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1996 - 20005
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Subject: Others × End date: 2000 × Start date: 1996 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Regulation of flowering and post _harvest behaviour of Anthurium andreanum Cv . Hawaiian red
    (Department Of Pomology And Floriculture,College Of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1999) Abdussamed, K P; KAU; Valasalakumari, P K
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nodulation Behaviour Of Acacia Mangium Wikd.In Response TO Rhizobium Inoculation
    (Department of Tree Physiology and breeding, College of forestry,Vellanikkara, 1998) Dhaneshkumar, P; KAU; Ashokan, P K
    An investigation was carried out during April 1996 to December 1997 at the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara to study the nodulation characteristics of Acacia mangium Willd. plantation and to isolate and compare the efficiency of rhizobia from different agroclimatic regions of Kerala. The efficiency of these rhizobial isolates under varying conditions of soil fertility and acidity were also evaluated. Survey conducted throughout the state showed rhizobial association and nodulation in all mangium plantations. The soil of these plantations were acidic with pH values ranging from 4.9 to 6.2. Experiments conducted to study the rhizobial characteristics indicated that, the fast growers (Rhizobium spp.) as well as the slow growers tBradyrhizobium spp.) are involved in nodulation of A. mangium in Kerala. The efficiencies of different rhizobial isolates were studied in polypots using sterilized and unsterilized soil - sand mixture. Two other polypot experiments were conducted to study the response of the rhizboial isolates to liming and Nand P application. The experiments were laid out in C.R.D with three replications. Seedlings raised in unsterilized soil performed better as compared to seedlings in sterilized soil. However, the response to inoculation was more prominent in sterilized soil. In sterilized soil, seedlings inoculated with Rhizobium isolates from mangium ;MRh-3 (Mananthavadi), MRh- 2(Perambra), MRh-13 (Trivandrum), MRh-6 (Vellanikkara) and MRh-lO (Mavelikkara) and commercial mangium culture (" Agroforester - Group A") showed superiority in nodulation and growth characteristics while the isolates from A. auriculijonnis and commercial culture of A. auriculijonnis, ("Agroforester - Group C") were not much effective. Seedling - response to inoculation varied with rhizobial isolates, and mangium showed its specificity in Rhiozbium requirement for nitrogen fixation. The application of lime adversely affected nodulation capacity of the rhizobial isolates of mangium from Kerala, indicating the adaptations of these isolates to acidic soils. The nodulation efficiency of commercial culture "Agroforester - Group A" was improved by lime application, indicating that this strain is adapted to soils of higher pH. The nodulation and nitrogen fixing efficiency of the isolates were improved by supplementating fertilized N and P. The need for a starter dose of Nand P for effective nodulation and efficient Ny-fixation in mangium seedlings. MRh-6 (Vellanikkara) performed poorly in unfertilized soil, but showed superiority when applied with N and P fertilizers, indicating the sensitivity of this isolate to site conditions. As the rhizobial isolates from different agroclimatic regions of Kerala responded differently under varying soil pH and doses of Nand P, inoculation of selected strains of rhizobia depending on site conditions may be needed for successful establishment of mangium seedlings.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Marketing Practices of The study entitled "Marketing Practices of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Industries in Thrissur District
    (Department of Rural Marketing Management, College of Cooperation Banking and Management,Mannuthy, 1996) Jeeja, T V; KAU; Rajan Nair, N
    The study entitled "Marketing Practices of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Industries in Thrissur District" was undertaken to examine the practices in procurement of inputs, selection of product mix and cost and to examine the marketing efficiency of the fruit and vegetable processing industries. Fruit and vegetable processing units, falling respectively in the classes of ‘oldest unit in the district', ‘excellent unit in the district’, ‘co-operative form of organisation’, and ‘a household rural unit’ were selected from the district. Farmers intermediaries in the procurement of raw materials, intermediates in the distribution network of processed products and consumers were selected randomly for gathering primary data. The data was collected during the period 1993-1995. Simple averages, percentages, tables, non-paramatric test and direct reporting comprised the methodology. The main raw materials used by the processing industry was fruits and vegetables collected from local production centres. However, raw materials were also procured from out-of-state production centres when insufficiency was felt and to improve the product range. The number of channels and intermediates in the procurement process was lengthy, but were performing certain critical functions at times. So the study suggests a revised model which combines the positive aspects of each channel and also provides satisfaction to the farmers, functionary and processing units. The product mix of the oldest unit was the highest while that of the rural household unit was the lowest. It was observed that when product mix was higher, price of products also went up. The marketing efficiency of the distribution network analysed through functional, price spread and consumer response analysis revealed that channel involving dealers was the most effective channel. Finally, a new model, from procurement of raw materials to distribution of procesed items, is suggested for improving the performance of processing industries.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Cataloguing And Identification Of Promising Ashgourd Ecotypes In Relation TO Season And Maturity
    (Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1998) Mini Menon, P; KAU; Salikutty Joseph
    An experiment was conducted during 1995-96 in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to catalogue and identify promising ashgourd ecotypes in relation to season and maturity. 1birty ecotypes of ashgourd were studied for their variability. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with three replications. High heritability along with high genetic gain was observed for the characters primary branches per plant, fruit yield per plant, seeds per fruit and average fruit weight. Yield was positively and significantly correlated with length of main vine, nodes on main vine, primary branches per plant, internodal length, leaves per plant at 30 days after sowing, male flowers per plant, female flowers per plant, per cent of female flowers, average fruit weight, fruits per plant, percent of fruit set, circumference of fruit, length of fruit, seeds per fruit and 100 seed weight. Average fruit weight exhibited the highest positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant. The ecotype BH 21 possessing highest values for characters like length of main vine, number of nodes, number of female flowers, fruit yield per plant and number of seeds per fruit was selected to study the effect of sowing time and periodicity of harvests on yield. This experiment was laid out in split plot design taking months of sowing as main plot treatments and intervals of harvesting as subplot treatments. All biometric characters were significantly influenced by the sowing time. The crop sown in October was superior to other crops with regard to number of nodes, earliest node at which the first female flower was formed and fruit retained, number of female flowers, per cent of female flowers, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit and fruit yield per plant. In general the crops sown during August, September and October performed better in yield contributing characters when compared to the crops raised during other months of the year. The plants under the harvest interval of 14 days produced the highest number of female flowers and fruits per plant. Average fruit weight, circumference, fruit shape index, flesh thickness and number of fully developed seeds were highest for fruits harvested at full maturity. Though more number of fruits were obtained from plants' under a harvest interval of 14 days the highest yield in terms of total fruit weight was realised from plants harvested at full maturity. The crop was succumbed to the attack of pests and diseases throughout the year. Fruit fly infestation was severe in April, May and June sown crop. Incidence of pumpkin beetle was severe 111 February, March, April and May sown crop. Mosaic was severe 00 crops sown in November, December, January and February. June and July sown crops exhibited downy mildew disease. The better expression of yield contributing characters and lower incidence of pests and diseases tor the crops sown during August, September and October indicated that these months are most ideal for raising a crop of ashgourd. The crop weather relationship revealed that maximum temperature during first and second weeks after anthesis had a significant positive correlation with' yield at full maturity. Minimum temperature and sunshine hours also have a positive correlation though not significant. A negative correlation exist between relative humidity and yield.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Management of Non-Performing Assets Of Commercial Banks : A Case Study Of The South Indian Bank Limited
    (Department of Rural Bank and Finance Management, College of Cooperation Banking and Management,Vellanikkara, 2000) Samantajit Mayengbam, KAU; Molly Joseph
    The study entitled "Management of Non - Performing Assets of Commercial Banks - A Case Study of The South Indian Bank Limited" was conducted with the following objectives. i) To assess the volume and composition of Non- Performing Assets (NPAs) of South Indian Bank Ltd.(SIB) ii) To identify the major determinants of NPAs and iii) To examine the existing institutional arrangements for reducinz and recovering NP As. The study was confined to the Trichur Region of the Bank. Out of the 57 branches of the Region, five were selected for the study. The sample frame comprised of 150 respondents belonging to agriculture, retail trade/ small business, professional/ self employed, miscellaneous (trade/general) and other non - priority. The first three sectors constitute priority sector and the last two non - priority sector. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Primary data were collected by means of a pre-tested interview schedule from the 150 respondents whereas secondary data for the period 1994 - 1999 were collected/compiled from various published sources. The study has revealed that the 27 Public Sector Banks (PSBS) as a group with nearly 90 per cent of the NPAs is the largest contributor of the NPAs of the commercial banks of the country. The 19 . nationalised banks contribute to more than 60 per cent of the total NP As of the PSBs. The three nationalised banks which are identified as weak bank by Varma Committee, viz., Indian Bank, uca Bank and United Bank of India contribute to 22.86 per cent of the total NPAs of the nationalised banks. The NP A level of the commercial banks of India when compared to some of the developed countries 'are very high. The expeditious recovery measure due to stringent bankruptcy and foreclosure laws in other countries are the reasons behind this. From the analysis of the NP As of the seven Kerala based banks, it is seen that the only PSB, i.e., SBT have a very high share to the total NPAs of the Kerala based banks and out of the remaining six Kerala based private sector banks Federal Banb has the highest share. But the share of net NP A to net advance is the lowest for Federal Bank in 1998. Non - priority sector have a much larger share of advances and gross NP As when compared to the priority sector for PSBs. But the percentage of sectoral gross NPAs to sectoral gwss advances is lower for non - priority sector in the case of PSBs. For PSBs, Doubtful Assets consti~ the major portion of the NPAs. This is in contrast to that of SIB where sub-standard assets constitute major portion of the NPAs. 11 Region wise analysis of the net advances and net NPAs of SIB reveals that the inside Kerala Regions are functioning better than the outside Kerala Regions. Mumbai Region is the highest contributor of the NP As of the Bank. Chennai and Coimbatore Regions also have high share of NP As to the total NP As of the Bank. Therefore, if the NP As of the outside Kerala Regions can be brought down than the NPA level of the Bank can be decreased drastically. The major determinants of NP As as identified from the study in order of priority are less return / failure of the venture, wilful defaulters, misutilisation/ diversion of loans, insufficient loan amount/ loan from other sources, high rate of interest/high instalment amount and ploughing back of return. The frequency of visits of the bankers to the place of business of the borrowers can certainly bring down the number of accounts from becoming NPAs. Even in the existing NPA accounts of the Bank, a considerable amount can be realised through compwmise/ negotiation/ nursing, since a major portion of the NPAs of the Bank are in the sub-standard category. The present legal system in India is customer friendly and not banker friendly. A change in this is urgently required, along with earnest attempts from the bankers' side right from appraisal of loan application. The considerable reduction in the NPAs of the Trichur Region of the SIB may be attributed to the efforts of the Bank in this direction. 1Il