Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

20201
Reset filters
Subject: Natural Resources Management × Author: Abhirami, C × Author: KAU × Start date: 2010 ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Ecological status of Nageia Wallichiana (C. PRESL.) kuntze an endangered conifier of western ghats in Mankulam forest division
    (Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2020) Abhirami, C; KAU; Vidyasagaran, K
    Nageia wallichiana (C.Presl.) Kuntze is a lesser-known rare arborescent, threatened evergreen conifer species of wet evergreen forests of Western Ghats. A study on the distributional status and ecology of this species was conducted in the natural habitats in Mankulam Forest Division. The study aimed at understanding the floristic composition and natural regeneration patterns in the natural habitats of Nageia wallichiana. The additional objective was to assess the physicochemical properties of the soil in the Nageia wallichiana growing areas. The purposive sampling of vegetation was done in 20 x 50 m main plots in Nageia wallichiana growing areas (NG) and control plots were taken in areas without Nageia wallichiana (WNG). The regeneration pattern of trees was studied by taking 5 m x 5 m subplots for saplings and 1 m x 1 m nested plots for seedlings inside the main plots of NG. From NG, a total of 188 individual trees belonging to 67 different species and 28 different families were identified from three different Nageia wallichiana growing patches, viz., Kannadipara, Idathattu, and Kallar. In WNG, 94 individual trees belonging to 46 species and 25 different families were identified. The altitudinal range of occurrence of Nageia wallichiana in the study area was found to be 934 –1463 m above MSL. The girth class distribution of the species showed an L-shaped curve with 90 percent of individuals below 50 cm girth. The floristic studies in the area showed that the natural habitats of Nageia wallichiana harbor a large number of trees in endemic and threatened categories. The typical evergreen species, Cullenia exarillata showed the maximum dominance in NG followed by Mesua ferrea and Bhesa indica. In WNG, the most dominant species were Dysoxylum malabaricum, Vateria indica and Polyalthia fragrans. The comparison of tree diversity between NG and WNG didn’t reveal any significant variations. The ecological distance analysis and clustering showed significant difference in species composition between NG and WNG. The ordination plots proved Bhesa indica as a strong species associate of Nageia wallichiana. The regeneration study showed a lower diversity of regenerating individuals in the study area than mature trees and a difference in species composition was also observed. The analysis of soil properties found that the soils from Nageia wallichiana habitats were higher in moisture content and organic carbon and lower in total nitrogen content. The study didn’t found any relation for soil pH and bulk density on the occurrence of N.wallichiana. The study identified the habitat specialist nature of Nageia wallichiana from the restricted distribution of the species in certain patches of the study area. The occurrence of this only conifer of the Western Ghats in the Mankulam forest Division indicates the importance of the area because Nageia wallichiana is considered as a better indicator of ecological conditions. The study also observed a higher rate of regeneration for this species in the study area indicating the presence of ideal ecological conditions. However, a more focused study considering the disturbance levels in the study area and some extra parameters such as soil depth, soil nutrient contents, frequency of fire occurrence etc. will give a better understanding of the restricted occurrence of this species in the study area and it may contribute in the development of specialized conservation strategies.