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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 Influence of storage structure on seed longevity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Department Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Jyothish Babu, E; KAU; Rose Mary, FranciesAgeing of seeds is an inevitable natural deteriorative phenomenon, eventually resulting in loss of vigour and viability. Adopting appropriate storage, ensuring optimum storage environment have been advocated to slow down the pace of the deteriorative process during storage, maintain the seed quality and prolonging seed longevity. Considering the above, a study to elucidate the effect of different storage structure on seed longevity and quality of short duration rice varieties (Experiment 1) and medium rice varieties (Experiment 2) was conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, during 2019 - 2020. The storage experiments were conducted following a completely randomized design with four varieties replicated thrice under five storage conditions (SC1 to SC5), each varying from the other with respect to the type of roofing and provision of ventilation. The short duration varieties used in Experiment 1 were Harsha, Matta Triveni, Manurathna and Kanchana, while, the medium durations varieties in Experiment 2 were, Aiswarya, Sreyas, Jyothi and Uma. The quality parameters of seeds stored in SC1 (Asbestos + ventilation), SC2 (Asbestos + without ventilation), SC3 (R.C.C. + ventilation), SC4 (R.C.C. + without ventilation) and SC5 (Asbestos + forced ventilation) were recorded at the start of storage and subsequently at monthly intervals for a period of nine months. The temperature and relative humidity in each storage condition were recorded at weekly intervals. Varieties, storage conditions, the period of storage and their interactions were found to exert significant influence on seed quality and longevity in both short duration and medium duration varieties. Irrespective of the varieties and the storage conditions, the seed quality parameters viz., germination (%), vigour indices (VI-I and VI-II) and field establishment (%), declined over the storage period, whereas an increase in seed moisture content (%), electrical conductivity of seed leachate (dSm-1) and seed microflora, was observed. Germination and longevity of varieties Matta Triveni and Harsha was higher than that of varieties Manurathna and Kanchana. Seed longevity was higher (8 months each) in varieties Harsha and Matta Triveni compared to varieties Manurathna and Kanchana (7 months each). The seed vigour indices (VI-I and VI-II), field establishment (%) of Matta Triveni were significantly high, while the estimates of seed moisture (%) and EC of seed leachate were significantly low in Kanchana. In case of medium duration varieties, although germination was higher in varieties Aiswarya and Shreyas compared to Jyothi and Uma, the longevity of seeds in all varieties was retained for eight months. Germination, vigour (VI-II) and field establishment (%) was significantly high in Aiswarya, while the seed moisture and EC of seed leachate was found to be significantly low in Sreyas. Variety Uma registered significant low seed quality parameters. In both short and medium duration varieties, the quality of seeds stored under ventilated conditions (SC1, SC3 and SC5) was found to be the significantly superior to those stored in non-ventilated structures (SC2 and SC4). Irrespective of the type of roofing (Asbestos or R.C.C), seed longevity in ventilated godowns were found to be retained above IMSCS, one month longer (8 MAS) than when stored under nonventilated environment (7 MAS). The interaction between varieties, storage condition and the period of storage, indicated that seed longevity in all medium duration varieties stored under ventilated storage and non-ventilated storages was eight and seven months respectively. Unlike in the medium duration group, the longevity of all the longevity of short duration varieties Matta Triveni and Harsha was higher by a period one month i.e., 8 MAS, when stored under ventilated environments conditions viz., R.C.C. + ventilation (SC3), Asbestos + ventilation (SC1) and Asbestos + forced ventilation (SC5) as against 7 MAS under non-ventilated storage [Asbestos + without ventilation (SC2), R.C.C. + without ventilation (SC4)] High temperature and relative humidity within the storage environment strongly influenced germination and seed longevity. The decline in germination was found to be more pronounced when the seed was exposed to high temperatures in the early period of storage i.e., between 1 and 13th week, while high RH during the 2nd half of the storage period (i.e., between 24th and 36th week), proved to be detrimental to seed longevity. Among the storage structures, the temperature and RH inside ventilated storage (SC3, SC1 and SC5) was relatively lower than that in non-ventilated structure (SC4 and SC4). Marginal variations in temperature and RH was evident between the ventilated stores, with the least estimate in Asbestos + forced ventilation (SC5). However, most quality parameters and longevity of seeds in these conditions were on par with each other. From the above results, it can be summarized that storing seeds in ventilated storage structures, was clearly advantageous over storing them under non-ventilated conditions. Only marginal variations in seed quality parameters was observed between the ventilated conditions. Neither did storing seed in godowns with provision for forced ventilation improve the longevity of stored seeds over those with provision for natural ventilation. Incurring additional expenditure on installation, maintenance and operation of forced ventilation system did not to confer any additional benefits. Considering all the above, it would be more advantageous to store seeds under ventilated conditions with provision for natural ventilation.ThesisItem Open Access Irradiation and seed coating for enhancing storage life of grain cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)(Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2021) Jayashri, S; KAU; Jayalekshmy, V GThe present study entitled “Irradiation and seed coating for enhancing storage life of grain cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)” was carried out in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2020-2021, with an objective to standardize the dose of gamma rays for irradiation and concentration of chitosan for seed coating for enhancing the storage life of grain cowpea. The study was divided into two experiments which were conducted in Completely Randomized Block Design (CRD) with three replications. The first experiment was irradiation of cowpea seeds with gamma rays and the second experiment was seed coating of cowpea seeds with chitosan. The seeds were irradiated with five different doses (100 Gy to 500 Gy) at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore. Another set of seeds were coated with chitosan at five different concentrations (1 % to 5 %) at two different quantities for each concentration as 1ml 50g-1 of seeds and 5ml 50g-1 of seeds. Coated seeds were then shade dried and packed in polythene bags and stored for six months along with control. In the first experiment, the cowpea seeds irradiated with 300 Gy, 400 Gy and 500 Gy gamma rays were not affected by pulse beetle infestation till the end of six months of storage. However, in control, the seed damage was observed which varied from 0.333% in first month to 56.333% in sixth month of storage with a seed weight loss of 28.182 per cent. The damage percentage recorded was 2.667 percent and 0.667 per cent in treatment T1 (100 Gy) and T2 (200 Gy) respectively in the sixth month of storage. Thus the gamma ray irradiation in all doses proved to be effective in controlling pulse beetle infestation. Germination parameters were studied in the undamaged seeds to study the effect of irradiation in seed aging. Among the different doses of gamma irradiation, T2 (200 Gy) recorded the highest seed germination percentage (84.33%), speed of germination (32.13 days), seedling shoot length (11.83 cm), seedling dry weight (0.703 g) and seedling vigour index I (2130.49) and II (59.29). All the germination parameters showed increased value at lower doses of gamma rays (100 Gy and 200 Gy) and declined at higher doses (300 Gy, 400 Gy, and 500 Gy) compared to control. Morphological evaluation of gamma irradiated seeds grown in field showed that the morphological parameters did not vary significantly from the control in treatments with gamma doses 100 Gy and 200 Gy. Gamma irradiation at 300 Gy also did not show variation in morphological parameters compared to control except for field germination percentage. But progressive decrease in all morphological parameters was observed for the treatments with gamma doses 400 Gy and 500 Gy. Reduction in germination percentage, plant height, number of pods plant-1 , number of seeds pod-1 and 100 seed test weight was observed when compared to control. Few crinkled leaves were observed in 400 Gy and 500 Gy irradiated treatments at earlier stages. No significant variation was observed in 100 Gy, 200 Gy and control. In the second experiment, among the different chitosan treatments, no seeds were observed with insects upto four months of storage. Although insect eggs and infestation were noticed in treatments such as T1 (1% 1 ml 50g-1 ), T2 (1% @ 5 ml 50g-1 ), T3 (2% @ 1 ml 50g1 ) and T5 (3% @ 1 ml 50g-1 ) at the end of storage period, the percentage of infestation decreased with an increase in concentration and quantity of chitosan used. The grain cowpea seeds coated with different concentrations of chitosan from lower to higher (1% to 5%) have different degrees of improvement in germination parameters compared to control. Among the different treatments of chitosan, T10 (5 % @ 5 ml 50g-1 ) recorded the highest seed germination percentage (89.37 %), maximum speed of germination (36.83), seedling shoot length (14.90 cm), seedling root length (17.53 cm), seedling dry weight (0.747 g). seedling vigour index I (2898.28) and II (66.79). In this study Gamma irradiation proved to be an effective method for controlling pulse beetle infestation during storage in grain cowpea. However the treatment with higher doses 400 Gy and 500 Gy affected the germination parameters negatively and produced some abnormalities in the progeny. Thus, the gamma irradiation at 200Gy and 300 Gy can be recommended for safe storage of grain cowpea seeds. Chitosan at 5% @ 5 ml 50g-1 exhibited higher values for seed germination parameters and showed no pulse beetle infestation till the end of the storage period of six months. Chitosan treatment at 5% @ 5 ml 50g-1 can be recommended for safe storage of grain cowpea seeds. Both gamma irradiation and chitosan seed coating maintained the longevity of seeds during storage and were effective in controlling the storage pests. Seed coating with chitosan had an additional advantage of substantial improvement of seed germination parameters. Gamma irradiation and chitosan seed coating are eco-friendly methods in enhancing the storage life of grain cowpea. Since gamma irradiation requires special facilities for seed treatment, chitosan seed coating will be a better technology for small scale farmers.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of storage structure on seed longevity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Department Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Jyothish Babu, E; KAU; Rose Mary, FranciesAgeing of seeds is an inevitable natural deteriorative phenomenon, eventually resulting in loss of vigour and viability. Adopting appropriate storage, ensuring optimum storage environment have been advocated to slow down the pace of the deteriorative process during storage, maintain the seed quality and prolonging seed longevity. Considering the above, a study to elucidate the effect of different storage structure on seed longevity and quality of short duration rice varieties (Experiment 1) and medium rice varieties (Experiment 2) was conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, during 2019 - 2020. The storage experiments were conducted following a completely randomized design with four varieties replicated thrice under five storage conditions (SC1 to SC5), each varying from the other with respect to the type of roofing and provision of ventilation. The short duration varieties used in Experiment 1 were Harsha, Matta Triveni, Manurathna and Kanchana, while, the medium durations varieties in Experiment 2 were, Aiswarya, Sreyas, Jyothi and Uma. The quality parameters of seeds stored in SC1 (Asbestos + ventilation), SC2 (Asbestos + without ventilation), SC3 (R.C.C. + ventilation), SC4 (R.C.C. + without ventilation) and SC5 (Asbestos + forced ventilation) were recorded at the start of storage and subsequently at monthly intervals for a period of nine months. The temperature and relative humidity in each storage condition were recorded at weekly intervals. Varieties, storage conditions, the period of storage and their interactions were found to exert significant influence on seed quality and longevity in both short duration and medium duration varieties. Irrespective of the varieties and the storage conditions, the seed quality parameters viz., germination (%), vigour indices (VI-I and VI-II) and field establishment (%), declined over the storage period, whereas an increase in seed moisture content (%), electrical conductivity of seed leachate (dSm-1) and seed microflora, was observed. Germination and longevity of varieties Matta Triveni and Harsha was higher than that of varieties Manurathna and Kanchana. Seed longevity was higher (8 months each) in varieties Harsha and Matta Triveni compared to varieties Manurathna and Kanchana (7 months each). The seed vigour indices (VI-I and VI-II), field establishment (%) of Matta Triveni were significantly high, while the estimates of seed moisture (%) and EC of seed leachate were significantly low in Kanchana. In case of medium duration varieties, although germination was higher in varieties Aiswarya and Shreyas compared to Jyothi and Uma, the longevity of seeds in all varieties was retained for eight months. Germination, vigour (VI-II) and field establishment (%) was significantly high in Aiswarya, while the seed moisture and EC of seed leachate was found to be significantly low in Sreyas. Variety Uma registered significant low seed quality parameters. In both short and medium duration varieties, the quality of seeds stored under ventilated conditions (SC1, SC3 and SC5) was found to be the significantly superior to those stored in non-ventilated structures (SC2 and SC4). Irrespective of the type of roofing (Asbestos or R.C.C), seed longevity in ventilated godowns were found to be retained above IMSCS, one month longer (8 MAS) than when stored under nonventilated environment (7 MAS). The interaction between varieties, storage condition and the period of storage, indicated that seed longevity in all medium duration varieties stored under ventilated storage and non-ventilated storages was eight and seven months respectively. Unlike in the medium duration group, the longevity of all the longevity of short duration varieties Matta Triveni and Harsha was higher by a period one month i.e., 8 MAS, when stored under ventilated environments conditions viz., R.C.C. + ventilation (SC3), Asbestos + ventilation (SC1) and Asbestos + forced ventilation (SC5) as against 7 MAS under non-ventilated storage [Asbestos + without ventilation (SC2), R.C.C. + without ventilation (SC4)] High temperature and relative humidity within the storage environment strongly influenced germination and seed longevity. The decline in germination was found to be more pronounced when the seed was exposed to high temperatures in the early period of storage i.e., between 1 and 13th week, while high RH during the 2nd half of the storage period (i.e., between 24th and 36th week), proved to be detrimental to seed longevity. Among the storage structures, the temperature and RH inside ventilated storage (SC3, SC1 and SC5) was relatively lower than that in non-ventilated structure (SC4 and SC4). Marginal variations in temperature and RH was evident between the ventilated stores, with the least estimate in Asbestos + forced ventilation (SC5). However, most quality parameters and longevity of seeds in these conditions were on par with each other. From the above results, it can be summarized that storing seeds in ventilated storage structures, was clearly advantageous over storing them under non-ventilated conditions. Only marginal variations in seed quality parameters was observed between the ventilated conditions. Neither did storing seed in godowns with provision for forced ventilation improve the longevity of stored seeds over those with provision for natural ventilation. Incurring additional expenditure on installation, maintenance and operation of forced ventilation system did not to confer any additional benefits. Considering all the above, it would be more advantageous to store seeds under ventilated conditions with provision for natural ventilation.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of seed protectants on seed longevity and storage pests in rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Hariprasad, K; KAU; Rose Mary FranciesThesisItem Open Access Seed invigoration with nanoparcticles for seed yield and quality in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)(Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Riya Mary, Mathew.; KAU; Dijee, BastianThe study “Seed invigoration with nanoparticles for seed yield and quality in chilli” was conducted in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during May 2019 with the objective of standardizing the optimum seed treatment dose required for increasing yield, improving quality and prolonging seed longevity. Normal grade and nano grade zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) were used for seed treatment on chilli variety Anugraha. The study consisted of two experiments. In the first experiment, chilli seeds dry dressed with 500, 900 and 1300 mg kg-1 of normal and nano grade ZnO and TiO2 along with control (thirteen treatments) were raised in a Randomized block design with three replications. While all treated seeds performed better than control (untreated seeds) treatments with nanoparticles performed better than the normal grade particles. Highly significant variations was observed for traits such as plant spread, plant height, days to harvest, fruit length, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight at maturity, fruit yield, number of seeds per fruit, seed yield per plant and 100 seed weight. Seed treatments with nano ZnO @ 1300 mg kg-1 of seed (T4) performed superior for plant spread (60.1 cm), plant height (67.30 cm), number of fruits per plant (122), fruit length (7.40cm), fruit weight (3.46g), fruit yield (422.70 g) and seed yield per plant (41.14 g). Normal grade ZnO treatments was effective in improving number of seeds per fruit (62) (ZnO @ 900 mg kg-1 of seed). Significant effects were recorded when seeds were treated with normal grade TiO2 @ 500 mg kg-1 of seed (T11) for fruit weight at maturity (3.53 g). In the second experiment the effect of wet seed treatment with nanoparticles on seed storability was assessed. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with thirteen treatments in three replications. Treatments include nano ZnO and TiO2 at 100,250,500 and 100 mg kg-1. Seed quality parameters like germination, seedling length, dry weight and vigour indices showed a declining trend throughout the storage period while electrical conductivity and seed infection increased. Treatments ZnO@100 mg kg-1 of seed (T2), ZnO@250 mg kg-1 of seed (T3 ), ZnO@500 mg kg-1 of seed (T4 ), ZnO@1000 mg kg-1 of seed (T6), TiO2@500 mg kg-1 of seed (T10), TiO2@750 mg kg-1 of seed (T11) and TiO2@1000 mg kg-1 of seed (T12) retained germination above 60 % (IMSCS) at the end of seven months of storage. ZnO @ 250 mg kg-1 of seed (T3) retained the highest germination per cent of 65.66 %. Vigour index-I was found to be high in ZnO @ 1000mg kg-1 of seeds (T6) (925.88) and vigour index II in TiO2 @1000 mg kg-1 of seed (T12) (1471.81) at the end of storage.The electrical conductivity of seed leachate obtained from nano ZnO @ 250 mg kg-1 of seed and nano TiO2 @ 750 mg kg-1 of seed recorded the lowest values (295μScm-1and 290.33 μScm-1).Pathogen infection in seeds were found to be lower in treated seeds than in untreated control. Infection was recorded in nano ZnO @ 100 mg kg-1 of seeds (T2) (13.3%) and nano TiO2 @ 250 mg kg-1 of seeds (T9) (10%) treatments. The seed storage fungi observed were Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. Seed treatments with inorganic nanoparticles are effective in improving field performance and as well as retaining seed quality in storage. Nano ZnO at 1300 mg kg-1 of seeds was the best treatment followed by nano TiO2 at 900mg kg-1 of seeds in improving yield in chilli. Treatments nano ZnO at 250 and 1000 mg kg-1 of seed may be used as seed treatments to enhance seed longevity in chilli.
