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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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ThesisItem Open Access Response of Papaya (Carica Papaya L.) to Major Mineral Nutrients(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture , Vellayani, 2003) Bindu, B; KAU; Jayachandran Nair, C SAn experiment was conducted in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2001-2002, to study the response of major plant nutrients viz., nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on growth, yield and quality of papaya under Kerala conditions and to standardise the optimum dose of these nutrients. The experiment was conducted in 33 confounded factorial RBD, confounding NPK in replication 1 and Np2K2 in replication 2. The present study revealed that application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium increased plant height, girth and number of leaves. The highest plant height was obtained with the combined application of 200 g N, 300 g P and 500 g K plan' year-', while the highest plant girth was obtained with application of 250 g N, 300 g P and 500 g K. Combined application of 300 g N, 250 g P and 500 g K p lant' year-' resulted in the maximum number of leaves. Plants receiving a dose of nitrogen at 250 g, 300 g phosphorus and 500 g potassium plant" took the shortest time for flowering. Combined application of nitrogen at 250 g plant.", phosphorus at 250 g plant" and potassium at 500 g planr' considerably shortened the time for harvesting the first fruit. Fruit weight, number of fruits plant", yield planr' and papain yield increased by application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Application of 250 g N, 250 g P and 500 g K planr' year-' gave highest yield. Maximum fruit girth was obtained from 200 g N, 200 g P and 500 g K, whereas maximum fruit volume and pulp percentage was obtained from 250 g N, 250 g P and 500 g K. Levels of nitrogen and phosphorus tried had no significant influence on TSS and ascorbic acid content of fruits. Nitrogen at 200 g, phosphorus at 250 g planr' produced. fruits of low acidity, while potassium had no significant influence. The combination of 200 g nitrogen, 300 g phosphorus and 500 g potassium plane 1 year" increased carotenoids, total sugars, reducing sugars and organoleptic qualities of fruits. Most of the treatments had light yellow peel colour, orange pulp colour and firm flesh. Nitrogen at 200 g, phosphorus at 250 g and potassium at 500 g plant" was found to increase the shelf life of fruits. Application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium increased soil and leaf petiole content of the respective elements. Highest benefit: cost ratio was obtained from the combination of 250 g N, 250 g P and 500 g K I -I -I P ant year . Over all assessment indicated that application of N, P and K at the rate of 250 : 250 : 500 g plant" year-I in six equal splits was economically viable and improved growth, yield and quality of papaya.ThesisItem Open Access Micropropagation and crop improvement of Cordyline (Cordyline terminalis (L.) Kunth)(Department of pomology and floriculture, College of horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2000) Lavanya, R; KAU; Rajeevan, P KInvestigations on micropropagation and crop improvement of cordyline were carried out in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1998-2000. The main objectives were to study the response of various explants and to identify the most suitable explant and media combination for in vitro propagation. Attempts were also made to find out the optimum dose of y - irradiation, for inducing variation. The shoot tips and nodal segments of cordyline were found to be ideal explants for the enhanced release of axillary buds and for indirect organogenesis. The best sterilization treatment was wiping with 70 per cent ethyl alcohol, followed by a dip in 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride for 18 min. for shoots, nodal segments and axillary buds. For leaf segments, treatment with 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride for ten minutes alone was enough. The nodal segment explants collected in the drier months, namely; January, March, November and December showed no contamination. Survival percentage was the highest in the months of November and December. The shoot tip explants showed least contamination when collected during August to April. Early release of buds (4.4 days after inoculation) and further growth of buds was better in MS medium supplemented with BAP 3.0 mg r'. Maximum shoot proliferation was observed in MS medium with 2.0 mg rI BAP. In the case of shoot tips MS medium having Kin 3.0 mg r' showed less time (5.5 days) for bud emergence. Maximum number of shoots (2.5) was also obtained when MS medium was supplemented with 3.0 mg rl KIN. MS medium supplemented with BAP in combination with NAA also proved better for culture establishment of nodal segments and shoot tips. Maximum number of shoots was observed in MS medium with NAA 0.5 mg r' + BAP 1.0 mg l". Of the different media tried, MS medium was found to be the best for early release of buds in nodal segments and shoot tips. Number of shoots produced did not differ significantly in all the three media. The elongated buds from Stage 1 showed very high rate of axillary bud production when inoculated in MS medium containing BAP 1.0 mg r' + NAA 0.5 mg r' and BAP 2.0 mg r' + NAA 0.5 mg r'. Among MS, SH and WPM media, full strength MS medium gave very high rate of axillary bud production within a short time (12.2 days). High rate of callus production was observed in MS medium having 1.0 mg r' BAP + 1.0 mg rl NAA and 2.0 mg rl BAP + 1.0 mg rl NAA. The rate of axillary bud production and callusing was less with KIN in combination with NAA. Irrespective of the media, rhizogenesis was observed when higher levels of 2ip was incorporated in to the media. Elongation of the multiple axillary buds with normal shoot and root growth was recorded in full strength MS medium devoid of growth regulators. None of the media supplements (activated charcoal, adenine sulphate, coconut water and casein hydrolysate) induced multiple axillary bud elongation. Among the three basal media tried, MS medium was superior with respect to the number of lengthy roots and the time taken for root initiation. Among the auxins, iliA was superior for root induction. Callus formation was observed at the base when NAA was incorporated in the media. Maximum percentage of rooting, early rooting and more number of lengthy roots were obtained in full strength MS basal medium. Addition of activated charcoal in the medium did not affect root number and root length, but reduced the number of days taken for root initiation. Triadimefon in the rooting medium slightly increased the number of days taken for root initiation and decreased the number of roots/culture and length of roots. It also increased the survival percentage during hardening. Maximum survival percentage of the plantlets was obtained when the plantlets rooted in the medium containing Triadimefon 1.0 mg r' + iliA 5.0 mg l' were treated with 0.1 per cent Bavistin for 30 minutes soon after removal from the culture vessels and subjected to a post planting treatment with triadimefon (20 mg rl) drenching at weekly intervals and kept in a net house having 50 per cent shade. Plant height was the maximum when the plantlets after planting out were supplied with 0.75 g 17: 17: 17 NPK mixture per week as soil drench. Among the various explants tried for somatic organogenesis, nodal segments and shoot tips were the most ideal for callus initiation, growth and differentiation. Callus intensity was maximum in the leaf segments when bottom portions of the immature leaves with midrib were cultured. Best response to callusing and callus intensity was obtained with the adaxial surface of the leaf touching the medium. Direct organogenesis could not be obtained in different treatment combinations or explants. Shoot tips and nodal segments produced higher percentage of callus and showed maximum callus index when MS medium was supplemented with lower levels of 2, 4 D (0.5 mg rl) and BAP (0.5 mg r'j, both in 12 h photoperiod. No positive response was observed with the addition of coconut water on callus induction and differentiation. Earliest differentiation of callus derived from nodal segment and shoot tip explants was possible in MS medium supplemented with BAP 1.0 mg r' + KIN 2.0 mg r': Very high rate of shoot production was observed in the medium supplemented with BAP 1.0 mg rl + KIN 2.0 mg r'. A combination of BAP + KIN gave high rate of shoot production, compared to BAP + 2ip combination. Various treatment combinations failed to induce morphogenesis in leaf derived callus, but additon of activated charcoal prevented browning of callus upon subculturing. Higher concentration of cytokinins prevented rhizogenesis. In vitro mutagenesis was attempted to know the optimum dose and correct stage for induction of variation. Of all the doses of y-irradiation, a dose of 10 Gy at culture establishment stage produced plants having narrow yellow leaves with green line at the centre, but after planting out the plantlets reverted to normal behaviour.ThesisItem Open Access Somatic Embryogenesis in Musa (AAB) Nendran(Department of pomology and floriculture, College of horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2002) Beena, R; KAU; Aravindakshan, KThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of monopodial orchids for cut flower(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2007) Kaveriamma, M M; KAU; Geetha, C KThe investigation on the evaluation of monopodial orchids was conducted in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2005-.2006 with the main objective of evaluating their field performance for commercial exploitation. Forty monopodial orchids belonging to monogenenc, bigeneric and trigeneric origin were selected for the study. They were evaluated for their height, spread, shoot characters (length, girth), leaf characters (length, breadth, area, interval of production, leaf sheath length, breadth), aerial root characters (number, length, breadth), floral characters (spike emergence to opening of florets, length, girth and longevity of spike, interval of production, annual production of spikes, number of florets/spike, individual flowe r life, flower size, blooming period under field conditions. They exhibited wide variation in both vegetative and floral characters. The orchid varieties were grouped as tall climbing, intermediate climbing and short-stemmed epiphytes. Among the tall climbing orchids, maximum increase in height was observed in Arachnis Maggie Oei Red Ribbon and minimum in Aeridachnis Apple Blossom. Shoot girth, leaf length and leaf area were maximum in Holttumara Bright Eye while minimum girth was recorded in Vanda John Club. Vanda Prolific had the maximum internodal length. Maximum numbers of leaves was recorded in Renanthera Manila and roots in Vandc. John Club and Renanthera Cape Sabel. Interval of leaf production and root length were maximum in Aranthera Mana Meina while interval of leaf production was minimum in Arachnis Maggie Oei Yellow Ribbon. Duration from spike emergence to opening of florets was maximum in Arachnis Maggie Oei Red Ribbon (first and fifty per cent florets) and Aranthera Lily Brook Red (complete opening of florets) and minimum in Holttumara Bright Eye. Spike characters like spike length, rachis length, stalk length, spike girth, days taken from opening to wilting of first floret and spike longevity were maximum in Aranthera Lily Brook Red, while stalk length and internodal length was maximum Aeridachnis Apple Blossom and Aracl nis Maggie Yellow Ribbon respectively. Floral characters like number of florets per spi.ce and individual flower life were maximum in Aranthera Lily Brook Red, pedicel length in Vanda Mandai Glow and individual flower size in Aranthera Mana Meina and Arachnis Maggie Oei Red Ribbon. Interval of spike production was minimum in Aranthera Anne Black and maximum in Renanthera Manila. Aranda Deborah produced maximum number of spikes per year followed by Arachnis Maggie Oei Red Ribbon, and Aranthera Anne Black. Among intermediate climbing epiphytes, Mokara Sayan x Kultana Gold recorded maximum increase in height, shoot girth, leaf width and internodal length whereas it recorded the least interval of leaf production. Ascocenda Raminder Gold x Fortune East recor ed the maximum leaf area and Mokara Bangkok Gold, the minimum. The internodal length recorded in Vascostylis Pine Rivers Pink was minimum followed by Vascostylis Pine Rivers Blue and Red. Mokara WaIter Oumae Yellow recorded maximum and Vanda JVB x Ascocenda YSW, the minimum duration from spike emergence to opening of first floret while Mokara WaIter Oumae White, the maximum for opening of all florets and Ascocenda Rami) der Gold x Fortune East, the minimum. Spike characters like spike length, stalk length, spike girth and internodal length were maximum in Mokara Sayan x KuItana Gold while duration from opening to wilting of first floret, rachis length and spike longevity were maximum in Mokara Waiter Oumae White. Interval of spike production was n.aximum in Mokara Sayan x Kultana Gold and minimum in Vascostylis Pine Rivers Red. Annual spike production was maximum in Mokara Calypso Pink closely followed by Vascostylis Pine Rivers Red and Ascocenda Princess Mikasa Pink. Short-stemmed varieties exhibited a slow rate of growth. Phalaenopsis Hwafeng Red . '8wel recorded maximum leaf area, Phalaenopsis (Pinlong Spring x Taisuco Koch,' ian) x Phalaenopsis (Miami Sunrise x Tiny Ivory), the minimum. Duration from spike emergence to opening of all florets and spike characters like length, stalk length, internodal Iength were maximum in Phalae nopsis Diana Pink and rachis length and spike longevity in Phalaenopsis Hwafeng Red Jewel. Phalaenopsis Memoria Grand Mother had maximum number of florets per spike. Flower size was maximum in Phalaenopsis Taisuco Kochdian x Akatsuka Noon, pedicel length in Phalaenopsis Diana Pink and indivi lual flower life in Phalaenopsis Taipei Gold. All the Phalaenopsis hybrids produced spikes at an interval close to a year except Phalaenopsis Taisuco Kochdian x Akatsuka Noon. The qualitative characters of the monopodial orchid varieties differed in all aspects and a wide range of vegetative and floral characters could be observed. They also differed with regard to flowering; being free flowering, with short dearth periods or seasonal flowering. Considering the qualitative and quantitative characters, among tall climbing orchic.s, Aranthera Anne Black, Aranthera Lily Brook Red, Aranda Deborah, Aeridachnis Apple Blossom and Arachnis Maggie Oei Red Ribbon has Immense potential for use as cut flower together with the intermediate climbing types, viz., Mokara Chark Kuan Pink, Mokara Walter Oumae White and Mokara Calypso Pink. Phalaenopsis Taisuco Kochdian x Akatsuka Noon, a short stemmed epiphyte would be an excellent choice. The performance projected short-stemmed Phalaenopsis hybrids the best as pot plants Intermediate climbing epiphyte, viz., Ascocenda Princess Mikasa Pink, Vascostylis varietr e s and Vanda JVB x Ascocenda Yip Sum Wah would also make excellent pot plants.ThesisItem Open Access Bunch cultural practices to optimize yield and fruit characters in banana (Musa AAA Robusta)(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2006) Pijush Kanti, Biswas; KAU; Vijayachandran Nair, C SThe present investigation was carried out to standardize bunch cultural practices for improving bunch size and finger qualities of banana variety Robusta. The experiment also aimed at obtaining maximum number of fingers from a bunch having export standards. The experiment was conducted in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, during 2005-2006. Fourteen different treatments (including control) were imposed in this experiment. The treatment comprised of various combinations of growth regulators (GA 50 ppm and NAA 25 ppm) and organic sprays (vermiwash, cow’s urine, coconut water) as well as cultural practices (dehanding one or two apical hands, bunch cover using polythene tube) along with a control (without any treatments). The growth regulators and organic sprays were applied one month after emergence of the bunch. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD). There were two replications. The salient findings of the investigation are mentioned below. The bunch weight, bunch length, weight of hands, weight of fingers, pulp weight and sugar content increased while bunch maturity period decreased by the application of the treatment T10 i.e., removing one apical hand and spraying 50 ppm GA, one month after bunch emergence. The results also showed that bunch shape index, finger girth, TSS content and shelf life increased whereas acidity decreased when the treatment T¬11 (removal of two apical hands and spraying of 50 ppm GA one month after bunch emergence) was imposed. The finger length and number of fingers falling in the acceptable range were also improved by application of GA 50 ppm clubbed with one or two apical hands. At last, it can be concluded that trimming of one or two apical hands and application of GA at the rate of 50 ppm one month after bunch emergence, improved bunch characters, finger characters and quality of fruits.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of tropical plant species for use as cut foliage(Department Of Pomology And Floriculture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Sindhu M, Eapen; KAU; Rajeevan, P KThe investigations on the evaluation of tropical foliage plant species for use as cut foliage was conducted in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, during 2001-2003, with the main objectives of evaluating the performance of the foliage species under field conditions together with their post harvest performance. Twenty-seven foliage plant species belonging to ten different families were selected for the present study. They were evaluated for their height, spread, leaf characters (length, breadth, area, longevity, interval of production, leaf yield per month) and petiole characters (length, girth) under field conditions. The post harvest performance of the cut foliage of these species was evaluated by various pulsing and holding treatments. The best of the treatments were combined and the selected species were evaluated in the combinations, also estimating the catalase activity at different stages of treatment. Cut foliages of the different species were also held at different temperatures to evaluate the influence of the temperature on the vaselife. They were packed in cartons using different lining materials (both dry and wet) and the effect of the lining materials were also evaluated. In the field conditions the species exhibited wide variation 111 their growth pattern and leaf characters. Maximu~ plant height was observed In Asparagus setaceus, a twiner, while the maximum spread was recorded 111 SchefJlera arboricola, a shrub and Nephrolepis cordifolia, a fern. Leaf length was maximum in Nephrolepis exaltata while the leaf breadth and petiole length were maximum in Cyperus alternifolius. Philodendron wendlandii recorded maximum petiole girth. Maximum leaf production was in Scirpus cernnus. Leaf area' recorded was maximum in Monstera deliciosa while SchejJl.era arboricola and Nephrolepis exaltata recorded the maximum longevity and maximum interval of leaf production, respectively. The qualitative characters of the species differed in all respects and a wide range of shape, texture, margin and pigmentation could be observed. In the post harvest evaluation for use as cut foliage, the pulsing treatments were on par and among the holding solutions, distilled water and acidified water proved to the best, thus eliminating the use of chemicals. Scoring of .foliage projected Asparagus setaceus to be the best in terms of all the characters of colour/pigmentation, shape/pattern, size and texture. The combinations indicated a significantly higher vase life of the different species in a combination of any pulsing treatment with a holding solution of either tap water or distilled water. Catalase activity reduced in the foliage when treated with hot water and increased when treated with tap water. Foliage kept in aoidified water after hot water dip showed an increase in the activity. pH in the best treatment showed a lesser increase whereas EC increased to a greater extent in the most inferior treatment. Storing at a lower temperature of 17°C proved to be better for prolonging the vase life of the foliage species, compared to ambient temperature. Packing with a wet cotton plug at the petiole end increased the vase life of the foliage although lining materials showed rio significant effect on the vase life.ThesisItem Open Access Performance evaluation of anthurium (anthurium andreanum linden) under two climatic regimes(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2008) Gayathri, M N; KAU; Rajeevan, P KInvestigations on the “Performance evaluation of anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Lind) under two climate regimes” were conducted at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Trichur district and at the Orange and Vegetable Farm, Department of Agriculture, Nelliampathy, Palakkad district. The objectives of the experiment were to compare the growth, flower yield and quality of selected cut flower and pot plant varieties at two agro climatic locations and to recommend suitable varieties for the anthurium growing tracts of Kerala. Ten, each, of the globally important cut flower and pot plant varieties of anthurium were chosen. They were grown under suitably designed greenhouses at both the locations. Observations were recorded on the vegetative and floral characters as well as post harvest behaviour of the flowers and foliage. Weather parameters were recorded daily, both inside and outside the growing structures. Results of the studies showed that, among cut flowers, at Vellanikkara, plant height, leaf breadth and leaf area were the highest in the variety Aymara. Leaf length was the highest in Caesar. Highest leaf longevity was recorded for Chichas and lowest leaf production interval for Lucia. At Nelliampathy, plant height, leaf length and leaf area were the highest in Salasaga. Leaf breadth and petiole length were the highest in Esmeralda. Highest leaf number and longevity were in Aymara and lowest leaf production interval was in Lucia. Differences between the locations were significant for plant height, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf area, petiole length and leaf longevity. All these values were higher at Nelliampathy. Among pot plants, at Vellanikkara, plant height and leaf area were the highest in variety Condor. Leaf length was highest in Trampolino. Inti recorded maximum number of leaves and leaf longevity. Highest petiole length was recorded in Pumasillo. Lowest leaf production interval was in Mia. At Nelliampathy, plant height, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf area and petiole length were the highest in Mia. Lowest leaf production interval was in Condor. Bonina recorded maximum number of leaves and leaf longevity. Difference between the locations was significant for number of leaves, leaf breadth, leaf area and petiole length. All these values were higher at Nelliampathy. Among cut flower varieties, Esmeralda, Titicaca, Salasaga, Aymara, Akapana and Jewel produced cut foliage of acceptable quality. Among pot plant varieties Patino, Pumasillo and Trampolino were superior. Time taken for flowering was significantly lesser at Vellanikkara. It was the lowest in the cut flower variety Lucia, at Vellanikkara. Caesar was the earliest to flower at Nelliampathy. Among pot plants, Condor was the earliest to flower at Vellanikkara as well as at Nelliampathy. The duration was significantly lesser at Vellanikkara. Varieties and locations differed significantly with respect to floral parameters also. Among cut flowers, at Vellanikkara, peduncle length, spathe length and spathe breadth were the highest in Titicaca. Spike longevity was the highest in Esmeralda. Lowest flower production interval was in Chichas. At Nelliampathy, peduncle length, spathe breadth and spike longevity were the highest in Caesar. Maximum spathe length and lowest flower production interval were in Esmeralda. Differences between the locations were significant for peduncle length and spathe breadth. These values were higher at Nelliampathy. Among pot plants, at Vellanikkara, peduncle length was the highest in Mia. Spike longevity was the highest in Bonina. Spathe length was the highest in Trampolino and breadth in Excellent. Lowest flower production interval was in Diablada. At Nelliampathy, peduncle length was the highest in Mia. Highest spathe length and spathe breadth were in Condor. Spike longevity was the highest in Bonina and lowest flower production interval was in Diablada. Differences between the locations were significant for peduncle length, spathe length, spathe breadth and spadix length. These values were higher at Nelliampathy. Angle of orientation of spathe was highest in Titicaca among cut flowers, at Vellanikkara. At Nelliampathy, Esmeralda was the topper. Among pot plants, the highest angle was recorded in Inti and Pumasillo, at Vellanikkara and Nelliampathy, respectively. Angle of orientation of spadix was lowest in Titicaca among cut flowers at Vellanikkara. At Nelliampathy, variety Aymara was the lowest. Among pot plants the lowest angle was recorded in Inti and Patino at Vellanikkara and Nelliampathy respectively. At Vellanikkara, among cut flowers, maximum number of days for loss of glossiness was recorded in Esmeralda. Days for spathe necrosis and spadix necrosis were the highest in Benicito. At Nelliampathy, maximum number of days for loss of glossiness was in Esmeralda. Days for spathe necrosis and spadix necrosis were the highest in Benicito. Among pot plants, at Vellanikkara, maximum number of days for loss of glossiness was in Diablada. Days for spathe necrosis and spadix necrosis were the highest in Pumasillo and Coralis, respectively. At Nelliampathy, maximum number of days for loss of glossiness was recorded in Diablada. Number of days for spathe necrosis and spadix necrosis were the highest in Excellent. Among cut flowers, maximum temperature was significantly and positively correlated with plant height in Akapana and Jewel and with number of leaves in Salsaga and Akapana. Among pot plants, maximum temperature was significantly and positively correlated with plant height, petiole length and leaf length in Diablada and Inti; with leaf breadth in Inti, Pumasillo and Trampolino and with leaf area in Inti. Among cut flowers, relative humidity was significantly and negatively correlated with plant height in Akapana and Jewel; with petiole length in Akapana and with number of leaves in Salsaga, Caesar and Akapana. In all other cases, correlation was not significant.
