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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
    Dissipation and risk assessment of select insecticides used for pest management in cabbage and cauliflower
    (Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2018) Anju Padmanabhan; KAU; Ambily Paul
    Studies on “Dissipation and risk assessment of select insecticides used for pest management in cabbage and cauliflower” was conducted in College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara and farmers field at Kalliyoor during 2015-2018. The present research work was under taken to study the dissipation of select insecticides viz., chlorantraniliprole 18.5 % SC, flubendiamide 39.35 % SC, indoxacarb14.5 % SC, emamectin benzoate 5 % SG, fipronil 5 % SC, quinalphos 25 % EC, cypermethrin 10% EC, acetamiprid 20% SP, thiamethoxam 25 % WG and dimethoate 30 % EC in cabbage and cauliflower, to assess their potential risks to human health, to determine their effect on soil microbial activity, to estimate the residues in cooked samples and to evaluate the efficacy of “Veggie Wash” to eliminate residues. Survey conducted among 25 each of farmers cultivating cabbage and cauliflower in plain (Thiruvananthapuram) and hill (Idukki) representing two agro climatic conditions revealed that pest infestation was more in hills when compared with plains. Accordingly, pesticide usage was higher in Idukki (84 % each) than in Thiruvananthapuram district (12 and 8 %) in cabbage and cauliflower respectively. Dissipation studies of insecticides having label claim for cabbage and cauliflower under CIB & RC in two agroclimatic regions of Kerala viz., Thiruvananthapuram and Idukki showed that the degradation of insecticides varied with crop and chemistry of the insecticides. Insecticides persisted more in cabbage under plain were flubendiamide (20 days) followed by acetamiprid and quinalphos (10 days each), while in hills, higher persistence was observed in flubendiamide, cypermethrin and quinalphos (10 days each). The lowest persistence was observed in fipronil (3 days) in cabbage under plains and acetamiprid (3 days) in hills. In cauliflower higher persistence was observed for flubendiamide, chlorantraniliprole and dimethoate in plains and flubendiamide, quinalphos (20 days each) and cypermethrin (15 days) treated plots in hills. The lowest persistence was observed for emamectin benzoate (3 days) in cauliflower under plains and hills. Risk assessment study was carried out in cabbage and cauliflower using selected insecticides under plains and hills by comparing the values of Theortical Maximum Residue Concentration (TMRC) and Maximum Permissible Intake (MPI). The result revealed that consumption of dimethoate and fipronil treated cabbage and cauliflower were found to be risky to the end users. However, all other insecticides are safe even on the same day of insecticide application. Effect of insecticides on soil microbial activity was studied in cabbage and cauliflower through the activity of urease, phosphatase and dehydrogenase enzymes. Lower reduction in urease activity was observed in flubendiamide, dimethoate and thiamethoxam treated plot and higher reduction was recorded in fipronil and quinalphos treated plots over control both in cabbage and cauliflower. However, lower reduction in phosphatase activity was recorded in flubendiamide, thiamethoxam and cypermethrin and higher reduction was observed in indoxacarb and fipronil treated plots over control. Lower reduction in dehydrogenase activity was recorded in cypermethrin, acetamiprid and thiamethoxam treated plots and higher reduction was recorded in indoxacarb and fipronil treated plots over contol in both cabbage and cauliflower. Study on extent of removal of insecticides through cooking from cabbage and cauliflower was conducted with insecticides which had more persistence revealed that 15 min cooking removed more residues and the highest removal was observed for quinalphos (54.79 %) in cabbage under plains and cypermethrin (66.47 %) in hills. However, in cauliflower the highest per cent removal was observed for chlorantraniliprole (44.78) in plains and cypermethrin (52.32 %) in hills. “Veggie wash” technology was evaluated in the cabbage and cauliflower after application of insecticides at recommended doses revealed that dipping of cabbage and cauliflower in one per cent “Veggie Wash” solution for 10 min. followed by water wash removed 12-40 per cent of treated insecticides while water wash alone removed 9 -35 per cent. The present study revealed that the dissipation pattern of insecticides varied with crop, agro climatic areas, and chemistry of the molecules. Risk assessment study shown that insecticides viz., fipronil and dimethoate posed risk on human health even at recommended dose. Studies on effect of insecticides on soil enzyme revealed that except fipronil and indoxacarb, all other insecticides under present study have less impact on soil enzymes. Decontamination studies showed that cooking at 15 min. removed 50-60 per cent of insecticides and “Veggie Wash” removed 12-40 per cent of treated insecticides. Present study urged the need to evaluate the new insecticides carefully, by considering safety to environment and human health. The risk assessment studies of all insecticides should be done before going for field level recommendations.