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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: Amritha Kumari, S × Author: KAU × Start date: 2021 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of southern India
    (Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2021) Amritha Kumari, S; KAU; Prathapan, K D
    The present study entitled “The Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of southern India” was carried out at Collage of Agriculture, Vellayani from October 2015 to March 2020. The study was designed with the objectives of collection and identification of the eumolpine leaf beetles of south India, preparation of illustrated keys to genera and species with emphasis on the characters of male and female genitalia and documentation of host plants in all possible cases. One thousand five hundred and two specimens from various ecosystems in south India were studied. Hand picking, aspiration, sweep netting and light traps were used to collect eumolpines. Specimens were also procured on loan basis from different institutions in India and abroad. Collected specimens were mounted and labelled. Available ecological and biological information was gathered in all cases. Genitalia was dissected as per standard procedures. Inflation and eversion of endophallus follow Yamasako & Obhayashi (2011). Specimens were identified tentatively based on the available literature and then confirmed by comparing with type specimens or consulting with experts. Measurements were made with a calibrated ocular micrometer and pertinent ratios were worked out. Illustrated keys, descriptions and diagnosis are provided. Male genitalia, including endophallus and female genitalia are described and illustrated. The Afrotropical genus Microeurydemus is newly reported from the Oriental Region. Malegia and Scelolanka are new reports to India. Pagria ingibbosa, P. ceylonica and P. pseudograta are new species records for India. Range of distribution of Basilepta subcostata and Trichochrysea are extended to south India. Tricliona Lefèvre, 1885 new snynonym is a new junior synonym of Bathseba Motschulsky, 1866. Neofidia Strother new name, is proposed as the replacement name for Fidia Baly, 1863, a junior homonym of Fidia Motschulsky, 1861. Bathseba syzygium n. sp. and Pseudostonopa palynophaga n. sp. are described as new to science. Eleven putative new species in the genera Mesocolaspis, Malegia, Microeurydemus, Basilepta, Cleoporus, Dermorhytis, Edistus, Pagria, Scelolanka and Trichochrysea were described. New host plant records include Anacardium occidentale L. (for Fidia kanaraensis), Ixora (for Eurypelta modesta), Aegle marmelos (for Colasposoma downesi), Mallotus atrovirens (for Cleoporus inornatus), Antidesma acidum (for Edistus sp.), Milletia pinnata (for Scelolanka). Bathseba syzygium n. sp. has been reported on Syzygium cumini and Pseudostonopa palynophaga n. sp. has been reported as a pollen feeder of Poaceae. Pagria signata species group warrants further investigations, due to inconsistencies in morphological, genetalic and molecular characters. The eumolpine leaf beetle fauna of south India comprises 146 species placed in 35 genera. Checklist of Eumolpinae of south India is provided. The study treated 53 species under 20 genera. Two new species, 11 putative new species in 10 genera, 12 new host plant records, several new distributional records and new characters of taxonomic value are reported. Nomenclature of many economically important eumolpines are updated.