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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Open Access
Studies on the burrowing nematode radopholus similis (cobb,1893) thorne 1949 on pepper(Piper nigrum L.) and its role in slow wilt disease
(Department of plant pathology, University of agricultural sciences, Bangalore, 1976) Venkitesan, T S; Setty, K G H
Open Access
Study of bacterial leaf spot of betel vine- biochemical changes and control
(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Koshi, Abraham; KAU; James, Mathew
The bacterial leaf spot is one of the most serious diseases of betel vine in Kerala. The bacterium is one of the most serious disease of betal vine. Confidering the seriouness of the disease , studies were undertaken on the different aspects of the disease and to find out a suitable control /management practice.
Open Access
Ochratoxicosis in the goat
(Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1983) Maryamma, K I; KAU; Krishnan Nair, M
An experimental study was carried out to delineate the pathological effects of ochratoxin in goats. A comparative assessment of ochratoxin production by A. ochraceus and A. sulphureus on what and rice under static and shake cultures was also made. A. ochraceus was found to be a better toxin producing strain in both substrates under static and shake cultures systems and wheat was a better substrate than rice. Toxicity studies were conducted in Sannen – Malabari cross-bred goats of 1 to 3 months age. Purified ochratoxin produced in the laboratory was administered by oral, intra-peritoneal and intravenous routes. The different dose levels adopted were 2.5 mg/kg body weight, 1 mg/kg body weight and 0.5 mg/kg body weight. The synergistic effect of ochratoxin and aflatoxin in goats was studied by adminstering the crystalline toxins simultaneously (Makor Chemicals, Israel) by itraperitoneal route. The parameters of study were: clinical signs, haematological and biochemical alterations, pathological changes in urine, and macroscopic, microscopic and ultra-structural alterations in organs. Varying degree of clinocopathological changes were noticed in the test animals. The animals became weak and listless and in general there was reduction of total erythrocyte count, PCV, haemoglobin and lymphocyte count. Serum protein level was lowered while BUN and creatinine and blood coagulation time were high. There was rise in ALP, SGOT and SGPT in some of the test animals. The changes and degree of variation depended on the dose, total quantity and rate of administration of the toxin and duration of the experiment. More severe alterations were noticed when ochratoxin and aflatoxin were administered simultaneously. Important changes in the urine were lowering of pH, albuminurea and presence of epithelial cells and casts. Pathological changes varied in severity in different organs and were observed in the following descending order: kidney, liver, intestines, stomach, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, genital organs, endocrines. In the kidneys, the order of intensity of pathological alterations was: proximal convoluted tubules, Henle’s loop, distal convoluted tubule, glomeruli, collecting tubules. Retrogressive changes of different degree and necrosis of the lining epithelial cells of tubules and endothelium and epithelium of glomeruli were the important lesions. Changes in glomeruli and Bowman’s capsule noticed in the higher dose group included shrinkage of glomeruli and presence of proteinaceous material in the capsular space. Eosinophilic granular casts and PAS positive bodies were present in the lumen of tubules. The necrobiotic renal changes were more intense when orchatoxin and aflatoxin were administered simultaneously. Hepatic lesions were mainly fatty infiltration, necrosis of hepatocytes and haemorrhage. The changes were most severe in combined toxicity. Mallory bodies and mild biliary hyperplasia were noticed in a few sections. Necrosis and subsequent depletion of lymphocytes wee the lesions in lymph nodes, spleen and thymus in some test animals. Degenerative changes were also noticed in testis, ovary, pituitary, adrenals and pancreas in experimental groups. In the combined toxicity group the pathological effect was more intense. At the ultra-structural level, the hepatcytes as well as the epithelial cells in the kidney showed severe changes. The cell organelles were either completely damaged or showed partial configurational alterations. Mitochondria showed changed in the density of matrix as well as disorientation and destruction of the limiting membranes and cristae. Cytolysosomes incorporating damaged cell organelles were abundant. Disaggregation of ribosomes and fragmentation of ER were noticed. In the glomerulus, there was destruction of the basement membrane and disruption of the regular arrangement of the foot processes of podocytes. In the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, Mallory bodies and lipid droplets were present. Varying degree of nuclear changes like clumping, condensation and disappearance of chromatin and fragmentation of nucleolus and nuclear membrane were observed. Changes occurred in the tight junctions of epithelial cells of bile ducts. Pathological alterations were more pronounced when ochratoxin was administered by the pwerenteral route. Oral administration of toxin also effected structural alterations which indicated that some fraction of ochratoxin escaped degradation in the rumen. From this study it became evident that aflatoxin potentiated the effect of ochratoxin. The structural damage to the cells might be due to the inhibition of oxidative enzymes which is reflected by the extensive ultra- structural alteration observed in the mitochondria and RER. Biochemical changes like high BUN and creatinine were evidently due to necrobiotic changes in the kidney. Interference in the synthesis of proteins due to damage of hepatic cells and escape of protein molecules due to alteration in the podocyte foot processes and basement membranes may account for the reduced serum protein levels. The nature of organellar destruction and configurational changes in the cells indicate the toxic potency of the mycotoxin on the biological system.
Open Access
Studies on purple top roll (PTR) of potato in Karnataka
(Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 1983) Sreedharan, A; KAU; Reddy, H R
1. Survey for the incidence of potato purple top roll revealed that the disease was present in Bangalore, Belgaum, Dharwad, Hassan and Kolar districts of Karnataka. The average percentage of incidence varied from 8.94 to 50.07. The survey also indicated that there was low incidence of the disease in summer and high incidence in kharif and rabi. 2. The pathogen was transmissible by wedge, side and core grafting. 3. The disease was transmitted through dodder, Cuscuta chinensis Lam. 4. The disease was not transmissible through sap and aphids Myzus persicae Sulz. And Aphis gossypil Glov. 5. The etiological agent was transmitted by the leafhopper, Orosius albicinctus Distant and not by Hishimonus phycitis Distant. 6. The vector, O. albicinctus could acquire the pathogen in two hr and inoculate to healthy plants in 30 min. The percentage of active transmission was 35 – 40 and the minimum incubation period in the plant was between 20 and 25 days. Maximum percentage of transmission was obtained on 40th day after inoculation. 7. Characteristic symptoms of the disease was inward rolling of basal parts of top leaflets, purple/pink pigmentation, smalling of leaves, excessive proliferation of axillary buds, erect appearance, production of purple coloured, aerial tubers and stunting and dwarfing of plants. 8. The etiological agent infected tomato, tree tomato, Datura stramonium and D. metel by grafting. 9. The pattern of spread of the disease in the field was from external source in the beginning and later the spread was within. 10. The vector population was correlated with the disease incidence in the field. The increase in the incidence of the disease followed the increase in the vector population. 11. The leafhopper vector, O. albicinctus Distant was high in the months from late June to December and low from January to early June. 12. The high population of leafhoppers was correlated with low temperature and high humidity and low population was correlated with high temperature and low humidity. 13. The disease appeared 40 days after planting in the field and then it gradually increased reaching the peak by 90th day. 14. The pathogen was transmitted through tubers for two successive generations but to a lower percentage in the second generation. 15. Of the 36 cultivars/varieties of potato tested under field conditions, none were found to be resistant, However, the vars. JF 542, JF 4612, JG 676, JG 900, JC 750 and JE 812 had less than five per cent infection. Kufri Chandramukhi and Kufri Jyoti were highly susceptible having 48.3 and 47.6 per cent incidence, respectively. The highest average incidence of PTR in these cultivars in farmer’s fields was 35.85 and 26.03 per cent, respectively. 16. There was considerable loss in yield in many cvs. Viz., JC 750, BS/F 100, JC 182 and EM/F 2120. 17. The weight of tubers produced by the infected plants was always less than the tubers obtained from the adjacent healthy plants. The infected plants produced more number of smaller tubers which aggregated close to the main stem attached on short stolons. 18. Complete remission was obtained at 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm, incomplete remission at 100 and 250 ppm and no remission at 50 ppm of tetracycline given alternatively for 20 days.
Open Access
Strain variation in Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn [Thanatephorus cucumeris (Frank) Donk] causing sheath blight of rice
(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Vijayan, M; KAU; Chandrasekharan Nair, N
Symptoms of sheath blight disease usually develop towards the tillering stage of the rice crop. Discolouration initially appearing on the sheath at or above the water level develop into ellipsoidal lesions. The lesions are light greenish gray in colour with dark brown margin. As the disease progress the lesions coalesce and become oblong to irregular in shape. In severe condition the lesions encircle the culm and cause rotting of the sheath. The disease then spreads to the leaves and such plants are killed. Sclerotia and silvery threads of the fungal mycelium appear on the affected regions under high humid conition. The casual organism was Isolated and identified as Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. The hyphae branched near the distal septus with a costriction at the branch base. Hyphae were multinucleate and in culture showed brown pigmentation. Nature sclerotia were subglobose with rough regular surface.
Open Access
Effect of application of plant protection chemicals on the survival of Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn
(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Lulu Das; KAU; Chandrasekharan Nair, M
In Kerala, the incidence of sheath blight of rice is endemic causing great economic loss. The present investigation was undertaken to make a critical assessment of the efficacy of various palnt protection chemicals, viz., fungicides, insecticides and herbicides on the incidence and intensity of sheath blight of rice and on the survival of the pathogen. The organism was isolated from naturally infected rice fields and its pathogenicity proved. Studies on the viability of sclerotia revealed that they sclerotia remained viable upto 210 days in all the different types of soils namely sandy, clayey and loamy. The organism could survive on straw bits upto 180th ady only.
Open Access
Monographic studies on edible species of pleurotus and standardisation of the techniques for large scale cultivation
(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1987) Suharban, M; KAU; Chandrasekharan Nair, M
Mushrooms have long been recognized as a food because of their nutritive value and flavour and hence are grown on commercial scale on many parts of the world. In recent years cultivation of Pleurotus species are becoming popular in many of the tropical areas. No effort has been made in the past to collect, identify, describe and catalogue the Pleurotus mushroom flora of Kerala and standardise the techniques for their large scale cultivation. The present study was therefore initiated to achieve the above objectives. Collection, identification and description of the Pleurotus flora naturally occurred in and around the College of Agriculture and parts of Trivandrum district were carried out with the help of a data sheet. Twenty species of Pleurotus properly identified were further subjected to detailed study. A key was constituted to enable easy identification of gill the twenty described species. Out of the twenty species described, eight species are new records for India. Among the common cultivable species of Pleurotus. P .sajor-caju was found to be the most suitable mushrooms for the warm humid climatic condition of Kerala. The optimum temperature for maximum growth of this mushroom was found to be between 15 to 50 *C. Comparative efficacy of various containers and substrates used for spawn production revealed that Maize and empty wine bottle were the best substrate and container respectively for spawn production. Trials on cultivation of P. sajor-caiu on logs of common trees revealed Mango tree log to be the best in getting higher yield. Polythene bag was found to be the best container in supporting maximum sporocarp formation. Straw of local varieties of rice were better than high yielding varieties of rice in supporting sporocarp, formation. Comparative efficacy of straw made into bits and small twists with six species of Pleurotus revealed higher yield of 775 g per kg of substrate with spawn of Pleurotus- sajor-caju establishing its superiority for cultivation in Kerala. Cultivation of P .saior-caju in different seasons of the year revealed that this mushroom can be successfully cultivated in Kerala all through the year on paddy straw.
Open Access
Investigations on the microbial deterioration of copra
(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1978) Susamma, Philip; KAU; Ramanatha, Menon

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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