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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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20202
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Subject: Agricultural Entomology × Author: Beegam Salma, M P × Start date: 2007 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Taxonomy of the tribe epilachnini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of Kerala
    (Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Beegam Salma, M P; KAU; Vidya, C V
    Coccinellidae, the lady beetle, is the largest family under the superfamily Coccinelloidea and is rich with nearly 6000 described species worldwide. Coccinellids are ecologically and morphologically diverse and exhibit a wide range of food habits spanning kingdoms and trophic levels. Majority of them are predaceous, while some are phytophagous and some mycophagous. Strictly herbivorous coccinellids are recognized under the tribe Epilachnini.Both the grubs and adults of epilachna beetles scrape the soft tissue on the surface of leaves, masticate it and suck the juice. In spite of its economic importance, no comprehensive studies have been carried out so far to explore the diversity of Epilchnini of Kerala. The study entitled “Taxonomy of tribe Epilachnini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of Kerala” was carried out inthe Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkaraduring 2018-2020 with the following objectives: (1) taxonomy of the tribe Epilachnini in different agricultural ecosystems of Kerala and (2) prepare an illustrated key for the identification of the species of Epilachnini Purposive surveys were conducted in different districts of Kerala covering 25 locations in different agricultural ecosystems.The adults were collected by hand picking and sweeping while the immature stages viz., eggs, grubs and pupae were collected along with the associated host plants and reared to adult stage. Adults were usually collected from the upper surface of leaves whereas the immature stages from the lower surface. Wet and dry preservations were followed for temporary and permanent storage, respectively. The specimens were mounted on triangular card points and labelled with details on locality, date of collection, collector’s name and host plant. The specimens were then dried in oven at 50-60ºC for 1-2 weeks and stored for further studies.Specimens available in the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara and College of Agriculture, Padannakkad were also used for the study. The beetles were first grouped based on their host plant and elytral pattern. The specimens were then dissected and taxonomic characters viz., antenna, mouth parts, tarsal claw, post coxal line, male and female genitalia were studied. Descriptions, illustrations and key to genera and species of Epilachnini of Kerala were prepared. The specimens were identified upto species levelbased on the available literature and taxonomic keys. Host range and distribution of species were studied and distribution map was prepared using Quantum GIS software. The study recognized seven species belonging to four genera viz., Afidenta Dieke, Affisa Dieke,Afidentula Kapur and Henosepilachna Li. Three species under Henosepilachna were identified upto species level viz., Henosepilachnadodecastigma Wiedemann, H. septima Dieke and H. vigintioctopunctata Fabricius The species identified under Afidenta and Afidentula included Afidenta misera Weise and Afidentula bisquadripunctata. Two species studied under Affisaare A. flavicollis (Thunberg) and A. nilgirica(Weise). Afissa nilgirica was earlier described under the genus Epilachna. As per the new generic classification of Epilachnini this species belongs to Afissa and hence transferred to Afissa and this is a new combination. Fourteen host plants were identified for Epilachnini in Kerala which included plants belonging to Fabaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Poaceae and Urticaceae. Epilachna beetles exhibited oligophagy in their feeding habit, with each species showing preference to plants belonging to a particular family. Henosepilachnavigintioctopunctata always preferred solanaceous plants, whereas H. septima preferred cucurbitaceous plants. Similarly, Afidenta misera preferred plants belonging to Fabaceae and Affisanilgirica prefered members of family Urticaceae. Henosepilachnaseptima and H. vigintioctopunctatawere found to be the most widely distributed species in the study area. Apart from crop plants, some of the weeds were also reported as the host plants of epilachna beetles. This study documented the faunal composition of Epilachnini of Kerala, their host range, and geographical distribution. The information generated can be effectively utilized in planning management strategy against epilachna beetles on major crops.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Taxonomy of the tribe epilachnini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of Kerala
    (Department of Agricultural Entomolgy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Beegam Salma, M P; KAU; Vidya, C V
    Coccinellidae, the lady beetle, is the largest family under the superfamily Coccinelloidea and is rich with nearly 6000 described species worldwide. Coccinellids are ecologically and morphologically diverse and exhibit a wide range of food habits spanning kingdoms and trophic levels. Majority of them are predaceous, while some are phytophagous and some mycophagous. Strictly herbivorous coccinellids are recognized under the tribe Epilachnini.Both the grubs and adults of epilachna beetles scrape the soft tissue on the surface of leaves, masticate it and suck the juice. In spite of its economic importance, no comprehensive studies have been carried out so far to explore the diversity of Epilchnini of Kerala. The study entitled “Taxonomy of tribe Epilachnini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of Kerala” was carried out inthe Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkaraduring 2018-2020 with the following objectives: (1) taxonomy of the tribe Epilachnini in different agricultural ecosystems of Kerala and (2) prepare an illustrated key for the identification of the species of Epilachnini Purposive surveys were conducted in different districts of Kerala covering 25 locations in different agricultural ecosystems.The adults were collected by hand picking and sweeping while the immature stages viz., eggs, grubs and pupae were collected along with the associated host plants and reared to adult stage. Adults were usually collected from the upper surface of leaves whereas the immature stages from the lower surface. Wet and dry preservations were followed for temporary and permanent storage, respectively. The specimens were mounted on triangular card points and labelled with details on locality, date of collection, collector’s name and host plant. The specimens were then dried in oven at 50-60ºC for 1-2 weeks and stored for further studies.Specimens available in the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara and College of Agriculture, Padannakkad were also used for the study. The beetles were first grouped based on their host plant and elytral pattern. The specimens were then dissected and taxonomic characters viz., antenna, mouth parts, tarsal claw, post coxal line, male and female genitalia were studied. Descriptions, illustrations and key to genera and species of Epilachnini of Kerala were prepared. The specimens were identified upto species levelbased on the available literature and taxonomic keys. Host range and distribution of species were studied and distribution map was prepared using Quantum GIS software. The study recognized seven species belonging to four genera viz., Afidenta Dieke, Affisa Dieke,Afidentula Kapur and Henosepilachna Li. Three species under Henosepilachna were identified upto species level viz., Henosepilachnadodecastigma Wiedemann, H. septima Dieke and H. vigintioctopunctata Fabricius The species identified under Afidenta and Afidentula included Afidenta misera Weise and Afidentula bisquadripunctata. Two species studied under Affisaare A. flavicollis (Thunberg) and A. nilgirica(Weise). Afissa nilgirica was earlier described under the genus Epilachna. As per the new generic classification of Epilachnini this species belongs to Afissa and hence transferred to Afissa and this is a new combination. Fourteen host plants were identified for Epilachnini in Kerala which included plants belonging to Fabaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Poaceae and Urticaceae. Epilachna beetles exhibited oligophagy in their feeding habit, with each species showing preference to plants belonging to a particular family. Henosepilachnavigintioctopunctata always preferred solanaceous plants, whereas H. septima preferred cucurbitaceous plants. Similarly, Afidenta misera preferred plants belonging to Fabaceae and Affisanilgirica prefered members of family Urticaceae. Henosepilachnaseptima and H. vigintioctopunctatawere found to be the most widely distributed species in the study area. Apart from crop plants, some of the weeds were also reported as the host plants of epilachna beetles. This study documented the faunal composition of Epilachnini of Kerala, their host range, and geographical distribution. The information generated can be effectively utilized in planning management strategy against epilachna beetles on major crops.