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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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1990 - 199350
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Subject: Horticulture × End date: 1993 × Start date: 1990 ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 50
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    ThesisItemOpen 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
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Quality Characters Of Clove And Nutmeg At Different Stages Of Maturity
    (Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture,vellayani, 1990) Manoj, A M; KAU; Vasanthakumar, K
    The present investigation was carried out at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1988 – 89. The objectives of this study were to characterise the growth pattern of clove flower buds and nutmeg fruits and to develop suitable harvest indices for these crops based on quality characteristics at different stages of maturity. The moisture content in clove buds and rind of nutmeg fruits increased with increase in maturity. However, moisture percentage in nutmeg kernel and mace was found to decrease as maturity advanced. The non – volatile ether extract (NVEE), on dry weight basis, was found to decrease on maturity advanced in clove buds and in mace while in nutmeg kernel the NVEE showed an increasing trend. The volatile oil in clove, nutmeg and mace was more at the immature stages and it progressively decreased at the peak harvesting stages. Eugenol, the chief component in clove oil was the maximum at the flowering stage. Hence for extraction of clove oil which is intended for use in medicine, dentistry and other pharmaceutical uses, it is advisable to harvest clove buds at the anthesis stage. The aromatic ethers which are the chief components that determine the flavour and drug action in nutmeg oil was the maximum one month prior to the fruit splitting stage. In mace oil it was found to be high two months prior to fruit splitting stage. So if nutmeg and mace oils are intended for medicinal purpose, then it may be worthwhile to harvest nutmeg fruits at the 6th month for extracting kernel oil and at the 5th month for extracting mace oil. Considering the fact that the nutmeg fruit yield both nutmeg and mace oil, harvesting separately at different maturity stages for extraction of the different oils is practically difficult. The aromatic phenol and phenol ethers showed a very low value in mace oil one month prior to fruit splitting. So in practice the fruit may be harvested two months prior to fruit splitting for extraction of both nutmeg and mace oils. However the high moisture content at this stage makes drying a problem. So such a practice of early harvesting of nutmeg fruits may be resorted to in places where facilities are available for extraction of oil from the fresh kernel and mace immediately after harvesting.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of planting density on the growth of rubber in the Vellanikkara estate
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Karthikeyan, K V; KAU; Nybe, E V
    The present observations on the influence of different planting densities on the performance of two clones namely RRII 105 and RRII 118 are in conformity with the results of other field experiments reported earlier. In lower planting densities, trees produced good girth, high yield per tree, thick virgin bark and high rubber content. Whereas, high planting densities contributed to poor tree girth, high yield per tree, thick virgin bark and high rubber content. Whereas , high planting densities contributed to poor tree girth, thin virgin bark and lower yield per tree. However, planting density is dependent on various other factors viz. topography of the land, system of planting to be adopted, the planting materials, cost of labour and price of rubber. Anyway, a comprise between labour cost and rubber price is needed. As far as small holders are concerned, a higher stand per hectare is preferred, since the question of labour does not arise. Therefore, for small holding sector a higher stand is recommended in order to get high per hectare yield. But there should be an optimum stand. In Malaysia, for small holders having available family labour, a planting density of approximately 740 trees per hectare is recommended. However, indepth studies are required for a meaningful recommendation in our country. Salient results The trees were taller in high density planting The trees were more vigorous in low density planting. The highest mean girth of 64.7 cm was recorded by RRII 118 at a population density of 420 plants/ha.The percentage of weaklings increased with increase in population.The highest weakling percentage of 35.8 was recorded by the planting density of 824 plants per hectare. Poor bark growth in high density planting Per tree yield was more for low density planting whereas per hectare yield was less. With regard to high density planting , per tree yield was less and per hectare yield was more. Dry rubber content (drc) was more in low density planting. The highest percentage of 44.5 was recorded by RRII 118 at a planting density of 420 plants/ha. Light penetration was more in low density planting. The maximum light penetration recorded was 110.0 micromole/sec/m2 at a density of 420 plants per hectare.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Enhancing the in vitro response of explants from mature jack (artocarpus heterophyllus lam.) trees
    (Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Reena, Philip; KAU; Rajmohan, K
    The objective of the present study was to improve the propagation efficiency of mature phase jack trees by various pretreatments. The treatments tried involved stock plant treatments, explants treatments and in vitro treatments. Surface sterilization with HgCl2 for 13 minutes was found to be the most effective in reducing microbial contamination during culture establishment. Among the stock plant treatments tried, grafting on to juvenile rootstock was found to be the most effective in improving the in vitro response of explants from mature jack trees. Stress treatments were found to be the most effective among the explants treatments. Cold shock for 5 minutes at – 200C was found to produce the best results followed by heat treatment at 420 C for 2 minutes. Among the in vitro treatments, incorporation of phloroglucinol at the rate of 10mg/l was found to be the most effective. The results also showed significant influence of season on the response of mature explants, the highest response being observed during March – April.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Feasibility of pineapple as an intercrop in small holdings of rubber in Muvattupuzha taluk
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Jose, V C; KAU; Tharian George, K
    Muvattupuzha is a taluk where majority of people earn their living through agriculture. The literacy level of people is high. Among the crops raised, rubber is having great importance and it covers larger area. Almost all the rubber growers raise some intercrop during the first three years of immaturity of rubber to get some income. As an intercrop in rubber, pineapple has received much attention in recent years. The present study is an attempt to find out the benefits of growing pineapple as intercrop, to work out the B. C. R and to study its feasibility when compared to other cropping systems. Irrespective of the size of holding pineapple is used for intercropping in many units. Pineapple as intercrop was found to slightly retard the growth of rubber in the immaturity period and at tappable stage. Considering the long gestation period of 5 to 7 years and the profitability of intercropping during this period when there is no other income, it can be ignored. Cost analysis has proved that pineapple is a profitable intercrop in young rubber plantations. Among the varieties of pineapple, Mauritius is preferred due to higher profitability (B. C. R 2.4), easy management practices and marketability. Cultural operations for pineapple is not difficult, requiring minimum digging compared with other crops. Though the profitability depends on market price during harvesting period, it is fetching comparatively higher returns on account of comparatively stable prices. In Muvattupuzha taluk there is good marketing facility for pineapple. Fruits are sold in open market and through cooperative societies. The study revealed that soil erosion and weed growth are low or medium in pineapple intercropped plots. The study highlighted the potential of pineapple as an intercrop in rubber plantations in the taluk. The growing popularity of the crop is evident from the steady expansion of area under pineapple in all the villages of the taluk which was initially confined to selected regions.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Selection for mosaic resistance in pumkin (cucurbita moschata poir)
    (Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Latha, P; KAU; Gopalkrishnan, T R
    The investigation “Selection for mosaic resistance in pumpkin (Cucurbitamoschatapoir)” was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during November 1990 – April 1992. The high yielding and locally adapted variety Ambili was sown at bimonthly intervals to study the seasonal influence on mosaic incidence, vector population and yield. Incidence of yellow vein mosaic, pumpkin mosaic, bottle gourd mosaic, watermelon mosaic and cucumber mosaic were observed in crops sown during different months. Incidence of yellow vein mosaic and population of whiteflies (BemisiatabaciGenn.), the vector of yellow vein mosaic, were positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with rainfall and relative humidity. Fruit yield and contributing characters were significantly influenced by different dates of sowing and sowing in October was found to yield maximum because of the delayed incidence of mosaic. From the study of P1, P2, F1, F2 , BC1 and BC2 generations of the cross involving mosaic susceptible Ambili and resistant CM 214 (Nigerian Local), resistance to yellow vein mosaic was found to be governed by a single dominant gene and pumpkin mosaic by a single recessive gene. Silvery leaf trait was found to be dominant and governed by two genes. The study resulted in the identification of five promising selections from the segregating populations. Attempt was also made to improve the line CM 214 through selection. Improvement could be made in fruit set, seeds per fruit, hundred seed weight and seed germination. Germination percentage of CM 214 was significantly increased by removal of seed coat before sowing. Superior progenies of CM 214 were also selected for further improvement.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standardization of postharvest processing of ginger (zingiber officinale roscoe)
    (Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Ajith Kumar, K; KAU; Sreekandan Nair, G
    Investigation on standardization of post-harvest processing of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1988 -90. Ginger rhizomes were processed to study the effect of various methods like scraping, slicing, blanching, boiling, coating and their combinations on the yield and quality of dry ginger, storage life and also on storage pests and diseases adopting CRD. In this study among the various treatments low recovery (31.6 per cent) of dry ginger was obtained for scraped ginger. The sliced rhizomes took only four days for drying. The essential oil content decreased with an increase in time. The treatments slicing and drying (T4), blanching and drying (T5), unpealed and drying (T1) scraping and drying (T3) and spliting and drying (T2) were found to be the best for longer storage. The oleoresin content also decreased with an increase in time and the treatment combinations which include boiling resulted in the maximum reduction in oleoresin content followed in the maximum reduction in oleoresin content followed by combinations of scraping and spliting. The study revealed that compared to single treatment a combination of treatments especially when boiling as a component reduced the crude fibre content. The ginger rhizomes when sliced and dried took the minimum period for drying and it resulted in the production of normal coloured product and also comparable in quality aspects. Hence slicing and drying of ginger rhizomes is an alternate method for processing of ginger.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Leaf litter addition and nutrient recycling in rubber in Vellanikkara estate
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Guruprasad, M K; KAU; Sreekandannair, G
    Preliminary studies on the total quantity of the leaf litter, chemical composition of leaf litter and the nutrients released through leaf litter for recycling, in an eight year old rubber plantation of Vellanikkara Estate of Kerala Agricultural University have been attempted. During the year under study, wintering started by 14th December, 1991 and continued till 2nd March, 1992, the peak being the third week of January, 1992. During annual defoliation period total leaf litter production (dry weight) was estimated to be 4112 kg/ha, the contribution of which works out to annual addition of 63.3 kg N, 2.64 kg P, 44.0 kg K, 42.32 kg Ca and 8.93 kg Mg. During wintering, there is a gradual decline in the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in leaves due to the shift of these nutrients to trunk. This shift was not abserved in the case of calcium and magnesium. Approximate leaf area index was also worked out and is found to be 4.26.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Cataloguing of medicinal plants in Vellanikkara rubber estate
    (Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Raghavan, K K; KAU; Sreekandan Nair, G
    The investigation revealed the presence of many medicinal plants growing as undergrowths in the rubber plantation . These plants are widely used by all the sections of the population , whether directly as home remedies or in the medicament of the different indigenous systems of medicines, or indirectly in the pharmaceutical preparation of modern medicine . It can be presumed that the vast area occupied by the rubber plantation industry in our country is richly endowed with a wide variety of plants of medicinal value which represent a great national resources. Indian officially recognizes over 2500 plants as having medicinal value , and it has been estimated that over 6000 plants are used in traditional , folck and herbal medicine , represent a great national resource. Indian officially recognizes over 2500 plants as having medicinal value , and it has been estimated that over 6000 plants are used in traditional , folk, and herbel medicine , representing about 75 per cent of the medicinal needs of the country . Some of these plants are also abundant in rubber plantations. The presence of a large number of weeds having medicinal value under the shade of rubber of weeds having medicinal value under the shade of rubber plantation give influence to fact that they can be cultivated as intercrops in the plantation provided there is internal market demand and fetches a good remunerative profit . This will bring additional income to the lakhs of rubber growers from their limited unit areas. Plants like Hemidesmus indicus and Curculigo Orchioides which find a favourable growth under the dense canopy of rubber , are of much commercial importance . But the impact of cultivation of these plants on the growth and yield of rubber needs investigation . The experiments started at the Rubber Research Institute of India in this line will definitely bring out positive developments in the near future. Further about 80 per cent of the raw materials for drugs used in the Indian system of medicine and homeopathy are based on plant product s. The credibility of these systems of medicine depending available authentic raw materials in sufficient quantities. With some 46,000 licenced pharmacies manufacturing the traditional remedies of these medicinal systems, it is necessary to plan for large scale cultivation of medicinal plants and ensure that they are accurately identified , properly processed , free of adulterants and of acceptable quality . In areas where land is limiting these crops can be cultivated as intercrops can be cultivated as intercrop. More over this will be an indirect attempt for the conversation of the endangered plants of medicinal importance.