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

20202
Reset filters
Subject: Plant Physiology × Author: Femina, K × End date: 2022 × Start date: 2020 ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Physiological intervention for mitigating temperature stress in rice
    (Department of Plant Physiology, College of Horticulture , Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, 2020) Femina, K; KAU; Girija, T
    Rice is an important cereal crop which is most widely consumed as staple food by millions of people. Demand for rice is projected to increase across globe with rapid increase in population. Rice being a tropical crop requires a fairly high temperature for optimum growth and development. However, temperatures above 35 0C cause heat injuries in rice including changes in morphological, physiological and yield characters. Hence, the present study was conducted to identify ameliorative chemicals to mitigate high temperature stress, which is a common occurrence in the third crop season where temperatures can go up to 40 0C in the reproductive stage leading to yield loss. Popular rice varieties, Uma and Manuratna, which are also suitable for the third crop season were chosen for the study. The whole study was divided in to two experiments. The first experiment was carried out in glass house at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during January to May, 2019. Ten day old rice seedlings of Uma (V1) and Manuratna (V2) were planted in pots. Treatments included five ameliorative sprays viz. Ascorbic acid (T1), Glutathione (T2), Melatonin (T3), Salicylic acid (T4) and Hoagland solution (T5) along with Water sprayed (T6) and Unsprayed (T7) controls. Ameliorants were sprayed at active tillering stage (S1), booting stage (S2) and both active tillering and booting stages (S3). Physiological responses were studied from this experiment. Pot culture study showed that ameliorants could improve physiological characters of rice under increasing temperature. Hoagland solution spray enhanced photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, IAA content and pollen viability in both the varieties. Increased total soluble protein content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll was noted in plants sprayed with melatonin. Proline accumulation increased in plants sprayed with glutathione while nitrate reductase enzyme activity improved by salicylic acid. Reduced amount of reactive oxygen species as evidenced by histochemical studies was observed in plants sprayed with ameliorants having antioxidant property, like melatonin, glutathione and ascorbic acid. Spraying of ameliorants at both active tillering and booting stages (S3) was the best followed by spraying at booting stage (S2) alone. Second experiment was carried out in Agronomy farm at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during February to June, 2020. Twenty day old seedlings of Uma and Manuratna were transplanted to micro plots of 4 m2. Ameliorants were given as foliar spray at booting stage and one plot of each variety was maintained as control for comparison. Biometric observations and yield characters were studied from this trial. Hoagland solution and salicylic acid treatments increased plant height, RGR and CGR in both the varieties. Reduced tiller decline was also observed in Hoagland solution treated plants. Uma showed higher response to ameliorants than Manuratna. Yield parameters were analyzed by comparing response of ameliorants with control. Plants sprayed with Hoagland solution showed better performance with higher grain yield. It was due to increased number of productive tillers, spikelets per panicle, filled grains per panicle and thousand grain weight. Chaff percentage decreased by application of ameliorants and among them Hoagland solution spray gave the best result. Salicylic acid applied plants had higher straw yield compared to other treatments. Yield performance was better in Uma compared to Manuratna.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Physiological intervention for mitigating temperature stress in rice
    (Department of Plant Physiology, College of Horticulture , Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, 2020) Femina, K; KAU; Girija, T
    Rice is an important cereal crop which is most widely consumed as staple food by millions of people. Demand for rice is projected to increase across globe with rapid increase in population. Rice being a tropical crop requires a fairly high temperature for optimum growth and development. However, temperatures above 35 0C cause heat injuries in rice including changes in morphological, physiological and yield characters. Hence, the present study was conducted to identify ameliorative chemicals to mitigate high temperature stress, which is a common occurrence in the third crop season where temperatures can go up to 40 0C in the reproductive stage leading to yield loss. Popular rice varieties, Uma and Manuratna, which are also suitable for the third crop season were chosen for the study. The whole study was divided in to two experiments. The first experiment was carried out in glass house at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during January to May, 2019. Ten day old rice seedlings of Uma (V1) and Manuratna (V2) were planted in pots. Treatments included five ameliorative sprays viz. Ascorbic acid (T1), Glutathione (T2), Melatonin (T3), Salicylic acid (T4) and Hoagland solution (T5) along with Water sprayed (T6) and Unsprayed (T7) controls. Ameliorants were sprayed at active tillering stage (S1), booting stage (S2) and both active tillering and booting stages (S3). Physiological responses were studied from this experiment. Pot culture study showed that ameliorants could improve physiological characters of rice under increasing temperature. Hoagland solution spray enhanced photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, IAA content and pollen viability in both the varieties. Increased total soluble protein content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll was noted in plants sprayed with melatonin. Proline accumulation increased in plants sprayed with glutathione while nitrate reductase enzyme activity improved by salicylic acid. Reduced amount of reactive oxygen species as evidenced by histochemical studies was observed in plants sprayed with ameliorants having antioxidant property, like melatonin, glutathione and ascorbic acid. Spraying of ameliorants at both active tillering and booting stages (S3) was the best followed by spraying at booting stage (S2) alone. Second experiment was carried out in Agronomy farm at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during February to June, 2020. Twenty day old seedlings of Uma and Manuratna were transplanted to micro plots of 4 m2. Ameliorants were given as foliar spray at booting stage and one plot of each variety was maintained as control for comparison. Biometric observations and yield characters were studied from this trial. Hoagland solution and salicylic acid treatments increased plant height, RGR and CGR in both the varieties. Reduced tiller decline was also observed in Hoagland solution treated plants. Uma showed higher response to ameliorants than Manuratna. Yield parameters were analyzed by comparing response of ameliorants with control. Plants sprayed with Hoagland solution showed better performance with higher grain yield. It was due to increased number of productive tillers, spikelets per panicle, filled grains per panicle and thousand grain weight. Chaff percentage decreased by application of ameliorants and among them Hoagland solution spray gave the best result. Salicylic acid applied plants had higher straw yield compared to other treatments. Yield performance was better in Uma compared to Manuratna.