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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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2019 - 20202
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Subject: Forestry × Start date: 2019 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Physico-chemical characterization of gum-oleoresin from Ailanthus triphysa(Dennst.) Alston and effect of ethephon on gum-oleoresin yield
    (Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2020) Latha, K J; KAU; Vidyasagaran, K
    Gum and resins are natural bio-polymers having number of applications in pharmaceutical and food industries. Most of them are regarded as bio-degradable and safe because of their bio-compatibility, low cost, non-toxic, processing, environmental friendly and local availability. It is viable income source for thousands of forest dwellers. So the present study entitled “Physico-chemical characterization of gum-oleoresin from Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst) Alston and effect of ethephon on gum-oleoresin yield” was carried out at Arboretum, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara during the year 2018-2019. The main objective of the study was to assess the effect of different concentration of ethephon on gumoleoresin production in Ailanthus triphysa and also study the effect of diameter classes on production. The physical properties such as Solubility, pH, Viscosity, Moisture level, Color parameters, Ash content and chemical compounds were also determined as part of the study. A total of twenty-four trees were selected for conducting the study in which two girth classes (70-110cm, 111-150cm), four chemical treatments, each with three replications were taken. Data analysis was done on monthly intervals, showed significant difference in girth class on resin production in the months of June, July, August, November, December and April and in other months it found non-significant. It was observed that girth class G2 (111cm-150 cm) showed more yield compared to G1 (70-110). It was statistically found significant difference in gum-oleoresin yield due to different concentration of ethephon treatments. T4 (3.9%) ethephon treatment gave more yield (817.99gm) compared to other treatments, where T1 (control) gave very less yield (226.16gm). The exudation of gum-oleoresin was found to be more in post monsoon (55.06gm) followed by monsoon (43.78gm) and least during summer (27.01gm). Interaction between different ethephon treatment and season was found to be non-significant. 116 The physical and chemical properties of gum-oleoresin were studied and it indicated the gum-oleoresin was found to be strongly acidic, highly soluble in xylene and least in chloroform and in case of water, it absorbs water and swell. Moisture content was 5.17%, pH observed was 5.5, Colour of the gum-oleoresin observed was pale yellow to dark reddish brown and Viscosity observed was 2340 cps and 695 cps. Heavy metals like K ˃ Mg ˃ (Ca) ˃ (Ir) were detected. Chemical compounds were identified by using GC-MS. Total 18 compounds were identified from Acetone extract of gum-oleoresin in GC-MS, the major constituents of the chemical compound were beta.-caryophyllen followed by Tetradecane and 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-(2-methylcyclopropyl)-1-cyclohexene and 1- octadecene constitute least contribution, where as in methanol extracts, 16 compounds were identified, most abundant compound was Caryophyllene followed by 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid and bicyclo, the least abundant constituent was found to be 3-hexadecene. The correlation studies of bark thickness on production of gum-oleoresin were found to be significant with correlation coefficient 0.42. The climatic parameters like rainfall, relative humidity, temperature was found to be non-significant on production of gum-oleoresin.
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    ThesisItemOpen 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, S
    The 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.