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

20083
Reset filters
Subject: Forestry × Author: KAU × End date: 2008 × Start date: 2008 × Type: Thesis ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of host, light and mineral nutrition on the growth of sandal seedlings ( santalum album L)
    (Department Of Tree physiology & Breeding,Co Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2008) Samom, Khelen Singh; KAU; Santhoshkumar, A V
    Studies on the effects of light quality, quantity and nutrient deficiency on the growth of sandal seedlings were conducted in College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the year 2006-2008. Radioisotopic study to understand the transfer of photosynthates from the host plants to sandal seedlings and anatomical studies of sandal haustoria were also taken up during the investigation. Sandal seedlings had better shoot growth parameters (viz. shoot length, collar diameter and leaf number), root growth parameters (viz. root length and number of secondary roots), biomass production and chlorophyll content under shaded condition and green light quality when different light qualities and quantities are taken into consideration individually. Sandal seedlings also had better rate of photosynthesis under shaded condition. As far as different light qualities are concerned, rate of photosynthesis was better under red and green light qualities. Generally, the combination of 50 per cent shade and green light quality was found to give the maximum values of different growth parameters and chlorophyll content in leaves of sandal seedlings. The combinations of 50 per cent shade and red light quality and 25 per cent shade and blue light quality were found to be the best with regard to rate of photosynthesis in sandal seedlings at the end of the study period Characteristic deficiency symptoms produced by seedlings due to deficiency of N, P and K include yellowing of older leaf tips, formation of brown spots in leaves and change in leaf colouration, curling of leaves and stunting of growth. The seedlings that received complete nutrient solution were healthy with dark green foliage. Vegetative growth of the seedlings was also found to be affected due to the nutrient stress. Nitrogen deficient seedlings showed a decline in all the fractions of chlorophyll during the study period. Visual deficiency symptoms of the nutrient elements also coincided with a corresponding reduction in foliar levels of the concerned element. Radioisotopic study showed that transfer of photosynthates takes place from the host plants to sandal seedlings and the amount of transfer varies from one host species to another host species. Anatomical studies showed that sandal roots can establish close vascular connections with host roots through haustoria.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of tree species for growth, wood properties and leaf nutrient content
    (Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2008) Harsha, T Hegde; KAU; Gopikumar, K
    The present study was conducted in the College of Forestry, Kera1a Agricultural University, Vellanikkara to evaluate the growth performance, biomass production, wood properties and leaf nutrient content of the selected tree species grown in the arboretum during the period 2006 to 2008. The species selected for the study includes Adenanthera pavonina, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Bridelia retusa, Ceiba pentandra, Hydnocarpus wightiana, Hymenodictyon excelsum, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Pterocarpus santalinus, Samadera indica and Tectona grandis. Data related to growth measurements from 1992 to 2006 have been collected from the college department. The results revealed that the species like Tectona grandis, Ceiba pentandra and Artocarpus heterophyllus were fast growing in terms of height and girth while Samadera indica as slow growing. Peltophorum pterocarpum produced highest number of branches. The spread was the maximum for Artocarpus heterophyllus followed by Adenanthera pavonina. During the end of the study in 2008, maximum volume increment was recorded by Ceiba pentandra while the lowest was for Samadera indica. The total biomass production was found to be the maximum for Ceiba pentandra in terms of fresh and Adenanthera pavonina in terms of dry weight while the lowest total biomass was produced by Pterocarpus santalinus in terms of both fresh and dry weights. Trunk accounted for maximum biomass production followed by branches. The contribution of trunk was followed by branches in all the tree species except Ceiba pentandra where the dry weight of leaves was more than that of branches. Adenanthera pavonina, Tectona grandis and Pterocarpus santalinus produced more heartwood percentage compared to other species. Sapwood percentage recorded was the maximum for Samadera indica. Pterocarpus santalinus, Hydnocarpus wightiana and Ceiba pentandra were having high calorific values and hence could be used for fuel wood purpose also. Specific gravity was found to be the maximum for Samadera indica and minimum for Pterocarpus santalinus. Leaf tissue nitrogen content was significantly highest in Adenanthera pavonina followed by Pterocarpus santalinus. The phosphorus content was found to be the maximum in Artocarpus heterophyllus while minimum in Ceiba pentandra. Leaves of Tectona grandis recorded the maximum content of potassium while the lowest was for Artocarpus heterophyllus. The present series of investigations indicate the scope of selecting fast growing tree species with high biomass production, better wood qualities and high foliage nutrient content for distribution to farmers for social/agroforestry and even for general afforestation programmes.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Floral biology and seed technological aspects of jatropha curcas Linn.
    (Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2008) Puttaswamy, H; KAU; Gopakumar, S
    The present study entitled “Floral biology and seed technological aspects of Jatropha curcas Linn.” was carried out in College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period of 2006-2007. The plant displayed phenological cycle twice a year for all periodical events viz., leaf shedding, leaf flushing, flowering and fruiting. However, the duration of each stage was high in second season as it coincided with rainy season. Fruiting appeared from 4th week of May to 1st week of July in first season and from 2nd week of October to 3rd week of November in second season. The inflorescence is monoecious with protandry and is racemose with dichasial cyme pattern. The average number of male flowers and female flowers per inflorescence were 136.4 ± 10.82 and 8 ± 0.71 respectively. The inflorescence is having two tiers viz., large tier and small tier. The average length and spread were recorded as 7.624 ± 0.84 cm and 6.373 ± 0.55 cm in large tier, and 6.101 ± 0.99 cm and 4.357 ± 0.36 cm in small tier respectively. In an average, inflorescence has taken 18.9 ± 0.67 days for its development from visual stage of initiation and the time taken for the full bloom of inflorescence was 14.2 ± 0.75 days. The male flower is greenish white, odourless and salvar shaped. Flower is actinomorphic and incomplete. The sepals and petals are five (pentamerous) and free. The sepals are arranged in imbricate aestivation. The petals are valvate and connitent at the flower base forming a short tube. Stamens are ten, diadelphous, arranged in two tiers of five each. The outer tier is free, while the inner tier is united. The anthers are yellow, dithecous and dorsifixed. The pollen grains are yellow, globular and inaperturate. Female flower is quite similar to the male flower in shape, color and slightly fragrant, but is relatively larger. Sepals and petals are same as male flower. The styles and stigmas are both three and free. The stigmas are green, darker than petals and are bifid. The ovary is tricarpellary, united, one ovule in each chamber arranged in axile placentation. The floral base is villose, and contains five elliptical glands under the ovary. Anthesis started from 06.50 am and lasted up to 11.50 am. Anthers dehisced at a mean time of 1.28 h after flower opening. The stigma attained receptivity between 01.20 pm to 2.25 pm and remained so for 2-3 days. The estimated average number of pollen grains per flower was 1601 ± 70. The pollen exhibited 91.06 ± 2.42 per cent fertility. In open pollination, the percentage of fruit set was 4.95 (highest among different modes) in relation to total number of flower buds established. The flowers exhibited both entomophilous way of pollination and wind pollination. Honeybees (Apis indica, A. dorsata, and A. florae) were observed as the predominant insect pollinators. The fruit attained yellow to brown colour at 16 to 19 days after fruit set. The average maximum length (33.23 mm) and diameter (29.17 mm) were recorded in greenish yellow coloured fruit followed by yellow coloured fruit with 31.97 mm length and 28.47 mm diameter. The flower drop in inflorescence was 94.01 per cent and only 3.99 per cent of flowers set in to fruits. Hundred per cent germination was obtained for the seeds collected from yellow coloured fruits, followed by 96.67 per cent germination from seeds of brown coloured fruits. The least germination percentage (80%) was obtained from seeds of black coloured fruits. The maximum seed length (21.54 mm) and diameter (10.71 mm) were recorded in greenish yellow coloured fruits. The average moisture content and density of seed were noted as 13.39 per cent and 0.814 g/cc respectively. The crude oil extracted from the seed was 37.5 per cent. The seed contained protein - 14.58 per cent (kernel-12.26%, shell-2.32%), carbohydrate - 14.58 per cent (kernel-10.43%, shell-1.95%) and free fatty acid – 9.5 per cent (kernel-8.54, shell-0.96).