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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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2004 - 20055
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Subject: Forestry × Author: KAU × End date: 2005 × Start date: 2004 × Type: Thesis ×
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Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Wood property profile of rosewood (dalbergia latifolia roxb.) ceylon rosewood (albizia odoratissima (Linn.F) Benth.) and raintree(Samanea saman (jacq.) Merr.)
    (Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding,College of forestry, Vellanikkara, 2005) Vinay Kumar, Sahu; KAU; Gopakumar, S
    In the state of Kerala, heartwoods of lesser known timber species viz., Albizia odoratissima (Ceylon rosewood) and Samanea saman (rain tree) are allegedly being used as “substitutes” and “adulterants” for making furniture of Dalbergia. latifolia (Indian rosewood) mainly due to their similar wood colour. As this spurious practice has serious implication in timber trade, a study was undertaken to profile the selected wood properties of all these three species to highlight their similarities and differences. The study involved analyzing selected physical, mechanical, anatomical and biochemical properties of A. odoratissima and S. saman and comparing it with the wood properties of D. latifolia as available from relevant literatures. Variations of higher magnitude were noted between the three species for some wood properties, and with respect to few other properties, the differences were lesser. Significant variations were also observed between tissue types viz., sapwood and heartwood for some wood properties. Heartwood tissue types of S. saman and D. latifolia displayed high calorific value, where as, for A. odoratissima both tissue types (sapwood and heartwood) exhibited medium calorific value. The physical properties of the heartwood of A. odoratissima were observed to be higher than that of D. latifolia. S. saman possessed lower values for the physical properties as compared to D. latifolia. Basic specific gravity, radial and volumetric shrinkages (green to oven dry) were considerably different for all the three species. Generally, for both Ceylon rosewood and rain tree tangential shrinkage was higher than radial shrinkage for both the tissue types. Mechanical properties of A. odoratissima were superior to D. latifolia and S. saman, except modulus of elasticity in compression parallel to grain. On the other hand mechanical properties of S. saman were closer to D. latifolia. Measure of fibre stress at limit of proportionality and modulus of elasticity in static bending and modulus of elasticity in compression parallel to grain are considerably different for the three species. In A. odoratissima and S. saman, the mechanical properties of sapwoods varied non significantly with the strength properties of heartwoods. S. saman exhibited superior strength properties for heartwood over its sapwood. Vessel diameter, distribution of parenchyma and ray height can be used to differentiate the three species. In all the species, along the radial axis from pith towards periphery, the vessel diameter, ray height, ray width increased along the region of heart wood. Likewise, ray frequency, and vessel frequency decreased along radial axis in heartwood region. Average vessel diameter, ray height and ray width of sapwoods were greater than that of the heartwoods. Lignin, cellulose and holocellulose percent of A. odoratissima and S. saman were significantly greater than D. latifolia. Higher lignin, cellulose and holocellulose content are responsible for the higher strength properties of A. odoratissima. Methanol-acetone extracts of heartwood of D. latifolia exhibits specific peak wavelengths under spectrometric analysis, which are not found in the other two species. Phenolic compounds were observed to influence some of the physical properties.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Morphological and anatomical properties of teak seedlings as influenced by nursery techniques
    (Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 2004) Girija Pushpom, R P; KAU; Anoop, E V
    An experiment was carried out at College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara with the objective to evaluate the best nutrient levels and sowing treatments required for the production of good quality stumps based on anatomical properties of the seedlings with particular reference to wood formation due to cambial activity. The different nutrient and sowing methods were randomly allocated following completely randomized design. From the experiment, it was found that the best nutrient and sowing method combinations were N2S3 (cowdung 0.4 kg/rrr' and neem cake 0.2 kg/rn ' with spacing of 12 cm x 12 cm between seeds). In terms of biometric characters and biomass characteristics of seedlings it was also found that in quick growing seedlings, vessel diameter was large and vessel frequency was less. Collar girth was positively related with ring width and negative related with vessel frequency. Comparing the performance of nursery raised seedlings with root trainer raised seedlings it was found that the growth characteristics as well as the anatomical properties were inferior for root trainer raised seedlings. In the present study it was found that the best quality teak stumps could be produced by intensive cultural practices. Intensive management of nursery seedlings could produce VlgOurOUS seedlings and thereby it could produce good quality stumps in less time. Results of the present study showed that traditional system of production of teak stumps were efficient By imposing superior nutrient and sowing methods good quality, vigorous stumps can be produced to meet the immediate plantation requirements within a short period.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of soil moisture regimes and stage of host introduction on seedling growth of sandal provenances
    (Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2004) Vijayakumar, J Hiremath; KAU; Ashokan, P K
    The influence of soil moisture regimes and stage of host introduction on seedling growth of sandal provenances was investigated in a pot culture experiment at the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara. Two provenances in the South India, Shimoga (Karnataka) and Marayoor (Kerala) were selected for this study. The results showed that the seedlings of Marayoor provenance were taller and having a higher collar diameter as compared to seedlings of Shimoga provenances. The stage of introduction of host did not have any effect on the growth of sandal seedlings. The seedlings where the host was introduced at the time of planting sandal had comparatively higher total chlorophyll in both the provenances as compared to seedlings where the host was introduced three and six months after planting sandal. Highest Nitrogen and Calcium content was observed in Marayoor provenance when the host was introduced at the time of planting sandal, whereas the P content was higher in both the provenances where the host was introduced at the time of planting sandal. The parameters like seedling height, collar diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, dry matter and chlorophyll content decreased due to water stress. The haustorial connections were found only at 300 days after planting sandal. The seedlings of Marayoor 'provenance recorded lower pre-dawn water potential as compared to seedlings of Shimoga provenance. Introducing host at the time of planting sandal or three months after planting sandal, in Marayoor provenance resulted in higher plant water potential. The leaf diffusive resistance was relatively high in Marayoor provenance when the host was introduced at the time of planting sandal. The leaf diffusive resistance was high in water stressed plants. As the haustorial connections were found only at 300 days after planting sandal, it can be concluded that the host need to be planted only six to nine months after planting sandal. This will avoid the early competition between sandal and host. Fast growing pot host during the early phase of its growth may suppress sandal by competition.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Diversity of bats in Peechi-Vazhani wildlife sanctuary, Western ghats, Kerala
    (Department of Wildlife Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2005) Radhakrishnan, S R; KAU; Nameer, P O
    Bats though constitute the largest mammalian order in India; very little studies have been done on them. This has resulted in a gap in our knowledge about the very basic information about the distribution pattern and status of these mammals. This is true for the bats of Kerala also. The present study to generate information on diversity of bats in Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary was carried out during the period May 2002 to April 2003. A total of 384 mist net hours were spent, out of which 307 mist net hours in moist deciduous and 77 mist net hours in evergreen habitats, in accordance with the proportional area under the two habitats in the sanctuary. The result of the study revealed that during the study period a total of 184 individuals of bats were collected through mist netting from Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary. 18 bat species belonging to four families were obtained. This constitutes about 58.07 per cent of the bat species in Kerala and 15.93 per cent of the total bat species in India. The bat families identified were Pteropodidae, Megadermatidae, Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae. All the four species of the Kerala fruit bats (Pteropodidae) were recorded from Peechi-Vazahni Wildlife Sanctuary. So also, both the species of the False Vampire bats (Megadermatidae) present in Kerala were also obtained from the study area. Of the other families maximum number of species (seven) was obtained for Vespertilionidae followed by Rhinolophidae (five). Out of the twenty locations selected for the study, Cynopterus sphinx and Rhinolophus rouxii were found in nine locations each. Maximum number of species representing all the four families was recorded during the present study from premises of Peechi dam (eight) which is a moist deciduous area. Maximum numbers of individuals were obtained from another moist deciduous habitat, Thamaravellachal and were belonging to three different families. The species obtained were Cynopterus sphinx (Pteropodiade), Rhinolophus rouxii (Rhinolophidae), Rhinolophus fulvus (Rhinolophidae) and Megaderma spasma (Megadermatidae). Cynopterus sphinx was found to be the most abundant species in the Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary followed by Rhinolophus rouxii, Megaderma spasma, Hipposideros speoris and Rousettus leschenaulti. The bat species Pipistrellus ceylonicus, Pipistrellus affinis, Pipistrellus coromandra, and Kerivoula picta were showing the minimum abundance (1). The analysis of the data revealed that there is no significant variation in bat diversity between the two habitats in Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary. Even though there was no significant difference between the two habitats, a close perusal of the data showed that maximum number of species was obtained from moist-deciduous habitat (15). Moist deciduous habitat recorded 166 individuals. Evergreen habitat recorded 18 individuals in six species. Among the 18 species recorded from the sanctuary, Pipistrellus affinis and Rhinolophus rouxii are near threatened species as per the IUCN criteria. The remaining sixteen species are coming under the category least concern. Rhinolophus rouxii is the second most abundant species in the sanctuary. Hipposideros speoris is endemic to south Asia. Small mammals with smaller area requirements would have been the last one to be affected due to the changes in the landscape and habitat degradation. Smaller mammals are susceptible to the alterations in the habitat and thus could be a good indicator of the habitat health. The development of comprehensive inventories of key vertebrate taxa such as bats derived from a combination of several standardized sampling procedures is essential to develop meaningful, conservation oriented plans for land use and management for protected areas. Conservation strategies may be improved if information on species abundance pattern is taken into account.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Litter production and decomposition studies in selected species of acacia
    (Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2004) Suhyb, P G; KAU; Vidyasagaran K
    An experiment was conducted at College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period from 1999-2001 to study the litter production, nutrient return, litter decomposition and nutrient release pattern of three species of acacia viz., Acacia mangium Wild., Acacia aulacocarpa A. Cunn. ex Benth. and Acacia crassicarpa A. Cunn. ex Benth. Litter fall of the three species followed a monomodal distribution pattern with a distinct peak in December for the three species. Nutrient return through different components of litter indicated that for the three species, leaf litter returned maximum quantity of all nutrients. The three species returned maximum amount of nitrogen when compared to potassium and phosphorus. A characteristic biphasic pattern of biomass decomposition was observed with a rapid initial phase followed by slow latter phase. Negative linear relationship between lignin concentration and rate of mass loss was evident for the three species in two study situations. Only a poor correlation between weather parameters and rate of decomposition was observed. Fluctuation in the nitrogen and phosphorous concentration of residual mass of the three species under different study situation was evident during the course of study. Potassium concentration for different species under various study situations was found to decline drastically during different months. The nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium mineralisation pattern of the three species of acacia under two study situations showed a best fit with the second order hyperbolic function.