Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

19981
Reset filters
Author: Devanesan S × End date: 1999 × Start date: 1992 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pathogenesity of thai sacbrood virus to the ecotypes of Apis cerana indica Fab. in Kerala
    (Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1998) Devanesan S; KAU; Abraham, Jacob
    Identification of ecotypes of the Indian bee A. cerana indica Fab. in different ecological niche in Kerala adopting statistical analysis of the morphometric data was attempted in the investigation. Sixty worker bees each were collected from 18 locations distributed throughout Kerala and data on 50 selected characters were collected. Univariate analysis showed significant variations in the data with reference to all the fifty characters indicating the desirability of a multivariate analysis for identifying sub groups of A. cerana indica available in the state. A comparison of the honeybee population of the three topographic divisions of the state viz., highrange, highland and midland, with reference to each morphometric character revealed that the bees from highrange were distinct from those of highland and midland. There was less distinction between the bees of the latter two divisions. It also indicated that the highrange bees possessed longer proboscis, antennae, wings and legs. The abdominal size also showed an increasing trend in highland and highrange bees. Eleven morphometric characters were positively correlated with altitude while seven characters showed negative correlation. Multivariate(discriminant) analysis of the morphometric data revealed the existence of four different clusters / ecotypes in A. cerana indica populations of Kerala. Cluster I included all the six locations of midland and four locations of highland. Two locations of highland at higher altitude formed cluster 11. Pampadumpara of the highest altitude in highrange came in cluster IV and remaining locations of the highrange constituted cluster Ill. Contribution of each morphometric character towards divergence of the clusters was also assessed. Seventeen characters contributing 2.5 to 6.4 per cent of divergence were thus identified. Bees from all the four clusters / ecotypes showed susceptibility to Thai Sacbrood Virus (TSBV) infection. Studies on the pathogenicity of TSBV showed that all four larval instars of A. cerana indica were susceptible to TSBV. One day old larvae were highly susceptible recording 100 per cent mortality closely followed by 2 and 3 day old larvae showing 84 to 92 and 82 to 96 per cent mortality respectively, with an incubation period of 3-4 days. Four day old larvae were comparatively less susceptible recording 72 to 74 per cent mortality with an incubation period of 3 to 5 days. The infected larvae were seen lying on the floor of the brood cells on their back with the head directed outwards and turned upwards like the prow of a boat. In later stages they became plumbier than healthy larvae. After death each larva showed a sac like appearance when lifted up and it was filled with a milky fluid formed probably by the histolysis of the tissues. In 10 to 15 days the sac got shrunk into a small browinish black scale \ " loosely lying at the floor of the' cell. The presence of diseased larvae was found to upset the behaviour of workers and queen. These resulted in the fast dwindling of the population and cessation of cleaning activities in the hive. The hive lost the desired qualities of a bee abode and hence the surviving bees deserted the same causing total loss to apiary.