Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

19941
Reset filters
Subject: Forestry × Author: Gopakumar, S × End date: 1994 × Type: Thesis ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pheno-morphological studies of selected tree species in a tropical forest ecosystem
    (Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 1994) Gopakumar, S; KAU; Luckins Babu, C
    A pheno – morphological study was carried out in pattikad Range of Trichur Forest Division, Kerala. Two groups of ten species each, where each group represented the moist deciduous and the semi – evergreen tract, were used for the present investigations. The study was initiated in March 1993 and was continued for a calendar year upto February 1994. The study was pursued with the objectives of supplementing information on the different phonological cycles of the commonly found species of this forest area. Along with this, the important macromorphological features of these trees were noted. An attempt was also done to understand the tree architectural principles of these species. The pattering of the phonological events like flowering, fruiting, leaf fall and leaf flushing, no doubt, are partly under endogenous control. However, in general, the timing of these life cycle events were noticed to follow a climatic cue. The deciduous habit exhibited by the study species during the dry weather had an ecological significance, because it strongly helped the trees to tide over the moisture limiting summer months. Likewise, dry season flower and fruit production shown by the species might be a part of a much complex adaptive strategy developed by these species through the course of competitive evolution. Apart from these climatic triggers, there exists possibilities of several, other external stimuli, that might have favoured these important seasonal cycles. However, the cardinal factor effecting these events would be the climatic factors, through its direct and indirect influences on the physiological mechanisms of these woody plants. Regarding tree architecture, it was noted that all the species build up through a progressive duplication of their basic architectural units. This architectural metamorphosis continued from seedling stage upto the death of the tree. Branch production and initiation of sexuality were intermediate events. However, the free expression of the architecture was found drastically affected, possibly due to the different stresses that perennial woody species encounters in its long life span.