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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: Tree Improvement and Genetic Resource × Author: Shiran, Kalappurakkal × End date: 2012 × Start date: 2011 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Enhancement of storage life of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L) seeds through encapsulation and germination inhibition
    (Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2012) Shiran, Kalappurakkal; KAU; Santhoshkumar, A V
    Studies on enhancement of storage life of cocoa (Theobroma cocoa L.) seeds through encapsulation and germination inhibition were carried out at the Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding , College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, during 2010-12. 100-120 days old cocoa pods of, collected from polyclonal cocoa garden of Kerala Agricultural University were utilized for the standardization of microencapsulation techniques. To enhance longevity, germination inhibitor, osmoticum and desiccation were used and longevity of embryonic axes and synthetic seeds were observed. Cotyledon attachment on embryonic axis influenced the germination of embryo. The absence of cotyledon had checked the shoot regeneration of embryonic axes. Embryonic axes with ¼ cotyledon had good root and shoot regeneration with higher germination percentage. The storage medium influenced the longevity of embryonic axes. Higher longevity and viability was observed in ½ MS media while least longevity was observed in dry cotton. The presence of 10-3M coumarin in the basal media ( ½ MS) retarded the root growth of embryonic axes. ABA added to media in 10-4M concentration had increased the longevity of embryonic axes up to 56 days. Cycocel did not have influence on longevity of embryo. No combination effect by the germination inhibitor was seen in the experiment. Osmotic concentrations had positive influence on enhancing longevity of embryonic axes. Media with 250 mM sorbitol enhanced the longevity of embryonic axes to 65 days. Mannitol added media had crystallization during the storage which resulted in low longevity. Sodium chloride in higher concentration had checked the growth of embryonic axes and had shorter longevity. The encapsulation of embryonic axes had increased the longevity of seeds to 40 days while embryonic axes had longevity of 29 days. Maximum longevity of 70 days was observed in synthetic seeds stored in 250 mM sorbitol added media. Longevity was found less than 10 days in dry cotton due to absence of moisture content. The incorporation of MS media in the encapsulation, reduced the longevity of synthetic seeds. In addition, MS media and inhibitor combination in the encapsulation did not have influence on longevity. The MS media reduced the activity of inhibitor action. The 10-3M ABA, 250 mM sobritol and 500 mM sobritol in the encapsulation enhanced longevity to 65 days. Desiccation had a little effect on longevity and it had a negative correlation between RH level and longevity. Longevity had a positive correlation with duration of desiccation. The maximum longevity was possible by storing synthetic seeds in 250 mM sorbitol added media for 55 days and transferring to wet cotton for germination. It had a longevity of 89 days with 80 percent germination. The results of present study indicated that it is possible to store recalcitrant seeds by encapsulation and altering surrounding condition of embryo. The storage potential can be increased up to 3 months by the encapsulation and osmotic environment.