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

1982 - 198911990 - 19981
Reset filters
Subject: Plant Pathology × Author: Estelitta, S × End date: 2009 × Type: Thesis ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the microflora of stored pepper
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1982) Estelitta, S; KAU; Abi Cheeran
    With a view to study the microflora in stored black pepper, a research project was carried out at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. It was also aimed at estimating the deterioration of the quality of stored black pepper in terms of its oleoresin, piperine and starch contents due to microbial infection and assessing the role of each micro-organisms in changing the quality of the product. The study revealed that the major chemical constituents of stored black pepper, namely, oleoresin, piperine and starch varied in different grades of black pepper. Slight variations in these quality constituents were observed according to the seasons of storage also. In all the seasons, association of microflora with all grades of black pepper was observed. The species of micro-organisms were not changed during seasons, but the population varied according to grade of black pepper and season of storage. The micro-organisms found were Aspergillus niger, A. candidus, A. nidulans, A. versicolor, curvularia lumata, penicillium citrinum, Fusarium moniliforme, Rhizopus nigricans and Bacterium (gram –ve). There was no growth of microflora in stored black pepper upto 66.8 per cent relative humidity, whereas profused growth was observed at saturation levels of humidity. Only Aspergillus spp. And penicillium citrinum could come up at a lower HUMIDITY LEVEL (75.6 per cent). In three quality constituents of black pepper viz., oleoresin, piperine and starch reduced considerably when the samples were inoculated with different micro-organisms at different levels of humidity. Reduction in the quality constituents was found corresponding to the increase in level of humidity as well as length of incubation period.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Purification and serology of banana bunchy top virus
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Estelitta, S; KAU; Sukumara Varma, A
    Banana is one of the major fruit crop in Kerala and is often affected by the bunchytop disease caused by banana bunchytop virus. The disease is easily spread through infected suckers, which are used as the planting materials. Secondary spread is also seen through banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa. Though field level quarantine measures may check the spread of the disease, rapid and convenient methods for the detection and identification of the virus in the suckers as well as in micropropagated plants have not been developed. In this background a study was designed and carried out to purify the BBTV, to produce antisera for developing a serological technique for the pre-symptomatic detection of virus in the planting materials of banana. Studies were also conducted to identify the type of nucleic acid of the virus and its morphology by direct electron microscopy. The study revealed that the disease incidence was maximum during August-November. The virus was not mechanically transmitted and tissue culture plants were the most susceptible planting materials for aphid transmission. Basic studies of virus-vector relationship were also conducted and the adult aphids were found to be effective vectors. In purification studies, among the different portions of banana plants used, the midribs of younger leaves yielded high concentration of the virus. Tissue culture plants yielded more virus concentration than other planting materials. Electron microscopy of the purified BBTV preparation revealed isometric particles of 18-22 nm size. Nucleic acids extracted from both healthy and infected samples were compared. The bands obtained were sensitive to DNase 1 and SI nuclease but not to RNase A, confirming the nucleic acid BBTV as ssDNA. SDS-PAGE analysis of BBTV coat protein revealed that it contained a major protein component of Mr 21000 with Rf value between that of β lactoglobulin (Mr 18400) and α chymotrypsinogen (Mr 25700). Antiserum of BBTV was produced in the rabbit and used for detection of virus specific antigens in different parts of the plant (midrib, petiole, leafsheath and rhizome) by chloroplast agglutination, agar gel diffusion, tube precipitation and ELISA. Among these methods ELISA was found to be highly sensitive for identification of the virus.