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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 Forecasting volatility of the indian stock market(Department of Rural Banking and Finance Management, College of Co-operation, Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 2009) Khadilkar Guruprasad, Hari; KAU; Molly, JosephThe present study on ‘forecasting volatility of the Indian stock market’ was conducted with the main objectives of examining the volatility behaviour of the Indian stock market, to forecast the sector- wise volatility of the Indian stock market and to identify the most efficient volatility forecasting model among the different models used. For the study the biggest stock market in India in terms of total turnover and volume of transactions, ie, National Stock Exchange was selected. For analyzing the volatility behaviour of the Indian stock market as a whole, S&P CNX Nifty index was taken. Five companies representing five different sectors were selected for forecasting sector – wise volatility. The study used secondary data on daily close prices of individual stocks from November 1994 to October 2008, and for Nifty, daily close values, from November 1995 to October 2008 from the website of National Stock Exchange, www.nseindia.com. The study revealed presence of strong volatility in the Indian stock market. The histogram drawn for the volatility of all samples showed that the distribution of volatility was not normal. There was positive skewness and all the distribution of volatility was leptokurtic. This proved the presence of high peak values (squared returns) in the sample data, exposing the evidence of volatility clustering and the possibility for prediction of future volatility. While analysing sector -wise volatility, the diversified sector represented by Reliance Industries Limited showed the highest volatility compared to that of Nifty and the other sectors. In other words, Reliance is the most volatile stock among the samples selected for the study. Reliance and Infosys had good predictability of volatility in the stock market. The best identified model for forecasting the volatility of stock markets is the EWMA. Then comes AR (1) followed by MA (3), RWM and HMM. Random walk model was found suitable for the prediction of volatility of two sectors - IT (Infosys) and engineering heavy (BHEL) only. But the MAPE values of these were high. Historic mean model could not predict the volatility in the stock market with precision, for the index as well as for any of the five companies. Out of three, six, nine and twelve monthly moving averages taken for predicting the volatility three months moving average was found most suitable for all the samples. Prediction of volatility using the most efficient model of EWMA identified indicated decreasing trend of volatility for the next six months, except for Infosys. The confidence limits for the Nifty and the stocks of five companies based on volatility for the sample period found that for Infosys the distribution of volatilities for the out of sample period are coming within the prefixed UCL and LCL and it ensures that the volatility is under control and predictable with high degree of precision. The ever increasing market segments, advancement of technology, widening market reach and multi dimensions of stock market provide ample scope for further research in this area to the advantage of the investors and other market participants.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of seed treatments and shade on seedling growth dynamics of pongamia pinnata (Linn.) pierre in the nursery(Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2009) Gururaj Sankeshwar, B; KAU; Gopakumar, SThe present study entitled “Effect of seed treatments and shade on seedling growth dynamics of Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre in the nursery” was carried out in College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period of 2007-2009. In the first phase, seeds were subjected to six pre-sowing treatments. GA3 treated seeds recorded highest Germination percentage, Final Mean Daily Germination (FMDG), Germination Value (GV) and Peak Value (PV). The effect of seed treatments were observed on various biometric parameters like height, collar diameter, number of leaves and primary branch. GA3 treated seeds recorded better height and collar diameter during the initial stage of seedling growth. At the end of study cold water seed treatment was found to be effective in enhancing seedling growth. However, none of the pretreatments was observed to cast a significant effect on biomass production and root growth parameters in Pongamia pinnata seedlings. In the second phase, to evaluate seedling growth under different shade conditions, seedlings were placed under 25 per cent shade, 50 per cent shade, 75 per cent shade and full sunlight situations. Shade treatments did not significantly influence height and collar diameter growth of Pongamia pinnata seedlings in the nursery. The maximum leaf production and primary branch production was observed in seedlings kept under full sunlight and 50 per cent shade respectively. Under seventy five per cent shade seedlings produce maximum shoot and root dry weight. The shoot: root ratio and total biomass was also maximum for seedlings kept under 75 per cent shade. Root length and spread were maximum under 50 per cent shade. However, shade did not significantly effect secondary root production. Shade levels also did not influence Pongamia pinnata seedlings with respect to relative growth rate and leaf area. However, Specific leaf area and Leaf area ratio was higher under 25 per cent shade. Highest Specific leaf weight was observed for seedlings under full sunlight. Shade had no significant effect on leaf weight ratio of seedlings. Maximum stomatal number was recorded under 25 per cent shade. In the nursery stage shade is casting an overriding influence with regards to various growth parameters of Pongamia pinnata.ThesisItem Open Access Exploitation of invitro cultures of Indian Madder(Rubia cordifolia.Linn) for anticancerous compounds(Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2009) Labade, Dinesh Sitaram; KAU; Asha Sankar, MThe present investigation on “Exploitation of in vitro cultures of Indian Madder (Rubia cordifolia L.) for anticancerous compounds” was carried out at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of the Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara and Amala Cancer Research Centre, Thrissur during the period 2006-2008. The study was undertaken with the objective to standardize the in vitro techniques for initiation and proliferation of static and suspension cultures of Rubia cordifolia and to screen the in vitro cultures for synthesis of naphthoquinone and quantify it. It was also envisaged to enhance the level of product synthesis in in vitro cultures and to assess the anticancerous activity of in vitro and in vivo extracts in terms of cytotoxicity, antioxidant and prooxidant activities in vitro. Leaf, nodal and root derived callus cultures of Rubia cordifolia were established in vitro. Explants were pre treated with the fungicide, Bavistin 2.5 per cent for 15 minutes. Surface sterilization with mercuric chloride (HgCl2) at 0.1 per cent for 1 min and 30 sec was effective for yielding healthy, contamination free cultures from nodal segments and leaves, respectively. MS medium at full strength, supplemented with NAA at 2 mg l-1 along with BA at 0.5 mg l-1 was observed ideal for initiation and proliferation of calli. The auxin synergist phloroglucinol, when supplemented to the medium, did not not yield encouraging results, with respect to callusing in the experimental species. Root derived cultures were inferior with respect to callus initiation and proliferation, registering low values for all the parameters studied. Incubating in vitro cultures under illuminated condition at 26 ± 2 C was superior to dark incubation, with respect to callus initiation and proliferation. Chloroform – methanol at 8.5 :1.5 ratio was indentified as the appropriate solvent system for detection of naphthoquinone on thin layer chromatograms in the test extracts of the experimental species, with alcoholic KOH (10 per cent) as the spray reagent. Ms medium at full strength, fortified with NAA and BA at 2.0 mg l-1 and 0.5 mg l-1 respectively, which recorded maximum naphthoquinone synthesis, was standardized as the production medium. Enhancing concentration of sucrose to 5 per cent in the production medium, did not elicit a positive response on naphthoquinone production in vitro. Reducing nitrate concentration of the production medium, to half and one fourth the original concentration, resulted in enhanced in vitro synthesis of the target compound. Supplementing the production medium with yeast extract (1 per cent and 2 per cent) as well as precursor feeding with phenyl alanine and tyrosine each at levels of 50 mg l-1, 100 mg l-1 and 150 mg l-1 exerted a favourable influence on synthesis of naphthoquonines, in vitro. Incubation in dark resulted in marginal increase in in vitro production of naphthoquinones. Incorporation of autoclaved mycelia of Pythium aphanidermeatum at levels of 2.0 per cent and 5.0 per cent resulted in enhanced in vitro production of naphthoquinone. The abiotic elicitor, salicylic acid at concentration of 10 μM and 100 μM resulted in maximum synthesis of naphthoquinones in in vitro root cultures (8.76 units g -1 calli) of Rubia cordifolia. Immobilization of test calli with sodium alginate – calcium chloride complex as well as subjecting the in vitro cultures to stress conditions, as imposed by sorbitol failed to bring about an enhancement in the in vitro production of naphthoquinones. None of the explants employed in the study induced hairy roots, when co- cultured with the Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains, MTCC 2364 and MTCC 532. Based on cell count, subculturing intervals of leafs, nodal and root derived suspension were fixed as 24, 27 and 27 days respectively with the respective packed cell volume as 0.93 per cent, 0.83 per cent and 0.80 per cent. Naphthoquinone was detected, in ex vitro and in vitro test extracts at all levels of maturity tested. Both ex vitro and in vitro root extracts exihibited maximum cytotoxicity, as revealed by the percentage of cell death on DLA and EAC cell lines as well as their IC50 values. As compared to whole plant extract, in vitro systems of the experimental species exhibited least antioxidant action. Extent of pro-oxidant activity was higher in in vitro root extract of the experimental species.ThesisItem Open Access Changing scenario of Kerala agriculture- an overview(Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2009) Unnikrishnan, T; KAU; Ajitha T KThe present investigations on “Changing scenario of Kerala agriculture – an overview” was carried out in the Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2006 – ’09. The secondary data on area, production, productivity and price of major crops of Kerala viz; coconut, rubber, paddy(season wise), pepper, cashew, arecanut, coffee, tapioca and banana collected from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics for the period from 1952-53 to 2006-07 were used for the analysis. The main objectives of the study included assessment of trend and growth rates of area, production, productivity and price, testing of the cointegrated movement of price and respective area of each crop, identification of the best ARIMA(Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average) model for prediction of area, production, productivity and price and comparison of predictability of forecasting models developed by different techniques. Modified P-Gan’s method helped to understand whether the growth rate in crop production was mainly due to area or productivity. The series of prices and areas of respective crops could be co-integrated and the regression models evolved through this technique resulted in moderately high values of predictability. ARIMA models were superior to other models developed achieving a maximum value of R2 = 99.8% for the prediction of area of rubber with a very low value of MAFPE = 1.23%. Excellent parsimonious forecasting equations could be generated using the ARIMA technique for all the crops studied. The general findings of the study showed that there was a shift in area from food crops to non-food crops. The production of major food crops, rice and tapioca reached at negative growth rates due to the declining trend of their areas. But production rate of banana has increased due to increase in both area and yield. Among cash crops, both area and productivity growths influenced the production rates. The major cash crops coconut, arecanut and pepper showed positive growth rates. Compared to food crops, cash crops in general showed better growth trends in production. Negative growth rate in the production of cashewnut was due to the decline in area. Among plantation crops, rubber and coffee attained a high production growth rate due to the combined growth of area and productivity. The highest production growth rate and area growth rate were recorded by rubber among all the crops studied.ThesisItem Open Access Male sterility and its utilization for crop improvement in ridge gourd Luffa acutangula (L.)Roxb.(Department of Olericulture, College of horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2009) Vijeeth, C.Hegade; KAU; Predeepkumar, TThe present investigation on male sterility and its utilization for crop improvement in ridge gourd is undertaken with the objective of investigating the stability of male sterility in ridge gourd Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. and expression of male sterility on combinations with different pollen parents of diverse groups. Micropropagation was effective in maintaining the male sterile line. Standardized protocol was followed for in vitro maintenance of male sterile line. In vitro regenerated plants exhibited stable male sterility all round the flowering season. Pollen fertility found to be zero in all the male sterile plants. Cytological analysis of pollen mother cells revealed normal meiosis in form of tetrad formation and pollen degradation found to be in post meiotic stage. Fourteen ridge gourd genotypes were collected from different parts of the country and evaluated for variability with respect fourteen traits. The genotypes exhibited significant variability for the characters studied. Genotypes were grouped into five clusters based on Mahalanobis’s D2 statistics. Five pollen parents from diverse groups were selected for hybridization with the male sterile female parent. Heterosis values were estimated over mid, better and standard parents. Out of five hybrids, four were male sterile and one was partially fertile. Inheritance of male sterility and restoration of fertility is a complex mechanism and the available information on male sterility is not sufficient to explain this unique mechanism. Available result points towards the presence of partial dominant gene action in controlling male sterility. The pattern of inheritance of male sterility and restoration of fertility can only be explained by studying the F2 and back cross generations and the three way cross involving male sterile hybrids and the pollen parent which restores the fertility.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of aquatic plants for water gardening(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2009) Deviprasad, B P; KAU; Sudhadevi, P KThe present investigation on the Evaluation of aquatic plants for water gardening was carried out in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 2006 – 2008 with the objectives of evaluating the aquatic plants suitable for water gardening and standardizing the growing media for three species of water liliy, viz., Nymphaea rubra, N. alba and N. stellata. Survey was conducted across Thrissur, Kozhikode and Palakkad districts and 42 aquatic plants were collected. Evaluation of the collected aquatic plants revealed that, wide variation existed in the vegetative and floral characters. Based on their growth habit these plants were classified into deep water aquatics, shallow water aquatics, submerged or oxygenator plants, floating plants, marginal plants and bog plants. Twenty two aquatic plants suitable for water gardening at different levels were identified. Angelonia salicariaefolia, Crinum viviparum and Limnocharis flava were found suitable to be grown as bog plants. The marginal areas of the water gardens can be planted with Ipomoea aquatica and Hygroriza aristata etc. Aponogeton monostachyon, Nymphaea alba, Nymphoides indica and Nymphoides peltata are suitable for deep water areas. In shallow water areas Nelumbo nucifera can be used. Azolla pinnata, Lemna minor, Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes and Trapa natans could be used as free floating plants. Utricularia australis, Najas minor, Limnophila indica, Cabomba caroliniana, Ceratophyllum demersum, Elodea canadensis and Hygrophila difformis can be grown as submerged plants. They can also be used as aquarium plants. Studies on three Nymphaea spp. revealed that Nymphaea stellata was superior to the other two in all the vegetative parameters, except leaf length and leaf longevity which were higher in Nymphaea rubra. Early flowering and maximum flower production were also observed in Nymphaea stellata in which the duration from bud emergence to complete flower opening was the minimum. Length of the bud, flower size and longevity of flower were found to be the maximum in Nymphaea rubra. Among the media combinations studied, M1 [sand + clay (1:2)] was superior over others with respect to all vegetative parameters, except leaf length, which was maximum in M2 [sand + soil +clay (1:1:1)]. When the floral characters were studied it was found that M2 [sand + soil +clay (1:1:1)] was superior to the other media combinations. M3 [coir pith +soil + clay (1:1:1)] produced the maximum number of propagules. The study on the interaction effect of Nymphaea spp. and media revealed that Nymphaea rubra in M2 [sand + soil +clay (1:1:1)] recorded the maximum leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf area, pedicel length, bud length and flower spread. In Nymphaea stellata, M1 [sand + clay (1:2)] recorded maximum petiole length and M2 [sand + soil +clay (1:1:1)] recorded maximum flower production. In Nymphaea rubra the time for complete unfurling of leaf and leaf longevity was maximum in M3 [coir pith +soil + clay (1:1:1)] but, the flower longevity were maximum in M4 [coir pith +clay (1:2)].ThesisItem Open Access Etiology and management of die back disease of mango grafts in nursery(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2009) Sangeetha, C; KAU; Beena, SA study on "Etiology and management of die back disease of mango grafts in nursery" was carried out in the Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2007 - 20008 to study various aspects, particularly the etiology, symptomatology, varietal reaction and management of die back disease. Surveys were conducted at ten different nurseries on the occurrence of die back disease of mango grafts and during the survey different leaf blight diseases were also noticed along with die back incidence. Pathogens associated with these diseases were isolated and proved pathogenicity by artificial inoculation under in vitro and in planta conditions. Isolation of pathogen on PDA medium yielded Colletotrichum sp. and Botryodiplodia sp. from die back symptom and Colletotrichum sp., Pestalotiopsis sp., Cylindrocladium sp., Drechslera sp. and Alternaria sp. from leaf blight symptom. Studies on symptomatology showed that die back and leaf blight symptoms produced by the respective pathogens at different locations were same, but different pathogens produced different type of symptom on mango grafts. The die back caused by Colletotrichum sp. was observed as small necrotic spots on the tip of shoot and at the base of leaf petiole which later coalesced and developed, large brownish black necrotic area. The leaves on the infected shoot dried up and fell down. Black discolouration and darkening of the bark of young green twigs were observed in mango grafts infected by Botryodiplodia sp. This infection spread downwards and resulted in typical die back symptom. In severe infection leaf shedding was also observed. The leaf blight caused by Colletotrichum sp. was also noticed on young leaves and appeared as dark brown circular spot with yellow halo which coalesced to form large blighted area. The pathogen produced the fruiting body, acervulus, on infected area and also showed shot hole symptom. Pestalotiopsis sp. infected matured leaves and produced light brown necrotic area from the leaf tip or margin which later spread towards the midrib with silvery grey coloured area on upper surface of leaf. The other three pathogens viz., Cylindrocladium sp., Drechslera sp. and Alternaria sp. initially produced dark brown spots on leaves. In all these infections, the spots were coalesced and produced large brown coloured blighted area on leaves. Cultural and morphological characters of the six pathogens were studied on PDA medium. Based on the etiological studies and cultural and morphological characters of organisms the pathogens causing die back disease were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc and Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat and the leaf blight inciting pathogens were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc, Pestalotiopsis mangiferae (Henn.) Steyaert, Cylindrocladium mangiferae sp. nov, Drechslera australiensis (Bugnicourt) Sub ram & Jain ex M.B.Ellis and Alternaria alternata (Fries) Keissler. There was no earlier report of C. mangiferae on mango and hence it is the first report of this fungus as a leaf blight pathogen on mango. The result of the genetic dissimilarity index computed by the seven different isolates of C. gloeosporioides showed a slight variability among the isolates. An in vitro experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of fungicides and antagonists against die back and leaf blight pathogens. Among the fungicides, Bordeaux mixture at all the three concentrations recorded cent per cent, inhibition on the growth of all the six pathogens. Carbendazim showed cent percent inhibition on the growth of C. gloeosporioides, P. mangiferae and C. mangiferae at all the three concentrations but it was not very effective against D. australiensis. Hexaconazole was found effective to control the growth of D. australiensis and recorded more than 85 per cent inhibition over control. The two fungal antagonists viz., T. viride (KAU) and T. harzianum (nSR) showed complete inhibition on the growth of all the six pathogens whereas the bacterial antagonist, P. jluorescens showed more than 50 per cent inhibition on the growth of C. gloeosporioides, B.theobromae, P. mangiferae and D. australiensis. After the in vitro evaluation of fungicides and antagonists, an in planta experiment was conducted two times to know the effect of various treatments on the management of die back and leaf blight diseases. Observations on per cent disease severity of die back and leaf blight disease revealed that all the treatments were superior to control. The data recorded on ten days after the last application of treatments during the first experiment revealed that the highest reduction in disease severity (90.47 per cent) was observed in plants treated with one per cent Bordeaux mixture, 0.3 per cent copper oxychloride, 0.1 per cent carbendazim, 0.15 per cent copper hydroxide. The treatments T9 (P. fluorescens), T10 (T. viride) and T11 (quinalphos) were also on par with the above treatments. The highest reduction in disease severity of leaf blight (79.63 per cent) over control was recorded in plants sprayed with one per cent Bordeaux mixture and was on par with all other treatments except mancozeb and zineb. The results of the second experiment revealed that the highest per cent reduction in disease severity of die back (80.02 per cent) over control was exhibited by one per cent Bordeaux mixture and was on par with all other treatments. Similarly Bordeaux mixture recorded the highest reduction in disease severity of leaf blight (85.64 per cent) over control, and was on par with all other treatments. Hence it is concluded that all the five fungicides viz., one per cent Bordeaux mixture, 0.15 per cent copper hydroxide, 0.3 per cent captan, 0.1 percent hexaconazole and 0.1 per cent carbendazim and the bioagents viz., T. viride (20 g/ lit) and P. fluorescens (2.0 per cent) were equally effective in the management of die back and leaf blight disease of mango grafts. The data on the screening of mango grafts of different varieties revealed that the two varieties, viz., Alphonso and Mulgoa were highly resistant to die back and leaf blight diseases. The highest total phenol content of 393.69J.lg/g was recorded in Alphonso and was followed by Mulgoa which recorded 283.59 J.lg/ of total phenol per gram of plant sampleThesisItem Open Access Real-time PCR assay for p-1,3- glucanase gene expression in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)(Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikara, 2009) Dukare, Kiran Shankar; KAU; Nazeem, P ACultivated black pepper {Piper nigrum) varieties are susceptible to Phytophthora rot, caused by Phytophthora capsici, resulting in yield losses upto 50 per cent. Since conventional breeding programmes for this perennial spice crop are complex and time consuming, an attempt was made to unravel the mechanism for disease tolerance at the molecular level.(3-1,3-glucanases are the pathogenesis-related proteins reported in black pepper. The present study was carried out to confirm the role of |3-l,3-glucanases in the defence mechanism and to unravel the mode of expression in comparison with the resistant genotype, Piper colubrinum. Real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assay and northern blotting were performed to determine the expression pattern of the gene encoding (3-1,3- glucanases in both susceptible and resistant genotypes after infection with the fungus Phytophthora capsici. The data was normalized with a stably expressing housekeeping gene. Southern hybridization was carried along with real-time PCR to determine the gene copy number in both P. nigrum and P. colubrinum. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was identified as the reference gene (endogenous control), since it was more stable than 18S rRNA and actin genes studied. The real-time PCR assay indicated marked difference in (3-1,3-glucanase at transcript level in the genotypes studied, when the data was normalized with endogenous control. The rate of increase in transcript level after infection with the pathogen was low and gradual in P. nigrum while it was much higher and faster in P. colubrinum. The glucanase enzyme activity at healthy stage in P. colubrinum was 88.00 unit/mg protein/10 min, while it was only 26.29 unit/mg protein/ 10 min in P. nigrum. Upon inoculation with the fungus, the gene expression was elevated over four times within two hours after inoculation in P. colubrinum while it was much lower in P. nigrum. The northern blot analysis alsoindicated differential expression of the gene. Southern hybridization indicated that the gene copy number varied in two species, while real-time PCR assay confirmed that it was almost double in P. colubrinum than in P. nigrum. The results clearly indicate the positive role of |3-l,3-glucanases in the defence mechanism and highlight the differential gene expression in susceptible and resistant genotypes.ThesisItem Open Access Diet,lifestyle pattern and health profile of professionals in software industry(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2009) Renjini, R; KAU; Suma, DivakarThe present study on the ‘Diet, lifestyle pattern and health profile of professionals in software industry‘ was conducted to assess the socio–economic characteristics, dietary pattern, lifestyle and health profile of professionals. Hundred software professionals were selected from Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, towards the study. A group of 50 professionals were taken as control group, with similar age, educational qualification and 5 years of experience status. The family back ground of the respondents revealed that, in both groups most of them belonged to nuclear families. Marital status of the respondents also showed that majority of them in both groups were unmarried. Educational status of the respondents indicated that in both groups majority of the respondents had completed their degree level of education and majority had an experience of 5 – 10 years in their occupation. The personal income of the IT respondents showed that majority had a monthly income between Rs. 50000 – 100000 and their monthly family income fell in the income group of Rs. 100001 – 200000. The assessment of social participation showed that majority of the respondents in both groups were not members in any organizations. Food consumption pattern of the respondents indicated that most of them were non-vegetarians in both groups and in IT group majority of the respondents were ‘night time nibblers’, some of them were ‘meal skippers’. Assessment of mean nutrient intake showed that among both groups energy, protein and fat intake was found to be well above the RDA. Morbidity pattern of the respondents portrayed that among IT group, majority had back pains, vision problems, shoulder pain and hyperlipidemia. But among the Non IT group, none of them were reported to have such complaints. Body Mass Index of the respondents revealed that majority of both groups were normal. Assessment of TST and WHR also revealed that majority among both groups had high TST and WHR. Assessment of stress level revealed that 2 percent of the IT respondents were found to have very high stress, and 4 percent had high stress. None of the Non IT respondents belonged this category. Nutritional status index of the respondents revealed that, among the IT group 44 percent of the IT male respondents had low NSI, while among IT female respondents 46 percent had low NSI.