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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: Harilal, K × Author: KAU × Start date: 2010 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of invasive alien Plants on understorey vegetation in Tholpetty range of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
    (Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2019) Harilal, K; KAU; Gopakumar, S
    A study titled “Impact of invasive alien plants (IAP) on understorey vegetation in Tholpetty Range of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary” was undertaken to understand the distribution characteristics of selected invasive alien plant species (IAPS) viz., Lantana camara L., Senna spectabilis (DC.) H.S. Irwin and R.C. Barneby and Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Robin in the three vegetation types (Plantation, NF, and Vayal) of WS I part of the WWLS. The additional objective was to assess the impact of these IAPS on the native plant communities in these vegetation types. In the WS I area, L. camara invasion was rampant, except in the southern regions. Higher invasion was seen in the Kaimaram and Thirulkunnu forest sections. C. odorata invaded all the four sections viz. Kaimaram, Dasanghatta, Thirulkunnu and Bavali. S. spectabilis invasion was heavy in the Kaimaram section near the boundary of Thirunelli RF, and in the boundaries between Nagarhole TR and Kaimaram section. In all the three vegetation types, the density of Chromolaena was high, while it was lowest for Senna. The density of Chromolaena in NF, Plantation and Vayal was respectively 3734.11 ± 5.65, 8457.64 ± 27.52 and 7761.17 ± 9.74 stems/ha. The density of Lantana in NF, plantation and Vayal was respectively 1061.17 ± 2.75,334.11 ± 1.02and 215.29 ± 0.50stems/ha. The density of Senna in NF, plantation and Vayal was 414.11 ± 1.55, 589 ± 2.67 and 34.11 ± 0.21stems/ha respectively. In the Vayals, Senna invasion, though minimal, could be noticed. Chromolaena had the highest percentage cover in both plantation (24.58 ± 3.06) and Vayal (46.19 ± 4.03). In NF, Lantana (19.46± 3.43) had the highest percentage cover. In all the three vegetation types, Chromolaena had the highest frequency and abundance. Out of the total 140 plant species identified from the WS I region, number of species recorded in each weed category types like L, C, S, LC, CS, LS, LCS and Control were 67, 96, 20, 64, 9, 7, 14 and 113 respectively. Vis-a-vis the impacts of IAPS in NF, highest MSR (Mean Species Richness) was seen in Control (weed-free area), followed by L (Lantana invaded) and C (Chromolaena invaded) regions. The lowest MSR was in LCS (Lantana, Chromolaena, and Senna invaded) and LS (Lantana and Senna invaded) regions. In plantation, highest MSR was seen in Control (weed-free area) and the lowest in L (Lantana invaded) area. In Vayal too, highest MSR was observed in control, followed by C (Chromolaena invaded) and lowest in LC (Lantana and Chromolaena invaded) areas. All three IAPS negatively influenced the native species richness, although no specific declining trend in species richness could be observed. Among the three IAPS, C. odorata had the biggest impact on the species richness of native species in both NF and Vayal. In the plantations, L.camara had the biggest impact on species richness. Canopy openness and percentage cover of IAPS were found to be positively correlated. In NF and Vayal, Lantana showed highest correlation with canopy openness, while in plantation, Chromolaena showed highest correlation with canopy openness. In plots where Senna and Lantana occurred together, plant species richness decreased from 67 to 7. Similarly, when Senna and Chromolaena came together, species richness dropped from 96 to 9. This probably indicates a dominating interference of Senna on the recruitment of native species which needs research attention. Left unmanaged, Senna will soon become a major “biological pollutant” of Wayanad WLS.