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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of depuration on the meat quality of the marine clam Sunetta scripta (Linne)
    (Department of Processing Technology, College of Fisheries,Panangad, 1998) Nishi Dharan, S; Damodaran Nambudiri, D
    Sunetta Scripta harvested from Munabam area were subjected to depuration studies to find out whether purging had any effect on the meat quality of the clam. Result of biochemical analysis shows that the clam is a good source of various nutrients. Meat yield of clam was found to be 9.5%. Pathogenic bacteria was absent except E. coli ,. which is within the permissible limits. Depuration of clam did not significantly change the protein and glycogen content. But sand content was reduced to insignificant level within 24 hr depuration. When clams were exposed to a concentration of 109 ceUS/ml of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, there was progressive accumulation of the micro-organism and it accumulated on an average of 2.6xl05 cells/g within 6 hrs exposure. Though accumulated organism was not completely eliminated from the clams during purification in a laboratory depuration unit using U. V for sterilising the water, the number had reduced to more than 1000 fold during 48 hrs depuration. There was remarkable change in the sensory attributes and grittiness character of the clam after depuration
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nephroprotective effect of Aerva Lanata (Cherula) and Boerrhavia Diffusa (* Thazhuthama) in rats
    (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,mannuthy, 2003) Fakrudeen Ali Ahamed, N; Venugopalan, K
    An experiment was conducted to assess the nephroprotective effect of Aerva lanata (Cherula) and Boerrhavia diffusa (Thazhuthama) against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in rats. A group of 48 adult albino rats weighing 150-250 g of either sex were include in six groups and each group consisting of eight rats. All the experimental groups except. saline control (G I) were given gentamicin sulphate (80 mglkg/day subcutaneously) for 12 days. After 12 days, the experimental groups (G3, G4, G5 and G6) were given two selected doses [(G3 and G5 - 250 rng/kgjand (G4 and G6 - 500 mg/kg)] of dried alcoholic extract of Aerva lanata and Boerrhavia difJusa orally, for a period of another 21 days respectively. Feed intake and body weight was reduced in gentamicin administered groups (G2, G3, G4, G5 and G6) at I ih day and it was reverted to normal at 33rd day (G3, G4, G5 and G6). . Elevated blood urea nitrogen (1 ih day) was reverted to normal at 26th day in Aerva lanata @ 250 and -500 mg/kg (G3 and G4) and at 33rd day in Boerrhavia diffusa @ 250 and 500 mg/kg (G5 and G6) respectively. Microscopical examination of urine at 33rd day, revealed the initiation of regeneration of renal epithelium. The severity of gross and microscopical lesions of kidney observed at 12th day was minimized at 33rd day, indicate the nephroprotective effect of Aerva lanata and Boerrhavia diffusa. The change in haemogram at I z" day (reduced total leukocyte count, neutrophil count and increased Iymphocyte count) was reverted to normal in all the groups at 33rd day. Hence the study confirmed that Aerva lanata and Boerrhavia diffusa posses nephroprotective action and it could be used as nephroprotective agents .
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Anti-ulcer activity of Ocimum sanctum (Thuiasi ) Musa (AAb Group,Nendran) and Withania somnifera(Amukkiram) in rats
    (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,mannuthy, 1998) Sanjay, D; KAU; Venugopalan, K
    The study was~conducted in adult albino rats of either sex to assess the comparative anti-ulcer effect of powder and alcoholic extract of Ocimum sanctum (leaves), Musa (AAB group, "Nendran", mature, unripe fruit) and Withania somnifera (root) with Famotidine, at different dose levels given orally for 10 days and, 20 days after induction of gastric ulcers with aspririn at the dose rate of 200 mg/kg body weight for 7 days orally. The doses of different plant preparation were fixed arbitarily (Table 1) . Table 1. Doses of oc imum sanct um leaves, Musa (AAB group •. Nendran" ) mature and unripe fruit, withania somnifera root and Famotidine (in mg/kg orally) were fixed as below Plants Alcoholic extracts 10 dayo treatment 20 days treatment Powder 10 days treatment . 20 days treatment Ocimum sanctum G( 1) G(2) G(3) G(4 ) G(5) G(6) G(7) G(8) 250 500 250 500 500 1000 500 1000 Nusa (MS group G(9) 0(10) G( 11) (3(12) G( 13) G( 14) G(15) G( 16) Nendran) 500 1000 500 1000 1000 2000 1000 2000 Withania G(l7 ) G(18) G( 19) G(20) G(21) G(22) G(23) G(24 ) somnifera 250 500 250 500 500 1000 500 1000 Famotidine 10 days treatment F(10) 20 days treatment F(20) 40 mg/kg p.o 40 mg/kg p.o Control group A (CG(A) I - Aspirin treated controls (200 mg/kg b.wt) Control group B (CG(B) I - Natural healing for 10 days Control group C (CG(C) I - Natural healing for 20 days Control group A [CG(A)] was given aspirin at the dose rate of 200 mg/kg body weight for 7 days and on the 8th day, the rats were sacrificed and number of ulcers and severity (ulcer score) were determined with the help of magnifying lens. 11 The ulcer index and healing index were calculated based on the formulae: Ulcer index = Number of ulcers + Ulcer + score % incidence Number of animal Ulcer index (control) CG(A) Healing index Ulcer index (control) CG(A) Ulcer index (drug) x 100 The control group B [CG(B)] and control group C [CG(C)] were administered aspirin orally for 7 days and they were maintained by normal feeding and watering without any treatment for 10 days and 20 days respectively to assess natural healing. Famotidine was taken as standard drug and given orally at the dose rate of 40 mg/kg body weight for 10 days and 20 days respectively. The anti-ulcer activity of plants under study was compared with Famotidine . . Haematological parameters such a erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, differential count and haemoglobin count were decermined to assess any changes in the haemogram. Histopathological study was also conducted to evaluate the severity of ulceration and healing process. The result of the present study with O. sanctum leaf powder and alcoholic extract showed that none of the experimental groups produced statistically significant healing effects comparable to Famotidine groups. Observation with Musa (AAB group, "Nendran") unripe fruit powder and alcoholic extract have indicated that all experimental group under study with the plant have better healing effect than control group for 10 days. The alcoholic extract of Musa (AAB group, "Nendran") at the dose rate of 1000 mg/kg body weight for 10 days, 500 mg/kg body weight for 20 days and 1000 mg/kg body weight for 20 days produced healing comparable to Famotidine at the dose rate of 40 mg/kg body weight for 10 days and 20 days respectively. The result of healing obtained with W. somnifera root indicate that alcoholic extracts at the dose rate of 250 mg/kg body weight for 20 days and 500 mg/kg body weight for 20 days and powder at the dose rate of 1000 mg/kg body weight for 20 days are comparable with Famotidine groups administered for 10 days and 20 days respectively. All other experimental group under study with this plant produced healing comparable to Famotidine administered for 10 days. Haematological study revealed no significant change and all values fall within the normal range of blood value for the species under study. Histopathological study revealed various ulcer lesions and healing process.