Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

200319
Reset filters
Subject: Agronomy × Author: KAU × End date: 2003 × Start date: 2003 ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 19
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Response of chilly to plant growth promoting rhizobacteria fluorescent pseudomonads
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Anu, V; KAU; Elizabeth Syriac, K
    The research project entitled 'Response of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) to plant growth promoting rhizobacteria fluorescent pseudomonads' was carried out as two investigations viz., a pot culture trial and a field study at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during July 2002 to April 2003. The study was conducted on chilli cultivar, Jwalasakhi. The pot culture study was aimed at evaluation of fluorescent pseudomonads isolates for growth promotion and yield in chilli. The treatments consisted of five different isolates of fluorescent pseudomonads (PI, P5, P14, P22and KKI6). The trial was laid out in completely randomised design with four replications. Among the five isolates tested, isolate P22 was adjudged as the best one for growth promotion and P I for disease resistance. As far as yield and economics are concerned, these two isolates were found to be on par. Thus a dual culture of Tsolate P22 and PI was selected for further field study. The objective of the field study was to assess the suitability of the best isolate of fluorescent pseudomonads as a biofertilizer either alone or in combination with Azospirillum along with different doses of NPK . fertilizers on growth and productivity of chilli. The field study was laid out in factorial randomised block design with three replications. The different treatments included three different levels of NPK (75 per cent (56.3 : 30 : 18.8 kg ha"), 100 per cent (75 : 40 : 25 kg ha') and 125 per cent (93.8 : 50 : 23.5 kg ha-I) of the recommended dose of NPK as per POP) and four biofertilizer treatments (Fluorescent pseudomonads, Azospirillum; Fluorescent pseudomonads + Azospirillum and no biofertilizers). The abstract of the result is furnished below. r I~ All the growth characters increased significantly with graded doses or PK. Combined inoculation of fluorescent pseudomonads and Azospirillum was the most superior one among biofertilizer treatments. Similar trend was also observed for yield attributing characters. However with regard to marketable fruit yield, all the levels of NPK fertilizers tested were statistically on par. With respect to biofertilizer application, combined inoculation (7.75 ha") was on par with fluorescent pseudomonads application (7.56 t ha-I). Compared to control of no biofertilizer treatment, Fluorescent pseudo monads + Azospiriflum increased fruit yield by 46.69 per cent. Among the treatment combinations, 75 per cent of the recommended dose of NPK (56.3 : 30 : 18.8 kg ha-I) + Fluorescent pseudomonads + Azospirillum produced significantly higher yield (8.74 t ha-I) and ensured a saving of 25 per cent of recommended dose of NPK. 100 per cent POP + Fluorescent pseudomonads application was on par with this treatment. At 125 per cent of the recommended dose of NPK (93.8 : 50 : 23.5 kg ha I) microbial count in the rhizosphere was significantly lower and fruit rot incidence was significantly higher. Biofertilizer application significantly increased microbial count and reduced disease incidence. 75 per cent of recommended dose of PK + Fluorescent pseudomonads + Azospirillum was rated as the most economically viable treatment combination, with a net profit and benefit-cost ratio of Rs. 59328 ha-I and 1.82 respectively.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Integration of nutritional inputs for improving rice productivity in laterite soils
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Jinappa, Halingali; KAU; Usha, K E
    A study on "Integration of nutritional inputs for improving nee productivity in laterite soils" was taken up during 2001-2003 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara The experiment consisted of 17 treatments including two sources of organic manure and two levels of nutrition with combinations of lime and silica to develop a cost effective, high yield and sustainable production technology for rice by identifying the components of good management. The treatment .receiving poultry manure with 90 kg ha" of fertilizer N and 500 kg ha" of silica recorded the maximum height productive tillers, •number of spikelets per panicle and thousand grain weight which . contributed to the maximum grain yield 0[7004 kg ha". An increase in 1680 kg grain yield and 1087 kg straw yield than the package of practices recommendation of Kerala Agricultural University appear to be due to the application of Silica, substitution of cow dung by the poultry manure and increased dose of N with an organic: inorganic ratio of 1 :2.25, increased dose ofK and reduced dose ofP. Cow dung contains Fe, Zn and Cu in toxic levels to rice. Poultry manure has the content of these elements in far less quantities but has higher Ca content . which helps in reducing the uptake of unfavourable elements by the rice plants. Increase in'the level of K application @120 kg ha' has recorded 1387 kg ha" more grain than the present recommendation of 35 kg ha" and the uptake of K by the plants are far above the applied levels. This suggests that the present recommendation of35 kg ha' ofK has to be enhanced up to 120 kg ha" to prevent the soil degradation. It is also seen that the rice plants absorb only around 20 kg P and hence the P recommendation can be reduced from 35 kg to 20 kg ha". There was no apparent effect when lime and silica were applied together but individually they could improve the yield. The number of weeds and the incidence of pests and disease were less in thetreatment plots, which revealed the influence of soil ameliorants in impa~ing resistance in the rice pants. TIle. results of the present study indicate that the failure of rice plants to respond to higher doses of fertilizer N, appears to be because of the unfavourable organic: inorganic' ratio. A ratio of 1 :2.25 was found to be beneficial to nullity the unfavourable chemical effects of fertilizer N.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standardisation of mat nursery for rice
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Rajesh, G; KAU; Jaikumaran, U
    A field experiment was conducted during May to September 2002 at the Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy, Thrissur to develop a suitable production package for rice mat nursery, evaluate it under mechanical transplanting and develop it as a substitute for conventional nursery for manual planting. The s~dy consisted of three experiments. (J) Raising of sixteen types of mat nurseries using . . four different media in two ratios under two systems (dry and wet) and its evaluation. (II) Mechanical transplanting of these sixteen types of mat nurseries along with manual planting of conventional nursery and crop performance study. (Ill) Manual transplanting of sixteen types of mat nursery along with conventional nursery and crop evaluation. Experiment-I was designed in GRD, while experiment-II and experiment-Ill were laid out in Randomised Block Design, with two replications each. Rice variety Kanchana, was tried in the experiment. Results revealed that soil+ cow dung in the ratio 2: 1 in the mat produced taller seedlings and coir pith compost produced shorter seedlings. Presence 'of cow dung produced dark green seedlings with maximum number of healthy and minimum number of weak seedlings. Soil+ cow dung in the ratio 2:1 produced heavy mats under both systems. Presence of chaff in the media resulted in stronger mats. The performance of the transplanter, as it is a fixed parameter for the machine was unaltered by the different media and systems of nursery. But generally, the , '. number of missing hills was lower under dry system, compared to wet system. In case of experiment-Il, a higher plant population of 65 hills m-2 was seen associated with the crop raised under manual planting using conventional nursery. But the same crop produced a significantly lower number of tillers hill-1 throughout its growth period and the crop had 9.5 tillers nnr', at the time of harvest. The physiological growth attributes, observed through CGR, RGR and NAR was distinctively lower for the manuaIIy planted crop using conventional nursery in the initial stages of growth, but the trend disappeared in the later stages, indicating a uniform rate of growth. The insect pest attack was uniform without any variation due to treatments. Incidence of BLB was higher in case of mechanically planted crop using soil+ coir pith compost in 2: 1 ratio under dry nursery and soil+ coir pith raw in 2:] ratio under wet nursery. Among the yield components, number of 'panicles m-2 and test weight were not altered by the treatments. The maximum number of filled ,grains panicle" was seen in case of soil+ cow dung in the ratio 2:] ,as the media under dry system (61). However, the final grain and straw yield remained unaffected due to the various treatments with a mean value of 4344 and 7464 kg ha" respectively. The NPK content of the grain and total uptake ofP and K by the crop were influenced by the various treatments. Under dry system soil+ coir pith raw and soil+ chaff in the ratios 2: 1 and in wet system soi1+ cow dung in the ratio 1:2 and soil+ coir pith compost in the ratio 2: 1 were economically superior and can be the mat nursery media for mechanical transplanting. The use of mat nursery instead of conventional nursery did not prolong the time required for manual planting. Conventional nursery recorded a lower tiller production (8.8 at the time of harvest). Similar level of tiller production was seen in cases of soil+ chaff in either of the ratios and soil+ coir pith raw in the ratio 1:2. The pest and disease incidence, except rice bug, did not show any discrimination between the treatments. SoiI+ chaff in the ratio ]:2 under dry system had a higher population of bugs (2.7 per hill). Soil+ coir pith raw in the ratio 2: 1 under both the systems had the highest number of panicles m-2 i.e., 352 and 341, respectively. Conventional nursery had the lowest number of filled grains panicle" (31). The grain yield was unaffected, due to treatments and the mean grain yield was 4441 kg ha-I. Straw yield was influenced by the different treatments. A very low harvest index value of 0.3 was recorded for the crop. Crop raised using conventional nursery had a very low B:C ratio (l.05) and all mechanically planted crops had higher B:C ratio than this. As the grain yield was not affected due to the various treatments, the selection of mat should be based basically on economic consideration. Soil+ coir .pith raw as well as soil+ chaff in the ratio of 2: 1 under dry system, and soil+ cow dung in the ratio] :2 and soi1+ coir pith compost in the ratio 2:], under wet system could be a better option for mechanical transplanting based on the economics. Soil+ cow dung in 1:2 ratio and soi1+ chaff in 2: 1 ratio under both systems, and soil+ coir pith raw in 1:2 ratio under dry system and soil+ coir pith raw in 2: 1 ratio under wet system were found economically suitable. for manual planting.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Weed management in semi- dry rice intercropped with green manure crops
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Resmy, O N; KAU; Jose Mathew
    An investigation was conducted during the kharif season of 2002 at Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy to formulate weed management practices in semi-dry rice intercropped with green manure crops. Fourteen treatments were laid out in RBD with three replications involving combinations of two green manure crops (cowpea and horsegram) for in situ green manuring and six weed management treatments (butachlor, pendimethalin, pretilachlor, anilofos, handweeding and control) in addition to rice monocropping . . Results of the study revealed that an integrated strategy encompassing the application of pre-emergence herbicides and intercropping of green manure crops was successful from the point of view of weed management, organic manure addition and crop yield in semi-dry rice. Among the fourteen treatments tried, the highest yield of grain and straw was recorded by monocropped rice with hand weeding (T 13) which was on par with treatments intercropped with horsegram (Ts) and cowpea (T2), both receiving pendimethalin application. Intercropping with horsegram encouraged better growth of rice over cowpea. Averaging the grain yield of rice in intercropping treatments, it was found that concurrent growing of horse gram has significant superiority over cowpea. Comparing the unweeded plots with cowpea or horse gram intercropping and rice monocrop, it was observed that intercropping reduced the weed count to the extent of 42.8 to 56.8 per cent upto 60 DAS and cowpea was found superior in suppressing the population of weeds. The contribution of N, P and K by cowpea at the time of self decomposition was almost double that of horse gram, leading to an increased soil fertility status. Pendimethalin, pretilachlor and butachlor can be used safely both in rice + cowpea and rice + horsegram cropping systems and they favoured growth and yield of green manure crops and rice, apart from their superior weed control efficiency.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Integrated nutrient management for short duration Cassava in lowlands
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Pamila Vimal, Raj; KAU; Kumari Swadija, O
    An investigation entitled "Integrated nutrient management for short duration cassava in lowlands" was undertaken in the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from September 2002 to April 2003 to develop an integrated nutrient schedule for short duration cassava in lowlands and to work out the economics of cultivation. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of two varieties of cassava (Sree Vijaya and Kariyilapothiyan), three sources of organic manure (farmyard manure, poultry manure and coir pith compost) and three levels of nitrogen (50, 75 and 100 kg N ha-I). The trial was laid out in 32 x 2 asymmetrical confounded factorial design with two replications confounding VMN in replication J and MN in replication II. A uniform dose of 50 kg P20S ha' and 100 kg K20 ha-' was applied to all the plots. In general, the local var. Kariyilapothiyan recorded superior values of growth characters like plant height, leaf number and leaf area index. Among organic manures, farmyard manure produced higher values of growth characters. But total dry matter production was not influenced either by varieties or by sources of organic manure. Levels of N had profound influence on growth characters and 75 kg N ha-' was found superior in the case of both varieties. Varieties exhibited no variation in yield components except length of tuber. The improved var. Sree Vijaya produced longer tubers than the local variety. The yield components except tuber weight per plant did not vary with the source of organic manure. Poultry manure recorded the highest value of tuber weight per plant. Nitrogen @ 75 kg N ha" recorded higher values of yield components. The performance of both varieties In terms of tuber yield, top yield and utilization index was found similar. Among organic manures, the highest tuber yield was recorded by poultry manure which was on par with farmyard manure but superior to coir pith compost. At the same time the effect of farmyard manure was on par with coir pith compost. The top yield was not influenced by the source of organic manure but utilization index exhibited the same trend as that of tuber yield. The tuber yield increased when N level was increased from 50 to 75 kg N ha-I but decreased with further increase in the level of nitrogen. Top yield increased with increase in the level of nitrogen. Application of75 kg N ha" registered the highest utilization index. Neither varieties nor sources of organic manure recorded any significant variation in starch content of the tuber. But the local variety recorded higher protein content and lower HeN content than the improved variety. Poultry manure treated plants registered the highest protein content and the lowest HeN content. Application of 75 kg N ha" was sufficient for obtaining higher starch and protein contents. The HeN content increased with increase in the level of nitrogen though it was within permissible limits. The improved var. Sree Vijaya obtained higher scores for taste than the local variety. The taste of the tuber was not affected by the source of organic manure. Maximum score for taste was recorded by 75 kg N ha'. The cooking quality of the tuber of both varieties was judged as good. Uptake of Nand K was not influenced by varieties. But in the case of P uptake, the var. Sree Vijaya recorded higher P uptake than the local variety. Nutrient uptake did not vary with the source of organic manure. Maximum uptake of nutrients was observed when 75 kg N ha-I was applied. Significant variation In available Nand K status of the soil after the experiment was observed only due to source of organic manure. Farmyard manure applied plots showed higher status of these nutrients compared to poultry manure and coir pith compost applied plots. Higher status of available P was observed in the soil when the improved variety was raised irrespective of the source of organic manure. Nitrogen @ 75 kg N ha-I registered higher available P content in the soil after the experiment. The study revealed that application of farmyard manure @ 12.5 t ha" or poultry manure @ 5 t ha" along with 75:50:100 kg NPK ha" resulted in higher returns from Sree Vijaya and Kariyilapothiyan, two short duration varieties of cassava, in lowlands. No variation between varieties was observed in their response to N levels as well as to the sources of organic manure. The results suggested the suitability of poultry manure as an alternative to farmyard manure for cassava cultivation in lowlands. Coir pith compost can also be used as an alternate source of organic manure provided it is made cost effective.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Weed management in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) through herbicides and intercrops
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Mahadev Sarashetti, S; KAU; Johnkutty, I
    The present study was conducted to understand the effect of different weed management techniques i.e., hoeing, h~rbicides and intercropping systems on weed control, yield and quality of sugarcane. The field experiment was conducted at Anjanile, Chittur taluk of Palakkad district during 2002-03. Herbicide treatments were atrazine 2 kg ha-I as pre-ernergence (PE) fb hoeing and earthing up at 90 DAP, oxyfluorfen 0.20 kg ha' as pre-emergence (PE) fb 2,4-0, ametryn 2.0 kg ha' as PE fb 2,4-0 and' glyphosate I kg ha-I at 20 OAP fb 2,4-0 at 60 OAP. The intercropping treatments consisted of blackgram incorporation at 45 DAP, sunhemp incorporation at 45 OAP and its bhusa incorporation, daincha desiccation by 2,4-D, and sunhemp desiccation by 2,4-0. . . The major weed species in this experiment were Portulaca oleracea. Mollugo pentaphylla. Trianthema portulacastrum and Ageratum conyzoides. The population as well as dry matter production of weeds could be effectively controlled by the pre-emergence application of atrazine, ox.yfluorfen or ametryn fb 2,4-0 and also by growing sunhemp or daincha as intercrops. Higher weed . control efficiency and lower weed indices could be observed for herbicides, the atrazine and oxyfloufen; and for incorporation of balackgram, daincha or sunhernp. Pro-emergence herbicides and sunhcmp incorporation treatments gave better growth and yield parameters. In terms of cane production, oxyfluorfen 0.20 kg ha-I as pre-emergence fb 2,4-0 at 45 OAP and atrazine 2.0 kg ha-I fb hoeing and earthing up at 90 OAP werefound better. The overall results indicates that the weed problem in sugarcane could be effectively controlled by growing sunhernp as intercrop and incorporating it at 45 OAP or by spraying pre-ernergence herbicides viz., oxyfluorfen 0.20 kg ha-I as pre-ernergence (PE) fb 2,4-D. Among the intercrops, sunhemp incorporation at 45 DAP was found to be the best one. In terms of B:C ratio, sunhemp incorporation gave the highest value fb oxyfluorfen and 2,4-0. The results of 121 the study throws light. on the effective and economic weed control in sugarcanc by herbicides or .intercrops, which could replace hand hoeing, which is a costly affair. Considering the green matter addition and eco-safe weed control, growing sun hemp would be more preferable,
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Weed Dynamics in Rice Fields : Influence of Soil Reaction and Fertility
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Vidya, A S; KAU; Abraham, C T; KAU
    Weed control is the most expensive operation In nee culture in Kerala. An understanding of the association of different weeds and their adaptive mechanisms to different rice ecosystems in Kerala is essential for planning effective weed management practices. Therefore an investigation focusing on the influence of soil conditions and methods of rice growing, on the di.stribution, biology and ecology of weeds of rice in Kerala was carried out in the Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, K.A.U. during 2000-2002. Results of the Permanent Manurial Trial at RRS, Kayamkulam, revealed the dominance of Aeschynomene indica to low N , Scirpus juncoides to low P soils. The number of weed species was more in plots receiving all the fertilizers compared to those receiving no nutrients. The fungal, bacterial and actinomycete population was higher in plots supplied with nitrogen and phosphorus and or organic matter. The influence of soil conditions on weed flora was studied by conducting surveys across the various rice ecosystems. The data from the surveys were analyzed statistically and diversity indices such as Simpson's diversity index, Shannon's diversity index, Evenness index and the dissimilarity coefficient were worked out. Cluster analysis was also done and dendrograms were prepared grouping the different regions based on the similarity of weed flora. Striking dissimilarities were noticed in the distribution of grass weeds while it was lesser in the case of sedges, total weed flora and ferns and least in the case of broad leaf weeds. Kole, Pokkali, Kayal, Kari and Palakkad (Rabi season) regions showed much similarity in the flora of grass weeds, while there was 75 % dissimilarity for these regions to Chittur- and Karappadam lands. Investigations on the mechanisms of survival of some of the indicator weeds showed that Aeschynomene indica thrive in low N soils by fixing atmospheric N in its aerial nodules. Diplachne fusca adapt to the saline habitats by excreting the excess salt through the micro hairs. ThL: luxuriant vegetative growth of" Ecliinochloa crusgalli and other weeds in Pokkali region seems to be an adaptation for diluting the salts absorbed. Based on the surveys as well as the data from PMT, a few weeds were identified as indicators of soil conditions which are listed below. Aeschynomene indica Scirpus juncoides Monochoria vaginalis Ludwigia parviflora Eleocharis dulcis Leptochola chinensis Diplachne Jusca Acrostichum aureum Acanthus ilicifolius Sphaeranthus africanus - Spehnoclea zeylanica Echinochloa stagnina Cyperus rotundus Echinochloa colona Cyperus pangorei Ipomoea aquatica Sacciolepis interrupta LowN LowP High organic matter and high P . High organic matter High Acidity High Alkalinity High Salinity High Salinity High Salinity High Salinity High Salinity Low Salinity Upland rice Upland rice Low land rice Low land rice Sernidry rice The study revealed that weed flora can be used as an indicator of the soil conditions and offers scope for ameliorative management for better weed control and crop growth.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutrient management in cashew nursery
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Sinish, M S; KAU; Mercy George
    The experiment on "Nutrient management in cashew nursery" was taken up during 2002-2003 at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur. The experimental site was Cashew Research. Station, Madakkathara, Kerala Agricultural University. It consisted of two parts viz., management practices for cashew root stock production and the management practices of cashew grafts. The experiment on the management practices for cashew root stock production was conducted to select the best organic sources (cowdung, poultry manure, coirpith compost) of nutrients in the potting media and to find the effect of Azaspirillum, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi inoculation on the growth of root stocks. The-bulk density and particle density were found to be decreased and by the application of organic manure in the potting mixtures and the lowest was found with coirpith compost. The pore space and water holding capacity were increased by the organic manur~s in the potting mixtures and the maximum was observed with coirpith compost. In all the organic manure containing potting mixtures combined inoculation of Azospirillum, PSB and AMF decreased the days taken for germination, compared to single inoculation and the minimum was observed in coirpith compost applied treatment. The maximum germination percentage was found with AMF inoculation in cowdung containing potting mixture and Azospirillum+ PSB+ AMF inoculated potting mixtures of cowdung and coirpith compost. Among the different potting mixtures, a higher growth rate of seedlings were observed in the potting mixture containing sand:soil:cowdung+ Azospirillum+ PSB+ AMF . The care and management of grafts in the nursery involved soil and foliar application of nutrients in the second part of the experiment. Here all the treatments were having the" same potting mixture (sand:soil:cowdung+ Azospirillum+PSB"+AMF) and nutrient supplementation through various sources were given at 1 MAG and 3 MAG through soil and foliar application respectively. The performance of the grafts were found "better With the soil application of 100 ml of decanted extract of groundnut cake + 100 ml of 17: 17: 17 mixture (prepared by 100g 17:17:17 mixture added in 10 1 water) "at 1 MAG followed by 2% 17:f7:17 spray at 3 MAG.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of phosphorus on absorption and dynamics of nutrients in rice
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellenikkara, 2003) Ponnaiyan, C; KAU; Sreedevi, P
    A pot culture experiment on the "Influence of phosphorus on absorption and dynamics of nutrients in rice" was conducted during December 2002 to April 2003 at the Radiotracer Laboratory, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara. The distribution pattern, content-effectiveness relations of phosphorus on rice productivity in relation to soil types, nutritional levels and the role of organics were investigated in the present study Plant height, tiller number, productive tillers,filled spikelets per panicle,grain and straw yield showed significant increase in kole soil treated with 90:45:45 kgha' NPK along with Pongamia leaves @ 5 tha' (TII). Chlorophyll 'a' and total chlorophyll were highest in Tll having kole soil treated with 90:45:45 kgha' NPK along with Pongamia leaves @5 tha-I at panicle initiation and at 50 per cent flowering. A favourable cell sap pH was also noticed inTll_ TII gave highest plant content of N in both laterite and kole soil. P and K contents were also more in treatments having inorganics with Pongamia. Iron content of rice plants decreased with advancement in the stages of growth. Percent phosphorus derive~ from fertilizer (%Pdff) had highest value at maximum tillering and thereafter it decreased. %Pdff was increased with increasing levels of Phosphor~ls application. When the applications of inorganics with and without organics are compared in laterite and kole soil, application of single super phosphate with organics always gave highest %Pdff than with single super phosphate alone. Laterite soil treated with 90: 67.5: 135 kgha' NPK along with Pongamia leaves @ 5 tha' (Tg) obtained 10.68 % Pdff and the- same treatment in kole soil had 12.96% of %Pdff at harvest. %Pdfs was low at maximum tillering and thereafter increased up to harvest. At maximum tillering, laterite soil treated with 90:45:45 kgha' NPK without organics (T1) gave highest %Pdfs of 93.45% and the kole soil treated with 90:22.5:90 kgha' NPK without organics (T13) gave highest %Pdfs of 93.51 % ,At 50% flowering and at harvest in both soils treated with 90:22.5:90 kgha' ofNPK with or witnout organics recorded highest %Pdfs. Per cent uptake of applied P fertilizer by the plant also had an increasing trend from maximum tillering to harvest. But it was decreasing with respect to increase in levels of phosphorus from 22.5 kghalto 67,5 kgha'. Laterite soil treated with 90:67,5:135 kgha' of NPK along with Pongamia leaves @ 5 tha-I (Ts) registered highest concentration of available P of 16,8 rngkg' followed by the same treatment in kole soil with 16.7 mgkg". A vailable iron content of soil after harvest was more in treatments having Pongamia in laterite soil while it was more with rice straw applied treatments in kole soil The present study indicate that organics-Pongamia and rice straw in conjunction with inorganics enable consistent supply of phosphorus for achieving enhanced grain and straw yield in both late rite and kole soil.Though Pongamia along with inorganics is an ideal fertilizer schedule for rice crop in terms of yield. when the cost of incorporation of Pongamia is considered, rice straw along with inorganics is more profitable and convenient.