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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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1981 - 198724
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Subject: Plant Pathology × Author: KAU × End date: 1987 × Start date: 1981 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 24
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Varietal screening of banana against anthracnose disease
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Srinagesh, K L; KAU; Jose, P C
    Laboratory and field studies of the varietal screening of banana against anthracnose disease were conducted at the college of Horticulture. Vellanikkara and at Banana Research Station, Kannara respectively during 1981-1983. In the field the infection started at the distal end of the banana fruit and in course of time the infected fruit became blackened, shriveled and mummified. After Harvest, the symptoms appeared as small brown spots which enlarged quickly and coalesced forming larger patches. The affected areas were covered with orange to salmon pink coloured conidial masses. The detailed morphological studies of the fungus proved that the anthraemose disease of banana is caused by colletrichum cloeosporioides cooko and massee, the imperfect stage of glomerella cinoulata spauld and shrenk. Twenty five varieties of banana fruit were screened in vitro at different stages of development against anthracnose disease. The varieties showed different degrees of susceptibility at various developmental stages of the fruit. The pooled analysis of the data showed that the variety nendra padaththi followed by palayankodan, jurmani kunthali, boodida bontha bathes, peyan, kanchikela, pisang mas and kapok were found to be highly resistant. The varieties Zanzibar, adakka kunnan, klue teparod, chinia, nendran, venneettu mannan, koduppilla kunnan, hybrid sawai, poocha kunnan, red banana and boodles altafort were found to be resistant to the disease. The variety robusta was found to be susceptible. The varieties njalipoovan, pisang lilin, dwarf Cavendish, matti and gros Michel were found to be highly susceptible. The major chemical constituents of banana fruit viz. reducing sugars, total sugars starch, crude fibre, crude protein and tannin at different developmental stages of twenty five varieties were analysed. The reducing sugars and total sugar were found to increase steadily from immediately after female phase to ripened stage in all the varieties. The starch and crude fibre contents, though increased steadily upto full maturity. Declined sharply at the ripening stage. The crude protein and tannin contents were maximum at immediately after female phase but steadily decreased and were minimum at ripening phase. There was a significant positive correlation between reducing sugars, total sugars and per cent disease intensity at three fourth maturity. High sugars were responsible for susceptibility to the disease. A significant negative correlation was obtained between crude protein and per cent disease intensity at half maturity. A significant negative correlation was also obtained between tannin and per cent disease intensity at one fourth and half maturity stages. High crude protein and high tannin contents were responsible for resistance to the disease.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the phyllosticta leaf spot of ginger
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Premanathan, T; KAU; Peethambaran, C K
    Laboratory and field experiments of “The studies on the Phyllosticta leaf spot of ginger” were conducted at the College of Horticulture Campus, Vellanikkara during 1979-1981. The first visible symptom of the disease was observed as chlorotic specks. Fructification was more during the later stages of crop growth. The detailed study on the plant and environmental factors influencing the disease development in the field revealed that the average number of leaves per plant has a significant positive correlation with the disease intensity. Koch’s postulate and morphological studies proved that the pathogen causing the disease is Phyllosticta zingiberi Ramakr. Uninjured leaves and first three leaves, even after injury, failed to exhibit the symptoms on inoculation. Conidia germinated by putting forth single or double germtubes. Sucrose solution (1,000 ppm) supported faster and maximum spore germination and the bipolar germination noted was maximum in this solution. The fungus entered the leaf by direct penetration of epidermal cells without appressoria formation. The pycnidiospores and mycelia of the pathogen were found to survive even after seven months in soil under different depths and moisture conditions. The type Maran was found to be the least susceptible followed by Karakkal and Bajpai, whereas type Vengara was the most susceptible one. Out of the 12 fungicides tried, one per cent Bordeaux mixture and 2,000 ppm Bayer 5072 gave cent per cent inhibition of the fungal growth in both solid and liquid media. Antracol 2,000 ppm and panolil above 500 ppm in solid medium; bavistin 2,000 ppm and cuman above 500 ppm in liquid medium gave cent per cent inhibition of fungal growth. In the field trial cuman, was found to be the most effective fungicide in controlling the disease, followed by Bordeaux mixture and panolil. Maximum rhizome yield was noticed in cuman treated plots followed by Bordeaux mixture.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Management of sheath blight disease of rice in relation to the population of the pathogen in soil
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1987) Shaji, Alexander; KAU; Rajan, K M
    Laboratory, pot and field experiments were carried out to study the role of various physical, chemical and biological factors on the management of sheath blight disease of rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. (Thanatephorus Cucumerlis (Frank) Donk). Populations of total fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes in soil were enumerated at different stages of growth of the crop in order to assess their role in reducing the intensity and incidence of sheath blight disease. Results of the investigation revealed that the pathogen can be managed by deeper ploughing followed by submergence of the soil for a minimum period of two months. Amendments like glyricidia leaves, rice husk, lime and non edible oil cakes of marotti, neem and punna were useful in reducing the severity and spread of the disease. Fungicides like carbendazim and ediphenphos and the herbicide benthiocarb were also efficient in managing the disease. Rotation of rice with crops like tapioca, banana and brinjal was also useful. It was seen that amendments stimulated the population of saprophytes like Trichoderma viride in soil which are antagonistic to R. solani resulting in a subsequent reduction in population of the pathogen. In spite of the reduction in severity and spread of the disease, grain and straw yields were not enhanced by the treatments. More elaborate field trials are to be undertaken before landing on any ultimate conclusion regarding the use of these practices as tools for disease management.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the microflora of stored pepper
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1982) Estelitta, S; KAU; Abi Cheeran
    With a view to study the microflora in stored black pepper, a research project was carried out at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. It was also aimed at estimating the deterioration of the quality of stored black pepper in terms of its oleoresin, piperine and starch contents due to microbial infection and assessing the role of each micro-organisms in changing the quality of the product. The study revealed that the major chemical constituents of stored black pepper, namely, oleoresin, piperine and starch varied in different grades of black pepper. Slight variations in these quality constituents were observed according to the seasons of storage also. In all the seasons, association of microflora with all grades of black pepper was observed. The species of micro-organisms were not changed during seasons, but the population varied according to grade of black pepper and season of storage. The micro-organisms found were Aspergillus niger, A. candidus, A. nidulans, A. versicolor, curvularia lumata, penicillium citrinum, Fusarium moniliforme, Rhizopus nigricans and Bacterium (gram –ve). There was no growth of microflora in stored black pepper upto 66.8 per cent relative humidity, whereas profused growth was observed at saturation levels of humidity. Only Aspergillus spp. And penicillium citrinum could come up at a lower HUMIDITY LEVEL (75.6 per cent). In three quality constituents of black pepper viz., oleoresin, piperine and starch reduced considerably when the samples were inoculated with different micro-organisms at different levels of humidity. Reduction in the quality constituents was found corresponding to the increase in level of humidity as well as length of incubation period.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the seed borne diseases of rice in Kuttanadu
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Jose Joseph; KAU; Susamma Philip
    Several fungi were isolated from the seeds of twelve varieties/cultivars of rice collected from different localities of Kuttanadu, the major rice growing tract of Kerala. Fungi were encountered extrenally as well as internally. Among the externally seed borne fungi, Aspergillus flavus was the most common with its occurrence on nine varieties followed by Bipolaris oryzae and Curvuleria lunata. Other fungi included Rhizopus stolonifer, Chaetomium gracile, Syncephalestrum racemosum, Fusarium moniliforms, Trichoderma virde, Sarocladium oryzae. Aspergillus niger, Alternaria padwickii, Fusarium gramineazum, Piricularia oryzae, A. fumigatus, A. quadrilineatus, Nigrospora oryzae and Penicillium spp. Among the varieties Jaya was found to harbour the maximum fungal population. The germination percentage was not found to be affected due to seed inoculationwith the predominant fungi viz. A. flavus, A. padwickii, B. oryzae, C. lunata and S. oryzae.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Epidemiology and control of sheath rot disease of rice
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Krishnakumaran Nair, B; KAU; Chandrasekharan Nair, M
    Studies on symptomatology, epidemiology and control aspects of sheath rot disease of rice caused by Serocladium oryzae Cams & Hawksworth (= Acrocylindrium oryzae Saw.) were done in detail. The disease initiated as purplish-brown oblong lesions on the sheath of the flag leaf. At maturity lesions enlarged in size with grey -white centres and often covered the entire flag leaf sheath. Panicle often did not emerge but choked inside the affected sheaf itself. Artificial inoculation studies showed that under sufficient humid conditions the pathogen took an average five to eight days for initiation and 15 to 20 days for the complete development of the disease in rice plants. The pathogen was isolated from four naturally infected rice varieties, collected from three different culture (isolates viz., S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 & S7) were selected based mainly on symptomatological variations and their comperative morphological characters were studied in detail. No appreciable differences were noticed in the morphological characters between isolates.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Seed mycoflora of some vegetables in Kerala
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1981) Naseema, A; KAU; Balakrishnan, S
    The survey of the seed mycoflora of vegetable seeds revealed the presence of a number of seed-borne fungi. Storage fungi like Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger Penicillium sp. and Rhizopus stolonifer were found to be externally as well as internally seed-borne , in almost all the vegetable seeds taken for the study. A part from these , other fungi like Curvularia lunsta. Fusarium equlecti and Myrothecium roridum from amaranthus , Botryodiplodia theobrease from bhindi, bitter gourd and cowpea, Fusarium oxysporum and Eectria haemtococca from bhindi, Achaetonium macrosporum and Collstrotrichum lagenarium from bitter gourd, Drechalera rostrata from cowpea, Cephaliophora irregularis and Fusarium solani from pumkin were obtained. The seed-borne fungi were found to cause inhibitory effect on the germination of the seeds , from which they were isolated , Maximum inhibition in the germination was found to be caused by storage fungi like Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger. Penicillium sp. and Rhizopus stolonifer . Rotting of the seedlings was caused by Fusarium equiseti on amaranthus, Prechslera rostrata on cowpea . Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus stolonifer on tomato.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Role of weeds in the perpetuation of virus diseases of vegetables and ornamental plants
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1981) Mathew, A V; KAU; Balakrishnan, S
    Virus diseases affecting ten different weed plants and their possible role in the perpetuation of virus diseases of certain cultivated plants were investigated. These ten weeds were affected by 13 virus diseases. All the 13 viruses were transmitted by wedge grafting. Among the 13 viruses studied, 3 viruses, viz., mosaic of Amaranthus viridis yellow mosaic of Micrococca mercurialis and mosaic Stachytarpheta indica were transmitted by sap inoculation and by insect vectors. Eight viruses, viz., yellow vein mosaic of Ageratumconizoides, leaf curl of A. conizoides, yellow vein mosaic of Croton sparsiflorus and Sida cordifolia, yellow mosaic of Micrococca mercurialis, leaf curl of Stachytarpheta indica and Synedrella nodiflora and yellow mosaic mottle of Stachytarpheta indica var. jamaicensis were transmitted by the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Genn.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on host-varietal specificity for Rhizobium for nodulation in groundnut
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1982) Girija, V K; KAU; Sasi Kumar, Nair
    An investigation was carried out at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala to study the host-varietal specificity, if any, for Rhizobium for nodulation in groundnut. A total of fifteen groundnut varieties were subjected to a preliminary screening on the basis of the number of nodules formed and arranged into five distinct nodulation groups. Seven varieties of groundnut TMV-12, USA-123 Exotic-6, Spanish Peanut, TMV -11, Ak12-24 and Ah-32 were selected from among these groups for use in further studies.