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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 Meteorology × Author: Ajithkumar, B × End date: 1998 × Start date: 1998 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Crops weather relationship in tomato
    (Department of Agricultural Meteorology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Ajithkumar, B; KAU; Lalitha Bai, E K
    An experiment was conducted during 1997-98 at the College of Horticulture, vellanikkara to study to influence of date of sowing and levels of nitrogen on the growth and yield of tomato ((Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The treatment consisted of nine dates of planting starting from June 15th to February 15th in the main plot and two levels of nitrogen (125 kg N ha-1 and 75 kg N ha-1) in the subplot. Observations on morphological and yield attributes were recorded during the course of investigation. The daily values of various weather elements recorded at the Agromet observatory, college of Horticulture, Vellanikkara were collected to work out the crop weather relationship. February planted crop took less number of days for first flowering, 50 per cent flowering, and had the shortest crop duration. While June planting took maximum number of days for first and 50 per cent flowering. Where as maximum duration of the crop was recorded by planting in October. December planting was significantly superior to other treatments with regard to yield characters. The maximum number of fruits per plant was obtained for December planting followed by October and November planting. Application of 125 kg N ha-1 significantly improved the yield and yield characters as compared to that in 75 kg N ha-1. Higher dose of nitrogen favoured the earlier fruit set, maximum duration of the crop, increase in the number of fruits per plant and thus resulted in enhanced fruit yield. The crop weather relationship studies showed that the morning relative humidity and afternoon relative humidity during the 1st-2nd weeks after planting had a positive effect on the days to first flowering. The minimum temperature (7th-8th week) and morning relative humidity (6th-7th week) were negatively correlated with yield. Days to first flowering showed a negative correlationship with maximum temperature, minimum temperature, temperature range and hours of bright sunshine during the 1st-2nd weeks after planting. The maximum temperature of (31.60C-32.10C) and minimum temperature of 24.10C-24.30C) found to be optimum for early flowering. Wheras minimum temparature of (22.10C-23.30C) and relative humidity during morning hours (70-74%) during 6th and 8th week after planting are optimum for the increase yield. Under Vellanikkara condition, maximum temparature of 30.60C-33.70C, minimum temperature of 22.10C-24.30C, bright sunshine hours of 5.2-10.0, morning relative humidity of 70-86 per cent, afternoon relative humidity of 45-59 per cent is required for optimum crop growth. Based on the experimental data, minimum data set for the validation of tomato model of the IBSNAT has been generated. Result of the present experiment indicate that at Vellanikkara surrdounding tomato can be successfully raised if seedlings are planted in the middle of December. Weather during October and November are also congenial for getting higher yield. The higher dose of nitrogen (125 kg/ha) gave better yield than the recommended dose of nitrogen.