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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: Agroforestry × Author: Joseph, Thomas × Start date: 1980 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Understorey productivity of agrisilivicultural systems as affected by tree population density and fertiliser regimes
    (Department of Silviculture and Agroforesty, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 1996) Joseph, Thomas; KAU; Mohan Kumar, B
    A split plot experiment, involving ailanthus (Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.) Alston.) at various population densities (3333, 2500, 1600 and 1111 TPHA) and fertiliser regimes (0:0:0, 50:25:25, 100:50:50 and 150:75:75; kg N:P2O5: K2O ha-1 Yr-1), initiated in June, 1991 was intercropped with ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Additional treatments included monocultures of ginger and ailanthus. Objectives were to assess the productivity of ginger as a component of an agrisilviculture ststem involving ailanthus, besides analysing the partitioning of solar radiation among the different components of the system and characterising the nature of below ground interactions between the field and tree crop components. Ailanthus growth and its foliar chemical composition was not influenced by tree population density and fertiliser regimes. Light availability below the canopy was, however, strongly altered by tree population density. Availability of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was inversely proportional to stand density. Available PAR ranged from 35-72 per cent and 40-75 per cent of that in the open, at 50 and 150 cm above the ground level respectively. A strong relationship however, could not be established between light availability and foliar nitrogen content of the tree. Ginger grown in the interspaces of ailanthus exhibited better growth as compared to the sole crop situation. Tissue nutrient content of ginger in the later stages were higher when grown as mixed crop. The tree population density of 2500 trees per hectare (TPHA) registered better growth of understorey ginger. Fresh and dry rhizome yield of ginger also was maximum at this density. However, no strong relationship could be established between light availability and rhizome yield of ginger. Fertilisers applied to the tree component of the system, did not influence the growth, yield and quality of ginger. Three years of tree growth significantly reduced soil nutrient status below trees. A reduction in soil PH also was observed. Radiophosphorus recovered by ginger and ailanthus were not substantially altered by tree population density, lateral distance of application and cropping situation. However, ailanthus absorbed a substantial portion of the fertilisers applied to the ginger crop. Root activity of ailanthus suggests that 41-53 per cent of active roots are situated at about 40 cm from the tree trunk. Neighbouring trees in the high density stand registered a high recovery of 32P as compared to the low density stand, which may have important management implications.