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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 Developing technology for production of dry flowers(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Priyesh, S; KAU; Geetha, C KInvestigations on developing technology for production of dry flowers were carried out during 2001-2003 at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara. The objectives were to assess the suitability of selected commercial flowers, namely, celosia, china aster and gerbera for dry flower production and to develop techniques to dry, bleach and dye flowers for commercial exploitation. Four stages of harvest, namely, tight bud, half bloom, full bloom and over bloom stage Were assessed under each flower to standardise the optimum stage at which drying was perfect to retain, colour, shape and visual quality at its best. Full bloom stage recorded highest cumulative score for all visual and aesthetic qualities, closely followed by half bloom stage in all the three flowers. Celosia and aster flowers took 2 days and 5 days, respectively, for shade \ drying and proved to be cost effective with maximum cumulative score for visual and aesthetic qualities. This was followed by microwave oven drying and hot air oven drying. The time taken for perfect drying of gerbera varied from 6 minutes (microwave oven drying) to 4 days (shade drying). Among the drying methods, highest cumulative score was recorded in microwave oven drying, followed by hot air oven drying and shade drying. Among the desiccants, aster and gerbera flowers embedded in fine clean white sand recorded maximum cumulative score for all quality parameters, viz., brightness, brittleness and colour fading when dried in shade/microwave oven. The flowers retained colour and shape on drying. The dried flowers retained only the colour in borax and had a dull appearance when silica gel powder was used. Celosia flowers immersed in hydrogen peroxide 30 per cent solution for 6 hours was found to be the best bleaching chemical and recorded maximum score for aesthetic and visual qualities. Sodium hypochlorite (15 %) took 14 hours for effective bleaching and recorded as the second best bleaching agent. Calcium hypochlorite recorded low visual and aesthetic qualities for bleached celosia flowers. Hypochlorite bleaching resulted in cellulose damage and yellowing. Vat colour group of dyes was found good for celosia. Under the Vat group, Basic Rhodamine, Methylene Blue and Auromine Yellow were suitable. Dyes at 0.2 and 0.3 per cent concentration gave high score for visual aesthetic qualities. Immersion of celosia flowers in dye solution for 10 and 15 minutes recorded similar visual qualities. Colour fading on storage was mimmum in Vat colour group and fast among Base group. The dyed celosia flowers had to be stored in dry cardboard boxes sprinkled with silica gel crystals at the bottom. Lining materials reduced, the level of colour fading on storage in celosia flowers dyed with pro cion colours. Level of colour fading on storage was highin dehydrated aster flowers. Gerbera recorded low colour fading on storage when packed in air tight containers after sprinkling silica gel crystals at the bottom. The floral crafts prepared can be made cost effective by using locally available materials and increasing the volume of production. Along with dry flower industry, there is ample scope for development of a number of subsidiary industries like preparation of baskets, paper, ribbon, metal and packaging for dry flowers and floral crafts. Thus this industry as a whole can contribute immensely to area development which in turn lead to the overall development of the nation.ThesisItem Open Access Morphological And Phytochemical Investigations On St.John`s Wort (Hypericum Spp.), a Potential Source Of Ant-HIV Compounds(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Ganapathy, V; KAU; Mini Raj, NRenowned laboratories throughout the world have been makuu; uucnse search hi detect and isolate potential chemicals from plants for curing AIDS. llvpcrtcmn is :\11 important genera yielding hypericin,a potential anti -I-IIV chemical I lvpcricin ll:l~ . been reported from many exotic Hypericum species. Investigations on the presence \Ii' hypericin in the indigenous flora (H mysorense and H jU/JOl1iClIl1I) arc i:ldiJl~' I kill" the present study entitled "Morphological and Phytochemical IJl\CSII!':lllllll~ .'11 St.Johns Wort (Hypericum spp.), a potential source or anti-HI V compounds" \I;I~ constituted. Two species of Hypericum were located in Kerala; H mysorcnsc .u the high ranges of Idukki and Wayanad districts and H. japonicum in Wayanad district. The natural habitat characters of H mysorense were studied at Vattavada in IduUI Phytosociological parameters such as density, abundance and per cent frequency were determined by quatrat studies. H mysorense was often present or seldom present , along with Pteridium aquilinum, Eucalyptus grandis, Lantana camara, Strobilanthus spp, Andropogon lividis and Chrysopogon zeylanicus in the high altitucle regions of Vattavada panchayat of Idukki district Chrysopogon zeylanicus is the dominant species in the eco system. H. mysorense is a shrub with stiff branches while H japonicum is a prostrate herb growing in marshy lands. Translucent glands were either streaks or dots in H. mysorense while it was pellucid dots in H japonicum. Stem anatomy of H mysorense revealed presence of "type B" secretory canals whereas it was absent in H japonicum. Histochemical tests indicated the presence of lignin in the leaf,stem and root of H. mysorense and H. japonicum. Leaf, stem and root of H. japonicum had phenolic compounds while there was no indication for the presence of these compounds in the stem of H. mysorense. The primary metabolites like starch, total sugars,protein and total free amino acids on leaf, stem and root were quantified. Qualitative test for anthraquinone was negative in both the species. When tested using TLC for the presence of hypericin ,no spots corresponding to In \ .iluc o ! standard hypericin were observed in H. mysorense and H. japonicum samples Commercial extract of H. perforatum (Eleve®,) had 0.22 to 0 25 per cell! hypericin. Even though the samples of the indigenous Hypericum sP/' (//. mysorense and H. japonicum ) were negative for hypericin - the target anti-l ll V compound, they were indicative for the presence of anthronoid derivati ves. These anthronoid derivatives could be the precursors or intermediary compounds for the hypericin synthesis in the plant metabolism. These compounds need further analysis for identification and characterization for anti-HfV property.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of bioagents and soil amendments on the performance of patchouli (pogostemon patchouli pellet.)(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2004) Smilu, Babu; KAU; Asha Shankar, MAn experiment entitled "Impact ofbio agents and soil amendments on the performance of patchouli" was conducted at the Department of Plantation crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2002-04 to elucidate the effect of application of bioagents, soil amendments and bioregulators on growth, yield and oil quality of patchouli. The study was also aimed at refming vegetative propagation technique to generate disease free quality planting materials. The investigations were conducted in two experiments. Results of the first experiment, " Impact of bioagents on the production of quality planting materials in the nursery "revealed that bioagents had a significant influence on the growth characters of the crop in the nursery stage wherein significant differences were observed among the treatments with respect to characters such as number of leaves, number of roots, length of roots and root volume. Root characters were markedly influenced by bioagents and bioregulators. Root length and root volume were found the highest for the treatment receiving combined application of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas fluorescens at the rate of 2 g each at the time of planting. This treatment also recorded earliest sprout emergence in 6.3 days after planting the terminalcuttings in the nursery. Terminal cuttings which were treated with IBA at the rate of 1000 ppm at the time of planting came to rooting earlier in 8 days after planting in the nursery. Root number was also recorded the highest with the same treatment. The highest leaf number in 45 days old patchouli plants was recorded in nursery with the incorporation of Trichoderma at the rate of 2 g per bag. This treatment also recorded the highest sprout length of 0.45 cm. Earliness in sprouting, length of sprout and earliness in rooting were not found influenced by bioagents in nursery experiment. Plants raised in the nursery by the combined application of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas fluorescens rated the best in the nursery were selected for main field experiment. Impact of bioagents and soil amendments on growth, yield and oil quality were studied in the main field and results obtained revealed that treatments ~----.-.- .. -- involving combined application of bioagents and soil amendments significantly influenced the growth and yield parameters of the crop plant .. Plant height was the highest with the combined application of lime, neem cake, Trichoderma and Pseudomonas fluorescens along with the application of recommended doses of FYM and NPK both in main crop and regenerated crop. Compared to control, this treatment also improved vegetative characters like number of leaves and yield attributes like fresh herb yield and fresh leaf yield both in main crop and regenerated crop. Combined application of control, lime, neem cake and Pseudomonas fluorescens along with the recommended doses of FYM and NPK recorded highest number of branches and greatest plant spread. Leaf area also was found varying significantly among treatments. Application of neem cake, Trichoderma and Pseudomonas fluorescens in addition to the recommended doses of FYM and NPK recorded the highest leaf area. Dry leaf yield recorded was also the highest with the same treatment. Oil yield and oil content in the plant were found to be significantly influenced by bioagents and soil amendments. The plants treated with a combination of neem cake + Trichoderma + Pseudomonas fluorescens along with the recommended doses of FYM and NPK recorded highest values of oil yield and oil content. Physicochemical properties of the essential oil of patchouli were analysed wherein it was, observed that specific gravity of oil between 0.940 and 0.953 and refractive index was recorded between 1.5032 and 1.5150 at 31 Qc. Gas chromatographic profile of oil samples were analysed and significant variation with respect to the application of various treatments was observed. Number of components present in the oil sample varied significantly among treatments. It is observed that when the number of peaks increases, the percentage of major components in the oil decreases. Treatments receiving neem cake along with NPK and FYM recorded maximum number of components in the oil sample. It is found that neem cake can add optimum level of nutrients to the soil at a slow and steady rate which finally resulted in the increment of oil components.ThesisItem Open Access Performance analysis of clove bean ipomoea muricata (L) jacq. genotypes(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2008) Malsawmkimi; KAU; Salikutty, JosephAn experiment was carried out in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during August 2007 - January 2008 to analyze the performance of different accessions of clove bean Ipomoea muricata (L.) Jacq. The major objectives of the study were to genetically catalogue the germplasm and to assess the genetic variability, divergence, heritability, genetic gain and correlation of different traits with yield. Twenty five accessions collected from different parts of Kerala were grown in randomized block design with three replications. Cataloguing of the germplasm evidenced significant differences for the characters like vine length, days to first flower production, days to first harvest, length and weight of pedicel, length of fruit, yield per plant, duration of the crop, number of harvests and contents of vitamin C, calcium and crude fibre. There was also much variability in the germplasm with regard to colour shades of vine, flower and fruit. The accession IM-14 was found to be the highest yielder (4.24kg/plant) coupled with maximum length (3.675cm), girth (4.49cm) and weight of pedicel (93.27g) and length (2.8cm), girth (6.61cm) and weight of fruits (3.27g). Maximum vine length was observed in IM-7 (414.48cm). The accession IM-15 was the second best yielder (4.13 kg/plant) with superior yield contributing characters. Among quality attributes, protein content was found to be highest in IM-21, phosphorus in IM-2 and crude fibre in IM-10 and IM-3. The iron content ranged from 0.13mg/100g to 0.19mg/100g, vitamin C ranged from 24mg/100g to 48 mg/100g and calcium content ranged from 230.67mg/100g to 209.79mg/100g. Highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were observed for weight of pedicel, yield per plant and crude fibre content. High heritability coupled with genetic gain was observed for yield per plant. The 25 accessions were grouped into six clusters and no parallelism between geographical distribution and genetic diversity was observed. Strong association was revealed between yield and length, girth and weight of pedicel and weight of fruit. Highest positive direct effect on yield was contributed by weight of individual fruits. A selection model was also formulated using characters like length, girth and weight of pedicel, length and girth of fruit, days to first flower production, vine length, protein, phosphorus, iron, ascorbic acid and crude fibre. Based on selection index accession IM-14 was identified as the best performer followed by the accessions IM-15, IM-12 and IM-11ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of ornamental bananas and bromeliads for tropical landscapes(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2007) Hazmin, H; KAU; Valsalakumari, P KPerformance of Bromeliads and ornamental bananas was evaluated at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from 2005-2007. The objective of study was to evaluate their suitability under different shade levels and to recommend them for tropical landscapes, interior plantscapes and explore the possibility of production of novel varieties by irradiation and hybridization. Nine Bromeliads and six ornamental bananas were selected for the study. Results of the investigation revealed that among the Bromeliads, Aechmea fasciata, Ananas bracteatus, Bromelia balansae and Dyckia brevifolia can be grown under both open and 50 per cent shade. Aechmea fasciata looked more attractive under shaded condition, but flowering was observed under open condition only. When the temperature was above 34°C, sun scorching was observed on leaves. In Ananas bracteatus the colour of the leaf was more pronounced under open condition but the number of leaves and length and breadth of leaves were more under 50 per cent shade. In Dyckia brevifolia the number of leaves and suckers produced was more under open condition. Though maroon colour was more pronounced under open condition it developed an acceptable colour under shade also. Bromelia balansae looked attractive both under 50 per cent shade and open. Ananas nanus, Billbergia pyramidalis, Cryptanthus zonatus, C.bivittatus and C. bromelioides are suited only under shade with respect to their vegetative and floral characters. In Ananas nanus and Billbergia pyramidalis, longer inflorescences were produced under shaded condition. In Billbergia pyramidalis, it was a desirable character but in Ananas nanus it leads to toppling down of the inflorescence. Performance of Cryptanthus species was better under 50 per cent and 75 per cent shade with respect to the vegetative characters and attractiveness of the plant. The plant looked attractive only under shaded condition. Under open condition sun scorching was observed. Pitcarnea flammea and Tillandsia stricta are suited for open condition than under 50 per cent shade. Pitcarnea flammea flowered only under open condition. The plant is attractive with its flowers only. In Tillandsia stricta the vegetative characters and the colour of the leaves were better under open condition. Flowering was also observed only under open condition. Performance of Bromeliads like Billbergia pyramidalis and Pitcarnea flamea under different media revealed that the growth was better in the media containing equal proportion of sand + vermicompost + cocopeat and coarse sand + sand + vermicompost + cocopeat. These media containing organic matter supplied nutrients and coarse sand provided good drainage revealed that Bromeliads responded well if grown under suitable media. It can also be grown in coconut husk, for display in hanging baskets. Under 50 per cent shade the ornamental bananas looked lanky, less robust with reduced leaf size. Ornamental bananas like Musa oranata, Musa laterita and Ensete ventricosum can better be grown in pots under open condition than under shade. Ensete ventricosum was the best suitable for growing in pots because of its paddle shaped, attractive, glossy green leaves with pink midrib. Under open condition the performance of Musa ornata, M. laterita and Ensete ventricosum were good with respect to vegetative characters. The plants looked robust and flowering was also observed in Musa ornata and M. laterita. The number of bracts and size of the male and female flowers were more for Musa ornata compared to M. laterita, but the number of male flowers was produced more in Musa laterita. M. ornata, M. laterita and Ensete ventricosum can be recommended as landscape plants under tropical areas. Under indoor condition Billbergia pyramidalis performed better compared to Pitcarnea flammea and Tillandsia stricta. It can be kept as potted foliage plant for a period of 47 days. Maximum vase life was recorded for Ananas nanus followed by Pitcarnea flammea and minimum for Billbergia pyramidalis. Musa ornata recorded a vase life of two days. Among these Ananas nanus can be used in flower arrangements, since it has substantially long vase life (19 days). With a view to explore the possibility of improvement by hybridization, pollen fertility and compatibility studies were conducted in Musa sp. The viability of pollen grains was more for Musa ornata (84.0%) compared to Musa laterita (77.0%). They were also compatible and hybrid seedlings were also produced which revealed that new varieties can be evolved and they have great potential for use as landscape plants under tropical areas. Irradiation studies were conducted in Bromeliads and Musa sp. for induction of variability. In Bromeliads, suckers of Billbergia pyramidalis subjected to gamma rays @ 25 Gy gave rise to plants with lesser height, leaf length and leaf breadth. Suckers of Tillandsia stricta did not sprout and all remained healthy. Induction of gamma rays @ 20 Gy on seeds of ornamental bananas resulted in earlier germination. The rhizomes subjected to irradiation did not sprout and all remained healthy even eight months after the treatment. Table 13b. Visual scoring of Bromeliads Sl. No. Name Characters (Score out of 10) Colour and pigmentation of leaves Symptoms of sun scroaching Overall appearance Total score 50% shade Open 50% shade Open 50% shade Open 50% shade Open 1 Aechmea fasciata 7.0 5.0 10.0 2.0 9.0 5.0 26.0 12.0 2 Ananas nanus 8.0 8.0 10.0 10.0 3.0 8.0 21.0 26.0 3 Ananas bracteatus 7.0 8.0 10.0 10.0 7.0 9.0 25.0 27.0 4 Billbergia pyramidalis 8.0 5.0 10.0 5.0 9.0 6.0 27.0 16.0 5 Bromelia balansae 9.0 9.0 10.0 10.0 7.0 7.0 26.0 26.0 6 Cryptanthus zonatus 4.0 3.0 2.0 0.0 2.0 0.0 8.0 3.0 7 Cryptanthus bivittatus 7.0 2.0 10.0 1.0 9.0 1.0 26.0 4.0 8 Cryptanthus bromelioides 7.0 2.0 10.0 1.0 9.0 1.0 26.0 4.0 9 Dyckia brevifolia 9.0 9.0 10.0 10.0 9.0 9.0 28.0 28.0 10 Pitcarnea flammea 7.0 9.0 10.0 9.0 4.0 8.0 21.0 26.0 11 Tillandsia stricta 6.0 9.0 10.0 10.0 5.0 10.0 21.0 29.0ThesisItem Open Access Quantitative and qualitative changes in coleus (Solenostemon rotundifolius (Poir) J.K.Morton) tubers during development and storage(Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2003) Ramesh, A; KAU; Narayanankutty, M CStudies were conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi and the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to analyse the quantitative and qualitative changes during development and storage of coleus tubers. During the development the total fresh biomass of the plant increased up to 90 days after transplanting in all the varieties. The absolute growth rate was highest between 75-90 days after transplanting. The leaf fresh biomass increased up to 60 OAT in all the varieties and at this stage more than 50 per cent of dry matter was present the leaves. The stem fresh biomass of stem increased up to 120 OAT, the fresh biomass of root also increased up to 120 DA T and the rate of accumulation of root dry matter was high up to 120 OAT. The fresh biomass of tuber and dry matter accumulation showed an increasing trend along with maturity of tubers. The higher growth rate was between 135- 150 OAT stages. Total number of tubers, length, diameter, peel thickness and peel percentage were found to increase with maturity of tubers. The peel colour changed from yellowish brown to brown and the flesh colour changed from yellowish cream to whitish cream during maturation. The starch and polyphenol content increased with the maturity of tubers, where as the soluble sugar increased up to 135 OAT and thereafter declined. The nematode infested tubers showed higher sugar and polyphenol content and lower starch content compared to non-infested one. The sensory evaluation indicated that the overall acceptability, increased with the advancement of maturity. Storage behaviour of coleus tuber was assessed under different conditions of storage. Sprouting and physiological loss in weight was lowest under the zero energy cool chamber storage. Room temperature and pit storage were rated next to zero energy cool chamber. The spoilage was minimum in tubers stored under room temperature followed by zero energy cool chamber. The starch content of tubers decreased and sugar content increased in storage. No definite pattern was indicated in the polyphenol content during storage. Tubers turned dark brown under low temperature storage conditions. The tubers stored under zero energy cool chamber showed better sensory characters. Peeled tubers could be stored for two days with minimum spoilage at 8-10°C. Hot air oven dried product had a higher rehydration ratio and better sensory quality compared to sun dried one.ThesisItem Open Access Root activity in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.)(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Deepa, Raj M L; KAU; Baby, Latha A KAll investigation was undertaken during 1999-2001 in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, VelIanikkara, Thrissur to study the root activity in pineapple. The main objective was to know the most active root zone of pineapple and also to study the uptake of 32p by pineapple grown under different systems of planting. The root activity of pineapple varieties Kew and Mauritius grown in trenches and on surface was studied employing :l2p soil injection technique. Activity was applied at varying lateral distances and depth of 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm. The uptake and sharing of 32p by Kew and Mauritius grown under high density and 10\v density system of planting, in trenches and on surface was also evaluated. The results revealed that the most' active root zone of pineapple irrespective of variety and method of planting was LID! (15 cm lateral distance and 15 cm depth) in 32p absorption. The least active root zone was L4D4 (60 ern 'lateral distance and 60 cm depth). When lateral distance alone was considered irrespective of depth, variety and method of planting, the highest absorption of 32p was obtained from 15 cm distance at all sampling intervals. Depth also showed the same trend. There was no significant difference between the two varieties Kew and Mauritius and also between the two methods of planting (surface and trench method). When the percentage distribution of active roots of pineapple irrespective of variety and method of planting was observed it was seen that about 45.9 per cent of the root activity was concentrated in a soil zone constituting 15 cm lateral distance and 15 cm depth which was the active root zone. The least active root zone (L;D4) contributed only 0.49 per cent of the active roots. When lateral distance alone was considered, a lateral distance of 15 cm accommodated G 1.38 per cent of the active roots followed by 30 cm and the least from 60 cm lateral distance (3.16%). When depth was considered 73.2 per cent of the root activity was seen at the surfacel 5 ern soil layer followed by 30 cm The soil zone within 30 cm of lateral distance and 30 cm depth accommodate 80 per cent of the active roots. The root excavation studies revealed that Mauritius grown under surface method produced more number of roots. Regarding length an average of 24 cm was not iced When fresh weight and dry weight were observed Mauritius grown under surface method produced the highest value. The plant height and leaf number were not influenced by variety and planting method However trench method of planting produced more number or leaves than surface method. Significant difference was noticed between the two varieties when the flowering characters were taken into consideration. The studies carried out to know the uptake or :l2p by the treated and surrounding plants revealed that there was no significant difference between the two varieties Kew and Mauritius when the uptake by the treated plant was considered. Planting densities also did not show any significant difference. However regarding the method of planting, trench planting was found to be significantly superior to surface planting in theabsorption 0(l2p. Under high density and low density system of planting, Mauritius grown under trench planting recorded highest absorption of32p by the treated plant. It was also found that the applied activity was absorbed not only by the treated plant but also by the contact and neighbouring plants, which indicated the sharing of activity by the surrounding non treated plants. But the absorption by the treated plant was found to be more followed by the contact plants irrespective of variety, planting method and density of planting system.ThesisItem Open Access Physio chemical properties of jackfruit (artocarpus heterophyllus lam.) seed flour and its prospects for use in cattle feed(Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Sri, Krishna G; KAU; Sheela, K BThe study on "Physio chemical properties of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) seed flour and its prospects for the use in cattle feed" was undertaken at the Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University for evaluating the physio chemical characters of jackfruit as well as seed and utilization of seed flour for compounded cattle feed. Significant variation existed between thirty fruit samples collected from different locations in Kerala for physical characters of fruit. The contribution of edible bulbs, rind and perigones, core and seed to the fruit were 21.3 - 29.7, 42.6- 52.3, 12.4-19.8 and 8.4-16.2 per cent respectively. The samples also differed significantly with respect to chemical constituents of seed. Total carbohydrates, crude fibre, digestible carbohydrates, total minerals and fat content were found to be in the range of 54.7 to 79.8 per cent, 1.5 to 3.9 per cent, 5l.8 to 76.4 per cent, 1.3 to 5.0 per cent and 0.2 to 1.9 per cent respectively. Seed flour stored in different packaging materials differed significantly with respect to weight loss or gain, moisture content, carbohydrate content and organoleptic qualities during storage. Seed flour stored in glass bottles, aluminium foil and polythene cover registered less weight gain, least moisture ingress and minimum variation in carbohydrate content and also had better colour and flavour retention, low caking and less insect infestation during the storage as compared to other packaging materials. Polyethylene cover was found to be the most cost effective packaging material for storage of seed flour. The product, chapatti was prepared by blending wheat flour (WF) and jackfruit seed flour (JSF) in different proportions viz., 90: 1 0, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40. Organoleptic evaluation revealed that jackfruit seed flour can be blended ; with the wheat flour up to the extent of 20 per cent without effecting of quality of chapatti with respect to colour, flavour, texture, taste and overall acceptability. A feeding trial on dairy cows was conducted at University livestock farm, Mannuthy to study the feasibility of utilizing jack seed flour in the compounded cattle feed by replacing part of maize in the concentrate mixture. No significant difference in milk production and milk composition (fat percentage, total solids and solids not fat) between the animals receiving Ration 1 (20 per cent level JSF) and Ration II (40 per cent level JSF) was observed indicating that JSF can be incorporated up to 40 per cent in the feed concentrate without adversely affecting the milk production and milk quality.ThesisItem Open Access In vitro somatic embryogenesis in bael [Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr.](Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Hima, Sugathan; KAU; Sulekha, G RStandardization of techniques for the in vitro propagation of bael [Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr.] via somatic embryogenesis was attempted. The studies were carried out at the Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Centre, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2001-2003. Attempts were made to induce somatic embryogenesis using explants such as cotyledons, nucellus, hypocotyls, integuments, in vitro leaves, roots, internode and ex-vitro leaves. The effects of culture medium (basal media, major and minor nutrients, plant growth substances, sucrose, coconut water, activated charcoal and malt extract), culture conditions and frequency of subculture on various stages of somatic embryogenesis were studied. Among the various explants tried, somatic embryogenesis could be induced only from cotyledons. Induction of embryogenic calli from cotyledonary explants occurred in MS basal medium supplemented with 2,4 0 0.2 mg r', BA 0.1 mg r', CW 200.0 ml r', sucrose 40.0 g r' and agar 6.0 g r'. But the percentage initiation was low (16.67 per cent). Dark culture condition was found to favour callus initiation. Sub culturing in the medium of same composition at an interval of 15 days increased the percentage induction of callus by 20.00 than when subcultured at 10 days interval. Liquid culture with filter paper bridges induced organogenesis than embryogenesis. The embryogenic calli obtained in the induction medium, when sub cultured in half strength MS basal medium supplemented with BA 0.2 mg i', sucrose 40.0 g i', and agar 6.0 g r' initiated 40-50 globular somatic embryos. Even after two months, the somatic embryos did not germinate. However, they are kept in the same medium for observing further growth and development. Further studies on refinement of culture media and culture conditions are necessary for evolving a reliable protocol for somatic embryogenesis in Aegle marmelos.