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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: Anilkumar, K S × End date: 1988 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Chemistry of coconut rhizosphere
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1987) Anilkumar, K S; KAU; Wahid, P A
    An investigation on the root activity pattern of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera Linn.) and the influence of long term application of NPK fertilizers was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. The coconut variety West Coast Tall was invariably used for the study. It was found that major portion of the active roots of coconut were within an area of 2 m radius around the palm. The vertical distribution of active roots was mainly confined to a depth of 30-60 cm and the root activity decreased sharply at 90 cm depth. The surface 25 cm soil layer is practically devoid of roots. Based on these results it is suggested that the fertilizers may be applied to an area of 2 m radius around the palm for their maximum utilization. Root activity was positively correlated with organic carbon, available P, available K, available Mn and Zn and negatively correlated with exchange acidity. Studies on the effect of long term NPK fertilization on soil chemical characteristics revealed that regular application of ammonium sulphate reduced the soil pH markedly (from 4.88 in N0 plots to 4.38 in N2 plots). A decrease in available Mn and an increase in available S also observed with continuous N fertilization. Continuous P fertilization, improved available P status of soil from 5.65 ppm in P0 plots to 146.45 ppm in P2 plots. Heavy build up of available P also noticed in lower layers with continuous P fertilization. Application of superphosphate reduced K status of soil probably due to replacement by Ca in exchange sites. Continuous application of muriate of potash increased the available K content as well as organic carbon content of soil. The effect on exchangeable K in soil is found to be N-dependent as revealed from the significant N x K interaction. Significant positive correlations were observed between soil available K in the 0-25, 50-75 and 75-100 cm depths and the levels of K in 6th and 14th fronds. Available K in the 0-25, 50-75 and 75-100 cm soil layers is positively correlated with yield. Organic carbon at 0-50, 25-50 and 75-100 cm soils depths also showed positive correlation with yield. Among the micronutrients studied Fe and Cu (25-50 cm soil layer) and Zn (50-75 cm soil layer) showed positive correlations with yield. Foliar Mg and Mn levels decreased with increasing rates of K fertilizations, while N fertilization increased foliar Mn content. Nitrogen fertilization also increased foliar N and Ca contents. Potassium levels in 6th and 14th fronds showed significant positive correlations with yield (r’values 0.500** and 0.544** respectively). The critical K level found by Fremond et al.(1966) (0.8 to 1.0%) need a revision as significant yield increase was observed even at foliar K levels of 2.15 to 2.62 ppm in 14th and 6th leaf respectively of the experimental palms.