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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Open Access
Genetic analysis of segregating generations of irradiated interspecific hybrids in okra (Abelmoschus spp.)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Sophia John; KAU; Manju, P
A study* was. conducted in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during l996-'97 to estimate the extent of variability generated in the f 2M? and F3M3 generations as a result of hybridisation and hybrid irradiation of the interspecific hybrids between A. s esculenins and A. manihot and also to isolate high yielding yellow vein mosaic disease resistant lines from among the segregating generations In the l-^M-, generation, the irradiated treatments were found to be late flowering and had more number of leaves per plant, flowers per plant and fruits per plant Irradiation was found to increase pollen sterility and was maximum in 10 kR However seed set was lower for the irradiated treatments. Average fruit weight and weight of fruits per plant was maximum in plants belonging to the treatment 20 kR. Fruit length and girth were found to increase with increasing radiation doses. Number of ridges per fruit, fruiting phase and plant duration were higher in the irradiated treatments when compared to 0 kR and was maximum in 40 kR Plant height was highest in the treatment 30 kR Irradiation was found to increase YVM disease incidence and fruit and shoot borer incidence and it was maximum in 30 kR among the irradiated treatments. However a few high yielding YVM disease resistant plants resembling the cultivated parent were also observed in 30 kR ■Genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance were high for number of branches per plant and number of seeds per fruit in all the irradiated treatments in F2M2. High heritability with high genetic advance were observed for leaf number, number of flowers per plant, Iruits • ' per plant and pollen sterility in 20 kR and 30 kR. Significant positive * . correlation of number of leaves per plant, flowers per plant and fruits per plant with weight of fruits per plant and also among themselves was observed in all the irradiated treatments in F2M0. Average fruit weight and fruit yield A* • 0 per plant were positively correlated in treatments 0 kR, 10 kR, 40 kR, P, and P2. % In F3M3 the irradiated treatments were found to be late flowering and had more number of leaves, branches, flowers and fruits per plant. Pollen sterility was lower for the irradiated treatments, when compared to the unirradiated treatment and was lowest in 30 kR. However the number of seeds per fruit was more in 30 kR compared to the other treatments excluding parental treatments. Irradiation was found to decrease average fruit weight but fruit yield per plant was more for the irradiated treatments due to the larger number of fruits and was maximum in 40 kR. Length of fruit increased with increasing radiation doses. Significant differences among the irradiated treatments were not observed with respect to number of ridges per fruit. Irradiation was found to increase the fruiting phase as well as plant duration. Plant height was maximum in 10 kR when compared to all the other treatments. Yellow vein mosaic disease incidence was high in the cultivated parent and the higher dose radiation treatments viz , 30 kR and 40 kR. From the present study *a few recombinants which resembled the cultivated parent, with high yield and YVM disease resistance could be isolated from 30 kR, which suggested that 30 kR could be ideal radiation dose for evolving high yielding YVM disease resistant lines in okra. Fruit and shoot borer incidence was highest in the cultivated parent and was also high in 30 kR. High to moderately high genotypic coefficient of variation was observed.lor number of branches per plant, leaves per plant, flowers per plant, fruits per plant, weight of fruits per plant and number of seeds per fruit in all irradiated treatments in F3M3. High heritability and genetic advance were observed lor number of fruits per plant, weight of fruits per plant, flowers per plant and pollen sterility in all the irradiated treatments. Number of leaves per plant, flowers per plant and fruits per plant were positively correlated with fruit yield per plant in all the treatments while average fruit weight had significant positive correlation with fruit yield per plant in 0 kR, P, and P2 in the F3M3 generation. As a future line of work, high yielding, YVM disease resistant plants assembling the cultivated parent which have been isolated from the treatment 30 kR will be further evaluated for a few more generations and if found superior and YVM disease resistant it will finally be developed into a YVM disease resistant variety.
Open Access
Combining ability in bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Rajani, B; KAU; Manju, P
The study was carried out in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture , Vellayani during 1994-95 to estimate the combining ability of six genetically divergent parental strains of bhindi and their 30 F1 hybrids obtained by crossing the six parents in a diallel pattern. The magnitude of heterosis and nature of gene action governing the yield of fruits and other important yield attributes was also elicited through Hayman's numerical and graphical approach. The combinig ability analysis by the Method 1 of Griffing's (1956) approach revealed that the parent P4 (NBPGR/TCR 864) was the best general combiner for yield and a few yield related characters. Among the hybrids P1 X P4 (NBPGR/TCR 893 x NBPGR/TCR 864) exhibited outstanding s.c.a effects for yield. Non addictive gene action was found to govern days to first flowering number of flowers per plant, length of fruit, girth of fruit, weight of single fruit, weight of fruits per plant and number of seeds per fruit while the remaining characters were governed by addictive gene action.
Open Access
Studies on seed dormancy in rice (Oryza sativa. L.) with special reference to short duration varieties
(Faculty of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agriculture College & Research Institute, Coimbatore, 1961) Gopinathan Nair, V; KAU; Ponnaiya, B W X
Work done in cereals and other crop plants on the factors related to seed dormancy (causes, tissues involved, stage of maturity at harvest, variation in period and genetics), which are important from a practical breeding point of view, has been critically reviewed with special reference to rice. Studies were undertaken on six short duration varieties of rice and their hybrids to estimate the period of dormancy, to understand the relative roles of the hull and the embryo and also to understand the mode of inheritance of the character. A new method was adopted in the estimation of dormancy. The period required for germination from flowering, determined by germination tests at periodic intervals, rendered a reliable estimate of inter and intravarietal variability for germination and formed the criterion for comparison of varieties and hybrids.
Open Access
Genetic variability in fodder bajra
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Suresh, S; KAU; Sumabai, D I
A research programme was carried out at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during May to August 1995, with the objective of assessing the genetic variability and the scope of selection for forage yield and quality in bajra. Twenty varieties were evaluated adopting a randomised block design with three replications. Data on twelve characters were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference among the varieties for all the characters studied. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were high for leaf weight per plant, green fodder yield, dry matter yield, leaf- stem ratio and crude protein content. High heritability coupled with relatively high genetic advance was recorded for leaf weight per plant and internodal length suggesting the reliability of these characters during selection programme. High positive genotypic correlation of dry matter yield, plant stand after germination, leaf number per plant, leaf weight per plant and leaf area index with green fodder yield had indicated that selection based on the above components results in the improvement of green fodder yield. Path analysis revealed that leaf number per plant and leaf area index were the most important characters influencing green fodder yield and dry matter yield. Selection index based on yield contributing characters had enabled to select four high yielding fodder bajra genotypes namely HTGPK – 1993, SSG – 59 - 3, IP – 5714 and LSGP – 1995.
Open Access
Combining ability for drought tolerance and yield in blackgram
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Roy Isaac Varghese; KAU; Abdul Khader, K M
A research programme consisting of five drought tolerant lines, three high yielding testers and their fifteen hybrids was carried out at the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 1996-97, to evaluate the combining ability and gene action for drought tolerance, yield and related characters in blackgram. The lines and testers were selected based on previous performance and crossed and subjected to line x tester analysis and data recorded on both yield and drought related characters. Significant difference among the treatments was observed for all characters. Differences among parents were observed for all characters except number of branches per plant and number of pods per plant. Crosses were significantly different for all the characters. Therefore combining ability analysis was carried out for all characters. Specific combining ability variance was significant for all traits except number of branches per plant indicating the importance of non additive gene action. Both additive and non additive gene action were found to be involved for duration of the crop, number of pods per plant and grain yield per plant. However in all cases non additive gene action was predominant. Among lines, T 9 emerged as the best general combiner for various yield and drought related characters. The line, CoBG 302 was also found to be a better general combiner for various characters. Among testers, WBG 67 proved to be the best general combiner followed by VB 11. No specific cross combination was found to be significantly different for all the traits together. However the cross PDU 101 x WBG 67, CoBG 302 x CoBG 303 and T 9 x VB 11 were found to be the better specific combiner, when all the characters are considered. In short on the basis of combining ability estimated the lines T 9 and CoBG 302? the testers WBG 67 and VB 11 and the hybrids PDU 101 x WBG67, CoBG 302 x CoBG 303 and T 9 x VB 11 were suggested for further utilization for improvement.
Open 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.
Open Access
Biometric analysis of yield and other attributes in coleus
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Prakash, K M; KAU; Pushkaran, K
Studies were undertaken with thirty genotypes of coleus in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1995-96 to estimate the extent of genetic variability, association among the selected characters and its partition into direct and indirect effects through path coefficient analysis under open as well as shaded conditions. The results have shown that the differences between the types were highly significant for most of the characters in the open condition and for all the characters in shaded condition. Low heritability and low genetic advance were shown for most of the economically important tuber characters in the open while the heritability and genetic advance were much greater in the shaded for the economically important characters. Expected genetic advance has shown that by selecting five per cent superior plants from available population, tuber yield could be increased by 52 g per plant in the shaded condition. Correlation studies have indicated that shoot characters like shoot length, number of leaves per plant and leaf area per plant and tuber characteristics like number of tubers per plant, tuber girth and tuber length are highly correlated with yield under open condition. However under shaded condition all the shoot characters are negatively correlated and all the tuber characters like number, length, girth and individual weight are to be given emphasis for identifying a high yielding genotype because of their high positive genotypic correlation with tuber yield. Path analysis projects that greater emphasis has to be laid for improving girth of tuber, number of tubers per plant individual tuber weight and tuber length in the open condition in selection while number of tubers, individual tuber weight and tuber girth should be given emphasis when selection is done for tuber yield in shade grown coleus.
Open Access
Evaluation of morpho-anatomical variation in ocimum spp.
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Lisymol J Vadukkoot; KAU; Presannakumari, K T
A comparative evaluation of the morphological and antomical features the protein pattern of the four different species of Ocimum viz., O. Tenuiflorum, O. Gratissimum, O. Basilicum and O. Canum was carried out in the Department of Plant Brreding and Genetics during 1994-95 to find out the evolutionary ralationships existing among the species and to prepare a key for their identification. Ample variability was observed among the four species of Ocimum for morphological and anatomical features as well as biochemical aspects. Based on these observations a key for identification of the species is proposed. From the morphological and anatomical observations made during the study it appears that O. Gratissimum and O. Tenuiflorum are phylogenetically related and so also O. Basilicum and O. Canum. The protein banding pattern of the four species further confirms this view. From the herbaceous nature, presence of pitted xylem vessel elements and vessels which are circular in Transverse Section it seems that O. Basilicum and O. Canum are more evolved than O. Tenuiflorum and O. Gratissimum.
Open Access
Gene action and combining ability in grain cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in relation to aphid borne mosaic virus resistance
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Smitha, S; KAU; Kamalam, N
Two lines, five testers and ten hybrids of cowpea were evaluated in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 94-95, with the objective of estimating the combining ability of parents and gene action involved in the inheritance of different yield attributes and CAMV resistance. The lines and testers were selected based on their previous performances and crossed in line x tester manner to get ten hybrids. Observations were made on ten characters, of which nine characters showed significant difference among the 17 treatments. It was seen that nonadditive gene action was predominated for the inheritance of number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, 100 - seed weight and seed yield/plant and aphid borne mosaic resistance and additive gene action for days to flowering, days to maturity and number of branches/plant. The varieties Pournami, V - 317, V - 276 and Charodi were the best general combiners and the cross combinations V - 317 x CO4 and V-276 x Pournami were the best specific combinations for yield and CAMV resistance. Hence they can be utilized for further crop improvement programme.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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