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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 Pathology × Author: Anitha, R × End date: 1999 × Start date: 1996 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Strain Improvement in Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus spp.)
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1998) Anitha, R; KAU; Balakrishnan, B
    Attempts were made to collect native flora of Pleurotus spp., by doing intensive surveys for the same during monsoon periods. Among the various isolates made two efficient ones were identified and described namely, Pleurotus eous and P. petaloides. Evaluation of growth and fruiting behaviour of these isolates done following the standard method and it is proved that these isolates were amenable for large scale cultivation under Kerala conditions. The two selected isolates along with the other standard cultures procurred from various mushroom research centres of the country were subjected to detailed observations. Strain improvement programmes have been done following strain mixing hybridization and mutation techniques. One recombined strain was developed through strain mixing which has got good yield and intermediate sporocarp characters between the parents. Physical mutation was done by irradiating them with gamma radiation. Among the mutants three effective mutants were selected for their better sporocarp yield, steady yielding character and resistance against insect pests and competitor weed moulds. In the chemical mutation, one mutant having small sporocarp with long stipe and other mutant having sporocarp with very few spores have been developed. In hybridization, one hybrid was developed by pairing compatible mono spore cultures of two different species of Pleurotus which have got maximum desirable characters among the developed hybrids. Cultural characters of the selected isolates were studied and the effect of coconut milk in enhancing mycelial growth were proved. Periodical observatiori of the incidence of insect pests and competitor weed moulds in the mutants, hybrids and native isolates have been worked out. Studies on quality parameters and consumer acceptability have proved that the native isolates were comparatively better to the other species of Pleurotus obtained from various mushroom research centres of the country. Organoleptic studies of selected hybrids and mutants have been proved that they have better acceptability in the market as compared to the standard species, Pleurotus sajor-caju.