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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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ThesisItem Open Access Nutrio-physiological and molecular analyses and carbon dioxide enrichment studies of coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) with foliar yellowing(Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2017) Deepa, S; KAU; Manju, R VA study entitled “Nutrio-physiological and molecular analyses and carbon dioxide enrichment studies of coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) with foliar yellowing” was carried out with the objective to analyze the nutrio - physiological changes occurring in the palms affected with foliar yellowing and to assess the impact of enhanced carbon dioxide on phytoplasmal response. In this study, palms showing mid whorl yellowing (MWY), root (wilt) affected palms (RW) and healthy palms were selected from two different locations viz the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani (location 1) and Venganoor region (location 2) in the Thiruvananthapuram district. Coconut seedlings showing yellowing were selected from the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani to study the effect of enhanced carbon dioxide on phytoplasmal response. Catharanthus and brinjal plants with ‘little leaf symptom’ maintained at the Department of Plant Pathology were utilised for grafting into healthy catharanthus and brinjal plants and these were also taken for studying the phytoplasmal response under elevated carbon dioxide condition. Physiological and biochemical analyses revealed significant variations in all the parameters studied. Palms with mid whorl yellowing (MWY) showed a significant reduction in the chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll contents, relative water content, membrane integrity and phenol content compared to the healthy palms. An increase in the protein (88%), carbohydrate (25.14%), reducing sugar (28%) and starch content (28.33%) was noted in palms with MWY. In the case of antioxidant enzymes there was build up of polyphenol oxidase (145.38%) and peroxidase activities in palms with MWY compared to the healthy palms. A similar trend was observed in almost all cases of RW affected palms. Nutrient analyses revealed significant alterations in the nutrient content of the selected palms. Significant reduction in the nitrogen (47.74%), magnesium (22.72%) and zinc content (24.19%) was observed in palms with yellowing compared to the healthy palms. Accumulation of elements like potassium (37.96%) calcium (40.79%), iron (54%) and copper (35.75%) was observed in palms with mid whorl yellowing compared to the healthy palms. These variations in the nutrient levels can have an influence on symptom development in coconut palms. The results on the soil nutrient analyses did not show any particular role in development of yellowing symptoms. Phytoplasma cells were detected in the phloem tissues of both mid whorl yellowing and root wilt affected palms under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) study. Morphological and anatomical analyses of fresh roots indicated browning and necrosis of roots and vascular disintegration in MWY and RW affected palms. The presence of phytoplasma in the selected samples were checked by nested PCR analysis using phytoplasma specific universal primers-P1/P7- R16F2n/ R16R2, Phytoplasma 16S rDNA specific semi nested primers 1F7/7R3 - 1F7/7R2 and by real time PCR technique using real time primers QPF2/R2. Semi- nested PCR yielded an amplicon of 493 bp in all the MWY and RW palms in both the locations. Real time PCR yielded an amplicon of 140 bp in the RW palms, 3 MWY palms in location 1. Nested PCR with phytoplasma specific universal primer pairs P1/P7-R16F2n/ R16R2 yielded an amplicon of 1.2 kb in MWY palm and RW palm. Sequence analysis of the mid whorl yellowing phytoplasma revealed 89% similarity to the root wilt phytoplasma. In experiment II, nested PCR with universal primer pairs showed no amplification in the coconut seedlings and hence only catharanthus and brinjal grafts with phytoplasmal infection were kept in Open Top Chamber (OTC) with 500 ppm Carbon dioxide concentration for a period of one month. After the exposure period, the plants kept in OTC showed an increased rate of growth and development with phytoplasmal symptoms. Physiological and biochemical analyses showed a significant increase in the reducing sugar content (63%), protein content (147%) and PAL activity (32%) and significant reduction in the phenol content (37%), and polyphenol oxidase activity (62%) in the infected plants kept in OTC compared to the infected plants kept in open condition. Molecular analyses of the infected samples using real time PCR kept in OTC and open condition with the DNA samples isolated at the 15th and 30th day of exposure was done. No significant variation was observed in the phytoplasmal load after elevated carbon dioxide exposure. The role of phytoplasma in causing MWY was established by molecular and anatomical studies. Sequencing of the PCR product revealed that MWY phytoplasma can be a variant of root (wilt) phytoplasma. The present study indicated that the overall health status of the palms with MWY was highly deteriorated. Significant variation in the nutrient profile was noted which emphasise the need for proper nutrient management. Semi- nested PCR was found to be more accurate and specific in phytoplasmal detection which can be utilised for phytoplasmal indexing and mother palm and disease free seedling selection. Elevated carbon dioxide showed an improved growth and development and activated defense response to phytoplasma in the infected plants but the CO2 induced modifications in phytoplasmal load was not detected. The results indicated a better tolerance strategy to environmental conditions. phytoplasma under changingThesisItem Open Access Physiological effects of growth stimulants on yield and quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)(Department of Plant Physiology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2017) Vishnu, K S; KAU; Sudarsana Rao, G VOkra or Bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is one of the most popular summer vegetable crop grown widely in Kerala. It accounts for 65 % of the fresh vegetables exported from the country. However, the productivity of the crop is low in the state. The low fertility status of the soil due to heavy rains may be a major reason. Currently, for sustainable increase in productivity soil test based nutrient management practices are recommended. Another approach is the use of environment friendly growth stimulants, which have beneficial effects on plants. Hence, the present study was carried out to understand the influence of growth stimulants on growth, yield and quality attributes of okra variety Arka Anamika under standard package of practices (POP) recommended by KAU and also soil test based nutrient management system. The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design with 15 treatments and three replications at Central nursery, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. The crop was raised as per standard POP recommendations of KAU and also under soil test based nutrient management system. Experiments consisted of 15 treatments viz., standard POP, KAU (T1) as control, soil test based modified nutrient management (T2), T1 + humic acid spray @ 0.2 % (T3), T1 + potassium silicate spray @ 0.3 % (T4), T1 + cytozyme spray @ 0.2 % (T5), T1 + putrescine spray @ 50 ppm (T6), T2 + humic acid spray @ 0.2 % (T7), T2 + potassium silicate spray @ 0.3 % (T8), T2 + cytozyme spray @ 0.2 % (T9), T2 + putrescine spray @50 ppm (T10), 50 % T1 + humic acid spray @ 0.2 % (T11), 50 % T1 + potassium silicate spray @ 0.3 % (T12), 50 % T1 + cytozyme spray @ 0.2 % (T13), 50 % T1 + putrescine spray @ 50 ppm (T14) and T1 + water spray (T15). Foliar application of growth stimulants was given at 15, 30 and 45 DAS. Morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters were recorded at 25 and 50 DAS and the yield and fruit quality characters were recorded at the time of harvest. The use of growth stimulants such as humic acid, cytozyme and potassium silicate with soil test based nutrient management system improved the morphological parameters like plant height, leaf area, the number of leaves per plant etc. than control. Plants which received potassium silicate, putrescine and humic acid as foliar spray recorded higher total chlorophyll content and IAA content. Comparison of photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance of crop at two different growth stages revealed that growth stimulants such as humic acid, cytozyme and potassium silicate along with soil test based nutrient management showed a significant improvement over control. A similar pattern of the effectiveness of growth stimulants was observed in the case of fruit yield and quality characters such as crude fiber content, ascorbic acid content, mucilage content and total protein content. Comparison of POP, soil test based application of fertilizers and 50 per cent POP showed that soil test based nutrient management gave significantly higher yield as compared to the other treatments including control. The response of the stimulants was also higher for soil test based nutrient management treatments. Growth stimulants with soil test based nutrient management applied plots recorded 12 to 23 per cent higher fruit yield over control followed by standard POP with growth stimulants which recorded an improvement of 5 to 9 per cent over control. Reduction in fruit yield of 3 to 6 per cent was recorded with 50 per cent standard POP over control. Among the four growth stimulants used, humic acid performed better followed by cytozyme and potassium silicate. These growth stimulants may have enhanced the nutrient use efficiency of the plants which further improved the photosynthesis, plant growth and development. The result of the present study indicated that growth stimulants can be recommended along with soil test based nutrient management for enhancing crop growth, fruit quality and yield of okra.ThesisItem Open Access Identification of microsatellite markers associated with root traits for drought tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Department of Plant Technology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2017) Rejeth, R; KAU; Beena, RThe present investigation entitled “Identification of microsatellite markers associated with root traits for drought tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.)” was conducted at Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2016-17. The objective of the study was to validate the role of root traits in rice for drought tolerance and to identify the microsatellite markers associated with root traits for drought tolerance in rice. The extend of variation for water stress indicators, physio-morphological and yield components were assessed by evaluating 35 rice genotypes collected from RARS, Pattambi under water stress and irrigated conditions in the rainout shelter. The rice accessions grown in polythene tubes of 1 meter height were exposed to water stress at panicle initiation stage for a period of 15 days along with irrigated control. The physio-morphological, biochemical and yield components were recorded on completion of stress period. Significant variation was observed for these traits and ten drought tolerant and ten drought susceptible genotypes were selected. The genomic DNA was isolated from these rice genotypes and were pooled into drought tolerant and susceptible bulks. Bulked line analysis was carried out to identify microsatellite markers linked to drought tolerance in rice. The result of the study revealed that physiological parameters such as Relative Water Content (RWC), photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance decreased where as proline content and leaf temperature increased significantly in most of the genotypes under water stress condition. Highest leaf rolling (score – 9) was observed in Ptb–7 and Ptb-13 while the genotypes Ptb–29 and Ptb-30 showed no leaf rolling symptoms (score – 1). Among the genotypes, the RWC was recorded to be highest in Ptb–4 while the lowest was recorded in Ptb–13 under water stress condition. The percentage decrease in RWC compared to irrigated control was less in Ptb–15. Membrane stability index was more in Ptb–29 (98.5 %) and Ptb-10 (98.1 %) as compared to other genotypes under water stress condition. Maximum leaf temperature was observed in Ptb–1(31.70C) and minimum in Ptb–7 (27.80C) under water stress condition. Among the genotypes, stomatal conductance was recorded to be highest in Ptb–30 (674 m moles m-2 s-1) while the lowest in Ptb– 20 (92 m moles m-2 s-1). The photosynthetic rate decreased significantly under water stress condition with maximum in Ptb–30 (15.2 μ moles m-2 s-1) and minimum in Ptb–6 (3.4 μ moles m-2 s-1). Under water stress condition, maximum transpiration rate was observed in Ptb–4 (1.4 m moles m-2 s-1) and minimum in Ptb–31 (0.05 m moles m-2 s-1). Proline content increased at 50% flowering stage in water stress condition with maximum accumulation in Ptb–27 and minimum in Ptb–22. At flowering stage highest root length was noticed in Ptb-15 and lowest for Ptb–3 and Ptb-8 under water stress condition. Root volume differed significantly in several genotypes with maximum in Ptb–21 and minimum in Ptb-31. Root dry weight decreased in water stress compared to control in most of the genotypes with highest in Ptb-13 and lowest in Ptb-31. Root shoot ratio was found to be highest in Ptb-29 and Ptb-30 and lowest in Ptb-31. The plant height at maturity was observed to be highest in Ptb-1 and lowest in Ptb-34 under water stress condition. Days to 50% flowering reduced in most of the genotypes under water stress condition compared to irrigated control. Productive tiller number of most of the genotypes significantly reduced in water stress condition with maximum reduction in Ptb-28. Maximum yield under water stress was recorded in Ptb-55 and minimum in Ptb-21. Number of filled grains and unfilled grains were observed as major attributes affected drastically under water stress condition. The spikelet fertility percentage was highest in Ptb-25 and lowest in Ptb-1. Ptb-28 had maximum 1000 grain weight under water stress and minimum was for Ptb-17. Correlation study revealed that grain yield per plant under water stress condition was positively correlated with parameters such as relative water content, membrane stability index, proline content, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, root length, root shoot ratio, spikelet fertility % and 1000 grain weight where as negatively correlated with leaf temperature, leaf rolling score, root volume, root dry weight, plant height, days to 50% flowering and panicle length. In Bulked Line Analysis, out of the 150 microsatellite primers screened only one marker i.e., RM 474 showed polymorphism between the tolerant and susceptible bulks. The same primer showed similar product size (252bp) among the individual lines which constituted respective bulks. In summary, there was significant variation for physio-morphological and yield components among rice genotypes under water stress condition. Genotypes having higher root length and root shoot ratio were found to be tolerant to drought. The genotypes identified as drought tolerant viz Ptb-29, Ptb-30, Ptb-15, Ptb-1, Ptb-55 etc. can be used in breeding programmes to improve drought tolerance in rice. Microsatellite marker RM 474 which could distinguish drought tolerant and susceptible bulks can be used for marker assisted selection for drought tolerance in rice.ThesisItem Open Access Enhancing morpho-physiological vigour of sesame seedlings for improving productivity and weed competitiveness(Department of Plant Physiology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2017) Sreepriya, S; KAU; Girija, TSesame is one of the oldest oilseed crops grown in summer rice fallows of Kerala. Weed infestation is a major biotic stress affecting the yield of sesame. Seedling growth of sesame is slow during the first four weeks, making it a poor competitor during this period. Weed suppression during the early stages of crop establishment (10 to 30 DAS) is important for improving the productivity of the crop. The present study was initiated to enhance the early vigour of sesame plants by suitable seed priming treatments and also to assess the effect of early vigour on weed competitiveness and analyse the carry over effect of these treatments on the productivity of the crop. The variation in varietal response to these priming treatments were also studied. A laboratory study was conducted with five popular varieties of sesame viz., Surya, Thilak, Kayamkulam 1, Thilarani and Thilathara, released from Kerala Agricultural University. Ten priming treatments with plant growth regulators (IAA, GA), micronutrients (MnSO4, borax), mixture of MnSO4 and borax with GA (Tank mix), biofertilizers (phosphobacteria, azospirillum, PGPR mix-1) and water were tried. Results on observations showed that seed priming improved the germination and vigour of all the five varieties tested. Among the treatments, priming with micronutrients and hormones gave the best results. Based on the vigour index, five priming treatments were selected for the field trial and the variety Thilak, which gave maximum response to these treatments, was used as the test variety in the field. The experiment was laid out in split plot design at ORARS, Kayamkulam. Weeded and unweeded treatments formed the main plots and five selected treatments along with control (unprimed seeds) were the sub-plot treatments. Observations on morphological characters were studied at 20 days interval and yield characters were recorded at the time of harvest. Physiological and biochemical effects of the priming treatments were studied at vegetative and reproductive stages of the crop. Weed count and weed dry matter were recorded at 10 DAS and at the time of harvest in the unweeded plots. Weed control efficiency of the priming treatments was computed at the time of harvest. The biochemical parameters such as contents of chlorophyll, total soluble protein and GA were higher during the reproductive phase as compared to the vegetative phase. Chlorophyll including chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, and soluble protein content showed greatest improvement in MnSO4 primed plants. The nitrate reductase enzyme plays a major role in nitrogen metabolism of the plant. In the present study, the nitrate reductase enzyme activity was found to be higher during the reproductive phase of the crop in all the treatments except for control (unprimed seeds) and water priming. The IAA content was also higher in the reproductive phase in all the treatments. Major improvement in IAA content was observed with borax priming. The growth indices such as crop growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate and leaf area index were improved with priming treatments in both unweeded and weeded plots. Yield and yield attributes such as number of branches, number of capsules and seeds per capsule improved significantly with MnSO4 and tank mix treatments, which contributed to higher yield. The improvement in vigour of sesame plants with seed priming treatments reduced the weed count and weed dry matter production in the unweeded plots as compared to the control (unprimed seeds) due to the higher competitiveness of the primed seeds. The study revealed that seed priming with MnSO4 or Tank mix of GA, borax and MnSO4 can be an effective component in the integrated management of weeds in sesame as it can contribute to 30 per cent control of weed growth.ThesisItem Open Access Physiological effects of growth stimulants on yield and quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)(Department of Plant Physiology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2017) Vishnu, K. S.; Sudarsana, Rao G VOkra or Bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is one of the most popular summer vegetable crop grown widely in Kerala. It accounts for 65 % of the fresh vegetables exported from the country. However, the productivity of the crop is low in the state. The low fertility status of the soil due to heavy rains may be a major reason. Currently, for sustainable increase in productivity soil test based nutrient management practices are recommended. Another approach is the use of environment friendly growth stimulants, which have beneficial effects on plants. Hence, the present study was carried out to understand the influence of growth stimulants on growth, yield and quality attributes of okra variety Arka Anamika under standard package of practices (POP) recommended by KAU and also soil test based nutrient management system. The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design with 15 treatments and three replications at Central nursery, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. The crop was raised as per standard POP recommendations of KAU and also under soil test based nutrient management system. Experiments consisted of 15 treatments viz., standard POP, KAU (Ti) as control, soil test based modified nutrient management (T2), Ti + humic acid spray @ 0.2 % (T3), Ti + potassium silicate spray @ 0.3 % (T4), Ti + cytozyme spray @ 0.2 % (T5), Ti + putrescine spray @ 50 ppm (Te), T2 + humic acid spray @ 0.2 % (T7), T2 + potassium silicate spray @ 0.3 % (Tg), T2 + cytozyme spray @ 0.2 % (T9), T2 + putrescine spray @50'ppm (T10), 50 % Ti + humic acid spray @ 0.2 % (Tu), 50 % Ti + potassium silicate spray @ 0.3 % (T12), 50 % Ti + cytozyme spray @ 0.2 % (T13), 50 % Ti + putrescine spray @ 50 ppm (T14) and Ti + water spray (T15). Foliar application of growth stimulants was given at 15, 30 and 45 DAS. Morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters were recorded at 25 and 50 DAS and the yield and fruit quality characters were recorded at the time of harvest. The use of growth stimulants such as humic acid, cytozyme and potassium silicate with soil test based nutrient management system improved the morphological parameters like plant height, leaf area, the number of leaves per plant etc. than control. Plants which received potassium silicate, putrescine and humic acid as foliar spray recorded higher total chlorophyll content and IAA content. Comparison of photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance of crop at two different growth stages revealed that growth stimulants such as humic acid, cytozyme and potassium silicate along with soil test based nutrient management showed a significant improvement over control. A similar pattern of the effectiveness of growth stimulants was observed in the case of fruit yield and quality characters such as crude fiber content, ascorbic acid content, mucilage content and total protein content. Comparison of POP, soil test based application of fertilizers and 50 per cent POP showed that soil test based nutrient management gave significantly higher yield as compared to the other treatments including control. The response of the stimulants was also higher for soil test based nutrient management treatments. Growth stimulants with soil test based nutrient management applied plots recorded 12 to 23 per cent higher fruit yield over control followed by standard POP with growth stimulants which recorded an improvement of 5 to 9 per cent over control. Reduction in fruit yield of 3 to 6 per cent was recorded with 50 per cent standard POP over control. Among the four growth stimulants used, humic acid perfonned better followed by cytozyme and potassium silicate. These growth stimulants may have enhanced the nutrient use efficiency of the plants which further improved the photosynthesis, plant growth and development. The result of the present study indicated that growth stimulants can be recommended along with soil test based nutrient management for enhancing crop growth, fruit quality and yield of okra.