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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: Prabha J × End date: 1993 × Start date: 1993 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    In Virto Multiplication and Standardisation of Hardening Techniques in Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.)
    (Department of pomology and floriculture, College of horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1993) Prabha J; Keshavachandran R
    Studies were conducted on in vitro multiplication and standardization of hardening techniques in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) at the Tissue Culture Laboratory of the All India Co – ordinated Floriculture Improvement Project attached to the Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1991 – 1993. Surface sterilization treatment was standardized for crown explants. Among the different treatments tried, treatment with Emisan 0.1 per cent for 30 minutes followed with mercuric chloride 0.1 per cent for 10 minutes was found to be the best. Explants collected in the months of January and February gave the least contamination and maximum survival percentage. MS medium with BA 5.0 mg/1 inche alone or in combination with NAA 1.0 mg/1 inche gave maximum establishment of the explants. The globular structures were formed at maximum intensity within the shortest time of 5.96 days in MS medium supplemented with BA 5.0 mg/1 inche and NAA 1.0 mg/1 inche. Among the three cytokinins tried, the fastest response and the highest intensity of globular structures was obtained with BA followed by KIN and 2ip. Maximum shoot proliferation (11.9 per culture) was obtained with basal MS medium in which cent per cent of the cultures developed vigorous dark green shoots. Rooting of the in vitro derived shoots was obtained in in vitro as well as ex vitro conditions. Hundred per cent in vitro rooting was obtained in basal MS medium as well as in media supplemented with various concentrations of IBA and NAA. The fastest rooting (in 8.54 days) was obtained in the basal medium. Rooting was also faster in liquid medium compared to solid medium. In solid medium, early root initiation and the maximum length of roots were observed with 0.65 per cent agar concentration. Among the ex vitro rooting treatments tried, treatment with the rooting powder Rooton resulted in the fastest rooting and the maximum length of the roots. Profuse rooting of the shoots was obtained without using growth regulators by keeping them in a mist chamber. Treatments were standardised for successful transfer of the plantlets to the outside environment. Hundred per cent survival of the plantlets was obtained by immersing the roots of the plantlets in sterile water for 18 hr prior to transplanting. Among the different containers tried, plantlets grown in plastic pots, in general showed maximum vigour with respect to the number of leaves, height and width of the largest leaf, followed by those in mud pots and poly bags. The maximum percentage increase in these parameters was observed for the plantlets in pro-trays. Potting mixes such as cocopeat, soilrite, biofibe and vermiculite were found to be better in inducing vigorous growth of the plantlets. Plantlets grown in plastic pots with cocopeat or plastic bags with soilrite mix, in general, grew more vigorously. A nutrient starter solution of NPK fertilizer solution once a week or one fourth strength basal MS salts was found to be sufficient to induce healthy growth of the transplanted plantlets in the early stages of growth. To induce better growth of the plantlets in the later stages, application of the NPK fertilizer solution twice a week or Hoagland’s solution once a week was found to be better. Encapsulated beads were successfully formed with the differentiating globular bodies formed from the primary explants. The globular bodies could be encapsulated using 2.5 per cent sodium alginate and 75 mM calcium chloride with a complexation time of 30 minutes. The plantlets after 90 days of growth in the greenhouse with a minimum height of 10 cm and 12 leaves were successfully transferred to soil.