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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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2015 - 20202
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Subject: Plant Pathology × Author: KAU × Author: Lishma, N P × End date: 2020 × Start date: 2015 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Characterization and integrated management of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (E.F. Smith) synder and hansen causing fusarium wilt disease of banana
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Lishma, N P; KAU; Anita Cherian, K
    Fusarium wilt of banana caused by the soil borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is a serious constraint to banana cultivation in Kerala. The fungal species constitute four pathogenic races, of which Race 1 is the prevalent one in our country and Race 4 is one of the emerging threats, though not reported from Kerala yet. The present study was undertaken to characterize the associated pathogenic races and to develop an integrated package for the disease management. The project initiated with purposive sampling surveys in various districts viz., Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode and Wayanad representing different agroclimatic zones of Kerala. The per cent disease incidence (PDI) and the per cent disease severity (PDS) ranged from 1.52 to 43.65 per cent and 20.34 to 49.57 per cent. The correlation analysis of PDI with weather parameters showed a positive correlation with rainfall. However, it was negatively correlated with temperature. The study on symptoms under natural as well as artificial conditions showed characteristic external and internal symptoms. The number of days taken for complete wilting under artificial inoculation was 29.67 in Rasthali (AAB), 47.99 in Njalipoovan (AB), 31 in Kadali (AA) and 37.67 in Chenkadali (AAA). Among the thirty isolates of the Foc collected, twenty three isolates were from Rasthali variety, four isolates from Kadali, two isolates from Njalipoovan and one from Chenkadali. Studies on identification of Foc races with the differential host assay revealed that the varieties such as Cavendish (assay host to Race 4), Nendran (assay host to Race 4), Heliconia sp. (assay to Race 3) and Monthan (assay to Race 2) did not produce any type of symptoms whereas, all the isolates produced symptoms on Rasthali (assay host to Race 1) variety. A non polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based quick molecular diagnostic technique with loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed for the detection of Races of the pathogen. All isolates showed positive reaction to the LAMP assay for Race 1 and negative for Race 4. A PCR was also standardised for the confirmation of the races. It is concluded that all the isolates collected from different agroclimatic zones belonged to the Race 1 category of the pathogen only. Cultural and morphological characterization of the isolates revealed white coloured aerial mycelium with pink pigmentation and cottony and fluffy mycelial mat. The mycelial growth rate in half strength potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium ranged from 0.83 to 2.40 cm/day and the length and breadth of macroconidia and microconidia measured about 15.01 - 20.20 μm x 2.14 - 5.07 μm and 4.49 - 7.42 μm x 1.35 - 3.13 μm respectively. The inter-septal length and breadth of hyphae ranged from 16.14 to 22.94 μm and 4.22 to 6.57 μm respectively and the size of chlamydospores varied from 5.68 to 9.58 μm in diameter. The PCR based molecular characterization of isolates using ITS (internal transcribed spacer) primers produced single bands of size approximately 580 bp. In silico analysis of the sequences showed 96 to 100 per cent homology to Foc. Based on cultural, morphological and molecular characters, the pathogen was identified as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense. The screening of accessions maintained in the germplasm of Banana Research Station (BRS), Kannara was done to assess their disease resistance to Foc Race 1 and were grouped into six categories. Fifteen immune varieties viz., Attunendran, Zanzibar, Big Ebanga, Nedunendran, Nendran, BRS II, Thiruvananthapuram, Pachanadan I, Cultivar Rose, Pisang Lilin, Pisang Jari Buaya, Yangambi Km5, Grand Naine, Chinese Cavendish and Nendran Hybrid and four highly susceptible varieties viz., Cheriya Poovan, Valiya Poovan, Kadali and Rasakadali were identified. The estimation of biochemical parameters for the assessment of host plant disease resistance against Foc Race 1 revealed that the activity of total phenols and defense related enzymes was more in resistant varieties compared to susceptible varieties and the activity of reducing and non reducing sugars was more in susceptible varieties. An in vitro experiment was conducted for the evaluation of chemical fungicides, biocontrol agents and botanicals for control of the pathogen. The effective treatments from in vitro evaluation were carried over to pot culture and field experiments for the disease management. Among the various treatments, an integrated package comprising of Pseudomonas fluorescens + arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma enriched cow dung + tebuconazole (T6) was proved to be the best for yield and disease management. It is concluded that the present study has enlightened our knowledge on characterization, race identification and management of Fusarium wilt pathogen infecting banana.
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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.