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

19961
Reset filters
Subject: Plant Pathology × Author: Ajay Kumar, K M × End date: 1996 × Start date: 1996 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Vascular streak dieback of cocoa and its management
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Ajay Kumar, K M; KAU; Koshy, Abraham
    Vascular streak dieback (VSD) is a destructive disease of cocoa. Corticium culture medium, Water agar, Potato dextrose agar gave promising results in isolation of the pathogen. Petiole and midrib gave maximum success in isolation. Potato dextrose agar and Corticium culture media supported the growth of the fungus. Fusarium sp. And Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were the major contaminants interfering in the isolation of VSD. The morphological characters of the pathogen were studied from the sporophores occurring on naturally infected cocoa plants. Based on these characters, the pathogen causing VSD was identified as Oncobasidium theobromae Talbot and Keane. The disease produced various typical symptoms on leaves and stems of infected plants like pale green colour of leaves and subsequent yellowing with green islets, defoliation, brown marks on the scars of fallen leaves, axillary bud growth of the infected stem, rusty discolouration of cambium, vascular streak, whitish sporophores on the leaf scar of fallen infected leaves and finally the death of the infected twig. Histopathological studies showed the presence of fungal mycelium in the xylem vessels. Transmission studies by grafting and budding revealed no establishment of buds or grafts. But there was vascular streaking. No seed transmission was observed. In general Kitazin and Bavistin as a seed treatment had an effect on the height of plant and leaf production. Evaluation of cocoa types planted at three seed gradens indicated that some of them possess resistance/tolerance against VSD. Variation in disease incidence and intensity of VSD was noted in germplasm VI. Calixin spraying had an effect in preventing the incidence of the disease in seedlings.