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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Modelling of carbofuran movement and sorption in soils with varying physico-chemical properties
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Moossa, P P; KAU; Rajendran, P
    An experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 1992 – 93 for modelling carbofuran movement and sorption in soils with varying physic – chemical properties. Undisturbed vertical and horizontal soil columns were used for the study. Five major locations of the state cropped to banana were selected for the study viz. Malappuram (Ultisol), Chengannur (Inceptisol), Kayamkulam (Entisol), Nedumangad (Mollisol) and Kuttanad (Entisol). The soils exhibited wide variation in the major physico – chemical properties such as texture, water holding capacity, bluk density, particle density, hydraulic conductivity, CEC, AEC and organic matter. The mineralogy of the clay samples had revealed the occurrence of Kaolinite, quartz and smetite as major minerals in these soils. Distribution of carbofuran in the vertical soil columns showed high concentration of carbofuran at lower depths in the first observation for the Inceptisol of Chengannur and the Entisol of Kayamkulam. While in the 6th observation, the Ultisol of Malappuram, Entisol of Kuttanad and the Mollisol of Nedumangad showed higher concentrations in the lower layers due to higher adsorption. Horizontal distribution of carbofuran was very low though significant differences were observed between soils. Maximum horizontal distribution was observed in the Entisol of Kuttanad and the least for the Entisol of Kayamkulam. Regression equation of soil properties on carbofuran content indicated significant influence for organic matter and clay content. Path coefficient analysis of soil properties revealed significant direct positive effect for organic matter and significant direct negative effect for clay content. Indirect negative effects expressed through pH, clay content, Bulk density and AEC with respect to organic matter was not strong enough to counteract the direct positive effect. Similarly the indirect positive effect contributed by clay through organic matter, CEC and sesquioxide was also not sufficient to overcome the direct negative effect. Concentration of carbofuran in the leachate showed highest values for the Inceptisol of Chengannur followed by the Entisol of Kayamkulam, both having low CEC, organic matter and clay content. The Ultisol of Malappuram with high organic matter, CEC and clay had given the lowest value for carbofuran in the leachate. Persistence of carbofuran of was maximum in the Mollisol of Nedumangad with high organic matter, clay content and CEC. Persistence was poor in the Inceptisol of Chengannur and the Entisol of Kayamkulam which are low in organic matter, clay content and CEC. Persistence was poor in the Inceptisol of Chengannur and the entisol of Kayamkulam which are low in organic matter, clay content and CEC. The only transformation product identified was 3 – keto carbofuran observed in the surface soil of Ultisol of Malappuram and Mollisol of Nedumanged in the last observation made at 80 days after application.