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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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1986 - 19896
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Subject: Horticulture × Author: KAU × End date: 1989 × Start date: 1986 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Homeostatic analysis of components of genetic variance and inheritance of fruit colour, fruit shape and bitterness in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)
    (Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Abdul Vahab, M; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, P K
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    In vitro studies on the propagation of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum maton)
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Reghunath, B R; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, P K
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genome analysis in the genus Amatanthus
    (Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1987) Mallika, V K; KAU; Peter, K V
    Cytogenetical studies on eight Amananthiu species, viz., A. inicot-Qn./ A. JUvvduA/ A. vajujcLaa, A, ApAnoAUA, A, cLliAallA, A,hypochondmacuA, A. cnuentuA and/4, caudaiiu and their hydrids were undertaken to understand their genome relationship, phylogeny and evolution. The development and arrangement of flower cluster In AmcuiardhuA were analysed microscopically and discussed in detail. A simple provisional key was developed for Identification of the eight species as the existing keys were complex and confusing. The eight species were also evaluated for their photoperiodlc requirements and antinutritional factors. Meiotic studies revealed that members of section Blitopsis had x = 17 while section Amaranthus had x = 16 and 17. A.duLuu a polyploid with n = 32 behaved as an allopolyploid. Mean number of chiasmata/bivalent was maximum in the cultivated species and minimum in the semiwild species, A ,apaiioaua which also had maximum number of rod bivalents. Pollen grains of varying sizes (Macro and medium) were observed In all the species. The cultivated species were characterised by bigger chromosomes and pollen grains. Interspecific hybridization was attempted in all possible combinations but many of the crosses failed. A few failed crosses exhibited seedling mortality. Seven interspecific hybrids grew and flowered and these included hybrids within and between sections Blitopsis and Amaranthus. A .IavaduA x. A, ioAcolon. the only interspecific hybrid within Blitopsis resembled mostly the male parent but was highly sterile. Cytologlcal studies revealed the presence of two or more Interchanges involving 3-6 chromosomes and subsequent melotic abnormalities resulted in 90% pollen sterility. The interspecific hybrids within section Amaranthus included A.^p-moAiUyA^nHinA A , ApmoALLb x A.hypochoncbuxLCLU,, A ,4 p m o 4 iu x A , c a u d a iiu t A, A p in o itu x A, c A u & n iiu , and A, c A ii& n tiu x A. c a u d a iiu . The hybrid A .c /u ie n iiu x A,caudaiiu produced only female flowers in the stunted and deformed hybrid plant. Other hybrids exhibited a preponderance of AupinoAtu characters indicated by presence of spines, reduction in inflorescence size, distinct placement of male and female flowers etc. Cytological studies revealed the presence of 1-2 multivalents including 3-4 chromosomes, moderate frequency of bivalents, and a low frequency of univalents in the hybrids. Chromosomal repatterning through translocations and inversions are also involved in speciation within both sections Blitopsis and Amaranthus. A, 6p u \.0Auu x A, v ia m L u , the first success of hybridization between the two sections resulted in a short and sturdy hybrid plant with dominating A.qunoMu characters. Cytological studies revealed that PMCs had high frequency of bivalents and only low frequency of univalents. The complete absence of multivalents indicated that cryptic structural changes and genetic drift are only involved In the cytogenetic differentiation of 2 the two species. D analysis of data of chromosome associations In interspecific hybrids at metaphase I indicate the clustering of hybrids within and between sections under the same group. This as well as morphological studies questions the validity of the naturalness of the two sections in AmaAO/iiJvu, The 40 accessions available in the germplasm were classified into different species based on detailed cytomorphological studies. Twenty one species were ascribed to A, four to A. d u J L u u and 15 to A. h y p o c h o n d b u j a c iiA , The reasons for low seed recovery in the A ,b u £ .o £ o A . accession A- were also studied. Investigations on photoperiodic response of the different species indicated that there is precocious flowering with increase in photoperiod in A. h y p o c h o r u d j u x L c i u , A, riidLuu and A, A p A n o A t u , Flowering was delayed with more light in A, cniirlatiu, and A, iju.c.o&QJi while A, cAuentu& and A, v u u x L l a were photoinsensitive. The content of antinutrient factors in the tender leaf and stem varied from 3.60 to 5.10% for oxalate and 0.295 to 0.695% for nitrate in the different species. In general Blitopsis had higher content of antinutrients than section Amaranthus, the only exception being A, A p .in .o A u A of section Amaranthus. The primitiveness of A ,apjjioaua was evident from the present studies. This pantropical cosmopolitan weed has played a major role in the evolution of otherAmoAaniAuAspp. Evidences were also obtained on the origin of vegetable amaranths from grain amaranths.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Mineral nutrition of nutmeg (Myristica Fragrans Hout.) in relation to deficiency symptoms and flowering
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1986) Joseph Philip; KAU; Sivaraman Nair, P C
    Detailed investigations were carried out at the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara from 1982 to 1985 with a view to study the nutrient deficiency symptoms by inducing deficiency and to study the influence of carbohydrates, nutrient elements and their ratios on flowering of nutmeg. Deficiency symptoms of macro-nutrients except Ca and S were first manifested on the older leaves while that of micro-nutrients on younger leaves. Symptoms of N deficiency were expressed as yellowing of leaves with orange tinge except the midrib and lateral veins followed by development of brownish necrotic blotches with bright orange yellow halos. Bronze green to purple discolouration of leaves with purplish brown necrotic blotches were the symptoms of P deficiency. Potassium deficiency symptoms were characterized by chocolate brown necrosis along the leaf tip and margins which later progressed to the distal one third to two third portion of the laminae. Due to Ca deficiency, the younger leaves became thick, brittle and reduced in size with blunt end. Light orange yellow chlorosis developed along the leaf margins and tips followed by the development of necrotic spots with bright orange yellow zone adjacent to the necrotic areas. Magnesium deficiency was characterized by the yellowing of the midrib and lateral veins and adjacent areas starting from the base of the leaf followed by yellowing of the entire laminae, necrosis and outward cupping of margins. In the case of S deficiency, the younger leaves became uniformly lemon yellow which later developed characteristic ‘birds eye spot’ and ‘shot holes’. Interveinal chlorosis of the young leaves was the most commonly observed symptom of micro-nutrient deficiencies. However, the chlorosis was specific to the concerned nutrients. Uniform straw yellow discoloration of leaves with pale green midrib and lateral veins followed by development of necrosis from leaf tip towards base, downward cupping of leaves and asymmetrical laminae were the symptoms of Fe deficiency. Manganese deficiency symptoms were characterized by pale yellow interveinal chlorosis and crinkling of leaves. Development of water-soaked spots from margins and tips in a wavy pattern towards the midrib followed by downward cupping, coppery red necrosis and leaf distortion were the characterization symptom of Cu deficiency. Symptoms of Zn deficiency were expressed as abnormally long and narrow leaves with characteristic mottling and reduced internodes. Boron deficiency symptoms were expressed as crinkling and orange yellow chlorosis of leaf tip of younger leaves which were thick and brittle. Later on, bright orange yellow chlorotic patches developed in between the lateral veins followed by the development of necrosis from margins and tips at the distal portion. Cracks developed at the necrotic areas and torn off. Among the macro and micro-nutrients, the earliest deficiency symptoms were manifested by the element Fe (3rd month), followed by Mg and S (4th month) N (5th month) P and B (7th month), K, Cu and Zn (8th month), Ca (9th month) and Mn (9.5th month). Vegetative growth was markedly reduced due to the deficiency of macro and micro-nutrients. Calcium, P, K, Mg and Zn were the elements which showed profound influence on root growth. The growth of plant was found to be completely arrested at a comparatively early stage (5th month) due to Mg, S and Fe deficiencies, followed by B (7th month), N (9th month), P, K, Ca, Cu an Zn (10th month) and Mn (10.5th month) deficiencies. Visual symptoms of deficiencies were concurred with a marked reduction in the foliar level of the concerned element. The influences of macro and micro-nutrient deficiencies on the foliar level of other nutrients are furnished below. Comparative foliar concentration of nutrients Nutrient deficiency --------------------------------------------------------------------- Elements increased Elements decreased Nitrogen P, Zn, B Mg, Fe, Mn Phosphorus N, Zn Mg, Mn Potassium Ca, Mg Nil Calcium K, Mg, N B Magnesium Ca, K, Cu N Sulphur N, P Nil Iron P, Zn, Mn K, Ca Manganese Fe, K, N Nil Copper Fe, Mg Ca Zinc P, Fe Mg Boron N, P Ca, K The deficiency symptoms could be recovered by the application of the deficient nutrient element. The flowering shoots of nutmeg were found to be associated with a significantly higher concentration of carbohydrates in leaves. The flowered shoots had a relatively lower amount of N in leaves prior to flowering and the N content increased slightly towards flowering. It was observed that the P, K, Ca and Mg were higher in the flowering shoots. But the variation was significant only in the case of Ca and Mg, that too in three flushes out of the normal four. The flowering shoots had a relatively lower concentration of foliar S than that of the non-flowering shoots. The flowering shoots registered significantly higher C/N ratio in leaves than that of the non-flowering shoots. The flowered shoots always registered a relatively higher P/S, Ca/S and Mg/S ratios and a lower foliar level of Ca/Mg, N/P and N/K ratios. The flowered and non-flowered shoots showed an erratic trend with respect to K/Ca, K/P and Ca + Mg ratios.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Induced mutations in ginger (Zingiber Officinale R.)
    (Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Jayachandran, B K; KAU; Mohanakumaran, N
    Investigations in ginger cv. Rio-de-Janeiro, were carried out during 1985-89 for studying the effect of gamma rays and ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) on the growth, yield and flowering in the VM1 generation, for assessing the variability including tolerance/resistance to bacterial wilt and soft diseases in the VM2 and for studying the VM3 progenies of the desirable VM2 plants. Dose standardization studies using 10 doses of gamma rays (from 0.5 to 5.0 krad) and 11 doses of EMS (from 8 to 150 mM) revealed that the LD50 for sprouting and survival was between 0.5 and 1.0 krad gamma rays and below 8 mM EMS. For the VM1 study, five doses each of gamma rays (0.5 to 1.5 krad) and EMS (2 to 10 mM) were used. Delayed sprouting occurred to a limited extent. Sprouting, survival, plant height, number of tillers and leaves, and rhizome yield decreased as the doses of the mutagens increased. In general, there was a tendency for recovery of growth parameters as the growth phase advanced. The number of plants with chlorophyll chimera was more in the radiation treatments. Flower production was not sufficient to draw valid conclusions. In the VM2 generation, plant height exhibited a negative shift. Tiller, leaf and rhizome production, at the lower doses of the mutagens in general, exhibited positive shifts and at the higher doses, negative shifts. Wide range of variability was observed with respect to these characters. Pollen fertility was not seen influenced by the treatments. Screening the VM2 plants against bacterial wilt and soft rot diseases did not enable the isolation of tolerant/resistant material. Study of the mutant in the VM3 revealed that majority of the plants failed to express all or some of the characters. A few plants with more yield and dryage, and more volatile oil and NVEE content, were located. The studies indicated that though the range of variability induced is high, recovery of the mutants is very low; probably due to the multicellular nature of the apices of the rhizomes treated, and the consequent chimera formation and diplontic selection. Follow up of the mutation generation up to VM4 or VM5 or till stability is achieved and avoiding storage of the rhizomes between the generations have been considered necessary. Repeated, intensive and large scale induction and continuous screening for disease resistance is worth attempting. Using in vivo and in vitro adventitious bud techniques, somaclonal variation, in vitro screening for disease resistance, induction of mutation immediately after the harvest when buds are in ontogenetically young stage of development, and raising of VM2 and subsequent generations without storage of seed rhizome irrespective of the season, are areas suggested for future research.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Investigations on the nutrition of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1986) Nybe, E V; KAU; Sivaraman Nair, P C
    Detailed studies were conducted in black pepper (var. Panniyur 1) from 1981 to 1985 at the Pepper Research Station, Panniyur and College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara with a view to induce nutrient deficiency symptoms by sand culture and to find out the relationships of foliar nutrients with yield. Deficiency symptoms of macro-nutrients except Ca and S were first manifested on the older leaves while that of micro-nutrients on younger leaves. Symptoms of N deficiency were expressed as uniform yellowing followed by necrosis whereas purple to bronze yellowing with ash coloured necrotic areas were the symptoms of P deficiency. Potassium deficiency symptom was characterized by tip and marginal necrosis which later progressed to the two-thirds distal portion of the lamina. Calcium deficiency symptoms appeared as tiny brown necrotic spots on chlorotic area near margins which later enlarged to form black necrotic areas. Visible symptom of Mg deficiency was oval interveinal chlorotic area followed by black necrotic patches. Sulphur deficiency was manifested as uniform yellowing with brown necrotic spots. There was profound reduction in vegetative growth due to deficiency of macronutrients. The reduction in shoot growth and leaf area index was maximum in the case of deficiency of N (56 and 63% respectively) followed by S (48 and 17% respectively). The reduction in root growth was quite high due to deficiency of Ca (61%), P (45%) and N (39%). Interveinal chlorosis was the initial symptom of deficiency of all micro- nutrients. However, the symptoms were specific to the concerned nutrients. Iron chlorosis was characterized by the presence of green bands along the major veins whereas bronze yellow colour of the interveinal areas was the specific symptom of Mn deficiency. Bronze colour of the entire lamina with necrotic tips and margins were the symptoms of Cu deficiency. Zinc deficiency was unique with little leaf and rosetting. Due to B deficiency, the leaves became large, thick and brittle with orange yellow mottles on upper surface and grey brown interveinal patches on lower surface. Unlike macronutrients, there was no marked reduction in vegetative growth due to deficiency of micro-nutrients except Fe and B which recorded 35 and 22 per cent reduction respectively, in total dry matter production. Boron deficient plants registered 18 per cent increase in leaf area index. The growth of the vine was completely arrested at comparatively early stage (4.5 months after treatment) due to S deficiency followed by N (6th month), Fe (7th month), B (12th month), P (13th month) and Cu (14.5 months after treatment). There was no cessation of growth in the case of deficiencies of other nutrients. Visual symptoms of deficiencies were concurred with a marked reduction in the foliar levels of the concerned elements. Antagonistic effects among K, Ca and Mg were also observed. In all other cases, deficiency of one element failed to influence the foliar level of others. The deficiency symptoms could be recovered by the application of the deficient nutrient element which provided valid information for the confirmation of the deficiency symptoms. The foliar levels of macro-nutrients except Ca registered two peaks, one in June and the other in October while the lowest level was during April. The nutrients namely Ca, Fe, Mn and Zn, in general showed a decreasing trend from April to June and thereafter increased and reached maximum level in December. Highly significant positive correlations were showed by P, K, Ca and Mg with yield. The critical level of S was found to be 0.15%. The ‘tentative critical levels’ suggested for the other elements studied are as follows: N - 2.1 to 2.4% P - 0.19 to 0.20% K - 1.8 to 1.9% Ca- 2.8 to 2.9% Mg - 0.5 to 0.6% Fe - 156 to 169 ppm Mn - 77 to 88 ppm Zn- 30 to 32 ppm The two most important nutrient elements which are highly essential for the production of pepper could be identified as K and P in view of their high direct and indirect effects on yield.