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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Effect of planting date, weight of rhizome and spacing on the growth, yield and quality constituents on turmeric (Curcuma longa L)
(Department of Horticulture (Plantation Crops & Spices), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1983) Chatterjee, R K; KAU; Mohanakumaran, N
Open Access
Divergence studies in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Pair)
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Suresh Babu, V; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, T R
The 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 .
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
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
Open 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
Open Access
Studies on growth and bearing habits of certain varieties of bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.)with special reference to fruit maturity and quality
(Regional post-graduate training centre, Agricultural college and research institute, Coimbatore., 1964) Ravindra, K; KAU
Open Access
Investigations on intervarietal F2 hybrids in cowpea
(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture Vellanikkara, Trichur, 1981) Sumathikutty Amma, B; KAU; Narayanan Namboodiri, K M
Ccwpea (Vlgna ungiculata) Is the major pulse crop cultivated in Kerala where the average yield of pulses in general and Cowpea in particular is very low even under modern agronomic practices* This low productivity is mainly due to the absence of high yielding varieties suited for the different agro-climatic conditions. The varietal requirements in Cowpea, in the state vary because of the highly contrasting system of cultivation and this compels Cowpea breeders to evolve varieties of different combinations of plant, pod and seed characters, This is possible by producing different varieties combining the desirable attributes required for the diverse situations by suitable means. One of the ways by which, this can be achieved is through combination breeding in which desirable genes are pooled frcra different sources* In a previous study conducted in the Department of Agricultural Botany, the 202 genotypes v/ere grouped into 17 distinct clusters. Representing 15 clusters, 15 varieties were chosen for intervarietal hybridisation and their F^'s evaluated during 1979-80, Seeds collected from the plants of the 16 Intervariota] crosses along with their parents were used for the study. Two families In each of the 16 crosses were studied along with their respective parents for the pattern of inheritance of 15 economic characters. Most of the characters were found to be inherited as quantitative characters controlled by either polygenes or by a few major genes with their action being suitably modified by minor genes. The crosses 5 x 15 (g p .p l s . 139 x p .118) and 6 X 8 (Red Seeded Selection X Kolingipayar) were identified as suitable ones for grain - production and also for using as dual purpose Cowpea culture since they might throw segregants best suited to those purposes. For the specialised system of Cot/pea culture practised in summer rice fallows exclusively for vegetable purpose, the crosses 14 X 16 (Pannithodan-early X Kolingipayarwhite), 17 X 16 (Mancheri-black X Kolingipayar^hite) and 10 X 6 (IC. 20729 X Red Seeded Selection) appeared to be the Ideal ones*
Open Access
Molecular characterization of piper species usiing RAPD technique
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Murugan, C; KAU; Sujatha, V S
The study on "Molecular characterization of Piper species using RAPD techniques" was conducted in the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices and CPBMB, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur from December, 1999 to August, 2001. Material included 13 species/accessions of the genus Piper including Piper nigrutn Linn. These were analysed with 20 selected oligomer decamer primers using PCR technique and agarose gel electrophoresis. The selection of ideal DNA isolation technique was done based on observations of purity of bands, quality of the DNA bands and quantity of DNA recovered. The protocol of Edwards et al. (1991) was selected for DNA isolation with additional step of chloroform-isoamyl alcohol treatment. Fifty decamer primers were screened using DNA. of P. nigrum and 20 were selected based on the number of bands produced, reproducibility of the bands and distinctness of the RAPD profile. RAPD profile of the 13 species of Piper were compared for genetic similarity index (using Jaccard's coefficient), with all 20 selected primers separately. Pooled similarity of the twenty primers put together was found out for 9 species which gave amplification for all the 20 selected primers. The results of pooled analysis was subjected to cluster analysis (SAl-IN) and phenetic dcndrogram was constructed employing UPGMA. Four clusters were obtained, comprising of two accessions of P. nigrum In the first, two accessions of P. longum in the second, P. colubrinutn and P. attenuatum forming the third cluster and P. chaba, P. belle and P. arboreum forming the fourth.
Open Access
Evaluation of curry leaf (Murraya koenigii L.) accessions for yield and quality
(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2019) Anila, Peter; KAU; Krishnakumary, K
Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii L.) is an important perennial herbal spice widely used for culinary purpose in India for centuries and the leaves valued for its characteristics flavour and aroma. Leaves possess medicinal and neutraceutical properties due to the presence of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. In Kerala, cultivation is limited to landraces which are often reported to be low in quality. Identification of promising types with high yield and quality will pave way for promoting large scale cultivation in Kerala. The present study entitled “Evaluation of curry leaf (Murraya koenigii L.) accessions for yield and quality” was undertaken with objectives of morphological and biochemical characterization of available accessions and standardization of vegetative propagation. accessions of curry leaf maintained by the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara along with the released variety Suvasini were used as the experimental material. Among the accessions, wide variability was recorded for fifteen quantitative and five qualitative morphological characters studied. Cluster analysis was performed and superior accessions were selected and those were subjected to biochemical analysis. Among the accessions, 76 % were having green midrib and petiole whereas 24 % with light red pink. Leaf colour was found as dark green in 19 % of accessions and the remaining accessions were green in colour. Only two leaflet shape were noticed with 19 % having lanceolate shape. The plant height varied from 2.23 m (MK 107) to 5.21m (MK 103) whereas branching height ranged from 31.25 cm (MK 125) to 67.51 cm (MK 122). Accession MK 118 recorded highest canopy spread in N-S direction (4.57 m) while MK 142 recorded in E-W direction (4.78 m). Considerable variability was observed in number of primary, secondary and tertiary branches and more than 40 numbers of tertiary branches were recorded in five accessions namely MK 107, MK 118, MK 126, MK 142 and MK 160. The leaf length ranged from 14.71 cm (MK 122) to 21.81 cm (MK 126) whereas maximum number of leaflets (22 leaflets) were observed in three accessions viz., MK 126, MK 142 and Suvasini with the largest leaf area of 66.46 cm2 in MK 142. Curry leaf was harvested at four months interval from June to March. Harvesting during June- July months in the rainy season recorded the highest leaf yield per plant. Leaf yield of more than 5 kg per plant was obtained in four accessions namely, MK 107, MK 126, MK 142 and MK 160. Aroma and flavour are the important parameters in curry leaf and based on sensory evaluation, eight accessions were identified as superior with a mean sensory score of above 7, with the highest score of 7.40 and 7.33 for flavour and aroma in MK 126. Correlation analysis revealed significant and positive correlation of yield with number of primary, secondary and tertiary branches, canopy spread in N-S and E-W direction, number of leaflets, and leaf area. Based on cluster analysis, all the thirty accessions under the study were grouped into twelve clusters and ten accessions from superior clusters were selected for biochemical analysis. Oil recovery was higher in dry leaves than in fresh whereas antioxidant activity and beta carotene content were higher in fresh leaves. Highest essential oil recovery was recorded in dried samples of accession MK 186 (1.09 %) and maximum content of crude fibre was recorded in two accessions namely MK 118 (11.61 %) and MK 186 (11.65 %). Accession MK 126 recorded the highest content of carbohydrate (15.99 %) and protein (6.00 %). Highest content of total phenol (0.31 %) and antioxidant capacity (3.45) was recorded in MK 105. The beta carotene content was found higher (˃ 8.80 mg 100g-1) in three accessions namely, MK 105, MK 142 and MK 186. Considering yield and quality MK 142 and MK 126 were identified as most promising types followed by MK 105 and MK 186. Standardization of vegetative propagation was done in Suvasini with softwood, semihardwood and hardwood types of cuttings, two growth regulators (IBA and NAA) at different concentrations of 1000ppm, 2000ppm and their combinations during rainy, winter and summer season. Even though success rate of vegetative propagation through stem cuttings was very low, hardwood cuttings treated with highest concentration of growth regulator (2000ppm IBA+2000ppm NAA) resulted in 3.3 % of establishment during rainy season

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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