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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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20171
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Subject: Seed Science and Technology × Author: KAU × Author: Nagendra, M S × End date: 2018 × Start date: 2011 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Optimizing planting time, seed extraction and seed storage in oriental pickling melon (Cucumis melo var. conomon Mak.)
    (Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2017) Nagendra, M S; KAU; Dijee Bastian
    An experiment titled ‘Optimizing planting time, seed extraction and seed storage in oriental pickling melon (Cucumis melo var. conomon Mak.)’, was conducted in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, using variety ‘Saubhagya’ with the objective to ascertain the optimum time of sowing to maximize seed yield, and to standardize the seed extraction method and seed storage conditions. Sowing was taken up at monthly intervals starting from August’16 up to February’17 to ascertain the optimum time of sowing. Results indicated that crops raised in the months of August and September recorded higher seed yield and yield related parameters like fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, fruit yield per vine, number of seeds per fruit, fresh weight and dry weight of seeds per fruit. Early emergence of female flower was observed in crops sown in the months of December, January and February. Vivipary was also seen in December (6.54 %), January (5.34 %) and February (4.70 %) months of sowing. The study suggests August sowing as the ideal time for seed production as yield attributes like fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, fruit yield per vine, number of seeds per fruit, fresh weight and dry weight of seeds per fruit were high. Seed extraction influences the seed quality and its storability. A crop was raised in June 2016 and fruits harvested from the crop was used for extraction. Various methods of seed extraction were employed viz., hand extraction method, fermentation and acid (HCl) extraction method (various concentration and exposure time). Examination of quality parameters of the freshly extracted seeds revealed that extraction with conc. HCl 25 ml/ 1.5 litre of water for 30 minutes recorded the highest germination per cent, vigour indices and other quality parameters. Acid seed extraction may be recommended when immediate sowing is required. The extracted seeds were dried to less than 8 per cent moisture and packed in polyethylene covers of 700G and stored under cold and ambient conditions for a period of eight months. Observations on seed quality parameters were recorded at monthly intervals. Irrespective of the extraction methods followed, a higher germination and seedling vigour coupled with a significant reduction in mean germination time, time taken for 50 per cent germination and electrical conductivity of seed leachates was observed in seeds stored under cold storage compared to seeds stored under ambient conditions. Seed extraction through fermentation method recorded the highest germination, shoot length, root length and seedling vigour indices under both storage conditions followed by hand extraction method. Under ambient conditions, seeds extracted from fermentation method sustained germination above Indian minimum seed certification standards (MSCS) which is 60% for a period of four months. Under cold storage, seeds extracted by fermentation method maintained MSCS till the end of the storage period (8 MAS) while in other treatments it was maintained only for 5 MAS. Over the storage period the value of electrical conductivity of seed leachates, mean germination time and time taken for 50 per cent germination was least in fermentation method indicating early emergence and better field stand. Freshly extracted seeds were devoid of seed microflora infection. However, at the end of the storage period microflora infection was highest in hand extraction and lowest in acid treatments. The organisms observed were Aspergillus niger and A. flavus From the study it can be concluded that seed storage under cold conditions is beneficial for prolonging the seed longevity. Fermentation and hand extraction of seeds is advisable to retain the seed quality and prolong seed viability during storage.