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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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19861
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Subject: Agronomy × Author: Gracy Mathew × End date: 1986 × Start date: 1986 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Screening plant materials for nitrification inhibition properties and testing the field performance of promising materials
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1986) Gracy Mathew; KAU; Vikraman Nair, R
    The present study ‘screening plant materials for nitrification inhibition properties and testing field performance of promising materials’ was conducted during May 1984 to November 1985 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Trichur. A total of 17 materials were used for screening using already proved nitrification inhibition materials like N-Serve and neem cake as reference. Nitrification rate in the soil was found to be very low and there was no appreciable conversion of NH+4 form to NO 3. Since there was no significant difference in the NH+4 content between treatments due to the naturally low rate of nitrification, selection of promising materials possessing nitrification inhibition property could not be done. Attempts were made to locate the factors that resulted in the low rate of nitrification in the soil. Organic matter content, pH, cropping history, amount of NH+4– N build up in the soil, incubation conditions and low microbial population were not indicated as responsible for the noted low degree of nitrification. In red and black soils of Coimbatore, nitrification was appreciable and there was fast disappearance of NH+4–N. Data on various growth parameters like mean, height, LAI and dry matter production of the test crop. Fodder maize, did not show any treatment difference. The yield in the treatment which received no fertiliser nitrogen was significantly lower than in other treatments. Similar were the results on nitrogen content of plant parts at various stages and those on total nitrogen uptake. The addition of materials used as nitrification inhibitors did not show any added advantage over untreated urea since the degree of nitrification in the soil was not appreciable.