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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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20061
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Subject: Horticulture × Author: Anupama, T V × Author: KAU × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Variability and propagation studies in pummelo (Citrus grandis(L.) osbeck)
    (Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2006) Anupama, T V; KAU; Lila Mathew, K
    The present entitled “Variability and propagation studies in pummelo (Citrus grandis (L.). Osbeck.)” was conducted at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2003-2005. The objectives of the study were to explore the variability in vegetative, flowering, fruiting characters of pummelo through a comprehensive survey in Thrissur, Ernakulam and Kottayam districts of Kerala and to standardize vegetative propagation techniques in pummelo. Variations were noticed in tree habit (upright, spreading and drooping), tree shape (ellipsoid, spheroid and ellipsoid-oblate), branch density (sparse, medium and high) among the 40 accessions surveyed. Leaf shape, length, width, length/width ratio, petiole wing shape, margin and aroma of crushed leaves showed variations. Flowering season started by March-April. Late flowering types (November- December) were also observed. AC. 16, 29 and 31 exhibited perpetual flowering habit. Flowers were both solitary and crowded. Variations were observed in number of flowers per inflorescence (four-12), flower length (1.40-3.37 cm), breadth (1.10-1.98 cm), pollen fertility (78-90 %) and pollen diameter (32.22-37.10 microns). The fruiting period was from September - February, with the peak in November- December. Variations were noticed in fruit shape (spheroid, pyriform, oblate and oblique), colour (yellow and greenish yellow), base shape (concave- collared, concave, truncate and convex), apex shape (depressed, truncate and convex) fruit skin surface (smooth and pitted), presence of oil glands (conspicuous and very conspicuous), mesocarp colour (white and light pink), carpel colour (pale yellow to red), juice colour (pale yellow to reddish), juice taste (poor and very poor) and juice flavour (moderate and strong). Biometric characters viz., fruit length (10.2 - 21.2 cm), width (9.8 - 24.8 cm), fruit weight (193.00 -1960.00 g), rind weight (50.00 - 997.00 g), number of segments (9.0 - 16.0), segment length (5.02 - 14.12 cm), segment width (2.54 - 5.20 cm), segment weight (12.00 - 78.00 g), juice content (18.1 - 75.3%), total segment weight- rind ratio (0.43 - 3.53) and yield of fruits per tree (48.25 - 255.00 kg) were varied widely. Significant correlation was observed between yield, fruit length, width, weight, rind weight, segment length, width and weight. Significant variations were noticed for bio chemical characters like TSS (5-110 brix), acidity (0.41-1.74 %), TSS/acidity ratio (3.86 to 22.22), total sugars (3.35- 6.73 %), reducing sugars (0.81- 3.09 %), non-reducing sugars (1.77 - 5.17 %) and ascorbic acid (16.0 - 95.0 mg per 100 g fruit). TSS was significantly correlated with total sugar and reducing sugar content. Sensory attributes viz., appearance, colour, taste, flavour, sweetness, juiciness and overall acceptability of fruits, showed wide variations. AC.11 and AC.12 excelled in sensory qualities. Seeded and seedless types were noticed among the collections. Seed characters varied with respect to the shape, number of seeds per fruit, length, width, weight, days for germination and germination percentage. Seeds had white cotyledons and exhibited monoembryony. Cluster analysis yielded three clusters and showed the existence of genetic divergence in pummelo. Principal component analysis was done using ten fruit parameters and a selection index was worked out. Sixteen accessions had selection index value greater than the standard. AC.2, 9, 11, 12, 14 and 26 can be selected for further evaluation and multiplication. Propagation methods viz., cutting, layering and budding were investigated in pummelo. Highest rooting percentage was obtained in cuttings treated with NAA at 1000 mg l-1 followed by NAA at 2000 mg l-1 and IBA at 1000 mg l-1 in the month of September. Soft wood cuttings showed lesser days for rooting and semi hard wood cuttings gave significantly higher number of roots, treated with NAA at 1000 mg l-1 treatment followed by NAA at 2000 mg l-1. The best medium for layering was sphagnum moss with more number of roots per layer and with lesser days for rooting. Second best medium was coconut fibre and saw dust was inferior to sphagnum moss and coconut fibre. August was the best month with lesser days for rooting and more number of roots per layer, followed by July, which showed the highest percentage of rooting. Patch budding and modified forkert budding, tried on pummelo and acid lime rootstocks, resulted in no bud take despite the different seasons.