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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 Integrated culture of fish with micropropagated plants in a recirculatory system(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries,Panangad, 2012) Navya, R; KAU; Devika PillaiAn experiment was designed to study an integrated recirculatory sytem with micropropagated aquarium plants, fish and indigenous filter materials like coir, vetiver and bamboo as the filter media. The plants selected for the study were Bacopa caroliniana, Anubias minima, Aponogeton ulvaceus, Rotala rotundifolia and Nymphoides cristata. The first part of the work was to standardise the micropropagation techniques for the above said plants. Murashige and Skoog medium (half and full strength) was used as the basal medium for the establishment of cultures. The explants varied from nodal segments, rhizome buds, leaf petioles and lateral buds. Surface sterilization was carried out with a range of sterilants like mercuric chloride solution, ethyl alcohol, sodium hypochlorite solution etc. for varying durations and concentrations depending on the type of explant. Effect of growth regulators on explants were studied using auxin IAA and cytokinins, BA and Kn. A liquid culture media with 1.5mg l-1 BA and 0.1mg l-1 Kn concentrations was the best medium for Bacopa caroliniana. A combination of auxin cytokinin like 1.5 mg l-1 BA and 1.0 mg l-1 IAA in liquid culture was the best medium for Rotala rotundifolia. In Nymphoides cristata, hormone concentration of 1.0 mg l-1 each of BA and IAA in liquid culture gave the best results. In Anubias minima, a full MS solid medium with 6.0 mg l-1 of BA gave better results compared to lower levels of BA. In vitro trials for Aponogeton ulvaceus was not successful due to the exudation of phenolic extracts in all the treatments which eventually lead to the death of the tissues. Hardening success was 90 percent, 100 percent, 70 percent, 100 percent in the case of Anubias minima, Nymphoides cristata, Rotala rotundifolia and Bacopa caroliniana respectively. The micropropagated plants were incorporated in the recirculatory system along with fish and three different biofilter materials like coir, vetiver and bamboo splits. The study focused mainly on the filtering efficiency of the three filters based on the nitrification curves. The plants were included in the system to be a part of biofilter and their exclusive role in nitrification was not studied since this is a preliminary work. A nitification graph was plotted with the observed values of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in the three different biofilter systems and compared with a control. It was inferred that coir fibres were the best of filter materials tried in nitrification followed by bamboo and vetiver. The control system took more time (45 days) in stabilizing ammonia levels due to lack of a substratum for growing nitrifying bacteria.ThesisItem Open Access Characterization of different stocks of Macrobrachium rosenbergii and development of genetically improved strain through selective breeding(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2010) Shyla, G; KAU; Mohanakumaran NairGiant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man, 1879) is an important species suitable for culture in inland and low saline coastal water bodies. Information on the genetic structure and variation among cultured species are essential for genetic approaches to optimize conservation strategies and breeding programmes for improving stocks. DNA based markers can be used to assess more precisely the genetic variations in the entire genome. Natural populations of M. rosenbergii inhabiting the rivers in different geographical areas of India show wide variation in morphological traits and economic characters. The present work envisages studying the genetic diversity of wild populations of M. rosenbergii collected from different parts of India through phenotypic characters and molecular marker studies. It also aims to develop a superior strain by combining the desirable characters through selective breeding. In this study genetic characterization of Andhra Pradesh (AP), Orissa (OR) and Kerala (KR) stocks of Macrobrachium rosenbergii were done with RAPD and Microstellite markers. Marker analysis showed variation between stocks and AP showed more genetic distance from OR and KR populations.Moreover KR stock from Achankoil River showed slight similarity with AP. Phenotypic trait analysis was done with three stocks. Egg diameter, larval hatch fecundity, larval rearing period, survival rate and larval length were estimated. Highest egg diameter and hatch fecundity were shown by OR and KR populations. AP showed minimum larval rearing period and maximum survival rate. Maximum larval length was for KR. Stress tolerance studies were conducted in V and X stage of M.rosenbergii larvae with temperature, salinity, formaldehyde and ammonia to estimate the relative differences in the ability of different populations to withstand stressed conditions. Among base population KR population showed highest tolerance towards temperature, salinity, formaldehyde and ammonia.Stage wise tolerance variations also found in all populations. X stage showed more tolerance to all stressors except ammonia. Comparison of other economically important parameters such as disease resistance, quality of flesh, percentage survival, growth rate, percentage morphotypes and head tail ratio were also done. Disease resistance was tested with white tail virus and bacteria (Enterococcus aerogenes) by challenge study. In both studies KR population exhibited better tolerance than other populations. Prophenoloxidase activity and total haemocyte count was also estimated in infected prawns to check the immune response. Here again KR showed higher activity and count. Flesh quality of three populations was estimated by carcass proximate analysis. In this study, no variation in body composition was shown by three stocks. Percentage survival rate and weight gain of three populations in cage were estimated. Maximum survival rate was found in AP and highest growth was found in KR stock. Analysis of percentage morphotypes of various populations showed the maximum OC for AP and SM for OR stock, with no significant variations in percentage BC and female prawns, head tail ratio, which was calculated to find out the yield of meat revealed the least ratio for KR. Large healthy prawns of the three stocks were selected from families showing better performance. Breeding experiment was conducted to produce six crosses viz. Andhra Pradesh (male)×Orissa (female) APOR, Orissa (male) × Andhra Pradesh (female) ORAP, Andhra Pradesh (male) × Kerala (female) APKR, Kerala (male) × Andhra Pradesh (female) KRAP, Orissa (male) × Kerala (female) ORKR, Kerala (male) × Orissa (female) KROR. Different phenotypic characters and economically important traits of F1 generations of hybrids were also studied. KROR showed better egg diameter, hatch fecundity, larval survival rate and larval length. But larval rearing period was minimum for APKR. KROR showed resistance to viral and bacterial diseases, which was similar to that of KR and better than other hybrids. In cage culture APOR showed better survival rate, while growth rate was significantly higher for KROR, which was more than that of base populations. Analysis of percentage morphotypes showed a similar pattern as that of base populations. Lower head -tail weight ratio was shown by KROR, which was lower than that of KR. Estimation and comparison of heritability of weight of three better performing hybrids were done. From the data it was found that maximum heritability of weight was for KROR (.75) followed by APKR (.161) and APKR exhibited no heritability.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 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 Utilisation of cocoa pod husk as a feed ingredient for Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings(College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2007) Navya, R; KAU; Shyama, SA 70 day study was undertaken to evaluate the use of cocoa-pod husk meal as a dietary ingredient for rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings. Six iso-nitrogenous diets (30% crude protein) were formulated. The five test diets had cocoa pod husk meal incorporated at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% inclusion levels. A fish meal-based diet devoid of cocoa pod husk meal served as the control. Feeding was done at 5% once daily. The test diets were acceptable to the fish and gave positive feed consumption and growth. Optimum performance in terms of weight gain was achieved by fish fed a diet with 20% inclusion level of cocoa pod husk meal. However, FCE, fish weight gain and SGR showed a decline in fish fed the test diet, particularly so in the 25% cocoa pod husk meal diet. The reduced fish growth was caused by the high fibre content of cocoa husk which resulted in low protein digestibilities during the study. No direct toxic effect of theobromine and other purine alkaloids in cocoa products were reflected in the study, cocoa pod husk can thus be safely recommended as a feed ingredient in supplementary diets for Labeo rohita, up to an inclusion level of 20%.ThesisItem Open Access Survey and disease surveillance of newly introduced L. Vannamei (Boone, 1931) in India(College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2011) Roshan Maria, Peter; KAU; Devika, PillaiP. monodon (tiger shrimp) was the most preferred cultured species in India, but repeated occurrence of diseases especially white spot disease (WSD) caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) had a severe setback to the shrimp culture industry. This prompted the industry to actively promote the introduction of a non-native species, the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, as an alternative to P. monodon for commercial aquaculture operations in the country. The authority to issue licenses to take up L.vannamei culture was vested with the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA), who issued licenses for 1,208 aqua farmers in 2009. Availability of SPF stock, ability to grow well even at high stocking densities, reduced days of culture (DOC), lesser protein requirement (28-35%) and demand in the international market attracted aquafarmers to switch to culture of L.vannamei. A survey carried out in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh to understand the level of acceptance and the nature of culture practice among the farms culturing L.vannamei revealed that only 33% of the farms surveyed had obtained permission from the CAA, 41% followed biosecurity measures and merely 10% had the facility for Effluent Treatment System. 53% practised chlorination and de-chlorination of water during water exchange and only 38% farms maintained trained personnel. It was observed during the survey that only 84% procured tested SPF seed from certified hatcheries. While 90-92% of yhe farms depended on pelleted feed, only 80-85% of the farms surveyed carried out regular monitoring every 1-2 weeks. Disease surveillance in the farms surveyed did not detect the presence of any of the major shrimp viruses (WSSV, IHHNV, MBV, HPV and TSV) in the 60 samples screened using molecular methods. However, Vibrio sp. was detected in samples exhibiting obvious signs of bacterial disease. High stocking densities without adequate number of aerators can be stressful to the shrimps and might be the reason for bacterial infection. Economic analysis indicates that L.vannamei culture is more profitable than P.monodon culture.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative evaluation of different feed ingradients for stinging catfish heteropneustes fossilis(Bloch)(College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2010) Kumar, Katya; KAU; Mohanakumaran, NairStinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) is commercially and nutritionally important in India, fetching high price locally and enjoying good potential for aquaculture. One of the major limiting factors restricting the expansion of H. fossilis culture is the high cost of trash fish used as feed for its grow out. Trash fish supply is irregular and unreliable and not always recommended in fish culture. In the present study an attempt was made to evaluate different feed combination as replacement diet for trash fish in the growout of H. fossilis using three sources of protein. Three isonitrogenous diets containing 40% of protein viz. fish meal (FM), clam meat (CM) and soymeal (SM) as protein sources were tested, with five replications for each treatment, and fed to the fingerlings of H. fossilis of initial size.(11.22 ± 1.27g and 12.24 ± 0.40 cm), collected from the wild and acclimated for two weeks in freshwater and stocked in 380L capacity cement cisterns at a density of 10 numbers per tank, provided with soil substratum. Tapioca flour and vitamin mixture were added at the rate of 10% and 1% respectively in all the feeds, while rice bran constituted 36%, 18.6% and 23.3% in FM, CM and SM feeds respectively. The test feeds were fed to the fingerlings at the rate of 5% of body weight, twice daily for duration of 42 days. At the end of the trial, final length and weight measurement of each juvenile in treatments were made, and the data statistically analyzed, using One-Way ANOVA. Multiple comparisons of mean values were carried out using Tukey’s HSD test, and the means were compared using two sample Student’s t-test. Water quality parameters in the experimental tanks were monitored weekly. All the treatments recorded cent percent survival, and there was no significant difference in length gain among the three feeds. Although the highest weight gain was obtained from the FM (8.56 ± 2.40g), followed by SM (6.09 ±1.40g) and CM (5.68 ± 0.72g) respectively, statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference between FM and SM treatments, indicating that soymeal is equally good as fish meal. However the lowest food conversion ratio (FCR) of (2.74) for FM, followed by CM (4.07), and SM (4.53), which suggest that fish meal is the best source of protein in the feed for the culture of H. fossilis, but soymeal could also be used to replace fish meal, upon further refinement of growth trials. Highest ammonia was recorded in FM tanks, followed by CM and SM, which indicate that water quality needs to be closely maintained, when sources of animal protein are used in the feed of H. fossilis. Additional research is recommended, supplementing the deficient amino acid lysine in soymeal, which might perhaps improve the weight gain and FCR of H. fossilis fingerlings.