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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: Plant Biotechnology × Author: Achuth, P. Jayaraj × Start date: 2018 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Physiological and molecular studies on cyanogenic potential in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in response to nitrogen nutrition, water stress and shade
    (Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2018) Achuth, P. Jayaraj; KAU; Saravanan Raju
    The study entitled “Physiological and molecular studies on cyanogenic potential in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in response to nitrogen nutrition, water stress and shade” was carried out at the Division of Crop utilization, ICAR- Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram during the year 2017-2018. To study the physiology and molecular aspects of biosynthesis of cyanogenic glycosides in cassava in response to plant nitrogen status, light intensity and water stress and to compare detection methods such as Near-infra red (NIR) spectroscopy and High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) for cyanogenic glycoside estimation. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) contains cyanogenic glycosides like linamarin, acetone cyanohydrin, and hydrocyanic acid. The concentration of cyanogens in roots and leaves differ in the same plant and is known to be more abundant in the leaves than the stem and roots. The synthesis and regulation of bioactive natural products are influenced by changes in the nutritional availability of both micro and macro. It is important to be aware of and understand the consequences of such changes so that appropriate measures can be taken to either reduce risks or capitalize on benefits. Here in this study not much difference was observed between plants grown in shade irrigated and open irrigated in level of CNglc content. Plants grown in shade water stress have CNglc amount at par with plants grown in open water stress. Increased nitrogen supply stimulates plant growth and productivity as well as photosynthetic capacity of leaves through increased amounts of stromal and thylakoid proteins in leaves. Here CNglc content increase according to nitrogen nutrition doesn’t seems to follow a uniform pattern as in case of Sree Vijaya CNglc content remains unchanged or a small decrease is seen. Also here although an increase is seen in CNglc content from 0.5x to 1x strength, increase is not seen in 2x strength solution. Detection of CNglc in plant samples are important for not only quality control but for many other aspects of biochemical research. Various techniques are used for estimating CNglc in cassava samples and the enzymatic and spectro-photometric techniques are routinely used. From this study NIR data and HPTLC data obtained from this investigation can be used for developing methods for quantifying the CNglc content directly in plant samples in the future without cumbersome sample preparation techniques.