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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 Genetic studies in red gram (eafanui caiaixL)(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Radhakrishnan, V V; KAU; Narayanan Namboodiri, K NThesisItem Open Access Anatomy and utilization of two cane species of Kerala(College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 1988) Mohan, Varghese; KAU; Bhat, K MVariation in certain anatomical and physical properties has been investigated and compared in two rattan species, viz. Calamus thwaitesii and C. travancoricus, the former representing the larger diameter and the latter possessing small-diameter canes of kerala. Five stems possing more or less similar number of internodes have been sampled in each of two species. There were significant differences between the two species in certain physical properties such as length and diameter of internode, stem “wood” density and initial moisture content although volumetric shrinkage did not differ appreciably. Similarly, quantitative data for anatomical properties such as corted percentage, number of vascular bundles per unit area, vascular bundle diameter, xylem and phloem percentage, metaxylem vessel element and fibre dimensions were markedly different between the two species while the fibre percentage had almost similar values. With the exceptions of internode size and fibre width, the mean physical and anatomical properties in each species showed definite patterns of longitudinal variation, which could be best explained using quadratic regression models. However, patterns of longitudinal variation were different between the species in volumetric shrinkage, number of vascular bundles per mm2, vascular bundle diameter, phloem percentage, metaxylem vessel element and fibre length. The most important useful features in distinguishing between the two species are internode length, stem diameter, epidermal cell and its lumen shape, diameter and frequency of vascular bundles as well as the diameter of wide metaxylem vessels. The most important determining factors of “wood” density are fibre percentage, fibre wall thickness and lumen width as well as the diameter of metaxylem vessels although features like the size and number of vascular bundles per unit area also influences this property. Volumetric shrinkage and moisture content are inversely related to the density of “wood”. With higher density owing to more thick walled fibres and narrower wide metaxylem vessels, basal portion of the stem is harder and heavier than top portion.ThesisItem Open Access Yield and its components in groundnut under partial shade in coconut garden(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1988) Rajasree, M R; KAU; Gopimony, RA study on the parameters of variability, heritability and genetic advance and correlation of pod yield with other components were undertaken in thirtyone varieties of groundnut to select genotypes having good yield and adaptability under partially shaded conditions of coconut gardens. The study was conducted during kharif 1987 at the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, by raising the varieties in a randomised block design with four replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among varieties for the characters like plant height, first date of flowering , flowering duration, pod yield per plant on fresh weight basis, pod number per plant, mature to immature pod ratio, pod yield per plot on fresh and dry weight basis, 100 pod weight, 100 kernel weight, shelling percentage, halum yield per plant and per plot on fresh and dry weight basis, harvest index, photosynthetic efficiency at reproductive phase, leaf area index at reproductive phase and Cercospora leaf spot disease score. Analysis of variance for chlorophyll-a, b and total pigments revealed that there was no significant difference among the varieties with respect to chlorophyll pigment content. Analysis of variance for shade intensity measured in each plot during vegetative and reproductive phase indicated the presence of uniform shade in the experimental field. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability and genetic advance were observed for hundred pod weight and mature to immature pod ratio, suggesting the reliability of these characters during the selection programme for the improvement of this crop. Correlation analysis of dry pod yield per plot with twentyfour characters revealed that fresh pod yield per plot, fresh and dry pod yield per plant, pod number per plant, halum yield per plot on fresh and dry weight basis, harvest index and photosynthetic efficiency during reproductive phase showed relatively high genotypic correlation with dry pod yield per plot. The study indicated that for selecting an ideal plant type of groundnut for partially shaded conditions we have to look for the tallest, earliest flowering and vegetatively maximum vigorous individual plant.ThesisItem Open Access Status of broiler production In Kerala with special reference to Trichur(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary, Mannuthy, 1988) Aboobacker, M; KAU; Regunathan Nair, GA survey was undertaken to assess the present status of broiler farming in Thrissur, a major broiler producing district in Kerala. Thirtytwo farms were selected for the survey based on holding strength and frequency of intake. Following are some of the salient points that emerged from the survey. All the farmers were literate and had taken up broiler farming for generating additional income to sustain the family. Majority of the farmers were raising 300 birds per crop with fortnightly intake and were adopting scientific management practices. Organized marketing channel was absent and the birds were disposed off at the farm site itself in retail or wholesale. Dressing of birds in large scale was not being practiced. Results indicated that the mortality rate, body weight at marketing and feed conversion ratio were 6.69 per cent, 1.48 kg and 2.49 respectively. The major portion of production cost was attributed to feed (56.26%) followed by chick (28.56%) and labour (4.31%). Seasons of the year had no appreciable effect on broiler productivity except slight higher mortality due to heat stress during hot seasons. Study also revealed that increasing the stock intake reduces the cost of production with increase in net return. The productivity both in terms of market body weight and livability were adversely affected in farms where hired labour was used resulting in much lower net income. Low profit farms (less than Rs.2.00 per bird sold) showed higher mortality (13.56%) and low body weight at disposal. The survey revealed that better productivity could be achieved by improving efficiency of production particularly reduction in feed cost, increasing livability and adoption of a tangible marketing system so as to obtain remunerative price even during lean seasons.ThesisItem Open Access Slow release nitrogen in cassava nutrition(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1988) Vinod, G S; KAU; Muraleedharan nair, VAn investigation was undertaken at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the year 1985-86 to study the effect of slow-release nitrogen sources on cassava. The variety used for the trail was Sree Visakha. The treatments consisted of four sources namely urea, neemcake coated urea, urea super granule and rubber cake coated urea each at five levels of nitrogen (50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in a 4 x 5 rectangular lattice design with three replications. Application of slow release sources of nitrogen like urea super granule and neem cake coated urea enhanced the growth characters of tapioca such as plant height, number of functional leaves, number of nodes and the leaf area index. Higher levels of nitrogen gave better results in the growth characters. The highest number of tubers, maximum tuber weight and the highest tuber yield were recorded by the urea super granule application, followed by neem cake coated urea. Among the levels of nitrogen tried, the level 150 kg/ha gave the highest yield. Starch content, crude protein content and the hydrocyanic acid contents were not affected by the slow-release source of nitrogen while higher levels of nitrogen application increased the hydrocyanic acid content and the crude protein content. Urea super granule recorded the highest nitrogen uptake and potassium uptake followed by neem cake coated urea. There was no significant difference in the total nitrogen content of the soil with the use of slor-release sources of nitrogen. The treatment combination of neem coated urea tried at 150 kg N/ha resulted in the maximum net return. Though urea super granule gave the maximum yield its cost of cultivation was higher than that of the other sources. So it is more economical to use neem cake coated urea than urea super granule. So in general, the slow-release sources of nitrogn like urea super granule and neem cake coated urea resulted in a better performance than prilled urea.ThesisItem Open Access Analysis of the effectiveness of national demonstraions conducted by the Kerala agricultural university(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Syamala, K S; KAU; Balakrishnan, CWith a view to study the effectiveness of the National Demonstrations on the behaviour of farmers, the present investigation was undertaken under the title “An analysis of the effectiveness of National Demonstrations Conducted by the Kerala Agricultural University”. Effectiveness was measured in terms of the farmers’ knowing about, attitude towards the adoption of the demonstrated cultivation practices of paddy and their attitude towards the National Demonstration program. The farmers’ perception about the methodology followed in the conduct of the demonstrations and the constraints experienced by the farmer-demonstrations in conducting National Demonstrations were also analysed. The study was conducted in Quilon district where the program is ongoing. The sample consisted of 46 farmer-demonstrators and 100 randomly selected neighboring farmers. Data were collected using interview schedule and suitable statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of the data. The study revealed that the farmer-demonstrators’ knowledge about, attitude towards and adoption of the demonstrated practices were significantly affected by the National Demonstration program. The farmer demonstrators’ attitude towards the program was also favourable. But the effectiveness of the program was much less among the neighboring farmers. The selected independent variables together contributed significantly in the variation in the knowledge about and attitude towards the demonstrated practices of the farmer-demonstrators, but not in their adoption and attitude towards the programme. In the case of neighbouring farmers, the contribution of the selected independent variables in the variation in their knowledge, attitude and adoption of the practices and attitude towards National Demonstration program was significant. The methodology followed in the conduct of the demonstrations was not satisfactory as perceived by the farmers. The results of the constraint analysis also pointed out that follow-up, trainings and field days were given the least attention. The results point out to the need for proper planning and improvement in every step in the conduct of the programme to reach its cherished goals.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative analysis of the cottage and factory sub sectors of the co-operative sectors in the handloom industry of Kerala(Department of Rural Marketing Management, College of Co-operatrion and Banking, Mannuthy, 1988) Toney, Joseph; KAU; Suresh, K AThe study on ‘A Comparative Analysis of the Factory and Cottage sub sectors of the co – operative Sector in the Handloom Industry of Kerala’ has been carried out to examine the structural differences, operational costs and profit margin and working conditions of weavers under both the categories. Five industrial societies and five primary societies which constituted 20% of the working societies of Cannanore district were selected for the study. Hundred weaver members were interviewed for the purpose of the study. The primary societies were organized on a production cum sales pattern while the industrial societies were similar to the handloom factories where production was centralised. The everage membership in primary societies was considerably high. The share of female members in total membership was also found to be high among primaries. The socio economic characteristics of weavers showed that more people were associated with weaving in primary societies than industrial societies. In the case of other variables like literacy, family size, age, caste, income, marital status, occupational mobility and territorial mobility, considerable difference was not noticed. The number of average looms and active looms covered were high among primary societies. But the average production per member was found to be high among the industrial societies. The factor productivity analysis showed that both the primary and industrial societies were found to the highly labour intensive. The analysis of the cost structure revealed that raw materials and wages constituted more than 70% of total costs. The sub sectoral analysis showed that cost structure was more or less similar. The cost –volume-profit analysis reflected the negative margin safety and it was found that break-even point of sales was above the actual sales. The working conditions revealed that the average wage received by the workers in the industrial societies by the workers in the industrial societies was considerably higher. The preference for higher counts of yarn was high in industrial societies. Health problems were wide spread among the weavers. Majority of weavers felt that they were pursuing a job of low status. Eighty percent of the weavers joined co-operatives either for better remuneration or for protection against exploitation. Thus, we have found that through industrial and primary societies were basically co-operative institutions with lot of similarities, the striking structural difference was found in their production organisation.ThesisItem Open Access Antibiotic producing and antagonistic microorganisms in the forest soils of Kerala(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Vinod, P B; KAU; Sukumara Varma, AThe antibiotic producing and antagonistic fungi, actinomycetes and bacteria in the evergreen forest soils of Ladysmith forest of Thariyode in Wynad, and Cheriyakanom forest of Thekkadi in Idukki districts of Kerala State were studied. The phanerogamic flore around the sites of soil sample collection in both localities were identified. The total microbial population was studied in relation to the depth of soil. The microbial population was maximum in the top layer and decreased with increase in depth of soil. The total microbial population was higher in Idukki and in both districts, population of bacteria was maximum followed by actinomycetes and fungi. A diversified group of fungi consisting, Mucor, Syncephalastrum, Trichoderma, Microascus, Cunningphamella, Absidia, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Talaromyces, Paecelomyces and Fusarium was present. Three types of actinomycetes viz. Streptomyces sp. with straight sporophores, flexuous sporophores and fascicled sporophores were present while four types of bacteria viz., B. subtilis. Bacillus sp. identical to B. subtilis, Bacillus sp. with small cell and fast growth in NA and Bacillus sp. with small cell and slow growth in NA were present. Antagonistic properties of the isolated were studied with the test organisms Pythium myriotylum, Phytophthora palmivora and Rhizoctonia soleni. Mucor sp. and Cunninchamella elegans showed intermingling and overgrowth with all the test organisms while Absidia corymbefera, Syncephalastrum racemosum, Aspergillus meleus, A. tarreus, Microascus cinereus and Fusarium oxysporum showed this character with P. myriotylum and P. palmivora. Intermingling and overgrowth character was observed in Paecelomyces lilacinus with P. palmivora and R. solani whereas A. versicolor and three species of streptomyces showed this character only with P. palmivora. Mutual inhibition on contact was exhibited by Talaromyces wortmannii with all the three test organisms, while A. versicolor and Streptomyces spp. with flexuous sporophores and fascicled sporophores showed this character with P. myriotylum and R. solani. This character was observed in case of A. corymbefera, S. racemosum, A. meleus, M. cinereus, F. oxysporum and Streptomyces sp. with straigtht sporophores, with R. solani while P. lilacinus showed this with P. myrootylum. Mutual inhibition at a distance was shown by Penicillium citrinum, P. simplicissimum, B. subtilis and the other three Bacillus spp. when tested with P. palmivora and R. solani, but A. terreus showed this reaction only with R. solani. Inhibition at a distance and disintegration of test organism was shown by A. niger with P. myriotylum and R. solani while P. citrinum and P. simplicissimum showed this character only with P. myriotylum. All the three spp. of Trichoderma showed die – back and disintegration of all the three test organisms, while A. niger showed this character only with P. palmivora and A. sydowii showed this character with R. solani only. streptomyces sp. with straight sporophores, B. subtilis and the other three Bacillus spp. showed this character with P. myriotylum alone. Inhibitory properties of antagonists using cell free culture filtrates were estimated and found that A. niger inhibited 100 per cent growth of all the three test organisms while P. citrinum, P. simpliciccimum and B. subtilis showed 100 per cent inhibition of P. myriotylum and a range of 67-87 per cent in case of P. palmovora and R. solani. A. terreus did not inhibit P. myriotylum and P. palmivora, but inhibites 78 per cent of R. solani. All the three Trichoderma spp. moderately inhibited all the three test organisms (13-26 per cent) while A. sydowii showed 20 per cent inhibition of R. solani only. Antibiotic property of the antagonists was determined and P. citrinum exhibited maximum, equivalent to 325 ppm tetracycline followed by Streptomyces with straight sporophores having 250 ppm. T. longibracheatum, P. simplicissimum and A. versicolor recovered antibiotic property equivalent to 150 ppm tetracycline hydrochloride while the other isolates had < 100 ppm equivalence of tetracycline hydrochloride.ThesisItem Open Access Characterization of Kerala soils into fertility classes with respect to available P and K extracted by a common extractant(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Kamalam, P V; KAU; Jose, A IA laboratory study was undertaken to evaluate the suitability of Mathew’s triacid extractant (0.06 N H2SO4 + 0.06 N HCI + 0.05 N oxalic acid) for the combined extraction of available P and available K in soil. The suitability of this triacid extractant was confirmed on a large number of soil samples. Precise relationships between triacid K and NH4OAc K were established. The ten fertility classes for available P and K currently followed in the soil testing laboratories are based on Bray-1 P and NH4OAc K. By making use of suitable regression equations the class intervals in terms of triacid P and triacid K values have to be formulated for the purpose of fertilizer recommendation. The use of this extractant can simplify the work in soil testing procedures thus enabling considerable savings of time and labour. A large number of soil samples was collected representing the entire state of Kerala. The available phosphorus of soil was extracted by Bray No.1 solution (1:10 soil solution ratio with an equilibration period of 5 min) and by Mathew’s triacid extractant (1:10 soil solution ratio with an equilibration period of 30 min). Phosphorus in the extract was then determined colorimetrically by the chlorostannous reduced molybdophosphoric blue colour method in HCI system. The available potassium of the soil was determined by neutral N NH4OAc with a soil solution ratio of 1:5 and an equilibration period of 5 min as well as by the triacid acid method. Potassium in the extract was determined flame photometrically. Soils were also analysed for organic carbon, pH and EC. Suitable correlation was worked out between Bray-1 P and triacid P. A linear regression equation was fitted to predict triacid P values from Bray-1 P values. Suitable relationship was also established between NH4OAc K and triacid K. The linear regression model worked out between NH4OAc K and triacid K was used to predict triacid K values from NH4OAc K. Most of the soils were acidic and non-saline. The pH showed a negative correlation with Ec and organic carbon content of soil. Soils varied in the content of organic carbon from 0.04 per cent to 4.41 per cent but in general was rich with a mean organic carbon content of 1.14 per cent. Electrical conductivity was positively correlated with organic carbon content of soil. A positive correlation was observed between organic carbon and available K. Mineralisation of organic matter contributed significantly to the increasing acidity of soil. The available P estimated by Bray-1 was found to range from 0.46 to 370.30 ppm whereas triacid P ranged from 1.73 to 462.50 ppm. The triacid extracted larger amounts of available P than the Bray-1. A significant correlation was observed between triacid P and Bray-1 P (r = 0.9575**). By fitting the regression equation y = 1.15x, where y represented triacid P and x represented Bray-1 P, the triacid P values of the ten fertility classes have been worked out. The available K as estimated by neutral N NH4OAc ranged from 10.0 to 425.0 ppm whereas triacid K ranged from 4.0 to 154.0 ppm. Triacid extracted lower amounts of available K (42.38 ppm) than the neutral N NH4OAc K (105.23 ppm). Although triacid showed less efficiency for releasing K from soil it was found to have high correlation with neutral N NH4OAc (r = 0.9235**). The linear regression equation of the form y = 0.44x was worked out where y represented triacid K and x represented NH4OAc K. This was employed to redefine the ten fertility classes in terms of triacid K values. The increase in precision obtained by the relationship between P estimated by Bray 1 and triacid as well as K estimated by neutral N NH4OAc and triacid by grouping the soils into separate textural classes was only marginal. The present study therefore confirmed the suitability of the triacid for estimation of both available P and K in the soil of Kerala. The revised class intervals for the ten fertility classes followed in the soil testing laboratories of Kerala have been formulated in terms of triacid P and triacid K values which will serve as a guide for giving fertilizer recommendations for various crops.
