Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

1980 - 198911990 - 19951
Reset filters
Subject: Agronomy × Author: KAU × Author: Viswambharan, K × End date: 1999 × Start date: 1980 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Agronomic evaluation of chemical and bio-agents on phosphorus dynamics in red loam soils of southern Kerala
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Viswambharan, K; KAU; Sasidhar, V K
    Three field experiments were conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1992-'93 for two season to study the effect of chemical and bio-agents on phosphorus dynamics in the red loam soils of Southern Kerala. In the experiment No.1 four treatments such as no anions, hydroxide, carbonate and silicate were tested under three levels of phosphorus such as no phosphorus, 50% phosphorus and 100% phosphorus. From the study, it was revealed that carbonates have more desorbing power for phosphorus than the other anions tested. These were reflected in the yield and yield attributes, available phosphorus content of the soil, soil phosphorus fractions, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake of plants. Among the combinations, carbonate anion with 50% phosphorus gave the highest yield. In the experiment No.2, three treatments such as no chelates, EDTA and DTPA were tested with three levels of phosphorus such as no phosphorus, 50 % phosphorus and 100% phosphorus. From the study it has been revealed that EDTA gave better response than other chelates tested. These were reflected in the yield, yield attributes, available phosphorus content of the soil, soil phosphorus fraction, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake of plants. Among the combinations EDTA with 50% phosphorus gave the highest yield. In the experiment No.3, four levels of microbial agents such as no microbes, VAM, PB and VAM + PB were tested with three levels of phosphorus such as no phosphorus. 50% phosphorus and 100% phosphorus. From the study it has been revealed that VAM + PB gave the highest response. This was reflected in the yield attributes, available phosphorus content of the soil, soil phosphorus fractions, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake of plants. Among the combinations VAM+PB with 50% phosphorus gave the highest yield.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of agro - techniques on soil loss ,surface run and soil moisture storage in hill slopes
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1980) Viswambharan, K; KAU; Sasidhar, V K
    A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, Vellanikkara during September 1979 to May 1980 to study the effect of various Agro-Techniques on soil loss, surface runoff and soil moisture storage in hill slopes. The experiment was conducted with the main objective of studying the effect of groundnut intercropping as well as the different methods of planting of tapioca on reducing soil and water losses in hill slopes. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with five treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of (1) tapioca alone in mounds, (2) tapioca in mounds with groundnut as intercrop, (3) tapioca alone in ridges across the slope, (4) tapioca in ridges across the slope with groundnut as intercrop and (5) uncultivated bare fallow as a control. The experiment was conducted in field runoff plots of 24.3M x 2.7M size. The runoff from the field were collected directly into water proof polyethylene lined earthen tanks and measured after each rainfall. Only rainfalls more than 12.5 cm were taken for the purpose of the study. From the experiment it is observed that AIm index was better correlated with runoff as compared to other erosion indices. Similarly EI15 index was better correlated with soil loss. Maximum runoff and soil loss occurred in uncultivated bare fallow. Among the various cultivation methods, tapioca in mounds registered maximum soil and water losses. Groundnut intercropping as well as tapioca planting in ridges across the slope were effective in reducing soil and water losses. Uncultivated bare fallow runoff plots recorded the maximum losses of N,P and K being 107.47kg, 28.476kg, and 82.479kg/ha respectively. Among the Agro-Techniques, tapioca in mounds recorded the maximum loss of N,P and K being 44.01kg, 14.845kg and 39.08 kg/ha respectively during the entire season. However, the nutrient losses from other plots were meagre. Maximum retention of rainfall was recorded by tapioca in ridges across the slope with groundnut as intercrop. The pH and conductivity of runoff water were not significantly influenced by different treatments. During the dry periods maximum storage and minimum depletion of sub soil moisture were recorded by uncultivated bare fallow plot. The growth and yield of tapioca were not significantly affected by the groundnet intercrop. Maximum yield of tapioca was recorded by the treatment of planting tapioca in ridges across the slope without intercrop. The yield of the intercropped groundnet was not affected by various cultivation methods of tapioca.