Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

1992 - 19985
Reset filters
Subject: Entomology × End date: 1999 × Start date: 1991 ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen 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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen 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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen 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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Infestation reactions and management of Helopeltis theivora (Waterhouse) (Miridae:Hemiptera) in cocoa clones
    (Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Beena Nair; KAU; Baby, P Skaria
    Investigations were carried out at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to identity sources of resistance to the cocoa mirid bug He/ope/lis theivora (Waterhouse) among the various high yielding cocoa clones and also to develop an effective and safer management strategy against the pest using insecticides. In the field trial, seven hybrids and eight parental clones were evaluated for their tolerance to the mirids at different developmental stages of the pods and on flushes. The pod damage intensity was moderate to low, the range being 0.25 to 5.84 per cent and in this situation the resistance traits could not be properly quantified. However, the parental trees 01-5.9 and GYl-68 and the hybrids involving these trees showed a moderate level of resistance. The clones M-l3.12 and GI-15.5 were found to be relatively more susceptible to the pest. The correlation studies have established the positive correlation between the yield of pods on the one hand and the intensity of damage to the pods and the vegetative flushes on the other. The various pod characters such as length, width, weight, pericarp thickness, wet bean weight and number of beans per pod did not show any influence on the intensity of pod infestation. 'The performance of the various clones in respect of the yield of pods and beans have been discussed in the light of variations in the intensity of damage to the pods and vegetative flushes. The susceptibility of clones with higher number of pods was detected in the correlation studies. The hybrid GI-S.9 x GVI-68 which produced 23 pods per tree on an average showed lower levels of damage by the mirid bug on the pods and also on flushes indicating a moderate level of resistance coupled with high pod number in this clone. The pod number was also found correlated with total wet bean yield per tree, height and spread of the tree. With respect to higher wet bean yield the parental clone GYI-68 ranked first with 1937.47 g followed by M-13.12, GVI-64, GVI-6I, M-13.J2 x GJ-S.9 and GI-S.9 x GVI-68. The crosses GJ-IO.3 x GVI-61 and 01-5.9 x GVl-54 recorded very low bean yields. However, the high yielding and low yielding clones showed varied reactions to the infestation by H. theivora. With regard to the management of H. theivora using insecticides the spray application of carbaryl at 1.25 kg ai/ha and monocrotophos at 0.5 kg ai/ha was most effective. However, considering the higher persistent toxicity of monocrotophos, carbaryl is recommended for field applications.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Biology and management of orchid pests
    (Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Sajitha Kumari; KAU; Lyla, K R
    In a survey conducted during 1996-97 in Kerala to study the various pests associated with orchids with reference to their biology, morphology, nature of damage and preliminary management studies on the selected pests, a total of thirteen pests were recorded. The grasshopper, Oxya chinensis (Thunberg); spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell; bihar hairy caterpillar, Diacrisia obliqua W alker; were recorded from the leaves of Spathoglottis spp. The larvae and adult of Megalurothrips distalis Karny was found infesting the buds and flowers of Dendrobium spp. and Spathoglottis spp. resulting in the destortion of buds and flowers. The tobacco catterpillar, Spodoptera litura F. was recorded from the flowers of Spathoglottis and Dendrobium spp. The ant, Monomorium indicum Forel was recorded to damage the roots of the plants. An unidentified species of Lema was recorded damaging the flowers of Spathoglottis spp. and Epidendrum spp. The grubs and adults of an unidentified curculionid was reported to cause considerable damage to Dendrobium spp. by feeding on the pseudobulbs. The banded blister beetle, Mylabris pustulata (Thunberg) was found as an occasional feeder of Spathog/ottis spp. The other pests observed during the survey were sowbug, Oniscus asellus L., land snail Ariophanta sp., black slug, Anon sp. and grey slug, Limax sp. During the studies on the morphology and biology of M distalis, the eggs were found to be bean shaped and the immature stages can be differentiated by the presence of wing pads or wing sheaths and antennal sheaths. The females inserted the eggs in the tissues of the petals and the whole life cycle ranged from 17-32 days. The adults of A. dispersus laid eggs singly covered with wax in loose whorls like fingerprints on the lower surface of the leaves. Incubation period was 5 days and the mean life cycle was found to be 45 days. During the drier conditions of the atmosphere the population of M. distalis and A. dispersus increased and there was a decline after heavy summer showers. Efficacy of insecticides against A. dispersus and insecticides and molluscide against slugs were tested. Among the insecticides tested, quinalphos , brought the highest mean mortality of the nymphs of A. dispersus (48%). In the case of slugs, 5 per cent metaldehyde bait and metaldehyde mixed carbaryl bait (2.5- 2.5%) gave the highest mean mortality of 44.44 per cent within 24 hrs of treatment. Treatment with 1 g phorate showed the highest mean mortality of 66.67 per cent after 48 hrs of treatment.