Department of Fruit Science

Postal Address:
Department of Fruit Science
Kerala Agricultural University
College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara
Thrissur, Kerala, 680656
Phone No:
0487 2438378

Department Profile

Genesis
• Established as a statutory department of Kerala Agricultural University by bifurcation of erstwhile Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture on 31.12.2016.
• Research, extension and teaching in fruits started in 1972 in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture.

Vision/ Objective
• Creation of professionals accomplished in skills, knowledge and technology in Fruit Science through research and academics.
• Provide technology, products and services to the fruit industry through basic and applied research.

Mandate
1. Conduct of academic programmes in Fruit Science for Under Graduate, Post Graduate and Ph.D. students
2. Undertaking research on different avenues of Fruit Science

Facilities
I. Field gene banks
1. College orchard
College orchard (area-15ha) of College of Agriculture is being maintained by the Department of Fruit Science and is a repository of fruit crops (38 types).
2. Mango orchard
This was established as a part of the State Plan project in 1992-93. The mango orchard with an area of 10 hectares is a field gene bank of mango consisting of 126 varieties and 29 hybrids. A demonstration block on “High density planting in mango” is being maintained at 3 x 3m spacing with 6 mango varieties in the mango orchard.
II. Laboratory
One field laboratory was constructed as a part of 100 crore project which is being utilized by the PG students for their laboratory work. Four rain shelters and one shade house were constructed in the college orchard as a part of two State Plan Projects.

Faculty strength:
Sl.No. Name Designation
1 Dr. Jyothi Bhaskar Professor and Head
2 Dr. Aswini A. Assistant Professor
3 Mrs. Zahida P.M. Assistant Professor
4 Mrs. Sapheera C.P. Assistant Professor

Achievements / Major Accomplishments
Banana
• Standardized the dose of nitrogen in rainfed banana cv. Palayankodan.
• Standardized the dose of potassium in rainfed banana cv. Palayankodan.
• Standardized the dose of nitrogen and potassium in rain fed banana, Musa (AAB) ‘Mysore’.
• Studied the performance of clonal progenies from different yield groups and in relation to size of suckers in rainfed banana Musa (AAB group) “Palayankodan”.
• Standardized the pre and post harvest treatments for improving the shelf life and quality of banana Musa (AAB) ‘Nendran’.
• Standardized the sucker size for banana Musa (AAB), ‘ Mysore’.
• Standardized the concentration of 2,4- D and Navras Banana special for improved yield in banana.
• Conducted the pollen morphology, fertility and compatibility studies in banana.
• Conducted inter clonal hybridization in banana leading to the release of two hybrids, BRS 1 and BRS 2.
• Pattern of root activity in banana under irrigated and rainfed conditions were studied to identify the most active root zone.
• Split application of fertilizers in banana Musa (AAB) ‘Nendran’ was standardized
• Conducted cyto-morphological analysis of banana hybrids.
• Standardized the in vitro propagation technique in banana.
• Induction of genetic variability by in vitro methods in banana was studied.
• Standardized the technique of bunch stalk feeding of urea in banana Musa (AAB) ‘Nendran’.
• Studied the physiology, growth pattern and flowering of tissue culture banana Musa (AAB) ‘Nendran’.
• Standardized the ideal post bunching spray for yield and shelf life of banana (Musa (AAB) ‘Nendran’) fruits.
• Studied the somatic embryogenesis in Musa (AAB) ‘Nendran’.
• Standardized the in vitro shoot tip culture of banana for development of cost effective small scale production system.
• In vitro propagation was standardized in two commercial diploid bananas of Kerala
• Studied the nutritional inter relation in Nendran banana.
• Studied the carbon partitioning in banana varieties , palayankodan and njalipoovan intercropped in coconut garden.
• Standardized the sucker production and activation techniques in different banana varieties.
• Standardized the in vitro male bud culture technique in banana Musa (AA) ‘Kadali’.
• Evaluated the clonal variation existing in banana Musa spp (AAB group) ‘Rasthali’.
• Standardized the macropropagation technique in banana Musa (AAB) ‘Nendran’.
• Studied the response of banana Musa (AAB) Nendran to nutrient sources.

Mango
• Identified the best methods of vegetative propagation for different mango varieties.
• Standardized epicotyl grafting in mango and studied varietal responses.
• Standardized the growth regulator treatments for induction of flowering and improving fruit set and reducing fruit drop in mango varieties.
• Assessed the influence of poly embryonic root stocks in mango grafting.
• Identified seventy five genotypes as suitable for tender mango pickling.
• Dwarfing potential of indigenous mango varieties were analysed.
• Conducted performance studies in selected varieties and hybrids of mango.
• Standardized the flower bud forcing in mangoes of humid tropics using dormancy breakers.
• Conducted the biodiversity analysis of traditional mango types of Kerala and studied the reproductive biology of selected popular types.
• Standardized the chemical regulation of cropping in two mango varieties Prior and Alphonso indicating the effectiveness of paclobutrazol for improving flowering, fruit set and yield.
• Conducted diversity mapping and characterization of land races of mango.
• Conducted histological and biochemical characterization of polyembryony in Muvandan and Vellaikolumban mango varieties.
• Studied the effect of crop regulation on yield and quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.) under high density planting system.
• Studied the ecophysiology of mango (Mangifera indica L.) under high density planting system in Muthalamada area.
• Studied the response of mango (Mangifera indica L.) to chemical regulators under high density planting system.

Pineapple
• Standardized the shade requirement in pineapple.
• Standardized growth regulator treatments for induction of flowering in pineapple.
• Standardized growth regulator application for improved fruit size and maturity regularization in pine apple.
• Standardized the in vitro multiplication protocol and hardening techniques in pineapple.
• Standardized in vitro propagation techniques in pineapple variety ‘Mauritius’ and evaluated the in vitro multiplied accessions.
• Standardized the size of sucker and method of planting in pineapple variety ; Mauritius’.
• Studied the root activity in pineapple.
• Nutrient management studies were done for pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) cv. Amritha.
• Evaluation of hybrids and clonal variants in pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) were carried out.

Baduvapuli
• Standardized propagation techniques in Baduvapuli (Citrus penivesiculata).

Kudampuli
• Studied the growth, floral and fruit characters in kodampuli.
• Standardized the regulation of sex in Garcinia gummigutta through controlled pollination and top working.

Kokum
• Conducted variability analysis in ‘Garcinia cambogia’.
• Studied the reproductive biology and evaluation of kokum “Garcinia indica” genotypes.

Indian gooseberry
• Standardized propagation techniques in Phyllanthus emblica.

Jack fruit
• Conducted studies on epicotyl and soft wood grafting in jack.
• Morpho molecular characterization of jack fruit accessions were conducted.
• Conducted studies on genetic diversity and canopy management in jack fruit.

Mangosteen
• Studied the growth, floral and fruit characters in mangosteen.
• Standardized the selection index and activation of seedling growth in mangosteen.
• Conducted studies on stimulation of growth and induction of variability in mangosteen.
• Standardized the treatments to improve quality and shelf life in mangosteen.

Lovi-lovi
• Studied the growth, flowering, fruit set and fruit development in lovi-lovi (Flacourtia inermis and F. cataphracta).

Sapota
• Conducted varietal evaluation and compatibility studies in sapota.

Pummelo
• Studied the variability in Pummelo (Citrus grandis) and standardized the vegetative propagation methods.

Papaya
• Standardized the requirement of organic manures, plant growth promoting microorganisms and mulching in papaya.
• Assessed the variability of selected types and varieties of papaya to select the ideal variety for Kerala condition.

Strawberry
• Studied the performance of strawberry in different growing conditions.
• Identified promising strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) varieties for Wayanad district.
• Standardized the fertilizer requirement for strawberry in Wayanad district.

Jamun
• Conducted morpho chemical evaluation of jamun collection.

Litchi
• Conducted morpho physiological characterization of litchi in Wayanad.

Annona
• Studied variability in Annona sp.

Rambutan
• Studied variability in Rambutan.

Dragon fruit
• Different genotypes of dragon fruit (Hylocereus sp.) cultivated in Kerala were evaluated.
Avocado
• Studied the morphology, flowering pattern and fruit set in avocado (Persea americana Mill.) grown in high ranges of Kerala and this is the pioneer study on avocado in Kerala.
• Standardised the propagation techniques in avocado (Persea americana Mill.).
Cashew
• Studied the factors affecting yield in Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.).
• Standardized the techniques of stone grafting in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) and management practices for field establishment.
• Studied the physiology of rooting and establishment of cashew air layers.
• Biometrical studies in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) hybrids was done.
Citrus
• Standardized the propagation techniques in baduvapuli (Citrus pennivesciculata Tan.).
• Variability and propagation studies in pummelo (Citrus grandis L.) was standardized.

ACADEMICS
List of Courses offered
Under graduate level
Catalogue No. Course title Credit
Hort. 3105 Production technology for fruit crops 2+1
Elht 4204 Nursery Management (0+10) 0+10
Hort. 1101 * Horticulture 1+1
*Course offered for B.Sc. Hons. (C&B), College of Cooperative and Banking Management, Vellanikkara
Post graduate level
Catalogue No. Course title Credit
FSC 501 Tropical and dry land fruit production 2+1
FSC 502 Subtropical and temperate fruit production 2+1
FSC 503 Biodiversity and conservation of fruit crops 2+1
FSC 504 Canopy management in fruit crops 1+1
FSC 505 Propagation and nursery management for fruit crops 2+1
FSC 506 Breeding of fruit crops 2+1
FSC 508 Growth and development of horticultural crops 2+1
FSC 509 Biotechnology of horticultural crops 2+1
FSC 510 Organic horticulture 1+1
FSC 511 Protected fruit culture 2+1
FSC 512 Gap for horticultural crops 1+0
FSC 513 Climate management in horticultural production 1+0
Ph. D level
Catalogue No. Course title Credit
FSC 601 Advances in breeding of fruit crops 2+1
FSC 602 Advances in production of fruit crops 2+1
FSC 603 Advances in growth regulation of fruit crops 2+1
FSC 605 Biotic and abiotic stress management in horticultural crops 2+1

EXTENSION SERVICES:
Training, seminars and other services
A large number of farmers and students are visiting the college and mango orchard attached to the department throughout the year for getting familiarized with different types of fruit plants and to understand the various aspects of fruit cultivation and also the propagation techniques. As resource person scientists are also actively engaged in taking classes for the farmers in various training programmes and seminars conducted within the university and also by the state department of agriculture. Showcasing of technologies related to various aspects of fruit production are being carried out in agri-exhibitions, flower shows, seminars etc., as per the necessity. Farm advisory service is being conducted on all days either in person, through phone or by field visits.
1.
Completed Projects (external aided)
Sl. No. Project Principal Investigator Funding Agency Financial Outlay
1. Strengthening of Department of Fruit Science (2015-16) Dr. A. Suma GoK 5.00
1. Ready to Install Exhibition Unit Dr. Jyothi Bhaskar GoK 35.00
3. Strengthening of Department of Fruit Science (2016-17) Dr. A. Suma GoK 3.50
4. Strengthening of Department of Fruit Science (2017-18) Dr. A. Suma GoK 5.00
5. Strengthening of Department of Fruit Science (2018-19) Dr. A. Suma GoK 1.00
6. Establishment of a Model Nursery for Fruit crops(2018-19) Dr. Vikram H.C. GoK 1.00
7. Production of quality planting materials and bioinputs in KAU “Seed and nursery Programme”(2018-19) Dr. Vikram H.C. GoK 2.50
8. Evaluation of native/indigenous mango varieties of Kerala (2018-19) Dr. Jyothi Bhaskar GoK 2.00
9. Establishment of a model nursery for fruit crops Dr. Vikram H.C. GoK 1.00
10. Domestication , evaluation and management of exotic/ new and novel fruits: rambutan, avocado, strawberry, black berry Dr. Jyothi Bhaskar GoK 4.00

Ongoing Projects (external aided)
Sl. No. Project Principal Investigator Financial outlay Funding Agency
1. State Plan Project: Strengthening of Department of Fruit Science Dr. Jyothi Bhaskar 4.00 GoK
2. Production of quality planting materials and bioinputs in KAU “Seed and nursery Programme” Mrs. Zahida P.M. 3.00 GoK

Revolving Fund
Sl. No. Project Principal Investigator Annual turnover
1. RF Mode: Production of planting materials Mrs. Zahida P.M. 5.00