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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 Growth, yield and secondary metabolite production responses to microbial elicitation in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2021) Ragin, Shaji; KAU; Deepa, S NairThe study entitled “Growth, yield and secondary metabolite production responses to microbial elicitation in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal.” was conducted at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during 2019-2021 with a view to evaluate the effect of bacterial inoculants on seed germination, seedling vigour, growth, yield and secondary metabolite production in W. somnifera. Seeds of W. somnifera were primed with B. amyloliquefaciens (Bam), B. pumilus (Bp) and B. velezensis (Bv) at 1x 108 cfu mL-1 individually and in combination for 24 h. Among these treatments, T7, the trio combination of Bam+Bp+Bv recorded the earliest germination (5.33 days) highest germination per cent (96.67), survival per cent (92.67) seedling vigour index (958.93), basal shoot girth (0.81 cm), number of leaves (6.07), leaf area (13.38 cm2 ), shoot length (5.77cm), root length (4.16 cm) and root volume (0.54 cm3 ). All the biopriming treatments with Bacillus spp. recorded superior germination and seedling parameters over the untreated control (T9) and hydropriming (T8). The seedlings from the first phase were subjected to root dip with the respective bacterial suspension for 30 min on transplanting. The morphological and yield determining parameters such as shoot length(78.99 cm), root length (21.27cm), number of branches (8.78), number of leaves (71.00), collar girth (3.91 cm), leaf area (5146.81 cm2 ) number of flowering branches (7.89), stem fresh weight (61 .85 g plant -1 ), stem dry weight(9.78 g plant -1 ), leaf fresh weight (45.89 g plant -1 ), leaf dry weight (5.07g plant - 1 ), root fresh weight (5.47g plant-1 ), root dry weight (1.44 g plant-1 ) 100 seed weight (0.26g ) root diameter (1.33cm), root volume (5.39 cm3 ) and harvest index (0.10) were observed to be significantly higher in T7, the trio combination of (Bam+ Bp+ Bv), which was observed to be on par with T5, dual combination of (Bam+ Bv). T5 was found to be superior in shoot fresh and dry weight, berry fresh and dry weight, number of berries and 133 seed yield per plant and total dry matter production (97.48, 17.51, 8.85 and 5.32 g plant-1 , 90.56, 7.35, 18.89 g plant-1 respectively, which was observed to be on par with T7. All the said parameters were significantly lower in untreated control. Seedlings treated with bacterial suspension of B. velezensis (Bv) recorded highest chlorophyll content in the leaves of W. somnifera at the time of harvest. The highest total alkaloid content in leaves (7.86 µg 100 mg-1 ) was recorded in dual combination of Bp+Bv which was on par with the other combinantions, Bam+Bv (T5) and Bam+Bp+Bv (T7). T5 recorded the highest protein and carbohydrate content (2.96 and 23.30 mg 100 mg-1 respectively) in the roots which was on par with T7. The withanolide content was superior (7.46 µg mg-1 ) in T7, Bam+Bp+Bv which was on par with T5, Bam+Bv and T6, Bp+Bv. The yield of biochemical parameters on per plant basis viz., total leaf alkaloids, total root withanolides were the highest (397.44 µg plant-1, and 10.77 mg plant-1 respectively) in trio combination of T7 which was on par with dual combination T5. The control treatment recorded significantly lower values in all the biochemical parameters observed. In the first phase of the study, the trio combination of Bam + Bp+ Bv (T7) gave the best performance in terms of seed germination, seedling growth and seedling vigor index, In the second phase, Bam + Bp+ Bv (T7) and Bam+ Bv (T5) gave superior performance, in terms of plant growth, yield and biochemical parameters.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of medicinal plant-based formulations for growth, yield and pest management in chilli (Capsicum annuum Linn.)(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2021) Shafreena Shirin, P; KAU; Lissamma, JosephPest management is one of the important components of crop management to mitigate economic losses of agricultural crops and commodities. The harmful effects of chemical pesticides on environment and health concern have caused a shift to adapt various ecofriendly ways of pest management. Therefore, botanical pesticides are gaining popularity because they are safe to use on crops produced for human consumption and recently there is a lucrative market among consumers willing to pay more for organically produced food. This positive trend has encouraged the research field to focus more on ecofriendly and effective pest management strategies. A study entitled “Evaluation of medicinal plant-based formulations for growth, yield and pest management in Chilli (Capsicum annuum Linn.)” was carried out at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara during the period from October 2020 to May 2021 with Chilli variety Anugraha as the test crop. Three medicinal plant based trial products (P1, P2, and P3) and their combinations (P4, P5 and P6), developed and screened at Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research Station (AMPRS), Odakkali were utilized for the study. P1 was developed from Vayambu (Acorus calamus), P2 from Manja Koova (Curcuma zedoaria), P3 from Erukku (Calotropis gigantea), P4 from Acorus calamus and Curcuma zedoaria, P5 from Curcuma zedoaria and Calotropis gigantea and P6 from Acorus calamus and Calotropis gigantea. Solid soap formulations of these three and their combination were evaluated at one and two per cent concentrations at ten days intervals along with an absolute control (T13- 1% soap solution without any botanicals) and positive control (T14-1% Neem garlic extract). The growth parameters like plant height (cm), leaf length (cm), breadth (cm),and days to 50 per cent flowering and fruiting, yield characters like fruit length (cm) and breadth (cm), fruit weight (g), number of fruits and fresh fruit yield per plant and qualitative characters like Vitamin C (mg 100g-1 ) and oleoresin content (%) were recorded. Statistical comparison of morphological and qualitative parameters under various treatments was done through one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using KAU GRAPES software. Effect of spraying the liquid formulations of medicinal plant based products and their combinations against sucking pests like thrips, whitefly and aphids during the experimental period (December, 2020 to May, 2021) were studied. Population density of sucking pests viz. thrips, white fly and aphids were recorded. Data on mean population of sucking pests were tested by analysis of covariance (ANOCOVA) using R studio software, taking population counts prior to the treatments application as covariate. The result obtained was subjected to Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) and treatments were analysed. The plant height showed an increasing trend from one month after transplanting to five month after transplanting. The increment in plant height was reduced from three months onwards after attaining the reproductive stage. The maximum cumulative plant height of 61.05 cm was observed in T3 (Calotropis gigantea at 1%) among the treatments.The maximum cumulative leaf length of 5.82 cm was observed in T2 (Curcuma zedoariaat 1%). The maximum cumulative leaf breadth of 2.87cm was observed in T14 (Pest management as per Organic POP). Days to 50 per cent flowering for different treatments varied from 42.66 to 47.66 days. The minimum days to 50 per cent flowering recorded in T5- Curcuma zedoaria at 2 per cent and T6- Calotropis gigantea at 2 per cent. Days to 50 per cent fruiting for different treatments varied from 55 to 62.66 days. Treatment T9- Curcuma zedoaria and Calotropis gigantea at 1 per cent recorded minimum days to 50 per cent fruiting (55 days). Fruit length of chilli variety Anugraha under different treatments varied from 6.13 cm to 6.80cm. The maximum fruit length of 6.8 cm was recorded in T6 (Calotropis gigantea at 2%). Fruit breadth (cm) varied from 2.16 to 2.76 cm. The maximum fruit breadth of 2.76 cm was recorded in T5- Curcuma zedoaria at 2 per cent. Per fruit weight ranged from 1.22 to 1.63 g. The maximum per frit weight of 1.63 g was recorded in T3 (Calotropis gigantea at 1%).The number of fruits per plant ranged from 35.15 to 104.95 and the maximum number of fruits per plant (104.95) was recorded in T6- Calotropis gigantea at 2 per cent. The fresh fruit yield per plant ranged from 54.95 to 121.90 g. Treatment T6 (Calotropis gigantea at 2%) recorded the maximum fresh fruit yield per plant. Factors which influence the yield of the crop like maximum plant height, earliness (minimum days to 50 per cent flowering and fruiting), maximum fruit length, maximum number of fruits per plant were recorded in T6 (Calotropis gigantea at 2%). There was no significant difference for the qualitative characters like Vitamin C (mg 100g-1 ) and oleoresin content (%) with respect to the application of the medicinal plant based formulations. Efficacy of medicinal plant based formulations was studied against various sucking pests during the experimental period. Calotropis gigantea based pesticidal soap formulation showed comparatively good results against thrips population in chilli variety Anugraha under different treatments. Minimum population of whitefly was observed in the treatment T4- Acorus calamus at 2 per cent among various treatments. Acorus calamus based formulation also showed good results with lower pest load against aphids. In general, over all disease incidence in the treatment plot was negligible during the experimental period and Calotropis and Acorus based formulations were showed comparatively good performance in the aspects of growth, yield and pest management in chilli variety Anugraha.ThesisItem Open Access Germination and plant growth responses in Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera (L.) Dunal) and Kiriyathu (Andrographis paniculata (Burm.F.) Nees) to seed pretreatments(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2020) Namitha, Nadesh; KAU; Deepa S, NairGermination and plant growth responses in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) and Kiriyathu (Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees) to seed pretreatments. The present investigation entitled “Germination and plant growth responses in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) and Kiriyathu (Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees) to seed pretreatments” was conducted in the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2018-2020 with the objective to standardize pretreatment of seeds for enhanced germination and plant growth in W. somnifera and A. paniculata. The seeds of W. somnifera and A. paniculata used for the study were sourced from Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat, India. The study was carried out in two phases: Phase 1- Pretreatment of seeds for enhanced germination; Phase 2- Evaluation of transplanted seedlings obtained from pretreated seeds for enhanced plant growth. The seeds of W. somnifera and A. paniculata were subjected to various pretreatments viz., physical treatment, hormonal priming, biostimulant priming and biopriming (using microbes). The seeds kept for germination without any pretreatment were taken as the control. In the first phase of the study in W. somnifera, seeds subjected to water soaking recorded higher germination (84.00 per cent), seedling length (13.30 cm) and seedling vigour index (11.16) which were on par with that of hot water treatment. Among the hormonal priming treatments, seeds exposed to GA3 @1500 μM recorded the highest germination (82.00 per cent), seedling length (14.40 cm) and seedling vigour index (11.80) which were found to be on par with GA3 @1500 μM. In biostimulant seed priming, PG @ 10μM primed seeds recorded higher germination (64.00 per cent), seedling length (10.57cm) and seedling vigour index (6.67) and were found to be on par with those of PG @ 1μM primed seeds. The biopriming treatments had no significant effect on germination and seedling length. However, significantly higher seedling vigour index was observed in all the biopriming treatments over the control treatment. Among all the pretreatments tried, water soaking treatment, hot water treatment, GA3 @ 1500μM was recorded significantly higher germination, seedling length and seedling vigour index. In the second phase of the study, the 30 day old seedlings of W. somnifera raised from pretreated seeds and untreated (control) seeds were transplanted and evaluated for plant growth and yield (shoot and root biomass), at harvest (120 DAS). Among the physical treatments, W. somnifera plants derived from water soaked seeds were observed to give higher plant height (60.80cm), number of branches (5.00), collar girth (0.47 cm), shoot biomass (fresh-37.61 g plant-1; dry -7.17 g plant-1) and root biomass (fresh-5.60 g plant-1; dry-0.79 g plant-1). These were observed to be on par in plants from hot water treated seeds, except for the number of branches and shoot biomass. Among the hormonal priming treatments, plants from GA3 @ 1500 μM primed seeds recorded higher plant height (55.57cm), shoot (fresh-27.73 g plant-1; dry-5.09 g plant-1) and root (fresh-5.60 g plant-1; dry-0.79 g plant-1) biomass. The plant height and shoot biomass were found to be on par with that of GA3 @ 1500 μM. In biostimulant priming, plants generated from PG @ 10 μM treated seeds gave the highest plant height (46.37 cm), shoot (fresh-21.40 g plant-1; dry-3.96 g plant-1) and root (fresh-4.36 g plant-1; dry-0.64 g plant-1) biomass. The plant height and shoot biomass were observed to be on par with that of PG @ 1μM. However, the highest number of branches and collar girth were recorded in plants raised from PG @ 1μM and SA @ 1500 μM primed seeds. Among the biopriming treatments, plants derived from the seeds treated with B. pumilis, recorded higher plant height (47.63 cm), number of branches (3.00), shoot (fresh-23.07 g plant-1; dry-4.39 g plant-1) and root (fresh-4.43 g plant-1; 0.63 g plant-1) biomass. The plant height and shoot weight was on par with that of P. fluorescens and the plants from the same treatment recorded the highest collar girth. Among the various pretreatments tried, plants raised from water soaked seeds gave better performance with respect to plant height, number of branches, collar girth and shoot biomass. The plants from hot water treated and GA3 @ 1500μM primed seeds gave the highest root biomass, which was observed to be on par with that in plants from water soaked seeds. In the first phase of the study in A. paniculata, seeds when exposed to physical treatments, higher germination (84.67 per cent), seedling length (15.93 cm) and seedling vigour index (13.38) were recorded in hot water treatment followed by scarification. Among the hormonal priming treatments, GA3 @1500μM primed seeds recorded the highest germination (82.00 per cent), seedling length (16.37 cm) and seedling vigour index (13.42). With respect to biostimulant seed priming, seeds treated with PG @ 1μM recorded higher germination (66.67 per cent) and seedling vigour index (6.03), while seedling length did not show any variation among the biostimulant treatments. Among the biopriming treatments, seeds primed with B. velezensis recorded the highest germination (82.67 per cent), seedling length (11.33 cm) and seedling vigour index (9.29). In A. paniculata, among all the pretreatments tried hot water treated as well as GA3 @ 1500 μM primed seeds recorded higher germination, seedling length and seedling vigour index. In the second phase of the study in A. paniculata, the 30 day old seedlings from pretreated seeds and untreated (control) seeds were transplanted and evaluated for plant growth and yield (whole plant biomass) at harvest (110 DAS). Among the physical treatments, A.paniculata plants derived from hot water treated seeds recorded higher plant height (55.77 cm), number of branches (21.67), collar girth (1.83 cm) and whole plant biomass (fresh-59.60 g plant-1; dry-21.90 g plant-1) at harvest. These were on par with those of scarified seeds. In hormonal priming, the highest plant height (56.80 cm), number of branches (20.00), collar girth (1.90 cm) and whole plant biomass (fresh-56.63 g plant-1 and dry-23.60 g plant-1) were observed in plants raised from seeds primed with GA3 @1500μM. Among the biostimulant priming, higher plant height (48.57 cm), number of branches (16.00), collar girth (1.20 cm) and whole plant biomass (fresh-38.97g plant-1 and dry-13.14g plant-1) were observed in plants raised from PG @1 μM primed seeds. On evaluation of plants derived from bioprimed seeds, those from B. velezensis primed seeds recorded the highest plant height (55.77 cm), number of branches (19.33), collar girth (1.50 cm) and whole plant biomass (fresh-53.97 g plant-1; dry16.87 g plant-1). Among all the seed pretreatments tried, plants generated from hot water treated and GA3@1500μM primed seeds recorded higher plant height, number of branches, collar girth and whole plant biomass. Among the various seed pretreatments tried, W. somnifera seeds exposed to water soaking, hot water and GA3@1500μM and A. paniculata seeds exposed to hot water treatment and GA3@1500μM recorded superior performance with respect to seed germination, seedling vigour, plant growth and yield.ThesisItem Open Access Economic Feasibilityb of Betelvine as an Intercrops in Rubber Holdings of Mavelikkara Taluk(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1993) Vijayakumari, P R; KAU; Nazeem, P AA study has been conducted to analyse the economic feasibility of betelvine as an intercrop in the rubber holding of Mavelikkara taluk . Only five units having betelvine as intercrop could be identified in this area. One hundred other holding 20 each of betelvine as pure crop, plantain as intercrop, plantain as pure crop having covercrop and without any intercrop were also selected for the study . The study revealed that only a small portion of the holding was occupied by the betelvine, when it was treated as an intercrop. The cost of cultivation was found to be very high when compared with other cash crops. This might be the reason for limiting the cultivation to a small portion. This was confirmed by the fact that betelvine as pure crop was also limited in extent. The benefit cost analysis of the above crops revealed that betelvine cultivation was highly profitable with a benefit cost ratio of 2.51 in the intercropped area and was significantly higher than that for plantain which is the other common intercrop. The soil analysis data showed that betelvine absorbed lesser nutrients than plantain . The rubber plants of betelvine intercropped area showed vigorous growth than other intercrops which was due to the regular irrigation and fortnightly application of organic manure to the betelvine. Though the cost of cultivation was very high for betelvine , it could be recommended as an intercrop in the rubber holdings where there is availability of water throughout the year since it ensures substantial weekly income for the grower and his family. Though betelvine could be treated as a perennial crop, the farmers choosing it as an intercrop in rubber holdings will have to sacrifice the same by the fourth year when the rubber canopy closes to the full extent. Hence, we can suggest betelvine as an intercrop in rubber holdings only if land is too scare for its monoculture.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative study of fertilizer recommendations based on soil and leaf analysis vis a vis blanket recommendations of rubber board(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Rajendran, P V; KAU; Nazeem, P AA case study was made to assess the comparison of the dosage of fertilizer recommendation based on soil and leaf analysis vis-à-vis blanket recommendation of the rubber Board. Almost all estates in our country are practicing this method of fertilizer application and systematic data is available only from large estates.. Hence the case study was confined to Estate Sector. From the soil analytical values and economics of fertilizer usage of the nine estates studied, the following observations are made. 1. In general organic carbon status of the soil was found to be medium, though high values were also recorded in some fields. 2. The available phosphorus status of the soil was found to be low in most of the cases. 3. Except in one estate, all the estates were low in available potassium. The observation on the leaf analytical value are as follows: 1. Nitrogen status was in the medium range in most of the cases and only in few cases it is high. 2. Leaf phosphorus was found to be in medium to high range inspite of low available soil phosphorus. 3. Leaf potassium also followed same trend as leaf phosphorus. Economics of fertilizer usage based on soil and leaf analisis revealed the following: Savings in quantity as well as the cost of fertiliser could be made in seven estates. The cost of fertilizer saved per hectare was found to be Rs. 31.23. Eventhough in two estates no savings in quantity as well as in the cost of fertilizer could be made by adopting discriminatory approach, it was possible to maintain the balance among the nutrients in these estates preventing the likely drop of yield.ThesisItem Open Access Optimizing propagation techniques in neelayamari (Indigofera tinctoria L.)(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2019) Mekha Mariam, Abraham; KAU; Krishnakumary, KIndia is acknowledged as one of the world’s richest treasure trove of medicinal plants. Neelayamari (Indigofera tinctoria L.) commonly known as ‘Indian indigo’, is a commercially grown leguminous plant of medicinal importance. The extract of the leaves is reported to have remarkable effect on hair growth and in preventing juvenile greying of hair. Due to the presence of many worthy phytochemicals, the crop is being documented in ‘Ashtangahridaya’ and is being cultivated by several pharmaceutical entrepreneurs, both in public and private sector. Like most of the medicinal plants, the cheapest method of propagation of this crop is through seeds. However, poor germination and vigour of seeds is a major problem in Neelayamari. In addition, heavy loss in seed yield occurs due to the splitting of pods at maturity. The study ‘Optimizing propagation techniques in Neelayamari (Indigofera tinctoria L.)’ was conducted in the Department of Plantation crops and Spices, with the objectives of standardizing the physiological maturity stage in Indigofera tinctoria L. for seed harvest, presowing seed treatments to enhance seed quality and longevity and vegetative propagation technique in Indigofera tinctoria L. through stem cuttings. In order to assess the stage of attainment of physiological maturity for seed harvest in Neelayamari, flowers were tagged on the day of anthesis and the pods were harvested at five days interval from 30 days of anthesis up to the pod splitting stage (63 days after anthesis). It was observed that the values of pod, seed and seedling characters increased up to 45 days after anthesis to reach their highest and thereafter declined till the pod splitting stage (63 days after anthesis). Germination and vigour indices at 45 days after anthesis were 73.80 per cent, 485 and 294 respectively and those at the pod splitting stage were found to be 31.33 per cent, 132 and 65 respectively. Hence, it was inferred that the seeds of Neelayamari reached physiological maturity stage by 45 days after anthesis. The seeds harvested at physiological maturity were dried to 8 per cent moisture content and subjected to various seed treatments before being packed in 700 gauge polyethylene bags. Untreated seeds served as the control. The seeds were stored under ambient conditions upto six months. The scarification treatments included treatment with Conc. H2SO4 for 5, 10 and 15 minutes, mechanical scarification with sand, hot water treatment at 80oC for 20 minutes and 60oC for 30 minutes and hydration for 24 hours. The quality parameters of the stored seeds were recorded at monthly intervals during the storage period and were put for germination test in sterilized sand media. Results pointed out that most of the seed treatments were effective in enhancing germination. High initial germination was recorded in mechanically scarified (95.83 %) and hydrated seeds (93.27%), while the untreated seeds showed a germination of 74.33 per cent. Vigour index I (703 and 698 respectively) and II (430 and 428 respectively) were also the highest in these treatments. Seed treatment with sulphuric acid, however, proved to be detrimental. Seed treatment also helped in extending the viability of the seeds. Mechanically scarified and hydrated seeds retained their germination above 60 per cent for six months during storage (65.67% and 63.67% respectively), while, in untreated seeds, germination reached 61.33 per cent at four months of storage and declined to 44.34 per cent by six months of storage. Seeds treated with sulphuric acid never attained the germination of sixty per cent throughout the storage period and those treated with sulphuric acid for 15 minutes failed to germinate at sixth month of storage. EC was found to be the lowest in hydrated seeds (0.0011 dSm-1) and mechanically scarified seeds (0.0012 dSm-1). The results thus indicated that mechanical scarification of seeds or hydropriming for 24 h can not only improve seed germination and seed quality but also prolong the longevity of the seeds. It was also noticed that all the seed quality parameters declined along the storage period. Attempt to assess the possibility of vegetative propagation in Neelayamari was carried out using hardwood, semi-hardwood and softwood cuttings, exposed to varying doses of IBA (250 ppm, 500 ppm, 750 ppm, 1000 ppm, 1500 ppm, 2000 ppm and 2500 ppm) and charcoal slurry dip. The cuttings were planted in polythene bags and were maintained in a mist chamber. Initially, the experiment was conducted during summer season and only the softwood cuttings treated with 2000 (8.89%) and 1500 ppm IBA (5.53%) survived after 60 days of planting, while all others withered and dried off. The experiment was then repeated during rainy season and the best results were obtained in the season. Softwood cuttings treated with 2000 ppm IBA during rainy season exhibited early sprouting (7.18 days) and a field establishment of 70.67 per cent. In comparison, the semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings exhibited very low establishment rates of 21.77 per cent and 17.90 per cent respectively. Hence, it was evident that vegetative propagation using softwood cuttings treated with 2000 ppm IBA during rainy season can be relied upon as an alternative propagation method in Neelayamari.ThesisItem Open Access Stock scion interaction in Piper nigrum L. grafts(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2019) Sarga George; KAU; Sujatha, V SBlack Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) also called ‘King of Spices’ and ‘Black Gold’, is one of the most widely used spices in the world, occupying a position that is supreme and unique. India is one among the countries where black pepper is being widely cultivated. However our productivity is low compared to other pepper producing countries in the world. Among the various factors limiting the productivity of Indian pepper, a soil borne disease called foot rot caused by Phytophthora is of prime importance. Piper nigrum is highly susceptible to Phytophthora foot rot. It has been reported that some South American Piper spp. are immune to Phytophthora. Interspecific crossing between Piper nigrum and immune species has not been successful so far. Grafting on resistant rootstock is a method to escape soil borne inoculum. The present study was conducted to assess the stock and scion interaction in grafts of Piper nigrum L. on different South American species of Piper immune to Phytophthora foot rot and to standardize the best time of grafting. The study was carried out as three experiments, viz., grafting studies, anatomical studies on Piper species and anatomical studies on graft union at different stages of development. Orthotropic as well as plageotropic shoots of P. nigrum, variety Panniyur 1 was grafted on three South American Piper species viz., P. colubrinum, P. auduncum and P. arboreum. Grafting of Piper nigrum on the same species was also done to study the feasibility of such grafting. The trial was laid out in completely randomized design. When orthotropic shoot of P. nigrum was used as scion, highest grafting success was recorded by the grafts of P. nigrum on the same species (100%) followed by the grafts on P. colubrinum (96.66%), P. auduncum (66.66%) and P. arboreum (46.66%). Graft survival after one year of grafting was 90.00, 83.33 and 33.33 per cent for P. nigrum/P. nigrum, P. nigrum/ P. colubrinum and P. nigrum/ P. auduncum grafts respectively. Survival of P. nigrum grafts on P. arboreum was very limited. None of these grafts survived for more than three months after grafting. Irrespective of rootstocks, the best month identified for grafting orthotropic shoot of P. nigrum was March. Although, self grafts showed highest per cent success in grafting, based on the growth of grafted plants (six month old), grafts on P. colubrinum was found to be the best with highest plant height (120.55 cm), number of nodes (18.91) and internodal length (6.32 cm). The graft recovery was less when plageotropic shoot of P. nigrum was used as scion. The highest per cent success was recorded by the grafts of P. nigrum on the same species (93.33%) followed by the grafts on P. colubrinum (66.66%), P. auduncum (36.66%) and P. arboreum (26.66%). March was identified as the best month for grafting plageotropic shoot of P. nigrum on P. nigrum, P. auduncum and P. arboreum. However, grafts on P. colubrinum performed best when grafted during June. Graft survival after one year of grafting was 66.66, 30 and 16.66 per cent for P. nigrum/P. nigrum, P. nigrum/ P. colubrinum and P. nigrum/ P. auduncum grafts respectively. Survival of P. nigrum grafts on P. arboreum was very limited. As far as the growth of grafted plants was concerned, highest growth was shown by the grafts of P. nigrum on the same species. In the anatomical studies of Piper spp. it was observed that, Piper species exhibited a peculiar arrangement of vascular bundles. Two rings of vascular bundles comprising of an outer, cortical and an inner, medullary bundles were observed in all the four Piper species examined. Mucilage canal was present only in P. nigrum while an additional medullary bundle was observed in P. colubrinum. Large pith region was the characteristic feature of P. auduncum and P. arboreum. Examination of graft union at three, six and twelve months after grafting revealed that, graft union formation was completed by six months after grafting. One year old P. nigrum/ P. colubrinum grafts and P. nigrum/ P. auduncum grafts exhibited the formation of a dense necrotic area at the graft interface. Based on the observations, it can be concluded that, due to the peculiar arrangement of vascular bundles in Piper species, matching of all the vascular bundles of stock and scion is difficult. However, complete union of parenchymatous tissues of stock and scion was formed within six months after grafting. But, a proper cambial connection between the grafting partners was not evident. Further studies need to be conducted to find out the reasons for the development of dense necrotic area at the graft interface.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of spacing and planting material on the growth, yield and active principle in Plumbago rosea L.(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Subha, S; KAU; Sreekandan Nair, GInvestigations on "Effect of spacing and planting material on the growth, yield and active principle in Plumbago rosea L." was conducted at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1987-88, using factorial RBD design for exploiting this valuable medicinal plant with the following objectives: (1). To standardise the size of shoots as planting material for commercial cultivation. (2). To standardise the best spacing for better growth, yield and active principle. (3). To explore the possibility of growing Plumbago rosea L. as a commercial crop. (4). To explore the possibility of grooming this plant as an annual plant.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of rubber producers societies on rubber plantation industry in Kasargod District(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Jose, M J; KAU; Nazeem, P ARubber Producers Societies were formed among small rubber growers to improve their rubber production, productivity, processing and marketing facilities. The survey was conducted to evaluate the impact of Rubber Producers Society on rubber plantation industry in Kasargod District. 110 Rubber Producers Society members in the district were contacted for this purpose using a structured interview schedule the data were collected from the respondents and analysed by simple statistical producers such as percentage, means and standard deviations. The major findings of the study could be summarised as follows.
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