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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Genetic variability, path analysis and stability parameters in sesame
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1985) Sverup, John; KAU; Gopinathan Nair, V
Biometric analysis in a varietal collection of sesame was undertaken to study the genetic variability, correlations, path analysis and stability parameters. One hundred sesame types were evaluated in replicated trials at Vellayani in uplands during rabi and at Kayamkulam in rice fallows during summer. Genetic variability and correlations were estimated and path analysis worked out independently as both the locations. Location trials for estimating stability parameters were conducted at three places viz. in uplands during rabi at Pattambi and Vellayani and in rice fallows during summer at Kayamkulam. Large values for genotypic coefficients of variation were obtained for characters such as number of capsules on branches, number of capsules perplant, number of capsules on main stem and number of branches during rabi as well as summer. The lowest genotypic coefficient of variation was obtained for number of days to maturity during both rabi and summer. High values of heritability were recorded by seed protein content , seed oil content, height upto first capsule and weight of 1000 seeds under both conditions.
Open Access
Yield and its components in groundnut under partial shade in coconut garden
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1988) Rajasree, M R; KAU; Gopimony, R
A study on the parameters of variability, heritability and genetic advance and correlation of pod yield with other components were undertaken in thirtyone varieties of groundnut to select genotypes having good yield and adaptability under partially shaded conditions of coconut gardens. The study was conducted during kharif 1987 at the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, by raising the varieties in a randomised block design with four replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among varieties for the characters like plant height, first date of flowering , flowering duration, pod yield per plant on fresh weight basis, pod number per plant, mature to immature pod ratio, pod yield per plot on fresh and dry weight basis, 100 pod weight, 100 kernel weight, shelling percentage, halum yield per plant and per plot on fresh and dry weight basis, harvest index, photosynthetic efficiency at reproductive phase, leaf area index at reproductive phase and Cercospora leaf spot disease score. Analysis of variance for chlorophyll-a, b and total pigments revealed that there was no significant difference among the varieties with respect to chlorophyll pigment content. Analysis of variance for shade intensity measured in each plot during vegetative and reproductive phase indicated the presence of uniform shade in the experimental field. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability and genetic advance were observed for hundred pod weight and mature to immature pod ratio, suggesting the reliability of these characters during the selection programme for the improvement of this crop. Correlation analysis of dry pod yield per plot with twentyfour characters revealed that fresh pod yield per plot, fresh and dry pod yield per plant, pod number per plant, halum yield per plot on fresh and dry weight basis, harvest index and photosynthetic efficiency during reproductive phase showed relatively high genotypic correlation with dry pod yield per plot. The study indicated that for selecting an ideal plant type of groundnut for partially shaded conditions we have to look for the tallest, earliest flowering and vegetatively maximum vigorous individual plant.
Open Access
Potential for drought tolerance in cowpea
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Magie, Mereena; KAU; Sreekumar, S G
A research programme was carried out at the department of plant breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Trivandrum during 1988 with sixteen varieties of cowpea for studying the potential for drought tolerance. The date on twentysix characters and soil moisture percentage in different plots were collected and subjected to analysis of variance/covariance. The genetic variability and correlations were estimated for the characters contributing to drought tolerance, yield and its components. The path analysis was conducted using yield as the effect and seven components contributing to drought tolerance as causes. Analysis of variance for twentysix characters revealed that significant differences existed among varieties for all the characters except for root spread at vegetative period. The analysis of variance for soil moisture percentage showed no significant difference among experimental plots indicating uniform soil moisture status in all the plots. High genotypic coefficient of variation, moderate to high heritability and high genetic advance was shown by characters such as leaf area index at vegetative, flowering and harvest periods, number of pods per plant, hundred grain weight, and proline content. Harvest index also had moderately high heritability and genetic advance. This indicates the reliability of the above components during selection programmes for the improvement of yield. Grain yield per plot showed positive genotypic correlation with leaf area index at vegetative and flowering period, root spread at harvest period, number of pods per plant, root/shoot ratio at vegetative period, grain filling period, and plant height at maturity. Path analysis revealed that harvest index and leaf area index at vegetative period had maximum positive direct effect on yield. Based on the studies on variability, correlation and path analysis it can be concluded that a plant type. Suited to drought conditions should be early flowering with deep and wide spread root system, high root/shoot ratio and leaf area index at vegetative period, low proline content, few number of stomata, long grain filling period and medium duration resulting in the production of more number of pods per plant and high harvest index. The cowpea varieties UPC-124, DPLC-198 and DPLC-216, satisfying the above plant type can be considered as drought tolerant.
Open 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.
Open 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.
Open Access
Genetic variability, path analysis and stability parameters in sugarcane
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Sreekumar, S G; KAU; Gopinathan Nair, V
Investigations on genetic variability, path analysis and stability parameters wore conducted at the Sugarcane Research Station, Thiruvalla, Sugarcane Research Centre, Chittoor and Horticultural Research Station, Ambalavayal. The analysis of data collected from 48 clones evaluated at Thiruvalla revealed that the clones showed significant differences for all the 21 characters except Juiciness at 10th month in the first ratoon crop. The germination count on the 45th day, shoot count on the 180th day, number of late shoots at harvest, number of millable canes per plot, cane yield per plot and sugar yield per plot recorded moderate to high heritabiiity in the broad sense coupled with high genetic advance both in the plant and in the first ratoon crops indicating that selection based on these characters will be effective in improving cane and sugar yields. Correlation studies revealed that cane yield per plot had significant positive genotypic correlations with germination count on the 43th day, shoot count on the 180th day, number of millable canes per plot, cane weight and length of cane both in the plant and the first ratoon crops. Therefore, improvement in any one or more of these characters will result In a simultaneous improvement in the yiold of cane. Tho quality characters such as Juiciness, brix, pol and C.C.S. percentages at 12th month had positive but non-significant correlations with cane yield In ths plant crop and the first ratoon crop, suggesting difficulty in the simultaneous improvement of cane yield and quality characters through direct selection. The number of late shoots at harvest had highly significant positive genotypic and phenotypic correlations with the yield of cane in the first ratoon crop indicating that the number of late shoots at the time of harvest can be considered as a reliable criterion for the selection of clones with good yielding ability in the ratoon crop. Sugar yield recorded significant positive gonotypic correlations with cane yield and tho components of cane yield such as germination count on the 45th day, number of millable canes per plot, cane weight and length of cane. Sugar yiola also had significant positive genotypic correlations with brix, pol and C.C.S,percentages at 12th month, Tho significant positive gonotypic correlations of sugar yield with cane yield and its important components suggests that by increasing the cane yield, sugar yield per plot can be increased.
Open 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
Open Access
Genetic variability, path analysis and stability parameters in sesame
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1985) Sverup John; KAU; Gopinathan Nair, V
Biometric analysis in a varietal collection of sesame was undertaken to study the genetic variability, correlations, path analysis and stability parameters. One hundred sesame types were evaluated in replicated trials at Vellayani in uplands during rabi and at Kayamkulam in rice fallows during summer. Genetic variability and correlations were estimated and path analysis worked out independently as both the locations. Location trials for estimating stability parameters were conducted at three places viz. in uplands during rabi at Pattambi and Vellayani and in rice fallows during summer at Kayamkulam
Open 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

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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