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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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20171
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Subject: Horticulture × Author: Aparna, K × Author: KAU × End date: 2017 × Start date: 2017 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Characterisation of coconut palms (Cocos Nucifera L.) showing general yellowing
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2017) Aparna, K; KAU; Sreekala, G S
    The study on “Characterisation of coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) showing general yellowing” was undertaken in selected coconut palms coming under Thiruvallam of Thiruvananthapuram district from March 2016 to March 2017. The objective was to evaluate the field characteristics and nutritional status of soil and coconut palms showing general yellowing and to formulate a management strategy. Coconut palms of variety WCT showing general yellowing which advance from lower to upper whorls of leaves were identified from farmer’s field of Thiruvallam. Fifteen palms showing uniform pattern of general yellowing and five healthy palms were selected from five farmer’s fields. Field, soil, plant and management practices followed by farmers were studied in the selected palms to identify the pre disposing factors leading to general yellowing. Observations on morphological and yield characteristics of selected coconut palms were recorded for one year at 60 days interval. Soil and plant samples were collected and analysed for macro and micronutrients. Based on soil test results the quantity of deficient macro nutrients were calculated and applied as per package of practices recommendation of Kerala Agricultural University. The soil and plant sample was again analysed six months after the application of fertilisers. Data generated on field characterization revealed the type of soils as red loam soils with good drainage in all the selected coconut palms. High soil organic matter was seen in all the healthy coconut palms while eighty percentage of coconut palms showing general yellowing were under medium status of organic matter. Of the coconut palms showing general yellowing, fifty three percent belonged to the age group of 31-35.The disease and pest incidence in the healthy palms was only twenty percent while it was more than fifty percent in palms showing general yellowing. The morphological, physiological and yield parameters of selected palms indicated significant variation in number of leaves showing yellowing, chlorophyll content, membrane integrity, relative water content, number of bunches, number of female flowers per bunch of inflorescence, number of nuts set per bunch, weight of nut, weight of copra and oil content in coconut palms showing general yellowing compared to healthy palms. However after the application of nutrients significant increase in chlorophyll a content, total chlorophyll content, membrane integrity and relative water content was noticed in coconut palms showing general yellowing. The soil and leaf nutrient analysis revealed a significant variation in N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and B content between coconut palms showing general yellowing and healthy palms. However, observations made at six months after the application of manures and fertilisers revealed a significant increase in soil pH, organic carbon, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, B and Cl in the soil and N,P,K of index leaf of coconut palms showing general yellowing. There was no significant variation in the S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu before and after the application of manures and fertilisers. The present study based on nutritional status and visual symptoms revealed that low soil nutrient status of N, P, K, Ca and Mg have resulted in the general yellowing in coconut. The application of fertilisers as per average management recommended by KAU (2016) could only enhance the soil N, P, K and Mg status to medium level while for calcium it still remained in low status. Thus a higher dose of N, P, K, Ca and Mg are required for the palms showing general yellowing to substantially improve the nutritional status of the palm.