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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: Genetics and Plant Breeding × Author: Babu, R × Author: KAU × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Seedling Progeny analysis in selected clones of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.)
    (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Babu, R; KAU; Suma Bai, D I
    A study was carried out at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture. Vellayani during July 1996 to May 1997 with the objective of ascertaining the seedling progeny behaviour in selected clones of guinea grass. A field experiment was conducted utilizing ten guinea grass clones available with All India Co- ordinated Research Project on Forage Crops to assess variability and identify three superior clones. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference for seven out of the eleven characters studied. The estimates of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation were in general low for all the characters. Leaf area index recorded high heritability coupled with low genetic gain indicating non additive gene action. Correlation values of green fodder yield with all other characters were positive both at genotypic and phenotypic level. A selection index was formulated and three high yielding clones viz JHGG 96-3. JHGG 96-4 and Riversdale were selected and then subjected to progeny mean analysis along with two high yielding mutant clones viz Haritha and Marathakom in a compact family block design using seeds and slips. Marathakom recorded insignificant difference in variability with respect to two types of planting materials for ten out of the eleven characters studied, thus confirming the predominance of apomictic mode of reproduction and suitability to large scale seed production. Significant difference in variability was discernible in the remaining clones for more than one character indicating prevalence of sexual reproduction in these clones. Further studies on inheritance of percentage sexual reproduction in these clones would be desirable before embarking on large scale seed production.