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
Evaluation of f 1 hybrids resistant to bacterial wilt and inheritance of resistance in brinjal (lolanum melongena L.)
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Geetha, Varghese; Abdul, Vahab M.
The present studies "Evaluation of F hybrids resistant to bacterial wilt and inheritance of resistance in brinjal ( Solanum melongena L . ) were conducted during February 1990 to July 1991in the vegetable research plots of Kerala Agricultural University,Vellanikkara. Evaluation of F hybrids over 4 environments revealed that all the 3 hybr ids were superior to their parents for yield during all the four seasons. It also indicated significant role of genotype x environment interaction in the yielding abi l ity of the hybrids. Considering wilt resistance the hybrids were not superior to their parents. Varietal difference was observed for plant height, fruits/plant, fruit weight, fruiting period and productive flowers. Estimation of heterosis of three F^s over their parents revealed significant heterosis for plant height, days to flower, days to first fruitset, days to harvest, primary branches/plant, total fruits/plant, total yield/plant, average fruit weight and fruiting period. All the three hybr ids viz. Surya x Pant Rituraj, SM 6-6 x SM 132, SM 6-2 x Pusa Purple Cluster were stable. Study on the nature of inheritance showed that resistance to bacterial wilt is inherited in a recessive and monogenic manner.
Open Access
Effect of time of planting and growth regulators on flowering and vase life of Gerbera jamesonii
(Department of Pomology and floriculture and Landscaping, College of Horticulture,Vellanikara, 1993) Suma, P; KAU; Lila Mathew, K
Studies were carried out in the Department of pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, during 1991 – 93 to examine the effect of time of planting and growth regulators on flowering and vase life of gerbera. Four varieties, namely , Eoliet, Presley, Pritty and Sunbird and five treatments, viz., GA 50 ppm, GA 100 ppm, CCC 500 ppm, CCC 750 ppm and control, were tried. Varieties were found to have significant influence on both vegetative as well as the floral characters whereas the treatments did not have any significant effect on vegetative characters of the Gerbera cultivars in general, when evaluated in the first season. In the second season both varietal and treatment effects were not consistent. Variety Presley was found to be early flowering while Eoliet was late flowering. GA 50 ppm and GA 100 ppm hastened flowering whereas CCC 500 ppm and CCC 750 ppm delayed it. In general the longevity of flowers was maximum in varieties Eoliet and Sunbird. Variety Presley had the least longevity. Among the treatments, CCC 750 ppm and GA 50 ppm increased the longevity of flowers in field. Maximum number of blooms was produce by Presley and the minimum by Eoliet. In general GA 100 ppm and CCC 750 ppm increased the number of blooms. In general CCC 750 ppm, GA 50 ppm and GA 100 ppm had a significant positive influence on flower diameter. In general variety sunbird had the maximum stalk length and diameter, while Pritty produced the shorest stalks. CCC 500 ppm and CCC 750 ppm had the best effect on stalk length. Vase life was found to be significantly increased by GA 100 ppm and CCC 750 ppm treatments given to the plants. Five per cent sucrose + 20 ppm AgNO3 significantly increased the longevity of flowers in vase. Planting in June was found to be better than October planting with respect to vegetative as well as floral characters, especially for number of flowers and flower diameter. Among the varieties, with respect to growth and number of flowers, Presley was found to be superior. In the correlation studies flower number was found to have positive and highly significant correlation with plant height and leaf area whereas flower diameter had significant negative correlation with leaf area and stalk length. Petiole length, stalk diameter and leaf number had positive correlation with this character. Vase life had significantly positive correlation with fresh weight of flowers.
Open Access
Induction of Genetic Variability in Musa Sp. Var. Nendran By in Uitro Methods
(Department of pomology and floriculture, College of horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1993) Mini Balachandran; P.K.Valsalakumari
Investigations were carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture and Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of the All India Co-ordinated Floriculture Improvement Project, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, during 1991-93 on the induction of variability in the banana variety Nendran (Musa AAB ‘Nendran’) by in vitro methods. Explants utilized for the study were shoot tip and eye bud for direct organogenesis through enhanced release of axillary buds and shoot tip, flower base, inflorescence axis, embryonic leaves and scalp for somatic organogenesis/embryogenesis. For culture establishment, axillary shoot initiation and in vitro rooting, different growth regulators, like NAA, 2, 4-D and 2, 4, 5-T (auxins) and BA and kinetin (cytokinins) were made use of. The plantlets produced in vitro were subjected to hardening treatments to ensure a better establishment of planted out plants and their growth parameters were studied. For shoot tip and eye bud explants, a combination of treatments involving, an initial dipping of explants in emisan (0.1 per cent) for 30 minutes followed by dipping in norfloxacin (0.1 per cent) for 30 minutes followed by dipping in norfloxacin (0.1 per cent) for 30 minutes and finally rinsing the explants in mercuric chloride (0.1 per cent) for 20 minutes was found to be best, but for flower base and inflorescence axis explants, emisan (0.1 per cent) treatment for 20 minutes and for embryonic leaves, dipping in alcohol for one second were in the best. Better and speedier establishment and growth of shoot tip and eye bud explants were observed on MS (semi-solid) medium containing NAA 2 ppm + BA 5 ppm. Addition of activated charcoal (500 mg per litre) to the medium, reduced media and explant discolouration due to polyphenol oxidation. When the performance of the shoot tip and eye bud explants was compared, eye bud explants took more time for culture establishment and growth. In shoot tip culture, on an average, each explant released 8.66 axillary shoots in the treatment involving MSb*+ NAA 2 ppm + BA 10 ppm. In the case eye bud, on an average, each explant released five axillary shoots. Continuous sub culturing was carried out at two week interval to assess the variation induced to cultured plants due to repeated subculturing. It was found that, the number of shoots produced per culture was not constant in all the subcultures. Still, the axillary shoots produced per explant per culture vessel increased at the mean rate of 5.90. BA alone at higher concentration (10 ppm) resulted in colloid (globular semi-hard, light green callus like structure) formation and subsequent regeneration. MSb*: MS medium containing half concentration of inorganic salts and full concentration of organic growth factors. For in vitro rooting, MSb medium containing NAA 10 ppm and AC 0.05 per cent was found to be effective for early root initiation and the maximum number of roots per shoot was produced at the treatment involving MSa* +NAA 5 PPM+ AC 0.05 per cent. Of the various explants, viz., shoot tip, inflorescence axis, flower base, embryonic leaves and scalp(in vitro) tried for initiating collus scalp and embryonic leaves recorded maximum response. Among the media tried for callus initiation, MSb media at liquid consistency was found to be more effective. Maximum callus index (266) was recorded for the treatment combination involving 2, 4-D 7 ppm and BA I ppm. For callus differentiation the treatments involving 2, 4-D and BA, BA alone and basal MS media resulted in rhizogenesis, and treatments involving 2, 4-D alone produced embryoid like structures from scalp callus. No shoot organogenesis was observed. Also treatments were conducted with changed levels of nitrate source in the media, but they did not give any favourable results. Embryoid like bipolar structures were recovered from scalp callus when they were transferred to media devoid of growth regulators. To study the variation, if any, induced due to derail subculturing, the shoots obtained from each subculture cycle (through enhanced release of axillary buds) were isolated and their MSa* : MS medium containing full concentration of inorganic salts and organic growth factors identify maintained. The shoots thus separated were rooted and planted out after subjecting them to a process of hardening. Somatic chromosome counts were made at the root tips of plantlets from 10 subcultures to confirm the ploidy. All the plants were triploids (2n = 33). The plantlets from different subcultures were planted out in sand, which was found to be the best medium. Observations made on growth parameters, at fifteen days interval, revealed that the plants from subcultures differed significantly with respect to the rate of growth in height and leaf area.
Open Access
Performance of clonal progenies from different yield groups and in relation to size of suckers in rainfed banana musa (AAB Group) palayankodan
(Department of Pomology & Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1983) Prasanna, K P; KAU; Aravindakshan, N
Tae p resen t in v e s tig a tio n m e se r r ied c a t in the S ep erteen t e f Penology, C o lleg e e f iia r tie u ltu r e , V sllen lk ifsre from 1981 te 19<»2. The study wee aimed a t fin d in g ou t the e f f e e t e f suekare fr e e d iffe r e n t y ie ld group* end th e ir e is e en growth, d u r a tio n y ie ld end q u a lity e f f r u i t s . th e fe a r parental y ie ld groups fr e e which suckers were eeed were 5 te 7 hg9 d to 10 kg, 11 te 13 kg and 14 t e 16 k g . The e ls e e f seek ers need in the study wee 1 te 1*3 kg, 2 te 2 .5 kg end 3 te 3*5 k g . th e t r ia l wee la id s e t a s m f e e tor in i experiment in randomised bloc* d esign with twelve tr e e teen te end f iv e r e p lic a tio n s . • Seekers fr e e d iffe r e n t y ie ld groups had no e f f e e t en the morphological charactera , hut th e e ls e e f se ek ers in flu enced the a o rp h elo g lea l eh ereeta rs during the v e g e ta tiv e phase. Toward* sh e e tin g t in e , th ese differences were le v e lle d o f f . The duration e f the erep wee s ig n if ic a n t ly redueed whan the sueksr used wee larger* Meiinua duration wee t aken fey plant* rein ed fr e e euokere weighing 1 te 1 .5 k g. Y ield a ttr ib u te s v is * 9 w eight e f bunch, len g th e f buneh9 nusber e f hands per buneh9 w eight e f hend9 number e f fin g e r s per bunch, and len g th , g ir th end w eight e f fin g e r were s e t in flu en ced by the treatment*. traatsante a loo n*& m t f fM l oa toe f r u i t quality UuffMUn like to ta l aoluOla M i l l * , a c id ity , to ta l sugar, radualng sugar, noxwaduoifig auger and augur/acid ra tio *
Open Access
Effect of shade on growth and fruiting in pineapple
(Department of Pomology & Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Horticulture,Vellanikara, 1987) Radha, T; KAU; Aravindakshan, M
The present investigations were carried out in the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University during the years 1976-1979. The object of the study was to find out the effects of shading on the growth, flowering and fruiting behaviour of pineapple variety ‘kew’. The treatments consisted of four levels of shade viz., 0, 25, 50 and 75 per cent. Shading was provided by coconut leaves on erected pandals over the plants and the intensity adjusted by using an ;Aplab’ lux meter periodically. The number of leaves produced per plant was not influenced by shading. In fact the leaf area was found to increase especially at the later stages of growth under shade. Dry matter accumulation in the leaves also was not reduced considerably in shade indicating the capacity of pineapple to tolerate shade. Early, uniform and increased flowering was noticed in plants grown under shade. Percentage of flowering was maximum at 50 per cent shade which probably indicated that the shade tolerance limit of pineapple is upto 50 per cent. Ethral was found to exhibit an inhibitory effect on flowering in the case of plants grown under shade above 25 per cent intensity. Crown growth of fruits was greatly enhanced by shade treatments and therefore the contribution of crown weight to the total fruit weight was higher in the shaded plants. Fruit weight with crown was comparable in shade and in open. Developmental pattern of fruits was not found to be influenced by shade treatments. Quality of the fruits in general, was decreased by shading. The acidity increased with shade intensity while the sugar and ascorbic acid contents decreased. Nitrogen content of leaves increased by shading, during the later stages of growth. The shaded leaves also possessed higher magnesium and lower calcium contents at all stages of estimation. Chlorophyll ‘a’, ‘b’ and total contents of leaves increased as the intensity of shade increased. Destruction of chlorophyll in the leaves in the open as evidenced by the yellowish appearance of leaves was not noticed under shade. Number of suckers produced per plant was not considerably affected by shading. Suckers produced by shaded plants were more vigorous than those produced by shaded plants were more vigorous than those produced by plants grown in the open.
Open Access
Effect of pre and post -harvest treatments on storage and quality of banana cv. Nendran
(Department of Horticulture (Pomology & Floriculture and Landscaping), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Aravindakshan, K; KAU; Sivaraman Nair, P C
The present investigations were carried out in the College of Horticulture, during the year 1978-1980. The objectives were to study (i) the growth and development of banana fingers cv. Nendran and to fix optimum tine for harvest (ii) the effect of pre-harvest sprays of growth regulators on post harvest quality of the fruits (iii) the effect of different storage methods on prolonging the shelf life and (iv) to assess the efficacy of different fungicidal treatments on controlling anthraonose disease of ripened fruits. Fruit growth in rainfed ‘Nendran’ was found to be a continueous process till it reaches maximum maturity at 90 days after shooting. The length, girth, volume and weight of fingers continued to increase rapidly during early stages of growth, accounting for 90 per cent of growth by 60 days after shooting. The accumulation of dry matter and the starch took place at increasing rates during the first two month of fruit growth resulting an increase in specific gravity from 0.36 at shooting to more than one after 70 days of shooting and pulp to peel ratio from 0.32 to 1.50 on 70th day. The study showed that rainfed ‘Nandran’ can be harvested from 70 days after shooting without impairing the quality but with light reduction in quantity. The growth regulators if applied as pre-harvest sprays on 60th day after shooting increases size, weight and quality of the fruits; the maximum Increase in size and weight was resulted by the application of 2, 4-D at 10 ppm. The quality was improved by way of increased TSS, total and reducing sugars by treatments of ethrel 400 ppm, NAA 50 ppm, 100 ppm and 2, 4-D at 4 ppm and 10 ppm. Improvement in quality followed by growth regulator application was more evident in ease of 70th day harvest than the harvest at full maturity. The comparative study of different storage methods have revealed that, the polythene bag with potassium permanganate increases the storage life by 10 days, polythene bag alone by 6 days as compared to smoke treatment and open storage. Eventhough the fruits in polythene bag with and without KMnO4 showed a reduction on TSS, total and reducing sugar content, the appearanoe of the fruits were much better than that of smoked fruits and open stored fruites and the eating quality were also good. The study on the Incidence of anthracnoae disease In the storage showed that all the fungicides used at both concentration viz. anthracol at 0.05% and 0.1 % Bavistin 500 ppm and 1000 ppm; Thiride 0.1% and 0.2%| were equally effective In reducing the black spot development on ripened fruits. Though few spots were present In spite of the treatments, the quality and colour were not effected. Among the storage conditions. Polythene bag + KMnO4 showed least lncidence of the spots while It was maximum In case of smoke treatment.
Open Access
Varietal responses of scion to stone grafting in mango for commercial propagation
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1987) Radhamony, P S; KAU; Gopikumar, K
The present series of studies were carried out in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from May 1985 to December 1986 with the objective of studying the response of varieties of scion shoots with verying lengths for stone grafting in mango. Scion shoots of three different lengths viz., 6 cm, 8 cm and 10 cm collected from six vatieties of mango viz., Mulgoa, Priur, Banganappally, Mundappa, Banglore and Alphonso were used for grafting operation. Detailed anatomical studies of graft union of all the selected varieties were also conducted to find out the various stages of graft union and the possible reasons for graft failures. The results of the experiment on the response of varieties and length of scion indicated highest percentage of sprouting for the variety Benganappally with scion of lengths 8 cm and 10 cm and for Priur with scion of length 8 cm, while sprouting was poor for the variety Alphonso with scion of lengths 8 cm and 10 cm. The variety Priur recorded maximum survival with the scion of length 8 cm while the variety Mulgoa with the scion of length 6 cm recorded least survival. The experiment to find out the effect of varieties and length of scion on growth parameters revealed that the variety Mulgoa recorded maximum mean growth followed by the variety Banganappally up to 4th fortnight and that growth of scion was not influenced significantly by different lengths of scion used for grafting. The varieties had significant effect on girth of rootstock only during the initial stages of growth while girth of scion was influenced by varieties throughout the period of observations. With regard to these parameters there was no significant difference between scions of lengths 6 cm, 8 cm, and 10 cm. The maximum and minimum leaf production was noticed respectively for the varieties Banganappally and Banglora particularly during initial stages of growth. However, the use of scions with varying lengths did not reveal any significant difference with regard to this parameter. Anatomical studies of the successful grafts revealed four district stages in the healing process of graft union. Cambial bridge across the union was established 45 days after grafting and the union was completed three months after the grafting operation. In the unsuccessful grafts there was no callus formation even after 5 to 10 days of grafting. Very thick necrotic layers were to have developed in the wounded exposed surfaces of stock and scion. Irregular cut surface, wide gap between stock and scion and slow differentiation of callus were also observed. Moreover, some of the unsuccessful grafts initiated callus production only from stock side.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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