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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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Author: Sreelakha, L × End date: 2005 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Properties, host-range and control of cowpea mosaic virus
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1987) Sreelakha, L; KAU; Balakrishnan, S
    Studies were conducted on the cowpea mosaic virus disease commonly occurring in cowpea plants (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in Kerala The major symptoms caused by cowpea mosaic virus infection in cowpea plants were vein banding, inter- veinal chlorosis mosaic mottling and general stunting of the plants. Transmission studies showed that the virus could be transmitted through mechanical means, grafting, through seeds and by means of aphid vectors. The virus was found to be transmitted by the aphids, Aphis craccivora. Aphis gossvpii and Aphis malvae. Among the three species of aphids, Aphis craccivora was found to be the most efficient vector. The percentages of transmission obtained by A. craccivora, A. gossypii and A. malvae were 90,65 and 45 respectively. Studies on the physical properties of the virus revealed that the virus had a thermal inactivation pointbetween 50 and 55°C, dilution end point between 10“"* and —2 10 , longevity in vitro of 8 h at room temperature and24 h at 8°C. The minimum acquisition feeding and inoculation feeding period were found to be 30 s each. But the percentage of transmission was maximum when an acquisition feeding of 10 rain and inoculation feeding of 15 rain were given. Pre-acquisition fasting up to a period of 2 h increased the percentage of transmission, whereas the post-acquisition fasting decreased the efficiency of transmission. The vector was found to retain the virus for 1-2 h. Maximum percentage of transmission was obtained with 10 aphids and the symptoms appeared within 14 days after inoculation. Host-range studies revealed that the virus is restricted to the family Leguminosae and Chenopodiaceae. Varietal screening trial with ten different varieties of cowpea showed that all the ten varieties were susceptible to virus infection. C-152 was found to have the highest susceptibility of 100 per cent infection. C.G.104 showed some resistance with 13.33 per cent infection. In serological studies the cluster bean mosaic virus and sword bean mosaic virus were found to be related to cowpea mosaic virus. The antiserum titre and end point of virus in the present study were found to be between 1;1024 and 1:2048 and 1:512 and 1:1024 respectively. Studies on the effect of virus infection on growth of cowpea plants showed that there was significant reduction in height of the plant, number of pods produced and length of pods. Observations on natural incidence of cowpea mosaic virus indicated that cowpea mosaic virus is the major disease among the different virus diseases affecting t cowpea. Among the infected plants 57 per cent showed cowpea mosaic virus. The results of the experiments to find out the effect of leaf extract sprays on cowpea mosaic virus infection indicated that the disease could be effectively controlled by pre-inoculation sprayings with leaf extracts of Bougainvillea sp. and Eupatorium odoratum.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Properties, hostrange and control of cowpea mosaic virus
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1987) Sreelakha, L; Balakrishnan, S
    Studies were conducted on the cowpea mosaic virus disease commonly occurring in cowpea plants (Viena unguiculata (L.) Walp in Kerala. The major symptoms caused by cowpea mosaic virus infection in cowpea plants wars vein banding, inter- voinai cnlorosis, mosaic mottling and general stunting of the plants. Transmission studies showed that the virus could he transmitted through mechanical means, grafting,through seeds and by means of aphid vectors. The virus was found to be transmitted by the aphids, Aphis eracclvora. Aphis gossypil and Aphis rnalvae. Among the three species of aphids, Aphis craecivora was found to be the most efficient vector. The percentages of transmission obtained by A . craecivora, A. gossypii and A. malvae were 90,65 and 43 respectively.