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
Combining ability for yield and drought tolerance in cowpea
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 1993) Anilkumar, S G; KAU; Sreekumar S G, S G
A research programme was carried out at the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1991 to 92 with five lines, three testers and their fifteen F1s'. The data on sixteen characters were collected and subjected to line x tester analysis for estimating combining ability and gene action in the inheritance of drought tolerance, yield and related characters. Analysis showed that the line DPLC-198 had a positive and significant gca for leaf area index, grain filling period, number of pods per plant, hundred seed weight, grian yield per plant and biological yield. The line IC-38956 showed negative and significant gca for duration upto first flowering and duration upto maturity. The line DPLC-216 had positive and significant gca for grain filling period and hundred seed weight. The line V-240 for number of seeds per pod and VCM-8 for duration upto maturity showed significant gca. The tester C-152 showed significant positive gca for number of seeds per pod, grain yield per plant and biological yield and showed significant gca for duration upto maturity. The tester Chharodi-1 showed significant negative gca for duration upto first flowering and duration upto maturity. The tester Kanakamany showed significant positive gca for grain filling period, hundred seed weight and biological yield. DPLC-198 x chharodi-1 and IC-38956 x C-152 showed significant and negative sca for duration upto first flowering while DPLC-198 x Kanakamany, IC-38356 x Chharodi-1 and VCM-8 x Kanakamany showed significant negative sca for duration upto maturity. Significant negative sca for proline content was recorded by IC-38956 x C-152, V-240 x Chharodi-1 and DPLC-216 x Kanakamany. DPLC-216 x C-152 and DPLC-216 x Kanakamany recorded significant positive sca for filling period. A significant positive sca for number of pods per plant, grain yield per plant and biological yield was recorded by DPLC-198 x C-152. Leaf area index, number of seeds per pod and hundred seed weight which had additive gene action can be improved by selection. Number of pods per plant and proline content had non-additive gene action.Presence of additive and non- additive gene action with preponderance of non-additive gene action was noticed for duration upto first flowering, duration upto maturity, grain yield per plant and biological yield while preponderance of additive gene action was noticed for grain filling period. The characters that are controlled by non-additive genes or predominantly under the control of non-additive gene can be improved by recurrent selection and recombination breeding. Based on the gca estimates the lines DPLC-198 and IC-38956 and the testers C-152 and Chharodi-1 and the hybrids such as DPLC-198 x C-152, DPLC-198 x Chharodi-1, IC-38956 x C-152 and IC-38956 x Chharodi-1 were recommended for further utilization. Exploitation of heterosis normally is not a viable proposition in cowpea in the absence of easy methods of large scale production of hybrid seeds.
Open Access
Morphological Effect of Gamma Rays and EMS on Winged Bean [Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.)]
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Reeja Dharan, S; KAU; Kamalam, N
Seeds of winged bean [Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.)] variety PT-62 were subjected to induced mutagenesis using six doses of gamma rays (100 to 500 Gy) and six doses of EMS (40 to 200 mM) to obtain information on the extent of genetic variability that can be induced in the M1 generation. The germination percentage was observed to be decreased by both the mutagens, however the effect was more severe with gamma rays in the field study. But gamma rays caused a stimulation of germination and an earlier germination, at all the doses in the laboratory trials. Number of days taken to complete germination was not much affected by either of the mutagens in the field. The growth of root and shoot were reduced by gamma rays linearly with increase of dose and by EMS drastically at its highest dose, however gamma rays showed greater inhibition of shoot growth and EMS caused greater inhibition of root growth. Survival percentage was observed to be reduced by both mutagens, but EMS was of not much effect. Gamma rays caused a stimulatory effect at its lowest dose. Plant height was beneficially affected by gamma rays at the lowest dose and drastically reduced at higher doses. EMS caused not much variation in plant height. Chlorophyll chimeras and morphological variations were mostly observed in gamma rays treated populations. Morphological variations mostly included alteration in number, size and shape of leaves and size and colour of seeds. Earlier flowering was observed in lower doses of gamma rays, but higher doses caused delayed flowering. Days taken to first flowering was not affected by EMS treatments. Both mutagens exhibited not much effect on the number of days to last flowering. However gamma rays treated populations were in reproductive phase for longer period than EMS treated populations. Number of pods per plant and fruit yield per plant were not affected by EMS treatment. But lower dose of gamma rays caused a stimulatory effect, and thereafter a gradual reduction with increase in dose. Weight and length of pod were slightly increased by EMS treatment, and decreased linearly with increase in dose of gamma rays treatment. EMS caused no significant effect on number of seeds per pod, whereas gamma rays showed an inverse relationship with dose. Both the mutagens showed not much variation in hundred seed weight. Greater pollen sterility was induced by gamma rays treatments, but the effect of EMS was not pronounced. An insignificant increase in seed sterility was exhibited by both the mutagens. In the present investigation greater variability for morphological characters was produced by gamma rays than EMS in the M1 generation of winged bean.
Open Access
Genetics divergence in bhindi (abelmoschus esculentus (L.) moench)
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Bindu, K K; KAU; Manju, P
A study was conducted in the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period 1991-93. The main aim was to estimate the magnitude of genetic divergence in a collection of bhindi varieties to select suitable ones for use as parents for developing commercial hybrid varieties. The estimation of genetic parameters of important economic characters, the association among these characters, direct and indirect effects and D2 values were undertaken. Seventy genotypes of bhindi were evaluated in a RBD with three replications. The genotypes showed significant differences in most of the characters studied except fruiting phase and leaf axil bearing the first flower. Genotypic coefficient of variation was maximum for weight of fruits per plant and minimum for days to first flowering. Heritability estimate was maximum for length of fruit while it was minimum for leaf axil bearing the first flower. Genetic advance as percentage of mean was maximum for weight of fruits per plant. High hertibility coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for length of fruit, leaf area, weight of single fruit, height of the plant and weight of the fruits per plant. At genotypic level yield per plant showed positive correlation with all the characters studied. Path coefficient analysis at genotypic level revealed that the number of fruits per plant, weight of single fruit and number of branches exhibited high direct influence on yield. The study indicated that the model for selection of high yielding varieties of bhindi should be based on the number of fruits per plant, weight of single fruit and number of branches. D2 analysis revealed that the 70 genotypes were grouped into six clusters. Cluster I, II, III, IV, V and VI contained fifty seven, four, three, two, three and one genotypes respectively. The maximum divergence was obtained between clusters II and VI and the minimum between clusters I and IV. The intra cluster distance was maximum in cluster III and minimum in cluster IV. In future breeding programme for the development of heterotic hybrids parent may be selected from cluster II and VI for hybridization.
Open Access
Genetic variability in guinea grass
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Shajan, V R; KAU; Sreekumar, S G
Thirty guinea grass clones were evaluated in a field experiment laid out in an RBD with two replications at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1990. Data on nine biometric characters and fodder yield were collected and subjected to analysis of variance and co-variance. Genetic parameters like heritability, genetic advance and correlations were estimated. The path anlysis was done to assess the cause-effect relationship and discriminant function analysis was done to formulate selection index for identifying superior clones. The analysis of variance revealed significant difference with respect to all the characters except dry fodder yield. High genotypic and phenotypic variances were observed for number of panicles per hill, leaf length, and plant height. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were observed for number of panicles per hill, weight of seeds per hill and leaf-stem ratio indicating the presence of large amount of genetic variability. High heritability estimates were recorded for the leaf length, number of panicles per hill, protein percentage, leaf-stem ratio, leaf breadth, weight of seeds per hill, number of tillers per hill, plant height and leaf area index. High heritability along with high genetic advance observed for number of panicles per hill, weight of seeds per hill, leaf-stem ratio number of tillers per hill, length, leaf area index and leaf breadth indicates additive gene action and the reliability of these characters during selection. High positive genotypic correlation and significant positive phenotypic correlations of green fodder yield with dry fodder yield, plant height, leaf length and leaf area index indicate that selection based on any one of these characters will result in the improvement of green fodder yield. The yield components showed varying degrees of association among themselves. Correlation studies indicate that selection based on plant height, leaf length and leaf breadth will be effective in the improvement of fodder yield. Path analysis revealed that leaf area index had the maximum direct effect on green fodder yield followed by plant height and leaf-stem ratio. Number of tillers per hill exerted negative direct effect on green fodder yield. Based on the results of variability, correlation and path analysis it can be concluded that selection based on plant height, leaf area index and leaf-stem ratio will be effective for the improvement of fodder yield in guinea grass. A selection index was constructed and by practicing twenty per cent selection, six top ranking clones viz. FR 42, MC 14, FR 559, Mackuenii, FR 550 and MC 16 were identified for use in future breeding programmes.
Open Access
Effect of harvesting time in seednut characters in coconut
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Vanaja, T; KAU; Sreekumari Amma, J
On the west coast of India, seednuts are being harvested during the summer months (February to May). The present investigation was mainly to know whether the nuts harvested through out the year can be used for seednut purpose in komadan. An attempt was also made to find out the effect of season on the floral characters in the two varieties. Study on the effect of season on the manifestation of the various floral characters revealed that, in both Komadan and WCT, during February to May there was higher production of bunches having proportionately more female flowers resulting in higher nut yields. The study on mother palm characters revealed that the Komadan variety exhibited superiority over WCT in number of spadices per palm per year, number of nuts per bunch and annual nut yield per palm. Correlation studies in mother palm characters revealed that the principal yield components in Komadan were number of nuts per bunch, number of bunches per season and percentage fruitset, while in WCT, high yields were the resultant effect of number of nuts per bunch, number of female flowers per spadix, number of bunches per season, total number of female flowers and number of spadices. It was also observed that in both varieties when the number of female flowers per spadix increases the retention percentage gets reduced. Most of the correlations between floral and yield traits studied were found to be homogeneous at different times of harvest in both varieties, with more homogeneity in Komadan. Study on the effect of harvesting time on seednut characters revealed that February to May (hot weather periods) is the best period for seednut collection in both WCT and Komadan. This is based on the fact that the important seednut characters like copra content per nut, kernel weight, size of nut, husked nut weight and seednut quality index were found to be at its maximum for nuts harvested during summer months in both WCT and Komadan. The Komadan variety was found to be significantly superior to WCT in four seednut characters viz., weight of kernel, copra content per nut, weight of embryo and volume of nut water. Varietal difference affected only a very limited number of correlations among seednut characters. Most of the inter correlations among seednut characters were found to be homogeneous at different times of harvest in both Komadan and WCT. In both Komadan and WCT, among the seednut characters, weight of kernel was found to be highly correlated with copra content. Oil content was not correlated with any of the seednut characters in Komadan. But in WCT, it was found to be negatively correlated with kernel weight. Among the 15 seednut characters studied, five characters viz., equatorial diameter, weight of unhusked nut, weight of husked nut, weight of kernel and oil content contributed 90 per cent of the total variation explained by the 15 seednut characters on copra content per nut, in both Komadan and WCT. In both Komadan and WCT, the very limited variability for oil content was explained by the 15 seednut characters studied. In Komadan, yield of nuts was negatively correlated with equatorial diameter of nut, weight of unhusked nut and weight of husked nut. But in WCT, yield of nuts was negatively correlated with almost all seednut characters. Based on seednut qualities, hot weather periods (February to May) were found to be the most suitable time for seednut collection in both Komadan and WCT.
Open Access
Combining ability and gene action in greengram
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Sreekumar, S; KAU; Sumabai, D I
A research programme, consisting of three lines, five testers and fifteen hybrids, was carried out at the department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 1992-’93, to evaluate the combining ability and gene action for yield and drought tolerance under drought condition. The lines and testers were selected based on previous performance and crossed in line x tester manner. Observations were made on both yield and drought related characters. Significant differences among the treatments were observed for all characters except root/shoot ratio while crosses were found to be significantly not different for stomatal distribution. Combing ability analysis was carried out for all traits except stomatal distribution, as suggested by Kempthorne (1957). Specific combing ability effects were significant for all traits indicating non-additive gene action except for root length where only g c a was significant indicating additive gene action. Both additive and non-additive gene action were significant for root/shoot ratio, root spread, proline content, number of pods per plant, seed yield, biological yield and harvest index. Among lines, the best general combiner for various characters was PDM-139 followed by Pusa-103. Among testers, ML-131, can be selected as the best male parent followed by Co-2 and PDM-134. No specific cross combination was found to be significantly different for all traits. The varieties PDM-139, Pusa-103, ML-131, Co-2 and PDM-134, and the cross combinations Pusa-103 x Co-2, Pusa-103 x ML-131, PDM-139 x Pusa baisakhi, and PDM-146 x PDM-134 were recommended for further utilization.
Open Access
Interspecific cross- compatibility in the genus Abelmoschus
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Sindhu, S; KAU; Manikantan Nair, P
Interspecific cross – compatibility in the genus Abelmoschus was undertaken with the objective of probing into the reasons of low fruit and seed set in the interspecifc hybrids of Abelmoschus which may pave the way for the development of yellow vein mosaic resistant varieties through recombination breeding. Crossing was done between the local cultivar Abelmoschus esculentus var. Anacomban and two semi wild species (A. manihot and A. manihot ssp. Tetraphyllus). The fruit set in direct crosses of A. esculentus var. Anacomban x A. manihot and A. esculentus var. Anacomban x A. manihot ssp. Tetraphyllus was very low compared to the reciprocal crosses, exhibiting partial incompatibility consequent on the slow pollen tube growth of A. manihot and A. manihot ssp. tetraphyllus. The seed set was low in crossed fruits and there was recovery of shriveled seeds which may be attributed to the poor endosperm development. The crossed seeds exhibited good viability. All the hybrids exhibited field tolerance to yellow vein mosaic disease. The four hybrids recorded pollen sterility which may be attributed to meiotic abnormalities, due to difference in chromosome number between the species. The seed set in the hybrids was very low. The seed set was inversely proportional to pollen sterility. The lower the pollen sterility higher was the seed set. The F2 seeds showed reduction in seed weight which may be due to high seed sterility exhibited by the hybrids. The recovery of empty seeds which appeared normal may be ascribed to endosperm degeneration. The seed viability of F2 seeds was very low. The result leads to the conclusion that the reason for low fruit and seed set in interspecific hybridization in Abelmoschus may be due to partial incompatibility. The interspecific hybrids displayed hybrid sterility which may be attributed to the meiotic abnormalities consequent on the difference in the chromosome number between the parents. However, all the hybrids were not completely sterile. The hybrids exhibited field tolerance to yellow vein mosaic disease which is an added advantage. Back crossing the F1 as the seed parent to the A. esculentus var. Anacomban may overcome the hybrid sterility and pave way for the development of varieties with yellow vein mosaic resistance coupled with economic attributes of the popular cultivar Anacomban.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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