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.

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 349

Open Access
Combining ability in vegetable cowpea
(Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Rejatha, V; KAU; Ramachandra Nair, N
A 6 x 6 diallel analysis was conducted at the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 1990, aimed at analysing the combining ability, gene action and heterosis of six vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata var-sesquipedalis) lines collected from the germplasm maintained in this department. The experiment I consisted of crossing the six parental lines in all possible combinations, without reciprocals. The material for experiment II consisted of the six parental lines and fifteen hybrids. They were grown in a Randomised Block Design with three replications.The combining ability analysis was carried out based on method 2 under model I as suggested by Griffing (1956). The treatments showed significant differences in most of characters except number of pods/plant and fruit yield/plant. The variance due to general combining ability was significant and higher in magnitude than specific combining ability for the characters days to flowering, mean weight of pod, mean length of pod, number of seeds/pod, length of internode and seed/pod ratio. It was found that the parent selection 104 and selection 145 were the best general combiners for most of the characters studied. The parent selection 129 was the best general combiner for earliness. The hybrids selection 145 x selection 129 was the best specific combiner for mean weight of pod and number of seeds/pod. The hybrid selection 145 x kurutholapayar was the best specific combiner for earliness. The significance of g.c.a. and s.c.a. variances for most of characters indicate the importance of additive and non-additive gene action in controlling the inheritance of these characters. But additive gene action played a major role suggesting that improvement could be made through selection. Heterosis was calculated over mid and better parental values. Maximum positive heterosis was found for the character fruit yield/plant. Since considerable heterosis was evident in most of the characters, heterosis breeding can be attempted in cowpea
Open Access
Standardisation of fertilizer schedule for export oriented production of bhindi
(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Sajitharani, T; KAU; Pushpakumari, R
An experiment was conducted at the instructional farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani to find out the effect of different levels of fertilizers and their split application on the growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake of bhindi. Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench. The treatments consisted of four levels of nutrients Viz. (330: 110: 220 kg N2 P2O5 & K2O), the present T & V recommendation, 2/3 of the T & V recommendation, 1/3 of the T & V recommendation and 50: 8: 30 kg NP2O5 & K2O per hectare the present package of practices recommendation and 3 methods of application viz. nutrients in 2 splits, 4 splits and 6 splits. The results revealed that nutrient levels significantly influenced most of the growth and yield contributing characters and yield of bhindi. Biometric characters like plant height, LAI, CGR, DMP and yield contributing characters like days to 50 percent flowering, number of flowers formed, number of fruits formed total yield of fruits and quality parameters like protein content and ascorbic acid content increased with increasing levels of nutrients, recording their maximum value at F1 level, (T and V recommendation). Uptake of nutrients by plants, fruits and total was also maximum for the same treatment. However yield attributes viz. setting percentage, length and girth of fruits etc. remain unchanged with increasing levels of nutrients. Application of fertilizer nutrients in different splits viz. 2,4 or 6 cause significant variation in some of the growth and yield characters. An increase in the plant height at 60 DAS, DMP, days taken for 50 percent flowering and uptake of nutrients was noticed when nutrients were supplied in two equal splits, viz half as basal and half 30 DAS (S1). On the other hand the ascorbic acid content in fruits was maximum when nutrients were applied in six splits. Application of nutrients in 6 splits caused a significant reduction in the crude fibre content also. From the economic point of view, the maximum net profit of Rs.13682.54 was obtained by F3 level (2/3 of T and V recommendation) and Rs.14710.8 by S1 (2 equal splits half as basal and half 30 DAS).
Open Access
Associative effect of azospirillum and bradyrhizobium on nodulation and growth of cowpea (viqna unquiculata (l.) walp,
(Department of Plant Pathology College of Horticulture Vellanikkara, 1992) Sunitha, Menon S.; KAU; Rajendran, Pillai M .V
Open Access
Management of acidity by combined application of lime and gypsum in a low activity clay soil of Kerala
(Department of soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of agriculture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Jessy, Jacob K; Venugopal, V K
Open Access
Leaf blight of banana and its control
(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Saj, KV; KAU; Sulochana, K K
Survey conducted to study the fungal pathogens causing leaf blight disease in banana in the three agricultural subdivisions of Thiruvananthapuram district, yielded seven fungal pathogens viz., colletotrichum musae, Curvularia sp, Guignardia musae, khuskia oryzae, Nodulisporium gregarium, Pestalotiopsis versicolor and Phaeoseptoria sp. Among these, Curvularia sp, Khuskia oryzae and Nodulisporium gregarium are new reports. Morphological characters and pathogenicity tests of all the seven isolated cultures were studied and described. Detailed studies were conducted on five fungal pathogens viz., C. musae, G. musae, K. oryzae, N. gregarium and Phaeoseptoria sp., since severe infections could be noticed by these fungi. Studies conducted on the growth and sporulation of pathogens on different, media indicated that Richard’s medium was the best for C. musae and G. musae, potato dextrose medium for K. oryzae and Phaeoseptoria sp. In the case of N. gregarium, potato dextrose agar and Czapek (Dox) broth were found to be the best solid and liquid media respectively for its growth. Best growth of C. musae, N. gregarium and Phaeoseptoria sp was obtained with maltose as the carbon source, whereas G. musae and K. oryzae utilized maximum starch and sucrose for their growth. Maximum mycelial weight of C. musae was obtained with sodium nitrate as nitrogen source, G. musae and K. oryzae with potassium nitrate, N. gregarium with glutamine and Phaeoseptoria sp. with asparagine. Potato dextrose broth and Richard’s solution were found to be best media for the toxin production by C. musae K. oryzae , G. musae and Phaeoseptoria sp. produced maximum toxin in Richard’s solution and N. gregarium in potato dextrose broth. Host range studies of the pathogen (s) conducted indicated that they can infect a number of economically important plants like, clove, cocoa, colocasia, nutmeg and tapioca, but none of the pathogens could infect clerodendron. Dithane M-45, calixin and Bavistin were able to inhibit the growth of the leaf blighting pathogens under laboratory conditions and under field conditions Dithane M-45 (0.2%) was found to be the best. Varietal screening trials showed that variety Rasakadali was moderately resistant/tolerant among the four popular varieties screened, whereas Nendran was the most susceptible variety.
Open Access
Behaviour of phosphorus in selected soil types of Kerala
(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of horticulture,Vellanikara, 1993) Vijayan, A P; KAU; Sumam Susan, Varghese
In order to study the distribution of inorganic P-fractions finding suitable chemical extractant for phosphorus, to study Q/1 relationship as a method of estimating available P and for studying adsorption- desorption characteristics of the soil types of Kerala, 100 surface soil samples were collected. These soil types were selected from different parts of the state belonging to five soil types viz., laterite, coastal alluvium, brown hydromorphic, Kuttanad alluvium and black soil. It is observed that all the soil types except black soil were acidic, clay content was comparable in case of black soil, Kuttanad alluvium, brown hydromorphic and lateritic but it was very low in coastal alluvium. Maximum content of sesquioxide and total phosphorus recorded in laterite soils and minimum in coastal alluvium. Dominant inorganic fraction in laterite and black soil was Ca- P while in coastal alluvium, brown hydromorphic, and Kuttanad alluvium dominant fraction was Fe- P. Coastal alluvium recorded maximum content of saloid- P, Al- P and Fe- P content were maximum in Kuttanad alluvium. Maximum content of Ca- P was recorded in black soil. Studies in black soil showed that total P is correlated to free carbonates significantly and positively. The different extractants studied in different soils showed that extractants should be selected according to soil types. Mathew’s triacid proved as a better extractant for available P in laterite and coastal alluvium. In case of Kuttanad alluvium soil Bray No.1 is better. Mathew’s P correlated significantly to uptake in laterite, coastal alluvium and Kuttanad alluvium. Olsen’s P correlated to uptake in laterite and Kuttanad soils. Phosphate potential negatively correlated to uptake in Kuttanad alluvium, coastal alluvium and brown hydromorphic soil. Where as equilibrium phosphate potential negatively correlated to uptake in coastal alluvium alone. DPBC values are not found as a suitable method for the estimation of available P. The P desorption adsorption studies showed that adsorption studies was not correlated to P uptake. While the desorbed P correlated significantly and positively to P uptake in laterite soil alone.
Open Access
Management of Oestrous Cycle in Crossbred Cattle Using Prostaglandin
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1994) Ajit Kumar, G; KAU; Madhavan, E
With the object of studying the efficacy of administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha in the management of oestrous cycle and fertility of fixed time insemination in induced oestrus, 96 heifers and cows which were cycling, selected from Kerala Agricultural University Livestock Farms, were allotted to three different groups. Sixteen heifers and 16 cows in group I were given 25 mg PGF2 alpha (Lutalyse) intramuscularly when they had functional corpora lutea, while in group II, 16 heifers and 16 cows were administered two injections of PGF2 alpha 25 mg each 13 days apart. Sixteen heifers and 16 cows were treated as control (Group III). Twelve heifers (75%) and 16 cows (100%) in group I and all animals in group II responded to treatment. Mean time taken for induction of oestrus was 56.64 and 65.44 h respectively in heifers and cows. This difference was statistically significant. Parity of cows significantly influenced the time taken for induction of oestrus. Duration of oestrus was significantly different between heifers (21.86 h) and cows (31.13h) of the experimental group. Significant difference in the duration of oestrus was observed among cows between experimental and control groups. All experimental animals which responded to PGF2 alpha showed marginal increase in physical characters of the reproductive tract like vulval oedema, hyperaemia of vaginal mucosa, vulval discharge and tonicity of uterine horns. Majority of the experimental animals showed medium to high intensity of oestrus compared to natural oestrus. The first insemination and overall conception rates of heifers in group I, inseminated 72 h post-treatment, were 33.33 and 66.67 per cent respectively as against 33.33 and 50 per cent when inseminated 96 h post-treatment. Cows in groupI recorded 25 and 62.50 per cent and 37.50 and 62. 50per cent first insemination and overall conception rates respectively when inseminated 72 h and 96 h post-treatment. When heifers and cows in group II were inseminated 72h after the administration of the second dose of PGF2 alpha, 12.50 and 25 per cent conceived at first insemination with overall conception rate of 62.50 and 37.50 per cent respectively. The corresponding values in group II, when inseminated 96 h, were 25 and 12.5 per cent and 50 and 12.5 per cent respectively. Among control 6.25 per cent of heifers and 18.75 per cent of cows conceived at first insemination. The first insemination conception rate of heifers of experimental (25%) and control groups (6.25%) were significantly different. However, overall conception rate did not differ between the three groups. There was no influence of parity or season on the conception rate. Similarly the time taken for induction of oestrus, duratioh of oestrus, physical changes of the reproductive tract during oestrus and intensity of oestrus did not affect the conception rate. Heifers and cows required 1.88 and 1.93 inseminations respectively per conception when treated with PGF2 alpha as against 3.14 and 3.33 in the control group. Though, the present investigation revealed that PGF2 alpha can be used in the management of oestrous cycle in crossbred heifers and cows with fixed time insemination, the high cost of the drug and the conception rate obtained warrant further studies on fertility in relation to detected oestrus and fixed time insemination after the administration of PGF2 alpha.
Open Access
Food consumption pattern of rural house-holds below poverty line as influenced by food subsidies distributed through fair price shops
(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 1994) Priya Gopinath R; KAU; Prema L
A Study on the food consumption pattern of rural household below poverty line as influenced by the food subsides distributed through fair prices shops was taken up to evaluate the socio – economic and personal characteristic of the beneficiaries, daily food consumption pattern and contribution of food subsidies available through fair price shops on their daily diet. On the basis of their participation in public distribution system 120 households of 4 groups with 76 to 100 percent participation , 51 to 75 percent participation , 26 to 50 percent participation and less than 25 percent participation were selected for the study. All the house holds surveyed were more or less in similar socio economic back ground. Present of the monthly income in all the four groups was incurred for food especially for cereals. It was also found that percentage cereal expenditure was increasing from group 1 to group4. Among the house holds in the four groups more percentage of house holds were spending less than ten percent of their total food expenditure for purchasing food ration. A comparison among four groups revealed that percentage of ration expenditure against total food expenditure was low in group 1 and this was gradually increasing from 1 to group 4. All households in the four groups were found to include rice, sugar, coconut, milk, spices and condiments and oil every day. Rice , wheat, sugar and oil were purchased from fair price shops. Rice and oil distributed through this shops were not adequate for the households and hence open marker services were utilized. House holds under groups 1 were found using the ration cards regularly in every week and households in group 4 were not in the habit of purchasing ration regularly. The beneficiaries had favourable views about the quantity and quality of food subsidies supplied through this system. Food consumption pattern of all households in 4 groups in revealed that the food consumption of households were better in group 1 than the house holds in other 3 groups. But the diets of all the four groups were below the recommended daily allowances. Nutritional status of different age groups was ascertained in the 20households selected (10 each from group 1 and group 4). It was found that clinical scores based on various deficiency diseases was higher for family members belonging to group 2. Teethcarries and spongy bleeding of gums were common among the children of the two groups of the house holds. Haemoglobin level was below average in adult females and adolescent females in both the groups. The present study gives an indication that public distribution system has positively influenced the regular beneficiaries and prolonged implementation of the programme is one of the methods to achieve sufficient health profile for the population in below poverty line of the country.
Open Access
Consumer packaging of selected vegetables
(Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1994) Sunil Kumar, G; KAU; Raju, V K
The present study on “Consumer packaging of selected vegetables” was conducted in the Department of Processing Technology, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during June 1992 to October 1993. The study on standardization of precooling treatments to improve the postharvest life of the vegetables viz., amaranth, brinjal, chilli, cowpea, okra and tomato revealed that precooling the vegetables immediately after harvest reduced the physiological loss in weight (PLW) and enhanced the marketability both under ambient and refrigerated storage environments. The effect of precooling treatments was more pronounced when precooling was immediately followed by refrigerated storage. Among precooling treatments, contact icing and cold water treatments were found superior to tap water treatment in most of the cases. The study on precooling and packaging treatments on amaranth, brinjal, chilli, cowpea, okra and tomato revealed that precooling followed by immediate packaging of the vegetables in 100 or 200 gauge polyethylene or polypropylene bags reduced the PLW considerably. Moreover, packaged vegetables had better consumer acceptability and has remained marketable for longer periods both under ambient and refrigerated storage conditions. In most of the cases, contact icing and cold water treatments gave better results among precooling treatments. With respect to packaging, under ambient temperature storage, 100 or 200 gauge polyethylene or polypropylene bags with 0.5 per cent ventilation was found to be ideal except in okra where unventilated polybags was the best. In refrigerated storage for brinjal, chilli and tomato, polybags with 0.5 per cent ventilation was found to be ideal. For amaranth, cowpea and okra polybags without ventilation was found to be more efficient. Refrigerated storage enhanced the shelf life of packaged vegetables 3-4 times as compared to packaged vegetables kept under ambient temperature storage. The storage study on precooled portioned vegetables viz., ashgourd, elephant foot yam, oriental pickling melon, pumpkin and snakegourd packaged in polymeric films revealed that portion packaged vegetables had lower PLW and remained marketable for longer periods both under ambient and refrigerated storage environments. Wilting, shrinkage, shriveling, discolouration and microbial rotting were the common types of spoilage in packaged vegetables. Cost- wise, among precooling treatments, tap water treatment was the cheapest followed by cold water and contact icing. Among polybags polypropylene was cheaper compared to polyethylene.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

Browse

Thesis Type

Type

Author

Date

Subject

Search Results