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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Preliminary trials on presservation of buck semen in glycerol containing diluents
    (Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1983) Aswini Kumar, Sarma; KAU; Matai, E
    A systematic study was carried out on normal characteristics and preservation of buck semen in chilled and frozen conditions. A total of 240 ejaculates from 3 Malabari and 3 Alpine X Malabari bucks were utilized for the study on normal semen characteristics. The overall average reaction time was 98.86 + 4.309 seconds. Significant positive correlation between reaction time and mass activity was observed. The mean semen volume was found to be 0.55 + 0.017 and 0.72 + 0.015 ml in Mala bari and Alpine X Malabari bucks respectively. Semen volume was significantly higher in cross bred bucks. The colour of buck semen varied from milky yellow to cremy white. The overall density score of buck semen was 3.52 + 0.030 out of four. Mean values for pH of Malabari and Alpine X Malabari semen were 6.74 + 0.026 and 6.74 + 0.019 respectively. Mass activity varied significantly between bucks. Significant difference was noted in motility percentage between breeds. Initial motility was having significant positive correlation with the live sperm percentage. The overall mean live sperm percentage was 90.64 + 0.317. Significant difference in sperm concentration was observed between bucks. Average total sperm abnormalities of 1.65 + 0.183 and 1.14 + 0.093 per cent were noted in Malabari and Alpine X Malabari bucks respectively. Effect of room temperature and refrigeration temperature glycerolisation of Tris and reconstituted skim milk diluents, each having 0, 1,3 and 7 per cent glycerol, on preservability of buck spermatozoa was studied. Motility and abnormality assessment were made at zero hour to 144 hours, at 24 hours interval. Skim milk diluent with seven per cent glycerol at refrigeration temperature glycerolisation preserved above 30 per cent sperm motility up to 72 hours of storage. No added advantage could be observed in the addition of glycerol at room temperature in skim milk diluent. Tris diluent with one per cent glycerol was found to be suitable for preservation of buck spermatozoa at 5°C, in room temperature and refrigeration temperature glycerolisation. Refrigeration temperature glycerolisation was found to be significantly superior to room temperature glycerolisation in preserving motility percentage in both the Tris and skim milk diluents. In both the diluents, total abnormality percentages at room temperature glycerolisation were significantly higher than that at refrigeration temperature glycerolisation. With both methods of glycerolisation in Tris and skim milk, the total abnormality percentages were higher as the level of glyoerol increased. The present study revealed an increase in acrosomal defects with the advancement of storage period. The occurence of acrosomal defects was significantly higher in room temperature glycerolisation. ill four ejaculates each from six bucks were diluted in Tris and skim milk diluents each with seven per cent glycerol, to study the effect of deep freezing and post-thawing motility. The average post-thawing motility in Tris and skim milk diluent was 44.44 and 31.06 per cent respectively. Tris diluent was found significantly superior to skim milk diluent for freezing buck spermatozoa.