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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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20181
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Subject: Silviculture and Agroforestry × Author: Acsah Rose, John × Author: KAU × End date: 2022 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Productivity, carbon and nutrient stocks in mulberry (Morus indica L.) and subabul (Leucaena leucocephala Lam.) based high density fodder production system in coconut
    (Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2018) Acsah Rose, John; KAU; Asha K Raj
    The research programme entitled “Productivity, carbon and nutrient stocks in mulberry (Morus indica L.) and subabul (Leucaena leucocephala Lam.) based high density fodder production system in coconut”, was conducted at Instructional farm, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2017-18, to evaluate the influence of tree density and harvest interval on forage yield, carbon and nutrient stocks of three- years- old mulberry and subabul fodder banks in coconut garden. The study also examined the variation in coconut productivity and soil fertility changes associated with fodder bank integration in coconut plantations. The treatments included intercropping of fodder tree species like mulberry and subabul-1 at three levels of tree densities (49,382; 37,037 and 27, 777 plants ha-1 ) and three levels of harvest intervals (8, 12 and 16 weeks) in all possible combinations with randomized block design replicated thrice. The study indicated that annual fresh fodder yield from fodder tree banks per hectare of coconut garden in the third year of intercropping was significantly higher in mulberry (33.93 Mg ha-1 yr ) than that of subabul (20.14 Mg ha-1 yr ). Forage yields of tree banks increased from 18.97 to 35.04 Mg ha yr from lower to higher density classes, and were also found to be higher (33.98 Mg ha-1 yr ) for medium harvest interval of 12 weeks than longer or shorter intervals. Comparing the cumulative effects of stand management practices, forage yields of mulberry and subabul stands showed drastic variation which ranged from 16.40 to 63.38 and 9.33 to 30.96 Mg ha-1 yr-1respectively under various management levels, there by indicating the critical role of proper management for productivity enhancement from tree fodder banks. Maximum yield was obtained from the highest density stand (49,382 plants ha-1 ) and at medium harvest interval of 12 weeks in both the tree species. In general, fodder tree intercropping and various management regimes showed no significant influence on coconut productivity. However, a slight decrease in nut yield was observed under very high fodder tree density (49,382 plants ha-1 ), especially with that of mulberry, there by pointing out the need for crop specificnutrient and moisture supplementation to prevent competition and yield loss in coconut under high density intercropping. Intercropping of fodder trees and various management practices resulted in significant enhancement in total biomass production and carbon storage potential of coconut plantations (82.70-108.48 Mg ha-1 ) than that of coconut monoculture system (75.35 Mg ha-1 ). The intercropped fodder trees have fixed additional carbon to a maximum of 33 Mg ha-1 in the plant biomass and in soil up to 40 cm depth, thereby making considerable contribution for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Significant difference was observed in nutrient uptake by the two fodder tree species, tree density and harvest schedule. N, P and K uptake was found to be significantly higher for mulberry (70.77, 4.80 and 38.22 kg ha-1 ) than that of subabul (51.62, 2.97 and 24.45 kg ha-1 ). N, P and K uptake enhanced by 81, 113 and 96 per cent from lower to higher densities. The nutrient uptake was higher in the medium interval of 12 weeks when compared to shorter or longer intervals. In general, intercropping practices in coconut have overall improved the fertility status of soil compared to coconut monoculture. However, proper nutrient supplementation should be ensured while adopting very high tree densities to avoid any possible competition with coconut palms. Fodder tree species and tree density had significant effect on soil properties like pH and water holding capacity (WHC) in mulberry and subabul plots intercropped in coconut plantation. Soil pH was observed higher in subabul (4.84) than mulberry (4.58). Water holding capacity (WHC) was observed higher in mulberry plots (53.96 %) than that of subabul (50.84%). Comparing the economics of tree fodder integration in coconut garden, significantly higher B: C ratio was obtained from mulberry (2.94) than subabul (2.54). B: C ratio showed an increasing trend (2.26 to 3.05) from lower to higher density classes. The highest B: C ratio (3.07) was obtained from 12 weeks harvest interval.Hence, the present field study clearly demonstrates the possibility of integrating mulberry and subabul fodder banks in coconut gardens of Kerala to enhance quality forage production, so as to minimize farmer’s expenses on feed cost. Adoption of ideal stand management practices viz., tree density of 49,382 plants ha-1 and 12 weeks harvest interval, can generate higher forage yields from limited land area. Moreover, the intercropped fodder trees have fixed additional carbon to a maximum of 33 Mg ha-1 , thereby making considerable contribution for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels to minimize global warming. Thus, establishment and proper management of mulberry and subabul fodder banks in coconut garden is a low cost technology to enhance quality forage production in humid tropics, and a promising strategy for climate change mitigation via carbon sequestration.