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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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20111
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Subject: Agricultural Biotechnology × Author: Sheeba, B S × End date: 2015 × Start date: 2011 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Production technology for organic watermelon
    (College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Sheeba, B S; KAU; Sajitha, Rani T
    The present investigation was carried out at College of Agriculture, Vellayani to find out a suitable date of planting and the effect of different doses of FYM on the growth, yield and economics of organic watermelon from October 2010 to March 2011. The experiment was laid out in Split plot design with four replications. The Main plot treatments consisted of five dates of planting (D1- October 15th, D2- November 1st, D3- November 15th , D4- December 1st and D5- December 15th. The sub plot treatment consisted of four levels of nutrients viz. (T1-5 kg FYM plant-1, T2-4 kg FYM plant-1, T3-3 kg FYM plant-1 and T4-2 kg FYM plant-1 + 7:2.5:2.5 g NPK plant-1 [control] - POP Recommended dose of KAU). Plants sown on earlier planting date recorded significantly more number of branches, maximum vine length, female flowers plant-1, total fruit plant-1, total fruit ha-1, marketable fruit plant-1, marketable fruit ha-1, marketable yield ha-1, average fruit weight, fruit diameter, flesh thickness and fruit girth compared to the later planting dates. Flower opening was significantly influenced by planting dates. The earlier planting took maximum days to first harvest and maximum crop duration compared to later planting dates. Quality attributes like total sugar and non-reducing sugar were significantly higher for earlier planting dates. Uptake of N and K was more in earlier planting dates compared to that of later planting dates. Gross return, Net return and B: C ratio of water melon were recorded higher for earlier planting dates. The highest level of nutrient (5 kg FYM plant -1) recorded maximum days to first harvest and took more crop duration. Maximum number of branches plant-1, maximum vine length , total fruit plant-1, marketable fruit ha-1, marketable yield ha-1, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, flesh thickness and fruit girth was also recorded by the highest level of nutrient ( 5 kg FYM plant -1) compared to the lower levels of nutrients. Uptake of N, P and K was also significantly more in plots receiving highest level of nutrient. The available N, P and K content in soil was also significantly more in plots receiving highest level of nutrient. The highest Gross return, Net return, B: C ratios for watermelon were also recorded by the highest level of nutrient (5 kg FYM plant -1).