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ThesisItem Open Access Performance analysis and combining ability studies in anthurium cultivars(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Sheena, A; KAU; Sabina George, TThe investigation on “Performance analysis and combining ability studies in anthurium cultivars” was conducted at Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2010 - 2013. The objectives were to evaluate introduced cultivars of anthurium for growth, flowering and floral attributes, to assess their compatibility with cultivars having breeding potential and to produce novel anthurium cultivars through inter-varietal hybridization. The study was conducted in two experiments and the results and salient findings are abstracted here. In experiment I, performance evaluation of nine introduced anthurium cultivars for growth and cut flower production was carried out. The cultivars exhibited differential responses in vegetative and floral characters. With respect to morphological characters the cultivars Marijke and Paradise had greater vegetative vigour, higher yields, larger spathes and greater vase life. Salmon Queen, Mozaik Fresh, Hillary, Cynthia and Elizabeth were moderate in vegetative vigour. Red Amour and Anastasia were short statured, lower in vegetative vigour and low yielders with smaller spathes. Variability studies indicated that phenotypic coefficient of variation was slightly higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for most of the characters indicating the greater influence of environment. Genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than phenotypic correlation coefficients for most of the characters. In experiment II, twenty one anthurium cultivars including the introduced ones were evaluated for their floral characters and from these, eight cultivars namely Paradise, Marijke, Mozaik Fresh, Lady Jane Pink, Orange Glory, Dragon’s Tongue, Lima White and Agnihotri Red were selected as parents for further hybridization. Significant differences in floral characters were noticed among the cultivars. The cultivars exhibited variations in the qualitative characters of spathe colour, texture, spadix colour and type and colour of the young leaf and petiole. Anthocyanin content of the spathe showed a gradation with variation in the intensity of spathe colour. Vase life of the cultivars ranged from 6.33 to 20.50 days. Peak pollen emergence was observed from October to January and absence of pollen was found from March to May. Combining ability analysis was carried out for 11 traits in which eight traits exhibited higher dominance variance and three traits had higher additive variance which indicated involvement of both additive and non-additive gene action in the inheritance of characters and suggested the importance of selection as well as hybridization for improvement of these characters. Marijke and Mozaik Fresh were good general combiners with respect to the characters number of fruits per spadix, percentage of fruit set, number of seeds and percentage of seed germination, Orange Glory and Dragon’s Tongue for days to seed maturity, days to seed germination, seedling survival and days from emergence to maturity of leaves and Paradise for percentage of fruit set, days for germination and leaf area. In vitro seed germination study revealed that surface sterilization with sodium hypochlorite 2 % for 15 minutes recorded the lowest incidence of contamination and highest survival percentage. Highest germination per cent and earlier leaf development were seen in full MS media without growth regulators. Seed germination in vitro and its further multiplication could reduce the time taken to develop new hybrids in large numbers. The hybrid plants in the field are in flowering, near flowering and pre flowering stages. Vegetative and floral characters of the 35 hybrids that flowered when compared with their parents, revealed variations in the parameters studied. Ten hybrids found promising based on qualitative evaluation of spathe and spadix characters in the present study can be further assessed for flower yield and cut flower attributes and selected for cultivation.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of foliage plants for interior plantscaping(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2012) Alex, R; KAU; Sudhadevi, P KStudies were undertaken in Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2010-2012 to evaluate the foliage plants for interior plantscaping. The study comprised of four experiments in which fifty foliage plant species were selected for evaluation under two growing structures having two different systems viz., open ventilated and fan and pad. Air Pollution Tolerance Index of all the selected species of foliage plants were computed and based on that, ten species was selected and their performance under different indoor light conditions was studied. The air borne microbes and dust filtering efficiency of these ten indoor foliage plant species were also evaluated. When the growing structures, viz., open ventilated & fan and pad greenhouses were compared, the plants kept in fan and pad system were found to be superior than the plants kept in open ventilated greenhouse with regard to most of the characters. So the fan and pad system could be considered as the best for growing the foliage plants. But precautions should be taken to check the humidity levels. Fifty selected species of foliage plants were classified into six categories namely rosette, tree-like, flowering, upright, grass-like and climbing and trailing based on their growth habit. Among the rosette type, Anthurium crystallinum, Calathea zebrina, Philodendron wendlandii and Homalomena wallisii could be recommended for their compactness. Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Codiaeum variegatum ‘Punctatum aureum’, Ficus benjamina, Licuala grandis, Rhapis excelsa and Schefflera arboricola could be recommended among the tree-like species which could be utilized to decorate bigger indoor places. In flowering foliage plants, Anthurium andreanum ‘Bonina’, Spathiphyllum wallisii and Kalanchoe blossfeldiana could be recommended for any indoor conditions as they would improve the interior environment with their attractive flowers as well as foliages. Aglaonema pseudobracteatum, Dieffenbachia amoena, Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’, Dracaena ‘Purple Compacta’, Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Sensation’ and Zamioculcas zamiifolia could be recommended in upright foliage plants. Among grass-like species, Cyperus alternifolius, Chlorophytum ‘Charlotte’ and Ophiopogon jaburan ‘Variegata’ were found to be good and recommended to place them in groupings. Among climbing and trailing plants, Scindapsus aureus, Syngonium podophyllum, Philodendron ‘Ceylon Gold’ and Philodendron elegans were found best and recommended for places like staircase, balcony etc. The Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of the foliage plant species under the study was computed for three different seasons, viz., March-April, June-July and October- November and based on this they were categorized into sensitive, intermediately tolerant, moderately tolerant and tolerant. It was observed that Anthurium andreanum ‘Bonina’, Calathea zebrina and Dracaena ‘Purple Compacta’ had the highest APTI value and was tolerant to air pollution irrespective of the seasons. In all the seasons, Aglaonema pseudobracteatum, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii’, Spathiphyllum wallisii, Syngonium podophyllum, Tradescantia spathacea ‘Sitara’ and Zamioculcas zamiifolia were found to be the most susceptible and they could be recommended to be used as indicator plants for pollution. Other species could also be utilized based on their tolerance levels with respect to the seasons. Based on the APTI value, ten species were selected (two from each category) and their performance was studied under five different indoor light conditions viz., low (<800 lux), medium (800-2000 lux), high (>2000 lux), supplementary (800-2000 lux) and supplementary light with air condition. From the results, it was found that most the foliage plants could thrive well under medium light condition. In addition with that, under air conditioned zone with supplementary light, species like Anthurium andreanum ‘Bonina’, Philodendron elegans and Syngonium podophyllum could be recommended. Species like Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Rhapis excelsa and other palms could be recommended for areas with high light intensity. The performance of Scindapsus aureus was found good with regard to almost all the desirable characters in all the light conditions. The foliage plants were found very effective in reducing air borne microbes present in indoor conditions. The maximum amount of reduction (35.43 %) was recorded in the zone with medium light intensity where there were 127 Total colony forming units (Tcfu) without plants, which was reduced to 82 Tcfu when foliage plants were kept under the same zone. Regarding the dust filtering efficiency, the maximum amount of dust (3.57 gm-2) was found to be removed from the atmosphere by Syngonium podophyllum. Based on the amount of dust collected by the species, they could be arranged as Syngonium podophyllum > Philodendron elegans > Ficus benjamina > Philodendron ‘Ceylon Gold’> Anthurium andreanum > Schefflera arboricola > Chrysalidocarpus lutescens > Rhapis excelsa > Spathiphyllum wallisii > Scindapsus aureus.ThesisItem Open Access Standardization of organic nutrient regimes for Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Lind.) cultivars.(Department of Pomology and Floriculture,College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Jomy, Jacob; KAU; Sabina George, TAnthurium andreanum Lind. is cultivated globally for its attractive flowers and foliage. Kerala is identified as one of the most suitable places for growing Anthuriums because of the congenial climatic conditions similar to its natural habitat. For the nutrition of Anthuriums, standardization of eco-friendly organic manures is a felt need of growers. Though several organic nutrient dosages and an integrated nutrient dosage have been found promising for juvenile to mature tissue cultured plants of the Anthurium, these differed in their content of nutrients, constituent organic-inorganic fractions, components and their frequency of application. Refinement of these dosages and formulation of modified organic nutrient regimes consisting of easily available and eco friendly cost effective organic materials were intended in this investigation. Thus, an investigation was conducted at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani of the Kerala Agricultural University during 2009-2011 for a period of 18 months. The experiment was in CRD with 12 treatment combinations of 2 cultivars ( Anthurium andreanum cv. Acropolis and cv. Tropical) and 6 nutrient regimes The nutrient supplied under N1 to N4 was 2.15: 1.47: 2.37 N:P2O5:K2O g plant-1 (total per bimonth), and under N5 and N6 was 2.41:4.73:1.89 N:P2O5:K2O g plant-1 (total per bimonth)]. All the treatments were given weekly application of cow dung slurry 0.83 g/ plant. N1 comprised of organic manure mix 12.4 g plant-1 applied weekly (containing coir pith compost, bone meal, neem cake and wood ash) + Cow’s urine 8 ml/plant weekly. Modified organic manure mix 25.96 g plant-1 (containing wood ash, cow dung and bone meal) applied weekly for N2, 51.925 g plant-1 applied biweekly for N3, 103.85 g plant-1 applied monthly for (N4). N5 comprised of organic manure mix 40 g plant-1applied bimonthly (containing leaf compost, coir pith compost, bone meal, neem cake, poultry manure and wood ash) +NPK Fertilizer (18:18:18) @1 g plant-1 weekly. N6 comprised of organic manure mix 40 g plant-1 applied bimonthly (containing leaf compost, coir pith compost, bone meal, neem cake, poultry manure and wood ash) + Organic manure mix (containing cow dung, leaf compost, bone meal, and wood ash ) applied weekly. The first experiment was aimed at standardizing organic nutrient regimes for flower production from top cuttings in Anthurium andreanum cv. Acropolis and cv. Tropical. Vegetative characters such as the total number of newly emerged leaves upto 6, 12 and 18 MAP, annual leaf production, total leaf area at 6, 12 and 18 MAP, mean petiole length at 6, 12 and 18 MAP, mean phyllochron, days from emergence to senescence of leaves, rate of sucker production were found to differ significantly among manurial treatments. A comparative enhancement in vegetative characters such as number of leaves, leaf area, petiole length, annual leaf production and leaf duration, and lesser interval between leaf emergence were observed in plants under N2, N3, N4 and N6. These treatments also recorded greater number of flowers as well as annual flower production per plant, shorter mean interval between flower emergence and lesser days to harvestable maturity of flowers than organic treatment with cows urine weekly (N1) and organic inorganic integrated regime (N5). The manurial treatments of modified organic treatment applied biweekly (N3), monthly (N4) and organic treatment with manure mix bimonthly (N6) increased the length and width of the spathe, greater girth of flower stalk. The vase life of flower were found greater under modified organic treatment weekly (N2), biweekly (N3) and organic treatment with cows urine weekly (N1). Similarly, water uptake was higher in plants treated with modified organic treatment applied biweekly and weekly than under organic inorganic integrated regime. The organic inorganic integrated regime was found to effect in higher N and P content of leaves than all other treatments. Higher K content of leaves was recorded under N3 regime. The second experiment was aimed at standardization of nutrient regime(s) for sucker production and subsequent flower production from basal stem stumps in Anthurium andreanum cv. Acropolis and cv. Tropical. Modified organic treatment applied weekly (N2), biweekly (N3) and monthly (N4) recorded greater total leaf area of shoots from 3 MAP until separation, number and length of roots at separation, total length of suckers and number of leaves at retention and thereafter, lesser interval between leaf emergence and greater longevity of leaves and greater petiole length at 18 MAP, length, number of leaves and mean petiole length of retained suckers at 18 MAP, earlier and greater flower production. Modified organic treatment applied biweekly (N3) also recorded higher total number of suckers and rate of sucker production. Cultivar differences in vegetative and floral characters were found to be distinct in both experiments. In the planted basal stumps of experiment 2, sprouting and sucker development was observed. However, earlier sprouting and development of sprouts into shoots was observed in cv. Tropical than in Acropolis. In Experiment 1, though the treatments N2, N3 and N4 had equal effects on leaf production, total leaf area, flower production and shorter interval between flower emergence, in economic analysis, the treatment expenditure increasing from N4 to N2 can be a limiting factor determining their relative feasibility. The advantages in suckering observed in these cultivars in experiment 2, resulted in greater net value realization of cv. Acropolis under modified organic treatment applied biweekly (N3) and monthly (N4) and in cv. Tropical under modified organic treatment applied biweekly (N3).ThesisItem Open Access Variability studies in seedlings of heliconia (Heliconia spp.)(Department of Pomology and Floriculture,College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Kadam Darshan, Shashank; KAU; Sheela, V LHeliconias are one of the important cut flowers of tropics and versatile landscape plants due to their variation in the growth habit and flower characters. The objective of study was to assess the extent of variability among open pollinated seedlings collected from 15 different species and varieties. There was wide variation in the seed characters, germination characters, and morphological characters such as plant height, shoot girth and leaf morphology, leaf area, suckering habit. Also variation in physiological characters such as chlorophyll content, leaf sheath colour of the seedlings was observed. The species Heliconia mariae which registered lowest seed weight was observed to have highest value of plant height. Similarly Heliconia longa which recorded minimum value for seed weight developed in to taller plants. The varieties with smaller seed weight recorded higher germination percent as compared to varieties with higher seed weight. The species Heliconia mariae which recorded the highest plant height, also recorded higher values for leaf length, leaf width and leaf area. The variety Heliconia bihai var. ‘Granda’ registered the lowest plant height, also recorded higher values for leaf length, leaf width and leaf area during the whole observation period. The variety Heliconia latispatha var. ‘Orange Gyro’ recorded highest leaf length: width ratio of 3:1. Among the species and varieties Heliconia bihai var. ‘Granda’ registered the highest number of leaves. Among other leaf characters leaf base was found to have more variation. In species and varieties utilized for study ‘oblique’, ‘cordate’, ‘cuneate’ and ‘obtuse’ type of leaf bases were observed. In heliconia most of the species have distinctive leaf sheath colour pattern. Also presence of powdery coating on back surface of leaves was observed in Heliconia mariae, Heliconia curtispatha, Heliconia pogonantha var. ‘Pogonantha’ and Heliconia longa. The species and varieties showed significant difference in leaf midrib colour. These characters might be identifying feature in some of the varieties. Variation in pigment content was also observed among the species and varieties utilized for study. The variability was high both at phenotypic and genotypic level for most of the characters. PCV was slightly higher than GCV in most of the characters studied. High phenotypic (58.7 %) and genotypic (45.42 %), coefficient of variation was found for number of suckers. High heritability along with high genetic advance was observed for seed weight (heritability 98.05 %, GA 71.72%) and leaf area (heritability 99.96 %, GA 62.95%). The low heritability was recorded for percent of germination and pigment content. The character percentage of germination was found to have significant positive correlation at genotypic and phenotypic level with plant height, rate of shoot elongation, leaf length, leaf width and leaf area. Fourteen species and varieties of heliconia were subjected to D2 analysis based on eight characters. They were grouped into five clusters on the basis of relative magnitude of D2 values. The greater the distance between two clusters, greater is the divergence between the accessions belonging to the two clusters and vice versa. The maximum number of genotypes (5) were included in cluster I, followed by 4 genotypes in cluster II. Three genotypes were included in cluster III. Cluster IV and Cluster V consisted of only one genotype each. Using eucedian distance measures dendrogram was constructed to represent inter and intra specific relationships among the species and varieties. Clustering showed slightly different grouping than grouping by D2 analysis. On drawing a vertical line in the dendrogram along the point corresponding to the similarity coefficient value of 110.12, the 14 species and varieties got divided in to five clusters. The varieties Heliconia lingulata var. ‘Red tip fan’, Heliconia pogonantha var. ‘Pogonantha’ and species Heliconia curtispatha, Heliconia bourgaeana formed the largest cluster. The variety Heliconia bihai var. ‘Granda’ formed separate cluster as like in D2 analysis.ThesisItem Open Access Morpho-molecular characterization of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) accessions(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Aswini, A; KAU; Lila, Mathew KIndia is the largest producer of jackfruit in the world (APAARI, 2012). A wide range of genetic and morphological variation has been reported in jackfruit (Ullah and Haque, 2008). In Kerala also rich genetic diversity is reported (Muthulakshmi, 2003; Amma and Kumaran, 2011). Hence it is essential to characterize the accessions at morphological and molecular levels for knowing their identity, genetic relatedness and for exploitation in future breeding programmes. The study on ‘Morpho-molecular characterization of jackfruit (Artocarpusheterophyllus L.) accessions’ was carried out at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Kerala from August 2013 to June 2015. The main objective of the study was to characterise the selected accessions/varieties of jackfruit based on morphological and molecular analysis. Twenty types/accessions of jack fruit maintained in the College orchard and in the Pineapple Research Centre, Vellanikkara along with the Muttom Varikka, Sindoor and Thamarachakka varieties were used for the study. All the accessions/varieties were studied for morphological, physico-chemical and organoleptic properties. Molecular characterization of the selected accessions/varieties was carried out using standard procedure and subjected to ISSR techniques. All the accessions/varieties showed variability in tree characters,inflorescence characters, fruit characters and fruit quality. At the similarity coefficient status of 30 percent, grouping of accessions was done based on tree characters,which resulted in 6 non-overlapping clusters.Tree characters viz.,tree height (4.50 m to 18.00 m), trunk girth (76.00 cm to 270.00 cm), crown shape (pyramidal, broadly pyramidal, spherical, oblong, semi-circular, elliptical and irregular), branching pattern (erect, opposite, verticillate, horizontal and irregular), leaf blade shape (obovate, elliptic, broadly elliptic, narrowly elliptic, oblong and lyrate (wavy)), leaf apex (acute, acuminate, retuse and obtuse) , leaf base shape (oblique, rounded, cuneate and shortly attenuate) , leaf length (12.34 cm to 18.02 cm) and breadth ( 6.37 cm to 9.43 cm) were observed. The accessions were grouped at the similarity coefficient status of 75per cent based on inflorescence characters, which resulted in 5 non-overlapping clusters.Time of flowering, female inflorescence density, female and male inflorescence positions, bearing habit (regular) and secondary flowering (no secondary flowering) were recorded. At the similarity coefficient status of 26 per cent, grouping of accessions was done based on fruit characters, which resulted in 5 non - overlapping clusters. Variation was observed with respect to fruiting season, fruit clustering habit, fruit number (21 to 135) , shape, surface, fruit weight (1.65 kg to 20.00 kg ), fruit yield (41.25 kg/ plant to 1593 kg/ plant), shelf life ( 3 to 5 days ), latex exudation, rind colour and thickness, core length (10.20 cm to 50.50 cm ) and thickness (2.50 cm to 13.90 cm), number of flakes (bulbs) per kg of the fruit (12.61 to 71.15), weight of flake (16.69g to 33.91g), flesh thickness ( 1.26 mm to 7.8 mm), bulb diameter (6.08 cm to 10.11 cm), shape, pulp flavour, colour and consistency, number of seeds (44 to 482), 100-seed weight (240g to 800g) and rind, flake and seed ratio (2.30 to 7.31). Sensory evaluation viz.,taste, flavour, colour, texture, sweetness and appearance were recorded on basis of 9 point hedonic scale. At the similarity coefficient status of 7 per cent, grouping of accessions was done based on biochemical characters, which resulted in 14 non - overlapping clusters.The percentage of moisture (29 to 74 %), TSS (20.30 0 Brix to 33.80 o Brix), reducing sugars (6.61 to 13.16 %) and non-reducing sugars (5.16 to 13.29 %) and β carotene (0.99 to 12.94 mg/100g) were estimated. In molecular characterization five main clusters were formed at 77 per cent similarity. The first cluster grouped four accessions (Acc. 1, Acc. 3, Acc. 5, Acc. 4). The second cluster consists of Sindoor. Third cluster consists of Thamarachakka, fourth cluster consists of Acc. 2 and MuttomVarikka and the fifth cluster consist of five accessions (Acc. 15, Acc. 17, Acc. 18, Acc. 19, and Acc. 16). First cluster included the firm fleshed jackfruit accessions whereas Cluster V included all the soft fleshed accessions. Thus in the present investigation, evaluation and characterization of twenty accessions and three varieties namely Sindoor, Muttom Varikka and Thamarachakka have been made to understand the extent of genetic diversity and similarity with the help of morphological, biochemical and molecular characters for identifying superior types for further selection. Sindoor and Muttom Varikka are the two firm fleshed varieties widely accepted in Kerala and suited for homestead cultivation. The morphological and fruit quantity and quality parameters of accessions 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 15 are compared with the above varieties. But for specific purposes, desirable traits are to be employed for selection. Further studies are also required to confirm the results. Molecular markers - ISSR markers could be successfully employed in determining the texture of the jackfruit flakes (firm/soft flesh types) and also for knowing the genetic relatedness.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of vanda orchids for commercial traits(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Minnu, Sebastian; KAU; Geetha, C KThe investigation on the evaluation of Vanda orchids was conducted at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 2013-‘14 with the objective of evaluating the field performance for commercial exploitation. Thirty Vanda varieties/ hybrids were selected for the study. They were evaluated for their height, spread, shoot characters (nature, girth, internodal length), leaf characters (length, breadth, area, number, interval of leaf production, leaf sheath characters), root characters (length, girth, number), floral characters (days from spike emergence to opening, longevity of spike, interval of spike production, annual production of spike, blooming period, number of florets per spike, individual flower life, flower size, features of petal, lip and column) under field conditions, as well as post harvest parameters (spike longevity, number of buds opening in vase, physiological loss in weight, water uptake and floret span). The varieties exhibited wide variation in both vegetative and floral characters. Maximum plant height was observed in V. Pompimol and the minimum in V. Thailand Beauty. V. Kasem’s Delight x V. Bitz’s Heartthrob recorded the maximum plant spread and V. Pachara Delight Pink the minimum. Shoot girth and internodal length were the maximum in V. Taweesuksa x V. Kultana Gold x V. Green Gold and V. Pakchong New Land x V. Annette Jones, respectively while the minimum was recorded by V. Varuvathe Pink and V. Thailand Beauty, respectively. Leaf number was maximum in V. Prapawan and the minimum in V. Apec Blue. Leaf length as well as leaf area were the maximum in V. Pompimol, whereas the least values for these characters were for V. Prapawan and V. Anek Delight, respectively. V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan recorded the maximum leaf breadth and V. Fuchs Delight, the minimum. Interval of leaf production was the maximum in V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight and the least in V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan. Among the vanda varieties, V. Apec Blue recorded, the maximum number of roots whereas V. Anek Delight and V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan had maximum root length and girth, respectively and the minimum was in V. Varuvathe Pink, V. Urbchitr x V. Bitz’s Heartthrob and V. Dr Anek x V. Bitz’s Heartthrob, respectively. The duration from spike emergence to opening of florets was the maximum in V. Urbchitr x V. Bitz’s Heartthrob. Time required for opening florets (first and 50%) was the least for V. Apec Blue and V. Anek Delight, respectively. Spike longevity was the maximum for V. Madame Rattana and the minimum for V. Anek Delight. Interval of spike production was the maximum in V. Pompimol and the minimum in V. Pranermprai x V. tessellata. Accordingly, annual spike production was the minimum in V. Pompimol and it was the highest in V. Pathum Gold. Spike characters, like length was maximum in V. Kultana Delight Red, while girth in V. Urbchitr x V. Bitz’s Heartthrob .The rachis length and number of florets were the maximum in V. Thailand Beauty and the minimum in V. Varuvathe Pink. The internodal length between florets was the maximum in V. Prapawan and the minimum in V. Red Gem. Lip length and flower size recorded the highest values in V. Pompimol whereas column length was the highest in V. Dr Anek x V. Mimi Palmer. All these characters were the lowest in V. Red Gem. The life of individual floret on the spike was the maximum for V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight and the minimum in V. Pakchong New Land x V. Annette Jones. Among the post harvest characters, spike longevity (vase life) was the maximum in V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight followed by V. Thailand Beauty and the minimum in V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan. The life span of each floret was also high in V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight. The qualitative characters of vanda varieties/hybrids differed in all aspects. The leaves were channelled, smooth, rigid and green coloured, with no pigmentation. Three types of leaf apex, viz., tridentate, praemorse and emarginate were observed. The leaves were arranged alternately and were oriented as straight or horizontal with an arching tendency. Varying petal shapes and curvatures were observed. The petal margin was undulated in most of the cases and rarely entire. Uniform, spotted as well as blotched colour patterns were seen in the petals. Lip-lobe shapes and lip curvature were varying in the varieties. Lip apex was bilobed in most cases; acute or truncate apices were also noticed. Lip surface was glabrous, usually single or double coloured whereas it was triple coloured in V. Pathum Gold and V. Robert’s Delight. Lip colour pattern was uniform or streaked or spotted. The column colour pattern was uniform, streaked, blotched or spotted. Spur type was found to be cylindrical in most varieties and saccate in some. The variety V. Pranermprai x V. tessellata possessed good fragrance. Considering the overall quantitative and qualitative parameters, V. Pathum Gold, V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan, V. Pachara Delight Pink, V. Apec Blue, V. Prapawan, V. Urbchitr x V. Bitz’s Heartthrob and V. Thailand Beauty were excellent, both for cut flower production and as pot plants. V. Pranermprai x V. tessellata and V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight have more potential for use as cut flower whereas V. Red Gem and V. Anek Delight were excellent as pot plants.ThesisItem Open Access Performance evaluation of turf grass species in the humid tropics(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Abdul, Raziq; KAU; Valsalakumari, P KThe present study entitled “Performance evaluation of turf grass species in the humid tropics” was carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara from January 2012 to August 2013. The objective was to evaluate the performance of turf grass species with respect to growth, establishment rate and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses in order to introduce new grass species for the tropical lawns. Ten turf grass species, viz., Cynodon dactylon, Stenotaphrum secundatum, Zoysia japonica, Paspalum notatum, Eragrostis curvula, Cynodon dactylon 419, Poa pratensis, Lolium perenne, Agrostis palustris, Dichondra micrantha were selected for the study. The first four species were local and the remaining six were imported from the USA. Three species, viz., Poa pratensis, Lolium perenne and Agrostis palustris did not establish and hence further studies were carried out on the remaining seven. Besides the studies in the open field condition, their tolerance to shade and air pollution were also evaluated. The experiment was laid out in CRD for shade tolerance studies and RBD for open field condition with three replications. Various vegetative and qualitative characters were recorded and data were statistically analysed. The maximum duration for total coverage of the area was recorded by Paspalum notatum (189 days) and the minimum by Eragrostis curvula (100 days). There were significant differences for plant height and shoot length in shade and open field conditions. Leaf length, leaf width, leaf texture, leaf colour and arrangement of unfurled leaves were recorded and were used for categorizing the species. Based on leaf width, plants were categorized into fine, coarse and medium coarse textured. Leaf colour was categorized as light, medium and dark green. According to arrangement of unfurled leaves, they were classified as rolled and folded. Root characters were recorded in terms of number, length and root shoot ratio. Growth habit was recorded as spreading and upright. Response of different turf grass species to mowing was recorded in terms of time taken for first mowing, relative mowing height, weight of biomass removed at first mowing, recuperative ability, frequency of mowing and mowing tolerance. The maximum duration for first mowing was recorded by Dichondra micrantha (174.7 days) and the minimum by Eragrostis curvula (57.7 days). The later showed the highest value (3330.7g) for biomass and the minimum (30.0 g) was by Zoysia japonica. Relative mowing height in open field condition was recorded as low in Cynodon dactylon 419 and Zoysia Japonica, medium for Dichondra micrantha and Cynodon dactylon and high in Paspalum notatum, Eragrostis curvula and Stenotaphrum. Recuperative ability was poor in Dichondra micrantha, Paspalum notatum and Eragrostis curvula and high in Cynodon dactylon 419 and Cynodon dactylon. Mowing frequency was less in Dichondra micrantha, Cynodon dactylon 419, Zoysia japonica and Stenotaphum secundatum. It was more in Paspalum notatum, Eragrostis curvula. Mowing tolerance was low in Dichondra micrantha, Paspalum notatum and Eragrostis curvula whereas it was high in Cynodon dactylon 419, Cynodon dactylon, Zoysia japonica. Response to mowing followed the same pattern under various shade levels also. Air Pollution Tolerance Index of Dichondra micrantha was the highest (24.8) and the lowest value (8.35) was observed for Cynodon dactylon. Turf grass species were categorized into sensitive (value ≤ 14), intermediate (15-19), medium tolerant (20-24) and tolerant (>24). All the species, except Dichondra micrantha, was sensitive to air pollution. Major pests observed were, leaf eating caterpillars (army worm) in Paspalum notatum and Eragrostis curvula and termites in Dichondra micrantha, Zoysia japonica, Cynodon dactylon 419, Eragrostis curvula, and Paspalum notatum. Rats were another problem in turf area. No serious disease was observed except the gray leaf disease, caused by Pyriculari grisea which was found in Stenotaphrum secundatum.Weeds affected the turf growth seriously, both under shade and in open field conditions. The important weeds were Alloteropsis cimicina, Ageratum conyzoides, Lindernia crustacean, Cyperus iria, Cyperus rotandus , Digitaria bicornis, Synedrella nodiflora, Mimosa pudica and Desmodium triflorum. Among the turf grass species evaluated under open field condition Cynodon dactylon 419, Cyndon dactylon, Zoysia japonica, Stenotaphrum secundatum and Paspalum notatum were suitable for lawn under humid tropical condition. Eragrostis curvula, though not suitable as a turf grass, can be grown in pots and also as an edge plant. Among the turf grass species evaluated under various shade levels (0%, 25% and 50%) Dichondra micrantha, Zoysia Japonica and Paspalum notatum performed better under 25 per cent and zero per cent shade levels and Stenotaphrum secundatum at the shade levels tried.ThesisItem Open Access Enhancement of spike qualities of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.)(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Simmy, A M; KAU; Lila, Mathew KThe studies on ‘Enhancement of spike qualities of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L)” were conducted during 2012-13 in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, in two seasons, from May 2012 to October 2012 (first season) and from November 2012 to April 2013 (second season). The objectives were to compare the performance of gladiolus varieties under open and rain shelter conditions and to standardize the post harvest treatments to improve the spike qualities. The three gladiolus varieties namely Oscar, Summer Sunshine and White Prosperity, were grown as per KAU recommendation, both in open field and rain shelter. Detailed observations were made on growth, flowering and post harvest characters. The study clearly indicated that growing condition, season and genotype had significant influence on vegetative as well as floral characters of gladiolus. The vegetative characters like plant height, number of leaves and leaf area were noticed to be better in rain shelter grown plants, during both seasons. Early spike emergence [Oscar (S1- 87.35 days, S2- 73.25 days), Summer Sunshine (S1- 61.90 days, S2- 56.22 days) and White Prosperity (S1- 72.05 days, S2- 62.08 days)], shorter duration from spike emergence to opening and longer blooming period [Oscar (S1- 9.03 days, S2-10.08 days), Summer Sunshine (S1- 11.68 days, S2-13.03days), and White prosperity (S1- 9.68 days, S2-12.05 days)] were noticed in rain shelter grown plants. Total duration of the crop was shorter in rain shelter during both seasons. Spike length, spike diameter, rachis length, number of florets per spike [Oscar (S1-10.35, S2-12.00), Summer Sunshine (S1-11.38, S2- 13.80) and White Prosperity (S1-9.23, S2- 11.57)], floret size and number of florets opened at a time were observed better in rain shelter grown plants, during both seasons. Vase characters were also found to be superior in rain shelter grown plants. Rain shelter grown plants of Oscar (S1-5.00 days, S2-6.00 days), Summer Sunshine (S1-6.67 days, S2- 8.67 days) and White Prosperity (S1-3.3 days, S2- 4.00 days) recorded significantly more vase life, during both seasons. Corm yield recorded were maximum in plants grown in rain shelter. Cormel yield recorded was maximum in rain shelter for Oscar and White prosperity where as for Summer Sunshine, maximum cormel yield was observed in open field. Among the varieties, Summer Sunshine had better performance with respect to most of the vegetative, spike and vase characters, compared to other varieties, both in rain shelter and open field. Oscar recorded relatively higher floret size ( S1-9.47 cm, S2-10.31 cm) as well as cormel yield ( S1- 14.71, S2- 21.63) compared to other varieties, during both seasons in both growing conditions. The results showed that spike qualities as well as corm yield can be enhanced by rain shelter cultivation. It was also noticed that November planting was found to be better than May planting, in order to obtain quality spikes as well as good corm yield in gladiolus under Vellanikkara conditions. For post harvest studies, gladiolus spikes were harvested when the first floret showed colour. Spikes were subjected to the post harvest treatments - pulsing, holding, storage and packing. Among the pulsing solutions Sucrose 20% + 8 HQC 200 ppm was found to be better than other treatments for all the varieties, with respect to percentage of fully opened florets , percentage of unopened florets, longevity of individual florets (Oscar -1.8 days, Summer Sunshine – 3.8 days and White prosperity- 2.25 days), number of florets opened at a time, water uptake and vase life.For all the varieties, holding solution of Sucrose 5% + AgNO3 50 ppm was found to record the maximum percentage of fully opened florets, longevity of individual florets, water uptake and vase life (Oscar -7 days, Summer Sunshine - 9 days and White prosperity- 7days). Maximum percentage of fully opened florets, longevity of individual florets, water uptake and vase life were observed in spikes stored at 80C, for all the varieties. The spikes packed in polypropylene sheet exhibited the highest percentage of fully opened and partially opened florets, longevity of individual florets, number of florets opened at a time, water uptake and vase life (Oscar-9 days, Summer Sunshine- 9.75 days and White prosperty- 8 days). Nature of spike bending of all the varieties was not significantly influenced by pulsing and holding solutions, packing and storage. The post harvest studies revealed that pulsing of gladiolus spikes with sucrose 20 percent and 8- HQC 200 ppm for 3 hours, packing with polypropylene sheet, storing at 80C for 24 hours and holding in Sucrose 5% + AgNO3 50 ppm solution can significantly improve the vase characters of gladiolus.ThesisItem Open Access Performance of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) in different growing conditions(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Anu Kurian; KAU; Ajith Kumar, KThe study on “Performance of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) in different growing conditions” was conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ambalavayal, Wayanad, Kerala from September 2013 to March 2014. The main objective was to compare the performance of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) under three growing conditions (open field, greenhouse and fan and pad system) and under two agro ecological zones of Kerala (Central mid-lands and High ranges). Among the growth characters, plant height and plant spread were maximum in the fan and pad system in Central midlands. More number of leaves per plant was recorded under open condition. Number of leaves and plant spread were the maximum with planting in the last week of September. In High ranges, plant height and plant spread were highest in the greenhouse system and maximum number of leaves was recorded in open condition. Number of leaves per plant recorded was maximum in last week of September planting. In Central mid-lands, minimum days to first flowering (55.67 days) was recorded under fan and pad system. The systems of growing had no effect on number of flowers and number of clusters per plant. Days to first flowering was minimum (57.11 days) in plants mulched with black polyethylene. Early flowering (55.0 days) was observed when mulched with black polyethylene in fan and pad system. In High ranges, number of flowers (20.78) and number of clusters per plant (17.47) were highest under open condition. Systems of growing had no effect on days to first flowering. Plants in the open condition with black polyethylene mulch resulted in maximum number of flowers (25.85) and number of clusters per plant (21.57) per plant. Among the yield attributes, in Central midlands, fan and pad system was the best with respect to production of fruits per plant (5.87). Systems of growing had no effect on yield and average fruit weight per plant. Greenhouse was the best with respect to early harvest (82.67 days) of fruits whereas harvesting priod extended up to 163.25 days under open condition. Planting in last week of September recorded maximum number of fruits per plant (5.43). Early harvest (95.06 days) was recorded when mulched with black polyethylene. In High ranges, maximum number of fruits (8.97), yield (80.35 g), average fruit weight (8.79 g) per plant and early harvest of fruits (81.17 days) were observed in open condition. Maximum number of fruits (10.53) and highest yield (102.17 g) per plant were recorded in plants with black polyethylene mulch under open condition. In Central midlands, systems of growing had no effect on content of total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, TSS/acidity ratio. Highest total sugars (6.03%) was recorded in open condition. Time of planting and mulch had no effect on quality parameters. In High ranges, lowest acidity (0.13 %), highest TSS (11.07 0 Brix), TSS/acidity ratio (86.46) and total sugars (5.88 %) were recorded under greenhouse condition. In Central mid-lands, the overall sensory score was highest in plants in the open field which were planted in the last week of September with white mulch. However, in High ranges, the overall sensory score was highest in open filed, planted in last week of September with black polyethylene mulch. The fruits harvested from High ranges had better appearance and colour compared to fruits obtained from Central midlands.