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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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1981 - 198911990 - 19941
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Subject: Plant Pathology × Author: Balakrishnan, B × Author: KAU × End date: 2017 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Improvement on the techniques for the cultivation and preservation of tropical species of mushrooms
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Balakrishnan, B; KAU; Chandrasekharan Nair, M
    Intensive collections made from certain selected areas of Kerala yielded a total of eight species of Pleurotus, one species each of Volvariella and Tricholoma, namely V. esculenta and T. lobayense respectively from the native flora. Various species collected were identified and based on the preliminary observations made on their adaptability for large scale cultivation, among the Pleurotus two species have been selected for detailed study along with the other standard cultures procured from various mushroom research centres of the country. The native isolate of T. lobayense in the present study is the first record of the species from Kerala. Detailed studies have been done on various aspects of cultivation of pleurotus spp. With a view to improve the already known technologies so as to suit the conditions of Kerala. The two native species of pleurotus selected have been domesticated and compared with other standard cultures on their performance. Based on the observations made in the seasonal influence, yield and market qualities the species most suited for large scale cultivation in Kerala have been identified. Alternative local substrates for cultivation of oyster mushrooms have been identified and their processing technology standardized. Effective nutritional supplements for increased yield, method for speedy induction of sporocarp, after care method for the once harvested beds for further flushes, effective method for cultivation etc. have been worked out for large scale cultivation of Pleurotus spp. In Kerala. Commonly available low cost substrates in spawn production have been identified and their technologies standardized. Influence of light on spawn growth, influence of storing environment on growth and shelf life of spawn etc. have been studied. Technology for preparation of an instant liquid spawn developed and also a modified method for speedy and low cost production of spawn using polypropylene cover as the container has been standardized. The effect of coconut milk in blending culture media for enhanced growth of various Pleurotus spp. and the effect of coconut milk in their biomass production have been proved. In the strain improvement programme, a substrate influenced mutant of Pleurotus sajor-caju for better yield, a resistant/tolerant strain against the most destructive weed mould Trichoderma viride and an interstock hybrid with desirable traits have been developed. Type of pests and their control etc. have been worked out. The effect of chemical pasteurization of the substrates on checking the weed mould infestation during spawn run and the use of lime powder for spot treatment of beds in the management of T. viride have been proved. Post harvest technology for preservation of both raw and dehydrated forms of mushrooms has been standardized. The native strains of other tropical mushrooms locally collected namely V. esculenta and T. lobayense have been identified based on the detailed description of the same. The performance of the native strain, V. esculenta under cultivation has been compared with that of the standard species, V. volvacea and a technique for cultivation of T. lobayense has been standardized for first time in this part of the country.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Symptomatology etiology and control of sheath rot disease of rice caused by Acrocylindrium oryzae
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1981) Balakrishnan, B; KAU; Chandrasekharan Nair, M
    Sheath rot disease of rice caused by Acrocylindrium oryzae was investigated. The fungus was found to infect rice plants at boot leaf stage. The leaf sheath covering the panicle was found to be comparatively more susceptible to the fungus than the sheath of other leaves. Severe infection caused choising of the whole penicle insids the sheath itself before emergence. The pathogen was isolated from infected tissues of host plants and brought into pure culture. Comparative studies of air isolates of Acrocylindrium oryzae from four rice varieties and two weed hosts did not show much appreciable difference in their morphological characters except light variations in the hyphal thickness and smaller conidial size from those on weed hosts.