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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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Subject: Plant Breeding and Genetics × Author: Jeevan, S × Author: KAU × End date: 2020 × Start date: 2013 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Characterisation of drought tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Jeevan, S; KAU; Rose, Mary Francies
    Moisture stress during the crop ontogeny has been one of the main constraints for sustainable rice productivity, especially in uplands. Crop losses vary depending upon the intensity and duration of drought and growth stages. The solution to overcome this lies in either making water available for crop growth or breeding drought resistant cultivars. Increased irrigation inputs are not a viable option because the water resources are unavailable or limited. Improvements in crop drought tolerance are, therefore, sought through plant breeding. Consequently, a need to elucidate the response of genotypes, in cultivation in the uplands of Kerala, with the timing of drought was felt. A study was thus envisaged to characterize rice genotypes suitable for upland cultivation and elucidate their response to moisture stress. Twenty one rice genotypes consisting of nine high yielding varieties and twelve traditional rice varieties were evaluated in an upland field trial (Experiment I: Morphological characterization of rice genotypes for yield and yield attributes) as well under controlled moisture regimes (Experiment II: Characterization of rice genotypes for drought tolerance). Experiment II comprised of two sub experiments i) Rapid evaluation test for drought tolerance [Experiment II (A)] and ii) Characterisation of rice genotypes for drought tolerance under controlled moisture regimes [Experiment II (B)]. All experiments were conducted at College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during 2014-2015. Results of the upland field experiment revealed existence of wide variability among the twenty one genotypes for yield and yield attributes indicating ample scope for improvement of the traits through selection. Early maturity, higher chlorophyll stability index (CSI), productive tillers, spikelet fertility and plant height being advantageous in uplands, genotype Parambankayama followed by Karanavara was found to be the most promising. Other promising genotypes for upland cultivation included PTB 28, Nerica, PTB 60, Karuthamodan, Kalladiaryan, Parambuvattan, Karuthadukkan, Arimodan and Thottacheera. Most of these genotypes recorded high chlorophyll stability index. On rapid evaluation for drought tolerance [Experiment II (A)] conducted as per the method advocated by Bouslama and Schapauugh (1984), moisture stress (- 6 bars) was found to affect the germination and early seedling growth parameters. Considering that higher speed of germination, shoot and root length, seedling vigour index and biomass under moisture stress are indicative of the capacity of genotypes to combat moisture stress, genotype Parambuvattan followed by Arimodan was found to be the most promising. Karuthamodan, Karanavara, Parambankayama, Kalladiaryan, Thottacheera, PTB 60, Nerica and Karuthadukkan were the other promising genotypes. Speed of germination and seedling vigour index were found to be high in these genotypes Based on the outcome of upland field experiment and the laboratory screening study, ten promising drought tolerant genotypes were selected to delineate their response towards moisture stress [Experiment II (B)] imposed at seedling stage (15 day after sowing), vegetative stage (35 day after sowing) and reproductive stage (50 day after sowing). In all the population subjected to moisture stress, reduction in relative water content, chlorophyll content, number of productive tillers per plant, panicle length and weight, spikelets and grain per panicle, flag leaf area, 1000 grain weight, plant height, dry weight of shoot and root, root volume, grain and straw yield per plant and harvest index, was observed. A delay in flowering was observed on exposure to moisture stress. The magnitude of change in different traits varied with timing of moisture stress. PTB 60 and Karanavara recorded the highest grain yield per plant, irrespective of growth stage at which moisture stress was imposed. These genotypes maintained a high number of productive tillers, grains per panicle, 1000 grain weight, dry weight of shoot and root, root length and root volume, straw yield and harvest index under stress. Invariably, on exposure to moisture stress at different growth stages, Parambankayama, Nerica and Karathadukkan were found next best to PTB 60 and Karanavara .