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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: Lishma, N P × End date: 2020 × Start date: 2015 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standardization of techniques for cultivation of button mushroom (Agaricus spp.) in Kerala
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Lishma, N P; KAU; Lulu Das
    The work entitled "Standardization of techniques for cultivation of Button mushroom (Agaricus spp.) in Kerala" was conducted during the period 2013 - 2015 at College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The aim of study was to explore the possibility of cultivation of Agaricus species and develop a modified technique for the production of quality compost with alternative agricultural waste. A preliminary survey was conducted for the collection of various isolates of Agaricus spp. during and after south - west monsoon in different locations. The five isolates obtained along with the two isolates available at AICRP centre, Vellayani were sent to DMR and accession numbers were obtained for all the isolates.The isolate 7 identified as Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach which showed maximum growth on potato dextrose agar as well as intensive spawn run on paddy grains was selected for further studies. Studies revealed that maximum vegetative growth was observed on potato dextrose agar and it preferred a temperature of 24 °C with a pH of 6. It was also observed that dark phase favoured the growth of A. bisporus. Among the different carbon and nitrogen sources tested, glucose and beef extract supported maximum growth of A. bisporus. The study on evaluation of different substrates for spawn production revealed that in paddy grains spawn run was completed within twelve days which was the best. Evaluation of various compost and casing material combinations revealed that pearl millet straw, poultry manure, urea and gypsum + coir pith was the best with a total yield after three harvests of 325.97 g per kg bed followed by pearl millet straw, poultry manure, urea and gypsum + tea waste (301.76 g per kg bed). No mycelial growth was observed in all combinations of sawdust, poultry manure, urea and gypsum as well as wheat bran, poultry manure, urea and gypsum with different casing materials. The pest and disease incidence during the cultivation period of A. bisporus was studied and it was observed that sciarid flies and staphylinid beetles were prevalent during sporocarp formation. The competitive fungi recorded were Trichoderma sp. and Coprinus sp. during spawn run, casing and sporocarp formation. The study also showed that mushrooms stored under refrigeration (4 °C) had maximum shelf life of 7 days compared to those stored at room temperature. Sensory evaluation of mushroom recipes were carried out by a panel of judges for attributes like colour, texture, flavor and taste using a five point score card. Among the various products mushroom soup obtained an overall acceptability of 4.7. From this study it can be concluded that growth of A. bisporus was maximum in potato dextrose agar at a temperature of 24 °C with a pH of 6 in dark phase. Glucose and beef extract were found to be the best carbon and nitrogen sources respectively. Compost prepared from pearl millet straw, poultry manure, urea and gypsum overlaid with coir pith compost as casing material supported maximum growth and yield of A. bisporus.