Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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Open Access
Evaluation of multi x bi bivoltine hybrids of silkworm
(1998) Rajeni, Narayanan; KAU; Ranjith, A M
In a study undertaken to evaluate the region and season specific multi x bi and bivoltine hybrids of silkworm Bombyx mori, for commercial exploitation in Kerala, six hybrids of silkworm were reared using K-2 and S-36 mulberry varieties under Vellanikkara condition. The crosses used were PM x NB18, PM X NB4D2 and their reciprocals, NB4D2 x NB18 and its reciprocal and PM as check. The evaluation was carried out based on characters like leaf consumption, larval duration and weight, cocoon and shell weights, shell ratio percentage, average filament length, denier, reelability and renditta. The climatic factors were also correlated with major economic characters of silkworm. The present study confirms the superiority of bivoItine silkworm hybrids like NB4D2 x NBI8 and NB18 x NB4D2 justifying their wide acceptance in states other than Kerala. It is evident that if rearing is done in a systematic way, by strictly adhering to the brushing period in correlation with the seasons and if the use of high quality mulberry varieties is advocated these crosses will yield good returns in Veil ani kkara. Though the various economic parameters reflected a variable trend, ultimately when the average filament length/g cocoon, shell ratio percentage and cocoon weight were considered, the bivoltine hybrids performed superior to the others.
Open Access
Mass trapping of the sweet potato weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) males using sex pheromone
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1993) Mini, E S; KAU; Sitarama Rao, S
The efficacy of the synthetic pheromone of C. formicarius elegantulus in attracting the males of C. formicarius formicarius was tested in the field. The effect of continuous mass trapping of adult males on the population build up of the pest in the field was assessed. The effect of different doses of pheromone as influenced by the trap designs was also assessed. Low cost traps designed and fabricated out of locally available materials were tested in the field and incremental benefit of treatments was worked out. The range of attraction of pheromone doses was assessed by analysing the recapture data of marked males released at different distances from the pheromone baited traps. The results indicated that the weevils were most active during the night as is evidenced by higher capture of weevils at morning observations than those in the evening observations. The weevil catch was not significantly influenced by the higher doses of pheromone. Day light affected the flight pattern of weevils while the moon phases have no significant effect. continued attraction of males towards the pheromone baited traps indicated their effectiveness inspite of the presence of virgin females in the field. The pheromone doses were effective in checking the rapid build up of the pest in the field as evidenced by the non reduction in vine weight. Among the three trap designs polythene bag trap was the cheapest one to install and resulted in the most favourable C : B ratio. The attraction of the pheromone doses decreased with increase in the distance of release from the pheromone source. A distance of 25 m was found to be ideal for placement of traps in the field. The cheapness of traps facilitate installation of large number of traps at reasonable increase in cost.
Open Access
Effect of chitin synthesis inhibitors on rice swarming caterpillar spodoptera mauritia and rice moth corcyra cephalonica and a larval parasitoid bracon brevicornis
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1991) Prathapan, K D; KAU; Dale, D
Effects of four chitin synthesis inhibitors viz. diflubenzuron, chlorfluazuron, PH 70-23 and BASF LAB 153 959 I were assessed on two insect pests, the rice swarming caterpillar Spodoptera mauritia ( Boisduval) and rice moth Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) and on its larval parasitoid Bracon brevicornis (Wesmael). Ovicidal action was assessed by treating one and two-day old eggs of S. mauritia in aqueous and mathanilic media. It was low in aqueous medium. But in methanolic medium diflubenzuron and the highest doses of the other three compounds showed enhanced action. In general, high ovicidal action was observed in methanolic medium. There was no significant difference between one and two-day old eggs in their susceptibility to chitin synthesis inhibitors. Chlorfluazuron was the most toxic causing cent per cent mortality at doses as low as 2 x 10 -5% when treated on second and fifth instar larvae of S. mauritia. Diflubenzuron, PH 70-23 and BASF LAB 153 959 I were also highly effective. Second instar larvae were more susceptible than fifth instar ones. Besides stomach action, a high degree of contact action was also observed. Final instar larvae of S. mauritia when treated with the test chemicals, produced larval-pupal intermediates and caused pupal mortality and emergence of deformed adults. All the four moult inhibitors were highly active during larval – pupal transformations. Pupae were less susceptible to chitin synthesis inhibitors. Yet, some treatments caused mortality and emergence of deformed adults. Chlorfluazuron was the most toxic to pupae. Fecundity, hatchability of eggs and longevity were reduced when the male moths of S. mauritia were fed on sugar solution containing the moult inhibitors. Antifeedant action of the chitin synthesis inhibitors was found to be less pronounced. Residual effect of all the four compounds persisted on the treated rice foliage throughout a study period of 36 days. But the efficacy of residues exposed to sunlight and rain was very low. Ovicidal action of the moult inhibitors was low to moderate on one and four-day old eggs of C. cephalonica in aqueous medium. In methanolic medium diflubenzuron at 2 x 10 -1 %, 2 x 10 -2 % and 2 x 10 -3 % and PH 70-23 and BASF LAB 153 959 I at 2 x 10 -1 % caused enhanced ovicidal action. In general there was no significant difference between the susceptibility of one and four-day old eggs. Chlorfluazuron was found to be the most toxic compound against larvae of C. cephalonica followed by BASF LAB 153 959 I. Diflubenzuron and PH 70-23 were less effective. Early larval instars were more susceptible. Contact action of compounds other than chlorfluazuron was low. Larval – pupal intermediates, pupal mortality and emergence of deformed adults were resulted when the last instar larvae of C. cephalonica were treated with the chemicals. Chlorfluazuron was found to be the most toxic compound. Prepupal treatment also caused the above juvenomimetic effects. But treatments other than chlorfluazuron 2 x 10 – 2% were less effective. Treatment of pupae of C. cephalonica resulted in pupal mortality and emergence of deformed adults. But pupae were less susceptible to the moult inhibitors as compared to the larval stages. External application of Chitin synthesis inhibitors to moths of C. cephalonica had no adverse had no adverse effect on fecundity, hatchability of eggs and longevity of the treated moths. Chlorfluazuron was found to inhibit the emergence of adult parasites from treated hosts and adversely affect the progeny production of B. brevicornis. Diflubenzuron, PH 70-23 and BASF LAB 153 959 I were non-toxic or only slightly toxic to the parasite.
Open Access
Bioecology of orthogalumna terebrants wallwork on waterhyacinth
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Babykala, P; KAU; Joy, P J
The mite biology, morphology, nature of extent of damage and interaction with N. eichhorniae were studied. The might laid solitary eggs sideways to the oviposition holes, deeply embedded in the aerenchyma cells. The incubation period was 5.8 days. The larvae and nymphs fed by making galleries. The larvae, proto and deuto nymphal stages were completed in 3 days each, while that of tritonymph took 4 days. The duration of inactive stages from larva to proto, proto to deuto and deuto to tritonymphal stage were 1.6 days each, whereas from tritonymph to adult, it was 3 days. Adult longevity was 57.3 days. pre-ovipositional period was 4 days and the total number of eggs produced during the whole life period was 41.5 eggs. The larvae have three pairs of legs but no genital opening. The nymphal stages have four pairs of legs, ending in single claws. The proto, deuto and tritonymphal stages, have one, two and three pairs of genital papillae respectively. This character helps in identification of larval and nymphal stages. The adults are pteromorphs and sexual dimorphism is absent. Sensillus is relatively short with curved stem and globular roughened head. Terminally the tarsus of the leg has three claws on a short peduncle the lateral claws more slender than the median and sharply angled. The larval and nymphal feeding produces galleries on leaves of waterrhyacinth resulting in brown streaks on the leaf lamina. Such brown streaks later coalesce to form large brown areas, leading to drying up of the entire leaf. As the mite load increased from ten to eighty the number of plants and number of leaves showed significant reduction 90 days after release. The extent of damage caused by O. terebrantis with or without weevil under open and partially shaded conditions of waterhyacinth plants was experimented upon, and it showed that, the root length, petiole length ( in open condition), laminar width and length, number of leaves and number of plants under both light intensities (partially shaded and open condition), in general showed a decreasing trend. The plants in tanks having ten weevils alone per tank and 10 weevils plus 100 mites per tank under partially shaded conditions collapsed within 60 days, whereas in open condition of that having 10 weevils plus 100 mites per tank, all the plants collapsed by the 75th day. In the treatment with ten weevils alone per tank in open condition the collapse occurred only at 105 days. In the treatment with 100 mites alone per tank, there was no collapse of plants upto 105 days (in both conditions). The number of mite galleries and mite population per leaf with Neochetina feeding marks was comparatively more in the presence of weevils than in their absence. Fungi like Fusarium, Aspergillus and Rhizopus were isolated and also the spider mite and insects like aphids and grasshoppers were noticed.
Open Access
Isolation of the bioactive pinciples of thevetia nerlifolia juss.(Apocynaceae) and determination of their biological activities
(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Hebsi, Bai; KAU; George, Koshy
Fresh and dried leaves and seeds of Thevetia neriifolia were evaluated for their antifeedant activity against Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, using acetone, benzene, ethanol, hexane, methanol and water as extractants. Based on the percentage of leaf protection, seed extracts were superior to the leaf extracts. Fresh leaf and dried leaf extracts were on par. Among the solvents, ethanol and methanol gave maximum leaf protection closely followed by water. Based on larval starvation, seed extracts were superior to leaf extracts and fresh leaf extracts were significantly better than dried leaf extracts. Water, methanol and ethanol were on par for extracting plant tissues. Soaking of powered plant material well in solvents for 48 hours and filteration was found as effective as soxhlet method for extracting antifeedant components from leaves and seeds of T. neriifolia. Leaves and seeds of the plant showed conspicuous hormonal/sterilant activity on Dysdercus cingulatus and the response was dose dependent. This was evident in post treatment larval mortality, prolonged preovipositional period, emergence of malformed adults and reduced fecundity. Adult longevity, incubation period and hatching percentage of eggs were not affected. Forty per cent and ten per cent of leaf and seed extracts as well as 20 and 5 per cent extracts of the same came on par in juvenomimetic effect. The results showed that seeds were four times more effective than the leaves in their juvenomimetic effect on D. cingulatus. The length of ovary, number of oocytes per ovariole and size of basal, penultimate and antepenultimate oocytes were significantly lower in seed and leaf extract treated females of D. cingulatus. Closer examination of the data revealed that growth of ovary was delayed rather than suppressed by the plant extracts. Levels of protein, glycogen and lipid contents observed on ovary, fat body and haemolymph of treated and untreated insects from first to fifth day after emergence indicated a delay in vitellogenesis and oocyte development in treated insects. Consequently previposition period was prolonged. The effect observed is similar to the effect of chemosterilants reported on some insects earlier. Results indicated that reduction in fecundity of D. cingulatus may be due to the chemosterilant action of T. neriifolia extracts. Bioassay studies in the laboratory revealed the low contact toxicity of leaf and seed extracts of T. neriifolia to S. litura and H. vigintioctopunctata. Chromatographic isolation of different fractions of ethanol extracts of fresh leaf and seed yielded six bioactive fractions from the leaf and four from the seed. Fractions III and IV were absent in seeds. Fractions IV, V and VI obtained from leaves and V and VI from seeds had far higher activity than the remaining fractions and they were on par in their antifeedant effect and larval starvation on H. vigintioctopunctata. Available active fractions were more concentrated in seeds than in leaves. Laboratory studies showed the safety of leaf and seed extracts of T. neriifolia at field doses to Chrysocharis johnsoni, the most important parasite of H. vigintioctopunctata in Kerala. Toxicological studies in albino mice and rats revealed that 400 mg/kg body weight was the LD50 dose of seed extract of T.neriifolia while doses upto 1000mg/kg body weight of leaf extract was not toxic to the animals. Haematological picture of animals chronically exposed to the extracts showed marginal deviations in the haemoglobin content, RBC count, serum cholesterol, SGOT levels in seed extract treated animals from the permissible safe range. Leaf extract treatment caused deviations in SGOT and serum cholesterol. Vacuolation, cytoplasmic acidophilia and degenerative changes in the liver and heart tissues and inflammation of kidney were observed in animals treated with seed extract. Adverse effects of leaf extract were negligible. Replicated field experiments were conducted for two seasons on bittergourd and amaranthus to evaluate the efficacy of crude extracts of T. neriifolia in controlling their major pests. All the extracts viz., ethanol and water extracts of dried and fresh leaves and seed reduced the pest population and the extent of leaf damage. Seed extract was on par with the insecticide check, carbary 1 (0.15 per cent) in bittergourd and malathion (0.1 per cent) in amaranthus. Fresh leaf extract was on par with the seed extract and was superior to extracts of dried leaf in reducing pest population and increasing yield of both the crops. Water extracts of leaves and seed were found equally good for checking the pest population and increasing yield. On cost benefit basis water extracts were found more advantageous to the farmer. Parasitization of egg masses, grubs and pupae in treated plots were on par with control while they were totally missing in the insecticide treated plots. Extracts of T.neriifolia were thus found to be safe to the non – target organisms too. An overall assessment of the results obtained revealed that water extracts of fresh leaf and seed in appropriate doses can be effectively and safely used for the control of important pests of bittergourd and amaranthus without any health hazards and adverse effect on the non target organisms in the agroecosystem. T. neriifolia can be considered as a plant suited for developing effective plant protection chemicals for replacing undersirable synthetic insecticides, especially in integrated pest control calendar.
Open Access
Evaluation of neem triterpenes as ovipositional and feeding deterrents to the tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii Sign. on cashew
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1995) Angaiah, K; KAU; Sitarama Rao, D
Experiments were conducted at the Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, to ascertain the feasibility of utilizing the commercially available neem products for the management of populations of tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis antonii Sign. On cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. The effects of three neem products in altering the ovipositional behaviour and the feeding behaviour of H. antonii through contact and translaminar effects and the number of feeding punctures as affected by the contact and translaminar effects, were tested in comparison with NKS. Radio labelling of cashew seedlings prior to application of treatments and quantification of feeding based on the quantum of radio activity in the bodies of test insects fed on the treated seedlings was developed as a new technique. The study resulted in the following findings. 1. Godrej Achook at 1.6 and 3.2 per cent doses and Rakshak at all the tested doses significantly reduced the number of egg laying sites. 2. Duration of egg laying was significantly reduced by Godrej Achook and Rakshak at 1.6 and 3.2 per cent doses. 3. Significant reduction in the total number of eggs laid was brought about by Rakshak 1.6 per cent and Godrej Achook at 1.6 and 3.2 per cent doses. 4. Rakshak at all doses and Godrej Achhok at 1.6 and 3.2 per cent doses significantly reduced the nymphal duration. The nymphs failed to reach adult hood. 5. Feeding deterrency through contact action was exhibited by the treatments. Nimbecidine and Godrej Achook at higher doses were better. 6. The number of feeding punctures was influenced by the treatments through translaminar effects. 7. Development of feeding punctures was affected by the treatments through contact action also. Higher doses of Godrej Achook and Nimbecidine were better than the other treatments. In conclusion it can be stated that the commercially available neem products showed a high degree of effectiveness in reducing the feeding and oviposition by H. antonii, eventhough the neem tree is an alternate host of the tea mosquito bug. The neem products can be included as candidates for the management of population of H. antonii on cashew.
Open Access
Phytochemicals and vam for management of nematodes in brinjal
(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Asha, John; KAU; Hebsy, Bai
Aqueous neem leaf extract, neem oil and marotti oil at different concentrations were tested as bare root-dip treatments for their efficacy in containing root-knot nematode infestation in brinjal. Root-dip in neem leaf extract for one hour resulted in significantly better height and number of leaves in the treated plants than nee m oil and marotti oil. Among the different concentrations of neem leaf extract tested, 6.25 and 25 per cent extracts proved more effective. Significant reduction in gall index was also seen in neem leaf extract treated plants. Higher concentrations of the extract (50 and 25 per cent) significantly reduced the number of egg masses produced. But none of the phytochemicals had any adverse effect on the hatching of the egg masses. All the three phytochemicals irrespective of the doses reduced population of the nematode in the soil. An overall assessment of the result established the superiority of neem leaf extract (25 per cent) among the different phytochemicals tested in checking nematode infestation. Different isolates of V AM fungi like, G. fasciculatum, G. etunicatum, G. mosseae, G. constrictum G. monosporum and A. morroweae did not show any significant difference in the growth parameters of brinjal plants (height and number of leaves) at transplanting and one month after transplanting irrespective of the pot size. Later (45 and 60 days after transplanting) significant increase in height and number of leaves were observed in plants raised in soil inoculated with G.etunicatum and G. fasciculatum. Higher percentage of V A mycorrhizal colonisation was observed in plants artificially inoculated with V AM. Plants raised in G. etunicatum G. fasciculatum and G. monosporum recorded significantly lower root-knot indices. The fecundity of the nematode and the number of larvae hatching per eggmass was also significantly reduced in mycorrhizae treated plants. Irrespective of the pot size, G.fasciculatum registered the lowest population per gram root while G. fasciculatum and G. constrictum significantly lowered the nematode population in the soil. Overall assessment of the results revealed G. fasciculatum as the most effective mycorrhizae among the isolates tested for protecting brinjal plants from root-knot infestation. Field trial with bare-root dip in 25 per cent neem leaf extract and insecticides monocrotophos (500 and 250 ppm) and carbosulfan (500 and 250 ppm) nursery treatment with G. fasciculatum and root-dip of the mycorrhizal seedlings in neem leaf extract and nematicides did not show any significant effect on growth parameters of the plant like height, number of leaves and root weight But the . bare-root dip treatment in neem leaf extract and mycorrhizal nursery treatment and bare-root dip treatment in monocrotophos 500 ppm resulted in significant increase in shoot weight. Root-dip in nematicides was definitely superior to root- dip in neem leaf extract and nursery treatment with G. fasciculatum in increasing yield significantly. Bare-root dip in neem leaf extract, nursery treatment with G.fasciculatum also registered significantly higher yield. Root-dip of mycorrhizal seedlings in monocrotophos and carbosulfan were far more superior than the individual treatments in increasing the yield of brinjal. During the early stage (45 DAT) no significant difference was seen in the gall index, number of egg mass per plant and mycorrhizal colonization percentage. Later, as the plant matured a significant difference was seen in these parameters. Root -dip in neither nematicide nor neem leaf extract showed any deleterious effect on mycorrhizal colonisation.
Open Access
Resistance mechanisms against the pseudostem weevil odoiporus longicollis olivier (coleoptera : curculionidae) in banana
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1999) Lalitha, N; KAU; Ranjith, A M
The present investigation on resistance mechanisms against pseudostem weevil Odoiporus longicollis Olivier (Coleoptera:Curculionidae) in banana was undertaken in the Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1997-99. In insect-plant interactions, it is always the survival of the fittest. There is also a constant enhancement in the physiological preparedness both by the insect and the host plant to gain the upper hand. It is felt that even though the insect conqu6¥$ the resistance of the host plant in majority of cases, there may be a threshold of insect attack, which would induce plant defenses to deter the attack. It was also possible that some of these plant defenses may be triggered off by enzymes produced in the plant system consequent to the attack. These incitory enzymes or chemicals may be transferred to the offspring, which would make them resistant to attack, by the weevil. Hence, major objectives of the study were to evaluate sucker and in vitro regenerated progenies of infested Nendran (AA B) for resistance against 0. longicollis, to evolve methods for screening resistance under artificial conditions, laboratory rearing of 0. longicollis and identification of morphological, biochemical and anatomical bases of resistance using Nendran as susceptible and Njalipoovan as the resistant source. Preliminary field screening of Musa (AAB) Nendran for resistance against pseudostem weevil was done based on the number of ovipunctures/feeding holes on the pseudostem, surface area of infestation and the size of feeding holes. All of these contributed to the intensity of the attack. The multiplication product of these factors led to the development of a new 0-4 rating scale, for scoring the damage by 0. longicollis in the field. No-choice tests conducted on sucker and in vitro regenerated progenies of such graded mother plants revealed a better performance by plants having lower history of infestation. This suggested the existence of induced resistance involving triggering off of enzymatic reactions. Besides these lower grades, the plantlets of G4 exhibited better tolerance than control by exerting greater potential to stand amidst heavy winds till complete maturity of the bunch. The in vitro regenerated plants performed much better than the sucker derived treatment plants. This offers potential for mass multiplication of such in borne resistance for commercial release. The results obtained so far opens up the possibility of induced resistance that may be genetically inherited to the plantlets from its mother as an evolutionary character. Such triggering mechanism operating in vivo offers greater potential to select resistant clones. The methodology for screening banana for resistance to 0. longicollis by artificial infestation in field situations was standardized. Four adult weevils in the sex ratio 1: 1 (2!f' and 2 r:J) was found to be optimum to create moderate levels of infestation during the most favourable season (May-August). Mass rearing of 0. longicollis in laboratory conditions using natural diet was quite successful for maintaining a large-scale population throughout the year. A continuous supply of uniformly aged test insects for exposing the experimental plants at specific pest load was made possible by this. Studies involving the duration of development of the weevil revealed acute antibiosis in Njalipoovan manifested by reduced egg laying prolonged duration of life cycle, reduced hatching of eggs (39.5%) and reduced adult emergence from eggs (29.7%) in contrast to 94.9 per cent hatching of eggs and 9l.3 per cent adult emergence in Nendran. A no-choice test was designed to study the appropriate age of Nendran from which it becomes susceptible to infestation. Results indicated a distinct preference for oviposition by the adults on pseudostem of banana from seventh month onwards. This information helps to reduce the insecticidal load in the banana ecosystem by advocating pesticides from seventh month only. The existence of oviposition deterrency when more females were confined to Nendran pseudostem pieces revealed the deposition of spacing pheromones by conspecific females after egg laying. It was seen that the acetone and ether extracts of pseudostem pieces where ten females had laid their eggs, when sprayed on fresh pseudostem, deterred the oviposition by other females. Isolation and identification of such epidectic compounds will help in their utilisation in the field to prevent egg laying on banana pseudostem. The morphological, anatomical and biochemical bases of resistance were also identified. The morphological parameters associated with resistance were smaller width and breadth of the sheath coupled with more number of sheaths in the resistant variety. These increased the number of cuticular layers and cell walls the grub had to traverse before entering the central pith. The pith formation is of prime importance to the curculionid as it becomes the target site of feeding for third and fourth in stars. There are certain cues emanating from the pseudostem subsequent to maturity, which aids the adult weevils in host selection and oviposition. The lesser moisture and higher crude fibre content of Njalipoovan pseudostem exhibited greater influence on resistance by posing a mechanical barrier to egg laying and feeding of neonate larva. The information on moisture content is of practical utility in the management of the pest in endemic areas. It may be possible to artificially create moisture stress in the plant attaining flower bud initiation stage by regulating irrigation. The level of irrigation has to be adjusted so as not to induce a yield reduction but at the same time to induce moisture stress at least in the outer sheaths to prevent oviposition. The water suckers served as more conducive hosts for the pest even before sufficient maturity and this highlighted the need for removal of water suckers from endemic fields. The anatomical sections of pseudostem sheath clearly revealed a thick cuticle on epidermal cells with four to five layers of dense collenchymatous hypodermis imposing a physical barrier against oviposition in the resistant cultivar. Further, the ground tissues which constituted of compactly arranged parenchymatous cells with several starch grains offered feeding deterrency. The closely packed bigger sized lower epidermal cells along with additional parenchymal layers below the air cavity operated as a mechanical barrier which caused the failure of the neonate larva to penetrate inner tissues. Higher content of phenolics generally showed a positive correlation with resistance. However, the role of ortho dihydric phenolic substrates in resistance is greatly dependent on the enzymatic activity of polyphenol oxidase to form toxic metabolites like quinones and tannins. Hence, the oxidation factor of OD phenols clearly indicated the dominance of the resistant variety, Njalipoovan. The accelerated activity in Njalipoovan is endowed with greater potentiality to activate polyphenol aggressively effecting more production of lignin, quinone and tannins, in the event of egg laying or feeding by the pseudostem weevil.
Open Access
Screening medicinal plants for antihelminthic properties against different life stages of banana burrowing nematode radopholus similis [Cobb,1893] thorne 1949
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Sreeja, P; KAU; Job Sathyakumar, Charles
Experiments were conducted at the department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to screen medicinal plants for antihelminthic properties against the infective stages of banana burrowing nematode R. similis. The effect of aqueous extract of different parts of 20 medicinal plants were treated at four dilutions and three exposure times. Nematicidal and nematostatic properties of these extracts were studied using the nematode culture developed on carrot callus. The study resulted in the following findings. 1. Extracts of A. indica and G. pentaphylla were highly nematicidal to infective stages of the nematode at all the tested doses. K. pinnata was significantly effective at all the tested doses except 1:40. P. longum resulted in significant mortality at all the tested doses against larval stages whereas only 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 dilutions were effective against adult stages. Besides nematicidal effect 1:20 and 1:40 dilutions of G. pentaphylla and K. pinnata exhibited nematostatic effects. 2. Leaf extract of M. oleifera and M. piperita at 1:5 and 1:10 dilutions showed significant nematostatic effects against both larvae and adults. P. betle extract was equally effective at the three dilutions. 3. Leaf extracts of C. angustifolia, A. squamosa and L. inermis were not effective at all tested doses. 4. Fruit extract of M. azedarach was nematicidal at all the tested dilutions of 1:5, 1:10, 1:20 and 1:40. But extract of C. papaya was ineffective. 5. Seed extract of C. viscosa expressed nematostatic property at 1:5 and 1:10 dilutions against adult stages, but it was ineffective against larval stages. Treatment with seed extract of E. scandens was ineffective. 6. Rhizome extract of C. rotundus was equally effective against infective stages in causing mortality at 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 dilutions. Besides nematicidal effects, the extract exhibited significant nematostatic effect. A. calamus extract was nematostatic at 1:5 and 1:10 dilutions. 7. Root extract of I. tinctoria was nematostatic at 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 dilutions against both larvae and adults. In addition to immobility, it resulted in the death of adult nematodes at 1:5 and 1:10 dilutions. Extract of S. indicum showed significant nematostatic effect at 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 dilutions against larval stages. But it was effective only at 1:5 and 1:10 dilutions against adult stages. 8. Plant extract of E. hirta expressed nematicidal property at 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 dilutions against larval stages, but the same was effective only at the two lower dilutions against adult stages

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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