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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 Studies on induced mutations in rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Division of genetics and plant breeding ,Agricultural college and research institute , Coimbatore., 1971) Gopinathan Nair, V; KAUThesisItem Open Access Studies on the burrowing nematode radopholus similis (cobb,1893) thorne 1949 on pepper(Piper nigrum L.) and its role in slow wilt disease(Department of plant pathology, University of agricultural sciences, Bangalore, 1976) Venkitesan, T S; Setty, K G HThesisItem Open Access Exploration of the feasibility of developing races of trichograma Australicum girault ( trichogramatidar, hymenoptera) suitable for different environments(Division of entomology ,Agricultural college and research institute ,Vellayani., 1970) Abraham, C C; KAU; Pradhan, SThesisItem Open Access Optimization of agronomic resources for maximizing grain and mill yield of rice(Department of Agricultural Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, 1976) Kannan, Mukundan; KAU; Pande, H KAn investigation was planned during the main growing season, i.e., ‘aman’ (June to November ) to find out the optimum levels of the major inputs for rice cultivation such as nitrogen, phosphate, and water, associated with the management practices like optimum time of harvest, in order to maximize production and to obtain quality paddy which, when processed, should give a high quality rice and thereby high economic return. Keeping the above points in view, four field experiments were conducted during two consecutive ‘aman’ seasons of 1972 and 1973 in a cultivators’ field at abhoy Ashram, Balaramapur which is located about 3 km south – east of the Institute. The farm soil was silty – clay – loam, having a pH of 8.1. The experiments were conducted with the high – yielding rice variety IR 22 to study its performance under three levels each of nitrogen, phosphate and submergence and laid out in 3 x 3 x 3 confounded design. Nine additional plots to accommodate ‘o’ levels of nitrogen and phosphate were included for fitting production functions. In the first year of experimentation, the nitrogen and phosphate levels were 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha and 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha respectively. In the second year, the levels were 60, 90 and 120 kg N/ha and 30, 45 and 60 kg P2O5/ha. The modification in the levels of nitrogen and phosphate, in the second year, were made on the basis of the findings of the first year of experimentation. In both the years, the levels of submergence were kept constant, i.e., 0 – 5 cm, 5 + 2 cm, and 10 + 2 cm. For finding out the optimum grain moisture at harvest, suitable for higher milling yield, the crop was harvested at 25.5 – 22.5, 22.5 – 19.5 – 16.5 and 16.5 – 13.5 per cent grain moisture. The optimum levels of each input for maximizing grain yield and head yield were found out by fitting production functions. To identify a suitable variety under a specific management of production and processing, four high yielding rice varieties – Sona, Jayanthi, Pankaj and IR 22 were grown in ‘aman’ season of 1972 and 1973 with similar levels of nitrogen and phosphate as mentioned in Experiments 1 and 2; an additional treatment, with nitrogen and phosphate at ‘o’ level was also included. These experiments were laid out in 4 x 4 x 4 confounded design. The crop was grown under continuous submergence of 5 +2 cm and was harvested at grain moisture content ranging between 19.5 and 16.5 per cent. Treatment wise experimental details and the salient findings are given in the following pages. Positive response with reference to grain yield, total mill yield and head yield of variety IR 22 was noted up to 90 kg N/ha and 45 kg P2O5/ha. Further increase in nitrogen and phosphate levels to 120 kg/ha and 60 kg/ha respectively did not and its percentage was minimized by harvesting the crop above 19.5 per cent grain moisture or between 26 and 30 days after flowering. However, by increasing the level of nitrogen from 90 to 120 kg/ha and 120 to 180 kg/ha, the head yield and its recovery percent was less affected even when the crop was harvested with some delay, i.e., between 19.5 and 16.5 per cent grain moisture or between 35 and 37 days after flowering. The influence of phosphate on grain yield and milling quality, particularly head yield recovery percentage, was more pronounced when considered in combination with grain moisture at harvest. A suitable water management practice, of growing the crop with shallow submergence of 5 + 2 cm was found beneficial in increasing the yield as well as the milling and head yields. The influence of submergence on the head yield recovery percentage was, however, not to the same extent as that of nitrogen and grain moisture at harvest. On fitting the function, for variety IR 22, it could be ascertained that maximum grain yield to the extent of 5112 kg/ha can be attained with the optimum levels of 119 kg N/ha, 59 kg P2O5/ha, 149 cm of water and 22.4 per cent grain moisture at harvest which corresponded to harvesting the crop about 30 days after flowering. On the other hand, maximum head yield to the extent of 3562 kg/ha can be attained with the optimum levels of 124 kg N/ha, 51 kg P2O5/ha, 159 cm of water and around 26 per cent grain moisture at harvest which corresponded to harvesting the crop about 26 days after flowering. The grain yield and consequently, the gross and net returns were maximum under the same levels of nitrogen, phosphate, submergence and grain moisture at harvest. However, from an assessment of rough rice and polished rice along with broken, bran and husk, it was ascertained that the increase in net return to the extent of 984 k/ha was possible only by processing the rough rice. The positive response in grain yield of all the varieties was found only up to 90 kg N/ha and 45 kg P2O5/ha. In varietal comparison, grain yield, mill yield, head yield and net return were found to be maximum in case of the variety Pankaj, amounting to 5192 kg/ha, 3768 kg/ha, 3027 kg/ha and 1716 Rs/ha respectively. The variety Pankaj was followed by IR 22, Sona and Jayanthi in order. However, in milling quality, particularly head yield recovery percent, IR 22 was found superior to all the other varieties. Further, the variety IR 22, with along and slender grains, proved superior in quality to Pankaj, with long and bold grain. The former, eventually, has higher market value that brought higher return. These characteristics in IR 22 narrowed the difference in profit, when compared to Pankaj, though the latter has significantly higher grain yield the additional net return over milled rice was estimated at 877 Rs/ha in case of IR 22 and 833 Rs/ha in case of Pankaj. The agro – climatic conditions of this region of West Bengal, where rice is the only crop during ‘aman’, provide better prospects for cultivation of variety IR 22 as well as Pankaj. In quality criteria as well as growing period, IR 22 may prove superior to Pankaj. Their cultivation for higher yield and quality rice is possible only through suitable levels of fertility and water inputs as well as management input which includes the timeliness of operations, particularly harvesting, because it has a greater impact on the final outturn of the produce as quality rice.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the biology, pathogenicity and treatment of important nematodes of domestic duck(Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1977) Chandrasekharan, K; KAU; Kalyanasundaram, RStudies on the incidence of nematode infections in 340 domestic ducks indicated that 67.94% of birds harboured one or more species of the following nematodes viz., Amidostomum globocaudata skrjabini , capillaria contorta, capillaria , Echinuria uncinate, Epomidiostum uncinatum, Eustrongylides papilosus, Strongyloides avium and tetramers antis. The rate of infection was highest in the case of Epomidiostomum uncinatum (41.86% ) and lowest in the case of strongyloides avium (0.59%). The lifecycles of Echinuria uncinata and Tetramers anatis were worked out in detail. It was established that Tetramers anatis was distinct from Tetramers Fissispina. The complete details of the morphology of juveniles both within the intermediate and final hosts were given. The juveniles of Echinuria uncinata completed the first and second moultings on the third and fifth day respectively and the stage juveiles reached infective stage on the seventh day following infection in Daphnia pulex at a room temperature ranging from 25 to 30C0. In ducklings the juveniles underwent the third and fourth moultings on the third and seventh day respectively and the eggs of the parasite were first found in the droppings on the thirty- third day. The juveniles of Tetramers anatis completed first mopulting on the third day, the second moulting on the fifth day and the third stage encysted in fat bodies of the grasshopper, Spathosternum prasiniferum. The third stage juveniles attained infective stage on the sixth day following infection. Within the ducklings, the parasite underwent the third moulting on the third day. The fourth moulting in respect of males was seen on the nineth day and in the case of females on the tenth day. The prepatent period of the parasite was found to be 24 days. Development of the juveniles was also noticed in five other species of grasshoppers viz., Oxya nitidula, Oedaleus abruptus, Conocephalus maculatus, Ducetia Japonica and Atractomorpha crenulata. No development of Tetrameres anatis, beyound the first stage was observed inDaphnia Pulex and Daphnia Magna on experimental infection. Anaemic changes with significant reduction in weight gain and haematological values were observed in experimental infections of Tetrameres anatis, Amidostomum skrjabini and Epomidiostomum uncinatum. Histopathological changes like haemorrahage, desquamation of cells, catarrbal inflammation and necrosis were seen in experimental tetramerosis. Ulceration and atrophy were also evident in amidostomiasis and epomidiostomiasis. The anthelmintic efficacy of 9 drugs against adult worms of Tetrameres anatis, Amidostomum skrjabini and Epomidiostomum uncinatum under experimental infections were determined. The efficacies against tetramerosis, amidostomiasis and epomidiostomiasis were 79.23%,32.15% and 79.88% with Tetramisole by drochloride at 50 mg/kg body weight; 70.36%, 52.42% and 50.23% with phenothiazine at 500 mg/kg; 26.85%, 74.8% and 65.68% with Morantel tartrate at 40mg/kg; 45.70% 67.29% and 57.84% with Parbendazole at 100 mg/kg; 41,0%’63/93% and 43.13% with Thiabendazole at 200 mg/kg; 59.28%,61.06% and 52.66% with Carbontetrachloride at 2ml/kg; 35.94%, 30,12% and 13.13% with Methyridine at 200 mg/kg; 28.87% 20.17% and 11.32% with Disophenol at 10 mg/kg and 31.02%, 39.04% and 12.66% with Cashewnut shell oil at 10 g/kg body weight respeectively. The drug Rametin at 200 mg/kg was found to be fatal to ducklings. In a cross infection trial delyed development and lesser percentage of establishement of Ascaridia galli of fowl origin were observed in ducklings as compared to chicks.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the influence of tannins on nucleic acid and protein syntheses in ruminants(Faculty of Dairy and Animal Husbandry, Haryana, 1976) Sadanandan, K P; KAU; Arora, S PA study was conducted to elucidate the influence of tannins on synthesis of nucleic acids and protein in liver of rats. In vitro and in vivo studies in buffaloes were also conducted to ascertain the effect of tannins on rumen metabolism. In experiment 1, 30 weanling rats were distributed into three groups of 10 each in a randomized block design. The influence of addition of 0% (group A), 2.5% (group B) and 5% (group C) tennins in the feed on feed consumption, growth rate, nitrogen and dry matter digestibility was investigated. Further RNA, DNA and protein in liver were estimated to asses liver function. The feed consumed daily on DM basis (g); weight gain per three day interval (g); and gram feed per gram weight gain, respectively for groups A, B and C were : 20.05 + 7.6, 7.87 + 0.41, 2.73 +0.05; 16.66 + 6.0, 5.69 + 0.35, 3.14 + 0.07 and 16.11 + 5.4, 4.53 + 0.21, 3.80 + 0.11. The DM and N digestibility (%), respectively for groups A, B and C were: 78.56 + 0.44, 78.28 + 0.56; 78.62 + 0.64, 73.50 + 0.86 and 78.82 + 0.52, 69.97 +0.75. Feed consumption in group A was significantly (P <0.01) higher than in group B and C. The difference in feed consumption between groups B and C was not significant. Significant differences were found amongst all treatment groups in weight gain (P< 0.05) and food : gain ratios (P < 0.01). DH digestibility did not reveal any significant difference between groups whereas the differences in N-digestibility were significant (P<0.01). The addition of tennis in the diet significantly depressed feed consumption, weight gain, and N – digestibility which resulted in widened feed : gain ratios. The average liver weights (g): total protein (mg) ; RNA (mg) and DNA (mg), respectively for groups A, B and C were : 3.61 + 0.21, 717.3 + 4.76, 21.42 + 1.41, 5.36 + 0.41, 2.85 + 0.23, 569.0 + 4.31, 16.40 + 1.60, 4.29 + 0.45 and 2.44 + 0.01, 507.9 + 2.55, 13.79 + 0.58, 3.34 + 0.16. The liver weight in group A was significatly (P<0.05) higher than in group C. The total protein content in group A was significatly (P<0.01) higher than in group B and C. But the difference between groups B and C was not significant. RNA and DNA contents differed significantly (P<0.01) amongst the three groups. The average protein (mg), RNA (mg) and DNA (mg), respectively for the groups A, B and C were : 198.69 + 3.31, 5.93 + 0.18, 1.48 + 0.05, 199.89 + 5.14, 5.68 + 0.16, 1.49 + 0.06 and 208.16 + 2.32, 5.66 + 0.03, 1.38 + 0.04 per gram of tissue. There were no significant differences in the parameters studied amongst the three groups. The body weight : liver weight ratios, protein : RNA ratios and protein : DNA ratios, respectively for groups A, B and C were : 29.0 + 2.23, 33.2 + 1.01, 134.9 + 5.04, 30.3 + 2.45, 35.4 + 1.22, 136.7 + 5.75 and 31.0 + 2.66, 36.9 + 1.01, 153.7 + 4.17. There were no significant differences amongst the ratios except that protein : DNA ratio in group C was significantly (P<0.05) wider than in group A and B indicating probable hypertrophy of liver cells in that group. It was apparent that tannins exerted their harmful effects by affecting protein digestibility in the gastro-intestinal tract and thereby adversely affected liver size and growth rate. In experiment 2, in vitro trials were conducted by taking buffalo rumen liquor through a rumen fistula on a control ration without tannic acid. For N solubility and DH digestibility studies, the substrate used was : Maize, 50 parts ; grount nut cake, 21 parts and wheat bran 26 parts, ground into 40 mesh size. To study the influence of tannins on protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis and production of VFA, the substrates used were : cellulose 0.75 g. starch 0.25 g and ammonium sulphate 151 mg. McDougall’s artificial saliva was used as buffer (PH 6.8) for 32 P uptake by rumen microbes, the substrate was prepared from glucose 600 mg and ammonium sulphate 85mg. A mineral solution containing cysterine – HCL described by Bucholts and Bergan (1973) was used as a buffer. The levels of tannic acid, respectively in groups 1,2,3,4 and 5 were : 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% in all the experiments. The E solubility and DM digestibility (%) respectively, for treatments 1,2,3,4 and 5 were : 36.72 + 0.425, 43.80 + 2.63 : 24.48 + 0.311, 37.60 + 2.14, 20.81 + 0.589, 30.27 + 1.85 : 17.55 + 0.312, 21.89 + 1.93 and 15.30 + 0.473, 13.20 + 1.15. Addition of tannins depressed N solubility and DM digestibility. The protein – N (mg) ; RNA – N (mg): DNA-N (mg) and TVFA (meq) (all per 100 ml) respectively for treatments 1,2,3,4 and 5 were : 30.19 + 1.274, 2.156 +0.107, 0.795 + 0.054, 15.46 + 0.315, 23.84 + 1.021, 1.565 + 0.101, 0.561 + 0.025, 12.34 + 0.194, 18.59 + 0.582, 1.185 + 0.046, 0.426 +0.021, 9.38 + 0.425, 16.27 + 1.318, 1.00 + 0.042; 0.337 + 0.013, 7.29 + 0.359 and 14.61 + 0.271, 0.865 + 0.034, 0.290 + 0.006, 5.49 + 0.235. Addition of tannins significantly (p<0.01) depressed all the parameters studied and in treatment 5, the levels were more or less the same as in 0 hour control indicating complete inhibition of microbial multiplication at 7.5% tannic acid level. The RNA –N : protein – N, DNA – N: protein – N and total nucleic acid – N: protein – N ratios respectively for treatments 1,2,3,4 and 5 were : 0.072 + 0.0018, 0.026+ 0.0013, 0.098 + 0.0015, 0.066 + 0.0018, 0.023 + 0.0045, 0.089 + 0.0022; 0.064 + 0.0018, 0.023 +0.00084, 0.087 + 0.0024, 0.062 + 0.0016, 0.021 + 0.00077, 0.082 +0.0020 and 0.058 + 0.0013, 0.020 + 0.00055, 0.078 + 0.0016. The ratios were narrower in control group when compared to tannic acid groups. With regards to 32P uptake by rumen microbes, a progressive decrease was observed with increase in tannin concentration. 32p uptake (mg) per 100 ml respectively for groups 1,2,3 and 4 were : 2.640, 1.835, 1.202 and 0.52. In group 5 there was no 32P uptake. Tannins depressed microbial multiplication indirectly by making the protein source not available due to its precipitation. Direct harmful effect was also possible on microbes, especially, at higher concentrations of tannins in the media without any protein source. In experiment 3, four adult fistulated female buffaloes were randomly distributed in a Latin square design. The treatments I, II, III and IV respectively contained 0, 1.25, 2.5 and 5% tannins made available from 0, 14, 28 and 40% salseed meal in the ration. In treatment IV, 1.436% pure tannic acid was also added to get 5% total tannins. The DCP and TDN contents were approximately 14 and 72% in all the rations. The effect of tannins in feeds was determined through the levels of protein –N, RNA – N, DNA –N and TVFA. The protein –N, RNA – N and DNA-N levels ( all in mg per 100 ml of SRL) and TVFA levels ( meq/100 ml of SRL), respectively for treatments I,II,III and IV were : 43.73 + 1.813, 3.86 + 0.134, 1.63 + 0.053, 9.59 + 0.205; 49.087 + 1.912, 3.75 +0.115, 1.59 + 0.057, 0.43 + 0.215, 54.86 + 1.850, 3.62 + 0.089, 1.50 +0.041, 9.20 +0.188 and 61.89 + 2.050, 3.26 + 0.097, 1.37 + 0.046, 8.48 + 0.283. Protein - N level in treatment L was significantly (P< 0.05) lessthan in ratios II, III and IV and there was a progressive and significant (P< 0.05) increase in order of treatments. RNA – N and TVFA levels in treatment I were significantly higher (P< 0.01) than in treatment IV. DNA levels were significantly lesser (P<0.05) in treatment III than in treatment I and again lower in treatment IV than in treatment III. Nucleic acid - N : protein – N ratios is SRL respectively for treatments I, II, III and IV were : 0.125 + 0.0012, 0.108 + 0.0020, 0.093 + 0.0026 and 0.072 + 0.0011. The ratio in treatment L was significantly higher than in treatments II, III and IV. The differences amongst the four treatments were significant (P<0.01). Addition of tannins in the rations resulted in an increase in protein - N, but progressively depressed the RNA – N and DNA – N levels with less production of TVFA. Further in experiment 3, the protein - N, RNA – N and DNA – N contents of bacteria separated from SRL were also determined to ascertain the effect of tannins on RNA – N: protein – N; DNA – N : protein – N and total nucleic acid : protein - N ratios. Protein – N (mg), RNA – N (mg); and DNA –N (mg) in bacteria separated from 100 ml SRL respectively for treatments I, II,III and IV were : 23.93 + 0.571, 2.385 + 0.87, 1.204 + 0.036, 23.71 + 0.627, 2.296 +0.062, 1.180 + 0.019, 22.79 +0.590, 2.230 +0.044, 1.111 + 0.059 and 20.91 + 0.544, 205 + 0.046, 1.010 + 0.053. Protein -N, RNA –N and DNA – N levels decreased as levels of tannins in rations increased. But the differences were significant (P<0.01) only between treatment I and IV. RNA – N : protein - N, and total nucleic acid – N : protein – N ratios respectively for treatments I, II, III and IV were : 0.099 + 0.0030, 0.150 +0.0027; 0.097 + 0.0023, 0.147 + 0.0029; 0.098 + 0.0024, 0.147 + 0.0017 and 0.098 + 0.0020, 0.146 +0.0025. The differences in the ratios amongst the different treatments were not statistically significant. The addition of tannins at the levels tried had no significant influence on the nucleic acid – N : protein – N ratios in the bacteria. From the value obtained for nucleic acid – N and nucleic acid – N : protein – N ratios in separated bacteria, the microbial contribution of protein - N to the tungestic acid precipitate of SRL was calculated. The values obtained were : 83.67, 74.01, 63.58 and 51.14 % for treatments I,II,III and IV respectively. The tannins present is the feed partially protected the proteins from microbial attack and hence the contribution of dietary protein - N in the SRL increased. Simultaneously the quantity of microbial protein synthesis decreased due to the limitations imposed by tannins on microbial multiplication.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the nodal infection of red rot of sugarcane(Faculty of the Post Graduate School, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 1963) Wilson, K I; KAU; Chona, B LThe reaction of 6 sugarcane varieties to red rot infection through the nodal region caused by Colletotrichum falcatum Went was studied. Cane varieties Co. 445, Co. 331, Co. 312 and Co. 1181 were found to be susceptible while Co.1070 and Co. 286 proved to be moderately resistant to nodal infection. The fungus persited in an incipient form in the nodal regions of apparently healthy stalks of sugarcane. A number of leaf - sheaths also yielded the fungus on isolation. The leaf - sheath water (the water accumulated in the cavity between the leaf-sheath and stalk) collected from the above 6 varieties of sugarcane stimulated the spore germination of the fungus. The presence of sugars viz., sucrose and laevalose, detected in the leaf sheath water by paper chromatographic analysis, is believed to be responsible for the stimulation of spore germination.ThesisItem Open Access Study of differential adoption of improved farm practices in relation to reference group influence and community norms(Faculty of the Post Graduate School, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 1966) Sankaran Potti, V S; KAU; Sharma, S KThis research study, entitled "A study of differential adoption of improved farm practices in relation to reference group influence and community norms" was conducted during the period 1964-1965 in Khanjawala block in the Union Territory of Delhi. The objectives of the study have been: (1) To study adoption of farm practices as a function of reference group influence. (2) To find out the composition of reference groups which influence adoption behaviour. (3) To study the influence of community innovativeness norms on individual innovativeness. (4) To study the extent to which community innovativeness norms are related to other community characteristics. Three villages, out of the total of fifty six villages in Khanjawala block, representing three different types of community as social system norms, namely, modern, transitional and traditional were selected for the study. The respondents of the study constited of 222 farmers representing the total number of heads of farming families residing in these three villages.ThesisItem Open Access Biology ecology and host plant relations of the brown planthopper, Nilavaravata lugens Stal(Division of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture , Vellayani, 1977) Thomas, M J; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, Nair M R
