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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: G, KAU × End date: 1996 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutrient- moisture interaction under phasic stress irrigation of sweet potato in summer rice fallows
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 1994) Muraleedharan, Nair; G, KAU; Muraleedharan, Nair; v
    A field experiment on sweet potato was laid out in the rice field fallowed during summer season at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The study was intended to work out of the irrigation schedule and fertilizer practice for sweet potato grown as a catch crop during the summer season of 1990 and 1991. The experiment was designed to economise the use of irrigation water as well as fertilizers by inducing phasic stress at certain phases of plant growth which are considered critical for sweet potato. The field experiment was laid out in a strip plot design replicated thrice with irrigation in horizontal strips and fertility levels in vertical strips. Irrigation water at full CPE was given during tuber initiation phase (10-30 DAP), full CPE at tuber maturity phase (80-100 DAP) and full CPE at tuber initiation and tuber maturity phases. The crop received irrigation at ½ CPE during the rest of the period of plant growth. Nitrogen and potassium were applied @ 25, 50 and 75 kg ha-1 and a uniform dose of P2 O5 @ 50 kg ha-1 and lime @ 500 kg ha-1 were applied. A control plot that received NPK @ 75:50:75 kg ha-1 and FYM @ 10 t ha-1 was maintained for treatment comparison. Growth characters were recorded at an interval of 21 days from planting and it was observed that providing irrigation at full CPE during tuber initiation phase resulted in significant increase in vine length and number of leaves plant-1. Enhanced rate of application of Nitrogen promoted the growth of vines, number of branches plant-1 and number of leaves produced plant-1. Potassium did not exert any influence on these growth characters. Growth analysis studies showed that the LAI was maximum in plots that received irrigation at full CPE during tuber initiation phase. Nitrogen substantially influenced the LAI, higher levels being significantly superior to the lower levels. Higher levels of potassium also influenced the LAI. The NAR and specific leaf weight were the highest in plots that received irrigation at ½ CPE during tuber initiation phase. Both NAR and CGR were high in the early stage of plant growth and decreased towards harvest. Increased rates of nitrogen supply decreased the NAR and specific leaf weight whereas no definite trend could be observed on CGR> Higher levels of potassium had a favourable influence on NAR and CGR. The dry matter of leaves, shoots, fibrous roots and tubers were significantly enhances by providing full CPE during tuber initiation phase. Increasing the level of nitrogen, influenced the dry matter in the aerial parts. The influence of K on dry matter production was not consistent. Tuber bulking rate showed a positive trend under irrigation at full CPE during tuber initiation phase. Nitrogen levels at 50 and 75 kg ha-1 had an overlapping influence on tuber bulking rate and both remained superior to 25 kg ha-1. Scheduling of irrigation did not exert any influence on the length and girth of tuber. However, an increase in the length and a corresponding decrease in the girth were noticed at enhanced rates of nitrogen supply. The number of tubers plant-1 showed a significant improvement by providing irrigation at full CPE during tuber initiation phase. The total number of tubers plant-1 was increased by high rates of N, but did not influence the number of marketable tubers. Application of K at 50 kg ha-1 promoted the production of more tubers. Tuber yield was significantly influenced by irrigation wherein providing full CPE during tuber initiation phase resulted in superior yield of both total and marketable tubers. Tuber yield was maximum at 50 kg ha-1 each of nitrogen and potash. Vine yield was significantly enhanced by higher rates of applied nitrogen. The harvest index and utilization index were enhanced by the application of irrigation water at full CPE during tuber initiation phase. Application of N at 25 kg ha-1 resulted in the production of high starch content whereas the sugar content was increased upto the highest level of 75 kg ha-1. The uptake of nitrogen by vines and tubers showed a progressive increase by applying full CPE during tuber initiation phase. Application of higher levels of nitrogen invariably promoted the uptake of N, P and K by the plant. Application of potash at 50 or 75 kg ha-1 also resulted in higher uptake of potassium. The fertility status of the soil did not show a positive trend by scheduling of irrigation. The plots that received the lowest dose of nitrogen, invariably recorded the highest level of available phosphorus. Available potassium content was also high in plots that received higher rates of potash. Irrigation at full CPE during tuber initiation and/or tuber maturity phase recorded significantly higher water use efficiency and net returns as compared to including stress during tuber initiation phase. Nitrogen and potash both at 50 kg ha-1 recorded the maximum water use efficiency and net returns from sweet potato cultivation.