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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 Studies on temporal and spatial variations of circulation and hydrographic characteristics of Panangad region of the Vembanad Lake(Department of Fishery Hydrography, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2003) Vijayakumar, C T; KAU; Varna, K KThe objective of the study was to find the seasonal and spatial variations of different hydrographical factors of the Vcmbanad Lake around Panangad region and compare the situation with that of the other parts of the lake. Salinity, temperature, current velocity and direction, dissolved oxygen, primary production and nutrients like phosphate, nitrite and nitrate were the parameters studied. For this monthly observations of these factors were made from nine stations located in and around Panangad region of Vembanad Lake. Beside this tidal cycle observations were carried out from two stations to study the tidal variation of the factors. S.T.D. meter was used to measure salinity, and temperature and a current meter for the current measurements. Water samples from surface and sub surfaces were collected with a clean bucket and a Van Dorn bottle. The estimation of dissolved oxygen, primary production and nutrients were done by standard methods. Marked seasonal fluctuation was noticed in the temperature of different stations. Annual variation showed two maxima. The temperature was minimum during southwest monsoon and maximum during pre monsoon months. In general, the vertical thermal stratification was small. The salinity exhibited marked seasonal fluctuation and generally the monsoon months recorded very low salinity values. After that there was an increase, reaching the maximum in pre monsoon months. Some vertical stratification was noticed during certain months. The Dissolved oxygen values were low during pre monsoon months and the content was more at surface than at the bottom layers. There was high seasonal fluctuation In the phosphate concentration. It showed high concentration during pre monsoon period. Generally bottom layers showed higher phosphate concentration than the surface layers. In the case of nitrite high values were observed durin 118 the monsoon and low values during dry season. Nitrate concentration also showed seasonal variation and high values were observed during the monsoon and low values during pre monsoon. The nutrient concentration was more in the inner smaller arms of the study area, in general. These inner arms were vertically homogenous also possibly due to higher mixing generated by the friction of the sides. In the tidal cycle observations it is found that salinity showed an increase during flood tide and decrease during ebb tide. At both stations considerable reduction in flood current speed was observed during post monsoon, compared to pre monsoon. During pre-rnonsoon a comparatively well mixed condition was prevailed. Post monsoon observations indicated very clear salinity stratification. This was due to the effect of freshwater discharge, which continued during this season though at reduced rate compared to monsoon season. It is found that the tidal effect on temperature was not well marked. It can be seen that different hydrographic factors of Panangad region of the Vembanad Lake exhibited much seasonal and spatial variations and the trend was in general, same to that shown by other parts of the lake.ThesisItem Open Access Community changes in zooplankton and macrobenthos of a prawn culture field in relation to hydrographical conditions(Department of Fishery Hydrography, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2003) Shreeram Sudheer, Gubba; KAU; Cherian, C JThe present study was carried out in the prawn filtration field of the College of Fisheries at Panangad adjacent to the Cochin backwater system to find out the faunal variations of zooplankton and macrobenthos and to correlate them with the variations in hydro graphic conditions and compare the results with those obtained from the observations in the adjacent lake. Monthly samples for hydro graphical and biological studies were collected during the period from November 2002 to July 2003 from the culture field and adjacent backwater. Hydrographical features like temperature, salinity, transparency, pH, total alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate-N, phosphate-P, silicate-Si were observed. Crustacean larvae, copepods, tintinnids, nematodes, rotifers and veliger larvae of molluscs were the zooplankton groups obtained in the present study. Crustacean larvae and copepods were the dominant groups in both places and were found during all the months whereas tintinnids and nematodes were observed during saline period and their number decreased with decreasing salinity. Rotifers were recorded during low saline period only. Veliger larvae were recorded during December and February in the culture field, whereas, they were not present in the samples form the adjacent backwater. Statistical analysis for the influence of hydrographical parameters on the zooplankton showed that none of these had significant influence independently and the variations in the zooplankton abundance may be due to the combined effect of all these factors. Even though the seasonal changes in the total zooplankton were not pronounced the per cent composition of different groups showed fluctuation. Tanaidaceans, gastropods, polychaetes, amphipods, bivalves, isopods and chironomid larvae were the benthic groups obtained. Among these 112250 124 gastropods, tanaidaceans and polychaetes were the dominant forms. In the culture field benthic populations were maximum during the post-monsoon months and a showed a decreasing trend during pre-monsoon. With the onset of the monsoon they showed an increasing trend. In the backwater high benthic abundance was observed during January and February when high salinity prevailed and gradually decreased from March onwards reaching the minimum in July. In the culture field benthic abundance was mainly influenced by substratum characteristics and pH, whereas in the adjacent backwater salinity also played a role. The area of the present study is away from the barmouth and the nutrient levels especially phosphate is low in the culture field. This may be limiting the primary productivity of the area leading to low secondary production in terms of zooplankton and macrobenthos in the culture field. The high pH noticed in the culture field may be another reason for the low productivity.ThesisItem Open Access Development of Malaysian Type Fish Crackers From Nemipterus Japonicus (BLOCH)(Department of Processing Technology,College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2001) Venugopal, Dubakula; KAU; Sajan, GeorgeA study was undertaken for the preparation of fish crackers using a low cost fish, threadfm bream (Nemipterus japonicus, Bloch). A method was standardised for making crackers based on that generally followed in Malaysia. Fish meat was mixed with various food additives such as starch, salt, sugar, monosodium glutamate, colour and water, and stuffed into high-density polyethylene casings as rolls, cooked, cooled, sliced and dried.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the electrophoretic pattern of Fish/ Shellfish proteins subjected to frozen storage(Department of Processing Technology,College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2000) Bomy, Chummar; KAU; Nambudiri, D DFreezing considered as an excellent process for preserving the quality of fish for longer periods. But freezing may affect various flesh components, especially the proteins. Sarcoplasmic proteins play a major role in species identification of fish and fishery products. While myofibrillar proteins play a major role in the jellying properties of surimi and surimi based products. The changes to these groups of proteins due to freezing and frozen storage have received much attention. Four species Megalaspis cordyla, Labeo rohita, Penaeus indicus and Parapenaeopsis styli/era were used for the frozen storage study. Samples were stored for 90 days at -18°C and samples were collected at 15 day. intervals and Salt Soluble Nitrogen (SSN), Water Soluble Nitrogen (WSN) and Non-Protein Nitrogen (NPN) content were determined. Electrophoretic pattern of both Salt Soluble Proteins (SSP) and Water Soluble Proteins (WSP) of frozen stored sample were compared with that of the fresh sample.ThesisItem Open Access Infestation of isopode parasites on prawns of the genus Macrobrachium Bate (Palaemonidae) of Cochin region(Department of Fishery Biology, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2004) Regina Jasmine, M; KAU; Jayachandran, K VThe major objective of the research work is to study the taxonomy, species diversity, host specificity, intensity of infestation, length - weight relationship and reproductive biology of bopyrid parasite infesting the genus Macrobrachium Bate, 1868 of the Cochin region. Collections were taken from 3 stations Perumbavoor (Periyar River) and Panangad (Vembanad lake) for a period of 13 months (July 2002 to July 2003) and Champakkara (Vembanad lake) for a period of one year (October 2003 to September 2004). The study revealed that of the five species of Macrobrachium inhabiting water bodies of Cochin region, only two species were found infested with bopyrids. Macrobrachium idella was infested with Palaegyge alcocki whereas M. scabriculum with a new variety, P. alcocki var. novo cochinensis. This shows that bopyrid infestation is species specific. Diagnostic characters of both the parasite species are given in the text. Regarding the intensity of infestation, prawns from the Perumbavoor region of Periyar River had maximum infestation in comparison with other regions (Panangad and Champakkara). The infestation during different months also revealed the same trend. It indicates that infestation is more at the freshwater region than at the estuarine region. Relationships between length and weight of infested M. idella, P. alcocki separated from the host, total length of host and parasite, total length of male and female parasite, carapace length of the host and total length of male as well as female parasite are all statistically significant. . The study has brought out the ways of association of male and female parasites as well as attachment of female parasite to the host. Mature female parasite has been distinguished from the immature. Fecundity studies revealed that the number of eggs produced by the parasite ranges from 8148 (1 cm total length, 0.9 cm total width, 0.12 g total weight) to 29,683 (1.2 cm total length, 1.0 cm total width, 0.168 g total weight). Number of ova per milligram body weight ranged from 67.9 to 185.518 (126.709 average). Relationships between fecundity and total length, total weight, total width and total weight of brood of the parasite are all significant. The chapter on reproductive biology reveals important observations on marsupial brooding, ovulation, embryonic development and incubation, hatching and epicaridea stage of P. alcocki. The last chapter is on the effect of parasitism on the host. Here the aggressive behaviour of infested host, parasitic castration, degeneration of gills and secondary infections are dealt with in some detail.ThesisItem Open Access Temporal changes in the weather elements at Panangad region and their influence on the hydrography of a pond(Department of Fishery Hydrography, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2004) Pronob Das; KAU; Raman, N NThe present study was undertaken with a view to finding out the seasonal and diurnal changes of weather elements at Panangad region, seasonal and diurnal changes in the hydrographic parameters of a freshwater pond and finally to understand the possible influence of weather elements on hydrographic conditions of a pond during the four seasons viz. southwest monsoon season (June-September), post monsoon season (October-November), northeast monsoon season (December-February) and pre monsoon season (March-April) at the College of fisheries, Panangad, Cochin. Meteorological data were collected at 03 UTC (0830 IST) and 12 UTC (1730 IST) daily during the period from June 2003 to April 2004. Water samples were collected from a pond every fortnightly to analyse hydrographical parameters. To study the diurnal variation, 24-hour observation were taken at an interval of 3 hrs, once for each season. Meteorological observation includes air temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, total rainfall, relative humidity, cloudiness, wind speed and direction. Hydrographic parameters like water temperature, pH, transparency, water level, total alkalinity, primary productivity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicate were estimated. There was a considerable seasonal variation in water qualities. The surface temperature closely followed the air temperature and exhibits a clear double oscillation. Low pH values confined to the southwest monsoon period were due to heavy rainfall. pH showed a positive relation with air temperature. At higher temperature evaporation was more and water level decreased, which leads to the higher concentration of plankton bloom and low level of transparency. Presence of nutrient elements in optimum concentration and there by production of phytoplankton and algal bloom may be the possible reason for the high productivity during the northeast and pre monsoon periods. The low values of primary production during southwest monsoon period (June to September) and in October might be due to cloudy conditions before and during the sampling, which reduced light intensity, and along with incessant rains cut down production. The high concentration of alkalinity during pre monsoon may be due to decrease in water level due to evaporation. The effect of rainfall in decreasing bicarbonates is well known. Dissolved oxygen was at the highest level in ponds during colder months and was due to low temperature and intense photosynthetic activities. Subsequent fall of dissolved oxygen in pre monsoon period is attributed to the death and decay of plankton and presence of other organic matter. The plankton population in the pond was highest during the month of December/January to April, coinciding with the higher concentration of alkalinity and nutrients. Diurnal variations in water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity and primary productivity were well marked. Among nutrients phosphate, nitrate and nitrite did not show any specific pattern, where as silicate concentration showed well-marked short-term variation in all seasons. Weather elements showed significant relationship with many hydrographical parameters and the variations might be due to the combined effects of all those factors. The influence may be direct or indirect. Among the weather elements the influence of air temperature and rainfall was most prominent. The seasonal and diurnal changes in weather elements were equally important for the changes in hydrographical parameters. Shallow water bodies quickly react to the changes in weather elements.ThesisItem Open Access Quality and shelf life of fillets and cubes of a marine perch (Lethrinus lentjan (Lacepede,1802)) smoked by a mechanical smoker(Department of Processing Technology, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2004) Sindhu, S; KAU; Krishnakumar, SA study was undertaken for the preparation of cubes and fillets from a marine perch King emperor or Pig face bream (Lethrinus lentjan, (Lacepede), 1802)). A method was standardised for preparation of smoked cubes and fillets. The parameters standardised were brining conditions, draining conditions, pre-drying conditions, smoking temperature and smoking time. The various brining conditions studied were brine concentrations of 10 %, 15 % and 20 % for brining times 15 min, 30 min and 45 min each. The various draining conditions studied were draining at room temperature and refrigerated conditions for periods of 15 min, 30 nun and 45 min. The pre drying conditions studied were pre-drying in tray drier and smoking kiln at 500e for 15 min, 30 min and 60 min. The smoking conditions studied were smoking at temperatures of so'c, 90oe, 1 oo'r: for 1 hr, 2 hrs and 3 hrs each. Salt content, moisture content and phenol content of the samples were analysed based on parameters studied in addition to sensory evaluation. Based on the test results the following treatments were selected viz., brine concentration of 10 % and brining time 15 min, draining under refrigerated condition for 30 min, pre-drying in tray drier for 30 min at 500e and smoking temperature of 800e for a period of 3 hrs. Smoked cubes and fillets were prepared using the standardised procedure and subjected to storage studies for a period of four months under different packing conditions viz., (i) smoked cubes and fillets packed in PE bags (ii) smoked cubes and fillets dried at 500e for 1 hr and then packed in PE bags and (iii) smoked tubes and fillets dried at 500e for I hr and then packed in paper bags. Quality changes during the storage period were monitored 15 days time intervals for parameters viz., moisture content, per cent free fatty acids, thio barbituric acid value, total plate count, total fungal count and sensory evaluation. Samples packed in paper bags remained acceptable only up to 60 days of storage and samples packed in PE bags were acceptable upto 90 days of storage.ThesisItem Open Access Individual and combined lethal toxicity of pesticide combination on the juveniles of Rohu Labeo Rohita (HAM)(Department of Fishery Biology, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2003) Vinita P, Nair; KAU; Rajasekharan Nair, JIn the natural aquatic ecosystems, fishes are exposed to more than one biocide or contaminant at a given time. In the present study an attempt is made to understand the individual and combined toxicity of the common biocides- malathion, methyl parathion, endosulfan and 2,4- D on the juveniles of rohu (Labeo rohita) under laboratory conditions. The 48-h LCso values were computed based on the probit analysis method of Finney (1971). The 48-h LCso value of malathion was 7.89 mg.l" (7.28 to 8.61); methyl parathion was 7.34 mg.l" (7.25 to 7.43); endosulfan was 0.0036 mg.l" (0.0025 to 0.0047) and 2,4-D was 962.43 rng.l" (954.02 to 970.81). The 'additive index' values and 'magnification factors' for the combined toxicity were calculated for the different pesticide pairs based on the method of Marking (1977). For 2,4-D-malathion it was -0.018 (-0.09 to 0.50) and xO.98 (0.91 to 1.05) respectively; for 2,4-D-methyl parathion it was 0.218 (-0.02 to 0.40) and x1.22 (0.98 to 1.40) respectively; for 2,4-D-endosulfan it was -0.073 (- 0.40 to 0.16) and xO.93 (0.60 to 1.16) respectively; for malathion-methyl parathion it was 0.24 (0.021 to 0.53) and x1.24 (1.0214 to 1.53) respectively and [or malathion-endosulfan it was 1.648 (0.74 to 2.93) and x2.65 (1.74 to 3.98) respectively. Individually it is found that 2,4-D (chlorophenoxy herbicide) is 'moderately toxic', malathion and methyl parathion (organophosphate insecticides) are 'toxic' and endosulfan (organochlorine insecticide) is 'very toxic' to juveniles of rohu under t ' stc£c with renewal 48-h LCso test. But the 'strictly additive' nature of the insecticide-weedicide combinations and the 'more than additive' nature of the insecticide pairs coupled with the sequential or even simultaneous application of these chemicals in the paddy fields and plantations increase the potential [or pollution of these pesticides in the freshwater and coastal ecosystem of the State. Chronic combined sublethal toxicity 81 studies under tropical condition would throw more light on these aspects.ThesisItem Open Access Role of putative male pheromoneiIn the ovarin maturation of the fresh water prawn Macrobrachium Idella (Hilgendorf)(Department of Fishery Biology, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2001) Patil Chandrakant, Sitaram; KAU; Jose, T MSex pheromones are reported to be present in many crustaceans which mostly have releaser effect on sexual behaviour. The discovery of a male (primer) pheromone with stimulatory effect on ovarian maturation and ovulation has added an important external factor to the basic mechanisms regulating reproduction in fresh water prawns. But studies in these lines are very few in the economically important species of Macrobrachium. Knowledge about this male pheromone will be useful to help or potentiate reproduction and/or extend the breeding period of freshwater prawns, which are of great aquacuItural importance. The present study was carried out in the slender nver prawn, Macrobrachium idella. Seven ovarian maturity stages have been distinguished here. Histological studies of the maturing oocytes helped to understand the changes taking place during oocyte growth and maturation through the progressive maturity stages. Yolk vesicles start appearing in the cytoplasm of oocyte in maturity stage II which is the beginning of vitellogeneis (vitellogenesis I). In stage IV, yolk platelet synthesis starts and 'a peripheral layer of yolk platelets appear in this stage. Later these yolk platelets completely fill the ooplasm through stages V and VI when the ova increase in size enormously. Gonado- somatic index (ovarian index) of different maturity stages was determined and was found useful to differentiate especially the late maturity stages. Ova diameter studies along with the other observations showed a clear picture of protracted multiple spawning in this species with batches of ova undergoing maturation and ovulation in successive maturation cycles. When the females were reared in isolated condition, their ovarian growth was found to be arrested at early stage IV. This restriction of ovarian maturation was found mostly in the second maturation (gonadal) cycle after isolation. But those isolated females which had a common water circulation with males showed normal ovarian maturation and ovulation. Therefore, it can be concluded that a male pheromone exists in this species which is essential for normal ovarian growth and maturation. Another experiment was conducted to find out the tissue source of this putative male pheromone. When these isolated females were exposed to extracts of testis, vas deferens or muscle, both testis and vas deferens extracts were found to stimulate the ovarian maturation and ovulation in isolated females, while the muscle extract (control) was ineffective. This shows that in M idella, the male pheromone is produced by testis and vas deferens or it is produced by testis and transported to vas deferens. Further experiment showed that charcoal extraction destroys the pheromonal activity in testis and vas deferens extract while boiling has no such effect which indicates that the ovary stimulating pehromone in M idella may be a steroidal molecule as reported in some fishes.