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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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20151
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Subject: Plant Breeding and Genetics × Author: Anju, Vijayan × Start date: 1978 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic analysis of phenological variations for yield and quality in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)
    (College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Anju, Vijayan; KAU; Mareen, Abraham
    The present investigation entitled “Genetic analysis of phenological variations for yield and quality in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)” was taken up during the period from May, 2014 to January, 2015. The objective of the study was to understand the phenological variation in yield and quality attributes in turmeric. The intention of the study was to verify if earlier harvest yields better quality which is the widely held view among the farmers. Twelve genotypes of turmeric were evaluated under split plot design. Genotypes studied were Prabha, Prathibha, Kedaram, Alleppey Supreme, Suvarna, Sudarsana, Kanthi, Varna, Sona, Shobha, Suguna and Wayanad local. Data recorded at 160, 200 and 240 days after planting (DAP) suggest that the plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves, leaf length and leaf breadth differs significantly during the three dates of harvest. Plant height was the maximum at 240 DAP (97.08 cm). The maximum number of tillers was observed at 240 DAP (2.74), it was on par with 200 DAP (2.73). Leaf length recorded the maximum at 240 DAP (49.95 cm) and leaf breadth recorded maximum at 200 DAP (12.62 cm). Fresh rhizome yield per plant, dry rhizome yield per plant, fresh rhizome yield per plot, dry rhizome yield per plot and the quality parameters like oleoresin, starch, volatile oil and curcumin content differ significantly during the three dates of harvest and they were found to be the maximum at 240 DAP. There was no serious pest or disease incidence during the crop period. High values of phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for fresh yield per plant (31.02 and 30.93), volatile oil (25.23 and 24.89), curcumin (23.55 and 23.26), oleoresin (20.66 and 20.53), number of leaves (20.40 and 20.10) and number of tillers (20.40 and 19.09). Heritability was high for all characters studied except leaf breadth. GA was the highest for fresh yield per plant (63.53%). The positive phenotypic and genotypic correlation with fresh rhizome yield per plant was observed for plant height (0.766 and 0.773), oleoresin (0.708 and 0.716), starch (0.554 and 0.559), number of tillers (0.475 and 0.494), leaf breadth (0.340 and 0.487) and number of leaves (0.406 and 0.404). Path analysis revealed that plant height exhibited the highest positive direct effect on fresh yield per plant (0.7180) followed by number of tillers (0.3034). The highest selection index value was obtained by Sudarsana followed by Kedaram. In addition to this, the meteorological parameters like rainfall, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity and evaporation were also recorded during the crop period. Out of the three dates of harvest, third harvest (240 DAP) was found superior in terms of yield and quality. Sudarsana was the best genotype regarding fresh rhizome yield whereas Kedaram was best regarding dry rhizome yield. Maximum curcumin content was recorded by Kanthi and Varna. The characters plant height, number of tillers, fresh rhizome yield, number of leaves, oleoresin, volatile oil and curcumin can be used in selection of genotypes for developing superior varieties