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Open Access
Biodiversity analysis of traditional mango types of Kerala and studies on the reproductive biology of selected popular types
(Department of pomology and floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Mannambeth Renisha, Jayarajan; KAU; Parmeswaran, N K
The present investigations entitled “Biodiversity analysis of traditional mango types of Kerala and studies on the reproductive biology of selected popular types” were undertaken at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during 2009-2011. Major objectives of the study were to assess the biodiversity status of traditional mango types in selected villages of Thrissur and Palakkad districts of Kerala by applying participatory tools and studying the floral biology, pollen characters, pollination and self and cross compatibility factors in six mango varieties commonly grown in the homesteads of Kerala. These studies formed a part of the departmental project entitled “Hybridization of mango varieties of Kerala” and were taken up under two broad components during implementation. Component I: Primary assessment of indigenous mango types was initiated by surveying homesteads in Vallachira and Pazhayannur GP‟s of Thrissur district and Kollemgode and Muthalamada GP‟S of Palakkad district. Homesteads were selected by snowball sampling. Dominant local types in these homesteads were Muvandan in Pazhayannur and Chandrakkaran in Vallachira GP of Thrissur whereas Muvandan, Priyur, Chandrakaran and some unnamed landraces in Kollemgode and Muthalamada GPs of Palakkad district. Final village level biodiversity assessment was done in Maruthampadam in Pazhayannur GP (Thrissur Dt) and Erippadam in Muthalamada GP (Palakkad Dt.). Farmer participatory 4- cell analysis (FCA) and focus group discussions (FGD) were made by organizing farmers interface in these villages. Data recorded showed that Maruthampadam village was richer in crop diversity than Erippadam. Based on the FCA, Muvandan, Pulimanga and Gomanga could be grouped as the „common‟ types of the Maruthampadam village while the „rare‟ types included Karpuramanga, Ganapatimookan, Kilichundan, Chandrakaran, Kottamavu, Sindhuram, Marathakam and Mundappa . „Common‟ mango types in Erippadam village were Alphonso, Banganapalli, Kilichundan, Neelum, Sindhuram, Muvandan, Nadasala and the „rare‟ types being Chandrakaran, Kilimook, Mallika and Mundappa. The varietal richness of Erippadam was higher than Maruthampadam village. In Maruthampadam village, recorded evenness value was highest for Muvandan while it was zero for the „rare‟ and „vulnerable‟ types. In Eripaddam, „common‟ types registered higher evenness values than „rare‟ types. Varietal richness as related to size of gardens indicated positive relationship in Erippadam village. ITK documentation from the villages provided some useful information on the traditional processing and product diversification of mango fruits practiced by the villagers in Maruthampadam. Component II: The varieties involved in the study were Muvandan, Neelum, Priyur, Vellaikolumban, Banganapalli and Alphonso. Mango flowering in both the seasons during 2009-10 and 2010-11 were of much erratic, poor and belated nature. A definite influence of the shift in north east monsoon pattern experienced during these periods could be attributed as the major contributory factor to the above. Peak anthesis was noted between 7.30 and 11.00am in all varieties and anther dehiscence between 8.30 am and 12 noon. Highest stigma receptivity was on the day of anthesis. Panicles of Muvandan and Priyur were longer than the other varieties. The varieties Neelum, Priyur, Alphonso, Vellaikolumban, and Muvandan exhibited a mixed phase while opening out but in Banganapalli, flower opening started with a pure male phase and thereafter entered mixed phase. Inflorescence rachis of Muvandan was dark red in colour where as in Neelum and Alphonso it was light red. Light green coloured inflorescence rachis was observed in Banganapalli and Vellaikolumban while in Priyur it was light green with reddish tinge. Size of inflorescence was highest in Muvandan while it was lowest in Neelum. Intensity of flowering per unit area of tree canopy was highest in Alphonso where as it was lowest in Vellaikolumban. Highest percentage of hermaphrodite flowers was recorded in Vellaikolumban (46.38%) while it was lowest in Banganapalli (0.02 %). The varieties Neelum, Priyur, Alphonso and Vellaikolumban showed round shaped pollen whereas oval and oblong shaped pollen was noted in Banganapalli and Muvandan, respectively. The size of the pollen ranged in between 27.29μm and 33.34μm. Pollen production and viabiliy were related to climatic variations. Pollen storage in refrigerated conditions retained viability for 72 hours. Selfing did not result in fruit setting and apparently indicating the involvement of incompatibility factors. It has to be further confirmed by flourimetric methods. Crossing among the varieties affected fruit setting obviating the involvement of incompatibility factors. Four successful hybrid mango progeny seedlings are available finally for performance evaluation.
Open Access
Evaluation of round fruited brinjal genotypes for yield, quality and tolerance to fruit and shoot borer.
(Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Kranthi Rekha, Gogula; KAU; Celine, V A
The present investigation on “Evaluation of round fruited brinjal genotypes for yield, quality and tolerance to fruit and shoot borer” was conducted at the Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during the period 2010-2011. The objective of the study was to assess the genetic variability for yield, quality and resistance to fruit and shoot borer and elucidating the morphological, anatomical and biochemical basis of fruit and shoot borer resistance. The study was conducted in two separate experiments. 1. Screening brinjal genotypes for yield and fruit and shoot borer resistance 2. Evaluation of genotypes for genetic variability, yield, quality and tolerance to pests and diseases. In experiment I, thirty four accessions of brinjal were collected from different parts of country and grown in the field in RBD with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed that significant difference among the accessions for all the characters studied. SM 49 and SM 36 showed lowest infestation to fruit and shoot borer while SM 23 showed highest. Among other pests, SM 36 and SM 40 had severe incidence of jassids and ash weevils respectively. In experiment II, the yield ranged from 3.62 kg to 0.66 kg. SM 49 was superior for plant height, percentage of long and medium styled flowers and yield. Highest fruit weight was in SM 44. High phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for yield per plant, fruits per plant, fruit weight and branches per plant. High heritability and high genetic advance also observed for these characters. At genotypic level, yield per plant had high positive correlation with percentage of long and medium styled flowers, branches per plant, fruit length and plant height. The path analysis showed that percentage of long and medium styled flowers, branches per plant, fruit length and fruits per plant had direct effect on yield per plant. SM 49 followed by SM 44, SM 23, SM 41 and SM 30 was having the highest selection index values based on discriminant function analysis. Based on Mahalanobis D2 analysis the current genotypes were grouped into five clusters. Cluster I being the largest including with twenty accessions and cluster II and V had one each. Cluster V had highest values for seven characters viz., plant height, secondary branches, percentage of long and medium styled flowers, fruit length, fruits per plant and yield per plant. Highest inter cluster distance was between cluster II and V. Maximum intra cluster distance was in cluster IV. In screening for fruit and shoot borer resistance, the incidence ranged from 4.77 to 31.97 per cent and 10.83 to 63.01 per cent for shoot and fruit respectively. However accessions viz., SM49 and two local collections SM 44 and SM 36 showed moderate resistance to fruit and shoot borer. Fruit colour was related to fruit and shoot borer tolerance. Light coloured fruits were less susceptible. More RLPS and less RLSA led to tolerance. In moderately resistant accessions there was more number and well developed vascular bundles compare to susceptible ones. High phenol and proline content and less sugars and protein content were responsible for resistance to fruit and shoot borer incidence. Accession like SM 23, SM 36, SM 40, SM 44, SM 45 and SM 49 showed high level of resistance to bacterial wilt. The accessions SM 36, SM 44, SM 45 and SM 49 showed resistance to both fruit and shoot borer and bacterial wilt. The study identified the high yielding, large fruited SM 44 with resistance to fruit and shoot borer and bacterial wilt as a promising line for cultivation in Kerala after further confirmatory studies.
Open Access
Inheritance of male sterility and development of new male sterile line in ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Kannan, D; KAU; Pradeepkumar, T
The present study entitled “Inheritance of male sterility and development of new male sterile line in ridge gourd Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.” was undertaken in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2010-11. The objective of the study was to investigate the inheritance of male sterility in ridge gourd and to develop new male sterile line in ridge gourd using back cross generations of sterile hybrids. Study also aims in evaluating the performance of F1 hybrid, MS x Arka Sumeet for horticultural characters. Male sterile line is now maintained under in vitro condition. All the in vitro regenerated plants exhibited stability in the expression of male sterility. F2 seeds resulted from the selfing of F1 hybrid, MS x Arka Sumeet was raised to study the expression of male fertility. Out of 106 plants raised in the F2 generation, 56 plants were male fertile and 50 plants were male sterile. There were observable differences between the male sterile and male fertile plants with respect to male flower production whereas female flowers in both types were similar. Chi square test was employed to test the goodness of fit and the 9:7 (fertile: sterile) complementary gene action ratio was found to be significant. The Chi square test suggested that two dominant genes might have certain interactions with cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). Two dominant fertility restorer gene viz., Rf1 and Rf2 is now proposed for this model. Assuming that MS line in ridge gourd is having a genotype, S (rf1rf1 rf2rf2) carrying both fertility restorer gene in homozygous recessive state and sterile cytoplasm, S, and Arka Sumeet possess a genotype N (Rf1Rf1 Rf2Rf2) carrying both fertility restorer gene in homozygous dominant state and normal fertile cytoplasm, N, F1 will be male fertile as the genotype of F1 is S (Rf1rf1 Rf2rf2). Here though F1 is inheriting a sterile cytoplasm from male sterile female parent, presence of both dominant fertility restorer gene, viz., Rf1 and Rf2 restores the fertility of F1. In F2, presence of both dominant fertility restorer gene in either homozygous or heterozygous condition ensures male fertility. All three way crosses viz, (MS x Deepthi) x Arka Sumeet, (MS x IC-92685) x Arka Sumeet, (MS x IC-92671) x Arka Sumeet and (MS x CO2) x Arka Sumeet regained fertility indicating the presence of dominant fertility restorer gene in Arka Sumeet. The sterile hybrids on back crossing with respective pollen parents also exhibited male fertility at various stages of crop growth. Restoration of male fertility in BC1 generation indicate the unstable nature of sterile cytoplasm. F2 segregants producing fertile racemes during last stage of crop growth have more potential for evolving stable male sterile lines. Selective mating of these plants with male sterile plants or selfing can be advocated for developing new male sterile lines. The F1 hybrid (MS x Arka Sumeet) exhibited significant heterobeltiosis for days to emergence of first female flower, node to first male flower, node to female flower, number of fruits per plant and yield per plant. High heterosis exhibited by the F1 hybrid (MS x Arka Sumeet) indicates the scope of exploiting the male sterile line in heterosis breeding. This is the first study which attempted to find out the inheritance of male sterility and fertility restoration in ridge gourd and is the first report of presence of cytoplasmic male sterility and dominant fertility restorer gene in cucurbits.
Open Access
Response of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) to biofertilizers.
(Department Of Olericulture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Anisa, N A; KAU; Baby Lissy, Markose
An investigation on the effect of biofertilizers on growth and yield of okra was carried out in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2010-11. Okra variety Arka Anamika was used for the study. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design with thirteen treatments and three replications. The biofertilizers (Azospirillum, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Frateuria) were applied @ 2 kg/ha. The treatments included sole inoculation of biofertilizers along with FYM (T1, T2, T3), dual inoculation along with FYM (T4, T5, T6), inoculation of all the three biofertilizers along with FYM, applied as single dose (T7) and double dose (T8), inoculation of all the three biofertilizers along with FYM and inorganic (½, ¾, full dose) fertilizers (T9, T10, T11), application of all the three biofertilizers without FYM (T12) and control (T13- KAU POP). The study revealed that the treatment where Azospirillum, AMF and Frateuria were inoculated along with double dose of FYM (T8) and the treatment where all the three biofertilizers were applied along with FYM and ¾ NPK (T10) exhibited superiority in terms of growth parameters. The relative chlorophyll content (48.73 SPAD Units) and total dry matter production (350.50 g/plant) were the highest in plants supplied with double dose of FYM along with biofertilizers. The earliest flowering (39.67 days) and harvesting (46.33 days) were recorded in plants inoculated with AMF and Frateuria along with FYM (T6). The treatment T8 (double dose of FYM along with Azospirillum, AMF and Frateuria) recorded the maximum fruit weight (19.80 g), fruit girth (6.17 cm) and number of seeds per fruit (82.89). It was followed by the treatment T10 (FYM, inorganic fertilizers (¾) and biofertilizers). Plants treated with double dose of FYM, Azospirillum, AMF and Frateuria (T8) recorded the highest number of fruits per plant (31.67), fruit yield per plant (544.40 g) and total fruit yield (16.33 tha-1). It was followed by integrated application of FYM, inorganic fertilizers (¾) and biofertilizers (T10). The crude protein content of okra fruit was higher in treatments where all the three biofertilizers were applied. The treatment T10 where FYM, inorganic fertilizers (¾) and biofertilizers were applied, recorded the highest beta carotene content (94.33 µg/100g). Shelf life (6.67 days) was more in plants treated with all the three biofertilizers and FYM (T7 and T8). Higher nutrient content and uptake was observed in treatments where all the three biofertilizers were applied. Application of biofertilizers resulted in improvement of soil parameters like organic carbon, available N, P2O5 and K2O, pH and electrical conductivity. The population of Azospirillum, AMF and Frateuria in the rhizosphere was also enhanced by the use of biofertilizers. Regarding the economics of cultivation the highest B:C ratio of 2.49 was recorded in T8, where double dose of FYM was applied along with all the three biofertilizers. It was followed by the treatment T10 which recorded a B:C ratio of 2.42. It can be concluded that inoculation of biofertilizers enhanced the growth, yield and quality of okra. The available nutrient status and health of the soil was also improved by biofertilizer application. Overall assessment indicated that combined application of all the three biofertilizers along with double dose of FYM was the best, with respect to growth and yield. The second best performance was obtained when FYM, inorganic fertilizers (¾) and biofertilizers were applied signifying that a reduction of 25 per cent chemical fertilizers is possible by using biofertilizers.
Open Access
Seed quality enhancement in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) by film coating technique
(Department Of Olericulture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2010) Thontadarya, R N; KAU; Krishnakumary, K
Film coating is the latest seed coating technique adopted for application of protectants, nutrients and growth regulators onto the seed. The study on “Seed quality enhancement in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) by film coating technique” was undertaken in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University with the objective of standardising the dose and method of film coating, studying the effect of film coating in combination with insecticides, fungicides and bio agents on seed quality during storage and also to study the effect of seed film coating on growth, field performance and yield of cowpea. Results revealed that film coating the seed @ 20ml.kg-1 seed gave good colour, lustre and uniform coating over the seed. With respect to germination parameters, T4 (20ml.kg-1 seed) and T8 (20ml.kg-1 seed) were found to be the best treatments recording maximum values for germination (88 per cent and 85 per cent). The speed of germination, ranged from 51.35 (T6) to 57.72 (T7) and there was no significant difference between the treatments. With respect to days for 50% germination there was no significant difference between treatments. Seedling lengths (root + shoot) and vigour indices were the highest in T4 (34.49cm and 3125) and T8 (35.59cm and 3010) of dry and wet method of seed treatment. These two treatments T4 (dry) and T8 (wet) were used to study the effect of seed film coating in combination with insecticides, fungicides and bio agents on seed quality during storage. Irrespective of the methods followed, all the treatments showed a decrease in germination, speed of germination, seedling length and vigour indices with an increase in the storage period. In dry method of seed coating, in all the treatments seeds were viable even after one year of storage although the germination per cent was below the minimum standard for seed certification. Results of the storage study indicated the superiority of T5 (Pseudomonas 10g.kg-1 seed) and T4 (Trichoderma 4g.kg-1 seed) where bio agents were used for seed coating with highest values of germination and vigour. In T5, the germination percentage decreased from 96 to 86 % in dry method and from 95 to 87% in wet method at 0 and 9 months of storage respectively. The speed of germination decreased with increase in storage period ranging from 58.95 to 29.35 in dry method of film coating and 51.73 to 4.63 in wet method of film coating. Vigour index-1 values were high in T4 and T5 (> 3400) during 0th month storage and it decreased considerably with increase in storage period. Treated seeds were free from pest attack throughout the storage period. Attack of pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis) was noticed in the stored seeds in later stage in untreated control of dry method. No incidence of fungal attack was noticed throughout the storage period. Biochemical studies conducted in stored seeds revealed an increase in values of electrical conductivity of the leachate, lower the leachate value higher will be the vigour of seeds. Decrease in seed protein content and activity of dehydrogenase enzyme with increase in storage period indicated the loss of vigour in stored seeds. Seeds coated with Pseudomonas @10 g per kg seed (T5) followed by seed treatment with Trichoderma @ 4g per kg seed (T4) were best with respect to maintaining viability and vigour of the seeds throughout the storage period as compared to controls (film coated and untreated). Film coated seeds were planted in the field to study their field performance, growth, yield, pests and disease incidence etc. Under field condition, germination was more than 95 per cent in seeds treated with Pseudomonas. In both wet and dry methods of treatment, seeds coated with bio-agents performed better over other treatments with respect to parameters viz., field germination, number of fruits, fruit length, average fruit weight and yield. Fruit yield per plant and plot yield were highest in seeds coated with bio agents like Pseudomonas and Trichoderma having a value of 3.27kg and 3.85kg per 2.7m2 as compared to untreated control having a value of (1.27 and 1.81kg per 2.7m2). Under field condition, seeds treated with chemicals gave maximum protection against pest and diseases whereas highest incidence of pest and diseases were noticed in untreated seeds.
Open Access
Exploitation of bisexual varient in developing high yielding types of piper longum L.
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2010) Kanimozhi, K; KAU; KAU; Sujatha, V S
Piper longum L. is a dioecious medicinal species. Mature female spike is the officinal part. However, female spikes are small (2.0 - 3.0 cm) compared to male (6.0 - 7.5 cm). A bisexual variant (Acc.P25) was identified in P. longum (Sujatha and Nybe, 2007) with spikes as long as male spikes. The present investigation was undertaken with the objective of studying the reproductive biology of Piper longum L. and for developing long spiked high yielding varieties of Piper longum L. Reproductive biology Spikes were cylindrical and creamy white in female. In male and bisexual types, immature spikes were green, changing to dull yellow on maturity. Time taken for attaining full length of spike was 22 days in female, 43 days in male and 46 days in bisexual types. Anthesis and anther dehiscence were between 7.30 am and 4.30 pm with a peak between 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Pollen fertility was maximum at 9.30 am (42.54 per cent). Complete opening of flowers in an inflorescence took seven days in male, female and bisexual types. Complete dehiscence of anthers also took one week in male and bisexual inflorescences. Developing bisexual types Effect of growth regulators in developing fully bisexual inflorescences in Acc.P25 indicated that GA3 (5 ppm, 10 ppm and 50 ppm), BA (100 ppm and 500 ppm) and Boron 3 ppm could induce fully bisexual spikes. Different methods of pollination showed that dry method was the most effective for getting seed set in P. longum L. In selfing and crossing experiments, seed set could be obtained only in crosses involving female type as female parent and bisexual type as male parent. Maximum seed set was obtained during September, under dry method of pollination. Seeds germinated in 21- 69 days. Cotyledonary leaves opened in 2 to31 days. The first true leaves opened in 2 to 41 days.
Open Access
Extraction, preservation and utilization of natural colour from marigold(Tagetus erecta L.)
(Department of Processing Technology,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2010) Sreevidhya, M K; KAU; Jacob John, P
A study on extraction, preservation, and utilization of natural colour from marigold (Tagetus erecta L.) was conducted at the Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2007-2009. Method for extraction of natural colour from marigold was developed. Solvent extraction of cured marigold flower flour using acetone: hexane in the ratio 3:7 was found to be the best method. The extracted oleoresin was purified by saponifying with KOH and further ethanol wash to obtain pure crystalline lutein powder. The extracted colour was preserved as 1:2 lutein: soyabean oil solution packed in glass bottles and stored at room temperature. Lutein solution was found suitable for the application in the products like ice cream, yoghurt, oil etc. as these products contained high amount of fat where as found not suitable for aqueous products as this pigment is not water soluble. A concentration of 0.1 g gave the best colour in ice cream and yoghurt while 0.15g for oil. Natural coloured products were stable only for a short period compared to synthetic colour during storage also it degrade faster on exposure to light, heat compared to synthetic colours. The changes in natural colour was not due to the changes in pH of product but due to the external agents like light and heat. Sensory analysis of natural coloured as well as synthetic coloured ice cream and yoghurt revealed the superiority of natural colour in all the characters like colour, flavour, taste and consistency. During storage natural colour degraded faster than synthetic coloured products. Thus an enhanced stability of the colour with respect to light , heat etc. are to be developed to use these natural colour as a substitute for the synthetic colours.
Open Access
Response of papaya to organic manures, plant growth promoting microorganisms and mulching
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2010) Shijini, E M; KAU; Lila Mathew, K
A research project entitled “Response of papaya to organic manures, plant growth promoting microorganisms and mulching” was conducted in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2008-2010. Major objectives were to study the response of organic manures, plant growth promoting microorganisms on growth, yield and quality of papaya, under humid tropical climate. Selection of ecofriendly mulch for papaya was also aimed as it saves water and reduces weed growth. Papaya variety CO 7 was used for the investigation. The study consisted of two field experiments, laid out in RBD with three replications in each experiment. Experiment I included 12 treatments which were combinations of organic manures and plant growth promoting microorganisms along with inorganic fertilizers. In Experiment II effect of different mulches on growth, yield and quality of papaya, soil moisture retention and weed growth was studied. There were seven treatments in experiment II which included six types of mulches. The study revealed that application of RDF (240:240:480 g NPK/plant/year) + vermicompost (13 kg) + plant growth promoting microorganisms, viz; Trichoderma and Pseudomonas (5 g and 10 g/plant respectively) exhibited superiority in terms of vegetative and floral characters and recorded highest fruit yield (42.59 kg/plant). Application of RDF + poultry manure (10 kg/plant) + plant growth promoting microorganisms were also found superior with respect to growth and yield attributes. Quality of the fruits in terms of TSS, total sugars, acidity, overall acceptability and shelf life was highest in organic treatments where as fruit yield per plant was found lowest in these treatments. Soil properties like pH, organic matter, available N, P and K were found to be improved by application of organic manures. Application of plant growth promoting microorganisms enhanced the microbial population (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) in the soil. Population of Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens was also increased. Regarding the cost of cultivation, application of biovermi incurred highest cost per ha. In Experiment II, plants mulched with biodegradable polythene and black polythene mulches showed positive response with regard to vegetative and floral characters and recorded highest fruit yield (40.99 and 40.76 kg/plant respectively). Quality attributes of the fruits were also found to improve in these treatments. The polythene mulches showed superiority in terms of soil moisture retention and it reduced the number of irrigation. Significant reduction in weed growth was also noticed in the plots mulched with polythene mulches. Soil nutrient status was improved and was superior in the treatments mulched with organic mulches. With respect to cost of cultivation also treatments T6 and T7 were superior. Over all assessment indicated that application of RDF (240:240:480 g of NPK) + vermicompost (13 kg) + Trichoderma (5 g) + Pseudomonas (10 g) was highly beneficial for growth, yield and quality improvement in papaya. Similarly mulching with biodegradable polythene was proved to be good as it was effective in weed control, soil moisture retention, thereby improving the growth, yield and quality of papaya and it is also ecofriendly.
Open Access
Carbon partitioning in banana intercropped in coconut gardens
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Andan, Ashraf; KAU; Sajan, Kurien
Investigations on the experiment entitled “Carbon partitioning in banana intercropped in coconut gardens” were carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) Kumarakom, Kottayam from 2010 to 2011. The studies consisted of four experiments two each in Palayankodan and Njalipoovan. Two experiments were on basic studies on carbon partitioning in both the clones. The second part consisted of two experiments on the “Influence of bunch trimming regimes on yield and finger characters” in both the clones. Many theories on shooting and yield have been advanced and validated in bananas. One theory which has gained maximum importance is the number of leaves retained at shooting and at harvest, as it is these leaves that nourish and carry the bunch to logical maturity and consequent harvest. Hence, reduction or damage to leaves at and from the stage of shooting will adversely affect the finger characters and yield. The objective is to study the assimilate partitioning in two banana clones grown in coconut gardens at mid harvest stage, to understand how specific leaves contribute to yield and to know whether there is any variation between the two commonly grown clones of Njalipoovan and Palayankodan. The studies revealed that when the activity was given to various different leaves the accumulation in the sink were different for each leaf. When the individual source leaves were examined in the case of Palayankodan it revealed that the third leaf was the most efficient leaf in retention of photosynthates followed by the first, the second, fourth and the least in the fifth leaf. In case of Njalipoovan the maximum recovery was seen in the fourth leaf followed by third, the first, the second and the least in the fifth. This shows that in both the clones Palayankodan and Njalipoovan the least was recorded in the fifth leaf showing that the old senile leaf is less efficient in producing photosynthates. When partitioning of photosynthates from source leaves to different hands were studied in Palayankodan it was found that when the first leaf was given the activity maximum recovery was seen in the newly formed hand namely the seventh and the eighth hand. When the second leaf was given the activity maximum recovery was observed in the mid hands namely the fourth and fifth hands. In case of third leaf the maximum recovery was recorded in the mid hands but in the order namely the third, the fifth and the fourth hands, the source leaf itself retained a sizeable chunk of the activity. In case of the fourth leaf maximum recovery was observed in the fourth, the second and the fifth hands whereas in the case of the fifth leaf the maximum recovery was observed in the first formed hands in the order third, first and the second respectively. In Njalipoovan the picture varied from that of Palayankodan. When the first leaf was given activity maximum recovery was recorded in the eighth and the seventh hand as in the case of Palayankodan but in the reverse order. In case of the second leaf maximum recovery was observed in the newly formed seventh and eighth hand. In case of the third leaf maximum recovery was observed in the first formed hands namely the third and the second hands whereas in the case of the fourth leaf, the maximum activity was observed in the sixth hand followed by the fourth and the third hand respectively. When the fifth leaf was given the activity the maximum partitioning was observed in the sixth, the fifth and the fourth hand. In Palayankodan the studies on standardisation of pruning regimes, maximum bunch weight was observed in the bunch with nine hands followed by the ten hand and the eight hand system. The least was recorded in the bunch with six hands. On the contrary, in case of the hand weight, the finger weight finger length and the finger girth an identical trend was observed with maximum recorded in the most intensive pruning of retention of six hands to the no pruning control in the order. Slight variation in the order was observed in the case of finger length. Thus it is inferred that the nine hand system was best for domestic market and the eight hand for export. In case of Njalipoovan the maximum bunch weight was found in the ten hand system followed by the pruning of the male bud only, nine hand bunch, the eight hand bunch respectively. The six hand retention bunch recorded the least bunch weight. In case of the hand weight, the finger weight and finger girth almost an identical trend was observed. Maximum value for the hand weight, finger weight and finger length and finger girth was observed in with the maximum pruning of the six hand bunch followed by the seven hand bunch to the control of no pruning. Thus it is inferred that the ten hand system was best for domestic market and the nine hand for export. All forms of regulation of carbon partitioning is observed in both the clones which explains the reasons as to why both the clones are productive even under the shaded home garden conditions.

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