Growth, nutrient uptake and yield of ginger as impacted by potting media, foliar nutrition and microbial inoculants

Experiments were conducted during 2017-19 at the Integrated Farming System Research Station, Karamana, Kerala Agricultural University for assessing the impact of quantity of potting media, foliar application of multinutrient mixture IISR Power Mix G and microbial inoculants Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma on the growth, nutrient uptake and yield of ginger variety Karthika grown as pot culture. The study revealed that 12 and 15 kg of potting media filled grow bags could produce comparable yields of ginger significantly higher than that obtained with 9 kg of potting media. Application of IISR Power Mix G @ 0.5% at 2 and 3 months of planting enhanced the yield of ginger to the tune of 11 per cent in comparison to control. Microbial inoculants AMF (5 g plant-1) and Trichoderma (1 kg mixed with 90 kg FYM and 10 kg neem cake and 250 g of the mixture used) applied at planting time followed by Trichoderma at 1 month after planting resulted in higher fresh ginger yield of 596.67 g bag-1 and was comparable to 550 g of fresh ginger obtained with application of AMF and Trichoderma at planting

Coconut based integrated farming: A climate-smart model for food security and economic prosperity

A coconut-based integrated farming system (IFS) model suited for lowlands was developed at the Integrated Farming System Research Station (IFSRS), Karamana, Kerala State, India, under Kerala Agricultural University. The area of the model was decided as 0.2 ha, matching the average per capita land availability of a marginal farmer in the State. Apart from the major crop coconut, intercrops, such as vegetables, fruit crops, spices, fodder and tuber crops were included in the model. The allied enterprises integrated were livestock, azolla, and agroforestry. Tree components of the model comprised of teak, jack, breadfruit, garcinia and mango. Research data for five years revealed that the model generated food products above the requirement of a four-member family, and the surplus production could contribute to farmer’s income. The productivity under the IFS model was enhanced ten-folds compared to that under the sole crop of coconut for the same area. Plant nutrients were generated within the farm through organic recycling, which contributed to the substantial saving of chemical fertilizers. The system was found climate-smart because of reduced use of chemical fertilizers and net negative emission of greenhouse gases mostly achieved through agroforestry. This IFS model could also ensure considerable employment generation. The model could be adopted by farmers of lowland tracts of Kerala having similar agro-climatic features for better economic returns and environmental benefits

Morpho-molecular Identification and Pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum Pathogens Associated with Vascular wilt in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

Fusarium oxysporum (Fo), causes vascular wilt in cowpea is a serious pathogen, which leads to severe yield loss and high plant mortality. Variability among the pathogen is very low, due to the lack of sexual reproduction, and low mutation rate. In this study ten different isolates of Fo, collected from various of locations, were evaluated and tested for morphology, molecular biology, and pathogenicity as well. Fo consists of asexual spores, macroconidia, microconidia and chlamydospores, with varied dimensions and produced some pigments in culture media. Sand maize media (10%) was used in pathogenicity test and was found the best than other methods for screening Fo in cowpea. The Fo DNA were amplified with Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) primer and the obtained sequences were deposited in the gene bank (GenBank) database. The sequences were compared with the available database and showed 99-100% homology with Fo. Whereas, the phylogenetic study revealed that the isolates were not distant from Fusarium species. The phylogenetic analysis helps to understand the evolutionary relationship among the species identified

Induction of Resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in Rice by Benzothiadiazole (BTH)

Systemic acquired resistance induced by benzo (1,2,3) thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester (BTH) in rice against bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae was studied. Rice plants (IR 50) pre-treated with BTH showed resistance to a challenge infection with Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. About 50% reduction in disease intensity was observed in plants treated with BTH at 100 µg a.i./ml. Immunoblot analysis using barley chitinase antiserum revealed the induction of a 35 kDa chitinase in rice in response to treatment with BTH. The results indicate that the BLB resistance can be induced even in genetically susceptible cultivar through application of BTH

Growth and Yield of Grain Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata sub sp. cylindrica) in Response to Foliar Nutrition and Graded Levels of Phosphorus and Potassium

Aim: To assess the growth and yield of grain cowpea in response to varied doses of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) supplemented with foliar application of nano diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium salt of active phosphorus (PSAP). Study Design: The field experiment was a factorial experiment, laid out in randomised block design with two levels of P, three levels of K and two sources of foliar nutrition, compared against a control, with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Integrated Farming System Research Station, Karamana, Nedumcaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, during the period from December 2022 to February 2023. Methods: The study utilized PGCP-6 cowpea variety and adopted fertilizer recommendations as per KAU POP (Package of Practices Recommendations of the Kerala Agricultural University). The entire dose of FYM, P and K and half dose of nitrogen (N) were applied as basal dose. The remaining half dose of N was applied at 15 days after sowing (DAS). Additionally, foliar application of nano DAP and PSAP (each @ 0.4 %) was done at 20 DAS and 40 DAS. Results: The results of the study revealed that the treatment combination, p2k1f2 and p2k1f1 had comparable leaf area per plant and leaf area index (LAI) (at 60 DAS). The highest seed yield (1642 kg ha-1) was recorded with p2k1f2. Higher dose of P and K along with foliar application of nano DAP (0.4 % at 20 DAS and 40 DAS) had significant effect on the total DMP and haulm yield. Conclusion: Combined application full dose of N, half dose of P, full dose of K and foliar application of PSAP (0.4 %) at 20 DAS and 40 DAS could be recommended as the best treatment combination for yield enhancement in grain cowpea