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ThesisItem Open Access Optimization of shade, nutrients and growth regulators for cut-flower production in anthurium(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Salvy, B R; KAU; Valsalakumari, P KExperiments were conducted at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 1995-1997 to optimize the shade, nutrients and growth regulators for cut flower production in Anthurium andreanum var. 'Hawaiian Red'. The effects of three growth regulators, viz., GA, BA and Ethephon with two concentration each, 750 ppm and 1500 ppm, in combination with four nutrients, viz., 1 % fertilizer complex, Hoagland solution, Knop's solution and Ohio solution, were assessed at four levels of shade, viz., 80, 70, 60 and 50 per cent. Post harvest studies were also carried out with an objective to prolong the longevity of cut blooms, following different stage of harvest and giving different pulsing and hold- ing treatments. Results revealed that the different levels of shade and growth regulators significantly influenced all the morphological characters of the plant, viz., height, spread, number of leaves, leaf area, petiole length, number of branches and suckers. Plant height was significantly superior under 80 per cent shade (5.68 cm), 1 per cent fertilizer complex sprays (5.46 cm) and BA 750 ppm sprays (6.11 cm), were superior individually. The superior treatment combination was 70 per cent shade + Knop's solution + 750 ppm BA (7.60 cm). The maximum plant spread (EW - 20.13 cm and NS - 19.80 cm) was under 80 per cent shade. Eighty per cent shade + Ohio solution + 1500 ppm BA recorded the maximum EW spread (26 cm), while NS spread was maximum (28.70 cm) in the treatment combination involving 80 per cent shade + 1 per cent fertilizer complex + 750 ppm BA. The best values of growth parameters were recorded under 80 per cent shade and 750 ppm BA, viz., 14.03 and 14.02, respectively, for number of leaves (9.29 and 10.79 cm, respectively) for petiole length, leaf length (7.76 and 8.33 cm, respectively), leaf breadth (5.93 cm and 6.49 cm, respectively), index leaf area (50.75 cm- and 59.60 cm-, respectively). Total leaf area (423.25 cm? and 517.56 cm>, respectively) and LAI (0.43 and 0.51, respectively) were maximum under 70 per cent shade and BA 750 ppm. The superior combinations for these parameters were 80 per cent shade + Ohio solution + 750 ppm BA, for highest number of leaves (26.20); 80 per cent shade + Ohio solution + 1500 ppm BA for highest petiole length (14.00 cm); 60 per cent shade + Hoagland solution + 750 ppm BA for maximum leaf length (10.50 cm) and 60 per cent shade + 1 per cent fertilizer complex + 750 ppm BA for maximum leaf breadth (8.0 cm). The treatment combination involving 70 per cent shade + 1500 ppm BA with Hoagland solution was the best for maximum index leaf area (90.90 cm-) while same with 1 per cent fertilizer complex was the best for total leaf area (872.00 cm-) and LAl (0.89). Branching started only after 6 months from the commencement of the experiment. It was one month earlier under 80 per cent and 70 per cent shade levels. Significantly superior branching was observed under 80 per cent shade (2.29), fertilizer complex (2.13) and GA 750 ppm (2.37), individually. Treatment combination involving 80 per cent shade + 1 per cent fertilizer complex + 1500 ppm GA recorded the maximum branching (3.80). .' . Sucker production was the best under 80 per cent shade (1.35) and 750 ppm BA (1.35). Treatment combination involving 80 per cent shade + Ohio solution + 750 ppm BA produced the maximum number of suckers (2.5) per plant. Growth behaviour with respect to height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of suckers and branches showed a linear trend. The linear growth rate was consistent and positive under the treatment combination of 80 per cent shade + Ohio solution + 750 ppm BA. Dry matter production was significantly superior under higher shade intensity and lower concentration of BA. The dry weight ratio of shoot:root was the highest (2.15) under the treatment combination of 80 per cent shade + Knop's solu- tion + 750 ppm Ethephon. Leaf longevity was significantly highest (161 days) in the treatment combination, 70 per cent shade + 1 per cent fertilizer complex + 750 ppm BA. Stomatal distribution and size were not influenced significantly by the treatments. Leaf senescence, though was influenced significantly, no particular trend was observed. The aerial root production decreased significantly with decrease in shade intensity. Primary and secondary roots and root spread were the highest under 80 per cent shade and BA 1500 ppm. Maximum root length was observed under 60 per cent shade. Flowering with small stalkless flowers was first observed under 50 per cent shade with GA 750 ppm, at the age of 8 months. Inflorescence with normal size were produced at the age of 13 months, first under 80 per cent shade followed by 70 per cent, 60 per cent and 50 per cent. The time taken for various stages of flower development and the number of inflorescence produced per plant were not influenced significantly. Chlorophyll content in leaf was significantly influenced by shade levels. There was a decrease in chlorophyll content with decrease in intensity of shade. Eighty per cent shade and 1500 ppm Ethephon was superior with respect to the content of green pigments. The highest total chlorophyll content was observed in the treatment combination involving 60 per cent shade + Ohio solution + 750 ppm Ethephon (8.8 mg g -1 fresh weight). Anthocyanin content was not influenced by any of the treatments or combinations. The leaf nutrient content and uptake of nutrients was maximum under 80 per cent shade and BA 750 ppm, individually. Post harvest studies showed that the right stage of harvest of inflorescence was when 1/3 flowers were open on the spadix. Inflorescence harvested at this stage with medium to large size spathe lasted for a longer period (23.33 days). Among the pulsing treatments, BA 50 ppm for 12 hrs, recorded maximum vase life (20.00 days). Among the different holding solutions tried, 8-HQ 30 ppm, BA 20 ppm and Triadimefon 30 ppm recorded the optimum values of PL W, uptake of vase solution, change in pH and EC, and recorded late spathe blueing, late spadix necrosis and high gloss retention. Highest vase life period (27.00 days) was recorded in 8-HQ 30 ppm (25.00 days) and Triadimefon 30 ppm (25.00 days). Among the combinations tried, BA 20 ppm + Bavistin 0.1 per cent showed longest vase life (23.67 days). Maximum net profit per pot (Rs.204.60) was recorded by the treatment combination involving 80 per cent shade + Ohio solution + 750 ppm BA.ThesisItem Open Access Standardisation of in vitro techniques for mass multiplication of Aranthera and Dendrobium(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Sherly Kuriakose; KAU; Ramachandran Nair, SStandardisation of in vitro techniques for mass multiplication of Aranthera and Dendrobium orchid varieties was attempted. The studies were carried out at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 1992-96. Attempts for the in vitro propagation via enhanced release of axillary buds, somatic organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis were made. One variety Annie Black of the monopodial orchid Aranthera and five varieties of the sympodial orchid Dendrobium were subjected to the initial response studies Sonia-17 (Dendrobium) and Annie Black (Aranthera) varieties were selected for detailed studies. Explants like shoot apices, leaf segments, root segments, keikis, inflorescence stalk were used. Mercuric chloride 0.1 per cent for ten minutes was identified as an effective surface sterilant. The lowest rate of microbial contamination was observed from January to May. The effect of culture medium (basal medium, mode of culture, strength of MS basal medium, major nutrient element, plant growth substances, casein hydrolysate, peptones, glutamine, sucrose, vitamins, yeast and malt extracts, fruit juices, coconut water, ethylene inhibitors) and culture conditions on in vitro shoot proliferation via enhanced release of axillary buds were studied. Among the various explants tried culture establishment via enhanced release of axillary buds could be induced only from shoot apex explants of all the varieties. Culture establishment could be best induced in Vacin and Went basal medium. Sonia-17 recorded 90.0 per cent bud initiation in VW media supplemented with NAA 1.5 mg/l, BA 1.0 mg/l, Sucrose 30.0 g/l, Coconut water 15.0 ml/l, agar 6.0 g/l within 14 days. Sonia-17 was used for shoot proliferation studies. Maximum shoot proliferation (35.33 shoots per culture) from shoot apex explants of Sonia-17 could be induced in half-strength MS basal medium supplemented with BA 2.5 mg/l, NAA 1.0 mg/l, Sucrose 30.0 g/l, boiled and filtered coconut water 150.0 m/l and agar 6.0 g/l. Among the Dendrobium varieties only Sonia-17 responded to direct organogenesis. Of the various explants tried only the leaf base (from culture) could initiate direct organogenesis. The best treatment identified was half- strength MS basal medium (solid) supplemented with NAA 1.5 mg/l, BA 1.0 mg/l, sucrose 30.0 g/l, Coconut Water 150.0 ml/l, agar 6.0 g/l activated charcoal 1.0 g/l, under darkness. This treatment recorded 9.17 shoot of 4.92 cm length having 3.50 leaves per shoot. Maximum proliferation .of shoot (3.33 shoots/culture) obtained via direct organogenesis could be achieved in half-strength MS basal medium (solid) supplemented with BA 2.5 mg/l, NAA 1.0 mg/l, sucrose 30.0 g/l, agar 6.0 g/l and coconut water 150.0 ml/l. Direct organogenesis from the leaf base of Arantliera var. Annie Black could be initiated in half-strength MS basal medium supplemented with BA 3.0 mg/l, NAA 2.0 mg/l, sucrose 30.0 g/l, coconut water 150.0 ml/l, agar 6.0 g/l in the presence of light. Only one shoot per culture could be induced. Half-strength MS basal medium supplemented with BA 2.5 mg/l, NAA 0.1 mg/l, ascorbic acid + citric acid (150 ppm) supplemented with coconut water 150 ml/l, agar 6.0 g/l and sucrose 30.0 g/l was the treatment identified as best for shoot proliferation in Annie Black. Half-strength MS basal medium supplemented with BA 3.0 mg/l NAA 2.0 mg/l, Sucrose 30.0 g/l, agar 6.0 g/l and coconut water 150 ml/l could induce the development of protocorm-like Bodies (PLB's) on the shoot apex explants of Annie Black in 50.0 per cent of the cultures. Attempts to standardise in vitro propagation via callus-mediated somatic organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis were not successful. In vitro flowering in Sonia-17 was observed when half strength MS basal medium supplemented with BA 2.5 mg/l and sucrose 30.0 g/l, coconut water 150.0 ml/l and agar 6.0 g/l was left unsubcultured for 3-4 months. In vitro regeneration of roots in Sonia-17 could be best obtained in half-strength MS basal medium (solid) supplemented with NAA 1.0 mg/l, sucrose 30.0 g/l, agar 6.0 g/l in the presence of light. This treatment could produce 20.17 roots of 5.08 cm length. An increase of 2-8 roots/shoot could be observed after a period of one and a half-month. Ex . vitro rooting studies were not successful. All the plantlets survived in the different containers used. Coconut husk was found to be the best medium/container. Hardening the in vitro plantlets in a green house with misting facility recorded cent per cent survival. Survival of plantlets irrigated with nutrient solution as well as hormone spray solution was poor. An increase in shoot length, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, root number and root length by 2.72 cm, 1.06, 4.25 cm, 1.32 cm, 6.40 and 5.0 cm respectively could be observed after four months of planting out. The mean number of stomata per unit area, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a were less in the leaves of in -vitro grown plantlets. Rate of water loss through leaves was greatest through the leaves of in vitro plantlets. The cost of production of a single orchid plantlet was found to be Rs. 3.68.ThesisItem Open Access Oleoresin recovery, quality characterization and storage stability in chilly (Capsicum spp.) genotypes(Department Of Olericulture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Mini, C; KAU; Abdul Vahab, MAn investigation on “oleoresin recovery, quality characterisation and storage stability in chilli (Capsicum spp.) genotypes” was undertaken in the department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1993 – 96 with the objective of standardising the solvent for chilli oleoresin extraction, identifying capsicum species or cultivars for maximum oleoresin yield with respect to season and stage of harvest and understanding the quality parameters of oleoresin as affected by storage. Among the six solvents tried viz. acetone, ethyl alcohol, dichloro ethane, hexane, benzene and ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate was standardised as the best solvent in respect of time and efficiency of extraction. Evaluation of nine genotypes for oleoresin under three different seasons at three stages of harvest maturity identified Arka Lohit as the highest yielder of oleoresin. Genotypes were higher in oleoresin content winter. Considering the fruit yield and oleoresin recovery together, summer was the best season for total oleoresin yield. The genotypes were on par in oleoresin yield in summer and winter when fruits were harvested at full ripe or withering stage. During rainy season, oleoresin content was maximum at withering stage. The colour and pungency increased with fruit maturity. The capsaicin content of the genotypes varied from 1.1 % to 2.2 % indicating its suitability for oleoresin required for pharmaceutical industry. Colour value was highest in the paprika type, KTPL – 19. The storage studies of oleoresin revealed that the type of container did not influence the colour loss. The oleoresin stored in dark was higher in colour value compared to samples kept open. For capsaicin, open condition of storage was better than dark storage. Delaying the harvest to withering stage and storing the oleoresin in polythene containers for eight months under open conditions can be recommended for increased pungency. Storage is not advisible for colour retention.ThesisItem Open Access Productivity in relation to branching pattern and pruning in cashew(Anacardium oxidantale)(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Nalini, P V; KAU; Sreekandan Nair, GA study was carried out at Cashew Research Station, Anakkayam in the Kerala Agricultural University to investigate the canopy architecture of cashew and to ascertain the optimum degree and frequency of manipulation of canopy for increasing yield. The experiments were carried out during the period from March, 1992 to September, 1995. The study revealed that the resultant canopy of a seedling was massive and like a hemisphere placed above a solid cylinder. The canopy of the grafts of the two varieties used for the study appeared like a cone placed abover a short cylinder. The layers had a small size canopy which was like a hemisphere. Because of the high PWBBRn and spear shaped canopy and high yield efficiency, grafts are found to be much superior to seedlings and layers. For high density intensive management, it is shown that, the use of grafts of high yielding varieties could result in a fold increase in yield. From the experimental evidences and identification of yield components by path analysis, an ideal plant type of cashew is proposed. Experiments on canopy manipulation of cashew revealed that the crop responded very well for pruning. A pruning schedule of removal of 25 per cent of the n5 order of branches at an interval of 3 years was found to increase the yield of the crop considerably. Chlorophyll content is found to have a linear positive correlation with yield and the estimation of the chlorophyll content could be used as one of the tools for screening for high yield in cashew.ThesisItem Open Access Habit and habitat analysis of select medicinal plants in native and domestic environments(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Mini Raj, N; KAU; Nybe, E VInvestigations on 'Habit and habitat analysis of select medicinal plants in native and domestic environments' was undertaken at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara 680 654, Kerala, during the period 1994-97. The first two experiments viz., survey and natural habitat analysis were carried out in the Peechi forests and the last two viz., domestic environment analysis and biochemical analysis in the College of Horticulture. Ethno-medicines practiced by the 'Malayans' of the Peechi forests were documented. The floristic survey identified 226 medicinal plants distributed over several habits, habitats, plant families etc. There were 22 endemic, ten endangered, six rare and nine threatened species. Extraction procedures of the drugs were documented which varied with the plant and the part used. Practice of substitution/adulteration was noticed in a few drugs. Based on the survey, six species were chosen for detailed habitat analysis. They were Piper longum, Naravelia zeylanica, Sida rhombifolia ssp. retusa, Desmodium velutinum, Baliospermum solanifolium and Barleria prattensis. Ten different habitats were selected in the MDF and they were characterised by physiographic, climatic, edaphic and biotic variables. Habitats were also grouped by cluster analysis. The growth pattern of the select species in the forest showed that it was almost linear upto November in all the habitats. Among the ten habitats, KC-I appeared to be congenial for the natural growth and productivity of Piper. Naravelia, Desmodium and Barleria. The habitat, KP-I appeared to support maximum growth of Baliospermum and the habitat M-I for Sida. Piper and Naravelia did not flower in the forest whereas in the remaining species, flowering occurred during October-January. Among the six species, Barleria and Naravelia recorded maximum regeneration- and forest fire was not a limiting factor for the regeneration of these species. In the domestic environment, all the species grew flowered and seeded well with a strictly linear growth pattern upto January. The plant habit changed in the domestic environment in all the species. Except Naravelia all the species recorded higher biological and economic yields in the domestic environment. Phytoconstituents of Desmodium velutinum, Barleria prattensis and Naravelia zeylanica were reported for the first time. The nature and content of the primary and secondary metabolites of all the species varied with the change of habitat. The study indicated the possibility of cultivating these species by provid- ing conditions similar to that of the natural habitat; thereby assuring the quality of the drug.Necessity for regulating the collection of medicinal plants from the Peechi forests was also highlighted.
