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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
Nutrient source efficiency relations on the productivity of cowpea in summer rice fallows
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2006) Lekha, B. Nair; KAU; Savithri, K V
A field experiment was conducted in the rice fallows of Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy, during the summer season (February – April) of 2005, to study the effect of different sources of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth, yield and quality of cowpea and to asses the possibility of reducing the quantity of fertilizers through inoculation of phosphate solubilising bacteria and foliar application of diammonium phosphate. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seventeen treatments and three replications. The treatments included were, different sources of nitrogen and phosphorus along with or with out phosphate solubilising bacteria inoculation and foliar application two percent diammonium phosphate twice and package of practices recommendation alone. Most of the growth characters, dry matter production, yield and yield attributes and uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S were higher in the treatments which received nitrogen in the form of urea and phosphorus in the form of rock phosphate. The influence of rock phosphate was more when it was applied along with phosphate solubilising bacteria inoculation. Foliar application of two percent diammonium phosphate at pre flowering and flowering stages increased the growth characters and drymatter production but showed a reduction in yield and yield attributes of cowpea. The protein content of grain and Bhusa was not significantly influenced by various sources of nitrogen and phosphorus, phosphate solubilising bacteria inoculation and foliar spray of two percent diammonium phosophate. None of the treatments could bring about much impact on soil nutrient status. However, complete basal application of nitrogen and phosphorus showed a slightly higher content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S over their 50 percent application. Moreover, application of nitrogen as ammonium sulphate resulted in a slightly higher content of sulphur in the soil compared to application of urea. Among the various treatments, considering the growth and yield of cowpea as well as economics, basal application of 50 percent nitrogen as urea and 50 percent phosphorus as rock phosphate along with phosphate solubilising bacteria inoculation and subsequent foliar spray of two percent diammonium phosphate at pre flowering and flowering stages was found to be the best.
Open Access
Impact of long term integrated nutrient supply system on soil health and rice productivity
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2007) Raji S, Prasad; KAU; Babu Mathew, T
A field experiment was carried out in both kharif and rabi seasons during 2004-2005 at Cropping System Research station, Karamana to find out the effect of long term integrated nutrient supply system on soil health and productivity of rice ( Oryza sativa L) –rice sequential cropping system. The experiment was laid out in RBD with 12 treatments in 4 replications and treatments in kharif and rabi together form one set of treatment. The treatments included control , 50% ,75% and 100% levels of RDF in kharif and rabi and 50% or 25% substitution of recommended dose of nitrogen in kharif substituted by organic manure viz. FYM , crop residues and green manure. The treatments exerted profound influence in majority of growth characters and yield attributes. Application of 25% or 50% substitution of RDF through organic manure along with 75% or 100% RDF in rabi through chemicals produced remarkable influence in growth and yield attributes. In grain and straw yield of rabi and kharif , the highest values were given by those treatments which supplied either 50% or 25% of RDF through FYM or crop residues in kharif and 100% or 75% of RDF through inorganic fertilizers in rabi .Since these treatments were on par with each other, the best treatment is that which supply 25% RDF through organic manure in kharif and 75% of RDF through inorganic fertilizers in rabi since25% of the chemical fertilizers are saved there. The highest NPK contents in grain and straw in both kharif and rabi were recorded and mostly in those treatments with 50% or 25% of RDF through organic manures in kharif along with 100% or 75% of RDF through in organics in rabi The highest NPK uptake in all the crop stages in both kharif and rabi were also higher observed in plots those receive 50% or 25% of RDF through organic manures in kharif along with 100% or 75% of RDF through in organics in rabi The soil available P and K values did not vary remarkably in both Kharif and rabi .However soil available nitrogen in soil varied profoundly before and after rabi seasons and the maximum available nitrogen was observed before rabi in those plots which supply 25% RDF through crop residues in kharif and 100% RDF through chemical fertilizers in rabi and 50% RDF through green manure in kharif and 100% RDF through chemical fertilizers in rabi. The physical properties like bulk density and water holding capacity were also significantly influenced by the treatments before and after the experiment in which lower bulk density values were exhibited by organics applied plots in kharif and they also showed significantly higher water holding capacity compared to those treatments which were supplied with organic matter in kharif . Soil chemical properties like organic carbon and CEC remarkably improved in organic manure applied plots along with inorganics in rabi. The population count studies of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes revealed the positive influence of the collective application of organic matter and inorganic fertilizers on soil biological properties and its subsequent influence on soil health when compared with control. As per the economic analysis of the cultivation the maximum benefit cost ratio was exhibited by the treatment which received 25% of RDF in kharif through crop residues and 75% of RDF through in organics in rabi .
Open Access
Standardisation of System of rice intensification (SRI) technique
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2006) Rajani Satish, L; KAU; Sheela, K R
An experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani to compare the performance of rice under SRI and normal system of cultivation and to standardize the seedling age, spacing and weed management for rice under SRI system of cultivation. The investigation was programmed as two experiments, a pot culture trial followed by a field study. The pot culture study to standardize the seedling age under SRI, was laid out in CRD with six treatments and five replications. The treatments included transplanting single seedling of 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 days old. Transplanting 21 day old seedling @ three seedlings hill-1 formed the control. The results of the study revealed that the number of productive tillers were the highest for 12 day old seedlings which contributed to greater yield and this was on par with 14 and 16 day old seedlings. All the treatments were significantly superior to control in grain and straw yield. Based on pot culture study, 12 day old seedlings were selected for field experiment. The field experiment was laid out in factorial RBD with two factors, in nine treatment combinations and a control in three replications. The factors included were three spacings, viz., 20 x 20 cm, 25 x 25 cm and 30 x 30 cm and three weed management practices, namely, hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAT, use of pre-emergent herbicide, butachlor @ 1.25 kg ai ha-1 followed by hand weeding, rotary weeding at 10 days interval starting from 10 DAT and a control (transplanting 21 day old seedlings at a spacing of 20 x 10 cm and hand weeded twice at 20 and 40 DAT). Among the different spacings followed, closer spacing of 20 x 20 cm recorded higher growth characters and produced more number of productive tillers hill-1 and per unit area. The closer spacings registered higher grain yield than 30 x 30 cm spacing, though not significant. However, all the SRI treatments registered significantly higher values for growth characters and yield attributes thus resulting in a higher yield compared to control. Among the weed management practices, the use of butachlor followed by hand weeding, recorded better growth attributes and productive tiller count hill-1 thus contributing to a significantly higher grain yield which was on par with hand weeding twice. Though the control plot recorded a significantly lower value for weed parameters during the early stages of observation, at later stages the variation between control and treatments was found insignificant. The nutrient uptake by the crop was the highest at 20 x 20 cm spacing whereas for weeds, 25 x 25 cm spacing recorded higher values. Among the weed management practices, hand weeding twice recorded significantly lower nutrient uptake by weeds. The control plot was superior to other treatment combinations and registered significantly lower nutrient uptake by weeds. The closer spacing of 20 x 20 cm along with the use of herbicide followed by hand weeding resulted in the highest net income and benefit-cost ratio. The net income and benefit-cost ratio in SRI treatments were higher than the control. Compared to the existing method of rice cultivation, SRI treatments showed their superiority in augmenting the grain yield and income.
Open Access
Sulphur-zinc interaction in integrated nutrient supply system of wetland rice ( Oryza sativa L.)
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2007) Vipin, K S; KAU; Shahul Hammed, S M
An experiment was conducted at Cropping Systems Research Centre (CSRC), Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram during rabi season of 2005-06 to study the response of wetland rice to sulphur and zinc under integrated nutrient condition using the variety Aiswarya. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consist of combinations of two levels of nitrogen (N), three levels of sulphur (S) and two levels of ZnSO4 (Z) along with two controls (zero level of fertilizer treatment and Package of Practice recommendation treatment). Recommended dose of nitrogen applied as 100 per cent inorganic (N1) and 50 per cent N applied equally as organic-inorganic integration (N2) constitutes the N levels. Sulphur applied @ 10 kg ha-1 (S1), 20 kg ha-1 (S2) and 30 kg ha-1 (S3) were the three sulphur levels. The two ZnSO4 fertilizer levels are10 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 (Z1) and 20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 (Z2) and farmyard manure @ 5 t ha-1 was applied uniformly to all treatments. Results of the experiment revealed that the main effects of nitrogen, sulphur and ZnSO4 as well as their combinations exerted positive significant influence on the growth and yield attributing characters of rice. Organic- inorganic integration (N1) significantly influenced growth characters like plant height, tiller number hill-1, leaf area index and dry matter production and yield character like number of panicles hill-1 and yield while higher sulphur (S3) level upto 30 kg ha-1 were found significantly superior in influencing all growth, yield attributing characters and yield of rice to lower level (S1). ZnSO4 @ 20 kg ha-1 (Z1) recorded significantly higher plant height, tiller number hill-1 leaf area index, number of panicles hill-1, weight of panicle, filled grains panicle-1 and yield of rice. Treatment combinations also significantly influenced most of the growth, yield attributing characters and yield of rice compared to controls. Chlorophyll content was significantly influenced by S application only. Nutrient uptake was also influenced by treatments and their combinations. Organic- inorganic integration (N1) significantly favoured the uptake of N, P, K, S and Zn while S application at higher levels contributed significantly to uptake of N, S and Zn. Uptake of N, S and Zn was significantly influenced with higher level of ZnSO4 @ 20 kg ha-1 (Z2). Combination of S @ 30 kg ha-1 along with ZnSO4 @ 20 kg ha-1 produced highest uptake of Zn. Available N and K exhibited significant variation with combined use of both organic and inorganic source of nitrogen. Available nutrient status of N, K, S and Zn was significantly increased by S application at higher levels. Again, there was increase in availability of S and Zn content of the soil with higher level of ZnSO4 (20 kg ha-1) application. N X S and S X Zn interactions also played significant role in increasing available N and S content of soil. Treatment combinations recorded significantly better results in uptake and availability of nutrients compared to control treatments. Highest benefit cost ratio was recorded by a combination of S @ 30 kg ha-1 + ZnSO4 @ 20 kg ha-1 along with full recommended dose of N as inorganic fertilizer.
Open Access
Evaluation of potha grass (Themeda cymbaria (Roxb) Hack) for fodder production and quality
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2007) Praveen, A; KAU; George Thomas, T
Potha grass (Themeda cymbaria (Roxb.) Hack.) is a native fodder grass grown in parts of central Kerala. The present investigation was undertaken to have an understanding on the phenology, growth characteristics, fodder production potential and nutritive quality of T.cymbaria. Comparisons were made with Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) cv. Makueni. The experiments were conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm of College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University Vellanikkara during 2006– 2007. The phenological and growth characteristics were noted during the year 2006-07. P.maximum started flowering at the beginning of January and continued up to July 2007. It took one month from flowering to seed maturity. However, no phenological events related to flowering were observed in T.cymbaria during the experimental period. Growth was comparatively fast in P.maximum than T.cymbaria. Plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf weight, stem weight and dry matter production per plant were the highest in P.maximum during all the growth stages. Similarly, growth indices like leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area duration (LAD), relative growth rate (RGR), absolute growth rate (AGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) showed higher values in P.maximum than T.cymbaria. However, the value of leaf weight ratio (LWR) was higher in T.cymbaria than P.maximum. Both grasses showed a decline in growth during summer season. However, with the onset of monsoon, both grasses performed well. The fodder production potential of T.cymbaria was compared with Guinea grass cv. Makueni under irrigated and rainfed conditions by harvesting the herbage at 30, 45, and 60 days intervals. Growth characters like plant height, number of leaves, leaf weight, stem weight and leaf area index (LAI) were found to be higher in P.maximum than T.cymbaria. The green and dry fodder yields at the end of the experimental period of 10 months from planting indicated a clear yield advantage for Guinea grass over Potha grass. Between irrigated and rainfed grasses, although there were yield differences at some stages of cutting, total yields showed no significant difference. The highest green and dry fodder yields were recorded in irrigated Guinea grass. Regarding cutting intervals, 45 days cutting interval performed better compared to 30 and 60 days intervals. From yield point of view, Poth grass may not be comparable with Guinea grass. However, Potha grass could be recommended as a soil conservation grass as it did not show any flowering and seed formation. Growth during the dry period was also normal. It could be an ideal alternative as a soil conservation grass for farmers who also rear livestock, instead of the usually recommended non-edible Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides). Nutrient aspects like crude protein, ether extract, nitrogen free extract, ash, phosphorus, magnesium, and oxalate contents of both grasses were found to be similar under irrigated and rainfed conditions at different cutting intervals. However, crude fibre content was higher in Potha grass, while potassium and calcium contents were higher in Guinea grass. From nutrient point of view, there is hardly any difference between the two grasses. Potha grass can replace Guinea grass in feeding with the same quality.
Open Access
Biodynamic practices in chilli
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Jayasree, P; KAU; Annamma George
The research project entitled ‘Biodynamic practices in chilli’ was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during October 2004 to February 2005. The study was conducted on chilli cv, Jwalasakhi. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomised block design with two replications. The treatments consisted of two levels of biodynamic calendar – factor A (A1 is the cultivation practices based on biodynamic calendar and A2 is cultivation practices without considering biodynamic calendar) and six levels of manurial schedule – factor B (B1 – BD 500 + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis, B2 – BD 501 + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis, B3 – B1 + B2 + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis, B4 – Panchagavyam + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis, B5 – organic manures alone on nutrient equivalent basis, B6 – package of practices recommendations of Kerala Agricultural University (FYM 20 t ha-1 + 75 : 40 : 25 kg N: P2O5 : K2O ha-1) Results of the experiment revealed that POP recommendations of Kerala Agricultural University significantly increased the growth characters like plant height, number of branches, leaf area index, root length and root spread while root-shoot ratio was higher in organic manure treatments. Similar trend was also observed for yield and yield attributing characters. The post harvest nutrient content in soil showed a significant increase with panchagavyam + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis which was on par with other treatments receiving biodynamic preparations and organic manures. Quality parameters of chilli significantly improved as a result of application of biodynamic preparations and organic manures. Panchagavyam + organic manures increased the shelf life while organic manures alone on nutrient equivalent basis increased ascorbic acid content. POP of Kerala Agricultural University was found to be significantly superior in capsaicin content. There was significant reduction in the incidence of damping off by POP of Kerala Agricultural University while the highest incidence of fruit rot was observed in the same treatment. Eventhough the cost of cultivation is higher for POP recommendations of Kerala Agricultural University, it was rated as more economic in terms of net returns and B:C ratio.

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