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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Open Access
Impact of climate change on the temporal and spatial distribution of the Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) in Kerala
(Academy of climate change education and research, Vellanikkara, 2016) Sanjo Jose, V; KAU; Nameer, P O
It has been of great importance for the researchers in finding the factors which influenced the species distributions. They are keen to know the current and future distribution patterns of endangered species for implementing the conservation strategies. Some invasive species are expanding their territory into new areas and it have to identify accurately. Avian species are regarded as a good bio-indicator of these devastating changes in the environment. This study was done based on the spatial and temporal distribution of the Indian Peafowl in Kerala, which would be supportive to establish the changes happening in the environment at various places. During the recent decades, rapid expansion in the distribution of the Indian Peafowl was occurred. The hypothesis of this study was that, this expansion is due to the climatic changes. To delineate species distributions and habitat associations, MaxEnt program was used. Using the current presence data acquired from e-Bird data source and 19 bioclimatic variables from WorldClim v1.4 the distribution of the Indian Peafowl had been modelled. Using the current distribution analysis, it would project the distribution of Indian Peafowl into the future by converging it to the maximum entropy probability distribution. Only the uncorrelated variables were used for the study, selected by checking for its percent contribution, permutation importance and R2 value. The study revealed the current (1950-2015) and projected distribution pattern of the Indian Peafowl for the years 2050 and 2070 under different RCP projections. The projected models tells about the increasing spatial distribution of the Indian Peafowl throughout Kerala except in Alappuzha and western slopes of Wayanad. The central part of Kerala is the hotspot of the Indian Peafowl currently and it will be the same in the future. The combined effects of precipitation and temperature variation have an indispensable role in this projected distribution of the Indian Peafowl.
Open Access
Measuring the climate change mitigation potential of forests and TOF (tree outside forest) systems in Thrissur
(Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2017) Nidhish, P Madhu; KAU; Shijo Joseph
Inventorying of terrestrial carbon stock is important in understanding the role of forests and tree resources in the mitigation of climate change and its consequences. For this purpose, a total of 40 sample plots of 0.1ha area were inventoried. The sample plots included 4 plots within evergreen forests, 10 plots in moist deciduous forests and 26 plots in TOF (Trees Outside Forests) systems of Thrissur district in Kerala, Southern India. Five carbon pools, namely, above ground biomass, below ground biomass, deadwood, leaf litter and soil organic carbon were estimated. Chave’s generalised allometric model was used to estimate the above ground biomass. Below ground biomass component and deadwood carbon was calculated using IPCC default values. Litter carbon in forest systems were measured using gravimetric method while in TOF systems litter carbon was appropriated using UNFCCC guidelines. Soil organic carbon in every soil samples was measured using the Walkley black wet digestion method. A land use land cover map of Thrissur district for the same land use classes was also prepared using spectral signatures obtained from the GPS coordinates during field work. From the study, the mean carbon stock of evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests and TOF systems calculated were 623.68, 306.71, 150.15 tons/ha respectively. Above ground biomass was the major contributor in every land use type except in the case of plantations in TOF systems where soil organic carbon was the major contributor. The other major contributor included soil organic carbon, followed by below ground biomass while dead wood and litter carbon formed the least. The mitigation potential of forests and TOF systems in Thrissur district was calculated to be 19.22 million tons of CO2. The major contributor was the TOF systems which shows the immense potential of Kerala in mitigating the change in climate with its large population of trees outside forests.
Open Access
Effect of growing environment and climate change on growth and yield of cucumber [Cucumis sativus (L.)] under organic management
(Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2017) Abishna, P V; KAU; Usha, K E
The study entitled “Effect of growing environment and climate change on growth and yield of cucumber [Cucumis sativus (L.)] under organic management” was carried out at the Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during 2016-2017. The experiment consisted of two growing environments (poly hose and rain shelter) and four dates of sowing (1st, 11th, 21st June and 2nd July). The biometric, phenological and yield parameters were significantly influenced by the growing environments and date of sowing. The crop sown inside the poly house recorded the highest length of vine (565 cm), number of leaves (83) and number of flowers (60). Early flowering (36 days) and more duration (86.6 days) was also observed under poly house. The crop sown inside the rain shelter had the highest number of fruits (54), fruit weight per plant(9.53 kg), average fruit weight (177 g), early harvest(60 days), number of harvest (12) and yield (31.6 t/ha). The crop sown on 1 June showed early flowering, more number of fruits per plant, weight per plant, number of harvest and yield both in rain shelter as well as poly house. The crop sown on 11th June recorded the highest length of vine inside the poly house. The crop sown on 21 June had the highest number of flowers and early harvest inside the rain shelter whereas the duration was extended in poly house. The crop sown on 2nd July number of leaves in rain shelter whereas the number flowers and early harvest was observed in poly house. The highest N, P and K (170 kg/ha, 116.5 kg/ha and 520 kg/ha) and organic carbon (3.12%) were also found the soil under rain shelter after the experiment. The highest bacterial (45.95× 106cut ml-1) and fungal (76× 106cfu ml- 1 ) population was observed inside the rain shelter. Actinomycetes could not be detected either in poly house or in rain shelter. With respect to the micro climate, the highest maximum temperature, minimum temperature, soil temperature and relative humidity were observed inside the polyhouse throughout the crop season. The highest soil moisture content and PAR was observed inside the rain shelter. The results of the present study revealed that growing environment and date of sowing has significant influence on growth and yield of cucumber. Rain shelter is a potential method to maintain the micro climate in favor of cucumber growth and yield. Rain shelter growing and sowing on 1st June had a significant impact on realizing the highest yield parameters and yield in cucumber compared to poly house growing and other dates of sowing.
Open Access
Soil carbon efflux and litter decomposition in natural forests of KFRI Peechi campus
(Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2017) Nirajlal, K; KAU; Sreejith, K A
Litter dynamics and soil respiration are of great interest in climate change studies due to their roles in recycling carbon and nutrients. Present study was conducted with the objectives of understanding patterns and the process of litter dynamics and the role of weather on soil carbon efflux. Litterbag technique was used to determine the decomposition of litter for 180 days. Soil CO2 fluxes were measured for a period of three weeks in a month for up to 180 days. Mass loss, total carbon of decayed litter and litter fall were quantified. Major tree species’ litter dynamics were also determined. Relationship between soil CO2 efflux with soil and weather parameters were determined using correlation technique. Decomposition constant with a value of 0.009 day-1 was found in moist deciduous forest. Among weather parameters, soil carbon dioxide efflux had weak positive correlation with rainfall and relative humidity and had weak negative correlation with temperature. Among soil parameters, soil carbon dioxide efflux had very weak positive correlation with soil organic carbon and soil moisture. The weak correlation coefficient value came due to lesser variables which indicates duration of this study is not enough. Among species wise study, Terminalia paniculata possess higher deciduous properties that directly contributing more to soil carbon sequestration and it was also found that Tectona grandis had high carbon content per unit volume compared to other species. But the species Macaranga peltata might sequestered more amount of carbon in a short time due to its high decomposition rate. The study highlights the different responses of soil CO2 efflux to weather and soil parameters but suggests a long duration study for in-depth analysis which is very relevant in carbon dynamics and climate change studies.
Open Access
Comparative assessment of whole plant water use efficiency (wue) of coconut seedlings (cocos nucifera) to drought tolerance
(Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2017) Athul Boby, C; KAU; Hebbar, K B
A study was conducted at ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod to determine the whole plant WUE of two dwarf (Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD) and Chowghat Green Dwarf (CGD)) and two tall varieties of coconut seedlings (Kalpatharu (KT) and Kalpa Pratibha (KP)) of coconuts. The seedlings were grown in large buckets and exposed to three moisture regimes- 100% ASM (available soil moisture), 50% ASM and 25% ASM. Coconut seedlings were found to be highly sensitive to moisture and observed that with the first observation made i.e., within 25 days after stress imposition there was significant decline in morphological and physiological traits. Plant height, collar girth, leaf number showed an increasing trend up to 57 days after 50% ASM imposition while at 25% ASM there was no further increment in growth of above parameters. Both Pn and leaf area which contribute to the biomass significantly declined under stress condition. However biomass accumulation over the stress period was high in KT and KP compared to CGD and MYD. Thus KT and KP had high WUE both under 50% and 25% ASM 5.48 g/L and 5.68 g/L and 5.42 g/L and 4.55 g/L respectively. CGD on the other hand had lower WUE at 50% ASM (3.68 g/L) and increased slightly at 25% ASM (3.84 g/L). WUE was the least in MYD both at 50% (3.54 g/L) and 25% ASM (2.74 g/L). The higher WUE in KT and KP was found to be imparted by high biomass partitioning to roots and drought tolerance mechanisms like epicuticular wax deposition and higher activity of antioxidant scavenging systems. Thus, tall varieties KP and KT are found to be better adapted to water deficit stress compared to the dwarf varieties CGD and MYD.
Open Access
Palynological approach to screen coconut genotypes for high temperature tolerance
(Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2017) Anusree, R Nair; KAU; Hebbar, K B
Climate change is expected to rise the global atmospheric temperature at a rate of 0.2°C per decade. Temperature is one of the most important factors which drives the growth and development of the crops. Reproductive phase of the crop is more sensitive to high temperature than vegetative phase. In that pollen germination and pollen tube length are known to be more critical thereby effecting fruit set and yield. In this study coconut genotypes (12 numbers) were screened using the in-vitro pollen germination technique at 10 to 50 °C at an interval of 2.5 °C and the tolerance of the selected genotypes was confirmed invivo pollination during two extreme conditions of winter and summer. Maximum pollen germination (54.3%) and pollen tube length (554.5μm) was observed at 25 °C and either increase or decrease in temperature decreased the germination. Temperatures above 40 °C and below 15 °C germination became nil in most of the genotypes. The mean cardinal temperatures (Tmin, Topt, and Tmax) averaged over genotypes, were 12.8 °C, 26.53 °C and 43 °C for pollen germination and 12.7 °C, 27.53 °C and 42.96°C for pollen tube growth.Talls WCT, LCT, FMST, dwarfs COD,GBGD and hybrids showed better adaptability to high temperature. Dwarf variety MYD on the other hand was highly sensitive. If dwarf variety COD had high germination at low temperature another dwarf GBGD showed high germination under high temperature suggesting differential response amongst genotypes. As we had hypothesized nut set was better during winter and above 30 °C it was reduced under field condition. Nut set was low with invivo pollination by the pollens from temperature sensitive variety CGD compared to the pollens used from tolerant varity COD and WCT. Biochemical constituents like sugar and amino acids and enzyme activity were found to be affected under high or low temperature. From the study it is clear that the genotypes screened invitro for pollen germination can be used in breeding programs to develop new genotypes that can withstand high temperature conditions both in the present climate as well as in future warmer climate.
Open Access
Influence of storage environment and packing materials on seed germination and viability of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. and Indigofera tinctoria (L.)
(Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2017) Gayathri, P; KAU; Kanakamany, M T
Desmodium gangeticum and Indigofera tinctoria are valuable medicinal plants frequently used in the Indian System of Medicine. These crops are propagated through seeds. Seeds of these crops lose viability within 3-4 months after extraction under normal conditions. In order to get optimum plant population, uniform germination has to be assured. For that it is necessary to store the seeds at appropriate environmental conditions. By modifying the storage environment and by using apt packing materials storage life of seeds can be enhanced. The present investigation “Influence of storage environment and packing materials on seed germination and viability of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. and Indigofera tinctoria (L.)” was carried out at the Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara and All India Coordinated Research Project on Medicinal, Aromatic Plants and Betelvines (AICRP on MAP & B), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the year 2016-2017. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with 18 treatments replicated twice. Observations on micrometeorological and seed quality parameters (1000 seed weight, seed moisture content, germination percentage, seedling root length, seedling shoot length, seedling fresh weight and seedling dry weight) were recorded at weekly intervals. All the seed quality parameters were significantly influenced by the individual treatments of moisture levels, packing materials and storage environments and by the combined interaction of these three factors except seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight and 1000 seed weight at some weeks after storage. Seeds of 8% moisture content recorded higher germination percentage for both crops, higher seedling root length and shoot length for Indigofera tinctoria. Among the packing materials, polythene bag stored seeds of Desmodium gangeticum showed higher 1000 seed weight, germination and seedling shoot length at the same time cloth bag stored Indigofera tinctoria seeds recorded higher 1000 seed weight, germination and seedling root length. Seeds stored under refrigerated condition showed higher 1000 seed weight, germination percentage, seedling root length and seedling shoot length for both crops. Significant positive and negative relationships were observed due to the influence of weather parameters (maximum temperature, minimum temperature and relative humidity) on seed quality. Maximum temperature and relative humidity showed a positive relationship with majority of the seed quality parameters except seedling fresh weight of Indigofera tinctoria and seed moisture content of Desmodium gangeticum. Most of the seed quality parameters (1000 seed weight, seed moisture content, germination percentage, seedling shoot length and seedling fresh weight) were negatively influenced by minimum temperature. Results of the investigation implies that, to enhance the germination of seeds over a period of 12 weeks of storage it is better to dry the seeds to 8% moisture content and pack in polythene bags for Desmodium gangeticum seeds , cloth bags for Indigofera tinctoria seeds and store under refrigerated environment.
Open Access
Impact of projected climate change on cropping pattern of different agro ecological units of Central Kerala
(Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2017) Divya Sunil; KAU; Sunil, K M
Agriculture faces hastily growing challenges because it must supply food to an increasing population under shifting climate conditions. To stabilize the negative effects of climate change, researchers have generally emphasized incremental adaptation to existing cropping systems, such as the adjustment of planting window, suitable variety and improved agronomic practices. Characterization of the ecosystems using the AEZ concept is a good decision making approach for variety of farming activities performed by the farmers and is a useful tool for the studying the impact of climate change. The objectives of this study are (1) To study rainfall variability and to determine water availability periods of Agro ecological units of Central Kerala under different climate change scenarios. (2) To study the impact of projected climate change on cropping pattern, crop calendar and the possible changes in the water requirements of major cropping systems prevailed in the various Agro ecological Units of central Kerala. Daily rainfall data for the period 1991-2014 were collected from the India Meteorological Department, Thiruvananthapurm. The weather data from General Circulation Models based on RCP 4.5 and 8.5 were analyzed. Weather cock v.1.5 was used for converting the daily weather data into standard week, month and seasonal formats. The rainfall parameters or indices like seasonal and monthly rainfall, rainy days, high rainfall events, length of growing period were calculated. It is also used to compute PET and Thornthwaite water balances. CROPWAT model was used for the calculations of crop evapotranspiration, crop water requirements and irrigation requirements for the development of irrigation schedules under various management conditions and scheme water supply. A decline in rainfall can be observed during the months January, February, September and December in projected climate as per RCP 4.5 and 8.5 whereas an increased rainfall during the months June, July and August. In nut shell the wet months will be wetter and dry periods will be drier. The south west monsoon and summer season shows an increasing trend in the number of rainy days and amount of rainfall in projected climate. The projected climate indicates that there will be a decreasing trend in the number of rainfall events below 50 mm per day whereas the heavy rainfall events show an increasing trend. Most of the agro ecological units in central Kerala indicate a decreasing pattern in the length of growing period in projected climate as per RCP 4.5 and 8.5. In projected climate the maximum amount of potential evapotranspiration can be observed during the months May, July and September whereas the minimum will be in January, November and December. The number of periods were deficit will happen indicate an increasing trend and also the annual amount of deficit show an increasing pattern in projected climate. A shift in the water surplus periods can be observed during projected climate. Most of the AEUs in central Kerala indicate a reduced number of surplus periods in projected climate. The crop evapotranspiration indicate an increasing trend in the rice based cropping system during the projected climate whereas in perennial crops it shows a decreasing trend. The water requirement indicates an increasing trend in most of the major cropping systems whereas in Rice-Fallow-Fallow cropping the irrigation requirement remains unchanged. As a general trend, the length of growing period in the major rice growing areas of different AEUs are getting shorter with slight differences among various agro-ecological units, implying a higher risk of operating under projected climate as per RCP 4.5. The crop calendar of rice based cropping system indicates a delay in sowing date due to delay in summer showers and the crops will have to suffer water stress during the grain filling stage and will be under heavy rains at the time of harvest in projected climate as per RCP 4.5.
Open Access
Inter-annual variability of thermal and chlorophyll fronts in selected parts of Eastern Arabian sea and their relation to marine fishery
(Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2017) Ananth, C Babu; KAU; Grinson George
In the marine ecosystem, distribution of fish, as well as abundance, is determined by the presence of conditions favourable for their existence. Among various oceanic features, frontal zones are important sites promoting fish aggregation and these zones are found to be ideal habitats for fish. Therefore, areas with higher incidence of fronts are likely to be associated with higher fish production, than those with lower frontal incidence. An evaluation of this concept based on total thermal/chlorophyll frontal area of the eastern Arabian Sea (50- 80oE; 0 to 30oN), was performed for the period July 2002 to December 2016. This work utilized 8-day averaged satellite Sea Surface Temperature observations (SST) from MODIS/AQUA sensor as well as 8-day averaged satellite chlorophyll a concentration (Chl-a) from the Ocean Colour Climate Change Initiative (OC- CCI) project. Frontal identification was based on Cayula-Cornillon (1992) single- image edge detection algorithm on the satellite SST/Chl-a image in ArcGIS platform. Seasonal variation of thermal fronts showed maximum frontal coverage (0.5 – 0.6 million km2) during the winter period.Thermal fronts have their lowest incidence (0.2 – 0.3 million km2) during post and pre-monsoon period, and moderate existence during the summer monsoon (0.3 – 0.4 million km2). Chlorophyll fronts showed a slightly different pattern with highest frontal coverage (0.5- 0.6 million km2) during winter period followed by pre and post monsoon period (0.4 – 0.5 million km2). Chlorophyll fronts had their lowest incidence (0.2 – 0.3 million km2) during summer monsoon period.Possible physical reasons for the seasonal variation in thermal and chlorophyll front incidence are discussed. Analysis of inter-annual variability of thermal fronts indicated an increasing trend during 2015 and 2016 whereas chlorophyll frontal area showed a sudden drop in values from mid-2012 onwards. During this period, the usual seasonal variation in frontal zones is not observed. The mechanism responsible for this unusual behaviour was also analysed. Spatial variability of frontal zones in the Arabian Sea indicated that the pattern of variability in the west is different from that of the eastern Arabian Sea. The impact of thermal as well as chlorophyll frontal areaon fisheries during the inter-annual cycle is also discussed.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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