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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: Nematology × Author: Sooraj, S × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2019 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pathogenicity of indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes against select insect pests
    (Department of Nematology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2019) Sooraj, S; KAU; Nisha, M
    An investigation entitled “Pathogenicity of indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes against select insect pests” was carried out at the Department of Nematology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2017-19. The main objectives were to identify indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes and evaluate their pathogenicity to termites, lepidopteran and coleopteran pests. Survey was conducted in Thiruvanathapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts during 2017-18 and a total of forty soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere of vegetables, banana and coconut by random sampling. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) were isolated from soil using Corcyra cephalonica larvae by insect trap method. EPN from insect cadavers were extracted by white trap method. From forty soil samples collected, three species of EPN were isolated and their morphological characters were studied. The infectivity of native EPN strains were assessed at an inoculum level of 300 IJs/insect against test insects viz. termites, aphids, tobacco caterpillar and pseudostem weevil under in vitro condition. Among the isolates, isolate obtained from Mylom area in Kottarakkara (Isolate 2) showed maximum emergence of Infective Juveniles (IJs) from termites (2.0x103 IJs/adult), aphids (1.2x103 IJs/adult), tobacco caterpillar (3.5x105 IJs/larvae) and pseudostem weevil (3.5x105 IJs/grub). Isolate 2 also showed mortality percentage of 87.99, 86.00, 29.99 and 9.99 against termite, aphids, tobacco caterpillar and pseudostem weevil respectively at 24 hours after treatment. Isolate obtained from College of Agriculture, Vellayani (Isolate 1) and Isolate obtained from Kainidi area in Alappuzha (Isolate 3) showed mortality of 86.00 and 76.00 per cent in termites and 81.74 and 71.99 per cent in aphids respectively. Infection of Isolate 2 resulted in brown, pink and reddish brown discolouration in cadavers of termites, tobacco caterpillar and pseudostem weevil respectively. Based on results of preliminary screening, Isolate 1, 2 and 3 were tested for their pathogenicity against test insects under in vitro condition. The experimental design used was CRD with treatments viz., 10, 50, 100, 200 IJs, sterile water and chemical check and were replicated four times. Isolate 1 and 2 @ 100 IJs caused cent per cent mortality of termites at 48 hours after treatment (HAT) and it was statistically on par with chlorpyriphos 25 EC. Isolate 3 @ 200 IJs showed cent percent mortality of termites at 60 HAT. Isolate 2 @ 200IJs recorded 99.26 per cent mortality of aphids at 36 HAT and it was statistically on par with chemical, dimethoate 30 EC. Isolate 2 @ 100 IJs recorded cent percent mortality of aphids at 48 HAT. In the case of tobacco caterpillar, Isolate 2 @ 200 IJs recorded 65.08 and 80.52 per cent mortality at 48 and 60 HAT respectively. Isolate 2 @ 100 IJs recorded 92.53 per cent mortality of tobacco caterpillar at 72 HAT and it was statistically on par with chemical, flubendiamide 39.35 EC. Isolate 2 @ 200 IJs showed 62.66 per cent mortality of pseudostem weevil grubs at 72 HAT. Among the three isolates, Isolate 2 is proved to be the most potent EPN strain with highest mortality in termites, aphids, tobacco caterpillar and pseudostem weevil. Based on the morphological characters, Isolate 1 was identified as Steinernema sp., Isolates 2 as Metarhabditis sp. and Isolate 3 as Rhabditis sp. The IJs of Steinernema sp. were specific in retaining the second stage cuticle. The adults were characterized by short stoma, excretory pore anterior to the nerve ring and a muscular oesophagous (female-154.00±5.57µm, male-144.40±4.14µm) without a well-defined butterfly valve in the basal bulb. The males had a C shaped body having pointed and curved spicules (44.10±4.46µm) with a boat shaped gubernaculum (23.70±2.98µm). The females had a sub median protruding vulva. The IJs of Rhabditis sp. had a narrow body without second stage cuticle. The adults of Rhabditis sp. had six unfused labium at the anterior region, long tubular stoma, excretory pore anterior to the basal bulb and a muscular oesophagous with a well-defined butterfly valve. Metarhabditis sp. (Isolate 2) had lobed oesophageal glands different from Rhabditis sp. (Isolate 3). The males of Metarhabditis sp. (Isolate 2) had a round manubrium in spicules (39.63±3.59µm) unlike males of Rhabditis sp. (Isolate 3) (33.83±4.36µm). Metarhabditis sp. (Isolate 2) was characterized by presence of peloderan bursa with eight papillae whereas Rhabditis sp. (Isolate 3) had leptoderan bursa with nine papillae. The male tail in Metarhabditis sp. (Isolate 2) (28.60±5.10µm) was straight and pointed whereas Rhabditis sp. (Isolate 3) had a ventrally curved tail (29.71±4.86µm). Vulva was characterized by slightly protruding vulval lips in females of Rhabditis sp. Based on the pathogenicity studies, Isolate 2 (Metarhabditis sp.) was identified as the most potent strain causing highest mortality in test insects. Hence molecular characterization of Isolate 2 was done and result revealed it as Metarhabditis rainai. This was the first report of M. rainai in India. From the above study it could be concluded that M. rainai can be exploited as a successful biocontrol agent pertaining to its pathogenicity against termites, lepidopteran and coleopteran pests and effort needs to be directed towards formulating the strain to improve its efficiency and shelf life.