Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

20021
Reset filters
Subject: Agronomy × Author: Anita, M R × Author: KAU × End date: 2009 × Start date: 2002 ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Shade response of guinea grass (Panicum maximum J.) under varying levels of potash
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2002) Anita, M R; KAU; Lakshmi, S
    A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala State to find out the potash requirements for guinea grass (Panicum maximum J.) varieties under varying shade levels. The influence of shade levels and potassium on growth parameters, fodder yield, quality of produce, uptake of nutrients, chemical properties of soil and economics was investigated. Three levels of shade (0,25,50 %), three levels of potassium (50, 100, 150 kg ha') and two varieties (Hamil and Haritha) were combined to from eighteen treatment combinations. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with three replications. Results of the experiment revealed that lower levels of shade as well as higher levels of potassium had significant positive influence on improving the fodder production potential of guinea grass. Among the varieties, Hamil registered higher yield potential compared to Haritha. Lower levels of shade and higher doses of potassium significantly increased the growth parameters namely, number of tillers leaf: stem ratio, leaf area index and root volume. Lower levels of shade and higher doses of potassium registered maximum green fodder yield in first, second and last harvests. However, in third and fourth cuts, 25 percent shade level registered maximum green fodder yield. Among the varieties, Hamil registered higher green fodder yield in all harvests. Similar results were obtained in the case of dry fodder yield also. Quaality parameters of the forage significantly improved as shade progresses. Maximum crude protein content was realized at lower level of potassium. Among the varieties, Haritha registered higher crude protein and chlorophyll contents. The nutrient uptake showed a significant increase with lower levels of shade. Application of potassium significantly increased the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Hamil registered higher N, P, K uptake in-all harvests. There was a significant reduction of potassium status of the soil with increase in shade levels. Application of potassium significantly increased the phosphorus and potassium status of the soil after the experiment. The optimum potassium dose for guinea grass was found to increase with increase in shade intensity. Lower levels of shade with higher dose of potassium registered highest net returns and benefit cost ratio. But economic yield was obtained in shade intensity up to 50 percent.