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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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1988 - 19892
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Subject: Botany × End date: 1989 × Start date: 1980 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic studies in red gram (eafanui caiaixL)
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Radhakrishnan, V V; KAU; Narayanan Namboodiri, K N
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genic manipulations in sweet potato adopting induced mutations
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 1989) Suma Bai D I; Krishnan Nair N
    An experiment was conducted at the Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1987-1989 for genetic manipulations in sweet potato through gamma ray induced mutagenesis for increased variability and to isolate out genotypes having wider adaptability and better performance. Stem cuttings of 8 to 10 cm length bearing two nodes each, taken from fifteen sweet potato varieties were used for radiosensitivity analysis. Gamma irradiation was done by a 60 Co gamma cell unit installed in the Radio Tracer Laboratory of Kerala Agricultural University, Trichur. The material was subjected to exposure of 2-10 kR at intervals of 2 kR. The chosen dose rate was 0.162 MR/h. The direct effect of doses on the material was assessed on the basis of days to start sprouting, days to complete sprouting, sprouting percentage, vine length, branch and tuber number and weight of tubers per vine. The exposures above 4 kR caused lethality in the majority of the varieties and hence comparative analysis for ratiosensitivity was assessed at the 2 kR level. The gamma ray exposed population started sprouting late. The days taken for completion of sprouting were also more in all the varieties. Gamma rays, in addition, reduced the sprouting percentage. The percentage lethality varied depending on variety. The vine length and number of branches per vine also varied from variety to variety. They were found to be comparatively less in treated population. The tuber number and weight of tubers per vine were found to be significantly increased by gamma irradiation at 2 kR. Based on the above observations the fifteen varieties were classified into three, viz. low, medium and high radiation sensitive categories. Induced mutagenesis was done in continuation with the radiosensitivity analysis using three varieties, each selected from the low, medium and high radiation tolerant groups. The planting materials selected for gamma irradiation included fresh cuttings, rooted cuttings and rooted tubers which were exposed to radiation at a range of 500 – 2500 r, at 500 r intervals. The dose rate was 0.162 MR/h. The irradiated materials along with the control were planted on the subsequent day. In vM1 generation the direct effect of gamma rays was assessed based on days taken to start sprouting, days taken to complete sprouting, sprouting percentage, lethality on the 30th day of planting and at harvest, vine length, branch number per vine, fresh weight of vine, tuber number per vine, weight, length, girth and volume of tuber and tuber yield per vine. From vM1 plants 3-4 noded cuttings were taken from the basal, middle and top portions for raising vM2 generation. VM3 and vM4 generations were also raised in the same manner. In vM2, vM3 and vM4 generations the yield parameters were analysed in detail. Classification of the phenotypes and frequency analysis were also done. The salient findings of the experiment are the following: There was a delay in sprount initiation and for completion of sprouting caused by gamma ray exposure. A decrease in sprouting percentage and an increase in lethality were noticed under higher levels of exposures. Similarly a reduction in vine length and branch number per vine were found at higher exposures. The fresh weight of vine was reduced and the tuber number increased at higher exposures. There was an increase in mean tuber weight, length, girth, volume and tuber yield per vine at higher exposures. All the exposures and the different modes of treatment induced phenotypic variants both in negative and positive directions. Positive variants were in higher frequency in later generations. Irradiation of rooted cuttings was found to be more economical or beneficial compared to fresh cuttings and rooted tubers. The study enabled to isolate out two promising types, one each from S5 and Bhadrakalichuvala. These mutants outyielded the control and are being multiplied by vine cuttings for farm trials in different agroecological milieus of the State.