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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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Subject: Plant Pathology × End date: 2013 × Start date: 2013 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standardization of technique cultivation of Tricholoma giganteum Massee in Kerala
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2013) Prathibaha, P R; Lulu Das
    The present investigation on “Standardization of techniques for cultivation of Tricholoma giganteum (Massee) in Kerala” was conducted at the Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2012-2013. The aim of the study was to explore the possibility of cultivation of Tricholoma giganteum (Massee) on readily available cheap substrates and to develop a package for commercial cultivation in Kerala. Mushrooms were collected from different parts of Trivandrum districts before and after the South West and North East monsoons. Preliminary trials laid out showed that isolate 1 was the best out of 4 isolates which was sent to DMR. This isolate with accession number DMRO- 462 was used for further studies. Tricholoma has a convex pileus, off white to creamy white in colour, fleshy in texture and with a stout hairy stipe. Cultural studies conducted showed that the isolate attained full growth in petridish in 14 days on oat meal agar and least growth was found in carrot agar medium. Out of six carbon sources dextrose was found to be best for the radial growth of Tricholoma, least growth was found in galactose. Among the seven nitrogen sources used to study the radial growth of Tricholoma in petridish beef extract was found to best and least in ammonium nitrate. Temperature of 35 ⁰C, fluorescent light conditions and pH8 were found to be the best for the growth of Tricholoma giganteum. Evaluation of six different spawn substrates showed that paddy grains was best spawn substrate since complete spawn run was attained in two weeks. Regarding yield studies beds laid out with wheat grain spawn gave highest yield of 833.33 g / bed. Saw dust took maximum time for spawn run and lowest yield was also recorded in it. Six different locally available cheap substrates viz., paddy straw, sugarcane bagasse, saw dust, coir pith compost, spent mushroom substrates and coir pith + paddy straw were used for the cultivation of Tricholoma giganteum. Highest yield (694.50 g) was found to be in beds prepared from paddy straw and lowest yield (199.50 g) was observed in beds laid out with coir pith + paddy straw as substrate. Out of the casing materials tried vermi compost was found to be the best. Lowest yield was found be in beds cased with red soil + sand. Analysis of nutrient composition of Tricholoma giganteum indicated that, the moisture content, protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash and fibre content was found to 87.46 %, 23.20 %, 2.60 %, 10.10 %, 11.46 % and 19.01 % respectively. The shelf life of fresh mushroom was high (7 days) when stored in polypropylene cover without perforation in refrigerated condition. For mushroom dried in hot air oven the shelf life was found to be 60 days. Pests like sciarid flies and staphylinid beetle were prevalent after the second harvest only. Coprinus, cob web (Cladobotryum dendroides) and Trichoderma causing decay of the fruiting body was observed in Tricholoma giganteum beds when temperature and relative humidity was high. Results of organoleptic studies revealed that Tricholoma has high cooking quality and overall consumer acceptability was good. Cutlets were found to be the best when consumed by the panel of judges followed by payasam. The overall acceptability of soup made out of dried mushroom powder was comparatively poor. Based on the results obtained during the investigation it can be concluded that Tricholoma is a new summer edible mushroom most suited for the Kerala conditions. The technology of cultivation of Tricholoma on paddy straw substrate using wheat or paddy spawn and vermi compost as casing material can be recommended as a suitable domestication package which will be transferred to the farmers along with the release of this mushroom variety.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pathogenic and genetic variability in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Ishiyama) Swings et al. and the management of bacterial blight disease
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2013) Purushothaman, S M; KAU; Rehumath Niza, T J
    Bacterial blight of rice is a major threat in rice cultivation causing huge yield loss to the crop. Realizing the practical importance, an investigation entitled on “Pathogenic and genetic variability in Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae (Ishiyama) Swings et al. and management of bacterial blight disease” was carried out during 2006-2011. A series of surveys conducted in 14 locations of three major rice growing districts (Alappuzha, Palakkad and Thrissur) of Kerala during September 2007 to find out the occurrence of bacterial blight disease. High incidence was recorded in Palakkad district. During, the survey, the characteristic symptom of bacterial blight as yellow lesions on the both the margins of the leaf leaving a green area in the centre of leaf were observed. The pathogen causing bacterial blight of rice was isolated from 14 locations of the said districts and their pathogenicity was established. Based on the cultural, morphological and biochemical characters, the pathogen was identified as Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae (Xoo) (Ishiyama) Swings et al. The 14 isolates showed slight variation in their cultural, morphological and biochemical characters. Pathotype studies were conducted in net house using 14 isolates on 20 popular and commonly cultivated rice varieties, six near isogenic lines having different R genes/gene combination and two rice differentials with no genes. It could distinguish the virulence spectrum of the isolates into three groups/categories namely ‘highly virulent’, ‘moderately virulent’ and ‘weakly virulent’ isolates/strains. The study on the kresek symptom also confirmed the above finding. BOX and ERIC-PCR fingerprinting depicted the existence of high level of genetic variability among the pathogen population in the rice growing areas of Kerala. In vitro sensitivity of six bactericides against the four highly virulent isolates of Xoo revealed that tetracycline 250 ppm, tetracycline 100 ppm, tetracycline 50 ppm, streptocycline 250 ppm, streptocycline 200 ppm and Bactrinashak 250 ppm were effective against the pathogen. In vitro sensitivity of different organics and agrochemicals revealed that cow dung extract 2% + vermicompost extract 2%, cow dung extract 2% + P. fluorescens 2%, vermicompost extract 2% + P. fluorescens 2%, vermicompost extract 2 %, copper hydroxide 0.15% were found effective against the pathogen, in that order. The 110 bacterial isolates obtained from rice rhizosphere, rice endosphere and cowdung and vermicompost, screened against the Polpully virulent pathogen could yield six prominent bacterial isolates viz., RE-1, RR-26, RR-53, CB-39, VB-67 and VB-69 and were tentatively identified as Pseudomonas sp. Pot culture experiment, showed that tetracycline 250 ppm, tetracycline 100 ppm, streptocycline 250 ppm, Bactrinashak 250 ppm, tetracycline 50 ppm, bacteria from cow dung (CB-39), bacteria from vermicompost (VB-69), endosphere bacteria (RE-1), rhizosphere bacteria (RR-26), cow dung extract 2% + P. fluorescens 2%, vermicompost extract 2% + P. fluorescens 2% and cow dung extract 2% + vermicompost extract 2%, rhizosphere bacteria (RR-53) and copper hydroxide 0.15% were found best in managing the bacterial blight disease. Seven bacterial antagonists viz., RE-1, RR-26, RR-53, CB-39, VB-67 VB-69 and Pf1 when subjected to compatibility studies against Xoo under in vitro showed 17 combinations, showing synergistic effect in inhibiting the Xoo. In the compatibility study of seven antagonists with nine pesticides, 71 two way combinations were found synergestic effect against Xoo. The compatibility of 13 agrochemicals under in vitro against Xoo, revealed that 50 two way combinations showed synergistic action in inhibiting the pathogen. Three two way combinations showed compatible action in inhibiting the pathogen. In the compatibility of four fertilizers viz., urea, rajphos, muriate of potash and ammonium sulphate showed that five two way combinations proved synergistic action in inhibiting the pathogen. All the seven antagonistic bacteria and 17 agrochemicals showed the compatible reaction in inhibiting Xoo. The seven bacterial antagonists were subjected for various growth promoting characters viz., ‘P’ solubilization, NH3 and HCN production. The six isolates differed slightly for the above characters. All the isolates could produce siderophore and IAA. A few isolates could produce non volatile metabolites. The field study established the most practical finding that the tetracycline 50 ppm, tetracycline 100 ppm, bacterial consortium (RE-1+CB-39), bacterial consortium (CB-39 +VB-69), bacteria from cow dung (CB-39), endosphere bacteria (RE-1), bacteria from vermicompost (VB-69), streptocycline 250 ppm, Bactrinashak 250 ppm, cow dung extract 2% + KAU-(Pf1) 2%, rhizosphere bacteria (RR-26) and KAU-(Pf1) 2% were found promising in managing bacterial blight disease of rice. Thus, apart from bactericides, there was a variety of highly promising organic management possibilities to combat the disease.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Management of leaf spot diseases of arecanut (Areca catechu L)
    (Department of plant pathology, College of agriculture, Vellayani, 2013) Vijayaraj, D; KAU; Mary, C A
    The present investigation on “Management of leaf spot diseases of arecanut (Areca catechu L.)” was conducted at the Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2011-2013. The objectives were to study the leaf spot diseases affecting young areca palms and to develop an integrated management practice to contain the diseases. Three pathogens were obtained from the leaf spots. Pestalotiopsis palmarum Cooke. was isolated from dark brown or grey spots with brown bands and it produced white cottony mycelium with black coloured fruiting bodies on PDA. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz and Sacc. was isolated from brown spots with yellow halo and also from grey spots without any margin and it produced dense, cottony, dirty white to greyish mycelium with pinkish conidial mass on PDA. Phomopsis palmicola was obtained from round to oval brownish spots, mycelium on the PDA was dull white, flat mycelial growth with even margin. All the cultures were molecularly characterized and identified as P. palmarum, C. gloeosporioides and P. palmicola based on the sequences obtained amplification of the ITS regions and diversity was observed in the sequences of the isolates from different geographical locations. Among the different pH levels, maximum radial growth of P. palmarum and C. gloeosporioides was observed at pH 5.0. Disease occurred in all the locations surveyed and PDI of 34.5 was present in I.F. Vellayani. Incidence ranged from 75-85 per cent and the disease was restricted to 3-4 basal leaves only. Correlation coefficient between PDI and weather parameters showed that minimum temperature had significant negative correlation (-0.6725) with PDI. Five fungal and two bacterial organisms were isolated from phyllosphere and rhizosphere of healthy areca palms and one fungi and two bacteria were showing antagonistic activity against the pathogens. In vitro evaluation - T. harzianum was effective in inhibiting the growth of P. palmarum (62.77%), C. gloeosporioides (51.04%). Out of the seven fungicides evaluated Propiconazole at (0.075, 0.037, 0.018%) and Carbendazim (0.2, 0.1, 0.05%) completely inhibited the growth of P. palmarum and C. gloeosporioides. Among five botanicals tested garlic at (2, 4 and 6%) was effective on P. palmarum and C. gloeosporioides. Garlic at 6% and azoxystrobin at 0.1% were compatible with T.harzianum upto 82.21% and 72.09% respectively. All other systemic fungicides tested were completely incompatible with the biocontrol agent. An experiment was conducted with eight treatments and one control on seedlings in the green house. All the treatments tested were significantly effective against leaf spot diseases of arecanut. After 30 days of second spray the most effective treatment was Carbendazim with 50.15 % reduction in PDI, which was on par with Propiconazole which recorded 48.61 % and Difenoconazole with 48.29%. For field level the experiment was conducted with eight treatments and one control on 4-7 yr. old young areca palms in the Instructional Farm, Vellayani. All the treatments tested were significantly effective against leaf spot diseases of arecanut. After 30 days of third spray the most effective treatment was Carbendazim with 39.33 % reduction in PDI which was on par with Propiconazole which recorded 38.90 % reduction. These two treatments were significantly superior over all other treatments, followed by combination treatment Azoxystrobin + T.harzianum which had 29.36 % reduction in PDI over control and pre- treatment.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Integrated management of Sigatoka leaf spot disease of banana (Musa spp.) using newer fungicides
    (Department of plant pathology, College of agriculture, Vellayani, 2013) Dattatray L, Shinde; KAU; Kamala Nayar
    The present study was conducted on “Integrated management of Sigatoka leaf spot disease of banana (Musa spp.) using newer fungicides”. The objectives were to conduct survey for assessing the incidence and intensity of Sigatoka leaf spot disease of banana and to evaluate the efficacy of newer fungicides for management of the disease. Survey was conducted in four locations viz. Uzhamalakal in Nedumangad Taluk (Location I), Pallichal in Neyyatinkara Taluk (Location II) and Vellayani in Thiruvananthapuram Taluk (Locations III and IV; Block D and Block F in Instructional farm, Vellayani) indicated that black Sigatoka was prevalent from 2011 to 2012 in the cultivar Nendran. Disease Incidence was 100 per cent and Disease Severity Index (DSI) were 27.30, 29.86, 29.32 and 26.00 in locations I, II, III and IV respectively. Disease Incidence and Disease Severity Index were mainly influenced by maximum temperature ranging from 260C to 320C and high relative humidity of 90-96 per cent. Symptoms of yellow Sigatoka were more severe during the month of May 2013 when the average maximum temperature and relative humidity recorded 32.40C and 95 per cent respectively. Conidia and conidiophore typical to those of Mycosphaerella fijiensis were observed in the microscopic examination of leaf samples and in the culture. Results of the experiment conducted in farmer’s field (Thiruvananthapuram district) on the integrated management of Sigatoka disease, indicated that Azoxystrobin (0.15 per cent) and Tebuconazole (0.1 per cent) were effective in reducing black Sigatoka with concomitant increase in yield. Effect of Tebuconazole was more persistent than that of Azoxystrobin. Integrating fungicides with soil application of biocontrol agent, Trichoderma, was not beneficial in controlling the severity of black Sigatoka except for Tebuconazole (0.1 per cent). Mean per cent increases in yield for the two effective fungicides Azoxystrobin and Tebuconazole were 18.05 per cent and 24.83 per cent respectively over control.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Biology and cultivation of Ganoderma spp.
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2013) Vineeth V, Varma; KAU; Gokulapalan, C
    The present investigation on ‘Biology and cultivation of Ganoderma spp.’ was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during the period 2011-2013. The aim of the experiment was to study the biology of indigenous species of Ganoderma and to standardize techniques for the cultivation of this medicinal mushroom. Forest and homestead areas across the state were surveyed during the rainy season of 2011 and 2012 and 20 samples of Ganoderma fruiting bodies belonging to different stages of growth were collected. Three isolates of Ganoderma were obtained in pure culture and were named as VG-1, VG-3 and VG-7 and two isolates namely DMR-G and Vellayani local were procured from Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan, HP and the Instructional farm, Vellayani respectively. The DNA of the three cultures was isolated and sequenced and molecular characterization was done and their identity was confirmed and a phylogenetic tree was prepared. Among the cultures, Vellayani local was the fastest growing one which completed its in vitro growth in a week followed by the isolate VG-7 and so these cultures were selected for further studies. Carrot agar (CA) medium was most suitable for the growth of Ganoderma spp. Physiological studies revealed that a slightly acidic pH of 6 and a temperature range of 30-35 oC were best suited for the in vitro growth of Ganoderma spp. The intensity of light had no significant effect on mycelial growth. Wheat grain was the best among the different spawn substrates tested since it took least time (12 – 15 days) for complete spawn run, followed by sorghum and paddy which completed the spawn run within 16 and 20 days respectively. Among the bed substrates evaluated, sawdust (90%) + rice bran (10%) took the least time for complete mycelial colonization. The substrate sawdust (80%) + wheat bran (20%) was best suited for pinhead initiation of both the isolates. It was also observed that sawdust (78%) + rice bran (20%) + CaCO3 (2%) was ideal for early fruiting of both strains of mushrooms, below 21 days. The substrates based on wood chips were not found effective for pinhead initiation and thus sporocarp production was not observed. Among the cultures, total crop growth period was the least for Vellayani local whereas VG-7 recorded maximum yield in all the substrates evaluated. The highest yield of VG-7 was 27.41g which was obtained in the substrate sawdust (80%) + rice bran (20%) and the highest yield recorded for Vellayani local was 18.34g in the substrate sawdust (80%) + wheat bran (20%) on fresh weight basis. Among the two isolates, VG-7 recorded maximum biological efficiency in all the substrates evaluated. The highest biological efficiency of VG-7 was 6.59% which was obtained in the substrate sawdust (80%) + rice bran (20%) and 4.41% for Vellayani local in the substrate sawdust (80%) + wheat bran (20%). Submerged culture production was done in two liquid media namely carrot broth (CB) and oatmeal broth (OMB). Vellayani local yielded 9.86g and 10.01g in carrot broth and oatmeal broth respectively while VG-7 gave a yield of 11.83g and 12.35g in CB and OMB respectively per 100 ml medium used. As part of the investigation, 20 species of Ganoderma was collected and described, Vellayani local was found to be the best Ganoderma culture based on in vitro growth; carrot agar was the most suited medium; an acidic pH and a temperature range of 30-35oC favoured the growth; wheat was the most suitable spawning material; sawdust substrates amended with bran was the most efficient bed material and VG-7 was superior in terms of biological efficiency.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Potential of spent mushroom substrate for the management of nursery disease of black pepper
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2013) Roshna, S; KAU; Sheela, Paul T
    Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) is the composted organic material, left after the harvest of a crop of mushroom. SMS is high in organic matter and rich in plant nutrients. Several studies revealed that SMS can be effectively used for management of crop diseases. Hence an attempt has been made on the use of spent oyster mushroom substrate against nursery diseases of black pepper. Under these circumstances, a study was conducted to evaluate the potential of SMS of oyster mushroom substrate as potting mixture for the management of nursery diseases of black pepper. The main constraint in the production of quality pepper cuttings is the incidence of diseases especially that caused by Phytophthora capsici. In addition the occurrence of anthracnose by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, leaf rot and blight by Rhizoctonia solani and basal stem rot by Sclerotium rolfsii were also causing damage to the cuttings. The above fungal pathogens were isolated from diseased specimen following standard procedure and their pure cultures were maintained. The popular oyster mushrooms P. florida and P. sajor-caju were used for the production of SMS and were cultivated in two different substrates viz., paddy straw and saw dust. Microorganisms present in the SMS were enumerated at different stages of growth of mushroom on the substrates as well as from weathered SMS. From among the microbes enumerated four isolates each of fungi and bacteria were used for further studies. In vitro evaluation on the antagonistic efficiency of these isolated organisms against P. capsici revealed that all the four fungal isolates (FA-1, FA-2, FA-3 and FA-4) and the two bacterial isolates (BA-1 and BA-4) were found antagonistic to the foot rot pathogen. Among these FA-4 and BA-4 gave the maximum inhibition of 80.4 and 75.6 per cent respectively. The compatibility of the antagonists was studied and two antagonists viz., FA-4 and BA-1 were used for the preparation of consortium. The antagonists viz., FA-4, BA-1 and BA-4 were also evaluated against the other pathogens C. gloeosporioides, R. solani and S. rolfsii by dual culture technique. The bacterial isolates, BA-1 and BA-4 were effective against C. gloeosporioides whereas only BA-4 was effective against R. solani and S. rolfsii. The fungal isolate FA-4 completely inhibited C. gloeosporioides whereas it gave 44 and 55 per cent inhibition respectively for R. solani and S. rolfsii. The fungal antagonist FA-4, was identified as Trichoderma hamatum by studying cultural and morphological characters. The bacterial isolates BA-1 and BA-4 were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis respectively. The potential of spent mushroom substrate in potting mixture for the management of nursery diseases of black pepper was studied under potculture conditions. The treatments were applied at the time of planting, 60 DAP and 80DAP. Among the various treatments, consortium of bio agents P. aeruginosa and T. hamatum gave less incidence and severity of Phytophthora rot with 10.7 per cent incidence and 26.45 per cent severity respectively after 100 DAP. It was followed by the treatments T. hamatum and B. subtilis from SMS. As a whole, the bio agents from SMS gave better disease control than other treatments. Among treatments with SMS as potting mixture, saw dust SMS was found good compared to paddy straw. The texture of fresh paddy straw SMS was not suitable for the proper rooting and sprouting of cuttings. In case of sprouting percentage, the treatment with 50% saw dust SMS of P. sajor-caju as potting mixture gave maximum germination followed by consortium of bio agents from SMS. The height of cuttings and number of leaves were maximum in treatments with consortium of T. hamatum and P. aeruginosa followed by the treatments with individual application of T. hamatum and B. subtilis. SMS is unique in its chemical composition and the presence of antagonistic microflora which helps to suppress the pathogens multiplying in the soil ecosystem. From the pot culture experiment it was clear that for the management of nursery diseases of black pepper, the best treatment was consortium of bio agents from SMS. This is not only because of its antagonistic property but also due to its plant growth promoting ability. So from the present study, it can be concluded that the use of consortium of P. aeruginosa and T. hamatum was effective for both disease management and plant growth promotion in pepper nursery.