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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: Agronomy × Author: Ajith, Kumar Menon × Author: KAU × End date: 1989 × Start date: 1982 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of techniques on soil loss, surface runoff and soil moisture storage in hill slopes- Part II
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Ajith, Kumar Menon; KAU; Sasidhar, V K
    A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, Vellanikkara during June 1981 to February 1982, to study the effect of various Agro-Techniques on soil loss, surface runoff and soil moisture storage in hill slopes. The experiment was conducted with the main objective of studying the effect of cowpea intercropping as well as the different methods of planting of tapioca on reducing soil and water loss in hill slopes. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments consisted of (1) tapioca alone in ridges along the slope, (2) uncultivated bare fellow as a control, (3) tapioca in ridges along the slope with cowpea as intercrop, (4) tapioca in ridges across the slope with cowpea as intercrop, (5) tapioca alone in mounds, (6) tapioca alone in ridges across the slope and (7) tapioca in mounds with cowpea as intercrops. The experiment was conducted in field runoff plots of 24.3 m x 2.7 m size. The runoff from the field were collected directly into water proof polythene lined earthen tanks and measured after each rainfall. From the experiment it is observed that total rainfall was better correlated with runoff and soil loss followed by average intensity. Maximum runoff and soil loss occurred in plots with tapioca alone in ridges along the slope. Cowpea intercropping as well as tapioca planting in ridges across the slope were effective in reducing soil and water losses. Tapioca alone in ridges along the slop recorded the maximum losses of N, P and K being 131.29 kg, 41.44 kg and 124.63 kg/ha respectively. Maximum retention of rainfall was recorded the tapioca in ridges across the slope with cowpea as intercrop. The pH and conductivity of runoff water were not significantly influenced by different treatments. During the dry periods maximum storage and thereby minimum depletion of moisture in 30-45 cm soil layer were recorded by uncultivated bare fallow plot. The treatment with tapioca alone in ridges across the slope recorded greater height of plants, more number of functional leaves per plant, maximum length of tubers and highest yield of tubers. The biometric characters and yield of the intercropped cowpea were not affected by various cultivation methods of tapioca.