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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 Sciences × Author: Jeena Mathew, KAU × End date: 2011 × Start date: 2000 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Feasibility of phosphogypsum as an ameliorant for soil acidity in laterite soil
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Jeena Mathew, KAU; Manorama Thampatti K C, K C
    An investigation was carried out at College of Agriculture. Vellayani, to study the feasibility of using phosphogypsum as an ameliorant for correcting soil acidity in laterite soil with cowpea as the test crop. The experiment comprises of an incubation study and a micro plot field experiment. The incubat{on study was carried out to understand the kinetics of dissolution of phosphogypsum and the nutrient release pattern in laterite soils after its application with the following seven treatments T I (absolute control) T2 (Lime @ full LR), T3 (PG @ full LR) T4 (Lime @ half LR), r, (PG @ half LR) T6 (Lime and PG each @ half LR) T7 (Lime as per POP). The study was conducted for a period of 60 days and the chemical parameters were analysed at an interval of 12 days as per standard procedures. The results revealed the enhanced solubility of phosphogypsum which was evident from the higher EC values in the treatments with phosphogypsum through out the study period. Most of the plant available nutrients were solubilised by the 24 th day of incubation. A reduction in exchangeable acidity was noticed by the application of phosphogypsum after a peri,od of 24 days, which is mainly due to reduction in exchangeable aluminium. But this was not efficient as lime in decreasing the exchangeable H+ and hence the pH, remained unaltered. The micro plot field experiment was laid in RBD with a main crop and a residue crop of cowpea var. Kanakamoni. The treatments include TI (POP), T2 (Lime @ full LR), T 3 (PG @ full LR), T 4 (Lime @ half LR), T s (PG @ half LR), T 6 (Lime and PG each @ half LR), T 7 (Lime and PG each @ 14 LR) and T 8 (absolute control). Fertilizers and amendments were applied on the basis of soil test data except in T I where, they were applied on the basis of POP of Kerala Agricultural University. In the residue crop, the amendments were not added and was taken immediately after the main crop. The available nutrients in soil like, P, Ca and S were increased by the application of phosphogypsum. However, considerable leaching was noticed in the case of Mg and K. The growth characteristics of cowpea were improved by the application of phosphogypsum. The highest grain yield was recorded with phosphogypsum applied at full LR and was on par with the combination treatment which received the amendments at one fourth LR. But considering the cost factor treatment with phosphogypsum at full LR is the best. Its B: C ratio was also the highest among other treatments. The yield attributes were also improved by the treatment with phosphogypsum at full LR. The concentration and uptake of N, P, K, Ca, and S in bhusa were favourably influenced by the application of phosphogypsum either at full LR or at halfLR. The residual effect of phosphogypsum was visualized in the crop, taken after the main crop. The application of phosphogypsum increased the organic carbon content, P, and S. The leaching of calcium, Mg and K beyond the root zone was much pronounced in the residue crop. The yield attributes of cowpea were also positively related with phosphogypsum treatment. But by the time of residue crop, the bhusa yield was more for lime treated plots'. The concentration of N, Ca and Mg were more in lime treated plots, but the uptake of nutrients was more for treatment with phosphogypsum. This also emphasizes the mobility and downward leaching property of phosphogypsum. The micronutrient content and uptake were also influenced by the application of phosphogypsum. Phosphogypsum is hence highly beneficial in increasing the yield and yield attributes of cowpea, by mitigating the adverse effects of soil acidity, such as aluminium toxicity, which in effect is the major reason for acidity in laterite soils. Further, utilization of an industrial by product, which otherwise remain unutilized is also facilitated.