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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: Binisha, S × Author: KAU × End date: 2003 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Supplementry effect of biofertilizers in dendrobium
    (Department Of Pomology And Floriculture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Binisha, S; KAU; Jyothi Bhasker
    Studies on "Supplementary effect of biofertilizers in Dendrobium" were carried out in the orchidarium of All India Co-ordinated Floriculture Improvement Project, Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from July 2002 to August 2003. The study was conducted using Dendrobium var. Sonia 17, with the main objective of determinjng the effect of biofertilizers on growth and flowering of Dendrobium in combination with inorganic fertilizers. Results revealed that, different treatments involving combinations of biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers highly influenced the growth characters of the plant. The plant height obtained was the highest for NPK 10:5:10 along with Azospirillum. This treatment also improved vegetative characters like number of leaves per plant, number of leafy shoots, girth of shoot and internodal length. Maximum number of pseudobulbs was obtained for the treatment receiving NPK 10:5: 1 0 inoculated with Azospirillum and phosphobacteria at the time of planting. Root characters and dry matter production were markedly influenced by biofertilizer treatments. Root length and root number were found to be the highest for the treatment receiving 20: 1 0: 1 0 NPK along with Azospirillum, phosphobacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi. These three biofertilizers along with 10:5: 10 NPK yielded the highest root volume. Dry matter production at the time of flowering was markedly influenced by biofertilizer application. Treatment receiving 20: 1 0: 1 0 NPK along with Azospirillum and phosphobacteria recorded the highest value for dry matter production. Plants. which were inoculated with Azospirillum at the time of planting and sprayed with 20: 1 0: 1 0 NPK at 0.2 per cent concentration, came to flowering early, produced larger flowers, lengthy spikes and more number of flowers per spike. Number of spikes per plant, colour variation, spike internodal length, pedicel length and longevity of spike on the plant were not found to be influenced by biofertilizer application. Significant incidence of pests and diseases were not noticed during the period under study. Nutrient content in the plant was found to be influenced by the biofertilizers applied. The plants inoculated with, both the biofertilizers, Azospirillum and phosphobacteria and sprayed with 20:10:10 NPK at 0.2 per cent concentration recorded higher values for the nutrients analysed. The microbial population estimated at the post-experimental stage recorded ,- the presence of Azospirillum and phosphobacteria even after 12 MAP in soil less media but AMF spores were found to be absent. From this trial conducted, an indication is obtained that, Azospirillum and phosphobacteria can survive in a soil less media and these biofertilizers in combination with inorganic nutrients can improve both vegetative and flowering characters in orchid. This piece of information can be very well utilized for carrying out further studies in this line, so that an economically feasible and eco-friendly nutrient formulation can be developed for the. benefit of the orchid growers.