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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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20202
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Author: Abin M, Thadathil × Author: KAU × Start date: 2010 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Floristic and edaphic attributes of a shola forest ecosystem in Mankulam forest division Kerala
    (Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2020) Abin M Thadathil; KAU; Gopakumar, S
    A study was undertaken in the shola forest ecosystem at Anakulam range of Mankulam forest division, Idukki, Kerala with a principal objective to understand the floristic composition, diversity and vegetation structure and also to investigate the physico-chemical properties of soil that supports this unique forest ecosystem. On this context the hypothesis examined was whether the shola forest exhibits high floristic diversity, structure and soil properties comparable to tropical evergreen forests. A total of 106 plant species was recorded from 0.5 ha. It included 50 species of trees, 20 shrubs, 12 herbs, 8 climbers and 16 fern species. The diversity indices of the shola forest ecosystem were Simpson’s index (0.97), Berger- Parker Dominance Index (0.05), Shannon – Wiener index (3.67), Pielou’s Equitability index (0.93) and Margaleaf Richness index (7.18) which are on par with similar published reports from the shola forests and tropical evergreen forests. A total number of 918 individuals were recorded from 0.5ha with a basal area of 22.46 m2 ha-1. Microtropis ramiflora, Vaccinium leschenaultia, Actinodaphne bourdillonii, Daphniphyllum neilgherrense, Schefflera racemosa, Syzygium lanceolatum, Syzygium densiflorum, Cinnamomum sulphuratum, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa and Symplocos obtuse are the dominant tree species in Mankulam shola. Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Celastraceae are the tree dominant families. The diameter frequency as well as height frequency distribution of shola forest showed the “inverse J” shaped curve which reflects the existence of new recruits. The total number of plant species in the understory was 2353 belonging to 75 different species. The dominant understory plant species was Strobilanthes luridus, Ageratina adenophora, Strobilanthes lawsone and Strobilanthes neoasper. Profile diagram revealed that the trees are short boled and rarely exceed 15m. Soil was sandy clay loam (60.95%) followed by clay (24.35%) and silt (14.7%). Electrical conductivity was 0.52 dS/m, while bulk density was 0.82 g cm-3. Shola soil was moderate to slightly acidic (4.67 to 5.84), while SOC content was 7.99%. Total nitrogen content was 1.85 % and available phosphorus was 71.58 kg ha-1. The available potassium (K) was 562.42 kg ha-1 which are comparable to the published reports from the shola forests and tropical evergreen forests.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Floristic and edaphic attributes of a shola forest ecosystem in Mankulam forest division Kerala
    (Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2020) Abin M, Thadathil; KAU; Gopakumar, S
    A study was undertaken in the shola forest ecosystem at Anakulam range of Mankulam forest division, Idukki, Kerala with a principal objective to understand the floristic composition, diversity and vegetation structure and also to investigate the physico-chemical properties of soil that supports this unique forest ecosystem. On this context the hypothesis examined was whether the shola forest exhibits high floristic diversity, structure and soil properties comparable to tropical evergreen forests. A total of 106 plant species was recorded from 0.5 ha. It included 50 species of trees, 20 shrubs, 12 herbs, 8 climbers and 16 fern species. The diversity indices of the shola forest ecosystem were Simpson’s index (0.97), Berger- Parker Dominance Index (0.05), Shannon – Wiener index (3.67), Pielou’s Equitability index (0.93) and Margaleaf Richness index (7.18) which are on par with similar published reports from the shola forests and tropical evergreen forests. A total number of 918 individuals were recorded from 0.5ha with a basal area of 22.46 m2 ha-1. Microtropis ramiflora, Vaccinium leschenaultia, Actinodaphne bourdillonii, Daphniphyllum neilgherrense, Schefflera racemosa, Syzygium lanceolatum, Syzygium densiflorum, Cinnamomum sulphuratum, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa and Symplocos obtuse are the dominant tree species in Mankulam shola. Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Celastraceae are the tree dominant families. The diameter frequency as well as height frequency distribution of shola forest showed the “inverse J” shaped curve which reflects the existence of new recruits. The total number of plant species in the understory was 2353 belonging to 75 different species. The dominant understory plant species was Strobilanthes luridus, Ageratina adenophora, Strobilanthes lawsone and Strobilanthes neoasper. Profile diagram revealed that the trees are short boled and rarely exceed 15m. Soil was sandy clay loam (60.95%) followed by clay (24.35%) and silt (14.7%). Electrical conductivity was 0.52 dS/m, while bulk density was 0.82 g cm-3. Shola soil was moderate to slightly acidic (4.67 to 5.84), while SOC content was 7.99%. Total nitrogen content was 1.85 % and available phosphorus was 71.58 kg ha-1. The available potassium (K) was 562.42 kg ha-1 which are comparable to the published reports from the shola forests and tropical evergreen forests.