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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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ThesisItem Open Access Energy supplementation on production performance of cows under field condition(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Ruby, Augustian; KAU; Mercy, A DA study was conducted to assess the effect of energy supplementation in the form of maize and rumen protected fat in early lactating cows under the field condition. Thirty, early lactating cross bred cows were selected and divided into three groups uniformly with regard to days in milk, the average days in milk being 40 days. The animals were randomly allotted to the dietary treatments T1, T2 and T3. The concentrate mix made in the semi liquid form and paddy straw formed the T1 ration. The animals of T2 and T3 were supplemented with 1 kg ground maize and 100 g of rumen protected fat respectively, over and above the control ration. The animals maintained on the three dietary treatments T1, T2 and T3 showed an average milk production of 15.38, 14.58 and 13.01 kg respectively during the 90 day period of the experiment. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in milk yield between the three treatment groups. The average daily DMI and DMI/100 kg body weight remained similar for all the three groups. The TDN intake was up to the requirement in animals maintained on T3 ration while T1 and T2 rations could not meet the requirements of the animals of the respective groups. The DCP intake was optimum from the three rations. The energy supplementation did not affect milk composition such as percentage of total solids, milk fat, solids not fat (SNF) and milk protein, and milk urea nitrogen (MUN). The 4 per cent FCM yield, total yield of milk fat and protein remained unaffected by energy supplementation. Animals in all the three groups showed similar blood parameters such as haemoglobin, plasma glucose, plasma urea nitrogen and plasma Ca and P. The digestibility of EE, DM, NDF and ADF was higher for the T3 ration than that of T1 and T2. The digestibility of crude protein (CP) was higher for T2 than T1 and T3 rations. Animals maintained on T3 ration showed earlier post partum heat. The cost of feed for producing 1 kg milk was higher for the dietary treatments T2 and T3. An overall assessment of the results obtained in the present study showed that energy supplementation in the form of either maize or rumen protected fat could not influence dry matter intake, milk yield and 4 per cent FCM yield. There was no change in the composition of milk and blood parameters studied, among the experimental animals. However, energy supplementation in the form of protected fat could meet the energy requirement of early lactating animals, improved the digestibility of EE, DM, NDF and ADF and positively influenced the first post partum heat.ThesisItem Open Access Organic chromium supplementation on growth of cross bred pigs(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Ann Nisa, Thomas; KAU; Mercy, A DAn investigation was carried out with the objective to determine the effect of chromium as chromium propionate on the growth of cross bred pigs and to evaluate the economics of organic chromium supplementation in the ration of cross bred pigs. Twenty four weaned piglets (12 male and 12 female) with an average body weight of 18 kg were used as experimental animals. The piglets were randomly divided into two groups with six replicates of two piglets in each group and were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments T1 (control diet) and T2 (control + 200 ppb chromium). The pigs were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and later on at fortnightly intervals. Blood samples were collected in the beginning and at the end of the experiment for the analysis of various biochemical parameters. Digestion trial was conducted at the end of the experiment to determine the digestibility coefficient of the nutrients of the experimental diets. Animals in the two dietary treatments showed similar (p>0.05) body weight gain, average daily body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. There was a numerical increase in dry matter and crude protein digestibility of Cr supplemented ration. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the animals in the two groups for all the blood parameters studied except phosphorus and cholesterol, which were significantly lower (p<0.05) for T2 group. There was non-significant decrease in triglycerides and increase in HDL cholesterol level. The overall critical evaluation of the results obtained in the present study indicate that though supplementation of chromium propionate did not affect the growth or feed conversion efficiency of growing (Large White Yorkshire X Desi) cross bred pigs, it can be beneficially used to improve the lipid profile of the cross bred pigs.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of dietary Cation-Anion balance on growth performance of broiler chicken(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Mary Juliet Francis; KAU; Viswanathan, T VAn investigation over a period of six weeks was carried out to study the effect of dietary cation-anion balance on growth performance of broiler chicken. One hundred and sixty commercial day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments viz., Tl, T2, T3 and 14 having four replicates each. The experimental diets were standard broiler ration with varying DCAB of 260 meq/kg (Tl, control), 210 meq/kg (T2), 310 meq/kg (T3) and 360 meq/kg (T4). Cation-anion balance was varied using sodium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride. Results indicated that the dietary treatments did not differ significantly in body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed intake, water consumption and processing yields. Body weight at the end of six weeks was 2069, 2031, 2047 and 2020 g and the cumulative mean body weight gain was 2023, 1984, 2000 and 1973 g for Tl, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Average daily feed intake was 159.39, 164.46, 166.65 atid 169.81 g and mean cumulative PGR were 2.04, 2.02, 2.04 and 2.09, respectively, for Tl, T2, T3 and T4. No significant difference was observed in serum minerals or biochemical parameters such as serum uric acid, cholesterol and glucose. Birds in T3 and T4 showed significantly higher (P<0.05) intake and balance of sodium than Tl and T2. Retention of chloride was significantly higher (P<0.05) for T3 and T4 whereas chloride intake was significantly lower (P<0.05) for T3 and T4. Overall evaluation of the results of the present study reveals that dietary cation-anion balance does not have a significant influence on growth performance of broiler chicken.ThesisItem Open Access Growth performance of broiler chicken fed on fermented fish waste silage ration(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Smitha, N F; KAU; Mercy, A DAn investigation spread over a period of six weeks was carried out to study the effect of replacing unsalted dried fish with fermented fish waste silage on nutrient utilization and growth performance in broiler chicken. One hundred and eighty day-old broiler chicks (Vencob) were divided into three identical groups having five replicates in each group with 12 birds in each replicate and allotted randomly into three dietary treatments viz., T1, T2 and T3. The three groups of birds were maintained on isonitrogenous and isocaloric rations in which protein of unsalted dried fish was replaced by protein from fermented fish waste silage at 0, 50 and 100 per cent levels. Birds were fed broiler starter rations up to four weeks of age and then they were switched to broiler finisher rations till the end of the experiment. The birds maintained on the three dietary treatments T1, T2 and T3 had almost similar growth rate (P>0.05) with a cumulative mean body weight gain of 1401.45, 1434.48 and 1491.31 g, respectively. The cumulative feed intake and cumulative feed conversion efficiency did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between treatments, the cumulative feed conversion efficiency being 2.12, 2.08 and 2.09, respectively for the birds of T1, T2 and T3. Nitrogen retention and balance were similar for the diets T1, T2 and T3. The retention and balance of calcium and phosphorus were also similar. Serum calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, glucose, creatinine and uric acid contents were not significantly influenced by the inclusion of fermented fish waste silage. Serum triglyceride was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in T2 and T3 when compared to that of T1. Birds maintained on T3 registered significantly lower (P<0.05) ready-to-cook yield when compared to T1 fed on control diet. The cost of feed per kg gain of birds in the three dietary treatments was Rs. 20.15, 19.83 and 19.73, respectively. Overall evaluation of the results of the present study revealed that fermented fish waste silage could be used economically as a substitute for unsalted dried fish in the ration of broilers on protein basis, without any adverse effect on growth rate and feed conversion efficiency, while, the ready-to-cook yield tended to be lower in birds receiving diets with 100 per cent fermented fish silage.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of dietary supplementation of organic chromium in lactating cows(Department of Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Hareesh, P S; KAU; Gangadevi, PA study was conducted to assess the effect of dietary supplementation of organic chromium on the milk production and metabolic profile of the crossbred cows in early lactation. Twelve healthy crossbred cows having a peak yield of minimum eight litres in their previous lactation were divided into two groups of six each, as uniformly as possible with regard to age, milk yield and parity and were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments, T1 consisting of basal concentrate mixture and paddy straw/ grass as roughage and T2 consisting of basal concentrate mixture supplemented with organic chromium at 2 ppm level as chromium propionate and paddy straw / grass as roughage. All the experimental animals were fed as per ICAR standards (1985) and maintained on their respective feeding regime from the day of calving to 100 days of lactation. Average dry matter intake, body weight, milk yield, milk fat percentage, total solids, solids not fat, haematological parameters viz. haemoglobin, plasma urea nitrogen, serum cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, serum minerals, incidence of metabolic disorders and reproductive performance were the criteria employed for evaluation. Average body weight of animals revealed no significant difference for the both groups during all the fortnight studied. The average daily dry matter intake linearly increased as the lactation progressed in both the groups. Dry matter intake by the animals of T2 was comparatively better than the animals of T1 with a significant increase (P<0.05) during the sixth fortnight. Average daily milk yield increased significantly during the seventh fortnight and for 100 days of lactation in T2 (P<0.05). The animals in T2 maintained the peak yield for a longer duration compared to the T1. There was no significant difference in any of the milk composition parameters between the treatments. The haematological parameters such as haemoglobin, plasma urea nitrogen, serum glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides estimated at the first, seventh and fourteenth week of lactation were not significantly affected by the two dietary treatments. The serum mineral concentrations of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus showed no significant difference while serum chromium levels showed a significant increase (P<0.05) between the two groups in the fourteenth week. The digestibility coefficients of the nutrients viz. dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, nitrogen free extract, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre were not found to be influenced by the organic chromium supplementation. There was no incidence of metabolic disorders such as hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia and ketosis in both groups of animals. The cows supplemented with organic chromium (T2) showed earlier postpartum heat signs which indicated that the postpartum reproductive performance was influenced by the supplementation. It could be concluded from the results obtained in the present study, that organic chromium supplementation at 2 ppm in the concentrate mixture improved the dry matter intake, total milk production and helped to maintain the peak yield as well as persistency of milk production in early lactating crossbred cows. The study also revealed that the postpartum reproductive performance has also been influenced favourably by the supplementation of organic chromium in crossbred cowsThesisItem Open Access Effect of different levels of dietary calcium on performance and mineral availability in crossbred dairy cattle(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Smitha Wilson; KAU; Syam Mohan, K MAn investigation spread over a period of four months was undertaken in crossbred dairy cattle to assess the effect of different levels of dietary calcium on the performance and mineral availability in cross bred dairy cattle. Twelve healthy crossbred cows in the last month of pregnancy having an average peak yield of minimum eight litres per day in their previous lactation were selected. They were divided into two groups of six each as uniformly as possible with regard to age and milk yield and allotted to two dietary treatments viz., T1 (control ration) where in the compounded cattle feed contained 0.5 per cent calcium as per IS (1992) standards and T2 (experimental ration) where in compounded cattle feed contained 1.0 per cent calcium. Paddy straw was the sole roughage source in both the rations. All the experimental animals were fed as per ICAR (1999) standards except for dietary Ca and maintained individually on their respective dietary regime from the last month of calving to three months of lactation. Average dry matter intake, fortnightly body weight, milk yield, milk fat percentage, total solids, solids not fat, serum minerals, mineral content of milk, balance of Ca, P, Mg and Zn and incidence of metabolic disorders were the criteria employed for evaluation. Average body weights and dry matter intake of animals revealed no significant difference for both the groups during all the fortnights studied. Highest dry matter intake for the group I was recorded during the third fortnight and for group II in the second and third fortnight. Average daily milk yield, fat percent, total solids and solids not fat per cent in milk in all the six fortnights did not differ significantly between the groups. The average mineral concentration in milk collected after calving, and at the first, second and third month of lactation for the animals in group II and I did not differ significantly. The mineral content in serum and milk in both groups were within the normal range reported for the species. Results with respect to balance of P and Zn did not differ significantly whereas that for Ca, and Mg differed significantly (P<0.05) between the two groups. Higher retention values were recorded in group II for Ca and group I for Mg. The average retention percent of Ca and Mg differed significantly (P<0.05) the higher values recorded in group I for Mg and in group II for Ca. There was no incidence of metabolic disorders like hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia and ketosis in both groups of animals. An overall critical evaluation of the results obtained in the present study helps to infer that different levels of calcium followed in the present study has a major effect on improving the Ca balance of early lactating cows. The results suggest that levels of Ca in compounded cattle feed at one per cent is better than 0.5 per cent to avoid negative balance of calcium during early lactation when paddy straw is the sole roughage source. The study also indicates that with high levels of dietary Ca there is a need for Mg supplementation to avoid negative balance arising due to interaction of the two elements.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of restricted milk feeding on growth performance in cross bred calves(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Jasmine Rani, K; KAU; Gangadevi, PAn experiment was conducted with eighteen cross bred calves below one week of age for 150 days to assess the effect of restricted milk feeding on growth performance in cross bred calves. Calves were divided into three groups (group I, II and III) as uniformly as possible. Calf starter prepared as per BIS specification formed the experimental diet. Calves of group I, II and III were fed with whole milk up to twelve, eight and four weeks of age respectively at the rate of 1/10th of their body weight from birth to six weeks of age, 1/15th of the body weight from seven to eight weeks and 1/20th of body weight from nine to twelve weeks of age. Good quality green grass was fed ad libitum. Body weight gain, daily dry matter consumption, feed conversion efficiency, cost per kg gain, digestibility of nutrients and haematological parameters such as haemoglobin, plasma protein, plasma glucose, serum calcium and serum phosphorus were the criteria employed for the evaluation. Average daily gain and total weight gain, respectively were 300g and 45 kg for group I, 307.78g and 46.17kg for group II, 321.67g and 48.25kg for group III and the values were not significantly different (P>0.05). Average daily dry matter intake (kg/day) was 1.19, 1.10 and 1.31 kg respectively for group I, II and III and there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) among the groups. Feed to gain ratio for group I, II and III was 4.14, 3.59 and 4.23 respectively and was not significantly different (P>0.05) among the groups. The digestibility coefficient of nutrients observed was 77.74, 74.14, and 73.75 for dry matter, 81.51, 79.66, and 79.15 for crude protein, 84.41, 82.83, and 82.80 for ether extract 84.55, 81.97, and 81.20 for NFE, 65.08, 58.92, and 58.19 for NDF and 54.38, 46.97 and 45.64 for ADF for group I, II and III respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the groups in the digestibility of any of the nutrients studied. The haematological parameters such as haemoglobin, plasma protein, serum calcium and serum phosphorus did not show any significant difference (P >0.05) among the groups. A significant reduction (P<0.01) in plasma glucose values was observed at second, third and fourth month in early weaned groups than in control group. The cost per kg gain was Rs. 88.14, 65.62 and 53.95 for group I, II and III, respectively. There was a saving of Rs.22.52 and Rs.34.19 for group II and III, respectively compared to the control group. On a critical evaluation of results obtained in the present study, it was revealed that calves fed milk up to 28 days registered similar body weight gain, dry matter consumption, feed efficiency, digestibility of nutrients and haematological parameters at least cost, compared to the late weaned calves. On summarizing the overall results of the study, it could be inferred that cross bred calves can be successfully weaned from milk as early as four weeks of age with out any adverse effect on their growth performance as they had superior economical efficiency and similar biological efficiency to calves received milk up to eight or twelve weeks of age.ThesisItem Open Access Utilization of urea at different stages of development of rumen in weaned calves(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Raja, D; KAU; Viswanathan, T VAn experiment was conducted with eighteen female cross bred calves below one week of age for 150 days to assess the optimum age for the utilization of urea and also the health status of urea fed calves. Calves were divided into three groups as uniformly as possible and allotted randomly to three treatments T1, T2 and T3. Calf starter as per BIS specification (Diet 1) and calf starter with 2 per cent urea (Diet 2) formed the experimental diet. Both the diets were iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric. Calves in the T1 were fed with diet 1 from two weeks to five months. Calves in the T2 were fed with diet 1 from two to twelve weeks, later on with diet 2 till five months. Calves in the T3 were fed with diet 1 from two to eight weeks, later on with diet 2 till five months. Milk was fed till three months of age as per the requirement. Green grass and paddy straw were fed ad libitum. Average daily gain and daily dry matter intake, respectively were 305 g and 1.39 kg for the calves in T1, 299 g and 1.43 kg for the calves in T2, and 321 g and 1.53 kg for the calves in T3, and the values were not significantly different (P>0.05). Feed to gain ratio for T1, T2, and T3 were 4.61, 4.85 and 4.83, respectively and were not significantly different among treatments. Blood biochemical parameter such as blood glucose, AST, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin, A:G ratio did not show any significant difference. Urinary parameters such as urea and creatinine also did not show any significant difference but there was a trend for increased urea excretion in those calves fed urea. Rumen liquor parameter such as pH, MBRT, protozoal activity, TVFA, rumen NH3-N also did not statistically differ (P>0.05). The digestibility coefficient of nutrients observed were 62.26, 59.15, and 60.00 for dry matter, 64.92, 64.89 and 64.91 for crude protein, 70.83, 72.40 and 70.13 for ether extract, 61.39, 58.32 and 62.50 for neutral detergent fibre, 49.81, 47.92 and 51.52 for acid detergent fibre for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. There was no significant difference between the treatments. Cost per kilogram body weight gain was Rs. 73.45, 73.13 and 70.67, respectively for T1, T2, and T3. It could be inferred from the study that urea could be utilized by calves from nine weeks of age without any deleterious effect.