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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: Jayaram, K P × Author: KAU × End date: 1989 × Start date: 1985 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Epidemiology, symptomatology and control of leaf scald disease of rice
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Jayaram, K P; KAU; Chandrasekharan, M
    Rhynchosporium oryzae, the causal organism of leaf scald disease of rice, was isolated and studies were conducted on the symptomatology, morphology, cultural characters, host range, toxin production and control of the pathogen. On rice plants, lesions were found to develop from the tips of leaves and the characteristic symptom was the formation of concentric zonations with brown margins, on the lesions. Symptoms were also found to occur on the leaf sheaths. Studies on the morphology of the fungus revealed that mycelium was hyaline, septate, and 2 to 3 µm broad. Conidia were two-celled and fusiform, measuring 10 to 14 µm x 3 to 4 µm. The organism was grown on different solid and liquid media. The studies revealed that among solid media, potato dextrose agar (PDA) was most suited for growth and sporulation of the fungus. Among liquid media, maximum dry weight of mycelium was obtained in potato dextrose broth. Sporulation was found to be maximum in potato dextrose broth and peptone glucose medium. Studies on the effect of varying levels of Nitrogen (peptone) and carbon (glucose) on growth and sporulation of the organism revealed that maximum dry weight of mycelium was obtained at 1 per cent Glucose and 1 per cent Peptone. Sporulation was maximum at lower levels of Carbon – 0.5 and 0.25 per cent. Starch was found to be the most suited source of Carbon for promoting the growth of the organism, and Peptone, the most suited source of Nitrogen. Studies showed the temperature of 300C and PH of 6.5 were optimum for the growth of the organism. Sporulation was found to be maximum at 25-300C. Of the twelve rice varieties tested, Mo-6 and Cul-25331 were found to be most resistant, and Mo-7, cul-204, Cul-153-1 and Jaya proved to be most susceptible. Studies conducted on the toxin produced by R. oryzae in culture revealed that the toxin by itself was able to cause typical leaf scald symptoms when sprayed on healthy rice plants. The toxin also inhibited germination of brinjal and paddy seeds and caused an appreciable decrease in the length of radical and plumule of paddy seeds. Host range studies showed that Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus, Hemidesmus indicus and Panicum repens developed scald symptoms when inoculated with the fungus. Laboratory studies revealed that cent per cent inhibition of spore germination was obtained by using Carbendazim at 500 ppm, 1000 ppm and 1500 ppm, Tridemorph at 1500 ppm, Captafol at 2000 ppm, 2500 ppm and 3000 ppm and Mancozeb at 2000 ppm, 2500 ppm and 3000 ppm. Studies following poisoned food techneques showed that Carbendazim at 500 ppm, 1000 ppm and 1500 ppm Tridemorph at 1000 ppm and 1500 ppm, Mancozeb at 2000 ppm, 2500 ppm and 3000 ppm, caused cent per cent inhibition of radial growth of R. oryzae. Pot culture trial with five fungicide revealed that after 2 sprays, Carbendazim, Mancozeb and Captafol were superior to Tridemorph and Carboxin in keeping the disease under check. Field trial showed that all the four different fungicides were effective in reducing disease intensity. The plots sprayed with Carbendazim recorded the least disease intensity. Studies on antagonistic activity of phylloplane mycoflora of rice on R. oryzae showed that Chaetomium globosum and Penicillium oxalicum might have some antagonistic effect on R. oryzae.