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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: Forestry × Author: Arun, Gupta × End date: 2008 × Start date: 2000 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Screening of tree species for growth behaviour, biomass and wood properties
    (Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2006) Arun, Gupta; KAU; Gopikumar, K
    The present study was conducted in College of Forestry, Kera1a Agricultural University, Vellanikkara to evaluate the growth performance, biomass production, physical properties of wood and leaf nutrients of selected tree species grown in the arboretum during the period 2004-2006. A total of ten species were included in the study with an objective of screening the promising species for their further multiplication in the college nursery on large scale for distribution to farmers for farm/agro forestry and general afforestation programme. The results revealed that among the species studied, species like Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia bellerica, Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia mangium were found fast growing in terms of height and girth. Grevellia robusta, Artocarpus hirsutus etc. showed lowest increment in height and girth. Artocarpus hirsutus produced highest number of branches followed by Grevellia robusta. Number of branches did not differ significantly among other species. The total biomass production was found to be maximum for Terminalia tomentosa while the lowest total biomass was produced by Swietenia macrophylla in terms of both fresh and dry weight. The least dry weight for trunk was also recorded for Swietenia macrophylla followed by Artocarpus hirsutus. Trunk accounted for maximum biomass production followed by branches. The contribution of trunk was followed by branches in all the tree species except Grevellia robusta and Terminalia bellerica where the dry weight of twigs was more than that of branches. Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis produced more heartwood compared to other species. Acacia mangium, Acacia auriculiformis and Swietenia macrophylla could be used for small timber purpose as they showed higher heartwood - sapwood percentage ratio. Swietenia macrophylla recorded maximum bark percentage closely followed by Terminalia tomentosa. Terminalia bellerica, Artocarpus hirsutus and Acacia auriculiformis, were having high calorific values and hence could be used for fuel wood purpose also. Specific gravity was found to be maximum for Swietenia macrophylla and minimum for Terminalia bellerica. Leaf tissue nitrogen content was significantly highest in Ailanthus triphysa followed by Acacia mangium and Xylia xylocarpa. The phosphorus content was found to be maximum in Ailanthus while potassium in Tectona grandis. Leaves of Xylia xylocarpa were found to record minimum content of phosphorus and potassium.