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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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20201
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Subject: Silviculture and Agroforestry × End date: 2020 × Start date: 2020 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Standardisation of planting stock production techniques for teak (Tectona grandis Linn.f.)
    (Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2020) Vijayalakshmi, K P; KAU; Jamaludheen, V
    The study was undertaken at Tree Nursery of College of Forestry to compare the effect of different pre-treatment methods on seed germination and optimization of fertigation intervals and seed sowing at different spacing for quality teak stump production. Attempt was also made to select ideal potting media and to standardize container type and size for producing quality teak seedlings. The treatment combination of termite scarified seeds + Alternate wetting and drying (AWD)-3 days gave the highest germination percentage (92.33 %). This resulted in 18.56 % increase in germination percent against the 73.77 % in the AWD 7 days alone (Standard Pre-treatment followed). The dual advantages of the treatment combination of termite scarified seeds + AWD-3 days with respect to both high a germination percentage and the lesser number of days required for the pre- treatment of teak seeds is an important highlight. Termite scarified seeds gave the highest collar diameter of 1.46 mm as against the control treatment (0.81 mm) after 30 days of germination. The superiority of this treatment was evident, in most of the seedling growth characters in the nursery also, as in shoot length (6.43 cm), root length (13.04 cm), total seedling length (19.48 cm), dry weight (0.20 g) and vigour index (14.91). Mechanical scarification also has shown advantage over the untreated seeds as it followed as the next best treatment in germination percentage and in most of the early seedling growth characteristics. Hence, in situations where the suitable subterranean termite cannot be assured, mechanical scarification using the mechanical scarifier is recommended. For quality teak stump production, at 180 days, the maximum collar diameter (23.31mm) showed by Fertigation at 7 days interval was significantly superior to all other treatments. Moreover, at 180 days, all the fertigation treatments reached the minimal collar diameter criteria of 1-2 cm were statistically distinct from the no fertigation (control) treatment. All the fertigated treatments attained collar diameter of 2-3 cm criteria for better teak stump production. It is also proved that even the least frequent fertigation at 21 days application resulted in the collar diameter of (22.66 mm) at 180 days of growth period. Hence, fertigation with 0.2 % N: P: K (19:19:19) in equal proportion at 21 days interval can be recommended for producing seedlings for better stump production. Seed sowing at 10 cm x 10 cm also reached required collar diameter for stump production. That means, 1000 numbers of utilisable seedlings are available for stump production from a standard nursery bed of 10 m x 1m at 180 days of seedling growth. At 180 days, the treatment interaction F1 X S3 (Fertigation at 14 days interval X Spacing at 30cm X 30cm) showed the maximum collar diameter (34.88 mm) followed by F2 X S3 and F3 X S3 (32.00 and 31.75 mm), these two were on par with each other. Taking into account the number, the treatment combination S1 X F3 (10 cm X 10 cm with 21 days intervals of fertigation) is recommended as it produces 1000 numbers of seedlings fit for better stump production from a standard nursery bed size of 10 m X 1m. The treatment S1 X F4 (10 cm X 10 cm) with no fertigation also reached the minimal collar diameter (11.51 mm) criteria of 1-2 cm. Good correlation existed between root growth potentials and most of the seedling characteristics needed for good quality teak stump with six months of seedling growth. Among the potting media the maximum seedling length (138.00 cm), collar diameter (8.77 mm), total dry weight (17.77 g) and the highest quality index (0.98) recorded in M3-Soil+ Rice husk+ Vermicompost in the ratio of 2:1:1 as against the standard potting media M5 (Soil+ Sand+ FYM) normally used for raising seedlings. Apart from the observed improvement in plant growth, the production cost of planting stock was found comparable for M3 (soil+ rice husk+ vermicompost) 2:1:1 mixture (₹ 9.09 / plant) as against the cost for standard potting mixture (₹ 9.01 / plant) and the treatment M4-Coir pith+ vermiculite+ perlite was found as the costliest (₹ 13.02 / plant). Both from the seedling quality and from the economic point of view, the treatment M3- Soil+ rice husk+ vermicompost was emerged as the best. Among the polythene bags, 30 cm x 25cm (T1) raised seedling exhibited maximum number of leaves (15.25), leaf area (4025.95 cm2), shoot length (106.89 cm), collar diameter (13.50 mm), the number of primary lateral roots (58.12), length of primary lateral roots (38.96 cm) maximum root length (48.74 cm), total dry weight (60.37 g) and quality index (4.56) at 90 days after transplanting. Among the different root trainers, 300 cc raised seedlings showed maximum number of leaves (11.12), leaf area (435.08 cm2), collar diameter (6.91 mm), shoot length (27.09 cm), root length (23.80 cm), total seedling length (50.90 cm), number of primary lateral roots (51.25), length of primary lateral roots (19.80 cm), leaves dry weight (2.11 g), shoot dry weight (3.46 g), total dry weight (6.61 g) and quality index (0.84) as against the T6-Root trainer of 150 cc (Standard size/control). The production cost of planting stock was found (₹ 9.09 and ₹ 7.89 / plant) for T4-Root trainer of 300 cc and T5-Root trainer of 200 cc and T6-Root trainer of 150 cc - Standard size/control (₹ 6.99 / plant). From the results of the study, it is advisable to adopt root trainer of 300 cc only if the additional cost of ₹ 2.10 can be spent per seedling, otherwise go for the standard size of 150 cc for there was no distinct advantage of adopting the next bigger size of 200 cc. The prominent managerial inputs form this study for teak nursery production forestry include development of standard protocols for pre-treatment, seed sowing spacing, potting media, size of the polythene bags and root trainers. The package for quality teak stump production was also standardised.