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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: 2001 × Start date: 2001 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of different levels of energy on growth performance of crossbred pigs
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Rekha, P; KAU; George, Mathen
    An experiment was conducted to assess •the influence of different levels of energy on the growth performance of crossbred (Large White Yorkshire x Desi) pigs. Fifteen male (castrated) and fifteen female weaned crossbred piglets with an average body weight of 12.9 kg were divided into three equal groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age, sex and body weight. The three groups of piglets were maintained on three rations with 16 per cent crude protein but differing in their energy content, viz., 2800 kcal (T1), 3000 kcal CT2) and 3200 kcal (TI) of digestible energy (DE) per kg. The average daily gains recorded for the three groups T1, T2 and TI were 262.9, 302.0 and 362.8 g respectively. The cumulative feed conversion efficiencies were 6.0, 5.2 and 4.1 for the groups T1, T2 and TI respectively. The values recorded for TI were higher (P<0.01) than those for T1 and T2. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients except that of crude fibre and crude protein were found to improve with increase in the energy content of the rations. Study of the carcass traits revealed that the body weight at slaughter and dressed weight without head improved as the energy content of the rations increased. However, dressing percentage, carcass length and back fat thickness were not significantly influenced by the energy content of the ration. The cost of feed per kg weight gain of animals was significantly lower (P<0.01) for the dietary treatment T3 compared to that of T2 and Tl, the values being Rs.49.90, 43.30 and 34.10 for Tl, T2 and T3 respectively. The above results indicate that crossbred pigs require 3200 kcal of DE/kg of the ration for better growth performance provided the crude protein level is maintained at 16 per cent.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of monensin supplementation on growth and bioavailability of minerals in kids
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Sindhu, P R; KAU; Gangadevi, P
    An investigation spread over a period of 13 weeks was carried out to assess the effect of monensin on growth and bioavailability of minerals in kids. Eighteen Malabari kids of three to four months of age divided into three identical groups formed the experimental subject. The kids in groups I, Il and III were maintained on concentrate mixtures supplemented with 0, 20 and 30 ppm monensin respectively along with jack leaves fed ad libitum as the sole source of roughage, for a period of 13 weeks. Increase in body weight, feed conversion efficiency, dry matter intake, digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen balance, mineral balance and serum mineral concentration of kids were the criteria employed for evaluation. The weight gained by the animals during the experimental period was highest in group III followed by groups II and I in the descending order, group II and III showing significantly higher weight gain (p < 0.01) than group 1. This is suggestive of the positive influence of monensin on the growth of kids. Maximum improvement in feed conversion efficiency was shown by kids in group Ill, followed by group Il and group I. Though there was no significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two monensin supplemented groups (groups Il and Ill), both had significant improvement (P < 0.01) over the controls. The dry matter intake per 100 kg body weight was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in groups Il and III than group I, but no significant difference was recorded in a verage daily dry matter intake between the three groups. Regarding the nutrient digestibility an increasing trend In the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and nitrogen free extract• was noticed (P > 0.05)• in monansm supplemented groups over the non •supplemented control group. Nitrogen retention (per cent of intake) was highest In group IH and lowest in group I, with significant increase (P < 0.01) in monensin supplemented groups (groups Il and Ill) over group I. Though there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in per cent retention of calcium, phosphorus, i r on, copper, zmc and manganese between the monensin supplemented and non-supplemented groups, an increasing trend was observed in the percentage r eterrtion of major as well as trace minerals on monensin supplementation. The haematological constituents VIZ., haemoglobin, plasma protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc and manganese in kids of various groups were within the normal range. There was no significant influence (P > 0.05) of monensin on haematological values. From an overall evaluation of the results obtained during the course of the present investigation :it can be inferred that supplementation of monensin at 20 and 30 ppm level significantly (P < 0.01) improves the growth rate, feed efficiency and nitrogen retention, reduces the dry matter consumption and favours (P > 0.05) nutrient digestibility and utilization of major as well as trace mi ner al s in kids reared under intensive system of management.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of energy supplementation on growth of crossbred heifers
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Sunil Wilson; KAU; Mercy, A D
    An investigation was carried out to assess the effect of energy supplementation on growth of crossbred heifers. Eighteen crossbred heifers with an average age of 15 months and were distributed into three groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age and body weight. The dietary treatments TI, T2, and T3 were randomly allotted to each group. The three dietary treatments were Tl - control diet (concentrate mixture + straw) as per ICAR recommendations, T2 - control diet supplemented with 0.5 kg ground maize and T3 - control diet supplemented with 1 kg ground maize. The animals maintained on the three dietary treatments Tl , T2 and T3 showed an average daily body weight gain of 535.47,602.15 and 631.18 g respectively during the experimental period of 155 days. Statistical analysis of the body weight gain showed no significant difference between the three dietary treatment groups. The average daily dry matter intake was significantly higher (Pin the animals maintained on T3 ration compared to Tl and 1'2. However the dry matter intake as percentage of body weight remained similar in the heifers fed the three experimental diets. The energy supplementation did not seem to have any effect on the feed to gain and protein efficiency ratios of the crossbred heifers. Energy supplementation to the crossbred heifers had no effect on any of the rumen fermentation characteristics as pH, total volatile fatty acid concentration and ammonia nitrogen concentration of the rumen liquor.• The plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus also remained similar for the animals maintained on the three dietary treatments. A significant increase in the digestibilities of dry matter (P<0.05) and crude protein (Pobserved in the animals supplemented with maize at 0.5 (12) and 1 kg (T3) levels as an energy source compared to the control (TI). However the digestibilities of ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre remained unaffected by the extra energy supplementation. An improved reproductive performance was exhibited by the animals maintained on T3 ration. The cost of feed for producing unit gain was almost similar for the three dietary treatments. Thus a critical assessment of the overall results obtained during the course of the present study did not reveal any significant effect of energy supplementation on the growth, feed efficiency, rumen fermentation characteristics and the plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus. However, energy supplementation improved the dry matter and crude protein digestibilities. The reproductive performance of the animals was also better in the high energy supplemented group.