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ThesisItem Open Access Effect of coir pith on physico-chemical and moisture retention properties of selected soil groups of Kerala(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1995) Venugopal, R; KAU; Sushama, P KAn investigation on the effect of coir pith on physico- chemical and moisture retention properties of selected soil groups of Kerala was carried out at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 1991-93. Three major soil groups selected for the experiment were coastal sandy, laterite and red. Pots were filled with these soils at the rate of 10 kg soil per pot. Coir pith at the rate of 5 t ha -1, 10 t ha-1, and 20 t ha-1, was added in the soil. An absolute control treatment with no coir pith application and a control treatment with farm yard manure applied at the rate of 5 t ha-1 were maintained. One set of pots was used for incubation study for a period of one year. The soils were maintained at field capacity. Samples were collected from the pots at quarterly intervals and analysis was done for various physico- chemical properties like volume – mass relationships, moisture retention at tensions of 30, 500, 1000 and 1500 kPa and organic carbon. At the end of one year after incubation water stable aggregates and cation exchange capacity were analysed. Another set of pots was used for in vitro study. Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings were raised in the pots. Irrigation was given as and when the plant showed temporary wilting symptoms and the interval between the consecutive irrigations was noticed for different treatments. At the end of the sixth month the plants were taken out and analysed for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and uptake of these nutrients were calculated. Soil samples were also collected from the pots to study the available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents. It was noticed that the application of coir pith significantly improved the bulk density, maximum water holding capacity and per cent pore space. There was a significant increase in the moisture retention at different tensions. Water stable aggregates were measured and per cent aggregate stability, mean weight diameter, structural coefficient and stability index showed significant increase with the increasing levels of coir pith. Soil moisture retention at different tensions was significantly influenced by the addition of coir pith. As the level of coir pith increased soil moisture retention increased. Organic carbon content showed an initial increase to a period of six months and subsequently decreased. Cation exchange capacity showed an increasing tendency with increasing levels of coir pith. Significant correlation was obtained between various physical properties and organic carbon content of the soils. After the removal of the crop the available nitrogen content of the soil decreased with increasing levels of coir pith whereas available phosphorus and potassium contents increased with increasing levels of coir pith.ThesisItem Open Access Intra-uterine infusion of homologous plasma in the treatment of endometritis in cows(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Venugopal, R; KAU; Prabhakaran Nair, KThe present study was undertaken on infertile cows with uterine infections, with the objective to evaluate the beneficial effect of intra – uterine infusion of homologous plasma as a non antibiotic alternate therapy for bovine endometritis. The luminal secretions of cows with clinical endometritis allotted to group 1 (n = 13) and 11 (n = 10) were aseptically collected at the time of oestrum and subjected to plate count to assess the uterine bacterial load prior to treatment. Cows belonging to group 1 were given 25 to 35 ml of homologous plasma as intra – uterine infusion on the day of oestrum whereas in control group (group 11) the cows were given 25 to 35 ml of sterile normal saline as intra – uterine infusion. Luminal secretions of all the cows were collected aseptically at the succeeding oestrus following treatment and the uterine bacterial load was estimated. Cows which showed recovery in terms of clinic – gynaecological findings were bred artificially. Following plasma therapy definite improvement as evidenced by clear uterine discharge, higher uterine tone and intensity of oestrum was noticed in the treatment group. These changes were not pronounced in the control group. The mean uterine bacterial load showed reduction after intra – uterine treatment in both group 1 and 11, however the reduction was statistically insignificant. The mean duration from intra – uterine treatment to succeeding oestrus was prolonged in group 1 (28.23 + 4.67 d) as against normal in group 11 (20.3 + 0.4 d). The first insemination conception rate recorded in group 1 was 53.85 per cent as against 40 per cent in group 11 showing that there was definite improvement was in conception rate following plasma treatment. Repeat breeder cows with subclinical first degree endometritis allotted to group 111 were administered 25 to 35ml homologous plasma 24 h after insemination whereas repeat breeders (group IV) were left untreated following insemination. The mean conception rate for group 111 was 36.36 as against 20 per cent for group IV. This result also signifies the beneficial effect of plasma treatment in improving conception rate of repeat breeders. An in vitro test to study the antibacterial effect of plasma was carried out by measuring the reduction in turbidity of a bacterial suspension on addition of plasma. It was found that the reduction in turbidity was significant (P < 0.05) in plasma tubes compared to saline tubes. Maximum reduction had occurred within 0 to 1 h interval in plasma tubes. This indicated an immediate antibacterial effect of plasma It could be inferred from the above findings that homologous plasma drawn from the cow at the time of oestrum has significant bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties and when infused into the uterus of cows affected with endometritis helps in quicker clinical recovery and better conception rate. Post insemination plasma infusion into the uterus also improved conception rate in repeat breeders. Hence plasma treatment is recommended as an effective less expensive and non antibiotic alternate therapy for endometritis and repeat breeding in cows.