Loading...
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.
Browse
18 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access Standardisation of selection criteria for cocoa hybrids(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Raji Varghese; KAU; Pushkaran, KInvestigation on standardisation of selection criteria for cocoa hybrids was conducted at Cadbury-KAU Co-operative cocoa Research Project (CC RP) Farm of Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during 1994-96. Twenty nine hybrids grown under Progeny Trial I and their 18 parents maintained in CYT-I were used for the study. The influence of seedling height and girth on yield was more pronounced in the case of seedlings one year after sowing than with those of 4 mas, 5 mas and 6 mas. The vegetative vigour measured by the height and diameter of trunk was found to be better correlated with precocity. The correlation coefficients of pod characters viz., length, width and weight of pods, number of beans, wet bean weight and pericarp thickness and seed characters viz., length, width, thickness and dryweight worked out between hybrids and female parents showed significant relationship in the case of pod length (r = 0.649) and number of beans (r = 0.606). But with mid parental value, the hybrids showed high correlation for the characters pod length, pod weight, number of beans, seed length, seed width and seed thickness (0.65, 0.45, 0.86, 0.70, 0.76 and 0.70 respectively). Heritability estimated by regressing offspring on female parent was high for the characters pod width, seed length and seed width (0,7, 0.64 and 0.78 respectively). Among the 29 hybrids studied, the hybrid H-4 of the cross GI 10.3 x GVI 54 was found to be promising in terms of both pod and wet bean yield. With the seedling characters of hybrids taken one year after sowing, a multiple regression equation for wet bean yield was fitted as: Y = 43 + 0.195 x1 + 3.70 X2 Where, x1 and X2 are height and girth of one year old seedlings respectively. This can be taken as a seedling selection criteria for cocoa hybrids.ThesisItem 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, PA 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.ThesisItem 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, PThe 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.ThesisItem Open Access Estimation of combining ability and heterosis in snakegourd(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1999) Radhika V S; KAU; Abdul Khader, K MA diallel analysis in snakegourd iTrichosanthes anguina. L.) was carried out in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period 1997-1999. The research work was taken up to assess the general and specific combining abilities, nature of gene action and also to estimate the heterosis for various characters. The six parents involved were selected from a previous D2 analysis conducted in the Department and were the most divergent ones. They are PI (Nedumangad local), P2 (Thrikkannapuram local), P3 (Kanhangad local - 3), P4 (Vlathankara local), Ps (Kaumudi) and P6 (Idukki local). The observations were recorded on yield and yield attributing characters. Significant differences were detected among the mean performance of the genotypes, for all the characters studied. The combining ability analysis revealed that the parent P, (Kaumudi) was the best general combiner for most of the yield and and yield contributing traits. The hybrids PI x Ps, P2 X P, and P2 x P6 were superior specific combiners in yield characters like mean weight of fruit, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield per plant respectively. The crosses involving P, and P6 were found to be good specific combiners for yield and yield contributing characters. The variance due to general and specific combining ability was significant in almost all the characters studied indicating the significance of both additive and non additive gene action in the characters. The sea variance was found to be more than gca variance in most of the characters studied indicating the predominance of non additive gene action. The ratio of additive to dominance variance was less than one in most of the characters again indicating the predominant influence of non additive gene action which strongly substantiated the validity of the heterosis breeding method in improving the crop. Manifestation of heterosis was seen for all the characters studied. Among the hybrids, P2 x Ps had the maximum standard heterosis for yield and yield related characters. The crosses PI x Ps, P, X P(, and P3 x P, also exhibited significant standard heterosis for these characters. In general the hybrids involving the parent Ps was found to be more heterotic.ThesisItem Open Access Intervarietal hybridization in Anthurium andreanum Linden(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1999) Renu, R S; KAU; Mercy, S TThe present study on evaluation of morphological characters and compatibility reactions among ten selected Anthurium andreanum varieties, was undertaken to analyse the scope for genetic improvement in this crop. The analysis of variance revealed significant variation among the ten varieties for the twelve quantitative characters studied. This reveals the high genetic potential for the improvement of this crop. Variability studies indicated that high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation for the characters plant height, position of candle, days to initiation of female phase, number of days in female phase and spathe size. The characters with heritability coupled with high genetic advance values were plant height, spathe size, spathe-candle ratio, position of candle, number of flowers per candle and days to initiation of female phase, indicating additive gene action. Plant height was found to be positively correlated with number of leaves or spadices per year. Spathe size and candle length were positively correlated. Candle length had high positive genotypic correlation with position of candle and number of flowers per candle. Pollen fertility ranged from 42 per cent in Liver Red to 13.7 per cent in Mauritius Orange. Study of pollen emergence pattern revealed significant differences among the varieties. Pollen emergence was completely absent in Pompon Red, Nitta Orange and Midori Green during the period of study. Pollen production was high in the cooler months of October to December and was suppressed during the hot months of March to June. Cross compatibility analysis based on the results of intervarietal hybridisation was done using the three parameters; i.e., percentage of candles bearing fruits, percentage fruit set and percentage seed •germination. The percentage of fruit bearing candles were highest for Nitta Orange (51.93 per cent) and lowest for Mauritius Orange (9.51 per cent). The only two selfings that produced fruiting candles were LR x LR and DT x DT. The number of fruits per candle ranged from five to 183. The variety Pompon Red had the highest average number of fruits per candle and it was lowest for Lady Jane. The percentage of fruit set was below 50 per cent for all the crosses except PR x LR. The crosses involving Pompon Red as female parent had the highest percentage of fruit set. The number of days taken for seed germination varied from three to twelve days. The seed germination was highest (87.5 per cent) for the cross DT x MW. Among the varieties it ranged from 69 per cent in Tropical Red to 2.3 per cent in Midori Green. Seedling survival at four to six month stage was highest for the crosses of Mauritius Orange and the lowest for those of Midori Green. The cross TR x MW showed 100 per cent seedling survival. Scoring of the compatibility reactions based on fruiting candles, fruit set and seed germination, on a scale ranging from O to 9, showed the highest compatibility' score of nine for PR x LR and CR x MW crosses. The best female parents were identified as Nitta Orange, Liver Red and Pompon Red based on the overall performance. The analysis of the performance of varieties as pollen parents on the same basis showed that Ceylon Red, Merengue White and Liver Red are the best pollen parents. These observations showed that the performance of a variety as female parent was different from its performance as male parent. Only the variety Ceylon Red and Liver Red performed well both as female and male parent.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic analysis of segregating generation of inter varietal crosses in greengram(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1999) Ebenezer Babu Rajan, R; KAU; Wilson, DThe research programme was carried out at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, VelIayani during rabi season 1998-99, with the objective of identifying superior progenies in the F2 generation for yielding ability and nitrogen fixation 'potential. Seven parents and F 2 progenies of their 21 crosses of greengram were evaluated, adopting a randemised block design with three replications. The data collected for thirteen quantitative characters were analysed statistically. The genetic parameters, correlation and path coefficients were studied and a selection index was formulated to identify superior genotypes. The treatments showed significant difference for all the characters. High genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for weight of nodules in the root at 50 per cent flowering, dry weight of plants at maturity, nitrogen content of plants at maturity and grain yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for weight of nodules in the root at 50 per cent flowering followed by dry weight of plants at maturity, grain yield, number of pods, number of cIuslters per plant, harvest index, hundred grain weight, number of secondary roots at maturity, plant height and shoot/root ratio indicating additive gene action and reliability of these characters during selection programme for crop improvement. High positive genotypic correlation for number of pods per plant followed by number of clusters per plant, harvest index, plant height, hundred grain weight and number of seeds per pod indicated selection based on one or more of the above components may result in the improvement of grain yield. The path coefficient analysis revealed high positive direct effects of number of pods on grain yield. In addition hundred grain weight and number of seeds. per pod also showed positive direct contribution to grain yield. A selection index was constructed based on grain yield per plant and eight yield contributing characters identified through correlation and path analysis. Based on the selection index one of the parental varieties CoGG-902 ranked first followed by Pusa-9333 x NDM-88-14, Pusa-9333, KM-1285 x CoGG-902 and IlPRM-3 x LG-444 were identified as superior for yielding ability and nitrogen fixing potential.ThesisItem Open 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 GThe 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.ThesisItem Open Access Heterosis and combining ability in greengram (Vigna radiate (L.) Wilczek) for biological nitrogen fixation and yield(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1998) Bhadra, K; KAU; Wilson, DThe research programme was carried out in diallel manner at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapurarn during 1996-98. 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 attributes in green gram. The study was conducted in a diallel model in a replicated field experiment using seven varieties of greengram, out of them four were high yielders and three with good nitrogen fixing capacity. Seven parents and twenty one hybrids were also raised in pots with seven replications to study the nodulation efficiency of hybrids and parents. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters. Except for nitrogen content at 50% flowering and harvest index, gca effects were not significant, for all the other characters both gca and sea effects were significant. The additive to dominance ratio indicated a preponderance of non-additive gene action for all characters except number of secondary roots and weight of nodules. The combining ability analysis revealed that NDM-88-14 was the good general combiner with respect to important nitrogen fixation traits where as P-9333 was the best general combiner with respect to yield and 2 other yield attributes. P-9333 x NDM-88-14 was the best specific combiner for nitrogen content. P-9333 x IIPRM-3, IIPRM-3 x LGG-444 and P-9333 x COGG-902 were the best specific combiners for yield and yield attributes. Combining the mean performance, sca effects and heterobeltiosis P-9333 x NDM-88-14 was identified as the good hybrid combination for nitrogen fixation traits. Re~arding yield, the hybrids P-9333 x IIPRM-3, P-9333 x COGG-902 turned out to be outstanding. Therefore, these hybrids can be utilized for crop improvement programme.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic evaluation of F4 and F5 generations of irradiated interspecific hybrids in okra(Abelmoschus spp.)(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1998) Anu Mary, C Philip; KAU; Manju, PA study was undertaken in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1997-98 for the genetic evaluation of the F 4 and F 5 generations of irradiated interspecific hybrids between A. esculentus and A. manihot with the objective of isolating high yielding yellow vein mosaic disease resistant lines from the segregating generations. The families in the F 4M4 generation were found to be late flowering and recorded higher mean values for number of leaves, number of branches, number of flowers and number of fruits per plant compared to the cultivated parent. The fruit yield per plant was higher than the parents inspite of the reduction noticed in average fruit weight. The families recorded lesser values for fruiting phase and duration and higher values for plant height. The crude fibre content of the fruits, yellow vein mosaic incidence and shoot and fruit borer infestation were lower in the families. This provided scope for the selection of several high yielding and YVM disease resistant types from the F 4M4 generation Number of flowers per plant and incidence of YVM disease recorded high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation. High heritability and genetic advance were observed for leaf number and weight of fruits per plant. Fruit yield per plant had high positive correlations with leaf number, number of branches, number of flowers and fruits per plant and plant height. Hence effective selection can be done for these characters for yield improvement. In the F sMs generation, the families were early flowering and recorded increase in leaf area, pollen sterility and number of branches per plant. The families also recorded higher mean values for leaf number, number of flowers and fruits per plant and plant height compared to the parents. The fruit yield per plant, average fruit weight and number of seeds per fruit were higher in the F sMs families. The fruiting phase and duration recorded an increase while the crude fibre content of fruits, incidence of YVM and incidence of shoot and fruit borer recorded lower mean values. Incidence of YVM disease had the maximum phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation. High heritability and genetic advance were observed for yield of fruits per plant. Weight of fruits per plant was significantly and positively correlated with leaf number, number of branches, number of flowers and fruits per plant, average fruit weight and plant height. Selection based on these characters will be effective in improving the yield of the crop. At the same time, high variation noted for YVM disease incidence offers more scope for selection based on disease incidence, in the process of selection for high yielding disease resistant types.