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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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1994 - 19952
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Subject: Animal Genetics and Breeding × End date: 1999 × Start date: 1992 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Characterisation and evaluation of the dwarf cattle of Kerala
    (Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1994) Girija, C R; KAU; Sosamma, Iype
    The native cattle of Kerala have been treated as non descript animals always eventhough they possess some special features. The dwarf cattle often called as Vechur were very popular in Central Travancore until 35 years back. With the emergence of the crossbred population of cattle the traditionally reared local cattle have gradually suffered genetic erosion. Under this circumstance, the present work was undertaken to characterize and evaluate the germplasm of local dwarf cattle of Kerala by studying (a) the karyotype and morphology of chromosomes using G-banding (b) the population structure by means of gene frequencies of different blood proteins (c) the growth and production performance. The characterization and the evaluation would help in finding out the genetic differences of the dwarf cattle which will help in deciding about the conservation of their germplasm as a reserve for the future. The dwarf cattle maintained under the ICAR scheme on “Conservation of germplasm of Vechur cattle of the coastal area and the dwarf cattle of the high ranges of Kerala” formed the material for the study. The characterization and evaluation was carried out through the cytogenetic, immunogenetic and polymorphism studies as well as through the description of the growth and production traits. Karyotype analysis was carried out using peripheral blood leukocyte culture technique described by Halnan (1977) and Halnan (1989) with suitable modifications. G-banding of chromosomes were done by the method described by Thiagarajan (1993). Blood protein polymorphism systems such as Haemoglobin and transferring were studied by poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis in horizontal dimension. (Gahne et. al. 1977) with suitable modifications. The statistical analysis of the growth and production data were done as suggested by Snedecor and cochran (1967). The diploid chromosome number of the dwarf cattle was found to be 60, with 29 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. All the autosomes and the ‘Y’ chrosome were acrocentric. The X chromosome was submetacentric. The relative length of the autosomes ranged from 1.757 to 5.431 per cent. The relative length of the X and Y chromosomes were found to be 5.591 per cent and 2.875 per cent respectively. In the karyological array, the X chromosome occupied the first position. The X chromosome was biarmed and the arm ratio and centromere index obtained were 2.182 and 0.314 respectively. The karyotype and morphometric measurements resembled the finding in Bos indicus group of cattle. The G-banding pattern of chromosomes revealed 72 regions and 314 G-bands. The Y chromosome had 7 G-bands in the ‘q’ arm which resembled the ‘q’ arm of Bos taurus described in the international system for cytogenetic nomenclature of domestic animals. There were two haemoglobin variants HbA and HbB and three phenotypes viz. HbAA, ,HbAB and HbBB , in the population. The heterozygocity was found to be 0.4815. The population was found to be in genetic equilibrium with respect to the Haemoglobin locus. Six transferring phenotypes controlled by three alleles TfA, TfD and TfE were observed. The frequency of TfE (0.359) allele in the dwarf cattle was as high as the frequency of the allele reported in the zebu cattle. The absence of transferring variants like TfF, TfH, TfN and TfG and higher frequency of TfE allele are probably indicative of the genetic isolation of the population from exotic breeds. The absence of TfB and TfF allele which is present in Gir, Hariana, Kankrej, Kangayam, Ongole, Red Sindhi, Sahiwal and Tharparkar also indicates that the dwarf cattle has not inherited genes from the above cattle breeds. The body weights and measurements of calves at birth studied showed that the male calves had a higher body weight (12.55 ± 0.31 kg with a CV of 7.86 per cent) than female calves (10.78 ± 0.40 kg with a CV of 15.02 per cent). The same trend was observed with regard to the birth body measurements also. The heart girth measurement and body weight showed a positive correlation from birth to the 24th fortnight. There is a 100 per cent increase in the birth weight by the 5th fortnight and a three-fold increase by the 10th fortnight. The average daily gain in weight for the four periods I e., fortnights 0-6, 7-12, 13-18 and 19-24 were 0.160 ± 0.011, 0.167 ± 0.018, 0.212 ± 0.011 and 0.139 ± 0.015 respectively for female calves and 0.188 ± 0.023, 0.145 ± 0.016, 0.116 ± 0.025, 0.242 ± 0.049 kg respectively in male calves. During the period from birth to 6th fortnight the growth rates in males and females were similar. The gain in body weight per day during the periods from 7 to 12th and 13 to 18th fortnight was comparatively less for males but the trend reversed during the period of fortnights for 19 to 24th. The average body weights of adult females and males were 126.90 ± 3.56 kg (CV 16.39%) and 210 ± 15.75 kg (CV 14.95%) respectively. The body measurements such as length, heart girth and height (in cms) in females were 97.5 ± 1.12 (CV 5.85%), 115.60 ± 1.32 (CV 5.82%) and 87.53 ± 0.82 (CV 4.82%) respectively. The corresponding figures in males were 111.5 ± 3.77 (CV 6.76%), 146.0 ± 2.92 (CV 3.99%) and 107.5 ± 1.35 (CV 2.50%) respectively. The average body weights and measurements were lesser than those reported in other Indian breeds and crossbred cattle. The total lactation milk production performance of the dwarf cattle was 471.68 ± 38.72 kg (CV 45.29%) in an average lactation length of 217 ± 16.50 days (CV 32.20%). The average daily yield was 2.17 ± 0.11 kg (CV 29.48%). The dwarf cattle attained a peak yield of 3.71 ± 0.16 kg (CV 21.5%) in 23.23 ± 1.703 days (CV 37.38%). The milk production performance eventhough was lesser than crossbreds or some recognized Indian breeds, the milk production in comparison with the body size was reasonable. Considering the morphology of the Y chromosome, the Hb as well as Tf polymorphism and their allelic frequencies, it is to be summarized that the stock of dwarf cattle of Kerala maintained at Kerala Agricultural University is genetically isolated from the other cattle breeds of the country and world. The body size and milk production of the cow indicates its suitability for a farmer who requires milk just for home consumption. The study strongly confirms the necessity of conservation of the dwarf cattle of Kerala which is the smallest variety available in India and perhaps in the world itself.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic studies on the immune response of broiler rabbits
    (Department of animal breeding and genetics, College of veterinary and animal sciences, 1995) Nandakumar, P; KAU; Mukundan, G
    The scope and potential of broiler rabbit production as an alternate source of meat appears to be tremendous taking into account the unique biological attributes of rabbits. However breeding experiments utilising temperate breeds like Newzealand White and Soviet Chinchilla under the humid tropics of the state revealed heavy pre – weaning mortality, high incidence of diseases, sub optimal growth and reproduction. Indirect selection for diseases resistance has been proposed as the most viable approach and immune responsiveness has been suggested as one of the best indicators of disease resistance. Serum gammaglobulin (SG) level, Frossman antibody titer to SRBC, antibody reponse to BRBC, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to intradermal injection of phytomitogen PHA – M, and contact sensitivity to DNCB challenge were assessed among 135 breeding rabbits below one year of age and belonging to Newzealand White and Soviet Chinchilla breeds. The effects of breed, sex, sire and body weight on the above immune traits were analysed. Heritability estimates were made for each of the above traits. Association of diseases like coccidiosis, mange and adult mortality with each of the above immune traits was worked out. Association of maternal immune trait status with litter traits was assessed. This research approach was aimed at developing an alternate breeding strategy in the indirect selection for disease resistance, growth and viability. SG level ranged from 9.13 to 84.70 mg/ml with a mean of 28.59 mg/ml. Soviet Chinchilla breed had a significantly (P= 0.048) higher SG level with a mean of 29.51 mg/ml compared to 27.25 mg/ml in Newzealand Whites, differences among males and females were not significant. Sire effects was not significant on SG levels and haritability estimate was 0.1259. Adult body weight had no significant effect on SG level among broiler rabbits. Association of SG level with litter size at birth was not significant. But SG level had a highly significant effect on the litter size at weaning. Correlation of SG level with pre – weaning mortality (- 0.430) was highly significant (P < 0.01) and negative litter weight at birth and at weaning were significantly correlated with SG level among broiler rabbits. No significant association could be observed between SG level and the incidence of mange and adult mortality. But a higher SG level among broiler rabbits was found to be significantly (P = 0.0440) associated with the incidence of naturally occurring coccidiosis. Presence of Frossman’s antibodies to SRBC was confirmed in adult rabbit sera. The Forssman antibody titer (1 + loge) ranged between 1.693 and 5.159 with a mean of 2.776. Breed and sex effects were not significant on Frossman antibody titer to SRBC. Effect of sire on this trait was not significant and the heritability estimate was 0.360. Frossman antibody titer had no significant effect on adult body weight, or litter traits among broiler rabbits. Correlations of Frossman antibody titer of the dam with the litter weight at birth, litter weight at weaning and pre – weaning mortality were not significant. No significant associations could be observed between Frossman antibody titer incidence of mange, coccidiosis and adult mortality. Pre – immunisation titer to BRBC among broiler rabbits was zero indicating the absecnce of Feossman antibodies to BRBC. Antibody titres to BRBC (1+ loge) were 4.594, 4.425 and 4.311 respectively at the first, second and third week post immunisation. The highest antibody response was at the first week, which began to decline gradually. The influence of breed and sex on the antibody response to BRBC were not significant during the first, second and third week post immunisation. Sire effect was highly significant on the antibody response to BRBC during the first, second and third week post immunisation in Newzealand White rabbits. The effect of sire on antibody responses to BRBC was not significant during the first and third week post immunisation in Soviet Chinchilla breed though it was significant during the second week post immunisation. The heritability estimates of antibody responses to BRBC were 0.9200, 0.9400 and 0.9067 respectively during the first, second, and third week post immunisation. The correlations of adult body weight with antibody responses to BRBC during the first, second and third week post immunisation were (-) 0.244, (-) 0.224 and (-) 0.216 respectively. The correlations were highly significant and negative. Antibody responses to BRBC during the first, second and third week post immunisation was not significantly associated with litter traits among broiler rabbits. The incidence of naturally occurring coccidiosis, mange and adult mortality was not significantly associated with antibody response to BRBC. The mean pre – injection skin thickness was 2.140 mm in Newzealand White and 2.224 among Soviet Chinchilla breed. The mean PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours post injection were 2.259, 1.544 and 0.778 mm respectively. Breed effect was not significant on the pre – injection skin thickness or on the PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The effect of sex was highly significant in the skin thickness with males having a thicker skin compared to females. The effect of sex on PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours was highly significant with a female superiority for DTH responses to PHA – M. The effect of sires was not significant on pre – injection skin thickness. Sire effects were highly significant on the PHA responses at 24 and 72 hours and approaching near significance at 48 hours in Newzealand White rabbits. However, sire effect was not found to be significant on the PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours post injection among Soviet Chinchillas. Heritability esimates for pre – injection skin thickness, PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours were 0.7637, 0.8600 and 0.6370 respectively. Adult body weight was not significantly associated with the skin thickness and the PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Litter size at birth was significantly less in thick skinned does, though weaning litter size was significantly higher in them. PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours had no significant effect on litter size at birth and at weaning or any other litter traits. Pre – injection skin thickness and PHA responses at 24 and 72 hours were not significantly associated with the incidence of mange, coccidiosis and adult mortality. But reduced PHA response at 48 hours significantly pre – disposed the rabbits to body mange. Contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge averaged 3.585 mm, 1.796 mm and 1.085 mm respectively. Breed and sex had no significant effect on the contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge. Sire effect on contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge was not significant in Newzealand White rabbits. Among Soviet Chinchillas also effect of sire was not significant on contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24 and 72 hours, though highly significant at 48 hours. Heritability estimates for contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours post – challenge were, 0.3820, 0.5490 and 0.3039 respectively. Contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge was not significantly associated with adult body weight, litter size at birth and litter size at weaning. Contact sensitivity of the doe at 24 hours post challenge was positively correlated with pre – weaning mortality and litter weight at birth. Lowered contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24 hours had a highly significant effect on the incidence of naturally occurring body mange among rabbit. The incidence of mange was near significant level among broiler rabbits with a lowered contact sensitivity at 48 hours post challenge also. No significant association could be observed with contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours on the incidence of coccidiosis and adult mortality. Correlations between serum gamma globulin level and Frossman antibody titer to SRBC (0.271) was highly significant correlations of Frossman antibody titer with antibody response to BRBC during the first, second and third week post immunisation was also highly significant. Pre – injection skin thickness had a highly significant negative correlation with PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Correlations among PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours were highly significant. Similarly correlation among contact sensitivity reactions at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge were highly significant. PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours had significantly high correlations with contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge. Prospects of utilising maternal serum gammaglobulin level as a marker in indirect selection for enhanced pre – weaning survivability and growth appears to be promising. Though increased SGlevel was found to be associated with the incidence of coccidiosis, further researches on the coccidial species and host defenses are before establishing a coccidiosis resistance phenotype associated with this trait. The differences in sire effects among the two breeds for antibody response to BRBC and PHA responses are suggestive of the genetic structure of the two breeds, especially the Soviet Chinchilla colony developed from few animals. The significant negative correlation of adult body weight with antibody responses are indicative of lower antibody responses in heavier rabbits. Strong negative correlations between PHA responses and pre – injection skin thickness and a significant effect of contact sensitivity at 24 hours on reducing the litter size at weaning appear to suggest that a low maternal cell mediated immunity might enhance pre – weaning survivability of the kits. Significantly higher incidence of mange among rabbits with a lowered PHA response at 48 hours post injection and contact sensitivity at 24 hours post challenge suggest of an enhanced cell mediated immune response conferring mange resistance.