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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Open Access
Evaluation of a set of non-segragating and segragating populations of tomato for field resistance to bacterial wilt
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) NarayananKutty, C; KAU; Peter, K V
Bacterial wilt caused by Pseudomonas solanacearum E.F. Smith is the single limiting factor for tomato cultivation in the warm humid tropical soils of Kerala. The susceptibility of reportedly resistant varieties elsewhere necessitates the need for continuous evaluation of tomato lines for wilt resistance. An experiment was planned and carried out during 1983-’85 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to identify new sources of resistance to bacterial wilt. The susceptible check Pusa Ruby showed 100% susceptibility in all the trials. The F2 hybrids of Saturn and LE 79 were found resistant, out of the four non-segregating (Saturn, LE 79, Pusa Ruby and Pusa Ruby x LE 79 F1) and two segregating populations (Pusa Ruby x LE 79 F2, Saturn x LE 79 F2) evaluated. In a repeated trial F3s were also evaluated along with the F2s and non-segregating populations (Saturn and FE 79). Resistance was observed in Saturn x LE 79 F3 (percentage wilt, 10.7) and Saturn x LE 79 F2 (percentage wilt, 18.23). Pusa Ruby x LE 79 F2 s and F3s were susceptible to moderately susceptible. Among the non-segregating populations, LE 79 showed moderate resistance, while Saturn was moderately susceptible to susceptible in both the trials. Information on days to fruit set, days to harvest, fruit yield/plant and average fruit weight were also gathered. A higher average fruit weight (44.63g) was observed in the resistant Saturn x LE 79 F3s. Evaluation of 15 reportedly resistant lines of tomato confirmed resistance in LE 79 LFG and LE 217. The line LE 79 LFG was also medium fruited (40.1g) and high yielding. Concentric cracking and irregular cracking were observed higher than radial cracking in all the lines evaluated. Fruit set ranging from 50 to 63% was observed in all the lines at higher night temperatures (230C average). Genetics of fruit shoulder colour revealed that white colour was recessive to green and governed by a single gene. Evaluation techniques like root dipping in bacterial culture and planting, stem inoculation in leaf axil and alternate row planting were compared with spot-planting for efficiency. Spot-planting was found easier and effective. The chances for escape are negligible in this method of evaluation.
Open Access
Pattern of root activity in bananas under irrigated and rainfed conditions
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Sobhana, A; KAU; Aravindakhan, M
The experiments were undertaken with an objective to find out the most active root zone of banana var. ‘Nendran’ employing radioactive 32p. These were conducted in the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, during the year 1983-84. The field experiments were laid out in randomised block design, with three replications and the plants were raised under normal conditions. While taking into consideration the number, length and diameter fresh and dry weights of roots, all these were found to be more for the rainfed crop than the irrigated. This explains the enhanced production of roots under conditions of moisture stress. The radioactivity was injected at four months ago of the plant. The area around each experimental plant was injected with 32p solution with the help of a dispensette. The different lateral distances used for the 32p injection were 20cm, 40cm, 80cm and 120 cm and the different depths were 5cm, 15 cm , 30cm and 60cm. The third leaf was radio assayed and the 32p counts were used for finding out the percentage of active roots at the various treatment sites. The results of radiotracer studies indicated that maximum percentage of active roots was located at a soil zone covering 20cm distance and 30 cm depth from the base of the plant under irrigated condition, at five and six months age of the plant. The rainfed crop had its maximum percentage of active roots at a soil zone of 30cm deep and 40cm away from the plant. As the lateral distances increased from 20cm to 120cm, a reduction was noticed in the percentage activity of roots accordingly, under both irrigated and unirrigated conditions. But the root activity was not significantly different at different depths for the irrigated crop, which was significant for the rainfed crop. Under high moisture stress roots tend to forage into deeper layers of soil for getting the available water. Hence deeper soil zones had more active roots under unirrigated conditions, compared to irrigated crop, which had more surface active roots. An experiment was also organized to study of the translocation of absorbed 32p to various parts of the plant after flowering under irrigated condition. It was observed that male flowers had maximum concentration of 32p followed by female flowers or fruits. Of the various leaves, topmost younger leaves were found to build up more 32p than matured leaves, indicating a translocation to the developing immature leaves.
Open Access
Transfer of clusterness to bell peppers (capsicum annum L. var grossum sendt.)
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Pious Thomas; KAU; Peter, K V
The present studies ‘Transfer of clusterness to bell peppers (capsicum annum L. var. grossum sendt.) were conducted during September to February, 1983-’84, April to August, 1984 and August to January, 1984-’85. Three bell pepper varieties, 672-Hungarian Wax, Early Calwonder and Cubanelle were found suitable to the warm humid tropical condition of Kerala. The F1 hybrids involving bell peppers and the hot cluster chilli were also found suitable to the tract. All the hybrids yielded more than their better parents. The F1 hybrids showed desirable heterosis for days to flower, days to green fruit harvest, days to fruit ripening, plant height, pedicel length, fruit length, fruit perimeter, fruit weight and yield/plant. 672-Hungarian wax x KAU cluster F1 hybrid was the most promising with desirable plant and fruit characteristics. The F2 heterosis was not significant for exploitation. The solitary bearing habit was dominant over cluster habit. No maternal effect was observed in the inheritance of this character. The bearing habit was controlled by two genes with a specific dominant and recessive epistatic gene action. This was clearly proved through a 13 (solitary) : 3 (cluster) ratio in the F2s of Early Calwonder x KAU cluster, Sweet Red Cherry Pickling x KAU Cluster and Hybrid Pepper Bell Boy x KAU Cluster. It was further confirmed through test crosses and half-sib crosses. The 3 : 1 (solitary : cluster) ratio obtained in 672- Hungarian Wax x KAU Cluster F2 was attributed to homozygous dominant condition of both the genes in 672-Hungarian Wax. The genes for clusterness were tentatively named CL1-cl1 and Cl2-cl2 with epistatic gene actions by cl2 and cl1. The genotypes were thus worked out as KAU Cluster- cl1cl1cl2cl2. Early Calwonder-cl1cl1cl2cl2, Sweet Red Cherry Pickling- cl1cl1cl2cl2, Hybrid Pepper Bell Boy- cl1cl1cl2cl2 and 672-Hungarian Wax-cl1cl1cl2cl2. Fruit/cluster showed a continuous variation but the genetic analysis revealed a major role of environment in the expression of the character. Elite cluster bell pepper lines were identified and progressed. The line, KAU Cluster was observed resistant to bacterial wilt.
Open Access
Quality and storage life Of oriental pickling melon [Cucumis melo var.conomon(L) Makino] as influenced by major nutrients
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Lissamma Joseph; KAU; Ramachandran Nair, S
The oriental pickling melon (Cucumis melo var. cocomon (L) Makino) was grown in a randomised block design under different organic and inorganic fertiliser treatments, with four replications at the Main Campus of Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, to study the effect of organic and inorganic manures on the yield, quality and storage life of this crop. The yield response of oriental pickling melon to different treatments was found to be significantly different. The treatment which received the highest dose of NPK in the organic and inorganic combination recorded the maximum yield per plot and number of fruits per plot whereas the treatments which received NPK through organic manures alone recorded relatively low yield. The weight and size of fruits were maximum when the highest dose of NPK was given completely in the inorganic form. The quality of the fruit was assessed by estimating the nutrient content at harvest; moisture, acidity, vitamin C, starch, total soluble solids and crude fibre content of fruits at harvest and thereafter at monthly intervals during storage. Significant difference was observed between treatments for these quality characteristics. During storage moisture, starch and vitamin C content of fruits showed steady decline irrespective of the treatments, whereas acidity and total soluble solids showed an initial increase followed by a gradual decline. The effect of organic and inorganic manures on storage life of oriental pickling melon was assessed by recording the rotting percentage of fruits during storage and it was found that increased degree of rotting occurred in treatments which received inorganic form of NPK, during all periods of storage. The organic form of manures showed a definite advantage over inorganic fertilisers in respect of the storability of oriental pickling melon.
Open Access
Standardisation of Epicotyl Grafting in Mango
(Department of Pomology and floriculture and Landscaping, College of Horticulture,Vellanikara, 1985) Jomno, Ratan; KAU; Aravindakshan, M
The season of epicotyl grafting, age of root stock and scion and precurring of scions were standardised by Dhungana (1984) in the earlier studies. The present series of experiments were undertaken with the objective to enhance the grafts ‘take’ by different methods. Studies reported in this thesis were carried out during the period from June 1983 to March 1985 and consisted of experiments on standardisation of the height of root stock, length of scion, effect of covering material, effect of different plant growth regulators and different fungicides on dieback disease. Anatomical studies were also undertaken to find out the possible reasons of graft failures. The results of the experiments on the influence of the height of rootstocks (2 to 4 cm, 4 to 6 cm, 6 to 8 cm and 8 to 10 cm) and the length of scion (5 cm, 6 cm and 8 cm) indicated that the height of rootstock and length of scion had significant effect on the success of epicotyl grafting in mango. It was observed that when mature 3 to 4 months old, ten days procured scion of 8 cm were grafted on five to ten days old rootstock at 6 to 8 cm height gave maximum percentage of sprouting and survival during July-August. In the experiments to find out the influence of covering the grafts with polythene bags both transparent and black polythene bags were used. The grafts were covered with bags (15 x 20 cm) leaving sufficient space at the top. It was observed that covering the grafts with transparent polythene bags and retaining them for one month gave maximum percentage of success as well as final survival compared to control. Black polythene material was detrimental for graft ‘take’. In another experiments the grafts were sprayed with IAA and GA each at 100, 250 ppm immediately after grafting in order to find out whether these growth regulators would help to increase the graft ‘take’. Although no significant effect could noticed, it appeared that IAA at 100 ppm had some beneficial effect. The dieback disease of grafts was found to be caused by colletotrichum gloeosporioides and the disease was more sever during August to October. The trials with different fungicides viz., Bordeaux mixture at 1%, Thiram at 0.2% and Caftafol at 0.2%, revealed that Bordeaux mixture was the most effective in controlling the disease when applied one month after grafting and subsequently sprayed at an intervals of 15 days till 90 days. Anatomical studies of the successful and failed grafts were also studied in order to understand the possible reasons for graft failures. It was observed that in successful grafts callus proliferation commenced from 5th day onwards and the completion of cambial bridge of the stock and scion was attained 15 days after grafting. The completion of cambial union was indicated by sprouting of grafts. There were four district stages in the healing of the grafts. In unsuccessful grafts there was no indication of callus proliferation. Thicker necrotic layers were also formed in the region of graft union. In grafts which remained alive up to 60 days, but did not sprout there were wide gap between stock and scion which perhaps inhibited sprouting of the scions.
Open Access
Realised selection response under four methods of selection in third and fourth cycles in a set of brinjal lines
(Department Of Olericulture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Jessy Kutty, P C; KAU; Peter, K V
Selection methods like mass, single plant, pure line and single seed descent were efficiently used to exploit the genetic variability present in the transgressive segregants of the brinjal line SM 6, keeping the bacterial wilt resistance of the population intact. The present study conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, extended the comparison of the selection methods for further improvement of the eleven genetic groups within the line SM 6 for earliness and productive characters in the third and fourth cycles of selection. The criteria for selecting the elite plant types were fruits/plant and yield/plant. Observations were recorded on earliness, vegetative characters and productive characters. The eleven genetic groups were evaluated under each selection method for the characters under study. The genetic groups SM 6 – 2, SM 6 – 4, SM 6 – 7 and SM 6 - 1 were promising for fruits/plant and total yield/plant. Only promising lines were carried forward in the fourth cycle of selection. The relative efficiency of the four methods of selection to improve economic characters was critically examined. Being a cross pollinated crop mass selection and single plant selection were superior to pure line selection and single seed descent selection to improve economic characters. Genetic information like genotypic coefficient of variation, phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability in the broad sense, genetic advance and genetic advance as percentage of mean were higher for progenies developed through single plant selection. Realised genetic gain for economic characters as compared to the overall mean was positive for progenies developed through mass and single plant selection methods. The level of resistance of SM 6 to bacterial wilt, under four methods of selection, was assessed. Single seed descent and single plant selection methods were found effective in the fourth cycle of selection to improve level of resistance of SM 6 to bacterial wilt. When screened under field condition the line SM 6 – 7 was found immune to bacterial wilt, while the lines SM 6 – 2 and SM 6 – 4 were found highly resistant. Four resistant lines SM 45, SM 56, SM 71 and SM 74 were grown for comparison with SM 6. These lines were found moderately resistant and were late and low yielders.
Open Access
Standardisation of macro and micro propagation techniques in Bougainvillea
(Department Of Pomology And Floriculture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Aishabi, K A; KAU; Aravindakshan, M
The present investigations were carried out at the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, during 1983-84 to standardise the asexual propagation in bougainvillea through conventional as well as micropropagation techniques. For macrcpropagation studies, cuttings from nine varieties were treated with IBA and NAA each at 100,300, 750 and 1000C ppm concentrations. The results revealed that all the treatments, particularly IBA were significantly superior to the control. Soaking the basal ends of the cuttings in IBA 500 ppm solution for a period of six hours, gave maximum percentage of rooting both in rainy and summer seasons. The rooting response of different varieties varied considerably. Maximum percentage of rooting was obtained in the variety ‘Jayalakshmy’ and minimum in ‘Cherry Blossom’ during both the seasons. Organic carbon and total nitrogen content showed a significant negative correlation with percentage of rooting, A positive correlation was however observed between C/N ratio and rooting percentage. Rooting was more when the rainfall was maximum and variation in mean temperature was less. Root number, root length and root weight were significantly increased in all the auxin treated cuttings than in the control. Number of roots, length and fresh weight of roots/cutting were more during rainy season, than in summer. Fresh weight of the shoot/cutting and shoot/root ratio were more during summer than in rainy season. Micropropagation studies carried out using the explants from ‘shy’ rooting varieties of bougainvillea indicated that, of the different explant sources tried, shoot apices and immature axillary stem segments were the most potent sources for callus formation. All the three auxins tried namely, IAA, NAA and 2,4-D were capable of initiating callus, but 2,4-D delayed the period of initiation, .'MS medium supplemented with NAA and BA was found to be most suitable for callus formation, and maximum number of cultures cullused in the presence of NAA 1.0 mg/1 + BA 0.5 mg/1, KIN was found to be less effective than BA. Maximum number of cultures callused, in the case of explants collected from the variety ‘Mahara’, compared to that from ‘Cherry Blossom’ and ‘Spring Festiva’. Attempts to induce proliferation of axillary buds showed that, MS medium containing BA 2.0 mg/l + IAA 1.0 mg/l was optimum. Higher concentrations of BA (9.0 mg/l and above), though Induced more number of shoots, they were abnormal and unhealthy. Addition of adenine sulphate 50 mg/l produced a synergistic effect on shoot production. Fresh shoot apices and precallused shoots rooted readily on full and half strength MS medium supplemented with different auxins like IAA, NAA and IB A. Percentage of rooting was maximum on half strength MS medium in the presence of IBA 1.6 mg/l. The time required for root initiation was reduced on half strength MS medium and further when precallused shoots were used. Field transplantation of the rooted plantlets was not successful and further studies In this espect is necessary.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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