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Open Access
Study on marketing management of Sitaram ayurveda pharmacy Ltd. for Narasimham oil
(College of Co-operation Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 2017) Bhagyasree, K G; KAU; Smitha, Baby
Marketing management is the organizational discipline which focuses on the practical application of marketing orientation, techniques and methods inside enterprises and organizations and on the management of a firm's marketing resources and activities. Marketing management employs tools from economics and competitive strategy to analyze the industry context in which the firm operates. The scope of a business' marketing management depends on the size of the business and the industry in which the business operates. Effective marketing management will use a company's resources to increase its customer base, improve customer opinions of the company's products and services, and increase the company's perceived value. The project entitled “A study on marketing management of Sitaram Ayurveda Pharmacy Ltd. for Narasimham oil” were undertaken with the objectives vii. To understand the marketing management practices followed by Sitaram Ayurveda Pharmacy Ltd for the promotion of Sitaram Narasimham oil. viii. To evaluate consumers, retailers and dealers perception towards the maketing of Sitaram Narasimham oil. ix. To suggest improved marketing strategies for Sitaram Narasimham oil. The sample size of the study was 60 consumers, 8 distributors and 15 retailres of Sitaram Narasimham oil , in Thrissur Corporation. Consumers were selected by using convenience sampling method. The study was based on primary data and secondary data, the primary data were collected from the sample respondents through personal interview. The collected data were analyzed using percentage and ranking index method. In order to keep the company vibrant and responsive to the needs of the customers, it is vital to regularly monitor the level of consumer satisfaction and marketing management practices.
Open Access
Morphological variations of root knot nematode in vegetables and banana
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2017) Chinchu, P Babu; KAU; Narayana, R
The study entitled “Morphological variations of root knot nematode in vegetables and banana” was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2015-17 with the objective to study the morphological and morphometric variations of root-knot nematode in brinjal, okra, tomato and banana in Kerala. Morphological and morphometrical studies of females, perineal pattern, second stage juveniles and males of root knot nematodes collected from Dhanuvachapuram, Kattakada and Vellayani of Thiruvananthapuram district; Balagram, Pampadumpara and Thovalappady of Idukki district; Chazhoor, Thalikulam and Thaniyam of Thrissur district infecting brinjal, okra, tomato and banana were done and the data was analysed to identify the species. M.incognita (Kofoid & White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949, M. javanica (Treub, 1885) Chitwood, 1949, M. arenaria (Neal, 1889) Chitwood, 1949 and M. chitwoodi Golden, O'Bannon, Santo & Finley 1980 were identified from brinjal, okra, tomato and banana in Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki and Thrissur districts of Kerala. The study indicated M. incognita as the major species of root knot nematode in Thiruvananthapuram district (91.66%) with highest percentage of occurrence in brinjal and tomato (27.77). In Idukki district, the major species of root knot nematode was M. javanica (66.66%) with highest percentage of occurrence from brinjal and banana (33.33). In Thrissur district, M. arenaria was found to be the major species (66.66%) with highest percentage of occurrence in okra (37.5). M. incognita was found to be the major species in brinjal (55.55%), okra (44.44%), tomato (55.55%) and banana (44.44%) in Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki and Thrissur districts. The extent of parthenogenesis of root knot nematode was found to be very high (97.22%) in these populations. Intraspecific morphological variations were observed within M. incognita, M. javanica and M. arenaria with respect to shape of females, length and position of neck, perineal pattern morphology, tail characters including rectum dilation. Interpopulation comparison of mature females, perineal pattern and second stage juveniles of M. incognita showed that the characters length, width, neck length, stylet length, LMB, WMB and ratio a of females, LVS, AVS, ATT and IPD of perineal pattern and body length, stylet length, H-MB, ABW, tail length, ratio c and c’ were recorded as stable characters. Interpopulation comparison of mature females, perineal pattern and second stage juveniles of M. javanica showed that all the characters of females, perineal pattern and second stage juveniles were stable characters and in M. arenaria, the characters like body length, width, neck length, stylet length, LMB and WMB of females, LVS, AVS, ATT and IPD of perineal pattern and length, stylet length, H-MB, ABW and tail length were recorded as stable characters and found useful in characterizing species. Intraspecific morphological and morphometric variations of M. incognita, M. javanica, M. arenaria were recorded from four host plants in three districts in Kerala. M. arenaria and M. javanica showed high variability between the populations compared to M. incognita in Kerala. The study indicated that M. incognita, M. javanica and M. arenaria were the major species infesting vegetables and banana in Kerala. Among the sampled populations, M. hapla was not identified which shows that M. hapla is not common in Kerala conditions. The study recorded the first report of species having morphological and morphometrical characters similar to M. chitwoodi from okra in Thiruvananthapuram which opens way to molecular studies in future.
Open Access
Standardisation of spacing and nutrient levels for fodder rice bean [Vigna umbellata (Thunb.)].
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2018) Ajmal Fayique, C; KAU; Usha C, Thomas
The study entitled “Standardization of spacing and nutrient levels for fodder rice bean [Vigna umbellata (Thunb.)]” was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala during Kharif 2017 to standardize the spacing and nutrient requirement of fodder rice bean and to study its impact on growth, yield and quality of the crop. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design (33 confounded factorial) with three replications.The treatments consisted of three spacings (s1 - 30 cm x 10 cm, s2 - 30 cm x 20 cm and s3 - 30 cm x 30 cm), three levels of nitrogen (n0 - 0 kg ha-1, n1 - 20 kg ha-1 and n2 - 30 kg ha-1) and three levels of phosphorous (p0 - 0 kg P2O5 ha-1, p1 - 20 kg P2O5 ha-1 and p2 - 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) . FYM @ 5 t ha-1 and K2O @ 30 kg ha-1 were applied uniformly to all treatments as basal. The treatment s1 resulted in the highest plant height at 30 DAS and leaf: stem ratio at harvest. Application of N @ 20 kg ha-1 registered the highest plant height and was on par with 30 kg N (n2) while leaf stem ratio was the highest at n2. Levels of P had no significant impact on growth characters. The treatment combination s2n2p1 produced the tallest plants (173.17 cm) at harvest and treatments s1n0p1 and s1n2p2 recorded the highest leaf: stem ratio (0.82) but were on par with s1n0p0, s2n0p0, s n0p2, s1n1p0, s2n0p2 and s3n0p1. At 30 DAS, s1 produced the highest LAI (2.27) while at harvest, s2 was found superior. The highest NAR was observed at s1 and was on par with s3. Closer spacing (s1) enhanced the CGR at 30 DAS and harvest. Application of 30 kg N ha-1 (n2) enhanced LAI at both stages. At 30 DAS and at harvest, higher NAR were observed at n1 and n2. At 30 DAS, n2 and p1 registered the highest chlorophyll contents. The treatment s1 n2 p1 (30 cm x 10 cm spacing + 30 kg N ha-1 + 20 kg P2O5 ha-1) resulted in the highest LAI, CGR and chlorophyll content at 30 DAS. Spacing and N levels had significant impact on green fodder yield (GFY) and dry fodder yield (DFY). The highest GFY (12.95 t ha-1) and DFY (2.59 t ha-1) were produced at s1 (30 cm x 10 cm) and was on par with s2. The highest GFY (13.66 t ha-1) and DFY (2.73 t ha-1) were produced at n2 (30 kg N ha-1) and was on par with n1. The S x N x P interaction s1 n2 p1 (30 cm x 10 cm + 30 kg N ha-1 + 20 kg P2O5 ha-1) recorded highest GFY (17.29 t ha-1) and DFY (3.46 t ha-1). The different spacing had no impact on crude protein (CP) but the lowest crude fibre (CF) was observed at s1. Application of 30 kg N ha-1 (n2) resulted in the highest CP content and the lowest CF content was estimated at 0 kg N ha-1. Among P levels, p2 recorded the highest CP (17.69%) and was on par with p1. The lowest CF (16.43 %) was observed at s2n0p1 (30 cm x 20 cm spacing + 20 kg P205 ha-1) and was on par with s1n0p0, s1n0p1, s1n2p0, s2n0p0, s2n0p2, s3n0p0 and s3n0p1. No variation in N uptake was observed due to treatments. Uptake of P varied with N levels only and n1 and n2 recorded the highest P uptake. Spacing and P levels influenced K uptake by the crop and the highest uptake was observed at s1 and p2 but p2 was on par with p1. The three factor interaction s1n2p1 registered the highest P and K uptake. However, it was on par with s1n1p2, s1n1p0, s2n1p1 and s3n0p2 in P uptake and with s1n2p2 in K uptake. Increasing N levels increased pH and EC of soil after the experiment. Soil available N after the experiment was the highest at s3 (on par with s2) and n2 (on par with n1). At wider spacing, application of N enhanced the availability of N in the soil after the experiment. Available P in the soil varied with S x P interaction but all treatment combinations were on par except s2p0 and s3p2. The highest soil available K was observed at n0 among N levels and at p1 among P levels. The interactions S x N, S x P and N x P significantly influenced available K in the soil. Economic analysis revealed the highest net income (₹ 35762) and BC ratio (3.22) at s1n2p1 (30 cm x 10 cm spacing + 30 kg N ha-1 + 20 kg P2O5 ha-1). From the study, it can be concluded that fodder rice bean can be profitably cultivated at a spacing of 30 cm x 10 cm with application of 30 kg N ha -1 in two splits at 15 and 30 DAS and basal application of 20 kg P2O5 ha-1, 5 t ha-1 of FYM and 30 kg K2O ha-1.
Open Access
Cryopreservation of chethikoduveli (Plumbago rosea L.) and assessment of genetic fidelity of regenerated plantlets using molecular markers
(Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2014) Anand, Vishnu Prakash; KAU
Investigations on “Cryopreservation of Chethikoduveli (Plumbago rosea L.) and assessment of genetic fidelity of regenerated plantlets using molecular markers” were carried out at the Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2011-2013. Plumbago rosea var. Agni plants were collected from AMPRS, Odakkali, Ernakulam and maintained at the Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani as source of explant during the course of the study. The objectives of the present study was to standardise cryopreservation protocol by encapsulation dehydration technique for long term conservation of P. rosea and genetic fidelity assessment of plantlets recovered and regenerated from cryostorage using molecular markers. The project was carried out in two phases viz., in vitro regeneration and in vitro conservation by cryopreservation of P. rosea. In vitro regeneration protocol was optimised for P. rosea var. Agni. Various steps of in vitro regeneration viz., surface sterilization, axillary shoot proliferation, in vitro rooting and acclimatization and planting out has been standardised. For surface sterilizing, single nodal explants (3-4 cm long) were subjected to fungicide treatment with 0.1 per cent carbendazim 50 per cent W. P. (for 30 min) followed by aseptic sterilisation dip with absolute alcohol. Further, the explants were surface sterilised with 0.2 per cent mercuric chloride (for 5 min) which gave 100 per cent survival without any contamination. Enhanced release of axillary buds from single nodal explants, with maximum shoot proliferation (5.28 shoots/culture) was obtained in the medium, MS + BA 1.5 mg l-1 + IAA 1.0 mg l-1. The best response (10.67 roots/culture) of in vitro rooting of plantlets was obtained in the medium, MS + NAA 1.0 mg l-1. In vitro rooted plants gave a maximum survival rate of 76 per cent and 72 per cent, when planted out in potting media consisting of red soil and coir pith (3:1) and red soil and coir pith (2:1) supplemented with VAM respectively at 25 per cent shade. In cryopreservation studies, preconditioning treatment (sucrose 0.5 M for 7 days) recorded maximum shoot proliferation (2.67 shoots/culture) when nodal segments with single axillary bud were cultured on MS + BA 1.5 mg l-1 + IAA 1.0 mg l-1 medium. Among different encapsulation treatments, maximum shoot proliferation of (2.31 shoots/culture) was obtained in beads formed with sodium alginate 2.5 per cent and calcium chloride 100 mM, when cultured on the medium, MS + BA 1.5 mg l-1 + IAA 1.0 mg l-1. Pre-culture medium supplemented with sucrose 0.5 M for 3days gave maximum shoot proliferation (3.44 shoots/culture) when cultured on the medium, MS + BA 1.5 mg l-1 + IAA 1.0 mg l-1. A desiccation duration of 5 h at 18.13 per cent moisture level was found to be most effective giving 66.67 per cent survival and 62.50 per cent regeneration on thawing and culturing on the recovery medium MS + BA 1.5 mg l-1 + IAA 1.0 mg l-1. The beads when stored in liquid nitrogen for different duration and cultured on recovery medium did not show any significant variation with respect to survival per cent. RAPD markers were tried to study the genetic fidelity of the regenerated plantlets from encapsulated and cryopreserved axillary buds. Six primers were screened and RAPD banding patterns of the cryoregenerated plantlets and control plants were compared. Polymorphism was not found with any of the primers tested. RAPD profiles of cryoregenerated plantlets were identical to those of the control. The in vitro regeneration protocol optimized included surface sterilization of single node cuttings with 0.2 per cent HgCl2 for 5 min, axillary shoot proliferation in MS medium supplemented with BA 1.5 mg l-1 and IAA 1.0 mg l-1, in vitro rooting in MS medium supplemented with NAA 1.0 mg l-1 and planting out in potting medium, red soil and coir pith (3:1). The protocol for encapsulation dehydration technique of cryopreservation was standardised for the axillary buds of P. rosea with preconditioning in semi solid MS medium supplemented with sucrose 0.5 M for 7 days, encapsulation using sodium alginate 2.5 per cent and calcium chloride 100 mM followed by pre-culture in liquid MS supplemented with sucrose 0.5 M for 3 days and 5 h dehydration (MC 18.13 %), rapid freezing in LN for at least 2 h and recovery in the medium MS + BA 1.5 mg l-1 + IAA 1.0 mg l-1. The cryopreservation protocol using encapsulation-dehydration technique standardised could be utilised for long-term conservation of P. rosea.
Open Access
Management of bitter gourd mosaic by enhancing host resistance
(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Ashwini, K N; KAU; Vimi, Louis
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is one of the important vegetable crops that occupy a pivotal position among fruit vegetables, particularly in south India. The fruits of this crop which have high commercial value and are being used for culinary preparations and various medicinal preparations. In spite of the economic importance of this vegetable, the research work carried out on protection of crop from viral disease is quite scanty. In many case, cent per cent mosaic incidence was recorded in the crop resulting in substantial economic loss. So the present study was focused on screening of bitter gourd accessions and management of bitter gourd mosaic by enhancing host resistance using defense inducers. The three different viruses causing mosaic in bitter gourd are cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), potyvirus and bitter gourd distortion mosaic virus (BDMV). As these viruses causes mixed infection in field, the separation of individual viruses was carried out using systemic indicator host plants. For separation of CMV and potyvirus, systemic indicator host plants used were cosmos and papaya respectively. BDMV was separated by white fly transmission. The pure cultures of viruses were maintained on the susceptible bitter gourd variety Preethi. The symptoms developed by different viruses were recorded under natural and artificial conditions were recorded CMV produced mosaic specks, yellow-green mosaic patches, leathery leaves and downward rolling of leaf margin. Symptoms of potyvirus infection were vein clearing, puckering, malformed leaf with reduced leaf size and rugosity. BDMV infection produced mosaic, puckering, leaf distortion, hairy growth on leaves and vines with reduction in leaf size and internodal length. For the screening of bitter gourd accessions against CMV and potyvirus, potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.0 was found to be the most suitable buffer. Among 22 accessions screened, three accessions viz., TCR 285, TCR 39 and TCR 53 were highly resistant to CMV; one accession Biliagala was highly resistant to potyvirus and 11 accessions viz.,TCR 285, TCR 39, TCR 493 ,TCR 416, TCR 492, TCR 494,TCR 380, TCR 202 and TCR 149, Green long and Biliagala were highly resistant to BDMV. The field experiment was undertaken with the objective of management of bitter gourd mosaic by using defense inducers. The three different defense inducers viz., salicylic acid 25 ppm, barium chloride 0.1% and Pseudomonas fluorescens 2 % were evaluated on the moderately resistant cultivar white long and susceptible variety Preethi. The mosaic symptom was recorded after 51 days of sowing in salicylic acid treated plants and after 40 days of sowing in control. A time gap of 5-10 days after spray of defense inducer was required for development of resistance in plants. The lowest disease severity was observed in cultivar White long treated with salicylic acid. The highest yield was recorded in Preethi treated with Pseudomonas fluorescens.
Open Access
Impact of prominent KAU rice varities on the economic status of farmers in Kerala and Karnataka
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Dhruthiraj, B S; KAU; Chitra Parayil
The present study entitled “Impact of prominent KAU rice varieties on the economic status of farmers in Kerala and Karnataka” was conducted with the objectives of working out the costs and returns of prominent rice varieties, Jyothi and Uma, released from KAU, to find out the relationship between varietal adoption and net farm income, to identify specific reasons for adoption of KAU varieties and to analyze profitability of the KAU varieties in the states of Kerala and Karnataka by comparing with with local non-KAU varieties cultivated by farmers. The survey was conducted by collecting both primary data and secondary data. The area of study were major rice growing districts of Kerala (Palakkad and Alappuzha) and Karnataka (Mysore and Mandya). These districts were selected on the basis of prominence in adoption of rice varieties released from KAU. The primary data were collected by means of pre-tested interview schedule. The farmers in the study area were categorized into two groups on the basis of variety grown as: KAU variety adopting farmers and local popular non KAU variety adopting farmers. Forty farmers each cultivating at least one acre and adopting KAU variety and 40 farmers cultivating a local popular non-KAU variety were randomly selected and surveyed in each state making a total sample size of 160. The cost-return structure was worked out both for KAU and non KAU variety production using cost concepts. The average cost of cultivation (Cost C2) of KAU varieties was found to be lesser in Palakkad (Rs.73,213 per hectare) compared to Karnataka (Rs.75,731 per hectare ) and Alappuzha (Rs. 81,915 per hectare) and in case of local non KAU varieties, the average cost of cultivation was Rs.83,981 per hectare, Rs.83,634 per hectare and Rs.94,526 per hectare in Karnataka, Palakkad and Alappuzha respectively. The net income obtained by cultivating KAU varieties was found to be higher in Palakkad (Rs.48, 143 per hectare), followed by Alappuzha (26,356 per hectare) and Karnataka (Rs.11, 746 per hectare. The benefit – cost ratio (BCR) at the C2 and explicit cost level was found to be positive for KAU varieties in both the states. This implies that cultivation of KAU varieties was profitable for farmers in both the states. Garrett ranking technique was used to determine the reasons for adoption of KAU varieties. The possible reasons for adoption of KAU varieties in Karnataka were identified as high market price, high yield potential, high tillering capacity and resistance to pests and diseases while in Kerala, Farmers highlighted high yield potential, high market price, high tillering capacity, suitability, to the location, consumption purpose, resistance to pests and diseases and short duration of the variety as major reasons for adoption. Probit model was used to find out the factors affecting adoption of KAU rice varieties. In Kerala, Organizational membership and gross income of the farmers while in Karnataka, education, organizational membership, area and gross income of the farmers were identified as the major factors affecting the adoption of KAU varieties. The average cost of cultivation (cost C2) for seed production of KAU varieties was found to be higher in Karnataka (Rs. 88,176 per hectare), compared to Kerala (Rs.86, 355 per hectare). The average gross income was found to be higher in Kerala (Rs.1, 56,223 per hectare) compared to Karnataka (Rs.1, 17,513 per hectare). The net income at cost C2 was found to be positive for both the states whereas the amount was found to be higher in Kerala was compared to Karnataka. The marketing channels identified Kerala were Channel 1: Farmer- Supplyco - Rice millers - Public distribution system (PDS) – Consumers, Channel 2: Farmer - Rice millers – Retailers- Consumers and Channel 3: Farmer- Middlemen- Rice milers - Retailers - Consumers. The marketing channels identified in Karnataka were Channel 1: Farmer – Rice milers- Kerala marketing channels identified in Karnataka were Channel 1: Farmer - Rice millers- Kerala rice market - Wholesaler/Local trader - Retailer -Consumer, Channel 2: Farmer - Local trader – Kerala rice market- Rice millers -Retailer - Consumer, Channel 3: Farmer - Kerala rice market - Wholesaler/Rice millers/Local agents – Retailers - Consumers, Channel 4: Farmer - APMC -middlemen -Kerala rice market - Wholesaler/Rice millers/Local agents - Retailers - Consumer. For both KAU and non KAU rice varieties, labour cost accounted for highest share in the cost A1 components in both the states; therefore, efforts have to be made for mechanizing paddy cultivation. Also initiatives have to be taken to attract the younger generation towards agriculture and more importantly paddy cultivation.
Open Access
Pathogenicity of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi against select lepidopteran pests
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Praveena, A; KAU; Sudharma, K
The present study entitled “Pathogenicity of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi against select lepidopteran pests” was carried out in the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2014-2016 with the objective to identify indigenous entomopathogenic fungi and evaluate their pathogenicity to lepidopteran pests of banana and vegetables. Survey was conducted in five agroecological zones of Thiruvananthapuram district at bimonthly intervals during 2015-16, for the isolation of fungi. Fungi from mycosed cadavers and 900 soil samples, collected from cultivated and uncultivated fields were isolated. Of the ten isolates of fungi selected from the 115 fungal isolates obtained, three were from mycosed cadavers which consisted of two isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (SP2 and SP4) and one isolate of Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht (SP1). Of the seven isolates from soil, one isolate was Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. (SP6), five were isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae Metschnikoff (Sorokin) and one isolate was Purpureocillium lilacinum Thorn (Samson). Four isolates of M. anisopliae were trapped using larvae of Galleria melonella L. and one was trapped using grubs of Odoiporous longicollis Olivier. The isolate, S10 was obtained through soil plate method, with selective media. Symptoms of fungal infection varied, which was mainly reflected in the mycelial colour and growth of the isolates. Morphological and cultural characteristics also varied among the fungal isolates. Further, molecular characterization of the fungi was done through ITS sequencing. GenBank accession numbers for all the ten isolates were obtained on submission of nucleotide sequence in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Among the various indigenous isolates, highest spore count was recorded in the M. anisopliae isolate, SP11 (28.01 x 107 spores mL-1) at 14 days after inoculation. The pathogenicity of the ten indigenous isolates and two isolates from National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR) were evaluated against five lepidopteran insects infesting banana and vegetables at different concentrations. The isolate M. anisopliae (SP8) recorded the highest mortality of 83.33 to 100 per cent and 64.44 to 95.83 per cent against the second instar larvae of Diaphania indica Saunders and first instar larvae of Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee at 107 to 109 spores mL-1 at seven days and five days after treatment respectively. The isolates SP11 and Ma4 of M. anisopliae that caused mortality of 83.33 to 100 per cent and 63.33 to 100 per cent were the most effective isolates against second instar larvae of Sylepta derogata Fabricius and Hymenia recurvalis Fabricius respectively. All the isolates except M. anisopliae (SP11) and B. bassiana (Bb5a) were non pathogenic to the larvae of Spodoptera litura Fabricius. The colour of the mycelial growth varied with isolates. A pot culture experiment was conducted in the Instructional Farm, Vellayani during April to June 2016, for the evaluation of seven indigenous isolates and two NBAIR isolates against leaf webbers in amaranthus, variety Arun. The lowest number of plants infested by webbers, webbings plant-1 and larvae web-1 at 14 days after treatment and the highest yield was recorded in the isolate M. anisopliae (SP11) @ 108 spores mL-1 and it was followed by M. anisopliae Ma4 and SP8 . To conclude, ten indigenous isolates of entomopathogenic fungi were collected from mycosed cadavers and soil and were identified as B. bassiana (SP2, SP4), F. oxysporum (SP1), F. solani (SP6), M. anisopliae (SP7, SP8, SP9, SP11 and SP13) and P. lilacinum (S10) through morphological, cultural characters and molecular characterization. Pathogenicity test to five lepidopteran pests showed that M. anisopliae (SP7, SP8, SP9, SP11, SP13) and NBAIR isolates of B. bassiana (Bb5a) and M. anisopliae (Ma4) were pathogenic to D. indica, H. recurvalis, L. orbonalis and S. derogata. Results of pot culture experiment showed that the indigenous isolates M. anisopliae (SP11) and (SP8) and NBAIR isolate M. anisopliae (Ma4) can be exploited for the management of leaf webbers in amaranthus.
Open Access
Customized fertilizer and nutrient scheduling for okra (abelmoschus esculentus (L.) moench)
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Yansin, Luikham; KAU; Anitha, S
Multinutrient deficiencies in soil are common nowadays due to imbalanced use and extensive mining of nutrients, which have also led to the decline of soil and crop productivity over time. Customized fertilizers (CF), which are multinutrient carriers facilitating the supply of complete range of nutrients in right proportion for the crop grown in a particular soil, have come up as an alternative to tide over these problems. Scheduling of nutrients by split application promotes efficient utilization of nutrients in a need based manner and helps to reduce nutrient losses from the soil. An investigation entitled “customized fertilizer and nutrient scheduling for okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)” was carried out at the Water Management Research Unit, Vellanikkara, Thrissur from May to September, 2015 with the objective of developing a customized fertilizer and studying its techno- economic feasibility and nutrient scheduling in okra. The investigation consisted of 12 treatments viz., FYM + 75% CF (2 splits at 30 days interval), FYM + 75% CF (4 splits at 15 days interval), FYM + 100% CF (2 splits at 30 days interval), FYM + 100% CF (4 splits at 15 days interval), FYM + 125% CF (2 splits at 30 days interval), FYM + 125% CF (4 splits at 15 days interval), FYM + soil test based NPK application (N & K as 2 splits at 30 days interval), FYM + soil test based NPK application (N & K as 4 splits at 15 days interval), FYM + NPK as per POP (N & K as 2 splits at 30 days interval), FYM + NPK as per POP (N & K as 4 splits at 15 days interval), FYM alone based on N recommendation of POP (2 splits at 30 days interval) and absolute control. Biometric observations were recorded and nutrient contents and uptake were estimated at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and 90 DAS. A customized fertilizer grade was developed based on the initial analysis of macro and micronutrient contents of soil and nutrient requirement of okra. Water soluble fertilizers and straight fertilizers were used for the preparation of CF. Based on the soil fertility rating and nutrient recommendation for okra, the actual nutrients needed for the experimental site was worked out in kg ha-1 as 59N: 9P: 34K: 16Mg: 1B. Based on this, CF grade 22.01N: 3.35 P: 12.68K: 5.97Mg: 0.37B was developed. The study revealed that application of 125 per cent CF either as two or four splits was equally effective and recorded the highest yield compared to lower doses of CF and other nutrient management practices. Application of 125 per cent CF resulted in a yield increase of 32.11 per cent, 35.16 per cent and 49.84 per cent compared to soil test based application, application of nutrients at recommended dose and application of FYM alone respectively. Application of 100 per cent CF recorded higher yield compared to nutrient application based on soil test based NPK and NPK as per POP. The yield increase in 125 per cent CF was due to the better development of growth and yield parameters and higher nutrient uptake including that of Mg and B in customized fertilizer doses. The lower doses of CF (75%) performed equally well as soil test based NPK and NPK as per POP with respect to yield. The combined application of fertilizers along with FYM gave better yield than application of FYM alone as a source of nutrients. Faster delivery of nutrients could be achieved through fertilizers since FYM alone could not meet the huge requirement of nutrients by okra. In this study, application of CF and other fertilizers in more splits did not show significant increase in yield of okra. Application of CF showed a positive effect on the soil fertility status except for nitrogen. The improvement in nutrient status could be attributed to application of optimum dose of CF along with FYM to maintain adequate supply of nutrients. The application of higher levels of CF was cost effective and economically beneficial due to higher yield despite increased cost of cultivation owing to higher cost of inputs. Nutrient application in lower splits was more economical due to reduced labour. The study indicated that application of multinutrient carriers such as customized fertilizers are a technologically and economically viable practice for increasing soil and crop productivity. The quantities of NPK required as CF are much lower than the POP recommendations, and therefore fertilizer doses can be reduced substantially.
Open Access
Provenance evaluation of acacia mangium wild for growth and wood traits
(Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 2015) Ringyao, Jajo; KAU; Santhoshkumar, A V
A provenance evaluation of A. mangium was conducted in 14 year old plantation at Livestock Research Station, Thiruvazhamkunnu, to understand the variation in growth and wood traits among the provenances. Ten provenances and one local seed source was used for the trial. The provenances had high survival percentage (77.44%), but did not differ significantly between provenances. Significant differences between provenances were found in tree height, while they were on par for DBH, volume, tree form and branching habit. The provenances of Kuranda, Arufi Village, Upper Aramia, Oriomo, Balimo and Binaturi were taller than the rest. Heritability of growth attributes was highest for height (63%). Morphometric traits of seeds were found to be significantly different between the provenances. Arufi Village provenance was found to be better than the other provenances for the traits. Seed weight and seed width were found to be strongly correlated with seedling height. Variation in germination energy, germination value and germination period were also significantly different between provenances. Lake Murray provenances showed the best performance in most of the parameters studied for germination. No significant differences between provenances were observed for germination capacity. Germination parameters are under moderate to high genetic control. Significant differences were noticed among the progenies of the provenances in height, while they did not differ in terms of collar girth and RGR. The provenances differed significantly in physical properties of wood, but not in mechanical properties. The provenances differed significantly for heartwood only at the base, while basic density was significantly different at all the height levels. Density was significantly and positively correlated with fiber length and slenderness, but negatively with fiber diameter and fiber wall thickness. The variations in fiber morphology between the provenances were also found to be significant. However, runkel ratio, flexibility and rigidity coefficient did not differ significantly between the provenances. Wood properties of the provenances were under strong genetic control. Based on the study, Tully-Mission Beach, Arufi Village, Kuranda, Upper Aramia, Lake Murray and Binaturi provenances can be recommended for growing under Kerala condition.

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