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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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Subject: Floriculture and Landscaping × Author: Andrew L, Myrthong × End date: 2020 × Start date: 2013 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of differential effects of coloured shade nets on selected ornamentals
    (Department Of Pomology And Floriculture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Andrew L, Myrthong; KAU; Sudhadevi, P K
    Evaluation of differential effect of coloured shade nets on selected ornamentals was undertaken in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. Six plant species viz., Nephrolepis exaltata, Asparagus sp. (green leaf type); Spathiphyllum wallisii, Chrysothemis pulchella (flowering type); Tradescantia spathacea „Sitara‟ and Cordyline terminalis (coloured leaf type) were selected for the evaluation. The plants were grown under shade nets of five different colours viz., red, yellow, green, blue and black. Morphological data (both quantitative and qualitative), weather data including temperature, relative humidity, light intensity and PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) were recorded for a period of one year from March 2015 to February 2016. The total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were evaluated twice, at six and twelve months after planting. The plant growth in terms of height and spread was found to be greatly influenced by red and black coloured nets as the plants under these two nets were the tallest with more spread. Except for Cordyline terminalis, the growth of all plants was the least when grown under blue coloured net. Height and spread of Cordyline terminalis was the lowest under black colour net. Leaf characteristics like area, length and breadth were the highest when grown under black, followed by red coloured nets. The effect of yellow, green and blue coloured nets was not significant. Red net only significantly increased the number of leaves in all plants except Spathiphyllum wallisii, in which it was the highest under blue colour net. The internodal length was the longest in plants under red and shortest under blue coloured nets except in Cordyline terminalis which recorded shortest internodes under black net. Length and girth of petiole of all the plants were more when grown under black net except that of Cordyline terminalis in which it was the longest under red and blue nets.The floral characters of Chrysothemis pulchella were homogeneous under nets of all colours while Spathiphyllum wallisii had bigger flowers with longer stalks under black and red nets. The interval of flower production was the least in red and maximum in plants under blue nets for both the plants. Vase life was studied for those leaves that could be used as cut foliage. No detectable difference in vase life of Asparagus sp. and Spathiphyllum wallisii could be observed. But, leaves of Nephrolepis exaltata had maximum vase life under black and red; medium under yellow and green and minimum under blue nets. The vase life of Cordyline terminalis was minimum under blue net and maximum under all the other net colours which were on par with each other. A higher concentration of total chlorophyll as well as carotenoid were found under black coloured net in all plants except in Spathiphyllum wallisii, in which the maximum concentration was under blue net. The maximum and minimum temperatures and relative humidity were always higher inside the shade nets compared to the open condition. Both light intensity and PAR were reduced inside the shade nets and the reduction was in the ascending order of black, yellow, green, blue and red nets. Overall growth of all the plants was higher under red and black nets, while leaf characteristics were better under black net. Quality wise, the plants under black net overshadowed those under red, yellow, green and blue coloured nets. It was observed that all the plant parameters could not be improved by a single net colour. This study will form a base for future works through which we can draw a clear recommendation on the colour of shade net to be used for obtaining the desired plant architecture which will enhance the commercial value of ornamentals.