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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: Bijily Krishnan × End date: 2009 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Rhizosphere modulation for higher productivity in long pepper (Piper longum Linn)
    (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2003) Bijily Krishnan; KAU; Anil Kumar, A S
    Increasing demand of plant based raw materials to user industries has emphasised the need to promote commercial cultivation of medicinal species. Integration of medicuIture with agriculture offers tremendous possibilities for improving crop productivity and profitability besides generation of employment. Development of a sustainability pathway to soil fertility management is a necessity for popularization of intercropping of long pepper in coconut gardens. Two experiments under the project, "Rhizosphere modulation for higher productivity in long pepper (Piper longum Linn.)" were carried out at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2002-03 to standardise nursery management practices for quality planting material production and to manage the rhizosphere for maximising the yield of spikes and biochemical constituents in long pepper under partial shade. The pot culture experiment consisted of combinations of eight levels of bio inoculants, viz., Azospirillum (AZ), Fluorescent pseudomonads (FP), AMF (AM), Azospirillum + Fluorescent pseudomonads (AZ + FP), Azospirillum + AMF (AZ + AM), Fluorescent pseudomonads + AMF (FP + AM). Azospirillum + Fluorescent psuedomonads + AMF (AZ + FP + AM) and no bio inoculants (BO) and four composition of rooting media viz, FYM: Sand: Soil(I:I:I), Vermicompost : Sand: Soil (1:1:1), Coir pith compost: Sand: Soil (1 : 1 : 1), and Poultry manure: Sand: Soil (1: 1 : 1). Dual inoculation of FP+AM followed by combined inoculation of AZ+FP+AM gave maximum leaf number. Integrated application of FY+FP+AM and VC+AZ+FP+AM recorded maximum dry matter production. Maximum root number, root length, root spread and root weight were recorded by AZ+FP+AM, AM, AZ+FP+AM and FP+AM respectively. Inclusion of VC and FYM in the rooting media, enhanced root length and root spread respectively. Integration of dual inoculation with vermicompost resulted in maximum colonisation of Azospirillum. Single inoculation of FP recorded higher colonisation. Dual inoculation of FP with AM and combined inoculation of FP with AMF and AZ also recorded higher value. The treatment combinations, FY/VC+FP+AM and FY/VC+AZ+FP+AM recorded maximum AMF inoculation In the field experiment, the response of long pepper to five sources of organic manures viz, FYM, vermicompost, coir pith compost, neemcake, and no organic manure, three levels of inorganic fertilizers viz, 0:0:0, 30:30:60, 60:60: 120 kg NPK halyrland three levels of bio inoculants viz, AZ+FP+AM, FP+AM, and no bio inoculant were studied. Application of FYM/VC, moderate dose of NPK (@30:30:60 kg halyr ") and combined inoculation of AZ+FP+AM were beneficial for the development of an efficient root system. In general, FY IVC, application of moderate dose of NPK and B I enhanced spike number. Source of organic manure significantly influenced spike yield and application of VC followed by FYM resulted in higher total fresh and dry spike yield. Moderate dose of NPK, was found sufficient in maximising the total spike production. With respect to bio inoculants, B I followed by B2 recorded higher yield. Incorporation of FYM without the addition of inorganic fertilizers but integrating with combined inoculation of AZ+FP+AM recorded the maximum alkali od content. It is concluded that integrated nutrient management system involving incorporation of verrnicompost @6.25 t halyr', addition of NPK @30:30:60 kg halyrland combined application of bio inoculants viz, Azospirillum, Fluorescent pseudomonads and AMF was found favourable for enhancing both total fresh and dry spike yield and total alkaloid production in long pepper under partial shade.