Development of energy saving forms of natural rubber

Although the physical and technological properties of modified rubbers were compared with those of conventional rubbers in the earlier studies reviewed above, the extent of energy saving possible by their use has not been quantified. In the present work it is proposed to determine the energy saving possible by using the following forms of natural rubber: 1. Oil extended natural rubber, 2. peptised natural rubber, 3. latex stage compounds. The process of production and quality control of the above types of processed rubbers are proposed to be standardised. It is also planned to work out a methodology for utilising field coagula for production of constant viscosity rubbers. The variation in processing properties of rubber from popular Indian clones will be examined and those with energy advantages in the processing stage will be identified. In conclusion a recommendation for adoption of a commercially advantageous processing procedure among Indian rubber plantation industry is also given.

Problems And Prospects Of Marketing Indian Cardamom At Home And Abroad

The main objective of the study has been to analyse the marketing problems of Indian cardamom at home and abroad and examine possible courses of action which would lead to increased consumption of cardamom, both within India and abroad. This has been done in the context of the anticipated increases in the Indian and world supply of cardamom. Field studies were undertaken to understand the cost of production of cardamom and cost of export. This study was also directed at examining how far price fluctuations in cardamom can be controlled in the Indian context, so as to have a reasonable and stable income for primary producers which will ensure adequate encouragement for higher production and better export earnings.

Studies On Chitinoclastic Bacteria In Coastal Zone

The thesis is proposed to study the occurrence and distribution of chitinoclasts in water, sediment and fauna as related to site characteristics such as temperature, salinity, depth of water, pH, etc. Since no information is available on the chitinolytic properties of coastal strains, it is also proposed to study the chitinolytic activity of the bacterial isolates in relation to various environmental conditions. It is also planned to work out the taxonomy of some of the representative isolates and certain kinetic properties of their chitinases. It is expected that the results of the study would yield a comprehensive information-on the chitinoclastic bacteria in the southern coastal zone of west coast of India.

Economics Of Poultry Farming In Kerala

Though of recent origin, commercial poultry farming has achieved momentum in Kerala because of its wide and varied potentials capability of employment creation, low investment, quick returns, lesser combination of various factors of production, enhanced productivity per unit of agricultural land, maintenance of soil fertility etc. Despite all the ancillary attributes characteristic of a thriving venture, the performance of poultry farming in Kerala was not comforting, especially in the case of small and medium size farms. This study has aimed at detailing the various components of cost and revenue in the business of poultry farming, and the adducing of empirical evidences on the nature of relationship of different variables as the gross income, current rate of productivity, extent of capacity utilisation and size of farms in terms of number of birds reared and the farms’ overall financial performance. Alongwith this a descriptive approach was made to highlight the challenges and opportunity poultry farming in Kerala, with special emphasis on its economic and financial aspects.

A study of the Coconut Economy of Kerala, 1956-1983

In the introductory chapter of the dissertation the importance of coconut cultivation for the economy of Kerala State has been highlighted. The second and third chapters contain analysis of changes in area, production and productivity of coconut cultivation in the state. The use of modern agricultural practices by coconut farmers is analysed in chapter IV. Cost of production and profitability are dealt with in chapter V, while the issues relating to coconut prices and marketing are presented in chapter VI. Diseases affecting coconut is the theme covered under chapter VII , Summary and conclusions are provided at the end.

Studies on The Ecophysiology Of Some Heterotrophic and Indicator Bacteria In The Marine Environments of Kerala

The thesis entitled "Studies on the eco-physiology of heterotrophic and indicator bacteria in the marine environments of Kerala" embodies the results of an investigation carried out by the candidate at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin. It is presentedd under 4 chapters in two parts (Parts A & B) and includes 6 sections. The material for the study was collected in the Cochin backwater during April 1972 to February. 1973, March 1974 to February 1975, July 1975 to June 1976 and in the ishore area during January to October, 1978 and an account of the heterotropic and indicator bacteria are given with intensity charts and tables. Samples from all the stations contained significant quantities of heterotrophs (Part A, Section I) and faecal pollution indicators (Section II). Maximum number of heterotrophic bacteria was observed during the postmonsoon period. The total counts betwen one station and the other did not vary as much as the counts between months did. The distribution was characterised by overdispersion. During 1972-73 in all the stations except the fourth the minimum heterotrophs (Total counts) were recorded during the monsoon period. Minimum counts were observed during the premonsoon period, with an increasing trend from the premonsoon to postmonsoon seasons. Maximum counts were recorded during monsoon months during 1974-75. No significant difference was noted in the total plate count between stations, months and regions. Seasonal variations in sea water was meagre during 1975-76, whereas in sediments variations were prominent during monsoon in Station I - near the mouth of the sewage effluent of Cochin City and in postmonsoon at Station II in the Mattancherry Channel and Station III near barmouth

Studies On Some Aspects Of Phytoplankton

The present study is concentrated on a composite group of algae of phy— toplankton. The algae in the aquatic environment are the most important of all ch1orophy1l- bearing life on earth on which considerable attention is being given on account of their supreme status in the aquatic food chain. Though the higher plants serve as the major primary producers in the terrestrial biocycle, the primary producers in the aquatic ecosystem especially in the marine environment-" assume unparalleled significance ‘because of their c'ontribution.to the high magnitude of production generating the fishery resources

Studies on the production management in the seafood processing industry in Kerala

Kerala was the pioneer in modern seafood processing and exporting. But now the industry is Iacingalot of problems due to low productivity and deterioration in the quality of the products. only about 17% of the installed freezing capacity in sea food processing industry was reported to be utilised during 1979-80. The price of the export commodities its decided by the buyers based on international supply and demand pattern and based on the strength and weakness of dollar/yen. The only way to increase the profitability of the processors is to reduce the cost of production to the possible extent. The individual processors find it difficult to continue in this field due to low productivity and quality problems. The main objectives of the research are to find out how the production is being managed in the seafood processing(freezing) 17industry in Kerala and the reasons for low productivity and poor quality of the products. The study includes a detailed analysis of Location of the factories. Layout Purchase, production and storage patterns. Production planning and scheduling. Work Measurement of the processing of important products. Quality Control and Inspection. Management Information System

A study of the marketing of fertilisers in India

This is a descriptive and analytical study. It investigates how Fertilisers are marketed in India. It describes and evaluates the system of fertiliser marketing prevalent in the country at the time of this study (1979-82). The study, as the title will indicate, has been conceived on a large canvass and in very broad and generalised terms. Such a large framework has been chosen with the intention of investigating the task of Fertiliser marketing in its totality

Physiological Effects Of Some Heavy Metals On Perna Viridis (Linnaeus)

No serious attempt has so far been made in India to make use of the ‘Mussel watch’ concept as a useful tool for pollution monitoring of the marine and estuarine environment. The recently conducted 'National seminar on mussel watch’ by the Cochin University of Science and Technology (13-14 Feb, 1986) discussed the technical aspects related to mussel watch programme and the application of sentinel organism concept to the coastal areas of India. It is well known that the biological and physiological characteristics of the organism inhabiting tropical waters such as those prevailing in India, and the ecological as well as the environmental characteristics of temperate areas, where mussel watch programmes are already in existence differ greatly. So it is essential to adopt the techniques and standards developed for temperate species to the situations and conditions in India. In this context it is a prerequisite to collect information on physiology and other biological indices of stress of possible sentinel organisms like P.viridis. In consideration of the above, P. viridis which is a potential sentinel organism, is selected for the present study

Technological Change and the Development of the Primary Fishing Industry of Kerala - A Study of Limited Growth

Induction of growth in the primary marine fishing industry of Kerala is a sine gua Qgn for improving the economy of the fishermen, the state's domestic product as well as earning more foreign exchange for the country. The State Administration has been trying to instil growth into the industry eversince the output of the industry showed marked sign of decline (particularly after 1975). Significantly, it has attempted to strengthen the traditional sector, (which is considered to be the crucial sector of the primary marine fishing industry of the state) by introducing intermediate technology and by revamping the organisational structure of the industry. But it appears that the production system in the primary marine fishing industry of Kerala has been severely constrained by the existing technology, organisation of production and marketing institutions. Regeneration of growth in the industry calls forth an understanding of the 'process' of growth in the industry and the need to réorganise it with new technology, and new organisations. The present study is an attempt to unraval the process of growth in the primary marine fishing industry of Kerala since 1951

Pilot Plant Studies On The Utilization Of Industrial Wastes For Industrial Bitumen Manufacture

The main objectives of the investigations reported in the present thesis are the following: (1) to find out some industrial wastes as cheaper additives to augment the air-blowing polymerization process of bitumen. This will bring down the cost of production of industrial bitumen which can be applied for the manufacture of bitumenous paints, roofing and flooring materials etc. (2) to find out suitable promoters for the above additives. This will bring down the consumption of the additives (3) to help in the industrial pollution control (4) to investigate the usefulness of the industrial bitumen produced in the production of bituminous paints (5) to find out thekinetic parameters of the reactions invovled with different additives. This is essential for the design, construction and operation of new industrial bitumen plants using the additives investigated. This will also enable us to establish the mechanism of the reactions involved in the process

Studies On The Reproduction Of Indian Whiting Sill/160 5'/Ham/1 (Forskal) (Percoidei, Sillaginidae)

From the point of view of rational exploitation and proper management of the fishery resources as well as for the development of intensive aquaculture of fishes through selective breeding, brood stock development, domestication and genetic improvement, a sound knowledge of reproductive biology and physiology of the candidate species is of great importance. In recent times, a wealth of information on maturity, spawning habits, spawning periodicity, spawning season, size at maturity and fecundity of commercially important fishes has been generated. Gametogenesis involves the transformation of Primordial germ cells in the gonads into specialised cells or gametes, namely ova in the female and sperms in male, through a series of complex morphological and cytological events. The formation of male gamete is known as spermatogenesis. In the female, the primary growth phase involving the formation of primary oocyte from oogonia is known as oogenesis, which would be followed by the secondary growth phase, in which considerable increase in the size of the oocyte occurs, due mainly to accumulation of yolk. This process is known as vitellogenesis, which would be followed by final maturation and ovulation of the ova. In the present work, basic aspects of maturation and spawning, salient features of gametogenesis and associated biochemical changes occurring during these processes in an important cultivable fish, Sillago sihama belonging to the family Sillaginidae have been investigated.

Development and Deployment of Wireless Sensor Network in Paddy Fields of Kuttanad

The evolution of wireless sensor network technology has enabled us to develop advanced systems for real time monitoring. In the present scenario wireless sensor networks are increasingly being used for precision agriculture. The advantages of using wireless sensor networks in agriculture are distributed data collection and monitoring, monitor and control of climate, irrigation and nutrient supply. Hence decreasing the cost of production and increasing the efficiency of production. This paper describes the development and deployment of wireless sensor network for crop monitoring in the paddy fields of Kuttanad, a region of Kerala, the southern state of India.