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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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20112
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Author: KAU × Author: Sajnanath, K × End date: 2011 × Start date: 2011 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutrient interactions in soil test crop response studies on cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L) in the laterite soils of Kerala.
    (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Sajnanath, K; KAU; Hassan, M A
    A comprehensive approach has to be adopted for efficient fertilizer use, incorporating soil test, field research and economic evaluation of the results for providing a scientific basis for the process of enhancing and sustaining food production as well as soil productivity with minimum environmental degradation, it needs more. Soil testing is one of the best scientific means for quick and reliable determination of soil fertility status. Soil test crop response study in the field provides soil test calibration between the level of soil nutrients as determined in the laboratory and the crop response to fertilizers as observed in the field for predicting the fertilizer requirements of the crop. In Kerala, many studies have been conducted to get a fertilizer prescription equation for targeted yield in various crops like rice, banana etc. A programme was formulated to investigate the nutrient interaction in soil test crop response studies on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in the laterite soils of Kerala. In this, the field works were conducted as per the pattern of soil test crop response correlation studies. A gradient crop experiment was conducted in the experimental field of AICRP on STCR using maize. The purpose is to create a fertility gradient in the field by applying different doses of fertilizers. The area was divided into three strips and the doses of nutrients were applied as per STCR pattern of fertilization for maize. The crop was harvested and the plant samples were taken for analysis. The pre and post experimental soil samples were analysed. It was found that fertility gradients were developed in the field. Using the data on dry matter production in various strips, the nutrient uptake was also determined. A test crop experiment was designed in the same field where the gradient crop was raised. There were 24 treatments with three control plots. The treatments included four levels of nutrients and three levels of farm yard manure. The crop, cucumber (Var.: AAUC-2), popularly known as salad cucumber, was raised and managed as per package of practices of KAU. The soil samples were collected before, at flowering and harvest stages during the experiment. The plant samples were collected at flowering and harvesting stages. The total dry matter production and yield were taken treatment wise at the harvest. The soil samples were analysed for various chemical parameters. The data on yield, uptake of nutrients, nutrient status, nutrient requirement, quantity of farm yard manure applied were used for formulating the fertilizer prescription equations for cucumber. Using these equations, the quantity of fertilizers to be used to get a target of yield can be calculated if the available nutrient status is known. The equations thus developed were verified in farmers' field at four locations; Pallikandam, Maraikkal, Ayiloor and Vithanassery. The fields were laid out with five treatments and four replications. The treatments were (i) farmers' practice (ii) KAU package, (iii) soil testing laboratory method, (iv) STCR method with a target of 30 t ha-I and (v) STCR method with a target of 35 t ha-I. The soil samples were analysed before raising the crop and the quantities of fertilizers to be applied were computed for various treatments. The plant and soil samples at flowering and harvest stages were analysed for pH, EC, CEC, Organic Carbon, available N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and micronutrients such as Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn. The total dry matter production and yield were taken treatment wise at the harvest. The data were used for- statistical analysis for assessmg direct and indirect effect of nutrients on yield and nutrient interactions. A positive correlation was observed between organic carbon' and soil parameters at flowering stage. At the harvesting stage, there was a positive correlation was found between yield and major nutrients. The interaction between available P in the soil and Nand K in the plant was observed. The availability ofP in plant was negatively correlated with Fe in the soil. The targeted yield equations for cucumber could produce the yields of 30 and 35 t ha-I from the verification experiments conducted at the different locations. The B:C ratio also was higher in the STCR methods over the farmers' practices, blanket recommendations and STL recommendations. The information generated in the project will help in making the soil testing programme scientifically sound in terms of achieving predicted yields, maintaining soil fertility and helping the extension agencies in ensuring balanced fertilizer use according to the soil fertility status and crop requirement.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutrient interactions in soil test crop response studies on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in the laterite soils of Kerala.
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Sajnanath, K; KAU; Hassan, M A
    A comprehensive approach has to be adopted for efficient fertilizer use, incorporating soil test, field research and economic evaluation of the results for providing a scientific basis for the process of enhancing and sustaining food production as well as soil productivity with minimum environmental degradation, it needs more. Soil testing is one of the best scientific means for quick and reliable determination of soil fertility status. Soil test crop response study in the field provides soil test calibration between the level of soil nutrients as determined in the laboratory and the crop response to fertilizers as observed in the field for predicting the fertilizer requirements of the crop. In Kerala, many studies have been conducted to get a fertilizer prescription equation for targeted yield in various crops like rice, banana etc. A programme was formulated to investigate the nutrient interaction in soil test crop response studies on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in the laterite soils of Kerala. In this, the field works were conducted as per the pattern of soil test crop response correlation studies. A gradient crop experiment was conducted in the experimental field of AICRP on STCR using maize. The purpose is to create a fertility gradient in the field by applying different doses of fertilizers. The area was divided into three strips and the doses of nutrients were applied as per STCR pattern of fertilization for maize. The crop was harvested and the plant samples were taken for analysis. The pre and post experimental soil samples were analysed. It was found that fertility gradients were developed in the field. Using the data on dry matter production in various strips, the nutrient uptake was also determined. A test crop experiment was designed in the same field where the gradient crop was raised. There were 24 treatments with three control plots. The treatments included four levels of nutrients and three levels of farm yard manure. The crop, cucumber (Var.: AAUC-2), popularly known as salad cucumber, was raised and managed as per package of practices of KAU. The soil samples were collected before, at flowering and harvest stages during the experiment. The plant samples were collected at flowering and harvesting stages. The total dry matter production and yield were taken treatment wise at the harvest. The soil samples were analysed for various chemical parameters. The data on yield, uptake of nutrients, nutrient status, nutrient requirement, quantity of farm yard manure applied were used for formulating the fertilizer prescription equations for cucumber. Using these equations, the quantity of fertilizers to be used to get a target of yield can be calculated if the available nutrient status is known. The equations thus developed were verified in farmers' field at four locations; Pallikandam, Maraikkal, Ayiloor and Vithanassery. The fields were laid out with five treatments and four replications. The treatments were (i) farmers' practice, (ii) KAU package, (iii) soil testing laboratory method, (iv) STCR method with a target of 30 t ha-I and (v) STCR method with a target of 35 t ha-I. The soil samples were analysed before raising the crop and the quantities of fertilizers to be applied were computed for various treatments. The plant and soil samples at flowering and harvest stages were analysed for pH, EC, CEC, Organic Carbon, available N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and micronutrients such as Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn. The total dry matter production and yield were taken treatment wise at the harvest. The data were used for- statistical analysis for assessmg direct and indirect effect of nutrients on yield and nutrient interactions. A positive correlation was observed between organic carbon' and soil parameters at flowering stage. At the harvesting stage, there was a positive correlation was found between yield and major nutrients. The interaction between available P in the soil and Nand K in the plant was observed. The availability ofP in plant was negatively correlated with Fe in the soil. The targeted yield equations for cucumber could produce the yields of 30 and 35 t ha-I from the verification experiments conducted at the different locations. The B:C ratio also was higher in the STCR methods over the farmers' practices, blanket recommendations and STL recommendations. The information generated in the project will help in making the soil testing programme scientifically sound in terms of achieving predicted yields, maintaining soil fertility and helping the extension agencies in ensuring balanced fertilizer use according to the soil fertility status and crop requirement.