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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Open Access
Comparative efficiency of different phosphatic fertilizers in rainfed Nendran Banana
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture,Vellanikara, 1990) Sheeja, V G; KAU; Harikrishnan, Nair; K
Though phosphorus is one of the key nutrients for plant growth, the consumption rate of phosphatic fertilizers in India is found to be comparatively low. The escalating cost of the imported raw material used for the manufacture of P fertilizers may be one of the possible reasons for the low intake. In this regard, the direct application of cheap native ground rockphosphate as a P source is a fruitful attempt especially in acid soils. The present investigation was conducted to compare the efficiency of different phosphatic fertilizers including rockphosphates in upland soils with ‘Nendran’ variety of banana as the test crop. The present study comprises of two aspects, field experiment and laboratory incubation study. The field experiment was conducted at two locations, viz. at the Instructional Farm attached to College of Agriculture, Vellayani and at Kattakada, in the cultivator’s field. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with four treatments and five replications. The laboratory study was carried out in the soil, treated with different phosphatic fertilizers after incubation with organic matter under moist conditions to assess the influence of organic matter on the release of P from different P sources. The growth characters of banana plant such as height and girth of pseudostem, number of photosynthetically active leaves, leaf area and period taken for flowering were recorded and analysed upto shooting stages of the crop. The bunch characters like weight of bunch, length of bunch, number of fingers and hands bunch-1, and length and girth of finger were also recorded and analysed. Phosphorus application significantly influenced biometric characters of the crop while the differences between the various P sources were not statistically significant. In most of the growth and yield characters, comparatively higher efficiency was shown by plants treated with superphosphate, eventhough, it was statistically on par with the other sources in both locations. Thus, it indicates the possibility of using cheaper rockphosphates for meeting the phosphorus requirement of banana in upland soils of Kerala, rather than going in for the costly superphosphate. The effect of treatments on the drymatter production was significant at both locations. Phosphorus application significantly increased the P uptake. However the different P sources could not produce significant variation in the uptake of phosphorus in both locations. The phosphorus content in the leaf was found to be maximum from the late vegetative phase to shooting period of the plant growth. With respect to available and total P2o5 content in the soil, the differences between the various sources were not statistically significant though, addition of phosphorus increased the available as well as total P2o5 content of soil significantly over no P treatment. A significant positive correlation existed between the leaf P content and total P uptake. Similarly a significant positive correlation between yield as well as total drymatter content with P uptake was observed. The incubation study revealed that organic matter produced significant effect on the release of phosphorus from different P sources added to the soil under moist conditions. Upto 90 days of incubation, increased availability of phosphorus was recorded in all treatments, and the trend continued till 135 days. A gradual decline in the concentration of available P was noticed thereafter. However, a favourable influence of organic matter on the release of P from different sources has been brought out from this study. When the mean values of available P over all the periods were compared, maximum availability was recorded by soils incubated with organic matter and superphosphate. In general, various sources of P behaved similarly and were on par with respect to the release of phosphorus due to organic matter incubation.
Open Access
Status, availability and transformation of magnesium in acid soils of Kerala
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Prema, D; KAU; Jose, A I
The investigation consisted of four parts, namely (1) magnesium status of soils in Kerala (2) evaluation of laboratory indices of Mg availability (3) transformation of applied Mg in soil and (4) pattern of Mg uptake by banana from different sources at different levels. In Part I, one hundred and fifty surface samples were collected from all over the State of Kerala, to study the status of Mg as well as properties in relation to the behaviour of Mg in these soils. In part 2, some selected chemical agents were tried in twenty selected soils in order to evolve a suitable extractant for available Mg. In Part 3, two acid rice soils of Kerala namely, Karappadam and laterite were incubated at field capacity for a period of 180 days with and without the addition of magnesium sulphate, magnesite and dolomite at the rate of 1250, 2500 and 3750 kg MgO ha-1, to monitor the pattern of release of Mg from applied sources . Soil samples were drawn regularly at 15 days interval for the determination of available Mq and at 60 days interval for the determination of other important chemical properties. In Part 4, a field experiment of banana was conducted to study the response to applied Mg.
Open Access
Response of rice to application of micronutrients
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Muralidharan, P; KAU; Jose, A I
A field experiment was conducted to study the response of rice to application of secondary and micronutrients during the first and second crop seasons of 1991. The experiment was conducted at the agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy using rice variety Jyothi and the soil was sandy clay loam in texture. The treatments consisted of the different micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Mn, B and Mo), magnesium, sulphur, a combination of the above said nutrients and stanes Microfood, a micronutrient formulation, in addition to the control with no micronutrients. Application of N, P and K was done uniformly in all the treatments. Soil and plant samples were collected at the maximum tillering, flowering and harvesting stages of the crop for the determination of uptake and availability of nutrients, pH and specific conductance. The continued effect of the application of micronutrient was studied by repeating the experiment in the second crop season with the same set of treatments applied to the same plots. Observations on the morphological and yield characters and yields of grain and straw were recorded in both the seasons of crop growth.
Open Access
Suitability of magnesite as a source of magnesium in acid rice soils of Kerala
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Susan Varughese; KAU; Jose, A I
An incubation study and a potculture experiment were conducted to assess the suitability of magnesite in comparison with that of magnesium sulphate and dominate in karappadam (Moncompu, Alappuzha district) and laterite (Vellanikkara, Thrissur district) soils of Kerala. In the incubation study, these three Mg sources were added to the two soils at the rate of 25 and 50 kg MgO ha-1 and their transformations under submergence were studied for 180 days drawing samples at regular intervals of 15 days. The samples were analysed for Mg fractions, available Ca and K, pH and EC. In the potculture experiment using rice (Annapoorna) as the test crop, the direct and residual effectof magnesite, dolomite and magnesium sulphate were studied. The soils and levels of Mg application were the same as in the incubation study. Application of N, P and K was done uniformly in all the treatments . Soil and plant samples were taken at 15 days interval for the determination of uptake and avilability of nutrients , pH and EC. The residual effect of Mg fertilizers was assessed by continuing the experiment for the second season without the addition of Mg fertilizers.
Open Access
Management of acidity by combined application of lime and gypsum in a low activity clay soil of Kerala
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Tessy Jacob, K; KAU; Venugopal, V K
An investigation was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara in the period 1989-'91, with a view to identify the most appropriate and economic lime recommendation method and the most suitable combination of lime and gypsum for profitable management of upland latent e (LAC) soils. The first study was to characterise the low activity clay soils of Kerala m respect of acidity contribution factors. Another laboratory experiment was also conducted with PVC columns to study the mobility of Ca and Mg using different liming materials m combination with gypsum. A potculture experiment was also carried out using soybean to study the effect of liming in combination with gypsum on the growth, yield and uptake of various nutrients. The characterisation study revealed that the soils in the Vellanikkara series come under the textural class ranging from silty loam to silty clay loam. The soils m general were acidic in reaction with fairly high content of exchangeable Al and low CaO and MgO contents. Sesquioxide, and Al2O3 contents were high. The soils were low m organic carbon and CEC. The leaching experiment revealed that CaCO3 and MgCO3 can be used as an ameliorant for acid surface soils as it neutralised exchangeable Al and increased pH in the surface layer only. CaS0.2H20, however can be used as an ameliorant for acid subsoils as it neutralised exchangeable Al and supplied Ca throughout the length of the profile. The combination treatment with MgCO3 + 75 per cent CaSO4 2H2O can be suggested as an ameliorant for acid surface as well as subsoils as it resulted in uniform distribution of exchangeable Ca and Mg throughout the length of the column and neutralised exchangeable Al in the whole length of the profile. Liming resulted m significant increase in plant height, nodule number, dry weight of pod, g r a m yield, haulm yield, total dry weight and N, P, K uptake. , Soil pH, effective CEC, total Ca, exchangeable Ca and available N were increased significantly due to liming. However significant reduction in total Mg, exchangeable Al, Al saturation and available P and K resulted due to liming. Liming at the rate of 1.5 times exchangeable Al content of soil was found to be the most appropriate and economic lime recommendation method for the highly weathered and leached acid soils of Kerala.
Open Access
Fractionation of organic and inorganic nitrogen in important soil types of Kerala
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Mini, E R; KAU; Sumam Susan, Varghese
In order to study the distribution of various organic and inorganic fractions of soil nitrogen in different soil types of Kerala, 100 surface soil samples belonging to five types were selected from various places of the state. The five soil types were laterite, forest, brown hydromorphic, coastal alluvium and Kuttanad alluvium . Observations on the general characteristics of soil revealed that total nitrogen and organic carbon was highest for forest soil and was least m the case of coastal alluvium . In general all the soil types were acidic in reaction. Electrical conductivity was highest in the case of Kuttanad alluvial soil Fractionation of nitrogen showed that the most dominant fraction in the case of laterite and brown hydromorphic soils a-e AaN and that for forest, coastal alluvium and Kuttanad alluvium is NHyN. Mean total nitrogen content for laterite soils is 0.174 per cent. Of this, 27 59 percent was AaN, 20.69 per cent FAN, 16.67 per cent NHyN, 14.94 per cent HyAN, 11.67 per cent UHyN, 3.85 per cent NH4-N, 2. 64 per cent NO3-N and 1. 95 per cent HyAN. The mean value of total nitrogen content of the forest soil was 0 304 per cent. Of this 41. 45 per cent was NHyN, 1 / 86 per cent AaN, 12.24 per cent HaN, 10.63 per cent FAN, 10.36 per cent UHyN 3.36 per cent NH4-N, 2. 37 per cent HyAN and 1. 74 per cent NO3-N The mean total nitrogen content of the brown hydromorphic soil was 0 180 per cent Of this, 21.60 per cent was AaN, 21 25 per cent UHyN, 18.20 per cen4, NHyN,17.20 per cent FAN, 13.76 per cent HaN, 3.16 per cent HyAN, 3.11per cent NH4-N and 1.67 per cent NO3-N. The mean content of total nitrogen of the coastal alluvial soil was 0.161 per cent. Of this,27.65 per cent NHyN, 22.26 per cent AaN, 19.96 per cent UHyN, 12.40 per cent FAN, 6.51 per cent HaN, 6.26 per cent HyAN, 3.10 per cent NH4-N and 1.74 per cent NO3-N. The mean content of total nitrogen of the Kuttanad alluvial soil was 0.2705 per cent. Of this, 37.04 per cent was NHyN, 15 16 per cent AaN, 14.94 per cent FAN, 11.42 per cent HaN, 10.76 per cent UHyN, 3.99 per cent NO3-N, 3 70 per cent NH4-N and 2.96 per cent HyAN In all the five soil types there was significant positive correlation between cation exchange capacity and FAN On studying the relationship of various nitrogen fractions to organic carbon on the selected soil types of Kerala revealed that 75 per cent variation of organic carbon in laterite soil, 87 per cent Variation of organic carbon in forest soil and 70 per cent variation of organic carbon in brown hydromorphic soil can be explained by the nitrogen fractions of the soils The significant relationship obtained between AaN and alkaline KMnO4 -N, considers alkaline KMn04-N as a reliable method of available nitrogen estimation, in the laterite soils of Kerala. In the three soil types, viz., crown hydromorphic, coastal alluvium and Kuttanad alluvium , a significant relationship between the alkaline i KMnO4-N and nitrogen fraction could not be established. So for these types of soil, a better analytical method of available nitrogen than that of alkaline KMnO4-N has to be taken up.
Open Access
Effect of long term application of manures and fertilisers on soil properties, utilization efficiency of nutrients and quality of rice
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Padmam, M K; KAU; Chinnamma, N P
A study was conducted during the first crop season of 1990to assess the effect of long term application of manures and fertilizers on soil properties, utilization efficiency of nutrients and quality of rice making use of the soil and plant samples taken from the existing permanent manurial trial (dwarf indica) at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi. This experiment was started at Pattambi during the first crop season of 1973. The soil of the experimental site is laterite. The experiment is laid out in randomised block design with four replications and eight treatments. The treatments consisted of application of entire quantity of N - 90 kg ha 1, as organic alone (cattle manure alone, .green manure alone and cattle manure + green manure) , inorganic alone (ammonium sulphate alone and NPK fertilizers) and a combination of organics with inorganics (cattle manure + NPK fertilizers, green manure + NPK fertilizers and cattle manure + green leaves + NPK fertilizers). Soil samples were collected from all the replications of the various treatments before planting, at different stages of crop growth viz., tillering, panicle initiation, 50 per cent flowering and harvest. Plant samples were also collected at the above growth stages. Data on yield of grain and straw were collected from the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi. Soil and plant samples were analysed in the laboratory to find out the effect of long term application of manures and fertilizers on physical and chemical properties of soil, uptake of nutrients and utilization efficiency of nutrients and quality of grain and straw. Results of analysis of soil samples collected before planting revealed the beneficial effect of organic matter addition on bulk density, water holding capacity and aggregate stability of soil. Long term application of manures and fertilizers singly and in combination had no significant influence on the soil reaction and CEC of the soil. The application of ammonium sulphate alone to supply 90 kg N ha continuously for the last 17 years has not changed the soil reaction considerably. Addition of organic manures at a high dose of 18 t ha for a long period of 17 years failed to increase the CEC of the soil. Results clearly indicated the favourable influence of cattle manure addition in increasing the content of organic carbon.
Open Access
Influence of soil texture on potassium availability, fixation and uptake by rice in laterite soils
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Jessymol, A S; KAU; Mariam, K A
The present investigation was carried out m order to assess the influence of various proportions of clay on the potassium dynamics in s oil on application o f potassium fertiliser and its effect on the uptake o f nutrients by rice Sixty surface samples were collected from the major rice growing areas of Thrissur district Based on their particle size analysis and organic carbon content, twenty samples were selected for studying the various physico-chemical characteristics related to the potassium availability In order to find out the transformations of applied potassium, a laboratory incubation experiment was carried out in five selected soils for a period of three months Mineralogy of the fine sand fraction was also carried out in these soils A pot culture experiment was carried out in four selected soils to determine the uptake of nutrients. The soils collected from the three locations showed wide variations in their clay content and majority o f them were grouped under the textural classes, sandy loam and sandy clay loam The single value constants were showing variations depending on the clay content and organic carbon The content and uptake o f N, P, and K was found to increase with increasing levels o f K application Calcium did not show significant difference with applied K and in the case of Mg a decreasing trend was observed The water-soluble and ammonium acetate extractable K were decreasing with advancement o f the crop growth and these fractions were found to be maximum correlated with the dry matter weight at i the flowering and tillering stages respectively Nitric acid soluble fraction was found to contribute towards the later stages of crop growth Maximum correlation was obtained for the gram yield and straw yield with this fraction Even though the positive effect of potassium application on the yield of paddy is very conspicuous, the response varied with the textural composition In more clayey soils more o f potassium fertilisers hast to be recommended to get maximum response as revealed m the present study
Open Access
Taxonomy and fertility capability assessment of the soils in the command area of Edamalayar Project
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Krishnakumar, P G; KAU; Venugopal, V K
In the present investigation attempt has been made to evaluate the morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of eight soil series occupying in command area of Edamalayar irrigation project. Out of these eight soil series selected for study, three were located In uplands consisting of well drained soils represented by Thodupuzha, Punnamattom and Velappaya series. The remaining five soils characterised by imperfectly drained paddy lands, occupy the valley between the undulating laterite hills namely, Mulamthuruthy, Kothamangalam, Ikkanadu, Ayyanthole and Konchira. Profile pits were dug at these different locations ' and examined for their morphological features. Soil samples representing the different horizons were collected for laboratory. studies. The physico-chemical characteristics of the soil profiles were investigated with a view to study the interrelationship between the various properties and to relate these characteristics to the genesis of these soils. Surface samples collected from different locations under each series were also analysed for available nutrients and other fertility parameters to arrive at fertility capability classifications.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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