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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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ThesisItem Open Access Associative effect of azospirillum and bradyrhizobium on nodulation and growth of cowpea (viqna unquiculata (l.) walp,(Department of Plant Pathology College of Horticulture Vellanikkara, 1992) Sunitha, Menon S.; KAU; Rajendran, Pillai M .VThesisItem Open Access Fungal diseases of selected medicinal plants of Kerala(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Sukumara, Varma A; KAU; ; Abi, CheeranThesisItem Open Access Leaf blight of banana and its control(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Saj, KV; KAU; Sulochana, K KSurvey conducted to study the fungal pathogens causing leaf blight disease in banana in the three agricultural subdivisions of Thiruvananthapuram district, yielded seven fungal pathogens viz., colletotrichum musae, Curvularia sp, Guignardia musae, khuskia oryzae, Nodulisporium gregarium, Pestalotiopsis versicolor and Phaeoseptoria sp. Among these, Curvularia sp, Khuskia oryzae and Nodulisporium gregarium are new reports. Morphological characters and pathogenicity tests of all the seven isolated cultures were studied and described. Detailed studies were conducted on five fungal pathogens viz., C. musae, G. musae, K. oryzae, N. gregarium and Phaeoseptoria sp., since severe infections could be noticed by these fungi. Studies conducted on the growth and sporulation of pathogens on different, media indicated that Richard’s medium was the best for C. musae and G. musae, potato dextrose medium for K. oryzae and Phaeoseptoria sp. In the case of N. gregarium, potato dextrose agar and Czapek (Dox) broth were found to be the best solid and liquid media respectively for its growth. Best growth of C. musae, N. gregarium and Phaeoseptoria sp was obtained with maltose as the carbon source, whereas G. musae and K. oryzae utilized maximum starch and sucrose for their growth. Maximum mycelial weight of C. musae was obtained with sodium nitrate as nitrogen source, G. musae and K. oryzae with potassium nitrate, N. gregarium with glutamine and Phaeoseptoria sp. with asparagine. Potato dextrose broth and Richard’s solution were found to be best media for the toxin production by C. musae K. oryzae , G. musae and Phaeoseptoria sp. produced maximum toxin in Richard’s solution and N. gregarium in potato dextrose broth. Host range studies of the pathogen (s) conducted indicated that they can infect a number of economically important plants like, clove, cocoa, colocasia, nutmeg and tapioca, but none of the pathogens could infect clerodendron. Dithane M-45, calixin and Bavistin were able to inhibit the growth of the leaf blighting pathogens under laboratory conditions and under field conditions Dithane M-45 (0.2%) was found to be the best. Varietal screening trials showed that variety Rasakadali was moderately resistant/tolerant among the four popular varieties screened, whereas Nendran was the most susceptible variety.ThesisItem Open Access Vascular streak dieback of cocoa and its management(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Ajay Kumar, K M; KAU; Koshy, AbrahamVascular streak dieback (VSD) is a destructive disease of cocoa. Corticium culture medium, Water agar, Potato dextrose agar gave promising results in isolation of the pathogen. Petiole and midrib gave maximum success in isolation. Potato dextrose agar and Corticium culture media supported the growth of the fungus. Fusarium sp. And Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were the major contaminants interfering in the isolation of VSD. The morphological characters of the pathogen were studied from the sporophores occurring on naturally infected cocoa plants. Based on these characters, the pathogen causing VSD was identified as Oncobasidium theobromae Talbot and Keane. The disease produced various typical symptoms on leaves and stems of infected plants like pale green colour of leaves and subsequent yellowing with green islets, defoliation, brown marks on the scars of fallen leaves, axillary bud growth of the infected stem, rusty discolouration of cambium, vascular streak, whitish sporophores on the leaf scar of fallen infected leaves and finally the death of the infected twig. Histopathological studies showed the presence of fungal mycelium in the xylem vessels. Transmission studies by grafting and budding revealed no establishment of buds or grafts. But there was vascular streaking. No seed transmission was observed. In general Kitazin and Bavistin as a seed treatment had an effect on the height of plant and leaf production. Evaluation of cocoa types planted at three seed gradens indicated that some of them possess resistance/tolerance against VSD. Variation in disease incidence and intensity of VSD was noted in germplasm VI. Calixin spraying had an effect in preventing the incidence of the disease in seedlings.ThesisItem Open Access Survival of Xanthomonas campestris pv. Oryzae and its Control in Kuttanad(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Mary, C A; KAU; Sasikumar NairThe present investigation was taken up to understand the factors responsible for the recurrence of bacterial blight disease in a severe from only during the additional crop season in Kuttanad. The mode of survival of the pathogen during and in between the two major cropping seasons of Kuttanad region were also studied in detail. An extensive survey was also conducted among 115 farmers in 12 Krishibhavans of Kuttanad taluk for this purpose to collect specific informations on existing cultural practices, crop variety, nature and distribution of weed flora and self sown rice plants in and around rice fields and on wether data from June 1992 to March 1994. The efficacy of two different methods of spraying, prophylactic and curative using streptocycline, mixture of streptomycin and oxytetracycline in the proportion 1:9, Bactrinol – 100 cowdung extract on the control of bacterial blight disease was tested under field condition at Nedumudi in Kuttanad. The survey showed that there was considerable variation in the incidence of bacterial blight in Kuttanad taluk. Among the 12 Krishibhavan areas the disease incidence was maximum in Ramankari and Nedumudi and minimum in Kavalam, Kainakary and Muttar. In Neelamperoor and Thalavadi areas there was no incidence of this disease during the period of survey. Between the two major cropping seasons the disease incidence was more during the additional crop season than during Punja season. Red Triveni and Jyothy were the most popular varieties cultivated in the area and more than 50% of the farmers cultivate Red Triveni. It was observed that the variety Red Triveni as highly susceptible to bacterial blight disease. The isolate of the pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae from the rice variety Red Triveni was capable of both gelatin liquefaction and starch hydrolysis. The pathogen X. oryzae pv. oryzae was found to survive for a maximum period of 42 days in infected seed, 105 days in infected straw, 56 days in infected stubbles at room temperature, 24 days in infected stubbles under dry land condition and 14 days under wet land condition. The pathogen did not survive in soil and water. Weeds like Oryza sativa var. fatua and Paspalum conjugatum served as alternate host for the pathogen. Bacterial blight infected self sown rice plants could be seen in Kuttanad during the cropping and non cropping seasons. Due to certain specific reasons, the cultivation practices were often found to extend beyond the normal cropping seasons in the region resulting in the chances of survival of bacterial blight pathogen in the host plant itself. The specific weather conditions during the additional crop season played an important role for the severity of bacterial blight desease in this season in Kuttanad. The pathogen X. oryzae pv. oryzae was tested for sensitivity to antibiotics, Bactrinol – 100 and cowding extract under in vitro conditions. The maximum growth inhibition was obtained with oxytetracycline followed by chloramphen icol which was statistically on par with oxytetracycline. The effect of increasing concentrations of oxytetracycline in combination with streptomycin on growth of X. oryzae pv. oryzae was studied with 100, 250 and 500 ppm concentrations. The growth inhibition increased not only with the concentrations of antibiotic from 100–500 ppm but also with increasing concentration of oxytetracycline. The maximum zone of growth inhibition was obtained with 1:9 proportion of streptomycin and oxytetracycline. The five treatments selected for field evaluation trial included streptocycline at 500 ppm, streptomycin + oxytetracycline (1:9) at 250 ppm and 500 ppm, Bactrinol -100 at 500 ppm and fresh cowdung extract at 20g/1. Two different spraying methods, prophylactic and curative were evaluated in two rice varieties, T(N) 1 and jyothy. The reduction in disease index by prophylactic and curative sprayings was maximum after spraying with cowdung extract 20g/1. As regards to two methods of spraying, significant reduction in per cent disease index was obtained with curative spraying. The maximum per cent increase in grain yield over control was obtained after curative spraying with 500 ppm streptomycin and oxytetracycline mixture in jyothy followed by cowdung extract 20 g/l. In T(N) 1 and jyothy both by prophylactic and curative spraying, the thousand grain weight was maximum with cowdung extract 20 g/1. As regards to two method of spraying, significant increase in grain yield and thousand grain weight was obtained after curative spraying. In T(N) 1, both by prophylactic and curative spraying the per cent increase in straw yield was maximum with a mixture of streptomycin and oxytetracycline at 500 ppm and jyothy with cowdung extract 20g/1. In T(N)1 significant reduction in chaff per cent was recorded by prophylactic spraying while in Jyothy no significant difference was obtained by the two methods of spraying. In both these varieties the reduction in chaff per cent was maximum by spraying with cowdung extract (20g/1). It was observed that two prophylactic spraying with selected bactericidal agents, neither resulted in any significant reduction in disease index nor increase in yield as compared to curative spraying. This could be due to the fact that in Kuttanad bacterial blight disease usually occurred only around the panicle initiation stage or even later. Therefore a need based curative spraying schedule would be most effective for the control of bacterial blight disease in Kuttanad. On working out the economic benefits of controlling bacterial blight it was observed that there will be economic return only from spraying infected plants of both (T(N) 1 and jyothy with cowdung extract 20g/1. The return from plants sprayed with all other treatments in the investigation was low when compared to unsprayed control plants. Thus it will be economically advantageous to use cowdung extract to control bacterial blight of rice.ThesisItem Open Access Effectiveness of soil solarization for the control of soft rot disease in ginger(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Vilasini, T N; KAU; Peethambran, C KThe effectiveness of soil solarisation for the control of soft rot disease in ginger was studied at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during March 1992 to December 1993. The beds were inoculated with Pythium aphanidermatum, five days before the solarisation. Transparent, 150 guage polyethylene sheets were used for solarizing the beds. Maximum soil temperatures recorded were 63.00, 59.00 and 46.50 at 5, 10 and 15 cm depths in solarized soil, while, that in non-solarized soils were 49.50, 43.00 and 40.00C, respectively, at 5,10 and 15 cm depths. Temperature in the solarized soil at 5 cm depth was above 50.00 C for the entire solarisation period and above 55.00 C for 38 days, while, at 10 cm depth the temperature was above 50.00 C for 35 days and above 55.00 for five days. The soil temperature at 15 cm depth never reached 50.00 C during the solarisation period. Based on the soil and air temperature recorded, two simple regression equations at 5 and 10 cm depths, one simple equation at 15 cm depth and one multiple regression equation at 10 cm depth were developed for predicting soil temperature under polyethylene mulch. Rate of germination in ginger was enhanced by solarisation. Significant effect of solarisation was observed in controlling the pre and post-emergence rotting in ginger. Increasing the period of solarisation from 30 to 45 days did not result in a corresponding reduction in the pre-emergence rotting. Trichoderma incorporated neem cake amended 30 day solarized treatment was highly effective and recorded cent percent control of the soft rot disease, while, maximum disease incidence (90.67%) was in Trichoderma incorporated neem leaves amended 45 days solarized plots. Reduction in Pythium population ranging from 79.49 to 99.1 per cent was observed in solarized plots immediately after the removal of polyethylene sheets. Solarization reduced the total fungal, bacterial, actinomycetal and Pseudomonas sp. population in the field. Plants grown in solarized plots showed better colonization of VAM and Azospirillum. Significant reduction in the nematode population was recorded by solarisation. Solarization had a profound suppressive effect on the weed population and it lasted till harvest. Solarization effect was more pronounced in dicots. Eventhough, solarisation substantially reduced weed population, its effect was less in the edges. Bulbostylis barbata, Cynodon dactylon and Cyperus rotundus survived the solarisation effect. Increased growth response of ginger plants was observed as a result of solarization. Growth parameters like height, number of leaves/plant, number of tillers, number of roots, leaf length, leaf breadth, fresh weight of shoots and rhizomes were influenced by solarisation. Significant increase in the yield was obtained through solarisation. Trichoderma incorporated and neem cake amended 30 days solarized treatment gave the maximum yield/plant (623.23 g) and also per plot yield (10159.57 g), which was 5361 per cent more than that of control. Availability of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was improved by solarisation. The initial cost of solarization is comparatively high, an amount of Rs. 52,500/- is required for solarizing one hectare of ginger field. An additional profit generated from this technique was Rs. 40,136/ha for 30 days solarisation.ThesisItem Open Access Combatibility of certain fungicides and insecticides used for the control of major diseases and insect pests infesting the rice crop(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Kalpana, T A; KAU; Sally Mathew, KThe efficacy of four fungicides and four insecticides alone and in combination was studied at different concentrations recommended, three-fourth and half the recommended concentrations against two major diseases of rice namely, rice blast caused by Pyricularia oryzae Cavara and sheth blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani kahn. And two major insect-pests namely, leaffoldar Cnaphalocrocis medinalis medinalis Guen. And brown planthopper Nilaparvatha lugens stal. At tillering, panicle initiation and flowering stage of the crop. The experiment was conducted in vivo and in vitro conditions during 1989-91, at the college of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur. In general combind application of fungicides and insecticides controlled the diseases and insect-pests more effectively than the treatments given separately. At tillering stage, a synergistic effect of fungicide was observed, when it was sprayed along with insecticides. Among different combinations tried, tridemorph (o.1 per cent) + monocrotophos (0.0375%) and carbendazim (0.075 ) + guinalphos (0.025 per cent) were the best combinations against blast and sheath blight respectively. In the case of leaffolder and brown planthopper, quinalphos was found to be the best insecticide, when used alone and also in combination with fungicides. At panicle initiation stage, combined sprays of higher concentrations of carbendazim and monocrotophos was the best combination in controlling both R. solani and N. lugeas. But ediphenphos-phosphamidon combination was found to be the superior against N. lugens. When combind spraying was given at flowering stage, captafol (0.225 per cent) + quinalphos (0.0375 per cent, and carbendazim (0.075 per cent) + monocrotophos (0.0375 per cent) were found to be the best combinations against P. oryzae and R. solani respectively. But, combination of recommended doses of quinalphos with tridemorph and ediphenphos and, phosalone with ediphenphos were the effective treatments in controlling C. medinalis and N. lugens respectively. In in vitro studies, a total inhibition of the test organisms, viz.P. oryzae and R. solani were observed in all the treatments. Whereas, in the case of C. medinalis recommended doses of quinalphos in combination with ediphenphos and carbendazim and phosalone with tridemorph recorded highest mortality; while, highest dose of quinalphos with captafol and phosalone with ediphenphos were the superior combinations against N. lugens. From the above findings it could be concluded that, the fungicides viz. ediphenphos, carbendazim, captafol and tridemorph are compatible with all the four insecticides tried viz. Phosphamidon, quinalphos, phosalone and monocrotophos in controlling the diseases, blast and sheath blight and insect pests leaffolder and brown planthopper.ThesisItem Open Access Etiology and control of seedling blight of cocoa(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1995) Edwin Prem, E; KAU; Koshy, AbrahamThe seedling blight is a serious nursery disease of cocoa. The fungus causing seedling blight of cocoa was isolated and Koch’s postulates were established. On carrot agar medium, the fungus produced sparse, striate growth. The mature sporangia were near spherical to ovoid with round base, papillate, caduceus with an average L/B ratio of 1.74. Sporangia were borne terminally in a sympodial fashion. It had a short and thick stalk with an average length of 4.1µm. Based on these characters, the pathogen causing seedling blight of cocoa was identified as Phytophthora palmivora (Butler) Butler. For maximum growth of the fungus, oat meal and corn agar were the best. But, for maximum sporangial production, carrot agar and oat meal agar were good. Among the liquid media, oat meal and corn meal broth supported good growth of the fungus. The disease produced various type of symptoms on leaves and stem of seedlings and budded plants like water soaking, leaf blight, defoliation, black discolouration, cotyledonary infection, wilting and die back. Stem of budded plants were more prone to infection than that of seedlings. The seedlings blight pathogen infected plants such as Piper nigrum L., Cocos nucifera L., Hevea brasiliensis L., Bougainvillea sp. And Colocasia esculenta L. but did not infect Areca catechu L., Piper betle L. and Piper longum L. on artificial inoculation. The youngest seedlings of age group less than 18 days after germination were more vulnerable to infection. Similarly, the youngest budded plants of age group 45 days after budding showed maximum infection. Among the 62 cocoa types screened for host resistance the cocoa types GIV-36.6 (local), GVI-23 (P9 x P4), GIV-4.6 (local) and S-45.5 (local) showed minimum percentage of mortality. Among the different fungicides/antibiotics screened in in vitro, Fytolan, Captaf, Bordeaux mixture, Akomin and Ridomil at all concentrations and 0.3 per cent Foltaf and, Chloramphenicol and Terramycin each at 400 and 500 ppm completely inhibited the growth of the fungus. Indofil-M.45, Aureofungin and Amoxycillin exhibited less inhibitory effect. Foltaf, Fytolan and Akomin each at 0.3 per cent concentration showed better effect in cheching the lesion development on detached cocoa leaves. Result of the different in vivo control experiment indicated that, the fungicides like Akomin, Foltaf, Fytolan and Bordeaux mixture had promising effect in checking the incidence and severity of the disease.ThesisItem Open Access Symptomatology and etiology of little leaf disease of pepper (piper nigrum L.)(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1995) Sree Kumari, P K; KAU; Sukumara Varma, ASymptomatology and etiology of little leaf disease of pepper (piper nigrum L.) was conducted at the department of plant pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur and at pulppally in Wayanad district during 1992-94. Based on the external symptoms of the disease a disease scoring chart (0 to 4) was perfected. The diseased plants had shorter main root and less number of feeder roots. Brown discoloration was noticed on diseased roots. Internodal length as reduced which give a bushy appearance to the plant. Leaves were distorted, downwardly curved, chlorotic, brittle with wire-net type vein lets. Enen though the size and shape were normal, the number of flowers per spike decreased and the aborted flowers increased. Proper maturity was obtained by very few berries. Disease was observed to attach all age group of plants, but the intensity increased with age. Variety karimunda was highly susceptible and punniyur-1 was observed to be tolerant though the disease attacked Arakkulam munda, Aimpiriyan and Vellananamban with lesser degree than karimunda. Application of zinc did not inhibit the symptoms. When 0.2% Dienes stain was used for the phloem portion of the roots, nodes and petioles of the diseased and healthy plants, only diseased plant parts stained blue indicating the presence of mycoplasma like organisms in them. Disease could not be transmitted by sap or dodder. It could be transmitted by cuttings and by wedge grafting using diseased root stock and healthy scion not vice versa. Transmission studies with insects Austroagallia sp. Manderan beta Owarokowska aand Liothrips Karnyi were not successful. Applications of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) by drenching, spraying, dipping and wick feeding were effective at concentrations more than 500 ppm for remission of disease symptoms. OTC at 250 ppm was not effective. Above 750 ppm, the treatment caused phytotoxicity. Among methods, wicks feeding was found to be the best, which prevented reappearance of symptom even after two years where as in all the other methods, the symptom remission lasted for less than 6 months. Yield was observed to be reduced with an increase in disease intensity. The study revealed the symptomatology of little leaf disease of black pepper and resulted in the identification of etiology as mycoplasma like organism.