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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 Nutrition × End date: 1994 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of dried spleen as growth stimulator in kid rations
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1994) Shyama, K; KAU; James, C S
    An investigation was carried out to assess the effect of dried spleen as a growth promotant in kid rations. Twenty four female Malabari kids with an average body weight of 8.5 kg were distributed randomly and as uniformly as possible into four groups (groups 1, 11, 111 and IV) of six animals each, with regard to age and weight. The four dietary treatments A, B, C and D were allotted to the kids in the groups 1, 11, 111 and IV respectively, ration A with a concentrate mixture containing 16 per cent crude protein supplemented with dried buffalo spleen at the rate of 0.1 per cent, ration B forming the control diet at 16 per cent protein level without incorporation of spleen, ration C with a concentrate mixture containing 12 per cent crude protein supplemented with dried buffalo spleen at the rate of 0.1 per cent, ration D forming the control diet at 12 per cent protein level. Jack leaves formed the sole source of roughage to the animals. The experimental duration was 120 days. The results indicated that incorporation of dried spleen in the ration enhanced the growth performance of animals, especially in animals maintained on low level of protein, as evidenced by the cumulative and average daily weight gain registered in that descending order being 7.52 kg and 62.64 g, 7.4 kg and 61.67 g, 6.88 kg and 57.36 g and 5.00 kg and 41.67 g for the animals maintained on rations C, A, B and D respectively. The efficiency of feed and protein utilisation also exhibited the same trend. It was also noticed that, a cost of production per kilogram gain of Rs.32.58 and 26.14 were registered for animals maintained on spleen incorporated rations (rations A and C) as against Rs.35.08 and 38.63 respectively for the animals maintained on corresponding control groups (ration B and D) indicating a better cost efficiency in spleen incorporated groups, especially in animals maintained on low level of crude protein in the ration. The haematological studies reveal that R.B.C., W. B. C., haemoglobin, plasma protein, plasma calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were within the normal range prescribed for the species. The animals maintained on ration C showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) in plasma calcium level when compared to that of the control. Digestibility studies reveal no significant difference in digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen free extract between the four groups. Animals maintained on the spleen incorporated rations (groups 1 and 111) showed better digestibility (P < 0.01) of crude protein and ether extract than the respective control groups (groups 11 and IV). Incorporation of dried spleen could not bringforth any influence on fibre digestion. The results of the balance experiment showed better retention of nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the animals maintained on spleen incorporated diets. The higher retention of these parameters could be substantiated by the comparatively lower faecal and urinary excretion of these, in animals maintained on spleen incorporated rations (rations A and C). An overall assessment of the results, indicated that incorporation of dried buffalo spleen in the ration of goats, at the rate of 0.1 per cent, certainly augment the nutrient utilisation by increasing the digestibility and retention, and can be recommended as a harmless natural growth promotant with economic benefit.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Growth and carcass characteristics of pigs maintained on rations containing different levels of dried tapioca chips
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1981) Sasikala Devi, K A; KAU; Thomas, C T
    An investigation was carried out to assess the growth rate, feed efficiency, carcass quality and economics of production in swine with isoproteimic rations containing dried tapioca chips in partial or complete replacement of maize. Eighteen large White Yorkshire weanling pigs were divided into three groups (Group 1, 11 and 111) of six animals each as uniformly as possible in regard to litter, sex, age and weight and maintained on three isoproteimic diets A, B and C containing 0, 20 and 40 per cent levels respectively of dried tapioca chips in partial and complete replacement of maize. Records of feed intake, fortnightly body weights and body measurements were maintained throughout the course of the experiment. Digestibility coefficients of nutrients in the rations were determined. Two males and two females each from all the three groups were slaughtered when they attained the body weight of 70 kg for collecting data on carcass characteristics. Haematological studies were also carried out to assess the nutritional status of the animals. The animals under all the three dietary treatments recorded almost similar growth rates, the overall average daily gains being 385.9, 368.0 and 380.2 g respectively for the three groups 1, 11 and 111. The total food intake of the animals were similar indicating that the three rations, in addition to being isoproteimic, were also isocaloric and of almost equal palatability. The animals also showed similar feed conversion efficiency, the overall average values being 3.59, 3.62 and 3.57 respectively for the groups 1, 11 and 111. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients in the three rations were similar indicating that dried tapioca chips was as efficiently utilised as maize. The normal and similar values for blood constituents indicated that all the animals maintained normal nutritional status and inclusion of tapioca at levels as used in the present study did not exert any deleterious effect on the health of the animals. Results of studies on carcass characteristics revealed that the dressing percentage without head, carcass length, back fat thickness, loin – eye area and percentages of prime cuts against live weight were all found to be similar with both tapioca and maize based diets. The diets used did not seem to markedly influence the melting point of body fat though there was significant difference between subcutaneous and leaf fat indicating a greater unsaturation of subcutaneous fat. Saponification values were found to be similar with all the three diets. With respect to both subcutaneous and leaf fat, iodine number was higher on maize based diets though there was significant difference only in regard to subcutaneous fat. Cost of production per kg live weight of the animals in the three groups 1, 11 and 111 were shown to be Rs.8.20, 8.19 and 7.99 respectively. An overall evaluation of results clearly indicated that dried tapioca chips can be safely and profitably incorporated in swine rations at a level of 40 per cent in place of conventional cereal grains like maize.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Optimum level of protein in concentrate mixtures of kids for growth
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1981) Ganga Devi, P; KAU; Kunjikutty, N
    An investigation spread over a period of 4 ½ months was carried out to establish the optimum level of protein in concentrate mixtures of kids for growth. Twenty four cross – bred kids (Saanen x Malabari and Alpine x Malabari) of 3 – 4 months of age, divided into four identical groups formed the experimental subjects. The kids in group 1, 11, 111 and IV was maintained on concentrate mixtures containing 16, 18, 20 and 22 per cent respectively of crude protein along with jack leaves fed ad libitum as the sole roughage. Increase in body weight and body measurements, feed conversion efficiency, digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen retention and haematological values of the kids were the criteria employed for the evaluation. The average daily gain in body weight recorded for the kids of the four groups were almost similar and were not influenced by the level of dietary protein fed. The body measurements did not reveal any significant differences between the groups except body length which showed increase with increase in level of dietary protein. Highest feed efficiency was shown by kids of group IV followed by group 111, 11 and 1 the values being 6.2, 6.9, 7.0 and 7.2 respectively for the four groups. The digestibility of nutrients especially that of crude protein and the average daily nitrogen retention were directly proportional to the level of dietary protein fed. All the animals maintained a sound nutritional status throughout the experimental period as evidenced from the normal haematological values recorded for them. Kids fed 22 per cent crude protein in the concentrate mixture showed maximum economic gain.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the nutrient requirements of kids
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Mercy, A D; KAU; Sivaraman, E
    An investigation was carried out to find out the nutrient requirements for optimum growth in kids. Twenty four Alpine – Malabari crossbred kids of 3 4 months of age formed the experimental subjects for the study. The animals, divided into three identical groups (groups 1, 11 and 111), were maintained on three different levels of nutrient intake for over a total period of 4 ½ months, the parameters recorded during the course of the study being average daily body weight gain, drymatter intake, feed conversion efficiency, digestibility coefficients of nutrients, nitrogen balance, mineral balance and haematological constituents. The average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency recorded for animals in the three groups 1, 11 and 111 were found to be 63.7 + 5.3, 64.4 + 5.0 and 67.6 + 2.0 g and 7.0 + 0.7, 7.5 + 0.5 and 7.9 + 0.3 respectively. The average drymatter consumption of animals were 3.1 + 0.2, 3.5 + 0.3 and 3.6 + 0.3 kg per 100 kg body weight respectively for the three groups 1, 11 and 111. The data collected for the haematological constituents were found to lies within the normal range for the species indicating that all the animals under the three dietary regimes were maintaining normal and sound nutritional status. The requirements arrived at for protein and energy for unit gain in body weight were 0.86 + 0.06 0.90 + 0.06 and 0.89 + 0.03 kg D. C. P. and 4.84 + 0.4, 5.20 + 0.30 and 5.31 + 0.19 kg T. D. N. for the animals in groups 1, 11 and 111 respectively. The requirements of D. C. P., T.D. N., calcium and Phosphorus arrived at from the results obtained during the course of the experiment are considered optimum for normal growth in Alpine – Malabari crossbred kids.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of feeding value of rubber seed cake for promoting growth in calves
    (Department of Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1977) Viswanathan, T V; KAU; Ananthasubramaniam, C R
    A detailed investigation was carried out to assess the value of rubber seed cake as an ingredient in the concentrate mixture of calves to study the growth rate, nutriture, feed efficiency and economics of rearing. Twenty four, Jersey x Sindhi cross – bred calves of 8 – 14 months of age belonging to the University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy were divided into three equal groups and distributed under three dietary treatments, T1, T2 and T3, the animals being fed concentrate mixtures containing 0, 15 and 30 per cent levels of rubber seed cake respectively for a period of six months. Paddy straw served as the sole roughage. Rubber seed cake at 30 per cent level promoted better weight gains, body size and feed efficiency. Incorporation of rubber seed cake in the concentrate mixture improved the digestibility coefficients of nutrients as also the balance of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus in the animals. Animals fed rubber seed cake maintained perfect health as evidenced from their haematological values and were free from any toxic effect as adjudged from the histopathological examination of the internal organs and their carcass quality. The cost of feed was found to be 14 per cent lower for kg body weight gain when rubber seed cake was incorporated at 30 per cent level in the concentrate mixture of growing calves. The overall results obtained during the course of the present investigation indicate that rubber seed cake can be incorporated in the concentrate mixture for growing calves at 30 per cent level to achieve both biological and economic efficiency.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Lucerne meal as an ingredient in calf starter
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1981) Geetha, A; KAU; Sivaraman, E
    An investigation was carried out to assess the feeding value of lucerne meal as a possible substitute for fish meal in calf starters. Eighteen cross bred calves, weaned at birth, were divided into three groups (Groups 1, 11 and 111) of six animals each as uniformly as possible in regard to body weight and maintained on three isoproteimic calf starter diets, A, B and C containing 0, 15 and 20 per cent levels respectively of lucerne meal in partial or complete replacement of fish meal. Records of fortnightly body weights and body measurements were maintained throughout the course of the experiment. Haematological studies were carried out at monthly intervals. Digestibility coefficients of nutrients in the three rations were determined by conducting a digestion trial towards the end of the experiment. Though the control diet appeared better in promoting growth in calves, the overall daily gains and feed efficiency were almost similar with all the three dietary treatments clearly indicating that lucerne meal can replace fish meal at the levels used and fairely meet the amino acid requirements of the calves. Gains in body weight showing a positive correlation between body weight and body measurements. The normal and similar values for blood constituents indicated that all the animals maintained normal nutritional status and inclusion of lucerne meal at levels as used in the present study did not exert any deleterious effect on the health of the animals. An overall critical assessment of results clearly indicated that with isoproteimic diets licerne meal can be safely included in calf starters at levels of 15 and 20 per cent in partial or complete replacement of fish meal.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutritive evaluation of prawn waste -paddy straw silage in cattle
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Jose James; KAU; Ramachandran, P
    Prawn waste was ensiled with chopped paddy straw in equal proportions (1:1 wet basis) using 10 per cent tapioca flour as additive for a period of 50 days. The same proportions of ingredients were mixed and ensiled in smaller silos for 21 days to study the silage characteristics. The prawn waste – paddy straw silage formed after both the periods of ensiling were similar with a characteristic brownish colour and desirable aroma and had no evidence of any fungal growth. Ensiling resulted in an increase in fibre fractions and decrease in crude protein contents, with significant (P < 0.01) differences in nutrient levels between silages after 21 days and 50 days of fermentation. The water soluble carbohydrate content and pH declined significantly (P < 0.01) over different periods of ensiling. The volatile fatty acid proportion in prawn waste – paddy straw silage was optimum after 21 days of fermentation, acetic acid being the predominant one. With increase in period of ensiling, acetic acid levels declined while butyric acid levels increased about five fold, without any change in propionic acid concentration. Trimethylamine levels showed a significant (P < 0.01) increase after different periods of ensiling. Three digestion experiments (Trial 1, 11 and 111) were carried out using six, adult, dry, nonpregnant cows with grass hay (basal ration) alone, grass hay plus paddy straw and grass hay plus prawn waste – paddy straw silage respectively. The overall results of the feeding experiments indicated that prawn waste – paddy straw silage is relished and well digested by cattle as evidenced by a relatively higher feed intake and digestibility coefficients of nutrients. A critical evaluation of the results obtained during the course of the present investigation indicated that prawn waste can be satisfactorily ensiled with paddy straw and tapioca flour as additive and that the material can form a potential alternate feed source for cattle, worth studying in detail.