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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 Statistics × End date: 2009 × Start date: 2000 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Yield prediction in cocoa (Theobrama cacao L)
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2009) Jayasree, K; KAU; Laly, john C
    The present investigation, “Yield prediction in Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)” was undertaken to determine the age at yield stabilization, to identify the optimum range for growth characters and early yield and to identify yield prediction models, if any, based on the growth characters and early yield of cocoa. For this purpose, the data were collected from a progeny trial of the Cadbury-KAU Co-operative Cocoa Research Project, Vellanikkara, pertaining to Forastero variety of cocoa, planted in 1989 under the shade of rubber. Individual plant data on girth (13 years), height (three years), spread (one year) and pod yield (12 years) of 660 plants were analyzed. Graphical method, correlation and regression analyses, analysis of variance, frequency distribution and 95% confidence interval were used. From graphical analyses, it was found that stabilized yield for the plant was obtained from sixth year after planting. Correlation studies established that girth is an important determining factor of yield potential of cocoa. Height in the early years has significant association with girth and yield of the plant. HD2 in the initial year of planting has clear influence on the yield of the plant upto age at yield stabilization. HD2 in the first and second year after planting have clear influence on the yield after stabilization year. Precocity has significant influence on total yield. No model could be obtained for predicting total yield of cocoa based on growth characters with reasonable predictability. There exists optimum for girth at different stages of plant growth and was derived from planting to 12 years after planting, for maximizing yield. The optimum ranges for seedling height and precocity, optimum combination of girth and height of seedlings and optimum combination of initial girth, initial height and precocity was derived, for maximizing yield.