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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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19797
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Subject: Horticulture × End date: 1979 × Start date: 1979 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of different growth regulators on flowering and fruit development in pineapple
    (Department of Horticulture (Pomology), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Santha, K K; KAU; Aravindakshan, M
    The present investigations were carried out in College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University during the years 1976-78. The object of the study was to find out the effect of growth regulators and certain other chemicals on flowering and fruit development in pineapple. The growth regulators and chemicals included in this study consisted of ethrel and Planofix at different concentrations and combination of Ethrel, Ca CO3 and urea. Ca C2 was also included in this study. Seasonal variation in the effect of growth regulators and chemicals in two seasons was noticed. Application of growth regulators and chemicals in January resulted in earlier flowering than November application. The differential response of growth regulators in the two seasons might be attributed to the variation in leaf area. Of the different growth regulators and chemicals tried, Ethrel 250 ppm was found to be the for maximum induction of flowering. Ethrel at all concentrations was found to reduce the duration of flowering and also the time for fruit set. Ethrel in combination with urea 2 per cent and Ca CO3 0.04 per cent also showed similar effect. Time taken for fruit maturity was slightly reduced by Ethrel treatment while it was delayed by the application of Planofix. In respect of fruit size, maximum size was obtained by Planofix 20 ppm. None of the growth regulators, chemicals and combinations tried resulted in an over all improvement in quality of fruits, but the number of leaves possessed by a plant profoundly influenced the quality of fruits. While induction of flowering could be achieved by the application of growth regulators and chemicals irrespective of the morphological characters of the plant, the fruit development was found to be associated with the number of leaves possessed by the plant. The fruits produced by plants with higher number of leaves (Class IV) possessed maximum of TSS, reducing sugars, total sugars and sugar acid ratio closely followed by Class III. For a satisfactory fruit development the plant should possess around 40 leaves at the time of application of growth regulators. The nutrient status of leaves was also found to influence fruit development considerably. The largest fruits were produced by plants having leaf nutrient status of 1.40 per cent N, 0.08 per cent P and 3.43 per cent K. The application of growth regulators and chemicals was responsible for low sucker production. Ethrel at 1250 ppm retarded the sucker production to a maximum extent.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Propagation studies in cocoa
    (Department of Horticulture (Plantation Crops), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Kesavachandran, R; KAU; Sivaraman Nair, R
    A study on the different aspects of propagation of cocoa was undertaken at the College of Horticulture from May 1978 to July 1979 to standardise the criteria for selecting the pods, seeds and seedlings for raising the nursery, to find out the optimum size of polythene bags and the suitable medium for raising the nursery and also to standardise the best vegetative propagation methods for cocoa. The results had indicated that the volume and weight of the pods varied within the three classes of pods namely large, medium and small. There was not much variation in the number of seeds among the three classes of pods and the mean number varied between 30 to 42. The number of seeds were found to be highest in pods harvested in February and March followed by April. The highest percentage of germination was recorded in March followed by February, January, December and April. The size of the pod and the position of seeds (pedicel end, middle and distal end) had no significant influence on the germination and the growth of the seedlings. However, the large and medium sized pods are found to produce better seedlings. Based on the studies the following recommendation are made i) Large and medium sized pods weighing more than 350g each with not less than 400 cc volume should be selected for raising the nursery during the month of February and March. ii) The seed should be sown on the same day of harvest but it can be stored under room conditions upto six days. The percentage of germination will be decreased to 66 per cent by the sixth day. iii) A selection criterion for selecting the seedlings when they are three months old is recommended. The seedlings should have atleast 30cm height and 10 or more number of leaves when they are three months old. For raising three to five month old seedlings, the optimum size of bag is found to be 30 x 20 cm and the best medium for raising cocoa nursery is a mixture soil, sand and farm yard manure in the proportion 1:1:2. Considering the pattern and extent of root and shoot growth of the seedlings, planting the seedling when they are three to four months old is suggested. For higher percentage of rooting and optimum number of roots and higher root length, a ‘quick dip’ method for 60 sec in 4000 ppm NAA or 6000 ppm IAA is recommended for producing rooted cuttings. A ‘mist chamber’ method is suggested for rooting the cuttings. Forkert method of budding is recommended for cocoa either on eight to nine months old root-stocks or by green budding on three to four months old root-stock. The best time for budding is February and March on older root-stocks and April and May for green budding.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on growth ,flowering ,fruit set and fruit development in nutmeg (Myristica fragrans hout.)
    (Department of Plantations Crops, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Nazeem, P A; KAU; Sivaraman Nair, P C
    The present investigations were carried out in the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University during the year 1978-’79. The object was to study the pattern of growth and flowering, floral biology, fruit set, fruit drop and fruit development in nutmeg. The studies were conducted on male and female trees of about 17 years old receiving cultural practices as recommended by Kerala Agricultural University. Shoot growth in nutmeg was found to be cyclic, a period of growth followed by a quiescence. Six flushes were observed during the period of one year. All the flushes were not seen in all the shoots which resulted in continuous growth in nutmeg. The mean growth varied significantly from month to month, with minimum in summer months. Two peaks were observed in May, June and September. Nutmeg trees were found to be slow growers when compared to other prerennial trees. Flowering pattern of male and female trees differed. There was monthly variation in the extent of flowering of both male and female trees. In females, flowering was constrained to seven months whereas in male, flowering was observed through out the year. Maximum flowering in both the cases was in July followed by October. The flower bud development in male and female trees followed specific pattern. The male flowers took only about half the period taken by the female flowers to develop. The female flowers took 154 days for complete development. Three types of flowers were observed in nutmeg which resembled and differed each other for different characters. In male flowers, peak anthesis was between 1900 hours and 0100 hour and in females, it was between 2100 hours and 0300 hours. Anther dehiscence occurred about 24 hours prior to anthesis. The stigmatic receptivity lasted for six days after anthesis with the maximum for the first three days. The chief agent of pollination was wind. Anther number and pollen production per flower varied from tree to tree. Sucrose at concentrations of 2, 4, 6 and 8 per cent, boric acid and calcium nitrate at concentrations of 25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm each were found to promote pollen germination. A combination of the three (4% sucrose, 25 ppm calcium nitrats and 75 ppm boric acid) gave maximum germination (96.9%). Pollen was found to be viable for three days in the dehisced bud condition and the viability was greatly reduced thereafter. The percentage set varied for different trees and for different aspects with maximum set on Western and eastern aspects. Hand pollination increased the percentage set than open pollination, indicating the possibilities of assisted pollination for better production. There was no apomictic fruit development. The mean percentage drop after set was 74.4 per cent. The number of fruits harvested accounted to only 8.47 per cent of the total flowers produced. The period of maximum drop after set coincided with the period of maximum development of the fruit. The fruits attained maturity in 206 to 237 days after fruit set. The developing fruits followed a sigmoid growth pattern. The peak harvest season ranged between April and July. The trees varied for the percentage drop and number of fruits harvested.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Factors affecting yield in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)
    (Department of Horticulture (Pomology & Floriculture and Landscaping), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Parameswaran, N K; KAU; Damodaran, V K
    Investigations on the different vegetative, flowering and fruiting characters, influencing yield in cashew, were undertaken at the main campus of Kerala Agricultural University at Vellanikkara. These studies were made during the period from November 1978 to April 1979. Important vegetative characters studied were the percentage of flowered shoots per unit area of tree canopy and the growth parameters of the tree represented by spread and height. The major flowering and fruiting characters studied were the pattern of flower opening, percentage of bisexual flowers, factors affecting pollination, fruit-set, fruit-drop and the mean weight of nuts harvested. The results showed that among the vegetative characters, percentage of flowered shoots per unit area of tree canopy was found to be the most important factor, contributing to yield. Tree-spread was also found to have a positive correlation with yield. The influences of this character on yield was not direct but indirectly through the former character. There was no significant correlation between yield and height of the tree. Pattern of flower opening in cashew panicles was found to have three phases viz., the first male phase followed by a mixed phase which is again followed by a second male phase. The duration of these three phases was found to be varying in the different trees. It was found that some trees had only the mixed phase throughout and those trees yielding above the median had a longer mixed phase as compared to the trees yielding below the median. A positive correlation was found between yield and percentage of bisexual flowers in the tree. Among the flowering and fruiting characters affecting yield, this factor was found to influence yield much more than any other character. Examination of a random number of bisexual flowers revealed that a large proportion of bisexual flowers remained unpollinated in nature. So, lack of pollination was found to be one of the reasons for poor fruit-set and yield in cashew. This was further confirmed from the high fruit-set obtained in the hand pollinated panicles. Receptivity of the stigma was found to be continuing up for 48 hours after flower opening and hence it was not a limiting factor for securing high yield. Supplementing the natural pollination with the help of insect pollinators met with some success. Keeping bee-hives in the orchards during flowering season is advisable for facilitating better pollination. A positive correlation could be observed between yield and percentage of fruit-set but the ultimate yield was found to be adversely affected by the severe shedding of young fruits before reaching maturity. The intensity of fruit-drop was found to be high in the early stages of development but it declined during the later stages. The causes of fruit-drop that could be identified were those resulting from the attack of insect pests, adverse climatic conditions etc. Studies did not reveal any significant correlation between yield and mean weight of nuts harvested.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic variability and correlation studies in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Poir)
    (Department of Horticulture (Olericulture), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Gopalakrishnan, T R; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, P K
    Eighteen diverse pumpkin genotypes were grown in a randomized block design with three replications during 1978-79 at the Instructional Farm of College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to estimate the extend of genetic variability, association among polygenic characters and its partition into direct and indirect effects. A discriminant function analysis was also carried out to find out the efficiency, if any, of selection through discriminant function over straight selection vice versa. The 18 genotypes were significantly different for the 32 polygenic characters studied. The genotype C.M. 17 and C.M.14 emerged as high yielders with other desirable qualities (16.10 kg. and 15.38 kg. fruit yield / plant respectively). Selection of plants considering yield per S E was observed to be efficient than selection of component characters. Fruit yield /plant was positively correlated with length of main vine, average fruit weight and weight of first mature fruit. Leaves /plant and intermodal length had maximum direct effects on length of main vine. Weight of first mature fruit was positively correlated flesh thickness and circumference of fruit. Number of female flowers/plant and number of fruit /plant had no correlation with fruit yield/plant. This aberrant behaviour requires further physiological studies to define the physiological sink in pumpkin. The line C.M.18 is observed to contain the maximum amount of carotene(0.527%) among the 18 genotypes studied. The carotene content was observed rather independent fruit yield /plant.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Propagation studies in nutmeg
    (Department of Horticulture (Pomology & Floriculture and Landscaping), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Lila Mathew, K; KAU; Damodaran, V K
    The studies on the propagation of nutmeg (MYRISTICA fragrans Houtt) were carried out at the Instructional Farm of the College of Horticulture, and at the District Agricultural Farm, Mannuthy during the period from April 1978 to July 1979. The studies consisted of two methods - namely, the seed propagation and vegetative propagation. The seed propagation studies included viability studies and the effect of growth regulators on germination and the subsequent growth of the seedlings. Under vegetative propagation, the main objective was to standardise an economical and effective method of vegetative propagation of nutmeg. The studies revealed that maximum per cent and quicker germination was obtained by sowing the seeds during the month of June and there was significant difference between the heavy and light group of seeds. Seeds stored in moist sand remained viable for a longer period than those stored in metalic containers. Gibberllic acid treatment had significant effect on the germination of seeds and the subsequent growth of the seedlings. Seeds treated with 200 ppm GA for 24 hours gave good results as compared to other treatments. Among the different methods of vegetative propagation tried, inarch grafting gave the highest per cent of sucess - about 95 per cent during the month of June. The growth of the grafts was poor when compared to the seedlings of same age during the initial stages, but the growth was progressive and satisfactory after two months (of seperation). Other methods of vegetative propagation viz., side-grafting, veneer grafting and wedge grafting were also successful up to 40 per cent, but the growth of the grafts was less than that of the seedlings. However, these methods need standardisation for use on a large scale programme of propagation of nutmeg.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the performance of rice variety 'Aswathy' under different methods of direct seeding and weed control
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Sreedevi, P; KAU; Balakrishna, Pillai P
    An experiment was conducted in the Rice Research Station and Instrumentation farm, Mannuthy, Kerala Agricultural University during the first crop season of 1978 to study the performance of a rice variety 'Aswathy' under different methods of direct seeding and weed control.