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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: Jayasree, P × End date: 2005 × Start date: 2005 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Biodynamic practices in chilli
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Jayasree, P; KAU; Annamma George
    The research project entitled ‘Biodynamic practices in chilli’ was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during October 2004 to February 2005. The study was conducted on chilli cv, Jwalasakhi. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomised block design with two replications. The treatments consisted of two levels of biodynamic calendar – factor A (A1 is the cultivation practices based on biodynamic calendar and A2 is cultivation practices without considering biodynamic calendar) and six levels of manurial schedule – factor B (B1 – BD 500 + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis, B2 – BD 501 + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis, B3 – B1 + B2 + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis, B4 – Panchagavyam + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis, B5 – organic manures alone on nutrient equivalent basis, B6 – package of practices recommendations of Kerala Agricultural University (FYM 20 t ha-1 + 75 : 40 : 25 kg N: P2O5 : K2O ha-1) Results of the experiment revealed that POP recommendations of Kerala Agricultural University significantly increased the growth characters like plant height, number of branches, leaf area index, root length and root spread while root-shoot ratio was higher in organic manure treatments. Similar trend was also observed for yield and yield attributing characters. The post harvest nutrient content in soil showed a significant increase with panchagavyam + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis which was on par with other treatments receiving biodynamic preparations and organic manures. Quality parameters of chilli significantly improved as a result of application of biodynamic preparations and organic manures. Panchagavyam + organic manures increased the shelf life while organic manures alone on nutrient equivalent basis increased ascorbic acid content. POP of Kerala Agricultural University was found to be significantly superior in capsaicin content. There was significant reduction in the incidence of damping off by POP of Kerala Agricultural University while the highest incidence of fruit rot was observed in the same treatment. Eventhough the cost of cultivation is higher for POP recommendations of Kerala Agricultural University, it was rated as more economic in terms of net returns and B:C ratio.