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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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ThesisItem Open 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, POnion (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.ThesisItem Open Access Generation mean analysis in yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcourt) for yield and quality(Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2018) Merin Elza, George; KAU; Sarada, SThe project entitled “Generation mean analysis in yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcourt) for yield and quality” was carried out at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2017-2018, to study the inheritance and gene action of yield and quality in yard long bean using generation mean analysis. The six generations (P1 , P2 , F1 , F2 , BC1 and BC2 ) of two superior crosses of yard long bean with high yield and quality characters viz. Cross 1 - VS 50 x VS 34 (Kakkamoola Local x Githika) and Cross 2 - VS 50 x VS 26 (Kakkamoola Local x Vellayani Jyothika) were used for the study. The experiment was carried out in three parts. In part I, two superior crosses of yard long bean with high yield and quality characters, selected based on specific combining ability and per se performance from the previous M.Sc. (Hort.) programme, were used. The seeds of the two hybrids were produced in a crossing block. In part II, the two F1 hybrids were selfed to produce F2 progenies. Simultaneously, the F 1 hybrids were backcrossed with the female parent to produce BC1 generation and the male parent to produce BC 2 generation. In part III, the six generations (P1 , P2 , F1 , F2 , BC1 and BC2 ) of the two hybrids were evaluated in a replicated field experiment using generation mean analysis. The six generations of the two crosses were evaluated for vegetative and flowering characters, yield and yield attributes and quality characters. Significa nt difference was observed among the generations for most of the traits studied. Earliest flowering was observed in F1 in both the crosses (50.00 days and 49.50 days in cross 1 and 2 respectively). Pod length and pod girth was maximum for P1 (65.99 cm and 3.11 cm respectively) in cross 1 and F 1 (68.56 cm and 3.57 cm respectively) in cross 2. The highest pod weight was recorded by BC1 (47.22 g) and F2 (50.89 g) in cross 1 and 2 respectively. Maximum number of pods plant-1 was recorded in F1 (84.00) in cross 1 and BC2 (74.67) in cross 2. Highest number of seeds pod-1 was observed in F1 (22.33) in cross 1 and BC 1 (20.33) in cross 2. Hundred seed weight was maximum for F1 in both the crosses (17.05 g and 21.83 g in cross 1 and 2 respectively). The highest yield was recorded by F1 in both the crosses (1210.51 g plant-1 and 1116.83 g plant-1 in cross 1 and 2 respectively). Among quality characters, highest pod protein content was recorded by BC 1 in both the crosses (6.23 % and 6.27 % in cross 1 and 2 respectively) and keeping quality by BC 2 in both the crosses (14.16 % weight loss and 16.88 % weight loss in cross 1 and 2 respectively). Predominance of dominance gene action was observed for most of the characters in cross 1 (VS 50 x VS 34) viz., vine length at final harvest, primary branches plant-1 , terminal and lateral leaf length, lateral leaf width, days to first flowering, pod length, pod weight, pods plant-1 , yield, days to harvest, crop duration, pod protein and keeping quality. Terminal leaf width and pod girth were controlled by additive gene action whereas seeds pod-1 and hundred seed weight by dominance x dominance interaction. In cross 2 (VS 50 x VS 26), characters such as terminal and lateral leaf length and width, pod length, pod girth, pod weight, hundred seed weight and yield were governed by dominance x dominance, vine length at final harvest, days to first flowering, pods plant-1 , seeds pod-1 , days to harvest, crop duration, pod protein and keeping quality by dominance and primary branches plant-1 by additive gene actions. Incidence of spotted pod borer, aphids, leaf eating caterpillar, pod bug were observed during the cropping period. Cowpea Aphid Borne Mosaic Virus (CABMV), fusarium wilt, collar rot and web blight, cercospora leaf spot and rust were the diseases observed. Predominance of dominance gene action pointed out the suitability of resorting to heterosis breeding for the improvement of the trait. Presence of dominance x dominance interaction suggested the use of hybridization followed by selection as the appropriate breeding method. Simple selection procedure would be more rewarding for improving the characters governed by additive type of gene effects. Duplicate type of epistasis was observed for most of the traits studied, as shown by the opposite signs of dominance (h) effect and dominance x dominance (l) type of interaction.ThesisItem Open Access Performance analysis of vegetable soybean (Glycine max L.) in humid tropics(Department of Vegetable Science,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Shilpashree, N; KAU; Nirmala Devi, SAn experiment was carried out in research field of Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during October to December 2017 to study the performance of vegetable soybean (Glycine max L.). The main objective was to evaluate the performance of vegetable soybean accessions for yield and quality in the humid tropics of Kerala. Twenty eight accessions were grown in randomized block design with three replications. The accessions were catalogued based on the NBPGR descriptor for soybean. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences for characters like plant height, days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest, days to vegetable maturity, pod length, pod width, pod yield per plant, number of pods per plant, pod weight, number of harvests, starch, carbohydrate, protein, crude fibre, vitamin C, iron, calcium, phosphorous and polyphenol content except number of seeds per pod and number of root nodules per plant. The accession GM-26 was found to be the highest yielder of pods (91.80 g/plant) with a mean of 45.43 pods per plants. The accession GM-27 had highest plant height (83.03 cm). GM-12 recorded early flowering (27 days) to flowering and early harvest (35days). Highest pod length was observed in GM-25 and lowest pod length and width was observed in GM-21. The quality parameters like protein and crude fibre content were recorded highest in GM-12 and GM-14 respectively. High genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation were observed for plant height, number of pods per plant, pod weight, pod yield per plant and calcium content. High heritability coupled with genetic gain was observed for all the morphological and quality parameters. Pod yield per plant was significantly and positively correlated with number of pods per plant, number of harvests, vitamin C and calcium content. Since, these associated traits are in the desirable direction, it indicated that simultaneous selection for these traits would be useful in improving the vegetable pod yield. Days to 50% flowering (0.0387), days to first harvest (0.1874), pod length (0.10380), number of pods per plant (1.1017) and pod weight (0.4408) have shown positive direct effects on pod yield per plant while, plant height (-0.115), days to vegetable maturity (-0.0144) and pod width (-0.2330) have shown negative direct effects on pod yield per plant. Twenty eight genotypes were grouped into eight clusters from estimated D2 values. Cluster II was the largest cluster having 8 genotypes followed by Cluster V and Cluster I with 4 genotypes, Cluster III and IV had 3 genotypes and Cluster VI, cluster VII and cluster VIII had two genotypes each. Based on distance between clusters i.e. inter-cluster distance, the maximum distance was observed between clusters VIII and I (D2 = 51828.79) followed by clusters VI and I (48046.45), clusters VIII and VII (45389.69), clusters VII and VI (38638.46) and clusters II and I (38391.70). The lowest inter cluster distance was observed between cluster VIII and II (7406.18) followed by cluster VI and II (8460.01). The values obtained for the vegetable soybean, GM-13 which recorded highest rank in sensory evaluation also recorded carbohydrate (8.46 g), protein (11.43 g), crude fibre (2.55 g), iron (5.71 mg), calcium (13.50 mg) and phosphorous (613.66 mg) content. Present study shows that based on yield and sensory evaluation, GM-12 is the promising genotype and it is the earliest genotype with respect to days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest and days to vegetable maturity.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic divergence studies in cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L) Taub.)(Department of Vegetable Science,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Ramzeena, A; KAU; Anitha, PCluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L) Taub.) is a hardy drought tolerant crop in warm tropical and subtropical regions. In southern parts of India, the pods which are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and calcium are consumed as a vegetable. The guar gum extracted from the seeds of cluster bean is used in paper, textiles and pharmaceutical industries. Genetic divergence studies help to determine the degree of variability present in a germplasm and to identify suitable genotypes for crop improvement. Eventhough wide variability is present in cluster bean, limited work has been done to exploit genetic resources to identify genotypes for vegetable purpose. In this context, the present study was undertaken with the objectives of determining the variability and correlation between yield and yield components in cluster bean. Thirty accessions of cluster bean were collected from NBPGR, Jodhpur and evaluated for different morphological and quality characters. The experiment was conducted in the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during August – October 2017. Thirty accessions were catalogued based on NBPGR crop descriptor. The accessions exhibited branching and non- branching growth habits. Except four accessions, all others were branching types. The non-branching types were CT-9, CT- 15, CT-17 and CT-27. All accessions were having light purple flower except CT-8 which had white flower. Pods were dark green to light green in colour, without pubescence and glabrous. Seed colour varied from light pink and light grey to dark grey. Significant differences were observed among thirty accessions of cluster bean for all the characters studied. Genetic parameters like GCV, PCV, heritability, genetic advance and genetic gain were estimated to study extent of variability. The effectiveness of selection depends up on the magnitude of heritability of the trait. Characters like plant height, number of branches, number of pod clusters/plant, number of pods/cluster, number of pods/plant, pod length, pod girth, pod weight and pod yield/plant exhibited high GCV, PCV and heritability, indicating that these traits can be improved through selection. Pod yield/plant was positively correlated with number of branches, number of pod clusters/plant, number of pods/plant, days to first harvest, pod weight, number of harvests, iron, calcium, total carbohydrates, crude fibre and vitamin C. Path coefficient analysis of yield and component characters revealed that number of pods/plant had maximum direct positive effect on pod yield followed by days to first fruit set, pod weight, plant height, number of harvests, number of branches, crude fibre and total carbohydrates. Hence, direct selection of accessions based on these traits would be useful for improving pod yield/plant. The genotypes CT-16, CT-18, CT-20 and CT-21 were found promising. In the present study, CT-20, CT-3, CT-6, CT-10 & CT-12 were found having better sensory qualities. Mahalanobis D2 analysis grouped the thirty accessions to VIII clusters. Cluster IV had maximum number of accessions, (8) followed by cluster I (7) accessions. There were three accessions in Cluster II, V and VI. Cluster III, VII and VIII had two accessions each. Inter cluster distance was maximum between III and II. Hence, parents can be selected from cluster II and Cluster III for production of hybrids.ThesisItem Open Access Enhancing fruit set and yield of tomato (solanum lycopersicum L.) in polyhouse using artificial pollination and growth regulators(Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture , Vellayani, 2018) Gayathri, G; KAU; Rafeekher, MThe present investigation entitled “Enhancing fruit set and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in poly house using artificial pollination and growth regulators” was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2017-2018. The objective of the study was to enhance the fruit set and yield of tomato under poly house through artificial pollination and application of plant growth regulators. The tomato variety “Akshaya” was raised in polyhouse and subjected to three artificial pollination methods, seven growth regulator treatments and their combinations along with control. The artificial pollination methods were A0 (Control), A1 (Shaking), A2 (Air Blowing), A3 (Vibratory Pollination) and growth regulator treatments were G0 (control), G1 (PCPA 10 mgL-1), G2 (PCPA 20 mgL-1 ), G3 (PCPA 30 mgL-1), G4 (GA3 20 mgL-1), G5 (PCPA 10 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1), G6 (PCPA 20 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1) and G7 (PCPA 30 mgL-1 +GA3 20 mgL-1). Artificial pollination methods were executed daily during morning hours and plant growth regulators were sprayed on to the flower trusses at fortnightly intervals during the entire flowering period. The artificial pollination methods and its interaction with growth regulators did not significantly influence vegetative characters like plant height, height at flowering, primary branches plant-1, leaf length and leaf width. Combination of Gibberellic acid (GA3) and Parachlorophenoxy acetic acid (PCPA) improved vegetative growth of plant by increasing plant height, leaf length and leaf width against control and application of individual growth regulators. Application of PCPA 30 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 resulted in maximum plant height (324.90 cm) which was on par with combination of PCPA 20 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1. Application of PCPA 30 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 produced longer (37.85 cm) and wider (23.65 cm) leaves. Vibratory pollination significantly improved fruit set (67.35 %) compared to other methods and control. Shaking or blowing air on flower trusses could not improve fruit set significantly. Application of growth regulators did not influence days to first flowering, days to fruit set and flowers cluster-1 but significantly improved inflorescence plant-1, fruit set and pollen viability and reduced number of flowers with exserted stigma. Highest fruit set (66.34 %) and pollen viability (64.20 %) was obtained by application of PCPA 30 mgL-1 which was on par with PCPA (10 mgL-1 and 20 mgL-1) in combination with GA3 20 mgL-1. Maximum inflorescence plant-1(17.27) was obtained for PCPA 30 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 which was on par with PCPA 20 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 (15.57) and GA3 20 mgL-1 (15.17). PCPA 20 mgL-1+ GA3 20 mgL-1 significantly reduced flowers with exserted stigma (25.72 %). PCPA 30 mgL-1, GA3 20 mgL-1 and PCPA 10 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 also were on par. Pollination with vibrator significantly improved fruits cluster-1 (6.60), fruits plant-1 (45.69) , fruit length (6.63 cm), fruit girth (15.02 cm), yield plant-1(1311.75 g) and yield plot-1 (2.90 kg m-2 ) and number of seeds fruit-1 (131.94) compared to other methods and control. Shaking and air blowing did not significantly influence any of the fruit characters. PCPA 30 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 produced maximum fruits plant-1 (45.45) , fruit length (6.90 cm), fruit girth (15.65 cm), yield plant-1 (1487.50 g) and yield plot-1 ( 3.47 kg m-2). PCPA 20 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 was also equally effective for all these characters. All growth regulator treatments except PCPA 10 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 were equally effective in improving fruit weight. However, all growth regulator treatments except GA3 20 mgL-1 lowered the number of seeds fruit-1. Growth regulator application did not influence fruits cluster-1 and thousand seed weight. Fruit quality parameters like total soluble solids, titrable acidity, vitamin C and lycopene were not significantly influenced by any of the treatments and their interactions. Application of growth regulators PCPA 30 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 and PCPA 30 mgL-1 induced more abnormalities in fruits. The results indicated that application of PCPA 20 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 on flower clusters at fortnightly intervals during the flowering period not only enhanced inflorescence plant-1, pollen viability, fruit set, fruit size and yield of tomato but also reduced the number of flowers with exserted stigma and number of seeds fruit-1 while vibratory pollination improved fruit set, fruit size, yield and number of seeds fruit-1, which can be used selectively for improving fruit production and seed production of tomato under poly houses in Kerala.