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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: Susamma, Jacob × Start date: 1979 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the regulation of progeny production and sex-ratio of Wesmael
    (Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1979) Susamma, Jacob; KAU; Abraham, C C
    The fecundity, progeny production, female – male composition of the progeny and duration of development of Bracon brevicornis wesmael as influenced by the density and size (weight) of host larvae of Corcvra cephalonica Stainton and the sex-ratio of the parent parasite population were studied at three temperature- humidity (TH) combinations, viz, 280c and 75% RH (TH1), 300c and 60% RH (TH2) and 320c and 50% RH (TH3). The maximum fecundity of the parasite was registered consistently at all the three TH levels at a host density level of two larvae per female parasite. The exclusive use of light weight larvae (weight range 8 to 10 mg) as hosts produced significantly less number of eggs at the TH1 and TH2 levels, while at the TH3 level the fecundity was maximum when the heavier host larvae (weight range 30 to 35 mg) were used. The parental sex-ratio levels of 2:1 and 3:1 (female:male ) led to the production of higher number of eggs than under the ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3. The maximum progeny production in B. brevicornis at the TH1 and TH2 levels was attained under a host density level of two larvae per female parasite. The progeny production was relatively higher at the TH1 and TH2 levels when heavier larvae were exposed for parasitisation. The superiority of the parental sex-ratio of 2:1 (female: male) in the production of higher number of progeny was established at the TH2 and TH3 conditions. Significant influence of the host larval density on the female progeny production was detected at the TH1 and TH2 levels. The female progeny production was maximum at a host larval density level of two per female parasite at the TH2 combination, while this was found to be the highest at a density level of one larva per female parasite at the TH1 level. Relatively heavier host larvae produced significantly higher number of female offsprings at the TH2 and TH3 combinations. The parental sex-ratio level of 2:1 (female:male) consistently produced maximum number of female progeny. The influence of host larval density on the proportion of females was pronounced only at the TH3 level and a density level of two laevae per female parasite was found to be better with reference to the production of a higher proportion of females. The sex-ratio of the parent parasite population influenced the proportion of females in the F progeny and a ratio of 1:3 (female:male) produced higher proportion of females at the TH2 and TH3 combinations. The host larval density, weight of host larvae and the sex –ratio of the parent parasite population exerted significant influence on the duration of development of B. bravicornis. The feasibility of manipulating the ambient temperature-humidity conditions for maintaining laboratory cultures of B. brevicornis at the maximum possible levels has been discussed