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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Divergence studies in salad cucumber (cucumis sativus L)
    (Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2006) Smitha Sara, Abraham; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, T R
    The present investigation on “ Divergence studies in salad cucumber (Cucumis sativus L)” was conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during December 2005- April 2006. Twenty-eight salad cucumber genotypes collected from different parts of India were utilized for the study. The extent of variability, correlation between yield and its component characters, path analysis and divergence among 28 genotypes were assessed. The 28 genotypes were significantly different for 15 characters studied. The genotype Phule Himangi (20.22 kg/plot) emerged as high yielder followed by AAUC 2 (15.11 kg/plot). Selection of plants based on yield/plot was observed to be efficient than selection of component characters. All the accessions were prickled on the surface. All were monoecious and produced yellow flowers. Most of the genotypes produced light green fruits whereas Phule Himangi produced white stout fruits. Genotypes CS 25 and CS 35 were comparatively free from biotic factors except mosaic and serpentine leaf miner. Total yield per plot showed positive correlation with fruits per plant, duration of crop and number of harvests. Negative correlation was observed between total yield per plot and number of branches. It is clear from the study that, for obtaining higher yield characters like fruits per plant, duration of crop, number of harvests etc should be considered in the selection programme. Fruits per plant had maximum positive direct effect on total yield per plot. Higher positive effects for days to first male flower anthesis was observed on total yield per plot. The genotypes were grouped into 5 clusters based on Mahalanobis D2 statistics. Cluster I, II, III, IV and V contained 13,8,4,2,1 genotypes respectively. Inter-cluster distance was maximum between cluster II and V (48733.77) and minimum between cluster I and III (8415.55). Cluster V showed maximum average inter-cluster distance with any another cluster.