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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: Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry × Author: Anina Susan, Zachariah × Author: KAU × End date: 1998 × Start date: 1990 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Vermicomposting of vegetable garbage
    (Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Anina Susan, Zachariah; KAU; Prabhakumari, P
    An economically feasible method of composting, utilizing earthworms and beneficial micro organisms was standardized to produce an enriched organic manure and its efficiency was tested on a vegetable crop (Chilli). Comparison of the biomass production potential of earthworms and the composts produced by them were carried out in an experiment in CRD with three treatments and seven replications. The efficiency of the epigeic earthworm species, Eudrilluseugeniae in composting was well established. They had a greater biomass production potential and produced 11 cocoons and 22 young ones per 100g of compost in 41 days, Eudrilluseugeniae reduced the time required for composting and increased the rate of degradation and degree of humification. Eudrillus composts had a reduced oxidisable organic carbon content and increased humic acid and alkali soluble carbon content. HA : FA ratio was increased in Eudrillus compost and C:N ratio was narrowed down to a greater extent. Carbon content of humic acid and fulvic acid fractions of the three composts were found to be had comparable values. Vermicomposts showed a pH ranging from neutral to alkaline. Eudrillus compost showed a higher percentage of N, P, K, Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu in them. But Ca content was more in local earthworm compost. Inoculation of beneficial micro organisms increased nutrient levels of vermicomposts to a greater extent. Inoculation of both Azospirillum and P solubilising organisms along with one per cent rock phosphate gave maximum N, P, K and micro nutrients. Ca and Mg were highest in composts treated with P solubilising micro – organisms and one per cent rock phosphate. Various growth parameters were increased due to the application of Eudrillus compost enriched with both Azospirillumand P solubilising organisms. Application of Eudrillus compost increased the uptake of nutrients by plants. Uptake of N, P, Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu were higher for plants treated with Eudrillus compost enriched with both Azospirillum and P solubilising organisms. Yield was maximum for plants treated with Eudrillus compost enriched with both Azospirillum and P solubilising organisms. Yield and nutrient uptake of plants were significantly and positively correlated with nutrient content of compost and so vermitechnology using earthworms as biological agents is found to be the best for bio-degradation of organic wastes. Also Eudrilluseugeniae was found to be the superb effective agent for the operation of this technology.