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ThesisItem Open Access Effect of organic amendments on plant parasitic nematodes and soil micro-organisms(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Ajith, K; KAU; Sheela, M SField experiments conducted to evaluate the effect of neem and eupatorium leaves at two levels on plant parasitic and non-parasitic nematodes and soil micro-organisms in the rootzone of bhindi and cowpea in rainy and summer seasons revealed that neem and eupatorium leaf treatments (300g/plant or 15 t/ha) were found effective in controlling Helicotylenchus spp., R. reniformis and M. incognita in the rootzone. Lower dose (150g/plant) of neem was found sufficient to suppress the Helicotylenchus spp. In the rootzone of bhindi. Effect of these treatments persisted up to 75 D A S in rainy season and 45 DAS in summer season. The effect of lower doses also persisted up to 30 DAS. The predatory and saprophytic nematode population build up in the rootzone was enhanced by higher dose of eupatorium. The effect on predatory fauna persisted up to 75 D A S in the rootzone of two crops. But in cowpea the effect on saprophytic fauna persisted only up to 60 D A S. The microbial populations (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) were increased in the rootzone of bhindi and cowpea in two seasons by the application of eupatorium leaf at higher dose where as neem leaf (higher dose) reduced the microbial population. Only the fungal population increased by the application of neem leaf at higher dose during rainy season. There was seasonal variation in population build up of fungi and maximum effect was seen in rainy season. The biometric characters (number of leaves, height of plant, root weight and shoot weight) and yield of bhindi and cowpea increased significantly by the higher dose of neem and eupatorium leaf. For increasing the height, lower dose of neem, and, for yield lower dose of neem and eupatorium also were found effective. The population of nematodes in the roots at the termination of experiment was significantly reduced by the higher dose of neem and eupatorium in bhindi while lower dose was found effective protecting cowpea roots.ThesisItem Open Access Agroclimatology in crop planning for central zone of Kerala(Department of Agricultural Meteorology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1999) Ajith, K; KAU; Kesava Ravo, A V RA study was undertaken to determine weekly index of moisture adequacy (I MA) and water availabi I ity periods for various locations in the central zone of Kerala and to examine the viability of important crops. Daily rainfall data for the period 1978-97 were collected from 26 stations in the central zone. Daily data on maximum and minimum temperature, wind speed, maximum and minimum relative humidity and bright sunshine hours for Kochi, Palakkad, Pattambi and Vellanikkara were collected. Soil data and crop data were also collected for the zone. Mean weekly, monthly, seasonal & annual rainfall and coefficient of variation for all stations were worked out. Spatial variation of mean rainfall and coefficient of variation during the different seasons were studied. Monthly , dependable rainfall at 75 per cent and 90 per cent ' •• vere calculated using the ranking method suggested by Frere and Papov, and its spatial variation over the zone was studied. Initial and conditional probabilities of receiving 30 mm or more rainfall per week following Markov chain model for all the rain gauge stations were worked out and discussed. Water balance elements were computed for the 26 stations following book- keeping method of Thornthwaite. PET was computed following the modified Penman method as suggested by Doorenbos and Pruitt. Annually, the actual evapotranspiration (AET) varied from <400 mm in the eastern region of the zone to >700 mm in the southern part of the zone. The lowest AET ,. of 311 mm was observed at Parambikulam and a highest of 779 mm at Piravom. A I gradual increase of AET can be observed from northern part to southern part. The midland and of the central part of the zone had higher values of water deficit (WD) \ 1 '~L t '. compared to the northern and southern parts i.e., more than 1300 mm. Parambikulam had highest value for WD i.e., 1606 mm. Almost all the coastal region and midland of the northern and southern parts were found to have lesser WD value « 1300 mm.) Water surplus (WS) was high in the midland and coastal areas of the zone. The highest value of WS, 913 mm was observed at Wadakkancherry followed by Kunnamkulam (614 mm) both in the coastal region. Almost all stations in the coastal region were found to have higher values ofWS, i.e., more than 400 mm except a small patch around Kochi. Water availability periods were identified comparing the AET and PET. It was found that water availability periods followed the same pattern for most of the stations in the central zone. It was characterised by a 1 st sub humid period followed by a humid period and a 2nd subhumid period. The highest number of moist days was recorded at Piravom (203) followed by Aluva and Perumbavoor(188). At this station the humid period extended for 170 days which is also the highest value compared to all other stations. The least number of moist days was observed at Parambikulam (82). At this station there is a break in the humid period which gave way to a sub humid period. Most of the stations have total number of moist days more than 150. Generally, the water availability period starts in the 2nd week of June and extends up to 3rd week of November. " The cropping system of the central zone of Kerala was analysed and it was found that the cropping patterns fall under three major categories (1) mainly paddy (2) mainly coconut and (3) plantations other than coconut. The viability of these cropping patterns based on water availability periods and soil information are discussed.
