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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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20201
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Subject: Natural Resources Management × Author: Honey, Bhatt × Author: KAU × Start date: 2010 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Zonation of woody vegetation and soil along an altitude gradient in Mankulam forest division Kerala
    (Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Forestry,, 2020) Honey, Bhatt; KAU; Gopakumar, S
    Altitudinal gradients are among the most powerful ‘natural experiments’ for testing ecological and evolutionary responses of biota and has strong influence on structure of vegetation.The present study was undertaken in a west coast tropical forest located along a gradient viz. Zone I (350-900m above msl) and Zone II (900-1450m above msl) in Mankulam Forest Division of Western Ghats region in Kerala, India. The aim of the study was to assess and compare the floristic composition, structure and diversity along this gradient. Additionally the changes in the physico-chemical properties of soil i.e.,Bulk density (BD) ,pH,Electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), organic carbon (C) and available calcium (Ca) along this altitudinal gradient were also studied. Sampling of vegetation and soil was done using fifteen, 10 m x 10 m plots (covering 0.15ha in each altitudinal zone). Within each plot, all tree individuals (≥ 10cm GBH) were identified and their height was measured. In total, 200 individuals belonging to 88 tree species representing 34 families were recorded across the altitudinal gradient.In each sample plot, soil samples were analyzed at two depths viz. ‘upper’ (0–20 cm) and ‘lower’ (20–40 cm) along the altitudinal gradient. The diameter frequency distribution showed a “bell shaped pattern” in both altitudinal zones. The vegetation profile diagram at both altitudes showed a typical three layered structure which is a characteristic feature of evergreen forest with majority of individuals in lower storey (<10 m ) height classes in both zones. The maximum tree abundance (67.09) was recorded in Zone II. Tree density (713.33 trees ha-1) was also higher in zone II compared to zone I (613.33 trees ha- 1).Similarly highest tree percent frequency (546.6%) was recorded in zone II. Vateria indica (IVI= 24.09) was found as dominating tree species in zone II, while in zone I dominating tree species was Dysoxylum malabaricum (IVI= 34.85). However, the tree basal area (20.31 m2 ha-1) was estimated higher in zone I compared to zone II with basal area (12.31 m2 ha-1).Rank abundance curve indicated highest abundance for Gordonia obtusa in zone II, while in zone I Dysoxylum malabaricum recorded the highest abundance. Physico- chemical properties of soil viz. soil pH, C, N, P, K and Ca showed an increasing trend along the gradient. The highest values for soil pH (4.12-5.59), C (1.82-8.36%), TN (0.08-0.37 %), P (4.36- 1098.49 Kg ha-1), K (398.24- 1628.48 Kg ha-1) and Ca (320 - 1160 mg Kg-1) was recorded in zone II. BD (0.77-1.33g cm-3) and EC (0.30 – 1.82 dS m-1) values were higher in ‘upper’ (0–20 cm) layer of zone I. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed a complex interrelationship amongst species clustering, mountain ranges and soil properties. The study revealed that there is gradual increase in species abundance as the soil properties increases along the altitude, in both zones. Correlation analysis clearly indicated that in zone I AK is strongly and positively correlated with C because layer of organic matter significantly improves the retention of K in the soils. Whereas, N is negatively correlated with BD. Similarly, in zone II, TN was observed to be negatively correlated with BD while K was strongly and positively correlated with N. The floral diversity indices viz Simpson index, Shannon index and Pielou index of evenness showed marginal variation along the gradient. However, there was variation in species composition along altitude. Actinodaphne bourdillonii, Litsea keralana, Gordonia obtusa and Turpinia cochinchinensis were the characteristic species in zone II. In zone I Clausena anisata, Memecylon talbotianum and Madhuca neriifolia were observed to be prominent. Species abundance, diversity and vegetation structure and the physicochemical properties of soil showed a ‘‘humped’’ pattern along this altitudinal gradient at Mankulam. In Zone II, species diversity was marginally better with higher species richness and better floristic structure and species composition. Soil properties were also observed to be better in zone II. The possible reason for this could be attributed to several reasons including the presence of luxuriant and comparatively undisturbed vegetation which could have contributed to a higher soil organic matter content rich in humus.