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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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20111
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Subject: Processing and Food Engineering × Author: Elavarasan, K A × End date: 2016 × Start date: 2010 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of postharvest quality attributes of cabbage and cauliflower grown in plains and higher altitude
    (Department of Processing Technology,College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2011) Elavarasan, K A; KAU; Pushpalatha, P B
    The studies on “Evaluation of postharvest quality attributes of cabbage and cauliflower grown in plains and higher altitude” was carried out in the Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2009 - 2011. The study was undertaken with the objective of evaluating the postharvest quality attributes and shelf life of cabbage and cauliflower grown in plains and higher altitude. The study was conducted at ARS, Mannuthy (plains) and Orange and Vegetable farm, Nelliyampathy (hill station). Four genotypes each in cabbage (NS183, NS160, NS 35 and Tropical Sun Plus) and cauliflower (NS 60 N, NS133, Pusa Meghna and Basant) were evaluated both in plains and higher altitude. Significant differences were observed in yield of cabbage which ranged from 22.6 – 29.3 kg /16m2 in hills and 1.27 – 22.06 kg /16m2 in plains. Among the cabbage genotypes, NS 183 was found to be the best for hilly region in earliness, yield and yield attributes. The cabbage genotype Tropical Sun Plus exhibited better performance in plains in terms of high head yield (22.06 Kg /162m), head weight (729.6 g) and head height (11.1 cm). Harvest maturity was delayed by 39 – 45 days in the plains as compared to higher altitudes. The cauliflower genotypes NS 60N took lesser days to attain harvest maturity in hills (83.88 days) and Pusa Meghna in the plains (128.16 days). Significant variation was observed in curd yield of cauliflower which ranged from 21 – 26.4 kg /16 m2 in hills and 0.78 – 1.43 kg /16 m2 in plains. NS 133 was found to be the best among the cauliflower genotypes in high altitude region as it recorded high curd yield (26.4 Kg /162m), curd weight (800g), curd height (13.93 cm), curd solidity, early maturity and better adaptability. Cauliflower genotypes NS 60 N, NS133, Pusa Meghna and Basant produced firm and uniform curds in hilly region, but in plains, curds were thicker and non uniform. In the case of cabbage, no significant difference was noticed in terms of head solidity for both the regions. The cabbage and cauliflower genotypes which exhibited superior performance in hills and plains were selected for further sensory, biochemical and storage studies. The cabbage genotype Tropical Sun Plus recorded superior organoleptic qualities (colour, taste, flavour, texture and overall acceptability) when grown in plains than hilly region. However in the case of genotype NS 183, the differences in sensory qualities between produce from hills and plains were not significant. The biochemical constituents (moisture, acidity, ascorbic acid, protein and minerals) of the best performing genotypes identified from hills and plains both in cabbage and cauliflower were analysed. The cabbage genotype NS 183 recorded comparatively higher values for biochemical constituents like acidity (0.144%), ascorbic acid (51.8 mg/100g), protein (0.73 g/100g), phosphorus (26 mg/100g) and potassium (200 mg/100g). Significant variation was noticed in biochemical constituents between the cauliflower genotypes and higher values were recorded in NS 133 for acidity (0.119%), ascorbic acid (38.85 mg/100g), protein (0.89 g/100g) and potassium (320 mg/100g). The whole cabbage and cauliflower were wrapped with cling film and stored under three different temperature regimes (0 to -1oC, 4 to 6oC and ambient condition). Longest shelf life in cabbage genotypes Tropical Sun Plus (21 days) and cauliflower genotype NS 60N (22.5 days) was obtained in cling film pack stored at 0 to -1o C. PLW% was highest and shelf life the shortest under ambient condition in unpackaged produce of cabbage and cauliflower. The influence of packaging material (high density polyethylene, semi rigid metallised aluminum tray over wrapped with cling film and polypropylene) and storage conditions (0 to -1oC, 4 to 6oC and ambient condition) on minimally processed produce of cabbage and cauliflower were evaluated. The shelf life was significantly extended in HDPE packaged produce stored at 0 to -1oC in cabbage genotype Tropical Sun Plus (20.75 days) and cauliflower genotype NS 60N (22.5 days).