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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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Subject: Veterinary Parasitology × Author: KAU × Author: Syamala, K × End date: 1997 × Start date: 1997 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Immunodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis in goats
    (Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Syamala, K; KAU; Devada, K
    A serological survey was carried out on the prevalence of caprine toxoplasmosis in Kerala, by two simple and sensitive serological tests-modified agglutination test (MAT) and carbon immuno assay (CIA). A total of 152 goat sera were collected from the Government Goat Farms, Attappady and Kommeri, Kerala Agricultural University Goat Farm, Mannuthy and from the slaughter houses at Trichur and Ernakulam. The MAT carried out for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies revealed 53.29 per cent as seropositive while CIA revealed 44.07 per cent. A higher prevalence was detected among does than in bucks. A remarkable age-wise prevalence was not observed in this study. Eventhough a higher prevalence was noticed in Malabari breeds, as the number of goats in each breed was too uneven, a breed-wise prevalence could not be ascertained. Area-wise, a higher prevalence was noticed in goats that belonged to Kannur district, both by MAT and CIA. Modified agglutination test was a sensitive and specific test for the serological surveys on caprine toxoplasmosis, while CIA was a cost effective and simple test which could be made use of under our field conditions. The methods of maintenance and propagation of T. gondii RH strain in mice in the laboratory were standardised and it was found that a dose of 0.30 ml of '+++' infective fluid given intraperitoneally was sufficient for propagation of the strain in mice in the laboratory. White mice experimentally inoculated subcutaneously and intraperitoneally, exhibited similar symptoms like huddling in one corner, anorexia, rough hair coat, respiratory distress and ascites. The intracerebrally inoculated mice showed epileptic symptoms and blindness. Haemorrhage and congestion of lungs, catarrhal inflammation of stomach and intestine and necrosis of liver were the main gross lesions noticed in the acutely infected mice. Alveolar and interstitial pneumonia coagulative necrosis of liver, destruction of tubular and glomerular epithelium of kidney, necrosis of spleen and destruction of cardiac musculature were the prominent microscopic changes observed. Infection in mice by bioassay with acid pepsin digested visceral organs of acutely infected mice was successful. This indicated that T. gondii tachyzoites could survive acid pepsin for 75 min, as the tissues utilised for bioassay carried only Toxoplasma tachyzoites. Studies on the sensitivity of T. gondii tachyzoites to heat revealed that they could be killed by incubating at 56°C for 30 min or boiling at 100°C for five minutes. The method of cultivation of T. gondii tachyzoites in duck embryos by the chorioallantoic membrane route was successful resulting in yellowish white pock lesions on CAM, with congestion and haemorrhage on embryos and brain. A successful cryopreservation of T. gondii using tris-glycerol as cryoprotectant for 145 days at -20°C and for 250 days at -56°C was achieved.