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
Management of calcium, magnesium and boron deficiency for enhancing yield and quality in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture ,Padanakkad, 2022-04-28) Anjitha K.; KAU; Sailaja kumari M S
The investigation entitled ‘Management of calcium, magnesium and boron deficiency for enhancing yield and quality in chilli’ was carried out at Instructional farm, Nileshwar, College of Agriculture Padannakkad, with an objective to develop nutrient management practices for mitigating calcium, magnesium and boron deficiency and to evaluate its effect on growth, yield and quality parameters. The field experiment was carried out during December 2020 to May 2021. The experiment was carried out with chilli variety Anugraha, in randomized block design with ten treatments and three replications. Treatment combinations were T1(KAU POP + lime (based on soil test)), T2 (T1 + 125 kg gypsum per hectare), T3 (T1 + 80 kg magnesium sulphate per hectare), T4 (T1 + 125 kg gypsum per hectare + 80 kg magnesium sulphate per hectare), T5 (T1 + foliar application of borax (0.2%)), T6 (T2 + foliar application of borax (0.2%)), T7 (T3 + foliar application of borax (0.2%)), T8 (T4 + foliar application of borax (0.2%)), T9 (KAU POP + dolomite (based on soil test)) and T10 (T9 + foliar application of borax (0.2%)). Soil application of amendments were done as a single dose and foliar nutrition was given four times in a 20 days interval. Analysis of experimental results showed that various treatments showed significant effect on growth characters, fruit quality parameters as well as nutrient content in both soil and plant, over KAU POP recommendation. Significant positive effect of treatments on plant root characters and total dry matter production was observed whereas plant height and days to 50% flowering were found to be non significant. Among the treatments, maximum tap root length (13.50 cm), root volume (23.23 cm3 ), root shoot ratio (0.16) and total dry matter production (2694.65 kg ha-1 ) were recorded in T8 (KAU POP + lime application based on soil test) +125 kg gypsum per hectare + 80 kg magnesium sulphate per hectare + foliar application of borax (0.2%). Various treatments showed significant influence on yield and yield attributes. Maximum fruit weight (37.16 g) and total fruit yield (4456.79 kg ha-1 ) was also observed in T8 and in case of fruit yield, it was significantly superior to all other treatments. Combined application of gypsum, magnesium sulphate and borax were effective and maximized fruit yield. 94 Soil analysis was carried out at flowering and harvest wherein, the treatments showed significant effect on soil pH, EC, available potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, manganese and zinc content whereas available nitrogen, phosphorus, copper and boron were not influenced by treatments. Addition of calcium and magnesium sources significantly increased available calcium and magnesium content in soil. Among the various treatments, the highest available calcium was recorded in T8 and was on par with T2, T6 and T4 at flowering. Highest available magnesium content was recorded in T9 and T10 at flowering and harvest respectively. Analysis of Index leaves at flowering and total plant analysis at harvest were carried out and it was found that plant nutrient content was significantly influenced by treatments. Significant effect of various treatments on plant nutrients except nitrogen and phosphorus was observed. Foliar application of borax significantly improved boron content in plants. Fruit quality parameters such as capsaicin, oleoresin, ascorbic acid and shelf life and total nutrient content were analysed and results showed significant positive response to treatments. Analysis of nutrient content in fruits showed that primary nutrients mainly, nitrogen and potassium, secondary nutrients and micronutrients in fruits were significantly influenced by various treatments. The treatment, T8 (KAU POP + lime based on soil test) +125 kg gypsum per hectare + 80 kg magnesium sulphate per hectare + foliar application of borax (0.2%)) recorded highest capsaicin (0.352 %), oleoresin (11.00 %), ascorbic acid (96.83 mg 100 g-1 ) and maximum shelf life (13.66 days) in chilli. The results obtained from the experiment revealed the significant influence of soil amendments over KAU POP recommendation and it can be concluded that combined application of gypsum, magnesium sulphate and borax was effective for increasing fruit yield and quality in chilli
Open Access
Soil test crop response studies in cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) in lateritic soils of Kerala
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture,Vellanikkara, 2022) Ayisha, V V; KAU; Rajalekshmi, K
Cluster bean, commonly known as guar, is a legume crop cultivated as a vegetable, green manure and forage crop. India is the leading producer of cluster bean in the world and accounts for around 80 per cent of global production. The generalised application of fertilizers by farmers result in under or over fertilization, lowering production and profitability while also polluting the environment. So the emphasis on soil test based balanced fertilizer recommendation has become more pertinent in the current scenario of high fertilizer costs and yield maximisation programmes. Hence, the investigation entitled “Soil test crop response studies in cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) in lateritic soils of Kerala” was undertaken. The study was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara in lateritic soils (Ultisol) in the STCR field during 2020-2021 with the objective of developing soil test based fertilizer prescription equation for cluster bean using inorganic fertilizers alone and with the combined use of organic manures. A fertility gradient experiment was conducted to create soil fertility gradient in the field by applying graded doses of N, P and K fertilizers and raising fodder maize var. CO1. After the development of fertility gradient, the main STCR experiment was conducted in the same field with the test crop, cluster bean var. Pusa naubahar. The treatment structure consisted of four levels of nitrogen (0, 10, 20 and 40 kg ha-1 ), four levels of phosphorous (0, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha-1 ) and four levels of potassium (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 ) along with three levels of FYM (0, 15 and 25 t ha-1 ). The basic parameters such as nutrient requirement (NR) and contributions of nutrients from soil (CS), fertilizer (CF) and FYM (COM) were computed from the field experimental data. The nutrient requirements (NR) for cluster bean were worked out as 0.68, 0.05 and 0.22 kg N, P2O5 and K2O to produce one quintal yield. The contributions from soil (CS) were estimated as 9.84, 2.29 and 1.99 per cent of N, P2O5 and K2O respectively. The contributions from fertilizer (CF) were calculated as 90.90, 3.29 and 10.82 per cent and that from FYM (COM) were 7.17, 1.92 and 2.96 per cent for N, P2O5 and K2O respectively. From the above basic data, fertilizer prescription equation for specific yield targets of cluster bean in the lateritic soils were derived as follows, NPK alone: FN = 0.74*T - 0.11*SN FP2O5 = 1.47*T – 1.59*SP FK2O = 2.05*T- 0.22*SK NPK + FYM (IPNS) FN = 0.74*T - 0.11*SN – 0.08*ON FP2O5 = 1.47*T – 1.59*SP – 1.34*OP FK2O = 2.05*T - 0.22*SK – 0.33*OK Where, FN, FP2O5 and FK2O = Fertilizer N, P2O5 and K2O in kg ha-1 T = Yield target in q ha-1 SN, SP and SK = STV for available N, P and K in kg ha-1 . ON, OP and OK = Amount of N, P and K supplied through FYM in kg ha-1 . The multiple regression model calibrated with yield as dependent variable and soil test results and inorganic fertilizer doses as independent variables had 62.5 per cent predictability. The yield of cluster bean increased with the application of NPK alone and IPNS viz. NPK plus FYM treatment and the magnitude of increase was higher under IPNS over NPK alone. The study is useful to adjust fertilizer doses based on yield target and available resources of organic manure with the farmers. The equations developed for cluster bean should be tested in places with similar agro climate and soil situations for validation.
Open Access
Approaches to assess chlorpyrifos degradation in northern laterite soils of Kasaragod (AEU 11)
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Padanakkad, 2022) Arya, P R; KAU; Binitha, N K
The investigation on “Approaches to assess chlorpyrifos degradation in northern laterite soils of Kasaragod (AEU 11)” was undertaken with the objective to evaluate the impact of physical, chemical and biological methods on degradation of chlorpyrifos in laterite soils. The study was carried out during 2019 – 2021 at College of Agriculture, Padannakkad in two incubation experiments. The incubation experiment no. 1 was carried out to know the pattern and time required for degradation of chlorpyrifos in soil. Northern laterite soils (AEU 11) collected from Pilicode were selected for the study. Pot culture study was conducted in five pots filled with 10 kg soil and drenched with chlorpyrifos (20 EC) at the concentration of 2.5 ml/L. Soil was analyzed at weekly intervals and results from the incubation study showed that chlorpyrifos content was reduced to 34.76% within 60 days. Significant decrease on soil pH (2.29%) was noticed after the application of chlorpyrifos. Chloride and phosphate ions were increased during the incubation period due to release of these ions from the chlorpyrifos compound during the degradation process. Microbial biomass carbon (8.2%) in soil was reduced significantly. Based on the results and findings from the incubation experiment no.1, duration of incubation experiment no.2 was decided for 60 days. The incubation experiment no. 2 was carried out to assess the best method of degradation of chlorpyrifos in laterite soil. The experiment was laid out in CRD with 12 treatments and three replications. Physical, chemical and biological agents were applied and evaluated to study their effect on degradation of chlorpyrifos. The treatment combinations were control (T1), hydrogen peroxide-5% (T2), Fenton reagent -0.5% (T3), hydrogen peroxide-5% + Fenton reagent -0.5% (T4), Pseudomonas fluorescens (T5), Trichoderma viride (T6), Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma viride (T7), sunlight – 6hrs (T8), ultra violet – 4hrs (T9), sunlight – 6hrs + ultra violet – 4hrs (T10), soil under saturated condition at 5 cm level of submergence (T11) and soil under saturated condition at 5 cm level of submergence with azolla (T12) Results from the incubation study revealed that combination of Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma viride showed the highest rate (74.99%) of chlorpyrifos degradation followed by Pseudomonas fluorescens (69.94 %) and Trichoderma viride (66.35 %) within 60 days. Effect of chlorpyrifos application on chemical properties of soil was studied at biweekly intervals. Soil pH was found to be significantly decreased throughout the incubation period. Highest pH (5.09) was recorded in treatment T10 (sunlight + UV light) whereas lowest in T4 (4.93). Effect of treatments on chloride ions in soil were found to be non significant, however it was continuously increased throughout the incubation period. Phosphate ions in soil decreased significantly in the initial period followed by gradual increase in the phosphate ions in soil. In the 8th week, 106 T5 recorded the highest phosphate ions (31.80 mg kg-1 ) while T1 recorded the lowest phosphate ions (28.86 mg kg-1 ) in soil. The effect of treatment application on soil biological properties were studied and showed that chlorpyrifos has inhibitory effect on microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase, phosphatase and urease activities of the soil immediately after chlorpyrifos application but later restored the activities. The treatments that received biological agents were not much affected with respect to the biological properties of the soil. Biological treatments such as T5 recorded the highest dehydrogenase activity (11.74 µg TPF g-1 soil day-1 ) while the T6 recorded the highest phosphatase activity (17.06 µg PNP g-1 soil hr-1 ) of the soil. Treatment T7 recorded the highest microbial biomass carbon (99.15 µg g-1 ) and the urease activity (36.16 µg NH4 + -N g-1 soil hr-1 ) in soil. There was a significant effect with respect to the two treatments maintained under submergence. The leachate from the chlorpyrifos treated soils were analysed at biweekly intervals. Treatments showed significant effect on leachate of chlorpyrifos residue at sixth and eighth week intervals. Treatment T11 (2598.62 µg L-1 ) showed the highest degradation followed by T12 (3318.07 µg L-1 ). The growth of azolla was normal during the initial period, later decaying of azolla was noticed. Growth of azolla was inhibited under the chlorpyrifos treatment because it could not tolerate the residual effect of chlorpyrifos. The results from the investigation revealed that chlorpyrifos degradation using combination of Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma viride had the best potential to remove the residues of chlorpyrifos insecticide present in treated soils. Biological treatments are recorded as the prominent agents in chlorpyrifos degradation and also maintains the soil health. On account of these findings, we can recommend the use of biological agents in combination or alone, as an ideal approach for degradation of chlorpyrifos in laterite soils
Open Access
Effect of salinity on carbon mineralisation under different land uses in Pokkali ecosystem
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2022) Anju, Sajan; KAU; Sreelatha, A K
Soil forms the largest storehouse for terrestrial organic carbon, encompassing approximately two-thirds of the carbon in the ecosystem. This plays a pivotal role in reducing atmospheric CO2 and combating global warming and related concerns. Differences in land use have a considerable effect on soil organic carbon pools and fluxes. Mineralisation of soil organic carbon enhances CO2 emission into the atmosphere and salinity of soil can affect the rate of this process. In this context, an investigation was carried out with the objective to study the effect of salinity on carbon mineralisation under different land uses in Pokkali ecosystem. The study was conducted by collecting georeferenced surface soil samples (0- 20 cm) from three land uses of Pokkali ecosystem namely rice-prawn, rice alone and prawn alone from Kumbalangi, RRS, Vyttila and Kadamakkudy respectively. The samples were analyzed for different soil properties such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), particle size, cation exchange capacity, bulk density and estimated soil organic carbon pools such as soil organic carbon, labile carbon, water soluble carbon and microbial biomass carbon. Soil organic carbon stocks and dehydrogenase activity were also estimated as per standard procedures. Carbon mineralisation was studied by a laboratory incubation experiment for 74 days where two sets of soil (with and without 1% paddy straw) was amended with different concentrations of CaSO4 and Na2SO4 alone or both in combinations of 40 and 80 mmol per kg soil in order to get the desired change in electrical conductivity similar to field conditions. The mean pH registered for rice-prawn, rice alone and prawn alone land uses were under neutral range and mean EC were less than 4 dS m-1. Soil texture of rice-prawn and rice alone belonged to clay and prawn alone in sandy clay loam class. Cation exchange capacity was highest in rice-prawn and lowest in prawn alone land use. The highest mean bulk density was observed in prawn alone and the lowest in rice-prawn land uses. The results revealed that rice-prawn land use recorded the highest organic carbon pools and prawn alone land use recorded the lowest organic carbon pools. Rice-prawn land use recorded higher content of soil organic carbon, labile carbon, water soluble carbon, microbial biomass carbon and total carbon followed by rice alone land use due to abundance of organic matter in these soils. The maximum soil organic carbon stock was recorded in rice alone (26.46 Mg ha -1) and minimum in rice-prawn (22.53 Mg ha -1) land use. The maximum dehydrogenase activity was recorded from rice alone (2959.697 µg TPF h-1 g-1) and the lowest from prawn alone (2132.491 µg TPF h-1 g-1) land uses. Carbon mineralisation study revealed that CO2 evolved from soil decreased with time. The maximum CO2 was evolved on day 11 for rice-prawn and prawn alone land uses and day 17 for rice alone land use and declined steadily thereafter. The maximum cumulative CO2 was recorded from the treatments other than control (without paddy straw and salts). The lowest mean cumulative CO2 in the control was recorded from rice- prawn (7.2 mg 100 g-1) land use and the highest recorded from prawn alone (26.48 mg 100 g-1) followed by rice alone (25.15 mg 100 g-1) land uses. A significant positive correlation was observed between pH, dehydrogenase activity and total organic carbon with cumulative CO2 in all land uses. After 74 days of incubation study, the pH of control was reduced and that of other treatments (with paddy straw and salts) was increased in all land uses. The EC of the treatments with salts amendments were more than 4 dS m-1 in all land uses before the start of incubation. After the incubation period, EC decreased in all salt amendments of different land uses and increased in treatments without salt amendments. Dehydrogenase activity and total carbon were found higher in the treatments with paddy straw and salts than in control. Relatively higher dehydrogenase activity was recorded in rice-prawn land use followed by prawn alone and rice alone land uses. The EC was positively correlated with dehydrogenase activity which stimulated carbon mineralisation in these soils. In these land uses, there was no discernible difference between paddy straw and salt amended treatments with respect to carbon mineralisation. Both the dehydrogenase activity and the total carbon content contributed to carbon mineralisation process. In Pokkali ecosystems, rice-prawn land use recorded the highest soil organic carbon pools and the lowest carbon mineralisation, indicating the existence of an environment that is conducive for building organic carbon which is crucial for sequestering more carbon into these soils. As the salinity increased carbon mineralisation was also increased. The rice cultivation in the low saline phase reduces salinity by leaching out the accumulated salts, whereas prawn farming does not. Therefore, prawn alone land use remains saline throughout the year, resulting in increased carbon mineralisation and decreased carbon sequestration. This study emphasizes the importance of integrated rice-prawn farming systems in Pokkali lands to maintain soil quality and slow down the global warming through increased carbon sequestration.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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