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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: Silviculture and Agroforestry × Author: Bino George × Start date: 2000 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Litter dynamics of selected multipurpose tree species used as pepper standards
    (Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2005) Bino George; KAU; Kunhamu, T K
    A field trial was conducted at Livestock Research Station, Thiruvazhamkunnu, Kerala during August 2002 - August 2003 to characterize the litter dynamics and nutrient flux associated with seven MPTS used as support for black pepper. The study covered quantification of litter production, litter decomposition, nutrient release pattern through litter route and the changes in soil properties and site productivity in terms of pepper yield. The pepper support tree species under study included, Casuarina equisetifolia J.R. & G. Forst, Macaranga peltata (Roxb) M.-A, Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.) Alston, Artocarpus heterophyllus (Linn), Acacia auriculiformis (A. Cunn.) ex Benth, Grevillea robusta (A. Cunn.) ex R. Br. The experiment was superimposed on a pre-existing, fourteen- year- old pepper stand in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Generally, moderate levels of litter production has been shown by different pepper support trees under investigation. Annual litter yield was maximum for Artocarpus (4653.63 kg ha-1) and Macaranga (4550.88 kg ha-1), while Ailanthus (2221.25 kg ha-1) yielded minimum. Nutrient level in litterfall varied between species. Maximum N content was associated with nitrogen fixing trees such as Acacia and Casuarina. The leaf litter decomposition rate was generally faster for all the species with almost 90 per cent mass loss within three months. Artocarpus showed faster rate of litter decomposition while Macaranga and Ailanthus were relatively slow decomposers. Unprecedented heavy mass loss was registered by Casuarina, Grevillea and Acacia from their litterbags owing to physical nature of the litter. All the selected tree species showed a characteristic biphasic pattern of litter decomposition. Decay coefficients ranged from 0.73 (Casuarina) to 0.19 (Macaranga). The exponential equations relating mass loss over time were worked out for all the species. The lignin content of the leaf litter was found to excerpt negative influence on the rate of litter decomposition. The general order of nutrient in terms of their releasing capacity from the decomposing litter was K>P>N. Acacia and Artocarpus registered faster rate of nutrient accretion. Changes in soil properties such as moisture content, pH and bulk density was marginal on account of the presence of tree species. Leguminous species like Acacia was found to improve the soil N content. Maximum rainfall interception was attributed to Artocarpus followed by Macaranga. The yield of pepper in terms of dry berry weight was maximum for Acacia (2.56 t ha-1) and Artocarpus (1.91 t ha-1). Better physical suitability, high lopped out turn and nutrient turnover potential suggest these species as ideal candidates for trailing pepper. However, the general reduction in soil physical and chemical properties and reduction in the yield of black pepper for each standard over years suggest a declining trend in the productivity of this system, probably induced by the ageing of the stand as well as the heavy management practice followed.