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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Open Access
Production potential of two fodder grasses under different management practices
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Raghavan Pillai, G; KAU; Madhavan Nair, K P
Open Access
Effect of NPK on seed progeny and air layers in cashew ( Anacardium occidentale L. )
(Department of agronomy, College of Agriculture Vellayani , Trivandrum, 1985) Harishu Kumar, P; KAU; Sreedharan, C
An experiment was conducted to assess the "Ef f e c t of NPK fertilisers on seed orogeny and air layers in cashew at Cashew Seed Farm, Shanmtigodu under Central Plantation Crops Research Institute , Regional Station, f i t c a l 574 24 3, during 1982-84. fhe treatments consisted of test ing three le v e ls each of d,? and K on seed . rogen/ i.,d ai r layers Ln cashcv/. r ’ne study revc ile 1 t h . t d i f f e r en t grov.'th oar meter 7 i. e . , he L'jl'it, can>py rolLus, surf ice area, le a f area n ; : ; v/erc influenced by increasing le v e ls of I:PR. f ■ r t i I i. s e r s . [' r/ ii chlorophyl l , to I; il v.ug ir , le.it v; .ter f-,■ n* , in-: sp e c i f ic le if w ight v;ere influenced by » b ,n v/11 i I e n i t rci' p n 11 one i n c i i iset i , , ., ii c * * . I', i r 1 y i'ii s r: u I: i- c ’ i I i r r - • * * in f l o w e r i n g , numbt l r, f ft mi. t e, _ .m ,lg ,■ I ; -I -,l puilr-h t'< t-i.l il 'hoots WC IX ; i ? V i . r ‘ I i I -■ 1 nr r r 1.0,1 b y f.f r » i I i d L >n . t’rmt j;un ii r‘ rc rn> r ri o nl; inrl acc' u b i ^ ici-1 c o n t e n t , ] Lc if ion . /c r | , 7 0 1 1 0 ' J W l ! " l p l Mut v Jupic an 1 IglTt wctr drrrc ir.ecl due to d M M, ion w,lH. V ipol ic .Llon ( ivour* rl nut md P i p d i ' - 1 , 4-r d W- i n ( k c - T l u 1 n - Leaf N v;as increased by NPIC. Lear ? was increased by p and K appl icat ion v/hile i t was reduced by N appl icat ion. Leaf K was reduced by H appl icat ion while i t was increased by ? and K appl icat ion. N appl ication resul ted in an Increase in le a f C i, where as P and K reduced i t . M and K reduced le a f Mg while P had no e f f e c t . M increased lui f Zn while P reduced the same. K had no e f f e c t . Cr i t ical levels in Ic if for M and ? are f ixed at 2.09% and 0.14% respectively. hoot CSC was increased by UP.' f e r t i 1 is ition . .1 application reduc’d organic carbon and P ‘./hale- i t i.nere -Scd ^>oil M, h and oH. P appl ication increased o i l d, K and pH. ‘V. ipol icat ion incr*. ia«_ , roi l H, h and oH wher>- as i c r c r\ v c c r: o i l P • rj ind P f spons r, r*. curvul in«. ar while not as i u ■ esnonrs v m Jincir. rhc od.imuni of U and P r , pc-j/trr ,./y ai re no-. c t ivt 1 y . M ixvv.um income W L. 1. ' - * * r t ' l i - r r l In lie 1 IV- r r . r
Open Access
Delineating the various agroclimatic zones of Kerala & identifying the cropping patterns for the different zones
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1986) Karmachandran, K M; KAU; Balakrishna Pillai, P
An investigation was carried out for delineating the various agroclimatic zones of Kerala and for identifying the cropping patterns for the different zones. Meteorological data were collected from 100 stations in Kerala. Soil and crop data were collected for the whole state. The agroclimatic features of Kerala were studied. The water balance elements and indices of 14 representative stations in the state were computed and presented on annual basis. Six moisture availability regimes (MAR) were proposed and delineated following the guidelines of Hargreaves (1971 & 1975). Twenty agroclimatic zones were identified by superimposing the six moisture availability regimes over seven soil groups. The zones are (1) Dry-Forest loam (AF1), (2) Semi dry-Red loam (BR1) (3) Semi dry-Laterite (BLa), (4) Semi dry-Alluvium (BA1), (5) Semi dry-Black soil (BBs), (6)Semi dry-Forest loam (BF1), (7) Sub humid-Red loam (CR1), (8) Sub humid-Laterite (CLa), (9) Sub humid-Alluvium(CA1), (10)Sub humid-Saline (CSa), (11) Sub humid-Forest loam (CF1), (12) Humid-Laterite (DLa), (13) Humid-Alluvium (DA1), (14) Humid-Greyish Onattukara (DGo). (15) Humid-Saline (DSa) (16) Humid-Forest loam (DF1), (17) per humid-Laterite (ELa), (18) per humid-Forest loam (EF1), (19) Wet-Laterite (FLa) and (20) wet-Forest loam (FF1). Twelve cropping patterns of the state were also identified. Suitability of the existing cropping patterns for the agroclimatic zones were examined. It is found that the cropping patterns existing in almost all the agroclimatic zones are suitable to the zones. Coconut is not suitable for BBs zone and the eastern part of the BLa zone, while rubber is not congenial for the zone BF1. Mango and jack are not suitable for the high altitude areas of DF1zone. Coconut, tapioca and cocoa are suitable only up to 900 m above M. S. L. in the zone EF1. In FLa zone rubber grows well up to 600 m above M. S. L, while cardamom is better for higher elevations. Tapioca is not suitable for areas 800 m above M. S. L in the zone FF1. The important crops except tapioca are unsuitable for AF1 zone. It is felt that a detailed study with a denser network of meteorological stations is necessary for examining the suitability of crops to the zone CF1. Crops such as millets with low water requirement should be given more importance in the zones like BBS and AF1. Dry (A) type MAR demands great care of crops at least for six dry months. Perhumid (E) and Wet (F) types of MAR demand proper drainage for crops except rice. Proper soil conservation measures have to be taken up when tapioca is grown on the slopes, especially of the sub humid (C), Humid (D), perhumid (E) and wet (F) types of moisture availability regimes.
Open Access
Influence of crop geometry on the growth and yield of rice variety jaya
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Usha, K E; KAU; Balakrishnapillai, P
Influence of crop geometry on the growth and yield of rice variety 'Jaya'. An experiment was conducted in the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi during the second crop season of 1983 to study the influence of crop geometry on the growth and yield of rice variety 'Jaya'. The experiment was laid out in split plot with three replications. The treatments consisted of six treatment combinations of two levels of spacing between plants (20 x 15 cm, 20 x 10 cm) and three levels of spacing between alleys (80 cm, 160 cm and 240 cm apart) in the main plot and four levels of crop orientation (north-South, East-West, diagonal planting North East-South West and diagonal planting North West-South East) in the sub plot. Observations on weather factors such as temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, sunshine hours, wind velocity and evaporation were recorded daily. Crop growth characters like height, number of tillers, leaf area index were recorded at different stages of development of the crop and yield components like number of productive tillers, length of panicle, and yield of girth and straw were noted during the harvest. The day time variation of albedo was also measured at frequent intervals. N-S oriented crop was significantly superior to others with regard to crop growth characters as well as yield components. Height, number of tillers, number of productive tillers, length of panicle and number of grain per panicle were influenced by the 20 x 15 cm spacing while the 20 x 10 cm spacing showed the maximum drymatter production, maximum thousand grain weight and highest value of grain and straw yields. The grain yield was not significantly influenced by the alley treatments. It was found that proper spacing and orientation had significant effect on overall growth and yield of the crop. Highest grain yield was recorded in plots with N-S orientation and with 20 x 10 cm spacing. The best performance is attributed to more effective utilisation of solar radiation with the uniform exposure of plants to sunlight. The albedo measurements were also higher over the closely spaced and N-S oriented plots indicating the better growth and performance of the crop. Results of the present investigation indicate that rice in Kerala during the second crop season can be grown most successfully if planted at a spacing of 20 x 10 cm and oriented in N-S direction.
Open Access
Fertiliser management in cassava- groundnut intercropping system
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Bridgit, T K; KAU; Sreedharan, C
An experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy, to study the effect of levels of N and time of application of N and K in a cassava- groundnut intercropping system. This 2x2x4 factorial experiment was laid out in randomized Block design with three replications under rainfed conditions. The study revealed that intercropping cassava with groundnut enhanced the growth parameters of cassava at all stages of growth. Yield attributes, yield and total drymatter production of cassava were also increased by intercropping. The quality characters like drymatter starch and crude protein content of tubers were improved by intercropping. Hundred percent recommended dose of N increased the growth, yield and quality over 75 percent of the recommended dose. Among the time of application T3 (15, 75 and 120 DAP) has given the highest tuber yield (21.92t ha-1) followed by T1 (15,60 and 90 DAP) of 21.65 t ha-1. T4 (basal, 60 and 90 DAP) which is the recommended dose recorded the lowest yield of 17.9 t ha-1. A comparatively higher utilization index was obtained with intercropping and higher level of N (75kg ha -1). T1 andT1 and T3 recorded more UI values than T2 and T4. The nutrient content as well as up take in cassava was increased by legume intercropping and higher levels of N. T1 and T3 recorded more nutrient content in different plant parts as compared to T2and T4. The fertility status of the soil was improved by intercropping and levels of N. Yield of ground nut was influenced by higher levels of N. Yield of groundnut was influenced by higher levels of N and time of application of N and K to cassava.T2 and T4 recorded more yield. Nutrient content and up take of bhusa was not influenced by levels of N and time of application of N and K. Maximum LER was seen in sole cassava plot when N and K was given at 15,75 and 120 DAP while in intercropped plot it was highest when N and K were given at 15,60 and 90DAP. Income from cassava cultivation was increased by intercropping with groundnut application of N and K at 15, 75 and 120DAP. Groundnut can be intercropped successfully with cassava under Kerala condition and a substantial quantity (25 per cent) of fertilizer nitrogen required by the main crop could be saved by this practice. For getting better fertilizer use efficiency of applied N and K fertilisers, 1st dose should be applied at 15 DAP of cassava instead of the now recommended basal Dose. Second dose can be extended up to 75 days of planting and the last dose up to 120 DAP so as to coincide with the harvest of the intercrop and the earthing up of cassava.
Open 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.
Open Access
Effect of continuous N P K Fertilization on the growth and yield behaviour of coconut with special reference to potash nutrition and its interrelation with other mineral nutrients
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1985) Pushpangadan, K; KAU; Sadanandan, N
At the Coconut Research Station , Balaramapuram in Trivandrum District of Kerala State an experiment was laid out in 1964 to assess the growth characters, yield attributes and yield of coconut variety West Coast Tall. The study was further enlarged to include the critical levels of leaf nutrient concentration as related to yield and the soil fertility statusdue to continued NPK fertilization . The treatments consisted of three levels of N, P and K (N-0, 340, and 680 g;P-0, 225 and 450 g and K-0, 450 and 900 g per palm per year). The experiment was laid out in a 3 raise to 3 partially confounded factorial design with two replications. Application of N enhanced the growth characters viz., production of female flowers, percentage fruit set, yield of nuts, weight of nuts, mean thickness and weight of meat, weight of copra and oil percentage. However the effect of N was found to be quadratic at the highest level applied. Application of P although improved the female flower prodcuction, its effect was negative towards copra weight and oil percentage . For the remaining characters studied, the initial level of 225 g per tree per year was found to be adequate.
Open Access
Water management in relation to split application of nitrogen on bhindi Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Jaya Krishna, Kumar V; KAU; Ravindranathan Pillai, G
A field experiment was conducted in the summer rice fallows of the Agronomic Research Station, Chalakudy during 1985 (January to March) to study the response of water management in relation to split application of nitrogen on bhindi. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture with a bulk density ranging from 1.41 to 1.47 g cm-3, slightly acidic in reaction, low in available nitrogen and potassium and medium in available phosphorus. The weather was almost normal without any appreciable amount of rainfall during the period of crop growth. The test variety was Pusa Savani. The treatments comprising combinations of five levels of irrigation (daily irrigation and irrigation at 30, 45, 60 and 75 mm CPE values) and three split applications of nitrogen (1/2 basal + 1/2 30 DAS, 1/2 basal +1/4 30 DAS + 1/4 50 DAS; 1/3 basal + 1/3 30 DAS+ 1/3 50 DAS) were laid out as a 5x3 factorial experiment in randomised block design with three replications.
Open Access
Fertilizer management in rice variety cheradi
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Vaijayanthi, C P; KAU; Ramachandran Nair, V
To evolve a suitable fertilizer management schedule for rice variety Cheradi, an experiment was conducted at State Seed Farm, Kottarakka, Quilon District during the second crop season of 1984-85. The treatment consisted of four graded levels of fertilizers (40: 20: 20, 50:25:25, 60:30:30 and 70:35:35 kg NPK/ha) and four times of application of nitrogen. The experiment thrice in a Factorial Randomised Block Design. Growth characters such as plant height, number of tillers/m2, LAI, CGR and dry matter production were the highest at the level of 70: 35: 35 kg NPK/ha. Interaction between levels of fertilizers and time of application of nitrogen influenced the LAI at active tillering stage. The LAI was the highest when 70 kg nitrogen was given 50% as basal, 25% each at active tillering and panicle initiation stages.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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