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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: Manorama Thampatti, K C × End date: 1998 × Start date: 1990 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Morphological, physical and chemical characterization of the soils of North Kuttanad
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Manorama Thampatti, K C; KAU; Jose, A J
    An investigation was carried out at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1992 to 1995 to evaluate the morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of soils of North Kuttanad and to assess the extent of toxic factors that pertained in the soil due to restricted movement of water under the influ- ence of Thanneermukkom regulator. The study was carried out in three parts, viz., (1) Morpho- logy and physicochemical characteristics, (2) Fertility characteristics and (3) Toxicity chara- cteristics. Fifteen soil profile were drawn from North Kuttanad to study the morphology and physicochemical characteristics of the area. The fertility characteristics were studied by collecting 97 surface soil samples (0-15 cm depth) from 27 padasekharams of the area during rainy and summer seasons (before and after the closure of Thanneermukkom regula- tor). Toxicity characteristics of the area were studied by collecting bulk soil samples (0-25 cm depth), surface water and ground water from the above sites during the same period. Morphological and physicochemical properties of the soils showed great degree of variation. Soils were dark brown to black in colour, sticky and plastic, subangular blocky in structure and sandy to clayey in texture, with random deposits of lime shells and humus. Presence of faint to prominent reddish yellow or brown mottles, rice roots and root canals were some of the special characteristics observed in the soil profiles. Soils of the area were highly acidic and mildly saline. Both soil acidity and salinity increased with depth. Organic carbon, CEC and ECEC of the area were higher compared to other parts of Kerala, but the base saturation was comparatively lower. The area was rich in almost all the essential nutrients except P. Fe, Al and S were present in toxic concentrations. Potential acidity of the area was very high and more than 70 per cent of it was contributed by hydrolytic acidity and the rest by exchangeable acidity. All the acidity characteristics increased with depth. The profile IX was grouped under order Inceptisol and all others under order Entisol. On evaluating the fertility characteristics of the area it was observed that the area experienced an increase in soil acidity and availability of N, P, Fe and Zn and a decrease in salinity, CEC, ECEC and available K, Ca, Mg, \.10 and Cu. However, the availability of all nutrients except P was above the deficiency level. Fe was present in toxic quantities. On a general comparison with that of pre-barrage period, the area experienced a reduction in salinity and an enhancement in soil acidity and availability of K, Ca and Mg. The Na content was reduced considerably in response to the reduction in salinity. The exchangeable and water soluble cations followed the same trend as that of available cations. Among the exchangeable cations Ca was the dominant basic cation instead of Na which occupied the same place during pre-barrage period. Acidity characteristics of surface samples behaved similar to that of profile samples. Pot- ential acidity and hydrolytic acidity recorded higher values during rainy season while exchangeable acidity was greater during summer. Among the components of exchange- able acidity exchangeable Al3+ dominated during rainy season, and exchangeable H+ dur- ing summer. The overall influence was greater for exchangeable A13+ as evidenced from the higher correlation coefficient (0.862**). The general soil properties and acidity characteristics of the bulk soil samples were similar to that of surface samples, showing a reduction in pH, EC, CEC and available, exchangeable and water soluble cations during summer compared to the rainy season. Among the different fractions of Fe, free and available forms were present in large quantities while exchangeable and water soluble forms were present in negligible quantities. All the fractions expressed a higher concentration during summer indicating more chances for severe Fe toxicity during that period. Mn was also present in large quantities. Compared to Fe, the concentration of different fractions of Mn were very small. The availability of Cu and Zn were also above the critical levels. The area was rich in AI. Reverse to that of Fe the different fractions of Al showed a lower concentration during summer. The free Al content was three times lesser than that of free Fe, while in exchangeable form Al expressed a higher concentration. The water soluble AI was very low. Surface water and ground water of the area were mildly acidic and saline during rainy season and they showed an increase during summer. The acidity exceeded the permissible maximum but the salinity was maintained below the permissible limit for agricultural and domestic purposes. Among the various elements present in water, Na and Cl- were the dominant ions expressing greater concentrations during summer in both surface and ground water. Based on SAR they were rated as moderately unsafe for irrigation during summer. The concentrations of K, Ca and Mg were within the permissible maximum for agricultural and domestic purposes. P was present only in traces. The Fe content was greater for ground water than surface water and it exceeded the permissible limit for drinking water. Though Mn was absent in ground water, it has already reached up to the permissible maximum in surface water. Al content exceeded the permissible maximum for domestic purposes. Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were not detected in water. SO4-S, NH4-N and NO2+NO3- N contents of both surface and ground water were well below the critical levels suggested, but Cl' contents of both were sufficient to cause specific toxicity effect. The chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides identi _ fied in the area were (X-HCH, y-HCH and DDT. They showed higher concentration during summer. Among the chlorinated hydrocarbons, DDT was present in larger quantities, though it was banned for agricultural uses, followed by (X-HCH. The concentration of y-HCH was comparatively small. The accumulation of fertiliser residues in the area was not so negligible. The highest concen- tration was observed for NH4-N during addi- tional crop season, at the time of basal dressing, both in soil and water. During punja season, a decrease of 55 to 60 per cent in soil and 10 to 12 per cent in water for NH4-N was observed. The content of N02+N03-N was comparatively low in soil due to continuous submergence. In water it was not as low as that of soil, indicating a major portion of N02+NOrN retained in water. P content of the area was very low. Its loss through drainage water was nil. A sizable quantity of K was also subjected to loss through drainage water, though the extent of loss was well below the level of N. Here also highest concentration was noted during additional crop season at the time of basal dressing both in soil and water. The study indicated that the area is subjected to severe pollution due to the accumulation of native toxic factors as well as residues of pesticides and fertilisers. The closure of Thanneermukkom regulator aggravates the situation by restricting the water movement.