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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 Gene action and gene expression analysis in yardlong bean(Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis(L.) Verdcourt) for drought tolerance(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2022) Rahana, S N; KAU; Beena ThomasYard long bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcourt) is a highly remunerative legume vegetable of Kerala. Due to climate change and erratic rainfall, in summer season the crop growth and pod production is heavily affected by moisture stress. Development of high yielding varieties of yard long bean with drought tolerance is essential for its sustainable production. In this context, the present study entitled "Gene action and gene expression analysis in yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcourt) for drought tolerance" was carried out in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, with an objective to identify drought tolerant genotype from the available germplasm and to understand the nature and magnitude of gene action and gene expression involved in the inheritance of drought tolerance in yard long bean. The study comprised four experiments. First experiment dealt with the seedling stage evaluation of 100-yard-long bean genotypes for drought tolerance in field. The moisture stress was imposed by withholding irrigation and later irrigation was restored in order to ensure the survival of the tolerant lines. The results of the analysis showed significant variations among genotypes. Out of the 100 genotypes screened, 15 drought tolerant genotypes were identified based on their better performance in terms of high RLW, low PWP, more number of days for reaching critical stress level and high recovery percentage. The genotypes identified were G1 (Acc 5), G5 (Acc 1339), G6 (Adoor local), G14 (Anchal local II) G15 (Aranmula local), G24 (Elamadu local), G36 (Kattampally local), G42 (Kollam local), G45 (Kottarakara local), G46 (Kottayam local), G50 (Kulashegarapuram local), 051 (Kulathupuzha local), G60 (Muttathukonam local), G74 (Nilamcl local) and G89 (Pongamoodu local). The fifteen selected genotypes from the first experiment were evaluated for drought tolerance in the second experiment by imposing moisture stress at the reproductive stage. Based on the biometric and physiological evaluations, the top seven genotypes with high yield and drought tolerance A4 (Anchal local II), A5 (Aranmula local), A7 (Kattampally local). All (Kulashegarapuram local), A13 (Muttathukonam local), A14 (Nilamel local), and A15 (Pongamoodu local) were selected as parents for further hybridization in experiment in. In the third experiment, LxT crosses were performed by using seven selected tolerant genotypes as lines with three popular yard long bean varieties as testers to generate twenty one hybrids. The genetic analysis of hybrids and parents were evaluated based on eight morphological and eight physiological parameters. Mean performance, combming ability, gene action and heterosis were estimated. Based on the mean performance and gca effects, L4 (Kulashegarapuram local) and L3 (Kattampally local) are identified as outstanding general combiners and can be exploited as parents for drought tolerance breeding in yard long bean. Three superior crosses, Kattampally local x Vellayani Jyothika (L3 x T3), Nilamel local X Lola (L6 X T2) and Kulashegarapuram local x Lola (L4 x T2) were identified as promising combinations for drought tolerance and yield xmder water stress. In the final experiment quantitative real time PCR was conducted to analyze the gene expression of drought responsive genes in tolerant hybrids and parents. The elevated expression of DREBs and NCEDl genes in tolerant hybrids and genotypes in gene expression analysis reflects the increased drought tolerance ability of those genotypes. The gene expression analysis was in conformity with the field studies. All the hybrids mamfested significant amount of dominance variance for commercial exploitation. Existence of significant amoimt of dominance variance and non-additive gene action suggests that hybridization as the best strategy for improving the drought tolerance character in yard long bean. The identified genotypes can be used for isolation of purelines with enhanced drought tolerance and the transgressive segregants from the identified crosses can be used for the development of drought tolerant high yielding cultivars in the fixture. The work can be continued with the identified genotypes and crosses for the development of climate smart drought tolerant varieties of yard long bean.ThesisItem Open Access Gene action and gene expression analysis in tomato (Solanum iycopersicum L.) under moisture stress(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2021) Chippy, A K; KAU; Beena, ThomasThe present investigation entitled ‘‘Gene action and gene expression analysis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under moisture stress” was conducted during the period 2017-2021, in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Thirty-two genotypes including local genotypes of tomato were collected from different sources and studied under three different experiments. In the first experiment, twenty-one F1 hybrids derived from the line x tester mating and their ten parents were transplanted in the field and the treatment mean sum of square due to genotypes was found to be highly significant for all the characters studied which would ultimately indicate diverse nature of selected genotypes. The mean performance showed wide range of variation for most of the characters studied. Among lines, L7 (Pusa Ruby) showed higher mean performance for all-out of nine characters viz., plant height, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, fruit weight, yield per plant, yield per plot, root length, root volume and relative water content. Among three testers, T2 (Kuttichal Local) showed favourable mean performance for seventeen traits viz., plant height, primary branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, number of flowering clusters per plant, number of fruits per cluster, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, fruit weight, yield per plant, yield per plot, vitamin C, total acidity, stomatal frequency, root length, root volume and proline content. Under moisture stress (Second experiment), among the lines, L7 (Pusa Ruby) showed higher mean performance for eleven characters viz., plant height, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, fruit weight, yield per plant, yield per plot, total soluble solids, root length, root volume and pollen viability. Among three testers, T2 (Kuttichal Local) showed favourable mean performance for sixteen traits viz., plant height, primary branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, number of flowering clusters per plant, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, total soluble solids, total acidity, stomatal frequency, root length, root volume and canopy temperature. Based on general combining ability analysis, the line L6 (Arka Alok) ranked as top by exhibiting significant gca effects for six traits viz., fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, fruit weight, specific leaf area and root length. Among the testers, T3 (Kottayam Local) had superior gca effects for Days to 50% flowering, number of flowering clusters per plant, number of fruits per cluster, fruit length, fruit volume, yield per plot, total soluble solids, lycopene, titrable acidity canopy temperature and proline content. Under moisture stress, the line L3 (Akshaya) ranked as top by exhibiting significant gca effects for ten traits viz., primary branches per plant, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, yield per plant, yield per plot, stomatal frequency, specific leaf area, canopy temperature and pollen viability. Among the testers, T1 (Palakkad Local) had superior gca effects for plant height, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, fruit girth, fruit volume, yield per plant, yield per plot, total soluble solids, relative water content, canopy temperature and proline content. In the case of hybrids, Based on mean performance, the crosses L1 x T1 (Vellayani Vijay x Palakkad Local), L2 x T3 (Anagha x Kottayam Local), L3 x T1 (Akshaya x Palakkad Local), L3 x T3 (Akshaya x Kottayam Local), L4 x T1 (PKM 1 x Palakkad Local), L4 x T2 (PKM 1 x Kuttichal Local), L5 x T1 (Arka Meghali x Palakkad Local), L5 x T2 (Arka Meghali x Kuttichal Local), L5 x T3 (Arka Meghali x Kottayam Local), L6 x T2 (Arka Alok x Kuttichal Local) and L6 x T3 (Arka Alok x Kottayam Local) were superior for different yield characters. Under moisture stress, Hybrids L3 x T1 (Akshaya x Palakkad Local), L3 x T3 (Akshaya x Kottayam Local), L4 x T1 (PKM 1 x Palakkad Local), L4 x T2 (PKM 1 x Kuttichal Local), L5 x T2 (Arka Meghali x Kuttichal Local), L7 x T2 (Pusa Ruby x Kuttichal Local) and L7 x T3 (Pusa Ruby x Kottayam Local) were superior for yield based on mean value. Based on combining ability studies under normal field condition, identified superior crosses such as L1 x T1 (Vellayani Vijay x Palakkad Local), L2 x T1 (Anagha x Palakkad Local), L2 x T3 (Anagha x Kottayam Local), L3 x T1 (Akshaya x Palakkad Local), L3 x T3 (Akshaya x Kottayam Local), L4 x T1 (PKM 1 x Palakkad Local), L4 x T2 (PKM 1 x Kuttichal Local), L6 x T2 (Arka Alok x Kuttichal Local), L6 x T3 (Arka Alok x Kottayam Local), L7 x T1 (Pusa Ruby x Palakkad Local) and L7 x T3 (Pusa Ruby x Kottayam Local) exhibited higher sca effects for yield per plant. Under moisture stress, identified superior crosses such as L1 x T2 (Vellayani Vijay x Kuttichal Local), L2 x T3 (Anagha x Kottayam Local), L3 x T1 (Akshaya x Palakkad Local), L4 x T2 (PKM 1 x Kuttichal Local), L5 x T2 (Arka Meghali x Kuttichal Local), L6 x T2 (Arka Alok x Kuttichal Local) and L7 x T3 (Pusa Ruby x Kottayam Local) exhibited higher sca effects for yield per plant. Based on heterosis, Overall, nineteen hybrids (L1 x T1, L1 x T2, L1 x T3, L2 x T1, L2 x T2, L2 x T3, L3 x T1, L3 x T3, L4 x T1, L4 x T2, L4 x T3, L5 x T1, L5 x T2, L5 x T3, L6 x T1, L6 x T2, L6 x T3, L7 x T1 and L7 x T3) from twenty one crosses revealed significant and positive heterobeltiosis for yield per plant under normal field condition. In the case of gene action, dominance genetic variance (σ2D) is higher than additive genetic variance (σ2A) was observed for all the traits under normal field condition and water stress condition, indicating that traits are controlled by non-additive gene action. Correlation study revealed yield per plant was positively and significantly correlated with the traits viz., primary branches per plant, number of flowering clusters per plant, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, fruit girth, fruit volume, fruit weight and yield per plot. Based on qRT-PCR, the expression of both genes (moisture stress related genesSlDREB 1 and SlWRKY 4) was upregulated under water stress in all selected genotypes and the expression was more than moisture stress tolerant check variety. The result is in accordance with the analysis of moisture stress related physiological characters in these genotypes in the field under stress. From the study, identified tolerant sources for moisture stress viz., Akshaya, Pusa Ruby and Kuttichal Local, these lines and tester can be used in breeding programmes for moisture stress tolerance. Based on mean performance and gca, the genotypes Vellayani Vijay, Akshaya, Arka Meghali, Arka Alok and Kottayam local which showed superiority in yield and fruit quality traits can be used for breeding for improvement of yield and quality traits. The hybrids L3xT1 (Akshaya x Palakkad Local), L4 x T2 (PKM 1 x Kuttichal Local), L5 x T2 (Arka Meghali x Kuttichal Local) and L7 x T3 (Pusa Ruby x Kottayam Local) which showed superiority for yield and quality characters with tolerance to moisture stress can be recommended for release after yield trials.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on induced mutations in rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Division of genetics and plant breeding ,Agricultural college and research institute , Coimbatore., 1971) Gopinathan Nair, V; KAUThesisItem Open Access Gene action and gene expression analysis in tomato (Solanum iycopersicum L.) under moisture stress(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2022) Chippy, A K; KAU; Beena, ThomasThe present investigation entitled ‘‘Gene action and gene expression analysis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under moisture stress” was conducted during the period 2017-2021, in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Thirty-two genotypes including local genotypes of tomato were collected from different sources and studied under three different experiments. In the first experiment, twenty-one F1 hybrids derived from the line x tester mating and their ten parents were transplanted in the field and the treatment mean sum of square due to genotypes was found to be highly significant for all the characters studied which would ultimately indicate diverse nature of selected genotypes. The mean performance showed wide range of variation for most of the characters studied. Among lines, L7 (Pusa Ruby) showed higher mean performance for all-out of nine characters viz., plant height, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, fruit weight, yield per plant, yield per plot, root length, root volume and relative water content. Among three testers, T2 (Kuttichal Local) showed favourable mean performance for seventeen traits viz., plant height, primary branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, number of flowering clusters per plant, number of fruits per cluster, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, fruit weight, yield per plant, yield per plot, vitamin C, total acidity, stomatal frequency, root length, root volume and proline content. Under moisture stress (Second experiment), among the lines, L7 (Pusa Ruby) showed higher mean performance for eleven characters viz., plant height, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, fruit weight, yield per plant, yield per plot, total soluble solids, root length, root volume and pollen viability. Among three testers, T2 (Kuttichal Local) showed favourable mean performance for sixteen traits viz., plant height, primary branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, number of flowering clusters per plant, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, total soluble solids, total acidity, stomatal frequency, root length, root volume and canopy temperature. Based on general combining ability analysis, the line L6 (Arka Alok) ranked as top by exhibiting significant gca effects for six traits viz., fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, fruit weight, specific leaf area and root length. Among the testers, T3 (Kottayam Local) had superior gca effects for Days to 50% flowering, number of flowering clusters per plant, number of fruits per cluster, fruit length, fruit volume, yield per plot, total soluble solids, lycopene, titrable acidity canopy temperature and proline content. Under moisture stress, the line L3 (Akshaya) ranked as top by exhibiting significant gca effects for ten traits viz., primary branches per plant, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, yield per plant, yield per plot, stomatal frequency, specific leaf area, canopy temperature and pollen viability. Among the testers, T1 (Palakkad Local) had superior gca effects for plant height, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, fruit girth, fruit volume, yield per plant, yield per plot, total soluble solids, relative water content, canopy temperature and proline content. In the case of hybrids, Based on mean performance, the crosses L1 x T1 (Vellayani Vijay x Palakkad Local), L2 x T3 (Anagha x Kottayam Local), L3 x T1 (Akshaya x Palakkad Local), L3 x T3 (Akshaya x Kottayam Local), L4 x T1 (PKM 1 x Palakkad Local), L4 x T2 (PKM 1 x Kuttichal Local), L5 x T1 (Arka Meghali x Palakkad Local), L5 x T2 (Arka Meghali x Kuttichal Local), L5 x T3 (Arka Meghali x Kottayam Local), L6 x T2 (Arka Alok x Kuttichal Local) and L6 x T3 (Arka Alok x Kottayam Local) were superior for different yield characters. Under moisture stress, Hybrids L3 x T1 (Akshaya x Palakkad Local), L3 x T3 (Akshaya x Kottayam Local), L4 x T1 (PKM 1 x Palakkad Local), L4 x T2 (PKM 1 x Kuttichal Local), L5 x T2 (Arka Meghali x Kuttichal Local), L7 x T2 (Pusa Ruby x Kuttichal Local) and L7 x T3 (Pusa Ruby x Kottayam Local) were superior for yield based on mean value. Based on combining ability studies under normal field condition, identified superior crosses such as L1 x T1 (Vellayani Vijay x Palakkad Local), L2 x T1 (Anagha x Palakkad Local), L2 x T3 (Anagha x Kottayam Local), L3 x T1 (Akshaya x Palakkad Local), L3 x T3 (Akshaya x Kottayam Local), L4 x T1 (PKM 1 x Palakkad Local), L4 x T2 (PKM 1 x Kuttichal Local), L6 x T2 (Arka Alok x Kuttichal Local), L6 x T3 (Arka Alok x Kottayam Local), L7 x T1 (Pusa Ruby x Palakkad Local) and L7 x T3 (Pusa Ruby x Kottayam Local) exhibited higher sca effects for yield per plant. Under moisture stress, identified superior crosses such as L1 x T2 (Vellayani Vijay x Kuttichal Local), L2 x T3 (Anagha x Kottayam Local), L3 x T1 (Akshaya x Palakkad Local), L4 x T2 (PKM 1 x Kuttichal Local), L5 x T2 (Arka Meghali x Kuttichal Local), L6 x T2 (Arka Alok x Kuttichal Local) and L7 x T3 (Pusa Ruby x Kottayam Local) exhibited higher sca effects for yield per plant. Based on heterosis, Overall, nineteen hybrids (L1 x T1, L1 x T2, L1 x T3, L2 x T1, L2 x T2, L2 x T3, L3 x T1, L3 x T3, L4 x T1, L4 x T2, L4 x T3, L5 x T1, L5 x T2, L5 x T3, L6 x T1, L6 x T2, L6 x T3, L7 x T1 and L7 x T3) from twenty one crosses revealed significant and positive heterobeltiosis for yield per plant under normal field condition. In the case of gene action, dominance genetic variance (σ2D) is higher than additive genetic variance (σ2A) was observed for all the traits under normal field condition and water stress condition, indicating that traits are controlled by non-additive gene action. Correlation study revealed yield per plant was positively and significantly correlated with the traits viz., primary branches per plant, number of flowering clusters per plant, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, fruit girth, fruit volume, fruit weight and yield per plot. Based on qRT-PCR, the expression of both genes (moisture stress related genesSlDREB 1 and SlWRKY 4) was upregulated under water stress in all selected genotypes and the expression was more than moisture stress tolerant check variety. The result is in accordance with the analysis of moisture stress related physiological characters in these genotypes in the field under stress. From the study, identified tolerant sources for moisture stress viz., Akshaya, Pusa Ruby and Kuttichal Local, these lines and tester can be used in breeding programmes for moisture stress tolerance. Based on mean performance and gca, the genotypes Vellayani Vijay, Akshaya, Arka Meghali, Arka Alok and Kottayam local which showed superiority in yield and fruit quality traits can be used for breeding for improvement of yield and quality traits. The hybrids L3xT1 (Akshaya x Palakkad Local), L4 x T2 (PKM 1 x Kuttichal Local), L5 x T2 (Arka Meghali x Kuttichal Local) and L7 x T3 (Pusa Ruby x Kottayam Local) which showed superiority for yield and quality characters with tolerance to moisture stress can be recommended for release after yield trials.ThesisItem Open Access Breeding brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) for resistance to brinjal shoot and fruit borer(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2021) Neeraja, Puthiamadom; KAU; Jiji, JosephBrinjal shoot and fruit borer is one of the most devastating pests of brinjal. It is a major bottle neck in the cultivation of egg plant. Identification of resistant sources and transfer of these genes into the high yielding varieties is an important step in mitigating the damage caused by this pest. Keeping the above facts in view, the present investigation entitled “Breeding brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) for resistance to brinjal shoot and fruit borer” was taken up in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics from Sept 2017- April 2021. Thirty one accessions belonging to eight different species of Solanum were evaluated in the field for resistance to brinjal shoot and fruit borer during Aug- Nov 2018. The treatments showed significant difference for all the characters studied. The highest number of primary branches was observed in IC618034 belonging to S. virginianum and the lowest number was observed in IC618035 belonging to Solanum melongena. Infestation of shoots by borer started nearly 7th week after transplanting. The number of damaged shoots was highest in Surya. The per cent shoot infestation ranged from 0 to 75 per cent. The wild accessions were resistant to brinjal shoot and fruit borer and only the melongena lines exhibited considerable damage. The extent of per cent fruit damage ranged from 0 per cent in the wild accessions to 64.67 per cent in Arka Neelkanth. Yield per plant and marketable yield per plant was highest in Vengeri. Based on the observation from the screening experiment conducted during August –November 2018, eleven accessions were evaluated further for a confirmatory screening during March- July 2020. As there was considerable infestation by borer, artificial inoculation was not carried out. There was significant difference among the treatments for the characters studied. Highest yield per plant and marketable yield per plant was observed in Vengeri. Lowest yield was observed in IC624241 and IC624239. Yield loss was highest in Ponni and lowest in IC624239. The resistance index developed by Mishra et al. (1988) was followed to classify the accessions. The accessions IC618035, IC618044, IC624241, Arka Kusumkar and Vengeri were graded as resistant (1-10 %) with respect to per cent shoot damage. Based on the extent the of fruit damage, the accessions IC618035, IC618044 and IC624239 and Arka Kusumkar were graded as moderately resistant (11-20%). IC624241 and Vengeri were graded as resistant (0-10%). Haritha, Surya, Arka Keshav, Ponni and Arka Neelkanth were graded as highly susceptible (>40 %). The biophysical, anatomical and biochemical basis of resistance was elucidated in the selected accessions. Trichomes in Solanum sps. were stellate in shape with six trichome strands forming one asterisk. Trichome density on calyx was negatively and significantly correlated with shoot damage while trichome density on leaf was positively and significantly correlated with shoot damage. Pericarp thickness, fruit breadth, total sugar content and total nitrogen content were positively and significantly correlated with per cent fruit damage. Total phenol content showed a significant negative correlation with the per cent fruit infestation. The resistant lines IC618035, IC618044, IC624241, Arka Kusumkar and Vengeri were characterized by thick epidermis and cuticle, dense and compact cortex and cambium, well developed vascular bundles and small pith. IC618044, IC624241, IC618035, Arka Kusumkar and Vengeri falling under the resistant and moderately resistant category were selected as testers to cross with highly susceptible lines Haritha, Ponni and Arka Neelkanth. The twelve hybrids and parents were screened in the field along with the hybrid ‘Neelima’ as check during Dec 2020- April 2021 to check the per cent infestation of brinjal shoot and fruit borer. On the basis of per cent fruit infestation the hybrids Haritha x JRPH IC624241 and Ponni x IC624241 were graded as immune. Haritha x IC618044, Haritha x IC618035, Ponni x IC618035 and Ponni x Vengeri were graded as resistant. The hybrids Haritha x Vengeri , Haritha x Arka Kusumkar, Ponni x IC618044 and Neelima were graded as moderately resistant. Ponni x Arka Kusumkar was graded as tolerant. The hybrid Arka Neelkanth x IC618035 Arka Neelkanth x IC618044 were graded as highly susceptible. L x T analysis revealed that Vengeri can be considered as a good combiner with respect to per cent shoot damage, yield per plant and marketable yield per plant. While Arka Kusumkar is a good combiner with respect to number of fruits per plant, number of damaged fruits and per cent fruit damage. Among the lines, Ponni can be considered as a good combiner in terms of yield and marketable yield. Ponni x Vengeri can be considered to be superior as it exhibited high positive heterosis over the mid parent, better parent as well as the commercial check for yield as well as marketable yield and high negative heterosis for per cent shoot and fruit damage. Almost all the hybrids exhibited negative heterosis for per cent shoot and fruit damage. Ponni x Vengeri was ranked as ‘one’ on the basis of organoleptic evaluation conducted with a panel of ten judges. DNA fingerprinting of the superior F1 hybrids and the respective parents done using nineteen ISSR markers revealed that Arka Neelkanth was unique in a way that it produced 10 bands for UBC 836. Comparing other hybrids highest number of bands for UBC 868, UBC 816, UBC 836 and ISSR 08 were produced by Arka Neelkanth. UBC 826 was used to identify bands common in hybrids and parents in Haritha x IC618044, Haritha x Arka Kusumkar, Ponni x Arka Kusumkar and Arka Neelkanth x IC618044. The bands similar in parents and hybrids were identified in all the hybrids except Ponni x IC624241. Superior hybrids viz., Ponni x Vengeri, Ponni x Arka Kusumkar and Haritha x Vengeri can be evaluated further. Mapping populations can be developed from the segregating generations to develop functional markers for resistance to brinjal fruit and shoot borer.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic analysis of high yielding rice varieties of diverse origin(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Vanaja, T; KAU; Luckins, C BabuThe research project 'Genetic Analysis of High Yielding Rice Varieties of Diverse Origin' was carried out in the College of. Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 1995-'98. The major objectives of the study were to understand the genetic architecture of high yielding rice varieties of diverse origin so as to evolve appropriate breeding methodology, to isolate promising lines having the new ideotype concepts from the segregating generations and to identify alternative source of cytoplasmic male sterile system suitable to warm humid climatic conditions experienced in Kerala. The study, about components of heritable variation revealed that the characters, number of panicles m-2 number of tertiary branches panicle-1, yield ha-1, spikelet sterility percentage and alkali spreading value exhibited high broad sense heritability coupled with high expected genetic advance and high genotypic coefficient of variation. High broad sense heritability and high expected genetic advance coupled with moderate genotypic coefficient of variation were manifested by the characters, namely, height of plant at harvest, second uppermost internodal length, length of flag leaf, ratio of vegetative phase to reproductive phase, number of spikelets panicle-1 number of grains panicle-1, LIB ratio of grain, milling percentage, amylose content, volume expansion ratio and water uptake. '1 Correlation studies revealed that the principal yield determining components in rice are harvest index, number of tertiary branches panicle-1 number of panicles m-2 number of grains panicle-1 number of spikelets panicle-1. ratio of vegetative phase to reproductive phase, 1000 grain weight, number of days to 50 per cent flowering, number of days to harvest and spikelet sterility percentage. While selecting genotypes for higher yield potential, emphasis should be given for comparatively long vegetative period, short period from panicle initiation to 50 per cent flowering and long ripening period. A selection model was formulated consisting of the characters, namely, yield ha-1 harvest index, number of days to harvest, number of tertiary branches panicle-1 ratio of vegetative phase to reproductive phase and number of grains panicle-1 Cluster analysis revealed that there was no parallelism between geographical distribution and genetic diversity. The 56 genotypes representing different eco-geographical regions were grouped into nine clusters based on genetic distances. Combining ability studies showed that both additive and non-additive gene effects were important, with predominance of non-additive gene action, for all the characters except for 1000 grain weight, second uppermost internodal length and height of plant at harvest. The varieties Vytilla3, Mahsuri, Mattatriveni and Karthika were identified as good general combiners. The varieties Mahsuri, Karthika, Vytilla 3, Mattatriveni and IR62030-18-2-2 showed pronounced cytoplasmic effect on yield and various yield contributing characters. The crosses Vytilla 3 x Mattatriveni, Mahsuri x Vytilla-3 an,d Mahsuri x Mattatriveni are recommended for recombination breeding. The crosses Vytilla 3 x IR36, Vytilla 3 x IR60133-184-3-2, PK3355-5-1-4 x Bhadra, Vytilla 3 x Mattatriveni, Karthika x Bhadra, PK3355-5-1-4 x Karthika and PK3355-5-1-4 x IR620'30-18-2-2 are recommended for heterosis breeding. The cytoplasm of Vytilla 3 (an improved saline tolerant variety of Kerala) was identified as an alternative source for cytoplasmic male sterility in rice, suitable to warm humid tropical climate, experienced in Kerala. The varieties IR36 (international check) and Hraswa (extra short duration high yielding variety of Kerala) are the proposed maintainer lines. Mattatriveni is the proposed restorer line for the proposed IR36 'A’ line and Hraswa 'A’ line. The generation mean analysis using six parameter model revealed that both additive and non-additive gene effects played an important role in the inheritance of yield and important yield components, with predominance of dominance, additive x additive and dominance x dominance type of gene effects. Results of inbreeding depression indicated absence of reduction in vigour in the F2 generations for yield and all other yield attributes. Investigation on pattern of inheritance of kernel colour revealed that kernel colour in rice is a complex qualitative character. Each red and white colour may be separately controlled by two or more sets of genes having both inhibitory and duplicate type of gene interactions with predominance of inhibitory type gene interaction. From 22F2 generations, seven early stabilized promising lines and 26 promising segregants were selected. Two early stabilized lines were found to possess most of the ideotype features proposed by IRRI with preferable cooking quality characters. Their further evaluation and multiplication are being carried out at the Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy, Kerala Agricultural University. By hybridization, it was possible to successfully transfer the non sticky nature and red kernel colour of Mattatriveni to a high yielding Taiwan variety whose kernel is white and sticky on cooking. The gene action studies revealed that there is ample scope for yield improvement in rice both through pedigree breeding and heterosis breeding. As yield and yield components were found to be under the control of all the three types of gene actions namely, additive, dominance and epistasis, intercrossing of early segregating generations derived from multiple crosses seems to be the best suited method of breeding for yield improvement in rice. Future line of studies suggested 1. Conversion of the already obtained cytoplasmic male sterile F1 crosses to fully sterile CMS lines by repeated back crossing with the respective recurrent parents. 2. Screening from the segregating populations of these cytoplasmic male sterile crosses for 100 per cent cytoplasmic male sterile lines. 3. Confirmation of the restoring ability of the proposed Mattatriveni 'R' line and identification of other restorers. 4. Incorporation of the sterile cytoplasm of Vytilla 3 into other elite genotypes other than IR36 and Hraswa. 5. Screening for cytoplasmic male sterile system in other saline tolerant lines. 6. Screening of promising segregants selected, for high yield and quality with multiple resistance to pest and diseases, for developing varieties suited to various climatic and soil conditions of Kerala.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic analysis of seed dormancy and productivity in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Tessy Joseph; KAU; Namboodiri, K M NInvestigations on genetic analysis of seed dormancy and productivity in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were carried out in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara from 1992-95. The objective of the study was to find out the gene effects of biometric traits and seed dormancy in groundnut, so as to suggest appropriate breeding methodology and parental combinations to evolve domant, high yielding and early manuring varieties. The findings of the study are briefed below. Evaluation of 28 genotypes (14 domant and 14 non domant) for two seasons revealed that wide range of variability existed among them. Donors for specific traits were identified . The genotypes were also genetically diverse and could be grouped into four clusters. The line x tester analysis with three lines and five testers revealed that additive gene effects governed most of the characters except pod yield and number of mature pods , for which , non addictive gene effects were important. To harness both the types of gene effects pedigree method followed by selection in advanced generations will be fruitful.ThesisItem Open Access Induction and evaluation of genetic variability in chethikoduveli(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1999) Arya, K; KAU; Gopimony, RThe present study "Induction and evaluation of genetic variability in Chethikoduveli (Plumbago rosea L.) was undertaken in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1995-1998. The study was undertaken through the conduct of two experiments. (i) Germplasm collection and evaluation (ii) induction of variability. Two noded semi-hardwood cuttings of seven ecotypes of Plumbago rosea and one related species, Plumbago zeylanica were used for the first experiment. The ecotype of P. rosea from College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara was used for the second experiment. The cuttings were treated with six doses of gamma rays (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25 and 1.50 kR) and M I V I generation was evaluated. Pollen germination was not noticed in P. rosea whereas the pollen grams of P. zeylanica germinated. The germination of seeds was more quickly in scarified seeds of P. zeylanica than seeds with intact seed coat. All the pollination techniques failed to give any positive result on seed set in P. rosea. Normal pairing of chromosomes were observed in meiotic cells of both the species. All characters studied had significantly high genotypic correlation with yield. High estimates of heritability (broad sense) was observed for all characters studied. High estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for plant height and root length which indicate that direct selection for improvement of these traits will be effective. Path coefficient analysis showed that dry root yield had maximum direct effect on plumbagin content of roots and plant height had maximum direct effect on fresh and dry root yield. The index score for selection was highest for P zeylanica followed by the ecotype of P rosea from Kottayam. EDso of gamma rays for the stem cuttings of P rosea was 1.685 kR. The sprouting percentage of cuttings was significantly decreased with increased doses of mutagen. Progressive delay in sprouting was noticed as the level of dose increased. The percentage lethality was higher in mutagen treated population than in the control. The optimum dose for inducing maximum yield and yield attributing characters ranged between 0.70 kR and 0.85 kR of gamma rays. High yielding mutants were observed in plants treated with 1.0 kR of gamma rays. The highest values for yield and yield attributing characters were obtained for 0.75 and 1.00 kR gamma rays. Gamma rays at 1.0 kR was most effective in inducing variability for root yield.ThesisItem Open Access Identification of stable male sterile lines and better combiners for exploitation of hybrid vigour in rice (Oryza Sativa L.)(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Rosamma, C A; KAU; Vijayakumar, N KInvestigations to identify stable male sterile lines and better combiners for the exploitation of hybrid vigour in rice were conducted at College of Horticulture, Vetlantkkara and at Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy during 1994-98. The study included evaluation of cytoplasmic - genic male sterile (CMS) lines to identify stable lines, identification of maintainers and restorers for different CMS lines, inheritance of fertility restoration, studies on the genetic distance between maintainers and restorers and genetic analysis of the hybrids. Out of the ten CMS lines evaluated, seven were identified as stable for pollen and spikelet sterility behaviour. Studies on the floral traits which influence outcrossing expressed variation between CMS lines and between seasons. Jyothi, Aruna, Pavizham and Ptb 10 produced more number of sterile hybrids when crossed with CMS lines having WA cytoplasm and hence these varieties can be used as maintainers. More number of fertile hybrid combinations were produced by Annapoorna, Matta Triveni, Kanchana, IR 36 and Aiswarya indicating the use of these varieties as restorers for WA cytoplasmic source. All the genotypes under study produced sterile hybrids when crossed with CMS lines having O. perennis cytoplasm and no restorers could be identified for this new source of cytoplasmic male sterility. Inheritance studies on fertility restoration indicated polygenic mode of inheritance for this particular character. Forty four rice genotypes included in the hybrid rice breeding programme were grouped into nine clusters, each having different number of genotypes. Maintainers and restorers were distributed in different clusters and no direct relation could be established between heterosis and genetic distance of the parents. Genetic analysis of the 34 fertile hybrids resulted in the identification of five hybrids having significant positive standard heterosis. Among the male sterile lines IR 68890A was identified as the best combiner for most of the agronomic traits and IR 68890A/Aiswarya was the best specific hybrid combination. Magnitude of the gca variance was more than the variance due to sca for days to flowering, total duration, harvest index, 100 seed weight and other grain characters indicating predominance of additive variance for these characters. Variance due to sca was more for plant height, tillers per plant, total dry matter production, grain yield per plant, straw yield per plant, panicle length and filled grains per panicle indicating predornlnance of variance due to dominance and epistasis. Studies on association of characters in hybrids revealed that total drymatter accumulation, harvest index, number of filled grains per panicle, grain breadth, panicle weight, grain density, flag leaf area and leaf area index at 60 days after sowing were positively correlated with grain yield produced by the hybrids. Negative influence of sterile cytoplasm was identified for most of the agronomic attributes.
