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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 Susceptibility of ducks to newcastle disease virus (NDV) and their role in the transmission of the disease to chicken(Department of veterinary and Animal Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1981) Sudharma, D; KAU; Sulochana, SThe susceptibility of ducks to Newcastle disease virus and their possible role in the epizootiology of this disease were investigated. Cloacal and throat swabs and sera were collected from clinically normal as well as diseased ducks from different parts of Kerala. The swabs were tested for virus excertion by inoculating into the allantoic cavity of 10 day embryonated chicken eggs and the sera were examined for the presence of haemagglutination inhibition antibodies. Eight and one week – old ducklings were infected experimentally by different routes or methods to find out their susceptibility to this virus. A virulent strain of the virus received from Veterinary Biological Institute, Palode was employed for all experimental infection studies. Two week – old chickens were used for determining contact transmission. Inoculation of processed cloacal and throat swabs into the allantoic cavity of 10 day embryonated eggs resulted in the isolation of eleven haemagglutinating viruses from a total of 151 samples. The agglutination produced by these viruses were inhibited by specific ND antiserum, thereby confirming their identity as Newcastle disease virus. Out of a total of 226 serum samples collected from ducks, 34 showed HI antibodies ranging from 1:20 to 1:160 in the titre. Eight week – old ducklings infected intranasally and intraocularly showed symptoms of ND by third day of infection but recovered by the seventh day. All of them excreted the virus either through trachea, cloaca or by both the routes. Haemagglutination inhibition antibodies were demonstrable within two weeks of infection. The chickens kept in contact with the infected ducklings died after showing specific symptoms of newcastle disease. Postmortem examination revealed specific lesions and virus could be isolated from pooled tissue samples. Week – old ducklings could successfully be infected by intranasal/intraocular, subcutaneous, intramuscular or by contact infection. All the ducklings exposed to infection died after showing symptoms of pneumoencephalitis and diarrhoea. Virus was isolated from seventeen out of twenty five cases. Chickens placed in contact with subcutaneously infected ducklings died showing specific symptoms and lesions in ND and virus could be isolated from all the cases. The eight week – old ducklings although showed a clinical infection they could eventually recover following the development of antibodies in the system. Hence ducklings of eight weeks and above could be considered as resistant to newcastle disease virus infection. On the contrary week – old ducklings readily succumbed to the infection indicating their grater susceptibility. Contact transmission to chickens was possible from both age group of ducklings. The isolation of virus from clinically normal and diseased ducks showed that ducks excrete the virus without showing any clinical symptoms. It is also possible that some ducklings may show symptoms of the disease, but the development of antibody in the system leads to complete elimination of the virus. The results and the observation of the present study indicate that ducks can play an important role in the epizootiology of Newcastle disease by contracting infection from infected chicken or from other susceptible species and transmitting it to the incontact susceptible chicken.ThesisItem Open Access Bio-climatological studies on dry matter intake and water consumption of growing livestock(Department of Animal Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1980) Somanathan, V L; KAU; Rajagopalan, T GThe present work was undertaken to study the distribution of climate at Mannuthy and to study the effect of the prevailing ambient temperature and relative humidity on the performance of growing crossbred cattle. The meterological data over a period of five years (1974 – 1978) were analysed to study the climatic picture of this locality. The rectal temperature, respiration rate, dry matter intake, water consumption and growth rate of eleven male and five female calves were observed for a period of twelve months. The climatic picture showed that there are two distinct seasons prevailing in this locality, namely, the dry and the rainy seasons, which are further sub divided into ‘Warm and dry’, ‘Hot and dry’, ‘Cold and wet’ and ‘Warm and wet’ seasons, respectively. The rectal temperature of the animals remained fairly constant throughout the year, inspite of wide variations in the ambient temperature. It showed negative correlation with ambient temperature (-0.357 in males and -0.207 in females) and positive correlation with relative humidity which was significantly only in males (0.416). The respiration rate varied from 30.973 per minute during July (lowest) to 49.230 per minute during April (highest). It showed positive correlation with ambient temperature (0.638 in males and 0.561 in females). Significant negative correlation between respiration rate and relative humidity was observed in males only (-0.253). The percentage dry matter intake was found to have a strong negative correlation with ambient temperature (-0.652 in males and -0.685 in females). Whereas with the relative humidity, the correlation was positive and was significant only in males (0.514). Highly significant positive correlation between ambient temperature and daily water consumption (0.763 in males and o.748 in females) and negative correlation between relative humidity and water consumption (-0.725 in males and -0.503 in females) were obtained in this study. There was negative correlation between ambient temperature and monthly weight gain and positive correlation between relative humidity and monthly weight gain, but was significant only in males. The negative correlation obtained in this case can be attributed to the poor quality of the roughage during the summer months rather than the direct effect of ambient temperature.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of varieties and standardization of planting time in onion (Allium cepa L.)(Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Aruna, S; KAU; Indira, POnion (Allium cepa L.) belonging to the family Alliaceae is one of the oldest vegetables in world and has been cultivated for more than 5000 years. It is an important and indispensable item in every kitchen as vegetable, spice and condiment. It is used as salad and cooked in various ways. Besides fresh consumption, onion provides a good raw material for processing industry as it can be processed in the form of dehydrated powder, rings, shreds, onion vinegar etc. The present experiment entitled “Evaluation of varieties and standardization of planting time in onion (Allium cepa L.)” was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during November-March, 2017-18. The major objectives of the study were to identify the best variety and planting time in onion for the plains of Kerala, and to study the effect of varieties, planting time and their interaction on the qualitative and quantitative traits of onion. Five onion varieties were evaluated in four different dates of planting with an interval of fifteen days which was commenced from 10 th November to 25th December 2017 in a split plot design with four replications. There were no variations among different dates of planting for qualitative traits such as bulb shape, bulb skin colour, bulb flesh color, etc. Vegetative characters such as plant height and leaf length were maximum in Arka Kalyan (50.47 cm and 46.47 cm respectively), whereas number of leaves was highest in Agrifound Dark Red (8.31). Leaf girth was maximum in Agrifound Light Red (3.35 cm). Among different dates of planting, plant height (51.05 cm) and number of leaves (8.50) were maximum in 10th December planting. Leaf length was highest in 25th November planting (46.60 cm) while leaf girth was maximum in 10th November planting (3.49 cm). Agrifound Dark Red recorded a minimum number of days (64.25) to reach 75% maturity. Among different planting dates, the plants in 10th December planting took minimum days (63.4) to reach 75% maturity. In the interactions between planting dates and varieties, Agrifound Dark Red planted on 10th December took minimum number of days (60) to reach maturity. Plant stand (39.63), neck thickness (4.16 cm) and bulbing percentage (70.76%) were highest in the variety Arka Kalyan. Average bulb weight varied significantly among different dates of planting. Highest average bulb weight was obtained when the planting was done on 25th November (66.2g). Average bulb weight ranged from 18g to 73.5g. There was no significant difference in number of scales among varieties, planting time and their interactions. Total Soluble Solids was highest in the variety, Agrifound Light Red (16.37°B). Among different planting dates, bulbs from 10th December planting recorded the highest TSS (16.92°B). Among the interactions, highest TSS was noted for Agrifound Light Red planted on 10th December (18.32°B). All the varieties were having medium to high pungency except Agrifound White in all the dates of planting. Total yield and marketable yield per plot varied significantly among different dates of planting. Among different dates of planting, marketable yield was highest in 25th November planting (0.96kg/plot). Among the interactions between varieties and planting dates, all the dates of planting except 25th Dec. were found to be statistically on par with respect to marketable yield for the varieties such as Arka Kalyan, Arka Pragati, Agrifound Dark Red and Agrifound Light Red. Planting on 25th Nov. and 10th Dec. were found to be superior and on par with respect to marketable yield in Agrifound White. All the five varieties can be recommended for commercial cultivation as they do not differ with each other with respect to marketable yield. Considering the consumer preferences, we can recommend Arka Kalyan and Agrifound Dark Red as they are having attractive dark red colour. The best time for transplantation was found to be 25th November, which was statistically on par with 10th November and 10th December. As a future line of work, more number of varieties are to be evaluated, nursery and crop management practices need to be standardised, and for conclusive results experiment has to be repeated.ThesisItem Open Access Generation mean analysis in yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcourt) for yield and quality(Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2018) Merin Elza, George; KAU; Sarada, SThe project entitled “Generation mean analysis in yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcourt) for yield and quality” was carried out at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2017-2018, to study the inheritance and gene action of yield and quality in yard long bean using generation mean analysis. The six generations (P1 , P2 , F1 , F2 , BC1 and BC2 ) of two superior crosses of yard long bean with high yield and quality characters viz. Cross 1 - VS 50 x VS 34 (Kakkamoola Local x Githika) and Cross 2 - VS 50 x VS 26 (Kakkamoola Local x Vellayani Jyothika) were used for the study. The experiment was carried out in three parts. In part I, two superior crosses of yard long bean with high yield and quality characters, selected based on specific combining ability and per se performance from the previous M.Sc. (Hort.) programme, were used. The seeds of the two hybrids were produced in a crossing block. In part II, the two F1 hybrids were selfed to produce F2 progenies. Simultaneously, the F 1 hybrids were backcrossed with the female parent to produce BC1 generation and the male parent to produce BC 2 generation. In part III, the six generations (P1 , P2 , F1 , F2 , BC1 and BC2 ) of the two hybrids were evaluated in a replicated field experiment using generation mean analysis. The six generations of the two crosses were evaluated for vegetative and flowering characters, yield and yield attributes and quality characters. Significa nt difference was observed among the generations for most of the traits studied. Earliest flowering was observed in F1 in both the crosses (50.00 days and 49.50 days in cross 1 and 2 respectively). Pod length and pod girth was maximum for P1 (65.99 cm and 3.11 cm respectively) in cross 1 and F 1 (68.56 cm and 3.57 cm respectively) in cross 2. The highest pod weight was recorded by BC1 (47.22 g) and F2 (50.89 g) in cross 1 and 2 respectively. Maximum number of pods plant-1 was recorded in F1 (84.00) in cross 1 and BC2 (74.67) in cross 2. Highest number of seeds pod-1 was observed in F1 (22.33) in cross 1 and BC 1 (20.33) in cross 2. Hundred seed weight was maximum for F1 in both the crosses (17.05 g and 21.83 g in cross 1 and 2 respectively). The highest yield was recorded by F1 in both the crosses (1210.51 g plant-1 and 1116.83 g plant-1 in cross 1 and 2 respectively). Among quality characters, highest pod protein content was recorded by BC 1 in both the crosses (6.23 % and 6.27 % in cross 1 and 2 respectively) and keeping quality by BC 2 in both the crosses (14.16 % weight loss and 16.88 % weight loss in cross 1 and 2 respectively). Predominance of dominance gene action was observed for most of the characters in cross 1 (VS 50 x VS 34) viz., vine length at final harvest, primary branches plant-1 , terminal and lateral leaf length, lateral leaf width, days to first flowering, pod length, pod weight, pods plant-1 , yield, days to harvest, crop duration, pod protein and keeping quality. Terminal leaf width and pod girth were controlled by additive gene action whereas seeds pod-1 and hundred seed weight by dominance x dominance interaction. In cross 2 (VS 50 x VS 26), characters such as terminal and lateral leaf length and width, pod length, pod girth, pod weight, hundred seed weight and yield were governed by dominance x dominance, vine length at final harvest, days to first flowering, pods plant-1 , seeds pod-1 , days to harvest, crop duration, pod protein and keeping quality by dominance and primary branches plant-1 by additive gene actions. Incidence of spotted pod borer, aphids, leaf eating caterpillar, pod bug were observed during the cropping period. Cowpea Aphid Borne Mosaic Virus (CABMV), fusarium wilt, collar rot and web blight, cercospora leaf spot and rust were the diseases observed. Predominance of dominance gene action pointed out the suitability of resorting to heterosis breeding for the improvement of the trait. Presence of dominance x dominance interaction suggested the use of hybridization followed by selection as the appropriate breeding method. Simple selection procedure would be more rewarding for improving the characters governed by additive type of gene effects. Duplicate type of epistasis was observed for most of the traits studied, as shown by the opposite signs of dominance (h) effect and dominance x dominance (l) type of interaction.ThesisItem Open Access Performance analysis of vegetable soybean (Glycine max L.) in humid tropics(Department of Vegetable Science,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Shilpashree, N; KAU; Nirmala Devi, SAn experiment was carried out in research field of Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during October to December 2017 to study the performance of vegetable soybean (Glycine max L.). The main objective was to evaluate the performance of vegetable soybean accessions for yield and quality in the humid tropics of Kerala. Twenty eight accessions were grown in randomized block design with three replications. The accessions were catalogued based on the NBPGR descriptor for soybean. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences for characters like plant height, days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest, days to vegetable maturity, pod length, pod width, pod yield per plant, number of pods per plant, pod weight, number of harvests, starch, carbohydrate, protein, crude fibre, vitamin C, iron, calcium, phosphorous and polyphenol content except number of seeds per pod and number of root nodules per plant. The accession GM-26 was found to be the highest yielder of pods (91.80 g/plant) with a mean of 45.43 pods per plants. The accession GM-27 had highest plant height (83.03 cm). GM-12 recorded early flowering (27 days) to flowering and early harvest (35days). Highest pod length was observed in GM-25 and lowest pod length and width was observed in GM-21. The quality parameters like protein and crude fibre content were recorded highest in GM-12 and GM-14 respectively. High genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation were observed for plant height, number of pods per plant, pod weight, pod yield per plant and calcium content. High heritability coupled with genetic gain was observed for all the morphological and quality parameters. Pod yield per plant was significantly and positively correlated with number of pods per plant, number of harvests, vitamin C and calcium content. Since, these associated traits are in the desirable direction, it indicated that simultaneous selection for these traits would be useful in improving the vegetable pod yield. Days to 50% flowering (0.0387), days to first harvest (0.1874), pod length (0.10380), number of pods per plant (1.1017) and pod weight (0.4408) have shown positive direct effects on pod yield per plant while, plant height (-0.115), days to vegetable maturity (-0.0144) and pod width (-0.2330) have shown negative direct effects on pod yield per plant. Twenty eight genotypes were grouped into eight clusters from estimated D2 values. Cluster II was the largest cluster having 8 genotypes followed by Cluster V and Cluster I with 4 genotypes, Cluster III and IV had 3 genotypes and Cluster VI, cluster VII and cluster VIII had two genotypes each. Based on distance between clusters i.e. inter-cluster distance, the maximum distance was observed between clusters VIII and I (D2 = 51828.79) followed by clusters VI and I (48046.45), clusters VIII and VII (45389.69), clusters VII and VI (38638.46) and clusters II and I (38391.70). The lowest inter cluster distance was observed between cluster VIII and II (7406.18) followed by cluster VI and II (8460.01). The values obtained for the vegetable soybean, GM-13 which recorded highest rank in sensory evaluation also recorded carbohydrate (8.46 g), protein (11.43 g), crude fibre (2.55 g), iron (5.71 mg), calcium (13.50 mg) and phosphorous (613.66 mg) content. Present study shows that based on yield and sensory evaluation, GM-12 is the promising genotype and it is the earliest genotype with respect to days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest and days to vegetable maturity.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic divergence studies in cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L) Taub.)(Department of Vegetable Science,College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2018) Ramzeena, A; KAU; Anitha, PCluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L) Taub.) is a hardy drought tolerant crop in warm tropical and subtropical regions. In southern parts of India, the pods which are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and calcium are consumed as a vegetable. The guar gum extracted from the seeds of cluster bean is used in paper, textiles and pharmaceutical industries. Genetic divergence studies help to determine the degree of variability present in a germplasm and to identify suitable genotypes for crop improvement. Eventhough wide variability is present in cluster bean, limited work has been done to exploit genetic resources to identify genotypes for vegetable purpose. In this context, the present study was undertaken with the objectives of determining the variability and correlation between yield and yield components in cluster bean. Thirty accessions of cluster bean were collected from NBPGR, Jodhpur and evaluated for different morphological and quality characters. The experiment was conducted in the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during August – October 2017. Thirty accessions were catalogued based on NBPGR crop descriptor. The accessions exhibited branching and non- branching growth habits. Except four accessions, all others were branching types. The non-branching types were CT-9, CT- 15, CT-17 and CT-27. All accessions were having light purple flower except CT-8 which had white flower. Pods were dark green to light green in colour, without pubescence and glabrous. Seed colour varied from light pink and light grey to dark grey. Significant differences were observed among thirty accessions of cluster bean for all the characters studied. Genetic parameters like GCV, PCV, heritability, genetic advance and genetic gain were estimated to study extent of variability. The effectiveness of selection depends up on the magnitude of heritability of the trait. Characters like plant height, number of branches, number of pod clusters/plant, number of pods/cluster, number of pods/plant, pod length, pod girth, pod weight and pod yield/plant exhibited high GCV, PCV and heritability, indicating that these traits can be improved through selection. Pod yield/plant was positively correlated with number of branches, number of pod clusters/plant, number of pods/plant, days to first harvest, pod weight, number of harvests, iron, calcium, total carbohydrates, crude fibre and vitamin C. Path coefficient analysis of yield and component characters revealed that number of pods/plant had maximum direct positive effect on pod yield followed by days to first fruit set, pod weight, plant height, number of harvests, number of branches, crude fibre and total carbohydrates. Hence, direct selection of accessions based on these traits would be useful for improving pod yield/plant. The genotypes CT-16, CT-18, CT-20 and CT-21 were found promising. In the present study, CT-20, CT-3, CT-6, CT-10 & CT-12 were found having better sensory qualities. Mahalanobis D2 analysis grouped the thirty accessions to VIII clusters. Cluster IV had maximum number of accessions, (8) followed by cluster I (7) accessions. There were three accessions in Cluster II, V and VI. Cluster III, VII and VIII had two accessions each. Inter cluster distance was maximum between III and II. Hence, parents can be selected from cluster II and Cluster III for production of hybrids.ThesisItem Open Access Enhancing fruit set and yield of tomato (solanum lycopersicum L.) in polyhouse using artificial pollination and growth regulators(Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture , Vellayani, 2018) Gayathri, G; KAU; Rafeekher, MThe present investigation entitled “Enhancing fruit set and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in poly house using artificial pollination and growth regulators” was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2017-2018. The objective of the study was to enhance the fruit set and yield of tomato under poly house through artificial pollination and application of plant growth regulators. The tomato variety “Akshaya” was raised in polyhouse and subjected to three artificial pollination methods, seven growth regulator treatments and their combinations along with control. The artificial pollination methods were A0 (Control), A1 (Shaking), A2 (Air Blowing), A3 (Vibratory Pollination) and growth regulator treatments were G0 (control), G1 (PCPA 10 mgL-1), G2 (PCPA 20 mgL-1 ), G3 (PCPA 30 mgL-1), G4 (GA3 20 mgL-1), G5 (PCPA 10 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1), G6 (PCPA 20 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1) and G7 (PCPA 30 mgL-1 +GA3 20 mgL-1). Artificial pollination methods were executed daily during morning hours and plant growth regulators were sprayed on to the flower trusses at fortnightly intervals during the entire flowering period. The artificial pollination methods and its interaction with growth regulators did not significantly influence vegetative characters like plant height, height at flowering, primary branches plant-1, leaf length and leaf width. Combination of Gibberellic acid (GA3) and Parachlorophenoxy acetic acid (PCPA) improved vegetative growth of plant by increasing plant height, leaf length and leaf width against control and application of individual growth regulators. Application of PCPA 30 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 resulted in maximum plant height (324.90 cm) which was on par with combination of PCPA 20 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1. Application of PCPA 30 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 produced longer (37.85 cm) and wider (23.65 cm) leaves. Vibratory pollination significantly improved fruit set (67.35 %) compared to other methods and control. Shaking or blowing air on flower trusses could not improve fruit set significantly. Application of growth regulators did not influence days to first flowering, days to fruit set and flowers cluster-1 but significantly improved inflorescence plant-1, fruit set and pollen viability and reduced number of flowers with exserted stigma. Highest fruit set (66.34 %) and pollen viability (64.20 %) was obtained by application of PCPA 30 mgL-1 which was on par with PCPA (10 mgL-1 and 20 mgL-1) in combination with GA3 20 mgL-1. Maximum inflorescence plant-1(17.27) was obtained for PCPA 30 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 which was on par with PCPA 20 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 (15.57) and GA3 20 mgL-1 (15.17). PCPA 20 mgL-1+ GA3 20 mgL-1 significantly reduced flowers with exserted stigma (25.72 %). PCPA 30 mgL-1, GA3 20 mgL-1 and PCPA 10 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 also were on par. Pollination with vibrator significantly improved fruits cluster-1 (6.60), fruits plant-1 (45.69) , fruit length (6.63 cm), fruit girth (15.02 cm), yield plant-1(1311.75 g) and yield plot-1 (2.90 kg m-2 ) and number of seeds fruit-1 (131.94) compared to other methods and control. Shaking and air blowing did not significantly influence any of the fruit characters. PCPA 30 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 produced maximum fruits plant-1 (45.45) , fruit length (6.90 cm), fruit girth (15.65 cm), yield plant-1 (1487.50 g) and yield plot-1 ( 3.47 kg m-2). PCPA 20 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 was also equally effective for all these characters. All growth regulator treatments except PCPA 10 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 were equally effective in improving fruit weight. However, all growth regulator treatments except GA3 20 mgL-1 lowered the number of seeds fruit-1. Growth regulator application did not influence fruits cluster-1 and thousand seed weight. Fruit quality parameters like total soluble solids, titrable acidity, vitamin C and lycopene were not significantly influenced by any of the treatments and their interactions. Application of growth regulators PCPA 30 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 and PCPA 30 mgL-1 induced more abnormalities in fruits. The results indicated that application of PCPA 20 mgL-1 + GA3 20 mgL-1 on flower clusters at fortnightly intervals during the flowering period not only enhanced inflorescence plant-1, pollen viability, fruit set, fruit size and yield of tomato but also reduced the number of flowers with exserted stigma and number of seeds fruit-1 while vibratory pollination improved fruit set, fruit size, yield and number of seeds fruit-1, which can be used selectively for improving fruit production and seed production of tomato under poly houses in Kerala.ThesisItem Open Access Management of anoestrum in crossbred cattle using synthetic gonadotrophin releasing hormone(Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1996) Gunaseelan, R; KAU; Madhavan, EWith the object of studying the efficacy of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) in the management of anoestrum in crossbred cattle, 40 crossbred heifers and cows which were declared anoestrus, selected from Kerala Agicultural University Livestock Farms, were allotted to three different treatment groups. Ten heifers and ten cows in group I and II were administered 5 ml of Receptal intramuscularly while ten heifers and ten cows in groups III were considered as untreated control. Among experimental animals eight heifers and seven cows responded to treatment. Analysis of data revealed significant variation in the oestrus response between experimental and control group. However, the response between cows and heifers in the experimental group was not significantly different. The time taken for induction of oestrus was 8.00 d in heifers, and 11.57 d in cows. This variation was found to be statistically significant. Parity of cows did not alter the time taken for induction of oestrus. Significant difference in the duration of oestrus was observed among heifers and cows of experimental group, the values being 18 to 72 h (mean 25.25 h) and 32 to 48 h (mean 43.42 h). Duration of oestrus was also slightly higher in the experimental than that of the control group. Majority (75%) of the heifers in the experimental group evinced high intensity of oestrus, while the majority (71.42%) of cows in the experimental group showed only medium intensity of oestrus. In the control group, however, all animals showed only medium intensity of oestrus. In the experimental group 87.5 per cent of the heifers and 85.71 per cent of the cows ovulated. The first insemination conception and overall conception rates were 25 and 75 per cent respectively in group I as against 57.14 and 71.42 per cent in group II. The corresponding values in group III (control) were zero and 50 per cent in heifers, while none of the cows in control group conceived. It could be seen that percentage of conception in the first insemination and overall conception rates in the experimental animals were higher than that in the control group. The number of inseminations required for conception in the experimental animals was slightly lower than that in control group. Overall conception rate was significantly higher in cows with II parity and above than those belonging to I parity. All the heifers which conceived had high intensity of oestrus. Similarly among cows, only 25 per cent which conceived had high intensity of oestrus, and 75 per cent showed medium intensity. The present investigation, therefore revealed that gonadotrophin releasing hormone is a potential drug, that might regulate ovarian and uterine functions and thus would improve post pubertal and postpartum reproductive efficiency. However, studies on endocrine profiles of the animals treated with gonadotrophin releasing hormone will enlighten more on the efficacy of drug in the management of anoestrum.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of the nutritive values of pulse proteins with and without supplementation of amino acids(Department of Nutrition Laboratory, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1975) Sivaraman, E; KAU; Chandra Menon, KThree series of feeding trials were carried out using growing albino rats as experimental subjects during the present investigation in order to assess (1) the comparative effects of feeding raw and autoclaved cowpea and raw and autoclaved tur dhal incorporated in the diet each at 10% protein level on nitrogen basis on specific physiological functions such as growth, nitrogen balance, blood formation, liver fat, liver protein and liver and serum enzymes (2) the relative merits of these diets on feeding on the various physiological functions on supplementation with methionine and tryptophane and (3) the improvements brought about in respect of the various physiological functions when autoclaved pulses are incorporated in the diets at 18% protein level on nitrogen basis and fed. These experiments were performed in continuation of the work carried out by the author for the M.Sc. degree on the nutritive values of the two pulses, viz., turdhal and cowpea. The salient observations made during the course of the three series of experiments carried out during the course of the present investigation and the obviously important inferences drawn from the results obtained are given below, series wise:- FIRST SERIES OF EXPERIMENTS (1) Diets containing raw cowpea and raw tur dhal each containing 10% protein on nitrogen basis do not support somatic growth in rats. (2) Both autoclaved cowpea and autoclaved tur dhal diets each containing 10% protein on nitrogen basis promote growth of rats, the average gin in weight in both instances being essentially the same. (3) Autoclaved cowpea and autoclaved tur dhal diets are inferior to the control diet in promoting growth response. (4) Growth rate is not influenced by food consumption as little variation is shown in this respect between the animals fed the different diets. (5) Autoclaved cowpea and autoclaved tur dhal diets give significantly higher protein efficiency values than the corresponding raw pulse diets, both these registering essentially identical values in this respect, but significantly lower values as compared with the control diet. (6) In regard to nitrogen retention the results show the same trend as protein efficiency values. (7) Digestibility coefficients of nutrients in the xx autoclaved cowpea and tur dhal diets are significantly higher than of those in the respective raw pulse diets but less so as compared with the control diet, the raw pulse diets showing no significant difference between them. (8) The diets used in the present study do not show any significant difference between them in their ability to support red cell, haemoglobin and plasma protein concentrations. (9) Glutamic oxalo acetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase concentrations in serum and liver are not significantly influenced by any one of the diets used in the present study, although on the raw cowpea diet and on the raw tur dhal diet comparatively lower values for glutamic pyruvic transaminase are obtained. (10) Liver glycogen is not significantly influenced by any of the diets used in the present study. (11) Diets containing raw cowpea and raw tur dhal bring about on feeding significantly higher liver fat content as compared with the control diet and the autoclaved tur dhal diet. As between the autoclaved pulse diets no significant difference is observed. (12) As regards the liver protein content no significant difference is discernible between the diets used in the present study. (13) The autoclaved pulse diets increase significantly the weight of liver, kidney and heart as compared with raw pulse diets. (14) The raw cowpea and raw tur dhal diets bring about on feeding significantly higher caecal weight in rats as compared with the control diet, the raw tur dhal diet bringing about significantly higher caecal weights than the autoclaved tur dhal diet. (15) On the autoclaved pulse diets, significantly lower weights for pancreas are obtained as compared with the raw pulse diets. While no significant difference is observed in pancreatic weights between animals fed raw cowpea diet and autoclaved cowpea diet, significantly higher pancreatic weight is observed in the case of animals maintained on the raw tur dhal diet as compared with the diet containing autoclaved tur dhal. SECOND SERIES OF EXPERIMENTS (1) Diets containing raw cowpea and raw tur dhal both supplemented with methionine and tryptophane promote growth in rate in contrast with the results observed in the first series of experiments with raw cowpea and raw tur dhal without supplementation with these limiting amino acids. Significantly higher growth rate is obtained in the present series of experiments, with diet containing tur dhal as compared with that containing cowpea. (2) As regards the amino acid supplemented autoclaved pulse diets, both promote significantly higher growth, diet containing autoclaved tur dhal exerting significantly higher influence than diet containing autoclaved cowpea. (3) Autoclaved pulse diets supplemented with the limiting amino acids, methionine and tryptophane promote significantly better growth in rats than the control diet. (4) Supplementation of diets containing raw or autoclaved cowpea and raw or autoclaved tur dhal, with methionine and tryptophane significantly enhances their protein efficiency values. (5) The autoclaved cowpea and tur dhal diets supplemented with methionine and tryptophane register significantly higher protein efficiency values as compared with the control diet, the amino acid supplemented tur dhal diet signalling and significantly higher value in this regard than the amino acid supplemented autoclaved cowpea diet. (6) Autocalving cowpea and tur dhal brings about with or without methionine and tryptophane supplementation a higher nitrogen retention in rats than the raw pulse diets, maximum nitrogen retention being obtained with the control diet. (7) As between the amino acid supplemented raw and autoclaved cowpea diets on one hand and the amino acid supplemented raw and autoclaved tur dhal diets on the other, no significant difference is observed in nitrogen retention. (8) Supplementation with methionine and tryptophane significantly enhances protein digestibility in diets irrespective of the fact, whether the diets contain raw or autoclaved cowpea or raw or autoclaved tur dhal. (9) Supplementation with methionine and tryptophane does not influence the digestibility of fat while carbohydrate digestibility is seen to be significantly increased in the case of the amino acid supplemented raw cowpea diet as compared with that in the amino acid supplemented tur dhal diet. (10) Supplementation with methionine and tryptophane does not bring about any beneficial effect on the digestibility of carbohydrate either in the case of autoclaved cowpea diet or in the case of autoclaved tur dhal diet. (11) As regards red cell and haemoglobin concentrations, no significant difference is observed between the animals maintained on the various diets. In respect of plasma protein concentration, however, a significantly higher concentration of plasma protein is observed in animals receiving the raw cowpea diet supplemented with methionine and tryptophane as compared with those maintained on the amino acid supplemented raw tur dhal diet. (12) In respect of maintenance of glutamic oxalo acetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels in serum and liver and liver glycogen content, the diets used in the present study do not show any significant difference between them. (13) On raw tur dhal diet supplemented with methionine and tryptophane, significantly higher liver fat content is observed as compared with that obtained on the raw cowpea diet supplemented with these amino acids. (14) As regards liver protein no significant difference attributable to the diet is observed. (15) A significantly higher increase in the weight of livers of rats maintained on the diet containing raw cowpea supplemented with methionine and tryptophane is discernible as compared with those of animals fed the tur dhal diet supplemented with the same amino acids. (16) The caecae with contents, of rats maintained on diets containing raw tur dhal supplemented with methionine and tryptophane show significantly higher weights as compared with those of animals fed the amino acids supplemented autoclaved cowpea and autoclaved tur dhal diets showing no significant difference in this respect. (17) Significantly higher pancreatic weights are observed in the case of rats maintained on diets containing raw cowpea supplemented with methionine and tryptophane as compared with the same of animals receiving an isoprotoimictur dhal diet. As between the amino acid supplemented autoclaved cowpea and tur dhal diets, there is no significant difference. THIRD SERIES OF EXPERIMENTS (1) Autoclaved cowpea diet at 18% protein level on nitrogen basis promotes a significantly higher growth response than an isoproteimictur dhal diet. (2) As regards protein efficiency, the two pulse protein diets do not show any significant difference between them. (3) Red cell and haemoglobin concentrations are not seen influenced by either of the diets. (4) The limited data obtained during the course of the present study do not indicate any appreciable difference between the diets in their ability to support physiological functions such as reproduction and lactation. The significance of the above influences is discussed briefly.