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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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20171
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Subject: Agricultural Microbiology × Author: KAU × Author: Manju Mohan, E × End date: 2017 × Start date: 2017 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of weather variables on the functional efficiency of beneficial microflora in the rhizosphere of black pepper (piper nigrum L.)
    (Department of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2017) Manju Mohan, E; KAU; Surendra Gopal, K
    Black pepper has been reported to be the most vulnerable spice crop to climate change. The beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere of black pepper can reduce the impact of abiotic stress due to changes in the weather variables. However, the soil microbial community are also influenced by changes in weather and microclimatic parameters. A study was undertaken on the “Impact of weather variables on the functional efficiency of beneficial microflora in the rhizosphere of black pepper”. The main objectives were to study the effect of weather and microclimatic parameters on the population and functional efficiency of beneficial microflora namely; Azospirillum, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma sp. The rhizosphere soil samples from black pepper were collected at monthly interval for a period of one year from Pepper Unit, Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Vellanikkara. The selected beneficial microorganisms were enumerated and in vitro screening was done at monthly interval for IAA, ammonia, HCN, siderophore production, phosphate solubilization and antagonistic activity against Phytophthora capsici. Simultaneously, the weather and microclimatic parameters were also recorded. The Azospirillum and PSB were not obtained throughout the study period from July, 2015 to June, 2016. The population of fluorescent pseudomonads was highest in September, 2015 and was absent in March, 2016 and April, 2016. Trichoderma sp. recorded the highest population in July, 2015 and lowest in June, 2016. A total of 31 isolates of fluorescent pseudomonads and 3 isolates of Trichoderma sp. were obtained during the entire study period. Out of 31 isolates of fluorescent pseudomonads, 29 isolates produced ammonia with different concentrations. Fifteen isolates produced HCN and only ten isolates showed siderophore production as their antagonistic mechanism. Only 5 isolates were phosphate solubilizers and 4 isolates were antagonistic to Phytophthora capsici. However, in the case of Trichoderma sp. two isolates produced ammonia, one isolate was HCN producer, two produced siderophore and two isolates showed antagonistic activity against Phytophthora capsici. Considering the correlation studies between weather, microclimatic parameters and population of isolates obtained, it was found that the population of fluorescent pseudomonads were positively correlated with rainfall and soil moisture whereas negatively correlated with air temperature, sunshine hours and soil temperature. However, the population of Trichoderma sp. was positively correlated with rainfall, relative humidity and soil moisture whereas it was negatively correlated with air temperature, sunshine hours and soil temperature. The study indicated that rainfall (200 to 500 mm) and soil moisture (15 to 20%) favoured fluorescent pseudomonads and Trichoderma population. The functional efficiency of the isolates were also correlated with the weather and microclimatic parameters. In case of fluorescent pseudomonads, the weather and microclimatic parameters had no significant effect on its ammonia and HCN production. However, significant effect on the siderophore production was noticed. In the case of Trichoderma, weather and microclimatic parameters had no significant effect on ammonia, HCN and siderophore production. The present studies clearly indicated that the weather and microclimatic parameters affected the siderophore production in the case of fluorescent pseudomonads but, there was no effect on functional efficiency of Trichoderma sp. However, mitigation strategies have to be studied in the case of fluorescent pseudomonads to overcome the effect of weather and microclimatic variables on functional efficiency.