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
13 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access Biological management of phytophthora pod rot of cocoa(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2004) Bhavani, R; KAU; Koshi, AbrahamPhytophthora pod rot (PPR) is one of the serious diseases of cocoa in Kerala. Fifteen isolates of the pathogen were isolated from different locations of Thrissur district and their pathogenicity established. The cultural and morphological characters of 15 isolates of the pathogen like growth on Carrot Agar, mycelial width, length of sporangiophore, sporangial ontogeny, length and breadth of sporangia, L/B ratio, and pedicel length were studied. Based on these characters, the different isolates were identified as Phytophthora palmivora (Butler) Butler. To find out the variations among the isolates of P. palmivora the morphological, virulence and protein profile characteristics of 15 isolates were studied in addition to their sensitivity towards fungicides and antibiotics. Analysis of data on protein profiles and sensitivity towards fungicides did not show much variation among the isolates. But the isolates showed some variations with regard to their morphology, virulence and sensitivity to antibiotics. Among 225 cocoa types screened for host resistance, eight cocoa types viz., G VI 14, G VI 73, G VI 77, G VI 124, G VI 138, G VI 154, G VI 279, G VI 284 showed moderately resistant reaction. Sixty three types were moderately susceptible and rest highly susceptible. Quantitative estimation of epiphytic microflora from cocoa pods yielded more bacteria than fungi and actinomycetes. The epiphytic fungi and bacteria showed antagonistic activity against P. palmivora. Actinomycetes were not antagonistic to the pathogen. Eight fungal and seven bacterial antagonists including standard cultures of T. harzianum and P. fluorescens [Pf (K) and Pf (T)] exhibited maximum inhibition on the pathogen. Studies on the detached pods revealed the efficacy of epiphytic fungal isolate 20F and two bacterial isolates 23B and 24B against the pathogen. The efficient fungal isolate 20F was identified as T. viride Pers. ex. S.F. Gray and the bacterial isolates 23B and 24B as P. fluorescens Pelleroni. The mechanism of antagonism of epiphytic T. viride and standard T. harzianum was studied. The antagonists overgrew the pathogen and showed interactions like coiling, penetration, hyphal malformations and disintegration of host hyphae. Three P. fluorescens isolates including Pf (K) produced HCN and siderophores. T. viride (20F) and T. harzianum were compatible with Akomin 40 and Indofil M45. They were incompatible with Bordeaux mixture, Bavistin and Kocide. Fytolan was partially compatible. The two fungal antagonists were compatible with insecticide phorate, while Sevin was partially compatible. Ekalux, Nuvacron and Endosulfan were incompatible. Ammonium chloride, Rajphos and MOP were compatible with two Trichoderma spp. while ammonium sulphate was incompatible. Two native P. fluorescens (23B and 24B) and standard Pf (K) were compatible with Akomin 40, Indofil M45 and Bavistin and incompatible with Bordeaux mixture, Kocide and Fytolan. With regard to insecticides, the lower two concentrations of Sevin, Ekalux, Endosulfan and Nuvacron were compatible with the bacterial antagonists, while higher concentration was incompatible. Phorate was partially compatible. Fertilizers like Rajphos and MOP were compatible with antagonists. Urea was incompatible. Ammonium sulphate and ammonium chloride were partially compatible. Among different fungicides screened, Bordeaux mixture, Fytolan and Kocide completely inhibited P. palmivora. The lower two concentrations of Akomin 40 and Indofil M45 at all concentrations permitted slight growth. Bavistin was not inhibitory to the fungus. Nuvacron at all concentrations, the highest concentration of Ekalux and two higher concentrations of Endosulfan were inhibitory to the pathogen. Sevin and phorate exerted varying levels of inhibition. Urea and MOP were not much inhibitory to the pathogen. Ammonium chloride, ammonium sulphate and Rajphos showed partial inhibition. Field evaluation of isolates of P. fluorescens [23B, 24B, Pf (K)] and two Trichoderma spp. revealed the efficacy of fluorescent pseudomonads in reducing the incidence of PPR of cocoa. The efficacy was comparable with the recommended fungicides.ThesisItem Open Access Characterisation of a tospovirus causing necrosis disease of cowpea (vigna unguiculata (L.) walp.)(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Ayisha, R; KAU; Umamaheswaran, KStudies were conducted on the tospo virus causing necrosis disease of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in Kerala. This investigation was conducted to characterize the virus. The characteristic symptoms appeared as chlorotic spots, veinal and bud necrosis, distortion and reduction in leaf size. Host range studies were done and the virus was found to have its host range in the members of the families Chenopodiaceae, Solanaceae, Leguminosae, Amaranthaceae and Malvaceae. The virus was mechanically transmitted through sap extracted in 0.01M phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) containing 2mercapto ethanol. The virus could be efficiently transmitted by the aphid vector, Aphis craccivora and Thrips palmi. The virus could be transmitted through graft but not through seeds. Thermal inactivation point was 50-55oC, dilution end point, 10-2-10-3 and longevity in vitro for 4 h at room temperature (28±2oC) and 8 h under refrigerated conditions (8oC). The virus causing necrosis was identified as tospo virus by ELISA and DIBA. Virus was related to WSMV, a tospo isolate. Biochemical changes indicated a decrease in chlorophyll content in virus inoculated leaves compared to healthy control. There was no significant difference observed in carbohydrates. Increase in protein content was observed in inoculated cowpea plants. The phenol content was found more in inoculated leaves compared to healthy control. The level decreased during later stages. Peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenyl alanine ammonialyase showed a decreasing trend with age in both inoculated and healthy plants. But it was comparatively high in inoculated plants. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis performed for PPO and peroxidase revealed that there was four isoforms of PPO for both inoulated and uninoculated control. Only quantitative change in one of the isoform was observed in PPO. One isoform in peroxidase was observed in inoculated plant but no isoform was observed in healthy. PAGE analysis of proteins with samples extracted from diseased and healthy plants showed the presence of three novel proteins in diseased sample. One of the proteins molecular weight, 28 kDa co-relates with the N-Protein of TSWV reported earlier.ThesisItem Open Access Micropropagation of Dendrobium Hybrids(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Sivamani S; LekhaRani CStandardisation of protocol for the rapid in vitro propagation of Dendrobium hybrids was attempted. The studies were carried out in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2002-2004. Different explants such as immature leaf segment, stem nodal segment and inflorescence axis were used. The effect of different basal media such as MS (full, half and quarter strength), VW (full strength) and KC (full strength) on these explants was studied. The effect of different levels of plant growth substances such as IAA, NAA, Kinetin and BA and different levels of CW on PLB development and plantlet growth was studied. Plant growth substance IBA along with AC was tried for in vitro rooting of microshoots. Among the various explants tried, stem nodal segment responded well showing early PLB differentiation. Since leaf segment and inflorescence axis did not respond even after 45 days of inoculation, they were abandoned and stem nodal segment explant alone was carried forward for further trials. Out of the different basal media tried with stem nodal segment explant, VW medium exhibited early culture establishment and rapid PLB development. Different levels of the hormone combination, BA and NAA tried showed that BA 2.0 mg l-1 + NAA 2.0 mg l-1 responded with the earliest plantlet development, but number of shoots produced was more in BA 8.0 mg l-1 + NAA 8.0 mg l-1. Combination of BA and IAA at different levels showed that BA 2.0 mg l-1 + IAA 4.0 mg l-1 produced plantlets in a minimum number of days. Number of shoots was maximum in BA and IAA each at 8.0 mg l-1. In the combination of KIN and NAA tried at different levels earlier plantlet development was observed in 2.0 mg l-1 each of the auxin and the cytokinin and the number of shoot produced was highest in 8.0 mg l-1 each of KIN and NAA. Among the different levels of KIN and IAA combination tried, 4.0 mg l-1 each of KIN and IAA was found to be the best for rapid plantlet development. Number of shoots produced was highest in the combination KIN 6.0 mg l-1 and IAA 2.0 mg l-1. Out of the three different levels of CW tried, CW 200 ml l-1 was observed to be the best in terms of early plantlet development and the production of more number of shoots. In vitro rooting of microshoots was the best in half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA 2.0 mg l-1. Addition of AC did not produce any significant effect on root development.ThesisItem Open Access Integration of bioinoculant technology with micropropagation of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and standardization of production of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in transformed roots(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Simi, R; KAU; Sivaprasad, PThe present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of inoculation with various microbial inoculants such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Azospirillum and fluorescent pseudomonads in different combinations on establishment, growth and foot rot tolerance of micropropagated black pepper plantlets and also to standardize transformed root culture technique using Agrobacterium rhizogenes for AMF inoculum production in selected host plant. A general improvement in growth and establishment of the plantlets was observed due to inoculation with AMF, Pseudomonas and Azospirillum. The combined inoculation of the three microbial inoculants showed a significant effect on survival rate and growth characteristics such as plant height and leaf area. There was significant effect on physiological and biochemical characteristics of the plantlets such as stomatal conductance, leaf temperature, relative water content, total phenol, orthodihydroxy phenol, total soluble protein and total carbohydrate content due to inoculation with microbial inoculants which favoured better survival, growth and disease tolerance of the plantlets. All the treatments involving AMF showed a minimum stomatal conductance at early stages of hardening and later it was steadily increased and reached the maximum. The leaf temperature was found to decrease due to treatments with microbial inoculants. Inoculation with the organisms resulted in consistently high values of relative water content at different stages of observation. Combination involving all the three organisms recorded maximum. The total phenol content in plant tissues was highly stimulated by AMF followed by Azospirillum and Pseudomonas. The orthodihydroxy phenol, total soluble protein and total carbohydrate content of the plantlets were also significantly improved by inoculation with all the three organisms. Foot rot disease incidence and intensity was significantly reduced by inoculation with Pseudomonas either singly or in combination with others. AMF alone or in combination also showed relatively low mortality due to foot rot disease. Azospirillum was not effective in suppressing foot rot disease. In the attempt made to make use of transformed root culture technique using Agrobacterium rhizogenes for AMF inoculum production, cucumber was found as the most sensitive host plant. The co-culturing of transformed root with AMF through root colonization was not successful. Further studies are needed to analyse the physiological reasons for the failure of AMF colonization in transformed roots. The present investigation vividly showed that inoculation with microbial inoculants – AMF, Pseudomonas and Azospirillum – is highly beneficial to tissue culture plantlets of black pepper and significant increase in survival rate, growth and tolerance to foot rot disease was achieved. The treatment combination involving all the three organisms was most effective.ThesisItem Open Access Management of foliar blight of amaranthus using rhizobacteria and chemical activator- acibenzolar- S - methyl(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Chithra B, Nair; KAU; Anith, K NThe study, “Management of foliar blight of amaranthus using plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and a chemical activator Acibenzolar-S- Methyl” was conducted at the Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Four proven PGPR isolates viz., Pseudomonas fluorescens strain PN026R, Pseudomonas putida strain 89B61, Bacillus pumilus strain SE34 and Bacillus subtilis strain GB03 and a chemical activator ActigardTM 50WG containing the active ingredient Acibenzolar-S-Methyl (ASM) were used for the study. Disease suppression and plant growth promotion studies were performed using these PGPR isolates and ASM. In vitro studies were conducted to check whether the bioagents are having a direct antagonistic effect on the pathogen. Dual culture plate assay was performed in four different media. It was noted that the antagonism showed by these rhizobacteria ranged from slight antagonism to a zone of more than 5 mm. The range of antagonism even by same antagonist varied in different media. The mycelial growth inhibition of the pathogen by different concentration of ASM in the medium was also noticed. A screening experiment was conducted to assess the involvement of ISR by different PGPR and the chemical activator individually and in combination against the disease caused by R. solani in amaranthus var. Arun. Sterile potting mixture was used in the study. The minimum disease severity was observed for combined treatment with GB03 and ASM. Plants treated with PN026R, GB03 and the consortium of bacteria showed same disease severity of 8.33%. Observations on plant growth promotion were also taken. Based on the effect on disease suppression and plant growth promotion two PGPR strains were selected for further pot culture studies viz., GB03 and PN026R. PN026R+ASM, GB03 and ASM treatments recorded the lowest disease incidence. The minimum disease severity was recorded for uninoculated control. GB03 and PN026R+ASM recorded same disease severity. Maximum shoot length and shoot fresh weight was observed for the treatment with PN026R+ASM. The total phenol content and the different enzyme activities were also recorded in this experiment. Changes in the levels of PAL, PO and PPO were recorded at one, five and ten days after inoculation with the pathogen. After five days of inoculation the maximum phenol content was recorded for PN026R. Treatment with ASM alone showed maximum PAL activity five days after inoculation. There was a progressive increase in peroxidase activity from one day after inoculation to ten days after inoculation in the plants treated with PN026R, PN026R+ASM and GB03. Plant Growth promotion experiments were also carried out using the four PGPR strains and ASM. The maximum shoot length was recorded for the treatment with SE34 followed by PN026R, consortium of bacteria+ASM and the control. The maximum root length was recorded for GB03+ASM. The results of the study indicate that PN026R showed better growth promotion and ISR activities. PN026R can also be used in combination with ASM which helps to compensate the adverse effects of ASM.ThesisItem Open Access Microbial antagonists and resistance induced for the management of bacterial blight of anthurium(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Anjana R, Nair; KAU; Mary, C AAn investigation was undertaken for exploring the potential of microbial antagonists and chemical activators for the management of bacterial blight of anthurium. Different isolates of the pathogen, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae were collected and Xad 6, the most virulent one was selected for further studies. The microbial flora from the rhizosphere and phyllosphere of healthy anthurium plants from various locations were isolated and screened for their efficacy in inhibiting X. axonopodis pv.dieffenbachiae under in vitro conditions. Among the microbes obtained, isolates of Bacillus sp. (B16) and Talaromyces sp. (F8) were the most effective. Nutreint agar proved to be the best media for B16 and the antagonist was also non-pathogenic to anthurium. The potential of chemical activators in management of bacterial blight of anthurium was also investigated both under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The in vitro studies revealed that chemical activators had no direct action on the pathogen, conforming to one of the characteristics of an activator for inducing disease resistance in plants (Systemic acquired resistance, SAR). Among the chemical activators tested under in vivo conditions, 500ppm potassium phosphonate and 25ppm acibenzolar-s-methyl showed considerable effect in reducing the per cent disease intensity. The best treatments from the above studies and some other treatments which exhibited good results against bacterial blight of anthurium from previous works were studied in a green house trial on ten month old tissue culture anthurium plants of Cancan variety. The treatments included B16, F8, 500 ppm potassium phosphonate, 25 ppm acibenzolar-s-methyl, crude extract of neem cake, 0.15 per cent of turmeric powder + sodium bicarbonate (10:1) and 100 ppm streptocycline. The result indicated that the treatments, B16 (Bacillus sp) and 0.15 per cent of turmeric powder +sodium bicarbonate (10:1) were effective as they showed least bacterial blight intensity. So it can be concluded that, a prophylactic root dip and foliar spray of Bacillus sp. (B16) or turmeric powder + sodium bicarbonate (10:1) @ 0.15 per cent were equally effective in managing bacterial blight of anthurium. The role of chemical activators on the other hand in combating the disease was next only to microbial antagonists and ecofriendly material.ThesisItem Open Access Variability of Alternaria isolates causing leaf blight diseases in cucurbits(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Resmi, A R; KAU; Beena, SAlternaria leaf blight is one of the serious diseases of cucurbits in Kerala. A study on “Variability of Alternaria isolates causing leaf blight diseases in cucurbits” were conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2004 - 2005 and they include symptomatology, cultural, morphological, physiological and nutritional characters, host range and effect of toxin on disease development and also on the variability if any existing among the different isolates of Alternaria. Isolation of Alternaria from diseased samples of ash gourd, snake gourd, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, ivy gourd and pumpkin collected from Vellanikkara and Elanad areas of Thrissur district was done in Potato dextrose agar medium and isolation of diseased specimens yielded fungal growth similar to Alternaria sp. and obtained seven isolates from Vellanikkara and six isolates from Elanad. Symptom or infection usually started from leaf margins as small, irregular brown lesions. Later brown lesions enlarged in size with characteristic yellow halo. Variation in symptom expression was noticed only with respect to the presence or absence of concentric zonations. Ash gourd, bitter gourd and ivy gourd produced symptoms with concentric zonations on the infected area. Variation in cultural and morphological characters of different isolates of Alternaria was studied. Alternaria spp. produced thick and velvety colony with brownish grey to dark brown aerial mycelium and the isolates showed variation in colony character only with respect to the presence of concentric zonations in the culture. All isolates sporulated well on Potato dextrose agar medium and spore count ranged from 2.5 to 4.9 x 105 spores ml-1. Ridge gourd isolate from Vellanikkara produced maximum spores and minimum spores were produced by the isolate of ivy gourd from Elanad. Variation in growth rate was observed among different isolates of Alternaria grown on different media. Among the different media tested Potato dextrose agar supported maximum growth of different isolates. All the isolates were found to produce conidiophores and conidia in pure culture. Variations in the size and branching of conidial chain were also noticed and size of conidial chain varies from 2-12. Cultural and morphological characters revealed that Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler and Alternaria tenuissima (Kunze ex Pers.) Wiltshire was the two main species of Alternaria causing leaf blight diseases in various cucurbitaceous vegetables. There was no earlier reports of these species of Alternaria on ash gourd, snake gourd, bottle gourd and pumpkin and hence it is the first report of Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler on ash gourd, snake gourd, bottle gourd and pumpkin and also Alternaria tenuissima (Kunze ex Pers.) Wiltshire on snake gourd as the pathogen of leaf blight diseases from India. Cluster analysis of morphological characteristics revealed a degree of variability among the isolates. The lowest dissimilarity index was noticed between A. alternata isolates of ash gourd and snake gourd of Vellanikkara. A. tenuissima of bitter gourd and ivy gourd from Vellanikkara found more similar in their morphological characters. A. tenuissima of snake gourd and bitter gourd of Elanad area stands separate and the latter showed maximum dissimilarity with other isolates. An in vitro study on the effect of physiological and nutritional characters such as temperature, pH, light, carbon and nitrogen sources on different isolates of Alternaria were carried out and observed that, among the different temperatures tested, 25 to 30oC was found to be the most favourable temperature range for the growth of different Alternaria isolates and the pH levels 6 and 7 supported the growth of most of the isolates. Among the light treatments full light and alternate light and dark were found to be better for the growth, medium containing starch as the carbon source and KNO3 and MgNO3 as nitrogen source supported maximum growth of different isolates of Alternaria. Study on conidial germination revealed that all isolates took three hours for starting germination and 10 h for cent per cent germination. All cells of conidium germinated by producing germ tube which elongated to form hyphae. All isolates of Alternaria species obtained from different cucurbitaceous vegetables from both the locations were found to be compatible with each other when grown together. Histopathological changes brought about by all the isolates of Alternaria were almost similar. Due to infection epidermal cells get destructed and hyphae and conidiophores of the fungus seen emerging through the broken epidermis. Destruction of chloroplast and necrosis and death of complete cells occurred in the final stages. Host range study proved that all the isolates of Alternaria from both the locations produced symptoms on all the cross inoculated cucurbits. They were also found producing symptoms on solanaceous vegetables and other vegetables viz., amaranthus, cowpea and bhindi. From the toxin study, it was found that both the exotoxin and endotoxin were effective in producing symptoms on all cucurbitaceous, solanaceous and other vegetables tested. The exotoxin produced the symptoms first.ThesisItem Open Access Major diseases of kacholam (kaempferia galanga L.) and their management(College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Priya, K; KAU; Sheela Paul, TA study on “Major diseases of Kacholam [Kaempferia galanga L.] and their management” was conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2003-2004. The study revealed that Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al., Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc, Colletotrichum capsici (Syd.) Butler and Bisby were major pathogens in Kacholam. Ralstonia solanacearum was the major pathogen causing wilt in Kacholam. Among the 12 genotypes of kacholam tested two genotypes were immune to wilt and nine were highly resistant to leaf spot disease. From the in vitro evaluation done to find out the efficacy of different antagonists, all the three antagonists P. fluorescens, T. viride and A. niger were found to be effective against both the pathogens. Among the fungicides tested, Bordeaux mixture was most effective against both the fungal pathogens. Against the bacterial pathogen Kocide followed by Bordeaux mixture was effective. None of the fungicides were fully compatible with the antagonists. But Kocide was more compatible with A. niger and P. fluorescens and Fytolan with T. viride. Studies on the effect of culture filtrates showed its effectivness only against bacterial pathogen. The inhibitory effect of volatiles of fungal antagonists or fungal pathogens was also revealed. In the field experiment, Trichoderma viride was found to be the efficient antagonist. Among soil amendments, coirpith was found to be best for increasing germination, leaf number, rhizome yield and oil recovery. Farmyard manure treated plots was on par with that of coirpith treated plots with T. viride for giving maximum yield, and disease control. The study on the effect of soil microbial population revealed that the population does have an influence on yield and also on disease management. The correlation studies also showed that population of bacterial wilt pathogen is directly correlated with percentage wilt incidence.ThesisItem Open Access Management of bacterial wilt of chilli caused by Ralstonia solanacearum(E.F Smith) yabuuchi et al. using AMF and flurescent pseudomonads(College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Sonia, Basheer; KAU; Meenakumari, k SManagement of bacterial wilt of chilli caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (E.F. Smith) Yabuuchi et al. using AMF and Pseudomonas fluorescens was studied. The pathogen was isolated and pathogenicity proved. Based on the cultural, morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, the isolate was identified as R. solanacearum. Out of the ten native AMF cultures screened, cultures M5 and M7 were found effective for disease suppression and growth improvement in chilli. Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from phyllosphere and rhizosphere of chilli plants collected from different locations of Thiruvananthapuram district. Out of the 45 isolates subjected to in vitro screening by dual culture technique, two best isolates viz., Pf-14 and P-1 were selected. These isolates, Pf-14 and P-1 were subjected to biochemical characterization and were tentatively identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens biovar 2 respectively. Interaction of efficient native isolates of AMF and P. fluorescens isolates on disease suppression and growth improvement in chilli was studied. Talc based formulation of the two best native isolates, Pf-14 and P-1 were applied as soil drench and foliar spray. Dual inoculation of chilli seedlings with M5 and P-1 recorded the least disease incidence. The growth, biomass production and yield was highest for the treatment M7P1R0 which is a combination of AMF culture M7 and Pseudomonas culture Pf-14. The application of antibiotic agrimycin was found ineffective in suppressing bacterial wilt pathogen. The present study forms the first report of the synergistic interaction of AMF and P. fluorescens for the management of bacterial wilt and growth improvement in chilli. The technology of combined inoculation of AMF and P. fluorescens could be recommended for adoption by the vegetable farmers of Kerala after confirming the results under field conditions.