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Open Access
Economics of production and marketing of tuber crops in Palakkad district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Sheena, P A; KAU; Thomas, E K
The present investigation on the economics of production and marketing of tuber crops viz. coleus, sweet potato and tapioca in Palakkad district was undertaken during the year 1994-95. The study focussed on estimation of cost and returns and marketing system. Data for the study was generated through a sample survey of farmers, village traders, wholesalers and retailers. Two stage sampling technique was adopted for the study, with panchayats selected purposively and sample farmers by random sampling method. The sample size for each crop was 50 making a total of 150 sample respondents. The results of the cost structure analysis revealed that the largest single item of expense was rental value of own land for coleus and tapioca and for sweet potato chemical fertilizer had the highest expense. Among the explicit cost items male labour accounted the highest share in coleus while rental value of own land and farmyard manure were the most important item in sweet potato and tapioca respectively. Cost A1, Cost A2, Cost B1, Cost B2, Cost C1 and Cost C2 per hectare was Rs.10101.74, Rs.13016.86, Rs.10101.74, Rs.17593.80, Rs.10743.99 and Rs.18236.05 respectively for coleus and Rs.8124.94, Rs.8124.94, Rs.13304.05, Rs.8852.50 and Rs.14031.61 respectively for tapioca and Rs.6733.13, Rs.6733.13, Rs.6733.13 and Rs.9079.94, Rs.7311.04 and Rs.9654.84 respectively for sweet potato. The average per hectare yield of coleus, sweet potato and tapioca were 9154 kg, 8801 kilogram and 7398.73 kilogram respectively. Benefit-cost ratio for coleus was Rs.2.27, Rs.1.76, Rs.2.27, Rs.1.30, Rs.2.13 and Rs.1.25 based on costs A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 where as the corresponding figures for sweet potato were Rs.1.74, Rs.1.74, Rs.1.74, Rs.1.29, Rs.1.60 and Rs.1.21 respectively. In the case of tapioca Benefit cost ratio was Rs.3.19, Rs.3.19, Rs.3.19, Rs.1.95, Rs.2.93 and Rs.1.85. The income measures in relation to different cost concepts, in coleus cultivation such as gross income, farm business income, family labour income, net income and farm investment income were Rs.22884.72, Rs.12782.98, Rs.5290.92, Rs.4648.67 and Rs.12140.73 respectively and Rs.11734.04, Rs.5000.91, Rs.2654.10, Rs.2076.20 and Rs.4423.00 respectively for sweet potato and Rs.25895.56, Rs.17770.62, Rs.12591.51, Rs.11863.95 and Rs.17043.06 respectively for coleus. Functional analysis was carried out using Cobb-douglas production function and the results revealed that for coleus fertilizer was found to be negative and significant. The production elasticity of labour was negative and insignificant. Farmyard manure and planting material were found to be insignificant. With regard to sweet potato labour was found to be negative and significant and the production elasticity of fertilizer was found to be negative though insignificant. Farmyard manure and planting material was found to be significantly influencing production. Regarding tapioca the production elasticity of labour and farmyard manure was found to be negative though insignificant. The high value of production elasticity of area indicated the dominance of this particular factor. Marginal value product of farmyard manure and planting material for coleus and sweet potato were greater than their factor cost ratio and was negative for labour and fertilizer. In the case of marketing of coleus and sweet potato more than 95 per cent of the produce was sold to wholesalers through commission agents. The producer’s share was only 34.53 per cent and 31.76 per cent of the consumers’ rupee for coleus and sweet potato respectively. The index of marketing efficiency was 0.53 for coleus and 0.47 for sweet potato. Regarding tapioca the tubers who performed the role of commission agent and from them produce is taken by mill owners of Salem and Dindigul. Since there is a product diversification the marketing of tapioca tubers was studied only upto the intermediary level.
Open Access
Biocontrol of water hyacinth using fungal pathogens
(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Susha Thara, S; KAU; Naseema, A
Detailed study was conducted on the host range of the already identified fungal pathogens of water hyacinth viz. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium eguiseti and F.pallidoroseum on thirty cultivated plants including vegetables, pulses and oil seeds, field crops, fruits and forest crops and ornamental plants and forty one common weed plants which are seen in and around water ways infested with water hyacinth. It was observed that C. gloeosporioides could infect amaranthus, bhindi, chilli, Euphorbia hirta, Hydrocotyl asiatica and Phyllanthus niruri. Of the thirty cultivated plants and forty one weed plants tested F. eguiseti was seen to be pathogenic to amaranthus, Amaranthus viridis, Commelina . bengalensis, C. jacobi and Monochoria vaginalis. F. pallidoroseum could produce symptoms on napier grass, Axonopus sp., boerhaavia diffusa, C.benghalensis, C.jacobi, Echinochloa colonum, Euphorbia hirta, Justicia diffusa, J.prostrata, M.vaginalis and Oldenlandia umbrellata and Scorpia dulcis. For the effective destruction of the weed, lxl011 spores per ml concentration of Q. gloeosporioides, E. eguiseti and F. pallidoroseum were found to be more effective than lxl09 and lxl010 spores per ml concentration. Cell free metabolites of the pathogenic fungi were found to produce symptoms on water hyacinth plant. Metabolite produced by E. pallidoroseum caused considerable damage than by E.equiseti and C. gloeosporioides. When pathogens were applied singly and in combination on water hyacinth it was observed that the combined application of F. pallidoroseum and F. equiseti followed by F. pallidoroseum alone gave maximum intensity of infection. Eventhough C. gloeospoirioides gave least intensity of infection it can be used as a co-pathogen with E. eguiseti. Metabolite of the pathogens individually and in combination when applied on healthy water hyacinth plants, maximum damage was caused by F.pallidoroseum alone and the combination of metabolite of three fungi viz. C. gloeosporioides,F equiseti and F. pallidoroseum. Least damage was caused by metabolite of C. gloeosporioides. An experiment was conducted to find out suitable carrier materials for the mass multiplication and storage of pathogen. It was observed that for C. gloeosporioides maximum sporulation was in water hyacinth leaf followed by guinea grass straw and rice bran. But the spore viability was maximum for rice straw, and on coir pith. Maximum infection was caused by fungus grown on guinea grass straw and rice straw. In the case of E. equiseti spore counts was higher in guinea grass straw followed by coir pith. The spore germination was maximum in rice bran and coir pith. Maximum infection was produced by the fungi on guinea grass straw, coir pith and waterhyacinth leaf. E. pallidoroseum produce maximum number of spores on rice bran followed by guinea grass straw. It was observed that the germination percentage of spores were maximum on coir pith. Out of the six carrier materials used the fungus produced maximum infection when grown on rice bran and guinea grass straw. In the study for testing the storage life of metabolities, it was observed that the efficiency to produce symptom was reduced on storage in the case of C. gloeosporioides and E. pallidoroseum whereas for E. eguiseti on storage the effeciency of the metabolite to cause damage increased. Metabolite stored on refrigerated condition performed poorly for all the three fungi. Different methods of application of the three fungi were tried. Of the five treatments, placement of bits and dusting the inoculum along with the carrier materials produced maximum infection. In the experiment conducted to characterize the toxin presented in the cell free metabolite of pathogenic fungi, observed the presence of Fusaric acid in the metabolite of Fusarium spp.
Open Access
Distribution of extractable in soils of selected major land resource area of Kerala
(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Sathyanarayanan, R; KAU; Abdul, Hameed
The investigation was carried out to assess the total and available micronutrients in soils of selected major land resource areas (MLRAs) of' Kerala. The micronutrients investigated in the present study were iron, manganese, zinc, copper and boron. The study was intended to establish the pattern of the distribution of micronutrients both vertically and spatially in eight MLRAs viz, Palode, Vellayani, Trivandrum, Mannar, Kottarakkara, Thakazhy, Ramankary and D-Block soil series of Kerala. Three extractables viz DTPA, EDTA and ammonium acetate were used in the analysis. The available boron content in these soils was also determined by hot water extraction method. All the micronutrients showed great variation in their distribution in the various horizons of the profiles. The micronutrients content of the soils estimated were correlated with soil properties like pH, organic carbon, CEC and clay content. They were found to be positively and significantly correlated with organic carbon, CEC and clay content while it was significantly and negatively correlated with pH. The significant correlations revealed that the micronutrient availability in these soils were influenced greatly by the soil properties mentioned above. From the results obtained, it was observed that micronutrients like iron and manganese were well supplied in all the profiles studied. The micronutrients were found to decrease with depth except in Ramankary, D-Blockand Thakazhy series where it showed an irregular trend with depth due to the peculiar hydrologic and oxidation-reduction conditions existing in these soil series. The available and total micronutrients content in the surface soils from places around the profile sites did not show any significant variation among places. In almost all the samples very high iron content was recorded.
Open Access
Socio-economic status of traditional fisherfolk in kerala - a study in Thiruvanathapuram District
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Jinraj, P V; KAU; Raviraman, K
The study, "Socio-economic status of traditional fisherfolk in Kerala - A study in Thiruvananthapuram district" was undertaken with the following objectives. 1. To understand the present socio-economic status of the traditional fisherfolk in Kerala with particular emphasis on the income and expenditure pattern of the community concerned. 2. To analyse the levels of living of the fisherfolk with respect to food intake, shelter, educational status and sanitary conditions. Thiruvananthapuram, which is one of the districts with the highest fishermen population in the State, was selected for the study. From Thiruvananthapuram district Vizhinjam and Anjuthengu villages were selected due to their larger size compared to the other fishing villages and variation in fishing activity. A sample size of 50 traditional fisherfolk families from each village was selected using stratified random sampling technique, taking motorised and non-motorised fisherfolk families as two strata. A well structured and pre-tested questionnaire, was used for collecting data from the selected sample households. Data collected was analysed using suitable statistical tools such as mean, percentage analysis, correlation coefficient and regression analysis. The variables used in the study included general information on households, educational level, employment status, income and expenditure pattern, extent of credit availed and indebtedness, food intake, health status, housing conditions, social participation and other relevant characteristics which are useful in measuring the socio- economic status of a household. The study revealed that the average family size of the fisherfolk was 5.19. It was 5.58 in Vizhinjam village and 4.8 in Anjuthengu village. It was also seen that the majority of the fishermen under study were in the age group of 21-35 years. The female to male ratio was found to be 784 females for 1000 males. Landless fisherfolk families constituted 37 per cent and among land owners 55 per cent had less than 5 cents of land. The literacy rate of the fisherfolk was found to be 63 per cent in which males had a lower literacy rate (53 %) than females (68 %). It was noted that about 85 per cent of the workforce in the study area were engaged in fishing and about 14.41 per cent were engaged in fish vending. The average monthly income of a fisherfolk family was found to be Rs. 1918.94. In Vizhinjarn village it worked out to be Rs. 2160.20 as against Rs. 1677.68 in Anjuthengu village. Of the total monthly household expenditure, 62.52 % was spent on food, 12.52 % on arrack and 8.5 % on fuel and lighting. The percentage expenditure on betel chewing, clothing, medicinal purposes and recreation were 7.58 %, 4.24 %,2.11 % and l. 92 % respectively. The expenditure on education was observed to be very meager. It was revealed from the study that the fisherfolk were mainly utilising money lenders for availing credit. The majority of the loans availed were used for production purposes such as the purchase of fishing equipment (54%) and fish vending (5.3%). About 19.5 % of loans were used for marriage purposes and the rest for home consumption and for other purposes. The household food consumption pattern showed that the cereal food consumption was 45% of the total requirement. They consumed large quantities of fish. It was also observed that the intake of vegetables other than tubers, milk and fat and oils were inadequate when compared to the recommendations of the ICMR. The intake of pulses was found to be very meagre. It was revealed that 12 % of the fisherfolk families did not own houses and lived in houses belonging to their friends or relatives. •It was also noticed that 54% of the families resided in huts, 24% in pucca houses, 2% in concrete houses and one per cent in asbestos house. It was also seen that 65 % of the wage earners lived in huts. About sixty nine per cent of the houses were non-electrified and about 76 % did not have a latrine. Among the total fisherfolk respondents selected for the study only 15% utilised news papers as sources of information. Respondent s utilising television and radio were 9% and 17% respectively.
Open Access
Role of non-govermental organisations in transfer of technology for rural development- a study in Thrissur district
(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Indu, Bhaskar; KAU; Geethakutty, P S
A study was undertaken to analyse the effectiveness of NGOs in transfer of technology for rural development. It also aimed to identify the major programmes conducted by the selected NGOs and its consequences. The study was carried out in two selected NGOs, Kuriakose Elias Service Society (KESS) and Apex Voluntary Association for Rural Development (AVARD) of Thrissur district of Kerala during 1995-96. The sample selected for the study consisted of 100 beneficiaries, 60 non- beneficiaries, 30 NGO workers and 30 workers of other development agencies in Thrissur District. The study revealed that the major programmes of the NGOs were agri- cultural, health, HRD, community development and industrial and trade promotion programmes. The programmes consisted of components which aim at the desired changes like behavioural, health and hygiene, education, employment generation, ecological preservation, community development, leadership development, economic improvement, saftey and security, welfare, technology, self-reliance etc. which in general aimed at the overall development of rural community. Ninety per cent of the beneficiaries considered the consequences of programmes of NGOs as most beneficial to them. On analysing the respondents evaluative perception about the effectiveness of the NGOs, seventy three per cent of beneficiaries, twenty seven per cent of non-beneficiaries and ninety per cent of NGO workers and seventy per cent of development workers rated the NGOS as most effec- tive in rural development work. Significant characteristics of beneficiaries to predict their evaluative perception about the NGOs were farm size, annual income, level of aspiration and attitude towards NGOs. The beneficiaries of NGOs was significantly different from non-beneficiaries with regard to their farm size, extension contact, organisational participation, level of aspiration and attitude towards NGOs. The major constraints the NGOs face in their work for rural development were complexes of caste and religion among the rural people and lack of involve- ment from beneficiaries. The study draw attention to the emergent need of effective utilisation of the experiences and services of NGOs for rural development.
Open Access
Reproductive biology and enzyme studies in ocimum
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Fancy, Parameswaran; KAU; Presannakumari, K T
The present study on "Reproductive biology and enzyme studies in Ocimum spp." was undertaken at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period 1994-1996 with a view to make a comparative evaluation of the reproductive biology and phosphorylase enzyme activity of different species of Ocimum. The four species of Ocimum viz. O. tenuiflorum, o. gratissimum, o. canum and o. basilicum collected and maintained in the Department were used for the study. The different species of Ocimum varied significantly in the time taken for inflorescence development, completion of anthesis in an inflorescence, number of flowers per inflorescence and distance between verticils. Species level variations were also observed in seed moisture content, seed density, l000-seed weight and seed dormancy period. Flowers of the four selected species were identical in basic structure although there existed variation in size, colour, hairyness and shape of floral parts. Anthesis occurred earlier in o. canum than the other three species. Pollen grains of Ocimum were hexacolpate and reticulate. However, species level difference existed in the size, shape and fertility of pollen grains. No self incompatibility mechanism existed in the four species studied. The floral morphology and protandrous nature makes the species adapted to cross pollination. Insects and ants are the main agents of pollination. Comparison of Sanctum and Basilicum groups revealed that Sanctum group which includes o. tenuiflorum and O. gratissimum required longer time for inflorescence development than Basilicum group which includes o. canum and O. basilicum. Verticils were closer in the inflorescence of Sanctum group than Basilicum group. Sanctum group produced less conspicous flowers with sessile bracts and yellow pollen grains. In this group anther dehiscence occurred in bud stage. Basilicum group produced conspicous flowers with pedicellate bracts and white pollen grains. Anther dehiscence was after flower opening in this group. Dormancy break was sudden in Sanctum group and gradual in Basilicum group. Moisture content of Ocimum seeds was positively related to phosphorylase enzyme activity. Phenol content was negatively related to both moisture content and phosphorylase enzyme activity of the seeds.
Open Access
Evaluation of maton rockphosphate in the acid rice soils of Kerala
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Suja, Thomas; KAU; Sushama, P K
A study conducted at College of Horticulture during the period 1994 – 96 so as to assess the effectiveness of Maton rockphosphate (MTRP) as a source of P compared with single super phophate (SSP), diammonium phosphate (DAP) and Mussoorie rockphosphate (MRP). In addition to the above sources a control treatment (with no P fertiliser) and another treatment with SSP at the rate of 45 kg P2o5 ha-1 given twice (conventional practice) were also included. The P release from all the sources were monitored with an incubation experiment. In order to evaluate the response of fertilisers two continuous pot culture experiments were undertaken using Jaya variety of rice. Two acid rice soils of Kerala, viz., Kuttanad alluvium and laterite were used for the study. The variations in pH of the soil types indicated that there was increase with advancement of periods under waterlogging irrespective of the treatments including the control. Available N was high in Kuttanad alluvium as compared to laterite and was found to decrease with periods of incubation. The content of available P gradually increased with period of incubation, reached a peak at 120 days for water soluble phosphates (SSP and DAP) and 180 days for rockphosphates, irrespective of the soil types. Comparing the two extractants, Mathewstriacid extracted more available P than that of the Bray solution in both the soil types. Available K decreased with periods of incubations. In general, Kuttanad alluvium recorded higher content of available nutrients as compared to laterite. In both the soil types the most dominant P fraction was Fe – P followed by AI – P and Ca – P. While evaluating the pot culture experiment it was observed that available nutrient content decreased with advancement of crop growth. Even after the harvest of second crop, the residual effect of MTRP was recorded to be high. There was maximum uptake of P at the second crop season as compared to the first crop irrespective of the soil types. The leachate loss decreased with crop growth in both the soil types. But the maximum leachate loss was recorded for N followed by K and P. The grain yield as well as the relative yield was found to be maximum for the laterite soil on comparison to Kuttanad alluvium for the first and second crop of rice. In Kuttanad alluvium, DAP and MTRP yielded better in the first and second crop respectively. While in laterites SSP was found to be better in grain yield as compared to other sources, The source, DAP was superior to others in straw yield for both the soil types with increase in levels of P application, there was increase in grain and straw yield.
Open Access
Analysis of the Characteristics of Womens Groups and Their Role in Rural Development
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Sherin Muller; KAU; Mohammed Hussain, M
The present study under the title "An analysis of the characteristics of women's group and their role in rural development" was undertaken to assess the group characteristics of wornens group which were conducive for rural development and also to find out means to improve these group characteristics. 20 women's group were selected based on their proportion from 12 NES blocks of Thiruvananthapuram district Among these 20 groups 10 groups selected were effective groups comprising 98 members and 10 were non effective groups comprising 102 members selected based on a performance appraisal by the DRDA officials. Thus the total sample comprised of 200 women selected from the women's groups started under the DWCRA (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) programme of DRDA. Data was collected using an interview schedule and suitable stasticial technique was employed in the analysis of data. The group characteristics found conducive for rural development are ; interdependence of members, group interaction, group decision making, group leadership, group co-operation, group cohesiveness, participation in group activities, interpersonal liking, group goal achievement, need satisfaction, interpersonal communication, group competition, interpersonal trust and group motivation. 2 The results of the correlation anulysis indicate thut interdependence of members is positively and significantly correlated with social participation, information source utilisation, DRDAl Block visit andtraining and negatively and significantly correlated with age, educational status of family and period of group work in the effective groups. In the noneffccuvc groups the variables land holding, social participation, extension participation, infoi n.ation source utilisation and period of group work showed a negative signi ficunt correlation with interdependence of members while training showed a positive correlation. There is a negative significant correlation shown between the vuriablcs age, educational status of family, trade union participation, extension participation, annual income, period of group work and cosmopoliteness with group interaction, while social 'participation and training showed a positive correlation to group interaction in effective groups. In the noneffective groups annual income showed a negative significant correlation with group interaction. The group characteristic group decision making in the effective group showed a positive and significant correlation with extension participation, information source utilisation, cosmopoliteness, DRDA visit, land holding and training while a negative significant correlation was shown with the variable educational status of family. In the noneffective groups the variables educational status of family, annual income, trade union participation. DRDA visit and training showed a positive and significant correlation with group decision making while a negative and significant correlation was shown with period of group work and cosmopoliteness. -s, 3 In the effective groups the variables information source utilisation, DRDA visit and training showed a positive and significant correlation with group leadership while the variable educational status of family showed a negative significant correlation, In the nonctfecuvc groups the variables educational status of respondent, information source utilisation, and DRDA visit showed a positive significant correlation while the' variable annual income and period of group work showed a negative significant correlation with the group characteristic, group leadership, In effective groups the variables educational status of respondent, land holding, social participation, extension participation, information source utilisation, cosmopoliteness, DRDA visit and training showed a positive correlation with group co-operation while the variable, period of group work showed a negative significant correlation, In the noneffective groups the , ., variable social participation, period of group work and trui ni IIg showed u • I negative significant correlation with group co-operation. The variables educational status of family, annual income and period of group work showed a negative significant correlation while the variables extension participation, information source utilisation, cosmopo/iteness, and training showed a positive significant correlation with group cohesiveness in the effective groups. In the noneffective groups the variables age and cducuuonul status of fumily, showed u positive sil,l.lIificnnt corrchuiuu while the variables period of group work and cosrnopoliteness showed a negative significant correlation with the group characteristic, group cohesiveness. 4 In the effective groups the variables age and period of group work showed a negative significant correlation with participation in group activities while the variables educational status of respondent, extension participation, information source utilisation, DRDA visit and training showed a positive significant correlation. In the noneffective groups the variable educational status of respondent showed a positive significant correlation while the variables social participation, and extension participation showed a negative significant correlation with participation in group activities. In effective groups the group characteristic namely interpersonal liking is seen to be positively and significantly correlated with social participation, while it is negatively and significantly correlated with the personal and socio-psychological variables namely educational status of family, land holding," annual income, trade union participation, extension participation, information source utilisation, period of group work, cosmopoliteness and DRDA visit In noneffective groups the variable age is positively and significantly correlated " "' with interpersonal liking- while the variables period of group work and training are negatively and significantly correlated. The group characteristic namely group goal achievement is shown to have a positive and significant correlation with extension participation, information source utilisation, period of group work, cosmopoIiteness and training and a negative and significant correlation with educational status of family, annual income and social participation in the effective groups. In the non effective groups the variables, social participation, trade union 5 participation and land holding showed a positive and significant correlation with group goals achievement while the variables period of group work and cosmopoliteness 'showed a negative and significant correlation with group goals achievement. In effective groups the variables land holding, extension participation, information source utilisation, period of group work, cosmopoliteness, DRDA visit and training showed a positive and significant correlation with need satisfaction while the variables educational status of family and annual income showed a negative significant correlation. It is seen that in the noneffective group the variable educational status of family, trade union participation, information source utilisation and DRDA visit showed a positive and significant relationship with need satisfaction while the variables period of group work and cosmopoliteness showed a negative and significant relationship with need satisfaction. The group characteristic, interpersonal communication showed a positive and significant correlation with educational status of respondent, land holding and training in the effective groups. In the noneffective groups, the variable educational status of respondent showed a positive significant correlation and the varia~le period of ,group work showed a negative and significant correlation with the gr~)Up characteristic interpersonal communication. The variables age and land holding showed a negative and significant correlation while extension participation, cosmopoliteness and DRDA visit 6 showed a positive and significant correlation with group competition III the effective groups. In the noneffective groups the variables educational status of respondent and' information source utilisation showed a positve and significant correlation while the variable period of group work showed a negative and significant correlation with group competition. The group characteristic interpersonal trust showed a positive and significant correlation with so.cial participation and a negative and significant correlation with educational status of family, annual income, trade union participation, extension participation, information source utilisation and period of group work in the effective groups. In the noneffective groups land holding, social participation, extension participation, information source utilisation and period of group work showed a negative and significant correlation with interpersonal trust while the variable annual income showed a positive and significant correlation with interpersonal trust. The group characteristic, group motivation showed a positive and significant correlation with information source utilisation and DRDA visit in the effective groups. In the noneffective groups, group motivation is positively and significantly correlated with educational status. of respondent and negatively and significantly correlated with: period of group work. With regards to the constraints experienced by the women's group comparative high cost of raw materials, low economic status of members, improper repayment of loans, non availability of adequate raw materials, lack 7 of local demand for the products produced, lack of interest of officials at block / district level, lack of follow up activities by department, inadequacy of revolving fund, wrong selection of members, lack of team spirit, drop out of members due to marriage and other reasons, lack of homogeniety among, members, lack of effective leadership, lack of initiative and interest at desired level among members, fear to avail loans, lack of co-operation among members, lack of quality consciousness among members about products, lack of co- operation and lack of group cohesiveness were identified as the major constraints for effecti ve group action.
Open Access
Standardisation of propagation techniques in schefflera
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Sunitha Anne, Mathew; KAU; Murali, T P
The study was carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, Vellanikkara and Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy from March 1994 to February 1996 to standardise the propagation techniques in schefflera arboricola). Schefflera, a member of the botanical family, Araliaceae is valued for its ornamental foliage. Not much information is available in the literature on agro techniques for the commercialization of this important foliage plant. Hence, the present study “Standardisation of propagation techniques in schefflera” has great relevance. In both ‘green’ and ‘variegated’ type of schefflera, double noded cuttings performed better than single noded cuttings. The number and quality of roots produced were improved with growth regulator treatments and the prolonged dip method was found to be the best in both ‘green’ and ‘variegated’ type of schefflera. The best growth regulator and its optimum concentration for rooting of cuttings in ‘variegated’ type was IBA at 200 mg 1-1 whereas in ‘green’ type, NAA at 50 mg 1-1 was found to be an effective treatment. Percentage success in rooting of cuttings depended on the growth regulator employed. In ‘variegated’ type of schefflera the percentage success obtained in rooting of double noded and single noded cuttings could be improved with IBA treatment and in ‘green’ type, NAA treatment was found to be beneficial. In layering also growth regulator treatment was found to be beneficial. In ‘variegated’ type NAA at 50 mg 1-1 produced maximum rooting whereas in ‘green’ type NAA at 200 mg 1-1 produced longer and stouter roots. The media used and the method of wounding adopted in layering were found to have significant influence on rooting behaviour. Girdling was found to be more effective compared to slanting slit method. The best media were sphagnum moss and sawdust in ‘variegated’ type whereas in ‘green’ type, sawdust was the best medium. Percentage success in rooting of layers depended on the growth regulator, media and type of wounding method employed. The percentage success obtained in rooting of layers (‘variegated’ and ‘green’) could be improved with an NAA treatment, using sawdust as the medium and girdling as the wounding method. A comparison of the methods of propagation revealed that in schefflera cuttings could be adopted as reliable and successful propagation method to produce large number of plants in a short time from limited amount of planting materials. In micropropagation, callus was formed from immature and young leaves and the callus production was good with 2, 4-D at 1-2 mg 1-1 and NAA at 10-12 mg 1-1 but the calli did not respond to caulogenesis. In direct organogenesis, axillary bud break from nodal explants was noticed in MS medium with BAP at 0.5 mg 1-1 and the shoot growth was the best with BAP at 5 mg 1-1. The in vitro developed shoots were rooted in the medium supplemented with NAA at 3 mg 1-1 IBA at 0.3 mg 1-1. Further studies are needed to standardise a complete protocol for micropropagation of S. arboricola.

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