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ThesisItem 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.ThesisItem 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 KThe 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.ThesisItem 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 GInvestigations 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.ThesisItem 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 AThe 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.ThesisItem Open Access Optimization of process variables for osmo-air dehydrated nendran banana (Musa spp.)(Department of Procesing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellayani, 2015) Keerthishree, M; KAU; Geetha Lekshmi, P RThe study entitled “Optimization of process variables for osmo-air dehydrated Nendran banana (Musa spp.)’’ was conducted at Department of Processing Technology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2013-15 with the objective to standardize different process variables like fruit slice shape and thickness, osmotic solution concentration and immersion time for osmo-air dehydration of Nendran banana and to optimise the conditions suitable for better mass transfer kinetics. Optimally ripened nendran banana (cv. Kaliethan) sliced into three shapes viz. long (5cm), round and ring of thickness 5, 10 and 15 mm each were osmosed in sugar syrup of 50, 60 and 70⁰ B concentration with an immersion time of 40, 60 and 80 minutes. Osmosed fruit slices were dried in cabinet drier at 50⁰ C till it attained moisture content of 171 % and analysed for physical, nutritional and sensory qualities. Observations on mass transfer, physical and nutritional parameters were statistically analysed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and response surfaces were fitted using SAS software (ver 9.3). Mass transfer characters viz., solid gain, water loss, weight reduction and ratio of water loss to solid gain increased with increase in concentration of osmotic solution, thickness of slices and duration of immersion time irrespective of fruit shapes. Nutritional parameters of osmosed nendran banana exhibited an increase in total soluble solids, reducing sugars, total sugars with increase in thickness, concentration and time of immersion and a decreasing trend in acidity and vitamin C in all the three shapes. During drying water loss, weight reduction, drying rate and rehydration ratio decreased with increase in thickness and it increased with concentration and time of immersion. Shrinkage (%), browning index and textural qualities like cutting force and cutting energy also increased. Quadratic regression equation models were developed for all the responses with R2 > 90 %. Predictive model for water loss of longitudinally sliced nendran banana is WL= -7.01+8.77X1+6.52X2+3.57X3-0.91X11-0.89X22-0.036X33+0.20X1X2+0.29X1X3-0.68X2X3 where X1 is thickness, X2: concentration and X3: time of immersion and coded as X1=thickness/5, X2= (concentration-40)/10, X3=(Time-20)/20. Estimated minimum water loss for osmosed longitudinal slices was 15.14 % at thickness 5.54 mm, concentration 56.94 ⁰B , immersion time 53.26 minutes whereas estimated maximum water loss of 29.38 % was obtained for slices with thickness 14.09 mm, concentration 62.38 ⁰B and immersion time 70.41 minutes. Based on sensory analysis, ten best treatments were selected and stored at room temperature for six months after packaging in 200 gauge polypropylene and analysed at monthly interval for nutritional, physical and sensory qualities. During storage, increase in moisture content (17.51 to 24.61 %), reducing sugar (44.95 to 51.19 %) and browning index (148.29 to 165.60) were observed where as acidity (1.71 to 1.12 %), total sugars (55.91 to 50.65%), vitamin C (27.85 to 27.73 mg/100 g) and rehydration ratio (1.82 to 1.35%) decreased. Textural qualities viz. cutting force and cutting energy increased from 34.73 to 41.76 N and 31.80 to 39.13 Ns respectively during storage. Sensory qualities of the product decreased slightly towards the end of storage and no microbial growth was found till the end of storage. Second order response surface models were developed for mass transfer, drying and nutritional parameters of osmo-air dehydrated nendran banana. Slices of 5 to 10 mm thickness, 50 to 60⁰ B concentration and 50 to 60 minutes of immersion time were the optimized parameters for longitudinal and round slices whereas it was 5 to 8 mm, 50 to 55⁰ B and 40 to 50 minutes for ring shaped slices. Five and 10 mm thick rings of ripe nendran banana followed by 5 mm round slices osmosed in 50 ⁰B sugar syrup for 40 minutes were highly acceptable for developing good quality osmo dehydrated products. The products packaged in 200 gauge polypropylene were acceptable and microbiologically safe up to six months when stored at room temperature.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of papaya types(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Reshma, N T; KAU; Babylatha, A KPapaya (Carica papaya L.) belonging to the family Caricaceae is a popular fruit of tropical world. India is the largest producer of papaya in the world (NHB, 2011). The project entitled “Evaluation of papaya types” was conducted in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2013 - 2015. The major objective of the study was to assess the variability in papaya and to select the promising types/ varieties suitable for Kerala. The study comprised of two experiments, namely assessment of variability and evaluation of promising types/ varieties. In experiment I, a preliminary survey was conducted in the homesteads of Thrissur, Palakkad and Ernakulum districts of Kerala. Seventy five plants were tagged in different locations consisting of twenty five plants in each district. Then forty plants were selected from the initial tagged ones based on the different biometric, fruiting and flowering characters. Fruits from these forty plants were collected and subjected to quantitative and qualitative analysis. Further screening was done with special reference to plant height, fruit weight, TSS, sugars and organoleptic characters. Based on the qualitative characters viz. flesh colour, fruit shape, sex expression of plant, time of flowering and petiole colour, forty collections were grouped into nine clusters by using the statistical tool of agglomerative hierarchical clustering. Finally twenty five accessions were evenly selected from the forty collections of nine clusters for detailed evaluation in the field. Plant height of the selected twenty five accessions ranged from 2.1 to 5.6 m and fruit weight varied from 440.0 to 2105.0 g. Total sugar and TSS of the selected 25 accessions ranged from 6.44 to 12.12 per cent and 9.40 to 14 0Brix respectively. In experiment II, the selected twenty five accessions along with five released varieties namely Arka Prabath, CO 8, CO 7, CO 2 and Pusa Nanha were subjected to detailed studies in the field. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three replications at spacing of 2 x 2 m. Among the accessions/ varieties evaluated, Pusa Nanha, Acc. 15 and Acc. 13 were found to have lowest plant height of 1.79, 1.87 and 1.95 m respectively, at 12 months after planting. Highest fruit weight of 1830 g was recorded in Acc. 15 followed by CO 8 (1770 g), and Pusa Nanha (1621.67 g). Highest flesh thickness of 2.98 cm was recorded in Pusa Nanha followed by CO 2 (2.70 cm), Acc. 6 (2.68 cm) and Acc. 11 (2.67 cm). Accession 25 produced higher number of fruits per plant (35.11) followed by Acc. 1 (32.66), Acc. 5 (32.33), Acc. 6 (30.11) and these three were on par. The highest yield per plant of 31.50 kg was recorded in Acc. 25 followed by Acc. 6 (27.63 kg/ plant), Acc. 1 (26.57 kg/ plant), Acc. 9 (25.77 kg/ plant), Pusa Nanha (25.12 kg/ plant) and these were on par. Total soluble solids (TSS) of the fruits showed significant variation among treatments. The TSS of Acc. 21, Acc. 11, Acc. 22, Acc. 8, Acc. 3, Acc. 17, Acc. 23, Acc. 18, Acc. 19 and Acc. 6 ranged from 13.13 to 15.17 0Brix and were on par. Highest per cent of reducing sugar was recorded by Acc. 11 (10.49 %) followed by Acc. 14 (10.36 %), Acc. 22 (9.92 %), Acc. 3 (9.92 %) and Acc. 13 (9.90 %). Accession 3 recorded the highest per cent of total sugar (10.89 %), followed by Acc. 11 (10.65 %), Acc. 14 (10.63 %), Acc. 4 (10.51 %) and Acc. 13 (10.40) were on par. The highest vitamin C was recorded by CO 7 (164.27 mg/ 100 g) followed Acc. 20 (120 mg/ 100 g), Acc. 6 (117.6 mg/ 100 g), Acc. 8 (114.67 mg/100 g) and Acc. 11 (114.40 mg/ 100 g). Sensory evaluation of fruits indicated that the Acc. 8 scored highest mean rank for sweetness and taste. Significant variability was observed during the survey and twenty five accessions were selected for detailed study. As a result of field evaluation of 25 accessions and 5 varieties, eight accessions and Pusa Nanha were found to be promising. These included Acc. 1, Acc. 6, Acc. 8, Acc. 11, Acc. 13, Acc. 14, Acc. 15, Acc. 25 and Pusa Nanha. Further evaluation of accessions is necessary to get confirmatory results.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of philodendrons for landscaping and interior plantscaping(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Sadhana, K; KAU; Sudhadevi, P KStudies were undertaken in Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2011-2013 to evaluate the philodendrons for landscaping and interior plantscaping. The study comprised of four experiments in which twenty-five species/varieties were selected for evaluation. Based on the growth habit, thirteen species/varieties were selected and their performance under different indoor light conditions was studied. Air Pollution Tolerance Index of all the species /varieties was computed and they were evaluated for their use as cut foliage. Twenty-five selected species/varieties of philodendrons were classified into two categories namely heading and climbing types based on their growth habit. Wide variation was observed in their growth characters. Among the heading types, Philodendron lacinatum‘Variegata’, Philodendron x Magnificum and Philodendron ‘Majesty’ were found to have maximum growth. In climbing types of philodendrons, Philodendron bipinnatifidum, Philodendron lacerum and Philodendron williamsii recorded maximum growth. Based on the growth habit, thirteen species/varieties of philodendrons were selected for evaluating their performance under five different indoor light zones viz., low (<800 lux), medium (800-2000 lux), high (>2000 lux), supplementary light without air condition (800-2000 lux) and supplementary light with air condition. It was found that most of the philodendrons could thrive well under supplementary light zone with and without air condition. Species/varieties like Philodendron x Magnificum, Philodendron ‘Black Prince’ and Philodendron ‘Majesty’ could be recommended for all the light intensities tried. Philodendron ‘Red Sunlight’ and Philodendron ‘Black Beauty’ could be recommended for areas with low light intensity. Plant quality rating of the philodendrons was done by visual scoring based on growth and fullness, color and pigmentation, suitability to indoor conditions and pest and diseases incidence. Based on this the selected philodendrons were classified into excellent, good, medium, low and not acceptable. It was observed that Philodendron ‘Majesty’ had the highest score and Philodendron 'Moonshine', the lowest. The Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of philodendron species/varieties under the study was computed. Based on this, they were categorized into sensitive, intermediately tolerant, moderately tolerant and tolerant. It was observed that Philodendron ‘Majesty’ and Philodendron serratum had the highest APTI values and were tolerant to air pollution.xv Philodendron sagittifolium, Philodendron karstenianum, Philodendron x Magnificum, Philodendron wendlandii, Philodendron bipinnatifidum, Philodendron ‘Ceylon Gold’, Philodendron superbum and Philodendron ‘Smithi’ were found to be the most susceptible and they could be recommended as pollution indicator plants. Vase life and leaf characters are important for use of any foliage as cut foliage. Philodendron pertusum, Philodendron ‘Pluto Red’ and Philodendron ‘Black Prince’ are the species/varieties with longest vase life while Philodendron superbum, Philodendron ‘Moon Shine’, Philodendron williamsii are the species/varieties that had the shortest vase life. Based on the leaf characters like texture, color and pigmentation, shape and pattern and size, the leaves were visually scored for use as cut foliage and were classified into excellent, good, medium, low and not acceptable. Philodendron ‘Majesty’ and Philodendron ‘Pluto Red’ were found to possess the highest and lowest scores, respectively.ThesisItem Open Access Morphology and reproductive biology of Maramanjal (Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr)(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Mithra, H Shenoy; KAU; Suma, B (Guide)Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. is a critically endangered and highly-traded medicinal plant belonging to the family Menispermaceae, having extensive pharmacological activities. Despite its importance, there are substantial gaps in our understanding of its morphology, reproductive biology and phenology. With this background, the present study entitled „Morphology and reproductive biology of “Maramanjal” (Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr.)‟ was undertaken in the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 2013- 2015. The investigation aimed to study the phenology, flowering, fruitset, and seed viability of Coscinium fenestratum so as to explore the feasibility of its multiplication and conservation. Coscinium fenestratum is a large dioecious perennial growing up to 10 m height and the detailed morphological study revealed that the young and mature shoots in male and female plants were brown in colour with spiral phyllotaxy. The branchlets were observed as brown and tomentose at the young stage, later turning glabrous. The quantitative characters of stem of the male and female plants showed no significant difference. Anatomical studies of stem revealed that the number of vascular bundles differed in the male and female plants. The 1-2 layered interfascicular cambium was observed to originate in between the bundles, in line with the fascicular cambium. The shape of leaf lamina was found to be narrowly ovate in the male plant and broadly ovate in the female plant. It was noticed that the lamina has acuminate tip and slightly cordate base and is dark green on the glabrous adaxial surface and light green on the tomentose abaxial surface with reticulate-multicosate divergent type venation. The leaf petiole was observed as tomentose with pulvinus. The length of petiole and lamina were significantly different in both the plants. Anatomical studies of leaf revealed the epidermis as single layered with lower region possessing large number of multicellular and uniseriate trichomes. It was noticed that mesophyll consists of 1-2 layered, thick walled, highly chlorophyllous palisade tissue and 2-4 layered, thin walled and spongy tissue with abundant intercellular spaces. Vascular bundle was seen encircled by a wavy ring of 2-10 layers of sclerenchymatous tissue and collenchyma and parenchyma cells present. The type of male and female inflorescence was observed as compound raceme, with the yellowish or whitish globose heads borne on long peduncles, developing on old stems in the axils of fallen leaves. The colour of sofly hairy peduncle was noted as light yellow brown in the male and brown in the female inflorescence. The characters like inflorescence length, life-span of a flower head, duration of flower head opening and the days to attain 50% flowering, and the floret diameter were significantly different for the male and female inflorescences. The zygomorphic sessile floret was found to be having nine tepals in three whorls which are densely hairy outside and glabrous inside. In the male floret, out of the six stamens, three were seen are connate to the middle and the others remain free. The female floret was observed with no distinct style; ovary being superior with axile placentation. With respect to the reproductive biology, the flowering season of male plant was noticed from late August to late February with the peak anthesis between 7.00 a. m. - 8.00 a. m. Anther dehiscence was found to continue for a period of 20 and half hours. The flowering season of female plant was noticed from early October to mid- October to mid-March with peak anthesis between 7.00 a. m. - 11.00 a. m. The stigma was seen receptive for a period of 26-28 hours. Coscinium fenestratum was observed as anemophilous with a pollen fertility of 57.45%. Fruit was noticed as a one-seeded drupe, globular and dark brown in colour. With a high fruit set of 93.00%, the per cent of fruits carried to maturity was only 27.33%. The greenish brown kidney shaped subglobose seed was found to be having a special structure called condyle. The per cent of seed germination was recorded as 50%. Seedling studies revealed that the seeds from Wayanad exhibited better cumulative growth rate than those from Vellanikkara, in terms of number of days for germination, number of days for initiation of first leaf, number of leaves and internode length. The different phenophases in the male and female plants were identified and recorded. The variation in C/N ratio and starch content in male and female plants showed a similar pattern with the three critical stages considered, such as onset of flowering, peak flowering and termination of flowering. Berberine detected through Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) technique was quantified using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technique. Male plant had 1.16% berberine in the stem and 0.95% in the root. Female plant had 1.17% berberine in the stem, 0.82% in the root and 0.10% in the seed.ThesisItem Open Access Seed production potential dormancy and seed storage behaviour in sida spp.(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Veeresh, Netekal; KAU; Alice, KurianThe study entitled “Seed production potential, dormancy and seed storage behaviour in Sida spp.” was undertaken at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2012-2014. The study aimed to assess seed production potential and characterize dormancy in three Sida species (Sida alnifolia, Sida acuta and Sida cordifolia) and to standardize ideal pre-treatment for improving germination and to study seed storage behaviour in Sida alnifolia. Flowering and fruiting in Sida species was staggered and started four months after planting. Flowering and fruiting was earliest in Sida acuta and latest in Sida alnifolia. Maximum seed rain and seed production potential was exhibited by Sida acuta. The fruits and seeds were biggest in Sida cordifolia. Physical characterization of dormancy by analysis of seed coat thickness and embryo size of three species revealed that hard thick seed coat comprising endoderm, mesoderm, periderm and presence of thick corrugated impermeable cuticle was a major limiting factor restricting the exchange of water and gases. Acid scarification brought out reduction in all layers of the seed coat with maximum reduction in cuticle thickness. Upon storage, the total thickness of the seed coat and individual layers was slightly reduced but embryo area, perimeter and cuticle thickness increased slightly. The physiological conditions tried such as exposure of seeds to different temperatures, light and dark and exposure to stress by hydration and dehydration failed to promote germination in fresh seeds. Irrespective of the species, seeds whether fresh or stored, also failed to germinate without pre-treatment. Germination studies under field conditions indicated that seeds exposed to natural weathering showed a spontaneous response on receipt of rain and the germination was completed in ten days with highest germination (74.50 per cent) in Sida acuta followed by Sida alnifolia (67.50 per cent) and least in Sida cordifolia (42.50 per cent). Biochemical analysis of seeds revealed that species differed in the content of total extractives, total phenol and total alkaloid and Sida acuta recorded higher contents of total extractives and total alkaloid whereas total phenol content was higher in Sida alnifolia. Analysis of the seed leachates indicated species difference in the content of minerals and electrical conductivity. Sida acuta recorded the highest potassium and EC values. Among the eighteen pre-treatments tried for improving germination, chemical scarification using Conc. H2SO4 was significantly superior and recorded higher germination per cent and speed of germination. Untreated seeds failed to germinate. Scarification of seeds with Conc. H2SO4 for higher duration of 30 minutes was selected as the best treatment considering improvement in water imbibition, germination per cent, speed of germination, growth and vigour of seedling and significant reduction in the intensity of dormancy. Storage studies revealed that upon storage, germination, vigour of seedling and reduction in dormancy factors were at a positive side compared to fresh seeds. Storage of seeds under cooler atmosphere either refrigerator or freezer was found to improve the water imbibition, content of minerals, germination and vigour of seedling compared to ambient storage. The present investigations could thus establish that seeds of Sida species exhibit coat imposed dormancy and require two months of after ripening period, posing problems in germination. Pre-treatment of seeds with Conc. H2SO4 for 30 minutes is suggested to bring down dormancy and improve germination and vigour of seedlings. Exposing the seeds to natural weathering is a simple way of improving germination. The seeds can be effectively stored under cooler conditions in refrigerator / freezer for one year or longer which also lowered dormancy and improved germination and vigour of seedlings.