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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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201818
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Subject: Climate Change Adaptation × End date: 2018 × Start date: 2018 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 18
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Carbon sequestration and crop weather relations in long term fertilizer experiments
    (Academy of Climete Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2018) Sudhamani, P; KAU; Thulasi, V
    The present study entitled “Carbon sequestration and crop weather relations in long term fertilizer experiment was formulated with the objectives of studying the effect of long term application of fertilizers and manures on soil carbon sequestration pattern and crop weather relations under long term fertilizer experiments with rice-rice cropping sequence maintained at Pattambi. The objectives were set out to study the carbon sequestration pattern in long term fertilizer experiment (LTFE), estimation of the SOC sequestration efficiency of different organic manures and to analyze and establish crop weather relations in LTFE. The LTFE consist of 12 treatments viz. T1:50 percent NPK, T2: 100 per cent NPK, T3:150 per cent NPK, T4: 100 per cent NPK + lime CaCO3 @ 600 kg ha-1, T5: 100 per cent NPK, T6: 100 per cent NP, T7: 100 per cent N, T8: 100 percent NPK + FYM @ 5 t ha-1 (to Virippu crop only), T9: 50 percent NPK + FYM @ 5 t ha -1 (to Virippu crop only), T10: 100 percent NPK + in situ growing of Sesbania aculeata (for Virippu crop only) ,T11: 50 percent NPK + in situ growing of Sesbania aculeata (for Virippu crop only), T12: Absolute control (No fertilizers/ manures). The grain yield, straw yield, stubbles left after harvest and unincorporated weed biomass were quantified for calculating the carbon inputs into soil. The soil organic carbon distribution pattern was analysed in different depths. The total carbon inputs and soil organic carbon sequestration rate were plotted to establish the relationship. Crop weather relations were studied through correlation studies and DSSAT modelling. Integrated nutrient management practice T8 (100 Per cent NPK + FYM) recorded higher values for grain yield and growth related parameters followed by T10 (100 per cent NPK + in situ growing of Sesbania aculeata) and T3 (150 per cent NPK).The soil which received 100 per cent NPK+FYM (T8) had higher mass of total organic carbon in top soil followed by T10. A significant positive linear relationship exists between carbon inputs and rate of carbon sequestration. The mean carbon sequestration efficiency was 8.4% in top soil. The average sequestration efficiency for FYM and daincha were 12.18 and 8.58% respectively. The decrease in dose of fertilizers incorporated along with organic manures decreased the carbon sequestration efficiency of the organic amendments. Therefore application of FYM seems to be a preferred strategy for enhancing SOC sequestration in lateritic soils due to its higher carbon sequestration efficiency. Maximum temperature had a positive impact on grain yield in both seasons Virippu and Mundakan, while the effect of minimum temperature was not significant. In general the rainfall and wind speed had negative impact on grain yield. Furthermore, crop weather relations in rice are established by using available long term data using DSSAT. There is perfect concurrence between observed and predicted grain yield of the experiment. So this study will help in planning better and judicious carbon management strategies and recommendations for these soils for sustainable health and crop production.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Modeling rice production in kole lands and its vulnerability to climate change
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2018) Surabhi, S R; KAU; Sandeep, S
    Rice is the most important staple food crop for more than 2/3rd of India’s population, and is the primary source of food for more than three billion people globally. Hence rice production plays a significant role in food security under a changing climate. The Kole lands is a multiple use wetland ecosystem covering an area of 13,632 ha spread over Thrissur and Malappuram districts, and form one of the rice granaries of Kerala. It is a part of the unique Vembanad-Kole wetland ecosystem. The objectives of the study were to develop crop weather relationship for the predominant rice varieties and assess possible changes in yield due to climate change and to study the impact of abiotic factors and farming practices on rice production using simulation model. Daily weather data for the period 1998-2016 were collected from the India Meteorological Department, Thiruvananthapuram. Information on area, production and productivity of rice in Kole lands was collected from Agriculture Statistics Report - Department of Economics and Statistics, Kerala. The weather data from General Circulation Models based on RCP 4.5 and 8.5 were used for the analysis and projections were made up to 2050. Weather cock v.1.5 was used for converting the daily weather data into standard week, month and seasonal formats. The rainfall parameters or indices like seasonal and monthly rainfall, rainy days and high rainfall events were calculated. It is also used to compute PET and Thornthwaite water balances. The crop simulation model DSSAT –developed by IBSNAT was used for studying the impact of climate change on these ecosystems. The monthly rainfall of Kole lands indicates that there was an increase in rainfall during the months of June, July and August as per RCP 4.5 and 8.5. According to RCP 4.5 and 8.5 an increasing trend in number of seasonal rainy days was observed during the monsoon seasons. The maximum amount of potential evapotranspiration was observed during the month of May, whereas the minimum in, November December, and January. The months of January, February, March, April, November and December were found to have no surplus. Whereas water deficit is projected to happen during the month of march. The maximum amount of surplus was found to occur in July and the yearly value shows an increase from the current condition. The area under rice production has shown a declining in Kole lands over a period of 2008 – 2017. Results indicates that the productivity of rice in Kole lands during the first cropping season was 2.08 t/ha. By 2030, the second cropping season was projected to have a yield of 3.124 t/ha. By 2050, the third cropping season would surpass the productivity of first two seasons with productivity of 3.424 t/ha.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of climate change on the temporal and spatial distribution of the selected migratory bird species in Kerala
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2018) Induja, B; KAU; Nameer, P O
    Global warming and climate change are terms for the observed century scale rise in the average temperature of the earth’s climate system and its related effects. The climate change prior to industrial revolution can be explained by natural phenomena. Anthropogenic climate change has a significant role on physical and biological systems all over the globe. The multiple components of climate change are anticipated to affect all the levels of biodiversity, from organism to biome levels. Researches have been done in identifying the factors affecting species distribution and analysing their current and future distribution pattern. Species are affected in a different manner, many are forced to migrate at different rates through fragmented landscapes. The migration of animals and birds is linked to climate factors such as temperature, moisture availability and amount of daylight. These migrations can be considered as a biological indicator of climate change as these species are expected to track the shifting climate. Avian species are one of the best bioindicators and many migrating birds are very sensitive to environmental changes and are already being affected by climate change. Increasing temperatures, changing vegetation and extreme weather conditions lead to significant changes of the birds’ essential habitats. The present study is a supporting element for the above statements. The spatial and temporal distribution of selected migratory species was studied in identifying the changing climate. Certain dry land inhabiting bird species such as Bunting species (Black-headed Bunting), Lapwing species (Gray-headed Lapwing), Wheatear species (Isabelline Wheatear), Bluethroat, Aquila species (Greater-spotted Eagle) and Stonechat species (Common Stonechat) are selected for the study. Recently the Kerala state has been witnessing the increased number in the arrival of certain migratory birds usually inhabiting the drier tracts of warmer countries.It is hypothesised in the study that the increased distribution of these birds could be an indication that the climate in Kerala is changing. For analysing the species distribution, Maxent model was used. Using the current bird data collected from e-bird database and the climate data acquired from the WorldClim v1.4 database, the modelling for the present condition was done. Then utilising the current distribution analysis, it would project the distribution of the bird species into the future by converging it to the maximum entropy probability distribution. The study revealed the current (1950-2015) and projected distribution pattern of the selected migratory bird species for the years 2050 and 2070 under different RCP projections. The current distribution pattern says that the presence of Black-headed Buntingis observed at the northern and southern tips of Kerala, the Bluethroat at the central region, the Grey-headed Lapwing and the Common Stonechat towards the central and southern portions, the Greaterspotted Eagle at the central and southern regions and the Isabelline Wheatear towards the southern regions. The projected modelling results reveal that the distribution of the selected migratory bird species would be expanding more to the entire plains of the Kerala state excepting majority of the high land regions. For the current and future distribution of the given bird species the effect of temperature is more important comparing to precipitation effects.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Modeling the rice production under varied agro ecological situations of Palakkad district and its vulnerability to climate change
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2018) Anandu, S Hari; KAU; Sunil, K M
    The research project entitled "Modeling the rice production under varied Agro-Ecological Situations of Palakkad district and its vulnerability to climate change". Was carried out at RARS Pattambi and the daily rainfall data for the period 1991-2014 was collected from the India Meteorological Department, Thiruvananthapuram. The weather data from General Circulation Models based on RCP 4.5 and 8.5 were used for the analysis and projections were made up to 2050. Weather cock v.1.5 was used for converting the daily weather data into standard week, month and seasonal formats. The rainfall parameters or indices like seasonal and monthly rainfall, rainy days and high rainfall events were calculated. It is also used to compute PET and Thornthwaite water balances. The crop simulation model DSSAT-developed by IBSNAT was used for studying the impact of climate change on these ecosystems. The monthly rainfall of various Agro ecological units of Palakkad district indicate an increased rainfall during the months June, July and August in Projected climate as per RCP 4.5 a weakening in rainfall can be noticed during the months January, February, September and December in projected climate, annually, the number of rainy days indicates a declining trend in projected climate. In a nut shell, the wet months will be watter and dry periods will be drier. The south west monsoon and summer season shows an increasing tendency in the number of rainy days and amount of rainfall in projected climate. Most of the agro-ecological units in Palakkad district showed a decreasing pattern in the length of growing period in projected climate as per RCP 4.5 In projected climate, the maximum amount of potential evapotranspiration can be observed during the months May, July and September whereas the minimum will be in January, November and December. The yearly potential evapotranspiration shows an increasing trend in projected climate as per RCP 4.5. The number of periods where deficit will happen indicate a decreasing trend whereas the annual amount of deficit shows an increasing pattern in projected climate. As per the projections maximum amount of water deficit will happen during the month March in most of the agro ecological units of central Kerala. Annually the amount of water surplus indicates an increasing trend in projected climate based on RCP 4.5. In RCP 4.5, which is the most likely scenario for India, the yield reduction will be 10 per cent by 2030s and 2050s respectively. It can be observed from the study that the impact of climate change on rice production varied widely under different agro ecological situations. The major rice growing tracts of Palakkad district except Palakkad eastern plains (AEU 23) showed decline in productivity.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Land use pattern and regional water balance in relation to climate change - a case study of Kanthallor Panchayath, Idukki, Kerala
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2018) Vishnumaya, A P; KAU; Jalaja, S Menon
    The study on land use pattern and regional water balance in relation to climate change was carried out in Kanthallor panchayath of Idukki district Kerala during the period 2016-17. The climatic parameters collected from India Meteorological Department and soil nutrient properties collected from Agricultural Department were used to interpret the land use change. Climate data for the period from 1991 to 2014 showed that the Maximum Temperature ranged from 22.73oc to 25.96oc and Minimum Temperature ranged from 15.55oc to 17.76oc. The rainfall was in the range 823 mm to 1887mm. The average wind speed is 2.61 Km/hr, average value of Relative Humidity is 86.38% and average solar radiation is 14.25 mj/m2/day. The soil health card reports collected from Department of Agriculture showed that the soil PH was in the range 4.5 to 7.3. The organic carbon content of hundred percent soil samples computed was in the range "High". The level of Phosphorous was also in the range "High" in 72.65% samples studied. Whereas, Potassisum was in the range of "Medium" in 73.68% of samples considered. Boron and Sulphur was found in the range of "low" in 92.11 % and 63.16% samples tested. Hence it is imperative that for cultivating traditional annual cool season crops like Potato, Beans and Garlic special nutrient management package is to be prepared for this AEU17. The land use change over a period from 2010 to 2018 was tabulated from the Land use maps prepared by Kerala State Land Use Board and the present land use map was generated using Google Earth Pro by creating kml file. It was found that total forest area including all kinds of forest has been reduced from 77.28 sq.km to 72.61 sq.km. It can also be seen that the area under Eucalyptus has increased from 7.70 Km2 to 9.96 Km2. But the area under Sandal wood remains unchanged as there are legal restrictions in its cultivation and the entire area is under government control. There was a drastic change in area under vegetables from 2.36Km2 to 10.15 Km2 within a span of eight years which indicate that the main livelihood option is annual cool season vegetables and there is a good market support from the Agricultural Department. The traditional food grain crops cultivated in the panchayath were Rice, wheat and Millets which were now replaced by vegetables and sugarcane. The water balance and irrigation water potential of major traditional annual crops like Potato, Beans and garlic were calculated by using RCP 4.5. It revealed that the potential evapo transpiraion has decreased under projected climate for the years 2030, 2050 and 2080. The present potential evapotranspiration was highest during March which will be shifted to May, as seen in the projected climate for the year 2030. The present maximum water deficit in the month May will be shifted to March as seen in the projected climate for the year 2030. The present water surplus in the month March, June, July, August, September and October will be shifted to May, June, July, August and October. The Major three crops Potato, Beans and Garlic are now being cultivated as rainfed crops. Projected irrigation water requirement of Potato is 9.2 mm for the year 2030. Projected irrigation water requirement of Beans for the year 2030 will remain same as present. Projected irrigation water requirement of Garlic is 8.2 mm for the year 2030. The climate data for past twenty years showed a change in the total down pour and the Minimum and Maximum temperature. The land use change analyzed for the last eight years has also projected the decline in forest area and a tremendous increase in area under annual vegetables. The major crops like Potato, Beans and Garlic which are being cultivated presently as a rainfed crop in the major growing season of May to August will become an irrigated crop in future. It also point towards the need for better water resources and implementation of efficient soil and water conservation measures in this unique pancyhayath of Kanthallor. A shift from the traditional food grain crops like wet land paddy, Millets and Wheat to crops like Sugarcane and vegetables had affected the cropping pattern and the water use efficiency. Accordingly a change in cropping pattern or even a shift to new crops can be expected in future, if sustainable management practices and cropping system are not assured.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development of a comprehensive resilient strategy towards climate smart coastal villages through wetland management and aquaculture at Edakochi village in Ernakulam district
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2018) Haritha, J; KAU; Zacharia, P U
    Regional small wetlands are highly significant for ensuring village level nutritional security as it provides habitat aquaculture. The work mainly focuses on developing a framework for monitoring regional small wetlands through Android App and Portal. The online platform shall be an interface between users (farmers, testing agencies), experts (scientists) and admin (ICAR-CMFRI). The App and Portal focus on strengthening the national small wetland point source database through generation of additional data sets such as water quality profile, sediment quality profile and species profile. The work provides a basic structure for uniform wetland datasets. A wetland was selected at Edakochi village, Ernakulam, Kerala as representative to generate few among the data set. Wetland map of Kochi Taluk was created using QGIS which depicts extend of spread of water bodies. Restoration of the selected wetland was carried out viz side bund strengthening and sluice gate fortification. Water quality before and after restoration was assessed and water quality was found to be improved after restoration. The wetland has been restored and made suitable for aquaculture which could be further carried out by stake holders. Geospatial analysis of the selected wetland viz catchment area, elevation, slope, flow accumulation and drainage were done. The datasets generated could be fed to the online portal or app and the model could be replicated across all regional small wetlands so as to enhance the small wetland resilience.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Socio economic analysis of effects of meteorological drought on rice cultivation in Palakkad district
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2018) Adeena Vijay; KAU; Chitra Parayil
    Climate change is the major concern of mankind in the 21st century. Under changing climatic scenario, crop failures, reduction in yield, reduction in quality and increasing pest and disease problems are common and they render the cultivation unprofitable. Climate change has both direct and indirect effects on agriculture productivity including changing rainfall pattern, drought, flood, pest and disease outbreaks, etc. The impact of drought can be categorized into physical, economic and environmental. The present study was undertaken with the objectives viz., to analyse the nature and extent of drought in Palakkad district; to study the economic costs of drought on rice in the district; to determine the coping mechanism followed by farmers and recommended by extension functionaries to withstand drought. As per the study objectives, the rice growing farmers (100 no’s) were required to be selected from 5 panchayats. The panchayats were selected based on the area affected by drought. An equal number of farmers who did not suffer losses and suffer losses from drought were also selected randomly from each panchayat for the study purpose. Data were collected in line with the objectives using a pre-tested structured interview schedule. In this study, the main focus is on the meteorological drought. According to the Agriculture department, Palakkad district experienced meteorological drought situation during the year 2016-17. During 2016-17, Palakkad experienced a large reduction in the rainfall received and observed a higher atmospheric temperature. In 2016-17, Palakkad experienced extreme shortage of rainfall (1334.74 mm), which is less than the state average. The cost of cultivation was found that Rs. 54956 ha-1. Hired labour cost accounts for a major share in the total cost of production followed by machine charge, fertilizer and manure charge, seed charge and other expenses. It was found that the cost of cultivation was higher for small (Rs. 81443 ha-1) farmer compared to marginal (Rs. 51103 ha-1) and large (Rs. 44670 ha-1) farmer. Small farmers were suffered more financial loss due to drought. Around 49.09 per cent of yield reduction and 43.6 per cent of financial loss occurred. Regression analysis showed that the most significant variables which contributed to the yield were human labour and machine labour. Technical efficiency analysis showed that the input efficiency of drought affectedfarmers was lower than the unaffected farmers and was found as 51 per cent. This shows that the farmer has a scope for improving the use of inputs like, fertilizer, human labour and machine labour. Irrigation is the one of the most important coping strategy adopted by the farmer followed by using short duration varieties, adjusting the sowing time, insuring the farm against risk and reducing the usage of fertilizer. Thus, it can be concluded that the occurrence of drought, severely affected the farmers’ economic condition. It was found that the small farmers suffered most compared to marginal and large farmers in terms of financial loss.Climate change is the major concern of mankind in the 21st century. Under changing climatic scenario, crop failures, reduction in yield, reduction in quality and increasing pest and disease problems are common and they render the cultivation unprofitable. Climate change has both direct and indirect effects on agriculture productivity including changing rainfall pattern, drought, flood, pest and disease outbreaks, etc. The impact of drought can be categorized into physical, economic and environmental. The present study was undertaken with the objectives viz., to analyse the nature and extent of drought in Palakkad district; to study the economic costs of drought on rice in the district; to determine the coping mechanism followed by farmers and recommended by extension functionaries to withstand drought. As per the study objectives, the rice growing farmers (100 no’s) were required to be selected from 5 panchayats. The panchayats were selected based on the area affected by drought. An equal number of farmers who did not suffer losses and suffer losses from drought were also selected randomly from each panchayat for the study purpose. Data were collected in line with the objectives using a pre-tested structured interview schedule. In this study, the main focus is on the meteorological drought. According to the Agriculture department, Palakkad district experienced meteorological drought situation during the year 2016-17. During 2016-17, Palakkad experienced a large reduction in the rainfall received and observed a higher atmospheric temperature. In 2016-17, Palakkad experienced extreme shortage of rainfall (1334.74 mm), which is less than the state average. The cost of cultivation was found that Rs. 54956 ha-1. Hired labour cost accounts for a major share in the total cost of production followed by machine charge, fertilizer and manure charge, seed charge and other expenses. It was found that the cost of cultivation was higher for small (Rs. 81443 ha-1) farmer compared to marginal (Rs. 51103 ha-1) and large (Rs. 44670 ha-1) farmer. Small farmers were suffered more financial loss due to drought. Around 49.09 per cent of yield reduction and 43.6 per cent of financial loss occurred. Regression analysis showed that the most significant variables which contributed to the yield were human labour and machine labour. Technical efficiency analysis showed that the input efficiency of drought affected farmers was lower than the unaffected farmers and was found as 51 per cent. This shows that the farmer has a scope for improving the use of inputs like, fertilizer, human labour and machine labour. Irrigation is the one of the most important coping strategy adopted by the farmer followed by using short duration varieties, adjusting the sowing time, insuring the farm against risk and reducing the usage of fertilizer. Thus, it can be concluded that the occurrence of drought, severely affected the farmers’ economic condition. It was found that the small farmers suffered most compared to marginal and large farmers in terms of financial loss.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Climate resilient product development from seaweeds kappaphycus alvarezii, gracilaria corticata and water hyacinth eichhornia crassipes
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2018) Shamiya Hasan; KAU; Zacharia, P U
    The work focuses on development of climate resilient products Biofuel and Biochar from Seaweeds and Water hyacinth as substrates. Compositional analysis including carbohydrate and cellulose content of Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria corticata and water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes were done followed by pretreatment, hydrolysis and fermentation. Pretreatment was done with a concentration of 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide at two varying pH (4, 11.5), for a duration of 24 h at room temperature. Structural characterisation using FTIR, XRD and SEM were done to assess the effect of pretreatment. Acid hydrolysis was performed on the pretreated substrates and reducing sugars were further estimated. Fermentation of the substrates was carried out using yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Bioethanol yield was estimated using HPLC analysis. The bioethanol content were detected in four samples (untreated G.corticata, G.corticata and E.crassipes treated at pH 4, and treated E. crassipes at pH 11.5). Further process optimization may provide optimum ethanol yield. Water hyacinth was converted into biochar in a muffle furnace in a pre-optimized condition of 300°C at 30 minute. The produced biochar was attempted for heavy metal remediation under lab conditions. The heavy metal analysis indicates efficacy of water hyacinth biochar in heavy metal removal. Additionally, phytoremediation of heavy metal was carried out using fresh rooted water hyacinth followed by analysis. The results indicates higher efficacy of water hyacinth in heavy metal removal from water. Implications of seaweed and water hyacinth based products have also been described through the work.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of heat stress on the expression patterns of different reproduction related genes in Malabari goats
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2018) Amitha, J Pai; KAU; Krishnan, G
    Heat stress is the major factor which negatively influences the reproductive performance of ruminant livestock. Although there are several reports which established the adverse impacts of heat stress on the reproductive performance of goats, studies pertaining to heat stress influence on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis associated genetic traits are very meagre. Therefore, the study was conducted with the primary objective of establishing the effect of heat stress on expression patters of different traits that controls Malabari goat reproduction. The study was conducted during 45 days using twelve 10 months to one year old Malabari goats. The goats were randomly allocated into two groups: MC (n=6; Malabari control) and MHS (n=6; Malabari heat stress). Goats were stall - fed with a diet composed of 60% roughage and 40% concentrate. All animals had access to ad-libitum feed and water and they were fed and watered individually. The MC goats were placed in the shaded pens while MHS goats were exposed to heat stress in outside environment between 10.00 h to 16.00 h. At the end of study period, all 12 animals were slaughtered and their uterus tissues were collected for gene expression and histopathological studies. The temperature humidity index (THI) inside shed (74.9) proved that the animals were not stressed while in the outside environment (86.5) the animal were extremely distressed. Heat stress significantly (P<0.05) influenced the expression patterns of estrogen receptor α (ESTRα), prostaglandin F2 α (PGF2α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Further, a strong positive correlation (P<0.01) was established for THI with both PGF2α and PGE2 gene expressions. However, heat stress did not influence the expression patterns of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and cyclooxyxgenase-2 (COX-2) genes. Further, the non-significant correlation of THI with FSHR, LHR and COX-2 could be attributed to the resilience capacity Malabari breed to heat stress. The histopathological section of uterine epithelial cells showed degenerative changes (P<0.05) with less differentiation in MHS group as compared to MC group. Therefore, the results obtained from the study on the establishment of heat stress associated changes on the expression patterns of the various HPG axis genes is the first of its king in domestic animals. The results from the study clearly indicated that heat stress was able to alter reproductive activity related gene expression at uterine level to reduce the reproductive efficiency in Malabari goats. The study also indicated that ESTRα, PGF2α and PGE2 genes could serve as ideal indicators of heat stress effect on reproductive performance in indigenous Malabari goats. Keywords: Climate change; ESTRAα; Heat stress; PGF2α; PGE2 Reproductive trait.