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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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20152
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Subject: Forestry × Author: KAU × Author: Muhammed, Iqbal A × End date: 2020 × Start date: 2010 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Diversity and distribution of polypores in the moist deciduous forests of Peechi-Vazhani wildlife sanctuary, Kerala
    (Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2015) Muhammed, Iqbal A; KAU; Vidyasagaran, K
    The study entitled “Diversity and distribution of polypores in the moist deciduous forests of Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala” was carried out with the objectives to find out the diversity, distribution and host preference of polypores in the moist deciduous forests of Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary during three different seasons. An attempt has also been made to find out the effect of substrate features like diameter, type and decay class on the diversity and abundance of polypores. Three fixed size permanent sample plots of 100 m×100 m were established in three different locations and these permanent plots were enumerated during three different seasons to collect information on influence of seasonal fluctuation in fruitbody production and details on substratum. Apart from the plot based sampling, opportunistic sampling method was also adopted to maximize the documentation of polypore fungal diversity and distribution. A total of thirty six species were recorded from the sanctuary and among this Pycnoporus cinnabarinus and Datronia mollis were the first report from South India. Out of this, white rot fungi contributed 94.44 per cent and 5.56 per cent were brown rot fungi. The density and frequency of occurrence have been varied significantly during different seasons and the community structure and species composition during monsoon and post monsoon season were distinct from pre-monsoon season. However, fungal diversity analysis showed that species richness was higher during monsoon season and revealed the influence of seasonal variation on fungal diversity. The high species similarity was observed between monsoon and post monsoon season compared to pre-monsoon and monsoon. A total of 17 host tree species were identified in ten different families and Terminalia paniculata was found to be highly preferred by polypores. Polypores like Fulvifomes nilgheriensis and Fuscoporia senex were found to be host specific and were found only on Xylia xylocarpa. The maximum fungal density has been recorded in host trees with 21-<30 cm diameter class. Among the substrate types, maximum number of individuals was observed on trunk and living trees supported only very few polypores. The newly emerged species during monsoon season showed more association with decay class 2 and the decay class association of some species remained unchanged during all the seasons. The conceptual framework on primary ecological strategy revealed that polypores exhibits ruderal, combative and stress tolerant behaviours. The present study concluded that the diversity and distribution of polypores are determined by seasonal fluctuations and substrate features.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Diversity and distribution of polypores in the moist deciduous forests of Peechi-Vazhani wildlife sanctuary, Kerala
    (College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2015) Muhammed, Iqbal A; KAU; Vidyasagaran, K
    The study entitled “Diversity and distribution of polypores in the moist deciduous forests of Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala” was carried out with the objectives to find out the diversity, distribution and host preference of polypores in the moist deciduous forests of Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary during three different seasons. An attempt has also been made to find out the effect of substrate features like diameter, type and decay class on the diversity and abundance of polypores. Three fixed size permanent sample plots of 100 m×100 m were established in three different locations and these permanent plots were enumerated during three different seasons to collect information on influence of seasonal fluctuation in fruitbody production and details on substratum. Apart from the plot based sampling, opportunistic sampling method was also adopted to maximize the documentation of polypore fungal diversity and distribution. A total of thirty six species were recorded from the sanctuary and among this Pycnoporus cinnabarinus and Datronia mollis were the first report from South India. Out of this, white rot fungi contributed 94.44 per cent and 5.56 per cent were brown rot fungi. The density and frequency of occurrence have been varied significantly during different seasons and the community structure and species composition during monsoon and post monsoon season were distinct from pre-monsoon season. However, fungal diversity analysis showed that species richness was higher during monsoon season and revealed the influence of seasonal variation on fungal diversity. The high species similarity was observed between monsoon and post monsoon season compared to pre-monsoon and monsoon. A total of 17 host tree species were identified in ten different families and Terminalia paniculata was found to be highly preferred by polypores. Polypores like Fulvifomes nilgheriensis and Fuscoporia senex were found to be host specific and were found only on Xylia xylocarpa. The maximum fungal density has been recorded in host trees with 21-<30 cm diameter class. Among the substrate types, maximum number of individuals was observed on trunk and living trees supported only very few polypores. The newly emerged species during monsoon season showed more association with decay class 2 and the decay class association of some species remained unchanged during all the seasons. The conceptual framework on primary ecological strategy revealed that polypores exhibits ruderal, combative and stress tolerant behaviours. The present study concluded that the diversity and distribution of polypores are determined by seasonal fluctuations and substrate features.