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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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Subject: Land and Water Management Engineering × Author: Gilsha Bai, E B × End date: 2009 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of different types of mulches on growth and yield of drip irrigated vegetables
    (Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 1997) Gilsha Bai, E B; KAU; Jobi V Paul
    The present project was to study the effect of drip irrigation along with two colours of plastic mulching on the growth and yield of summer season vegetable. Two types of irrigation methods, drip and surface, and two colours of plastic mulches, black and transparent, were used in the experiment. Three levels of irrigation water, v, 0.8V and 0.6V volume, were applied in drip treatments. Mulches increased the soil temperature. High soil temperature was developed under transparent mulch compared to black mulch. Black mulch increased the soil temperature in the root zone by 3 to 4°C compared to non-mulched plots. This increase in soil temperature under the black mulch was advantageous to the crop. Presence of mulch sheet over the soil reduced the evaporation from the soil. Hence, moisture depleted from the non-mulched plots were more than mulched plots. Water saving obtained by the use of plastic mulch was about 30 to 35% in the different treatments. Black mulched and non-mulched treatments did not show significant difference in the plant height. Maximum plant height was observed in the non-mulched drip irrigated treatment with O. BV volume of water. Maximum plant spread was observed in the surface irrigated black mulch treatment. Surface irrigated treatments gave more plant spread than drip irrigated treatments. Use of mulch sheets reduced the weed growth in the field. Practically, there was no need of weeding from the plastic mulched plots. Earlier flowering and maturity of fruits were observed in the mulched plots. All treatments with black mulch increased the yield compared to the control. Treatment with black mulch and drip irrigation with O.BV volume of water gave 76.5% more yield than the control. Most of the treatments with transparent mulch reduced the yield. This reduction in yield was due to the high soil temperature developed under the transparent mulch. Yield was increased with the soil temperature upto an optimal level of about 46°C and then decreased with the increase in soil temperature. In drip method O.BV volume of irrigation water level was the best. It gave highest yield and growth in mulched as well as non-mulched treatments. Drip irrigation along with mulching in summer vegetable can reduce the cost of cultivation through efficient water management. Also the area of cultivation can be increased with the available water in the water scarce areas.