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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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Subject: Animal Genetics and Breeding × Author: Jeeeba K George × End date: 2005 × Start date: 2005 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of porcine immune responses among different genetic groups
    (Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Jeeeba K George; KAU; Rajan, M R
    Porcine immune responses were evaluated using PHA skin test and microhaemolytic assay in this study. Investigation was undertaken in three genetic groups namely Desi, Large White Yorkshire and Duroc x Large White Yorkshire. The economic traits studied were birth weight, litter size at birth, weaning litter size and weaning body weight. The cell-mediated immune response was assessed by noting cutaneous response to intradermal injection of phytohaemagglutinin. Humoral immune response was assessed by noting antibody response to sheep red blood cells. Correlation of immune response with growth, disease occurrence and mortality among the littermates were also evaluated. The highest birth weight, body weight at weaning, litter size at birth and weaning were recorded in Duroc x Large White Yorkshire, medium in Large White Yorkshire and least in Desi. The increase in skin thickness at 24, 48 and 72 hour post- injection of PHA-M was highest in Desi, medium in Duroc x Large White Yorkshire and least in Large White Yorkshire. The correlations of cutaneous response to phytohaemagglutinin with pre- weaning mortality among littermates and enteritis were found to be non-significant in Desi, Large White Yorkshire and Duroc x Large White Yorkshire piglets. Among three genetic groups, serum samples from Desi piglets had a higher mean antibody titre on 7th, 14th, 21st day than the other two. Medium titre was noted in Duroc x Large White Yorkshire and least in Large White Yorkshire. Sire effect was highly significant with antibody response on seventh, fourteenth and 21st day post inoculation. The correlations of antibody response to sheep RBC with pre- weaning mortality among littermates and enteritis were also found to be non-significant in Desi, Large White Yorkshire and Duroc x Large White Yorkshire piglets. The effects of sires within Desi, Large White Yorkshire and Duroc x Large White Yorkshire were found to be highly significant (P<0.01) on antibody response to sheep RBC on 7th, 14th and 21st day. Different litter traits had no significant effect on cutaneous response to PHA-M and antibody response to sheep RBC. High heritabilities were estimated for pre-injection skin thickness, cutaneous response to PHA-M at 24, 48, 72 hour post-injection and antibody response to sheep red blood cells on 7th, 14th, 21st day post- inoculation. Correlations of antibody response to sheep RBC on 14th day with cutaneous response to phytohaemagglutinin at 24 hour and 48 hour were found to be non-significant. Antibody response to sheep RBC on 21st day correlated non-significantly with cutaneous response to PHA-M at 24 hour and 48 hour. Antibody response to sheep RBC on 7th, 14th and 21st day associated non-significantly with weaning body weight and pre-weaning mortality. Even though correlations were non-significant, they revealed a negative trend. The association between cutaneous response to PHA-M at 24 hour and birth weight was non-significant.