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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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20191
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Subject: Agriculture × Author: Adithya G Raj × Start date: 1980 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Matrix based slow release fertilizer for increasing nutrient use efficientcy in the onatukars sandy plains
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2019) Adithya G Raj; KAU; Mini, V
    A study on "Matrix based slow release fertilizer for increasing the nutrient use efficiency in the Onattukara sandy plain" was carried out during 2017-2019 in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The objective of the study was to develop low-cost matrix based slow release fertilizer using local biodegradable agro waste and to evaluate the effect of this slow release fertilizer in increasing nutrient use efficiency in the sandy loam soils of Onattukara. The study comprised three parts viz., development of matrix based slow release fertilizer, incubation study and evaluation of the effect of matrix based slow release fertilizer in increasing nutrient use efficiency. Different combinations of biodegradable locally available materials like rice husk ash, clay, cow dung, rice husk, coirpith compost, vermicompost and neem cake were used to develop a suitable matrix. The matrix with 1: 1: 0.5: 0.5: 0.5: 0.5: 0.5 composition was selected based on its high pH, low electrical conductivity and low cost of production. The stability and dissolution was also studied imder controlled condition. The best combination of matrix (1: 1: 0.5: 0.5: 0.5: 0.5: 0.5) was selected to entrap fertilizers at various proportions of matrix: fertilizer viz., 1:1, 2:1, 0.5:1 and matrix alone. Granular and disc forms of these combinations were developed and used for incubation for a period of two months to study the nutrient release pattern of N, P and K. Soil samples were collected at 15 days interval for nutrient analysis. The nutrient release pattern was different for N, P and K. The 2: 1 (matrix: fertilizer) granular formulation was selected based on the gradual release pattern and the highest peak of nutrient availability of N, P and K even after 2 months. Effect of matrix based slow release fertilizer in increasing nutrient use efficiency was evaluated by using tomato variety Vellayani Vijay as test crop and the pot culture experiment was conducted at Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam during November,2018 - January,2019. The 2:1 granular formulation was selected for entrapping NPK fertilizers for the pot culture X experiment.The experiment consisted of ten treatments and they were Ti (Recommended dose of fertilizers and organic manure as per POP), T2 (Recommended dose of fertilizers as basal application),T3 (Recommended dose of fertilizers in two splits),T4 (Matrix entrapped recommended dose of fertilizers as basal application), Ts (Matrix entrapped recommended dose of fertilizers in two splits),T(6 Matrix entrapped 75 % of recommended dose of fertilizers as basal application),T(7 Matrix entrapped 75% of recommended dose of fertilizers in two splits),T8( Matrix entrapped half dose of recommended dose of fertilizers as basal),T9 (Matrix entrapped half of recommended dose of fertilizers in two splits) and T10 (Matrix alone). Growth, yield and quality of tomato increased significantly due to the application of organic matrix based fertilizers. The highest plant height (35.6 cm) was recorded in the treatment T9 and was on par with Ti, T3, Ts and T7.The treatments did not show a significant influence on number of branches per plant, days to first flowering and days to fruit set. Treatment T9 recorded the highest fhiit set percentage (80.3%) which was on par with treatments Ti, Ts, and T7.The treatment T9 recorded the highest value for all the yield attributes and yield. The highest number of fruits per plant (32.3) and yield per plant (0.79kg) was recorded by treatment T9 and was on par with Ti, Ts and T7. For fhiit weight, treatment T9 was found to be on par with all other treatments except treatment Tlo.The treatment T9 recorded the highest value for the quality parameters such as TSS (5.33 %) and ascorbic acid (22.3 mg lOOg"'). The treatments did not show any significant influence on Lyeopene content of fruit. Soil analysis after the experiment showed that the pH increased from the initial value of 5.28 to the highest value of 5.98 which was recorded for the treatment T10 and was on par with all treatments except Ti, T2 and T3. The treatments with matrix entrapped fertilizers recorded a higher pH as compared to the treatments without matrices. The highest value of EC (0.68 dS m ') was recorded by Ts. The treatment did not show a significant influence on organic carbon content. In the ease of primary nutrients, for both available N and K, treatment Ts recorded the highest status (250.9 kg ha"' and 103 215.8 kg ha"') and was on par with T4, Te, T? and T9. Available P status was the highest in Ts (53.37 kg ha"') and was on par with treatment T4, Te, T?, Tg and T9. The highest value for exchangeable Ca (248.89 mg kg"') and Mg (60 mg kg"') was recorded for treatment Ts which was significantly superior to all other treatments. Treatment Ts recorded the highest value for available B (0.281 mg kg"') and Zn (0.519 mg kg"') also and was on par with T4, Te, T?, Tg, T9 and Tio. The results of the plant and fiaiit analysis revealed that the treatment T9 recorded the highest value for N, P and K content in index leaf (2.78% , 0.195% and 1.77%), plant (2.14%, 0.538% and 2.62%) and fhiit (3.69 %, 0.555% and 2.20 %), respectively, which was on par with Ti, Ts and T7. In the case of Ca, Mg, Zn and B content, the treatment T9 recorded the highest value for index leaf (0.186 %,0.168% , 16.15 mg kg"' and 4.9 mg kg"'), plant (0.149%, 0.165% ,15.81 mg kg"' and 4.4 mg kg"') and fruit (0.157%, 0.149%, 16.89 mg kg"' and 1.35 mg kg"'), respectively and was on par with all other treatments except Ti, T2 and T3. Treatments did not show any influence on S, Fe, Mn and Cu content in index leaf, plant and fiaiit. There was no incidence of major pest and disease in the crop. Treatment T9 recorded the highest net income (Rs.230097/-), B: C ratio (2.1) and nutrient use efficiency. From the investigation it can be concluded that, treatment T9 (Matrix entrapped half of recommended dose of fertilizers in two splits) was the best treatment in which the yield increased by 13% compared to POP recommendation and B: C ratio increased from 1.69 to 2.1. Organic matrix based slow release fertilizer was found to be effective under Onattukara condition for increasing the nutrient use efficiency from 18% to 44%. Fifty per cent reduction in the recommended dose of fertilizer was achieved by this matrix based slow release fertilizer formulation. This slow release fertilizer technology reduced the cost of cultivation and leaching loss of nutrients and increased the nutrient use efficiency and yield in the Onattukara sandy plain.