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

Show more
20151
Reset filters
Subject: Plant Breeding and Genetics × Author: KAU × Author: Soumya, B Nair × End date: 2015 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Generation mean analysis in brinjal (solanum melongena L.) for yield and yield attributes
    (College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Soumya, B Nair; KAU; Wilson, D
    The project entitled “Generation mean analysis in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) for yield and yield attributes” was carried out at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2013-15 to study the gene action and inheritance pattern of yield and yield attributes using generation mean analysis. In generation mean analysis six generations viz., P1, P2, F1, F2, B1 and B2 of three crosses (Wardha local x Surya, Wardha local x NBR-38 and Swetha x Haritha) were evaluated in a field experiment for thirteen yield components. Results showed that in cross 1 additive gene effects (additive, additive x additive) were important for fruit girth, fruit volume, number of fruits per cluster, yield per plant and non additive gene actions (dominance, additive x dominance and dominance x dominance) were recorded for fruit length, days to first flower, days to first harvest, calyx length, fruit volume, number of fruits per plant, number of primary branches and plant height. In cross 2 additive gene effects were predominant for fruit weight, yield per plant and fruit and shoot borer incidence while only non additive gene actions were important for all other traits. In cross 3 additive gene action was reported for fruit and shoot borer incidence and days to first harvest and all other characters were under the control of non additive gene action. Duplicate type of epistasis was observed for most of the crosses. The study of F2 population was undertaken in compact family block design with eight families and five progenies within family to assess the variability between families and among progenies within each family. Eight F1 hybrids selected were selfed to raise eight F2 families. Based on the mean values of eight families and their progenies, variability among the families and progenies within families were studied. The analysis of variance conducted for eight F2 families showed significant differences among the progenies for different characters. Family 2 (Wardha local x Surya) took the minimum number of days to first flowering and first harvest. Maximum fruit length and number of fruits per cluster were recorded in Family 7 (Wardha local x Selection Pooja). Maximum number of fruits per plant was recorded in Family 4 (Wardha local x Swetha) and maximum plant height, fruit volume, fruit weight and yield per plant were recorded in Family 6 (Surya x Haritha). The magnitude of variation shown among the progenies of eight families revealed the heterogenous nature of F2 families. All families except family 6 showed significant variation among progenies for days to first flowering and fruit length. Variations among progenies for girth of fruit was expressed by all families except family 8. None of the families exhibited significant variation among the progenies for number of fruits per cluster. All the families possess significant variations among progenies for number of primary branches, days to first harvest, plant height, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight and yield. Families 2 and 8 revealed significant variation among the progenies for volume of fruit. All families except family 4 and 6 showed significant difference among progenies for calyx length. Family 4 and 5 showed significant difference among progenies for percentage of plants infested with shoot and fruit borer. Based on the results wide variability among the families and progenies within families revealed the heterogenous nature of F2 families. The study revealed that among the families studied family 6 recorded maximum fruit weight and yield per plant. Superior F2 progeny can be used in further improvement programmes. The predominance of additive gene effects as well as non-additive gene effects were recorded for fruit weight, fruits per plant and yield per plant. The study suggested that characters governed by predominance of additive component could be improved through selection.