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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 × End date: 2001 × Start date: 2001 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Conservation strategy for Hopea parviflora Bedd. species through storage of seeds usinhg cryopreservation techniques
    (Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 2001) Ani, J R; KAU; Sudhakara, K
    A detailed study was conducted at College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala during 1998-2000 to standardize the conservation strategy for Hopea parviflora Bedd. species through storage of seeds using cryopreservation. Diameter of seeds collected at seven weeks after anthesis was found to be higher than that at sixth week. Physiological maturity of the propagules is attained between five and six weeks after anthesis. The propagules were subjected to different relative humidities, vacuum and dry air for different durations as a pretreatment for cryopreservation studies. In 100 to 46.6 per cent relative humidities, the moisture content and the leachate conductivity of the propagules were found to increase with duration compared to the initial value. Equilibrium moisture content of Hopea parviflora propagules was found to lie between 75.6 to 30 per cent relative humidities. Germination parameters of seed and seed without seed coat were not decreased significantly due to desiccation by relative humidities, vacuum or dry air, but that of embryonic axes was considerably reduced as rapid drying might have been effected due to 30 and 20 per cent relative humidities and also due to vacuum and dry air with duration. High culture contamination was observed in vacuum and dry air treatments. After cryopreservation techniques, the propagules invariably failed to regenerate but could retain green colour for two to three days.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of fuelwood characteristics, physical and mechanical properties of selected agroforestry tree species
    (Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of forestry, Vellanikkara, 2001) Shanavas, A; KAU; Mohankumar, B
    An experiment to evaluate the fuelwood value, and physical and mechanical properties of selected agroforestry tree species was conducted at the College of Forestry, Vellanikkara. The study involved determination of the fuelwood value of 48 species/materials and assessment of the physical and mechanical properties of three promising multipurpose trees having local importance, viz., Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mangium and Grevillea robusta. Variations abound in the calorific values of agroforestry species and their tissue-types. Ash content, specific gravity, chemical composition and moisture content of tissues are primary factors affecting calorific value; while species and tissue-types, may exert a secondary control. Ash content and moisture content had a negative correlation with calorific value, whereas specific gravity exerted a positive influence. Based on the range in calorific values and fuelwood value indices obtained, different species and tissue-types could be broadly divided into three categories: high, medium and low. Calorific value of different tissue fractions decreased in the order: heartwood> sapwood > bark. Mean ash percentage of tissue-types followed the order: bark> sapwood > heartwood. Variations of ash content along bole height followed the order: branchwood > top > bottom > middle. Mean specific gravity of tissue-types followed the order: heartwood> sapwood > bark. For sample positions it followed the sequence: bottom> middle> top> branchwood. Wood moisture content increased from bottom to top along tree height and for tissue-types, it followed the order: bark < heartwood < sapwood. Coconut shell recorded the highest fuel value index (FVI) which was approximately 25 times greater than the highest value for tree species (Casuarina equisetifolia). Physical and mechanical properties of Acacia auriculiformis was significantly supenor to that of Acacia mangium and Grevillea robusta. The physical and mechanical properties were affected by both species and sample positions. Wood specific gravity increased from inner to outer sample positions along radial direction except for Grevillea robusta, which followed the order: outer < inner < middle. Moisture content decreased from inner to outer sample positions in Acacia mangium; while Grevillea robusta exhibited a divergent trend. Variations in shrinkage along radial direction followed the same trend as that of moisture content but was inconsistent with that of specific gravity. Most of the strength properties followed a trend similar to that of specific gravity. On a final note, specific gravity, work to limit of proportionality in static bending, work to maximum load in static bending, compressive stress at limit of proportionality in parallel to grain, compressive stress at limit of proportionality in perpendicular to grain and end-hardness of Acacia auriculiformis were greater than the values reported for teak. The physical and mechanical properties of Acacia mangium and Grevillea robusta except for shrinkage were less than that of teak.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Productivity of ailanthus (Ailanthus triphysa) under different fertilizer regimes and population densities
    (Department of Sivilculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2001) Naveed, Shujauddin; KAU; Mohankumar, B
    A split plot experiment involving ailanthus (Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.) Alston) at four population densities (3333,2500, 1600 an 1111 tpha) and four fertiliser regimes (0:0:0, 50:25:25, 100:50:50 and 150:75:75 kg N:P205:K20 ha" yr") was initiated in June 1991. The objectives included evaluating the biomass production potential of ailanthus grown under different spacing and fertiliser regimes and estimating nutrient export through whole tree harvesting. Height, diameter and stand leaf area of ailanthus trees at 8.7 years of age was greater in the 2500 trees per hectare (tpha) stand than other density levels. Lower densities recorded higher biomass on a per tree basis whereas on a stand .basis, the high density stand (3333 tpha) showed greater biomass yield. Fertilisers applied at 1.2, 2.25 and 5.25 years had no significant effect on biomass accumulation. Regarding the partitioning of tree biomass, stemwood was the most important component in all density and fertiliser treatments while foliage contributed the least. Nonetheless, foliage registered the highest N, P and K concentration (%). NPK concentration of other fractions decreased in the order: branchwood > roots> stemwood. Nutrient accumulation (N, P and K) on a per tree basis was higher in the lower densities while on a stand basis, greater accumulation was noted in the higher density stands (3333 and 2500 tpha). Bole fraction accounted for only 56 per cent of total nutrients removed during harvest. Thus leaving other biomass components (foliage and branches) at the site will greatly reduced the nutrient export associated with tree harvesting. Stands with 1600 and 1111 tpha showed higher N and K use efficiencies whereas for P, the tree population density of 2500 tpha 'showed the highest efficiency. Regarding fertiliser effect, trees in the control plot (no fertiliser) exhibited highest efficiencies for N, P and K. Available soil P, K and organic carbon concentrations declined with increasing tree population density. However, there was an overall increase in total N and available K levels compared to the previous. observation at 3 years of age. Increasing levels of fertilisers in general resulted in higher soil organic carbon, N, available P and K levels.