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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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2011 - 20193
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Subject: Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry × Author: Priya, U K × Start date: 1990 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Site specific nutrient management for chilli (Capsicum annum.L) in kalliyoor panchayath of kerala
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2011) Priya, U K; KAU; Sudharmai Devi C R
    Site Specific Nutrient management is a technology in precision fanning that offers chance for farmers to achieve the targeted yield taking into consideration the potential yield of the crop by application of apt amount of fertilizers. The technology is farmers' friendly, eco-friendly and also consumer friendly. In Indian scenario wherein farmers are suffering from yield losses up to 40% due to micronutrient deficiency of soils mainly zinc and boron deficiencies are the yield limiting factors of production. Kerala the soils are low in basic ions that are posing serious threat to crop production. The Judicious application of chemical fertilizers along with micronutrients is necessary for sustainable crop production. The present study "Site Specific Nutrient Management in" Chilli (Capsicum annuum.L.) in Kalliyoor Panchayath Of .Kerala" was carried out to satisfy the objectives viz. study the spatial variability of area, to find outtheindigenous nutrient supply via omission trials, fix a target yield based on the potential yield of the crop and formulate a site specific nutrient recommendation to obtain the targeted yield. In order to understand the spatial variability survey was conducted at 25 sites of Kalliyoor panchayath. The results of survey showed that the soils showed wide variation in terms of soil physical and chemical properties. Soil phosphorus status , was high in all cases other nutrient concentration ranged from low to high. The spatial variability necessitated carrying out the omission trials at four different sites that were ranked according to the nutrient status into high, medium first level, medium second level and low fertility soils. From the omission trials the recovery fraction and, indigenous nutrient supply were calculated. Utilising all these parameters in QUEFT model SSNJ\:1.--tre tments were fixed. /' / / - :l.33- The high yield target was fixed at 16 t ha that was 50% of the potential yield. The nutrient recommendation generated for HYT was 104.8: 13.6: 201 kg N, P205 and K20 ha-I. Medium yield target was fixed at 168:51: 230 kg N, P205 and K20 ha- I. Taking into account micronutrient and secondary nutrient deficiencies in the soil. In high yield target soil application of micro nutrients and secondary nutrients along with application of 1 % foliar spray of boron was recommended. Micronutrients for soil application were boron @ 5 kg ha-I in form of borax, zinc @ 20 kg ha-I in form of zinc sulphate. Secondary nutrients applied were calcium @ 30 kg ha-I in form of CaS04, magnesium @ 7.5 kg ha-I in form of MgS04. The requirement of sulphur was met from soil applied zinc sulphate, calcium sulphate and magnesium sulphate. In medium yield target only soil application of micro and secondary nutrients along with the application of QUEFT generated recommendations for the crop; POP + micronutrient recommendations were evaluated. Simultaneously an absolute control was also carried out. Soil analysis was carried out for all the physical and chemical properties of the soil initially before the crop was raised, and after each harvest. So that change in soil properties as a result of application of treatments could be evaluated, since the application of fertilizer coincided with each harvest. The results derived from the experiment proved the superiority of SSNM over other treatments with respect to the yield major nutrient and micronutrient uptake. , Where high yield target registered a cumulative yield of 17. 32 tons, medium yield target registered a cumulative yield of 11.75 tons this was _much superior to POP+SNMN that registered an yield of 9.83 tons, or the package of practice recommendation that registered an yield of only 8.3 tons . Farmers practice registered inferior yield data of only 5.2 tons. The study revealed that the site specific nutrient management is an efficient technology to increase the yield of crops and hence provide additional income to the farmers; this technique also provides a -134 - scope of increasing the yield without over application of fertilizers that would result in deterioration of the soil physical and chemical properties in long run.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutrient management in coconut based cropping system utilizing products from rapid conversion technology of biowastes
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2019) Priya, U K; KAU; Sudharmai Devi, C R
    The study entitled “Nutrient management in coconut based cropping system utilizing products from rapid conversion technology of biowastes” was carried out at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural chemistry, Vellayani and Farmers field in Onattukara , Kayamkulam ,Alapuzha during May 2016 to August 2018. The major objective of study was the nutrient management in coconut intercropped with banana (Njalipoovan) and tuber crop elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius ) variety Gajendra using different products that are produced from rapid conversion technology of biowastes in AEU 3 of Kerala. In development and characterization of liquid formulation produced by rapid conversion technology, the segregated, ground biodegradable waste was subjected to thermochemical process and extracted using five concentrations (1%,2%, 3%, 6%, 10%) of four extractants KOH (0.1 N), KOH (0.25 M), KCl (2M), distilled water. The best extractant was chosen after screening for shelf life and phytotoxicity test using germination bioassay. KOH 0.25M, 2% and KCl 2M ,3% promoted seed germination, seedling vigour of okra and cow pea were selected. The two concentrations were then tested for their performance in pot culture using amaranthus and tomato. The results indicated that KOH 0.25 M, 2 % was superior to the KCl 2M, 3% solution. KOH 0.25 M 2 % was then fortified using modified Hoagland medium and GA3 1ppm. In banana and amorphophallus 0.1% dilution was given as foliar spray and in coconut 0.5% dilution was given as root feeding. Customisation of organic fertilizer was carried out on the basis of initial soil test results and crop requirements. 227 In order to find the effect of treatments in coconut intercropped system a field trial was conducted in RBD with eight treatments and 3 replications. The treatments had significant effect on the soil bulk density and WHC. There was lowering of bulk density in banana and amorphophallus for treatments that received POP and POP +STB. The highest WHC in coconut was for the treatment that received POP+STB. In banana and amorphophallus the WHC was highest for treatment that received POP and POP +STB followed by FFOF. There was a slight increase in the pH, for the treatments that received FFOF, QFOF+LF, HFOF +LF and LF alone. The second and third depths remained unaffected in terms of physical properties due to treatment effects. In soil carbon pools dynamics the results showed that TOC % was highest in surface soils for the treatments that received POP, POP +STB and FFOF in all the three crops. The labile carbon content was highest for treatment that received FFOF and LF, HFOF+LF, QFOF+LF in coconut for all the three depths. In amorphophallus and banana, the highest was for FFOF followed by the POP and POP+STB. Similar trend was followed in the case of oxidizable carbon, LI and CPI. The dehydrogenase activity was also high in treatments receiving FFOF ad those receiving LF. The earth worm count was mostly related to the rainfall pattern and not the carbon pool dynamics. There was a gradually increasing trend for soil available nutrients for subsequent years. In the case of coconut the primary nutrients shows a gradual increase in the April -May followed by a hike in August September in surface samples. the treatments that received FFOF was superior or on par with HFOF+LF or LF, POP, POP+STB. Second and third depths nutrient values were usually highest for treatment that received foliar fertilization and root feeding. In banana and amorphophallus POP, POP +STB and LF were either superior or comparable to FFOF. There was an initial increase in nutrient content of soil followed by a gradual decrease. In the case of micronutrients and secondary soil nutrient status FFOF was superior to all other treatments in terms of soil nutrient 228 availability that was mostly on par with POP+STB or HFOF +LF treatments for coconut, banana and amorphophallus. The foliar nutrient concentration in coconut showed a significant change only during the third season of treatment application. The highest foliar concentration was for treatment receiving FFOF, POP, POP+STB followed by the HFOF +LF, QFOF +LF, LF that was on par. In case of banana and amorphophallus a similar pattern was observed. The yield and yield contributing parameters in coconut showed a significant change during the third observation period of treatment application. The highest yield in terms of nut yield was highest for treatment receiving FFOF, followed by POP, POP+STB and HFOF +LF. A similar trend was seen in banana (18.01 kg) and amorphophallus (7 kg) wherein the yield was highest for treatment receiving FFOF followed by that receiving POP+STB, POP, that was comparable with yield in treatment receiving HFOF +LF. The Benefit cost ratio in coconut was highest for the treatments that received POP and POP+ STB, followed by the treatment that received half dose of FOF along with root feeding that was comparable with treatments that received QFOF +LF or LF alone. In the case of banana highest B:C ratio of 2.72 was for treatment receiving foliar fertilization alone, followed by FFOF, 2.60 during the first season. The second season the treatment with FFOF was on par with the treatment that received foliar fertilization. In amorphophallus the treatment that received FFOF was having the highest BC ratio followed by the treatment that received HFOF+LF during the first season. The same trend was found in second season. Hence it can be concluded that application of FFOF will increase the yield, soil nutrient availability and uptake in coconut and inter crops. Half dose of FOF along with LF was equally beneficial for annual crop. In case of coconut when the B:C ratio was calculated despite of the comparatively low yield in treatments that received liquid fertilization and POP, was on par with the treatment that received 229 FFOF, due to the high cost of FFOF. Therefore, if the unit cost of FOF is reduced can increase the B:C ratio for the treatment that receives FFOF, which can be recommended to the farmers for economic and ecologically sustainable intercropping of coconut with banana and amorphophallus.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Site specific nutrient management for Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) in Kalliyoor panchayath of Kerala
    (College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Priya, U K; KAU; Sudharmai Devi, C R
    Site Specific Nutrient management is a technology in precision fanning that offers chance for farmers to achieve the targeted yield taking into consideration the potential yield of the crop by application of apt amount of fertilizers. The technology is farmers' friendly, eco-friendly and also consumer friendly. In Indian scenario wherein farmers are suffering from yield losses up to 40% due to micronutrient deficiency of soils mainly zinc and boron deficiencies are the yield limiting factors of production. Kerala the soils are low in basic ions that are posing serious threat to crop production. The Judicious application of chemical fertilizers along with micronutrients is necessary for sustainable crop production. The present study "Site Specific Nutrient Management in" Chilli (Capsicum annuum.L.) in Kalliyoor Panchayath Of .Kerala" was carried out to satisfy the objectives viz. study the spatial variability of area, to find outtheindigenous nutrient supply via omission trials, fix a target yield based on the potential yield of the crop and formulate a site specific nutrient recommendation to obtain the targeted yield. In order to understand the spatial variability survey was conducted at 25 sites of Kalliyoor panchayath. The results of survey showed that the soils showed wide variation in terms of soil physical and chemical properties. Soil phosphorus status , was high in all cases other nutrient concentration ranged from low to high. The spatial variability necessitated carrying out the omission trials at four different sites that were ranked according to the nutrient status into high, medium first level, medium second level and low fertility soils. From the omission trials the recovery fraction and, indigenous nutrient supply were calculated. Utilising all these parameters in QUEFT model SSNJ\:1.--tre tments were fixed. /' / / - :l.33- The high yield target was fixed at 16 t ha that was 50% of the potential yield. The nutrient recommendation generated for HYT was 104.8: 13.6: 201 kg N, P205 and K20 ha-I. Medium yield target was fixed at 168:51: 230 kg N, P205 and K20 ha- I. Taking into account micronutrient and secondary nutrient deficiencies in the soil. In high yield target soil application of micro nutrients and secondary nutrients along with application of 1 % foliar spray of boron was recommended. Micronutrients for soil application were boron @ 5 kg ha-I in form of borax, zinc @ 20 kg ha-I in form of zinc sulphate. Secondary nutrients applied were calcium @ 30 kg ha-I in form of CaS04, magnesium @ 7.5 kg ha-I in form of MgS04. The requirement of sulphur was met from soil applied zinc sulphate, calcium sulphate and magnesium sulphate. In medium yield target only soil application of micro and secondary nutrients along with the application of QUEFT generated recommendations for the crop; POP + micronutrient recommendations were evaluated. Simultaneously an absolute control was also carried out. Soil analysis was carried out for all the physical and chemical properties of the soil initially before the crop was raised, and after each harvest. So that change in soil properties as a result of application of treatments could be evaluated, since the application of fertilizer coincided with each harvest. The results derived from the experiment proved the superiority of SSNM over other treatments with respect to the yield major nutrient and micronutrient uptake. , Where high yield target registered a cumulative yield of 17. 32 tons, medium yield target registered a cumulative yield of 11.75 tons this was _much superior to POP+SNMN that registered an yield of 9.83 tons, or the package of practice recommendation that registered an yield of only 8.3 tons . Farmers practice registered inferior yield data of only 5.2 tons. The study revealed that the site specific nutrient management is an efficient technology to increase the yield of crops and hence provide additional income to the farmers; this technique also provides a -134 - scope of increasing the yield without over application of fertilizers that would result in deterioration of the soil physical and chemical properties in long run.