Thumbnail Image

Theses

Browse

2014 - 20152
Reset filters
Subject: Forest Business Management × Author: KAU × Start date: 2014 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Foliar nutrient content and decomposition of green manure species viz. Gmelina arborea Roxb. and mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell. Arg.
    (Department of forest management and utilisation, College of forestry, Vellanikkara, 2014) Vinu Jacob; KAU; Vidyasagaran, K
    A detailed work was undertaken in the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala during 2011 - 2014 to study the foliar nutrient content and the decomposition rate of the leaf biomass of two green manure tree species, i.e. Gmelina arborea and Mallotus philippensis, as affected by seasons and field conditions. The experiment was conducted in an open and home garden during the wet season and the dry season. The rate of decomposition was generally faster for both the species studied under all the study situations. However, Gmelina arborea showed faster rates of leaf biomass decomposition than Mallotus philippensis. With respect to seasons, wet season reported faster decomposition for both the tree species. Although no significant influence of field conditions on the decomposition rate was observed, open area registered faster decomposition than homegarden. Decay coefficient recorded was maximum for Gmelina arborea. Generally, both the species under all the conditions followed a biphasic pattern of biomass decomposition. The initial nitrogen content, C: N ratio, lignin content and lignin: nitrogen ratio of the leaf biomass influenced the decomposition rate. The decomposition rate was also found to be a function of soil moisture content and soil temperature. Leaf biomass of Gmelina arborea showed rapid release of nutrients than Mallotus philippensis. Among the nutrients, potassium registered faster mineralization followed by nitrogen for both the species under all the study situations. The lowest mineralization tendency was seen for phosphorus in both the species under all the conditions. Also, significant improvement in the soil nutrient status of the soil was observed by the incorporation of leaf biomass of Gmelina arborea and Mallotus philippensis into the soil. However, no significant differences were observed with regards to the species on increasing the soil carbon and nitrogen content. The leaf biomass of Gmelina arborea showed maximum improvement of soil phosphorus content and exchangeable potassium.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Quality evaluation and value addition of fruits of Elaeocarpus serratus L. (Ceylon Olive Tree)
    (College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2015) Yeshma, Machamma; KAU; Vidyasagaran, K
    The present study “Quality evaluation and Value Addition of fruits of Elaeocarpus serratus L. (Ceylon Olive Tree)” was conducted in Vazhachal forest division of Thrissur district, Kerala. From the selected trees the fruits were collected to evaluate their physical parameters, biochemical and mineral composition. Two products were also, prepared from the fruits and their bio chemical parameters were analyzed. The physical characteristics of the fruits revealed that the mean fruit weight, volume, length, diameter for the fruit were 3.55 g, 5.97 cm3, 23.07 mm and 15.58 mm respectively. The mean pulp and seed weight was observed as 2.03 g and 1.52 g respectively for the fruits. The pulp and seed proportion was estimated to be 57.50 per cent and 42.50 per cent of the total Elaeocarpus serratus fruit content. Correlation matrix revealed a significant and positive relation among all the studied physical parameters. The biochemical parameters of the fruit such as moisture, total soluble solids, total sugar, reducing sugar, starch, fibre, titrable acidity, beta carotene, vitamin C were obtained as 62.45 per cent, 5.990 brix, 12.05 per cent, 8.26 per cent, 18.78 per cent, 1.73 per cent, 1.36 per cent, 1.04 μ g /100gm and 2.9 mg /100gm respectively. Minerals like phosphorous, potassium, iron and calcium were found to be 62.80 mg/100g, 331.48 mg/100g, 2.14 mg/100g and 10.94 mg/100g. The nutritional composition of the fruits was found to be in par with other tropical fruits like tamarind, passion fruit, jackfruit etc. In terms of organoleptic evaluation the fruit showed the mean scores for appearance, colour, flavour, texture, odour, taste, after taste was found as 6.7, 6.8, 5, 5, 4.9, 4 and 4.1 respectively. Since the mean value for the above characteristics of the fruit are low, the overall acceptability of the fruit is low with the value of 4.1. Two products were developed from the fruit i.e. pickle and candy. The chemical composition of the fruit product pickle was analysed to evaluate the acidity, total soluble solids, vitamin C, total sugar and reducing sugar which were found to be 1.2 per cent, 10.450 brix, 2.6 mg/100g, 6.05 mg/100g and 0.76 mg/100g respectively. Similarly Candy chemical composition analysed values was found to be 1.42 per cent, 68.060 brix, 2.8 mg/100g, 40.10 mg/100g and 15.01 mg/100g respectively. The organoleptic scores for the pickle and candy showed high values for all the parameters with the overall acceptability mean score of 8.4 and 7.7 respectively. Hence, the present study of fruits of Elaeocarpus serratus clearly reflects the potential of this underutilized wild edible fruit for commercial utilization.