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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 Microbiology × Author: Anusha, K × Author: KAU × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2018 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Soil microclimatic parameters and microbial activities on the population and diverisity of aqrbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
    (Department of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2019) Anusha, K; KAU; Surendra Gopal, K
    Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous, which promote the plant growth by assisting in nutrient uptake and also mitigate several biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Soil temperature, soil moisture, soil pH and nutrient availability are the major factors that affect the diversity, distribution and activity of AMF. The arbscular mycorrhizal fungi are obligate symbiont and require a host plant to complete its life cycle. Solenostemon rotundifolius or Chinese potato is one of the important minor tuber crop of Kerala, which is rich in starch, proteins, vitamins and minerals, with 70- 90% mycorrhizal colonization. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of soil microclimatic parameters and microbial activities on the population and diversity of AMF and also evaluate the influence of AMF on the growth and yield of Solenostemon rotundifolius. The field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with nine treatments and three replications at Agronomy farm, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2017 to 2019. The treatments consisted of five AMF species viz., Rhizophagus fasciculatus (T1), Funneliformis mosseae (T2), Glomus etunicatum (T3), Acaulospora sp. (T4), and Gigaspora sp. (T5), consortium of AMF (T6), POP recommendations of KAU, 2016 (T7), Organic POP of KAU, 2017 (T8) and absolute control (T9). Per cent AMF root colonization was higher (93.33%) in Rhizophagus fasciculatus (T1), Funneliformis mosseae (T2), Acaulospora sp. (T4) and T6 (T1 +T2 +T3 +T4 +T5). Spore population varied between the months, but highest spore population were recorded at 30 DAP and 120 DAP, whereas lowest was at 60 DAP. However, AMF spore diversity was highest in T6 (T1 +T2 +T3 +T4 +T5) throughout the experiment. AMF spore count and per cent root colonization increased with soil temperature but, not affected by soil moisture and soil pH. However, AMF spore diversity decreased with soil pH. Funneliformis mosseae (T2) and consortium of AMF (T6) recorded highest dehydrogenase activity throughout the experiment. Carbon dioxide evolution was highest at 120 DAP, in Gigaspora sp. (T5), which was on par with Acaulospora sp. (T4) and Funneliformis mosseae (T2). Acid phosphatase activity was highest in Funneliformis mosseae (T2) followed by Acaulospora sp. (T4). Per cent root colonization by AMF was positively correlated with dehydrogenase activity, CO2 evolution and acid phosphatase activity. AMF spore population was positively correlated with dehydrogenase activity and CO2 evolution. AMF spore diversity was positively correlated with CO2 evolution and acid phosphatase activity. Funneliformis mosseae (T2) showed better performance with respect to biometric characters (plant height, root biomass and dry weight) of the plant. AMF consortium (T6) treated plants recorded highest (16.98 t ha-1) tuber yield, which was also on par with T1 (Rhizophagus fasciculatus), T2 (Funneliformis mosseae), T4 (Acaulospora sp.) and T7 (POP recommendations of KAU, 2016). Phosphorus uptake by Chinese potato plants were highest (60.06 kg ha-1) in T2 (Funneliformis mosseae) and lowest in absolute control. Plant biometric characters, tuber yield and P uptake in Chinese potato were enhanced with AMF root colonization. Consortium of AMF (T6), Rhizophagus fasciculatus (T1) and Acaulospora sp. (T4) treated plots were recorded with less nematode population (506.67 to 559 nematodes per 250 g soil). The present study indicated that soil temperature affected AMF root colonization and spore count. Increase in soil microbial activities (dehydrogenase activity, CO2 evolution and acid phosphatase activity) showed increased root colonization, spore count and spore diversity. AMF root colonization enhanced growth, phosphorus uptake and yield of plant. Funneliformis mosseae (T2) was the most promising AMF for improving the growth, yield and phosphorus uptake in Solenostemon rotundifolius. However, extensive field studies are needed under different seasons and agro ecological zones, in order to develop an abiotic stress tolerant AMF for Chinese potato plant.