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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 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 Immunodiagnosis of bovine gastrothylacosis using coproantigens(Department of parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Kandasamy, A; KAU; Devada, KA study was conducted on the prevalence of paramphistomatidosis in Thrissur from June 1999 to May 2000, feasibility of coproantigen detection by ELlSA and comparison of sensitivity of ELlSA using coproantigens and ELlSA using serum antibodies in diagnosis of gastrothylacosis, caused by Gastrothy/ax crumenifer, in cattle. It was noted from the registers maintained at the University Veterinary Hospitals at Kokkalai and Mannuthy and that at the Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, that out of a total number of 1534 faecal samples from bovines examined, 253 (16.5 per cent) animals were found to be positive for amphistome eggs with the maximum prevalence (23 per cent) in June and July. Generally the infection was prevalent throughout the year. An indirect ELlSA using rabbit hyperimmune serum against somatic antigens of G. crumenifer was performed to detect coproantigens in faecal samples collected from 100 known G. crumenifer infected cattle. Seventy four samples were found to contain detectable levels of coproantigen indicating a sensitivity of 74 per cent. Serum samples collected from the same infected cattle were tested for antibodies to G. crumenifer by an indirect ELlSA using somatic antigens. Fifty one samples were found positive for antibodies indicating a sensitivity of 51 per cent. It was seen that when 43 cattle were positive for both coproantigens and serum antibodies, 18 cattle were negative for both of them. Although 31 cattle which were negative for serum antibodies were found positive for coproantigens, eight cattle negative for coproantigens were found positive for serum antibodies. The results showed that coproantigen detection, which revealed a higher sensitivity than the detection of serum antibodies by ELlSA, is feasible for the diagnosis of gastrothylacosis in bovines.ThesisItem Open Access Developing and testing of a collector-cum-storage types solar water heater for domestic use(Department of Farm Power Machinery and Energy, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2000) Bijukumar, K; KAU; Mohammad, C PThe present study was undertaken to desi~n and develop a collector-cum-storage type solar water heater of 30 litre capacity to supply hot water for domestic use. Five solar water heaters with different absorber plate positions were constructed. The storage tanks with dimensions of 67 xIl7 x 10 cm were made by using fibre glass, and the top of these storage tanks were covered using single plain glass plates of 71 x 51 x 0.4 cm size. The position of the absorber plate was varied by changing the width of the spacers (4 nos. at an angle of 400 with the side aluminium sheet), which connects bottom aluminium plate and top absorber plate. The absorber plate was of 65 x 45 cm size. The top face of the absorber plate was painted black to absorb maximum solar. radiation. The absorber plate positions were lcm, 3cm, 5cm, 7cm and 9cm from the top glass cover plate and were designated as SWHl 0, SWH30, SWH5.0, SWH7.0 and SWH9.0 respectively. The absorber plate position was optimized by testing the solar water heaters under two different test conditions. Solar water heater II (SWH3.0) outperforms other solar water heaters under the two test conditions. Maximum outlet temperature of 64°C af 3pm and maximum efficiency of 55.72% also at 3pm were observed in solar water heater 11. So it is optimized that the position of the absorber plate should be at 3cm from . the top glass plate. The solar warer heater can easily be handled by a single person since the weight is only 9.5kg. The operating cost per unit of thermal energy obtained withthe solar water heater was found to be 25 paise per kWh.ThesisItem Open Access Bionomics and ecological management of coconut eriophyid mite(Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2001) Vidya, CV; KAU; Ranjith, A MThe bionomics and ecological management of coconut eriophyid mite, Aceria guerreronis (Keifer) was studied under the Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. The preference of mites to bunches of different maturity, symptoms of damage, population dynamics, relationship of mite population with weather factors and the distribution pattern of mites based on plant morphology were considered for the study. Some ecological management practices were also tried along with this. The experiment was laid out as completely randomised design. Mites were absent in male and female flowers and also on buttons of first bunch. Initiation of infestation starts from buttons of second bunch and population increases further and maximum population is noticed in buttons of third and fourth bunches and thereafter it decreases. This is because after fourth bunch, the meristematic tissue becomes necrotic due to feeding of mites and hence mites cannot feed further easily. Traces of population were noticed even on nuts of ninth bunch. Predatory mites were also seen along with eriophyid mites even though they are very negligible. Symptoms of damage were seen outside from second bunch onwards. The symptom initially appears as whitish streak or triangular patch and it increases further in length and breadth and becomes brownish and later necrotic. In some cases, cracks, cuts and gummosis can be seen on the husk. The relationship between surface damage and mite population was worked out. Maximum mite population was noticed when the surface damage was 1-3 and 3-6 cm2 before and after the removal of perianth respectively and the percentage of damage was 1-3 per cent. Mite population was found to vary with different weather parameters. Minimum temperature of current week, current, -1 and -2 fortnights and maximum temperature of -2 fortnight were positively related with mite population. Morning humidity is also positively related with mite population. Mite population was negatively related with wind speed of zero current, current, -I and -2 fortnights. There is no direct relation between mite population and rainfall, number of rainy days, evening humidity and sunshine hours. Mite infestation was irrespective of the height of the palm, crown shape and perianth arrangement. The intensity of infestation varies between each inner tepals. Maximum infestation was under fourth tepal followed by fifth and sixth tepa\. The preference of mites to different portions under each tepal also varies with maximum entry through the 'outer edge' of fourth tepal followed by 'outer edge' of fifth tepal, 'middle' portion of sixth tepal, 'middle' portion of fifth and fourth tepal, and 'inner edge' of sixth and fifth tepa\. Infestation was found to be less in round shaped nuts compared to oval and oblong nuts. Maximum incidence was in green coloured nuts followed by greenish yellow and orange coloured nuts. There was no reduction in mite damage by different water regimes (rainfed, channel and drip irrigated) fertilizer regimes (0.34:0.17:0.68 kg NPK/palm, 0.5:0.32:1.2 kg NPKlpalm and 0.25:0.32:1.2 kg NPKlpalm) micronutrients (MgS04, ZnS04, MnS04, Borax and Micronutrient mixture) and crown cleaning (once and twice in an year).ThesisItem Open Access Integrated nutrient management in hedge lucerne (Desmanthus virgatus(L.)willed) under rainfed condition(Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2001) Kavitha, G V; KAU; Lakshmi, SA field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala State to find out an integrated nutrient management technique for Desmanthus virgatus (L.) Willd. under rainfed condition. The influence of chemical fertilizers and biofertilizers on growth parameters, fodder yield, quality of produce, uptake of nutrients, chemical properties of soil and economics was investigated. Three levels of nitrogen (0, 15, 30 kg N ha"), three levels of potassium (0, 20, 40 kg ha") and biofertilizers (Rhizobium, AMF and Rhizobium + AMF) were combined to form twenty seven treatment combinations. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Results of the experiment revealed that the chemical fertilizers as well as bioinoculants had significant positive influence on improving the fodder production potential of Desmanthus virgatus. Application of inorganic fertilizers and eo- inoculation of hedge lucerne with Rhizobium and AMF significantly increased the growth parameters namely plant height, length of branches, number of branches and leaf: stem ratio. Highest dose of chemical fertilizers and dual inoculation with biofertilizers registered maximum green fodder yield in all four harvests. Similar results were obtained in the case of dry fodder yield also. Quality parameters of the forage significantly improved as a result of dual inoculation with biofertilizers. Maximum crude protein content was realized with application of highest dose of nitrogen and potassium. The nutrient uptake showed a significant increase with increase in doses of chemical fertilizers. Dual inoculation of biofertilizers significantly increased the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Combined application of biofertilizers improved the nitrogen and phosphorus status of the soil after the experiment. Highest dose of nitrogen gave the highest soil nitrogen content. Similarly highest dose of potassium recorded highest soil potassium content after the experiment. The physical and economic optimum dose of nitrogen for Desmanthus virgatus was 32 kg ha-I and 31 kg ha-I respectively while that of potassium was 22 kg ha-I, The use of chemical fertilizers and dual inoculation with biofertilizers recorded highest net returns and benefit: cost ratio, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach in nutrient management.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of probiotic supplementation on the performance of broiler chicken(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Sabitha Mahaboob Kadari, A; KAU; Elizabeth, V KThe effects of different levels of pro biotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus faecium and Yeasacc 1026) supplementation• at 0.025 and 0.05 per cent of the ration on the performance of broiler chicken were evaluated using 144, one-day old, commercial broiler chicks for a period of eight weeks. The birds were divided into three dietary treatment groups viz., standard broiler ration (T 1), standard broiler ration with 0.025 per cent probiotic (T 2) and standard broiler ration with 0.05 per cent probiotic (T3). Standard broiler ration was formulated as per Bureau of Indian Standards (1992) specification for broiler chicken feed. The 0.025 per cent probiotic supplemented birds showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) body weight upto six weeks of age. At the end of eight weeks of age, the 0.05 per cent probiotic fed birds grew faster. The body weight gain was significantly higher in 0.025 per cent probiotic supplemented group upto six weeks of age but was statistically non-significant upto eight weeks of age. The feed intake was not statistically significant throughout the experimental period. Eventhough the feed efficiency was significantly (P<0.01) better in the group fed with 0.025 per cent probiotic at the end of second week, it was statistically non-significant at sixth and eighth weeks of age. The protein efficiency was not significantly different throughout the experimental period. The serum cholesterol levels were significantly (P<0.01) reduced in both the probiotic supplemented groups. The serum protein level was not affected by probiotic supplementation. The processing Yields did not show any significant difference among treatments. The mortality percentage was not affected by treatments. Cost of production of broilers in the 0.025 per cent probiotic group was lower when compared with other two groups at the end of six weeks of age, while it was lower in the 0.05 per cent probiotic supplemented group at the end of eight weeks of age. It can be concluded that probiotic supplementation in standard broiler ration at a lower level was beneficial in the early stages of growth.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic evaluation of F2 generation of intervarietal crosses in greengram (vigna radiata (L.) wilczek(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2001) Leenamol, M A; KAU; Kamalam, NA research programme was carried out at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2000-2001 with the objective of assessing the potential of F2 progenies of greengram in terms of variability and correlation with respect to yield, yield attributes and shade tolerance. Fifteen F 2 progenies derived from intervarietal crosses were evaluated under the partial shade of coconut garden adopting a randomised block design with three replications. Data collected for seventeen characters were subjected to statistical analysis. Coefficient of variation, heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path coefficients were estimated. The 15 F 2 progenies revealed significant difference for all the characters. However, measurement of periodical shade intensity did not show significant difference among the plots indicating the prevalence of uniform shade. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were high for grain yield, leaf area index, number of pods per plant, photosynthetic efficiency, harvest index and 100 seed weight. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for harvest index, grain yield, number of pods per plant, 100 seed weight and photosynthetic efficiency. Correlation studies indicated that the characters leaf area index, . photosynthetic efficiency, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight and harvest index exhibited significant positive correlation with grain yield whereas days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity recorded significant negative correlation. Among yield components, photosynthetic efficiency and harvest index exhibited significant positive correlation with number of seeds per pod and 100 seed weight. Photosynthetic efficiency exhibited the highest positive direct effect on grain yield followed by harvest index. Negative direct effect on grain yield was recorded for number of seeds per pod, days to maturity and days to 50 per cent flowering. It can be concluded from the present study that under partially shaded condition, photosynthetic efficiency and harvest index are the most important yield components which can serve as selection criteria for better yield in greengram. Accordingly the genotypes T 7 (Ganga 4 x Pusa Baisakhi), T 5 (LGG 460 x Philippines), T I (IIPRM 3 x Philippines), T 2 (Ganga 4 x Philippines) and TI4 (RMG 353 x CO-2) and Tlo (LGG 460 x Pusa Baisakhi) may be selected for further work.ThesisItem Open Access Irrigation scheduling and moisture conservation in water melon(Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Ajith, C B; KAU; Joseph, P AAn experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy, Thrissur during the period from December 1998 to March 1999 to study the influence of levels of irrigation and moisture conservation methods on the growth and yield of water melon (Citrullus fanatus) grown in rice fallows. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of combinations of four moisture conservation methods (control, application of paddy waste as surface mulch, uniform incorporation and bottom layer application @ 1/3 pit volume) and four levels of irrigation (IW /CPE ratio of 0.6, 1, 1.4 and farmer's practice of daily irrigation @ 20 lit pit"), The study revealed that incorporation of moisture conservation materials increased the growth attributes like length of vine, number of leaves per vine, leaf area and dry matter production and yield attributes like weight of fruits and number of fruits per plant. Among moisture conservation methods surface mulch and uniform incorporation of paddy waste were found to be superior in most of the cases. Watermelon responded very well to irrigation. Biometric characters (length of vine, number of leaves per vine, leaf area and dry matter production) and yield attributing characters (weight of fruits and number of fruits per plant) were favourably influenced by frequent irrigations. The fruit yield increased with increase in frequency of irrigation and was maximum at IW /CPE ratio of 1.4. Results of soil moisture studies revealed that incorporation of moisture conservation material' increased the soil moisture content, consumptive use and water use efficiency. The consumptive use increased with the frequency of irrigation. The top 15 cm of the soil layer accounted for the highest soil moisture depletion. The depletion was more from the deeper layers in the drier regimes. Field and crop-water use efficiencies were higher in less frequently irrigated treatments. Higher levels of irrigation increased N, P and K content of leaves. No convincing change in leaf N, P, K content could be brought about by the incorporation of paddy waste. Economic analysis showed that incorporation of paddy waste could increase the net profit. Net profit as well as net return per rupee invested were the highest with scheduling irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 1.4. Among the treatment combinations, the best combination was surface application of paddy waste with irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 1.4 followed by the combination of surface mulching and fanner's practice of daily irrigation.
