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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: Beena Thomas × Author: KAU × End date: 1999 × Start date: 1990 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Combining ability for biological nitrogen fixation traits and yield components in blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper)
    (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1998) Beena Thomas; KAU; Sreekumar, S G
    The research programme was carried out at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1995-96. The objective was to assess the general and specific combining abilities and gene action involved in the inheritance of biological nitrogen fixation traits and yield components in blackgram, as a preliminary step for developing high yielding varieties with good biological nitrogen fixation capacity. The five lines, three testers and their 15 combinations were evaluated in a replicated field experiment and data on twelve characters were collected and subjected to line x tester analysis. The best general combiners for important biological nitrogen fixation traits were COBG305 and Pant U19 among lines and T9 among testers. The hybrid combination Pant U19 x T9 was the best specific combiner for these characters. In the case of number of pods and grain yield per plant, among. lines WBG-13 and among testers T9 were the best general combiners. The hybrids, LBG 17 x VBN 1 and WBG 13 x AKU4 were the best specific combinations for these traits. Considering the mean performance, sea effect and standard heterosis percentage Pant U 19 x T9 was identified as the best hybrid combination for nodule weight and nitrogen content at 50 per cent flowering. Regarding yield, the best hybrid was WBG 13 x AKU4. These superior combinations can be utilized further for developing improved blackgram varieties.