Loading...
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
7 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access Physiological aspects of ex vitro establishment of tissue cultured orchid plantlets(Department Of Plant physiology, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Samasya, K S; KAU; Viji, M MThe present investigation was undertaken to elicit information on the physiological, morphological, biochemical, biometric and anatomical changes during in vitro propagule multiplication and ex vitro establishment in tissue cultured plantlets of orchids. Dendrobium hybrid Sonia 17 was the variety used for the study. The rooting media was supplemented with different levels of sucrose. At the time of planting the plantlets were subjected to triazole treatment. During the process of hardening the plantlets were maintained in hardening chambers with different levels of light and humidity. Among growth parameters the crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were found to be high at 40 gIl of sucrose concentration. The CGR of these plantlets were on par with normal green house grown plantlets. The photosynthetic rate was found to increase and the transpiration rate was found to decrease at 40 gIl of sucrose . concentration. The maximum survival percentage of the in vitro plantlets occur when 40 g11 of sucrose incorporated in the rooting medium. This may be attributed to the influence of the sucrose concentration on morphological characters studied viz. plant height, number of leaves per shoot and number of roots per shoot. With regard to photosynthetic pigments an increase in the content of total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a chlorophyll b and carotenoids occurred in plantlets treated with 40 g/1 of sucrose. Also the protein content and carbohydrate content was maximum at the above sucrose level. The leaf area, root length, total fresh weight and dry weight of the plantIets maintained at 40 gIl of sucrose level were higher than other treatments. These effects ultimately lead to better survival percentage. Triazole treatment of plantIets during planting out helped in better survival percentage. With regard to the growth parameters the effect was distinct towards the later stage of growth. CG~ NAR and RGR were maximum on the triazole treated (5 mgll) plantIets and was comparable to normal green house grown plants. There was marked increase in the photosynthetic rate and decrease in transpiration rate of plantIets treated with 5 mgll of triazole. However the photosynthetic rate of normal green house grown plants were much more than the tissue cultured plantIets. Regarding morphological characters, increasing concentration of triazole had negative influence on plant height. However plant height of normal green house grown plants were distinctively higher than tissue cultured plantIets. With regard to number of leaves per shoot, triazole treatment showed significant effect only after 30 days of planting out, whereas the number of roots per shoot was very much influenced by triazole. The maximum number of roots was produced at 5mgll of triazole treatment and these effects in turn influenced higher survival percentage of plantIets. ------....- ....- ~ - - - ----- Regarding the biochemical aspects total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids contents of plantlets treated with triazole (5 mg/l) were higher and found to be on par with that of green house grown normal plants towards the later stage. The protein content was also positively influenced by triazole treatment (5 mgll) and the value was comparable to that of normal plantlets. In the case of carbohydrate content the treatment becomes statistically significant and the normal green house grown plants exhibited distinctively higher value. The plantlets treated with 5 mgll of triazole were found to have higher leaf area, root length, root: shoot ratio, total fresh weight and dry weight than other treatments. However the root shoot ratio and total fresh weight of treated plantlets were on par with the normal green house grown plants towards the later stage viz, 45DAP. The physiological, morphological, biochemical and biometric characters of the plantlets were also found to be influenced by different levels of light intensity and humidity maintained in the hardening chamber. Among the different treatments, plantlets grown at 50 percent light intensity and 70 to 90 percent relative humidity exhibited higher CG~ NAR and RGR. Also these plantlets exhibited a marked increase in photosynthetic rate and decrease in transpiration rate. However CGR and NAR of green house grown normal plants were distinctively higher during the later period. However the normal plants had distinctively higher CG~ RGR and photosynthetic and very less transpiration rate than other treatments. The plantlets grown under 50 percent light intensity and 70 to 90 percent humidity produced maximum plant height, number of leaves and number of roots per shoot. The survival percent of the tissue cultured plantlets in the field condition (green house) was found to be superior under appropriate environment of light and humidity (50 percent light intensity and 70 to 90 percent relative humidity) There was not much significant difference among the treatments of light and humidity in the case of pigment content. However the plantlets grown in the hardening chamber maintained at 50 percent light intensity and 70 to 90 percent of relative humidity recorded maximum value of total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids among treatments and the normal green house grown plants exhibited distinctively higher pigment content. The normal plantlets recorded marked increase in protein content and carbohydrate content than the tissue cultured plantlets. In the present study, an environment of 50 percent light intensity and 70 to 90 percent relative humidity was found to be superior and could favour enhanced leaf area, total fresh weight, total dry weight and root length of plantlets which ultimately resulted in better survival percentage. The in vitro plantlets observed to have anatomical characters as compared to the normal green house grown plants and hardened plantlets. The stomata remained open and less number of stomata per unit area of leaf was observed as the in vitro leaves were concerned. Another peculiarity of the in vitro plantlets was the absence of cuticle layer. The mesophyll layers were also found to be less compared to normal plantlets. These anatomical characters were one of the severe limitations of the micropropagated orchid plantlets during ex vitro establishment which ultimately resulted in high rate of field mortality.ThesisItem Open Access Physiological and biochemical basis of degeneration in Root (Wilt) affected coconut palm(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1983) Sheela Cherian; KAU; Abraham, A TSeveral studies on the physiological and biochemical aspect of the root (wilt) disease have been carried out and conclusions have been drawn. A recent study comprising o f the estimation of protein non protein amino acids and cytokinin from the leaf, root and developing nut o f healthy# apparently healthy and root (wilt) affected coconut palm was carried out in tills, laboratory (unpublished). The chlorophyll content of leaves was also estimated. The present study comprised o f estimation o f gibberellin s and abscissic acid from the leaf# root and nut of healthy apparently healthy and five different intensities of root (wilt) affected coconut palms. The results of the biochemical analysis show that in the root (wilt) affected coconut palms there are alterations or deviations in normal metabolic activities from that o f healthy palms. Earlier work done has shown a reduction in cytokinin content in the root(wilt) affected palm in addition to protein and chlorophyll content. The present study has revealed a deficiency of gibberellins another important growth regulator and an accumulation of the growth inhibitor abscissic acid in the root(wilt) affected palms. The site s of synthesis and / interconversion o f gibberellins are damaged together with the impairment o f the translocation system. Increased respiration lowered CO2 fixation and severe damage o f the shoot system in the later stages are in brief the in tern al and external expressions o f the root (wilt) syndrome. Thus the shoot and root system which are interdependant are unable to function in harmony leading to a failure in their growth and development. An accumulation of ABA along with a reduction in gibberellin level might be the reason for the stunting syndrome seen in root(wilt) affected palms.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of growth regulators on the growth and flowering of anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Linden)(Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Beena, R; KAU; Mercy, S. TAn investigation on the effect of growth regulators on growth and flowering of Anthurium andreanum Linden was conducted in the Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1998-2000. Mature plants of three varieties of Anthurium andreanum Linden formed the material. The varieties used were Liver Red (L.R.), Ceylon Red (C.R.) and Kalympong Orange (K.O.). Three growth regulators namely Gibberellic Acid (GA), Tri Iodo Benzoic Acid (TIBA) and Kinetin (K) were used at 100 ppm, 300 ppm and 500 ppm concentrations. Two controls i.e., distilled water spray and no spray were also included. Each concentration of the growth regulator was sprayed three times at one month intervals. Observations were taken three months after the first spray and then at three months intervals, twice more. The effect of treatments on morphological floral, physiological and bio-chemical aspects was studied. Results of the experiments revealed that growth regulators had significant effect on most of the characters under study. They are listed below. ;.. Maximum plant height was obtained nine months after the first spray for K.O. treated with GA at 500 ppm (69.82 cm). ;.. Minimum plant spread (EW) - nine months afte~ the first spray was obtained for K.O. treated with TIBA at 100 ppm (28.44 cm) and minimum plant spread (NS) was recorded by K.O. - no spray (28.02 cm) in the ninth month of observation. 8J ~ Maximum number of leaves/spadices per year (9.0) was recorded by C.R. treated with GA at 300 and 500 ppm. ~ Minimum number of days (40.8) taken for successive leaf production was obtained for C.R. treated with GA at 300 and 500 ppm. ~ Highest" number of suckers/plant (4.6) was produced by K.O. treated with GA at 500 ppm, obtained nine months after the first spray. ~ The highest length of spadix (43.52 cm) was showed six months after the first spray by L.R. treated with GA at 500 ppm. ~ Largest spathe (95.4 cm2) was recorded three months after the first spray by K.O. treated with GA at 500 ppm. ~ Highest longevity of spadix (103 days) was obtained for L.R. treated with kinetin at 500 ppm. ~ Smallest candle size was obtained nine months after the first spray by the variety C.R. treated with TIBA at 500 ppm (4.1 cm). ~ Highest chlorophyll content (2.16 mg/g tissue) was recorded rune months after the first spray by K.O. treated with GA at 500 ppm. ~ Highest carotenoid content (10.41 mg/lOO g sample) was obtained six months after the first spray by L.R. treated with GA at 300 ppm. ~ Highest anthocyanin content (388.2 mg/l OOg sample) was recorded six months after the first spray by L.R. (control 1) distilled water spray. ~ Highest protein content (109 mg/ g tissue) was obtained six months after the first spray by K.O. treated with kinetin at 500 ppm. ~ Highest phenol content (121.2 mg/g tissue) was recorded three months after the first spray by K.O. treated with kinetin at 500 ppm. Based on the economics of growth regulator application, G.A. 500 ppm was the best treatment with positive profit increase in all the three varieties. This treatment achieved an enhanced profit of Rs. 133.70 per plant per year in the variety L.R., Rs. 86.30 enhanced profit in K.O. and Rs. 70.10 in the variety C.R.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of growth regulations on flower and fruit drop in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)(Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Sreeja Rajendran; KAU; Viji, M. MInvestigations were carried out at the Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during December 1999 to March 2000 to find the effect of growth regulators viz. IAA, NAA, Triacontanol and GA in controlling flower and fruit drop in chilli var. ', Jwalasakhi. IAA, NAA and GA were used at concentrations of 10, 20, 30 and 40 ppm while Triacontanol was used at 1,2, 3 and 4 ppm. Two controls were also provided, one with distilled water spray and the other with no spray. Two sprays of growth regulators were given, one at 20 days after transplanting and the other at 40 days after transplanting. The effect of these growth regulators on morphological, growth, physiological, biochemical and yield parameters were also studied. The growth regulators produced considerable variation with respect to intensity of flowering, flower drop, fruit set and fruit drop. The flower production was increased upto 45.5 per cent with IAA 30 ppm. IAA 40 ppm was most effective in reducing the flower drop by 48.06 per cent increasing the fruit set by 69.18 per cent when compared to control (water spray). NAA 30 ppm induced earliness in flowering (23.17 days) and GA at 40 ppm showed the maximum plant height (38.93 cm). The plants treated with GA 40 ppm showed the maximum leaf area (478.04 cm2 plant"! ) and leaf area index (0.23). NAA 20 ppm recorded the highest specific leaf weight (l.30 g m-2)and IAA 30 ppm, the maximum leaf area ratio (l.08 m-2 g-l). The plants sprayed with Triacontanol 2 ppm showed the highest crop growth rate (2.24 g m-2 day-I), relative growth rate (0.033 mg g-l day' l ) and root-shoot ratio (0.69). Highest net assimilation rate (0.75 mg cm-2 day-I) was seen in plants sprayed with IAA 20 ppm. Significant influence of growth regulators was observed In the physiological and biochemical parameters studied. The highest photosynthetic rate (28.09 11 mol m-2 s-l) was seen in plants sprayed with IAA 40 ppm. GA 20 ppm recorded the highest transpiration rate (0.74 milli mole m-2 s-l). Stomatal conductance was maximum (78.0 milli mole m-2 s-l) in control plants followed by Triacontanol 1 ppm with a value of 70.9 milli mole m-2 s-l. IAA 30 ppm had a significant role in increasing the photosynthetic pigments viz., chlorophyll-a content (0.54 mg g fresh weight" 1), chlorophyll-b content (0.80 mg g fresh weight-I) and total chlorophyll content (1.13 mg g fresh weight"! ). F oliar sprays of Triacontanol 4 ppm produced the highest protein content (1.65 mg g-l) in leaves and GA 40 ppm recorded the highest carbohydrate content (112.50 mg g-l). The proline content of leaves was . more in Triacontanol 2 ppm sprays. The highest reducing sugar content (9.68 g glucose 100 g-l )of ripe fruits was seen in NAA 20 ppm, carotenoid content of 2.69 mg 100 s' in IAA 40 ppm sprays and the capsaicin content of 67.52 11 gram gram=! was recorded in IAA 10 ppm treated plants. Significant effect of growth regulators was seen in the yield parameters also. The maximum fresh weight (66.11g plant-I) and fruit yield (l83.66g planr l ) was seen in IAA 20 ppm sprays. The fruit yield was 42.6 per cent when compared to contro!' Triacontanol 3 ppm recorded the highest dry .. 1\ weight (13.22g planr ! ) and germination percentage (87.16) of seeds. The number of fruits per plant (48.83), thousand seed weight (4.62 g) and harvest index (0.77) was maximum in foliar sprays of IAA 40 ppm. The maximum fruit length (7.87cm) was recorded in Triacontanol 2 ppm while NAA 40 ppm showed the maximum breadth (1. 76 cm) of the fruits. Correlation studies indicated significant positive association of fruit yield with number of fruits per plant, harvest index and root shoot ratio. In terms of net income and benefit-cost ratio, foliar sprays of Triacontanol 1 ppm was the most remunerative. An additional expenditure of Rs. 1210 per hectare towards the growth regulator showed 51 per cent more yield over control and thus a greater benefit-cost ratio (1.51).ThesisItem Open Access Provenance evaluation in the seedling characters of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss)(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara., 1997) Vinod, S; KAU; Vijayakumar, N KA study was conducted at College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, Trichur on provenance evaluation in the seedling characters of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) for a period of one year from 1995 to 1996. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design. A total of eight provenances were used in this study they are Dindigul, Nagarcoil, Coimbatore, Trichur, Srivelliputhur, Palghat, Ghatti Subramanya and Molakalmur. In respect of various seed characters studied Nagarcoil was the best performer in characters like 100 seed weight, seed breadth and germination percentage. Trichur was the best performer in seed length and seed length breadth ratio and Srivelliputhur was the best performer in thickness of pericarp. In terms of various seedling characters studied Coimbatore was the best performer in height, leaf number, leaf area, stem dry weight, leaf dry weight, and shoot dry weight. Palghat provenance was superior with respect to root dry weight, and root shoot ratio; Nagarcoil was the best in terms of collar girth and Dindigul in total dry weight. Nevertheless, Coimbatore provenance was found to be the best performer in most of the seedling character studied. Isozyme banding pattern for peroxidase showed two bands PRX-1 and PRX-3 in common. Eight provenances were grouped in to two based on the presence or absence of PRX-2. No significant variation was observed in terms of chlorophyll - A, Band total chlorophyll content between provenances. Number of stomata per square centimetre was maximum in Coimbatore provenance. For the genetic characters studied 100 seed weight and germination percentage recorded maximum GCV and PCV for seed characters and shoot weight and shoot root ratio for seedling characters. Maximum heritability and genetic gain were recorded in germination percentage and height and collar girth in seedling characters. Application of Mahalanobis' D2 statistics and Tocher's method of clustering resolved eight provenances in to four distinct clusters. Cluster I comprising of three provenances (Dindigul, Palakkadu and Ghatti Subramanya). Cluster II comprising of only one cluster (Coimbatore), cluster III comprising of again only one cluster (Molakalmur) and cluster IV comprising of three provenances (Nagarcoil, Trichur and Srivelliputhur). Incidence of pests was not noticed during the entire period of investigation. All provenances were found affected by sooty mold caused by Capnodium sp. during the rainy seasons with out affecting the growth of the seedlings.ThesisItem Open Access Parasitic interference of sandal (Santalum album Linn.) on common agricultural crops from the homesteads(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara., 1997) Saju Varghese; KAU; Ashokan, P KExperiments were conducted at College of Forestry. Kerala Agricultural University. Vellanikkara. Thrissur during 1995-96 to elucidate the various aspects of parasitisation behaviour of sandal (Santalum album Linn.). Parasitisation behaviour of sandal on selected agricultural crops occurring in the homesteads of Kerala. response of selected sandal-host combinations to manures and fertilizers and uptake and translocation of nutrients and photosynthates by sandal-host associations were the principal aspects investigated. Pot culture experiments involving a number of hosts like coconut, cashew, banana, black pepper, jack, mango, rubber, casuarina, erythrina and redgram were conducted as part of the study. The results indicated that, growth parameters of the sandal seedling like total dry weight and number of haustoria varied significantly depending on the host associated with sandal. Maximum growth of sandal was observed in association with the host - Casuarina equisetifolia. No significant decrease was observed in the growth of any of the hosts consequent to the parasitisation by sandal. Host is the principal factor governing the growth of sandal and fertilizer levels tried in this experiment had not caused any significant influence on the growth of sandal seedlings. In, view of the favourable influences by the host complex of a good and bad host together ie., casuarina + erythrina, on sandal's growth, the possible competitive/complementary effects of multiple host combinations on sandal's growth, need be investigated in greater detail. Sandal plants can take up elements like calcium, sulphur and phosphorus directly from soil and a small fraction of these are also obtained from host. Carbon compounds also are translocated between sandal and hosts. The same host differed in its ability to supply different elements to sandal ie., in the supply of phosphorus to sandal casuarina was better while carbon compounds were optimally supplied by erythrina. So instead of providing a single host to sandal, a variety of good hosts should be provided in the field for ensuring a more optimal growth of sandal. Anatomical studies showed that, sandal roots can establish direct vascular connections with host roots through haustoria.ThesisItem Open Access In vitro propagation of malabar white pine (Vateria indica L.) through tissue culture(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara., 1994) Ashok B Divatar; KAU; Vijayakumar, N KThe present investigation was carried out at the Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, during 1992-94, to standardise the in vitro technique for multiplying Vateria indica which is commonly known as Malabar white pine. This being the first attempt of micropropagation in this tree species, the methodology was to be standardised from the initial stage itself. Nodal and intermodal segments as well as leaf segments collected from seedling maintained in the College of Forestry were used as explants. Different routes like enhanced release of axillary buds, organogenesis and embryogenesis were attempted for this species. It was found that nodal segments of size 0.5 to 1.5 cm was ideal as the explants. Prophylactic spray of seedlings with a mixture of Bavistin and Indofil M-45 combined with surface sterilization of explants with 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride for 5 minutes for nodal explants and 4 minutes for leaf explants, could control culture contamination to the greatest extent. Seasonal variation was observed for the fungal interference and the period from February to May was identified as the best season for establishing the cultures of Vateria indica. Half strength MS medium was noted to be suitable for primary culture establishment for both nodal and leaf segments. Out of the various growth regulator combinations tried for bud break and shoot elongation in vateria, 2-ip and IBA could support bud break and shoot production. Among the various media additives tried, CCC had less effect on bud break in half MS medium and silver nitrate had moderate effect on bud break in WPM medium. Casein hydrolysate, adenine sulphate, cobalt chloride and coconut water were the other additives, tried without having any beneficial effect on bud culture of Malabar white pine. Moderate callusing could be induced from leaf and intermodal segments on MS and half strength MS media supplemented with growth regulators 2-ip + 2,4-D (in MS media) and 2-ip + IBA (in half strength MS) with a callus index ranging from 35.7 to 100.0 The calli did not respond to organogenesis but growth units of callus were obtained. The morphology and growth rate varied according to the growth regulator combinations tried. The results of the present study being first of its kind in Vateria indica would have significance to disentangle the in vitro response of this species for micropropagation. Since this species is recalcitrant in nature, much more regulated efforts are to be made for standardising the protocol for micropropagation of Vateria indica.