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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: Ambika Rajendran R × End date: 2005 × Start date: 2004 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    In vitro mutagenesis in rice (oryza sativa L.)
    (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2005) Ambika Rajendran, R; Dijee Bastian
    An investigation entitled “In vitro mutagenesis in rice (Oryza sativa L.)” was undertaken at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara for estimating LD50 values and optimum doses for gamma rays and EMS and identifying desirable plants. Mature, dehulled seeds of variety Ptb-26 were raised in MS medium with different combinations of 2,4-D and Kn. Callus induction studies revealed that MS + 2,4-D 2.0 mgl-1 + Kn 0.5 mgl-1 was the best to induce callus in rice. The same media was used for callus proliferation. Three weeks old subcultured calli was transferred to regeneration MS + NAA 2 mgl-1 + Kn 4 mgl-1 + BAP 0.5 mgl-1 and the shoots obtained were transferred to the rooting medium MS + NAA 2mgl-1 + Kn 0.5 mgl-1. The percentage of success of hardening obtained was 85.20%. Different doses (10Gy, 20Gy, 30Gy, 40Gy, 50Gy and 60Gy) of gamma rays were given to three weeks old subcultured calli and the LD50 value was fixed based on the regeneration percentage. 30Gy was fixed as the LD50 value. Six concentrations of EMS (2mM, 4mM, 6mM, 8mM, 10mM and 12mM) were tried to ascertain the LD50 value based on the regeneration percentage. 4mM was the LD50 value obtained for EMS. Two optimum doses each for the two mutagens below the LD50 value was given to obtain the desirable plants. Ten tissue culture plants for 10Gy, nine for 20Gy, nine for 2mM and eight for 4mM were obtained from this study. They were analysed for biometrical and morphological characters. Based on which the best optimum doses obtained were 20Gy and 4mM for the two mutagens respectively. Significant effect of treatments of gamma rays and concentrations of EMS on genotype was noticed for culm length, plant height, panicles plant-1, panicle length, grains panicle-1and grain yield plant-1. Significant differences were noticed for leaf blade pubescence, leaf blade colour, basal leaf sheath colour and lemma and palea colour. Six tissue culture variants were identified as desirable based on higher panicles plant-1, panicle length, grains panicle-1 and grain yield plant-1.