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Open Access
Evaluation of nendran (musa aab group) ecotypem
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Bindu Viveka, Devi; KAU; Jayachandran Nair, C S
The investigation "Evaluation of 'Nendran' (Musa AAB group) ecotypes" was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, V e l l a y a n i , Thiruvananthapuram during 1994-'95 inorder to study the effect of ecotype variation on growth, yield and fruit quality of 'Nendran' banana. The results obtained are presented below : Vegetative characters like plant height, girth at later stages, number of leaves per plant, phylacron at early stages, leaf longevity, leaf area duration, leaf area index at later stages and monthly growth rate at early stages showed variation among the different ecotypes. The number of suckers per plant were almost uniform for all the ecotypes. The time taken for flowering and total crop duration varied with ecotypes but the maturity period of the bunches was uniform for all the ecotypes. Eventhough bunch yield was maximum in Kaliethan, the number of hands and fingers per bunch were the lowest in this type. Fruit characters like finger length, finger weight, peel weight and pulp weight were high in Kaliethan where as the pulp/peel ratio was high in Poovanchira. Chengazhikodan and Kothala were superior in fruit quality compared to Kaliethan. The leaf nutrient status at flowering stage varied only in the case of potassium where as both phosphorus and potassium varied at harvest stage. Poovanchira, Puthur and Kothala types had higher levels of NPK at flowering time though Chengazhikodan had the highest potassium content. During harvest stage, Kothala and Chengazhikodan had higher NPK content compared to others types. The dry matter production was higher in Kaliethan and Pandaloor in both vegetative part and fruits. The extent of sigatoka leaf spot did not differ significantly among the 'Nendran' ecotypes during the different stages of growth. There was no incidence of bunchy top in any of the treatment plants. Nematode infestation in root was low in Poovanchira, Kaliethan and Chengazhikodan and high in Muttathukonam and Kothala types where as the rhizome weevil incidence was low in Puthur, Kothala and Kaliethan an 1 high in Chengazhikodan and Pandaloor types. Correlation and path analysis studies in 'Nendran' ecotypes indicated that leaf area duration (LAD), girth • fingers, time taken for flowering, number of fingers re bunch, plant height at post floral initiation stage and g i r t h of plant at floral initiation stage had a p o s i t i v correlation with bunch weight. So these characters can 1 -? considered for selecting superior ecotypes. In general, Kaliethan can be considered as the most suitable ecotype of 'Nendran' for commercial cultivation in Thiruvananthapuram and nearby areas. However, the o'h'i types such as Kothala, Chengazhikodan and Poovanchira typos can also perform well in this tract once they become adapt '1’ to the agroclimatic conditions of the zone.
Open Access
Standardisation of in vitro techniques for rapid multiplication of holostemma annulare k schum
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Sophia John, A; KAU; Kesavachandran, R
Studies were conducted on standardization of in vitro techniques for the rapid multiplication of Holostemma annulare K. Schum. At the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1993-1995. Surface sterilization was standardized for explants from different sources. For two to three month old explants from the glasshouse, treatment with 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride for 5 min or 10 min was found to be better. A combination of sterilants was necessary for mature explants taken either from the glasshouse or field. Explants collected in the months of January and February gave the lowest contamination rate. Early release of buds and further growth of nodal segments and shoot tip explants was better in MS media supplemented with BA. Cultures in medium containing KIN were short, robust, darker and with lesser number of buds and shoots than those in medium containing BA. Extremely low concentrations of TDZ could stimulate axillary bud proliferation. Additives like silver nitrate and activated charcoal could drastically reduce callus production in culture, but the shoot growth was also reduced with these additives. Nodal segments were better in respect of early release of buds, more number of longer shoots, nodes and buds than shoot tips. Higher temperature proved better than lower temperature for the growth of cultures. Also exposure to light was favourable for healthy growth of shoots. Proliferation rate was higher at higher concentrations of BA but the shoots were very swollen, weak and had to be subcultured as a clump into media containing lower concentrations of BA for healthy growth of shoots. Shoots could be proliferated at extremely low concentrations of TDZ. MS basal with full concentration of salts was better for better growth of shoots. When the best treatment in each subculture was given in sequence approximately 2 crores 37 lakh nodes could potentially be obtained over a period of 225 days. Maximum rooting, early rooting and more number of longer roots could be obtained in solid. MS basal media when shoots were kept for in vitro rooting. Ex vitro rooting of shoots was successful when they were treated with IBA 1000 mg1-1 as quick dip followed by planting in plastic pots filled with sand in the initial stages for early rooting and then transplanted to plastic or mud pots filled with cocofibe for vigorous growth of root and shoot portions. TDZ produced the highest callus index at relatively lower concentrations. The callus produced was hard, green in colour and compact. 2, 4-D proved better than NAA for obtaining more regenerative callus among the auxins tried. Leaf segments (with or without petiole attached) oriented with the abaxial surface touching the solid medium supplemented with 2,4-D and exposed to light alone produced embryoids after one or two subcultures into MS medium with lower concentrations of 2,4-D. The embryoid production could be triggered if the calli were subcultured to liquid MS basal medium and when further transferred to solid media alone produced elongation of such embryoids. But the original explants had to be raised in MS medium supplemented with either TDZ or KIN as cytokinin for the embryoids to form subsequently. Encapsulated beads were successfully formed with nodal segments using 2.5 per cent sodium alginate and 75 mM calcium chloride with a complexation time of 30 min and the beads could be stored successfully for 15 days at room temperature and upto 40 days at 40 C. The peroxidase isozyme pattern of the leaves and roots from in vitro plantlets and in vivo plantlets were similar having the same number of bands
Open Access
Environmental effects on the growth of philodendron wendlandii
(Department of Pomology & Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Swapna, S; KAU; Geetha, C K
An experiment was carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, to evaluate the environmental influence on the growth of Philodendron 'Wendlandii'. The effects of media, containers and fertilizer forms and doses were assessed at three levels of shade, namely, 25, 50 and 75 per cent. Results revealed that treatments could significantly influence all the vegetative parameters, viz., plant height, number of leaves, total leaf area and number of side shoots, at different stages of growth. The superiority of the combination of peat, mud pot and soluble fertilizer at its higher concentration was clearly evident with respect to plant height at 25 and 50 per cent shade levels. Controlled release fertilizer substituted in the above combination recorded plant height on par with this, at 25 and 50 per cent shade levels whereas the height was significantly superior at 75 per cent shade level. Number of leaves was higher in the case of peat + mud pot + controlled release fertilizer under all the three shade levels. The above treatment combination produced more leaf area under 50 per cent shade. This was comparable with that of the leaf area produced when soluble fertilizer was used at 75 per cent shade. Number of side shoots was also higher in a combination of peat + mud pot + controlled release fertilizer. Total biomass was a good indicator of the superiority of peat + mud pot -\- controlled release fertilizer at 25 and 50 per cent shade levels. The response in uptake was more in the case of peat supplied with controlled release fertilizer. Better plant quality was observed when grown in peat and mud pot. The shade level of 50 per cent was considerably better with respect to all the growth parameters, such as, height, number of leaves and total leaf area. Although chlorophyll content was maximum under 75 per cent shade, it was on par with that at 50 per cent shade. Overall plant quality too showed superiority of 50 per cent shade level.
Open Access
Harvest and postharvest losses in mango (mangifera indica L.) and its management
(Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Elsamma, Alex; KAU; Narayanankutty, M C
The present investigations on Harvest and postharvest losses in mango (Mangifera indica L.) and its management were conducted in the Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala. Five mango varieties, viz; Prior, Neelum, Bangalora, Olour and Muvandan were used for the study. Harvested fruits having a specific gravity between 1.00 and 1.05 were used. The fruit weight ranged from 177 g (Muvandan) to 439 g (Bangalora). The fruit length and circumference was maximum for Bangalora).(13.3 cm and 26 cm respectively). Shape index was maximum for Bangalora (2.11) while it was minimum in Muvandan (1.16). Neelum had the thickest skin (0.94 mm). Bangalora had the thinnest skin (0.34 mm). Flesh firmness ranged from 0.58 kg/cm2 in Bangalora to 0.73 kg/cm2 in Neelum at the ripe stage. Total sugar content varied between 14.4 per cent (Neelum) and 9.5 per cent (Muvandan and Bangaloa). Neelum recorded highest reducing and non- reducing sugar content (3.3% and 11.1 % respectively). Total soluble solids ranged between 19 degree brix in Neelum and 13 degree brix in Muvandan. Acidity was the highest in Muvandan (0.24 %) and the lowest in Prior (0.11% ). Among different mango harvesters designed and fabricated, KAU mango harvester III was found superior to the traditional harvester, in terms of harvesting efficiency, retention of pedicel and collection of fruits in the net. The extent of spoilage of fruits was less when this harvester was used. The recovery of marketable fruits ranged from 68.0 per cent in Bangalora to 75.75 per cent in Neelum. Padding given for collection baskets did not influence postharvest characters. Among the different types of containers used, packing density was maximum when cardboard box was used, followed by rectangular plastic crate. Studies on the effect of containers and transportation on postharvest losses of mango showed that handling of mangoes in rectangular plastic crate was superior in terms of number of marketable fruits (89.0 %), minimum physiological loss in weight (8.6 %) and less disease incidence (3.0 %). Among various postharvest treatments, dipping of fruits in warm water (520C) containing carbendazim 0.05 per cent showed minimum PLW., less spoilage in terms of shrinkage, discolouration and disease incidence. Important casual organisms identified were colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus aculeatus, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Rhizopus sp and Penicillium sp. Postharvest treatments did not show any effect on spoilage due to fruitflies. Rate of ripening was faster when warm water treatments were used. Warm water treatments gave a better colour for the fruit. Treatment with Carbendazim left high levels of residues in the fruit pulp.
Open Access
Effective methods and devices for home scale adoption of plant tissue culture
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Deepa, V; KAU; Reghunath, B R
Attempts were made to develop cost-effective methods and devices for home scale adoption of plant tissue culture in the plant tissue culture laboratory of the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 1993-95. The test plant selected for the study was Anthurium andreanum Lind. (Pink). Segments of leaf were used as explant for cullus initiation. The callus so obtained was used for further regeneration studies. Various low cost equipment were fabricated and tested for their efficiency in comparison to the conventional expensive method. One-fourth strength of the major nutrients of MS medium along with full strength of micro nutrients was found good for the induction of multiple shoots. All the growth parameters were found adversely affected by the use of LR grade chemicals, when compared to AR grade chemicals. Confectionary grade sugar was found to be equally good to AR grade sucrose, while commercial grade crystal sugar was not. Rain water could be used as a substitute to double glass distilled water in the culture medium. Attempts to substitute agar-agar with less expensive playing marbles, as support matrix of the culture medium was also successful. Ordinary (gold-smith type) balance could be used to replace the expensive electronic balance in weighing chemicals for media preparation. The pH indicator paper could be effectively used instead of the pH meter, in adjusting pH of the medium. Ordinary colourless glass bottles and jam jars could be economically used, instead of expensive borosilicate glassware. The domestic pressure cooker was equally efficient as the electric autoclave in sterilising culture medium and containers. The expensive refrigerator could be effectively replaced with ice-packed thermocol boxes. Instead of the laminar airflow cabinet, the fabricated transfer hood could be effectively used. Attempts to substitute artificial flourescent light with natural light were successful. Rooted plantlets when planted out exhibited 30 per cent loss during various stages of hardening. The cost of producing a single anthurium plantlet was Rs. 5.16 in the conventional method, whereas in the cost-effective method it could be brought down to Rs. 1.82.
Open Access
Cost- effective methods and devices for home scale adoption of plant tissue culture
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Deepa, V; KAU; Reghunath, B R
Attempts were made to develop cost-effective methods and devices for home scale adoption of plant tissue culture in the plant tissue culture laboratory of the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 1993-95. The test plant selected for the study was Anthurium andreanum Lind. (Pink). Segments of leaf were used as explant for cullus initiation. The callus so obtained was used for further regeneration studies. Various low cost equipment were fabricated and tested for their efficiency in comparison to the conventional expensive method. One-fourth strength of the major nutrients of MS medium along with full strength of micro nutrients was found good for the induction of multiple shoots. All the growth parameters were found adversely affected by the use of LR grade chemicals, when compared to AR grade chemicals. Confectionary grade sugar was found to be equally good to AR grade sucrose, while commercial grade crystal sugar was not. Rain water could be used as a substitute to double glass distilled water in the culture medium. Attempts to substitute agar-agar with less expensive playing marbles, as support matrix of the culture medium was also successful. Ordinary (gold-smith type) balance could be used to replace the expensive electronic balance in weighing chemicals for media preparation. The pH indicator paper could be effectively used instead of the pH meter, in adjusting pH of the medium. Ordinary colourless glass bottles and jam jars could be economically used, instead of expensive borosilicate glassware. The domestic pressure cooker was equally efficient as the electric autoclave in sterilising culture medium and containers. The expensive refrigerator could be effectively replaced with ice-packed thermocol boxes. Instead of the laminar airflow cabinet, the fabricated transfer hood could be effectively used. Attempts to substitute artificial flourescent light with natural light were successful. Rooted plantlets when planted out exhibited 30 per cent loss during various stages of hardening. The cost of producing a single anthurium plantlet was Rs. 5.16 in the conventional method, whereas in the cost-effective method it could be brought down to Rs. 1.82.
Open Access
Collection, description and performance evaluation of herbaceous medicinal leguminous plants of Kerala
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Sunitha, C; KAU; Reghunath, B R
The present study titled 'Collection, description and performance evaluation of herbaceous medicinal leguminous plants of Kerala' was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from June 1995 to January 1996. Seeds of sixteen different species of herbaceous leguminous medicinal plants could be collected from authentic sources. Twelve different species with high rate of germination were raised and maintained till flowering and pod set in the medicinal plant garden of the Department of Horticulture. Detailed computerised descriptive blank supplemented with line drawings and authentic herbarium were prepared for each species. Cultural trial of eleven selected species of herbaceous leguminous medicinal plants, conducted as pure crop in open condition and as intercrop under shade in a twenty five year old coconut garden, indicated that under open condition the growth and yield are significantly superior in Abrus precatorius, Clitoria ternatea and Atylosia scarabaeoides than under shaded condition. Similarly, in Crotalaria verrucosa and Desmodium triangulare where leaves are the medicinally important plant part, the number of branches and number of leaves were significantly higher under open condition than under shade. The biomass yield of Crotalaria verrucosa was significantly superior under open condition than under shade. This revealed the limited chance of raising these five plant species as intercrops in coconut garden. Growth and yield were significantly superior under shaded condition or were comparable under both conditions in Mucuna prurita, Indigo/era tinctoria, Cassia mimosoides and Pseudarthria viscida. In Desmodium gangeticum, where root is the medicinally important plant pari, no significant difference was noticed in the root characteristics, namely, root length, tap root girth and number of lateral roots under open and shaded conditions. The content of active chemical ingredient in the medicinally important plant parts of the different plant species studied, showed no significant difference under open and shaded conditions. The presence of biochemical substances in these medicinal plants did not affect the association of rhizobia and mycorrhizae. Such positive association in native soil without artificial inoculation opens the scope for utilizing the micro symbiont technology for exploiting the full potential of growth and yield of medicinal plants. The study, thus indicated the feasibility of growing herbaceous, leguminous medicinal plant species as intercrops in coconut garden, with the dual benefit of contributing a part of the requirement of raw materials in the indigenous pharnaceutical industry and at the same time enriching soil fertility by way of nitrogen fixation.
Open Access
Standardisation of propagation techniques in Baduvapuli (Citurs pennivessiculata Tan)
(Department Of Pomology And Floriculture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Sereena, J; KAU; Sajan Kurian
Investigations were carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara ; Central Nursery, Vellanikkara and ARS, Mannuthy to standardise the propagation techniques in Baduvapuli (Citrus pennivessiculata Tan.) from September 1993 to August 1995. From the study, it was found that cuttings, layering and soft wood grafting can be adopted as reliable and successful propagation methods in Baduvapuli. Though budding is the universal method of propagation in Citrus, it was not successful in Baduvapuli. In cuttings, five noded hard wood cuttings and terminal soft wood leafy cuttings treated with IBA 1900 mg 1-1 was found to be the most successful in respect of percentage sprouting and all other qualitative root characters. The treated cuttings planted from February to October gave good results, with August and September proving the best months. For early rooting of cuttings, 45 days of banding was found to be the most reliable method. Planting the cuttings during February – March showed the highest percentage survival. In layering, hard wood shoots layered with coconut fibre or saw dust during March to October revealed the best results regarding rooting efficiency and qualitative aspects of rooting. Early and higher rooting percentage was obtained with shoots which were banded for 45 days. The survival of layers were high when planted during the rainy months of June, July and September. Soft wood grafting (higher to not reported in case of Citrus) was very successful in Baduvapuli with Rangpur lime, Rough lemon, Malta and Acid lime as root stocks. Rangpur lime was found to be the best root stock for Baduvapuli. For grafting, the scion should be prepared with leaves. The most successful month for grafting was May – June. The root initials were found to be originating from pericycle in cuttings. The different anatomical stages of rooting were clearly identified in cuttings. Biochemical analysis of the cuttings revealed that the amino acids, proteins, nitrogen, carbohydrates, C/N ratio and starch content increased during initiation of roots and priniordia formation but decreased during root emergence.
Open Access
Micropropagation in selected varieties of Anthurium andreanum Lind.
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Anitha Susan Thomas; KAU; Ramachandran Nair, S
Studies were conducted to optimise the in vitro propagation techniques via somatic organogenesis in Anthuruim andreanum va~ieties (Dragon's Tongue, Flaking, Pompon Red Honeymoon Red and Nitta) during 1994-1995 at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. All the five varieties responded to the callusing treatments in varying degrees. Regeneration was obtained only in the variety Dragon's Tongue and this variety was subjected to different treatments for refinement of callusing and shoot proliferation. The protocol for in vitro propagation of the variety Dragon's Tongue could be standardised. l\mong the different explants tried only leaf explants were found responsive for callusing. Callus was best initiated (50.0 % ) within 60 days when leaf explants were cultured in darkness on modified Murashige and Skoog basal medium (NH4N03 200 mg/l) supplemented with 2,4-D 0.5 mg/l, BA 0.5 mg/l, sucrose 30.0 g/l and agar 6.0 g/l. The callus cultures were subcultured in the same medium for two months for callus multiplication. Regeneration was obtained within one month on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with BA 0.5 mg/l, IAA 2.0 mg/l, sucrose 30.0 g/l and agar 6.0 g/l. Light was essential for regeneration. The shoots) was supplemented hydrolysate maximum rate of shoot proliferation (13.49 observed on Murashige and Skoog basal medium with kinetin 1.5 mg/l, IAA 3.0 mg/l, casein 150.0 mg/l, sucrose 30.0 g/l and agar 6.0 g/l after a period of six weeks. Improvement in growth of shoots was obtained by culturing in Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with activated charcoal (1.0 g/l) and further subculturing to Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with kinetin 0.5 mg/l and IAA 16.0 mg/l. A separate rooting phase was not necessary since satisfactory rooting was obtained in the shoot proliferation medium itself. Rooted plantlets gave a survival rate of 60.0 per cent on planting out.

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