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Open Access
Molecular characterization of piper species usiing RAPD technique
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Murugan, C; KAU; Sujatha, V S
The study on "Molecular characterization of Piper species using RAPD techniques" was conducted in the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices and CPBMB, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur from December, 1999 to August, 2001. Material included 13 species/accessions of the genus Piper including Piper nigrutn Linn. These were analysed with 20 selected oligomer decamer primers using PCR technique and agarose gel electrophoresis. The selection of ideal DNA isolation technique was done based on observations of purity of bands, quality of the DNA bands and quantity of DNA recovered. The protocol of Edwards et al. (1991) was selected for DNA isolation with additional step of chloroform-isoamyl alcohol treatment. Fifty decamer primers were screened using DNA. of P. nigrum and 20 were selected based on the number of bands produced, reproducibility of the bands and distinctness of the RAPD profile. RAPD profile of the 13 species of Piper were compared for genetic similarity index (using Jaccard's coefficient), with all 20 selected primers separately. Pooled similarity of the twenty primers put together was found out for 9 species which gave amplification for all the 20 selected primers. The results of pooled analysis was subjected to cluster analysis (SAl-IN) and phenetic dcndrogram was constructed employing UPGMA. Four clusters were obtained, comprising of two accessions of P. nigrum In the first, two accessions of P. longum in the second, P. colubrinutn and P. attenuatum forming the third cluster and P. chaba, P. belle and P. arboreum forming the fourth.
Open Access
Selection index and activation of seedling growth in mangosteen
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Mohamed, Yosuf L; KAU; Sajan, Kurian
The experiments on "Selection index and activation of seedling growth in Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) were conducted in the central orchard attached to the Department of Pomology and Floriculture of the College of Horticulture from March 2000 to February 2002 with the broad aims of standardizing selection indices as well as activation of the seedling growth in mangosteen. Two separate experiments, one approach envisaging growth regulators and the .other involving arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae and Glomus fasciculatum and Azospirillum with single super phosphate were taken up. The important results are as follows. Analysis of leaf biochemical characters of the mother plants belonging to different age groups «25, 25-50, 51-75 and >75 years) revealed that nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and crude protein, were highest in the lowest «25 years) age group and least values were in the highest (>75 years) age group, except sodium, total phenols and total carbohydrates, which were maximum in the age group of 51-75 years. The number of seedless fruits and almost all the morphological characters of the fruit were highest in the age group of 51-75 years. Number of one seeded, two seeded and three and more than three seeded fruits were also varying among the four age groups. All seed morphological characters and number of ungerrninated seeds showed maximum values in the age group of 51-75 years and >75 years. Seeds obtained from the age group of 51-75 years showed earliness in germination but the percentage of germination was highest in the age group of 25-50 years. The biochemical characters of seed revealed that nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, crude protein, total carbohydrates, total sugar and total phenols were maximum in the age group of25-50 years, whereas sodium and abscisic acid were highest in the age groups of less than 25 and more than 75 years, respectively. The morphological characters of seedling such as, height, girth, total number of leaves per seedling, total leaf area, survival rate at twelve months stage and root characters were highest in 25-50 years age group whereas the root and shoot dry weight were maximum in the less than 25 years group. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, crude protein and sodium levels in the leaves of the seedling were highest in the age group of less than 25 years. Chlorophyll a, b, total phenols, total carbohydrates and abscisic acid contents were higher in the age group of 25-50 years. Maximum fruit index was observed in the age group of 51-75 years but seed and seedling index were highest in 25-50 years age group. Most of the seed characters were positively correlated with seedling characters. Though all the fruit characters were positively correlated with seed characters they were negatively correlated with seedling characters. Fruit index, seed index and seedling index were separately predicted using the prediction models fitted by multiple regression equations of principle components one and two with corresponding adjusted R2 values. Dominant characters among the age of mother plant, fruit, seed and seedling characters separately were found out by figurative plot principal component analysis based on morphological data of the above characters individually. Using step wise regression major characters contributing to seedling index were identified as age of the mother plant, seed thickness at centre, total leaf area, survival rate, fresh weight of root and plant, root length and total number of roots, which contributed maximum variation to seedling morphological characters and prediction model for fruit index, seed index and seedling index were fitted. To establish the similarities (or dissimilarities) between the four age groups, hierarchical cluster analysis using euclidean distance was performed which revealed that the younger two age groups (less than 25 years and 25-50 years) of the mother plants were the closest groups with respect to all characters. The four using discriminant functions were fitted to discriminate the four age groups with corresponding D2 values. The criteria and criterion were determined to describe the age groups of selected fruit, seed and seedlings collectively. By giving equal importance to age of the mother plant, fruit index, seed index and seedling index the selection index was worked out and the best age group of the mother plant for obtaining maximum growth of seedlings was identified as 25-50 years. Based on the correlations between various characters and growth index, the above or below average values with respect to each of the attribute (important and visual) belonging to the fruit, seed and seedling characters were identified. The mid values of the each attribute in the best age group were fixed as the index for selection. Among the growth regulator sprays for activating the slow growth in mangosteen, the best treatments were GA 150 mg r' followed by IAA 250 mg r'. Biochemical studies on the growth regulators treated plants revealed that the treatment that showed maximum growth also recorded the highest values of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, crude protein, chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, total phenols, total carbohydrates and abscisic acid content. The treatment, which showed intermediate growth recorded intermediate values except for sodium, where it was maximum. The least content was observed in the treatments with least growth. The control plant showed intermediate values between the. values of plant with intermediate and least growth. Best treatment for activating the seedling growth among the treatments with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Azospirillum inoculations were identified as, the combinations of Glomus Jasciculatum 5 g + Azospirillum 109 + single super phosphate 109 followed by GlomusJasciculatum 5 g + Azospirillum 20 g + single super phosphate 109. A rhythmic pattern was observed with the treatments showing best seedling growth also recording higher values of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, crude protein, chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, total phenol total carbohydrates and the abscisic acid content, and the treatments showing in intermediate growth recording intermediate values except sodium. The least values were in treatments that showed least growth. The control plant showed intermediate values between the values of the plant with intermediately and least growth. The highest spore count was observed in the plants inoculated with Glomus Jasciculatum 20g + single super phosphate 109 followed by Glomus Jasciculatum20 g + Azospirillum 20 g + single super phosphate 10 g. With regard to the root infection, plants inoculated with Glomus Jasciculatum 5 g + Azospirillum 20 g + single super phosphate 109. and Glomus Jasciculatum 20 g + Azospirillum 109 + single super phosphate 109 revealed maximum percentage of infection. The Azospirillum population was maximum in the plants inoculated Glomus fasciculatum 5 g + Azospirillum 109 + followed by Glomus mosseae 20 g + Azospirillum 20 g + single super phosphate 109. The standard procedure for identification and quantification of abscisicacid (Little et al., 1972) was modified, as clear banding patterns were not obtained. Using the modified procedure, the characteristic-banding pattern corresponding to standard abscisic acid was obtained and confirmed when standards of abscisic acid were also simultaneously run with samples. Banding patterns and quantification of samples in each of the four age groups, the growth regulator treatments and the treatment with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Azospirillum inoculated plants were also successfully conducted.
Open Access
Development of yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) resistant hybrids in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)
(Department of Olericulture, College of horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Ravi, Sankar J; KAU; Sureshbabu, K V
The investigations on "Development of yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) resistant hybrids in okra (Abelmosehus eseulentus (L.) Moench)" was undertaken at the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Thrissur during the period of 2000-2001. Fifteen lines viz., AE-198, AE-202, AE-210, AE-211, AE-214, AE-219, AE-238, AE-260, AE-264, AE-265, AE-275, AE-279, AE-280, AE-282 and AE-287 were crossed with two testers AE-285 and AE-190 (Parbhani Kranti) in line x tester mating design to produce 30 hybrids. These F I hybrids along with the parents were evaluated for several quantitative, fruit quality, qualitative characters and resistance to yellow vein mosaic virus. Among them, a parent AE-238 and two hybrids AE-238 x AE-190 and AE-265 x AE-190 were disease free in field screening, grafting and vector transmission studies. The general combining ability of the parents, specific combining ability of the hybrids and heterosis (relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis) were estimated. The best general combiners were AE-202, AE-264 and AE-190 which showed significant high gea effects for most of the traits among the traits studied. Based on the per se and gea effects, the parents AE-264, AE-214 and AE-190 were found as best for crossing. Based on the per se performance, sea effects and heterosis on all the three bases, the hybrids AE-264 x AE-285 for plant height, AE-279 x AE-190 for internodal length, AE-219 x AE-190 for number of primary branches, AE-219 x AE-190 for petiole length, AE-264 x AE-285 for days to flowering, AE-202 x AE-285 for durationof flowering, AE-202 x AE-285 for first fruiting node, AE-264 x AE-190 for fruit length, AE-279 x AE-285 for fruit girth, AE-219 x AE-190 for number of fruits per plant, AE-202 x AE-285 for crop duration, AE-2l9 x AE-190 for yield per plant, AE-238 x AE-190 for mucilage content, AE-238 x AE-285 for calcium content, AE-279 x AE-190 for vitamin A content and AE-214 x AE-190 for magnesium content excelled other hybrids. Based on per se performance, sea effects and heterosis, hybrids AE-219 x AE-190, AE-264 x AE-285 and AE-265 x AE-190 were selected as top ranking hybrids. Among them AE-265 x AE-190 was not shown disease symptoms in field screening, grafting and vector transmission studies. So it was to be concluded as best hybrid having YVMV resistance. Reddish green colour of leaf base, green colour of leaf vein, deeply lobed nature of leaves, purple throat on both sides of corolla, slightly prickly nature of fruit, light green colour of fruit and five ridged nature of fruit were dominant. Yellowish with red colour on both sides of corolla in flower is incompletely dominant. Resistance to YVMV may be complex in nature probably involving major and minor genes with acting modifiers. Further studies are required to confirm it.
Open Access
Performance studies in selected varieties and hybrids of mango (Mangifera Indica L.)
(Department Of Pomology And Floriculture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Anila, R; KAU; Radha, T
The study entitled "Performance studies in selected varieties and hybrids of mango (Mangifera indica L.)" was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara utilising the trees in the germplasm collection attached to the Department of Pomology and Floriculture. The objective of the experiment was to gather basic information about the morphological and biochemical aspects of flushing, flowering and fruiting in five varieties namely Alphonso, Prior, Muvandan, Neelum and Kalapady and two hybrids Ratna and H-151 under the humid tropical conditions of Kerala. The study was conducted under three heads, namely, growth characters, flowering characters and fruit set and development. . - ~ Flushing pattern in the varieties revealed that Alphonso;. Prior, H-151 and Ratna exhibited single extended flushing for a period of two to three months whereas Neelum, Kalapady and Muvandan showed two distinct flushing. About 90 per cent of the shoot growth in terms of length and leaf number occurred during the first week. The cessation in shoot growth took place by fourth week. Varieties exhibited wide variation in the physical and morphological characters ofleaf. ---" Flowering occurred during the month of December - January in all the varieties, except in Neelum, in which flowering was during April - May. The maximum hermaphrodite flowers ~ere noted in Alphonso (44.39%) and least in Muvandan (15.77%). Inflorescence characters such as length, breadth, shape, colour etc. were recorded. In all the varieties the first 15 days was found to be crucial during which fruit drop to the tune 0 r 90 per cent occurred. Retention 0 I fruits varied from 10.07 per cent in Alphonso to 20.34 per cent in H-151. Morphological, physical and biochemical characters of fruits from set to fruit ripening was recorded. Changes in length, breadth, circumference, weight, volume, specific gravity, acidity, sugar, TSS, ascorbic acid and chlorophyll content were noted. Maximum increment in length occurred between 30 and 45 days after flowering in most of the varieties. Even though other varieties were having the maximum fruit weight and volume up to 60 days after flowering Ratna was the topper towards the final stages of development. Acidity was high in the initial stages of development and later on a decrease was noted towards ripening. Alphonso had the maximum acidity and Prior had the least. Ascorbic acid content was low in the initial stages, gradually a rise was . noticed and towards ripening it exhibited a drop. H-151 had the maximum ascorbic acid content and Prior had the least content. Sugar content was found to increase towards ripening. Total chlorophyll content exhibited a progressive increase till 60 DAFS followed by a decrease. Alphonso, Prior, Muvandan and Neelum took 90 days to reach full maturity whereas Ratna and H-151 took 105 days. The time taken from full maturity to ripening ranged from four to six days in all the varieties. Ratna had superiority in TSS, reducing and total sugars and pulp content, followed by H-151. Prior had the. maximum yield followed by Ratna. The overall acceptability was also high for the variety Prior, followed by Ratna.
Open Access
Organics and biofertilizers in improving the yield and quality of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Filitte Stephen; KAU; Nybe, E V
An investigation was carried out at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2000-2001 to study the influence of organics and biofertilizers on yield and quality of black pepper varieties Panniyur 1 and Panniyur 2. The salient findings are abstracted below: Vegetative characters except number of leaves per lateral did not show significant effect of applied organics and biofertilizers. Fresh and dry yields of berries per vine as well as drying percentage of berries also failed to produce any significant difference among treatments. With respect to quality attributes like essential oil, oleoresin and piperine contents, an integrated nutrient management with biofertilizer + organic + inorganic combination was found significantly superior. In general, treatments involving complete orgaruc and biofertilizer + organic + inorganic combinations exhibited higher values of all soil nutrients except S, Ca and Zn. Foliar N, P and K contents recorded higher values with FYM + inorganic treatments while Ca and S uptake were better with biofertilizer treatments. Uptake of Mg and micronutrients exhibited no significant treatment differences. Biofertilizer applied plots registered higher soil microbial population of fungi, bacteria and actinornycetes. Significant positive correlations with yield were exhibited by plant height, canopy spread, number of laterals, number of spikes, spike length and number of berries per spike in both the varieties. Higher benefit cost ratio was recorded by control plots in both the varieties. Excluding control, most economic treatments were T 6 (FYM + 50% Nand 100% P and K as inorganic) and T9 (all the three biofertilizers + FYM + NPK as inorganic) in Panniyur 1 (BCR - 2.52) and T, (FYM + biofertilizer + inorganic combination) in Panniyur 2 (BCR - 3.92).
Open Access
Utilisation of in vitro cultures of Tinospora cordifolia Miers (chittamrithu) for berberine
(Department of Plantation Crops, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Kalimuthu, M; KAU; Asha Sankar, M
The present investigation on "Utilisation of in vitro cultures of Tinospora cordifolia Miers. (Chittamrithu) for berberine" was carried out in the Plant Tissue Culture and Biochemistry Laboratories, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 1999-2001. The study was undertaken with the objective to standardise the in vitro techniques for initiation and proliferation of static and suspension cultures of T cordifolia and to screen the in vitro cultures for synthesis of berberine and quantify it. It was also envisaged to enhance the level of product synthesis in in vitro cultures. Leaf, petiole and stem derived callus cultures of Vellanikkara and Madurai ecotypes were established in vitro. Surface sterilisation with mercuric chloride (HgCh) at 0.1 per cent for 8 min was most effective in all the explants. MS medium at full strength supplemented with NAA at 4 mg r ' was observed ideal for initiation and proliferation of calli. Kinetin at 3 mg r' and BA at 4 mg r' enhanced the callus inducing property of NAA. Both the ecotypes responded equally for most of the parameters observed, with respect to callusing. The auxin synergist, phloroglucinol at levels of 100.0 mg r' and 125 mg r' and casein hyrdolysate at 100, 200 and 300 mg r' registered favourable influence on callusing. Incubating leaf and stem cultures under illuminated conditions at 26±1 QC was significantly superior to incubation in dark. Successful regeneration of roots from leaf and stem calli of the experimental ecotypes was achieved on MS medium at half strength supplemented with NAA or lAA each at 2 mg r'. Calli derived from Madurai ecotype performed better with respect to root regeneration. None of the treatments tried resulted in a positive response with respect to shoot initiation from callus cultures of both the ecotypes. Substituting sucrose with lactose in proportions of 2: 1 in MS medium at full strength fortified with NAA at 1 mg r ' and Kin at 4 mg r' initiated embryoids in both the ecotypes. MS media at full strength supplemented with NAA and BA or NAA and Kin each at 2 mg r', was standardised as the production medium, which recorded maximum berberine synthesis. Butanol-glacial acetic acid-water at 7:1:2 was identified as the appropriate solvent system for detecting the alkaloid with Dragendorff's reagent as the localizing spray. Substituting sucrose with lactose maintaining a proportion of 2: 1 and reducing the phosphorus level in basal medium to half the original strength resulted in increased levels of berberine synthesis. The precursor phenyl alanine at 100, 150 and 200 mg r' elicited synthesis of berberine. Addition of osmoregulants, polyethylene glycol at 2.0 and 3.0 per cent and mannitol at 1.5 per cent exerted a favourable influence on synthesis of berberine in Tinospora. Incorporation of autoclaved mycelia of Pythium aphanidermatum at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g r' and immobilisation of calli with sodium alginate-calcium chloride complex revealed a positive influence on synthesis of berberine. Liquid suspensions of Vellanikkara and Madurai ecotypes registered 0.92 and 0.87 per cent of packed cell volume. Based on critical cell density, the liquid suspension were subcultured at 16 days interval. As compared to static cultures, suspensions synthesized lesser quantity of berberine. Berberine was detected only in stem extracts of ex vitro plants. When compared to ex vitro samples, in vitro cultures yielded higher quantities of berberine. The highest berberine yield (23.176 ug/g of callus) was obtained from stem cultures maintained in solid MS media supplemented with NAA 2 mg r' + BA 2 mg r ' and autoclaved mycelia of P. aphanidermatum at 0.5 g r'. Madurai ecotype performed better with respect to berberine synthesis with a mean value of 17.565 ug of berberine/gram of callus whereas Vellanikkara ecotype synthesized 16.051 ug/g of callus under positively responding treatments.
Open Access
In Vitro pollination in kacholam (Kaempferia galanga L.) for seed set
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Vineel Vasudev, Bhurke; KAU; Valsala, P A
Investigations on "In vitro pollination in kacholam (Kaempferia galanga L.) for seed set" were carried out at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices and Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1999 to 2001. The six kacholam ecotypes under study exhibited variability in yield and quality characters and these characters remained scattered among the ecotypes. The flowering season of kacholam ranged from June to August when planted on 5th May. The practices of staggered planting at monthly intervals from is" May to is" July and maintaining the crop as biennial, together could extend the flowering season up to June to October as against June to August in the normal planting. Increasing the rhizome bit size from 5-10 g to 20-25 g did not confer any marked advantage for flowering. The study of floral biology and morphology of kacholam showed that the ecotypes took 48.0 to 68.5 days for flowering from planting. The inflorescences produced 4.0 to 11.0 flowers and the blooming period ranged from 9.3 to 14.9 days. The anthesis started by 4.00 am and continued up to 5.00 am. Anther dehiscence occurred shortly after the anthesis and took place between 4.30 am to 5.15 am. The flowers are characterized by a spiny stigma and a long style of mean length of 4.52 cm, which passes through the groove present in the only fertile stamen. The ovary measured a mean length of 4.11 mm and a diameter of 2.68 mm and recorded a mean ovule number of 20.0. The ovules recorded a mean length of 96.33 urn and breadth of 61.16 urn at the middle. The mean pollen fertility with acetocarmine stain in the ecotypes was 76.33 per cent. The study for selection of a medium to support pollen germination and tube growth resulted in the identification of ME3 medium of pH 6 as the best medium while Brewbaker and Kwack's medium and the medium standardized by Rekha (1993) were also found favourable. The mean pollen viability in the ME3 medium was 78.80 per cent. Seed set and development was obtained in kacholarn through in vitro pollination, The flowers were collected in the early hours of the day (6.30 to 7.30 am) on the day of anthesis. They were surface sterilized by dipping in streptocycline solution (500 rngl") and wiping with 70 per cent alcohol followed by rinsing in mercuric chloride (0.1 %) for 3 minutes in the laminar flow. The sterilants were completely removed by three washings in sterile distilled water. Bacterial contamination interfered culture establishment. in vitro sensitivity studies revealed that copper oxychloride 2500 mg r' could effectively suppress gram negative white bacteria and gram positive pink and yellow bacteria occurring in the cultures. Among the various methods of pollination tried, ovary/ovules developed in intra ovarian pollination, placental pollination and modified placental pollination. Pollination was done with pollen grains suspended in ME3 medium. The placental pollination method was found best for ovule development. The experiments on culture establishment showed that MS medium at half and full strength 'Supplemented with hormones can support ovary / ovule development but half MS medium was superior. The cultures varied in their hormone requirements and four media combinations were identified for ovule development. i) 12 MS + 3 % sucrose + 2,4-D 0.2 mg r' ii) 12 MS + 3 % sucrose + BA 1.0 + kinetin 1.0 mg r' iii) ~ MS + 3 % sucrose + BA 0.5 + NAA 3.0 mg rl iv) 12 MS + 3 % sucrose + BA 1.0 + kinetin 3.0 + 2,4-D 0.2 mg r' The maximum ovule development was observed in the medium of 12 MS + 3 % sucrose + 2,4-D 0.2 mg r'. Addition of dOl~hle the quantity of the vitamin stock of the MS medium to the medium of ~ MS + 3 % sucrose + BA 0.5 + NAA 3.0 mg r' was good for ovule development. The supplements casein hydrolysate, coconut water, yeast extract and L-Glutamine did not favour ovule development. The pollen pistil interaction studies after in vitro. placental pollination showed that pollen tube growth is sufficient to cover the entire length of the ovule. Histological examination of placental pollinated ovules at various stages from 2 DAP to 25 DAP showed embryo of increasing size. This confirmed fertilization in placental pollination. The pollinated ovules developed into dark brown arillate seeds at 20 DAP. The size of the seeds was more than 10 times the size of the ovules. The kacholam ovary after intra-ovarian pollination developed into a thick walled capsule with light brown seeds but the size increase was not substantial. The small arillate seeds had an outer thick seed coat and an inner thin seed coat. The seed coat enclosed a cavity, which is typical of monocots. In the cavity, endosperm with embedded embryo was seen. The seeds developed after in vitro pollination did not germinate even after subjecting to various in vivo and in vitro germination treatments.
Open Access
Regulation of sex in Garcinia gummigutta (L.) Robs. through controlled pollination and top working
(Department Of Pomology And Floriculture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Zahida, P M; KAU; Sarah, T George
The present investigation entitled "Regulation of sex in Garcinia gummigutta (L.) Robs. through controlled pollination and top working" was undertaken in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1999-2001. The trees maintained in the College Orchard and Vegetable Research Farm were utilized for the study. The objectives of the study included regulation of sex in G. gummigutta through controlled pollination, conversion of sex through top working and regulation of flowering through cuItar application. - Cross pollination was found to be the mam mode of reproduction in Garcinia. Fruit set did not occur by self pollination. Fertility of pollen in bisexual flowers was very low (21.85%). A percentage fruit set of 35 and 60 was observed under open pollinated and artificially cross pollinated conditions, respectively. Hand pollination with pollen from male flowers could increase the fruit set compared to open pollination. Artificially cross pollinated fruits were comparatively larger in size than open pollinated fruits. Hand crossing or proximity to a polliniser increased fruit size. Heavy fruit drop was observed in the absence of sufficient pollen source. Apomictic fruit development also did not occur in kodampuli. These facts helped to arrive at a conclusion that sufficient amount of pollen source should be present around the female trees for good fruit set, increased fruit size and maximum fruit retention. Therefore care should be taken to interplant male grafts, as pollinisers in an orchard of grafts of kodampuli. The dormancy' of the seeds of Garcinia could be overcome by sowing the seeds after the removal of seed coat. Seeds without seed coat germinated in one month whereas those with seed coat intact took one year for germination. Seedlings raised by different modes of pollination did not show morphological and physiochernical variations. Based on pigmentation viz., red, brown and green, some differences were noticed in biochemical characters. Seedlings with red flush colour showed a lower total phenol content when compared to green flushed ones. Esterase and peroxidase banding pattern of the red flushed seedling was more intense than green flushed ones. These characters of red flushed and green flushed seedlings were comparable to that of mature female and male trees, respectively. Morphological characters like leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves and height were not found to be contributing towards sex expression. The seedlings have to be established in the field and observed until flowering to verify any positive correlation of biochemical characters and pigmentation with sex expression. Seven per cent polyembryony was observed ill Garcinia. The poly embryonic seeds in general produced twin seedlings, which had same pigmentation or varied pigmentation. Variations were observed between the two seedlings in morphological and biochemical characters. The multiple seedlings might have originated from the cleavage of a single sexual embryo or from the sexual embryos and pro embryos, which might have developed side by side after pollination and fertilization. Techniques tried for top working in Garcinia included bark grafting, flush/cleft grafting and patch budding. Among these, bark grafting and flush/cleft grafting were successful. Beheading was done during April and grafting was carried out from June to October. Two months old sprouts from the beheaded trees were considered best for flush grafting. Matured orthotropic shoots light brown in colour and 6 to 8 months old were the best as scion, which showed highest percentage of success. Grafting done during July and October gave highest percentage of success. Presence of moisture around the grafted shoot played an important role in graft success. Percentage of graft success was 71 in bark grafts and 75 in flush grafts. The growth rate of bark grafted and flush grafted scions were almost similar. The top worked shoots attained on an average, a height of 117 cm and spread of 75 cm with 27 branches and profuse foliage in one year. Through this study the possibility of transforming male kodampuli trees to productive females is revealed. Cultar was drenched @ 3m1 and 5ml per m2 canopy diameter or spread, 60, 75 and 90 days before the expected date of flowering. The treatment with 5m1 cultar per m2 canopy diameter applied 90 days before flowering showed 20 days early blooming followed by 5m1 cuI tar per m2 applied 75 days before flowering which advanced flowering by 10 days. Three m1 cultar per m2 was not sufficient enough to induce flowering in Garcinia. Maximum fruit set of 75 per cent was observed with cultar @ 5 m1 per m2 canopy spread, applied 90 days before expected date of flowering. Cultar treatment neither impaired nor improved any of the fruit quality attributes.
Open Access
Variability in vegitable amaranth (Amaranthus dubius Mart.ex Thell.) for yield, quality and resistance to leaf blight
(Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Sindhu, L; KAU; Celine, V A
The experiment entitled "Variability 111 vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus Dubius Mart.ex Thell.) for yield, quality and resistance to leaf blight" was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period 2000-2002. The experiment was carried out using 32 diverse accessions of A. dubius and the variety 'Arun' (A. tricolor) as the susceptible check. The objectives were to assess the variability 111 A. dubius germplasm for yield, quality and reaction to biotic stresses, to locate superior genotypes and to confirm the resistance of the accessions to R. so/ani. The ploidy level of the accessions were ascertained by counting the chromosome number. The accessions were grown In the field In RBD with three replications. Analysis of variance of the observations showed significant di fference among the accessions for all the characters. The yield obtained in the range 155.94 (AD 34) to 464.80 g (AD 30). The leaf / stem ratio was in the range 0.93 to 2.48. AD 34 showed late bolting and AD 3 early bolting. The range of values for the quality characters were 9.03 to 23.00 per cent for protein, 5.67 to 15.67 per cent for fibre, 4331.50 to 8915.96 I.U. for vitamin A, 0.62 to 3.8.5 per cent for oxalate and 0.25 to 1.09 per cent for nitrate. AD 34 was organoleptically superior compared to others. All the accessions of A. dubius were free from natural leaf blight incidence. 'Arun' the susceptible check showed PDr of 68.10. To confirm the resistance, artificial inoculation of the accessions was done by raising them in pots in CRD with four replications. Fourteen were immune, 15 were highly resistant and three were moderately resistant. The check variety' Arun' was highly suscepti ble. The accessions AD 14, AD 16 and AD 28 were free from white rust infection. Others showed PDI range 5.77 to 29.39. Sixteen accessions showed minimum infestation of leaf webber with score 1.00. The highest score was 3.00 (AD 11). Higher P'C'V and GeV for most of the characters revealed greater variability. The range of heritability was 67.41 to 99.99. High heritability along with high genetic gain was observed in all the characters. Plant height, stem girth, length of leaf lamina, leaf width, number of branches and days to 50 per cent bolting had positive genotypic correlation with yield. Leaf / stem ratio was negatively correlated. Plant height and leaf width showed high direct effect on yield in path analysis. The accessions AD 30, AD 23 and AD 22 were ranked superior based on the selection index value. The accessions were catalogued morphologically usrng the simplified descriptor developed from IPGRI descriptor. AD 23 is the best compared to AD 30 considering nutritional value, resistance to leaf blight and high organoleptic score. This can be recommended for cultivation in leaf blight endemic areas. The accession AD 28 was found to be resistant to leaf blight and white rust and also with minimum infestation of leaf webber. By crossing AD 23 and AD 28 desirable traits from both can be brought into one.

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