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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 Pathogenicity of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi against select lepidopteran pests(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Praveena, A; KAU; Sudharma, KThe present study entitled “Pathogenicity of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi against select lepidopteran pests” was carried out in the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2014-2016 with the objective to identify indigenous entomopathogenic fungi and evaluate their pathogenicity to lepidopteran pests of banana and vegetables. Survey was conducted in five agroecological zones of Thiruvananthapuram district at bimonthly intervals during 2015-16, for the isolation of fungi. Fungi from mycosed cadavers and 900 soil samples, collected from cultivated and uncultivated fields were isolated. Of the ten isolates of fungi selected from the 115 fungal isolates obtained, three were from mycosed cadavers which consisted of two isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (SP2 and SP4) and one isolate of Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht (SP1). Of the seven isolates from soil, one isolate was Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. (SP6), five were isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae Metschnikoff (Sorokin) and one isolate was Purpureocillium lilacinum Thorn (Samson). Four isolates of M. anisopliae were trapped using larvae of Galleria melonella L. and one was trapped using grubs of Odoiporous longicollis Olivier. The isolate, S10 was obtained through soil plate method, with selective media. Symptoms of fungal infection varied, which was mainly reflected in the mycelial colour and growth of the isolates. Morphological and cultural characteristics also varied among the fungal isolates. Further, molecular characterization of the fungi was done through ITS sequencing. GenBank accession numbers for all the ten isolates were obtained on submission of nucleotide sequence in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Among the various indigenous isolates, highest spore count was recorded in the M. anisopliae isolate, SP11 (28.01 x 107 spores mL-1) at 14 days after inoculation. The pathogenicity of the ten indigenous isolates and two isolates from National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR) were evaluated against five lepidopteran insects infesting banana and vegetables at different concentrations. The isolate M. anisopliae (SP8) recorded the highest mortality of 83.33 to 100 per cent and 64.44 to 95.83 per cent against the second instar larvae of Diaphania indica Saunders and first instar larvae of Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee at 107 to 109 spores mL-1 at seven days and five days after treatment respectively. The isolates SP11 and Ma4 of M. anisopliae that caused mortality of 83.33 to 100 per cent and 63.33 to 100 per cent were the most effective isolates against second instar larvae of Sylepta derogata Fabricius and Hymenia recurvalis Fabricius respectively. All the isolates except M. anisopliae (SP11) and B. bassiana (Bb5a) were non pathogenic to the larvae of Spodoptera litura Fabricius. The colour of the mycelial growth varied with isolates. A pot culture experiment was conducted in the Instructional Farm, Vellayani during April to June 2016, for the evaluation of seven indigenous isolates and two NBAIR isolates against leaf webbers in amaranthus, variety Arun. The lowest number of plants infested by webbers, webbings plant-1 and larvae web-1 at 14 days after treatment and the highest yield was recorded in the isolate M. anisopliae (SP11) @ 108 spores mL-1 and it was followed by M. anisopliae Ma4 and SP8 . To conclude, ten indigenous isolates of entomopathogenic fungi were collected from mycosed cadavers and soil and were identified as B. bassiana (SP2, SP4), F. oxysporum (SP1), F. solani (SP6), M. anisopliae (SP7, SP8, SP9, SP11 and SP13) and P. lilacinum (S10) through morphological, cultural characters and molecular characterization. Pathogenicity test to five lepidopteran pests showed that M. anisopliae (SP7, SP8, SP9, SP11, SP13) and NBAIR isolates of B. bassiana (Bb5a) and M. anisopliae (Ma4) were pathogenic to D. indica, H. recurvalis, L. orbonalis and S. derogata. Results of pot culture experiment showed that the indigenous isolates M. anisopliae (SP11) and (SP8) and NBAIR isolate M. anisopliae (Ma4) can be exploited for the management of leaf webbers in amaranthus.ThesisItem Open Access Bioefficacy of Quisqualis indica L. and Samadera indica gaetrn against tobacco caterpillar, spodoptera litura fabricius (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) in poly house condition(Depatment of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Anusree, S S; KAU; Nisha, M SAn investigation entitled “Bioefficacy of Quisqualis indica L. and Samadera indica Gaetrn. against tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in polyhouse condition” was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2014-16. The main objectives were to evaluate the effect of aqueous and solvent extracts of Q. indica flower and S. indica leaf on behavioural and physiological changes of S. litura and to test the potential of the selected plant extracts against S. litura infesting cowpea under polyhouse condition. Aqueous and solvent extracts of Q. indica flower and S. indica leaf were tested for antifeedant and insecticidal action against larvae of S. litura under in vitro condition. Antifeedant activity of aqueous extracts of Q. indica flower and S. indica leaf at 5, 10 and 15 % concentrations showed percentage leaf protection ranging from 0 to 10.98. Solvent extracts viz., ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Q. indica flower and S. indica leaf at 1.25, 2.5 and 5 % concentrations showed percentage leaf protection ranging from 13.23 to 45.62. Maximum antifeedant activity (45.62 %) was exhibited by methanol extract 5 % of S. indica leaf at 24 hours after treatment. The extracts obtained through cold and soxhlet extraction methods were compared for the antifeedant activity against S. litura. Cold extraction was significantly superior to soxhlet extraction giving leaf protection of 12.72 % for Q. indica flower extract and 21.12 % for S. indica leaf extract. Decreasing trend of antifeedant action with increased exposure time was noticed for both the plants. The insecticidal effect of the extracts was assessed through two application methods, spraying and leaf dip method. Spraying method was effective for both the plant extracts, while leaf dip method was effective for S. indica leaf extract only. Cold extract of Q. indica flower 5% with methanol was found to be highly toxic to S. litura larvae with maximum percentage mortality of 93.51 in spraying method. Methanol cold extract 5 % of S. indica leaf exhibited 73.55 % mortality in spraying method and 41.67 % mortality in leaf dip method. Cold extraction method was found to be significantly superior for both Q. indica flower (70.05 %) and S. indica leaf (50.37 %) than soxhlet extraction in spraying method. The insecticidal effect assessed through dry film method showed that cold extracts of Q. indica flower and S. indica leaf exhibited larval mortality of 36.05 % and 13.52 % respectively. An increase in mortality with increased exposure was observed for both plant extracts. Effect on adult emergence of S. litura (deformation and mortality of larvae, pupae and adults, time taken for pupation, pupal duration, pupal weight and adult longevity) showed that the aqueous and solvent extracts of both plants did not have any influence on larvae, pupae and adults. Cold extracts of Q. indica flower and S. indica leaf exhibited significant larval and pupal mortality ranging from 8.33 to 30 % and 11.67 to 31.98 % respectively. Effect on fecundity and egg hatchability revealed that the plant extracts did not possess significant effect on number of eggs laid and number of eggs hatched. To assess the potential of the selected treatments, methanol extract (5 %) of Q. indica flower and S. indica leaf, a pot culture experiment was done under polyhouse condition on cowpea. It was compared with quinalphos 25 EC 0.05 % and biocontrol agent, Beauveria bassiana (Bb 5) 20 g/L. The percentage leaf area damage in 5 % methanol extract of Q. indica flower and S. indica leaf was 48.56 and 63.64 respectively. Maximum larval mortality of 84.07% was observed in quinalphos 0.05 % followed by 5 % methanol extract of Q. indica flower (61.45 %) and S. indica leaf (40.35 %). . From the above study it is concluded that methanol cold extract (5 %) of flowers of Q. indica and leaves of S. indica have insecticidal action against earlier instars of S. litura. These plants can be exploited for formulating potential green pesticides.ThesisItem Open Access Taxonomy of rhynchophorinae (COLEOPTERA: DRYOPHTHORIDAE) of Kerala(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, 2016) Arun Kumar, Singh; KAU; Ramesha, BThe taxonomy of weevils under the subfamily Rhynchophorinae (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) was carried at the College of Agriculture Padannakkad, Kasargod, Kerala and seven different agro ecological zones of Kerala during 2014-2016. Study was based on survey carried out in agro and forest ecosystems of Kerala and the samples collected from these ecosystems. Commercially available pheromone traps for the collection of red palm weevil, banana pseudostem weevil and banana rhizome weevil were installed in five agroclimatic regions viz., Northern Zone, (RARS, Pilicode); High range (RARS, Ambalavayal); Central Zone (RARS, Pattambi); Problem zone (RARS, Kumarakom) and Southern Zone (RARS, Vellayani). Traps were also installed in the fields of BRS, Kannara and ORARS, Kayamkulam. The other two weevils, i.e. Diocalandra frumenti and Sitophilus oryzae were collected from households and fields of the aforesaid seven regions. The study also includes specimen stored in Malabar Insect Repository (MIR) and the specimens of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus collected from CPCRI regional station, Kayamkulam, Kerala. An annotated checklist of world Rhynchophorinae was prepared and results revealed that the subfamily Rhynchophorinae includes 955 species under 124 genera and 6 tribes. The distribution of these weevils is more concentrated in Oriental and Neotropical regions (70%). Maximum number of species was described during the 1851-1950. Highest contribution from coleopterists was by Heller (89 species) followed by Chevrolat (76 species), Faust (76 species), Guenther (68 species). Taxonomy ultimately narrowed down to focus on the 770 specimens of five species under five genera viz., Cosmopolites sordidus, Diocalandra frumenti, Odoiporus longicollis, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Sitophilus oryzae. Collected specimens of individual species were segregated into different populations according to the morphological variations within the species. The present study of economically important five species had 249 illustrations and 149 line diagrams.Detailed description of all the taxonomic characters like head, rostrum, (dorsal and lateral), antennae, pronotum, elytron, femur, tibia, tarsus, venter and genitalia were studied and presented with line diagrams. Taxonomic description of all the five species were supplemented with standard taxonomic terminology along with genital characters and loaded with the morphometric ratios. The taxonomic key was prepared for all the known species under genera Cosmopolites, Diocalandra, Odoiporus and Rhynchophorus. Based on the morphological characters all five species were segregated in different groups. The taxonomic study revealed that, morphological variations present among the groups may be due to environmental conditions, availability of food, and life stage of the plant on which they are feeding on. All the variations within the species were depicted with the differential distinguishing characters along with line diagrams. Among all five species, major difference was observed within the three groups of Odoiporus longicollis which may be a new species. More morphological and molecular level studies are needed for the confirmation of new species if any.ThesisItem Open Access Management of giant african snail achatina fulica (Bowdich)(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Mridul Vinod, P; KAU; Narayana, RA study on “Management of giant African snail Achatina fulica (Bowdich)” was conducted at Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, during 2014-16. The objectives were to study the distribution of A. fulica and its natural enemies, if any and to develop effective management strategy using plant extracts, chemicals and pathogenic nematodes. In order to find out the distribution of giant African snail (GAS), a survey was conducted in ten panchayaths of Thiruvananthapuram district. Among the ten panchayaths surveyed, Pulimath and Vakkom panchayaths recorded highest number of adults and juveniles of GAS respectively. Flat headed worm/ hammer headed worm and crow pheasant, Centropus sinensis Stephans were recorded as natural enemies. The management study included evaluation of different baits and traps for attracting GAS and evaluation of different chemicals, botanicals and pathogenic nematodes against GAS. Among the different baits evaluated for GAS, papaya leaf pulp (0.5 kg) + jaggery (100 g) + wheat flour (0.5 kg) was identified as best treatment with highest number of individuals attracted (11.65). Mud pot with fermented bait (wheat flour 500g + jaggery 200g + yeast) and copper sulphate 6% as poison was found to be superior trap over others, with 20 snails trapped per pot. Among different chemicals evaluated, copper sulphate 5% showed a quicker mortality (43.07 per cent) at 24 hours after treatment (HAT). The effect was continued and at 72 HAT, copper sulphate 5% shown significantly higher per cent mortality (93.33) over others and which was followed by copper oxychloride 4% and copper hydroxide 4% with, a mortality of 80 per cent. Results of the experiment to evaluate ovicidal action of chemicals against GAS revealed that, none of the chemicals found effective. The copper sulphate 5% was found to be the best poison bait among different baits evaluated with 80.29 and 88.71 per cent mortality of GAS at 24 HAT and 48 HAT respectively. The treatments: spinosad 45 SC @ 0.60 ml L-1 (T2), spinosad 45 SC @ 0.90 ml L-1 (T3), carbosulfan 25 EC @ 2.00 ml L-1 (T8), carbosulfan 25 EC @ 3.00 ml L-1(T9), chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 6.00 ml L-1 (T12), metaldehyde @ 6.00 g m-2 (T21), copper sulphate @ 3.00 % (T23) and copper sulphate @ 5.00 % (T24) recorded 100 per cent mortality of snails at 72 HAT in the laboratory. The laboratory evaluation of eight botanicals at varying concentrations revealed that, they were not effective in causing mortality, ovicidal action and antifeedant effect against A. fulica. But comparitively higher per cent leaf area protection was observed for Azadirachta indica seed extract @ 15 %, Annona squamosa seed extract @ 15 % and Lantana camara leaf extract @ 25%, among which A. indica seed extract @ 15 % was found to be significantly superior to other treatments. Two species of nematodes from the genus Heterorhabditis (H. bacteriophora and H. indica), three species from the genus Steinernema (S. abbasi, S. bicornutum and S. carpocapsae) and two species from Rhabditis were tested against GAS. However, these nematodes were nonpathogenic to A. fuica. The study concluded with the following results. Higher population of adults and juveniles of GAS was observed from Pulimath and Vakkom panchayaths respectively. Papaya leaf pulp (0.5 kg) + jaggery (100 g) + wheat flour (0.5 kg) was the best bait evaluated against GAS. Mud pot with fermented bait and poison was superior to other traps evaluated. Copper oxychloride 4%, copper hydroxide 4% and copper sulphate 5% were effective chemicals evaluated against GAS. Copper sulphate 5% was found to be the best treatment among various chemicals evaluated as poison baits. Spinosad 45 SC @ 0.60 ml L-1 and 0.90 ml L-1, carbosulfan 25 EC @ 2.00 ml L-1 and 3.00ml L-1, chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 6.00 ml L-1, metaldehyde @ 6.00 g m-2and copper sulphate 3% were also identified as effective poison baits under laboratory conditions.ThesisItem Open Access Pathogenicity and biochemical properties of entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium saksenae (Kushwaha) Kurihara and Sukarno(Department of Agricultural Entomology,College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Jasmy, Y; KAU; Reji, Rani O PThe investigation entitled “Pathogenicity and biochemical properties of entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium saksenae (Kushwaha) Kurihara and Sukarno” was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2014 -2016. The objective was to study the pathogenicity and biochemical properties of L. saksenae in order to establish its virulence to insect, mite and nematode pests. L. saksenae is an indigenous isolate from the soils of Vellayani.ThesisItem Open Access Management of pesticide residues in select spices(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Aaruni, P S; KAU; Thomas, Biju MathewThe present study entitled “Management of pesticide residues in select spices” was carried out at Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2014-16. The main objective of the work was to standardize household techniques to decontaminate pesticide residues in select spices. Investigation was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different decontamination techniques in removing pesticide residues of organophosphate and synthetic pyrethroid from six select spices viz., peppermint leaves, coriander leaves, red chilli (dry), cumin, fennel and gingerThesisItem Open Access Diversity of leafhopper fauna in rice and vegetable ecosystems(Department of Agricultural Entomology,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Nesmi, Abdul Khader T K; KAU; Maicykutty, P MathewLeafhoppers are one of the important groups of insect pests on agricultural crops. Vegetables and rice crop are subjected to infestation by a number of leafhopper species, leading to heavy economic loss. These leafhoppers suck sap from crops and inject toxic saliva into plant tissues resulting in hopper burn symptoms. They also cause damage when they oviposit into plant tissues. Some species act as vectors of plant pathogens viz., viruses, phytoplasmas, spiroplasmas and bacteria Eg. rice green leafhoppers. Nielson (1985) reported 151 species of leafhoppers as vectors of plant diseases and nearly 70 per cent of insect species transmitting plant disease agents are leafhoppers. The present study on “Diversity of leafhopper fauna associated with rice and vegetable ecosystems” was undertaken at Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2014-16 with the objectives to document the diversity of leafhoppers in rice and vegetable ecosystems in Thrissur district and to develop a dichotomous taxonomic key for their identification.ThesisItem Open Access Bioefficacy of entomopathogenic fungi against rice bug, Leptocorisa oratorius Fab. (Hemiptera: Alydidae)(Department of Agricultural Entomology,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Neenu, Chandran; KAU; Madhu, SubramanianA study titled “Bioefficacy of entomopathogenic fungi against rice bug, Leptocorisa oratorius Fab. (Alydidae: Hemiptera)” was carried out at Dept. of Agricultural Entomology to evaluate efficacy of three entomopathogenic fungi namely Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Lecanicillium lecanii for the biocontrol of rice bug. The preliminary evaluation comprised of pot culture experiment with the fungi being applied at four different concentrations ranging from 105 to 108 spores ml-1 along with insecticide malathion 500g a.i. ha-1 and an untreated control. Mortality of rice bugs were recorded at 24h interval for 10 days. Ten days after treatment B. bassiana was the most effective among the three fungal pathogens tried, with mortality values ranging from 68.88 per cent at 105 spores per ml to the highest value of 97.77 per cent at 108 spores per ml. This was followed by malathion with 95.55 per cent and B. bassiana at 107 spores per ml with 93.33 per cent mortality respectively, all being on par with each other. M. aniospliae and L. lecanii at the rate of 108 spores per ml registered the highest mean mortality of 71.11 and 62.22 per cent respectively.ThesisItem Open Access Eco-friendly management of pineapple mealybug, Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Manjushree, G; KAU; Mani, ChellappanPineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus brevipes) causes severe damage to pineapple crop in Kerala. Apart from the direct damage and it also transmits Pineapple Mealybug Wilt Disease (PMWD). This is a polyphagous pest and its host includes banana, coffee, citrus, palm, sugarcane etc. Use of broad spectrum synthetic insecticides to manage the mealybug has been restricted owing to the residual problem in the fruit and other environmental concerns.
