Evaluation of coconut based high density multi-species cropping system under organic and integrated nutrient management

A field experiment on evaluation of coconut based high density multi-species cropping system under organic and integrated nutrient management was initiated during 2007 in coconut based cropping system at Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod. Three treatments viz., T1: 2/3rd of recommended NPK fertilizer + recycling biomass (vermicompost), T2: 1/3rd of recommended NPK fertilizer + recycling biomass (vermicompost) + bio-fertiliser + green manuring + vermiwash and T3: Fully organic with recycling biomass (vermicompost) + bio-fertiliser + green manuring + vermiwash + husk burial + mulching coconut basin were replicated seven times in RBD. The crops involved in the system were coconut, black pepper, pineapple, banana, clove, annual crops like, turmeric, ginger and vegetable crops (brinjal, pumpkin, and elephant foot yam), sweet corn and baby corn were grown in the space available during different seasons. Irrigation was provided through sprinkler system at IW/CPE=1.0. Average of five years (2007 to 2012) data on coconut yield indicated non significant difference among the treatments and it ranged between 145 to 155 nuts palm-1year-1. Black pepper yield also did not differ significantly among the treatments and ranged from 1.7 to 1.8 kg vine-1, and banana (Njalipoovan variety) yield ranged from 6.0 to 7.2 kg bunch-1 and Grand naine variety yield also did not differ significantly among the treatments and it ranged from 13.7 kg to 15.5 kg bunch-1. The copra and oil content of coconut did not differ significantly among the treatments and it ranged from 159.5 to 164.6 g nut-1 and from 65.7 to 65.8 per cent, respectively. Economics of the system indicated higher net return in T3 treatment

Production forecasting of coconut: Variation in number of bearing palms and productivity in selected districts in India

Forecasting of coconut production in the country was attempted for three consecutive years from 2006-07. Stratified multistage sampling design was employed. At district level, forecasting of production was arrived by multiplying average predicted yield of palms with the 'harvested-area' of the crop in that district. Ratio estimator was constructed to obtain forecasting at different administrative levels. The all India forecasts of coconut production in the years 2006-07 to 2008-09 were obtained as 13448, 16331 and 14183 million nuts against the published values of 15840, 14743 and 15729 in order. On observing noticeable reduction in area under coconut in Kerala, the all India forecasting was revised as separately working out the forecasts for Kerala and rest of India and adding. By following this approach, the per cent difference of forecasts with published values were observed to be reduced from 15.1, -10.8, and 9.8 to 10.5, -5.2, and 6.0 in order in the years 2006-07 to 2008-09

Variation in phytoliths morphology of Erianthus arundinaceus

Five improved Erianthus arundinaceus clones were studied for variations in phytoliths present in leaves. Phytoliths were extracted by acid digestion and the morphology was studied by light microscopy. Phytoliths belonging to three classes viz., Eupanicoid, Festucoid and Chloridoid were identified in the samples. Variations in type and shape were observed among the clones studied. The results indicate that phytolith characteristics may be an important and reliable trait for clonal characterization in improved Erianthus clones and also there is a possibility of using this trait as a tool for the identification of species, hybrids and their parentage in sugarcane and their related genera

Value added products from clarified sugarcane juice

Sugarcane juice (SCJ) is a valuable base product obtained from sugarcane to prepare wide range of products of interest with increased nutritional quality. SCJ contains variety of non sugar impurities which are to be removed prior to preparation of the products including the SCJ beverage. These non sugar components interfere in the stability, colour and texture of the products. They mainly constitute fibre, wax, fat, dirt, soil, albuminoids, gums, starch, organic acids, etc. As long as they are present, they change the constituents of SCJ, chemically alter the original components and pH, which adversely affect the quality and shelf life of the final products. Hence the importance of the components present in sugarcane juice and their removal has been discussed in this paper. From the clarified SCJ, four products viz. SCJ beverage, badam jaggery (BJ), grape juice jaggery (GJ) and SCJ rich drink have been prepared to show the potential and versatility of SCJ to prepare such products. Nutritional quality of these products is due to the minerals, vitamins originally present in SCJ and they are having various health benefits. Shelf life of badam and grape juice jaggery was found to be six months. SCJ beverage and SCJ rich drink were found stable for three months without mold formation under ambient conditions

Improved method of liquid jaggery preparation

Liquid jaggery (LJ) is an important intermediate product obtained during the preparation of jaggery from sugarcane juice (SCJ). Unlike the white sugar, LJ is having additional nutritional components which are having wide spectrum of medicinal properties and hence, it is a good nutraceutical. LJ is incorporated in many traditional foods and ayurvedic medicinal compositions. In the present study, five products of LJ were prepared from SCJ with different experimental methods, 1. Filtration, 2. pH neutralisation, 3. Citric acid addition, 4. Without filtration and 5. Control (without filtration and scum removal) to compare their quality and acceptability. pH neutralisation resulted in clear product but showed sucrose crystallization. Citric acid addition, preparation without filtration and control gave turbid LJ products. Organoleptic examination was done using a nine-point Hedonic scale to evaluate the LJ samples for appearance, colour, flavour, taste and overall acceptability. The filtration gave LJ product of good appearance, colour, taste and acceptability with highest score. Product from filtration method was validated by 1H NMR spectrum for major ingredients with prominent characteristic signals of glucose, fructose and sucrose units with the relevant δ values. The best product was obtained with filtration method at the striking temperature of 106°C involving simples steps without incorporation of any harmful chemicals. Hence, filtration method of preparation of LJ is suggested for obtaining good quality LJ

Indian edible oyster

In India pioneering attempts were made by James Hornell in 1910 in developing Oyster culture in the erstwhile Madras State. Scientific investigations were undertaken during early 70's by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, at Tuticorin. The Institute has conducted R & D programmes on all aspects of Oyster farming during the last two decades, culminating in a wealth of informations on the technology of Oyster farming. The Brochure outlines various aspects of the technology of farming of the Indian Edible Oyster or the Indian Backwater Oyster Crasaostrea madrasensis (Preston} including information on biology, ecology and economics of Oyster farming

Digital phenotyping of coconut and morphological traits associated with eriophyid mite infestation

Observations were recorded on traits associated with mite infestation related at two stages of button on six different coconut cultivars over three years. Highly significant correlation was found between mite damage score with color or weight of tepal. Step-wise multiple regression of the data analysis showed color of inner tepal as major trait associated with infestation by eriophyid mite. Other traits are ratio of tepal weight to tepal area, per cent of buttons with pink discoloration or with resin, tepals of regular aestivation and gap between fruit and tepal. Digital phenotype data of 83 image files were used to calculate color signature and correlated the same to mite damage score over three years. Red spectral values were found to vary from 14 to 251, green values to 12 to 237 and blue to vary from 5 to 183. Spectral values red max, green max, 3* Red + Green max had high significant negative correlation (>-0.4) with mite damage. Color and firmness of fruits and tepals of three coconut varieties were further analyzed where, fruits and tepals of COD variety showed high red/green (a* value of Hunterlab) >12. Firmness of 3 month old tepal and fruit of Benualim (BGRT) tall variety was (penetrometer reading >38) higher than other varieties

Clustering and Visualization of Fuzzy Communities In Social Networks

Abstract-We discuss a new formulation of a fuzzy validity index that generalizes the Newman-Girvan (NG) modularity function. The NG function serves as a cluster validity functional in community detection studies. The input data is an undirected graph G = (V, E) that represents a social network. Clusters in V correspond to socially similar substructures in the network. We compare our fuzzy modularity to an existing modularity function using the well-studied Karate Club data set

Toe clearance and velocity profiles of young and elderly during walking on sloped surfaces

Background Most falls in older adults are reported during locomotion and tripping has been identified as a major cause of falls. Challenging environments (e.g., walking on slopes) are potential interventions for maintaining balance and gait skills. The aims of this study were: 1) to investigate whether or not distributions of two important gait variables [minimum toe clearance (MTC) and foot velocity at MTC (VelMTC)] and locomotor control strategies are altered during walking on sloped surfaces, and 2) if altered, are they maintained at two groups (young and elderly female groups). Methods MTC and VelMTC data during walking on a treadmill at sloped surfaces (+3°, 0° and -3°) were analysed for 9 young (Y) and 8 elderly (E) female subjects. Results MTC distributions were found to be positively skewed whereas VelMTC distributions were negatively skewed for both groups on all slopes. Median MTC values increased (Y = 33%, E = 7%) at negative slope but decreased (Y = 25%, E = 15%) while walking on the positive slope surface compared to their MTC values at the flat surface (0°). Analysis of VelMTC distributions also indicated significantly (p < 0.05) lower minimum and 25th percentile (Q1) values in the elderly at all slopes. Conclusion The young displayed a strong positive correlation between MTC median changes and IQR (interquartile range) changes due to walking on both slopes; however, such correlation was weak in the older adults suggesting differences in control strategies being employed to minimize the risk of tripping