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Open Access
Response of chilly to plant growth promoting rhizobacteria fluorescent pseudomonads
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Anu, V; KAU; Elizabeth Syriac, K
The research project entitled 'Response of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) to plant growth promoting rhizobacteria fluorescent pseudomonads' was carried out as two investigations viz., a pot culture trial and a field study at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during July 2002 to April 2003. The study was conducted on chilli cultivar, Jwalasakhi. The pot culture study was aimed at evaluation of fluorescent pseudomonads isolates for growth promotion and yield in chilli. The treatments consisted of five different isolates of fluorescent pseudomonads (PI, P5, P14, P22and KKI6). The trial was laid out in completely randomised design with four replications. Among the five isolates tested, isolate P22 was adjudged as the best one for growth promotion and P I for disease resistance. As far as yield and economics are concerned, these two isolates were found to be on par. Thus a dual culture of Tsolate P22 and PI was selected for further field study. The objective of the field study was to assess the suitability of the best isolate of fluorescent pseudomonads as a biofertilizer either alone or in combination with Azospirillum along with different doses of NPK . fertilizers on growth and productivity of chilli. The field study was laid out in factorial randomised block design with three replications. The different treatments included three different levels of NPK (75 per cent (56.3 : 30 : 18.8 kg ha"), 100 per cent (75 : 40 : 25 kg ha') and 125 per cent (93.8 : 50 : 23.5 kg ha-I) of the recommended dose of NPK as per POP) and four biofertilizer treatments (Fluorescent pseudomonads, Azospirillum; Fluorescent pseudomonads + Azospirillum and no biofertilizers). The abstract of the result is furnished below. r I~ All the growth characters increased significantly with graded doses or PK. Combined inoculation of fluorescent pseudomonads and Azospirillum was the most superior one among biofertilizer treatments. Similar trend was also observed for yield attributing characters. However with regard to marketable fruit yield, all the levels of NPK fertilizers tested were statistically on par. With respect to biofertilizer application, combined inoculation (7.75 ha") was on par with fluorescent pseudomonads application (7.56 t ha-I). Compared to control of no biofertilizer treatment, Fluorescent pseudo monads + Azospiriflum increased fruit yield by 46.69 per cent. Among the treatment combinations, 75 per cent of the recommended dose of NPK (56.3 : 30 : 18.8 kg ha-I) + Fluorescent pseudomonads + Azospirillum produced significantly higher yield (8.74 t ha-I) and ensured a saving of 25 per cent of recommended dose of NPK. 100 per cent POP + Fluorescent pseudomonads application was on par with this treatment. At 125 per cent of the recommended dose of NPK (93.8 : 50 : 23.5 kg ha I) microbial count in the rhizosphere was significantly lower and fruit rot incidence was significantly higher. Biofertilizer application significantly increased microbial count and reduced disease incidence. 75 per cent of recommended dose of PK + Fluorescent pseudomonads + Azospirillum was rated as the most economically viable treatment combination, with a net profit and benefit-cost ratio of Rs. 59328 ha-I and 1.82 respectively.
Open Access
Integration of nutritional inputs for improving rice productivity in laterite soils
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Jinappa, Halingali; KAU; Usha, K E
A study on "Integration of nutritional inputs for improving nee productivity in laterite soils" was taken up during 2001-2003 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara The experiment consisted of 17 treatments including two sources of organic manure and two levels of nutrition with combinations of lime and silica to develop a cost effective, high yield and sustainable production technology for rice by identifying the components of good management. The treatment .receiving poultry manure with 90 kg ha" of fertilizer N and 500 kg ha" of silica recorded the maximum height productive tillers, •number of spikelets per panicle and thousand grain weight which . contributed to the maximum grain yield 0[7004 kg ha". An increase in 1680 kg grain yield and 1087 kg straw yield than the package of practices recommendation of Kerala Agricultural University appear to be due to the application of Silica, substitution of cow dung by the poultry manure and increased dose of N with an organic: inorganic ratio of 1 :2.25, increased dose ofK and reduced dose ofP. Cow dung contains Fe, Zn and Cu in toxic levels to rice. Poultry manure has the content of these elements in far less quantities but has higher Ca content . which helps in reducing the uptake of unfavourable elements by the rice plants. Increase in'the level of K application @120 kg ha' has recorded 1387 kg ha" more grain than the present recommendation of 35 kg ha" and the uptake of K by the plants are far above the applied levels. This suggests that the present recommendation of35 kg ha' ofK has to be enhanced up to 120 kg ha" to prevent the soil degradation. It is also seen that the rice plants absorb only around 20 kg P and hence the P recommendation can be reduced from 35 kg to 20 kg ha". There was no apparent effect when lime and silica were applied together but individually they could improve the yield. The number of weeds and the incidence of pests and disease were less in thetreatment plots, which revealed the influence of soil ameliorants in impa~ing resistance in the rice pants. TIle. results of the present study indicate that the failure of rice plants to respond to higher doses of fertilizer N, appears to be because of the unfavourable organic: inorganic' ratio. A ratio of 1 :2.25 was found to be beneficial to nullity the unfavourable chemical effects of fertilizer N.
Open Access
Standardisation of mat nursery for rice
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Rajesh, G; KAU; Jaikumaran, U
A field experiment was conducted during May to September 2002 at the Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy, Thrissur to develop a suitable production package for rice mat nursery, evaluate it under mechanical transplanting and develop it as a substitute for conventional nursery for manual planting. The s~dy consisted of three experiments. (J) Raising of sixteen types of mat nurseries using . . four different media in two ratios under two systems (dry and wet) and its evaluation. (II) Mechanical transplanting of these sixteen types of mat nurseries along with manual planting of conventional nursery and crop performance study. (Ill) Manual transplanting of sixteen types of mat nursery along with conventional nursery and crop evaluation. Experiment-I was designed in GRD, while experiment-II and experiment-Ill were laid out in Randomised Block Design, with two replications each. Rice variety Kanchana, was tried in the experiment. Results revealed that soil+ cow dung in the ratio 2: 1 in the mat produced taller seedlings and coir pith compost produced shorter seedlings. Presence 'of cow dung produced dark green seedlings with maximum number of healthy and minimum number of weak seedlings. Soil+ cow dung in the ratio 2:1 produced heavy mats under both systems. Presence of chaff in the media resulted in stronger mats. The performance of the transplanter, as it is a fixed parameter for the machine was unaltered by the different media and systems of nursery. But generally, the , '. number of missing hills was lower under dry system, compared to wet system. In case of experiment-Il, a higher plant population of 65 hills m-2 was seen associated with the crop raised under manual planting using conventional nursery. But the same crop produced a significantly lower number of tillers hill-1 throughout its growth period and the crop had 9.5 tillers nnr', at the time of harvest. The physiological growth attributes, observed through CGR, RGR and NAR was distinctively lower for the manuaIIy planted crop using conventional nursery in the initial stages of growth, but the trend disappeared in the later stages, indicating a uniform rate of growth. The insect pest attack was uniform without any variation due to treatments. Incidence of BLB was higher in case of mechanically planted crop using soil+ coir pith compost in 2: 1 ratio under dry nursery and soil+ coir pith raw in 2:] ratio under wet nursery. Among the yield components, number of 'panicles m-2 and test weight were not altered by the treatments. The maximum number of filled ,grains panicle" was seen in case of soil+ cow dung in the ratio 2:] ,as the media under dry system (61). However, the final grain and straw yield remained unaffected due to the various treatments with a mean value of 4344 and 7464 kg ha" respectively. The NPK content of the grain and total uptake ofP and K by the crop were influenced by the various treatments. Under dry system soil+ coir pith raw and soil+ chaff in the ratios 2: 1 and in wet system soi1+ cow dung in the ratio 1:2 and soil+ coir pith compost in the ratio 2: 1 were economically superior and can be the mat nursery media for mechanical transplanting. The use of mat nursery instead of conventional nursery did not prolong the time required for manual planting. Conventional nursery recorded a lower tiller production (8.8 at the time of harvest). Similar level of tiller production was seen in cases of soil+ chaff in either of the ratios and soil+ coir pith raw in the ratio 1:2. The pest and disease incidence, except rice bug, did not show any discrimination between the treatments. SoiI+ chaff in the ratio ]:2 under dry system had a higher population of bugs (2.7 per hill). Soil+ coir pith raw in the ratio 2: 1 under both the systems had the highest number of panicles m-2 i.e., 352 and 341, respectively. Conventional nursery had the lowest number of filled grains panicle" (31). The grain yield was unaffected, due to treatments and the mean grain yield was 4441 kg ha-I. Straw yield was influenced by the different treatments. A very low harvest index value of 0.3 was recorded for the crop. Crop raised using conventional nursery had a very low B:C ratio (l.05) and all mechanically planted crops had higher B:C ratio than this. As the grain yield was not affected due to the various treatments, the selection of mat should be based basically on economic consideration. Soil+ coir .pith raw as well as soil+ chaff in the ratio of 2: 1 under dry system, and soil+ cow dung in the ratio] :2 and soi1+ coir pith compost in the ratio 2:], under wet system could be a better option for mechanical transplanting based on the economics. Soil+ cow dung in 1:2 ratio and soi1+ chaff in 2: 1 ratio under both systems, and soil+ coir pith raw in 1:2 ratio under dry system and soil+ coir pith raw in 2: 1 ratio under wet system were found economically suitable. for manual planting.
Open Access
Weed management in semi- dry rice intercropped with green manure crops
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Resmy, O N; KAU; Jose Mathew
An investigation was conducted during the kharif season of 2002 at Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy to formulate weed management practices in semi-dry rice intercropped with green manure crops. Fourteen treatments were laid out in RBD with three replications involving combinations of two green manure crops (cowpea and horsegram) for in situ green manuring and six weed management treatments (butachlor, pendimethalin, pretilachlor, anilofos, handweeding and control) in addition to rice monocropping . . Results of the study revealed that an integrated strategy encompassing the application of pre-emergence herbicides and intercropping of green manure crops was successful from the point of view of weed management, organic manure addition and crop yield in semi-dry rice. Among the fourteen treatments tried, the highest yield of grain and straw was recorded by monocropped rice with hand weeding (T 13) which was on par with treatments intercropped with horsegram (Ts) and cowpea (T2), both receiving pendimethalin application. Intercropping with horsegram encouraged better growth of rice over cowpea. Averaging the grain yield of rice in intercropping treatments, it was found that concurrent growing of horse gram has significant superiority over cowpea. Comparing the unweeded plots with cowpea or horse gram intercropping and rice monocrop, it was observed that intercropping reduced the weed count to the extent of 42.8 to 56.8 per cent upto 60 DAS and cowpea was found superior in suppressing the population of weeds. The contribution of N, P and K by cowpea at the time of self decomposition was almost double that of horse gram, leading to an increased soil fertility status. Pendimethalin, pretilachlor and butachlor can be used safely both in rice + cowpea and rice + horsegram cropping systems and they favoured growth and yield of green manure crops and rice, apart from their superior weed control efficiency.
Open Access
Integrated nutrient management for basmati rice(oryza sativa L) production
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2007) Tulasi, T; Shalini Pillai, P
A study entitled “Integrated nutrient management for basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) production” was undertaken at the Cropping Systems Research Centre, Karmana, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, from September 2006 to January 2007, with the main objective of evaluating the relative efficiency of different integrated nutrient management practices on the yield and quality of basmati rice. The experiment was laid out in (4 x 2) + 2 Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatments comprised two organic sources (M1- FYM, M2- FYM + neem cake) and four levels of inorganic substitution with organics (L1- 25 percent substitution, L2- 50 percent substitution, L3 - 75 percent substitution, L4 -100 percent substitution.) compared against two controls (absolute control, standard practice). The test variety was Pusa Basmati-1. The response of the growth characters (plant height, tiller count and LAI) was more pronounced with respect to the levels of substitution than the organic sources. Substituting the entire quantity of the standard dose of fertilizers (SDF) and 50 percent substitution of SDF with organics were more or less equally effective in boosting the vegetative growth of basmati rice. Between the two organic sources tried, the application of FYM and among the levels of substitution, 25 percent substitution recorded higher shoot biomass. The combined application of FYM + neem cake (M2) and 50 percent substitution of SDF with organics (L2) resulted in higher panicle biomass. The higher number of productive tillers, spikelets per panicle and a lower sterility percentage supported by substituting 50 percent of SDF with FYM + neem cake, reflected upon the grain yield also. This treatment combination was at par with the standard practice. Though the cooking properties were not influenced by INM, in general, the optimum cooking time was lower and the volume expansion and grain elongation ratios were higher at 50 percent substitution of SDF with organics. Integration of chemical fertilizers and organics maintained a higher crude protein and intermediate amylose content. The organoleptic test rankings were higher for 75 percent and 50 percent substitution with FYM + neem cake. Integrated nutrient management was observed to produce grains, which were as good as or even better than the market sample, with the respect to grain quality attributes studied. Application of FYM to the substitute chemical fertilizers resulted in higher uptake of nitrogen and potassium. The phosphorus uptake was maximum with 100 percent organic nutrition. The agronomic efficiency and apparent recovery efficiency of basmati rice improved significantly when 50 percent of the chemical fertilizers were applied as FYM + neem cake. This treatment was at par with the standard practice. The organic carbon, available nitrogen and available phosphorus status of the soil remained unaffected after the experiment. Application of FYM in conjunction with neem cake as a substitute for chemical fertilizers, improved the available potassium status of the soil. Considering organic sources tested, application of FYM was more remunerative than the combined application of FYM + neem cake. The effect of substitution on net income and BCR was not significant. Between the various treatment combinations including controls, the standard practice, 25 percent substitution of chemical fertilizers with FYM and 50 percent substitution fertilizers with FYM + neem cake were at par. The study indicated that the response of basmati rice to INM was at par with the standard practice. However, considering the multifaceted benefits of organics, on crop yield, quality and soil health, integrated nutrient management needs to be emphasized. Thus it could be concluded that, the treatment combination where in 50 percent of the standard dose of fertilizers was substituted with a combination of FYM and neem cake, was a better option than the application of chemical fertilizers alone for achieving higher yields and quality in basmati rice. Substituting the entire dose of chemical fertilizers with organics (L4) was found to improve the growth, yield, nitrogen use efficiency and nutrient uptake in basmati rice. The volume expansion and crude protein content were better at 100 percent organic nutrition. Thus the present study also revealed the possibility of adopting organic nutrition in basmati rice without any appreciable reduction in yield and quality.
Open Access
Efficacy of vermicompost,vermiwash and amf on quality seed production of bhindi
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Nishana H; Sajitharani T
An experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during June to September of 2004 to evaluate the efficacy of vermicompost, vermiwash and AMF on quality seed production in bhindi. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with two replications. The main treatments were aquatic weed vermicompost, banana pseudostem vermicompost and farmyard manure along with vermiwash through soil application, foliar application, soil + foliar application and control treatment as water spray. The subplot treatments consisted of AMF application and without AMF application. Taller plants were observed in banana pseudostem vermicompost and aquatic weed vermicompost treated plots. Significantly higher number of leaves with high leaf area index and dry matter production was noticed in aquatic weed vermicompost compared to other organic manures. Days for 50 per cent flowering was found maximum for farmyard manure. Aquatic weed vermicompost also showed better root characteristics along with yield attributes such as number of flowers plant-1, number of fruits plant-1, fruit yield plant-1, total fruit yield ha-1, number of seeds fruit-1 & seed yield ha–1 with better seed quality parameters like seed viability, seeding vigour and germination percentage. Among the modes of vermiwash application, soil + foliar application of vermiwash was found better in showing superior trends in plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index, dry matter production, number of flowers and fruits plant-1, fruit yield plant-1, total fruit yield and seed yield ha–1 with better seed quality i.e., seedling vigour and germination percentage. AMF application also showed maximum plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production, root length, root - shoot ratio, fruit yield plant-1, total fruit yield, weight of seeds fruit-1 and seed yield ha–1. Higher BC ratio was found in aquatic weed vermicompost, soil + foliar application of vermiwash and in AMF. So aquatic weed vermicompost along with soil + foliar application of vermiwash and AMF is ideal for quality seed production in bhindi.
Open Access
Identification of drought tolerant cocoa types
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Binimol, B; KAU; George Thomas, C
Experiments were conducted at the college of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to investigate the drought tolerant characteristics of the most promising cocoa varieties and accessions. The investigation involved a two-stage screening of cocoa seedlings and budlings and monitoring of their field grown plants. As the first step, a preliminary screening was done on six month old seedlings and budlings of ten cocoa cultivars released from Kerala Agricultural University and twenty promising accessions. A secondary screening of cocoa cultivars/accessions selected from the preliminary screening was then conducted. Simultaneously, field monitoring of cocoa trees of the varieties selected from the primary screening was also done. From the preliminary screening, seven apparently tolerant varieties were selected for secondary screening in both seedlings and budlings based on higher RWC and DWF, lower percentage of dried leaves and longer duration of life under during moisture stress. Three apparently sensitive verities were also selected based on opposite values of the above characters. Varieties identified in the preliminary screening were subjected to a secondary screening under three moisture regimes of no irrigation , watering once in five days (life saving irrigation), and regular watering. Observations on physiological parameters such as relative leaf water content, dry weight fraction, leaf drying percentage, number of days taken for complete drying, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, leaf water potential, chlorophyll ‘a’, ‘b’ and total chlorophyll, chlorophyll stability index, leaf area per seedling, membrane stability, relative injury; growth characters like plant height, collar girth, number of leaves and total biomass; biochemical characters such as proline content and nitrate reductase activity were recorded. After conducting a cluster analysis, the varieties with high RWC, DWF, total chlorophyll content, leaf water potential and proline content; low stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and leaf area during water stress were rated as drought tolerant and with opposite characters as drought sensitive. Based on these, in seedlings; the varieties M 13.12, GII 19.5 and GVI 55 were ranked as moisture stress tolerant and GVI 61, GV 50 and GI 4.8 as sensitive under no irrigation. In budlings, the varieties GI 4.8 and GII 19.5 were selected as drought tolerant and GIII 4.1, GVI 51 and GII 12.3 as drought sensitive under no irrigation Important characters were also monitored in 16-year old clonal trees of the seedlings/budlings of the varieties selected from primary screening. Transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, stomatal frequency, leaf thickness, bark thickness and soil moisture content were recorded during summer. The varieties GVI 61, M 13.12 and GI 4.8 showed drought tolerant features. The accession M13.12 (CCRP2) showed drought tolerant features in secondary screening of seedlings and field performance. The accession GVI 51, which showed sensitivity to moisture stress in seedlings (but tolerant in budlings) under secondary screening, was showing similar behavior of sensitivity in field grown plants. The study shows the possibility of exploiting drought tolerant features of cocoa varieties/accessions. However, final conclusions are difficult to be drawn as only 10 accessions were subjected to secondary screening and field monitoring, and data for only one year were collected. In the light of the promising results obtained, screening trails involving more number of varieties/accessions have to be conducted and monitored for more number of years to get consistent values.
Open Access
Integrated weed management in lowland rice
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Seema, V; KAU; Janardhanan Pillai, S
A field experiment was conducted at Cropping Systems Research Centre (CSRC), Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram to evolve a suitable integrated weed management practice for lowland nee. The study was conducted during the viruppu season of 2003. The field experiment was laid out in randomised block design having three replication with twelve treatments. The treatments include different herbicides in combinations, herbicides + hand weeding, hand weeding twice and unweeded control. Butachlor, 2,4~D, pretilachlor, anilofos + 2,4-DEE, anilofos, ethoxysulfuron, metsulfuron methyl and chlorirnuron- ethyl were the different herbicides used in the experiment. The rice variety used for the experiment was Kanchana. The results of the study revealed that grasses, broadleaved weeds and sedges competed with the rice crop. Different weed management practices significantly influenced the intensity and distribution of weeds ... The lowest dry matter of weeds was recorded by anilofos + ethoxysulfuron followed by one hand weeding which was on par with anilofos -+ ethoxysulfuorn alone. All the weed management treatments resulted in improved yield attributes and higher grain yield compared to weedy check. The plots treated with anilofos + ethoxysulfuron followed by hand weeding at 40 DA T recorded the highest grain yield. This treatment resulted in enhanced plant height, number of productive tillers un', LAI and nutrient uptake of rice. The yield attributes and grain yield were significantly increased by this treatment. The total weed population, weed dry matter production and nutrient removal by weeds were also reduced and weed control efficiency was increased by this treatment. Unweeded control recorded the lowest gram yield. No herbicide used in this experiment resulted m residual toxicity after the cropping season. Manual weeding is expensive, laborious and time consummg. Labour non-availability at peak crop season for weeding also poses great threat. Readymix application of anilofos + 2,4-DEE (T3) resulted in highest B:C ratio of 1.41 and butachlor + 2,4-D (T,) with 1.40. Pre-emergence application of anilofos + ethoxysulfuron followed by one hand weeding at 40 DA T (T 8) was the most remunerative treatment.
Open Access
Nutrient management of guinea grass (Panicum maximum J.) under open and shaded conditions
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Lekshmi, P; KAU; Lakshmi, S
A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala state to find out the nitrogen and phosphorus requirement for guinea grass (Panicum maximum J.) under zero and 50 per cent shade levels. The influence of shade levels, nitrogen and phosphorus application on growth parameters, fodder yield, quality of produce, physiological parameters, uptake of nutrients, chemical properties of soil and economics was investigated. Two levels of shade (0 and 50 per cent), three levels of nitrogen (100, 200 and 300 kg ha") and three levels of phosphorus (25, 50 and 75 kg ha") were combined to form eighteen treatment combinations. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Results of the experiment revealed that lower levels of shade as well as higher- levels of nitrogen and phosphorus had significant positive influence on improving the fodder production potential of guinea grass. The lower levels of shade and higher doses of nitrogen and phosphorus were found to increase significantly the growth parameters namely number of tillers and leaf: stem ratio and physiological parameters like leaf area index, CGR, RGR and NAR. , Lower levels of shade and higher doses of nitrogen and phosphorus registered maximum green fodder yield in all the five harvests. Total green fodder yield was also highest at open and at higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Similar results were obtained in the case of dry fodder yield also. Quality parameters of the forage significantly improved as shade progresses. Higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorus registered higher crude protein and chlorophyll contents and lower crude fibre content. The nutrient content of plant showed a significant increase with increasing levels of shade while the nutrient uptake showed a significant increase with lower levels of shade. Application of nitrogen and phosphorus significantly increased the content and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. There was a significant increase In available phosphorus and a decrease in available potassium content of the soil with increase in shade levels. Application of nitrogen significantly increased the nitrogen content of the soil while reduced phosphorus and potassium content of the soil after the experiment. Phosphorus levels also significantly increased the nitrogen and phosphorus content but potassium content of the soil after the experiment showed a parabolic type of response. Lower levels of shade with higher dose of nitrogen and phosphorus registered highest net returns and benefit cost ratio. But economic yield was obtained in shade intensity upto 50 per cent.

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