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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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Subject: Forestry × Author: Suhyb, P G × Start date: 2004 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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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.