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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: Others × Author: Dhaneshkumar, P × Start date: 1998 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nodulation Behaviour Of Acacia Mangium Wikd.In Response TO Rhizobium Inoculation
    (Department of Tree Physiology and breeding, College of forestry,Vellanikkara, 1998) Dhaneshkumar, P; KAU; Ashokan, P K
    An investigation was carried out during April 1996 to December 1997 at the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara to study the nodulation characteristics of Acacia mangium Willd. plantation and to isolate and compare the efficiency of rhizobia from different agroclimatic regions of Kerala. The efficiency of these rhizobial isolates under varying conditions of soil fertility and acidity were also evaluated. Survey conducted throughout the state showed rhizobial association and nodulation in all mangium plantations. The soil of these plantations were acidic with pH values ranging from 4.9 to 6.2. Experiments conducted to study the rhizobial characteristics indicated that, the fast growers (Rhizobium spp.) as well as the slow growers tBradyrhizobium spp.) are involved in nodulation of A. mangium in Kerala. The efficiencies of different rhizobial isolates were studied in polypots using sterilized and unsterilized soil - sand mixture. Two other polypot experiments were conducted to study the response of the rhizboial isolates to liming and Nand P application. The experiments were laid out in C.R.D with three replications. Seedlings raised in unsterilized soil performed better as compared to seedlings in sterilized soil. However, the response to inoculation was more prominent in sterilized soil. In sterilized soil, seedlings inoculated with Rhizobium isolates from mangium ;MRh-3 (Mananthavadi), MRh- 2(Perambra), MRh-13 (Trivandrum), MRh-6 (Vellanikkara) and MRh-lO (Mavelikkara) and commercial mangium culture (" Agroforester - Group A") showed superiority in nodulation and growth characteristics while the isolates from A. auriculijonnis and commercial culture of A. auriculijonnis, ("Agroforester - Group C") were not much effective. Seedling - response to inoculation varied with rhizobial isolates, and mangium showed its specificity in Rhiozbium requirement for nitrogen fixation. The application of lime adversely affected nodulation capacity of the rhizobial isolates of mangium from Kerala, indicating the adaptations of these isolates to acidic soils. The nodulation efficiency of commercial culture "Agroforester - Group A" was improved by lime application, indicating that this strain is adapted to soils of higher pH. The nodulation and nitrogen fixing efficiency of the isolates were improved by supplementating fertilized N and P. The need for a starter dose of Nand P for effective nodulation and efficient Ny-fixation in mangium seedlings. MRh-6 (Vellanikkara) performed poorly in unfertilized soil, but showed superiority when applied with N and P fertilizers, indicating the sensitivity of this isolate to site conditions. As the rhizobial isolates from different agroclimatic regions of Kerala responded differently under varying soil pH and doses of Nand P, inoculation of selected strains of rhizobia depending on site conditions may be needed for successful establishment of mangium seedlings.