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Open Access
Evaluation of ornamental flowering shrubes for tropical landscapes
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, Colege of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2012) Najeeb, Naduthodi; KAU; Valsalakumari, P.K.
The present study entitled “Evaluation of ornamental flowering shrubs for tropical landscapes” was carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara from Jan. 2011 to Dec. 2011. The objectives were to evaluate ornamental flowering shrubs for suitability to various landscaping uses and to compute Air Pollution Tolerance Index. The study involved evaluation of 30 tropical ornamental flowering shrub species or varieties. The selected shrubs were four years old, maintained in the shrubbery of the Department of Pomology and Floriculture. The experiment was laid out in CRD with three replications. Various vegetative and floral characters were recorded and data analysed and correlation studies were made with weather parameters. Shrubs selected for the study were described based on morphological characters. Growth of shrubs was measured in terms of height and spread. Based on the manageable height, they were classified into three groups, i.e. Tall (height above 2 m), Medium (height 1m- 2m) and Dwarf (height below 1m). Among the 30 shrubs evaluated, the maximum height was observed for Calliandra haematocephala (319.4 cm) and the minimum for Lonicera japonica (49.9 cm). Plant spread varied from 43.4 cm in Wrightia antidysenterica to 269.7 cm in Calliandra haematocephala. Regression equation of height for predicting spread was formulated using the monthly data on height and spread. Foliage characters like leaf length, leaf area, petiole length, girth and internodal length were measured. Based on leaf area, plants were categorized into medium coarse, medium, medium fine and fine textured. Qualitative characters of the foliage like shape of leaf, base, tip, margin and colour of leaf were observed and used for plant description as well as categorizing them into different texture classes. Shrub canopy shape (silhouette) was observed and used for making schematic diagram. Qualitative characters of flowers like type of inflorescence, position of inflorescence, colour and fragrance were observed. Time taken to open up the inflorescence from bud stage, persistence of single flower as well as the inflorescence were also observed. Quantitative characters like inflorescence diameter, single flower length and diameter and number of flowers per inflorescence were also recorded. Flowering seasons of the shrubs were observed and accordingly they were categorized into four different phenological phases i.e. Dec-Feb, Mar-May, June- Aug and Sep-Nov. Sideruns were observed and phenological configurations were made. Air Pollution Tolerance Indices of the shrubs were calculated. Calliandra haematocephala (31.7) showed the highest APTI value and the minimum value was observed for Allamanda cathartica ‘Dwarf’ (9.2). Shrubs were categorized into sensitive (value ≤14), intermediate (15- 19), medium tolerant (20-24) and tolerant (> 24) groups based on their APTI values. Based on the different characters studied, shrubs were classified into different landscape utility groups such as, accent plant, foundation planting, screening and privacy, hedges and topiary, shrub border, background planting, corner planting, Shrub group and mass planting, Pot and Container planting, fragrant garden, moon garden, xeriscaping, rock garden, covering sloppy banks and butterfly garden. Shrubs were observed for pest and disease incidence. Major pests were leaf eating caterpillars in Mussaenda erythropylla, Nerium indicum, Calliandra haematocephala and Ixora coccinea, flower bud borer in Wrightia antidysenterica, mealy bug and scales. Shrubs were not severely affected by diseases. Minor leaf spots were observed in certain shrubs. In the present study, shrubs were recommended for various functional uses in the landscapes based on their growth, flowering and morphological characters. Based on flowering season, they were categorized into four phenological phases. Side-runs were observed and phenological configurations were made. Air Pollution Tolerance Indices of the shrubs were also computed and the plants were categorized according to their APTI values.
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
Incorporation of tomato leaf curl virus (Tolcv) resistance in bacterial wilt resistant tomato.
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Koteswararao, Yadav; KAU; Sadhankumar, P G
Investigations on “Incorporation of Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (ToLCV) resistance in bacterial wilt resistant tomato” were undertaken in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from January, 2009 to May, 2011. Eighty tomato genotypes collected from India and abroad were screened for ToLCV resistance of which 26 were found to be highly resistant under natural screening. Of these, 20 genotypes (LE-474, LE-635, LE-640, LE-658, LE-666, LE-667, Arka Ananya, IIHR-2195, IIHR-2196, IIHR-2197, IIHR-2198, IIHR-2202, IIHR-2747, TLBRH-1, TLBRH-6, Cherry Tomato, H-24, H-86, Hawaii-7998 and Rani) were highly resistant to ToLCV under both graft transmission and whitefly transmission there by confirming their resistance to ToLCV. Seventy six tomato genotypes were screened for bacterial wilt resistance in bacterial wilt sick plot. Spot planting with known suscept Pusa Ruby was done to confirm the presence of virulent bacteria in the field. Anagha, Sakthi, Mukthi, LE-1-2, LE-626 and LE-474 were resistant to bacterial wilt. Three additional sources of resistance were identified viz., LE-628, LE-640 and LE-649. Five bacterial wilt resistant genotypes (Anagha, Sakthi, Mukthi, LE-1-2 and LE-626) were crossed with seven ToLCV resistant genotypes (IIHR-2195, IIHR-2196, H-24, H-86, Hawaii-7998, LE-474 and LE-640) in a line x tester fashion. Thirty five F1 hybrids developed were screened for both ToLCV and bacterial wilt resistance. Thirty hybrids were highly resistant to tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) among the 35 hybrids. Sixteen F1 hybrids were resistant to bacterial wilt. There were 15 F1 hybrids which were resistant to both ToLCV and bacterial wilt. Line x tester analysis was performed to derive information on general combining ability and specific combining ability effects, gene action and heterosis. Good general combiners for different characters were identified. Among the F1 hybrids Anagha x LE-640 was the earliest to flower and earliest to harvest. Sakthi x LE-640 (1.4 kg/plant) gave the maximum yield among the hybrids and parents followed by Mukthi x H-86 (1.1 kg/plant) and LE-1-2 x Hawaii-7998 (1.06 kg/plant). Maximum number of fruits were produced by LE-1-2 x Hawaii-7998 (39.67 fruits/plant). The maximum sized fruits were produced by Anagha x IIHR-2195 (55.93 g) followed by Sakthi x LE-640 (55.78 g) and Sakthi x IIHR-2196 (55.09 g). F2 segregants of 35 crosses were screened for combined resistance to bacterial wilt and ToLCV. Thirty F2 segregants were resistant to both bacterial wilt and ToLCV. Mukthi x IIHR-2195-F2-47 (1.7 kg/plant) and Mukthi x IIHR-2195- F2-34 (1.5 kg/plant) were the highest yielders among the 30 segregants. Segregation pattern in F1, F2, B1 and B2 of the cross combination Pusa Ruby x IIHR-2195 revealed that the resistance to ToLCV in IIHR-2195 is controlled by a single dominant gene.
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
Screening of vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L)Walp)germplasm for yield,quality and resistance to collar rot and web blight
(Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2012) Sivakumar, Vavilapalli; KAU; Celine, V A
The present investigation on “Screening of vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.) germplasm for yield, quality and resistance to collar rot and web blight” was conducted at the Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during the period 2011-2012. The objective of the study was to assess the genetic variability for yield, quality and resistance to collar rot and web blight and elucidating the morphological, anatomical and biochemical basis of collar rot and web blight resistance. The study was conducted in two separate experiments. 1. Evaluation of cowpea accessions for genetic variability, yield, quality and resistance or tolerance to pests and diseases. 2. Screening vegetable cowpea accessions for collar rot and web blight resistance under artificial conditions. In experiment I, 44 accessions of yard long bean and 22 bush cowpea accessions were collected from different parts of country and grown in the field in RBD with three replications as two separate experiments. Analysis of variance revealed that significant difference among the accessions for all the characters studied. Among the accessions, VS 29 (Malappuram local) had the highest yield (1127.52 g) and pods per plant (87.09), while VS 45 was noted that highest pod length, pod girth and pods weight. Correlation studies revealed that characters like primary branches per plant, pods per plant, pod length and pod weight in yard long bean and length and breadth of leaflets, peduncle length, pod length, pod girth and pod weight in bush cowpea observed high positive correlation with yield, whereas peduncle length, days to first harvest and 100 seed weight in yard long bean were negatively correlated with yield. The path coefficient analysis indicated that pods per plant, pod weight, and pod length had direct effect on yield per plant. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were high for days to first harvest, pod weight, pod protein and pod borer infestation in yard long bean and in bush cowpea for pod weight, vine length, seeds per pod and pod length while genotypic coefficient of variation was low for days to first flowering in yard long bean and peduncle length in bush cowpea. In yard long bean VS 34 followed by VS 4, VS 29, VS 9 and VS 1 were having the highest selection index values based on discriminant function analysis. VU7, VU 1, VU 14, VU 16 and VU 6 were having the highest selection index values in bush cowpea. On screening the accessions for legume pod borer resistance, VS 44 in yard long bean and VU 24 in bush cowpea were found to be most tolerant, while VS 5 in yard long bean and VU 3 were more susceptible. In field condition, among 44 accession of yard long bean only 12 namely, VS 1, VS 2, VS 9, VS 14, VS 20, VS 21, VS 23, VS 24, VS 29, VS 30, VS 32 and VS 40 were infected with R. solani and shown collar rot symptoms, the remaining accessions were free from collar rot. All the accessions were free from web blight. In bush cowpea, among 22 accessions only four (VU 11, VU 15, VU 17 and VU 19) had shown collar rot symptoms and none of accession showed web blight symptoms. Experiment II was conducted in net house by artificially inoculating the pathogen to all the accessions which were used in experiment I. In screening for collar rot and web blight, the incidence ranged from 0 to 99.81 per cent and 14.32 to 53.78 per cent for collar rot and web blight respectively in yard long bean whereas in bush cowpea collar rot ranged from 0 to 99.64 per cent and web blight ranged from 17.12 to 43.60 per cent. However, 12 accessions of yard long bean viz., VS 6, VS 10, VS 13, VS 18, VS 19, VS 22, VS 32, VS 33, VS 37, VS 38, VS 39 and VS 43 and six accessions of bush cowpea viz., VU 2, VU 5, VU 7, VU 13, VU 16 and VU 18 showed moderately resistance to collar rot and web blight. In both yard long bean and bush cowpea, high positive phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were noticed between collar rot and web blight resistance and proline content phenol content, trichome density, cuticle thickness and number of vascular bundles, while negative correlation was observed with stomatal density. The study revealed that moderately resistant accessions had more number and well developed vascular bundles, high trichome density and cuticle thickness and less stomatal density compare to susceptible ones. High phenol and proline content were responsible for tolerance to collar and web blight resistance. Pod colour was related to collar rot tolerance. Light green and green coloured pods were more susceptible compared with red pod accessions in yard long bean as well as bush cowpea.
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
Standardisation of agrotechniques in phalaenopsis orchids
(Department of pomology and floriculture, College of horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2012) Narender Negi; KAU; Devadas, V S
The present study entitled “Standardisation of agrotechniques in Phalaenopsis orchids” was carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara from May 2011 to April 2012. The studies were conducted to find out the best plant type and environment suited for commercial cultivation of Phalaenopsis and to standardise the agrotechniques like type of pot, growing media and growing method for better plant growth and quality spikes. The study involved comparison of 32 treatment combinations involving two plant types, two types of pots, two types of potting media, two growing conditions and two methods of growing. The experiment was laid out in CRD with three replications. Various vegetative and floral characters were recorded, analysed and correlated with weather parameters. Results indicated that of the two growing structures used in the study i.e., fan and pad and rain shelter, the latter promoted vegetative growth manifested by enhanced leaf length, leaf breadth and leaf area. Plant height was not influenced in both the situation. The plant types viz., pot plant and cut flower, differed in their growth rate. Pot plant type recorded higher growth rate in terms of length, breadth and area of leaf but per se length, breadth and area of leaf was higher in cut flower type. Regarding the media, brick + coconut husk bits was found better for vegetative growth as compared to brick + charcoal. The other two factors, method of growing and type of pots did not affect the vegetative growth. But root growth outside the pot was recorded more in black pot compared to that on white pot. Percentage of flowering was also influenced by growing structure, type of plant and media. Plants grown under fan and pad, pot plant type and brick + coconut husk bits medium recorded higher flowering percentage than those under rain shelter, cut flower and brick + charcoal medium. Correlation values with weather parameters indicated positive correlation between increase in leaf area and minimum temperature under rain shelter and fan and pad system whereas negative correlation with light intensity was seen under fan and pad system. Considering the overall effect by pooled analysis, only minimum temperature had a significant influence on increase in leaf area.
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
Development of protocol for tissue culture of papaya (Carica papaya L) from mature explants
(Department of pomology and floriculture, College of agriculture, Vellayani, 2012) Hutke Vikram, Rajendra; KAU; Jayachandran Nair, C S
For lateral bud explants running tap water wash for 10 min. and for apical bud explants rinsing in water with wetting agent for 30 min. were effective. For removal of fungal contamination 1.0% bavistin for 60 min. was found to be the best treatment. For removal of bacterial contamination treatment with chloramphenicol, streptomycin and cephalexin each 250 mg -1l for 24 hours was the best. For lateral bud explants use of mercuric chloride 0.1% for 10 min. and for apical bud explants 0.08% mercuric chloride for 10 min. was the best. In case of survival percentage full strength MS medium and full strength MS medium + 0.1% activated charcoal equally recorded the highest survival percentage. Highest number of cultures showing bud initiation in culture establishment media was observed in full strength MS medium and full strength MS medium + 0.1% activated charcoal. The number of buds initiated per culture was the highest in full strength MS medium + 0.1 % activated charcoal. The number of days taken for bud initiation from lateral bud explants of variety Pusa Nanha was the lowest in full strength MS medium + 0.1 % activated charcoal while for apical bud explants full strength MS medium was the best. For variety Pusa Dwarf using lateral bud explants half strength MS medium and for apical bud explants full strength MS medium + 0.1 % activated charcoal recorded the lowest number of dsys. Survival percentage of lateral and apical bud explants of Pusa Nanha was the highest in NAA 0.5, BA 3.0 mg l -1. In Pusa Dwarf, the highest survival percentage of lateral bud explants was noted in the treatment NAA 0.5, BA 5.0 mg l -1. In apical bud explant NAA 0.5, BA 5.0 mg l -1 and NAA 1.0, BA 3.0 mg l -1 were effective. In lateral bud explant of Pusa Nanha NAA 0.1, Kinetin 1.0 mg l -1 showed the lowest number of days for bud initiation while in apical bud explants IAA 0.5, BA 1.0 mg l -1 registered the shortest number of days. In lateral bud explants of Pusa Dwarf IAA 0.5, Kinetin 2.0 mg l -1 resulted in lowest number of days for bud initiation while in the apical bud explant NAA 1.0, BA 3.0 mg l -1 gave the best results. The treatment NAA 0.5, BA 3.0 mg l -1 resulted in the highest number of shoots per culture from the lateral bud explants of Pusa Nanha whereas in apical bud explant NAA 0.5, Kinetin 3.0 mg l -1 was the best. NAA 0.5, BA 5.0 mg l -1 resulted in the highest number of shoot per culture in the lateral bud explants of Pusa Dwarf while in apical bud explant IAA 2.0, Kinetin 3.0 mg l -1 gave the best results. Length of shoot was the highest in Pusa Nanha lateral bud explant when BA 3.0 mg l -1 was used while in the apical bud explants NAA 0.5, Kinetin 3.0 mg l -1 was the best treatment. In case of both types of explants in Pusa Dwarf IAA 0.5, Kinetin 1.0 mg l -1 recorded the longest shoots.

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