Category Archives: Agriculture

Wayanad sanctuary yields a new spider

Team from CATE spots a spider taxonomically related to an Australian species

A new species of spider has been discovered from the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, a major biodiversity hotspot in the State. The new species, Cocalus lacinia, spotted in the Kurichiad forest range of the sanctuary, is taxonomically related to an Australian species, described by arachnologist Fred Wanless in 1981.

A biodiversity investigation team, based at the Centre for Animal Taxonomy and Ecology (CATE), Christ College, Irinjalakuda, spotted the new species.

The head of the 8-mm-long male spider is brownish yellow and there are black lines along the sides of the hairy head region. Its eyebrows and forehead are white. The oval shaped abdomen is yellow and covered with black and white scales. The head of the 13-mm-long female is brownish and hairy. There is a V-shaped black mark on the upper surface of the head and red lines along the sides.

‘United biosphere’

“The nocturnal spider hides in the crevices of teak plants during day, and hunts at night for small insects. This discovery of a new species of spider from India and the presence of its close relative from Australia supports the theory that millions of years ago the biosphere was united and the present continents were formed by splitting a single big continent named Pangea,” says Sudhikumar A.V., Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Christ College, who led the team. Investigations are on with the help of genetic samples from the Australian species and Indian species to get more evidence for the theory of supercontinents. It may give more information on plate tectonics and the evolution of modern spiders, he said.

Sudhin P.P., Nafin K.S., and Sumesh N.V., research scholars of CATE, also took part in the study.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Mini Muringatheri / Thrissur – February 15th, 2019

Kole Fish Count records 82 species


Participatory assessment: Scientists, students and nature enthusiasts participated in the survey that covered the Kole land habitats in Thrissur and Malappuram districts on Saturday.  

Survey, coinciding with Wetland Day, reveals six alien species

The Kole Fish Count, conducted on February 2 in connection with World Wetland Day across the Kole wetlands of central Kerala, recorded 82 aquatic species. These include 71 fish species (18 species of brackish water fish and 53 species of freshwater fish), five shrimp species, four crab and two mollusc species.

The participatory assessment, in which scientists, students and nature enthusiasts from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, the Kerala Agricultural University’s College of Forestry and the Kole Birders Collective participated, covered the entire expanse of Kole habitats distributed across Thrissur and Malappuram districts. Among the major Kole regions, Ponnani had a higher diversity than Thrissur.

Maranchery in Ponnani Kole had the highest diversity (45 species) followed by Uppungal (also in Ponnani Kole) and Enamavu (Thrissur Kole) with 34 species each.

With just 18 species, Adat (Thrissur Kole) recorded the lowest diversity.

Some of the most common species encountered during the survey include the orange chromide (known as pallathi in Malayalam), the dwarf pufferfish, Malabar leaf fish, and pearl spot or karimeen.

Future threats

However, the teams also came across six non-native fish species, raising concerns on the sustainability of the fishery and aquaculture practices being followed in the Kole and vicinity.

The presence of six species of non-native fish in the Kole is of significant concern as these have the potential to compete with, and outnumber native species, said Rajeev Raghavan, assistant professor at KUFOS and the South Asia Coordinator of the IUCN’s Freshwater Fish Specialist Group.

“Particularly alarming is the frequent catches of the Amazonian sucker catfish from various parts of the Kole,” he added.

The government needs to take immediate action to prevent illegal fishing practices carried out during the annual harvest of auctioned waterbodies that are part of the Kole wetlands, noted M. K. Sajeevan, Head, Department of Fisheries Resource Management, KUFOS.

In addition to aquatic biodiversity, the teams also collected samples to assess the health of the ecosystem through evaluation of key water quality parameters, results of which will be released soon.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Staff Reporter / Kochi – February 03rd, 2019

Mannuthy ARS best research centre

Kerala agricultural varsity celebrates 48th Foundation Day

The Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Mannuthy, and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Malappuram, have been bestowed with the best research centre and best extension centre awards in the 48th Foundation Day celebrations of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) held at Vellanikkara recently.

While Haseena Bhaskar of College of Horticulture (CoH) was adjudged the best teacher, Miniraj of CoH and Sunil V.G. of Malappuram KVK were selected for the best researcher and the best extension scientist awards respectively. CoH, Vellanikkara, secured the best college award.

District Collector T.V. Anupama inaugurated the Foundation Day celebrations. The Collector called upon budding researchers to uphold the rich traditions of the university and be committed to the primary sector, which caters to the most fundamental need of living beings.

“As the Food Safety Commissioner and Alappuzha District Collector, I had occasions to acquaint myself with the vast potential and diverse activities of the KAU. Conversion of fertile land for non-agricultural purposes is a big challenge. The change in eating habits calls for change in cropping pattern and hence provides a new research opportunity. I am sure that the KAU, with its dynamic and diverse research network, will be able to address these challenges,” she said.

Rate of adoption high

KAU Vice Chancellor R. Chandra Babu, in his presidential address, pointed out that agricultural technologies had a much higher rate of adoption than other technologies. Roles played by agricultural universities were much different and much more diverse than conventional universities. The enhanced support for the KAU in the State Budget was gratefully acknowledged, he said.

Honoured

State Horticulture Mission director Justin Mohan; KAU executive committee members A. Anil Kumar; K. Aravindakshan, and T. Pradeep Kumar; and Registrar P.S. Geetha Kutty spoke.

Staff and labourers with thirty years’ unblemished service were also honoured at the function, which was followed by cultural programmes.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Kerala / by Special Correspondent / Thrissur – February 03rd, 2019

New genus of tarantulas recorded in Kerala

(From left) Annandaliella ernakulamensis, which is found only in Thattekkad in Ernakulam; Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica from Chinnar in Kerala; and Poecilotheria rufilata that the survey team recorded from Achenkovil.

Recent floods could have affected survival of rare spiders, claims arachnologist

Kerala is home to around six species of large, hairy spiders called tarantulas. But a four-year Statewide survey by a team from Kuravilangad’s Deva Matha College now shows that Kerala may be home to more than 11 species of these often iridescently-coloured arachnids.

New genus and species

The research project, for which a team led by Sunil K. Jose (assistant professor at Deva Matha College) surveyed several districts including Kasaragod, Kollam and Ernakulam for tarantulas, has identified four genus of the large spiders (Sahydroaraneus, Chilobrachys, Neoheterophrictus and Thrigmopoeus) that have not been recorded in the State before.

Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica from Chinnar in Kerala

For instance, the team recorded Chilobrachys fimbiratus (also called the Indian violet spider, which is endemic to the Western Ghats of Karnataka and Maharashtra) in Kasaragod district.

Similarly, they spotted the Rameshwaram Parachute Spider (Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica) which has so far been recorded only from Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district (found only on the Rameshwaram Island and Mandapam area here) from Chinnar in Kerala. This tarantula has been classified as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List. Totally, tarantulas from seven genus have now been recorded in the State.

Poecilotheria rufilata that the team recorded from Achenkovil

The range extensions of the genus and species had been described in the report submitted to the University Grants Commission, which funded the work that focused on studying spiders belonging to the family Theraphosidae, said Dr. Jose. He also presented the results at the recently-concluded international conference of the Asian Society of Arachnology at Bangkok, Thailand.

Kerala floods

While deforestation was one of the threats that the forest-dwelling tarantulas faced along the Western Ghats, the recent floods that Kerala witnessed could have affected the species in those areas too, said Dr. Jose.

“All tarantulas seen in Kerala except those in the genus Poecilotheria [tiger spiders] live in burrows in the ground. These would have become submerged during the floods,” he said.

Yet another threat that tarantulas face is collection for the illegal pet trade across the world. Kerala’s colourful tarantulas belonging to the genus Poecilotheria and Haploclastus were collected illegally and were available for sale on the internet for as high as $275, he added.

Tarantulas are a group of large, hairy spiders that can live up to 10 to 20 years.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities / by Staff Reporter / Kochi – December 04th, 2018

Vanilla in Kerala regains its fragrance, albeit on a smaller scale

The fragrance which had lost its allure due to a variety of reasons, besides a slump in the procurement price, is slowly regaining lost ground.

Kochi :

The fragrance which had lost its allure due to a variety of reasons, besides a slump in the procurement price, is slowly regaining lost ground. Vanilla is indeed making a comeback, albeit on a smaller scale!  The reason, according to market experts, is the yawning demand- supply gap.

Currently, a kilo of green beans commands around Rs 5,000. According to Thomas T V, senior manager, Vanilco, another factor which might have worked in the vanilla farmers’ favour is the havoc wrought on vanilla farms in Madagascar by hurricanes.

Till 2016, Vanilco, a company promoted by Indian vanilla farmers to protect their  interests in the longer run , procured around one tonne of vanilla in the state. But with prices going down due to poor demand for the beans grown in India in the European countries, the farmers began ditching their crops.

Another factor which led to the price slump  is the extensive farming. As a result, a kilo of green beans that used to command around Rs 3,000 began selling at around Rs 1,500. The farmers, especially those who had gone in for large-scale cultivation, didn’t find it viable due to huge expenses they incurred,” said Thomas.

“Vanilla is a labour intensive crop and takes a long time to flower. Besides, the crop suffers from various diseases,” he said.

According to Manmadan, a vanilla farmer, the ups and downs in the market not only of vanilla but also other crops happens due to Malayalees’ penchant to go in for thing that’s trending during that period of time. “People didn’t even bother to cultivate good quality plants. So, not only was the price impacted due to the surplus yield, but  the poor quality beans made us a pariah on the international market,” he said. Now though, vanilla is making a comeback, he said.

“The price being cited is Rs 5,000 for green beans and Rs 10,000 for dried ones,” he said.  According to Thomas, good quality vines plus smaller holdings are the mantras to become a successful vanilla farmer.  “Vanilco too is planning to help revive vanilla cultivation. We are planning to distribute quality vines to the farmers interested in growing vanilla on a small scale. The company will give them all the help needed to cultivate the crop and will also procure at the market price,” he said. Thomas said, “The proposal is at a planning stage and will be implemented soon. The company requires at least 500 kg of green beans for its processing unit. Presently, we get only around one to two kg.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Anu Kuruvilla / Express News Service / November 20th, 2018

Mobile app for pepper farmers

A farm worker harvesting pepper at a plantation at Mepadi in Wayanad district. | Photo Credit: K. K. Mustafah

App connects framers with research institutions, govt agencies

The International Pepper Community (IPC) and All India Spices Exports Forum (AISEF) have jointly developed a personalised mobile application for pepper farmers aimed at better management of their crop and marketing the produce.

Santosh K. Sarangi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will launch the app at a function here on November 14.

Outlining the scenario that led to the launch of the app, AISEF Chairman Prakash Namboodiri said the effort is to empower pepper farmers to utilise the potential knowledge and expert network that the country has created to support them.

The farmers are so widely spread out that access to knowledge specific to their issues is beyond their reach.

The app will directly connect the framers with agri-research institutions, government and its agencies and the national and international markets. The farmers will get guidance on pepper farm practices, fertilizer recommendations, and pest and other diseases identification. The app would also guide the farmer through price movements and assist them selling their produce.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – November 13th, 2018

Wayanad vets score a first in bovine surgery

Veterinarians of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University performing surgery on a cow after giving inhalation anaesthesia.

Give inhalation anaesthesia to open udder to remove tumour

A team of veterinarians at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Pookode under Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University has successfully performed gas anaesthesia on a bovine, a first in the State.

Under the procedure, vapours of isoflurane, a general anaesthetic, is delivered to the lungs using oxygen as carrier gas with the help of a gas anaesthesia machine.

Also called inhalation anaesthesia, this method is widely practised in human anaesthesia and anaesthesia of pet animals such as dogs and cats.

“It is for the first time in the State this method of anaesthesia is practised on a cow – that too in one which weighing 300 kg,” says S. Sooryadas, assistant professor, Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology at the varsity.

The cow had a tumour like mass in the udder towards the base of her two teats, which was obstructing milk flow, Dr. Sooryadas, who led the surgery, said.

Apart from the anaesthesia, it is for the first time the udder of a cow is being opened for surgical removal of a tumour like mass, he said.

“Gas anaesthesia in cows requires a dedicated anaesthesia machine that is manufactured for the particular purpose,” P.T. Dinesh, assistant professor at the department, said.

Such machines are imported and may cost around ₹25 lakh. Hence, as an alternative, doctors at the surgery department modified their small animal anaesthesia machine to suit it for the procedure in the cow, Dr. Dinesh, who was also in the surgery team, said.

Cost of machine

“The cost of the customised machine will come around ₹2 lakh. The gas anaesthesia procedure is the first of its kind for a cow in our State,” he added.

N.S. Jinesh Kumar and Reji Varghese, assistant professors, were the other team members.

The doctors have been invited to present a paper on the procedure at the annual congress and national symposium of the Indian Society for Veterinary Surgery to be held in Gujarat from November 22 to 24.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by F.M.  Manoj / Kalpeta – October 30th, 2018

Ponkuzhi forests throw a surprise

Liparis tschangii belongs to Orchidaceae family.

Discovery of Liparis tschangii published in Indian Forester

Liparis tschangii, a plant that belongs to the Orchidaceae family, has been discovered in the Ponkuzhi forests in Wayanad district, a major biodiversity hotspot on the Nilgiri biosphere reserve.

The tuberous species was discovered by a team of researchers led by V. Balakrishnan, former Director of Community Agrobiodiversity Centre of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) at Puthoorvayal here during an expedition recently. The discovery has been published in the recent edition of the science journal Indian Forester.

Liparis tschangii is mainly found in China and Vietnam, but this was the first time that the distributional record of the plant was reported from India, Dr. Balakrishnan told The Hindu.

“The leaves of the plant resemble the structure of the human heart and have white rhizome and green flower bunches,” Salim Pichan, botanist, MSSRF, and a member of the team said.

Very rare

“The plant is very rare in this locality and may need conservation priority,” Mr. Pichan added.

Jose Mathew, assistant professor, Department of Botany, S D College, Alappuzha; P. Dhanesh Kumar, former Divisional Forest Officer, South Wayanad forest division; Jayesh P. Joseph and M. Jithin, scientists of MSSRF, are the other members of the team.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by E.M. Manoj / Kalpeta – October 26th, 2018

After 150 years, a fish gets a scientific name

‘Humpback mahseer’ christened Tor ramadevii

After being popularly called ‘humpback mahseer’ for nearly 150 years, the giant game fish has finally got a scientific name.

The species, found in the Cauvery river, was recently christened Tor ramadevii, after noted ichthyologist K. Remadevi of the Zoological Survey of India. The DNA sequencing of the fish was carried out by a group of icthyologists from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, and Bournemouth University, UK, as part of the naming process.

The species was “brought to the attention of the scientific community in 1849, and the recreational angling community in 1873,” noted a research paper authored by Adrian Pinder of Bournemouth University and published in the scientific journal Plos One.

The fish was assigned the name after it was found possessing the same genetic and morphological characteristics of mahseer found inside the waterbodies of the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala ,  said Rajeev Raghavan, Assistant Professor, Department of Fisheries Resource Management, KUFOS, who was associated with the research.

The species had slipped the attention of conservationists in the absence of a scientific name. There was no legal and conservation cover for the species. The only solace for the species was that being in Chinnar, a protected area and a wildlife sanctuary, it was protected from fishing, said Dr. Radhavan, who is also the IUCN Freshwater Fish Red List Authority coordinator (South, North, East Asia and Oceania).

Though no population estimation has been carried out, historic records indicate a dramatic depletion in its numbers. Probably, the species may be on the edge of extinction, he said

Incidentally, The Hindu had reported the identification of the species Tor ramedevii from Chinnar in 2004.

Since the nomenclature, fisheries conservationists have started reviewing the conservation status of the species for updating the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species qualifies to be categorised as Critically Endangered, Dr. Raghavan said.

The fish is endemic to the south Cauvery river system and its tributaries. The distribution of the species is now limited to “some small pockets in Coorg, Moyar, Bhavani, Kabini, Pambar, all the upstream tributaries of the Cauvery.”

The fish can grow up to a length of 1.5 metres and weigh up to 55 kg and qualifies as megafauna, researchers said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by K.S. Sudhi / Kochi – July 17th, 2018

International fellowship for KVASU teacher

Dr. T.S. Rajeev.

Researcher and elephant studies expert at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University T.S. Rajeev has been selected for the Murray Fowler International Conference Scholarship instituted by the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV), Florida.

The fellowship, which consists of a purse of $2,000 and citation, will be presented at an international science conference of wildlife veterinarians and researchers at Prague from October 6 to 12.

Dr. Rajeev, head of the Elephant Studies Centre, will present a paper on impaction in elephants at the conference.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Staff Reporter / Thrissur – July 05th, 2018