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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: Ajay Gokul, A J × Start date: 2010 × Thesis Type: M.Tech. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative evaluation of naturally ventilated polyhouse and rainshelter on the performance of cowpea
    (Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2015) Ajay Gokul, A J; KAU; Abdul Hakkim, V M
    A study was conducted in the Instructional Farm of KCAET, Tavanur, Kerala, during the period from August to December 2014 to compare the performance of cowpea grown under polyhouse and rainshelter in relation to open field cultivation. Cowpea variety Vellayani Jyothika, a trailing type legume released by KAU, was used for the study. Fertilizers were applied through drip irrigation system using venturi assembly. The variation of weather parameters such as maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature and rainfall during the crop growth period was studied. Mean monthly values of temperature, relative humidity and soil temperature inside the polyhouse was higher than that in rainshelter and open field throughout the growth period. The maximum rainfall (360.7 mm) was recorded in the month of October and minimum rainfall (6.3 mm) was recorded in the month of December. Crop growth parameters such as plant height, internodal length, number of branches and time taken for flower initiation were noted during various crop growth stages for all the treatments. During all growth stages, the plant height and internodal length were significantly higher inside the polyhouse followed by rainshelter and open field. Among the different treatments, early flower initiation (39 days) was noted in the polyhouse. Yield parameters such as number of pods per plant, average length of pods and total yield per plant for each treatment were noted during various crop growth stages. The number of pods per plant was significantly higher in open field. Average length of pods inside polyhouse and inside rainshelter was higher than that in the open field. There was no significant difference in total yield of cowpea harvested from the observation plants under the three treatments. The maximum Benefit Cost ratio of 1.73 was obtained in the open field cultivation. Benefit Cost ratio of polyhouse and rainshelter were 1.06 and 1.34 respectively. Incidence of pests and diseases were also comparatively low inside the rainshelter and higher incidence of pests and diseases were noticed in the open field. From the results of the study it was evident that growing cowpea (Vellayani Jyothika) inside the rainshelter is more profitable than growing it inside naturally ventilated polyhouse.