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
Studies on fertility status of rubber growing soils of Palakkad district
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Mohanan, V; KAU; Nazeem, P A
Open Access
Quality Characters Of Clove And Nutmeg At Different Stages Of Maturity
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture,vellayani, 1990) Manoj, A M; KAU; Vasanthakumar, K
The present investigation was carried out at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1988 – 89. The objectives of this study were to characterise the growth pattern of clove flower buds and nutmeg fruits and to develop suitable harvest indices for these crops based on quality characteristics at different stages of maturity. The moisture content in clove buds and rind of nutmeg fruits increased with increase in maturity. However, moisture percentage in nutmeg kernel and mace was found to decrease as maturity advanced. The non – volatile ether extract (NVEE), on dry weight basis, was found to decrease on maturity advanced in clove buds and in mace while in nutmeg kernel the NVEE showed an increasing trend. The volatile oil in clove, nutmeg and mace was more at the immature stages and it progressively decreased at the peak harvesting stages. Eugenol, the chief component in clove oil was the maximum at the flowering stage. Hence for extraction of clove oil which is intended for use in medicine, dentistry and other pharmaceutical uses, it is advisable to harvest clove buds at the anthesis stage. The aromatic ethers which are the chief components that determine the flavour and drug action in nutmeg oil was the maximum one month prior to the fruit splitting stage. In mace oil it was found to be high two months prior to fruit splitting stage. So if nutmeg and mace oils are intended for medicinal purpose, then it may be worthwhile to harvest nutmeg fruits at the 6th month for extracting kernel oil and at the 5th month for extracting mace oil. Considering the fact that the nutmeg fruit yield both nutmeg and mace oil, harvesting separately at different maturity stages for extraction of the different oils is practically difficult. The aromatic phenol and phenol ethers showed a very low value in mace oil one month prior to fruit splitting. So in practice the fruit may be harvested two months prior to fruit splitting for extraction of both nutmeg and mace oils. However the high moisture content at this stage makes drying a problem. So such a practice of early harvesting of nutmeg fruits may be resorted to in places where facilities are available for extraction of oil from the fresh kernel and mace immediately after harvesting.
Open Access
Standardisation of soft wood grafting in mango (Mangifera indica L.)
(Department of Horticulture (Pomology & Floriculture and Landscaping), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Savithri, A; KAU; Gopikumar, K
The present series of investigations were carried out in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from June 1987 to April 1989 with a view to standardise the ideal age of rootstock, height of grafting and the time of defoliation of scion shoot for soft wood grafting in mango using two scion varieties, Neelum and Banganapally. Detailed anatomical studies of the graft union were also conducted to find out the various stages of graft union and the possible reasons for graft failure. The results of the study on the response of agt of rootstock on soft wood grafting using scion variety Neelum showed that two months old rootstock was most ideal with regard to sprouting and survival. The sprouting was minimum for three months old rootstock while survival was minimum for one month old rootstock. With the scion variety Banganapally, one month old rootstock recorded significantly maximum sprouting over two and three months old rootstock. However, survival was maximum with three monthd old rootstock. The height of grafting did not influenee tht sprouting and survival of grafts in both Neelum and Banganapally. With regard to scion defoliation, variety Neelum recorded maximum sprouting and survival with 10 days prior defoliation. while in Banganapally scion shoots defoliated 15 days prior to grafting recorded maximum sprouting and survival. The observations on growth parameters revealed that three months old rootstock recorded significantly maximum new growth in scion variety Neelum till the end of 5th fortnight. But with Banganapally as scion, age of the rootstock did not influence the new growth of scion significantly, with regard to height of grafting., the pooled data revealed maximum new growth of scion when grafted at 10 cm height in both the scion varieties Neelum and Banganapally . in the variety Neelum, scions defoliated 15 days prior to grafting recorded maximum new growth during early periods of observation. But in Banganapally, scions defoliated 10 days before grafting were found superior with respect to new growth particularly during the early periods of observation. Regarding leaf production, in variety Neolura, the pooled data revealed the superiority of two months old rootstock particularly from 5th fortnight onwards. While in Banganapally , three months old rootstock was found to be the best in this regard. Grafting at 10 cm height produced maximum number of leaves in both the varieties Neelum and Banganappally, , In general in both the scion varieties scions defoliated 5 days prior to grafting produced maximum number of leaves, m the variety Neelum, the girth of new growth, scion and rootstock were significantly influenced by the age and height of rootstock and defoliation of scion shoots while in Banganappally, the effects were not found to be significant
Open Access
Heterosis in snakegourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.)
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Philip Varghese; KAU; Rajan, S
The present investigation "Heterosis in snakegourd" was conducted at the College of Horticulture during 1988-1990. Assessment of genetic variability showed significant differences of 25 characters in 48 snakegourd genotypes. The highest phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for fruiting nodes on main vine, male flowers/plant, sex ratio and fruits/plant. The pcv was lowest for total crop duration. The gcv resulting in high heritability was high for majority of the characters. High heritability coupled with high genetic gain was noticed for male flowers/plant, sex ratio and fruiting nodes on main vine. The 48 genotypes were grouped into 10 clusters. The combing ability analysis revealed significant gca variances for all characters. The sca variances were also significant for all characters. The sca variances were also significant for all characters except for total crop duration, sex ratio and fruits/plant.
Open Access
Evaluation of F1 hybrids resistant to bacterial wilt and inheritance of resistance in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)
(Department of Olericulture, College of horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Geetha, Varghese; KAU; Abdul Vahab, M
The present studies "Evaluation of F hybrids resistant to bacterial wilt and inheritance of resistance in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) were conducted during February 1990 to July 1991 in the vegetable research plots of Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara. Evaluation of F1 hybrids over 4 environments revealed that all the 3 hybrids were superior to their parents for yield during all the four seasons. It also indicated significant role of genotype x environment interaction in the yielding ability of the hybrids. Considering wilt resistance the hybrids were not superior to their parents. Varietal difference was observed for plant height, fruits/ plant, fruit weight, fruiting period and productive flowers. Estimation of heterosis of three F1s over their parents revealed significant heterosis for plant height, days to flower, days to first fruitset, days to harvest, primary branches/plant, total fruits/plant, total yield/plant, average fruit weight and fruiting period. All the three hybrids viz. Surya x Pant Rituraj, SM 6-6 x SM 132, SM 6-2 x Pusa Purple Cluster were stable. Study on the nature of inheritance showed that resistance to bacterial wilt is inherited in a recessive and monogenic manner.
Open Access
Standardisation of in vitro propagation technique in banana
(Department of Pomology & Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Jyothi Bhaskar; KAU; Aravindhakshan, M
Investigations were carried out at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of the College- of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1988-90 to standardise the in vitro propagation technique in banana. Three banana cultivars namely Nendran (AAB) , Palayankodan (AAB) and Red banana (AAA) were utilised for the study. For standardising the explant, three types of explants were used namely shoot tip , eye bud and floral apex. For culture establishment, axillary shoot initiation and in vitro rooting studies different types of growth regulators were made use of. They were auxins (NAA, IAA and IBA) , gibberellin (GA) and cytokinins (BA andkinetin) . The plantlets produced _in vitro were subjected to different types of hardening treatments to secure a better establishment of planted out plants For shoot tip and eye bud explants, surface sterilization using mercuric chloride (0.2 per cent) for 5 min. was' found to be the best, but for floral apex ex plant an initial rinsing of the explants with 95 per cent absolute alcohol for 30s followed by mercuric chloride treatment (0.05 per cent) for 10 min. was found to be best. Better and speedier ex plant establishment and growth of shoot tip, eye bud and floral apex explant was observed in MS (semi-solid) medium containing NAA 0.5 ppm and BA 3.0 ppm Gibberellic acid was found to have unfavourable effect on culture establishment and growth. Shoot tips collected during November to April recorded maximum surviva l percentage. Among the physical injury treatments for enhancing the release of axillary buds in culture splitting the apical dome of shoot tip longitudinally into two halves and culturing each half separately was found to be the best. The addition of ascorbic acid into the media at the rate of 50 mg/1 reduced media and ex plant discolouration due to polyphenol oxidation. When the performance of the three explants w.ere compared', floral apex ex plants took more time for culture establishment. The three banana cultivars used for the study responded differently in culture.
Open Access
Effect of growth regulators and nutrients on spike qualities of gladiolus
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Leena Ravidas; KAU; Rajeevan, P K
Studies were carried out at the College of Horticulture , Vellanikkara during 1988-89 to examine the effect of growth regulators and nutrients on the growth parameters and spike qualities of five varieties of gladiolus, in two seasons. The treatments significantly influenced all the vegetative characters, duration , most of the spike characters as well as corm and cormel yield in one variety or other. Growth retardants TIBA and CCC and salts of Ca recorded least height. TIBA 300 ppm and CCC 250 ppm produced the maximum number of leaves, followed by GA 100 ppm and salts of Ca and K. In leaf area, K2SO4 causes a significant increase. TIBA 300 ppm, NAA 100 ppm, GA 100 ppm and salts of Ca were the other superior treatments. While K2SO4 and GA 100 ppm reduced the duration till the appearance of flower spike , that from spike emergence to opening was the shortest with salts of Ca and K, in general. GA and Ca(N03 ) 2 lengthened the blooming period , whereas and GA 100 ppm reduced the total duration . In general, K2SO4 0.5%, CaSO4 0.5% and GA 50 ppm were superior in increasing the spike length . Diameter of spike was the maximum with growth inhibitors , in most of the varieties . GA and salts of Ca were also superior. Ga 50 ppm as well assalts of Caa nd K helped in producing the longest rachis . Salts of Ca at 1.0% level and GA produced the highest number of florets . However, the length and size of the florets were not affected by the treatments. CCC, Ca (N03)2 1.0% and KNO3 0.5% recorded the maximum fresh weight of the spike . TIBA 150 ppm , CCC, GA, Ca(NO3) 1.0% and CaSO4 lengthened the vase life . GA, NAA 100 ppm, CCC 500 ppm and Ca(NO3)2 were superior with respect to the opening behaviour of the florets . Longevity of individual floret was improved by GA 100 ppm , K2SO4 and Ca (NO3)2. Salts of K and Ca(NO3)2 1-0% enhanced the number of florets opened at a time . NAA 100 ppm and GA 50 ppm exhibited maximum water uptake. However, the treatments could not influence the nature of bending. NAA, GA and salts of Ca and K increased the corm yield . Number of cormels was mostly affected by the nutrients . K improved the weight of cormels too. In general, floral characters were superior in the varieties American Beauty and Friendship , whereas vase life was the maximum in Agnirekha and Mansoer Red. True Yellow produced heavy corms. Weight of cormels was the maximum in Agnirekha and Mansoer Red. November planting was found to be better than April planting, in order to obtain quality spikes as weII as good cormel yield in gladiolus under Vellanikkara conditions.
Open Access
Interspecific hybridization in capsicum
(Department of Olericulture, College of horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Pradeepkumar, T; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, T R
The present investigation "Interspecific hybridization in Capsicum" was carried out at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during September 1988-April 1990 to study cross compatibility among five Capsicum species and to exploit heterosis in interspecific hybrids. Eighty four chilli accessions, when subjected to the modern taxonomic treatments were found to fall under C. annum L. (62), C. frutescens L. (7), C. chinense Jacq. (14) and C. baccatum L. (1) Protein electrophoretic focussing revealed species specific protein bands in C. chinense, C. baccatum and C. chacoense. Fruit set was obtained in all the 28 crosses made among C. annuum.C. frutescens, C. chinense, C. baccatum and C. chacoense. Viable F1 and F2 seeds were obtained in eight crosses viz., C. annuum x C. chinense (P), C. annuum x C. chinense (NP), C.frutescens x C. annuum, C.chacoense x C. annuum, C. frutescens x C. chinense (P), C. chinense (P) x C. frutescens, C. frutescens x C. chinense (NP) and C. chinense (NP) x C. frutescens.
Open Access
Relative response of explant material of Anacardium occidentale L. to in vitro culture
(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1991) Lawlita, Nair; KAU; Mohanakumaran, N
The task of developing intact plants from tissues of woody plants has been attempted and success reported in a few crop species, mostly with explant tissues such as shoot tips, intermodal region, leaf parts, from seedlings, In vitro methods, if standardised, can facilitate rapid multiplication of, and therefore, expansion of area under high yielding material of crops like cashew. In such an exercise, the selection of explant material assumes utmost importance. The present studies were, therefore, aimed at examining the relative response of different explant materials of cashew to in vitro culture. During the initial period of study, fungal and bacrerial contamination was a major problem, which was reduced to some extent in the further trials, by surface - sterilisation. Among the surface – sterilants used, mercuric chloride gave good results. Contamination was severe with bleaching powder. conditions . Interference of polyphenols was observed during certain stages of the study. The oxidised polyphenols were found to diffuse into the medium. The problem was overcome by including antioxidants (activated charcoal, polyvinyl pyrolidine, ascorbic acid, citric acid and combinations of these) in the media. Murashige and skoog (MS) medium, Schenk & Hildebrandt (SH) medium, Lin and Staba (LS) medium and Woody Plant Medium (WPM), supplemented with growth factors like gibberellic acid (GA), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), kinetin and 2,4-D were tried. Among the media tested, SH gave better results, followed by MS, LS and WPM. New green buds were found to develop when the culture establishment studies were carried out with MS basal, supplemented with kinetin and NAA at (1 mg/1 + 10-1 mg/1). (1 mg/1 + 0.5 mg/1) and (2 mg/1 + 10-1 mg/1). However, these cultures showed symptoms of drying soon after subculturing. Callus development was observed when shoot tips were cultured in MS + Kinetin + NAA at 2 mg/1 + 1 mg/1, respectively and MS + Kinetin + 2, 4-D at (0.5 mg/1 + 1.0 Mg/1), (1.0 mg/1 + 4.0 mg/1) and (2.0 mg/1 + 1.0 mg/1). Comparatively better results were observed with SH + Kinetin and 2, 4-D. The cultures were hampered with browning which was overcome, to a certain extent, with pre – culture treatments and additives. Percentage survival was fair on pre – culture treatment with ascorbic acid at 150 mg/1, 300 mg/1 and citric acid at 75 mg/1. Callusing was also observed and the rate ranged from fair to good with citric acid at 150 mg/1 and with combination of ascorbic acid and citric acid at 150 mg/1 each. Callusing, ranging from poor to fair, resulted with SH + kinetin and 2, 4-D at (1 mg/1 + 1 mg/1). (1 mg/1 + 2 mg/1) and 2 mg/1 + 4 mg/1), respectively. Survival ranged from 33 to 66 per cent, with Lin and staba medium supplemented with kinetin + NAA and kinetin + 2, 4 – D. The results were same when the basic medium was changed to WPM. The explants were cultured in liquid media. But none of the cultures could give any positive results. Shoot tips were found to be the most responding explant among the many tried in different media. Among the combinations of growth substances tried, kinetin + 2, 4 – D was found to give good results when kinetin was used at a low and 2, 4 – D at a high concentration. Response of cashew explants to in vitro culture can be improved by further modification of the medium and culture conditions.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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