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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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20202
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Subject: Fruit Science × Author: Reshma Ravi, P × Start date: 1981 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Ecophysiology of mango (Mangifera indica L.) under high density planting system in Muthalamada area
    (Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Reshma Ravi, P; KAU; Ajith Kumar, K
    The experiment on “Ecophysiology of mango (Mangifera indica L.) under High Density Planting System in Muthalamada area” was conducted in a farmer’s orchard in Muthalamada located in Kollengode block panchayath of Palakkad district during October 2018 to May 2020. The objective of the study was to evaluate the response of different varieties of mango to climatic conditions prevailing in Muthalamada area and study the phenological cycles of growth and production. Four varieties namely, Alphonso, Banganapalli, Imam Pasand and Sindhooram, which were extensively cultivated by the farmers of Muthalamada were selected as the material for study for the study. Five trees each from the four varieties under study, maintained under high density planting system were selected at random for the study. The varieties in the orchard were of four years of age and were maintained under good management practices. Observations on tree characters, inflorescence characters, phenological stages, leaf nutrient status, physiological and biochemical characters and yield were recorded. In addition to these, observations on meteorological data, soil nutrient status and incidence of pests and diseases were recorded during the period under study and correlation studies were done to evaluate the effects of parameters on the flowering and yield of the varieties. Among the four varieties, early flowering was noticed in the variety Banganapalli, followed by the varieties Imam Pasand, Alphonso and Sindhooram. Fruit set was observed in all the varieties except Imam Pasand. Among the three varieties which had fruited, the variety Alphonso recorded the maximum fruit weight (274.62 g) and the variety Sindhooram recorded the maximum fruit yield (11.27 kg). Correlation coefficient analysis was carried out to identify the factors which influenced the flowering and fruiting behaviour in Muthalamada region. The level of potassium content in the leaves was significantly correlated with earliness in flowering with a correlation coefficient of -0.769 and flowering duration exhibited a positive correlation with leaf C:N ratio and boron content with a significant correlation coefficient of 0.509 and 0.530. The inflorescence length and width showed a significant negative correlation with the carbohydrate: nitrogen ratio, magnesium content and boron content in the leaves. The physiological parameter transpiration rate was negatively correlated with the number of days taken from pruning to flowering with a significant correlation coefficient of -0.520. The time taken (days) to attain flowering was having a significant positive correlation with leaf proline content before flowering and canopy air temperature. This suggested that the trees tend to flower earlier under higher canopy temperatures and proline content in the leaves. It was observed that the weather parameters in Muthalamada region influenced the flowering behaviour in the varieties. The earliness in flowering and flowering duration were positively correlated with average maximum temperature before flowering and the heat units accumulated by the resting bud with a significant correlation coefficient of 0.869 and 0.973 respectively. This indicated the effect of higher temperatures in stimulating flowering. Earliness in flowering showed a significant negative correlation to the average rainfall obtained from pruning to flowering, which indicated the requirement of low rainfall for flowering. The inflorescence length and width were having negative correlation with average minimum temperature and average rainfall with a significant correlation coefficient of -0.690 and -0.775 respectively. This indicated that the inflorescence attains better length and width under higher daily minimum temperatures and rainfall. Flowering duration exhibited positive correlation with average maximum and minimum temperatures. It also exhibited a significant positive correlation with the heat units accumulated. The accumulation of proline before flowering was positively correlated to the average maximum temperature and heat units accumulated. A strong negative correlation was observed between leaf proline content and average rainfall. This suggested that the accumulation of proline is associated with higher temperatures and lower rainfall regimes. Overall perusal of the results indicated that the earliness in flowering in Muthalamada area is due to the influence of the weather conditions prevailing in the region and the growing degree days required by the varieties. The variety Sindhooram was superior in terms of yield but was comparatively late to the other varieties. Considering the earliness in fruit maturity, the variety Banganapalli fetches maximum price and is the most profitable variety for this region.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Ecophysiology of mango (Mangifera indica L.) under high density planting system in Muthalamada area
    (Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Reshma Ravi, P; KAU; Ajith Kumar, K
    The experiment on “Ecophysiology of mango (Mangifera indica L.) under High Density Planting System in Muthalamada area” was conducted in a farmer’s orchard in Muthalamada located in Kollengode block panchayath of Palakkad district during October 2018 to May 2020. The objective of the study was to evaluate the response of different varieties of mango to climatic conditions prevailing in Muthalamada area and study the phenological cycles of growth and production. Four varieties namely, Alphonso, Banganapalli, Imam Pasand and Sindhooram, which were extensively cultivated by the farmers of Muthalamada were selected as the material for study for the study. Five trees each from the four varieties under study, maintained under high density planting system were selected at random for the study. The varieties in the orchard were of four years of age and were maintained under good management practices. Observations on tree characters, inflorescence characters, phenological stages, leaf nutrient status, physiological and biochemical characters and yield were recorded. In addition to these, observations on meteorological data, soil nutrient status and incidence of pests and diseases were recorded during the period under study and correlation studies were done to evaluate the effects of parameters on the flowering and yield of the varieties. Among the four varieties, early flowering was noticed in the variety Banganapalli, followed by the varieties Imam Pasand, Alphonso and Sindhooram. Fruit set was observed in all the varieties except Imam Pasand. Among the three varieties which had fruited, the variety Alphonso recorded the maximum fruit weight (274.62 g) and the variety Sindhooram recorded the maximum fruit yield (11.27 kg). Correlation coefficient analysis was carried out to identify the factors which influenced the flowering and fruiting behaviour in Muthalamada region. The level of potassium content in the leaves was significantly correlated with earliness in flowering with a correlation coefficient of -0.769 and flowering duration exhibited a positive correlation with leaf C:N ratio and boron content with a significant correlation coefficient of 0.509 and 0.530. The inflorescence length and width showed a significant negative correlation with the carbohydrate: nitrogen ratio, magnesium content and boron content in the leaves. The physiological parameter transpiration rate was negatively correlated with the number of days taken from pruning to flowering with a significant correlation coefficient of -0.520. The time taken (days) to attain flowering was having a significant positive correlation with leaf proline content before flowering and canopy air temperature. This suggested that the trees tend to flower earlier under higher canopy temperatures and proline content in the leaves. It was observed that the weather parameters in Muthalamada region influenced the flowering behaviour in the varieties. The earliness in flowering and flowering duration were positively correlated with average maximum temperature before flowering and the heat units accumulated by the resting bud with a significant correlation coefficient of 0.869 and 0.973 respectively. This indicated the effect of higher temperatures in stimulating flowering. Earliness in flowering showed a significant negative correlation to the average rainfall obtained from pruning to flowering, which indicated the requirement of low rainfall for flowering. The inflorescence length and width were having negative correlation with average minimum temperature and average rainfall with a significant correlation coefficient of -0.690 and -0.775 respectively. This indicated that the inflorescence attains better length and width under higher daily minimum temperatures and rainfall. Flowering duration exhibited positive correlation with average maximum and minimum temperatures. It also exhibited a significant positive correlation with the heat units accumulated. The accumulation of proline before flowering was positively correlated to the average maximum temperature and heat units accumulated. A strong negative correlation was observed between leaf proline content and average rainfall. This suggested that the accumulation of proline is associated with higher temperatures and lower rainfall regimes. Overall perusal of the results indicated that the earliness in flowering in Muthalamada area is due to the influence of the weather conditions prevailing in the region and the growing degree days required by the varieties. The variety Sindhooram was superior in terms of yield but was comparatively late to the other varieties. Considering the earliness in fruit maturity, the variety Banganapalli fetches maximum price and is the most profitable variety for this region.