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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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ThesisItem Open Access Divergence studies in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Pair)(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Suresh Babu, V; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, T RThe present investigation on "Divergence studies in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschat a Poir ) was conducted at the College of Horticulture , Vellanikkara, Trissur during June 1988 - Marc h 1989. Seventy one pumpkin genotypes collected from different part of India and abroad were utilized for the study. The extent of variability and divergence among 50 selected genotypes were assessed and grouped into 5 clusters based on Mahalanobis D2 statistic . Cluster I, II, III, I V and V contained 2, 7, 9, 12 and 20 genotypes respectively y . Intercluster distance was maximum between clusters I and II and was minimum between clusters III and V . Cluster I showed maximum average intercluster distance with any other cluster. Screening 71 genotypes for resistance/ tolerance to pumpkin mosaic and yellow vein mosaic diseases revealed that all genotypes except C M 214 were susceptible. Artificial inoculation studies confirmed immunity of C M 214 (Nigerian Iocal ) to pumpkin mosaic virus and yellow vein mosaic virus .ThesisItem 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 AThesisItem 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 MCcwpea (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*ThesisItem 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, SFlowering 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.)ThesisItem 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, MThe 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.ThesisItem 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, KThe 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.ThesisItem Open Access Standrdisation of spacing for tissue culture banana cv. nendran (AAB group)(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Anil, B K; KAU; Jayachandran Nair, C SThe investigation on “Standardisation of spacing for tissue culture banana cv. Nendran (AAB group)” was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during, 1992-’93 inorder to study the effect of different spacings on growth, yield and fruit quality of Nendran banana. The results obtained are presented below: In the early stages of growth, the vegetative characters were not influenced by the spacings tried. However, during later periods, the plant height, girth, number of leaves per plant, total and functional leaf area, interval of leaf production, LAI and LAD increased with decrease in spacing. The time taken for bunch emergence, maturity and duration of crop increased with decrease in spacing. The number of suckers per plant decreased with decrease in spacing, while total number of suckers per hectare increased with decrease in spacing. The biomass and drymatter production per plant, bunch yield and fruit size were higher in wider spacing, while on per hectare basis it was the reverse. Drymatter content, TSS, reducing, non-reducing and total sugars and sugar/acid ratio of fruits increased with increase in spacing, while acidity and ascorbic acid content decreased. The time taken for ripening of fruits decreased with increase in spacing, while shelf life remained unaffected. The benefit/cost ratio was most favourable in 1.75 x 1.75 m spacing. Incidence of pests and diseases were severe in closer spacings above 1.75 x 1.75 m. Soil nutrient depletion was tolerable upto 1.75 x 1.75 m spacing, while uptake and partitioning of major nutrients by individual plants decreased with decrease in spacing. Fruits showed the highest nitrogen and phosphorus content followed by leaf, leaf sheath, corn and pseudostem. Potassium content was the highest in leaf followed by fruits, corm, leaf sheath and pseudostem. In general spacing 1.75 x 1.75 m did not significantly affect the plant growth, yield and quality of fruits. However, the experiment has to be repeated to arrive at conclusive results.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of nendran (musa aab group) ecotypem(Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Bindu Viveka, Devi; KAU; Jayachandran Nair, C SThe investigation "Evaluation of 'Nendran' (Musa AAB group) ecotypes" was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, V e l l a y a n i , Thiruvananthapuram during 1994-'95 inorder to study the effect of ecotype variation on growth, yield and fruit quality of 'Nendran' banana. The results obtained are presented below : Vegetative characters like plant height, girth at later stages, number of leaves per plant, phylacron at early stages, leaf longevity, leaf area duration, leaf area index at later stages and monthly growth rate at early stages showed variation among the different ecotypes. The number of suckers per plant were almost uniform for all the ecotypes. The time taken for flowering and total crop duration varied with ecotypes but the maturity period of the bunches was uniform for all the ecotypes. Eventhough bunch yield was maximum in Kaliethan, the number of hands and fingers per bunch were the lowest in this type. Fruit characters like finger length, finger weight, peel weight and pulp weight were high in Kaliethan where as the pulp/peel ratio was high in Poovanchira. Chengazhikodan and Kothala were superior in fruit quality compared to Kaliethan. The leaf nutrient status at flowering stage varied only in the case of potassium where as both phosphorus and potassium varied at harvest stage. Poovanchira, Puthur and Kothala types had higher levels of NPK at flowering time though Chengazhikodan had the highest potassium content. During harvest stage, Kothala and Chengazhikodan had higher NPK content compared to others types. The dry matter production was higher in Kaliethan and Pandaloor in both vegetative part and fruits. The extent of sigatoka leaf spot did not differ significantly among the 'Nendran' ecotypes during the different stages of growth. There was no incidence of bunchy top in any of the treatment plants. Nematode infestation in root was low in Poovanchira, Kaliethan and Chengazhikodan and high in Muttathukonam and Kothala types where as the rhizome weevil incidence was low in Puthur, Kothala and Kaliethan an 1 high in Chengazhikodan and Pandaloor types. Correlation and path analysis studies in 'Nendran' ecotypes indicated that leaf area duration (LAD), girth • fingers, time taken for flowering, number of fingers re bunch, plant height at post floral initiation stage and g i r t h of plant at floral initiation stage had a p o s i t i v correlation with bunch weight. So these characters can 1 -? considered for selecting superior ecotypes. In general, Kaliethan can be considered as the most suitable ecotype of 'Nendran' for commercial cultivation in Thiruvananthapuram and nearby areas. However, the o'h'i types such as Kothala, Chengazhikodan and Poovanchira typos can also perform well in this tract once they become adapt '1’ to the agroclimatic conditions of the zone.ThesisItem Open Access Standardisation of in vitro techniques for rapid multiplication of holostemma annulare k schum(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Sophia John, A; KAU; Kesavachandran, RStudies were conducted on standardization of in vitro techniques for the rapid multiplication of Holostemma annulare K. Schum. At the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1993-1995. Surface sterilization was standardized for explants from different sources. For two to three month old explants from the glasshouse, treatment with 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride for 5 min or 10 min was found to be better. A combination of sterilants was necessary for mature explants taken either from the glasshouse or field. Explants collected in the months of January and February gave the lowest contamination rate. Early release of buds and further growth of nodal segments and shoot tip explants was better in MS media supplemented with BA. Cultures in medium containing KIN were short, robust, darker and with lesser number of buds and shoots than those in medium containing BA. Extremely low concentrations of TDZ could stimulate axillary bud proliferation. Additives like silver nitrate and activated charcoal could drastically reduce callus production in culture, but the shoot growth was also reduced with these additives. Nodal segments were better in respect of early release of buds, more number of longer shoots, nodes and buds than shoot tips. Higher temperature proved better than lower temperature for the growth of cultures. Also exposure to light was favourable for healthy growth of shoots. Proliferation rate was higher at higher concentrations of BA but the shoots were very swollen, weak and had to be subcultured as a clump into media containing lower concentrations of BA for healthy growth of shoots. Shoots could be proliferated at extremely low concentrations of TDZ. MS basal with full concentration of salts was better for better growth of shoots. When the best treatment in each subculture was given in sequence approximately 2 crores 37 lakh nodes could potentially be obtained over a period of 225 days. Maximum rooting, early rooting and more number of longer roots could be obtained in solid. MS basal media when shoots were kept for in vitro rooting. Ex vitro rooting of shoots was successful when they were treated with IBA 1000 mg1-1 as quick dip followed by planting in plastic pots filled with sand in the initial stages for early rooting and then transplanted to plastic or mud pots filled with cocofibe for vigorous growth of root and shoot portions. TDZ produced the highest callus index at relatively lower concentrations. The callus produced was hard, green in colour and compact. 2, 4-D proved better than NAA for obtaining more regenerative callus among the auxins tried. Leaf segments (with or without petiole attached) oriented with the abaxial surface touching the solid medium supplemented with 2,4-D and exposed to light alone produced embryoids after one or two subcultures into MS medium with lower concentrations of 2,4-D. The embryoid production could be triggered if the calli were subcultured to liquid MS basal medium and when further transferred to solid media alone produced elongation of such embryoids. But the original explants had to be raised in MS medium supplemented with either TDZ or KIN as cytokinin for the embryoids to form subsequently. Encapsulated beads were successfully formed with nodal segments using 2.5 per cent sodium alginate and 75 mM calcium chloride with a complexation time of 30 min and the beads could be stored successfully for 15 days at room temperature and upto 40 days at 40 C. The peroxidase isozyme pattern of the leaves and roots from in vitro plantlets and in vivo plantlets were similar having the same number of bands
