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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 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 Evaluation of long pepper (Piper longum L) genotypes for growth flowering and yield(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Maheswari R S Nair; KAU; Suma, BLong pepper (Piper longum L.) belonging to the family Piperaceae is one among the 14 medicinal plants which has high demand in indigenous drug industry and is also prioritized for cultivation and development by National Medicinal Plant Board. Even though long pepper is well adapted for cultivation as an intercrop in coconut, arecanut and rubber plantations of Kerala, its cultivation is limited due to poor returns from the crop on account of high expenditure on harvesting due to staggered flowering and lack of high yielding varieties with high dry recovery. Germplasm collection of long pepper was initiated at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices and was further strengthened by KSCSTE funded project and 60 types were assembled. After an initial evaluation, 42 types were selected including check variety ‘Viswam’ for the present study. The present investigations on “Evaluation of “long pepper” (Piper longum L.) genotypes for growth, flowering and yield” was carried out in Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during December 2012 to May 2014. The objectives of the study were to catalogue the germplasm accessions of long pepper, to study the flowering behavior fruit set and quality and to identify superior long pepper genotypes with high yield and quality. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design, comprised of 42 treatments and six replications. The accessions studied were collected from Western Ghat regions of Kerala and also entries from NBPGR which includes the collections from different regions of Karnataka and Tirunelveli. Characters studied include six qualitative and eighteen quantitative characters including biochemical attributes. Cataloguing of accessions for qualitative characters using IPGRI descriptor for Piper nigrum revealed wide variation among accessions in growth habit, runner shoot production, leaf shape (base, lamina, margin), spike shape and spike colour. Among the forty two accessions studied, it was noticed that thirty eight accessions were found to be female, three found to be male and one non-flowering type. Maximum inflorescence (more than 55 per cent) was produced during June, July and August and minimum (less than 5 per cent) during December and January. In PL 42, PL 53 and PL 57 flowering was extended during May to October. Coefficient of variation for year round flowering ranged from 7.34 per cent to 46.32 per cent. Among accessions, number of primary branches, spike bearing branches per primary branch and leaves per plant ranged from 1.00 to 8.00, 1.00 to 6.71 and 21.67 to 166.0, respectively. The plant height, petiole length, internodal length of spike bearing branches and leaf area ranged from 39.67 cm to 88.33cm, 1.11 cm to 7.56 cm, 1.86 cm to 7.38 cm and 25.98 cm2 to 63.87 cm 2, respectively. The days from planting to emergence and emergence to maturity of spike in female types ranged from 77 to 146 days and 60 to 80 days whereas, male accessions took 135-141 days and 61-64 days, respectively. Number of spikes/spike bearing branch ranged from 1.00 to 3.21 and coefficient of variation observed were 54.81%. Spike length and girth varied from 0.90 cm to 3.10 cm and 3.75 mm to 8.86 mm in female accessions and male accessions from 8.10 cm to 8.18 cm, and 4mm to 4.03 mm respectively. Coefficient of variation for spike length and girth were 7.87 per cent and 6.83 per cent , respectively. Fresh weight per spike recorded highest in PL8 (1.06 g) and dry weight per spike recorded maximum in PL 12(0.20 g). Fresh and dry yield per plant was recorded highest in PL8 which was on par with PL9 along with check variety Viswam. Coefficient of variation observed for fresh and dry yield per plant as 122.45 per cent and 120.44 per cent, respectively. Spike set percent was shown maximum by PL 8 (97.42 per cent) and driage by PL 49 (20.66 per cent). Based on yield parameters, PL 5, PL 8, PL 9, PL 15, PL 23, PL 24 and PL 25 along with check variety were selected as superior accessions. For volatile oil, oleoresin and piperine content, accessions PL 5, PL 8, PL 12 and PL 50 were promising. Cluster analysis among 42 accessions based on qualitative characters and 20 accessions based on quantitative characters were done by using Multivariate Hierrarchial Cluster Analysis using NTSYS software. The dendrogram derived through qualitative characteristics showed degree of similarity varying from 26 to 100 and at 81 per cent similarity long pepper accessions were grouped into seven clusters. Based on quantitative data, the accessions showed only 14 per cent similarity. Since the accessions showed wide variability it can be utilized in future breeding programmes.ThesisItem Open Access Proximate analysis and product development in nutmeg (Myristica fragrans houtt.) rind(Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Teena, Simenthy; KAU; Meagle Joseph, PNutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) belongs to the family Myristicaceae. Nutmeg produces two spices of commerce namely nutmeg, dried kernel of the seed and mace, the dried aril surrounding the seed. Nutmeg rind constitutes 80 to 85 per cent of its whole fruit weight and at ripe stage it has an acidic astringent taste with aromatic flavour. If it can be converted to attractive value added products it will be a boon to nutmeg farmers. Hence the present study was endeavoured to access the proximate composition of nutmeg pericarp and possible ways to consider it as a value-added commodity, with nutritional and pharmacological benefits. The color of rind described using Universal Colour Language (UCL) was pale greenish yellow (RHS 164C 71) during harvest and it changed to moderate orangish yellow when kept under room temperature. The texture of the nutmeg rind was 1.85 Kg/cm2 i.e., 4.1 lbs/sq. inch. Nutmeg rind constitutes 75 to 80 per cent of whole fruit weight and has a high moisture content of 88.45 per cent. The acidity recorded in rind was 1.43 per cent, total phenol (35.20 mg/100g) and tannin (33.80 mg/100g). The total soluble solid (TSS) of nutmeg rind is less (3.38° brix) and therefore it has low total sugars (2.69 %). In the present study, the pericarp showed the presence of 1.25 g/100g protein, 2.55 per cent of crude fibre and 0.78 per cent pectin. Nutmeg rind is a poor source of ascorbic acid (11.45 mg/100g), starch (0.95 g/100g) and carotene content (37.82 μg/100g). The nutmeg rind had high iron content (607.800 mg/Kg) and the presence of other minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, and manganese were also observed. The antioxidant activity of nutmeg rind was compared to that of gallic acid and was found that the IC50 value of sample was 120 μg/ml while that of standard was 1.25 μg/ml showing medium antioxidant activity. The nutmeg rind oil is colourless in nature and the oil recovery percentage in fresh sample is 0.05 per cent and that of dried sample is 0.10 per cent. The GC- MS profiling of the nutmeg rind oil exhibited a seven peak chromatogram and the compounds found were myristicin, elemicin, terpenen-4-ol, alpha-terpineol, methyl (Z)-N-hydroxybenzene carboximidate, 1,2–dimethoxy–4[(Z)-1- methoxyprop-1-enyl] benzene and methyl laurate. The oleoresin recovery was estimated to be 3.17 per cent. The pericarp was screened for phytochemicals and showed that flavonoids, saponins and terpenoids were present in petroleum ether, acetone and methanol extracts of nutmeg rind. Considering all the biochemical constituents, 3 per cent salt water treatment for 48 hours was found to be the best pre-treatment for product development. The value added products prepared were wine, powder, candy, chunk, syrup and jam. Wine prepared using rind, sugar and water in the ratio 1:1:1 was selected as the best after biochemical estimation and organoleptic evaluation. The best process for making the nutmeg rind powder is found to be sun drying powder and was mostly accepted due to its sensory and biochemical constituents. Nutmeg rind was also used for the preparation of two types of candy, titbits and flakes. The biochemical analysis showed that candy titbits are of better quality while the flakes scored highest in organoleptic evaluation. The chunks prepared by immersing the pre-treated nutmeg rind in 70° brix sugar solution for 48 hours scored better organoleptic scores and sensory evaluation. The juice extracted from pre-treated nutmeg rind by using pressure cooked and hot water extract had least preference. In the case of jam, the pulp and sugar ratio of 1:2 gained the maximum score for organoleptic evaluation.ThesisItem Open Access Survey, collection and characterization of 'Kizharnelli' (Phyllanthus spp.) of Kerala(Department of plantation crops and spices, College of horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Shafna Kalarikkal; KAU; Asha Sankar, MAn investigation on “Survey, collection and characterization of „Kizharnelli‟ (Phyllanthus spp.) of Kerala”, was carried out at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, and CARe KERALAM, Koratty, Thrissur during 2013-2014, with the objective of morphological and phytochemical characterization of Phyllanthus accessions collected after surveying select locations of Kerala and assessment of quality of traded crude drug of Phyllanthus by detecting species admixtures and estimating phytochemical constituents. Genus Phyllanthus belonging to the family Phyllanthaceae, consists of about 833 species and is chiefly distributed in moist humid tropics. The most wide spread species of this genus, P. amarus, reputed for its hepatoprotective activity which contain phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin and is used in traditional medicine against jaundice. Other commonly ocuuring herbaceous Phyllanthus spp. of Kerala are P. virgatus var. virgatus, P.virgatus var. gardnerianus, P. rheedei, P. airy-shawii, P. maderaspatensis and P. urinaria. Taxomonic confusion exists in identification of these herbaceous Phyllanthus spp., mainly due to their similarity in gross morphology, close proximity in growth habitat as well as referring them with a common vernacular name, „Kizharnelli‟. Preponderance of other Phyllanthus spp. often leads to ignorant as well as deliberate adulteration/substitution in its raw drugs, resulting in lowering the efficacy of the medication. Other Phyllanthus species have not been subjected to in-depth phytochemical and clinical investigations. A total of fourty seven Phyllanthus accessions were collected from coastal regions, plains, midlands and high ranges of southern, central and northern zones of Kerala, of which, seventeen accessions were from southern zone, fourteen from central and sixteen from northern zones. The collected Phyllanthus accessions were decoded into respective species based on the key characters of herbaceous Phyllanthus spp. described in Flora of Madras Presidency. Out of the fifteen qualitative characters observed, no notable variability was observed for six qualitative characters viz., growth habit, branching pattern, leaf margin, flower colour, capsule colour and capsule shape. Erect growth habit, spreading branching pattern, entire leaf margin, depressed globose capsule shape, pale green flower colour and yellowish green capsule colour were noticed in all the accessions. Stem colour, leaflet colour, rachis colour, leaflet shape, leaflet apex, leaflet base and peduncle colour were highly varying among the accessions. The lone accession of P. maderaspatensis had obcordate leaf apex. P. virgatus var. gardnerianus and P. virgatus var. virgatus were observed to have longest pedicel length (1.0 cm), while rest of the Phyllanthus spp. had a pedicel length of 0.1 cm. P.amarus had five sepals and rest of the species, six. Highest plant height (90.1 cm), fresh weight (16.21 g) and dry weight (13.81 g) were observed for P. virgatus var. gardnerianus. Broadest leaves were observed in P. rheedei, and longest leaflets (2.01 – 2.21 cm) in P. virgatus var. gardnerianus and P. virgatus var. virgatus. The accessions of P. urinaria (22.1 – 28.8 cm) registered shortest stems length. P. amarus was distributed equally in the three zones surveyed and P. urinaria was predominantly observed in southern and central zones. Lone accession of P. maderaspatensis was observed in southern zone. P. virgatus var. virgatus was not represented at all in southern zone. The northern zone had representations of all herbaceous species of Phyllanthus under study, except P. maderaspatensis. P. amarus was equally distributed in coastal regions, plains, midlands and high ranges. P. virgatus var. gardnerianus had representation only in high ranges, while P. maderaspatensis was represented only in coastal regions. Coastal regions represented fewer species of Phyllanthus, while, high ranges registered maximum representation of herbaceous Phyllanthus species. Clustering of Phyllanthus accessions based on morphological parameters revealed that P. urinaria, P. airy-shawii, and P. amarus occurred in more than one cluster which indicates the presence of morphovariants in them. P. maderapatensis and P. rheedei formed single separate clusters indicating their individual morphological identity. Altitude wise clustering based on morphological parameters also presented a similar clustering pattern. In species wise assessment of growth and yield parameters of collected accessions during pot culture, P. amarus and P. urinaria, recorded significant differences, only with respect to plant height, wherein, accessions from coastal and midlands were rated superior in P. amarus. With respect to number of leaflets, P. virgatus var. virgatus from midlands of central zone was significantly superior. Biochemical characterization of Phyllanthus accessions revealed highest contents of total extractives (0.55 g to 0.61g) and phyllanthin (0.32 - 0.46 %) in P. amarus. Phyllanthin was absent in P. urinaria. Maximum content of phenol was recorded in P. airy-shawii (232.1 -252.1 mg g-1) followed by P. urinaria (196.2 -221.2 mg g-1). P. airy-shawii recorded lowest EC50 value (211.3 to 222.3 μg ml-1), indicating highest antioxidant capacity. A positive correlation noticed between total phenol content and antioxidant capacity. Clustering of Phyllanthus spp. in central zone based on biochemical parameters grouped, P. rheedei and P. virgatus var. virgatus in a single cluster while, they existed in separate clusters during clustering based on morphological parameters. Thus, morphologically dissimilar Phyllanthus spp. possess comparable contents of active ingredients. Hence, from the therapuetic point of view, substitution is possible between the species that are clustered together based on contents of active ingredients. Clustering based on temporal sites revealed that altitude can influence the content of certain active ingredients of Phyllanthus spp. During organoleptic evaluation of raw drug samples RD-1 and RD-2, the raw drug sample RD-1, was superior, devoid of any species admixtures. In the raw drug sample RD-2, though the predominant species was P. amarus, presence of P. airy-shawii was detected. The biochemical parameters of raw samples of Phyllanthus from RD-1 and RD-2 did not register any appreciable difference with the reference sample, with respect to all biochemical parameters studied.ThesisItem Open Access Development of F1 hybrids in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) for commercial cultivation(Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Mopidevi M, Nagaraju; KAU; Sreelathakumary, IThe present study entitled “Development of F1 hybrids in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) for commercial cultivation” was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2014-15 with major objective to develop superior dual purpose chilli F1 hybrids with medium pungency, deep red colour, high dry matter and vitamin C content. The experimental material consisted of six parents viz., CA 3 (P1), CA 5 (P2), CA 6 (P3), CA 8 (P4), CA 23 (P5) and CA 32 (P6) and 15 F1s produced in diallel mating design excluding reciprocals. The hybrid Arka Harita was used as check for the estimation of standard heterosis. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 22 treatments and three replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the treatments for all the traits except primary branches per plant, days to first flowering and days to first harvest for parents. Based on standard heterosis the hybrids P5 x P6 (57.59%), P3 x P5 (49.67%), P4 x P6 (38.21%), P3 x P6 (37.22%), P4 x P5 (32.23%), P2 x P5 (29.76%) and P2 x P6 (23.92%) were found to be most promising for green fruit yield and other desirable traits. For dry fruit yield and other desirable traits the hybrids P3 x P5 (22.52%), P4 x P6 (22.36%), P2 x P5 (18.04%), P5 x P6 (16.93%), P2 x P6 (13.85%), P4 x P5 (13.07%) and P3 x P4 (12.52%) were found to be most superior. The incidence of thrips, mites, bacterial wilt and fruit rot were less in the parents and hybrid combinations. The general and specific combining ability variances were significant for all the traits. The σ2gca and σ2sca ratio indicated that non-additive gene action was predominant for all the traits except fruit girth, fruit weight and flesh thickness. The estimates of general combining ability effects suggested that parent P6 was a good general combiner for both green as well as dry fruit yield per plant and quality characters. P4 was good general combiner for days to first flowering, days to first harvest, fruits per plant, and dry fruit yield per plant. P1 was a good general combiner for fruit length and capsaicin whereas P2 and P3 were showed good general combining ability for quality characters. The estimates of specific combining ability effects indicated that cross combinations viz., P3 x P5, P5 x P6, P2 x P5, P4 x P5, P1 x P2, P4 x P6, P3 x P4 and P2 x P6 were the most promising for green fruit yield, dry fruit yield and fruits per plant. Based on mean performance, standard heterosis and sca effects CA 8 x CA 32 (P4 x P6), CA 5 x CA 32 (P2 x P6) and CA 6 x CA 8 (P3 x P4) were adjudged as superior dual purpose hybrids with good quality traits.ThesisItem Open Access Identification of yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcourt) genotypes suitable for polyhouse cultivation(College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Litty, Varghese; KAU; Celine, V AThe present investigation entitled “Identification of yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcourt) genotypes suitable for polyhouse cultivation” was taken up at the Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2014- 2015 with the objective of identifying yard long bean genotypes with high yield and quality suitable for cultivation in naturally ventilated polyhouse. The experiment was conducted in the saw tooth type naturally ventilated polyhouse of size 1000 m2 (50 m x20 m) located at Instructional Farm, Vellayani. The experimental materials consisted of 30 yard long bean accessions, including 18 landraces, three KAU varieties and nine hybrids/varieties collected from private seed firms. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three replications. During the cropping period the maximum and minimum temperature in the polyhouse ranged from 30.4 0C to 41.3 0C and 21.5 to 24.5 0C respectively. The relative humidity ranged from 81 to 94 per cent and light intensity from 60.3 klux to 70.1 klux. CO 2 concentration varied between 269.38 to 293.32 ppm at 7am and 261.23 to 288.75 ppm at 4 pm. Analysis of variance showed significant difference between the accessions for all the characters studied. The longest vines were observed in NS-634 (T 23) followed by Anad Local (T 5). Primary branches per plant varied from 3.95 (T 23) to 6.57 (T16) and petiole length ranged from 14.27 (T4) cm to 21.27 (T10) cm. The variety Rani (T19) was the earliest for flowering (30.41 days) and harvest (40.65 days) under poly house. Among the accessions, Anad Local (T 5) had the highest yield (1627.12 g) which is on par with NS-634 (T 23), Githika (T 1) and Hari Rani (T 64), while Super Green (T 17) recorded the highest pod length (85.07 cm) and pod weight (64.77 g). Highest pod girth was noticed in NS -634 (T 23) and Neyyattinkara Local (T 13) recorded highest number of pods per plant. The crop was free from collar rot, pythium rot, viral diseases and pod borers. However mild incidence of web blight and fusarium wilt was noticed in few accessions while low incidence of mites was observed in most of the accessions at high temperature and low relative humidity. High values of PCV and GCV were observed for pod weight, pods per plant and 100 seed weight. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance were recorded for peduncle length, pod length, pod girth, pod weight, pods per plant, yield per plant, 100 seed weight, protein content and stomatal density indicating that selection based on these characters would be effective. Positive phenotypic and genotypic correlation with yield was observed for pod length, pod weight, pod girth, pods per plant and days to first flowering. The path analysis revealed that pod weight had the highest positive direct effect on pod yield (0.8724) followed by pods per plant. The selection indices were worked out based on seven characters namely vine length, number of primary branches, days to first flowering, pod length, pod weight, pod girth and number of pods per plant. Githika (T 1) was ranked first followed by Neyyattinkara Local (T 13), Hari Rani (T 18) and Anad Local (T 5). On the basis of per se performance and selection index values, the top yielders Anad Local (T 5), NS 643 (T 23) and Githika (T1) were identified as the most suitable for cultivation in naturally ventilated polyhouse.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation and molecular characterization of advanced generation distant hybridization selections of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Monech)(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Arunkumar, B; KAU; Suresh Babu, K VYellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV) disease is a devastating disease infecting okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench), at all stages of crop growth, causing 50 to 94 per cent crop loss. The best way to tackle this disease is the use of resistant varieties developed by interspecific hybridization. There is no source of resistance to this disease in the species Abelmoschus esculentus. Hence a study was undertaken in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during 2014-2015 for the evaluation of F12 selections of the cross between Abelmoschus caillei variety Susthira (YVMV resistant) and Abelmoschus esculentus variety Salkeerthi (high yielding, widely adapted but YVMV susceptible), with the objective of identifying promising lines with high level of resistance to YVMV. Okra genotypes consisting of eight F12 selections along with their parents and Punjab 8 were evaluated for qualitative and quantitative characters, pollen fertility and reaction to YVMV in RBD with three replications. Variability and correlations were worked out for all the characters studied. Screening for YVMV resistance was done by creating artificial epiphytotic conditions in field, white fly transmission and graft transmission techniques. Four F12 selections (F12-1, F12-2, F12-6 and F12-7) exhibited high level of resistance to YVMV. Evaluation of quantitative characters in the F12 selections showed significant variation among the genotypes for traits like, plant height, petiole length, days to first flowering, days to first harvest, length of fruit, number of fruits per plant, crop duration, yield per plant and coefficient of infection to YVMV. The maximum values for both PCV and GCV were noticed for coefficient of infection of YVMV. Most of the traits possessed high heritability especially for the coefficient of infection of YVMV. High genetic advance could be noticed for plant height, yield per plant and coefficient of infection to YVMV. Correlation analysis indicated that fruit yield displayed positive genotypic association with length of fruit, number of fruits per plant and crop duration. Pollen fertility studies indicated high level of pollen fertility in F12 selections. Mucilage extraction analysis revealed that only low amount of mucilage was present in F12 generation lines compared to the parent A. caillei variety Susthira. Four F12 selections showed positive characters such as lower number of ridges per pod, longer fruit length, reduced width of epicalyx segment and less mucilage content similar to the parent Salkeerthi. Based on its promising fruit characters tending towards A. esculentus, selections such as F12-1, F12-2, F12-6 and F12-7 were identified. These selections expressed high resistance to YVMV and high yield. Molecular characterization of promising selections (F12-1, F12-2, F12-6 and F12-7) and their parental varieties was carried out using RAPD and ISSR markers. RAPD produced a total of 71 amplicons of which 58 were polymorphic giving a polymorphism of 81.69 percent. The number of amplicons produced ranged from three to thirteen with an average of 7.1 amplicons per primer and a mean of 5.8 polymorphic bands per primer. The ISSR primers produced a total of 92 amplicons of which 68 were polymorphic giving a polymorphism of 73.91 percent. The number of amplicons were in the range of six to thirteen with an average of 9.2 markers per primer and a mean of 6.8 polymorphic bands per primer. In RAPD assay the highest percentage of polymorphism was given by OPA 02 (92.37%). In ISSR assay, the primer UBC 811 produced highest polymorphism percentage of 91.89 %. The ISSR marker systems produced more amplicons as compared to RAPD system with more number of markers per primer and more polymorphic amplicons per primer. The amplification patter observed in Selection 1 and Selection 2 was peculiar in both the marker systems. Molecular marker analyses could assess the variability among advanced generation selections and their parents evaluated in the present investigations. The study could locate some markers in the resistant genotypes which on further indepth study will aid in marker assisted selection for YVMV resistance. Further, molecular data generated in the present investigations will serve as a base for fingerprinting the elite genotypes for varietal registration.