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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 Entomology × Author: Amala, U × End date: 2010 × Start date: 2003 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Management of melon fly(Bactrocera cucurbitae coquillett) using local isolates Beauveria bassiana(Bals.)Vuill,Paecitomyces lilacinus(Thom.)Samson and Aspergillus candidus Link:Fries
    (College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2010) Amala, U; KAU; Jiji, T
    A study on “Management of melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillett using local isolates entomopathogenic fungi viz., B.bassiana (ITCC 6063), P.lilacinus (ITCC 6064), A.candidus (ITCC 5428)” was conducted in the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani.These fungi were screened against the pupae and adults of melon fly. The most promising fungus was selected based on its efficacy, mass multiplied for field application, standardized for field dosage and method of application. Dietary constituents comprising of honey, sucrose, jaggery, sugar and water in combination with yeast were evaluated for the laboratory rearing of melon fly. Bait preparation in 100 ml water containing 20g jaggery and 10g yeast was the best suitable diet for in vitro rearing of melon fly.The bioassay of the fungi on the pupae and adults was conducted and the most promising fungus was selected. The studies were conducted by soil drenching (pupae) and spraying (adults) using different spore concentrations of the fungi. Based on the percentage mortality and LC50 value, Paecilomyces lilacinus was identified as the most promising fungus for the management of melon fly. The fungus was mass multiplied on locally available cheaper solid (rice bran, wheat bran, gingelly oil cake, coir pith, neem cake) and liquid substrates(rice bran extract, wheat bran extract, boiled rice water, coconut water and water). Rice bran recorded the maximum spore count of P.lilacinus on 28th day after inoculation. The fungus cultured in rice bran, showed the maximum efficacy in causing pathogenicity on the pupae and adults of melon flies.In vitro studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the P. lilacinus on adults and pupae of melon flies under cage and trough conditions. Soil drenching with P. lilacinus @ 1.3x109 spores /ml (30 ml per trough) resulted in 92.45% mortality in pupae, five days after inoculation in soil, under trough conditions. Spraying with P. lilacinus @ 2.4x109 spores/ml recorded cent per cent mortality in adults, three days after treatment, under cage conditions.Food baits containing banana, jaggery and malathion in different combinations were used to document the peak time of activity of melon fly. Bait preparations in water (100 ml) containing 30g banana, 10g jaggery, 0.2 ml malathion and 10g yeast, showed superior performance in the trap catch of melon flies, with the peak during 8-10 a.m.Field experiment was conducted with the treatments viz., soil drenching (P. lilacinus), spraying (P. lilacinus), soil drenching + spraying (P. lilacinus), 0.2% malathion spray and control. Soil drenching with P. lilacinus at a spore concentration of 1.3x109 spores/ml (170 g P. lilacinus multiplied in rice bran in 17 litres of water per 40 m2) + spraying with P. lilacinus at 2.4x109 spores/ml (20 g P. lilacinus multiplied in rice bran in 2 litres of water per 40 m2) recorded the minimum percentage infestation of melon fly. The same treatment recorded significantly higher yield (16.6 t/ha) and a B: C ratio of 2.92 in bittergourd. Soil drenching with P. lilacinus recorded the maximum number of infected pupae in soil under field conditions. Lower incidence of pumpkin caterpillar was observed in soil drenching + spraying with P. lilacinus.. This treatment supported the maximum incidence of natural enemies under field condition.