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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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1996 - 19994
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Subject: Others × Author: KAU × End date: 1999 × Start date: 1996 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Regulation of flowering and post _harvest behaviour of Anthurium andreanum Cv . Hawaiian red
    (Department Of Pomology And Floriculture,College Of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1999) Abdussamed, K P; KAU; Valasalakumari, P K
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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.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Marketing Practices of The study entitled "Marketing Practices of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Industries in Thrissur District
    (Department of Rural Marketing Management, College of Cooperation Banking and Management,Mannuthy, 1996) Jeeja, T V; KAU; Rajan Nair, N
    The study entitled "Marketing Practices of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Industries in Thrissur District" was undertaken to examine the practices in procurement of inputs, selection of product mix and cost and to examine the marketing efficiency of the fruit and vegetable processing industries. Fruit and vegetable processing units, falling respectively in the classes of ‘oldest unit in the district', ‘excellent unit in the district’, ‘co-operative form of organisation’, and ‘a household rural unit’ were selected from the district. Farmers intermediaries in the procurement of raw materials, intermediates in the distribution network of processed products and consumers were selected randomly for gathering primary data. The data was collected during the period 1993-1995. Simple averages, percentages, tables, non-paramatric test and direct reporting comprised the methodology. The main raw materials used by the processing industry was fruits and vegetables collected from local production centres. However, raw materials were also procured from out-of-state production centres when insufficiency was felt and to improve the product range. The number of channels and intermediates in the procurement process was lengthy, but were performing certain critical functions at times. So the study suggests a revised model which combines the positive aspects of each channel and also provides satisfaction to the farmers, functionary and processing units. The product mix of the oldest unit was the highest while that of the rural household unit was the lowest. It was observed that when product mix was higher, price of products also went up. The marketing efficiency of the distribution network analysed through functional, price spread and consumer response analysis revealed that channel involving dealers was the most effective channel. Finally, a new model, from procurement of raw materials to distribution of procesed items, is suggested for improving the performance of processing industries.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Cataloguing And Identification Of Promising Ashgourd Ecotypes In Relation TO Season And Maturity
    (Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1998) Mini Menon, P; KAU; Salikutty Joseph
    An experiment was conducted during 1995-96 in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to catalogue and identify promising ashgourd ecotypes in relation to season and maturity. 1birty ecotypes of ashgourd were studied for their variability. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with three replications. High heritability along with high genetic gain was observed for the characters primary branches per plant, fruit yield per plant, seeds per fruit and average fruit weight. Yield was positively and significantly correlated with length of main vine, nodes on main vine, primary branches per plant, internodal length, leaves per plant at 30 days after sowing, male flowers per plant, female flowers per plant, per cent of female flowers, average fruit weight, fruits per plant, percent of fruit set, circumference of fruit, length of fruit, seeds per fruit and 100 seed weight. Average fruit weight exhibited the highest positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant. The ecotype BH 21 possessing highest values for characters like length of main vine, number of nodes, number of female flowers, fruit yield per plant and number of seeds per fruit was selected to study the effect of sowing time and periodicity of harvests on yield. This experiment was laid out in split plot design taking months of sowing as main plot treatments and intervals of harvesting as subplot treatments. All biometric characters were significantly influenced by the sowing time. The crop sown in October was superior to other crops with regard to number of nodes, earliest node at which the first female flower was formed and fruit retained, number of female flowers, per cent of female flowers, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit and fruit yield per plant. In general the crops sown during August, September and October performed better in yield contributing characters when compared to the crops raised during other months of the year. The plants under the harvest interval of 14 days produced the highest number of female flowers and fruits per plant. Average fruit weight, circumference, fruit shape index, flesh thickness and number of fully developed seeds were highest for fruits harvested at full maturity. Though more number of fruits were obtained from plants' under a harvest interval of 14 days the highest yield in terms of total fruit weight was realised from plants harvested at full maturity. The crop was succumbed to the attack of pests and diseases throughout the year. Fruit fly infestation was severe in April, May and June sown crop. Incidence of pumpkin beetle was severe 111 February, March, April and May sown crop. Mosaic was severe 00 crops sown in November, December, January and February. June and July sown crops exhibited downy mildew disease. The better expression of yield contributing characters and lower incidence of pests and diseases tor the crops sown during August, September and October indicated that these months are most ideal for raising a crop of ashgourd. The crop weather relationship revealed that maximum temperature during first and second weeks after anthesis had a significant positive correlation with' yield at full maturity. Minimum temperature and sunshine hours also have a positive correlation though not significant. A negative correlation exist between relative humidity and yield.