Loading...
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.
Browse
11 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access Commercial probiotics in tank reared nursery phase of freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De man, 1879)(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2005) Beryl, E B; KAU; Mohanakumaran Nair, CThe efficacy of two commercial probiotics, Waves and Epicin on the growth and survival of M. rosenbergii PL and on the chemical and biological characteristics of water and soil were studied. The experimental set up consisted of fiberglass tanks of 70 l capacity with two treatments and a control, each with 5 replicates. Soil from a fishpond was filled to a height of 5 cm and water filled to a height of 25 cm. The post larvae were stocked @ 500 no/m2 and mild aeration provided. Commercial freshwater prawn feed starter 1 (Higashi) was given @ 100% of body weight. Analysis before the introduction of probiotics showed the presence of microorganisms such as E. coli, Salmonella, Hafnia alvei, Faecal Streptococci, Aeromonas caviae, A. sobria, A. hydrophila and Enterobacter aerogenus in the water and soil. Enterobacteria such as Enterobacter aerogenus, Hafnia alvei, Aeromonas sobria and A. hydrophila were present in the PL. The probiotics Waves and Epicin were added @ 0.5 ppm and 0.25 ppm respectively to the experimental tanks once in ten days and the microbiological observations and water quality parameters were studied once in 15 days. The introduction of the probiotics increased the growth and survival and reduced the F.C.R. of M. rosenbergii in nursery system. The species composition of the bacteria in the soil, water and body of the animal were not affected by treatment with probiotics, other than that the E. coli present originally and continued in the control was not detected in the tanks treated with probiotics. The T.P.C. was also less in the treatments compared to the control. Probiotics considerably reduced the level of NH3-N in culture tanks. Epicin was found to have reduced the NH3-N level effectively than the Waves.ThesisItem Open Access Cryopreservation of spermatozoa of critically endangered yellow catfish Horabagrus Nigricollaris (Pethiyagoda & Kottelat 1994)(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2007) Rajani Vadthya; KAU; Dinesh, KIn order to develop gene banking techniques aimed at conserving the critically endangered black collared yellow catfish of the Western Ghats, Horabagrus nigricollaris and popularize this species in the aquaculture scenario a study on cryopreservation of spermatozoa was undertaken. Freshly collected milt was observed for its characteristics. Well water was used to activate the milt in various stages of the experiment. There was no significant difference in motility of spermatozoa or percentage hatching from fresh and milt cryopreserved using 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Screening of four extenders (A, B, C and D) containing NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, NaHCO3, KH2PO4, MgSO4.7H2O, Na2H PO4 and Glucose at various proportions clearly indicated that the extender composition had significant effect on the percentage of motility, fertilization and hatching. Selected milt samples were preserved under cryogenic condition and utilized for experimental spawn production. The quality of milt samples was analyzed for the spermatocrit value, sperm density, pH, motility score and time: values obtained ranged from 57.8 to 59.8%; 16.5 x 109 to 20.9 x 109 spermatozoa/ ml of milt; 7.2 to 7.4; 4+ to 5+ (i.e. 80-100%) and 30 to 70 seconds respectively. The most promising combination was extender - A with 10% DMSO as the cryoprotectant. The ratio of milt and diluent was 1:4. Samples were equilibrated at 0°C ± 4°C on ice and vapourised over liquid nitrogen fumes for 10 minutes and finally stored in liquid nitrogen for three months. Stored milt samples were thawed and utilized to fertilize the eggs. Quick thawing procedure (27°C ± 2°C for 7 seconds) was followed. A French straw containing 0.5ml milt was found to be sufficient to fertilize 200 eggs approximately. Average fertilization % obtained was 30.3 ± 2.8 for extender- A against 35.8± 0.4 for the control. Mean hatching % obtained was 35.0 ± 4.7 for extender - A and 41.6± 4.4 for the control. No significant difference in fertilization success was found between cryopreserved sperm and untreated sperm from the same milt samples. Viable hatchlings were produced from milt that had been cryopreserved for three months indicating the feasibility of establishing a cryopreservation protocol to bank the genes and popularize the aquaculture of this critically endangered species. With the rapid global expansion of aquaculture, there is a need for year-round availability of larvae that could, to some extent, be met through cryopreservation of gametes.ThesisItem Open Access Utilization of water spinach Ipomoea aquatica leaf meal as protein source in the feed of Macrobrachium rosenbergii post larvae(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2007) Sijimol, A P; KAU; Thresiamma JamesThe present study aimed to find out the feasibility of using water spinach leaves as a low cost plant protein source and dietary evaluation of the formulated diet through growth trials employing post larvae of Macrobrachium rosenbergii, thus to determine the optimum level of substitution of spinach leaf meal. The experiment was done for a period of 60 days. A comparison has also been made between the diets having various levels of inclusion of water spinach leaf meal over the control diet without spinach leaf meal. Five isonitrogenous test diets T1 to T5 were prepared with 30% crude protein. The feed ingredients used were clam meat, Ipomoea aquatica leaf meal, wheat bran, ground nut oil cake, tapioca flour, vitamin mineral mixture and sunflower oil. The control diet T1 was prepared by using all ingredients mentioned above, without Ipomoea leaf meal. The test diets T2, T3, T4 and T5 were prepared by using all ingredients mentioned above and replacing clam meat with water spinach leaf meal at inclusion levels of 12 %, 24 % 36 % and 48 % respectively. Results showed better growth rates in prawn post larvae fed with diets (T2) containing 12% Ipomoea leaf meal. Among the test diets, T2 recorded highest growth rate (603.63 mg). Specific growth rate, food conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio also showed better performance of prawn post larvae fed on test diet with 12% inclusion of spinach leaf meal. The highest SGR (3.67) and PER (2.99) were recorded in prawns fed on diet T2 and lowest SGR (2.68) and PER (1.48) were obtained with diet T5. The survival rate of post larval prawns were not found to be significantly influenced by the various test diets used and the survival ranged from 77.5% to 82.5%.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of eyestalk ablation on the rematuration of female macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) in captivity(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2003) Vadher Kailashkumar Hirabhai; KAU; Aneykutty, JosephThe giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii is one of the commercially important spccces widely cultured throughout the tropics, subtropics and some parts of the temperate region. Non- availability of brood stock in sufficient numbers at appropriate time has been the greatest constraint for successful operations of prawn hatcheries. To avoid entire dependence on natural sources, development of brood stock of female prawns in captivity is essential. The objectives of the present study were to find out the role of eyestalk ablation on rematuration of spent female of M. rosenbergii in captive conditions and to study the histology of the ovary during rematuration of eyestalk ablated and unablated spent female of M. rosenbergii. In the rematuration experiment the effect of eyestalk ablation on moulting frequency, spawning frequency, larval hatch fecundity, incubation period, ovarian development and ovarian index of spent female of M. rosenbergii was evaluated for 60 days. The histology of ovary in M. rosenbergii during rematuration was also studied. The analysis of the result was done with student's t-test and paired t- test. A significant difference was observed in moulting frequency and spawning frequency of ablated and 'unablated spent female of M. rosenbergii. Larval hatch fecundity of ablated and unablated spent female of M. rosenbergii was not found to vary significantly. Significant difference was found in larval hatch fecundity after first time and second time hatching of both ablated and un ablated individuals. The incubation period was not found to vary significantly among ablated and unablated. However, slight reduction in incubation period was observed in ablated ones. Five histological stages of ovaries viz. previtellogenic stage, early vitellogenic, vitellogenic and late vitellogenic and matured oocytes were observed. In the histological sections of the ovaries, starting from spent ovary to the ripe ovary at weekly interval, similar type of oocyte development stages were observed in both ablated and unablated. IIowever, the size of largest oocyte in ablated was slightly higher than the size of oocyte in unablated at each week of development. It was observed in the present study that ovarian index of ablated spent female was higher than unablated at each week of development. The rematuration experiment has shown that eyestalk ablation significantly enhanced moulting frequency and spawning frequency but the effect was insignificant in terms of larval hatch fecundity and incubation period in spent female of M. rosenbergii. Insignificant increase in ovarian development and ovarian index were also observed in ablated spent female of M. rosenbergii.ThesisItem Open Access Biomodulation of non-specific immune response in the tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon fabricus with spirulina iccorporated diet(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2002) Jadhav vishal Shripatrao; KAU; Devika, PillaiBlack tiger shrimp; Penaeus monodon is an important species cultured all over the world. However, disease outbreaks have caused senous economic losses in several countries. For successful farming of shrimps disease prevention is a prime necessity The present study was designed to assess the immunostimulating potential of Spirulina and to see its effect on growth as well as colour of P. monodon juveniles. In this study, juveniles of P. monodon were used for evaluating the effect of different levels of Spirulina on growth, food conversion ratio, food conversion efficiency, survival as well as prophylactic potency of Spirulina evaluated by proPhenoloxidase activity, antibacterial assay, haemagglutinin assay, phagocytosis and challenge study Effect of Spirulina on colour of shrimps was also studied. Five experimental diets designed as T I to T 5 were prepared by using clam meat, Spirulina, rice bran, cod liver oil and vitamin- mineral mix. The total protein content of all diets were kept near to 40% and Spirulina was incorporated at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% in diets by replacing clam meat. Completely randomized design with five treatments each having four replications was used for analyzing the results. In each tank ten numbers of Penaeus monodon juveniles were kept. Feeding was done for a period of 35 days. The test animals fed with diet containing Spirulina up to 30% incorporation showed better growth, food conversion ratio and food conversion efficiency. But survival during experiment was not affected by the addition of Spirulina. Spirulina incorporated treatments showed higher phenoloxidase activity than control. Antibacterial activity was also observed in the treatments incorporated with Spirulina, while in control no antibacterial activity was observed. Result of agglutinin activity was not 99 clear as control also showed agglutination in undiluted haemolymph sample and partial agglutination in 1:2 dilution of haemolymph. Spirulina incorporated treatments showed agglutination up to 1:4 dilution of haemolymph. But in 1:4 dilution only partial agglutination was observed. Increased adherence of haemocyte to yeast cells was observed indicating higher phagocytic activity in the treatment incorporated with Spirulina, while adherence of haemocyte was rarely observed in control. On challenge with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, shrimps treated with Spirulina incorporated diet showed delayed mortality as compared to control. Spirulina treated shrimps showed darker colouration than control.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of carbon dioxide anaesthesia on Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fry during transportation(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2000) Leesha, O S; KAU; Jayasree Vadhyar, KThe present work was undertaken to study the effect of carbon dioxide anaesthesia and packing density on Labeo rohita fry in oxygen - packed transportation. Hatchery produced rohu fry of25 mm and 750 mg average length and weight were used for the study. Sodium bicarbonate at three different concentrations viz., 0.2g 11, O.4g 11 and 0.6g 11 mixed with glacial acetic acid (mlll) in the ratio 2:1 in freshwater as the packing me- dium was tried for in situ production of carbon dioxide anaesthesia. The fry were packed at five packing densities viz., 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 fryll under uniform initial oxygen pressure of 0.2 Kg/ern" The behavioral pattern of the fry, induction time, recov- ery time, safe duration of 100% survival and the subsequent duration down to 70% survival were studied. The surviors were transferred to aerated freshwater without the chemicals and were observed for 96 hours for subsequent survival. Light sedation of the fry characterized by slow movement without losing equilib- rium and with response to external stimuli was observed in the first dose of carbon dioxide anaesthesia with an induction time of 10- 15 minutes. The recovery time was not clear in the lower packing densities of 100,200 and 300 fryll, while it was 3 - 4 minutes at the higher packing densities of 400 and 500 fryll. The safe duration was maximwn under this dose i.e., 39.0 h, 17.0 h, 10.0 h, 6.0 hand 3.0 hat 100,200,300, 400 and 500 fryll respectively. This was significantly different from the other two treat- ments as well as control. By using this dose the safe duration could be enhanced 1.5 to 6 fold compared to the control depending on the packing densitity. Similar trend was noticed at 90, 80 and 70% survival. The second and third doses resulted in deep sedation characterized by slow movement without losing equilibriwn and with no response to external stimuli. In the former dose the safe duration was more than that of the control only at the higher packing densities of 400 and 500 fry/L In the latter case it was shorter than that of the control and hence not at all practicable at any of the packing densities tried. The recovered fry survived for the observed period of 96 hours. Linear relation could be established between the packing densities and duration of transport for the first and second dose as well as the control. The water quality parameters of the oxygen - packed jars viz., dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, ammonia- N, total alkalinity and pH were analyzed initially, before packing the fry, and finally at 70% survival of the fry. The final water quality in the jars treated with the first dose was the least stressful for the fry, compared to the other doses and control.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of cuttlefish liver lipid on the growth of macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) juveniles(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2001) Shyla, G; KAU; Mathew, P MGiant freshwater prawn is an important species suitable to culture in both fresh and low saline waters. For successful farming of freshwater prawns, nutritionally balanced cheap diet is a prime necessity. The present study was designed to develop a nutritionally balanced feed for freshwater prawn by using cuttlefish liver as a cheap source of lipid. In this study juveniles of Macrobrachium rosenbergii were used for evaluating the effect of various levels of lipid on growth, food conversion ratio, survival rate, protein utilization and body composition. For this six experimental diets designated as T 1 to T 6 were prepared by using clam meat, groundnut oil cake, wheat bran, tapioca powder, vitamin mineral mixture and cellulose powder. Test diets (T2 to T6) were prepared by adding different levels (l to 5%) of cuttlefish liver lipid with an increment of 1 % by replacing equal amount of cellulose powder. Total lipid content of the diets T\, T2, T3, T4, r, and T6 were 7.53%, 8.61%, 9.85%, 10.73%,12.01% and 13.41%, respectively. Completely randomized design with six treatments each having three replications was used for analyzing the results. Ten numbers of juveniles were randomly distributed in each tank Feeding w<..;c done for a period of 60 days. Test animals fed with a diet containing 2% of cuttlefish liver lipid with a total lipid content of 9.85% showed better growth, food conversion efficiency and protein utilization. But survival rate was not affected by the addition of cuttlefish liver lipid. The protein content of body of test animals was maximum for the treatment, T3 having 2% cuttlefish liver lipid. Lipid and moisture contents of the body were at desirable levels for this treatment. Hence, it is found that, the diet containing 2% of cuttlefish liver lipid with a total lipid of9.85% is good for M rosenbergii.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of spirulina fusiformis as a protein source in the diet of penaeus monodon fabricius(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries,Panangad, 2008) Tank Ketan, Vallabhdas; KAU; Thresiamma, JamesThe blue green alga Spirulina fusiformis has been accepted as an ideal food organism since it has a high protein content of 60-65 %, besides being rich in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids (gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)) and antioxidant pigments such as carotenoids. The present study is aimed at finding out the feasibility of using Spirulina fusiformis as a protein source in the diet for black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon (Fabricius). Six isonitrogenous test diets T1 to T6 were prepared with 40% crude protein. Clam meat was replaced with Spirulina at an inclusion level of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%, and the substitution effect was compared with a control diet in which clam meat was the sole source of protein. The study was conducted for a period of 60 days employing Penaeus monodon postlarvae (0.04 g avg. weight) with six treatments and four replications. The postlarvae were stocked at the rate of 10 numbers per tank. On completion of the experiment the specific growth rate, food conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were superior in shrimp postlarvae fed with the test diet containing 20% Spirulina. The diet T4 (20% Spirulina) led to significantly higher growth response (p>0.05) than in other diets. Further increase in the Spirulina inclusion levels significantly decreased the growth and feeding performance. The highest SGR (6.82%) and PER (1.67) were recorded with diet T4 and lowest SGR (4.16%) and PER (0.62) were obtained with the dietT6. The percentage survival was significantly higher (97.5%) in T3 (10% Spirulina) and T4 (20% Spirulina). The best FCR was recorded for 20% Spirulina (1.49). The results suggest that Spirulina fusiformis cannot serve as the sole protein source in the diet of Penaeus monodon postlarvae but can be effectively used as a supplementary protein source.ThesisItem Open Access Response of macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) to calcium and magnesium concentrations in freshwater(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries,Panangad, 2000) Sivakumar, T V; KAU; Mohankumaran Nair, CThe effect of various concentrations of calcium in freshwater on growth, survival, food intake and food conversion ratio of M. rosenbergii post larvae were investigated in order to arrive at the optimum range of calcium required in freshwater for successful culture. In two stage-designed experiment, the first experiment was bioassay for three days, in order to understand maximum and minimum tolerance level of calcium and magnesium. The Le-50 of calcium and magnesium in freshwater was found to be 1562.85 and 7823.48 mg/l, respectively. Based on the results of bioassay, the rearing experiment was carried out in circular fiberglass tanks for calcium alone. The levels used were 5, 10,20,50, 100,200,300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 mg/l, i.e. 12 treatments and for each treatment two replication were used. Growth was maximum at 400 mg/l of calcium in freshwater. Better food conversion ratio and survival were also obtained at this level. The growth declined in lower and higher concentrations of calcium, but the survival remained above 80% up to 400 mg/l and later on it got reduced as the concentration of calcium increased. The food conversion ratio increased at lower and higher levels of calcium.