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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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ThesisItem Open Access Effect of sulphur on yield, quality and uptake of nutrients by Cowpea (vigna unguiculata L. Walp) in a Rhodig Haplustox(Department Of Soil Science And Agricultural Chemistry,College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Beena, V I; KAU; Usha, P BThe proposed piece of research work entitled " Effect of sulphur on yield, quality and uptake of nutrients by cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L Walp) in a Rhodic Haplustox" was conducted at Instructional farm,College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The study WHS undertaken to evaluate the effect of different levels and sources of sulphur application on yield, quality and uptake of nutrients by cowpea using the var Kanakamoni. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three replications. Combination of three factors, organic manures (FYM), NPK fertilizers and sulphur constituted the ten treatments. Sulphur was applied through two sources viz gypsum and factamphos. Different levels of S application were I) no sulphur 2) S @ 15 kg ha,l and 3) S @ 30 kg ha,l. All treatments included normal NPK applied through urea,mussooriephos and MOP at the rates of 20:30: 1 0 kg ha". FYM application was also done at two levels i.e.treatrnents with FYM and without rYM. Growth characters like height of the plants, number of branches per plant, number and weight of effective nodules, chlorophyll content and NRA were significantly enhanced as a result of S fertilization.The treatment combination with 30 kg S ha,l along with POP recommendation recorded the maximum value in all these cases. Gypsum was found to be superior in all these cases execpt ip the case of number of branches per plant. Treatment with 30 kg S ha,l as gypsum along with POP recommendation recorded significantly minimum value for days to maximum flowering and N:S ratio. A 42 per cent increaese in yield over control was recorded by 30 kg ha" as gypsum along with POP recommendations. A significant increase in yield attributes and protein content (25.39%) was also noticed through S fertilization. Uptake of N,r, K, Ca, Mg and S was increased due to S fertilization indicating a synergistic effect. All the growth characters and yield attributes were best correlated with yield. Uptake of nutrients showed positive and significant correlation with yield, the best correlation being obtained at MFS. Yield is decided by the uptake of nutrients at MFS. N:S ratio and days to maximum flowering showed significantly negative correlation with yield. Field experiment revealed that S as well as combination of S with organic manures exerted significant effect on most of growth and yield attributing charecters of cowpea. The treatment combination with normal level ofNPK and FYM along with S @ 30 kg ha-I was found significantly superior to other treatments. Gypsum as the source was found to be superior to factamphos,ThesisItem Open Access Effect of major nutrients on the yield and quality of nuts in graft-raised cashew (Anacardium occidentale Linn.)(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Nair Rajiv, R K; KAU; Sam, T KurumthotticalAn experiment was conducted to study the "Effect of major nutrients on the yield and quality of nuts in graft raised cashew" at Cashew Research Station Madakkathara Kerala. The treatments consisted of three levels each of N, P and K on eight year old cashew trees. The salient findings are abstracted below. The study revealed that increasing levels of nitrogen significantly increased the height and spread of cashew trees, while the girth was significantly increased by the interaction effects of nitrogen and potassium. The yield parameters such as number of flushes, number of leaves per flush, number of panicles and the number of nuts per panicle were significantly enhanced by the application of nitrogen at increasing levels, while the application of phosphorus at increasing levels also significantly increased the number of nuts per panicle. The yield of cashew nuts and apples were significantly increased due to the highest level of nitrogen applications. Application of potassium at the highest level also significantly increased the apple yield per tree. Weight and volume of cashew apples was significantly increased by the application of increasing levels of potassium but nitrogen application was found to significantly decrease the weight of fruits. The juice percentage was positively and significantly influenced by the application of nitrogen and potassium. Potassium applications were found to significantly increase the nut length and weight while nitrogen applications were found to reduce the nut weight. Shelling percentage of cashew nuts was enhanced by the application of nitrogen and potassium at increasing levels. The kernel weight was increased due to the application of potassium. Ascorbic acid content of cashew apples was positively influenced due to the application of increasing levels ofNPK. The Total Soluble Solids of the apple was significantly enhanced by the application of nitrogen. Applications of nitrogen alone and in combination with phosphorus were found to increase the protein content of kernels. The carbohydrate, Non-reducing sugars and reducing sugars content of kernels were significantly enhanced by the application of different levels of nitrogen. Increase in the soil major nutrient content due to the individual effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium applications were also observed. The leaf phosphorus and potassium content was enhanced specifically due to the application of increasing levels of phosphorus and potassium respectively, while the nitrogen content of leaves was positively influenced by the application of nitrogen and phosphorus. The average nutrient off-take through nuts and apples was computed to be 279.43, 4l.58 and I 86.40g of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium respectively. The average nutrient off take per tree through nuts from an average yield of 2.89 kg tree" was found to be 93.56, 2.89 and 48.85g of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium respectively and through apples was found to be 185.87, 38.69 and 137.54g of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium respectively from an average yield of 18.20 kg tree". In 'general, among the major nutrients applied at different levels only nitrogen had shown exceedingly high effects in sustaining the growth, yield and quality parameters. The yield and quality parameters were also seen to be affected to a certain extent by potassium applications but the response of the crop to phosphorus was seen to be exceedingly limited.ThesisItem Open Access Substitution of muriate of potash by common salt in banana Musa (AAA group CAVENDISH subgroup) ‘Robusta’(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2001) Sunu, S; KAU; Sudharminidevi, C RA field experiment was conducted III the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during August 1999 to June 2000 to study the extent of substitution of K of muriate of potash by Na of common salt in banana cv. Robusta. Four treatments involving four levels of K at 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent of recommended dose and four treatments substituting K with N a at 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent were tried in RBD with three replications. The plant growth parameters like plant height, pseudostem girth, number of functional leaves and LAI varied significantly due to treatments at all growth stages. These parameters in the 100 per cent K and 50 per cent K plus 50 per cent Na treatments were on par at all growth stages. Chlorophyll content and RLWC showed an increase with the addition of Na along with K. Highest bunch yield was recorded in the 50 per cent K plus 50 per cent N a treatment followed by the yield in the lOO per cent K treatment. The yield attributes like length of bunch, number of hands per bunch, number of fingers per bunch, length and girth of fingers reflected similar trends. The quality of fruits as reflected in the total soluble solid content, total sugar content and acidity was as good in 50 per cent K plus 50 per cent N a treatment as in 100 per cent K treatment. With increase in the levels of substitution above 50 per cent there was reduction in total soluble solids and sugar content. Shelf life of fruits did not vary significantly due to treatments. Pulp/peel ratio in the 100 per cent K and 50 per cent K plus 50 per cent N a treatments were on par. Pulp/peel ratio decreased significantly with increase 10 substitution of K by Na above 50 per cent level. The uptake of nutrients except N a was higher at the 50 per cent K plus 50 per cent N a treatment and decreased with increase in substitution of K by Na above this level. Na uptake increased upto 75 per cent substitution of K by N a and decreased at 100 per cent substitution. The treatments did not have any influence on the soil physical and chemical p-roperties. Bunch yield was positively and significantly correlated to plant girth (2MAP), chlorophyll content and LA!. It can thus be concluded that upto fifty per cent of the K requirement of Robusta banana, grown in soils of low K status, can be replaced by Na of common salt.ThesisItem Open Access Soil resource inventory of the main campus Kerala Agricultural University Vellanikkara: Part II (WEST)(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Sajnanth, K; KAU; Saifudeen, NKerala Agricultural University is situated in Madakkathara panchayat in Thrissur district. It is having an area of about 380 ha in its main campus in Vellanikkara. The main campus includes three colleges and the areas of three Research Stations. In this campus, so many research works are going on in different fields. Thus the knowledge about the resource capacity may help in the production scenario of the University itself. In this ~ inventory, the western part of the. main campus, which includes the areas of Research stations and Farms .occupied mostly by perennial crops. For identification of sample sites, a 1 :2000 scale map of the campus was used.' A grid size of 80 m x 80m was used to locate the sites. ThF study area constitutes 12 blocks out of 37 in the campus. The samples were taken ~rom both surface (0-20cm). and subsurface (20-40cm) layer. Altogether 518 soil samples, collected from the 23 phases of the study area, were analysed by standard procedures to record their physical, chemical arid electrochemical properties. The surface and subsurface samples were analysed for available nutrients and other fertility parameters. The soils are gravelly in nature in surface and subsurface samples. Still an increase in amount of fine earth from surface to subsurface level was noted. The particle size analysis of the soil samples revealed that most of the samples were sandy clay loam in nature. In most of the soils, the texture was same for surface and subsurface samples. The data obtained on the soil components were used for their textural classificatio~. The most of the soil samples were acidic in nature. The electrical conductivity of almost all the samples was found to be very low in every phase. Buffer pH and hence the lime I requirement of the sa~ples has a very wide range among the soil phases. The organic carbon contents were medium in most of the soil samples. It is high in surface layer than subsurface in majority of the phases. Available phosphorus was generally low in content in 60 - 90% of samples. About 25% were in medium class. The potassium content was rated as low in 56% of the surface samples and 66% of subsurface samples. Among the secondary nutrients, both available calcium' and magnesium were recorded in a wide range in the soils. In Micronutrients, manganese was the highest content followed by iron. All the soils are above critical range in both cases. In copper 96% of surface and 86% of subsurface contents were in above critical range. But in general, zinc was low in concentration. About 88% of surface and 94% of subsurface samples were in below critical range. The P fixing capacity of all the soils was found to be high. In the exchangeable complex, the order of concentrations of the ions were Ca>Mn>Na>K>Al>Fe. The cation exchange capacity of the soil was low since a good amount of cations were leached off during the rainy season. The percentage base saturation was high. Percentage sodium saturation was higher than 15%. The regression analysis of the data revealed that the relative factor for exchangeable K -and Na with respect to other multivalent ions could be better expressed as K/CCa + Mn)1I2 + CAl)1I3 ions. The generated data were used for the study of nutrient interactions in the study area. Using the potential of Geographic Information System CGIS), the soil fertility map of the study area for the major parameters such as soil texture, organic carbon, available P and K were prepared. The present study outlines the need for significant changes to be made in soil survey and preparation of maps. The properties of soils, in phase wise manner were used for Fertility Capability Classification with its limitations. From the FCC notation, the . problems and limitations of the soils can be estimated. Incorporation of fertility parameters of the already defined soil units will enhance the utility of soil maps. The soil maps with FCC units super imposed will help in the delineating areas with similar limitations and management requirement. The information regarding the properties of soils of the western part of the main campus, can be manipulated for the planning and motivating the cultivating practices and thus attain the maximum output with available resources.ThesisItem Open Access Soil resource inventory of the main campus Kerala Agricultural University Vellanikkara: Part 1 (EAST)(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Seena, E; KAU; Sureshkumar, PThe present study was conducted in the main campus of Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara with the objective of preparation of a detailed soil resource inventory. The total area of the campus is 384.56 ha. The inventory under this report was carried out covering the eastern part of the campus comprising an area of 214 ha which is divided into 25 blocks. The study mainly concentrated on the resource potential of the campus with respect to soil resource. Here an attempt has been made to evaluate the physical, chemical and electrochemical properties of the soil. One hundred and ninety eight samples each from surface(O - 20 cm) and sub surface(20 -40 cm) layers collected at a grid size of 80 m2 were analysed for the above properties. Soil samples collected from different parts of the campus were predominantly gravelly in nature both in the case of surface and subsurface samples. In the textural analysis majority of the phases were coming under clay loam. Irrespective of depth, in majority of the phases, surface and subsurface samples were coming under same textural classes. In general almost all the soils were acidic in nature. This shall be due to the high rainfall and subsequent leaching. Electrical conductivity of the soil samples was found to be very low both in the case of surface and subsurface soils. Buffer pH was estimated to find out the lime requirement of the soils. It was found that buffer pH varied widely among the samples and so also the lime requirement. An increase in organic carbon content with depth was observed in a few phases. Almost 91 % of the surface and 90% of the sub surface samples analysed were medium in fertility, 7 per cent each of the surface and sub surface samples were coming under high fertility class and the remaining 2 and 3 per cent were low in organic carbon status. Available phosphorus content recorded low values in almost all the samples both in the case of surface and subsurface soils. 78% of surface and 84 %of sub surface samples were rated as low in fertility while 17 and 13 % were medium in fertility and only 5 and3 per cent of the samples from surface and sub surface were high in fertility. The results revealed that about 63 to 65 % of soils were coming under medium fertility with respect to available potassium. A vailable calcium and available magnesium content showed a wide variation depending on the degree of leaching. Available micronutrients namely manganese, ZInC, copper, and iron were extracted using O.IM HCI and contents was in the order as Mn > Fe > Cu > Zn both in the case of surface and subsurface soil layers. Of these Mn, Fe and Cu in almost 98% of the samples showed values far above the critical ranges reported where as available zinc content was below critical range in 80 to 90 % of the samples. Only 8 to 14 % were coming within the critical range. P fixing capacity of the soil was estimated and it was observed that all the soils of the study area were high in P fixing capacity. This is due to the high content of oxides of iron and aluminium under acidic 1: 1 mineral dominated soil environment. All the exchangeable ions present in the soil viz. calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese and aluminium were determined using O.IM BaCl2 and found that calcium formed the predominant cation both in the case of surface and subsurface soils. The exchangeable ions were in the order Ca > Na > Mn > K > Mg > Al >Fe. CEC of the soil ranged widely both in the case of surface and subsurface soils from about 1.5 to 8 cmol (P+) kg•l. Sodium saturation was observed very high in the case of both surface and subsurface soils; in many cases exceeding 15 % and yet not showing any sodicity due to low CEC and pH. Percentage base saturation of the soil varied widely from about 36 to 96 % and it was found that major part was contributed by exchangeable calcium. The Eastern part of the campus poses several limitations for crop production in terms of high graveliness, low CEC, high aluminium saturation, acidity, high P-fixing capacity, low K reserves, potential influences of Na in the exchange complex, ustic moisture regime and sloppy terrain.ThesisItem Open Access Substitution of potassium by sodium in banana Musa (AAB Group) var. nendran(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Lekshmy, R; KAU; Harikrishnan Nair, KA field experiment was carried out in the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during December 1997 to September 1998 to study the possibility and extent of substitution of K by Na in banana var. Nendran. Substitution of K was tried at four levels viz., 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent of the recommended dose. The important growth characters of the crop viz., height and girth of pseudostem, total number of leaves, total leaf area and leaf area index showed an increasing trend upto 50 per cent substitution of K by Na. The total drymatter production was significantly higher upto 50 per cent substitution. The maximum value for bunch yield was recorded by the treatment T3 (50 per cent KCI + 50 per cent NaCl). The lowest yield was registered by the treatment T6 which received no potassium and sodium. Total and reducing sugars were highest for the treatment T 5 (100 per cent substitution). Non reducing sugars was highest for POP recommendation. Shelf life did not show significant variation among the treatments. Uptake of nitrogen was highest for the treatment T 2. But the P uptake was maximum in the treatment T3. Maximum value for available nitrogen was recorded by the treatment T\. Available P was highest in T3. T\ registered maximum value for available K while T 5 maximum for available Na. Significant positive correlations were obtained between the uptake of nutrients and bunch weight. Quality characters also showed significant correlations between the uptake of nutrients. The highest benefit: cost ratio was recorded by the treatment T 3. From this study it is to be concluded that there is a possibility of substitution of potassium by sodium to a level of 50 per cent in banana var. Nendran without much deleterious effects especially on the yield and quality of the fruits.ThesisItem Open Access Methods to increase the efficiency of rajphos (jamarkhotra rockphosphate) in the black soils of Palakkad district for rice(Department of Soil Science and Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2002) Vyas, N G; KAU; Surendran Nair, CThere has been considerable interest in studying the efficiency of rockphosphate for direct application to the soil in the rice farming situations of Kerala, particularly tapping the iron - to - magnet type of relationship between rockphosphate and acid soils. However no work has been done in the neutral to alkaline soils of Kerala located in the Chittoor Taluk of Palakkad District to utilize the potential of rockphosphate. These soils are inherently poor In phosphorus and the situation 1S furthur complicated by the high P fixation capacity. Problems of fixation of soluble P can be alleviated to some extent by the use of less soluble forms like rockphosphate in conjunction with acid forming amendments like iron pyrites. sulphuric acid and P solubilising micro organisms. A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of direct application of rockphosphate in combination with amendments for rice in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani. There were two experiments, an incubation study to investigate the relative efficacy of various amendments in releasing soluble P from rockphosphate and a pot culture experiment to study the comparative efficiency of rock phosphate with amendments. Incubation experiment shows an Increase In P fractions like saloid-P, occluded-P, reductant-P, Fe-P, AI-P and Ca-P upto 45 days which decreased subsequently with the advancement of time. The values stabilized towards the last observation at around 90 days of incubation which was higher than the initial starting values. Rock phosphate acidulated with sulphuric acid and amended with pyrite at all levels of P addition increased P fractions. Inoculation of phosphobacterin was also effective though the release of P was slightly lower than treatment with chemical amendments. In the pot culture experiment growth and yield character of crop were significantly influenced by treatments receiving rockphosphate amended with direct acidulation and pyrite application at all levels. Rajphos @ 45 kg ha' with 50 per cent acidulation was found to be on par with the treatment receiving Rajphos @ 30 kg ha" with 50 per cent acidulation. Rajphos treated with acid perform equally well as SSP and the results were comparable. The grain and straw yield and uptake of pi ant nutrients were significantly superior for treatment consisting of acidulated rockphosphate. Chemical amendment like iron pyrite and microbial inoculation with phosphobacterin was also found to be efficient but the effect was not significant statistically.ThesisItem Open Access Yield maximization in banana cv. Nendran through systematic approach of fertilizer use in the red loam soils of Vellayani(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2002) Prakashmani, N; KAU; Sumam Susan, VargheeseIn order to achieve maximum yield with minimum fertilizer and to develop an economically viable fertilizer recommendation in banana cv. Nendran, a 'systematic approach' in fertilizer use was experimented in red loam soils of Vellayani, Kerala. The initial nutrient status of soil and the data already generated by Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani (Susan, 2000) on sorption capacity of soil were utilized to formulate the optimum treatment for greenhouse nutrient survey study using sorghum as the indicator crop. The design of the experiment was CRD with fourteen treatments and three replications. The nutrient elements N, K, Ca and Mg were found to be deficient in the soil through this study. The treatments of the field trial were also generated from the results of greenhouse nutrient survey study. The nutrient elements which were found deficient were added in the field trial in different combinations. The treatments composed of four levels of each of fertilizer N (60, 120, 180, 240 g plant"), K20 (80, 160, 240, 320 g plant."), Ca (0, 190, 380, 570 g plant-I) and a single level of Mg (120 g plant-I). These treatments were compared with the control and POP recommendations. The design of the experiment was RBD and there were two replications of thirteen treatments. The treatments T 4 which was the optimum treatment, T 5 with maximum N applied and T 8 with maximum K applied, showed higher values along with POP in growth as well as yield characters of the crop. The marked effects of these treatments than the others indicate the significance of 'systematic approach' studies in banana. The cost of fertilizer nutrients highly influenced the value-cost ratio. The optimum treatment T 4, though gave higher yields, showed lower value- cost ratio due to the high cost of Ca fertilizer lime. Though 'systematic approach of fertilizer use' could be followed satisfactorily, the crop requirement also be taken into consideration in the case of heavy nutrient exhausting crops like banana. The insignificant effect of Ca on growth and yield of banana was also proved through this study.ThesisItem Open Access Assessment of 2, 4 - D residues in the major rice soils of Kerala(Kerala Agricultural University;Thrissur, 2002) Durga Devi, K.M.; KAU; Chinnamma, N.P.