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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of different shadings on the environmental parameters
    (Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2006) Bindu, P K; KAU; Xavier, K Jacob
    Controlled environment agriculture in the form of shade houses, greenhouses, low tunnels and cloches are being practised at commercial levels in many countries. Among these, cultivation under shades is an easier method which is widely used for growing ornamental plants. Considering the scope of cultivating vegetables under shade nets, the thesis entitled ‘Effect of different shadings on the environmental parameters’ was undertaken. Four shade structures of size 6 m x 4 m x 2 m were constructed at the instructional farm, KCAET, Tavanur. The shade nets tested were green and black shade nests providing 50% and 75% shade respectively. The effect of shades on the environmental parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation intensity and light intensity were studied. These parameters were compared with those in the open space. The temperature was reduced by the shade nets, but the reduction was only in the range of 0.5 to 4°C. The temperature under the black nets was higher than that under the green nets. The relative humidity was higher under the shade nets than in the open space. Also the RH under the green nets is higher compared to that under the black nets. The solar radiation intensity and the light intensity were reduced by the nets in varying ranges. The light intensity and solar radiation intensity under the black nets were very less compared to the green nets. The equations developed give a clear idea about the variation in environmental parameters under the shade nets. The growth of tomato was better in the open space than under the shades. The growth of and yield of amaranthus was better under the G50 shade net. The growth and yield of amaranthus grown in the open space was better compared to those obtained under the G75, B50 and B75 nets.