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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: Ann Samuel × Author: KAU × End date: 2002 × Start date: 2000 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of genetic stock of Mucuna Pruriens Baker non DC. for yield, L-DOPA content and nitrogen fixing potential in coconut garden
    (Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Ann Samuel; KAU; Reghunath, B R
    The present study titled "Evaluation of genetic stock of Mucuna pruriens Baker non DC. for yield, L-DOPA content and nitrogen fixing potential in coconut garden" was carried out at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani from May 1999 to January 2000. Seeds of twenty five different accessions were collected from inside and outside the state. They were subjected to seed characterization and seed germination studies. Based on the germination rate, ten accessrons with high germination percentage were selected. These were raised under coconut shade. Various biometric observations were taken at four different stages, viz., pre-flowering, flowering, seeding and seed maturation state. These observations included biomass yield, root yield and seed yield. Phytochemical analysis was carried after crop harvest to estimate the quantity of L-DOPA present in the seeds of each accession. Soil tests were carried out to determine the amount of nitrogen fixed in the soil by the accessions. 2 After analysis of the results it was evident that the accessions MP-62, MP-57, MP-44, MP-58, MP-46 and MP-45 had superior biomass yields compared to the others. The accessions showing superior seed yield were MP-60, MP-62, MP-58, MP-67, MP-57 and MP-66. The content of soil nitrogen fixed varied significantly among the plots of individual accessions. The accessions MP-62, MP-57, MP-67, MP-44, MP-58 and MP-60 were observed to have fixed higher amounts of nitrogen. After phytochemical tests, the accessions with significantly superior L-DOPA content (ie., greater than two per cent) were MP-60, MP-57, MP-46 and MP-66. From the study conducted, the most promising accessions, ie., those having superior biomass, root and seed yield, as well as superior L-DOPA content and nitrogen-fixation potential could be identified. They are MP-62, MP-60, MP-58, MP-57, MP-44 and MP-67. It can be reiterated that growing such accessions of this plant . species would be of much benefit to the cultivator enabling him to utilize existing areas under cultivation, enrich its soil fertility status as well as provide him with an additional source of income by way of selling seeds; the medicinally valuable plant part.