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ThesisItem Open Access Genetic studies in red gram (eafanui caiaixL)(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Radhakrishnan, V V; KAU; Narayanan Namboodiri, K NThesisItem Open Access Helminth Parasites Of Indian Elephants(Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1988) Khomdram Somorendro, KAU; Chandrasekharan, KThe present study was conducted over a period of one year, during which dung samples from 203 Captive Indian elephants from different parts (urban, village and forests) of Kerala of different age and sex were examined. Out of this, 117 elephants were found to be infected with different hel - minth parasites either as pure or mixed infection. The overall prevalence of helminthiasis was 57.6 per cent. Helminthiasis was more during rainy season (70 per cent) than dry or summer season (52.44 per cent). Eleven species of adult nematodes and three species of adult amphistomes and eggs of Bivetellobilharzia nairi and Anoplocephala manubriata were recorded during this study. The nematode parasites were Murshidia murshidia, Murshidia falcifera, Quilonia renniei, Amira pileata, Choniangium epistomum, Equinubria sipunculiformis, Decrusia additictia, Grammocephalus hybridatus, Grammocephalus varedatus, Parabronema indicum, Parabronema smithi and the amphistomes were Pseudodiscus collinsi, Pseudodiscus hawkesii and Gastrodiscus secundus. The more common species were Murshidia murshidia and Murshidia falcifera. Anthelmintic efficacy of albendazole (Albomar) was assessed on the basis of the reduction of eggs in the dung samples. A single oral dosage of 2.5 and 3 mg per kg body weight was found 100 per cent effective against strongyle infection in naturally infected captive Indian elephants.ThesisItem Open Access Anatomy and utilization of two cane species of Kerala(College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 1988) Mohan, Varghese; KAU; Bhat, K MVariation in certain anatomical and physical properties has been investigated and compared in two rattan species, viz. Calamus thwaitesii and C. travancoricus, the former representing the larger diameter and the latter possessing small-diameter canes of kerala. Five stems possing more or less similar number of internodes have been sampled in each of two species. There were significant differences between the two species in certain physical properties such as length and diameter of internode, stem “wood” density and initial moisture content although volumetric shrinkage did not differ appreciably. Similarly, quantitative data for anatomical properties such as corted percentage, number of vascular bundles per unit area, vascular bundle diameter, xylem and phloem percentage, metaxylem vessel element and fibre dimensions were markedly different between the two species while the fibre percentage had almost similar values. With the exceptions of internode size and fibre width, the mean physical and anatomical properties in each species showed definite patterns of longitudinal variation, which could be best explained using quadratic regression models. However, patterns of longitudinal variation were different between the species in volumetric shrinkage, number of vascular bundles per mm2, vascular bundle diameter, phloem percentage, metaxylem vessel element and fibre length. The most important useful features in distinguishing between the two species are internode length, stem diameter, epidermal cell and its lumen shape, diameter and frequency of vascular bundles as well as the diameter of wide metaxylem vessels. The most important determining factors of “wood” density are fibre percentage, fibre wall thickness and lumen width as well as the diameter of metaxylem vessels although features like the size and number of vascular bundles per unit area also influences this property. Volumetric shrinkage and moisture content are inversely related to the density of “wood”. With higher density owing to more thick walled fibres and narrower wide metaxylem vessels, basal portion of the stem is harder and heavier than top portion.ThesisItem Open Access Yield and its components in groundnut under partial shade in coconut garden(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1988) Rajasree, M R; KAU; Gopimony, RA study on the parameters of variability, heritability and genetic advance and correlation of pod yield with other components were undertaken in thirtyone varieties of groundnut to select genotypes having good yield and adaptability under partially shaded conditions of coconut gardens. The study was conducted during kharif 1987 at the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, by raising the varieties in a randomised block design with four replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among varieties for the characters like plant height, first date of flowering , flowering duration, pod yield per plant on fresh weight basis, pod number per plant, mature to immature pod ratio, pod yield per plot on fresh and dry weight basis, 100 pod weight, 100 kernel weight, shelling percentage, halum yield per plant and per plot on fresh and dry weight basis, harvest index, photosynthetic efficiency at reproductive phase, leaf area index at reproductive phase and Cercospora leaf spot disease score. Analysis of variance for chlorophyll-a, b and total pigments revealed that there was no significant difference among the varieties with respect to chlorophyll pigment content. Analysis of variance for shade intensity measured in each plot during vegetative and reproductive phase indicated the presence of uniform shade in the experimental field. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability and genetic advance were observed for hundred pod weight and mature to immature pod ratio, suggesting the reliability of these characters during the selection programme for the improvement of this crop. Correlation analysis of dry pod yield per plot with twentyfour characters revealed that fresh pod yield per plot, fresh and dry pod yield per plant, pod number per plant, halum yield per plot on fresh and dry weight basis, harvest index and photosynthetic efficiency during reproductive phase showed relatively high genotypic correlation with dry pod yield per plot. The study indicated that for selecting an ideal plant type of groundnut for partially shaded conditions we have to look for the tallest, earliest flowering and vegetatively maximum vigorous individual plant.ThesisItem Open Access Status of broiler production In Kerala with special reference to Trichur(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary, Mannuthy, 1988) Aboobacker, M; KAU; Regunathan Nair, GA survey was undertaken to assess the present status of broiler farming in Thrissur, a major broiler producing district in Kerala. Thirtytwo farms were selected for the survey based on holding strength and frequency of intake. Following are some of the salient points that emerged from the survey. All the farmers were literate and had taken up broiler farming for generating additional income to sustain the family. Majority of the farmers were raising 300 birds per crop with fortnightly intake and were adopting scientific management practices. Organized marketing channel was absent and the birds were disposed off at the farm site itself in retail or wholesale. Dressing of birds in large scale was not being practiced. Results indicated that the mortality rate, body weight at marketing and feed conversion ratio were 6.69 per cent, 1.48 kg and 2.49 respectively. The major portion of production cost was attributed to feed (56.26%) followed by chick (28.56%) and labour (4.31%). Seasons of the year had no appreciable effect on broiler productivity except slight higher mortality due to heat stress during hot seasons. Study also revealed that increasing the stock intake reduces the cost of production with increase in net return. The productivity both in terms of market body weight and livability were adversely affected in farms where hired labour was used resulting in much lower net income. Low profit farms (less than Rs.2.00 per bird sold) showed higher mortality (13.56%) and low body weight at disposal. The survey revealed that better productivity could be achieved by improving efficiency of production particularly reduction in feed cost, increasing livability and adoption of a tangible marketing system so as to obtain remunerative price even during lean seasons.ThesisItem Open Access Slow release nitrogen in cassava nutrition(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1988) Vinod, G S; KAU; Muraleedharan nair, VAn investigation was undertaken at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the year 1985-86 to study the effect of slow-release nitrogen sources on cassava. The variety used for the trail was Sree Visakha. The treatments consisted of four sources namely urea, neemcake coated urea, urea super granule and rubber cake coated urea each at five levels of nitrogen (50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in a 4 x 5 rectangular lattice design with three replications. Application of slow release sources of nitrogen like urea super granule and neem cake coated urea enhanced the growth characters of tapioca such as plant height, number of functional leaves, number of nodes and the leaf area index. Higher levels of nitrogen gave better results in the growth characters. The highest number of tubers, maximum tuber weight and the highest tuber yield were recorded by the urea super granule application, followed by neem cake coated urea. Among the levels of nitrogen tried, the level 150 kg/ha gave the highest yield. Starch content, crude protein content and the hydrocyanic acid contents were not affected by the slow-release source of nitrogen while higher levels of nitrogen application increased the hydrocyanic acid content and the crude protein content. Urea super granule recorded the highest nitrogen uptake and potassium uptake followed by neem cake coated urea. There was no significant difference in the total nitrogen content of the soil with the use of slor-release sources of nitrogen. The treatment combination of neem coated urea tried at 150 kg N/ha resulted in the maximum net return. Though urea super granule gave the maximum yield its cost of cultivation was higher than that of the other sources. So it is more economical to use neem cake coated urea than urea super granule. So in general, the slow-release sources of nitrogn like urea super granule and neem cake coated urea resulted in a better performance than prilled urea.ThesisItem Open Access Progeny studies of interspecific crosses of abelmoschus(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 1988) Renie Alex, KAU; Nair, N RA study was conducted at the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1987-’88 aimed at evaluating the F4 generation of interspecific hybrids between two yellow vein mosaic susceptible cultivars of Abelmoschus esculentus and the resistant semi-wild species, A. manihot for yellow vein mosaic resistance and yield. The estimation of genetic parameters of important economic characters, the association among these characters and the path coefficient analysis were undertaken. The F4 progeny lines were evaluated in an RBD with three replications. The genotypes showed significant differences in most of the characters studied. Genotypic coefficient of variation was maximum for number of branches per plant and minimum for first fruiting node. Plant height, days to flowering and fruiting phase showed high heritability and appreciable genetic advance while number of seeds per fruit recorded moderately high heritability and appreciable genetic advance indicating the presence of additive gene action. Number of branches per plant, fruit girth and yellow vein mosaic intensity exhibited high heritability and low genetic advance, while weight of single fruit, fruit length and shoot and fruit borer incidence recorded moderately high heritability and low genetic advance. Correlation studies revealed that number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruiting phase, number of flowers per plant, weight of single fruit, percentage fruit set, fruit length, fruit girth and number of seeds per fruit exhibited positive correlation to yield and could be considered as the major yield attributing characters. Path coefficient analysis projected number of fruits per plant and plant height as the traits exerting high positive direct effect on yield, while number of branches per plant, number of flowers per plant and fruit length exerted high positive indirect effect on yield through number of fruits per plant. The study indicated that the model for selection of a high yielding variety of bhindi should be based on number of fruits per plant, plant height, number of flowers per plant, fruit length and number of branches per plant. However, scoring for yellow vein mosaic intensity in the F4 progenies revealed that plants resembling the wild parent A.manihot in its short stature, lesser number of branches, increased fruit girth and number of seeds per fruit were resistant to the disease. However, since the fruits of these plants did not conform to the quality standards of cultivated bhindi and had higher percentage of shoot and fruit borer incidence, they were not selected. Plants resistant to the disease and resembling the cultivated bhindi were selected to carry forward to the next generation.ThesisItem Open Access Analysis of the effectiveness of national demonstraions conducted by the Kerala agricultural university(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Syamala, K S; KAU; Balakrishnan, CWith a view to study the effectiveness of the National Demonstrations on the behaviour of farmers, the present investigation was undertaken under the title “An analysis of the effectiveness of National Demonstrations Conducted by the Kerala Agricultural University”. Effectiveness was measured in terms of the farmers’ knowing about, attitude towards the adoption of the demonstrated cultivation practices of paddy and their attitude towards the National Demonstration program. The farmers’ perception about the methodology followed in the conduct of the demonstrations and the constraints experienced by the farmer-demonstrations in conducting National Demonstrations were also analysed. The study was conducted in Quilon district where the program is ongoing. The sample consisted of 46 farmer-demonstrators and 100 randomly selected neighboring farmers. Data were collected using interview schedule and suitable statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of the data. The study revealed that the farmer-demonstrators’ knowledge about, attitude towards and adoption of the demonstrated practices were significantly affected by the National Demonstration program. The farmer demonstrators’ attitude towards the program was also favourable. But the effectiveness of the program was much less among the neighboring farmers. The selected independent variables together contributed significantly in the variation in the knowledge about and attitude towards the demonstrated practices of the farmer-demonstrators, but not in their adoption and attitude towards the programme. In the case of neighbouring farmers, the contribution of the selected independent variables in the variation in their knowledge, attitude and adoption of the practices and attitude towards National Demonstration program was significant. The methodology followed in the conduct of the demonstrations was not satisfactory as perceived by the farmers. The results of the constraint analysis also pointed out that follow-up, trainings and field days were given the least attention. The results point out to the need for proper planning and improvement in every step in the conduct of the programme to reach its cherished goals.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative analysis of the cottage and factory sub sectors of the co-operative sectors in the handloom industry of Kerala(Department of Rural Marketing Management, College of Co-operatrion and Banking, Mannuthy, 1988) Toney, Joseph; KAU; Suresh, K AThe study on ‘A Comparative Analysis of the Factory and Cottage sub sectors of the co – operative Sector in the Handloom Industry of Kerala’ has been carried out to examine the structural differences, operational costs and profit margin and working conditions of weavers under both the categories. Five industrial societies and five primary societies which constituted 20% of the working societies of Cannanore district were selected for the study. Hundred weaver members were interviewed for the purpose of the study. The primary societies were organized on a production cum sales pattern while the industrial societies were similar to the handloom factories where production was centralised. The everage membership in primary societies was considerably high. The share of female members in total membership was also found to be high among primaries. The socio economic characteristics of weavers showed that more people were associated with weaving in primary societies than industrial societies. In the case of other variables like literacy, family size, age, caste, income, marital status, occupational mobility and territorial mobility, considerable difference was not noticed. The number of average looms and active looms covered were high among primary societies. But the average production per member was found to be high among the industrial societies. The factor productivity analysis showed that both the primary and industrial societies were found to the highly labour intensive. The analysis of the cost structure revealed that raw materials and wages constituted more than 70% of total costs. The sub sectoral analysis showed that cost structure was more or less similar. The cost –volume-profit analysis reflected the negative margin safety and it was found that break-even point of sales was above the actual sales. The working conditions revealed that the average wage received by the workers in the industrial societies by the workers in the industrial societies was considerably higher. The preference for higher counts of yarn was high in industrial societies. Health problems were wide spread among the weavers. Majority of weavers felt that they were pursuing a job of low status. Eighty percent of the weavers joined co-operatives either for better remuneration or for protection against exploitation. Thus, we have found that through industrial and primary societies were basically co-operative institutions with lot of similarities, the striking structural difference was found in their production organisation.
