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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 Evaluation of a set of non-segragating and segragating populations of tomato for field resistance to bacterial wilt(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) NarayananKutty, C; KAU; Peter, K VBacterial wilt caused by Pseudomonas solanacearum E.F. Smith is the single limiting factor for tomato cultivation in the warm humid tropical soils of Kerala. The susceptibility of reportedly resistant varieties elsewhere necessitates the need for continuous evaluation of tomato lines for wilt resistance. An experiment was planned and carried out during 1983-’85 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to identify new sources of resistance to bacterial wilt. The susceptible check Pusa Ruby showed 100% susceptibility in all the trials. The F2 hybrids of Saturn and LE 79 were found resistant, out of the four non-segregating (Saturn, LE 79, Pusa Ruby and Pusa Ruby x LE 79 F1) and two segregating populations (Pusa Ruby x LE 79 F2, Saturn x LE 79 F2) evaluated. In a repeated trial F3s were also evaluated along with the F2s and non-segregating populations (Saturn and FE 79). Resistance was observed in Saturn x LE 79 F3 (percentage wilt, 10.7) and Saturn x LE 79 F2 (percentage wilt, 18.23). Pusa Ruby x LE 79 F2 s and F3s were susceptible to moderately susceptible. Among the non-segregating populations, LE 79 showed moderate resistance, while Saturn was moderately susceptible to susceptible in both the trials. Information on days to fruit set, days to harvest, fruit yield/plant and average fruit weight were also gathered. A higher average fruit weight (44.63g) was observed in the resistant Saturn x LE 79 F3s. Evaluation of 15 reportedly resistant lines of tomato confirmed resistance in LE 79 LFG and LE 217. The line LE 79 LFG was also medium fruited (40.1g) and high yielding. Concentric cracking and irregular cracking were observed higher than radial cracking in all the lines evaluated. Fruit set ranging from 50 to 63% was observed in all the lines at higher night temperatures (230C average). Genetics of fruit shoulder colour revealed that white colour was recessive to green and governed by a single gene. Evaluation techniques like root dipping in bacterial culture and planting, stem inoculation in leaf axil and alternate row planting were compared with spot-planting for efficiency. Spot-planting was found easier and effective. The chances for escape are negligible in this method of evaluation.ThesisItem Open Access Pattern of root activity in bananas under irrigated and rainfed conditions(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Sobhana, A; KAU; Aravindakhan, MThe experiments were undertaken with an objective to find out the most active root zone of banana var. ‘Nendran’ employing radioactive 32p. These were conducted in the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, during the year 1983-84. The field experiments were laid out in randomised block design, with three replications and the plants were raised under normal conditions. While taking into consideration the number, length and diameter fresh and dry weights of roots, all these were found to be more for the rainfed crop than the irrigated. This explains the enhanced production of roots under conditions of moisture stress. The radioactivity was injected at four months ago of the plant. The area around each experimental plant was injected with 32p solution with the help of a dispensette. The different lateral distances used for the 32p injection were 20cm, 40cm, 80cm and 120 cm and the different depths were 5cm, 15 cm , 30cm and 60cm. The third leaf was radio assayed and the 32p counts were used for finding out the percentage of active roots at the various treatment sites. The results of radiotracer studies indicated that maximum percentage of active roots was located at a soil zone covering 20cm distance and 30 cm depth from the base of the plant under irrigated condition, at five and six months age of the plant. The rainfed crop had its maximum percentage of active roots at a soil zone of 30cm deep and 40cm away from the plant. As the lateral distances increased from 20cm to 120cm, a reduction was noticed in the percentage activity of roots accordingly, under both irrigated and unirrigated conditions. But the root activity was not significantly different at different depths for the irrigated crop, which was significant for the rainfed crop. Under high moisture stress roots tend to forage into deeper layers of soil for getting the available water. Hence deeper soil zones had more active roots under unirrigated conditions, compared to irrigated crop, which had more surface active roots. An experiment was also organized to study of the translocation of absorbed 32p to various parts of the plant after flowering under irrigated condition. It was observed that male flowers had maximum concentration of 32p followed by female flowers or fruits. Of the various leaves, topmost younger leaves were found to build up more 32p than matured leaves, indicating a translocation to the developing immature leaves.ThesisItem Open Access Selection efficiency and genetic and biochemical bases of resistance to bacterial wilt in tomato(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Rajan, S; KAU; Peter, K VBacterial wilt (Pseudomona solanacearum E.F. Smith) is a major disease of tomato. Attempts were made to improve a reportedly resistant line CL 32d-0-1-19 GS for higher fruit weight and better plant type through four selection methods – mass, pureline, single seed descent and bulk. Genetic and biochemical bases of resistance were also studied. Resistance of the evolved line was tested in vivo and in vitro. Mass, pureline and SSD methods of selection were effective to improve fruits/plant, locules/fruit, yield/plant and fruit weight. SSD method resulted in higher realized genetic gain for fruits/plant (30.97) locules/fruit (0.5) and yield/plant (1.05 kg). Higher genetic advance and high realized heritability were recorded for days to first harvest in SSD selections. Mass selection had higher realized heritability (0.95) for fruits/plant and high realized heritability (0.65) and realized genetic gain (0.5) for locules/fruit. Fruit weight was improved through pure- line selection. Selections based on trait combination fruits/plant, yield/plant and plant height significantly effected higher locules/fruit (4.2). Selection based on trait combination fruits/plant, yield/plant, locules/fruit and plant height were the earliest to flower (59 days). Days to first harvest were significantly reduced (96 days) through selections based on fruit/plant and yield/plant followed by yield/plant and plant height (98 days). Fruit weight was significantly improved by selections based on yield/plant and locules/fruit (58.5 g). Selections based on yield/plant had high realized heritability (0.59) and realized genetic gain (22.0 g) for fruit weight. Fruit weight was significantly improved by selections based on yield/plant and locules/fruit under SSD method (62.4 g). Transgressive segregants appeared through selection based on yield/plant and locules/fruit. SSD selections had the lowest incidence of wilt (9.86%). Multi- locational trails revealed a survival of 89.5% of plants under normal disease stress. Evaluation of generations from LE79 (CL 32d-0-1-1-1-19GS) x Pusa Ruby Cross indicated a monogenic and incompletely dominant type of gene action for wilt resistance. There was no association between yellow gel colour around the seed and disease resistance. No close linkage between resistance and a fewer locules/fruit was observed. The resistant line (LE79-CL 32d-0-1-1-1-1-19 GS) had higher total and higher root content of Pusa Ruby. - tomatine than the susceptible line - Tomatine content increased and maintained at a higher level in resistant line eventhough the infection progressed consequent to artificial inoculation. Pusa Ruby wilted seven days after inoculation. Total phenol content was higher in roots of Pusa Ruby before and after inoculation. The wilted plants of Pusa Ruby had higher content in root and shoot. The O.D. phenols content was more in the resistant line before and after inoculation. Vitamin C content was also more in roots of LE79 before and after inoculation. A higher ratio of phenols and -tomatine: total phenols, -tomatine: O.D. -tomatine: vitamin C were found in roots of LE79 before inoculation. The wilted plants of Pusa Ruby had lower ration of -tomatine: total phenols and -tomatine: vitamin C. a higher increase in O.D. phenols and vitamin C content on infection was observed in resistant line. The ratio of vitamin C: total phenols was higher in roots of LE79 before infection and the ratio increased in both the lines initially on infection and then decreased but to a greater extent in Pusa Ruby. A higher increase in vitamin C content compared to total phenol was observed in LE79 on infection. A low ratio of total phenol: O.D. phenol was related to resistance in LE79. Inoculation in vitro confirmed the resistance of LE79 to Vellanikkara isolate of Pseudomonas solanacearum E.F. Smith. Grafting of suspectible scion on LE79 delayed wilting of scion even on artificial inoculation.ThesisItem Open Access Transfer of clusterness to bell peppers (capsicum annum L. var grossum sendt.)(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Pious Thomas; KAU; Peter, K VThe present studies ‘Transfer of clusterness to bell peppers (capsicum annum L. var. grossum sendt.) were conducted during September to February, 1983-’84, April to August, 1984 and August to January, 1984-’85. Three bell pepper varieties, 672-Hungarian Wax, Early Calwonder and Cubanelle were found suitable to the warm humid tropical condition of Kerala. The F1 hybrids involving bell peppers and the hot cluster chilli were also found suitable to the tract. All the hybrids yielded more than their better parents. The F1 hybrids showed desirable heterosis for days to flower, days to green fruit harvest, days to fruit ripening, plant height, pedicel length, fruit length, fruit perimeter, fruit weight and yield/plant. 672-Hungarian wax x KAU cluster F1 hybrid was the most promising with desirable plant and fruit characteristics. The F2 heterosis was not significant for exploitation. The solitary bearing habit was dominant over cluster habit. No maternal effect was observed in the inheritance of this character. The bearing habit was controlled by two genes with a specific dominant and recessive epistatic gene action. This was clearly proved through a 13 (solitary) : 3 (cluster) ratio in the F2s of Early Calwonder x KAU cluster, Sweet Red Cherry Pickling x KAU Cluster and Hybrid Pepper Bell Boy x KAU Cluster. It was further confirmed through test crosses and half-sib crosses. The 3 : 1 (solitary : cluster) ratio obtained in 672- Hungarian Wax x KAU Cluster F2 was attributed to homozygous dominant condition of both the genes in 672-Hungarian Wax. The genes for clusterness were tentatively named CL1-cl1 and Cl2-cl2 with epistatic gene actions by cl2 and cl1. The genotypes were thus worked out as KAU Cluster- cl1cl1cl2cl2. Early Calwonder-cl1cl1cl2cl2, Sweet Red Cherry Pickling- cl1cl1cl2cl2, Hybrid Pepper Bell Boy- cl1cl1cl2cl2 and 672-Hungarian Wax-cl1cl1cl2cl2. Fruit/cluster showed a continuous variation but the genetic analysis revealed a major role of environment in the expression of the character. Elite cluster bell pepper lines were identified and progressed. The line, KAU Cluster was observed resistant to bacterial wilt.ThesisItem Open Access Intraclonal variations and nutritional studies in banana cv. Palayankodan(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Rajeevan, P K; KAU; Mohanakumaran, NThe investigations were carried out at the Banana Research Station, Kannara, during 1981-84 in the banana cv. 'Palayankodan'. Twenty four accessions were subjected to detailed analysis with respect to growth, yield and quality. The plants of the accessions differed significantly with regard to height and girth of pseudostem during the later stages of growth , both in the plant crop and in ratoon 1. Significant differences observed in the number of functional leaves were not consistent. Area of the third leaf at shooting varied significantly in all the three crops. The trend in variation between the crops, however, was not consistent. Interval of leaf production, total number of leaves produced and the density of stomata in the upper surface of the leaf lamina showed significant differences. The duration from planting to shooting in ratoon 1 alone varied significantly. The plant crop took more time than ratoon 1 and ratoon 2 to come to harvest. The content of nutrient elements in the index leaf did not exhibit significant variations. The reactionof the accessions to the important pest (rhizome weevil) and diseases (bunchytop and Sigatoke) varied considerably.ThesisItem Open Access Quality and storage life Of oriental pickling melon [Cucumis melo var.conomon(L) Makino] as influenced by major nutrients(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Lissamma Joseph; KAU; Ramachandran Nair, SThe oriental pickling melon (Cucumis melo var. cocomon (L) Makino) was grown in a randomised block design under different organic and inorganic fertiliser treatments, with four replications at the Main Campus of Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, to study the effect of organic and inorganic manures on the yield, quality and storage life of this crop. The yield response of oriental pickling melon to different treatments was found to be significantly different. The treatment which received the highest dose of NPK in the organic and inorganic combination recorded the maximum yield per plot and number of fruits per plot whereas the treatments which received NPK through organic manures alone recorded relatively low yield. The weight and size of fruits were maximum when the highest dose of NPK was given completely in the inorganic form. The quality of the fruit was assessed by estimating the nutrient content at harvest; moisture, acidity, vitamin C, starch, total soluble solids and crude fibre content of fruits at harvest and thereafter at monthly intervals during storage. Significant difference was observed between treatments for these quality characteristics. During storage moisture, starch and vitamin C content of fruits showed steady decline irrespective of the treatments, whereas acidity and total soluble solids showed an initial increase followed by a gradual decline. The effect of organic and inorganic manures on storage life of oriental pickling melon was assessed by recording the rotting percentage of fruits during storage and it was found that increased degree of rotting occurred in treatments which received inorganic form of NPK, during all periods of storage. The organic form of manures showed a definite advantage over inorganic fertilisers in respect of the storability of oriental pickling melon.ThesisItem Open Access Standardisation of Epicotyl Grafting in Mango(Department of Pomology and floriculture and Landscaping, College of Horticulture,Vellanikara, 1985) Jomno, Ratan; KAU; Aravindakshan, MThe season of epicotyl grafting, age of root stock and scion and precurring of scions were standardised by Dhungana (1984) in the earlier studies. The present series of experiments were undertaken with the objective to enhance the grafts ‘take’ by different methods. Studies reported in this thesis were carried out during the period from June 1983 to March 1985 and consisted of experiments on standardisation of the height of root stock, length of scion, effect of covering material, effect of different plant growth regulators and different fungicides on dieback disease. Anatomical studies were also undertaken to find out the possible reasons of graft failures. The results of the experiments on the influence of the height of rootstocks (2 to 4 cm, 4 to 6 cm, 6 to 8 cm and 8 to 10 cm) and the length of scion (5 cm, 6 cm and 8 cm) indicated that the height of rootstock and length of scion had significant effect on the success of epicotyl grafting in mango. It was observed that when mature 3 to 4 months old, ten days procured scion of 8 cm were grafted on five to ten days old rootstock at 6 to 8 cm height gave maximum percentage of sprouting and survival during July-August. In the experiments to find out the influence of covering the grafts with polythene bags both transparent and black polythene bags were used. The grafts were covered with bags (15 x 20 cm) leaving sufficient space at the top. It was observed that covering the grafts with transparent polythene bags and retaining them for one month gave maximum percentage of success as well as final survival compared to control. Black polythene material was detrimental for graft ‘take’. In another experiments the grafts were sprayed with IAA and GA each at 100, 250 ppm immediately after grafting in order to find out whether these growth regulators would help to increase the graft ‘take’. Although no significant effect could noticed, it appeared that IAA at 100 ppm had some beneficial effect. The dieback disease of grafts was found to be caused by colletotrichum gloeosporioides and the disease was more sever during August to October. The trials with different fungicides viz., Bordeaux mixture at 1%, Thiram at 0.2% and Caftafol at 0.2%, revealed that Bordeaux mixture was the most effective in controlling the disease when applied one month after grafting and subsequently sprayed at an intervals of 15 days till 90 days. Anatomical studies of the successful and failed grafts were also studied in order to understand the possible reasons for graft failures. It was observed that in successful grafts callus proliferation commenced from 5th day onwards and the completion of cambial bridge of the stock and scion was attained 15 days after grafting. The completion of cambial union was indicated by sprouting of grafts. There were four district stages in the healing of the grafts. In unsuccessful grafts there was no indication of callus proliferation. Thicker necrotic layers were also formed in the region of graft union. In grafts which remained alive up to 60 days, but did not sprout there were wide gap between stock and scion which perhaps inhibited sprouting of the scions.ThesisItem Open Access Inheritance of clusterness, destalkness and deep red colour in chilli [Capsicum annuum L.](Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Gopalakrishnan, T R; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, P KThe research project " inheritance of clusterness, destalkness and deep red colour in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) was carried out at the College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Trichur from July 1979 to September 1983. Preliminary evaluation of 38 chilli lines during 1979 and 46 lines during 1980 revealed considerable variation for most of the economic characters . Phenotypic coefficient of variation was the maximum for fruits/plant followed by fruit length and main stem length. High heritability coupled with high expected genetic advance was observed for fruit length and main stem length. Earliness measured as days to flower and days to red chilli harvest, though having high heritability , had only a very low expected genetic advance.ThesisItem Open Access Realised selection response under four methods of selection in third and fourth cycles in a set of brinjal lines(Department Of Olericulture, College Of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Jessy Kutty, P C; KAU; Peter, K VSelection methods like mass, single plant, pure line and single seed descent were efficiently used to exploit the genetic variability present in the transgressive segregants of the brinjal line SM 6, keeping the bacterial wilt resistance of the population intact. The present study conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, extended the comparison of the selection methods for further improvement of the eleven genetic groups within the line SM 6 for earliness and productive characters in the third and fourth cycles of selection. The criteria for selecting the elite plant types were fruits/plant and yield/plant. Observations were recorded on earliness, vegetative characters and productive characters. The eleven genetic groups were evaluated under each selection method for the characters under study. The genetic groups SM 6 – 2, SM 6 – 4, SM 6 – 7 and SM 6 - 1 were promising for fruits/plant and total yield/plant. Only promising lines were carried forward in the fourth cycle of selection. The relative efficiency of the four methods of selection to improve economic characters was critically examined. Being a cross pollinated crop mass selection and single plant selection were superior to pure line selection and single seed descent selection to improve economic characters. Genetic information like genotypic coefficient of variation, phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability in the broad sense, genetic advance and genetic advance as percentage of mean were higher for progenies developed through single plant selection. Realised genetic gain for economic characters as compared to the overall mean was positive for progenies developed through mass and single plant selection methods. The level of resistance of SM 6 to bacterial wilt, under four methods of selection, was assessed. Single seed descent and single plant selection methods were found effective in the fourth cycle of selection to improve level of resistance of SM 6 to bacterial wilt. When screened under field condition the line SM 6 – 7 was found immune to bacterial wilt, while the lines SM 6 – 2 and SM 6 – 4 were found highly resistant. Four resistant lines SM 45, SM 56, SM 71 and SM 74 were grown for comparison with SM 6. These lines were found moderately resistant and were late and low yielders.