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.

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 10

Open Access
Study of genetic correlations under full -SIB mating system (Two loci case)
(Department of Statistics, College of veterinary and animal sciences Mannuthy, Thrissur, 1985) Khin Moe Moe; KAU; George, K C
A purely theoretical investigation entitled ,JA Study of Genetic Correlations under Fu ll-s ib Mating System (two lo c i case)*1 was carried out with the following objectives, i ) to derive the joint distribution (correlation table) and to find the correlation between fu ll -s ib pairs under fu l l -s ib mating system in the case of two lo c i when there i s no linkage as well as when there i s complete linkage. l i ) to derive the joint distribution (correlation table) and to find the correlation between parent-offspring pair© under fu l l -s ib mating system in the case of two loci when there is no linkage as well as when there is complete linkage, i i i ) to derive the joint distribution (correlation table) and to find the correlation between fu l l -s ib pairs under paront-offspring mating system in the case of two lo c i when there is no linkage as well as when there is complete linkage, iv) to derive the joint distribution (correlation table) and to find the correlation between parent-offspring pairs under parent-offspring mating system in the case of two lo c i when there is no linkage as well as when there is complete linkage. 2 Th© joint distributions of fu ll -s ib pairs and parent- ©Ffspring pairs undor fu ll-s ib gating system wore derived with the help of generation matrix technique and th© correlations wore worked out therefrom, assuming additive genie e ffec ts and using the product-momeni correlation coefficient formula. The correlations were worked out for tho f i r s t ten generations of fu ll -s ib mating in both cases of no linkage and complete linkage, & comparative study of fu ll -s ib correlations and parent-offspring correlationsf conducted both numerically and graphically, revealed that £i) evonthough fu ll -s ib correlation was greater than parent-offspring correlation in in i t ia l generation (random mating) when there was complete linkage, the la tte r increased more rapidly than the former from in it ia l generation to f ir s t generation and ( i i ) from the second generation onwards, the rate of increase in both o f correlations were nearly the same upto tenth generation. I t was interesting to note that the parent-offspring correlations wore of comparatively higher order than th© fu ll-s ib correlations in both cases of complete linkage and no linkage. Similarly, th© joint distributions (correlation tables) for fu ll-s ib pairs and parent-offspring pairs under parentoffspring mating system were derived employing generation matrix approach and the correlations for the f i r s t ten 3 generations of parent—offspring mating in both cases of no linkage and complete linkage were worked out therefrom. A comparative study of those correlations was carried out both numerically and graphically. It was found that the trend in both correlation curves remain the same, but the value of parent-offspring correlation was always greater than that of full-sib correlation in case of no linkage as well as in caso of complete linkage. In comparison of all these correlations, it was found that the correlations increased as the number of generation increased and ultimately reached the limit unity when the number of generations increased indefinitely large. It was also observed that the magnitude of correlation in case of complete linkage was more than that of correlation In case of no linkage even under the same system of mating*
Open Access
Influence of weather parameters on yield of coconut
(Department of Statistics, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1985) Pankajakshan Nair, B; KAU; Gopinathan Unnithan, V K
Influence of eighteen climatic factors for a period ranging from 10-45 months before harvest of coconut, were studied on monthly and annual coconut yield. Monthly climatic factors showed a seasonal relationship with monthly yield changing sign alternatively. Month-wise and season-wise climate and their influence on monthly and annual yield was also studied. The influence of climatic factors were more in evidence during pre and post monsoon seasons. RH, SSH and EV are frequently showed significant relationship with monthly yield than the rest. Seasonal grouping of climate showed stronger relationship on annual yield than month-wise climate. May, September, October and December months of yester years showed explicit association with annual yield.
Open Access
Pattern of occurrence of rainfall and estimation of rainfall probabilities in northern districts of Kerala
(Department of Statistics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1987) Santhoh, K; KAU; Prabhakaran, P V
A study was undertaken with a view to characterize the pattern of occurrence of rainfall and to estimate the rainfall probabilities and confidence limits at six reporting stations of the northern districts of Kerala viz, Kasaragod, Irikkur, Cannanore, Kozhikode, Quilandy and Mananthody, Daily rainfall data of the past 30 years were used to investigate the pattern of fortnightly and seasonal rainfall occurrence by fitting a first order Markov chain model to the sequence of wet and dry days. The rainfall probabilities and confidence limits were computed by fitting appropriate probability distributions to fortnightly rainfall amounts. The results of the analysis showed that at all the centres, there were more chances for a wet day to be preceded by a wet day than by a dryday. The maximum expected length of wet spell at different centres was observed during 12th to 14th fortnight of the year. The state occupation probability at equillibrium for a wet day was also foundmaximum during the same period. It could be seen that at all the centres, the likely commencement of southwest monsoon would be in the 11th fortnight. Suitable probability distributions from among normal, root normal, log normal and gamma distribution were selected and fitted to fortnightly amounts of rainfall. Rainfall probabilities of getting a fixed amount or less of rainfall wore worked out together with the 80% and 90% confidence limits of the mean fortnightly rainfall. The 3rd fortnight of the year all over the centres was found to be the driest fortnight and the 12th or 13th fortnight was found to be the wettest fortnight of the year.
Open Access
Standardisation of techniques of clustering genotypes using mahalanobis D2 and wilks ^ criterion
(Department of Statistics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1986) Suresh, K M; KAU; Gopinathan Unnithan, V K
Two major drawbacks of Tocher's method of clustering genotypes using Mahalanobls D were pointed out and animprovement over Tocher's method was suggested. The cluster configuration obtained by these two methods were compared with those obtained by canonical analysis method. A new computer oriented iterative algorithm for clustering using Mahalanobis D values was proposed. A procedure for formation of clusters statistically, using O V Mahalanobls Er was suggested to form maximum nonsignificant subsets of genotypes. A new measure of dissimilarity which does not require any assumption on distribution of the population, viz., the determinant of the pairwise scatter matrix was proposed in the study. Minimum /W/ criterion of Friedman and Rubin (1967) was also used for clustering. The clustering obtained by the new iterative algorithm using either Mahalanobls or determinant of pairwise scatter matrix or both could be used as the initial solution for it A graphical method for determining the optimum number of clusters was suggested The different methods were illustrated in two sets of data
Open Access
Selection indices on goats- a comparative study
(Department of Statistics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1985) Rema, T P; KAU; Sunny, K L
Records on birth weight, age at first kidding, body weight at first kidding and first lactation milk yield of Malabari, Sannon % tnalabari (SM) , Alpine X Malabari (AM) and AM X AM (F2 A) goats from 1974- 1984 were examined to make a comparative study of selection indices constructed by employing different methods. The relative economic value of each trait in rupees was calculated as 29,96 for birth weight, 0.67 for age at first kidding, 20.83 for body weight at first kidding and 18 for first lactation milk yield. Simultaneous selection indices wore constructed by incorporating all tho traits together for each breed and on finding the percent gain in efficiency of each index over that due to straight selection, the efficiency of index selection was proved. Out of the seven restricted selection indices constructed for each breed, imposing restriction on birth weight was found effective for Malabari, SM and F2A breeds and restriction on body weight at first kidding was effective for both f 2 a and AM breeds. But all these effective restricted selection indices, except the one for Malabari breed (when birth weight was restricted) were increasing the age at first kidding. Seven phenotypic selection indices were constructed for each breed. But none of them was found improving the first lactation milk yield of Kalahari and F2A goats. For SM breed, the best index was the one constructed between the main trait first lactation milk yield and the auxiliary trait age at first kidding. Relative efficiency was the largest, when all the auxiliary traits were considered simultaneously for improving the first lactation milk yield of AM goats.
Open Access
Optimum size of plots in cocoa (Theobroma cacoa L.) a multivariate case
(Department of Statistics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1987) Sheela, M A; KAU; Gopinathan Unnithan, V K
A procedure to determine optimum size of experimental units in the multivariate case was proposed. For the purpose, the matrix of relative dispersion was defined and its determinant was used as the measure of variation for comparison of plots of different sizes. This procedure was illustrated with the help of observations on three characters of 738 trees of 'Forastero1 variety of cocoa raised in the' KADP farm of the Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara. Optimum plot size also was obtained in the univariate case. The following three different methods of plot formation were used in this investigation. Method I The whole set of trees were divided into compact blocks of different sizes and plots of one to fifteen trees were formed by combining adjacent trees in the field. Method II All trees were arranged in descending order of magnitude of trunk girth and of the canopy spread separately and were divided into blocks of required size. Plots of one to fifteen trees were formed by combining adjacent trees in the list in each block for each arrangement. Method III The trees were first arranged in descending order of magnitude of each character and they were divided into blocks of required size. Plots of different sizes were formed within each block by the following procedure, let there be 'nk* trees in a block. The nk trees were divided into 1 n 1 groups of 'It* trees each bearing continuous serial numbers * When 'n' is even, the 1st plot was formed by combining 1th tree from each of the first 'n/2* groups and (k-i+j)st tree from each of the remaining 'n/2' groups, where i=1,2,....n. When 'n1 is odd, ith plot was formed by combining the i^h tree from each of the first (J[n+iy2) groups and (k-i+fy9^ tree from each of the remaining [(n-lj/2) groups, whore 1=1,2, n. Of the three methods of plot formation Method III, which was proposed in this study was found to be superior to Methods I and II for experiments in established gardens and Method I for experiments for which fresh planting is required Optimum size of plots were al so determined by three different methods viz., (a) that which requires minimum experimental material for a specified precision (b) that which has maximum efficiency and (c) that for which the best fitting model has maximum curvature.
Open Access
Forecasting models for the yield of coconut
(Department of Statistics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1985) Myint Swe; KAU; George, K C
An analysis of the yield data of 91 coconut palms, maintained at Coconut Research Station (Nileshwar I), Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pilicode, under Kerala Agricultural University and the weather data for the region of Pilicode, collected from Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod District, Kerala was carried out with the following views and objectives. 1) To develop a suitable and reliable statistical methodology for the pre-harvest forecast of coconut crop yields by evolving different empirical-statistical crop- weather models using the original and generated weather variables as predictor variables. 2) To perform a comparative study of relative efficiency, adequacy and performance of each of these crop- forecasting models evolved and to select the 'best1, most promising and plausible crop forecasting models for the purpose of future use in predicting the coconut crop yields reliably in advance of harvest, 3) To investigate the effect and influence of changes in weather variables on the yield of coconut crop, based on the crop forecasting models selected as the 'best' fitted models. 4) To render suggestion and guidelines for further development of statistical crop-weather models, criteria for their selection, and relevant statistical analysis, In this study, the twelve crop forecasting models for the yields of coconut were developed and fitted under the effective crop season of 3 years (i.e., as far back as 36 months from the first month just before a half-year harvest) with 3-month and 6-month period (season), using the generated weather predictor variables. The response variable was taken as average yield of nuts per bearing tree per half year, and the original weather variables were total rainfall, duration of bright sunshine hours, wind velocity, relative humidity and maximum temperature. Since the relative humidity is expressed in percentages, the datawere transformed into arc—sine root proportion.
Open Access
Standardization of field plot technique for cashew
(Department of Statistics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1986) Lucyamma Mathew; KAU; Saraswathi, P
The present study deals with a plot technique for conducting field experiments on a biologically heterogeneous tree crop cashew by applying a well known result in sampling theory that the clusters formed with negative intraclass correlation are relatively more efficient Cashew being a perennial crop are sensitive to variation in fertility status of soil in which they grow, susceptable to mishaps, long gestation period etc Because of their large size and long life they are considerably different from annuals or field crops as to need special considerations in designing experiments with them. The experimenter is always faced with the dlffiiculty of getting uniform experimental trees on account of the biological variation present among the individual trees. The difficulty in getting experimental trees with uniform yield or some other measurable characteristic of the tree and some considerations in overcoming this problem is discussed. Achieving greater homogeneity between plots within a block by creating greater heterogeneity within plots is found to be a better field plot technique for experiments with adult trees on cashew. Similar techniques are also applicable to other plantation crops which are subjected to high biological variation.
Open Access
Comparision of path coefficient analysis and principal component analysis and principal component analysis in turmeric
(Department of Statistics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1985) Geetha, U; KAU; Prabhakaran, P V
The discriminant function technique was adopted for the construction of suitable selection indices for rhizome yield in turmeric, utilising the characters selected through principal component analysis and path coefficient analysis and relative discriminating powers of these two multivariate techniques in identifying the pertinent characters aws also evaluated. Data on 18 biometric characters of 19 varieties of turmeric gathered from a field trial conducted by the Department of Plantation Crops, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Trichur during the year 1977- 1978 were utilised for the study

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

Browse

Thesis Type

Type

Author

Date

Subject

Search Results