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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: Agriculture × Author: KAU × Author: Radhakrishnan, G R × End date: 1991 × Start date: 1991 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of selections and hybrids of Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides (Lin n .) Nash.)
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Radhakrishnan, G R; KAU; Viswanathan, T V
    Investigations on evaluation of selections and hybrids of vetiver Vetiveria zizanioides (Linn.) Nash, were undertaken using 9 cultivars of vetiver including 5 national collections, 3 hybrids and one South Indian type (ODV-3) . The observations on root characters revealed the superiority of ODV-3 in almost all root characters except root diameter. National collections had roots with maximum diameter. Hybrid 8 was also found superior in root characters. Shoot weight was the highest in ODV-3. No significant difference was observed among the different treatments with respect to shoot root ratio. National collection, in general produced highest percentage of oil per 100 g root especially NC 66415 and NC 66403 whereas ODV-3 produced the lowest percentage of oil. Hybrid 8, had maximum oil yield on per hectare basis. Studies on physico-chemical properties revealed that national collections had in general high specific gravity, refractive index and optical rotation. Oil from national collections was found laevo- rotatory whereas ODV-3 had dextro-rotatory oil. Acid value was higher in hybrids. Ester content, ester value and total vetiverol were higher in national collections. ODV-3 also had high total vetiverol. GLC studies revealed the superiority of NC 66416 with respect to oil quality. It had high vetiverol, vetiverone and low terpene content. Vetiverol was maximum in ODV-3 but had minimum vetiverone in its oil. Hybrid 8 was also found superior with maximum vetiverone content and fairly high content of vetiverol. But terpene content was higher it. Results of the experiment in pots showed that crops had better performance in pot condition with respect to almost all characters, but for oil content. . The observations on plant morphology indicated no clear- cut morphological features employable for exact identification of hybrids, North Indian and South' Indian types. However, data on root characters had shown that the South Indian types had in general long roots with maximum number and weight, than national collections. Root diameter in South Indian types was less. Performance of hybrids was better than national collections.