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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: Athira, K A × Author: KAU × End date: 2018 × Start date: 2017 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Physiology and management of submerged weeds in wetland rice ecosystem
    (Department of Plant Physiology,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Athira, K A; KAU; Girija, T
    The present investigation entitled “Physiology and management of submerged weeds in the wetland rice ecosystem” aimed to identify and characterize the different submerged weed species of wetland rice ecosystem, understand their growth pattern and evolve possible management practices. The study consisted of survey, identification and morphological characterization of submerged weeds of rice ecosystem of the central zone of Kerala. The effect of environmental conditions on growth and multiplication of the most common weed, Utricularia aurea and its control were also studied. Weed survey was conducted in ten locations each in Thrissur, Palakkad and Ernakulam districts of Kerala. Submerged weeds from the rice fields were collected along with soil and water samples from ten locations for further studies. The major submerged weeds in the rice ecosystem included hydrophytes and algal species. Seven hydrophytes and three species of algae were commonly seen in the region. The major hydrophytes were Utricularia aurea, Utricularia exoleta, Elodea canadensis, Hydrilla sp., Egeria densa, Cabomba sp. and Najas sp. while the common algal species were Spirogyra, Chara and Nitella. The water and soil samples collected were analyzed in the laboratory for different physico-chemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), E. coli content, soil enzymes and hormones which affect growth of the rice plant. pH had the larger influence on growth of submerged weed species. Highest weed growth was observed between pH range of. 7.2 to 8.01 (neutral to alkaline). The presence of submerged weeds reduced the dissolved oxygen content of water and increased the content of TSS and E. coli, adversely affecting water quality and supply of oxygen to rice root. The presence of dissolved nitrate in the water may be a major reason for high incidence of these weeds. Soil enzymes and hormones also positively influenced their growth. The physiological parameters such as chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase activity, indole acetic acid (IAA) and GA contents of the weeds were also studied. It was found that IAA, GA and chlorophyll promoted weed growth. High nitrate reductase was observed in Nitella. Elodea canadensis had the capacity to purify the water by reducing the TSS and improving the dissolved oxygen content. The most common submerged weed in the rice ecosystem was Utricularia aurea and hence this weed was selected to study the effect of light, UV radiation and chemicals on growth and multiplication. Effect of light on weed growth was studied by using different shade nets which allowed 50 per cent and 75 per cent light infiltration. Effect of UV radiation was studied by growing the plants under polyhouse cladded with mylar film which allowed zero UV and polyethylene sheet which allowed 80 per cent UV radiation. Growth and multiplication of Utricularia aurea in the open condition and different light and UV levels were compared. Zero UV and temperature in the range of 30-310C was found to be ideal for weed growth. Both high water temperature and high UV were detrimental. Growth of the weed was not altered with shading, indicating that moderate shade not affect the weed growth. Effect of CuSO4 (1ppm, 2ppm and 3ppm), 2, 4-D (1ppm, 2ppm and 3ppm) and lime (100 ppm, 200 ppm and 300 ppm) on growth of Utricularia aurea was measured by recording the rate of degradation of the weed one month after application in pot culture study. Good control was obtained with higher concentrations of all the three chemicals tried. Three ppm of CuSO4, 2, 4-D and 300 ppm lime gave better results. Lime was found to be more effective in the control of Utricularia aurea.