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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: Ghade Rameshwar, Pandurang × Author: KAU × End date: 2018 × Start date: 2017 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Physiological and molecular analysles of flowering responses in amaranthus (amaranthus spp.) and cowpea (vigna spp.) under elevated CO2 environment
    (Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2018) Ghade Rameshwar, Pandurang; KAU; Manju, R V
    The study entitled “Physiological and molecular analyses of flowering responses in amaranthus (Amaranthus spp.) and cowpea (Vigna spp.) under elevated CO2 environment” was undertaken with the objective to study the physiological, molecular and biochemical basis of elevated CO2 mediated modifications in the flowering responses of amaranthus and cowpea. The experiments were conducted at the Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, and Vellayani dudring 2015-2017. Two pot culture experiments were conducted with two varieties of amaranthus – Arun and CO-1 and two varieties of cowpea-Anaswara and Vellayani Jyothika. The technology used for CO2 enrichment was Open Top Chamber system (OTC). CO2 was released from cylinders to OTC bringing the CO2 level to 600ppm. Amaranthus and cowpea plants were raised and maintained in pots as per POP (KAU) recommentdations under elevated CO2. The control sets were kept under open field condition. Growth analysis and analyses of physiological and biochemical parameters were done at the time of harvest. The varieties which showed modification in flowering time to a greater extent under exposure to elevated CO2 were chosen for molecular analyses. In the case of amaranthus, CO-1 variety recorded highest values of growth, physiological and biochemical parameters and was performing better when exposed to elevated CO2 condition. CO-1 recorded highest values for number of leaves (42.44), specific leaf area (219.13), root weight (1.45g), shoot weight (3.17g), total dry matter (4.93g), stomatal frequency (595.78cm -2), pigment composition (0.56mg g-1), total soluble protein (23.02mg g-1), starch (3.61mg g-1), reducing sugar (18.46mg g-1), GA (0.198 µg g-1) and nitrate reductase (0.65 µg g-1). Flowering time was modified in CO-1 in terms of days to first flowering and days to 50% flowering (2 days); but Arun did not show any significant response in flowering time and hence CO-1 was selected for molecular analyses. Regarding quality parameters. Arun showed a reduction in ascorbic acid and vitamin A content under CO2 enrichment with an increase in oxalate content. In the case of CO-1, though ascorbic acid and vitamin A contents were less under open condition, upon exposure to higher concentrations of CO2, there was tremendous increase in these quality parameters along with oxalate content. Both the varieties of cowpea recorded significant variations in growth, physiological and biochemical parameters when exposed to higher concentrations of CO2. But Anaswara recorded higher values for number of leaves (74.25), specific leaf area (454.53), root weight (15.04g), shoot weight (63.15g), total dry matter (78.76g), starch content (9.16mg g-1) reducing sugar (15.36mg g-1), GA (0.615 µg g-1) nitrate reductase (0.54 µ g g-1). Velllayani Jyothika recorded higher values for stomatal distribution (2893.8cm -1) and physiological and biochemical parameters like pigment composition (0.52 mg g-1)and total soluble protein (1.44 mg g-1). Flowering time was modified to a greater extent in Anaswara-2 days to first flowering and days to 50% flowering and so Anaswara was selected for molecular analyses. CO2 enrichment was found to influence the quality parameters in amaranthus. CO-1 showed a tremendous increase in ascorbic acid and vitamin A, but there was an increase in oxalate content also. During the period of study, environmental factors like temperature, humidity and sun shine hours were measured. There was an increase of 70C an average during the period and also an increase in leaf temperature. For gene expression studies flowering locust (FT) was selected. The DNA of Flowering locus T was amplified from Anaswara and CO-1. Differential expression was observed in both the crops under elevated CO2 condition. In the present study, both cowpea and amaranthus were found to be responding to elevated CO2 in terms of flowering time. This can be correlated with the higher photosynthate accumulation with a net positive effect on growth parameters. The increased gibberellic acid level displayed by both the crops upon CO2 enrichment can also play a role in signaling the crosstalk between reproduction and other developmental processes. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the regulatory network modulating floral initiation in response to elevated CO2 and elevated temperature will facilitate understanding and identifying options to develop plants better adapted to changing climate.