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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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Institutional PublicationsItem Open Access Kerala state council for science, technology and environment science research scheme(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, 2013) KAUInstitutional PublicationsItem Open Access College magazine students’ union 2012-’13(College of Horticulture, Vellanikara, 2013) KAU; Akhisha P.AInstitutional PublicationsItem Open Access Annual progress report 1-4- 2 0 1 2 - 3 1-3-2 0 1 3(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, 2013) KAUBookItem Open Access Annual progress report 1-4-2 0 1 2 - 3 1- 3-2 0 1 3(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, 2013) KAUThesisItem Open Access Pesticide use pattern and monitoring of residues in cardamom in Idukki district(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2013) Seena, S M; KAU; Naseema Beevi, SThe field survey conducted among the farmers of Idukki district revealed that major pest infesting cardamom were shoot and capsule borer and cardamom thrips. For the timely management of these pests, farmers are following strict plant protection measures at an interval of 15 to 40 days with conventional insecticides. Farmers are widely applying heavy doses of chemicals especially the organophosphorus insecticides like phorate, chlorpyriphos, quinalphos, profenophos, methyl parathion and synthetic pyrethroids like cypermethrin and lambda cyhalothrin. Majority of the farmers resort to prophylactic spraying of plant protection chemicals rather than remedial measures. Adoption of IPM strategies are also negligible. Most of the farmers used their own spraying schedules for pest management. The pesticide use pattern in cardamom growing tracts of Idukki district shows that the farmers are applying plant protection chemicals aggressively and the liberal and continual use of pesticides has disturbing consequences on the ecosystem. In multiresidue mehod validation cardamom samples were spiked at five different levels viz. 0.01 µg g-1, 0.05 µg g-1 , 0.10 µg g-1 0.50 µg g-1 and 1 µg g-1 and extraction was carried out using various solvent/ solvent system and the modified QuEChERS method which gave 69.7–110% per cent recovery with RSD < 20 was selected and the same method was adopted for the estimation of pesticide residues from cardamom samples. In order to assess the residue level and to study the extend of contamination due to pesticides in cardamom, samples were collected from the cardamom growing plantations of Idukki district. Three major cardamom growing zones were selected namely Vandanmedu, Udumbanchola and Poopara in Idukki district and ten samples were collected from each location for a period of six months. Data on monitoring of pesticide residues in cardamom samples collected from the study regions for a period of six months revealed varying level of residues of several pesticides. Out of the total 180 samples analyzed, residues were detected in 173 samples and only seven samples were free of residues. Out of the 173 samples detected with pesticide residues, 160 contained multiple residues of pesticides whereas only 13 contained residues of single pesticide. Cardamom capsules contained residues of 16 different pesticide molecules belonging to organochlorines, organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids. The most common contaminant was quinalphos which was detected in 121 out of 180 samples analysed. Other major contaminants include lambda cyhalothrin (104), cypermethrin (100), chlorpyriphos (87) and profenophos (64). Pesticides detected in cardamom which have no label claim in cardamom include Beta cyfluthrin (5), bifenthrin (3), fenpropathrin (4), fenvalerate (5), lambda cyhalothrin (104), methyl parathion (64) and triazophos (4) . A field experiment was carried out in order to study the curing process on removal of residues of quinalphos, chlorpyriphos, triazophos, cypermethrin, lambda cyhalothrin and imidacloprid. Curing process removed the residues of pesticides at varying levels. Processing factor was worked out for each chemical. Extent of removal of residues as a result of curing were: quinalphos (61.78-67.78%), chlorpyriphos (70.23-76.66%), triazophos (49.62-55.02%), cypermethrin (65.71-67.63%), lambda cyhalothrin (13.15-40.00%) and imidacloprid (75.56-77.32%).ThesisItem Open Access Standardisation of nutrient and weed management techniques for organic rice(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2013) Murugesh, M S; KAU; Girija Devi, LThe present investigation on “Standardisation of nutrient and weed management techniques for organic rice” was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2012-2013. The objectives were to standardise the nutrient schedule, spacing and weed management techniques for organic rice and to assess the economic feasibility of the organic package. The experiment was laid out in the field in split plot design with combination of spacing, S (S1-20 cm x 15 cm and S2-15 cm x 15 cm) and weed management techniques, W (W1-stale seedbed and W2-hand weeding) as main plot treatments and nutrient schedule, N (N1-option-1 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU: FYM 5 t + 800 kg oil cakes ha-1 (1/2 basal + 1/2 top dressing at active tillering stage), N2-option-2 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU: FYM 1 t + green leaf manure 1t + dual culture of azolla + 2 kg Azospirillum + 2 kg P solubilizing bacteria + 1kg PGPR (mix 1) ha-1, N3-option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU: 1/3rd RDN as FYM, 1/3rd as vermicompost and 1/3rd as neem cake + 2 kg Azospirillum + 2 kg P solubilizing bacteria ha-1, N4-soil test based application–half as vermicompost and half as neem cake). The KAU Package of Practices Recommendation (FYM 5 t + 90:45:45 kg NPK ha -1) was taken as control. Closer spacing (S2-15cm x 15 cm), hand weeding (W2) and option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU (N3) significantly influenced plant height and DMP, while closer spacing (S2-15cm x 15 cm) and option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU (N3) only had significant influence on tiller production and LAI. Stale seedbed (W1) and closer spacing (S2-15 cm x 15 cm) had significant influence on most of the yield attributing characters, while, among nutrient schedule, N3 (option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU) attributed the maximum for yield contributing characters, but was on par with N4 (soil test based application) and also with N1 (option-1 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU) for grain yield. The results on weed control revealed the superiority of closer spacing (S2-15 cm x 15 cm) and stale seedbed technique (W1) over others in controlling the weeds throughout the growth stages. However the weed control efficiency was the lowest in conventional (Control-KAU Package of Practices Recommendation) compared to the organic throughout the growth stages. The nutrient uptake was the highest in N3 (option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU) and the lowest in N2 (option-2 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU). However, uptake study had also revealed the superiority of conventional (Control-KAU Package of Practices Recommendation) over organic in the uptake of nutrients. The net returns and B:C ratio were the highest in closely spaced plants (S2-15 cm x 15 cm) and in N3 (option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU). From the study it can be concluded that for realising higher grain yield in organic rice, a closer spacing of 15 cm x 15 cm (S2) is ideal. Any of the two weed management techniques, i.e., either stale seedbed (W1) or hand weeding (W2) can be practiced for controlling weeds. Option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU (N3-1/3rd RDN as FYM, 1/3rd as vermicompost and 1/3rd as neem cake + 2 kg Azospirillum + 2 kg P solubilizing bacteria ha-1) is the best nutrient schedule for realizing maximum yield from organic rice. The most economic package for organic rice production is the combination of closer spacing of 15 cm x 15 cm (S2), with stale seedbed technique (W1) of weed control and option-3 of the ad hoc recommendation of KAU (N3-1/3rd RDN as FYM, 1/3rd as vermicompost and1/3rd as neem cake + 2 Kg Azospirillum + 2 Kg P solubilizing bacteria ha-1) as nutrient schedule. The organic package was economically significantly superior to conventional package due to the premium price fetched by organic rice.ThesisItem Open Access Post harvest evaluation of bitter gourd as influenced by growing condition, harvest maturity, prepacking and storage(Department of Processing Technology, College of Agricutlure,Vellayani, 2013) Gajanan Baburao, Phuke; KAU; Geethalekshmi, P RThe present investigation on “Postharvest evaluation of bitter gourd as influenced by growing condition, harvest maturity, prepackaging and storage” was carried out at the Department of Processing Technology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2011-2013, with the objective to determine the stage of harvest maturity and its influence on postharvest life along with prepackaging and storage condition for organically and conventionally grown bitter gourd (var. Preethi) and to develop a postharvest package for extended shelf life with minimum nutritional loss. The experiment was conducted in three continuous phases such as determination of harvest maturity, precooling treatments, prepackaging and storage. Growth and development studies conducted for determining harvest maturity revealed that fruit length, width, weight and flesh thickness increased periodically till 15 days of flowering and percentage of increase was negligible 15 days after flower opening. But conventional fruits recorded higher values for all these physical characters at all the stages of maturity. Considering the development of both external and internal fruit characters, 14 and 15 days after flower opening were selected as optimum harvest maturity for further postharvest studies. Hydrocooling of harvested fruits with 150 ppm sodium hypochlorite was found as the best sanitizing treatment for maintaining the postharvest quality and increased shelf life for both harvest maturities (14 and 15 days) and growing conditions (organic and conventional). Prepackaging and storage trials revealed that prepackaging treatments, growing conditions and storage temperature had significant influence on shelf life and nutritional qualities of fruits. Fruits with 14 days maturity, grown organically, prepackaged in micro ventilated polyethylene and stored under refrigerated condition had resulted in lowest PLW. Nutritional parameters of fruits viz, protein, acidity, fibre, calcium, magnesium, iron and ascorbic acid were analysed before storage and at the end of shelf life. Before storage, none of the factors except growing conditions had significantly influenced the nutritional parameters. Fruits grown conventionally had higher protein and organic fruits exhibited high fibre, Ca, Mg, Fe and ascorbic acid content. Storage studies revealed that refrigerated storage after prepackaging in micro ventilated PE had lower nutritional and physiological changes during storage. From the study it can be concluded that bitter gourd (var. Preethi) fruits can be harvested at 14 days maturity for export and long distance market and 15 days for domestic market grown under both organic and conventional system in order to reduce the postharvest losses. Harvested fruits precooled with water containing 150 ppm sodium hypochlorite, prepackaged in micro ventilated polyethylene and stored under refrigerated condition was effective for extending the shelf life with minimum nutritional loss.ThesisItem Open Access Standardization of organic nutrient schedule for chilli (Capsicum annuam)(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2013) Akshay; KAU; Sajitha Rani, TThe research project entitled ‘Standardization of organic nutrient schedule for chilli (Capsicum annuum)’ was conducted at Instructional Farm attached to the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the kharif season of 2012 to standardize the organic nutrient schedule for chilli and to work out the economics. The investigation was laid out as factorial experiment in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of three levels of FYM - F1 (20 t ha-1), F2 (15 t ha-1) and F3 (10 t ha-1) and three levels of substitution of the recommended dose of nitrogen. The levels of substitution are N1 (100 % recommended dose of N- 75 kg ha-1), N2 (75 % recommended dose of N -56.25 kg ha-1) and N3 (50 % recommended dose of N - 37.5 kg ha-1). FYM along with neem cake in 1: 1 ratio is used as organic manure for N substitution. Three controls were also tested in this study. Thèse controls are C1 (KAU POP recommendation -.FYM@ 25 t ha-1 along with75:40:25 kg N:P2O5:K20 ha-1 as inorganic fertilizer), C2 ( KAU Adhoc organic POP recommendation -FYM @25 t ha-1 + Poultry manure at 5 t ha-1 + Pseudomonas + Trichoderma and PGPR mix 1, each @2.5 kg ha-1) and C3 (Farmers practice - Cow dung slurry @ 20 t ha-1) Result of the study revealed that FYM @ 20 t ha-1 recorded significantly higher plant height, no of branches & LAI. The maximum value for all growth parameters were observed at 100% level of N substitution .Combined application of FYM @ 20 t ha-1 along with 100% substitution of recommended dose of N (75 kg ha-1) in organic form registered maximum plant height, branches, LAI, and root spread .This treatment was on par with KAU POP and Adhoc organic POP Maximum yield was recorede at the highest level of FYM (20 t ha-1). Yield contributing characters were also significantly higher at this level. Among the levels of substitution 100% substitution recorded maximum productivity. Application of FYM @ 20 t ha-1 along with 100 % recommended dose of N (75 kg ha-1) as organic form gave maximum productivity which was on par with the yield realized from KAU Adhoc organic POP and KAU POP. Highest level of FYM @ 20 t ha-1 and 100 % substitution of recommended dose of N recorded maximum ascorbic acid, capsaicin content and shelf life. FYM @ 20 t ha-1 along with 100% of substitution of N as organic recorded maximum capsaicin content which was on par with KAU POP recommendation. Ad hoc organic POP recommendation of KAU recorded maximum ascorbic acid content. KAU POP recommendation registered significantly higher N and K uptake than other treatments. Adhoc organic POP recommendations of KAU recorded highest soil pH and organic carbon content. Available nitrogen status of soil was significantly higher in Adhoc organic POP recommendations of KAU but P and K status were on par to KAU POP. Highest B:C ratio and net income were realized in KAU POP. Best nutrient schedules for realising maximum yield from organic chilli is 1) FYM @20 t ha-1 along with 75kg N ha -1 applied through a combination of FYM and neem cake in 1 : 1 ratio + Pseudomonas + Trichoderma and PGPR mix 1, each @2.5 kg ha-1 and 2) Adhoc POP recommendation of KAU -FYM @ 25 t ha-1 along with poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1 + Pseudomonas+Trichoderma and PGPR mix 1, each @2.5 kg ha-1. Economic nutrient schedule for organic chilli is application of FYM @ 25 t ha-1 along with poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1 + Pseudomonas + Trichoderma and PGPR mix 1, each @2.5 kThesisItem Open Access Livelihood analysis of kattunaikan tribe of Wayanad(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2013) Sreejas, S; KAU; Sakeer Husain, AThe study entitled “Livelihood Analysis of Kattunaikan tribe of Wayanad” was conducted to analyse Livelihood capital and to study the Extent of deprivation of Kattunaikan tribe of Wayanad. Their Social exclusion, Attitude towards developmental interventions, and the Constraints experienced by them in livelihood security were also studied. The study “Livelihood Analysis of Kattunaikan tribe of Wayanad” was conducted in three developmental blocks of Wayanad district namely Sulthan batheri, Mananthavady and Kalpetta. The selection of number of settlements from each block was done based upon the population of Kattunaikans in each block. Three settlements Random sampling technique was followed in the selection respondents. From each settlement, 20 family heads were randomly selected. Total sample size for the study was 120. The dependent variables selected for the study were Livelihood capital, Extent of deprivation and Social exclusion. Independent variables were selected which includes Age, Landholding, Family size, Value orientation, Political orientation, Change resistance, Modernization, Alcoholism and Attitude. The correlation between dependent and independent variables was studied using correlation analysis. Constraints experienced in livelihood security were also recorded from a number of identified statements as perceived by the tribes people. The data were collected using pre-tested structured interview schedule prepared for the study. The statistical tools like mean, percentage analysis and correlation analysis were used to analyse the data. The salient findings are presented below. Majority of the Kattunaikans (55%) belonged to young category. Most of the Kattunaikans( 52.5%) had only upto 10 cents of land holding. More than 30 per cent of the Kattunaikans had six members in their family. Majority (62.5%) of the respondents were traditional. Ninety two point five per cent of the respondents were politically oriented. Majority (92.5%) of the respondents were least resistant to change. Forty five point eight per cent of the respondents were non users of alcohol. More than 90 percent of the respondents were modern. Majority (69.2%) of the respondents had a positive attitude towards developmental interventions. In the case of Human capital, it was observed that 50.8 per cent of the respondents were illiterate. More than three fourth (85%) of the respondents were included in the high hygiene category. Majority (63.3%) were having high addictive behaviour. More than half (61.7%) of the respondents were having poor health care seeking behavior. Majority (92.5%) of the respondents were taking unbalanced diet. Human capital was estimated as 51.6. With respect to Physical capital it was found out that More than 50 per cent of the respondents were having concrete houses. Exactly 42.5 per cent of the respondents were having houses with good condition. More than 40 percent of the respondents were having Material possession of only 1000-5000 rupees. Forty per cent of the respondents were having no livestock possession. More than half (69.2%) of the households have in-house toilet facility. Sixty per cent of the respondents were having electric connectivity in their houses. Majority (74.2%) of the respondents have to go up to 500m for collecting water. Physical capital was estimated as 59.9 Annual income of the respondents ranges from Rs.6200 to Rs.96000.The average annual income was found to be Rs 22435/-. The mean expenditure was found out as Rs.20605.83/-. Only 24.2 percent of the respondents were having savings. Only 4.2 percent had a debt for an average amount of Rs. 9000. Financial capital was estimated as 59.6. The poverty gap was estimated as Rs. 20242. More than 90 per cent of the respondents are trapped in poverty. The study indicated that53.3 per cent of the respondents belong to the low social participation category. Majority (60.9%) of the respondents were having a good social relationship. Social capital was estimated as 50.6 With respect to gross cropped area, 50 per cent of the respondents were in the category of ‘very low’. More than half (56.7%) of the respondents depend heavily on natural resources for their livelihood. Natural capital Index was found out as 35.9. The Livelihood Capital Index was obtained as 51.5. More than three fourth (77.5%) of the respondents were having medium livelihood capital index The respondents were mostly deprived of cultivable land in the forest, income, land, employment, recreation, nutrition, clothing and food. Nearly half (50.84%) of the respondents were in the low social exclusion category. The relationship between independent and dependent variables revealed that landholding showed positive significant relationship with Livelihood capital. Attitude showed negative significant relationship with Deprivation. Change resistance showed positive significant relationship and modernization showed negative relationship with social exclusion. Extent of deprivation is negatively and significantly correlated with Human capital, Social capital and Financial capital. The most important constraint faced by the tribes people is the absence of title deeds. Landless and inadequate land for cultivation, alcoholism and smoking, growing unemployment, wild animal menace and scarcity of drinking water were the other important constraints faced by the Kattunaikan tribe in livelihood security. Kattunikans have to be developed by considering their culture and tradition. From the study it is clear that even though they were having an inclination towards their values, they are getting modernised. It can be said that they are in a transition stage. They are less empowered. Empowerment through education is essential. Illiteracy, income deprivation and associated ill effects are very much prevalent among them. So educational development by utilizing the educated Kattunaikans as teachers, establishment of value addition units of forest produces and in the settlements especially for women and contributory savings schemes (through co-operative societies) have to be established.