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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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198614
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Subject: Agronomy × End date: 1986 × Start date: 1986 × Type: Thesis ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 14
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    ThesisItemOpen 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
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    ThesisItemOpen 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.
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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.
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    ThesisItemOpen 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Agronomic investigations on 'TARO' (Colocasia esculenta L.) variety - Thamarakannan
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Mohan Kumar, C R; KAU; Sadanandan, N
    In order to standardize the cultural and fertilizer requirement of two (Colocasia esculata) two separate field experiments were conducted during 1983-84 and 1984-85 at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The first experiment (Experiment A) with treatments consisting of two sources of planting material (side and mother corn) four spacing (60 x 30, 45 x 45, 60x 45, 60x60 cm) and five sources of mulching (Green leaf, Coconut coir/husk waste, Water hyacinth, black polythene and no mulch) was conducted in asplit plot design. The second experiment (Experiemnt B) was a 3 x 2 partially confounded factorial design with three levels each of nitrogen (40,80,120 kg ha-1), P2O5 (25, 50,75 kg ha-1), K2O (50, 100,150 kg ha-1) and two times of application (two split application of N and K and three split application of N and K) with two replication
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standardization of planting techniques in rice
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Thankappan, G; KAU; Tajuddin, E
    With a view to identify suitable planting techniques for medium duration rice in Mundakan season, an experiment was conducted at the Cropping Systems Research Centre, Karamana, Trivandrum during 1984-85. The experiment was laid out in split plot design. In the main plot there were six treatments formed by the combinations of three spacings {20 x 15 cm, 20 x 10 cm and 15 x 10 cm) and two age of seedling (20 day old and 35 day old) ° In the sub plot there were six treatments formed by the combinations of two depth of planting ( 3 to 4 era and 6 to 8 cm) and three seedling rates per hill ( 3, 6 and 9 seedlings per hill).In total there were 36 treatment combinations. The Variety used was Jaya. The abstract of results are given below. Tiller production and leaf production per hill was highest with the wider spacing (20 x 15 cm) while LAI was more with the closer spacing (15 x 10 cm). Plant height was not affected due to plant spacing. Crop raised by planting 20 day old seedlings produced more plant height at harvest, more tillers at 40 DAT, and more leaves and LAI at 60 DAT, compared to the one raised by aged seedlings ( 35 day old). Shallow planting resulted more plant height, number of tillers per hill, number of leaves per hill, and LAI and this effect was seen only at 40 DAT. Crop raised by planting nine seedlings per hill produced more number of tillers and leaves per hill. LAI was not affected due to difference in seedling rate per hill. The interaction effects between treatment factors on growth characters such as plant height, tiller number per hill,leaf number per hill and LAI were not pronounced. The main effects of spacing seedling age# planting depth and seedling number per hill and the interaction between the treatment factors on the uptake of N# P and K can be treated as absent. Wider spacing (20 x 15 cm) resulted more number of filled grains per panicle and percentage filled grains. Crop raised by planting 35 day old seedlings produced highest percentage of filled grain. Planting @ three seedlings per hill produced longer panicles. A spacing of 20 x 15 cm gave the highest grain yield for medium duration rice in Mundakan season. Seedling age ranging from 20 to 35 days# and planting depth ranging from three to eight centimeter as such have no effect on grain yield. A seedling rate of three seedlings per hill provides higher yields. Planting ” 20 day old seedling at 20 x 15 cm spacing or planting seedlings at "three to four centimeter depth with a spacing of 20 x 15 cm gives higher grain yields. Neither the treatment factors nor their interactions influenced straw yield or harvest index.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    NPK requirement of short duration tapioca varieties grown in the uplands of Kuttanad
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Sunnykutty, M Kurien; KAU; Mohamed Kunju, U
    An investigation was undertaken at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kumarakam during 1984-85 to identify a suitable variety of tapioca maturing in about six months and to find out the effect of different fertilizer doses on such varieties in the uplands of Kuttandu. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomised Block Design with three replications. The treatments consisted of three varieties namely Thoottakoli Kaduthuruthy. local and Sree Sahya and five fertilizer levels viz* 30:30:30, 30:30.45, 50:50:50, 50:50:75 and 50:50:100 Kg/ha of N P K. The varieties and fertiliser levels tried showed significant differences in the growth characters of tapioca. In all the three varieties the fertiliser level 50:50:100 recorded maximum plant height, leaf number and loaf area index. The yield and yield attributes were also influenced by the varieties and fertiliser levels. Maximum tuber yield was obtained from the variety Kaduthuruthy local (27.13 t/ha}. Tho variety Thottakolli produced 26.86 t/ha. In all the three varieties, highest tuber yield was observed in the 50:50:100 kg/ha N P K level.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Production potential of cassava (Manlhot esculent a Grants) intercropped in coconut gardens
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Ramakrishnan Nayar, T V; KAU; Sadanandan, N
    Field experiments were conducted at the coconut Research Station. Balaramapuram during 1983-84 and 1984-85 to study the production potential of cassava varieties Sreevisakham and Malayan-4, intercropped in coconut gardens, as influenced by planting density, growth regulators and different levels of NPK fertilisers. The cassava hybrid Sreevisakham was superior to the popular cultlvar Maiayan-4 in nuirber of nodes plant 1, number of functional leaves plant™1, leaf area index, net assimilation rate, crop growth rates, dry matter production, utilisation index, tuber bulking rate and in fresh tuber yield. For intercropping one hectare of coconut garden in which coconuts are spaced at 7.5 x 7.5 m, cassava plant population of 8000 (spacing 90 x 90 cm) was found to be optimum to produce maximum fresh tuber yield* Cassava plants at higher planting density, were stunted in growth and produced poor quality tubers. The growth regulators cycocel and ethrel though decreased the plant height, could not Influence either the yield attributes or yield and quality of cassava tubers.