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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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20151
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Subject: Tree Improvement and Genetic Resource × End date: 2017 × Start date: 2000 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Modeling carbon dynamics in teak plantations of Kerala
    (Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of forestry, Vellanikkara, 2015) Manjunatha, M; KAU; Santhoshkumar, A V
    The study on “Modeling carbon dynamics in teak (Tectona grandis Linn. F) plantations of Kerala” was carried out in teak plantations of Kerala Forest Department during 2011-2015. The study attempted to estimate the carbon stocks in teak plantations and model the soil carbon using ‘Century’ soil carbon modelling tool. The modelling tool was used to analyze the soil carbon under different scenarios. The study also developed of a system dynamic model for carbon prediction for teak plantations. Teak plantations were divided into five strata based on age (0-5, 6-10, 11-20, 21-30 and >30 years). Thirty samples were selected at random for each stratum. Quadrants of 50 m x 50 m size were established in each sample for vegetation analysis. Fifty samples among the 150 samples so selected were used for the validation of the developed model. Ten plantations each from each age class (50 samples) were selected at random for soil studies. Pits of 1m x 1m x 1 m were dug in each sample plot and soils were collected at 0-20, 20-40, 40-60 and 60-100 cm depths. The total litter was collected from each plot at an interval of three months to estimate diurnal litter fall. Soil C, N, S was estimated along with the N, P, K and lignin of litter. Biomass of the study site was estimated using allometric equations. Secondary data on weather parameters were collected from appropriate sources. Significant differences were not observed among the different age classes and soil depths in case of sand and silt content of soil. However, clay content varied between the different age classes and soil depths. Although water holding capacity did not vary among the plantations of different age class in the surface layer (0-20 cm), it varied among the age classes at 20-40 cm. The bulk density did not differ between age classes, while it was higher in deeper layer of the soil (1.1 to 1.36 g/cm3). Soil pH was moderately acidic (5.1 to 6.0). The soil N varied from 0.07 to 0.34 % in plantations, while the values ranged from 0.43 to 1.23 % in natural forests. Nitrogen content was highest in the surface and decreased with the depth in both teak plantation and natural forest. The mean values of available P in the teak plantations and natural forest varied from 1.0 to 4.81 g/kg and 3.16 to 4.82 g/kg respectively. Significant differences in soil C was noticed between plantation and natural forest. While the soil C did not vary between various age classes, it was higher in surface layers compared to deeper layers. Simulation by CENTURY model in teak plantation indicated decline in total SOC up to 50 per cent by 30th year from the initial value of 6168 g C m-2. There after SOC pool declined at a slower rate till 45 years and reached 2702 g C m-2 by 80 years. There was rapid decrease in active carbon pool in teak plantations from 6.25 g C m-2 to 2.88 g C m-2 initially (up to 3rd year) and slow increase to 10.17 g C m-2 by 9th year. By the end of 80th year, the active pool almost doubled to 12 g C m-2. Slow carbon pool in teak plantations reduced from 3700 g C m-2 to 1224 g C m-2 by 22 years and reached 920 g C m-2 at an age of 80 years. Passive carbon pools in teak plantations more or less remained stable (2150.84 to 1912 g C m-2). Analysis indicated that the model was able to predict the values with high efficiency (0.922) and accuracy (R² = 0.9156) Fire reduced total SOC in teak plantation. The study found a 20 per cent decline in the total SOC by the 22nd year of plantation establishment. The SOC reached at 2343 g C m-2 at the age of 30 year of teak plantation compared to 2702 g C m-2 in a normal plantation. Teak plantation converted to natural forest resulted in an increase of SOC pools by 163 g C m-2 compared to that of the teak plantation. Conversion of teak plantation to agroforestry system resulted in marginal decline of 156 g C m-2 in SOC by 30 years. The SOC in teak plantation converted to ginger cultivation declined by 39 per cent at 30 years after ginger cultivation. Conversion of teak plantation to agriculture (pulses and tuber) resulted in significant reduction all the carbon pools. The SOC declined to 43 per cent at 30 years. A system dynamic model of soil carbon dynamics was developed using STELLA software. It was observed that the model was able to predict the total SOC with high precision (ME=0.69). The present study indicated that modelling is suitable for studying C dynamics in soils under teak plantations. Present results highlight the potential of using these tools for reliable evaluation the carbon sequestration potential of management interventions at plantation as well as landscape level.