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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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1983 - 1989121990 - 19925
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Subject: Horticulture × End date: 1993 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 17
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    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
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    ThesisItemOpen 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
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    ThesisItemOpen 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
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    ThesisItemOpen 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 V
    Bacterial 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen 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, N
    The 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetics of resistance to aphids (Aphis craccivora Koch) and utility of line mixtures in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)
    (Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Salikutty Joseph; Peter, K V
    Direct damage caused by aphids by sucking plant sap and indirect damage caused by transmitting many viral diseases are serious havocs in cowpea. The constitutes a formidable obstacle in realisation of its yield potential, unless protected with insecticides. This is turn, leads to high cost of production, serious health hazards and atmospheric pollution . In this contest host plant resistance appears to hold great hope for cowpea production. Experiments on "Genetics of resistance to aphids (Aphis craccivora Koch) and utility of line mixtures in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)" were carried out during 1986-1990 at Department of Olericulture, Kerala Agricultural University at Vellanikkara to isolate cowpea line(s) resistant to aphids, to study mechanism of resistance, Inheritance of resistance and to develop physical mixtures to manage aphids. Three resistant and six moderately resistant lines were identified. The resistant lines are Vs 350, Vs 438 and Vs 452. The moderately resistant lines are Vs 350, Vs 438 and Vs 452. The moderately resistant lines are Vs 306, Vs 307, Vs 147, Vs 456, Vs 457 and Vs 458.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of nutrient uptake in black pepper (Piper nigrum L .)
    (Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Geetha, C K; KAU; Aravindhakshan, M
    Experiments on the nutritional aspects of black pepper were carried out at the Centre for Advanced Studies on Humid Tropical Tree Crops, College of Horticulture , Vellanikkara and at the Banana Research Station, Kannara, during 1986-1990. The pattern of growth and nutrient- uptake in bush pepper and vine pepper, the relative efficiencies of black pepper varieties in the utilization of applied P and the soil zone of maximum nutrient absorption in pepper vines trailed on dead and live standards were investigated . All the nutrients tried , namely, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S,had influence on one or more of the growth parameters of bush pepper as well as vine pepper. Application of Ca improved the root characters markedly. Vine pepper had superiority in terms of height, number of leaves and number of roots . Bush pepper produced more number of branches, larger leaves and longer roots. In both the types, the total biomass was a good indicator to applied nutrients . Among the nutrients applied , only N and S increased their concentrations in the stem and leaf of bush pepper and vine pepper. In both the types, treatment devoid of N produced typical N deficiency symptoms. The nature o f response in uptake was more or less similar in all the treatments. The variability in biomass production and nutrient uptake in bush pepper and vine , pepper could be explained by quadratic models for all the nutrients , except Ca. On comparing the quadratic responses In biomass production between the two types of plants, vine pepper revealed an additional response over bush pepper. The differences in nutrient uptake between the two type s of pepper were also highly significant, except for P. Hence, bush pepper cannot be used as a suitable substitute for vine pepper, for purpose o f investigations on nutrient requirements. However, in the context of studies on fertility status and nutrient supplying power of soils , there is scope for using bush pepper as substitute for vine pepper.
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    ThesisItemOpen 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 K
    The 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Seed dormancy in groundnut
    (Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Presanna Kumari, K T; KAU; Narayanan Namboodiri, K M
    The present investigation entitled "Seed dormancy in groundnut" was undertaken in the Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1987-1990 using the 419 genotypes received from ICRISAT, Hyderabad. The 419 genotypes possessed varying levels of dormancy at the time of harvest. Genotypes with varying degrees of dormancy were present in all the three botanical groups, viz., hypogaea, fastigiata and vulgaris. The dormancy period of genotypes ranged from 20 to 110 days. The hypogaea genotypes required longer period of rest. The nature of breakage of dormancy and the period of dormancy were found to be two independent phenomena. The factors for dormancy in groundnut were found to be residing in two distinct sites, the cotyledons and the seed coat (testa). Leaching improved the germinability of decoated seeds where as it failed to elicite germination in intact seeds. This indicates that germination inhibitors may be present in the cotyledons and testa retarded the removal of the same. Different genotypes responded differently to various presowing treatments. HgCl2 1, 1000 for five minutes was found to be the best treatment for breaking dormancy. The study of germinability of F1,F2 and F3(embryonic generation) seeds on the day of harvest indicated that dormancy was controlled by polygenes.