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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 Utilisation of dairy industry solid waste as an organic source in soil productivity(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Indu, B; KAU; Usha, MathewAn investigation entitled ‘Utilization of dairy industry solid waste as an organic waste in soil productivity’ was carried out at College of Agriculture, Vellayani to study the feasibility of using dairy industry solid waste (dsw) as an organic source for improving soil productivity. The experiment consisted of four parts viz., characterization of dsw, vermicomposting of dsw, incubation study to monitor the changes in physical property, nutrient availability and microbial population in soil and pot culture experiment to study the influence of cdsw on amaranthus. The dairy waste collected from TRCMPU Ltd. at Ambalathara, Thiruvananthapuram was used in the present study. The physico-chemical and microbial analysis of dsw were done using suitable analytical procedures. Vermicomposting was carried out in pits of size 1 m x 0.5 m x 0.5 m using vegetable wastes, ground dsw and cowdung in the ratio 5:3:1 by the activity of earthworm Eudrillus eugeniae. Vermicompost was prepared according to package of practices recommendations of Kerala Agricultural University. Incubation study was conducted at the laboratory to monitor the nutrient release pattern and changes in physical properties and microbial population in soil. Two kg of soil was taken in plastic containers of uniform size and incubated at 60 per cent field capacity for three months after application of treatments. The experiment was laid out in CRD with seven treatments viz., T0 - absolute control, T1 – soil + 25 g fym, T2 – soil + 25 g dsw, T3 – soil + 12 ½ g fym + 12 ½ g dsw, T4 – soil 12 ½ g fym + 6 ¼ g dsw, T5 – soil + 12 ½ g cdsw, T6 –soil+ 6 ¼ g cdsw. Physico-chemical and microbilogical properties of soil were analysed at an interval of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks. The pot culture experiment was conducted to study the influence of dsw on growth, yield and quality of amaranthus. It was laid out in CRD with a treatments viz., T0 – absolute control, T1 – fertilizers and fym as per POP, T2 – POP fertilizers and 50 t ha-1 cdsw, T3 – POP fertilizers + fym 25 t ha-1 and cdsw 25 t ha-1, T4 – POP fertilizers and fym 25 t ha-1 and cdsw 12 ½ t ha-1, T5 – 2/3 N + full NPK of POP + fym 25 t ha-1 and cdsw 25 t ha-1, T6 – 2/3 N + full PK of POP and fym 25 t ha-1 + cdsw 12 ½ t ha-1, T7 – ½ N + full PK of POP + fym 25 t ha-1 + cdsw 25 t ha-1, T8 – ½ N + full PK of POP and fym 25 t ha-1 and cdsw 12 ½ t ha-1. Observations on various biometric and yield parameters have been recorded and analysis of plant sample were done at three stages of growth of plant viz., 30, 45 and 60 days after transplanting. The nutrient status of soil after the experiment was also analysed. Analysis of physico-chemical and microbial properties of dsw revealed that it had a near neutral pH (6.5) and it contained 37.5 per cent organic carbon, 5.80 per cent N, 2.04 per cent P, 0.71 per cent K, 1.69 per cent Ca, 1.58 per cent Mg, 1.71 per cent Fe, 159 mg kg 1 Mn and 1084 mg kg 1 Zn. Population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in dsw were 13.3 x 106, 11.6 x 104 and 1.3 x 104 respectively. The results of the study revealed that vermicomposting can be successfully done in dsw using Eudrillus eugeniae. Vermicompost with a C : N ratio of 11.12 was obtained after 60 days of composting. The final compost contained 3.12 per cent N, 1.97 per cent P, 1.81 per cent K, 2.05 per cent Ca, 3.55 per cent Mg, 0.80 per cent Fe, 230 mg kg-1 Mn, 408 mg kg-1 Zn and 44 mg kg¬-1 Cu. Number of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in the compost at maturity stage were 42.6 x 106, 38.6 x 104 and 21.3 x 104 respectively. From the incubation study, it can be seen that nutrient content of soil increased upto 6-8 weeks in all treatments except T0 followed by a gradual decline. All nutrients except Cu were more on cdsw applied treatment in the initial period. Cu content was more in fym applied treatment. Nutrient availability was more from fym applied treatments during later periods of incubation. Bulk density of soil decreased in all treatments except T0 upto six weeks of incubation followed by a gradual increase in 8 and 12 weeks. Treatment in which cdsw was applied at higher dose showed the lowest bulk density. Upto six weeks the highest water holding capacity was noticed in cdsw applied treatments, after that fym applied treatments showed highest water holding capacity. Bacterial and fungal population reached the peak in sixth week and then declined. Upto eight weeks the effect of treatments was non significant with respect to actinomycete population. The pot culture experiment indicated the influence of cdsw on growth, yield and quality of amaranthus. Biometric and yield observation have proved the superiority of cdsw over fym. Beta-carotene content was more in cdsw applied treatments. Total yield and B:C ratio were the highest when cdsw was used as a partial substitute for fym. Physico-chemical properties of soil after the pot culture experiment revealed that pH, EC, organic carbon and available nutrients increased in all treatment except in T0 compared to the initial soil. pH, EC, organic carbon, available P, Ca and Fe were the highest in T2 which received cdsw at higher dose while the available N, K, Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu were the highest in T1 which received fym. From the results it can be concluded that effective biomanagement of dsw can be carried out using Eudrillus eugeniae. Better availability of nutrients especially nitrogen from cdsw compared to fym immediately after application as evidenced by incubation study is advantageous for short duration leafy vegetables. Use of cdsw can reduce the use of fym partially or fully in amaranthus. Fertilizer N can also be reduced to the extent of 1/3 of POP recommendation.ThesisItem Open Access Soil test crop response studies on groundnut in laterite soils of Kerala(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Sidha, P S; KAU; Betty, BastinThe investigation entitled “STCR studies on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in laterite soils of Kerala” was conducted during 2003-2004 in the farm attached to College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. Objectives of the study were to develop soil test based balanced fertilizer recommendation for specific yield targets to groundnut in laterite soils of Kerala, and to develop a basis for fertilizer recommendation for maximum and economic pod yield at varying STVs. The experiment consisted of FGE and STCR experiment. The aim of FGE was to create desired gradient in soil fertility in one and the same field by applying graded doses of N, P and K fertilizers and raising an exhaustive crop, fodder maize Co-1. After development of fertility gradient, the STCR experiment was conducted in the same field with the test crop groundnut variety TAG-24. The soil nutrient status before and after the experiment were analysed for both FGE and STCR. The nutrient requirements of groundnut variety TAG-24 were estimated as 49.46, 4.25 and 19.52 kg ha-1 N, P and K respectively to produce one tonne of pod. The soil efficiencies were worked out as 28.11, 7.70, 6.88 per cent for N, P and K respectively for groundnut in laterite soil. The contribution of nutrients from fertilizers were estimated as 45.61, 11.18 and 27.33 per cent for N, P and K respectively and the contribution from organic manure were 49.46, 4.25 and 19.52 per cent N, P and K respectively to produce one tonne of pod. Fertilizer prescription equations for specific yield targets of groundnut variety TAG-24 were derived by using the above basic data and the equations were as follows: Without FYM FN = 108.44 T - 0.616 SN FP = 38.01 T - 1.577 SP FK = 71.43 T - 0.305 SK With FYM FN = 108.44 T - 0.616 SN - 1.59 OM FP = 38.01 T - 1.577 SP - 1.87 OP FK = 71.43 T - 0.305 SK - 1.85 OK Multiple regression models were calibrated with yield as dependent variable and soil available and applied nutrients as independent variables. Among the three nutrients, P and K showed normal type (+, -, -) of response in both models with 15 and 17 variables. So equations were calibrated for these two nutrients. The equations were as follows: With 15 variables FP = 32.47 - 0.709 SP FK = 321.36 - 0.429 SK With 17 variables FP = 76.27 - 2.645 SP FK = 312.37 - 0.413 SK Simple correlation coefficient was worked out for nutrient uptake with yield, nutrient uptake and yield with available and applied nutrients and major plant nutrient content with yield. The study is useful to adjust fertilizer doses based on the specific objective and available resources of groundnut farmers of the state.ThesisItem Open Access Geographic information system for micro-level decision making in the agricultural sector of Central Midlands of Kerala(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Anup Balakrishnan; KAU; Saifudeen, NThe present study was carried out in the Centre for Land Resources Research and Management, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur during the period 2001 to 2004 with the broad objective of integrating available data on the land and agricultural resources of Madakkathara Panchayat into a Geographic Information System (GIS) and to demonstrate the capability of GIS as a decision support system to design projects for integrated resource management. Cadastral maps (1:3960 scale) of the Panchayat and the land use and assets map of the Panchayat were used as base maps for the study. These maps were processed , traced, scanned, joined and digitised. Various features were digitised as separate themes. The digitised maps were then projected and converted to shape files using PC ARC/INFO resulting in the spatial data. Primary and secondary information on watershed and panchayat were collected and tabulated using MS Access and MS excel to form the attribute data of the respective themes. Then spatial and attribute data were integrated to prepare the GIS of Madakkathara Panchayat.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of latex sludge as a phosphorus source in crop production(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Simi, Sathyaseelan; KAU; Sumam, GeorgeA detailed investigation entitled ‘Evaluation of latex sludge as a phosphorus source in crop production’ was carried out at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, with chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) as the test crop. Preliminary studies in both India and abroad had shown this waste product of latex concentrate industry to be a rich source of plant nutrients especially P. Initially the basic physico-chemical properties of this sludge material were estimated followed by an incubation study in which its P release pattern was compared with that of two conventional P sources -SSP and RP. Then pot culture experiments were undertaken to study its direct and residual effects on the growth and yield characters of chilli var. Jwalamukhi. Chemically, latex sludge is magnesium ammonium phosphate. Analytical studies revealed it to be near neutral (pH 6.49) in reaction which is mainly due to the pH buffering effect of its magnesium phosphate component. So, no significant variation in soil pH was observed both in the incubation study as well as in the pot culture experiments and in this respect it is comparable with the conventional P sources- SSP and RP. The total P content is 35.98 per cent grading it superior to rock phosphates now popular in market as commercial fertilizers. Of the total P, 13 per cent is water soluble and 36 per cent citrate soluble, together accounting for nearly half of the gross P content. The presence of both fractions gives latex sludge an added advantage over SSP and RP, in that it can provide both readily available and slowly available forms of P, making it suitable for a wide range of crops and soils. Another positive property of latex sludge is the presence of Mg (6.86 per cent) and N (6.05 per cent) in it. Mg has been found to be required by many plants in about the same quantities as P to increase their photosynthetic efficiency. The N is present in readily available form too ie., as ammonium phosphate. The presence of about five per cent organic C is another advantage as it enhances phosphate dissolution capacity of the material. In addition, it can supply minute quantities of K and Ca (less than one per cent). On the basis of its chemical profile, latex sludge can be considered more or less as a complete complex fertilizer. The greatest advantage is its ability to act as a slow release fertilizer, a property bestowed on it by the encapsulation of nutrients by rubber residues present in low concentration. The dynamics of important soil chemical properties on incubation with latex sludge (T1), SSP (T2) and RP (T3) were studied against a control (T4, soil alone) for a period of 120 days. These sources were applied to one kg soil taken in plastic containers, to provide P @ 40 kg ha-1 and the soil was maintained at field capacity. The superiority of latex sludge in increasing the soil organic C content was very much evident from the incubation study, even though there was an initial delay. From the 30th day onwards latex sludge was significantly superior to RP and SSP, the values gradually increasing to a maximum by the 75th day followed by a slow decline. The available N values were the highest for latex sludge applied soil throughout the incubation period except on the 105th day. From 30th to the 90th day these values were significantly superior to those for SSP and RP applied soils. The different P sources exerted significant influence on soil available P contents throughout the incubation period. On the 15th day, the water soluble phosphates of SSP maintained its superiority by recording a value significantly higher than that of all other sources. The next highest value was recorded by latex sludge and was significantly superior to RP. But from the 30th day onwards, P release from latex sludge and SSP became statistically comparable and significantly superior to that from RP. The uniform release pattern of both latex sludge and SSP continued till the 90th day and thereafter the three sources became on par in their P release capacities. The superior effect of latex sludge in maintaining a high soil available P till about 90th day is therefore very much evident and is mainly due to the presence of both water and citrate soluble P fractions in it. The available K levels in soil remained unaffected throughout the incubation period despite P application in different forms. The various P sources could produce significant variations in soil exchangeable Ca and Mg levels only towards the middle period of the incubation. In general, latex sludge was seen on par with RP in increasing soil exchangeable Ca but the Mg release pattern showed high inconsistency. The agronomic efficiency of latex sludge was evaluated by conducting pot culture experiments laid out in CRD with a main and a residue crop of chilli var. Jwalamukhi. The treatments included T1 (full P as LS), T2 (full P as SSP), T3 (full P as RP), T4 (¼ LS + ¾ SSP), T5 (½ LS + ½ SSP), T6 (¾ LS + ¼ SSP), T7 (¼ LS + ¾ RP), T8 (½ LS + ½ RP), T9 (¾ LS + ¼ RP), T10 (No P) and T11 (absolute control). Urea, muriate of potash and FYM were applied uniformly to all treatments except absolute control, as per Package of Practices Recommendations of Kerala Agricultural University. The P fertilizers were applied as per treatment schedule. The growth characters of chilli registered the maximum values when full P was given as SSP (T2). But, the effects were statistically on par with the combination treatment T8 (½ LS + ½ RP). Yield in general was favourably enhanced when latex sludge was applied along with RP. The highest yield was recorded by T7 (¼ LS + ¾ RP) but it was on par with T8 (½ LS + ½ RP). The economic analysis (benefit-cost ratio) also showed the same trend of yield. The quality traits of chilli also testified the suitability of latex sludge as an alternate P source. The treatment combination T8 (½ LS + ½ RP) registered values which were either the highest or on par with the highest. The plant uptake of nutrients, a major yield contributing factor, also showed trends in favour of latex sludge. The uptake of N, P, K, Ca and Mg which were significantly influenced by the treatments were the highest or on par with the highest for the combination treatment, T8. Chemical analysis of soil upon crop harvest indicated that the combination treatment T8 (½ LS + ½ RP) could maintain higher levels of available N, P and exchangeable Mg. Full P as latex sludge (T1) recorded the highest organic C content and was significantly higher than all other treatments. The residual effects of the treatments were studied by raising another crop of same variety of chilli in the same pots using the same soil following all the cultural operations as for the main crop except P addition. The highest residual effect of P was exhibited by the combination treatment T8 (½ LS + ½ RP) manifested by recording the highest fruit yield and thereby the highest returns. The high residual effect of T8 (½ LS + ½ RP) was also evident from its highest P uptake indicating adequate P availability inspite of its lack of application to the current crop. Moreover, the uptake of other nutrients was either the highest or on par with the highest value for the same treatment (T8). The present investigation, therefore, undoubtedly proves that latex sludge can be used as an alternate and cheap source of P in crop production. The combination treatment T8 (½ LS + ½ RP) emerges superior on the basis of its direct and residual effects on growth, yield and quality characters of chilli. Economic analysis substantiates this further. Moreover, use of this apparently ecofriendly material in crop production will be a boon in terms of its disposal also.ThesisItem Open Access Synerigistic effect of Na and K on yield and nutrient uptake in Coleus (Coleus praviflorus L)(Department of Soil Science & Agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Neenu, S; KAU; Sudharmai Devi, CA field experiment was carried out in College of Agriculture, Vellayani during September 2003 to January 2004 to study the “Synergistic effect of Na and K on yield and nutrient uptake in coleus (Coleus parviflorus L.)”. The treatments included were 50 and 100 per cent of the recommended dose of K alone and in combination with 50, 75 and 100 per cent of Na of common salt to equalize the same amount of recommended dose of K. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design. The plant growth characteristics like plant spread, number of functional leaves and LAI showed significant variation due to treatments. The highest values for these parameters were registered by K and Na at 50:50 proportions, showing the synergistic interaction of the two elements at this combination. Leaf water content varied significantly due to treatments. The 50 per cent K plus 75 per cent Na treated plants showed highest value of RLWC. Even though the chlorophyll content did not show significant difference between treatments, it increased with Na application along with 50 per cent K, revealing a role of Na in chlorophyll biosynthesis Tuber yield did not show any significant difference due to treatments. Even then the 50:50 combinations of Na and K treatment gave the highest tuber yield followed by 100 per cent K plus 50 per cent Na treated plants. The yield attributes like number of tubers, weight of tubers and tuber index did not vary significantly. Among the quality attributes, starch content varied significantly due to treatments. The treatment with 100 per cent K plus 75 per cent Na gave the highest value of starch followed by the 50:50 combinations of Na and K. The cooking quality of treatments T3 (100 per cent K alone), T4 (50 per cent K plus 50 per cent Na) and T5 (50 per cent K plus 75 per cent Na) were similar. The shelf life of 100 per cent K plus 100 per cent Na treated tubers were found to be the highest. There was an increase in the content of N, K, Ca and Mg in the plants when Na was also supplied as treatment. Consequently the uptake of nutrients increased with the application of different levels of Na along with 50 per cent K. This shows that Na has a stimulative effect on uptake of nutrients. Application of Na did not affect any soil properties like pH, EC and organic carbon. The available nutrients like N, P, Ca and Mg increased in Na treated plots Yield of tuber was positively and significantly correlated with the dry matter production and uptake of Ca. Yield was positively correlated with the uptake of all nutrients under study. From the above points, it can be concluded that a combination of 50 per cent K and 50 per cent Na is optimum for getting the maximum yield. From the present study it also became evident that the efficiency of nutrient uptake increased at this combination. By adopting this practice, it was seen that the quality of coleus tubers improved and they became nutritionally more rich. This practice was found to be economically more feasible. Considering all these aspects, this fertilizer practice can be recommended to the farmers for getting a higher profit. From this investigation we can clearly establish a synergistic interaction of the two monovalent nutrient ions, K and Na on the growth and yield of coleus.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of organic farming practices on soil health,yield and quality of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcort)(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Devi Krishna; KAU; Usha P BThe research work entitled “impact of organic farming practices on soil health, yield and quality of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcort]” was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different nutrient sources (organic, inorganic and integrated) on soil health, yield and quality of cowpea using the variety Sharika. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three replications. Vermicompost, poultry manure, farmyard manure, their combinations with PSM, POP recommendation and NPK alone application as inorganic fertilizer constituted the eight treatments. The nutrient application was according to the POP (KAU, 2002) recommendation @ 20 : 30 : 10 kg ha-1 along with 20 t farmyard manure in all the treatments except the treatment receiving only inorganic fertilizer. Soil characters like porosity, water holding capacity, pH, CEC, organic C content, available nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu), enzyme activities (dehydrogenase and phosphatase) were significantly enhanced with vermicompost application either alone or in combination with PSM, but bulk density, soil temperature and C : N ratio get decreased with it. S status was improved by poultry manure addition. Available soil P significantly increased with PSM application. The growth characters including height of plant, number and weight of effective nodules, leaf area index recorded the highest values with vermicompost + PSM application (T5). Regarding yield, the treatment with POP recommendation (T1) was found to have higher pod yield and harvest index. Bhusa yield and total dry matter production got the highest values with vermicompost + PSM application. Statistically pod yield was found to be on par in (T1),(T5) and (T4) treatments. Concerning the quality attributes vermicompost + PSM application got superior values. The highest protein content, shelf life and the lowest fibre content were with vermicompost + PSM application. Organoleptic result showed superiority of poultry manure and vermicompost application. The nutrient content (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu) in bhusa at 50 per cent flowering stage and at harvest stage was the highest with vermicompost + PSM application (T5) except Mn and Cu which got slightly higher values with vermicompost application alone. P values were higher with PSM application for the three manures. S got higher values with poultry manure + PSM application. Regarding N, P, K, Ca and Mg, the treatment with POP recommendation showed a greater difference in values between the two stages of analysis. Pod nutrient status also showed the same trend, except the fact that the highest value for pod Mn was with the treatment receiving vermicompost alone. The bhusa, pod and total uptake values for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu was with vermicompost + PSM application except Zn which got higher values with vermicompost alone application. S uptake was highest with poultry manure + PSM application. All the soil characters, plant growth characters and yield attributes were best correlated with yield. Uptake of all nutrients and quality attributes showed positive and significant correlation. From the above points, it can be concluded that POP recommendation registered the highest pod yield, even though statistically it was on par with T5 and T4. While concerning environmental safety and quality of products, vermicompost + PSM application stands supreme.ThesisItem Open Access Zinc and boron availability in soils and impact of carriers on crop productivity(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Jyolsna, V K; KAU; Usha MathewA study entitled “Zinc and boron availability in soils and impact of carriers on crop productivity” was carried out at College of Agriculture, Vellayani 2003-2005 to monitor the effect of moisture levels with and without FYM on the availability of B and Zn in three types of soil viz., red, laterite and Onattukara sandy and the influence of carriers of Zn and B on tomato. The experiment consisted of two parts viz., incubation study and separate pot culture experiments with B and Zn. The physico-chemical analysis of soils used for incubation study was done using suitable analytical procedures. Incubation study was conducted at the laboratory to monitor the availability of B and Zn in red, laterite and Onattukara sandy soils. Two kg of each type of soil was taken in earthern pots of uniform size and incubated for two months at three moisture levels viz., air dry, field capacity and full saturation with and without FYM. The experiment was laid out in CRD with six treatments. They were, T1 – Air dry, T2 – Field capacity, T3 – Full saturation, T4 – T1 + FYM, T5 – T2 + FYM and T6 – T3 + FYM. Soil samples were drawn at fortnightly intervals and analysed for the available content of boron and zinc following standard analytical procedures. Separate pot culture experiments were conducted to study the influence of B and Zn using laterite soil on growth, yield and quality of tomato. They were laid out in CRD with treatments viz., T1 – fertilizers alone as per POP, T2 – fertilizers and FYM as per POP, T3 - T1 + B/Zn @ 0.5 /2.5 kg ha-1, T4 – T1 + B/Zn @ 1.0/5.0 kg ha-1, T5 – T1 + B/Zn @ 1.5/10 kg ha-1, T6 – T2 + B/Zn @ 0.5/2.5 kg ha-1, T7 – T2 + B/Zn @ 1.0/5.0 kg ha-1 and T8 – T2 + B/Zn @ 1.5/10.0 kg ha-1. Observation on various biometric and yield parameters had been recorded. Soil, plant and fruit analysis were done using standard analytical procedures. From the incubation study, it can be seen that B availability was more at full saturation condition than at air dry and field capacity moisture regimes in all the three soils. It was minimum at air dried state of soil. Available Zn recorded maximum value at air dried state than at field capacity and full saturation moisture regimes. The influence of B and Zn on the growth, yield and quality of tomato can be clearly understood from the pot culture experiments. Plant height and number of primary branches showed significant increase with B and Zn application. Yield, B : C ratio and quality parameters were higher in the treatments which comprise B/Zn along with FYM. Available K in soil after pot culture increased with increase in levels application of boron. The same trend was shown by DTPA-extracted Zn and Cu. Available Fe and Mn decreased by B application. Soil B increased with increase in level of B application. Plant content of these nutrients showed the same trend as that of soil content. Available P, Fe, Mn and Cu decreased with increase in levels of Zn application in the pot culture experiment with Zn. Soil available Zn increased with increase in level of application of Zn. Plant nutrient content showed considerable variations. There was an increasing trend for uptake of nutrients from T1 to T8 as there was an increase in total dry matter production in both the experiments. From the results cited above it can be confirmed that B and Zn fertilization has an important role in improving yield and quality of tomato. The highest yield, quality and B : C ratio were obtained when B was applied @ 1.5 kg ha-1. This indicates that further experiments may be conducted by raising the level of B above 1.5 kg ha-1 to verify its effect on contributing to further increase in yield. In the experiment with Zn, though the yield was the highest in T8, the B : C ratio was higher in T7 than in T8 . This indicates that economic yield was obtained when Zn was at 5 kg ha-1. For the purpose of formulating recommendations on application of B and Zn, more field studies need to be conducted.ThesisItem Open Access Soil properties and produce quality of Cardamom(Elettaria cardamomum Maton) under organic farming(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2004) Arun, G; KAU; Saifudeen, NAn investigation was conducted at the Upputhara panchayath of Peermede taluk, in Idukki district of Kerala with the objective to compare the soil properties, crop nutrient concentrations and quality of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) under organic and conventional farming.' Nine certified organic farms, that follow IMO and Skal International certification standards and eight adjacent conventional cardamom farms following recommendations of Spices Board were selected for investigation. Fifty samples each of soil and cardamom leaves were drawn from both organic and conventional farms. Cured cardamom samples were collected from each farm under study. A proforma was developed in accordance with the standards fixed by IFOAM for documenting farming practices of the study area Biometric parameters and yield attributes of cardamom plants were observed directly and yield data for the organic and conventional cardamom farms were collected from farm records during the survey. The orgaruc farms selected for the study did not follow strict package of practices and there were variations among individual farms, but within the purview of certification procedures. Conventional and organic farming practices of the study area differed mainly on fertilization policy, plant protection strategy, weed control and land management. Soils of the organic cardamom farms were found to have better aeration than conventional farms, evident from the significantly lower bulk density of soils of the organic farrns. Another significant effect of organic agriculture in cardamom was the improvement of soil electrochemical properties. The rich organic soils of the study area resulted in insignificant difference in organic carbon and organic matter content of the soils of the two farming systems. The ranges of major nutrients in soils were medium to high and hence the difference between organic and conventional cardamom farms with respect to major nutrients was also not consistent. Microbes were proliferating in the organic farms resulting in better decomposition of organic matter with concomitant solubility of major nutrients in the soil. But dehydrogenase enzyme activity of the soil didn't differ significantly. Conventional farming with chemical inputs enhanced morphological make up of cardamom plants. Leaf length, leaf breadth, plant height and number of tillers per clump were significantly low in organic cardamom plants. A reverse trend was seen in the case of petiole length. Panicle length, number of panicles per clump, number of racemes per panicle and number of capsules per raceme were significantly lower in organic farms contributing to lower yields, which of course are expected to improve as farming practices stabilize in due course. Since the morphological make up of the cardamom plants in the organic farms was relatively smaller, the minerals taken up were not diluted resulting in higher concentrations of major nutrients in organically managed plants. The effect of high levels of Ca in the exchange complex is also reflected in low uptake of Fe and Mn by organic cardamom plants. Size of fresh cardamom capsules, colour, and litre weight were higher in the organically produced cardamom samples. However, the number of seeds per capsule was lower in organic cardamom. Both oleoresin and volatile oil contents were found significantly superior in the organic to that of conventional cardamom.ThesisItem Open Access Dissipation of chlorpyrifos in red loam soil and its effect on soil organisms(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Rekha, P R; KAU; Thomas GeorgeThe persistence and degradation of chlorpyrifos, a contact insecticide, widely used for the control of soil inhabiting insects were studied in relation to the application of organic manure and lime and also its effect on soil organisms. The experiment was done in field plots at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The insecticide (chlorpyrifos 20 % EC) was applied @ 3 ml l-1 in different treatments. Soil samples were drawn 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 days after application and after the crop harvest. The residues were estimated in a gas liquid chromatograph using ECD. The results showed that dissipation of chlorpyrifos followed a biphasic pattern with an initial phase of rapid dissipation followed by a phase of slow dissipation. Significant difference in dissipation was observed among different treatments. In the presence of lime chlorpyrifos was found to be highly unstable and dissipated easily by alkaline hydrolysis. Organic manure applied plots the persistence of chlorpyrifos was high due to the adsorption of insecticide in organic matter. The combined application of lime and organic manure cause significant difference in the degradation. The pattern of degradation of chlorpyrifos at lower depth of 15-30 cm soil were similar to surface layer except the initial survey of the insecticide at lower surface layer was less compared to upper layer (0-15 cm). Application of chlorpyrifos inhibited the population of bacteria and arthropods, irrespective of the treatment. The bacterial population showed a significant decrease upto 10 days of application of chlorpyrifos and the original count was regained in 75 days. The result also showed that chlorpyrifos application did not affect fungal population. Chlorpyrifos was found to be highly toxic to soil arthropods upto 10 days of application and were not regained till 75 days of application. There was a slight decrease in nodulation in cowpea as compared to control. No residue of chlorpyrifos was detected in the plant parts (pods and grain) from any of the treatment after harvest. Nutrient content on the soil showed an increase in the analytical values due to the treatment effects.