Thumbnail Image

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

20095
Reset filters
Subject: Fisheries × End date: 2009 × Start date: 2009 × Type: Thesis ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of cryoprotectant levels on storage stability of surimi from a tropical fish, Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch) and quality of surimi-based products
    (Department of Processing Technology, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2009) Parvathy, U; KAU; Sajan, George
    A study was undertaken with the aim of reducing the concentration of cryoprotectants in surimi without adversely affecting stability of the material during frozen storage. The concentration of sugar in commercially produced surimi is generally about 8% which may result in high sweetness in the products prepared. A tropical fish, Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch) was used as the raw material. Minced fish meat was strained, water leached, mixed with different levels (0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%) of sucrose-sorbitol mixture in 1:1 ratio, quick frozen at -35 oC and frozen stored at -20 oC. Water leaching resulted in a slight absorption of water by meat and reduction in protein, fat and mineral contents. Surimi was found to have a moderately white colour. Sensory evaluation studies were conducted on three products, viz., sausage, patty and cake, prepared using surimi containing different concentrations of sucrose-sorbitol mixture. Sugar content varying from 0% (control) to 4% in surimi resulted in products that were more acceptable to the taste panelists compared to those prepared using surimi with 6% and 8% sugar mixture. A slight sweetness in the product (2% to 4% sugar in surimi) was more preferred by the panelists than their respective controls prepared using surimi containing no sugar. Frozen storage studies were carried out at -20oC on surimi treated with various concentrations of sugar mixture as mentioned above for a period of five months. pH and total plate count remained nearly steady for all sugar concentrations and throughout the storage period indicating insignificant microbial activity. Moisture content appeared to remain constant during storage, but decreased with increase in sugar concentration probably on account of addition of the sugar mixture. The salt soluble nitrogen content of surimi and gel strength of sausage prepared from it decreased with storage period in all surimi samples, and increased with sugar concentration, while expressible water content of the sausage showed an increasing trend with storage period and a decreasing trend with cryoprotectant concentration. These indicate a greater extent of protein denaturation occurring at low concentration of surimi samples. Sensory evaluation parameters - elasticity, sweetness and preference - remained more or less steady during storage. However, elasticity of sausage prepared from surimi with no cryoprotectant (control) and with 2% sugar level showed a decreasing trend with storage. Elasticity and sweetness increased while preference decreased with cryoprotectant concentration. Elasticity and gel strength seemed to be much lower for control (1.7 and 783.71 g.cm, respectively) compared to even the lowest concentration of sugar (2%) used (2.6 and 886.9 g.cm, respectively). From the study it may be concluded that a concentration of 2 to 4% sucrose-sorbitol mixture is well accepted by the consumers in products such as surimi sausage, patty and cake. At this range of concentration, surimi can be well-preserved in frozen condition at -20oC for at least five months.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Ecology of mangrove patches in the Vembanad lake at Panangad
    (Department of Fishery Hydrography, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2009) Sukam, Monalisha devi; KAU; Raman, N N
    The present study was carried out in mangrove area and backwater connected to the backwater through a sluice gate where mangrove patches are present. The study was undertaken in order to identify the floral composition, fishes, prawns, crabs and molluscs found in the area. The seasonal changes of hydrographical parameters like DO, pH, water temperature, alkalinity, salinity, primary productivity, silicate-silicon, phosphate-phosphorus, nitrite-nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen and the sediment characteristics like sediment pH, total organic carbon, sediment texture were also studied. The mangrove species found in the study area were identified. Water temperature was minimum during south-west monsoon and maximum was during pre-monsoon. Average water temperature was lesser in mangrove area. Negative correlation was found between dissolved oxygen and all the nutrients. Through out the study period pH was alkaline. pH increased with increase in salinity and alkalinity. Dissolved oxygen was high during monsoon when compared with pre-monsoon period. It decreased with increased in salinity. Maximum salinity recorded during pre-monsoon when there was less freshwater intrusion. Average salinity was higher in backwater. Salinity showed negative correlation with all the nutrients. Alkalinity minimum value was observed during south-west monsoon it increases in post-monsoon and attained maximum during pre-monsoon. Alkalinity is higher in mangrove area. Primary productivity was maximum when light intensity was maximum. Average concentration of nutrients was higher in mangrove area. Maximum concentration was seen when inflow of freshwater was more. Sediment pH was minimum during pre-monsoon. Average sediment pH was lower in mangrove area than to backwater. Average Total organic carbon was maximum during post-monsoon in mangrove area and backwater. Sediment texture showed that substratum was silty sand in both the stations. When sand percentage increased total organic carbon was lowered. t-Test was done to compare significant difference between mangrove area and backwater. It showed that there was no significant difference with any of the hydrographical parameters between the two stations except primary productivity. ANOVA was conducted separately for two stations to compare significant difference between three seasons- monsoon, post-monsoon and pre-monsoon. In mangrove area pH and dissolved oxygen did not showed significant seasonal difference. In backwater water temperature, phosphate and nitrite did not show any seasonal difference. Dominant mangrove plants include Rhizophora mucronata, Brugiuera gymnorhiza, Brugiuera cylindrica, Avicennia officinalis, Acrostichum aureum, Acanthus ilicifolius. Prawns and crabs were abundant. Among prawns Fenneropenaeus indicus was caught through out the study period. Among crabs Scylla serrata and Uca spp. were commonly found. Balanus, Lamellidens sp., Villorita sp. were also seen in the study area. 30 species of fishes were identified from the study area and major contribution was by fishes belonging to the Order Perciformes. Mostly juveniles contributed to the fish catch.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Structure and the seasonal changes of the macrobenthic community in relation to the hydrography of a prawn filtration pond
    (Department of Fishery Hydrography, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2009) Jayasree, P S; KAU; Raman, N N
    Present study was carried out in the prawn filtration pond of the College of Fisheries adjacent to Cochin backwater to find out the seasonal variation of macrobenthos and to correlate them with the seasonal variation in hydrographical parameters and sedimentary characteristics of the pond. Fortnightly samples for hydrographical parameters, sedimentary characteristics and biological studies were collected during the period from October 2007 to September 2008. Hydrographical parameters like salinity, water temperature, turbidity, pH, total alkalinity, hardness, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, primary production, chlorophyll – a and transparency were observed. Polychaetes, tanaids, amphipods, bivalves and gastropods were the benthic groups obtained. Prawn juveniles and cumaceans encountered very rarely, during the study period were grouped as ‘others’. Among these gastropods, tanaids and polychaetes were the dominant forms. In the culture field, benthic populations were maxi mum during post monsoon months and showed a decreasing trend during pre monsoon and with the onset of monsoon it further decreased. Gastropods were the most dominant group observed during pre monsoon, forming 80% of total macrobenthos. Tanaids were the second major group and they were the dominant group during the post monsoon period forming 54% of total macrobenthos. Polychaetes were the third major group and constituted 35% of total macrobenthos during monsoon season and they were the second maximum during that period. In the culture field benthic abundance was found to be mainly influenced by substratum characteristics. Among the different hydrographical parameters studied for seasonal variation, water temperature, pH, primary production and chlorophyll were found to be significantly different. Among the sedimentary characteristics studied for seasonal variation, sediment pH was found to be significantly different.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of hydrographical parameters on the composition and seasonal variation of the plankton population in a prawn filtration pond
    (Department of Fishery Hydrography, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2009) Maya, Ramachandran; KAU; Raman, N N
    The present study was carried out in the prawn filtration pond located in the campus to study the influence of hydrographical parameters on the plankton population. Fortnightly samples were collected for the analysis of hydrographical parameters like salinity, water temperature, turbidity, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, nitrate, phosphate, nitrite, silicate and dissolved oxygen. Samples for biological parameters like primary production, chlorophyll, phytoplankton and zooplankton also were collected fortnightly. Salinity increased with increase in alkalinity, hardness and pH. Highest average for salinity and pH occurred in postmonsoon. The peak temperatures were recorded during premonsoon which started showing declining trend with the onset of monsoon. But turbidity was highest during southwest monsoon due to runoff and churning up of the pond bottom due to low depth. Alkalinity and hardness showed correlation with pH indicating the presence of calcium and magnesium. Nutrients were effectively recycled in the pond due to shallow depth. This resulted in the absence of significant variation between postmonsoon and premonsoon. Throughout the study period due to the perennial nature of the pond and high primary production, dissolved oxygen values were high. Primary production values were high in premonsoon due to high light intensity and effective nutrient recycling. Chlorophyll and salinity showed correlation and might be due to the presence of euryhaline phytoplanktons in the pond. Total phytoplankton count was high in monsoon. The total zooplankton was limited in quantity and quality. The total zooplankton was maximum in premonsoon months. But no decrease was seen during monsoon. Major groups encountered were copepods, crustacean larvae, tintinids, nematodes, rotifers and veliger larvae. Copepods dominated the zooplankton and maximum number was collected during southwest monsoon. Crustacean larvae occupied the second position and were present in all the three seasons. Tintinids and nematodes were observed in high saline period and their number decreased with decrease in salinity. Rotifers were recorded during low saline period only. Veliger larvae were recorded during December, January and February. Total zooplankton did not show any significant correlation with hydrographical parameters except temperature and pH.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Study on oogenesis and ovarian maturation in Puntius pookodensis Anna Mercy and Eapen Jacob
    (College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2009) Seena, Augustine; KAU; Jose, T M
    Puntius pookodensis is a newly identified species of Puntius from Pookode Lake, Wayanad, Kerala, which is an indigenous ornamental fish endemic to the Western Ghats of India. A total number of 112 specimens (77 females and 35 males of size ranging from 20mm to 60mm TL) collected during the period of 2007 were used for the present study of different aspects of breeding biology. They were collected from the Pookode Lake at Wayanad and the distinguishing characters based on external morphology and colour were studied. The gonads were quantified into 6 maturity stages based on external morphology. (Immature virgin, maturing virgin, early ripening, late ripening, ripe and partially spent.). Studies on oocyte distribution of the 6 stages of maturity were done to understand the ova maturation in the ovary. Ovaries show asynchronous development. The oocyte development was classified into 9 oogenic stages. The first mature male fishes appeared in the 25-30 mm (TL) group and the first mature females appeared in the group of 30-35 mm. All male fishes were mature on reaching a total length of 40 mm and all female fishes on reaching a length of 45 mm total length. The size at first maturity for males was 32.5 mm TL (30-35 mm) and 38.5 mm TL for females (35-40 mm). From the ova diameter frequency distribution of a ripe ovary Puntius pookodensis was found to be a multiple spawner with a protracted spawning with the individual spawning intermittently. Absolute fecundity of the fish ranged from 426 to 823 in fishes of size range 35 to 57mm TL and 0.555 to 2.267 gm body weight. The number and size of eggs were found to be directly proportional to t size and age of the fish. Fecundity showed a positive linear relationship with the length of fish, weight of fish and ovary weight. A complete knowledge on reproductive biology will definitely help in the commercial production and selective breeding under captive condition for the domestic and export market of the indigenous ornamental fish and also conserve the germplasm.