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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 Extraction and utilization of anthocyanin pigments from jamun ( Syzygium cumini L. )(Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Naresh, N; KAU; Sheela, K BThe project entitled āExtraction and utilization of anthocyanin pigments from jamun (Syzygium cumini Skeels.)ā was undertaken at the Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2013-15. The objectives of the study were standardization of method of extraction of anthocyanin pigment and evaluation of pigment stability to pH, light, temperature, storage conditions and in processed products. Method for extraction of anthocyanin pigments from jamun was standardized. Among the four extraction methods compared, highest content of anthocyanin (61.07mg/100g), recovery per cent (13.75), colour hue (1.30) and colour intensity (1.13) were obtained for acidified solvent extraction method (20% ethanol + 0.5% citric acid). The effect of light and storage conditions on pigment stability was evaluated. Storage in amber coloured bottles under refrigerated conditions was found to be best for anthocyanin pigment due to lesser degradation of the pigment compared to that stored under ambient conditions. The effect of temperature on the anthocyanin content was studied at 70, 80 and 900 C and anthocyanin content was measured at intervals 30 minutes, 45 minutes and one hour of incubation at each temperature. Anthocyanin content decreased from an initial value of 61.25mg/100g to 50.24mg/100g one hour of heating at 900 C. The effect of pH on stability of anthocyanin pigment was studied at different pH ranging from 2.5 to 7 and incubating it for different intervals from one hour to 20 days at room temperature. Anthocyanin content was found to decrease with increase in pH and the least decrease was found at pH 2.5. Anthocyanin content was found to decrease from an initial value of 61.25mg/100g to 34.28mg/100g 20 days after incubation at a pH of 7. Least changes in pH were observed in RTS beverage prepared with 0.3% citric acid and 0.01% ascorbic acid and stored at refrigerated condition (T10). Acidity of the RTS beverage followed an increasing trend during storage, greatest change in acidity was observed in T8 (product coloured with synthetic colour). Ascorbic acid was found to decrease with increase in duration of storage, minimum changes in ascorbic acid was observed in RTS beverage prepared with 0.4% citric acid and 0.02% ascorbic acid and stored at refrigerated condition (T14). RTS beverage stored under refrigerated conditions retained colour throughout the storage period as compared to ambient condition where there was a greater loss of the colour. Addition of ascorbic acid was found to hasten the colour degradation of the beverage under ambient conditions, but under refrigerated conditions there was not much change in colour. Pigment stability in mixed fruit jam was also studied by storing the prepared product under ambient and refrigerated conditions for a period of three months. pH of the mixed fruit jam followed a declining trend during storage, least change in pH was observed in T1 (control under refrigerated condition) during storage. There was no significant change in the colour of the mixed fruit jam stored under refrigerated conditions. A slight darkening of the colour was seen in the bottles stored at ambient condition. Guava RTS beverage and mixed fruit jam was organoleptically evaluated by selected panel of judges. The products kept under refrigerated conditions recorded highest scores for flavour, texture, taste and overall acceptability compared to those kept at ambient conditions three months after storage.ThesisItem Open Access Seed invigoration to overcome dormancy in ash gourd (Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.)(Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Shobha, K V; KAU; Rose Mary, FranciesAn experiment āSeed invigoration to overcome dormancy in ash gourd (Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.),ā was conducted during 2014-2016 in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Vellanikkara, Thrissur, following a completely randomized design with 16 treatments and three replications. The experiment aimed to elucidate the effect of seed invigoration on dormancy in ash gourd, to ascertain the anatomical changes in seed coat on seed treatment and to assess the storage potential of treated seeds under ambient conditions. Seed invigoration was resorted to by soaking seeds of variety KAU Local in water (hydro priming) for 24 hours, thiourea (0.5%) for 24 hours, KNO3 (0.4%) for 24 hours, KNO3 (0.7%) for 24 hours, KH2PO4 (10-1 M) for 24 hours, vinegar (pH 3.7) for 2 hours, polyethylene glycol 6000 (-0.5 MPa) for 24 hours, salicylic acid (60 ppm) for 12 hours, salicylic acid (60 ppm) for 24 hours, kinetin (10 ppm) for 12 hours, kinetin (10 ppm) for 24 hours, CaCl2 (50 mM) for 12 hours, CaCl2 (50 mM) for 24 hours, Psuedomonas fluorescens (1x106 cfu.ml-1) for 12 hours, Psuedomonas fluorescens (1x106 cfu.ml-1 ) for 24 hours. Untreated seeds served as control (T16). Both treated and untreated seeds, dried to < 8 per cent moisture content were packed in polythene bags (400 guage) and stored under ambient conditions upto ten months. The seed quality parameters viz., germination, germination index, coefficient of velocity of germination, energy of germination, mean time to germination, vigour indices I and II, and electrical conductivity of seed leachate were recorded at monthly intervals during storage. Seed microflora as well as histochemical studies to analyse the changes occurring in the dimensions of embryo and proportions of different fractions of seed coat were assessed at bimonthly intervals. Results pointed out the existence of significant differences in the impact of various invigoration treatments on the seed quality and histochemical parameters observed both within 35 days of invigoration as well as during storage. Majority of the seed invigoration treatments were effective in breaking dormancy in ash gourd. Dormancy was first broken in seeds treated with KH2PO4 and kinetin. In the above treatments germination reached above 60 per cent (the minimum standards for seed certification (MSCS) prescribed for ash gourd) on the 11th day after invigoration (DAI). Dormancy in untreated seed was broken only on the 35th day after extraction. However, seed invigoration with salicylic acid, vinegar and PEG 6000, proved to be detrimental. Seed invigoration also helped in extending the viability of seeds. Germination in seeds treated with CaCl2 for 24 hours, was found to be retained above MSCS for seven months during storage, whereas, in untreated seeds, germination above 60 per cent was observed for two months only. Seeds treated with salicylic acid failed to germinate by 35th DAI while those treated with vinegar and polyethylene glycol (PEG) failed to attain MSCS throughout the period of study. The viability of seeds treated with kinetin or CaCl2 for 12 hours and those treated with Pf for either 12 or 24 hours was found to be retained for six months of storage. Germination index, coefficient of velocity of germination, energy of germination, vigour indices I and II in both treated and untreated seeds, increased by 35th DAI and marginally decreased over the period of storage. In all the invigoration treatments, the above mentioned parameters were invariably higher than that of untreated control. However, the performance of seeds treated with salicylic acid, vinegar and PEG 6000 was lower than the untreated seeds. Invariably, the germination index, coefficient of velocity of germination, energy of germination, vigour indices I and II were high in seeds treated with CaCl2 for 24 hours followed by treatment with Pf for 12 hours and CaCl2 for 12 hours. The mean time to germination, electrical conductivity of seed leachate, the thickness of seed coat and its component layers as well as the microbial infection of seed was also observed to be low in these treatments. High and significant positive correlation was found to exist between germination and speed of germination, coefficient of velocity of germination, vigour indices I and II. It became evident that germination in ash gourd will be strongly affected with an increase in thickness of total seed coat or its outer layerthe testa. The thickening of seed coat owing to the thickening of testa will be accompanied with an obvious decrease in germination, germination index and coefficient of velocity of germination, vigour indices I and II. Results thus indicated that poor germination in seeds of ash gourd may be due to water impermeable seed coat (physical dormancy) mainly resulting from thickening of the outer layer (testa). Such dormancy in ash gourd can be best overcome by seed invigoration with CaCl2 (50 mM) for 24 hours. In addition, enhancement of seed viability, seed quality and seedling performance over storage was also achieved. Seed treatment with CaCl2 (50 mM) or Psuedomonas fluorescens (1x106 cfu.ml-1), for 12 hours were found to be the next best to treatment with CaCl2 (50 mM) for 24 hours. Hence, these can also be recommended for breaking dormancy and maintaining high seed quality in ash gourd.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 āCharacterization and evaluation of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) accessionsā 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 Evaluation of ornamental flowering shrubes for tropical landscapes(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, Colege of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2012) Najeeb, Naduthodi; KAU; Valsalakumari, P.K.The present study entitled āEvaluation of ornamental flowering shrubs for tropical landscapesā was carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara from Jan. 2011 to Dec. 2011. The objectives were to evaluate ornamental flowering shrubs for suitability to various landscaping uses and to compute Air Pollution Tolerance Index. The study involved evaluation of 30 tropical ornamental flowering shrub species or varieties. The selected shrubs were four years old, maintained in the shrubbery of the Department of Pomology and Floriculture. The experiment was laid out in CRD with three replications. Various vegetative and floral characters were recorded and data analysed and correlation studies were made with weather parameters. Shrubs selected for the study were described based on morphological characters. Growth of shrubs was measured in terms of height and spread. Based on the manageable height, they were classified into three groups, i.e. Tall (height above 2 m), Medium (height 1m- 2m) and Dwarf (height below 1m). Among the 30 shrubs evaluated, the maximum height was observed for Calliandra haematocephala (319.4 cm) and the minimum for Lonicera japonica (49.9 cm). Plant spread varied from 43.4 cm in Wrightia antidysenterica to 269.7 cm in Calliandra haematocephala. Regression equation of height for predicting spread was formulated using the monthly data on height and spread. Foliage characters like leaf length, leaf area, petiole length, girth and internodal length were measured. Based on leaf area, plants were categorized into medium coarse, medium, medium fine and fine textured. Qualitative characters of the foliage like shape of leaf, base, tip, margin and colour of leaf were observed and used for plant description as well as categorizing them into different texture classes. Shrub canopy shape (silhouette) was observed and used for making schematic diagram. Qualitative characters of flowers like type of inflorescence, position of inflorescence, colour and fragrance were observed. Time taken to open up the inflorescence from bud stage, persistence of single flower as well as the inflorescence were also observed. Quantitative characters like inflorescence diameter, single flower length and diameter and number of flowers per inflorescence were also recorded. Flowering seasons of the shrubs were observed and accordingly they were categorized into four different phenological phases i.e. Dec-Feb, Mar-May, June- Aug and Sep-Nov. Sideruns were observed and phenological configurations were made. Air Pollution Tolerance Indices of the shrubs were calculated. Calliandra haematocephala (31.7) showed the highest APTI value and the minimum value was observed for Allamanda cathartica āDwarfā (9.2). Shrubs were categorized into sensitive (value ā¤14), intermediate (15- 19), medium tolerant (20-24) and tolerant (> 24) groups based on their APTI values. Based on the different characters studied, shrubs were classified into different landscape utility groups such as, accent plant, foundation planting, screening and privacy, hedges and topiary, shrub border, background planting, corner planting, Shrub group and mass planting, Pot and Container planting, fragrant garden, moon garden, xeriscaping, rock garden, covering sloppy banks and butterfly garden. Shrubs were observed for pest and disease incidence. Major pests were leaf eating caterpillars in Mussaenda erythropylla, Nerium indicum, Calliandra haematocephala and Ixora coccinea, flower bud borer in Wrightia antidysenterica, mealy bug and scales. Shrubs were not severely affected by diseases. Minor leaf spots were observed in certain shrubs. In the present study, shrubs were recommended for various functional uses in the landscapes based on their growth, flowering and morphological characters. Based on flowering season, they were categorized into four phenological phases. Side-runs were observed and phenological configurations were made. Air Pollution Tolerance Indices of the shrubs were also computed and the plants were categorized according to their APTI values.ThesisItem Open Access Biodiversity analysis of traditional mango types of Kerala and studies on the reproductive biology of selected popular types(Department of pomology and floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Mannambeth Renisha, Jayarajan; KAU; Parmeswaran, N KThe present investigations entitled āBiodiversity analysis of traditional mango types of Kerala and studies on the reproductive biology of selected popular typesā were undertaken at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during 2009-2011. Major objectives of the study were to assess the biodiversity status of traditional mango types in selected villages of Thrissur and Palakkad districts of Kerala by applying participatory tools and studying the floral biology, pollen characters, pollination and self and cross compatibility factors in six mango varieties commonly grown in the homesteads of Kerala. These studies formed a part of the departmental project entitled āHybridization of mango varieties of Keralaā and were taken up under two broad components during implementation. Component I: Primary assessment of indigenous mango types was initiated by surveying homesteads in Vallachira and Pazhayannur GPās of Thrissur district and Kollemgode and Muthalamada GPāS of Palakkad district. Homesteads were selected by snowball sampling. Dominant local types in these homesteads were Muvandan in Pazhayannur and Chandrakkaran in Vallachira GP of Thrissur whereas Muvandan, Priyur, Chandrakaran and some unnamed landraces in Kollemgode and Muthalamada GPs of Palakkad district. Final village level biodiversity assessment was done in Maruthampadam in Pazhayannur GP (Thrissur Dt) and Erippadam in Muthalamada GP (Palakkad Dt.). Farmer participatory 4- cell analysis (FCA) and focus group discussions (FGD) were made by organizing farmers interface in these villages. Data recorded showed that Maruthampadam village was richer in crop diversity than Erippadam. Based on the FCA, Muvandan, Pulimanga and Gomanga could be grouped as the ācommonā types of the Maruthampadam village while the ārareā types included Karpuramanga, Ganapatimookan, Kilichundan, Chandrakaran, Kottamavu, Sindhuram, Marathakam and Mundappa . āCommonā mango types in Erippadam village were Alphonso, Banganapalli, Kilichundan, Neelum, Sindhuram, Muvandan, Nadasala and the ārareā types being Chandrakaran, Kilimook, Mallika and Mundappa. The varietal richness of Erippadam was higher than Maruthampadam village. In Maruthampadam village, recorded evenness value was highest for Muvandan while it was zero for the ārareā and āvulnerableā types. In Eripaddam, ācommonā types registered higher evenness values than ārareā types. Varietal richness as related to size of gardens indicated positive relationship in Erippadam village. ITK documentation from the villages provided some useful information on the traditional processing and product diversification of mango fruits practiced by the villagers in Maruthampadam. Component II: The varieties involved in the study were Muvandan, Neelum, Priyur, Vellaikolumban, Banganapalli and Alphonso. Mango flowering in both the seasons during 2009-10 and 2010-11 were of much erratic, poor and belated nature. A definite influence of the shift in north east monsoon pattern experienced during these periods could be attributed as the major contributory factor to the above. Peak anthesis was noted between 7.30 and 11.00am in all varieties and anther dehiscence between 8.30 am and 12 noon. Highest stigma receptivity was on the day of anthesis. Panicles of Muvandan and Priyur were longer than the other varieties. The varieties Neelum, Priyur, Alphonso, Vellaikolumban, and Muvandan exhibited a mixed phase while opening out but in Banganapalli, flower opening started with a pure male phase and thereafter entered mixed phase. Inflorescence rachis of Muvandan was dark red in colour where as in Neelum and Alphonso it was light red. Light green coloured inflorescence rachis was observed in Banganapalli and Vellaikolumban while in Priyur it was light green with reddish tinge. Size of inflorescence was highest in Muvandan while it was lowest in Neelum. Intensity of flowering per unit area of tree canopy was highest in Alphonso where as it was lowest in Vellaikolumban. Highest percentage of hermaphrodite flowers was recorded in Vellaikolumban (46.38%) while it was lowest in Banganapalli (0.02 %). The varieties Neelum, Priyur, Alphonso and Vellaikolumban showed round shaped pollen whereas oval and oblong shaped pollen was noted in Banganapalli and Muvandan, respectively. The size of the pollen ranged in between 27.29Ī¼m and 33.34Ī¼m. Pollen production and viabiliy were related to climatic variations. Pollen storage in refrigerated conditions retained viability for 72 hours. Selfing did not result in fruit setting and apparently indicating the involvement of incompatibility factors. It has to be further confirmed by flourimetric methods. Crossing among the varieties affected fruit setting obviating the involvement of incompatibility factors. Four successful hybrid mango progeny seedlings are available finally for performance evaluation.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 āIncorporation of Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (ToLCV) resistance in bacterial wilt resistant tomatoā 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 Evaluation of round fruited brinjal genotypes for yield, quality and tolerance to fruit and shoot borer.(Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Kranthi Rekha, Gogula; KAU; Celine, V AThe present investigation on āEvaluation of round fruited brinjal genotypes for yield, quality and tolerance to fruit and shoot borerā was conducted at the Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during the period 2010-2011. The objective of the study was to assess the genetic variability for yield, quality and resistance to fruit and shoot borer and elucidating the morphological, anatomical and biochemical basis of fruit and shoot borer resistance. The study was conducted in two separate experiments. 1. Screening brinjal genotypes for yield and fruit and shoot borer resistance 2. Evaluation of genotypes for genetic variability, yield, quality and tolerance to pests and diseases. In experiment I, thirty four accessions of brinjal were collected from different parts of country and grown in the field in RBD with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed that significant difference among the accessions for all the characters studied. SM 49 and SM 36 showed lowest infestation to fruit and shoot borer while SM 23 showed highest. Among other pests, SM 36 and SM 40 had severe incidence of jassids and ash weevils respectively. In experiment II, the yield ranged from 3.62 kg to 0.66 kg. SM 49 was superior for plant height, percentage of long and medium styled flowers and yield. Highest fruit weight was in SM 44. High phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for yield per plant, fruits per plant, fruit weight and branches per plant. High heritability and high genetic advance also observed for these characters. At genotypic level, yield per plant had high positive correlation with percentage of long and medium styled flowers, branches per plant, fruit length and plant height. The path analysis showed that percentage of long and medium styled flowers, branches per plant, fruit length and fruits per plant had direct effect on yield per plant. SM 49 followed by SM 44, SM 23, SM 41 and SM 30 was having the highest selection index values based on discriminant function analysis. Based on Mahalanobis D2 analysis the current genotypes were grouped into five clusters. Cluster I being the largest including with twenty accessions and cluster II and V had one each. Cluster V had highest values for seven characters viz., plant height, secondary branches, percentage of long and medium styled flowers, fruit length, fruits per plant and yield per plant. Highest inter cluster distance was between cluster II and V. Maximum intra cluster distance was in cluster IV. In screening for fruit and shoot borer resistance, the incidence ranged from 4.77 to 31.97 per cent and 10.83 to 63.01 per cent for shoot and fruit respectively. However accessions viz., SM49 and two local collections SM 44 and SM 36 showed moderate resistance to fruit and shoot borer. Fruit colour was related to fruit and shoot borer tolerance. Light coloured fruits were less susceptible. More RLPS and less RLSA led to tolerance. In moderately resistant accessions there was more number and well developed vascular bundles compare to susceptible ones. High phenol and proline content and less sugars and protein content were responsible for resistance to fruit and shoot borer incidence. Accession like SM 23, SM 36, SM 40, SM 44, SM 45 and SM 49 showed high level of resistance to bacterial wilt. The accessions SM 36, SM 44, SM 45 and SM 49 showed resistance to both fruit and shoot borer and bacterial wilt. The study identified the high yielding, large fruited SM 44 with resistance to fruit and shoot borer and bacterial wilt as a promising line for cultivation in Kerala after further confirmatory studies.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of vanda orchids for commercial traits(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2015) Minnu Sebastian, KAU; Geetha, C KThe investigation on the evaluation of Vanda orchids was conducted at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 2013-ā14 with the objective of evaluating the field performance for commercial exploitation. Thirty Vanda varieties/ hybrids were selected for the study. They were evaluated for their height, spread, shoot characters (nature, girth, internodal length), leaf characters (length, breadth, area, number, interval of leaf production, leaf sheath characters), root characters (length, girth, number), floral characters (days from spike emergence to opening, longevity of spike, interval of spike production, annual production of spike, blooming period, number of florets per spike, individual flower life, flower size, features of petal, lip and column) under field conditions, as well as post harvest parameters (spike longevity, number of buds opening in vase, physiological loss in weight, water uptake and floret span). The varieties exhibited wide variation in both vegetative and floral characters. Maximum plant height was observed in V. Pompimol and the minimum in V. Thailand Beauty. V. Kasemās Delight x V. Bitzās Heartthrob recorded the maximum plant spread and V. Pachara Delight Pink the minimum. Shoot girth and internodal length were the maximum in V. Taweesuksa x V. Kultana Gold x V. Green Gold and V. Pakchong New Land x V. Annette Jones, respectively while the minimum was recorded by V. Varuvathe Pink and V. Thailand Beauty, respectively. Leaf number was maximum in V. Prapawan and the minimum in V. Apec Blue. Leaf length as well as leaf area were the maximum in V. Pompimol, whereas the least values for these characters were for V. Prapawan and V. Anek Delight, respectively. V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan recorded the maximum leaf breadth and V. Fuchs Delight, the minimum. Interval of leaf production was the maximum in V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight and the least in V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan. Among the vanda varieties, V. Apec Blue recorded, the maximum number of roots whereas V. Anek Delight and V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan had maximum root length and girth, respectively and the minimum was in V. Varuvathe Pink, V. Urbchitr x V. Bitzās Heartthrob and V. Dr Anek x V. Bitzās Heartthrob, respectively. The duration from spike emergence to opening of florets was the maximum in V. Urbchitr x V. Bitzās Heartthrob. Time required for opening florets (first and 50%) was the least for V. Apec Blue and V. Anek Delight, respectively. Spike longevity was the maximum for V. Madame Rattana and the minimum for V. Anek Delight. Interval of spike production was the maximum in V. Pompimol and the minimum in V. Pranermprai x V. tessellata. Accordingly, annual spike production was the minimum in V. Pompimol and it was the highest in V. Pathum Gold. Spike characters, like length was maximum in V. Kultana Delight Red, while girth in V. Urbchitr x V. Bitzās Heartthrob .The rachis length and number of florets were the maximum in V. Thailand Beauty and the minimum in V. Varuvathe Pink. The internodal length between florets was the maximum in V. Prapawan and the minimum in V. Red Gem. Lip length and flower size recorded the highest values in V. Pompimol whereas column length was the highest in V. Dr Anek x V. Mimi Palmer. All these characters were the lowest in V. Red Gem. The life of individual floret on the spike was the maximum for V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight and the minimum in V. Pakchong New Land x V. Annette Jones. Among the post harvest characters, spike longevity (vase life) was the maximum in V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight followed by V. Thailand Beauty and the minimum in V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan. The life span of each floret was also high in V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight. The qualitative characters of vanda varieties/hybrids differed in all aspects. The leaves were channelled, smooth, rigid and green coloured, with no pigmentation. Three types of leaf apex, viz., tridentate, praemorse and emarginate were observed. The leaves were arranged alternately and were oriented as straight or horizontal with an arching tendency. Varying petal shapes and curvatures were observed. The petal margin was undulated in most of the cases and rarely entire. Uniform, spotted as well as blotched colour patterns were seen in the petals. Lip-lobe shapes and lip curvature were varying in the varieties. Lip apex was bilobed in most cases; acute or truncate apices were also noticed. Lip surface was glabrous, usually single or double coloured whereas it was triple coloured in V. Pathum Gold and V. Robertās Delight. Lip colour pattern was uniform or streaked or spotted. The column colour pattern was uniform, streaked, blotched or spotted. Spur type was found to be cylindrical in most varieties and saccate in some. The variety V. Pranermprai x V. tessellata possessed good fragrance. Considering the overall quantitative and qualitative parameters, V. Pathum Gold, V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan, V. Pachara Delight Pink, V. Apec Blue, V. Prapawan, V. Urbchitr x V. Bitzās Heartthrob and V. Thailand Beauty were excellent, both for cut flower production and as pot plants. V. Pranermprai x V. tessellata and V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight have more potential for use as cut flower whereas V. Red Gem and V. Anek Delight were excellent as pot plants.ThesisItem Open Access General combining ability of selected black pod disease resistant cocoa(Theobroma cacao L.)hybrids(Department of Plantation Crops, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Varsha Babu; KAU; Suma, BCocoa originated in the Amazon riverbasin of South America. The cultivation of cocoa had extended from Mexico to Costa Rica and over the time it had spread to Caribbean and other parts of South America (Wood and LassĀ» 1985). It was introduced to India during 1979. The generic name Theobronia was derived from two greek words 'Theo' means god and 'hroma' means food, hence known as '"food of god". The beans are the only source for chocolate. Cocoa is affected by many biotic and abiotic stresses. Among the biotic stresses Phytophthora pod rot is the most serious one affecting cocoa, leading to a total of 64% yield loss (Adomako, 2007). Therefore the control of black pod is a major challenge for cultivation of cocoa. The farmers adopt several measures to control the disease of which the use of copper based fungicides is the most predominant one (Tan and Tan, 1990). Although it is reasonably effective, their indiscriminate use poses serious environmental issues. To overcome this situation breeding for resistance to black pod is the most economical, environmental friendly and effective control method (Iwaro et al., 2004). Hence an organized breeding progianmiewas initiated at Cocoa Research Center (CRC), KAU, Vellanikkara during 2005 for the development of varieties resistance to black pod disease and high yield. Twenty five hybrids showing considerable level of resistance after 6 years of screening were selected for the present study. The morphological evaluation ot these hybrids were earned out based on eight qualitative and eight quantitative characters.Variability was observed among the hybrids for all the qualitative characters and quantitative characters. Among the hybrids, hybrid H22 recorded the highest pod weight (724g) and total wet bean weight per pod (176.98g). Tlie husk thickness and number of ilat beans were lowest for hybrid H16 (0.86 cm) and HII (1.40). Self incompatibility was assessed by self pollinating 100 flowers per hybrids. Twenty two hybrids turned to be self incompatible, one self compatible and rest with insufficient number of flowers. Out of 22 self incompatible hybrids eleven were selected for further study based on their yield (No. ol pods/ tree/ year). They were crossed with tester (G.I 5.9) in top cross model and only four yielded fruits. Seedlings were raised in the nursery and observations were recorded in the third month. The analysis of variance of top cross showed significant variation for two characters. The characters like height, diameter, chlorophyll and number of leaves did not express any significant difference. HD2is considered as an indicator of initial vigour and it is found to be directly correlated to the final vigour.The significant value for variance (p Vs c) for HD2 indicated substantial difference between the parents as agroup and their hybrid progenies as another group. This shows that the average hetero.sis is significantly high. Seven hybrids out of selected eleven did not yield any pod on cross pollination, progenies developed from open pollinated pods of these hybrid.s were evaluated to predict the performance of the parent. Progenies expressed high HD2 value. Based on this, these parents can be considered as superior ones. However this has to be confirmed further by crossing them with another tester. Nursery screening for Phytophthora resistance of top cross progeny and open pollinated progeny of all eleven selected hybrids were done at two weeks interval for three months. Lab screening for disease resistance was carried out in semi translucent leaves from all the progenies raised through top cross and open pollinated method along with control for eight days by providing artificial inoculation and percentage of infection was calculated. No disease incidence was noticed in any progenies indicating high GCA for this character. H 17 found to be superior combiner can be evaluated in comparative yield trial. H4, HIS and H8 were selected as superior ones based on the performance of open pollinated progeny which has to be further evaluated with another tester.
