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
Studies on the performance of two groundnut varieties, TMV-2 and TMV-9, under graded doses of phosphorus and potassium.
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1978) Purushothaman Nair, N; KAU; Sadanandan, N
Open Access
Study on adoption of soil conservation measures by farmers in scheme areas of Trivandrum District
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1978) Balakrishna Pillai, G; KAU; Nair, G T
The magnitude of the problem of soil erosion is so high in Kerala mainly due to the undulating topography and high intensity of rainfall. More than 10 lakhs hectares of undulating land have to be protected from the hazards of erosion by effective soil conservation measures . The results of studies conducted on the soil loss by the soil conservation station. Konni has shown that the soil loss where slope was 30 per cent was 241.56 tonnes per acre per year. Attempts are made to control the serious loss of top soil by the Department of Agriculture (Soil Coservation Unit) by implementing integrated soil conservation schemes. But the progress of coverage was poor. Even in scheme areas, many farmers are non -adopters of the required soil conservation works. Many farmers have not taken up the required Agronomy and Agrostology works eventhough theycompleted the contour bunding works. A detailed study was essential to understand all those aspects of adoption . This study was an effort in that direction.
Open Access
Study on the role of leadership in agricultural development in rural areas in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture Vellayani, Trivandrum, 1979) Muthiah Manoharan, P; KAU; Thiagarajan Nair, G
This study on the role of leadership in agricultural development was designed to measure the role perception and 1 f role performance of different categories of leaders, as well as the factors associated with the role performance of leaders. This study was conducted in Arayoor I.P.D. Unit in Trivandrum District. This study covered five categories of leaders viz., Agricultural, Political, Co-operative, Ela committee and Panchayat leaders. The important findings were the following: 1. There was no significant difference among all categories of leaders regarding their age, educational level, communication skill, attitude towards agriculture and knowledge of the programme and improved agricultural practices. . 2. Agricultural and Ela committee leaders had higher farm size, higher income and had adopted more practices when compared to other categories of leaders. . 3* Agricultural, Panchayat and Co-operative leaders had high value orientation, high achievement motivation and had more favourable attitude towards high yielding varieties than other categories of leaders. 4. Co-operative leaders had more favourable attitude than other categories of leaders towards fertilizers* Panchayat, Agricultural and Political leaders had more favourable attitude than other categories of leaders towards plant protection. 5. Ela committee leaders had more mass media exposure than other categories of leaders. Ela committee, Agricultural and Panchayat leaders had more frequent contact with extension agency than other categories of leaders. ■ 6. The results revealed that Panchayat and Agricultural leaders had more perception of agricultural development roles than other categories of leaders. Agricultural leaders performed more roles in agricultural development than other categories of leaders. 7. When the pooled ranks were worked out the role "Accept improved agricultural practices before others" emerged as the most important role perceived as well as performed by the leaders. 8. Mass media exposure was significantly correlated with the role performance except in Political leaders. Caste also had influence in role performance. 9. Six variables viz., farm size, income, knowledge, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour were correlated, with role performance . significantly when the pooled data were considered. 10. Inter-correlation analysis lead to the conclusion that farm size had significant correlation with income, knowledge, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour. Income was significantly correlated with knowledge, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour. Knowledge was significantly correlated with contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour. There was also a significant correlation between mass media exposure and contact with extension agency. 11, It was also observed that the proportion of role performance explained by the variables viz., farm size, income, knowledge, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency and adoption behaviour was 50 percent.
Open 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
Open Access
Morphological studies and quality evaluation of ginger (zingiber officinale rosco) types
(Department of Horticulture (Plantation Crops), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1978) Nybe, E V; KAU; Sivaraman Nair, P C
A detailed study of 25 ginger types was conducted during the period from April 1977 to June 1978 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara with a view to find out the feasibility of fixing up specific morphological characters to identify different types, to screen out ginger types with high yield, high quality and resistant or tolerant to pests and diseases and to study the quality variations at different periods of maturity. The study revealed that morphological characters are not reliable to classify the ginger types, although some of them can be identified by rhizome characters. The morphological characters such as length of leaf, leaf area index and number, length and girth of primary and secondary fingers were found to be positively correlated with yield. All the types studied are susceptible to the incidence of soft-rot, leaf –spot and shoot-borer. The type Maran was relatively tolerant to soft-rot whereas Rio-de-Janeiro was found to be the most susceptible type. Yield was found to vary significantly among the types studied. Maximum yield was recorded in Nadia followed by Bajpai, Maran and Narasapattom. Maximum oleoresin percentage was in Rio-de-Janeiro and highest percentage of oil recovery in Karakal. But the maximum yield per hectare of oleoresin and oil was in the type Maran. Fibre content was minimum in China and maximum in Kuruppampady closely followed by Maran. The yield, dryage and percentage of oleoresin, oil and crude fibre varied significantly among the different maturity periods studied. The percentage of oleoresin, oil and fibre was maximum at 165 days after planting. But the maximum yield per hectare of oleoresin and oil were found at 270, 195, 225 and 225 days after planting in Rio-de-Janeiro, Maran, Kuruppampady and Wynad Local respectively. Cultivation of the types Nadia, Bajpai and Maran is recommended for higher total yield of dry ginger for the plains of Kerala. Considering the low incidence of soft – rot and higher yield of oleoresin and ginger oil the type Maran is preferred
Open Access
Effect of phospherus nutrition liming and rhizobial inculation on soybean
(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Kurian, T M; KAU; Vikraman, R
An experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm attached to the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during July to October 1978, to study the effect of phosphorus nutrition, liming and rhizobial inoculation on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril). The investigation was taken up with the objective of arriving at the phosphorus requirement of the crop, assessing the response to liming and evaluating the effect of rhizobial inoculation. The trial was also aimed at studying the possible interaction effects between these factors. The experiment was laid out as a factorial in randomized block design with 16 treatments and 3 replications. The study revealed that applied phosphorus did not significantly affect any of the growth characters consistently. Grain yield and yield attributes were also unaffected but stover yield increased with higher doses of applied phosphorus. In general, nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium contents in plant components were unaffected by levels of phosphorus, liming and rhizobial inoculation. Uptake of these nutrients also remained almost unchanged. At harvest, nitrogen uptake by seeds constituted 44 per cent of the total, remaining being accumulated in stem + petiole and shell. In the case of phosphorus, 86.9 per cent of the total accumulation was in seeds, 6.0 percent and 7.1 per cent being in stem + petiole and shell respectively. Calcium being an immobile nutrient and an element not translocated within the plant, proportion of uptake of calcium in various components of the plant was different from that of nitrogen and phosphorus. In contrast to nitrogen and phosphorus, only 24.9 per cent of the total was found in seeds whereas 36.3 per cent and 38.8 per cent of it were concentrated in stem + petiole and shell respectively. Levels of phosphorus, had no effect on total nitrogen and available potassium contents of soil after harvest of the crop but there was a notable increase in available phosphorus and decrease in exchangeable calcium. Liming and rhizobial inoculation did not have any conspicuous effect on the content of nutrients in soil.
Open Access
Foliar diagnosis, yield and quality of ginger(zingiber officinale ROSCOE) in relation to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1978) Johnson, P T; KAU; Jose, A I
A field experiment was carried out at the Instructional Farm, attached to the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1977 – 78 to study the effect of graded doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on the growth, yield and quality of ginger and also to develop suitable foliar diagnosis techniques in relation to these nutrient elements. The treatments comprised of three levels each of nitrogen (40, 80 and 120 kg N/ha), Phosphorus (30,60 and 90 kg P2 o5/ha) and potassium (40,80 and 120 kg k2o/ha). The experiment was laid out in a 33 factorial experiment in randomised block design confounding the affect of interaction NP2K2 totally. The results revealed that among the morphological characters studied, only the height of tiller and total dry matter of the plant were markedly influenced, while other characters like number of tillers and number of leaves per tiller were not effected. Of the fertilizer treatments, nitrogen at 80 kg/ha significantly affected these two characters, while the effect of phosphorus and potassium were not significant. Application of nitrogen at 80 kg/ha significantly increased the rhizome yield of the crop, while the levels of phosphorus and potassium employed failed to influence the yield. Uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by the plant was significantly influenced by the application of nitrogen at the rate of 80 kg/ha, whereas the graded doses of phosphorus and potassium had no significant influence in this respect. The uptake of potassium on the other hand was not influenced by any of the fertilizer treatment introduced. The total period of growth put under observation appeared divisible into three phases with respect to the development of aerial tissues namely, a phase of active vegetative growth (90th to 120th day after planting); a phase of slow vegetative growth (120th to 180th day) and a phase approaching senescence (180th day to harvest). The pattern of the rhizome development followed the same trend as that of the aerial tissue, but instead of a final phase of insignificant growth, the development of rhizome continued till harvest. The uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium progressively increased with advancing period of group growth. There was marked uptake of these nutrients by the plant during the period of active plant growth (90th to 120th day after planting). The uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in leaf and pseudostem progressively increased upto 180th day and then decreased while their uptake in rhizome steadily increased till harvest. The content of nitrogen phosphorus and potassium was highest in the top most leaves and continuously decreased with increasing number of the leaf position, when the leaves are numbered from top to bottom of the tiller. In consideration of the stability of nutrient level with leaf positions and sensitivity or correlation with varying doses and uptake, the group of 5th to 12th leaves appeared to be the best suited for foliar diagnosis of N, P and K status of the crop. The period between 90th to 120thday after planting was recommended as the optimum period for the detection and amendment of the nutrient status of the crop. The graded doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and their interaction failed to influence the percentage oleoresin content of ginger.
Open Access
Studies on the effects of graded doses of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium on growth , yield and quality of bhindi
(Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1980) Subramanian, K V; KAU; Gopalakrishnan, P K
The yield of bhindi per unit of land and per unit of time has been observed to be very low in our country. A galaxy of reasons- poor genetic potential of the existing genotypes, incidence of parasitic and non- parasitic diseases and above all lack of an appropriate agronomic practices – have been attributed to the poor performance of Indian bhindi. There remains an urgent need to chalk out a fertilizer schedule for the high yielding varieties like Co.I which is popular in Kerala. The present study “studies on the effect of graded doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on growth, yield and quality of bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.)”, was designed to find out the optimum and economic levels of the three major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) which would give a yield level above 100 g/ha. A significant increase in yield was observed due to increasing levels of all the three nutrients. In the case of nitrogen the yield was found to increase upto 60 kg/ha and the economic and optimum levels were worked out to be 61 and 61.23 kg/ha respectively. Response to phosphorus and potassium application was observed to be linear. Patterns in uptake of nutrients indicated that a bhindi crop yielding 116.39 quintals of pods per hectare removes 87.81 kg nitrogen, 20.872 kg P2O5 and 103.905 kg K2O/ha. The effects of graded doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on plant height, leaf production, leaf area index, net assimilation rates, per cent of fruit set and other yield components were also studied.
Open Access
Effect of different growth regulators on flowering and fruit development in pineapple
(Department of Horticulture (Pomology), College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1979) Santha, K K; KAU; Aravindakshan, M
The present investigations were carried out in College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University during the years 1976-78. The object of the study was to find out the effect of growth regulators and certain other chemicals on flowering and fruit development in pineapple. The growth regulators and chemicals included in this study consisted of ethrel and Planofix at different concentrations and combination of Ethrel, Ca CO3 and urea. Ca C2 was also included in this study. Seasonal variation in the effect of growth regulators and chemicals in two seasons was noticed. Application of growth regulators and chemicals in January resulted in earlier flowering than November application. The differential response of growth regulators in the two seasons might be attributed to the variation in leaf area. Of the different growth regulators and chemicals tried, Ethrel 250 ppm was found to be the for maximum induction of flowering. Ethrel at all concentrations was found to reduce the duration of flowering and also the time for fruit set. Ethrel in combination with urea 2 per cent and Ca CO3 0.04 per cent also showed similar effect. Time taken for fruit maturity was slightly reduced by Ethrel treatment while it was delayed by the application of Planofix. In respect of fruit size, maximum size was obtained by Planofix 20 ppm. None of the growth regulators, chemicals and combinations tried resulted in an over all improvement in quality of fruits, but the number of leaves possessed by a plant profoundly influenced the quality of fruits. While induction of flowering could be achieved by the application of growth regulators and chemicals irrespective of the morphological characters of the plant, the fruit development was found to be associated with the number of leaves possessed by the plant. The fruits produced by plants with higher number of leaves (Class IV) possessed maximum of TSS, reducing sugars, total sugars and sugar acid ratio closely followed by Class III. For a satisfactory fruit development the plant should possess around 40 leaves at the time of application of growth regulators. The nutrient status of leaves was also found to influence fruit development considerably. The largest fruits were produced by plants having leaf nutrient status of 1.40 per cent N, 0.08 per cent P and 3.43 per cent K. The application of growth regulators and chemicals was responsible for low sucker production. Ethrel at 1250 ppm retarded the sucker production to a maximum extent.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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