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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 Capon Production(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1986) Jyotirmoy, Chakraborty; KAU; Sabarinathan Nair, RThe thesis incorporates the results of a feasibility study on economic utilization of Austra-White and White Leghorn surplus cockerels for capon production in the existing Indian conditions. Production performances of surgically caponized Austra-White and White Leghorn males were compared with their respective intacts at three stages, namely, 20th 24th and 28th week of age. A total number of 192 cockerels were involved in the study. Each treatment group comprised 12 birds and replicated four times. Caponization was carried out at 8 weeks of age. The production straits evaluated were body weight gain, feed efficiency, processing losses and yield, percentage ‘slips’, taste panel evaluation, proximate composition of meat and economics of production. Recordings of thermal data, weekly body weight and weekly feed consumption were made. At the 20th 24th and 28th weeks 16 birds randomly selected from each group were subjected to slaughter studies. The results indicated significantly (p<0.05) higher body weight gain for the capons over intact controls at 20 weeks. Austra-White capons were significantly (p<0.05) higher gain at the 24th week but White Leghorn capons did not differ significantly from their intacts at this stage. Capons and intacts did not differ significantly at 28 weeks of age. Feed efficiency was significantly (p<0.05) better for capons during all the periods under tests. The capon registered significantly (p<0.05) higher dressing loss than intacts whereas intacts registered significantly (p<0.05) higher loss due to head and shanks. Ready to cook yield did not differ significantly between treatments. Capons registered increased percentages of moisture, protein and other extract. Five per cent of capons were registered as ‘slips’. Austra-White capon meat top scored in tenderness, juiciness, and personal preference. Economic evaluation registered profitable returns for capons at 20th week, based on culled/spent hen meat value at university farm rates. Significantly higher returns were indicated when economic evaluations were made on market rates. From the results of the study it was concluded that Austra-White surplus cockerels can be effectively utilized for capon production and White Leghorn cockerels form small sized capons. Capons production can be an economic practical feasibility in Indian conditions and also capon meat is preferred over roaster meat. Surgical caponization can be effectively employed as a routine managemental procedure for economic utilization of surplus cockerels. It was also indicated that the optimum economic stage for marketing capons is 20 weeks of age.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of probiotic supplementation on the performance of broiler chicken(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Sabitha Mahaboob Kadari, A; KAU; Elizabeth, V KThe effects of different levels of pro biotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus faecium and Yeasacc 1026) supplementation• at 0.025 and 0.05 per cent of the ration on the performance of broiler chicken were evaluated using 144, one-day old, commercial broiler chicks for a period of eight weeks. The birds were divided into three dietary treatment groups viz., standard broiler ration (T 1), standard broiler ration with 0.025 per cent probiotic (T 2) and standard broiler ration with 0.05 per cent probiotic (T3). Standard broiler ration was formulated as per Bureau of Indian Standards (1992) specification for broiler chicken feed. The 0.025 per cent probiotic supplemented birds showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) body weight upto six weeks of age. At the end of eight weeks of age, the 0.05 per cent probiotic fed birds grew faster. The body weight gain was significantly higher in 0.025 per cent probiotic supplemented group upto six weeks of age but was statistically non-significant upto eight weeks of age. The feed intake was not statistically significant throughout the experimental period. Eventhough the feed efficiency was significantly (P<0.01) better in the group fed with 0.025 per cent probiotic at the end of second week, it was statistically non-significant at sixth and eighth weeks of age. The protein efficiency was not significantly different throughout the experimental period. The serum cholesterol levels were significantly (P<0.01) reduced in both the probiotic supplemented groups. The serum protein level was not affected by probiotic supplementation. The processing Yields did not show any significant difference among treatments. The mortality percentage was not affected by treatments. Cost of production of broilers in the 0.025 per cent probiotic group was lower when compared with other two groups at the end of six weeks of age, while it was lower in the 0.05 per cent probiotic supplemented group at the end of eight weeks of age. It can be concluded that probiotic supplementation in standard broiler ration at a lower level was beneficial in the early stages of growth.ThesisItem Open Access Performance of desi x exotic cross-bred layers(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1992) Jayanthy, M V; KAU; Leo, JosephData were collected on egg production performance of two cross-breds viz. desi X Austra White (DAW) and desi X New Rock (DNR) from 20 to 40 weeks of age. The birds in each cross consisted of naked neck and normal neck varieties. DNR cross birds were significantly heavier at 20 and 40 weeks of age than DAW cross birds. The body weight in Naked neck and normal neck varieties comparable in both crosses. Age at sexual maturity was 184 and 189 days in DNR and DAW crosses respectively. Hen housed and hen day egg numbers were similar in both crosses (37.61 and 47.61 vs 34.40 and 47.81), while the naked neck birds in both crosses showed higher hen housed and hen day egg number between the varieties in DAW cross was significant (53.82 Vs 34.86). The eggs were significantly heavier in DNR cross than in DAW cross (46.74 Vs 44.88) whereas the varieties with in both crosses laid eggs of similar size. The mean daily feed consumption and feed efficiency were also similar in both crosses (106.61 g and 4.09 Vs 104.95 g and 4.93). In DAW cross, the naked neck birds registered a better feed efficiency. While DNR birds were multicolored and laid brown eggs, DAW crosses consisted of only black, grayish white with black patches and grey birds which laid tinted eggs. Broodiness was observed in both the crosses. Egg quality was excellent in both the crosses and varieties with in crosses, at 32 weeks of age. Livability was also similar in both crosses though it was poor. Considering the overall performance, the DNR cross was adjudged as a better cross for the backyard.ThesisItem Open Access Status of broiler production In Kerala with special reference to Trichur(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary, Mannuthy, 1988) Aboobacker, M; KAU; Regunathan Nair, GA survey was undertaken to assess the present status of broiler farming in Thrissur, a major broiler producing district in Kerala. Thirtytwo farms were selected for the survey based on holding strength and frequency of intake. Following are some of the salient points that emerged from the survey. All the farmers were literate and had taken up broiler farming for generating additional income to sustain the family. Majority of the farmers were raising 300 birds per crop with fortnightly intake and were adopting scientific management practices. Organized marketing channel was absent and the birds were disposed off at the farm site itself in retail or wholesale. Dressing of birds in large scale was not being practiced. Results indicated that the mortality rate, body weight at marketing and feed conversion ratio were 6.69 per cent, 1.48 kg and 2.49 respectively. The major portion of production cost was attributed to feed (56.26%) followed by chick (28.56%) and labour (4.31%). Seasons of the year had no appreciable effect on broiler productivity except slight higher mortality due to heat stress during hot seasons. Study also revealed that increasing the stock intake reduces the cost of production with increase in net return. The productivity both in terms of market body weight and livability were adversely affected in farms where hired labour was used resulting in much lower net income. Low profit farms (less than Rs.2.00 per bird sold) showed higher mortality (13.56%) and low body weight at disposal. The survey revealed that better productivity could be achieved by improving efficiency of production particularly reduction in feed cost, increasing livability and adoption of a tangible marketing system so as to obtain remunerative price even during lean seasons.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of dietary supplementation of Baker`s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on the performance of broilers(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2004) Renjith, P M; KAU; Amritha ViswanathAn experiment was designed and conducted at the Department of Poultry Science to investigate the effect of feeding baker's yeast on growth, feed consumption and nutrient utilization of broilers. One hundred and forty four day old commercial broiler chicks were reared under three different treatments with four replicates per treatment. The treatment consisted of control diet with standard broiler ration (Tl ) and 1'2 and T3 with 0.3 and 0.6 per cent baker's yeast supplemented respectively with control diet. Chicks were reared under standard managemental conditions up to 8 weeks of age. Broiler starter ration was fed up to 6 weeks of age and finisher ration up to 8 weeks of age. Results of the study revealed that cumulative body weight and body weight gain up to six weeks and eight weeks of age were not affected by the inclusion of yeast. Mean weekly feed consumption recorded significant (P<0.05) difference between treatment during fifth, seventh and eighth weeks of age. Cumulative feed intake up to six weeks and eight weeks of age did not dfffer significantly. But yeast supplemented groups recorded numerically lower feed consumption compared to control group. Feed conversion ratio revealed significant difference (P< 0.05) at sixth week of age recording lower feed efficiency, in 1'2 and T3 compared to control (TJ). But cumulative feed conversion ratio from zero to six weeks and zero to eight weeks of age did not differ significantly. Supplementation of baker's yeast had no effect on processing yields and losses. Numerically lower fat deposition was recorded in yeast supplemented groups than in control group, eventhough there was no significant difference. The addition of yeast at 0.3 per cent and 0.6 per cent levels significantly increased (P<0.05) crude fiber digestibility. Other parameters like retention of dry matter, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were not affected by yeast supplementation. Serum protein, serum cholesterol and livability were not affected by yeast supplementation. The net profit per bird was less in yeast supplemented group compared to control group. The higher cost of feed resulted in lower economical return from the treatment groups. The result suggests that inclusion of yeast is not beneficial on economical point of view. However the lower fat deposition consequent to yeast supplementation seems to be advantageous.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative evaluation of membrane protein and biofilm vaccines against duck pasteurellosis(Department Of Poultry Sciences,College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Indu, K; KAU; Krishnan Nair, CA research work was undertaken to prepare effective vaccines against P. multocida grown under different conditions and assess their immunopotency in one month old ducklings. The purity of the Pasteurella multocida A: 1 strain (DP1) and A: 4 strain (PA4) was confirmed as per standard procedures. Pathogenicity of DP1 and PA4 was assessed in six to eight week old mice. The isolates killed the intraperitoneally inoculated mice within eight hours and within 24 h when injected by subcutaneous route. Pasteurella multocida A: 1 was used for the preparation of different vaccines. The organism was grown in BHIB for preparation of ordinary bacterin. The in vitro biofilm formation of the organism was assessed by growing it under nutrient restricted conditions. For this, the organism was grown in TSB (0.32 per cent) supplemented with 0.3 per cent bentonite clay. For preparation of OMP suspension, the organism was grown in iron restricted condition viz., BHIB supplemented with 100 µM 2, 2’ Dipyridyl and the OMPs were extracted using sodium lauryl sarcosinate. The protein concentration of OMP suspension was estimated to be 3 mg/ml. Median lethal dose (LD50) of DP1 was 10-7.5, which contained 32 viable cells/ ml and that of PA4 was 10-7.38, which contained 24 viable cells/ ml when determined in one month old ducklings. Oil adjuvant vaccines were prepared using ordinary bacterin, bacterin made from biofilm and OMP suspension and performed the sterility, safety and potency tests of the vaccine employing standard procedures. A total of 260 four week old ducklings were divided into four groups with 65 birds in each group and the first three groups were vaccinated with ordinary bacterin, OMP vaccine and biofilm vaccine respectively. The fourth group served as control. The birds were vaccinated with 0.5 millilitre of vaccine intramuscularly in the thigh region. Blood was collected from all the ducks pre-vaccination, at weekly intervals upto 3 weeks post vaccination (PV) and then at 15 days interval upto 60 days, by cardiac puncture or by jugular venipuncture. Passive haemagglutination using GA-SRBC sensitized with sonicated antigen of DP1 was used to measure the humoral immune response. The IHA titres obtained for biofilm vaccine group on day 14 was very much higher than the other two groups. The antibody titre was observed from day seven onwards for all the groups. All the vaccine groups have shown significant difference from the control group at all the stages of the study. On homologous challenging, biofilm vaccine gave higher protection rates of 80 per cent than the 70 and 50 per cent protection rates of ordinary bacterin and OMP vaccine respectively, when challenged with 100 LD50 dose on day 20 PV. On day 60 PV, biofilm vaccine gave higher protection rate of 70 per cent than the 60 and 50 per cent protection rates respectively of ordinary bacterin and OMP vaccine, when challenged with 100 LD50 dose. On heterologous challenging, biofilm vaccine gave higher protection rates of 70 per cent, while only 50 per cent protection was afforded by both bacterin and OMP vaccine, when challenged with 100 LD50 dose on 20 day PV. On day 60 PV, biofilm vaccine gave higher protection rate of 60 per cent while both the other vaccines gave only 50 per cent protection, when challenged with 100 LD50 dose. All the birds challenged on day 40 PV, either with homologous and heterologous organisms died. In most cases, the death occurred due to coliform infection along with stressful factor such as increased atmospheric humidity due to heavy rainfall at that time. In few cases, birds died due to pasteurellosis which might be due to lack of protective level of antibody titre. Biofilm vaccine proved to be the best among the three vaccines tried. Further field trials are to be done before advocating this vaccine for commercial use.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of mating ratio on fertility and hatchability in Japanese quails(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2009) Suraj Amrutkar, A; KAU; Leo JosephAn experiment was carried out to study the influence of mating ratio on fertility, hatchability and other productive traits in Japanese quails maintained at University Poultry Farm, Mannuthy. A total of 376 breeder Japanese quails at 6 weeks of age were allotted randomly to four groups with a male female ratio of 1: 3 (T1), 1: 4 (T2), 1: 5 (T3) and 1: 6 (T4) with four replicate each. The number of male and female breeders employed in the treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 24 & 72, 20 & 80, 16 & 80 and 12 & 72, respectively. Standard managemental practices were followed uniformly. Quail breeder ration which contained 22.75 per cent crude protein and 2650 kcal metabolizable energy per kg feed was fed to all mating groups. The T1, T2 and T3 treatment groups were similar but a T4 group differed significantly from the other groups for 6 weeks and 16 weeks body weight. The age at first egg, 10 and 50 per cent production was similar (p < 0.05) in all the treatment groups. The results revealed that mean egg number and mean per cent production did not differ significantly in all the treatment groups. Statistical analysis of the mean data on egg weight revealed no significant difference between treatment means at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. The overall mean fertility in the treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 92.65, 90.45, 91.21 and 90.71 per cent, respectively and statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between treatment groups. The overall mean hatchability on total egg in the treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 86.22, 84.71, 83.86 and 84.78 per cent, respectively and statistical analysis did not reveal any significant difference (p<0.05) between treatment groups. The overall mean hatchability on fertile egg in treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 93.04, 93.62, 91.95 and 93.43 per cent, respectively and the means were statistically similar (P<0.05). The total number of chicks obtained from 9 to 16 weeks of age was similar in all treatment groups. Margin per quail housed in the treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 were Rs. 113, 117, 125 and 132, respectively. The T4 treatment group had highest margin than other treatment groups. Cost of production per chick in the treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 were Rs. 2.21, 2.19, 2.10 and 2.04, respectively. The T4 treatment group had lowest cost of production per chick as compared to other treatment groups. The critical evaluation of the result revealed that changing the mating ratio from 1: 3 to 1: 6 did not affect fertility, hatchability and other production traits. Therefore a sex ratio of 1: 6 is recommended in the quail line since it is more economical compared to other sex ratios of 1: 3, 4 & 5.ThesisItem Open Access Keeping Quality of Shell Eggs During Summer(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science,Mannuthy, 1981) Radhakrishnan Nair, R; KAU; Venugopalan, C KA study was conducted to asses the keeping quality of shell eggs during summer months of March, April and May. Quality deterioration on 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th and 15th days of storage of eggs held at room temperature was measured. Simulteniuosly lime treated eggs at room temperature and eggs held in cooler at 10 to 130 C were also evaluated similarly. A total of 432 tables eggs were used for the study, 144 eggs under each treatment. The traits measured for quality assessment were weight loss, albumen index, yolk index, haugh unit score, per cent thick albumen and albumen pH. Following observations were made from the study: 1. The average temperature and humidity during the three months of study did not vary greatly and were 310 C and 61.3 per cent relative humidity respectively. 2. Irrespective of the mode of storage deterioration in quality with respect to all the traits increased with the increase in the period of storage. 3. Based on Haugh unit score it was observed that eggs stored at room temperature without any treatment maintained reasonable quality only upto 10 days while those stored under both the treatments were reasonably good even on the 15th day of storage. 4. At all stages of storage upto 15 days eggs held at room temperature without any treatment were decidedly inferior to those stored in cooler or after lime treatment with regard to all quality factors. 5. Both lime treatment and holding in cooler were found equally effective in maintaining egg quality upto 15 days of storage. The following conclusions are drawn based on the results of the study. I. It is not advisable to keep shell eggs at room temperature in summer for more than ten days before consumption. II. Eggs can be stored safely for 15 days without loosing market quality greatly if preserved after lime treatment or in cooler at 10 to 130 C. III. Even though both the methods of preservation employed in the study was found to be more or less equally effective, lime sealing appeared a simple economic and suitable technique of preservation for small scale producers.ThesisItem Open Access Assessment of the shelf life of quail egg pickle(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Deepa, Menon; KAU; Narayanankutty, KAn investigation was carried out at the Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy to assess the shelf life of vinegar, oil based quail egg pickle with and without potassium sorbate. The quality characteristics of the product packed in HDPE pouches as influenced by the period of ambient storage was evaluated at monthly intervals. The mean weight of raw quail eggs used for pickling was 10.94 ± 0.02 g and that of cooked and peeled eggs was 9. 15 ± 0.06g. Therefore the cooking yield was found to be 83.63 ± 0.02 per cent. The product was stored for a period of 120 days and it was found that it was acceptable up to 90 days. The control and treatment groups were evaluated in terms of qualitative parameters namely pH, proximate composition, oxidative rancidity (TBARS number), total viable count of mesophilic bacteria, yeast and mould count and organoleptic qualities. It was observed that during the period of study, from the day of production to 90 days of storage, the pH of quail egg pickle increased significantly (P < 0.01) from 3.60 ± 0.01 to 4. 76 + 0.01 for the control group and 3.59 ± 0.01 to 4.73 ± 0.01 for the treatment group, respectively. Though there was no significant difference between the two groups, within the same period of storage, the proximate composition of the pickle was significantly (P < 0.01) affected irrespective of the treatments. There was a gradual but significant (P < 0.01) increase in 2_thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) number in both the groups, during storage. The treatment group showed statistically lower TBARS numbers at 60 and 90 days of storage, when compared to the control. The total viable count in both the groups increased significantly (P < 0.01) during storage but were well within the acceptable limit up to 90 days. There was no significant difference between the control and treatment groups, even though the treatment group had comparatively lower values throughout the storage period. The freshly prepared pickle did not have any yeast or mould population. There was a gradual and significant (P< 0.01) increase in the yeast and mould count with the progress in storage period, however, significantly (P< 0.05) lower counts were detected in the treatment group at 30, 60 and 90 days of storage. In the case of organoleptic evaluation, the mean panel scores for flavour were 5. 50, 5. 72, 5. 14 and 4. 83 respectively for the control group on zero, 30, 60 and 90 days of storage. The corresponding values for the treatment group were 5. 67, 6. 00, 5. 33 and 5.00, respectively. On working out the cost of production of pickle, it was found to be quite economical. The cost of kilogram of quail egg pickle was Rs. 74.39 and Rs. 74.72, respectively for the control and treatment groups. Henceforth it was concluded that nutritious, tasty and ready to eat quail egg pickle could be prepared with vinegar, gingelly oil and potassium sorbate, packed in HDPR pouches and stored safely for a period of 90 days at ambient temperature.
