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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: Horticulture × Author: Alok × Author: KAU × End date: 2010 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Induction of variation in vitro in sarpagandhi (Rauvolfia serpentina L.)
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2009) Alok; KAU; Alice, Kurien
    A study was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the year 2006-2008 to induce variability in four accessions of sarpagandhi (Rauvolfia serpentina L.) through indirect organogenesis and in vitro colchiploidy and to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the variants. Axenic cultures could be established in four accessions of sarpagandhi through enhanced release of axillary buds in MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l-1 BA + 0.5 mg l-1 NAA. MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l-1 NAA promoted rooting and plantlets established well in potting mixture containing sand, soil, FYM in 1: 1: 1 ratio, enriched with phosphorous solubilizing bacteria + Trichoderma. The four accessions showed variation in morphogenic response with RS 4 showing maximum response. Indirect organogenesis in four accessions was standardised. Nodal segments were identified as the best explant for establishing callus cultures in sarpagandhi. Media combinations with 2,4-D + BA were superior to NAA + BA giving higher callusing percent, callus growth and early callus induction. The best media combination for callus initiation and proliferation was MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l-1 2,4-D + 0.2 mg l-1 BA in RS 1 accession and MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg l-1 2,4-D + 0.5 mg l-1 BA for RS 2 accession. For shoot morphogenesis, MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l-1 BA + 0.5 mg l-1 NAA was found ideal in the four accessions. Genotypic differences were noted in morphogenic response of callus cultures. Shoot morphogenesis percentage was maximum in RS 3 whereas proliferation was maximum in RS 4 and morphogenesis was quick in RS 1. Calli clones from two accessions varied greatly from control plants in growth attributes and the study highlighted the possibility of isolating variants with higher alkaloids and ploidy levels. The procedure for in vitro polyploidisation using colchicine was standardised. Nodal explants treated for 1 h with colchicine concentrations of 50 or 100 ppm exhibited maximum variation and vigour in the regenerants. Individual plants among in vitro colchicine treated regenerants with fewer stomata and larger size could be isolated as suspected polyploids.