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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: Anitha, S × Author: KAU × Start date: 1990 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Resource use & plant interaction in chilli Intercropping system in summer rice fallow
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Anitha, S; KAU; Geetha Kumari, V L
    An investigation entitled “Resource use and plant interaction in chilli intercropping system in summer rice fallow” was conducted at Rice Research Station, Kayakulam to assess the bio and economic suitability of chilli intercropping system. The experiment consisted of two intercrops (French bean and amaranthus), three nutrient levels (NL 100, NL 75 and NL 50) and two planting methods (normal row planting and paired row planting). Among the three cropping system viz. Chilli – French bean, chilli – amaranthus and pure crop system, performance of chilli in chilli – French bean system was the best. All the growth and yield attributes, nutrient uptake and yield of chilli in chilli – French bean system was superior to chilli – amaranthus system and pure crop system. Better growth and yield performance of chilli was observed at 100 per cent of the nutrient dose for both the crops. The maximum benefit from chilli intercropping system was also realized at this level of nutrient. Intercrop yield of chilli was not influenced by planting geometry. Intercrop yield of amaranthus significantly increased with nutrient levels. Intercrop yield of amaranthus at 100 and 75 per cent nutrient does was significantly higher than intercrop yield of amaranthus at 50 per cent nutrient dose and pure crop yield. Performance of both pure and intercropped French bean was very poor hence this crop could not be recommended for summer rice fallow. Higher LER, LEC, ATER, CEY, monetary return based on LER, gross return, net return, return per rupee invested and per day return revealed the bio and economic suitability of chilli amaranthus system. Bio and economic suitability of chilli intercropping system was maximum when both crops were given 100 per cent of the nutrient dose. Nutrient status of the soil was not affected by intercrops, nutrient levels and planting geometry. A positive build up of all the nutrients in the soil revealed the sustainable nature of these systems. The results indicated that, French bean was not ideal for summer rice fallows. To reap the maximum biological and economic advantage, both the crops should be supplied with 100 per cent of the recommended dose. Chilli – amaranthus intercropping system can be recommended as an economically viable, biologically suitable and a sustainable cropping system for summer rice fallows of Kerala.