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

Reset filters
Subject: Plant Breeding × End date: 1991 ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 45
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen 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. 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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of bhindi hybrids for yield and its components
    (Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Sheela, M N; Manikantan, Nair, P
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic studies on induced viable mutants in rice [Oryza sativa L.)
    (Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1985) Vijayagopal, P D; Gopinathan, Nair V
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic analysis of productivity parameters in horsegram
    (Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 1991) Elizabeth, Mathew; Ramachandran Nair, N
    A study on the parameters of variability, correlation and path coefficient were undertaken in forty eight horsegram varieties. The study was conducted at the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during Rabi 1989. The varieties showed significant differences in all the characters studied. Genotypic coefficient of variation was maximum for days to flowering and minimum for length of pod. High heritability estimates were observed for hundred seed weight and days to flowering. Genetic gain was maximum for days to flowering. Hundred seed weight and days to flowering recorded high heritability and high genetic gain indicating the presence of additive gene action. At the genotypic level seed yield showed high positive correlation with harvest index and number of pods per plant. Path coefficient analysis projected number of pods per plant, length of pod and number of branches as the traits exerting high positive direct effect on seed yield. The study indicated that the model for plant selection in horsegram should be one with more number of branches, long pods and more number of pods per plant. The varieties P. Palayam, CODB-1, Calicut local, PLS-6056 and No.447 were found to fit in this model.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Analysis of Maturity related Characters and Identification of Early Maturing Varieties in Groundnut
    (Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 1990) Sunil Kumar, A C; KAU; Sverup John
    With the intention of identifying suitable superior early maturing genotypes for intensive cultivation in the summer rice fallows of Kerala, a study was conducted for determining the time of optimum physiological maturity of twelve bunch type groundnut genotypes by analyzing the various maturity related component characters in staggered harvests. The twelve test genotypes and the yield and duration checks were staggered harvested at 70, 80, 90, 100 and 110 DAS. The characters that were put to study in each harvest included the height of plant, number and percentage of mature pods, pod yield, 100 pod weight, 100 kernel weight, shelling percentage, percentage of sound mature kernels, haulms yield, harvest index and oil percentage. Analysis of the various parameters in different genotypes indicated that peak pod yield and time of optimum maturity were closely associated with peak performances of components like number of mature pods, 100 pod weight, 100 kernel weight, sound mature kernel percentage and shelling percentage. It was also noted that the genotypes gave fairly high oil percentage at the time of optimum maturity. The genotypes IES 882, IES 883. IES885, ICGS(E) 21, ICGS(E) 52, ICGS(E) 121, Dh(E) 20 and Dh(E) 32 attained optimum physiological maturity at 90 DAS due to attainment of peak values for the various maturity related component characters. A critical appraisal however showed that the genotypes ICGS (E) 52 and IES 883 exhibited significantly superior performance over the remaining genotypes and the yield and duration checks at 90 DAS. The genotypes ICGS (E) 52 and IES 883 may be recommended for intensive cultivation in the summer rice fallows of Kerala owing to realization of high yield and yield attributes, combined with early maturity. ICGS (E) 52 ranked first with a pod yield 12.85 g per plant, 100 pod weight of 88.6 g and 100 kernel weight of 38.1 g. The genotype IES 883 stood second in performance with a pod yield of 12.00 g per plant, 100 pod weight of 88.3 g and 100 kernel weight of 36.2 g. Both the genotypes exhibited appreciably high performance for shelling percentage and sound mature kernel percentage also.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic analysis of productivity in relation to maturity in bunch groundnut
    (Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1991) Ramakrishnan, M; KAU; Gopinathan Nair, V
    A preliminary evaluation of 63 bunch type of groundnut revealed that the genotypic coefficient of variation was highest for number of immature pods per plant which indicated the maximum genetic variability for the trait and lowest for oil content which indicated low variability for the trait. High heritability along with moderate genetic advance was obtained for shelling percentage and 100 kernel weight which showed the importance of additive genes in their control. A maturity index was formulated and on its basis the 63 types were classified in to three groups namely, extra early, early and medium. In the extra early group, 100 pod weight and 100 kernel weight were important components for pod yield. In the early group. Number of mature pods per plant, shelling percentage and 100 kernel weight were important components for pod yield. In the medium group, number of mature pods per plant, shelling percentage and 100 kernel weight were important components for pod yield. For oil yield in all the three groups, pod yield and shelling percentage were the important components. Line x Tester analysis with six extra early types as lines and three high productive types as testers indicated predominance of sca variance over gca variance indicating pre ponderance of non – additive gene action over additive for the traits studied. Chico was the best general combiner for earliness and TMV 2 was the best general combiner for pod yield. High yielding extra early recombinants were selected at 80 days after sowing from the 18 Fz populations for further testing and selection.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen 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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Progeny studies of interspecific crosses of abelmoschus
    (Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 1988) Renie Alex, KAU; Nair, N R
    A study was conducted at the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1987-’88 aimed at evaluating the F4 generation of interspecific hybrids between two yellow vein mosaic susceptible cultivars of Abelmoschus esculentus and the resistant semi-wild species, A. manihot for yellow vein mosaic resistance and yield. The estimation of genetic parameters of important economic characters, the association among these characters and the path coefficient analysis were undertaken. The F4 progeny lines were evaluated in an RBD with three replications. The genotypes showed significant differences in most of the characters studied. Genotypic coefficient of variation was maximum for number of branches per plant and minimum for first fruiting node. Plant height, days to flowering and fruiting phase showed high heritability and appreciable genetic advance while number of seeds per fruit recorded moderately high heritability and appreciable genetic advance indicating the presence of additive gene action. Number of branches per plant, fruit girth and yellow vein mosaic intensity exhibited high heritability and low genetic advance, while weight of single fruit, fruit length and shoot and fruit borer incidence recorded moderately high heritability and low genetic advance. Correlation studies revealed that number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruiting phase, number of flowers per plant, weight of single fruit, percentage fruit set, fruit length, fruit girth and number of seeds per fruit exhibited positive correlation to yield and could be considered as the major yield attributing characters. Path coefficient analysis projected number of fruits per plant and plant height as the traits exerting high positive direct effect on yield, while number of branches per plant, number of flowers per plant and fruit length exerted high positive indirect effect on yield through number of fruits per plant. The study indicated that the model for selection of a high yielding variety of bhindi should be based on number of fruits per plant, plant height, number of flowers per plant, fruit length and number of branches per plant. However, scoring for yellow vein mosaic intensity in the F4 progenies revealed that plants resembling the wild parent A.manihot in its short stature, lesser number of branches, increased fruit girth and number of seeds per fruit were resistant to the disease. However, since the fruits of these plants did not conform to the quality standards of cultivated bhindi and had higher percentage of shoot and fruit borer incidence, they were not selected. Plants resistant to the disease and resembling the cultivated bhindi were selected to carry forward to the next generation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen 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.