Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

2001 - 20023
Reset filters
Subject: Plant Pathology × Author: KAU × End date: 2002 × Start date: 2000 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of VAM inoculation on nutrient uptake, growth, yield and bacterial wilt incidence in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Raji, P; KAU; Sukumara Varma, A
    An investigation on the influence of VAM inoculation on nutrient uptake, growth, yield and bacterial wilt incidence of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was carried out at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period 1996 - 2000. The objectives of the study were to select an efficient VAM fungus for improving nutrient uptake, growth and yield of tomato, to explore the possibility of reducing the use of phosphorus fertilizer by VAM inoculation and also to study its influence on bacterial wilt incidence. The survey conducted revealed the natural occurrence of VAM association in tomato at different locations of Kerala. There was variation in VAM colonization and rihzosphere spore count among the locations. Predominant VAM fungi associated with tomato at the survey locations belonged to the genus Glomus. Out of the fifteen native isolates and four standard cultures, Glomus mosseae, Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus intraradices and Gigaspora margarita, the native isolate collected from Eruthempathi (Palakkad District) was found to be the best in improving nutrient uptake, growth and yield of tomato variety, Sakthi. Inoculation of this isolate resulted in increased root colonization, spore count, shoot and root biomass, root volume and yield. It induced seven days early flowering and increased the ascorbic acid content of the fruit. The uptake of nutrients particularly P, K and Ca was improved by the inoculation of this isolate. The pot culture experiment conducted to study the possibility of reducing phosphorus fertilizer due to VAM inoculation showed the superiority of VAM isolate collected from Eruthempathi in improving growth, P uptake and yield. With the increase in dose of P upto 50 per cent, there was a significant increase in root colonization, fresh weights and dry weights of shoot and root and also the yield. No further increase in these parameters was recorded with the increase in dose of P upto 100 per cent. The plants inoculated with the VAM isolates along with 50 per cent P recorded shoot and root biomass and yield significantly superior to that of these parameters recorded by the plants which received full dose of P alone. The results of the field experiment showed that the plants inoculated with VAM had higher root colonization and rihzosphere spore count compared to uninoculated plants. Irrespective of the form of P used the rihzosphere spore count and VAM colonization were less at higher doses of P compared to lower doses. Among the treatments involving super phosphate, the treatment T9 (VAM + FYM + N + 50% SP + K) was significantly superior in improving root colonization, spore count, fresh weight and dry weight of root, root length, shoot P content and yield compared to the package of practices recommendations (T2 - FYM + N + SP + K). Among the treatments involving mussorie rock phosphate, the treatment Tio (VAM + FYM + N + 75% MP + K) was significantly superior to the present package of practices recommendations in its effects on fresh weight and dry weight of shoot and root, root length, shoot P content and yield. The nutrient status of the soil with respect to P_ and K content was improved by the treatment T9 (VAM + FYM + N + 50% SP + K). No significant change in soil P content was observed by the VAM inoculation along with MP. The treatment Tio (VAM+FYM+75%MP+K) recorded the highest soil K content. The field experiment conducted in the wilt sick field revealed that inoculation of selected VAM fungi could reduce the bacterial wilt incidence. Among the three varieties tested viz., Sakthi, BWR-1 and Pusa Ruby, a significant reduction in bacterial wilt incidence due to inoculation of VAM fungi collected from Eruthempathi was recorded by the variety, Sakthi. The inoculated plants of BWR-1 showed only five per cent reduction in wilt incidence. No reduction in wilt incidence was observed in variety, Pusa Ruby.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Characterization, host range and management of sweet potato feathery mottle virus
    (Kerala Agricultural University;Thiruvananthapuram, 2001) Jeeva, M.L.; KAU; Balakrishnan, S.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Monographic studies on agaricus species of Kerala
    (Kerala Agricultural University;Thiruvananthapuram, 2001) Thara Susha, S; KAU; Bhavani Devi, S