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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: Beena Elizabeth, George × End date: 1993 × Start date: 1990 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of ginger cultivars for shade tolerance
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Beena Elizabeth, George; KAU; Sreedevi, P
    A study entitled 'Screening of ginger cultivars for shade tolerance' was conducted during May 1990 to February 1991 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala, India. Two separate trials were carried out, one under artificial shade and the other under natural shade in coconut gardens. The trial under artificial shade was intended to assess the performance of ginger cultivars under different levels of shade, while that under natural shade was taken up to test the fitness of these cultivars under intercropped situation in coconut garden. Trial under artificial shade was laid out in split plot design with four shade levels (0, 25, 50 and 75 per cent shade) as main plot treatments and six cultivars (Maran, Kuruppampadi, Himachal, Rio-de-jeneiro, Nudumangad and Amballore local) as subplot treatments with four replications. The trial under natural shade was laid out in randomised block design with five cultivars (Maran, Kuruppampadi, Himachal, Nedumangad and Amballore local) and four replications. For providing shade under artificial shade trial, pandals were erected on wooden frames and covered with unplaited coconut fronds to provide required levels of shade. LI-90 A Quantum sensor and LI-191 SA Line Quantum sensor were used for adjusting the shade intensities to the desired levels. As the overall performance of the crop was better under shade than in the open, ginger may be classified as a shade loving crop. Rhizome yields at 25, 50 and 75 per cent shade levels were comparable and significantly higher than that under direct sun with 25 per cent shade recording the highest value. Yield parameters such as harvest index and total- dry weight were also highest at 25 per cent shade. Significant interaction was noticed between shade levels and ginger cultivars on rhizome yield. Himachal was found to- be adapated to all situations. Quality of ginger rhizomes was found to be improved when grown under shade. Nutrient uptake was also higher under shaded situation. Based on the rhizome yield the cultivars adapted to each of the shade levels are as follows. 0 per cent shade - Kuruppampadi, Himachal 25 per cent shade- Nedumangad, Himachal, Maran, Kuruppampadi 50 per cent shade - Himachal, Kuruppampadi, Maran, Nedumangad and Amballore local 75 per cent shade - Himachal, Kuruppampadi The logarithmic model, log y = a+b(log x)+c(log x ) 2+d 3 (log x) was found to be a good fit for all the cultivars except Amballore local, for which the yield prediction could be well effected using the quadratic model (y = a+bx+cx2) . All the cultivars tested under natural shade, revealed no significant difference with respect to rhizome yield and most of the growth and yield attributes. Among the cultivars, Amballore local fared comparitively better under natural shade, where the percentage illumination was about 50 per cent. However, the performance of all the cultivars was poor in terms of rhizome yield under natural shade in coconut garden.