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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Open Access
Vegetative propagation of promising jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) types
(Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture,Padannakkad, 2018) Ashok Madala, KAU; Rajagopalan, A
The investigation on ‘Vegetative propagation of promising jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) types’ was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, Kasaragod during the period 2017 - 18 to evaluate the success of epicotyl and softwood grafting in promising types of jackfruit and to examine the variation among jackfruit types with respect to grafting methods. The experiment comprised of five promising types of jackfruits viz., V1 - Varikka - early bearing (KJ 186), V2 - Gumless (KJ 397), V3 - Seedless (KJ 180), V4 - Cluster (KJ 182) and V5 - Muttam varikka (KJ 231) and two method of grafting i.e., M1 - epicotyl grafting and M2 - softwood grafting. The experiment was laid out in factorial CRD with three replications. The different jackfruit types showed significant influence for all the parameters studied except number of branches. Type V2 resulted in earliest sprouting (26.50 days) and maximum sprouting percentage of grafts (41.91 per cent) while type V3 recorded maximum survival percentage (66.94 per cent) and shoot length (8.13 cm). Maximum shoot girth (1.50 cm), number of nodes (7.50), number of leaves (7), length of leaf (12.34 cm) and breadth of leaf (5.64 cm) were observed in type V4. On the other hand, the maximum days to sprouting (30.33 days), minimum sprouting percentage (28.77 per cent), minimum shoot length (6.43 cm) and minimum number of leaves (5.17) were recorded in type V5 while type V1 showed minimum survival percentage (38.89 per cent), shoot girth (1.15 cm), leaf length (8.41 cm) and breadth of leaf (4.22 cm). Among the methods of grafting, the results on percentage of sprouting and survival as well as number of branches were not significant while all other parameters showed significant effects. Epicotyl grafts resulted in early sprouting of buds (26.00 days) and maximum shoot length (7.36 cm) whereas maximum shoot girth (1.36 cm), number of nodes (6.13), number of leaves (6.33), length of leaf (11.16 cm) and breadth of leaf (5.29 cm) were observed in softwood grafts. The interaction of varieties and methods of grafting were significant in most of the characters recorded. Interaction V2 x M1 was found better in early sprouting (24.33 days) and V2 x M2 resulted in maximum sprouting percentage (46.90 per cent) while V3 x M1 gave maximum survival of grafts (86.67 per cent). Hence, for the mass multiplication of Seedless type epicotyl grafting could be adopted and for other types like early bearing varikka, Gumless and cluster, softwood grafting could be practiced.
Open Access
Effect of heat stress on the expression patterns of different growth related genes in Malabari goats
(Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2018) Angel Sunny, P; KAU; Bagath, M
The impact of heat stress on growth performance of goats has been established fairly based on changes associated with phenotypic traits. However, not many reports are available on the genotypic traits which get altered on exposure to heat stress in livestock. Therefore, the study is an attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing growth performance during heat stress in goats. The primary objective of the study was to establish the influence of heat stress on the expression patterns of different growth related genes in Malabari goats. The study was conducted for a period of 45 days in twelve Malabari goats randomly allocated into two groups: MC (n=6; Malabari control) and MHS (n=6; Malabari Heat stress). Goats were stall-fed with a diet composed of 60% roughage and 40% concentrate. All animals had access to adlibitum feed and water and they were fed and watered individually. The MC goats were placed in the shaded pens while MHS goats were exposed to heat stress in outside environment between 10.00 h to 16.00 h. At the end of study period, all 12 animals were slaughtered and their liver tissues were collected for gene expression and histopathological studies. The temperature-humidity-index (THI) inside the shed (74.9) proved that the animals were not stressed while in the outside environment (86.5) the animals were extremely distressed. The hepatic growth hormone (GH), growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) gene expression patterns were significantly (P<0.05) lower in heat stress group as compared to the control group animals. In addition, negative correlation (P<0.05) was also established between THI and all the growth related gene expression in the study. The hepatic histopathological section showed more fatty and degenerative changes (P<0.05) in hepatocytes in MHS group as compared to MC group. The study offers the first thorough insight into the expression patterns of different growth related genes during heat stress exposure in goats. Further, the study established GH, GHR, IGF-1, LEP, LEPR genes to be the ideal markers to reflect growth potential in Malabari goats. The findings from this study provide some crucial initial information on how different growth relatedgenes are expressed when Malabari goats are subjected to heat stress. This information might be of high value in assessing the growth performance of goats and may provide useful information pertaining to nutrient supplementation to the heat stressed goats.
Open Access
Field evaluation of stump and root trainer grown teak(Tectona grandish L.f.) plantations
(Department of Silviculture & Agroforestry, College of Forestry , Vellanikkara, 2019) Eldhose George, KAU; Kunhamu, T K
Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) stands out to be the most popular commercialtimber species in the tropics by virtue of its matchless combination of properties. Over a century, root- shoot cutting (stump) has been the common nursery productiontechnology for teak across the world. However, the recent decade has seen unprecedented decline in the productivity of teak plantations which could be attributed to diverse reasons. In this context, the efficiency of the stump based planting method for teak hence assume close scrutiny by virtue of the limitation in the root spread and consequent belowground resource acquisition. In this backdrop, a field study entitled “Field evaluation of stump and root trainer grown teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) plantations” was conducted on teak plantations established at Karakkad, Kalady range, Malayattoor forest division, Kerala during 2017-18, to evaluate the influence of planting material viz. stump and root trainer on growth aspects, soil physio-chemical properties and root distribution separately in five and seven-year-old teak plantations. The teak plantations selected for study included; five-year-old (2012 establishment) stump and root trainer grown stands at 3x3 m spacing, seven-year-old (2010 establishment) stump and root trainer based stands at 2x2 m initial spacing. Attempt were also made to study the effect of planting spacing on the growth of teak that was raised from root trainers and managed separately at 2x2 and 3x3 m spacing. Nine random plots of size 20x20 m were demarcated for each of the treatments such that there were 45 experimental plots for observation. Altogether there were three treatment combinations for comparison viz. stump vs root trainer at 3x3 m spacing and five-year-old; stump vs root trainer at 2x2 m spacing and seven-year-old; five-year-old root trainer based teak stands at 3x3 m vs at 2x2 m spacing. Each treatment combinations were analyzed separately with independent t- test. Biometric observations on teak growth showed considerable difference with variable planting material and spacing. Root trainer grown teak stands showed better performance in total tree height (6.68 m at seven-years of age), DBH (9.04 cm at seven-years of age), and mean tree volume (0.031 m3 at seven-years of age) as compared to stump origin stand both at five and seven-years of stand ages. The basal area and bole height showed marginal improvement in root trainer grown stand at five-years of age. Initial spacing showed only marginal influence on total height and bole height with an advantage for stands at 2x2 m spacing as compared to 3x3 m spaced stands. However, DBH, basal area and volume showed discernible improvement in the stands at 3x3 m spacing. Crown diameter showed a nominal increase in the root trainer grown stand than stump grown stand at both ages. However, spacing had great influence on the crown diameter with more spread (2.7 m) by widely spaced stands (3x3 m). Stand LAI also was better for root trainer stand while spacing had poor influence on LAI. Persistence of stem axis and straightness of stem showed limited advantage for stump grown teak origin stand. Also closely spaced teak stands (2x2 m) developed from root trainer stands showed slightly better performance than teak at wider spacing (3x3 m). Attempts to analyze the influence of planting material and spacing on plant leaf nitrogen and soil physio-chemical properties suggested that plant leaf nitrogen concentration was modestly better for root trainer grown trees than stump grown trees. However effect of spacing indicated that widely spaced trees (3x3m) showing significantly higher nitrogen up take than narrow spaced trees. Soil physical and chemical properties were found to be less influenced by the planting material. However, all teak stands irrespective of planting material showed considerable improvement in soil organic carbon and nitrogen concentration and reduction in soil bulk density as compared with respective treeless open plots. Also there was consistent reduction in carbon content and nitrogen with increase in soil depth up to one meter soil depth. The average soil carbon concentration values were 1.15 % and 1.55 % for the root trainer and stump grown teak stands at seven-years of stand age. The corresponding soil carbon stocks were 24.60 Mg ha-1 and 32.85 Mg ha-1 for teak stands at seven-years of stand age. Investigations on root distribution among stump and root trainer grown teak trees revealed obvious advantage in root spread and root intensity for root trainer raised teak stands. Teak trees grown from stump had smaller roots confined to the base of the tree at shallow depths which drastically reduced with increase in lateral distance of soil depth. The presence of prominent multiple tap root systems could be the reason for the high root spread observed with root trainer based teak trees. The trends were the same for small, medium and larger root intensity. Yet another noteworthy observation was that teak trees at closer spacing showed reduction of root spread and restricted the root system at proximal lateral distance while widely spaced trees showed wider root distribution.
Open Access
Performance evaluation of primary co-operative agricultural development banks in central Kerala
(Department of Co-operative Management , College of Co-operation & Management,Vellanikkara, 2019) Niranjana Chandran, KAU; Veerakumaran, G
Agriculture in India has shared the thought, outlook and culture of the people of India for centuries and constitutes the backbone of Indian economy. Agricultural credit has played an important role in the development of agricultural sector, specifically investment credit in increasing production and productivity. Agriculture, during its primitive stage, the necessity of long term credit was not felt. However, the innovations in agricultural technologies paved way for vast potentialities for agricultural development. Currently, the long term credit has been viewed as essentially a vibrant credit in such a way that it supports the farmer to create assets on land, thereby augmenting his output which subsequently adds to the agricultural production in the country. The most important agency that lends long term investment credit to farmers is the Cooperative Agricultural and Rural Development Banks. The Cooperative Agricultural and Rural Development Banks were the pioneers in providing investment credit for agriculture and were started primarily for this purpose. The banks have been assigned a vital role in agricultural development in the state. However, the PCARDBs in Kerala are passing through a critical stage of their growth. A good number of them are running at loss and their overdue are mounting over the years (RBI, 2015) which is already explained by a number of studies. It was found that the constraints are due to the poor recovery management, differential rate of interest when compared to commercial banks and private banks, restricted area of operation, restricted mobilisation of funds and restricted investments. In this context, a study on the “Performance Evaluation of Primary Cooperative Agricultural and Rural Development Banks in Central Kerala” was taken up with the objective of analysing the financial performance of these banks, examining the operational and managerial problems existing in the banks and to study the loan utilisation pattern and repayment behaviour of farmers. The study area covered Thrissur, Ernakulum and Palakkad districts of Central Kerala which were selected based on the highest number of PCARDBs in each district in Central Kerala. From each district, the PCARDB which had the highest loan disbursed during the year 2015-16 was selected for the study. Thus, Irinjalakkuda PCARDB from Thrissur, Aluva PCARDB from Ernakulum and Alathur PCARDB from Palakkad districts were selected for the study. 231 The secondary data for studying the financial performance was collected from the Annual reports for ten years (from 2008-09 to 2017-18) of these banks and was analysed with the help of statistical tools such as financial ratios, CAGR and simple growth rate. The primary data for examining the operational and managerial problems existing in the banks was collected from board of directors and employees of the selected banks using a pre-tested structured interview schedule. The data thus collected was analysed using the tools indices, percentages and Kruskal-Wallis H test. The primary data for studying the loan utilisation pattern and repayment behaviour of farmers was collected from randomly selected 180 farmers (60 from each bank) using a pre-tested structured interview schedule and was analysed with the support of the statistical tools percentages, indices, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance and binary logistic regression model. By analyzing the first objective, it was found that Aluva and Alathur PCARDBs were efficient in mobilising funds, in deployment of the funds and also efficient in its operations. However, Irinjalakkuda PCARDB after bifurcation during the year 2015-16 witnessed decline in their operations resulting in subsequent loss for the bank from the year 2015-16. However, among the three banks, Alathur PCARDB excelled in performance. The second objective was analysed from the perspective of board of directors and employees. From the point of view of the directors the issue was studied under four heads viz., administrative problems, functional problems, structural problems and human resource related problems. The administrative problems were further subdivided as problems related to board meeting, problems related to general body meeting and problems related to audit. In the same way from the employee’s perspective it was studied under the heads viz., structural, functional, administrative and human resource problems. The results showed that in the opinion of board of directors the major problem confronted by the banks were increasing NPA. Further, according to the board no other major administrative/functional/structural issues were persisting in the banks. However, the perception of employees were different from that of the board of directors. In their opinion, the major problems confronted by the banks were “absence of technological upgradation”, “lack of modern practices of banking” “absence of modern management techniques and MIS” as structural problems, “mounting NPA”, “high interest on loans” “existence of govt. loan waiver schemes” as functional problems “competition from other financial intermediaries” and “impact 232 of demonetization” as administrative problems “absence of specialised staff”, “lack of professional skills” and “staff paucity and employee overburden” as human resource related problems. The analysis of the third objective concluded that majority of the borrowers had diverted the loan for other purposes like renovation, repair and maintenance of houses, marriage ceremonies, building up of commercial space, purchase of inputs, payment of wages, medical expenses, emergency needs of friends and relatives etc. The study on repayment behaviour of farmers found that the variables, age, economic status and membership in bank had statistical significance in repayment behaviour of the borrowers of Aluva bank, whereas education status, income status and land holding were found to have statistical significance for borrowers of Alathur bank and for Irinjalakkuda bank variables education status and duration of membership in the bank had statistical significance on the repayment behaviour of borrowers. Further, high interest rate, reduction in employment and fall in price of agricultural commodities were found to be the major causes of non-repayment of loan by the farmers. Finally, incentives for prompt repayment, timely reminders, reduction in interest rates, small installments and fixation of recovery period in coincidence with the harvest/income period were the suggestions put forth by the farmers for reducing loan default. The member farmers, the board of directors and the employees are the three important pillars on which the success and sustainability of a cooperative organisation rests. It is obvious from the study that the board of directors of the sample banks are scrupulous, conscientious and meticulous in carrying out their duties and responsibilities supported by a band of committed employees and dedicated member patrons. However, a few issues had been revealed in the study which could be addressed by the concerted efforts of all these three stakeholders. The banks should initiate measures to check the problem of mounting overdue by creating awareness among the borrower farmers for proper loan utilisation and prompt repayment. Banks should introduce mechanisms for post loan supervision and monitoring which should be the joint responsibility of the employees and the members of board. In toto, the overall performance of the selected banks were satisfactory which can be improved further and sustained in the future for the betterment of the cooperative banking structure and to induce confidence in the minds of the member patrons of the cooperatives.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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