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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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ThesisItem Open Access Provenance evaluation of acacia mangium wild for growth and wood traits(Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 2015) Ringyao, Jajo; KAU; Santhoshkumar, A VA provenance evaluation of A. mangium was conducted in 14 year old plantation at Livestock Research Station, Thiruvazhamkunnu, to understand the variation in growth and wood traits among the provenances. Ten provenances and one local seed source was used for the trial. The provenances had high survival percentage (77.44%), but did not differ significantly between provenances. Significant differences between provenances were found in tree height, while they were on par for DBH, volume, tree form and branching habit. The provenances of Kuranda, Arufi Village, Upper Aramia, Oriomo, Balimo and Binaturi were taller than the rest. Heritability of growth attributes was highest for height (63%). Morphometric traits of seeds were found to be significantly different between the provenances. Arufi Village provenance was found to be better than the other provenances for the traits. Seed weight and seed width were found to be strongly correlated with seedling height. Variation in germination energy, germination value and germination period were also significantly different between provenances. Lake Murray provenances showed the best performance in most of the parameters studied for germination. No significant differences between provenances were observed for germination capacity. Germination parameters are under moderate to high genetic control. Significant differences were noticed among the progenies of the provenances in height, while they did not differ in terms of collar girth and RGR. The provenances differed significantly in physical properties of wood, but not in mechanical properties. The provenances differed significantly for heartwood only at the base, while basic density was significantly different at all the height levels. Density was significantly and positively correlated with fiber length and slenderness, but negatively with fiber diameter and fiber wall thickness. The variations in fiber morphology between the provenances were also found to be significant. However, runkel ratio, flexibility and rigidity coefficient did not differ significantly between the provenances. Wood properties of the provenances were under strong genetic control. Based on the study, Tully-Mission Beach, Arufi Village, Kuranda, Upper Aramia, Lake Murray and Binaturi provenances can be recommended for growing under Kerala condition.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic diversity and population structure of two disjunct natural populations of syzygium travancoricum gamble.(Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 2016) Mohammed Anees, P V; KAU; Santhoshkumar, A VA study was conducted to observe the reproductive biology of the critically endangered species, Syzygium travancoricum Gamble, and to compare the variation between two geographically disjunct populations of the species situated at Kalasamala and Kattilappara. A series of investigations on the phenology, floral biology, morphology, flowering, and fruit set were carried out to study the reproductive biology. The two populations were compared to assess the variation in terms of population structure, morphology, wood anatomy and seed bank. The study revealed that, flowering occurred in S. travancoricum after a dry period and the fruiting occurred just before the onset of rain. The inflorescence of the species was axillary cymose with white, calyptrate flowers. Mass flowering was observed in S. travancoricum, but, when compared to other syzygium species, number of flowers produced per tree was less. The number of flowers setting to fruits was also poor. The natural regeneration from the seeds in the site too was poor. The seeds that germinated below the trees died in the seedling stage itself. The pollen viability studies revealed that the percentage of pollen germination was poor in S. travancoricum. The analysis of the seed germination assay indicated that seed germination was also poor in the species. The germinated seeds in lab too died at the seedling stage itself. The observations related to the population comparison revealed that, there were a lot of variations between the two populations in most of the characters. The biometric characters like tree height, GBH, and crown area showed significant differences between the two populations. In the case of leaf morphological characters such as leaf length and breadth, there were significant variation between the populations. The species associated with S. travancoricum was different in Kalasamala and Kattilappara. The relative density of the species was different in the two populations. The two populations showed significant variations in the case of wood anatomical characters. The seed banks too differed significantly between the two sites. The study concluded that the constraints such as, lesser flower production, poor fruit set, lower seed germination, poor seed viability could be the main causes of the rarity of S. travancoricum. The study further showed that the two populations have considerable differences between them, either environmental or genetic.ThesisItem Open Access Wood quality evaluation of tree species raised in research trials of the Kerala forest department at various localities(Department of wood Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2012) Sindhumathi, .C.R.; KAU; Anoop, E.VA study entitled “Wood quality evaluation of tree species raised in research trials of the Kerala Forest Department at various localities” was conducted in the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 2010-2012. The objective of the study was to evaluate the wood quality of Pterocarpus dalbergioides Roxb., Swietinia macrophylla King. and Pericopsis mooniana (Thwaites) Thwaites, raised in research trials of the Kerala forest department at three localities, viz., Mananthavady research range at Wayanad, Olavakkode research range at Palakkad and Nilambur north research range at Nilambur districts, Kerala. Increment core samples and wooden blocks were collected at breast height from trees, selected at random for each species. These samples were subject to intensive investigations to explore the radial variation in anatomical properties as well as variation between species. The study revealed that most of the anatomical properties varied significantly within species and between species. Tree species were also felled to assess the strength characteristics as well as to study the various physical properties. Specific gravity was higher in P. mooniana, the other two species showing similar values. Heartwood – sapwood ratio showed significantly higher value in S. macrophylla, whereas the other two species were at par. Tangential shrinkage showed higher value compared to radial shrinkage in all the three species. Results revealed that P. mooniana exhibited better strength properties which was almost similar or even better than teak as reported by Sekhar (1988). P. dalbergioides showed lower values for strength properties when compared to natural grown P. dalbergioides (Limaye, 1933). Even though P. mooniana showed higher strength properties compared to the two species, overall results revealed that all the three species has good potential for being used as various solid wood purposes. Regression analysis revealed that P. mooniana and P. dalbergioides showed linear relationship between specific gravity and anatomical properties. The present results on wood quality can be used as a baseline data for future tree improvement aspects of these species with reference to wood quality and bring out their potential utility for future afforestation programmes and various end uses.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of host plant on the physiological attributes of field grown sandal (santalum album L.).(Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding,College of forestry, Vellanikkara, 2011) Delphy, Rocha; KAU; Ashokan, P KEffects of host plant, casuarina on the carbon assimilation, water and nutrient absorption in field grown sandalwood was studied at College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the year 2009-2011. Radioisotopic study to understand the trans-haustorial translocation from the host to field grown sandalwood tree and anatomical studies of sandalwood haustoria were also taken up during the investigation. The investigations were carried out in a six year old sandal-field, where sandalwood tree with and without host were established as a part of an earlier research project. The experiment was laid out with single tree plants, in RBD with three treatments viz, T1 - Sandalwood tree without host (Casuarina) (Host plant dead naturally within 2 years after establishment of sandal), T2 - Sandalwood tree with host (Casuarina), T3 - Sandalwood tree with host (Casuarina) and the host plant cut and removed at six year stage of growth. The host plant casuarina did not influence the height and diameter (dbh) of the sandalwood tree significantly during its six years growth. Sandalwood trees growing with host showed higher rate of photosynthesis (carbon assimilation) than sandalwood trees growing without host. Sandalwood tree growing without specific host can extend its root for finding a host in its vicinity, and forming haustorial connections, for meeting its water and nutrient requirements. Sandalwood trees grown with host showed higher plant water potential than sandalwood trees grown without host. Plant water potential has decreased significantly after the removal of host plant from the sandalwood pit. It also resulted in leaf wilting and leaf fall in sandalwood tree, indicating the contribution of the host in maintaining higher water potential in sandalwood trees. Sandalwood trees growing with host showed higher leaf N, P and K content. The N, P and K content of the sandalwood tree leaf decreased considerably after the removal of the host plant. The removal of host did not show any significant effect on leaf micronutrient content of sandalwood tree. Sandalwood growing without host also formed haustoria with roots of host plants growing in the adjacent pit. The sandalwood growing with host in the same pit showed higher number of haustoria. Total number of haustoria was higher on the primary root of the host followed by secondary and tertiary roots. Size of the haustorium, the depth of the penetration, the length of the penetration peg and area of coverage of endophyte was higher in the case of secondary root haustoria than in tertiary. Anatomical study of sandalwood haustoria showed that elongated parenchyma cells of the haustorium projected towards the host root xylem, making vascular connection between sandalwood tree root and the host plant root. Radioactive phosphorus (32P) labelling on host plant, casuarina and tracing in sandalwood tree and other hosts revealed that there is inter-translocation of nutrients between sandalwood and host plants, sandalwood and sandalwood, host and host. The data indicated that a network of roots of sandalwood tree and the hosts are formed through haustorial connection resulting in xylem-translocation. Peak count of 32P was obtained on the eighth day of its application. Radiotracer studies on different sandalwood tree-host associations showed that association of sandalwood and cocoa as host was efficient in haustorial translocation of 32P. Labelling of wild grasses growing around sandalwood tree with 32P revealed that, sandalwood also depends on wild grass for meeting its nutrient requirements.ThesisItem Open Access Taxonomic inventory and ecology of the rodents and insectivores of Silent Valley National Park,Kerala(Department of Wildlife Sciences, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2016) Devipriya, K S; KAU; Nameer, P ORodents and insectivores accoimts for about 55% of the total mammalian diversity of the world and is tme with Kerala too. Very little studies have been done on the rodents and insectivores of Kerala and no previous studies have been done in Silent Valley NP. Thus, a study was conducted on the taxouomic inventory and ecology of the rodents and insectivores of Silent Valley National Park, which is one of the few remaining pristine rain forests of Kerala. The objectives was to study the species diversity, relative abundance and habitat preference of the rodents and insectivores • such as squirrels, mice, rats and shrews in Silent Valley National Park. Thestudy was carried out from September 2015 to April 2016. The method used for the study was using Sherman Traps technique. 50 Sherman traps were used in each of the four study locations. The study was carried out in two season viz. monsoon and summer and in two habitat types, evergreen forests and grasslands. Six species of rodents and one species of insectivore were recorded fiom Silent Valley National Paric. The rodents recorded were members of Muridae, Sciuridae and Hystricidae families. These includes Rattus yvroughtoni, Gohmda ellioti, Ratiifa indica, Funambulus tristriatiis, Funambulus sublineatus and Hystrix indica. The insectivore observed at SVNP was Suncus murinus of the family Soricidae. Though the rodent and insectivore abundance was more during the monsoon season, there was no significant difference. Similarly though the rodent abundance was more at the evergreen forests, this was also insignificant. Among the microhabitat parameters studied, the climber density has found to be significantly influencing the rodents at Silent Valley. Rattus wroughtoni was the most abundant species of rodent at Silent Valley. Among the rodents of Silent Valley, Ratufa indica is endemic to peninsular India while Funambulus trisiriatus, Funambuhis sublineatus are endemic to Western Ghats. The Funambulus sublineatus is a threatoied species of squirrel seen at Silent Valley and the lUCN Redlist category of this is Vulnerable.ThesisItem Open Access Feasibility of forest certification in Marayoor sandal division, Kerala(Department of Wood Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2016) Toji Antony; KAU; Anoop, E VThe study titled “Feasibility of forest certification in Marayoor Sandal Division, Kerala” was carried out during 2015-2016. The main objectives were to find out the potential of implementing forest certification in Marayoor Sandal Division of Kerala by an assessment of the socio-economic status of the stakeholders. It was also intended to assess the management aspects of the Division, particularly to see whether they comply with the sustainable forest management principles and criteria of forest stewardship council (FSC). A pre-tested questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-economic characteristics of the stakeholders’ and for assessing the feasibility of forest certification. A total of 190 respondents from six stakeholders namely, forest dwellers, local community, casual labourers, forest officials, major bidders of Marayoor sandal and scientific community, were surveyed. The study revealed that, the sandal reserve acts as a major source of income to forest dwellers and casual labourers, which shows that, Marayoor Sandal Division plays a key role for meeting their livelihood. The sandal reserve provides a lot of benefits to stakeholders such as forest dwellers and local community. The major threats prevailed in the division were weed growth and grazing. There was no significant association between the socio-demographic variables and the perception of forest dwellerson benefits and threats,whereas for local community the relation showed almost the same pattern except for educational status and threat. The job-related risk was generally less in the sandal division from the perspectives of forest officials and casual labourers. The risk related to night-duty significantly affected the physical and mental capacity of forest officials, while the lack of safe guard measures was reported as a problem by casual labourers. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the job satisfaction with respect to the number of years of work experience. The management activities were satisfactory and the division complied with the government orders, guidelines, forest laws and policies. The strict adherence to the working plan prescriptions helped in the maintenance of the ecology of the division. The correlation between job satisfaction with implementation of management practices and ecological aspects was found to be negatively significant. This indicates that, when the implementation of rigid management practices in Marayoor Sandal Division is necessary on one hand, from the point of job satisfaction of the officials this is highly taxing given shortage of staff. Also, job dissatisfaction was because of the extra burden put on the under staffed workforce destined to ensure quality work. An analysis of the awareness level of a diverse network of experts comprising scientists, academicians, technical experts showed that, they were aware of certification and its importance. Also, the Marayoor Sandal Division was the only legal source of sandal to most of the ayurvedic industries, cosmetic industries and the Hindu temples in the state mainly managed by the Devaswom Boards. The study points to the feasibility of Forest Certification of Marayoor Sandal Division which can help in improving the overall management of the forest division. For this, region-specific P&C pertinent to Marayoor division needs to be formulated. For the implementation of forest certification in India, the National Working Plan Code (2014) should be amended with a view to enhance the practice of forest certification. For ensuring the quality of sustainable forest management particularly that of plantation management, the hard work of staff is needed to be recognised through award of cash incentives.ThesisItem Open Access Floristic and edaphic attributes of three land use systems in Wayanad, Kerala(Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2011) Aneesh, K S; KAU; Gopakumar, SThe present study was conducted in Thollayiram area of South Wayanad Forest Division of Wayanad district. The objective of the study is to compare the various floristic and edaphic attributes of three land use systems, viz an ecologically fragile land (EFL), a section 5 land (as per section 5 of Kerala Preservation of Trees Act (1986) and vested forest found in South Wayanad Forest Division. A total area of one hectare was surveyed in each of the three land use systems. The floristic study revealed that species richness of these land use systems were 40, 26 and 32 respectively. The major associations of trees in the ecologically fragile land were Melicope lunu-ankenda- Litsea oleoides- Litsea wightiana and Diospyros nilagirica. In section 5 land, the major associations are Litsea wightiana- Dillenia bracteata and Diospyros nilagirica whereas the vested forest is dominated with Palaquium ellipticum, Myristica beddomei, Dimocarpus longan and Mesua ferrea. Total basal area of vested forest is 44.56 m2 followed by ecologically fragile land (37.47 m2) and section 5 land (33.60 m2). By comparing the Shannon –wiener index of these land use system, vested forest recorded the highest value (2.96) followed by ecologically fragile land (2.93) and section 5 land (2.80) whereas Simpson indices are 0.93, 0.91 and 0.92 respectively. Regarding vegetation structure, a typical three storeys was noticed for ecologically fragile land and vested forest but section 5 land has only two storeys. Texture analysis revealed that soil texture of these land use systems are sandy loam. The pH values of the soil ranges from 3.84 to 4.79. The higher value of bulk density was recorded for section 5 land (1.46 g cm-3) followed by ecologically fragile land (1.34 g cm-3) and vested forest (0.88 g cm-3). There is no significant difference in the values of organic carbon and available potassium across three land use systems whereas available phosphorous was significantly higher in vested forest. The information regarding diversity of ecologically fragile land in Thollayiram will be helpful to the state forest department in designing better strategies for the long term conservation of this ecosystem.ThesisItem Open Access Variation in wood physical and anatomical properties of anjily (Artocarpus hirsutus LAM.) grown in different agro-climatic zones of Thrissur district, Kerala(Department of Wood Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2015) Swagatika Sahoo; KAU; Anoop, E VA study entitled “Variation in wood physical and anatomical properties of Anjily (Artocarpus hirsutus Lam.) grown in different agro-climatic zones of Thrissur district, Kerala” was conducted in the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 2015-2017. The present investigation was conducted with the objective to assess the variation in wood anatomical and physical properties of anjily (Artocarpus hirsutus Lam.) grown in different agro-climatic zones (Coastal sandy, Central mid land and Malayoram) of Thrissur district, Kerala and to compare the anatomical and physical property of wood between plantations and homesteads. Samples from anjily trees were selected from the three agro-climatic zones of Thrissur district following stratified random sampling technique. The experimental materials were collected from three agro-climatic zones (9 Costal sandy + 9 Central midlands + 9 Malayoram) which also include trees from three girth classes viz., 50- 100 cm, 100-150 cm. and more than 150 cm. Wood samples of three trees were collected from each girth class. Wood samples were also collected from three plantations in Thalassery taluk of Kannur district. Analysis revealed that some of the anatomical properties were significantly different between girth classes across three agro-climatic zones. Basic density, moisture content, heartwood colour, vessel frequency, vessel area, vessel diameter, ray width, fibre wall thickness and fibre lumen diameter did not show significant difference across three agro-climatic zones. Ray frequency, ray height, ray width and fibre lumen diameter showed significant difference between three girth classes across the zones. Analysis revealed that there was significant differences in vessel frequency, vessel diameter, vessel length, ray width, fibre length, fibre lumen diameter, moisture content and basic density between homesteads and plantation. Ecoanatomical characters like vulnerability index and vessel mesomorphy were also analysed and vulnerability index was found to be highest in central mid land. Mesomorphy values of anjily wood indicated that it was mesic in nature. Correlation analysis also showed that basic density was positively correlated with moisture content, ray height, fibre length and fibre wall thickness. The wood properties of anjily was also found to be comparable to teak wood in various aspectsThesisItem Open Access Post eco-restoration changes in vegetation and edaphic attributes of Eastern Attappady, Kerala(Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2016) Sumit, Sonalkar; KAU; Vidyasagaran, KThe present study was carried out in eastern part of Attappady to assess the impact of ecorestoration on the edaphic and vegetation attributes. The study focused on the impact of vegetation on the soil profile. Seven sites of plantations and three biomass conservation areas along with corresponding non eco-restored areas were selected for the study.