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
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
Genetic divergence, prepotency and inbreeding depression in para rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.)
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Kavitha Mydin, K; KAU; Gopinathan Nair, V
A study on genetic divergence, prepotency and inbreeding depression in rubber was undertaken in an effort to identify clones for use as components of polyclonal seed gardens. Forty clones of Indian, Indonesian, Malaysian and Sri Lankan origin were evaluated in a replicated trial at the Rubber Research Institute of India. Genetic variability, correlations and the cause and effect relationships of dry rubber yield and its components were worked out. Genetic divergence was estimated employing the Mahalanobis' D2 techinique. The factors of divergence were identified through principal factor analysis. Twenty promising clones from genetically divergent clusters were subjected to seedling progeny analyses for the estimation of propotency based on performance of their open pollinated seedling progenies and inbreeding depression in the first generation of selfing. Significant clonal variation was revealed in respect of all the physiological, morphological and structural attributes studied as mean values for the fourth year of tapping for the stress period and for the peak yield period. High genetic variability for volume of latex under stress, plugging index under stress, annual mean dry rubber yield and dry rubber yield during the stress and peak periods was indicated by the high estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation. Additive gene effects offering scope for improvement through selection was indicated for dry rubber yield, latex flow rate and volume of latex during the three periods, girth increment rate, annual mean plugging index and plugging index under stress, by the moderate to high heritability estimates along with high genetic advance for these traits. Non- additive gene action was indicated by the high heritability and low genetic advance for dry rubber content during the three periods, girth and bark thickness. At both genotypic and phenotypic levels, annual mean dry rubber yield showed moderate to high positive correlations with dry rubber content and latex flow rate during the three periods, girth, girth increment rate, length of the tapping panel and bark thickness and negative correlations with yield depression under stress and plugging index during the three periods. Dry rubber yield under stress emerged as a more important component than peak dry rubber yield by its higher magnitude of positive direct effect on annual mean dry rubber yield. Latex flow rate during the stress and peak periods and annual mean volume of latex exhibited high positive direct effects on annual mean dry rubber yield while plugging index during the peak yield period, volume of latex under stress and girth increment rate had negative direct effects on annual mean dry rubber yield. The magnitude and direction of the effects of the components on dry rubber yield during the three periods varied indicating these relationships to be under different genetic control. Selection for a high dry rubber yield under stress, annual mean volume of latex and latex flow rate during the stress and peak periods and against a high plugging index during the peak period, volume of latex under stress and girth increment rate would help achieve improvement in annual mean dry rubber yield. Considerable genetic diversity was revealed by the wide range of D2 values and intra and inter cluster distances. The forty clones were grouped into eight genetically divergent clusters irrespective of their country of origin indicating the absence of any relationship between geographical diversity and genetic divergence. Volume of latex, plugging index, latex flow rate, dry rubber content and dry rubber yield contributed more towards divergence than the morphological and structural attributes. Supporting evidence was obtained from principal factor analysis which revealed the yield factor to be the main factor of divergence with respect to the clusters studied. Junveile rubber yield on test tapping, number of latex vessel rows and number of leaf flushes in seedling progenies exhibited high heritability and genetic advance indicating scope for their use as early selection parameters, while girth exhibited high heritability and low genetic advance. These three traits showed significant positive correlations with juvenile rubber yield, of which girth exhibited the strongest association. Juvenile rubber yield, number of latex vessel rows, girth and number of leaf flushes were identified as important traits for being accorded simultaneous emphasis in the computation of performance index and index scores for the determination of recovery of superior seedlings as estimates of prepotency. Nine clones were identified as likely preopotents on the basis of seedling progeny analysis at the age of two years. Selfing resulted in a lower fruit set than open pollination in the clones in general. No significant inbreeding depression was recorded for juvenile vegetative traits and rubber yield in seedlings. Clones PB 28/83, PB 215, RRII 105, AVT 73, PB 217, PB 252, Ch 26, PB 242 and PB 5/51 were identified as likely prepotents from three genetically divergent clusters. They recorded superiority for yield and various yield components. These clones exhibited synchrony in flowering and are suggested as components of a nine parent polyclonal seed garden. For a seven parent seed garden the clones suggested to be excluded are PB 5/51 and PB 242. A polyclonal seed garden comprising these nine or seven clones as components could generate good quality polycross seed material. Appropriate seed garden layouts have been suggested.
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
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
Genetic resources utilisation and biometric analysis in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1983) Pushkaran, K; KAU; Gopinathan Nair, V
Maximising the production, of vegetable oils in the country is one of the badly felt national needs for which the improvement in the productivity of groundnut, the major oilseed crop of the country, deserves the best attention. As a crop, groundnut has wide adaptability and a number of other favourable attributes. Breeding improved varieties suited to the two major areas of groundnut cultivation viz, the traditional uplands during kharif land the non-traditional, but potential rice fallows during summer is an immediate necessity for popularising the crop in this State. Germplasm collection, evaluation and utilisation constitute the basic approaches in the genetic improvement of any crop. Hence this investigation. Eighty eight divergent varieties of groundnut were collected from different sources and subjected to preliminary evaluation in uplands during kharif. Ninety three varieties were evaluated in rice fallows during summer. These varieties showed wide variability in general performance, yield and other attributes within and between the situations. AH-6915 in uplands and TG-3 in rice fallows were the highest yielders. Several varieties were better in yield than the recommended varieties, viz., TMV-2 and TMV-7. A few varieties such as TG-14 end Spanish Improved were consistently superior at both' the situations.
Open Access
Induction of genetic recombinations in interspecific crosses of Abelmoschus
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Sheela, M N; KAU; Manikantan, Nair P
A study was undertaken at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1990-91 aimed at inducing recombinations of the economic attributes of Bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) and the yellow vein mosaic disease resistance of wild relatives. A preliminary evaluation of 56 accessions revealed good genetic diversity in Bhindi germplasm. The accessions were grouped into four clusters. The characterization of germplasm was done based on IBPGR descriptors. High genotypic coefficients of variation were exhibited by weight of fruits per plant, leaf area, height of plant, number of fruits per plant, single fruit weight and number of branches per plant indicating scope for selection. High heritability along with high genetic advance was recorded for weight of fruits per plant, height of plant, leaf area and number of seeds per fruit. Low heritability coupled with low genetic advance recorded for yellow vein mosaic disease incidence indicated the predominant role of environment in the inheritance of disease resistance.
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
The stability analysis done for component characters on cane yield and sugar yield gave an insight in to the characters contributing to yield stability across environments. Among the cane yield and its most important components viz. number of millable canes per plot and girth of cane the absence of G x E interaction itself is an indication that these characters are stable across environments. The other components of cane yield such as cane weight and length of cane had significant linear components of G x E interaction alone suggesting the stability of these characters. In sugar yield and its more important components viz. brix and pol percentage, the pooled deviations were highly significant suggesting the unpredictability and unstable nature of these quality characters across environments. Therefore, for breeding stable varieties across environments due weightage must be given for characters like number of millable canes per plot, cane weight, girth of cane and cane yield per plot.
Open Access
Genetic analysis of brown planthopper resistance in rice
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1988) Rema Bai, N; KAU; Gopinathan Nair, V
The Brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stal), has become a serious threat to rice production throughout Asia. Very extensive losses have occurred in India, Indonesia, and the Phylippines. The most severe outbreak in India occurred in Kerala during 1973-74 in ‘Kole’ lands of Trichur district and ‘Kuttanad’ area of Kottayam and Alleppey districts. Although insecticides provide effective control, this approach is expensive and creates problems of environmental pollution. Resistant varieties can provide protection and insurance against this insect pest at no extra cost and with no danger from chemical residues. Very little work has been done in Kerala to identify sources of resistance to the local biotype of BPH and on the genetic basis of BPH resistance. The major objectives of the present investigation were to identify sources of resistance to BPH and to conduct genetic analysis and understand the mode of inheritance of BPH resistance. One hundred and nine rice types were studied for their reaction to BPH through the bulk seedling test at the seedling stage and tiller test and honeydew experiment at the tillering stage. Out of them 41 were found to be resistant, 22 moderately resistant, 13 moderately susceptible and 33 highly susceptible. In the tiller test, 31 out of the 41 resistant varieties were resistant, nine moderately resistant and one moderately susceptible. The thirty one types found resistant under tiller test were subjected to honeydew experiment, out of which 30 were found to be resistant and one was moderately resistant. 2 The inheritance of resistance was studied in eight types selected from among the 30 types proved to be resistant in all the three tests. They were crossed with the susceptible variety TN1 and the F1, F2 and F3 generations were studied by bulk seedling test, tiller test and honeydew experiment. F1 seedlings were also screened by bulk seedling test, tiller test and honeydew experiment. The F2 progenies were screened by the bulk seedling test and tiller test. The F3 seedlings were screened by bulk seedling test only. The F2 and F3 progenies were scored separately as resistant and susceptible types and the observed segregation ratios were tested against the expected by applying the test of goodness of fit. The F1s of all the eight crosses were resistant indicating that resistance in each of the eight types was governed by dominant gene. The F2 populations of all the eight crosses segregated in the ratio of 3 resistant : 1 susceptible indicating that a single dominant gene governed resistance in each of the eight resistant types. F3 breeding behaviour of the nine F2 resistant plants from each of the eight crosses confirmed the monogenic control of resistance over susceptibility. Two dominant genes Bph1 and Bph3 were identified at IRRI (Bph1 in variety Mudgo and Bph3 in RatuHeenati). In the present study, Mudgo containing Bph1 and RatuHeenati with Bph3 gene were not resistant. Hence it is assumed that the dominant resistant gene identified in the present study is neither Bph1 nor Bph3. 3 Diallele crosses were made between six resistant types selected based on diverse origin. The F1 and F2 progenies of the 15 combinations were studied to get information on the allelie relationship between the resistance genes. The F1 progenies of all the crosses were resistant and the F2 progenies were homogeneous for resistance. This lead to the conclusion that all the six types have the same dominant gene for resistance. All the six resistant types were isogenic and hence all of them are expected to carry a dominant gene for BPH resistance other than Bph1 and Bph3. The present study has thus made available several types resistant to the local biotype of BPH and also enabled the location of a new dominant gene conferring resistance to this biotype. These results and the materials made available can form the basis for a more effective breeding approach for BPH resistance in this region.
Open Access
Fruit component and seedling progeny analysis of komadan coconut types
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Manju, P; KAU; Gopimony, R
The present study was undertaken with a view to unravel the genetic status of a coconut type, Komadan, popular in the Central Travancore region of Kerala, in relation to its origin by comparing its three generations with WCT and NCD through fruit component and seedling progeny analysis. The study revealed that the Komadan types showed significant superiority for majority of the mother palm characters especially number of bunches and spadices and number of nuts per palm per year. Number of nuts per palm per year and number of female flowers per bunch had high heritability combined with moderate to high genetic advance indicating the predominance of additive genes. Among the Komadan palms, 33 per cent were of self pollinating nature thereby occupying a position in between WCT and NCD regarding pollination system. All the Komadan palms had nuts of different shades of brown while 70 per cent of WCT palm had nuts of green shade and NCD palms had varying shades of green, olive and brown nuts indicating the distinction of Komadan as a separate group. Komadan types were superior to WCT in all seednut characters except polar diameter of nut, oil content, thickness of husk and husk/nut ratio. It behaved as a distinct type regarding thickness of meat. One or the other of the Komadan generations was found to be on par with NCD for majority of the seednut characters. Komadan types occupied an area midway between NCD and WCT based on Niu kafa-Niu vai Introgression hypothesis with a clear progression through generations towards better weight of unhusked nut. Inbreeding depression was noticed in WCT and NCD as indicated by significant reduction in embryo and kernel weight in selfed nuts compared to open pollinated nuts. In Komadan there was no inbreeding depression indicating a high degree of homozygosity. The seednuts of Komadan types showed early germination compared to WCT and NCD. Regarding seedling characters, Komadan behaved as a distinct type for total leaf area over both WCT and NCD. Number of seedlings with split leaves was also more in Komadan. This type was superior to WCT for seedling vigour index also. Estimation of prepotency based on recovery of quality seedlings showed that 40 to 60 per cent of Komadan palms were prepotent where as the same in WCT and NCD were only about 20 per cent. Analysis of petiole colour of seedlings showed that 71 to 82 per cent of seedlings among the three Komadan generations showed moderates brown colour (bronze) ; 97 per cent of WCT seedlings had different shades of green and wider variations in petiole colour were noticed in NCD seedlings. It can be concluded that the Komadan type maintained its genetic identity over generations with respect to economically important characters viz. Kernel, copra, and oil content and also in the recovery of quality seedlings which inturn reflects its prepotent nature. The collection and maintenance of typical komadan germplasm through inter se crossing and development of isolated seed gardens for large scale production of komadan seedlings are suggested as future line of work.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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