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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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1992 - 19933
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Subject: Agriculture × Author: KAU × End date: 1999 × Start date: 1992 × Type: Thesis ×
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Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standardisation of in Vitro Propagation Technique In Gymnema Sylvestre R. Br.
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1993) Anu, K I; KAU; Nazeem, P A
    A study was taken up in the Department of plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, During 1991-93, to standardize the in vitro technique for multiplying Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. Which is locally known as ‘Gurmar’. This being the first attempt of micropropagation in this crop , the methodology was to be standardized, from the initial stage itself . Nodal segments, leaf segments as well as stem segments collected from mature vines maintained in the college of horticulture were used as explants in the present study. Different routes like enhance release of axillary buds, organogenesis and embryogenesis were attempted for the plant. The main limitation in establishing in vitro cultures of Gymnema sylvestre was identified to be microbial interference, which was mainly due to the fungus collectotrichum sp. Great seasonal variation was observed for the fungal interference and the period from January to April was identified as the best season for establishing the cultures of Gymnema sylvestre was identified to be microbial interference, which was mainely due to the fungus Collectotrichum sp. Great seasonal variation was observed for the fungal interference and the period from January to April was identified as the best season for establishing the cultures of Gymnema sylvestre. Mercuric chloride at 0.1 per cent level was identified as the best surface sterilant , with the survival rate being 82 to 94 percent according to the explant material used. Basal medium MS supported the cultures of leaf segments while the inorganic salts were to be reduced to half level for supporting the cultures of stem segments. Out of the various growth regulator combinations tried for bud break and healthy shoot elongation in Gymnema, kinetin and IAA could support bud break and healthy shoot production . Coconut water and adenine sulphate when supplemented in the medium favoured healthy shoot induction . Survival rate of newly formed shoots were very poor due to leaf abscission. Higher levels of MgSo4 in the medium helped leaf retention to the extent of 10 per cent . None of the treatments tried could induce roots in the in vitro shoots. Profuse callusing could be induced from leaf and stem segments in MS basal medium supplemented with growth regulators BA+2,4-D, with a callus index ranging from 280 to 360. The calli did not respond to organogenesis. Callus mass consisted of uniform cells without any vascular differentiation . The morphology and growth rate varied according to the growth regulator combinations tried. Stray instances of embryogenesis (6 to 20%) were observed when cultured in growth regulator combinations of BA+NAA, BA+IAA and Kin+2, 4-D. The embryoids developed up to torpedo stage and failed to grow further. They exhibited a strong callusing tendancy and got reverted to the callus stage within 5 days. The results of the study would be a pioneering report that unravels the in vitro response of ‘Gurmar’ for micro propagation. Since the plant exhibited a relatively recalcitrant nature at various stages of in vitro culture , much more concerted efforts are to be made for standardizing the protocol for micropropagation of Gymnema sylve estre.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Germplasm evaluation in horse gram (Dolichor biflorus. L.)
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Swapna, M; KAU; Achamma, Oommen
    A study was undertaken in the Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during October 1992 to February, 1993 to assess the variability existing in a population of 50 genotypes of horse gram. Evaluations based on the physiological parameters were also carried out. The results revealed the presence of sufficient genetic variability in the different genotypes studied, which were of different geographical origin. High heritability and genetic advance exhibited by the characters, length of pods and number of pods per plant point towards the possibility of these traits to be improved by direct selection. Environmental effect was found to be comparatively higher for yield and number of seeds per pod. Correlation studies indicated maximum correlation of yield with number of seeds per pod and number of pods per plant. Association studies among the different traits showed positive significant correlations between the character pairs, plant height and length of pods, number of primary branches and number of pods per plant, days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity; length of pods and number of seeds per pod and 100 seed weight and days to maturity. Divergence analysis gave eleven clusters of which, cluster II and VI showed maximum distance of the cluster members from cluster centroids. The members of these two clusters could be considered superior as parents, for hybridization programme. The maximum mean value for yield was exhibited by members of cluster II. The maximum contribution towards genetic divergence was made by the character 100 seed weight. Growth analysis based as physiological parameters like dry matter production, NAR, CGR, LAI and HI suggested that an ideal plant type will be one in which maximum dry matter production, net assimilation rate and leaf area index was observed during the middle growth stage. An efficient partitioning of dry matter towards the reproductive parts was also an essential criterian.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on Intercroppng in Rubber Plantation with Ginger, Plantain & Gingelly in Taliparamba Taluk
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Simon, P C; KAU; Naseem, P A
    The average area of a rubber grower in Kerala is less than two hectares. He will have to wait for at least six years to get income from rubber. For the full canopy development, rubber takes four years and the interspace could be utilized for intercropping with remunerative crops during the initial three years.