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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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1992 - 19962
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Subject: Plant Pathology × Author: Veena, S S × End date: 1999 × Start date: 1991 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Distribution of species of phytophthora affecting coconut and pepper in Kerala
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Veena, S S; KAU; Peethambaran, C K
    The present investigation was undertaken to correctly identify the species of Phytophthora causing bud rot of coconut and foot rot of pepper in Kerala and to find out their comparative role in causing diseases on coconut and pepper. The study also aimed at isolation of viable antagonistic agents against the pathogen, so as to utilize them in future for biological control. The study was conducted during 1992-96 at College of Agriculture, Vellayani and Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode. Detailed symptomatology of both the diseases at different locations were studied. Periodic collections were made from diseased coconut and pepper from seven districts of Kerala. The morphological characters of the isolates were studied in detail. The length, breadth, L/B ratio, pedicel length and caducity of sporangia of coconut isolates were smaller than pepper isolates. The sporangial shapes differed considerably between and among the isolates. All the isolates except those collected from Kannur and Kasaragod districts (C7 - C16), produced abundant number of sporangia on carrot agar. Phytophthora are either heterothallic or homothallic. Generally P. palmivora and P. capsici are heterothallic. But ten coconut isolates obtained from Kannur and Kasaragodu districts produced abundant number of sexual structures on carrot agar, indicating their homothallic nature and this is the first report of homothallic Phytophthora causing bud rot of coconut in Kerala. All other 52 isolates were mated with known A1 and A2 mating type and all the coconut isolates produced oospores with A1 and all the pepper isolates produced oospores when mated with A2. Zoospore production was induced from sporangia using cold treatment. The number of zoospores in sporangia ranged from 6-15 in number. Chlamydlospore production was a rare phenomenon in pepper isolates while all the coconut isolates and five pepper isolates produced chlamydospores. All the isolates were inoculated into pepper seedlings, coconut leaves, tender coconut and coconut seedlings and the time required for infection, variation in symptom expression by different isolates etc. were studied. All the sixteen coconut isolates produced foot rot in pepper. Fourty six isolates of pepper produced lesions on coconut leaves and nut rot in tender coconut, while, only six isolates of pepper produced bud rot in coconut plants. The cross infectivity of pepper isolates needed further confirmation to prove the point beyond doubt. Eight cultivated plants, 9 ornamental plants and 12 weed plants were tested for the host range of coconut and pepper isolates. Many plants belonged to the above three groups took infection successfully. The microorganisms found associated with healthy and diseased pepper and coconut plantations and microorganisms from soils of pepper and coconut gardens of different parts of Kerala were isolated. Out of more than 200 microorganisms, only 28 fungi inhibited the growth of Phytophthora in vitro. On pepper plant, 12 isolates had inhibitory action. Three organisms, viz., Verticillium chlamydosporium, Aspergillus terreus and Chaetomium sp checked the pathogen completely even after seven days of spraying with the organisms.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Etiology and management of powdery mildew disease of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Poir)
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Veena, S S; Rema Devi, L
    The present investigation was undertaken to correctly identify the causal organism of pumpkin powdery mildew disease in Kerala and to find out the environmental factors responsible for the occurrence of infection. Attempts were also made to screen different pumpkin lines to identify resistant ones to powdery mildew. The efficacy of different antifungal compounds against the disease were also tried. The study was conducted during 1990 -92 at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. Detailed symptomatology of the disease was worked out. The time taken for getting infection varied in resistant moderately resistant and susceptible plants. The fungus causing powdery mildew disease of pumpkin in Kerala was identified as Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Schlecht) Poll. Teleomorphic stage of the pathogen was not observed. From the cross inoculation studies it was clear that S. fuliginea from pumpkin cannot infect non-cucurbitaceous crops and weeds. Even in cucurbits it could infect only bittergourd and ivy gourd. The optimum temperature for germination of S. fuliginea was at 25°C followed by 20°C. The spores germinated at very high relative humidity while it was inhibited in water. Preliminary screening of 57 lines of pumpkin was conducted during 1990 season and 28 lines were selected from this for further studies. All the lines were found infected in both the seasons. But the degree of susceptibility and the age at which they became susceptible were varied. Only the line showed consistency in resistant reaction. Climatic factors like temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and sunshine hours were recorded for an year and was correlated with the disease severity. Incidence of the disease was indirectly correlated with rainfall. However, the influence of climatic factors were more pronounced during the initial stages of the crop. Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to find out the efficacy of five antifungal compounds and water on S. fuliginea. All the chemicals and water inhibited spore germination at varying concentrations. Effect of those chemicals and water were also tried under field conditions on line P. 46. At the end ofone week after spraying Carbendazim recorded maximum disease reduction. Disease at the time of harvest was least in Sulfex treated plants. Even water spray could reduce the disease considerably. Maximum yield was recorded from plants sprayed with Calixin. The best cost effective method to check powdery mildew infection of pumpkin was by spraying water.