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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 mastitis in goats(Department of Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Venugopal, K; KAU; Paily, E PIn the present investigation, milk samples from 56 clinical and 379 apparently normal goats were examined. Staphaurous was isolated from 52 percent of clinical cases. The other organisms isolated were, starph. Epidermidis, str, agalactiae, C.pyogenes, K.pneumoniae, Esch. Coli, Ent.aerogenes and P.aeruginosa. The samples examined from apparently normal goats revealed an incidence of 47 percent subclinical mastitis. Mastaid Test conducted on milk samples from apparently normal goats revealed that this test was 96.5 percent efficient in detecting subclinical mastitis. From the somatic cell counts performed on milk samples, it was observed that normal milk (CMT Zero) had a mean cell count of 0.9 lakhs per ml. The cell counts of 5 to 10 lakhs (CMT + ) represented subclinical mastitis. When a comparative study was conducted study was conducted with mastrid test, whiteside test and tcepol mastitic test it was observed that mastaid reagent could only be relied upon in detecting subclinical mastitis. Chloramphenicol was found to be the drug of choice in goat mastitis, as evidenced by the in vitro sensitivity tests. Erythromycin, Ampicillin, Terramycin and Pencillin were moderately efficient. Results of the treatment with sensitive drugs on 40 selected clinical cases have been discussed.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of ascaridia galli infection on newcastle disease (Ranikhet Disease) vaccination(Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1981) Vikraman, V; KAU; Paily, E PUnder controlled conditions, the effect of Ascaridiasis on Newcastle disease vaccination was investigated. Haematological studies revealed reduction in erythrocytes, haemoglobin, serum protein, heterophils and basophils and an increase in leukocytes and eosinophils in A. galli infected birds. Post – vaccinal reactions, mostly of a paralytic nature, were observed in 25 – 30 per cent of the infected birds. The immune response of birds to Newcastle disease as revealed by the HI titres, is reduced by A. galli infection, the magnitude of reduction being related to the severity of worm burden. Although, all the birds resisted challenge, A. galli infected birds developed a mild form of disease. The need for routine deworming of birds before vaccination is stressed.ThesisItem Open Access Incidence of leukaemia and leukaemoid reactions in cattle in Kerala(Department of Therapeutics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1980) Vijayan, R; KAU; Krishnan, Nair MThe present study was taken up to investigate the incidence of leukaemia and leukaemoid reactions in cattle in Kerala, utilizing 550 animals from selected private and Government farms and Veterinary institutions of the state. For the haematological diagnosis Benedixen’s key was followed. The haematological values of all the animals examined fell within the category of normal animals and it could be said that bovine leukaemia was not encountered in the bovine population screened in the present investigation. None of the samples showed any evidence of leukaemoid reactions. A few animals with enlarged lymphnodes showed lymphocyte per cent above 80 but their absolute lymphocyte values were within the normal range. The lymphocytes in the blood smears did not show any cytological abnormalities to indicate noeplastic property.ThesisItem Open Access Study on the incidence of brucellosis in buffaloes in Trichur(Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Baby, K; KAU; Paily, E PThe result of an investigation, carried out on 1026 buffaloes in and around Trichur, to assess the incidence of brucellosis in buffaloes was recorded. Standard serum tube agglutination test was carried out on the blood samples collected from 590 animals in and around Trichur, 146 animals maintained in the three organised farms in the State and 290 animals slaughtered at the abattoir, Kuriachira, Trichur. Milk ring test was conducted on 115 individual samples of milk. The overall incidence of brucellosis in the buffalo population tested was 2.24 per cent. All the animals maintained in the organised farms gave a negative result to brucellosis. The possible methods of control and eradication of brucellosis in Kerala State were discussed.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative feed efficiency of crossbred jersey and crossbred brown swiss cattle(Department of Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1989) Devasia, P A; KAU; Ananthasubramaniam, C RA comparative evaluation of the feed conversion efficiencies of crossbred Jersey and crossbred Brown Swiss cattle of Kerala involving a growth SLudv and a lactation stud} using eight heifer calves and six milch cows each for 28 and 14 fortnights respectively were carried out. While records 01 dailv feed intake water consumption, fortnightly data on bod\ weight, bodv measurements and monthly data on haematological values were maintained during the growth study, data on aailv feed intake milk vield, fortnightly data on composition of mill<, bod\ weight and haematolo gical values were gathered during the lactation stua\. Digestion cum-balance trials were carried out during the 14th and 28th fortnights respectively under growth studv and during the 11th fortnight under lactation studv There were no significant difierences between crossbred Jersey and crossbred Brown Swiss heifer calves in respect of their average daily dr\ matter and water consumptions, various body measurements, haematological values and digestion coefficients of various nutrients in their feed throughou the experimental period of 28 fortnights except that the average digestion coefficients of crude fibre in crossbred Brown Swiss heifer calves during digestion trial I was significantly nigner (P _/0.01) than that of crossbred Jersey Both the groups of heifer calves did not differ sigmficahtly in respect of heir average dailv consumptions of dr> matLer, gross energ} total digestible nutrients, digestible energy crude protein and digestible crude protein per unit metabolic body size (W / ). The feed conversioKB n efficiency values as adjudged m terms of quantities of dry matter, gross energy, total digestible nutrients, digestible energy, crude protein and digestible crude protein needed per kg body weight gain in crossbred Jersey were 13.70+1.01 kg, 54.25_+3.13 Meal, 8.09+0.46 kg, 36.32+2.09 Meal, 1.83+ 0.10 kg and 1.10_+0.06 kg respectively and the same were not significantly different from the average values of 14.80_+1.06 kg, 61.47+4.47 Meal, 9.17+_0.68 kg, 41.19+3.00 Meal, 2.03_+0.14 kg and 1.24^0.08 kg respectively observed in the case of crossbred Brown Swiss heifer calves. Both the groups did not differ significantly m respect of average daily nitrogen retention of 18.48_+0.61 and 18.06_+1.02 g respectively during trial I and 17.90_+1.02 and 18.86+1.13 g respectively during trial II. 0 75 Milch cows belonging to both the genetic groups of crossbred Jersey and crossbred Brown Swiss not only maintained their body weight but also showed an overall average fortnightly weight gain of 1.44+0.14 and 1.71+0.06 kg respectively without any significant difference between them in this regard. They also failed to show any significant difference in respect of feed consumption, digestion coefficients of nutrients and nitrogen retention, the marginally positive nitrogen balance together with normal haematological values obtained in respect of both the groups indicated that all the animals were m good nutritional status. The average daily milk yields of 7.28, 7.06 and 6.43 kg respectively during the 1st, 7th and 13th fortnights in the case of crossbred Jersey cows were not significantly different from those of 7.07, 7.08 and 6.80 kg respectively in the case of crossbred Brown Swiss cows There was no significant difference between cows belonging to the two genetic groups in respect of their average daily consumption of DM, gross energy, TDN, crude protein and DCP per unit metabolic body size. The overall average consumptions of 5.76_+0.23 Meal, 0.76_+0.03 kg, 3.17+0.13 Meal and 103.45+4.60 g respectively of gross energy, total digestible nutrients, digestible energyand DCP per kg of FCM produced by crossbred Jersey cows including their maintenance requirements were not significantly different from 5.87^0.25 Meal, 0.77+0.03 kg, 3.28+0.14 Meal and 104.98_+4.60 g respectively of the same by crossbred Brown Swiss cows. The two crossbred groups of milch cows failed to show any significant difference in respect of their economic efficiency in terms of dairy merit as well as income over feed cost, the average values being 22.74+0.88 and Rs 39.20 per day for crossbred Jersey and 22.59_+0.89 and Rs 39.12 per day for crossbred Brown Swiss cows respectively. No significant differences were observed in the performances of crossbred Jersey and crossbred Brown Swiss cattle in respect of their growth and milk production when reared in the same locality under identical conditions of feeding and management.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on non-specific anorexa in cattle(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1989) Baby, P G; KAU; Alikutty, K MNon – specific anorexia as a peculiar clinical syndrome in cattle was observed for the last one and a half decades in Kerala. Sample survey on the incidence of this syndrome was conducted through the selected veterinary hospitals in the field and of the Kerala Agricultural University. During the period of 1978 – 1982, anorexia syndrome in cattle constituted 10.95 per cent of the total and 32.30 per cent of their digestive disorders. The incidence of the syndrome was also noted high during the months of November to April every year. Ten apparently healthy cattle maintained under identical conditions of feeding and management at the University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy were selected at random and used as the control animals (Group I) for this study. Twenty selected clinical cases of non – specific anorexia presented at the University Hospital, Mannuthy were divided into groups of ten each (Group II and GroupIII) and utilized for these investigations. Course of the disease was followed and samples of rumen liquor and blood were collected and analysed on the first, third and fifth days of their admission in the clinic. Inappetance, mucopurulent nasal discharge, dryness of the muzzle, followed by peeling of its epithelium, constipation or diarrhea, weakness, emaciation and also marked reduction in milk yield in the lactating animals were the clinical manifestations noted in the affected animals. Their rectal temperature was normal, pulse weak and rapid, respiration normal but sometimes labored and visible mucous membranes were pale or became icteric in the later stages of the disease. Rate of rumen motility was reduced and feeble in strength with rumination remaining suspended. Animals of group II were given conventional therapy comprising oral administration of alksline stomachics. Animals of group III were given 25 per cent dextrose solution and vitamin B – complex with liver extract parenterally and stomachics orally on the first, third and fifth days of their admission in the clinic. Rumen liquor of animals of groups II and III was light yellow, olive green or greenish in colour, aromatic / offensive in odour and thick/thin in consistency on the first day of observation. Protozoal motility was poor (+) to vigorous (+++) and sedimentation activity time was prolonged significantly on the first day. The mean pH of the rumen Liquor of these animals was not significantly different from that of the healthy group. Increase in the ammonia nitrogen level and decrease in total volatile fatty acids concentration in the rumen liquor observed on the first day were significant. Blood glucose, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and albumin/globulin ratio in the serum were changed significantly in animals with non – specific anorexia. Significant changes observed in the above parameters in group II animals were further enhanced on third and fifth days of observation. In group III animals, a decrease in the ammonia nitrogen level and increase in the total volatile fatty acids concentration in the rumen liquor observed on the third and fifth day of admission in the clinic was statistically significant. Blood glucose, albumin – globulin ratio in the serum were also increased significantly in group III animals on fifth day. Following modified line of therapy the animals of group III became normal within three to five days. Clinical improvement was indicated by increased appetite, revival of rumen motility and rumination and also increased milk yield in the lactating animals. Decrease in the ammonia nitrogen level and increase in the total volatile fatty acids concentration in the rumen liquor of group III animals were significant on fifth day of therapy. Increase in blood glucose, albumin, albumin ratio in the serum were also found to be statistically significant on the fifth day. The changes in the blood glucose, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and albumin – globulin ratio in the serum indicated hepatic insufficiency possibly responsible for the anorexia developed in the diseased animals. The modified line of therapy was found to be superior to conventional therapy for the clinical management of non – specific anorexia in cattle.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of liver function in ruminal acidosis in goats(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1988) Usha Narayana Pillai; KAU; Alikutty, K MThe results and conclusions drawn from a study on ruminal acidosis carried out to determine the incidence of disease in the field and clinical signs, changes in rumen liquor, blood and urine during the course of induced disease are presented, Based on the results effect of ruminal acidosis on the functional status of the liver was assessed to strengthen the diagnostic – therapeutic approaches hither – to adopted. The available data on the incidence of disease collected from field Veterinary hospitals were utilized for analysis of digestive disorders in goats. Twenty apparently healthy cross – bred goats of either sex weighing 15.0 to 25.0 kg and of 1 – 3 years in age maintained under identical conditions of feeding and management at the University Livestock Farm (AICRP on Goats for Milk Production), Mannuthy were selected at random and utilized for the present study. They were divided into two groups of eight (Group – 1) and twelve (Group – 11) and fistulated by suitable surgical techniques. Animals of Group – 1 were used as healthy control for this study. Ruminal acidosis was induced in Group – 11 animals by intraruminal administration of crushed raw rice at @ 80 g/kg body weight. Course of the disease was followed and clinical observations were made daily. Rumen liquor, blood and urine samples were collected at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of the experiment and analysed. Similarly samples were collected at 24 hourly intervals from animals of group – 1 and analysed to obtain the normal values. Digestive disorders constituted 57.69 per cent of all diseases in goats. The incidence of primary digestive disorders was 29.37 per cent with acid indigestion forming 18.07 per cent. Seasonal variations in the incidence of ruminal acidosis were significant , the highest incidence was recorded during summer followed by rainy and winter seasons. General depression, dullness, mild tympany, absence of reticulo – ruminal contractions, firm and doughy rumen on palpation, foul smelling diarrhoea, purulent nasal discharge, increased rates of pulse and respiration and signs of dehydration were the important clinical signs noticed in the study. Rumen liquor samples collected from Group – 11 animals at 24 hours after induction of the disease were creamy, faintly sour to distinctly sour odour and watery in consistency. These physical characters of rumen liquor persisted during the rest of the period of observations. Complete absence of protozoal motility and SAT could be observed by 24 hours after induction of the disease. Significant decrease in the pH and NH3 – N with associated increase in lactic acid level were observed in all the samples of rumen liquor while decrease in the TVFA level was significant from the 48th hour of experiment. Significant increase in the blood glucose, lactic acid, GOT, LDH, GDH and T ½ of BSP with associated decrease in A:G ratio, cholesterol and fractional clearance of BSP from plasma were observed in animals in which ruminal acidosis was induced. However, total protein, albumin, GPT and NH3 – N levels in blood did not show any significant variations. Changes in the A:G ratio, GOT, LDH, GDH levels in the blood and fractional clearance of dye from the plasma indicated hepatic insufficiency. Urine samples did not reveal presence of any pathological constituents but a linear relationship was maintained between the pH of urine and rumen liquor. Postmortem findings included peeling of rumen mucosae, congestion all along the gastro – intestinal tract, cardiac dilatation, petechial haemorrhage on myocardium, degeneration and necrosis of liver, distension of gallbladder with greenish – yellow tinged fluid and degeneration of kidney.ThesisItem Open Access Role of selected minerals in ruminal indigestion in cross-bred cattle(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1983) George, Thomas; KAU; Alikutty, K Metc. The present investigations were taken up with the objectives to survey the incidence and seasonal dynamics of digestive disorders in cattle in Kerala, to study the associated changes in physical characters, Ph, protozoal motility and sedimatnation activity time of rumen liquor and the status of selected minerals in rumen liquor and blood in clinical cases of simple indigestion in crose – bred cattle and based on the findings in the above to modify and compare the line of therapy for the same. Date collected from selected veterinary hospitals in the field and under the Kerala Agricultural University showed that digestive disorders formed 33.10 per cent of the total of the incidence of diseases in cattle. Among the digestive disorders, cases of indigestion as a whole were 70.07 per cent and simple indigestion mostly associated with dietetic errors were 48.90 per cent. Influence of season on the incidence of these conditions was significant, being highest in summer. This could be attributed to irregularities in with non – availability of good quality fodder throughout the year and feeding cattle predominantly on dry and coarse locally available unconventional animal rations and inadequate supply of water during the season. Eight apparently healthy adult cross-bred cattle from the University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy, formed the healthy control animals (Group I). Twelve clinical cases of simple indigestion in adult cross – bred cattle divided at random into two groups of six each constituted the treatment groups (Group II and III). In Group II animals conventional therapy consisting of bitter stomachics orally and liver extract parenterally was tried. In animals of group III modified therapy comprising of bitter stomachics and ‘Anorexon’ (pfizer pvt. Ltd.) tablets orally and ‘Calborol’ (M & B pvt. Ltd.) intravenously was adopted. Course of the disease was studied and samples of rumen liquor and blood were collected for analysis on the first, fourth and seventh day of admission in the clinic. Important clinical signs of the disease were slight general depression and dullness, partial or complete loss of appetite, suspension of rumination, cessation or depressed rumen contractions, normal or pesty and scanty dung or presence of mild diarrhoes and drop in milk yield. The body temperature and rates of pulse and respiration were normal. Physical characters of the rumen liquor from cattle with simple indigestion were altered in that the colour was brownish yellow/brownish with faintly aromatic/faintly sour odour and thin/thick consistency compared to the greenish yellow colour, aromatic odour and thick consistency of rumen liquor from healthy control animals. Protozoal motility was suppressed (slow (+) to moderate (++) and SAT was prolonged to 26.16 + 1.70 minutes. Levels of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the rumen liquor and blood were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in the cases studied. However, the levels of sodium and potassium did not show any significant variations before, during or after therapy. Mean calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium levels of rumen liquor in affected animals were 10.20 + 0.37 mg/dl, 7.76 + 0.23 mg/dl, 5.85 + 0.20 mg/dl, 132.33 + 1.17 mEg/L and 23.93 + 1.74 mEg/L respectively and the corresponding values in blood were 10.17 + 0.096 mg/dl, 5.17 + 0.093 mg/dl, 2.12 + 0.28 mg/dl, 150.35 + 1.30 mEg/L and 4.61 + 0.13 mEg/L. Physical characters, protozoal motility and SAT of the rumen liquor have almost returned to normal ranges following therapy. Improvements in calcium, phosphorus and magnesium level in rumen liquor and blood could presumably be associated with revivel of appetite and increased intake of feed following therapy. On the basis of better clinical response as judged by early return of appetite and milk yield, better improvements in the microbial activity of rumen liquor and mineral status of rumen liquor and blood and shorter recovery period, the modified therapy was found superior to the conventional therapy for the clinical management of simple indigestion in cross – bred cattle.ThesisItem Open Access Clinical investigation on the seasonally occurring respiratory disease in goats(Department of Therapeutics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Joseph, C R; KAU; Aleyas, N MIncidence of a seasonally occurring respiratory disease problem in goats is on the increase in recent years. Review of available literature revealed paucity of adequate information on the clinico – therapeutic aspects of this condition. The present study was takenuup to throw more light on them. A total of 65 clinical cases of respiratory disorders admitted to the University Veterinary Hospitals, Mannuthy and Trichur and Veterinary Dispensary, Ollur during the period November 1978 to February, 1979 were studied, keeping 10 apparently healthy goats of All India Co – ordinated Research Project on Goats for Milk Production as control. The investigation included collection of data on the incidence, clinical examination, culture and sensitivity tests of nasal swab, haematological examination and therapeutic trials with suitable chemotherapeutic agents in clinical cases. The data collected from the records maintained in the Veterinary Hospitals, Mannuthy and Trichur showed a high incidence of this condition during the period November to February. The condition usually started as an upper respiratory tract affection and gradually spread to the lower respiratory organs. The important clinical signs noticed were anorexia, emaciation, easily induced frequent dry cough, mucopurlent nasal discharge, rise or normal temperature, increased pulse and respiratory rates, inspiratory dyspnoea, abnormal sounds on auscultation and fall in milk yield in lactating animals. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity tests and efficacy of treatments in clinical cases showed that chloramphenicol is the drug of choice, followed by nitrofurantoin. If the disease can be treated sufficiently early with suitable chemotherapeutic agents nearly 100 per cent cure is possible. Bacterial isolates from apparently healthy animals were Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium, Pasteurella, Escherichia and citrobacter spp. While staphyclococcus, streptococcus, corynebacterium, pasteurella, Escherichia and klebsiella spp. Were isolated from diseased animals. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia and normal eosinophil count with a reduction in total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin and packed cell volume were observed in diseased animals. Anaemic changes were noticed even after getting clinical cure. Fall in total leukocyte count and neutrophil percentage towards normal and a slight increase in lymphocyte percentage was noticed on the date of discharge. Significant leukopenia was evident in chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, streptomycin, erythromycin and ‘Proxymer’ treated groups while in chlortetracycline and kanamycin groups no change was noticed. Significant neutropenia was noticed in chloramphenicol, chlortetracycline, nitrofurantoin, kanamycin and erythromycin groups whereas the difference was not significant in streptomycin group. Significant lymphocytosis was observed in all the groups treated except erythromycin group.