Loading...
Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur
The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively.
Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively.
On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs.
In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc.
During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU).
Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.
Browse
10 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access Characteization and evaluation of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) accessions(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Vikram, H C; KAU; Mini Raj, NNutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) is an introduced crop to India. There exists tremendous variability in the nutmeg population in Kerala, which is the major nutmeg growing state in the country. Assessment of the existing variability is a prerequisite for taking up successful crop improvement programmes, which is very much limited in this tree spice. In this context, the present study entitled “Characterization and evaluation of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) accessions” was taken up exclusively with the specific objectives to characterize nutmeg accessions based on morphological, biochemical and molecular parameters so as to scale the variability in a multidimensional way. Select fifty nutmeg accessions from a core germplasm collected and maintained in a private plantation in the Chalakudy river basin, belonging to age of fifteen years, formed the material for the study. Among the select fifty accessions, forty two were females, four monoecious and four males. In the morphological characterization, 51 qualitative and 38 quantitative characters were recorded from two trees per accession. Biochemical characterization was done in the select seventeen distinct accessions. GC-MS profiling was done in kernel and mace oils. Biochemical constituents of fresh pericarp were estimated. Isozyme profiling was done for peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes. The molecular characterization was attempted with 21 RAPD and 12 ISSR primers after screening. A key for identification of an elite nutmeg tree was developed. A descriptor for nutmeg with a set of 51 qualitative and 38 quantitative parameters and descriptor states for each of these characters was developed as the first step. This is the first study of its kind to develop a minimal descriptor for nutmeg. The descriptor developed from the present study was simultaneously utilised for morphological characterization and evaluation of the accessions. Wide variability was noticed among the accessions for 47 out of 51 qualitative characters. Four characters viz., leaf margin, fruit pubescence, grooves on nut and nature of fruit dehiscence were noted as non variable characters and hence, these were not included for further analysis. Based on the qualitative characters, accessions were classified into 11 clusters at 66 per cent similarity level. Accessions differed significantly for all the quantitative characters except shelling percentage. Performance evaluation of the accessions brought out the superiority of accession 8, 9 and 22 for yield. The accessions showed high GCV, PCV, h2 and genetic gain for most of the characters. Number of fruits per tree, fruit set percentage, number of fruits per m2, fresh and dry weight of mace, mace volume as well ratio of nut to mace exhibited high genetic gain. Hence, selection programme based on these characters will be very effective in improving the base populations. Based on Mahalanobis D2 analysis, accessions were grouped into 10 clusters. Wide range of variation was observed in contents of volatile oil, oleoresin and fixed oil of kernel and mace. Based on these constituents accessions were grouped into 26 clusters, which indicated their distinct quality. Based on the results of the morphological characterization, seventeen distinct accessions were selected for further biochemical and molecular analysis. GC-MS analysis of kernel and mace oils exhibited 20 and 24 constituents respectively. Volatile oil composition exhibited wide variability for the major constituents viz., myristicin, elemicin, safrole and sabinene apart from the presence of some unique compounds. Grouping of the accessions was done based on the per cent content of these important compounds. Two accessions recorded high contents of both myristicin and elemicin whereas another two accessions were in the complimentary; belonging to low myristicin group. High sabinene combined with low myristicin was the intrinsic quality attribute of one of the accessions. Change, as well as addition/deletion of specific constituents was also noticed in the volatile oils after storage for one year. Accessions exhibited wide range of variation in the biochemical constituents of pericarp, a valuable information for the value addition of pericarp. Total phenol and tannins exhibited high variation. The accessions were ranked based on the content of biochemical constituents. Isozyme profiling using peroxidase enzyme produced four bands and that based on polyphenol oxidase exhibited three bands. Molecular markers could assess the variability among the accessions. The selected 21 RAPD primers produced a total of 164 amplicons of which 63.21 per cent were polymorphic. The 12 ISSR primers selected produced a total of 87 amplicons of which 69.44 per cent were polymorphic. Few unique bands were detected for specific characters. Inter cluster association of each of the qualitative clusters with other clustering patterns was worked out. The results indicated the differences as well as similarities of the qualitative clusters with other clustering patterns. Finally, key quantitative characters were identified based on their direct and indirect effect on yield as also economic importance. The statistical key thus developed using 13 key quantitative characters will serve as a preliminary tool for identification of an elite nutmeg tree.ThesisItem Open Access Incorporation of tomato leaf curl virus (Tolcv) resistance in bacterial wilt resistant tomato.(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Koteswararao, Yadav; KAU; Sadhankumar, P GInvestigations on “Incorporation of Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (ToLCV) resistance in bacterial wilt resistant tomato” were undertaken in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from January, 2009 to May, 2011. Eighty tomato genotypes collected from India and abroad were screened for ToLCV resistance of which 26 were found to be highly resistant under natural screening. Of these, 20 genotypes (LE-474, LE-635, LE-640, LE-658, LE-666, LE-667, Arka Ananya, IIHR-2195, IIHR-2196, IIHR-2197, IIHR-2198, IIHR-2202, IIHR-2747, TLBRH-1, TLBRH-6, Cherry Tomato, H-24, H-86, Hawaii-7998 and Rani) were highly resistant to ToLCV under both graft transmission and whitefly transmission there by confirming their resistance to ToLCV. Seventy six tomato genotypes were screened for bacterial wilt resistance in bacterial wilt sick plot. Spot planting with known suscept Pusa Ruby was done to confirm the presence of virulent bacteria in the field. Anagha, Sakthi, Mukthi, LE-1-2, LE-626 and LE-474 were resistant to bacterial wilt. Three additional sources of resistance were identified viz., LE-628, LE-640 and LE-649. Five bacterial wilt resistant genotypes (Anagha, Sakthi, Mukthi, LE-1-2 and LE-626) were crossed with seven ToLCV resistant genotypes (IIHR-2195, IIHR-2196, H-24, H-86, Hawaii-7998, LE-474 and LE-640) in a line x tester fashion. Thirty five F1 hybrids developed were screened for both ToLCV and bacterial wilt resistance. Thirty hybrids were highly resistant to tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) among the 35 hybrids. Sixteen F1 hybrids were resistant to bacterial wilt. There were 15 F1 hybrids which were resistant to both ToLCV and bacterial wilt. Line x tester analysis was performed to derive information on general combining ability and specific combining ability effects, gene action and heterosis. Good general combiners for different characters were identified. Among the F1 hybrids Anagha x LE-640 was the earliest to flower and earliest to harvest. Sakthi x LE-640 (1.4 kg/plant) gave the maximum yield among the hybrids and parents followed by Mukthi x H-86 (1.1 kg/plant) and LE-1-2 x Hawaii-7998 (1.06 kg/plant). Maximum number of fruits were produced by LE-1-2 x Hawaii-7998 (39.67 fruits/plant). The maximum sized fruits were produced by Anagha x IIHR-2195 (55.93 g) followed by Sakthi x LE-640 (55.78 g) and Sakthi x IIHR-2196 (55.09 g). F2 segregants of 35 crosses were screened for combined resistance to bacterial wilt and ToLCV. Thirty F2 segregants were resistant to both bacterial wilt and ToLCV. Mukthi x IIHR-2195-F2-47 (1.7 kg/plant) and Mukthi x IIHR-2195- F2-34 (1.5 kg/plant) were the highest yielders among the 30 segregants. Segregation pattern in F1, F2, B1 and B2 of the cross combination Pusa Ruby x IIHR-2195 revealed that the resistance to ToLCV in IIHR-2195 is controlled by a single dominant gene.ThesisItem Open Access Diversity mapping and characterization of landraces of mango (Mangifera indica.L)(Department of Pomolgy and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Harikumar, V; KAU; Parameswaran, N KThe project entitled “Diversity mapping and characterization of landraces of mango [Mangifera indica. L]” was undertaken at Pazhayannur region of Thrissur district of Kerala and under the department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, KAU during November 2012 to March, 2016. Selection of Pazhayannur region as the site of the present studies was based on a primary assessment conducted in this region earlier. The present investigations broadly envisaged the diversity mapping and digitization of mango LRs of this region, their characterisation, preparation of diversity registers and descriptors, documentation of associated indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK) and evolving appropriate integrated conservation and improvement strategies for the rare LRs spotted during the project implementation. Snow ball sampling method was used for locating the seedling mango LRs in different villages of the region and their spatial distribution was depicted through a series of GIS maps as per the geo co-ordinate readings. A total of 100 LRs could be thus located in the region and could be grouped in five GIS maps primarily based on their geographical position and further into the different rural hamlets of the major villages of the study site. A homestead based land use practice was largely noted in all these villages surveyed with many annual and perennial species planted and maintained around the homesteads where mango diversity confining to the homestead peripheries either as single plant or a component of poly crop system. The morphological characterization was carried out as per the standard descriptor for mango by IPGRI (2006) for different tree, leaf, inflorescence, fruit and biochemical parameters. Age of the trees surveyed spanned over a range of less than 20 years to more than 100 years and the trees were erect, spreading or drooping in their growth habit. A wide variation among the young leaves was noted with respect to the colour and it varied from light green, light green with brownish tinge, light brick red, reddish brown, and deep coppery tan. Flowering was noted from November to March making into early (November to December), midseason (January to February) and late season (from March) as noted among the different accessions and two intermediate periods between the seasons. Regular bearing was predominantly noticed in majority of the accessions but for few accessions which exhibited secondary/perpetual type of flowering. All most all the accessions produced terminal borne inflorescences but few accessions showed axillary and terminal emergence of inflorescence. The inflorescences were predominantly pyramidal in shape, followed by broadly pyramidal and conical in few. Inflorescence colour ranged from light green to crimson. Based on maturing period, the trees could be classified as early - if the fruits become mature for harvest by February, as intermediate - if ready for harvest by March to May, and as late - if ready by June. For pickling purpose, the stage for harvest varied from marble stage (for Kadu/tender manga pickle), to pre-mature (three-fourth) mature stage for Chethu manga. Fruit shapes varied from round, elliptic, obovoid, ovoid and oblong. Fruit colour was distinct and as a rare occurrence brownish colouration of the skin could also be noted in one of the accessions. Fruit weight varied from 44 g. to 634.82 g., pulp weight from 19.80 g to 419.50 g. and the thickness of the skin from 0.55 mm to 4.5 mm. With respect to the pulp colour, a great variation was observable viz., light yellow, yellow, yellow orange, light orange, dark orange, and greenish yellow. Presence of fibre in the fruit pulp was a unique feature of all the accessions. Pulp aroma was mild, intermediate or strong. Turpentine flavour which interferes with the edible quality of fruit was also noted in few . TSS of the ripe fruits varied from 7.6 to 23.65°brix and acidity from 0.1 to 1.49 percent. Polyembryony was also notable in few accessions with emerging seedlings per stone ranging from two to four. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis was carried out culminating in constructing a mathematical base for the entire survey. Four cell participatory analysis (FCA) conducted at the different villages, enabled the confirmatory identification of the common and rare mango LRs of thevillages primarily and the region as a whole. Overall diversity assessment clearly noted the predominance of the type Moovandan throughout the entire Pazhayannur region. Among the different villages maximum number of rare landraces could be spotted in Elanad village (39) followed by Vennur (19), Pazhayannur (19) and Vadakkethara (12). Accessions spotted from the extended locations of the survey (Tiruvilwamala and Panjal) were also added in to the rare group. ITK associated with these mango LRs with special reference to the conventional and traditional processing of fruits were also documented. A conceptual model for in situ conservation of the spotted LRs for the region could also worked out finally and a comprehensive village diversity register of mango LRs of the region in the specified format was prepared as a material for future reference. Initiatives were also taken up for the ex situ conservation of some rare mango LRs spotted. Scion material of rare LRs was collected and grafted plants prepared for planting in the mango gene sanctuary maintained by the department. Crossing and hybridization were also taken up during the project period involving selected LRs of the region as male parents with Moovandan and Neelum types maintained at the orchard of the college as female parents.ThesisItem Open Access Nutrient Management practices for Heliconia under open condition and as intercrop in coconut garden(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2013) Nihad, K; KAU; Sheela, V LHeliconias (Heliconia spp.) are attractive tropical plants grown for their beautiful, brilliant, long lasting colorful inflorescences. Among the Heliconias, Heliconia stricta cv. Iris Red is a commercial variety with high market value due to its unique crimson coloured bracts with a definite shape. They grow well in soils rich in organic matter with full sunlight to 40% shade, but little is known about its nutrient management practices when grown under monocropped or intercropped conditions especially in low fertile soils with less water holding capacity. Hence two experiments on Heliconia stricta cv. Iris Red as intercrop in coconut garden (Experiment I) and as monocrop in open condition (Experiment II) were laid out in RBD for a period of two years during 2010- 2012 with five treatments and four replications in Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (Regional Station), Kayamkulam, Kerala State. The present investigation was to standardize a manurial schedule for enhancing production and quality of Heliconia flowers when grown under same nutrient management practice in two cropping systems. This also aimed at comparing the quality and vase life of flowers grown under different conditions and thereby standardizing an integrated nutrient recommendation suitable for each system of cropping. In both the experiments growth parameters such as plant height, number of suckers and number of leaves were significantly higher in treatment supplied with 5 g NPK @ 13:5:13kg/ha (T2 ) which was on par with the treatment supplied with Vermicompost (VC) @ 200g/plant +Neemcake (NC) @ 100g/plant (T3). The values were higher for plants grown under coconut canopy than in open condition. The physiological characters like leaf area, LAI, specific leaf area, leaf area duration and leaf area density were also higher in T3 and T2 under both the systems of cropping. All the parameters except leaf area density were higher in plants under intercropped condition. In experiment I and II, treatment T3 took the lowest number of days for first flowering (172.8 and 280.3 respectively) whereas T2 took the longest time to start flowering (295 and 362.5 days respectively). There was no significant difference among the treatments in time taken for fifty percent flowering under intercropped condition, whereas in open condition, T2 plants took the longest (459.8 days) and T3 plants the shortest (370.0days) duration .to attain fifty percent flowering. The stages from fully emerged or just opened (Stage II ) to complete unfurling of bracts (Stage III) and the life of fully opened flower in plant (Stage III to IV) was more in intercropped condition (23.3 to 38.5 days) than in monocropped condition (17.05 days to 27.3 days).In both the experiments, T3 recorded the highest longivity followed by T2. The inflorescence characters such as length, number of bracts, stem length and stem diameter were more under intercropped condition. Superior quality flowers were produced in T3 under both the systems of planting. In intercropped condition T2 and T5 (VC @ 100g/plant +NC @ 50g/plant + 2.5 g NPK @ 13:5:13kg/ha) plants also produced such flowers. The fresh weight of fully opened inflorescence was significantly higher in T3 and T5 under both the systems of planting. In the visual appeal test, the total score for the inflorescences produced in the intercropped area was higher and T3 scored the highest value under both the experiments. T3 plants recorded the highest wax, caroteniod content, carotenoid- chlorophyll ratio and vase life(12.9 days and 10.5 days respectively ) in experiment I and II. The highest leaf chlorophyll and wax content was recorded in T3 plants under both the systems of planting. The leaf nutrient content such as N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and Zn was the highest in T3 plants under both systems of cropping condition. The plant uptake of N and P was the highest in T2 plots of the intercropped area, whereas, T4 recorded the highest uptake in open condition. T2 recorded the highest K uptake in both the experiments. The lowest N and K uptake was in T3 plots. The treatment supplied with VC and NC (T3) recorded significantly higher P, Ca, Mg and Fe content of soil in both the systems of planting. In both the experiments, T2 recorded significantly higher K values (20.6ppm and 20.0ppm respectively). In both the experiments, T3 produced the highest number of marketable flowers and suckers. Among the treatments T5 recorded the highest land equivalent ratio (1.49) followed by T3 (1.43), T2 and T4 (1.4) and T1 (1.39). The nutrient balance sheet for N, P and K was higher in T3 under both the cropping situations. In general, the nutrient balance for P and K was more in monocropped condition. Growing Heliconia as an intercrop had a positive impact on coconut yield and yield parameters during the two seasons of growth period June and December (2010-2011). The leaf nutrient content of coconut was found to increase gradually during the period of observations. The present study revealed that Heliconia stricta cv. Iris Red is a potential intercrop in coconut gardens. The plants had a superior vegetative growth and inflorescence production in sandy soils with low nutrient and water holding capacity by supplying cowdung @ 1kg/plant + bonemeal @250 g/plant basally and topdressing equal doses of Vermicompost (VC) @ 200g/plant +Neemcake (NC) @ 100g/plant (T3 ) at quarterly intervals from three months after planting under both the conditions of cropping system. This was followed by the treatment supplying cowdung @ 1kg/plant + bonemeal @250 g/plant basally and topdressing same doses of VC @ 100g/plant +NC @ 50g/plant + 13:5:13NPK@2.5 g/plant (T5 ). .ThesisItem Open Access Developmental physiology of banana corm (Musa AAB nendran) in relation to phenology, yield and quality(College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Binu John, Sam; KAU; Sajan, KurienThe study on “Developmental physiology of banana corm (Musa AAB Nendran) in relation to phenology, yield and quality” was taken up as a part of the fully funded DST project of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India at the RARS, Kumarakom from 2004 to 2008. The study was basically centered on the corm and roots. The objectives of the study were to have a basic idea of the origin and development of the secondary corm as influenced by various factors, to identify and fix the stages of corm development and rooting in relation to biotic events (bud initiation, differentiation, shooting and suckering), to establish the root production pattern (continuous or cyclic), characterize the roots (pioneers or feeders), study the relationship of carbon assimilation and nutrient uptake on corm development, to have a basic understanding on origin and development of suckers, to study the genetic differences in corm and sucker development and finally to hasten out secondary corm formation thereby reducing crop duration without affecting post-harvest quality parameters. The major findings emanating from the studies are presented aspect-wise under different paragraphs. Planting was taken up at bimonthly intervals. Each planting consisted of fifty plants and observations on all characters were taken up. The height of the plant in the June planting was the highest followed by that in April, October and August. The December and February planting recorded the least height. April followed by February and August planting had the highest girth. December, followed by October and June recorded the lowest girth in the order. The number of leaves produced by the plant was in the range of 27-28 with very minor subtle difference between months of planting. The pattern of leaf production is very explicit, an increasing number of leaves are found to produce from upto FBD stage in case of June planting and in October planting this is found to increase upto shooting whereas in December and February, leaf production is very erratic and a small fall in production is observed in April. Number of new leaves emerging in a fortnight is found to increase in June and October planting upto FBI and is at the maximum. Whereas the December, February and April planting has revealed a very low number of leaf production and the maximum number of leaves produced is found to be in between SCI and FBI which could be one of the major reason for the low productivity. A critical analysis of the data reveals that an increasing number of leaves retained is observed upto FBD stage in case of October and April planting. In April planting this trend is observed only upto FBI stage whereas in December and February the maximum number of leaves retained is seen at the SCI stage. This reveals that number of leaves retained in the critical phases of FBI and FBD have a direct impact on the yield and yield components. The length of the ‘D’ leaf is found to increase upto the last phase in all the six crops. The maximum leaf length of leaf is observed in June planting. An increase in the breadth of leaf upto shooting is observed in October and December planting but thereafter the leaf width is found to decline from FBD to shooting. However in case of leaf area the June, October and December planting showed progressive increment in area. However maximum area in case of February and April were at FBD and FBI stage. The study confirms that June planting gave the highest yield and was over 10kg. This is due to water shortage in Early Vegetative, AVS and SCI and high water table as good as flooding at the stage of FBI due to heavy South West Monsoon experienced in the area. On the contrary, June planting received showers from planting and after shooting received adequate sunshine hours. The finger characters were more or less a reflection of the bunch weight. However the finger in August planting appeared straighter on maturity than June planting. One of the major findings emanating from the study is the efficiency factor heliothermal units/ photothermal units. The factor gives the concept of efficiency as it is a function of realized sunshine duration to the potential maximum at a location. The study confirms that when this factor is very near or exceeds 0.5 the yield tends to increase with inputs not being a limiting factor. The photothermal units (PTU) and heliothermal Units (HTU) requirement were almost a reflection of the same as that of GDD. A split up of the requirement from one biotic phase to the other again revealed an identical trend. The base temperature at which growth starts in banana was identified to be 140C. Secondary corm formation is an integral part of crop cycle of banana crop raised from suckers and it is being reported for the first time. The new corm was observed to develop above the planted corm. This planted corm gradually becomes necrotic, deteriorates and falls off towards the time the crop comes to maturity. All the six plantings in the calendar year prove this beyond doubt. The crop duration in sucker planted bananas are dependent on the secondary corm formation. Secondary corm formation is found to be a factor of corm size. This has been conclusively proved by the experiment using suckers of graded corm size. The time taken from SCI to FBI, FBD and Shooting and Maturity is almost same. Hence the change in crop duration of Nendran bananas can be explained on the basis of time taken to reach SCI. A definite GDD is required for the planted sucker to reach the SCI stage depending on corm size. The thermal unit requirement is based on the corm size and this explains the reasons for early bunch production of large sized corms The study has confirmed that the root production in banana is in flushes. Five flushes of roots are observed in a crop cycle. Overlapping of successive flushes of roots is observed giving a false appearance of continuous root production. Overall, the production of a flush of root takes place in about a fortnight’s time. Qualitative & quantitative differences are observed in the production of different flushes of roots. The study has confirmed that the flushing of roots is more dependant on the biotic events of the crop. The first flush of roots is observed in the early vegetative phase (EVS), about 3-4 weeks after planting ie. up to the production of four numbers of leaves. Thereafter, the root grows. The second flush of roots coincides with the active vegetative growth and from approximately the eighth or ninth leaf onwards. The third flush of roots is observed at the secondary corm initiation phase. The first and second flushes are observed purely on the primary planted corm whereas, the third is observed partly on the newly developing corm ie: the Secondary Corm and partly on the primary corm and on the constricted interphase part. The fourth flush of roots is observed at the flower bud initiation stage and the fifth flush at shooting or early bunching phase. These two flushes of roots carry the banana bunch to maturity. In the orderly cycle of development of banana, five distinct physiological phases such as Vegetative Phase, Flower Bud Initiation (FBI), Flower Bud Differentiation (FBD), Shooting and Bunch Maturity are normally described. In no literature has the corm ever been emphasized or even mentioned in the developmental physiology. The formation of the secondary corm was studied anatomically and the physiological factors governing the secondary corm formation was also studied by analyzing the mother corm tissues. The study has conclusively proven that a new corm develops on the planted corm and it is this new corm or the Secondary Corm which further carries the plant to bunching and harvest. Another observation is that the shooting or bunching is observed to be a factor of maturity of the new corm and the crop cycle or crop span or crop duration is found to be dependant on satisfaction of three main phases a) Primary corm to early secondary corm formation b) Secondary corm formation, maturation of secondary corm to bunching c) Bunch maturity and harvest During the second year, the experiments were focused on hastening of secondary corm development and early replacement of original corm of the sucker. For this, suckers of a medium corm size were fixed based on the first year’s experiment. In the study involving hormonal application, IAA, NAA, PCBA and ABA each at 250 and 500 ppm were advocated by corm dip method and corm injection method Hormone dipping treatment of suckers prior to planting and by corm injection after establishment revealed that early growth was suppressed by PCBA with drastic reduction in internodal length. Dwarfening of plant stature could be attained by using PCBA and ABA. This would pave the way for further research to mitigate the effects of wind or avoid staking which is a costly input. SCI was observed to be earliest in treatments involving IBA. However the control treatments were the earliest to bunch. The crop is yet to be harvested. The study has proven that maturity of secondary corm can be manipulated by exogenous application of growth regulators. The studies on root activity revealed spatial distribution of root activity and differential accumulation in various tissues which could be explained at tissue level and with time The importance of secondary corm and its accumulation in tune with the development physiology. On the fifth day after application recovery of activity was observed in the primary corm only at the FBD stage. On the 10th day after application (DAA) maximum recovery of activity was obtained in the primary corm at FBI stage. Sufficiently higher amounts were observed at Early Vegetative Stage (EVS), Active Vegetative Stage (AVS) and Half Maturity stage. On the contrary at 15th DAA the relative concentration was very much high in primary corm at EVS and AVS stage. The relative concentrations were six times that observed at SCI (third highest) in the former and double in the latter. As the crop advanced the concentration has decreased with single digit recovery at Half Maturity. In case of secondary corm (SC) on the fifth day, recovery of activity was only observed at FBD stage, whereas on the 10th day it was maximum observed at FBI stage. Highest recovery in SC is observed at shooting followed by Secondary Corm Initiation (SCI) stage, Half Maturity and FBI. At all stages a fairly good concentration is observed explaining for the growth of secondary corm. The relative levels in roots in the earliest and second sampling were observed at FBI stage whereas in the final sampling it was observed to peak at half maturity and shooting stage. The maximum recovery of radioactivity in the pseudostem were observed in the early two stages in the first sampling ie. FBI & SCI and AVS in the second and in early three stages in final sampling, revealing that nutrient absorbed is the maximum utilized for structural make up. In the final sampling, recovery was observed in the pseudostem in all the stages. In the case of recovery form the ‘D’ Leaf in early sampling, maximum recovery could be traced at FBI stage followed by that at half maturity and FBD. In this sampling recovery was not observed at any other stage. On the 10th DAA maximum recovery was observed at FBI followed by SCI, FBD and half maturity. No recovery was observed at any other stage. In case of the concentration in petiole of ‘D’ leaf maximum recovery was observed at FBI, Shooting, SCI and Half maturity on the second sampling. No radioactivity was recovered at any phase on the 5th DAA. However in the final sampling maximum recovery was observed at EVS, Shooting, SCI and Half Maturity. Recovery was observed at all stages in the 15th DAA. The boot leaf which subtends the bunch showed fairly good concentration at Half Maturity on the 15 DAA emphasizing the importance of the leaf with advance in fruit maturity. Lower levels were recovered at the shooting stage. On the 5th and 10th DAA no recovery were observed. In the case of ‘D’ finger the maximum recovery was observed at shooting stage on the first, second and third sampling. The levels being fairly high in the final sampling. In case of male bud increasing levels of recovery are observed with samplings. The levels being the highest in case of last sampling and being the highest sink per unit weight of tissue. At Half Maturity no recovery was observed at 5th and 10th DAA but in the final sampling again high level of recovery is observed. The study overwhelmingly emphasizes the need to debud the male inflorescence on the one hand and on the other major and important side it highlights this part as a vegetable with high P nutrient content. The first report on Carbon assimilation and transport in banana is also from the study. For this an innovative apparatus for the dissemination of 14C was fabricated after many a trial and error method. The apparatus is simple in design but accurate in its practicality and the first of its kind to be used in banana plants. The results from the studies involving 14C showed a holistic picture on the photosynthate translocation and assimilation to the various plant parts at different stages of its growth. During the initial stages (EVS & AVS), the accumulation was found to be the maximum at the source level itself. At SCI stage it was found to be more in the leaf petiole and pseudostem with no recovery in the primary corm. At the reproductive transformation stage of the plant (FBI & FBD), the entire assimilates were found to be translocated to the SC and Ps. At the shooting stage and the half maturity stage, the finger and male bud together account for the whole photosynthates whereby giving a marked reflection and manifestation of the functional requirement of the plant with the entire shifts focused at the sink level.ThesisItem Open Access Diversity mapping and characterization of landraces of mango (Mangifera indica. L)(College of horticulture, Vellanikara, 2016) Harikumar, V; KAU; Parameswaran, N KThe project entitled “Diversity mapping and characterization of landraces of mango [Mangifera indica. L]” was undertaken at Pazhayannur region of Thrissur district of Kerala and under the department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, KAU during November 2012 to March, 2016. Selection of Pazhayannur region as the site of the present studies was based on a primary assessment conducted in this region earlier. The present investigations broadly envisaged the diversity mapping and digitization of mango LRs of this region, their characterisation, preparation of diversity registers and descriptors, documentation of associated indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK) and evolving appropriate integrated conservation and improvement strategies for the rare LRs spotted during the project implementation. Snow ball sampling method was used for locating the seedling mango LRs in different villages of the region and their spatial distribution was depicted through a series of GIS maps as per the geo co-ordinate readings. A total of 100 LRs could be thus located in the region and could be grouped in five GIS maps primarily based on their geographical position and further into the different rural hamlets of the major villages of the study site. A homestead based land use practice was largely noted in all these villages surveyed with many annual and perennial species planted and maintained around the homesteads where mango diversity confining to the homestead peripheries either as single plant or a component of poly crop system. The morphological characterization was carried out as per the standard descriptor for mango by IPGRI (2006) for different tree, leaf, inflorescence, fruit and biochemical parameters. Age of the trees surveyed spanned over a range of less than 20 years to more than 100 years and the trees were erect, spreading or drooping in their growth habit. A wide variation among the young leaves was noted with respect to the colour and it varied from light green, light green with brownish tinge, light brick red, reddish brown, and deep coppery tan. Flowering was noted from November to March making into early (November to December), midseason (January to February) and late season (from March) as noted among the different accessions and two intermediate periods between the seasons. Regular bearing was predominantly noticed in majority of the accessions but for few accessions which exhibited secondary/perpetual type of flowering. All most all the accessions produced terminal borne inflorescences but few accessions showed axillary and terminal emergence of inflorescence. The inflorescences were predominantly pyramidal in shape, followed by broadly pyramidal and conical in few. Inflorescence colour ranged from light green to crimson. Based on maturing period, the trees could be classified as early - if the fruits become mature for harvest by February, as intermediate - if ready for harvest by March to May, and as late - if ready by June. For pickling purpose, the stage for harvest varied from marble stage (for Kadu/tender manga pickle), to pre-mature (three-fourth) mature stage for Chethu manga. Fruit shapes varied from round, elliptic, obovoid, ovoid and oblong. Fruit colour was distinct and as a rare occurrence brownish colouration of the skin could also be noted in one of the accessions. Fruit weight varied from 44 g. to 634.82 g., pulp weight from 19.80 g to 419.50 g. and the thickness of the skin from 0.55 mm to 4.5 mm. With respect to the pulp colour, a great variation was observable viz., light yellow, yellow, yellow orange, light orange, dark orange, and greenish yellow. Presence of fibre in the fruit pulp was a unique feature of all the accessions. Pulp aroma was mild, intermediate or strong. Turpentine flavour which interferes with the edible quality of fruit was also noted in few . TSS of the ripe fruits varied from 7.6 to 23.65°brix and acidity from 0.1 to 1.49 percent. Polyembryony was also notable in few accessions with emerging seedlings per stone ranging from two to four. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis was carried out culminating in constructing a mathematical base for the entire survey. Four cell participatory analysis (FCA) conducted at the different villages, enabled the confirmatory identification of the common and rare mango LRs of thevillages primarily and the region as a whole. Overall diversity assessment clearly noted the predominance of the type Moovandan throughout the entire Pazhayannur region. Among the different villages maximum number of rare landraces could be spotted in Elanad village (39) followed by Vennur (19), Pazhayannur (19) and Vadakkethara (12). Accessions spotted from the extended locations of the survey (Tiruvilwamala and Panjal) were also added in to the rare group. ITK associated with these mango LRs with special reference to the conventional and traditional processing of fruits were also documented. A conceptual model for in situ conservation of the spotted LRs for the region could also worked out finally and a comprehensive village diversity register of mango LRs of the region in the specified format was prepared as a material for future reference. Initiatives were also taken up for the ex situ conservation of some rare mango LRs spotted. Scion material of rare LRs was collected and grafted plants prepared for planting in the mango gene sanctuary maintained by the department. Crossing and hybridization were also taken up during the project period involving selected LRs of the region as male parents with Moovandan and Neelum types maintained at the orchard of the college as female parents.ThesisItem Open Access Growth and physiological response of dendrobium cv earsakul in different growing conditions(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Raja Naik, M A; KAU; Ajithkumar, KThe study on 'Growth and physiological response of Dendrobium cv. Earsakul in different growing conditions' was conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Kerala from April 2011 to March 2013. The main objective was to assess the response of combination of nutrients, plant growth regulators and plant growth promoting root endophyte (PGPRE) in two age groups of Dendrobium cv. Earsakul plants (six month old and three year old at planting time) under three growing systems viz., two level shade house (SI), top ventilated polyhouse (S2) and fan and pad system (S3). Attempts were also made to examine the symbiotic association between the host and PGPRE. Among growth characters, plant height, number of shoots per plant, girth of shoot and internodal length were highest in the treatment POP + OM + VW + PGPRE + Bone meal (T3). Number of leaves per plant was also the highest in the treatment POP + OM + VW + PGPRE + Bone meal + GR (T4) irrespective of the age of the plants. Among the three systems of growing, maximum growth characters were recorded in top ventilated polyhouse (S2). Number of leaves and shoots per plant were the highest in the treatment combination of POP + OM + VW + PGPRE + Bone meal + GR (T4) and top ventilated polyhouse (S2). The treatment POP + OM + VW + PGPRE + Bone meal + GR (T4) resulted in longer spike (31.34 cm), more number of flowers per spike (6.54) and longer vase life (30.00 days), whereas, the treatment NPK + GR + OM + VW + PGPRE + Bone meal (T 6) was the best with respect to time taken for first flower opening and number of spikes per plant (2.62) in six month old plants. In three year old plants, the treatment POP + OM + VW + PGPRE + Bone meal + GR (T4) was the best with respect to time taken for flowering, days to last flower opening, number of spikes (2.63) and vase life (28.26 days), whereas, length of the spike (30.46 cm) and number of flowers (5.08) were the highest in the treatment NPK + GR + OM + VW + PGPRE + Bone meal (T6). Among systems of growing, plants grown under top ventilated polyhouse (S2) had maximum flower characters. Interaction effect of POP + OM + VW + PGPRE + Bone meal + GR (T4) and top ventilated polyhouse (S2) was significantly supenor III flower characters irrespective of the age of the plants. Leaf area, relative growth rate and number of stomata were highest in six month old plants, whereas, dry matter production and crop growth rate were highest in three year old plants in the treatment POP + OM + VW + POPRE + Bone meal + OR (T4). Dry matter production, crop growth rate, rate of photosynthesis and transpiration rate during day time were highest in the treatment POP + OM + VW + POPRE + Bone meal (T3) in six month old plants. Among the systems of growing, maximum values for physiological parameters were recorded in top ventilated polyhouse. The interaction of plant growth promoters and systems of growing had significant effect on physiological parameters. Highest number of roots, root volume and root colonization (in three year old plants) resulted from the treatment NPK+ OR + OM + VW + POPRE + Bone meal (T 6) in both stages of plants, whereas, POP + OM + VW + POPRE + Bone meal + OR (T4) resulted in highest root length and root colonization in six month old plants. Among systems of growing, plants grown in top ventilated polyhouse (S2) recorded highest number of roots per plant, root length, root volume and root colonization. The combination of POP + OM + VW + POPRE + Bone meal + OR (T4) and top ventilated polyhouse recorded highest number of roots, root length, root volume and root colonization of Piriformospora indica. Highest N, P and K contents in six month old plants was recorded in the treatment POP + OM + VW + POPRE + Bone meal + OR (T4), whereas POP + OM + VW + POPRE + Bone meal (T3) recorded highest Nand P contents in three year old plants. Among systems of growing, plants grown in top ventilated polyhouse recorded highest N, P and K contents. Interaction POP + OM + VW + POPRE + Bone meal + OR (T4) and top ventilated poly house recorded highest N, P and K contents in six month old plants. Autoradiography showed that orchid roots absorbed 32p from labelled nutrient solution N: P205:K20 (1:2:2). Radio assay study revealed that radioactivity was highest in pseudobulbs than in roots and leaves. In anatomical studies, P. indica fungus association was confined to cortical tissues. Hyphae multiplied within cortical tissues and never traversed to aerial portion of the plant. It was concluded that plant growth promoters POP + OM + VW + PGPRE + Bone meal + GR and top ventilated polyhouse had maximum influence on plant growth, yield parameters and physiological parameters like leaf area, DMP, CGR and RGR. The canonical correlation further reinforced the results that plant growth and yield of the plant was significantly influenced. The nutrient contents of N, P and K were highest in plants grown under top ventilated polyhouse. The association of P. indica in root system of Dendrobium cv . Earsakul was highly significant and the P. indica fungus enhances higher root absorption and facilitates the growth parameters significantly.ThesisItem Open Access Stimulation of growth and induction of variability in mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.)(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Manoj, P S; KAU; Sarah, T GeorgeMangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) is identified as a fruit crop deserving priority attention with a potential for increased acceptability. It is recognized as the ‘queen of tropical fruits’ due to its instant visual and taste appeal and has recently been popularized for its medicinal benefits. It yields profusely and fits very well as a component in the homesteads of Kerala. Almost all trees are female and variability is meagre. Its slow growth and long gestation period limit its commercialization. The present investigation on “Stimulation of growth and induction of variability in mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.)” was undertaken in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, during 2006 - 2009 with the objective of developing techniques for accelerating seedling growth in the nursery, reducing gestation period and inducing variability through mutation and polyploidy. The studies on different growing media and growth regulators on seedling growth in the nursery revealed that potting mixture containing vermicompost as organic component was the most superior medium in terms of all the growth and physiological parameters, foliar nutrient content and uptake of nutrients, followed by coir pith, poultry manure and well rotten cow dung. Use of vermicompost medium without any additional growth regulators was sufficient to accelerate seedling growth in the nursery. When coir pith compost, poultry manure or well rotten cow dung was used in the medium, growth regulators had specific effect. Along with coir pith compost, IAA 300 ppm, BA 200 ppm and BA 300 ppm were ideal, while IAA 150 ppm, IBA 150 ppm and BA 300 ppm were superior with poultry manure medium. In normal potting mixture using cow dung, IBA 450 ppm, BA 200 ppm and IBA 300 ppm showed superiority. With the use of suitable media and growth regulators, seedling growth can be accelerated in the nursery and transplanting stage can be attained much earlier. Evaluation of different growth promoting substances in normal potting mixture showed that foliar spray of nutrient solution 3:1:1 (NPK) – 0.50 % (50 ml per plant) and Azospirillum sp. (10 g per plant) applied at fortnightly interval were the superior treatments with respect to all the growth parameters. In two year old grafted plants in the main field, a combination of GA 200 ppm + BA 100 ppm as bud application was the best with respect to majority of growth parameters, followed by GA 100 ppm + BA 100 ppm and GA 100 ppm. These growth regulators can successfully be used in early stages for promoting growth. In five year old juvenile orchard trees also GA and BA combinations, namely, GA 200 ppm + BA 100 ppm, GA 100 ppm + BA 100 ppm and GA 100 ppm + BA 200 ppm were the best treatments in accelerating growth and improving flushing. For the induction of flowering, soil drenching of paclobutrazol 2.0 g a.i. per tree, and bud application of GA 200 ppm + BA 100 ppm and GA 200 ppm + BA 200 ppm were superior and equally effective. For improving yield and yield attributes, paclobutrazol 2.0 g a.i. per tree was the most superior, followed by GA 100 ppm + BA 100 ppm and GA 200 ppm. Incidence of gamboge was minimum in paclobutrazol treatments, compared to GA, BA combinations. Among the various rootstocks tried, mangosteen was most compatible with its own rootstock where as all other rootstocks showed varying degrees of incompatibility. On comparing the growth of softwood grafts with seedlings, the latter showed faster rate of growth. Seedling growth could also be promoted by the use of nurse stocks. Large-scale multiplication of planting materials could be achieved through rooting of softwood cuttings from juvenile shoots of mangosteen. Seeds exposed to 5 Gy to 50 Gy gamma radiation showed wide variation in germination. Beyond 30 Gy, seeds failed to germinate. Seedlings from 30 Gy dose showed stunted growth indicating a possible genetic variation. Irradiation of scions with 5 Gy to 50 Gy had an adverse effect on days required for sprouting of scions, percentage of sprouting and final graft success. All the irradiated scions showed stunted growth even after one year. Two seedlings treated with colchicine at 3.0 and 3.5 per cent in the apical bud showed vigorous growth and distinct variation in growth characteristics. Five mangosteen seedlings with induced variations selected from irradiation and colchicine treatments were subjected to RAPD analysis. Clustering of five variants based on dendrogram separated the genotypes into two groups. Clustering pattern indicated that seed irradiation with 25 Gy and 30 Gy gamma rays and bud application of colchicine 3.5 per cent were effective in inducing variation in genomic DNA of mangosteen.ThesisItem Open Access Introduction and evaluation of new ornamentals for commercial exploitation(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2013) Femina; KAU; Visalakumari, P K
