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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Wood property profiling of coconut palms grown in different agro-climatic zones of Thrissur District, Kerala
    (Department of Wood Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2017) Alex, K George; KAU; Anoop, E V
    Wood anatomical, physical and mechanical properties of samples collected from 51 coconut palms belonging to three age groups viz., 15-25 years (young), 35- 45 years (mature) and 55-65 years (over mature), grown in three agro-climatic zones (Malayoram, Central midland and Coastal sandy) of Thrissur district, Kerala were profiled in this study. Dermal, sub-dermal and core wood from each sample were used for assessing physical and anatomical properties and samples of density above 650 kg m -3 were selected for profiling mechanical properties. Nested analysis of variance was carried out to analyse the variation in coconut palm wood properties due to location, age and radial position. Most of the physical, anatomical and mechanical properties did not vary significantly across agro-climatic zones and age groups. However, across age groups, basic density, vascular bundle percentage, fibre lumen diameter, fibre wall thickness and compression parallel to grain (maximum load and compressive stress at maximum load) were found to vary significantly. Along the radial positions there was significant difference in physical and anatomical properties. Basic density, being highly positively correlated with mechanical and anatomical properties, estimation of density can be used as a key to determine end use under field conditions for potential utilization at the industrial level.