yield, quality and net returns.ThesisItem Open Access Productivity analysis of aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) and its impact on green house gas emission(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2014) Jinsy, V S; KAU; Shalini Pillai, PThe experiment entitled "Productivity analysis of aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) and its impact on green house gas emission" was undertaken at the Cropping Systems Research Centre, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, during January to May, 2011 and 2012. The main objectives of the-study were to standardise the production techniques for aerobic rice, to study its water productivity as against flooded rice and to assess the variation in green house gas emission under aerobic and flooded situations. The entire study comprised two field experiments. The first experiment (Part - I), entitled "Productivity analysis of aerobic rice against conventional rice" was conducted during the summer season (January to May) of 2010- '11 and 2011-' 12. The second experiment (Part - 11) on "Agro techniques for aerobic rice" was conducted during the summer season of 2011-' 12, to standardize the agro techniques for the aerobic rice variety from Part - I. Four rice varieties [VI: Aiswarya, V2: Uma, V3: MAS 946 - 1, V4: PMK (R) 3] were evaluated for their adaptabilityand performance both under flooded (W I) and aerobic (W2) conditions, asPart ~ 1o,'Ihe experiment was laid out in RBD with five replications (two separate layouts '(o~'flooded rice and aerobic rice). The agro techniques study for aerobic rice, comprised two spacings (S I: 20 cm x 10 cm, S2: 15 cm x 10 cm), two nutrient levels (NI: 90:45:45 kg NPK ha", N2: 90:45:67.5 kg NPK ha") and two methods of fertiliser application (AI: soil application, A2: soil application + foliar application of K), laid out in RBD, replicated thrice. The results of the study are as follows. The variety, MAS 946 - 1 (V3) proved significant with respect to growth and physiological parameters. The grain yield was maximum for MAS 946 - 1 (3.13 t ha-I under flooded, 2.85 t ha" under aerobic) accounting for about 10 per cent increase over the next best varieties, Aiswarya and Uma. Flooded rice, in general yielded more than aerobic rice. However, the results were significant only during the second year of experimentation, where the yield variation between flooded rice and aerobic rice was 15.63 per cent. The average water productivity of aerobic rice (0.75 kg m-3) was 70.4 per cent greater than that of flooded rice (0.44 kg m'), MAS 946 - 1 recorded the maximum water productivity of 0.48 kg m-3 and 0.80 kg m", under flooded and aerobic cultures respectively. The superiority of aerobic rice in mitigating green house gas (GHG) emission from rice fields was revealed from the significantly lower efflux of methane under aerobic (3.03 mg m-2 hr-I) compared to flooded rice (6.16 mg m-2 hr'). Though methane emission did not vary significantly among the varieties under flooded culture, MAS 946 - 1 recorded significantly the least methane efflux (14.08 mg m-2 hr') under aerobic system. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) of flooded rice was 1.39 and that of aerobic rice was 1.13 over the two years. MAS 946 - 1 recorded the highest BCR (1.40) and was on a par with Uma (1.33) during the second year. MAS 946 - 1 was selected as the best variety for Part - II of the study based on its growth, physiology, yield and methane emission. , The results of Part - II of the study revealed that wider spacing (S I: 20 cm x 10 cm), higher nutrient level (N2: 90:45:67.5 kg NPK ha-I) and combined method of nutrient application (A2: soil application + foliar application of K) significantly increased productive tiller count (545.32 m"), grain weight per panicle (2.83 g) and grain yield (3.28 t ha-I) ofMAS 946 - 1. Aerobic nee culture is a prormsmg technology under water scarce situations. Compared to flooded rice, the water productivity of aerobic rice was 70.4 per cent higher, methane emission was 50.8 per cent lower with a slight yield reduction of 15.63 per cent. Among the four varieties tested, MAS 946 - 1, the first aerobic rice variety released from VAS, Bengaluru and Aiswarya and Uma, KAV rice varieties, proved superior for aerobic conditions under Kerala situations. It can be concluded that the performance of the variety, Uma is as good as MAS 946 - 1 for cultivation under aerobic condition in the lowlands of Kerala. A recommended spacing of 20 cm x 10 cm with a nutrient schedule of 90 kg N, 45 kg P20S and 60 kg K20 as soil application along with 7.5 kg K20 per hectare as foliar application was found as the best agronomic package for rice under aerobic situation.ThesisItem Open Access Input management for precision farming in banana(College of Agricultute, Vellayani, 2014) Shimi, G J; KAU; Sheela, K RThe investigation entitled “Input management for precision farming in banana” was carried out for two years (2012-2014) in Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The objectives were to study the impact of precision land management, fertigation and foliar nutrition on the growth and yield of tissue culture banana (Musa AAB cv. Nendran), to standardize the nutrient concentration and nutrient sources for fertigation and to work out the economics. The experiment was undertaken in two parts. In part I, standardization of nutrient sources for fertigation was carried out in factorial CRD with six nutrient sources [urea, Muriate of Potash (MOP), 10-10-10, 13-0-45, SOP (Sulphate of Potash), and Diammonium Phosphate (DAP)] and four concentrations (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 per cent), replicated thrice. In part II, nutrient scheduling was standardized in split plot design with six main plots and three sub plots in three replications. Main plot treatments were n1-POP (Package of Practices) with basin irrigation, n2-POP with drip irrigation, n3-drip irrigation alone without fertilizer, n4-soil application of rock phosphate and fertigation using urea and MOP, n5- fertigation using 10-10-10, urea and Sulphate of Potash (SOP) and n6- fertigation using 13-0-45, 0-0-50 and DAP. The sub-plot treatments were water spray (s1), foliar application of 19-19-19 @ 0.50 per cent [2, 4 and 6 MAP (Months After Planting)] (s2) and bunch spray with 2 per cent SOP (after complete bunch emergence and three weeks after first application) (s3). The general practices such as deep ploughing (50 cm), taking raised beds (30 cm height, 3 m width) and organic manure application (15 kg plant-1) were uniformly followed. Daily water requirement for drip irrigation was calculated using the formula suggested by FAO (1998). Separate sub mains were laid out for irrigating each treatment and fertigation was done using ventury. The concentrations tested revealed no phytotoxic effect on plants. Nutrient sources had significant influence on growth, yield and quality of banana. Growth parameters showed varying effect due to nutrient sources. During both the years, n1, n2, n4 and n5 registered higher yield which were on par and significantly superior to other sources. But in pooled analysis, n1, n2 and n4 recorded significantly higher yield of 32.55, 31.69, 31.58 t ha-1, respectively which were on par. Quality parameters also responded differently to nutrient sources and irrigation. The effect of foliar application on growth, yield and quality was also significant. Bunch spray with 2 per cent SOP significantly improved growth, yield and quality aspects. Input use efficiency also showed significant variation due to treatments. Among the nutrient sources and irrigation, the highest nutrient use efficiency (NUE) was registered by n4. Whereas in water productivity (WP), n2 was found superior and was on par with n4 in second year. Water use efficiency (WUE) was enhanced in n2 which was on par with n4 and n5 in first year. In second year, n4 was on par with n2, n5 and n6. NUE, WUE and WP were also significantly enhanced by s3. Compared to basin irrigation, fertigation resulted in a saving of 73 per cent in irrigation water and 40 per cent in nutrients. Significantly higher B : C ratio of 5.07 and 3.99 were registered by n4 and s3. The nutrient schedule standardized for precision farming in banana can be summarized as:- basal application of organic manure @ 15 kg plant-1, soil application of rock phosphate @ 325 g plant-1 (1 MAP) and @ 250 g plant-1 (3 MAP), weekly fertigation using urea @ 16.30 g plant-1 from 1 to 7 MAP (except 6 MAP) and MOP @ 16.25 g plant-1 from 1 to 5 MAP and @ 31.25 g plant-1 (7 MAP) along with bunch spray of 2 per cent SOP (after complete bunch emergence and three weeks after first application) or foliar spray of 0.50 per cent 19-19-19 (2, 4 and 6 MAP). This schedule along with improved land management practices of deep ploughing (50 cm deep) and taking raised beds (30 cm height) is beneficial for productivity enhancement in banana.