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Open Access
Standrdisation of spacing for tissue culture banana cv. nendran (AAB group)
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Anil, B K; KAU; Jayachandran Nair, C S
The investigation on “Standardisation of spacing for tissue culture banana cv. Nendran (AAB group)” was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during, 1992-’93 inorder to study the effect of different spacings on growth, yield and fruit quality of Nendran banana. The results obtained are presented below: In the early stages of growth, the vegetative characters were not influenced by the spacings tried. However, during later periods, the plant height, girth, number of leaves per plant, total and functional leaf area, interval of leaf production, LAI and LAD increased with decrease in spacing. The time taken for bunch emergence, maturity and duration of crop increased with decrease in spacing. The number of suckers per plant decreased with decrease in spacing, while total number of suckers per hectare increased with decrease in spacing. The biomass and drymatter production per plant, bunch yield and fruit size were higher in wider spacing, while on per hectare basis it was the reverse. Drymatter content, TSS, reducing, non-reducing and total sugars and sugar/acid ratio of fruits increased with increase in spacing, while acidity and ascorbic acid content decreased. The time taken for ripening of fruits decreased with increase in spacing, while shelf life remained unaffected. The benefit/cost ratio was most favourable in 1.75 x 1.75 m spacing. Incidence of pests and diseases were severe in closer spacings above 1.75 x 1.75 m. Soil nutrient depletion was tolerable upto 1.75 x 1.75 m spacing, while uptake and partitioning of major nutrients by individual plants decreased with decrease in spacing. Fruits showed the highest nitrogen and phosphorus content followed by leaf, leaf sheath, corn and pseudostem. Potassium content was the highest in leaf followed by fruits, corm, leaf sheath and pseudostem. In general spacing 1.75 x 1.75 m did not significantly affect the plant growth, yield and quality of fruits. However, the experiment has to be repeated to arrive at conclusive results.
Open Access
Induction of orthotrops in vegetatively propagated nutmeg (myristica fragrans houtt.) plants.
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Rani, T G; KAU; Nazeem, P A
Investigations were made to induce orthotrops in vegetatively propagated nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) plants at the Department of plantation Crops and Spices, college of Horticulture , vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 1993-94. Budding orthotropic scions on there year old nutmeg plants alone showed bud take. In situ budding on three year old field plants gave the maximum bud take and bud sprouting . Among the different methods tried , maximum initial success was obtained with patch method in M. fragrans and forkert method in M. beddomei. The month of August was found to be the best season for in situ budding and July for budding in polybag plants. Partial shade was found ideal for better bud take than the mist . chamber conditions in nutmeg. Stumping the root stock above the bud union retaining the whorl of lower leaves gave better sprouting and later survival. The anatomical studies of bud union revealed the sequence of bud union as the callus formation stages , callus bridge stage and cambial differentiation stage. Absence of callusing , damage to cambial layers of stock or scion, thick necrotic layer and a wide gap between stock and scion and phenolic exudation were attributed to the probable reasons for bud failure . On mature branches of nutmeg trees, maximum number of orthotrops were induced when an orthotrop was cut close to the tree trunk leaving 30 cm stump. Staking the immature brown shoots of one to two years age and young green shoots of less than six months of nutmeg grafts acquired a reduced angle with the vertical even one month after removal of stake. Among the physical and chemical treatments tried to induce orthotrops in nutmeg grafts of plagiotropic nature, the treatments stumping and application of 5 ppm kinetin was found superior with respect to the number of shoots produced per plant. However , none of the shoots were found to have orthotropic growth pattern. Anatomy of orthotropic and staked stems revealed the production of more wood towards the adaxial side than towards the adaxial side. Plagiotropic stem have more or less proportionate wood formation on both sides.
Open Access
Influence of cover crops on growth of rubber and on soil fertility status
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Sushama Kumari, K R; KAU; Alice, Kurien
The study was conducted in Ottapalam taluk (Palakkad district, Kerala state) to make a comparative evaluation of two cover crops (pueraria phaseoloides and Mucunna bracteata) with respect to yield of biomass, leaf litter addition , nutrient composition , soil enrichment through added nutrient , competition , soil enrichment through added nutrient , moisture regime of the soil and its impact on growth of rubber . The salient findings of study are summarized below. Mucuna bracteata recored higher biomass on per hectare basis than pueraria phaseoloidies . The status of nutrients N, p and k were higher in Mucuna bracteata than pueraria phaseoloides and the difference was much evident in the case of N content. Calcium and magnesium were found to be high in pueraria phaseolodies. The leaf litter from the cover crop was quantified and found that the mucuna bracteata produced higher leaf little (2324.09 kg ha -1) Compared to pueraria (1205.72 kg ha-1). Content of organic carbon, available p and available K in the soil at two depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm ) was higher in plots cover-cropped with M. bracteata than other three plots cover-cropped with P. phaseolodies, inter -cropped and those with natural cover. The availability of magnesium was found to be highest in plots inter -cropped with banana . M. bracteata recorded lowest magnesium status of the soil and this can be attributed to the higher up take due to high biomass production . Any sort of the cropping whether cover-cropping or inter-cropping helps to improve the nutrient status of soil and conserve the moisture. The area under natural cover recorded the lowest moisture content during both the months. P. phaseoloides was found to be the most efficient with regard to moisture conservation and recorded the highest moisture content during April and may. Cover –cropping or inter-cropping was found to augment the growth of rubber and maximum girth increment was observed for Mucuna bracteata covercropped plots. The study also revealed that in general Mucuna bracteata was much superior to pueraria phaseolodies with regard to biomass production , and addition of major nutrients to the soil . The low moisture content in Mucuna cover-cropped plots demands further investigations to arrive at definite conclusions regarding the competition for soil moisture between rubber and the cover crop.
Open Access
Standardisation of propagation and stage of harvest in adakodien
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Meera, N; KAU; Alice, Kurian
Investigations on standardization of propagation and stage of harvest in adakodien (Holostemma annulare k. Schum.) were carried out at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1992-94. The trial was laid out in a factorial RBD with 3 replications. The treatments comprised of fifteen combinations of five planting materials (seedlings, 2 noded vine cuttings, 3 noded vine cuttings, root stumps 10 cm and main root cuttings 5 cm) and three stage of harvest (9, 12 and 18 months after planting). Seedlings were rated as the best planting material realizing maximum yield potential of fresh and dried roots (3.49 t ha-1 and 1.19t ha-1 respectively). Root characters contributing to yield, driage and harvest index and biometric characters related with yield such as internodal length, diameter of the vine and number of branches were highest for seedlings. The soluble carbohydrate content was also maximum for seedlings. Rating of the planting material under field condition followed the same trend as in the nursery. The preference for the five planting material in the decreasing order were seedling, root stump 10 cm, 3 noded vine cutting, 2 noded vine cutting and main root cuttings 5 cm. The presence of large number of seeds in a fruit coupled with high germination per cent and field establishment and the high yielding nature of seedlings make this a commercially acceptable planting material. Harvesting the roots 18 months after planting was found to be most beneficial for achieving maximum yield (4.14 t ha-1 and 1.56 t ha-1 of fresh and dry roots respectively). Biometric characters related to yield such as internodal length, diameter of the vine and number of branches and all the root characters, driage and harvest index were maximum at this stage. Total aminoacid and soluble carbohydrate content showed a progressive increase with advance in age and highest content was recorded at 18 months after planting. Six free aminoacids were isolated from the roots and they were identified as alanine, aspartic acid, glycine, valine, serine and threonine. Seedlings harvested after 18 months was the most desirable treatment combination for realizing maximum yield of roots and chemical components. Characters such as internodal length, diameter of vine, number of branches and root volume could be taken as selections indices for high root yield. The benefit cost analysis suggest that adakodien is a profitable crop which can be groomed as a commercial crop for Kerala.
Open Access
Diversity interrelationships among capsicum spp. and forms and developement of papricas
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Indira, P; KAU; Peter, K V
Capsicum, a new world genus, has richness in diversity that has not yet received the needed attention. The cultivated chilli varieties offer many problems in classification because of their great number, the transitory nature and creation of new ones through hybridization and selection processes. The present studies on “Diversity inter relationships among Capsicum spp. And forms and development of paprikas” were conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. The main objectives were grouping of chilli genotypes biometrically and biochemically and development of paprikas. For biometrical grouping chilli genotypes belonging to four cultivated species of Capsicum were evaluated during two seasons (August, 1991- January, 1992 and May, 1992- September, 1992). They were clustered into different groups based on D2 values. There were 9 clusters during first season and 6 clusters during second season. The distribution of genotypes into clusters showed no regularity. The isozyme patterns of two enzymes viz.peroidase and esterase were studied in the three cultivated species of Capsicum and also for the nine biometrical groups. Among the different plant parts studied roots showed clear bands in case of peroxidase and mature leaves were the best sampling tissue for esterase enzyme. There were species specific bands in all the three species. The nine biometrical groups showed variation for banding pattern in case of peroxidase and esterase. There were some common bands for both the enzymes. Twenty paprika genotypes were collected from different sources and their morphological descriptions were made as per IBPGR descriptor. Field evaluation was done for two seasons (October –March, 1991; May – October, 1992). There was significant difference among genotypes for the different characters studied. There was much seasonal variation also. CA 517 recorded minimum incidence of bacterial wilt during both seasons under the field conditions. CA 582 showed highest colour value but CA 604 and CA 605 recorded minimum pungency.
Open Access
Standardisation of medium supplements for shoot proliferation in dendrobium
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Sudeep, R; KAU; Rajeevan, P K
Investigations were carried out at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory attached to the All India Co-ordinated Floriculture Improvement Project (AICFIP), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 1991 – 1993 to study the effect of various medium supplements on shoot proliferation in Dendrobium. Axillary buds of Dentrobium nobile were used explants for inoculation. The explants were surface sterilized with 0.1 % mercuric chloride for 10 minutes. Half strength MS medium and VW medium were employed for culture establishment and shoot proliferation. The addition of cytokinin related substances, viz., adenine and adenine sulphate did not have any significant influence on shoot proliferation in either of the media. However, adenine influenced the production of leaves and length of shoots in MS medium, in combination with NAA 2.0 ppm and BA 5.0 ppm. Among the amino acid supplements tried, casein hydrolysate influenced multiple shoot production and leaf production in half strength MS medium. In VW media, peptone enhanced the production of multiple shoots whereas shoot length and leaf production were promoted by casein hydrolysate. Coconut water increased the number of shoots in both half strength MS medium and VW medium. In VW medium length of shoot and number of leaves also were influenced. Tomato juice in combination with NAA and BA produced the maximum number of shoots and leaves in half strength MS medium. It also influenced the shoot production, shoot length and leaf production in VW medium. Spathodea bud liquid influenced shoot elongation and flower extract, the number of leaves, in VW media. Banana pulp could significantly influence the shoot length and leaf number in VW medium alone. Potato extract could not significantly influence shoot production in ½ MS medium, but in VW medium it significantly influenced shoot production, shoot length and leaf number. The shoots produced in media with potato extract was healthier when compared with others. Oscimum leaf extract was found to have no significant influence in either of the media for any of the characters studied. In half strength MS medium, sucrose 3 per cent + NAA 2.0 ppm + BA 5.0 ppm and in VW media glucose 3 per cent + NAA 2.0 ppm + BA 5.0 ppm or sucrose 5 per cent was the best for producing multiple shoots. The shoots were the longest in ½ MS medium with sucrose but in VW medium, glucose was better. For in vitro rooting, KC medium with 3 per cent glucose was the best. The maximum survival percentage of the in vitro plantlets occurred when coconut husk was used as the potting media and when the plantlets were kept in the open. Among all the treatments tried, the best treatment for multiple shoot production was peptone 40 ppm + NAA 2.0 ppm + BA 5.0 ppm in VW medium which produced 16.67 shoots on an average. The longest shoot (5.53 cm) was produced by the combination of tomato juice 10 per cent + NAA 2.0 ppm + BA 5.0 ppm in VW media. The treatment that produced the maximum leaves (6.33) was tomato juice 5 per cent in VW media.
Open Access
Leaf litter addition and nutrient recycling in two clones of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) at Vellanikkara estate of Kerala Agricultural University
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Rajan, S; KAU; Nazeem, P A
The present study deals with the quantification of leaf litter addition and nutrient recycling in two clones of rubber in the Vellanikkara Estate of kerala Agricultural University , Trichur . Two different methods of collection were adopted for litter collection in both the clones RRII 105 and RRII 118. Wintering was found to start on 23rd November, 1993 for clone RRII 105 and continued till 12th February , 1994 whereas in RRII 118 wintering strated by 25th November, 1993 and continued till 17th February , 1994. Peak leaf fall was noticed in the month of January for RRII 105 whereas it was in the month of February in the case of RRII 118. Thus clonal variation do exist for the wintering pattern. The total leaf litter production was estimated to the 4954.297 kg for RRII105 and 4584.558 kg for RRII 118. The nutrients contributed through leaf litter during wintering in the clone RRII 105 were 72 kg N, 2 kg p, 57 kg K, 59 kg ca and 12kg mg whereas for the clone RRII 118 it was 61kg N, 2kg p, 43kg k , 79 kg ca and 9kg mg . The clone RRII 105 contributed more litter as well as nutrients than the clone RRII 118. Contrary to the previous years the nutrient levels in the leaf litter did not follow a regular pattern during the wintering period . The presence of green leaves shed due to high wind velocity resulted in an increased level of nutrients in some collection s. It was also observed that the contribution of N, K and Ca were more during the wintering period whereas p was more prior to peak wintering and Mg was more after peak wintering. Comparison of nutrient status in soil samples collected from the area enclosed by net and outside sites showed that removal of leaf litter resulted in relatively lower levels of soil nutrients in the top soil . The leaf area worked out during the study was 6.44 for the clone RRII 105 and 5.53 for clone RRII118. The study also revealed that enclosing the trees with net is the best method to quantify the leaf litter addition . The expensive and cumbersome procedure of providing nets cannot be replaced by collecting the leaf litter from a marked area provided with 15 cm high fencing . The leaf litter accumulated in the fenced area was always less and varied from 27 to 71 per cent of the quantity of litter collected by providing net to cover the canopy all around the trees.
Open Access
Effects of planting dates and floral preservatives on spike qualities of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus)
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Suneetha, S; KAU; Vasanthakumar, K
Investigations were carried out at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1992-93 to gather information on the effect of six planting dates at monthly intervals from mid-August to mid-January on the general performance of three gladiolus cultivars. A post-harvest study was also conducted to find out the effect of seven holding solutions on the post-harvest spike characteristics. Studies revealed that corms planted during October were the earliest to complete sprouting. October plantings also produced the tallest plants with maximum leaf number and leaf area. Delayed plantings took more time to attain 100 per cent sprouting and the plants were shorter with less number of leaves and leaf area. The earliest plants to complete spike emergence were the ones planted during November. Among the three cultivars tested, Oscar was the earliest to sprout and Vinks Glory the latest. Maximum plant height, leaf number and leaf area were recorded in the cultivar Vinks Glory. Vinks Glory also produced the maximum number of tillers per plant. Her Majesty was the earliest of the three cultivars to complete flowering, while Vinks Glory took the longest time. Maximum susceptibility to Fusarium wilt was exhibited by the cultivar Her Majesty, whereas Vinks Glory was the least susceptible. Observations on the effect of planting dates on spike characteristics indicated that September plantings registered the maximum spike and rachis lengths. In general, delayed planting resulted in reduced spike and rachis length, floret size and number of florets per spike. Early plantings done in August September and October also produced the maximum number of florets per spike and floret size. The longest spikes with the maximum rachis length, number of florets and floret size were observed in Oscar. The spikes of Oscar also recorded the maximum girth of spike stalk. Early plantings done in August, September and October increased the time taken from spike emergence to opening of first floret, blooming period and vase life of spikes. Delayed planting produced spikes witch were inferior in this respect. Vinks Glory was the cultivar with spikes of maximum blooming period and vase life. Weight of corms produced was highest in the cultivar vinks Glory and lowest in Her Majesty. Her Majesty registered the maximum number of cormels per plant while Oscar produced the maximum cormel weight per plant. Delayed plantings resulted in a reduction of number of cormels per plant. Vase life studies conducted on the spikes of all the three cultivars revealed that the spikes held in preservative solutions produced better results when compared to those held in distilled water. The optimum holding solution for maximising the number of days to full bloom and vase life of spikes was a 5 percent sucrose solution containing 8-hydroxyquinoline (300 or 600 ppm). Holding solutions containing 5 percent sucrose and silver nitrate (100 or 200ppm) gave the next best results. Floret size and number of open florets was maximum in spikes held in 5 percent sucrose + 8-hydroxyquinoline 600 ppm. This holding solution also significantly delayed the bending of spikes in vase. Sucrose solutions containing aluminium sulphate produced superior results only when compared to control. Estimation of anthocyanin colour pigments in flower petals 2 and 10 days after harvest also revealed better retention of colour pigments in spikes held in sucrose plus 8-hydroxyquinoline solutions, when compared to the other solutions.
Open Access
Growth, Flowering, Fruit set and fruit development in kodampuli
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Sherly, R; KAU; Parameswaran, M K
The present investigations were carried out in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, during the year 1993 – 94. The study was undertaken with the objectives of understanding the growth and flowering pattern of the tree, floral biology, fruit set, fruit development and fruit drop in ‘Kodampuli’. The studies were conducted on four male trees and three hermaphrodite trees of about seven years age, receiving similar cultural practices. The studies indicated that shoot growth in ‘Kodampuli’ was seasonal with one main flushing period commencing from January and extending upto May. The shoot activity noticed during the remaining period of the year was very low. However, scattered flushes occurred throughout the year. The mean growth varied significantly from month to month with a peak growth during the summer months. Individual trees also showed significant variation among them in mean growth. However, there was no significant difference among the two types of trees, viz., male and hermaphrodite trees. The colour of emerging leaves showed marked difference among the male and hermaphrodite trees. In male trees, the emerging leaves were light green in colour while they showed a pinkish red colour in hermaphrodite trees. Flowering pattern of male and hermaphrodite trees were almost similar. However, male trees of ‘Kodampuli’ showed a protracted period of flowering extending over four to five months starting from the month of November onwards. In hermaphrodite trees, flowering started a little later in December and confined only to two to three months. Peak flowering in both type of trees was during January to April. The flower bud development took 32 days from visual emergence to anthesis in male flowers but only 28 days in bisexual flowers. ‘Kodampuli’ was observed to be androdioecious with male and bisexual flowers borne on separate trees. In male trees, the flowers occurred as cymose inflorescence having three to seven flowers per inflorescence. Bisexual flowers of hermaphrodite trees were borne singly and rarely in groups. In male flowers peak anthesis was between 16 30 and 17 00 hours and in bisexual flowers it was between 17 00 and 17 30 hours. Anther dehiscence occurred 10 hours prior to anthesis. Stigma became receptive 30 hours before anthesis and retained receptivity upto 12 hours after anthesis. Anther number and pollen per flower varied significantly among the two types of flowers. Number of pollen produced per anther was significantly higher in male flowers. The pollen fertility was also higher for male flowers. Sucrose at concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 and boric acid at concentrations of 25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm were found to promote pollen germination. However, calcium nitrate at all concentrations tried (25 to 100 ppm) drastically reduced the pollen germination. A combination of four per cent sucrose and 75 ppm boric acid gave maximum germination (67.00 per cent). Pollen was found to be viable for six days in the dehisced bud condition and the viability was greatly reduced thereafter. Low temperature storage conditions gave better results when stored as staminal column or as pollen grain alone. The pollination in ‘Kodampuli’ was found to be effected by insects. ‘Kodampuli’ was found to be an often cross pollinated crop. Hand pollination with pollen from male flowers increased the percentage fruit set as compared to self pollination or open pollination indicating the importance of male trees in a population for improved fruit set. There was no apomictic fruit development in ‘Kodampuli’. The fruit drop after set was found to be 35.50 per cent and the major part of the drop occurred during the first thirty days. The fruit attained maturity in 130 to 140 days after fruit set. The developing fruits followed a sigmoid growth pattern. The chemical composition of the rind showed an increase in T. S .S. content till maturity. Total acidity increased upto 80 days after fruit set and showed a gradual decline towards ripening. Ascorbic acid content was also high in the initial stages and decreased towards maturity at ripening the rind of the fruits had on an average 6.68 per cent acidity, 7.2 mg/100 g ascorbic acid, 80 Brix T. S. S. and 1.04 per cent reducing sugar. The mucilage developed around the seed towards ripening had 2.04 per cent reducing sugar and 3.3 per cent acidity. There was a loss of 75 per cent fresh weight on drying. The trees varied for the number of fruits harvested.

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