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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: Visakh, R L × Start date: 2022 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic diversity analysis of horse gram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.] for moisture stress tolerance in south central laterites of Kerala
    (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2022) Visakh, R L; KAU; Bindu, M R
    The study entitled “Genetic diversity analysis of horse gram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.] for moisture stress tolerance in south central laterites of Kerala” was carried out at Farming Systems Research station, Sadanandapuram during October, 2020 – March, 2021 with the objective to identify superior genotypes of horse gram with moisture stress tolerance having high yield and quality, suitable for south central laterites of Kerala. The 30 horse gram genotypes collected from RARS Pattambi under KAU and other SAUs were evaluated for moisture stress tolerance at seedling stage in laboratory using two different concentrations of PEG 6000 (10% and 20%), in factorial completely randomized design replicated thrice. These 30 genotypes were further evaluated for water stress tolerance in field by withholding irrigation for 15 days at reproductive stage, in randomized block design replicated thrice. The seeds were sown on raised beds of 2.25 m2 size at a spacing of 30 cm х 30 cm and cultural operations were adopted as per the “Package of Practices Recommendations Crops 2016” of Kerala Agricultural University. The soil moisture was also measured during water stress-imposed period at weekly interval by following gravimetric method. In laboratory experiment, genotypes were evaluated for six different morphophysiological characters and in field experiment, genotypes were evaluated for 31 characters which included biometric, physiological, biochemical and seed quality characters. The genotypes showed significant differences for all the characters studied. Genetic parameter analysis was performed for nineteen characters and for all the characters PCV values were higher than GCV values indicating the influence of environment. High heritability coupled with high GAM was observed in days to 50% flowering, number of primary branches per plant, plant height, number of pods per plant, haulm yield per plant, harvest index, days to maturity, leaf area index, total phenol content of the seed, root dry weight, proline content, total chlorophyll content and seed yield per plant. 124 The correlation studies revealed significant positive correlation of the characters RWC, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, total chlorophyll content, harvest index, proline content, root dry weight, root length, LAI and hundred seed weight with seed yield. However, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height and number of primary branches showed a significant negative correlation with yield. Path analysis of the thirteen characters showing significant correlation with seed yield revealed high positive direct effect of the number of pods per plant on seed yield. High indirect effect on yield was observed for number of seeds per pod through number of pods per plant. Genetic divergence analysis using Mahanalobis D2 statistic following Tocher’s method grouped the 30 genotypes into four clusters. Cluster II with 14 genotypes was the largest followed by cluster I (9 genotypes), cluster III (6 genotypes) and clusters IV was solitary cluster. Highest intra cluster distance was recorded among the genotypes of cluster II and lowest in cluster IV whereas highest inter cluster distance was observed between the genotypes of the clusters I and III, while lowest inter cluster distance was between the genotypes of the clusters III and IV. The present study revealed that the genotypes IC71841, IC139464 and IC22785 as water stress tolerant ones in laboratory experiment and in field experiment, genotypes IC22785, IC221105, IC22759 and IC139464 were identified as high yielding and moisture stress tolerant ones. The superior genotypes identified in the study can be recommended for cultivation and future breeding programs.