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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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19932
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Subject: Forestry × Author: KAU × End date: 1993 × Start date: 1993 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Biomass production and resource partitioning in silvi-pastoral systems
    (College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 1993) Suman Jacob, George; KAU; Mohankumar, B
    A randomized block design experiment involving factorial combinations of four fodder species : Pennisetum purpureum (hybrid napier), Brachiaria ruziziensis (congo signal), Panicum maximum (guinea grass) and Zea Mexicana (Teosinte) and four tree species (Leucaena leucocephala, Casuarina equisetifolia, Acacia auriculiformis and Ailanthus triphysa initiated in June 1988 was used for the present investigations. The study was pursued with the objective of quantifying the biomass production potential of selected forage species grown in association with tree components after canopy closure, comparing the productivity of different tree components grown in silvopastoral systems; characterizing the micro-site enrichment and nutrient cycling aspects of silvopastoral systems, analysis the partitioning of solar radiation among the different components of the system and elucidate influence regarding the nature of root interactions in silvopastoral systems. The tree attributes such as biomass, height, DBH and crown diameter were in the order acasia > leucaena>casuarinas>ailanthus and the fodder biomasses were in the order hybrid napier> guinea grass > congo signal>teosinte. The concentration of N,P and K in the above ground portion decreased in the order: leaves >Branches >bole. The N-fixing trees, in general, had lower nutrient – use efficiencies. Amount of photosynthetically active radiation interception by the tree canopy was a cardinal factor effecting the herbage yield a direct correspondence was lacking. All the three N-fixing species had markedly higher soil nitrogen status. Soil organic matter, K and P were also higher under the tree canopy. Recovery pattern of 32p isotope injected in the soil revealed that 65 to 85 percent of the fine roots responsible for water and nutrient absorption were concentrated in the 0-15 cms layer of the soil profile. However, 32P recovery from the tree monocultures was generally low suggesting stimulatory effect of nutrient absorption by trees in presence of an associated field crop. The rate of litterfall amount of detritus produced ranged from 1.92 Mg ha-1 yr-1 (ailanthus) to 6.2 Mg ha-1 yr-1 (acacia). Relatively lower contents of nitrogen and phosphorus in the litter recorded during the dry period (March-April). Regarding the inter – specific variations with regards to litter decomposition rates, casuarina and leucaena litter decomposed at a faster rate than acacia and leucaena. The nitrogen and phosphorous contents of the decomposing litter increased during the one – year decay period for all the species. Although widely accepted and yield initial N, lignin or initial lignin/nitrogen could not be directly related to decay rate coefficients in the present study.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Ecophysiological studies in disturbed forest ecosystem: a case study at Pattikkad
    (College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 1993) Nameer, P O; KAU; Asokan, P K
    Moist deciduous forests of Kerala are prone to comparatively more biotic interference, as it occupies a buffer zone between human population and evergreen forests. An investigation was carried out at Pattikkad range of Peechi- Vazhani wildlife Sanctuary, in Trichur Forest Division, Kerala. The objectives of the present study were to understand the floristic, structural, functional, physiological, edaphic and micrometeorological changes accompanying degradation. Three experimental plots namely highly disturbed ( PATK – BT), partially disturbed (PATK – MD) and more less undisturbed (PATK – TP) were identified taking into consideration the proximity to human settlement. Each plot had a size of 10000 m2 and were subdivided into quadrats having 100 m2 each and observations on frequency, density, basal area, Importance Value Index (IVI), diversity indices, height – diameter relationships, regeneration pattern, litter quantification, litter decomposition, phenology, leaf area, leaf area index, light infiltration, physic-chemical properties of soil, soil moisture and soil temperature were recorded at periodic intervals for an year. The results indicate that the moist deciduous forest tend to become a semi – evergreen forest it left undisturbed for several years. The undisturbed (PATK – TP) plot recorded maximum density (882), in 143 species (48 families) whereas the density is only 154 in the highly disturbed (PATK – BT) plot. The number of species at PATK – BT is only 31 (19 families). The species diversity is also very high in the undisturbed plot (Simpson’s index = 0.97 ; Shanon –Weiner’s index = 5.97) whereas the Simpson’s index and Shannon – Weiner’s index are 0.92 and 4.16 respectively for PATK – BT. The height – diameter relationship clearly show that the set of the future is more or less absent in the disturbed plots. The regeneration survey reveals that the regenerating community is sparse in the disturbed plots. While the disturbed plots (PATK – BT and PATK – MD) had 3825 and 5045 seedlings per hectare the undisturbed (PATK – TP) plot had 26,500 seedlings per hectare. The litter production was found to be positively correlated with basal area. The rate of litterfall ranged from 6.14 t ha-1 to 8.66 t ha-1 in the moist deciduous forests. The decay rate was fastest in the disturbed (PATK – BT) plot (‘K’ value = 0.26) and slowest in the undisturbed (PATK – TP) plot (‘K’ value = 0.17). The light infiltration to the forest floor was maximum in the highly disturbed (PATK – TP) plot (44.42 mol m-2 s-1 ). The PATK – TP had a leaf area index of 4.04 and that of PATK BT was only 1.06 While most of the leaves in the undisturbed plot belonged to notophyllous (leaf size = 20.25 cm2 to 45.00 cm2 ) type of leaves, that of distributed plots were mesophyllous (leaf size = 45.00 cm2 to 182.25 cm2 ). The physic – chemical properties of the soil were better in the undisturbed plot when compared to the disturbed plots. The gravel content was 23 to 33 per cent at PATK – BT whereas it was 22 to 23 per cent at PATK – TP. Soil was more acidic (pH 5.51 to 5.57 ) at PATK – TP, whereas at PATK – BT the pH varied from 6.13 to 6.14. The organic carbon at undisturbed (PATK – TP) plot ranged between 1.4 to 3 per cent while in the highly disturbed (PATK – BT) plot ranged from 0.9 to 2 per cent. N, P and K also followed a similar pattern. The soil moisture was always maximum in the undisturbed (PATK –TP) plot. The soil moisture varied between 14 per cent (March) to 50 percent (July). The soil moisture at the highly disturbed (PATK – BT) plot was always the minimum. The values varied between 3 per cent (March) to 30 per cent (July). The undisturbed (PATK – TP) plot consistently recorded minimum soil temperature throughout the year when compared to the disturbed plots. The values varied between 220 C (July) to 280 C (April). Whereas in the highly disturbed (PATK – BT) plot the soil temperature was always high. The soil temperature recorded at PATK – BT ranged between 250 C (July) to 360 C (April).