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
Genetic characterization, controlled breeding and development of transgenic varieties of puntius denisonii (day, 1865).
(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2010) Manoj, C K; KAU; Mohanakumaran Nair, C
Puntius denisonii, a beautiful ornamental fish indigenous to the Western Ghats, which has been indiscriminately exploited from the different rivers of Kerala has been recently declared to be vulnerable by the IUCN. The population structure and genetic diversity of P. denisonii has not yet been studied and documented. Many previous attempts to breed this fish in captivity have yielded negative results. The increasing demand for this fish to decorate aquariums worldwide could be satisfied only by developing controlled breeding techniques and larval rearing of its fry. In the present study, the present population structure of P. denisonii has been studied combining both phenotypic and genotypic techniques. Fishes were collected from Irrity, Chaliyar and Periyar rivers of Kerala. Truss network analysis was conducted and the size adjusted morphometric variables were subjected to Principal Component Analysis and Canonical Variance Analysis. Scatter diagram and Dendrogram was plotted using PCA and CVA loadings. The Irrity and the Chaliyar populations were grouped on the positive sector of the PC and CV component showing morphological similarities between the two populations while the Periyar population was placed in the negative sector of the component separated far from the other two. The PC scores were used to find out the variables showing maximum variation between fishes collected from different rivers. RAPD PCR was conducted after isolating DNA from the fins of different populations of P. denisonii. Universal random primers were screened and the primers that produced reproducible bands were selected. Popgene analysis of the binary data yielded the genetic structure of different populations of P. denisonii. Number and percentage of polymorphic loci, Nei's (1973) gene diversity, Shannon's Information index Lewontin (1972), Nei's Unbiased Measures of Genetic Identity and Genetic distance and Dendrogram Based Nei's (1978) Genetic distance using UPGMA --Modified from NEIGHBOR procedure of PHYLIP Version 3.5 were studied. The results obtained supports the truss analysis in that the Irrity and Chaliyar populations in Northern Kerala are genetically more similar while that of Periyar population in Central Kerala are distinct. P. denisonii was successfully induced bred under controlled conditions with synthetic hormone preparations Ovaprim and WOVA-FH. Stress during transport and handling was minimized and live feed was supplemented to enhance maturation of the broodstock. The whole developmental sequence starting from fertilized eggs to hatching was photographed and documented. It took 29-30 hours for the eggs to hatch at 280C. Rearing of fry was successfully accomplished under laboratory conditions. In an attempt to develop transgenic varieties of P. denisonii, pCMV-GFP was electroporated into newly fertilized eggs, maintained in hypoosmolar electroporation buffer. The electroporation parameters that yielded best results were 20V, 3 bursts at 1 second interval. Fin clips were taken from the transgenic individuals reared for a period of 6 weeks. Dot blot test was positive showing integration of the GFP gene in P. denisonii, eventhough expression was not detected under blue or UV light. The genetic and phenotypic data of P. denisonii populations in the present study will aid as a base line for formulating conservation procedures to protect the genetic diversity of wild ones. Stock identification studies are recommended for more concise information on each population. Moreover, the larval rearing and controlled breeding techniques along with the genetic diversity studies will help to design captive breeding programs and enhance the production of hatchery bred ones to meet increasing demand. Further research is recommended for generating transgenic lines with uniform GFP expression.
Open Access
Molecular taxonomy of selected species of macrobrachium bate, 1868 (DECAPODA, PALAEMONIDAE) of Kerala waters
(Department of Fishery Biology, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2011) Jayaraj, G; KAU; Jayachandran, K V
Freshwater prawns of the genus Macrobrachium are a conspicuous and important prawn constitute one of the most diverse, abundant and widespread crustacean genera. They are distributed in different water bodies of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world and comprises over 200 described species (Jayachandran, 2001). The palaenonids have taxonomically difficult groups because they appear to be morphologically higher conservative and also greater confusion among the evolutionary status. The present study was carried out both on morphological and molecular data to investigate the confirmation of species status and finding phylogenetic relationship of selected species of Macrobrachium in kerala waters. The species of M. canarae, M. idella, M. latimanus and M. scabriculum were collected from different water bodies of kerala, such as hill streams, rivers and brackish water. The four species inhabit varied habitats: M. latimanus is a hill stream prawn; M. canarae inhabits valleys without migration; M. idella and M. scabriculum inhabits lower stretches of river with estuarine migrations. These species were accurately identified based on morphology of earlier literature done by Jayachandran, 2001 and it shows variations within the individuals of M. idella. The use of DNA based methods to infer phylogenetic relationship can potentially overcome some of the difficulties encountered through the use of morphological characters. In molecular part, 16S rRNA and COI genes of mitochondrial DNA were analysed. Sequences of 16S rRNA and COI were obtained and submitted to NCBI. Based on sequence information, M. canarae shows few minor variations within the individuals. M. idella is shows significant variations within the two types of individuals. M. latimanus is shows separate clades of other country species. M. scabriculum is also shows significant variation with NCBI sequence of M. scabriculum. Phylogenetic relationship is clearly shows two types of M. idella based on NJ and MP tree. Hence, both morphological and molecular data is very effective for finding species variants and phylogeny.
Open Access
Temporal variation in the hydrography and biodiversity of the Cochin backwaters of Puduveypu region.
(Department of Fishery Hydrography, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2011) Trinayan Deb, Sarmah; KAU; Raman, N N
The study was carried out to find out the temporal variation in the hydrography of the Cochin backwaterS of Puduveypu region and to find out the richness of the biodiversity of the area. The study was conducted from April, 2010 to Apil, 2011. The present study was carried out to find out the temporal variation in the hydrography of the Cochin backwater of Puduveypu region and to find out the richness of the biodiversity of the area. The value of salinity in the backwaters of Puduveypu showed a wide fluctuation. The maximum value was recorded in the second half of January. The salinity showed considerable reduction during the period of March-April, 2011 due to Premonsoon showers. . Water temperature showed peak values during pre-monsoon period and with the onset of monsoon the value decreased. High pH was observed during the monsoon season while low values were observed during N.E. monsoon and pre-monsoon period. Alkalinity showed an increasing trend during the pre-monsoon, post monsoon and N.E. monsoon seasons but a decreasing trend was observed during monsoon season. Total hardness ranged between 22.22 mg CaCO3/l and 710.01 mg CaCO3/l. Dissolved oxygen showed high values during monsoon and post monsoon period. During the N.E. monsoon period the dissolved oxygen showed a decreasing pattern and reached a minimum of 2.1mg/l in the second half of February. The higher values of nitrate-N were observed during post monsoon and monsoon season. Seasonal variation of nitrite 133 was not that much pronounced. The phosphate value ranged between 2.2 μg at/l and 5.8 μg at/l during the study period. The maximum value of silicate-Si was recorded during the last phase of the monsoon. Turbidity ranged between 11.11 NTU and 40.4 NTU. It showed a negative correlation with transparency. Transparency value of the study region falls within a range of 30 cm. to 47 cm. Primary productions showed a wide range from 32 mgC/m3/day to 3707 mgC/m3/day. The highest value of chlorophyll was observed during the second half of July and the minimum value was observed during the second half of October. The sediment pH value ranged between 7.02 and 8.3 with an average of 7.78. The analysis revealed that sediment of the Puduveypu region contains maximum sand followed by silt and clay. Mangrove species like Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora conjugate, Brugiuera cylindrical, Brugiuera gymnorhiza, Sonerasia caseolaris, Sonerasia alba, Avicennia officianalis, Exocearia agallocha, Acanthus ilicifolius, Clerodenterum innerme, Premma latifolia, and Acrostichum aureum were found in the study area. , Avicennia officianalis contribute 70% of the total population of mangrove. Penaeus monodon, P. indicus, Metapenaeus dobsonii, M. monoceros, Feneropenaeus indicus, Penaeus semisulcatus, Macrobrachium equidens, M. idella have been identified from the study area. Crabs in the study area include Scylla serrata, Scylla tranquebarica, Thalamita creneta, Charybdis annulata, Sesarma quadratum, Uca vocans. Bivalves includes Lamellidens 134 sp., Villorita Sp. and Cirriped in the study region include Balanus. 36 species of finfishes were collected during the study period. The fishes can be categorized into 10 order and 26 families.
Open Access
Studies on drying of fish using a BARC - TYPE solar dryer.
(Department of Processing Technology,College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2011) Vimaladevi, S; KAU; Sajan, George
A study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the drying efficiency of a newly designed solar dryer (modified BARC type) in comparison with conventional sun drying. The materials used for drying were beheaded prawn (Metapenaeus dobsoni) and salted fish (Cynoglossus macrostomus). Rate of drying was found to be influenced by the atmospheric temperature and humidity, either using dryer (test or by sun drying (control). In the case of prawn, the drying period was 7h by dryer compared to control which took about 10h whereas in the case of fish it was only 7h compared to control which took about 9h. Various parameters such as moisture content, water activity, TPC, TFC, TVBN content and PV, during drying were monitored. The quality variations in prawn or fish were significantly lower when dried using the solar dryer compared to direct sun drying. Sensory evaluation based on colour, odour, texture and taste, also proved that the solar dried samples were of superior quality compared to control. Sorption isotherm for test and control did not vary much in shape for both prawn and fish. This indicates that the effect of the type of drying on the bound water of the products. For conducting storage studies the dried prawn and dry salted fish, both test and control, were packed in low permeable polypropylene- polyamide bags and stored at room temperature for about 80 days. Quality parameters, viz., moisture content and water activity, TPC, TFC, TVBN content, PV and sensory evaluation based on colour, odour, taste and texture were evaluated during storage. Both test and control samples remained acceptable throughout the storage period. However, the quality of prawn or fish dried in solar dryer was found to be superior compared to their respective sun dried control samples. The additional cost was only Rs 2.40/ kg for dried prawn and Rs 2.00/ kg for dry salted fish. The equipment is recommended for small scale production of dried products.
Open Access
Genetic variation in wood basic density and moe and their relationship with growth traits in teak (TECTONA GRANDIS L.F.) grown in seed orchards of Kerala
(College of forestry, Vellanikkara, 2016) Jilijith, K P; KAU; Anoop, E V
A study on the variation in wood basic density and dynamic modulus of elasticity of teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) trees grown in tree improvement trials at various locations in Kerala using destructive and nondestructive testing (NDT) methods was conducted in the College of Forestry, KAU, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 2012-2015. The investigation focused on the variation in physical and mechanical wood properties of teak, and to understand their relationship with growth traits and evaluating the suitability of NDT methods as predictors of timber properties under field conditions. Pilodyn (6J) and Treesonic Microsecond Timer (FAKOPP) were the two NDT equipments used in the study. Teak logs collected from a forest plantation (Elival, Palakkad) were destructively analysed following nondestructive testing with the above equipments. Discs and logs were analysed for within tree variation in Pilodyn pin penetration depth (PPD) and were further subjected to various mechanical tests using UTM as well. Significant variation in mechanical properties, and Stress Wave Velocity (SWV) was observed between the trees sampled. Most of the mechanical properties assessed destructively were found to be highly correlated with SWV. PPD in the periphery of the trees was related to the same in the middle portion of the trees. Pilodyn readings also correlated well with the actual wood basic density analysed destructively. In general, both the NDT instruments were found to be useful in estimation of the respective properties using regression analysis. In standing trees of a CSO (Walayar, Palakkad), an SPA (Nilambur) and two clonal trials (Chettikkulam and Vellikulangara, Thrissur) non-destructive evaluation was repeated. The study revealed high genetic divergence in the wood traits and indicated greater scope for application in tree improvement trials. Growth traits didn’t show any consistency or trend with the differing age of the plantations, nor any convincing relationship with the wood traits. Clusters were also identified for the clones at Walayar and Chettikkulam based on which selection for further breeding programmes can be undertaken
Open Access
Modeling crop water stress index (cwsi) in tree seedlings
(College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2011) Sneha, C; KAU; Santhosh, Kumar A V
The research work on 'Modeling crop water stress index (CWSl) in tree seedlings' was taken up at Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry during April 2010 to March 2011. The objective of the study was to detect water stress in seedlings of teak and mahogany with the help of infrared thermometry by developing CWSI. Six month old seedlings were provided with four different irrigation treatments- irrigation at lW/ET=l, 0.6 and 0.3 on weekly interval and a control treatment was maintained with no irrigation (IWIET=O). Plant canopy temperature was recorded on daily basis from each treatment using a hand held infrared therinometer (HTC lR-8811). The non-water-stressed baseline (NWSB), obtained from canopy air temperature deficit and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) in the well watered treatment (irrigation at 1.0 lW/ET) and water stressed baseline obtained from non irrigated lW/ET=O. For teak the lower baseline was determined as CATD = -1.01VPD+2.8 and the upper baseline equation was CATD = -O.OSVPD+S.1. For mahogany, lower baseline equation was CATD = -0.2SVPD-2.9 and the upper baseline equation was CATD = -0.01 VPD+6.1. CWSl was calculated for each treatment using these baseline equations. The CWSl responded to irrigation events along the whole season, and clearly detected mild water stress, suggesting extreme sensitivity to variations in plant water status. Non irrigated lW IET=O showed a greater value for CWSl for all the time followed by treatment provided with irrigation at lW IET=O.3 while the treatments with higher irrigation levels (IWIET= 1 and 0.6) had lower CWSl values. It indicates that there is an increase in CWSl with time as available water in the soil decreased. It has been observed during the study that teak seedlings are more susceptible to water stress than mahogany. Observation on canopy air temperature deficit showed that, teak seedlings from all treatments maintained a constant canopy air temperature deficit all over the week. In mahogany, lWIET=l and lWIET=O maintained a constant canopy air temperature deficit, whereas, lW/ET=0.6 and lW/ET=0.3 showed a slow increase prior to the next irrigation. This reveals a relatively higher water use of teak seedlings when compared to mahogany. Well watered mahogany seedlings showed higher crude protein content compared to other treatments indicating a significant reduction in photosynthesis occurred during water stress. But for teak seedlings no difference was observed among different treatments. Chlorophyll content was found to be decreasing due to water stress in both species. Teak seedlings showed significant reduction in total height, collar diameter, number of leaves, shoot weight, root weight, shoot root length ratio and relative growth rate on the course of stress treatment whereas root length was increasing. Shoot root biomass ratio was found to be least affected due to different levels of irrigation treatment. In the case of mahogany, collar diameter, shoot root length ratio and relative growth rate were found to be decreasing due to water stress. Root length was found to be increasing due to water stress. Plants were able to maintain total height, total leaf number, shoot weight, root weight and shoot root biomass ratio unaffected even under irrigation at IWIET=O.3 also. Comparison on growth characteristics and physiological parameters of two species- teak and mahogany by providing different levels of irrigation revealed that mahogany uses water more efficiently than teak seedlings. The present series of investigations indicate the scope of CWSI in early detection of crop water stress. As is easy to find out and less time consuming, CWSI has got an immense potential in irrigation scheduling as well as water management.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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