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Open Access
Character association of seeds on plant morphology in snakegourd (trichosanthes anguina L.)
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Ashok, P; KAU; Rajan, S
The research project 'Character association of seeds on plant morphology in snakegourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.)' was carried out in College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 1999-2000. The study envisaged to find out the association of various seed characters on the vegetative characters of snakegourd, classification of accessions based on the seed index, growth index and yield index as obtained from principal component analysis and to formulate keys for varietal identification. The 25 accessions were catalogued based on the IBPGR descriptor list. Significant differences for various seed characters, growth characters and yield characters were noticed among the accessions. Correlation studies have shown that the number of seeds per fruit strongly associated with days to male flower opening and fruit maturity. Seed size index was strongly associated with leaf size. The highest seed index value for TAl 08, the highest growth index value for TA 118 and the highest yield index value for TA 114 were obtained as revealed from principal component analysis . . Twenty five accessions were grouped into different clusters based on the seedindex, growth index and yield index. Based upon the seed characters (seed size, seed coat colour and 100 seed weight), growth characters (leaf lobes, leaf pubescence and tendril length) and fruit characters (fruit skin colour, fruit girth, fruit length and fruit weight) keys were developed for varietal identification.
Open Access
Parasexual hybridization of piper nigrum and piper colubrinum through protoplast fusion
(Department of Plantation Crops And Spices,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Resmi, Paul; KAU; Rajendran, P C
Black pepper is the most important export oriented commodity and foreign exchange earner among the Indian spices. Ravages due to diseases, particularly the most devastating Phytophthora foot rot caused by Phytophthora capsici is one of the major constraints in the production of black pepper all over the world. Piper colubrinum, a wild relative of black pepper is found to be immune to foot rot disease. Non – existence of cultivar level tolerance or resistance against foot rot disease in black pepper necessitated the incorporation of incompatible wild relatives through parasexual hybridization. This study was undertaken in the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices and the Plant Tissue Culture laboratory of the Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara between September 1998 to April 2000. The cultures of P. nigrum and P. colubrinum were initiated in test tubes and were maintained at 26 + 20C temperature and 60 to 80 per cent humidity. The green leaves excised from axenic cultures of both the species were treated with cell wall degrading enzymes, cellulose and pectinase maintained at proper osmotic concentration. In P. nigrum maximum yield was observed at 1.4 per cent cellulose and 0.34 per cent pectinase. Cellulase and pexctinase at a concentration of 1.0 per cent and 0.217 per cent respectively recorded highest yield in P. colubrinum. In both the species 0.6 M osmoticum was found to be optimum to maintain the osmotic potential of the isolation solution. Highest yield of protoplasts was recorded in both the species during 21 h of digestion. Filtration-centrifugation technique was found to be superior in purifying the Piper protoplasts compared to the sucrose floatation method. Centrifugation at 1000 rpm for three minutes was found to be best for purifying P. nigrum protoplasts. For purifying P. colubrimum protoplasts, 600 rpm for three minutes was found to be optimum. Highest viability was noticed at 0.55 M and 0.65 M osmoticum in 1.0 per cent cellulose and 0.28 per cent pectinase during 21 h of digestion in P. nigrum. In P. colubrinum, maximum viability was observed at 0.4 M osmoticum in the enzyme mixture 1.0 per cent Cellulase and 0.186 per cent Pectinase during 18 h of incubation. Protoplasts of both the species when cultured on modified MS medium formed no cell wall and have not undergone any division. A age of the cultures advanced, proptoplast viability decreased in P. nigrum and P. colubrinum. All the protoplasts died by the second week in both the species. The protoplasts of both the species were heterogenous in terms of size. Fusion of the protoplasts was not observed after PEG treatment in the present study.
Open Access
Standrdisation of population density in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mansf.)
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Bindukala, A R; KAU; Abdul Vahab, M
The present investigation on "Standardisation of population density in watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thimb.) mansf.]" was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during February - May, 1999 .. Three watermelon varieties viz., Sugar Baby, Arka Manik and MHW -6 were tried under six population densities to find out their direct and indirect effects on vegetative yield and quality attributes in watermelon. Majority of the characters were significantly influenced by the direct as well as interaction effects of the population density and varieties. Among the varieties, Arka Manik was earlier for male and female flower opening and for days' to first harvest. However, the node to first female flower was in Sugar Baby which also had more female flowers planr". The population density significantly influenced majority of the vegetative characters. Lower to moderate population density had shorter crop duration, branches planr ' and vine length. Different density levels significantly influenced the yield characters. Total fruits planr ', Total fruits plor ', Marketable fruits planr", 2 Marketable fruits plor ' ,Marketable yield plant"! were maximum in plants grown at highest density of 10000 plants ha". The variety Sugar Baby was first in all these yield characters. Sugar Baby also had the highest values for diameter, flesh thickness, rind thickness, fruit girth and seeds fruir '. The hybrid MHW-6 had maximum average fruit weight, fruit length and 100 seed weight. Among the quality parameters, Sugar Baby had maximum values for total sugars and reducing sugars whereas, Arka Manik recorded the highest values for total soluble solids, non-reducing sugars and iron content. The plants at moderate spacings recorded highest values for the quality characters. Majority of the characters were influenced by the interaction of population densities and varieties also. Sugar Baby at a moderate population density of 3333 plants ha! had maximum branches plant"! .. The number of fruits plor ' was highest in Sugar Baby at the highest population of 10000 plants ha:". This treatment combination also had maximum marketable yield plor ' registering maximum yield of 55 t ha! and maximum income of Rs. 165000 with the highest bene:{it cost ratio of 3.00 : 1.00.
Open Access
Biodiversity of medicinal plants in oil palm plantations
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture,vellayani, 2000) Sarada, S; KAU; Sreekandan Nair, G
A study on 'Biodiversity of medicinal plants In oil palm plantations' was carried out at the oil palm plantations, Kulathupuzha of the Oil palm India Ltd., Kollam district from Januarv 1998 to ., January 1999. The objectives of the study were to identify the medicinal plants in the oil palm plantations, to study the growth behaviour of selected medicinal plants and to assess the inf1uence of shade on pharmacologi.cally active constituents. A total of 80 sampling units were taken us rug stratified random sampling technique, the strata being young, medium and mature oil palm plantations and open conditions. The medicinal plants In the inter spaces of young, medium and mature oil palm plantations and in the open were identified and quantified by random sampling technique using 1.0m2 frame. A total of 85 plants species were identified in the four different strata belonging to 79 genera and 36 families. No ne of the plants were endemic. There were 74 indigenous and 10 exotic/naturalized plants Ten important medicinal plant species were selected for detailed study and there growth behaviour was monitored for one year. They were Chro mol aena odorata, Cyclea p elt at a, E l e p h a nt o p u s scaber, Em if i a so nchifol ia, H emidesmus in dicu s, Hypt is s u av eol ens, Phyll antlius am arus, Si d a rh omb ifol i a, So/anum m el o ngena var. insariurn and Vernonia cinerea. Ch rys op o gon acicul at us dominates all the four strata \\.j b high relative density and frequency. Cyrt o cocc um trigonum is another dominating species with high relative density in young and 0):11 re oil palm plantations. Nar egami a a/ala is a dominant and abundant species occurnng in mature plantation. He mi d e s nius in die us is o cc urr i ng f re que n t I y in all the f 0 u r s t r a t a. E! e ph a nt 0 p 11 S sea b e roe cur s fr e ,- u e nt 1 v m young plantation and Chromolaena odorata in medium plantation. Phyll anth us amarus is more frequent in mature plantation and open conditions. H olo st emma adakodien also occur frequently in mature plantation. Young oil palm plantation and open conditions were found to be the most similar strata with more number of species m common. Mature oil palm plantations and open conditions were found to be the most dissimilar strata in vegetation pair wise analysis. Medi urn oil palm plantation was found to have higher concentration of dominance as expressed by Simpso n ' s Index. Abundant species occurs more in mature oil palm plantation and very abundant species occurs more in medium oil palm plantation. Evenness index was maximum in open conditions. Growth characters like plant height, number of branches, plant spread, height of first branch, number of leaves, inter nodal length and stem girth showed the lanky growth of the selected ten medical plants in medium and mature oil palm plantations which were more shaded compared to young plantation and open conditions. Fresh and dry weight of officinal part was more In young plantation and open conditions compared to medium and mature oil palm plantations. Higher biomass production was also obtained in young oil palm plantation compared to medium and mature plantations. The amount of essential oil in the roots of He m id esm us ind i c us was highest under open conditions and lowest in mature oil palm plantation. There was no significant difference between the amount of essential oil in the roots under young and medium oil palm plantations. • . I, The solasodine content in the fruits of Solanum mel ongena var. i ns anum was highest under open conditions and lowest in medium oil palm plantation. There was no significant difference between the solasodine content in fruits in young plantation and open conditions; medi urn plantation and mature plantation. The solasodine content in roots was also highest under open conditions and lowest is mature plantation. There was no significant difference between the so lasodine content in roots in young plantation and open conditions; medium plantation and mature plantation.
Open Access
Comparative biology and growth behaviour of Pennisetum polystachyon (L.) Shult and P. pedicellatum Trin
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Karthik, A; KAU; George Thomas, C
Pennisetum polystachyon (L.) Shult. and P. pedicellatum Trin. are two major grass weeds that are widespread in young plantation crops and non-arable areas of the tropics. The present investigation was undertaken to have an understanding on the biology, growth behaviour and fodder production potential of these two Pennisetum spp. at the Research Farm, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1998-2000. Germination tests were conducted at monthly intervals. P. polystachyon did not show any dormancy and started germination as soon as the seeds are collected (December). P. pedicellatum seeds remained dormant during December and January and it started germination by February only. Both species showed above 80 per cent germination by late March. Germination percentage started to decline in P. polystachyon after April. Phenological characters of both species were noted from a natural population during the year 1999. Seeds of Pennisetum spp. started germination soon after the receipt of monsoon showers by the end of April. Flowering started after the completion of the rainy period in September. Plants started senescence by mid December in P. polystachyon and mid November in P. pedicellatum. Both Pennisetum species studied showed remarkable regeneration ability from different cutting heights. The percentage of plants regenerated was similar in both species, Allelopathic reactions of roots, leaves and seeds were also studied. Boiled and unboiled extracts were prepared and germination test were conducted using cowpea, bhindi and cucumber as test crops. The cold and boiled leaf extracts of both species did not show any effect on germination of test crops. However, cold root extract of both Pennisetum spp. reduced the germination percentge of bhindi. Cold root extract of both species also showed some promotery effect on shoot length in cowpea. Seed extracts showed inhibitory effects only on cowpea germination. Growth was comparatively fast in P: pedicellatum than P. polystachyon during its early stages. P. polystachyon showed higher leaf : stem ratio than P. pedicellatum. Growth indices like LAR, LWR, RGR, AGR and NAR were similar in both Pennisetum spp. In terms of total green fodder production, P. pedicellatum was superior to P. polystachyon. Two cuttings, one at 70 days after sowing and the other just before flowering recorded maximum fresh weight of fodder. Though crude protein content was similar in both the species, P. pedicellatum showed a higher crude fibre content than P. polystachyon. The results indicate that as the fodder quality is good, utilizing these grasses as cattle feed can be one of the strategies for managing them. However, cultivation of these grasses for fodder purposes involves some risks because of their high reproductive capacity and persistence.
Open Access
Evaluation of genetic stock of sanghupushpam (Clitoria ternatea L.) for yield, Alkaloid content and nitrogen fixing potential
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Deepa, S Nair; KAU; Reghunath, B R
The present study entitled “Evaluation of genetic stock of ‘Sanghupushpam’ (Clitoria ternatea L.) for yield, alkaloid content and nitrogen fixing potential” was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from June 1999 to January 2000. Seeds of twenty different accessions were collected from various locations from inside and outside the state. Thirteen accessions having high rate of seed germination were raised as intercrop in young coconut garden and maintained till seed maturation stage. The performance of the accessions in terms of growth, yield and physiological parameters were evaluated. Growth and yield parameters with respect to shoot, pod, root and root nodule characters were evaluated. Physiological parameters evaluated included leaf area index, leaf area duration, net assimilation rate, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, absolute growth rate and harvest index. Number of effective nodules was taken as an index for assessing nitrogen fixing potential of the plant. Leaf yield, shoot yield and root yield were significantly superior in the accession MP-90. MP-83 recorded significantly superior pod yield. The number of nodules was the highest in accessions MP-76 and MP-82. Crude alkaloid content was significantly superior in seeds of MP-74 and MP-76. Six accessions were selected based on yield , nodule characters and crude alkaloid content viz ., MP-90, MP-74, MP-83, MP-78, MP-76 and MP-82. Results of the present study indicated that Clitoria ternatea, is not a good proposition as an intercrop in young coconut garden. However, it may be worth studying the performance of the crop as a pure crop under open condition or as an intercrop in coconut gcirden with comparatively lesser shade (less than 50 per cent) than the situation of the present study.
Open Access
Evaluation of genetic stock of Mucuna Pruriens Baker non DC. for yield, L-DOPA content and nitrogen fixing potential in coconut garden
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Ann Samuel; KAU; Reghunath, B R
The present study titled "Evaluation of genetic stock of Mucuna pruriens Baker non DC. for yield, L-DOPA content and nitrogen fixing potential in coconut garden" was carried out at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from May 1999 to January 2000. Seeds of twenty five different accessions were collected from inside and outside the state. They were subjected to seed characterization and seed germination studies. Based on the germination rate, ten accessrons with high germination percentage were selected. These were raised under coconut shade. Various biometric observations were taken at four different stages, viz., pre-flowering, flowering, seeding and seed maturation state. These observations included biomass yield, root yield and seed yield. Phytochemical analysis was carried after crop harvest to estimate the quantity of L-DOPA present in the seeds of each accession. Soil tests were carried out to determine the amount of nitrogen fixed in the soil by the accessions. 2 After analysis of the results it was evident that the accessions MP-62, MP-57, MP-44, MP-58, MP-46 and MP-45 had superior biomass yields compared to the others. The accessions showing superior seed yield were MP-60, MP-62, MP-58, MP-67, MP-57 and MP-66. The content of soil nitrogen fixed varied significantly among the plots of individual accessions. The accessions MP-62, MP-57, MP-67, MP-44, MP-58 and MP-60 were observed to have fixed higher amounts of nitrogen. After phytochemical tests, the accessions with significantly superior L-DOPA content (ie., greater than two per cent) were MP-60, MP-57, MP-46 and MP-66. From the study conducted, the most promising accessions, ie., those having superior biomass, root and seed yield, as well as superior L-DOPA content and nitrogen-fixation potential could be identified. They are MP-62, MP-60, MP-58, MP-57, MP-44 and MP-67. It can be reiterated that growing such accessions of this plant . species would be of much benefit to the cultivator enabling him to utilize existing areas under cultivation, enrich its soil fertility status as well as provide him with an additional source of income by way of selling seeds; the medicinally valuable plant part.
Open Access
Photosynthetic efficiency, growth, yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) under different shade levels
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Joseph Louis; KAU; Jayachandran, B K
A field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period from 1998-' 99 to study the effect of shade on photosynthetic efficiency, partitioning of photosynthates and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) under different shade levels. The experiment was laid out as split plot design with shade levels of 0, 25, 50 and 75 per cent as main plot treatments and 3 varieties, Kanthi, Alleppey and Sobha as sub plot treatments. The number of replications was four. Artificial shade was provided using high density polyethylene shade nets and calibrated using quantum photosensors. Bimonthly observations of various growth parameters were taken from two months after planting. At s.ix months after planting photosynthetic related parame!ers were recorded. The various growth parameters like number of tillers, dry matter production, crop growth rate, bulking rate and harvest index which contributed to yield was highest under 25 per cent shade. The yield recorded at 25 per cent shade was significantly superior when compared to open, indicating the shade tolerance of the crop. Different shade levels influenced the quality of turmeric rhizomes as determined by the volatile oil content which was maximum under 75 2 per cent shade level and curcumin content was maximum under 50 per cent shade level. The photosynthetic rate and related parameters like leaf temperature, leaf internal CO2 concentration and stomatal conductance of' turmeric were measured at 6 MAP using leaf chamber analyser. Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) on leaf surface, stomatal conductance, leaf internal CO2 concentration and leaf temperature was high .under open condition. Photosynthetic rate was maximum in plants grown at open condition. Though at 25 per cent shade, the photosynthetic rate was less, the yield was high at this shade level when compared to the open condition. Under open condition there is a possibility of an increase in photo-oxi dation I photo-respiration resulting in the inefficient translocation of photosynthates from the source to the sink. The results indicate that low levels of shade is favourable for growing turmeric to get high rhizome yield and this specific nature of turmeric can be. fully exploited for growing this as an intercrop or as a crop component in homesteads.
Open Access
Evaluation of reproductive biology and morpho-anatomical variations in Plumbago spp.
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Subha, K; KAU; Presannakumari, K T
A comparative evaluation of the morphological and anatomical features as well as reproductive biology of the three species of Plumbago viz., P.rosea, P. zeylanica and P. capensis was carried out in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics during 1997-1999 with a view to find out the relationship existing among the species and to prepare a key for their identification. The different species of Plumbago varied with respect to nature of stem and leaves, colour of petiole, leaf attachment etc. Significant variations were also observed in the length of inflorescence, number of flowers per inflorescence time taken for completion of anthesis per inflorescence and size and colour of floral parts. Though there was uniformity in the fundamental structure of the stem, variations were observed in the outline of T.S., size of epidermal cells and arrangement of chlorenchyma. In the case of root, variability was observed in thickness of cortex, nature of stone cells, presence of starch grains etc. Study of reproductive biology revealed that anthesis occurred earlier in P. zeylanica compared to other two species. Further the period of anthesis also extended over a wide time range in P. zeylanica. Eventhough the pollengrains were tricolpate and spherical •in all the three species, differences existed with respect to colour, size and fertility of pollen grains. Coincidence of pollen dehiscence and stigma receptivity was found to lead good seed set in P. zeylanica. Apis spp. and wind were observed to be the main pollinating agents. Based on the different morphological, anatomical and reproductive characters a key for the identification of the different species were proposed. A distance matrix based on morphological anatomical and reproductive characters of three species revealed that P. rosea and P. zeylanica are more related than P. capensis.

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