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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 Studies on the effects of graded doses of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium on growth , yield and quality of bhindi(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1980) Subramanian, K V; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, P KThe yield of bhindi per unit of land and per unit of time has been observed to be very low in our country. A galaxy of reasons- poor genetic potential of the existing genotypes, incidence of parasitic and non- parasitic diseases and above all lack of an appropriate agronomic practices – have been attributed to the poor performance of Indian bhindi. There remains an urgent need to chalk out a fertilizer schedule for the high yielding varieties like Co.I which is popular in Kerala. The present study “studies on the effect of graded doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on growth, yield and quality of bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.)”, was designed to find out the optimum and economic levels of the three major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) which would give a yield level above 100 g/ha. A significant increase in yield was observed due to increasing levels of all the three nutrients. In the case of nitrogen the yield was found to increase upto 60 kg/ha and the economic and optimum levels were worked out to be 61 and 61.23 kg/ha respectively. Response to phosphorus and potassium application was observed to be linear. Patterns in uptake of nutrients indicated that a bhindi crop yielding 116.39 quintals of pods per hectare removes 87.81 kg nitrogen, 20.872 kg P2O5 and 103.905 kg K2O/ha. The effects of graded doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on plant height, leaf production, leaf area index, net assimilation rates, per cent of fruit set and other yield components were also studied.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the control of soft rot of ginger(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1980) Kurucheve, V; KAU; Peethambaran, E KThe present investigation ‘Studies on the control of soft rot of ginger’ was conducted at the Instructional Farm, attached to College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Trichur during the year 1978-79. Two varieties of ginger viz. ‘Rio-de-janeiro’ and ‘Maran’ were used for the investigations. The objectives of the investigations were 1) to find out the causal organism of soft rot of ginger in the acid lateritic soils of Vellanikkara 2) to find out suitable control measures against the disease 3) to know whether the fungus could develop resistance against continuous application of fungicides and 4) to find out any adverse effect on the development of ginger rhizomes when the fungicides were applied for controlling the disease. The pathogen responsible for the disease was found to be Pythium aphanidermatum (Edson) Fitzpatrick. More than 90 per cent inhibition of the fungus was observed by agallol, thiride and difolatan at 500 ppm concentration in vitro. Hundred per cent inhibition of the fungus was possible only with 2000 ppm of Cheshunt compound or thiride and with 500 ppm of agallol in vitro. Among the different combinations of Cheshunt compound, agallol and thiride, 100 ppm of agallol plus 100 ppm of thiride was the most effective combination in inhibiting the mycelial growth of the fungus. Seed treatment with 0.25 per cent agallol solution alone was not effective in reducing the disease incidence in the field. The fungicides which were proved very effective in in vitro studies, were again tested under field conditions. They were Cheshunt compound, agallol and thiride. Soil drenching before planting with the above mentioned fungicides reduced the pre emergence rotting considerably. Single application of fungicides either in one, three or four months after planting was not adequate in controlling the disease. A minimum of two post emergence applications i.e. One month and three months after planting either with cheshunt compound or agallol, in addition to pre planting soil drenching were necessary for controlling the disease as well as for getting good yield. P. aphanidermatum did not develop any resistance against the fungicides when they were applied continuously in the field. Adverse effect on the development of ginger rhizomes was not noticed when the fungicides were applied for controlling the soft rot of ginger. The present investigation showed that extent of control varied with the sequence and number of fungicidal applications. Treatments agallol – cheshunt compound, cheshunt compound – cheshunt compound and cheshunt compound – agallol in two times application; cheshunt compound – cheshunt compound – cheshunt compound ; cheshunt compound – agallol – thiride and cheshunt compound – thiride – agallol in three times application and cheshunt compound – cheshunt compound – cheshunt compound – cheshunt compound; agallol – agallol – agallol – agallol and cheshunt compound – thiride – agallol – cheshunt compound in four times application showed a better disease reduction compared to other treatments. The post emergence rotting started appearing from July and peak infection was noticed during August. The variety ‘Maran’ was more resistant to the disease. There was a direct correlation between the disease incidence and continuous rainfall.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on certain genetic and nongenetic factors affecting birth weight and growth rate malabari and crossbred goats(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1980) Raghavan, K C; KAU; Krishnan Nair, B RThe data on 1227 kids belonging to Malabari (309) Saanen x Malabari (389) and Alpine x Malabari (309) genetic groups born and brought up at the All India co – ordinated Research Project on Coats, Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy during the period from April 1974 to March 1979 were utilised to study the effects of various genetic and non genetic factors on body weight at different ages. Crossbred goats, S x M and A X M, registered higher weights at birth, at one month, at four months and at one year than the local Malabari goats. District sexual dimorphism in body weights at different ages could be observed in crossbred goats. Litter size significantly affected birth weight and weight at one month. Sason of birth had only non significant influence on weights at birth and that at one month, though the effect was significant on 4 month’s and one year weights. Even though the effect of gestation length undergone by kids was a significant source of variation for weights at birth alone in Saanen x Malabari and Alpine x Malabari kids, the same had significant effect on body weights at birth and at one month in Malabari. Significant effects of dam’s weight at kidding on weights at birth, one month and four months in Malabari ; at birth and a one month in Alpine x Malabari and at birth alone in Saanen x Malabari could be observed. Sire effect was significant on body weights at one month, 4 months and one year in Malabari, at birth and one year in Alpine x Malabari and one year alone in Saanen x Malabari. The growth rate was found to be highest in A x M upto four months of age and afterwards upto one year S X M showed highest rate of gain. The effect of genetic group on growth rate was found to be significant during all the periods of growth. The heritability estimate for weight at birth was near to zero. The h2 estimates were seen getting higher as the age advanced. Genetic correlations between body weights at different ages were found to be fairly high. But the phenotypic correlations between weight at different ages were found to be highly variable. Twins were more than singles in all the genetic groups and the secondary sex ratio was found to be 50:50. The results of the study indicated that crossbreeding of local goats with exotic breeds, Saanen and Alpine, is the desirable breeding plan to accomplish the improvement of body weight in goats, at different ages.ThesisItem Open Access Initial viability and crop yields in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)(Division of Seed Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 1980) Mohan Kumar, B; KAU; Agarawal, P KAn investigation was conducted at the Division of Seed Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effect of loss of viability on growth and yield of cowpea and to find out whether the deleterious effects due to loss of viability could be compensated by increasing the plant population per unit area. The treatments comprised of four levels of germinations (72, 63, 48 and 39 per cent) and two plant populations (20 and 40 plants/m2). The field experiment was laid out in a 4 x 2 factorial randomized block design with three replications. The crop was sown on 22nd of March, 1980 and harvested on 19th of July, 1980. The findings are summarized below: 1. In order to create variability in germination percentage accelerated ageing treatment was given. During accelerated ageing, seed deterioration was maximum between 2nd and 3rd week after treatment. There was no deterioration during the first week. The length of root, shoot and their dry weight did not vary much until 3rd week after treatment. However, there was a drastic reduction in these attributes during the 4th week. 2. The rate as well as total field emergence were inversely related to the seed deterioration. 3. Leaf area decreased with seed deterioration at the final phase of crop growth. Similarly the low population density was superior to the high one. 4. Regarding leaf dry weight, the control and the low population density were significantly superior to other treatments at the time of harvest. 5. Germination levels 72 and 63 per cent had significantly more stem dry weight per plant. Similarly the low population density registered higher dry matter accumulation in the stem. 6. The germination levels exerted no significant influence on plant height except at the final stage when control recorded the highest value. The effect of planting densities on height was also not markedly evident at any of the stages. 7. The low population density had invariably higher number of branches per plant at various stages of observation. Regarding the effect of germination levels, they were not statistically different. 8. Appearance of first flower was significantly earlier in the plants from deteriorated seed lots. The population density had no marked bearing on this aspect. 9. Total dry matter yield was highest in the plants from the maximum deteriorated seed lot during the early stage. However, at later stages the control plants accumulated maximum dry matter which was on par with the 63 per cent germination level. 10. Relative growth rate was least in the maximum deteriorated seeds in the beginning. But control registered the least value during the period between 45 and 103 days after sowing. The 63 per cent and 48 per cent germination levels were having significantly higher values at this stage. 11. The various yield components were not significantly influenced by the germination levels. However, population density had a marked bearing on the pod dry weight per plant and the dry weight of pod covers. 12. The low population density tended to increase the leaf nitrogen content at the final stage. However, the interaction effects were significant on the 45th day after sowing, with maximum leaf nitrogen content in the low population- 63 per cent germination combination. 13. With regard to stem nitrogen content, the control and 63 per cent germination level were significantly superior to other deteriorated lots at the final phase of crop growth. Similarly the plants of high density planting had remarkably more stem nitrogen than the low density. 14. Neither the germination level nor the population density did significantly influence grain nitrogen content. 15. Nitrogen uptake followed the same trend as that of total dry matter yield except in the case of total nitrogen uptake per hectare with reference to the population density. From this study, therefore, we may conclude that the four germination levels can be grouped into two distinct categories considering the loss of viability- yield relationships in cowpea. The control and the 63 per cent constitutes the first group, where no deleterious effects of seed deterioration was noted. The 48 and 39 per cent germination levels forms the second group where a significant reduction in terms of various growth attributes and dry matter yield was observed. This would, then, mean that the use of old seeds would not have a significant effect on yield, provided that viability is around 60 per cent and appropriate compensatory seed rates are used to allow for that fraction of seed population which is non- viable.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the leaf blight disease of clove caused by Cylindrocladium sp.(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1980) Sulochana, K K; KAU; Chandrasekharan Nair, NLeaf blight disease of clove caused by Cylindrocladium cuinqueseptatum Boedijn et Roitsma was investigated. The fungus infected clove leaves at all stages of maturity, but the seedlings were found to be more susceptible to the disease than mature plants. Injury of the host tissue was found to be a pre-requisite for successful infection by the fungus. The organism infected a wide variety of plants including some of the weed plants on artificial inoculation. Good growth and sporulation of the fungus was obtained on potato dextrose agar followed by Coon’s agar and Czapek’s agar. In liquid media, maximum dry weight of the mycelium was obtained on potato media, maximum dry weight of the mycelium was obtained on potato dextrose broth, followed by Czapeks’ broth. Maximum growth of the fungus was obtained on medium amended with gingelly oil followed by coconut and clove oils. In liquid media, maximum dry weight of the mycelium was obtained in the medium amended with gingelly oil followed by coconut clove oils. Optimum pH range for the growth of the fungus was found to be 7 to 9. Richards’ broth was found to be the best medium for the production of toxin followed by Czapek’s and Fries’ media. Exotoxin production was found to be more than endotoxin. The toxic metabolite is found to be thermostable. Diluting the culture filtrate to 4 times its volume showed a reduction in the toxic effect. However, the treatments did not completely eliminated the toxic effect of the preparation. The toxic effect of the culture filtrate translocated by defoliation on the cut twigs of plants. Culture filtrate of the fungus inhibited the spore germination of Colletotrichum glocosporioides and Curvularia sp. The culture filtrate as well as the mycelial extract produced lesions on clove leaves of different maturity, with pronounced effect on tender leaves. Spore germination of the fungus could be completely inhibited with all the eight fungicides in all concentrations on the first day of observation. Daconil-2767, Dithane M-45, Fytolan and Thride were able to cause 94,97,94 and 95 per cent inhibition of spore germination respectively upto 12th day at maxium concentration tested ( 3000 ppm). Growth of the fungus was completely inhibited with Bavistin 250, 500 and 1000 ppm, Dithane M-45 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm; Mildothane 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm and thride 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm; when tested in czapeks’ agar medium. In czapeks’ solution Bavistin, Difolatan, Dithane M-45 and Mildothane at all concentrations tested, there was complete inhibition of growth of the fungus. Bavistin at 250 ppm and Thiride at 1000 ppm were able to inhibit the growth of the fungus by 15 minutes immersion, when the culture dises were tested for the viability of the fungus, Mildothene and Dithane M-45 inhibited the growth of the fungus at 1000 and 2000 ppm respectively, When the culture discs were tested for the viability of the fungus after immersion for one hour in fungicidal solution. Fytolan and Difolaton were able to inhibit the growth of the fungus at the maximum concentration (both at 3000 ppm), only after 24 hours immersion in the fungicidal solution.ThesisItem Open Access Estimation of genetic parameters in green gram (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.)(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1980) Presanna Kumari, K T; KAU; Mary, K GeorgeBiometric studies on fifteen divergent green gram varieties (Phaseolus aurreus Roxb. syn. Vigna radiata (L.) wilzeck.) was conducted at the College of Agriculture , Vellayani , during November- January, 1979-80, to estimate the important genetic parameters like mean, range, genotypic and phenotypic coefficientsof variation , heritability, genetic advance and genetic gain and to find out the direct and indirect contributions of various component characters on yield by path coefficient analysis. There were significant differences among the varieties for all characters studied. Genotypic coefficient of variation was maximum for number of branches per plant followed by 100 seed weight and minimum for days to 50 per cent flowering . High heritability estimates were observed for pod length , 100 seed weight, plant height, number of seeds per pod days to 50 per cent flowering and number of pods per plant. Genetic gain was maximum for number of branches per plant followedby 100 seed weight and minimum for days to 50 per cent flowering. The number of branches per plant 100 seed weight, number of pods per plant and pod length had high heritability and genetic gain indicating the presence of additive gene action and hence they can be relied upon in selection programmes.ThesisItem Open Access Etiology and control of bacterial leaf blight of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae (Uyeda and Ishiyama) Dowson(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1980) Mary, C A; KAU; James MathewThe bacterial leaf blight of rice, incited by Xanthomonas oryzae (Syeda and Ishiyama) Dowson is one of the most serious disease of economic importance in India and several other rice growing countries of the world. This disease was first reported in India by Sreenivasan et. al. (1959) from Maharashtra and a serious epiphytetic was reported by Srivastava and Rao (1963) from Bihar. In Kerala , eventhough severe epiphytotics of this disease have not been reported so far, the disease is endemic in the major rice growing areas of Kuttanad and Palghat. The pathogen was identified as Xanthomonas oryzae (Uyeda and Ishiyama) Dowson based on its morphological , cultural , physiological and biochemical characters together with its pathogenicity. For laboratory studies and mass culturing of the organism, Glucose Yeast extract Agar and Glucose Agar were found to be the best solid media and Glucose Yeast extract chalk broth and potato Sucrose Peptone broth were the best liquid media. The pathogen was found to survive in infected seeds for a period of 90 days , in infected debris in soil for a period of 28 days and in infected soil for less than a week indicating that the infected seeds and infected plant debris in soil play an important role in the epidemiology of the disease.ThesisItem Open Access Etiology of the bacterial wilt of ginger incited by Pseudomonas solanacearum E.F. Smith and its control(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1980) Marykutty Samuel; KAU; James MathewThe bacterial wilt of gingerincited by psuedomonas solanacearum E.P. Smith probably the most serious of all the disease recorded on this crop was first reported from India in 1978. The symptoms of the disease include loss of turgidity of leaves , rolling and yellowing of the leaflets, cropping and wilting of the plant and rotting of the rhizome . No variations in symptoms were observed with the different inclates of the pathogen. Nutrient agar and peptone ceramic acid were the best soild media for the growth of the bacterium . Slight variations in growth were observed among the isolates when grown on ECA medium. The pathogen was identified to be Pseudomonas solanacearum E.P. Smith , biotype -3 of Hayward, from its morphological , physiological and biochemical characters coupled with pathogenicity.ThesisItem Open Access Control of root-knot nematodes in brinjal(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1980) Susannamma Kurien; KAU; John KuriyanThe egg plant (Brinjal) which is one of the most common vegetable crops is highly susceptible to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne spp. An effective control can often be achieved by the complete elimination of nematodes from transplants. Hence the present study was undertaken with a view to find out the efficacy of nursery treatment with four nematicides viz. DECP, aldicarb, carbofuran and metham sodium in control of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in brinjal seedlings and their subsequent performance in the mainfield. Seeds of brinjal local was seen in nematicide treated nursery beds. On 30th day after sowing seedlings were uprooted from each treatment and plant characters like number of leaves, height of the plants , galls per plant and weight of 25 seedlings were compared to study the effect of the treatment in the nursery . All the characters were found to be superior over the check.
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