Central Tuber Crops Research Institute

About: Central Tuber Crops Research Institute is a facility organization based out in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Starch & Fermentation. The organization has 475 authors who have published 587 publications receiving 10285 citations.

Soil Enzyme Activities and Yield of Elephant Foot Yam [Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson] as Influenced by Weed Management Practices in Alfisols

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during 2015-16 at the Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, to study the effect of various weed management practices on soil quality, microbial activities, and yield performance of elephant foot yam [ Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson] in an Alfisol. The results revealed that weed control ground cover resulted in lower weed biomass and greater weed control efficiency. Significantly higher corm yield was obtained with weed control ground cover treatment (37.4 t ha-1), with an increase of 335% over control, followed by four manual weedings at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after planting (DAP) (33.7 t ha-1) and two manual weedings at 30 and 60 DAP along with post-emergence application of glyphosate at 90 DAP (32.9 t ha-1). Use of weed control ground cover resulted in higher post-harvest soil available N, P, K, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn, microbial population (fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes) and soil enzyme (dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate, acid and alkaline phosphatase) activities. Two manual weedings at 30 and 60 DAP along with application of glyphosate at 90 DAP resulted in higher soil organic carbon.

Rapid Method for Determining Total Chlorophyll, Chlorophyll a and b and Carotene Content in Leaves of Elephant Foot Yam Using SPAD Meter

Abstract: A rapid, non-destructive method for determining total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b and carotene content in leaves of elephant foot yam using SPAD meter readings was developed at Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India. There was significant positive correlation between SPAD readings and total chlorophyll (r = 0.91), chlorophyll a (r = 0.85) and b (r = 0.90) and carotene (r = 0.86) content in leaves of elephant foot yam. The factors (F values) derived between SPAD readings and total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b and carotene content were 0.0275, 0.019,0.0087 and 0.0105 respectively. The coefficients of determination (r 2 ) values derived between SPAD readings and total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b and carotene content were 0.833, 0.713, 0.813 and 0.736 respectively. The linear regression equations (y = a + bx) derived between SPAD readings and total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b and carotene content were 0.028x – 0.047, 0.02x – 0.44,0.008x + 0.011 and 0.006x + 0.125 respectively. The coefficient of determination (r 2 ) values between SPAD readings and total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b and carotene content near to 1 indicated that the regression equations were good fit. Therefore, using the F values, the total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b and carotene content in leaves of elephant foot yam can be directly calculated by multiplying the SPAD readings with F values 0.0275, 0.019, 0.0087 and 0.0105 respectively.

Performance of short duration cassava varieties in trans-gangetic plain region of Punjab in India

Abstract: Cassava, a starchy root crop serves as staple for millions of people apart from raw material for industries and feed for livestock. With the availability of short duration varieties and changing of climate, a study was undertaken to find out the suitability of cassava in Trans Gangetic Plain Region (Zone 6), PunjabAgriculturalUniversity, Ludhiana. The cassava short duration varieties Sree Jaya, Sree Vijaya and Vellayani Hrashwa were planted on 10 th July with the recommended practices. The variety Vellayani Hrushwa, Sree Jaya and Sree Vijaya recorded 2.1, 1.2 and 2.0 kg fresh root weight/plant, respectively at 4 months after planting (MAP). At harvest (8 MAP), Vellayani Hrushwa recorded 3.4 kg fresh tuber weight/plant (40.8 t ha -1 ). The variety Sree Jaya recorded 2.8 kg fresh root weight/plant (33.6 t ha -1 ) whereas Sree Vijaya registered 2.1 kg fresh root weight/plant (25.2 t ha -1 ). In between 4 th and 8 th MAP, the crop was subjected to severe winter and shed leaves completely at the end of December. Considering the minimum temperature of 17­­­­­­­­­­­­ o C is required for tuber development, the crop yield was completely depends on the photosynthates available before onset of the winter. With the above facts, the performance of cassava variety Vellayani Hrashwa was very good. In future the crop may be planted at the beginning of the raising temperature (second fortnight of March to first fortnight of April) for harnessing higher yield. Performance of cassava underPunjab conditions holds greater promises for crop diversification, food and agro-entrepreneurship development.

Sulfur oxidation by the cyanide-degrading fungus Rhizopus oryzae

Abstract: The cyanide-degrading fungusRhizopus oryzae associated with post-harvest spoilage of cassava (Manihot esculenta L.) oxidized S0 to S2O3 2−, S4O6 2− and SO4 2− in culture and when grown in autoclaved soil amended with S0. Oxidation of sulfur was associated with rhodanese activity of the fungus.