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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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20171
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Subject: Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry × Author: Amritha, K × Author: KAU × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2017 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of herbicides and chemical characteristics of soil on microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activity
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2017) Amritha, K; KAU; Durga Devi, K M
    Weed competition is one of the major factors limiting rice production in the tropics. Due to the scarcity and high cost of labour, weed management with herbicides is widely practiced. The problem associated with herbicides is the persistence of their residues in soil which interact with microorganisms thereby altering the microbial diversity and soil enzyme activity. Hence, the present investigation entitled “Effect of herbicides and chemical characteristics of soil on microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activity” was undertaken at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2016-2017. The objectives were: (i) to determine the impact of pre and post emergence herbicides on microbial biomass carbon and the soil enzymes namely dehydrogenase, urease, and phosphatase and (ii) to study the influence of chemical characteristics of the soil on microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activity. Representative soil samples were collected during March-April, 2016 from four sites viz., rice field of Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy (medium organic matter soil with a history of herbicide application: S1 Control), non- cropped area of Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy (medium organic matter soil without a history of herbicide application: S1 Absolute control), rice field of Kole land, Alappad (high organic matter soil with a history of herbicide application: S2 Control), and non- cropped area of Kole land, Alappad (high organic matter soil without history of herbicide application: S2 Absolute control). Physical, chemical, and biological characterization of the soil samples were done before starting the experiment. Pot culture experiment with rice variety Jyothi was conducted in the kharif season of 2016 with twelve treatments and six replications in factorial CRD (four herbicides under each soil type + four controls). The herbicides included pendimethalin, oxyfluorfen, bispyribac-sodium, and cyhalofop-butyl. Pre emergence herbicides (pendimethalin and oxyfluorfen) were applied at six days after sowing (DAS) and post emergence herbicides (bispyribac-sodium and cyhalofop-butyl) at 16 DAS. Soil samples were analysed at six intervals viz., on the day of herbicide application, but two hour before, then at 7, 15, 30, and 60 days after herbicide application (DAHA) and at harvest so as to evaluate the changes in the chemical and biological properties. Data on analysis of soil samples before the period of experimentation revealed that soils from rice field of Kole land recorded physical, chemical, and biological characteristics which are more favourable for the growth of microflora. The chemical characteristics like pH, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon followed a decreasing trend towards the harvest in all the treatments. Decline in microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was observed upto harvest except on 60 DAHA. Pendimethalin treatment in S1 soil (medium organic matter) registered the highest per cent reduction in MBC with respect to control at different intervals. Percentage reduction in MBC due to herbicide application was comparatively lower in S2 (high organic matter) throughout the period of study. Activity of dehydrogenase, urease, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase was higher in S2 compared to S1. In all cases, the enzyme activity increased upto 60 DAHA with slight variations and declined thereafter registering a peak at 60 DAHA. Among the four enzymes studied, urease recorded maximum increase at 60 DAHA followed by acid phosphatase, dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. All the vegetative and yield parameters of rice were high in S2 (high organic matter soil) irrespective of the treatment combinations. Adverse effects of herbicides on the plant characters were minimal. Whole plant analysis for major nutrients also exhibited appreciably higher values in S2 compared to S1. Out of the five biological parameters analysed, microbial biomass carbon showed the highest variation from control at all the sampling intervals. The adverse effects of herbicides on MBC and enzyme activity followed the order: pendimethalin > bispyribac-sodium > oxyfluorfen > cyhalofop-butyl. Organic carbon had highly significant and positive correlation with all the biotic components viz., MBC, dehydrogenase, urease, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity at different sampling intervals consequent to herbicide application. Further study should be focused on identification of microbial diversity, effect of rhizosphere on biological activity and analysis of biological parameters with respect to crop growth stages consequent to herbicide application.