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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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19914
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Subject: Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry × End date: 1991 × Start date: 1991 × Type: Thesis ×
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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    ThesisItemOpen 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
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    ThesisItemOpen 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Sulphur status of major uplands of south Kerala
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1991) Sheeba, S; KAU; Korah, P A
    A study has been made to determine the different forms and distribution of sulphur, and its relationship to relevant soil parameters in the major upland soils of South Kerala representing sandy, redloam, laterite midland, laterite midupland and forest soils. An attempt was made to study the plant available sulphur by conducting Neubauer technique using paddy as the test crop. Available sulphur in the soils was also estimated using different extractants. The results of the experiments were summarised and appropriate conclusions drawn. The study revealed that the forms of sulphur varied considerably from soil to soil. The soils in general were not deficient in this element. The content of different forms of sulphur was maximum in the forest and minimum in sandy soils. Sulphur content decreased from forest to sandy soils through laterite midupland, laterite midland and redloam soils. Organic sulphur registered more than 90 % while sulphate sulphur less than 10 % of the total sulphur in all the soils. The leaching loss of sulphate sulphur in the humid tropical soils may be accounted for the lower contribution of sulphate sulphur to total sulphur. In all the soil types both total and organic sulphur decreased with increasing depth. Except for sandy soils sulphate sulphur also showed the same trend in distribution in all the soils. Accumulation of sulphate form in the subsurface layers of sandy soils may be attributed to its coarse textured nature. Of the four extractants used for the determination of available sulphur in soils, Morgan’s reagent was proved to be the best extractant followed by neutral normal ammonium acetate, normal hydrochloric acid and water in the descending order in all the soils. Sulphur uptake as determined by Neubauer technique recorded the highest value in forest and lowest in sandy soil, laterite midupland, laterite midland and redloam coming in between in the descending order. Neubauer values reflected the actual amount of sulphur in the soils. The significant correlation between the Neubauer values and available sulphur determined by the different extractant was also established. The different forms of sulphur were positively and significantly correlated with the soil characteristics viz. silt, clay, organic carbon, total contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and sesquioxides and negatively correlated with soil pH. The relationship among the various forms of sulphur was also found to be significantly positive.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutrient uptake efficiency of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) as influenced by vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (Vam) association and rock phosphate application
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1991) Narayanan, S; KAU; Saifudeen, N
    An experiment was conducted under pot culture in Fine Loamy Mixed Isohyperthermic Khaplic Haplustafs soil of Vellayani series at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Trivandrum ; during Sep. to Dec. 1989. Sixteen treatment combinations with four levels of Rock phosphate (0, 50%, 75% and 100% recommended dose), VAM inoculation and control, and soil sterilisation and non – sterilisation was applied to cassava (cultvar M – 4). Biometric observation and chemical analysis of plant parts were undertaken for three mouths of thirty days interval. The results indicated no significant variation in soil nutrient status due to the effect of applied treatments during the three months. Dry matter production of cassava was increased by inoculation of VAM and phosphate nutrition. Application of 37.5 kg P2O5/ha in non – sterilised soil along with VAM inoculation was found to be the best treatment combination. Inoculation of VAM fungi resulted in better uptake of major, secondary & micro nutrients during the active vegetative phase of the crop. Effect of soil sterilisation was not conclusive. Phosphate nutrition of the crop resulted in better uptake of all major nutrients. Field experiments are suggested to establish the present findings and to relate the effects of treatments with tuber yield.