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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic variability and correlation studies in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Poir)
    (Department of Horticulture (Olericulture), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Gopalakrishnan, T R; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, P K
    Eighteen diverse pumpkin genotypes were grown in a randomized block design with three replications during 1978-79 at the Instructional Farm of College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to estimate the extend of genetic variability, association among polygenic characters and its partition into direct and indirect effects. A discriminant function analysis was also carried out to find out the efficiency, if any, of selection through discriminant function over straight selection vice versa. The 18 genotypes were significantly different for the 32 polygenic characters studied. The genotype C.M. 17 and C.M.14 emerged as high yielders with other desirable qualities (16.10 kg. and 15.38 kg. fruit yield / plant respectively). Selection of plants considering yield per S E was observed to be efficient than selection of component characters. Fruit yield /plant was positively correlated with length of main vine, average fruit weight and weight of first mature fruit. Leaves /plant and intermodal length had maximum direct effects on length of main vine. Weight of first mature fruit was positively correlated flesh thickness and circumference of fruit. Number of female flowers/plant and number of fruit /plant had no correlation with fruit yield/plant. This aberrant behaviour requires further physiological studies to define the physiological sink in pumpkin. The line C.M.18 is observed to contain the maximum amount of carotene(0.527%) among the 18 genotypes studied. The carotene content was observed rather independent fruit yield /plant.