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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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Subject: Others × Author: Divya, V S × End date: 2011 × Start date: 2000 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the ameliorative effect of vitamin E on paraquat toxicity in rats
    (Centre for Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2010) Divya, V S; Vijayan, N
    The present study entitled ‘Studies on the ameliorative effect of vitamin E on paraquat toxicity in rats’ was undertaken by administering the animals with paraquat dichloride and vitamin E for a period of 28 days. The weekly body weights, clinical signs, haematology and biochemical parameters were analysed. Of the twelve animals in each group, six animals were sacrificed at the end of second week and remaining at the end of forth week. The gross pathology and histopathology of various organs were studied. The oxidative damage of the lungs and kidneys was assessed by the estimation of lipid peroxides and reduced glutathione. None of the animals in the experimental groups revealed any clinical signs of toxicity except for one rat each from paraquat alone treated group and paraquat plus vitamin E treated group which became weak towards the end of experiment. Although, all the groups showed a gradual increase in body weight, those animals treated with paraquat alone and those with paraquat and vitamin E showed a reduced weight gain when compared with the control group. The AST, ALT, ALP and creatinine values showed a significant increase in treatment groups compared to the control. In vitamin E treated group, a slight decrease was noticed in these biochemical parameters. Hb and PCV values showed a significant decrease and the total leukocyte count showed a significant increase in treatment groups when compared to control group. There was no variation in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and differential leukocyte count. In vitamin E treated group, a slight increase in Hb and PCV values were noticed. There was an increase in the lipid peroxides and concurrent reduction in the glutathione in the lung and kidney homogenate which indicated oxidative damage. Gross lesions were almost similar in both treatment groups. The congestive changes were noticed in lungs, kidneys and liver. The histopathological changes noticed in paraquat alone treated group were congestion, haemorrhage, focal areas of necrosis with proliferation of fibroblasts in the lungs, thickening of the interalveolar septa. The bronchi revealed desquamation of proliferated epithelium. Degenerative changes in the renal tubules, focal necrotic changes in the liver and varying degrees of degenerative changes in the heart, stomach, intestine and brain were the other lesions noticed. These lesions became more intensified in animals treated for four weeks. In vitamin E treated group, a slight reduction in the intensity of lesion was noticed. The bronchial epithelium was intact. Mild proliferation of fibroblasts and congestive changes were also noticed in the lungs. Focal necrotic changes were noticed in the kidneys and liver. Mild degenerative changes were noticed in the heart and intestine. The study revealed that the vitamin E is not completely suitable for management of the renal and pulmonary disorders in subacute paraquat toxicity in rats.