Semester 1

Introduction to computers – definition – history – different type of computers viz., desktop, laptop, netbooks, tablet PC. Hardware and software – installation of computers – prerequisites of computers power supply and UPS. Installation of computers with peripherals viz., printers, LCD’s – its operations – remote controls. Different operating systems – MS-DOS, Windows, Linux, Unix and its installation procedures. Microsoft office basics and fundamentals – Open office – Word processing. Microsoft Word different versions – version compatibility – reports models and templates – brochures and booklets designing in Word. Spread Sheet and Excel- different versions and its compatibility. Data entry - calculations and statistics in excel sheet – graphs and charts using excel sheet. Power point usage and skills in using dynamic presentations – add and merging data files, images and video’s in power point presentations. Imaging software’s – Microsoft Image viewer, paints and its usage in drawing and editing images. Internet usage – search engines – Web sites searching – basics of web design and its basics/meta tags in search engines. E-mails – POP mails – e-mail accounts creation and usage of e-mails for sending different files – Zip filing. Multimedia software’s – paint shop pro, coral draw, flash movies – different video files editing, conversions of video files and voice editing. Computer applications in Precision farming – Hi-tech agriculture – remote control on-off through computer. Decision support systems – instant programming in Microsoft office for agro inputs calculations. Computer backups – data restorations – efficient management of computers – virus softwares and scanning of computer– defragmentation – disc cleanups. Trouble shooting the basic problems in computers, printers and LCD’s. E-commerce – online shopping – web portals for agri trading.

Concept of work- power and energy- different forms-energy efficiency. Energy use in agriculture-equivalent energy coefficients-calculation of energy input. Energy and environment- global warming- need for energy conservation. Classification of energy sources-concept of renewable energy. Power sources in the farm- requirements for various applications. Electricity-basic electrical engineering concepts. Electric motors-basic principles-different types. Mechanical power- IC engines. Working principle of CI engine- parts. Working principle of SI engine-parts. Engine systems. Tractors and their systems. Power tillers and their application for different agricultural operations.Energy from biomass- improved biomass stoves. Principles of anaerobic digestion technology- biogas plants- basic design principles. Factors affecting performance of biogas systems- popular biogas plant models. Solar energy fundamentals- solar thermal devices- Basic principles of PV systems- applications and gadgets.

Definition of nutrition- nutrients and nutritional status. Food-functions-classification- food groups-food pyramid-daily food guide-factors to be considered-different age groups- composition and nutritive value of common foods. Major nutrients –carbohydrate- importance-nature classification functions-digestion and absorption of carbohydrate present in foods- sources-deficiency-toxicity. Proteins-Importance- nature-classification-functions- digestion and absorption of proteins present in foods- sources-deficiency-toxicity. Fats- Importance- nature-classification-functions-digestion and absorption of fats present in foods-

Sources-deficiency. Recommendation of dietary allowances of nutrients for different age groups and sex. Formulation of balanced diet for different age groups and sex. Vitamins-fat soluble-functions-digestion and absorption-sources-deficiency. Vitamins-water soluble- functions-digestion and absorption-sources-deficiency- micro nutrients –functions- deficiency-sources.

Nutritional problems of India-causes-PEM-obesity-clinical symptoms-diagnosis- management. Assessment of nutritional status-anthropometry biochemical-clinical diet surveys-determination of nutritional status of an individual. Toxicants naturally occurring in foods- food adulteration-definition-common food adulterants-prevention. Post-harvest losses-conservation of nutrients- need-methods. Food fortification-enrichment and restoration-objectives-levels of fortification. Food hygiene-food borne intoxification- bacterial food poisoning. Food security-need- factors influencing –methods. Nutritional intervention programmes for vulnerable group-Mid day meal programme-ICDS-prophylatic programmes- anemia-Vitamin A. Post-harvest management for quality produce- reasons for spoilage of fruits and vegetables -general principles and methods of preservation. Preservation by dehydration- thermal processing- chemicals preservation- germination- radiation—etc. Regulations and Specifications for fresh and processed products- packaging of fresh and processed products.

Definition of soil – earth-origin-earth crust-composition .Rocks and minerals– different kind of- rocks- minerals-formation and classification. Weathering of rocks and minerals-type and classification. Soil formation (horizons, monolith etc.) and profile development. Properties of soil -physical properties –texture, structure-classification etc. Soil chemical and biological properties .Soil colloids-colloidal properties-different kind of colloids. Layer silicate clay minerals-genesis –classification and source of charges. Soil water and soil air. Soil taxonomy and its characteristics oil classification-different systems of classification. Remote sensing and GIS. Land capability classification. Soils of Kerala. Soils of India. Soil acidity. Liming materials and lime requirements. Soil salinity and soil alkalinity and its amelioration.

Insects- definitions- their characters. Classifications of insects based on leg- wings- mouthparts and metamorphosis .Types of insects based on its orders. Economic insects- honey bees- types and rearing. Economic insects- sericulture- and other beneficial insects. Pests: definition and categories. Pest outbreaks and threshold levels. Pests monitoring- surveillance and forecasting .IPM and techniques .Bio-pesticides- bacteria- fungus- viruses- EPN and mode of action. Pesticides- its classifications and mode of action. Principle methods of pesticide applications. Insect attractants and repellants. Insect pheromones- types with examination and its role in IPM. Insect growth regulators. Pesticides act and modern trends in IPM   .Modern techniques in pest control.

Definition and importance of horticulture- importance of horticultural crops to the state and country. Classification of horticultural crops.Phases of growth and development of horticultural crops. Flowering and fruiting habits- Factors associated with flowering and fruit set. Fruit development – fruit drop factors and control measures. Plant growth regulators – role in horticultural crops – preparation and method of application Commercial orchards, Plantations and other perennial crops – climate, site selection, land preparation. Orchard lay out and planting systems. Tree forms – training and pruning. Plant propagation –types of propagation – advantages and disadvantages of different methods- potting media preparation. Seed propagation- seed bed preparation- seed dormancy- pre-sowing treatments-sowing and aftercare. Asexual propagation- apomictic embryos –plant modifications for vegetative propagation. Cuttings and layering – different methods-advantages and disadvantages. Budding and grafting – different methods-advantages and disadvantages. Components of Nursery - nursery plants - production unit -sales unit - display area -nursery management. Plant propagating structures –green house – mist chambers. Micro-propagation – steps involved - methods- advantages and disadvantages

Introduction to plant pathology- definition- terms. General characters and classification of fungi- methods of reproduction. Key to divisions and subdivisions- with examples of fungi of plant pathological and other significance. General characters of bacteria- structure- reproduction and symptoms of bacterial diseases. General characters of virus- classification and symptoms of virus diseases- virus vector relationship. Phanerogamic parasites. Epidemiology. Crop loss assessment and disease forecasting.

Education- meaning- definition- types-formal- informal and non-formal education. Extension education and Agricultural Extension- meaning definition- concepts- objectives- process and principles. Teaching –learning process- learning situation and steps in teaching. Rural development- objectives- importance- problems in rural development .Pre independence extension efforts in India. Community development and national extension service. Recent approaches in rural development programme. Self-help groups and models. Present research- client and education system. Present extension system in India. Method of data collection. Training in extension. Leadership-types of leaders- classification and importance in agricultural extension. Motivation –types and application in extension work. Project preparation .Functions of Kerala Agricultural University.

Agriculture definition – branches of agriculture – Agri. technology development in India. Agronomy -definition – agronomic classification of crops and their importance – major crops in Kerala and India .Meteorology –Agrl. Meteorology- definition–weather and climate and its role in crop production. Atmosphere – composition –– global warming and climate change-weather forecasting. Meteorological observatory and instruments-lay out of Agro met observatory. Agricultural seasons and monsoons-Njattuvela - drought – types of drought – disaster management –mitigation .Elements of crop production – factors affecting crop production- -crop yield contributing characters-biological and economic yield- harvest index. Tillage and tilth – characteristics of good tilth –– types of tillage-primary and secondary- tillage implements. Seeds and sowing – seed definition – methods of sowing - seed drills and other implements – transplanting. Vegetative propagation of field crops –spacing - planting geometry. Soil fertility vs soil productivity –organic manures – bio-fertilizers – green manures- forms of fertilizers-time and methods of application. Calculation of fertilizers for important crops – methods to improve FUE. Weeds – definition – classification –noxious and parasitic weeds. Crop – weed association and competition - critical stages of crop weed competition. Weed management –– methods of weed control – mechanical- cultural- biological- chemical and IWM. Herbicides – classification – mode of action – selectivity. Formulations - application of herbicides and their fate in soil- plant and water. Weed management in rice- coconut – banana – vegetables – oil seeds and plantations. Weed management in other crops. Rainfed agriculture - dry farming- dry land farming –moisture conservation measures. Irrigated agriculture - irrigation-definition- objectives- soil moisture constants- Field capacity- Permanent Wilting Point- Available Water. Scheduling of irrigation- IW/CPE ratio- Evapo-transpiration- Potential Evaporation- Crop Co-Efficient-etc. Water management of major crops - critical stages - depth of irrigation. Methods of irrigation- surface - subsurface. Micro irrigation-sprinkler- drip- bubbler-pivot irrigation –fertigation. Drainage and its importance in crop production. Different methods of drainage. Cropping pattern - terms and definition - multiple cropping and various forms of inter cropping- sequential cropping- crop rotation- catch cropping and cover cropping- strip cropping- nurse cropping- trap cropping. Cropping systems in various parts of Kerala- multi-tier cropping system - crop cafeteria - multiple cropping. Rice based cropping systems. Important cropping systems in India. Farming system –components -livestock- poultry- aqua culture -duck- pig etc. Integrated farming systems in Kerala .Agro climatic classification of Kerala.

Introduction- history- objectives and activities of plant breeding. Basic principles of genetics .Basis of heredity- chromosome- DNA- gene. Taxonomy of important crops. Qualitative and quantitative characters – genotype- phenotype- inheritance. Biometrical techniques. Ideotype concept. Centres of origin of important crops. Biodiversity and germplasm conservation. Organizations involved in crop improvement – National and International organizations. IPR and related laws. Transport ad translocation of water and solutes. Physiological disorders of rice- vegetables and fruits. Photosynthesis- general principles- physiological and ecological considerations. Respiration- assimilation of mineral nutrients. Plant defense: surface protection and secondary metabolites. Growth regulators – auxin and gibberellins - mode of action and practical applications. Cytokinin and ethylene - mode of action and practical applications. Abscisic acid and other growth regulators - mode of action and practical applications. The control of flowering. Seed physiology. Herbicide physiology. Water deficit and salinity - physiology - management aspects. Submergence - chilling and freezing- physiology - management aspects .High temperature physiology - management aspects. Air pollution physiology - management aspects.