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 f 1 hybrids resistant to bacterial wilt and inheritance of resistance in brinjal (lolanum melongena L.)
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Geetha, Varghese; Abdul, Vahab M.
The present studies "Evaluation of F hybrids resistant to bacterial wilt and inheritance of resistance in brinjal ( Solanum melongena L . ) were conducted during February 1990 to July 1991in the vegetable research plots of Kerala Agricultural University,Vellanikkara. Evaluation of F hybrids over 4 environments revealed that all the 3 hybr ids were superior to their parents for yield during all the four seasons. It also indicated significant role of genotype x environment interaction in the yielding abi l ity of the hybrids. Considering wilt resistance the hybrids were not superior to their parents. Varietal difference was observed for plant height, fruits/plant, fruit weight, fruiting period and productive flowers. Estimation of heterosis of three F^s over their parents revealed significant heterosis for plant height, days to flower, days to first fruitset, days to harvest, primary branches/plant, total fruits/plant, total yield/plant, average fruit weight and fruiting period. All the three hybr ids viz. Surya x Pant Rituraj, SM 6-6 x SM 132, SM 6-2 x Pusa Purple Cluster were stable. Study on the nature of inheritance showed that resistance to bacterial wilt is inherited in a recessive and monogenic manner.
Open Access
Effect of time of planting and growth regulators on flowering and vase life of Gerbera jamesonii
(Department of Pomology and floriculture and Landscaping, College of Horticulture,Vellanikara, 1993) Suma, P; KAU; Lila Mathew, K
Studies were carried out in the Department of pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, during 1991 – 93 to examine the effect of time of planting and growth regulators on flowering and vase life of gerbera. Four varieties, namely , Eoliet, Presley, Pritty and Sunbird and five treatments, viz., GA 50 ppm, GA 100 ppm, CCC 500 ppm, CCC 750 ppm and control, were tried. Varieties were found to have significant influence on both vegetative as well as the floral characters whereas the treatments did not have any significant effect on vegetative characters of the Gerbera cultivars in general, when evaluated in the first season. In the second season both varietal and treatment effects were not consistent. Variety Presley was found to be early flowering while Eoliet was late flowering. GA 50 ppm and GA 100 ppm hastened flowering whereas CCC 500 ppm and CCC 750 ppm delayed it. In general the longevity of flowers was maximum in varieties Eoliet and Sunbird. Variety Presley had the least longevity. Among the treatments, CCC 750 ppm and GA 50 ppm increased the longevity of flowers in field. Maximum number of blooms was produce by Presley and the minimum by Eoliet. In general GA 100 ppm and CCC 750 ppm increased the number of blooms. In general CCC 750 ppm, GA 50 ppm and GA 100 ppm had a significant positive influence on flower diameter. In general variety sunbird had the maximum stalk length and diameter, while Pritty produced the shorest stalks. CCC 500 ppm and CCC 750 ppm had the best effect on stalk length. Vase life was found to be significantly increased by GA 100 ppm and CCC 750 ppm treatments given to the plants. Five per cent sucrose + 20 ppm AgNO3 significantly increased the longevity of flowers in vase. Planting in June was found to be better than October planting with respect to vegetative as well as floral characters, especially for number of flowers and flower diameter. Among the varieties, with respect to growth and number of flowers, Presley was found to be superior. In the correlation studies flower number was found to have positive and highly significant correlation with plant height and leaf area whereas flower diameter had significant negative correlation with leaf area and stalk length. Petiole length, stalk diameter and leaf number had positive correlation with this character. Vase life had significantly positive correlation with fresh weight of flowers.
Open Access
Induction of Genetic Variability in Musa Sp. Var. Nendran By in Uitro Methods
(Department of pomology and floriculture, College of horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1993) Mini Balachandran; P.K.Valsalakumari
Investigations were carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture and Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of the All India Co-ordinated Floriculture Improvement Project, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, during 1991-93 on the induction of variability in the banana variety Nendran (Musa AAB ‘Nendran’) by in vitro methods. Explants utilized for the study were shoot tip and eye bud for direct organogenesis through enhanced release of axillary buds and shoot tip, flower base, inflorescence axis, embryonic leaves and scalp for somatic organogenesis/embryogenesis. For culture establishment, axillary shoot initiation and in vitro rooting, different growth regulators, like NAA, 2, 4-D and 2, 4, 5-T (auxins) and BA and kinetin (cytokinins) were made use of. The plantlets produced in vitro were subjected to hardening treatments to ensure a better establishment of planted out plants and their growth parameters were studied. For shoot tip and eye bud explants, a combination of treatments involving, an initial dipping of explants in emisan (0.1 per cent) for 30 minutes followed by dipping in norfloxacin (0.1 per cent) for 30 minutes followed by dipping in norfloxacin (0.1 per cent) for 30 minutes and finally rinsing the explants in mercuric chloride (0.1 per cent) for 20 minutes was found to be best, but for flower base and inflorescence axis explants, emisan (0.1 per cent) treatment for 20 minutes and for embryonic leaves, dipping in alcohol for one second were in the best. Better and speedier establishment and growth of shoot tip and eye bud explants were observed on MS (semi-solid) medium containing NAA 2 ppm + BA 5 ppm. Addition of activated charcoal (500 mg per litre) to the medium, reduced media and explant discolouration due to polyphenol oxidation. When the performance of the shoot tip and eye bud explants was compared, eye bud explants took more time for culture establishment and growth. In shoot tip culture, on an average, each explant released 8.66 axillary shoots in the treatment involving MSb*+ NAA 2 ppm + BA 10 ppm. In the case eye bud, on an average, each explant released five axillary shoots. Continuous sub culturing was carried out at two week interval to assess the variation induced to cultured plants due to repeated subculturing. It was found that, the number of shoots produced per culture was not constant in all the subcultures. Still, the axillary shoots produced per explant per culture vessel increased at the mean rate of 5.90. BA alone at higher concentration (10 ppm) resulted in colloid (globular semi-hard, light green callus like structure) formation and subsequent regeneration. MSb*: MS medium containing half concentration of inorganic salts and full concentration of organic growth factors. For in vitro rooting, MSb medium containing NAA 10 ppm and AC 0.05 per cent was found to be effective for early root initiation and the maximum number of roots per shoot was produced at the treatment involving MSa* +NAA 5 PPM+ AC 0.05 per cent. Of the various explants, viz., shoot tip, inflorescence axis, flower base, embryonic leaves and scalp(in vitro) tried for initiating collus scalp and embryonic leaves recorded maximum response. Among the media tried for callus initiation, MSb media at liquid consistency was found to be more effective. Maximum callus index (266) was recorded for the treatment combination involving 2, 4-D 7 ppm and BA I ppm. For callus differentiation the treatments involving 2, 4-D and BA, BA alone and basal MS media resulted in rhizogenesis, and treatments involving 2, 4-D alone produced embryoid like structures from scalp callus. No shoot organogenesis was observed. Also treatments were conducted with changed levels of nitrate source in the media, but they did not give any favourable results. Embryoid like bipolar structures were recovered from scalp callus when they were transferred to media devoid of growth regulators. To study the variation, if any, induced due to derail subculturing, the shoots obtained from each subculture cycle (through enhanced release of axillary buds) were isolated and their MSa* : MS medium containing full concentration of inorganic salts and organic growth factors identify maintained. The shoots thus separated were rooted and planted out after subjecting them to a process of hardening. Somatic chromosome counts were made at the root tips of plantlets from 10 subcultures to confirm the ploidy. All the plants were triploids (2n = 33). The plantlets from different subcultures were planted out in sand, which was found to be the best medium. Observations made on growth parameters, at fifteen days interval, revealed that the plants from subcultures differed significantly with respect to the rate of growth in height and leaf area.
Open Access
Refinement of in vitro propagation technique in pineapple var. mauritius and mass multiplication of elite clones
(Department of pomology and floriculture, College of horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1996) Jo Jose C; Radha T
The studies on refinement of in vitro propagation technique in pineapple var. Mauritius and mass multiplication of elite clones were conducted at Kerala Horticulture Development Programme, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during 1993 – ’95. Based on the survey conducted at the major pineapple growing areas, namely, Vazhakulam – Muvattupuzha regions of Ernakulam district, five elite clones of Mauritius variety with higher yield and other desirable fruit characters were selected propagules from the selected clones were planted at Vellanikkara for taking explants for their mass multiplication through refined in vitro propagation techniques. For shoot tip explants, treatment with emisan 0.1 per cent for 35 minutes followed with mercuric chloride 0.1 per cent for 10 minutes and for lateral bud explants treatment with emisan 0.1 per cent for 10 minutes followed by 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride for three minutes was found to be the ideal surface sterilization treatment. Culture establishment and growth initiation of shoot tip explants from different sources (suckers, crowns and slips) and lateral bud explants were better in MS medium supplemented with BAP 3 and 4 mg 1-1. Explants from shoot tips were found to be better than those from lateral buds for achieving faster culture establishment and growth initiation. Enhanced release of axillary buds was the maximum in Ms medium containing BAP 4.0 mg 1-1. Among the different subculture stages, multiple axillary bud production was higher in second suculture stage. Addition of casein hydrolysate 100.0 mg 1-1 in to the medium with BAP 4.0 mg 1-1 favoured the production of axillary buds. Adventitious bud initiation from sucker shoot tips was fastest in MS medium supplemented with BAP 5.0 mg 1-1 + NAA 1.0 or 0.5 mg 1-1. For adventitious bud production from lateral buds, treatment with BAP 7.5 mg 1-1 + NAA 1.0 mg 1-1 was the best. Proliferation rate of adventitious buds was maximum in MS medium supplemented with BAP 4.0 mg 1-1 + NAA 0.5 or 1.0 mg 1-1. Rate of multiplication of adventitious buds was higher in liquid medium under shake culture condition, than in solid medium. Faster shoot regeneration and increased vigour of the shoots were resulted in growth regulator free MS medium. However, highest number of shoots were produced in MS medium supplemented with BAP 1.0 mg 1-1. Liquid medium under shake culture condition was found superior of solid media with respect to initiation of shoots and mean number of shoots, however, the latter resulted in longer shoots. In vitro rooting was fastest in MS medium, without any growth regulator, which produced longer and normal roots with secondaries and root hairs. Though addition of NAA (3 mg 1-1) resulted in increased number of roots, they were very short and hair like. Stationary liquid medium was found superior to solid
Open Access
Response of Gladiolus to Rapid Cloning Through in Vitro Techniques
(Department of pomology and floriculture, College of horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1995) Sakkeer Hussain, C T; KAU; Geetha, C K
Investigations were carried out to study the response of gladiolus to rapid cloning through in vitro techniques at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture and Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of All India Co-ordinated Floriculture Improvement Project, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 1992-94. The main objective was to identify the most suitable explant and media combination for in vitro cloning. The explants used were corm axillary buds, cormel tips, inflorescence nodal segments (for enhanced release of axillary buds), inflorescence internodal segments, flower buds, flower bud bracts, root segments (for somatic organogenesis) and leaf segments (for somatic embryogenesis). The best season for the collection of corm axillary buds and cormel tips was from September to May. Surface sterilization of the explants could be effectively done with 0.1 or o.2 per cent mercuric chloride and the duration of treatment varied from I to25 minutes. Culture establishment of the corm axillary bud, cormel tip explants were better in MS medium supplemented with BAP ranging from 1.0 mg 1 -1 to 4.0 mg 1-1. The concentration of BAP required varied according to the stage of development of corms and cormels. Higher levels of BAP was ideal during early stages of development of corm and cormels. Of the different media (White’s, SH and MS) tried, MS medium was found to be the best culture establishment (Stage 1) when supplemented with 3.0 mg 1-1 BAP. Elongated shoots of Stage I were subjected to shoot proliferation (Stage 2). Multiple axillary bud production was very high when the MS medium was supplemented with BAP 1.0 mg 1-1 and NAA 0.5 mg 1-1 or BAP 2.0 mg 1-1 and NAA 0.5 mg 1-1. Callus production from the base of the elongated shoots were observed when the concentration of NAA increased in the medium. Of the different cytokinins (BAP, kinetin and 2ip) tried, BAP was found to be the best in Stage 2. Frequent subculturing onto the MS medium containing BAP 2.0 mg 1-1 and NAA 0.5 mg 1-1 increased the production of multiple axillary buds. These when transferred to the MS medium devoid of growth regulators resulted in elongation of shoots. The elongated shoots produced maximum number of roots in the MS medium containing 1.0 mg 1-1 IBA under the exclusion of light. However, early rooting was obtained in MS liquid medium devoid of growth regulators. Plantlet survival was maximum when treated with 0.2 per cent Bavistin immediately after removing from the culture vessels, followed by treatment with 0.2 per cent mancozeb and norfloxacin at the time of transplanting and post planting treatment with 1/10 MS solution and drenching with triadimefon 20.0 mg 1-1 at three days interval inside improvised mist chamber. Direct organogenesis could be obtained from immature inflorescence segments in modified MS medium supplemented with 15.0 mg 1-1 NAA and 3.0 mg 1-1 BAP. Among the various explants tried for callus mediated organogenesis, callus index was the maximum (400) when immature inflorescence segments were inoculated to the modified MS medium supplemented with NAA 15.0 mg 1-1 in 16 h photoperiod and also in the medium supplemented with 15.0 mg 1-1 NAA + 2.0 mg 1-1 BAP and kept under exclusion of light. The callus derived from inflorescence segments differentiated into shoots in the MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg 1-1 BAP and also in the medium supplemented with 1.0 mg 1-1 BAP and 0.5 mg 1-1 NAA. Callus also could be obtained from flower buds and flower bud bracts. The callus derived from the corm axillary buds and cormel tip explants in Stage 2, differentiated in the basal MS medium devoid of growth regulators or supplemented with 20.0 ml 1-1 coconut water and also in the medium with 0.5 mg 1-1 BAP. The root segments (both in vitro and in vivo) produced callus in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg 1-1 NAA and the differentiation was obtained in the medium containing 3.0 mg 1-1 BAP an 1.0mg 1-1 NAA. Leaf segments failed to develop callus. However, the explants collected from the leaf covering the inflorescence boot leaf) when cultured in modified MS medium supplemented with 15.0 mg 1-1 NAA and 1.0 mg 1-1 BAP and incubated under darkness for three months developed somatic embryos. In vitro corm production was noticed in the cultures, if planting out was delayed. Earliest and large sized corm induction was made possible in elongated shoots of gladiolus from Stage 2 in Ms medium containing 5.0 per cent sucrose, 0.5 mg 1-1 NAA and 5.0 mg 1-1 triadimefon kept under etiolated condition. The size of the in vitro produced corms enlarged from 0.2 cm to 2.3 cm in the MS liquid medium containing 5.0 per cent sucrose and 3.0 mg 1-1 triadimefon.
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 S
An 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.
Open Access
Floral biology and compatibility in gladiolus
(Department Of Pomology And Floriculture,College Of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1999) Jisha, V; KAU; Suma, A
The present investigation on 'Floral biology and compatibility in gladiolus was conducted in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from July 1997 to December 1998. The investigations on floral biology, pollen studies and the extent of compatibility between different varieties were done in the experimental field of AICRP on Floriculture. All the varieties showed significant variation among themselves for all the characters studied. Accession-l showed maximum corm germination percentage (94.89), plant height (68.86 cm), leaf number (9.44), spike length (64.67 cm), spike yield per plant (3.11) and took minimum days for spike emergence (46.56) and first flowering (60.44 days). These desirable qualities combined in a single variety indicate its scope for using in further breeding programme. American Beauty had maximum duration of flowering (12.44 days) and highest cormel number (8.11). Agnirekha had maximum number of florets per spike (15.00) and corm weight (31.66 g). Mansoer Red had highest spike weight (25.63 g) and Wedding Bouquet had maximum floret size (11.14 cm) and cormel size (1.84). Maximum number of florets per spike was observed in Pacific. It had longest vase life (8.66 days), corm size (5.18 cm) and conn number (1.78) also. Tambri showed maximum cormel weight (4.65 g). In all the varieties fullanthesis occurred from 7.15 a.m. and peak time was 9.00 a.m. Anthers dehisced within two to three hours after unfurling of perianth .. Stigma became receptive only after it turned feathery. By 9.30 a.m. on the day of anthesis stigma turned feathery and after that upto two days it remained receptive. White Friendship had maximum pollen fertility (85.90 %) and pollen production per anther (39500) while Pacific registered highest pollen diameter (38.09 J.!). Maximum pollen germination was observed in 15 per cent sucrose + 75 ppm boric acid medium for the two varieties studied viz., White Friendship and Accession-L Pollen viabil ity was the highest when stored in desiccator at 4"C. High heritability and high genetic advance were observed in characters I ike days to first flowering, spike length and leaf area: This shows that most likely the heritability is due to additive gene effects and selection may be effective for these characters. PCV and GCV were high for leaf area, spike yield per plant, number of florets open at a time and duration of flowering and they were low in the case of vase life, spike length, plant height and leaf number. The number of florets per spike which determines the market quality had positive correlation with spike weight, number of florets open at a time and leaf area. So the number of florets per spike can be increased with the improvement of any of these characters. A straight away selection from - gennplasm lines will be very effective for making improvement in this character. The genotypic correlation coefficients were found to be higher than the phenotypic correlation coefficients for most of the characters. This indicates that the environment had lesser effects on these characters. The direct and indirect effects of 12 characters on number of florets per spike showed that spike weight had the maximum direct effect on number of florets per spike: It was followed by duration of flowering, collar girth, spike length and vase life. The direct selection for the characte-s like spike weight and duration of flowering would be beneficial for crop improvement, since these two also showed positive correlation coefficients. Negative direct effects on number of florets per spike was from days to first flowering, plant height, floret size, leaf area, leaf number and spike yield per plant. The highest positive indirect effect on number of florets per spike was of leaf area through spike weight. The indirect effect of duration of flowering on number of florets per spike through number of florets open at a time was the lowest. Ten gladiolus varieties namely, White Friendship, Tambri, Echo Saunder, American Beauty, Tiger Flame, Wedding Bouquet, Accession-l , Accession-2, Amal and Pacific were selected and crossed in all possible combinations. In Amal and Tambri there was no pod development and seed set in both cross pollination and self pollination tests. In self pollination, pod set, number of seeds per pod and weight of seeds per pod were higher than that in cross pollination. Pods took 25 to 35 days to mature. In self compatibility Accession-I had maximum -pod set (100 %) and highest number of seeds per pod (77.21). Weight of seeds . per pod was highest in Wedding Bouquet (1.36 g). In cross compatibility, the pod set was maximum in Accession-2 x White Friendship (91.78 %) and the number of seeds per pod was highest in Accession-? x Accession-I. Thc weight of seeds per pod was maximum in Tiger Flame x Amal (0.92 g). The seed germination percentage was maximum in Pacific (78.94 %) in self compatibility studies. In cross compatibility the seed germination percentage was highest in Accession-2 x White Friendship. The varieties with highest number of florets per spike, vase life and early flowering were observed in this investigation. Also the compatible varieties were identified. These varieties can be exploited in further breeding programmes in gladiolus.
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 K
Investigations 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.
Open Access
Somatic Embryogenesis in Musa (AAB) Nendran
(Department of pomology and floriculture, College of horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2002) Beena, R; KAU; Aravindakshan, K

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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