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Open Access
User centered design, development, and end-user assessment of an M-tool for vegetable cultivation in polyhouse
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture,Vellanikkara, 2022-05-20) Poornima C P; KAU; A Sakeer Husain
Hi-tech farming is gaining grip in Indian farming system. Polyhouse farming which is a subset of hi-tech farming is an alternate new system of crop production which reduces dependency on climatic factors along with economic use of water, fertilisers and other inputs necessarily needed for farming. In a state like Kerala where per capita availability of land is less and density of population is increasing, the polyhouse can be a boon to the farmers. With advancing technologies, proper information delivery system must be there to make f armers get updated with the progress in agriculture. As Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools are acquiring its foothold even among the rural communities, proper utilisation of suitable tools can help farmers to get more insight of the advances and in turn aid in efficient decision making.
Open Access
Performance analysis of farmer producer companies (FPCs) in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2022-05-28) Akhil Ajith; KAU; Bonny,Binoo P
Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) are institutional innovations that hold tremendous potential in influencing the agricultural value chains by creating economic profit and social value. As such, the standard measures of financial analysis alone cannot provide an overall indication of the performance of these organisations.Therefore, an attempt to use integrated dimensions of socio-economic parameters were pursued in the present study to delineate the factors affecting the performance of FPCs and in the development of a performance index to grade the FPCs. The results of thestudy also helped in evolving policy recommendations that could improve the performance of FPCs in a sustainable way. The study followed ex-post facto research design conducted among 30 FPCs selected randomly from the 14 districts of Kerala. Proportionate random sampling was employed to ascertain the number of FPCs selected from each district and to identify 120 shareholders. Random and exhaustive sampling was followed respectively in the selection of 60 director board members and 30 CEOs to make the total sample size of 210.
Open Access
Refinement of softwood grafting technique in Sapota (Manilkara zapota L.)
(Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Padanakkad, 2022-07-22) Archana, P V; Meera Manjusha, A V; KAU
Sapota (Manilkara zapota L.) family sapotaceae is one of the fruit trees which is adapted to humid tropical climate and diversified soil conditions. Softwood grafting in sapota has become common among farmers and horticulture nursery sector because it is an easy, as well as cheap method and helps in rapid multiplication of plants with considerable success rate. Generally, Khirni (Manilkara hexandra L.) is used as rootstock for grafting in sapota. The investigation entitled “Refinement of softwood grafting technique in sapota (Manilkara zapota L.)” was carried out at department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, Kasaragod, during 2020-2021.The study was conducted in completely randomized block design with factorial concept. The first experiment was done with the objective to find out the best practice for enhancing success percent in softwood grafting of sapota varieties under different environmental conditions with different precuring treatments having 27 treatment combinations replicated twice. The factors of first experiment were environmental conditions (open-C1, polyhouse-C₂ and polytunnel followed by shade net-C3) with cultivars (Cricket Ball-V1, Pala-V₂ and Oval-V₃) and scion precuring treatments (defoliation 10 days prior to grafting-S₁, defoliation followed by grafting on the same day-S₂ and grafting without defoliation-S₃). Interaction effect of environmental conditions, cultivars and scion precuring up to final stage of growth indicated that C3V1S3 (Polytunnel+ Cricket Ball+ Without defoliation) had maximum value with respect to growth parameters viz. girth of stem except 30 DAG(3.05),leaf area (35.42), length of leaf except 30 DAG (11.22), breadth of leaf except 60 DAG (4.32), number of leaves except 30 DAG, length of scion except 30 DAG and height of graft (34.75), fresh weight (32.06) and dry weight (15.04). C1V3S2 (Open+ Oval+ Same day defoliation) recorded lowest value with respect to growth parameters viz. length of scion (16.83 cm), girth of stem (2.32 cm), number of successful grafts (3.00), success percentage (20.00 %), survival percentage (20.00 % ), leaf area (16.45cm2 ), length of leaf (7.25 cm), breadth of leaf (3.11 cm), number of leaves (except 120 DAG) and height of graft(31.13 cm). The second experiment was undertaken to study the effect of cytokinin on success of sapota grafting. Factors are different concentration of cytokinin (P₁-100 ppm, P₂-150 ppm, P₃-200 ppm and P₄-control) and different days of application (D₁-0 thday, D₂-5 thday and D₃-10thday prior to grafting). Among the individual effect of cytokinin concentration, P3- cytokinin at 200ppm was found to be highest in terms of number of successful grafts, success percentage (82.22%), survival percentage (77%), length of leaf(12.06cm ), leaf area, breadth of leaf, girth of stem at 30,90 and 120 DAG, length of scion (120,150 and 180 DAG) and number of leaves (except 60 DAG). Considering individual effect of days of cytokinin application, D1 had the maximum value on observations like length of leaf (11.80cm), number of leaf (22.62), dry weight (11.26g), fresh weight (27.05g), height of graft, leaf area and girth of stem (3.06 cm), length of scion and breadth of leaf. Considering the interaction effect between concentration of cytokinin and days of cytokinin application, P3D1 (cytokinin at 200 ppm+ 0th day prior to grafting) proved to be the best treatment combination in terms of observations like length of scion, number of leaf (24.30), height of graft, leaf area (41.27 cm2 ), breadth of leaf (30 and 150DAG), length of leaf (90 to 150 DAG) and girth of stem (90,120,180 DAG). P4D3 (control treatment+10th day prior to grafting) was found to be lowest in terms of observations like number of leaf (18.80), leaf area (21.27 cm2 ) and length of scion (13.40 cm). The results obtained from present study revealed that grafting of sapota cv. Cricket ball without defoliation of scion and kept under polytunnel condition (T21-C₃V₁S₃) as the best treatment which recorded highest graft success and survival percentage. Grafts under C3-polytunnel found to be better in growth parameters compared to open and polyhouse conditions. Among scion precuring treatments, defoliation 10 days prior to grafting-S₁ provided highest percentage of graft success. Hence, modified grafting technique can be recommended as an ideal approach for sapota propagation during off season also. Application of cytokinin at 200ppm concentration on the same day of grafting (T₇-P₃D₁) enhanced graft growth. Regarding concentration of cytokinin, at 200ppm showed higher value which was on par with P1 and P2 in terms of success and survival percentage. So, cytokinin application at 100ppm (lower dose) for graft success can be recommend as economically beneficial.
Open Access
Induction of heteroploidy in Dendrobium sp.
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture ,Vellayani, 2021-12-27) Revathi, B S; Beena Thomas; KAU
The present study entitled “Induction of heteroploidy in Dendrobium sp.” was carried out at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2019-21. The study was undertaken to induce heteroploidy in Dendrobium crumenatum using antimitotic agent colchicine via in vitro and in vivo technique. In in vitro induction of heteroploidy in Dendrobium crumenatum, the explant used in the micropropagation was stem nodal segments containing one axillary bud and the basal medium chosen was VW medium. The best combination of surface sterilization agents identified were, 20 per cent sodium hypochlorite for 20 minutes followed by 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride for 5 minutes and 70 % alcohol for 2 minutes. The medium VW+1 mgL-1 BA + 0.5 mgL-1 2,4-D was chosen for callus induction, callus proliferation and PLB formation. The explants were maintained in dark for callus induction and proliferation and for subsequent stages a photoperiod of 16 hours light and eight hours dark was provided. For the induction of heteroploidy, PLBs were subjected to eight different colchicine treatments in basal VW suspension medium. Colchicine treatments were based on the concentration of colchicine (0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%) and duration of exposure of PLBs to colchicine (24 and 48 hrs). For shoot induction, VW basal medium supplemented with the hormones BA (1mgL-1) and NAA (0.1 mgL-1) was used. The maximum survival percentage of cultures at shoot multiplication stage after different colchicine treatments was observed to be 83.33 per cent, and the minimum survival percentage noted was 25 per cent. In in vivo induction of heteroploidy in Dendrobium crumenatum, D. crumenatum plantlets were subjected to eight different colchicine treatments, based on colchicine concentration (0.05%, 0.1%) and the duration of exposure of plantlets to these doses of colchicine (24 hrs, 48 hrs, 72 hrs, 96 hrs). The highest percentage of plants showing response after colchicine treatment was found to be 83.33 per cent (observation recorded after 2 weeks of colchicine treatment) and the lowest percentage recorded was 16.67 per cent. The observations shoot length, diameter of pseudobulb, number of leaves and width of leaves showed mean values greater than their corresponding control means, whereas the observations, diameter of shoot and length of leaf noted lower mean values than corresponding control. The mean value for the character height of pseudobulb were found to be same for treated and control plantlets. The character, number of leaves recorded high PCV and GCV. Moderate PCV and GCV were recorded for the characters viz., diameter of pseudobulb, length of shoot, length of leaf and width of leaf. The characters, diameter of shoot and length of pseudobulb obtained low PCV and GCV. Significant positive genotypic correlation was observed between length of shoot and height of pseudobulb, diameter of shoot and width of leaf, length of pseudobulb and number of leaves, number of leaves and length of leaf and width of leaf and number of leaves. Flow cytometry analysis of the colchicine treated in vivo and in vitro D. crumenatum samples were performed at Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Biotechnology, Poojapura. The histogram peaks obtained after the analysis of control (diploid) and treated samples were compared for interpretation of the results. In the in vitro treated samples, the maximum tetraploids (66.67 %) were obtained from treatments 0.15% colchicine, 24 hrs and 0.10 % colchicine, 48 hrs. On analyzing the histogram peaks of in vivo treated samples, the highest tetraploid induction (50%) was noticed in treatment 0.05% colchicine, 96 hrs. It was concluded from the present investigation that, for Dendrobium crumenatum which was subjected to both in vitro and in vivo colchicine treatments, in vitro colchicine treatment was found effective than in vivo colchicine treatment, when the concentration and duration of exposure to colchicine used for the study were same.
Open Access
Traditional therapeutic uses of animals and animal products among indigenous people of Idukki district, Kerala, India
(Department of Wildlife Sciences, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2021-12-31) Shijith S Nair.; KAU; M Shaji
Humans have known about ethnobiological uses since ancient times and rely on fauna and flora for medicines, food, clothing, and other necessities of life. For their basic health-care needs, the world population is looking for an alternative medication generated from natural resources, and this natural alternative, which consists of various bioactive chemicals, may be more effective with less toxicity than manufactured pharmaceuticals. The Western Ghats are home to a diverse range of fauna and flora, with plant-based medicines accounting for the majority of natural medicines discovered thus far. Animal medicines, on the other hand, have a restricted number of references. Rural communities, who have acquired millennium old traditional wisdom from their predecessors and handed it down through generations, are crucial in disease management. Poverty and a scarcity of medical facilities are to blame, they rely mainly on traditional knowledge, hence This knowledge is only available in rural regions. Before it is depleted as a result of rising urbanisation, modernization, and industry, traditional plant and animal recipes must be recorded. It is critical to document particular human societies' plant and animal usage that are passed down through the generations in undiscovered areas. Furthermore, with the growing threat of microorganism resistance to existing allopathic medications, novel natural chemical combinations with synergistic or additive effects are desperately needed. As a result, the project was designed with the goals of 1) analysing and documenting indigenous people's ethnozoological knowledge in Kerala's Idukki area. 2) additionally, document the creation and use of medications derived from animals and animal products, and 3) quantitative indices are used to determine the highly desired ones. This might be the first investigation in the specific location to describe traditionally used medicinal fauna and its recipes. The findings of the study might help preserve traditional knowledge and identify new taxa as a potential source of adjunct to conventional medicine. 84 The outcomes of the reseaech followed imply that local populations in Idukki have a good understanding of how to make ethnomedicine out of faunal diversity based on what's available. This research preserves ethnobiological data while also laying the groundwork for pharmacological, phytochemical, and synergistic research. People employ animal products/parts either alone or in combination with other things to treat a variety of human diseases. The findings also reveal that ethnomedicine is an important part of the primary health care system in the research area, but that it is mostly centred on flora rather than fauna. The animal recipes offer new perspectives on drug research that, through synergistic mechanisms, may pave the way for the development of new and effective therapies. Traditional knowledge is rapidly fading; hence scholars are being encouraged to perform further study in this region so that it may be preserved and documented.
Open Access
Management of calcium, magnesium and boron deficiency for enhancing yield and quality in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture ,Padanakkad, 2022-04-28) Anjitha K.; KAU; Sailaja kumari M S
The investigation entitled ‘Management of calcium, magnesium and boron deficiency for enhancing yield and quality in chilli’ was carried out at Instructional farm, Nileshwar, College of Agriculture Padannakkad, with an objective to develop nutrient management practices for mitigating calcium, magnesium and boron deficiency and to evaluate its effect on growth, yield and quality parameters. The field experiment was carried out during December 2020 to May 2021. The experiment was carried out with chilli variety Anugraha, in randomized block design with ten treatments and three replications. Treatment combinations were T1(KAU POP + lime (based on soil test)), T2 (T1 + 125 kg gypsum per hectare), T3 (T1 + 80 kg magnesium sulphate per hectare), T4 (T1 + 125 kg gypsum per hectare + 80 kg magnesium sulphate per hectare), T5 (T1 + foliar application of borax (0.2%)), T6 (T2 + foliar application of borax (0.2%)), T7 (T3 + foliar application of borax (0.2%)), T8 (T4 + foliar application of borax (0.2%)), T9 (KAU POP + dolomite (based on soil test)) and T10 (T9 + foliar application of borax (0.2%)). Soil application of amendments were done as a single dose and foliar nutrition was given four times in a 20 days interval. Analysis of experimental results showed that various treatments showed significant effect on growth characters, fruit quality parameters as well as nutrient content in both soil and plant, over KAU POP recommendation. Significant positive effect of treatments on plant root characters and total dry matter production was observed whereas plant height and days to 50% flowering were found to be non significant. Among the treatments, maximum tap root length (13.50 cm), root volume (23.23 cm3 ), root shoot ratio (0.16) and total dry matter production (2694.65 kg ha-1 ) were recorded in T8 (KAU POP + lime application based on soil test) +125 kg gypsum per hectare + 80 kg magnesium sulphate per hectare + foliar application of borax (0.2%). Various treatments showed significant influence on yield and yield attributes. Maximum fruit weight (37.16 g) and total fruit yield (4456.79 kg ha-1 ) was also observed in T8 and in case of fruit yield, it was significantly superior to all other treatments. Combined application of gypsum, magnesium sulphate and borax were effective and maximized fruit yield. 94 Soil analysis was carried out at flowering and harvest wherein, the treatments showed significant effect on soil pH, EC, available potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, manganese and zinc content whereas available nitrogen, phosphorus, copper and boron were not influenced by treatments. Addition of calcium and magnesium sources significantly increased available calcium and magnesium content in soil. Among the various treatments, the highest available calcium was recorded in T8 and was on par with T2, T6 and T4 at flowering. Highest available magnesium content was recorded in T9 and T10 at flowering and harvest respectively. Analysis of Index leaves at flowering and total plant analysis at harvest were carried out and it was found that plant nutrient content was significantly influenced by treatments. Significant effect of various treatments on plant nutrients except nitrogen and phosphorus was observed. Foliar application of borax significantly improved boron content in plants. Fruit quality parameters such as capsaicin, oleoresin, ascorbic acid and shelf life and total nutrient content were analysed and results showed significant positive response to treatments. Analysis of nutrient content in fruits showed that primary nutrients mainly, nitrogen and potassium, secondary nutrients and micronutrients in fruits were significantly influenced by various treatments. The treatment, T8 (KAU POP + lime based on soil test) +125 kg gypsum per hectare + 80 kg magnesium sulphate per hectare + foliar application of borax (0.2%)) recorded highest capsaicin (0.352 %), oleoresin (11.00 %), ascorbic acid (96.83 mg 100 g-1 ) and maximum shelf life (13.66 days) in chilli. The results obtained from the experiment revealed the significant influence of soil amendments over KAU POP recommendation and it can be concluded that combined application of gypsum, magnesium sulphate and borax was effective for increasing fruit yield and quality in chilli
Open Access
Controlling seedling height of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) transplants using plant growth regulators
(Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2022-04-28) Anu Latha Robi; KAU; C Narayanankutty
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is an annual leguminous vegetable crop. It is grown throughout india for its tender green pods used as vegetable. Green cowpea seeds are boiled as a fresh vegetable or may be canned or frozen. The beans are nutritious and provide complementary proteins to cereals diets. Seedlings like cowpea, cucurbits having lanky growth growing in polyhouses is an undesirable quality, especially in plugs intended for mechanized planting and long distance transport. Seed treatment with growth retardants is an effective method for controlling seedling height .However limited studies have been conducted in vegetable crops The present study was undertaken with the objectives of controlling seedling height of vegetable cowpea and to assess the field performance of treated seedlings. The experiment was conducted at the Centre for Hi-Tech Horticulture and Precision farming, Vellanikkara KAU, Thrissur during the year 2020-2021 In seedling stage, highest germination was recorded in control treatment on 5th and 10th days after sowing (89%) and (91%) respectively in Vellayani Jyothika. Minimum germination percentage was recorded in Paclobutrazol @ 200 ppm on 5th and 10th day after sowing (64.3%) and (66.0%) respectively in cowpea genotype Vellayani Jyothika. Significantly lower germination percentage was recorded in treatments receiving Paclobutrazol @ 200 ppm on 5th and 10th day after sowing (70.0%) (72%) in the genotype Kashi Kanchan. In both the genotypes there were no significant difference between the treatments on 15th days after sowing. Paclobutrazol treatment took more number of days for emergence of seedling up to the first node compared to control treatment ie Paclobutrazol @ 200 ppm (8.13) and (8.00) respectively in both the genotypes. Highest shoot length was recorded in control treatment on 5th, 10th and 15 th days after germination in both the genotypes. Significantly lower shoot length was recorded in treatments receiving Paclobutrazol @ 200 ppm irrespective of the number of days after germination. Growth retardants in general reduce root growth, shoot weight and root weight of the seedlings. In both the genotypes (Vellayani Jyothika and Kashi Kanchan) significantly lower root length, shoot weight and root weight was obtained in Paclobutrazol treatments compared to non-treated control. Height of seedling up to the first node was directly linked to shoot length. In both the genotypes of the cowpea significantly lower shoot length was recorded in treatments receiving Paclobutrazol @ 200 ppm (4.09) and (4.03) respectively. Paclobutrazol treated seedlings had dark green leaves when compared to other growth regulator and control treatments on 5th ,10th and 15th days after germination. In both the cowpea genotypes, when compared to other growth retardant and control treatments highest stem girth of the seedlings was recorded in treatments receiving Paclobutrazol @ 200 ppm on 5th (3.19 mm) 10th (3.45mm) and 15th (3.7mm) in Vellayani Jyothika and on 5th (3.3mm ) 10th (3.4mm) and 15th (3.8mm) in Kashi Kanchan. There were no significant difference between the treatments on 5th (2) and 15th days (7-8) after germination in both the genotypes. The total chlorophyll content and carotenoid content was recorded highest in treatments receiving Paclobutrazol treatments on seedling stage. Minimum auxin content and gibberellic acid contents were observed in Paclobutrazol treatments. In the field experiment, in both the cowpea genotypes, plant growth regulator Ethrel recorded maximum plant height where as in Vellayani Jyothika minimum plant height was recorded in Cycocel@ 50 ppm (112.40 cm) .In Kashi Kanchan lowest plant height was recorded in Paclobutrazol @ 200 ppm (33.06 cm) in Kashi Kanchan. In vellayani Jyothika highest internodal length was recorded in Ethrel @100 ppm (3.13 cm) and Ethrel @50 ppm (3.04 cm). Minimum was recorded in Paclobutrazol@ 200 ppm (2.63 cm). In the genotype Kashi Kanchan maximum internodal length was recorded in Ethrel@ 200 ppm (3.34 cm) and minimum was recorded in Cycocel @ 100 ppm (2.53cm). Highest number of primary branches was recorded in treatments receiving Paclobutrazol @ 200 ppm which was on par with Paclobutrazol @ 100 ppm compared to control in Vellayani Jyothika. In Kashi Kanchan there were no significant differences found between the treatments. Growth retardants had significant effect on the viz days to first flowering, days to first harvest and crop duration. Early flowering results in early harvesting of pods. Plant growth retardant Cycocel @ 200 ppm (41day) and Cycocel @ 25 ppm (36.80 days) recorded earliest flowering in the field in both the genotypes. In both the genotypes delayed flowering and maximum crop duration was recorded in Paclobutrazol treatments. Pod length and pod girth are related with pod weight. Ethrel treatment had highest pod length and pod girth compared to control .The higher number of flowers, pod girth and pod length contributed to production of more number of pods which in turn resulted in higher yield per plant. In both the cowpea genotypes, highest number of pods per plant and yield per plant was recorded in Ethrel treatments (Ethrel 100 ppm) in Vellayani Jyothika followed by Paclobutrazol treatment (Paclobutrazol 100 ppm) where as in Kashi Kanchan Paclobutrazol 100 ppm was on par with Ethrel 100 ppm. From the above study it could be concluded that, Paclobutrazol 100 ppm seed treatment was effective in controlling seedling height as well to obtain good yield in vegetable cowpea.
Open Access
Population structure and genetic diversity analysis in traditional rice landraces of Kerala
(Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2022-08-19) Sowmiya S; Beena, R; KAU
The study entitled "Population structure and genetic diversity analysis in traditional rice landraces of Kerala" was undertaken during 2021-22 at the Department of Plant Biotechnology and Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The study was undertaken for the genotyping of fifty rice landraces using SSR markers and population structure analysis. Fifty traditional rice landraces collected from RARS, Pattambi were raised in pots and the genomic DNA from one-month-old leaf samples were isolated by CTAB method. Fifty DNA samples were screened using thirty microsatellite primers and out of which five primers (RM431, RM154, RM85, RM5735, and RM104) did not show any amplification. Also, three SSR markers viz., RM554, RM246, and RM3825 amplified monomorphic banding patterns and hence they were not considered for further analysis. Twenty-two markers which yielded polymorphic bands were thus selected for final analysis. The Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) values for polymorphic markers ranged from 0.13 to 0.49. The primers which showed the highest PIC values were RM10793 (0.49) followed by RM310 (0.49) and RM5749 (0.48). The population structure of the fifty rice landraces performed using a software (STRUCTURE V2.3.4) divided the fifty rice landraces into four sub-populations. Phenotypic data of the same genotypes were collected from the Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani and utilized to correlate the phenotypic data with genotypic data and to identify the tolerant landraces. Cluster analysis based phenotypic data resulted in four major clusters which was found to be similar with that of cluster produced by genotypic data. Phenotypic traits such as photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, number of panicles per plant, and spikelet fertility per centage were used to identify the landraces that were tolerant to high temperature. According to the phenotypic data, the spikelet fertility of sub-population 1 ranged between 20-30% in high temperature condition, photosynthetic rate ranged between 15-30 µmolCO2m-2 s -1 , transpiration rate ranged between 8-15 mmolH2OCO2m-2 sec-1 , and number of panicles per plant ranged from 11-20, and this sub-population is considered to be moderately heat tolerant. The spikelet fertility of sub-population 2 ranged between 11-25% in high temperature condition, photosynthetic 117 rate ranged between 10-25 µmolCO2m-2 s -1 , transpiration rate ranged between 6-10 mmolH2OCO2m-2 sec-1 , and number of panicles per plant ranged from 7-15, and this sub-population is considered to be heat susceptible. The spikelet fertility of subpopulation 3 ranged between <25% in high temperature condition, photosynthetic rate ranged between 5-10 µmolCO2m-2 s -1 , transpiration rate ranged between 0-5 mmolH2OCO2m-2 sec-1 , and number of panicles per plant ranged from 5-10, and this sub-population is considered to be highly susceptible to heat. The spikelet fertility of sub-population 4 ranged between 11-20% in high temperature condition, photosynthetic rate ranged between 5-10 µmolCO2m-2 s -1 , transpiration rate ranged between 5-8 mmolH2OCO2m-2 sec-1 , and number of panicles per plant ranged from 5-10, and this sub-population is considered to be highly susceptible to heat. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using UPGMA (Un-weighted pair group method with arithmetic mean) using NTSYSpc cluster analysis software, and the dendrogram showed that all fifty rice landraces were divided into four major clusters. The pattern of grouping landraces into the clusters was similar to that obtained in the population structure analysis. Based on the interpretation of all the data obtained, among the fifty rice landraces; LB-2000-28-TCR-6985, Kuruva, Ittikandan, Champan, LN9937-Cherumallaram (Vatharam), Cheruvellari, Kokkan, Kurutha chitteni, Kathikannan, and Vellari were grouped as moderately tolerant to high temperature.
Open Access
Institutionalization of decentralized planning in agriculture in Kerala: trends, determinants and policy imperatives
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture,Vellanikkara, 2022-03-30) Abdul Jabbar P K.; Jiju P Alex
Kerala has successfully evolved a paradigm of decentralized planning by utilizing the provisions of the 73rd and 74th amendments of the constitution. Local governments have been transformed as effective instruments for formulating and implementing development programmes through people’s participation. They are empowered to discharge such functions through strategic devolution of functions, functionaries and funds. Though a robust framework has been evolved over time to make decentralized planning operational, several bottle necks related to local governance affect the efficacy of planning and implementation processes at the grassroots level. This is evident in the productive sector in general and agriculture in particular. It was in this backdrop the present study was conducted. The study was primarily intended to describe the process of institutionalization of decentralized planning in agriculture in Kerala. In this connection, transitions in the administrative framework and policy environment of decentralized planning were also explored. The determinants of the efficacy of decentralized planning in agriculture and the nature of their influence as experienced by major actors of the process were also identified. The study also explored the accomplishments in the agricultural sector since institutionalization of decentralized planning. Alongside, policy imperatives of the experiences of institutionalization were delineated. The sample consisted of 160 respondents comprising of agricultural officers, panchayat presidents and members of the agricultural working group of various development sectors. Respondents were drawn from 40 grama panchayaths selected from five districts representing the five major agroclimatic regions. The study has revealed that there are 15 distinct processes of decentralized planning in the productive sector at the LSGI level. They have evolved over a period of three five-year plans through various iterative processes and drawing lessons from diverse field experiences. The state government plan allocation to local selfgovernments showed decreasing trend from Ninth Five Year Plan onwards. While local self-government institutions (LSGIs) had been provided with 29.29 per cent of state plan fund allocation, it was reduced to 22.9 per cent and 24.2 per cent in the tenth and eleventh five-year plans respectively. Plan expenditure of LSGIs was found to range from 74.81 per cent to 105.25 per cent during this period. It could also be observed that the mandatory sectoral ceilings for productive sector enforced in various plans have succeeded in ensuring investment in various sub sectors of agriculture. Many institutional innovations were initiated to foster people’s participation in planning. Introduction of ward development committees and Ayalsabhas was a major step towards this direction. However, attempts towards additional resource pooling, collaboration with academic institutions to enhance quality of projects and attempts to avoid thin spread of resources were found to be ineffective. Formulating agricultural projects with the assistance of cooperative sector and integrating central and state schemes were also not effective. In spite of the guidelines for formulating joint projects and muti year projects, local bodies were not venturing to such projects, suggesting that a motivational measure to promote joint projects among local bodies be introduced. Moreover, selection of members to the working group and PPC have to be according to their capabilities adjudged based on a state wide criteria. Employing modern technologies for primary processing and value addition, better provision of services, networking of producers and efficient marketing were not adequately mainstreamed by LSGIs in their plans. The efficacy of processes involved in decentralised planning was perceived differently by different categories of actors. Out of the 15 processes, plan appraisal, integration and implementation were perceived to have low efficacy. Plan formulation and resource allocation were also found to have low efficacy. Integration of projects had the lowest efficacy perception score. However, approval of plans by the District Planning Committee, preparation of detailed projects by the working group, holding of Gramasabha, preparation of draft plan proposals and discussion in the development seminar were reported to have high efficacy. Analysis of the attributes of the actors which contributed to their perception on the efficacy of decentralized planning process revealed that four major factors viz. participation, group decision making, experience and knowledge mediation could explain 77.22 per cent variance. Majority of agricultural officers had medium level of perceived efficacy, significantly influenced by their participation-performance interdependence factor and decentralization- development facilitation factors. Role performance of Agricultural Officers in decentralised planning was found to be high. They had performed their roles actively in budgeting of project proposals, planning, monitoring and evaluation, in the order of involvement. Lowest performance level of Agricultural Officers was found to be in functions related to agricultural extension. Accomplishments of decentralized planning in agriculture were quantified in terms physical targets and financial achievements. Plan fund allocation in the productive sector was found to be the highest in the high range zone, followed by problem zone. Plan expenditure in the districts selected from high range zone, northern region and problem zone was higher than 80 per cent. Projects on various aspects of rice, vegetables and banana had received more funds than other sub sectors during the reference period. With regard to the allocations spent, assistance to labour cost for rice farmers was the major intervention while those for coconut development and promotion of intercropping were less than 10% and 3% of respectively. Compared to other crops, the attention paid by local bodies to development of tuber crops, spices and pulses was less. Cashew being a hardy crop for waste lands did not find any place in decentralized plans of north, central and high range zones. Several deficiencies were found in the process of decentralised planning. Most importantly, there should be focused efforts for enhancing the capacities of working groups and Planning Committees. Integration of development interventions by various agencies at the local level have to be ensured through better coordination. Collective deliberations on sectoral working group reports coordinated by panchayath planning committee will foster shared vision and convergence among functions of various officials transferred to the Grama panchayath. The panchayath level data base, Peoples’ Bio Diversity Register formulated through Bio Diversity Management Committees and the watershed master plan have to be updated through massive farmer participation to ensure data base support to local planning and foster the opportunities for local resource mobilization. Further, assistance for conservation and multiplication of local germplasm, traditional seed reserves by local farmer clusters, community seed banks and seed growers’ networks have to be initiated and the subsidy guidelines have to be broadened to include such initiatives. The perception of poor marketing infrastructure was the most ranked among various constraints analyzed. With regard to projects to bridge the skill gaps in farming and improved service delivery, the existing Agro Service Centres (ASC) at block level and Farmer Service Centres should be networked for technologybased services with supporting projects from decentralized plan allocations. A KVKATMA- LSGD linkage will resolve the issues of less propagation of technologies in projects and less expertise of working group members. To enhance participation of youth in gramasabha a drive on decentralization, gramasabha literacy and the need to participate for youth was suggested as part of school and college syllabus.

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