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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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20151
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Subject: Seed Science and Production Technology × Author: Aswathi, C × Author: KAU × End date: 2021 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Variability in seed quality and storability of cowpea (Vigna spp.) varieties
    (Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Aswathi, C; KAU; Devadas, V S
    Seed is the basic input in agriculture contributing to 15-20 per cent of productivity. In most cases, it becomes essential to store seeds and therefore maintenance of seed quality during storage is inevitable. During storage, a number of physiological and biochemical changes occur in seeds which result in ageing or seed senescence. The rate at which the process of seed ageing takes place depends on the weather conditions of the storage atmosphere and the ability of seed to resist the degradative changes. Genetic makeup of the species and varieties also decide the senescence pattern. Cowpea is an important vegetable crop of Kerala. An array of improved varieties is available for cultivation. Storage experiments were conducted with seeds of ten different varieties of cowpea (Lola, Vellayani Jyothika, Vyjayanthi, Anaswara, Kairali, Kanakamony, Kashi Kanchan, Sreya, Hridya and Bhagyalakshmi) belonging to trailing, semi trailing and bush growth habits to assess the genetic variations in seed quality parameters, seed senescence pattern and seed longevity. Seeds obtained from summer crop (February-June, 2014) were stored in polyethylene bags of 700G and observations on seed quality parameters were recorded at monthly intervals. Results indicated that, irrespective of varieties, the seed quality parameters viz. germination, speed of germination, seedling vigour and dehydrogenase enzyme activity decreased while electrical conductivity of seed leachate and seed microflora infection per cent increased with increase in duration of storage. Irrespective of varieties, a higher germination, speed of germination, seedling vigour and dehydrogenase enzyme activity coupled with a significant reduction of electrical conductivity of seed leachate and seed microflora infection was observed in seeds stored under cold storage (20±2ºC) compared to those stored under ambient storage condition (25-30ºC). Among the varieties, the highest germination, speed of germination and seedling vigour index I were recorded in Kashi Kanchan followed by Kanakamony. The two varieties also retained a germination per cent of above minimum seed certification standards (75% germination) for six months of storage. The lowest germination, speed of germination and seedling vigour index I were recorded in variety Vellayani Jyothika (trailing type). Based on growth habit, it was observed that the highest germination per cent, speed of germination, seedling vigour index I and the lowest infection of seed microflora were recorded in the semi trailing varieties followed by trailing type. The bush types were found to be on par with trailing types for the above characters. Considering the varietal variations based on storage study, stability and cluster analysis, the varieties which retained maximum germination and quality parameters were Kashi Kanchan and Kanakamony and the varieties which shown poor performance were Vellayani Jyothika, Kairali and Hridya. There was a high significant and positive correlation between vigour index I and speed of germination with germination per cent. Path analysis indicated significant direct effect of seedling vigour index I on germination. Considering the seed quality parameters during storage, varieties Kashi Kanchan and Kanakamony proved to have high storage potential. These can be preferred to employ in future breeding programmes aimed towards improving seed storability. Further studies and confirmation are required to reveal the reasons for faster senescence in seeds of varieties viz. Vellayani Jyothika, Kairali and Hridya