Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

1983 - 198713
Reset filters
Subject: Plant Breeding × Author: KAU × End date: 1987 × Start date: 1983 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 13
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Heterosis for yield and resistance to bacterial wilt in brinjal
    (Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1987) Jameela Thomas; KAU; Gopinathan Nair, V
    Bacterial wilt of brinjal (Solanum malongena L.) caused by Pseudomonas colanacearum E.F Smith is a serious threat to brinjal cultivation all over India. Most of the commercial varieties are highly susceptible to this disease and hence unsuitable for cultivation in wilt endemic areas. Farmers in many places have been forced to abandon cultivation due to heavy incidence of bacterial wilt. Fine cross combinations were made between three resistant varieties (Pusa purple cluster, SM-6 and SMI-10) as ovule parents and each of three commercialbut susceptible varieties (Black beauty, Puma purple long and Puca purple round) as pollen parent , with a view to combine the wilt resistance of the former and high yield potential of the latter. The bacterial pathogen causing wilt in brinjal was isolated. Based on the cultural and physiological characters it was identified as Pseudomonas solanaecearum.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Cross compatibility between Sesamum indicum L. and S. malabaricum
    (Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1987) Lali, K S; KAU; Gopinathan Nair, V
    Sesame is most valued annual oilseed crop of Kerala. Lack of varietieswith resistance to drought and diseases is the main problem confronting sesame cultivation in the state. The wild species Sesamum malabaricum shows tolerance to drought and most of the diseases. But this wild species appears to be non compatible with the cultivated S. indicum. An investigation was therefore undertaken to study cross compatibility between these two species. Eleven adapted varieties of S. indicum were crossed reciprocally with S. malabaricum. Capsule set was normal in direct as well as reciprocal crosses. In general it was more in reciprocal crosses . In general it was more in reciprocal crosses than in direct crosses. In spite of normal capsule set , these crosses failed to produce any normal seed. The seeds were either medium shrivelled or highly shrivelled. Failure normal seed development in a wide range of crosses confirm that these two species are noncompatible.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of the productivity of chilli hybrids
    (Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Elizabeth Philipose; KAU; Manikantan Nair, P
    A study was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, for evaluating the productivity of six intervarietal chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) hybrids obtained by crossing four inbreds in all possible combinations without reciprocals. Since the germination of the combination PR x PCl was poor, the other five hybrids along with four parents were evaluated in a 9 x 3 RED during 1984-85 and 1985-86. Observations on twenty quantitative and five five qualitative attributes were recorded. The statistical analysis included analysis of variance , pooled analysis and the estimation of genetic parameters, correlations among sixteen quantitative traits and three types of heterosis namely relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pollination, pod set and compatibility studies in open pollinated progenies of cocoa var. Forastero
    (Department of Plant Breeding, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Madhu, P; KAU; Kumaran, K
    Investigations were carried out at the College of Horticulture Vellanikkara, Thrissur, to study the polination , pod set and compatibility aspects of open pollinated progenies of cocoa, var. Forastero. It was found that eventhough cocoa flowered thoughout the year, maximum flower production was between November and April. The flower opening was a slow process starting from 2 to 4 pm and lasting upto 2 to 4 pm on the subsequent day . Maximum stigma receptivity was found between 10 am and 12 Noon. Natural pollination was through the agency of insects. By controlled pollination there was 48 per cent increase in the pod set. Hand pollination by forceps was found to be the best method of artificial pollination. A large number of pod set was not carried to maturity due to the incidence of cherelle wilt. The loss due to Cherelle wilt ranged from 37.04 percent to 70.37 per cent. Most of the trees studied were self-incompatible , while two of them were self compatible. The self - incompatibility in the materials investigated herein could be exploited for production of hybrid pods.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Cross compatibility between abelmoschus esculentus and abelmoschus manihot and hybrid sterility
    (Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Prabha, P; KAU; Gopakumar, K
    Observations made during 1985, while conducting a breeding experiment on interspecific hybridization in the genus Abelmoschus of family MALVACEAE, reveal that the virus caused Yellow Vein Mosaic disease susceptible bhindi varieties of the cultivated species esculentus cross readily with the resistant wild/ semi-wild species manihot. Absence of interspecific mating incompatibility is of advantage in programmes of breeding for evolving improved varieties of the crop with built-in-resistance. The first generation hybrids though do not produce viable seeds in profusion, are not totally sterile. The scanty viable seed recovery from the hybrids against the parents is suspected to be due to chromosomal differentation that could have taken place during speciation in the genus
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on genetic parameters and association of yield and its components in short duration tapioca varieties (Manihot esculenta Crantz-)
    (Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1987) Rekha, V R; KAU; Manikantan Nair, P
    A study was conducted at the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during January to June 1986 with eight varieties of tapioca to identify suitable medium duration variety for wet land. Study of variability in the population, association among characters and determination of direct and indirect influence of different component characters on yield formed part of the objectives. Genotypic coefficient of variation was maximum for number of branches followed by number of leaves retained at harvest and utilization index. High heritability was manifested by total number of leaves per plant, number of leaves retained at.harvest, single tuber weight and utilization index; Quality attributes registered low estimates for heritability.and genetic gain. High heritability accompanied by high genetic gain for cassava mosaic, leaf spot disease and mite attack indicate^that the feasibility of reducing the incidence of this pest and disease is remote through selection in the present varieties. At genotypic level yield showed significant positive correlation with length and girth of tuber, single tuber weight and utilization index. Sparsely branching plant type can be advantageously utilized for adopting closer spacing and thereby enhancing yield.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of super mother palms of coconut by seedling progeny analysis
    (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1983) Thomas Mathew; KAU; Gopimony, R
    Seedling progeny analysis was conducted in super mother palms of coconut (annual yield not less than 3Q0 nuts) in comparison with control mother palms (average mother palms with annual yield not less than 60 nuts). The aim was to evaluate these super palms for their prepotent ability to produce quality seedlings. The super mother palms were selected from different locations in Trivandrum and Quilon districts, and from the same locations, control mother palms were also selected. A seed lo t froi north Kerala (Badagara) collected by the State Department of Agriculture was also included. Observations were recorded on mother palms, samples on seed nuts collected from these palms, and on seedlings raised in a replicated field trial. Critical analysis of the compiled data showed super mother palms to be significantly superior to control palms In number of bunches and nuts per bunch. But the two types of mother palms failed to show significant differences in nut., and seedling characters. Among super palms, T4 showed superiority over rest of palms in mother palm, seed nut, and seedling characters. This super palm also registered the highest recovery of quality seedlings indicating its superior prepotent ability. Estimates on recovery of quality seedlings from total number of seed nuts was found to be more reliable than the recovery from total number of seedlings, as a measure of prepotency. Selection of super mother palms as prepotent trees, on the basis of nut yield alone was found to be non-viable Instead, a balance between nut size and number of nuts per bunch is sought. Significant correlations between seedling vigour index and seed nut characters (weight of unhusked nut, husked nut, and meat) led to elucidation of the linear relationships between vigour Index and seed nut characters for use as ready reckoners for improving mother palm selection programme. Significant correlations between seedling vigour index and seed nut characters (weight of unhusked nut, husked nut, and meat) led to elucidation of the linear relationships between vigour Index and seed nut characters for use as ready reckoners for improving mother palm selection programme. Studies on genetic parameters showed that a high amount of genetic factor is Involved in the expression of seed nut characters (weight of unhusked nut, husked nut, and meat) and seedling characters (germination percentage, height, girth-at-collar, number of leaves, leaf area, and age at leaf splitting) as evidenced by high GCV, heritability, coheritability and genotypic correlation values. The results obtained in this seedling progeny analysis will get absolute confirmation only on completion of an adult Progeny analysis
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of the F2 generation of interspecific hybrids of Abelmoschus with reference to yellow vein mosaic resistance and yield
    (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Honey Mathews; KAU; Gopimony, R
    A study was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1984-85 aimed at evaluating the F2 generation of interspecific hybrids between the yellow vein mosaic susceptible cultivars of Abelmoschus esculantus and the resistant semi-wild species. A manihot for yellow vein mosaic resistance and yield and selecting desirable F2 recombinants
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Induced mutagenesis for earliness in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
    (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1987) Gigi, K John; KAU; Sreekumar, S G
    A research programme was carried out to induce earliness in the promising groundnut variety EC.119704 by irradiating uniformly dried kernels witlri gamma rays at five doses viz., 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 krads. In the M-| generation, germination, survival, plant height and pollen fertility were estimated. In the M 2 generation, studies on chlorophyll mutations (frequency, spectrum and segregation ratio), viable mutations (frequency and spectrum) and economic mutants were carried out. Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency were also estimated. Germination and survival in the generation were found to decrease with Increasing doses. But the lowest dose of 10 krad stimulated germination and the higher doses retarded germination. The length of root and shoot decreased with increasing dose. The inhibition of root was more pronounced. Plant height recorded on 15th, 30th and 45th days was found to decrease with increasing doses. Pollen fertility showed an inverse relationship with the dose of gamma rays. Chlorophyll chimeras and morphological abnormalities were also observed.