Browsing by Author "Prema, D."
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Item Boron deficiency in coconut (Cocos nucifera L)(2007-02-08) Kamalakshi Amma, P.G.; Shanavas, M.; Prema, D.Boron is an essential micronutrient for plants. It helps in division and multiplication of meristematic tissues. Boron deficient palms exhibit different disorder symptoms. In coconut, the deficiency of boron causes various malformations, thereby decreasing the productivity substantially. In seedlings the deficiency symptoms are manifested by unopened and crinkled leaves, rachis with necrotic tips, bare and necrotic leaf stalk with short stubby leaves, production of hardy leaflets with asymmetrical arrangements, rachis with longitudinal/transverse cracking etc. In adult palms the deficiency resulted in the production of branched spikes, premature death of inflorescence, production of inflorescence with lesser female flowers, shedding of female flowers, cracking of nuts externally/internally with meat protruding towards the mesocarp and barren nuts with partial/ unevenly developed kernel having poor quality copra. The malformations may be exhibited either singly or by various combinations based on the intensity of the deficiency. Studies conducted at C.P.C.R.I (RS), Kayangulam showed that these symptoms of boron deficiency could be cured by application of 300g and 500g borax to the seedlings and adult palms respectively along with the recommended dose of fertilizers. This paper discusses the various symptoms of boron deficiency and its management.Item Effect of borax application on young coconut palms(2005) Kamalakshi Amma, P.G.; Shanavas, M.; Prema, D.; Jacob MathewItem Magnesium Status of Soils(2007-02) Prema, D.; Jose, A.I.The magnesium status of the soils of Kerala was studied. In general, they were deficient in total Mg reserves (61 per cent of the soils studied). Altogether, 17 per cent of the soils were deficient in available Mg and 25 per cent deficient in exchangeable Mg. Black soils were rather rich in total Mg, available Mg and exchangeable Mg. The most deficient were the sandy loam soils of coastal alluvium. The laterite group was in between. The inter-relationships among total, available and exchangeable Mg were found to be significant and positive. Exchangeable Mg correlated positively with other exchangeable cations. About 24 per cent of the total Mg reserve in the soils under study is considered available and 11 percent exchangeable. The total Mg reserves in Kerala soils are found to be poor and Mg can be considered as a critical element in these acid soils.Item Nutrient Management in Coconut(2007-02) Kamalakshi Amma, P.G.; Shanavas, M.; Prema, D.