Thumbnail Image

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

19961
Reset filters
Subject: Horticulture × Author: Abdul Hameed, A × Author: KAU × Start date: 1964 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative study on the perfomance of RRII 105 under high and low density planting in Chirayinkeezh Taluk
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Abdul Hameed, A; KAU; Nybe, EV
    With a view to evaluate the performance of RRII 105 under different planting densities, 25 villages in Chirayinkeezh taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district were selected covering an area of 1915 hectares. Fifty units selected were categorized into three groups based on the number of plants per hectare. Group one comprised of those with 450 to 500 trees per hectare; group two, 501-600 trees per hectare and group three, above 600 trees per hectare. The holdings selected were planted during 1985 and 1990. Observations pertaining to growth, yield, incidence of diseases, wind damage, brown bast, etc. were recorded by periodical visit to the holdings as well as from the records maintained in the Regional Office, Rubber Board. The results of the present study generally agree with the results of experiments reported earlier. It is a fact that plants under wider spacing will be vigorously growing and is likely to attain tappable girth comparatively earlier. At lower densities, per tree yield is higher but the per hectare yield is low when compared to high densities of planting. The effect of close planting can be seen in the net income from a unit area of rubber plantation. Though the per tree yield is low in medium and high densities of planting, the total net income is always high. The high density also leads to high cost of maintenance. For meeting the tapping charge alone. Over 45 per cent of the maintenance cost is to be set apart. This item of expenditure goes upto 50 per cent in highest densities of plantation. The general notion is that if family labour is employed, the closer plantings will be more profitable as there is considerable savings towards labour cost. The peculiarity observed in Chirayinkeezh taluk is that even the smallest units measuring around 0.20 hectare in extent are engaging paid tappers and estate workers. This is because no grower is entirely dependent on rubber or agriculture in particular as a sole source of income. Under the circumstances it is advisable to recommend an initial stand between 550-600 per hectare subsequently reduced to 500 hectare at the time of tapping for small holders of Chirayinkeezh taluk as there is not much difference between the stand groups of 450-500 and 501-600 per hectare with respect to yield, net return and on various growth parameters. Keeping in view the recommendation in Malaysia (750 per hectare for small holders), it is suggested to undertake in depth studies in this direction before giving a specific recommendation with regard to high density planting considering the unique local situations. The findings of the study can be summarized as follows: Generally, plants in lower planting densities had medium to dense canopy Plants under wider spacing were comparatively more vigorous Height of branching was at higher level in close planting The intensity of common diseases affecting rubber tree could be rated as ‘low’ and large scale preventive/remedial measures were not warranted Daily tapping was the common accepted system of tapping in small holdings Brown bast symptoms started appearing notably and would intensify in the coming years Though per hectare yield was positively correlated with planting density, the per tree yield recorded a negative correlation. Higher BCR (2.28) was recorded in the case of normal planting density (450-500 trees/ha).