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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 Physiology × Author: Anjana, J Madhu × Author: KAU × End date: 2018 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Spectral management for improving hotosynthetic efficiency in polyhouse cultivation of vegetables
    (Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Anjana, J Madhu; KAU; Roy Stephen
    Plant growth is influenced by both the quality and intensity of light. The transmittance of light by different shade nets are unique. Hence the spectral quality of light vary under each coloured net. Different wave length of light influence specific physiological process. In this context, the study entitled “Spectral management for improving photosynthetic efficiency in polyhouse cultivation of vegetables” was conducted at the Dept of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani and at Pothencode, Thiruvananthapuram during 2014- 2016. The main objective was to study the morphological and physiological responses of vegetables, viz. tomato, salad cucumber, capsicum and yard long bean exposed to spectral modification through different colored shade nets. A survey was conducted in 20 polyhouse units in Thiruvananthapuram district to know the adoption of shade nets by the farmers practicing polyhouse cultivation. The experiment was done in a polyhouse of dimension 500m2, which was divided into five parts on an east-west direction roofed with two photoselective and two neutral shade nets of four different optical properties and one part without any shade net. The light interception by shade nets were analysed using spectro radiometer at University of Agricultural Science, Bangalore. The green net reduced 59.9%, white net reduced 55.14% and red net reduced 41.05% of red light compared to open. Four different crops, viz. salad cucumber, yardlong bean, capsicum and tomato were grown under these shade nets. Weather parameters such as Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), global radiation and temperature were recorded but didnot show much variation. The pollen viability was not altered by spectral variation. Earliness to flowering, fruiting and fruit maturity was observed in open condition for salad cucumber and capsicum. The number of leaves at first flowering was higher in white net for salad cucumber and yardlong bean while it was higher in red net for capsicum and tomato. Specific Leaf Area was significantly higher under red net for salad cucumber (979.52cm2g-1), capsicum (564.21cm2g-1) and tomato (631.18 cm2g-1). The same trend was followed in case of photosynthetic rate also. The internode elongation was found to be minimum in open condition for all the four crops. The leaf anatomy of salad cucumber grown under white net showed higher vascular thickness. Setting percentage was higher in white and green shade nets for salad cucumber (85.40%) and yardlong bean (89.35%) respectively where as red net was suitable for capsicum (80.99%) and tomato (81.80%). Higher shoot weight and root weight were observed under white shade net for tomato. Root shoot ratio and total dry matter content was higher in capsicum grown under red shade net. Transpiration rate of yardlong bean and tomato plants grown under green shade net was higher while higher transpiration rate of salad cucumber and capsicum was observed under white shade net. The pigment composition of salad cucumber was higher under black shade net. Abaxial stomatal frequency in all the four crops was higher in open condition. Total soluble protein content of tomato and salad cucumber at flowering stage was higher under red shade net. Higher carbohydrate content was observed under open condition in case of yardlong bean, capsicum and tomato. Phenol content increased in tomato plant grown under white shade net. There was no significant variation in IAA. Higher crude protein was observed in yardlong bean grown under white shade net while the crude fibre was higher under open condition. Ascorbic acid was higher in capsicum grown under open condition while for tomato it was under white shade net. Spectral modifications through shade nets altered morphological and physiological responses of salad cucumber, yardlong bean, capsicum and tomato. Varietal suitability was observed in different shade nets. Photosynthetic efficiency was also influenced by shade nets and reflected in the yield of selected crops. Red net was suitable for capsicum and tomato while white net was ideal for salald cucumber and green for yardlong bean.