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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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20151
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Subject: Forestry × Author: Ajeesh, R × Start date: 1980 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Harnessing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for quality seedling stock production of Tectona grandis Linn. and Swietenia macrophylla King
    (College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2015) Ajeesh, R; KAU; Santhoshkumar, A V
    A study was conducted to find efficacy of three native species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on Tectona grandis Linn. and Swietenia macrophylla King. at Tree nursery, College of Forestry, Vellanikara, Thrissur, Kerala during 2013-2015. The study assessed the impact of inoculation of selected AMF on growth and quality of seedlings. The native AMF species (Funelliformis mosseae, Glomus intradices, Glomus proliferum) at different levels (10, 20 and 50 g inoculum per seedling) were applied on the seedlings raised in polythene bags. The experiment was laid out in a factorial RBD with control. Seedlings raised in the presence of AMF showed a significant difference in plant growth and quality over those grown in the absence of AMF. The extent of growth and quality enhancement differed among AMF species and levels of inoculation. In general, mycorrhizal symbiosis significantly improved plant growth performance, such as plant height, stem diameter, shoot, root or total dry weight. Mycorrhizal colonization of seedlings ranged from 17.3 per cent to 56.3 per cent in S. macrophylla and 15.0 per cent to 36.0 per cent in T. grandis. The growth observations like LAR, LWR, LAD, SLA, SLW, AGR, RGR and NAR showed a significant difference among the treatments in S. macrophylla and T. grandis seedlings. With a few exceptions, seedling growth observations and physiological parameters improved with AMF inoculation. Mycorrhizal inoculations significantly influenced chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, plant water potential, stomatal conductance, relative water content and leaf temperature in S. macrophylla seedlings. In case of T. grandis seedlings, chlorophyll content, leaf temperature and relative water content were influenced by AMF inoculation. While photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and plant water potential were not influenced by AMF. The Mycorrhizal Efficiency Index (MEI) in S. macrophylla was 66.43 per cent for F. mosseae at higher level (50 g inoculum), while in T. grandis MUE was 89.23 per cent on G. proliferum at higher level (50 g inoculum). Root colonization per cent at lower level (10 g inoculum) was found to range from 15.00 to 24.33 per cent in case of S. macrophylla, while it ranged from 34.33 to 55.67 per cent at higher level (50 g inoculums) of inoculation. In T. grandis, at lower level (10 g inoculum) root colonization was found to range from 17.33 to 33.33 per cent, while it ranged from 22.67 to 56.33 per cent at higher level (50 g inoculum) of inoculation. By looking at overall parameters studied, it can be concluded that F. mosseae at 50 g of inoculum at the time of transplanting @ 10 spores /g confers maximum growth and seedling quality benefits in nursery as compared to all other fungi used in for S. macrophylla. Seedlings of T. grandis with G. proliferum at 50 g inoculums performed better in nursery. This technology has the potential to reduce the nursery period and increase in quality of seedlings produced resulting in considerable economic gains.