Loading...
Theses
Browse
1227 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access Participatory action research for renumerative rice production(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2004) Parvathy, S; KAU; Ahamed, PAs with the Complex, Diverse and Risk- prone (CDR) rice systems of many Asian countries, the Kerala state of peninsular India suffers from the fast depleting paddies and the ' high cost- low remuneration syndrome'. Crucial rice technologies have been blamed by stakeholders for the insensitivity to micro farming situations A multidisciplinary stakeholder Participatory Action Research (PAR) of emancipatory type and collaborative mode was done for three years (2001-2004) on identification and prioritization of constraints to profitable rice production to explore the available cost-reducing and productivity increasing technological options. The project focussed on screening of technological modules through farmer participatory field assessment and arrived at locally adaptable and remunerative technology packages. The project also developed and standardised an extrapolatable stakeholder participatory assessment model and protocol. The programme had a blend of extension approaches, research designs and tools like "ex-post facto", benchmark appraisal through Participatory Learning and Action (PLA), exploratory, diagnostic, evaluative, field experiments and analytical studies. The PAR was done in two rice ecosystems (irrigated and rainfe:l) of the midland, laterite belt of Kerala state, India. Fourteen technology modules were fitted into the PAR, under .. , each of the three treatments, viz., farmers' practice, recommended packages of the formal research system and location specific I technology components" jointly decided by the research team extensionists and farmers. Each technology component was subjected to five types of analysis viz., agronomic, statistical, economic, farmers perceptions and reactions, post-trial follow up analysis of adoption in the succeeding cropping seasons. The participatory interventions significantly influenced the level of technical knowledge and extent of adoption of adaptable technology modules, typifying the cognitive impact of an emancipating action research. The short duration red rice varieties "Kanchana" (Ptb 50) and "Kairali" (Ptb 49) proved to be the best first crop and second crop varieties respectively, to replace the ruling cultivars. The technology modules recommended by the formal research system viz., seed treatment with fungicides for the first crop season and Pseudomonas fluorescence for the second crop season were adaptable technologies. The PAR came out with an efficient planting density and crop geometry package (line transplanting; 15 x 10 cm; 67 . , hills/m'; 2-3 seedlings/hill) to replace the conventional planting system. The existing formal recommendations including IPM and INM practices could enhance and combat weeds, pest and diseases thereby enhancing crop yield. Harvesting with self- propelled reaper and threshing with mechanised thresher were cost effective, drudgery alleviating and time saving. The net result of the action research was a set of adaptable technological package for remunerative rice production in the CDR rice production systems. Cognitive and behavioural impact on the participants; and the standard methodology and protocol for participatory technology validation for rice in particular, and for any farm enterprise in general, with extrapolative effect.ThesisItem Open Access Bioactivity of carotenoids from shrimp shell waste(Department of Processing Technology,College of Fisheries,Panangad, 2010) Sindhu, S; KAU; Sherief, P MShrimp processing waste is the single largest industrial waste in the country causing diverse environmental problems. A study was carried out to assess the extractability of astaxanthin from shrimp waste in different organic solvents and vegetable oils. Extraction was tried using wet and dried waste, with and without deproteinisation. Waste was subjected to deproteinisation using alkali and enzyme (pancreatin). The different solvent systems tried were ether:acetone:water (15:75:10 v/v/v), acetone, hexane:isopropanol (3:2 v/v) and 90% acetone v/v. Astaxanthin in the extract was quantified by measuring the OD at 470 nm in hexane. Extraction was also done using vegetable oils viz. coconut oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil. Quantification of astaxanthin in pigmented oil was done by measuring the absorbance at 485 nm using 2155 as extinction coefficient. Astaxanthin yields from deproteinised samples were significantly lower than those from non deproteinised samples. The highest astaxanthin yield of 87.14 ± 4.55μg/g was obtained with non deproteinised wet waste extracted using acetone. The astaxanthin yield was significantly lower when oil was used as the extraction medium. Of the three oils coconut oil gave the highest yield. The results showed that acetone is the best solvent for extracting astaxanthin from shrimp shell waste in wet condition. The astaxanthin content in Aristeus alcocki shell waste is double that of Pandalus borealis shell waste, which is currently used as the commercial source of astaxanthin. The deep sea species Aristeus alcocki can thus be considered as a better source of astaxanthin for commercial exploitation than Pandalus borealis. TLC analysis of the shell waste extract showed that it contains free astaxanthin, astaxanthin monoester and astaxanthin diester in the ratio 1:1:2. GLC identification of the fatty acids esterified with astaxanthin revealed that saturated fatty acids, MUFA and PUFA are in the ratio 5:3:2 in monoester, whereas in diester they are in the ratio 4:3:3. The main fatty acids in monoester and diesters are palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid and PUFAs: DHA and EPA. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the astaxanthin extract showed significant hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion scavenging activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The IC50 values obtained were 56.43 ± 1.06 ng/ml, 27.91 ± 0.54 ng/ml and 26.54 ± 0.42 ng/ml, respectively. The antioxidant activity of astaxanthin from Aristeus alcocki was obtained at nanogram levels. This powerful antioxidant function may be due to the unique molecular structure of astaxanthin and synergistic effect of astaxanthin and PUFAs present in the astaxanthin monoester and diester fractions. The astaxanthin extract from shrimp shell waste significantly reduced carageenan induced paw edema in mice, percentage inhibition being 47.83 and 67.11 percent at astaxanthin concentrations of 0.5 mg/kg body weight and 1.0 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The inhibition of inflammation at 1.0mg/kg body weight was greater than that produced by the standard reference drug diclofenac. Cardioprotective effect of astaxanthin was examined in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats. Levels of diagnostic marker enzymes, LDH, CPK, GOT, GPT, CK, CK-MB in plasma, lipid peroxides, ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione and the activities of glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzymes GPx, GR, GST and antiperoxidate enzymes CAT, SOD and the membrane bound enzyme Na+ - K+ ATPase in the heart tissues of experimental groups of rats were determined. The prior administration of astaxanthin @ 10mg/kg feed for 45 days significantly prevented the isoproterenol-induced elevation in the levels of diagnostic marker enzymes in plasma, induction of lipid peroxidation and alterations in the level of reduced glutathione and in the activities of glutathione dependent antioxidant enzymes and antiperoxidative enzymes of experimental rats. Feeding astaxanthin caused a decrease in the inhibition of Na+ - K+ ATPase activity against isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction. The powerful cardioprotective effect of astaxanthin can be attributed to the multiple independent mechanisms viz. antioxidant effects, singlet oxygen quenching ability and inhibition of lipid peroxidation of membranes, increased functional gap junctional intercellular communication, anti-inflammatory effects etc. Immunostimulatory action of astaxanthin extract was evaluated in experimental mice. Astaxanthin administration was found to enhance the proliferation of spleen cells and bone marrow cells. Esterase activity was found to be enhanced in bone marrow cells indicating increased maturation of cells of lymophoid linkage. Astaxanthin also enhanced number of antibody forming cells and circulating antibody titre. Thus astaxanthin exhibits strong immunomodulating properties. A significant reduction in the viability of ascites tumour cells DLA in vitro was noted in the current study. The % viability was reduced to 4.34 % at a concentration of 15μg astaxanthin/ml. The cytotoxic action of astaxanthin against DLA may be through induction of apoptosis or through a different pathway. Antitumour activity of astaxanthin was studied by ascite and solid tumour models in mice. An increase in life span of about 67 % was noted in DLA bearing mice administered with astaxanthin at 5 mg/kg body weight. The tumour volume and tumour weight were significantly lower in mice injected with 5 mg/kg body weight astaxanthin. In vitro studies revealed that astaxanthin from shrimp shell waste of Aristeus alcocki inhibited the proliferation of cervical cancer cells HeLa in a dose dependent manner.ThesisItem Open Access Formulation of low fat beef burger with fat replacers(Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2010) Govande Premanand, Laxmanrao; KAU; George Oommen, THealth conscious meat consumers prefer low fat meat products due to increasing incidents of high fat induced diseases. Manufacturing meat products with fat replacers (FR) enable to reduce fat and to alleviate the problems with the reduction of fat in products. Therefore, the present study was undertaken with the objectives of developing a palatable and economic formulary for low fat beef burger (LFBB) with carrageenan (CG), tapioca starch (TS), pregelatinised pork skin collagen (PSC) and their blends as FR and to assess its pH, cooking characteristics, proximate composition, nutritional value, textural and organoleptic qualities and shelf life under aerobic (AP) and vacuum packaging (VP) at 0-4oC and -20oC and its cost of production. Beef burgers (BB) are formulated at two different fat levels, viz., full fat (FF) 20 per cent and low fat (LF) 5 per cent as controls. Seven formulations of LFBB with 5 per cent fat are prepared with 0.5 per cent CG, 1.5 per cent TS, 2 per cent PSC and their blends, viz., CG-TS - 0.5% CG & 1.5% TS; CG-PSC - 0.5% CG & 2.0% PSC; TS-PSC - 1.5% TS & 2.0% PSC; CG-TS-PSC - 0.5% CG, 1.5% TS & 2.0% PSC as FR. BB are prepared as per the formularies with minced lean beef trimmings, tallow, salt, spices and condiments, rusk, ice flakes and FR. They are packaged aerobically in HDPE and in vacuum in polyethylene-polyamide (PEPA) pouches. pH, cook yield (CY), cook loss (CL), fat retention percentage (FRP), moisture retention percentage (MRP), dimensional shrinkage (DS), water holding capacity (WHC), Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF), Hunter L*, a*, b* colour values, proximate and mineral composition and nutritional value, purge loss (PL), Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) value and sensory qualities are assessed on d 0, 10, 20 and 30 of storage at 0-4oC and -20oC or till spoilage, whichever is earlier. Six trials of the experiment were conducted. Cooking reduced the acidity of all the burgers. By the addition of FR a significantly (P< 0.05) very low acid cooked LFBB could be prepared. CY of burgers with CG-TS-PSC was significantly (P< 0.05) the highest with 85.84 per cent. LFBB with blends of FR significantly (P< 0.05) increased CY and correspondingly reduced CL. The DS in LFBB with CG-TS-PSC was significantly (P< 0.05) the lowest with 13.21 per cent. Addition of blends of FR holds water and fat in LFBB and reduces DS during cooking. FRP and MRP in CG-TS-PSC formulation was significantly (P< 0.05) the highest with 97.66 and 74.36 per cent, respectively due to blends of CG, TS and PSC. The WHC of LFBB with CG-TS-PSC was 95.36 per cent and WBSF value 5.30 N comparable to FF and the burgers were significantly (P< 0.05) most succulent, juicy and tender with the addition of blends of FR compared to tougher BB without FR. According to Hunter L*, a*, b* values, LFBB with blends of FR, especially CG-TS-PSC was lighter, less reddish (more bluish) and less yellowish (more greenish) and comparable to FF burger. Fat content in the beef trimmings and PSC were < 1.76 per cent. Cooking significantly (P< 0.05) reduced moisture content with a corresponding increase in the protein, fat, carbohydrate and ash. The percentage total calorific value of LFBB ranged from 6.36 to 7.18 of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). The contribution of fat to RDA of calorific value was from 2.22 to 2.42 per cent only, which was below the recommended 30 per cent. More than one third of the daily requirement of protein is obtained from 100g of LFBB. LFBB with FR are good sources of Na, K and P but not of Ca. Blends of FR in LFBB, especially CG-TS-PSC, were more efficient in significantly (P< 0.05) reducing PL and TBARS value on storage at 0-4oC for 10 days and at -20oC for 30 days in AP and VP. TBARS values were lower than the acceptable range of 1mg malonaldehyde/kg for oxidative rancidity. The low fat content and the presence of onion containing antioxidants in the formulary would have synergistically acted with CG in reducing the TBARS. On sensory evaluation on zero day, the LFBB with CG-TS-PSC scored significantly higher (P< 0.05) values of 7.00 and above for very good appearance and colour, very intense flavour, very desirable texture, juiciness, practically nil mouth coating and very acceptable overall acceptability similar to FF burger. But saltiness was very desirable than in FF. The LFBB with CG-TS-PSC in AP and VP retained all the sensory attributes and proximate composition even on storage. The very acceptable nature of CG-TS-PSC formulation might be due to the synergistic effect of fat replacers. The LFBB with 5 per cent fat and CG (0.5%), TS (1.5%), PSC (2%) and their blends as FR are developed economically with very acceptable overall acceptability, CY, nutritional quality, reduced PL and oxidative rancidity and shelf life up to 10 days at 0-4oC and 30 days at -20oC under AP and VP. The best LFBB with overall acceptability was CG-TS-PSC followed by CG-TS, CG-PSC, TS-PSC, PSC, CG and TS. Blends of FR are better than single FR, particularly CG-TS-PSC, as they increased CY, FRP, MRP, WHC, sensory attributes and decreased pH, CL, DS, WBSF, PL and TBARS. Further investigations with production of large quantities are required for calculation of cost of production at commercial scale.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of different levels of energy on growth performance of crossbred pigs(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Rekha, P; KAU; George, MathenAn experiment was conducted to assess •the influence of different levels of energy on the growth performance of crossbred (Large White Yorkshire x Desi) pigs. Fifteen male (castrated) and fifteen female weaned crossbred piglets with an average body weight of 12.9 kg were divided into three equal groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age, sex and body weight. The three groups of piglets were maintained on three rations with 16 per cent crude protein but differing in their energy content, viz., 2800 kcal (T1), 3000 kcal CT2) and 3200 kcal (TI) of digestible energy (DE) per kg. The average daily gains recorded for the three groups T1, T2 and TI were 262.9, 302.0 and 362.8 g respectively. The cumulative feed conversion efficiencies were 6.0, 5.2 and 4.1 for the groups T1, T2 and TI respectively. The values recorded for TI were higher (P<0.01) than those for T1 and T2. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients except that of crude fibre and crude protein were found to improve with increase in the energy content of the rations. Study of the carcass traits revealed that the body weight at slaughter and dressed weight without head improved as the energy content of the rations increased. However, dressing percentage, carcass length and back fat thickness were not significantly influenced by the energy content of the ration. The cost of feed per kg weight gain of animals was significantly lower (P<0.01) for the dietary treatment T3 compared to that of T2 and Tl, the values being Rs.49.90, 43.30 and 34.10 for Tl, T2 and T3 respectively. The above results indicate that crossbred pigs require 3200 kcal of DE/kg of the ration for better growth performance provided the crude protein level is maintained at 16 per cent.ThesisItem Open Access Management of banana pseudostem weevil odoiporus longicollis oliv.using entomopathogenic fungi(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Sahi Beegum, M K; KAU; Anitha, NInvestigation on “Management of banana pseudostem weevil, Odoiporus longicollis Oliv. using entomopathogenic fungi” was carried out in the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The study was conducted to screen four entomopathogenic fungi, to evaluate their biocontrol potential and to standardize the effective dose and method of application for the management of the banana pseudostem weevil. Four entomopathogenic fungi viz., Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces lilacinus and Nomuraea rileyi were tested against O. longicollis. Among them M. anisopliae and B. bassiana were found to infect O. longicollis grubs. Susceptibility of different stages of grubs to fungal infection was tested by using first, second, third, fourth and fifth instar grubs of O. longicollis and the results revealed that first and second instar grubs were more susceptible to fungal infection. Determination of effective dose of fungi against second instar grubs of O. longicollis was carried out by spraying the grubs with different concentrations of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana. The LC50 values of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana were 3.9 x 106 spores ml-1 and 1.6 x 105 spores ml-1 respectively. Evaluation of six naturally available solid media viz., rice bran, wheat bran, guinea grass, gingelly oil cake, coir pith, and neem cake were carried out for mass multiplication of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana. The results revealed that both rice bran and wheat bran were suitable for the mass multiplication of these fungi. The spore production was 9.26 x 106 spores ml-1 and 8.71 x 106 spores ml-1 respectively for M. anisopliae on first week after inoculation. For B. bassiana, the spore count was 503.42 x 106 spores ml-1 and 320.32 x 106 spores ml-1 respectively on first week after inoculation. Among the liquid media tried, coconut water and rice bran extract produced maximum mycelial growth and sporulation of fungi. For M. anisopliae the spore count was 7.77 x 107 spores ml-1 and 0.49 x 107 spores ml-1 respectively. B. bassiana recorded 440.03 x 106 spores ml-1 and 232.26 x 106 spores ml-1 respectively. M. anisopliae and B. bassiana grown in rice bran and wheat bran recorded maximum virulence on two weeks after storage and decreased thereafter. However, coconut water and rice bran extract showed maximum virulence on first week after storage and then found decreasing. Studies conducted to evaluate the compatibility of fungi with NeemAzal 0.4 per cent, chlorpyriphos 0.03 per cent, copper oxychloride 0.4 per cent and mancozeb 0.3 per cent revealed that all the pesticides tested inhibited the growth of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana. But the per cent inhibition was least in the case of NeemAzal 0.4 per cent. Field experiments were conducted with M. anisopliae and B. bassiana with chlorpyriphos (0.03 per cent) and NeemAzal (0.4 per cent) as checks. The plants were artificially infested with known number of grubs. Two experiments were conducted, one with prophylactic treatments and the other with curative treatments. Three application methods viz., leaf axil filling of spore suspension of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana, leaf axil filling of fungi in rice bran and stem injection of spore suspension were tested. Among these treatments leaf axil filling of B. bassiana spore suspension at 1.8 x 107 ml-1 as prophylactic treatment was most effective which gave 52.42 per cent mortality of grubs.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic characterization, controlled breeding and development of transgenic varieties of puntius denisonii (day, 1865).(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2010) Manoj, C K; KAU; Mohanakumaran Nair, CPuntius denisonii, a beautiful ornamental fish indigenous to the Western Ghats, which has been indiscriminately exploited from the different rivers of Kerala has been recently declared to be vulnerable by the IUCN. The population structure and genetic diversity of P. denisonii has not yet been studied and documented. Many previous attempts to breed this fish in captivity have yielded negative results. The increasing demand for this fish to decorate aquariums worldwide could be satisfied only by developing controlled breeding techniques and larval rearing of its fry. In the present study, the present population structure of P. denisonii has been studied combining both phenotypic and genotypic techniques. Fishes were collected from Irrity, Chaliyar and Periyar rivers of Kerala. Truss network analysis was conducted and the size adjusted morphometric variables were subjected to Principal Component Analysis and Canonical Variance Analysis. Scatter diagram and Dendrogram was plotted using PCA and CVA loadings. The Irrity and the Chaliyar populations were grouped on the positive sector of the PC and CV component showing morphological similarities between the two populations while the Periyar population was placed in the negative sector of the component separated far from the other two. The PC scores were used to find out the variables showing maximum variation between fishes collected from different rivers. RAPD PCR was conducted after isolating DNA from the fins of different populations of P. denisonii. Universal random primers were screened and the primers that produced reproducible bands were selected. Popgene analysis of the binary data yielded the genetic structure of different populations of P. denisonii. Number and percentage of polymorphic loci, Nei's (1973) gene diversity, Shannon's Information index Lewontin (1972), Nei's Unbiased Measures of Genetic Identity and Genetic distance and Dendrogram Based Nei's (1978) Genetic distance using UPGMA --Modified from NEIGHBOR procedure of PHYLIP Version 3.5 were studied. The results obtained supports the truss analysis in that the Irrity and Chaliyar populations in Northern Kerala are genetically more similar while that of Periyar population in Central Kerala are distinct. P. denisonii was successfully induced bred under controlled conditions with synthetic hormone preparations Ovaprim and WOVA-FH. Stress during transport and handling was minimized and live feed was supplemented to enhance maturation of the broodstock. The whole developmental sequence starting from fertilized eggs to hatching was photographed and documented. It took 29-30 hours for the eggs to hatch at 280C. Rearing of fry was successfully accomplished under laboratory conditions. In an attempt to develop transgenic varieties of P. denisonii, pCMV-GFP was electroporated into newly fertilized eggs, maintained in hypoosmolar electroporation buffer. The electroporation parameters that yielded best results were 20V, 3 bursts at 1 second interval. Fin clips were taken from the transgenic individuals reared for a period of 6 weeks. Dot blot test was positive showing integration of the GFP gene in P. denisonii, eventhough expression was not detected under blue or UV light. The genetic and phenotypic data of P. denisonii populations in the present study will aid as a base line for formulating conservation procedures to protect the genetic diversity of wild ones. Stock identification studies are recommended for more concise information on each population. Moreover, the larval rearing and controlled breeding techniques along with the genetic diversity studies will help to design captive breeding programs and enhance the production of hatchery bred ones to meet increasing demand. Further research is recommended for generating transgenic lines with uniform GFP expression.ThesisItem Open Access Enhancement of propagation efficiency in exotic varities of heliconia(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2008) Reshmi, C R; KAU; Sheela, V LHeliconias are among the most popular garden plants, both for the ease with which they can be grown and the sheer magnificence of the blooms. Studies were conducted to standardize rapid propagation techniques under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Three heliconia varieties belonging to three distinct groups viz., St. Vincent Red (small erect type), Golden Torch Adrian (hybrid) and Sexy Pink (large pendent type) were selected for the study. For in vitro culture establishment, shoot tip explants were effective. The treatment of shoot tips with 0.10 per cent mercuric chloride for ten minutes followed by dipping in 0.05 per cent mercuric chloride for five minutes (after trimming) resulted in better surface sterilization. Longitudinal cutting of the in vitro established shoot tip with apical dome into two halves and culturing them separately produced the highest number of axillary buds. Addition of 0.05 per cent activated charcoal to the establishment media reduced the media browning and hastened shoot initiation. For culture establishment of all the three varieties, MS medium supplemented with BA 5.00 mg l-1 was found to be the best. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with BA 2.00 mg l-1 resulted in the highest shoot proliferation in the variety St. Vincent Red. In Golden Torch Adrian, BA 2.00 mg l-1 + NAA 0.20 mg l-1 gave better results. In the variety Sexy Pink, Kinetin 5.00 mg l-1 + NAA 0.20 mg l-1 was the best. For further multiplication in Sexy Pink, BA 1.00 mg l-1 was sufficient. Solid culture medium was better for shoot proliferation in the variety Sexy Pink. Higher sucrose concentration (40.00 g l-1) increased the multiplication rate, but reduced the length of shoots as well as the number of leaves. Addition of activated charcoal to the media as well as exposure of cultures to light had negative effect on shoot proliferation. Full MS medium was found to be the best for in vitro rooting of the variety Sexy Pink. Addition of NAA 0.50 mg l-1 to the MS medium gave better results for in vitro rooting in Golden Torch Adrian and Sexy Pink. Sucrose @ 30.00 g l-1 was sufficient for in vitro rooting in the variety Sexy Pink. Activated charcoal delayed root initiation and reduced the number of roots in the variety Sexy Pink. Sand recorded 90.00 per cent survival in all the three varieties after two months of planting out. At varietal level, significant difference was evident in the total number of suckers. In the first experiment, the variety St. Vincent Red (3.82) was significantly superior in terms of total number of suckers. However, in the second experiment, St. Vincent Red (4.06) was on par with Golden Torch Adrian (4.10). The variety Sexy Pink produced comparatively taller suckers in both the trials. Varietal variation in the number of leaves was observed only in the earlier stages. During the preliminary field experiment, the variety Sexy Pink excelled in leaf area at almost all stages of observation. Among the three varieties, highest collar girth was recorded by suckers of Sexy Pink variety during the first two stages of observation. However, towards the later stages, it was statistically on par with St. Vincent Red. Foliar spray was superior to rhizome dip in terms of total number of suckers, height of suckers and the number of leaves. In the case of leaf area, both the treatments were more or less on par. Application of growth regulators had pronounced effect on sucker production at all the stages during the first experiment when BA 750 mg l-1 produced the highest number (4.19) of total suckers. In the second experiment, variation was evident only in the total number of suckers. Here, BA 850 mg l-1 produced the highest number (4.33) of suckers and it was on par with BA 700 mg l-1 (4.00) and GA3 650 mg l-1 (3.79). Irrespective of the stage of plant growth, gibberellic acid produced taller suckers and BA 500 mg l-1 resulted in the shortest suckers. BA treatments recorded comparatively higher number of leaves. Growth regulator application had remarkably influenced the leaf area of suckers also. Application of BA 1000 mg l-1 (3.53 cm) and GA3 800 mg l-1 (3.33 cm) recorded higher collar girth in suckers. VG interaction exerted significant variation in the number of suckers. At varietal level, BA 750 mg l-1 produced the highest number of suckers in St. Vincent Red (4.75), GA3 500 mg l-1 in Golden Torch Adrian (4.63) and GA3 750 mg l-1 in Sexy Pink (4.00). Among VG treatment combinations in the second experiment, the highest number of suckers (4.75) in the variety St. Vincent Red was produced by BA 700 mg l-1. The varieties Golden Torch Adrian (4.88) and Sexy Pink (3.75) recorded the highest with BA 850 mg l-1. Gibberellic acid produced taller suckers. In the second experiment, VG interaction had no significant effect on the height of suckers. Regarding the number of leaves, BA resulted in comparatively higher number of leaves in both the experiments. In all the three varieties, BA 850 mg l-1 produced the highest number of leaves. Collar girth was found to increase with increase in the concentrations of BA and GA3 in all the three varieties. The economics of foliar application of growth regulators revealed that BA 850 mg l-1 significantly enhanced the profit in the varieties Golden Torch Adrian and Sexy Pink. Although negligible, BA 700 mg l-1 recorded slight positive response in the variety St. Vincent Red with respect to profit.ThesisItem Open Access Women empowerment through group action in the kudumbashree programme of kerala: a multidimensional analysis(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2007) Priya Devi, R; KAU; Mothilal Nehru, SThe study was aimed to assess the extent of eradication of poverty and the dimensions of empowerment in the Kudumbashree programme of Kerala government for poverty alleviation. The determinants of performance of Self Help Groups organized in neighborhood basis and their functional and structural analysis including the tangible and intangible benefits and constraints were also studied. Suggestions to enhance the efficiency of the Self Help Groups(SHGs) in agriculture and other sectors organized under the Kudumbashree programme were made. A sample of 300 respondents was selected at random from three districts of three regions of the state namely Thiruvananthapuram from south Kerala, Ernakulam from central Kerala and Malappuram from north Kerala which were selected randomly. In each district, 25 SHGs comprising 20 non-agriculture and 5 agriculture oriented SHGs were selected. The structural and functional analysis of Kudumbashree was carried out by Mc Kinsey procedure of SWOT analysis. The implementing category of personnel namely top management, middle management and grass-root functionaries and the selected SHG members were the respondents for the study. The nature, extent and style of functioning of Kudumbashree were studied with the above respondents.Besides, all implementing personnel working in the above three districts were also selected. Interactions with state level management personnel were done to elicit information regarding the study and also for triangulating findings. A sub sample consisting of five poorly performing SHGs from agriculture and non-agriculture sectors making total of ten SHGs on the basis of perception of the implementing officials and the result of the study were selected for in depth sub sample analysis and their limitations were stated. In the study it was assumed that the dependent variables poverty eradication and women empowerment were interrelated with the performance level of the groups having an intervening effect .A measurement scale for PEI was developed to measure extent of poverty eradication which was one of the dependent variable as a specific objective of the study. Poverty eradication index was the yardstick or standard to measure how far the Kudumbashree has alleviated the incidence of poverty among the members .The index consisted of eight constitutive factors and the cumulative expression of the scores in relation to the factors is the poverty eradication index of the respondent. The data was gathered by using the pre tested interview schedule / questionnaire developed for the study. Statistical tools used in the study were quartile deviation, mean, ANOVA and correlation analysis. Poverty eradication index score and empowerment score were given in quartile range to show the extent of poverty eradication and empowerment attained by the Kudumbashree programme. Categorisation was done in low, medium, high and over. As recorded in the study, regarding health care majority of the respondents were dependent on primary health care centre and the constraints felt were lack of supply of medicines, doctors not being available for ensuring timely medical care and the primary health centre located far away from the home. Nature of savings of respondents were with majority having group savings while post office savings, insurance and chitties were also reported.Borrowing pattern regarding the source of borrowing by the respondents showed only reliable institutional sources were used to avail loans by the majority.For purpose of borrowing repayment of debt was recorded as the highest felt need requiring borrowings followed by shelter renovation activities and health care need. Regarding the confidence of repayment majority reported they were confident of repayment while borrowing the amount. But 270 of them had experienced instances of inability to repay on time. 276 respondents of them had felt mental stress due to non repayment of borrowed amount on time. Access to safe drinking water and the source for drinking water as recorded in the study had half of the respondents having access to safe drinking water in their house premises itself. Regarding the vulnerability status of the respondents it was seen that majority of them had faced a situation were they have been unemployed for a month or more. They took loan or lent out assets in the situation. Regarding alcoholism 120 of respondents agreed that the earning male member of the family was alcoholic. Control over earnings had majority satisfied with the expenditure pattern of the family. Regarding entrepreneurial culture 60 of respondents had a temporary job while 99 had permanent job. 75 had reported to go to job daily while 60 had job availability sometimes only. All respondents had reported that they think the work undertaken by them was respectable in society. According to perception of respondents, repayment of loan and not possessing own home were the major factors of poverty while risk factors were damaged house or having no own house. The next constraint was recorded for having no or only one regular employed person in the family. Poverty eradication index ranged from a minimum of 19.51 in all three districts to a maximum of 60.53 in Thiruvananthapuram and 65.76 in both Ernakulam and Malappuram .The mean index was 41.26 in Thiruvananthapuram, 43.92 in Ernakulam and 41.07 in Malappuram. Thus a wide variation in the extent of poverty eradication was shown .The activities will have to be strengthened further to ensure appreciable alleviation of poverty. Empowerment index recorded a minimum of 29.70 in all three districts to a maximum of 86.07 in Thiruvananthapuram and 77.68 in both Ernakulam and Malappuram .The mean index was 55.10 in Thiruvananthapuram, 53.03 in Ernakulam and 51.36 in Malappuram. Regarding relationship between poverty eradication index and empowerment index, all three districts showed significant relationship in this study.Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test showed significant results for empowerment index. Inferences from categorization of groups in the districts based on group performance index were that medium level of group performance was shown by majority of groups. In depth sub sample analysis had the following limitations identified. For the group doing rice farming, the owners are reluctant to lease out every season and processing units and storage facilities were absent. The members of the computer units had to meet extra expenses of electricity bill and the rent for the building from the income. Delay in payment of works undertaken for public purposes was reported. Marketing is a difficult task for coconut oil and for pappad making units.Drudgery, improper risk management, improper auditing and absence of diversification of crops were also reported. Design of the action program was done with formulation of plan for vegetable cultivation with College of Agriculture,Vellayani as source to get timely information, inputs and technical support.Execution of action program was done and impact assessed by proper monitoring of the process, identifying technological constraints with its solutions. SWOT analysis of Kudumbasree program showed that the localised social upliftment measures by community based organization, enhanced participation through meetings at home and the facilitation of women to enter public life was the major strengths. Productive usage of loan amount through canalised allotment of resources and holistic identification of poor not based on income/consumption but based on risk factors of poverty were the major strengths of the programme. The weaknesses of the programme recorded were leadership being influenced by political interference leading to corruption in work culture and intra group conflicts have been reported to limit the success of certain enterprises especially incase of consumptive usage of credit in absence of proper supervision. Lacks of enthusiasm among young members, cases of late approval of projects or absence of skill development for increasing the market competency were noticed. The opportunities of Kudumbasree program were establishment of social, security network for destitute rehabilitation and to increase the level of participation of members. The preparation of micro plan using the risk indices and problem identification mechanism were also opportunity. Small enterprises can be used for diversification and modernisation of rural economy and skill up gradation of general poor population. The threats include absence of quality control for ensuring market competency, dissipating enthusiasm and lack of proper tie up with line departments .Lack of autonomy in policy formulation lead to micro plan being not given due consideration. Charge officers are not provided technical up gradation for supporting the enterprises and the products lacked local market demand. Tangible and intangible benefits identified in the study were extension of decentralization process to further grass root levels, enhanced female control over earnings, diversification and modernisation of rural economy, sustainable maintenance of Kerala model of development, dependable and trust worthy social network generated, and the reduction in social discrimination and social evils. At the level of implementation of Kudumbasree program benefits were enhanced production lending in the groups than consumption lending, non economic risk indices in identification of the beneficiaries, the multifaceted frame work to alleviate root causes of poverty , reduction in under employment and educated unemployment followed by the provision of separate administration over centrally sponsored programs . The benefits at beneficiary level included constituting a working group for poverty reduction and the habit of savings first and credit later aiding to self dependence. The existence of a group fund gave members experience in money management and trust in people ensure repayment. Also enhanced food security by undertaking rice farming, participatory need based decision making and the ability of NHGs to act as a forum to share concern were other benefits. The major constraints in planning level were panchayaths not creatively participating in project design and micro enterprise planning followed by lack of symbolic policy formulation from part of State Government. Regarding the implementation level the major constraint was recorded as no remuneration paid for the activities undertaken by ADS and CDS Secretaries is followed by the enterprises not being matched with market demands or incompatible to daily routine of members. Mixing up the poor and non- poor in groups was a sure path to failure. Also some beneficiaries sell the productive assets for immediate financial benefit which limits timely repayment. Suggestions on the basis of the study were that rejuvenation and intensification of the Kudumbashree need appraisals and campaigns to limit exploitation in a target oriented manner. Policy formulations from State Government for investment in social capital have to be given more priority; sales promotion must be undertaken widely assisted with innovative enterprise planning and implementation. Technical support for finance management and common supply of raw materials like Bamboos at reasonable cost should be ensured. The stationery supply for canteens can also be organised in common basis by using the wide network generated. The link agents between NHGs and CDS should be ensured proper payment. Sustainability measures including marketing outlets and reduction in drudgery, the schedule for loan recovery specific to enterprise according to the pattern of returns and prevention of sale of assets purchased must be ensured. Proper representation of general problems by consolidation and prioritisation of such ideas to micro plans should be undertaken. More profitable enterprises involving more members by sharing of experiences must be done. Incentives for timely repayment, proper guidance and conflict management cell should be ensured. Suggestions to improve functioning of agriculture oriented groups is to develop a regulated system to pass on specification of the orders to units, timely supply of quality inputs like raw materials through proper channels should be undertaken. Documentation of activities can organize the activities in a scientific manner. Interested members should be motivated by trainings. Small scale units of diverse products with market demand like medicinal plants, vermicomposting and mushroom culture should be organized widely. Proper grading, hygiene and attractive packing to ensure market competency should be done within the local infrastructure available.ThesisItem Open Access Standardisation of thermal processing of cuttle fish nidamental glant(Department of Processing Technology, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2007) Bikash kumar Pati; KAU; Sherief, P MCuttlefish nidamental gland is a pair of flattened glands associated with the female reproductive system in cuttlefish. The glands are exported as a frozen product under the name cuttlefish roe. The procedure for thermal processing of cuttlefish nidamental gland in brine packed in tin plate can is standardised to produce a ready- to- eat product. The standardisation process essentially involved determination of optimum blanching conditions, retorting temperature, process time, processing parameters, optimum solid- liquid ratio and process levels to produce a safe product and assessment of quality changes during storage at room temperature. Cuttlefish nidamental gland in brine was packed in tin plate cans in 65 : 35 ratio (gland : brine) and thermal processed in an overpressure retort. The optimum blanching condition was found to be 5 % brine for 5 min. The retorting temperature and process time were selected as 121.10C and 25 min, respectively. The F0 value attained by the process was found to be 11.25 min with total process time of 30.54 min. The cook value meant to achieve tenderness of product was 81.54 min. The processed product was found to be commercially sterile. The product was acceptable even after 3 months of storage at room temperature with regard to all sensory attributes like appearance, colour, odour, taste, texture and overall acceptability. There were significant variation in the salt, pH and TBA values (P<0.05). The cut- out test showed a marginal increase in solid weight. The study showed that the cuttlefish nidamental gland can be used for processing ready to eat product, which can be stored at room temperature for long periods.
