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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: Deepa, Raj M L × Author: KAU × End date: 2003 × Start date: 2003 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Root activity in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.)
    (Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Deepa, Raj M L; KAU; Baby, Latha A K
    All investigation was undertaken during 1999-2001 in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, VelIanikkara, Thrissur to study the root activity in pineapple. The main objective was to know the most active root zone of pineapple and also to study the uptake of 32p by pineapple grown under different systems of planting. The root activity of pineapple varieties Kew and Mauritius grown in trenches and on surface was studied employing :l2p soil injection technique. Activity was applied at varying lateral distances and depth of 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm. The uptake and sharing of 32p by Kew and Mauritius grown under high density and 10\v density system of planting, in trenches and on surface was also evaluated. The results revealed that the most' active root zone of pineapple irrespective of variety and method of planting was LID! (15 cm lateral distance and 15 cm depth) in 32p absorption. The least active root zone was L4D4 (60 ern 'lateral distance and 60 cm depth). When lateral distance alone was considered irrespective of depth, variety and method of planting, the highest absorption of 32p was obtained from 15 cm distance at all sampling intervals. Depth also showed the same trend. There was no significant difference between the two varieties Kew and Mauritius and also between the two methods of planting (surface and trench method). When the percentage distribution of active roots of pineapple irrespective of variety and method of planting was observed it was seen that about 45.9 per cent of the root activity was concentrated in a soil zone constituting 15 cm lateral distance and 15 cm depth which was the active root zone. The least active root zone (L;D4) contributed only 0.49 per cent of the active roots. When lateral distance alone was considered, a lateral distance of 15 cm accommodated G 1.38 per cent of the active roots followed by 30 cm and the least from 60 cm lateral distance (3.16%). When depth was considered 73.2 per cent of the root activity was seen at the surfacel 5 ern soil layer followed by 30 cm The soil zone within 30 cm of lateral distance and 30 cm depth accommodate 80 per cent of the active roots. The root excavation studies revealed that Mauritius grown under surface method produced more number of roots. Regarding length an average of 24 cm was not iced When fresh weight and dry weight were observed Mauritius grown under surface method produced the highest value. The plant height and leaf number were not influenced by variety and planting method However trench method of planting produced more number or leaves than surface method. Significant difference was noticed between the two varieties when the flowering characters were taken into consideration. The studies carried out to know the uptake or :l2p by the treated and surrounding plants revealed that there was no significant difference between the two varieties Kew and Mauritius when the uptake by the treated plant was considered. Planting densities also did not show any significant difference. However regarding the method of planting, trench planting was found to be significantly superior to surface planting in theabsorption 0(l2p. Under high density and low density system of planting, Mauritius grown under trench planting recorded highest absorption of32p by the treated plant. It was also found that the applied activity was absorbed not only by the treated plant but also by the contact and neighbouring plants, which indicated the sharing of activity by the surrounding non treated plants. But the absorption by the treated plant was found to be more followed by the contact plants irrespective of variety, planting method and density of planting system.