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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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ThesisItem Open Access Study on the role of leadership in agricultural development in rural areas in Kerala(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture Vellayani, Trivandrum, 1979) Muthiah Manoharan, P; KAU; Thiagarajan Nair, GThis study on the role of leadership in agricultural development was designed to measure the role perception and 1 f role performance of different categories of leaders, as well as the factors associated with the role performance of leaders. This study was conducted in Arayoor I.P.D. Unit in Trivandrum District. This study covered five categories of leaders viz., Agricultural, Political, Co-operative, Ela committee and Panchayat leaders. The important findings were the following: 1. There was no significant difference among all categories of leaders regarding their age, educational level, communication skill, attitude towards agriculture and knowledge of the programme and improved agricultural practices. . 2. Agricultural and Ela committee leaders had higher farm size, higher income and had adopted more practices when compared to other categories of leaders. . 3* Agricultural, Panchayat and Co-operative leaders had high value orientation, high achievement motivation and had more favourable attitude towards high yielding varieties than other categories of leaders. 4. Co-operative leaders had more favourable attitude than other categories of leaders towards fertilizers* Panchayat, Agricultural and Political leaders had more favourable attitude than other categories of leaders towards plant protection. 5. Ela committee leaders had more mass media exposure than other categories of leaders. Ela committee, Agricultural and Panchayat leaders had more frequent contact with extension agency than other categories of leaders. ■ 6. The results revealed that Panchayat and Agricultural leaders had more perception of agricultural development roles than other categories of leaders. Agricultural leaders performed more roles in agricultural development than other categories of leaders. 7. When the pooled ranks were worked out the role "Accept improved agricultural practices before others" emerged as the most important role perceived as well as performed by the leaders. 8. Mass media exposure was significantly correlated with the role performance except in Political leaders. Caste also had influence in role performance. 9. Six variables viz., farm size, income, knowledge, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour were correlated, with role performance . significantly when the pooled data were considered. 10. Inter-correlation analysis lead to the conclusion that farm size had significant correlation with income, knowledge, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour. Income was significantly correlated with knowledge, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour. Knowledge was significantly correlated with contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour. There was also a significant correlation between mass media exposure and contact with extension agency. 11, It was also observed that the proportion of role performance explained by the variables viz., farm size, income, knowledge, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour was 50 percent.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic studies in sweet potato (ipomoea batatas(l.)lam.) a biometric approach(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1979) Joseph, C A; KAU; Mary George, KIn a varietal evaluation of 40 varieties of sweet potato all the 15 characters studied showed highly significant differences among the varieties. This was also expressed in the higher phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation. The high degree of variability especially in tuber characters offers scope for recombining desirable genes from different varieties. Tuber yield showed significant positive correlation with number of tubers, tuber diameter and harvest index, and significant negative correlation with internode length, vine length and top weight. Path-coefficient analysis revealed that among the first order components of tuber yield, tuber diameter, length and number and top weight had high positive direct effects while leaf area index had a negative direct effect. A comparison of the direct and indirect effects of first and second order components revealed that while selecting for high yielding types, a balanced approach may be adopted with regard to the different yield attributes. Genetic divergence in the available germ plasm was estimated using the Mahalanobis' D2 statistic and based on this the 40 varieties were grouped into 12 clusters. The number of verities in each cluster ranged from one to eight. The divergence between different clusters was not always due to divergence in the same set of characters but a combination of different sets of characters. Out of the fifteen characters studied seven viz., tuber diameter, vine length, number of branches, number of tubers, tuber yield, top weight and number of leaves accounted for more than 80 per cent of the divergence in the material. Canonical analysis also more or less confirmed the grouping of the verities made by Tocher's method. Eight varieties selected on the basis of genetic divergence were used for progeny studies. All these varieties were found to be completely self-incompatible. It is observed that time of pollination markedly affected fruit and seed set. Maximum fruit and seed set was obtained between 7 and 7.30 a.m. And it progressively decreased as time passes. The weather conditions prevailing during the period of anthesis and pollination also influenced fruit and seed set. Maximum, minimum and mean temperature had significant negative correlation with both fruit and seed set. Path-coefficient anaysis revealed that most of the weather elements studied had negative direct effect on fruit and seed set. The total contribution of weather elements alone on fruit and seed set worked out to 40 and 32.5 percent respectively and hence any study on incompatibility and sterility in sweet potato may be conducted under controlled environmental conditions for reliable results. Genetic analysis of quantitative characters was done utilising line x tester and open pollinated progenies of the eight selected varieties. In the open pollinated progenies, existence of non- additive and environmental effects were observed in top weight, vine length, tuber diameter and leaf area index, and additive effects in number of leaves, number of tubers and tuber yield. In the line x tester progenies, additive variance was high compared to non- additive components in all the characters except the number of branches. The regression coefficients of progenies on male and mid- parental values were significant in seven out of ten characters in the line x teater progenies and in four characters on female parental values in the open pollinated progenies. The standardised regression coefficients reduced the magnitude and variability in the regression coefficients to some extent. The estimates of broad sense heritability from the varietal evaluation was higher in magnitude for most of the characters than the estimates of narrow sense heritability obtained from components of variance in open pollinated and line x tester progenies. Tuber yield showed 70.61 and 43.65 per cent heritability from the components of variance analyses in the open pollinated and line x tester progenies respectively, while number of tubers showed 82.75 and 70.07 per cent heritability. The variance between males was significant in respect of top weight, vine length, number of leaves, number of tubers, tuber diameter, leaf area index and harvest index, while the variance between females was significant only in tuber length. Significant reciprocal differences were observed in top weight, number of tubers, leaf area index and harvest index. With respect to general combining ability significant positive effects were observed in number of tubers in the varieties J.29 and H.42, tuber length in Palchakram and H.42, tuber diamter in IB.40 and Chakkaravalli and harvest index in J.29 and Palchakram. Significant heterotic effects were observed in a number of vine and tuber characters in both hybrid and open pollinated progenies. Seven hybrid progenies showed significant increase in tuber yield which ranged from 31.25 to 84.63 per cent over the higher parental values. Both hybrid and open pollinated progenies gave heterotic combinations for economic characters. The varieties which gave heterotic progenies by open pollination have performed well in certain hybrid combinations also. Considering the difficulties in the large scale hybridization and production of hybrid seedling, it is suggested that open pollination in selected varieties especially good combiners can be adopted as a quick and efficient method for varietal improvement in sweet potatoThesisItem Open Access Studies on the regulation of progeny production and sex-ratio of Wesmael(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1979) Susamma, Jacob; KAU; Abraham, C CThe fecundity, progeny production, female – male composition of the progeny and duration of development of Bracon brevicornis wesmael as influenced by the density and size (weight) of host larvae of Corcvra cephalonica Stainton and the sex-ratio of the parent parasite population were studied at three temperature- humidity (TH) combinations, viz, 280c and 75% RH (TH1), 300c and 60% RH (TH2) and 320c and 50% RH (TH3). The maximum fecundity of the parasite was registered consistently at all the three TH levels at a host density level of two larvae per female parasite. The exclusive use of light weight larvae (weight range 8 to 10 mg) as hosts produced significantly less number of eggs at the TH1 and TH2 levels, while at the TH3 level the fecundity was maximum when the heavier host larvae (weight range 30 to 35 mg) were used. The parental sex-ratio levels of 2:1 and 3:1 (female:male ) led to the production of higher number of eggs than under the ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3. The maximum progeny production in B. brevicornis at the TH1 and TH2 levels was attained under a host density level of two larvae per female parasite. The progeny production was relatively higher at the TH1 and TH2 levels when heavier larvae were exposed for parasitisation. The superiority of the parental sex-ratio of 2:1 (female: male) in the production of higher number of progeny was established at the TH2 and TH3 conditions. Significant influence of the host larval density on the female progeny production was detected at the TH1 and TH2 levels. The female progeny production was maximum at a host larval density level of two per female parasite at the TH2 combination, while this was found to be the highest at a density level of one larva per female parasite at the TH1 level. Relatively heavier host larvae produced significantly higher number of female offsprings at the TH2 and TH3 combinations. The parental sex-ratio level of 2:1 (female:male) consistently produced maximum number of female progeny. The influence of host larval density on the proportion of females was pronounced only at the TH3 level and a density level of two laevae per female parasite was found to be better with reference to the production of a higher proportion of females. The sex-ratio of the parent parasite population influenced the proportion of females in the F progeny and a ratio of 1:3 (female:male) produced higher proportion of females at the TH2 and TH3 combinations. The host larval density, weight of host larvae and the sex –ratio of the parent parasite population exerted significant influence on the duration of development of B. bravicornis. The feasibility of manipulating the ambient temperature-humidity conditions for maintaining laboratory cultures of B. brevicornis at the maximum possible levels has been discussedThesisItem Open Access Effect of phospherus nutrition liming and rhizobial inculation on soybean(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Kurian, T M; KAU; Vikraman, RAn experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm attached to the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during July to October 1978, to study the effect of phosphorus nutrition, liming and rhizobial inoculation on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril). The investigation was taken up with the objective of arriving at the phosphorus requirement of the crop, assessing the response to liming and evaluating the effect of rhizobial inoculation. The trial was also aimed at studying the possible interaction effects between these factors. The experiment was laid out as a factorial in randomized block design with 16 treatments and 3 replications. The study revealed that applied phosphorus did not significantly affect any of the growth characters consistently. Grain yield and yield attributes were also unaffected but stover yield increased with higher doses of applied phosphorus. In general, nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium contents in plant components were unaffected by levels of phosphorus, liming and rhizobial inoculation. Uptake of these nutrients also remained almost unchanged. At harvest, nitrogen uptake by seeds constituted 44 per cent of the total, remaining being accumulated in stem + petiole and shell. In the case of phosphorus, 86.9 per cent of the total accumulation was in seeds, 6.0 percent and 7.1 per cent being in stem + petiole and shell respectively. Calcium being an immobile nutrient and an element not translocated within the plant, proportion of uptake of calcium in various components of the plant was different from that of nitrogen and phosphorus. In contrast to nitrogen and phosphorus, only 24.9 per cent of the total was found in seeds whereas 36.3 per cent and 38.8 per cent of it were concentrated in stem + petiole and shell respectively. Levels of phosphorus, had no effect on total nitrogen and available potassium contents of soil after harvest of the crop but there was a notable increase in available phosphorus and decrease in exchangeable calcium. Liming and rhizobial inoculation did not have any conspicuous effect on the content of nutrients in soil.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of different growth regulators on flowering and fruit development in pineapple(Department of Horticulture (Pomology), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Santha, K K; KAU; Aravindakshan, MThe present investigations were carried out in College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University during the years 1976-78. The object of the study was to find out the effect of growth regulators and certain other chemicals on flowering and fruit development in pineapple. The growth regulators and chemicals included in this study consisted of ethrel and Planofix at different concentrations and combination of Ethrel, Ca CO3 and urea. Ca C2 was also included in this study. Seasonal variation in the effect of growth regulators and chemicals in two seasons was noticed. Application of growth regulators and chemicals in January resulted in earlier flowering than November application. The differential response of growth regulators in the two seasons might be attributed to the variation in leaf area. Of the different growth regulators and chemicals tried, Ethrel 250 ppm was found to be the for maximum induction of flowering. Ethrel at all concentrations was found to reduce the duration of flowering and also the time for fruit set. Ethrel in combination with urea 2 per cent and Ca CO3 0.04 per cent also showed similar effect. Time taken for fruit maturity was slightly reduced by Ethrel treatment while it was delayed by the application of Planofix. In respect of fruit size, maximum size was obtained by Planofix 20 ppm. None of the growth regulators, chemicals and combinations tried resulted in an over all improvement in quality of fruits, but the number of leaves possessed by a plant profoundly influenced the quality of fruits. While induction of flowering could be achieved by the application of growth regulators and chemicals irrespective of the morphological characters of the plant, the fruit development was found to be associated with the number of leaves possessed by the plant. The fruits produced by plants with higher number of leaves (Class IV) possessed maximum of TSS, reducing sugars, total sugars and sugar acid ratio closely followed by Class III. For a satisfactory fruit development the plant should possess around 40 leaves at the time of application of growth regulators. The nutrient status of leaves was also found to influence fruit development considerably. The largest fruits were produced by plants having leaf nutrient status of 1.40 per cent N, 0.08 per cent P and 3.43 per cent K. The application of growth regulators and chemicals was responsible for low sucker production. Ethrel at 1250 ppm retarded the sucker production to a maximum extent.ThesisItem Open Access Propagation studies in cocoa(Department of Horticulture (Plantation Crops), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Kesavachandran, R; KAU; Sivaraman Nair, RA study on the different aspects of propagation of cocoa was undertaken at the College of Horticulture from May 1978 to July 1979 to standardise the criteria for selecting the pods, seeds and seedlings for raising the nursery, to find out the optimum size of polythene bags and the suitable medium for raising the nursery and also to standardise the best vegetative propagation methods for cocoa. The results had indicated that the volume and weight of the pods varied within the three classes of pods namely large, medium and small. There was not much variation in the number of seeds among the three classes of pods and the mean number varied between 30 to 42. The number of seeds were found to be highest in pods harvested in February and March followed by April. The highest percentage of germination was recorded in March followed by February, January, December and April. The size of the pod and the position of seeds (pedicel end, middle and distal end) had no significant influence on the germination and the growth of the seedlings. However, the large and medium sized pods are found to produce better seedlings. Based on the studies the following recommendation are made i) Large and medium sized pods weighing more than 350g each with not less than 400 cc volume should be selected for raising the nursery during the month of February and March. ii) The seed should be sown on the same day of harvest but it can be stored under room conditions upto six days. The percentage of germination will be decreased to 66 per cent by the sixth day. iii) A selection criterion for selecting the seedlings when they are three months old is recommended. The seedlings should have atleast 30cm height and 10 or more number of leaves when they are three months old. For raising three to five month old seedlings, the optimum size of bag is found to be 30 x 20 cm and the best medium for raising cocoa nursery is a mixture soil, sand and farm yard manure in the proportion 1:1:2. Considering the pattern and extent of root and shoot growth of the seedlings, planting the seedling when they are three to four months old is suggested. For higher percentage of rooting and optimum number of roots and higher root length, a ‘quick dip’ method for 60 sec in 4000 ppm NAA or 6000 ppm IAA is recommended for producing rooted cuttings. A ‘mist chamber’ method is suggested for rooting the cuttings. Forkert method of budding is recommended for cocoa either on eight to nine months old root-stocks or by green budding on three to four months old root-stock. The best time for budding is February and March on older root-stocks and April and May for green budding.ThesisItem Open Access Assessment of the antifertility property of ocimum sanctum(Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Girisdan, K; KAU; Jacob Cheeran, VA study was carried out in rats, to assess the antifertility property of the benzene fraction of the leaves of the plant Ocimum sanctum. Premating treatment was done in female animals at does levels of 200 and 400 mg per kilogram body weight for a duration of eight days. Male animals were subjected to the treatment at a dose level of 200 mg per kilogram body weight for 20 days . The experimental animals were allowed to mate with untreated animals of the opposite sex. Histopathological examination of the organs – pituitary, ovary, tests, liver and kidney were carried out. Results of the study suggested considerable reduction of fertility in both the sexes. This can be attributed to the impaired release of gonadotrophic hormones and the resulting improper functioning of the gonads. Administration of the extract showed no toxic effects in the treated rats as well as in their offspring.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the nutrient requirements of kids(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Mercy, A D; KAU; Sivaraman, EAn investigation was carried out to find out the nutrient requirements for optimum growth in kids. Twenty four Alpine – Malabari crossbred kids of 3 4 months of age formed the experimental subjects for the study. The animals, divided into three identical groups (groups 1, 11 and 111), were maintained on three different levels of nutrient intake for over a total period of 4 ½ months, the parameters recorded during the course of the study being average daily body weight gain, drymatter intake, feed conversion efficiency, digestibility coefficients of nutrients, nitrogen balance, mineral balance and haematological constituents. The average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency recorded for animals in the three groups 1, 11 and 111 were found to be 63.7 + 5.3, 64.4 + 5.0 and 67.6 + 2.0 g and 7.0 + 0.7, 7.5 + 0.5 and 7.9 + 0.3 respectively. The average drymatter consumption of animals were 3.1 + 0.2, 3.5 + 0.3 and 3.6 + 0.3 kg per 100 kg body weight respectively for the three groups 1, 11 and 111. The data collected for the haematological constituents were found to lies within the normal range for the species indicating that all the animals under the three dietary regimes were maintaining normal and sound nutritional status. The requirements arrived at for protein and energy for unit gain in body weight were 0.86 + 0.06 0.90 + 0.06 and 0.89 + 0.03 kg D. C. P. and 4.84 + 0.4, 5.20 + 0.30 and 5.31 + 0.19 kg T. D. N. for the animals in groups 1, 11 and 111 respectively. The requirements of D. C. P., T.D. N., calcium and Phosphorus arrived at from the results obtained during the course of the experiment are considered optimum for normal growth in Alpine – Malabari crossbred kids.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on utrine pathology in repeat breeding cattle(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Aravinda Ghosh, K N; KAU; Bharathan, T RAn investigation was undertaken to study the uterine pathology in repeat breeding cows employing uterine biopsy as a diagnostic technique. The studies were carried out in 26 repeat breeding cross bred cows from the herd of University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy using a biopsy instrument which was a modification of one designed by Minocha et al. (1964). Four cows which settled at first insemination served as control animals for comparison. From all the animals biopsy was taken during the early part of heat and was inseminated 8 to 12 hours after biopsy followed by intrauterine antibiotic therapy after 12 to 24 hours. Seven out of 17 animals which failed to conceive even after biopsy and treatment were slaughtered and their genitalia were subjected to detailed studies. Nine out of 26 repeat breeders and all the four control animals conceived at inseminations in the same heat of biopsy explaining the fact that biopsy operation did not affect the functional status of uterus. Pathological changes in the endometrium were observed in 14 out of 26 (53.85%) repeat breeding cows. Changes in the uterus observed in the biopsy were significant and consisted of infiltration with various types of inflammatory cells, periglandular fibrosis, cystic dilatation of glands, glandular hypertrophy, stromal hyalinization and sclerosis. It was seen that endometritis constituted the most important lesion. The experimental animals were classified into three groups based on histological findings; group I showing normal or nearly normal endometrium, group II with more extensive inflammatory changes and group III with severe inflammatory and fibrotic changes. Group I and II had a conception rate of 58.33 and 25 per cent respectively. In group III, none conceived. Results of insemination revealed that uterine lesions characterized by severe cellular infiltration and glandular changes affected the changes of conception adversely. The lesions in the slaughtered animals correlated with biopsy findings in general.
