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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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1978 - 197911980 - 19841
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Subject: Horticulture × Author: Valsalakumari, P K × End date: 1987 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standardisation of vegetative propagation technique in cashew with a view to reduce tho post-separation mortality of alr-layers
    (Department of Horticulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1978) Valsalakumari, P K; KAU; Damodaran, V K
    Investigation on the different aspect of the poet separation mortality of air-layers worn carried out on four year old cashew trees at the main campus at Vellanikkara of the Kerala Agricultural University during tho period of February 1977 to Juno 197Q. Air-layering was done at fortnightly interval and observation on the shoot growth worn recorded to find out whether there is any correlation between rooting of air-layer and tho shoot growth cycles. Wedge grafting was also tried no an alternative method for air-layerlng. The best time for air-layering in cashew was from February to April at which time the tree were in active growth phase as indicated by tho maximum percentage of shoot extension growth. Percentage of rooting in different Months wan positively correlated with tho percentage of shoots in flush and tho rate of shoot extension grown in tho respective month. Rooting was positively correlated with maximum temperature in tho respective month® and negatively correlated with total rainfall. Establishment was better in layers planted in polythene bags with the medians supplied with nutrient solution ns ooapared with pinnto not supplied with nutrient solution but the differences were not significant. Juno find July which arc tho heavy rainfall months in Kerala wore tho boot months for planting out air-layers directly in tho field. Establishment was improved by Keeping the layers in mist chamber. Treatment with IBA ppn and NAH 500 ppm produced the maximum number of rooted air-layers. treatment with IBA 250 ppm was tho boot in respect of the coon length of roots while IBA 500 ppm produced maximum number of roots per layers The highest percentage of establishment of air-layers was recorded by layers treated with IBA 500 ppm. Wedge grafting on eight month old cashew seedlings, though needed further standardisation, gave n better success in March compared to February.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Cytotaxonomical studies on banana cultivars
    (Department of Pomology and Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Valsalakumari, P K; KAU; Sivaraman, Nair P C
    Variability in banana are wide and complex with different degrees of expression of the characters of the parental species, Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. Commercial cultivars are many, ranging in levels of productivity and quality characters. Investigations were conducted at the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Trichur during 1981-83 on 100 cultivars of banana to study the cytotaxonomical aspects. Studies on morphological characters, taxonomic scoring and chromosome number revealed that many of the cultivars were identical and ultimately the cultivars were confined to 64 distinct ones. The taxonomic scoring did not indicate the ploidy. Eight cultivars with the scores of triploids, were identified as diploids. The quantitative, quality and pollen characters showed a significant variation among the cultivars. The characters were influenced by the ploidy and the genomic constitution. The presence of ‘B’ genome increased plant height and girth, leaves per plant, leaf area per plant and petiole length. Musa balbisiana (BB) recorded the highest values for all the above characters. The triploids were more vigorous than the diploids and the tetraploids as indicated by their higher growth rates. The triploids were also better than the other groups for bunch and finger characters. Among them, the triploids of hybrid origin were better for bunch characters while the Musa acuminata triploid group (AAA) was superior to the other groups for finger characters. Longer pedicel was a characteristic feature of Musa balbisiana( BB). The genomic constitution of the cultivars influenced the contents of total soluble solids, sugars and acids in fruits, more than the ploidy. Musa acuminata group AAA, had the highest sugar/acid ratio. Studies on pollen viability, size and production in cultivars revealed the possibility of including a few of them as male parents in the banana hybridization programme. Forty of the cultivars studied were polleniferous. Pollen viability and production were more in pure Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana groups than in groups of hybrid origin. Musa acuminata cultivars had larger pollen grains than cultivars belonging to the other genomic groups.Estimates of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability in the broad sense, genetic advance and genetic gain for the 26 characters indicated the scope for selection among the cultivars. Petiole length, pulp/peel ratio on volume basis, weight and volume of fruit showed higher heritability values combined with high genetic gain. Estimation of genetic divergence among the cultivars showed that the cultivars ‘Mannan’ and ‘Pacha chingan’, belonging to the genomic group AAB, were the closest and a Musa acuminata cultivar, ‘Harichal’ (AAA) and Musa balbisiana (BB) were the farthest. The 62 cultivars were grouped into eight homogeneous clusters. Similar clustering pattern was obtained in the canonical analysis also. The study revealed the predominance of the cultivars of the hybrid origin, with different degrees of expression of the characters of the parental species, in the South Indian bananas. The taxonomic scoring system was not always appropriate to find out the ploidy of the cultivars. The study also indicated the scope for selection among the cultivars and the possibility of inclusion of the cultivars with viable pollen as male parents in the hybridization programme.