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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: Arathy, L S × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2019 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Expression profiling of auxin biosynthesis genes during inflorescence development in black pepper(Piper nigrum L)
    (Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2019) Arathy, L S; KAU; Swapna Alex
    The study entitled “Expression profiling of auxin biosynthesis genes during inflorescence development in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)” was carried out during 2017-2019, in the Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The objective of the study was to compare the transcript profile of auxin biosynthesis genes such as Flavin monooxygenase and Tryptophan aminotransferase during inflorescence development in different cultivars of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) using Reverse Transcription quantitative PCR (RT- qPCR). Black pepper exhibits wide variability in inflorescence architecture. Auxin is a major hormone involved in patterning and formation of lateral organs and regulation of branching. Auxin biosynthesis in plants occurs mainly through tryptophan dependent and independent pathways. Among the different known pathways, the most significant and well studied is the Indole-3-Pyruvic Acid (IPA) pathway. Tryptophan aminotransferase (TAA1) and Flavin monooxygenase (YUC2) are the consecutive enzymes of the pathway converting tryptophan to IPA and subsequently to Indole Acetic Acid (IAA). Spike samples of three cultivars of black pepper viz., Panniyur, Karimunda and Thekken were used for the study. Samples were collected at three different developmental stages viz., stage 1 (1-2cm), stage 2 (6-8cm) and stage 3 (9-12cm) from two different plants of each cultivar. Genomic DNA and RNA were extracted by modified Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) method and Trizol method respectively. Primers were designed for auxin biosynthesis genes such as Tryptophan aminotransferase and Flavin monooxygenase using “Primer Express” software and absence of secondary structure at the primer binding site was confirmed by “mfold” web server. Specificity of the designed gene specific primers was checked by PCR using genomic DNA. Single amplicon was obtained for all the primers indicating specificity of the designed primers. Amplification efficiency of the designed primers was determined by standard curve analysis and “Lin Reg” software. All the primers exhibited cent per cent amplification efficiency. RNA isolated from the spike samples was converted to cDNA and the quality was confirmed by PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. cDNA was used for RT-qPCR using SYBR Green dye-based assay. Thermal conditions for RT-qPCR were 95°C for 2 min followed by 40 cycles of 95°C for 15 sec, 55°C for 15 sec and 72°C for 45 sec. RT-qPCR for each gene was performed with three technical replicates for each sample. Cq values obtained were used for further analysis. Gene expression analysis was performed using “qbase plus” software using Actin as the reference gene and two as the amplification factor for all the genes. The expression pattern of TAA1 showed regulation during inflorescence development in all the three cultivars. Higher expression was noticed in all the three stages of Panniyur-1 compared to Karimunda and Thekken. In Karimunda and Thekken, the expression was low in the first stage and peaked at stage 2 and decreased in stage 3. Expression of TAA1 was very less in stage 2 and 3 of Thekken. The expression pattern of YUC2 also showed differential regulation during inflorescence development in all the three cultivars. The expression pattern was similar in all the three cultivars with a peak at stage 2. The expression of YUC2 was highest in Panniyur-1 and lowest in Thekken. To conclude, auxin biosynthetic genes TAA1 and YUC2 were differentially regulated during different stages of inflorescence development in all the three cultivars of black pepper. The expression levels of both the biosynthetic genes were least in the branching type Thekken. Low expression levels of these genes may contribute towards low auxin accumulation in Thekken. Analysis of other genes involved in auxin signalling might help in a better understanding of inflorescence development in black pepper.