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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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1990 - 199112
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Subject: Agronomy × End date: 1991 × Start date: 1990 ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 12
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Production potential of amaranthus under irrigation and nitrogen levels
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1991) Rajan, S; KAU; Oomen, M
    An experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during the summer seasons of 1989 and 1990 to study the response of amaranthus to different water management practices and nitrogen doses. The trial was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments consisted of a combination of two varieties (red and green ) and four irrigation treatments. (Irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 and the farmer’s practice of daily irrigation). Sub plot treatments consisted of four levels of nitrogen (50, 75,100 and 125 kg N/ha). The study revealed that amaranthus responded well to frequent irrigations and higher levels of nitrogen. Red variety of amaranthus was superior to green variety in most of the growth and yield attributing characters studied. Biometric characters like height, girth of stem, number of branches, number of leaves, LAI, and dry weights of leaves, stem and roots were favourably influenced by frequent irrigations and higher nitrogen levels. Total yields were also higher in more frequently irrigated treatments and at higher nitrogen levels. The moisture content of leaves was not influenced by irrigation and nitrogen treatments. However nitrogen exerted, significant influence on the moisture content of stem. Protein content of red variety was maximum and as the frequency of irrigation and levels of nitrogen were increased, protein content of plant increased and the maximum was recorded at daily irrigation treatment and at 125 kg N/ha. A relatively higher fibre content was noted in red variety. The effect of irrigation treatments on the fibre content of plants were not conclusive but the nitrogen fertilization tended to decrease the fibre content of plants. The red variety recorded a comparatively higher uptake of nutrients. The uptake of N, P and K were enhanced by frequent irrigations and nitrogen application upto 125 kg/ha. Available N, P, K status of the soil after the experiment was reduced by red variety. Higher irrigation treatments reduced the N and k content of soil after the experiment. But the nitrogen fertilization increased the nitrogen content and reduce the potassium content of the soil after completing the experiment. However the effects of different irrigation and nitrogen treatments on available phosphorus content of the soil after the experiments were found to be inconsistent during the two seasons. The red variety showed maximum water use efficiency then the green variety. Field water use efficiency was higher in the less frequently irrigated treatments (IW/CPE) of 0.75 and 1.00) and at higher nitrogen fertilizations (125 and 100kg N/ha). The results of economic analysis revealed that net income and benefit cost ratio were maximum for red variety and these were increased by more frequent irrigations and Nitrogen fertilizations up to 125 kg N/ha.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Spatial arrangement & nutrient management of grain cowpea - Fodder maize intercropping in summer rice fallows
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1990) Sunitha, S; KAU; Lekha Sreekantan
    An investigation was carried out during the summer season of 1988-'89 in the Instructional Farm attached to the College of Agriculture, Vellayani to determine the best crop arrangement for a grain cowpea + fodder maize intercropping system in summer rice fallows under different fertility levels. The different crop arrangements tried were pure crop of cowpea at normal row arrangement, pure crop of maize at normal row arrangement, cowpea and maize in alternate rows, paired row of cowpea with one row of maize in between and triple row of cowpea with one row of maize in between. The fertilizer levels tried were 100, 75 and 50 per cent of the recommended doses of nutrients of cowpea, maize and cowpea+ maize, depending on the crop arrangement and the area occupied by each crop. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications. The crop arrangements were allotted to main plots and the fertility levels to the subplots. Plant height of cowpea was maximum in the crop arrangement where cowpea was alternated with one row of maize where as the pure crop of cowpea produced the maximum number of leaves. In the case of maize, plant height and number of leaves were maximum when cowpea and maize were grown in alternate rows. Pure crops of cowpea and maize recorded the highest for their respective LAI values at flowering. Plant height, number of leaves and LAI of both cowpea and maize were affected by different fertility levels. Higher doses of fertilizers were found to be the best. The crop arrangements did not show pronounced variation in the uptake of nutrients by cowpea except potassium. Potassium uptake by cowpea and maize were maximum for their respective sole crops. For maize, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake were maximum when grown in alternate rows with cowpea plants. Full dose of fertilizers recorded the highest uptake values. Number of pods per plant, length of pods, number of seeds per pod, hundred grain weight, pod yield as well as grain yield of cowpea were not affected by different crop arrangements or fertilizer levels. The fodder yield of maize was affected by different crop arrangements and the pure crop of maize was on par with the crop arrangement where cowpea and maize were alternately grown. Hundred per cent recommended dose of fertilizers recorded the highest value for fodder yield of maize. The treatment where cowpea and maize were grown in alternate rows resulted in the greatest protein content of cowpea grains. Seventy five percent dose of fertilizers resulted in the highest crude protein content of maize fodder. The various indices like LER, LEC, IER, net profit, benefit/cost ratio, return per rupee invested on labour and return per cropping day were found to be superior in the crop arrangement where cowpea and maize were grown in alternate rows and at full dose of fertilizers. Hundred per cent and seventy five per cent dose of fertilizers were on par with regard to LER, LEC, IER, net profit and benefit/ cost ratio. From a detailed analysis it is seen that cowpea alternated with one row of fodder maize under 75 per cent of the recommended level of nutrients, is the best in providing higher profit to the farmer.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Weed management in sole and intercropped coconut gardens
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Savithri, K E; KAU; Sreedharan, C
    Field experiments were conducted during the period from 1986 to 1989 at the Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy, Thrissur to develop weed management practices for sole and intercropped coconut gardens. There were three fields trials. In trial - I the treatments comprised of three manual methods (digging once, digging twice and sickle weeding), six chemical methods (paraquat three sprays, glyphosate 0.4 kg ha-1, glyphosate 0.8 kg ha-1 dalapan followed by paraquat, paraquat + diuron and paraquat followed by glyphosate), two combinations of manual and chemical methods (2,4-D + diuron immediately after sickle weeding and glyphosate followed by digging) were compared with weed free and unweeded control in underplanted coconut garden. In trial - II, the treatments comprised of two manual methods (spade weeding and sickle weeding ), one cultural method (growing cowpea as an intercrop) two cultural + chemical methods (cowpea followed by paraquat or glyphosate), three pre-emergence herbicides + post-emergence herbicide (diuron followed by paraquat, oxyfluorfen followed by paraquat and atrazine followed by paraquat ) were compared with weed free and unweeded control in coconut+ banana cropping system. Unweeded control in coconut banana cropping system was compared with that in sole crop of coconut . In trial III, the treatments tried in coconut+banana cropping system were eveluated in sole crop of banana and there were thirteen treatments . All these three trials were laid out in Randomised Block Design and replicated thrice.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nitrate Reductase Activity in Cocoa (Theobroma cacap L.)
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Rekha Bhaskar; KAU; Balachandran, P V
    An investigation on the nitrate reductase activity in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period 1990-1991. Forty plants belonging to the shade trial, thirty accessions of the H VI series and twenty hybrids and their parents were used for the study. All the plants used in the study belonged to the Cadbury-KAU Co-operative Cocoa Research Project. Genotypic and seasonal variations in NRA and NRA in different parts of cocoa plant were studied. The effect of N03-N and shade on NRA were also investigated. Heritability of NR, heterosis and relationship between NRA and yield were also worked out. Based on genotypic differences in NRA, the thirty accessions were grouped into three categories of low, medium and high activity. The highest NRA was observed in October with two lesser peaks in June and August respectively. The season x genotype interaction was found to be significant. Among the plant parts studied, viz., leaf, petiole .and pod, 'nitrate reductase activity was exhibited only by the leaf. There was significant increase ,in mean NRA with increase in NO3-N levels. Under irrigated condition, NRA increased with decrease in shade intensity. NRA at 0% shade intensity was superior to that at 50% and 75% shade levels, while the least activity was observed at 25% shade level. Under rainfed condition, high NRA was observed at 75% shade level followed by those at 25%, 0% and 50% shade levels. Heritability in the broad sense was found to be high in cocoa. In general, all the hybrids studied showed negative relative heterosis and heterobeltiosis. No significant correlation between NRA and yield could be obtained in this study.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Screening of different morphotypes of colocasia for shade tolerance
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Prameela, P; KAU; Vikraman Nair, R
    The present study 'Screening of different morphotypes of colocasia for shade tolerance' was conducted during May 1989 to June 1990 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara , Thrissur, Kerala, India . The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with four replications. Eleven morphotypes of colocasia were raised at shade levels of about 0, 25, 50 and 75 per cent. For providing shade, pandals were erected on wooden frames and covered with unplaited coconut fronds to provide required levels of shade. These were covered on all sides also leaving a clearance of 1 m from ground level. L I -190 SA Quantum Sensor and LI-191 SA Line Quantum Sensor were used for adjusting the shade intensities approximately to the desired levels. Most of the colocasia morphotypes recorded the highest yield at 25 per cent shade and hence this crop is to be classed as shade loving. However there were substantial differences in varietal responses to shade and in the morphotypes M1 , M7, M8, M9 , M10, M12 and Sree Rashmi yields were higher under shaded condition than in the open. In M2, M15, M16 and M17 yields were higher in the open and there was steady decline with increasing shade intensity. Harvest index and drymatter accumulation were found to be the highest under 25 per cent shade level in most of the morphotypes. But the highest starch and oxalic acid contents were in the tubers from the open. Six morphotypes M1, M2, M10, M15, M16 and M17 were selected as generally superior for all shade situations.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nitrate reductase activity in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Mini Thomas; KAU; Balachandran, P V
    An investigation on the nitrate reductase activity in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the. period 1989-1990. Six varieties of pepper vines from the Pepper Research Scheme, Vellanikkara were used for the study viz., Panniyur-1, Karimunda, Kottanadan, Kuthiravali, Uthirankotta and Cheryakaniakadan. Seasonal and genotypic variations in NRA and NRA in different parts of pepper vine were studied. The effect of NO3-N and light on NRA were also investigated. Heritability of NR, heterosis and relationship between NRA and yield were also worked out. In Panniyur-1 fairly high NRA was noted in June which declined till September and increased and peaked in February. Significant positive correlation between NRA and NO3 content was obtained in all months except in February. The six varieties of pepper were brought under two groups based on the pattern of NRA. One group comprising of Karimunda, Kottanadan, Kuthiravali and Uthirankotta. The second group comprised of Panniyur-1 and Cheryakaniakadan. The mean leaf NRA in the different parts of pepper followed the order, runner shoot y plageotrope orthotrope y flag leaf > berry. There was significant increase1 in NRA with increase in NO3-N levels in both Panniyur-1 and Karimunda. In general NRA increased with increase in light intensity. NRA at 60 and 100 per cent light were superior to that at 10 and 30 per cent light in Panniyur-1. In Karimunda NRA at 30 and 100 per cent light were found to be superior to that at 10 and 60 per cent light intensity Heritability in the broad sense of NR was found to be low in blacK pepper. Relative heterosis in Panniyur-1 was 26 per cent while heterobeltiosis was 23 per cent. Significant positive correlation was observed between mean NRA and yield-in Panniyur-1.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Biomass productivity and influence of intercrops in a pre-bearing coconut-casuarina agroforestry system
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Usha, T; KAU; Vikraman Nair, R
    An experiment was conducted in the pre-bearing coconut gardens of Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy during the period from May 1987 to May 1988 to assess the biomass productivity of different intercrops grown in coconut - casuarina alleys and their effect on the growth of tree components and on the micro-meteorological parameters. The different cropping systems tried in coconut casuarina alleys were tapioca + groundnut, amorphophallus - horsegram, fodder maize + cowpea - fodder cowpea, guinea- grass' (throughout), fodder cowpea - sesamum, groundnut blackgram, modan paddy - sesamum- and control (without any intercrops). The experiment was laid out in randomised block design in plots of size 7.5 x 7.5 m and replicated thrice. The plant height of all the crops excepting thatof fodder cowpea and sesamum showed an increase when grown I; in coconut - casuarina alleys. The yields of tapioca,', groundnut (grown mixed with tapioca), amorpho phallus, blackgram and paddy were rather low in coconut - casuarina alleys compared to sole crop yields. Fairly high fodder yields of maize (mixed with cowpea) and guineagrasswere obtained when grown in coconut - casuarina alleys. Regarding the total biomass production of different cropping systems, amorphophallus - horsegram cropping system recorded the highest and groundnut - blackgram cropping system yielded the lowest. The soil physical properties like bulk density, particle density, maximum water holding capacity were not influenced by the different cropping systems. It was seen that most of the cropping systems except that involving guineagrass left the soil richer with respect to organic carbon content and most of the primary and secondary nutrients. The cropping system which recorded fairly high gross income, net income and benefit-cost ratios were amorphophallus - horsegram, fodder maize + cowpea - fodder cowpea and groundnut - blackgram. The different component crops grown in the alleys had no adverse effect on coconut or casuarina. Casuarina which was intercropped with coconut was found to be capable of generating a fuel wood yield of 10-11 t/ha/annum.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Crop weather relationship of rainfed banana under different times of planting
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Venugopalan, K; KAU; Balakrishna Pillai, P
    An experiment was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Kerala Agricultural University during December 1986 to July 1988 to study the crop weather relationship of rainfed banana under different times of planting. The experiment was conducted in randomised block design with seven times of planting (1st week of December, 1st week of January, 1st week of February, 1st week of March, 1st week of April, 1st week of May, and 1st week of June) and the treatments were replicated three times. Observations on all weather parameters and soil temperatures were recorded daily. Crop growth characters like height of pseudostem, girth of pseudostem, number of leaves and leaf area at various stages of growth, sucker production at shooting and harvest, and the days taken from planting to shooting, shooting to harvest and planting to harvest were recorded. Yield characters like bunch weight,length of bunch, weight of hand, number of hands, number of fingers per bunch, number of fingers per hand, length of finger and girth of finger were recorded. The various fruit quality characters like total soluble solids, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, total sugars, acidity and sugar acid ratio were recorded. The total crop growth period for all the treatments included two dry seasons. The general pattern of weather during the 1987-'88 dry season was better compared to that of 1986-'87. The highest soil temperature at any depth and time were, observed in April during 1987 and in March during 1988. Generally, December recorded the lowest soil temperatures The time of planting greatly influenced all the growth, yield and quality characters. At early stages, late plantings generally recorded taller plants with more girth, number of leaves and leaf area. The time of planting had a significant influence on the sucker production at harvest. The duration from shooting to harvest was significantly influenced by time of planting and the last two plantings took comparatively more time for fruit development.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutritional requirement of arrow root as pure crop
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1991) Remesan, K K; KAU; Oommen, M
    A field experiment was conducted in garden lands of Instructional Farm of College of Agriculture, Vellayani, to study the effect of N, P and K on growth, yield and quality of arrow root and uptake pattern of major nutrients. The treatments in the experiment consisted of four levels of nitrogen (0, 50,100 and 150 kg/ha N). Four levels of phosphorus (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg/ha P2O5) and four levels of potassium (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha K2O). The experiment was laid out in 43 partially confounded factorial in RBD with two replications. Different growth attributes like height of plants, number of leaves, number of suckers per plant, leaf area index were maximum at higher levels of nitrogen and potassium. The total drymatter production was highest by the application of 150 kg N. 75 kg P2O5 and 150 kg K2O per hectare. The highest value of rhizome number, length of rhizome and girth of rhizome were obtained by the application of 100 kg/N, 75 kg P2O5 and 150 kg/ha K2O. Maximum mean rhizome weight was with 150 kg n/ha, 75 kg P2O5 and 150 kg K2O per hectare. Fresh weight of plants was maximum with highest levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Rhizome yield was maximum when nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were applied at the rate of 150, 75 and 150 kg/ha respectively. Highest levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium increased the starch, yield and protein content of rhizome. Nitrogen nutrition increased the crude fibre content of rhizome, but potassium application decrease the fibre content. The plant uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was maximum at highest level of these nutrients. Maximum benefits cost ratio and net return were obtained by the application of 150 kg/ha N, 75 kg/ha P2O5 and 150 kg/ha K2O.