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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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1980 - 198319
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Subject: Agriculture × End date: 1983 × Start date: 1980 × Type: Thesis ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 19
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic variability and correlation studies in cocoa (Theobroma cacae L.)
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1983) Gregory Zachariah; KAU; Kumaran, K
    Investigation on the generic variability and correlation studies in cocoa were undertaken in the Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from July 1980 to August 1981 in a well established cocoa garden at Alpara in Trichur district, to elucidate information on the extent of variability and the degree of association existing among the 26 important plant, pod and bean characters, in a group of 135 cocoa tress, variety Forastero. Considerable variability was noted among all the characters of the sexually reproduced population of cocoa trees. Number of flowers per unit length on the trunk, number of pods per tree per year, weight of pod, volume of pod and wet weight of beans per pod showed maximum variability. Shell percentage and seed index manifested considerable variability among the bean characters. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (P.C.V.), genotypic coefficient of variation (G.C.V.) and heritability were estimated for 7 pod and bean characters. Both (P.C.V.) and (G.C.V.) were highest for attributes such as thickness of pod husk, number of beans per pod and weight of pod. Moderately high heritability was observed for weight of pod, thickness of pod husk and number of germinated beans. Volume of beans showed the lowest heritability. Yield from trees was found to be positively correlated with 6 of the characters studied, while number of germinated beans per pod and pod value were negatively correlated with yield. Out of the eight characters, pod value had the maximum contribution to yield. Number of pods per tree per year was found strongly associated with yield. Seed index and trunk girth also were positively and significantly correlated with yield. Phenotypic (rp) correlations among seven characters indicated that number of beans per pod was positively correlated with weight of pod. Positive correlations were also established between volume of beans and wet weight of beans per pod. Among the seven characters observed for genetypic (rg) correlations, wet weight of beans showed positive correlation with diameter of the pod and pod weight. Positive phenotypic as well as genotypic correlations were established in the case of wet weight of beans per pod with number of beans per pod and volume of beans. Number of beans per pod in turn, showed positive correlation with weight of pod at both levels. From the present studies it was evident that characters like diameter of pod, wet weight of beans per pod, number of beans per pod, number of germinated beans per pod, volume of pod, volume of bean, pod value, number of cushions on trunk, trunk girth, number of pods per tree per year and seed index have direct influence on the yield of cocoa. These traits can be considered while selecting cocoa trees for using in breeding programmes.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Estimation of genetic parameters in green gram (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.)
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1980) Presanna Kumari, K T; KAU; Mary, K George
    Biometric studies on fifteen divergent green gram varieties (Phaseolus aurreus Roxb. syn. Vigna radiata (L.) wilzeck.) was conducted at the College of Agriculture , Vellayani , during November- January, 1979-80, to estimate the important genetic parameters like mean, range, genotypic and phenotypic coefficientsof variation , heritability, genetic advance and genetic gain and to find out the direct and indirect contributions of various component characters on yield by path coefficient analysis. There were significant differences among the varieties for all characters studied. Genotypic coefficient of variation was maximum for number of branches per plant followed by 100 seed weight and minimum for days to 50 per cent flowering . High heritability estimates were observed for pod length , 100 seed weight, plant height, number of seeds per pod days to 50 per cent flowering and number of pods per plant. Genetic gain was maximum for number of branches per plant followedby 100 seed weight and minimum for days to 50 per cent flowering. The number of branches per plant 100 seed weight, number of pods per plant and pod length had high heritability and genetic gain indicating the presence of additive gene action and hence they can be relied upon in selection programmes.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on heterosis and combining abilities with respect to important economic traits in Capsicum annuum, L.
    (Division of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1981) Manikantan Nair, P; KAU; Mary, K George
    Sixty three varieties of Capsicum annuum representing different agroclimatic regions of the country constituted the base material of the study. Based on yield potential , adaptability and tolerance to leaf curl complex disease, thirty varieties were selected for subsequent studies. Comprehensive genetic studies including estimation of genetic parameters, cause effect relationship by path coefficient analysis, genetic divergence by Mahalanoble D2 statistic and a nine parent diallel analysis to causes the combining ability, to unravel the pattern of inheritance and also to examine the level of heterosis manifested with respect to eighteen economic characters including four nutritiveand quality attributes namely Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Capsaicin and Oleoresin content were conducted during the year 1976-79. Analysis of plot means exhibited highly significant differences among varieties except for Capsaicin content. The high degres of variability in economic attributes offers scope for recombining desirable genes from different varieties.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of herbicides of cell division sterility and yield in rice
    (Division of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1981) Kishore Kumar, K; KAU; Mercy, S T
    Herbicides have become a very important tool for weed control and research in this line has been progressing ever since their invention. Studies on the possible damages which herbicides cause at the chromosomal level have been undertaken under laboratory conditions by many workers. But only a few studies have been on this aspect under field conditions. This study was done with the aim of finding the extent of chromosomal aberrations and consequent deterioration of yield attributes in rice caused by the application of five selective herbicides. Observations on the herbicidal influence on weed population have also been taken. From this study it has been found that herbicides do cause chromosomal changes during cell division. Pollen mother cell studies revealed that highest number of chromosomal abnormalities occur in 2,4-D and nitrofen treatments when applied at a dose of 1kg and 1.5 kg a.i. per hectare, eighteen days after transplanting. Such abnormalities caused pollen sterilityand consequent spikelet sterility leading to reduction in yield . These parameters showed significant positive correlation.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Induction of mutations in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1980) Sunny, K Oommen; KAU; Gopimony, R
    Studies were undertaken to obtain precise information on the effects of six doses of gamma rays (5-30 krads) and seven concentrations of ethyl methanesulphonate (0.1-0.7 per cent) in cowpea, using the variety ' New Era'. The effectiveness and efficiency of different doses of the two mutagens in inducing chlorophyll mutations were estimated. (1) The germination of cowpea seeds was not affected by green rays even at the highest dose employed , whereas ethyl methanesulphonate inhibited germination and the reduction in percentage was progressive with increasing doses. (2) The survival of plants based on the number of seeds sown was reduced by both mutagens. Post germination mortality occured to a certain degree with gamma irrediation, whereas it did not occur to any considerable extent with ethyl methanesulphonate treatment. (3) A differential effect on the growth of shoot and that of root was observed with both mutagens in the present study. The growth inhibition was more for the shoot with gamma rays ,while ethyl methanesulphonate produced a higher degree of inhibition for the growth of root than for shoot.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Selection parameters in tapioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz)
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1980) Radhakrishnan, V V; KAU; Gopakumar, K
    During a biometrical study conducted on 20 divergent types of tapioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in the premises of Central Tuber Crops Research Institute at Trivandrum, as a postgraduate programme of the Kerala Agricultural University, useful informations on the selection parameters become available. Accordingly, it was found that harvest index should be the best reliable criterion for effecting selection in favour of a desirable genotype from among others in a genetically heterogenic base population. Further, it is proposed that potentially high tuber yielders in the crop could be identified among relatively short statured ones with more number of large sized leaves that have become completely developed sufficiently early during development of the shoot. In addition , a tendency for relatively more number of leaves to become abscissed towards the time of harvest should also be considered as a positive sign of high tuber yield
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Selection index in horse gram (Dolichos biflorus L.)
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1980) Suraiya, D; KAU; Mercy, S T
    The present biometric study was carried out in the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the year 1979-80 with fifteen varieties of horse gram (Doliches biflorus L.) to formulate a suitable selection index for yield. The observation plants were studied individually for the following characters. (1) Seed yield per plant (2) Number of pods per plant (3) Number of seeds per pod (4) 100-seed weight (5) Pod length (6) Days to 500 flowering (7) Height of plant (8) Number of branches (9) Days to maturity (duration). The data obtained in the study were subjected to statistical analysis viz. estimates of mean for all the different varieties, analysis of variance in respect of the nine selected characters, estimates of components of variances, genotype, environmental and phenotypic coefficients of variations, heritability, genetic advance and studies of discriminant function and path coefficient analysis.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Correlation and path coefficient analysis in guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.)
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1983) Sreenivasan, E; KAU; Kamalam, N
    A study was undertaken at the Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, to determine the character association for yield and quality of green fodder and their degree of association and relative influence on yield in guinea grass. Twenty four diverse varieties of guinea grass were selected for the study and laid out in randomised block design with three replications. Observations were made on nine morphological characters and four chemical attributes and the data collected were subjected to variability studies and correlation analysis. Five morphological characters which showed highly significant genotypic correlation with green fodder yield were considered for path coefficient analysis in order to separate the total correlation of these characters with green fodder yield into direct effects and indirect effects via. other characters.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Incompatibility studies on sweet potato (Jpomoea batalas (L) Lam)
    (Division of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1983) Padma Kumar, A; KAU; Chandramony, D
    In a study conducted on the flowering and natural fruit setting in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam). It was observed that varietal difference did exist for the above trait. Of the thirty varieties screened for compatibility/incompatibility reactions, only one variety viz. S.378 was found to be self-compatible. Except 2, 4-D treatment and end of season pollination, all the other methods including bud pollination, surgical techniques, application of sugar solution etc failed completly to break the self - incompatibility barrier in sweet potato. The success of 2, 4-D treatment , which resulted in fruit set in 13 varieties might be due to its effect on increasing the flower life by preventing floral absisaion.