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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
    Effect of a composite mixture of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica on aflatoxicosis in rabbits
    (Centre for Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Indu, K; KAU; Lalithakunjamma, C R
    Among the various mycotoxins, aflatoxins have been the subject of most intensive research because of the extremely potent cytotoxic and carcinogenic effects. Mycotoxicosis and its counteraction have received greater attention by researchers in the last few decades. In this context an evaluation study on the protective effect of a herbal composite mixture triphala (containing Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica) on aflatoxicosis in rabbits was carried out. The study was conducted for a period of two months with twenty four rabbits divided into three groups of eight each. Rice culture containing 27 ppm of aflatoxin was added appropriately to the ration to get a final concentration of 0.5 ppm. Group I was given 0.5 ppm aflatoxin contaminated feed and group II was given combination of triphala (four per cent) and aflatoxin (0.5 ppm ) contaminated diet. Group III was provided with control diet. There were reduction in body weight gain, Hb, PCV, TLC, lymphocyte count while heterophil count, AST, ALT and ALP levels showed an increase in the toxin fed animals. Addition of triphala at four percent level in the aflatoxin contaminated feed effectively counteracted these changes. The gross and histopathological changes due to aflatoxin were reduced in triphala group. There was widespread vascular changes, extensive necrotic changes, bile duct proliferation, biliary hyperplasia and cholangiocellular carcinoma in the liver and necrotic changes in the kidney of toxin group. These changes were reduced in intensity in triphala group and there was no development of tumors in liver. Regenerative process were well pronounced in the liver and kidney of triphala group. Hence the present study revealed that supplementation of composite mixture of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica at four per cent level could counteract the toxic effects of aflatoxicosis in rabbits.