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
Chemodynamics of Carbofuran in Cucumber
(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 1993) Anil Abraham, KAU; Naseema Beevi, S
A field experiment was conducted to study the chemodynamics of carbofuran in cucumber plants when applied as granule in the soil. The insecticide was applied at two doses of 0.5 and 1.5 kg ai/ha at three occasions viz. sowing, vining and flowering stage of the crop. The residues of carbofuran and its metabolites were estimated from the vines, leaves and fruits at different intervals after the insecticidal treatment using gas chromatographic technique. Distribution of the residues in the various portions of fruit and the effect of different periods of storage on the degradation of residues were also studied in detail. A safe waiting period was also arrived so as to avoid residue hazards in consumption of the fruits. The results indicated that absorption and metabolism of carbofuran in the plant begins soon after its application in the soil. Pure carbofuran and the metabolites, 3-OH carbofuran and 3-keto carbofuran were detected in the vines, leaves and fruit samples at 1,3,7,14,21 and 28 days after treatment. When the different portions of the plant were analysed, the highest level of residues was detected at different occasions. Thus in the vines the peak level of residues was seen on the first day after treatment where as in the leaves and fruits it was on the third seventh day respectively. A gradual decline was noticed thereafter and the residues reached almost non – detectable by 28th day after treatment in all parts of the plant. The effect of peeling on residues was studied in a separate experiment and the results indicated that peeling of fruits could reduce the residues considerably. Distibution of carbofuran residues in different fruit portions was studied and the results indicated that maximum accumulation of the residues took place in the top portions of the fruit followed by middle and basal portions. Comparing the carbofuran residues in the flesh and placenta of cucumber fruits when treated at the flowering stage of the crop it was observed that maximum accumulation of residues of carbofuran took place in the flesh portion when compared with the placenta of the fruit (inner core and seeds). Effect of storing the fruits on the degradation of carbofuran residues showed that metabolism and degradation of the chemical continued even after harvest, during the process of storage. For safe consumption of fruits following carbofuran treatment at the flowering stage a waiting period of 25 and 26 days have to be given when applied @ 0.5 and 1.5 kg ai/ha respectively.
Open Access
Effect of organic amendments on plant parasitic nematodes and soil micro-organisms
(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Ajith, K; KAU; Sheela, M S
Field experiments conducted to evaluate the effect of neem and eupatorium leaves at two levels on plant parasitic and non-parasitic nematodes and soil micro-organisms in the rootzone of bhindi and cowpea in rainy and summer seasons revealed that neem and eupatorium leaf treatments (300g/plant or 15 t/ha) were found effective in controlling Helicotylenchus spp., R. reniformis and M. incognita in the rootzone. Lower dose (150g/plant) of neem was found sufficient to suppress the Helicotylenchus spp. In the rootzone of bhindi. Effect of these treatments persisted up to 75 D A S in rainy season and 45 DAS in summer season. The effect of lower doses also persisted up to 30 DAS. The predatory and saprophytic nematode population build up in the rootzone was enhanced by higher dose of eupatorium. The effect on predatory fauna persisted up to 75 D A S in the rootzone of two crops. But in cowpea the effect on saprophytic fauna persisted only up to 60 D A S. The microbial populations (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) were increased in the rootzone of bhindi and cowpea in two seasons by the application of eupatorium leaf at higher dose where as neem leaf (higher dose) reduced the microbial population. Only the fungal population increased by the application of neem leaf at higher dose during rainy season. There was seasonal variation in population build up of fungi and maximum effect was seen in rainy season. The biometric characters (number of leaves, height of plant, root weight and shoot weight) and yield of bhindi and cowpea increased significantly by the higher dose of neem and eupatorium leaf. For increasing the height, lower dose of neem, and, for yield lower dose of neem and eupatorium also were found effective. The population of nematodes in the roots at the termination of experiment was significantly reduced by the higher dose of neem and eupatorium in bhindi while lower dose was found effective protecting cowpea roots.
Open Access
Biological activity of different plant extracts with particular reference to their insecticidal,hormonal and antifee ding actions
(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Saradamma, K; KAU; Mohan Das, N
Twenty locally available plants were screened for their antifeedant activity against three important crop pests of Kerala using water, acetone, benzene and petroleum other as extractants. Benzene was, in general, the best extractant and as a test insect H. vigintioctopunctata was more sensitive than S. litura or P. ricini. Among the twenty plants screened all the extracts of C. infortunatum, A.indica, T.neriifolia and E.odoratum and benzene and ether extracts of N.oleander gave high leaf protection against H.vigintioctopunctata. Against S.litura benzene and ether extracts of C.infortunatum, A.indica, T.neriifolia and N.oleander were effective. Water extract of E.odoratum and acetone extract of C.infortunaturm, A.indica and T.neriifolia also had high antifeedant activity against S.litura. All extracts of A.indica and water, benzene and acetone extract of N.oleander had antifeedant effect on P.ricini. High larval starvation was caused by most of the plant extracts which showed antifeedant action. But some extracts ineffective as antifeedant also caused high larval starvation. Eight essential oils obtained from the country were screened for feeding deterrency against P.ricini. Citronella oil, geranium oil and camphor oil gave significant protection, but the dosages required were too high to indicate possibilities of practical exploitation of essential oils as antifeedants for pest control. Based on PC 95 values worked out through bioassay studies using H.vigintioctopunctat as test insect N.oleander ranked first as antifeedant. It was followed by C.infortunatum, A.indica, T.neriifolia and N.odoratum. Based on larval starvation these plants had different ranking. Antifeedant activity of the extracts of T.neriifolia and N.oleander persisted up to 22 days on brinjal on field while that of C.infortunatum, E.odoratum and A.indica persisted up to 18 days. On the basis of PT indices the treatments were ranked as water extract of T.neriifolia > benzene extracts of N.oleander > C.infortunatum > E.odoratum > A.indica. The insecticidal effects of the plant extracts on D.cingulatus, H.vigintioctopunctata and S.litura were low. However, extracts of A.indica, T. neriifolia, P.odoratissimus and C.gigantea showed significant toxicity to A.craccivora. But their LC 50 values ranged from 34 to 93 per cent. Benzene extracts of C.infortunatum, A.indica, T.neriifolia and E.odoratum had high systemic action on different nymphal instars of D.cingulatus. Fourth instar nymphs were more tolerant to the insecticidal action of the extracts. The essential oils included in the experiment did not show insecticidal activity on D.cingulatus and S.litura while some caused significant mortality of A.craccivora at high doses. Sixteen out of twenty plants tested had significant juvenomimetic effect on D.cingulatus in one or more than one of the extracts tested. When the different extracts were ranked on the basis of percentage of normal adults and their sterility (an index of the possible build up of the post treatment populations of the test insect) benzene was found to be the best and it was followed by water while acetone and ether were on par and far less effective. T.neriifolia, A.indica and E.odoratum caused 100 per cent sterility of D.cingulatus in water and benzene extracts and above 90 per cent sterility in other two extracts. C.infortunatum and N.oleander caused 100 per cent sterility in acetone, benzene and water extracts. The juvenomimetic effect of S.litura was much lower than that on D.cingulatus. All the extracts of A.indica and N.oleander, water and acetone extracts of T.neriifolia and V.negundo, benzene and acetone extracts of A.vesica, acetone extract of E.odoratum, ether extract of M.esculenta and C.variegatum caused 100 per cent sterility to the insect and hence the treatment would limit the contribution from the treated insects to the next generation to zero level. Bioassay studies showed that acetone extracts of C.infortunatum had highest juvenilising effect on D.cingulatus. It was closely followed by A.indica. T.neriifolia, N. oleander and E.odoratum were much less effective than A.indica and C.infortunatum. Benzene extracts were more active than acetone extracts and were ranked as A.indica > C.infortunatum > N.oleander > E.odoratum > T.neriifolia. Considering both the extracts C.infortunatum came on par with A.indica. N.oleander and E.odoratum were also found promising. The essential oils caused morphogenetic abnormalities in the developing numphs of D.cingulatus. The dosage at which high sterility could be obtained were too high to ensure economic viability of its use in field. Lower effective dosages, cheaper and comparably effective oils may have to be found out for wide use of essential oils for pest control. Benzene extracts of A.indica, E.odoratum, C.infortunatum, T.neriifolia and N.oleander and water extracts of T.neriifolia as 2% emulsions reduced the populations of H.vigintioctopunctata, C.insolitus and A.gossypii on brinjal and H.vigintioctopunctata on bitterground significantly in the field experiments. All the treatments (except T.neriifolia againist A.gossypii) came on par with the insecticide check, carbaryl 0.2 per cent suspension, in reducing the population. The studies have thus established that the antifeedant and juvenoid effects of five plants screened out from the local flora were as promising as those of A.indica, the well recognized plant source for such activity and the extracts of these plants can be exploited effectively in the integrated control of crop pests.
Open Access
Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner for the management of rice leaf folders
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture,Vellanikara, 1998) Asha, R; KAU; Babuphilip, M
The study was conducted with the objective of survey and identification of the natural enemies of leaffolder and other lepidopterous pests of rice and to evaluate the efficacy of B. t. formulations against the leaffolders of rice. The survey was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy and the Kerala State Agricultural Department Seed Farm, Mannuthy. The field trials to evaluate the efficacy of rice leaffolders were conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy during Kharif 1995 and Kharif 1996 . .. The present study revealed the occurrence of five viroses, two bacterioses and a nematode infection in the various lepidopterous pests of rice. Four Braconids, three Ichneumonids one Eulophid, one Chalcid and a Bethylid parasite were also recorded from various lepidopterous pests of rice. The B.t. formulations tested were found to be effective against the leaf folders on rice. The percentage of leaf damage during Kharif 1995 showed the B.t. formulations Biotox, BTT, Biolep to be the best treatments. With respect ~to the grain yield, BTT was the best treatment followed by Dipel, Biolep and Biotox. During Kharif 1996, Dipel followed by Biotox and monocrotophos were found to be the best in terms of percentage of leaf damage. Based on the yield during 1996, BTT was found to be the superior one followed by monocrotophos. B. t formulations were found to be safe to predatory spiders, other predators and paras i toids of folders. the leaf The combination of BTT and C.m. GV was able t.o reduce the leaf damage and data on larval mortality showed the leaf folder larvae to be susceptible to the combination of BTT and C.m. GV. The GV of C. medinalis was found to be highly host specific.
Open Access
Integrated control of fruit fly Dacus cucurbitae Coq: Trypetidae: Diptera on bitter gourd
(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Jalaja, P N; KAU; Remamony, K S
Bittergourd is very popular among the vegetable growers in Kerala. Fruit flies take a heavy toll of this crop and intense use of pesticides is a common practice of cultivators often leading to serious residue hazards in the marketed fruits. In the present investigation an attempt was made to standardise non-insecticidal methods of control for tackling this pest problem. Laboratory evaluation of potential attractants of fruit flies viz. eugenol, eucalyptus oil, citronella oil, borar, ammonium phosphate, vanilla essence, jaggery, sugar, vinegar, honey, toddy and bittergourd fruits were screened for baiting the adults of D. cucurbitae. Eugenol, eucalyptus oil, citronella oil, borax, ammonium phosphate and vanilla essence did not show any attractiveness to the flies. Three graded concentrationsof honey, sugar, jaggery, toddy and vinegar were tested for their attractiveness to the files in the laboratory. The result showed that (1) honey at the highest concentration of 1% attracted the maximum number of flies (2) toddy was not effective for attracting D. cucurbitae. (3) immature stages of bittergourd fruits showed poor aatraction and (4) ripe bittergourd fruits showed poor attraction and (4) ripe bittergourd fruits showed maximum attraction to the files up to 12 h of exposure.
Open Access
Use of synthetic pyrethroides for the control of pests of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L) and snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L)
(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1982) Kosaraju Ravindra, Nath; KAU; Sasidharan Pillai, K
In a field experiment conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during the summer season in 1982, the efficacy of four synthetic pyrethroids viz. permethrin, fenvalerate, cypermethrin and deltamethrin, on the pests of bitter gourd and snake gourd in comparision with the standard, malathion, was evaluated. Both the crops were sprayed thrice on need basis for controlling the various pests which infested the crops at different growth stages. Spotted beetle observed on bitter gourd at the time of first spraying was controlled by all the synthetic pyrethroids along with the standard for a period of 23 days after spraying. Fruit fly of the bitter gourd also was controlled by all the three sprayings and all the insecticides were effective in most occasions. Cypermethrin at higher dose was superior to the standard during the first spraying followed by fenvalerate and deltamethrin. In the second spraying deltamethrin was not so effective whereas permethrin was found more effective. Again in the third spraying deltamethrin and fenvalerate were more effective . The fruit fly damage observed for the entire crop season revealed the superiority of fenvalerate, permethrin and deltamethrin at their higher doses over the standard. Jassid on bitter gourd was controlled by all the insecticides except permethrin and cypermethrin at their lower dose for a period of 2 days after the spraying . But aphid could be controlled only with permethrin and fenvalerate at their higher dose along with the standard malathion for a period of 2 DAS. The fruit set and the flowering pattern were not affected by any of these insecticides.
Open Access
Control of vegetable pests using chitin synthesis inhibitors
(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1983) Rajapadmanabhan Vivek, A; KAU; Mohandas, N
The dose-effect relationship of two chitin synthesis inhibitors diflubenzuron and triflumuron against three vegetables pests viz., Sylepta derogata, Epilachna vigintioctopunctata and Psera basalis was assessed in terms of the average survival periods when the different larval instars were exposed on treated food materials in the laboratory. The results showed that the earlier instars . In general, the dose-effect relationship had a positive linear trend . The three test insects showed different susceptibility to the chitin sysnthesis inhibitors. S. derogata was least susceptible and it was followed by E. vigintioctopunctata and P. basalis in susceptibility. Besides the mortality observed, various malformations and deformities were also noted in the different life stages of the insects. At the various doses tried the mortality of the larval stages was , in effect, total. The later instars fed with lower cocentrations survived in small percentages and pupated. Some of these pupae were abnormal and some gave rise to abnormal adults fully or partly emerged from the pupal skin.
Open Access
Insecticide deposits and residues on paddy with reference to volume of spray fluid applied at different growth stages of the crop
(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1982) Thomas Biju, Mathew; KAU; Mohan Das, N
A set of experiments were conducted for assessing the optimum volumes of carbaryl suspension required to spray rice at different growth stages of the crop, using a pneumatic knapsack sprayer and a mist blower. The levels of pesticide deposit formed by spraying the crop at varying levels of pesticide suspension were taken as the indices of bio efficacy and these were also correlated with the leaf area indices of the crop at different growth stages . The level of contamination of the rice eco-system was assessed in terms of pesticide residue in irrigation water of the treated plots. A correlation between different levels of pesticide deposits caused by varying the volumes of the spray fluid was assessed by trials conducted against leaf roller and case worm infesting rice. In the first experiment , the crop was sprayed with 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600 1/ha of 0.2% carbaryl suspension on using a pneumatic knapsack sprayer. Deposit on leaf and stalk of the plants, two hours after spraying , was estimated from the representative samples adopting the chemical assay method of Benson and Finocchiare (1965). The experiment was repeated at four different growth stages of the cropviz. 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after sowing. The results showed that the minimum levels of carbaryl suspension required to cause significantly higher levels of deposit on the leaves were 200, 300, 400 and 500 1/ha for the crop at 30, 45,60 and 75 days after sowing respectively.
Open Access
Factors responsible for the population buid up of rice bug, Leptocorisa acuta Thunb and the control of the pest
(Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Krishna Kumar, R; KAU; Visalakshi, A
The rice bug Leptocoria acuta Thunb, was reared on the rice varieties Jaya, Jyothi, Triveni, Pavizham and Karthika in order to study the effect of varieties on the insect's biological features. Statistical analysis of the data obtained showed that varieties have no significant influence on the biological features of L. acuta. Studies made on the duration/survival of L. acuta on eleven common rice land weeds found in paddy fields showed that the bugscould complete their life cycle only on Echinoedria colonum and E. crusgalli. The bugs survived for short periods on a few of the otherweed hosts.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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