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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: Bridgit, T K × Author: KAU × End date: 1999 × Start date: 1992 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutritional balance analysis for productivity improvement of rice in iron rich lateritic alluvium
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellenikkara, 1999) Bridgit, T K; KAU; Potty, N N
    Investigation entitled “Nutritional balance analysis for productivity improvement of rice in iron rich lateritic alluvium” consisting of seven experiments was conducted during 1995-1997 in the farm attached to the Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy. Objective of the study was to identify the factors that limit the productivity of rice in the lateritic alluvium, estimate the nature and extent of their influences, formulate and test the methodology to overcome them and to evolve high – tech management programme to get 6 t or more yield of grain per hectare. The study included evaluation of the influences of all the cultural and nutritional inputs on the content and balances of N,P,K,Ca,Mg,S,Fe,Mn,Zn, Cu and SiO2 in the root, culm and leaf at MT and PI and boot leaf in addition to uptake in grain and straw. Results revealed the following Field evaluation of the crop performance in 36 locations of Thrissur and Palakkad districts of Kerala spread in km2 and three soil types revealed that yield ranged from 2800 to 9000 kg ha-1. Low productivity was not due to real deficiency of any of the 11 elements in the foliage. Foliar concentrations of individual elements were more than what has required to produce yield levels above 7000kg ha-1 in some locations expect for silica. Low realized yields were found to be due to the excess plant contents of non-applied elements especially Fe, Mn,Zn and Cu as well as their interactions in plants. As such, soil test or tissue test values of elements were found inadequate, a “content balance combined approach” was found to be better tool in nutritional management. Iron content of the root of the order of 50,000 ppm under submerged conditions was found to inhibit morphological and physiological development leading to low yield. Physiologically, lower development of chlorophyll ‘a’ and its poor stability as well as a higher sap PH lead to low dry matter accumulation. Morphologically the effect was expressed through very few long roots at MT,low root weight, root damage and failure of further initiation of roots, protracted production of fewer tillers as well as their decline and low dry matter accumulation in the shoots between MT and flowering periods. Yield variation due to the early suppression alone was of the order of 1800 kg ha-1. Harmful effects of Fe in the plant was less subsequently as Fe decreased progressively with growth of the plant. Manganese and Zn and to some extent Cu found to take over from Fe in the post panicle initiation phase. Leaf concentrations of these elements at PI and flowering stages rise far higher the critical levels. Manganese was found to reduce photosynthetic efficiency at this stage and Zn was identified with affecting translocation to the grain from vegetative parts in the maturity phase, thereby affecting translocation to the grain from vegetative parts in the maturity phase, thereby affecting grain – straw ratio. Lower productivity of second crop (September – October compared to first crop (April – May seeded rice) was found to be due to the higher foliar concentrations of Mn and Zn in the PI stage onwards. Cultivation under continuous submergence aggravated these inhibiting influences. Thus low yield of rice in laterite soils was found to be due to a multi – element multiphase effect. Nutritionally these effects could be recognised through narrow N/Fe, N/Mn, K/Fe, K/Zn ratios. Application of Ca @ 150 kg lime ha-1 could reduce the Fe content of the plant and S at 100 kg ha-1 could reduce Mn and Zn content in the plant at PI. Substituting urea with Ammonium sulphate for top dressing appeared to be better to contain Mn and Zn at PI stage. Application of SiO2 at 250 kg ha-1 and increasing the levels of K from the present level of 45 kg to 120 kg ha-1 and resorting to dry seeding in April-May crop and wet seeding in October-crop and irrigation once in three days after disappearance of ponded water were found to be effective means of containing the low yield malady and raise the yield beyond 6 t ha-1. This production programme has the advantage that it does not involve much additional input, offers the scope of reducing P application by 50 per cent and scientifically sustainable as it keeps nutrient removal within the levels of application of N, P and K. This programme also offers a way to progressional yield improvement above 6 t ha-1 as the levels of Fe, Mn and Zn in the leaves are still far higher than suggested critical levels.