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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Open Access
Divergence studies in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Pair)
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Suresh Babu, V; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, T R
The present investigation on "Divergence studies in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschat a Poir ) was conducted at the College of Horticulture , Vellanikkara, Trissur during June 1988 - Marc h 1989. Seventy one pumpkin genotypes collected from different part of India and abroad were utilized for the study. The extent of variability and divergence among 50 selected genotypes were assessed and grouped into 5 clusters based on Mahalanobis D2 statistic . Cluster I, II, III, I V and V contained 2, 7, 9, 12 and 20 genotypes respectively y . Intercluster distance was maximum between clusters I and II and was minimum between clusters III and V . Cluster I showed maximum average intercluster distance with any other cluster. Screening 71 genotypes for resistance/ tolerance to pumpkin mosaic and yellow vein mosaic diseases revealed that all genotypes except C M 214 were susceptible. Artificial inoculation studies confirmed immunity of C M 214 (Nigerian Iocal ) to pumpkin mosaic virus and yellow vein mosaic virus .
Open Access
Evaluative perception of appropriateness of the recommended fertiliser management practices
(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Rasheed Sulaiman, V; KAU; Muraleedhara Prasad, R
A study was undertaken to investigate into the extent of knowledge, extent of adoption and evaluative perception of appropriateness of the recommended fertilizer management practices among rice farmers (n=200) and Agricultural Demonstrators (n=54) in Palghat and Cannanore Districts of Kerala State. The study revealed that farmers of Palghat and Cannanore differed significantly with respect to their knowledge and adoption of fertiliser management practices with farmers of Palaghat having higher level of knowledge and adoption
Open Access
Flower bud differentiation in clove, Eugenia caryophyllus (Sprengel) Bullock & Harrison
(Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Trivandrum, 1989) Pauline Lina, Edwin; KAU; Vasanthakumar, K
Investigations on flower bud differentiation in clove were carried out at College of Agriculture, Vellayani from August, 1936 to December, 1987. Bearing clove trees (seven years old) at the Instructional Farm attached to the college were utilized for the study. The plant specimens were stored in FAA (Formalin-acetoalcohol) and then dehydrated through tertiary butyl alcohol - iso propyl alcohol series. The specimens were Infiltrated and embedded In paraffin wax (m.p. 58-60'C) and sectioned In a rotary microtone. The sections were then de-waxed, stained and examined for the anatomical features and photoalerogra- phed. The weather parameters and the nutritional factors recorded daring the period of study and those during sixteen fortnights prior to differentiation, were correlated with the data on flower bud differentiation. Significant positive correlation was obtained between the maximum temperature during the sixth to tenth fortnights before differentiation and the percentage of flower buds differentiated. Sunshine hours during ninth to twelfth fort night prior to differentiation showed a positive correlation with the percentage of flower bud differentiation.
Open Access
Time of application of pre-emergence herbicides in dry-sown rice
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1989) Suja, G; KAU; Abraham, C T
Open Access
Spatial arrangement and nutrient management for maize- fodder cowpea intercropping in rice fallows
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture Vellayani, Trivandrum, 1989) Geetha Kumari, S; KAU; Mohamed Kunju, U
An investigation was carried out during the summer season of l987-88 in the instructional farm attached to the College of Agriculture Vellayani to determine the best crop arrangement for a grain maize fodder cowpea inter cropping in summer rice fallows under different fertility levels • The different crop arrangements. tried were pure crop of maize at normal row arrangement, maize at normal row arrangement, + one, row of cowpea in between the maize pure crop of maize at paired row arrangement two rows of cowpea in the interpair spaces maize at paired rows of cowpea.
Open Access
Control of aphis craccivora koch. with fungal pathogens and their impact on the natural enemies of the pest
(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Hareendranath, V; KAU; Vasudevan Nair, K P
Studies were made to collect information on the population fluctuation of pea aphid Aphis craccivora Koch. a regular pest of cowpea in relation to time of planting and stage of the crop. The population fluctuation of pea aphid in relation to the prevailing weather factors and the predators were also investigated to collect information on host predator interactions and interrelations. A survey on the occurrence of fungal pathogens associated with pea aphid was conducted in the pulse crops raised at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani and adjacent farmers fields. The suspected fungi were isolated and their pathogencity tested in the laboratory. Pathogencity could be proved only in the case of Fusarium pallidoroseum (Cooke) Sacc. Detailed studies were made on its growth, sporulation and pathogenicity using different artificial culture media. It was observed that the cowpea crop planted during November recorded maximum population of pea aphid followed by crop planted during October and December. Lowest population of pea aphid was noticed in the crop planted during March. The active reproductive stage of the crop recorded maximum population of pea aphids. Correlation studies with weather factors and predator population revealed that relative humidity and predator population was positively correlated with the population of pea aphid. Regression analysis of the data obtained indicated that 84 per cent of variation of population could be accounted by the variables under study. Partial regression coefficient of the aphid population and relative humidity was found to be positive and significant. Partial regression coefficient between pea aphid population and predator population was also positive and highly significant. Studies on the pathogenicity of F. pallidoroseum showed that pea aphid infected with the fungus turned pale and assumed a brownish black discolouration. Death occurred in 48 to 72 hours after infection and white mycelial growth appeared on the cadavers 24 to 48 hours after death. Growth, sporulation and virulence of the fungus was found to be superior in Sabouraud medium followed by potato dextrose agar. Sporulation was maximum in 6 day old culture and virulence was highest in 6 day and 7 day old cultures. For mass production of the fungus broken maize grain appeared to be the most suitable media followed by tapioca chips and jack seed as they produced maximum number of spores. Studies on the safety aspects of the pathogen showed that the fungus was not pathogenic to the crop plants tested viz. rice, bhindi, chillies and tomato and also to the predator Menochilus sexmaculata. Bioassay showed that LC50 of the fungus to pea aphid was 3.408 x 10 6 spores per ml. Field experiment to test the efficacy of the fungus in controlling aphid population revealed that the fungus at the rate of 7 to 10 6 spores per ml and 3.5 x 10 6 spores per ml was as effective as the insecticide quinalphos 0.05 per cent. The fungal treatment did not show any harmful effects on predator population in the field.
Open Access
Impact of eucalyptus and acacia plantations on soil properties in different pedogenic environments in Kerala
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Byju, G; KAU; Thomas, Varghese
Eucalyptus tereticornis and Acacia Auriculiformis are two important exotic tree species introduced into our environment through National Social Forestry programme. These two species are said to have many qualities which qualify them for inclusion under the social forestry programme. These fast growing tree species have the unique capability of surviving and regulating their growth to prevailing growth factors. But environmentalists in India and abroad have questioned the feasibility of bringing fertile lands under these exotic species which they claim to have deleterious impact on soil properties, hydrological parameters, biotic associations and long-term socio-economic consequences. However, these arguments do not have a sound scientific basis due to lack of sufficient research data base. So a study was undertaken to find out the impact of these monoculture plantations on soil properties in different pedogenic environments in kerala. Soil profiles were taken from four locations representing different geoclimatic regions of Kerala. The locations were Wynad (Northern forested highland), Kottoor (Southern forested highland), Nileswar (Northern coastal) and Kazhakkoottam (Southern coastal). Altogether thirteen pedons were studied from different locations representing reserve forest, cultivated land, barrenland, Eucaiyptus plantation and Acacia plantation. Pedons were described systematically and subjected to physico-chemical analyses and also for assessing the extent and nature of microflora. Biomass studies and chemical analyses of plant samples have alsobeen undertaken. From the studies, it was revealed that monoculture plantations of Eucalyptus and Acacia have got deleterious impact on soil physical, chemical and biological characteristics. These deleterious effects were more in a forest environment compared to sandy tracts. Increase in gravel content, eluviation of clay, lower silt/clay ratio, increase in bulk density, lower water holding capacity, low moisture content and low water dispersible clay in soils under Eucalyptus in forest areas show that the process of ferrallitisation and soil degradation proceed faster under Eucalyptus. Chemical composition also showed decrease in soil fertility under Eucalyptus. In the sandy tracts, Eucalyptus and Acacia increased the soil organic matter, total nitrogen and available potassium, while almost all other parameters used for the study showed deleterious effects. Active iron ratio (Fe oxalate/ Fe dithionite) was calculated to assess the extent of induration and the results indicated a relative enrichment of crystalline iron oxides in monoculture plantations of Eucalyptus and Acacia which may also lead to induration. A decrease in microbial population was also observed in these plantations except the population of Rhozobium whose number increased in plantations of Acacia which is a leguminous tree. The above results indicated that planting of Eucalyptus and Acacia as monoculture has got very deleterious impact on soil characteristics and fertility . All these throw light on the imminent necessity to have a rethinking about the introduction of monoculture plantations with these exotic species especially in the reserve forest areas.
Open Access
Influence of Water and Specific Anions and Cations on Physico-Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Jaya, V; KAU; Pushkala, S
The availability of nutrients either present in the soil or applied as fertilizer is governed by various factors like the physical, chemical and biological reactions in the soil. The present investigation is undertaken to study the direct and interaction effects of different levels of phosphorus, sodium and water on the physic-chemical and biological properties of soil. An experiment is laid out in the farm area of College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The lay out is in randomised block design with 18 treatments and three replications. Banana var. Nendran is used as the test crop. The treatment combinations include, three levels of phosphorus (control, 90 and 115 g P2o5/plant/annum), three levels of sodium (control, 68 and 136 g Na/plant/annum) and two levels of water (20 and 40 per cent depletion from field capacity moisture condition). Soil and plant analysis are done for the elements, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium. Initial soil samples and samples collected at 90, 180 and 270 days after planting are used for different physic-chemical analysis. Physical properties such as moisture parameter, bulk density, particle density, porosity, water holding capacity, volume of expansion and aggregation are done for all the soil samples. Total nutrient contents and hydraulic conductivity for the soil samples collected at the final stage are also done. Plant samples collected at the harvest are analysed for total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium. Biometric parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, girth of pseudostem and leaf area index are observed and recorded during three stages. Mycorrhizal counting is carried out, during all the stages, considering as three seasons. All the data are statistically analysed and interpreted. Phosphorus at the highest dose is beneficial for all the biometric parameters studied. In the case of sodium, it has an adverse effect on the girth of the pseudostem, even at the highest level of phosphorus. Leaf area index is very high in the presence of sodium and phosphorus even at 40 per cent depletion from field capacity. Soil phosphorous and soil moisture are negatively correlated with mycorrhizal percentage during second and third stage. Plant phosphorous and sodium positively correlated with the mycorrhizal percentage. Even with moisture at 40 per cent deplection from field capacity and lower amounts of phosphorous applied, the uptake of phosphorous by the plant is increased by mycorrhizal association. Higher levels of phosphorous and sodium increase the waterholding capacity and volume of expansion. Bulk density and particle density give optimum values with medium levels of phosphorous and sodium. Moisture percentage increased in plots with optimum sodium than with plots receiving higher dose of water with no sodium. Lower water level reduces bulk density and particle density. The mean weight diameter which is a measure of soil aggregation is positively correlated with soil phosphorous and negatively correlated with soil moisture. Optimum dose of phosphorous and sodium favour hydraulic conductivity of soil. Medium dose of sodium and phosphorous increase organic carbon and soil available nitrogen. Lower level of water is sufficient for increasing soil available nitrogen, soil available phosphorous and organic carbon, in the presence of sodium. Positive correlation exists between soil available phosphorous and mycorrhizal percentage in the first stage. Maximum phosphorous is available during the second stage with a negative correlation with mycorrhiza. Optimum dose of sodium and high level of phosphorous, increase the availability of available potassium, exchangeable calcium, and exchangeable magnesium. There is a positive correlation exist between soil moisture and soil sodium. As the plant grows the soil available potassium decrease. Higher levels of water, increase, exchangeable calcium and magnesium also. Total nutrient content of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are decreased with increasing phosphorous, sodium and water, which is, because of their increased availability. Plant phosphorous is related with soil available phosphorous. For optimum dose of phosphorous, lower level of water and higher level of sodium, the availability and uptake of potassium is at the optimum. Positive correlation obtained for plant phosphorous with mycorrhiza, soil sodium, soil available phosphorous, and mean weight diameter. Plant sodium is also positively correlated with soil available phosphorous, mycorrhizal population, plant phosphorous and hydraulic conductivity. Highest level of phosphorous and water and medium level of sodium favour the uptake of calcium and magnesium. For increasing sodium availability, only optimum dose of phosphorous is required. Sodium at the optimum dose improve soil hydraulic properties. Optimum dose of phosphorous and sodium improves many of the physic-chemical properties of the soil. In the presence of mycorrhiza, even lower levels of phosphorous is sufficient to meet the plant requirement. With more levels of phosphorous, sodium and water, the study can extended in relation to plant growth. Yield factor is not considered in the present study.
Open Access
Nutrient management in bitter gourd under partial shade
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Ravikrishnan, M K; KAU; Sasidhar, V K
A field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 1988 to study the influence of three levels of each nitrogen (50, 70 and 90 kg/ha), phosphorus (15, 25 and 35 kg/ha) and potassium (25, 50 and 75 kg /ha) on growth, yield, content and uptake of major nutrients in bittergourd VK-1 (Priya) under partially shaded conditions of coconut gardens. The trial was conducted as 33 + 1 partially confounded factorial experiment in Randomised Block design with two replications. Higher levels of nitrogen had profound influence on growth characters like days for opening of first male and female flowers and their node of emergence, internodal length, length of main vine and total dry matter production. Application of phosphorus of 35 kg/ha had significant positive effect on the node of emergence of first female flower and total dry matter production. Yield attributes like sex ratio, fruits per plant and harvest index were not influenced significantly by the main and interaction effects of the major nutrients. However the control plots registered a significant reduction in values for these parameters. The fruit set was maximum at 90 kg/ha of nitrogen, 25 kg/ha of phosphorus and 25 kg/ha of potash. Application of 90 kg N/ha, 25 kg P2O5/ha and 50 kg K2O/ha recorded the maximum yield. The response of bittergourd to nitrogen levels was linear and that to phosphorus levels was quadratic. Application of potassium at 75 kg K2O/ha was found to significantly increase the fruit weight. The length and girth of the fruits were positively influenced by the application of nitrogenous fertilizer. Potassium at the rate of 75 kg K2O/ha recorded the maximum girth of fruits signifying its effect on this character. The nitrogen and phosphorus content of fruits and plants and protein content of fruits were found to be unaffected by the main effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. An increase in potash level increased the potassium content of fruits and plants. Nitrogen at 90 kg/ha significantly increased the nitrogen uptake by plants and fruits and phosphorus uptake by plants as compared to other levels. Maximum potassium uptake by fruits was obtained by application of 35 kg P2O5/ha and 75 kg K2O/ha and uptake of potassium by plants was maximum at 90 kg N/ha, 35 kg P2O5/ha and 75 kg K2O/ha. The study indicated that application of 90 kg N/ha 25 kg P2O5/ha and 50 kg K2O/ha recorded the maximum yield and net returns from bittergourd cv. VK-1 (Priya) under partially shaded conditions of coconut gardens in the red loam soils of Vellayani.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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