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Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat
Assam Agricultural University is the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-Eastern Region of India. The main goal of this institution is to produce globally competitive human resources in farm sectorand to carry out research in both conventional and frontier areas for production optimization as well as to disseminate the generated technologies as public good for benefitting the food growers/produces and traders involved in the sector while emphasizing on sustainability, equity and overall food security at household level.
Genesis of AAU -
The embryo of the agricultural research in the state of Assam was formed as early as 1897 with the establishment of the Upper Shillong Experimental Farm (now in Meghalaya) just after about a decade of creation of the agricultural department in 1882. However, the seeds of agricultural research in today’s Assam were sown in the dawn of the twentieth century with the establishment of two Rice Experimental Stations, one at Karimganj in Barak valley in 1913 and the other at Titabor in Brahmaputra valley in 1923. Subsequent to these research stations, a number of research stations were established to conduct research on important crops, more specifically, jute, pulses, oilseeds etc. The Assam Agricultural University was established on April 1, 1969 under The Assam Agricultural University Act, 1968’ with the mandate of imparting farm education, conduct research in agriculture and allied sciences and to effectively disseminate technologies so generated. Before establishment of the University, there were altogether 17 research schemes/projects in the state under the Department of Agriculture. By July 1973, all the research projects and 10 experimental farms were transferred by the Government of Assam to the AAU which already inherited the College of Agriculture and its farm at Barbheta, Jorhat and College of Veterinary Sciences at Khanapara, Guwahati.
Subsequently, College of Community Science at Jorhat (1969), College of Fisheries at Raha (1988), Biswanath College of Agriculture at Biswanath Chariali (1988) and Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science at Joyhing, North Lakhimpur (1988) were established. Presently, the University has three more colleges under its jurisdiction, viz., Sarat Chandra Singha College of Agriculture, Chapar, College of Horticulture, Nalbari & College of Sericulture, Titabar. Similarly, few more regional research stations at Shillongani, Diphu, Gossaigaon, Lakhimpur; and commodity research stations at Kahikuchi, Buralikson, Tinsukia, Kharua, Burnihat and Mandira were added to generate location and crop specific agricultural production packages.
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ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON Dipylidium caninum (LINNAEUS, 1758; RAILLIET, 1892) AND ITS INTERMEDIATE HOSTS(College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, 2006-12) Devi, Sagarika; Deka, Dilip Kr.In the present investigation, Dipylidium caninum infection was found to be 23.33 per cent on carcass examination, 0.56 per cent on faecal examination and 2.00 per cent of dogs were clinically positive for D. caninum gravid segments. Overall helminthic infection on the basis of carcass examination was 80.00 per cent and 25.55 per cent on faecal examination. Different flea species Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis felis, Ctenocephalides felis orientis and Xenopsylla cheopis were recorded from dog, cat, mice, goat and cattle. Predominant species in dog was C. felis felis (48.93%) followed by C. felis orientis (40.42%) and C. canis (10.63%). In cat, C. felis felis (50.00%), X. cheopis (27.78%), C. canis (16.67%) and C. felis orientis (5.56%) were recorded. Rate of flea infestation was highest in dog (68.66%) followed by mice (62.50%), cat (24.00%), goat (20.00%) and cattle (13.33%). Recovery percentage of cysticercoid from dog fleas were 0.65 per cent of which C. canis accounted for 0.26% and C. felis 0.39 per cent. One species of dog lice Heterodoxus longitarsus was recorded during the study. Experimental development of metacestode of D. caninum in laboratory bred flea larvae was partly successful under laboratory condition. There was mortality in C. felis felis larvae on exposure to D. caninum eggs in the trial.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON HAEMOPARASITIC INFECTIONS OF DOG WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO Dirofilaria immitis(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2011-08) Bhattacharjee, Kanta; Sarmah, P.C.The present research “Studies on haemoparasitic infections of dog with special reference to Dirofilaria immitis” was undertaken with a broad aim to assess by various methods the prevalence of haemoparasites in Assam of North East India, their clinical and clinicopathological significance and antigenic characterization of D. immitis. Microscopic study of Giemsa stained blood smears performed prospectively between January 2009 and December 2010 revealed a climate suited and highly enzootic situation with vector borne haemoparasites viz. Babesia gibsoni (47.16%), Ehrlichia platys (8.49%), Dirofilaria immitis (2.83%), Ehrlichia canis (2.12%), Babesia canis (1.41%), Hepatozoon canis (1.41%) and Ehrlichia ewingii (0.47%) in single or mixed infections. The prevalence was 57.31% in the hospital population comprising pet (58.03%) and working (54.54%) dogs and 63.64% in stray dog population in the prospective study against 23.19% record in the retrospective study. Clinical illness due to haemoparasites in the hospital dogs was recorded throughout the year. Variations in the infection rate due to age, breed and sex of dogs and seasons of the year were statistically non significant. Infection with Ehrlichia and Babesia were detected in dogs of all ages while in the case of D. immitis 80% positive cases were from 2-7 years age and 20% in the 8-10 years age group. Dogs below 2 years and above 10 years age were found microfilaria negative. Microscopic identity of Babesia species was confirmed in polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) using commercial B. canis IFA IgG antibody and B. gibsoni IFA IgG antibody Kits (Fuller Laboratories, USA) supplemented with conventional animal experimentation (sub-inoculation and splenectomy). PCR detection of B. canis and B. gibsoni in 16.36% and 3.63% respectively as single infection and 49.09% as mixed infection in tested samples was a significant finding which claimed 5.45% and 58.18% false negativity in B. gibsoni and B. canis detection respectively by microscopic method. In view of usual mixed infection found in PCR analysis detection of B. gibsoni in blood smear during field diagnosis could be considered as the biomarker of B. canis for the treatment purpose since the drug regimen against the two species are different. ELISA based commercial diagnostic kit, SNAP 3Dx (IDEXX, USA) confirming the microscopic identity of E. canis detected antibody in 32% dogs in a small group within the hospital population which was higher than the microscopic detection (2.12%). Among the hospital group the infection was found higher in working dogs than in the pet dogs. Seventy five percent E. canis seropositive dogs had E. platys inclusions as mixed infection suggesting the latter’s presence as biomarker for the former also. Haemoparasitic infection was confirmed in 57.31% cases through the assessment of parasite specific and non specific clinical symptoms. Regenerative anaemia characterized by biphagic erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), appearance of nucleated erythrocyte, polychromasia, howell jolly body, thrombocytopenia with presence of giant platelets, variable leucogram usually with neutrophilia in blood smears were the prominent haematological findings in clinical babesiosis. In Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon and Dirofilaria infected clinical cases the anaemia was of non-regenerative type. Variable neutropenic leucopenia, thrombocytopenia with appearance of giant platelets, total absence or rare presence of howell jolly body, nucleated RBC and polychromasia in blood smear were the additional features specific to E. canis infection. However in mixed infection with Babesia and Ehrlichia features of regenerative anaemia were predominant. Biochemical evaluation showed wide variation leading to low albumin, elevated levels of total protein, globulin, creatinine and bilirubin. Dogs died of experimental and spontaneous babesiosis with nervine symptoms showed severe congestion, perivascular oedema with microabscess formation, neuronal degeneration in the brain tissue during histopathological examination. Enlarged heart with thickening of myocardium, right ventricular dilatation, thrombus formation in pulmonary artery and extensive areas of mild to moderate fatty changes were the pathological changes observed in heartworm positive carcasses. Antigenic analysis conducted in crude somatic male (SMA) and somatic female antigen (SFA) showed 9 and 17 clear protein bands in 12% SDS-PAGE of which 14, 20, 28 and 59 kDa protein fractions were common in both the antigens. Hyperimmune rabbit sera reacted with 3 protein bands in SMA and 5 protein bands present in SFA. Antibody ELISA performed in sera samples from hospital and stray dogs revealed 9.37% positivity at 1:50 dilution, 6.25% at 1:100 and 5.20% in 1:200 dilution. Necessity of a cost effective sensitive test to detect D. immitis during the amicrofilaraemic prepatent period was discussed.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON GROSS ANATOMY, HISTOMORPHOLOG AND HISTOCHEMISTRY OF THE FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM OF GOAT FOLLOWING HORMONAL TREATMENT FOR SUPEROVULATION(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2011-08) DAS, JOY PRAKASH; Sarma, KabitaIn the present investigation, a total of 12 (twelve) healthy female goats of 6 months to one year of ages were used for studying the effects of exogenous hormones on the female genitalia. The first three animals served as untreated controls. Rest of the nine animals were further divided into three groups of three animals in each group receiving one dose of PMSG:HCG (750:1500 IU) at the age of six months, and out of that, three animals received a second dose of the hormones after a gap of three months and rest three after a gap of six months. Reproductive organs from the control group and first experimental group after being hormonally treated were collected after laparotomy. The different biometrical values viz. length, breadth and thickness were recorded for the three age groups separately and found that these values increased with the advancement of age and the biometrical values of the experimental animals were higher than the control group. The biometrical values in respect of thickness recorded for the control group were 0.425 ± 0.002 cm, 0.870 ± 0.018 cm and 0.932 ± 0.013 cm and same for the experimental groups of goat were 0.680 ± 0.020 cm, 0.982 ± 0.017 cm and 1.294 ± 0.012 cm respectively. Mean ± S.E. of the infundibulum in respect to the control group for the 3 different age groups were 1.490 ± 0.000 cm, 1.500 ± 0.000 cm and 1.490 ± 0.000 cm and for the experimental group for the 3 age groups were 1.523 ± 0.012 cm, 1.721 ± 0.007 cm and 3.000 ± 0.570 cm respectively. In the present study it was observed that the biometrical values of the infundibulum of the experimental groups registered higher values than the control group. The longest part of the oviduct of goat was the ampulla recording 9.500 ± 0.000 cm, 13.000 ± 0.000 cm and 13.520 ± 0.437 cm respectively in control group and 10.133 ± 0.437 cm, 13.507 ± 0.007 cm and 13.667 ± 0.667 cm respectively in superovulated group. The Mean ± S.E. recorded for length (cm) and diameter (cm) of isthmus in control group were 1.400 ± 0.000, 2.100 ± 0.000 and 2.450 ± 0.000, and 0.200 ± 0.000, 0.300 ± 0.000 and 0.330 ± 0.000 respectively in different age groups. The biometrical values were higher in the superovulated group than the control group. The Mean ± S.E. values for length (cm) of horn of uterus in control group recorded were 6.000 ± 1.155, 16.100 ± 0.000 and 15.980 ± 0.000 and superovulated group were recorded 7.700 ± 0.000, 16.400 ± 0.100 and 16.467 ± 0.176 respectively in different age groups. The maximum values recorded for diameter (cm) was 2.290 ± 0.000 in 12 months age in control group and 2.333 ± 0.067 in superovulated group in 12 months 3rd repeated superovulation. The Mean ± S.E. of the length (cm) of cervix in control group was 1.700 ± 0.000, 1.900 ± 0.000 and 2.100 ± 0.000 and treatment group were 2.063 ± 0.007, 2.133 ± 0.133 and 2.200 ± 0.058 respectively. Histomorphologically the ovaries of goat were found covered by the germinal epithelium formed by simple squamous cells in both the control as well as the experimental groups. In the control group, atretic follicles were observed. In the 6 month old control group, no corpus luteum was observed. Serum cholesterol level was apparently higher in hormonally treated superovulated animals. The number of small follicles counted for control group of animals at 6 months, 9 months and 12 months of ages were 2, 3 and 3. The number of medium follicle counted for control group of animals at 6 months, 9 months and 12 months of ages were 1, 2 and 2. Respective values for super-ovulated goats were 2, 3 and 4. The number of large follicle counted for control group of animals at 6 months, 9 months and 12 months of ages were 0, 1 and 2 and respective values for super-ovulated goat were 1, 1 and 2. The number of corpus luteum counted for control group of animals at 6 months, 9 months and 12 months of ages were 0, 1 and 2 and respective values for super-ovulated goat were 9.5, 10 and 11. Cells of corona radiata granulosa showed presence of PAS positive reaction. Liquor folliculi of the ovarian follicles showed high concentration of neutral muco polysaccharide.ThesisItem Open Access PERFORMANCE OF T&D PIGS UNDER DIFFERENT WEANING MANAGEMENT(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2012-07) Kalita, Girin; Roychoudhury, R.Study was conducted at All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig (Mega Seed Project), College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, Assam, to compare the effect of early weaning management at 28, 35 and 42 days on the performance of T&D (Tamworth x Desi) sows and their piglets with normal weaning practice at 56 days. Twenty sows of 2nd and 3rd parity along with their piglets were divided to four groups (T1- 28 days weaning, T2- 35 days weaning, T3- 42 days weaning and T4- 56 days weaning) in a manner that each group was represented by similar litter size at birth and of similar parity sows. After weaning at respective age, piglets of each litter were reared together till 13 weeks of age. Pre-starter and Starter ration incorporating skim milk powder and table sugar were offered for ad libitum consumption to the piglets of T1, T2 and T3, during week 2 and 3 and during week 4, 5 and 6 of age respectively. Similar rations without skim milk powder and table sugar were offered in ad libitum to the piglets of T4 of same age groups. Grower I and Grower II rations were fed to appetite to the piglets from 7 to 11 and 12 to 13 weeks of age respectively for all the weaning groups. Interval from weaning to estrus (WEI) was recorded and all the sows were bred in the 1st post weaning estrus. At the end of 13 weeks, six castrated male pigs of average body weight from each weaning group were selected and reared up to 34 weeks of age to study the effect of weaning management on performance of growing finishing pigs along with their carcass characteristics. The litter size at birth, at weaning and at 13th week were not affected by the weaning management, whereas litter weight at 13th week were significantly (P<0.05) higher in 28 days followed by 35, 42 and 56 days weaning. Piglets weaned at an early age had significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight (24.73 ± 0.58 kg in 28 days and 24.00 ± 0.87 kg in 35 days weaning group) than the lately weaned piglets (20.74 ± 0.75 kg in 42 days and 19.26 ± 0.78 kg in 56 days weaning group) at the end of 13 weeks of age. Significant (P<0.05) effect of weaning management was observed on average daily gain (ADG in gram) of piglets from birth to 13 weeks of age, with highest ADG in 28 days (259.27 ± 6.20) followed by 35 days (251.39 ± 9.43), 42 days (215.50 ± 8.13) and 56 days (199.17 ± 8.55) weaning group. Feed conversion efficiencies (FCE) of piglets from weaning to 13 weeks of age were significantly (p<0.5) better in 28 days weaning (2.45 ± 0.08) compared to 35 days (2.74 ± 0.08), 42 days (3.05 ± 0.07) and 56 days (3.00 ± 0.15) weaning group. Average daily feed intakes (g) of piglets from birth to 13 weeks of age were significantly (P<0.05) higher in early weaned piglets (513.52 ± 16.79 in 28 days and 510.53 ± 9.29 in 35 days weaning group) compared to late weaned piglets (435.36 ± 21.28 in 42 days and 359.29 ± 33.79 in 56 days weaning group). Maximum mortality rates were observed in late weaned piglets (12.77% in 56 days and 11.36% in 42 days weaning group) as compared to early weaned counterparts (4.26% in 28 days and 2.27% in 35 days weaning group). Gastroenteritis (57.14%) was the main cause of mortality, followed by Pneumonia + Gastroenteritis (14.29%), Physical injury (7.14%) and Hepatitis (7.14%). Other causes like abscess, inanition, respiratory problem etc. accounted for 14.29% of the total deaths. Average daily feed intake (kg) by sow during lactation were 3.75 ± 0.10, 3.90 ± 0.10, 3.97 ±0.17 and 4.14 ± 0.42 in 28, 35, 42 and 56 days weaning group respectively and statistical analysis revealed non-significant (P<0.05) differences among the different weaning groups. Body weight loss (kg) of sow during lactation was significantly 15 (P<0.05) higher for the in 56 days (34.20 ± 1.66) weaning group, followed by 42 days (27.80 ± 0.97), 35 days (23.80 ± 1.07), and 28 days weaning (20.20 ± 1.39) group. Nonsignificant (p<0.05) effect of weaning management was observed in weaning to estrus intervals (WEI) among the different weaning groups. Subsequent litter traits were better in early weaned sows (28 and 35 days) compared to lately weaned sows (42 and 56 days) when bred in the first post weaning estrus. It was observed that, lactational body weight loss of sow was negatively correlated with subsequent litter size (r=-0.957) and positively correlated with weaning to estrus interval (r=0.990). Body weights (kg) of finisher at the end of 34 weeks was significantly higher in 28 days (105.00 ± 2.93) weaning group, followed by 35 days (99.33 ± 2.49), 42 days (95.50 ± 2.68) and 56 days (91.50 ± 3.57) weaning group and no differences were observed in FCE and ADG in growing finishing pigs from 14 to 34 weeks among the different weaning groups. Apart from back fat thickness and carcass weights, weaning management at 28, 35, 42 and 56 days didn’t have much effect on carcass characteristics, pigs weaned early (28 and 35 days) have higher carcass weights with more back fat thickness compared to lately weaned pigs (42 and 56 days). Economic analysis revealed that weaning management at 28 days was more economical compared to weaning management at 35, 42 or 56 days. It may be concluded from the study that weaning management at 28 days of age with quality diet for piglets was advantageous as compared to weaning management at 35 and 42 days or traditional weaning management at 56 days of age.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC ELEMENTS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PIGS IN MIZORAM(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2012-07) Lalremruata, C.; Saharia, JitendraThe study was carried out in four districts of Mizoram namely Aizawl, Lunglei, Champhai and Kolasib. To study the effect of climatic elements on the performance of pigs in Mizoram, monthly information i.e. meteorological data and pig performance data were collected from MIRSAC (Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Center) and organized piggery farms located in selected districts of Mizoram (from 2002 January till 2012 December). The average maximum temperature, minimum temperature, mean temperature, rainfall and relative humidity were 29.019±0.2°C, 16.18±0.27°C, 22.60±0.18°C, 254.03±0.15 mm and 79.721±0.49 per cent respectively. There was a significance variation in climatic elements from 2002- to 2012. It was also found that summer/monsoon is the longest season. The average birth weight of piglet ranges from 1.003 Kg-1.172 Kg and average weaning weight ranges from 8.261- 9.605 Kg. There was no significant difference in different years and season has no significant effect on weaning weight but significant effect on birth weight (P<0.05). Maximum temperatures and relative humidity was found to be negative correlate (P<0.05) with the weaning weight. The average range of litter size at birth was 5.910- 7.656 and litter weight at birth was 6.144-8.684 Kg. The average litter size at weaning ranges from 5.001-6.758 and litter weight at weaning ranges from 45.353-61.148 Kg. The year wise studies revealed the significant difference (P<0.05) in litter size at birth with highly significant difference (P<0.01) in litter weight at birth, litter size at weaning and litter weight at weaning indicating that period has significant effect on the reproductive performance of pigs. Winter and summer/monsoon seasons had negative correlation (P<0.05) with the litter traits. There is a positive correlation between the climatic elements and the litter size at weaning and litter weight at weaning. Secular trend showed that ambient temperature is having a positive correlation with the litter size and litter weight. The average farrowing interval ranges from 6.188±0.20 to 7.688±0.23 months. Period had significant effect on the farrowing interval (P<0.01). Secular trend revealed the correlation between ambient temperature and farrowing intervals. The average pre-weaning mortality per cent ranges from 8.15 to 22.93 per cent over the 11 years and there was significant effect of year on the pre-weaning mortality (P<0.01). Secular trend revealed that pre-weaning mortality is having a correlation with mean temperature. Causes of piglet mortality were diarrhoea, respiratory diseases, cold stress, overlying, general weakness and hereditary. Diarrhoea was highest during monsoon, cold stress during winter, overlying in autumn and monsoon and respiratory problem during autumn and winter season. Forecasting from 2012-2015 revealed that climatic elements showed almost straight trend line. However, the mean temperature slightly decreases from 2013 to 2015. Forecasting analysis revealed that average litter size, total litter at birth, litter size at weaning, total litter at weaning will significantly increase (P<0.01) from 2012-to 2015. The significant increase (P<0.01) in the forecasted value of total pre-weaning mortality (2013 to 2015) might be having a negative correlation with decreasing trend of ambient temperature. The present study revealed that warm temperature is required for the better performance of piglets. Cold temperature was found to be less stressful for the sows and heavy rainfall increased the piglet mortality. Overall, study of climatic elements during 11 years (2002 to 2012) was found to have direct and indirect effect on the performance of pigs in Mizoram.ThesisItem Open Access Growth Of Livestock In Relation To Farm Size, Farm Income And Socio-Economic Status And Its Impact On Agricultural Production - A Study In Jorhat And Karbi Anglong Districts Of Assam(Assam Agricultural University; Jorhat, 2003) Dutta, Khitish Chandra; Saikia, AnuvaThesisItem Open Access Combining Ability Of Restorer Lines Over Environments And Inheritance Of Fertility Restoration In Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)(Assam Agricultural University; Jorhat, 2004) Bhorali, Prasanta; Baruah, D. K.ThesisItem Open Access Economic Analysis Of Nwdpra - A Study Of Lakhinizara And Nikhari Projects In Central Brahmaputra Valley Zone Of Assam(Assam Agricultural University; Jorhat, 2003) Mazumdar, Dilip Kumar; Saikia, AnuvaThesisItem Open Access Seasonal And Spatial Variation Of Prices Of Some Important Agricultural Commodities In Assam(Assam Agricultural University; Jorhat, 2004) Borah, Deepika Das; Bora, A. C.