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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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2011 - 2014446
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Biotic agents for the management of American serpentine leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii(Burgess) (Diptera:Agromyzidae)
    (Department of agricultural entomology, College of horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Jyothi Sara, Jacob; KAU; Maicykutty P, Mathew
    A study on “Biotic agents for the management of American serpentine leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae)” was carried out at the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, K.A.U., Vellanikkara during 2011-2013 with the objectives of collection and identification of indigenous natural enemies and to assess the pathogenicity of the entomopathogens to explore the feasibility of utilizing them for its management. Surveys were conducted in the vegetable fields for the collection and identification of natural enemies associated with L. trifolii in three districts, namely, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Kottayam from January to March, 2011. The surveys revealed the occurrence of nine species of hymenopteran parasitoids. The per cent parasitism varied from 10.96 to 58.99 per cent among the crops surveyed. Three species of eulophids, namely, Cirrospilus acadius Narendran, C. brevicorpus Shafee & Rizvi and Aprostocetus sp. as well as the braconid, Toxares sp. are new reports for India. Among the parasitoids, Closterocerus spp. were the dominant group followed by Chrysonotomyia sp. All parasitoids were solitary, larval endoparasitoids except Toxares sp. which was larval-pupal in nature. One species each of small ants (Formicidae) and a dipteran fly (Dolichopodidae) were observed as predators on L. trifolii. In the study, no entomopathogens were observed from L. trifolii. Considering the level of pesticide consumption in vegetable crops that undermine the potential of insect parasitoids and also that no entomopathogens could be observed during the survey, it was decided to evaluate entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biocontrol agents against L. trifolii. Isolation of EPNs from 72 soil samples from Thrissur, Ernakulam and Kottayam districts yielded four isolates of Steinernema carpocapsae. Bioefficacy studies carried out on these four isolates along with Steinernema bicornutum and Heterorhabditis indica showed that S. carpocapsae Isolate - 1 had the lowest LC 50 , LC 90 and LT values indicating their higher effectiveness against the maggots of the pest. 50 Pot culture study conducted to compare the potential of S. carpocapsae Isolate - 1 with other treatments showed that azadirachtin 1 EC at 0.005% was the most effective causing 84.51 per cent mortality to the maggots of L. trifolii. This was followed by the foliar application of H. indica at 32 infective juveniles (IJs)/ maggot which caused 18.98 per cent mortality. Application of Beauveria bassiana at 1×10 7 spores/ ml was not effective. In the field evaluation, fipronil 5 SC at 0.002% was found to be the most effective treatment for controlling L. trifolii followed by azadirachtin 1 EC at 0.005%. Compatibility of the IJs of the S. carpocapsae Isolate - 1, S. bicornutum and H. indica was studied with ten commonly used insecticides in the laboratory by direct exposure method. Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC at 0.005% was found to be the most compatible insecticide with S. carpocapsae isolate - 1 causing only 0.17 per cent mortality to IJs at 72 hours after treatment (HAT). Quinalphos 25 EC at 0.05% and chlorpyriphos20 EC at 0.05% were highly incompatible, causing 96.17 and 92.87 per cent mortality of the nematodes. Dimethoate 30 EC at 0.04% was the most compatible insecticide with S. bicornutum and caused only 0.60 per cent mortality at 72 HAT and was followed by azadirachtin 1 EC at 0.005% with 0.78 per cent mortality to the IJs. Quinalphos 25 EC at 0.05% caused 99.93 per cent mortality at 72 HAT. Heterorhabditis indica was compatible with all insecticides except quinalphos 25 EC at 0.05% which was moderately toxic resulting in 39.6 per cent mortality. The virulence, pathogenicity and multiplication of the survived IJs were not affected by the insecticide treatments. Parasitoids and EPNs were observed as potential candidates for the management of L. trifolii. Hence future studies on the bio-ecology and mass production of dominant parasitoids and standardization of methods to improve the efficacy of EPNs are suggested for the successful control of L. trifolii in polyhouses as well as in the field.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Cryopreservation of chethikoduveli (Plumbago rosea L.) and assessment of genetic fidelity of regenerated plantlets using molecular markers
    (Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2014) Anand, Vishnu Prakash; KAU
    Investigations on “Cryopreservation of Chethikoduveli (Plumbago rosea L.) and assessment of genetic fidelity of regenerated plantlets using molecular markers” were carried out at the Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2011-2013. Plumbago rosea var. Agni plants were collected from AMPRS, Odakkali, Ernakulam and maintained at the Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani as source of explant during the course of the study. The objectives of the present study was to standardise cryopreservation protocol by encapsulation dehydration technique for long term conservation of P. rosea and genetic fidelity assessment of plantlets recovered and regenerated from cryostorage using molecular markers. The project was carried out in two phases viz., in vitro regeneration and in vitro conservation by cryopreservation of P. rosea. In vitro regeneration protocol was optimised for P. rosea var. Agni. Various steps of in vitro regeneration viz., surface sterilization, axillary shoot proliferation, in vitro rooting and acclimatization and planting out has been standardised. For surface sterilizing, single nodal explants (3-4 cm long) were subjected to fungicide treatment with 0.1 per cent carbendazim 50 per cent W. P. (for 30 min) followed by aseptic sterilisation dip with absolute alcohol. Further, the explants were surface sterilised with 0.2 per cent mercuric chloride (for 5 min) which gave 100 per cent survival without any contamination. Enhanced release of axillary buds from single nodal explants, with maximum shoot proliferation (5.28 shoots/culture) was obtained in the medium, MS + BA 1.5 mg l-1 + IAA 1.0 mg l-1. The best response (10.67 roots/culture) of in vitro rooting of plantlets was obtained in the medium, MS + NAA 1.0 mg l-1. In vitro rooted plants gave a maximum survival rate of 76 per cent and 72 per cent, when planted out in potting media consisting of red soil and coir pith (3:1) and red soil and coir pith (2:1) supplemented with VAM respectively at 25 per cent shade. In cryopreservation studies, preconditioning treatment (sucrose 0.5 M for 7 days) recorded maximum shoot proliferation (2.67 shoots/culture) when nodal segments with single axillary bud were cultured on MS + BA 1.5 mg l-1 + IAA 1.0 mg l-1 medium. Among different encapsulation treatments, maximum shoot proliferation of (2.31 shoots/culture) was obtained in beads formed with sodium alginate 2.5 per cent and calcium chloride 100 mM, when cultured on the medium, MS + BA 1.5 mg l-1 + IAA 1.0 mg l-1. Pre-culture medium supplemented with sucrose 0.5 M for 3days gave maximum shoot proliferation (3.44 shoots/culture) when cultured on the medium, MS + BA 1.5 mg l-1 + IAA 1.0 mg l-1. A desiccation duration of 5 h at 18.13 per cent moisture level was found to be most effective giving 66.67 per cent survival and 62.50 per cent regeneration on thawing and culturing on the recovery medium MS + BA 1.5 mg l-1 + IAA 1.0 mg l-1. The beads when stored in liquid nitrogen for different duration and cultured on recovery medium did not show any significant variation with respect to survival per cent. RAPD markers were tried to study the genetic fidelity of the regenerated plantlets from encapsulated and cryopreserved axillary buds. Six primers were screened and RAPD banding patterns of the cryoregenerated plantlets and control plants were compared. Polymorphism was not found with any of the primers tested. RAPD profiles of cryoregenerated plantlets were identical to those of the control. The in vitro regeneration protocol optimized included surface sterilization of single node cuttings with 0.2 per cent HgCl2 for 5 min, axillary shoot proliferation in MS medium supplemented with BA 1.5 mg l-1 and IAA 1.0 mg l-1, in vitro rooting in MS medium supplemented with NAA 1.0 mg l-1 and planting out in potting medium, red soil and coir pith (3:1). The protocol for encapsulation dehydration technique of cryopreservation was standardised for the axillary buds of P. rosea with preconditioning in semi solid MS medium supplemented with sucrose 0.5 M for 7 days, encapsulation using sodium alginate 2.5 per cent and calcium chloride 100 mM followed by pre-culture in liquid MS supplemented with sucrose 0.5 M for 3 days and 5 h dehydration (MC 18.13 %), rapid freezing in LN for at least 2 h and recovery in the medium MS + BA 1.5 mg l-1 + IAA 1.0 mg l-1. The cryopreservation protocol using encapsulation-dehydration technique standardised could be utilised for long-term conservation of P. rosea.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Heterosis breeding in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.).
    (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Gayathri, G; KAU; Dijee, Bastian
    The study entitled ‘Heterosis breeding in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)’ was undertaken at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. The objectives of the study were to collect and evaluate different genotypes of sesame for morphological traits and yield attributes, to identify useful parents producing heterotic crosses and developing hybrids in sesame. The study also intended to develop male sterile lines in sesame through interspecific hybridization with Sesamum malabaricum. Sesamum indicum and Sesamum malabaricum accessions were collected from Kerala and Tamil Nadu and evaluated for their morphological traits. Wide range of variation was noticed for characters like plant height, number of days to flowering and seed yield per plant which contributed maximum to genetic divergence. The genotypes studied were grouped into six clusters. High genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was recorded for number of capsules per plant, plant height, seed yield per plant and number of branches per plant. High heritability with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for number of days to flowering, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant and seed yield per plant. This indicates that the characters are governed by additive gene effects and selection for these traits will be effective. Association analysis revealed that seed yield per plant was correlated to plant height, number of capsules per plant and number of days to flowering. Path coefficient analysis indicated maximum positive direct effect by number of capsules per plant, capsule length, plant height and 1000 seed weight on seed yield per plant. In order to develop hybrids, fourteen parents were selected based on the per se performance of the genotypes. They were crossed in line X tester mating design. Forty eight hybrid combinations obtained were raised in the field along with the parents and evaluated for their heterosis and combining ability effects. Parental genotypes AVTS-06-5, AVTS-06-10, IVTS-06-12, KYM-1, Tilak and TMV-6 were identified as high combiners based on general combining ability (gca) effects. Two combinations viz. AVTS-06-5 X KYM-1 and IVTS-06-12 X TMV-3 had significant values of per se performance, specific combining ability (sca) effects and standard heterosis for seed yield per plant. They can be evaluated for their hybrid vigour over locations and seasons. The crosses AVTS-06-5 X TMV-3, AVTS-06-5 X TMV-6 and TCR 3279A X KYM-1 have been identified as potential cross combinations for isolation of promising segregants as the parents involved in these crosses had high significant gca effects for seed yield per plant but the hybrids recorded non significant sca effects. Interspecific hybridization between S.malabaricum and S.indicum was attempted to develop male sterile lines. Seed set was noticed in three interspecific hybrids which failed to germinate due to embryo abortion. Hence these embryos were rescued and raised in vitro to obtain the hybrids.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Invitro propagation in ashoka : saraca asoca (Roxb.) de wilde.
    (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Brindha Devi, I; KAU; Sreenivasan, E
    Asoka (Saraca asoca) is an important medicinal and ornamental tropical tree currently facing the threat of extinction due to overexploitation of trees occurring in forests and other natural habitats. Unscientific and destructive extraction of bark from trees has lead to acute shortage of raw bark by ayurvedic industries. Hence, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has listed this species under ‘globally vulnerable’ category. It is also enlisted among the 36 threatened and endangered medicinal plants of India. It is considered as the sacred tree of buddhists and Hindus. Literally the term ‘asoca’ means ‘sorrow-less’ and the tree is believed to remove the grief and unhappiness. The tree has immense medicinal properties. Its bark is considered as the primary medicinal part. Due to its acute short supply compared to its demand, various development and research activities are being prioritized to conserve, utilize and improve this species. It is mainly propagated by seeds. Due to heterozygous and cross pollinated nature of the species, it never gives a true to type progeny. Therefore the present study was undertaken to standardize the technique of in vitro propagation of Saraca asoca. Standardization of suitable explants, surface sterilization procedures and culture establishment protocol, Induction of multiple shoots and Elongation of root, hardening and planting out are the major objectives of the study. Nodal segment, Internodal segment and shoot tip were the three explants tried. Various surface sterilization procedures were tried using Chloramphenicol, ethyl alcohol, 0.1% mercuric chloride and combination of ethyl alcohol and mercuric chloride in various concentration and duration, using nodal segments as explant. Surface sterilization using 70% ethyl alcohol for 3 minutes followed by 0.1% mercuric chloride for minutes proved to be the best, which gave the maximum survival percentage of 80.   The next part of the study was standardisation of suitable explants for culture establishment. Among the three explants, Nodal segments gave maximum response of 60 per cent in ½ MS medium with BAP 0.5mg/l. This was followed by shoot tips in the same medium, which gave 10 per cent response. Internodal segments did not respond in any of the media used. Standardisation of basal media for culture establishment was done using nodal segments as the explants. Three media supplemented with BA 0.5 mg.l-1 were tried viz. MS, Half strenght MS, Woody plant media. Among the three, ½ MS media was identified as the best basal medium followed by MS medium. No response was seen in WPM medium. Culture establishment as well as Shoot bud initiation was attempted in ½ MS and MS media with various growth regulator combinations. Maximum response of 60 per cent was obtained in ½ MS medium containing BAP 0.5 mg/l followed by 30 percent in the same medium containing BAP 1.5 mg/l. There were no response with 2,4-D. The response obtained was callusing in all cases. Induction of multiple shooting was tried in ½ MS medium supplemented with BAP, and Kn alone as well as combinations of BAP, IAA at various concentration. Here highest response of 30 per cent of single shoots was recorded in ½ MS media containing BAP 0.5 mg/l. Response was in the form of single shoot. The single shoots with a mean length of about 1.5mm after one week of growth was obtained. With BAP 2.0 mg/l, single shoots were produced in about 5% of cultures within 54 days. Effect of Kn in various concentration ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 mg/l was found to be low in shoot induction. The maximum length of shoot of about 1.6 cm was recorded in combination of BAP 0.5 mg/l and IAA0.5 mg/l. Various combinations of IAA and IBA at different concentrations were tried for rooting of in vitro shoots. However there was no response in any of the combinations tried.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pesticide use pattern and monitoring of residues in cardamom in Idukki district
    (Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2013) Seena, S M; KAU; Naseema Beevi, S
    The field survey conducted among the farmers of Idukki district revealed that major pest infesting cardamom were shoot and capsule borer and cardamom thrips. For the timely management of these pests, farmers are following strict plant protection measures at an interval of 15 to 40 days with conventional insecticides. Farmers are widely applying heavy doses of chemicals especially the organophosphorus insecticides like phorate, chlorpyriphos, quinalphos, profenophos, methyl parathion and synthetic pyrethroids like cypermethrin and lambda cyhalothrin. Majority of the farmers resort to prophylactic spraying of plant protection chemicals rather than remedial measures. Adoption of IPM strategies are also negligible. Most of the farmers used their own spraying schedules for pest management. The pesticide use pattern in cardamom growing tracts of Idukki district shows that the farmers are applying plant protection chemicals aggressively and the liberal and continual use of pesticides has disturbing consequences on the ecosystem. In multiresidue mehod validation cardamom samples were spiked at five different levels viz. 0.01 µg g-1, 0.05 µg g-1 , 0.10 µg g-1 0.50 µg g-1 and 1 µg g-1 and extraction was carried out using various solvent/ solvent system and the modified QuEChERS method which gave 69.7–110% per cent recovery with RSD < 20 was selected and the same method was adopted for the estimation of pesticide residues from cardamom samples. In order to assess the residue level and to study the extend of contamination due to pesticides in cardamom, samples were collected from the cardamom growing plantations of Idukki district. Three major cardamom growing zones were selected namely Vandanmedu, Udumbanchola and Poopara in Idukki district and ten samples were collected from each location for a period of six months. Data on monitoring of pesticide residues in cardamom samples collected from the study regions for a period of six months revealed varying level of residues of several pesticides. Out of the total 180 samples analyzed, residues were detected in 173 samples and only seven samples were free of residues. Out of the 173 samples detected with pesticide residues, 160 contained multiple residues of pesticides whereas only 13 contained residues of single pesticide. Cardamom capsules contained residues of 16 different pesticide molecules belonging to organochlorines, organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids. The most common contaminant was quinalphos which was detected in 121 out of 180 samples analysed. Other major contaminants include lambda cyhalothrin (104), cypermethrin (100), chlorpyriphos (87) and profenophos (64). Pesticides detected in cardamom which have no label claim in cardamom include Beta cyfluthrin (5), bifenthrin (3), fenpropathrin (4), fenvalerate (5), lambda cyhalothrin (104), methyl parathion (64) and triazophos (4) . A field experiment was carried out in order to study the curing process on removal of residues of quinalphos, chlorpyriphos, triazophos, cypermethrin, lambda cyhalothrin and imidacloprid. Curing process removed the residues of pesticides at varying levels. Processing factor was worked out for each chemical. Extent of removal of residues as a result of curing were: quinalphos (61.78-67.78%), chlorpyriphos (70.23-76.66%), triazophos (49.62-55.02%), cypermethrin (65.71-67.63%), lambda cyhalothrin (13.15-40.00%) and imidacloprid (75.56-77.32%).
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Organic nutrition for soil health and productivity of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2011) Lekshmi, V; Ushakumari, K
    An investigation was carried out at the Instructional farm, attached to the College of Agriculture, Vellayani to evaluate the effect of two enriched composts viz. BM compost and EM compost at different rates alone as well as in combination with two growth promoters viz, Panchagavya and vermiwash on physico-chemical and biological properties of soil and also their impact on crop performance using chilli variety Vellayani Athulya as test crop. The results from the field experiment revealed that the plant growth characters viz. height of the plant at 30, 60 and 90 DAT and primary branches per plant at 90 DAT showed significant variation due to the application of 75% N as BM compost along with Panchagavya. The treatments did not significantly affect the biometric observation, ‘days to 50% flowering’. Significant differences were observed among yield attributing characters viz. number of fruits per plant, fruit length (cm), fruit girth (cm), fruit weight (g), green fruit yield per (g plant-1), total fruit yield (t ha-1) and total dry matter yield (t ha-1). The treatment T8 (75% N as BM compost + Panchagavya) recorded the highest values for all these characters but it was found to be on par with T7 (75% N as EM compost + Panchagavya). This shows that BM compost can be substituted with EM compost when used along with Panchagavya. With respect to quality characters, the treatment T8 (75% N as BM compost + Panchagavya) registered the highest values for capsaicin, ascorbic acid and shelf life of fruits. However ‘oleoresin’ was not influenced by different treatments. Disease incidence percentage (Colletotrichum fruit rot) was found to be reduced by the treatments with organic sources. The treatment T8 (75% N as BM compost + Panchagavya) reduced the incidence of pests and diseases to a considerable extent. Highest BC ratio also was recorded by the same treatment T8 (75% N as BM compost + Panchagavya). Post harvest analysis of the soil indicated that organic carbon, available macro and micro nutrients pH, EC and microbial load and dehydrogenase activity were increased by the combined application of enriched manures viz. 75% N as BM compost and Panchagavya or 75% N as EM compost and Panchagavya. Bulk density was found to be reduced favourably. From the results it was clearly indicated that 75% N as BM compost and Panchagavya or 75% N as EM compost and Panchagavya was superior to all other organic sources in promoting soil health and yield and quality of chilli.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Site specific nutrient management for chilli (Capsicum annum.L) in kalliyoor panchayath of kerala
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2011) Priya, U K; KAU; Sudharmai Devi C R
    Site Specific Nutrient management is a technology in precision fanning that offers chance for farmers to achieve the targeted yield taking into consideration the potential yield of the crop by application of apt amount of fertilizers. The technology is farmers' friendly, eco-friendly and also consumer friendly. In Indian scenario wherein farmers are suffering from yield losses up to 40% due to micronutrient deficiency of soils mainly zinc and boron deficiencies are the yield limiting factors of production. Kerala the soils are low in basic ions that are posing serious threat to crop production. The Judicious application of chemical fertilizers along with micronutrients is necessary for sustainable crop production. The present study "Site Specific Nutrient Management in" Chilli (Capsicum annuum.L.) in Kalliyoor Panchayath Of .Kerala" was carried out to satisfy the objectives viz. study the spatial variability of area, to find outtheindigenous nutrient supply via omission trials, fix a target yield based on the potential yield of the crop and formulate a site specific nutrient recommendation to obtain the targeted yield. In order to understand the spatial variability survey was conducted at 25 sites of Kalliyoor panchayath. The results of survey showed that the soils showed wide variation in terms of soil physical and chemical properties. Soil phosphorus status , was high in all cases other nutrient concentration ranged from low to high. The spatial variability necessitated carrying out the omission trials at four different sites that were ranked according to the nutrient status into high, medium first level, medium second level and low fertility soils. From the omission trials the recovery fraction and, indigenous nutrient supply were calculated. Utilising all these parameters in QUEFT model SSNJ\:1.--tre tments were fixed. /' / / - :l.33- The high yield target was fixed at 16 t ha that was 50% of the potential yield. The nutrient recommendation generated for HYT was 104.8: 13.6: 201 kg N, P205 and K20 ha-I. Medium yield target was fixed at 168:51: 230 kg N, P205 and K20 ha- I. Taking into account micronutrient and secondary nutrient deficiencies in the soil. In high yield target soil application of micro nutrients and secondary nutrients along with application of 1 % foliar spray of boron was recommended. Micronutrients for soil application were boron @ 5 kg ha-I in form of borax, zinc @ 20 kg ha-I in form of zinc sulphate. Secondary nutrients applied were calcium @ 30 kg ha-I in form of CaS04, magnesium @ 7.5 kg ha-I in form of MgS04. The requirement of sulphur was met from soil applied zinc sulphate, calcium sulphate and magnesium sulphate. In medium yield target only soil application of micro and secondary nutrients along with the application of QUEFT generated recommendations for the crop; POP + micronutrient recommendations were evaluated. Simultaneously an absolute control was also carried out. Soil analysis was carried out for all the physical and chemical properties of the soil initially before the crop was raised, and after each harvest. So that change in soil properties as a result of application of treatments could be evaluated, since the application of fertilizer coincided with each harvest. The results derived from the experiment proved the superiority of SSNM over other treatments with respect to the yield major nutrient and micronutrient uptake. , Where high yield target registered a cumulative yield of 17. 32 tons, medium yield target registered a cumulative yield of 11.75 tons this was _much superior to POP+SNMN that registered an yield of 9.83 tons, or the package of practice recommendation that registered an yield of only 8.3 tons . Farmers practice registered inferior yield data of only 5.2 tons. The study revealed that the site specific nutrient management is an efficient technology to increase the yield of crops and hence provide additional income to the farmers; this technique also provides a -134 - scope of increasing the yield without over application of fertilizers that would result in deterioration of the soil physical and chemical properties in long run.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standardization of processing methods for production of quality white pepper.
    (Department of Processing Technology,College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2011) Shameena Beegum, P P; KAU; Vasanthakumar, K
    The research entitled “Standardization of processing methods for production of quality white pepper”was conducted at the Department of Processing Technology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani . The study was undertaken with the objective of producing good quality white pepper using improved processing methods. The experiment was divided into three parts viz., chemical method of white pepper production, microbial fermentation method and organoleptic evaluation of the resultant products. The experiment was laid out in CRD with three replications. Seven promising bleaching agents were selected for the chemical experiment. Berries with calcium hypochlorite, calcium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, benzoyl peroxide and the conventional retting (control) constituted the eight treatments. Effects of these treatments on the physical and chemical properties of white pepper berries were analysed. All the physical properties except sizes of berries were significantly influenced by the treatments. Treatment with sodium perborate recorded maximum specific gravity followed by sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide. The highest value for 1000 berry weight was reported from berries treated with sodium hypochlorite. Treatment with calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite had registered a significantly higher value for 1000 berry volume. Calcium hypochlorite treated berries were having the highest yield. Berries produced by conventional retting process (control) found to be superior in volatile oil, oleoresin, piperine and non volatile ether extract and treatment with calcium hypochlorite was on par with control in all chemical parameters. Residual level of bleaching agents was found to be in a safe range for consumption. The microbial fermentation work was consisted of, isolation of organisms through enrichment culture technique, evaluation of available cultures and standardization of retting process for white pepper production. Seven isolates of bacteria IsB1 to IsB7 and eight fungal isolates IsF1 to IsF6 were obtained. Evaluation of isolates was done by assessing the pectinolytic and cellulolytic activities. The isolates IsF1 and IsF3 were also capable for degrading pectin. Degradation of cellulose was maximum in IsF3, Ay1 and Mycophyta. Bacterial isolates did not produce any zone for both asparagine and MP-5 media. Compared to bacterial isolates fungal isolates was faster in retting. Isolate IsF3, Ay1and Mycophyta were the most promising and recorded 100 percentage retting without any damage by third day itself. Amongst all the isolates, considering the retting process and quality of the product, the isolates IsF3 and Ay1 were found to be the most superior. Berries treated with sodium perborate recorded maximum over all acceptability for Organoleptic qualities eventhough it resulted poor chemical qualities. Amongst all the eight treatments, considering quality parameters and quality of developed product, treatment with calcium hypochlorite was found to be the most superior. The above study could be concluded with the findings that, prolonged retting period can be shortened to three to four days using microbial fermentation method with promising isolates IsF3 and Ay1. While opting for a better colour, bleaching with a promising chemical bleaching agent like calcium hypochlorite (0.2%) can be recommended.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standardisation of nutrient and weed management techniques for organic rice
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2013) Murugesh, M S; KAU; Girija Devi, L
    The present investigation on “Standardisation of nutrient and weed management techniques for organic rice” was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2012-2013. The objectives were to standardise the nutrient schedule, spacing and weed management techniques for organic rice and to assess the economic feasibility of the organic package. The experiment was laid out in the field in split plot design with combination of spacing, S (S1-20 cm x 15 cm and S2-15 cm x 15 cm) and weed management techniques, W (W1-stale seedbed and W2-hand weeding) as main plot treatments and nutrient schedule, N (N1-option-1 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU: FYM 5 t + 800 kg oil cakes ha-1 (1/2 basal + 1/2 top dressing at active tillering stage), N2-option-2 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU: FYM 1 t + green leaf manure 1t + dual culture of azolla + 2 kg Azospirillum + 2 kg P solubilizing bacteria + 1kg PGPR (mix 1) ha-1, N3-option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU: 1/3rd RDN as FYM, 1/3rd as vermicompost and 1/3rd as neem cake + 2 kg Azospirillum + 2 kg P solubilizing bacteria ha-1, N4-soil test based application–half as vermicompost and half as neem cake). The KAU Package of Practices Recommendation (FYM 5 t + 90:45:45 kg NPK ha -1) was taken as control. Closer spacing (S2-15cm x 15 cm), hand weeding (W2) and option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU (N3) significantly influenced plant height and DMP, while closer spacing (S2-15cm x 15 cm) and option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU (N3) only had significant influence on tiller production and LAI. Stale seedbed (W1) and closer spacing (S2-15 cm x 15 cm) had significant influence on most of the yield attributing characters, while, among nutrient schedule, N3 (option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU) attributed the maximum for yield contributing characters, but was on par with N4 (soil test based application) and also with N1 (option-1 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU) for grain yield. The results on weed control revealed the superiority of closer spacing (S2-15 cm x 15 cm) and stale seedbed technique (W1) over others in controlling the weeds throughout the growth stages. However the weed control efficiency was the lowest in conventional (Control-KAU Package of Practices Recommendation) compared to the organic throughout the growth stages. The nutrient uptake was the highest in N3 (option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU) and the lowest in N2 (option-2 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU). However, uptake study had also revealed the superiority of conventional (Control-KAU Package of Practices Recommendation) over organic in the uptake of nutrients. The net returns and B:C ratio were the highest in closely spaced plants (S2-15 cm x 15 cm) and in N3 (option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU). From the study it can be concluded that for realising higher grain yield in organic rice, a closer spacing of 15 cm x 15 cm (S2) is ideal. Any of the two weed management techniques, i.e., either stale seedbed (W1) or hand weeding (W2) can be practiced for controlling weeds. Option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU (N3-1/3rd RDN as FYM, 1/3rd as vermicompost and 1/3rd as neem cake + 2 kg Azospirillum + 2 kg P solubilizing bacteria ha-1) is the best nutrient schedule for realizing maximum yield from organic rice. The most economic package for organic rice production is the combination of closer spacing of 15 cm x 15 cm (S2), with stale seedbed technique (W1) of weed control and option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU (N3-1/3rd RDN as FYM, 1/3rd as vermicompost and1/3rd as neem cake + 2 Kg Azospirillum + 2 Kg P solubilizing bacteria ha-1) as nutrient schedule. The organic package was economically significantly superior to conventional package due to the premium price fetched by organic rice.