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
Effect of planting date, weight of rhizome and spacing on the growth, yield and quality constituents on turmeric (Curcuma longa L)
(Department of Horticulture (Plantation Crops & Spices), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1983) Chatterjee, R K; KAU; Mohanakumaran, N
Open Access
Investigations on intervarietal F2 hybrids in cowpea
(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture Vellanikkara, Trichur, 1981) Sumathikutty Amma, B; KAU; Narayanan Namboodiri, K M
Ccwpea (Vlgna ungiculata) Is the major pulse crop cultivated in Kerala where the average yield of pulses in general and Cowpea in particular is very low even under modern agronomic practices* This low productivity is mainly due to the absence of high yielding varieties suited for the different agro-climatic conditions. The varietal requirements in Cowpea, in the state vary because of the highly contrasting system of cultivation and this compels Cowpea breeders to evolve varieties of different combinations of plant, pod and seed characters, This is possible by producing different varieties combining the desirable attributes required for the diverse situations by suitable means. One of the ways by which, this can be achieved is through combination breeding in which desirable genes are pooled frcra different sources* In a previous study conducted in the Department of Agricultural Botany, the 202 genotypes v/ere grouped into 17 distinct clusters. Representing 15 clusters, 15 varieties were chosen for intervarietal hybridisation and their F^'s evaluated during 1979-80, Seeds collected from the plants of the 16 Intervariota] crosses along with their parents were used for the study. Two families In each of the 16 crosses were studied along with their respective parents for the pattern of inheritance of 15 economic characters. Most of the characters were found to be inherited as quantitative characters controlled by either polygenes or by a few major genes with their action being suitably modified by minor genes. The crosses 5 x 15 (g p .p l s . 139 x p .118) and 6 X 8 (Red Seeded Selection X Kolingipayar) were identified as suitable ones for grain - production and also for using as dual purpose Cowpea culture since they might throw segregants best suited to those purposes. For the specialised system of Cot/pea culture practised in summer rice fallows exclusively for vegetable purpose, the crosses 14 X 16 (Pannithodan-early X Kolingipayarwhite), 17 X 16 (Mancheri-black X Kolingipayar^hite) and 10 X 6 (IC. 20729 X Red Seeded Selection) appeared to be the Ideal ones*
Open Access
Effect of growth regulators on flowering pollination and seed-set in ginger(zingiber officinale, rose)
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Usha, K; KAU; Balakrishnan, S
Flowering behaviour and floral biology of Rio-de-Janeiro and Maran and the effect of growth regulators viz., kinetin (5, 10 and 15 ppm), Ethrel (25, 50 and 100 ppm) and NAA (10, 25 and 50 ppm) in combination with two per cent urea and without urea on flowering, pollination and seed-set in Rio-de-Janeiro were studied at the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural university, Vellanikkara during 1981-’83. The objective of the investigation was to assess the available varieties of ginger for flowering behaviour and to evaluate the effect of growth regulators with and without urea on the flowering behaviour, floral biology, floral structure, pollination and seed- set in Rio-de-Janeiro. (The possibility of overcoming the problems of shy and irregular flowering, poor pollen germination and the failure to set seeds also was explored during the investigation). (Among the 25 varieties studied, flowering was observed only in two varieties viz., Rio-de-Janeiro and Maran). Considerable variation was noticed between Rio-de-Janeiro and Maran with respect to flowering behaviour, extent of flowering, types of inflorescence, time taken for scape development, anthesis, anther dehiscence, pollen production, pollen fertility, style length and ovary length. Long but thin style was noticed both in Rio-de-Janero and Maran. Irrespective of the variety, flowers were found to rot/ and dry within 16 hours after flower opening. The maximum pollen germination (6.20 per cent) was obtained in the medium containing eight per cent sucrose, three per cent gelatin and 60 ppm boric acid under moist cotton covering in BOD incubator (26.50C). Coiling of the pollen tube during the advanced stages of growth was noticed. Pollination carried out in Rio-de-Janeiro and Maran employing the variables like stage of flower (bud stage, immediately after flower opening and three hours after flower opening), condition of stigma (partial and complete removal of style), density of pollen (smearing once, twice and thrice with standard brush), mixed pollen (ginger pollen with either Alpinia, Hedychium, Kaempheria or Costus pollen) and supplementary pollination (repeated pollination twice at two hours interval) failed to record any positive evidence of seed-set. Effect of growth regulators and urea on flowering behaviour, inflorescence characteristics and floral structures of ginger was evidenced during the study. ( Favourable influence of NAA 50 ppm on inducing early flowering, kinetin 15 ppm on the duration of flowering, NAA and kinetin on inflorescence production, NAA 50 ppm without urea on the number of flowers per inflorescence, NAA 10 ppm and all the three levels of kinetin on pollen production, NAA on pollen diameter, higher levels of Kinetin and Ethrel and lower levels of NAA on exine thinning, Ethrel 25 ppm in combination with urea, Kinetin 15 ppm with urea, NAA 50 ppm and Kinetin 10 ppm on pollen fertility, lower levels of Kinetin and Ethrel on reducing the style length, Kinetin 15 ppm and NAA 10 ppm on ovary length, Ethrel 25 ppm with urea and higher levels of NAA and Kinetin on pollen germination and NAA 50 ppm on pollen tube growth was revealed during the study.) Floral biology of Rio-de-Janeiro was not influenced by growth regulator and urea treatments. Abnormal floral structures occurred as isolated cases and therefore the role of growth regulators and urea in this respect was not clear from the results. (Pollination carried out in ginger (var.Rio-de-Janeiro) plants, subjected to growth regulator treatments with and without urea, employing the variables like stage of flower, condition of stigma, density of pollen, mixed pollen and supplementary pollination failed to result in seed-set.)
Open Access
Effect of growth regulators and certain formulations on bunch development in banana var. palayankodan
(Department of Pomology & Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1983) Rajendran, P; KAU; Aravindakshan, M
The yield of banana in Kerala remains very low inspite of the adoption of proper manuring and other management practices. Investigations have indicated that the main barrier to the increased production in banana is the lack of sufficient leaf area at the active phase of growth of the plants. The present experiment was conducted with the banana cultivar ‘Palayankodan’ under sparsely irrigated conditions with a view to increase the plant growth and ultimate yield by the use of growth regulators and commercially available formulations. The growth regulators viz., 2-4-D and NAA and the commercially available formulation namely ‘Navras Banana Special’ were tried at four different concentrations as given below:- 2,4-D - 5,10,15 and 20 ppm NAA - 20, 30,40 and 50 ppm ‘Navras’ - 0.25, 0.50,0.75 and 1.00 per cent The various chemicals at different concentrations were applied as two foliar sprays at three and four months after planting. A third spray was also given on the bunches immediately after the female phase of flower opening. On an overall analysis, 2,4-D at 20 ppm and ‘Navras’ at 0.50 per cent were found to be more effective in promoting the vegetative growth of plants. With respect to flowering and duration of the crop, the growth regulators alone had significant effects when compared to the commercial preparation ‘Navras’. The effectiveness also depended on the concentrations of the growth regulators. Thus 2,4-D at 20 ppm induced early shooting of plants by about 12 days whereas NAA at 50 ppm caused substantial delay in shooting. The chemicals at their various concentrations were not effective in influencing the bunch maturity, thus indicating that the applied chemicals caused the earliness or delay observed, through their influencedon the vegetative growth only. Consequent to the application of 2,4-D at 20 ppm the crop duration was advanced by 22 days. Contrary to this, NAA at 50 ppm delayed the duration of the crop. The treatments with 2,4-D at 5 to 20 ppm, NAA at 40 and 50 ppm and ‘Navras’ at 1.00 per cent were found to advance the ripening of fruits. The best quality fruits in terms of TSS and total sugars were obtained by the application of 2,4-D at 20 ppm. Among the concentrations of ‘Navras Banana Special’, o.5 per cent gave the best results with respect to the growth and yield of plants. When the concentration was increased further, there was a decrease in the performance of the plants. The optimum doze of ‘Narvas Banana Special’ was worked out to 0.534 per cent. The correlations worked out from the data collected revealed that the vegetative and bunch characters such as girth of psuedostem, number of functional leaves, total leaf area, length of bunch, number of hands and fingers per bunch, number of fingers per hand and weight of hand, length, girth and weight of fingers amply contributed to the overall yield in the form of bunch weight. The yield increase observed in the present study due to the application of 2,4-D at 20 ppm was by 88 per cent and that for ‘Navras’ at 0.5 per cent was by 96 per cent. The benefit/cost ratio worked out for these treatments did not differ and hence application of 2,4-D (20 ppm) and ‘Navras Banana Special’ (0.5 per cent) were equally good for increasing the yield. The present investigations were conducted under sparsely irrigated conditions where, irrigation was given just for the maintence of the crop. Further investigations with rainfed and irrigated ‘Palayankodan’ bananas may be of particular interest.
Open Access
Physiological investigations in relation to flowering, fruit set and capsule developmentj of cardamom (elettaria cardamomum maton)
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1986) Vasantha Kumar, K; KAU; Mohanakumaran, N
Investigations were carried out at the Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara and at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1982 – ’84 to gather information on the physiological factors governing flowering, fruit set and capsule development of the three popular cardamom cultivars, Malabar, Mysore and Vazhukka. Emphasis had been given to unravel the causes of fruit (Capsule) shedding so as to evolve methods of control. Studies on growth and development in a broad sense depicted that an individual tiller of cardamom had a biennial growth habit. The different aspects of flowering and fruit set studied. Indicated that the variability was high in the Vazhukka cultivar and low in the Mysore cultivar. An early crop bearing habit was exhibited by Malabar, whereas Mysore possessed a late bearing habit and Vazhukka exhibited varying trends. The percentage of fruit set was high in Vazhukka, followed by Malabar and Mysore. Influence of climatic components on the physiology of flowering showed that a distinct dry spell triggered the panicle initiation process. The onset of rain coupled with high temperature was congenial for flower opening. A high soil moisture status combined with a high status of relative humidity (which resulted from a well distributed rainfall) enhanced the setting of capsules. Histological studies conducted in the genotype PV-1 (Malabar) showed that differentiation of panicle primordial was more during November to March. A prominent vascular zonation was observed in the rhizome nodes prior to the initiation of panicle promordia. Histology of the seeds revealed the development of starch grains at the greenish- yellow seed stage. Biological assays for endogenous auxins, inhibitors and cytokinins in the developing capsules indicated a spurt in auxin and cytokinin activity preparatory to fruit set. The level of inhibitory substances rose after the fruit set stage, while that of auxins fell which favoured the formation of an abscission zone causing shedding of immature capsules. Exogenous application of NAA (40 ppm) and 2, 4-D (4 ppm) increased the plant height, enhanced the production of panicles and flowers, reduced dropping of immature capsules and increased the yield. The uptake of nutrients revealed that cardamom is a heavy feeder of potash. The Vazhukka and Malabar cultivars developed less nutrients than the Mysore cultivar for producing unit yield of capsules. Radiotracer studies showed that the photosynthetic efficiency of cardamom was more under low light intensities. The rhizome was found to be the main sink in a cardamom tiller. Gas chromatographic estimation of cardamom oils indicated that the Mysore genotype (PR-107) was superior in quality aspects (because of high content of the esters, alpha terpenyl acetate, geranyl acetate and linalyl acetate) when compared with the Vazhukka genotype (PV-5) and Malabar genotype (PV-1). For consumption as a spice as well as for distillation of the essential oils, the black seed stages (‘karimkai’) was the most idel stage in cardamom.
Open Access
Variability studies in the seedling progenies of T*D coconut hybrids
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Valsala, P A; KAU; Kannan, K
A study was conducted at the Instructional Farm , Vellanikkara , during 1979-80 with the objective of assessing the extent of variability in the seedling progenies obtained from open pollinated seednuts of tall x Dwarf (F1) palms Seednuts were collected from 30 Tall x Dwarf F1 palms belonging to six family groups and the experiment was laid out in completely randomised design with family groups as treatment and progeny as replication The present investigation emphasised the utility of selection of high yielding West Coast Tall palms in controlled mating for the production of Tall x Dwarf hybrids and showed the stability of superiority of Tall x Dwarf hybrids even under poor environmental conditions. The percentage of vigorous , medium and poor seedlings produced by each (F1) progeny was found to be independent of the productivity of the palm under open pollinated condition . There fore , collection of seednut from high yielding TxD progenies for further propagation should be resorted with great caution . Progenies of the same parent have shown considerable difference in respect of the number of days taken for germination giving an indication of the variability existing in the TXD palme , in their capacity for production of early bearing and high yielding f2 progency. The petiolar colour of the grand parents and f1 progenies were green, while the F2 progenies showed segregation with green , bronze, orange and yellow colour. Four progenies each of grand parents Vlll/23 and l/58, and two progenies each of Vlll/158, I/76, Vlll/143 and 1/109 have been identified as prepotents on the basis of seedling performance . Seasonal variations were noticed on yield, size and weight of nuts. The total chlorophyll content in the leaves of the vigorous seedling which were potential high yielders were found to be high. Early germinated nuts produced seedling having more collar girth and as such greater vigour.
Open Access
Biochemical characterisation of coconut palms in relation to yield
(Department of Horticulture (Plantation Crops and Spices), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1983) Narayanan Kutty, M C; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, P K
An investigation on the morphological and chemical components of yield in coconut palms was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1981-83, in order to characterise the yield of palms based on these characters. Sixty palms of the cultivar West Cost Tall (W.C.T.) were selected from the existing Plantation at Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy comprising twenty palms each under low, medium and high yield groups (< 40, 40-80 and 80 nuts/palm/year respectively). Observations on morphological characters such as number of leaves, length of leaf, length of petiole, number of leaflets, length of leaflets, periodicity of leaf emergence and girth at collar were recorded at bimonthly intervals. Analysis of leaf samples from the leaf position 14 were taken up to estimate the contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, soluble sugars, starch, total phenols, free amino acids, total chlorophyll, catalase activity and peroxidase activity during March-April and September-October seasons. There was a significant positive correlation for number of leaves, length of leaves, number of leaflets, length of leaflets and girth at collar with the mean annual yield. The periodicity of leaf emergence had a negative correlation with yield. Among the mineral nutrients, nitrogen and potassium had significant positive correlation with yield. Phosphorus, Calcium and magnesium failed to show any linear relationship. The nutrient ratios viz., N/Ca, K/P, K/Ca, K/Mg and K/Ca + Mg also exhibited significant positive correlation with yield. The biochemical components such as soluble sugars and total chlorophyll content in the leaf lamina had significant positive correlation with yield. Total phenolic compounds present in the leaf lamina had a significant negative correlation with yield. Starch content in the leaf did not show such relations. The free amino acids present in traces in the leaf were identified. Leaf catalase and peroxidase activity exhibited no definite pattern of variation in relation to yield
Open Access
Effects of graded doses of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium on the growth and leaf nutrient status in cocoa
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Salikutty, Joseph; KAU; Mohanakumaran, N
Investigations were carried out at the College of Horticulture , Vellanikkara during 1979-80 to study the effect of graded doses of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium on the growth and leaf nutrient status of cocoa . The results of a pot culture experiment in completely Randomised Design revealed that growth parameters (height, girth and number of leaves) as well as dry matter production remained unaffected following the application of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium. The studies indicated that addition of fertilisers to seedling grown in potmixture may not be necessary . It has also been observed that the uptake of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium by cocoa seedlings was not affected by varying levels of these nutrients. Leaf ranked fifth from the apwas found to be suitable for leaf analysis in cocoa seedlings. Field grown young cocoa trees were utilised for evaluating the relationships between soil test values and leaf nutrient concentration vis a vis plant growth.The studies indicated the suitability of either fan or chupon leaves for foliar nutrient analysis in cocoa. However, indiscriminate sampling between the two types is to be avoided . No significant correlations existed between phosphorus and potassium contents in soil leaf, and tree growth.
Open Access
Screening for resistance to aphis craccivora in vegetable cowpea and evaluation of early types
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Sulochana, K A; KAU; Peter, K V
Cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L) walp is an important legume grown both in tropics and sub tropics. Eighty three cowpea lines were evaluated for field resistance to Aphis craccivora. All the lines except 10 TVU lines were infested by the aphid before 30 days after sowing. The lines TVU 1889, TVU 408, TVU 2896 and TVU 2962 were completely free from aphid infestation observed on leaves internodes and pods upto 60 days of sowing during the first crop season. The resistance reaction observed during second crop season and under controlled aphid infestation revealed that TVU 1889 was the most promising as far as aphid resistance is concerned. There are considerable variability in the cowpea for different characters and the lines K 1552 and TVU 1892 were the earliest to harvest (52 days). Among the weather parameters average number of rainy days and relative humidity had negative relationship with aphid population. Fifteen selected varieties of vegetable cowpea were grown in two seasons under two fertility levels. There were considerable variability in the vegetable types of cowpea for earliness which is important for the crop to be fitted in a multiple cropping system. The variety K 1552 was the earliest (52.13 days) followed by K 868 (52.43 days). The line IIHR 6-1-B is the most average stable variety with the highest mean (62.35 g) and bi value tending to one (0.96). The varieties K 1552, VS 89 and K 868 were high yielders but had bi value more than one and are suited for high yielding environments. The chemical analysis of pods for monosaccharides to polysaccharides ratio indicated that the yard long bean had the highest ratio followed by K 1552, IIHR 6-1-B and VS 87.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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