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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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2007 - 20083
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Subject: Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine × Author: KAU × Start date: 2007 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Surveillance of haemoprotozoan and haemorickettsial diseases of cattle of northern Kerala
    (Department Of Veterinary Epidemiology & Preventive Medicines,College of Veterinary And Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Archana Nair, S; KAU; Tresamol, P V
    A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the carrier status of haemoprotozoan and haemorickettsial diseases of cattle of Northern Kerala. The diagnostic methods employed were microscopical examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa and Acridine Orange and polymerase chain reaction. A total of 150 blood samples were collected from the five districts of Northern Kerala (30 samples from each district). Microscopical examination of Giemsa stained smears revealed Theileria like piroplasms (41.2 per cent), Babesia piroplasms (2.6 per cent) and Anaplasma inclusions (1.3 per cent) while Acridine Orange stained smears detected Theileria like piroplasms in 47.2 per cent, Babesia piroplasms in 2.6 per cent and Anaplasma inclusions in 2 per cent of blood smears examined. Acridine Orange staining is more easy, time saving and reliable in detecting of haemoparasites than Giemsa staining technique. Polymerase chain reaction detected haemoprotozoan like T. evansi (34.6 per cent), B. bigemina (0.6 per cent), an uncharacterized Theileria organism (16 per cent) and T. orientalis (1.3 per cent). A. marginale (16.7 per cent) and A. bovis (3.3 per cent) were the haemorickettsial organisms detected by PCR. Mixed infections were detected in 16.6 per cent of the samples. T.annulata, B. bovis and A. phagocytophila were not detected in any of the samples. Polymerase chain reaction showed much higher sensitivity compared to examination of stained smears in detecting carrier animals. Trypanosomosis is the most prevalent protozoan disease among carrier animals of Northern Kerala which were detected only with the help of PCR while microscopy totally failed to detect such carriers. The high prevalence of haemoprotozoan and haemorickettsial diseases suggests the abundance of ticks and flies in Northern Kerala which acts as vectors for these parasites. Kannur and Palakkad districts revealed maximum prevalence of T. evansi. In addition, anaplasmosis was also widely prevalent in Palakkad district. Microscopical examination of blood smears from cattle of the hilly districts of Wayanad, Malappuram and Kozhikode revealed the presence of a Theileria like piroplasm which were not amplified with PCRs specific for Theileria genus, T. annulata or T. orientalis and this uncharacterized piroplasm needs urgent attention.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative efficacy of diagnostic tests for paratuberculosis in goats
    (Department of Veterinery Edodomology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 2008) Sulficar, S; KAU; Saseendranath, M R
    Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease) is a chronic debilitating infection of goats caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP). Recently the organism was reported to be associated with enteric infection in humans and hence the disease is of public health importance. In the present study comparative efficacy of acid fast staining of faecal smear, single intradermal Johnin test and IS900 faecal PCR were investigated in two hundred goats for detection of MAP. Single intradermal Johnin test was carried out in two hundred goats. Faecal sample from all two hundred goats subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen acid fast staining and IS900 PCR for detection of MAP. Out of one hundred and fifty goats screened for paratuberculosis from University sheep and goat farm, Mannuthy, five animals (3.33 per cent) were found positive by acid fast staining, eight animals (5.3 per cent) were found positive by single intradermal Johnin test and thirty animals (20 per cent) were found positive by IS900 PCR. Out of fifty goats screened for paratuberculosis from field, one goat (2 per cent), three goats (6 per cent) and twelve animals (24 per cent) were found positive by Ziehl-Neelsen acid fast staining of faecal smear, single intradermal Johnin test and IS900 PCR respectively Results of present study from both farm and field indicate that amplification of the IS900 insertion element was the most specific and sensitive diagnostic method. The strategic use of PCR can provide a means for early identification of MAP infected goat, thus ensuring their elimination from an infected herd. Advantage of skin test is its ease of application and its low cost. Culling of CMI test positives could be a cost effective means of removing infected animals before they actually start faecal shedding. Ziehl-Neelsen staining had the lowest detection rate of the three tests under investigation and it proved unreliable in diagnosing Johne’s disease.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Seroprevalence of peste des petits ruminants in goats of Kerala
    (Department of Veterinary Epidomology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 2007) Janus, A; KAU; Tresamol, P V
    Seroprevalence of PPR in goats of Kerala was studied using competitive ELISA. Four hundred and twelve sera samples were collected from goats belonging to different places of Kerala covering all the districts. Samples were collected randomnly from goats of different age , managemental practice, breed, sex, different health status and also from different farms. Samples were subjected to c ELISA for detecting antibodies against PPR infection. Out of 412 sera samples tested 15.5 per cent gave positive result for PPR antibodies. Seroprevalence of PPR antibodies was more in animals reared under organized farming system. Seroprevalence of PPR antibodies was more in animals with a history of disease than apparently healthy animals. Prevalence of PPR antibodies is found to be more in malabari breeds of goats when compared to jamunapari and cross bred animals. Seroprevalence of PPR in various age group revealed that percentage of positivity was more in animals of the age group of 6 months- one year. Animals from different farms were tested for antibodies against PPR infection. Seroprevalence of PPR was more in KLDB goat farm, Dhoni, and Jersey farm, Vithura. Seroprevalence of PPR among goats with different clinical manifestations was recorded. High percentage of seroprevalence was noted in animals with abortion. Seroprevalence of PPR in different districts of Kerala was assessed. The highest seroprevalence was recorded in Kozhikkode district. Seroprevalence of PPR in goats of Kerala was detected as 15.5 per cent