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 analysis of F2 and F3 generations for yield attributes and resistances to distortion mosaic virus disease in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Sumarani, P; KAU; Arya, K
The research project "Genetic analysis of F2 and F3 generations for yield attributes and resistance to distortion mosaic virus disease in bittergourd (Momordica charantia L.)" was carried out in Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 2002-2003. The major objectives of the study were to understand the genetics of yield attributes and resistance to bittergourd distortion mosaic virus (BDMV) and to identify resistant genotype with desirable yield traits. The whole investigation was grouped into two experiments in Randomised Block Design with three replication. The F2 and F3 generation of three selected crosses and parents were evaluated for yield attributes and resistance to BDMV. Significant variation was noticed for almost all characters except anthesis of male and female flowers. Highest phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were observed for BDMV followed by fruit yield and fruit weight in both generations. High heritability coupled with high genetic gain was noted for fruit weight, fruit yield and coefficient of infection. These characters are controlled mainly by additive genes which rendered scope for direct selection . . High yield was achieved by higher sex ratio, higher fruit weight, long fruit, optimum number of female flowers and low incidence ofBDMV. Based on the results from populations derived from the crosses IC68335 x Preethi and lC 68263B x Preethi as the best genotypes with high yield and resistance to bitter gourd distortion mosaic virus (BDMV) consecutively in both generations.
Open Access
Morphological, Biochemical and Molecular Markers for the Genetic Analysis of Cashew(Anacardium occidentale L.)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Usha Vani, D; KAU; Jayalekshmy, V G
The research project' Morphological, biochemical and molecular markers for the genetic analysis of cashew' was carried out in the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 2000-2002. The major objectives of the study were to fingerprint cashew genotypes based on genetic analysis carried out and the genetic relationship deduced between the morphological, biochemical and molecular parameters studied and also to identify genetically diverse genotypes among those selected for the study to be used in breeding programmes. The study revealed that among the fourteen characters selected i.e., tree height, tree girth, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, canopy spread, leaf area, number of panicles m", number of nuts m", number of perfect flowers m", apple weight, nut weight, kernel weight, shelling percentage and nut yield, all showed significant variation except number of primary branches. Number of perfect flowers m", number of nuts m", apple weight, nut weight and kernel weight provide a clear seperation of the genotypes. Correlation and path studies revealed tree height and number of nuts m" had significant positive correlation and direct effect on yield. Tree girth showed positive correlation but significant negative direct effect on yield. Number of primary branches showed significant positive direct effect but a significant negative correlation with yield. Apple weight showed significant negative correlation and significant negative direct effect with yield. Genetic divergence studied using Mahalanobis D2 analysis revealed H-1593 to be the most divergent genotype. Cluster' analysis could group them into four clusters. The members of Cluster I (Sulabha, Priyanka and P-3-2) and Cluster II (Mdk-L, AKM-l and K~22-1) were found to be best suited for hybrdisation being the farthest. Biochemical studies on phenol and tannin content could group the twelve genotypes into those with high and low .contents. The genotype H-1593 had the lowest phenol content. Seed storage protein studies could distinguish K-22-1 from all others by a single unique band. Isozyme analysis in cashew showed only high initial rate of reaction. Further studies to standardise the protocol for isozyme studies needs to be done. Molecular studies involved RAPD analysis using four primers which gave 44 amplification products out of which 30 (68.19 per cent) were found to be polymorphic. Two primers OPP-5 and OPP-IO could distinguish varieties Mdk-2 and Mdk-l with amplicons 22 and 25 respectively. Dendrogram constructed based on the study grouped together Kanaka and Dharasree; Mdk-l and Mdk-2 and H-1600 and P-3-2 with the latter two being the closest of all. On comparative study, H-1600 (Damodar) was tied to Dharasree in biochemical studies and with P-3-2 in molecular studies. In morphological studies also, it was placed close to P-3-2 indicating the proximity of Indian accessions with those of South America. Kanaka and Dharasree were tied together both in morphological and molecular studies but both were diverse by pedigree. Similarly, AKM-l and Dhana were placed close together in the three studies both of which were diverse by pedigree. H-1593 and H-1591 were found to be close in molecular and morphological studies. AKM-l and Mdk-l,Bapatla accessions and early flowering varieties, were closer in both morphological and molecular studies. It can be said that pedigree is not completely answerable to variability. The study had revealed a similar trend for morphological and molecular markers in deducing the genetic divergence. Biochemical markers need more refinement so as to get as precise information as has been obtained for the characterisation of the genotypes through molecular studies.
Open Access
Compatibility studies of three way crosses in anthurium andreanum linden
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Premna, Varghese; KAU; Mayadevi, P
The evaluation of morphological characters and compatibility analysis of 14 selected genotypes was undertaken in the present study titled "Compatibility studies of three way crosses in Anthurium andreanum Linden. The analysis of variance revealed significant variation among the 14 genotypes for the 18 characters studied. This reveals genetic potential for crop improvement. Variability studies indicated high phenotypic, and genotypic coefficients of variation for the characters internode length, number of leaves and spadices per plant per year and days from emergence to maturity of leaves. The characters with high heritability coupled with high genetic advance values were leaf area, anthocyanin content and inclination of candle indicating additive gene action. Plant height was found to be positively correlated with number of leaves or spadices per plant per year. Candle length had positive genotypic correlation with position of candle. Pollen fertility ranged from 9.26 per cent in PR x DT to 35.70 per cent in Carre. Pollen emergence was completely absent in the genotype W x LJ during the course of the study. Pollen production was high in the r, cooler months of October to December and was suppressed in the months from March to June. From the cross compatibility analysis, it was seen that the percentage of fruit bearing candles was highest for W x LJ (100.00 %) with two crosses. The cross PR x LR with all the possible four crosses gave a value of 79.15 per cent. The number of fruits per candle ranged from 12 to 120. 00 x KR had the highest average number of fruits per candle and it was lowest for 00 x PR. The percentage of fruit set was below 50 per cent for all the crosses. The crosses involving 00 x KR had the highest average percentage of fruit set. The number of days taken for germination varied from four to nine days. The seed germination was highest (87.30 %) for the cross (00 x KR) x H. No cross showed 100 per cent survival beyond four to six months. For PR x LR with all the possible four crosses, the survival percentage was 56.80 per cent. Scoring of the compatibility reactions based on the percentage of fruiting candles, fruit set and seed germination on a scale ranging from zero to nine showed the highest compatibility score of nine for (00 x KR) x C. The best female parents identified were 00 x KR and PR x LR based on the overall performance.
Open Access
Stability analysis of selected mutants of coleus (Solenostemon rotundifolius[Poir.] J.K.Morton)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2003) Shinoj, P; KAU; Mareen Abraham
Stability analysis of fourteen mutants of Coleus comprising of eleven promising mutants, two released varieties and one local cultivar was conducted at four locations in four districts of Kerala, namely, Palakkad, Malappuram, Thrissur and Ernakulam during Khariff, 2001. The selected mutants showed significant differences for many of the economic traits over locations. For increasing the tuber yield in Co le us, selection should be based on low tuber number, low starch content and high protein content. Further the tubers should be white coloured, delicious, non-groovy and smooth. The study revealed that the ideal plant architecture in Coleus should have optimum tuber number, white coloured delicious non-groovy tubers with optimum starch and protein content, good texture and medium flavour. The stability analysis identified mutants '641' and '352' as the most stable high yielding well adapted genotype for many of the economic traits over locations.
Open Access
Morphological, biochemical and molecular markers for the genetic analysis of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Usha Vani, D; KAU; Jayalekshmy, V G
The research project ‘ Morphological, biochemical and molecular markers for the genetic analysis of cashew’ was carried out in the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 2000-2002. The major objectives of the study were to fingerprint cashew genotypes based on genetic analysis carried out and the genetic relationship deduced between the morphological, biochemical and molecular parameters studied and also to identify genetically diverse genotypes among those selected for the study to be used in breeding programmes. The study revealed that among the fourteen characters selected i.e., tree height, tree girth, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, canopy spread, leaf area, number of panicles m*, number of nuts m‘ , number of perfect flowers m ', apple weight, nut weight, kernel weight, shelling percentage and nut yield, all showed significant variation except number of primary branches. Number of perfect flowers 2 2 m' , number of nuts m ', apple weight, nut weight and kernel weight provide a clear seperation of the genotypes. Correlation and path studies revealed tree height and number of nuts m'2 had significant positive correlation and direct effect on yield. Tree girth showed positive correlation but significant negative direct effect on yield. Number of primary branches showed significant positive direct effect but a significant negative correlation with yield. Apple weight showed significant negative correlation and significant negative direct effect with yield. Genetic divergence studied using Mahalanobis D2 analysis revealed H-1593 to be the most divergent genotype. Cluster analysis could group them into four clusters. The members of Cluster I (Sulabha, Priyanka and P-3-2) and Cluster II (Mdk-I, AKM-1 and K-22-1) were found to be best suited for hybrdisation being the farthest. Biochemical studies on phenol and tannin content could group the twelve genotypes into those with high and low contents. The genotype H-1593 had the lowest phenol content. Seed storage protein studies could distinguish K-22-1 from all others by a single unique band. Isozyme analysis in cashew showed only high initial rate of reaction. Further studies to standardise the protocol for isozyme studies needs to be done. Molecular studies involved RAPD analysis using four primers which gave 44 amplification products out of which 30 (68.19 per cent) were found to be polymorphic. Two primers OPP-5 and OPP-10 could distinguish varieties Mdk-2 and Mdk-1 with amplicons 22 and 25 respectively. Dendrogram constructed based on the study grouped together Kanaka and Dharasree; Mdk-1 and Mdk-2 and H-1600 and P-3-2 with the latter two being the closest of all. On comparative study, H-1600 (Damodar) was tied to Dharasree in biochemical studies and with P-3-2 in molecular studies. In morphological studies also, it was placed close to P-3-2 indicating the proximity of Indian accessions with those of South America. Kanaka and Dharasree were tied together both in morphological and molecular studies but both were diverse by pedigree. Similarly, AKM-1 and Dhana were placed close together in the three studies both of which were diverse by pedigree, H-1593 and H-1591 were found to be close in molecular and morphological studies. AKM-1 and Mdk-1,Bapatla accessions and early flowering varieties, were closer in both morphological and molecular studies. It can be said that pedigree is not completely answerable to variability.' The study had revealed a similar trend for morphological and molecular markers in deducing the genetic divergence, Biochemical markers need more refinement so as to get as precise information as has been obtained for the characterisation of the genotypes through molecular studies.
Open Access
Genatic variability and characterisation in wax type chilli (capsicum annuum L.)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Mini, S; KAU; Abdul Khader, K M
The present study entitled “Genetic variability and characterisation in wax type chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). was conducted at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, during 2002-2003. The data for investigation was collected from a field experiment laid out in Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The 25 genotypes included in the study showed significant difference for the 14 traits. The maximum values for phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were recorded for green fruit yield per plant and the minimum values for number of days to first flowering. PCV and GCV were high for fruit yield, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, 100-seed weight and fruit length. Fruiting span, 100-seed weight, fruit length, average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant and number of secondary branches showed high heritability coupled with high genetic advance. Yield per plant was positively correlated with plant height, average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, fruit width, 100-seed weight, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, plant spread and fruit length. Path analysis revealed high positive direct effects of number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight with yield. Hence selection for these characters can improve yield. The 25 genotypes were grouped into nine clusters based on Mahalanobis D2 statistic. Cluster II was the largest with seven genotypes while cluster VIII and IX with one genotype each were the smallest. Intercluster distance was maximum between III and IX while intracluster distance was maximum in VII. Cluster III containing three genotypes and cluster VIII containing a single genotype was found to be superior to the other clusters in respect of desirable characters. The genotypes also obtained high ranks when ranked on the basis of selection index. Morphological characterisation of the genotypes with respect to six morphological traits viz., Plant growth habit, branching, leaf density, fruit shape, fruit surface and fruit cross sectional corrugation was also done. The high yielding types viz., Honnavar Local, Payyannur local, Periya local, Para local and Hungarian Wax identified from the study could be used as parents in crop improvement to evolve high yielding varieties.
Open Access
Variability studies in fodder sorghum sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Bini, K; KAU; Suma Bai, D I
A research programme was carried out in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during August to November 2002 with the objective of estimating the variability in important economic characters and to select superior accessions of fodder sorghum .The experiment was conducted using 50 accessions of fodder sorghum collected from ICRISAT adopting a randomized block design with two replications. Data collected on eleven characters were subjected to statistical analysis. Coefficients of variation, heritability, genetic advance, correlation among the characters, path analysis and selection index were estimated. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference among the accessions for all the characters. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were high for leaf weight per plant, green fodder yield, number of leaves per plant, leaf area index and number of tillers per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance for plant height at harvest, leaf weight per plant and green fodder yield revealed the presence of additive gene action. Hence simple pedigree method will be effective for improvement of these traits. Correlation studies indicated that crude protein content, leaf weight per plant, plant stand after germination, leaf area index and plant height at harvest exhibited significant positive correlation with green fodder yield. Leaf weight per plant exhibited the highest positive direct effect on green fodder yield followed by leaf area index and plant height at harvest. Based on selection index with respect to eleven characters studied, ten superior accessions were selected by exercising 20 per cent selection. They were Acc. Nos.11079, 11026, 11446, 680, 11456, 670, 11128, 11298, 1005 and 902.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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