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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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Author: Abhilash, B × End date: 2001 × Start date: 2001 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Biocontrol of mites on yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis (L.) verdcourt) and chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
    (Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2001) Abhilash, B; KAU; Sudharma, K
    Mass production techniques, biology, predatory potential and prey preference of predatory mites and the chrysopid predator, C. earn ea preying T. ludeni in cowpea and P. latus in chilli were studied. Further, the effect of pesticides on these bioagents and the role of these predators in the management of T. ludeni and P. latus were also assessed. A.longiyfspinosus was identified as the major predator of T. ludeni. Another species of Amblyseius (unidentified)was the major predator of P .latus in the field. In the laboratory a macrocheylitid mite, M. merdarius found in rice bran was also observed as an efficient predator of P. latus. Techniques were developed to mass multiply both species of Amblyseius and their hosts, T. ludeni and P. latus in excised leaves of cowpea. Using this technique, within a week a two fold increase of the predator was seen. Techniques were developed to multiply another predatory mite of P. latus, M. merdarius in storage mite, Tyrophagus sp. From 109 rice bran containing Tyrophagus sp., 410 M. merdarius were produced within a month. A. longispinosus when fed with pollen of A. auriculiformis and H. rosa-sinensis , survived in the diet and laid eggs. The larvae that emerged from the eggs completed development on pollen diet where .as in artificial diet , though the gravid females survived and laid eggs, the larvae that emerged from eggs did not reach adulthood. Studies on the biology of predatory mite!.A.longispinosus and Amblyseius sp preying on T. ludeni and P. latus respectively revealed that the predators completed its development within a week. In order to identify suitable hosts for mass rearing C. carnea, the predator was reared on different hosts and it was observed that developmental period was shortest when reared on Corcyra eggs. The fecundity and longevity was maximum when reared on Corcyra eggs. An assessment of predatory potential of A. longispinosus revealed that the predator fed on all stages of T. ludeni. Among the different stages of the predator ,adult was the most voracious and the most preferred stage of the prey was eggs. In the case of Amblyseius sp. preying on P. latus the larvae of the predator consumed all stages of prey mite except adult. The predatory potential of M. merdarius on P. latus was higher than that of Amblyseius sp. An assessment of predatory potential of C. carnea revealed that it was a voracious feeder of A. craccivora as well as T. ludeni, The mean daily consumption was highest for the third instar larvae in both the cases. The prey preference of the predators was assessed through multiple choice and single choice tests. Among the prey tested viz. T. ludeni , P. latus and Tyrophagus sp, maximum preference was shown towards T. ludeni. The broad mite, P.latus was also found to be preyed upon by the predator in both multiple and single choice tests, but total avoidance was shown towards bran mite Tyrophagus sp. The prey preference of C. carnea assessed through multiple choice and single choice tests revealed that A. craccivora was the most preferred prey and it was followed by T. ludeni. Spiralling white fly was the least preferred one. Effect of pesticides on predators assessed by exposing them to dry films of pesticide showed that triazophos 0.05 per cent was the most toxic chemical against A. longispinosus . In all the chemical pesticides tested none of the predators survived after 24 hours. Though 10 percent emulsified extract of A. panieulata, H.suaveolens and neem garlic emulsion 2.5 per cent were found significantly safer than chemical pesticides, mortality of the predator was observed in these treatments also indicating that negative impact of botanical pesticides on natural enemy cannot be overlooked. Similar response was shown by C. earn ea towards these pesticides, except in dicofol 0.05 percent which imparted lower mortality to the larvae. Field experiments conducted in cowpea to study the effect of bioagents and botanicals on T. ludeni, predators and yield showed that, application of neem oilS percent was the best treatment for management of T. ludeni. This was followed by application of neem garlic emulsion 2 percent, Fish oil insecticidal soap 2.5 percent and garlic emulsion 2 percent taking into consideration the benefit cost ratio. Comparatively high population of predatory mites was observed in plants released with A. longispinosus. The population of the predatory mite increased steadily and within a month the population of the predator and prey became almost equal. Though the predatory mite could check the population of T.ludeni, the treatment was uneconomical. The general predator, C. earnea could not bring spectacular reduction in population of T. ludeni which may be due to the polyphagous nature of the predator. Field experiments conducted on chilli showed pronounced effect of Amblyseius sp on P. latus from tenth day onwards at both the levels tested. The release of the predator C carnea @5 and 10 per plant, and fish oil insecticidal soap 2.5 percent was not effective in checking P. latus. Garlic emulsion 2 percent gave substantial reduction immediately after first application. Subsequently, the population increased but with repeated application significant reduction in population was noticed. There was no significant difference in the yield of chilli 111 the different treatments. However based on benefit cost ratio, it is concluded that application of nee m oil 5 percent, neem garlic emulsion 2 percent, garlic emulsion 2 percent, fish oil insecticidal soap 2.5 percent and release of Amblyseius @ 10 and 20 per plant are economically viable for management of P. latus in chilli .