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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Management of Oestrous Cycle in Crossbred Cattle Using Prostaglandin
    (Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1994) Ajit Kumar, G; KAU; Madhavan, E
    With the object of studying the efficacy of administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha in the management of oestrous cycle and fertility of fixed time insemination in induced oestrus, 96 heifers and cows which were cycling, selected from Kerala Agricultural University Livestock Farms, were allotted to three different groups. Sixteen heifers and 16 cows in group I were given 25 mg PGF2 alpha (Lutalyse) intramuscularly when they had functional corpora lutea, while in group II, 16 heifers and 16 cows were administered two injections of PGF2 alpha 25 mg each 13 days apart. Sixteen heifers and 16 cows were treated as control (Group III). Twelve heifers (75%) and 16 cows (100%) in group I and all animals in group II responded to treatment. Mean time taken for induction of oestrus was 56.64 and 65.44 h respectively in heifers and cows. This difference was statistically significant. Parity of cows significantly influenced the time taken for induction of oestrus. Duration of oestrus was significantly different between heifers (21.86 h) and cows (31.13h) of the experimental group. Significant difference in the duration of oestrus was observed among cows between experimental and control groups. All experimental animals which responded to PGF2 alpha showed marginal increase in physical characters of the reproductive tract like vulval oedema, hyperaemia of vaginal mucosa, vulval discharge and tonicity of uterine horns. Majority of the experimental animals showed medium to high intensity of oestrus compared to natural oestrus. The first insemination and overall conception rates of heifers in group I, inseminated 72 h post-treatment, were 33.33 and 66.67 per cent respectively as against 33.33 and 50 per cent when inseminated 96 h post-treatment. Cows in groupI recorded 25 and 62.50 per cent and 37.50 and 62. 50per cent first insemination and overall conception rates respectively when inseminated 72 h and 96 h post-treatment. When heifers and cows in group II were inseminated 72h after the administration of the second dose of PGF2 alpha, 12.50 and 25 per cent conceived at first insemination with overall conception rate of 62.50 and 37.50 per cent respectively. The corresponding values in group II, when inseminated 96 h, were 25 and 12.5 per cent and 50 and 12.5 per cent respectively. Among control 6.25 per cent of heifers and 18.75 per cent of cows conceived at first insemination. The first insemination conception rate of heifers of experimental (25%) and control groups (6.25%) were significantly different. However, overall conception rate did not differ between the three groups. There was no influence of parity or season on the conception rate. Similarly the time taken for induction of oestrus, duratioh of oestrus, physical changes of the reproductive tract during oestrus and intensity of oestrus did not affect the conception rate. Heifers and cows required 1.88 and 1.93 inseminations respectively per conception when treated with PGF2 alpha as against 3.14 and 3.33 in the control group. Though, the present investigation revealed that PGF2 alpha can be used in the management of oestrous cycle in crossbred heifers and cows with fixed time insemination, the high cost of the drug and the conception rate obtained warrant further studies on fertility in relation to detected oestrus and fixed time insemination after the administration of PGF2 alpha.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Food consumption pattern of rural house-holds below poverty line as influenced by food subsidies distributed through fair price shops
    (Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 1994) Priya Gopinath R; KAU; Prema L
    A Study on the food consumption pattern of rural household below poverty line as influenced by the food subsides distributed through fair prices shops was taken up to evaluate the socio – economic and personal characteristic of the beneficiaries, daily food consumption pattern and contribution of food subsidies available through fair price shops on their daily diet. On the basis of their participation in public distribution system 120 households of 4 groups with 76 to 100 percent participation , 51 to 75 percent participation , 26 to 50 percent participation and less than 25 percent participation were selected for the study. All the house holds surveyed were more or less in similar socio economic back ground. Present of the monthly income in all the four groups was incurred for food especially for cereals. It was also found that percentage cereal expenditure was increasing from group 1 to group4. Among the house holds in the four groups more percentage of house holds were spending less than ten percent of their total food expenditure for purchasing food ration. A comparison among four groups revealed that percentage of ration expenditure against total food expenditure was low in group 1 and this was gradually increasing from 1 to group 4. All households in the four groups were found to include rice, sugar, coconut, milk, spices and condiments and oil every day. Rice , wheat, sugar and oil were purchased from fair price shops. Rice and oil distributed through this shops were not adequate for the households and hence open marker services were utilized. House holds under groups 1 were found using the ration cards regularly in every week and households in group 4 were not in the habit of purchasing ration regularly. The beneficiaries had favourable views about the quantity and quality of food subsidies supplied through this system. Food consumption pattern of all households in 4 groups in revealed that the food consumption of households were better in group 1 than the house holds in other 3 groups. But the diets of all the four groups were below the recommended daily allowances. Nutritional status of different age groups was ascertained in the 20households selected (10 each from group 1 and group 4). It was found that clinical scores based on various deficiency diseases was higher for family members belonging to group 2. Teethcarries and spongy bleeding of gums were common among the children of the two groups of the house holds. Haemoglobin level was below average in adult females and adolescent females in both the groups. The present study gives an indication that public distribution system has positively influenced the regular beneficiaries and prolonged implementation of the programme is one of the methods to achieve sufficient health profile for the population in below poverty line of the country.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Consumer packaging of selected vegetables
    (Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1994) Sunil Kumar, G; KAU; Raju, V K
    The present study on “Consumer packaging of selected vegetables” was conducted in the Department of Processing Technology, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during June 1992 to October 1993. The study on standardization of precooling treatments to improve the postharvest life of the vegetables viz., amaranth, brinjal, chilli, cowpea, okra and tomato revealed that precooling the vegetables immediately after harvest reduced the physiological loss in weight (PLW) and enhanced the marketability both under ambient and refrigerated storage environments. The effect of precooling treatments was more pronounced when precooling was immediately followed by refrigerated storage. Among precooling treatments, contact icing and cold water treatments were found superior to tap water treatment in most of the cases. The study on precooling and packaging treatments on amaranth, brinjal, chilli, cowpea, okra and tomato revealed that precooling followed by immediate packaging of the vegetables in 100 or 200 gauge polyethylene or polypropylene bags reduced the PLW considerably. Moreover, packaged vegetables had better consumer acceptability and has remained marketable for longer periods both under ambient and refrigerated storage conditions. In most of the cases, contact icing and cold water treatments gave better results among precooling treatments. With respect to packaging, under ambient temperature storage, 100 or 200 gauge polyethylene or polypropylene bags with 0.5 per cent ventilation was found to be ideal except in okra where unventilated polybags was the best. In refrigerated storage for brinjal, chilli and tomato, polybags with 0.5 per cent ventilation was found to be ideal. For amaranth, cowpea and okra polybags without ventilation was found to be more efficient. Refrigerated storage enhanced the shelf life of packaged vegetables 3-4 times as compared to packaged vegetables kept under ambient temperature storage. The storage study on precooled portioned vegetables viz., ashgourd, elephant foot yam, oriental pickling melon, pumpkin and snakegourd packaged in polymeric films revealed that portion packaged vegetables had lower PLW and remained marketable for longer periods both under ambient and refrigerated storage environments. Wilting, shrinkage, shriveling, discolouration and microbial rotting were the common types of spoilage in packaged vegetables. Cost- wise, among precooling treatments, tap water treatment was the cheapest followed by cold water and contact icing. Among polybags polypropylene was cheaper compared to polyethylene.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standrdisation of spacing for tissue culture banana cv. nendran (AAB group)
    (Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Anil, B K; KAU; Jayachandran Nair, C S
    The investigation on “Standardisation of spacing for tissue culture banana cv. Nendran (AAB group)” was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during, 1992-’93 inorder to study the effect of different spacings on growth, yield and fruit quality of Nendran banana. The results obtained are presented below: In the early stages of growth, the vegetative characters were not influenced by the spacings tried. However, during later periods, the plant height, girth, number of leaves per plant, total and functional leaf area, interval of leaf production, LAI and LAD increased with decrease in spacing. The time taken for bunch emergence, maturity and duration of crop increased with decrease in spacing. The number of suckers per plant decreased with decrease in spacing, while total number of suckers per hectare increased with decrease in spacing. The biomass and drymatter production per plant, bunch yield and fruit size were higher in wider spacing, while on per hectare basis it was the reverse. Drymatter content, TSS, reducing, non-reducing and total sugars and sugar/acid ratio of fruits increased with increase in spacing, while acidity and ascorbic acid content decreased. The time taken for ripening of fruits decreased with increase in spacing, while shelf life remained unaffected. The benefit/cost ratio was most favourable in 1.75 x 1.75 m spacing. Incidence of pests and diseases were severe in closer spacings above 1.75 x 1.75 m. Soil nutrient depletion was tolerable upto 1.75 x 1.75 m spacing, while uptake and partitioning of major nutrients by individual plants decreased with decrease in spacing. Fruits showed the highest nitrogen and phosphorus content followed by leaf, leaf sheath, corn and pseudostem. Potassium content was the highest in leaf followed by fruits, corm, leaf sheath and pseudostem. In general spacing 1.75 x 1.75 m did not significantly affect the plant growth, yield and quality of fruits. However, the experiment has to be repeated to arrive at conclusive results.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Biomass production and root distribution pattern of selected fast growing multi-purpose tree species
    (Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 1994) Jamaludheen, V; KAU; Mohankumar, B
    A randomized block design experiment involving nine fast growing multi – purpose trees (Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth., Casuarina equisetifolia J.R. & G Forst., Leucaena leucocephala (Lamk.) de wit. Var. K 8, Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.) Alston, Emblica officinalis Gaertn, Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk., Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) Neilson and Artocarpus hirsutus Lamk.) Initiated during June, 1985 was used for the present investigations. The objectives of the study included quantifying the biomass production potential of nine selected fast growing multi-purpose tree species grown under short rotation intensive cultural systems; characterising the root distribution pattern of these trees and also elucidating the extent of nutrient loss through harvest, besides characterising litter dynamics. Acacia and paraserianthes recorded the highest growth rates in terms of height, radial growth and biomass yield. Biomass production decreased in the order: Acacia > Paraserianthes > Casuarina > A. heterophullus > Emblica Pterocarpus > A. hisrsutus > Ailanthus > Leucaena. The most important component of total biomass undoubtedly, was the bole while foliage contributed least to biomass yield. Nevertheless foliage, in general registered the highest N, and K contents. Among the species, Leucaena had the highest N concentration followed by Paraserianthes and Pterocarpus. For P and K concentrations, Pterocarpus and A. hirsutus registered the highest concentration. A one – to – one correspondence between nutrient accumulation and biomass yield was however, lacking because of wide variations in elemental concentrations among species and also among tissue types. Bole fractions, in general, did not account for more than 50 % of total nutrient export from site. Altering the rate of nutrient removal in products is one of the most important design criteria in planning for sustainable plantion. N-fixing tree plots generally had a higher soil N status. Casuarina, Emblica and Pterocarpus plots were having higher P levels. Acacia, Paraserianthes and A. hisrsutus plots registered markedly higher K level. The amount of litterfall was maximum for Acacia and the minimum for Pterocarpus. Litterfall also followed a unimodal distribution pattern with a distinct peak during the November – January period and the period of lean fall was during May-August. Litter dynamics accounted for bulk of the nutrient inputs into the system. The retranslocation of mineral nutrients from senescing leaves to younger leaves and /or other tissues prior to abscission was obvious. Leucaena, Paraserianthes, Pterocarpus, Acacia, Alinathus and Emblica formed examples of high (> 1.5%) detrital N content. Generally the wet period (June – August) was characterised by increased concentration of N in litter. Litter P did not follow a consistent pattern with respect to seasons. However, a characteristic decline in litter K concentration was noticed during the rainy season. Mass disappearance of litter samples followed a negative expontential relationship. Leucaena litter, having the highest initial N content, decomposed compeletely in the shortest period (9 months). Root system studies suggest that A. hetrophyllus, Emblica and Paraserianthes are perhaps unsuitable for intensive mixing and close planting in agroforestry as they possess shallow and highly spreading root system. Ailanthus is perhaps a better candidate species for the above purpose as it possess relatively lower lateral root spread and at the same time having a deep tap root system. Root activity paatern of Artocarpus hisrsutus revealed that more than 75% of fine roots responsible for water nutrient absorption is concentrated in the 75 cm radius around the base of the tree. Recovery of 32P declined as depth of application increased. The combination of lowest lateral distance (75 cm) and depth (30 cm) accounted for more than 30% root activity.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Quality and fatty acid composition of coconut oil in relation to varietal variation and mineral nutrition
    (Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Geetha Kumari, V S; KAU; Ranjendran, P
    Coconut is a perennial oil seed crop with a large number of cultivars having widely varying growth and yield characteristics. It is both an agricultural and industrial crop with immense economic importance. A variety of edible oils are available in the market today with wide variations in quality parameters and nutritional characteristics. Although product quality is influenced by many factors associated with production, harvesting, curing and processing; quality is influenced to a greater extent by the genetic parameters and chemical composition. Assessment of quality parameters and fixing standards for the nutritional aspects are to be considered with top priority for the development of new varieties/cultivars along with the yield attributes. Considering the afore mentioned facts in view, it was felt essential to study the effect of varietal variation and mineral nutrition on the oil content, quality and fatty acid composition of coconut oil. Nuts collected from different varieties/cultivars from RARS, Pilicode, Instructional farm, Vellayani and palms of an ongoing fertilizer trial of the CRS, Balaramapuram, were subjected to chemical analysis to study the above aspects. The results of the analysis were summarised and appropriate conclusions drawn. The effect of varietal variation on the oil content and quality parameters like acid value, saponification value and iodine value were found to be significant. Minor quality parameters like Reichert – Meissel and Polenske value also showed considerable differences among the varieties. The fatty acid composition of oil from selected varieties also had shown considerable variation. The effect of mineral nutrition on the oil quality and fatty acid composition of coconut oil were found to be insignificant. The oil content was not influenced by nitrogen and phosphorus while potassium had a significant but negative effect on oil content. The influence of N, P and K fertilizers on the quality parameters like acid value, saponification value and iodine value was not significant in general. Minor quality parameters like Reichert – Meissel and Polenske value showed variation due to fertilizer treatments. The fatty acid composition of oil from selected treatments. The fatty acid composition of oil from selected treatments were also influenced by mineral nutrition. From the results of the study it can be concluded that quality parameters of coconut are much influenced by varietal differences than by mineral nutrition. Thus it is evident from the study that the genetic variability has got a greater role to play in modifying quantity parameters and chemical composition of the most important tropical adible oil namely coconut oil. Selection and breeding should be directed towards tailoring new varieties with higher oil content, quality indices and fatty acid composition.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Enhancing the Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Bhindi With Nitrification Inhibitors
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Bindu Kurup, S; KAU; Pushpakumary, R
    An experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani inorder to find out the effect of nitrification inhibitors in enhancing the nitrogen use efficiency in bhindi. The treatments consisted of four levels of nitrogen viz., 50 kg ha-1, 100 kg ha-1, 200 kg ha-1 and 300 kg ha-1 and three nitrification inhibitors viz., urea, neem cake and mahua cake. Phosphorus and potassium were applied as per package of practices recommendation. The results revealed that nitrogen levels significantly influenced most of the growth and yield contributing characters, yield of bhindi, uptake of nutrients and available nutrient status of soil. Biometric observations like number of leaves, branches, root spread, DMP, LAI, RGR, NAR and CGR increased with increasing levels of nitrogen and the maximum was produced by the highest levels of nitrogen (300 kg ha-1). F1 produced the maximum height and F2 the longest tap root. Time of 50 per cent flowering and number of flowers per plant was maximum with the highest levels of nitrogen (F4). Whereas other yield contributing characters like number of fruits per plant, percentage of fruit set, length and girth of fruit, fruit yield per plant and total yield of bhindi was maximum with F2 (100 kg N ha-1 ). Quality aspects like crude protein and ascorbic acid content of fruits, uptake of nutrients by plant and fruit as also maximum with the highest levels of nitrogen (F4). However, the height of the first bearing node and chlorophyll content of leaves remain unchanged with increasing levels of nitrogen. The optimum level of nitrogen to get maximum fruit yield and net profit was worked out as 142 kg N ha-1 . Nitrification inhibitors caused significant variation in some of the characters like root spread, LAI RGR, NAR, CGR, number of flowers and fruits per plant, percentage of fruit set, length and girth of fruit, crude protein content and ascorbic acid content of fruit, uptake of nutrients by plant and fruit and available nutrient status of soil. In all these cases neem cake blended urea recorded the highest value followed by mahua cake blended urea. From the economic point of view, the maximum net profit of Rs. 11787.74 was obtained for neem cake blended urea and among nitrogen levels, 100 kg N ha-1 recorded the highest net profit of Rs. 16017.50. Thus neem cake blended urea at 100 kg N ha-1 can be suggested as the best economic dose of nitrogen for getting maximum yield and net profit.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance of Rubber Clones in Pullengode estate in Ernad Taluk of Malappuram district
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1994) Ravindra Das, K; KAU; Prassannakumari Amma, S
    The study aimed at evaluating the performance of three clones of rubber viz. RRII 105, RRIM 600 and PB 235 in Ernad taluk of Malappuram district. Ten identical units in each clone were selected and details on girth and yield characters were gathered. The secondary characters such as resistance to diseases, tapping panel dryness, wind damage, yield depression during summer, dry rubber content, colour of latex etc. were studied. The study was conducted through personal visits and with the help of a pre – tested questionnaire. Some of the details were collected from the Rubber Board Regional Officer, Nilambur and from the records mainted in the Pullengode estate. The results of the study showed that the over all performance of the clones RRII 105 and RRIM 600 were satisfactory under the prevailing agro – climatic conditions in Malappuram district and in the hilly tract of Pullengode area. Available information from the estate showed that the highest yield was recorded for the clone RRII 105. It showed a fair degree of tolerance to abnormal leaf fall and pink disease than the other clones, but was susceptible to brown bast. The trees are being kept under the low frequency tapping system to control the occurrence of tapping panel dryness. The clone showed the lowest depression in yield of 16.19 per cent during summer. The clone recorded a dry rubber content of 39.65 per cent. The clone RRIM 600 occupied the second place in the overall performance and yield. The incidence of abnormal leaf fall and pink disease was not so severe. The powdery mildew and brown bast incidence were low. The yield depression during summer was 18.88 per cent. It recorded the highest dry rubber content of 39.75 per cent. Since the trees of the clone PB 235 were opened only in 1992, the yield pattern is not possible to be explained as it has not reached the stable stage. More data are required for a realistic comparison with the other clones. The susceptibility to abnormal leaf fall and powdery mildew was high. Incidence of pink disease was low. Tapping panel dryness was also not observed, perhaps being in the second year of tapping under low frequency system. The clone had light yellow latex of low dry rubber content of 31.45 per cent. In general Pullengode estate maintains the clones, RRII 105, RRIM 600 and PB 235 selected for the study under scientific and uniform conditions. The performance of the clones, except the slight variations inherant with each clone in growth, yield, susceptibility and tolerance to disease incidence, is found to be excellent. The clones are suitable for this region under the existing agro – climatic conditions and the recommended cultural practices.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of kacholam (kaempferia galanga L.) types for morphological variability and yield
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Latha, E V; KAU; Viswanathan, T V
    An investigation on the evaluation of Kacholam (Kaempferia galanga L.) types for morphological variability and yield was undertaken at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1993-94. The experiment was aimed at studying the extent of morphological variability and yield contributing characters in the local collection of Kaempferia and to identify types with high yield potential for large scale cultivation. It was also aimed to compare the performance of the types under open and as intercrop in coconut garden. The salient results of the investigation are abstracted below. There was considerable amount of variability for the characters, number of leaves, leaf area index, days to flowering, spread of flowering, plant spread, number of main and secondary zhizomes, frash rhizome yield, dry rhizome yield, biological yield and oil percentage both under open and shaded condition. Under coconut garden in addition to the above characters, length and width of leaves and number of suckers per plant showed variability. There was difference in the performance of the types under open and shaded conditions. Fresh rhizome yield was more under open condition whereas dry rhizome yield was comparable which indicates that Kacholam can be grown as an intercrop in coconut garden. Ponnukkara can be considered as a stable type which performed well under both the conditions. Vellanikkara Seln. Br was found to be a shade sensitive type and the performance of Palakkad was poor under open and shaded conditions. Regarding oil yield Vellanikkara Selections were the superior types both under open and shaded conditions. Rhizome yield and oil yield were found to be two independent characters. This necessitates separate selection criteria for types with high rhizome yield and oil yield. Under open condition number of leaves, leaf area index, days to flowering and spread of flowering had high correlation and direct effect on yield with moderately high heritability and appreciable genetic advance. So selection will be effective for these characters. For the crop under shade, selection will be effective for the characters, number of leaves 5 months after planting, leaf area index and spread of flowering. Under shade plant spread was an important character which had high correlation and direct effect on yield. But the character recorded moderately high heritability but low genetic advance. No morphological character was found to be correlated with oil yield. So independeant selection has to be made for identifying varieties with high oil content per unit area.