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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Investigations on the efficacy of biochar from tender coconut husk for enhanced crop production
(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Mariya Dainy, M S; KAU; Usha, P B
An investigation was carried out at College of Agriculture, Vellayani to characterize biochar from tender coconut husk and to assess its effects on soil properties, growth and yield of yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis). The experiment consisted of production and characterization of biochar, laboratory experiments on nutrient sorption- desorption studies, carbon dioxide emission studies and a field experiment. Biochar was produced from tender coconut husk by the process of pyrolysis and it was crushed, sieved and the 2 mm sieved samples were used for further studies. The produced biochar had an alkaline pH (9.13), high CEC (15.26 cmol kg-1) and C: N ratio (68.86). Electrical Conductivity, total C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S contents in the prepared biochar were 1.73 dS m-1, 72.3 per cent, 1.05 per cent, 0.38 per cent, 2.27 per cent, 0.40 per cent, 0.20 per cent and 0.27 per cent respectively. The produced biochar recorded very high water holding capacity (226 per cent), low bulk density (0.14 Mg m-3) and high Brunauer Emmett Teller surface area (157.93 m² g-1) A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the desorption and sorption of nutrients like N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu using biochar. 32.35 per cent NH4+, 75.65 per cent PO42-, 45.14 per cent K+, 46.00 per cent Ca2+, 23.45 per cent Mg2+, 74.38 per cent SO42-, 36.80 per cent Fe2+, 30.20 per cent Mn2+, 26.75 per cent Zn2+ and 26.72 per cent Cu2+ were found to be desorbed from biochar after 7 rinses using de-ionized water in 1:100 ratio. The highest per cent of nutrient desorbed was P (75.65 per cent), followed by S (74.38 per cent) and the lowest per cent of nutrients desorbed were Zn (26.75 per cent) and Cu (26.72 per cent) within 72 hours. Sorption experiments were performed using rinsed biochar at different concentrations of nutrients and at different time intervals in 1:100 ratio. The results of the study indicated that biochar could sorb 100 per cent NH4+, 90.70 per cent PO42-, 92.00 per cent K+, 87.00 per cent Ca2+, 86.15 per cent Mg2+ and 91.82 per cent SO42- when it was equilibrated with 100ppm solutions within 24hours. For micronutrients, when 50 mg l-1 Fe2+, Mn2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ solutions were given, biochar could sorb 99.67 per cent, 100 per cent, 99.12 per cent and 99.12 per cent respectively. Biochar from tender coconut husk is a good sorber and slow releaser of nutrients. An incubation study was carried out to estimate and study the pattern of carbon dioxide emission by the application of biochar into soil and it was compared with that of common organic amendments viz. FYM and vermicompost. The experiment consisted of 7 treatments with 3 replications and the study revealed that the cumulative amount of carbon dioxide emitted was highest for FYM @ 2 per cent (1014.05 mg CO2 100 g-1) and biochar @ 2 per cent registered an emission of 87.17 mg CO2 100 g-1 after 6months of incubation. There observed 91.40 per cent reduction in CO2 emission when soil was incubated with biochar @ 2 per cent compared to 2 per cent FYM. A field experiment was carried out with biochar and other commonly used organic manures at different doses using yard long bean variety Vellayani Jyothika as the test crop during January 2013 to April 2013, at the Instructional farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Yield (1358 g plant-1) and yield attributes like pod length (54.50 cm), pod girth (3.90 cm), number of pods per plant (51), nutrient uptake and B: C ratio were significantly superior for the treatment T8 which received biochar @ 20 t ha-1 with 2 per cent PGPR and NPK as per POP. Physical properties chemical properties of the soil were significantly improved by the application of biochar @ 30 t ha-1. Biochar application reduced the bulk density, increased water holding capacity, water stable aggregates, pH, Cation Exchange Capacity, organic carbon status and nutrient availability. From the investigations, it can be concluded that application of biochar @ 20 t ha-1 along with 2 per cent PGPR and NPK as per POP which resulted in the yield of 1358 g plant-1 (20.12 t ha-1) can be considered as the economically viable and the best treatment. Biochar from tender coconut husk can be used as a good soil amendment which can improve soil health and enhance crop production.
Open Access
Nutrient dynamics and transformation in aerobic and flooded systems of rice in lateritic soils of kerala
(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Geetha, P; KAU; Sureshkumar, P
Field experiments on aerobic and flooded systems of rice were conducted in second crop season with the objectives to study the nutrient dynamics and transformations in these systems in second crop season with rice (variety Jyothi), in farmer’s field, at Nellikkattiri, Thirumittakode panchayat, Palakkad district. The treatments with two doses of fertilizers (as per Package of Practices Recommendations, KAU and based on soil test) and three doses of lime (as per POP, as per ΔpH and as per SMP buffer method) were imposed in plots of 20m2 area in Randomized Block Design with four replications. Under flooded condition, two field experiments were conducted to standardize the method of sampling and analysis for soil test based application of lime and fertilizers. One was based on sampling and soil testing on wet basis keeping the anaerobic environment unchanged, while the other was based on routine sampling and analysis after air drying. Better correlations with respect to available nutrients and plant nutrient content were obtained for wet analysis based recommendation and hence the data from this experiment were considered for comparison of the nutrient dynamics with that of the experiment on aerobic rice. In situ measurement of pH, electrical conductivity and redox potential was done under both systems of rice cultivation. Redox potential was measured from three different depths under flooded system (15, 30 and 45 cm) and from two different depths under aerobic system (30 and 45 cm). The soil and plant samples were collected at three stages viz. at active tillering, panicle initiation and at harvest of the crop. The soil samples collected were analysed for pH, EC, OC available nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Cu, Mn Zn and B), and were also assayed to estimate fractions of soil phosphorus, iron, zinc and boron. The plant samples were analysed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B. At harvest straw and grain samples were analysed separately. The increase in pH in both systems was in proportion to the quantity of lime applied. Higher rate of increase in pH was observed under aerobic system. Increase in EC was in proportion to the quantity of lime and fertilizers added, and it was more in aerobic system due to less dilution. The redox potential became negative due to reduced environment in flooded system within two weeks of transplanting while it was consistently positive under aerobic system. The organic carbon content was higher under aerobic environment at active tillering and panicle initiation due to quicker decomposition of applied organic matter especially in presence of lime while it was lower under flooded condition initially due to slower rate of decomposition. Available P was highest under flooded system due to release of bound P from Fe and Mn by reduction of these elements to their respective soluble forms. Under aerobic condition, the available P recorded at active tillering and panicle initiation was lower than that of the initial value, due to its precipitation as tri calcium phosphate [Ca3 (PO4)2]. The available K status was higher under aerobic condition throughout the crop growth because of reduced rate of leaching under this environment. The rate of increase in available K was concurrent to the quantity of fertilizer added under both systems of rice cultivation. Highest K content in plant was recorded under aerobic rice system. The highest available Ca was recorded at active tillering and panicle initiation in flooded system of rice cultivation, because of the solubilization of applied lime. At harvest, the available Ca became precipitated as tri calcium phosphate which decreased the availability of both Ca and P under flooded condition. The transformation of tri calcium phosphate to mono calcium phosphate occurred only under aerobic condition during later stages. The highest Mg in plant was recorded in treatment where fertilizer application was done based on soil test under both systems of rice cultivation. The available sulphur status was higher under flooded condition during all the stages of sampling because of the increased solubility of applied factomphos and MgSO4. The status of available Fe was higher under flooded environment because of the reduction of Fe3+ to soluble Fe2+, while the available Fe status was found to decrease under aerobic condition due to oxidation of Fe2+ to insoluble Fe3+. The available Mn status under flooded environment decreased when compared to that of aerobic condition because of enhanced absorption by rice. The lower status of available Zn under aerobic condition resulted from more absorption of Zn by the crop, because of decreased competition from cations such as Fe3+ and Mn4+ under aerobic condition. The available boron status and boron content in plant was high under flooded condition because of the enhanced solubility of applied borax. Ultimately, aerobic rice recorded significantly higher grain and straw yield (6.23 t ha-1 and 6.35 t ha-1 respectively) than that under flooded system (5.12 t ha-1 and 5.52 t ha-1 respectively). The treatment with fertilizer application based on soil test and with lime as per SMP buffer method under aerobic situation recorded significantly higher grain yield of 6.8 t ha-1 because of balanced nutrition in this treatment combination. Higher root CEC, root mass, shoot mass root volume and root length were recorded under aerobic system. The decline in productive tillers during active growth phase was observed under flooded environment. Well developed aerenchymatic tissue in the roots was observed only under flooded environment. The water requirement was reduced by 57 % in aerobic rice, than that in flooded rice.
Open Access
Heavy metal contamination of laterites by accumulation of solid wastes
(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Divya Vijayan, V; KAU; Sushama, P K
A heavy metal is defined as a metal that has the atomic number and specific gravity greater than 20 and 5 Mg m-3, respectively. Heavy metals occur naturally in the soil environment from the weathering of parent materials and also as contaminants at the waste disposing sites. Though, the soil acts as a sink for the majority of heavy metals, the excess uptake of any one of them may limit the plant growth. In this background, the research work entitled “heavy metal contamination of laterites by accumulation of solid wastes” was undertaken during the period 2010-2014. The project aims to investigate the extent of distribution of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg and Co) in waste dumping sites of laterite as influenced by soil and climatic conditions using geostatistical technique, to correlate the activity of major soil enzymes with the contents of heavy metals, to explore the potential of phytoremediation as well as aerobic and anaerobic methods of composting for the removal of heavy metals in solid waste and to evaluate the performance of amaranthus under different decontaminated methods adopted. In order to attain the objectives, four experiments were conducted. The effect of soil and climatic factors on heavy metal accumulation was examined with the collection of soil samples at quarterly intervals for a period of one year from two different waste disposal sites located at Laloor and Kalamassery. For the study on phytoremediation, the crops, vetiver, marigold and sunflower were experimented. Both the aerobic and anaerobic methods of composting were tried for the removal of heavy metals in another set of experiment. A pot culture study was also conducted to assess the growth of amaranthus under different decontaminated conditions. The salient findings are summarized as follows: The percentage distribution of Pb, Ni, Co, Cr and Hg at the different sites of Kalamassery revealed that Cr had the highest distribution followed by others. At Laloor, Pb was found to be dominant for the major dumping sites, whereas Cr at the non dumping site. The geo accumulation index for Hg was recorded as above one for all sites at Kalamassery. The average contents (mg kg-1) of Pb, Co, Ni, Hg and Cr was 15.58, 6.06, 43.18, 0.56, 107.9 at Kalamassery and 82.84, 7.79, 35.54, 0.42 and115.67 at Laloor, respectively. Heavy metal contents were found to be higher during summer than rainy season except for Cr and Cd. In general, soil enzyme activities were higher during quarter II of the sampling period. There was a positive correlation between Fe and urease (0.391*) and Pb and phosphatase (0.350*). The phytoremediation study with the three different crops (sunflower, marigold and vetiver) proved vetiver as a good phytostabilizer compared to others. Vetiver was found to be a translocator of Cr, since Ni, Pb, Co and Hg were mostly stabilized in the root. Marigold translocated all these heavy metals from soil except Co, and sunflower translocated Co, Ni and Cr except Pb. Bioconcentration factor (the heavy metal concentration in the plant/ the heavy metal concentration in the soil) was higher for vetiver compared to sunflower and marigold. Vetiver removed the heavy metals from the waste material in the order Cr>Ni> Co> Pb. Compared to aerobic composting, the anaerobic method proved to be better for the removal of heavy metals from the waste material collected from Laloor. The comparative performance of amaranthus grown in soil under different methods adopted for reducing heavy metal contamination showed that the yield was found to be the highest in the treatment with aerobic compost. The lowest yield was reported for amaranthus grown with phytoremediated material, followed by absolute control. The uptake of major nutrients also followed the same trend as yield. The heavy metal content was higher in the shoots of amaranthus grown with waste material and the accumulation followed the order Cr>Pb>Ni>Co>Hg. In all the treatments under study, the presence of Cr was more dominant in the post harvest soil compared to other heavy metals.
Open Access
Assessment and management of micronutrient deficiencies in Onattukara
(College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Mini, V; KAU; Usha, Mathew
A study on “Assessment and management of micronutrient deficiencies in Onattukara” was undertaken with an objective to assess the available micronutrient status of the Onattukara region to develop a multi micronutrient mixture for balanced crop nutrition and to evaluate the effect of multi micronutrient mixture on growth and yield of okra. Two hundred georeferenced soil samples were drawn at random from twenty soil series of the Onattukara region representing different crop production systems and analysed for 13 soil fertility parameters. The results of the analysis of various soil parameters were integrated in GIS for the preparation of thematic maps. The overall fertility status of this region indicated that the soil was very strongly acidic with high level of phosphorus, low oxidisable organic carbon and available potassium and wide spread deficiencies of calcium, magnesium, boron and zinc. Observational trials were conducted at 18 different locations to assess the response of the okra crop to adhoc recommendations by KAU for micronutrients. Micronutrient application increased the yield up to eighty percent in these trials. Micronutrient fertilizer requirement was computed based on the available micronutrient status of the region and crop requirement. A multi micronutrient mixture having a composition of Zn (9.5%) + B (2.6%) +Cu (1.2%) +Mg (2.4%) +N (0.46%) @ 20kg ha-1 was developed and the effect of multi micronutrient mixture was assessed in the field experiments using okra variety Varsha Uphar as the test crop in two seasons during September- December in 2013 and February -May in 2014. The field experiment consisted of nine treatments and the treatments were T1 (Absolute control), T2 (Package of Practices (POP) ), T3 (Soil test based POP and secondary nutrients), T4 (Treatment 3 + computed dose of micronutrients mixture), T5 (Treatment 3 + 25% less of computed dose of micronutrients mixture),T6 (Treatment 3+ 25% more of computed dose of micronutrients mixture), T7 (Treatment 3+ foliar application of 0.5% solution of computed dose of micronutrients mixture), T8 (Treatment 3+ foliar application of 0.5% solution of 25% less of computed dose of micronutrients mixture) and T9 (Treatment 3 + foliar application of 0.5% solution of 25% more of computed dose of micronutrients mixture). Growth, yield and quality of okra increased significantly due to multi micronutrient mixture. Application of soil test based NPK and secondary nutrients + foliar application of 0.5 per cent solution of computed dose of micronutrient mixture @ 5 kg ha-1 in two splits at 15 DAS and 35 DAS (T7) yielded significantly higher (11.3 tha-1) over rest of the treatments. T7 recorded 80 per cent more yield than T3, which was the soil test based package of practices (POP) and secondary nutrients and more than double the yield of POP. Soil application of this mixture @ 20kg ha-1 (T4) was also significantly superior to the POP recommendations. Soil status of micronutrients in the experiment site before the experiment was Zn (0.27 mg kg-1), Cu (0.21 mg kg-1) and B (0.17 mg kg-1). After two consecutive application of multi micronutrient mixture, the soil status of Zn, Cu and B were in the range of 0.62 to 1.58 mg kg-1, 0.74 to 0.99 mg kg-1 and 0.19 to 0.31 mg kg-1 respectively. Even after continuous application of micronutrients for two seasons the critical status was not attained for Cu and B in soil. So application of micronutrient fertilizers customized for agro ecological units and crops ensures increased yield and sustain soil health. In general the highest nutrient content and uptake in shoot and fruit were recorded by T7. The highest B: C ratio of 3.02 was also recorded by T7. From the investigation it can be concluded that foliar application of micronutrient mixture @ 5kg ha-1 in two splits at 15 DAS and 35 DAS was superior to soil application with respect to yield, quality and B: C ratio. The study revealed that micronutrient deficiency is one of the yield barriers which can be broken down by including micronutrient fertilizers in the nutrient schedule of crops.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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