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Open Access
Studies on the performance of two groundnut varieties, TMV-2 and TMV-9, under graded doses of phosphorus and potassium.
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1978) Purushothaman Nair, N; KAU; Sadanandan, N
Open Access
Study on adoption of soil conservation measures by farmers in scheme areas of Trivandrum District
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1978) Balakrishna Pillai, G; KAU; Nair, G T
The magnitude of the problem of soil erosion is so high in Kerala mainly due to the undulating topography and high intensity of rainfall. More than 10 lakhs hectares of undulating land have to be protected from the hazards of erosion by effective soil conservation measures . The results of studies conducted on the soil loss by the soil conservation station. Konni has shown that the soil loss where slope was 30 per cent was 241.56 tonnes per acre per year. Attempts are made to control the serious loss of top soil by the Department of Agriculture (Soil Coservation Unit) by implementing integrated soil conservation schemes. But the progress of coverage was poor. Even in scheme areas, many farmers are non -adopters of the required soil conservation works. Many farmers have not taken up the required Agronomy and Agrostology works eventhough theycompleted the contour bunding works. A detailed study was essential to understand all those aspects of adoption . This study was an effort in that direction.
Open Access
Study on the role of leadership in agricultural development in rural areas in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture Vellayani, Trivandrum, 1979) Muthiah Manoharan, P; KAU; Thiagarajan Nair, G
This study on the role of leadership in agricultural development was designed to measure the role perception and 1 f role performance of different categories of leaders, as well as the factors associated with the role performance of leaders. This study was conducted in Arayoor I.P.D. Unit in Trivandrum District. This study covered five categories of leaders viz., Agricultural, Political, Co-operative, Ela committee and Panchayat leaders. The important findings were the following: 1. There was no significant difference among all categories of leaders regarding their age, educational level, communication skill, attitude towards agriculture and knowledge of the programme and improved agricultural practices. . 2. Agricultural and Ela committee leaders had higher farm size, higher income and had adopted more practices when compared to other categories of leaders. . 3* Agricultural, Panchayat and Co-operative leaders had high value orientation, high achievement motivation and had more favourable attitude towards high yielding varieties than other categories of leaders. 4. Co-operative leaders had more favourable attitude than other categories of leaders towards fertilizers* Panchayat, Agricultural and Political leaders had more favourable attitude than other categories of leaders towards plant protection. 5. Ela committee leaders had more mass media exposure than other categories of leaders. Ela committee, Agricultural and Panchayat leaders had more frequent contact with extension agency than other categories of leaders. ■ 6. The results revealed that Panchayat and Agricultural leaders had more perception of agricultural development roles than other categories of leaders. Agricultural leaders performed more roles in agricultural development than other categories of leaders. 7. When the pooled ranks were worked out the role "Accept improved agricultural practices before others" emerged as the most important role perceived as well as performed by the leaders. 8. Mass media exposure was significantly correlated with the role performance except in Political leaders. Caste also had influence in role performance. 9. Six variables viz., farm size, income, knowledge, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour were correlated, with role performance . significantly when the pooled data were considered. 10. Inter-correlation analysis lead to the conclusion that farm size had significant correlation with income, knowledge, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour. Income was significantly correlated with knowledge, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour. Knowledge was significantly correlated with contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour. There was also a significant correlation between mass media exposure and contact with extension agency. 11, It was also observed that the proportion of role performance explained by the variables viz., farm size, income, knowledge, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour was 50 percent.
Open Access
Genetic studies in sweet potato (ipomoea batatas(l.)lam.) a biometric approach
(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1979) Joseph, C A; KAU; Mary George, K
In a varietal evaluation of 40 varieties of sweet potato all the 15 characters studied showed highly significant differences among the varieties. This was also expressed in the higher phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation. The high degree of variability especially in tuber characters offers scope for recombining desirable genes from different varieties. Tuber yield showed significant positive correlation with number of tubers, tuber diameter and harvest index, and significant negative correlation with internode length, vine length and top weight. Path-coefficient analysis revealed that among the first order components of tuber yield, tuber diameter, length and number and top weight had high positive direct effects while leaf area index had a negative direct effect. A comparison of the direct and indirect effects of first and second order components revealed that while selecting for high yielding types, a balanced approach may be adopted with regard to the different yield attributes. Genetic divergence in the available germ plasm was estimated using the Mahalanobis' D2 statistic and based on this the 40 varieties were grouped into 12 clusters. The number of verities in each cluster ranged from one to eight. The divergence between different clusters was not always due to divergence in the same set of characters but a combination of different sets of characters. Out of the fifteen characters studied seven viz., tuber diameter, vine length, number of branches, number of tubers, tuber yield, top weight and number of leaves accounted for more than 80 per cent of the divergence in the material. Canonical analysis also more or less confirmed the grouping of the verities made by Tocher's method. Eight varieties selected on the basis of genetic divergence were used for progeny studies. All these varieties were found to be completely self-incompatible. It is observed that time of pollination markedly affected fruit and seed set. Maximum fruit and seed set was obtained between 7 and 7.30 a.m. And it progressively decreased as time passes. The weather conditions prevailing during the period of anthesis and pollination also influenced fruit and seed set. Maximum, minimum and mean temperature had significant negative correlation with both fruit and seed set. Path-coefficient anaysis revealed that most of the weather elements studied had negative direct effect on fruit and seed set. The total contribution of weather elements alone on fruit and seed set worked out to 40 and 32.5 percent respectively and hence any study on incompatibility and sterility in sweet potato may be conducted under controlled environmental conditions for reliable results. Genetic analysis of quantitative characters was done utilising line x tester and open pollinated progenies of the eight selected varieties. In the open pollinated progenies, existence of non- additive and environmental effects were observed in top weight, vine length, tuber diameter and leaf area index, and additive effects in number of leaves, number of tubers and tuber yield. In the line x tester progenies, additive variance was high compared to non- additive components in all the characters except the number of branches. The regression coefficients of progenies on male and mid- parental values were significant in seven out of ten characters in the line x teater progenies and in four characters on female parental values in the open pollinated progenies. The standardised regression coefficients reduced the magnitude and variability in the regression coefficients to some extent. The estimates of broad sense heritability from the varietal evaluation was higher in magnitude for most of the characters than the estimates of narrow sense heritability obtained from components of variance in open pollinated and line x tester progenies. Tuber yield showed 70.61 and 43.65 per cent heritability from the components of variance analyses in the open pollinated and line x tester progenies respectively, while number of tubers showed 82.75 and 70.07 per cent heritability. The variance between males was significant in respect of top weight, vine length, number of leaves, number of tubers, tuber diameter, leaf area index and harvest index, while the variance between females was significant only in tuber length. Significant reciprocal differences were observed in top weight, number of tubers, leaf area index and harvest index. With respect to general combining ability significant positive effects were observed in number of tubers in the varieties J.29 and H.42, tuber length in Palchakram and H.42, tuber diamter in IB.40 and Chakkaravalli and harvest index in J.29 and Palchakram. Significant heterotic effects were observed in a number of vine and tuber characters in both hybrid and open pollinated progenies. Seven hybrid progenies showed significant increase in tuber yield which ranged from 31.25 to 84.63 per cent over the higher parental values. Both hybrid and open pollinated progenies gave heterotic combinations for economic characters. The varieties which gave heterotic progenies by open pollination have performed well in certain hybrid combinations also. Considering the difficulties in the large scale hybridization and production of hybrid seedling, it is suggested that open pollination in selected varieties especially good combiners can be adopted as a quick and efficient method for varietal improvement in sweet potato
Open Access
Optimization of agronomic resources for maximizing grain and mill yield of rice
(Department of Agricultural Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, 1976) Kannan, Mukundan; KAU; Pande, H K
An investigation was planned during the main growing season, i.e., ‘aman’ (June to November ) to find out the optimum levels of the major inputs for rice cultivation such as nitrogen, phosphate, and water, associated with the management practices like optimum time of harvest, in order to maximize production and to obtain quality paddy which, when processed, should give a high quality rice and thereby high economic return. Keeping the above points in view, four field experiments were conducted during two consecutive ‘aman’ seasons of 1972 and 1973 in a cultivators’ field at abhoy Ashram, Balaramapur which is located about 3 km south – east of the Institute. The farm soil was silty – clay – loam, having a pH of 8.1. The experiments were conducted with the high – yielding rice variety IR 22 to study its performance under three levels each of nitrogen, phosphate and submergence and laid out in 3 x 3 x 3 confounded design. Nine additional plots to accommodate ‘o’ levels of nitrogen and phosphate were included for fitting production functions. In the first year of experimentation, the nitrogen and phosphate levels were 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha and 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha respectively. In the second year, the levels were 60, 90 and 120 kg N/ha and 30, 45 and 60 kg P2O5/ha. The modification in the levels of nitrogen and phosphate, in the second year, were made on the basis of the findings of the first year of experimentation. In both the years, the levels of submergence were kept constant, i.e., 0 – 5 cm, 5 + 2 cm, and 10 + 2 cm. For finding out the optimum grain moisture at harvest, suitable for higher milling yield, the crop was harvested at 25.5 – 22.5, 22.5 – 19.5 – 16.5 and 16.5 – 13.5 per cent grain moisture. The optimum levels of each input for maximizing grain yield and head yield were found out by fitting production functions. To identify a suitable variety under a specific management of production and processing, four high yielding rice varieties – Sona, Jayanthi, Pankaj and IR 22 were grown in ‘aman’ season of 1972 and 1973 with similar levels of nitrogen and phosphate as mentioned in Experiments 1 and 2; an additional treatment, with nitrogen and phosphate at ‘o’ level was also included. These experiments were laid out in 4 x 4 x 4 confounded design. The crop was grown under continuous submergence of 5 +2 cm and was harvested at grain moisture content ranging between 19.5 and 16.5 per cent. Treatment wise experimental details and the salient findings are given in the following pages. Positive response with reference to grain yield, total mill yield and head yield of variety IR 22 was noted up to 90 kg N/ha and 45 kg P2O5/ha. Further increase in nitrogen and phosphate levels to 120 kg/ha and 60 kg/ha respectively did not and its percentage was minimized by harvesting the crop above 19.5 per cent grain moisture or between 26 and 30 days after flowering. However, by increasing the level of nitrogen from 90 to 120 kg/ha and 120 to 180 kg/ha, the head yield and its recovery percent was less affected even when the crop was harvested with some delay, i.e., between 19.5 and 16.5 per cent grain moisture or between 35 and 37 days after flowering. The influence of phosphate on grain yield and milling quality, particularly head yield recovery percentage, was more pronounced when considered in combination with grain moisture at harvest. A suitable water management practice, of growing the crop with shallow submergence of 5 + 2 cm was found beneficial in increasing the yield as well as the milling and head yields. The influence of submergence on the head yield recovery percentage was, however, not to the same extent as that of nitrogen and grain moisture at harvest. On fitting the function, for variety IR 22, it could be ascertained that maximum grain yield to the extent of 5112 kg/ha can be attained with the optimum levels of 119 kg N/ha, 59 kg P2O5/ha, 149 cm of water and 22.4 per cent grain moisture at harvest which corresponded to harvesting the crop about 30 days after flowering. On the other hand, maximum head yield to the extent of 3562 kg/ha can be attained with the optimum levels of 124 kg N/ha, 51 kg P2O5/ha, 159 cm of water and around 26 per cent grain moisture at harvest which corresponded to harvesting the crop about 26 days after flowering. The grain yield and consequently, the gross and net returns were maximum under the same levels of nitrogen, phosphate, submergence and grain moisture at harvest. However, from an assessment of rough rice and polished rice along with broken, bran and husk, it was ascertained that the increase in net return to the extent of 984 k/ha was possible only by processing the rough rice. The positive response in grain yield of all the varieties was found only up to 90 kg N/ha and 45 kg P2O5/ha. In varietal comparison, grain yield, mill yield, head yield and net return were found to be maximum in case of the variety Pankaj, amounting to 5192 kg/ha, 3768 kg/ha, 3027 kg/ha and 1716 Rs/ha respectively. The variety Pankaj was followed by IR 22, Sona and Jayanthi in order. However, in milling quality, particularly head yield recovery percent, IR 22 was found superior to all the other varieties. Further, the variety IR 22, with along and slender grains, proved superior in quality to Pankaj, with long and bold grain. The former, eventually, has higher market value that brought higher return. These characteristics in IR 22 narrowed the difference in profit, when compared to Pankaj, though the latter has significantly higher grain yield the additional net return over milled rice was estimated at 877 Rs/ha in case of IR 22 and 833 Rs/ha in case of Pankaj. The agro – climatic conditions of this region of West Bengal, where rice is the only crop during ‘aman’, provide better prospects for cultivation of variety IR 22 as well as Pankaj. In quality criteria as well as growing period, IR 22 may prove superior to Pankaj. Their cultivation for higher yield and quality rice is possible only through suitable levels of fertility and water inputs as well as management input which includes the timeliness of operations, particularly harvesting, because it has a greater impact on the final outturn of the produce as quality rice.
Open Access
Studies on the pathogenicity of tetrameres mohtedai and acuaria spiralis of fowl
(Department of parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1977) Ramaswamy, K; KAU; Sundaram, R K
Controlled experiments were conducted at three levels of monospecific and dispecific infections with two commonly occurring spirurid worms of fowls viz. Tetrameres mohtedai and Acuaria spiralis. The blood studies conducted in monospecific T. mohtedai infection revealed a normocytic normochromic anaemia and eosinophilia during the initial phase and later a macrocytic anaemia, heterophilia and slight monocytosis by 66th day post infection. The infected birds lost considerable amount of their body weight. In layers there was a great delay in sexual maturity and poor feed efficiency as indicated by greatly reduced egg production. The percentage of establishment of worms in these experiments were found to be inversely proportional to the number of juveniles administered. The pathological changes in the affected proventriculi indicated an acute inflammation during the invasive phase of juveniles, followed by a chronic reaction which by 55th day post infection was well established indicating the development of a host – parasite balance towards the later stages of infection. Among the blood changes in monospecific A. spiralis infection, eosinophilia was evident initially followed by a marked leucopenia and development of a macrocytic hypochromic anaemia. Other effects due to parasitism were, delayed maturity, reduced rate of egg production, poor feed efficiency, loss of weight, emaciation and a mortality rate of 25% in chicks. The gross pathological changes in Acuariasis included the appearance of an irregular whitish patch on the serosa and formation of nodular growths in the mucosa which in heavy infections occupy the whole of the mucous membrane. Juveniles of A. spiralis were found to invade the compound glands in very heavy infections. The microscopic changes indicate a severe acute inflammation during the initial stages. Later as the disease became chronic pedunculated fibro – adenamatoid growths were evident on the mucous membrane. In dispecific infections with T. mohtedai and A. spiralis the haematological changes observed were eosinophilia during the early stages followed by a l eucopenia and heterophilia. As the disease progressed a macrocytic hypochromic anaemia developed. There was a great decrease in the live body weight of the infected birds. A mortality of 33.33% were observed in chicks with heavy infection. In layers the sexual maturity was delayed and egg production was greatly suppressed with consequent poor feed utilization. The gross and microscopic changes found in the affected proventriculi indicated a combination of lesions observed under monospecific infections of both the parasites. The results obtained show that the loss due to morbidity (mainly as a result of decreased body weight and reduced rate of egg production) was considerable. These facts indicate that both T. mohtedai and A. spiralis are economically important.
Open Access
Studies on the regulation of progeny production and sex-ratio of Wesmael
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1979) Susamma, Jacob; KAU; Abraham, C C
The fecundity, progeny production, female – male composition of the progeny and duration of development of Bracon brevicornis wesmael as influenced by the density and size (weight) of host larvae of Corcvra cephalonica Stainton and the sex-ratio of the parent parasite population were studied at three temperature- humidity (TH) combinations, viz, 280c and 75% RH (TH1), 300c and 60% RH (TH2) and 320c and 50% RH (TH3). The maximum fecundity of the parasite was registered consistently at all the three TH levels at a host density level of two larvae per female parasite. The exclusive use of light weight larvae (weight range 8 to 10 mg) as hosts produced significantly less number of eggs at the TH1 and TH2 levels, while at the TH3 level the fecundity was maximum when the heavier host larvae (weight range 30 to 35 mg) were used. The parental sex-ratio levels of 2:1 and 3:1 (female:male ) led to the production of higher number of eggs than under the ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3. The maximum progeny production in B. brevicornis at the TH1 and TH2 levels was attained under a host density level of two larvae per female parasite. The progeny production was relatively higher at the TH1 and TH2 levels when heavier larvae were exposed for parasitisation. The superiority of the parental sex-ratio of 2:1 (female: male) in the production of higher number of progeny was established at the TH2 and TH3 conditions. Significant influence of the host larval density on the female progeny production was detected at the TH1 and TH2 levels. The female progeny production was maximum at a host larval density level of two per female parasite at the TH2 combination, while this was found to be the highest at a density level of one larva per female parasite at the TH1 level. Relatively heavier host larvae produced significantly higher number of female offsprings at the TH2 and TH3 combinations. The parental sex-ratio level of 2:1 (female:male) consistently produced maximum number of female progeny. The influence of host larval density on the proportion of females was pronounced only at the TH3 level and a density level of two laevae per female parasite was found to be better with reference to the production of a higher proportion of females. The sex-ratio of the parent parasite population influenced the proportion of females in the F progeny and a ratio of 1:3 (female:male) produced higher proportion of females at the TH2 and TH3 combinations. The host larval density, weight of host larvae and the sex –ratio of the parent parasite population exerted significant influence on the duration of development of B. bravicornis. The feasibility of manipulating the ambient temperature-humidity conditions for maintaining laboratory cultures of B. brevicornis at the maximum possible levels has been discussed
Open Access
Studies on the biology, pathogenicity and treatment of important nematodes of domestic duck
(Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1977) Chandrasekharan, K; KAU; Kalyanasundaram, R
Studies on the incidence of nematode infections in 340 domestic ducks indicated that 67.94% of birds harboured one or more species of the following nematodes viz., Amidostomum globocaudata skrjabini , capillaria contorta, capillaria , Echinuria uncinate, Epomidiostum uncinatum, Eustrongylides papilosus, Strongyloides avium and tetramers antis. The rate of infection was highest in the case of Epomidiostomum uncinatum (41.86% ) and lowest in the case of strongyloides avium (0.59%). The lifecycles of Echinuria uncinata and Tetramers anatis were worked out in detail. It was established that Tetramers anatis was distinct from Tetramers Fissispina. The complete details of the morphology of juveniles both within the intermediate and final hosts were given. The juveniles of Echinuria uncinata completed the first and second moultings on the third and fifth day respectively and the stage juveiles reached infective stage on the seventh day following infection in Daphnia pulex at a room temperature ranging from 25 to 30C0. In ducklings the juveniles underwent the third and fourth moultings on the third and seventh day respectively and the eggs of the parasite were first found in the droppings on the thirty- third day. The juveniles of Tetramers anatis completed first mopulting on the third day, the second moulting on the fifth day and the third stage encysted in fat bodies of the grasshopper, Spathosternum prasiniferum. The third stage juveniles attained infective stage on the sixth day following infection. Within the ducklings, the parasite underwent the third moulting on the third day. The fourth moulting in respect of males was seen on the nineth day and in the case of females on the tenth day. The prepatent period of the parasite was found to be 24 days. Development of the juveniles was also noticed in five other species of grasshoppers viz., Oxya nitidula, Oedaleus abruptus, Conocephalus maculatus, Ducetia Japonica and Atractomorpha crenulata. No development of Tetrameres anatis, beyound the first stage was observed inDaphnia Pulex and Daphnia Magna on experimental infection. Anaemic changes with significant reduction in weight gain and haematological values were observed in experimental infections of Tetrameres anatis, Amidostomum skrjabini and Epomidiostomum uncinatum. Histopathological changes like haemorrahage, desquamation of cells, catarrbal inflammation and necrosis were seen in experimental tetramerosis. Ulceration and atrophy were also evident in amidostomiasis and epomidiostomiasis. The anthelmintic efficacy of 9 drugs against adult worms of Tetrameres anatis, Amidostomum skrjabini and Epomidiostomum uncinatum under experimental infections were determined. The efficacies against tetramerosis, amidostomiasis and epomidiostomiasis were 79.23%,32.15% and 79.88% with Tetramisole by drochloride at 50 mg/kg body weight; 70.36%, 52.42% and 50.23% with phenothiazine at 500 mg/kg; 26.85%, 74.8% and 65.68% with Morantel tartrate at 40mg/kg; 45.70% 67.29% and 57.84% with Parbendazole at 100 mg/kg; 41,0%’63/93% and 43.13% with Thiabendazole at 200 mg/kg; 59.28%,61.06% and 52.66% with Carbontetrachloride at 2ml/kg; 35.94%, 30,12% and 13.13% with Methyridine at 200 mg/kg; 28.87% 20.17% and 11.32% with Disophenol at 10 mg/kg and 31.02%, 39.04% and 12.66% with Cashewnut shell oil at 10 g/kg body weight respeectively. The drug Rametin at 200 mg/kg was found to be fatal to ducklings. In a cross infection trial delyed development and lesser percentage of establishement of Ascaridia galli of fowl origin were observed in ducklings as compared to chicks.
Open Access
Morphological studies and quality evaluation of ginger (zingiber officinale rosco) types
(Department of Horticulture (Plantation Crops), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1978) Nybe, E V; KAU; Sivaraman Nair, P C
A detailed study of 25 ginger types was conducted during the period from April 1977 to June 1978 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara with a view to find out the feasibility of fixing up specific morphological characters to identify different types, to screen out ginger types with high yield, high quality and resistant or tolerant to pests and diseases and to study the quality variations at different periods of maturity. The study revealed that morphological characters are not reliable to classify the ginger types, although some of them can be identified by rhizome characters. The morphological characters such as length of leaf, leaf area index and number, length and girth of primary and secondary fingers were found to be positively correlated with yield. All the types studied are susceptible to the incidence of soft-rot, leaf –spot and shoot-borer. The type Maran was relatively tolerant to soft-rot whereas Rio-de-Janeiro was found to be the most susceptible type. Yield was found to vary significantly among the types studied. Maximum yield was recorded in Nadia followed by Bajpai, Maran and Narasapattom. Maximum oleoresin percentage was in Rio-de-Janeiro and highest percentage of oil recovery in Karakal. But the maximum yield per hectare of oleoresin and oil was in the type Maran. Fibre content was minimum in China and maximum in Kuruppampady closely followed by Maran. The yield, dryage and percentage of oleoresin, oil and crude fibre varied significantly among the different maturity periods studied. The percentage of oleoresin, oil and fibre was maximum at 165 days after planting. But the maximum yield per hectare of oleoresin and oil were found at 270, 195, 225 and 225 days after planting in Rio-de-Janeiro, Maran, Kuruppampady and Wynad Local respectively. Cultivation of the types Nadia, Bajpai and Maran is recommended for higher total yield of dry ginger for the plains of Kerala. Considering the low incidence of soft – rot and higher yield of oleoresin and ginger oil the type Maran is preferred

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