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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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Subject: Agronomy × End date: 2005 × Start date: 2005 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Efficacy of vermicompost,vermiwash and amf on quality seed production of bhindi
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Nishana H; Sajitharani T
    An experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during June to September of 2004 to evaluate the efficacy of vermicompost, vermiwash and AMF on quality seed production in bhindi. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with two replications. The main treatments were aquatic weed vermicompost, banana pseudostem vermicompost and farmyard manure along with vermiwash through soil application, foliar application, soil + foliar application and control treatment as water spray. The subplot treatments consisted of AMF application and without AMF application. Taller plants were observed in banana pseudostem vermicompost and aquatic weed vermicompost treated plots. Significantly higher number of leaves with high leaf area index and dry matter production was noticed in aquatic weed vermicompost compared to other organic manures. Days for 50 per cent flowering was found maximum for farmyard manure. Aquatic weed vermicompost also showed better root characteristics along with yield attributes such as number of flowers plant-1, number of fruits plant-1, fruit yield plant-1, total fruit yield ha-1, number of seeds fruit-1 & seed yield ha–1 with better seed quality parameters like seed viability, seeding vigour and germination percentage. Among the modes of vermiwash application, soil + foliar application of vermiwash was found better in showing superior trends in plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index, dry matter production, number of flowers and fruits plant-1, fruit yield plant-1, total fruit yield and seed yield ha–1 with better seed quality i.e., seedling vigour and germination percentage. AMF application also showed maximum plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production, root length, root - shoot ratio, fruit yield plant-1, total fruit yield, weight of seeds fruit-1 and seed yield ha–1. Higher BC ratio was found in aquatic weed vermicompost, soil + foliar application of vermiwash and in AMF. So aquatic weed vermicompost along with soil + foliar application of vermiwash and AMF is ideal for quality seed production in bhindi.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Identification of drought tolerant cocoa types
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Binimol, B; KAU; George Thomas, C
    Experiments were conducted at the college of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to investigate the drought tolerant characteristics of the most promising cocoa varieties and accessions. The investigation involved a two-stage screening of cocoa seedlings and budlings and monitoring of their field grown plants. As the first step, a preliminary screening was done on six month old seedlings and budlings of ten cocoa cultivars released from Kerala Agricultural University and twenty promising accessions. A secondary screening of cocoa cultivars/accessions selected from the preliminary screening was then conducted. Simultaneously, field monitoring of cocoa trees of the varieties selected from the primary screening was also done. From the preliminary screening, seven apparently tolerant varieties were selected for secondary screening in both seedlings and budlings based on higher RWC and DWF, lower percentage of dried leaves and longer duration of life under during moisture stress. Three apparently sensitive verities were also selected based on opposite values of the above characters. Varieties identified in the preliminary screening were subjected to a secondary screening under three moisture regimes of no irrigation , watering once in five days (life saving irrigation), and regular watering. Observations on physiological parameters such as relative leaf water content, dry weight fraction, leaf drying percentage, number of days taken for complete drying, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, leaf water potential, chlorophyll ‘a’, ‘b’ and total chlorophyll, chlorophyll stability index, leaf area per seedling, membrane stability, relative injury; growth characters like plant height, collar girth, number of leaves and total biomass; biochemical characters such as proline content and nitrate reductase activity were recorded. After conducting a cluster analysis, the varieties with high RWC, DWF, total chlorophyll content, leaf water potential and proline content; low stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and leaf area during water stress were rated as drought tolerant and with opposite characters as drought sensitive. Based on these, in seedlings; the varieties M 13.12, GII 19.5 and GVI 55 were ranked as moisture stress tolerant and GVI 61, GV 50 and GI 4.8 as sensitive under no irrigation. In budlings, the varieties GI 4.8 and GII 19.5 were selected as drought tolerant and GIII 4.1, GVI 51 and GII 12.3 as drought sensitive under no irrigation Important characters were also monitored in 16-year old clonal trees of the seedlings/budlings of the varieties selected from primary screening. Transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, stomatal frequency, leaf thickness, bark thickness and soil moisture content were recorded during summer. The varieties GVI 61, M 13.12 and GI 4.8 showed drought tolerant features. The accession M13.12 (CCRP2) showed drought tolerant features in secondary screening of seedlings and field performance. The accession GVI 51, which showed sensitivity to moisture stress in seedlings (but tolerant in budlings) under secondary screening, was showing similar behavior of sensitivity in field grown plants. The study shows the possibility of exploiting drought tolerant features of cocoa varieties/accessions. However, final conclusions are difficult to be drawn as only 10 accessions were subjected to secondary screening and field monitoring, and data for only one year were collected. In the light of the promising results obtained, screening trails involving more number of varieties/accessions have to be conducted and monitored for more number of years to get consistent values.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Biodynamic practices in chilli
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Jayasree, P; KAU; Annamma George
    The research project entitled ‘Biodynamic practices in chilli’ was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during October 2004 to February 2005. The study was conducted on chilli cv, Jwalasakhi. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomised block design with two replications. The treatments consisted of two levels of biodynamic calendar – factor A (A1 is the cultivation practices based on biodynamic calendar and A2 is cultivation practices without considering biodynamic calendar) and six levels of manurial schedule – factor B (B1 – BD 500 + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis, B2 – BD 501 + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis, B3 – B1 + B2 + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis, B4 – Panchagavyam + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis, B5 – organic manures alone on nutrient equivalent basis, B6 – package of practices recommendations of Kerala Agricultural University (FYM 20 t ha-1 + 75 : 40 : 25 kg N: P2O5 : K2O ha-1) Results of the experiment revealed that POP recommendations of Kerala Agricultural University significantly increased the growth characters like plant height, number of branches, leaf area index, root length and root spread while root-shoot ratio was higher in organic manure treatments. Similar trend was also observed for yield and yield attributing characters. The post harvest nutrient content in soil showed a significant increase with panchagavyam + organic manures on nutrient equivalent basis which was on par with other treatments receiving biodynamic preparations and organic manures. Quality parameters of chilli significantly improved as a result of application of biodynamic preparations and organic manures. Panchagavyam + organic manures increased the shelf life while organic manures alone on nutrient equivalent basis increased ascorbic acid content. POP of Kerala Agricultural University was found to be significantly superior in capsaicin content. There was significant reduction in the incidence of damping off by POP of Kerala Agricultural University while the highest incidence of fruit rot was observed in the same treatment. Eventhough the cost of cultivation is higher for POP recommendations of Kerala Agricultural University, it was rated as more economic in terms of net returns and B:C ratio.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Field evaluation of commercial organic manures and growth promoters in bush type vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis)
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Deepa, S; KAU; Sukumari, P
    In a field study conducted in the college of Agriculture, Vellayani, three commercial organic manures viz. Haritha Super (4.0: 4.4 : 2.0 NPK), Poabs Green (2.7 : 1.2 : 2.0 NPK) and Bharath Meal (1.5 : 2.2 : 2.5 NPK) were compared with FYM (1.0 : 0.4 : 0.5 NPK) and Enriched Vermicompost (2.0 : 1.25 : 1.0 NPK) as the organic component of integrated nutrient management in bush type vegetable cowpea in combination with and without two growth promoters viz. Panchagavyam and Vermiwash. Feasibility of using the commercial organic manures as an alternative for FYM was also looked into. All the organic manures tested in the field experiment (FYM, Haritha super, Poabs Green, Bharath Meal and Enriched Vermicompost) were applied on Nitrogen equivalent basis in accordance with Package of Practices (POP) recommendation of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). The POP recommendation for bush type vegetable cowpea is 20 t FYM + 20 : 30 : 10 kg NPK ha-1. When FYM was substituted with other organic manures on nitrogen equivalent basis P and K supplied by these organic manures were accounted for while calculating the quantity of inorganic phosphatic and potassium fertilizers to be applied in each treatment. Germination percentage in the various treatments ranged between 97.66 to 99 per cent and it did not vary significantly. All the significantly influenced growth characters such as height of plant, number of primary branches per plant, LAI and dry matter production recorded maximum values in Enriched Vermicompost applied crop and least values in Haritha Super applied crop. Yield attributing characters in vegetable cowpea significantly influenced by organic manures include number of flowers and number of pods per plant, fresh weight of pod and length of pod. All the significantly influenced yield attributing characters recorded superior value for Enriched Vermicompost. Enriched Vermicompost was found to be significantly superior with respect to total and marketable crop yield. Among the quality parameters crude protein content of pod was significantly superior for Enriched Vermicompost. Haritha Super produced pods of lowest protein content. Shelf life of pods in Enriched Vermicompost and Bharat Meal were the same and was 14 per cent higher than that in FYM. N and P uptake were superior for Enriched Vermicompost where as K uptake in Enriched Vermicompost and Bharat Meal were on par and superior to other organic manure treatments. Post harvest available N and P2O5 content of soil was highest in Haritha Super treated plots which was significantly higher than all other organic manures. Post harvest available K2O status was the highest in Poabs Green compared to all other organic manures. Among the growth promoters, Panchagavyam was significantly superior to Vermiwash with respect to characters such as days to 50 per cent flowering, marketable yield, percentage pest incidence, post harvest N and organic carbon content of soil. Panchagavayam and Vermiwash were on par with respect to number of flowers per plant at 30 and 60 DAS, protein content of pods, crop uptake of N and K. Both the growth promoters were significantly superior to water spray in their influence on days to 50 per cent flowering, number of flowers per plant at 30 and 60 DAS, percentage pest incidence, protein content of pods, N and K uptake and post harvest soil organic carbon content. Significant interaction effects were obtained in the case of number of flowers per plant at 60 DAS, marketable yield, percentage pest incidence and organic carbon content of soil after the experiment All the organic manures, growth promoters and their interactions had significant influence on Benefit Cost Ratio (B: C). Among the organic manures B: C in Enriched Vermicompost was the maximum. Among the growth promoters B: C in Panchagavyam (1.04) was the maximum. Maximum B:C was recorded in the treatment combination M5G2 (Enriched Vermicompost + Panchagavyam) (1.68) which was on par with M5G3 (Enriched Vermicompost + Vermiwash) (1.48 ), M1G2 (FYM + Panchagavyam) ( 1.56) and M1G3 (FYM + Vermiwash) ( 1.51). The treatment combination M2G1 (Haritha Super + Water Spray) recorded the least B:C ( 0.39 ) From the growth and yield point, FYM can be substituted with the commercial manures such as Haritha Super, Poabs Green and Bharath Meal. But FYM is more desirable from the economic point. Among the five organic sources tested Enriched Vermicompost is the best organic component of integrated nutrient management both in terms of yield and economics of production. Panchagavyam is a better growth promoter than Vermiwash in regulating marketable yield of vegetable cowpea.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Response of upland rice(Oryza sativa L.) to NK ratios and S under partial shade
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Mini Gopalakrishnan; KAU; Jayakrishnakumar, V
    A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm of the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the first crop season of 2004 to study the response of upland rice to NK ratios and S nutrition under partial shade of coconut garden. The treatments included six levels of N and K in 2 : 1 and 2 : 1.5 ratio (T1 – 80 kg N : 40 kg K2O, T2 – 80 kg N : 60 kg K2O,T3 – 100 kg N : 50 kg K2O, T4 – 100 kg N : 75 kg K2O, T5 – 120 kg N : 60 kg K2O, T6 – 120 kg N : 90 kg K2O) and two levels of sulphur (S0 – 0 kg ha-1, S1 – 15 kg ha-1). Farmyard manure @ 5 t ha-1, P @ 30 kg P2O ha-1 were applied uniformly to all the treatments. Experiment was laid out in 6 x 2 randomized block design with three replications. Results of the experiment revealed that NK ratio and S application had significant influence on most of the yield attributing characters and yield of upland rice. Fertilizing the crop with 100 kg N ha-1, 50 kg K2O ha-1 and 15 kg S along with 30 kg P2O5 was found to significantly influence the growth characters, yield attributes and yield of rice. The physiological characters like chlorophyll content and relative leaf water contents were significantly influenced by NK ratio of (100 kg N : 50 kg K2O). Application of S significantly increased the physiological parameters. Application of 15 kg S in combination with 100 kg N and 50 kg K2O ha-1 significantly influenced the physiological parameters over control. Quality attributes like protein content of grain was significantly influenced by the application of 100 kg N and 50 kg K2O in combination with 15 kg S ha-1. The uptake of nutrients was profoundly influenced by the treatments and their interactions. Increased uptake of nutrients was recorded at an NK ratio of 100 kg N : 50 kg K2O. Application of S @ 15 kg ha-1 in combination with 100 kg N and 50 kg K2O ha-1 had a significant influence on uptake of nutrients. Increasing the levels of nitrogen, potassium and sulphur increased the soil available nutrients. Application of N at 120 kg, K at 90 kg K2O ha-1 and S at 15 kg ha-1 significantly improved the available nutrient status of soil. The results of the economic analysis revealed that benefit cost ratio was maximum in plots supplied with 100 kg N, 50 kg K2O and 15 kg S ha-1. Based on this investigation, it can be concluded that application of 100 kg N, 50 kg K2O and 15 kg S ha-1 along with 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 is necessary for obtaining economic yield of upland rice variety Harsha under partial shade.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    In situ rain water harvest, conservation and utilisation for establishment and early growth of sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan L.)
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Beena, J S; Anilkumar, A S
    Caesalpinia sappan popularly is a leguminous perennial crop grown for its valuable timber, which exhibits medicinal properties. Though the crop is sensitive to dry spells during its initial phase of establishment, it is preferred for planting as a neglected crop in marginal lands. Hence, development of sustainable rain water harvesting and conservation measures are necessary to prolong the availability of conserved moisture. The experiment entitled, ‘In situ rain water harvest, conservation and utilization for establishment and early growth of sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan L.)’ was conducted in split plot design at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2004–05 to find out the comparative efficacy of vertical mulching, micro site enrichment, micro catchments and traditional methods of rain water harvest and conservation. The treatments consisted of combinations of twelve main plot treatments, viz., vertical mulching with coconut husk in circular trenches (M1), vertical mulching with enriched coir pith vermicompost in circular trenches (M2), vertical mulching with layering mixture in circular trenches (M3), vertical mulching with coconut husk in polythene lined circular trenches (M4), vertical mulching with enriched coir pith vermicompost in polythene lined circular trenches (M5), vertical mulching with layering mixture in polythene lined circular trenches (M6), micro site enrichment and mulching with polythene (M7), micro site enrichment and mulching with coconut husk (M8), micro catchments and mulching with coconut husk (M9), micro catchments and mulching with coir geo-textiles (M10), pitcher irrigation (M11) and drip irrigation (M12); and two sub plot treatments, viz., irrigation at 50 per cent depletion of soil moisture (S1) and life saving irrigation (S2). The treatments, (M6) followed by M7 resulted in luxuriant growth. Growth characters viz., plant height, leaf number, collar girth, number of branches, bole height, canopy height, canopy width and canopy size and root characters, viz., root length, root spread, root weight, root volume and root surface area were found to improve significantly due to the treatment effects. Sturdiness quotient and root growth potential also indicated the superiority of the treatments in the developmental physiology of the crop. Irrigation at 50 per cent depletion of soil moisture improved all the growth characters compared to life saving irrigation. M6S1 recorded the maximum stem dry matter production (SDMP) followed by M7S1, M8S1, M2S1, M6S2, M3S1 and M7S2. The reduction in SDMP in treatment combinations, viz., M6S2 and M7S2 were 45 and 37 per cent respectively when summer irrigation was avoided and moisture supply was restricted through life saving irrigation alone. The treatment combinations, M6S1 and M7S1 were found beneficial for improving crop growth potential as well. Among the various treatment combinations, crop growth potential was higher when life saving irrigation was integrated with either vertical mulching with layering mixture or microsite enrichment and mulching with polythene. Seed production potential of sappan wood was found to be influenced by the interaction effects and M6S2 and M7S2 were significant in influencing seed production. M6S2 and M7S2 increased the osmotic potential to the tune of 74.18 and 71.3 per cent respectively when compared to M12S2. The seasonal Cu, mean daily Cu and crop coefficient for M6S2 and M7S2 were found to be lower when compared to M6S1, M7S1 and other treatment combinations receiving summer irrigation at 50 per cent depletion of soil moisture. Vertical mulching with layering mixture in polythene lined circular trenches and providing life saving irrigation once in three weeks with thirty three litres of water or micro site enrichment and mulching with polythene and providing life saving irrigation once in four weeks with thirty three litres of water is found beneficial for establishment and early growth of sappan wood. The economic analysis of the system also proved the superiority of the above two treatment combinations.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Agrotechniques for safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum Sandaou and Fernandes) in Kerala
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2005) Suma, V K; KAU; Girija Devi, L
    A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm attached to the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the year 2004-2005, to study the adaptability and performance of safed musli under different sources of organic manures. Standardization of agro techniques such as planting weight of tuber and doses of nutrients were also undertaken. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomised block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of five sources of organic manures - M1 – FYM @ 30 t ha-1 (farmers’ practice), M2 – vermicompost, M3 – 50 per cent FYM + 50 per cent vermicompost, M4 – 50 per cent FYM + 50 per cent groundnut cake, M5 – 50 per cent FYM + 50 per cent neem cake and M6 (control), viz., FYM @ 10 t ha-1 as basal + NPK @ 100 : 80 : 80 kg ha-1 and two different planting weight of tubers such as 10 g unit-1 (P1) and 15 g unit-1 (P2). Organic manure and planting weight of tuber had significant influence on most of the growth and yield attributing characters of safed musli. The fresh and dry tuber yield of safed musli as well as saponin content were also influenced by treatments. Results of the study revealed that application of organic manure as 50 per cent FYM + 50 per cent groundnut cake significantly improved the growth characters like plant spread, number of suckers hill-1 and number of leaves plant-1 and physiological parameters like LAI, LAD and TBR. Similar trend was also observed for yield and yield attributing characters like length, diameter and number of tubers. Among the quality parameters, fresh and dry weight of tuber after peeling and saponin content were highest in the treatment where 50 per cent FYM + 50 per cent groundnut cake was applied as organic source. The N, P and K uptake were maximum in 50 per cent FYM + 50 per cent groundnut cake applied plots. The available N and K content in soil were the highest in 50 per cent FYM + 50 per cent neem cake treated plots where as P availability was maximum in plots that received nutrients as 50 per cent FYM + 50 per cent groundnut cake. Planting weight of tuber also significantly influenced the various growth and yield attributing characters. The growth characters like plant spread, number of suckers hill-1 and number of leaves plant-1 and physiological parameters like LAI, LAD and TBR were the highest in treatments where 15 g unit–1 weight of tuber was used as planting material. The yield, yield attributing characters and quality parameters were also the maximum in the same treatment. The uptake and availability of nutrients were also the maximum in the treatment where higher planting weight of tuber was used (15 g unit–1). Economic analysis revealed that planting safed musli @ 15 g unit-1 weight of tuber and applying nutrients as 50 per cent FYM + 50 per cent groundnut cake could fetch maximum net return whereas for getting the highest BCR, it is wise to use 10 g unit-1 weight of planting material along with 50 per cent FYM + 50 per cent groundnut cake.