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

1986 - 198831
Reset filters
Subject: Agronomy × End date: 1988 × Start date: 1986 × Type: Thesis ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 31
  • Thumbnail Image
    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
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Response of modern varities of rice to nitrogen in kole lands
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1987) Premkumar, J; KAU; Sreedharan, C
    An experiment was carried out in Kole lands during the Kole season of 1985 (December-January to March-April) to ascertain and compare the nutritional requirement of short duration rice varieties and pre – release culture 10-1-1. The treatments consisted of factorial combination of 3 varieties ( Jyothi, Culture 10-1-1 and Triveni) and 5 levels of nitrogen (50,70,90,110 and 130kg N ha-1) in Randomised Block Design, replicated thrice. It was found that the pre-release Culture 10-1-1 had significantly higher plant height, tiller number, leaf area index, dry matter production, number of panicles per m2 and thousand grain weight over other varieties. Triveni recorded the highest filled grains per panicle and weight per panicle. There was no variation in grain yield among the cultivars tested. Culture 10-1-1 registered the highest straw yield and nutrient uptake. Culture 10-1-1 also recorded the highest net income over the varieties tested. Application of nitrogen increased the vegetative characters and yield attributes of rice viz., plant height, tiller production, number of panicles per m2, panicle length, panicle weight, filled grains per panicle and thousand grain weight. The highest grain yield and net income was obtained by Jyothi at 110 kg N ha-1 and that for culture 10-1-1 and Triveni at 90 kg N ha-1. Straw yield and dry matter production were increased upto 110 kg N ha-1. The uptake of nutrients were also influenced positively by nitrogen fertilization. The per day production of Jyothi, culture 10-1-1 and Triveni was found to be 42.65, 51.63 and 49.88 kg, respectively at 90 kg N ha-1. The present investigation revealed that the optimum level of nitrogen fertilization to be 103.74, 97.48 and 93.07 kg ha-1 for Jyothi, Culture 10-1-1 and Triveni, respectively. It was also observed that the field duration of culture 10-1-1 was only 77 days compared to that of 79 and 91 days of Triveni and Jyothi respectively. Benefit cost ratio was highest for Culture 10-1-1 thus indicating the scope of popularizing this cultivar as a short duration variety in Kole land.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Slow release nitrogen in cassava nutrition
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1988) Vinod, G S; KAU; Muraleedharan nair, V
    An investigation was undertaken at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the year 1985-86 to study the effect of slow-release nitrogen sources on cassava. The variety used for the trail was Sree Visakha. The treatments consisted of four sources namely urea, neemcake coated urea, urea super granule and rubber cake coated urea each at five levels of nitrogen (50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in a 4 x 5 rectangular lattice design with three replications. Application of slow release sources of nitrogen like urea super granule and neem cake coated urea enhanced the growth characters of tapioca such as plant height, number of functional leaves, number of nodes and the leaf area index. Higher levels of nitrogen gave better results in the growth characters. The highest number of tubers, maximum tuber weight and the highest tuber yield were recorded by the urea super granule application, followed by neem cake coated urea. Among the levels of nitrogen tried, the level 150 kg/ha gave the highest yield. Starch content, crude protein content and the hydrocyanic acid contents were not affected by the slow-release source of nitrogen while higher levels of nitrogen application increased the hydrocyanic acid content and the crude protein content. Urea super granule recorded the highest nitrogen uptake and potassium uptake followed by neem cake coated urea. There was no significant difference in the total nitrogen content of the soil with the use of slor-release sources of nitrogen. The treatment combination of neem coated urea tried at 150 kg N/ha resulted in the maximum net return. Though urea super granule gave the maximum yield its cost of cultivation was higher than that of the other sources. So it is more economical to use neem cake coated urea than urea super granule. So in general, the slow-release sources of nitrogn like urea super granule and neem cake coated urea resulted in a better performance than prilled urea.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of different levels of nitrogen phosphorus & potassium on the growth & yield of vegetable cowpea var. kurutholapayar grown as an intercrop in the coconut gardens & in the open
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1987) Rajesh, Chandran; KAU; Abdul Salam, M
    Field experiments were conducted at the college of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1986 to study the effect of three levels of nitrogen (10,20 30 kg/ha), three levels of phosphorus (20, 40, 60 kg P2 O5 /ha) and three levels of potassium (10,20 and 30 kg K2 O/ha) on the growth, yield and quality of vegetable cowpea Var. Kurutholapayar grown in the coconut gardens and in the open. The experiment was laid out in a 33 factorial experiment with two replications confounding NPK in replication I and NP2 K2 in replication 2. The same experiment was simultaneously laid out, both in the open and in the coconut garden. The abstract of the results is presented below. Nitrigen application upto 30 kg/ha or phosphorus application upto 60 kg P2O5/ ha increased the vine length, leaf number per plant, dry matter production, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod. Application of 30 kg N/ha or 60 kg P2 O5/ ha resulted in the highest uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus. The highest potassium uptake was noticed with the application of 20 kg K2 O/ ha. The fresh bhusa yield of vegetable cowpea var. Kurutholapayar increased with N application upto 30 kg/ha or P application upto 60 kg P2 O5/ha. Application of potassium had no significant effect on the fresh pod yield of vegetable cowpea in the red loam soils of vellayani containing medium amounts of potassium. A maximum net income of Rs. 11,044.80 was obtained from the plants raised in the open by the application of “30 kg N along with 60 kg P2 O5 and 30 kg K2 O/ha”. In general, vegetable cowpea grown in the open showed a much better performance compared to those raised under the partial shade.
  • Thumbnail Image
    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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Potential and prospects of fodder legumes in rice fallows
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture,Vellanikara, 1987) Achuthan, Nair; M, KAU; Meera, Menon; V
    An experiment was conducted in the Agricultural Research Station , Mannuthy during third crop season of 1985-’86 and first crop season of 1986-’87 to evaluate the relative performance of fodder legumes in rice fallows and their residual effect on the succeeding crop of rice under graded levels of N. The experiment, replicated thrice, was laid out in a split plot design with seven treatments – six fodder legumes (sannhemp, soya bean, rice bean, velvet bean, cowpea and black gram and a fallow- as main plot treatments and two N levels (52.5 and 70 kg/ha) applied to kharif rice as sub-plot treatments. The results revealed that sannhemp gave a fodder yield of 21 t/ha in rice fallows which was significantly superior to all other treatments. An increase in soil organic carbon, total and available N was also noticed. Soil organic carbon and total N was highest in the cowpea cropped plot. Available N in the soil was highest in the velvet bean cropped plot and the fallow plot recorded the lowest values. Increased rice grain yield was recorded after legumes compared to fallow and the highest grain yield was recorded after velvet bean followed by that after sannhemp cowpea and black gram. Application of N at the recommended dose of 70 kg/ha produced superior yields compared to N at 52.5 kg/ha. Rice crop succeeding fodder legumes with 75% N produced grain yield comparable to that after fallow receiving 100% N. The net income and returns per rupee invested were highest after the sannhemp-rice sequence followed by the cowpea-rice sequence. The results proved that 25% N could be saved in the case of rice after legumes. The study also showed the superiority of sannhemp and cowpea in fodder yield and residual effect in the succeeding rice crop.
  • Thumbnail Image
    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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutritional requirement of pre-release sesamum culture 42-1 in garden land
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1987) Raveendran Nair, P; KAU; Chandrasekharan, P
    A 4 raise to 3 fatorial experiment confounding NPK (3 df) totally in replication I and II was conducted under garden land condition at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during semirabi season 1984, to study the effect of graded doses of nitrogen (10, 30, 50 and 70 kg/ha), phosphorus (5, 15,25 and 35 kg P2O5/ha) and potassium (10, 30,50 and 70 kg K2O/ha) on the growth , yield , quality, content and uptake of mineral nutrients and also to work out the economics of production with the pre-release sesamum culture 42-1 (now released as Soorya or ACV-2). The study revealed that application of nitrogen significantly influenced growth , yield and yield attributing characters. Phosphorus and potassium produced significant influence on number of leaves and leaf area index on 40 and 60 days after sowing. Significant effect of phosphorus was also observed on number of branches, pod-seed ratio, bhusa yield, thousand seed weight and total dry matter production. Applied potassium significantly influenced the yield and yield attributing characters like number of pods , weight of pod per plant, pod seed ratio, seed yield and harvest index.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Fate and efficiency of urea based fertilizer N for rice
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1987) Babu Mathew, P; KAU; Tajuddin, E
    With a view to evaluate the comparative efficacy of different urea modified materials at various doses of N, an experiment was conducted at the Cropping Sytems Research Centre, Karamana during 1985-86. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. There were five levels of nitrogen (0, 37.5, 75, 112.5 and 150kg/ha) in the main plots and six types of urea (prilled urea, urea super granules, urease inhibited urea, Neem cake coated urea, Sulphur coated urea and Rock phosphate coated urea) in the sub plots. The rice variety used was Jaya. The abstract of the results are given below. The highest tiller production was observed when USG was applied @ 150 kg N/ha. Application of SCU @ 112.5 kg N/ha, resulted in the production of highest amount of dry matter at harvest. Application of SCU or USG @ 112.5 kg/ha, resulted in the highest N uptake. Nitrogen recovery percentage was highest when NCU or SCU was applied @ 37.5 kg N/ha. Plants supplied with SCU or USG resulted in the production of more number of spikelets/panicle and higher test weight.