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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 Comparative micromorphologial and physico- chemical study of the upland and midupland laterite soils of Kerala(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Sankarankutty Nair, R; KAU; Aiyer, R SThesisItem Open Access Exchangeable aluminium as an index of liming for the acidic upland soils of Kerala(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1987) Meena, K; KAU; Alice, AbrahamAluminium toxicity is the major factor limiting crop production in the acidic soils and the usual practice of alleviating aluminium toxicity is liming* / The present investigation was carried out to find out the distribution of water s dluhle and exchangeable aluminium in the acidic upland soils of Kerala and to test the suitability of exchangeable aluminium as an index for liming them* It was further programmed to find out the growth, yield and nutrient uptake pattern of two acid sensitive crops namely cowpea and fodder maize in soils under different levels of exchangeable aluminium brought out by the use of different levels of lime* Chemical analysis of eighty soil samples representing the five major upland soil types of Kerala viz* laterlte, alluvial, red loam, sandy and forest a oil have indicated the highest amount of exchangeable aluminium and percentage aluminium saturation in the laterite soils* The soil with 3 high level of exchangeable aluminium and percentage aluminium saturation was selected for conducting a pot culture experiment to test the suitability of using exchangeable aluminium as an index of liming* The exchangeable aluminium content of this soil was maintained at different levels by applying different levels of lime and the performance of these crops in this soil was compared by making biometric observations and by chemically analysing plant and soil samples* From the results of the study it was seen that higher levels of exchangeable aluminium adversely affected the growth, yield and nutrient uptake In cowpea and fodder maize* Maintenance of exchangeable aluminium at 1*26 me/100 g with a corresponding percentage aluminium saturation valua of around 30, by the use of 500 kg lime/ha appeared to be the optimum for maximising the yield of cowpea* But in fodder maize this level of lime was found to be insufficient and complete elimination of aluminium toxicity appeared to be essential for maximising production* Since the critical levels of exchangeable aiuainiua appears to be different for different crop3, it is desirable that lias levels to reduce exchangeable aluminium to such a critical level alono be applied. The results of the present study thus point to the advantage in adopting the exchangeable aluminium level of soil as a better index of liming for various crops grown in the upland acidic soils of Kerala.ThesisItem Open Access Factors governing response of rice to liming in Kerala soils(Department of soil science and Agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture Vallayani , Trivandrum, 1986) Mary Kutty, K C; KAU; Subramania Aiyer, RA study has been conducted on the factors governing response of rice to liming in Kerala soils with a view to evolve suitable coliorative measures. A five pronged approach to the studies made are highlighted to enable a clear understanding of achievements as against the objectives and approaches made. A laboratory study with one hundred soil samples to assess the nature of acidity of four major rlce growing tracts of Kerala State viz.,Kuttanad, pokali, kole and latoritic alluvium has been carried out. The kuttanad soil lncludes karl, karapadon and kayal lands. Path coefficient anaysis of important fifteen acidity contributing factors against seven parameters for measurement of soil acidity and the inter-relation ships of 22 soil characters show that aluminium saturation of effective CEC is the best parameter for measurement of soil acidity. karapadon and hoyol land3. Path coefficient analysis of Important flftaon acidity contributing factors against seven parameters for racasurcsnont of soil acidity and tho intor-rclationahlpo of 22 soil characters show that aluminium saturation of effective CEG Is tho boot parameter for measurement of soil acidity. '*’*** fifteen factors ldontlflod as proton sources .ooount tor 95.9 por oont of th. mo.ourom.nt. vaulting th. 00. hundnd «il “ "P1” « • 9rOUp*S * pPln0lp*1 . —a erne seven clusters ire formed. This goipaMnt H ^ appliaatlan of prinoip.1 l» a probably th. ur district could however bo grouped together In a cluster with a range of aluminium saturation of effective CBC 70# 1 to 75,0 per cent. The fourth and fifth clusters °f soils studied except the kari soil and having tioir aluminium saturation of effective CCC in tho range of 40.1 to 70.0 por cent. Tho kayal soils of Kuttanad, poWcali and lstsritlc alluvium find a placo in tho sixth cluster with an aluminium saturation of effective CCC in tho range of 30.1 to 40.0 ~jCr cent. The seventh cluster nalnly of lateritic alluvium and a few loss acidic pokkali soils has aluminium saturation of effective CtC below 30.0 per cent. A pot cult ire experiment has been conductod in a highly acid soil hnri s o il o f Kuttanad having tho pH values 3.5 with 39 rico variotioo In or.lor to ocroon out a variety tolorant to acidity. Tho varlotlon hovo boon acroonod £or toloranco to acidltyunlng th. method of D2-0tatloticn. nolocting tho impor- , „h,.a throo cluotoro ora formed. Thoy hova tant character, ano . . flB toiorwit. tedium tolorant boon oharactori«od a and l.aat tolaa th. tolarant varlotl.. Jyothi variety acidity. ****** ^ .jvoc.cy of a p M of ia ranWd t *• • r method, of managmant ..... oowblnlng v.ri.ty 1 including lining and v»»vn>«ing for obtaining better productivity m hl3hly ^ soils of k« . u . liming la a hydro-an\eliorativo process, a pot culeKperlnon,. has been carried out to otudy the effect of 3 -eto^iaia coupled with washing with different levels of water and periods between washing in two highly acid soils. The fact that washing the ooil two or throe tinvas at an interval of 2 days maintaining 10 can water from tlio ooil surface after the application oa lino lu noro efficient often yielding better rerulta with a lower Lining done will certainly make the use of l-inin'1 materials in the management of acid soiis An economic promoaition. This further orroloins the preference for low rates L i •- *- of llmln already acca. tod try farm ra in Kuttanad in spite of oonorve 1 Lae"", of rosoon.sG to li.nin , in resGoj-cn st itions, where tho s o ils ire r.uc.i lesn acid than those confronted in cultivator’s f i e ld a. *, o t cult iroa»no?l.jant hao ixi'.n conducted to otudy tho ff o ' graded lovolo of lining (on dry and wot noli baoio) isingj tiio non'. tr- ,*l-rant vori ty in lour major ncld rlao noil ypon suc„h a-nn Lat-rltic alluvium, Uolo, i»kl;ali and tori soils (,.o f i r s t crop and tho subsequent thrco crons roo:>octivoly. Ml the ros >onso functions fittod hava l>oan in quadratic rxxlol .jcoopt those Involving lo t o r lt ic alluvium. in tolo soil. ti.o residual a££oct o£ limine, io much in , , in tho nocond succeeding avidence only m ^ crop.aCtor which a drastic decrease In ,y#i4enlldd has boon obtained. In th« case of __ r•siflual offoot, however, has been pronounce poWcali no . ^ crop8. In kari soil, th. maximum yl.ld In the second ^ ^ fcha ,uphoat rats of liming nor as could not be obta^ ^ for r.^du.1 effsct.. Th. r.al- • o o n s s ' j u e n o . , r a p i d l y b y t h . .M o n d o r o p dual »PP“ In the case of laterltic alluvium9 application of lime maximum ever* the yield decreases significantly and rapidly. Response functions for the first and second crops could not be worked out. This indicates that tho maximum yiold might have been attained at a lovol of liming bo low 1/4 La doso. However* for the third and fourth crops, at tho rate of liming tried, a quadratic residual response function could bo fitted. Tho results on residual effect of lime hnvo alco shown that higher rates of lirr.e application introduces problems of roacidification at a faster rate. Tho depressive effects of line at higher rate are again a pointer to the need to ac opt low lining rates ;?ut ’./ith frequent applicationsThesisItem Open Access Influence of applied nutrients and stage of harvest on the yield and physicochemical properties of essential oil of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini Stapf var. motia)(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry , College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Trivandrum, 1985) Chinnamma, N P; KAU; Aiyer, R SPalmarosa, an essential oil crop introduced in Kerala, from Maharashtra, nearly two decades ago, is spreading steadily la the pialas and midland regions of North Kerala. Several agro-techniques have yet to he standardised for the commercial cultivation of this crop in the State. The present studies were undertaken at the Aromatic pnfl Medicinal Plante Research Station, Odakkaly during 1980-'8 4 to obtain information on the nutrition of palmarosa, optimum harvest intervals to ensure maximum herbage and oil yields and the factors influencing the quality of oil. The treatments in the major field experiment (1980-'82) consisted of three levels of N, and KgO, each at 25, 50 And 75 kg/ha along with six intervals of harvest at 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65 days. The total number of treatment combinations wore 162 in a 3^ x 6 confounded asymmetrical factorial design. Tho main experiment was continued for another two yoaro limiting tho observations, to the yield of herbage and oil. This was then followed by an observation trial with intervals of harvest longer than tho maximum of 65 doye tried in the main experiment. In the main experiment the herbage yield vns significantly increased by application of P2°5 ^2°* Nitrogen did not have any eignifioant offeot on herbage yield poaeibly due to tha medium level etatua of soil N in the ABSTRACT ^erimental plots. The oil yield was Bignifioantly enhanced by P205 application at 50 kg/ha. Different levels and K showed no significant influence on the yield of oil. Harvest intervals showed significant influence on herbage yield, oil yield and oil content and the maximum value was recorded by the 65 day interval. A path analysis of the herbage yield with related cnaracters has shown that the height of the plant is the most important yield attribute influencing directly the yield of herbage. Path analysis of oil yield showed that oil yield is mainly dependent upon herbage yield. The direct effects on oil yield by yield attributes are found to be in the decreasing order of number of tillers with inflorescence, height of the plants and length of inflorescenoe. Maximum indirect affect via herbage yield is expressed by the height of the plant and length of inflorescence. All these directly and indirectly contributing factors arc soon to be markedly influenced by tho applioation of phosphorus and intervals of harvoat* Herbage yield and oil yield for various harvest lntorvalo obtained In the flrot two years wore fit tod In a Cobb-Dcughlua reoponoo function and tha expooted values «leulat«d were found to be very olooe to tho actual observed values• In thethird and fourth year of the experiment, the ghest herbage and oil yields were recorded by 60 day interval followed by the interval of 65 days, A quadratic Sanction for the data pooled over for four years was fitted to see if the data show a diminishing return with an increase in harvest interval and it was found that the optimum herbage yield and oil yield were obtained when the harvest was done at 62 and 63 days interval respectively. The final observational trial also indicated that the herbage and oil yields were maximum for a harvest interval of 65 days beyond which it decreases. Increase in the levels of both N and P tended to increase the content of geraniol and to decrease the content of geranyl acetate which are the price determining quality attributes of the essential oil. But the maximum interval of harvest viz., 65 days tried in the main experiment was not sufficient for moot of the physico-chemical properties of oil ouoh os specific gravity, refractive index, geraniol content, geranyl acotato content etc. to reach the minimum limit prescribed by 131. The observational trial showed that the oil obtained at intervale of 95 days and above satisfied the 131 specification with respect to all the phyalco-ohemioal properties of the oil. However, at thle herveat Interval the yield Itself wae considerably depressed compared to the yield at 65 day Interval. Th, eoonomloe worked out for different Intervale of harveab baaed on the ourrant market prloe of the oil paeein« as above the I SI limits as fe. 240/- per kg (oil from harvest intervals at and above 95 days) and those below them at Fs.220/- per kg (oil from harvest intervals of 55, 65, 75 and 85 days) it has been found that a wider cost benefit ratio and net return per rupee investment are obtainable for harvest intervals ranging from 65 to 85 days. However, 65 day interval has the advantage of early returns from the investment. Application of 50 kg PgO^/ha in view of its significant effect on herbage yield, oil yield and oil quality increase the net profit per rupee invested for the harvest interval of 65 days. The average removal o f II, P, K, Ca and Mg from the s o i l by palmarosa per h ecta re per year lias a lso been worked o u t . The optimum f e r t i l i s e r le v e l fo r palmarosa i s 25 kg II, 50 kg P?05 and 25 kg K20 per h ectare over an a p p lic a tio n o f spent g ra ss at 5 tonnes per h ectare per y e a r . The optimum h arvest in to r v a l i s 65 days. TIiIb would give maximum horbago y io ld , o i l y io ld ond ea rly return from in v e stm e n ts.ThesisItem Open Access Availability indices for stressed nutrients for coconut (Cocos nucifera L) in an ultisol(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Priya, P; KAU; Sureshkumar, PThe present study was conducted with an objective to analyse the soil-plant system, the levels and interactions of nutrient ions in soil, soil solution and plant thereby / finding out the contributing factors to yield. The importance of the term relative intensity lies in the fact that the contribution of mineral elements to growth and yield of plants depend much on the relative amount of one element with respect to the others rather than the absolute content of individual elements. To study the ionic interactions and to unravel the role of Net Ionic Equilibrium based on Ratio Law on soil plant system, a sample of fifty phenotypically identical palms varying in yield from 14.4 to 84.4 nuts palm" year"! grown under an Ultisol were selected. Index leaf samples were collected during pre and post monsoon seasons from 25 palms each from high yielding and low yielding groups. Soil samples were also collected from the basins of these palms during the same seasons at 30 cm (surface) arid 60 cm (subsurface) depths. Soil solutions at saturation point were extracted from the surface samples by centrifugation technique. These leaf, soil and solution samples were analysed / . for different nutrient ions, and the NIE ratios in these three phases were worked out with respect to K and Na. The soil samples were acidic in nature and the variation in rhizosphere pH must have definitely influenced the solubility as well as absorption of different nutrient ions. In the case of available nutrients, the micro nutrients showed significant direct relation with yield both for high and low yielding populations. This might be due to their restricted availability due to aerobic oxidised condition where Fe and Mn might have been precipitated and got into unavailable forms. The BaCh exchangeable ions and the CEC derived from summing up of these exchangeable ions influenced yield directly. Exchangeable K had got a significant dominance in deciding the NIE ratio in soil, solution and in index leaves. Exchangeable K controlled the soil solution concentration of K which in turn controlled the NIE ratio in solution and the ratios in plant. Exchangeable K directly controlled the plant K content and plant K was positively and significantly correlated with the NIE ratios in plant and these ratios were positively and significantly correlated with yield. The negative significant correlation of exchangeable K with plant Mn and Zn revealed the antagonistic effect of exchangeable K in restricting the absorption of Mn and Zn by plants. Among the ionic concentrations in soil solution, Fe was positively and significantly correlated with yield in both the seasons. Soil solution concentrations of Ca and Mg were antagonistically and significantly related with plant Mn content. Potassium content and the NIE ratio in index leaves were found to have a significant direct relation with yield in the pre-monsoon season. Potassium, Ca and Mg were the dominant cations in plant deciding the total cation concentration in index leaves. The NIE ratios between the exchangeable ions, the ions in soil solution and the ions in index leaf samples were mutually, .positively and significantly correlated among themselves. This lead to the conclusion that there exists a constancy in the relative proportion of nutrient ions in the entire soil-plant system which followed Ratio Law. The study lead to the conclusion that the soil test values of the individual ions alone or the plant content of individual ions alone can't give a clear picture of optimum nutrient requirements for the plant. The relative concentration of K in soil through the ~ concentration in soil solution was found to govern the relative concentration in plant which in turn influenced the yield.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of Vermicompost on the yield and quality of tomato (lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Pushpa, S; KAU; Prabhakumari, PAn investigation was carried out at the Instructional Farm, attached to the College of Agriculture, Vellayani to evaluate the Effect of vermicompost on the yield and quality of tomato. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design with ten treatments and three replications. Biometric observations viz. height of the plant, number of leaves and number of floweres were greately influenced by the application of vermicompost compared to farm yard manure. Yield attributes like mean fruit weight and girth of fruits were also found to be significantly influenced by the vermicompost application. Vermicompost application has got a significant influence on the yield of tomato. Plants receiving 25t vermicompost along with full dose of inorganic fertilizers produced maximum yield followed by the plants receiving 25 t farm yard manure along with full dose of inorganic fertilizers. Germination count and viability was maximum when vermicompost was used as the organic source. Maximum germination count and viability was observed when 100t ha-1 vermicompost was used. Vermicompost application has also got a significant influence on fruit qualities. Protein, and carbohydrate content were more in vermicompost treated plants compared to farm yard manure application. Chemical properties of the soil was significantly influenced by the application of vermicompost. pH, organic carbon, available N, P2O5, K2O, Ca and Mg was maximum when 25t vermicompost along with full dose of inorganic ferilizers was used. However availability of micronutrients Mn, Cu, Zn was more in 100t vermicompost applied plots. Application of vermicompost increased the uptake of nutrients by plants. Maximum uptake of all nutrients viz. N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu and Zn was found in plants treated with 25t vermicompost along with full dose of inorganic fertilizers. Correlation studies showed that nutrient uptake was significantly and positively correlated with availability of nutrients. Yield and nutrient uptake of plants were significantly and positively correlated with availability of nutrients and so vermicompost can be effectively used for increasing the fruit yield and quality of fruits in tomato.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of eucalyptus and acacia plantations on soil properties in different pedogenic environments in Kerala(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Byju, G; KAU; Thomas, VargheseEucalyptus tereticornis and Acacia Auriculiformis are two important exotic tree species introduced into our environment through National Social Forestry programme. These two species are said to have many qualities which qualify them for inclusion under the social forestry programme. These fast growing tree species have the unique capability of surviving and regulating their growth to prevailing growth factors. But environmentalists in India and abroad have questioned the feasibility of bringing fertile lands under these exotic species which they claim to have deleterious impact on soil properties, hydrological parameters, biotic associations and long-term socio-economic consequences. However, these arguments do not have a sound scientific basis due to lack of sufficient research data base. So a study was undertaken to find out the impact of these monoculture plantations on soil properties in different pedogenic environments in kerala. Soil profiles were taken from four locations representing different geoclimatic regions of Kerala. The locations were Wynad (Northern forested highland), Kottoor (Southern forested highland), Nileswar (Northern coastal) and Kazhakkoottam (Southern coastal). Altogether thirteen pedons were studied from different locations representing reserve forest, cultivated land, barrenland, Eucaiyptus plantation and Acacia plantation. Pedons were described systematically and subjected to physico-chemical analyses and also for assessing the extent and nature of microflora. Biomass studies and chemical analyses of plant samples have alsobeen undertaken. From the studies, it was revealed that monoculture plantations of Eucalyptus and Acacia have got deleterious impact on soil physical, chemical and biological characteristics. These deleterious effects were more in a forest environment compared to sandy tracts. Increase in gravel content, eluviation of clay, lower silt/clay ratio, increase in bulk density, lower water holding capacity, low moisture content and low water dispersible clay in soils under Eucalyptus in forest areas show that the process of ferrallitisation and soil degradation proceed faster under Eucalyptus. Chemical composition also showed decrease in soil fertility under Eucalyptus. In the sandy tracts, Eucalyptus and Acacia increased the soil organic matter, total nitrogen and available potassium, while almost all other parameters used for the study showed deleterious effects. Active iron ratio (Fe oxalate/ Fe dithionite) was calculated to assess the extent of induration and the results indicated a relative enrichment of crystalline iron oxides in monoculture plantations of Eucalyptus and Acacia which may also lead to induration. A decrease in microbial population was also observed in these plantations except the population of Rhozobium whose number increased in plantations of Acacia which is a leguminous tree. The above results indicated that planting of Eucalyptus and Acacia as monoculture has got very deleterious impact on soil characteristics and fertility . All these throw light on the imminent necessity to have a rethinking about the introduction of monoculture plantations with these exotic species especially in the reserve forest areas.ThesisItem Open Access Behaviour of phosphorus in selected soil types of Kerala(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of horticulture,Vellanikara, 1993) Vijayan, A P; KAU; Sumam Susan, VargheseIn order to study the distribution of inorganic P-fractions finding suitable chemical extractant for phosphorus, to study Q/1 relationship as a method of estimating available P and for studying adsorption- desorption characteristics of the soil types of Kerala, 100 surface soil samples were collected. These soil types were selected from different parts of the state belonging to five soil types viz., laterite, coastal alluvium, brown hydromorphic, Kuttanad alluvium and black soil. It is observed that all the soil types except black soil were acidic, clay content was comparable in case of black soil, Kuttanad alluvium, brown hydromorphic and lateritic but it was very low in coastal alluvium. Maximum content of sesquioxide and total phosphorus recorded in laterite soils and minimum in coastal alluvium. Dominant inorganic fraction in laterite and black soil was Ca- P while in coastal alluvium, brown hydromorphic, and Kuttanad alluvium dominant fraction was Fe- P. Coastal alluvium recorded maximum content of saloid- P, Al- P and Fe- P content were maximum in Kuttanad alluvium. Maximum content of Ca- P was recorded in black soil. Studies in black soil showed that total P is correlated to free carbonates significantly and positively. The different extractants studied in different soils showed that extractants should be selected according to soil types. Mathew’s triacid proved as a better extractant for available P in laterite and coastal alluvium. In case of Kuttanad alluvium soil Bray No.1 is better. Mathew’s P correlated significantly to uptake in laterite, coastal alluvium and Kuttanad alluvium. Olsen’s P correlated to uptake in laterite and Kuttanad soils. Phosphate potential negatively correlated to uptake in Kuttanad alluvium, coastal alluvium and brown hydromorphic soil. Where as equilibrium phosphate potential negatively correlated to uptake in coastal alluvium alone. DPBC values are not found as a suitable method for the estimation of available P. The P desorption adsorption studies showed that adsorption studies was not correlated to P uptake. While the desorbed P correlated significantly and positively to P uptake in laterite soil alone.ThesisItem Open Access Quality and fatty acid composition of coconut oil in relation to varietal variation and mineral nutrition(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Geetha Kumari, V S; KAU; Ranjendran, PCoconut is a perennial oil seed crop with a large number of cultivars having widely varying growth and yield characteristics. It is both an agricultural and industrial crop with immense economic importance. A variety of edible oils are available in the market today with wide variations in quality parameters and nutritional characteristics. Although product quality is influenced by many factors associated with production, harvesting, curing and processing; quality is influenced to a greater extent by the genetic parameters and chemical composition. Assessment of quality parameters and fixing standards for the nutritional aspects are to be considered with top priority for the development of new varieties/cultivars along with the yield attributes. Considering the afore mentioned facts in view, it was felt essential to study the effect of varietal variation and mineral nutrition on the oil content, quality and fatty acid composition of coconut oil. Nuts collected from different varieties/cultivars from RARS, Pilicode, Instructional farm, Vellayani and palms of an ongoing fertilizer trial of the CRS, Balaramapuram, were subjected to chemical analysis to study the above aspects. The results of the analysis were summarised and appropriate conclusions drawn. The effect of varietal variation on the oil content and quality parameters like acid value, saponification value and iodine value were found to be significant. Minor quality parameters like Reichert – Meissel and Polenske value also showed considerable differences among the varieties. The fatty acid composition of oil from selected varieties also had shown considerable variation. The effect of mineral nutrition on the oil quality and fatty acid composition of coconut oil were found to be insignificant. The oil content was not influenced by nitrogen and phosphorus while potassium had a significant but negative effect on oil content. The influence of N, P and K fertilizers on the quality parameters like acid value, saponification value and iodine value was not significant in general. Minor quality parameters like Reichert – Meissel and Polenske value showed variation due to fertilizer treatments. The fatty acid composition of oil from selected treatments. The fatty acid composition of oil from selected treatments were also influenced by mineral nutrition. From the results of the study it can be concluded that quality parameters of coconut are much influenced by varietal differences than by mineral nutrition. Thus it is evident from the study that the genetic variability has got a greater role to play in modifying quantity parameters and chemical composition of the most important tropical adible oil namely coconut oil. Selection and breeding should be directed towards tailoring new varieties with higher oil content, quality indices and fatty acid composition.
