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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standardization and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy based quality evaluation of thermally processed tender jackfruit (Artrocarpus heteophyllus L.)
    (Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2020) Pritty S, Babu; KAU; Sudheer, K P
    The present study examined thermal processing in tin free steel cans (TFS) and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) techniques for preservation and rapid characterization of tender jackfruit, respectively. In the thermal processing study, the effect of 16 treatments with different time-temperature combinations on physicochemical and microbiological attributes of canned tender jackfruit were examined. Accordingly, pasteurization at 90oC for 19 min (F = 60 min) and sterilization at 121oC for 8 min (F0 = 3 min) were identified as the best treatments. During 7 months of storage, these treatments yielded microbiologically safe tender jackfruit with no significant (p < 0.05) change in titrable acidity, total soluble solids, carbohydrate and crude fibre contents. In both pasteurization and sterilization treatments with/without preservatives, quality and sensory attributes of canned tender jackfruit were comparable. Hence, the study endorse the use of any of the standardized thermal processing treatments even without preservatives for safe storage of tender jackfruit. The NIRS study was the primary attempt to characterize tender jackfruit (fresh and thermal processed) using its spectral reflectance (R*) within 400-2500 nm wavelength range by means of partial least square regression (PLSR) algorithm. Based on crossvalidation of PLSR models, the study have identified a) second derivative of R* in 7012450 nm as the best pre-processing and wavelength combination for the estimation of quality attributes of fresh tender jackfruit, b) spectral measurement of intact tender jackfruit samples outperform grated counterparts, c) dry spectra of thermal processed tender jackfruit yield superior results than wet spectra, d) DLP NIRscan Nano for cost effective characterization of inter component (skin, tendril and core) variability of fresh tender jackfruit with regard to total flavonoid and phenol contents. The overall results of the analyses advocates the use of NIRS for a rapid, reliable, non-destructive and noninvasive quality assessment of tender jackfruit.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation for processing characteristics and their expression in a bacterial wilt resistant genetic background in tomato
    (Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Alice Kurian; KAU; Peter, K V
    The present study was undertaken to identify ideal processing types suitable for ketchup and paste making and associated shelf life of ketchup. The prospects of growing these processing types are precarious in Kerala, unless processing trails are coupled with bacterial wilt resistance . The outcome of the investigations on evaluation for processing characteristics in tomato and their expression in a bacterial wilt genetic background are briefed below. The processing tomatoes were distinct from fresh market types with respect in their elongated shape index >I, characterised by fewer locules, high pericarp thickness , increased firmness and resistance to cracking . The firm fruits had comparatively high insoluble solids. Ideal types also indicated high total solids , pulp content , consistency and lycopene.