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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: KAU × Author: Sindhu M, Eapen × End date: 2004 × Start date: 2000 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of tropical plant species for use as cut foliage
    (Department Of Pomology And Floriculture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Sindhu M, Eapen; KAU; Rajeevan, P K
    The investigations on the evaluation of tropical foliage plant species for use as cut foliage was conducted in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, during 2001-2003, with the main objectives of evaluating the performance of the foliage species under field conditions together with their post harvest performance. Twenty-seven foliage plant species belonging to ten different families were selected for the present study. They were evaluated for their height, spread, leaf characters (length, breadth, area, longevity, interval of production, leaf yield per month) and petiole characters (length, girth) under field conditions. The post harvest performance of the cut foliage of these species was evaluated by various pulsing and holding treatments. The best of the treatments were combined and the selected species were evaluated in the combinations, also estimating the catalase activity at different stages of treatment. Cut foliages of the different species were also held at different temperatures to evaluate the influence of the temperature on the vaselife. They were packed in cartons using different lining materials (both dry and wet) and the effect of the lining materials were also evaluated. In the field conditions the species exhibited wide variation 111 their growth pattern and leaf characters. Maximu~ plant height was observed In Asparagus setaceus, a twiner, while the maximum spread was recorded 111 SchefJlera arboricola, a shrub and Nephrolepis cordifolia, a fern. Leaf length was maximum in Nephrolepis exaltata while the leaf breadth and petiole length were maximum in Cyperus alternifolius. Philodendron wendlandii recorded maximum petiole girth. Maximum leaf production was in Scirpus cernnus. Leaf area' recorded was maximum in Monstera deliciosa while SchejJl.era arboricola and Nephrolepis exaltata recorded the maximum longevity and maximum interval of leaf production, respectively. The qualitative characters of the species differed in all respects and a wide range of shape, texture, margin and pigmentation could be observed. In the post harvest evaluation for use as cut foliage, the pulsing treatments were on par and among the holding solutions, distilled water and acidified water proved to the best, thus eliminating the use of chemicals. Scoring of .foliage projected Asparagus setaceus to be the best in terms of all the characters of colour/pigmentation, shape/pattern, size and texture. The combinations indicated a significantly higher vase life of the different species in a combination of any pulsing treatment with a holding solution of either tap water or distilled water. Catalase activity reduced in the foliage when treated with hot water and increased when treated with tap water. Foliage kept in aoidified water after hot water dip showed an increase in the activity. pH in the best treatment showed a lesser increase whereas EC increased to a greater extent in the most inferior treatment. Storing at a lower temperature of 17°C proved to be better for prolonging the vase life of the foliage species, compared to ambient temperature. Packing with a wet cotton plug at the petiole end increased the vase life of the foliage although lining materials showed rio significant effect on the vase life.