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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Open Access
Impact of the coconut rehabilation programme of SADU in Trivandrum district
(Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Lekshmi Narayanan Nair, N; KAU; Radhakrishnan, V
This study was conducted in 1983 to assess the impact of the Coconut Rehabilitation Programme implemented in Trivandrum District as part of the World Bank assisted, Kerala Agricultural Development project. The specific objectives were to examine the extent of utilization of loans, the improvements in cropping pattern and farming practices, changes in yield rates and output and the increase in farm income generated by this programme. The relative efficiency of irrigation and the various intercrops in augmenting the net farm incomes of the participating farmers was compared and the major constraints in improving coconut farming in the district were also identified as a part of this study. Data were collected from a sample of 96 participating farmers selected at random from the 14 Package Units functioning in the district under this project through personal interview using a well structured schedule. The main findings of the study are summarized below. Majority of the holdings (51.03 per cent) were in the category of less than 0.80 hectare but they accounted for only 27.36 per cent of the area covered. Holdings of 0.80 hectare and above predominated (59.26 per cent) in the category of irrigated holdings. About 49 per cent of the households depended on non-agricultural pursuits for their main source of income. Eighty per cent of the families were relatively small in size with a membership of less than 7. The overall average investment estimated, sanctioned and spent per hectare for the 96 holdings under study worked out to Rs. 17923.05, Rs.14393.67 and Rs.14959.57 respectively. Though the overall performance in respect of loan utilization was satisfactory, there was shortfall in utilization of loans under Cocoa (58 per cent), coconut gapfilling (41 per cent), purchase of Cows (23 per cent) and Fodder Development (17 per cent). The percentage of utilization of loans in the case of unirrigated category was low (50.18) compared to the irrigated category (122.43). Among the lending institutions through which the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development funds were channelised, Primary Co-operative Land Mortgage Bank was the most acceptable agency (61 per cent). The cropping intensity of the sample increased from 111.77 per cent to 189.87 per cent consequent on the implementation of the programme. The area under coconut, banana, cocoa and fodder increased while that under tapioca decreased. The density of coconut palms increased from 125 palms per hectare to 176 palms. This is against the project objective of attaining an optimum stand of 175 healthy and high-yielding coconut palms. By and large the target set for intercropping programme as per the individual farm production plans has been achieved. The target was exceeded in respect of banana (119.3 per cent) coconut (103.34 per cent) and cocoa (101.2 per cent). Tapioca continued to be the intercrop widely preferred by the coconut growers (192.75 per cent). Shortfall was mainly in the coverage of area under fodder (18 per cent) and livestock to be purchased (36 per cent). The project has been instrumental in stepping up substantially the level of use of various inputs including irrigation. Fifty four holdings had the benefit of irrigation covering 62 per cent of the net area covered by the sample, while in 13 cases though irrigated development was contemplated, it had not been successful due to operational constraints such as failure to obtain electric connection, failure of wells etc. The average cost of a pumpset with accessories worked out to Rs. 8717.68 while the average amount sanctioned under the lending programme was only Rs.7715 per pumpset. The intensity of senile and uneconomic palms as revealed by the study was only 3.6 palm per hectare against the projection of 20 palms per hectare assumed in the project report. Out of 388 palms identified for cutting and removal only 77 were actually removed. Though the target in respect of gap filling has been exceeded by planting 4790 seedlings against the target of 4762 seedlings, the maintenance of the seedlings was not upto the standard. The increase in use of organic manure for coconut from 17 to 48 kg per palm is commendable. But the use of organic manure for the intercrops is deplorably low especially for banana (6 kg per plant) cocoa (3 kg per plant) fodder (2200 kg per hectare) and tapioca (3698 kg per hectare). Fertilizer application for coconut has increased from 0.22 kg to 1.52 kg per palm. The average fertilizer dose of 0.08 kg per cocoa plant 0.25 kg per banana plant, 33 kg per hectare for fodder and 113 kg per hectare for tapioca as adopted by the participants were also inadequate. Only 6 out of 96 holdings covered under the survey have adopted plant protection measures. The intensity of cultural practices has increased many fold with the biggest increase for coconut (562 per cent). All the crops except tapioca have registered substantial increase in total production. Banana, coconut and milk production registered increases of 677 per cent, 62.45 per cent and 15 per cent respectively. Production of tapioca declined by 25.6 per cent. The increase in productivity of coconut was only 38 per cent over the productivity at the pre-project level. In absolute terms the productivity of coconut has increased from 25 nuts to 30 nuts per palm in the unirrigated holdings while the increase in irrigated holdings was from 30 nuts to 44 nuts per palm. The overall increase was from 29 to 40 nuts for the sample as a whole. The increase in yield was highest in the holdings which have completed 5 years (67 per cent) of development followed by holdings completing 4 years (31 per cent) and 3 years (29 per cent). The post project average yield of intercrops such as cocoa (Rs.59 per hectare) banana (6.95 kg per plant) fodder (4525 kg per hectare) and tapioca (5055 kg per hectare) was considerably low. The average gross income per holding increased from Rs.4478 to Rs.9224. In per hectare terms the increase was from Rs.4613 to Rs.9502 (105 per cent). The average net farm income rose from Rs.2860 to Rs.3821 per hectare (34 per cent). The increase in net farm income was maximum in the case of holdings which had completed 5 years of development (69 per cent) followed by holdings completing 4 years (32 per cent) and 3 years (20 per cent). An increase of 47 per cent in the average yield of coconut, 62 per cent in fodder, 0.47 per cent in banana, 134 per cent in cocoa and 17 per cent in milk was notices under the irrigated holdings over the unirrigated holdings. Comparative analysis of the different intercrops indicated that banana is the most profitable intercrop in coconut gardens in Trivandrum district with a potential net return of Rs.6015 per hectare. Mixed farming with dairying as one of the components, though successful in holdings of more than 0.8 hectare size, ranks only second in order of profitability, with a net income of Rs.2990 per hectare. Tapioca with an average return of Rs.621 per hectare ranks third in the order of profitability. Cocoa, the fourth intercrop compared showed negative returns at the yield and price levels prevailed. Economic uplift of the coconut growers by augmenting farm income through whole farm development approach had been the basic objective of the project. On the whole the project has made a good beginning in this direction in spite of several operational constraints.
Open Access
Effect of growth regulators on flowering pollination and seed-set in ginger(zingiber officinale, rose)
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Usha, K; KAU; Balakrishnan, S
Flowering behaviour and floral biology of Rio-de-Janeiro and Maran and the effect of growth regulators viz., kinetin (5, 10 and 15 ppm), Ethrel (25, 50 and 100 ppm) and NAA (10, 25 and 50 ppm) in combination with two per cent urea and without urea on flowering, pollination and seed-set in Rio-de-Janeiro were studied at the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural university, Vellanikkara during 1981-’83. The objective of the investigation was to assess the available varieties of ginger for flowering behaviour and to evaluate the effect of growth regulators with and without urea on the flowering behaviour, floral biology, floral structure, pollination and seed- set in Rio-de-Janeiro. (The possibility of overcoming the problems of shy and irregular flowering, poor pollen germination and the failure to set seeds also was explored during the investigation). (Among the 25 varieties studied, flowering was observed only in two varieties viz., Rio-de-Janeiro and Maran). Considerable variation was noticed between Rio-de-Janeiro and Maran with respect to flowering behaviour, extent of flowering, types of inflorescence, time taken for scape development, anthesis, anther dehiscence, pollen production, pollen fertility, style length and ovary length. Long but thin style was noticed both in Rio-de-Janero and Maran. Irrespective of the variety, flowers were found to rot/ and dry within 16 hours after flower opening. The maximum pollen germination (6.20 per cent) was obtained in the medium containing eight per cent sucrose, three per cent gelatin and 60 ppm boric acid under moist cotton covering in BOD incubator (26.50C). Coiling of the pollen tube during the advanced stages of growth was noticed. Pollination carried out in Rio-de-Janeiro and Maran employing the variables like stage of flower (bud stage, immediately after flower opening and three hours after flower opening), condition of stigma (partial and complete removal of style), density of pollen (smearing once, twice and thrice with standard brush), mixed pollen (ginger pollen with either Alpinia, Hedychium, Kaempheria or Costus pollen) and supplementary pollination (repeated pollination twice at two hours interval) failed to record any positive evidence of seed-set. Effect of growth regulators and urea on flowering behaviour, inflorescence characteristics and floral structures of ginger was evidenced during the study. ( Favourable influence of NAA 50 ppm on inducing early flowering, kinetin 15 ppm on the duration of flowering, NAA and kinetin on inflorescence production, NAA 50 ppm without urea on the number of flowers per inflorescence, NAA 10 ppm and all the three levels of kinetin on pollen production, NAA on pollen diameter, higher levels of Kinetin and Ethrel and lower levels of NAA on exine thinning, Ethrel 25 ppm in combination with urea, Kinetin 15 ppm with urea, NAA 50 ppm and Kinetin 10 ppm on pollen fertility, lower levels of Kinetin and Ethrel on reducing the style length, Kinetin 15 ppm and NAA 10 ppm on ovary length, Ethrel 25 ppm with urea and higher levels of NAA and Kinetin on pollen germination and NAA 50 ppm on pollen tube growth was revealed during the study.) Floral biology of Rio-de-Janeiro was not influenced by growth regulator and urea treatments. Abnormal floral structures occurred as isolated cases and therefore the role of growth regulators and urea in this respect was not clear from the results. (Pollination carried out in ginger (var.Rio-de-Janeiro) plants, subjected to growth regulator treatments with and without urea, employing the variables like stage of flower, condition of stigma, density of pollen, mixed pollen and supplementary pollination failed to result in seed-set.)
Open Access
Varietal screening of banana against anthracnose disease
(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Srinagesh, K L; KAU; Jose, P C
Laboratory and field studies of the varietal screening of banana against anthracnose disease were conducted at the college of Horticulture. Vellanikkara and at Banana Research Station, Kannara respectively during 1981-1983. In the field the infection started at the distal end of the banana fruit and in course of time the infected fruit became blackened, shriveled and mummified. After Harvest, the symptoms appeared as small brown spots which enlarged quickly and coalesced forming larger patches. The affected areas were covered with orange to salmon pink coloured conidial masses. The detailed morphological studies of the fungus proved that the anthraemose disease of banana is caused by colletrichum cloeosporioides cooko and massee, the imperfect stage of glomerella cinoulata spauld and shrenk. Twenty five varieties of banana fruit were screened in vitro at different stages of development against anthracnose disease. The varieties showed different degrees of susceptibility at various developmental stages of the fruit. The pooled analysis of the data showed that the variety nendra padaththi followed by palayankodan, jurmani kunthali, boodida bontha bathes, peyan, kanchikela, pisang mas and kapok were found to be highly resistant. The varieties Zanzibar, adakka kunnan, klue teparod, chinia, nendran, venneettu mannan, koduppilla kunnan, hybrid sawai, poocha kunnan, red banana and boodles altafort were found to be resistant to the disease. The variety robusta was found to be susceptible. The varieties njalipoovan, pisang lilin, dwarf Cavendish, matti and gros Michel were found to be highly susceptible. The major chemical constituents of banana fruit viz. reducing sugars, total sugars starch, crude fibre, crude protein and tannin at different developmental stages of twenty five varieties were analysed. The reducing sugars and total sugar were found to increase steadily from immediately after female phase to ripened stage in all the varieties. The starch and crude fibre contents, though increased steadily upto full maturity. Declined sharply at the ripening stage. The crude protein and tannin contents were maximum at immediately after female phase but steadily decreased and were minimum at ripening phase. There was a significant positive correlation between reducing sugars, total sugars and per cent disease intensity at three fourth maturity. High sugars were responsible for susceptibility to the disease. A significant negative correlation was obtained between crude protein and per cent disease intensity at half maturity. A significant negative correlation was also obtained between tannin and per cent disease intensity at one fourth and half maturity stages. High crude protein and high tannin contents were responsible for resistance to the disease.
Open Access
Design and development of a propeller pump
(Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Sasi, K; KAU; Remadevi, A N
“Petti and Para” a crude form of Axial flow pump is used in Kerala for dewatering agricultural fields. It is being fabricated by local blacksmiths and there is no scientific design for the pump. For low head high discharge conditions Petti and Para is very effective, but less efficient because of faulty construction. The broad objective of the project was to develop an axial flow pump with improved efficiency which could be economically used for dewatering and for lift irrigation purposes under low head conditions. In this investigation, a good amount of attention was given to the fluid dynamics inside the axial flow pump and theoretically studied the combined affect of various parameters involved in the design of an axial flow pump. Then the parameters were compared with the approximate values given by the various researchers in the field. The requirement of the pump to be designed, at field conditions, were studied thoroughly and an one dimensional design was done. After designing and fixing the dimensions, the pump was fabricated in the Kerala Agricultural University Research Workshop at Mannuthy. Because of the lack of facilities in the Research Workshop, it was tested in the hydraulics laboratory at the Government Engineering College, Trichur. The power unit used was a 15 HP electric motor. The accessories used to measure discharge and head were a rectangular notch with Hookgauge and water manometer respectively. Testing was done with two levels of water above the impeller, one 20 cm above the impeller and the other 10 cm above the impeller. For the above two conditions, at designed head (1.5m) the maximum efficiencies obtained were 33 per cent and 29.5 per cent at discharge 121 lit/sec. and 114 lit/sec. respectively. The maximum working capacity was 165.19 lit/sec. against a head of 1 m with an efficiency of 31.95 per cent (20 cm above the impeller) In the three bladed pump, the blades were fixed to the hub by welding it to the suitably shaped (curved) M.S flats and then bolting the curved M.S. flats to the hub. The blades were twisted from 160 to 240 in a uniform variation by simple blacksmithy. The efficiency of the pump can be increased by using perfectly curved blades, which reduces eddies and skin friction. Comparing with the existing Petti and Para made by local blacksmiths, it is found that the pump is cheap as well as efficient.
Open Access
Screening for resistance to aphis craccivora in vegetable cowpea and evaluation of early types
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Sulochana, K A; KAU; Peter, K V
Cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L) walp is an important legume grown both in tropics and sub tropics. Eighty three cowpea lines were evaluated for field resistance to Aphis craccivora. All the lines except 10 TVU lines were infested by the aphid before 30 days after sowing. The lines TVU 1889, TVU 408, TVU 2896 and TVU 2962 were completely free from aphid infestation observed on leaves internodes and pods upto 60 days of sowing during the first crop season. The resistance reaction observed during second crop season and under controlled aphid infestation revealed that TVU 1889 was the most promising as far as aphid resistance is concerned. There are considerable variability in the cowpea for different characters and the lines K 1552 and TVU 1892 were the earliest to harvest (52 days). Among the weather parameters average number of rainy days and relative humidity had negative relationship with aphid population. Fifteen selected varieties of vegetable cowpea were grown in two seasons under two fertility levels. There were considerable variability in the vegetable types of cowpea for earliness which is important for the crop to be fitted in a multiple cropping system. The variety K 1552 was the earliest (52.13 days) followed by K 868 (52.43 days). The line IIHR 6-1-B is the most average stable variety with the highest mean (62.35 g) and bi value tending to one (0.96). The varieties K 1552, VS 89 and K 868 were high yielders but had bi value more than one and are suited for high yielding environments. The chemical analysis of pods for monosaccharides to polysaccharides ratio indicated that the yard long bean had the highest ratio followed by K 1552, IIHR 6-1-B and VS 87.
Open Access
Effect of gamma irradiation in ginger
(Department of Horticulture (Plantation Crops and Spices), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Giridharan, M P; KAU; Balakrishnan, S
Investigation was carried out at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 1983 – 84, to study the effect of gamma irradiation on germination, vegetative growth, flowering, yield, quality attributes and incidence of soft rot disease in ginger using four doses of gamma rays (0.7, 1, 1.5, 2.k rad). Irradiation treatments produced inhibitory effects on the germination of ginger rhizomes. The plant height, tiller production, leaf production, leaf size and leaf area index decreased with the increase in irradiation dosages. Flowering behaviour of ginger could not be altered by the levels of gamma irradiation tried. Rhizome yield reduced as the irradiation dose increased. The treatments did not differ significantly with regard to essential oil and oleoresin content of both green and dry ginger ; oleoresin of ginger peel and percentage recovery of dry rhizomes. However, the incidence of soft rot disease could be highly reduced by gamma irradiation.
Open Access
Pest complex associated with mango inflorescence and their control
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Satheesan, N V; KAU; Abraham, C C
In a survey conducted during 1982-83 in the State of Kerala to study the incidence of various insect pests associated with mango inflorescence with reference to their seasonal history, a total of ten insect pests were recorded. The hoppers idioscopus niveosparaus Leth. and I. clypealis Leth. were found to be widely distributed in the State. Significant variability was not detected among the population loads of I. niveosparsus in different districts, while in the case of I. clypealis such variations were significant. The heaviest populations of the latter was recorded from the Calicut District. The seasonal changes in I. clypealis populations were recorded only in the two Districts of Calicut and Trivandrum. I. niveosparsus showed a well defined peaks in the Palghat and Wynad districts. The fluctuations I. niveosparsus and I. clypealis populations have been discussed with reference environmental conditions. Procystiphora mangiferae Felt. is reported for the first time from the State from the Wynad and Cannanore Districts. Infestations by the pest led to transformation of the floral buds to conical galls. In the Wynad District, there was a well defind population peak in March, while in the Cannanore District a district crest waslacking. The mango blister midge, Erosomyia indica grover and Prasad was recorded to occur in association with P. mangiferae in these two districts. The larvae of E. indica tunnel into inflorescence axis and cause ovate galls thereby causing losses. Bombotelia jocosatrix Gn. was recorded from the Cannanore, Palghat, Trichur and Alleppey Districts throughout the flowering season. Eublemma anguilifera Moore as well as another unidentified spp. of Eublemma were recorded to occur throughout the State, except in the wynad District. The seasonal fluctuations of this pest were significant only in the Palghat District. An unidentified species of Cacoecia was recorded for the first time as a minor pest of mango inflorescence. The larvae fed on flowers and floral buds. The other pests observed during the course of the survey were Rapala manea Hewitson, Haplothrips ganglbaueri Schmutz, Dichocrosis punctiferalis Guenee and an unidentified Geometrid. The bio-efficiency of monocrotophos applied by two methods, namely, stem injection and stem banding, against the Idiocerine hoppers infesting mango inflorescence was evaluated in a separate experiment. The relative toxicity of the insecticide was determined from the time- mortality relationship between the insecticide reaching the inflorescence of treated trees and the mortality of the fourth instar nymphs of I. niveosparsus. The LT -50 values of the nymphs following application of the insecticides by the stem injection method was found to be substantially lower than the corresponding values for the stem banding method of application. It was thus evident that the toxicant moved at a faster pace when administered by the stem injection method. The variations in the pattern of translocation of the toxicant under the two methods of administration have been discussed. The residues of monocrotophos on freshly formed mango fruit at five weeks after application by the stem injection method at 4 ml and 2 ml ai/tree were 0.3600 ppm and o.3750 ppm respectively. The corresponding residues in the mango fruit consequent on stem banding method of administration were 0.0550 ppm. The implications of the above results in formulating control methods against Idiocerine hoppers infesting mango inflorescence have been discussed.
Open Access
Taxonomic studies of leaf and plant hoppers associated with paddy in Kerala
(Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Abdulla, K; KAU; Mammen, K V
Taxonomic study on the leaf and plant hoppers of paddy was conducted to find out the various specious of leaf and plant hoppers associated with paddy in Kerala. Paddy fields from two important paddy growing tracts of Kerala viz., Trichur and Palghat were selected and weekly collections of hoppers were made. Collections were made with a fine mesh hand net for the entire cropping season from transplanting upto harvest. Fixed numbers of sweeps were taken from the same field in order to get an idea about the population fluctuations. Collections from each field for each week were separately preserved in homeopathic vials with collection data. Later insects in all vials were sorted out, number of specimens collected in each week were noted, sexes separated, and each species were preserved in separate vials. Vials were serially numbered and collection data were noted under each serially numbered species. Genitalia of males as well as general form and colouration of all species were stidied. However genitalic studies of Exitianus indicus (Dist.) and Nisia nervosa (Motsch.) could not be conducted for want of male specimens. Altogether nine species were collected viz., Nephotettix Virescens (Dist.), N. nigropictus (Stal), Recilia dorsalis (Motsch.) and Exitianus indicus (Dist.) coming under Cicadellidae, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal), Sogatella furcifera (Horv.),Matutinus pusanus (Dist.) belonging to Delphacidas and Nisia nervosa (Leth) under Meenoplidas. Among these species all but M. pusanus were reported to be occurring on paddy in India and other East Asian countries, while E. indicus and N. nervosa were not observed by earlier workers from Kerala. Apart from these, two male and two female specimens of Nephotettix showing variations in characters from N. nigropictus and N. virescens were also obtained. These may be natural hybrids between N. virescens and N. nigropictus. Certain morphometric studies were conducted using head measurements viz., eye diameter to interocular distance and /or vertical distance next to eye to median length of Vertex. It was found that there is difference between male specimens of N. virescens and N. nigropictus with regards to the ratio of vertical distance next to eye to median length of vertex; and in females of these species there is difference between the ratios of eye diameter to interocular distance. Similarly there is difference between male specimens of N. lugens and S. furcifera with regards to the ratio of eye diametor to interocular distance. Studies on the seasonal abundance of leaf and plant hoppers revealed that there is variation in the predominant species present in each area.
Open Access
Standardisation of methods of Vegetative Propagation in Mango
(Department of Horticulture, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1984) Dhungana, D B; KAU; Aravindakshan, M
The studies on the vegetative propagation of mango were carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from May 1982 to June 1984. The studies consisted of two techniques of grafting, viz. stone grafting and veneer grafting. It was possible to standardize these techniques under Kerala conditions for the first time after the detail studies of the factors like season of grafting, effect of procuring of scions, effect of age of stock and scion, varietal response, effect of duration of storage of scion sticks and methods of raising rootstocks. The results indicated that the survival of the stone grafts was best when the grafting was done during August. In case of veneer grafting, no significant difference in the survival of graft was observed during August, September and October although September was most congeneal month for grafting. Both the techniques of grafting revealed, the superiority of 10 days and 15 days prior defoliation of scions over no defoliation treatment. But the difference in the survival of grafts between the treatments with the defoliation 10 days and 15 days prior to grafting was not significant. In another experiment, the best result was achieved when four month scion was stone grafted on five days old stock material. However, the use of five days and 10 days old stock did not reveal any significant difference in the ultimate survival of the grafts. Similarly, the comparison of different age of stock and scions with regard to their effects on survival of veneer grafts proved, grafting with six month old scion using rootstocks 14 months old would give best results. On examining the extension growth of scion its linear nature was confirmed. The linear growth rate was found to be different for different treatment s in the present study. The scion varieties responded differently in the final success in veneer grafting. The promising effect on the graft take was noticed when the varieties, viz. Mundappa, Alphonso,Bangalora and Bennet Alphonso were adopted for veneer grafting. In varieties like Neelum and Banganapalli veneer grafting, did not appear to be satisfactory in mango under Kerala conditions. Any kind of scion stick i.e. prior defoliated or freshly defoliated when stored for a period of nine days at room temperature, did not prove significant difference in the survival of veneer grafts. However, gunny bag moss medium as wrapping material for scion shoots was found better than polythene moss medium. The modified trench method of grafting substantially improved the survival rate of polybagged veneer grafts

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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