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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
Development and evaluation of small scale hydroponic green fodder production system
(Department of Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, KCAET, Tavanur, 2021) Adarsha Gopalakrishna Bhat; Jinu, A
A research on development and evaluation of small scale hydroponic green fodder production system was conducted in PFDC building of Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology Tavanur. The objective of research work was to develop a small scale hydroponic green fodder production system, testing of developed system under different micro climatic condition and estimation of water use efficiency for different water application method. Three different water application methods mist (I1), micro sprinkler (I2), fogger (I3) were selected. Artificial light source of LED red (L1), LED blue (L2), LED red + blue (L3) and sunlight were taken for the study. Statistical analysis was conducted to understand the significance of different treatments used in the experiment. A working prototype with best treatments observed during the study was built and cost economics were studied. The highest yield was observed in treatment involving fogger irrigation and LED red + blue (2.11 kg/tray) with the highest water use efficiency (515.43 kg/m3 ) compared to other treatments. The results are in accordance to the results found by Bian et al., (2018) and Kobayashi et al., (2013), who also found the highest yield under the combination of red + blue LED. Seed to fodder ratio obtained was 1: 6. Chemical analysis showed higher percentage of crude protein (13.56%) and crude fibre (12.59%) in this treatment. Higher growth of green fodder under artificial light source can be attributed to the continuous supply of energy compared to highly varying sunlight and also the uniform distribution of water by fogger irrigation which maintained favourable condition for fodder growth. Results clearly shows that growing green fodder with artificial light source (LED red + blue) and water supply with fogger can be commended to farmers for achieving better growth of green fodder for domestic animals.
Open Access
On-farm evaluation of selected cereal fodders in prominent land use systems of Kerala
(2021) Shahina, N N; Asha K Raj
The field study entitled “On-farm evaluation of selected cereal fodders in prominent land use systems of Kerala” was carried out as two separate experiments in homegarden and coconut garden with livestock component in Madakkathara panchayath, Thrissur, Kerala during 2020-21. The study aimed to evaluate the forage yield and nutritive value of three cereal fodders viz., maize, sorghum, and bajra in major land use systems of Kerala viz., homegarden, coconut garden, and under open conditions with full sunlight. The study also assessed the relative performance of cereal fodders with hybrid napier, the popular fodder grass in Kerala. In each system, the treatments were laid out in Randomized Block Design replicated three times. The crops were cultivated during two different seasons viz., rabi and summer. In homegarden trial, all the crops established well in homegarden and contiguous open areas. In general, the growth parameters of crops were better in the open field. Among crops, maize showed better growth followed by hybrid napier, bajra, and sorghum. In open field, maize recorded significantly higher cumulative green fodder yield (93.27 Mg ha-1 in rabi and 93.32 Mg ha-1 in summer) followed by hybrid napier (70.42 Mg ha-1 in rabi and 79.20 Mg ha-1 in summer), while in homegarden, the yield of maize (57.16 Mg ha-1 and 73.50 Mg ha-1 ) and hybrid napier (60.42 Mg ha-1 in rabi and 73.51 Mg ha-1 in summer) was on par. The productivity of sorghum and bajra was poor in both land use systems. The shade tolerance of fodder grasses in homegarden is in the order; hybrid napier>maize >bajra >sorghum. Dry fodder yields also followed a similar trend. The fodder production was generally higher during the summer season than in rabi. The per day productivity was higher for bajra and maize in both land use systems. The PAR availability in homegarden as compared to open conditions during rabi and summer season was 31.72 and 49.18 percent respectively. Considering the quality aspects of fodder, the crude protein content was higher and crude fibre content was lower in homegarden than in open field, whereas xvii the dry matter and ash content showed the reverse trend. In homegarden and open field, maize had more crude protein content followed by hybrid napier, bajra, and sorghum during both seasons. The order of CF content in homegarden was in the order; maize maize > bajra > sorghum. The dry fodder yields also followed a similar trend. Per day productivity of fodder grasses was noticed more in open contiguous areas as compared to coconut garden. The maximum per day productivity was obtained by bajra and maize in both land management systems. The mean daily PAR transmittance in coconut garden during the rabi and summer season was 55.74 and 56.83 percent respectively. In the second experiment also, the crude protein content was higher and crude fibre content lower in coconut garden, whereas the dry matter and ash content observed more in open fields. In coconut garden, maize had more crude protein content followed by hybrid napier and the crude fibre content was minimum in maize. The ash content was also maximum in maize. The grasses in the coconut garden showed more N content and were recorded highest in maize. The P and K content recorded higher values in open conditions than in coconut garden. The P concentration was maximum in hybrid napier, while K content was highest in fodder bajra. In both systems, maize recorded the highest B: C ratio followed by hybrid napier. xviii Thus, the study indicates that cereal fodder, maize can be successfully and cost effectively cultivated in partially shaded tree-based systems like homegardens and coconut gardens with minimal yield loss. In comparison, yield reduction was higher under homegarden with low PAR transmission (41 percent) than that of coconut garden with higher light availability (56 percent). The study also indicated that maize outperformed hybrid napier both quantitatively and qualitatively under coconut garden with more availability of light, whereas it showed a comparable response in homegarden with intense shade indicating higher shade tolerance of hybrid napier. Bajra showed moderate performance under shady situations whereas sorghum yielded very poor results.
Open Access
Management of foot rot of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) with mycoinoculant enriched vermicompost
(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2002) Divya, S; Sasikumar Nair
The study, "Management of foot rot of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) with mycoinoculant enriched vermicompost" was done at the Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Veliayani to explore the possibility of using vermicornpost as a carrier material for mass production of biocontrol agents and to test its efficacy in controlling the disease. The talc based inoculum of Trichoderma harzianum and soil based granular inoculum of Glomus Jasciculatum were mass produced in vermicompost either alone or in combination with farmyard manure or neem cake in the ratio 1 : 1 and 5 : 1 respectively and the efficacy was compared with the standard carrier material of FYM + neem cake (10 : 1). The population of T. harzianum 15 DAI was maximum in the treatment combination of VC + NC (5 : 1). However, the influence of these carrier materials on percentage of mycorrhizal infection 50 DAI was not statistically significant. Vermicompost as a carrier material for biocontrol agents was further tested in pepper var. Karimunda inoculated with P. capsici. Carrier materials as such had no significant influence on disease control. Reduction in foliar infection, disease index, stem infection and percentage mortality was observed in treatments with biocontrol agents. Disease control was maximum with the treatments involving T. harzianum while plant growth promotion was maximum with G. Jasciculatum. The physiological changes in pepper plants after inoculation with P. capsici and biocontrol agents were studied. The phenol and OD phenol content was more in pathogen inoculated plants. The defence related enzymes peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase were enhanced with pathogen inoculation as well as with the application of biocontrol agents. SDS-PAGE analysis of proteins with samples extracted from plants one day after inoculation of pathogen showed the presence of two novel proteins with molecular . weights of 78 kDa and 28 kDa in diseased samples which were absent in treatments without pathogen and also in plants treated with COC.
Open Access
Soil quality index and nutrient balance in rice-rice cropping system under long-term fertilizer experiment
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2021) Drishya, D S; KAU; Thulasi, V
Long-term experiments provide the best possible platform for studying the changes in soil properties and processes, identifying emerging trends in nutrient imbalances and deficiencies and help to formulate future strategies for maintaining soil health and quality. The present study entitled “Soil quality index and nutrient balance in rice-rice cropping system under Long Term Fertilizer Experiment” was undertaken at RARS, Pattambi and College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara. The objectives were set out to estimate soil quality index and NPK balance in rice-rice cropping system as affected by nutrient management practices under Long Term Fertilizer Experiment. The Long Term Fertilizer Experiment (LTFE) in rice-rice cropping system maintained (since 1997) at RARS Pattambi has been laid out in RBD consists of 12 treatments viz.,T1 : 50 per cent NPK, T2 : 100 per cent NPK, T3 : 150 per cent NPK, T4 : 100 per cent NPK + 600 kg ha -1 CaCO3 , T5 : 100 per cent NPK, T6 : 100 per cent NP, T7 : 100 per cent N, T8 : 100 per cent NPK + Farm Yard Manure (FYM) @ 5 t ha -1 , T9 : 50 per cent NPK + FYM @ 5 t ha -1 , T10 : 100 per cent NPK + in situ growing of Sesbania aculeata, T11 : 50 per cent NPK + in situ growing of Sesbania aculeata and T12 : Absolute control (No fertilizer or manures). The soil samples from 0-15 cm depth were collected from the different treatments of LTFE after the harvest of Virippu crop, 2020 and were analysed for various physical, chemical and biological properties. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to arrive at the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and Soil Quality Index (SQI) was formulated for different nutrient management practices. Integrated nutrient management with FYM and in situ green manuring with daincha recorded higher grain and straw yields of rice. The increase in fertilizer load into the soil resulted in increase in yields while the omission of primary nutrients resulted as decline in yields. Integrated Nutrient Management practice (INM) of application of FYM along with 100 percent NPK had lower bulk density (1.17 Mg m-3 ) and higher water holding capacity (43.65 %), higher levels of available nutrients and enzyme activities in the soil. However, dehydrogenase activity did not follow the same trend as that of microbial biomass carbon in treatments wherein fertilizers alone were applied indicating the chances of shift in the microbial populations as a result of the long term application of nutrient management practices. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed for 28 soil attributes to develop the MDS and SQI was formulated using non linear scoring method. The MDS included bulk density, porosity, soil pH, permanganate oxidizable carbon, available N, total N, available sulphur, microbial biomass carbon, acid phosphatase and aryl sulfatase activities. The SQI ranged from 1.82 to 3.01. The SQI declined in the order of: T8> T10 >T9> T11> T4> T3> T2= T1> T5> T6 >T7> T12. The highest SQI was observed in T8 where 100 per cent NPK and FYM were applied. When the dosage of fertilizers was increased from 50% to 100% NPK on integration with FYM, the SQI increased. The soil quality index of the INM treatments (55.50 to 62.11%) and lime incorporation (52.98%) were categorized under medium category as per the computed Relative SQI (RSQI) values. The virippu crop (2020) under LTFE maintained at RARS Pattambi was monitored and various inputs and outputs regarding primary nutrients were assessed for balance predictions using NUTMON toolbox. The NUTMON toolbox includes five inflows, viz., mineral fertilizers (IN1), manure (IN2), atmospheric deposition (IN3), biological N fixation (IN4), and sedimentation (IN5), and five outflows, viz., harvested product (OUT1), crop residues (OUT2), leaching (OUT3), gaseous losses (OUT4), and erosion (OUT5). Nutrient flows like fertilizers, manures, crop residues and harvested outputs were monitored and measured during the experiment. Other flows like nitrogen fixation, leaching, and erosion were estimated by means of regression models from the data related to climate and crop parameters. Available NPK content of soils, rice grain, straw, stubbles, weeds and all inputs were analysed and stored in background database. The data were fed into the data processing module of the NUTMON toolbox to arrive at the partial and total balance of N, P and K in the experimental soil. The total balance of N, P and K were found to decline in order of: T3>T7>T8>T6>T5>T2>T4>T10>T9>T1>T11>T12 for N, T3>T8>T6>T10>T2>T5>T4>T9>T1>T11>T12>T7 for P and T3>T2>T5>T8>T9>T10>T4>T11>T1>T12>T7>T6 for K Summarizing the results, integrated nutrient management with FYM and in situ green manuring with daincha recorded higher yield and available nutrients in the soil. The incorporation inorganic fertilizers with FYM, daincha and lime maintain the soil quality index in the long run while, SQI was poor in control, imbalanced nutrition as well as in treatments where only fertilizers were incorporated. The balance sheet of P establishes the need for maintenance dose of P fertilizers in rice-rice cropping system. The negative balance of N and K indicate the need for supplementing the nitrogen pool and the possibility of mining of K on long term intensive cropping, respectively. Further study should be focused on monitoring the soil quality index at regular intervals and analyzing the effect of nutrient management practices on microbial diversity in rhizosphere and phyllosphere.
Open Access
Modelling habitat suitability and climate change impacts on endemic birds of Southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India
(Department of wildlife sciences, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 2021) Sreehari K Mohan; KAU; Nameer, P O
Open Access
Institutional intervention by dairy co-operatives in Palakkad District
(Department of Co-operative Management, College of Co-operation, Banking & Management,Vellanikkara, 2021) Maria Poulose, T; KAU; Veerakumaran, G
Kerala currently represents the twelfth largest dairy market in India. The share of livestock in Gross State Value Added (GSVA) from the agriculture sector in Kerala is above 27 percent. The livestock population in Kerala was 38.36 lakh in the year 2020 (Economic Review Report, 2020). Dairy co-operatives are functioning to support dairy farmers in the processing and selling of milk and milk products. The common need of milk producers is to obtain a fair price for their milk and this is fulfilled through collective marketing. Milk is considered to be one of the most sensitive products under agriculture and allied sector, requiring special and timely care and this can be provided through the collective operation of dairy co-operative societies. The present study was undertaken with the following objectives viz., to analyze the performance of selected dairy co-operatives, to evaluate the services rendered by the selected dairy co-operatives, to assess the extent of utilization of services by the member farmers, to assess the role of selected dairy co-operatives in the empowerment of member farmers, and to study the problems faced by the dairy farmers. The sample size consists of 256 (Active members-200, BOD-36, Employees 20) were selected from four dairy co-operative societies from Palakkad district namely, Moolathara Ksheerolpadaka Sahakarana Sangam Ltd. No. P 65 (D), Kunnamkattupathy Ksheerolpadaka Sahakarana Sangam Ltd. No. P 126 (D), Menonpara Ksheerolpadaka Sahakarana Sangam Ltd. No. P 281 (D) and Attappadi Ksheerolpadaka Sahakarana Sangam Ltd. No. P 558 (D). The performance of selected dairy co-operatives was analyzed through the variables namely farmer member participation, financial indicators, structural factors, managerial factors, legal, political factors, technological factors, functional factors, human resource factors, and co-operative governance. The percentages and index methods with graphical representations were used for the study. The membership was more in Moolathara DCS and less in Menonpara DCS. The milk procurement and milk supply were more in Moolathara DCS and less in Attappadi DCS. The local milk sale was more in Menonpara DCS and less in Moolathara DCS. The farmer participation levels in dairy co-operatives were higher among the respondents. The financial indicators, structural factors, managerial factors, legal, political factors, technological factors, functional factors, human resource factors, and co-operative governance also showed a positive result in the study. But, the absence of trained Artificial Insemination (AI) and Veterinary First Aid (VFA) workers was the major problem faced by the dairy farmers in the dairy co-operative societies. The services offered by the selected dairy co-operative societies were evaluated by using the index method and percentage methods. The offered schemes and services are grouped into production enhancement services, Flood and COVID-19 related services, and dairy farmer welfare board services. Out of these schemes, the level of utilization was more for production enhancement services compared to other schemes. The participated dairy farmers opined positively for the effectiveness of schemes and services by the dairy co-operatives. The empowerment of dairy farmers was analyzed by using the index method. The different types of empowerments studied were social empowerment, Economic empowerment, Psychological empowerment, and Political empowerment. The opinion towards all types of empowerments except political empowerment was higher. The political empowerment level was marked as low. It indicates less political empowerment through the dairy co-operatives. The problems related to milk production, procurement, the impact of flood and covid-19 in dairying, and constraints in availing services and schemes were examined by using the index method. The climatic variation has highly affected the quantity of milk production. The non-availability of labor and Lack of sufficient veterinary services is the major problem faced by dairy farmers. The flood of 2018, 2019 didn’t affect the dairy farmers. But COVID-19 lockdown affected milk transportation to DCS and it affected the quantity of milk procured by the dairy co-operative society. It finally leads to a decrease in profit from the sale of milk. The study can be concluded that the performance of the dairy co-operatives shows strong farmer member participation, financial, structural, managerial, legal, political, technological, functional, and human resource factors, and co-operative governance in the dairy sector. All the services rendered by the co-operative societies were utilized by the farmers based on their requirements. By providing the services by the dairy cooperatives, they assured the economic, social, psychological empowerment except for political empowerment. Still, the farmers were facing the problems in dairying like the absence of trained Artificial insemination and Veterinary First Aid worker to provide veterinary services, Climatic problems, and scarcity of labour. The recommendation of the study includes the appointment of trained Artificial insemination and Veterinary First Aid worker to provide veterinary services, the conduct of awareness program for the dairy farmers related to the health problems faced by the cattle, and also conduct of awareness classes for attracting youth towards dairy farming and create labour groups by the dairy co-operatives to solve the problem of scarcity of labours.
Open Access
Standardization of technology for microgreen production
(Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2021) Arya, K S; KAU; Sangeetha Kutty, M
Microgreens are new class of vegetables that are gaining popularity in the recent years due to their attractive appearance coupled with vivid flavors. They are young immature greens produced from seeds of vegetables or herbs which are harvested at its true leaf stage. Most of the research works in this area are carried out with temperate species of crops whose seeds are very expensive. Hence there is a need to popularize the microgreens of tropical species at an affordable price with minimum inputs, so that it is easily accessible to common people. The study entitled “Standardization of technology for microgreen production” was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara during January to October 2021. The study was experimented with wheat, ragi, green gram, horse gram, amaranthus and mustard whose seeds were collected from the local market. It was conducted as four experiments (standardization of seed treatment, standardization of media, standardization of seed density and to assess the nutritional value and yield under different growing conditions). The first experiment was to standardize seed treatment done using two chemicals hydrogen peroxide and vinegar treated at different concentrations. The observations on germination percentage, seedling vigour and yield were recorded. The seed treatment did not show any effect on growth of microgreens when compared to the control on the parameters recorded. The microscopic observation of freshly harvested microgreens for fungal contamination indicated absence of any contamination in the fresh microgreens. The experiment on standardizing growing media was carried out using five media viz, sterile sand, cocopeat, coir mat, tissue paper and newspaper. The observation on yield, seedling height, nutritional value of microgreens and microscopic observation on fungal growth were recorded. Yield was observed to be highest in microgreens grown on cocopeat media and lowest was recorded in microgreen grown on newspaper media and among the crops it was highest for green gram microgreens (1.03 to 1.49 kg/m2). The seedling height showed a slight decrease in ragi and mustard microgreens grown on newspaper and comparing the crops, it was observed to be maximum in green gram microgreens (10.23- 10.54 cm). The nutritional parameters recorded were not showing any difference when sown in different media. The wheat microgreens were observed to rich source of vitamin C, beta carotene and protein, ragi microgreens were showing more calcium and vitamin C and beta carotene content, green gram microgreen were rich in protein, vitamin C and calcium, horse gram microgreens were rich in vitamin C, chlorophyll, beta carotene and crude protein, amaranthus microgreens possess high iron, calcium, beta carotene and vitamin C content and mustard microgreens were rich in protein and beta carotene, iron and vitamin C. Microscopic observation on freshly harvested produce revealed that there is absence of fungal contamination in microgreens. The seed density for microgreen production was standardized in the third experiment. The seeds were sown at three densities viz, low, medium and high density for each crop. The observations recorded included yield, seedling height and microscopic observation on fungal growth. The yield was recorded to be highest when sown at high density for wheat (705 g seeds/m2), ragi (520g seeds/m2) and amaranthus(120g seeds/m2) microgreens and medium density planting yielded highest for green gram (850g seeds/m2), horse gram (617 g seeds/m2) and mustard (440 g seeds/m2) microgreens. The seedling height recorded was observed to be on par except for green gram and horse gram microgreens, where highest seedling height was found in medium density planting. No fungal contamination was observed in microscopic observation of fresh produce. Nutritional value and yield of microgreens grown under two conditions (room condition and rain shelter) were studied in fourth experiment. The parameters recorded were yield, seedling height, nutrient content under two conditions, organoleptic evaluation and shelf life of microgreens. The yield was observed to be significantly high when raised under rain shelter condition than room condition. Among the crops it was highest for green gram microgreens (2.261 kg/m2). The seedling height was observed to reduce under rain shelter condition. Nutritional content was also observed to be high when planted under rain shelter for all parameters viz, iron, calcium, beta carotene, vitamin C, crude protein, crude fibre, chlorophyll, oxalates and nitrates. Organoleptic evaluation revealed highest total mean rank for mustard microgreens (54.56) raised under room condition. The shelf life study revealed that the storage period of microgreens can be extended when it is stored in ziplock PPE bag under low temperature condition. In this study, several aspects of microgreens production viz, seed treatment, growing media, seed density, growth conditions and shelf life were standardized. The results indicate that microgreen cultivation can be recommended both as a commercial and household venture.

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