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ThesisItem Open Access Investigations on intervarietal F2 hybrids in cowpea(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture Vellanikkara, Trichur, 1981) Sumathikutty Amma, B; KAU; Narayanan Namboodiri, K MCcwpea (Vlgna ungiculata) Is the major pulse crop cultivated in Kerala where the average yield of pulses in general and Cowpea in particular is very low even under modern agronomic practices* This low productivity is mainly due to the absence of high yielding varieties suited for the different agro-climatic conditions. The varietal requirements in Cowpea, in the state vary because of the highly contrasting system of cultivation and this compels Cowpea breeders to evolve varieties of different combinations of plant, pod and seed characters, This is possible by producing different varieties combining the desirable attributes required for the diverse situations by suitable means. One of the ways by which, this can be achieved is through combination breeding in which desirable genes are pooled frcra different sources* In a previous study conducted in the Department of Agricultural Botany, the 202 genotypes v/ere grouped into 17 distinct clusters. Representing 15 clusters, 15 varieties were chosen for intervarietal hybridisation and their F^'s evaluated during 1979-80, Seeds collected from the plants of the 16 Intervariota] crosses along with their parents were used for the study. Two families In each of the 16 crosses were studied along with their respective parents for the pattern of inheritance of 15 economic characters. Most of the characters were found to be inherited as quantitative characters controlled by either polygenes or by a few major genes with their action being suitably modified by minor genes. The crosses 5 x 15 (g p .p l s . 139 x p .118) and 6 X 8 (Red Seeded Selection X Kolingipayar) were identified as suitable ones for grain - production and also for using as dual purpose Cowpea culture since they might throw segregants best suited to those purposes. For the specialised system of Cot/pea culture practised in summer rice fallows exclusively for vegetable purpose, the crosses 14 X 16 (Pannithodan-early X Kolingipayarwhite), 17 X 16 (Mancheri-black X Kolingipayar^hite) and 10 X 6 (IC. 20729 X Red Seeded Selection) appeared to be the Ideal ones*ThesisItem Open Access Variability studies in the seedling progenies of T*D coconut hybrids(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Valsala, P A; KAU; Kannan, KA study was conducted at the Instructional Farm , Vellanikkara , during 1979-80 with the objective of assessing the extent of variability in the seedling progenies obtained from open pollinated seednuts of tall x Dwarf (F1) palms Seednuts were collected from 30 Tall x Dwarf F1 palms belonging to six family groups and the experiment was laid out in completely randomised design with family groups as treatment and progeny as replication The present investigation emphasised the utility of selection of high yielding West Coast Tall palms in controlled mating for the production of Tall x Dwarf hybrids and showed the stability of superiority of Tall x Dwarf hybrids even under poor environmental conditions. The percentage of vigorous , medium and poor seedlings produced by each (F1) progeny was found to be independent of the productivity of the palm under open pollinated condition . There fore , collection of seednut from high yielding TxD progenies for further propagation should be resorted with great caution . Progenies of the same parent have shown considerable difference in respect of the number of days taken for germination giving an indication of the variability existing in the TXD palme , in their capacity for production of early bearing and high yielding f2 progency. The petiolar colour of the grand parents and f1 progenies were green, while the F2 progenies showed segregation with green , bronze, orange and yellow colour. Four progenies each of grand parents Vlll/23 and l/58, and two progenies each of Vlll/158, I/76, Vlll/143 and 1/109 have been identified as prepotents on the basis of seedling performance . Seasonal variations were noticed on yield, size and weight of nuts. The total chlorophyll content in the leaves of the vigorous seedling which were potential high yielders were found to be high. Early germinated nuts produced seedling having more collar girth and as such greater vigour.ThesisItem Open Access Effects of graded doses of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium on the growth and leaf nutrient status in cocoa(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Salikutty, Joseph; KAU; Mohanakumaran, NInvestigations were carried out at the College of Horticulture , Vellanikkara during 1979-80 to study the effect of graded doses of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium on the growth and leaf nutrient status of cocoa . The results of a pot culture experiment in completely Randomised Design revealed that growth parameters (height, girth and number of leaves) as well as dry matter production remained unaffected following the application of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium. The studies indicated that addition of fertilisers to seedling grown in potmixture may not be necessary . It has also been observed that the uptake of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium by cocoa seedlings was not affected by varying levels of these nutrients. Leaf ranked fifth from the apwas found to be suitable for leaf analysis in cocoa seedlings. Field grown young cocoa trees were utilised for evaluating the relationships between soil test values and leaf nutrient concentration vis a vis plant growth.The studies indicated the suitability of either fan or chupon leaves for foliar nutrient analysis in cocoa. However, indiscriminate sampling between the two types is to be avoided . No significant correlations existed between phosphorus and potassium contents in soil leaf, and tree growth.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the effect of containers, potting mixtures and growth regulators on growth and survival of clove seedlings(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Prasannakumari Amma, S; KAU; Mohanakumar, NStudies were undertaken at the Instructional Farm , attached to the collage of Horticulture , Vellanikkara during 1979-80 to find out the methods to increase the percentage germination of clove seeds, to accelerate the rate of growth of the seedlings and to improve the percentage survival of the seedlings transplanted to the main field . The seeds collected during May ,June and July were classified as heavy , medium and light and sown with or without the pericarp . The seeds collected and sown during the month of June recorded the highest percentage of germination . However , the may seeds were superior with respect to rate of growth and vigour of the resultant seedling . Though heavy seeds recorded the highest percentage of germination , heavy and medium seeds were on par when the rate of growth of the seedlings was considered . The removel of pericarp increased the percentage germination , but did not influence the rate of growth of the resultant seedlings. G A at the concentrations ranging from 100 to 400ppm exhibited inhibitory effects on germination of clove seeds. The clove seedlings from the primary nursery when transplanted to improvised coconut husk pots filled with a mixture containing one part soil, one part sand and one part powered cowdung with bonemeal @ 2 teaspoons /pot and powered groundnut cake @2 teaspoons/pot, exhibited higher rate of growth . Sparying of GA 200ppm + urea 0.5 per cent to the clove seedlings transplanted to coconut husk pots or growing in one of the three potting mixtures tried , enhanced their rate of growth . Transferring the seedlings from the primary nursery to coconut husk pots at the second month and transplanting them to the mainfield with the container intact at the ninth month gave higher rate of survival.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the variation in the quantity and quality of oil in different parts of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini stapf. var motia) in different seasons(Department of Processing Technology ,College of Horticulture,Vellanikara, 1981) Alice, kurian; KAU; Damodharan, V KInvestigations were carried out at the Lemongrass Research Station, Odakkali, with the objective of assessing the yield and quality of oil, obtained from the different portions of the palmarosa plant as compared to the whole plant and from the different harvests taken in an year. It was also aimed at finding out the economics of harvesting and distilling of the different portions of the plant. The results of the study revealed the quantity of grass and oil obtained from the whole plant and the relative contribution of the flower top, the 2/3rd portion and the 1/3rd portion of the plant towards total yield. The whole plant yielded 26307.3 kg of herbage/ha/year, out of which the maximum was contributed by the 2/3rd of the plant (46%) followed by the 1/3rd portion of the plant (42%) and the flower top (12%). The flower top recorded the maximum oil recovery and the percentage contribution of the flower top towards total yield was notable (33%) eventhough the maximum contribution was given by the 2/3rd portion of the plant (48%). Both herbage and oil yield were maximum from the monsoon harvests (1st, 2nd and 3rd) which recorded 73 per cent of total herbage and 68 per cent of total oil yield. Economics of harvesting and distillation of the different portions of the plant when compared to the whole plant indicated that maximum profit was obtained by distilling the whole plant. Distillation of the flower top + the 2/3rd portion of the plant ie., after removing the bottom 1/3rd portion had resulted in a much lower income. This study has proved beyond doubt that distilling the whole plant is economical and more profitable than utilizing a portion of it. The quality of the oil from different portions of the plant in different harvests showed wide variation. The geraniol content of the plant portions and the whole plant was within acceptable limits except the flower top, which was low in geraniol. In general, the ester content of the oil was found to be high which might have contributed to the high specific gravity. The high content of esters in palmarosa oil lowers its perfumery value. Hence, further investigations to probe the possible reasons for the increased content of esters are necessary.ThesisItem Open Access Variability in the Open-Pollinated Progenies of Turmeric(Department of Horticulture (plantation Crops), College of Horticulture,Vellanikara, 1981) Hanzha, George; KAU; Shivaraman, Nair; P CStudies were undertaken with 42 selected lines of open –pollinated progenies of two types of turmeric, Amalapuram and Dindrigam, at the College of Horticulture for a period of two years from May, 1979. The main objectives of the study were 1. To find out the genetical variability with regard to various characters, and 2. To select pest and disease tolerant/resistant lines of turmeric having high yield and curcumin content. The results have shown that the difference between the lines were highly significant for all the characters studied. The estimates of variance of components and coefficients of variation have indicated that the major portion of total variability in most of the characters was due to genetic causes. Yield per plant was found to be highly associated with length of primary fingers and length and girth of secondary fingers. The correlation coefficients of these yield components were found to be positive and significant. Incidence of leaf diseases were not noticed in the lines. Attack of shoot-borer was noticed, but lines A 76, A 83, D 39, D 180, D 182, D 199, D 310, D 311 and D 320 were free from the attack. Yield varied significantly among lines with a maximum recorded by the line D 199 (693.6 gms per plant). Curing percentage was maximum in the line D 311 (33.67%) and the oleoresin content varied from 16.6 per cent to 22.6 per cent and variation in curcumin content was from 1.14 per cent to 5.37 per cent. From the present investigation, the lines D 180, D 229, A 78 and D 199 are selected for further detailed study based on the dry yield of rhizome, yield of curcumin and selection indexThesisItem Open Access Growth, Flowering, Floral biology and spike shedding in pepper (Piper nigrum L.)(Department of Horticulture (Plantation Crops), College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Rema Menon; KAU; Sivaraman Nair, P CThe present studies were carried out in the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, during the year 1979-80. The object was to study the pattern of growth and flowering, floral biology and spike shedding in pepper (Pipernigrum L.) . The studies were conducted on four year old pepper vines (c.v. Panniyur-1 and Karimunda) receiving uniform cultural and manurial practices of the Kerala Agricultural University. Shoot growth in pepper was observed during four months of the year, from May to August, with maximum in July and minimum in August. The mean growth and the percentage of shoots that showed growth varied significantly from month to month and standard to standard. The flowering followed a pattern similar to growth. The percentage of aborted spikes ranged from 40.1 to 26.31 per cent.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of graded doses of nirogen and potash on growth, root yield and alkaloid content of Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don)(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1981) Regunath, B R; KAU; Sethumadhavan, PAn experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the year1979-80 to study the effect of four levels of nitrogen (50, 100,150 and 200 kg per hectre) and three levels of potash (50, 100 and 150 kg per hectare) in RCBD on the growth, yield and alkaloid content of Periwinkle (Catheranthus roseus (L.) G. Don). Application of N, particularly at higher levels, had significant influence on plant height, girth of stem and tap root, fresh and dry yield of leaves, shoot, root and total alkaloid yield per hectare. Increased application of N increased the percentage of alkaloid content in root and at lower levels it increased the length of tap root, girth and number of lateral roots.ThesisItem Open Access Variability studies in cowpea(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Jalajakumari, M B; KAU; Narayanan Namboodiri, K MStudies were undertaken with seventeen cowpea varieties representing seventeen clusters, in the Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1979-80 to estimate the extent of genetic variability, association among the selected characters and its partition into direct and indirect effects through Path Coefficient Analysis. A discriminant function analysis was carried out with a view to isolating superior genotypes from among those studied.
