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ThesisItem Open Access Technological capability analysis of coconut based enterprises(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture ,Vellanikkara, 2021) Shilpa, P; KAU; Binoo, P BonnyCoconut based enterprises holds great significance in the state as coconut is the prime homestead crop of Kerala. These enterprises are proven to generate higher economic returns for the coconut sector. Technological capability (TC) plays key role in the performance of the hundreds of enterprises involved in manufacturing and marketing of various coconut products. Technological capability (TC) encompasses all activities, physical systems, skills and knowledge bases, managerial systems, and entrepreneurial values that generate unique benefit for an enterprise. Thus, it formed a determining factor in the efficiency and effectiveness of enterprises. Therefore, an understanding of TC of coconut-based enterprises holds great importance for state’seconomy in terms of entrepreneurship development. It was in this rationale, the present study was undertaken to document and characterize coconut enterprises based on the major products and services, to map the technology use pattern of these enterprises, to evaluate the technological capabilities of the selected enterprises and to evolve a conceptual model for sustainable entrepreneurship development. The results of the studycan be used to decode the critical factors that form the basis the technological capability of coconut enterprises that can effectively redefine the coconut-based entrepreneurship in the state. The three districts from the state of Kerala viz. Thrissur, Kozhikode and Ernakulam which had the largest number of registered coconut processing enterprises were selected as the study area. The details of Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) collected from the respective District Industries Centres (DICs) were used for the purposive selection of these districts. The enterprises under farmer collectives using the technological support from Coconut Development Board (CDB)functioning in these districts were also included under the study. The total sample size ofenterprises was fixed as 45 following the ratio of 20:10:15 in proportion to the number of registered coconut enterprises in the selected districts of Thrissur, Ernakulam and Kozhikode respectively. An additional eight social enterprises run by farmer collectives in theseselected districts were also selected. A total of 100 skilled workers involved in technology use in these enterprises were also selected as respondents in the study. Thus, the total sample size of the study was 153 comprising of the 45 MSME coconut entrepreneurs, 08 FPO CEOs and 100 skilled workers. The results delineated three major products from coconut enterprises based on productionproportion viz. coconut oil (81.14%), virgin coconut oil (VCO) (9.43%) and coconut paste (9.43%). Coconut oil was identified to have a production proportion of 80 per cent in micro enterprises while in small enterprises and in medium and social enterprises it recorded 90 and 76.93 per cent respectively. The technology use pattern of coconut enterprises was mapped based on the skill sets of the workforce related to communication skills, technical skills, problem solving skills, interpersonal skills and decision-making skills. The correspondence analysis result showed that problem solving skills was associated with both micro and small enterprises while decision making skills and technical skills were associated with small enterprises. The skill which assumedimportance in medium and social enterprises was interpersonal skill. The analysis of perceived skill competence of workforce across the enterprises revealed that, in micro enterprises workers expressed highest competence in problem solving while in small enterprises it was for technical skills while in the case of medium and social enterprises the workers perceived their expertise in decision making. The perceived skill gap analysis revealed that in micro enterprises the highest gap (with a score of 34.17) was in decision making and in small, medium and social enterprises were lacking more in problem solving skills with scores 30.96 and 24.22 respectively. Kruskal- Wallis test was performed to compare the perceived skill competence of workforce in different category of enterprises and it showed that there was a significant difference in the perceived skill competence of work force among the different categories of coconut enterprises. The technological capability of enterprises was estimated using technology capability index (TCI) with resources, level of technology use, market competency and coordination and accessibility as four macro indexes. The weightage for each macroindex was calculated from the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The average TCI score for the entire coconut-based enterprises were found to be 0.34 and the enterprise categories were giving importance for level of technology use (with a score of 0.66) in developing their technological capability followed by resources (0.5). There was a significant positive correlation between technological capability and educational status, skill competence of workforce at 5 per cent level of significance and a significant positive correlation between the level of extension contact, mass media contact, social participation, managerial competency, level of technology use, and production capacity at 10 per cent level of significance. Scaling readiness of technologies were measured as the product of innovation use and innovation readiness in the levels of management, technology use and marketing. The micro enterprises got highest score of scaling readiness which in turn indicates more interventions can be made with less investment in the existing technological ecosystem of these enterprises. The study suggested a frame work combining selected dimensions to elucidate sustainable entrepreneurship development in coconut enterprises. Sustainable entrepreneurship development in coconut enterprises has been defined as the function of technological capability of enterprises, skill competence of workforce, scale readiness of innovations and forward and backward linkages of the enterprise. The technology capability dimensions identified were resources, level of technology use, market competency and coordination and accessibility. The skill competence determined the technology use pattern in coconut enterprises from the significant relation with TC. Innovation was another important attribute of technology capability which was analyzed in termsof its scaling readiness. Scaling readiness defined the status of an enterprise to upgrade with technological innovations at different levels. The forward and backward linkages in enterprise such as value and supply chain channels were also having paramount importance in the determining the sustainable enterprise performance.ThesisItem Open Access Microbial inoculants for enhancing degradation of biosolid waste in aerobic composting(Department of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2019) Shilpa, P; KAU; Girija, DSolid waste management is a major challenge throughout the world, especially in urban areas, due to the rapid growth of population along with urbanization. Earlier, centralized management of biosolid waste was being practiced. However, due to problems in transportation and segregation, management at source is being promoted. Aerobic composting has been practiced from time immemorial for recycling of biosolid waste, using various processes and containers. Recently, more importance is being given to bio- composting, considering the efficiency of microorganisms in enhancing degradation of organic substrates by their multiple mode of action. Hence, this study was taken up to explore microorganisms which can enhance the process of aerobic composting of biosolid waste. Isolation of potential decomposing microorganisms was attempted from different compost samples including coir pith compost, kitchen waste compost and Oushadhi ayurvedic compost. A total of 14 isolates were obtained from different compost samples. All the isolates were assigned names depending upon the type of microorganism and the source from which they were isolated. Based on the ability to degrade the chemical components in selective medium, four isolates (BaBc-1, BaCp-1, BaOu-1 and AcOu-1) and four reference cultures (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus niabensis, Gongronella butleri and Trichoderma asperellum) were selected for quantitative assay. Enzyme assay was carried out for selected isolates and the isolate G. butleri exhibited highest cellulase activity. BaBc-1, B. subtilis and BaOu-1 recorded significantly higher β- 1, 3 glucanase activity. Glucosidase activity was found to be significantly high in G. butleri, T. asperellum, BaBc-1 and B. subtilis. Significantly higher laccase, amylase and pectinase activity was recorded in BaOu-1, BaBc-1 and AcOu-1 respectively. Maximum protease activity was recorded in fungal isolates G. butleri and T. asperellum. Potential isolates were further subjected to cultural, morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization. The isolate BaBc-1 showed maximum homology to Bacillus subtilis, BaCp-1 to Bacillus cereus, BaOu-1 to Bacillus sp. and the actinomycete isolate AcOu-1 to Streptomyces roseofulvus. The compatible combinations of selected isolates with high enzyme activity were selected for formulation of microbial consortia and the consortia were evaluated for degrading vegetable waste under in vitro condition. All the inoculated treatments showed faster degradation compared to uninoculated control. Based on visual observations, per cent weight reduction, enzyme activity and microbial population on 21 DAI in flask culture, consortium II (B. subtilis BaBc-1+ T.asperellum+ Bacillus sp. BaOu-1) and consortium IV (B. subtilis+ G. butleri +B. subtilis BaBc-1) were selected for pilot scale experiment. The efficiency of selected consortia was evaluated in KAU smart biobin along with cow dung slurry and uninoculated treatment. In T1 (B. subtilis BaBc-1+ T.asperellum+ Bacillus sp. BaOu-1) compost formation was initiated within 17 days after inoculation. Based on the volume reduction, duration of composting process, yield of compost, microbial population and phytotoxicity of compost, consortium I (B. subtilis BaBc-1+ T.asperellum+ Bacillus sp. BaOu-1) was selected as best performing consortium in KAU smart biobin. Hence, this consortial formulation was selected for large scale experiment in Thumburmuzhi composting units. Cow dung was used as inoculum in positive control and uninoculated treatment served as negative control. The treatment T1 (B. subtilis BaBc-1+ T.asperellum+ Bacillus sp. BaOu-1) recorded maximum temperature (640C) during composting period, faster volume reduction and maximum microbial population in compost. Based on these results, T1 was found to be the best treatment in Thumburmuzhi composting unit. The study revealed that, consortial formulation of B. subtilis BaBc-1, T. asperellum and Bacillus sp. BaOu-1 could be exploited for enhancing degradation of biosolid waste in aerobic composting. This can be used in future for the management of agricultural and municipal solid waste. The plant growth promoting (PGP) activities of these isolates could be an added advantage in improving the growth and yield of plants.ThesisItem Open Access Refinement of nutrient management practices in dendrobium orchids(Department of Floriculture and Landscapingp, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2017) Shilpa, P; KAU; Mini SankarTwenty five fragrant vandaceous orchids were evaluated in the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping during the period from June 2016 to May 2017 with the objective of classifying them based on aesthetic and economic parameters for commercial exploitation as value added plants. The varieties exhibited wide variation in both vegetative and floral characters. Considering quantitative characters, Vasco Crownfox Red Gem recorded the maximum plant height (68.73cm), spread (52.23cm), internodal length (1.95cm) and leaf length (33.83cm). V. Pranerm Prai x V. tessellata showed maximum shoot girth (4.99cm), leaf area (105.54cm2), leaf number (37) and root length (181.75cm). The least values for all these characters were for Neostylis Lou Sneary. Duration from spike emergence to opening of florets was the maximum in Ascda Peggy Foo x Rhyn. Coelestis Blue and minimum in Neostylis Lou Sneary. Maximum spike longevity was recorded in V. Rothschildiana (29.30 days) whereas it was minimum in Rhy Sri Siam x Rhy gigantia (7.50 days). Interval of spike production was also the longest in Ascda. Peggy Foo x Rhyn. coelestis Blue and the minimum in Rhynchorides Bangkok Sunset. Spike production was the maximum in Neostylis Lou Sneary, followed by Ascda Srichai and Vasco Crownfox Red Gem. The varieties/ hybrids varied with regard to blooming period. The peak flowering was from May to July. Longer spike and rachis were noticed in Aerides quinque Vulnera Rhy. Coelestis. Vasco Blue Bay Pink had the highest number of florets/ spike and the shortest internodal length. Largest flowers were observed in V. Rothschildiana. Petal and labellum of the varieties also exhibited different colour patterns such as uniform, spotted, netted, tessellated and shaded. All the evaluated varieties were fragrant and were categorized based on different notes such as floral, fruity, spicy, green, sweet and miscellaneous. Fragrance was very faint in V. Rothschildiana whereas it was musty in Darwineria Cream Puff. With respect to the post-harvest characters longevity (vase life) was the maximum in V. JVB X Ascda Yip Sum Wah (17.30 days) and individual floret life (8.13 days) in V. Rothschildiana. Colour and pigmentation, texture, shape, pattern and size of florets as well as arrangement of florets on the spike were considered for the visual evaluation of a variety for use as cut flower. Considering the overall qualitative and quantitative attributes, Vascostylis Crownfox Red Gem, Vasco Blue Bay Blue, Rhynchorides Bangkok Sunset, V. Mimi Palmer, V. JVB X Ascda Yip Sum Wah and Vasco Blue Bay Pink were excellent for cut flower production. Plant quality evaluation was done based on fullness, growth and visual appearance, flower colour and pigmentation, spike longevity, shape and arrangement of foliage during the growth period. Fragrance scoring was also done based on intensity and diffusiveness, newness and beautifulness of fragrance. Based on the flowering phenology, four phenophases, namely, November – January, February – April, May – July and August – September were recorded and the varieties were categorized accordingly. Side-runs with different colour combinations were observed within a phenophase. The varieties were also categorized on the basis of flower colour, number of florets/ spike and floret size, longevity of spike on the plant , number of spikes produced / year and fragrance. Considering overall quantitative and qualitative characteristics, the evaluated varieties/ hybrids were categorized for cut flower, indoor and outdoor gardens for commercial exploitation as value added plants. The fragrance also makes it a novelty in landscaping to create a peaceful, relaxing environment.
