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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: Roshni, Sebastian × End date: 1998 × Start date: 1996 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Laboratory studies on soil moisture flow and runoff generation in laterite soil
    (Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 1998) Roshni, Sebastian; KAU; Noble, Abraham
    If land and water are to be put to the best use, a full understanding of soil- water relation is necessary. Much of the research on retention and movement of water in soil and the use of water by plants is done with this objective. Modelling of water movement in soils requires knowledge of hydraulic conductivity as a function of volumetric water content or soil water pressure head, and the soil water retention curve. Laterite soils are by far the most important group occurring in Kerala and cover the largest area. A study was conducted to analyse the saturated and unsaturated flow of water in laterite soil under selected precipitation intensities. The objective was to establish a relation between hydraulic conductivity, moisture content and hydraulic head. Runoff generation and relation between runoff and soil moisture status were also considered. A rainfall simulator and a soil trough were fabricated. The design of the rainfall simulator was based on that of Bhardwa] et al (1992). The rainfall simulator comprised of a drop forming mechanism mounted on a supporting frame. A float valve maintains a constant head of water in the drop forming tank to get a desired rainfall intensity. The soil trough had provision for collecting surface and subsurface outflow of water. Provision was also made to incline the soil trough when a sloping plot was required. The experimental set up was installed in the Soil and Water laboratory of KCAET, Tavanur. \1\'.31 The rainfall simulator was tested for different rainfall intensity by changing the head of water in the tank Rainfall intensity increased as the head of water in the tank was increased. At a head of 22 cm, a maximum rainfall intensity of 285.6 rnrn/h was obtained. Drop size determination by flour - pellet method showed that the simulated raindrop size remained almost constant The uniformity coefficient also increased with increase in intensity. The basic soil properties were also determined. The particle size distribution curve showed that the soil was coarse graded. The bulk density of the soil was 1.53 g/cm3. The piezometer readings in the soil trough showed that unsaturated flow takes place through the soil under simulated rainfall. Experiments were done for different rainfall intensities of 20, 40, 90, and 285.6 mm/h and also at 10% and 20% slopes with 40 and 90 mm/h intensity. The variation in moisture content with time was found to increase with intensity of rainfall. Steeper slopes also increased the rate of depletion of moisture with time. Instantaneous profile method was adopted to determine hydraulic conductivity. An exponential relation was observed between hydraulic conductivity and volumetric soil moisture content Matric suction and volumetric moisture content were observed at different depths - 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm. The hydraulic conductivity - moisture content relationships were established. Studies on runoff generation showed that inclination of the bed rock is a major factor controlling subsurface outflow. Variation in intensity of rainfall did not cause considerable variation in outflow. Surface runoff also was affected only by the slope of the soil trough.