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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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20181
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Subject: Vegetable Science × Author: Aruna, S × End date: 2020 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of varieties and standardization of planting time in onion (Allium cepa L.)
    (Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Aruna, S; KAU; Indira, P
    Onion (Allium cepa L.) belonging to the family Alliaceae is one of the oldest vegetables in world and has been cultivated for more than 5000 years. It is an important and indispensable item in every kitchen as vegetable, spice and condiment. It is used as salad and cooked in various ways. Besides fresh consumption, onion provides a good raw material for processing industry as it can be processed in the form of dehydrated powder, rings, shreds, onion vinegar etc. The present experiment entitled “Evaluation of varieties and standardization of planting time in onion (Allium cepa L.)” was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during November-March, 2017-18. The major objectives of the study were to identify the best variety and planting time in onion for the plains of Kerala, and to study the effect of varieties, planting time and their interaction on the qualitative and quantitative traits of onion. Five onion varieties were evaluated in four different dates of planting with an interval of fifteen days which was commenced from 10 th November to 25th December 2017 in a split plot design with four replications. There were no variations among different dates of planting for qualitative traits such as bulb shape, bulb skin colour, bulb flesh color, etc. Vegetative characters such as plant height and leaf length were maximum in Arka Kalyan (50.47 cm and 46.47 cm respectively), whereas number of leaves was highest in Agrifound Dark Red (8.31). Leaf girth was maximum in Agrifound Light Red (3.35 cm). Among different dates of planting, plant height (51.05 cm) and number of leaves (8.50) were maximum in 10th December planting. Leaf length was highest in 25th November planting (46.60 cm) while leaf girth was maximum in 10th November planting (3.49 cm). Agrifound Dark Red recorded a minimum number of days (64.25) to reach 75% maturity. Among different planting dates, the plants in 10th December planting took minimum days (63.4) to reach 75% maturity. In the interactions between planting dates and varieties, Agrifound Dark Red planted on 10th December took minimum number of days (60) to reach maturity. Plant stand (39.63), neck thickness (4.16 cm) and bulbing percentage (70.76%) were highest in the variety Arka Kalyan. Average bulb weight varied significantly among different dates of planting. Highest average bulb weight was obtained when the planting was done on 25th November (66.2g). Average bulb weight ranged from 18g to 73.5g. There was no significant difference in number of scales among varieties, planting time and their interactions. Total Soluble Solids was highest in the variety, Agrifound Light Red (16.37°B). Among different planting dates, bulbs from 10th December planting recorded the highest TSS (16.92°B). Among the interactions, highest TSS was noted for Agrifound Light Red planted on 10th December (18.32°B). All the varieties were having medium to high pungency except Agrifound White in all the dates of planting. Total yield and marketable yield per plot varied significantly among different dates of planting. Among different dates of planting, marketable yield was highest in 25th November planting (0.96kg/plot). Among the interactions between varieties and planting dates, all the dates of planting except 25th Dec. were found to be statistically on par with respect to marketable yield for the varieties such as Arka Kalyan, Arka Pragati, Agrifound Dark Red and Agrifound Light Red. Planting on 25th Nov. and 10th Dec. were found to be superior and on par with respect to marketable yield in Agrifound White. All the five varieties can be recommended for commercial cultivation as they do not differ with each other with respect to marketable yield. Considering the consumer preferences, we can recommend Arka Kalyan and Agrifound Dark Red as they are having attractive dark red colour. The best time for transplantation was found to be 25th November, which was statistically on par with 10th November and 10th December. As a future line of work, more number of varieties are to be evaluated, nursery and crop management practices need to be standardised, and for conclusive results experiment has to be repeated.