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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Quality analysis and culinary utilization of cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.)
    (Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Neethu, Mohan; KAU; Nirmala, C
    The present investigation entitled “Quality analysis and culinary utilization of cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.)” was conducted at the Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during the period October 2015 – May 2016. The objective of the study was to analyze the qualities of cashew apple and to evaluate its use in culinary preparations. Cashew apple needed for the study was procured from State Seed Farm, Kottarakara, Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani and also from local sources. The collected Cashew apple was pre-treated to remove the astringent content by steaming for 5 minutes under pressure (T1), boiling in 2 per cent salt solution for 5 minutes (T2), immersing fruit in rice gruel extract for 30 minutes (T3), immersing fruit in 0.55 per cent gelatin solution for 10 minutes (T4) and immersing fruit in 5 per cent salt solution for 3 days with the change of salt solution daily (T5). Fresh cashew apple served as control (T6). After the pre - treatment process, samples were subjected to physical, chemical and nutrient analysis. Based on the analysis of samples the treatment with least content in astringent principles (polyphenol and tannin) and with highest sensory scores were selected and stored in glass containers under refrigeration for storage study. Physical appearance and colour, fruit flavour, texture, taste and overall acceptability of treated and fresh cashew apples were evaluated by a panel comprising of 10 members using a 5 point score card. Based on the mean scores, the best treatment was identified which was T2 (Cashew apple treated in 2 per cent salt solution for 5 minutes). Chemical analysis of fresh and treated Cashew apple observed that a reduction in the chemical constituents in treated Cashew apples compared to T6 (Fresh cashew apple). It was found thatT2was in least content in polyphenol (0.11 per cent) and tannin (0.07per cent) hence selected for further in depth study. Nutrient analysis showed that the values obtained for different nutrients were lower for treated cashew apple. T2 sample got comparatively higher values than other treatments in carbohydrate (11.30g) vitamin C (180.00mg) and potassium (75.20 mg) and was also on par with control (T6). Treated cashew apple sample T2 and control T6 were stored in glass containers under refrigeration for storage study. The study showed no significant change in moisture content of the stored samples. With respect to acidity,T6 showed significant increase but not in T2. Microbial growth was seen in T2 sample on the 5th day and in T6 sample on the 7th day of storage. Cashew apple powder was also prepared from selected treatment T2 and fresh cashew apple T6 and denoted as T2P and T6P which was also used in culinary preparations. Four types of culinary preparations such as Cashew apple gravy preparation (Masala curry), Cashew apple salad, Cashew apple sweet chutney and Cashew apple sweet meat product (payasam) were made from T2andT6. Sensory acceptability of these preparations was tested by 10 panel members using 5 point score card and preference was assessed using 9 point hedonic rating scale. These four preparations were also made using cashew apple powderT2P and T6P and evaluated. Results of the organoleptic evaluation of culinary preparations from T2, T6, T2P and T6Psecured highest mean preference score for cashew apple salad (8.8/9) prepared from T2 followed by Cashew apple payasam (8.7/9) from T6 and Cashew apple chutney (8.7/9) from T2P. Cashew apple masala curry got (8.6/9) from T2. From the above findings, it can be concluded that Cashew apple treated with 2 per cent salt solution (T2) lower the astringent principle and was found to be most suitable for culinary preparations such as sweet meat products, gravy preparations, chutneys and fresh salads.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Quality analysis and culinary utilization of cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.)
    (College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Neethu, Mohan; KAU; Nirmala, C
    The present investigation entitled “Quality analysis and culinary utilization of cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.)” was conducted at the Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during the period October 2015 – May 2016. The objective of the study was to analyze the qualities of cashew apple and to evaluate its use in culinary preparations. Cashew apple needed for the study was procured from State Seed Farm, Kottarakara, Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani and also from local sources. The collected Cashew apple was pre-treated to remove the astringent content by steaming for 5 minutes under pressure (T1), boiling in 2 per cent salt solution for 5 minutes (T2), immersing fruit in rice gruel extract for 30 minutes (T3), immersing fruit in 0.55 per cent gelatin solution for 10 minutes (T4) and immersing fruit in 5 per cent salt solution for 3 days with the change of salt solution daily (T5). Fresh cashew apple served as control (T6). After the pre - treatment process, samples were subjected to physical, chemical and nutrient analysis. Based on the analysis of samples the treatment with least content in astringent principles (polyphenol and tannin) and with highest sensory scores were selected and stored in glass containers under refrigeration for storage study. Physical appearance and colour, fruit flavour, texture, taste and overall acceptability of treated and fresh cashew apples were evaluated by a panel comprising of 10 members using a 5 point score card. Based on the mean scores, the best treatment was identified which was T2 (Cashew apple treated in 2 per cent salt solution for 5 minutes). Chemical analysis of fresh and treated Cashew apple observed that a reduction in the chemical constituents in treated Cashew apples compared to T6 (Fresh cashew apple). It was found thatT2was in least content in polyphenol (0.11 per cent) and tannin (0.07per cent) hence selected for further in depth study. Nutrient analysis showed that the values obtained for different nutrients were lower for treated cashew apple. T2 sample got comparatively higher values than other treatments in carbohydrate (11.30g) vitamin C (180.00mg) and potassium (75.20 mg) and was also on par with control (T6). Treated cashew apple sample T2 and control T6 were stored in glass containers under refrigeration for storage study. The study showed no significant change in moisture content of the stored samples. With respect to acidity,T6 showed significant increase but not in T2. Microbial growth was seen in T2 sample on the 5th day and in T6 sample on the 7th day of storage. Cashew apple powder was also prepared from selected treatment T2 and fresh cashew apple T6 and denoted as T2P and T6P which was also used in culinary preparations. Four types of culinary preparations such as Cashew apple gravy preparation (Masala curry), Cashew apple salad, Cashew apple sweet chutney and Cashew apple sweet meat product (payasam) were made from T2andT6. Sensory acceptability of these preparations was tested by 10 panel members using 5 point score card and preference was assessed using 9 point hedonic rating scale. These four preparations were also made using cashew apple powderT2P and T6P and evaluated. Results of the organoleptic evaluation of culinary preparations from T2, T6, T2P and T6Psecured highest mean preference score for cashew apple salad (8.8/9) prepared from T2 followed by Cashew apple payasam (8.7/9) from T6 and Cashew apple chutney (8.7/9) from T2P. Cashew apple masala curry got (8.6/9) from T2. From the above findings, it can be concluded that Cashew apple treated with 2 per cent salt solution (T2) lower the astringent principle and was found to be most suitable for culinary preparations such as sweet meat products, gravy preparations, chutneys and fresh salads.