Loading...
Thumbnail Image

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.

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Sero conversion studies of brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine in cattle
    (Department of Veterinery Epidemology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 2007) Nimisha, K N; KAU; Saseendranath, M R
    In the present study, the sero conversion to two doses of Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine was assessed in cattle. Interference of Brucella abortus strain RB51 with routine diagnostic tests for brucellosis was also compared with Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine. Vaccinations were done in sero negative calves of four months and above age. The study animals were grouped into three. Animals of group I and II were subcutaneously vaccinated with 1.8×1010 CFU and 1×1010 CFU of Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine respectively. Whereas group III animals were vaccinated with 4×1010 CFU of Brucella abortus strain 19 subcutaneously. Immune responses were assessed at weekly interval during the first month and there after at monthly interval for a period of six months employing indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Clinical observations of all animals were also made two days before and one week after vaccination. All the vaccinated animals showed febrile reaction during the first 24 to 48hours post inoculation. But returned to normal temperature by 72 hours post inoculation. Eighty two per cent of the vaccinated animals developed swelling at the inoculation site 48 hours after vaccination but found to be reduced by 96 hours and became normal after one week. Animals were quite active and with good appetite throughout the observation period. None of the Brucella abortus SRB51 vaccinated animals, both with higher or lower dose, produced detectable antibody response in the conventional serological tests viz., RBPT and STAT throughout the study period. Whereas animals vaccinated with Brucella abortus S19 produced detectable antibody responses in RBPT and STAT till 90th day. Cattle vaccinated with higher dose of Brucella abortus SRB51 produced significant antibody level earlier (seventh day) than those with lower dose (21st day) and persisted longer (upto150 days), when compared to the group II (only upto 120 days). But both groups showed maximum immune response on the same observation period i.e on 60th day of vaccination. The proportion of animals with significant immune responses were also higher in animals vaccinated with higher dose than those with lower dose except on day 21 and day 90. From the serologic point of view, it is concluded that Brucella abortus strain RB51 is an ideal vaccine candidate than Brucella abortus strain 19 and animals vaccinated with higher dose produced better immune response to Brucella abortus SRB51, when compared to those vaccinated with lower dose.