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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
    Studies on utrine pathology in repeat breeding cattle
    (Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Aravinda Ghosh, K N; KAU; Bharathan, T R
    An investigation was undertaken to study the uterine pathology in repeat breeding cows employing uterine biopsy as a diagnostic technique. The studies were carried out in 26 repeat breeding cross bred cows from the herd of University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy using a biopsy instrument which was a modification of one designed by Minocha et al. (1964). Four cows which settled at first insemination served as control animals for comparison. From all the animals biopsy was taken during the early part of heat and was inseminated 8 to 12 hours after biopsy followed by intrauterine antibiotic therapy after 12 to 24 hours. Seven out of 17 animals which failed to conceive even after biopsy and treatment were slaughtered and their genitalia were subjected to detailed studies. Nine out of 26 repeat breeders and all the four control animals conceived at inseminations in the same heat of biopsy explaining the fact that biopsy operation did not affect the functional status of uterus. Pathological changes in the endometrium were observed in 14 out of 26 (53.85%) repeat breeding cows. Changes in the uterus observed in the biopsy were significant and consisted of infiltration with various types of inflammatory cells, periglandular fibrosis, cystic dilatation of glands, glandular hypertrophy, stromal hyalinization and sclerosis. It was seen that endometritis constituted the most important lesion. The experimental animals were classified into three groups based on histological findings; group I showing normal or nearly normal endometrium, group II with more extensive inflammatory changes and group III with severe inflammatory and fibrotic changes. Group I and II had a conception rate of 58.33 and 25 per cent respectively. In group III, none conceived. Results of insemination revealed that uterine lesions characterized by severe cellular infiltration and glandular changes affected the changes of conception adversely. The lesions in the slaughtered animals correlated with biopsy findings in general.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Fertility studies of semen preserved in coconut milk extender
    (Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) George, P K; KAU; Neelakantan Iyer, C P
    The object of the study was to assess the fertility of semen extended in CME at various periods of storage In comparison with semen extended in EYC. Semen samples collected from three breeding bulls maintained at the Artificial Insemination Centre, Mannuthy were diluted with CMSE and EYC using split sample technique and stored at room temperature and at 50C respectively. Both the samples were preserved upto 96 hours and utilised for the study, A total number of 1112 animals ware utilised for the fertility evaluation. Alternate animals were inseminated with semen extended in CME or EYC. Conception rates were estimated on the basis of rectal examination. Data from the field comprising of 18,245 first inseminations with CME from 55 artificial insemination centres in Kottayam district were also incorporated in the study. The overall conception rate did not vary significantly between CME and EYC extended semen. The conception rate in cows was significantly higher than in heifers both in CME and EYC. Within the same period of storage, conception rate between CME and EYC was not found significant. In EYC, a significant fall in the conception rate was observed after 48 hours of storage but in CME this was noticed only after 72 hours of storage. The variation in the fertility rate between the bulls was not found to be significant. Higher conception rate was observed in the experimental animals than in the field. Significant fall in the conception rate was observed in the field after 48 hours of storage. Seasonal variation in the conception rate was observed, with higher percentage conception in rainy season (June to October) and lower in winter (November to January). Highly significant difference in the fertility of bulls used in the field was also observed. In conclusion, it may be stated that semen preserved in CME can be used up to 72 hours of storage time without substantial reduction in the fertility.