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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 Ecophysiology and Screening for climate change resilience in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Genotypes(Department of Pomology and Floriculture College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2019) Aswini, A; KAU; Jyothi BhaskarThe study on “Ecophysiology and screening for climate change resilience in mango (Mangifera indica L.) genotypes” was conducted with the objective of getting basic information on eco physiological responses among selected genotypes of mango on flushing, flowering and fruit development with a view to identify climate resilient genotypes that are suitable for future climate change scenario in Kerala. The study comprised of three experiments viz., evaluation of mango genotypes under normal planting system, evaluation of selected mango genotypes in high density planting system and development of a crop weather model for mango and screening of genotypes for climate resilience with developed crop weather models. Experiment on evaluation of mango genotypes under normal planting system was conducted with trees of same age group (23 years). Wide variation was observed among the morphological characters, physiological characters, biochemical characters and quality attributes of different mango genotypes. From the observations on tree characters, the plant height varied from 9.78 m (H 151) to 12.49 m (Chandrakaran), the trunk circumference ranged from 91.63 cm (Muvandan) to 196.53 cm (Swarnarekha), and the crown diameter varied from 7.07 m (H 151) to 13.46 m (Mulgoa). The qualitative data on morphological characters viz., tree, leaf, inflorescence, fruit, stone and seed characters were grouped into clusters based on the IBPGRI descriptor. The observation on leaf characters revealed that the leaf blade length varied from 19.78 cm (Chandrakaran) to 29.32 cm (Amrapali), leaf blade width ranged from 4.77 cm (Kalepady) to 8.12 cm (Vellaikolumban), and the petiole length varied from 1.56 cm (H 45) to 3.70 cm (Amrapali). Based on the observations on inflorescence character the inflorescence length varied from 12.58 cm (Dashehari) to 34.42 cm (Bennet Alphonso), the inflorescence width ranged from 9.32 cm to 3.40 cm (Vellaikolumban), the hermaphrodite flowers in the inflorescence varied from 14.00% (Mulgoa) to 67.83% (Neelum), and the number of stamens per flower ranged from 4 to 5. From the observations on fruit characters the fruit length varied from 7.60 cm (Chandrakaran) to 20.08 cm (Mulgoa), fruit diameter ranged from 17.05 cm (h 151) to 32.50 cm (Arka Aruna), the fruit weight ranged from 123.10 g (Chandrakaran) to 738.97 g (Mulgoa), the fruit yield varied from 9.75 kg/tree (Arka Aruna) to 52.13 kg/tree (Muvandan) and the shelf life ranged from 3.83 days (PKM 2) to 7 days (H 151). From the observations on stone characters stone length, varied from 5.60 cm (Muvandan and Neelum) to 14.05 cm (Mulgoa), stone width ranged from 3.17 cm (Muvandan) to 12.07 cm (H 45 ), the stone thickness varied from 1.20 cm (Muvandan) to 3.15 cm (Neelgoa) and the stone weight ranged from 15.93 g (Bennet Alphonso) to 47.13 g (Mulgoa). Based on the seed characters the seed length varied from 4.28 cm (Bennet Alphonso) to 11.22 cm (Mulgoa), the seed width ranged from 2.25 cm (Sindhu) to 8.88 cm (Banganapalli) and the seed weight ranged from 8.58 g (Vellaikoamban) to 28.98 g (Mulgoa). The results from the analysis of quality attributes of different genotypes indicated that the acidity ranged from 0.02 % (Kalepady and H 151) to 0.12 % (Himayuddin), the ascorbic acid ranged from 12.17 mg 100g-1 (Arka Aruna) to 72.49 mg 100g-1 (Muvandan), carotenoids varied from 0.16 mg 100g-1 (Neelum) to 8.47 mg 100g-1 (Alphonso), ß carotene ranged from 9.75 mg 100g-1 (Mulgoa) to 45.06 mg 100g-1 (Dashehari), the total sugar varied from 12.55 % (Tholikkaipan) to 27.81 % (Swarnarekha), the reducing sugar ranged from 5.37 % (Swarnarekha) to 10.38 % (Tholikkaipan), the crude fibre varied from 2.67 % (Alphonso) to 16.50 % (Arka Aruna) and the TSS ranged from 16.16 oBrix (Kalepady) to 27.68 oBrix (Himayyudin). The results from sensory evaluation indicated that Mallika secured the highest rank for appearance, flavour, sweetness and texture, whereas Ratna secured the highest rank for clour and taste. The studies on pollen characters showed that the pollen length varied from 26.40 μm (Neelgoa) to 45.72 μm (Himayuddin), the pollen breadth ranged from 22.92 μm (Muvandan) to 38.34 μm (Arka Aruna), the pollen fertility ranged from 82.70 μm (Mulgoa) to 93.60 μm (Tholikkaipan) and the pollen production varied from 299.00 (H 151) to 541.83 (Prior). The pollen shapes of different mango genotypes observared were oblong, oval and round. The pollen storage was standardized using the pollen grains of Mallika and it was found that keeping under refrigerated conditions at 4OC was ambient. In vitro pollen germination were tried by hanging drop technique in different concentrations of sucrose solution with 1% agar and 0.001% boric acid but no germination was observed. The studies on physiological characters of different mango genotypes revealed that the relative water content varied from 19.00% (Ratna) to 35.82% (Neelum), radiation interception varied from 0.68 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Tholikkaipan) to 0.92 m-2 s-2 (Mulgoa), stomatal index varied from 15.59 (Prior) to 22.44 (Mallika), the stomatal frequency ranged from 65.22 to 88.78 (Banganappalli), the variation on stomatal conductance among the mango genotypes was found to be non significant, the stomatal resistance ranged from 5.33 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Dashehari) to 37.92 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Swarnarekha), the photosynthetic rate varied from 7.57 μ mol m-2 s-2 (H 151) to 17.91 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Tholikkaipan), the transpiration rate varied from 1.41 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Vellaikolumban) to 4.15 μ mol m-2 s-2 ( Dashehari), the leaf area index varied from 0.69 ( Dashehari) to 2.07 (Muvandan), and atmospheric pollution tolerance index ranged from 42.07 (Muvandan) to 68.53 (Mallika). The biochemical studies revealed that total phenol content varied from 4.54 mg g-1 to 19.07 mg g-1 (Ratna), soluble protein varied from 8.60 mg g-1 (Prior ) to 20.04 mg g-1 (Muvandan), the ascorbic acid content varied from 63.29 mg g-1 (Swarnarekha) to 97.21 mg g-1 (Ratna), the leaf pH ranged from 5.14 (Muvandan) to 6.45 (PKM 2), the chlorophyll a content varied from 0.82 mg g-1 (Chandrakaran) to 1.31 mg g-1 (Sindhu), the chlrophyll b content ranged from 0.13 mg g-1 (Banganappalli) to 0.26 mg g-1 (Tholikaippan), and the total chlorophyll ranged from 0.99 mg g-1 (Chandrakaran) to 1.48 mg g-1 (H 45). For the study on evaluation of mango genotypes under high density planting the trees of same age group (5 years) were selected. The observation on tree characters indicated that the trunk circumference ranged from 20.51 cm (Prior) to 31.29 cm (Chandrakaran), crown diameter ranged from 2.39 m (Ratna) to 3.09 m (Vellaikolumban). The qualitative data on morphological characters viz., tree, leaf, inflorescence, fruit, stone and seed characters were grouped into clusters based on the IBPGRI descriptor. The observation on leaf characters revealed that the leaf blade length varied from 19.17 cm (Muvandan) to 25.40 cm (Ratna), leaf blade width ranged from 4.84 cm (Muvandan) to 7.68 cm (Vellaikolumban) and leaf petiole length varied from 2.29 cm (Chandrakaran) to 4.18 cm (Vellaikolumban). Based on the inflorescence characters, the inflorescence length varied from 22.14 cm (Prior) to 36.47 cm (Vellaikolumban), the hermaphrodite flowers ranged from 33.40% (Muvandan) to 85.80% (Chandrakaran) and the number of stamens varied from 3 to 4. The observation on fruit characters revealed that the fruit length varied from 7.49 cm (Chandrakaran) to 18.71 cm (Mallika), the fruit diameter ranged from 13.18 cm (Chandrakaran) to 25.25 cm (Mallika), the fruit weight ranged from 8.93 g (Muvandan) to 24.69 g (Mallika), the yield per tree ranged from 8.93 kg/tree (Muvandan) to 24.69 kg/tree (Mallika), and the shelf life of fruits varied from 4 to 6 days. The observations on stone and seed characters revealed that chandrakaran recorded the lowest stone length (5.58 cm), stone width (3.36 cm), stone thickness (1.23 cm), stone weight (17.79 g) and seed length (4.05 cm). The lowest seed width and seed weight was recorded by Prior (3.07cm) and Vellaikolumban (9.44 cm). The highest stone length was recorded by Mallika (11.67 cm), stone width by Ratna (8.67 cm), stone thickness by Vellaikolumban (2.19 cm), stone weight by Mallika (44.33 g) , seed weight by Prior (22.22 g) and seed length and width by Ratna (7.91 cm and 8.47 cm respectively). Based on the analysis on quality attributes on different mango genotyped under high density planting the TSS ranged from 14.78 oBrix (Muvandan), acidity varied from 0.02 % (Mallika) to 0.07 % (Muvandan), ascorbic acid varied from 28.26 mg 100g-1(Vellaikolumban) to 79.68 mg 100g-1 (Chandrakaran), carotenoids ranged from 1.40 mg 100g-1(Vellaikolumban) to 4.80 mg 100g-1(Ratna), and ß carotene ranged from 13.54 mg 100g-1(Vellaikolumban) to 39.93 mg 100g-1(Ratna). The results on sensory evaluation revealed that Ratna recorded the highest rank for colour, flavour, sweetness, texture and taste, whereas Mallika recorded the highest rank for appearance. The pollen studies indicated that the pollen length varied from 24.80 μm (Muvandan) to 44.00 μm (Prior), pollen breadth ranged from 22.62 μm (Muvandan) to 33.35 μm (Chandrakaran), pollen fertility ranged from 59.47% (Prior) to 79.29% (Mallika) and the pollen production ranged from 194.50 (Muvandan) to 306.10 (Vellaikolumban). The studies on physiolological characters showed that the radiation interception ranged from 0.77 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Ratna and Chandrakaran) to 0.61 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Prior), the stomatal index ranged from 17.87 (Mallika) to 21.37 (Ratna), the stomatal frequency varied from 63.73 (Mallika) to 81.40 (Ratna), stomatal conductance ranged from 0.09 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Prior) to 0.19 μ mol m- 2 s-2 (Muvandan), stomatal resistance ranged from 7.31 μ mol m-2 s-2 ( (Muvandan) to 19.79 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Prior), the photosynthetic rate varied from 3.17 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Chandrakaran) to 11.68 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Vellaikolumban), transpiration ranged from 2.44 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Chandrakaran) to 4.19 μ mol m-2 s-2 (Muvandan) and atmospheric pollution tolerance index ranged from 54.42 (Vellaikolumban) to 68.34 (Ratna). The studies on biochemical character revealed that total phenol content varied from 4.81 mg g-1 (Vellaikolumban) to 10.66 mg g-1 (Prior), soluble protein varied from 12.72 mg g-1 (Ratna) to 20.75 mg g-1 (Chandrakaran), ascorbic acid content ranged from 67.74 mg g-1 (Vellaikolumban) to 92.34 mg g-1 (Ratna), leaf pH varied from 5.57 (Ratna) to 6.15 (Muvandan), chlorophyll a content ranged from 1.09 mg g-1 (Muvandan) to 1.29 (Prior), chlorophyll b varied from 0.22 mg g-1 (Muvandan) to 0.29 mg g-1 (Chandrakaran) and total chlorophyll varied from 1.30 mg g-1 (Muvandan) to 1.55 mg g-1 (Prior). Future climate change projection for 2030, 2040 and 2050 based on RCP 4.5 was generated using ECHAM model and the performance of the various genotypes under projected climatic conditions was evaluated using the developed model. Correlation among different meteorological and phenological characters of mango genotypes were done for yield, regression equations were derived and the yield was predicted from the scenario. Three phenophases viz., flower initiation, fruit initiation and fruit maturation were taken for the study. In each phenophase, weather parameter for seven, fifteen and thirty days prior to date of expression were averaged individually for correlation. Sindhu, Vellaikolumban, Prior, Alphonso, Kalepady and Tholikaippan showed an increase in the predicted yield in spite of an increase in temperature in flowering phenophase under normal planting system. The predicted yield increased in spite of a decrease in solar radiation in H 45, Mulgoa and Tholikaippan,. The predicted yield increased in spite of a decrease in rainfall in Dashehari, Neelum and Muvandan. Amrapali, PKM 1, Alphonso, Himayuddin, Swarnarekha and Mulgoa showed an increase in predicted yield in spite of an increase in rainfall. Amrapali, PKM 1, Sindhu, Neelum, Himayyudin, Bennet Alphonso, Kalepady, Muvandan, Tholikaippan, Vellaikolumaban, Banganapalli and Prior, recorded an increase in predicted yield in spite of an increase in temperature in fruit initiation phenophase under normal planting system. The predicted yield increased in spite of a decrease in rainfall in PKM 1, Amrapali, H 151, H 45, Bennet Alphonso, Mulgoa, Tholikkaipan, Chandrakaran and Muvandan. Dashehari showed an increase in predicted yield in spite of an increase in rainfall. H 151, Kalepady and Swarnarekha showed an increase in the predicted yield in spite of an increase in rainfall in fruit maturation phenophase under normal planting system. Based on the performance of genotypes in all three phenophases, H 45 can be recommended for regions with lower rainfall and lower solar radiation among the hybrids under normal planting system, whereas, Amrapali and PKM 1 can be recommended for areas with higher temperature and for both higher and lower rainfall regions. Among the parents of the hybrids, Mulgoa can be recommended for regions with lower solar radiation and for both lower and higher rainfall regions. Among the local types, Tholikaippan can be recommended for the regions with higher temperature, lower rainfall and lower solar radiation. Vellaikolumban, Ratna and Muvandan showed an increase in the predicted yield in spite of an increase in temperature in flowering phenophase under high density planting system. Prior, Chandrakaran, Muvandan, Vellaikolumban, Ratna and Mallika recorded an increase in the predicted yield in spite of an increase in temperature in fruit initiation phenophase under high density planting system. Prior, Chandrakaran, Mallika, Ratna and Muvandan, showed an increase in the yield in spite of an increase in temperature in fruit maturation phenophase under high density planting system, whereas the predicted yield increased in spite of a decrease in rainfall in Mallika, Vellaikolumban and Ratna. Based on the performance of genotypes in all the three phenophases, all studied genotypes can be recommended for higher temperature regions under high density planting system. In conclusion, climate change may have a profound impact on mango genotypes since the flower initiation, fruit initiation and fruit maturation phenophases are strongly influenced by the environment. The projected scenario for 2030, 2040 and 2050 indicate that the temperature will tend to increase and the rainfall will decrease from the present condition leading to altered phenophases which necessitate changes in spectrum and distribution of varieties currently being grown. H 45, PKM 1, Amrapali, Mulgoa and Tholikaippan are the climate resilient genotypes for the normal planting systems and Mallika, Ratna, Muvandan, Vellaikolumban and Prior are the climate resilient genotypes for high density planting systems.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of propagation techniques and rootstock studies of mango (Mangifera indica L.)(Department of Pomology and Floriculture College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2019) Reshma, U R; KAU; Simi, SAn investigation entitled “Evaluation of propagation techniques and rootstock studies of mango (Mangifera indica L.)” was carried out during 2016– 2019 at Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The investigation aimed to screen local mango varieties/ collections for polyembryony, to study the pre-sowing treatments, sowing positions and age of stone after extraction from fruit on germination of mango stones, to screen local mango varieties for use as dwarfing rootstocks and to study the effect of two propagation methods in three modified environments on three varieties of scions. Out of twenty local mango varieties collected from different parts of Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, seventeen were polyembryonic while three were monoembryonic. The mango var. Kappa Manga (T19) recorded the highest germination per cent (73.33 %), germination index (2.41) and seedling vigour index on growth basis (2795.20). The mean germination time (17.50 days) was the least in Vellari Varikka (T18). Kotookonam Varikka recorded the highest per cent polyembryony (65.13 %) and produced the highest number of plantlets per stone (5.00). Microsatellite analysis of all the plantlets from two varieties viz., Kotookonam Varikka and Kochu Kilichundan that exhibited the highest percentage of polyembryony were done using 20 SSR primers and the products were compared with their respective mother plants. All the seedlings obtained from the respective stones had identical SSR profile to the mother plant, which indicated nucellar origin of seedlings having similar genetic composition to the mother plant. The zygotic seedling might have degenerated at very early stage of growth and the remaining nucellar seedlings were all vigorous. To study the effect of pre-sowing treatments, sowing positions and age of stone after extraction from the fruit on germination of mango stones, an experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with 42 treatment combinations replicated thrice. The treatments comprised two sowing positions viz., flat (S1) and stalk end up (S2), three age of stones after extraction from fruit, viz., freshly extracted (A1), 10 days (A2) and 20 days after extraction (A3) and seven pre-sowing treatments viz., 100 ppm GA3 (T1), 200 ppm GA3 (T2), 1 ppm KNO3 (T3), 2 ppm KNO3 (T4), cow dung slurry(T5), water (T6), control [without treatment (T7)] and their combinations. The variety Kotookonam Varikka was utilized for the study. The stalk end up sowing method and freshly extracted stones proved to be the best with respect to germination and vigour of mango seedlings. The stones treated with 200 ppm GA3 required minimum number of days for initiation of germination (22.62 days), 50 % germination (31.78 days), exhibited the highest germination percentage (62.59 %), rate of germination (0.48), vigour index on growth basis (2310.02) and weight basis (657.09). Treatment with 100 ppm GA3 produced the highest seedling length (35.70 cm) and dry weight (10.39 g) at 4 month after sowing (MAS). Interaction effects also indicated that the freshly extracted stones sown by stalk end up method after treatment with 200 ppm GA3 for 24 hours resulted in significantly the highest germination rate (0.74) and the least number of days for initiation of germination (13.00 days). An attempt was made to identify the local mango varieties for use as dwarfing rootstock based on morphological, physiological and anatomical features. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with ten genotypes replicated thrice. At 4 MAS, the lowest seedling length (29.48 cm) was noticed in Kochu Kilichundan (T4), followed by Unda Varikka (T10) and the highest seedling length (56.11 cm) was in Kappa Manga (T8). Moreover, the germination percentage of Kochu Kilichundan (46.67 %) was on par with all the varieties except Kappa Manga (71.11 %) along with the lowest vigour index-I and vigour index- II was on par with Unda Varikka. However, the least dry matter of seedling (9.66 g) was recorded in Unda Varikka. At 6 MAS, majority of the morphological features were the highest in Kappa Manga. The highest starch content (8.53 %) was estimated to be in Kasthuri (T2). Kochu Kilichundan and Unda Varikka exhibited dwarfism with less plant height (38.77 cm and 40.20 cm respectively), but the former had the least internodal length (3.16 cm). The highest values for number of leaves (23.20), leaf length (12.59 cm), leaf width (4.07 cm) and average leaf area (22.57 cm2) were recorded in Unda Varikka compared to Kochu Kilichundan. However, the highest number of roots (28.53), root length (35.02 cm), dry weight of root (3.10 g), dry weight of shoot (1.46 g) and stomatal density (51.68) were recorded in Kochu Kilichundan while total leaf area of the two varieties were on par. Moreover, Kochu Kilichundan had the highest phenol content in apical bud (60.57 mg/g) and leaves (29.03 mg/g) and bark percentage of root (23.69 %) and shoot (34.02 %) of all the varieties. Membrane stability index, relative water content, transpiration rate and leaf temperature were non-significant. The anatomical studies revealed the highest phloem-xylem ratio both in stem (0.99) and root (1.35) and the least total conduit area of root (6.38 mm2) in Unda Varikka while the least total conduit area of stem (5.42 mm2) was in Kochu Kilichundan, indicating the dwarfing potential of both Kochu Kilichundan and Unda Varikka. To study the effect of propagation methods and modified environments on different varieties of scion, an experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with eighteen treatment combinations replicated thrice. The treatments comprised two propagation methods viz., epicotyl (P1) and softwood grafting (P2), three modified environments viz., climate controlled [fan and pad (M1)], humid chamber (M2) and natural shade [75 % shade (M3)] and three varieties of scions, Kalapady (V1), Neelum (V2) and Kotookonam Varikka (V3) and their combinations. The grafts produced by epicotyl grafting resulted in significantly higher scion length (15.80 cm), had the least number of days for leaf opening (15.07days) , first (12.19 days) and last sprouting (22.02), higher number of grafts sprouted at weekly intervals, higher initial success percentage (83.21 %), graft establishment percentage (72.22 %), number of leaves per graft (15.40), leaf length (15.27 cm), leaf width (3.36 cm), leaf area (41.69 cm2), number of nodes on scion (21.63), internodal length (5.20 cm), number of growth flushes per graft (1.76), lower number of days taken between grafting to first vegetative flush (26.06 days) as well as to second vegetative flush (44.98 days) and higher final survival of grafts (65.19 %). The micro climate controlled by fan and pad system produced most conducive conditions for vegetative growth of mango grafts. Among the different varieties of scions, Kotookonam Varikka recorded the highest girth of rootstock, girth of scion, length of scion, graft height, spread of plant in N-S direction and E-W direction, number of grafts sprouted at weekly intervals, initial success percentage, percentage of graft establishment, leaf width, number of nodes on scion, internodal length, number of growth flushes per graft and the lowest number of days taken between grafting and second vegetative flush. Kalapady recorded the least number of days for first and last sprouting, leaf opening and for first vegetative flushing. The greatest sprout length, number of leaves, leaf length and leaf area were recorded in Neelum. The scion did not influence the final survival of grafts. The treatment combinations had no influence on root length. Interaction effects also confirmed that epicotyl grafting method with Kotookonam Varikka variety as scion under controlled conditions using fan and pad system resulted in grafts with higher scion length (16.80 cm), sprout length (6.05 cm), more number of growth flushes per graft (2.33) and earlier second vegetative flush (40.87 days). Based on the above findings it could be concluded that the highest percentage of polyembryony was in Kotookonam Varikka and microsatellite analysis revealed the nucellar origin of plantlets and confirmed higher vigour of nucellar seedlings over sexual seedling. Stalk end up sowing of freshly extracted stones treated with 200 ppm GA3 for 24 hours recorded better germination and vigour of mango seedlings. The mango variety Kochu Kilichundan and UndaVarikka were identified as promising rootstocks to impart dwarfness and Kochu Kilichundan was superior in most of the morphological and physiological characters. The epicotyl grafts of Kotookonam Varikka under controlled climate by fan and pad system recorded better graft establishment, survival, vegetative and growth parameters.ThesisItem Open Access Performance analysis and combining ability studies in anthurium cultivars(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Sheena, A; KAU; Sabina George, TThe investigation on “Performance analysis and combining ability studies in anthurium cultivars” was conducted at Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2010 - 2013. The objectives were to evaluate introduced cultivars of anthurium for growth, flowering and floral attributes, to assess their compatibility with cultivars having breeding potential and to produce novel anthurium cultivars through inter-varietal hybridization. The study was conducted in two experiments and the results and salient findings are abstracted here. In experiment I, performance evaluation of nine introduced anthurium cultivars for growth and cut flower production was carried out. The cultivars exhibited differential responses in vegetative and floral characters. With respect to morphological characters the cultivars Marijke and Paradise had greater vegetative vigour, higher yields, larger spathes and greater vase life. Salmon Queen, Mozaik Fresh, Hillary, Cynthia and Elizabeth were moderate in vegetative vigour. Red Amour and Anastasia were short statured, lower in vegetative vigour and low yielders with smaller spathes. Variability studies indicated that phenotypic coefficient of variation was slightly higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for most of the characters indicating the greater influence of environment. Genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than phenotypic correlation coefficients for most of the characters. In experiment II, twenty one anthurium cultivars including the introduced ones were evaluated for their floral characters and from these, eight cultivars namely Paradise, Marijke, Mozaik Fresh, Lady Jane Pink, Orange Glory, Dragon’s Tongue, Lima White and Agnihotri Red were selected as parents for further hybridization. Significant differences in floral characters were noticed among the cultivars. The cultivars exhibited variations in the qualitative characters of spathe colour, texture, spadix colour and type and colour of the young leaf and petiole. Anthocyanin content of the spathe showed a gradation with variation in the intensity of spathe colour. Vase life of the cultivars ranged from 6.33 to 20.50 days. Peak pollen emergence was observed from October to January and absence of pollen was found from March to May. Combining ability analysis was carried out for 11 traits in which eight traits exhibited higher dominance variance and three traits had higher additive variance which indicated involvement of both additive and non-additive gene action in the inheritance of characters and suggested the importance of selection as well as hybridization for improvement of these characters. Marijke and Mozaik Fresh were good general combiners with respect to the characters number of fruits per spadix, percentage of fruit set, number of seeds and percentage of seed germination, Orange Glory and Dragon’s Tongue for days to seed maturity, days to seed germination, seedling survival and days from emergence to maturity of leaves and Paradise for percentage of fruit set, days for germination and leaf area. In vitro seed germination study revealed that surface sterilization with sodium hypochlorite 2 % for 15 minutes recorded the lowest incidence of contamination and highest survival percentage. Highest germination per cent and earlier leaf development were seen in full MS media without growth regulators. Seed germination in vitro and its further multiplication could reduce the time taken to develop new hybrids in large numbers. The hybrid plants in the field are in flowering, near flowering and pre flowering stages. Vegetative and floral characters of the 35 hybrids that flowered when compared with their parents, revealed variations in the parameters studied. Ten hybrids found promising based on qualitative evaluation of spathe and spadix characters in the present study can be further assessed for flower yield and cut flower attributes and selected for cultivation.