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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 - 199942010 - 20203
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Subject: Irrigation and Drainage Engineering × Author: KAU × End date: 2020 ×
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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Flood frequency analysis and modelling of flood using HEC-HMS for a river basin: a case study
    (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Kelappaji Collge of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2020) Riyola, George; KAU; Asha, Joseph
    Meenachil river basin, located in southern part of Kerala, is an area frequently liable to flood. The area is predominant with agricultural land and falls under the tropical humid zone, where water resources planning and management is necessary for irrigation scheduling, flood control and design of various engineering structures. In view of the importance of water resources management especially in this humid region, it is necessary to understand the rainfall-runoff relationship along with its land characteristics. HEC-HMS model which is widely used rainfall-runoff modelling was chosen for the simulation of watershed responses and generation of flood hydrographs of Meenachil sub basin. The simulated runoff is useful for well-planned programmes in water resource management and future prediction of runoff for flood mitigation strategies in the catchment. Hence, an attempt was made to conduct flood frequency analysis for predicting the magnitude of flood for different return periods and to calibrate and validate the HEC-HMS model for simulating the flood hydrographs of Meenachil sub basin. Flood frequency analysis was carried out using annual maximum discharge data for 34 years (1985-2018) using HEC-SSP software. The HEC-HMS model for the sub basin was developed using SCS-UH, SCS-CN and Muskingum methods to find out the loss rate, runoff transformation and routing of flood respectively. Flood frequency analysis clearly indicated the good capability of the Gumbel and Log-Pearson Type III distribution function to predict flood magnitudes of the river flow in the sub basin of Meenachil River. Test statistic values of Chi-Square and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test showed the best fit of both the distributions for the basin. HEC-HMS model of the sub basin was developed with good accuracy. The performance indices of the model NSE and R² were obtained above 0.7. The Error in Peak Flow and Error in Volume were figured below 20% where as RSR was found 0.5 and below. All these values indicated satisfactory performance of HEC-HMS model simulation both in calibration and validation. The close agreement of simulated stream flow and observed stream flow indicated that the model was able to simulate flood hydrograph and present credible results for the sub basin.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Water conservation measures and cropping pattern for a watershed using geospatial techniques and swat modelling
    (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2020) Panchamy Balan; KAU; Asha, Joseph
    The Manali watershed located in Thrissur district of Kerala with a drainage area of 140.94 km2 receives an average annual rainfall of 2501.08 mm. But the watershed experiences increased water level rise during monsoon and scarcity of water during non-monsoon season. In order to address the problem of water scarcity in the watershed, an attempt was made to plan conservation measures and cropping pattern using geospatial techniques and SWAT modelling. SWAT model was used effectively for the hydrologic water balance assessment and water availability in the watershed. Water demand was estimated as the sum of agricultural and non-agricultural water demand. Agricultural water demand was estimated using CROPWAT 8 model. An analysis of monthly water availability and water demand was carried out to know the status of water in the watershed. Site suitability modelling was done using GIS to locate water conservation measures and IMSD guidelines were applied to select the type of water conservation measures. Cropping pattern was proposed based on existing crops, soil type, physiography and aridity index. The model was calibrated and validated satisfactorily for the watershed with NSE values 0.71 and 0.61 and R2 values 0.81 and 0.61 during calibration and validation respectively. The highest water availability (71.57 Mm³) was found in the month of June and lowest (1.28 Mm³) in the month of January. Water demand was highest in the month of January (8.91 Mm³) and lowest in the month of June (1.23 Mm³). Water surplus was observed in almost all the months of the year except January, February, March and December. The annual total water surplus in the watershed was obtained as 227.43 Mm3. Hence conservation measures were proposed for the watershed. Thus 32 farm ponds, 7 percolation ponds and 4 check dams were suggested to construct in the watershed area. Farm ponds were found to be the most suitable conservation measure in the area. Suitable cropping pattern like sequential cropping and intercropping were also suggested to improve the productivity and economic status of the watershed.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Modelling the impact of land use land cover changes on the runoff processes of Chalakudy basin using HEC-HMS model
    (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2020) Nchumbeni M, Odyuo; KAU; Rema, K P
    Fast development of urbanization alongside other expanding anthropogenic factors have been distinguished as significant reasons for land use changes and land transformations. This eventually causes several devastations like floods, droughts, water contamination and soil debasement. There is a need for target evaluation and investigation on the land utilization patterns and the mode of operation of water conserving structures in order to take up any preventive and additional healing measures. The state of Kerala in particular is notable for significant level of development as far as socio–monetary components, education, human services and so forth are considered. The broad financial changes have prompted expanded pace of framework, building development and several land use changes in the most recent decade. Evaluating the spatial and temporal changes in land use and land cover (LULC) of a basin is one of the analytic strategies to comprehend the issues continuing in a basin and gives significant understanding of its effect on runoff processes. The Chalakudy river basin in Kerala was one of the worst affected basins during the floods of 2018 and has experienced unaccountable damages to human life, ranches, gardens, domesticated animals, buildings, roads etc. The present study compares the LULC changes over two different decades 1997- 2007 and 2007-2017 by analysing the LULC maps and the effect of these changes on the runoff processes in Chalakudy river basin. From the LULC maps, the area under each class, the percentage area coverage and decadal percentage change for each class were calculated. The Hydrologic Modelling System HEC-HMS, developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Centre (HEC) was used to model the flood flows of the basin. Calibration and validation of the model was done by employing the SCS CN as the loss method. Calibration of the model was done for five years (2003- 2007) to discover the best parameters of HEC-HMS model while validation of the model was done for three years (2015- 2017). The final analysis of the model showed CN to be the most sensitive parameter for simulating the runoff in the basin. The Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (E) for the calibration period was found to increase from 0.726 to 0.766 and 0.816 for the validation period. The correlation coefficient (R2) value was observed to increase from 0.80 to 0.83 before and after the calibration and a value of 0.85 was obtained for the validation period respectively indicating good performance of the model. Simulation runs of the model were done separately for another three years i.e., 1997, 2007 and 2017 in order to analyze the changes in runoff with respect to land use changes. It was observed that the vegetation area decreased consequently from 886.21 km2 to 803.09 km2 while the urban area was found to increase from 31.74 km2 to 41.93 km2 (1997-2017). Aside from that the annual rate change for each class was calculated and results showed an increment in the class of paddy, palm, barren land and urban area while a decrease in annual rate change of vegetation class was also observed. LULC transition matrix was also prepared for 1997-2007 and 2007-2017. From the net loss and gain calculation it was observed that the highest loss from 1997-2007 was found to be for vegetation (-52.52 km2) and the highest gain was of Paddy (54.39 km2). In between 2007-2017 the highest loss was noticed to be for vegetation (-30.59 km2) while the highest gain was for barren land (54.39 km2). The study highlights a disturbing observation in the last two decades and how this change has prompted the occurrence of floods and runoff. After analyzing the decadal land use changes and the simulated runoff values, it was understood how, loss of vegetation cover and increase in urbanization being the most significant reasons for LULC changes have altered the overall basin ecology.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Quantitative analysis of runoff parameters in selected river basins of Kerala
    (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 1990) JJayasree, S; KAU; John Thomas, K
    The evolution of a drainage basin is the result of the flow of mass and energy and the resistance of topographical surface. Precipitation is the major source of matter and solar radiation, the source of energy. The stream flow is a function of geomorphological and hydrological factors of the river basin. The objectives of this study were to make a quantitative analysis of the effects of geomorphological and climatic factors on the stream flow and to study the inter – relationships between these factors. The selected river basins were Chaliyar and Kabbani. The specific objective was to express stream flow in terms of morphological factors and rainfall. The river basin was divided in to sub basin, each of which contains a rivergauge station. Morphological factors were measured from the map. Monthly rainfall from all the raingauge stations were collected and the arithmetical average for each sub-basin was computed. The monthly stream flow was also collected. It was found that the morphological factors were interrelated. The number of stream segments of successive order form a decreasing geometric progression whereas the length of stream segments of successive orders form an increasing geometric progression. Confluence ratio is inversely related to stream flow. Elongation and drainage area are highly correlated. A larger value for the confluence ratio indicates a more elongated basin and a lower flood peak. The sub - basins are similar to the form of a rectangle. Area and elongation are the morphological parameters strongly influencing the stream flow. Drainage density and stream frequency are highly correlated. Drainage density gets altered by the land use, vegetal cover, deforestation and urbanization. Drainage density also affect stream flow. Finally, the expressions for drainage area in terms of the main stream length, drainage density in terms of stream frequency and average monthly stream flow contributed by unit area in terms of the average monthly rainfall were obtained. The data used for the final equation was inadequate. The equation may be improved, by increasing the number of rivergauge stations and providing more representative raingauge stations.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development of rational formulae to predict the advance and recession flow in border irrigation method
    (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 1992) Mary Regina, F; KAU; Ramadevi, A N
    An investigation was undertaken to develop the predictive relationship for water advance and recession in field borders with cow pea as the test crop. The experiment was conducted at the KCAET, Tavanur during February-April 1992. Border strips of 2 m width and 40m length were used for the study. The strips were laid out on three different slopes, 0.4 %, 0.3%, and 0.2%. Stream sizes of 4 Ips, 3 Ips, and 2 Ips per meter widths were used to irrigate the strips. There was nine treatments each replicated twice. Advance and recession times were noted at every 5 m distance from the upstream end of border. Advance and recession curves were plotted to draw conclusions on the effect of the three parameters viz stream size, slop and distance on advance and recession times. Uniformity of irrigation was also analysed for the different treatments and the treatment with 0.2% slope and 4 Ips/m width stream size showed the best uniformity. Multiple linear regression was done considering stream size, slope and distance from upstream end as independent variables. Advance and recession times were taken as dependent variables. Rational formulae to predict the advance and recession times were developed from the results of the multiple regression analysis.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the Effects of Various Parameters on the Performance of Petti and Para
    (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 1994) Saji Kuriakose, M; KAU; John Thomas
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Field testing and evaluation of a two layer soil water balance model
    (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 1997) Mohanan, C K; KAU; Hajilal, M S
    A two layer soil water balance model was tested in the field with bhindi as the test crop. The model considers the dynamics of soil water balance by incorporating an empirical model of root growth and an empirically established result of plant response to available soil water. The input data of the model were daily values of rainfall, irrigation and reference crop evapotranspiration. The model calculated the values of root depth, potential evapotranspiration, actual evapotranspiration, percolation and soil moisture content at the end of each day. The root depth computed by the model was compared with that measured in the field. Maximum root depth of 39.0 cm was attained at 53rd DAS. Total amount of water percolated down the active root zone during the entire crop season was 8.15 mm. The actual evapotranspiration was less than the potential evapotranspiration, whenever the soil moisture content in the active root zone dropped below the critical soil moisture. Totally, AET was less than PET for 6 days durinq the period of study. The computed and observed values of soil moisture content were in close agreement with correlation coefficients 0.976, 0.971 and 0.965 for gravimetric, tensiometer and electrical resistivity methods respectively.