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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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20151
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Subject: Soil Science × Author: KAU × Author: Toufeeq, S × Start date: 1961 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Soil CO2 emission under different tillage practices in redloam/laterite, clay and coastal sandy soils of Kerala
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2015) Toufeeq, S; KAU; Dhalin, D
    International pressure is increasing on India to adopt a more pro-active role in greenhouse gas emission. Hence it is important to develop a clear understanding of our emission inventory towards reducing CO2 emissions. Soils are an important pool of active carbon and tillage can lead to carbon emission from agricultural soils. This study aims in assessment of quantity of CO2 release from three major soils of Kerala (red loam, coastal sandy and paddy field soil) under different tillage practices (conventional, with cultivator and with rotovator) and to optimize the tillage practices with minimum CO2 emission. The CO2 emission from soil surfaces were measured using base trap method with NaOH as base. The influence soil temperature, soil moisture content, organic matter in soil, soil pH, bulk density, atmospheric temperature and relative humidity on CO2 emission was also assessed. The maximum CO2 emission was observed in the Paddy filed soil followed by red loam and the least value was observed from the coastal sandy. The conventional tillage resulted in the maximum CO2 emission followed by the tillage with cultivator and the least value was observed when tilled with rotovator in all the soil types studied. The major quantity of CO2 was released just after the breakage of soil in all kind of tillage methods and soil types. The release of CO2 from the soil was almost equal to the undisturbed condition after two hours of ploughing. The bulk density of soil was negatively correlated, organic carbon content was positively correlated, soil temperature was positively correlated and atmospheric temperature was positively correlated with CO2 emission from soils in all the tillage practices. No significant correlation was obtained between relative humidity and soil moisture with CO2 emission. It could be concluded that tillage with rotovator in any type of soil contribute the minimum CO2 to atmosphere. This contribute a significant reduction in emission of CO2 when it considered globally. This reduction significantly affect the concentration of CO2, the major greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, ultimately contribute in mitigation of global warming.