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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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1978 - 197911990 - 19971
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Subject: Plant Pathology × Author: Joseph, P J × Author: KAU × Start date: 1978 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the mosaic disease of snake gourd (Trichosanthes Anguina L.)
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1978) Joseph, P J; KAU; Ramanatha Menon, M
    A mosaic disease of snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.) caused by a virus, was investigated which was prevalent at Vellayani and nearby localities. The symptoms manifested as mosaic and formation of dark green blisters on the lamina was also observed. The affected leaves were severely reduced in size, variously crinkled and malformed. Growth was retarded and internods were shortened. The infected plants blossom sparingly and set only very few fruits. The affected portions of the leaf were thinner than healthy areas, palisade cells reduced in size and loossly packed. The mesophyll cells contain only few chloroplasts.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Management of rhizome rot and root-knot of ginger (Zingiber officinale R.) using V A mycorrhizal fungi and antigonists
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Joseph, P J; KAU; Sivaprasad, P
    Management of rhizome rot, the most destructive disease of ginger incited by Pythium aphanidermatum (Edson)Fitz. using native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and antagonists was attempted. The extensive survey in the ginger growing belts of the state revealed a definite negative relationship between AMF development and disease incidence. Based on preliminary evaluation with six AMF species, Glomus constrictum was selected as most efficient for disease suppresion, growth enhancement and yield and used as reference culture for the subsequent studies. The population of Heloidogyne incognita, a pre disposing factor for the disease, was reduced in the presence of all the six AMF species particularly with G. fasciculatum. Characterization studies of native AMF associated with ginger indicated that Glomus spp. were more frequent and G. fasciculatum was the most predominent species. Influence of soil types on the AMF occurrence in ginger was evident. Out of the fourteen native AMF developed from ginger rhizosphere, Mi-l and Mi-4, identified as Glomus species, were the most efficient isolates for rhizome rot suppression yield increase and growth enhancement in ginger. Eleven native antagonistic fungi, selected from in vitro evaluation, were screened in the green house and Ai-12, identified as Trichoderma viride, was the most effective isolate for suppression of rhizome rot, growth enhancement and yield of ginger. Ai-13 isolate, identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, was also effective for disease suppression. The isolates, Mi-l, Mi-4, Ai-12 and Ai-13 were tested for their combined effect in the green house. Dual inoculation of Ai-12 with Mi-l and Mi-4 resulted in remarkable synergistic interaction in reducing the disease and enhancing biomass and yield. Both single and dual inoculations of Ai-12, Mi-l and Mi-4 significantly reduced the disease and enhanced plant growth and yield in the field also. Isolate Ai-13 inhibited AMF development and increased disease in the green house and field. Application of AMF inoculum on ginger rhizome after starch coating was very effective for rapid and early colonization of AMF. Out of the various plant protection chemicals tested, thiram and carbofuran least affected the AMF and antagonist development. An effective management strategy of rhizome rot of ginger is evolved in the present study by combining appropriate native AMF (Mi-l and Mi-2) and antagonistic fungi (Ai-12) for inoculation of seed rhizomes at planting time. The present study forms the first report of detailed documentation of native AMF associated with ginger and extensive study on the utilisation of AMF. antagonists and their combined effect for the management of rhizome rot.