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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Economic Feasibilityb of Betelvine as an Intercrops in Rubber Holdings of Mavelikkara Taluk
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1993) Vijayakumari, P R; KAU; Nazeem, P A
    A study has been conducted to analyse the economic feasibility of betelvine as an intercrop in the rubber holding of Mavelikkara taluk . Only five units having betelvine as intercrop could be identified in this area. One hundred other holding 20 each of betelvine as pure crop, plantain as intercrop, plantain as pure crop having covercrop and without any intercrop were also selected for the study . The study revealed that only a small portion of the holding was occupied by the betelvine, when it was treated as an intercrop. The cost of cultivation was found to be very high when compared with other cash crops. This might be the reason for limiting the cultivation to a small portion. This was confirmed by the fact that betelvine as pure crop was also limited in extent. The benefit cost analysis of the above crops revealed that betelvine cultivation was highly profitable with a benefit cost ratio of 2.51 in the intercropped area and was significantly higher than that for plantain which is the other common intercrop. The soil analysis data showed that betelvine absorbed lesser nutrients than plantain . The rubber plants of betelvine intercropped area showed vigorous growth than other intercrops which was due to the regular irrigation and fortnightly application of organic manure to the betelvine. Though the cost of cultivation was very high for betelvine , it could be recommended as an intercrop in the rubber holdings where there is availability of water throughout the year since it ensures substantial weekly income for the grower and his family. Though betelvine could be treated as a perennial crop, the farmers choosing it as an intercrop in rubber holdings will have to sacrifice the same by the fourth year when the rubber canopy closes to the full extent. Hence, we can suggest betelvine as an intercrop in rubber holdings only if land is too scare for its monoculture.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative study of fertilizer recommendations based on soil and leaf analysis vis a vis blanket recommendations of rubber board
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Rajendran, P V; KAU; Nazeem, P A
    A case study was made to assess the comparison of the dosage of fertilizer recommendation based on soil and leaf analysis vis-à-vis blanket recommendation of the rubber Board. Almost all estates in our country are practicing this method of fertilizer application and systematic data is available only from large estates.. Hence the case study was confined to Estate Sector. From the soil analytical values and economics of fertilizer usage of the nine estates studied, the following observations are made. 1. In general organic carbon status of the soil was found to be medium, though high values were also recorded in some fields. 2. The available phosphorus status of the soil was found to be low in most of the cases. 3. Except in one estate, all the estates were low in available potassium. The observation on the leaf analytical value are as follows: 1. Nitrogen status was in the medium range in most of the cases and only in few cases it is high. 2. Leaf phosphorus was found to be in medium to high range inspite of low available soil phosphorus. 3. Leaf potassium also followed same trend as leaf phosphorus. Economics of fertilizer usage based on soil and leaf analisis revealed the following: Savings in quantity as well as the cost of fertiliser could be made in seven estates. The cost of fertilizer saved per hectare was found to be Rs. 31.23. Eventhough in two estates no savings in quantity as well as in the cost of fertilizer could be made by adopting discriminatory approach, it was possible to maintain the balance among the nutrients in these estates preventing the likely drop of yield.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of spacing and planting material on the growth, yield and active principle in Plumbago rosea L.
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Subha, S; KAU; Sreekandan Nair, G
    Investigations on "Effect of spacing and planting material on the growth, yield and active principle in Plumbago rosea L." was conducted at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1987-88, using factorial RBD design for exploiting this valuable medicinal plant with the following objectives: (1). To standardise the size of shoots as planting material for commercial cultivation. (2). To standardise the best spacing for better growth, yield and active principle. (3). To explore the possibility of growing Plumbago rosea L. as a commercial crop. (4). To explore the possibility of grooming this plant as an annual plant.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of rubber producers societies on rubber plantation industry in Kasargod District
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Jose, M J; KAU; Nazeem, P A
    Rubber Producers Societies were formed among small rubber growers to improve their rubber production, productivity, processing and marketing facilities. The survey was conducted to evaluate the impact of Rubber Producers Society on rubber plantation industry in Kasargod District. 110 Rubber Producers Society members in the district were contacted for this purpose using a structured interview schedule the data were collected from the respondents and analysed by simple statistical producers such as percentage, means and standard deviations. The major findings of the study could be summarised as follows.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of the incidence of pink disease in rubber plantations in Kanjirapally Taluk, Kerala State
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Jain, P M; KAU; Sreekandan Nair, G
    A survey was conducted to study the intensity of the incidence of pink disease in Rubber Plantations of Kanjirapally Taluk, Kerala State. The clonal susceptibility, percentage of damage, control measures adopted by growers and recovery were also evaluated. Maximum incidence is noticed in RRII 105 and minimum in PB 235. The disease incidence is maximum in the 7th year . Bordeaux paste is the common fungicide used against this disease. But only few growers know the correct method of preparation and application of Bordeaux paste. Careless disposal of infected plant parts provide large inoculum for the spread of the disease. The growers fail to detect the disease sufficiently early to carry out effective control measures. Therefore need for an intensive extension education to create awareness in small growers about the disease and its timely control is evident from this study.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on fertility status of rubber growing soils in Kottayan Taluk
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Parameshwaran Nair, K; KAU; Srikantan Nair, G
    To assess the fertility status of the Rubber growing soils of Kottayam Taluk analytical data of five locations in Kottayam Taluk viz, Kooropada, Thiruvanchoor, Meenadam, Kottachira and Amayannur covering 200 small holdings including their case history were studied and the study revealed the following. All the soils tested were lateritic and acidic. Generally organic matter status was medium to high. Phosphorus and pottasium status were very low and Magnesium status medium to high. Tapioca intercropped areas showed depletion of nitrogen status. There was no depreciation of Phosphorus and Pottassium status in intercropped areas. Areas with leguminus ground covers showed better nitrogen status. Response to fertiliser was pronounced in the first four years and response was poor from 5th year onwards. All the small holdings were planted with modern high yielding clones and the trend is to follow Boards recommendation for manuring.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Tapping systems adopted by small growers of Taliparamba taluk and its impact on yield of rubber
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Raghu Raman, V; KAU; Nazeem, P A
    A detailed study was conducted among the small growers of Alakode and Payyavoor villages of Thaliparamba taluk in order to ascertain the extent of adoption of scientific tapping and processing method . Eightly seven holdings representing the highly concentrated rubber growing areas of the taluk under different size groups were selected for the investigations and the growers interviewed with a pre- tested questionnaire. Size of the holding s varied from 0.20 to 1.60 ha and the units have been sorted out in to 4 groups. Average size of the holding was 0.51 ha in respect of R R I I 105 and 0.39 ha in respect of GTI. Since the Rubber Board officials used to visit the holdings during immaturity period to assess the eligibility for the disbursement of subsidy, maintenance of all young rubber areas were satisfactory. But once the plants attain maturity , maintenance , tapping , processing etc . are done according to the knowledge, ideas and convenience of the growers and workers. Standard of tappability , height of opening , slope of tapping cut and time of tapping were found followed as per the recommendations. Alternative daily i.e, 1/2Sd/2 system of tapping was more prevalent. While 94 per cent followed 1/2Sd/2 system 6 per cent adopted1/2S d/2 system of tapping . Of the two clones RRII 105 and GTI tapping panel dryness (TPD)was observed in RRII 105@5 percent were tapping is done at an intensity of 1/22S d/2 i.e ., 100 per cent on Bo 1 panel . In the same clone units tapped at a frequency of 67 percent , on BO 1 panel, i.e., 1/2S d/3 intensity of tapping , panel dryness is slightly low i.e., 2.5 percent. In GT1, TPD is dismally low-1 percent even at 100 percent intensity. However, the GT1 , plants in the surveyed area were older and tapping was in progress in BO 2 panel, compared with the RRII 105 trees. Rain guarding is done by only 24 per cent growers. Drop in yield after rainy season is reported by many experienced growers and this makes many growers hesitant to rain guard their trees. Panel protection with fungicides in rain guarded trees is a must and it has to be done periodically. In rain guarded trees the panel protection with fungicide once in a week was observed in 99 per cent holdings whereas 1 per cent did it once in 14 days. In the units which were not rain guarded 45 per cent treated the panel with wound dressing compounds and 8 percent only white washed the panel. Units which did not give any panel treatment accounted to 23 per cent. Number of additional tapping days obtained by the rain guarding varied from 25 to 50days. This was depending up on the time of rain guarding of rain obtained in the respective localities . A good number of units obtained 41to 45 additional tapping days which accounted 48 per cent of the total number units rain guarded. It was also found that , alternate daily tapping is more prevelant among the growers. Though RRII 105 is recommended for once in three days tapping, 94 per cent holdings adopted alternate daily tapping for the clone RRII 105, while 6 percent followed once in three days tapping . From the study it is concluded that TPD is more in RRII 105 units tapped alternative daily i.e., 1/2 S d/2 compared to the units of the same clone tapped once in three days i.e ., 1/2S D/3. Small growers are much hesitant to adopt once in three days tapping because of constraints like financial difficulties, that arised due to the drop in yield and income , co – operation from the workers etc . Clone –wise average yield obtained per hectare has been worked out . RRII 105 was found definitely yielding better than GTI. Though the yield obtained under ½ S d/3 system was lesser than that of ½ system there was no substantial difference which can be considered as an advandage, as percentage of infection of TPD in those units is very low. It was noted that 92 per cent of RRII 105 and 100 per cent of GTI units processed their rubber in to ribbed smoked sheets and 8 per cent units of RRII 105 sold their latex as field latex . Cup lumps and tree lace from all the units were disposed as raw. From the survey and the field experience obtained otherwise it is concluded that generally the growers are not giving much importance to scientific methods of cultural operations and exploitation. Majority of the growers being small growers who lack awareness and suffer from financial constraints want to extract the crop, process it and sell in the market . At the same time , in the market also quality consciousness is not seen. In order to enlight the growers about the need for the adoption of scientific methods of exploitation system, proceessing methods and to improve the quality of sheet rubber it is essentional to reorient and strengthen the extension work so as to effectively transfer the modern technologies to the progressive farmers.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of rubber plantation insurance scheme in traditional rubber growing tracts of Kerala
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Mohamed Abdul Kader, S S; KAU; Nybe, E V
    The study on the ‘Impact of rubber plantation insurance scheme in the traditional rubber growing tracts of Kerala’ has revealed that the scheme, being a recently introduced subject, has not gained much popularity. The ongoing scheme had covered only seven per cent of the total rubber area in the State, for the period upto 1994. Out of this, the percentage share of immature area is 22 and mature area a meagre two per cent. It was also observed that the scheme is highly solvent and profitable from the angle of the insurance company, in that the company had paid as compensation only 27 per cent of total premium amount collected. Thus the insurance company was left with a surplus of 73 per cent of the total premium collected, excluding the possible interest accrued on the same periodically. It was found that in mature as well as immature plantations, the major causes of damage was wind/storm. Damages due to agencies like fire, flood, lightning and drought were very minimal. The limitations of the scheme were found to be less coverage, the arbitrary franchise limit, lack of provision for payment of compensation for loss of prospective yield and lack of no claim bonus. Considering the solvency there is scope for further reduction of premium, including perils like drought permanently, considering for yield loss due to diseases etc. One of the reasons for low insuring in mature area is because of lack of any promotional effort by insurance companies. The field survey was extended to 50 insured units only in the Thrissur district out of 1398 units insured. Moreover, the rubber holdings insured in traditional rubber growing tracts of Kerala are spread over to 30235 units in 14 districts. To have an indepth analysis on the impact of the scheme, further studies covering the entire tract is necessary. Highlights of the study The scheme, even after seven years of its launching, had benefited only a small percentage of growers in the traditional rubber growing tracts of Kerala. More awareness campaign among small and marginal farmers, especially who own mature uninsured rubber areas, will be of much use. Insurance cover provided for different perils other than wind/storm, fire, lightning and land side reflects academic coverage only. The insurer is financially benefited by the scheme as the situation stands now. The stand per hectare now in vogue requires upward revision atleast in the immature phase. Considering the solvency there is scope for further reduction of premium.