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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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1992 - 19982
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Subject: Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry × Author: KAU × Author: Premachandran, P N × End date: 1998 × Start date: 1990 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Land evaluation and suitability rating of the major soils of Onattukara region
    (Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1998) Premachandran, P N; KAU; Subramonia Iyer, M
    The need for a scientific approach in inventorying and utilizing land resources most economically and efficiently is now universally accepted. Agricultural prosperity, to a great extent, depends on judicious use of soils and rational application of soils data. A reconnaissance soil survey of Onattukara region was undertaken to study the extent and distribution of the different soils for soil classification, land capability and irrigability classification and for subsequent land evaluation. The study reveals that Onattukara region extends over an area of 40,948 ha. The soil map showing the distribution of the identified twenty soil series has been prepared. The climatological data reveals that the soil moisture regime is , ustic and the soil temperature regime is isohyperthermic. The soils have been classified as per Soil Taxonomy (U.S. Soil Survey Staff, 1975) and Keys to Soil Taxonomy( U.S. Soil Survey Staff, 1994 and 1996). Ten series were classified under Entisols, SIX under Inceptisols, three under Ultisols and one under Alfisols. Based on the inherent soil characteristics and landscape features, the soils have been grouped into three land capability classes, nine capability subclasses and land capability map prepared. The soils were classified into five land irrigability classes, eight land irrigability subclasses and land irrigability map prepared. The soils were evaluated based on principles of land evaluation and rating of productivity parameters. The productivity rating of the soil propertIes agamst the productivity index for nee, coconut, sesamum ,cassava and banana were made and conclusions arrived at. Productivity rating shows that Kottakakam series is best suited for rice, Palamel, best for coconut and banana, Artuva and Mahadevikad, for sesamum and Palamel and Vallikunnam, for cassava. On the basis of the studies carried out, a land use is proposed for the twenty soil series of Onattukara region based on crop suitability ratings and crop suitability map prepared for the five crops taken for study. A proper soil survey interpretation provides information on soil potential, productivity and limitations in their sustained use. Soil survey information forms the major basis for land evaluation. A thorough knowledge of the potentialities and limitations of every piece of land is a prerequisite in its efficient utilization. A systematic survey is essential for the evaluation and classification of the soils based on their inherent soil characteristics, land capability, land irrigability and land suitability. A systematic survey and evaluation of the soils of Onattukara region was taken up to study, interpret, classify and to show their location and extent on base maps. It is hoped that the present study would open up avenues for further investigations on land evaluation, crop suitability and other management aspects for sustained use of soil resource data to the best advantage. This will also form the basis for microlevel planning for integrated and sustainable development of the region under Panchayat raj.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation and suitability rating of ten major soil series of the command area of Kallada Irrigation project
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Tavanur, 1992) Premachandran, P N; KAU; Aiyer, R S (Guide)
    The present study was undertaken covering the ten identified important soil series of the command area of Kallada Irrigation Project, with the objective of evaluating the soils based on their morphological and physico chemical characteristics. The soil series selected are Mannar, Adoor, Sooranad, Palamel, Mylom, Erath, Bharanikavu Kallada, Pooyappally and Kunnamkara. Profile pits were dug in the typical areas identified and the morphological features observed were recorded as per soil Survey Manual (1970). The salient features of the area in respect of location, physiography, drainage, vegetation and land use were also recorded. The physical and chemical properties of the soil samples collected were determined by standard analytical procedures. These soil series have been evaluated on the basis of land evaluation and rating of productivity parameters The productivity parameters considered in the present study include soil texture, depth, soil reaction, drainage, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, electrical conductivity, coarse fragments, slope and nutrient status. For each parameter, a range of scale is prepared, and numerical values assigned based on principles of land evaluation. Productivity of the soil has been calculated by multiplying the ratings of the individual parameters and expressed as percentage. The ten soil series selected for study have been classified as per the comprehensive soil classification system – Soil Taxonomy. Five soil series namely Kallada, Mannar, Erath, Pooyappally and Kunnamkara are grouped under Entisol. four series namely Bharanikavu, Palamel, Mylom and Sooranad under Inceptisol and Adoor series under Ultisol. The land capability classification of these soils shows that the Kallada soil series comes under class IIe, Sooranad, Mylom, Erath, Pooyappally and Kunnamkara series under class IIw, Palamel, Bharanikavu, major part of Adoor and a portion of Kallada under class IIIe and Mannar serious under class IIIsc. A portion of Adoor series is grouped under class IVe. The irrigability classification of these soils revealed that the Mannar series comes under class 2s, Kallada under class 2t, Sooranad, Mylom, Erath, Pooyappally and Kunnamkara under class 2d, Adoor, Palamel, Bharanikavu and a portion of Kallada series under class 3t. A portion of Adoor series in grouped under the irrigability class 4t. The productivity rating of these soil series gives the following results. The Kunnamkara soil series with a rating of 38.7 percent rank first for paddy. The study shows that the Earth soil series is the least productive for paddy. Coconut, tapioca and banana. The Palamel series having a rating of 31.4 percent, with good rating class is the most suitable for coconut. The kallada soil series ranks top both for tapioca and banana with rating of 27.6 and 38.8 percent respectively.