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Subject: Horticulture × End date: 2008 × Start date: 2008 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance analysis of clove bean ipomoea muricata (L) jacq. genotypes
    (Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2008) Malsawmkimi; KAU; Salikutty, Joseph
    An experiment was carried out in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during August 2007 - January 2008 to analyze the performance of different accessions of clove bean Ipomoea muricata (L.) Jacq. The major objectives of the study were to genetically catalogue the germplasm and to assess the genetic variability, divergence, heritability, genetic gain and correlation of different traits with yield. Twenty five accessions collected from different parts of Kerala were grown in randomized block design with three replications. Cataloguing of the germplasm evidenced significant differences for the characters like vine length, days to first flower production, days to first harvest, length and weight of pedicel, length of fruit, yield per plant, duration of the crop, number of harvests and contents of vitamin C, calcium and crude fibre. There was also much variability in the germplasm with regard to colour shades of vine, flower and fruit. The accession IM-14 was found to be the highest yielder (4.24kg/plant) coupled with maximum length (3.675cm), girth (4.49cm) and weight of pedicel (93.27g) and length (2.8cm), girth (6.61cm) and weight of fruits (3.27g). Maximum vine length was observed in IM-7 (414.48cm). The accession IM-15 was the second best yielder (4.13 kg/plant) with superior yield contributing characters. Among quality attributes, protein content was found to be highest in IM-21, phosphorus in IM-2 and crude fibre in IM-10 and IM-3. The iron content ranged from 0.13mg/100g to 0.19mg/100g, vitamin C ranged from 24mg/100g to 48 mg/100g and calcium content ranged from 230.67mg/100g to 209.79mg/100g. Highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were observed for weight of pedicel, yield per plant and crude fibre content. High heritability coupled with genetic gain was observed for yield per plant. The 25 accessions were grouped into six clusters and no parallelism between geographical distribution and genetic diversity was observed. Strong association was revealed between yield and length, girth and weight of pedicel and weight of fruit. Highest positive direct effect on yield was contributed by weight of individual fruits. A selection model was also formulated using characters like length, girth and weight of pedicel, length and girth of fruit, days to first flower production, vine length, protein, phosphorus, iron, ascorbic acid and crude fibre. Based on selection index accession IM-14 was identified as the best performer followed by the accessions IM-15, IM-12 and IM-11
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance of spiny coriander (Eryngium foetidum L.)under different shade regimes
    (Department Of Plantation Crops & Spices,College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2008) Appukuttan, J; KAU; Sulekha, G R
    The studies on the “Performance of spiny coriander (Eryngium foetidum L.) under different shade regimes” were carried out at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2004-2006. The objectives were to evaluate the adaptability and performance of Eryngium foetidum L. under varying levels of shade and plant population densities and also to study the feasibility of cultivating Eryngium foetidum L. under the homestead conditions of Kerala. Its use, both as a flavouring agent and herbal medicine, and also as a home remedy for various ailments point towards its inclusion as an important item in Kerala homesteads. The performance of Eryngium foetidum was studied at three levels of shade (25, 50 and 75%) and four spacings (10cm  15cm, 15cm  15cm, 20cm  15cm and 30 cm  15 cm). High Density Poly Ethylene shade nets of appropriate mesh size were used for providing the required shade levels. Observations on growth parameters, physiological characters, growth analysis, yield characters, bio-chemical analysis, storage studies etc., were taken and the benefit: cost ratio was worked out. From the experiment, it was found that the crop performed best under 75 per cent shade level in most of the characters studied. Maximum yield (1411.04 g/plot of size 120  150 cm) was recorded under 75% shade level and also at a closer spacing of 10x 15cm (1131.41 g/plot). But the interaction effect of shade and population density on total herbage yield was not significant. On analysis, no measurable quantity of volatile oil could be estimated. The highest NVEE of 0.86 per cent was obtained from the plants grown under 75 per cent shade and a spacing of 30 × 15cm. From the storage studies it was concluded that under ambient temperature the leaves could be stored for a maximum of 5.2 days and 4.8 days when grown under 50 per cent and 75 per cent shade respectively, whereas under cold storage, the leaves from 75% shade could be stored for a maximum of 109.65 days without any deterioration. Maximum benefit: cost ratios of 1.28, 1.27 and 1.21 were obtained in the treatments 75% shade and 15cm × 15 cm spacing, 75% shade and 10cm  15 cm and 75% shade and 20cm  15 cm spacing, respectively. In general, as the intensity of shade increased, performance of the crop was better. Since the highest level of shade (75%) was found to be the best for the growth and yield of Eryngium foetidum, a higher level of shade, can be studied. Further studies on intercropping Eryngium foetidum under the existing homestead farming situations and other shaded situations like coconut, rubber, oil palm and other perennial tree crops are necessary. Popularization of the crop and development of appropriate marketing strategy are necessary for making the crop more remunerative.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of micro meteorological factors on flowering in vanilla (Vanila Planifolia Andrews)
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2008) Ramya, R; KAU; Shylaja, M R
    Investigations on “Influence of micro meteorological factors on flowering in vanilla” were carried out at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University during 2005-2007. The objective of the study was to find out the effect of soil moisture stress and micro - meteorological factors on flowering in vanilla. The studies were carried out in five year old vanilla plants maintained in Department of Plantation Crops and Spices farm and in a selected farmer’s field at Thrissur district. Moisture stress was induced in vanilla gardens by withholding irrigation at four levels viz. one month, 1½ month, two months and 2½ months. The influence of soil moisture stress on flowering in vanilla and the changes in physiological and biochemical parameters in vanilla due to moisture stress and influence of micro meteorological parameters on flowering in vanilla were studied in the present investigations. Soil moisture stress induced flowering in vanilla. Maximum flowering of 80 per cent was observed in plants stressed for moisture for a period of one month followed by 60 per cent flowering in 1½ month stress period. Hence soil moisture stress for a period of 1-1½ month during November-December is sufficient to induce flowering in vanilla. Soil moisture stress altered various physiological and biochemical parameters in vanilla. Leaf thickness, relative leaf water content, membrane stability, soluble protein and total chlorophyll content decreased due to soil moisture stress. The content of epicuticular wax, total free amino acids, accumulation of proline, activity of peroxidase enzyme, total sugar content and K concentration in tissues increased due to stress. The changes in physiological and biochemical parameters were more pronounced as the intensity of stress increased. The micro-meteorological parameters of the garden also influenced flowering in vanilla. Flower opening in vanilla was found positively correlated with maximum temperature and negatively with relative humidity and minimum temperature. Flower opening showed highly significant positive correlation with light received from North and South directions and percentage of light infiltration. Soil moisture stress for a period of 1-1 ½ month during November- December is sufficient to induce flowering in vanilla. Changes in physiological parameters due to moisture stress could be used to visually assess the extent of moisture stress in the garden. The biochemical parameters recorded at ideal stress period could be used as indices to assess the extent of moisture stress in plants more precisely in high tech / precision farming systems. Manipulation of microclimate with respect to temperature, light and relative humidity is essential for getting proper flowering in vanilla.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of ecotypes of long pepper (Piper longum L)
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2008) Riya, Joseph; KAU; Suma, B
    Investigations on “Evaluation of ecotypes of long pepper (Piper longum L.) was undertaken at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period 2005-2007.The major objective of the study was to evaluate various ecotypes of Piper longum available at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices for their variability in yield, morphological and biochemical characters so as to identify the superior types. Twenty accessions genetically catalogued and studied for their variability in vegetative, reproductive and biochemical characters and found that all the accessions varied with respect to these characters. The vegetative, reproductive and biochemical characters were compared with the characters of the released variety; Viswam and the accessions, which performed on par with Viswam, were identified. Correlations of the various vegetative and reproductive characters were worked out with the dry spike yield and significant positive correlations were observed for nine characters like number of vegetative branches per stem, number of spike bearing branches per stem, total number of leaves per hill, number of spikes per spike bearing branch, length of spike, girth of spike, fresh weight of spike, dry weight of spike and fresh yield per plant Based on the above studies a few accessions which were statistically on par with the check variety Viswam could be identified. This preliminary evaluation gives only an indication and evaluation of the accessions has to be 3-4 years for obtaining confirmatory result.