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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: Anagha, R × Author: KAU × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2017 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Organic manure seed pelleting for enhancing soil health and productivity of rice
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2019) Anagha, R; KAU; Biju Joseph
    A study entitled ‘Organic manure seed pelleting for enhancing soil health and productivity of rice’ was conducted from 2017 to 2019 in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, with the objective to develop seed pellets of rice using organic manures and microbial inoculants and to study its effect on soil properties, seedling vigour, growth and yield of rice var. Uma. The study consisted of two parts namely preparation and characterization of organic manure seed pellets and pot culture experiment to evaluate the organic manure seed pellets. Organic manure seed pelleting materials used were FYM + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (T2), vermicompost + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (T3), bioslurry flakes + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (T4), charcoal powder + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (T5), fly ash + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (T6), pongamia leaf powder + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (T7) and bioslurry + plant extracts + Azospirillum + Pseudomonas (T8: Farmer practice). Seeds alone without pelleting (T1) was used as control. Carrier based inoculum of Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria were used at the rate of 5 g kg-1 and fenugreek paste was added at the rate of 25 g kg-1 as adhesive. Pelleting materials were analysed for their physical, chemical and nutritional properties as well as enzymatic activity and organic acid content. The results on characterization of pelleting materials revealed that T6 recorded the highest bulk density of 1.07 Mg m-3. Highest water holding capacity was recorded by T7 (380.8 %). All treatments had near neutral to slightly alkaline pH. T4 recorded the highest EC of 3.502 dS m-1. Regarding the nutritional properties, there was no significant difference among the treatments for ammoniacal and nitrate nitrogen. T4 had the highest content of P (1.36 %), Ca (3.46 %), Mg (2.57 %), S (1.03 %), Mn (398.6 mg kg-1), Zn (128.6 mg kg-1) and Cu (57.00 mg kg-1) while K content was highest in T7 (1.18 %), Fe content in T6 (1.62 %) and B content in T3 (4.80 mg kg-1). T7 recorded the highest urease and acid phosphatase activity and T3, the highest dehydrogenase activity (312.0 µg of TPF g -1 soil 24h-1). Humic and fulvic acid content were maximum in T3 with 28.52 % and 23.76 %, respectively. Seedlings raised from pellets were separated after 15 days and pellets were analysed. pH and EC were highest in T3. Availability of nutrients were highest in T4 except for Mg and B where T3 recorded the highest Mg content and T6 the highest B content. Enzymatic activity and organic acid content followed similar trend as initial. Germination per cent in all treatments except T7 were 100 per cent. T5 took few days to attain 50 per cent germination while it took more days for T7 to achieve 50 per cent germination. Seedling studies revealed that T2 was superior to all other treatments for mean root length, mean shoot length, seedling length and vigour indices. The second part of the experiment was conducted to find the effect of organic manure seed pelleting on growth and yield of rice. At active tillering stage, T4 registered the highest root length (33.05 cm) which was on par with T3 and T2. It also recorded maximum root and shoot biomass. Maximum plant height was recorded in T4 at active tillering, panicle initiation and harvest stages with values of 64.85 cm, 86.63 cm and 92.33 cm, respectively. Maximum number of tillers were observed in T4 at active tillering stage and in T3, at panicle initiation and harvest stages. Leaf Area Index (LAI) was highest for T4 (5.09) which was on par with T6, T2 and T3. With respect to chlorophyll content, there was no significant difference among the treatments. The yield attributes, namely, number of productive tillers (16.50), number of spikelets per panicle (159.7) and filled grain per cent (94.16 %) as well as grain yield (54.84 g pot-1) and straw yield (66.10 g pot-1) were highest in T3. T4, T5, T6 and T8 recorded same values (0.47) and were comparable with T7 and the lowest was recorded by T1 and T2 (0.44). There was no significant difference in length of panicle and 1000 grain weight. T4 registered the maximum period of retention of flag leaf. However, the treatments had no significant effect on length of panicle and 1000 grain weight. The post-harvest analysis of soil revealed that pH and EC varied significantly among the treatments. Ammoniacal nitrogen was highest in T2 while nitrate nitrogen showed no significant difference. The highest available P (76.97 kg ha-1), K (190.4 kg ha-1), Ca (285.0 mg kg-1) and S (16.50 mg kg-1) were observed in T4. Available Mg was not significantly influenced by treatments. The available micronutrients Fe, Mn and Zn were significantly influenced by the treatment T3 recording the highest value of 41.08 mg kg-1, 11.31 mg kg-1 and 5.26 mg kg-1, respectively. There was no significant influence on available Cu. The treatments had a significant influence on available B with T4, T2 and T3 recording highest value of 0.22 mg kg-1. T4 recorded the highest starch and amylose content in grain whereas there was no significant influence of treatments on amylopectin content. Regarding the uptake of nutrients, T3 registered the highest uptake of N, K, Ca, S, Zn, Cu, B and Si in grain and shoot. P uptake in grain was highest in T4 while T3 had the maximum uptake in shoot. Mg uptake in grain and shoot were not significant. From the study, it can be concluded that organic manure seed pelleting material prepared using bioslurry flakes, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T4) contained significantly higher quantities of nutrients compared to others. Enzyme activity (dehydrogenase) and organic acid content (humic and fulvic acid) were highest in the pellets prepared using vermicompost, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T3). Organic manure seed pelleting significantly increased the growth characters of rice compared to conventional dibbling method. Among the various treatment combinations, organic manure seed pelleting with bioslurry flakes, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T4) and vermicompost, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T3) were found to be effective in improving growth characters of rice such as plant height, number of tillers and LAI. The yield, yield attributes and nutrient uptake were highest in the treatment where vermicompost, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T3) were used as the pelleting material. Seed pelleting using vermicompost, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T3) and bioslurry flakes, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T4) were able to maintain significantly higher quantities of available nutrients in the post-harvest soil. The beneficial effect of organic manure seed pelleting may be due to enrichment of rhizosphere region of seeds thereby promoting seed and soil relationship aiding in better growth and development.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Organic manure seed pelleting for enhancing soil health and productivity of rice
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2019) Anagha, R; KAU; Biju Joseph
    A study entitled 'Organic manure seed pelleting for enhancing soil health and productivity of rice' was conducted from 2017 to 2019 in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, with the objective to develop seed pellets of rice using organic manures and microbial inoculants and to study its effect on soil properties, seedling vigour, growth and yield of rice var. Uma. The study consisted of two parts namely preparation and characterization of organic manure seed pellets and pot culture experiment to evaluate the organic manure seed pellets. Organic manure seed pelleting materials used were FYM + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (T2), vermicompost + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (T3), bioslurry flakes + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (T4), charcoal powder + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (Ts), fly ash + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (Te), pongamia leaf powder + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria (T?) and bioslurry + plant extracts + Azospirillum + Pseudomonas (Ts: Farmer practice). Seeds alone without pelleting (Ti) was used as control. Carrier based inoculum oiAzospirillum and Phosphobacteria were used at the rate of 5 g kg"^ and fenugreek paste was added at the rate of 25 g kg"' as adhesive. Pelleting materials were analysed for their physical, chemical and nutritional properties as well as enzymatic activity and organic acid content. The results on characterization of pelleting materials revealed that Te recorded the highest bulk density of 1.07 Mg m'^ Highest water holding capacity was recorded by T? (380.8 %). All treatments had near neutral to slightly alkaline pH. T4 recorded the highest EC of 3.502 dS m'^ Regarding the nutritional properties, there was no significant difference among the treatments for ammoniacal and nitrate nitrogen. T4 had the highest content of P (1.36 %), Ca (3.46 %), Mg (2.57 %), S (1.03 %), Mn (398.6 mg kg"'), Zn (128.6 mg kg"') and Cu (57.00 mg kg"') while K content was highest in T? (1.18 %), Fe content in Te (1.62 %) and B content in T3 (4.80 mg kg"'). T? recorded the highest urease and acid phosphatase activity and T3, the highest dehydrogenase activity (312.0 jig of TPF g soil 24h"*). Humic and fulvic acid content were maximum in T3 with 28.52 % and 23.76 %, respectively. Seedlings raised from pellets were separated after 15 days £ind pellets were analysed. pH and EC were highest in T3. Availability of nutrients were highest in T4 except for Mg and B where T3 recorded the highest Mg content and Tethe highest B content. Enzymatic activity and organic acid content followed similar trend as initial. Germination per cent in all treatments except T? were ICQ per cent. Ts took few days to attain 50 per cent germination while it took more days for Tvto achieve 50 per cent germination. Seedling studies revealed that T2 was superior to all other treatments for mean root length, mean shoot length, seedling length and vigour indices. The second part of the experiment was conducted to fmd the effect of organic manure seed pelleting on growth and yield of rice. At active tillering stage, T4 registered the highest root length (33.05 cm) which was on par with T3 and T2. It also recorded maximum root and shoot biomass. Maximum plant height was recorded in T4 at active tillering, panicle initiation and harvest stages with values of 64.85 cm, 86.63 cm and 92.33 cm, respectively. Maximum number of tillers were observed in T4 at active tillering stage and in T3, at panicle initiation and harvest stages. Leaf Area Index (LAI) was highest for T4 (5.09) which was on par with Te, T2 and T3. With respect to chlorophyll content, there was no significant difference among the treatments. The yield attributes, namely, number of productive tillers (16.50), number of spikelets per panicle (159.7) and filled grain per cent (94.16 %) as well as grain yield (54.84 g pot"') and straw yield (66.10 g pot"') were highest in T3. T4, Ts, Te and Tg recorded same values (0.47) and were comparable with T? and the lowest was recorded by T1 and T2 (0.44). There was no significant difference in length of panicle and 1000 grain weight. T4 registered the maximum period of retention of flag leaf. However, the treatments had no significant effect on length of panicle and 1000 grain weight. The post-harvest analysis of soil revealed that pH and EC varied significantly among the treatments. Ammoniacal nitrogen was highest in T2 while nitrate nitrogen showed no significant difference. The highest available P (76.97 kg ha"'), K (190.4 kg ha"'), Ca (285.0 mg kg^) and S (16.50 mg kg') were observed in T4. Available Mg was not significantly influenced by treatments. The available micronutrients Fe, Mn and Zn were significantly influenced by the treatment T3 recording the highest value of 41.08 mg kg"', 11.31 mg kg"' and 5.26 mg kg"', respectively. There was no significant influence on available Cu. The treatments had a significant influence on available B with T4, T2 and T3 recording highest value of 0.22 mg kg"'. T4 recorded the highest starch and amylose content in grain whereas there was no significant influence of treatments on amylopectin content. Regarding the uptake of nutrients, T3 registered the highest uptake of N, K, Ca, S, Zn, Cu, B and Si in grain and shoot. P uptake in grain was highest in T4 while T3 had the maximum uptake in shoot. Mg uptake in grain and shoot were not significant. From the study, it can be concluded that organic manure seed pelleting material prepared using bioslurry flakes, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T4) contained significantly higher quantities of nutrients compared to others. Enzyme activity (dehydrogenase) and organic acid content (humic and fiilvic acid) were highest in the pellets prepared using vermicompost, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T3). Organic manure seed pelleting significantly increased the growth characters of rice compared to conventional dibbling method. Among the various treatment combinations, organic manure seed pelleting with bioslurry flakes, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T4) and vermicompost, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T3) were foimd to be effective in improving growth characters of rice such as plant height, number of tillers and LAI. The yield, yield attributes and nutrient uptake were highest in the treatment where vermicompost, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T3) were used as the pelleting material. Seed pelleting using vermicompost, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T3) and bioslurry flakes, Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (T4) were able to maintain significantly higher quantities of available nutrients in the post-harvest soil. The beneficial effect of organic manure seed pelleting may be due to enrichment of rhizosphere region of seeds thereby promoting seed and soil relationship aiding in better growth and development.