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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: KAU × Author: Kurucheve, V × End date: 1980 × Start date: 1980 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the control of soft rot of ginger
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1980) Kurucheve, V; KAU; Peethambaran, E K
    The present investigation ‘Studies on the control of soft rot of ginger’ was conducted at the Instructional Farm, attached to College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Trichur during the year 1978-79. Two varieties of ginger viz. ‘Rio-de-janeiro’ and ‘Maran’ were used for the investigations. The objectives of the investigations were 1) to find out the causal organism of soft rot of ginger in the acid lateritic soils of Vellanikkara 2) to find out suitable control measures against the disease 3) to know whether the fungus could develop resistance against continuous application of fungicides and 4) to find out any adverse effect on the development of ginger rhizomes when the fungicides were applied for controlling the disease. The pathogen responsible for the disease was found to be Pythium aphanidermatum (Edson) Fitzpatrick. More than 90 per cent inhibition of the fungus was observed by agallol, thiride and difolatan at 500 ppm concentration in vitro. Hundred per cent inhibition of the fungus was possible only with 2000 ppm of Cheshunt compound or thiride and with 500 ppm of agallol in vitro. Among the different combinations of Cheshunt compound, agallol and thiride, 100 ppm of agallol plus 100 ppm of thiride was the most effective combination in inhibiting the mycelial growth of the fungus. Seed treatment with 0.25 per cent agallol solution alone was not effective in reducing the disease incidence in the field. The fungicides which were proved very effective in in vitro studies, were again tested under field conditions. They were Cheshunt compound, agallol and thiride. Soil drenching before planting with the above mentioned fungicides reduced the pre emergence rotting considerably. Single application of fungicides either in one, three or four months after planting was not adequate in controlling the disease. A minimum of two post emergence applications i.e. One month and three months after planting either with cheshunt compound or agallol, in addition to pre planting soil drenching were necessary for controlling the disease as well as for getting good yield. P. aphanidermatum did not develop any resistance against the fungicides when they were applied continuously in the field. Adverse effect on the development of ginger rhizomes was not noticed when the fungicides were applied for controlling the soft rot of ginger. The present investigation showed that extent of control varied with the sequence and number of fungicidal applications. Treatments agallol – cheshunt compound, cheshunt compound – cheshunt compound and cheshunt compound – agallol in two times application; cheshunt compound – cheshunt compound – cheshunt compound ; cheshunt compound – agallol – thiride and cheshunt compound – thiride – agallol in three times application and cheshunt compound – cheshunt compound – cheshunt compound – cheshunt compound; agallol – agallol – agallol – agallol and cheshunt compound – thiride – agallol – cheshunt compound in four times application showed a better disease reduction compared to other treatments. The post emergence rotting started appearing from July and peak infection was noticed during August. The variety ‘Maran’ was more resistant to the disease. There was a direct correlation between the disease incidence and continuous rainfall.