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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: Anila, R × End date: 2004 × Start date: 2001 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance studies in selected varieties and hybrids of mango (Mangifera Indica L.)
    (Department Of Pomology And Floriculture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Anila, R; KAU; Radha, T
    The study entitled "Performance studies in selected varieties and hybrids of mango (Mangifera indica L.)" was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara utilising the trees in the germplasm collection attached to the Department of Pomology and Floriculture. The objective of the experiment was to gather basic information about the morphological and biochemical aspects of flushing, flowering and fruiting in five varieties namely Alphonso, Prior, Muvandan, Neelum and Kalapady and two hybrids Ratna and H-151 under the humid tropical conditions of Kerala. The study was conducted under three heads, namely, growth characters, flowering characters and fruit set and development. . - ~ Flushing pattern in the varieties revealed that Alphonso;. Prior, H-151 and Ratna exhibited single extended flushing for a period of two to three months whereas Neelum, Kalapady and Muvandan showed two distinct flushing. About 90 per cent of the shoot growth in terms of length and leaf number occurred during the first week. The cessation in shoot growth took place by fourth week. Varieties exhibited wide variation in the physical and morphological characters ofleaf. ---" Flowering occurred during the month of December - January in all the varieties, except in Neelum, in which flowering was during April - May. The maximum hermaphrodite flowers ~ere noted in Alphonso (44.39%) and least in Muvandan (15.77%). Inflorescence characters such as length, breadth, shape, colour etc. were recorded. In all the varieties the first 15 days was found to be crucial during which fruit drop to the tune 0 r 90 per cent occurred. Retention 0 I fruits varied from 10.07 per cent in Alphonso to 20.34 per cent in H-151. Morphological, physical and biochemical characters of fruits from set to fruit ripening was recorded. Changes in length, breadth, circumference, weight, volume, specific gravity, acidity, sugar, TSS, ascorbic acid and chlorophyll content were noted. Maximum increment in length occurred between 30 and 45 days after flowering in most of the varieties. Even though other varieties were having the maximum fruit weight and volume up to 60 days after flowering Ratna was the topper towards the final stages of development. Acidity was high in the initial stages of development and later on a decrease was noted towards ripening. Alphonso had the maximum acidity and Prior had the least. Ascorbic acid content was low in the initial stages, gradually a rise was . noticed and towards ripening it exhibited a drop. H-151 had the maximum ascorbic acid content and Prior had the least content. Sugar content was found to increase towards ripening. Total chlorophyll content exhibited a progressive increase till 60 DAFS followed by a decrease. Alphonso, Prior, Muvandan and Neelum took 90 days to reach full maturity whereas Ratna and H-151 took 105 days. The time taken from full maturity to ripening ranged from four to six days in all the varieties. Ratna had superiority in TSS, reducing and total sugars and pulp content, followed by H-151. Prior had the. maximum yield followed by Ratna. The overall acceptability was also high for the variety Prior, followed by Ratna.