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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: Alice, K J × Author: KAU × End date: 1996 × Start date: 1994 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Strain variation in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz & SAcc.
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Alice, K J; KAU; Karunakaran, P
    Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & SAcc. Is observed as a major pathogen infecting a number of crop plants, ornamentals and weeds. Detailed studies on the variability of this pathogen on important vegetables and ornamental plants in different locations of Thiruvananthapuram and Thirissur districts of Kerala were undertaken to distinguish different strains of C. gloeosporioides. Studies on the symptoms and pathogenecity tests of the 69 isolates showed that there were variations in the exoression of symptoms and in initiating symptoms indicating that the isolates were highly variable. Great variability in growth rate, colony characters, degree of sporulation and size of conidia were observed in different isolates. Based on the protein production and enzyme activity three groups of isolates could be distinguished. The isolates varied in their growth under varying temperature and relative humidity. Light intensity had no significant effect on the growth of the pathogen. Among the solid media tested, all the selected isolates exhibited the maximum growth on PDA. Richard’s medium was found to be the best liquid medium for mycelial growth. The degree of sporulation of selected isolates was the highest at 92.9 per cent RH and the lowest at 100 per cent RH. The highest sporulation was observed when exposed for 24 h of continuous light (125 lux) and poor when exposed for 24 h darkness. Basal medium was found to be best for sporulation. The results of host range studies and cross inoculation studies showed that the selected isolates were not host specific even though there were variations among the isolates in the intensity of infection. Inhibition of germination of selected seeds was observed when bioassayed with exotoxin. The purified toxin produced more or less identical symptoms as did by the casual organism. Coon’s medium was found to be the best for production of endotoxin. The maximum production of toxin was observed in 25 day old cultures. Biological groupings of all the 69 isolates studied were done based on the correlation matrix of different characters. Eight different groups of isolates could be distinguished and designated as G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7 and G8 strains of C. gloeosporioides.