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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: Jangaiah, V × End date: 2007 × Start date: 2007 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Insect community analysis in cucurbitaceous vegetables and impact of insecticides on insect pollinators
    (Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2007) Jangaiah, V; KAU; Devanesan, S
    A study was undertaken to document the various insects associated with cucurbitaceous vegetables in ten locations of Kalliyoor panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram district from March 2006 to February 2007. A field trial was also carried out to assess the impact of insecticides on the insect pollinators, natural enemies and pests. The total number of different species of insects recorded on the cucurbitaceous vegetables was found to be 47. Of these, the important groups of insects observed were Hymenoptera (28 per cent), Coleoptera (21 per cent), Lepidoptera (19 per cent), Hemiptera (17 per cent), Diptera (11 per cent) followed by Orthoptera and Thysanoptera (2 per cent each). Besides the insects, two species of spiders (Araneae) and one species of mite (Acariformes) were observed in three cucurbits. Bees were the predominant insect pollinators identified. Among the four species recorded, Apis cerana indica Fab. was the most abundant in oriental pickling melon and snake gourd. Trigona sp. was abundant in bitter gourd. Apis mellifera L. least visited the cucurbit flowers. Among the three cucurbitaceous vegetables, the highest insect pollinators activity was recorded in oriental pickling melon followed by bitter gourd and snake gourd. The peak period of activity of the pollinators was noted to be during 1000 hr to 1100 hr and 1500 hr to 1600 hr. Maximum foraging activity of different insect pollinators was recorded during the seventh week after sowing in bitter gourd and snake gourd and sixth week after sowing in oriental pickling melon. The population of insect pollinators was more in summer than rainy season. The higher activity of insect pollinators was observed under pesticide free condition in the Instructional farm when compared to farmer’s field where insecticides were frequently applied. The dominant insect pests recorded were Bactrocera cucurbitae Coq. and Aulacophora spp. followed by Aphis spp., Henosepilachna sp., Liriomyza trifoli Burgess, Diaphania indica Saunders, Anadevidia peponis Fb. and thirteen other pests. The highest fruit fly infestation was observed in bitter gourd (38.66 per cent) followed by snake gourd and oriental pickling melon. Pumpkin beetles caused up to 28.99 per cent damage in oriental pickling melon and 22.44 per cent in snake gourd. No infestation was observed in bittergourd. Two species of spiders(Oxyopes javanus Thorell and Lycosa pseudoannulata Boes et st.), three coccinellid beetles (Menochilus sexmaculatus Fab., Synharmonia octomaculata Fab. and Micraspis crocea Mulsant) and two parasitoids (Apanteles sp. and Chrysocharis johnsonii Walker) were the major natural enemies recorded. Foliar application of neem oil 2.0 per cent, imidacloprid 0.002 per cent and malathion 0.2 per cent proved to be safer to pollinators than other chemical insecticides. Imidacloprid 0.002 per cent and malathion 0.2 per cent significantly reduced pest infestation. Neem oil 2.0 per cent and imidacloprid 0.002 per cent were also safer to the natural enemies. The highest yield was recorded in imidacloprid 0.002 per cent treatment followed by malathion 0.2 per cent and carbaryl 0.1 per cent treated plot. Evidently, selective use of insecticides like imidacloprid 0.002 per cent and malathion 0.2 per cent could effectively check pest infestation without harming the pollinators and natural enemies in cucurbitaceous vegetable ecosystem.