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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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ThesisItem Open Access Bio-ecology and management of perianth infesting mealy bugs dysmicoccus brevipes(Cockerell) and Pseudococcus Longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) on coconut(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Bindu Radhakrishnan; KAU; Premila, K SA study was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani from January 2001 to December 2001 to study the biology, species composition and symptomatology of perianth infesting mealybugs, D. brevipes and P. longispinus infesting the coconut palm and to assess the yield losses caused by the pest and to evolve management measures. The biology of the two species was studied after reanng them on pumpkin fruits. The mean larval period and adult longevity of D. brevipes and P. longispinus when reared on pumpkin were 36 and 103.3 and 26 and 57 days respectively. The mean sex ratio of D. brevipes was 3.17 and of P. longispinus was 3.54. Pumpkin appeared to be a good host material for mass rearing PMBs. Studies on the yield loss assessment revealed an annual yield loss of Rs 139.20/ palm in the highly susceptible palms whereas in the medium and low susceptible palms the yield losses were Rs. 85.80/palm and Rs. 40.80/ palm respectively. When the influence of bunch age on the extent of damage by mealybugs was studied, highest mean per cent damage was observed in the fifth bunch followed by fourth and sixth bunches. Maximum population of PMBs were observed in the fifth nutlet. The mean population of D. brevipes was maximum during May (1.31) whereas the mean population of P. longispinus was maximum during March (1.13). Studies on the susceptibility of stage of bunch to mealybug damage indicated that the peak level of damage was in the fifth bunch. Consequently the maximum damage was observed in the month of June. Rainfall was observed to be the most important factor adversely affecting mealybug population. Development of symptoms as a consequence of feeding injury by PMBs include drying of nut without drying of calyx, stunting, deformities in the buttons such as development of cavities in place of embryo and gummy exudation. The mean population of other perianth infesting arthropods found associated with highly infested category of palms was low when compared to medium and low category palms. A positive relation between number of flowers per spikelet and susceptibility to mealybugs was observed. A study on the reaction of nutlets of WC'T variety to PMBs in terms of tepal colour revealed that orange and green coloured tepals were the most preferred by PMBs. Ant species C. nuda, T. albipis and A. longipes were seen closely associated with PMBs. Among the various pesticides evaluated against PMBs, triazophos (0.05) and profenofos (0.05) were found to be effective in controlling the pest.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation and management of pest complex in cashew grafts(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Deepthy, K B; KAU; Susannamma, KurienExperiments were conducted at Cashew Research Station, Madakkathara and the Departments of Entomology and Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara with the objectives of identifying high yielding cashew variety possessing resistance or tolerance to the Tea Mosquito Bug - Colletotrichum gloeosporioides complx and also to develop an effective and safer management strategy using pesticides. Screening of selected cashew grafts against tea mosquito bug (TMB) and Colletotrichum complex revealed that plants infected with TMB alone cause slight damage and may regain their growth after a period of time, but when the plants were . \ inoculated with Colletotrichum and infected by TMB, the plants cannot regain their growth, once the die-back symptoms were incited. The variety 11-1600 was observed to be better as it IS comparatively tolerant to both TMB and TMB-Colletotrichum complex. The varieties Madakkathara- 2, H-1610 and Kanaka also recorded lesser TMB damage. Inoculation with AMF resulted in greater germination percentage and enhanced growth attributes like height, number of leaves, number of roots, fresh weight and dry weight of plants. Among ,the insecticides, quinalphos and carbaryl were effective in reducing the TMB infestation. Combination sprays of carbendaziml copper oxychloride with quinalphos also proved effective against TMB- Colletotrichum pest complex. The scope of rationalising TMB management has been discussed in the light of the relative tolerance of the varieties and the need for judicious application of selected insecticides to contain TMB and of selected fungicides in conjunction to control the subsequent invasion by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides that may aggravate the die- back symptoms highlighted.ThesisItem Open Access Pathogencity, yield loss assessment and management of root -knot nematode, meloidogyne incognita (kofoid and white) chitwood on chilli (capsicum annum L.)(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Rajitha, R; KAU; Arthur Jacob, JA study was conducted in pots to determine the pathogenicity of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949 on chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). A significant reduction was seen in the growth parameters' at 30, 60 DAT and final harvest when chilli plants were inoculated with 50, 100, 200 and 300 hllOO g soil. A progressive reduction in yield was also observed wi th increase in the inoculum levels, the reduction in yield ranging from 17.59 to 62.99 per cent. Multiplication of the nematode was high at 50 and 100 hll 00 g soil. Considering the importance of the crop in the state, 40 per cent loss in .- yield and multiplication of the nematode in relation to its initial density at 100 Jz 11 00 g soil, the damage threshold of the nematode was fixed as 100 lj100 g soil. Thirteen accessions including high yielding varieties and local accessions were screened in pots for resistance to M. inco gnita. Pusa Sadabahar and Khandari were moderately resistant to the nematode. Pusa Sadabahar,Pusa Jwala and Pant C-l were moderately resistant to infestation of chilli thrips, Scirtothr ips dorsalis and chilli mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus. The high yielding varieties, Jwalamukhi and Jwalasakhi released by Kerala Agricultural University were susceptible to , the nematode but moderately resistant to pest infestation. Three bioagents viz., AMF @ 250 spores per plant, fluorescent pseudomonads 2 per cent and Trichoderma sp. 5 per cent and oilcakes viz., neem cake and mustard cake @ 1 t ha-l were evaluated for their efficacy in controlling M. incognita in comparison with carbofuran @l kg ai ha-l in pots. Treatment with the bioagents protected chilli plants better from the infestation of the nematode while amendment of soil with oilcakes resulted in better growth of plants. Yield was also higher in plants treated with bioagents. Among the bioagents, application of AMF @ 250 spores per plant and Trichoderma sp. 5 per cent were equally effective 111 reducing nematode infestation and increasing yield of chilli. Based on the results of the study. M. incognito can be considered as a potential threat to the cultivation of chilli at 100 hll 00 g soil. Cultivation of the varieties Pusa Jwala or Pusa Sadabahar would be a viable option in areas where root-knot nematode and chilli mite and thrips are a major problem. Application of the vermiculite formulation of AMF @ 250 spores per plant or Trichoderma sp. 5 per cent at planting can be recommended for inclusion 111 integrated nematode management programmes in chilli.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of plant products and sterile insect technique in the management of red palm weevil(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Maheswari, P; KAU; Krishnakumar, RAn experiment was conducted in the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani to find the effectiveness of plant products and sterile insect technique to contain red palm weevil in coconut. As a part of the experiment, survey was conducted 111 the red palm weevil infested tracts of Thiruvananthapuram district between June 2001- February 2002 to find out the extent of damage caused by red palm weevil. The data collected during the survey revealed that, the infestation of red palm weevil was highest in coastal area than that in inland areas; The percentage infestation was higher during June and less during February months. Also the infestation was higher in palms upto 7 years old. The results on the study of the effect of plant products to contain red palm weevil showed that apple extract of Anacardium occidentale 10% was the best treatment which caused highest mortality of red palm weevil. Also leaf extract of Thevetia neriifolia , seed oil of A. indica and seed oil of Samadera indica had shown considerable repellency of red palm weevil under laboratory conditions. In the case of sterile insect technique, gamma radiation at 1.5 Krad was found to be the best treatment as it caused considerable sterility as well as higher longevity of irradiated insects. The irradiated insects should be exposed to 6 virgin females for the duration of 12 days before releasing in the field to nullify the effect of initial fertility of unaffected sperms in the irradiated insects. The studies also revealed that there were repeated mating in red palm weevil and the sperms transferred during the recent mating only aids fertilization. To counteract the competition by wild males to mate with females, the irradiated males should be flooded in the field with a ratio of 10 irradiated male insects per normal male in the field. In conclusion the experiment reveals the overall efficiency of plant products and sterile insect technique to manage red palm weevil in coconut.ThesisItem Open Access Management of the leaf roller complex on rice Oryza sativa L(Division of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Lekha, M; KAU; Premila, K SThe magnitude and intensity of leaf roller complex and natural enemies at different growth stages of the rice crop were assessed in a survey conducted during Mundakan season of 2002, adopting random sampling technique in Kalliyoor panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram district. The survey revealed the occurrence of two different species of leaf roller viz., Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) and Marasmia patnafis (Bradley). The distribution pattern of these two species in the n ce ecosystem varied. C. medinalis had a population peak during the vegetative stage and showed a gradual decline as the crop growth progressed, whereas, M. patnalis had a population peak during the early reproductive stage compared to vegetative and late reproductive stage. The natural enemies recorded from the rice ecosystem incl ude three parasites and ten predators. The distribution of natural enemies in the rice ecosystem revealed that the population of parasites and predators showed a gradual increase from vegetative to reproductive phase. From the field experiment, it was evident that the synthetic insecticides alone and botanicals + half dose synthetic insecticides were efficient in suppressing the pbpulation of rice leaf roller. The treatments with botanicals alone did not show any significant reduction in the population of leaf roller compared to control. G. tr iangulifer, a specific larval parasite of rice leaf roller, was unaffected by the botanicals, synthetic insecticides and their combinations at 30 OAT. In the case of X flavolineata and Cot esia sp., only an initial suppression was noticed in insecticide included treatments. Later it was found to be safe. All these treatments were found to be relatively safe to predatory beetles. But Agriocnemis sp., spiders, predatory bugs and Conocephalus sp. was adversely affected by the insecticide included treatments. Botanicals were safe to all the natural enemies observed but they were ineffective against rice leaf roller. The yield obtained was also the highest in synthetic insecticides alone and botanicals + half dose of synthetic insecticide treatments and were on par. Overall assessment of the results obtained revealed that synthetic insecticides alone and botanicals + half dose of synthetic insecticides were equally effective in controlling rice leaf roller and safe to its specific parasites and predators. For other natural enemies, it showed a varying trend. In some cases there was an initial suppression and then recolonization occurred. From this result, it was clear that botanicals + half dose synthetic insecticides were as equally effective as full dose of synthetic insecticides in suppressing the pest and in protecting natural enemies. Hence we can substitute the full dose of synthetic insecticides with combination of botanicals (either NSO three per cent or azadirachtin 0.004 per cent) and half dose of synthetic insecticides (either quinalphos 0.0025 per cent or imidacloprid 0.0025 per cent) for an ecofriendly management of rice leaf roller.ThesisItem Open Access Bio efficacy of newer isecticides against leaf hopper, empoasca motti pruthi in bitter gourd(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Karthikeyan, K; KAU; Mani, ChellappanBio efficacy of newer insecticides was evaluated by two field experiments at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during rabi, 2001 and summer, 2002.against major pests of bitter gourd. Imidacloprid (2 g a.i.kg") and acetamiprid (1.5 g a.i.kg") were used as a seed dressers .The newer molecules namely acetamiprid, ethofenprox and imidacloprid were sprayed at different crop stages viz., early vegetative (30 DAS), pre flowering (50 DAS) and fruiting stage (64 DAS) as separate treatments. Acephate was used as a standard check. The present investigation revealed that acetamiprid (1.5 g a. i. kg") was the most effective insecticide as seed dressers against sap feeders viz., leaf hoppers and aphids. Foliar spray application revealed that both imidacloprid (20 g a.i.ha") and acetamiprid (10 g a.i. ha") consistently effective in reducing the sucking pests viz., leaf hopper and aphids followed by ethofenprox (50 g a.i.ha") in both the season. Fruiting stage spray by acetamiprid and imidacloprid had registered the lowest fruitfly infestation .The fruit borer infestation was less in the plots, which received the preflowering and fruiting stage insecticide sprays. The highest yield of bitter gourd was recorded in the imidacloprid (pre flowering stage spray) treated plots in both rabi (1 o 1. 66'fruits/Sm2) and summer (1 02. 66fruits/Sm2) seasons. Seed treatment of newer insecticides had no harmful effect 'on soil micro flora (fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes). Population of natural enemies was unaffected by the insecticide applied along with the seed compared to the foliar applications. Studies on the residues of imidacloprid by high performance liquid chromatography indicated that imidacloprid applied at different stage of the crop viz., sowing, early vegetative, preflowering and fruiting stage to bitter gourd resulted no detectable residue in the harvested fruits.ThesisItem Open Access Platygasterid parasitoids in rice and vegetables(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Arjitha, P V; KAU; Ushakumari, RThe survey was conducted in the rice fields of Ollukkara and Madakkathara panchayats of the Thrissur district, Kerala during J line 2002 to January 2003. Six species of Platygaster namely, P. coorgensis (Mukerjee), P. inderdaadi (Mukerjee), P. malabaricus (Mukerjee), P. minimus (Mukerjee), P. orzyae Cameron and P. sasii Ushakumari have been recorded as pupal parasitoids of the rice gall midge Orseolia oryzae (Wood-Mason). All the species except P. oryzae are new reports from rice gall midge 0. oryzae (Wood-Mason). Parasitism by platygasterid parasitoids in cecidomyiid galls, mealy bugs and white flies of vegetables was recorded during the survey. The species composition as well as seasonal and varietal variation in the incidence of the parasotoids and the other relevant aspects of the study have bee discussed. P. coorgensis is 1.13 mm in length; antenna 10 segmented with five club forming segments; notauli absent; submarginal vein present. P. inderdaadi is 1.21 mm in length; antenna 10 segmented with five club forming segments, fourth segment large sized; notauli absent; submarginal vein present. P. malabaricus and P. minimus differ in case of notauli character. In P. minimus notauli is present where as in P. malabaricus it is absent. P. oryzae is the smallest among the six species studied i.e., 1.1 mm in length; antennal segments 10 with four club forming segments; notauli present and is faint, submarginal vein absent. P. sash is the largest among the six species, 2 mm in length. It is the solitary species while all others are gregarious, antenna 10 segmented with five club forming segments, notauli distinct and submarginal vein present. The peak Platygaster population was recorded in the 'virippu' season and during the first week of September. In the 'mundakan' season, the maximum population was observed during the second week of November. There is significant difference in Platygaster populations between the two seasons, the 'mundakan' season, showing significantly higher population of Platygaster parasitoids than in the 'virippu' season. The maximum' per cent parasitism was observed during the third week of September in 'virippu' season (25.69) and last week of October in 'rnundakan' season (44.17) in both panchayats. The mean per cent parasitism in 'virippu' season was 20.67 and in 'mundakan' season it was 33.94. The per cent parasitism was found to be significantly higher in 'mundakan' season. Two types of Platygasfer were observed based on the number of parasitoids emerging from the galls, namely, the solitary and gregarious types. The solitary type is identified as P. sasii and the gregarious types are identified as P. coorgensis, P. minimus and P. oryzae. Seven species of other hymenopteran parasitoids also recorded from the galls. They are Eurytoma sp. (Eurytomidae), Litus sp. (Pteromalidae), Neanastatus cinctiventris Girault (Eupelmidae), Telenomus sp. (Scelionidae), one species of Eucoilidae and two species ofMymaridae. There was no gall fly infestation and platygasterid parasitoids in the rice varieties studied during 'mundakan' 2002 season at RARS, Pattambi. During 'virippu' 2003, out of the 50 varieties' observed, gall infestation was seen in the varieties Red Ponmani, CO-42, IET-13358, MTU-7 and Kuruva, but no Platygaster parasitoids were recorded from these varieties.ThesisItem Open Access Seasonal occurrence and ecofriendly management of pests of black pepper (Piper Nigrum L.)(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Sageetha, A S; KAU; Nandakumar, CSeasonal occurrence of the pests of black pepper was studied in the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from May 2002 to April 2003. Pollu beetle adults were present in the field throughout the year. Maximum population was observed during first fortnight of November 2002. There was significant negative correlation between the pollu beetle population and maximum temperature and significant positive correlation with relative humidity. Leaf damage by pollu beetle was maximum during second fortnight of November 2002. Significant negative correlation was obtained between leaf damage by pollu beetle and maximum temperature. The intensity of leaves damaged was maximum during first fortnight of December 2002. The relationship was significantly positive with maximum temperature and negative with relative humidity. Spike and berry damage by pollu beetle was maximum during the first and second fortnight of February 2003. There was significant negative correlation between spike and berry damage and minimum temperature. The top shoot borer damage had a significant negative correlation with maximum temperature and maximum damage was observed during second fortnight of ovember 2002. The damage of leaf gall thrips on leaves had significant positive correlation with maximum temperature. Maximum damage on leaves was observed during the month of April 2003. Intensity of damage by scale insects on vines had significant negative correlation with maximum temperature and maximum damage was observed during first fortnight of April 2002. Eight botanical pesticides including their combinations were evaluated with quinalphos 0.05 per cent as a check against pests of black pepper in a field experiment in the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from May 2002 to February 2003. Three sprays of the treatments were applied one each at spike emergence, berry formation and at berry maturation stage. In general, the treatments were effective and superior to control in containing the pests. Quinalphos 0.05 per cent treatment afforded maximum protection against all the pests of black pepper studied in the trial. Among the botanicals, nee m seed oil soap emulsion two per cent plus garlic two per cent plus karanja oil one per cent offered maximum protection followed by nee m seed oil soap emulsion at two and three per cent plus garlic two per cent. Clerodendron leaf and flower extract eight per cent was the least effective botanical. The yield of dried pepper was the maximum in quinalphos 0.05 per cent treated vines followed by neem seed oil soap emulsion two per cent plus garlic two per cent plus karanja oil one per cent and neem seed oil soap emulsion three per cent plus garlic two per cent and neem seed oil soap emulsion two percent plus two per cent garlic. , The benefit: cost ratio was maximum for the treatment, neem seed oil two per cent plus garlic 'two per cent (3.20) followed by neem seed oil two per cent plus garlic two per cent plus karanj oil one per cent (3.11). Three sprays of either of the above botanical combinations, one each at spike emergence, berry formation and at berry maturation stage can be recommended as an ecofriendly pest management strategy in black pepper.ThesisItem Open Access Major predators in rice ecosystems and their potential in rice pest management(Kerala Agricultural University;Thiruvananthapuram, 2003) Premila, K.S.; KAU; Nalinakumari, T.