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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: KAU × End date: 2014 × Start date: 2014 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Isolation characterization and evaluation of soil microorganisms for bioremediation of chlorpyrifos
    (Department of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2014) Karolin, K P; KAU; Meenakumari, K S
    The present study on “Isolation, characterization and evaluation of soil microorganisms for bioremediation of chlorpyrifos”, was conducted in the Department of Agricultural Microbiology at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2012-14, with the objective of isolation, characterization and evaluation of microorganisms for chlorpyrifos degradation, development of consortia and evaluation of bioremediation potential against chlorpyrifos in vivo. Microorganisms capable of degradation of chlorpyrifos were isolated by enrichment culture technique from identified locations with high residue levels of chlorpyrifos. In all, nineteen isolates comprising eleven bacteria, seven fungi and one actinomycete obtained were subjected to a preliminary screening based on the ability of isolates to utilize 50,100,200,400 and 800 ppm concentrations of chlorpyrifos at intervals of 7, 15, 20, 25, 30 DAI. The six isolates selected (M5, M6, M7, M10, M12, M17) were further evaluated for their ability to degrade different concentrations of chlorpyrifos based on population build up , analysis of chlorpyrifos residue and chloride released into the medium. The fungal isolates, M5, M6, M7 and M17 which recorded significant growth in terms of viable count, maximum reduction in chlorpyrifos residue and release of chloride were selected and subjected to morphological and molecular characterization. The isolates M5, M6, M7 and M17 were identified as Isaria farinosa, Aspergillus fumigatus, Trichoderma viride and Penicillium griseofulvum respectively. In order to develop a consortium, the compatibility of the selected fungal isolates - M5, M6, M7 and M17 was tested by co-culturing in liquid MSM and by dual culture technique. All the fungal isolates were compatible and no inhibition could be recorded. A consortium of the four fungal isolates was prepared in liquid formulation and its ability to degrade different concentrations of chlorpyrifos was studied under in vitro conditions on 25th day of inoculation. The percentage degradation of chlorpyrifos by the isolates increased with increase in concentrations, but showed a decline at 800 ppm. The percentage degradation of chlorpyrifos was higher in consortium compared to individual isolates under in vitro conditions. The developed liquid consortium was evaluated in sterilized soil spiked with 100 and 400 ppm concentration of chlorpyrifos with cowpea as the test crop. Significant reduction in all biometric characters was observed due to spiking with chlorpyrifos at 100 and 400 ppm concentrations. Application of consortium in soil spiked with chlorpyrifos enhanced all the biometric characters and reduced the residue of chlorpyrifos. The study also established efficient colonization of the chlorpyrifos degraders present in the consortium in the rhizosphere of cowpea.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Screening of acid-tolerant consortia of Azospirillum and Phosphate solubilizing bacteria from Lateritic soils
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Athulya, M M; KAU; Surendra, Gopal K
    A study was undertaken on “Screening of acid-tolerant consortia of Azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria from lateritic soils”. The main objective was to develop an acid-tolerant and efficient consortium of Azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) for acidic soils of Kerala. Lateritic soils with acidic pH were collected from ten different locations of Thrissur district for the isolation of Azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria. The pH of the soil ranged from 5.22 (Vellanikkara) to 6.51 (Madakkathara). The highest population of Azospirillum was recorded in soils of Madakkathara (MD) and Mulayam (MU) (1.1x105 MPN g-1). However, Chelakkara (CH), Elanad (EL) and Perumpilavu (PV) recorded least population (0.9x104 MPN g-1). Highest population of PSB was obtained from Mulayam (12.7x106 cfu g-1) and least PSB population was obtained from Perumpilavu (PV) (1.0x105 cfu g-1). The population of both Azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria were higher in rhizosphere soil than non-rhizosphere soil. A total of six isolates of Azospirillum and 35 isolates of PSB were obtained. The isolates AND-4 (Azospirillum from Nadavarambu) and AMU-2 (Azospirillum from Mulayam) were acid-tolerant upto pH 4.5. Similarly, PMD-7 (PSB from Madakkathara) and POL-1 (PSB from Ollur) were also tolerant upto pH 4.5. The AND-4 isolate of Azospirillum sp. fixed highest amount of nitrogen (17.94 mg of N g-1 of malate) followed by AMU-2 isolate (14.58 mg of N g-1 of malate). The isolate AMU-2 showed maximum IAA production (51.95 µg ml-1) followed by AND-4 (30.53 µg ml-1). The PMD-7 was the most efficient P-solubilizer (207.22 µg ml-1) followed by POL-1(187.78 µg ml-1). The PMD-7 isolate produced maximum IAA (33.07 µg ml-1). Sixteen combinations of Azospirillum and PSB were compatible. The three consortia selected based on acid tolerance, efficiency and compatibility were AND-4 (Azospirillum sp.) + PMD-7 (Acinetobacter sp.), AMU-2 (Azospirillum sp.) + PMD-7 (Acinetobacter sp.) and AND-4 (Azospirillum sp.) + POL-1 (Bacillus megaterium). Among the consortia, Azospirillum sp. + Bacillus megaterium (T4) was found to be the most efficient in enhancing the growth of okra under acidic pH based on biometric and yield parameters. However, the POP recommendation (T1) recorded maximum plant height, maximum number of fruits, fruit yield and minimum days for flowering. The population of Azospirillum and PSB increased at the time of harvest in all the treatments except in T7 (Absolute control). The population of Azospirillum was highest in T3 (Azospirillum sp. + Acinetobacter sp.) (23.38x103 MPN g-1) and minimum in T7 (Absolute control) (7.73x103 MPN g-1). The population of PSB was highest in T3 (Azospirillum sp. + Acinetobacter sp.) (6.43x105 cfu g-1) and minimum in T7 (Absolute control) (2.08x105 cfu g-1). The maximum nitrogen uptake was recorded in T1 (KAU POP recommendation) (0.99 g plant-1). Among the consortia, T4 (Azospirillum sp. + Bacillus megaterium) (0.81 g plant-1) and T3 (Azospirillum sp. + Acinetobacter sp.) (0.80 g plant-1) recorded highest nitrogen uptake. The maximum uptake of phosphorus was noticed in T1 (KAU POP recommendation) (0.41 g plant-1) followed by T4 (Azospirillum sp. + Bacillus megaterium) (0.36 g plant-1). The most efficient isolates AND-4 and AMU-2 were identified as Azospirillum sp. The most efficient PSB isolates POL-1 and PMD-7 were identified as Bacillus megaterium and Acinetobacter sp. respectively. The present studies clearly showed that the acid-tolerant and efficient consortium of Azospirillum + Bacillus megaterium (T4 treatment) performed better under pot culture studies, which was on par with chemical fertilizer. However, further studies are needed to evaluate its efficiency under field conditions.