Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

20142
Reset filters
Subject: Horticulture × Author: KAU × Author: Veeresh, Netekal × Start date: 1964 ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Seed production potential dormancy and seed storage behaviour in sida spp.
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Veeresh, Netekal; KAU; Alice, Kurian
    The study entitled “Seed production potential, dormancy and seed storage behaviour in Sida spp.” was undertaken at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2012-2014. The study aimed to assess seed production potential and characterize dormancy in three Sida species (Sida alnifolia, Sida acuta and Sida cordifolia) and to standardize ideal pre-treatment for improving germination and to study seed storage behaviour in Sida alnifolia. Flowering and fruiting in Sida species was staggered and started four months after planting. Flowering and fruiting was earliest in Sida acuta and latest in Sida alnifolia. Maximum seed rain and seed production potential was exhibited by Sida acuta. The fruits and seeds were biggest in Sida cordifolia. Physical characterization of dormancy by analysis of seed coat thickness and embryo size of three species revealed that hard thick seed coat comprising endoderm, mesoderm, periderm and presence of thick corrugated impermeable cuticle was a major limiting factor restricting the exchange of water and gases. Acid scarification brought out reduction in all layers of the seed coat with maximum reduction in cuticle thickness. Upon storage, the total thickness of the seed coat and individual layers was slightly reduced but embryo area, perimeter and cuticle thickness increased slightly. The physiological conditions tried such as exposure of seeds to different temperatures, light and dark and exposure to stress by hydration and dehydration failed to promote germination in fresh seeds. Irrespective of the species, seeds whether fresh or stored, also failed to germinate without pre-treatment. Germination studies under field conditions indicated that seeds exposed to natural weathering showed a spontaneous response on receipt of rain and the germination was completed in ten days with highest germination (74.50 per cent) in Sida acuta followed by Sida alnifolia (67.50 per cent) and least in Sida cordifolia (42.50 per cent). Biochemical analysis of seeds revealed that species differed in the content of total extractives, total phenol and total alkaloid and Sida acuta recorded higher contents of total extractives and total alkaloid whereas total phenol content was higher in Sida alnifolia. Analysis of the seed leachates indicated species difference in the content of minerals and electrical conductivity. Sida acuta recorded the highest potassium and EC values. Among the eighteen pre-treatments tried for improving germination, chemical scarification using Conc. H2SO4 was significantly superior and recorded higher germination per cent and speed of germination. Untreated seeds failed to germinate. Scarification of seeds with Conc. H2SO4 for higher duration of 30 minutes was selected as the best treatment considering improvement in water imbibition, germination per cent, speed of germination, growth and vigour of seedling and significant reduction in the intensity of dormancy. Storage studies revealed that upon storage, germination, vigour of seedling and reduction in dormancy factors were at a positive side compared to fresh seeds. Storage of seeds under cooler atmosphere either refrigerator or freezer was found to improve the water imbibition, content of minerals, germination and vigour of seedling compared to ambient storage. The present investigations could thus establish that seeds of Sida species exhibit coat imposed dormancy and require two months of after ripening period, posing problems in germination. Pre-treatment of seeds with Conc. H2SO4 for 30 minutes is suggested to bring down dormancy and improve germination and vigour of seedlings. Exposing the seeds to natural weathering is a simple way of improving germination. The seeds can be effectively stored under cooler conditions in refrigerator / freezer for one year or longer which also lowered dormancy and improved germination and vigour of seedlings.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Seed production potential dormancy and seed storage behaviour in sida spp.
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2014) Veeresh, Netekal; KAU; Alice, Kurian
    The study entitled “Seed production potential, dormancy and seed storage behaviour in Sida spp.” was undertaken at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2012-2014. The study aimed to assess seed production potential and characterize dormancy in three Sida species (Sida alnifolia, Sida acuta and Sida cordifolia) and to standardize ideal pre-treatment for improving germination and to study seed storage behaviour in Sida alnifolia. Flowering and fruiting in Sida species was staggered and started four months after planting. Flowering and fruiting was earliest in Sida acuta and latest in Sida alnifolia. Maximum seed rain and seed production potential was exhibited by Sida acuta. The fruits and seeds were biggest in Sida cordifolia. Physical characterization of dormancy by analysis of seed coat thickness and embryo size of three species revealed that hard thick seed coat comprising endoderm, mesoderm, periderm and presence of thick corrugated impermeable cuticle was a major limiting factor restricting the exchange of water and gases. Acid scarification brought out reduction in all layers of the seed coat with maximum reduction in cuticle thickness. Upon storage, the total thickness of the seed coat and individual layers was slightly reduced but embryo area, perimeter and cuticle thickness increased slightly. The physiological conditions tried such as exposure of seeds to different temperatures, light and dark and exposure to stress by hydration and dehydration failed to promote germination in fresh seeds. Irrespective of the species, seeds whether fresh or stored, also failed to germinate without pre-treatment. Germination studies under field conditions indicated that seeds exposed to natural weathering showed a spontaneous response on receipt of rain and the germination was completed in ten days with highest germination (74.50 per cent) in Sida acuta followed by Sida alnifolia (67.50 per cent) and least in Sida cordifolia (42.50 per cent). Biochemical analysis of seeds revealed that species differed in the content of total extractives, total phenol and total alkaloid and Sida acuta recorded higher contents of total extractives and total alkaloid whereas total phenol content was higher in Sida alnifolia. Analysis of the seed leachates indicated species difference in the content of minerals and electrical conductivity. Sida acuta recorded the highest potassium and EC values. Among the eighteen pre-treatments tried for improving germination, chemical scarification using Conc. H2SO4 was significantly superior and recorded higher germination per cent and speed of germination. Untreated seeds failed to germinate. Scarification of seeds with Conc. H2SO4 for higher duration of 30 minutes was selected as the best treatment considering improvement in water imbibition, germination per cent, speed of germination, growth and vigour of seedling and significant reduction in the intensity of dormancy. Storage studies revealed that upon storage, germination, vigour of seedling and reduction in dormancy factors were at a positive side compared to fresh seeds. Storage of seeds under cooler atmosphere either refrigerator or freezer was found to improve the water imbibition, content of minerals, germination and vigour of seedling compared to ambient storage. The present investigations could thus establish that seeds of Sida species exhibit coat imposed dormancy and require two months of after ripening period, posing problems in germination. Pre-treatment of seeds with Conc. H2SO4 for 30 minutes is suggested to bring down dormancy and improve germination and vigour of seedlings. Exposing the seeds to natural weathering is a simple way of improving germination. The seeds can be effectively stored under cooler conditions in refrigerator / freezer for one year or longer which also lowered dormancy and improved germination and vigour of seedlings.