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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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20011
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Subject: Plant Pathology × Author: KAU × Author: Kavitha, K × End date: 2001 × Start date: 2001 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Management of damping off and improvement of growth in chilli with native species of arbuscular mycorrhizae
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2001) Kavitha, K; KAU; Meenakumari, K S
    Management of damping off, the most destructive disease of chilli both 111 nursery and main field incited by Pythium aphanidermatum (Edson) Fitz. using native AMF was attempted in the present investigation. Out of nine native AMF and one identified culture (Glomus mosseae) screened, the cultures Ms and M9 were found effective for suppression of damping off and growth improvement in chilli. Application of AMF inoculum in the nursery furrows along with chilli seeds was very effective for rapid and easy colonization of AMF. Likewise application of AMF inoculum at the rate of 850 g m-2 was selected as the economic dose for achieving satisfactory colonization of AMF. Azospirillum spp. were isolated from chilli roots collected from different locations of Thiruvananthapuram district. The in vitro nitrogen fixing capacity of the isolates ranged between 11.2 and 20 mg N s' of malate and IAA production between 21 and 55 ug mrl. Six best isolates which performed well under in vitro screening were selected an-d subjected to in vivo screening for growth, biomass production and yield in chilli. The isolates Az-l and Az-2 which performed well both under in vitro and in vivo screening were selected for further studies. Based on the characterization studies it was found that the isolate Az-l is related to Azospirillum lipoJerum and Az-2 is similar to Azospirillum brasilense. The isolate Az-l grew well at pH 5,6 and 7 whereas the isolate Az-2 grew well at pH 6 and 7. In the study on the interaction of native AMF and Azospirillum on damping off disease suppression, pre-inoculation of chilli seedlings with M9 culture alone recorded the least disease incidence. Eventhough dual inoculation of AMF and Azospirillum could suppress the damping off, Azospirillum had no direct effect on disease suppression. However dual inoculation of AMF and Azospirillum (M9A2PO) significantly increased the growth, biomass production and yield in chilli. The present study forms the first report of the synergistic effect of AMF and Azospirillum for the management of damping off and growth improvement in chilli. The present investigation emphasizes the importance of pre-inoculation of AMF in the chilli nursery as a prophylatic measure to prevent pathogen attack. The technology of combined inoculation of AMF and Azospirillum could be recommended for adoption by the vegetable farmers. Eventhough the present study was carried out in chilli, the same cultures could be recommended for all transplanted solanaceous vegetables after confirming the results through field trials.