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.

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8

Open Access
Status, distribution and habitat preferences of small carnivores in Eravikulam national park, Kerala
(Department of Wildlife Sciences, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara,Thrissur, 2015) Nikhil, S; KAU; Nameer, P O
A study was conducted to understand the diversity, status, distribution and habitat preferences of small carnivores in Eravikulam National Park (ENP). The study was conducted from September 2014 to March 2015. This was the first ever study on the small carnivores in ENP.The small carnivores were studied using the camera traps. This was supplemented through the study of the indirect evidences of the small carnivores, using line transect methods. A total of 855 camera trap days, having 20,520 hrs and 65km of transect walk was done at ENP. The vegetation of the study site was studied by taking 77, 10x10m quadrants, covering an area of 7700m2. A total eight species of small carnivores were recorded from ENP. This accounted for 50% of small carnivores of W. Ghats and 19% of India. Small cats of the family dominated the small carnivores at ENP, accounting for 50% of the total small carnivores. The small cats at ENP were the Jungle Cat Felis chaus (27.7%) and Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis (22.2%). The other small carnivores found at the ENP were Stripe-necked Mongoose Herpestes vitticollis (22.2%), Asian small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinerea (11.1%), Nilgiri Marten Martes gwatkinsii (0.05%), Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphrodites (0.05%) and Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica (0.05%). A total of 153 incidence of indirect evidences of small carnivores were recorded from 65 km transect walk. Abundance of small carnivores (scats/kilometer), with the small cats (1.04) having the maximum abundance followed by civets (0.80), mongoose (0.26), otters (0.17) and Nilgiri Marten (0.04) at the ENP. There was no significant difference in the habitat preference by the small carnivores. They were using both the shola forests as well as grasslands. Therewas no significant difference in the habitat preferences across the seasons under study too. The prominent vegetation at the ENP was Ficusdrupacea, Syzygium arnottianum, Pithecellobium subcoriaceum, Microtropis ramiflora, Gomphandra coriacea. Though no relationship could be made between the vegetation type and the small carnivore distribution, most of the study locations were dominated by Ficus drupacea and Syzigium arnottianum. The most widely distributed small carnivore at ENP was the civets and the greater presence of the fruit trees across the ENP could be the reason for the wider distribution of the viverrids, which has a diet preference towards fruits. Out of the eight species of small carnivores of ENP two are Vulnerable, according to IUCN RedList. However, no conservation threats could be observed on the small carnivores of ENP, and ENP would be acting as an important adobe for the survival of the small carnivores of Western Ghats.
Open Access
Status and habitat preferences of White-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis ) population of Wayand wildlife sanctuary, Kerala
(Department of Wildlife Sciences, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2018) Vishnu, M; KAU; Nameer, P O
The research work entitled "Status and habitat preferences of White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) population of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala" was studied during August 2017 to April 2018. It was carried out in four study locations viz., Kurichiat, Muthanga, Sulthan Bathery and Tholpetty. The main objective of the study was to find out the status, nesting characteristics, feeding observations and interview of various stakeholders. Three species of vultures included in the family Accipitridae were reported from the current study in Wayanad WLS viz., Gyps bengalens is, Gyps indicus, and Sarcogyps calvus. Total of 4 active nesting trees were identified from two different colonies this year. All the 4 nest were present in Haldina cardifolia. Out of the 4 nests, 3 nests belongs to Gyps bengalensis located in Kazukankolli and 1 nest belongs to Sarcogyps calvus which was the 1st report of nesting of this species in the sanctuary located in Karamukku, Kurichiyad. Apart from this, 9 nests of the previous years on 6 different tree species were also studied. Other nesting tree species were Terminalia elliptica, Lagerstroemea microcarpa, Dalbergia latifolia, Stereospermum chelenoides and Tectona grandis. Thirty species of trees were identified belonging to 17 different families from the 44 circular plots surveyed in the nesting colony of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Most of the nesting are having height between 25 m - 35 m and girth more than 300 em. Mostly height of the nests are in between 23 m - 26 m of the nesting trees. IVI of the nesting trees are comparatively higher than the other tree species got from the plots. The vegetation parameters that influence the nesting habitat of vultures are the girth of the tree, height of the tree and the tree species diversity in the area. The camera trapping has been found to be a useful technique for the population estimation of the vultures at the vulture restaurants in Wayanad. The camera trap success rate of vultures observed in Kakkappadam is 34.09%. The high success rate is because it is a dumping ground of carcass. Carcass monitored was of Elephant, Sambar Deer and Spotted deer. The most preferred feeding hours by the vultures were 7-8 hours and 12-13. hours.From the survey conducted among the veterinarians and the medical shops it was found that the harmful NSAID's such as Ketoprofen are being used to treat livestock, which could be a problem for the long-term conservation of the vultures. The use of the veterinary diclofenac was nil at Wayanad District. However, some of the medical practitioners were found using the human diclofenac for treating livestock.
Open Access
Utilisation of the waterholes by wild animals in Wayanad wildlife sanctuary
(Department of Wildlife Sciences, College of Forestry, Vellanikara, 2019) Sachinkrishna, M V; KAU; Nameer, P O
Utilisation of natural and artificial waterholes in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) was analysed in this research work. Vayals are the natural swampy areas while the waterholes are the artificial ponds made by the forest department. The study was done with two objectives such as mapping ofthe vayals and the artificial waterholes in the WWS and the usage of these structures by wild animals. We used GIS tools for mapping ofthe vayals as well as artificial waterholes in WWS. The animal visitation was studied using the camera traps installed in the selected vayals and artificial waterholes across the four ranges of WWS from September 2018 to May 2019. The observations were made in dry season and wet season. The geo-coordinated maps of 171 vayals and 168 artificial waterholes in Wayanad WWS were prepared. It is interesting to note that most of the artificial waterholes were made within the vayals. A total of 21 species of wild animals were found to be using the water sources in WWS. The animal visits to vayals/natural waterholes were greater than that of the artificial waterholes. However, the animal activity in these water sources in the dry season was greater than that of wet season. The herbivores preferred vayals more than waterholes, but the frequency of visit of other animals such as carnivores, primates, etc. were found to be more in waterholes. The most abundant animal in Wayanad wildlife Sanctuary was Spotted Deer and its frequency of visit was higher in vayals than artificial waterholes. The frequency of animal visit at waterholes made inside the vayal is found to be higher than that of waterholes dug outside the vayal. The temporal activity pattern of water source usage was also studied. Most ofthe vayals and waterholes were used mainly during morning and evening hours. The direct usage of artificial waterholes for drinking water was rarely observed. Most of the visits made by herbivores to the waterholes were for grazing around the waterbody. The randomness of usage of water sources were also studied using Run test. Asian Elephant, Barking Deer,Gaur, and Wild Boar show a non-random usage of natural waterholes in the wet season. In artificial waterholes, elephant shows a non-random usage in wet season and the Spotted Deer and Sambar Deer shows non-random usage in dry season. The design of waterhole is also found to be affecting the animal activity. The side walls of many waterholes were made steep in such a way that it cannot be accessible by small animals like Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, etc. The quality of water is another factor that influences the usage. Many waterholes were not capable of holding water in the extreme dry months. The vayals kept moist throughout the year and supported the animals with good fodder in the lean periods. Constructing waterholes inside the vayals causes degradation of the swampy habitat and lead to drying up of vayals. It also affects the hydrology of that landscape. So,the present study highlights the importance of vayals and its management in protecting that habitat. The construction of artificial waterholes should be done with proper scientific studies.
Open Access
Comparison of feeding Ecology of two endemic species of langurs, Himalayan Grey Langur (Semnopithecus ajax) and Tufted Grey Langur(Semnopithecus priam)
(Department of Wildlife Sciences, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara,Thrissur, 2019) Aakib Hussain Paul; KAU; Nameer, P O
A field study was conducted to study the feeding ecology of two endemic species of the langurs viz., the Himalayan grey langur (Semnopithecus ajax) and Tufted grey langur (Semnopithecus priam). The study was conducted from August 2018 to April 2019 in Dachigam National Park, Srinagar and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala. The Himalayan grey langur showed typical preference towards a particular feeding item during different seasons. Although the Himalayan grey langur is folivorous yet consumes a variety of food items such as fruits, roots, flowers, buds, bark and twigs. The Himalayan grey langur spent a considerable amount of time in searching and feeding of insects to maintain the ionic balance. The overall maximum feeding was reported in case of Rosa webbiana (9.54 %), followed by Populas deltiodes (8.11 %), Salix alba (7.63 %), Hedera nepalensis (7.63 %) and Aseculas indica (6.9 %). Rosaceae family was most preferred followed by Salicaceae. The most preferred food item was leaves (27.18 %) followed by fruits (22.75 %) and seeds (10.49 %). Average height of feeding was reported to be 5.68 m, which was maximum, in case of Aseculas indica and Pinus wallichiana (11 m), followed by Ulmus villosa (9.8 m) and Ulmus wallichiana (9.7 m). The Tufted grey langur was reported to be feeding on 12 tree species belonging to seven different families. The maximum duration of feeding in case of Anogeissus latifolia and Samanea saman (18.87 %) followed Dalbergia lanceolaria and Gmelia tillifolia (9.43 %), Terminalia bellarica (7.55 %). The Tufted grey langur diet mainly comprised of leaves, twigs and fruits. The leaves comprised of 60.38 %, twigs 20.75 % and fruits 18.87 %. The average height of feeding was 8.8 m, which was maximum in case of Hydnocarpus pentandra (12 m) followed by T. bellarica (10.5 m). The Himalayan grey langur spent maximum time in feeding followed by resting and grooming. The Himalayan grey langur spent 41 % of the time budget activity on feeding, followed by moving (21 %), resting (16%) and grooming (15%). Vegetation studies using quadrant survey showed a total of 26 species belonging to 16 different families. The species such as P. wallichiana, P. jacquemontiana, Q. robur and M. alba as dominant. The IVI was computed to show quantitative relationship among vegetation and highlight the importance of trees. The IVI values show that most important family of trees is Panacea, Hamamelidaceae, Ulmeace, Fagaceae, Cannabeacae and Rosaceae. Although major population areas of S. ajax and S. priam are protected areas yet special efforts are required for conservation of these valuable species which have been categorized as ‘Endangered’ and Near threatened’ by IUCN.
Open Access
Taxonomic inventory and ecology of the bats of silent valley national park, Kerala
(Department of Wildlife Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2016) Aswathy Chandran, U B; KAU; Nameer, P O
Status, distribution and habitat preference of small carnivores in Silent Valley National Park (SVNP) was studied during September 2015 to April 2016, using camera trap survey and day transects survey for the direct and indirect evidence. Seven species of small carnivores were recorded during the study. They are Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica, Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus jerdoni, Stripe-necked Mongoose Herpestes vitticollis, Brown Mongoose Herpestes fuscus, Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis, and Asian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus, and Nilgiri Marten Martes gwatkinsii. 12 mammal species other than small carnivores were reported along with 7 species of birds and one species of reptile during this present study. Small Indian Civet is the most abundant small carnivore in SVNP followed by Brown Palm Civet, and Stripe-necked Mongoose. From the diversity indices, it is found that species diversity was high during rainy season compared to non-rainy season. The analysis of activity pattern of small carnivores of SVNP showed a significant difference in activity distribution of sympatric species. The Stripe- necked Mongoose has diurnal activity pattern where Brown Mongoose has a nocturnal activity pattern. Two species of viverrids, Small Indian Civet and Brown Palm Civet showed a nocturnal activity, but they have varying peak activity periods. Leopard Cat had a nocturnal activity pattern. Logistic regression analysis was done for predicting the presence of small carnivore species based on 20 habitat parameters. The predictive accuracy of the regression model for occurrence of Stripe-necked Mongoose and Leopard Cat were 100%, which of Brown Mongoose, Brown Palm Civet and Small Indian Civet was 97%, 80%, and 79% respectively. Differential preferences of the species for the studied habitat variables were examined using discriminant analysis. It is interesting to note that the small carnivores of Silent Valley shows niche overlapping.
Open Access
Status, distribution and habitat preferences of small carnivores in Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, Kerala
(Department of Wildlife Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2017) Sreekumar, E R; KAU; Nameer, P O
Status, distribution and habitat preference of small carnivores in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Wayanad WLS) was studied using camera traps during November 2016 to February 2017. The present work recorded 25 species of mammals during the study period that included 1932 camera trap days using 111camera trap stations. Out of that nine species were small carnivores belonging to four families (Mustelidae, Viverridae, Herpestidae and Felidae). This included Asian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus, Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus jerdoni, Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica, Indian Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardisii, Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes smithii, Stripe-necked Mongoose Herpestes vitticollis, Jungle Cat Felis chaus and Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis. The most common and abundant small carnivore in Wayanad WLS was Viverricula indica, followed by Herpestes vitticollis and Paradoxurus hermaphroditus. Among these Aonyx cinereus and Prionailurus bengalensis are rare species. The time activity pattern of small carnivores revealed that, all the viverrids were having exclusively nocturnal activity pattern while the Herpestes smithii and Herpestes vitticollis were showing diurnal activity pattern. An attempt was also made during the study to predict the occurrence of the small carnivores using 20 selected microhabitat variables by binary logistic regression analysis. The goodness of fit of the model well explained that the binary logistic regression is not suitable for predicting the occurrence of small carnivores using microhabitat variables studied. The present study also observed that selected microhabitat variables like canopy closure and tree density were negatively influencing the occurrence of Viverricula indica. However, the tree density was the only significant variable influencing the occurrence of Herpestes vitticollis. An attempt was also made to compare the small carnivore diversity in the natural habitat and the Senna spectabilis dominated landscape in Wayanad WLS. However, no significant difference in the small carnivore diversity was observed between these two habitats. Wayanad WLS supports one endemic species of small carnivore, the Paradoxurus jerdoni and one threatened species, the Aonyx cinereus. Therefore, the present study highlights the significance of the Wayanad WLS as a prime habitat for the conservation of the small carnivores.
Open Access
Species diversity and community structure of reptiles of selected agroecosystems in Thrissur, Kerala
(Department of Wildlife Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2017) Abhirami, M Jayakumar; KAU; Nameer, P O
Species diversity and community structure of reptiles of selected agroecosystems in Thrissur, Kerala was studied during January 2017 to May 2017. The agroecosystems chosen for the study were Coconut Plantation, Cashew Plantation, Rubber Plantation, Botanical Garden, Home garden and Wetland. Time-constrained visual encounter survey was the method used for the study, and a total effort of 360 man hours were spent in the field. The highest number of individuals were recorded from the Botanical Garden with 159 individuals of reptiles. While, the species richness was highest in the Coconut Plantation and Cashew Plantation with 11 species each. 18 species of reptiles belonging to six families were observed during the study. This include six species of geckos, four species of skinks, one agamid species and seven species of snakes. Bronze Grass Skink Eutropis macularia, was the most abundant species. More reptiles were recorded during night hours than morning hours. Correspondence analysis was deployed to compare the reptilian diversity between the habitats. Home garden and Wetland were found distinct in reptilian species composition from the rest of the agroecosystems. The effect of habitat variables on the presence of reptile species was analysed using canonical correspondence analysis. Litter cover, litter depth, canopy height, canopy cover, shrub cover and herb cover were found to influence the presence of the species Russell’s Kukri Snake Oligodon taeniolatus. Relative humidity was found to influence the presence of the reptiles such as Oriental Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor, Beddome’s Cat Snake Boiga beddomei, Termite Hill Gecko Hemidactylus triedrus, Spotted House Gecko Hemidactylus brookii, Common Wolf Snake Lycodon aulicus, Trinket Snake Coelognathus helena and Checkered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator. Maximum temperature was found to influence the presence of reptiles such as Common Krait Bungarus caeruleus, Dussumier’s Litter Skink Sphenomorphus dussumieri and Bark Gecko Hemidactylus leschenaultii. Two species of reptiles that are endemic to Western Ghats such as Beddome’s Cat Skink Ristella beddomii and Dussumier’s Litter Skink Sphenomorphus dussumieri were recorded. Of these, the report of the Ristella beddomii from the KAU campus is of interest, as it has been reported from a lower altitude (50m) than the already known lowest altitude range (400m) for this species. This documentation is important as it highlights the significance of agroecosytems in conserving the reptilian fauna of the region, including some of the Western Ghats endemic species.
Open Access
Phylogeny and systematics of the genus cynopterus (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in Kerala
(Department of Wildlife Sciences, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2015) Devika, V S; KAU; Nameer, P O
The taxonomic status of the genus Cynopterus is subject of debate in the scientific world due to the cryptic nature, overlapping morphological characters and addition of six new genetically distinct lineages in the Cynopterus in the last decade. The present study was carried out with the objective of resolving the taxonomic ambiguity of the genus Cynopterus in Kerala and to infer the phylogenetic affinity of the genus Cynopterus within order Chiroptera. This is the first study which address the taxonomic status of the genus Cynopterus in Kerala and second one in India. The bats were studied from eight different locations in three biogeographical regions of Kerala during April 2014 to December 2014. A total of 67 bats were captured from these locations. On each of these bats the 24 morphometric, dental and cranial variables were measured. Apart from that a molecular analysis was also carried out on 31 samples. Phenol-chloroform extraction or the GeniPureTM Mammalian Genomic DNA Purification Kit (GeNeiTM) was employed for DNA extraction and PCR amplification was done for complete cytochrome b gene. The sequences were compared with those registered in NCBI databank. The phylogeny reconstruction and the calculation of genetic distances were done using the IQ-TREE and MEGA 5.2. The study reiterates the importance of integrative taxonomy using morphological and molecular techniques. Fifty one samples of C. sphinx and 13 samples of C. brachyotis were used for the multivariate morphometric analysis. This proved that the forearm length has been the only distinctive morphological character to distinguish between the C. sphinx and C. brachyotis. However, the other morphometric parameters were found to be overlapping. Twenty four sequences of C. sphinx and 7 sequences of C. brachyotis were used for molecular analysis. The phylogenetic tree constructed and the pairwise genetic distance has proved that the C. sphinx from Kerala constitutes the ‘true’ C. sphinx, since they are genetically more identical to C. sphinx from its type locality and all C. sphinx studied forms a single species The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the C. brachyotis from Kerala may be a different species, since it differ genetically from those species from Borneo, the type locality of C. brachyotis. The presence of genetically distinct lineages within C. brachyotis indicates that the species C. brachyotis has diversified independently at multiple instances in different locations during the past. The clustering of C. brachyotis from Kerala with C. sphinx confirms that they are sister taxa. Extensive sampling from throughout the geographical range of the genus Cynopterus should be done to confirm their systematic position and revise their taxonomic status.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

Browse

Thesis Type

Type

Author

Date

Subject

Search Results