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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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20183
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Subject: Seed Science and Technology × 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of foliar application of nutrients and growth promoters on seed yield and quality of okra
    (Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Nishidha, C T; KAU; Rose Mary, Francies
    Experiments to assess the impact of foliar application of secondary nutrients, micronutrients growth promoters on growth, fruit and seed yield of okra variety Arka Anamika, and the influence of storage environment on quality and longevity of the seed thus produced were conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, during 2016-2018. The field experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 18 treatments. The dosage of micronutrients and secondary nutrients to be applied as foliar nutrition in the experimental plot were fixed based on the soil test data. As the soil of the experimental plot was found to be deficient in secondary nutrients viz., magnesium and sulphur as well as in micronutrients; zinc and boron, the treatments were designed to augment the required secondary and nutrients through foliar application. Foliar application of 0.75% ZnO, 1% MgO, 0.2% Pseudomonas Fluorescens (Pf), 0.2% Salicylic acid (SA), 0.5% Sampoorna KAU vegetable multimix (SVM), 0.1% H3BO3, 0.5% Sulphur (s), 0.75%ZnSO4 and water (control:C), was done either once at 25 days after sowing (T1: 0.75%ZnO-1, T3:1% MgO-1, T5:0.2% pf-I, T7:0.2%SA-I, I,T9:0.5% SVM-I,T11:0.1%H3BO3-I, T13:0.5% 0.5%S-I, T 158:0.75% ZnSO-I and T 17:C-I) or twice at 25 DAS and 45 DAS (T2:0.75% ZnO-II, T4:1% MgO-II, T6:0.2%PF-II, T8:0.2%SA=II, T10:0.5% SVM-II,T12 :0.1%H3BO3II,T14:0.5%SII,T16:0.75%ZnSO4-II and T18:C-II,during the cropping period and observation on growth and yield parameters were recorded at appropriate stages. Results revealed the existence of significant differences in most vegetative and reproductive traits in okra, following foliar application of various nutrients and growth promoters. However, no significant difference was observed with respect to plant height at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and 60 DAS, days to flowering pollen viability (%), seeds per pod, shrivelled seeds per pod (%) and seed yield per pod (g). Considering the impact of various nutrients and growth regulators, it may be concluded that foliar application of micronutreint mixture (0.5% Sampoorna KAU vegetable multimix) or 0.75% ZnSOS4 or 0.1% H3BO3 twice during the crop growth was advantageous. Foliar application of micronutrient mixture (0.5% Sampoorana KAU vegetable multimix) twice, exerted high positive influence on the vegetative growth and reproductive traits in okra seed crop except per cent of hard seeds and test weight. The treatment had registered the highest fruits per plant and the least per cent of flower shedding. Two-time foliar application of 0.5% Sampoorna KAU vegetable multimix was more advantageous than its one-time application. Although high in saleable seed (%) as well as test weight and low in hard seed per cent, the plant stature at both 45 DAS and 75 Das, chlorophyll content in leaves, number of branches and fruits per plant, fruit length and seed density were comparatively low in one-time application of 0.5% Sampoorna KAU vegetable multimix. The flower shedding was also application of comparatively high in one time application of vegetable multimix. One- Time application of 0.5% Sampoorna KAU vegetable multimix was found next best to two-time application of 0.5% Smpoorna KAU vegetable multimix or 0.75% ZnSO4 and 0.1% H3BO3. Foliar application of 0.75% ZnSO4 twice and 0.1% H3BO3 twice were comparable to each other. The treatments were on par with respect to plant height at 75 DAS, chlorophyll content in the leaf, flower shedding (%), number of fruits per plant, fruit lengh, per cent hard seeds and saleable seeds, test weight of seed and seed density. Application of 0.75% ZnSO4 twice exhibited a highly beneficial effect on reproductive traits of seed crop. The highest saleable seed per cent was registered in this treatment. Low percent of flower shedding and hard seeds as well as high number of fruits per plant and fruit length were observed in this treatment. In spite of the low plant stature at both 45 and 75 DAS and chlorophyll content, all the reproductive traits viz., number of fruits per plant, fruit length, saleable seed per pod (%)test weight and seed density in treatment 0.1% H3BO3twice i.e., at 25 DAs and 45 DAS was of high magnitude. In addtiion, the treatment had regidstered lower percent of flower shedding and hard seed. High test weight coupled with high seed density indicates good grain filling. Administering plant growth promoting rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens twice via foliar sprays can also be recommended to reduce per cent of hard seeds and obtain high saleable seed per pod (%). However, it did not improve the plant stature at early stages (45 DAS) and number of branches, chlorophyll content in leaves and seed test weight or lower the occurrence of hard seeds per pod (%). Seed storge experiments were laid out following a Completely Randomized Desigh (CRD) with eighteen treatments (T1 to T18) and three replications (R1 to R 3) under three storage conditions. The study was done using the seeds extracted from the pods harvested at physiological maturity from each of the 18 treatments in Experiment I. Seeds were stored under three storage conditions viz., shelled seeds under refrigerated storage (S1), shelled seeds under ambient storage (S2) and unshelled pods under ambient storage (S3). The foliar application of nutrients and growth promoters in okra significantly influenced the seed the elemental composition of seeds except for iron and sulphur content. It was observed that the foliar application of boron, zinc, and magnesium increased the content of respective elements in the seed. Sampoorna KAU vegetable multimix (0.5%) was beneficial in increasing the boron, manganese, copper calcium and magnesium content of seed. Next to the micronutrient mixture, it was also evident that the content of boron, manganese magnesium and calcium content of seed was enhanced through spray of salicylic acid. Before storage, the foliar application of nutrients and growth promoters was found to exert a significant influence on the seed quality indices (Germination per cent, seedling vigour index I and seedling vigour index II). Results of storage studies indicated that, as storage period increased the seed quality decreased irrespective of the storage environment. The rate of seed deterioration was found to be maximum when the seeds were stored in unshelled pods. Hence, it can be summarized that compared to storing seeds with i unshelled pods, ambient storage and cold storage conditions are beneficial in prolonging longevity and maintaining higher seed quality parameters during storage. Although, the results point out that foliar application 0.5% Sampoorna KAU vegetable multimix twice positively influenced seed quality during storage, a conclusive evidence as to the best foliar treatment that positively impacts seed quality parameters can be drawn only from the study of seed quality parameters over prolonged storage (>6 Months). Further evaluation of seed quality under ambient and refrigerated storage environment over a longer storage period would also help delineate the impact of these treatments as well as environment on seed longevity and quality during prolonged storage.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of pre-storage seed invigoration in ash gourd (benincasa hispida (thunb.) cogn.)
    (Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Athmaja, S; KAU; Rose Mary, Francies
    A study to elucidate the effect of seed invigoration on viability and quality of seeds in ash gourd variety KAU Local was conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, during 2016-2018. The impact of seed invigoration on seed viability and seed quality parameters under ambient (S1) and refrigerated storage (S2) was assessed following a completely randomized design with seven invigoration treatments (I1 to I7) and three replications. Seeds were separately invigorated using CaCl2 (50 m M) for 12h (I1), CaCl2 (50 mM) for 24h (I2), kinetin (10 ppm) for 12h (I3), kinetin (10 ppm) for 24h (I4), KH2PO4 (10-1 M) for 24h (I5), Pseudomonas fluorescens (1x106 cfu.ml-1) for 12h (I6). Untreated seeds (I7) served as control. Both treated and untreated seeds were dried to < 8 per cent moisture content and packed in polythene bags (700 gauge). The seed quality parameters were recorded immediately after treatment and subsequently at monthly intervals for a period of 10 months, while, germination of stored seeds was assessed up to 14 months after storage (MAS). At bimonthly intervals, quantification of lipid peroxidation, sugar and amino acids leached out from the seeds and the seed micro flora infection was also done. Seed quality during storage and seed longevity were found to be significantly influenced by storage environment, invigoration treatment and their interaction throughout the storage period. The results revealed that germination and other seed quality parameters such as germination index, coefficient of velocity of germination, energy of germination, vigour indices I and II, in both treated and untreated seeds decreased progressively over the storage period. However, there was an increase in mean time to germination, time taken for 50 per cent germination, allometric index, electrical conductivity of seed leachate, seed infection per cent, leachate of sugar, amino acid and lipid peroxidation, towards the end of storage period. Germination of seeds stored under the refrigerated storage was lower than that under ambient storage in the initial storage period (upto 3 MAS). Henceforth, refrigerated seeds exhibited significant superior germination than that under ambient storage till the end of storage period (14 MAS). Germination of seeds under refrigeration was retained above 60 per cent (the minimum seed certification standards required for ash gourd) for 13 MAS compared to 5 MAS in ambient stored seeds. The study thus revealed that irrespective of seed invigoration treatments, to prolong seed longevity and maintain seed quality, storing seeds under refrigeration is advantageous over ambient storage. Irrespective of storage environment, priming induced early germination. The seed quality parameters of the invigorated seeds before storage were found to be superior to untreated seeds. The invigorated seeds had also exhibited a germination per cent above 80 at 1 MAS, while, the germination in untreated control (I7) during the corresponding period was below the MSCS. Seeds invigoration with calcium chloride for 12h (I1) and 24h (I2) recorded significantly high germination and other seed quality parameters during the storage period of ten months. Owing to the significant superiority of seeds invigorated with I1 (CaCl2 50mM 12h) and I2 (CaCl2 50mM 24h) with respect to germination in the initial period of storage (up to 4 MAS), superior seed qualities during storage as well as retention of germination above MSCS for 8 MAS, seed invigoration with CaCl2 50mM before storage can be advocated to help retain seed qualities and prolonging seed longevity during storage. The interaction between storage condition and invigoration treatment on germination and other seed indices pointed out that it was most advantageous to treat seeds with CaCl2 50mM for 12h (I1) before storing under ambient conditions. If provision for refrigerated storage is available, bio-priming with Pf 1x10-6 cfu.ml-1 for 12h (S2I6) or priming with CaCl2 50mM for 24h (I2), kinetin 10 ppm for 12h (I3) or kinetin 10 ppm for 24h (I4) or KH2PO4 10-1 M for 24h (I5) would be most advantageous. Analysis of the impact of pre-storage seed invigoration treatment on seed longevity subsequent to retrieval of seeds from refrigerated storage revealed that, irrespective of the storage period under refrigeration, the seeds were found to retain viability above MSCS for a minimum period of one month after retrieval from refrigerated storage. Viability retention of invigorated and untreated seeds during further periods of thawing was unpredictable. It was also evident that none of the treatments could help retain seed viability above MSCS for five months after retrieval from refrigeration. Results also revealed that seed invigoration with CaCl2 50mM 12h (I1) is advantageous, if one or two months of ambient storage after retrieval from cold storage is unavoidable. Hence, considering the impact of storage environment, invigoration treatment and their interaction on seed longevity and quality, as well as their influence on seed longevity during thawing, it can be summarised that seed invigoration with CaCl2 50mM for 12h (I1) or 24h (I2) would be beneficial.