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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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Subject: Seed Science and Technology × Author: Reshma, P K × End date: 2018 × Start date: 2018 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Seed quality enhancement in okra and oriental pickling melon with film coat
    (Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Reshma, P K; KAU; Dijee Bastian
    An experiment on ‘Seed quality enhancement in okra and oriental pickling melon with film coat’’ was conducted at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2016-18 to standardise the optimum dose and effect of polymer coating on okra and oriental pickling melon seeds and to evaluate the storage potential of polymer coated seeds under ambient storage condition Seeds of okra variety, Arka Anamika and oriental pickling melon variety Mudicode local were used in this study. Polykote and Hitron were the polymers used. Seeds were treated with polymers either alone or in combination with plant protection chemicals. Performance of treated seeds was compared with untreated control. The polymer treatments comprised of both polymers at two doses Viz. Polykote @ 5 ml per kg of seed, Polykote @ 10 ml per kg of seed, Hitron @ 5 ml per kg of seed and Hitron @ 10 ml per kg of seed. A combination of plant protection chemicals such as fungicides, carbendazim-mancozeb (2g per kg of seed), insecticide- bifenthrin (0.1%) and biocontrol agent – Trichoderma viride (4g) were used. Polymer coated seeds were packed in 700 G polyethylene bag and stored under ambient conditions. Seed quality parameters were recorded at bimonthly intervals for a period of sixteen months. With the advancement of storage period, germination declined irrespective of the treatments in both the seeds. Throughout the storage period, performance of treated seeds was found to be superior over control. In okra, at the end of the storage period of sixteen month , higher germination per cent (60.67 %) was recorded in seeds treated with Polykote (10ml) +carbendazim- mancozeb (2g) + bifenthrin (0.1%) followed by Hitron (5ml) + carbendazim-mancozeb (2g) + bifenthrin (0.1%) (54.00%), while lower values were recorded in untreated control (28.67%). All the treatments except untreated control maintained MSCS (Minimum Seed Certification Standards) of 65 per cent germination up to ten months of storage. The seeds treated with Polykote (5ml) + carbendazim-mancozeb (2g) + bifenthrin (0.1%) per kg seed, Polykote (10ml/kg seed), Polykote (10ml) + carbendazim-mancozeb (2g) + bifenthrin (0.1%) per kg seed, Hitron (5ml/kg seed), Hitron (10ml) + carbendazim-mancozeb (2g) + bifenthrin (0.1%) per kg seed retained germination per cent above MSCS up to twelve months of storage whereas, the best treatment Polykote (10ml) +carbendazim- mancozeb (2g) + bifenthrin (0.1%) maintained MSCS up to fourteen months of storage. Similarly in the case of quality parameters like vigour indices and dehydrogenase activity, seed treatment with polykote (10ml) +carbendazim- mancozeb (2g) + bifenthrin (0.1%) found to be superior. In case of electrical conductivity of seed leachate a higher value was observed in untreated control while the least was recorded in seed treatment with polykote (10ml) +carbendazim- mancozeb (2g) + bifenthrin (0.1%) per kg of seed. In OP melon, the effect of polymer film coating on seed quality parameters followed the same trend as that of okra. Higher per cent of germination noticed in seed treated with polykote (10ml) +carbendazim- mancozeb (2g) + bifenthrin (0.1%). These treatments retained germination per cent above MSCS till fourteenth month. Electrical conductivity of seed leachate was least in seeds treated with polykote (10ml) +carbendazim- mancozeb (2g) + bifenthrin (0.1%) per kg of seed compared to untreated control. Microflora infection was found to be lower in polymer treated seeds when compared to control in both the crops. The major microorganisms observed were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus. The results indicated that seed treatment with polymers was highly effective for enhancing the storage life of okra and OP melon. The polymers along with plant protection chemicals help to retain viability and storability of seeds. Among the treatments, polykote (10ml) +carbendazim- mancozeb (2g) + bifenthrin (0.1%) showed best results which may be recommended for pre storage seed treatment. Seed treatment with polymers therefore provides a cheaper and safe method to enhance seed viability and seedling performance under ambient storage condition.