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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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20201
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Subject: Vegetable Science × Author: Alphy, Mathew × Author: KAU × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Breeding for yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) resistance in OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)
    (Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Alphy, Mathew; KAU; Pradeepkumar, T
    Okra is one of the most important vegetable crops grown in India for its tender green fruits. The cultivation of okra is constrained by various pests and diseases. Among the diseases, Yellow Vein Mosaic Disease (YVMD) is the most dreadful disease which affects both the quality of fruit and yield adversely. It is a viral disease caused by Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV) and is transmitted by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci). The only practical solution to this problem is development of resistant or tolerant varieties. The resistant varieties released in the past became susceptible due to the development of new strains of virus or due to the recombination in the virus strain. In this background, the present study entitled “Breeding for Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV) resistance in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]” was undertaken with the objective of evaluating and identifying resistant varieties/lines of okra against YVMV for augmenting effective resistant breeding programme in okra. The present study was carried out at Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period of 2018-2020. The experimental material consisted of 34 genotypes of okra which were sown in randomized block design with two replications. Out of 34 genotypes, 30 were collected from NBPGR Regional station, Akola. Remaining genotypes included Arka Anamika and KAU varieties namely Aruna, Salkeerthi and Susthira. The genotypes were evaluated for their qualitative and quantitative characters and described based on the NBPGR Minimal Descriptor for Characterization and Evaluation of Agri-Horticultural Crops (2000). All the 34 genotypes were evaluated under natural conditions for the selection of resistant/tolerant ones. The disease reaction of genotypes to Yellow Vein Mosaic Disease (YVMD) were evaluated based on the parameters viz., percent disease incidence, percent disease severity and coefficient of infection. Based on the values of coefficient of infection, the genotypes were classified as resistant, susceptible and highly susceptible. The results revealed the presence of highly resistant to highly susceptible genotypes in the present study. Six genotypes (EC 305645, EC 305651, EC 305674, IC 13995, IC 14845 and Arka Anamika) were grouped as highly susceptible, 27 genotypes as susceptible and Susthira as highly resistant. Among the genotypes evaluated, Susthira showed resistance to YVMD at all stages of crop growth under field conditions. Resistance of Susthira was further confirmed under protected conditions using vector transmission method. Hence, Susthira can be used as a source of resistance for developing YVMD resistant/tolerant varieties. The extent of variability present in the germplasm were studied using the parameters viz., phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), heritability and genetic advance. High heritability and genetic advance were observed for the characters viz., plant height, internodal length, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit, crop duration, number of ridges per fruit, 100 seed weight, average fruit weight, number of harvest, days to first symptom appearance, yield per plant and coefficient of infection of YVMD at 80 and 90 days after sowing. The results of correlation and path coefficient analysis revealed that the characters viz., plant height, average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, crop duration and number of harvest had positive correlation and positive direct effect on yield. Hence, direct selection using these traits would enhance yield. Organoleptic evaluation of all the 34 genotypes were also done. The results revealed the superiority of genotypes IC 15027, IC 15540 and EC 305647 with respect to sensory qualities. The selection of superior genotypes were done based on the characters viz., number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit length, yield per plant and overall acceptability of organoleptic evaluation. The genotypes viz., IC 15027, IC 15540, EC 305647, EC 305650 and EC 305642 were found superior for these characters even though they were susceptible to the disease. Hence, these genotypes can be crossed with Susthira for developing high yielding YVMD resistant varieties.