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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 Management of foot rot of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) with mycoinoculant enriched vermicompost(Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2002) Divya, S; Sasikumar NairThe study, "Management of foot rot of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) with mycoinoculant enriched vermicompost" was done at the Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Veliayani to explore the possibility of using vermicornpost as a carrier material for mass production of biocontrol agents and to test its efficacy in controlling the disease. The talc based inoculum of Trichoderma harzianum and soil based granular inoculum of Glomus Jasciculatum were mass produced in vermicompost either alone or in combination with farmyard manure or neem cake in the ratio 1 : 1 and 5 : 1 respectively and the efficacy was compared with the standard carrier material of FYM + neem cake (10 : 1). The population of T. harzianum 15 DAI was maximum in the treatment combination of VC + NC (5 : 1). However, the influence of these carrier materials on percentage of mycorrhizal infection 50 DAI was not statistically significant. Vermicompost as a carrier material for biocontrol agents was further tested in pepper var. Karimunda inoculated with P. capsici. Carrier materials as such had no significant influence on disease control. Reduction in foliar infection, disease index, stem infection and percentage mortality was observed in treatments with biocontrol agents. Disease control was maximum with the treatments involving T. harzianum while plant growth promotion was maximum with G. Jasciculatum. The physiological changes in pepper plants after inoculation with P. capsici and biocontrol agents were studied. The phenol and OD phenol content was more in pathogen inoculated plants. The defence related enzymes peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase were enhanced with pathogen inoculation as well as with the application of biocontrol agents. SDS-PAGE analysis of proteins with samples extracted from plants one day after inoculation of pathogen showed the presence of two novel proteins with molecular . weights of 78 kDa and 28 kDa in diseased samples which were absent in treatments without pathogen and also in plants treated with COC.ThesisItem Open Access Participatory action research for renumerative rice production(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2004) Parvathy, S; KAU; Ahamed, PAs with the Complex, Diverse and Risk- prone (CDR) rice systems of many Asian countries, the Kerala state of peninsular India suffers from the fast depleting paddies and the ' high cost- low remuneration syndrome'. Crucial rice technologies have been blamed by stakeholders for the insensitivity to micro farming situations A multidisciplinary stakeholder Participatory Action Research (PAR) of emancipatory type and collaborative mode was done for three years (2001-2004) on identification and prioritization of constraints to profitable rice production to explore the available cost-reducing and productivity increasing technological options. The project focussed on screening of technological modules through farmer participatory field assessment and arrived at locally adaptable and remunerative technology packages. The project also developed and standardised an extrapolatable stakeholder participatory assessment model and protocol. The programme had a blend of extension approaches, research designs and tools like "ex-post facto", benchmark appraisal through Participatory Learning and Action (PLA), exploratory, diagnostic, evaluative, field experiments and analytical studies. The PAR was done in two rice ecosystems (irrigated and rainfe:l) of the midland, laterite belt of Kerala state, India. Fourteen technology modules were fitted into the PAR, under .. , each of the three treatments, viz., farmers' practice, recommended packages of the formal research system and location specific I technology components" jointly decided by the research team extensionists and farmers. Each technology component was subjected to five types of analysis viz., agronomic, statistical, economic, farmers perceptions and reactions, post-trial follow up analysis of adoption in the succeeding cropping seasons. The participatory interventions significantly influenced the level of technical knowledge and extent of adoption of adaptable technology modules, typifying the cognitive impact of an emancipating action research. The short duration red rice varieties "Kanchana" (Ptb 50) and "Kairali" (Ptb 49) proved to be the best first crop and second crop varieties respectively, to replace the ruling cultivars. The technology modules recommended by the formal research system viz., seed treatment with fungicides for the first crop season and Pseudomonas fluorescence for the second crop season were adaptable technologies. The PAR came out with an efficient planting density and crop geometry package (line transplanting; 15 x 10 cm; 67 . , hills/m'; 2-3 seedlings/hill) to replace the conventional planting system. The existing formal recommendations including IPM and INM practices could enhance and combat weeds, pest and diseases thereby enhancing crop yield. Harvesting with self- propelled reaper and threshing with mechanised thresher were cost effective, drudgery alleviating and time saving. The net result of the action research was a set of adaptable technological package for remunerative rice production in the CDR rice production systems. Cognitive and behavioural impact on the participants; and the standard methodology and protocol for participatory technology validation for rice in particular, and for any farm enterprise in general, with extrapolative effect.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of different levels of energy on growth performance of crossbred pigs(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Rekha, P; KAU; George, MathenAn experiment was conducted to assess •the influence of different levels of energy on the growth performance of crossbred (Large White Yorkshire x Desi) pigs. Fifteen male (castrated) and fifteen female weaned crossbred piglets with an average body weight of 12.9 kg were divided into three equal groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age, sex and body weight. The three groups of piglets were maintained on three rations with 16 per cent crude protein but differing in their energy content, viz., 2800 kcal (T1), 3000 kcal CT2) and 3200 kcal (TI) of digestible energy (DE) per kg. The average daily gains recorded for the three groups T1, T2 and TI were 262.9, 302.0 and 362.8 g respectively. The cumulative feed conversion efficiencies were 6.0, 5.2 and 4.1 for the groups T1, T2 and TI respectively. The values recorded for TI were higher (P<0.01) than those for T1 and T2. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients except that of crude fibre and crude protein were found to improve with increase in the energy content of the rations. Study of the carcass traits revealed that the body weight at slaughter and dressed weight without head improved as the energy content of the rations increased. However, dressing percentage, carcass length and back fat thickness were not significantly influenced by the energy content of the ration. The cost of feed per kg weight gain of animals was significantly lower (P<0.01) for the dietary treatment T3 compared to that of T2 and Tl, the values being Rs.49.90, 43.30 and 34.10 for Tl, T2 and T3 respectively. The above results indicate that crossbred pigs require 3200 kcal of DE/kg of the ration for better growth performance provided the crude protein level is maintained at 16 per cent.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of replacing dried fish with lysine and methionine in the calf starter on the growth performance of crossbred calves(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Jith John, Mathew; Ally, KA growth trial was conducted with fourteen crossbred calves below one month of age for 145 days to study the effect of replacement of unsalted dried fish in the calf starter with a total vegetable protein source supplemented with lysine and methionine. Calves were divided into two groups as uniformly as possible and allotted randomly to two dietary treatments. The control group was fed with a calf starter containing unsalted dried fish. The treatment group was fed a calf starter with only vegetable protein sources formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric with control calf starter and equated by supplementation, with the same as regard to amino acids lysine and methionine plus cystine. Statistical analysis of the data showed that there was no significant difference in any of the parameters recorded during the study. An average daily gain of 325 grams and 348 grams were obtained in calves fed with the control and treatment diets respectively. Feed to gain ratio for the control and treatment groups were 3.85 and 3.81 respectively. Dry matter intake and haematological parameters such as haemoglobin, serum phosphorus, serum calcium, plasma glucose, serum total protein and blood urea nitrogen were similar in calves receiving the two dietary treatments. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients observed were 66.37 and 65.84 for dry matter, 72.21 and 72.36 for crude protein, 64.28 and 61.85 for ether extract, 62.34 and 60.71 for neutral detergent fibre and 51.95 and 52.25 for acid detergent fibre for the control and treatment diets respectively. Identical performance was obtained in all the parameters recorded. Cost per kilogram body weight gain was Rs 71.40 for the control group and Rs 69.63 in the treatment group. It could be inferred from the study that unsalted fish in a calf starter can be fully replaced by plant protein sources supplemented for existing deficiencies in lysine and methionine plus cystine to obtain similar growth performance of cross bred pre-ruminant calves.ThesisItem Open Access Information education and communication (iec) for iodine defficiency disorders (idd) control(Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Vishma, C A; Rajani, MThesisItem Open Access Financing of fruit and vegetable processing industry in Thrissur district(Department of Rural Banking and Financial Management, College of Co-operation, Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 2004) Bindumol, R; KAU; Padmini, E V KThe study entitled “Financing of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Industry in Thrissur District” was conducted with the following objectives: 1) to examine the extent and pattern of institutional finance to the fruit and vegetable processing units and 2) to identify the factors influencing the repayment behaviour of the selected units. The study was conducted among ten fruit and vegetable processing units out of the 32 units in Thrissur District for a period of five years from 1998 to 2002 using mainly primary data collected with a pre-tested structured schedule. Secondary data were also used from the books and accounts of the units and banks. The study revealed that a substantial percent of the sample units are tiny or small which are organized in the form of sole proprietorship. Majority of the sample firms were established after 1960 because of the increased demand for processed products that too by Christian entrepreneurs. Even though all the units are registered as per the norms of Food Products Order, 1955, majority of the units in fruits and vegetable processing industry in Kerala are outside the purview of Factories Act, 1948. The study also revealed that most of the small-scale units were started with a low fixed capital investment. The share of owned funds in the total capital at the time of establishment was high compared to borrowings, as the units were small and started by the entrepreneurs with sound financial status. The units mainly depend on Public Sector Commercial Banks for their working capital. Study also revealed that the major problem faced by the units is the inadequacy of working capital during the season. More than 50 percent of the working capital requirement of the units is financed by the public sector commercial banks and the rest are met with their own funds. The share of fixed capital in the total capital is higher when compared with working capital. The large-scale units are capital intensive as the share of fixed capital is more. The analysis of the financing pattern revealed that the highest share of finance was from borrowed funds. Building, plant and machinery contribute major share of the fixed capital while the stock of raw materials occupy highest share in working capital. The lower share of sundry debtors of the units denotes that credit sale is less in the industry. The analysis of the cost structure revealed that all the major cost items like cost of fresh fruits, fruit juice concentrates, chemicals and cost of other inputs have increased during the study period. The share of vegetable cost is high in units producing only pickles. The percentage increase in sales is less compared to cost, which adversely affected the profit of the units. The value added of the industry has increased by 27 percent during the study period. The industry depends heavily on local market for the sales of their product, as their promotional activities and marketing are not adequate. To supplement the analysis with the absolute values, ratios are worked out classified into three categories namely structural ratios, activity ratios and financial ratios. Structural ratios reassured the earlier arguments. Activity ratios and profitability ratios established that the dependence on debt is minimum and institutional finance has nothing to do only little. The potential for institutional finance depends on to what extent the industry can diversify and also to what extent the banking agencies can come forward to provide financial assistance for venture financing.ThesisItem Open Access Morphological and anatomical properties of teak seedlings as influenced by nursery techniques(Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 2004) Girija Pushpom, R P; KAU; Anoop, E VAn experiment was carried out at College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara with the objective to evaluate the best nutrient levels and sowing treatments required for the production of good quality stumps based on anatomical properties of the seedlings with particular reference to wood formation due to cambial activity. The different nutrient and sowing methods were randomly allocated following completely randomized design. From the experiment, it was found that the best nutrient and sowing method combinations were N2S3 (cowdung 0.4 kg/rrr' and neem cake 0.2 kg/rn ' with spacing of 12 cm x 12 cm between seeds). In terms of biometric characters and biomass characteristics of seedlings it was also found that in quick growing seedlings, vessel diameter was large and vessel frequency was less. Collar girth was positively related with ring width and negative related with vessel frequency. Comparing the performance of nursery raised seedlings with root trainer raised seedlings it was found that the growth characteristics as well as the anatomical properties were inferior for root trainer raised seedlings. In the present study it was found that the best quality teak stumps could be produced by intensive cultural practices. Intensive management of nursery seedlings could produce VlgOurOUS seedlings and thereby it could produce good quality stumps in less time. Results of the present study showed that traditional system of production of teak stumps were efficient By imposing superior nutrient and sowing methods good quality, vigorous stumps can be produced to meet the immediate plantation requirements within a short period.ThesisItem Open Access Investigations on etio-pathology of vomiting in dogs(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Muraly, P; KAU; Baby, P GThe study "INVESTIGATIONS ON ETIO-PATHOLOGY OF VOMITING IN DOGS" was conducted in 20 dogs to evaluate ultrasonography and radiography as diagnostic tools in vomiting dogs; to assess hydration status, electrolyte and acid-base balance in vomiting dogs and to correlate clinico-pathologic findings with radiographic and ultrasonographic changes. Various parameters such as history, physical examination, hydration status, ultrasonography, radiography-plain and contrast, haematology, serum biochemistry, and wherever possible histopathology were studied. Most of the dogs under study had bile stained watery vomitus but dogs with pyloric stenosis had frothy or watery white vomitus. The frequency of vomiting in dogs with gastritis and gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction was two to seven times per day, it was variable in dogs with hepatic and renal disorders, but was associated with food intake in dogs with pyloric stenosis. Physical examination was found useful in dogs with GI obstruction, while it was non-specific in dogs with gastritis and renal disorders. Capillary refill time (CRT) and degree of sunken eye balls were helpful to assess dehydration. Estimation of volume of packed red cells (VPRC) was found beneficial to assess dehydration unless the dogs are anemic. Ultrasonography could not identify any lesions in dogs with gastritis, but was useful to detect GI obstructions due to pyloric stenosis, intussusception and foreign body and to characterise lesions in the parenchymal organs like liver and kidney. While plain radiographs could give indication to possible non-radiopaque GI obstructions, contrast radiography was required to confirm. Radiography could not identify any lesions in dogs with gastritis, hepatic and chronic intestitial nephritis. Hypokalemia with metabolic alkalosis was the significant electrolyte and acid-base derangement in dogs with vomiting due to gastritis and GI obstructions.ThesisItem Open Access Availability indices for stressed nutrients for coconut (Cocos nucifera L) in an ultisol(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Priya, P; KAU; Sureshkumar, PThe present study was conducted with an objective to analyse the soil-plant system, the levels and interactions of nutrient ions in soil, soil solution and plant thereby / finding out the contributing factors to yield. The importance of the term relative intensity lies in the fact that the contribution of mineral elements to growth and yield of plants depend much on the relative amount of one element with respect to the others rather than the absolute content of individual elements. To study the ionic interactions and to unravel the role of Net Ionic Equilibrium based on Ratio Law on soil plant system, a sample of fifty phenotypically identical palms varying in yield from 14.4 to 84.4 nuts palm" year"! grown under an Ultisol were selected. Index leaf samples were collected during pre and post monsoon seasons from 25 palms each from high yielding and low yielding groups. Soil samples were also collected from the basins of these palms during the same seasons at 30 cm (surface) arid 60 cm (subsurface) depths. Soil solutions at saturation point were extracted from the surface samples by centrifugation technique. These leaf, soil and solution samples were analysed / . for different nutrient ions, and the NIE ratios in these three phases were worked out with respect to K and Na. The soil samples were acidic in nature and the variation in rhizosphere pH must have definitely influenced the solubility as well as absorption of different nutrient ions. In the case of available nutrients, the micro nutrients showed significant direct relation with yield both for high and low yielding populations. This might be due to their restricted availability due to aerobic oxidised condition where Fe and Mn might have been precipitated and got into unavailable forms. The BaCh exchangeable ions and the CEC derived from summing up of these exchangeable ions influenced yield directly. Exchangeable K had got a significant dominance in deciding the NIE ratio in soil, solution and in index leaves. Exchangeable K controlled the soil solution concentration of K which in turn controlled the NIE ratio in solution and the ratios in plant. Exchangeable K directly controlled the plant K content and plant K was positively and significantly correlated with the NIE ratios in plant and these ratios were positively and significantly correlated with yield. The negative significant correlation of exchangeable K with plant Mn and Zn revealed the antagonistic effect of exchangeable K in restricting the absorption of Mn and Zn by plants. Among the ionic concentrations in soil solution, Fe was positively and significantly correlated with yield in both the seasons. Soil solution concentrations of Ca and Mg were antagonistically and significantly related with plant Mn content. Potassium content and the NIE ratio in index leaves were found to have a significant direct relation with yield in the pre-monsoon season. Potassium, Ca and Mg were the dominant cations in plant deciding the total cation concentration in index leaves. The NIE ratios between the exchangeable ions, the ions in soil solution and the ions in index leaf samples were mutually, .positively and significantly correlated among themselves. This lead to the conclusion that there exists a constancy in the relative proportion of nutrient ions in the entire soil-plant system which followed Ratio Law. The study lead to the conclusion that the soil test values of the individual ions alone or the plant content of individual ions alone can't give a clear picture of optimum nutrient requirements for the plant. The relative concentration of K in soil through the ~ concentration in soil solution was found to govern the relative concentration in plant which in turn influenced the yield.
