Browsing by Author "Balakrishnan, T.K."
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Item Beneficial interactions of coconut-cacao crop combination(2007-02-08) Thomas Varghese, P.; Nelliat, E.V.; Balakrishnan, T.K.A study on the amount of cacao litter added to the soil in a coconut-cacao crop mix was conducted at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod. Shed leaves collected at fortnightly intervals for a one year period amounted to 818 and 1785 kg/ha/year (oven dry) under single and double hedge systems of planting, respectively. The organic carbon content and the soil fertility improved considerably under the crop mix, and was reflected in the enhanced yield of coconut. Soil temperature at 30 and 60 cm depths was 3 to 6°C lower and the variation in the mean monthly soil temperature was least in the mixed cropping system compared to the monoculture of coconut. The yield increase noticed in coconut when cacao was grown as mixed crop is discussed.Item Ecoclimate of a coconut plus cacao crop combination on the West Coast of India(2007-02-08) Nair, P.K.R.; Balakrishnan, T.K.Daily variations in temperature, vapour pressure, relative humidity and evaporation were measured at 0, 100, and 200 cm above ground level, inside plantations of unirrigated and irrigated monocrops of coconut, inside a combination crop of irrigated coconut + cacao, and in the open area during November—May in two consecutive seasons. The crop combination offered a sort of buffering effect against drastic diurnal variation in its ecoclimate. Differences between the average daily values of maximum and minimum temperature and relative humidity were considerably less in the ecoclimate of the crop combination. Evaporation from the ecoclimate of the crop combination was only about 30% of that from the open area.Item Evaluation of weather data for drying and storage of copra(2007-02) Patil, R.T.; Nelliat, E.V.; Balakrishnan, T.K.Weather data such as mean daily temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, sunshine hours and rainfall per meteorological week at Kasaragod (HT MSL -10.7 m 12 .30N Latitude and 75°E Longtiude) were evaluated for predicting suitable drying period and safe storage period. Equilibrium moisture content of copra at all meteorological weeks was determined. The time required for drying was calculated per week from the energy associated with ambient air. The copra can be dried from 40th week to 20th week within 8 days. Drying can be achieved within 6 days if dried during 13th to 19th week. Drying can be achieved even during 40th to 48th week and 21st to 22nd week if solar cabinet drier is used, because during this period precipitation over 25 mm/week is expected. During the predicted suitable drying period solar radiation available is in the order of 5000 k Cal/m /day and hence drying process can be accelerated by trapping this energy by use of solar drier. Copra can be stored safely in well ventilated storage structures except in 25th to 39th week, relative humidity being below 80%. If proper ventilation is not maintained it may deteriorate even from 22nd week. From 22nd to 41st week the relative humidity ranges between 80-90% and equilibrium moisture content of copra above 4% which attracts fungus Penicillium frequentas. To avoid this, supplemental heat aeration (5°C above ambient) or use of industrial dessicants may be practised in storage structure.Item Forecasting of yield in coconut by using weather variables(2007-02) Vijayakumar, K.; Nambiar, P.T.N.; Jacob Mathew; Amarnath, C.H.; Balakrishnan, T.K.Influence of monthly averages of 11 weather variables viz. max. and min. temperature, vapour pressue (PN & AN) rel. humidity (FN & AN), wind velocity, hours of sunshine, rainfall, evaporation and number of rainy days up to 36 months prior to harvest of nuts was studied for two sets of data at Kasaragod. Based on regression analysis re), humidity (FN), hrs. of sunshine and vapour pressure (FN) of 17-20 meteorological weeks of the previous year, temperature (Min) of 21-24 weeks, humidity (FN) of 25-28 weeks two years previous and temperature (Min.) of 29-32 weeks three years previous were identified as important for prediction of coconut yield. The prediction model using these variables could explain 91% of the variation in yield.Item Influence of weather on coconut yield(2007-02) Vijayakumar, K.; Jacob Mathew; Amarnath, C.H.; Nambiar, P.T.N.; Jose, C.T.; Balakrishnan, T.K.Studies were conducted on the relationship between four weekly averages of 11 weather variables viz., temperature (maximum and minimum), vapour pressure —VP (forenoon and afternoon), relative humidity—RH (FN and AN), wind velocity, hours of sunshine—HRS, rainfall, evaporation and rainy days and quarterly yield of coconut. Theseven lag periods viz., 6-8, 10-12, 17-18, 22-23. 30-31, 35-36 and 44-46 months prior to the harvest of nuts were identified as important. Of these, the last five periods correspond to some of the important developmental phases of the inflorescence like differentiation of ovary and development of stamens, growth of branches of inflorescence and formation of primordia of male flower, process of beginning of the primary bract of the inflorescence, differentiation of the outer or second bract and initiation of primordium of inflorescence.Item Microclimate of coconut varieties and cacao and cinnamon grown as mixed crops with coconut(2007-02) Balakrishnan, T.K.; Nair, P.K.E.; Nelliat, E.V.During the peak period of evaporation (December-May) when evaporation from the open surface (observatory) exceeded 5 mm/day, the corresponding values for the microclimate of cacao and cinnamon, during the early stages of their growth as mixed crops with coconut palms, were 2-4 mm. The diurnal variations in relative humidity and vapour pressure in the microclimate of cacao and cinnamon were relatively much less . compared to those of observatory and mioroclimate of coconut. There were no differences in the microclimate of tall and dwarf varieties of coconut at their full bearing stage.Item Microclimate of coconut varieties and cacao and cinnamon grown as mixed crops with coconut(1976) Balakrishnan, T.K.; Nair, P.K.R.; Nelliat, E.V.During the peak period ot evaporation (December-May) when evaporation from the open surface (observatory) exceeded 6 mm/day, the corresponding values for the microclimate of cacao and cinnamon, during the early stages of their growth as mixed crops with coconut palms, were 2-4 mm. The diurnal variations in relative humidity and vapour pressure in the microclimate of cacao and cinnamon were relatively much less , compared to those of observatory and microclimate of coconut. There were no differences in the microclimate of tall and dwarf varieties of coconut at their full bearing stage.Item Pattern of light interception by canopies in a coconut-cacao crop combination(1976-10) Nair, P.K.R.; Balakrishnan, T.K.The intensity of light falling on the ground at different times of the day in a coconut-cacao crop mix was measured during different seasons of the year. During the peak bright hours of the day (10.00-14.00 hr) an average of 44% light was intercepted by coconut in a pure palm stand. Of the 56 %_ sunlight available for cacao, the crop was able to intercept 63% when it was planted in single hedge only, and at least 76% when planted in double hedges as a mixed crop with coconut. But the light available for cacao on a per-plant basis was less in double hedge, and this could be one of the reasons for less yield/plant in double hedge than in single hedge. (Coconut, Cocos nucifera L.; cacao, Theobroma cacao L.)Item Variations In The Yield Of Coconuts,As Influenced By The Pattern Of Rainfall And Duration Of Dryspell(1988) Jacob Mathew; Amarnath, C.H.; Vijayakumar, K.; Mohamed Yusuf; Balakrishnan, T.K.Study of the variations in the yield of coconuts in the West Coast of India, in relation to the pattern of rainfall and duration of dryspell revealed that the yield obtained in any year is not directly related with the total rainfall received in the same year or in the proceeding years. Summer rains were having positive correlation with the yield in the succeeding year. About 60% of the variations in the annual yield were due to the changes in the duration of dryspell in the preceeding two years.Item Yield of Coconuts in Relation to Pattern of Rainfall and Duration of Dryspell(1986-05) Jacob Mathew; Amarnath, C.H.; Vijayakumar, K.; Mohamed Yusuf; Balakrishnan, T.K.