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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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Subject: Agricultural Business Management × Author: KAU × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2012 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Rapid multiplication of kasthuri turmeric (Curcuma aromatica Salisb.) through minisett technique and nursery management
    (College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Aswathy, T S; KAU; Jessykutty, P C
    The study entitled “Rapid multiplication of kasthuri turmeric (Curcuma aromatica Salisb.) through minisett technique and nursery management” was carried out with an objective to standardize minisett method of macro propagation and nursery techniques for rapid mass multiplication of kasthuri turmeric. The investigation was taken up as different experiments to find out the best pre-sprouting treatment for the minisetts, best media for the pro-tray seedlings and finally the optimum age at transplanting of these seedlings and their field evaluation. In the 1st experiment, rhizome bits with two node (S1 - approximate weight 5g) and three node (S2- approximate weight 7g) was prepared and it was subjected to different pretreatments with chemicals/growth regulators such as Benzyl adenine (BA – 25 ppm, 50 ppm and 100 ppm for 24 hrs. ), Ethrel (125 ppm for 30 mts and 250 ppm for 15 mts) , Potassium nitrate( KNO3 - 0.2 % for 30 mts) and Urea (5g L-1 for 30 mts) with an absolute control (no pre-soaking treatment) to find out the best sprouting treatment. It was observed that better sprouting (72.50 %) was noticed in 3 node rhizome bits than in 2 node bits (64.13 %). Among the pre-treatments, soaking rhizome bits in benzyl adenine 100 ppm for 24 hrs. recorded the highest sprouting (95.60 %). The pre-treatment using 0.2% KNO3 (45.80 %) gave the lowest sprouting which was on par with control (54.00 %) In the 2nd experiment, the best media combinations for pro-tray seedlings as well as the optimum age at transplanting were assessed. The results revealed that out of the three nursery mixture combinations, growth parameters such as rooting percent, plant height, number of leaves, number of roots, and root length were significantly superior in M2 (Vermicompost + Coirpith + Trichoderma) compared to M1(Cowdung + Coirpith + Trichoderma) media. In M3 (Coirpith + Neemcake + Trichoderma) decaying of the sprouted bits were noticed. To find out the optimum age at transplanting ,the field experiment was laid out in split plot design with 3 different sowing dates (D1 -30th, D2 -45th and D3 -60th DAS) of both 2 node (S1) and three node (S2) seedlings from M1 and M2 media combination (S1M1, S1M2. S2M1 and S2M2 ) with five replication. Plants raised by conventional method i.e., planting of rhizome with 15 g size was the control. The results revealed that minisett seedlings established better in the field and their morphological characters, physiological parameters and ultimately yield were higher than that of conventional method of rhizome planting. The seedlings of 3 node rhizome bits planted in M2 (Vermicompost + Coir pith + Trichoderma) media transplanted 60 DAS (s2m2d3) recorded significantly superior performance with regard to plant height, number of leaves, number and length of roots, physiological parameters viz., Net assimilation rate, Crop growth rate, Leaf area index and biochemical characters such as oleoresin and non-volatile ether extract content than seedlings transplanted 30 DAS. Regarding fresh rhizome yield, 3 node rhizome bits planted in M2 (Vermicompost + Coir pith + Trichoderma) media transplanted 60 DAS (s2m2d3) recorded the highest value (15.98 t ha -1) which was higher than control (15.33 t ha -1). In the cost benefit analysis, 3 node rhizome bits planted in M2 (Vermicompost + Coir pith + Trichoderma) media transplanted 60 (d3s2m2) (3.29) and 45 (d2s2m2) (3.23) DAS recorded higher B:C ratio compared to control (2.98). Findings from the present study reveal that pre-sprouting treatments with benzyl adenine 100 ppm enhances sprouting of two node and three node rhizome bits of kasthuri turmeric thereby reducing the quantity of the costly seed rhizome. Thus raising of pro-tray seedlings using three node bits in vermicompost and Trichoderma enriched coir pith mixture has good potential for obtaining sturdy, uniform and healthy seedlings. Maintaining such seedlings in the nursery for a period of not less than 30 days and transplanting such seedlings at 45-60 DAS in the main field ultimately leads to higher yield and 50% saving of seed material.