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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 Impact of invasive alien plants on understorey vegetation in Wayanad wildlife sanctuary(Department of Natural Resource Management, Vellanikkara, 2018) Vishnu Chandran, M; KAU; Gopakumar, SThe present study “Impact of invasive alien plants (IAP) on understorey vegetation in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary” was conducted in three vegetation types (Plantation, NF and Vayal) of WS II part of the sanctuary. The distribution characteristics of selected invasive alien species (IAPS) viz. Lantana camara L., Senna spectabilis (DC.) H.S. Irwin and R.C. Barneby and Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob and the impact of these invasive alien species on the regeneration of other plant communities were studied and compared. L. camara and C. odorata invaded all areas of the sanctuary except in the borders of Kurichiat and Sulthan bathery forest ranges. Lantana invasion was high in the Kurichiat RF (Reserve forest) and Rampur RF. Chromolaena invasion was found to be high in Mavinahalla and Kurichiat RF. In WS II part of the sanctuary, S. spectabilis was mainly distributed along the boundaries of Sulthan bathery and Muthanga ranges. In Muthanga, Senna invasion was extended up to “Kakkapadam” (2.5 km from Muthanga station). Among the IAPS, Chromolaena showed the highest density in all the three vegetation types, while the density of Senna was lowest in all the three vegetation types in WS II area. The density of Chromolaena in plantation and NF was 4943.52 ± 1079.07 and 4996.47 ± 1484.42 respectively. The density of Lantana in plantation and NF was 322.35 ± 88.18 and 85.42 ± 29.55 respectively. The density of Senna in plantation and NF was 63.5 ± 31.66 and 49.74 ± 23.93 respectively. Senna invasion was absent in vayal. Vayal showed highest density of Chromolaena (5810.59 ± 1262.43). Chromolaena had the highest percentage cover in both plantation and vayal. In NF, Lantana has (14.2 ± 2.8) the highest percentage cover. In all the three vegetation types, Chromolaena had the highest frequency and abundance. Among the seven weed category areas identified from the study area, highest MSR (Mean Species Richness) was seen in Control (weed free area), followed by L (Lantana invaded) and LC (Lantana and Chromolaena invaded)regions. The lowest MSR was obtained in S (Senna invaded) and CS (Chromolaena and Senna invaded) regions. All the three IAPS negatively influenced the native species richness. But no specific declining trend in species richness was observed during regression analysis. Results of regression analysis showed that, among the three IAPS, C. odorata had the biggest impact on the species richness of native species. It was followed by L. camara and S. spectabilis. Species richness of each growth form (herb & shrub) declined significantly with increasing Lantana, Chromolaena and Senna cover. In the current study, trees and climbers did not show any significant variation with increasing percentage covers of IAPS. For every 10% increase in percentage cover of C. odorata, two native herb species were observed being removed from the study area. At the same time only one shrub species was removed at every 10% increase in Chromolaena cover. For every 10% increase in Lantana cover, one native herb species was removed from the study area of the sanctuary. The species richness of shrubs also declined due to Lantana invasion. On plotting herb species richness against Senna percentage cover, only four herb species were obtained at 50% Senna cover. On further increase in percentage cover of Senna the herb species richness declined linearly and it was decreased to one at 100% Senna cover. It was also found during the study that, in plots where Senna and Chromolaena occured together, the species richness decreased from 86 to 4. Similarly in plots where Senna occured with Lantana and Chromolaena, species richness declined. This probably indicates a dominating interference of Senna on the recruitment of native species and could be because of the impacts of its larger size, big and wider canopy, competitive reproductive ability, allelopathy and a broad, deeper root system. Out of the 125 plant species identified from the sanctuary, only thirteen were observed from Senna invaded region. But during regression analysis it was found that, among the three IAPS Senna has the least impact on native species richness. This may be due to the fact that compared with Lantana and Chromolaena, the invasion of Senna is restricted to only a small portion of Wayanad WLS. But left uncontrolled Senna will soon become a major threat in Wayanad WLS in the near future.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of partcipatory forest management on the livelihoods of indigenous communities(Department of Natural Resource Management College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2019) Neethu Mary Newton; KAU; Gopakumar, SThe present study “Impact of participatory forest management on livelihoods of indigenous communities” was conducted in five randomly selected VSS which were active in Central Forest Circle, Thrissur. The objectives of the study were to understand the impact of participatory forest management on livelihoods of indigenous communities. A perception analysis to know the pre-PFM and post-PFM situations as perceived by the community was also done. Sustainable livelihood analysis was the method used for the impact study. Primary data was collected through a pre-tested interview schedule. Secondary data was collected from forest department records, village records and from discussion with people. The study revealed that PFM had a positive impact on the livelihood of the local communities in the selected five Vana Samrakshana Samithies namely Anapantham VSS, Karikadavu VSS, Kunchipara VSS, Poovanchira VSS and Vazhachal VSS. Impact analysis of Anapantham VSS showed that after the implementation of PFM activities, there were improvements in the financial capital, physical capital and social capital while a reduction was noticed in the natural capital and human capital compared to the pre-PFM situation. Impact analysis of Karikadavu VSS showed that after the implementation of PFM activities, there were improvements in the social capital, financial capital and physical capital. At the same time, a reduction was noticed in the natural capital and human capital compared to the pre-PFM situation. Impact analysis of Kunchipara VSS showed that after the implementation of PFM activities, there were improvements in the physical capital, financial capital and social capital. On the other hand, the human capital was unaffected. At the same time, a reduction was noticed in the natural capital compared to the pre-PFM situation. Impact analysis of Poovanchira VSS showed that after the implementation of PFM activities, there were improvements in the financial capital, physical capital, human capital and social capital. At the same time, a reduction was noticed in the natural capital compared to the pre-PFM situation. Impact analysis of Vazhachal VSS showed that after the implementation of PFM activities, there were improvements in the financial capital, physical capital and social capital. At the same time, a reduction was noticed in the natural capital and human capital compared to the pre-PFM situation. Perceptions of local people regarding the conditions before and after PFM were different in all the VSS. The difference in perception was highest in Poovanchira VSS, while the lowest variation was observed in Kunchipara VSS and Karikadavu VSS. The highest variation in perception score was in Vazhachal VSS and the lowest variation in perception score was in Poovanchira VSS. PFM activities were not significantly different in the three pairs of VSS namely Anapantham & Karikadavu, Vazhachal & Anapantham and Vazhachal & Karikadavu before implementation of PFM. PFM activities were not significantly different in four pairs of VSS namely Anapantham & Karikadavu, Anapantham & Kunchipara, Kunchipara & Karikadavu and Poovanchira & Kunchipara was observed. Suggestions to improve the underperforming capitals in the various VSS include increase in number of work days, planting of trees, restrictions on waste disposal in the water bodies.ThesisItem Open Access Standardisation of gum-oleoresin extraction technique in matti (ailanthus triphysa (dennst.) alston.)(Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2018) Dipti Choudhury; KAU; Vidyasagaran, KThe research work entitled "Standardisation of gum-oleoresin extraction technique in Matti (Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.) Alston.)" was carried out April 2017 to April 2018. The experiment was carried out in the field of Instructional Farm, College of Horticulture, KAU, Vellanikkara. The main objective was to develop an appropriate technique for extraction of gum-oleoresin and also to study the correlation between tree dimension and anatomical features with gumoleoresin production in Ailanthus triphysa. A total of twenty-seven trees were selected for conducting the study in which three girth classes (<75, 75-150, >150) and three extraction technique each with three replication were taken. Data analysis done for monthly interval, showed significant difference in girth class except in the month of July and August and for extraction technique it was found to be non-significant difference for all the months except May. Data analysed for different seasons revealed that the girth class <75 was found to be significantly different from other girth classes i.e., 75-150 and >150. Different extraction techniques were found to be non-significant for all the three seasons. Effect of season and treatment (girth x extraction techniques) on gumoleoresin yield was found to be significantly different. The highest quantity of gum oleoresin was reported in post-monsoon season (65.15 g/tree/season) followed by monsoon (39.23 g/tree/season) and least in summer season (18.08 g/tree). Analysis for whole study period revealed that girth class <75 was found to be significantly different from girth classes >75. As the amount of gum-oleoresin yield was obtained from girth class >150 cm (712.07 g/year) and in 75-150 cm girth class, (604.06 g/year) and least in girth class <75cm (147.64 g/year). It was found to be non-significant for different extraction techniques. 128 Anatomical study unveiled the deposition of gum-oleoresin in vessels through the pits present on the walls of vessels and it was also observed that the ray parenchyma was playing an important role in production of gum-oleoresin as the rays are mainly meant for radial conduction. The effect of bark thickness and girth on production of gum-oleoresin was found to be significant with correlation coefficient 0.65 and 0.82 respectively. The climatic parameters like temperature, relative humidity, Rainfall, number of rainy days, sunshine hours, wind speed was found to be nonsignificantly related with gum-oleoresin production. The present study carried out during April 2017 to April 2018, concluded that the trees having <75 girth should not be tapped as its yield was found to be very low. For the extraction of gum oleoresin, all the three methods can be used as it has no effect on the gum-oleoresin production. The present study also revealed that the gum-oleoresin production was less during the summer season. So, the tapping can be avoided during that period.ThesisItem Open Access Spatio-temporal patterns in human-wildlife conflict in Kerala(Department of Wildlife Sciences College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2018) Shaji, M; KAU; Nameer, P OThe human-wildlife conflict (HWC) data for the period from 2006 to 2016 collected from the State Forest Department was analyzed in a GIS software – QGIS ver. 2.18. Asian Elephant was found to be involved in 47.7 per cent of the HWC incidences in Kerala, followed by Wild Boar (23.3 %) and Bonnet Macaque (17.3 %). 81 per cent of the conflict incidences occur in the Forest Divisions towards north of Palakkad Gap in Western Ghats. 64 per cent of the HWC incidences were reported from the three Fds in Wayanad District alone. High level of fragmentation of forest ecosystems, changes in cropping pattern, decreasing tolerance level of people towards wildlife, etc. may be contributing to high level of HWC incidences in North Kerala. HWC data of all the Forest Divisions (FD) were analyzed with geospatial tools and presented as heat maps, which depicts the spatial concentration of HWC incidences. Temporal variation of the HWC incidences was also analyzed and found that conflicts involving herbivores are higher during the months from June to December. Heat maps were generated for the villages with high incidences of HWC in Mannarkkad and Thrissur FDs. In Mannarkkad FD, Padavayal, Pudur and Kottathara Villages together experience nearly 50 per cent of the HWC incidences. Asian Elephant contributes to 79.9 per cent of the HWC incidences in this Division, followed by 9.1 per cent of Wild Boar and 6.5 per cent of Leopard. In Thrissur Forest Division, villages like Peechi and Mannamangalam only are exposed to conflicts by Asian Elephant, which accounts for ten per cent of the HWC in this Division. However, Wild Boar is involved in 53.1 per cent of the conflicts in this Division. Conflicts involving Wild Boar are high in villages like Pilakkad, Thonnurkkara, Varavoor, etc. Decadal changes in land use land cover was studied and found that there was a very high increase in the area under kharif crop in Mannarkkad FD. Within the villages with high intensity of conflict in this Division, a very high increase in the area under kharif crop is observed. In Thrissur FD also the area under kharif crop is increased in all the villages with high conflict intensity. The preventive measures adopted in Mannarkkad FD are elephant-proof trench and solar fencing. Elephant-proof trenches are dug at Pudur Village in Attappady Forest Range in less than a kilometer. Two to three year old solar fences only are maintained well and found to be functional. The solar fences installed during 2010 are completely damaged and not functional. The solar fences installed currently in this FD are not sufficient to contain the HWC incidences. No preventive measures were adopted in Thrissur Forest Division to prevent the HWC incidences. However, solar electric fences were installed in Peechi and Mannamangalam villages in Pattikkad Forest Range in 2016 along the boundary of the forests for a length of 20 km. More than 60 per cent of the respondents in Mannarkkad and Thrissur Forest Divisions, support the wildlife protection activities due to various reasons. The respondents had a low satisfaction level in Mannarkkad (57.8 per cent) and Thrissur (92.3 per cent) FD on the compensation pattern of Government. However, quick compensation was suggested by 39.7 per cent of the respondents in Mannarkkad FD and 43.8 per cent in Thrissur FD. 88.6 per cent of the respondents in Mannarkkad FD and 74.4 per cent of the respondents in Thrissur FD agree that among the government agencies, Kerala Forest Department is prompt in responding to the HWC related issues. A timely response from the Forest Department officials in reaching the conflict locations and quick release of compensation for the affected individuals will improve the tolerance level of people towards wildlife.ThesisItem Open Access Diversity, distributional status and ecology of poly-pores in forest ecosystems of Kerala(Department of Natural Resource Management, Vellanikkara, 2018) Adarsh, C K; KAU; Vidyasagaran, KThe study was carried out with the objectives to find out the diversity, distributional status and ecology of polypores in forest ecosystems of Kerala. The representative sample plots of major forest types on either side of the Palakkad gap were selected in order to get a good sampling to cover northern, central and southern regions of Kerala and all the major forest ecosystems viz., evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, dry deciduous and shola forest. Three permanent sample plots of 100 m×100 m with subplots of 10 x 10 m were established in three different locations in each ecosystem (5 in south of Palakkad gap and 5 in north of Palakkad gap). Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary and Periya forest range of North Wayanad forest division were selected to represent evergreen forest. Semi-evergreen forest plot was taken in From Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. The moist deciduous forest samplots were taken from Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The dry deciduous forest sample plot were taken in Walayar forest range and Marayoor sandal forest. Eravikulam National Park and Brahmagiri shola of North Wayanad division were selected to locate sample plots of shola forest. Apart from the plot based sampling, opportunistic sampling method was also adopted to maximize the documentation of polypore fungal diversity and distribution. As part of opportunistic sampling, all the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries were visited. The polypore collection was carried out during the southwest monsoon (June to September) and north-east monsoon (October to December) from the sample plots. Additionally, labelling, rot character identification, photography, recording macromorphological characters and details of substratum were also made on the illustrated data sheet. All the logs and branches ≥ 20 cm diameter were enumerated using standard equipments. The decay stage of the logs was determined according to a 5-grade scale (based on decay classification system of Pyle and Brown, 1998). 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. Various polypores associations was worked out along with the different phytosociological indicators like density, frequency, abundance, Simpson’s Index and Shannon-Weiner Index. All the trees in the sample plots (3x10 of 100 x 100) were identified and documented (both host and non host trees).371 Ninety five polypore species in fourty nine genera belonging to eight families were documented. The Polyporaceae was the dominant family with 42 species followed by Hymenochaetaceae (31), Fomitopsidaceae (6) and Meruliaceae (5). Meripilaceae and Ganodermataceae made their presence with 4 species each. The family Schizoporaceae was represented by 2 species. Only one species was reported from the family Phanerochaetaceae. Among the polypores documented, 64 species were annuals and 31 were perennials. While analyzing the rot characteristics of the recorded polypores, it was found that the white rot polypores have notable dominance over brown rot polypores. Of 95 species analyzed, 88 polypores were white rotters and only 7 species were brown rotters. An identification key was developed for the polypores documented from forest ecosystems of Kerala based on the micro and macro morphological features. During the present study, 14 species were found to be new records from Western Ghats and one species is reported for the first time from India. These species have been described based on the macro-morphology and micro-morphology. In evergreen forest at Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Simpson’s Index of diversity was observed to be the highest (0.965) followed by evergreen forest of Periya Forest Range (0.958) and semi-evergreen forest at Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary (0.957). The lowest Simpson’s Index was recorded at dry deciduous forest at Marayoor and Walayar with 0.873 and 0.916 respectively. The shola forest at Eravikulam National Park and Brahmagiri was also recorded with low polypore diversity with Simpson’s Index 0.921 and 0.923 respectively. Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary showed higher Shanon-Wiener Index value (3.637) followed by evergreen forest of Periya Forest Range (3.458) and semi-evergreen forest at Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary (3.354). The Margalef Richness Index was found to be highest in wet evergreen forest at Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary (5.747) while it was 1.798 in dry deciduous forest at Marayoor. The evenness in distribution of polypores was observed to be highest in evergreen forest at Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary and semi-evergreen forest at Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary with Pielou's Evenness Index 0.908 and 0.905 respectively. The shola forest at Eravikulam National Park and Brahmagiri shola showed more Berger-Parker Dominance Index value 0.238 and 0.194 respectively. The lowest Berger-Parker Dominance Index value (0.076) was recorded in evergreen forest at Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary. Sorenson’s Similarity Index was worked out to find the similarity of polypore community in different forest ecosystems of Kerala. The similarity between polypore community372 of each forest ecosystems in either side of Palakkad gap was found out. The similarity between each forest types on either side of Palakkad gap found to be more or less uniform (above 0.75) except the dry deciduous forest at Marayoor and Walayar (0.37). The overall similarity of forest on either side of Palakkad gap is found to be much higher (0.918) The influence of altitudinal variation in the distribution pattern of polypores in different forest ecosystems of Kerala were analyzed based on their occurrence along different altitudinal gradients. In all forest types the diversity and richness is decreasing along the altitude. The evenness of polypore is decreasing along the altitude in all forest types of Kerala. The dominance is increasing along the altitude in all forest types A total of 306 tree species belonging to 68 families were identified to occur in the selected sample plots and out of this, 168 species under 51 families were host species. Leguminosae and Lauraceae contributed 18 and 13 species respectively and they represented the major host families followed by Malvaceae (8), Meliaceae (8), Phyllanthaceae (8), Myrtaceae (7), Clusiaceae (6), Moraceae (6), Rubiaceae (6) and Rutaceae (6). Most of the species were host generalist and more or less evenly distributed among the host tree species. Among the substrate types, maximum polypore occurrence was observed on logs followed by branch/twig and snag while, living trees supported only few polypores in all forest ecosystems. Decay class association of polypores showed that the intermediate decay stages harboured the maximum in terms of number of species, number of fruitbodies and frequency of occurrence. The conceptual framework on primary ecological strategy revealed that polypores exhibits ruderal, combative and stress tolerant behaviours. The polypores documented from forest ecosystems of Kerala was classified into ruderal, combative and stress tolerant categories.