Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

20141
Reset filters
Subject: Soil and Water Engineering × Author: Praveena, K K × Start date: 2010 × Thesis Type: M.Tech. ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Soil erosion studies under simulated rainfall conditions in a lateritic terrain
    (Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2014) Praveena, K K; KAU; Kurien, E K
    Soil erosion IS a complex phenomenon involving the detachment and transport of soil particles, storage and runoff of rainwater and infiltration. Soil erosion depends on several factors such as climate, soil type, topography, cropping and land management practices, the antecedent conditions and the size of the area under consideration. The present study was carried out in the lateritic terrain of KCAET campus, Tavanur, Malappuram District. This study was aimed at developing a rainfall simulator and studying the performance of the developed rainfall simulator, the effect of rainfall on soil loss, the effect of rainfall on runoff and developing a soil erosion model. A rainfall simulator was fabricated to study the erosion processes. Rainbird 12115118 Van Pop up sprinkler heads were used as the drop formers. The simulator evaluated for its performance. The soil was reddish brown and belonged to the textural class of sandy loam. It belonged to the Naduvattom series. The experimental set up consisted of three units viz., the runoff plot, the rainfall simulator and the runoff-sediment collection unit. Twelve runoff plots with twelve different slopes of 1.5, 2.0, 2.6, 3.0, 3.2, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 9.0, 10, 12 and 13 per cent in different locations, each plot with a size of2 x 1.5 m were prepared. The fabricated rainfall simulator could produce rainfall intensities varying from 8.16 to 8.80 ern/h. The uniformity of rainfall varied from 89.01 to 92.70 per cent and the average drop size varied from 1.5 to 2.8 mm. A relationship between supply pressure and intensity of rainfall as well as intensity and uniformity of rainfall was developed. Studies were conducted on soil loss and runoff at different land slopes under simulated rainfall conditions. The soil loss and runoff was found to increase with increase in rainfall intensity and land slopes and there were no much variations on runoff and soil loss at 6 to 10 per cent land slopes. A linear multiple regression analysis and 3D surface plot analysis was used to incorporate slope and rainfall intensities into a single prediction equation of soil loss and runoff using SPSS software and MATLAB package. The linear equations developed by the regression analysis are as follows: Q = 38.9451 - 11.606 S - 126.391 E = 124.356 1 - 0.807 S -951.420 (R2 = 0.649) (R 2 = 0.307) The quadratic equations developed by the 3D surface plot analysis are as follows: Q = 130.8 - 28.72 S + 48.12 1 + 2.11 S2 - 1.544 S 1 E = - 647.4 - 49.261 + 86.94 S - 0.3206 12 +6.296 S I As the variants explained were satisfactory enough to explain the runoff and soil loss, it may be concluded that the causative factors namely slope and intensity are bearing directive impact on soil erosion. A canonical analysis was worked out to determine the effect on runoff and soil loss by the vector of parameters u ing slope and intensity. Canonical R was computed and the same was 0.82034 and it is significant at 1 per cent level. Hence it may be concluded that the vector of process 'including slope and intensity as parameters together navigates the ultimate impact namely runoff and soil loss.